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500 Cal diet w/HCG verses 500 Cal diet without

Since I've been on both diets:  500 cal without HCG and 500 cal with HGC, thought I'd relate my experiences for those Naysayers who keep saying 'Anyone can lose on a 500 calorie diet, HCG is useless'.  No one disagrees that you can lose on a 500 cal diet with ow without HCG, but you have to look at the whole picture. How do you feel on the diet?  Can you stick with the diet?  Can you maintain your weight afterwards?

3 months ago, before I heard about HCG I attempted a 500 Calorie diet to reduce the affects of RA(Rhuematoid Arthritis). Actually I wanted to FAST because having been under a 14 day medically supervised fast (water only) 3 years ago, I knew what miraculous results I got. I was close to wheelchair bound when I checked in, but came out 24 days later with no Arthritis symptoms at all (and I lost 16 lbs).  I couldn't Fast this time because I couldn't take off work, so I opted to do a 500 Calorie diet so I could still go to work.

500 Cal diet, NO HCG:  I originally intended to do this diet for 14+ days, however I was so miserable I didn't last but 7 days even though I was highly motivated. I was having another severe episode from my RA and needed relief.  Losing weight was only a secondary reason for the diet.  I was hungry all the time and it was extremely difficult to stay on the diet.  After work I would go home and crash on the sofa from exhaustion. I started cheating a little on the 5th day and by the 7th day I made the decision I could not do this diet any longer!  I only lost 3.3 lbs during that time.  My food composition was very similar to what I'm eating now, but I had more veggies and fruits to choose from.  I gained those 3.3 lbs back plus 2.5 more after I came off the diet.

500 Cal diet with HCG/Simeon Plan.  This is my 7th day on the HCG/Simeon diet so I figured it would be a good time to compare them (since I made it 1 week on the non-HCG plan).  I have felt very well the entire 7 days, no hunger pangs until the end of the day when I took no shot (yesterday). I am not miserable like I was on the diet w/out HCG.  I have lost 5 lbs (net), even with the 2 loading days, and I'm pretty excited about how this is going.  I haven't had any inclination to stop, whereas on the non-HCG diet I couldn't stand it any longer by the 7th day. I do have some loss of energy, but not as bad as when I was on the non-hcg plan.

Summary: In my opinion the 500 Cal diet with HCG has so many benefits over doing the diet without HCG! (feeling of well-being, no hunger pangs, not miserable).  In fact, I got some added benefits on the HCG diet. The swelling in my ankles, knees, and elbows went down drastically by the 3rd day on HCG. It didn't go down at all on the non-HCG diet and it took 10 days fasting before the swelling went down 3 yrs ago.  Another benefit I experienced on HCG: I quit coughing.  After months and months of 'fuzzy irriated throat' and coughing, It just stopped after the 2nd day on HCG shots!
  

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Avatar universal
I did the HCG with vlcd and lost like 15 lbs in 30 days, but I had bad reaction to all the hormones I guess?  I tried to get pregnant afterwards but I could not get pregnant because I had two systs the size of an organge  in my uterus... that I did not have before, so I had to have surgery to get them removed and check to see if it was cancer.. my oncologist thought they were cancerous but thank God they weren't and once they were removed I was able to get pregnant.  Now a mother to twin boys... but now I want to lose the baby weight  and I wanted to do the HCG drops but I'm scared they samething may happen...
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Avatar universal
I am looking for safe, guaranteed, quality HCG not homeopathic to purchase at a very reasonable cost here in the US.  Can anyone direct me?  I went to a doctor but it is just way too much money.  I realize you cannot put a price on health but it seems everyone is out to make money and not help.  I make very little money and since my complete hysterectomy I cannot take any hormones so I have gained too much weight over the years and want to lose 100 pounds and get my life back.  Any suggestions that are reliable would be very welcomed.  I had great success my first go around but then they decided to put me on something else and I got pancreatitis from it so now I have had a set back.
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1 Comments
Where are you located and what types of prices are you getting?
Avatar universal
I do not  agree ,I have only used homeopathic HCG.  In the past fasting was the only solution for weight loss for me.My regain of weight was a result of extreme emotional trauma.I am now back on path. I never followed the 500 calorie diet and still lose .
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Avatar universal
This diet is not recmmended for 15 yr olds.It can mess up their hormones later.Please consult your doctor.
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Avatar universal
Incorrect. There are many studies out now that dispute your claims that HCG does not assist in the weight loss while on a 500cal diet. Please research a little more. If you had a bad experience I understand your views but results and research are fact. Based on your name it seems you might just like a good fight which is great but too many people havedone both (no HCG and HCG) and have found better results with the HCG Prescription grade.  Good luck to all of you fighting the good fight and good luck in your life style change!
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Avatar universal
I've lost 45 lbs. over the last 8 months, doing 3 rounds of hCG drops.  It works.  I was rarely hungry, and followed the plan exactly most of the time.  I have been MUCH hungrier on Weight Watchers.  It works.  Don't knock it til you've tried it.
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Avatar universal
http://doctorhcg.net/pounds_and_inches.pdf

Go to page 30 for the DIET.

One more thing, the original Pounds and Inches say no cosmetics.  My coworkers went natural on all of that stuff (deorderant, shampoo, etc).  So the COST is more then just the HCG shots.  Just thought I'd add the link to the pdf for those who are interested in seeing what you CAN'T or can do on this DIET.  

http://www.hcgsideeffects.com/
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=5&sqi=2&ved=0CFUQFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhcgdietinfo.com%2FhCG-Side-Effects.htm&ei=aPHgTvS7HYWxiQLxpLz_Dg&usg=AFQjCNH4jkBkdjOx8v1UrmY-ka5vfbN4Gg

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Avatar universal
Can't edit my post...

I had two coworkers do this "diet".  They both lost weight.  Gained it back and then some.

On the diet, one lost a lot of hair, thinned greatly (and it use to be thick and full).  She didn't mention what side effects she had, but this one was noticeable.

The other had toung swelling, tiredness the entire time she was on the diet (only 15 days).  She didn't mention other side effects she had and could not get a hold of the nurse (no there was no doctor).  She did end up going to fake nails and I wondered if that was a result of the "diet". Yes nails do tell you what your health is like (that's why anorexics wear nail polish or fake nails).
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Avatar universal
Those on Medifast/Take Shape for Life do 800 calories a day and lose at least a pound a day.  So yes a VLCD can work.  You just need to eat the right foods.  The TSFL is not doctor supervised and can be bought online or by any "coach" who sells it.  

In  a recent Woman's World magazine article, a lady went on a under 1,000 calorie diet (4 small, 150 cal meals + 1 healthy dinner) and lost 30 pounds in a month.  Her own diet plan.  No shots, no giving up any foods she didn't want to give up.  Maybe you should give that a try once you can't afford HCG.
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Avatar universal
I think its mental, kind of like giving someone a sugar pill and saying "here you will feel amazing taking this". I did the HCG diet and yes, AMAZING results... but I was tired all the time. And when I started working out to offset feeling so tired, results stopped. That is because when you drop weight that fast, YOU ARE also loosing muscle. People "selling" HCG say you dont but this is why even with all the ridiculous lists of what NOT TO DO, they sell to most people because of the NO EXCERSIZE NEEDED. And you do feel hunger with or without HCG, but your supposed to drink water water water.... do that and hunger will subside. I loved how I looked after the diet but you still need to change habits. You can do 500 calorie diet with little walks and will get the same result.. That is what I did this time around to not have to by the 100$ bottle of HCG.
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Avatar universal
I tried the HCG shots w/500 calorie diet about 2 yrs ago. I lost weight fast for a few months, even though I hated giving myself injections, but it worked. Once I went off it though, I eventually gained it all back. I've decided to try it again, but this time without the injections. I was also on a prescription appetite supressant, which probably helped the most. I decided to try it again after my sister-in-law lost 25 lbs in a month following the diet, while her husband lost 43 lbs doing the diet and injections. She wanted to try the theroy and was surprised to see it worked just as good. She didn't have a lot to lose, but he did, so it was quite a success. I just started the diet and am taking an over-the-counter appetite supressant and am doing great so far. I think having the shots and prescription pills made me think I couldn't do it without it, so I'm hoping this time I get it in my head that it's all about what I put in my mouth. Its the old theory of "you gotta burn off more than you take in" and "you are what you eat". I'll post my results for ya and I'm hoping they're good.
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Avatar universal
For 38 yrs I had been a been a firm believer & participant of the old school belief that you should move your body (exercise) and eat a healthy well balanced diet......Well...now I'm 46 and 50lbs overweight !!....I've just slowed down & relaxed my dietary rules to that I eat Yummy stuff more often, I used to eat for health & well being...now I eat what tastes Good !....So...now that I hate to look at myself and I'm very depressed about it, I've started reading about the HCG...after I read your post....Thank you...I am first going to go old school and try a VLCD & exercise regime...I think that's the best most natural way to go.....so thank you for planting that seed in my head !
  I kinda worry about the HCG diet though because I have High BP & take a med for that, Hypo thyroid med, Beta Blocker, and a Diuretic med.......and I've not read one thing about those medical issues and or taking meds for them while on the HCG diet..........know anything about that?
  Good luck to you....I will keep looking for your posts and reading your blog.
                        Regards,
                                      Maggie

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Avatar universal

Thank you so so much for sharing your knowledge with the world through the Internet.
hcg buy online
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Avatar universal
How long do you wait to start your next round of hCG?  I'm on the 500 cal. a day phase and i've lost 11.8 lbs in 18 days.  I was hoping to lose 1 lb a day but i'm not averaging that. Once I start the next phase, I wasn't sure how long I need to saty on the 800 cal/day before I can start over.  I'm also trying the apple day today to see if it will help me lose more per day. Has anyone tried this & if so how was the turn out?
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1807674 tn?1316288035
WOW,...... Is anyone out there actually Reading Pounds and Inches.....?    That is the original diet discovered by dr Simeons,... and free copies are available EVERYWHERE on-line.Basically,  It states that you are NOT merely existing on 500 calories.... but along with the ADDITIONAL 15oo calories of ABNORMAL fal calories that your body releases daily for you to utilize from your ABNORMAL fat Bank. This is the fat that makes you thin... as the body normally cannot get rid of this. So - you are existing on 200 calores a day.....!!!! Also,... that is why you are not hungry but in fact quite satiated....!  However,... a "normal" calorie restricted diet.... (the other diet you keep trying) is not only much more difficult,.. but does NOT give the same results. As with no hcg - You are hungry all the time... you lose muscle and on top of it all.... you do NOT burn your abnormal fat storage. Firstly,... you will lose your normal fat stores on reserve. Once that is depleted.... instead of losing the abnormal fat... you start losing your STRUCTURAL fat....    which is the good  HEALTHY fat we should NOT lose as it is necessary to support our organs, etc. Once you do damage - and THAT is depleted.... only THEN do you even GET to begin burning from abnormal fat stores...... but by that time  you are soooo hungry - actually weak, and starving - you cannot stay on the diet any longer.  Thank GOD - that you finally discovered the hCG diet by Simeons - which is the ONLY healthy low calore diet out there that is a BREEZE to follow. Comparing them side by side - it's really a no brainer. Puh - leeeeeeeze read Pounds and inches. it is available everywhere, and explains everything.....!!!! do not do all those crazy recipes either. just grill your meat,....  do the veggies and fruits raw... and be done with it. once you start cooking and making all these tastier versions... your appetite will kick into a higher gerar... you may start doing some substitutions, etc.   i did it the way dr.simeons intended... and am doooo happy with my redsults.first round i took the homeopathic. drops, but for my second and third - i bought my hcg online at alldaychemist.com, mixed my own drops with the silver and b12, (it was easy) see mamaclok on youtube. i am now on my last round.   i am so pleased. good luck to you in losing your weight and getting healthier.
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Avatar universal
So you have purchased these and used them? have you been successful with them? sorry brand new to this. a friend is doing it via a dr. but it is wow expensive and I don't do shots! lol =)
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Avatar universal
Hi Kaleein,

In your posted in Nov. 2010 you noted you are using the HCG drops from a particular website. Are you still using these drops to loose your weight? I am not fond of needles so I am looking into drops but see that many are scams...so any input would be great if you are still using them.
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Avatar universal
I've been a personal trainer for 13 years and have helped many people lose a ton of weight by helping them change their lifestyle. You can't stay on a 500 cal. diet your whole life and neither can you take HCG forever. You need to change your thinking and your lifestyle. You need to deal with your underlying problem of why and how you became over weight in the first place. There is no "magic pill" and it isn't going to be easy or cheap but  nothing in life that is truly meaningful is easy or cheap now is it? Good luck to everyone and search for the truth not the easiest answer!
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Avatar universal
My wife goes to the Bariatric clinic and I support her attempts to lose weight. I am her support by following the same diet without the shots.
I have lost 15.5 ponds while she has lost over 20. The difference I believe is I am a diabetic and need to eat more carbs occasionally when my glucose level is low.
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1739783 tn?1310855546
Hi, I am starting the 500cal HCG diet tomorrow so on loading days today and yesterday.  I am hoping to get down to about 70kg (approx 150pd i think) I am 5foot 9inches and kind of flabby - my main issue is the fat stores in the wrong places.  I hate the gym so the no exercise thing really appealed to me.  I had a friend lose 25 kilos (55pd) in 6 weeks and 12 months on the has gained just 11pd back.  She said it completely changed her way of eating - especially in how you load your plate at meal times - small protein - even smaller carb and loads of non starchy vegetables.  She still has the occasional take away and has not ever deprived herself of anything at parties or events just makes sure she stays relatively active (although still no gym/regular exercise plan) and she is actually doing the diet again with me so we have a buddy to text with our losses and gains and basically just have someone to answer to if we do cheat so it would make it that much less appealing.  Listening to/reading your posts has motivated me even more - I cannot wait to get started and hope I have as much success as you have and well done to those who above all else have gained health!
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Avatar universal
One problem you are having is not following the protocol of the diet exactly - you can't eat over 500 calories and think that exercise will off set it - it doesn't work that way!  The diet does not require exercise - it says to just walk and light exercise.  Get back on the program exactly and I think you will see results - you just have to trust it!   I have been on every diet under the sun (Weight Watchers, Nutri-System, Adkins, South Beach) and this is the only one that is working and I'm not hungry at all!  I worked out at Curves for a year will dieting and had results - but it all stopped and I gained back the weight in a short time when the exercise ceased. I plan to start walking next week since I finally feel like moving again - but I';; start small - just 1/2 hr a day till I see how it effects my weightloss.  I wish you well!
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Avatar universal
I heard about this diet from a friend who took the hcg drops and had great success.  I decided to go with HCG Activator pills from GNC cause I wanted a trusted source - not a website.  My beginning weight was 229 and I am a 53 yr old woman who hates to exercise - so this sounded like heaven! I really filled up on fatty foods (bacon, cheesecake, burgers, every fried food I could find) during the first 2 days of taking the pills and found that after the gorging for 2 days I had gained 1/2 lb.  As of today I have lost 12 lns in 13 days and I am THRILLED!!  This diet works - but you have to follow the protocol and not cheat!  I have not been hungry and I drink the 2 liters of water each day - I believe that makes a big difference!
One thing I did notice about cravings was the more I watched Food Network or other shows about food ie:Rachael Ray, Travel Channel food shows - I immediately had cravings that did not bother me previously.  Just like clearing all of the junk food and non-protocol food out of my house - I have decided that I can't watch the food shows.  I love them - but they definately have not done me favors in the past and now I am adapting to a better life style - portion control, low starch and very limited sugar.
I feel so good physically!  I have energy that I did not have before, I'm sleeping better and my concentration is clearer.  Before I was a recliner potato who didn't want to move at all.  Now I take the stairs at work, find the walk around our huge Walmart is not exhausting and have energy to get the household activities done!   Very pleased!  I already have ordered my next batch of pills from GNC.com and will continue them after taking a 21 day break inbetween and follow the Phase 3 diet.
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Avatar universal
The Official HCG website is a homeopathic brand, produced at a FDA approved facility.  It is supposedly less potent than the one mixed in India and shipped here. There are several others on the web.  I used it and it worked. It is not an illegal drug, like heroine.  Most Homeopathic treatments are not FDA approved.  

Know it alls about "how the body works".  Read the research.  The organs that control metabolism and regulate the interaction of the bodily systems, act DIFFERENTLY in groups of people.  Just like the brain, heart, etc..  Righteous skinnies, when you eat "normal" and stay thin-the occasional over 1,800 calorie day doesn't pack on pounds.  For some people, it does.  No, it is not water weight, but fat.   3 or 4 bad Saturday nights a year can pack on 8 pounds.  3 years later, 24 pounds.  6 years 48 pounds.  Severe restrictions of calories makes it worse.  It does not take a certain number of calories to make fat or a certain number less to reduce fat IN ALL PEOPLE.  

HGC diet works to lose fat    I will see if it actually "reset" my organs and systems as the months go by.  In the meantime, fat people haters, not everyone who is overweight stops in the donut shop and gorges, like you all believe!  
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Avatar universal
Follow the protocol.  Follow the diet.  Do not take protien shakes or other fake foods or excessive vitamins or drugs.  Use only whole foods. It works.  My record with minor cheats in each series. Cant' attach photos.
Lost 28 pounds the first 40 days. Went from a size 3x to a 1x.
Lost 32 pounds the next series of 40 days.  Went from a 1x to an 18.
Lost 28 pounds th next series of 40 days.  Down to a 14 and no back fat!
Currently on the next series of 40 and want to get to a 12.
Goal is a size 10.
Anorexics lose weight on severely restricted diets, so -no, you don’t have to use the HCG to lose weight.  If you want to try 500 calories without HCG, have at it.  You ‘ll have plenty of company with the other anorexics out there ruining their health.  HCG diet is a program and process which has helped me lose weight without any issues.  No hair loss.  My biggest problem is that I waited so long (60’s) to lose weight, that my skin is baggy.  
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