Caution! Dangerous diet (don't do this...)
January 27, 2015
This is the everything-you-need-to-know-to-be-as-healthy-as-possible newsletter, brought to you by Kristy Russ, pharmacist and health consultant. I have close to 20 years experience in helping people improve their health.
I help people get healthy, and more importantly, stay that way so they're not miserable and just slowly dying for the last 20 years of their lives, which IS the "norm" today.
Well here we are at the end of January already! I am excited to report that in a few short days, I will be relaxing on the beaches of the Dominican Republic! It's actually been ridiculously warm here for the last few weeks, so it's not like I have to escape the cold, but it's been a stressful year for both me and my hubby, so the fact that there's nothing to do there except hangout in the sun is immensely appealing. I plan to unplug and veg the whole time. It's been a few years since I've had a tropical beach vacation, which is definitely my ideal vacation, so I'm super excited to feel the heat and humidity! Hola!
I resurrected an article I wrote a couple of years ago about the latest fad diet that was going around my area. I thought it had disappeared, but I've run into several people over the last few months that are doing it and it seems to be having a resurgence in popularity again. Since January is the
biggest month for starting weight loss programs, I wanted to get this information out there again because I want to make sure that none of my subscribers (or their friends) are doing this to themselves...
Whatever You Do,
Do NOT Do The HCG Diet!
You may have heard about this diet that people are claiming to have lost upwards of 20lbs in 4 weeks with...
...it's called the HCG Diet and it's supposed to reduce cravings and balance your hormones.
What Is The HCG Diet?
This diet was actually popular back in the 1950's until it became clear that there really wasn't any evidence to support using HCG for fatloss. Unfortunately, the HCG Diet has resurfaced and makes some pretty outlandish claims. Many of the products declare that the diet will "reset your metabolism", change "abnormal eating patterns" and give you a weight loss of 1-2 pounds per day.
HCG itself is actually a hormone produced in women during pregnancy. HCG is sold as a prescription drug approved for various medical conditions including the treatment of female infertility (but NOT weight-loss).
The HCG diet requires a daily injection of this hormone along with a scary obligation to eat a
very low calorie diet of ONLY 500 CALORIES A DAY!
Why Do People Lose So Fast?
Well, did you catch that calorie requirement? Basically people are actually losing twenty pounds and more per month because they are starving themselves! If you stop eating, you will likely drop weight quickly no matter WHAT you are injecting into your body.
It will cost you hundreds of dollars a month and the real "secret" to this diet is starvation. You don't have to pay for that, you can starve yourself free of charge! (Which I don't recommend of course).
Some HCG diets actually state in the fine print that there is no substantial evidence: a)that it increases weight-loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction; b) that it causes a more attractive or normal distribution of fat; or c)that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets.
They're actually admitting it
straight out, yet people are still signing up? Crazy.
Is It Safe?
No matter how big or small you are, that level of calorie restriction is severe and it does not lack consequences. These can include, but are not limited to, gallstone formation, irregular heartbeat, vitamin & mineral deficiency and electrolyte imbalance. This means that the HCG diet is not only unhealthy, it is more than potentially hazardous.
And your metabolism will go so far into the toilet (unless you are doing some crazy amount of muscle building to keep it up), that as soon as you stop it, you'll gain every pound back, plus more...
Keep in mind that following this diet could give you an increased risk of headaches, blood clots, restlessness and depression. In addition, the HCG could give you pregnancy-like symptoms, such as water retention, breast tenderness and swelling. And finally, HCG could also cause a
condition called OHSS, or ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which is potentially life-threatening.
Remember, you're INJECTING yourself with a hormone that shouldn't be there. Never ever mess with hormones because it messes up all your other hormones too.
In addition to the calorie restriction being unsafe, the HCG hormone is actually illegal for over the counter sale for any reason. In fact, it's not approved for weight-loss even as a prescription. The FDA has even taken a position warning any consumer currently using HCG for fat-loss to stop taking it and to stop following the dieting instructions immediately. In case you haven't guessed, I recommend this too!
My suggestion?
Stick to what we know works: eating natural, wholesome foods, with the right type of exercise along with healthy supporting supplements. Don't be fooled, misled or tempted by fad starvation diets and DANGEROUS
fixes that require you to inject questionable hormones in your body!
Have you been "doing all the right things" already and it's still not working? Watch my presentation that reveals the 5 Keys to Stopping Your Health Problems From Interfering With Your Life.
Yes- there are underlying health problems that are preventing you from losing weight! You need to learn how to correct the underlying hormonal imbalance that MAKES your body hang onto fat and crave foods you know you shouldn't eat. No willpower necessary!
Click here to watch the video. Try this link if the other one doesn't work. You'll find out how to REALLY correct that imbalance so you can lose weight healthily AND permanently.
Then click here to schedule your complimentary health consultation to see what changes YOU need to make to have the body and health you want.
And be sure to forward this to anyone you know doing the HCG diet. PLEASE! Stop the insanity!
Another Grateful Customer...
"At the time I started Kristy's program in January 2011, I was struggling to stay a size 16. Up until then I knew I was quite overweight but was too scared to weigh myself until I was prepared to do something about it. I had always considered myself to be relatively active and in good shape but because of some food addictions and other things I was unaware of, I just couldn't get rid of the extra pounds.
I am now 41 pounds lighter and am wearing size 6 pants and even tops that are a size small! I had to buy lots of new clothes in that first year...my co-workers (or family) would candidly tell me to NEVER wear those pants again as I looked like a bag lady. I have one particular saleslady at my favourite clothing store who lights up when I come in. She would give me a once-over and say "Well, you look like you've lost some more weight...how are you doing this?" She knew me when I bought size 16 clothes and we both can't believe the
change.
My Coles Notes version of the program would be:
Deciding to start the program was the biggest hurdle I had to overcome. Once the decision was made, it was smooth sailing. There is nothing "diet-like" about the program; I never went hungry or felt like I was missing out. It is a lifestyle that I have adopted with ease. I feel great, am often told I look great and it was the easiest improvement to my health that I have ever made. I have lost 41 lbs, 5 dress sizes and no doubt added years to my life!
