Some obese individuals believe that being big is beautiful but not all the time. Because being big also means putting one's health in danger in terms of the diseases triggered by obesity. So for those on the heavy side, slimming down is an inevitable option. If you are worried about slimming down and how excruciating it would be basing on some reality shows you've seen on T.V. Well, losing weight doesn't have to involve all that drama. All you need is a diet program that is straight to the point. That means delivering slimming results without shedding tears and sweat but shedding fats instead.

Going under the knife might be the fastest option but can be pricey too. So go ahead and settle for something that is safe, effective and right on the buck. The diet program that is all that and more is the HCG diet. The HCG diet targets the basic purpose of most people getting into diet programs and that is to lose weight as soon as possible. The key "ingredient" in the HCG diet is the HCG hormone plus sheer determination and you will certainly be showing that slim bod of yours in no time.

The HCG hormone is also known as the Human Chorionic Gonadotropin hormone. This hormone is produced by the placenta thus it is in great amounts during pregnancy. The main action of the HCG hormone is to aid in the metabolism of excess fats stored in the body thus resulting to reduction of weight. The HCG is proven to be effective for both men and women suffering from obesity.

This great discovery is credited to the British doctor, Dr. Simeons. He discovered this diet in the 1950's in the goal of finding ways to help obese individuals slim down. He himself tested and established that there are no dangers in the HCG diet as long as the procedure is done properly and the precautions are followed carefully. Along with Dr. Simeons, there is also another man who made the HCG diet historical. His book "The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You to Know About" flew off shelves and made the HCG diet more popular. All thanks to the man by the name Andrew Trudeau. His book along with some infomercials made the HCG diet a household name.

According to Dr. Simeons and Trudeau's book, the HCG diet has four phases. The first phase or the "loading days" phase is consisted of 2 days. They are called by this name because in these days, you will have to load with very high fat foods. There are two reasons behind why this is necessary in the first phase of the HCG treatment. The first one is to alert the internal metabolism of the body to burn up excess calories. The second one is to help relieve hunger or any discomfort during the first week of the treatment.

The second phase on the other hand does not apply the "loading days" but instead has a very low calorie diet requirement of 500 calories. This goes hand-in-hand with the onset of the HCG hormone treatment. This goes on for 20 to 40 days or depending on how much weight needs to be lost. The calorie diet restriction goes on for another three days after the 20th or 40th day when the HCG hormone treatment ends.

The synthetic form of HCG hormone is introduced into the body through the HCG shots or the oral HCG drops. The shots are of higher dose and are directly introduced into the blood stream. The oral drops on the other hand are given sublingually. This route is given under the tongue wherein it has a faster absorption compared to swallowing the hormones. It can be conveniently taken at home while the shots can only be given in the HCG clinic where a doctor or nutritionist is present and can monitor the dosage of the hormones. Problems such as bleeding and blood clots can also be avoided when the shots are given in the clinic. Following the precautions is a sure way to avoid any dangers in the HCG diet or in any other diet plans for that matter.

The third phase of the HCG diet is also known as the maintenance phase. It can last up to 3 weeks. Then you go back to the first phase for another "round" and add another week when you reach the third phase again. The very low calorie diet from the second phase is not carried on in the third phase but all starch and sugar should still be avoided.

The fourth phase is when you have achieved the figure you desire. And this phase is the most challenging one because you will have to maintain the figure amidst the reset metabolism and lifestyle changes after the treatment. So you will have to keep track of your weight to make sure that you do not gain all the weight you have lost as it is the common mistake of other dieters after completing the HCG diet.

Slimming down is just a matter of perspective. You don't need a trainer to shout at your face like those in a reality show. You just have to positively think that you can do it and you actually will. And once you have reached that goal weight that would be the greatest reward you can give yourself.