Calories Question

kimann93
kimann93 Posts: 1
edited February 6 in Health and Weight Loss
Hello-

I am currently doing an HCG diet (through a naturopath) I have 9 days left of a 46 day plan. I have lost 11 lbs ( twice I fell off the wagon, Halloween was hard) and numerous inches.
I bumped my calories up though, 500 calories is not enough to live on!! I try to stay between 700-800.
My question is if I follow the recommended calories per day from Fitness pal of 1500. do you think my weight loss would be more successful?

Thanks

Replies

  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    You lost weight due to VLCD...not HCG..HEre is a quote on it.

    "In 1995, the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology published an analysis of research showing no benefit of hCG in promoting weight loss. A December 2009 position paper of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians concluded they did not recommend hCG as a weight loss aid.

    Quack Watch.org director Stephen Barrett, MD tells WebMD that "scientific studies have demonstrated that hCG injections do not cause weight loss.”

    He describes the protocol as extreme, nearly impossible to adhere to, and senseless, especially because the clinical trials have demonstrated that hCG is ineffective as a weight loss aid.

    There are no FDA-approved hCG weight loss products, and the FDA and Federal Trade Commission have cracked down on several companies marketing hCG weight loss products

    Potential Health Risks
    Not only will you waste your money on hCG, but there are also potential consequences -- from side effects of the product and self-injections to nutritional deficiencies.

    It is virtually impossible to meet your nutritional needs for carbohydrates, protein, fats, and fiber with less than 500 calories per day and the diet will most likely result in vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

    Minimum calorie levels are closer to 1200-1500 daily to satisfy hunger, fuel daily activities, and provide all the nutrients you need for good health each day.

    When calories consumed are so low or close to starvation level, your body not only burns fat, but also muscle mass can be used for fuel. The last thing any dieter needs is to lose precious muscle mass, because that is what keeps your metabolism at its best. Not only will you lose fat and muscle, odds are the weight lost will return and when it does, it usually returns as all fat.

    The bottom line: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Besides, if losing weight were as simple as promised by the hCG diet, why would the obesity epidemic continue to exist in the U.S.?

    Studies show the best diet is the one you can stick with. And there is little chance anyone can stick with this diet plan. Choose a diet that works for your lifestyle, but don’t choose one that requires expensive and worthless hCG."
  • Yooperm35
    Yooperm35 Posts: 787 Member
    any diet that's a 'lose weight fast' "lose weight easy' 'lose weight in 30 days" "lose weight quick" diet - is BS - what happens when you quit taking HCG?

    http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-about-hcg-for-weight-loss
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    Oh stop it. Eat according to what MFP tells and stop giving your money to this quack naturopath. 700-800 calories, let alone 500, is not enough to meet your nutritional needs, including micro and macronutrients.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
    I forgot to add, is weight loss your only measure of success? If it is, then 500 calories is great! 200 would be even better! But if you want to keep your muscles and hair and avoid heart problems from electrolyte imbalances and nutritional deficiencies then please start eating normally. At a reasonable deficit with enough fats and proteins and micronutrients for your body to function.
  • angie007az
    angie007az Posts: 406 Member
    I wouldn't recommend the HCG. I tried it and it sure didn't work for me. Besides that, it can make your hair fallout.
  • bsuew
    bsuew Posts: 628 Member
    Only eatting 500 or 700-800 calories seems to me to be too extreme. I follow a 1200 calorie, low carb life style. I've lost slowly 84 lbs in 20 months. But, I'm happy with that. I know now that I'll be able to live the rest of my life without gaining it back. I've learned how to eat and what to eat. With only eatting that few of calories I don't see how you could be learning what to eat to maintain when you do loose what you want to loose. I think that is just as important. Years ago I was on a diet pill under doctors care. Yes I lost the weight but, didn't learn anything to help after I reached my goal. I gained everything back and more. This time it's not always been easy but I believe that it is maintainable. Which to me is so important. You can achieve your goals, one day at a time, following mfp.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    You body is using calories all the time.....heart, lungs, kidneys, etc.

    When your body doesn't get enough nutrients (from food) it has to look elsewhere. It would be "ideal" if every calorie needed could come from stored fat, but unfortunately our bodies don't work that way. Fast weight loss often sacrifices muscle mass. Your muscle mass is part of what keeps your metabolism running at a good pace. People who lose fat+muscle are often disappointed with how they look. Do you want to look slim & sleek, or have the same body you have now.....only smaller.

    Also, a slower metabolism will reduce the number of calories your body needs to maintain your current (or new) weight.
  • Karyn1120
    Karyn1120 Posts: 184 Member
    500 calories is way too low - stick with the MFP guidelines. You'll lose weight and feel soooo much better!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories