Post-Summer Body Reset

With cooler weather finally gracing the Phoenix area, summer is officially in our rearview mirrors. We can finally get out our “winter” clothing and turn off the air conditioning. Well, at least on some days. Long sleeves and extra layers come in handy for covering up those areas that protrude more than we’d like—a saving grace many missed over the hot months. Now that our swimsuits aren’t a threat anymore, the extra weight may not seem like quite the concern. It almost feels like we get a “pound pass” until the new year when the pressure to lose weight weighs heavy. From now until after the holidays, losing weight just doesn’t feel like a priority, but it should be. The reasons to lose it are just as plentiful as the excuses to put it off.

One key to success is to consult with a physician. While diet and exercise can work for some, many will not succeed with this approach. A physician can help those who struggle to lose weight, those needing to lose a lot of weight, and those who keep gaining the weight back.

One weight-loss program that has been used by countless people since the 1970s is the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) protocol. This diet goes deeper than any other typical diet-based approach because the hCG protocol revs up a person’s metabolism by using a natural hormone. hCG is a hormone found in small amounts in both sexes, but when a woman becomes pregnant, hCG production goes into overdrive. During pregnancy, the baby requires nutrients and calories to develop; hCG converts the mother’s fat into calories for her baby’s growth.

By elevating hCG levels, stored fat is released quite quickly. Most people report losing 4 to 8 pounds per week, making this is an ideal program for those needing to lose 20 or more pounds. Around 1,800 calories worth of body fat is released and utilized, requiring the patient to intake additional calories. The amount and quality of these calories can make or break a successful hCG program. Usually 500 to 750 additional calories are recommended to sustain energy; however, only certain foods should be consumed to maintain a fat-burning state—obviously a doughnut isn’t on the food plan. It’s important to note that eating this low amount of calories without increasing hCG levels would prove disastrous. The use of hCG allows for fat to be burned and those extra 1,800 calories to be released, so in actuality the patient is really receiving at least 2,300 calories a day.

Traditional weight-loss programs can be slow, leaving people frustrated. They give up quickly. On this program, when the food plan is followed, most people will see their weekly weight-loss goals met, keeping them motivated and on track. An hCG program should only be used under the direct supervision of a trained physician. Not everyone is a candidate for this program, and bloodwork is needed to rule out any health concerns that could interfere with success. Most reputable physicians will recommend weekly visits to monitor success and provide additional support.

An hCG protocol is a potent tool for anyone serious about losing weight. If you need to lose unhealthy weight, whether it’s 10 or 50 pounds, meeting with a physician can provide more support and options to help you finally succeed.

Paul Stallone, NMD, founded the Arizona Integrative Medical Center, located at 8144 E. Cactus Rd., Ste. 820, in Scottsdale. He combines natural/alternative/conventional treatments for each patient’s needs. For more information, call 480-214-3922 or visit DrStallone.com.