So, on Day 01 I went to Weighless MD and had my initial training on how to approach this diet. I chose Weighless because they differentiated themselves in following the evidence-based, well-researched (e.g. peer viewed, double-blind, controlled (most variables at least) protocol of Dr. Sheri Emma based in New Jersey. This was a much newer protocol than that of the original HCG protocol which had been developed by Dr. Albert T.W. Simeons in the 1950s.
Essentially, there are 4 phases to the HCG diet:
Phase 01 – Gorge for 2 days and begin HCG injections
Phase 02 – Injection phase coupled with protein heavy, calorie-restricted diet (between 500-1000 calories per day) for 6 weeks
Phase 03 – Stabilization phase for 3 weeks where you slowly increase calories, stop injections and basically get used to eating more
Phase 04 – Maintenance phase where you keep the calories off for life! (which many HCG dieters have done successfully!)