mdep, I don't feel anyone is claiming that sunscreen lotions are making people fat. But it could cause an adverse reaction with the medication. I'm not big on people taking medication for things that they can get pass on their own. I'm even less on board with surgical interventions, especially for elective or cosmetic surgery. You make a valid argument that it would be useful for individuals that could not, for medical reasons, lose the weight in a normal, non-evasive, healthy way. Especially as an alternative to surgery. This form of diet isn't for me, I'm more of a naturalist when it comes to my health and well-being. I prefer to use fewer medications or interventions to stay healthy. I may look further into such treatment methods in the future just to keep myself educated. This wouldn't be the first time I shared the common "status-quo" opinion but was greatly surprised by the reality of what I was denouncing.

Pardon me, for being skeptical of faceless internet people making broad claims. But the simple fact of the matter is, as john inadvertently said, to lose weight and keep it off you need to change your lifestyle, eat right, and exercise. I don't see the need of the hCG since you can obtain the same results without it. You say it keeps the body from burning muscle and merely focuses on the fat. Walks like a duck, quacks like a duck... Things that seem too good to be true generally are. IMHO- Skip the drug, eat right, and exercise. Thats all you need. You're going to NEED to be doing that anyways once you are off the medication, if it indeed worked as stated. Might as well make a healthy lifestyle change from the start and not run the risk of an adverse effect. The drug sounds like a waste of money and quite possibly your health.

According to most of the height and weight charts I've read ideal for 5'7" Female is 143, low end is 123. To see how many calories you should be eating look at how many you burn at rest and sleep everyday according to your body. Fatsecret has it figured for you if you select Enter Exercise. What you'll want to do with that is eat fewer calories than what you already burn and burn more through exercise. To lose a pound you must burn at least 3500 calories, but you don't want to burn more than 2-3 pounds per week. No more than .5-1 pound when you are getting within 10 pounds of your ideal weight. It's best, in my opinion, to burn most of your calories through exercise instead of through omission of calories in your diet.

I agree with CeeBee. If you feel you are addicted to something and don't think you can go cold turkey, try stepping down. Perhaps drop one can of pop for a bottled water every week until you are drinking just water. If you are missing out on the sugar try 100% juice or better yet a whole fruit smoothie. I say the fruit (and even veggie) smoothie is better because you have the added pulp/fiber in the drink so you get a longer stretch of carbs from the drink, instead of a more straight rush from just the juice. It lasts longer throughout the day without a sudden crash of energy. Not to mention all the vitamins and minerals. It make seem like you are trading one carb for another but the fruits will give you some added nutritional value and may make it easier to step down away from the soda which has no nutrition and is loaded with sugar and caffeine.

I used to snack too after stressful days, or even out of sheer boredom. Now when I start feeling the cravings I grab a bottle of water. If that doesn't do the trick I go for a walk. If I'm not around the food I don't need then I won't find myself subconsciously putting it in my mouth. Not to mention that a good walk is a great way to burn some calories, and the time alone can give you a chance to think about what was causing you the stress in the first place. I can fully understand the stress of being miles away from your loved ones therefore feeling impotent to help. I now live in Ohio as a nurse while my aging parent's remain in Missouri. It kills me when I hear, usually weeks/months after the fact that one of them has fallen or needed some form of medical care. Sometimes you just have to recite the Serenity prayer: God, grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.