SEPT. JUDDD/ Alternate Day Diet

[Whitlin']

BREATHING EASY NEWS is a blessing to see posted, just like a blessing to have happen, I'm sure! Congratulations, Grammy Pat, and thanks for remembering to share the news.

Leo, that was a very clear explanation and I appreciated it. I did go over to snaggle's thread and followed her link to a previous thread that is getting long. I got kinda sidetracked trying to understand but very interesting. Homestretch did a good job with her brief explanation.

I see your concerns, Leo, about a cut-back of whole foods during the very liver-detox period in which one would think whole foods would be a vital factor and a good teaching "moment" for drs to explain quality eating. I suppose the publisher, and perhaps the drs to a lesser extent, felt John Q. Public needed simplicity and had a better chance of actually doing what the book suggests if it was made very simple. I can hardly criticize that too much, myself since I will admit here and now that the every-other-day shake-conveniences made Dr. Johnson's own JUDDD plan look like a better candidate to me back in March, too, and I am a whole foods embracer! We are a convenience society.

By way of rationalizing for myself, I suppose it does make me think about reading in Dr. Johnson's book about the weight studies measured against lifespan and "healthspan" and his conclusion that weight loss itself is ultimately such a great health benefit that, "While I'm not advocating bad eating - in fact it's just the opposite - it is important to understand that body weight supersedes other risk factors." Of course, a strict interpretation of JUDDD would have someone using shakes about 7 days total. On the other hand, they might be ordinary sugarful SlimFasts or something, while the Eades are insisting on those that are a little more sensible.

I'm on DD today because I need it so much to relieve the bloat from feeling "poorly", and will resume MWF. My whole body obviously feels so much better from Thursday's DD, even yet. (whew) I only "gained" 1/2 pound over UD yesterday (of course, I don't count scale opinions after UDs).

[nitenurse]

Hi everyone-I am reading/trying the Eades book on Middle Aged Middle, as working my way back to JUDDDD as my forever plan, I couldn't seem to get back to where I was with JUDDDD, but I felt a lot better then. Maybe this Eades plan for a few weeks would do my liver a favor, will see-one of his maintainence plans is a lot like JUDDDD with alternate shake days and meat days, which was pretty close to what I was doing before.
I always read the newest diet books that are close to lowcarb, mostly to find out what they say about research, I don't anyone has even begun to understand this complicated issue.
Here's to whatever works!!!

[Leo41]

Gina-

Congratulations on the loss. Those DDs are great for dealing with vacation gains, in my experience. Your plan of MWF dds is pretty much what I do, with Sunday as a MD. It took me a while to get the knack of a MD, and it's still harder than a DD for me!

Whitlin-

I didn't mention that I'm probably disappointed in the Eades book because I was hoping it was something I could use to give my loss a 'nudge' downward. But a couple of weeks before the book came out, I tried to get myself losing again on JUDDD by doing two shakes and a meal on UDs, carefully watching calories--and I lost nothing! In addition, the AS and stuff in the shakes really had me feeling yucky so I stopped after 5 days. So I know I couldn't do this plan. In addition, he has you drop caffeine for the first two weeks, and I'm not willing to do that. (It's supposed to be to cleanse the liver, but I'd need to know that my liver really needed cleansing before I would give up my coffee:-)

[EmandM]

Grammy Pat - I am also asthmatic and I haven't had to use my inhaler once since being full force on JUDDD. It's amazing. Now granted my asthma has become a lot milder with age (was very bad as a child, had many trips to emergency for masks) but, I would still need to use it during hot humid days or when exercising. Now, the only time I've used it in almost a year (started JUDDD last Nov) was when I visit my dad who has cats, who I am very allergic too! Combine that with a Christmas tree and a wool blanket (also very allergic to) during the holidays last year and well, you probably get the idea! Congrats to you on breathing easier. That's a very good thing!

[giJ]

Originally Posted by GrammyPat

JUDDD Epiphany! Hey guys, I just realized that I've had the best week ever not having to use my inhaler every day! I have emphysema and normally wake up and hit the nebulizer 1st thing in the am. Then I go to work and since I've been getting over an infection, I've had to use my inhaler about 4x at work and then once at home. Well, this is my 3rd week on JUDDD and I did not have to use my inhaler at work at all! That's amazing....and this morning I hit the nebulizer 2 hours after I got up! I had forgotten that one of the side benefits is anti-inflammation especially for the lungs! For me, this is a miracle! Just wanted to post this in case any of you have lung problems like me.

Grammy ~~ I knew it did wonders for my asthma, to read what great results you're getting for emphysema? That's AMAZING. And probably the best reason for you to keep up with alternating!

[nitenurse]

I am not using AS with the shakes, I use stevia, and not as much cream. This first 2 weeks does feel like DDs, which won't hurt me. I wasn't drinking much coffee, just green tea, so it was minimal giving it up for a couple weeks. From the posts that discuss this on the protein Power site I think there are a lot of people doing a lot of substituting on it. I will let you all know if my wasp waist returns. lol.
So far, I think I am just using it for a jolt to get back on JUDDDD. This time when I come back full time I think I will raise the calories on my DDs to 30-50% and see if I can live with that a little better. I like the shakes because I am too lazy to cook for myself more than once a day,(cooking for one) and it seems to be important for methat I get enough protein in, or I won't stick with it.
I am kind of disappointed with Dr. Eades in this book, after the protein Power books being so excellent. But there is some more research in it, and that always interests me. Found myself having to take a few notes to absorb it all. The part about the hormone imbalances messing up thyroid absorption, I will have to check that out, that would explain a lot for me.

[snaggle]

Popping in to say hi to all my Juddd buddies!! I really am looking forward to getting done with the Eades, 6 week cure. Just like Nitenurse, I am not thrilled with the book and don't like doing shakes for two meals, BUT it is working and I only have today and tomorrow left of the icky phase I shakes, and can start phase two which is basically meat, eggs, fish, poultry, fat and veggies.
Basically, the first two weeks is like having a down day every day. Pretty brutal.
I am also sure that a few weeks with no alcohol is a good thing for me.
It is also an exercise in the whole "I can do hard things" mentality.

I have a juddd question: I saw an old friend yesterday with a condition, similar to fibromyalgia, but not that. I didn't quite get the name, but it has been horrible for her and been ongoing for a while. They have taken her off all gluten, but I told her about Juddd and how it is anti-inflammatory. Does anyone hear have any feedback about stuff like arthitis, fibromyalgia, and other chronic inflammatory conditions that have been helped with it? I just read about the results in the book, but I would love to hear stories from all of you.

[Leo41]

Snaggle-

I have rather severe osteoarthritis, and although my PCP diagnosed me with fibromyalgia many moons ago, I don't think he was correct. I took NSAIDs for more than 20 years, until I realized that they only take the 'edge' of the pain and are not worth the poison to the system. For the past 5 years, I've been managing better with diet and exercise.

My WOE is mainly low carb (which is diuretic and tends to decrease pain from inflammation), but, in addition, I follow an anti-inflammatory diet--which, by the way, I first heard of from Drs. Eades in Protein Power. I don't eat egg yolks, and my red meat is grass fed and not often, I eat a lot of fish and also take fish oil supplements. Naturally, I don't eat sugar or starch, which are big inflammatories. In fact, if I have sugar (a birthday cake, for example), I will actually feel it in pain in my joints.

I did not notice any difference in my pain level with JUDDD, so I don't think I'd ascribe any anti-inflammatory qualities to this plan--but that just may be me. It might help someone who wasn't already following an anti-inflammatory program.

[Whitlin']

Yes, snaggle, I believe all the 6-wk Middleaged Middle experimenters are doing hard things - very impressive of you, nitenurse and others. No, I don't have personal knowledge of any anti-arthritic or anti-inflammatory effects of JUDDD.

After my Saturday DD I've lost another 1/2 pound. I'm surprised at a tendency early today to eat a lot - may still stem from some recuperation effects from being sick. Will have to count up these calories and rein that in for today's UD. I'd like to see about 1,800.

[cherlyndria77]

I gained about a pound this week
I was ravenously hungry because I increased my activity and I know that I strayed to the 700 on dd's instead of keeping it under 500. Bummer....I was really hoping to breakthrough 100 (kilograms) by the end of the month, I'm currently sitting at 101.6.
Refocus!!!

[BillB]

Hey everyone,

Barely over 500 cals today...I ate a lot of lettuce.

The last two DDs were the easiest yet for me.

I had nearly 3000 cals yesterday, including a ton of nutritional oils. I am going to try to up my UD cals a little more and increase the volume and % of protein.

Blood glucose up a few points the last couple days, no explanation. Very confusing.

If anyone has any experience with the Met Rx shakes (ready-to-drink) with 55 grams of protein, please post.

Keep working on it, and please keep posting. This thread seems to have quietened down a good bit this month. I hope everyone is still on plan!

--bill

[mistydisa]

I'm still on plan, though I've gone nuts this week on UDs. Don't know what my problem is. TOM? Dunno, but I've had a lot of junk. I was just telling my husband that we didn't eat this bad before I was on a diet so why the heck are we doing it now? We've had fast food pizza, went to a Mexican restaurant, I've made pumpkin pie AND pumpkin bread, had chocolate ice cream.... I tell ya, it's not been pretty. Since I mentioned how I need to cut back on my UDs to him, I know he'll help keep me in check now. He's (sometimes annoyingly) good at that. I'm not expecting much of a loss this week. I'll find out Tuesday. I've also noticed that my DD calories have been higher this week, as well. I've been ravenous. Again, TOM? Or just where I've been overeating on UDs? I've been keeping my DD calories at 500, but previous weeks have been around 400.

Gonna do better this week!

[GrammyPat]

Thanks EmandM, Leo, giJ, whitlin for all your good words! they make me feel really good. Yesterday was an UD and too much so! Had lots of carbs and noticed (duh) that my breathing became more labored.....this is after I had an amazing DD on Sat where I went to a buffet birthday party for my DIL and did not eat a thing. One of these days, I'll get the UD squared away and do 2000 cals on LC, you know? So that's the plan this week so I can return to that wonderful, free-breathing, energetic state I was in last week. BillB, I use EAS shakes because they have 17 gms protein and 110 cals; I'll be adding 1/4 cup Fiber One cereal to that (30 cals, 7 gms fiber) for the satiety factor for one of my meals today (in case you wanted any ideas). Thank you everyone for taking the time to post about your asthma/JUDDD journey - it's a big reinforcer for me!

[Leo41]

Misty-

I am ravenous unless I stick to low carb. I don't think I could do DDs at all if I didn't eat low carb all the time. I had a "carb binge" this weekend (had company and served pie, cake, and ice cream!), and I'm really struggling with my DD today. So those recent carbs may have instigated your hunger.

[snaggle]

But just think Leo, based upon your past history, you'll probably get a loss when you weigh!

Grammy Pat, Do you think then that the benefits to your asthma from Juddd are a due to a combination of the JUDDD and low carb, or just the judddd? I ask because my brother has pretty bad asthma and is also very overweight. I hesitate to recommend the Juddd book to him because it is not low carb and I think he really needs to do that too (bad triglycerides), but I think it would be way easier for him to follow by not worrying about the carbs.

[giJ]

Originally Posted by snaggle

Grammy Pat, Do you think then that the benefits to your asthma from Juddd are a due to a combination of the JUDDD and low carb, or just the judddd? I ask because my brother has pretty bad asthma and is also very overweight. I hesitate to recommend the Juddd book to him because it is not low carb and I think he really needs to do that too (bad triglycerides), but I think it would be way easier for him to follow by not worrying about the carbs.

Not Grammy Pat but.... I do JUDDDD without low carb and get most of the asthma benefits. I think I would feel better if I would low carb with it, but right now, I'm just not there mentally.

[snaggle]

giJ, thanks for that info. I think I will tell my brother about it. I am very concerned about his health. He is at least 40-50 lbs overweight and has high triglycerides like my Dad who had a (non fatal) heart attack at 55, AND, he is a sneak smoker!

He has had asthma his whole life and this could be a good way for me to introduce the diet without sounding like I am saying, You are fat, you need to diet.......................as
if he don' know dat!

[BillB]

It's great to hear that folks are experiencing improvements with breathing / respiratory issues. It's truly something we all take for granted until we have trouble.

For the past 6-7 years, I have had recurring bronchial infections, pneumonia once, (sorry if this is TMI) a constant nagging problem with phlegm. I am also on CPAP therapy for obstructive sleep apnea (the sleep tech said it was the worst case she had ever tested). Since starting alternate day, my pressure setting on my CPAP has dropped from 11 to 8 (a substantial change). I also have no more problem with phlegm. I can't think of any reason why this would be, but I am happy with the change.

I have had to force myself to eat today (about 2500 cals if I take all my nutritional oils before bed). I don't think I will continue to do that. Even if my cals are lower, I am only going to eat when I am hungry. I am *very* concerned with slowing my already damaged metabolism, but eating when not hungry is a slippery slope (been there, done that, don't want to go back).

All feedback appreciated.

--bill

[giJ]

Snaggle ~~ I would mention it to him, and then back off. You know how it is. Someone hits you over the head, and it makes you less likely to do it. (I'm hoping my mother will take the hint while she's down here. Today is my 2nd DD of her visit.)

Originally Posted by BillB

I have had to force myself to eat today (about 2500 cals if I take all my nutritional oils before bed). I don't think I will continue to do that. Even if my cals are lower, I am only going to eat when I am hungry. I am *very* concerned with slowing my already damaged metabolism, but eating when not hungry is a slippery slope (been there, done that, don't want to go back).

All feedback appreciated.

Bill ~~ This is part of the issue I have with posting on the ML when I'm on Atkins. When I'm in ketosis, I have no appetite. None. I eat if I'm hungry, I don't if I'm not. My calories come in very low. Everyone there says "you have to eat at least 1200 calories a day or you'll destroy your metabolism." But they also say "eat to your hunger." For me, these are two very different concepts.

JUDDDD has taught me what REAL hunger is. I recognize it. And I don't want to eat just for the sake of eating (well, sometimes ) to hit some imaginary calorie requirement.

Why do I say it's imaginary? Well, because people quote that 1200 calorie "low" to everyone, with no regard to the person. *IF* there is such a thing as "destroying your metabolism" (which I am not convinced of), then wouldn't a 5' tall, 65 year old woman (i.e., post-menopause) have a different "minimum" requirement than a 6'4" 20 year old male? What is so special about 1200 calories that it applies universally?

So... eat if you're hungry. Don't eat if you're not hungry. You will either find that you've been overestimating what you need on UD OR you will find that some UD you eat 1800 calories and others you're at 3500, and that your UD average 2700 or something like that.

To put it another way: think of the studies done on the eating habits of children. They don't think about nutrition, etc, and they tend to go through phases of only eating one thing or refusing all out of one group. Over time, though, everything works itself out, because kids haven't yet learned to ignore their bodies.

Listen to your body. It knows what it needs and will tell you.

[Leo41]

Snaggle-

Dr. J writes about the benefits of JUDDD for asthmatics in his book (based on research), and, as you know, he is anti-low carb, so I think the benefits for your brother would be with JUDDD itself. Perhaps after he has some success on JUDDD, he might be open to low carb, too. In fact, you might convince him by explaining how it would help with DDs

Bill-

Oh, how I wish I ever had to 'force' myself to eat! Even with zero carbs, I never lose my appetite. But I agree with giJ--eat to hunger and never force.

A lot of stuff about 'ruining' your metabolism is without any real merit. Actual studies show that we don't have as much control over our metabolism as we imagine (or are told by diet gurus who are often just trying to sell their own plan). For example, I have a compromised metabolism from age and hypothyroid (and a genetically slow metabolism, too). On 1200 cal a day, I will gain, and my endo agrees that I should stay below 1000 daily. Without JUDDD, I find it very frustrating to try to stay that low on a daily basis, but with JUDDD, I can usually manage. Everyone has to do what works for that individual, and it's often trial and error in finding the right course.

[GrammyPat]

Hey Snaggle, I'm sorry you had to wait so long for my reply; I saw your question earlier at work today but my company doesn't allow me to post to any websites, I guess for security reasons. Since I'm home now, I can answer you: I am going to echo Leo in my experience to say that NO, I did not particularly watch my carb intake on the UD's but I do on the DD's, and just reinforce that the book says you don't have to watch your carbs too! I do try to eat my carbs at lunch only, and not after 4pm but I don't limit the carbs. I still eat bread, chocolate candy (and more chocolate candy). The better breathing is the result of SIRT1 being activated - the"rescue" gene that causes healing and anti-inflammation to occur within the lungs. How lucky your brother is to have such a loving sister that she would get this book for him! Thanks giJ and Leo for jumping in too.

I "second" Leo's opinion on metabolism - I don't think we have as much control over it as we like to think either. So many factors influence a "high" or "low" metabolism like thyroid, adrenals, pituitary glands, etc. not to mention all the hormone stuff going on - geesh, it wears me out trying to make sense of it all!

[BillB]

Originally Posted by Leo41

Oh, how I wish I ever had to 'force' myself to eat! Even with zero carbs, I never lose my appetite. But I agree with giJ--eat to hunger and never force.

It's new to me. I am used to being voraciously hungry and able to eat everything in sight. Even on LC. Even on ZC. I think I have been leptin resistant in the past. I'll keep you posted. I sympathize...but I can't say "I feel your hunger", because I don't. This week.



--bill

[Whitlin']

Hi - gee you guys are having deep conversations. On the one hand, thanks I learn so much. On the other... ... some goes over my head! Can I ask a dumb question - what or where is ML?

The better breathing is the result of SIRT1 being activated - the"rescue" gene that causes healing and anti-inflammation to occur within the lungs.

Wow. I have GOT to get my friend with asthma to LISTEN to me on this.

Yesterday on DD, after

shake, egg and toast
big tossed salad w 1/2 avocado
frozen "lean" meal for convenience 220 cals
for 600 total calories

1/2 pound down this morning.

Not a particularly slow-going "recuperation" of my target weight after being sick. I'm pleased. JUDDD is very forgiving.

[mistydisa]

Whitlin' ~ I'm pretty sure ML is referring to the Main Lobby on this site's message board. I think, anyway.

I was keeping my fingers crossed that I hadn't gained this week after all my UD treats.... I didn't. And in fact, somehow, I managed to lose 1.4 lbs.! Woo-hoo!

I am so pleased with JUDDDD. It's by far the best diet or WOE I've ever tried. I can only imagine how well it would work for me if I would stop having so many "treats" on UDs! I plan to test this theory, but Thursday is my hubby's bday and then his parents are visiting (for a bday party) on Saturday, so I know there will be treats involved on both days. Life happens, I guess, and I'm so thankful JUDDDD is so forgiving!

Down 16.8 lbs. so far, and THRILLED!

[Whitlin']

Great scale news for you, misty! Happy bday to your dh - yes, JUDDD can be forgiving, even after cake!

(blush) :blush: Thanks for the reminder! I was actually wondering if there was a thread/forum on the "Mastering Leptin" book - that's the closet I could figure and had forgotten "main lobby"!

Off to plan the food items, within about a 1,800 calorie-limit, that me and my body will most appreciate today! The plan is to be content with food and ready for a new 600 DD.

[Ilpirata]

Yay Misty! Get it Girl.

I'm going for DD again today. I did one last week (tried just one and made it)

I had a crazy UD weekend (all LC but super high calorie)

NOT WEIGHING MYSELF THIS WEEK.

I'll be doing DD today and another on Thursday. Then regular low carb UD weekend. Starting Next week I'll be back on M, W, Friday DDs.

[Ilpirata]

B - coffee with 1/2 and 1/2 (2 oz total)

L - Pure Protein Shake from Trader Joe's

D - 1.5 to 2 cups cooked string beans with 2 large eggs

Calories 435
Fat 22.7 202 46 %
Carbohydrate 23.7 88 20 %
Dietary Fiber 9.4
Protein 38.7 149 34 %
Alcohol 0.0 0 0 %

Hope I can stick with it! There's an off chance my roomate is making chicken for dinner so I may end up with green beans and chicken instead of green beans and eggs.

[Leo41]

Great loss, Misty!

Kisha-
Good to see you getting back to JUDDD. My own forays into VLC and shake substitutes have told me that I need to stick to JUDDD and general low carb, whole foods. And yet I had myself a weekend of high carb, high calorie, so I know what you mean about not weighing this week! I'll probably weigh on Saturday to get a fix for the beginning of the month, but this is a time when I envy you a roommate, as the ideal would be to weigh and record but NOT KNOW the number for a while

[Ilpirata]

Originally Posted by Leo41

Great loss, Misty!

Kisha-
Good to see you getting back to JUDDD. My own forays into VLC and shake substitutes have told me that I need to stick to JUDDD and general low carb, whole foods. And yet I had myself a weekend of high carb, high calorie, so I know what you mean about not weighing this week! I'll probably weigh on Saturday to get a fix for the beginning of the month, but this is a time when I envy you a roommate, as the ideal would be to weigh and record but NOT KNOW the number for a while

Oh I wouldn't let her wiegh me! The most I can do is have her hide the scale again lol. Right now i actually trust myself to stay off it of my own free will. If I get on there and see 201 or 202 or something i might just literally DIE!

[Agee]

Hello everyone -
It's been a while since I posted - a week or so?
I had 3 UD this weekend b/c of family things so I knew I wouldn't lose...but if you look at my signature I've been sitting at the same weight since the first week I started. I've had 2 extended UD episodes (Labor Day - 3UD) and this past weekend, but neither time did I pig out or anything - and I've been extremely good on all my DDs.
Sigh.
This is the story of my dieting life.
On the upside: someone I work with said I looked like I lost weight, which is amazing, because I way basically the same as I always have weighed. Maybe it's that whole scale-weight-not-telling-the-whole-story thing.
Onward and upward! I promised myself I'd do 30 sold DDs before I passed judgement on the efficacy of this diet and I have several more weeks to go...
A