Free diet plans online

[OahuGirl]

If you're looking for a resource with advice from experts...here it is:

www.sparkpeople.com

[pzarquon]

Also popular:


FitDay (http://www.fitday.com/): Free Diet & Weight Loss Journal.
CalorieKing (http://www.calorieking.com/): Promoting 'food awareness.'
The Daily Plate (http://www.thedailyplate.com/): Track what you're eating each day.

All of them, plus SparkPeople, have been discussed and recommended on my favorite advice site, Ask MetaFilter (http://ask.metafilter.com).

[Bobinator]

Anyone try the Simeons weightloss cure protocol?

I've been on it for 13 days, and I've lost 10 Ibs. so far. And, it's not water weight either. I've got 12 days out of 23 to go and expect to lose another 10-15 Ibs. in the next 2 weeks.

[Bobinator]

Well, it's now been 23 days and I've lost 20 Ibs. Not hungry, lots of energy. This Simeons diet protocol is awesome. Haven't weighed this light since I was a sophomore in college 18 years ago.:D

[tutusue]

Well, it's now been 23 days and I've lost 20 Ibs. Not hungry, lots of energy. This Simeons diet protocol is awesome. Haven't weighed this light since I was a sophomore in college 18 years ago.:D
Isn't that the diet plan hawked by Kevin Trudeau (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Trudeau)?

[Bobinator]

That's the one. I understand it was also used in the 70's, but probably got squashed by the FDA, because it threatened a multi billion dollar weightloss industry that sells scams and doesn't confront the real problem with the food we eat and the stuff they put in it.

[Bobinator]

Btw- I'd personally like to punch him in the nose for being sleazy, but his weightloss cure book is great, and has tons of practical and sound advice for weightloss. It's based on Dr. A.T.W. Simeon's manuscript. The book promotes the manuscript and has made contribution to improving it a little.

In this case, I'd say to not judge the book by it's author, but by it's content. This is the only diet that's worked for me, and apparently thousands of others. Just check out Youtube and type in "HCG". There are series of videoss of people that have followed it. You can actually see them getting thinner with each progressive clip as they record themselves throughout the course and share their experiences.

[Bobinator]

Well, so far so good. I've been on a 3-week maintenance phase of eating as much as I want, except starches and simple sugars, and I haven't gained a pound. In fact, I lost another for a total of 21. I've been off the diet entirely since last Thursday, but still monitoring my carb intake, and I'm still maintaining my weight. On Thursday, I had a fish burger, french fries and a 12 oz beer. Saturday night, I had steak, chicken, caesar salad and more beer than you can shake a stick at, and I still haven't gained.:D This morning, I weighed in at my lowest weight achieved during the diet phase. Guess my metabolism has been reset like the diet instructions said.... at least for the time being anyway.

[Cnecki]

Hi bobinator can you give me the gist of the book and diet so I do not have to buy one.

thanks

[Bobinator]

The Book is "The Weightloss Cure "They" Don't want you to Know About" by Kevin Trudeau. There's way too much ground to cover, but you can get a free copy of the original manuscript entitled, "Pounds and Inches", by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons. I have it in PDF, but if you do a Google search, you should be able to find it. Not sure I can post a PDF on this site.
If you like, I can E-mail it to you.

There's also a lot of clips on youtube you can watch. People who are on the diet take you through their experiences.

I would advise you get the book, but beware of Trudeau's sleaze tactic of making you pay for monthly newsletters through your credit card unless you submit a form to cancel the "automatic" subscription. I'm not even sure they won't try something anyway just to squeeze a few extra bucks out of you. Maybe you can even find a copy at a local library. E-bay or Amazon's another option.

[Cnecki]

Thanks, I will do the research. Ya can't blame a girl for trying. :) I will look for it to purchase.

But Bob will the diet work without the shot they are talking about or do you have to go somewhere to get it?

Thanks

[turtlegirl]

Ummm, it seems like this diet expects people to restrict their intake of food to 500 calories a day?! :eek: Did I read that right? It sure doesn't sound very healthy, but of course anybody would shed a ton of weight if they only ate 500 calories every day. Wierd! But maybe I misinterpreted something...?

[Bobinator]

Thanks, I will do the research. Ya can't blame a girl for trying. :) I will look for it to purchase.

But Bob will the diet work without the shot they are talking about or do you have to go somewhere to get it?

Thanks

You have to order the HCG overseas. Only a few places in the world produce the stuff. Mine's came from Europe. This is where I got mine: www.hcgweight.com (http://www.hcgweight.com). There's also a forum you can ask questions and stuff from people currently doing the diet. I log on periodically.

[Bobinator]

Ummm, it seems like this diet expects people to restrict their intake of food to 500 calories a day?! :eek: Did I read that right? It sure doesn't sound very healthy, but of course anybody would shed a ton of weight if they only ate 500 calories every day. Wierd! But maybe I misinterpreted something...?

It's actually quite safe. The hcg causes the body to metabolize around 2,000 calories of your stored problem area fat. Supplement that with your 500 calories, and you're getting close to what you eat normally anyway. Besides, you're forced to eat good stuff. You'd be surpised how much vitamins and minerals are in stored fat. Studies showed no nutritional deficiencies during this diet with hcg. I never felt any...

The only downside for women is that you can't use oil based makeup, and you have to time it with your menses. The oil gets absorbed through your skin and counteracts the effects of the hcg. Guess you already guessed you can't cook with oil either.

I'll admit, the diet takes discipline, but it's worth it when you see your body changing shape and your scale registering lower numbers every day without much suffering. Most of my suffering was having to cook my 2 meals every single day and use a kitchen scale to measure everything. I would have occassional weakness in the legs, but never the shakes. Guess the glycogen was always on low so the body had to go after the fat stores on demand. However, I never got mentally fatigued, dizzy, etc. And, I never lost muscle mass.I also never had cravings and have lost some of the ones I had.

If you did 500 calories a day without the hcg, you'd be losing muscle, eating your shoe and crawling on all fours, biting the heads off your family and co-workers.

I spoke to an old pharmacist friend who knows about using hcg for weightloss. Says it's been used in the Phillipines for years. This is not something new, just a well hidden secret the FDA doesn't want you to know about for good reason- It threatens the multi-billion dollar diet industry that promotes diets and sells things that don't work. Capitalism at its worse.

One of the awesome things about the hcg is that its supposed to cause the skin to shrink as well, so you don't end up with wings (if you know what I mean). I've seen photos of this. Type "hcg" on youtube and watch.

[Amati]

That's the one. I understand it was also used in the 70's, but probably got squashed by the FDA, because it threatened a multi billion dollar weightloss industry that sells scams and doesn't confront the real problem with the food we eat and the stuff they put in it.
What is the source of the HCG? Isn't HCG a hormone extracted from urine of pregnant women? It seems to me if someone is concerned about "the stuff" that is put in food, well, sticking a needle full of a mystery urine product would be of more concern than "the stuff" they put in food.

[tutusue]

I know someone who was receiving doctor administered HCG shots during the mid-1960s. I don't recall what the food requirements were. He did lose weight.

[Composite 2992]

If someone injected me with a urine-based product without my knowledge, I'd be pissed! :-)

Seriously, everyone please be careful about these diets. Some are downright dangerous and can lead to serious malnutrition. 500 calories a day is what you'd get out of two potatos. It's less than what victims in Auchwitz were reporedtly fed: between 1300 (light work) to 1700 (hard labor) calories per day.

http://www.spectacle.org/695/food.html

Weight loss, and keeping the weight off, is mostly about lifestyle.

I spent several years on a bike, mostly for fun and fitness, and read a lot about exercising and eating right. I did several 100-mile century rides, went from Seattle to Portland one year, did a couple 135-mile "perimeter" rides around Oahu, and even raced one season. I learned a lot about nutrition and exercise in that time.

-- Carbs aren't evil. It's fuel. But if you're eating a lot of carbs you have to do a lot of work. Imagine your car having an elastic fuel tank. Pump in more gas than your car can burn and the tank keeps getting bigger. Drive farther every day and the tank gradually empties out. Simple physics, actually. Except in your body the surplus gets converted to lipds and stored away in adipose tissue (fat cells).

-- Your body is fueled mostly by glycogen (simple sugars) and lipids (fat). The two fuels could be thought of as gasoline which burns fast, and coal, which burns a lot slower.

-- Fat is hard to burn off. Your body will use available glycogen in the blood stream, then tap glycogen stored in the muscles, then tap on any glycogen reserves in the liver first before it starts burning fat reserves in earnest. The fat reserves are there for a survival mode when there's nothing else going in. However, to tap those reserves, the body has to convert the lipids to simpler molecules which can then be used by the cells' mitochondria.

-- Starvation can trigger the body into storing more in fat! This odd reaction is related to a survival mode in which those who were prone to storing more fat during periods of famine survived and procreated. It was discovered that Pima Indians have this trait, as well as some Polynesians. A diet that is tolerated by some "races" will cause devastating obesity and diabetes in others.

-- Long periods of low-level activity, along with a normal an balanced diet, is very effective at burning off fat reserves, but it takes time. To keep the weight off, you have to commit to the same lifestyle that got you to the weight you want to be. If you look at how humans evolved, a nomadic lifestyle meant doing long hours of walking. Lots of low-level activity over long periods of time. No wonder walking is such a great way to stay fit.

-- Fat isn't nutrient rich. It's just adipose tissue laden with lipoprotein. Same with glycogen which is just a simple sugar. Minerals and vitamins come from other sources including a variety of plants and animals. Humans evolved as omnivores.

-- NEVER exercise with a sweat suit. In Hawaii that's bound to land you in the ER with a bad case of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Sweat is there to help you cool off. And excess heat, which is what a sweat suit will cause, can lead to all sorts of heat-related injuries including physical collapse and brain damage. No kidding.

-- Eat less fat. Forget the fad FAT diets. Eating fat means stuffing your body with exactly what you're trying to burn off. Don't make a tough job tougher. Eat a balanced diet with a proper amount of carbs -- fuel -- fiber, minerals and vitamins. And believe it or not, meat is part of that since it's the only source of B-complex. Deprive yourself of vitamin B and you're going to develop nerve disorders including early-onset dementia.

-- Intense exercise tends to burn off more glycogen than fat in activities like running, hard swimming and weight lifting. Hard workouts won't help burn fat faster, but instead make the body burn a lower proportion of fat to glycogen. To burn a higher percentage of fat, reduce the intensity of activity. Hours of walking will burn a higher proportion of fat than hours of running.

-- Above all, commit to a level of fitness rather than commit to a number on a scale. Routine and reasonable exercise, along with a normal balanced diet, will result in long-term and satisfying results. Be aware that as fitness and muscle tone improve, weight can actually increase since muscle is much more dense than fat. Measuring girth can be a good indicator of success, much more so than weight.

Lower blood pressure, improved cholesterol levels, stamina and personal satisfaction beats what any scale can tell you any day.

[Bobinator]

Hcg isn't urine based. It is produced in the placenta and flushed out into the urine (about 30,000 I.U.'s a day). The manufacturer (Pregnyl) somehow collects it and puts it through a filtering and purifying process. Hey, I just saw a documentary on how some sewage treatment plants on the mainland purify sewage water and make it perfectly safe for human consumption!

Hcg is available here by perscription. We eat pork and other meat products, but we turn squeemesh imagining injecting an animal by-product in our bodies. (Go figure)!

Hcg is what they use to treat infertility in women. In fact, doctors inject 6,000 to 8,000 I.U.'s daily to help women get pregnant in fertility clinics and hospitals. All my family and friends in the medical field (doctors and nurses) know about hcg. In fact, more than one have been treated with it to get pregnant. In this diet, only 125 to 200 I.U.'s are prescribed daily- a very small amount in comparison. There are no known side effects. I did notice, however, that my skin became noticeably softer, and my complexion got better during the 3-weeks of treatment.

I agree everyone needs to do their research. Don't take my word for it.

[timkona]

I heard of this one diet plan called "Put Down The Fork"

Works like a charm I've heard.

[Leo Lakio]

Here's the two most important statements I can glean from this thread:I'll admit, the diet takes discipline
Weight loss, and keeping the weight off, is mostly about lifestyle.Now - time to look at the "Chocolate Haupia Cake" thread...

[tutusue]

Many prescriptions meds are also famous for weight gain as a side effect. That weight is very difficult to shed while still on the meds even with exercise and restricted calories. And, no, I'm not referring to HCG...just to an additional cause of weight gain!

[timkona]

Weight is a function of caloric intake, and caloric expenditure. Plain and simple. If you eat more than you need, you gain weight. Eat less, lose weight.

[tutusue]

I wish it was that easy, Tim, I truly do.

[Amati]

Hcg isn't urine based. It is produced in the placenta and flushed out into the urine (about 30,000 I.U.'s a day). The manufacturer (Pregnyl) somehow collects it and puts it through a filtering and purifying process.
That was my question - isn't HCG "somehow collected" from the urine of pregnant women??

[lavagal]

Weight is a function of caloric intake, and caloric expenditure. Plain and simple. If you eat more than you need, you gain weight. Eat less, lose weight.

Unless you're a woman held captive by her raging hormones despite daily exercise. OK, I'll admit it, sometimes calories in exceed calories out. Imagine if key-lime pie calories had the same composition of cobb salad calories! OK, dream's over.

[Composite 2992]

Many prescriptions meds are also famous for weight gain as a side effect. That weight is very difficult to shed while still on the meds even with exercise and restricted calories. And, no, I'm not referring to HCG...just to an additional cause of weight gain!

Some medical conditions can cause weight gain which isn't easily counteracted by the simple formula of "eat less, move more".

http://pituitary.mgh.harvard.edu/cushings.htm

"Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol. Sometimes called "hypercortisolism," it is relatively rare and most commonly affects adults aged 20 to 50. An estimated 10 to15 of every million people are affected each year."

http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2001/12.06/28-fatenzyme.html

"Single enzyme may be linked to obesity"

"The increased activity of a single enzyme in fat cells may be a common cause of obesity and obesity-linked diseases, including diabetes, according to an animal study conducted by researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and the University of Edinburgh and published in the Dec. 7 issue of Science. "

[Bobinator]

Some medical conditions can cause weight gain which isn't easily counteracted by the simple formula of "eat less, move more".


The same is true for people that have their bodies abused by the thousands of different chemicals and additives food growers and manufacturers are allowed to use, which then poisons us and screws up our metabolisms to the point where our bodies are programmed to store fat, and lots of it.

Stuff like hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, sucrose, artificial/chemical sweeteners like saccharine, aspartame, equal, even splenda, concentrated fruit juices, pesticides, herbacides, etc, just to name a few. Our bodies weren't design to consume these things and process fast absorbing sugars that are quickly converted to stored fat. Start reading food labels. You'll be surprised how much of them list corn syrup, hydrogenated oils and other crap I just mentioned above. Generally speaking, anything you can't pronounce or have difficulty pronouncing on the list of ingredients is not good for you.

Think about the antibiotics and growth hormone they pump in cows, chicken and pork. If it makes them get big and fat in a short amount of time, what do you think happens when we eat it? This is why there's so much emphasis today on eating 'organic'.

One of the thing the book points out is that there's a lot more obese people in American than in Europe, despite the European's heavy diet of fats, cheeses, pasta, alcohol, etc. It was pointed out that Europeans eat more natural foods and do their grocery shopping in open markets that provide more organic stuff. Diabetes has become an epidemic. And from what I understand, it's mainly in America.

[Amati]

Stuff like hydrogenated oils, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose, sucrose, artificial/chemical sweeteners like saccharine, aspartame, equal, even splenda, concentrated fruit juices, pesticides, herbacides, etc, just to name a few. .
Yeah, a little needle full of urine must be better than that.

[Bobinator]

Amati,

That was an ignorant statement.

[Composite 2992]

BTW, despite all the concern about mercury in tuna, fish is still among the better sources of protein. Wild caught fish contain no additives. No hormones. Can't say the same for farm-raised fish, especially salmon.

A number of studies have been conducted regarding mercury's effect on the general population as well as pregnant women and it appears there haven't been any cases of mercury poisoning recorded despite high levels of fish consumption in places such as Japan.

The only situation of mercury contamination's adverse effects was in Minamata where industrial sources of mercury contaminated the shellfish in the area.

Mercury in pelagic fish such as tuna come from other sources, such as volcanic ash, etc. The mercury is actually part of a compound and not raw metallic mercury. Because it's a compound, there isn't the sort of neurological damage normally associated with mercury. It's the same with silver amalgam fillings used in teeth. It contains a mercury compound yet there's no risk of neurological injury.

The tuna consumption study included subjects who ate routinely tuna more than 18 times a week with no adverse effects.

The bigger concerns with fish is the usual issues regarding how they're handled and processed. Fish that haven't been properly iced down can develop high levels of histamines and, of course other bacteria. Fish sold at our local auction block are always properly chilled from the time it's caught.

By the way, "fresh" sashimi can be as much as three weeks old by the time it gets to you. Longline boats are known to stay out to sea several days at a time. However, because the fish are buried in crushed ice it stays perfectly fresh the whole time. It's in the boat's best interest to bring back the best possible quality to get the most money for the catch.

Reef fish can contain a toxin called ciguatera. This toxin can cause serious poisoning that will have adverse effects on the nervous system. For more information, visit the Dept of Health website:

http://healthuser.hawaii.gov/health/about/pr/2002/02-36cig.html

[tutusue]

[...]
Reef fish can contain a toxin called ciguatera. This toxin can cause serious poisoning that will have adverse effects on the nervous system. For more information, visit the Dept of Health website:

http://healthuser.hawaii.gov/health/about/pr/2002/02-36cig.html
Reading this AND having a good friend who barely survived MRSA last week...well...just makes me wanna hibernate in some disinfected cocoon and never put food in my mouth again! :eek:

And, I'm not normally germ-phobic. That might change!

[Amati]

Amati,That was an ignorant statement.
No, I am the one who DOESN'T shoot urine into their body. Ignorant is the one who seriously thinks using a urine product will cure their bad eating habits on a permanent basis.

[Bobinator]

I bet the water you drank this morning made its way through a hundred toilets before it went in your mouth. I suppose you consider our tap water a product of sh_t too, right?

Your perspective is way off base. Hcg is a human hormone produced in placentas, not a urine by-product. You need to get your facts straight. Whether it's carried through blood or urine makes no difference. There is no urine in hcg.

Unless you're a Jehovah's Witness, I suppose you wouldn't accept an organ donation or blood transfusion either, or getting a flu shot or botox injections for your wrinkles either, cuz these are more hazardous or what you'd consider gross in comparison.

[Amati]

I bet the water you drank this morning made its way through a hundred toilets before it went in your mouth. I suppose you consider our tap water a product of sh_t too, right?

Your perspective is way off base. Hcg is a human hormone produced in placentas, not a urine by-product. You need to get your facts straight. Whether it's carried through blood or urine makes no difference. There is no urine in hcg.

Unless you're a Jehovah's Witness, I suppose you wouldn't accept an organ donation or blood transfusion either, or getting a flu shot or botox injections for your wrinkles either, cuz these are more hazardous or what you'd consider gross in comparison.
Rant all you want, but yes I'd consider it "gross" to shoot a filtered urine by-product into myself. I'll watch what I eat and get plenty of exercise if I need to lose weight, thank you very much.
And don't insult all the patients who need an organ transplant or blood transfusion to save their life by comparing them to someone who cannot put a fork down (thanks for that one, KonaTim) but instead uses a product made from the URINE of pregnant women.

[Bobinator]

Rant all you want, but yes I'd consider it "gross" to shoot a filtered urine by-product into myself. I'll watch what I eat and get plenty of exercise if I need to lose weight, thank you very much.
And don't insult all the patients who need an organ transplant or blood transfusion to save their life by comparing them to someone who cannot put a fork down (thanks for that one, KonaTim) but instead uses a product made from the URINE of pregnant women.

Filtered urine?? Made from urine???..................

Hold on a minute, I'm still trying to recover from this. That's pretty screwed up, man! If you said that before a panel of doctors, they'd eat you alive.

And BTW, don't go insulting all the millions of women going to fertility clinics either, or any other patient being treated with hcg for various other health issues.

[Leo Lakio]

Hcg isn't urine based. It is produced in the placenta and flushed out into the urine (about 30,000 I.U.'s a day). The manufacturer (Pregnyl) somehow collects it and puts it through a filtering and purifying process.Highlighted is the part that leaves this still too unresolved for my tastes.

From the hCG website you first linked to: HCG is a short form of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone, a body friendly substance that can be found in the urine of pregnant females.

Some fertility organizations do collect urine from pregnant women to extract hCG for use in fertility treatment. Pregnyl, Follutein, Profasi and Novarel are all known to be derived from the urine of pregnant women, so yes, one could comfortably say that hCG is "urine based."

That's not to say that the product itself isn't safe - but it might make people feel ooogie to know it; not everyone likes to think about other people's bodily fluids.

But I'm also one of those people who is skeptical about any "miraculous" weight-loss products. Sensible eating + an exercise regimen = the best solution for weight control, for most people. We like to put a little too much faith in the easy way out of our human challenges.

If it's working for you personally, Bobinator, congratulations - thank you for sharing the info. But you could lay off on condemning those who don't want to try it, especially if their resoning is solid.

[Amati]

Filtered urine?? Made from urine???..................
Hold on a minute, I'm still trying to recover from this. That's pretty screwed up, man! If you said that before a panel of doctors, they'd eat you alive.
And BTW, don't go insulting all the millions of women going to fertility clinics either, or any other patient being treated with hcg for various other health issues.

First, I think if you and I went before a "panel of doctors" and presented our opinions, I'd certainly have more support than you who thinks that having a shot of a product derived from the urine of pregnant women is the solution to permanant weight loss (yes, Bobinator, that is what the product is, regardless that you don't acknowledge it).

Second, using body tissues and fluids for a medically sound procedure is quite approprite, such as organ transplants, transfusions, and fertility. Health issues, YES, but victimizing a consumer who needs to instead learn about nutrition, that is a big NOOOOO. You did say you had to pay for these shots, right, someone is making some money off you buddy.

Nutrition, Bobinator, that is the secret. And it is free information. And taking a long walk every day will help too. HCG and junk food and all the beer you can shake a stick at aren't going to do it.

I had a fish burger, french fries and a 12 oz beer. Saturday night, I had steak, chicken, caesar salad and more beer than you can shake a stick at

[Leo Lakio]

Anyone who thinks shaking sticks at beer is a great way to spend the time needs to have their beer taken away, and given to someone who appreciates beer.


And don't shake the beer, either.



For that matter, hand over your car keys. Yes - hand 'em over. Right now.




Tsk.



Now behave - or you won't get your urine shot. :cool:

[Amati]

Anyone who thinks shaking sticks at beer is a great way to spend the time needs to have their beer taken away, and given to someone who appreciates beer.
And don't shake the beer, either.
For that matter, hand over your car keys. Yes - hand 'em over. Right now.
Tsk.Now behave - or you won't get your urine shot. :cool:
Hey, now that you mention it, maybe a bar could make a few buck off this ... shot of whiskey for you, shot of tequila for me, and shot of urine for you-know-who.:eek:

[Bobinator]

Hey, wait-a-minute, Amati! You were the one to throw the first crack. Don't blame others for your aggression.

Nutrition is the long term answer. But if you need to lose 60 Ibs. real quick and healthy to avoid an instant heart attack, my diet works and has been accomplished successfully by literally thousands of people, not only in this country, but around the world. As far as I know, it has a 100% success rate. I've never heard of any other diet that gets rid of only problem area fat, and keeps it off.

I'm no doctor, but I would imagine that all hormones and associated treatments are cultivated in similar fashion, so I guess everyone should be offended and grossed out.

But I guess Jenny Craig and Plus Size clothing stores create jobs....

[Leo Lakio]

As far as I know, it has a 100% success rate.Just don't include the cases of disfiguration and bladder cancer widely discussed across the internet. One example here (http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200113/000020011301A0244169.php), from which I quote:This is, to our best knowledge, the 22nd case report of .BETA.-HCG-producing bladder cancer in Japan.

[Composite 2992]

My own personal opinion:

Look to how human beings evolved, and then consider where your own ancestors came from and the conditions in which they lived.

It will provide clues to what you should eat and what your level of activity should be.

For the most part, humans spent a great deal of time being active. Even the agrarians were busy most of the day tending to crops.

What we ate came from many sources. Animal (including insects which some cultures consider prized). Vegetable. Grains.

So no matter what, you need to be active. Walk. Jog. Whatever it takes to be aerobic for a good chunk of the day.

And a balanced diet. Not all of one thing but a little bit of everything.

Above all, remember that it's now how long you live, but how well you live in the time you got.

[Amati]

Hey, wait-a-minute, Amati! You were the one to throw the first crack. Don't blame others for your aggression.

I don’t know how pointing out the fallacy of depending on a quick fix instead of a lifestyle change (i.e. improved eating habits and more exercise) is "blaming others for my aggression" …… but …. whatever. You are to be commended for wanting to improve your health by losing weight, but we will just have to agree to disagree on your method.

There is a lot of information about using Hcg, and the man who is promoting the product for his own profit. Anyone can google for the info. But I am going to give a few quotes about Hcg.

http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/hcg-weight-loss-should-you-use-hcg-for-weight-loss-315986.html

Hcg Weight Loss: Should you Use Hcg for Weight Loss?
Author: Star Smith
There is no scientific evidence supporting the claims that HCG causes significant weight loss. The manufacturers of HCG themselves are saying that this hormone doesn’t cause weight loss.

Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA): “There was no statistically significant difference between those receiving HCG vs. placebo during any phase of this study.”

Today is the day that you can make the decision to follow a sensible eating plan (don’t diet), eat more fruits and vegetables, eat less fatty junk food, drink more water, and get that body moving!
Good luck with your weight loss. I sincerely hope it is lifelong.

[Bobinator]

For the record, Amati, your posts were pretty sassy¸ do don’t try to back out of it.

The quotes you provided are typical rhetoric of those who have much to lose from the use of HCG. They are quite biased and untrue, and the book provides a very logical explanation to counter these claims.

First, it depends on how one defines “scientific evidence”, and the availability of honest studies that were conducted AND their publication. As far as I’m concerned, Dr. Simeon’s case studies on literally thousands of patients and the publication of his manuscript, “Pounds and Inches”, IS scientific evidence. The weightloss clinics around the world using this weight loss method HAS scientific evidence, otherwise the doctors there wouldn’t be prescribing them. I and thousands of others in the United States alone are living proof that it works. This is empirical evidence.

Second, of course hcg doesn’t cause weight loss! There was never any claim that it did. The 500 cal/day diet causes weight loss. HCG causes the body to mobilize and metabolize problem area fat for energy consumption, provided it is done while restricting one’s calories to just 500/day with certain types of food. The protocol is strict and does not recommend eating less or more than 500 calories/day or anything other than the prescribed food.

Third, the claim that there is no statistical significant difference between hcg users and non-users is completely false. You need to ask the following questions: 1) Did the test subjects for hcg follow the Simeon’s protocol exactly as prescribed? (I highly doubt it!), 2) What was the difference in the rate of weight loss between the two groups, 3) What kind of weight was loss? Was it muscle, fat, or both? If you say fat, then what type of fat? Was it circulatory, structural or problem area fat? (HCG gets rid of ONLY problem area fat, which is the last thing to go on any other diet), 4) Were the test subjects hungry, tired and fatigued?, 5) Did the test subjects retain their weight loss and get rid of cravings?

Those who follow the Simeon’s protocol will win at every question, hands down. You won’t find many studies comparing hcg and non-hcg users because most people can’t handle 500 calories/day for an extended period without hcg. In fact, it’s rather unhealthy. Most anyone who eats only 500 calories would be eating their shoes and biting people’s heads off, not to mention looking and feeling weak and unhealthy.

Do you really trust the FDA? This is the same government agency that allows saccharin, aspartame and other food enhancers, sweeteners and thousands of other chemicals in our food, despite them causing cancer and obesity in rats. The former FDA Commissioner, Herbert Ley, is quoted as saying that the FDA is more inclined to protected the multi-billion dollar corporations above the overall health and safety of the American people. If you google monosodium glutamate (msg), you’ll find a lot of websites and articles written by the so-called scientific community that it’s a natural product that is perfectly safe for consumption, despite the fact that approximately 1/3 of the population suffers some type of adverse effect, like headache, dry mouth, insomnia, increased appetite, increased heart rate, skin rash, etc. This alone demonstrates that the FDA would rather support the economy by allowing restaurants to make better tasting food to encourage the public to spend their money eating out rather than staying at home and eating healthy.

Futher, if you ask your typical M.D. about the use of herbs, they’ll either give you a blank stare or say something non-supportive or discouraging. Yet, try telling the Chinese that herbs don’t work, and they’ll laugh in your face.

You have to take the medical community and government reports with a grain of salt, cuz it’s always about the money.

[Composite 2992]

500 calories a day is far below the minimum recommended diet of 1,800 to 2,600 calories daily, depending on the level of activity and individual size.

Studies of Nazi concentration camp victims estimated daily caloric intake of less than 1,300 to as much as 1,700 calories a day under conditions of hard labor and extreme stress. Of the ones who weren't murdered directly, most died within 3 months due to malnutrition, along with a reduced resistance to disease associated with a starvation diet.

Anyone can lose weight dramatically at 500 calories a day. But there are risks. And sometimes the starvation protocol can backfire since certain ethnic groups seem to have evolved a natural reaction to starvation conditions: the body starts to accumulate fat as an automatic protection against extended periods of famine. This has been discovered among certain Pacific Islanders and the Pima native Americans.

The biggest concern is how long is the person kept at this starvation level. Along with the reduction in calories comes a severe reduction in other essential nutrients and that could lead to other problems linked to malnutrition.

Overall, it is much wiser and safer to adopt a reasonably reduced calorie, balanced diet. Combine it with a reasonable exercise plan. Just walking daily can go a long way toward improved health. Adopting a healthy lifestyle takes time, and the results aren't going to happen quickly, but it'll be better in the long run, and more likely to be maintained as a permanent lifestyle.

Shocking the body through starvation and extreme conditions can do a lot more harm than good. I've seen people who have lost large amounts of weight on fad diets, only to gain them all back and more within less than a year.

Friends who lost weight gradually, based on reasonable levels of nutrition and activity, tended to keep the weight off permanently.

[Amati]

For the record, Amati, your posts were pretty sassy¸ do don’t try to back out of it.
Forget it Bobinator. Be the jerk you want to be. And put all the urine products in your body you want. Drink urine for all I care.
Signed,
Sassy Amati

[Cnecki]

Yes, Yes I know eating less and exercising more is the answer and I have stopped fighting the inevitable. Now I walk with my two Akita's every night (well they drag me) and eat 4 to 5 times a day and believe it or not I am loosing weight. The other part of my weight problem is diabetes which I inherited from fada side.

Tanks Dad

And my abuse of food. Ho Hum I must find another way to entertain.......

But i do feel better now. The only problem is I feel like food is again dictating my life due to the diabetes. All I seem to do is eat eat eat sick of food now really.

But thanks for the info on the HCG diet, just not practical for me.

Bye

[TuNnL]

hcg doesn’t cause weight loss! There was never any claim that it did. The 500 cal/day diet causes weight loss. HCG causes the body to mobilize and metabolize problem area fat for energy consumption, provided it is done while restricting one’s calories to just 500/day with certain types of food. The protocol is strict and does not recommend eating less or more than 500 calories/day or anything other than the prescribed food.Let me start off Bobinator, by acknowledging that you are taking a beating in this thread, so let me just say that I am open to the idea that hCG could do what you say it does. The two main problems I have with it are less about skepticism, and more about side-effects.

First of all, I am not questioning this 500 calories/daily in the right person, since I am willing to subscribe to the idea that the hCG makes up for it. But that still does not take away from the fact that different bodies need a different amounts of calories. This is just Nutrition 101.

Secondly, hCG is a hormone. Any time you alter your hormones artificially, you are messing with the molecular structure of your cellular makeup. This is dangerous ground to be treading on. You are using hCG for its side-effect of assisting fat metabolization. It’s important to note, however, that the MAIN function of hCG in men is to synthesize testosterone. Unless you have testosterone problems, the only time it would be safe to do this, is if you are taking anabolic steroids. This is because taking steroids causes your pituitary gland to stop producing luteinizing hormone (LH) — which you need to trigger production of testosterone in your testes. hCG acts as substitute for LH in that process.

So what are the effects on a normal male? To my knowledge, you can OD on hCG which will cause your body’s natural testosterone production to shut down. Have you thought about the long-term consequences of your injections? :eek:

[tutusue]

I know someone who was receiving doctor administered HCG shots during the mid-1960s. I don't recall what the food requirements were. He did lose weight.
[...]
So what are the effects on a normal male? To my knowledge, you can OD on hCG which will cause your body’s natural testosterone production to shut down. Have you thought about the long-term consequences of your injections? :eek:
About a decade ago, when I learned of the demise of the man I mentioned above, my very first thought had to do with whether or not it was related to his HCG shots/diet treatment of long ago. I don't know and I'll never know but he did die at a younger age than I would've expected.

[Bobinator]

There are no known negative side effects from hcg. Ask any doctor. This is especially true for such a small amount (125-200 I.U's). Pregnant women produce upwards of 30,000 I.U.s/day. My allergies actually got better during the course, and I had stopped taking my allergy meds. I wouldn't have done it without tons of research beforehand. If you do a web search, you're not likely to find a single testimony of any adverse effects from hcg. Jump on any hcg forum, and you'll read nothing but positive results. I've spoken to several doctors and nurses who are familiar with hcg. None of them voiced any concern whatsoever, but were curious about my results. My sister-in-law is a head nurse in the pediatric ward never indicated any harmful effects from hcg.

Composite- You totally missed my point. People on this diet are getting approximately 2,500 cal/day. Around 2,000(+/-) from the metabolized fat. Otherwise, I would have been bed-ridden. Fat is 3,500 cal/Ib. When I calculated my actual weight loss (.82 Ibs./day) that was about right.

All I hoped to do was share something that changed my life in a real positive way and help others to achieve something they never could before. If you want to remain a close-minded sceptic without doing the research or trying it yourself, it's your life. I don't have a problem with those who question the protocol. I have a problem with those who close their minds to it before they actually know the facts and totally write it off out of pure ignorance.

[Leo Lakio]

There are no known negative side effects from hcg.So, you choose to ignore the link I provided earlier?
cases of disfiguration and bladder cancer widely discussed across the internet. One example here (http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200113/000020011301A0244169.php)

Bobinator, it's one thing for you to say that the product has done wonders for you. If that's so, congratulations! But you keep taking it so far beyond - to deny that the product might actually be unhealthy for some people, to claim that it is utterly harmless and completely successful, and that its creation has no connection to the urine of pregnant women, despite continued evidence to the contrary (including information from the manufacturers of hCG) posted throughout this thread. That's where your case crumbles. NOTHING is that perfect, and you continue to ignore anything that counters your belief system - yet you call others ignorant.

Re-read the thread, please. Look at all the links that have been provided. Note your own single-mindedness in responses. Check back in after you've done that, please.

[Composite 2992]

Composite- You totally missed my point. People on this diet are getting approximately 2,500 cal/day. Around 2,000(+/-) from the metabolized fat. Otherwise, I would have been bed-ridden. Fat is 3,500 cal/Ib. When I calculated my actual weight loss (.82 Ibs./day) that was about right.


My point is that 500 calories a day is a crash diet.

I'm not scoffing what you're trying to do. Instead I'm recommending that there are safer, wiser, carefully documented -- but slower -- ways to achieve your goal.

Unless properly supervised by someone who will keep track of your medical health, crash diets could lead to other problems that are just as serious as the excess weight one is trying to shed.

Any significant lifestyle change needs mutual support, too. The Dr. Dean Ornish (in Boston) program of extremely low fat, moderate exercise and stress reduction required participants to work as a group to provide positive feedback to one another.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornish_Diet

It is so far the only dietary program that has been proven to reduce dangerous coronary artery blockages. These people, who faced coronary artery bypass surgery, were able to reverse their serious conditions just through this program. But it wasn't easy. There was one death of someone who overworked himself too early in the program with intense exercise. Again, the key to success in this heralded lifestyle alteration was moderation in all aspects of the program.

In a crash diet you would be burning fat, but fat doesn't contain anything except calories to keep your basic metabolism going. Your body also needs a certain amount of other nutrients along the way to make sure what gets worn out is properly replaced. That includes bones, joints, muscles, nerve fibers, blood cells, your immune system, etc. For example, if the body doesn't get the protein it needs to function properly, it'll get it by breaking down muscle tissue and other parts of itself. It's like a ship at sea where the crew will start to tear apart less important bits of the vessel to stay afloat.

For example, your nervous needs a certain amount of calcium to function properly. If calcium isn't available, it'll take it from other sources -- bones -- leading to osteoperosis. Severe shortages of other nutrients, such as vitamin B, can lead to possibly irreversible neural damage. And even if calcium were available, without magnesium and vitamin D, it doesn't get incorporated into the bones. So again, a balanced diet is very important to maintain optimal health.

There are studies that seem to show that reducing the calories to a lower level can not only help control excess weight, but it might also extend an active lifespan as well. But it's also a balanced diet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorie_restriction

Even the surgical programs that alter the size of the stomach is paired up with an exercise program and close medical supervision. There's no shortcuts or magic to any of this.

My point in all this is that moderation and permanent lifestyle change is the healthiest way to do it, and the only one known to work over the long term.

Crash diets are known to cause more harm than good. When nutrition levels fall well below a certain point for an extended period of time, the body's natural response to that is to flip over into a survival mode -- when you start eating again at a normal level you'll find yourself gaining weight faster than ever. Because now your body will react to your forced starvation as a dangerous famine and store whatever it can to protect itself.

As a result, the weight roller-coasters high and low. The mental state can also slip toward depression due to radical changes in body chemistry and the psychological reaction to chasing an elusive weight goal.

Crash diets will work for a few months. But after a year the weight will come back if a more sustainable and reasonable program isn't properly implemented. And things will end up right back where they started.

Be safe. And do this wisely. That's the point I'm making.

[Composite 2992]

Here's something that might be interesting and useful:

Studies done right here by Dr. Terry Shintani. It proved extremely successful and beneficial in terms of weight loss and general health. I believe the program started in Waianae where people of Hawaiian ancestry seemed to have a higher than normal incidence of obesity and other related problems.

Google: terry shintani waianae diet program

http://www.ebiblediet.org/

Even Zippy's was offering Shintani-designed items on its menu.

Good luck and best of health!

[Bobinator]

So, you choose to ignore the link I provided earlier?


Bobinator, it's one thing for you to say that the product has done wonders for you. If that's so, congratulations! But you keep taking it so far beyond - to deny that the product might actually be unhealthy for some people, to claim that it is utterly harmless and completely successful, and that its creation has no connection to the urine of pregnant women, despite continued evidence to the contrary (including information from the manufacturers of hCG) posted throughout this thread. That's where your case crumbles. NOTHING is that perfect, and you continue to ignore anything that counters your belief system - yet you call others ignorant.

Re-read the thread, please. Look at all the links that have been provided. Note your own single-mindedness in responses. Check back in after you've done that, please.

If you read the articles carfully, you'll find that they're saying that the tumors/cancer is producing hcg in the body, not the other way around. There is an apparent association with hcg being present when these conditions exist. It never says hcg is causing the condition. And why would a 86 year old man be taking hcg. Trying to get pregnant? Please read your articles carefully before responding please.

[Bobinator]

My point is that 500 calories a day is a crash diet.

I'm not scoffing what you're trying to do. Instead I'm recommending that there are safer, wiser, carefully documented -- but slower -- ways to achieve your goal.

Unless properly supervised by someone who will keep track of your medical health, crash diets could lead to other problems that are just as serious as the excess weight one is trying to shed.

Any significant lifestyle change needs mutual support, too. The Dr. Dean Ornish (in Boston) program of extremely low fat, moderate exercise and stress reduction required participants to work as a group to provide positive feedback to one another.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornish_Diet

It is so far the only dietary program that has been proven to reduce dangerous coronary artery blockages. These people, who faced coronary artery bypass surgery, were able to reverse their serious conditions just through this program. But it wasn't easy. There was one death of someone who overworked himself too early in the program with intense exercise. Again, the key to success in this heralded lifestyle alteration was moderation in all aspects of the program.

In a crash diet you would be burning fat, but fat doesn't contain anything except calories to keep your basic metabolism going. Your body also needs a certain amount of other nutrients along the way to make sure what gets worn out is properly replaced. That includes bones, joints, muscles, nerve fibers, blood cells, your immune system, etc. For example, if the body doesn't get the protein it needs to function properly, it'll get it by breaking down muscle tissue and other parts of itself. It's like a ship at sea where the crew will start to tear apart less important bits of the vessel to stay afloat.

For example, your nervous needs a certain amount of calcium to function properly. If calcium isn't available, it'll take it from other sources -- bones -- leading to osteoperosis. Severe shortages of other nutrients, such as vitamin B, can lead to possibly irreversible neural damage. And even if calcium were available, without magnesium and vitamin D, it doesn't get incorporated into the bones. So again, a balanced diet is very important to maintain optimal health.

There are studies that seem to show that reducing the calories to a lower level can not only help control excess weight, but it might also extend an active lifespan as well. But it's also a balanced diet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calorie_restriction

Even the surgical programs that alter the size of the stomach is paired up with an exercise program and close medical supervision. There's no shortcuts or magic to any of this.

My point in all this is that moderation and permanent lifestyle change is the healthiest way to do it, and the only one known to work over the long term.

Crash diets are known to cause more harm than good. When nutrition levels fall well below a certain point for an extended period of time, the body's natural response to that is to flip over into a survival mode -- when you start eating again at a normal level you'll find yourself gaining weight faster than ever. Because now your body will react to your forced starvation as a dangerous famine and store whatever it can to protect itself.

As a result, the weight roller-coasters high and low. The mental state can also slip toward depression due to radical changes in body chemistry and the psychological reaction to chasing an elusive weight goal.

Crash diets will work for a few months. But after a year the weight will come back if a more sustainable and reasonable program isn't properly implemented. And things will end up right back where they started.

Be safe. And do this wisely. That's the point I'm making.

You're still missing the point and disregarded everything I've said. It is NOT a crash diet. You define crash diet as consuming only 500 calories/day. I'll repeat myself- My body was consuming approximately 2,500 cal/day. Get it? Studies done indicated there is no vitamin and mineral deficiency in anyone following the Simeon's protocol, because the stored fat contains those things. I certainly didn't feel any of the "crash diet" symptoms you described. So I must not have been on one.

You are right, inasmuch as a lifestyle change is required to follow any diet. I agree 100%. The Simeon's diet protocol requires the same, but also requires avoiding junk processed food, highly refined sugars and eating organic as much as possible, getting lots of sleep and drinking a lot of water, eating 6 small meals vs. 2 or 3 big ones is another trick. Eating 2 apples and a grapefruit a day will also help, as well as taking apple cider vinegar, cinnamon and coconut oil, to name a few.

[Leo Lakio]

If you read the articles carfully, you'll find that they're saying that the tumors/cancer is producing hcg in the body, not the other way around.So they do, so they do. I didn't pick up on the use of the hyphen (-producing). You are correct.

But this part still stands, especially the highlight: to deny that the product might actually be unhealthy for some people, to claim that it is utterly harmless and completely successful, and that its creation has no connection to the urine of pregnant women, despite continued evidence to the contrary (including information from the manufacturers of hCG)

[Bobinator]

Here's something that might be interesting and useful:

Studies done right here by Dr. Terry Shintani. It proved extremely successful and beneficial in terms of weight loss and general health. I believe the program started in Waianae where people of Hawaiian ancestry seemed to have a higher than normal incidence of obesity and other related problems.

Google: terry shintani waianae diet program

http://www.ebiblediet.org/

Even Zippy's was offering Shintani-designed items on its menu.

Good luck and best of health!

Dr. Shintani is a good man. My parents just went to one of his seminars the other week. He confirmed a lot of things I've learned from the book I mentioned at the start of this thread, which unfortunately, people like to trash and discount even before reading it.

The irony is that Zippy's is one of those restaurant chains that uses things in it's food that causes obesity.

Thanx for sharing the link.

[tutusue]

[...]
The irony is that Zippy's is one of those restaurant chains that uses things in it's food that causes obesity.[...]
Dr. Shintani was the doc I saw for general health care at Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center when my doc wasn't available. Dr. Shintani was very concerned about ingredients. I'd be surprised if he didn't dictate the ingredients to be used in any Zippy's food bearing his name.

[Composite 2992]

The Shintani items at Zippys were approved by the good doctor. So while Zippys is known for food that contradicts a good diet, the Shintani items were healthy.

[Composite 2992]

It is NOT a crash diet. You define crash diet as consuming only 500 calories/day. I'll repeat myself- My body was consuming approximately 2,500 cal/day.

Studies were done on the Simeon diet? What studies? Conducted by whom? With what credentials? Reviewed by what body? Was it a carefully designed and conducted study or is it a collection of personal anecdotes?

Here's a double-blind study published in the Western Journal of Medicine. Double-blind means neither the participants nor the people administering HCG were aware of whether the real thing or a placebo was used.

http://healthread.net/simeon-wt-loss.pdf

Results: HCG provided no measurable differences in weight loss, fat distribution or psychological disposition when following Simeon's protocol.

500 calories a day is 1/4 of what a normal human being should be eating on a daily basis, whether they're on a diet or not. By definition it's a starvation diet. And by definition, starvation is a crash diet.

Put anyone on that many calories in a prison and accusations of cruel punishment would arise.

Your body certainly is consuming more calories than you might be consuming. But if you go below a certain threshold, you're putting yourself into a starvation situation and your body WILL react accordingly. It'll take nutrients from existing tissues and dismantle parts of itself to maintain what nature considers to be the most essential systems: your brain being the top of the ladder. Your bones and muscles being the first to take the hit, even if you still have lots of body fat remaining.

That's why severe diet protocols often increase the risk of dying. Organ damage is one risk. Some can suffer from spontaneous fractures due to osteoporois. I'm not making any of this stuff up. Read the medical reports. Google "obesity crash diet" and find out how crash diets are defined and the risks they pose. Read about the "yo yo" effect where weight loss turns to weight gain because of crash diets.

There's lots of GOOD information on the web if you're willing to learn and truly understand the nature of the human body. As a long-distance cyclist and someone who participated in a lot of endurance-related activities, I had to learn this stuff or suffer the consequences.

That included a 135-miles on a bike, non-stop, around Oahu for 9 hours. And there was a two-day, 200-mile ride from Seattle to Portland, Oregon. I know what it takes to trigger the body into burning fat, because it's a great source of energy for endurance sports. And you don't do it by starving yourself but by carefully monitoring and adjusting your activity level.

The human body always burns fat. But it won't do that if it's being starved. So you'll see triathletes and Tour de France racers eating on the run and drinking stuff laced with electrolytes and complex carbohydrates.

Adipose tissue, body fat, contains lipids. Maybe some hormones but little else. Look it up and see what scientific analysis has to say about it.

These lipids are eventually converted to glycogen, the body's basic fuel. Adipose tissue is NOT a source of any other nutrients. Whoever makes a claim that body fat contains anything other than plain old fat is outright lying or has no knowledge of basic biology.

If you don't trust good science -- information that has been carefully acquired, questioned and properly tested -- then there's no point in any of this discussion. You'd rather comfort yourself with is misleading, unsupported and potentially dangerous claims.

These facts can be found in any properly written tome on human biology.

I'm not trying to knock a diet plan. I'm trying to inform people about what constitutes a safe and carefully tested weight loss process.

[Amati]

Studies were done on the Simeon diet? What studies? Conducted by whom? With what credentials? Reviewed by what body? Was it a carefully designed and conducted study or is it a collection of personal anecdotes?

Hey Composit, I can tell you like the scientific approach. Here's a few (more):
http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/29/9/940
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

In a double-blind study, “There was no statistically significant difference in the means of the two groups in number of injections received, weight loss, percent of weight loss, hip and waist circumference, weight loss per injections, or in hunger ratings. HCG does not appear to enhance the effectiveness of a rigidly imposed regimen for weight reduction.”.


http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez
Pubmed

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, “Subjects receiving HCG injections showed no advantages over those on placebo in respect of any of the variables recorded. Furthermore, weight loss on our diet was similar to that on severely restricted intake. We conclude that there is no rationale for the use of HCG injections in the treatment of obesity.”.

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/982252/hcg_diet_studies_show_results_equal.html?page=2&cat=5
HCG Diet Studies Show Results Equal to Placebo
By Brad Sylvester

"Here are the results of actual scientifically controlled studies which were conducted in 1976, 1987, 1990, and 1995. Do we really have to perform the study again every time the hCG marketing engine revs up for another round of money making? In 1976, Researchers Stein, Julis, Peck , Hinshaw, Sawicki, and Deller concluded: "There was no statistically significant difference in the means of the two groups in number of injections received, weight loss, percent of weight loss, hip and waist circumference, weight loss per injections, or in hunger ratings. HCG does not appear to enhance the effectiveness of a rigidly imposed regimen for weight reduction." A review of 20 available studies published in the German Medical Journal "Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde" concluded "These studies showed a significant weight reduction during dieting, but no differences between treatment groups in respect of body weight, body proportions and feeling of hunger," and "...the opinion of the German steroid toxicology panel is still valid, that hCG is ineffective in dieting and should not be used." A review of the data by Lijesen, Theeuwen, Assendelft, and Van Der Wal published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology said plainly "We conclude that there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity; it does not bring about weight-loss of fat-redistribution, nor does it reduce hunger or induce a feeling of well-being." There are more, but I'll save you the time, the conclusions are the same."

[tutusue]

Ya know, in all fairness to Bobinator, s/he has had success in losing weight with this diet, as did my friend during the 1960s, regardless of the studies. Most diet plans can make that claim. If any of us want to chance possible medical complications from any diet plan, well, that's our individual prerogative...isn't it! ;)

[Composite 2992]

If any of us want to chance possible medical complications from any diet plan, well, that's our individual prerogative...isn't it! ;)

That's true. It is an individual choice.

But I get concerned when an occasional success story misleads others into thinking that reckless and risky dieting is a quick cure-all, when there are so many safe, proven and effective options out there.

Check out "You on a Diet" on the Discovery Health channel.
http://health.discovery.com/fansites/droz/droz.html

Another good book: "Fit or Fat" by Covert Bailey. Easy reading. Lots of good info. He equates increased muscle density with increased metabolism and fat burn-off. He also warns that with a really good program you won't really lose as much weight as expected: Building muscle -- which is denser than fat -- will actually counteract weight loss even though you're burning off fat. So a good measure of a program? Girth measurement. Also: blood pressure, endurance and general fitness.

[tutusue]

That's true. It is an individual choice.

But I get concerned when an occasional success story misleads others into thinking that reckless and risky dieting is a quick cure-all, when there are so many safe, proven and effective options out there.

Check out "You on a Diet" on the Discovery Health channel.
http://health.discovery.com/fansites/droz/droz.html
I saw this show for the first time last night. Dr. Oz makes so much sense. That said, my body doesn't like carbs as much as it likes protein! I feel terrific on a low carb (note...not NO carb) eating plan. It's a huge difference for me altho' I don't lose any weight. My lab work tells the truth, tho'! To quote my doc, "Amazing!". But even low carb is controversial so I tend to keep it to myself except in low carb forums! What's right for one person isn't necessarily right for another.
Another good book: "Fit or Fat" by Covert Bailey. Easy reading. Lots of good info. He equates increased muscle density with increased metabolism and fat burn-off. He also warns that with a really good program you won't really lose as much weight as expected: Building muscle -- which is denser than fat -- will actually counteract weight loss even though you're burning off fat. So a good measure of a program? Girth measurement. Also: blood pressure, endurance and general fitness.
The muscle density/weight issue is also covered by at least one low carb proponent. IOW, weight loss is best judged by how your clothes fit rather than what the scale says!

I read "Fit or Fat" when it first came out. I was extremely fit at the time and wanted to stay that way. :rolleyes:

[Composite 2992]

But even low carb is controversial so I tend to keep it to myself except in low carb forums! What's right for one person isn't necessarily right for another.

There are Sidney and Harvard University studies which looked at how much time it took for the body to assimilate certain carbohydrates.

Two ratings, "glycemic index" and "glycemic load" were developed and several foods were tested. They took note of what was eaten, how much time elapsed, and what the blood sugar levels were.

http://www.glycemicindex.com/
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/carbohydrates-full-story/index.html

Apparently white rice and many other similar foods gets turned into glycogen as quickly as white sugar, which is alarming! These carbohydrates -- even the ones thought to be complex carbohydrates -- can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels and wreak havoc on people who are at risk of diabetes.

So the "low carbs" diet has some basis in fact. Just need to balance this with an appropriate amount of proteins and not over-do any one thing. Again, as it is with all else in life, always in balance. And having several small meals a day instead of a few large ones also make sense since this is how we evolved. Primitive man ate as they foraged, like the way primates do in the wild. Makes sense to continue doing that since that's how the body seems to operate.