HCG Diet Dangers: Is Fast Weight Loss Worth the Risk?

TAKE A PRE-NATAL VITAMIN!!!

GO THROUGH A DOCTOR.... MAKE SURE YOU ARE GETTING THE REAL THING!!!!

STAY ON THE DIET FOR AT LEAST 30 DAYS!!

I know that this diet works. You are on a restricted diet, but this diet is necessary because it causes your body to consume that stubborn fat for the rest of your needed energy.

I am eating healthier choices such as fresh vegetables and organic meat. I am getting vitamins and minerals that most people don't get eating the foods that largely cause obesity. Even so, combined with a multivitamin that does not contain any sugar or is oil based, such as a pre-natal vitamin, I feel confident I am giving my body all that it needs. I am eating real, solid food. The decrease in calories is mostly caused by restricting all oils and carbohydrates. Simply put no cooking in oil, no sugar, no dairy, etc.

I am eating 5 oz. of meat, which is recommended for a woman my age by the website choosemyplate.gov, with my lunch and dinner. I feel that pre-natal vitamins provide me with the things I am missing by not eating grains or dairy. I feel that I am getting more than with my usual diet of processed foods. I have an orange and coffee for breakfast, and for a mid-afternoon and late night snack I have an apple. I usually have 4 oz. of lettuce (trust me it is as much as you will want to eat) with tomatoes or 4 oz. of broccoli or asparagus with my lunch and dinner. I go crazy with the spices (as long as they do not contain sugar). There is a large range of products, such as barbecue sauce and salad dressing, that do not contain sugar or oil. I do not feel like I am missing anything.

My doctor did warn me that there were risks of blood clots but no more so than birth control and a lot of us take that with no other thought.

I have several friends who did this before me and they are new people. They never looked starved. Unlike when you just starve yourselves, your body goes for that fat on your arms or around your stomach or that hump on the bottom of your neck. It does not leave you with sunken cheeks or deteriorated muscles. If you experience cramps, then up your protein. It's just that simple. Your doctor will help you tweak the diet to fit your needs, even if you are diabetic.

When you are done the fat doesn't just explode back on. You can eat normal. BE REALISTIC!!! If you make healthy diet choices, like the FDA recommended 1200 calories, afterwards then you will stay a healthy weight. However, even my friends that have gone back to their old ways never gained it all back and the weight that they did gain was distributed all over their body instead of back in to the regular, stubborn, unhealthy places.

If you truly follow the diet, you will lose weight. If you stop before 30 days you will likely gain it all back and more. I believe the 40 day on, 6 weeks off method to be the most efficient.

You get the chance to choose a healthy diet and really SEE the benefits of your choices. You get a do-over.

Sheena Bates of AR 8:25PM October 25, 2011

I'm now the second time on the HCG Diet and lost so far 42lb, it works if you stick to it, in the 7 weeks where I was not on the Diet, I didn't put nothing on it. But you realy have to set your mind to it and do it, it realy works. Now Saturday is my last Day for the 6 week Diet and then I don't do it till next year, I still have to loose 28lb this is my goal, then I have the weight what I wanted. I tried so many other Diet's, but right after I put some weight back on again, but now I stick with HCG, this is the best.

Eveline Ratzinger 2:53PM October 19, 2011

Just completed the 40 day fou phase HCG (drops, but not homeopathic!)program and this was my first diet. I lost 33 pounds, was never hungry, had double my normal energy level, and slept like never before!! Took measurements before and after and only lost inches where the most bad fat was stored. Phase three 1500 calorie part and phase four with normal eating has had no weight gain at all and metabolism is great. On top of all this, frequent hot flashes ended, swollen/sore joints are normal again, and disposition is much more relaxed! I love what HCG did for me!

Susan Lance of CO 5:58PM October 17, 2011

The people who are against this diet should realize a few things.

One is that you should only do this under doctor supervision. This diet is not meant for everyone. You have to have a healthy heart and be free of any thyroid problems and other things. I did the diet and saw my doctor once a week. I filled him in on how I was doing and feeling and he monitored my progress every step of the way.

The second is that it is a lifestyle change. This is not just a quick fix. It teaches you to look at labels when you go to the grocery store. Maintenance is key. The 500 calories a day is rough for anyone. But you are eating healthy items. You aren't just eating celery sticks and drinking water. It teaches you to watch what you eat. I have been on the maintenance plan for a few months now, and I can still eat all of the foods I did before, with some differences. When I want a burger and fries, I eat the burger meat with the veggies and leave out the bread. And instead of fries, I order a fruit cup, or more veggies. And I continue to watch what I eat and make better decisions about what I'm putting in my body throughout the week.

This diet is not for everyone. It's tedious, and, like I said, should be monitored by a doctor. Most of the reports that are coming out about the hCG diet are only focusing on the negative stories. There are success stories. Where are those interviews? Don't be so quick to judge.

And also, for those of you wanting to buy this over the counter...don't. It's potentially dangerous. Your doctor should be the one to tell you it's okay to start the diet. Be smart about this and you will have a successful experience.

Patty E of TX 3:36PM October 04, 2011