Nationally representative data on people’s weight in Australia during COVID-19 are not currently available. However, emerging research suggests that COVID-19 might have had an impact on the weight of some Australians.
Data from SiSU health check stations across Australia have shown that non-seasonal spikes in measured BMI was evident in their users from March 2020, coinciding with the period that public health restrictions due to COVID-19 were starting to take place (SiSU Health 2020). However, it should be noted that users of SiSU health check stations tend to be younger, female and more socioeconomically advantaged than the general Australian population (Flitcroft et al. 2020).
If you find that you have gained weight during the pandemic then you obviously aren’t the only one. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Wellness, Men had higher rates of overweight and obesity than women (75% of men and 60% of women), and higher rates of obesity (33% of men and 30% of women).
Many of us can attest to the fact that it is easy to become sidetracked or to feel like you are failing when you are trying to lose weight especially when you are sticking to the diet plan without seeing measurable results. As we have seen time and time again undoubtedly, before long you give up feeling like you have failed and fall back into old patterns of eating. These setbacks significantly impact the risk of cardiovascular disease and other health conditions not to mention our mental health. That being the case, how can men target weight loss in a way in which you see results quickly that are effective as well as being beneficial to your long-term health?
Here are some of the reasons the hCG program is one of the best diet options for losing weight quickly, yet effectively.
What does the hCG diet do for men?
The hCG diet for men teaches your body how to use fat stores as energy.
Interestingly, it has long since been thought that if your body goes into starvation mode, particularly when it comes to fast weight loss that your metabolism will crash, therefore there is this misconception that fast weight loss diets don’t work.
This belief is based on a study carried out in World War II, using an exceptionally low protein diet over a period of 6 months in which the participants’ metabolic rate crashed over this period.
There have since however been several studies showing the opposite effect of fast weight loss diets when the food component of the diet contains moderate amounts of protein combined with low carbohydrate fruits and vegetables. Research has shown that this combination of low-carb, low-calorie dieting such as the hCG diet for men puts the body into a mild state of ketosis giving the benefit of preserving muscle mass which in turn helps burn fat, it also means that you will be left feeling less hungry.
Let’s break it down:
The hCG weight loss diet for men is broken up into 3 Phases:
1. Loading phase
Start taking hCG Man Drops and eat plenty of high-fat, high-calorie foods for 2 days. Phase 1 involves eating lots of healthy fats which load your body with good fat reserves that your body can draw upon for energy while alleviating hunger particularly during the first few days of phase 2.
2. Weight loss phase
Continue taking hCG man drops and eat only 500 calories (or 800 calorie option), daily for 3 to 6 weeks. Phase 2 is the rapid weight loss phase. This process will liberate fat stores and reset the hypothalamus (the body’s master gland that also controls weight), so that it doesn’t continue to store calories as long-term brown fat but instead as short-term normal fat. Maximum weight loss calls for a total avoidance of simple carbohydrates and oils while consuming 500-800 calories a day from the approved list of lean protein, vegetables, and fruit. However, you don’t have to think of this as a low-calorie diet as your body will source all the additional calories it needs from your abnormal fat stores ensuring it receives all the essential nutrients it requires to remain healthy while still losing the most weight possible.
All main meals incorporate 100 – 150gm of any allowable protein and a vegetable serve, we have purposely set out our meal plan so that you are consuming breakfast, lunch and dinner plus snacks. The reason behind this is that it means that you are regularly eating and are therefore much less likely to experience the highs and lows of blood sugar imbalance. When your blood sugar drops you may experience lethargy, headaches, and food cravings. So even if you don’t feel hungry at the time it is important to ensure that you do eat regularly and keep your blood sugar levels regulated. The hCG diet for men enables you to clean out your diet, get used to smaller portion sizes and access the abnormal fat that is the hardest type of fat to lose. During this phase we don’t encourage vigorous exercise however, if you do feel like moving as your energy levels improve then walking, stretching or yoga are good options.
3. Maintenance phase
Stop taking hCG diet Man Drops. Gradually increase your food intake during this phase while avoiding starch and sugar. This phase is designed to lock in your new weight set point and learn how to keep your weight loss permanent. Foods are gradually re-introduced, giving you a chance to monitor how your body reacts to certain types of foods and to identify what foods should be avoided or kept to a minimum. As protein consumption is increased, this is the perfect time to increase your exercise and show off your new body. The maintenance phase is your opportunity to get rid of your old ways and habits of eating. By continuing this journey of eating good quality proteins, good fats and lots of healthy fruits and vegetables you are extending your lifespan, ageing better, feeling more energetic, and maintaining your muscle mass which is critically important as we age. This is the type of eating that is paramount to you sustaining your weight loss and keeping to your weight loss goals. Additionally, exercise is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle and usually critical in maintaining your weight loss efforts. The Clean Eating Guide included in the Value Bundle will ensure that you continue to eat healthy post the maintenance phase of the diet. The clean eating plan will also keep you in the groove of eating healthily and show you just how easy it is to eat well and maintain body weight after weight loss.
Some additional thoughts:
- Surround yourself with likeminded people that have similar health goals. They may even be the same people that supported you through your weight loss efforts, these people know what it has taken for you to achieve your success and will continue to guide you when needed. These support groups can be vital in helping you to stick to your healthy habits.
- Consistency is the key to long-term healthy exercise and eating habits, being consistent will not only help maintain fat loss but will help establish daily habits and patterns that will continue to serve you well post dieting.
- Try not to forget how important it is to drink water, water in itself won’t make you lose weight however, it may help with appetite control, water is filling and may reduce your overall calorie intake.
- It is extremely important to keep stress under control when it comes to weight management. Stress is one of the most significant life factors when it comes to weight and it can wreak havoc on our healthy intentions. High-stress levels can mess with sleep and hormones leading to increased appetite, cravings, low energy, poor mood, all of which can negatively affect your ability to stick to a healthy eating plan.
Losing and maintaining weight is a life-long commitment to a healthy lifestyle. Keep yourself accountable and try to incorporate some or all the above tips to ensure your success. It is these changes which will ensure that an overall healthy lifestyle is maintained from the day you take your first drop for the rest of your life.
The 42-day hCG Value Bundle includes homeopathic hCG drops, maintenance drops, jojoba oil, program guide, meal plans & recipes, weight loss tracker and private Facebook support group. It has everything you need to lose up to 15kg in 42 days. You may repeat as often as you like and maintain a healthy weight range for the rest of your life.
The Value Bundle also includes a 4-week Clean Eating Guide to use after you finish the weight loss program as well as an Appetite Suppressant Spray when you need a little support to fight overeating and cravings.
Liza Brunell
Adv Dip Health Science Naturopathy, Nutrition
