Working out on the hCG Protocol
Many of us love to work out and think it will help speed our weight loss along but that is not the case on the hCG protocol. Working out in Phase 2 and Phase 3 will sabotage your weight loss and you will gain your weight back. I have heard from so many people who are frustrated because they kept working out in phase 2 and can not figure out why their round is not going well.
Today we believe we need to work out to feel active.
Dr. Simeons in Pounds and Inches says that we are not to exercise at all in Phase 2.
We have to remember that this protocol was researched and developed in the 1940s and 1950s when life was a lot different. People didn't work out, they led active lives.
Working out is great when you are not on protocol but will sabotage your round and cause you to gain your weight back.
there are a few reasons why.
1, we are not consuming enough calories to accommodate working out. Eating 500 calories a day is just enough for regular everyday activity with a deficit to cause weight loss. You could actually cause your body great harm by trying to add extra activity on so low of calories.
2, working out causes the body to produce hormones. Cortisol is one of the hormones produced by the body when we are stressed and exercise and a very low-calorie diet like we follow in phase 2 is very stressful on the body. Cortisol actually causes belly fat. We are trying to get rid of belly fat.
3, When we work out our bodies break down muscle to build it back up. Our bodies then produce healing fluid and send it to the broken down muscles to repair them. This causes water weight gain.
4, lastly, working out causes muscle gain which causes weight gain.
I have worked with so many people who resumed exercise in P3 and couldn't maintain their weight within their 4-pound Phase 3 window and get so frustrated. I know that Dr. Simeons didn't go into much detail about phase 3 but remember in the 40s and 50s people didn't work out like we do now. scroll back up and go over the reasons I listed. This is also a time to put off strenuous activities like remodeling your home, digging water lines, going on hikes or even moving your furniture. these types of activities should wait until phase 4.
Let's work on our thought life while on the hCG protocol.
The hCG Protocol (a plan for a medical
treatment) is not another diet but a scientific protocol that needs to be done correctly to work and when I say work I am talking about much more than just losing your weight. This is the perfect time to do some soul searching and work on old thought patterns and habits that got us to where we are now, overweight.
If you are on this protocol you should have
already read Pounds and Inches. If you are thinking about doing the protocol or haven't read P&I then you need to read it before going any further. Click here to download Pounds and Inches.
Success on hCG is so much more than just losing weight. hCG makes it pretty easy to lose a good amount of weight without hunger. BUT the end goal is to reset our Hypothalamus which resets our metabolism, to keep the weight off.
I am all for getting outside and getting some activity in, but this is a time to be kind and gentle to our bodies. We are asking a lot of them on this protocol. Losing .5 to 1 pound a day is hard on the body and we need to remember the long-term goal; to reset our metabolism and keep this weight off. Trust me, you don't want to have to keep doing this protocol every year for the rest of your life. You are investing your time, energy, and money to lose weight and get healthy. Make it count, follow the protocol as it was designed then move into your new thinner, healthier life.
Some things to do instead of working out while on the hCG protocol.
1, Take a nice leisurely walk with a loved one or pet.
2, Journal your thoughts and plans for your thinner, healthier future.
3, Spend time in prayer, reflection, or meditation.
3, Do some gentle stretching.
4, Read a good book
5, Meal plan and prep.
Just remember you have the rest of your life to work out like crazy if that is your thing. this is a time to take a break and let your body heal, and become healthy while you are taking off the weight.
As always, In Gratitude and Health,
