1st is to read the designer of the HCG Protocol's book, Pounds & Inches -
A New Approach To Obesity By: A.T.W. Simeons, M.D. available for free from this website. In summary,
A New Approach To Obesity By: A.T.W. Simeons, M.D. available for free from this website. In summary,
What is hCG?There are apparently a number of places you can get the supplies and information, but I am using the following ones because they are the proven places of the other people I know who have tried it.
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) is a hormone-like substance that comes from the human placenta during pregnancy.
How does hCG work?
It is widely known that there are different kinds of fat cells. Normal fat tissue serves as structural material in our bodies and also as reserve storage for fuel. This fuel is converted into energy when the body goes into starvation mode. This is what happens with most diets that simply restrict our calories; our body believes it is starving and begins to burn "good fat" or even deplete muscle as a source for energy. Abnormal fat cells are larger and metabolize glucose less efficiently than the normal cells. These cells are also a potential reserve for fuel, but are not utilized until after the normal fat reserves are exhausted. By the time the abnormal cells begin to be used, a dieter is already week and hungry and most often abandons the diet. The only exception to this is found during pregnancy, when the body uses both cells equally, to provide for the growing fetus.
Dr. Simeons found that the presence of hCG and its stimulation of the hypothalamus gland is what allows this to happen. After 30+ years of research, he found that when hCG in small daily doses (usually through injection), combined with a nutritional deficit (very low calorie diet), abnormal fat is released without depleting the normal tissue. Because of this, the hCG causes the individual to lose fat in the most undesirable areas first, where the abnormal fat is stored. The body will actually use the abnormal fat that is being released, as a form of energy and nourishment, in addition to the 500 calories you are taking in, while on the low calorie diet. He also found that the hCG allowed the individual to stay on the very low calorie diet, with little or no discomfort and also gave them a general overall feeling of well-being.
How much weight will I lose?
Everyone is different and therefore, no one's weight loss is the same. Most people can expect to lose between 20-40 lbs (usually about 12% of your starting total weight) with each 43 day course of hCG.
Length of hCG Course and Course Overview
A single round of hCG is either 26 or 43 days long, depending on how much weight you want to lose. Each round will start with 2 days of "gorging" on high fat and high calorie foods, on your first 2 days of injections. It takes 2 days for the abnormal fat to begin to circulate and become available, and the additional calories will actually re-stock the depleted normal fat reserves that is common in most over weight individuals that have tried many different diets. On the third day of injections, the Very Low Calorie Diet begins. After the 23rd or 40th injection (depending on length of the course) you discontinue hCG injections, but continue on the Low Calorie Diet, as it takes 3 days for the hCG to get out of your system.
After you complete 72 hours on the Low Calorie Diet, with out hCG, you begin your 6 week break. (The break gets longer between each subsequent round.) The first 3 weeks, you avoid all sugar and starch. The second 3 weeks, you can slowly reintroduce these foods back into your diet. This break prevents you from becoming immune to the effects of the hCG, and just as importantly it gives a chance for your hypothalamus gland to work in your behalf and re-set your weight set point.
Other considerations
There are other details and considerations to review before beginning hCG. This includes correcting dietary errors, menstration and other causes for a possible stall, and how hCG affects or improves upon existing health issues.
You can get pre-made "Dosing Kits" which include the needles, sterile water, swabs and other things needed to safely give yourself injections.
The actual HCG has to be purchased from a pharmacy, such as this one.
Next, once the HCG gets to you, there is the "protocol" to follow:
- First 2 days - eat LOTS of high-fat foods
- 26 Day Course
Day 1 and 2 - hCG injection in morning, then gorging all day, as much as possible
Day 3 thru 23 - continue hCG injections and eat 500 calorie diet
Day 24 thru 26 - No hCG, but continue 500 calorie diet - 43 Day Course
Day 1 and 2 - hCG injection in morning, then gorging all day, as much as possible
Day 3 thru 40 - continue hCG injections and eat 500 calorie diet
Day 41 thru 43 - No hCG, but continue 500 calorie diet
On a 43 day course, you should skip one injection a week, while continuing the 500 calorie diet. This is to help avoid becoming immune to the affects of hCG. - Final 72 hours of 500 Calorie Diet - Without hCG
On the last three days of the low calorie diet, you do not take injections. You do not want to eat normal levels of food, while hCG is still in your system, or you will gain weight very quickly. So, you must continue the low calorie diet for the 72 hours it takes for the hCG to get completely out of your system. This is usually no different than the other days on hCG.
Meals are fairly strict. Here are the dietary guidelines set by Dr. Simeons for the 500 calorie diet:
- Breakfast:
- Tea or coffee in any quantity without sugar. Only one tablespoonful of milk allowed in 24 hours. Saccharin or stevia may be used. - Lunch:
- Dinner: The same four choices as lunch
- One type of vegetable only to be chosen from the following: spinach, green salad, tomatoes, celery, onions, cucumbers, asparagus, cabbage.
- One breadstick (grissino) or one Melba toast.
- An apple or a handful of strawberries or one-half grapefruit
- - Tea, coffee, plain water, or mineral water are the only drinks allowed, but they may be taken in any quantity and at all times. In fact, the patient should drink about 2 liters of these fluids per day. Many patients are afraid to drink so much because they fear that this may make them retain more water. This is a wrong notion as the body is more inclined to store water when the intake falls below its normal requirements.
- The fruit or the breadstick may be eaten between meals instead of with lunch or dinner, but not more than than four items listed for lunch and dinner may be eaten at one meal.
- No medicines or cosmetics other than lipstick, eyebrow pencil and powder may he used without special permission
- No variations other than those listed may be introduced. All things not listed are forbidden, and the patient is assured that nothing permissible has been left out. The 100 grams of meat must be scrupulously weighed raw after all visible fat has been removed. To do this accurately the patient must have a letter-scale, as kitchen scales are not sufficiently accurate and the butcher should certainly not be relied upon. Those not uncommon patients who feel that even so little food is too much for them, can omit anything they wish.
- The Final 72hrs of 500 Calorie Diet - Without hCG
- On the last three days of the low calorie diet, you do not take injections. You do not want to eat normal levels of food, while hCG is still in your system, or you will gain weight very quickly. So, you must continue the low calorie diet for the 72 hours it takes for the hCG to get completely out of your system. This is usually no different than the other days on hCG.
I am heavily considering giving it a try, after a little more research. Seems that there are many folks who use and love it.
While you can order a whole kit, that tends to be more expensive than ordering it piece by piece (even with shipping) if you're going to be ordering a bunch of it.
Insulin Syringes 30 or 31 Gauge 1 cc - 100 ea AND alcohol preps:
10-30ml Mixing Vials (technically you need a new vial for each batch mixed...but I've been using the same two for a year. Keep them CLEAN) AND 5ml mixing syringes:
http://www.researchsupply.net/sealedvials.html ($1.50 - $1.75)
http://www.researchsupply.net/5_ml_luer_lock_syringe_with_1.5_22g_hypodermic_needle.html (10 for $4.95)
Finally, the HCG. one (1) 5000iu vial per 23 days. Brand doesn't matter so much as long as the vial is a sealed rubber-topped vial rather than the glass-topped vial that you have to break. Ovidac and Hucog are two main brands.
https://www.alldaychemist.com/1296-o.html (3 vials for $39)
https://www.alldaychemist.com/1265-hucog-5000-iu.html (3 vials for $39)
