December 8, 2010

More recipes and tips from our patients...

Another favorite recipe of mine is a mock Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad.

Peel and section one orange then I like to cut the sections into little pieces. I soak them in the lemon dressing (one packet of stevea sweetener and the juice of half a lemon 2 splashes of organic balsamic vinegar ). Then add this to fresh spinach add the rest of the juice too. This is quick and easy. You can also add your 4 oz's of Chicken and it is very filling.

One trick I have learned for Dining out is to order a Ceaser Salad ask for grilled chicken and lettuce only no dressing. Ask for a to go box when your order comes split your order in half when you get it and have the rest at your next meal.

December 7, 2010

Holiday Cravings...

Many of our patients are done with the hCG pills or drops and the 500 calorie plan. Now it's maintenance time.

Other patients are finding it hard to keep on the 500 diet during the holidays, despite still have a one or two weeks left. Here's what to do:

If you are off the strict 500 calorie diet, this is a great time to stay with the habits of the diet, but consume more calories. The diet starts us on a great regimen of eating protein, veggies, and fruit, and in small amounts. To up the calories, even a little bit during this time, can feel like a lot of food because the body was used to being on the 500 calorie diet. Upping the calories, but still being vigilant will ensure that you are satisfied and are able to control your weight.

If you are currently on hCG but have been cheating from time to time during the Holidays, just get right back on track. If you eat a few hundred calories extra one day, continue to take your hCG and then go back down to the 500 calorie diet.

If you are currently on hCG, but need a total break for the holidays, you may stop the pills and start again in January. Regardless, please keep us updated on your status.

In the maintenance phase, patients are asked to stay on a 1400-1600 calorie diet. During this holiday time, remember to be diligent about counting calories and weighing in. We suggest that you weigh daily, and if any weight gain occurs, make an adjustment. There are many ways to count those calories, including phone apps, internet websites, or the old fashioned food journal.

If you need a snack, eat it! Celery is great low-calorie snack. Grissini breadsticks are also low in calories (25 calories!) and meet the need when you have a carb craving. Snacking can fill the mouth's desire to be moving and will help with hunger and will help you maintain your weight this holiday season.

Whether you are still on the diet, or you have gone off the diet for the holidays, you may need help with hunger suppression. Dr. Crockett can prescribe to you a suppressant to help you through the holidays, or through the long-haul.

Most important of all: WE ARE HERE FOR YOU! If you are having trouble with your weight, let us know so we can help. Dr. Crockett is committed to helping patients reach their goal weights and is here to talk about your concerns.

Thank you! Happy Holidays!

Crab Lettuce Wraps

Use large lettuce leaves and wrap up the following for a TASTY lunch or dinner:

Cooked Crab
Onion
Lemon Juice
Apple bits
Celery bits

This is a great recipe for the maintenance phase since it has multiple vegetables involved. What a good recipe to help you stay with the habits of the diet: eating protein, fruit, and veggies!

Chicken with Sauteed Onions

A new recipe from one of our patients:

Place chicken breast in a one gallon Zip Lock bag. Add pepper and other spices that you like plus 1 cup of water. Close up bag and place back in the refrigerator until ready to use. Spray pan with Pam Spray. Add Pepper and all the spices on the list that you like in the Hot skillet. Slice up one Med. Onion and add to skillet. Sauté untill just starting to turn golden brown. Add chicken and keep turning. The more you turn the chicken the juicer it will be. Turn down the heat and keep turning every minute or so. Add water 1/2 cup at a time. This will make a juice. Cover after you brown the chicken on both sides. Turn off the heat leave covered untill you are ready to eat. This only takes about 30 minutes total. Have a breadstick and your favorite beverage.

For desert I have an Apple sliced thin and sprinkled with a little Cinnamon. So far I have lost 20 Lbs. This has been my go-to meal during this journey. I have 1 more week until I start my maintenance.

Sometimes I will cook a couple of chicken breasts with the recipe above and use the second one for dinner where I will use just the Chicken with no onions then just slice it up in small pieces and put it on lettuce. I use the juice of half a lemon as dressing.

Thank you!

November 29, 2010

Newsletter

We have monthly newsletter for the office that will keep you updated on new office policies, medical information, and office specials. Please sign up today to get on our list. Thanks!
p.s.: This email is in addition to our periodic hCG emails.

Holidays!

Happy Holidays! We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. :)

If you went a little overboard on the turkey, don't fret, just get right back on track. If you need extra help with your diet during this time, please give us a call. Dr. Crockett can help in a variety of ways, and we're here with new recipes and ideas to keep you on your weight loss path during the holidays.

If you have any ideas or questions, please let us know!

Remember, if you are on hCG you're eating 500 calories per day. If you've finished your Rx, slowly increase your calories until you are eating 1400-1600 calories daily.

November 28, 2010

Spicy "Cajun" Shrimp & Grilled Asparagus

New Recipe from Diane

I use the precooked/cleaned medium frozen shrimp. You can get approximately 15 shrimp for 100 grams so it feels like you get to eat more than if you use larger ones or prawns. Just thaw them out and then weigh out your 100grams...I usually make a double batch, then I can use the other half to make a shrimp salad with fresh spinach leaves for the next day.I heat a non-stick pan, spray a little olive oil pam and add the shrimp. Then I use Mrs. Dash's Extra Spicy seasoning (0 calories) liberally...stir a few times and add more Mrs. Dash to taste. The shrimp is already pre-cooked so just cook long enough to warm them up and let the spices "soak" in. Mrs. Dash Garlic also tastes great if you don't like spicy!

I weigh out about 150grams of asparagus and heat our gas grill (or you can do instead on grill pan, or regular skillet if you like). Spray the asparagus with olive oil pam, and sprinkle all sides with sea salt. I prefer the larger grain sea salt over the smaller, I think it has better flavor. Then use a pepper mill and cover both sides with fresh cracked pepper. Grill both sides of the asparagus until done, maybe 3 minutes each side? Careful not to overcook...it can taste like charcoal! Even my son, who refuses to eat veggies loves it this way!

November 27, 2010

Dealing with a Plateau

A few of our patients experiencing plateaus. There are two ways to quickly deal with this interruption of weight loss:
1) do nothing -- continue diet until weight loss begins again
2) apple day
3) diuretic

Below is an excerpt from Dr. Simeon's book. It explains the procedure for the "apple day". If you would prefer a diuretic, please let us know, as we can schedule you for an appointment to order a prescription.

"The Plateau
The second type of interruption we call a "plateau". A plateau lasts 4-6 days and frequently occurs during the second half of a full course, particularly in patients that have been doing well and whose overall average of nearly a pound per effective injection has been maintained. Those who are losing more than the average all have a plateau sooner or later. A plateau always corrects, itself, but many patients who have become accustomed to a regular daily loss get unnecessarily worried and begin to fret. No amount of explanation convinces them that a plateau does not mean that they are no longer responding normally to treatment.

In such cases we consider it permissible, for purely psychological reasons, to break up the plateau. This can be done in two ways. One is a so-called "apple day". An apple-day begins at lunch and continues until just before lunch of the following day. The patients are given six large apples and are told to eat one whenever they feel the desire though six apples is the maximum allowed. During an apple-day no other food or liquids except plain water are allowed and of water they may only drink just enough to quench an uncomfortable thirst if eating an apple still leaves them thirsty. Most patients feel no need for water and are quite happy with their six apples. Needless to say, an apple-day may never be given on the day on which there is no injection [or pill, or drops]. The apple-day produces a gratifying loss of weight on the following day, chiefly due to the elimination of water. This water is not regained when the patients resume their normal 500-Calorie diet at lunch, and on the following days they continue to lose weight
satisfactorily.

The other way to break up a plateau is by giving a non-mercurial diuretic for one day. This is simpler for the patient but we prefer the apple-day as we sometimes find that though the diuretic is very effective on the following day it may take two to three days before the normal daily reduction is resumed, throwing the patient into a new fit of despair. It is useless to give either an apple day or a diuretic unless the weight has been stationary for at least four days without any dietary error having been committed."

November 15, 2010

Foil Baked Fish

3 ½ oz fish
juice of ½ lemon
Salt, pepper and dill

Put fish in a piece of foil, large enough to wrap around fish. Drizzle with lemon juice and slice some of the rind and put it around the fish. Season with salt, pepper and dill. Seal the foil. Bake in oven at 350 till done.

Serve with fruit and salad.

Bake 2-4 pieces of fish at a time and put individual portions in baggies. This way the fish is ready to go.

November 11, 2010

Egg Salad

Here is another salad recipe from Denise:

Since we can have one egg plus two egg whites per week, I hard-boil three eggs. I discard the yokes from two of them (actually my dogs love them), and then I chop all the two egg whites plus the entire third egg in a coffee cup. Then I spoon the entire mixture onto a bed of shredded mixed baby greens. I cut up an apple into tiny pieces and put that in, too, as well as a breadstick broken into about 12 small pieces. I throw in a few grape tomatoes (even though mixing veggies isn't allowed) for good measure and mix the whole salad well. Delicious and filling!!!

November 10, 2010

New Chicken Salad

Our patient, Denise, has a great chicken salad recipe she shared with us. Tell us what you think! Here's what she says:

One of my favorite dinners is my chicken salad.

I take a plain chicken breast and microwave it for two minutes or until cooked thoroughly. Cool.

Cut into small pieces and put into a bed of shredded romaine lettuce and grape tomatoes (yes, I know mixing veggies isn't allowed), along with a breadstick cut into ten or so pieces, along with an orange, all sliced up into small pieces. Use the juice of the orange first to flavor the salad and add salt if desired. I do.

Thanks Denise!

November 9, 2010

Dieter's Tip: Denise

Denise has been thinking up some great recipes and tips...here's her first:

I broil a small piece of fish, steam a bag of Steamers Broccoli, sprinkle lemon juice and have a terrific lunch.

Please check back in the next day or two for more from Denise. :)

November 8, 2010

Calories and Diet Tracking

Many of the calories for the food items you are eating the diet are listed here on the blog. To make it easy, the calories are calulated by probable portion size.

If you need to look up more calories on your own, my favorite website is fatsecret.com. You don't have to sign up, just use the "search" bar in the top right corner.

If you like, you can download the app at fatsecret to your blackberry or ipod to help you count your daily calories.

Daily Coffee Fix

For all of you who were addicted to those gourmet coffees, mochas, frappchinos, and other high-calorie, high priced drinks we all seem to love so much, here is a new recipe to try:

Flavored Coffee
8-12 oz hot water
1 heaping tsp instant coffee or Via packet (or Pero, Postum etc.)
1 flavored tea bag (mint, spice, raspberry, orange etc.)
1 packet calorie free natural sweetener (Stevia, Xylitol, Sweet n Low)
1 tbs milk (only 1 serving a day)

Place hot water in cup, steep tea bag for 3 minutes. Discard tea bag.
Stir in coffee. Add sweetener and milk. Savor the flavors and enjoy!

You might want to try liquid Stevia. It comes in many flavors: cinnamon, vanilla, lemon, cognac, peppermint, orange (plus more). It's great for adding to drinks. :)

More on Makeup

One of our readers asked this question, and here's our answer:

Q: Hi - what about lip balm and mascara? I'm not terribly concerned about the mascara, but I have a pretty serious addiction to chapstick...Any ideas for alternatives?

A: Mascara is allowed. Be sure to use a water-based formula that doesn't require oil-based makeup remover. Basically, just steer clear of "waterproof". Same goes for eyeliner.

Chapstick can be tricky. Unlike oils, wax based chapsticks can't be absorbed by the skin, so stick with those. Lipsticks are wax-based so they are a great alternative (and they give some color).

Hope this helps!

November 3, 2010

Simple Calorie Free Salad Dressing

1-3 tbs of raw apple cider vinegar
Salt, Pepper
½ packet of natural sweetener (Stevia, Xylitol, Sweet n Low)
Mix ingredients in a small bowl

Drizzle over salad, spinach, vegetables, stir fry (no oil) etc.

November 2, 2010

Why no exercise?

Exercise on the diet is limited to about a mile of walking per day. Sounds great, right? Don't go to the gym and sweat it out, but feel free to take the stairs, clean the house, play with your kids, or do whatever it is you normally do during the day. The research for the diet was done or participants who didn't exercise. If you do exercise heavily, you body could be forced to use your muscle for extra fuel due to the restricted calorie intake.

After the course of hCG, exercise will be an important part of weight balance and a healthy lifestyle.

November 1, 2010

New Recipe

Chicken Soup

Cut up 3 oz of chicken breast into small tidbit bites.  Cut up a celery stalk or two if desired slices.  Put two cups of water in a sauce pan and turn on heat.  When the water is boiling add the chicken and celery and salt and pepper to taste.   I also add broken bits about an inch long of the grissini breadstick into the bowl of soup as I am eating it.  This provides the dumping feeling.  (Do not add the breadstick too far in advance, they get too soggy.)  This provides a nice large serving. 

Chicken Stir Fry

3 ½ oz chicken (skin removed, no visible fat)
3 ½ oz red, yellow or white onion
½ grapefruit peeled and cut into small pieces

Put salt, pepper, herbs and spices (if you would like to add any) in the bottom of a skillet. Add onions and 3 tbs of water or herb tea. Stir fry until onions are tender and transparent. Remove from pan and set aside.

Add chicken pieces, salt and pepper to pan and water if needed for steaming the chicken, simmer on medium heat till chicken is well cooked. (This works well with frozen chicken tenders, just put frozen meat in pan with smaller amount of water or tea and simmer till done).

Place onions, grapefruit and chicken with juice from pan in a bowl. Toss with salt, pepper, herbs and spices. Fresh basil is a wonderful choice. Enjoy! This works well with beef or fish too.

Lunch suggestion: 1 fruit, 1 vegetable, 1 meat, add 1 grain or eat later for a snack. Enjoy with a calorie free beverage.

October 28, 2010

Dieter's Report: Catherine

Catherine has been on hCG for three weeks and says she is feeling great. She lost 11 pounds her first week! Wow Catherine, way to go! She says she fudged a bit the second week and only lost one pound, but now she is back on track. She feels like she has more energy and has fewer cravings for sugar. Rather than crashing at the office and needing to go for a food run, she is more stable throughout the day.

In the past Catherine wasn't a vegetable eater, but she has been steaming vegetables with lemon and salt since she began the diet for flavorful side dishes. She enjoys spinach and tomatoes, and she's also been eating more fish than usual. An easy way for her to follow the diet has been to buy pre-packed crab and divide it into serving sizes. There are four servings per package. Catherine found melba toast in the cracker isle at Safeway, and grissini breadsticks in the deli section. To wash it down, she's been drinking lemon water.

Thank you for the advice Catherine!

October 26, 2010

Dieter's Report: Brandy

This is Brandy from Dr. Crockett's office and I've been taking hCG for three weeks. I've lost ten pounds so far. I started at 163 pounds and I now weigh 153 pounds. I haven't felt hungry at all, and I haven't had any side effects to the diet or medication. I've been drinking tons of water and other fluids. I did have strep throat during my diet, and I had to eat while I was on antibiotics, otherwise I felt nauseous. If it weren't for that break from the 500 calorie diet, I'm sure I would have lost even more weigh by now. For my meals I have almost exclusively been eating chicken salads with balsamic vinegar as dressing. I'm happy with the results and I can't wait to lose more.

October 25, 2010

Dieter's Report: Pat

Hi. This is Pat from Dr. Crockett's office. I'm on day 31 of my diet and I'm very happy to report that I've lost 12.5 pounds. I started out at 195.1lbs and my current weight is 182.7lbs. I'm very encouraged because in the past it's been hard for me to even lose a few pounds, then I've gained it right back. I can tell that weight has not only come off, but that it has been redistributed. I'm fitting into old clothes that I haven't been able to wear in ages. The diet hasn't been difficult for me to follow as I haven't been hungry at all. I've even had to force myself to eat the entire 500 calories on some days. I have been eating the Grissini breadsticks as my carb. After going to several grocery stores and finding that they were sold out, I finally ordered a few boxes on Amazon.com.

October 19, 2010

How do I take the hCG?

Take hCG in the morning and at night, 12 hours apart. You can take medication on a full or empty stomach, but don't eat or drink anything for ten minutes after you take the medication.

Tablets: Place the tablet under your tongue until it dissolves, then swallow. Do not eat or drink anything for ten minutes. Tablets may be kept at room temperature, but must be kept dry.

Drops: Use dropper to place .25ml of liquid under the tongue. Hold it there for one minute, then swallow. Do not eat or drink anything for ten minutes. Drops must be kept in the refrigerator.

KCl: If you are taking the potassium supplements, take one pill each day with plenty of water at a meal time.

October 11, 2010

Very Low Calorie Diet: Days 3-30

Days 3 through 30 are known as Very Low Calorie Diet Days, or VLCD days.

Breakfast: Any calorie free beverage
Lunch: 1 protein, 1 vegetable, 1 fruit, 1 grain
Dinner: 1 protein, 1 vegetable, 1 fruit, 1 grain

On days 3-30, take the oral hCG twice daily, 12 hours apart. Wait ten minutes until eating or drinking.

On these days, do not go over 500 calories per day! Strictly follow the list of allowed foods which is located here.

Our suggested meal plan is as follows. If you would like to break up meals to have "leftovers" for snacks, just remember not to go over 500 calories.

Be sure to measure and weigh all your food. :)

Supplemental Medications

Supplemental medications are available based are your desires and needs.

-Weekly vitamin B-12 injections (for energy)
-Potassium supplements (for muscle cramping)
-Magnesium supplements (for constipation)

Remember to discontinue softgel vitamins as they contain oils. You may take other tablet vitamins that do not contain oils.

If you have any questions about your current medications, please make an appointment to discuss them with Dr. Crockett.

October 10, 2010

More Recipes

This website has some great recipes that follow the hCG guidelines.

Beware when searching for recipes online at other websites; many websites claim to give recipes for different phases of the diet, but don't follow all the rules.

What have you been eating? Please leave comments and share your favorite recipes as comments, below.

Snack Recipes

Remember: Snacks must be subtracted from regular meals. Never go over 500 calories!!

Apple pie
1. 1 apple, sliced (70 calories)
2. Pinch of nutmeg
3. Pinch of cinnamon
4. Splenda or other sweetener to taste
5. 2 tablespoons Seltzer

Layer ingredients in oven safe dish and bake or microwave until apples are tender.

Orange Julius
1. 1 orange, peeled and pulled apart (60 calories)
2. Stevia or Splenda (vanilla flavored preferred)
3. Ice
4. Seltzer

Combine in blender and blend until desired consistency.

Lemonade (calorie free - the juice of 1 lemon is allowed daily as a "spice")
1. Juice of 1 lemon
2. Splenda to taste
3. Water

Mix in glass or pitcher and serve chilled.

Fillet of Sole Dinner

Fillet of Sole

  1. 100 grams of sole
  2. 1/4 teaspoon of lime juice
  3. dash of tarragon
  4. 1/2 teaspoon of garlic
  5. dash of chopped chives
  6. Sea salt to taste
Preheat over to 350 degrees. Grease baking dish nonstick cooking spray. Sprinkle lime juice over fish along with other ingredients. Bake for 18-20 minutes.

Mashed Cauliflower
This is a wonderful alternative to mashed potatoes!

1. 1 head cauliflower (100 g weighed raw has 25 calories)
2. Salt and pepper to taste
3. 1 tablespoon nonfat milk (10 calories, omit if you have already had milk that day)
4. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or garlic paste
5. 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Steam the cauliflower for 10 minutes until very tender. Add the garlic, milk, red pepper, salt, and pepper to tender cauliflower and mix until combined. Mash with hand mixer or blender.

Grapefruit Salad

1. 1/2 grapefruit
2. fresh basil
3. lime juice
4. Splenda or other artificial sweetener

Toss ingredients and serve.

Serve with a grissini breadstick on the side. Enjoy with water or a diet beverage.

Dinner suggestion: 1 protein, 1 vegetable, 1 fruit, 1 grain

October 8, 2010

Where can I find more information about hCG?

Dr. A.T.W. Simeon did the initial research on hCG in India as part of a study on overweight boys. We order our prescriptions from Opti-Lean, where you can download a copy of Dr. Simeon's book, if you would like to do further research.

Apple Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
1 medium apple (70 calories)
chicken breast (approx. 112 calories in 100 grams, or 4 oz.)
spinach (1 cup = 30 grams, 7 calories)
apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon = 14 grams, 7 calories)
melba toast (1 cracker = 17 calories)

Bake 100 grams of chicken seasoned with salt and pepper in 350 degree oven for 30 minutes, or until fully cooked. Chop and place on bed of washed spinach. Slice medium apple and add to salad. Toss with apple cider vinegar.

Serve with a side of melba toast. Enjoy with a diet beverage.
Total calories = 213

Lunch suggestion: 1 protein, 1 vegetable, 1 fruit, 1 grain

What can't I eat on the hCG diet?

NO milk (except 1 tablespoon per day)
NO oil, butter, or margarine
NO salad dressing (try vinegar instead)
NO potatoes, carrots, corn, peas, or beets (these veggies are too high in starches)
NO alcohol
NO salmon, tuna, eel, herring, or fish that is dried, pickled or smoked

What can I eat while on hCG?

500 Calories per day...
Remember: don't eat anything that's not on this list!!

Remember to weigh and measure your food!

Beverages: Any non-calorie fluids in any amount
tea, coffee, mineral water, crystal light, diet soda (stick to two cans a day)
drink at least 2 liters of water per day
DO NOT drink alcohol
only one tablespoon of milk is allowed per day
artificial sweetener may be used

Proteins: 1 serving is 100 grams, using your food scale weigh raw after removing visible fat
beef: lean steak (187 calories)
extra lean ground beef (248 calories)
roast beef (267 calories)
veal (229 calories)
skinless and boneless chicken breast (195 calories)
white fish: halibut (110 calories)
cod (211 calories)
flounder (114 calories)
monkfish (76 calories)
perch (94 calories)
pike (129 calories)
pollock (92 calories)
snapper (100 calories)
sole
crab (97 calories)
lobster (97 calories)
shrimp (144 calories)
nonfat cottage cheese may be eaten once weekly (85 calories)
boiled or poached eggs may be eaten once weekly (one serving is 3 eggs whites plus 1 egg) (150 calories)

Vegetables: Do not mix vegetables. Do not eat more than one type of vegetable in the same sitting.
Lettuces of any kind (5-8 calories per cup depending on type)
Spinach, fresh (7 calories per cup)
Broccoli (25 calories per cup)
Beet greens (8 calories per cup)
Cauliflower (25 calories per cup)
Fennel (27 calories per 1 cup sliced)
Asparagus (27 calories per 1 cup)
Onions (50 calories per 1 cup)
Red Radishes
Cabbage
Zucchini
Swiss Chard
Tomatoes
Celery
Chicory Greens
Cucumbers

Fruits: Must be eaten at least 6 hours apart
Apple, medium (70 calories)
Orange, medium (65 calories)
Strawberries, 6 large (40 calories)
Grapefruit, 1/2 medium (41 calories)

Grains:
1 melba toast (approx. 1"x3" piece)
1 breadstick (grissini) (a type of breadstick available in Safeway brand as well as online, and at the dollar store)

Seasonings:
Nonstick spray
Juice of 1 lemon per day
garlic
salt and pepper
vinegar
mustard powder
basil
parsley
thyme
marjoram
hot sauce (brands without sugar such as Tabasco)

NO starch, sugar, fat, oil, butter, margarine, dressing.

Can I repeat the diet?

In a word, yes.

The hCG prescription lasts 28 days. After your completion of the program and medication, we recommend a period of slowly re-introducing higher calorie foods to you diet. This way, weight gain won't occur and your weight will become stable. Remember that you'll need to stay on a maintenance plan in order to keep the weight off that you lost during your prescription.

You must wait at least six weeks before going on the hCG prescription again or re-starting the very low calorie phase of the diet.

But Seriously, Will I be hungry?

No! hCG releases the stored fat in your body that is ordinarily saved for pregnancy or cases of extreme starvation. When this fat is released into your bloodstream, it is able to be used for energy rather than the food that you would usually be eating. Even though you are only eating 500 calories a day, your body is operating on thousands of calories, giving you all energy that you need to help you lose .5 to 1 pound per day.

Our patients haven't reported any hunger pangs while following the diet protocol and have noticed a decrease in appetite and cravings. In fact, they have been completely satisfied, especially after seeing pounds melt away. Supplements or appetite suppressants may be added to the diet to meet individual patient needs, if necessary.

Are there side effects to the diet and medication?

The patients in our office haven't had side effects. hCG is safe and occurs naturally in the body during pregnancy.

Mild side effects can occur; but are rare. If you do experience side effects, please let us know so we can treat them before they interfere with your diet program.

Possible side effects include headaches associated with toxin release from stored fat. Fatigue is another complaint in the first few days of treatment while the body adjusts to its new metabolic activities. Both of these side effects are typically resolved within the first few days.

Other side effects can include dry skin and muscle cramping due to the low fat and low calorie consumption. Remember to use oil free lotion to treat dry skin and hands. If you experience other side effects, let us know so we can help you stay on your weight loss path.

Because you are eating less food than normal, constipation may occur. To avoid this, patients may take a magnesium supplement daily. The best cure for constipation may be plenty of fluids and movement, so start hydrating. Avoid laxatives, as they contain oils. A saline enema is advisable if needed.

October 7, 2010

hCG: Day 1 and 2

Getting started: Day 1 and 2 are "loading days". Take your hCG for the first time on days 1 and 2, twice daily, 12 hours apart. Eat anything you want, especially foods that high in fat to create storage for the next few days.

The loading phase is essential to prepare for the next phase of the diet and will help with your weight loss success. Eat whatever high-calorie, high-fat foods you enjoy, for example: hamburgers, fries, potato chips, fried chicken, brownies and cookies, take out, candy bars, etc.

To prepare for the next phase, make sure you are ready! Some of the things you'll need are:
-the food you are planning to eat
-a food scale
-oil free products
-a great support system!

October 6, 2010

What skincare products can I use while on the diet?

The hCG diet not only requires strict eating habits, but also strict personal care. No products containing oils are permitted during the diet phase because they can be absorbed by the skin. The skin is a selectively permeable surface, which is why medications in the form of creams and patches are effective. Only cosmetics, deodorants, soaps, etc. that are oil free should be used to attain optimal weight loss.

Please let use know what works for you as you make changes in your personal products. Remember to read the ingredients and do your research! Here is a list of some products you may want to try.

Cosmetics:
Bare Essentials, Pancake Raw, Any Oil-free base, foundation lines, Mineral based makeup
Deodorant:
Crystal Deodorant Stick, Crystalux, Thai Deodorant Stick
Facial Soap:
Neutrogena Oil Free Cream Cleanser, Arbonne - All Botanical Based Skin Care, Witch Hazel
Moisturizers:
Alba Oil Free Facial Moisturizer
Coconut Oil (cold pressed)
Corn Huskers Lotion
Aloe Vera 100% Gel Baby Oil (basically mineral Oil)
Fiji Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for Body, Massage and Hair
Curel Continuous Comfort, Fragrance Free
Kiss my Face Oil Free Moisturizer
Neutrogena Oil Free Facial Lotion
Mineral Oil
St. Ives Vanilla Lotion
Hair Care:
Aubrey Organics
Fiji Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for Body, Massage and Hair
Life Extension
Magik Botanicals Oil Free Shampoo and Conditioner
Mastey Products
Soap:
Dial, Ivory, Jason's, Zest
Sunscreen:
Most brands seem to carry an oil free line now. Do you have a favorite oil free sunscreen?
Toothpaste:
Spry Toothpaste (no fluoride)
Tom's of Maine Toothpaste
Lubricants:
(water based or silicone based)
ID Velvet Silicone-Based Lubricant
Kama Sutra Pleasure Potion
ID millennium
Gloves:
Latex gloves are great for avoiding the unavoidable when working, cooking, doing housework etc.

FAQ about hCG

As we get our blog off the ground this week, we would like to know your top ten questions about the diet, hCG, and any concerns you've had so far. Please submit your questions here and I will answer them on the blog ASAP. Thank you!

October 5, 2010

What is hCG?

hCG is a hormone that is only found in pregnant women.  It allows the body to access fat that is otherwise inaccessible during times except for extreme starvation and pregnancy.  By taking hCG, the body is allowed to access the fat typically stored around problem areas such as thighs, hips, and the abdomen.  The fat is propelled into the bloodstream giving the body the calories and nutrients it needs while the patient eats a very limited 500 calorie diet.  Despite being found naturally only in pregnant women, the hCG diet is safe for both women and men.

October 1, 2010

What should I do during menstruation?

The best time to start hCG is immediately after a period so as not to interrupt the course of medication.

Do not take the hCG tablets during menstruation but remain on the 500 calorie diet. Even though you will not be taking the hormone during this time, you will not be hungry. When menstruation is over, resume the pills and continue the 500 calorie diet.