The HCG diet has been around for many years, and by now you’ve probably heard of the incredible potential this diet holds for those looking to lose weight. At Skin By Design, we are pleased to be recognized as one of the leading providers of the HCG protocol in Forsyth County community. There are many misconceptions about HCG out there, and our clients often have many questions as well. We’d like to take this opportunity to answer some of the most frequently asked questions and dispel some common misconceptions. Here’s what you need to know!
What is the HCG diet?
HCG, or Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, is a pro-hormone produced by the placenta in pregnant women. It is primarily responsible for controlling metabolic function via the hypothalamus. In the HCG diet, injections are given to elevate the body’s hormone levels, including testosterone, thereby creating an anabolic or muscle-building state. Why is this important? Many diets with dramatic weight loss deplete both fat and muscle tissue. Because muscle is heavy, the scale numbers look good, but muscle loss is bad for your body, your shape, and your metabolism.
Often, metabolism slows so much that weight is regained quickly, but in the form of fat instead of muscle, as muscle is more difficult to regain. The HCG hormone instead tells your body to release fat from adipose tissues, while retaining muscle mass, which is especially important in maintaining a healthy weight loss. Additionally, the HCG used in our diet protocol is a variation of the hormone used in fertility treatment and at a much smaller dosage. All our HCG is natural and created in a medical laboratory. It does NOT come from female placentas or animal urine, contrary to some popular misconceptions.
How Does the HCG Diet Work?
The HCG diet is generally divided into three separate stages:
1. Preparation stage: Begin taking HCG, while eating plenty of high-fat, high calorie foods for 2 days.
2. Weight loss stage: Continue HCG injections, while eating only 500 calories a day. This stage lasts from 3-6 weeks depending on individual weight loss requirements.
3. Support or maintenance stage: Stop HCG injections, while slowly increasing food intake. Avoid starch and sugar for 3 weeks.
Those who have a greater amount of weight to lose may observe the full 6 weeks or even need to repeat all stages of the diet several times to achieve full weight loss goal. During the weight loss stage, you will only eat two meals per day with a total intake of 500 calories. HCG meal plans generally include one portion of lean protein, one vegetable, a fruit and a piece of bread. Increasing your overall vegetable, fiber and water intake is vital for best results.
HCG utilizes a very low-calorie diet because hormone injections are directing your hypothalamus to mobilize stored adipose fat instead. Your body is actually operating on thousands of calories each day, which is why dieters see such dramatic results.
What Should I expect to Feel During the Diet?
Many people report feeling mild hunger during the first few days of the diet. However, this will pass, and by the second week you should begin to be completely satisfied by even tiny servings. This is partly due to the number of calories which have been released from fat now circulating in your system, but also because your hypothalamus is adjusting your metabolic rate.
Many dieters commonly feel stuffed just trying to reach their basic 500 calorie limit. Most clients can expect to lose 1-2 lbs per day, but daily loss can range from 0.5- 3+ lbs depending on circumstances. Again, your body sustains this weight loss without compromising lean muscle because HCG hormones are prompting fat to be released from fat storage rather than muscle.
Will I Gain the Weight Back?
After completing the HCG diet, you will not only have shed pounds of fat, but you can also expect a change for the better in your appetite and natural eating behavior. Most dieters report that their dramatic weight loss helps them easily transition into a healthy relationship with food. Remember that it is not the HCG hormones that make you lose weight; it is the diet that makes you lose weight.
HCG only changes HOW you lose weight! Losing weight with the HCG diet is the opportunity you have been waiting for to shed those extra pounds and begin to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Is It Safe?
The HCG diet is safe for men and women both. You should be evaluated by a physician prior to starting the diet to make sure that dramatic weight loss is an appropriate option for you. The HCG diet is not available for women who are pregnant or nursing.
More Common Questions About HCG
How much weight will I lose with the HCG diet?
Most of Skin By Design’s Clients report a loss of 1 to 2 lbs a day on the HCG diet. At the very least, .5 pound a day, and at the most, 3 + lbs a day. 1 lb is generally lost on the first day. Factors that guarantee faster weight loss include increasing vegetable intake and mixing salad with each meal. Fiber intake is extremely important, as is water intake.
Is it healthy to lose 1 to 2 pounds a day with HCG shots?
HCG weight loss studies have shown that weight lost following the Simeons protocol comes directly from adipose fat tissue rather than lean muscle. In doing so, the weight loss comes directly from unhealthy fat and does not strip the body of much-needed muscle, vitamins or minerals essential to maintain good health, while at the same time, releasing excessive amounts of fat-stored nutrients into the bloodstream to be absorbed by the body. For this reason, HCG dieters report a feeling and appearance of great health and marvel at the loss of negative health risks they had as an overweight individual.
Why the 500 calorie diet – VLCD (very low calorie diet)?
HCG diet shots cause your hypothalamus to mobilize the fat out of the fat storage locations so that it’s available for use. While you are only consuming 500 calories, your hypothalamus is continually releasing the fat stored in your body. Because of this, your body is actually operating on thousands of calories a day. The result is your body using thousands of calories of fat from your body each day, the reason HCG dieters lose 1 to 2 lbs of fat or more, per day.
Is the use of HCG injections for weight loss legal?
A medical doctor may prefer not to use HCG for weight loss due to the FDA’s lack of recommendation, however, he is legally able to do so in the US. It is advised that you check your country’s laws to be certain, however, for most countries, importing HCG diet shots or having pre-filled HCG syringes shipped via mail are considered safe and perfectly legal. If importing HCG from abroad, be sure to check your local laws and follow whatever restrictions are called for.
Will I be hungry on 500 calories a day?
It is common for mild hunger during the first few days, however, this will pass and by the 2nd week, you will find even very tiny servings, to be completely satisfying. This is partly due to your hypothalamus adjusting your metabolic rate, but largely due to the number of calories circulating in your system from the fat being released. It is common that HCG dieters feel as though they are stuffing themselves in order to reach that 500 calorie limit!
Who is a right candidate for HCG Diet Shots?
The majority of men and women can use HCG injections for weight loss. It is recommended that dieters consult a physician concerning your weight loss, along with the appropriate implementation of the HCG protocol. The physician will NOT permit HCG weight loss injections for women who are pregnant or nursing.
How about safety and side effects of HCG Diet Shots?
There are rarely side effects reported while using HCG diet shots, or oral HCG for weight loss. When the HCG shots are used for fertility reasons, the larger amount is known to cause occasional headaches and pregnancy symptoms. However, the amount differences between the HCG diet protocol and HCG used for fertility purposes is significantly different in quantity.
Will I gain the weight back after the HCG diet?
After the HCG diet, not only will you have lost physical weight, former HCG Dieters also report a change for the better in appetite and a natural course of modified eating behavior. They also report this as being an ideal situation for easily transitioning into a healthy relationship with food. With all of these changes and experiences, the HCG Diet is the perfect opportunity to adopt that healthy lifestyle to maintain your weight.
How painful are HCG injections for weight loss?
We instruct our patients how to painlessly administer the HCG shot using a very fine needle.