HCG diet

[RD]

Has anyone tried this or known anyone who has? I hear a lot of really good things about it, but I'm slightly hesitant to jump right into it considering the costs.

Is it diabetic-safe? I monitor my blood sugar closely but I wouldn't want to be on a diet that would damage my body.

 

[Zoom]

No. You're limited to 500 calories a day.

 

[Greenmagick]

I have done it, am doing a round righ now in fact.

YES, it IS safe IF done correctly. The 500 calories a day is short term AND must be done with taking the HCG.

I will admit, if I had found out about it online or forums I wouldve thought it was fake or bad. But my dr and nurse practitioner whom I have a ton of trust in suggested it to me. Also, the pharmacy I get it from (prescription and local compounding pharmacy) also has suggested it and supports it.

For me, it works very well, I have lost over 40lbs on it. I feel great when on the low calorie part, energy level is fine, hunger is not an issue. Before, if I would skip a meal or not get enough food in a day I would get a migraine...I dont with this.

Now, as far as diabetic, that I cant assure you on. I just dont have any experience with it.

 

[Panzerotti]

My best friend and her boyfriend did it a few years ago. She couldn't follow through with the 500 a day diet and ended up cheating. He competed it, ended up really scrawny looking and the both gained all of the weight back in time.

I know others here have, in other threads, mentioned a paleo-based and "low carb" way of eating. Have you ever looked into that? I hate to even call it a diet since you really just want to change your ideas of what good food is and eat healthier overall everyday. No intense dieting or severe calorie restrictions necessary.

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

I lost close to 30lbs in 3 weeks on it. (5 inches around my waist, 5 inches around my stomach, 7 inches around my bust) I'm on a break from it, starting another round in about 2 more weeks. It's not easy, but it's worked for me!

 

[Catsi]

For me, without having sought out a medical opinion, HCG sounds like a ridiculously low amount for anyone. Also, do you just go back to eating how you always have eaten after completion? How does the weight stay off?

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

For me, without having sought out a medical opinion, HCG sounds like a ridiculously low amount for anyone. Also, do you just go back to eating how you always have eaten after completion? How does the weight stay off?

During the diet you're taking HGC drops which is a hormone that releases fat from your fat stores into the bloodstream (about 1,500 calories a day) so you are able to survive on the 500 calories. The diet actually resets your metabolism so you are able to keep the weight off. You go through 3 weeks of reintroducing foods (apart from sugar or starch) and then 3 more weeks slowly adding in sugar and starch.

 

[Greenmagick]

Oh yeah, My chiro suggests it too He did it himself before recommending it.

I always caution ANYONE considering it to make sure they research. Because its turning into a fad there are lots of imitations and fakes out there. If you look online for HCG drops for example, the majority are not....the are NOT homeopathic HCG, they have "weigh loss support" herbs and mineral and they just call themselves HCG. Get a REAL homeopathic remedy OR better yet, the actual hormone from your pharmacist. I admit, for me, the homeopathic version doesnt work as well, I struggle more with trying to stabilize.

Anyone who is curious should read "Pounds and Inches". Its dr simeons protocol....also this is the diet that is the basis for Kevin Trudeau's Weight Loss.
http://geoffnortondc.com/uploads/Dr_Simeons_42_Page_E-book.pdf

 

[Greenmagick]

Adding, from the forums and support groups I have frequented, the only people I have seen having issues arennot doing it correctly. The things like taking the wrong drops, not following the protocol, et cetera. Those people often have hunger issues, get Gaunt looking or too much muscle, or gain it at all back very quickly.

 

[crazedACD]

I looked into this awhile back and didn't feel I could obtain the correct HCG drops. Where do you guys get yours? My doctor probably wouldn't prescribe anything, he'd probably tell me to try this or that. I also read the protocol and was a little concerned by not being able to use certain shampoos, lotions, etc.

 

[MinPinOwner]

I looked all over the net about the diet. It doesn't look like the hCG diet is safe for anyone.

http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/truth-about-hcg-for-weight-loss

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hcg-diet/an02091

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Diet/hcg-diet-starving-pregnancy-hormones/story?id=13003120

 

[Greenmagick]

Yeah, according to many raw milk isnt safe.....only dairy I feel comfortable consuming regularly.

Everyone should do their own research and listen to and know their own bodies. I know Dr Oz did a segment on it a year or so ago.

 

[Laurelin]

I would not try it at all. My dietician (who does specialize in diabetes and PCOS and other insulin related issues) has said DO NOT go under 1200 cals a day. I'm really skeptical about how safe the HCG diet is.

 

[RBark]

Diets don’t have to be traditional to be effective -- but when a weight loss diet involves injections of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin), a hormone found in the urine of pregnant women, you better be careful.

In theory, the hCG hormone is supposed to suppress hunger

It's certainly suppressed my hunger, and I haven't even touched the stuff.

 

[Shai]

It's certainly suppressed my hunger, and I haven't even touched the stuff.

+2 on that

 

[Greenmagick]

Just to be clear, no, in theory the HCG is not to suppress hunger. It is to have your body release fat stores (like it would in pregnancy). It is used often in women with fertility issues. Yes, it is shed in urine

 

[release the hounds]

I'm not a fan of adding hormones to your system unless your body is doing it itself. You can reset yourself and get your body to burn fat just ,by not eating so many refined carbs. Get your carbs from good vegetables, not corn and peas and your body will respond how it is supposed to.

There are many paleo pages out there, I'd start there. I have no clue abou this diet, I don't have any experience with it. I have to say i'm not really a fan of anything that doesn't involve real food and lifestyle change. The rest is just gimicks at best, very dangerous at their worst.

 

[Dekka]

Oh yeah, My chiro suggests it too He did it himself before recommending it.

I always caution ANYONE considering it to make sure they research. Because its turning into a fad there are lots of imitations and fakes out there. If you look online for HCG drops for example, the majority are not....the are NOT homeopathic HCG, they have "weigh loss support" herbs and mineral and they just call themselves HCG. Get a REAL homeopathic remedy OR better yet, the actual hormone from your pharmacist. I admit, for me, the homeopathic version doesnt work as well, I struggle more with trying to stabilize.

Anyone who is curious should read "Pounds and Inches". Its dr simeons protocol....also this is the diet that is the basis for Kevin Trudeau's Weight Loss.
http://geoffnortondc.com/uploads/Dr_Simeons_42_Page_E-book.pdf

You do realize if its 'homeopathic' there is no active ingredient in those drops. The chances of there being even ONE molecule of the active ingredient is far far less than the chances of winning the lottery..

Not saying anything for or against HGC as a diet.. just pointing out if you need the hormones, homeopathy by definition has no active ingredients. Just "water memory"

 

[Greenmagick]

Yes, I do. I also know homeopathy works.

 

[Dekka]

Then people can save their money and just do 500 calories Why pay $$ for plain water? As its impossible for water to have memory (or if it did it would remember all sorts of nasty things, like poop and disease... as well as that it had a few molecules of 'X' in it a while back)