Day 1 of HCG
Replies
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A lot of body builders have used HCG successfully to get more cut. I do not think that is the proper use of this particular diet, but people will do what they do. I am a former gymnast, so I used to be in much better shape prior to having my four kids. And having number 4 in my late 30's did not do me good for my metabolism. Committing myself to HCG for 21 days has eliminated my pot belly, but hey, I'm not gonna lie, my *kitten* and my legs still look fabulous!
I lost 4 inches from my waistline, hit my goal of losing 15 pounds, and now I have resumed my yoga and dance routines from before. Prior to this I had done CrossFit for two months while on a 1600 calorie diet. I lost 5 pounds in that time and I was in so much pain because CrossFit is AWESOME! But it kicked my out of shape butt so bad I couldn't walk for three days after every work out. I would love to go back to it in the spring, but for now I am just psyched that I'm back in my size 8's again! 0 -
Teagin2002, it will be interesting to see what happens when you stop doing rounds of HCG and eat in a normal, healthy calorie range for at least several months.
Of course, you will continue to lose when you are starving on 500 calories a day, and tightly controlling your food selections, HCG or not. But my question is, are you brave enough to stop doing HCG for several months to see how much of your weight comes back, even if you do eat healthy?
Because that's what happens to most people. It is called the yo yo diet effect, because starving your body slows down your metabolism, and once you start eating normally again, even if you are eating healthy, most, if not all, of the fat usually comes back. Your body does that to protect you from the next famine when there is too little food.
That is why nearly all health experts caution people not to drop their daily calories below 1,200, and more if they exercise, when they want to lose weight.0 -
I don't post much on this site, but have to here.
500 calories diet is hardly starvation.
Breakfast- orange or apple, coffee with milk (or in my case a breve EVERY morning)
Lunch- standard portion of meat and a WHOLE bag of spinach steamed
Dinner- standard portion of meat and a HUGE salad seasoned with mustard and ACV
Snack- fruit blended with ice and vanilla extract
and a couple breadsticks to munch on when I want...
Hardly starving. Hardly unhealthy. Fruit. Check. Veggies. Check. Grains. Check. Meat. Check. Dairy. Check. Did I mention it's only 21 days?? And the more I think about it, it reminds me some of Joel Furman's Eat for Health lifestyle...
And that's only for 3 weeks...then onto the part of the diet where I eat practically anything I want as long as it has no sugar or starch--sometimes 2000cal. a day and don't gain a pound!!
I learned if I eat Wonder Bread, I gain, but homemade, I can have a few pieces and not gain. I used to be addicted to sweets, now I hardly have them. People make this into such a big deal...But this has been a miracle for me. I've tried so many other lifestyle plans...
I eat healthier now than I ever did! The protocol teaches you; it helps you to learn what is good for *you* and what is not so good for *you*.
All the people who say they "know someone who gained it all back"---Did these people follow the plan? Obviously not, because if they had, they wouldn't have gained the weight back; they would've dealt with the gains right away per protocol and not had the OMG I gained it all back plus some. If you follow the protocol that just does NOT happen.
I've lost 30lbs. Kept it off for 6 months so far. Half way to goal and back to being "healthy". I can go up a flight of stairs without losing my breath. I eat breakfast every day. My joint pains are improving. Hardly unhealthy.0 -
I don't post much on this site, but have to here.
500 calories diet is hardly starvation.
Breakfast- orange or apple, coffee with milk (or in my case a breve EVERY morning)
Lunch- standard portion of meat and a WHOLE bag of spinach steamed
Dinner- standard portion of meat and a HUGE salad seasoned with mustard and ACV
Snack- fruit blended with ice and vanilla extract
and a couple breadsticks to munch on when I want...
Hardly starving. Hardly unhealthy. Fruit. Check. Veggies. Check. Grains. Check. Meat. Check. Dairy. Check. Did I mention it's only 21 days?? And the more I think about it, it reminds me some of Joel Furman's Eat for Health lifestyle...
o rly? you are deficient in both proteins and fats in your above listed diet0 -
A lot of body builders have used HCG successfully to get more cut. I do not think that is the proper use of this particular diet, but people will do what they do.
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/hcg-diet-whats-the-truth.html , Anabolicminds and extreme fitness which are the big 3 body building sites are all against HCG because you do not get what is needed to stop muscle cannibalization.
Now a lot of them are believers in HGH though. Which opens up all other kinds of problems.0 -
o rly? you are deficient in both proteins and fats in your above listed diet
Ummm, did you miss the 21 days part? Am I going to die because for 21 days I am light on protein and fat?0 -
o rly? you are deficient in both proteins and fats in your above listed diet
Ummm, did you miss the 21 days part? Am I going to die because for 21 days I am light on protein and fat?
Nope but you aren't being healthy either, which you were claiming. So now it's okay not to be healthy because it's only 21 days?0 -
If anyone did not gain all their weight back after being on a starvation diet like HCG , you can be sure that it had nothing to do with HCG.
Either their body had a high tolerance for starvation eating, or they took a food out of their diet that was making them hold onto fat, and did not reintroduce it once they finished with the scam HCG plan. (If you want to find out if a particular food or food group is making you fat, there are much safer elimination diet plans than HCG to work on that issue.)
But nearly everyone gains back after being on a starvation calorie diet like that. That's just the way most people's bodies work. You take they calories down too low, and they go into starvation mode, where your body holds onto every cell of fat it can to protect you from future famines.
Dr. Simeons was a proven quack doctor. None of the reliable independent studies have been able to confirm his "findings"
http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-about-hcg-for-weight-loss
http://www.dietscam.org/reports/hcg.shtml
http://www.tucsonmedical.com/pages/hcg.php0 -
Teagin2002, it will be interesting to see what happens when you stop doing rounds of HCG and eat in a normal, healthy calorie range for at least several months.
Of course, you will continue to lose when you are starving on 500 calories a day, and tightly controlling your food selections, HCG or not. But my question is, are you brave enough to stop doing HCG for several months to see how much of your weight comes back, even if you do eat healthy?
Because that's what happens to most people. It is called the yo yo diet effect, because starving your body slows down your metabolism, and once you start eating normally again, even if you are eating healthy, most, if not all, of the fat usually comes back. Your body does that to protect you from the next famine when there is too little food.
That is why nearly all health experts caution people not to drop their daily calories below 1,200, and more if they exercise, when they want to lose weight.
I am done for ever, and I have maintained my weight without any problems at all.0 -
I'm loving this! i'm going to grab a small mix of popcorn and healthy nuts and pulses and sit back and watch this one unfold. Oh and I cna do that because I'm allowed to eat on my 'diet'.0
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Cliff Notes from several of the articles about weight lifters and those caring about the muscle mass. This doesn't effect those wanting to just drop weight as much.
Protein Content
The diet is extremely devoid in protein content. Although you are getting your 100 grams of protein in at lunch and dinner, which is more than some other fad diets have you consuming, altogether this is still only going to provide roughly 50-60 grams of protein per day, which isn't enough to support lean muscle mass maintenance even on a regular diet plan.
Nutrients
The third problem with this diet plan is that with so few nutrients coming in, exercise will be virtually impossible. In fact, the creator of the diet actually recommends against any exercise more than a light walk because it will simply be too difficult on the body while using this diet.0 -
If you read my posts before, I addressed why if the body didn't maintain the weight loss it didn't.
I don't understand are you jealous or something, wanting me to gain weight.0 -
o rly? you are deficient in both proteins and fats in your above listed diet
Ummm, did you miss the 21 days part? Am I going to die because for 21 days I am light on protein and fat?
Also it says for up for 40 days, so what if you go 40 days then? Is the diet okay for 21 but not 40? This is a true question. I've seen different numbers thrown around by people on days of a cycle.0 -
RachelSNO, if you really cared about people's health, why are you trying to make so many people feel bad? I posted those links about VLCD's for you my dear. Take a moment of your time to read please. You see, the VLCD phase can actually save people's life! People that are at risk or already have Type 2 diabetes from eating poorly their whole life. It resets their metabolism.
I wanted to point out, that those of us doing HCG and eating low carb should be the grumpy ones, right? I mean, in the past when I hadn't had enough carbs I was super grumpy. But I feel fantastic! I have oodles of energy. I'm in a great mood! And I am not starving at all. Of course, I did my time on the 21 days, and now I am back to eating 1800 calories a day to maintain for the past three weeks - haven't gained back any of the weight I lost! I am eating "normal" - last night I ate four pieces of Papa Murphy's De Lite Spinach Artichoke and Chicken Pizza for dinner. It was DIVINE by the way - yum yum! Oh, I was down .2 today from my last VLCD weigh in. Yay me!
What I have learned about MY body from doing this diet:
A. I Like vegetables! Who wudda thought?
B. Potatoes are not my friend - bye bye french fries
C. I can eat a giagantic steak and LOSE weight - woot!
D. I really need to feed my family better foods - no more hamburger helper around here, I will be feeding them healthy home cooked meals from now on
E. I now take a daily vitamin and probiotic daily - and I think I'll keep that one forever now
F. I now drink at least 64 ounces of water a day - no more letting myself get dehydrated - I like this new habit - my skin and hair look great!
G. Losing 15 pounds of belly fat has really relieved my lower back pain! Thank You HCG diet!!
So, my only advice to you Ms. SNO is perhaps you are feeling a little grumpy today? I would suggest eating some carbs, but I have learned that a nice dose of protein along with a big juicy honey crisp apple should do the trick!0 -
If you read my posts before, I addressed why if the body didn't maintain the weight loss it didn't.
I don't understand are you jealous or something, wanting me to gain weight.
Isn't there an after the diet like 3 week period where you start to introduce more food and cals. To get metabolism back in whack some?0 -
Nope but you aren't being healthy either, which you were claiming. So now it's okay not to be healthy because it's only 21 days?
So, I should go back to my old ways because then I am getting enough fat to make you guys happy.
My sister in law with terminal cancer has lived 20 years longer than the doctors said she would by eating only vegetables and raw foods. No fats other than coconut oil (which I forgot to mention I use to cook my meats in--so I guess I am getting fats). Either way, I do not want to live my life worrying about the numbers. That's another point of the hcg protocol. The only time I need to keep track of numbers is for that 21 days. After that, it's all about you eating normal and paying attention to what affects your weight personally. On Monday, I may have a nice ribeye and then on Tuesday have some fish or just a salad...
It's so trivial for people to pick and poke at something a person does for a couple weeks. People juice fast, people, eat bacon, egg, and cheese all day every day--and I suppose that's healthy becasue they aren't deficient in fat and protien? I mean, I am BARELY deficient for those 21 days. A portion of meat is *supposed* to 3.5 ounces so really I am just practicing portion control and eating TONS of veggies.0 -
Teagin2002, if that is true that you have gone several months without regaining, it certainly has nothing at all do do with HCG or that quack Dr. Simeons and his starvation protocol.
You would be doing people in this group a great favor if you stopped trying to be a HCG poster child, because the people you "inspire" to try this extreme scam diet might be the very ones that become ill from it and mess up their metabolism or general health for life.0 -
Most of us have been there, but in the end all the people who are truly successful realise that this there is no quick fix, use the tools at your disposal with MFP and log your food and excercise in a healthy way.
HA! Love the pic.0 -
I really cannot believe how negative and attacking people can be here on a message board designed to offer SUPPORT. I have been attacked also for eating "too few calories" I simply choose to avoid people that cannot offer CONSTRUCTIVE advice with KIND words. People here are so quick to "judge" and that is just not acceptable. If what you have to say can't offer HELP then perhaps it should not be said.0
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My friend has lost about 23 lbs. in a month on HCG. She can certainly do it and has gotten results. I wouldn't be able to do that though... 500 calories is too low.
I can lose 30 lbs in a month WITHOUT doing the HCG diet.0 -
Nope but you aren't being healthy either, which you were claiming. So now it's okay not to be healthy because it's only 21 days?
So, I should go back to my old ways because then I am getting enough fat to make you guys happy.
My sister in law with terminal cancer has lived 20 years longer than the doctors said she would by eating only vegetables and raw foods. No fats other than coconut oil (which I forgot to mention I use to cook my meats in--so I guess I am getting fats). Either way, I do not want to live my life worrying about the numbers. That's another point of the hcg protocol. The only time I need to keep track of numbers is for that 21 days. After that, it's all about you eating normal and paying attention to what affects your weight personally. On Monday, I may have a nice ribeye and then on Tuesday have some fish or just a salad...
It's so trivial for people to pick and poke at something a person does for a couple weeks. People juice fast, people, eat bacon, egg, and cheese all day every day--and I suppose that's healthy becasue they aren't deficient in fat and protien? I mean, I am BARELY deficient for those 21 days. A portion of meat is *supposed* to 3.5 ounces so really I am just practicing portion control and eating TONS of veggies.
Umm never did we say that people who eat tons of fat is a good thing either, do you not know balance? I just called you out on your claim. If you make a claim don't contradict it.0 -
Cliff Notes from several of the articles...
Protein Content
The diet is extremely devoid in protein content. Although you are getting your 100 grams of protein in at lunch and dinner, which is more than some other fad diets have you consuming, altogether this is still only going to provide roughly 50-60 grams of protein per day, which isn't enough to support lean muscle mass maintenance even on a regular diet plan.
Nutrients
The third problem with this diet plan is that with so few nutrients coming in, exercise will be virtually impossible. In fact, the creator of the diet actually recommends against any exercise more than a light walk because it will simply be too difficult on the body while using this diet.
I know you are trying to quote stuff from above, but the food that is eaten is just to help the body get the nutrition it is missing by utilizing the fat reserves, so it is not the main source of nutrition the body is getting. The fat reserves are, and that is why it is important that the person has enough abnormal fat in it's reserves to do the diet or that person will start and suffer.
As for not maintaining the weight loss there are a few reason I can list from my experience. Had to do a lot of steak days to get back on track and correct them. Cheating while on the drops is one. Sometimes people don't know they are cheating, for me for instance one round I used the stevia in the raw brand (not pure stevia) it took me 6 weeks to stabilize my weight and be able to move on, when it should have taken only 1. If they are not taking the proper dosage, as drop do not enter n to to bloodstream directly you will have to take twice as much as you would in the injection so 3 ml/day.
Another is the small cheats, they effect people differently like the egg day or the cheese day, there are not to be don't at all while on the VLCD.
If the person doesn't have enough abnormal fat and starved them selves on the VLCD it is not going to work and if there s someone on HCG and if they are feeling like they are starving please let me know I have been there in my last round and I can help you get through it and be able to maintain the weight loss.0 -
d2footballJRC, making new friends I see...0
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My friend has lost about 23 lbs. in a month on HCG. She can certainly do it and has gotten results. I wouldn't be able to do that though... 500 calories is too low.
I can lose 30 lbs in a month WITHOUT doing the HCG diet.
+1111111 I've lost over 80 pounds in 80 days, and I eat well over 2K calories a day. Just have to find what works for you. If people want to do the HCG diet and it works for them though, who are we to stop them.0 -
d2footballJRC, making new friends I see...
I reworded it, I meant it for the weight lifters. I learned from talking to you to watch how things are worded.0 -
If you read my posts before, I addressed why if the body didn't maintain the weight loss it didn't.
I don't understand are you jealous or something, wanting me to gain weight.
Isn't there an after the diet like 3 week period where you start to introduce more food and cals. To get metabolism back in whack some?
You will have to eat according to your BMI and activity level, and introduce foods in. I am beyond that point in in life fase, I can eat anything I want but don't. Also note after the three days of weening the HCG out of the system the metabolism is back. You don't need to do anything to get that back0 -
I also find it funny that the biggest nay sayers on this forum, also ask some of the most basic questions revealing that they have not researched the diet at all, they are just jumping on a bandwagon out of boredom. Here is a "cliffnotes" version of the diet plan:
A. If you want to lose 15 pounds or less - you do the 21 day plan
B. If you have more to lose, the max length of a VLCD round is 40 days
C. After the VLCD round is complete and you have lost the weight you are going to lose for that round you record that weight and for the next three weeks your mission is to maintain that weight +/- 2 pounds. You are allowed to consume your MFP maintenance calories during this time (I am 5'6" and 145 pounds, so MFP put me at around 1800 calories) with one stipulation, you can not eat refined sugar or starch - so you get your carbs from fruits and veggies only, but there is no limit on fat and protein. I regularly exceed my protein and fats for the day, but keep my carbs at about 50-75, and I have maintained beautifully.
D. After the three weeks of maintenance, you get slowly reintroduce carbs and find out how certain ones will affect you. This is eating for life, so you learn about whether or not a potato causes you to gain, but a piece of whole wheat toast is fine, etc.
Again, this is a diet that teaches you about your own body. It is not for everyone. If it's not for YOU, that is understandable. It's like quitting smoking, it's a habit change and a lifestyle change, and if you are not ready to make that commitment, and just want to keep going with your giant bowl of popcorn and expect to be healthy, then maybe someday it will finally click in your brain that "Hey! Popcorn has zero nutritional value, it is a starch, and when I pour copious amounts of butter on it then add a bunch of nuts I am going to have a fat *kitten*!" but if I just eat the nuts, I'm fine. Weird!0 -
If you read my posts before, I addressed why if the body didn't maintain the weight loss it didn't.
I don't understand are you jealous or something, wanting me to gain weight.
Isn't there an after the diet like 3 week period where you start to introduce more food and cals. To get metabolism back in whack some?
You will have to eat according to your BMI and activity level, and introduce foods in. I am beyond that point in in life fase, I can eat anything I want but don't.
See that makes sense to me, as any diet you should taper yourself back in I'd like to think. That is one of the reasons I went the spike route, when I'm done I don't have to relearn how to eat.0 -
The thing you need to pay attention in the maintenance faze is not scueing the hypothalamus that has been corrected. Which is what the HCG diet' main goal.0
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Nope but you aren't being healthy either, which you were claiming. So now it's okay not to be healthy because it's only 21 days?
So, I should go back to my old ways because then I am getting enough fat to make you guys happy.
My sister in law with terminal cancer has lived 20 years longer than the doctors said she would by eating only vegetables and raw foods. No fats other than coconut oil (which I forgot to mention I use to cook my meats in--so I guess I am getting fats). Either way, I do not want to live my life worrying about the numbers. That's another point of the hcg protocol. The only time I need to keep track of numbers is for that 21 days. After that, it's all about you eating normal and paying attention to what affects your weight personally. On Monday, I may have a nice ribeye and then on Tuesday have some fish or just a salad...
It's so trivial for people to pick and poke at something a person does for a couple weeks. People juice fast, people, eat bacon, egg, and cheese all day every day--and I suppose that's healthy becasue they aren't deficient in fat and protien? I mean, I am BARELY deficient for those 21 days. A portion of meat is *supposed* to 3.5 ounces so really I am just practicing portion control and eating TONS of veggies.
Umm never did we say that people who eat tons of fat is a good thing either, do you not know balance? I just called you out on your claim. If you make a claim don't contradict it.
My point is that just because you or someone somewhere say it is unhealthy, it doesn't make it unhealthy. If my sister in law can fight a crazy cancer by eating that way EVERY day, how is it unhealthy? You believe because someone somewhere says it is unhealthy. I see and feel the "health" restored for me and my SIL every day.0
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