HCG Diet Concerns: Why the Scale Might Not Be Moving in the Summer Heat

There is a reason camels conserve water. We do the same thing in extreme heat.

If you’ve been sticking to your plan, eating clean, staying active, and still not seeing movement on the scale—don’t panic.

You’re not doing anything wrong. It might just be summer.

Heat and Water Retention: What’s Really Happening

I'm from St. Louis. I get it. It's been 95+ for the past ten days. In hot, humid climates like the Midwest, the South, and the Southwest, your body shifts into preservation mode. One of its natural responses to extreme heat is to retain water.

Think of yourself as a camel. You're going to store away as much water as possible until you reach your next oasis.

Why?

Because as your core temperature rises, your body needs more water to stay cool. It holds onto fluids for:

• Sweat production

• Electrolyte balance

• Protecting organs and tissues from dehydration

This water retention can mask fat loss on the scale—even if you're burning fat consistently.

Other Reasons the Scale Isn’t Budging

If it's not the heat, consider these other common culprits:

1. Sodium Intake

Even "clean" foods (like broths, canned veggies, or pickles) can sneak in sodium. Sodium pulls water into your cells and can cause temporary bloating.

2. Not Drinking Enough Water

Ironically, not hydrating enough will cause your body to hold onto water even more. Aim for half your body weight in ounces daily—especially in the summer.

3. Lack of Sleep

Sleep is when your body resets. Poor sleep messes with hunger hormones, insulin sensitivity, and cortisol—leading to inflammation and fluid retention.

4. Hormonal Fluctuations

This affects both men and women. Changes in estrogen, testosterone, or cortisol levels can all influence how your body stores fat and water.

5. You're Building Muscle

If you're exercising, especially with strength training, you're likely adding lean muscle—even as you lose fat. Muscle is denser than fat, so the scale might not reflect your progress immediately.

Water retention is real!

The Bottom Line

If you're following your plan, don’t let the scale discourage you.

Instead:

• Track inches lost

• Take progress photos

• Check how your clothes fit

• Focus on energy, sleep, and mood

The heat will pass. The fat loss is still happening. And when your body decides to flush the water weight—it often happens all at once. This is the good news, but it can also be misleading. If you have a day when you lose 2-3 pounds in a single day, it's likely the good and the bad of all of these factors.

The best thing you can do is weigh yourself once per week and make good decisions. If you have a bad day, don't give up. Get right back on that horse - or camel - and ride on to your next oasis with a body that is 20-30 pounds lighter than the one you started your journey with.

Stay hydrated. Stay cool. Keep going.

What is HCG 2.0?

HCG 2.0 is a modern, science-based approach to the original HCG diet. It’s designed to promote rapid fat loss by triggering ketosis, preserving lean muscle mass, and personalizing your calorie intake based on your unique metabolic rate (BMR). Unlike older versions of the HCG plan, HCG 2.0 allows for more calories, greater food flexibility, and a smarter, more sustainable fat-burning strategy. Learn how it works and get started here.

To join our private Facebook group and ask questions for yourself, click the link here.