[Gemme]

Originally Posted by Novelafemme

I'm not Jo, Gemme, but, yes, the HCG diet works so well because you only consume 500 calories a day. Most of that is super high protein foods (100 grams a day) so you build muscle at the same time you shed the weight. There is a new form of it with the sublingual drops and 1,000 calories a day that I have also heard good things about.

I have never been an advocate of pill diets, or even "diets" in general, but this one has worked miracles for people who have struggled their whole lives. And, it seems VERY safe...which I can't say for many diets out there. If you are too large to manage a work out regimen, then this diet helps you lose enough initial weight so that you can begin exercising effectively.

I don't know if there will ever be a time when I might say that a calorie consumption of 500 is safe. Our bodies need a certain amount of caloric intake to process. Not for anything other than just being the organs they are and doing what each organ does. I'm a little over 5 feet tall and I have a moderate amount of movement per day. I know that, in order for my body to function....not to lose weight or gain weight or anything other than to keep chugging along....that I need to consume about 900-1000 calories per day. On days that I perform more physical output I need more. Besides the physical part of it, I could imagine that that strict of a caloric diet could trigger some folks.

So, I see the benefits of it on a short term basis, strictly physically speaking. Like you mentioned, it could be a very good kickstart for really stubborn bodies.

I'd be more interested in reading more about the 1000 calorie diet. That is something that I might consider for a short term kick or if I get to a plateau.

Thanks for the info!