A lot of people in my area are doing the so called "hcg diet". Most of them are losing weight too. The thing is that they aren't even taking hcg. They are taking "homeopathic hcg drops", which by the very definition of homeopathic have absolutely no active ingredient. So it's really just a placebo. The reason that they are losing weight is because they are only eating 500 calories a day. Severe calorie restriction will work for anyone. Try it. Here is a link that might be useful: HCG diet info

Hey Kate how are you doing? So nice to hear from you? How's the bath coming along? I got my tile in and was working on getting the cabinet made and darn if that thick green glass sink that I have never used is having issues with the glue they used. It's turning yellow! Ahhh can't believe it! The whole room was decorated around this sink! Anyway can I ask why / what was wrong with the diet wasit the amount of food? Did you give it enough time? I just started drops today and I was suppose to eat eat eat but I just can't do that. I ate some different stuff but I don't think I ate any extra. if I could dump 70 lbs I would be very happy. I figure with the diabetes I will make that my first priorty. I will eat more then the 500 if needed and check my sugar often. I am really hoping that I can get out of this diabetic state. At least that's my plan I asked the head of the physians practice about a year ago and he didn't endorse it said was not safe I replied neither is diabetes & HBP I would love to know more of what your dr had to say and your thoughts on the matter. It was great to hear from you hope all is well. Jeanene

I began the HCG shots on Sept 1st and as of today I have lost 11 pounds, not bad for someone who has tried everything within the past 3 years only to watch the scale continue to climb. As much as I am thrilled with this diet, I don't find it as easy as some profess. For instance, I seem to battle hunger pains daily, and though some days are better than others I am hungry a lot. I also have days where I crave starchy foods, breads mostly. A few days ago I was on the third day of a plateau with horrible hunger. I decided to take Trudeau's revised advise and get a 30 minute accupresure massage (fully clothed). Amazingly my hunger was gone for 2 days and the next day there was a 3 pound drop in weight. though I'd love to be able to get a daily massage, weekly is much more realistic. Can any one tell me if such hunger is normal during the protocal, if so what can be done about it?

Harold - I had tried to low-fat / low-cal dieting in the past with little results. With or without exercise. The drinking I cut out completely, especially with the beer I drink (and only beer too). I have the 'gift' of being able to go no-drink at all for a while, or drink like fish (depending on mood). Though, from what I have been reading, they do forgive you one glass of red wine, or a spirit. One major thing that I am noticing is that the HCG is based on the original version (I discount Trudeau). What many people fail to take into account is the many changes in food over the past 30 years. What was available then and now has drastically changed. For example, I love Black Cherry Seltzer water - delicious. The one I drink is Zero calories, sugar, fat and naturally flavoured without extra chemicals that I can't pronounce. According the original diet - this is a big "NO". I believe that there is a large amount of latitude in the diet provided you follow it using common sense. I am moving into Day 5 (began at 201lbs - pre-load - 205lbs post-load) with a rotating work schedule which has me going to bed at 8am (taking my injection), then waking early afternoon for lunch, then having dinner around 11pm. So I will be interested to see how my body reacts. I have gotten the headaches - but a quick tablet and a nights sleep and it was clear. Not too much on the hunger pangs - only when I eat do I not feel full. I guess that is what the water helps to fill. Although, and I only began to notice this an hour or so ago, I have been awake since 8am (EST) and it is now passing 4am (EST) and I don't "look" tired and my face seems to have a comfortable "glow"... perhaps the weight loss will be attributed to my finally giving birth after so many years :-) As for exercise, I have been going to the Gym since 2007, first on a Mon, Wed, Fri schedule - presently (prior to HCG) on a 2xMon, 2xTue, 2xWed, 2xThu schedule. I roughly walk about 1-2 miles per day at my office (lot of leg work involved). I think my thought on uploading to Youtube may have been premature - my hectic schedule does not seem to allow the devotion to doing it.. so I guess it may be limited to my posting here. Until then, be happy.