TWEAKIN' OUR WAY to The Melting Pot: FastFive, JUDDD, OSMF: April 2009

[maizenbluebabe]

This first post is just a little welcome for our members and and a brief introduction for newcomers to what we are about here at Tweakers. The plans we follow (mentioned below) can be googled by name for further information and as well, we will be providing more details as we go along.

What a great time of year. April! Springtime is arriving! And it is a good time to get inspired to follow Dr Herring's Fast Five Intermittent Fasting, or Dr Johnson's Alternate Day Fasting (also known as the Johnson UpDayDownDayDiet (JUDDD) And if you want to follow those plans in a more straightforward way than we Tweakers do, there are two fine threads for that right here at Other Plans forum. One is called "JUDDD" and the other is "Intermittent Fasting" and they both have warmly supportive members who are always glad to help. They are easy to find--are usually right near the top of the page. And if you want to, you can join them, as well as this one. Do what works best for you!

We are probably a bit more free-wheeling than other threads because while we love both of those plans, we often combine them in unusual ways with other dietary ideas like low carbing and brief water fasting (also known affectionately to us as Other Sensibly Modifeid Fasts or OSMF's) And that desire to try new things is why we are called Tweakers.

Along the way, we always have time for a bit of lighthearted fun and some personal observations although we do (usually) try not to forget that our main focus is on weight loss.

OK, let's go! And let's all see at the end of the month what kind of progress we have made.toward our personal goals of weight loss, weight maintenance, and better health.

[maizenbluebabe]

OK, I know this is April Fools' Day, but that is not a license for all the Tweakers to sleep late and be laaaazy!

This is a DownDay for me and I am going to stick to it closely--500 calories or less--and try to make it a Liquid Fast! Will save my VeryLowCarb and higher calories for my UpDay tomorrow!

It is grey and yucky here today--the sky is drooling. But I am going to go have a cup of tea (non-caffeine ) and get Bob Seger doing his thing on the CD player and do some much-needed spring cleaning here!

[hadenuff]

Morning!

MBB-I love that-the sky is drooling! much more poetic sounding.


Had a MD yesterday and was about a pound down today! I am so close to getting into a new weight bracket!!!! Can't wait to get out of the 80's!
Now if I could just get my hair and make up out of the 80's I would be all set! That one may actually be harder!

[j4Christ]

Hi Tweakers! I have followed your threads on and off. You are a diligent group! I am at a crossroads of making a final decision on an eating plan. Would you mind posting the results you've had on JUDDD (or whatever form of tweak) and how long you've been following it? TIA!!

[maizenbluebabe]

Wendy ,glad to see you found our nice new home--and thanks for the name idea- Now if you could see my hair and "make-up" this morning you wouldnt worry about having some from The Eighties!

Jenny, I will give you my story and experience with JUDDD but I have not been diligent so am not doing as well on the scale weightwise as some of the others. First let me say though, that despite my slow scale results, I have lost 2 and 1/4 inches from my waist since Jannuary. And have gone down a size in jeans in the past 2 months. My waist is my greatest concern though. As you probably know, a waistline bigger than 35 inches is thought to give someone a greater risk of heart attack. So in another 3/4 inch I will have reached the magic number of 35. (Cardio-vascular disease runs in my family as well as diabetes and I am trying to avoid all of them.)

Now 2 years ago when I was a member of another website (now gone) I lost 18 pounds in 4 months using JUDDD combined with a low-carb diet. After I left the plan, I gained 8 back and so decided to try again.

BTW, we have several members here who are your height and who are very close to you in weight, so while I (at 5'6") think 155 is to dream of, they--like you--feel that they need to keep going another 20-25 pounds or so.

One of the great advantages of JUDDD is that it allows you to eat normally every other day even though that alternate day needs to be pretty low--generally 500 calories or less. I shoot for about 500 calories and am slowly losing again. Went from 176 in mid January to 169 today. (You would be amazed at all the food our clever members have discovered that you can eat for 500 calories. )

We have several members who are at goal or just a pound or two away and who find that following JUDDD (with a few other Tweaks along the way) is what helps them lead a "normal eating life" and still maintain their weightloss. it is a great plan to stick to for an entire life, actually. Feel free hang out with us and ask all the wuestions you want. The others will be along before long and they are the source of some great ideas, as well as warm encouragement. We really do believe This Is The Best Way To Do It for a LifeTime!

[maizenbluebabe]

Originally Posted by hadenuff

Morning!

MBB-I love that-the sky is drooling! much more poetic sounding.


Had a MD yesterday and was about a pound down today! I am so close to getting into a new weight bracket!!!! Can't wait to get out of the 80's!
Now if I could just get my hair and make up out of the 80's I would be all set! That one may actually be harder!

BTW, Wendy, after all you have been through lately, your weight situation is really impressive! I always find it very difficult to eat sensibly when I am stressed and worried--for comfort, I usually either pig out or starve and then binge.

(I wish I had thought to include your weight in my prayers for you and your DD, but I didnt, so cant take any credit for that at all) How is she doing today? I hope the cheery little bird of happiness and good health is perched on her bedpost--and will stay there.

[jgw]

Hello everyone, Today is a DD for me. Yesterday was a great UD but I did not get all my calories in because I was so busy running errands and had to go to a fashion show last night.
I pray today I will not have too many problems with hunger.

[Ilpirata]

Hi Tweakers! I have followed your threads on and off. You are a diligent group! I am at a crossroads of making a final decision on an eating plan. Would you mind posting the results you've had on JUDDD (or whatever form of tweak) and how long you've been following it? TIA!!
__________________
Jenny

Hi JENNY, Welcome!

Here's my progress so far. Please bear in mind that before I started JUDD I had not lost ANY WEIGHT AT ALL for over three months. Despite being on plan the entire time> So I was sitting in a +3 month stall when I started. Also, in the entire year prior to JUDD I had lost a grand total of TWENTY POUNDS! so about 1.5 pounds average loss PER MONTH in the year prior to JUDD. Now, i am Hypothyroid (pretty recently diagnosed) so my metabolism is not normal at all. I have always sworn that I would be ecstatic to consistently lose .5 lbs per week.

Past Two Weeks:
Total Change: -4.8 lb
Avg. Weekly Change: -2.4 lb

Past Four Weeks:
Total Change: -4.6 lb
Avg. Weekly Change: -1.15 lb

Past Two Months:
Total Change: -4.6 lb
Avg. Weekly Change: -0.53 lb

Past Four Months (this is the entire time I have been on JUDD):
Start Weight: 206 lb on 12/24/2008
End Weight: 194 lb on 03/29/2009
Total Change: -12 lb
Avg. Weekly Change: -0.7 lb

I also have not been immaculately on plan this entire time. I consistently overeat on my UD usually coming in at around 2300 calories. I have had several TWO UD weekends and also a FOUR UD vacation.

I'm SO STOKED on my results and this WOE. It has gotten easier and easier to pull off.

We're glad you're joining us. Don't feel pressured to start right away if you're not ready. Hang out here while you make up your mind.

[Ilpirata]

DD for me today.
I had a good UD yesterday although i AGAIN came in over 2000 calories. I think that something psychological happens where I think I'll just eat a little more because I'm not eating tomorrow... still trying to get a handle on that and get at or below 2000. Still, I'm losing so I won't beat myself up too much!

YESTERDAY UD Totals:
Calories 2,293
Fat 174.5 1,540 67 %
Carbohydrate 76.9 300 13 %
Dietary Fiber 13.7
Protein 115.7 464 20 %
Alcohol 0.0 0 0 %

I will be going for AWF today also. I do REALLY well on weeks that I can do three AWF DD. I am also hoping to just do coffee and whole milk, avoiding the canned low carb protein shake if I can.

I stayed off the scale this morning. I can tell I'm retaining water cuz my ring is tight so I'll be drinking plenty of fluids today too!

Happy JUDDing ladies.

[NoSugarShell]

Good Morning Tweakers!

Well, I have been so busy at work this morning, but I still plan on getting in some treadmill time on my lunch break. I have really been sticking to that. I am hanging around 125 or so which is 9 lbs less than when I started on January 2nd. I am super hungry today and that usually signifies a loss in the near future. WOO HOO!!

Wendy - I think I am stuck on music from the 80's....

I will check in later!

[maizenbluebabe]

Originally Posted by jgw

Hello everyone, Today is a DD for me. Yesterday was a great UD but I did not get all my calories in because I was so busy running errands and had to go to a fashion show last night.
I pray today I will not have too many problems with hunger.

Jan, (and Jenny, too) the hunger gets better with each DD as you learn what low-cal foods your body will do best on. There are foods that--even when they are low calorie--will trigger hunger. We all had (and some of us still have) that "learning curve" to overcome when we first begin. Lots of Tweakers mention that for them one of the big helps with JUDDD is that if they are hungry or want a particular food, they try to move their minds very quickly to this thought: I CAN HAVE IT TOMORROW! (We have joked here several times that we ought to use Annie's song "Tomorrow" as our theme song.)

When you are hungry and can tough it out, the next day is an UpDay and , you wont be hungry but may even feel pretty stuffed. Some peeps actually struggle to get in enough calories on their UpDay
and you mention that, Jan.

Kisha is a great example of someone who has mentioned experiencing bad hunger pangs before going to bed--and so have others here--and then go to bed hungry anyhow. And wake up the next day feeling victorious and knowing the scale was going to cooperate. A lot of us only weigh after a DD and not after an UpDay because you will nearly alwaya show at least a bit of a gain after an UpDay.

What do you usually eat as part of your program, Jan?

[Deb]

wow you guys have been busy here...

I need to catch up but after my run

[maizenbluebabe]

Originally Posted by NoSugarShell

Good Morning Tweakers!

Well, I have been so busy at work this morning, but I still plan on getting in some treadmill time on my lunch break. I have really been sticking to that. I am hanging around 125 or so which is 9 lbs less than when I started on January 2nd. I am super hungry today and that usually signifies a loss in the near future. WOO HOO!!

Wendy - I think I am stuck on music from the 80's....

I will check in later!

Jan and Jenny--look above at what Michelle says about feeling hungry and then experiencing a loss shortly after. This is not a one time thing with her--she has mentioned this before. And like Kisha, and Retro, she is hypo-thyroid so she struggles with genuine metabolic problems whic hare ALWAYS working against any weight loss at all. Yet she and the others do manage to get beyond the bad metabolism and lose anyhow.

Jenny, in the time I have been at LCF, I have seen many people try all kinds of plans--they go from one to another in an effort to shake up their bodies and break a stall. And very often, it works. but sometimes, you will see them say they have tried something for weeks or months and it didnt work or has stopped working.

One reason we Tweakers continue to follow JUDDD, (and Fast Five) even during stalls, is that it works and it provides us with a life long plan for losing or maintaining--and for improving our health through calorie cutting which is widely believed to lengthen lifespan and result in better general health.

In addition, it is easy to combine with other WOE's and this is not common in weightloss plans. And the same thing is true for those who do Fast Five (only eating within a 5 hour window each day) Fast Five is a great plan! But it does require some careful planning and a schedule which is flexible enough to allow for this kind of meal consumption. I think Michelle follows Fast Five, and I use it too when I can. Even combine it with JUDDD. These plans work because you only diet part of the time and the rest of the time you eat normally. "(Normally" of course, does not mean we can gorge ourselves--as I learn the hard way every now and then after a wild fling on an UpDay. )

[jgw]

Sally how are you?
Well for your question? What do you usually eat as part of your program, Jan?
I eat whatever I want. I have lost a lot of weight lowcarbing but I got to where I would lose control binge eat. I was down to 174 at last year this time. Over the summer I gained 20 pounds eating regular foods and lots of it. I just did not want to low carb due to the binging.
I needed a plan that I could eat the foods I crave and lose weight. I found JUDDD early this year started then stopped due to stress related issues in my life. During that time I did lose about 6 pounds in about 3 weeks.
I have restarted JUDDD again because I truly think this WOE is sustainable for the rest of my life.

Yesterday UD menu

B- coffee with cream splenda
S- grapes
L- Lean Cuisine pizza and a few grapes
S- 2 small oranges
D- small hamburger diet coke (very busy, fashion show) had to grab something quick
S- more grapes when I got home.

Today's DD menu

11am- oatmeal-120 calories
Will drink water and 1 diet cola until I get home
D- Flatout bread 90 cal, turkey 60 cal, with lettuce tomato mustard
S/F jello.
If I get really hungry before bed I will have some hot tea and a couple of WW crackers.

[retroworx]

Originally Posted by j4Christ

Hi Tweakers! I have followed your threads on and off. You are a diligent group! I am at a crossroads of making a final decision on an eating plan. Would you mind posting the results you've had on JUDDD (or whatever form of tweak) and how long you've been following it? TIA!!

Jenny:

I am the sad, non-losing voice here on the JUDDD threads but the kind folks still let me hang around and play as I may return to JUDDD at a later date.

I followed the plan faithfully for 1 month and had no loss, which has also been true for all the other plans I've tried this year. I am Hypothyroid, and this may be the cause of my weight loss stubborness, tho Kisha and Leo on this thread found the plan works despite sharing this problem.

I would have stuck with the plan longer but I really surprised myself when I discovered that the white-knuckling of the DDs really never eased for me -- I had been on a VLC/VLcalorie plan for months before that and didn't think the little extra restriction on the DDs would pose a problem, but it did. I think my psychological eating patterns just don't fit with this WOE right now -- I was too fixated on what I could eat on my UDs and that caused some unhealthy binge desires. Tho I kept those in control while I was doing JUDDD, when I stopped to regroup and decide what plan I would be doing next, I went on quite a carb fest, (for the first time in years to this degree), which I think was triggered for me by the restriction I felt on JUDDD, as well as the disappointment I felt at failing with yet another plan.

Now, I work from home, and I know that the DDs would have been easier for me if I had not been sitting all day 25 feet from the fridge :. I am looking for work elsewhere now, so I will consider a return to JUDDD once I am out of the house.

Thanks JUDDD friends for letting me share my story on your thread even tho I can't claim success with the WOE.

[maizenbluebabe]

Originally Posted by retroworx

Jenny:

I am the sad, non-losing voice here on the JUDDD threads but the kind folks still let me hang around and play as I may return to JUDDD at a later date.

I followed the plan faithfully for 1 month and had no loss, which has also been true for all the other plans I've tried this year. I am Hypothyroid, and this may be the cause of my weight loss stubborness, tho Kisha and Leo on this thread found the plan works despite sharing this problem.

I would have stuck with the plan longer but I really surprised myself when I discovered that the white-knuckling of the DDs really never eased for me -- I had been on a VLC/VLcalorie plan for months before that and didn't think the little extra restriction on the DDs would pose a problem, but it did. I think my psychological eating patterns just don't fit with this WOE right now -- I was too fixated on what I could eat on my UDs and that caused some unhealthy binge desires. Tho I kept those in control while I was doing JUDDD, when I stopped to regroup and decide what plan I would be doing next, I went on quite a carb fest, (for the first time in years to this degree), which I think was triggered for me by the restriction I felt on JUDDD, as well as the disappointment I felt at failing with yet another plan.

Now, I work from home, and I know that the DDs would have been easier for me if I had not been sitting all day 25 feet from the fridge :. I am looking for work elsewhere now, so I will consider a return to JUDDD once I am out of the house.

Thanks JUDDD friends for letting me share my story on your thread even tho I can't claim success with the WOE.

What an honest and impressive post! I am quoting it because we all need to read it and stop and think about what is in it. Thanks for saying these important things, Retro! Indeed,while JUDDD helps a lot of us, it doesnt work for everyone and we always need to keep that in mind.

Metabolic problems are a b1tch ! And I think my own insulin resistance is the reason I have such a miserable time losing even a pound and getting it to stay lost. And it is also why my frikken BP is so slow going down even on a good plan like this. (All of this is why my inch loss is so amazing to me!)

Hey, Retro, we wish we had an answer for you that would help, but we dont care if you never have a DD, stick around and continue posting when you can--you often bring us some very useful ideas and also the gift of laughter or at least a chuckle or chortle and that is worth a lot!

[Deb]

I love to see your stats you guys

Janice thanks for the reminder i need to get some grapes today they are on sale

OK i am officially tweaking workouts that has to count for sure

[retroworx]

Originally Posted by maizenbluebabe

Hey, Retro, we wish we had an answer for you that would help, but we dont care if you never have a DD, stick around and continue posting when you can--you often bring us some very useful ideas and also the gift of laughter or at least a chuckle or chortle and that is worth a lot!

Thanks, MBB!

[caramel]

Hello everyone,

Today is a DD for me and yesterday was a hard UD cause I had to scamble to get my calories in. I'm allowed 2194 and came in around 2138. I get fuller a lot easier now, which is great. On this woe I've trained myself to eat portion sizes which was hard at first but now quite easy. For those of you just starting and considering starting this woe , for me it is the best plan I have found and I have been on just about everything. I can eat like this forever. I use to do lc and I still eat some low carb things/ bread, carbquick recipes, but I just eat mostly everything my family eats just on this plan.


My stats are:

15 weeks on JUDDDD

total loss 21 pounds! and had some cheats so please forgive me

I too am a shortie 5'2 1/2

30 min/workouts 5 times a week

[maizenbluebabe]

Originally Posted by jgw

Sally how are you?
Well for your question? What do you usually eat as part of your program, Jan?
I eat whatever I want. I have lost a lot of weight lowcarbing but I got to where I would lose control binge eat. I was down to 174 at last year this time. Over the summer I gained 20 pounds eating regular foods and lots of it. I just did not want to low carb due to the binging.
I needed a plan that I could eat the foods I crave and lose weight. I found JUDDD early this year started then stopped due to stress related issues in my life. During that time I did lose about 6 pounds in about 3 weeks.
I have restarted JUDDD again because I truly think this WOE is sustainable for the rest of my life.

Yesterday UD menu

B- coffee with cream splenda
S- grapes
L- Lean Cuisine pizza and a few grapes
S- 2 small oranges
D- small hamburger diet coke (very busy, fashion show) had to grab something quick
S- more grapes when I got home.

Today's DD menu

11am- oatmeal-120 calories
Will drink water and 1 diet cola until I get home
D- Flatout bread 90 cal, turkey 60 cal, with lettuce tomato mustard
S/F jello.
If I get really hungry before bed I will have some hot tea and a couple of WW crackers.

Jan, I am wondering--if you get to craving and want to binge on or after an UpDay--if you might be getting more simple carbs than you are aware from the oranges and grapes. they are awfully high in pure sugar. Are my favorite fruits but cause me to crave foods and binge eat. But your DD plan looks good and should see you through pretty well.

And sometimes, we just fall into bad "mental habits" and find it hard to break them. (I still do that sometimes) There are days when I just feel like my eating has led me to a dead end corner where I cant find a way out and get back to sensible eating. It is a very upsetting feeling--like beignng lost in a maze with no way out--and often leads me brainlessly into the kitchen to do "damage." to my plan.

[dasiey]

Originally Posted by Mel7

wow you guys have been busy here...

I need to catch up but after my run

hey mel you need a pickle
how was your run. it is very wendy hear..

[dasiey]

Originally Posted by Mel7

I love to see your stats you guys

Janice thanks for the reminder i need to get some grapes today they are on sale

OK i am officially tweaking workouts that has to count for sure

Grapes are on sale here as well.98 cents a pound
oh your a tweaker now..at least on your workouts

[EmandM]

Hi everyone!

MBB - great title! Love it.

Welcome Jenny!

Retro - ditto what MBB said. Please keep posting here regardless of what plan you are on

Mel - tweaking workouts definately counts!

I am currently in operation repair metabolism mode! lol I am eating at 50% maintenance for DD's for now and then I will tweak as needed. In the meantime I am trying to get in to see that doctor so he can check thing out too.

For any newbies: make sure you increase your calories once you are at goal weight! I got to goal and continued eating at 20% and may have messed up my metabolism


Hi to e/e, gotta pick up the kids but will read and write later tonight!

[caramel]

hello everyone

Maizen you mentioned my childrens smiling faces earlier, well this one is not so much the happy camper, he's my two year old who is getting a haircut from my husband.

Totally off topic but please pray for me next friday I will be having a(hysterectomy), I have large firbroid tumors I am actually looking forward to this. If any one has any experience you can pm me. Again I apologize in advance if this offends anyone I know its off topic but you guys are so great.

[Deb]

Originally Posted by dasiey

hey mel you need a pickle
how was your run. it is very wendy hear..

,NO food for me..NOT even a pickle..i am paying for a cheat last night

didnt matter if it was windy here cause i tread run..was hard today

Originally Posted by dasiey

Grapes are on sale here as well.98 cents a pound
oh your a tweaker now..at least on your workouts

YES so can i please stay ?

grapes $1.69 here

[dasiey]

Hi Jenny, I started Juddding on 1/26 and have lost 12 pounds. But I have had high cholesterol for a long time. After the frist month it went down over points. Its normal now. And I didn't need any meds. for this to happen. I think juddding did this. And I do tweak but thats part of the beauty of it all I don,t fill like I cheated and go on a 2 week benge of eating what ever.

[Deb]

Originally Posted by EmandM

Mel - tweaking workouts definately counts!

TY EmandM i will learn from you all as we go along im sure

Originally Posted by caramel

hello everyone

.

OMG that avi

[dasiey]

Originally Posted by caramel

hello everyone

Maizen you mentioned my childrens smiling faces earlier, well this one is not so much the happy camper, he's my two year old who is getting a haircut from my husband.

Totally off topic but please pray for me next friday I will be having a(hysterectomy), I have large firbroid tumors I am actually looking forward to this. If any one has any experience you can pm me. Again I apologize in advance if this offends anyone I know its off topic but you guys are so great.

oh sunshine best of luck

[dasiey]

Originally Posted by Mel7

,NO food for me..NOT even a pickle..i am paying for a cheat last night

didnt matter if it was windy here cause i tread run..was hard today



YES so can i please stay ?

grapes $1.69 here

oh well what did you have while I was starving?
well I ride my bike outside and it about blew me away.
and yes you can stay

[NoSugarShell]

Originally Posted by caramel

hello everyone

Maizen you mentioned my childrens smiling faces earlier, well this one is not so much the happy camper, he's my two year old who is getting a haircut from my husband.

Totally off topic but please pray for me next friday I will be having a(hysterectomy), I have large firbroid tumors I am actually looking forward to this. If any one has any experience you can pm me. Again I apologize in advance if this offends anyone I know its off topic but you guys are so great.

Caramel - I am so sorry. That can very stressful. I have had fibroids for years and my doc wants me to do the hysterectomy. I have decided against it. I read a good book on the subject and it was very helpful in my decision making. It's called Sex, Lies & the truth about Uterine Fibroids. I hope that helps.