The pursuit of beauty seems to have taken a decidedly medical slant if the sharp increase locally in aesthetic clinics that offer beauty medical procedures are any indication. It’s no secret that I have been approached by many skin/aesthetic treatment clinics to try their procedures in exchange for a review, an offer I decline almost immediately. I don’t have anything against anyone who does go for these medical beauty procedures, but it’s not a route I am particularly interested in going down. Not even laser treatment. I’ve had an experience that scarred me psychologically for life and it’s one I have no desire to repeat.
But facial procedures aside, I have noticed a proliferation of weight loss treatment offers, that worried me. It bugged me more, when I saw people endorsing the treatment as a quick way to lose weight. The irony is that those endorsing it aren’t even overweight to start with! It was the HCG Diet treatment and because it involved injections, I did a little reading up to see what it was about.
What I discovered scared the daylights out of me and blogging about it probably doesn’t make me very popular among those who have tried it or the institution promoting it, but hey, some things have to be said! 😛
A local clinic claims that with this HCG diet, you can do everything from lose 30 pounds in 30 days, boost metabolism, spot reduce fat, eliminate binging… and I was terribly sceptical. You see, on the HCG diet, not only do you have to be injected with hormones, your daily calorie intake is reduced to 500 a day. I don’t know, is that like a bar of chocolate? A bag of crisps? Heaven knows, I probably inhale that in one sitting when indulging in my favourite keropok lekor! 😛
But it was the hormone injection bit that had me concerned, and it made me wonder just how far people would go to lose weight easily.
You see, HCG which stands for Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is a hormone that is produced by the body during pregnancy, and HCG is usually medically used to treat fertility issues. However, according to a theory by a British endocrinologist A.T.W. Simeons developed in the 1950s, HCG could eliminate a ravenous appetite and redistribute fat (source). Coupled with a very low calorie diet of 500 calories a day, weight loss is quick and visible and it is what’s resulted in its use in these quick crash diets (source). Apparently, this HCG tricks the body into thinking it is pregnant and burns the fat so the foetus gets the calories, while protecting your muscle (source).
But as with everything that involves hormones, there are side effects (source).
HCG in the treatment of infertility promotes ovulation, but can also cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which those who have experienced it can tell you, hurts like the blazes. It can also cause blood clots, swelling, pain and weight gain. The thing is, those who take on HCG injections for weight loss, are also at risk of these side effects. You are injecting hormones into your body after all and your body doesn’t know if it’s supposed to lose weight or get pregnant.
If you think about it, I don’t know if it’s worth unbalancing the hormones in your otherwise healthy body, disrupting your ovulation cycle, potentially suffering unnecessarily from the side effects, all for some potential weight loss. From my reading, what actually causes the weight loss is not the HCG injections itself, but the very low calorie diet that you are put on, and if you think about that, it would just make sense that if you eat less, the odds are that you’d put on less weight.
In fact, HCG as a weight loss drug is not approved by the US FDA (source) which sends up warning bells. I read of a comment by a woman who had taken HCG injections and gone on the HCG diet, who did not get her period for 2 years after she stopped the treatments.
Now, imagine if you were planning to start a family a few years down the road and had your hormones messed about by this “new fangled weight loss treatment”. I just don’t think that anyone who’s not having a fertility problem or undergoing fertility treatment should mess with their fertility hormones and take a drug meant to treat infertility.
As with everything in life, there are no short-cuts. Every success requires effort and good honest hard work. Ditto weight loss. Cut the calories, eat less, eat more healthy food, exercise more and the weight will drop off, and you will feel better and be healthier to boot.
Weight is something that is, I know, a sensitive issue for some people, especially in this Age of Selfies. I personally used to be plump all the way through school, college and university, till I started working. Then, irregular meals and sporadic exercise helped me lose most of the excess weight and while I’m still carrying around pockets of fat, I’ve come to terms with it. I eat in moderation and exercise in moderation (erm… well I hardly ever do exercise 😛 ) and while I’m not skinny, I’m comfortable and importantly, healthy…-ish.
So if you are considering undergoing this HCG diet treatment, I urge you to read up and educate yourself on the potential side effects. As with everything on the internet, there are amazing success stories, as there are real life stories of people who’ve had bad side effects from the HCG diet. Read it all BEFORE you listen to your friends or your favourite blogger who have done it and tell you it’s safe and ok; or even think about undergoing the treatment. As a blogger, I think we owe it to our readers to not just rave about something just because it’s free but when it involves a medical procedure, to actually be able to explain the potential side effects and to do some research on it. As a reader, don’t believe everything you read 😛
If you are serious about wanting to lose weight, sign up with a personal trainer at a gym, and speak to a nutritionist about how best to tailor your diet and exercise regimen. Set yourself a realistic goal and aim for a leaner better you in 6 months and work towards it. Quick weight loss is never a good idea. You put a lot of stress on your heart with sudden quick weight loss and you could be losing something more than weight. You could be losing your health.
Here’s the question: Have you undergone the HCG Diet or have contemplated it? How far would you go to lose weight?
I’m afraid I am against quick weight loss diets like this especially because it involves the use of hormones and whenever you mess with your hormones you are asking for trouble. Still, I can understand why some people may find it attractive, because it works so quickly and visibly. If you’ve had success on this treatment, then good for you. But how long are you prepared to stay on it, and how would the hormones affect you in the future? Something to think about perhaps 🙂
Paris B
Disclaimer: I am not a dietitian nor nutritionist nor medical practitioner. As far as I’m concerned, messing with your hormones, especially fertility hormones, is just asking for trouble. I’m fine if you disagree, so long as you do it politely and cogently.
xin says
Ah about this. Honestly, HCG injection or not, you are bound to lose weight if you are only on 500kcal a day for a month! And they say, you are what you eat, to lose weight, 80% is through diet and 20% exercise. Diet change for life is the only way to lose/maintain at your desired weight. Sad to say I have tried enough protein diet to say this 😛 I don’t see the point of anyone taking the risk of messing their hormones just for the sake of losing that few pounds, the possible consequences will be much harder to deal with later in life. Even more so, I totally don’t see the point of guys undergoing this program!!!! Like seriously???
Paris B says
Yep, as the research has shown, it’s the cutting of the calories that causes the weight loss not the HCG injections. As for guys, I do wonder if they know what they’re getting themselves into. Like seriously?!
Fiona says
I’ll faint with 500kcal food intake per day! I’ve read a few bloggers who undergo the treatment for review. It’s the self-injecting part that scares me and most of the review only glorifies the success rate, leaving the side effect out and how the whole program actually works.
Paris B says
I don’t think it’s even possible to survive on 500kcal a day! I don’t even know how much that is to be honest since I’ve never counted calories but it sounds horribly little LOL! I’ve seen a lot of these “medical clinics” targeting bloggers and online media these days to do their “advertising” and I suppose for some, it’s free so why not? But from what I understand, they only get 1 or 2 treatments free so I’d be very wary of any successes. That’ll just be too drastic!
Robert c. says
Woah Paris! Nice discussion topic you’ve got here. And thanks for speaking your honest thoughts as well! And that’s why I come back to mws constantly, I know it’s all about the honest truth. Speaking of which, I’ve known beauty bloggers out there who encourages these kind of, I guess you could call it, cosmetic surgery (-cough- sg blogger mi—-) but I guess everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.
I acknowledge that some, due to a myriad of reasons, would choose to undergo this ‘weight loss’ procedure and these reasons can range from due to being taunted by others, to ‘just for the heck of it’; but personally, I am a believer of hard work. I believe that in order to achieve something, in this case weight loss, one must persevere instead of taking the ‘easy’ way out as it might, god forbid, come back to bite you in the future. Additionally, in this case, by losing weight yourself due to frequent attendance of gym or sticking to a strict diet plan, in my opinion, would create a sense of self-satisfaction whereas doing these ‘treatments’, for example, would make you dependant on it as it makes your mind think that that is the only way to achieve what you so desire -according to sociologist Ken Browne’s theory on dependency culture- (2011).
But to each their own.
Lastly, I would just like to conclude that life’s too short to be concerned about appearances and weight, just enjoy it. (Now that I re-read my conclusion, I realised I sound so cheesy and hypocritical).
Robert c. says
Want to add that I might have gone slightly out of topic there; can’t edit my previous comment as well, sigh. Long winded too.
Paris B says
Not to worry, I always enjoy reading what other people have to say and sometimes, it can’t be said in 1 sentence 😀 Thanks for the thoughtful comment!
Ting says
Hello Robert! I think you hit the point exactly when you said exercise = satisfaction while “treatments” = dependency of it. By sweating we also get rid of some toxins in our body. So it’s better. And we make the heart works. So yes, I am completely against quick/cheat way to loose weight. As the saying goes, the faster you loose, the faster you put them back on. Even more.
Paris B says
Thanks Robert 🙂 Yes I’ve seen many bloggers, not just locally but elsewhere in the world, advocating these treatments. Nothing against it if they want to do it but I think making it seem easy and commonplace is what’s a little troubling. Still yes, you are absolutely right. Losing weight from your own effort means more because you will actually strive to keep it off and you’d probably be healthier. But this trend of taking the easy way out of everything really bugs me. Life isn’t about instant gratification. It’s like like having instant noodles 😛 And finally, you are again absolutely right that people should just accept themselves. Work hard to be healthier not thinner and perhaps then you might be happier!
Fathin says
Whenever I see advert on lose lots of weight in short period of time, my suspicious radar goes crazy. Especially when the ads claims no need to exercise and you can eat all you want while still losing weight, WTH?!! I wish I can turn off those adverts in FB, I feel like I want to strangle someone whenever I see them, haha.
I don’t think we should do shortcuts on losing weight, I prefer to do this at steady pace that fit to myself, not trying to fit other people’s plan. I’m aiming to have a balance, fit lifestyle – manage my food intake without depriving myself (deprive yourself = craving get higher = faster and higher possibility to lose battle), consistent workout (I’m not a person who spend hours in gym or daily 1-hr sweating and puffing but I like to challenge my body with trying new workout) and get quality rest 😀
Also, a special note: no matter how much time and energy you spend on exercise, if you stay immobile in long time (example, sit hours in front of computer), your workout effort will go waste. Always keep on moving, even if just stand up for a minute, do some streches in intervals.
Paris B says
Hey Fathin, you know, I feel the same way every time I see ads for losing weight quickly. Don’t people realise that they can’t expect results without some hard work? It worries me when I see people being taken in for a quick buck especially if it involves taking pills or medication or undergoing treatments like these. It’s just so wrong when they could just try to lead a healthier lifestyle and maybe just be a little more accepting of their looks.
kel says
Well said, P….
But there is no need for that hormones jab. I knew someone who lost damn alot of weight by eating only ONE packet of maggi mee minus the MSG sachet a day! !!! Cheap alternative! But indirectly makes the body damn unhealthy
Paris B says
:O You are kidding me… I hope! I’ve never heard of the Maggi Mee diet but gosh, that’s so unhealthy! 🙁
Angelina says
The length that people would go for the sake of vanity. Frankly, nothing beats a proper diet and adequate exercise. I am aware that some bloggers glorified it on their blog. It is afterall, free treatments for them. Would I go for such treatment? No, because the last thing I want is for my body system to go haywire. I’d rather take the difficult route because a proper diet and adequate exercise does wonders for my overall wellbeing.
Paris B says
That’s the thing isn’t it? Not everyone may realise that manipulating your hormones could send your body signals haywire. As you said, free treatments are free after all, and since many of them only get 1 or 2 treatments, maybe they don’t feel that it’ll harm them? I don’t know, it’s just worrying the way it’s being played up 🙁
LeGeeque says
Not if it involves taking pills messing with hormones. As much as my periods are a pain in the rear, they at least tell me I’m relatively healthy. Imagine not having that to tell you! I’m on the broad side. I wouldn’t say I’m pudgy nor even overweight but I can do with some inches off. I try and exercise more and do portion control and not to snack on junk. It takes a while especially my metabolism is slowing down with age but as you’ve said. I feel better, I sleep better and there’s a glow to the skin that no amount of La Mer can replicate. And like I tell someone, sparkling water is good but because it fills you up more and lets you defer snacking. Oh, I’ve been quite good in cutting down my wines. Those hidden calories are evil! Had a relapse over the long weekend buy will give it a go again 🙂
Paris B says
Ultimately living life in moderation will keep the pounds off. I really have to start getting back to an exercise routine. I’ve been slacking and it’s showing. Yet I hate running and the gym (where I feel like a hamster) so I’ll have to find a way to do something and keep moving because poor sleep is really messing me up! Oh and yes, alcohol is definitely a culprit so more water, less wines and you’ll be good 🙂
Efrain says
Paris you nailed it, you have only tell the truth weight loss isn’t a game and doing any treatment or something like that to make it faster and easier and risk your health doesn’t worth nothing.
About calories, doctors recommend a deficit of no more than 1000 calories when you’re on a diet to loose weight without risking your health.
I’m fat, truth be told, but I’d rather loose weight slowly by doing some exercise and eating less and healthier but with long-time results and without risks, than a fast way than may make me ill.
Paris B says
Hey Efrain, you’re definitely on the right track with weight loss. I find that eating in moderation, and eating less carbs and more protein does help. Also, some exercise is also helpful. I am a sloth so I don’t exercise a lot, but I did notice that I felt better, slept better and looked better when I was doing some exercise as opposed to none at all so keep at a routine and I’m sure it’ll all melt off in no time 🙂
Efrain says
Now I only need to start again …
Kay says
Nice topic. Weight has always been an age-old issue that women all over the world are grappling with everyday. I am unsure how weight has managed to garner more attention than health these days. I am also unsure how ‘fast and easy’ has become a cornerstone of living instead of hard work and durability.
I was never overweight but I was considered pleasantly plump in school. Yes, I have had my share of moments of self-doubt caused by weight issue while growing up just like any other teenage girls. But I was lucky to have parents who emphasize on inner beauty and who focus more on health than weight. Mom insisted on 3 meals a day and balanced diet but she doesn’t sanction any snack/food outside meal times (apart from fruits). Dad believes that fresh air is good for kids and would keep us engaged in outdoor activities like cycling, jogging, walks in the parks and badminton sessions. Their philosophies kept me grounded and I never go on any diet spree even until today. After I grew up, the weight sort of merged with my height and I am now considered slim. I am grateful for my parents instilling the right attitude and habits as I do find it easier to maintain my weight after so many years. Granted I am not as discipline as Mom as I do love chocolates and chips and I do indulge in them. But I guess I burn all these off by daily movements and exercises.
I believe the best way to sustain a desired weight is to constantly seek to move everyday (such as taking the stairs/walking/gardening/cycling/light mat exercises) and to eat a balanced diet. I now appreciate more about Mom’s philosophy regarding balanced diet as I look way younger than my years amongst my peers. Nutrients are important for the hair/skin etc. Fat and fried are not bad words, but moderation is the key.
Conclusion: short cuts are costly. There is never a ‘free meal’ in the world. One is merely trading health scores for fast results. Now versus the future. Unless it is a dire situation, losing weight chemically should really be the final resort and carefully monitored by a doctor/qualified nutritionist. One has to learn to love oneself. Shut out those negative comments and believe that you are beautiful just the way you are. And us as women, should stop patronising other women about this weight equal to beauty thingy.
Paris B says
Well said, Kay! I don’t believe in short cuts to anything because it never works out well at the end of the day. Even taking a short cut to a destination could lead one astray, much less when you’re dabbling with health! I think society has a lot to blame as well for the emphasis that is put on weight and looks. If people just realise that we’re all different with different body types then maybe it would all be better. All the photoshopping and mags don’t help either! Oh and you’re right. Women are our worst enemies! Sometimes, I don’t think men notice how a woman looks, as much as a woman does!
Wynnce says
I’m practicing Jung Da Yeon’s tutorials only, hahaha!!!!
PeiQing says
oh I saw that. n my fren was going to try it (but didn’t, hahaha…)
so does it work for u?
Wynnce says
I’m just on the 2nd day, so it’s too early to make a judgement now. But I personally feel that it is working as long as we can keep it as a regular workout (not on and off that lazy kinda fella, although I’m…hahaha!). FYI, I’m starting with 10mins workout daily, and I already feel that the back of my thigh is feeling sad…Hope I can keep it out and switch to 15mins > 30mins > 40mins & above.
Paris B says
You know, I had to look it up! LOL! Gosh, it looks like quite a routine, but also quite fulfilling! Good luck! 😀
Rae // theNotice says
This is a terrifying topic, Paris — but a really important one, especially in this “Age of Selfies”, so thank you for bringing it up.
While I’m not 100% happy with the way my body looks, at the end of the day, I’m comfortable in it — it is exactly what I am made up of and what I do for it. There is no way I’d restrict myself to 500cal/day (especially considering that, when my blood sugar levels dip, I get really disoriented and woozy!), and NO WAY would I ever inject hormones into my body to help me lose weight. If something as common as birth control pills can mess with your body, it’s quite frightening to think of what an unregulated, purely cosmetic treatment will do to you.
I love the unregulated nature of blogging, and the way it can help spread the word about grassroots brands and movements, but this is a great example of blogging gone wrong. Too many people are willing to treat bloggers as authorities on topics that they often know nothing about, and it’s really disturbing to think of how many bloggers are helping to popularize such a dangerous treatment :/
Paris B says
Thanks Rae, it’s one that’s been troubling me for a while especially after I see people/bloggers glorifying the experience or treatment without mentioning side effects or what it entails. It just feels so wrong to me when I personally feel that bloggers have some social responsibility as well. Then again, clearly not everyone thinks so! Sometimes, I think the young ones don’t realise just how messing with your body in your youth could give you problems when you get older. It may not be immediate, but when it happens, it’ll be too late.
Lily says
Weight has always been a hot topic and weight management is one of the most profitable industries. Thing is, in this day and time, being overweight is associated with being unhealthy and lazy, someone with no self control who is obviously eating every junk in the world and sitting on the butt the whole day. I have always been plump but I ace my health test. I have a slim friend who has high cholesterol. Also, the media is promoting fast healthy weight loss, something that will mislead the misinformed. See that celebrity who just delivered twins and now look even better than before? Many take short cuts out of desperation, without doing the proper research. Some get so self deflated that they’d rather sacrifice their health just for that few pounds. I would think this is a societal epidemic that is hard to control. I applaud you for this article, and we need more of these to create healthier awareness.
Paris B says
Absolutely agree there Lily. This whole weight loss industry is probably the biggest growing industry (no pun intended!) but at what cost I wonder. Few people who undergo these treatments keep their weight off once they stop, and you’re right, they could be more unhealthy without even realising it. Pity that people should allow others’ perception of their looks to affect what they do with their bodies, but the fact is that it happens. And then the “lose weight fast!” companies get fat preying on insecurities.
AnT says
Wow! Very interesting post here!! Thank you Paris B!! I am sorry to tell you that I am still eating, not exercising, walk too much due to window shopping and still a coffee-addict!! LOL!!
Paris B says
LOL!! That makes you a very healthy individual! After all, walking to window shop is exercising too right? 😉
AnT says
LOL!!! After the window shopping, I will have a cuppa with a slice of sinful cake 😀 Just eating non-stop that is!! The more I walk, the hungrier I get, then the more I will end up eating like a glutton! LOLL!! 😀
Paris B says
Must replenish energy maaaa…. 😛
Celine says
Oh wow. I’ve heard of diet pils but not this! Most probably because it would be illegal here… If people managed to eat 500 calories a day (nothing but sticks of celery and water?), I’m sure they’d lose weight in no time :/ I think these diets just indulge people’s laziness in letting you think you can shift weight without exercise.
Paris B says
Hey Celine, am I correct to guess you’re in the UK? Actually, this HCG diet thing was popularized in the USA a few years back and is just gaining traction here. If you do a quick search online, you’d notice that it’s apparently quite popular in the UK too and isn’t illegal anywhere, despite the criticism against it. The reason is, I think, because the drug itself isn’t illegal, just the purpose of use. But yes, ultimately, 500 calories a day will make you lose weight in no time at all. Wish people understood that, and just were more hardworking to shift the weight instead of relying on the easy way out 🙁
Shleesy says
Well said, PB.
I’ve used HCG shot to treat my infertility and it was not fun. It may even cause OHSS and your tummy bloated like hell, skin and/or hair feeling dry, diarrhea and other complications. I would rather maintain healthy diet & exercise to lose weight.
Paris B says
Hi Shleesy, thank you for sharing and I have heard of the side effects and it boggles my mind why anyone would want to go through that just for weight loss? I hope your treatment (and discomfort) was fruitful in the end though 🙂
PeiQing says
I have never heard about this until now. It’s not legislated in Singapore and I doubt in the States at all.
Paris B says
Actually, it’s also prevalent in Singapore! Everywhere now, apparently where women wants to lose weight quickly. In the USA, they have food/pills/drops that claim to contain HCG and help you lose weight but although it’s been dispelled, it’s not stopping anyone from buying or using or claiming that it works! 🙁
C says
500 calories?! That’s terrible. I think 1200 calories for a women is the minimum that you can eat whilst still…eating. I guess what this diet aims to do is make it so you’re not aware that you’re eating so little? Sounds dangerous. I used to severely restrict my intake of food to keep my weight down, and I felt so weak and tired…it was just not worth it. As for hormones, I’d be wary of anything like that. As someone said above, if even the pill can mess with you imagine what something unregulated like this is doing. A severely restricted diet plus messing with your hormones doesn’t sound like a good mix.
Thank you for posting articles like these too. I really appreciate how honest you are when it comes to beauty – and how you promote such a healthy attitude to it.
Paris B says
Thanks C 🙂 I’d like to think I have a bit of social responsibility as a blogger, which may or may not sit well with people but then I don’t really care LOL! 🙂 I think we should just eat and do things in moderation. I’ve found that keeping active, eating less and having portion control will ultimately help you lose weight. Sometimes, weight could be a health problem, or hormones or just age and there’s no magic pill or injection that can change all that.
Sawpore says
This is definitely a weighty issue worth a mention so more would be aware of the consequences and side effects.
I suffered from hyperthyroidism since Uni and all through the age of 27 before I was finally cured. My mom always held the opinion that it was the oral med I took for my acne which triggered the hyperthyroidism.
The med I took to control hyperthyroidism left me overweight (that’s when I know the phrase even drinking and breathing makes you fat), hair loss & premature greying and brittle nails.
These days I’m very mindful of the medications and supplements I consume even when it is prescribed by doctors. I will do my own research to make sure that there isn’t ingredients that would mess with my hormones again.
Thank you sharing this article.
Paris B says
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Sawpore. We just never know how medication we take can affect us or our hormones simply because no 2 people are the same and what might cure one may cause more problems in another. That’s why it’s so important to know the side effects of any medication and to keep it in mind. I’m glad to know you’re better now 🙂
Tubbs says
Think I’ll stick to the tried and tested method of eating less and moving more! Hormones?! No thanks
Paris B says
Wise move Tubbs! 😀
Ting says
I have never heard of hormone injection for loosing weight before. Until your post, that it. Thank you for your info about this. I thought liposuction is horrible enough. I have heard so many examples of people undergoing liposuction (the youngest being a teenager. Yup. Talk about insecurity in youngsters these days!) but they all end up putting more weight than before.
In the old times (gosh! I sound like a granny now!!), men hunt and women did farm work. So yes they can eat any amount they can find, and food was scarce. But now, we only sit at the desk 9 hours a day, go home and sit some more watching TV or playing video games. And food is in abundant and great variety. So of course we are in the age of obesity! It’s not rocket science! Furthermore, nowadays we eat outside more, cook less. And you know sometimes eating outside can be quite unhealthy depending on your choice.
So what we do? No time for exercise? We take the short cuts. It’s just wrong. I once read that, when pregnant, we put on X amount of weight during 9 months. So it will take that long, if not longer, to loose that X amount completely. Gradual weight loss is the right way to ensure you shed those extra pounds permanently. And it’s a life-long mission. 🙂
Paris B says
The problem with quick weight loss is that it’ll never stay off, because people will just continue with their food and sedentary lifestyle and when it gets too much, go for a procedure or take a pill and get it off again. All that really messes with the body without us realizing it! You know what amazes me, those women who look like they barely put on any weight when pregnant and 2 weeks after giving birth, are back to their tiny little sizes again and taking OOTD and selfies all over the place. Tell me, how is that even possible?!?!