HCG Diet Products are Illegal

I know we talked about this in October but I just found this report under the FDA, US Department of Health and Human services website.  Although the story report indicates that ALL HCG products are not approved for weight loss, its also states the factual outcomes of claims. 

If you are considering HCG, take the time to read this:  http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm281333.htm.

Where is my post?

gotta love computers.  My November post is missing……more updates to come!

Get the skinny on HCG

Jen Manian, certified personal trainer, and I were recently commenting on all the hubbub going on around town about the HCG diet.   Jen has just attended an event where Dr. Leila Wibbenmeyer presented The HCG diet and its history.   Here Jen gives us the skinny on HCG presentation:

HCG was developed by Dr. Albert Simeons in 1954 after treating “fat boys” in India. He claimed that HCG would mobilize stored fat (the bad fat, not the good fat), suppress diet and redistribute fat from the waist, hips, and thighs. He also claimed that it “resets” your metabolism. In 1975, the FDA required labeling and advertising of HCG o date that it has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. In 1976, the FTC ordered that Dr. Simeons stop claiming that the HCG-based programs were safe, effective and approved by the FDA for weight control. While the order didn’t stop Dr. Simeons and his clinics from using HCG, they had to inform their patients that HCG had to be injected into their bodies and that it wasn’t approved by the FDA as safe and effective in obesity or weight control. After these statements were released, the HCG diet fad died down. However, in 2007, Kevin Trudeau released his book called The Weight Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About. Who is this guy? He is a felon, scam artist, author, infomercial producer and star.

Here are some simple facts about HCG and the HCD diet:

1. HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotrophin, a hormone found in the urine of pregnant women. Its purpose during pregnancy is to prepare the uterus for the baby. Its purpose clinically is to induce ovulation in the ovaries as well as testosterone production in the testes due to its similarity to luteinizing hormone.
2. The two forms in which HCD is being used in weight loss are injections and homeopathic drops.
3. HCG is not a steroid hormone; it is a protein hormone like insulin. HCG is 6.5 times the size of insulin. Due to the size of this protein and the fact that our body does not absorb proteins unless they’re ingested or injected subcutaneously, HCG cannot be absorbed sublingually (under the tongue).
4. Several studies have been conducted concluding that HCG is ineffective with sustained weight loss.
5. No studies have been conducted on the long term effects of HCG use for weight loss.
6. This diet requires that you only consume 500 calories per day, which makes it hard for you to meet your nutrient needs and can be harmful to your body.
7. There are many dangers and side effects of this HCG diet, including irritability, depression, nausea, fatigue, sudden mood swings.

This HCG diet does not appear to help you develop healthy eating habits for optimal nutrition and managing weight.   Although it may seem like the perfect way to lose weight in a short amount of time, it may not be a long term solution for weight management.

By Jen Manian

Information for summary provided by Dr. Lela Wibbenmeyer

you just do it

You know exactly who it is just by the slogan. From the now-iconic Waffle Trainer in 1974 to Air Jordans to the most recent Lunalites well-loved by runners, Nike has shoes for every sport you can imagine. Nike, derived from the Greek goddess of victory, is known world wide for the Swoosh logo and now-famous slogan “Just Do It” created for a 1988 Nike ad campaign now showcased in the Smithsonian Institute.  Why is it so recognized, so popular, so powerful?

Like Walt Stack, who ran 17 miles everyday for the last 27 years of his life well into his 80s,  and was the first featured in the television ad that catapulted the slogan into the history books, the slogan is  as simple as it is meaningful. When you see Walt running across the Golden Gate bridge to Sausalito, his tanned chest with its leathery finish from years in the sun, it makes you see things so clearly.  You just do it. No excuses, no discussions, no interruptions, just complete surrender. 

You just do it. Now I am not a big fan of fashion and of brand names, or even famous sports stars. 

I don’t even own a pair. But I love this slogan.

If you are one of my clients or students, you have heard me say it to you in a workout or in camp,

or maybe in your sleep.

just do it

There will always be stuff to do

“When you die, your inbox won’t be empty” is such simple yet potent comment.  I didn’t write it , it was coined by Richard Carlson in Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff….and its all small stuff.  This is a one of my favorite parts of this book, and I happened to read it last week during a time when many of  my customers, colleagues, and friends (and me) had  made comments as to how busy they were and they couldn’t wait for things to slow down so they could back a “normal” routine, get back to exercising again.

Really? I thought.  What really is normal?  Unless you are going through a major life change like moving out of state, a divorce, or dealing with a death in your immediate family, this is your normal life.  This just happens to be where you are right now in it.  There will always be something you should be doing, things that truly have to be done.  But really, do these things make you happy, align with your inner goals and desires, support the relationships with the people you most care about?

I am not  advocating that you ignore the fact that work obligations and commitments are necessary at times, I am referring to outside of these things.  What is really important to you isn’t on a list of things to do.  Sometimes you just need to put the phone down, push back away from the computer, or leave the TV off.  It will be there tomorrow. Now go for a walk, get a full night’s sleep, make time for that exercise class this week.

Fatigue and Muscle Recovery

 While regular exercise provides many useful benefits in energy, endurance, weight management and performance improvement, too much exercise can leave you feeling fatigued and run down.  Be sure to moderate your activity over time, and recognize how you are feeling after exercise. You may feel sore from time to time, but ongoing soreness and fatigue is a sign of over training. 

    You can avoid over working your body  by alternating hard workouts with easier workouts different days.   If you do perform a much harder or strenuous workout, be sure to give your muscles at least two days to recover before another hard workout. You can do this by alternating the muscles you work each day, and/or varying the type of exercise such as interval training M, W, F and swimming or yoga on the other days.

 Vary the intensity of your exercise routine  by using the principle of gradual progressive overload.   Increasing the intensity of your workouts over time, perhaps only 10-20 % each workout or week, will allow your body to safely develop strength and stamina to take additional loads.    Be sure to rest  on your off days, such as Saturday, and regularly get a good night’s sleep.

Lastly, Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and eat healthy food to feed your muscles and maintain lean muscle. Remember, Consistency and variety in physical activity is the key to staying in shape and avoid over working your body, or worse injury.