July JUDDDD / Alternate Day Diet 2009 - Page 4

LBishop · 07-03-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo41

Michelle-
I think that's a good idea--to break your addiciton to weighing. I had to do that a while back because the JUDDD fluctuations were driving me crazy, and I find weekly weighing to be more satisfying in the long run. I hope you do too.

As you get to goal, are you going to maintain with DD WF? I ask because it seems to me that you're so close now that you should try to get to the plan you'll use for maintenance. Personally, I'd rather add DD calories than try to maintain on WF, but I think it all depends on a person's lifestyle--i.e., JUDDD is so flexible that it works in a lot of ways.

Leo, I'm thinking alot about this today because it's almost 6pm and I've had nothing but water today so far. I find that once I eat, it's harder to stop. I can drink my calories and be ok. My most successful DD's have been shakes. But when I eat I tend to take in more calories. I would rather get the full benefit of the fast than to eat a few calories and risk blowing it or just not getting the full benefit. Of course, take this with a grain of salt knowing that I haven't even had a successful DD for more than a week, so I don' t have much room to talk,

I'm reading a very interesting book on fasting today and finding it very motivating. I'm considering an ALL water fast today but am leaving myself open to have a shake if I need it. So far, I"m ok without it. I also think that I could easily maintain this way. Not necessarily every DD but when I see a few pounds creep on, it would be a great quick correct day.

LBishop · 07-03-2009, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSugarShell

Leo- I have been thinking about maintenance alot. Right now, I am doing maybe one water fast a week. Not all my DD's are WF. I plan on maintaining with JUDDD and upping my DD calories. I think once in a while I would throw in a WF. Maybe, once every two weeks or so. Maintenance really scares me right now. I have never been able to maintain before, BUT JUDDD has given me so much knowledge that I never had before. I am hoping that will be the difference.

Funny, Michelle, I didn't see your response until after I responded to Leo's post, but we are apparently thinking along the same lines. I was just a lot more wordy about it

oobladee · 07-03-2009, 03:35 PM

leo...I travel a lot as well! What was (surprisingly) hard for me to digest was not being reimbursed for meals if i fasted! Once i thought that thru, i realized that nothing ventured, nothing is "lost".

I paid for the breakfast buffet at one of my last travel spots - and enjoyed the most sumptious fruits/veggies! When we think about this: produce is way more expensive than the fried or doughy crap they offered!

In Vegas, I ate a spoonful of scrambled eggs + a bunch of fresh spinach + salsa + a cup of assorted melons. That held me all day.

Like you, i carry food also. In my case, I bring bariatric drinks and soup with me all of the time. I started checking out room service and only order if they offer a low cal meal like veggie or egg drop soup or even salmon with veggies. Lots of hotels offer free fruit, so that plus a protein drink suit me just fine!

This is very do-able with thought and planning - even when we travel, right????

Leo41 · 07-03-2009, 03:53 PM

Michelle-
It sounds like a good plan for maintenance. I was reading Dr. Eades' blog once, and he mentioned that when he finds himself gaining, he does IF for a while, and that works for him. He low carbs all the time, so he can't really just cut carbs. His use of IF would be similar to doing an occasional DD, WF or not, to maintain.

Leisa-
What I just said to Michelle--ALSO, your description of how you react to food shows how very different people can be! When I began JUDDD, I used shakes for my DDs as advised, but I quickly had to drop one shake and substitute an egg white 'omelet' because I needed solid food. Now I never have shakes at all. For some reason, liquid calories don't satisfy me; I need solid food. I've kept DDs 3 days a week for over 5 months now, never going over on one of them, all at 350-400 cal, but all with food, and 3X a day, too.
It goes to show you that JUDDD is a good plan because it can accommodate people as different as we are!

Oobladee-
Since I'm retired, I don't travel much any more except for leisure. I mentioned "business" because I'm on the Board of Trustees of a local college, and we have a retreat scheduled in Florida in Nov. I love to travel, but I'm conflicted because I also hate to leave my cat--he's very attached.
But I agree with you absolutely that we can manage well when traveling with a little planning. Way back (many years ago) when I went to academic conferences, I used to consider travel a "free time" for eating, using the excuse to myself that it would be impossible to stay on plan while traveling. Soon I realized that it not only was possible but that I actually hated most of the junk I was eating! It's also great that so many hotels now have a "healthy" menu and are also used to special instructions. When I order an omelet and tell the waiter no potatoes or toast, I no longer get strange looks

In February, I have a 15-day cruise to Hawaii scheduled, and I know that will be a challenge--e.g., having a DD on a cruise. But I've actually become a master of the 100-calorie 'meal' since I eat 3x a day on DDs, and just think of all the options a cruise will give me for those 100 calories

kristinaW · 07-04-2009, 03:05 AM

Hi Snaggle,

Wow-that is quite some story! And to think that she lives all the way over in Belgium! I cannot imagine the series of events that had to happen in order for this to all come together and for you all to actually meet each other. Fascinating! My husband and I are adopting, so your story is particularly relevant and intriguing. I would love to hear more as you plan you trip.

take care,
Kristina

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaggle

Remykins-----------------may the good ju-ju blessings fall upon you!!!!

I am VERY interested in those studies you refer to, because I have been under the notion that keeping the up days under more control was my problem more than getting the low days lower but iit sounds like it may be the opposite??? Where did you find that info?
Who did the studies?

Kristina- I haven't had a chance to welcome you, so.......Welcome!!!
You are so lucky to get to live in Europe. Is it permanent?
I will be visiting Belgium soon, I hope. A year and a half ago my father was ill and dying and we found, amongst his stuff, letters from a woman who, although she was born here in Seattle, now resided in Belgium. She was adopted at birth and had been given up by a young woman who never told a soul about her pregnancy except the nuns at the convent where she went to live during her pregnancy. She was born a couple of years before my Dad even met my mom. When this woman researched her birth parents, she found the mom, who then told her that the father was MY DAD. He never acknowledged her, because he didn't believe it, but when she sent us a picture, we KNEW she was our half sister. Looks way more like Dad than any of us!!
Anyway, that is my connection to Belgium. She lives in Liege and teaches at the University. She has two beautiful children who attend university as well.
She came here to meet us and visit a couple of months ago and she loves cooking and food just like all of our family. We spent a lot of time cooking together and bonding etc.
I grew up with 3 brothers and never had a sister, so it has been an amazing experience.

I love Juddd and found that it is a great way for me to enjoy many of the foods I love and still stay on my plan. I know if I stuck to a lower carb regimen, the weight would probably be coming off faster, but what I am doing is working well enough for me and I am so satisfied with it that I don't see myself abandoning it. I never really thought I would make it to my goal but I am now thinking I could do it before November.
Please keep us all posted as to your progress!

kristinaW · 07-04-2009, 03:14 AM

Happy 4th! There is a big fourth of July celebration here in Belgium on a military base that has been opened to Americans and partners and I am really excited to celebrate my first 4th of July in several years.

Today was my weigh-in day. I am down just a pound or so since Tuesday, but I am fine with that. I started exercising this week, so maybe I am making some mean, lean muscle. Anyway, since Sunday I have lost 4.4 pounds or 2 kilos.

Today is an UD, but I am going to try to keep some self-control since it would be so easy to over-eat and ruin all of my good progress on the 4th.

Wishing you all a happy 4th!!!!

kristinaW · 07-04-2009, 03:24 AM

Snaggle-I forgot to answer your question....yes, this is a permanent move as much as anything in life is permanent. My husband would not mind moving back to Switzerland, but I would rather not. I would consider another country if the conditions were good.

Remo-Yes, the beer is delicious!!!

Gij-I think that Switzerland is the most beautiful country in the world. It is so charming and romantic. Although I like living in Belgium WAY more. The people are much more friendly and welcoming to foreigners.

Leo-Great tip on adding another lap to make it .5 mile. I will do it today!
And yes, the chocolate is delicious. But actually in general the food is really good here. It is said that the food is French quality with German portions. Is that a disaster waiting to happen, or what?

Leo41 · 07-04-2009, 04:01 AM

Happy 4th JUDDers!

But not so happy for me. At my weekly weigh in, I'm exactly the same as last week, no loss at all!

However, as I look back on my chart of weight loss, I see several weeks like this where I had no apparent loss and then a whoosh the following week--so I'm hoping--and, of course, staying on plan. Again, the advantage of having a record of loss week-by-week is that when I get depressed, as I did this morning, I can put the situation in context, and that usually helps.

Worst case scenario would be that my thyroid (T3) is getting too low. At my appt. last week, I pointed out to my endo that it was lower than usual, but he said that wasn't significant. However, I was also exceptionally tired last week, another sign of a lack of T3. BUT I also wasn't feeling well on Thursday and Friday, so the fatigue could be from fighting off a bug. In fact, I felt so "out of it" on Thursday that my UD turned into a 'medium day" of 1000 cal. I guess that's why I was expecting a loss today. But my body insists on reminding me that IT is going to determine how much I lose and when

NoSugarShell · 07-04-2009, 05:30 AM

Happy 4th JUDDDers!!

Well, I had a successful WF yesterday and it paid off today with VFT. I am at a new low of 115.6. WOW! I haven't seen a number like that in over 8 years. It seems I lose around .4 to .6 a week. I am okay with that. I am losing VERY slowly, but this time it feels permanent.

Anyway, UD for me today and I have alot of food planned for today. I am not weighing again until next Sunday. It's going to be very hard, but hubby is hiding the scale from me.

Dovelette · 07-04-2009, 05:52 AM

WOOHOO! Go Michelle! That's awesome!!!!

weasel! · 07-04-2009, 06:38 AM

I lost another pound! Now I'm at 143. That's a six pound loss since starting on June 8.

Yesterday was DD#12. That makes four complete cycles of MWF DDs for me. I started out with 500 cal DDs, but have been doing 350-400 cal DDs for the past couple of weeks, because that's more in line with the 20% figure that the caluculator on Dr. Johnson's site reports. Remykins and others have been writing about the importance of keeping DDs very low, rather than keeping UDs in check, in triggering fat loss on this diet, so that's why I've been going with the lower DD numbers. I'm toying with the idea of a water fast, but as long as I'm losing, I figure, why bother. Pehaps water fasting is what it takes when a body is very, very close to goal, however.

I'm sticking to my Eat Fat, Get Thin proportions of 65%-70% fat, about 25% protein, and single-digit carbs.

In fact, I've sort of narrowed down my DDs to one set menu: two hard-boiled eggs and a big garden salad with homemade oil-and-vinegar dressing. Sometimes with the addition of some cooked shrimp. It makes life so much easier, because I don't have to keep counting and calculating; I already know what this adds up to. It makes it easy. And boy, am I looking forward to that salad with the second egg chopped over it by around 1 pm!

Up days have been pretty much anything goes, from moderation and low carbing to some pretty good indulgences over some of the weekends, influenced by social occasions.

My VFT starts below 139. That's only four pounds away! If this rate of loss continues, even accounting for a slowdown during TOM later this month, then I should be in VFT for the month of August.

Even though the DDs are difficult -- I was HUNGRY all through yesterday -- I feel like I could sustain this weight loss regimen indefinitely. For as long as it takes. Heck, I can do anything for one day.

It's exciting!

Remykins · 07-04-2009, 06:41 AM

Leo, so sorry to hear that, my thoughts are with you...

Shell- great job! i bet you have a huge smile on your face

Weasel, way to go! im very happy that you determined a good plan, stick with it and you will hit goal in no time!

I had a very sucessful day yesterday, came in this morning as 125.5, but i am not going to claim it quite yet... but i am a few days before TOM so who knows...

I am off to pick strawberries and then have me a big ol steak! toodles, and happy 4th!

GME · 07-04-2009, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSugarShell

Happy 4th JUDDDers!!

Well, I had a successful WF yesterday and it paid off today with VFT. I am at a new low of 115.6. WOW! I haven't seen a number like that in over 8 years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by weasel!

I lost another pound! Now I'm at 143. That's a six pound loss since starting on June 8.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remykins

I had a very sucessful day yesterday, came in this morning as 125.5

So much success! Yesterday was an UD for me, so no great numbers to post.

Am I the only one in the world doing a DD today? I certainly didn't plan that right did I?

We don't have any big food-related plans anyway.

Happy 4th Everyone!

katwhitts · 07-04-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GME

So much success! Yesterday was an UD for me, so no great numbers to post.

Am I the only one in the world doing a DD today? I certainly didn't plan that right did I?

We don't have any big food-related plans anyway.

Happy 4th Everyone!

I'm having a DD today too. I had date night with hubby last night and ended up staying at the casino until 130 in the morning. We cleared 400.00 and had a lot of fun watching a band play there and had a light supper at the fancy steak house inside the casino too. I had a few martinis and now today is detox for me. Lots of water! Oh my goodness- you should have seen the salad at this restaurant! It was ONE lettuce leaf under an entire sliced red onion and an entire tomato sliced up. That's it

I feel bad for my hubby cause that was the main course. We got jumbo shrimp and all this artisinal bread too so it was not all that bad. The wine helped

weasel! · 07-04-2009, 08:27 AM

Leo, it sounds like a hormonal thing, as you are sticking to plan, and with your description of lethargy, etc. Hormones trump calories every time. I am convinced it is the hormonal influence of JUDDDD, rather than the net caloric deficit, that causes the weight loss. My unauthoritative guess would be that the influence of your thyroid hormonal balance is overriding the influence of the alternate-day-diet power to trigger fat loss. Perhaps you can get some kind of adjustment to your meds?

Leo41 · 07-04-2009, 09:08 AM

Thanks for your insights, Weasel. But I just had my 4-month check up (with blood tests), and as I mentioned, I thought the T3 was low because it was at the half-way point, and ideal is 2/3-3/4 of the lab range, but my endo dismissed that because all the other numbers were fine. I couldn't argue, since I really didn't have any symptoms and had lost 2 lbs that week. I'd have to wait until I actually start gaining to convince him to test me again so soon--ugh! That's why I'm hoping this is NOT my thyroid.

By the way, the recent emphasis on fasting on DDs is not actually recommended by Dr. J, so you should not feel obligated to try the AWF.
I was re-reading in his book last night (for inspiration; I was hungry!), and while he cites the animal studies that DID feed only every other day, his point is that his own research showed that you could get the same physiological effects from eating up to 35% of your usual calories on alternate days. For weight loss, he definitely focuses on the total # of calories in a DD/UD combination as critical (although he is careful not to actually say that, it's implicit in his argument). At one point in the book, he mentions problems when people overeat on DDs, but at another point, he remarks that as people get used to the plan (after 3 months or so), they tend to overeat on UDs--and both are a problem, he says.

I actually experienced that phenomenon of UD overeating when I was 4 months into JUDDD. Suddenly, I found myself unable to restrict myself as I had been on UDs, but I was able to get it under control because I think the beauty of this plan (and he comments on this) is that it makes you very reflective about your food habits. I'm not inclined to fast on DDs because I fear that will upset the equilibrium I have going on DD/UD. But in re-reading the book, I do plan to reduce my DD calories to no more than 250 because I saw something I overlooked--the formula he uses on his calculator has a very wide range, so in giving me a 400 cal DD, my optimum number could be anywhere from 200-600! Knowing my very slow metabolism, I think my number is closer to 200.

My point is that if people are losing more with fasting on DDs, it's because they've lowered their total calorie count, not because there's any magic in fasting. I'd rather not fast and limit myself a little on my UD, although people vary, and if they are comfortable with fasting, that's a good way to lower calories--provided they don't overcompensate on UDs, which is always a danger.

Does this make any sense to you?

giJ · 07-04-2009, 09:37 AM

Happy 4th, JUDDDDers!

UD here. No loss after my last 3 (very good) DDs, and it's getting a little frustrating. It's silly, really, and I know it, but there you have it. I don't overeat on my UDs (in fact, I am forcing myself to have UDs at all, and not just have MDs - Thursday night I went out for dinner at 9:00, even though I wasn't hungry, because I'd only had 700 calories at that point and wanted to have a DD yesterday). My last 2 DDs have been very EASY (because I'm busy), but haven't resulted in a loss, even with 360 calories on Monday, 360 calories on Wednesday, and 180 yesterday. *sigh* I know it'll happen, it just doesn't make sense (mathematically), and I'm hoping I'm not screwing up my metabolism.

weasel! · 07-04-2009, 10:12 AM

Leo, not magic, but biochemistry. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread, Dr. Eades talks about how people who do intermittent fasting (IF) can lose weight even when their total caloric intake is no lower than when they are not IFing.

Dr. Johnson may well believe that caloric deficit is behind the weight loss achieved by following his diet plan. It wouldn't surprise me, because it is such a common and mainstream view. But I am convinced through other readings and experience that calorie deficit does not (universally) induce (lasting) fat loss.

Best wishes, if you hope it's not your thyroid, then I hope that, too.

I'm a little skeptical of your endo's conclusion, though, just because of the way you described it -- it seemed as if you were looking at a bigger picture than he was.

GME · 07-04-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katwhitts

I'm having a DD today too. I had date night with hubby last night and ended up staying at the casino until 130 in the morning. We cleared 400.00 and had a lot of fun watching a band play there and had a light supper at the fancy steak house inside the casino too. I had a few martinis and now today is detox for me. Lots of water! Oh my goodness- you should have seen the salad at this restaurant! It was ONE lettuce leaf under an entire sliced red onion and an entire tomato sliced up. That's it

I feel bad for my hubby cause that was the main course. We got jumbo shrimp and all this artisinal bread too so it was not all that bad. The wine helped

Sounds like a fun evening. And $400 to boot!!

GME · 07-04-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by giJ

Happy 4th, JUDDDDers!

UD here. No loss after my last 3 (very good) DDs, and it's getting a little frustrating. It's silly, really, and I know it, but there you have it. I don't overeat on my UDs (in fact, I am forcing myself to have UDs at all, and not just have MDs - Thursday night I went out for dinner at 9:00, even though I wasn't hungry, because I'd only had 700 calories at that point and wanted to have a DD yesterday). My last 2 DDs have been very EASY (because I'm busy), but haven't resulted in a loss, even with 360 calories on Monday, 360 calories on Wednesday, and 180 yesterday. *sigh* I know it'll happen, it just doesn't make sense (mathematically), and I'm hoping I'm not screwing up my metabolism.

I felt that way too in the beginning (and a little still... maybe). After not eating, or eating so little, it seems like there just should be a loss. What helped me was being on this plan for a couple couple of months and comparing my overall average on JUDDD to my last few month of regular LC. I am not losing fast, but much faster.

Right now I am frustrated because I jumped up 5 lbs for no apparent reason and it is taking sooooooo loooonnnnngggg to come back off. In the big scheme of things I know it will work itself out, but for now

Leo41 · 07-04-2009, 12:59 PM

Gina & giJ

You guys make me feel guilty because I'm concerned that I didn't lose THIS week! I get concerned when I hear about sudden weight gains (because that's what happened to me with my thyroid) and inability to lose after a few DDs because that also seems like there has to be something wrong physically.

Either of you had thyroid checks? Doctors are notoriously unable to adequately diagnose hypothyroidism, as you'd see on the thyroid board here. It took me 5 years to get a diagnosis, and I really had to fight my primary (basically ignore him and go on my own to an endo).

The other thing could be a pattern of water retention (which, by the way, is common with hypothyroids). All my life, my body has retained water any time I'm unwell for any reason, and even now I can fluctuate 5 pounds within one day from water.

Weasel
Aren't calories part of the biochemistry of the body? The only reason I'm doing JUDDD is that it enables me to seriously restrict calories without the frustration of trying to do it every single day. I also eat low carb. If I also had to water fast every other day in order to lose, I just might stay my current size!

My endo really is a nice guy and very responsive. Most of them are terrified of prescribing too much of the thyroid hormones because it can lead to heart trouble, etc. AND some women think that if they get more, it will help them lose weight and are always asking to up their meds. I'm not one of those [I know they don't help me lose, but if I'm not adequately medicated, I will gain], but that's a reason that most docs are hesitant to prescribe without significant numbers on the blood test AND symptoms. My number was ambiguous, and I had no real symptoms, so I can't blame him. My concern was that we did the test as my T3 was dropping, and it will get worse--like no loss this week. But that lack of loss is also part of my JUDDD pattern, so I can't be sure it's my thyroid until it gets much worse and I begin to gain [the horror].

Dovelette · 07-04-2009, 01:08 PM

Wow it's good to see mostly positives here...giJ I hear ya, when I was up yesterday I was a bit irked. Today is a DD, and yes, I weigh daily, but I was only up .4lbs, and I'm already down again. Was going to AWF but then I must have psychically read Leo's post and thought...why? Heck I can eat 480 calories, I've been eating under that, UDs I can eat 2400 and even with eating more than I thought I could I'm under 2000, so why suffer? ALthough..."suffer" is hardly the word, I felt NO hunger today, even when I ate at 5 30. I only ate cause stupid hubby made fried rice and it smelled good! I cut up cabbage, onion and carrot and made the same! Added egg as well. Came out to about 180 calories and was SO filling (and fiberous, for tomorrows morning...run... lol). Below is a recipe for a Southwestern coleslaw that is like...33 calories and super awesome; gonna whip it up for my next DD:

6 servings
Ingredients
3 cups shredded cabbage
1 carrot, shredded
1 onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
2/3 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoon Splenda
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 salt and pepper to taste
Directions

1. In a large bowl, toss together the cabbage, carrot, onion, red pepper, jalapeno and cilantro. Set aside.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, splenda, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Pour over vegetable mixture and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. ** Adjust cayenne to taste. Start small with the cayenne, it gets hot!

giJ · 07-04-2009, 03:24 PM

Dov, that sounds REALLY good.

Leo ~ I've never had my thyroid tested, but you did make me think of something. I've napped every day for a week or two, blaming stress. I suspect that same stress is messing with my weight loss. So, ok, I will just suck it up and continue on. At least I'm not gaining!

Leo41 · 07-04-2009, 04:43 PM

giJ-
The need to nap and the inability to lose spell thyroid to me (of course, I'm not a doctor, but I've had to deal with thyroid issues for a long time).

I would get checked if I were you, but, in a nutshell, here's the problem:

1. The symptoms, as you yourself noticed, can easily be ascribed to all sorts of things--stress, aging, working too hard, etc. And doctors tend to dismiss women's complaints about not being able to lose weight, assuming that they're just eating too much and don't realize it. I became hypothyroid with menopause, so it was easy for my doctor to dismiss all my symptoms as just aging.

2. Blood tests for thyroid are a 'pleasant fiction.' That is, even if you find a good doctor who will test TSH, T4 and T3, a lot of them will dismiss you if your values are "in range." For example, the lab range for TSH is something like .5 - 6.0. You could have a '3,' and your doctor would tell you that you were "normal." But the problem is that those ranges are developed based on thousands of people, and what's 'normal' for someone may not be normal for you. For example, if my TSH is 2.7, I'm too tired to get out of bed and I gain weight like crazy, but a doctor would look at my lab results and tell me that I don't have any thyroid problem. A good endo will look at blood work but will mainly consider symptoms. My first endo medicated me before she even saw the bloodwork because my symptoms were so severe.

3. So if you decide to get checked, if I were you, I'd first try to find a doctor who is known to be good with thyroid patients and knows what he/she is doing.

4. You might want to take a look at the 'sticky' that's at the top of the thyroid thread on this board; it gives a lot more info about all this.

giJ · 07-04-2009, 04:51 PM

Leo, I've wondered about thyroid for a long time, but dismissed it because (usually) I can lose weight just fine. I've lost 20 lbs since 4 May, even with no loss this week (and a little incident in Orlando that included a pineapple mojito, black bean hummus, and plaintain chips

). The sleep issues (not sleeping at night, but napping during the day) started at approximately the same time I decided to move 1000 miles away in a month, try to get my house in New Orleans ready for occupancy (my contractor said "30 days for all the work" -- and started in FEBRUARY, but still isn't done), try to get two houses in Northern VA ready and rented, and had some stuff with my company blow up (mostly in a good way, but very much in a stressful "OMG, how will I get everything done?!?!?!" way).

IF things don't get better after my relocation, I will definitely get the blood work done. Luckily, I have a very good friend in New Orleans who is a doctor, so I should be able to get to a good endo from her, if needed. I think if I added that to my ever-growing "to do before I move" list, my head my explode

Trishagrrl · 07-04-2009, 09:24 PM

Happy 4th of July everyone... well I guess it's technically the 5th now

I just got done reading a catching up on all that I've missed over the last couple days of not being around much. Lots of good stuff going on it looks like!

Another rough day for me. My kiddo and I BOTH have some nasty cold or some other bug now. No fun. I was up almost all night with him again last night. My husband took him early this morning for a few hours until it was time for him to eat again. Then also this afternoon after a picnic he took the boys out for a LONG walk so I could sleep. I had a hard time getting up... but I did it because I knew we couldn't miss fireworks. My son certainly wouldn't have that! Yesterdays MD turned into an UD and today was also an UD. I didn't see any loss this week

. Bummer, but I lost I think 1/2 pound last week so at least I'm still going in the right direction.

KristinaW- HI!

Sorry I haven't had a chance to say HI. My 9 month old being sick for the last few days has made for a rough time of staying caught up on here. I hope you have great success with JUDDD.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo41

In February, I have a 15-day cruise to Hawaii scheduled, and I know that will be a challenge--e.g., having a DD on a cruise. But I've actually become a master of the 100-calorie 'meal' since I eat 3x a day on DDs, and just think of all the options a cruise will give me for those 100 calories

Wow, I can't imagine trying to stay on JUDDD during a cruise! The two times I've been on one I think I've gained 5-10 pounds each time. But, you are right... you will have endless options on a cruise! Sounds like a blast, Hawaii is somewhere I'd love to visit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSugarShell

Happy 4th JUDDDers!!

Well, I had a successful WF yesterday and it paid off today with VFT. I am at a new low of 115.6. WOW! I haven't seen a number like that in over 8 years. It seems I lose around .4 to .6 a week. I am okay with that. I am losing VERY slowly, but this time it feels permanent.

Anyway, UD for me today and I have alot of food planned for today. I am not weighing again until next Sunday. It's going to be very hard, but hubby is hiding the scale from me.

Congrats on VFT!!! So cool to see numbers that haven't been seen in so long

Quote:

Originally Posted by giJ

Happy 4th, JUDDDDers!

UD here. No loss after my last 3 (very good) DDs, and it's getting a little frustrating. It's silly, really, and I know it, but there you have it. I don't overeat on my UDs (in fact, I am forcing myself to have UDs at all, and not just have MDs - Thursday night I went out for dinner at 9:00, even though I wasn't hungry, because I'd only had 700 calories at that point and wanted to have a DD yesterday). My last 2 DDs have been very EASY (because I'm busy), but haven't resulted in a loss, even with 360 calories on Monday, 360 calories on Wednesday, and 180 yesterday. *sigh* I know it'll happen, it just doesn't make sense (mathematically), and I'm hoping I'm not screwing up my metabolism.

Don't get too discouraged by no loss. I don't always see a loss every week. Watch for a few weeks to see what happens and hopefully your body will start cooperating!

Quote:

Originally Posted by oobladee

Hi All! I am back from vacay in Vegas. I was able to to do two DD's - one traveling there, then another while there.

Today is my first official DD at home. Back on track - and so looking forward to it! There is a silver lining to eating "road food" - yuck, just feel like my poor body deserves so much better. Eating raw spinach this morning, some cantalope - fresh cherries in a minute here. Summertime rocks for this WOE.

Tonight: spaghetti squash with fresh basil?roasted garlic marinara sauce.

That's great that you were able to pull off DD while vacationing! I know how hard that is. I went on Vacation shortly after starting JUDDD. I was able to pull off a few MD while gone and then a DD the day we came home. It's so hard to have a DD when there is yummy food all around!

Quote:

Originally Posted by GME

Trish, I hope the baby feels better soon. I have never been one NOT to eat under stress either. It just makes me want to eat more. Great job on pulling off a DD anyway!

Thanks for the well wishes. Stress and eating didn't used to go together for me, but after my first husband died it sort of sent me into a tail-spin with stress eating. Maybe it was the unexpected and high level of stress I felt. I feel like I've finally been able to start to get a handle on that over the last year or so. I can say... I don't feel well (emotionally or physically) and that's ok and eating really won't make things any better. It's all in the self talk

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remykins

This was one of the first sites i went too ad then jumped from here. There is mention of it here in this blog but only vaguely at the end, although i do like reading his writing, 'it wasn’t so much about total calories as it was about the episodic deprivation.'
Is Intermittent Fasting Healthy? | Mark's Daily Apple
There are a couple studies on how the intermittent fasting will increase HDL but only in woman.
Here is a good article which talks about the specific components of the body workup and the effects of fasting compared to a reduced calorie diet, however, they are talking about mice ☹
Fasting Every Other Day, While Cutting Few Calories, May Reduce Cancer Risk
There is talk in here that even when the participants who were alternate day fasting double their calories on non fasting days in an attempt to not lose weight they were unsuccessful and still lost:
Feast, fast and reduce risks - Los Angeles Times
Here is a little bit more rigorous diet but it mimics Johnsons, they just have a minimum sodium requirement on DD etc.
Diet::QOD Diet::Atkins Diet::Low fat diet::Free online diets::Eating QOD::Healthy diets
This is the one that gives numbers:
Article: "Effects of modified alternate-day fasting regimens on adipocyte size, triglyceride metabolism and plasma adiponectin levels in mice," by Krista A. Varady, D. J. Roohk, Y. C. Loe, B. K. McEvoy-Hein, and M. K. Hellerstein
Effects of modified alternate-day fasting regimens on adipocyte size, triglyceride metabolism, and plasma adiponectin levels in mice -- Varady et al. 48 (10): 2212 -- Journal of Lipid Research

ok, there was one that was totally awesome, but i cant find the stupid thing... grrr. I am goign to keep looking tho!

Thank you for posting all of these links! I'm going to check them out as soon as I have time.

Leo41 · 07-05-2009, 03:49 AM

giJ-

Wow! I'd say stress is the problem, too. I didn't realize you weren't sleeping at night, hence the naps. I nap, too, but that's because my cat has a habit of wanting me up at 2:30 am, and I have difficulty getting back to sleep!

It's probably not thyroid with your good loss and the reason for your fatigue during the day. I've read that stress can inhibit weight loss, but it also may be just one of those things. As I mentioned, when I look at my 5+ months on JUDDD, I see that there have been weeks where I didn't register any loss even though I was eating exactly the same. I'm hoping this past week was one of those for both of us!

Trish-

Yes, on past cruises I, too, have gained 5-10 lbs, even though I tried to eat very, very carefully. I think it's the habit of 3 meals a day, and although I tried to make good choices, basically too many calories. I'm hoping that if I focus on JUDDD, even if I go over my normal DD calories, I'll cut enough to maintain rather than gain. I've never been to Hawaii and am looking forward to it.

GME · 07-05-2009, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo41

Gina & giJ

You guys make me feel guilty because I'm concerned that I didn't lose THIS week! I get concerned when I hear about sudden weight gains (because that's what happened to me with my thyroid) and inability to lose after a few DDs because that also seems like there has to be something wrong physically.

Either of you had thyroid checks? Doctors are notoriously unable to adequately diagnose hypothyroidism, as you'd see on the thyroid board here. It took me 5 years to get a diagnosis, and I really had to fight my primary (basically ignore him and go on my own to an endo).

The other thing could be a pattern of water retention (which, by the way, is common with hypothyroids). All my life, my body has retained water any time I'm unwell for any reason, and even now I can fluctuate 5 pounds within one day from water.

Funny you should post that now, I was laying in bed last night wondering if my thyroid might be the problem. I had made up my mind to do some reading on it today.

The thing that always kept me from thinking it was is the fact that I lose well on a new plan, at first, then seem to stall and lose really slowly.

I'll go over to the thyroid board and check out the symptoms. I know I am certainly cold all the time.

Thanks for the nudge

Remykins · 07-05-2009, 08:44 AM

Proud of myself. Yesterday was an up day, it was a huge thing to see my father. We went to breakfast, 2 scambled eggs and i slice of bacon, strawberry picking and i had 4 small strawberries, then steak for dinner (only ate half! never left steak on a plate before), then a 1 inch slice of cheesecake, some cocktails, and then late night we tasted the sugar free jam we made on a very small piece of french bread. Then we went for a 3 mile brisk walk, and home i went. I think i came in around 1800 cals - which i think is very good for a holiday!I feel as if i ate a little bit too much yesterday, but today i clean the house and work on my kitchen

tomorrow a wall is coming down, uber excited!

Ok, Down day today...
Please someone create a force field around the fridge that is filled with strawberries and yummy stuff. I am shooting for fasting until 2:00-8:00 is my eating window.... i need to hold off till then. *crossing fingers, staring at the fridge*

oobladee · 07-05-2009, 12:29 PM

In Johnson's book he does mention that fasting does cause ketosis, so he does insinuate that the act of fasting as opposed to eating less calories overall does wonders. He is very careful to not say exactly why this plan works, but my mind read it the way Leo's does - we eat less food overall than we might have.

I am in Leo's camp on this; reducing calories is actually why all WOE or diets work. Atkins does help us feel more satiety as we eat less. There are a rare few who will be able to eat countless calories and lose when they restrict a food group. Far and away, most of us really do fall into caloric reduction arena!

07-04-2009, 05:30 AM	#99
NoSugarShell Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Hurst, TX Posts: 1,338 Gallery: NoSugarShell Stats: 138/128.8/110 5'0 WOE: JUDDD/Gluten free Start Date: Feb 25, 2013	Happy 4th JUDDDers!! Well, I had a successful WF yesterday and it paid off today with VFT. I am at a new low of 115.6. WOW! I haven't seen a number like that in over 8 years. It seems I lose around .4 to .6 a week. I am okay with that. I am losing VERY slowly, but this time it feels permanent. Anyway, UD for me today and I have alot of food planned for today. I am not weighing again until next Sunday. It's going to be very hard, but hubby is hiding the scale from me. __________________ ************************************** Michelle Hypothyroid Mini-goals**: 120 115 110

07-04-2009, 06:38 AM	#101
weasel! MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,139 Gallery: weasel! Stats: 153/138/125; 5'7", small frame WOE: JUDDDD/EFGT/WAPF/whole foods Start Date: recommitted to LC 3/11/07; start JUDDDD 6/08/09	I lost another pound! Now I'm at 143. That's a six pound loss since starting on June 8. Yesterday was DD#12. That makes four complete cycles of MWF DDs for me. I started out with 500 cal DDs, but have been doing 350-400 cal DDs for the past couple of weeks, because that's more in line with the 20% figure that the caluculator on Dr. Johnson's site reports. Remykins and others have been writing about the importance of keeping DDs very low, rather than keeping UDs in check, in triggering fat loss on this diet, so that's why I've been going with the lower DD numbers. I'm toying with the idea of a water fast, but as long as I'm losing, I figure, why bother. Pehaps water fasting is what it takes when a body is very, very close to goal, however. I'm sticking to my Eat Fat, Get Thin proportions of 65%-70% fat, about 25% protein, and single-digit carbs. In fact, I've sort of narrowed down my DDs to one set menu: two hard-boiled eggs and a big garden salad with homemade oil-and-vinegar dressing. Sometimes with the addition of some cooked shrimp. It makes life so much easier, because I don't have to keep counting and calculating; I already know what this adds up to. It makes it easy. And boy, am I looking forward to that salad with the second egg chopped over it by around 1 pm! Up days have been pretty much anything goes, from moderation and low carbing to some pretty good indulgences over some of the weekends, influenced by social occasions. My VFT starts below 139. That's only four pounds away! If this rate of loss continues, even accounting for a slowdown during TOM later this month, then I should be in VFT for the month of August. Even though the DDs are difficult -- I was HUNGRY all through yesterday -- I feel like I could sustain this weight loss regimen indefinitely. For as long as it takes. Heck, I can do anything for one day. It's exciting! __________________ --Vesna, aka "weasel!" 6/8-149; 6/11-147; 6/18-145; 6/20-144; 6/23-145; 6/25-146; 6/27-145; 6/29-146; 7/2-144; 7/4-143; 7/7-142; 7/9-141; 7/11-140; 7/14-141; 7/30-139; 8/1-138 VFT ("Virgin Fat Territory") starts below 139. Reached VFT August 1 after 8 weeks of alternate-day dieting! Make yer own food vesnavuynovich.blogspot.com Free from religion

07-04-2009, 06:41 AM	#102
Remykins Major LCF Poster! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,182 Gallery: Remykins Stats: 139/132/128 WOE: Low carb Start Date: May 6th 2009	Leo, so sorry to hear that, my thoughts are with you... Shell- great job! i bet you have a huge smile on your face Weasel, way to go! im very happy that you determined a good plan, stick with it and you will hit goal in no time! I had a very sucessful day yesterday, came in this morning as 125.5, but i am not going to claim it quite yet... but i am a few days before TOM so who knows... I am off to pick strawberries and then have me a big ol steak! toodles, and happy 4th! __________________ . My dog and I are doing the low carb thing and loving it!

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07-03-2009, 03:35 PM	#93
oobladee Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Far North, Cali Posts: 644 Gallery: oobladee Stats: Top BMI: 37; Currently: 30-31 WOE: Moderate fat & cals/hi protein/low carb Start Date: March 2006	leo...I travel a lot as well! What was (surprisingly) hard for me to digest was not being reimbursed for meals if i fasted! Once i thought that thru, i realized that nothing ventured, nothing is "lost". I paid for the breakfast buffet at one of my last travel spots - and enjoyed the most sumptious fruits/veggies! When we think about this: produce is way more expensive than the fried or doughy crap they offered! In Vegas, I ate a spoonful of scrambled eggs + a bunch of fresh spinach + salsa + a cup of assorted melons. That held me all day. Like you, i carry food also. In my case, I bring bariatric drinks and soup with me all of the time. I started checking out room service and only order if they offer a low cal meal like veggie or egg drop soup or even salmon with veggies. Lots of hotels offer free fruit, so that plus a protein drink suit me just fine! This is very do-able with thought and planning - even when we travel, right????

07-03-2009, 03:53 PM	#94
Leo41 Senior LCF member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8,426 Gallery: Leo41 Stats: 340 then/145 now WOE: Low carb/calorie cycling	Michelle- It sounds like a good plan for maintenance. I was reading Dr. Eades' blog once, and he mentioned that when he finds himself gaining, he does IF for a while, and that works for him. He low carbs all the time, so he can't really just cut carbs. His use of IF would be similar to doing an occasional DD, WF or not, to maintain. Leisa- What I just said to Michelle--ALSO, your description of how you react to food shows how very different people can be! When I began JUDDD, I used shakes for my DDs as advised, but I quickly had to drop one shake and substitute an egg white 'omelet' because I needed solid food. Now I never have shakes at all. For some reason, liquid calories don't satisfy me; I need solid food. I've kept DDs 3 days a week for over 5 months now, never going over on one of them, all at 350-400 cal, but all with food, and 3X a day, too. It goes to show you that JUDDD is a good plan because it can accommodate people as different as we are! Oobladee- Since I'm retired, I don't travel much any more except for leisure. I mentioned "business" because I'm on the Board of Trustees of a local college, and we have a retreat scheduled in Florida in Nov. I love to travel, but I'm conflicted because I also hate to leave my cat--he's very attached. But I agree with you absolutely that we can manage well when traveling with a little planning. Way back (many years ago) when I went to academic conferences, I used to consider travel a "free time" for eating, using the excuse to myself that it would be impossible to stay on plan while traveling. Soon I realized that it not only was possible but that I actually hated most of the junk I was eating! It's also great that so many hotels now have a "healthy" menu and are also used to special instructions. When I order an omelet and tell the waiter no potatoes or toast, I no longer get strange looks In February, I have a 15-day cruise to Hawaii scheduled, and I know that will be a challenge--e.g., having a DD on a cruise. But I've actually become a master of the 100-calorie 'meal' since I eat 3x a day on DDs, and just think of all the options a cruise will give me for those 100 calories

07-04-2009, 03:14 AM	#96
kristinaW Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Belgium Posts: 14 Gallery: kristinaW Stats: 151.8/141.75/134.2 lbs. 69/64.3/61 Kilos WOE: JUDDD/moderate carbs on DD Start Date: June 28	Happy 4th! There is a big fourth of July celebration here in Belgium on a military base that has been opened to Americans and partners and I am really excited to celebrate my first 4th of July in several years. Today was my weigh-in day. I am down just a pound or so since Tuesday, but I am fine with that. I started exercising this week, so maybe I am making some mean, lean muscle. Anyway, since Sunday I have lost 4.4 pounds or 2 kilos. Today is an UD, but I am going to try to keep some self-control since it would be so easy to over-eat and ruin all of my good progress on the 4th. Wishing you all a happy 4th!!!!

07-04-2009, 03:24 AM	#97
kristinaW Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Belgium Posts: 14 Gallery: kristinaW Stats: 151.8/141.75/134.2 lbs. 69/64.3/61 Kilos WOE: JUDDD/moderate carbs on DD Start Date: June 28	Snaggle-I forgot to answer your question....yes, this is a permanent move as much as anything in life is permanent. My husband would not mind moving back to Switzerland, but I would rather not. I would consider another country if the conditions were good. Remo-Yes, the beer is delicious!!! Gij-I think that Switzerland is the most beautiful country in the world. It is so charming and romantic. Although I like living in Belgium WAY more. The people are much more friendly and welcoming to foreigners. Leo-Great tip on adding another lap to make it .5 mile. I will do it today! And yes, the chocolate is delicious. But actually in general the food is really good here. It is said that the food is French quality with German portions. Is that a disaster waiting to happen, or what?

07-04-2009, 04:01 AM	#98
Leo41 Senior LCF member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8,426 Gallery: Leo41 Stats: 340 then/145 now WOE: Low carb/calorie cycling	Happy 4th JUDDers! But not so happy for me. At my weekly weigh in, I'm exactly the same as last week, no loss at all! However, as I look back on my chart of weight loss, I see several weeks like this where I had no apparent loss and then a whoosh the following week--so I'm hoping--and, of course, staying on plan. Again, the advantage of having a record of loss week-by-week is that when I get depressed, as I did this morning, I can put the situation in context, and that usually helps. Worst case scenario would be that my thyroid (T3) is getting too low. At my appt. last week, I pointed out to my endo that it was lower than usual, but he said that wasn't significant. However, I was also exceptionally tired last week, another sign of a lack of T3. BUT I also wasn't feeling well on Thursday and Friday, so the fatigue could be from fighting off a bug. In fact, I felt so "out of it" on Thursday that my UD turned into a 'medium day" of 1000 cal. I guess that's why I was expecting a loss today. But my body insists on reminding me that IT is going to determine how much I lose and when

07-04-2009, 05:52 AM	#100
Dovelette Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,894 Gallery: Dovelette WOE: Atkins OWL, Current HCG R1P2 Start Date: WLS 4/20/2004, Atkins 3/31/09, HCG 4/9/13	WOOHOO! Go Michelle! That's awesome!!!!

07-04-2009, 08:27 AM	#105
weasel! MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,139 Gallery: weasel! Stats: 153/138/125; 5'7", small frame WOE: JUDDDD/EFGT/WAPF/whole foods Start Date: recommitted to LC 3/11/07; start JUDDDD 6/08/09	Leo, it sounds like a hormonal thing, as you are sticking to plan, and with your description of lethargy, etc. Hormones trump calories every time. I am convinced it is the hormonal influence of JUDDDD, rather than the net caloric deficit, that causes the weight loss. My unauthoritative guess would be that the influence of your thyroid hormonal balance is overriding the influence of the alternate-day-diet power to trigger fat loss. Perhaps you can get some kind of adjustment to your meds?

07-04-2009, 09:08 AM	#106
Leo41 Senior LCF member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8,426 Gallery: Leo41 Stats: 340 then/145 now WOE: Low carb/calorie cycling	Thanks for your insights, Weasel. But I just had my 4-month check up (with blood tests), and as I mentioned, I thought the T3 was low because it was at the half-way point, and ideal is 2/3-3/4 of the lab range, but my endo dismissed that because all the other numbers were fine. I couldn't argue, since I really didn't have any symptoms and had lost 2 lbs that week. I'd have to wait until I actually start gaining to convince him to test me again so soon--ugh! That's why I'm hoping this is NOT my thyroid. By the way, the recent emphasis on fasting on DDs is not actually recommended by Dr. J, so you should not feel obligated to try the AWF. I was re-reading in his book last night (for inspiration; I was hungry!), and while he cites the animal studies that DID feed only every other day, his point is that his own research showed that you could get the same physiological effects from eating up to 35% of your usual calories on alternate days. For weight loss, he definitely focuses on the total # of calories in a DD/UD combination as critical (although he is careful not to actually say that, it's implicit in his argument). At one point in the book, he mentions problems when people overeat on DDs, but at another point, he remarks that as people get used to the plan (after 3 months or so), they tend to overeat on UDs--and both are a problem, he says. I actually experienced that phenomenon of UD overeating when I was 4 months into JUDDD. Suddenly, I found myself unable to restrict myself as I had been on UDs, but I was able to get it under control because I think the beauty of this plan (and he comments on this) is that it makes you very reflective about your food habits. I'm not inclined to fast on DDs because I fear that will upset the equilibrium I have going on DD/UD. But in re-reading the book, I do plan to reduce my DD calories to no more than 250 because I saw something I overlooked--the formula he uses on his calculator has a very wide range, so in giving me a 400 cal DD, my optimum number could be anywhere from 200-600! Knowing my very slow metabolism, I think my number is closer to 200. My point is that if people are losing more with fasting on DDs, it's because they've lowered their total calorie count, not because there's any magic in fasting. I'd rather not fast and limit myself a little on my UD, although people vary, and if they are comfortable with fasting, that's a good way to lower calories--provided they don't overcompensate on UDs, which is always a danger. Does this make any sense to you?

07-04-2009, 09:37 AM	#107
giJ Major LCF Poster! Join Date: May 2004 Location: NOVA Posts: 1,098 Gallery: giJ Stats: Size 18W+/8 WOE: My own - low carb, high fat, calorie controlled Start Date: You mean this time? 9 Jan 2012	Happy 4th, JUDDDDers! UD here. No loss after my last 3 (very good) DDs, and it's getting a little frustrating. It's silly, really, and I know it, but there you have it. I don't overeat on my UDs (in fact, I am forcing myself to have UDs at all, and not just have MDs - Thursday night I went out for dinner at 9:00, even though I wasn't hungry, because I'd only had 700 calories at that point and wanted to have a DD yesterday). My last 2 DDs have been very EASY (because I'm busy), but haven't resulted in a loss, even with 360 calories on Monday, 360 calories on Wednesday, and 180 yesterday. sigh I know it'll happen, it just doesn't make sense (mathematically), and I'm hoping I'm not screwing up my metabolism.

07-04-2009, 10:12 AM	#108
weasel! MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Madison, Wisconsin Posts: 1,139 Gallery: weasel! Stats: 153/138/125; 5'7", small frame WOE: JUDDDD/EFGT/WAPF/whole foods Start Date: recommitted to LC 3/11/07; start JUDDDD 6/08/09	Leo, not magic, but biochemistry. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread, Dr. Eades talks about how people who do intermittent fasting (IF) can lose weight even when their total caloric intake is no lower than when they are not IFing. Dr. Johnson may well believe that caloric deficit is behind the weight loss achieved by following his diet plan. It wouldn't surprise me, because it is such a common and mainstream view. But I am convinced through other readings and experience that calorie deficit does not (universally) induce (lasting) fat loss. Best wishes, if you hope it's not your thyroid, then I hope that, too. I'm a little skeptical of your endo's conclusion, though, just because of the way you described it -- it seemed as if you were looking at a bigger picture than he was.

07-04-2009, 12:59 PM	#111
Leo41 Senior LCF member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8,426 Gallery: Leo41 Stats: 340 then/145 now WOE: Low carb/calorie cycling	Gina & giJ You guys make me feel guilty because I'm concerned that I didn't lose THIS week! I get concerned when I hear about sudden weight gains (because that's what happened to me with my thyroid) and inability to lose after a few DDs because that also seems like there has to be something wrong physically. Either of you had thyroid checks? Doctors are notoriously unable to adequately diagnose hypothyroidism, as you'd see on the thyroid board here. It took me 5 years to get a diagnosis, and I really had to fight my primary (basically ignore him and go on my own to an endo). The other thing could be a pattern of water retention (which, by the way, is common with hypothyroids). All my life, my body has retained water any time I'm unwell for any reason, and even now I can fluctuate 5 pounds within one day from water. Weasel Aren't calories part of the biochemistry of the body? The only reason I'm doing JUDDD is that it enables me to seriously restrict calories without the frustration of trying to do it every single day. I also eat low carb. If I also had to water fast every other day in order to lose, I just might stay my current size! My endo really is a nice guy and very responsive. Most of them are terrified of prescribing too much of the thyroid hormones because it can lead to heart trouble, etc. AND some women think that if they get more, it will help them lose weight and are always asking to up their meds. I'm not one of those [I know they don't help me lose, but if I'm not adequately medicated, I will gain], but that's a reason that most docs are hesitant to prescribe without significant numbers on the blood test AND symptoms. My number was ambiguous, and I had no real symptoms, so I can't blame him. My concern was that we did the test as my T3 was dropping, and it will get worse--like no loss this week. But that lack of loss is also part of my JUDDD pattern, so I can't be sure it's my thyroid until it gets much worse and I begin to gain [the horror].

07-04-2009, 01:08 PM	#112
Dovelette Major LCF Poster! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,894 Gallery: Dovelette WOE: Atkins OWL, Current HCG R1P2 Start Date: WLS 4/20/2004, Atkins 3/31/09, HCG 4/9/13	Wow it's good to see mostly positives here...giJ I hear ya, when I was up yesterday I was a bit irked. Today is a DD, and yes, I weigh daily, but I was only up .4lbs, and I'm already down again. Was going to AWF but then I must have psychically read Leo's post and thought...why? Heck I can eat 480 calories, I've been eating under that, UDs I can eat 2400 and even with eating more than I thought I could I'm under 2000, so why suffer? ALthough..."suffer" is hardly the word, I felt NO hunger today, even when I ate at 5 30. I only ate cause stupid hubby made fried rice and it smelled good! I cut up cabbage, onion and carrot and made the same! Added egg as well. Came out to about 180 calories and was SO filling (and fiberous, for tomorrows morning...run... lol). Below is a recipe for a Southwestern coleslaw that is like...33 calories and super awesome; gonna whip it up for my next DD: 6 servings Ingredients 3 cups shredded cabbage 1 carrot, shredded 1 onion, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro 2/3 cup apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoon Splenda 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 salt and pepper to taste Directions 1. In a large bowl, toss together the cabbage, carrot, onion, red pepper, jalapeno and cilantro. Set aside. 2. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, splenda, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Pour over vegetable mixture and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. ** Adjust cayenne to taste. Start small with the cayenne, it gets hot!

07-04-2009, 03:24 PM	#113
giJ Major LCF Poster! Join Date: May 2004 Location: NOVA Posts: 1,098 Gallery: giJ Stats: Size 18W+/8 WOE: My own - low carb, high fat, calorie controlled Start Date: You mean this time? 9 Jan 2012	Dov, that sounds REALLY good. Leo ~ I've never had my thyroid tested, but you did make me think of something. I've napped every day for a week or two, blaming stress. I suspect that same stress is messing with my weight loss. So, ok, I will just suck it up and continue on. At least I'm not gaining!

07-04-2009, 04:43 PM	#114
Leo41 Senior LCF member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8,426 Gallery: Leo41 Stats: 340 then/145 now WOE: Low carb/calorie cycling	giJ- The need to nap and the inability to lose spell thyroid to me (of course, I'm not a doctor, but I've had to deal with thyroid issues for a long time). I would get checked if I were you, but, in a nutshell, here's the problem: 1. The symptoms, as you yourself noticed, can easily be ascribed to all sorts of things--stress, aging, working too hard, etc. And doctors tend to dismiss women's complaints about not being able to lose weight, assuming that they're just eating too much and don't realize it. I became hypothyroid with menopause, so it was easy for my doctor to dismiss all my symptoms as just aging. 2. Blood tests for thyroid are a 'pleasant fiction.' That is, even if you find a good doctor who will test TSH, T4 and T3, a lot of them will dismiss you if your values are "in range." For example, the lab range for TSH is something like .5 - 6.0. You could have a '3,' and your doctor would tell you that you were "normal." But the problem is that those ranges are developed based on thousands of people, and what's 'normal' for someone may not be normal for you. For example, if my TSH is 2.7, I'm too tired to get out of bed and I gain weight like crazy, but a doctor would look at my lab results and tell me that I don't have any thyroid problem. A good endo will look at blood work but will mainly consider symptoms. My first endo medicated me before she even saw the bloodwork because my symptoms were so severe. 3. So if you decide to get checked, if I were you, I'd first try to find a doctor who is known to be good with thyroid patients and knows what he/she is doing. 4. You might want to take a look at the 'sticky' that's at the top of the thyroid thread on this board; it gives a lot more info about all this.

07-04-2009, 04:51 PM	#115
giJ Major LCF Poster! Join Date: May 2004 Location: NOVA Posts: 1,098 Gallery: giJ Stats: Size 18W+/8 WOE: My own - low carb, high fat, calorie controlled Start Date: You mean this time? 9 Jan 2012	Leo, I've wondered about thyroid for a long time, but dismissed it because (usually) I can lose weight just fine. I've lost 20 lbs since 4 May, even with no loss this week (and a little incident in Orlando that included a pineapple mojito, black bean hummus, and plaintain chips ). The sleep issues (not sleeping at night, but napping during the day) started at approximately the same time I decided to move 1000 miles away in a month, try to get my house in New Orleans ready for occupancy (my contractor said "30 days for all the work" -- and started in FEBRUARY, but still isn't done), try to get two houses in Northern VA ready and rented, and had some stuff with my company blow up (mostly in a good way, but very much in a stressful "OMG, how will I get everything done?!?!?!" way). IF things don't get better after my relocation, I will definitely get the blood work done. Luckily, I have a very good friend in New Orleans who is a doctor, so I should be able to get to a good endo from her, if needed. I think if I added that to my ever-growing "to do before I move" list, my head my explode

07-05-2009, 03:49 AM	#117
Leo41 Senior LCF member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 8,426 Gallery: Leo41 Stats: 340 then/145 now WOE: Low carb/calorie cycling	giJ- Wow! I'd say stress is the problem, too. I didn't realize you weren't sleeping at night, hence the naps. I nap, too, but that's because my cat has a habit of wanting me up at 2:30 am, and I have difficulty getting back to sleep! It's probably not thyroid with your good loss and the reason for your fatigue during the day. I've read that stress can inhibit weight loss, but it also may be just one of those things. As I mentioned, when I look at my 5+ months on JUDDD, I see that there have been weeks where I didn't register any loss even though I was eating exactly the same. I'm hoping this past week was one of those for both of us! Trish- Yes, on past cruises I, too, have gained 5-10 lbs, even though I tried to eat very, very carefully. I think it's the habit of 3 meals a day, and although I tried to make good choices, basically too many calories. I'm hoping that if I focus on JUDDD, even if I go over my normal DD calories, I'll cut enough to maintain rather than gain. I've never been to Hawaii and am looking forward to it.

07-05-2009, 08:44 AM	#119
Remykins Major LCF Poster! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1,182 Gallery: Remykins Stats: 139/132/128 WOE: Low carb Start Date: May 6th 2009	Proud of myself. Yesterday was an up day, it was a huge thing to see my father. We went to breakfast, 2 scambled eggs and i slice of bacon, strawberry picking and i had 4 small strawberries, then steak for dinner (only ate half! never left steak on a plate before), then a 1 inch slice of cheesecake, some cocktails, and then late night we tasted the sugar free jam we made on a very small piece of french bread. Then we went for a 3 mile brisk walk, and home i went. I think i came in around 1800 cals - which i think is very good for a holiday!I feel as if i ate a little bit too much yesterday, but today i clean the house and work on my kitchen tomorrow a wall is coming down, uber excited! Ok, Down day today... Please someone create a force field around the fridge that is filled with strawberries and yummy stuff. I am shooting for fasting until 2:00-8:00 is my eating window.... i need to hold off till then. crossing fingers, staring at the fridge

07-05-2009, 12:29 PM	#120
oobladee Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Far North, Cali Posts: 644 Gallery: oobladee Stats: Top BMI: 37; Currently: 30-31 WOE: Moderate fat & cals/hi protein/low carb Start Date: March 2006	In Johnson's book he does mention that fasting does cause ketosis, so he does insinuate that the act of fasting as opposed to eating less calories overall does wonders. He is very careful to not say exactly why this plan works, but my mind read it the way Leo's does - we eat less food overall than we might have. I am in Leo's camp on this; reducing calories is actually why all WOE or diets work. Atkins does help us feel more satiety as we eat less. There are a rare few who will be able to eat countless calories and lose when they restrict a food group. Far and away, most of us really do fall into caloric reduction arena!