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I've just met with my doctor about my weight gain. Last year about this time, I went into menopause. I stopped having my period, stopped sleeping through the night, lost a lot of hair, my skin went dry, I noticed patches of brown spots appearing on my face and hands, I lost my interest in intimacy with my husband, I forgot simple things like "why did I walk into this room again?", I was irritable, and I gained about 20 pounds! It was about this time that I read a book by Suzanne Somers called "Breakthrough: Eight Steps to Wellness." She talked about using bio-identical hormone replacement therapy and in a rhythmic dosage rather than a static dosage. I talked to my doctor about it and she prescribed an estriol cream to be taken vaginally 1-2x per week as needed, and a progesterone cream to be taken for two weeks on and two weeks off. She also prescribed melatonin and 5htp to help me sleep. I'd also read about L-Arginine to help with hot flashes. Those things helped but didn't fully alleviate my symptoms so I kept doing research on menopause and it's symptoms. I found a method of dosage and delivery for bio-identical hormone replacement therapy called The Wiley Protocol and asked my doctor about it. She had JUST heard about it herself. So, we agreed to embark on the adventure of trying it to help me. So far it's worked to alleviate all of my symptoms with the exception of my WEIGHT! ARg.
So, I went through the same steps of research and found a hormone called HCG for weight loss, did my homework and learned that my own doctor prescribes it! Thus, starting tomorrow, I will be injecting myself with this hormone that is only produced by pregnant women. Ironically, two other women in my office are also starting this very weight loss plan this week. I'm just looking for others online who have had experience with this and what they have to say about it.
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I make my own chicken soup and it's super easy! Water in med-large saucepan add water one onion, about 3-4 celery stalks, salt pepper, then I put 8-10 chicken tenders in it(thawed or frozen and add a dash of soy sauce for color and a touch of flavor. Bring it to a boil then..
March 3, 2011 - 3:43pmI let it simmer for 3 hours or so adding water as the level drops. It makes a really good soup especially if you are sick.
Just sharing...
Jen :)
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Forgott to sign that one...Alisha
February 25, 2011 - 1:16pmThis Comment
The previous comment WAS mine. For some reason I was logged in but it logged me out before the comment posted.
February 23, 2011 - 11:24pmThis Comment
Well, it's me again, the original poster of this subject. I am laughing at Daniel's attempts at creating fear to get people to use his clinic to help them lose weight. I am always skeptical of those who profit from giving advice. In my case, I am a walking testimony of how well hcg works. I've been using it for over a year now... just finished my 5th round. I've safely and effectively lost over 30 lbs. I did NOT use a clinic. I was NOT hungry on this so called 'deprivation" diet because, as Dr. Simeons says, "the hcg breaks down abnormal fat tissue and infuses the blood with calories." In fact my husband saw my success and just now finished his first round. He was never hungry... which would be a miracle for him if he really WERE being deprived of calories because of how little he ate. There is a HUGE community on youtube and facebook of hcg users who are walking testimonies as well. We all prove that what Daniel is saying is totally false. He says "no substantial evidence." LOL! Just look at me. I am substantial. My friend Jenny and my friend Eileen... walking evidence. My over 500 buddies on facebook... living testimonies. And I haven't even started with all those on youtube, many of whom have been at their current low weight for years after having lost it using hcg.
To his credit, Daniel is right about addressing the issue of what you are eating. The hcg diet forces you to change not only what you eat but the way you eat. You listen to your body more. It changed your metabolism. If anyone is really interested in it, do the research yourself. Google "Pounds and Inches" by Dr. Simeon and READ IT. There's all your answers.
February 23, 2011 - 11:23pmThis Comment
Hey, I'm simply informing you of the research and our clinical experience. Its not about fear (as I dont' think HCG in itself is dangerous) or profit, cuz i frankly don't care if you come to our clinic or not. We aren't hurting for patients, believe me.
You will lose weight following the very low calorie diet associated with the HCH protocol (with or without HCG). 90% of patients having come through our clinic having used the HCG protocol lost a lot of weight. 90% of those gained all the weight back within six months of stopping the diet. Most of them went back to eating the same kind of crappy diet that caused the obesity in the first place, never addressed their emotional relationship with food, never addressed underlying serotonin and dopamine deficiency, and never addressed underlying hormone problems.
Simmeons pounds/inches paper is from 1954. Seems to me plenty of time to validate his research. Since Simeons first introduced the concept of using hCG injections for weight loss, there have been approximately 50 years of extensive, double-blind research studies performed to test its efficacy.
Although there are a few positive studies (mostly from HCG clinics following Simmeons protocol) most double blind placebo controlled trials where patients received either HCG injections or placebo and followed identical VLC diets, show no difference in amount of weight lost, type of weight lost, hunger level, or mood.
If it works for you, fine... but i'm telling you now, its not the miracle its adherents are claiming it to be.
February 23, 2011 - 11:54pmThis Comment
I agree with this 100%!!!! Thank You
July 24, 2015 - 7:45amThis Comment
Hello ladies!
February 23, 2011 - 4:19pmIt's Jen checking in after a long time away! I am still doing good on HCG, although when I took the 12 weeks off I did gain a portion of the weight back after the holidays :(. I am a work in progress, and I try to be patient when things like gain happen. I try not to give up when I have moments of weakness.
In other news!! I have created an amazing NEW recipe for this diet that does not taste diet!! AT ALL!!! Have you ever been to Buca Di Beppo the resaurant? They have a dish called chicken saltimboco (sp) at any rate I have created a recipe for HCG at home and you won't be disappointed! Super YummY!
~1 Tblsp I can't believe it's not butter spread in med-hot no stick skilet. (remember you can have 2 tbls of milk each day so your safe! I use the spray I can't believe it's butter all the time on my veggies and spinach)
~ Add 1/2 capful of lemon juice in center of melting butter.
~Add weighed raw (100 grams) chicken to butter and lemon juice mixture. (Try to keep in the center of pan so the butter centers around the chicken)
~Season with salt, pepper, 2 shakes of basil and one shake of oregeno. (trust me go light on the oregano)
~flip chicken repeat on other side with seasonings and reduce to med-low heat
~at this point I take my spatula and chunk the chicken in the pan after cooking it whole. This also shows you how well it's cooked on the inside.
~ Add 1/2 jar of artichoke hearts (drained) marinated in WATER only NO OIL! (about 6-8 hearts)
~Add 1/2 cup of fresh sliced mushrooms
~Add 1 tsp of capers
~ Add some more basil and salt to season the artichokes and stir all ingerients together in the pan.
~let simmer for 5 minutes until heated through
~pour all ingredients onto a large plate and top with a pinch of parmsean cheese, fresh is best! add a few more capers if you choose to top!
I usually do not eat my apple or melba toast when eating this dish, but the reward is soo worth it!! The plate is full, you will be full, and this is one recipe that I am feeling pretty genious about!! ;)
Hope you guys like it!
Jennifer :)
Mckinney, TX
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Jennifer
Please consider investing in a lifestyle change program, as well as addressing any brain chemistry issues (serotonin and dopamine) that might be affecting your weight. Unfortunately, our experience shows that most patients using HCG will gain most if not all of their weight back having not addressed their underlying eating issues (emotional eating, poor diet and lifestyle choices, brain chemistry, and hormones). The reason you lose weight on HCG is simply due to the low calorie diet. Oral HCG is completely inaffective as their are no studies anywhere that indicate the HCG molecule can be absorbed and used from this mode of delivery. For a good summary of the actual research please visit:
http://www.hormonesynergy.com/pdfs/HCG%20Simeons%20Doctor%20Oregon%20Position%20Paper%20and%20Research.pdf
Good Luck.
February 23, 2011 - 4:39pmThis Comment
No thanks..
February 27, 2011 - 4:47pmThis Comment
There are no silver bullets or magic wands when it comes to weight loss. While HCG is probably safe, there is no good evidence that HCG works better than a placebo. Most people underestimate the calories they eat. If you typically eat 2500 calories a day and cut that down to 500, you will lose between 4-6 lbs. per week, assuming you dont have an underlying hormone imbalance. It's also important to understand that fat stores toxins, and when a woman or man loses that much fat that quickly it can cause a release of toxicity in the body that can literally cause or contribute to disease. If you use this protocal, be careful and make sure an actual doctor is monitoring any medications you are taking as well as your toxicity levels. We have now seen many women and men coming in to our clinic who have used this protocol elsewhere having gained some if not all of their weight back. They have never addressed their underlying eating issues. Many HCG clinics or Dr.'s prescribing this method cite studies showing its effectiveness. My wife, a physician, has actually read and summarized these studies and was suprised how many of these studies touted by supporters of HCG are actually NEGATIVE (which indicates that many promoting the protocal haven't actually read the studies which they are saying support it). Scarey. Here is a position paper and summary of the research as put together by my wife: http://www.articlesbase.com/weight-loss-articles/hcg-injections-and-a-low-calorie-diet-for-weight-loss-a-summary-of-the-research-2748252.html . Enjoy.
Daniel Soule
July 7, 2010 - 7:51amPortland, OR
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