Q: CAN I EXERCISE ON THE HCG DIET?
Exercising on the HCG diet can actually hinder weight loss, slow the metabolism and is not recommended on a 500 calorie diet. If exercise is done while on the HCG diet, the body will begin believe that it needs more energy and can begin take away lean muscle mass. A daily 30-minute walk is recommended, provided you do not already have a strenuous daily routine, but adding extra exercise will not aid in weight loss on the HCG diet.
Q: WHERE SHOULD HCG BE INJECTED?
The HCG hormone is given via subcutaneous injection and absorbed through fatty tissue. The injection is given in a very small insulin syringe and can be injected in any area on the body that fat is pocketed. The most common injection sites include the abdomen, thighs, upper backs of the arms, and the lower back. Injection sites can be rotated to prevent discomfort. Click here for more information on the HCG injections and a step-by-step injection guide.
Q: IS HCG SAFE?
HCG is considered safe. Women experience very high levels of HCG during pregnancy without any negative side effects. At Nu Image Medical®, we provide 100% pure HCG by prescription only. We do not use homeopathic or hormone-free product that can be harmful to the body. It is also important while on HCG, to follow a physician-guided diet protocol and have access to medical assistance throughout the program in case you should have a question or need some additional help. If for some reason, we felt the diet may not be in your best interest due to a particular medical concern, you may not be approved to start the HCG program. If this happens, there is no charge. We do have other weight loss supplements, such as the Ultraburn injections and/or capsules that may help you better reach your weight loss goals. Click here to learn more about Ultraburn.
Q: WILL HCG INTERFERE WITH ANY MEDICATIONS?
HCG is NOT contraindicated with any medications. Please continue taking ALL medications prescribed to you by your physician or primary care provider. Most over the counter medications are compatible with HCG as well. However, make sure to check the label for any sugar alcohols or additives as these may prevent weight loss and halt success on the program. For example: gummy vitamins, cough syrup, etc. If you have any questions about a particular medication, please contact us .
Q: WHAT HAPPENS IF I MISS A DOSE OR AN INJECTION?
The HCG remains in the body for roughly 3 days. It is best to take the HCG each morning upon wakening. Associating taking the hormone with a daily task such as weighing or brushing your teeth may help you remember. However, if you forget the dose several hours later, you may simply give yourself the injection at that time. If you skip an entire day, do not double your dose the next day. Documenting that you took your HCG each day will prevent double dosing and help avoid being short medication.
Q: DOES THE HCG HAVE TO BE REFRIGERATED?
The HCG injections and HCG drops are shipped UNMIXED, therefor they do not have to be refrigerated at this point. Once MIXED, both the HCG injections and drops MUST stay refrigerated for the remained of use time. Mixing instructions can be found on the website. If vials are left out for longer than 6 hours, the medication potency may be affected. If you are a frequent traveler, or have minimal access to refrigeration, the HCG pellets may be a much easier option to consider when ordering because they do not require mixing or refrigeration.
Q: WILL I BE HUNGRY ON THIS DIET?
Because HCG mobilizes fat and makes it available to the body as an energy source, appetite is naturally reduced. This fat utilization is referred to as ketosis. It is very important to keep calories low on HCG for the body to be reliant on fat stores for energy and thus suppress hunger. Most people have plenty of energy and feel good while on the program. All of our HCG products at Nu Image Medical® also come compounded with B12 to additionally help increase energy levels.
Q: WHAT IF MY WEIGHT PLATEAUS?
It is very common for both men and women to experience a weight plateau on any weight loss program. This can happen for many reasons. Weight loss can vary from person to person depending on the amount of weight to lose and adherence to the diet. If all possible explanations for weight stalling have been surveyed, such as cheating, an upcoming menstrual cycle, too much exercise, under eating, etc., the answer may point to fluid retention. On the 4th day of a weight plateau, an “Apple Day” may be implemented. This plateau breaker instructs to eat only 6 green apples for the entire day and decrease your fluid intake by half.
Another plateau breaker is the “Steak Day” which involves fasting for the entire day and only drinking fluids and then eating a large steak (8-10 oz.) for dinner. Both of these plateau breakers have proven great results. They should be used sparingly and only when needed. They are not meant to be used to correct cheating on the diet.
Q: DO I NEED TO EAT ALL ORGANIC FOODS?
According to Dr. Simeons protocol, it is recommended to eat all organic products especially proteins. Non-organic poultry, vegetables, fruit, and beef may contain preservatives, antibiotics, herbicides, pesticides and flavor enhancers. If you do not have access to all organic foods, wash all produce thoroughly, and drink only filtered or bottled water.
Q: WHY IS A COLON CLEANSE SUGGESTED DURING PHASE 1?
Detoxifying the colon is essential in maintaining digestive health. Toxins from air, water, and food can build up over time within the body. Similar to many diet detox programs, the colon cleanse is used to detoxify the system and prep the body for the 500 calorie diet. The colon cleanse is also suggested to rid the colon of candida albicans yeast. This yeast can commonly be found in small amounts within the intestine and vaginal area. Excess yeast in the colon is believed to inhibit digestion.
Q: IS IT NECESSARY TO GORGE DURING THE FIRST 2 DAYS?
Gorging, also referred to as loading, is a very important part of the HCG diet and should not be overlooked. It takes 2-3 days for HCG to fully get into the body and begin to pull fat into the bloodstream for energy use. Utilizing fat for energy, also known as ketosis, is a natural appetite suppressant and is what prevents hunger throughout the HCG program. The diet can be very uncomfortable if 500 calories is started too early without the HCG present in the body. Loading will help build up fat reserves in the blood; so that once the HCG is fully working in the body and calories are restricted, hunger is better controlled. These 2 days of loading must be done while taking HCG. Foods to focus on while loading include, but are not limited to: avocados, almonds, cheese, butter, sour cream, etc. Limiting foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugar and focusing on high fat foods instead can help achieve all of the loading benefit while preventing heavy carb withdrawals when starting the 500 calories.
Q: WHAT IF I FEEL CONSTIPATED ON THE DIET OR CAN’T GO TO THE BATHROOM?
It is completely normal to experience some changes in bowel habits when on a low calorie diet like HCG. If you are consuming smaller amounts of food, less will need to be secreted as waste. For some, this may mean not having a bowel movement every day or even every other day. Again, this is normal when on a 500-calorie diet. However, if you have not experienced a bowel movement in more than 5-7 days and you are experiencing some unpleasant side effects of constipation including a distended or swollen abdomen, cramping, etc., a mild laxative may be used. As a rule, always remember to first drink plenty of water throughout the day to stimulate your bowels. The 30-minute daily walk may also help. If you are still in need of a laxative, we recommend taking Miralax® OTC to aid in digestion or Smooth Move Tea. Both of these products are gentle to the digestive system and are only recommended to use as a last resort when needed. They should not be used to correct cheating on the diet or to increase weight loss. Overuse of laxatives and bowel stimulants can prevent your bowels from functioning normally on their own.
Q: WHAT IS HUMAN CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN (HCG) AND HOW DOES IT WORK FOR WEIGHT LOSS?
Human chorionic gonadotropin, also known as HCG, is a hormone naturally produced by the body. It has many functions and is used medically in very high doses to treat a variety of conditions such as increased testosterone in males and infertility in women. It is the hormone found most often in women during pregnancy. This hormone has a unique property that allows the body to mobilize fat and make it available for energy use for both mother and fetus if there is a need. For weight loss, a small amount of the hormone is given, which makes fat stores readily available for use, and it is combined with a calorie restricted diet so that the body reverts to the available fat stores and utilizes them for energy and nourishment.
Q: WOULDN’T I LOSE WEIGHT EATING A VERY LOW CALORIE DIET WITHOUT THE HCG?
It is certainly possible to lose weight by simply eating fewer calories and fat. However, because the body stores fat during times of deprivation, muscle and structural fat are often the first to be depleted. This method of starvation, which is very harmful to the body, will slow the metabolism. Many people find that they lose weight but then gain it all back plus more. HCG alone will not help you lose weight. The HCG medication must be combined with proper nutrition and a low calorie diet to help achieve weight loss.
Q: WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE CALLING HCG THE “HCG-CURE?”
The HCG diet is also being referred to as the “HCG-Cure”, because it works to re-program your body to use stored fat for energy when calories are reduced for periods of time. The HCG diet has been proven to be effective in men and women of all different body types. It has even proven to provide numerous weight loss success stories for conditions such as hypothyroidism and menopause, for which other diets have failed.
Q: IS IT NORMAL TO EXPERIENCE MENSTRUAL SPOTTING WHILE ON THE PROGRAM EVEN IN MENOPAUSE?
Some women and postmenopausal women have reported a small amount of spotting while taking HCG. This is the body’s reaction to an increase in hormone production and is not considered a health concern. If you still have a monthly menstrual cycle, the HCG should be stopped during the heaviest days and resumed when bleeding lessens. The 500-calorie diet should be continued, as HCG is still present within the body.