Weight-Loss Apocalypse Book 2: The Negative Effect of Body Image on the HCG Protocol

After over a decade of continued observation, author Robin Phipps Woodall is excited to share what she’s discovered regarding the emotional impact of Dr. Simeons’ hCG protocol. In Weight-Loss Apocalypse–Book 2, Robin examines the affect that negative body image has on a person’s impulse to diet—and how repeated cyclical bouts of the hCG protocol done for this reason can be emotionally and physically harmful. Disarming beliefs that impel people to feel bad about his or her body is an essential step in emotionally preparing people before they attempt the hCG protocol as medical treatment. In this book, Robin describes the psychological risks of the very low-calorie protocol as well as the importance of an emotional evaluation, alongside a physical evaluation, in determining whether a person is an appropriate candidate for the hCG protocol. Whether you’re new to the hCG protocol, or you’ve done the protocol more times than you’d like to admit, this book is for you.CONCLUSIONAs people use body image to fulfill an inner desire to fit in, feel worthy of love, and to secure themselves from being judged by family and friends,they are using an outside physical solution to solve an inside psychological dilemma. In a culture that promotes and glamourizes concepts of "thin supremacy" as a way to earn approval and love, it makes sense that believers would be hypercritical of their body and body fat, and would be attracted to methods to reduce their body shape and size. For this reason, hormonal therapies such as Dr. Simeons’ hCG protocol are not being applied as medical treatment for the body, but are being inappropriately approached as solutions for poor body image and low self-esteem. Unfortunately, this body-image minded approach has unintended consequences that might harm the mind and body of those attempting the protocol. Not only can it exacerbate emotional eating problems, but it could promote a person’s body to be even more sensitive to fat gain. As an advocate of Dr. Simeons’ hCG protocol, Author Robin Phipps Woodall believes the protocol has the potential to be a legitimized medical treatment. However, it isn’t appropriate for all people—just because they have adequate body fat and hormonal symptoms that would justify the very-low calorie protocol. There are psychological and emotional components to body image that should be addressed and resolved prior to considering the protocol a suitable physical solution. This is true not only because physical solutions can’t solve emotional problems, but because beliefs that “being thinner is better” have a direct impact on people’s impulse to emotionally overeat.As people experience shame and embarrassment about their body fat, research suggests they are more likely to eat emotionally, especially before and after a food-restrictive diet. Without addressing the underlying beliefs that impel a person to feel bad about her body, no matter how much body fat is lost during the hCG protocol, he or she is likely to fear food, fear his or her body, and have increased emotional strain eating once the protocol is over. No matter what weight-loss method is used, unless you are willing to face the difficult reality that self-worth is formed from unconditionally accepting the truth of yourself, feelings of unworthiness and shame will continue to be there, no matter how much weight you lose.When a body image that has dominated a person’s life is surrendered, her self-worth is freed up to be intrinsically and truthfully defined. The shame that originated from thin-supremacy beliefs diminish, and so does the pressure to diet and her urge to eat emotionally. This isn’t just a weight-loss apocalypse, but it’s a recovery of self-worth. It’s a body-image apocalypse.