Starting 40 Day HCG Injection Program
 

I am calling today Day zero. I get my supplies after my visit with the MD today to discuss my blood work. I have this nervous energy mixed with hope and self doubt due to my lack of success on yo-yo diet curcuit in the past. I am trying to stay positive and hearing success stories and seeing the before and after photos of others is motivating and inspiring. I hope others are have success and would love to hear about it. I have a 5 month old son and my wife to live for and I am ready to make a change. .... Hoping to lose 40 + lbs with this program and begin to not only reshape my body but reshape my life and my unhealthy relationship with food and behavioral patterns related to eating. I think if I can get the weight off quickly and reset my metabolism I can really have a shot at being at this weight for the last time in my life. starting at 275lbs. I am ready for the load days and cant wait to see this transformation in myself. ...

Welcome to HCG. It will come off quickly. I am also doing the injection. I am in Round 1, Phase2, Day 23. We normally right it as R1P2D23. The first week is the toughest. You may experience headaches, some hunger and definitely visions of forbidden foods. If you really want a lot of support visit and create an account with ***. I go there everyday to ask questions and get the needed support. THere are many forums, blogs and newcomer information. Any many people who have lost 40+ pounds. As a male, you will lose faster than females so that is a plus. It really does work, you will see. Try your best to stick to protocol and you will succeed.

HCG Drops
 

I am on Day 11 and taking HCG drops instead of injections. I am rarely hungry and do not have cravings. I feel awesome and lost 11 lbs my first week!

Can someone explain in more detail what this actually is and consists of?

Thanks

Hcg diet works!
 

Hello, I am new to the forum, but not fitday. I thought I would join in. I was on the HCG diet last summer, and the pounds fell off daily. I was truely amazed. I was not dehydrated. I drank lots of water and tea and walked a lot. I took the regular HCG under the tounge, and not the homeopathic drops. I kept the weight off for 9 months, but then starting eating too much. I am starting back on the diet again today. It's nice to read your posts. We can all help each other. :D

I also just started my second round of HCG, and hopefully my last :)
It has been great so far, even told my doctor about it, and se had nothing bad to say other than be careful. I have done a ton of research and have so far had no adverse affects
Excited about whats to come

What does your research say about how people keep the weight off long term... just curious, since you both say you are doing this for the second time. Wishing you well.

HCG is wonderful
 

I lost 52 pounds the first round (43 days) I just started my second round, and after 5 days have lost 12 pounds ( 4 were from the load). I will do this until I reach my goal. I do walk 4-6 times a week and some weight lifting. :)

What is the hCG diet? Did I just read that correctly that people are getting injections?

Why not just cut out carbs, eat lots of meat, veg, some fruits nuts and seeds and do it the RIGHT way?

Injections? Oh wow...

Zorba1331, I'm with you! Getting injections and paying money for losing weight while starving yourself reminds me of the tortise and the hare. Just my opinion based on personal experience with diets.

That's what I thought the very first time I heard about the HCG diet. I have learned that it's not really a diet but a treatment plan. I am not a person who loves to spend money but I realized I have been doing that for years trying to reach my goal weight. I can't seem to shed the fat, just build muscle underneath. I decided to do some research and read the book since I was curious. All of my questions were answered in this book. You are not starving on this diet. Remember that! You are still taking in the SAME amount of calories. 500 from the food you ate and the rest is taken from stored fat! The injections have really curbed my appetite and allowed me to have energy and strength. Cutting calories to that extreme without the HCG is dangerous IMO. Instead of your body feeding off of your stored fat it goes for the most accessible target, you muscles. I decided to try it out after seeing so many people I know attain the results they wanted. I have learned it is most definitely not an easy way out. I have never been so disciplined on anything else before. I am not far into it but am amazed at how I look and feel. You must always do research on anything rather than take it for face value. I would have really missed out if I didn't do that.

Great reply. Most people don't do the research to have a full understanding of the undertaking of this plan.

Definitely not an easy way out.

you can take oral drops if you don't like injections. I believe a 1 month bottle costs ~ $100, how much money do you think you'll save in that month by eating only 500 cals a day... more than $100! So are your really paying then if you actually saved money?

You might want to read what Fit Day nutrition articles says about this diet. Sorry, I don't know how to do the copy/paste function.

I couldn't find it. Just copy the address from the address bar and paste here. If that doesn't work, where is it found? I looked and didn't find it.

Most people that write these articles don't have an inkling of understanding regarding this plan.

My doctor endorses the plan and prescribed me the HCG which I picked up from a local pharmacy.

You can NOT do the 500 calories and remain healthy without the HCG to assist in the fat burning, so you are constantly releasing fat soluable nutrients into your blood stream that were stored in the fat cells. As the fat cells release the fat - the nutrients are released also.

I am in deed healthier than I was last July and I have kept off about 33 pounds of the 38 I have lost. Maintaining within 5 pounds is GREAT compared to a lot of people.

HCG as sold in pharmacies is extracted from urine of pregnant women (yuck) and when on the diet, you are only consuming 500kcal OMG :))))) is morning sickness one of the side effects?? This is the absolutely most unbeliavable diet plan ever. What will be next? Will we undergo limbs removal to weight less.....?

I too am against this. But we can only make choices for ourselves why fight about it on these boards. If people want to use HCG to lose weight thats fine.

Did you know you can healthily fast for 20 or even 40 days? The size of your muscle may decrease but all the muscle fiber remains in tact, it would only take your resuming of normal eating and exercise to get this back. Even shorter term fasting 1-2 days a week can be a very HEALTHY and EFFECTIVE weight loss tool.

If you are going to eat 500 kcals a day and pay butt loads for prescription drugs to lose weight why not give fasting a try, as its free.

I compare HCG with steroids. Because if you are not willing to do it naturally you are cheating yourself, the same goes for muscle building or fat loss.

Thats my two cents.

I have been researching this for over a year now. At first I was skeptical about such low calories, taking a by-product of pregnancy, not FDA approved, etc...

However, a couple of things changed my mind. First of all the diet was created and research by an endocrinologist, that is a medical doctor. Endocrinologist's specialize in the very type of obesity related disease that I have acquired - hypothyroidism. They also specialize in other glandular and hormonally related diseases such as diabetes, which is epidemic amongst overwieght persons. Many successful hcg dieters are able to control their disease without medication after using the product successfully. Perhaps that is why it is not FDA approved? Think of all the profits the drug companies would lose if people actually got healthy and didn't need daily medication!

Then, about 2 months ago, I went to a family function and saw my (2) sister-in-laws' and my neice ... and holy smokes, they looked great! They'd done hcg through a ND, and had been maintaining 25 - 35 lb weight loss for months! "Most" people do not gain it all back.... unless they start overindulging constantly (ignoring the maintenance protocol).

So, I resumed my research and started finding little to no negative feedback from people who'd actually used the real product in the intended way. The vast majority of negative feedback came from people who had not researched it, had never used it, & had not interviewed real hcg dieters.... in other words, inexperienced opinions.

Twelve days ago I started using hcg, and I've lost ten pounds. Do I get hungry? Yes, I do, but I am not ravenous or feeling like I'm going to faint. When I get hungry, I eat my small meal or snack (ie: apple) and then I am satisfied. I feel better, I sleep better, and soon I will look better. I have been trying for years to get this weight off without success and now something is finally working. That is a good thing for me! If it's not a good choice for you, then don't do it.

@sisterjen there's a link for you
hCG Diet Dangers

I have never tried it but I personally know people that have. I feel like I have a decent understanding of it and can say that the people that I know that did it, recommend it. They are very happy with the results and didn't starve to death. This will teach you portion control to the extreme. For the 1st time they were weighing their food and tracking everything they ate. They also didn't gain any weight back. If they would have it would have been THEIR fault not the fault of HCG. For example, my brother had gastric bypass years ago, now he's as big as a house... his fault. It seem that when someone gains weight back after being on HCG everyone is quick to blame the drug.

Jason,
I see your point about comparing it to cheating on steroids, but I must say that I've never seen anyone get big off of steroids that didn't workout like a mad man in the gym? Have you? It just doesn't happen. If you could take steroids and get huge and ripped without busting your hump then I'd think it's cheating. BUT it is cheating in sports b/c it's not allowed and it doesn't give an even playing field to those that follow the rules.
I'd also bet that if someone ate like they normally did while taking HCG that they would be loosing a pound a day... so I don't think of it as cheating. Maybe that's just me.

I guess my point is that you can lose weight naturally, you can gain muscle naturally. Why do we need to put these agents in or body to "aid" us in doing the work.

I find people who say "I have tried to lose weight before and it never works." never had a solid approach to begin with or they did have a solid approach and didn't stick with it. If you really try, and stick with it any reduced calorie approach causes weight loss, its scientifically proven.

The facts are we don't need HCG to lose weight just like we don't need steroids to build muscle.

This is a world where people want instant results. They want instant weight loss, instant muscle growth. The term "in it for the long haul" has gone by the wayside in place of taking shortcuts.

With that said its not my body so I am not going to condemn anyone else for using it. This is just how I feel about it. It doesn't make you a bad person for using it. I just wouldn't take that route myself.

I know that just taking steroids alone doesn't make you strong but that doesn't change the way I view it.

Take this example, you can work hard in school and get good grades.

Or you could work hard at cheating your way through school and still get good grades.

Both paths take hard work, and aim for the same goal. One is completely honest, the other is deceitful and dishonorable.

The steroid thing sounds like snake oil, but who knows? Even if it's for placebo effect the ultra-low cals will make you drop weight quick.

I've mentioned it before, and I don't recommend it and I've given it up, but the last time I lost weight I started with a 30 day water fast then gradually worked up to 1000 cals a day. In considerably less than a year I'd gone from 400 or so down to 184 pounds.

If you can sustain the mental and physical stress of eating 500 cals a day I bet you'd drop like a stone.

I truly think simply maintaining a reasonable calorie level consisting of real, healthy food choices is a better way to go, but to each his or her own.

Regards,
Michael

I love the HCG diet. I am doing my second round to lose another 20 pounds. My goal wa to lose 60 pounds and I have lost 40 and have 20 to go. Yeah, and without hard core exercise. I eat good on 500 calories per day, then go on to phase 3 of maintenance and then phase 4 of lifetime maintenance. In the latter I was eating up to 2000 calories per day and maintaining. yes, HCG is the only diet that has worked for me,, and I feel great. I think my doctor is interested in my results. Ha Ha

I am in my second round of HCG and take the drops and lost 37 pounds total and want to lose 17 more. So far so good. I am on R2P2D12 and already down 13 pounds. Not bad. I never lost anything on any diet. I have 17 pounds to go to my goal weight. Whoopee. I love HCG. I am in a size 12 from a size 18. I was skeptical but what the heck, was one more diet. I did it on my own from a newspaper article i read. I did my research, bought the drops online and here I am

I must say I'm so disappointed to see such negative and judgmental comments here. I really thought this board would be supportive of each of our individual choices based on our preferences, research, and opinion. I've never used HcG, but if it works for someone and helps them get the weight off, more power to them. To say that people are "cheating" or "not in it for the long haul" is just plain meanspirited.

I mean, come on, who are ANY of us to judge another? We're all people who allowed ourselves to get overweight and are struggling to find answers for ourselves. Society judges us every day and it doesn't feel very good.

This place should be a safe haven for ALL of us - free from critical, mean, and judgmental comments. We get enough of that from the outside world.

On NBC news last night, there was a story about a "thermal diet" where if you lower your body temperature by sitting in a tub full of ice and water, you can speed up your metabolism. Did anyone see that story? I just caught part of it. Any credence to it? Or, shall I put that in my file of wight loss programs that don't work?

Hope I didn't come across that way--I wholeheartedly support the notion that every adult can make their own decisions, good or bad. I've made my share of both, so who am I to judge?

We each have our opinions as to specifics, but I applaud anyone who takes control of their lives and loses weight. I just think that we should all go into this with our eyes open, do our research and pick the best plan for ourselves.

If injections and steroids work for you, that's great! I sincerly hope the weight loss continues and that you can keep the weight off when the treatment ends.

Regards,
Michael

It sure makes sense--the body has to burn fuel to try and maintain a survivable body temperature. In the past I drank 1-2 gallons of ice water a day (worked from home, so the 101 trips to the bathroom every day wasn't a problem), with the notion that my body would burn more calories to "warm" the cold water. I have no proof that it helped, but who knows?

Regards,
Michael

Michael,

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I agree that we should enter into a weight loss program with our eyes wide open. I'm all for sharing research, too. That's an important part of what being in a community like this is all about. A comment like "Hey, I read on xyz.com that the HcG treatments have been shown to cause such and such side effects in the long term. You might want to check it out for yourself. Here's the link." That's being helpful, yet still respectful.

But, some of the comments shared in this thread didn't have any information at all - just judgment (like "what's next, cutting off a limb to lose weight"). Those types of comments are just critical and mean and, in my opinion, have no place in a supportive community.

I am going to say this and it will be blunt and to the point. I am not trying to be mean to anyone that has posted on this thread, but.........

If you are overweight and able to lose weight by simply counting calories OR going on a standard low carb diet (such as Atkins) then good for you.

However, there are people that have MAJOR Endocrine issues that is virtually IMPOSSIBLE to lose weight no matter how hard we try.

For example: I have Hypothyroidism, adrenal Fatigue, Type 2 Diabetes, Pituitary Tumor and PCOS (Polycystic Ovaries)........Every one of these conditions are similarly related and it is IMPOSSIBLE to lose weight.

Fast forward to me taking my health into my own hands. I was on Atkins and was bouncing back and forth between an 8 pound range.

I scheduled an appointment with a Naturopathic Doctor and we went through my health history. She suggested that I give HCG a try for 1 round to see how it went.

I didn't lose as much weight as many others, but I felt 19 pounds was good. I didn't starve myself because as I was shedding inches, my body was converting my fat to calories for energy and nourishment.

I ate as many vegetable servings I wanted in a day, as long as it was on the list. I was never hungry, drank plenty of water.

For the first time in YEARS..........I had energy. I didn't want to sleep all day long. I was able to clean my house and stay awake afterwards. I was able to take my dogs on walks and spend extra time with my husband.

I did a round 2 of HCG and lost 17 more pounds for a total loss of 36 pounds in the 2 rounds.

I have been maintaining that loss since October so far. I am taking a break and will start Round 3 in January sometime.

There is NO comparison of HCG to Steroids. Please. Just STOP already.

HCG is NATURAL - we all make the hormone, just in small quantities, unless there is a confirmed pregnancy, then the amount of HCG made in the body starts doubling, tripling, so on and so forth........

Before any of you judge me or anyone else that is doing or has done this plan - take a walk in my shoes and see what it feels like to not be able to lose the weight.

I'm truly happy you've found something that works for you. Bravo for not giving up as so many do and for your fortitude in searching until you found your anwser to the weigh-loss problem. May you continue to achieve health and success into 2011 and beyond. Now, I'll bow out of this discussion. :)

Regards,
Michael

Did you know that when you fast your body will naturally rid itself of unwanted growths and tissue. People have used fasting to combat cancer. When you get sick your appetite is suppressed, this is for a reason.

The thing is that everything people say HCG does, your body will do on its own naturally.

The reason you store fat is so you can use it in a time of low food supply, you don't need HCG drops for your body to be able to burn fat.

I haven't seen any conclusive research to support the claims of HCG weight loss. I'm a skeptic and will remain one.

People get human growth hormone injections too for various reasons anti-aging being one of them, but it doesn't make it natural just because our body makes it.

If It sounds judgmental maybe that is just the way you are interpreting it. I just believe you are wasting your money that is all. If our body wasn't able to use our stored fat naturally, we wouldn't store fat. We would horde nuts like squirrels or something.

Jason,

I must say that I feel I usually think along the same lines as you.... but what kind of research are you looking for? Everyone that I know that did it, lost weight, and a lot of it... quickly. It looks like everyone here that's done it has had similar results. IMO real world results outweigh any tests or studies.

What's there to be a skeptic about? It works, and it's been proven time and time again. Is it the best option? Well, that's not up to me to decide... but it does work.

I too think I'll bow out of this one, I just support as the topic says "HCG diet works"

Mike I just don't think we can be sure that it is the HCG that is doing the work.

If you burn 3000 calories in a day, that won't suddenly change because you didn't eat. So you would turn to your stored energy for that 3000 calories. Your body does this by itself. I don't think it needs the help of chemical agents to do this.

When folks have reached the end of their rope for weight loss solutions they are sometimes willing to believe things that aren't true. HCG is expensive stuff, and I don't really think it does anything special. Your body mobilizes its own fat stores, it doesn't need HCG to do it for you.

Just because a few doctors support it doesn't make it true. Doctors have been wrong before. And most of us know that the medicine and pharmaceutical industry is just that: industry with a bottom line. And the weight loss industry itself is HUGE. Just think about this one: Acai berries were all the buzz recently but most of us figured out that was just a bunch of fluff.

Maybe I can open some eyes and save some people some money, not trying to put folks down as I said before, just because you used HCG doesn't make you a bad person. At least they are trying to do something about their health and weight, as misguided as I feel it is.

I have a good question: Has anyone tried the HCG deit plan without actually administering the drops? I bet similar results would be achieved.

well I was going to bow out... but I also feel that great info can come from both sides with a good civil debate.

Here's my thoughts...
HCG isn't that expensive, about $3 a day, you will save more than that in food costs by following the diet.

The woman that I know that did HCG I either saw, or heard that they lost fat from their mid section, and hips 1st and breasts last. What do most women that lose weight the "normal" way complain about??? losing their breasts 1st. The guy that I know said he noticed the biggest difference in his problem areas.

Doctors have been wrong, that's why they say they "practice" medicine ;). Everyone is quick to believe anyone (doctor, or not) that disputes it's effectiveness, but when they support it, we hear about how doctors are wrong. it goes both ways!

To answer your last question. The people that I know that did the diet didn't starve or have crazy craving... plus they had energy. In fact they only said they were hungry for the 1st couple days, after that they were fine. Do I think that most people could lose weight on a 500 calorie diet for a month, sure. Do I think they could do it without starving and still have energy, hell NO! IMO most people cheat and fall off the wagon because of cravings or they feel like they are starving.

My diet has been hit and miss at best lately, why is that? I've been craving garbage and feeling extremely hungry. I strugle to keep it as clean (or dirty) as I have, I know without the cravings and feeling hungry it would be extremely clean.

In other words (just a guess). I'd bet that if you took 20 people, put 10 on the HCG drops and 10 without the drops and all 20 on the same 500 cal diet. A high percentage would make it a month on the drops and very few would make it without the drops.

So I know 3 people that did it, 2 women and 1 man. 1 woman and the guy lost 30-35lbs in a month, the other woman lost 22 pounds in a month. All 3 have recommended it to their friends and family.

I'm sure there are people here that have kept to 500 cals/day without HCG. I'd bet that they don't average ~30lbs lost in a month.

Right on Mike I think civil debates are great.

One thing I would like to point out that you said. It usually takes three days or so for the hunger cravings to pass.

Since the HCG protocol is practically extended fasting I want to draw on a comparison.

People report that after 3 days of fasting the hunger pain and need to eat have passed, roughly the same time period.

You can call it starvation, but the fact is that human evolution is based on periods of famine and feasting. Its how we evolved. Our body can tolerate it and actually it is a healthy practice.

I feel like HCG is just a way of getting folks to fast while being able to at least sell them something. A typical fast would only allow water or non calorie fluids. So only the Coffee and diet soda companies would be making money here.

The Mediterranean diet touted a while back left out one thing: In the Greek orthodox church fasting is practiced 180-200 days a year, which was a major contributer to the good health and lower body weights of the people from Crete, not just what they ate.

Maybe HCG is helping people, but I think we should be giving our bodies the credit, not the drugs.

they were hungry in the beginning. I was told it's b/c it took time to fully get in their system. Maybe their body beeded to adjust. I don't know. I do know that when a plateau was reach (2 or 3 days with no loss) they would eat only 5 (or 6) apples the next day and drop a few pounds. So whatever the protocal calls for... works. From the looks to me, it was fat that was lost, I couldn't "see" much, if any muscle loss.

hcg ?s
 

I am interested. Where online did you buy your hcg? And what research do you trust? I'm seeing some conflicting info. Thanks

There have been double blind clinical studies done on Hcg vs placebo.

Health Labs Online - Clinical Studies on hCG - Clinical Studies on hCG

Doctors W.L. Asher, MD & Harold W. Harper, MD published their study, in the The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 1973.
From the Summary of the Asher & Harper study:

“The HCG group lost significantly more mean weight, had a significantly greater mean weight loss per injection, and lost a significantly greater mean percentage of their starting weight. The percentage of affirmative daily patient responses indicating “little or no hunger” and “feeling good to excellent” was significantly greater in the HCG group than in the placebo group. Additional investigation of the influence of HCG on weight loss, hunger, and well-being seems indicated.”

A more recent placebo-controlled, double-blind study was conducted using an Oral formulation of HCG by Dr. Daniel Oscar Belluscio, M.D., Dr. Leonor Ripamonte, M.D and Dr. Marcelo Wolansky Ph.D:
This study concluded:

“1) Female obese volunteers participating in a double blind study, and submitted to the administration of an oral presentation of hCG plus a VLCD, decreased specific body circumferences and skinfold thickness from conspicuous body areas more efficiently than Placebo+VLCD -treated subjects. Since a significant fat proportion from total body fat is subcutaneously located (50 to 65 percent, depending on sex and fat distribution), this hCG metabolic activity would result in a reduction of the total body fat mass, the main cause for obesity. We suggested that the combination of a VLCD and oral hCG could not only trigger clinically significant changes in subcutaneous fat stores but simultaneously decrease body weight and modelate body contour.

2) hCG oral administration proved to be a safe and effective procedure on obese treated volunteers. No side effects were observed in the course of the study. There are no reports in the literature regarding this administration route to compare our findings.

3) Compared to placebo treated subjects, volunteers managed with an oral administration of hCG coped more efficiently with daily irritating situations, were in a better mood, and handled home conflicts without stepping up family discussions. This study appears to contradict former conclusions on the issue of hCG and obesity. We attribute those differences to a different approach, including variables not assessed in former publications. “