How Much Weight Can You Lose on The HCG Diet?
Who are the ideal candidates for the hCG diet?
The human chorionic gonadotropin is a staple in infertility science. It was first used to stimulate egg production in women who have irregular or absent menses. For this reason, the hCG diet is best suitable for women of child-bearing age and who are holding on to stubborn fat.
By extension, the hCG diet is applicable to anyone over 18 whose body fat percentage is higher than the recommended figures: about 15% for men, and 23% for women. (To compute for this percentage, a standard chart is followed.) Further, the ideal percent of body fat depends on your estimated energy requirements, so ideal body fat percentages may differ from one individual to another.
How much weight can you lose on the hCG diet?
Results vary, depending on the body’s natural metabolic rate, the extra fat you want to lose, and the type of foods you consume during the hCG cycle. Generally, dieters have lost an average of 1 lb. a day. Even the most stubborn of fats are shed at a rate of 0.5 lb. a day. It is also not uncommon to hear people on the hCG diet lose up to 2 lbs. a day.
This suggests that if you are planning to lose 10 lbs., a 15-day hCG cycle may be sufficient. If you are planning to lose more, then a 30-day plan may be more appropriate.
Can I keep off the weight I lost?
Certainly. The hCG diet resets your metabolism, which means you get to start on a clean slate. This would of course require a certain amount of work and discipline on your part. Regular exercise, nutritious foods, adequate fluids, sufficient sleep and an over-all healthy lifestyle should help you stay fit and energized long after you are weaned off the hCG diet program.
How often should I resort to the hCG diet?
Some people lose all of their unwanted pounds in several cycles spaced over time. You may want to start slow and lose 10 pounds on the first cycle, resume your regular eating habits, and get into another cycle when you feel ready. This approach is recommended for those who are planning to lose a huge slab of weight. As with anything, losing weight gradually even on such a quick weight-loss program is better for the body in the long run.
Is it safe to lose this much weight in a short time?
Left to its own devices, the body can perhaps lose up to a pound a week if only regular exercise and fat-free diet are observed. The weight lost with the hCG diet appears dramatic because “weight” lost is actually “fat” lost.
When the hypothalamus taps into the body’s reserve energy to fuel basal metabolism, it unlocks fat stored in the adipose tissue. This is usually stashed in double chins, flabby arms, muffin tops, wide hips and dimpled thighs. This is why hCG dieters do not look haggard: they do not lose lean body mass which is often the case with other extreme diets.
To better understand the homeopathic nature of the hCG diet, remember that hCG is secreted to stimulate the hypothalamus to feed the fetus without compromising the health of the mother. The same principles are at work, except that the hCG is administered outside the context of pregnancy.
