Two weeks into the first maintenance phase and I’m happy to report that I have maintained my weight. I am only avoiding starches and sweeteners (natural and artificial.) Everything else is on the table, literally. Including one glass of wine a day.
I had one scary day in the beginning when my weight crested over the 2 pound limit. I followed the instructions for a “Steak Day” which is supposed to reset. Fluids only were allowed til dinner which consisted of a large steak and raw tomato. And voila it worked.
In 5 more days, I will start the last phase of maintenance where starch and sweeteners may be gradually reintroduced. I think I am ready.
That said, here’s my take on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the HCG diet.
The Good
I’ve lost weight in those troublesome abnormal fat storage areas – stomach, upper arms, thighs. And no, it’s not drooping. At least, not any more than it was before the diet.
I was never hungry during the diet.
My metabolism seems revved up; I have no cravings, and the weight is staying off.
I feel good – ready to tone things now.
It’s mostly in my rear view mirror.
The Bad
OK, injections. But they didn’t really bother me – and you don’t have to take it that way. Your MD can prescribe it for under the tongue instead. Or you can take the homeopathic drops, which I don’t understand, but at least one of our Venuses has done with great success. Heck, I sure don’t know everything.
Intestinal slowdown. Not everyone has this problem, but a lot of women (and men) do complain about it. Easily remedied with herbal laxatives or Smooth Move Tea.
Tiredness
I’ve heard many of my sister dieters claim that they never felt better in their lives, that they were euphoric taking the HCG. For me? Didn’t happen. I did not feel better than I’ve ever felt. I felt fatigued by afternoon every day. Luckily, I was able to talk to other women, including our own Menopausal Squirrel to realize that it was a perfectly normal occurrence. So I could quit worrying.
The Ugly
This is not an easy diet. It’s rigorous and for me to succeed, I had to frame it as going on “retreat”. Which is actually quite a wonderful way to spend 3 weeks, once you surrender to it. And I wouldn’t have wanted to do it and work in Intensive Care nursing doing the HCG diet.
(I read on one forum a note from a policewoman who said that she just couldn’t do it. She felt like she wasn’t at the top of her game and her partner’s life was dependent on her being sharp and focused. She quit after 3 days. I completely understand her choice.)
So would I do it again? Honestly, maybe. But I hope I never have to. I hope that permanent change is not really an oxymoron. And I’ll be taking steps to ensure that my weight stays within a comfortable range.
So, my plan is to eat as much organic food as possible, cook with raw virgin coconut oil, eat sprouted grains or brown rice, drink 1/2 to 1 gallon of water per day, avoid sweeteners save rarely agave nectar, eat small meals with healthy snacks in between. Avoid processed foods, MSG, corn syrup solids, preservatives, hormones, and the like.
Exercise routines will be as before the diet – walk at least 6 days a week, lift weights 3 days a week, and dance hula, play golf, swim. (I may have been overweight but I was a very fit fat girl.)
Thank you to all my menopause goddess sisters for your succor and support during this process. I probably could have made it without you, but it would have sucked big time. I’m just sayin’…..
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And I saw the photo of you that you sent Theresa Venus…VA VA VOOM!
Theresa wanted me to share my “changed eating habits”: I went on Weight Watchers a year ago and have dropped 27 lbs. while keeping up a normal lifestyle. I did not want to diet, but rather learn to manage my eating. I exercise daily, loving every minute. I plan to lose another 8 lbs. and hit the WW lifetime goal so I can go monthly for support FREE.
okay, Lynette, I am saying this again, out of those fat girl clothes, you deserve some new, skinny girl clothes to go with your skinny girl bod!
Maureen, girl, you have been looking so good. Way to go!!!! And Rae, okay, I’m a woman on a mission – new skinny clothes it is!
Lots of people that are obese gained the weight is because they could be eating because of emotional reasons. If you can separate your own personal over emotional life from your eating styles, chances are you’ll discover it is much better to reduce weight and also retain it towards the long run. Thanks….
It feels good to hear that you are happy with the results. Stay healthy and fit. Thanks for the share.
I love reading your posts. You are very real! I just wanted to share my experience with HCG. I actually loved the diet. It was prescribed by my naturalpathic doctor. I lost 30lbs. I tried it a second time and did not have weight loss. In fact I am 6 months out and I am going through all kinds of digestive, gallbladder and kidney problems. I also became resistant to my thyroid medicine. I am working with doctors to get down to the bottom of this but it looks like my blood is all off. Another friend of mine, who was on the HCG diet is actually right now in the hospital. She has had kidney, and gallbladder problems. They removed her gallbladder but it did not clear up the digestive problems. She also became resistant to her thyroid medicine. I share this with you because it is hard to find a blog that is not supported by HCG and I don’t feel yours is, you just happen to be doing it. Good luck and I hope you can have great success.
Cheers,
Beth
Wow, Beth. I really feel for you. Going cold turkey was just too scary for me – so I gradually cut my patch into tinier and tinier pieces until it wasn’t worth putting it on. I’m doing okay, but must say that I still have hot flashes off and on – most often precipitated by a cat on my lap or some such thing. Hang in there and let us know if you find something that really works well in the natural supplements aisle.
Thanks,
Lynette
Soy MaríaJose Castillo de Chile y soy una mujer algo rellena, como una albondiga en salsa de tomates, osea me ha ayudado mucho la hormona, ya que soy BULIMICA y mi novio no soportaba, el olor a vómito en mi boquita, entonces comencé en tratamiento con la hormona maravillosa, es cara pero con gano bien, y siempre he tenido dinero porque mi madre me ha dado siempre vale decir soy mantenida, puedo costearme todo mis lujos, de princesita rosa. A mi siempre me han gustado los hombres adinerados, y mis amistades obviamente también, por desgracia tengo amigos rasquitas, pero algo es algo. Tengo un par de amigos ABC1 se agradece. Amo con locura a mi Guatón, obvio es de dinero. Eso les quería contar es lo mejor el tratamiento con la hormona. Y más si te ayuda tu mamita a pagarlo.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Many women are struggling with the same type of issues. Love reading your posts too. Nice new photos too, keep it up!!
Thanks, Kobe!
I have just started really promoting HCG at my gym as I have tried out every diet/supplement known to man. This is the quickest and safest of the diets I have seen. You really lose about a lb a day unless your already under 14% bodyfat. I have tried this diet on myself and lost 11.5 as well as my wife who lost 13.5 lbs in 12 days. You can go as long as 40 days, but there is no need. So far I have had 11 clients try it with only one who put the weight back on (due to party lifestyle). I have become a hero to all of these people and only makes my business look better. The only person who didn’t get more than 4 lbs was my own mother! However, I think hormone issues could be the cause of that. Anyways, It’s great to hear about other’s successes. Let me know what you think about a diet review I did…HCG was part of it: http://www.evolvegymoc.com/diets-diets-diets/
Thanks, Brad! I’ll check it out!
This is really good share story, I have experience with lot of supplements to lose weight but hcg pellets and drops is really good
This is a really good story from someone with good experience in hcg diets, thanks a lot
Great Blog – thanks for the inspiration. Hot flashes, crazy weight gain on a fairly healthy lifestyle have caused me to look further into the effects of menopause. I appreciate all of the positive shares and good to know others with similar experiences.
I’ve lost weight on the scale, but I don’t see any change in my body structure. Has anyone experienced this?
Hi, presently on the hCG diet, losing weight slowly, 14 lbs so far and doing 40 days plan. My question, I am in this peri-menopausal stage but since the hCG I’ve been spotting, now bleeding a week after, anyone had this issue?