How The HCG Diet Plan Works
The HCG diet plan is fairly simple once you understand it. It works and millions of people have used it to lose a lot of weight. But if you do it wrong you wont get the results you were hoping for so lets go over the diet.
HCG Diet Plan
First lets go over how the HCG diet works and why you take HCG. So the HCG diet consists of two parts that are equally as important.
The first part of the HCG diet plan is the HCG product you take. HCG is taken because anecdotal evidence suggest that it helps keep your hunger down while targeting your storage’s of fat on your body.
The second is the low calorie diet. Many people refer to it as the “500 calorie diet” but when in fact it’s not 500 calories and in fact you DO NOT count calories at all. Counting calories is a pain and really doesn’t work too well. The “low calorie diet” which I’ll just call the LCD from now on is simply a choice of foods that you weigh out in the proper amounts so you know you are eating the right amount.
So for each meal you choose from a list of foods. You get a protein of 100 grams (3.5 ounces), a vegetable, a fruit, and melba toast or grissini. You also drink 2 liters of water per day. You can have tea or coffee sweetened with stevia, and you can drink as much of that as you like.
So that’s the basics of what the diet consists of. Before you start the diet however you need your HCG product. There are 2 kinds. oral HCG alternatives and HCG injections.
Personally I prefer the oral method because they are easier to take, very safe, and are cheaper. But if you prefer injections you can use those too. It’s just a lot harder to use them because you have to get a prescription and there’s all sorts of red tape to get through. So I stick with a good oral HCG product. There are however a lot of bad ones out there. They are usually cheap and they are just out to make a sale. The one’s I use can be found here: HCG DIET Accelerator
They have a great product and from what I hear the largest private HCG diet coaching area in the world. You can login and get help from coaches whenever you like which is a big help. But you can use whom you want. I just make a recommendation because I get that question about 10 times a day! So there you go.
Moving on.
So the HCG diet plan is done in “rounds”. You can do short or long rounds. The most common round is the 26 day round, but you can do a longer one for 40 days. It just depends on your weight loss goals. After a round you do what’s called the “maintenance phase” which is 3 weeks of no starches or sugars but you can eat any amount you’d like. After that you can do another round. So although you are limited to 40 days in a row you can do as many rounds as you need. I’ve seen people lose 200+ pounds and they just do multiple rounds to achieve this. You just can’t go past 40 days in a row because your body will get used to the HCG diet and it will cease to be effective.
So at the start of any round you do 2 “gorge” or “loading days”. You start your oral HCG or other method on those days as well. On the loading days you “load” by eating as much as you can and whatever you’d like. This tells your body that you have enough fat to lose and it’s OK to start to unlock the storage of fat that you have, so on the LCD days you will lose fat and not muscle.
On the start of the third day you begin the LCD. For breakfast you can have coffee or tea. Or you can also spread out your meals and have your fruit from lunch or whatever. You can spread out your meals just make sure not to eat more food than is allowed.
Then for lunch you have your typical LCD diet and then do the same for dinner. If you want snacks you can always save something from a meal. I would usually save my fruit from dinner and have it a little later.
You also should be drinking 2 liters of water per day. This will help you detox and keep you hydrated. It’s important so don’t skip it.
And while on this diet you don’t need to exercise. In fact it usually works better if you don’t. You can do light stuff like walking or jogging about a mile or two per day, but beyond that it’s really not needed. I know many who don’t even do that and they do great. This plan really doesn’t need exercise to be successful.
Then once you hit your goal weight or your end day (remember not to go past day 40) you will stop your oral HCG product and do 3 more days on the HCG diet. You do this to make sure all the oral HCG product is out of your system before moving to maintenance phase. Then after those 3 days you start maintenance which is no sugar or starches.
That’s pretty much it. Sounds a little tricky but really it’s the easiest diet ever. Just remember, 2 load days, then LCD days, then 3 days no oral HCG but LCD, then maintenance. That’s it. Repeat the HCG diet plan with another round if necessary.
So I hope this helps and clears up any confusion. Please leave me a comment below if you have questions!
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I’ve been thinking about doing this diet for some time now but could never really figure out how it works. This is probably the best explanation of the diet plan so far that I’ve seen so thank you for taking the time. I do have a question though. Do you always have to do 3 weeks of maintenance even if you do a shorter round of 26 days versus the 40?
Great question. You should always do 3 weeks of maintenance after any round. It’s very important because it “sets” that weight point so you don’t gain the weight back. So follow the maintenance rules and you’ll be far better off and won’t gain the weight back after losing it.
Im ready to start this new hcg diet, im just wondering after I complete it and lose the weight I want, does this mean I will never be able to eat whatever I want again? Fastfood, etc, not all the time just asking?
Of course you can eat those things, just in moderation. The diet will teach you how to eat and prepare you for after the diet, so you can keep it off. But I still eat all those things myself, I just do it differently and less often. Your cravings will change after the diet and those things won’t be as appealing as they are now.
I have seen a lot of discussion on injections versus drops and other methods. Which do you prefer and what works the best?
Injections and a good drop (oral) product both work the same and you’ll get identical results. But be careful with injections as it’s always more serious when injecting something. In fact I don’t prefer that method. I prefer an oral method and the provider I use is in the post above. You just have to get a good product and you’ll do great. You should also make sure whoever you are getting it from has a good support system so when you need help they are there for you. That’s why I use who I use, they have good help and always answer my questions when they arise. But you can use either method. It comes down to preference.
Where do you get your drops? And where do I get all the food listed on the diet? Thank you for your help.
I get that question a lot. So much so that I added a link to the article above where I get my HCG. So you can use them if you’d like. And they will give you all the instructions and help you need. You can find more stuff on my site as well.
I am doing a 40 day round but I hit my weight loss goal of 32 pounds today. What should I do? Do I keep going till day 40 or do I stop or what? Thanks for any help!!
Hi Kara. If you hit your goal early that’s great, just make sure to do 3 days of the diet without the HCG, then move to maintenance. So stop taking your HCG, do the diet plan for 3 more days, then move to the maintenance phase for 3 weeks. Great job at reaching your goal early!
Hey. I am on my round currently and have lost over 30 pounds. But I am nearing the end of my 40 day round and want to keep going because I’m close to my goal weight. Can I keep going? What should I do?
Great question. Don’t go past 40 days because then your HCG won’t be as effective. You need to do maintenance phase in-between rounds. If you do the maintenance phase correctly and take it seriously you will lose more weight during that time. And if you don’t happen to hit your goal during maintenance you can always do another round. Great job on the weight loss so far!
Hi, I started my injections 4 days ago, but I didnt do the loading. Should I start doing that today?
Well it’s too late now, just keep going as normal. Are you following the HCG diet as directed? If you ever do another round make sure to do loading days. But since you missed them just carry on and do the diet as directed.
I am a little worried about staying on the plan. Do you have any tips for making sure we stay on the diet as it is laid out? I start next week and can’t wait for the results even though I am nervous.
Don’t worry about feeling nervous. Everyone is nervous to start, it’s normal. As long as you get started you’ll be just fine. And to stay on the plan you need to keep track of all your food with pen and paper or some kind of online tracking system. Whatever works for you. Then also find a group of people who are on the diet as well. Depending on who you are working with they may or may not already have a group setup. If you aren’t working with a company who has their own group you can find some free one’s online. A support group will help a lot. You can also spread out your meals if you need help with any hunger, just don’t add in extra food to the program. You will do well if you just do what you need to. You can also post questions here if you need help.
I have about 120 pounds to lose. So if I can only go 40 days at a time on the diet plan, how do I lose more? Can I do multiple rounds??
Exactly. You can do a 40 day round, then 3 weeks of maintenance, then you can start a new round. You can do as many rounds as you’d like. I’ve seen people lose a lot more than 120 so you can do it. Just spread it out over multiple rounds.
I’m just about to hit my 3 days of no drops. Is there anything special I need to be doing? Is it the same food? How do I do the next phase? Thanks!
On the 3 days of no drops just keep doing the same low calorie diet, but without the HCG. This just make sure all the HCG is out of your system before you start maintenance. Once you hit maintenance you need to avoid sugar and starches. There is no limit to calories but do add new foods in gradually and watch your weight daily. Maintenance is just as important as the low calorie phase so do it well.
How long should i wait before starting another round? Immediately after the maintenance phase or wait a few weeks?
You can start a new round as long as you have finished maintenance as long as you are mentally ready. So if you have done maintenance and you are ready for the next round, then get going.
in Dr. Simeons guide he talks about avoiding lotions and even massages. What should I be avoiding and is it really a big deal?
You should be avoiding oily type of lotions and other beauty products. During the protocol while taking HCG you are incredibly sensitive to the fats in these products, it can actually be absorbed into your skin. I didn’t believe it until I tried it and actually gained the next day! So avoid oily type of products. You can use mineral oil and mineral makeup and you can get that anywhere. No need to switch toothpaste like some people recommend. Just avoid the oily products and you’ll be just fine. As soon as you hit maintenance you can have all the old products again.
I heard that I need to wait 6 weeks between rounds? 3 weeks of maintenance and then 3 more weeks of a break. I’m doing the drops and I’m doing really well and don’t want to wait so long between rounds. What should I do?
If you were doing injections than the old recommendation was 6 weeks between rounds. But since you are doing the newer and safer version then you can do only 3 weeks of maintenance and then you can start a new round. Just make sure to do maintenance correctly because it’s just as important as the low calorie phase.
Where do I find the exact foods that I should be eating? I’m just a little confused about how it all works as I’ve heard calorie numbers, but then I hear I should stick to a specific list of food. What should I do?
Yes, do NOT count calories. SImply choose food from the list and weigh it out in the proper amounts. If you work with the company I used you will get all the instructions, coaching and help needed. So use a good provider and they will give you everything you need to be successful on the protocol. The diet is easy but do make sure you get the right info or it won’t be nearly as effective.
Hi, I’m on day 2 of my loading days. I’m using the drops and I have a few questions. Do the drops need to be kept in the fridge? Some sites say 10-15 drops 3x/ day and others say 6-10/6x day which is best? Should I hold the drops under my tongue for awhile or just swallow them? Should I wait before and after before eating or drinking? What are the quantities of the vegetables I should be eating? Sorry, I know I’m asking a lot of ? But I’m so excited about this diet and I want to make sure I’m doing it exactly as I should!
I’m going to take a stab in the dark and guess you ordered a cheap HCG product online. I guess that because you haven’t been taught even the basics of the diet or how to even use what you have. Please, everyone out there, avoid those products. They come from other countries and don’t work well, plus they don’t help you or coach you. The diet is pretty simple but you must know how to do it correctly or you won’t have the success you need. So Hilary, you need to find some type of instructions. I can’t tell you how to take your product because I don’t know what you have. And I can’t list the quantities of veggies here, the list is too long. Talk with who you are working with and get help. If they can’t help you, which is probably the case, ask for a refund and work with someone else. You really get what you pay for. Good luck!
Hi Can I assume that if a makeup has the first ingredient listed as aqua or water that its a non oily one and ok to use?
thanks
Well is there any oil in it? It doesn’t matter what the first ingredient is, you need to look at them all. Get mineral makeup. That works best.
They definitely were not cheap!! I bought 2- 2oz bottles for $199.00 from XXXXXXXX.com.( have you heard of them?) I did get info with it but from what I’ve read from them plus the probably 50 other sites I’ve read from I can’t see the quantities of vegetables. Just says…asparagus, tomatoes, spinach etc but not how much? And so many sites say 10-15 3x/day or 6-10 6x/day. I was wondering which is the best way? If you don’t think I bought mine from a good site then which is the best site? Thanks
Hi Hilary. I have not heard of them or used them so I couldn’t say. I crossed out the name because I don’t want to recommend someone I haven’t used. And the people I used have exact instructions with the exact amount of vegetables and drops to use. You should ask who you got yours from what exactly you should do. They need to help you, if they aren’t then I’d look elsewhere. The diet isn’t complicated but you do need the best information and support possible.
On loading days can i have coffee with milk and sugar??
Yes, on loading days you can have basically whatever you’d like.
Im 15(16 soon), and would like to do this diet with my mom. She can order it, but do they allow minors to use this diet? Is it safe?
My thinking is that since i have my period, and my body can make the hormone natural, a homeopathic version shouldnt hurt, right?
Thanks,
Plenty of young people do the diet and do well. Just make sure your parents are on board and help you with it. Make sure you know enough about the diet so you can be sure you’ll stick to it.
Hi!
I was wondering if there were any rules for the fruits and bread? I know the protiens and vegtables need to be eaten together, but I am at school for quite a while so I was planning on eating my protien and vegtable for breakfast and dinner and for lunch eating my servings of fruit and bread. Please let me know if that is alright, I have not seen anything that says that is the wrong way!
Aurora
That should be just fine. You can spread out your meals anyway you’d like as long as you aren’t adding in extra food or skipping any food. Make sure you are drinking the required 64 ounces per day as well. But yes, that’s just fine.
Hi, I was wondering if I can have balsamic vinegar in phase 2? Sugar is not listed in the ingredients. Thanks, Hilary
Does it have calories or carbs? Does it have fat in it? Those are all things that can cause issues. I know some people use it on the low calorie diet but be very careful. I’d start the diet and see how you do, then add it in and see what happens. There are HCG friendly recipes that you can use for salad dressing, just ask around.
Hello.. I’m in R1P2D6 and have lost 7 lbs . I’m following the diet with little cheating that’s I need to drink a tea twice a day with more than 1 tablespoon of milk. Is there anyway I can cut my fruits intake and keep taking the tea in my way?? Please help !!
Congrats on the 7 pounds in just 6 days, you are doing wonderful. So you can have as much tea as you’d like, but yes, keep the milk to 1 tablespoon. I would not cut out any fruit or anything. That will just cause issues. Instead of drinking just tea, drink more water. You’ll lose much quicker if you get that 64 ounces of water in. Water is very important. But you are doing great so just keep going and stay consistent and you’ll hit a big weight loss number by the end of your round.
hello…i just got the 26 day hcg but i want to keep on going onto 40 days so i wanted to order another one but im not sure if i have to do the 26day and then still go to the maintenance phase the start the 40day…or can i just add onto the
26days until i get to 40days and then stop and do the maintenance. plz help.
plus i also wanted to know would be be a REALLY bad thing to drink alcohol one day one the diet?
Yes, you can keep on going just fine. So as long as you still have some HCG left you can keep going, just don’t go beyond day 40 without doing at least 3 weeks of maintenance before starting again. But yes, you can keep going if you have more to lose and haven’t hit day 40. And drinking calories will cost you. It doesn’t seem like a big thing but it will cause issues, so avoid it until you are done with the diet. The diet is short, it’s not for life, so just hold off.
Hi me again. I bought the sweetleaf stevia…is that the right one
Sorry I just want to do this right.
Yes, that’s the one I like the most and it is 100% approved for the diet. They have several flavors so find the one you like best.
is there any juice sweetened with stevia?
You can sweeten whatever you want with your stevia, but juices will have too many bad things in there so avoid juices.
Hi- I did 2 weeks on the hcg- lost 12 lbs. and am now doing p3. There were several reasons that I couldn’t do 3 weeks at this time. I was thinking of doing another 2 weeks in awhile. Is it ok to just do the 2 weeks or is it really important to do the 3? Thanks
You can do 2 weeks if you were only on HCG for 14 days, as that’s a really short round. But do think about why you “can’t do” maintenance. Are you making excuses? It’s just sugar and starches to avoid. It’s a very important part of the diet. But yes, 2 weeks is OK.
I see you are saying maintenance is only 3 weeks, but to my understanding it’s supposed to be six weeks? Three of which you cannot have sugars or starches, and the last three gradually adding them back in if you so choose?
Maintenance is only 3 weeks. Read the original protocol. The next 3 weeks is just waiting to go back on the HCG and there are no special dietary requirements. But I find that you don’t need these 3 weeks if you are ready to start another round. Just make sure to do at least 3 weeks of maintenance before starting again.
Hi Stephanie, I have a couple questions. I read somewhere that you shouldn’t chew mint gum or use mint toothpaste, because it will make the HCG not work. Do you know if this is true? Also, during maintenance it says no sugar or starches. Does that mean not even 100% whole grain bread/pasta or brown rice? And if so, when can I add bread/pasta/rice back into my diet. Thanks for your help!
Avoid gum, not because of mint but because of the sugar and other sweeteners. Even sugarless gum has aspartame in it which will make you gain weight. And yes, maintenance is no sugar or starches and no grains. It’s for 3 weeks. After that you can eat whatever you like, but be careful and add things in slowly and watch your daily weight to see how you are doing.
I am on my last day today, so after my three days off of the shot and on the LCD when I start my maintenance period can I have milk? I know it says no starches or sugars, but I was wondering if milk was included since we couldn’t have it on the LCD. I drink skim milk, and I miss it in my coffee! That is the only thing that I have really missed on the 40 days!
Milk is OK, but I wouldn’t drink it. It’s a good way to get into trouble. But some in your coffee is just fine. But drinking a lot of milk is never good. All those old milk commercials were actually very misleading. New research has shown that it’s just not very good for us and not good if you want to lose and keep the weight off.
Hi Stephanie- Thanks for your responses. I think i didn’t word my question quite right. I am fine doing maintenance stage for 3 weeks no problem–thats what i’m doing now. My question is is it ok to do just 2 weeks on the low calorie phase and then switch into the maintenance phase for 3 weeks. I’m wondering if you absolutely need to do 3 weeks of the low calorie phase to re-set the hypothalmus and adjust your metabolism? thanks Terri
Oh OK. Yes, you can do 2 weeks of the diet. If you reach your goal you should end your round. So you are fine, just make sure to do 3 weeks of maintenance.
Hi Stephanie,I am on phase 2, day 7 and l have lost 6lbs. l don’t really feel hungry at all, but today l had plain coffee for breakfast and had cabbage and tilapia for lunch but felt kinda wobbly and l ate 3 slices of cucumber about 30mins later after 2 hrs l was still felling wobbly and kinda light on my feet so l had another serving of cabbage is that OK? How can l avoid the feeling? Should l continue taking my capsules?
You just have a bit of low blood sugar. Take 2 teaspoons of sugar and mix it in a glass of water and drink that. That will help immediately. Then you need to make sure you are getting enough water, 64+ ounces per day, also make sure you aren’t overdoing if physically. If you are very active you may have to add more protein, but do talk with your provider to get help with that. Great job on the 6 pounds!
I’m a little confused sometimes on reading ingredients in things, if you can or can’t have it. On the teas, my Tazo green tea, says it has some lemon verbena leaves, spearmint leaves and lemongrass in it. Don’t know if that is ok to drink or not?
On your tea you are probably fine. What you want to look for are sugars and artificial sweeteners like aspartame and other names for sugar. But that tea is probably fine.
Hi Stephanie,
I am considering doing this diet, but i only need to lose 10-15 pounds. So would it be ok to only do phase 1 and 2? Also, I am not much of a drinker, so is it ok to drink only a couple of glasses of water a day?
You need to do maintenance still, don’t skip that phase it’s very important to keep the weight off. And you need to drink all the water required. You will easily be able to do it. Don’t make excuses for yourself. You can do this.
What are the effects of not following the protocol exactly the way it is suggested?
Then you have no guarantee of what results you will get. Don’t do the diet unless you follow it. It’s a certain way for a reason, it works.
I have hit my 40 days. I cheated on my last weekend of the diet and gained 🙁 I was wondering if it would hurt if I did a few extra days with the hcg drops then go into the 3 days of no drops followed by the maintenance phase? Thanks!
I wouldn’t recommend it. You don’t want to go past 40 days on the HCG or you will start to build up a resistance to it. You will lose what you gained from cheating on the 3 days of the diet with no HCG. So you are fine, just finish your round as planned earlier.
How can you make sure that all of the hcg is out of your system after the 3 days of no hcg.
It won’t be there and will usually be gone in 2. Just do the 3 days of the diet without HCG and you’ll be just fine.
I started the hcg diet recently, loaded for two days (on Monday and Tuesday), and then started the VLCD on Wednesday. However, I didn’t realize that I was supposed to take the hcg on the loading days too.
Should I start over, or just continue where I am? Started VLCD and HCG today.
Just continue on. You may be more hungry the first few days but that’s fine. Just take it as directed from now on.
I just ordered my HCG drops and I am trying to get everything I need on hand for when the drops get here. Can I have soda sweetened with Stevia? What about Soda water?
Thanks so much for all your help.
Stevia is fine but sodas are not. Avoid them. Talk with your provider and then should be able to help guide you with this and what you should watch out for.
Hi there- I have been doing hcg with drops for 3 1/2 weeks. I have lost 10 lbs. But I have cheated. I have had many social events to attend. I love this diet. I pre make all my meals and like the food choices I make. During the week is structured so I do well then give in somewhat on the weekends. I want to start over. I am in between my 3-4 week phase 2. Do I keep on or start phase one from the beginning? Can you help with any suggestions?
Thanks – Lisa
If you want to start over then move to the maintenance phase for at least 2 weeks, then start over with loading as well. Get a fresh start and avoid those cheats, they really hinder your results.
Good afternoon, if you miss the HCG injection for 5 days due to been really sick. Do you have to start from all over again or can you pick up from where you left off? What is best ?
Wait about a week and make sure you are feeling better. Then you can do 1 loading day and get back on the diet plan.
I have been using XXXX and I did great the first two weeks. Pretty much stuck to it religiously. lost weight very happy. after that I hit a plateau. i haven’t lost any more but have not gained either. I am now changing to a different formula. I think maybe the XXXXX wasn’t the greatest choice. Anyway, my question is: If I am changing to a different formula, can I just start over completely? I really don’t want to wait 3 weeks to start again.
I removed the brand name as I have never used that brand and I don’t recommend it. So you just need to make sure you don’t go more than 40 days on HCG without doing 3 weeks of maintenance. If you haven’t gone 40 days then you can continue. But don’t go past 40 days in a row.
Hi
I got the stomach flu on the 2 week of P3. Afterwards the only foods that didn’t upset my stomach were rice, breads, bananas ect. I gained a few pounds. Is it harmful to do multiple steak days? Will it effect the resetting of my metabolism?
Only do 1 steak day. Then get back on the maintenance plan and it should come right back off. But don’t do multiple steak days.
I am going to start my third day tomorrow and I wanted to know if I can have vitamin waters. They have no calories. I want to be sute it’s OK?
Nope, they have other bad things in there. It’s not about calories, everyone focuses on calories but that’s not the whole story. Diet drink have zero calories but they also have aspartame in them which caused food cravings and weight gain (ironic). So avoid those drinks, that’s a big reason why we got overweight in the first place. Water really is the best thing for you. You can sweeten with stevia and lemon if needed.
Thank you So Much for clearing up the many questions I had! Now I need meal ideas. Need more variety
Your welcome. Just get some HCG recipes. The people I used gave them all to me for free.
I scrolled down looking for my question so I didn’t repost something already mentioned.
Is there a point where you say….you are so close to goal that you shouldn’t do another round?
lb, 10lb, 15, 20lbs?
I find the closer I get to goal the slower it comes off. Makes sense. So by the time I finish this round I should be only 15-17lbs away from goal.
Great question. I think for me it’s around 5 pounds. Just doing maintenance foods you should be able to get off 5 pounds. But I’ve done short rounds to get off 10 pounds and it worked great and quickly.
Hi Stephanie, I’m doing the my first round for 40 days and then after the 3 weeks following my first round I want to start up again right away. I have 2 questions, the first is when I start up my second round do I still do the 2 days of eating anything and everything? The second question is during the 3 weeks in-between is there anything I can do to continue losing weight during this time? Thanks!
Yes, do the 2 loading days at the start of any new round. And if you follow maintenance exactly, drink plenty of water, and even exercise some you will still lose. But just focus on following the maintenance guidelines. Don’t do any other diet, it will cause issues.
I was also meaning to ask about Trident sugarless gum and diet pop, like diet 7-up. I have been drinking diet 7-up and chewing Trident during my phase 2 and I’m wondering if I will lose more weight if I stop? I’m on day 20 out of my 40 days, 2 days of the 20 were the eating days. I’m down 15.5 pounds so far in 20 days. Thanks!
Absolutely stop chewing that gum and especially drinking the diet drinks. Diet drinks have aspartame which cause cravings and weight gain. So you will do much better if you cut them out, forever. It’s a real scam that they can put “diet” on their products just because of “0 calories”. Calories are pointless to count if you don’t avoid the other products like aspartame that make you fat.
I’m 10 days into P2 & had a weak moment & ate a cupcake! Does this ruin the rest of the 40 day program? Cause I know it had both sugar & fat in it! 🙁
Just get back on track and you’ll be fine. Everyone cheats once. It might slow you down but don’t quit, just keep going and stick to the plan from now on.
I am just curious, what does a “round” equal exactly as far as the drops go? Is it one 2 oz. bottle a whole round? Or is it multiple bottles that equal one round. Hopefully this question makes sense….Interested in starting this diet but want to make sure I understand it fully before buying the product. thank You.
A round is done in days. You can go as long as 40 days in a row. If you use who I used then for a 26-30 day round you’ll need 2 bottles, if you want to do 40 then get 3. But make sure you get the right coaching and support to help you with the diet. You’ll need it.
hello, i was just wondering if i can omit the protein from the hcg diet altogether as i really dont like chicken and all meats. Thanks.
No, that will cause major issues. Ask whoever you are being coached through and they can help you find a vegetarian option so you still get protein but avoid meat.
Hi Stephanie.
All I have read about is liquid and injections, no mention of tablets?
Recently I visited Watertown and came across HCG and bought tablets, so my question is how do the tablets work? although there is a leaflet in it explaining the procedure.
I also want to go away on holidays to a very warm sunny Africa and was wondering if this will work anywhere….
thanks
I don’t like the tablets myself, but that’s just me. I prefer the liquid HCG, and even then you have to be careful where you buy it. And yes, the diet works anywhere, you just have to be eating the right food. I worry you don’t have the right instructions though. Most of those cheap products in stores don’t give you the info you need. If you are counting calories you are doing it wrong, so get the help you need before starting.
I hate shots, but have to get this weight off. Do you think my doctor would install a pump.
A pump? I have no idea what you mean by that. But you don’t have to use shots at all. Just get the oral HCG that I used. It works the same as the shots.
I am wanting to start loading tomorrow…the only problem is, I am about 6 days from starting my period. I know you are supposed to wait until after you have finished your cycle….But I really dont want to wait that long. Could I just stop the HCG during my cycle and continue with the diet? I just dont want it to not work because of this…
Thanks!
If you are taking it orally you can start now. Only injections make you take a day off. Your period will slow you down but you can absolutely start now. If I were you I’d wait, but it’s up to you.
I am starting the diet but I am a vegetarian. Is there a website that you can recommend that caters to vegetarian HCG acceptable recipes.
As a free resource I don’t know where. The folks I used for my HCG and coaching have all those vegetarian options but only in their private coaching area. Not sure what to tell you unless you happened to use them.
I do Pilates 3 x a week and use a vibration machine daily. Can I still do this on the diet? It is unclear if exercise is bad, or if your suggesting you don’t have to but it’s ok to do.
You don’t want to overdo it. 1-2 miles of walking or light jogging is the most you’ll want to do. Talk with your coach/provider and ask them for help.
Do you also avoid certain beauty products on your loading days?
No, you can use those on your loading days. And you can switch to mineral makeup on the diet if you need makeup.
Can the LCD be done for 7 days instead of 26-40 if you only want to lose about 10 lbs or so.
I’ve seen people doing shorter rounds, you just have to make sure you still load and also do maintenance after the diet for 3 weeks. Once you hit your goal then do 3 days of the diet without HCG, then move to maintenance.
hi…im already on phase 4 and maintaning for over a month…i was wondering if i could take the drops for 2 days over xmas and gorge and then stop taking the drops after the 2 days of xmas and gorging.
thanks
What would be the point of that? The gorge is to set up your diet and to get the HCG in your system for the diet plan. It has nothing to do with keeping the weight off while you gorge and will have no effect. So unless you are starting a new round don’t do it.
Hi Stephanie!
I am starting my 1st day after 2 loading days. My husband just told me that we are going on a surprise trip with all the meals prepaid, in 1 week. He tried to tell me to wait after the holidays to start the HCG, now I know why:) What would be the best way to put this on hold for 3 days (the trip is very expensive, so I want to try the chef’s meals). Should I do like you suggested for the woman who was sick: Do 1 load day and get back on track, or should I do an apple day or what?
Thank you for your feed back and Happy Holidays!
Stop right now. Do 3 days of the low calorie diet without HCG then move to maintenance foods. Go on your trip and try to follow maintenance as best you can. Then just start right back in when you get back. No need to load again after a vacation.
I will start the diet tomorrow(loading doses) and is it safe to tan (tanning beds) while on this diet? My tanning lotion does not contain oil.
It might not say oil but it will contain fats. You shouldn’t use that lotion while on the diet. It will cause stalls.
Is there anyway to guarantee 4 pounds of weight loss a day? The first time I tried this diet I lost around 4 pounds a day but I didnt eat those days I only drank water and took vitamens. Or I would only eat 2 peices of chicken a day. Is there anyway to guarantee 4 pounds a day in fat loss??
Um, no. You should have a goal of 4 pounds a day. Sometimes it happens though. Eat the food on the list in the right amounts. You should NEVER skip foods. Skipping food will not help reset your metabolism and is unhealthy. Follow the diet and don’t try to change it.
I cheated and ate a pastry at work today and had a coffee with milk and sugar. Should I start all over again? I’m two weeks in and with Christmas and my cycle coming, my will power is almost gone! Help!
You made 1 mistake, no need to “start over”. It seems like you are looking for reasons to quit. Get into a coaching group and have them help you. You need the support of others. You CAN do this : )
Have you subsitutued any of the personal care products for whatever is on the HCG recommended list?
Also, can you provide a basic guide to personal care?
Mineral oil is a good all around product. Do avoid oily type lotions and other products.
i have multiple questions.Is it OK if my 13 year old daughter uses the HCG? And so breakfast, lunch and dinner you can have anything that is low calories, and reaches the amount of 500?
I know kids who did the diet who were younger, but that’s a conversation for your doctor. And no, it’s not about calories. DO NOT COUNT CALORIES! Follow the diet plan. Work with a good provider so you can get the help you need.
thanks! and do you have to work out on this diet?
No, in fact it’s better if you don’t.
Hi!
firstly, thanks for all of your answers- they’re all very helpful!
i screwed up- i’m doing the three day phase where you flush the hcg out of the system. But it was xmas day and i cheated on day 2! i put on 1.5 kgs overnight. Now on day 3 i am doing a steak day. Is that bad? to do a steak day on the third day where the hcg is meant to be coming out of the system?
please let me know as soon as you can because i dont want to hinder my results…
thanks!
Maddy
That’s fine. Just learn the lesson and move on. It happens. Just stick to the guidelines from here on out.
I am just about to start round one. I have read all the materials.
My question is can I use Glycerin as a replacement for moisturiser?
I don’t believe Glycerin has any oils, starches or sugars (carbs) in the ingredients. It says you can use Mineral Oil on your skin, but no thanks to that unhealthy option!
Mineral oil is what you should be using and is a very healthy option. Not sure why you don’t think it’s healthy. Maybe you mistake it for something else? Glycerin although should be avoided.
Hi Stephanie,
Today is my first loading day. I’m so excited to start the diet. I want to loose 50-60lbs. I work night shift from 7pm to 8am, so I usually sleep from 10:30 am to 5pm. I’m concerned about my meal times. Does it matter what time I actually eat my three meals just as long as I eat 3 meals within 24 hrs?? Thanks for your help!
Just eat your meals whenever is natural for your schedule. No need to worry, you’ll do fine as long as you follow the guidelines.
Hi!! I am wondering if it is ok to eat quinoa while on the diet? It’s a high-protein grain that I’ve been trying to eat instead of some meats.
Maybe. Talk with who you are being coached with. They will have options for vegetarians and might be able to use quinoa.
I want to start this diet been strongly considering it for 2 months now so I’ve probably wasted a lot of time already. I also believe this is the best explanation Ive read so far. After the forty day’s and the maintenance phase what happens next how long do you have to wait to repeat the diet for the HCG to be affective again I’m looking to loose 75lbs????
Work with a good provider and they will provide all this info and more. The people I use have a whole coaching community where you can ask questions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It’s priceless. Don’t delay just because you don’t have the answers, you will get the answers you need. You do maintenance for 3 weeks, then you can start again.
I started the injections and am on my fourth day. I wasn’t able to get to the store until today and have had four load days instead of two. I’m feeling extremely bloated. I also found out today that I should stop the diet until after my surgery (which is in two weeks, getting my tubes tied) to eliminate the chance of infection due to a low calorie diet.
I have 35 pounds to lose and also will have a difficult time not drinking wine during this time. Ugh.
Please help. What should I do?
Well fist off plan better next time. 4 loading days is too many. 2 is all you need. So stop the diet, have your surgery, recover, then plan your next attempt. Don’t worry, it will be here when you get back. You’ll do great, just plan ahead of time so you can be sure to complete a round.
Can I use any type of moisturizer of face or hands…it is winter and I am drying out!
User mineral oil and make sure you are drinking all your water.
Does being on birth control affect anything?
No, just keep taking it as directed and you’ll be just fine.
I really want to exercise but I have seen in other websites that, that is going to make the diet harder… is that true?
Yes and no. You don’t need to exercise and it can slow you down. Just focus on the diet and then once you hit the maintenance phase you can go crazy and exercise all you want.
I have recently started the HCG diet and am on the LCD stage. My question is that there is not much information on the plan once your desired weight has been achieved. I understand the the maintenance stage but what comes after that as far as suggestions to KEEP IT OFF.
Well the folks I got my coaching from had help with that area and guides. I don’t know who you used but really it comes down to using what you learned on the diet and maintenance, and also weighing yourself daily and keeping track of what you eat. This will allow you to see what effects you and what you can get away with. It’s a journey. The diet will teach you a lot!
My husband and I are getting ready to start our 3rd course of HCG. We are still over weight. We didn’t help ourselves over the holidays either. We were sticking to the low foods and I was used to them. He is a food lover so it makes it hard to stick to the low cal. He likes his starches. I just wanted to tell you that in a nutshell, you explained the diet perfectly. Thanks.
can you have canned water packed solid white tuna during the LCD stage?
Typically no. But in some cases yes. Talk with a coach about it.
This may sound stupid but in the past year I was told I had anger management problems…my dr prescribed me Medical Marijuana to relax me. If I go in the HCG diet should I stop using marijuana?
It’s not stupid at all. So I’d ask your provider about it, but I wouldn’t think there would be any issues. I know the MJ can make you crave food, so ask your dispensary if they have a version that has those minimal effects. But I’m sure you’ll do OK. Get help from a good place though so you have a coach.