How I Lost 40 Pounds in 40 Days – The HCG Diet

by David Wallace on August 19, 2008 · 2,081 comments

The last few weeks have been quite a journey for me. A little over 40 days ago, I weighed in at a whopping 247 pounds. That’s about 50 pounds more than I should weigh and is for the most part the result of eleven plus years of poor eating habits and lack of exercise. Today as I write this post, I weigh 210 pounds. How did I lose so much weight in such little time? It was due to a combination of taking the hormone HCG and a very extreme low calorie diet.

Before I get into the “how I did it” I must say that I had to first change my mindset about food. I’ve come to the place in my life where I really need to lose all the extra pounds I have put on since leaving manual labor some eleven years ago when I started my Internet marketing business. I went from a size 34 waist and 180 pounds to a 42 inch waist and about 247 pounds. The goal is to get back to at least a 36 inch waist and a weight of about 190 lbs.

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Now, what about this HCG? HCG is short for Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin which is a hormone found only in women during pregnancy. It is produced in enormous quantities, so that during certain phases of her pregnancy a woman may excrete as much as one million international units per day in her urine. It is never found in the male, obviously because men don’t get pregnant.

Seeing that HCG is only found in women during pregnancy and never in males, it is something I had to take daily. Some take it by injection but I took it sub-lingual meaning I’d have to hold it in liquid form under my tongue for about 15 minutes before swallowing. I repeated this process twice daily. Having this hormone present in my body for 40 plus days along with limiting myself to a very strict diet of just 500 calories a day (you read right – 500 calories) allowed me to not only lose about a pound a day, but also to maintain a healthy physique in the process.

Now I’m going to try to explain how HCG works in layman’s terms. So please forgive me if this is lacking its proper medical terminology.

First of all one must understand that there are three kinds of fat that are stored in the body. The first is the structural fat which fills the gaps between various organs, a sort of packing material. The second type of fat is a normal reserve of fuel upon which the body can freely draw when the nutritional income from the intestinal tract is insufficient to meet the demand. The third type of fat which is entirely abnormal is the accumulation of such fat, and of such fat only, from which overweight people suffer. This abnormal fat is also a potential reserve of fuel, but unlike the normal reserves it is not available to the body in a nutritional emergency. It is, so to speak, locked away in a fixed deposit and is not kept in a current account, as are the normal reserves.

What HCG does is to allow a person to comfortably go about their usual activities on a diet of only 500 calories daily and lose an average of about one pound per day. Because the body needs more than 500 calories a day to function, fat reserves are used for energy. Under the effect of HCG, the overweight body is always able to obtain all the calories it needs from the abnormal fat deposits, regardless of whether it uses up 1500 or 4000 per day. The HCG allows you to live to a far greater extent on the fat which you are losing than on what you eat. Normal fat reserves (the healthy kind) are not touched. In the meantime, skin remains fresh and turgid, and gradually body weight returns to normal. The daily administration of HCG appears to have no side-effects other than beneficial.

When I embarked on this diet, I had pretty good hopes it would be successful simply due to the fact that my wife had come across so many testimonies from people who experienced success with it. Nevertheless, I knew I’d have to change the way I eat and exercise for the rest of my life unless I want to return to the fat man I had become.

I am reminded of the lyrics from Jethro Tull’s song “Fat Man” –

Don’t want to be a fat man,
People would think that I was just good fun.
Would rather be a thin man,
I am so glad to go on being one.
Too much to carry around with you,
No chance of finding a woman who…
Will love you in the morning and all the night time too.

Don’t want to be a fat man,
Have not the patience to ignore all that.
Hate to admit to myself half of my problems
Came from being fat.
Wont waste my time feeling sorry for him,
I seen the other side to being thin.
Roll us both down a mountain
And I’m sure the fat man would win.

Here is a brief chronicle of my journey over the period of several weeks to become once again a “thin man.”

Day 1

I weighed in at 247 pounds prior to starting diet. After taking the initial dose of HCG, the first two days consist of “loading” or in other words, eating lots of food — pretty much anything i want.

Here’s what I loaded up with the first day:

  • 4 donuts
  • 4 pieces of Papa John’s Italian sausage pizza
  • 1 hamburger
  • Whole order of Tom Kha Gai soup with side of rice (usually feeds 2 people)
  • Whole order of Crispy Shrimp (8 jumbo prawns, deep fried and dipped in spicy sauce)
  • 1 Dancing Deer brownie
  • 1 Snickers ice cream bar

It is supposed to be difficult to eat SO much food and the HCG makes you feel full. While i did feel full, I didn’t have any trouble eating all this stuff.

Day 2

I weighed in at 250 pounds, gaining 3 from the day before which I hear is normal. This is what I consumed on day 2 of loading:

  • Jack in the Box Croissant Breakfast sandwich
  • Jack in the Box Extreme Sausage sandwich
  • Dairy Queen 32 oz. Hot Fudge Milkshake (my favorite)
  • 1 Taco Bell taco and 1 burrito
  • Breyers Coffee Ice Ice Cream in Waffle Cone
  • 2 hamburgers and 2 hot dogs, 2 servings baked beans and potato chips (birthday party)
  • Bowl of Goldfish (the crackers not actual fish silly)

Day 3

I weighed in at 252 pounds – a total gain of 5 lbs. after “loading.” It’s pretty crazy I could gain that much weight after just two days of stuffing my face.

Now I begin the journey of eating just 500 calories a day which essentially will consist of two meals (lunch and dinner) of just 250 calories each. Each of these meals will consist of the following:

Breakfast – Nothing

Lunch – 3 ounces of lean meat which may consist of one of the following: veal, lean beef, chicken breast, fresh white fish, lobster, crab, or shrimp.

3 ounces of select vegetables which may consist of one of the following: spinach, chard, chicory, beet-greens, green salad, tomatoes, celery, fennel, onions, red radishes, cucumbers, asparagus, and cabbage.

1 selection of fruit with choices of an apple, a handful of strawberries, half a grapefruit or an orange.

1 breadstick (grissino) or one Melba toast.

Dinner – same thing as lunch

It is important to note that no matter what combination of items you eat (i.e. choice of meat, vegetable and fruit), the meals could not exceed 500 calories a day. So if I decided to have cube steak instead of chicken, I’d have to watch my vegetable portion seeing that cube steak consists of more calories than chicken. It was also recommended that I eat the same things for lunch and dinner on any particular day.

I mostly ate grilled chicken and cucumbers with a touch of lemon juice. Periodically I substituted white fish and cube steak and variations in vegetable choice included spinach salads and cooked cabbage. For my fruit, I always stuck with an apple.

I would also add that you can drink all the coffee and tea you’d like (unsweetened of course) but must also drink 2 liters or more water every day. I drank about 3 liters a day besides about a pot of coffee and a glass of green tea daily.

Sound boring? It mostly is but surprisingly, because of the HCG, I did not feel hungry prior to meals. Also when consuming these small 250 calorie meals I felt comfortably full afterwards.

As I think back now, most of my initial struggles steamed from the boredom that comes from not eating all the time. In other words I had spent a good amount of my time eating, snacking, drinking wine, etc. and now I had to find things to replace the time I used to spend eating.

For the duration that the HCG was in my body, I could not use regular lotion or use any conditioner in my hair due to the fact that the body can absorb the oils in these products which adds to calorie intake. I ended up using Corn Huskers lotion (which contains no oil) for my feet as I wear sandals most the time which cause my feet to get very dry. This worked out as well if not better than the oil-based lotions I typically use.

Another thing I thought I’d struggle with is the fact that I could not have my peppermint Lifesavers. My wife sternly warned me that I can have no breath mints of any kind and that many doing the HCG diet complain of having bad breath. However, I found a solution – Starbucks sugar-free peppermint breath mints. These are extremely small but powerful mints that contain zero calories.

While I am not going to bore you with the daily details of what I ate, how much I weighted each day, etc., I will say that I lost an average of about a pound a day. On day 42 when I stopped taking the HCG, my weight had gone from 252 pounds (weight after “loading”) to 210 pounds. That’s 42 pounds from my weight after loading or if you count from the weight I was prior to loading – 37 pounds. They say that you should count the pounds you gain after the loading phase which is why I can say I lost 42 pounds. Oh and as for the title of this post – “40 pounds in 40 days” – I had actually lost 40 pounds at the 40 day mark. Besides, it sounds better than “42 pounds in 42 days.” (I like round numbers)

I feel great right now. Everyone I know says how I look so different, not only in the size of my gut but the face, legs, arms – everywhere. I no longer get heartburn after eating certain foods or snore at night. I don’t even recall bouts of sleep apnea as I did before. I have about 20 more pounds I feel I need to lose and so will embark on a second but shorter phase in October where I have a period of about 4 weeks in which I will not be traveling.

I must truly thank my wife, Irma, for not only discovering this diet but doing all the research on it as well as preparing all the meals. She has done remarkably well on this diet herself but I’ll let her tell you about that in her own way.

If you would like to shed some of your “abnormal” fat by means of this diet, I’d encourage you to first read the eBook by Dr. A.T.W Simeons called “Pounds and Inches” and then do additional research online simply by searching the keyword “HCG” or the full phrase “Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin.” When you get ready to actually purchase HCG, you can get it at PharmacyEscrow.com.

This is a very controversial diet, especially for males, seeing that you have a hormone in you that is only found in pregnant women. It has however been tested for years and always proved to be successful. Don’t worry men – you will not become pregnant nor develop female body parts. Most of the controversy will stem from telling people that you are only eating 500 calories a day. They will be shocked not only on the little amount of food you are living on, but how healthy you appear despite that. We kept the fact that we were taking the HCG secret for some time, at least until we were confident it was working.

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{ 2081 comments… read them below or add one }

Lisa August 9, 2010 at 6:25 pm

Thx Sherry. Lovin the weight lose tried on a pair of Jeans that two weeks ago I counld NOT fit but woooo hoooo I fit them well now. Gotta go see what lse I can fit, lol

Amy August 9, 2010 at 5:26 pm

Hello All!
I am in P2 and down 12 lbs. This is awesome!!! I only have about 75 lbs to go! I am wondering why “mint chewing gum” isn’t allowed. What does “mint” do that makes it unallowed on the protocol? I have been chewing the Extra brand “Polar Ice” and still losing but was just wondering? Thanks so much! Can’t wait to hear from you! Good Luck All!!!

Amy August 8, 2010 at 9:40 am

I am so tickled that I found this website!!! I am new to this hCG Protocol and am still learning, although it seems pretty simple to say the lease. One day I went to lunch at work and FORGOT to take my hCG …another day was invited to a picnic and “improvised” having grilled chicken breast (removing all ther skin) and a lettuce salad without the dressing. No allowed fruit there so I went without. It is so much easier when you have all you need at hand. BUT with that said its VERY easy and I havew not felt hunger pains at all! It is like David said ..its harder just doing something in the bad habit of “grazing all day” habit! Today is 2nd day of my second week, Wish me luck!

sherrie August 8, 2010 at 4:45 am

Tonda, you can stay on p3 as long as you want. If you go back within 2 weeks of being on p3, then don’t load, if anytime over 2 1/2 weeks then reload. I’m on p3 still(8 weeks) and love it. Gradually add back fats(everything but starch and sugar) to your diet on p3. Keep an eye on the scale, if you go 2 lbs over the last drop day, then do a steak and apple or steak and tomato day. You can drink all the fluids you want, but nothing to eat until dinner, then a big juicy steak and tomato or apple
Good luck

Tonda August 7, 2010 at 5:59 pm

How much time has to lapse before you start over on P2? I think I can only survive on P2 for 3 wks. When do you start phase 3, and how do I transition?
thanks

sherrie August 6, 2010 at 7:02 pm

Unfortunately that seems to happen that time of the month. I can actually say I’m very happy I’m through those days. Just get going on it again tomorrow. If you have a slight gain, don’t fret, and don’t forget, sometimes you will stall out for 2-4 days but just keep with the program. Remember too, you will probably retain fluids, so don’t get too shook up..You’ll get there

sherrie August 6, 2010 at 7:01 pm

WTG Lisa!! Woot Woot! The first round of p2, I also lost 9.2 lbs. That is just fantastic, keep up the great job!!

Tonda August 6, 2010 at 6:59 pm

I am sure I ate too much today. Maybe a little over 500. Help. It is almost time for the lady thing. HELP

Lisa August 6, 2010 at 6:43 pm

Hello all I finished my 1st week with a 9.2lbs loss & 8 inches. Looking forward to an awesome 2nd week will add alittle walking on the treadmill to increase lbs & inches lost.
Will keep you posted.

Lisa August 5, 2010 at 7:14 am

Hey everyone I have finished my first week… heres the stats 9.2lbs & 8 inches woooohoooooo. Can feel a difference in my skin. Everything has loss inches except my arms & cup size, lol. On my way to week 2. BTW I beleive it was the salt it went from .06 to .08 to 1lbs so Im back on track. Will keep you posted. Smooches

Sherry August 4, 2010 at 8:18 am

Hello everyone! I am currently on week 4 of P4 and I have been doing great so far!! My weight has fluctuated between 1-2 pounds so this past weekend I felt it was save to purchase a couple pairs of pants. Since starting HCG I have lost a total of 23.6 pounds, several inches and a whole dress size.

I am very happy! I really want to lose 16 more pounds but so far all I have done is maintained my weight loss…I am happy with that for now. Next year I will do another round of HCG if I don’t lose those last 16 pounds.

Well I actually have to do some work now but I wanted to check in to give everyone an update and to say hello.

For those new to HCG…hang in there because it is worth it!

sherrie August 4, 2010 at 4:16 am

Leave the diet coke to p3. I did have 2 diet dr peppers while on p2, as some of the diets say you can have them. I didn’t gain and still lost, but now I haven’t touched a diet pop in weeks. I have quite a few of them sitting in the frig, have been there since April. Just drink your other fluids you’re allowed, and when you get to your p3, you can do the diet drinks. You will get your weight off, just stay with the plan

sherrie August 4, 2010 at 4:14 am

I never cut salt out of my diet, infact, I eat it on my watermelon, but that could make you retain. Everyones bodies are different and react differently to things. If you like salt, try the “no salt”. My brother switched to that years ago when he was having heart problems. Not sure if he uses it still or regular salt, haven’t asked him in years.

Sometimes you just stall out for 3 or 4 days. You should have another big loss here shortly.

good luck

Tonda August 4, 2010 at 1:15 am

OMG. I am craving a diet coke. What is wrong with me? What should I do? I must lose 33lbs, to weigh 200. Can this be done?
Thx

Lisa August 3, 2010 at 6:10 pm

No Stress, No Meds, getting the right amot of cals. Just on day 3 I started using salt on my food. Have increase liquids since day 3. Was told to chuck the salt a few day to see what happens since that was the only change. S/B back on track by Thurs/Fri with more weight loss. Will let you know. Thx

sherrie August 3, 2010 at 5:31 pm

How many calories have you been eating? Make sure it’s between 460 and 480 for what I think is the best count to lose weight. Make sure you’re weighing your oranges, apples and strawberries. 5.3 oz of strawberries is 50 calories, and apples and oranges all weigh different too. Are you drinking your 1/2 gallon or more of water a day?
How much are you trying to lose all together? Are you on any medications? Under stress? There are a lot of factors you have to look at..

Lisa August 3, 2010 at 3:20 pm

Ok I’ve only lost .06lbs for two days straight. I’m still in my 1st week is this normal? or is something wrong.

melanie August 3, 2010 at 11:00 am

Yay good looking out sherrie. Thank you. I will make sure to try that.
Guess I have to go grocery shopping today.

sherrie August 2, 2010 at 3:19 pm

That’s the problem Melanie, pounds and inches says not to eat the same thing for both meals in the same day. Too many different places are changing what the original plan says to do
My friend gave me a great recipe for asparagus and it’s fantastic
Take your fresh asparagus and clean it then drain in a colander. Take aluminum foil and put on a cookie sheet and spray with pam. Then lay your asparagus on that, without overlapping the asparagus. Spray with pam and add a little sea salt and pepper. Bake on 475 for 15 minutes. That stuffs to die for

melanie August 2, 2010 at 2:51 pm

Yea thanks..I have read that also but then also hear that you can eat the same thing every days for both meals too..so I’m switching up my fruits and veggies. I had tomatoe last night (yuck! Haha) I had to sprinkle a little bit of salt on them n drin water right after every bite. And had an orange. Woke up in the morning and 2 pounds down. Yay! For lunch I’m going to try an apple and some radishes.

Tonda August 2, 2010 at 12:20 am

I am not sure of the rationale but, I have read that you should not have the same thing for dinner you had for lunch. This is only my eighth day….still a novice.
Try grapefruit as well. Sprinkle a little cinnamon and truvia on it.

melanie August 1, 2010 at 3:13 pm

Hello everyone.
I am on my first week of p2 on hcg.
Now for the past 2 days there hasn’t been any loss in pounds.
My mom was telling me that its probably because I have been eating the same exact things for each meal everyday. So maybe my body has been gettin used to it? The list of foods provided are very little. And from the meats provided I only really like chicken so that’s the only meat I have been eating. I boil it. As for veggies (I hate veggies) I stick with a cucumber. As for fruits I mainly been sticking with strawberries but I have had oranges as well. And I could do apples as well. But I was trying to some research to see if eating thee same foods for every meal and everyday was allowed. Does anyone know?

sherrie August 1, 2010 at 1:38 pm

By the way, I doubt the salt caused the light headness, most likely it’s from not getting many calories.

sherrie August 1, 2010 at 1:37 pm

WTG Lisa, that is a great loss and you will get there. Are you doing 3 weeks of the p2 or 6? My first time I did 6 weeks, but found myself cheating after the 3 weeks, this last time, no cheating, but only went 3 weeks. I’ve been on p3 for 7 weeks now, as I continue to lose an average of 1 1/2 to 2 lbs a week on that. I really don’t want to go back on p2, so am going to try and finish up the loss on p3 before going in to p4. I love p3. :) I have 11.6 left to go..You will get there too..:)

Lisa August 1, 2010 at 1:14 pm

Thx Sherrie
Just an update so far so good I was 183 on 7/29/10 today I’m 177 yeah me. Yesterday I did experience light headedness. I think I sprinkled too salt on my grilled cabbage so watch out for salt people. 47 more lbs to go.

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