At the end of the 500 calorie phase, the diet resembles the South Beach diet. It ups the calories to normal levels, to a diet high in protein, and green leafy veggies, and slowly adds back in sugary/starchy foods until you find a point where you neither loose or gain weight.

I am currently on this diet and love it! The 500 calorie phase requires a lot of discipline the first week or so. After that, hunger isn’t so noticeable, energy level is normal, and I feel just as I usually do, except I am loosing about a pound a day.

I have read the reports about the use of HCG and the criticism of this diet. No, HGC is not approved for weight loss, but it is for other uses and has no stated side effects. After all, it is produced by pregnant women to aid in fat release and consumption during pregnancy.

The main argument against the diet is that it isn’t tested, so it isn’t recommended. This overlooks the 20 some odd years of testing the author of the diet performed prior to publishing the diet and the use of similar protocols in the past (before Keys and his fat is evil crusade).

Personally, I really don’t care if HCG works the same as a placebo or not, because the program works. I have read about several nearly identical diets used for 20 odd years before WWII had the same regime as the Simeons diet, so it might not be needed.

The upside of using HCG is that is prescribed, and medically monitored. I see my Dr. twice a week, for a check of my vitals, and a B12 shot.

So far my blood pressure is down, my weight is down, my body fat percentage is down, and I feel fine and am looking forward to the 6 week transition to a carb restricted diet tailored to my sensitivity to carbs.