If you’ve already began your weight loss quest you may have heard about the different Phases which surround the HCG diet. For the beginners this tends to raise a great deal of confusion knowing the origin of the Phases, and the appropriate way to follow them. Focusing on how the Phases work and play a part inside the diet is essential for succeeding in this weight loss journey.
Originally creator Dr. A.T.W. Simeons’ HCG protocol had no reference to different phases. Instead there were actions one should take for best results for the HCG diet. In 2007 successful author Kevin Trudeau who highly popularized the diet with his “The Weight Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About” book introduced Phases of the diet. Even though Phases of the HCG diet weren’t formally introduced in Dr. A.T.W. Simeons’ “Pounds and Inches”, they were quickly adopted to help make sense of the diet. The HCG diet Phases are made up of four different sections. Modern day dieters have used Kevin Trudeau’s Phase structure but Dr. Simeons’ protocol.
Phase 0(or known as Phase 1 for some that follows the Kevin Trudeau method)
This phase was added by Trudeau, it refers to the cleansing phase. This phase is primarily skipped by many dieters and is not required when beginning the HCG diet. If you would like to prepare yourself for a VCLD(very low calorie diet) as well as weening yourself off of bad eating habits, then you should consider this phase.
Phase 1
This is where virtually all dieters begin as stated above. Phase 1 introduces the initial two days of the diet. Known as the “loading” period in which one indulges on the maximum amount of high fat food they can. You may think what is the point ? The reason for this period of consuming very high fat food is to alert the body of the extra fat calories needed to be burned once on the following Phase.
Phase 2
Here you’ll begin the consumption of HCG(drops or injections). Based on the amount of weight loss desired this phase can last 20 or 40 days. Along with the intake of HCG, one is introduced to a VCLD as well. If you’re not sure about which foods to consume while on the VCLD, it’s recommended to read Dr. Simeons’ “Pounds and Inches”. It’s free to download via the internet. There’s also resources on HCG online along with HCG Cookbooks to give you creative meals to follow during the diet.
Phase 3
Also referred to as the stabilization Phase, Phase 3 lasts for 3 weeks. Phase 3 is a extension of Phase 2 instead the calorie allowance is increased, a few less food constraints, and no more HCG is needed. One should steer clear of starches, sugar and it is recommended not to go back to your poor eating habits. This Phase will allow for the HCG to leave your system and your weight to stabilize.
Phase 4
The last and final phase which will be finished over the course of the rest of your life. This is what’s called the maintenance phase, you should have arrived at the end of your goal. This is where you must continue a healthy lifestyle. Most HCG dieters normally don’t gain their weight back. Reasons result from reset metabolism, changes in lifestyle choices, and exercise.
