HCG Diet?

The simplest way to answer your question is to suggest you utilize the "search" function above this post, and type in HCG. You will find there have been many threads and posts on this subject.

If followed correctly, it works wonders. If followed incorrectly, it doesn't. I followed it correctly and lost about 50 lbs and have kept it off. I thought it was easy to do. This is fact, not "too good to be true". I've since gone into the maintenance mode and have stayed within 5-10 lbs of my lowest weight. I feel great and am extremely pleased with the results I obtained from it.

People who gain weight back after doing the HCG program do so b/c they think they can go back to eating like crap after they lose weight. Of course you'll gain the weight back if you do this. If I lost 50 lbs using the traditional "move more/eat less" method, then stopped exercising & ate more and then gained it all back, would people think that "move more/eat less" doesn't work? Of course not, it'd be my own fault. But if somebody eats poorly after losing weight with HCG and gains weight, it means HCG doesn't work? That makes no sense to me.

I eat better now than I did before taking HCG. It helped me change my eating habits for the better and I've stuck to them after I stopped taking HCG.

HCG is not a quick-fix. It's Step 1 in the right direction.

I suggest you search as well. You'll see many positive posts from people who have successfully done (or are currently doing) the program. You'll also find many posts from naysayers cutting it down, but none of them have tried it or even bothered to read the eBook that details it. You have to decide which of those sources is reliable.

The entire HCG plan IS a lifelong plan. The 500 calorie diet is only the beginning.

I don't know about "teaching" me better eating habits, but I definitely eat better now than I did before HCG. Many more vegetables, and I now eat more organic food than before. Why? Because while on HCG, I was able to kick my addictions to high fructose corn syrup and MSG. I no longer crave the garbage foods I used to (ice cream, candy, soda, McDonald's, etc). Could I have kicked these addictions without HCG? Maybe, but I believe it would've been much more difficult.

If you can't imagine eating only 500 calories/day, I can understand that. I know I was freaked out about it before I started. Here is why it's necessary. While properly taking HCG, it is releasing .5-1 lb of FAT per day! That's about 1750-3500 calories/day, sometimes more! You don't just pee this out, your body burns it as fuel. You don't need to eat as much when you're burning your own fat for fuel. It's simple math. Isn't that what we all want to do? Burn fat?

Ask yourself WHY you can't imagine eating only 500 calories/day? Is it because you're afraid you'd be hungry? What if you weren't hungry? Do you just enjoy food so much you can't imagine not having as much? Those types of addictive feelings are most likely from chemicals in the food supply. I no longer have those feelings, thus making it much easier for me to eat better even after I stopped taking HCG.

I'm glad you lost 39 lbs in about 10 months. I lost that in about 5 weeks and have kept it off since.

In the past I have been very against the HCG plan, but my Naturopathic Doctor has me reading about it because it is supposed to reset you thyroid so that you can lose the weight naturally as you go through the phases.

I think I was against it too because I didn't know anything about it.

Thanks ladies for educating us on this plan. I am pondering telling her I want to do this, but it is costly...............$350.00 for the plan and the drops.

So my mom and a few other people i know are talking about this HCG diet, has anybody tried or know anyone who has done this diet? My main concern is that it is very low calories and does not require much working out? Is this too good to be true?

In my opinion, this whole HCG thing is a crock, and yes I feel it is too good to be true. A co-worker was going to go on it recently and was reading material on it, so I read her binder of information Quite honestly, it sounds like someone is writing a sweet little book to get some cash. And the doctors promoting it are out to get some money too. People who use diet pills, injections and other short means of losing weight are setting themselves up for failure. When you lose weight over a longer period of time, I believe that people tend to watch and become more aware of what they eat. When it takes you that long and you work that hard, you want to make it worth it. Just like if my dad were to give me a brand new car...would I treat it as well as a car that I had to work hard to save and purchase on my own??? No, probably not. If its a quick fix, its likely to become a yo-yo diet. This is all my opinion based on what I've read. I also think that hey- if someone wants to lose weight that fast and only eat 500 dollars...skip the $350 for the cost of the injections/pills and just eat 500 calories/day. Its not healthy for you, but its just as unhealthy as the HCG injections combined with eating 500 calories a day and it would save money.

Also, does your mom realize that this drug is supposed to be used to help women with fertility issues? Doctors at real hospitals use the hormone to help women get pregnant.

So, in conclusion--- tell your mom about MyFitnessPal. Its a great place to learn how to incorporate healthy eating & exercise. It may be a hard journey, and a longer one. But, much more worth it. Doing it on her own, without some fad diet injection program, will help her to gain the confidence to live a healthy lifestyle.


And FYI...Manny Ramirez, the pro baseball player for the LA Dodgers, was banned for 50 games for using HCG, which they caught in a drug test last spring. Now, tell me that doesn't sound like something to be worried about????? Obviously not good for you.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4148907

Here's the article from ESPN.

He was banned because hcg up's ones testosteron (sp). Please don't discourage people without knowing much about it.

I'm going to give my concerns and opinions to the original poster, because she asked. I'm not going to argue with you.

HCG is the best thing I have done in my whole life as far as weight loss. I have done about every possible diet out there and have never been very successful. I am currently down 39 lbs. and feel absolutely great. I have plenty of energy and my skin looks great. No saggy skin. I am currently at the beginning of my 3rd round. After my first 2 round, I stablized great. I was eating about 2600 cals and maintained my weight within 2 lbs of my lowest weight. First 2 rounds were shorter rounds. This one will be a long one to get the remainder of my weight off.

I have learned a new way of eating that make me feel much better. I basically follow a low carb way of eating, but was able to indulge on occasion with no problems.

I am currently doing my hopefully final round and have lost 15.8 lbs. in 15 days. I can't tink of any other weight loss plan that I was able to do that and feel this great and also not have the skin sagging issues. Don't knock this plan until you do the research. I researched for 3 months befor I decided to give it a try and have never regreated it.

I have been reserching it for a couple of weeks now, and I keep hearing people talk about the ebook for HCG. Can you tell me where to find these?

My sister and I ordered it from evitaminmarket.com. We ordered the D140 2oz homeopathic drops.

Please keep in mind that they sell several different choices for hcg and I did not read up on which one to get. My sis chose this one and I didn't ask why I just did what she did. She is currently on phase 4 and will be doing a second round starting sometime in August. (her first round she lost 28 lbs in 45 days and has kept it off for 4 weeks so far)

Also, she purchased some other teas and supplements which I did not. My total including shipping was $30.12.



Good luck!!

Traci

I have been reserching it for a couple of weeks now, and I keep hearing people talk about the ebook for HCG. Can you tell me where to find these?

www.thehcgdiet.com/pdf/pounds-and-inches-by-dr-a-t-w-simeons.pdf

hCG Diet Reviewed by FullBar’s Dr. Michael Snyder
http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/07/hcg-diet-look-elsewhere-for-weight-loss/

"You won’t see me promoting quick fixes or fad diets anytime soon. But every once in awhile something comes along that seems so dangerous I have to call it out. That’s why I’m going to help reveal the truth behind the HCG diet."

"There is no scientific evidence supporting HCG injections as a weight loss strategy. In addition, these injections have not been approved by the FDA for use in weight loss. In fact, since 1975 the FDA has required all marketing and advertising of HCG to state the following: “HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or ‘normal’ distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.”"

"The common side effects include headaches, mood swings, depression, blood clots, confusion, and dizziness. Some women also develop a condition called Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS); symptoms of this include pelvic pain, swelling of the hands and legs, stomach pain, weight gain"

@Lefty:

Well, your's are the first comments I have read against HCG that seemed to at least have some research behind it, so kudos for that.

That said, I did read the articles that you quoted, and although I plan to think further on the subject my conclusions for now are this:

Let's assume that it isn't the HCG that's working. Do I care? I feel great and the weight is coming off - isn't that the goal?

Let's day that it is the VLCD that forces the body to burn fat as fuel to supplement dietary intake, instead of HCG causing the body to release stored fat for use as fuel, then supplementing with the VLCD. Again - do I care?

Maybe the HCG is a placebo or an excuse to go on a strict VLCD. I has certainly given me 2 solid weeks of hard core discipline that I needed . . . badly.

My goal is to VLCD another 2-3 weeks, Phase 3 (no starch/sugar) for 3 weeks, then gently go back to a healthier version of 'normal' eating, with variety, flavor, color, and pleasure.

I understand that you have only been on MFP for a few weeks, but looking over your food diary, it looks like you have found a few favorite meals and eat them regularly. Do you think you will eventually want more variety - or is this a plan you can use as your 'forever' lifestyle? Also, I have reset my protein and carb percentages much closer together than you have yours based on information in Muscle & fitness about toning and increasing muscle strength.

My sister is 4-5 weeks ahead of me on HCG - she is currently in Phase 4 (maintenance) and is prepping for a second round of HCG. She and a group of others are currently in different phases of the HCG diet. All I know for sure is that the people she and I have spoken to than are actually on/have been on this plan have not suffered irritability or hunger while on it.

It's working for me.

More info for you ladies.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
https://health.google.com/health/ref/Ovarian+hyperstimulation+syndrome

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a complication from some forms of fertility medication. Most cases are mild, but a small proportion is severe.

Symptoms
The symptoms of OHSS can range from mild to severe. Most women with the condition have mild symptoms such as:
Abdominal bloating
Mild pain in the abdomen
Weight gain
In rare cases, women can have more serious symptoms, including:
Significant weight gain (more than 10 pounds in 3 - 5 days)
Severe pain or swelling in the abdomen
Decreased urination
Shortness of breath

Causes
Normally, a woman produces one egg per month. Some women undergoing fertility treatments are given medicines to help normalize egg development or increase egg production.
However, if the drugs stimulate the ovaries too much, the ovaries can suddenly become very swollen and fluid can leak into the belly and chest area. This is called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS occurs only after the eggs are released from the ovary (ovulation).
You may be more likely to get OHSS if your doctor gives you an injection of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to help trigger ovulation. You may have an even greater risk of this syndrome if you receive more than one dose of hCG after ovulation and if you become pregnant during this cycle. OHSS rarely, if ever, occurs in women who only take fertility medicines by mouth.
OHSS affects up to 10% of women who go through in vitro fertilization. In most cases the condition is mild, but some women get a severe and dangerous form of OHSS.

Complications
In rare cases, OHSS can lead to life-threatening complications, including:
Blood clots
Kidney failure
Severe electrolyte imbalance
Severe fluid build-up in the abdomen or chest

Sounds very safe huh.

I guess we will have to agree to disagree.

I am not the one you are disagreeing with. I am just giving you the FACTS. Not opinions, facts. How you want to use them is for you. Its your body. And your risk.

I know my kids aint worth the risk. Maybe yours are.

It worked for my friend but she said she was hungry the whole time. Since the diet consists of so few calories your body goes into starvation mode and it will eat away your fat and MUSCLE! NOT A GOOD THING! I say do not do it. She gained back almost all of it and is planning on doing it again which i just don't understand. I believe in eating in moderation and exercising to keep the weight off and be healthy. No yo yo diets!