The HCG diet protocol is a way to successfully take charge of your body and lose the weight that has been bothering you for far too long.  The protocol has an extremely high long-term success rate, which means no more yo-yo dieting.  Even better, dieters lose weight at an average of one-half to two pounds a day, keeping motivation high. The HCG diet protocol is weight loss treatment, not another fad diet. The protocol is designed for success in both men and women.

HCG Diet History

The hcg diet is based on the research and studies of Dr. A.T.W. Simeons, a British endocrinologist.  Dr. Simeons published a manuscript on obesity in the 1950s in Rome entitled “Pounds and Inches: A New Approach to Obesity” based on his many years of research and case studies on the effects of the HCG hormone on obesity and weight loss.

Dr. Simeons found that the HCG hormone (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) present in pregnant women plays a vital role in providing nutrients to the growing fetus.  If the mother is not eating enough to sustain growth of the fetus, then the HCG hormone causes the release of stored fat in the mother’s body.  This excess fat supplies fuel and nutrients to the developing baby. 

In his studies, Dr. Simeons found that tiny amounts of the HCG hormone could be introduced to a person who was not pregnant and it would cause the hypothalamus to tell the body to release 2000 to 4000 calories of stored excess fat a day.  When combined with a very low calorie diet, the body burns through and eliminates the released fat.  This released fat provides enough fuel in the body to supplement the low-calorie food intake, resulting in little to no hunger. That is the “short version” of how the HCG diet protocol works.  Of course you’ll want to read Dr. Simeons’ book to learn the full scientific background of the HCG diet. 

Steps of The HCG Diet

Load Days

The HCG diet starts with two fat loading days while taking the homeopathic HCG drops or doing self-injections. Fat loading days may seem like a lot of fun. The reality is that it’s not as much fun as it sounds!  But this is a vital step that cannot be missed or skimped on. 

Most clients looked forward to starting the Very Low Calorie Diet after two days of gorging. You’ll need to consume at least 250 grams of fat each day with foods such as heavy cream, nuts, oils, butter, avocado, cream cheese, peanut butter, dark chocolate, and other high fats.  It’s very important to prepare your body in order to avoid going in to “starvation mode”. 

During the fat loading days so you must focus on high fat foods rather than foods that are high in sugars and starches; however, you can eat anything you want to. One of the great benefits of the HCG diet is that you don’t feel hungry like you do on a typical diet; fat loading is the key to no hunger in the first week of the HCG diet. 

VLCD Phase

On Day 3 you’ll start on the Very Low Calorie Diet portion of the HCG diet.  You’ll be eating 500 calories a day along with taking the HCG drops.  Not all calories are equal though.  You will have to pay close attention to WHICH foods you can and cannot eat.  You will be eating lean proteins, certain fruits, certain vegetables and a few other items. 

One rule to keep in mind is that you can’t mix vegetables within a meal. The rules may sound silly or odd, but Dr. Simeons did years of research and studies to find which foods worked best for weight loss when combined with the HCG hormone.  The success of your diet depends on sticking to the foods outlined in Dr. Simeons’ HCG diet protocol. 

While on the Very Low Calorie Diet (VLCD) portion of the HCG diet you will also need to drink plenty of water. You need at least 2 liters (up to 100 oz.) a day, more if you drink caffeinated tea and coffee or live in a very warm climate.

You’ll also need to avoid any personal care products that contain any food oils (that includes getting your hair colored).  You will also want to avoid taking a laxative, diet pills, cough medicine, over the counter medicines and fat soluble vitamins.  You can continue to take prescription medication, and aspirin as needed. 

Supplements are not necessary while on the HCG diet however, if you choose to add them vitamins B and vitamin complex are recommended and found helpful by many. When choosing a supplement it is very important to be sure they are free from all oils, starch, and sugar; this will keep them within the protocol guidelines.  

You will stay on the VLCD portion of the HCG diet, while taking the HCG for a minimum 21 days and up to 57 days depending on your weight loss goals and how you are feeling.  When you are ready to end the VLCD phase, you will stop taking the HCG, but will remain on the VLCD for 72 hours. 

Maintenance Phase

After those three days, you will start the maintenance phase of the HCG diet.  You will increase your calories according to your current BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) needs in relation to your current weight. You will eat a wide variety of protein, vegetables, healthy fats, and fruits. Avoiding processed foods, sugar, and all starches, including the small amount allowed before, is vital to the resetting of your hypothalamus in this stage. 

During the second half of the six-week maintenance period of the HCG diet you will slowly add sugar and starch back into your diet. You will do this slowly to see how your body reacts.  During maintenance you will be weighing yourself daily.  If you gain any more than 2 pounds, there is a very specific solution called a “Steak Day” you will follow on that same day to take off those two pounds.  This is called the maintenance phase for a reason!  You are working on maintaining that hard work you have achieved! 

After six weeks of maintenance you can decide if you want to start another round to lose more weight, or if you want to head to the life phase to learn how to fully integrate food for life. 

Benefits of The HCG Diet

There are many benefits of the HCG diet over other diets.  One important benefit is the rapid weight loss.  When you are losing 0.5-1 pound a day, it’s easier to stay motivated and stay on a weight loss program.  Many people are grumpy when they are on a diet.  This is usually due to hunger and lack of energy.  You won’t find yourself hungry while on the HCG diet, so you won’t have the usual grumpiness associated with being on a diet. Especially after the first week, many people report a sense of feeling energized and great; the motivation of daily results plays a large part in this emotion. 

The results of the HCG diet are not just the pounds lost, although that is a great benefit in and of its self, but also a new contour to your body in the inches lost as well.  Whether you have 5 pounds or 500 pounds, you can lose it quickly and safely.  You can lose the fat from those stubborn spots that seem to never come off with other diets.  It doesn’t leave you with hanging skin that you would normally see with rapid weight loss.  The HCG diet releases and eliminates your toxin-filled, abnormal stored fat, so it detoxes the cells in your body leaving you with more energy.  Your body not only loses pounds, it loses inches.  You are left with a new you – a reshaped and resculpted body. 

When Dr. Simeons first developed the HCG diet, he administered the HCG by injections.  When the diet started gaining popularity, physicians would prescribe the HCG hormone and patients would give themselves injections.  This wasn’t easy for a lot of people.  Some people can’t handle self-injections.  It’s also not always convenient.  If you have a busy lifestyle, it’s not easy to slip away to a private spot to give yourself an injection. 

In addition, there are extra supplies to purchase such as mixing kits, alcohol pads, and syringes.  The prescriptions are also fairly expensive and require additional time due to physician requirements for follow up appointments, this all results in more fees. 

Now there is an effective and safe alternative.  The HCG hormone can be administered in a homeopathic sublingual (under the tongue) drop. The homeopathic HCG drops that you take while on the HCG diet are taken 3 to 6 times a day. 

In the homeopathic process, the full strength HCG is mixed with purified water and alcohol, and it is just as effective as the full strength prescription hormone.  The only difference is that it will take double the dosage of the prescription hormone (125IU) in order to have the same effect.  This is because it is taken under the tongue and is being broken down by saliva and acid instead of directly entering the bloodstream. (The good news is that even with twice the dosage, the cost is still a fraction of what you would spend at a clinic.) 

Guidelines for Buying HCG Drops

This is one very important factor to realize when you are looking for a company to purchase HCG from online.  If they try to tell you that you only need 30 drops a day or that you can lose weight on a 15-day round – they are not telling you the truth.  They are just looking to make a buck. 

There are other things you want to pay close attention to when you are looking for a company to order your HCG.  Do they offer ongoing support?  Make sure they have a toll-free number at a minimum. Call it and see if the person on the other side is friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful.  A live chat or responsive email support is good as well.  Look for a website that has client testimonials and realistic before/after photos from people on the HCG diet. 

See if there is a support community within the customers.  Some websites have a link to a Facebook fanpage that offers even more support with recipes, success stories and additional tips.  That is a company that you know you can trust and will be there for you.  Last, make sure they are open and reveal their ownership and support staff.  There should never be anything to hide. It is also important to know whether they offer support from a qualified person, like a trained expert or a certified coach.  Make sure any certifications are posted on the website – anyone can use the word “certified.” 

The HCG diet protocol has been a successful way for thousands of people to lose weight all over the world.  It has helped people to lose weight quickly, re-sculpt their body, and keep the pounds and inches off long term.  If you are looking to re-set your metabolism and find a “new you”, the HCG diet protocol may be the perfect weight loss solution for you.  Be sure to read Dr. Simeons’ 50-page book, Pounds and Inches.  It will help you understand the science behind the diet so you can be confident in your decision to start.