HCG 2.0 - Don't Starve, Eat Smart and Lose: A Modern Adaptation of the Traditional HCG Diet Paperback – July 9, 2013

I found this book through a link in the comment that was repeatedly posted against several HCG diet cookbooks on Amazon. The post says that this book is the easiest HCG diet book and that you don't even have to cook and worry about meal plan with this book.-I was looking for a HCG cookbook because I was having a trouble maintaining my weight during my Phase 3 Maintenance weeks. So I bought HCG 2.0.As I read it, I found this book to be NOT a cookbook but *** the BEST modern-HCG diet guidebook ever on the market (books/online)***. It contains lots of information about the theories behind, rules of, and tools for HCG diet, which is SO important to succeed in a most effective, healthy, and fastest way.*** Please read my story below ***Last month, I did my very first HCG diet with "semi-traditional" protocol with some commercial HCG diet drop (not InsideOut Wellness by Dr. Zach LaBoude, the author). Before the diet, I was a lean regular exerciser and needed to shed only 8 lbs that had never responded to dieting and exercise. The HCG company i chose told me it would take less than 2 weeks to lose that small weight of fat. BUT the reality is, it took 3+ weeks, and I experienced lots of stalls. I lost from my face and felt always hungry and exhausted. I was miserable and quit immediately after I reached my goal of 10-lb loss (23rd day).During the Maintenance Phase 3 (3 weeks), my weight went up & down despite teeth-clenching efforts with strict diet. I had to do many "steak days," "5-apple days" (an alternative to steak day for vegetarians and fruit lovers). By the end of 3-week maintenance, I had already 3 lbs up from my 10-lb weight loss - 30% gain.Then I found this HCG 2.0 book on Amazon and purchased it - I meant to learn cooking, but ended up studying REAL important facts, keys to success, valuable information and more. I read through it (I am a scientist, too) with highlighters and was SO shocked. I had done so many mistakes - by faithfully following the HCG diet company's protocol. The typical HCG diet plans online have TOO MANY NO-NO-NOs. Even Dr. Simeon's original protocol would no longer work for modern life style and diet.After reading HCG 2.0, I decided to redo the diet because I had already gained 3 out of 10 lb I had lost from the Phase 2 and seemed to be continuously gaining. So I redid the whole process -including the binge day (Day 1 & 2). After the 2 days of fat loading, I gained freaking 7lbs!!!!!! My body had lost wrong fats and been starving - so the loading gave my body a perfect opportunity to regain all it had lost. I almost cried.But I followed this HCG 2.0 protocol from the day 3 of Phase 2, and amazingly, lost 5 lbs in just 3 days!!!! I have lost total 9 lbs in only 6 days. No stall at all - and no steak day needed. I was never hungry and did not lose muscles or from face.Currently I am on Phase 3: following HCG 2.0 protocol, I have gained ZERO gram!!!! SUPURB.*** Post Phase 2 of 2nd HCG diet ***What I learn is that, this HCG 2.0 diet is ideal especially for those who are leaner, exercise regularly, and have less fat (are not obese) but DO have some extra fat to lose - which cannot be lost by increasing more exercise. Dr. Simeon's traditional and many other protocols may work better for those who have abundant fat to lose (say, +50 lbs) but not for the athletic/active people like myself - the weight loss is VERY SLOW and difficult. The same thing for those who are on the +2 rounds: lesser the fat to lose (w/ lower BMR), slower to lose.- Dr. LaBoube has a secret to tell you: the single most important KEY to success. Really. I even enjoyed diet soda (as HCG 2.0 allowed in moderation) and it helped reduce my stress level. I did not subtract calories from veggie, but cut one essential thing. This made a HUGE difference.

I have done the Simeon's protocol in the past. I did lose weight but I will admit it was tough to follow the strict guidelines of the Protocol. I was so glad to have found this book! This is strictly a meat/veggie protocol. I started on Feb 24 & Im down 4.2lbs. Here are my Pros/Cons of the bookCONS:~Some of his food items have been higher in Nutritional Data than Ive been eating. Therefore, I have added my foods to his list & printed it out.~Carbs are NOT UNLIMITED. Most servings are 1c. unless noted. However, the Veggie calories are not to be included into your daily caloric allowance. You are ONLY allowed 30g of carbs per day, and thats FOR EVERYONE.~No milk~No fruitsPROS:~You can eat BREAKFAST!!~Alot more variety of meats & vegetables~Mixing veggies is allowed~An idealistis Calorie Limit depending on each individuals weight, height, age (not like the 500 as on Simeon's)~You can drink diet, zero calorie, carb free beverages instead of just being stuck with tea,water,coffee~I have not been hungry at all & have been satisfied with the amts of food is allowed. I sometimes choose to eat 5 small meals instead of 3.~lotions,makeups, deodorants, etc. are not an issue~you can chew gum!! ;)~very easy to follow with good explanation. LOVE THIS BOOK!!

Pros-An easy read, took me 5-6 hours.-An easier approach to HCG than Original Protocol. Higher calorie count based on .4 of your BMR, only eat protein/low carb veggies, only count protein calories and focus on staying in ketosis (<30 carbs) and balancing omega 3 & 6. No fruit or melba toast. Incorporate zero sugar things like an afternoon Diet Coke if you must to stay on plan.-Something to read if you’re like me and need to zealously immerse yourself in diet changes in order to keep yourself on track.-Author seems relatable, self-aware & realistic.Cons-A lot of repetition, like reading the same thing 3x.-I understand why the author does not give a quick start guide but I finished the book feeling like I didn’t have enough direction or a road map.-Author mentions that there are new food inventions like zero sugar options that are available to HCG 2.0 participants but never really explains incorporating them- his recipes and meal plan examples still seem very OP minus the fruit & toast.

As a nurse practitioner who has always struggled with weight, I am always researching articles for the best weight loss plans. Year after year I have tried numerous over the counter supplements as well as weight loss plans, only to have all of my efforts fail. I did have some success on an expensive Hcg program, but due to the strict program limitations I could not last 2 weeks on it. After reviewing several Hcg plans I stumbled across Dr. LaBoube's HCG 2.0. I read and studied the book for approximately 1 week (my motto is knowledge is power). I do not know Dr. LaBoube, but after examining his book and doing the program myself, I have come to the conclusion that he must be a genius. This program is awesome and has helped me tremendously! It gives you much more freedom than the traditional HCG diet which makes your goal achievable. After 3 weeks I am down 20 lbs and I'm satisfied after eating. The thought of quitting has not even crossed my mind. HCG 2.0, I think I love you.