Thinking About The HCG Diet

I haven't blogged much lately about the HCG Diet, but just recently a few people inquired about what I did to lose those thirty pounds. I came across the HCG Diet at the Body Focus Clinic in Midland. The crux of HCG is that it mimics the hormone produced during pregnancy. Supposedly, this hormone assists the body in using stored fat reserves...up to 1500 calories a day. The very strict rigid diet while taking the injections or drops, only allows you to consume 500 calories per day. I know...that's not very much. I'll have to say that I stuck with the food list, but not necessarily the amount of calories. See, while I was doing the HCG Diet which only lasts about thirty days, I continued to lift weights and do cardio. I didn't want to not continue with muscle toning and since I was participating in quite a bit of physical activity I ate more.
Of course, I've read plenty of other blogs and articles and opinions about the HCG Diet...most of them negative. There's just one problem with these blogs and articles and opinions...none of the goombahs even tried the diet and yet...bashed and trashed it. I'm not one to jump on a miracle cure, or try the greatest and newest anything. I did my research for several months before even attempting it. I read the original Diet by Dr. Simeons that was released in the 1940s. This isn't a new fad or the latest diet pill. HCG has been around for a LONG time.
The Diet requires a lot of work and watching and careful planning. In previous posts about the Diet, I've referred people to different books, one being the Sugar Busters Diet. This book is fabulous at explaining the glycemic index of foods, which I believe every person should be aware of. If you're diabetic or hypoglycemic (like myself) then this a must read. After altering the type of foods I ingested, I've only experienced five episodes of low blood sugar over the past six years.
Recently, a friend's husband, had his cholesterol tested. It identified him as having the cholesterol levels of a 300 pound man...he is very thin and possibly not even weighing in over 160 pounds...maybe. Thin doesn't necessarily mean healthy. Be careful...listen and know what your body needs.

Another Round Of The HCG Diet

I started the HCG Diet on Christmas Day. Some of you, of course only those of you who don't know, would ask, "WHY CHRISTMAS!?!". The reason being is that the first TWO days of the HCG Diet require you to EXCESSIVELY eat! I'm not kidding, it says so right in the instructions. This was the first absolute guilt free Christmas I've ever had! Honest.

I had butterscotch pie, praline cheesecake, ribeyes, mashed potatoes, green beans, rolls, fried mushrooms, spring rolls, fried cod and an assortment of cheeses...oh my...how I adore cheese. I've been giving this a lot of thought and ...I think thirty days of the HCG Diet will always be my Christmas present to myself!

Still Looking Good...5 Months After HCG Diet

I haven't done a diet update in quite some time, so while I'm taking a break from the endless household chores of which I just love doing, I'll put down some final thoughts on the subject of HCG. Firstly, I notice a lot of people getting to my blog looking for side effects from the HCG diet. Again, I'll say it, I've not experienced any ill effects, only the good kind, like complete fat eradication.

I do intend to do one more round of HCG in January after the Winter Holidays. I wouldn't be doing another round of it if I thought something bad was related to the diet. The hardest part of the diet is eating only the foods allowed. I suggest to people all the time to try the foods first, not the ultra small portions, but just the combination of foods, each as much of them as you like.

I've also suggested reading the Sugar Busters Book. That book does a really good job of informing of the glycemic index of foods and how that index is important in losing weight. I believe it to be the most essential book when trying to form new eating habits.

Daily exercise is of extreme importance to me. I remember when I didn't feel like moving, getting around or being out and about. I don't ever want to feel like that again. I do a gym workout 3 days a week, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. I run about 4 nights a week, anywhere from 2 - 5 miles each time, just depending on how much time I've got. I've been reading about something called explosive exercise. It's where you do 10 different exercises in 20 second intervals. The information states that this type of exercising is better than running, elliptical, or the usual cardio stuff that we do. After I finish reading the entire process, I'm gonna try it and I'll let you know how it works.

I love sweet and sour chicken, but because of the high sugar in it, I usually don't partake...until now. I've found a sweet and sour chicken recipe that you can do while on the HCG diet!


Sweet and Sour Chicken
100 grams checken breast
1/2 orange, 1/2 lemon with rind
1 cup water
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp minced onion
1 tbsp lemon or orange zest
Dash of garlic powder, and onion powder
1 tbsp hot sauce
Cayenne, salt & pepper to taste
Stevia to taste
In a small saucepan place 1/2 orange and 1/2 lemon with the rind in water and boil until pulp comes out of the rind. Remove rinds from the water and scrape out remaining pulp and juice with a spoon. Add spices, onion and Stevia to taste. Add chicken and cook until liquid is reduced by approximately half. Add onion and garlic powders which act as slight thickening agent. Serve hot and garnish with lemon.

Unanswered Questions About The HCG Diet

Can you use Crystal Light while on the HCG Diet? NO! Absolutely no diet drinks. You are eliminating harmful carbs during the diet. Refined processed sugars are off limits. This also applies during the maintenance phase. You can eat anything you please, except sugar and starch, provided you observe one simple rule. This rule is that you must weigh every morning without fail. Sugar, rice, bread, potatoes, pastries...are by far the most dangerous and should be avoided during the diet and while in maintenance. You should increase your caloric intake to at least 800 calories per day during the maintenance phase. Continuing on the 500 calorie diet is not recommended and could lead to weight gain. Please read all the information given to you by your doctor and if you didn't get reading material then read Dr. Simeon's report on the diet.

Oh Me Oh My...HCG Update

When I tried and successfully completed the HCG Diet back in June, I just assumed that most people would do the diet through a physician. Boy, was I wrong. I don't advocate just ordering the product on line and using it. I received a TON of information from my doctor with links to other websites containing lots of information about the diet. There are so many RULES, that one must take about a week reading EVERYTHING, before even attempting the diet. Honestly, READ EVERYTHING!

That's why I suggested the Sugar Busters Diet book before doing the HCG Diet. I'm not trying to convince anyone not to do the HCG Diet, but it is extremely restrictive AND if done improperly there's a high chance of gaining weight. The most important thing to remember on the HCG Diet is to avoid hidden sugars. The Sugar Busters Diet book does a really good job of informing you on how to spot and avoid those hidden sugars.

Right now I'm working with a young mother, age 20, who gained quite a bit of weight during her pregnancy. Her starting weight is 204, and she was quite shocked when stepping on the scale claiming prior to that that she only weighed 180 pounds. That's okay I told her, because with some determination and self awareness she'll be down to 180 in no time at all, but not over night.

We talked a bit about her eating habits. She's got a big obstacle and that would be her significant other. He's skinny as a rail, eats all things fried and greasy and encourages her to do the same. His issue is something quite different, his deals with insecurity, but that's for a different post. She expressed a bit of concern of being able to eat healthy and admitted to me that she'd fallen off the wagon. I gave her encouragement and expressed that she'd been doing great and to not let this be an obstacle, but a starting point. It's also important to remember, that when you mess up a little bit, accept it and move on. Don't go to thinking, "Well, I've already had an order of fries, so I should just do it up real good and have a milk shake, a bag of potato chips, 16 Oreo cookies..." STOP

I started my darlin' mommy on 20 minutes of cardio, then she does a few exercises with the dumb bells. Alternating supinating curls, flys, curls and an over the head weighted press...4 sets of 12. She does this work out 3 times a week. We also talked about eliminating certain foods and soft drinks. Just doing a little at a time. This is the end of week three for my little mommy and she has lost 7 pounds. Isn't that amazing?! Yes, yes it is.

As promised another recipe from the HCG Cook Book:

Chicken Curry
100 grams cubed chicken
1/4 cup chicken broth or water
1/4 tsp curry powder or to taste
pinch of turmeric
dash of garlic powder, and onion powder
1 tbs minced onion
salt and pepper to taste
stevia to taste
cayenne to taste
Dissolve spices in chicken broth in a small saucepan. Add chopped onion, garlic and chicken. Add stevia to taste for a more sweet curry. Saute chicken in liquid until fully cooked and liquid is reduced to half. Additional water may be added to achieve desired consistency. Makes 1 protein.

HCG Diet Update, Side Effects & Maintenance

I've maintained my weight now for three months. I'm completely addicted to working out. I'm also very conscientious of what I eat. I can't say that it's all due to the HCG Diet, but I believe it was the catalyst for my stupendous journey into the world of good health.

I want to discuss the maintenance phase of the HCG Diet. It's for a period of 6 weeks and the purpose is to allow your body to stabilize at your new weight. You'll increase your caloric intake from 500 to 800 calories per day and you can eat anything you please except sugar and starch.

One thing I did learn from the maintenance phase is that a two pound weight gain is very bad. The diet plan also encourages daily weighing. All other sources have always stated to only weigh once a week, but this plan commands a daily, early morning weigh in after emptying bladder and without wearing any clothes.

Here are some of the most common errors while on the HCG Diet:
1. Not loading enough fat during load days.
2. Mixing vegetables at the meal.
3. No gum, mints, etc...
4. No diet drinks including Crystal Light, diet soda or other diet drinks.
5. No American beef...it's too fat!
6. Weight of protein is to be based on raw meat.
7. Don't eat the same protein for lunch and dinner.
8. Not drinking enough water--drink at least 2 quarts daily.(or allowable liquids)
9. Try to weigh the same time each morning (before eating and drinking), after emptying bladder and fully naked. (tee hee)
10. Avoid eating in restaurants because to a large degree the meats have been "juiced" or manipulated to be more flavorful, tender or juicy with a multitude of processes, which could slow down your weight loss.

HCG Diet, Side Effect...Fat Eradication

I did two rounds of the HCG Diet, once in March and then again in May or June. The only side effect I noticed was fat eradication. My hair didn't fall out, my skin didn't go bad or I didn't experience any ill effects that I'm aware of. It's not like this diet just popped up on the market, I mean it did in the United States, but it's been around since the 40's in Europe.

I did both drops and shots. I didn't like the drops, not because they tasted bad, but because you had to hold the HCG under your tongue for 30 seconds and that was difficult. And then, you couldn't drink anything for 15 minutes. Since I took the drops in the morning after waking, it interfered with my java intake.

With the shots, I didn't have to worry about not drinking anything or worry about holding the liquid under my tongue. The shots just seemed to be easier for me to do. Giving yourself a shot probably sounds scary, but it isn't. The needle is very minute and it wasn't painful at all. I did have experience because of the glucagon that I injected for hypoglycemia, but even without that experience I still think I would have been fine.

I lost a total of 37 pounds. I went from a size 10-12 to a size 4. You don't have to work out or exercise on the diet, but I did. I weight lifted in order to firm my body after losing the weight. Also, from being on the diet, I found that I had retrained myself on eating habits. Today, I find that I still skip breakfast without any negative side effects. I usually have an apple around mid-morning and then tuna and crackers for the afternoon. I rarely have a meal at night, I just snack on something like a salad with cucumbers and maybe a few slices of turkey.

I'm thinking I still need to drop about 10 to 15 pounds more. With that thought, I've thought about doing one last round of HCG beginning in October. This way, I'll insulate myself against Winter gain and Thanksgiving and Christmas goodies.

Here's another recipe from the HCG Gourmet Cookbook:
Tomato Basil Soup
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes
3 ounces of tomato paste
4-6 leaves of fresh basil rolled and sliced
1-2 cloves garlic crushed and minced
2 tbs chopped onion
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp dried oregano
Pinch of marjoram
Salt and black pepper to taste
Puree all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Pour into a saucepan and heat to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes. Serve hot, garnish with fresh basil leaves or parsley.

HCG Diet, Maintenance Phase and Side Effects

I've been approached constantly at my place of employment, around town and generally where ever I may be out and about, people inquiring how I did it? Did what? Eradicate weight, totally and permanently. It was a combination of things, but I believe the biggest contributor to my weight eradication was determination and endurance. No matter what diet you plan to follow, you have to do it. You are the key to success, not your doctor or eating plan, but you.

Recently a friend related that there's not much we can control, except for the physical shape we're in. I concur. Eating healthy, exercising, getting enough sleep, not smoking, drinking moderately and taking supplements should be a part of everyone's life, and you should find out what works for you. We are not all the same, no matter what people try to force us to believe, we're different, our bodies react differently to varied stimuli and it's a process of trial and error.

The HCG diet works, any diet works...as long as you comply. What's different about HCG is from where the weight is eradicated. Heavy thighs? No problem...with HCG the thighs melt away. Big belly...again, not a problem...HCG will flatten that tummy within weeks. ONE CATCH! You have to strictly follow the eating plan. The right portions and the selected foods and prepared the way you're supposed to eat them!

Every day for a while, I'll include a recipe from the HCG Gourmet Cookbook. Try these out, see if you like them, find out if it's something you can stick with. How bad do you want it?

Sweet Japanese Cucumber Salad
1 cucumber slided/diced
2 tbs apple cider vinegar
1 tbs fresh lemon juice
1 tbs Bragg's amino acids
1 tsp finely minced onion
Cyenne pepper to taste
Stevia to taste
Mix ingredients together, marinate for 15 minutes or more and serve chilled.

In this update I'm attaching each HCG Diet blog, documenting my progress.