Original email: Good morning, I was wondering if you’ve heard or know anything about doing the hcg injections 3 times a week as opposed to every day. I think it’s usually prescribed this way for males but my doctor said I could use it this way, however, he didn’t have ... [Continue Reading]
Can I get a massage on the hCG Diet?
One reason massage is not advisable on Phase 2 is usually because massage involves the use of oils which is supposed to be avoided on hCG- skin is our largest organ and fats do absorb through the skin membranes. However, for some of you who use newer protocols of hCG, ... [Continue Reading]
Can I use essential oils on the hCG Diet?
The original protocol by Dr. Simeons dictated to use to not use any oils, however, in very small amounts, I have not seem them to affect anything. Keep in mind that there is a small amount of fat in the lean beef that is allowed on the diet and in chicken breast, so ... [Continue Reading]
Am I allowed to mix my vegetables on the hCG Diet P2?
While the original protocol didn’t allow mixing vegetables, I personally found that it could be done successfully if some basic principles are followed, and I discuss those in detail in this post here that you might find useful to you: Mixing Vegetables on the hCG ... [Continue Reading]
All about ketosis and ketone strips on the hCG Diet Phase 2.
Original email for context: Can you tell me what I should see on my ketone strips? Should it be really dark? When is the best time to test? Not sure if it shows negative due to all the water. Ketosis Is Allowable but Not Required on the hCG Diet for Fat ... [Continue Reading]
Can I do the hCG Diet for just 2 weeks only?
I get this question from time to time, usually from an hCGer who only has a small amount of weight to lose and they don't want to do an entire 3 week round if they don't have to. The cause for concern comes up because Dr. Simeons felt that anything less than 3 weeks ... [Continue Reading]
Can I have the same protein, like chicken, twice in one day on P2 of the hCG Diet?
Yes personally in general I think this is fine. The only thing you might want to watch out for is if you do find yourself stalling or having really slow weight loss and you've been eating the same exact foods every day, you might try introducing a little more variety to ... [Continue Reading]
Can I do an entirely juicing diet on the hCG Diet instead of eating?
I've never tried it or know anyone who has, but my first inclination would be to say this is not a good idea. Let me explain a couple reasons for my concern over this. Blood Sugar Instability Concern Unless you are juicing only greens, the carb and insulin spike ... [Continue Reading]
Generally do Hcgers avoid alcohol all together while on P2 of the hCG Diet?
I understand the question since many ladies do make modifications to the original hCG diet rules with success. However, in this case, it's not something you can get away with usually. I know this is kind of a bummer but keeping no alcohol on P2 is definitely best - this ... [Continue Reading]
Can I Intermittent Fast on Phase 2 of the hCG Diet?
Personally, I don't know that it's the best idea to fast on the hCG Diet - we are already eating so little as it is - and believe me I am a fan of intermittent fasting in regular life, I do utilize this tool frequently. The thing that seems to make intermittent fasting ... [Continue Reading]
I am on the 700 calories doing the hCG Diet for a few months, is that okay? I’m having slow weight loss.
Original email for context: (Sent August 25) My Dr. put me on a 700 calorie a day diet. Is this normal for hcg diet. I am 65 years old and at the time I weighed 206 lbs when I started. Also, I am losing weight slowly. But I have lost many many inches. I went from a 16 to ... [Continue Reading]
Is it okay to eat the same protein on Phase 2 of the hCG Diet everyday? Will it affect my weight loss?
Original email for context: Other than the mundaneness of eating the same foods day after day, is there anything wrong with not changing the proteins? I've been eating chicken breast, tomatoes and strawberries for lunch and dinner everyday. I'm just hoping that is does ... [Continue Reading]
Can I have alcohol during my loading days? Since I’ll be on hCG?
Yes you can! During loading, essentially there are not rules about what you can't eat or drink. It's only once you are on the VLCD - very low calorie diet, that things become super strict and at that point avoid alcohol like the plague! If you are asking this question ... [Continue Reading]
Is it okay to continue taking Amberen for Menopause on the hCG Diet?
I see that Amberen is a medication / supplement for treating the symptoms of Menopause. I looked at the ingredients and they all seemed fine (things like zinc and types of calcium, magnesium, Vitamin E etc) EXCEPT that it contains MSG - which seems very odd. This Amberen ... [Continue Reading]
Is it okay to wait longer to start the hCG diet again so I can enjoy the holidays?
Original email for context: I was just wondering if there’s any issues to prolong maintenance during the holidays? I should be starting my third round next week but it’s easier for me to keep maintaining during the holidays what do you think? That’s not a problem at all ... [Continue Reading]
Do you think using a diffuser dispersing essential oil in the air may affect my weight loss?
Original email for context: Do you think using the diffuser dispersing essential oil in the air may affect my weight loss? I am not putting them on my skin while I'm on the HCG Program. I'm on P2 so far for 6 days, and have been losing weight. I don't think this could ... [Continue Reading]
Can the hCG Diet slow my healing from an injury?
Original email for context: I'm just curious if the HCG diet would slow down the healing of an injury. I was injured about 10 days ago while on the diet and I'm just curious if I should stop and start putting more food in my body to allow it to heal better. I can’t say ... [Continue Reading]
I’m really missing breakfast on the hCG Diet – any suggestions for something I can eat in the morning?
Original email for context: I always have toast with my eggs in the morning and I am soooo missing that in my life right now. Any suggestions? It was allowed even on the original protocol of Dr. Simeons to break up your allotted food - so your lunch of the fruit + veggie ... [Continue Reading]
Can I get my hair colored while on the hCG Diet?
From what I've read online, it doesn't appear to be a problem for most women - here are a couple hCG forum threads with ladies weighing in on the topic - they report not having any differences in their weight loss on P2 when getting their hair dyed: Forum thread 1 - ... [Continue Reading]
Do you think it’s better to do a full 6 week round of hCG, or break it up and do 2 rounds of 3 weeks each, with 3 weeks of P3 in between?
This is a good question. Here’s my take that might help you in making your personal decision. The positives of doing a full 6 week round all at once is that, you only have load and purposefully gain weight to then lose the first day or two of vlcd once, you only have to ... [Continue Reading]
What brands of sunblock can I use on hCG?
There are likely quite a number of brands that can be okay so please don’t take our list as the end-all-be-all, but a few hCG-safe brands of sunblock are listed in our makeup/skincare document here: hCG Skincare Doc ... [Continue Reading]
Can I Prefill my injections on the hCG Diet?
Yes, you can, but please read my thoughts on why you may not want to do this. Why it may be a good idea NOT to prefill syringes with hCG: In general, it's best to keep your hCG in the vial until you need it each day as this allows you to change your dose as hCG when ... [Continue Reading]
Can I use Monistat on hCG?
Original email for context: Hello! I am a little over a week on my new round and just today discovered I have a yeast infection. Would monistat stall my progress because it has mineral oil? Mineral oil is actually okay to use on the hCG diet! It's just other oils that ... [Continue Reading]
What do you think about staying on hCG without a break until you’re finished losing weight?
This question comes up frequently so I'll give you some food for thought on it. Many of you ladies may have 50-100lbs of weight lose and so it's quite tempting to begin the diet thinking you will get it all off at once without stopping. It's not that you can't do this. ... [Continue Reading]
Can I stay on hCG if I get sick?
Let me share just one example of what can happen when you are sick with the cold or flu or something else and you stay on hCG - this is an email I received: "I started the process and lost 50lbs it was amazing and was able to keep it off but this past October I became ... [Continue Reading]
Antibiotics on the hCG Diet?
Many find that antibiotics can stall out weight loss - I think just the stressed state your body is in from whatever is causing the need for the antibiotics then the drugs themselves makes it hard to be in a diet like hCG at the same time. Many find it's best to abort a ... [Continue Reading]
Is it okay to skip one injection day for travel?
Original email for context: I have to travel one day next week so I will miss one injection. Is it okay to miss one day in the second week. I'm not comfortable traveling with the hcg. Yes, that would be fine. Some people intentionally skips 1 shot once a week as for long ... [Continue Reading]
Is it okay to do laser hair removal on hCG?
Original email for context: I am going to Laser hair removal and just started HCG last week, is this safe or should i not go Laser during this time? From my virtual assistant Li-An: I don't think that's an issue, I have an IPL machine at home and I am using it once a ... [Continue Reading]
Can I do hCG longer than 3-6 weeks? More like 8 weeks?
I have some thoughts to help you consider what's best for you - please see my article: Extended Rounds of hCG and Shorter Breaks ... [Continue Reading]
If I skip my protein at lunch, can I eat more at dinner on P2 as long as my calories are 500 or less?
Original email for context: If I don't have a protein at lunch is it ok to eat a little more at dinner, if my calorie intake is still below 500. I find I am more hungry in the evening so I thought maybe this could be a solution. The original protocol did mention not ... [Continue Reading]
I’m training for a triathlon and need to continue this while on P2 – how?
Original email for context: So many places say you can’t exercise and do the hcg I have read that you can but you have to up your calories from 500 to 750 but also that you can’t burn more than 500 calories in a workout. That’s not possible while training for a triathlon. ... [Continue Reading]
If I do hCG without fruits, do I substitute more vegetables in place of it?
Original email for context: I read that you did a round without fruits and I’d like to try this. My question is, when subbing veggies for fruit, can I have a different veggie during my meal or should I just have a bigger portion of one veggie? Hello! I’ll give a few ... [Continue Reading]
It seems that it’s OK to use coconut oil as a body moisturizer in Phase 2. How is it that coconut isn’t counted as an oil?
Using coconut oil is actually not part of what’s allowed in the original Dr. Simeons protocol, while things containing mineral oil are okay. Coconut oil whether ingesting or putting on your skin, is allowable on alternate protocols for those who feel comfortable ... [Continue Reading]
Can I have something more than coffee for breakfast on Phase 2? Because I workout in the morning.
Yes, while many don’t have any food for breakfast the way Dr. Simeons laid out his original protocol, some do utilize some of their allotted calories and food items for breakfast and that is fine to do. So some eat the P2 fruit for breakfast instead of with their lunch. ... [Continue Reading]
Can I switch from hCG drops to injections immediately or do I have to get off my round and start the process over?
Original email: I have been taking the drops since last week Saturday 3 and have not yet completed a 3-week round but somehow the drops will not last and I fear that tomorrow I will be without them. Can I switch over immediately to the injections that I have, or do I ... [Continue Reading]
Can I use Rogaine on hCG?
When I checked their website. Here's the ingredients on the topical solution: Active Ingredient: Minoxidil 2% Inactive Ingredients: alcohol, propylene glycol, purified water No oil as far as I know, so seems like it should be fine. ... [Continue Reading]
Are there people who do “vanity” rounds of HCG when they’ve gained 10-15 lbs, or am I unique in this?
Others totally do this! That's actually why I chose to publish the post that showed women who've lost 10-30 lbs with hCG because I get lots of women who want to lose 15-20lbs. 10 less often, but definitely 15-20lbs frequently comes up. Here is our post that shows all our ... [Continue Reading]
Can I do the 800 calorie hCG protocol? I’m hungry on the 500 calorie program.
Original email for context: This is my 4th time using hCG. The 1st two times I did great 189 lbs to 136 lbs. But I didn't follow "life" protocol. I'm at it again. I was doing awesome. Until my daughters birthday she wanted Alfredo for dinner, of course I had to taste test ... [Continue Reading]
Can I do both the SP and AP recipes on P2 hCG diet or just one of them?
Yes, you can definitely do both! Really, unless you are in the camp of wanting to do the strict simeons diet only, which if you are that's totally fine and we respect that, the AP version is actually meant to be done on top of/in addition to SP. Basically meaning AP ... [Continue Reading]
What happens if you don’t eat everything on the hCG diet?
I actually have an article for you on this! Is it okay to eat less than 500 calories on the hCG Diet? ... [Continue Reading]
Can I do hCG while being on Saxenda?
I see this is another weight loss drug. Sorry but we're not really sure. Would be best to check with a doctor. We're not medical professionals so we're not qualified to answer such questions especially if medications are involved. What I do believe is the hCG protocol, ... [Continue Reading]
Can I combine my P2 lunch and dinner into 1 meal and just eat once a day?
Original email info for context: On phase 2 for 24 days now and have lost 31lbs. I have started to combine my lunch and dinner and eating once a day instead of twice. Still the same amount of calories but just in one sitting. Is this a bad idea or not a problem? Of ... [Continue Reading]
If I froze my HCG bottle and used it after it defrosted will it still work?
Supposedly, yes. Many ladies do this and they don't have issues. ... [Continue Reading]
Can I continue my weight lifting on hCG?
Original email for context: I am a consistent weightlifter. I didn't stop working out the first time I did the protocol and did very well. Do you think it is ok to continue to lift? I do not currently do high intensity more like a bodybuilding style to help strengthen ... [Continue Reading]
Can I do the hCG Diet after Weight Loss Surgery WLS?
Original email for context: I had Successful Gastric Bypass surgery 17 years ago but never got to goal weight. Have you dealt with any other weight surgery people? My stomach is so small and I have maintained this "tool" over the years by fasting. Actually, yes! Rayzel ... [Continue Reading]
Did you take your thyroid medication while doing phase 2 of hCG Diet?
Original email for context: I just switched to NP (nature thyroid) and my last round I kept taking the medication (synthetic). I had never thought it could interfere with weight loss. What do you recommend? Yes I did continue my thyroid meds while on P2. I know Dr. ... [Continue Reading]
I still have hCG left, can I stay on the diet longer to use up the extra hCG?
Original email for context: So I bought the 26 day injection- I am doing 125iu dose instead of the prescribed 200iu, which means I’ll have some left over - can I continue using what’s left over until it’s gone? There’s a couple of factors to help you decide. If you had ... [Continue Reading]
Phentermine on hCG?
Original email for context: Phentermine - have you used a light dose to help with hunger, just in Phase 2? My sister did & she says it made all the difference. We've heard of many ladies who used phentermine but no one on the hcgchica team, including myself, has used ... [Continue Reading]
What appetite suppressants do you recommend on hCG diet?
Original email for context: I have been using Phentabz by Lexium and they are great.......but don't seem to work as well after a while…what appetite suppressants do you recommend? Phentermine? I've personally never used any appetite suppressants. This is of course ... [Continue Reading]
What’s a good oil-free massage cream I can use on hCG diet?
There are some Aloe Vera based products that can be used for massage I’ll share with you in a moment - I still might just add that it may be best to skip the massage entirely on P2 though - Dr. Simeons advised against it - doesn’t mean you truly can’t but may be best to ... [Continue Reading]
Can I take my bio-identical hormone cream on hCG?
We get this question a lot. While I can't be positive, my thoughts on this and a link to one of my interviews who took her bioidentical stuff on hCG is over at this help hub article. ... [Continue Reading]
What do you think about not weighing on the scale during Phase 2 of the hCG diet?
Well, guess what? This is the perfect opportunity to share with you the partially done draft of a blogpost I began like, 2 years ago, on this very topic. It's all here for you to review and decide, including feedback from others and what they did. I hope this helps! I ... [Continue Reading]
Will fat burning clothes that make you sweat more help you lose more weight on hCG diet?
Original email for context: I was wondering your thoughts on "sweating"... I'm thinking of wearing my Zaggora outfit (clothing to increase sweating) either just walking or doing the light HCG workouts I've found. Do you have any thoughts on whether or not it may mimic an ... [Continue Reading]
Interested in doing a 7-day water fast on Phase 2 hCG diet – thoughts?
I'm a big fan of regular intermittent fasting in regular life, but of course, this doesn't involve days of back to back fasting. Here's my concern with 7-day water fast - muscle loss. I am not sure if you would experience more muscle loss or not. But honestly, I have no ... [Continue Reading]
Can I take my progesterone cream on the hCG Diet?
Additional from original email for context: My cream helps me a lot, but I’ve read it’s not recommended. This is one of those things that I’m definitely not qualified to give medical advice and you should consult with your doctor about this. I’ll share what little info ... [Continue Reading]
Is waiting 6 weeks to do my next round of hCG a hard and fast rule?
It’s not a hard and fast rule. I’ll share some info to help you with your decision though. I do think that giving your body enough break between rounds is beneficial to give your body some time recovering from the taxing fat loss process. Despite how wonderful and ... [Continue Reading]
I ate less than 500 calories on the hCG Diet – is that a problem? How do I increase it?
Original email for context: My calories only came out to 264 today when I skipped the fruits and Melba. Is that bad? How do I increase to 500 calories if I don’t want the fruit or bread? Very good question! So here’s my take. Is it okay to eat less than 500 calories, ... [Continue Reading]
Can I use coconut oil on Phase 2 of the hCG diet?
You can do anything you want of course! But I know that’s not why you’re asking me. ;) So Coconut oil is not part of the original Dr. Simeon’s protocol's food list and is also not in line with his basic principles of the diet which was to be as fat-free as possible- he ... [Continue Reading]
Can I get back on hCG diet after just a 3 week break to reach my goal fast? Will I become immune?
I don’t think it’s so much a risk of immunity as a risk of fatiguing your body too greatly to the point that you feel really unwell, making the diet feel very undoable, and also affecting your weight loss as well. When you take a longer break, you give your body time to ... [Continue Reading]
Can I do the hCG diet while breastfeeding?
Personally, I don’t feel this is the best idea and I’ll explain why, but of course, we respect whatever decision you choose. The main reason why it is not advisable to do the hCG diet while actively breastfeeding is because when a person is losing fat, releasing heavy ... [Continue Reading]
