Does HCG really work?

chicjen1 · 04-03-2012, 12:36 PM

Hello all- this is my first post- sorry to sound like a sceptic!
In January, I completed a short round (only 15 days in P2- which I now know was pretty dumb) then completely blew off R3, and promptly regained the 7 pounds I had lost.

Today I am in R2P3D2 after completing a 32 day round of P2- and am weighing in at 123 pounds! I haven't been this tiny since jr. high. This is unreal. And I really want to remain this size!

This time I'm quite serious about Phase 3- am planning to take it slow and hopefully steady. But at the same time, I'm nervous and unsure. I just don't want to regain.

Can we hear from some veterans of the program who have kept it off long term?

belfrybat · 04-03-2012, 03:09 PM

Hello and welcome to the forum. 4 years ago I lost about 40 lbs. on low carb, and then basically plateaued. I did a 26 day h-HCG round, lost 20 lbs. and kept it off for 3 years except for a first year gain of 5-8 lbs. which put me at what I think is my body's desired set point. Still a bit chubby, but I was happy with my weight. Then this past 6-8 months I gained like crazy. I am diabetic, and basically decided to heck with it, ate what I wanted and took insulin to cover the blood sugar spikes. A real recipe for disaster.

So, yes, you can be tremendously successful, not only in taking the weight off but keeping it off. But you have to always be diligent. Your body will want to gain the weight back, but you just don't let her. Finish P3 within your window, and then decide what your recovery plan is for 2-3 lbs. weight gain. And do it. Mine was a protein shake day (or two) where I drank 3 shakes and ate a small meal. Others can give you suggestions as well once you get to the "rest of your life" stage.

Good luck and don't be a stranger.

chicjen1 · 04-03-2012, 06:27 PM

thanks for your response- nice to know I'm not out here alone. Sorry to hear about your diabetes- I'm sure that must complicate everything. But it's also encouraging to hear that you maintained for so many years!
This is my first experience with low-carb and it seems my body has really responded. I guess it's up to me to stay focused and keep this weight down.

Jez · 04-03-2012, 08:57 PM

Being able to keep weight off is not indicative of the diet that lost it working or not working. It's your behaviors after you lose the weight that determine if it will stay off or not.
HCG does work. I lost 24 lbs in 26 days, 176 to 152. That said, it IS a quick fix for weight loss, so there should always be some plan of how to maintain the weight loss after the diet is over.

I mean if you keep some sort of control and don't revert to eating however you ate when you put the weight on, you should be able to keep the weight off. You just have to find some kind of maintenance that works for you.

RedsSkinnyJeans · 04-04-2012, 05:32 AM

I lost 30 pounds a year ago. I could not IMAGINE that I could keep it off. But I had given my all to Weight Watchers, following it loyally, along with South Beach and other programs. After the first 5 pounds, my body STOPPED right there.

No success past that despite 4 more months of loyal trying.

So, I took this very seriously. Following strict protocol, I lost an average of .3 to .4 pounds a day. It was a lot of work.

When I went into Phase 3, I ate a LOT of calories on purpose. I had one chance to reset my metabolism, and I wanted to teach my body that WE LOVE CALORIES. While doing that, I stuck to the P3 guidelines religiously. And if I went over the 2 pound gain, (and I didn't for 6 months until winter), I ALWAYS did a steak day promptly.

Now it's a year later. I still have the weight off. I have new clothes. I feel like a million bucks. I have fallen in love with fruits, vegetables, full fat dairy in moderation, lean meats, eating clean, and P3 foods in general. I have accepted that sugars and flour, and ESPECIALLY fried foods will stick to me like glue, clog my arteries, and make me tired. I don't want them in my life anymore. I dropped them like a bad rash, and I've never been happier. And that's my story. :-)

chicjen1 · 04-04-2012, 06:45 AM

Wow- redskinny Jeans- thats exactly what I was hoping to hear!
I agree, P2 was hard work but at the same time, it was a no-brainer. I knew what I could and couldn't do and it worked perfectly for me.
P3 is a much looser in the rules and I think that's why it scares me. But I am willing to put in the work- and I am willing to avoid pasta, CUPCAKES (!!) and ice cream if it means I can stay this size.
My confidence in the plan is growing. 3 days in a row, I have been 124.2, and I'm eating much more food than I was on P2.
Best of luck to all the other p3'ers!

04-03-2012, 12:36 PM	#1
chicjen1 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 5 Gallery: chicjen1 Stats: 137/123/125 WOE: HHCG Start Date: Jan 2012	Does HCG really work? Hello all- this is my first post- sorry to sound like a sceptic! In January, I completed a short round (only 15 days in P2- which I now know was pretty dumb) then completely blew off R3, and promptly regained the 7 pounds I had lost. Today I am in R2P3D2 after completing a 32 day round of P2- and am weighing in at 123 pounds! I haven't been this tiny since jr. high. This is unreal. And I really want to remain this size! This time I'm quite serious about Phase 3- am planning to take it slow and hopefully steady. But at the same time, I'm nervous and unsure. I just don't want to regain. Can we hear from some veterans of the program who have kept it off long term?

04-03-2012, 08:57 PM	#4
Jez Junior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 48 Gallery: Jez WOE: Primal Start Date: 5/1	Being able to keep weight off is not indicative of the diet that lost it working or not working. It's your behaviors after you lose the weight that determine if it will stay off or not. HCG does work. I lost 24 lbs in 26 days, 176 to 152. That said, it IS a quick fix for weight loss, so there should always be some plan of how to maintain the weight loss after the diet is over. I mean if you keep some sort of control and don't revert to eating however you ate when you put the weight on, you should be able to keep the weight off. You just have to find some kind of maintenance that works for you. Last edited by Jez; 04-03-2012 at 09:01 PM.. Reason: Added.

04-04-2012, 05:32 AM	#5
RedsSkinnyJeans Major LCF Poster! Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,001 Gallery: RedsSkinnyJeans Stats: 170/144/140 Start Date: 4/1/11	I lost 30 pounds a year ago. I could not IMAGINE that I could keep it off. But I had given my all to Weight Watchers, following it loyally, along with South Beach and other programs. After the first 5 pounds, my body STOPPED right there. No success past that despite 4 more months of loyal trying. So, I took this very seriously. Following strict protocol, I lost an average of .3 to .4 pounds a day. It was a lot of work. When I went into Phase 3, I ate a LOT of calories on purpose. I had one chance to reset my metabolism, and I wanted to teach my body that WE LOVE CALORIES. While doing that, I stuck to the P3 guidelines religiously. And if I went over the 2 pound gain, (and I didn't for 6 months until winter), I ALWAYS did a steak day promptly. Now it's a year later. I still have the weight off. I have new clothes. I feel like a million bucks. I have fallen in love with fruits, vegetables, full fat dairy in moderation, lean meats, eating clean, and P3 foods in general. I have accepted that sugars and flour, and ESPECIALLY fried foods will stick to me like glue, clog my arteries, and make me tired. I don't want them in my life anymore. I dropped them like a bad rash, and I've never been happier. And that's my story. :-) Last edited by RedsSkinnyJeans; 04-04-2012 at 05:35 AM..

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04-03-2012, 03:09 PM	#2
belfrybat Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 735 Gallery: belfrybat WOE: Lowish carb (formerly on Protein Power)	Hello and welcome to the forum. 4 years ago I lost about 40 lbs. on low carb, and then basically plateaued. I did a 26 day h-HCG round, lost 20 lbs. and kept it off for 3 years except for a first year gain of 5-8 lbs. which put me at what I think is my body's desired set point. Still a bit chubby, but I was happy with my weight. Then this past 6-8 months I gained like crazy. I am diabetic, and basically decided to heck with it, ate what I wanted and took insulin to cover the blood sugar spikes. A real recipe for disaster. So, yes, you can be tremendously successful, not only in taking the weight off but keeping it off. But you have to always be diligent. Your body will want to gain the weight back, but you just don't let her. Finish P3 within your window, and then decide what your recovery plan is for 2-3 lbs. weight gain. And do it. Mine was a protein shake day (or two) where I drank 3 shakes and ate a small meal. Others can give you suggestions as well once you get to the "rest of your life" stage. Good luck and don't be a stranger.

04-03-2012, 06:27 PM	#3
chicjen1 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 5 Gallery: chicjen1 Stats: 137/123/125 WOE: HHCG Start Date: Jan 2012	thanks for your response- nice to know I'm not out here alone. Sorry to hear about your diabetes- I'm sure that must complicate everything. But it's also encouraging to hear that you maintained for so many years! This is my first experience with low-carb and it seems my body has really responded. I guess it's up to me to stay focused and keep this weight down.

04-04-2012, 06:45 AM	#6
chicjen1 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 5 Gallery: chicjen1 Stats: 137/123/125 WOE: HHCG Start Date: Jan 2012	Wow- redskinny Jeans- thats exactly what I was hoping to hear! I agree, P2 was hard work but at the same time, it was a no-brainer. I knew what I could and couldn't do and it worked perfectly for me. P3 is a much looser in the rules and I think that's why it scares me. But I am willing to put in the work- and I am willing to avoid pasta, CUPCAKES (!!) and ice cream if it means I can stay this size. My confidence in the plan is growing. 3 days in a row, I have been 124.2, and I'm eating much more food than I was on P2. Best of luck to all the other p3'ers!