The (My) Real Skinny About the HCG Diet

Two weeks into the first maintenance phase and I’m happy to report that I have maintained my weight. I am only avoiding starches and sweeteners (natural and artificial.) Everything else is on the table, literally. Including one glass of wine a day.

I had one scary day in the beginning when my weight crested over the 2 pound limit. I followed the instructions for a “Steak Day” which is supposed to reset. Fluids only were allowed til dinner which consisted of a large steak and raw tomato. And voila it worked.

In 5 more days, I will start the last phase of maintenance where starch and sweeteners may be gradually reintroduced. I think I am ready.

That said, here’s my take on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the HCG diet.

The Good
I’ve lost weight in those troublesome abnormal fat storage areas – stomach, upper arms, thighs. And no, it’s not drooping. At least, not any more than it was before the diet.

I was never hungry during the diet.

My metabolism seems revved up; I have no cravings, and the weight is staying off.

I feel good – ready to tone things now.

It’s mostly in my rear view mirror.

The Bad
OK, injections. But they didn’t really bother me – and you don’t have to take it that way. Your MD can prescribe it for under the tongue instead. Or you can take the homeopathic drops, which I don’t understand, but at least one of our Venuses has done with great success. Heck, I sure don’t know everything.

Intestinal slowdown. Not everyone has this problem, but a lot of women (and men) do complain about it. Easily remedied with herbal laxatives or Smooth Move Tea.

Tiredness
I’ve heard many of my sister dieters claim that they never felt better in their lives, that they were euphoric taking the HCG. For me? Didn’t happen. I did not feel better than I’ve ever felt. I felt fatigued by afternoon every day. Luckily, I was able to talk to other women, including our own Menopausal Squirrel to realize that it was a perfectly normal occurrence. So I could quit worrying.

The Ugly
This is not an easy diet. It’s rigorous and for me to succeed, I had to frame it as going on “retreat”. Which is actually quite a wonderful way to spend 3 weeks, once you surrender to it. And I wouldn’t have wanted to do it and work in Intensive Care nursing doing the HCG diet.

(I read on one forum a note from a policewoman who said that she just couldn’t do it. She felt like she wasn’t at the top of her game and her partner’s life was dependent on her being sharp and focused. She quit after 3 days. I completely understand her choice.)

So would I do it again? Honestly, maybe.  But I hope I never have to. I hope that permanent change is not really an oxymoron. And I’ll be taking steps to ensure that my weight stays within a comfortable range.

So, my plan is to eat as much organic food as possible, cook with raw virgin coconut oil, eat sprouted grains or brown rice, drink 1/2 to 1 gallon of water per day, avoid sweeteners save rarely agave nectar, eat small meals with healthy snacks in between. Avoid processed foods, MSG, corn syrup solids, preservatives, hormones, and the like.

Exercise routines will be as before the diet – walk at least 6 days a week, lift weights 3 days a week, and dance hula, play golf, swim. (I may have been overweight but I was a very fit fat girl.)

Thank you to all my menopause goddess sisters for your succor and support during this process. I probably could have made it without you, but it would have sucked big time. I’m just sayin’…..