HCG Diet for Beginners: 12 Common Mistakes
The HCG diet is marketed as leading to rapid weight loss and based on the idea of altering the body’s hormones to turn fat into fuel. With a full understanding of what can you eat on the hCG diet and by strictly following protocol, you can increase the chances of effective and lasting results for a healthy weight.
What is the HCG diet?
Human chorionic gonadotropin, or HCG for short, is a hormone produced by the placenta during pregnancy and absorbed by the fetus for growth. But pregnancy has little to do with the diet. The HCG plan for losing weight combines a low-calorie diet with HCG injections or supplements.
What are the phases of the HCG diet?
The phases of the HCG diet include:
Loading phase
The loading phase prepares the body for the upcoming caloric limitations it will experience during the next phase (weight loss phase). During the first two-day loading phase, you eat as much high-fat, high-calorie foods as possible. Daily HCG hormone supplements or injections are also taken.
Weight loss phase
This phase is where the recommended 500 – 800 calorie intake is spread over two meals per day. The weight loss phase can last between three to six weeks, which depends on the person’s goals. It is important to continue with the HCG injections.
Maintenance phase
Once the required weight has been shed, the dieter gradually withdraws from HCG supplementation while beginning to increase the calorie intake. To maintain weight loss, it is estimated that 1,200 to 1,500 calories per day is an appropriate target.
What can you eat on the HCG diet?
During the short loading phase, there are no restrictions whatsoever on what or how much you can eat. But once the first two days are over and the weight loss phase starts, some foods are disallowed and a few that are acceptable such as certain fruits, non-starchy vegetables, lean meat, and white fish.
What are the common mistakes beginners make on HCG diet?
The HCG diet for beginners requires learning and understanding so you can avoid the common mistakes most people make that leave them with failed results.
Not following HCG diet protocol
Knowing how to start the HCG diet and stick to it is key to building consistency that is essential to the protocol’s success. It’s critical to fully comprehend what the diet plan contains if you want to get the best effects from it. That way, you can adhere to the guidelines for ideal outcomes.
Not drinking enough water
To avoid overeating while on the HCG Diet, it is extremely important to drink plenty of water. Sometimes you may mistakenly believe that you are hungry when you are thirsty or dehydrated. Before devouring more food, have a glass of water instead.
Make sure you drink throughout the day. And not all at once.
Our kidneys can only process so much water in one go. Drinking too much at once is not beneficial to the kidneys and it can cause an electrolyte imbalance and dilution of salt in your blood. Drink a minimum of 2 liters of water over the span of a day.
Eating the wrong food
The HCG Diet plan is highly specific about what foods you may and cannot eat. The guideline outlines which foods you can eat and which you should stay away from. You must be mindful of portion sizes to keep inside the daily calorie consumption cap.
Skipping HCG Doses
Skipping doses of HCG supplementation is another aspect of what not to do on the HCG diet. It is important to be consistent and stick to the schedule. When you do accidentally miss a dose, just resume your original course as soon as you can.
Skipping Meals
Skipping doses of HCG supplementation is another aspect of what not to do on the HCG diet. It is important to be consistent and stick to the schedule. When you do accidentally miss a dose, just resume your original course as soon as you can.
Excessive exercise
Over-exercising on the HCG diet will leave you feeling extremely weak, hungry, and exhausted because you are burning far more calories than your daily intake. Follow a gentle exercise routine that leaves you feeling invigorated and refreshed.
Eating canned food
Sometimes you may be eating the right food but in the wrong form. Canned goods contain preservatives and are loaded with sodium that can negatively impact on your body and interfere with your hormones.
Added Sugar (sweet drinks, seasonings, and sauces)
Any drinks or foods with added sugar and sauces are off-limits too. Read the labels on every item before you consume it to ensure none of the ingredients are going to slow down your weight loss progress. The smallest deviation can have a big impact.
Not getting enough sleep
Proper rest has a profound impact on our hormones and when they are out of balance, it negatively affects sleep. A lack of sleep can stimulate hunger and food cravings and increase the urge to opt for quick easy food choices. This combination interrupts the HCG diet protocol.
Not tracking your progress
Keeping a journal while on the HCG diet is one of the best tools for keeping tabs on what you are really eating daily. This helps you evaluate each phase, your weight changes based on meals and activity, and whether you are on track to achieve your goals.
Not counting calories
When it comes to portion sizes, the HCG diet program is highly specific. To make sure you don’t consume too many calories, you must measure your food portions. Don’t guess portion sizes or estimate calories. It is important to be accurate.
Why is it worth all the effort to succeed in the HCG Diet?
The HCG diet is a low-fat and low-calorie eating regimen. Most people go on a diet to lose weight, but many fail because they don’t have the willpower or discipline to stick to the program, especially when they feel restricted, deprived, or regimented.
The HCG diet is a short-term eating strategy that can help in losing significant amounts of weight. But the big secret to achieving these results is only through consistency and commitment.
