More than half of adults (55%) in the United States say they want to lose weight, according to a recent report. Women are more likely to report that they want to lose weight—61% versus 49% of men. However, just 26% of American adults say they are actively attempting to lose weight (29% of women and 23% of men).
If you are keen to lose those excess pounds, it can be difficult to find a program that is effective. One popular and effective program is the HCG weight loss program. This diet has been popular for many years and may help you to get in shape and reach your health and fitness goals.
In this blog post, we will highlight everything you need to know about the HCG diet. This includes what it is, the role of HCG in the body, how it contributes to weight loss, and the rules of the diet. Let’s get started.
What Is HCG?
HCG is a hormone that stands for human chorionic gonadotropin. During early pregnancy, it is present at high levels in the body. It serves a wide number of functions, including as a marker in home pregnancy tests and as a way to treat fertility issues in women and men.
For several decades now, it has also been used as a weight loss tool. A British doctor known as Albert Simeons devised a diet that consisted of two main components: HCG hormone injections and an ultra-low-calorie diet (around 500 calories per day).
It is said that the HCG weight loss program boosts metabolism, which allows people to lose large amounts of fat without feeling hungry.
The Rules of the HCG Weight Loss Program
As highlighted above, this is a low-calorie, low-fat diet. There are three main phases of this program. The first phase is known as the loading phase when participants start taking HCG while eating lots of high-calorie, high-fat foods for two days.
The next phase is known as the weight loss phase. Here, participants reduce their daily calorie intake to 500 calories for three to six weeks while continuing to take HCG.
The final phase is known as the maintenance phase. Participants, at this point, stop taking HCG while gradually increasing their food intake. For the first three weeks of this phase, they should avoid starch and sugar.
For meals, participants should look to include a vegetable, a serving of fruit, a piece of bread, and one portion of lean protein (such as chicken or fish). They should also aim to drink a lot of water, while coffee and tea are also allowed.
Get Started With the HCG Weight Loss Program
The bottom line is that the hCG weight loss program is an effective way to lose weight. While it required commitment, the results of this diet can be excellent.
If you are interested in learning more, don’t hesitate to contact our team at The Aesthetics Lounge and Spa in Saint Joseph, Michigan. Click here to contact our expert team. We will work with you and alongside you and help you with every step of your weight loss journey.