Medical Momma's advice...recommendation...

Hi,
I would encourage you to check out any diet first to be sure that it meets certain criteria. If losing weight is the only consideration, almost any diet will work. If losing weight and getting healthier is the object, you will need to be very picky.

Here are some questions to ask:

1. Does the program have enough calories to prevent your body from canibalizing itself? 1,000 is not enough. 1,200 is the minimum and 1,300 to 1,500 is even safer depending on your present height and weight and goal.

2. Does the program insure that you get at least 100% of all the vitamins, minerals, and protein that your body needs every day?

3. Does the program make sure that you are losing only body fat and not muscle (lean body mass) weight. On the average diet, when someone loses 30 pounds, the lose 5 pounds of muscle weight even if they exercise. Since you lose the ability to burn 50 calories with each pound of lean body mass that you lose, those 5 pounds mean that after you reach your goal weight you will have to maintain a 250 lower calorie amount than your body needs for optimal health.

4. Does the program teach you how to develop an eating plan that you can live with and enjoy for the rest of your life so that you are not always having to be on a diet?

5. If the program has shakes and/or bars etc as part of the total plan, are these all natural without synthetic and often dangerous flavors, colors, and sweeteners? Do they also taste good enough that you will want to continue on to reach your goal weight.

You will be able to both lose the weight and gain abundant health on a program that meets these criteria. It can work. Don't give up hope.

I hope this is helpful.

S. A.

Treeb, if you are eating 500 calories a day (you don't say so in the post but another poster says this -- I'm assuming she knows about this diet), you will soon hit a "plateau" where you will stop losing weight. You metabolism is well aware you've drastically reduced your calorie intake, and eventually, your metabolism will compensate for that loss and you will cease to lose weight. Think of how frustrating that will be. The early, dramatic weight loss seems great, but losing eight pounds a week is too much loss, too quickly, on too little calories, and is dangerous; it is also the kind of weight loss that most people end up gaining back. Then they blame themselves for overeating when they haven't; they've just returned to a healthy and balanced regimen. The fact that this supplement is causing you to continue bleeding is a problem; you are losing iron when you bleed and could be headed for anemia as a result. Stop this diet, see your doctor immediately about the bleeding, and be completely frank with the doctor about what you have been taking (bring it in to show the doctor). Changing lifestyle long-term to lose weight and keep it off will not be as dramatically satisfying, will not give you eight pounds off per week, but will be healthier for you overall because it will not mess up your metabolism or stress your heart. I know you feel like "nothing else works" but there are many good weight loss programs out there that work for many people -- long term, not short-term and damaging. I'm not being "negative or hateful," I'm just saying, think about your long-term health and going slowly. The fast loss is exciting, and if you switch to a basic regimen of the right foods and exercise, you may be able to keep it off, but most important is not damaging your body with chemicals and super-fast weight loss.

Not *trying* to be negative here, but I've heard NOTHING but horrible things about that diet. I think the effect it's having on your body already is proof of that.

I would consider seeing a doctor while on that diet to make sure you are not getting anemic if you are bleeding non-stop like that. Usually a doctor will want to keep tabs on a person that is on this diet and they monitor a lot of the side effects that come from it so you don't get sick from it.

D. P.

I use the HCG drops, but I have modified the diet as I feel only 500 calories is not healthy. (Oh, my disclaimer- I am not a doctor- not even close! LOL) My diet is between 1000-1200 calories a day (give or take). I DO eat a breakfast (usually toast with homemade jam, which is what I've always eaten anyway), small snack, small lunch the HCG way, another small snack, dinner the HCG way... I've done the diet one month on then one month off (continuing with the food plan and exercise on my off month). I do a month off to let my body adjust to the new weight AND to get back to normal. Oh, and on the month I do HCG, I take a multi-vitamin before I go to bed in addition to the morning. Yeah, I only lose about 10-15 pounds a month, but I've been able to maintain the weight loss.
My period during the HCG month is heavier, but it also is only 3 days on that month! (Yea!)
I am a plus-plus size gal too... I understand... I've tried a lot of weight loss methods, with and without doctors' supervision.
I would say stop the drops and let your body get back to normal. When you choose to go back on HCG, increase your caloric intake. Yeah, you won't lose the weight as fast, but your body will thank you for it!

From all I've heard and read about this diet ... the hcg is ineffectual. The reason you're losing weight is you're only eating 500 calories a day. It's dangerous and unhealthy to eat that few calories per day. Recommended minimum is 1000 (which is DOUBLE that program). But even that should be with a doctor's supervision to make sure you're getting everything you need.

I would recommend stopping all together and seeing your doctor.

I have a couple friends who have done that diet for almost a year... From what I understand from them you have different times when you eat more and some when you eat less. Maybe they do it different. They have been VERY successful on it! I wish I knew the answer to your question but I don't, I'm sorry. I mainly just wanted to say that I know people who have done it and continued to lose weight!
I tried atkins at one point a few years ago and the same thing happened to me. I would get my period then go for a few days and get it again so finally I just gave up! Now I've just been trying to eat healthy, I have a (only fruit) smoothie for breakfast and a salad (with NO dressing) for lunch and I haven't seen a difference at all. I'm pregnant so I'm not trying to lose weight but I've actually gotten bigger with this one than my others! :o/ So I totally know what you mean when "nothing else works"

Well, I am happy that you have had success, I would advise (Mom to Mom and I am a PhD trained dietitian)1. listen to your body 2. Why do you think this is working for you? Did it help mostly with appetite/cravings? maybe you could work in more filling foods (high water content foods such as fruits and veggies and hearty broth based soups are more filling than dry food like pretzels. Also getting adequate protein early in day and fiber along with adequate water can really help. As you know, It is a hormone naturally found in pregnant humans (and animals) and not natural to be in your body at other times. I worry about evidence later that this weight loss will come with a cost unknown at this time. I believe if things seem to good to be true, they are. I wish you well with your efforts! Back to number 1. listen to your body

Ok, I've done the diet with short term success. I've seen others do really well and keep the weight off. If you are doing the drops at a center, call the center and get an appt with the supervising PA. Tell him/her what is going on. If you aren't being followed by a doctor on the program, call your PC now and get an appointment. It is not normal to bleed nonstop on the diet. My period did not change while on it (either the drops or the shots). You may be having a reaction to the supplement or there may be something else going on. Only a doctor can tell you this. You will here a lot of negative stuff about the diet. Just know that not all of it is true. Do your research and make sure you are being followed by a doctor in the program. Not all diets work for everyone. Good luck on your journey.