I came across this description of how the hCG works and thought it was the best condensed explanation of why asimeons uses hCG in the protocol. I figured I'd share.

   How does hCG work or help with weight loss?

Dr. A.T.W. Simeons' research suggests a small, daily injection amount of hCG (approx. 125 IU to 200 IU), results in an average weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs a day when accompanied by a VLCD (very low calorie diet).    

That mobilizing of fat stores is what allows the protocol to work with so few calories and no hunger issues beyond the first few days of adjusting. Your body gets its remaining calories through the fat released into the bloodstream, so long as the VLCD is observe fully and properly.

Oh, and injections into the thigh? Yeow! That stung like crazy and ached afterward. Lower belly remains far superior for me, thus far. I'm not stabbing my leg again.

***** EVENING ADDENDUM *****

Well the end of my first full day on the VLCD has been good! No headaches or insane hunger issues, in fact I'm not really hungry at all despite being right around 500 calories for the day (540 by my count, but I overestimated the size of my tomato and head of cabbage).

Now, I feel head-hungry, meaning my brain is telling me I want to eat, but it isn't physiological, which is amazing for so little food. I have a curious empty feeling, as there isn't anything in my stomach, but that isn't the gnawing, distracting feeling of true hunger, either.

The first week or so I am expecting to be rough as some people on protocol experience negative symptoms while their systems adjust, but at least into my third injection I feel just fine. Sticking to the plan like glue hasn't been hard as I know exactly what I can eat and don't even look twice at the other stuff. The restrictive food list is actually a bit freeing, it takes the decision of what to eat and how much to consume out of my hands. At this point I am still craving some junk, but it's completely manageable and mostly in my head. I've probably had a gallon and a half to drink today, between my gallon of water and two pots of tea. Peeing like a racehorse to go right along with that ;)

We'll see how I'm doing tomorrow. Adios!