The HCG diet uses the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone and calorie restriction for weight loss. The human chorionic gonadotropin is a pregnancy hormone. HCG is a prescription medication that synthesizes this hormone. The Mayo Clinic states that the HCG diet may work to help people lose weight, but the weight loss comes from calorie restriction; the hormones are useless. Proponents of the HCG diet say that the program helps you lower your body fat percentage and redistribute fat from your stomach and waist. Measure your progress by calculating your BMI through taking body measurements, including at the waist and hips.
Women's Measurements
Step 1
Measure your abdomen at the smallest part of your waist. Lay the tape measurer flat against your skin and hold it taut, but not tight. Exhale to ensure that your measurement is accurate. Write down your measurement in inches.
Step 2
Measure your neck at the spot where a man's Adam's apple is located. Write down the measurement. Repeat with your hips at the largest area of your glutes.
Step 3
Take off your shoes and measure your height in inches. Write down your height.
Step 4
Add your waist measurement to your hip measurement, then subtract your neck. Multiply the sum by 163.205.
Step 5
Enter your height into a scientific calculator and press the "log" key. Multiply the sum by 97.684. Subtract this number from the first part of the equation. Subtract 78.387 from the last sum to get your body fat percentage, which is the amount of fat in your body compared to fat-free mass. Round up to the nearest percentage if necessary.
Step 6
Repeat your waist and hip measurements as often as you wish. Recalculate your body fat percentage at least every six weeks.
Men
Step 1
Measure your neck at the Adam's apple location. Hold the tape taut and flat against your neck, but take care not to choke yourself.
Step 2
Measure your waist at the belly button. Use a mirror if necessary to ensure that the tape is parallel to the floor all the way around your waist, including your lower back. Breathe out naturally before you record your measurement.
Step 3
Wrap the tape measure around your hips at the largest part of your buttocks. Record the measurement for later comparison to see if your hips are getting smaller. This number is not needed for your body fat percentage calculation.
Step 4
Remove your shoes and measure your height in inches. Write the answer down with your neck and waist measurements.
Step 5
Subtract your neck measurement from your waist measurement in inches. Enter that number into your scientific calculator and hit the "log" button. Multiply this sum by 86.010. Round up to the nearest whole number: this is your body fat percentage.
Step 6
Measure your waist and hips weekly and record your progress. Recalculate your body fat percentage with your neck and hip measurements at least every six weeks.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Pencil
- Paper
- Scientific calculator
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