Very rarely do I comment on set diets but the more I read about the HCG diet, the more concerned I am for those on it.
I never have been a fan of fad diets/supplements/superdiets/pills/surgery.
I don't believe weight loss can be a quick fix for anyone.
What worries me most on the HCG is that it's based around chemicals and a 500cal diet.
If there's one thing I have learnt from this years Biggest Loser (UK) is that deprivation of calories (below 1000 for women and 1200 for men) results not only in loss of fat but muscle volume. As muscle dies, it doesn't come back as it was. This raises the risk of many disabilitating illnesses by 30% and in some cases can bring on early osteoperosis (since many cut out all dairy).
Not to mention severe reduction of calories can cause heart attacks. Memory loss is also likely. Not to mention the effects on the guts and bowels. Side effects are rarely pretty.
The other thing that concerns me?
Let's say for arguments sake that the person/s on it reach their goal weight! First off, well done. Reaching a goal is never easy.
What then?
Do they.....
a) go back to a far healthier 1500/2000 cals a day and suffer the subsequent weight gain that is imminent when you up calorie intake
.
or....
b) stick to the 500 cals and dwindle away with what is effectively a chemically enhanced eating disorder.
I know the success rate is high, but it doesn't seem at all safe to me. Certainly not long term. I am worried about this and I care enough to speak out about it.
It may be a long road doing it yourself or with a slimming club but little and over time is far better than 20lbs in a month and it is easier to keep off.
This article also raises some issues I also feel could be addressed. This isn't the HCG as far as I know but VERY similar.
500 cal diet
Please ladies, those of you on HCG, I wish you the very best of luck but don't let it take over. You are all beautiful as you are and I just want you to be healthy. x
The HCG is to ensure that you are losing only fat, no muscle. The first 2 days of the diet, you eat any and everything you can (they call this "loading") to prepare yourself for the next couple of weeks. Then on day 3, you start the 500cal diet. The goal of the 2 day loading is to eat as many calories as possible, preparing the body for a period of very low calorie intake. By completely filling all fat stores, the metabolism is convinced that the body is not in a starvation mode.
ReplyDeleteThis is what causes the HCG/your body to feed off of only the bad fat cells.
I have done days of research. I've lost 30 pounds on my own in 3 months.. so If I can boost myself, and lose 30 pounds in 30-45 days, why not?? I am buying this tomorrow and giving it a try.
Believe me, I was as skeptical as you are, but I figure I can't knock it til I try it, and I really want to reach my summer goal! If it works, I should reach my summer goal 1-2 months early. I just want to use the 45-day program, and then be done with it... I can continue the rest of my journey as I have been; I just want that extra boost.
And to answer your question, once done with the program, you slowly increase your calorie intake by like 200 until you are back at 1500 or whatever you are supposed to be. You should not gain the weight back, because that's a healthy calorie intake; I guess the only way you'd gain back is if you go crazy and have 4000-5000 calories a day.
ReplyDeleteThere's not a huge amount of info on it over here in the UK just yet (I've only learnt through US websites and dieters) so my knowledge is a little hazy on it all.
ReplyDeleteJust stay safe my lovely, long term health is far better but like I said - The Very Best Of Luck to you. I hope you can reach your goal early, that always feels good.