So despite the sensationalized spin, I think this report got it pretty much right. The details of the diet were right on...and their concerns about what people who order HCG online are really getting echoed my own. I disagree that there is "no scientific evidence" as there have been several studies done, many supporting the HCG protocol. (See my previous post for more on this.)
I would hope that this report does not damage the availability of this protocol to those who really need it. It's been an amazing solution to a lifelong struggle for me! I, too, encourage the involvement of a physician as yo begin and the cost of the overall diet has been a bargain compared to some boutique-type health clinics and online sellers that have offered the diet at outrageous prices. If you do order your HCG online, you might want to verify that it is coming from an authorized physician or pharmacist.
There is a lot of information posted on the KSL website, including the complete report. Check it out and post your comments....tell us what you think!!
ksl.com - KSL 5 News investigates Utah's HCG diet deals
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Showing posts with label FAQ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FAQ. Show all posts
Monday, September 21, 2009
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Science of HCG
Before beginning the HCG diet, I did much research concerning the safety and effectiveness of the HCG diet. There are arguments for and against. Critics say that you will lose just as much weight on a Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) without the HCG as you will with, and that the HCG has no effect on weight loss. There is a much cited double blind study in which two groups followed a VLCD, one with a placebo and one with the HCG injections. In this study, both groups lost weight and there was no significant difference between the groups. However, this study only looked at weight loss.
I just finished reading a very interesting study which did a similar double blind study, but measured more than weight loss. It looked at BMI, loss of fat tissue, body circumference and irritability. In this study, there was a statisitically significant difference in the HCG group compared to the placebo group. The HCG group was found to lose more fat tissue and to be less irritable, although no difference was found in body measurements. It was an interesting article. You can read about it here.
At any rate, my own experience has been this...I have tried and failed many times to reduce the number of calories I ate and to increase my activity; in short, eat right and exercise. Before the HCG diet, this only led to increased hunger, frustration, and ultimately a depressing rebound in any weight I had lost. However, with the HCG, I had a couple days of irritiblilty at the beginning of phase 2, but overall there was very little hunger. I did not feel moody or frustrated at not being able to eat, in part because the pounds dropping off was very emotionally satisfying. The study showed, and it was true for me, that weight loss is a result of lost fat rather than lost muscle mass as in other VCLD protocols. There is just something about the way the HCG works on the hypothalamus in the brain. And, no study has shown any side effects from the use of HCG.
In my own UNscientific research, I found enough information to give this diet a try. I have seen it work for myself and for many others. They say that if something is too good to be true, it usually is, which is not bad advice. But, after 75 lbs. lost, I've decided that this diet really delivers. I am my own science project. If you are serious about losing weight and are willing to follow the protocol to a T, you will see the same results I have.
Do some science of your own! Let us know how your experiment turns out! I would love to share in your success!
I just finished reading a very interesting study which did a similar double blind study, but measured more than weight loss. It looked at BMI, loss of fat tissue, body circumference and irritability. In this study, there was a statisitically significant difference in the HCG group compared to the placebo group. The HCG group was found to lose more fat tissue and to be less irritable, although no difference was found in body measurements. It was an interesting article. You can read about it here.
At any rate, my own experience has been this...I have tried and failed many times to reduce the number of calories I ate and to increase my activity; in short, eat right and exercise. Before the HCG diet, this only led to increased hunger, frustration, and ultimately a depressing rebound in any weight I had lost. However, with the HCG, I had a couple days of irritiblilty at the beginning of phase 2, but overall there was very little hunger. I did not feel moody or frustrated at not being able to eat, in part because the pounds dropping off was very emotionally satisfying. The study showed, and it was true for me, that weight loss is a result of lost fat rather than lost muscle mass as in other VCLD protocols. There is just something about the way the HCG works on the hypothalamus in the brain. And, no study has shown any side effects from the use of HCG.
In my own UNscientific research, I found enough information to give this diet a try. I have seen it work for myself and for many others. They say that if something is too good to be true, it usually is, which is not bad advice. But, after 75 lbs. lost, I've decided that this diet really delivers. I am my own science project. If you are serious about losing weight and are willing to follow the protocol to a T, you will see the same results I have.
Do some science of your own! Let us know how your experiment turns out! I would love to share in your success!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Phase Two of the HCG Diet
Phase Two is the Very Low Calorie Diet phase, also referred to as VLCD. During the VLCD phase, you are limited in the foods you can eat. I thought this would be super hard, but I was surprised to find that it was only moderately hard. In fact, I really liked the structured lack of choices. I knew what I was going to eat every day and exactly how much....so no menu planning, or going back for seconds, or coping with the guilt of making the alfredo sauce with heavy cream instead of half and half.
The basic daily diet is as follows:
No Breakfast.
Although, you can drink Crystal Light, or coffee/tea (2 T. of milk as creamer), or 2 cans of diet soda throughout the day. I usually drink Crystal Light first thing, followed by 16 oz. of water.
9am- Snack--Fruit options are: 1 apple, 1 orange, 6 Strawberries, or 1/2 grapefruit.
To me, apples are the most filling and I stuck with them for the most part.
12noon- Lunch--3.5 oz (100 grams) of protein, 3.5 oz (100 grams) of vegetable.
Meat options include: lean steak, chicken breast, white fish such as tilapia, cod, haddock, halibut, also shrimp, lobster, crab.
Veggie options include: cabbage, celery, onions, tomato, lettuce, broccolli, cauliflower, asparagus, spinach.
Only one kind of veggie at a time--no mixed vegetables.
3pm-Snack --Same as morning snack.
6pm-Dinner--Same as Lunch.
This can get kind of boring, I will admit. In my next post, I will share some of the tricks I've learned for spicing things up a bit! The key to phase 2 is to STICK TO THE DIET! There is nothing magical about the shots that help you to resist temptation, so it is up to you to stay strong. The first 3 weeks are the most critical because this is the time that your brain is being reprogrammed to use the fat in your body for energy. After the first 3 weeks, a mistake won't be quite as costly but it will set your weight loss back a few days. This phase only lasts 40 days--you can do it!
The basic daily diet is as follows:
No Breakfast.
Although, you can drink Crystal Light, or coffee/tea (2 T. of milk as creamer), or 2 cans of diet soda throughout the day. I usually drink Crystal Light first thing, followed by 16 oz. of water.
9am- Snack--Fruit options are: 1 apple, 1 orange, 6 Strawberries, or 1/2 grapefruit.
To me, apples are the most filling and I stuck with them for the most part.
12noon- Lunch--3.5 oz (100 grams) of protein, 3.5 oz (100 grams) of vegetable.
Meat options include: lean steak, chicken breast, white fish such as tilapia, cod, haddock, halibut, also shrimp, lobster, crab.
Veggie options include: cabbage, celery, onions, tomato, lettuce, broccolli, cauliflower, asparagus, spinach.
Only one kind of veggie at a time--no mixed vegetables.
3pm-Snack --Same as morning snack.
6pm-Dinner--Same as Lunch.
This can get kind of boring, I will admit. In my next post, I will share some of the tricks I've learned for spicing things up a bit! The key to phase 2 is to STICK TO THE DIET! There is nothing magical about the shots that help you to resist temptation, so it is up to you to stay strong. The first 3 weeks are the most critical because this is the time that your brain is being reprogrammed to use the fat in your body for energy. After the first 3 weeks, a mistake won't be quite as costly but it will set your weight loss back a few days. This phase only lasts 40 days--you can do it!
Phase One of the HCG Diet-My Favorite!
The first phase of the HCG diet is your loading phase. I LOVED THIS PHASE! Two days of pure unadulterated indulgence. I had friends start this phase and they went out and got a shake on the second night. That was their BIG SPLURGE. Please don't waste this phase! If you ever wanted something fat and tasty and good, now is the time. Eat as many high fat/high calorie foods as you can during this 2-day loading phase. Pasta, doughnuts, ice cream, whatever. Nothing is off-limits during phase 1.
The purpose of this is to make sure your body has extra fat stores to use while the HCG begins working. It takes up to 3 days for the HCG to kick in and begin to burn enough fat to supplement your 500 calorie diet.
In other words, your body must have fat to burn while you begin the 500 calorie diet or you may get too hungry and give up on the diet altogether. Make sure you are following your doctor's recommendation for Phase 1.
A Word About Cleansing: Some websites recommend a month-long cleansing period, which they also call Phase One of the HCG diet. I did not know about this until after I had completed one session and I do not think it is necessary to the success of the HCG diet. And it certainly doesn't sound like as much fun!
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