HCG is Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, a hormone found in large quantities in pregnant women. In fact, pregnancy tests rely on the presence of HCG to determine whether or not there is a fetus present. The role of this hormone is to make sure that the fetus obtains all the nutrients it needs, even at the cost of the mother. This appears to be a fail safe for the period when the mother is still unaware of her pregnancy and is not yet taking the necessary precautions to care for her child. HCG not only diverts nutrients to the child from the mother’s food intake but also from fat deposits, which is what makes it an excellent weight loss aid.

The minimum length of HCG treatment for weight loss is 26 days, of which 23 days the patient is administered shots. The maximum length of treatment is 43 days, because after 40 days the body becomes immune and needs a six week break before treatment can recommence. If a weight loss of 34 – 40 lbs is achieved before the forty days are up then the treatment is interrupted for six weeks and resumed if necessary.

Patients must also follow a very low calorie diet that is high in protein and low in fat and carbohydrates. Even a slight deviation from the recommended eating plan can sabotage the treatment. The recommended diet does not exceed 500 calories per day, but due to the HCG the patient does not feel any hunger pangs as it acts like an appetite suppressant.

The eating plan incorporates lean meat and vegetables, with one piece of fruit allowed per day. As with any other healthy eating regimen, 8 fl oz of liquids are recommended per day. Patients average an approximate loss of one to two pounds per day.

There have been some side effects reported, though, such as increased risk of blood clots, risk of multiple pregnancies, mood changes, restlessness as well as symptoms associated with pregnancy. It also appears that HCG can cause life threatening conditions such as ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS) and arterial thrombo-embolism. Thus, it is not recommended for people to go on the HCG diet without proper medical supervision.

However, clinical trials have shown that HCG is an effective weight loss aid and can achieve spectacular results in less than thirty days. The chances of gaining weight after concluding the diet are minimal as long as a healthy lifestyle is adhered to.

1) To begin with, avoid starches and sugars entirely. Fat often comes from insulin that’s been stimulated by sugar. Dr. Simeons warns dieters in “Pounds and Inchest” about the dangers of consuming anything starchy or sugary after they perform the HCG Diet. You shouldn’t do it at any point during the process. Every day, it’s possible to come across unhealthy foods that you’ll really want to eat, like chocolates or donuts. However, heed this advice in order to beat these cravings.

2) If you absolutely have to snack, stick to the approved foods in the diet. Let me elaborate on this. You might be able to eat some foods that aren’t on the typical diet plan, but are allowed at some clinics.

3) In the event that you have to cheat, look at the satisfaction that food provides. What are you feeling once you’ve had that food? A food diary can really be helpful when you want to examine these feelings and cravings, so you can better prepare yourself the next time you feel that same way. Keep track of your progress this way, as it’s very efficient at showing your how you’re developing. This way, you can look at the days in which you did well and try to emulate those same factors, and try to avoid the circumstances that led to you not losing as much weight on certain days. You might be extremely confused during this process.

4) Count whatever days you eat something that’s not approved by the HCG diet as a “loading day,” which isn’t the greatest plan to have; you’re effectively adding three days to your eventual weight loss schedule for every single loading day you add on. If you just can’t help yourself, try to schedule these loading days as far apart as possible, and make it a special occasion, so you’re not tempted to do it again. It’ll be a lot easier to convince yourself you’re not doing it again if you can just consider these to be days off. If your weight loss is plateuing, this can actually be effective.

5) Weigh the potential pitfalls of quitting the diet altogether. Find out how much the diet plan costs, between all of the equipment – including bottled water, alcohol wipes, and syringes for the HCG, as well as shipping – and figure out the daily cost, multipying that total by 3, and you’ll have your total financial cost for the diet. Factor in the costs of clinics and doctors, if that’s part of your plan.

6) Consider the price to your self-image. One is often distressed when they have to wait to see any weight loss for three days. On the whole, you’ll be gaining weight for every day you’re not eating things that are on the diet. The second day will show a loss in weight, but you won’t progress until day 3.

7) Weigh your options if you absolutely have to have that candy bar. Would watermelon fill you the same way? It’s infinitely better than chocolate! You can even enjoy the taste just as much. However, ignore this advice if the Dr. Simeons diet is your regimen of choice. Some Hcg Diet clinics do allow watermelon, so it’s a bit of an option. Some other vegetables and fruits are permitted.

This next trick really helped me during those hunger pangs I would experience. You can find a good healthy snack in some slices of chicken that are rolled into lettuce leaves, if you need a healthy alternative. All you have to do then is eat less meat when you have your next meal.

Additional advice: Find sugar and fat free salad dressings and sauces for your food. Wal-Mart has a fantastic raspberry vinaigrette from Maple Grove Farms that’s free of fat and sugar, making it perfect for meals.

Use Stevia to add flavor to your iced coffee. It still tastes good, though maybe not coffee shop quality. You can also make smoothies out of strawberries or other types of fruits if you like. Fill your blender with ice, water, Stevia, and the strawberries. It’s all within the diet plan!

9) If you really need a snack, just salt and pepper some fresh vegetables, like cucumbers and tomatoes, as they can really satisfy while being completely healthy and in line with the diet. Just add spices to the tomato and broil or bake the tomato for added taste. You’ll be surprised at how good it is. You won’t be cheating, and you’re not taking in enough calories to prevent any weight loss in your program.

10) Here’s a final bit of advice. If I ever needed protein but didn’t feel like eating fish or chicken, eggs would be a good alternative. In “Pounds and Inches,” Dr. Simeons discusses the benefits of eggs, even for vegetarians on the diet. It didn’t affect my weight loss. Just grab a non-stick pan, some water, and scramble the egg in the pan.

Those of you who have been following my articles have read about my journey with salads, and how I came to inevitably start enjoying them. I misread it, losing a whole lot of weight on a daily basis by just eating salads.

Keep in mind that you’ll gain weight on the Hcg plan if you’re taking in more than 500 calories every day. HcG is just like that. You can only really see results if you implement the VLCD low calorie diet plan for your routine. If you need extra help, go to fitday.com to use their handy calculator that figures in fat and calories.