SEPT. JUDDD/ Alternate Day Diet

[snaggle]

It is funny because I feel the same way, like I have this great simple concept that works yet when people do ask me about it, they think it sounds crazy, draconian, and basically unhealthy. I cannot tell you how many people have quipped, "that can't be good for you", or "that will really mess up your metabolism". The joke is that it has increased my metabolism and I have lost 20 lbs with it, AND I feel great.

[Leo41]

I just wanted to repeat for those of you who have "friends" or relatives tell you how unhealthy JUDDD is and how it will wreck your metabolism, etc., my endo is thrilled with this! He had never heard of JUDDD until I mentioned it to him when I first started. He saw nothing wrong with the plan, but wasn't particularly enthusiastic. (He's probably listened to patients describe their weight loss plans for a long time but never sees results.)

However, when I returned 4 months later with such a substantial weight loss, he couldn't wait to hear every detail of the program. He doesn't think it's at all unhealthy--in fact, since he has so many patients who have to seriously restrict calories in order to lose but find eating 800 cal a day too frustrating, he thinks this is a great idea.

Also, I mentioned this to Dr. Michael Eades in the comments to one of his blogs a couple of months ago, and he, too, saw no problem with JUDDD, except to say that I had to be sure to get 'quality protein' in those few calories. But I've been focusing on protein since the beginning because I believe in the tenets of ProteinPower.

So if doctors, especially an endo who specializes in metabolism, like JUDDD, why listen to casual acquaintances?

[mistydisa]

I, too, have friends who don't think this WOE is healthy. I have one friend who wants to lose weight, so I keep trying to talk her into giving this diet a shot. All she keeps saying is that it can't be healthy to only eat 500 calories every other day...... So now's she's going to a weight loss clinic to get a prescription for PHENTERMINE!!!! Yeah, like THAT'S healthy!!!

I don't let these opinions sway me since I know the proof is in the pudding, so to speak, but it's still aggravating.

Have a great day, all!

[giJ]

Good morning JUDDDDers!

I haven't been posting much (life keeps getting in the way ) but I am reading every few days.

Not many people have noticed my weight loss, because I'm in a new city, and a full time student, so people don't really know me or see me often. And I've only lost 4 lbs since orientation on August 24. People who do know I've lost over 30 lbs (the first 12 on Atkins, the rest on JUDDDD) generally only know it's "calorie cycling". A few people have asked more details, but most just leave it at that.

Since August 12, I've lost 10 lbs, but, as I said, only 4 since August 24. And only 1 (this morning) since September 7. But I also stalled after the first 10 on this WOE. So I know that sticking with it is the key. I lose 10 lbs pretty quickly (Aug 12-29, 17 days, was 7 lbs) and then stall for a few weeks. Last time, I went off plan for a month after a week of stall. This time, I stuck with it, and as of today, I'm down a lb. I'm hoping this is the start of a new trend, but if it isn't, it isn't.

Please don't get me wrong. I've been more than just a bit frustrated. I keep coming and reading Leo's posts, hoping to channel her great attitude, or Trish's after several months of no losses (congrats on finding a doc to adjust your meds, btw), especially since, unlike the rest of y'all, I'm NOT hypothyroid (that I know of - the weight would be my only symptom), but I couldn't get there. This week, I even gave myself permission to go off plan. And though I had one MD (umm... a pint of ice cream, it wasn't pretty), when push came to shove, I really didn't want to go off plan. I think I'm just adjusted to this WOE enough that, for now anyway, even without the benefits (of weight loss OR reduced inflammation - my lungs haven't been doing well the past few days), this is what it is. Eating is based on hunger, but hunger does not necessarily lead to eating. Hunger is not the enemy. My world does not revolve around food, and I am MUCH more in control, of my eating habits if nothing else, and that is a GOOD feeling.

So, for those who ask if it ever becomes natural, my answer is: to a degree, if you let it. Perfectly? Nope. Because whenever you have to count/measure, it won't be ABSOLUTELY natural. But the desire to reduce greatly after a heavy day? Yup!

[Leo41]

giJ-

You seem to have found your 'pattern' in losing on JUDDD, and (based on my experience), I think that's important in terms of lessening frustration.

We're all frustrated when that scale doesn't go down each and every week, but once we know that isn't our typical pattern, it becomes easier not to give up or go off plan when that happens.

As you point out, the key is sticking to the plan when it doesn't seem to be working, and knowing that we typically encounter weeks of no loss helps us to stay with it.

[giJ]

Leo ~

You're right. Learning the pattern really does lessen frustration.

Also? continuing to try on smaller sized clothes when I was OP but not losing. Today I am wearing a pair of shorts I've owned for over 2 years but haven't worn (except for the trip I bought them for). They were a little snug, but I needed shorts, so I wore them anyway. Today, they're still a little snug (while sitting), but I weigh a few lbs more (I was in the 160s, I think, and now I'm at 173).

I've always said I don't care how much I weigh as long as I can fit into my clothes!

[BillB]

Hey all...

Is anyone taking resveratrol in addition to JUDDD?

I've been taking it a good bit longer than I have been doing alternate day.

--bill

[Leo41]

Bill-

I looked into resveratrol because Dr. J pushes it on his website, but the info I was able to find suggests that it's not yet developed enough to be in a form that's helpful. So I didn't bother with it. Do you think it's helping you?

[Agee]

I don't get why people would think this is unhealthy at all. If I went on a 1500 cal/day diet, or even a 1200 cal/day diet, many people would think that was super healthy...but I would be STARVING all the time, plus I probably wouldn't lose anything. Last summer I ate 1200 cal/day for a month straight and I lost 2 lbs the 1st week and nothing after that. Plus I was totally obsessed with food and hungry all the time.
But for JUDDD, I'm eating 500 1 day, and probably 2000ish the next (I don't count). So my average is the same but I'm down 6.6 lbs in a month.
As soon as my weight loss is obvious (maybe 10 lbs?) you can bet I'll be telling people about it!
A

[Whitlin']

… they think it sounds crazy, draconian, and basically unhealthy. I cannot tell you how many people have quipped, "that can't be good for you", or "that will really mess up your metabolism".

cherlyndra, Leo and snaggle, I try to tell people every once in a while about alternate day dieting, but it is not always an encouraging experience, is it??? Oh, mistydisa, to think your friend is willing to try something so questionable for her health/pocketbook, but resists simple (and free) alternate-day dieting! I will remember the phrase, “caloric cycling”, gij, that sounds like something people shouldn’t criticize just out-of-hand.

Bill, I just started, for the health benefits' sake, so I'll let you know! Have you experienced any benefits yet? I went on some of the large vitamin store web sites and read their customer comments on various resveratrol products - that's what convinced me it was worth a try. Those customers who leave comments with them are notoriously hard to impress and honest. Best wishes as you try it out.

[BillB]

Originally Posted by Leo41

Bill-

Do you think it's helping you?

I don't know if it is helping or not... It's so expensive I probably wouldn't have started taking it if I hadn't found the high potency caps on best vite dot com. I am interested in SIRT1...but it was the 60 Minutes story that made me decide to try resveratrol.

--bill

[BillB]

DD today, just under 500 cals. All meat and cheese.

--bill

[GrammyPat]

BillB, what do you eat that's all meat and cheese and under 500 cals and not get hungry on the DD? I'm doing the carb master yogurt but it's 80 calories for 6 oz. It's 12 g of protein go a long way to not getting hungry, but I have to supplement it with the Scandanavian Bread Crisps that are only 12 calories apiece, and I use fat free cream cheese with basil and garlic on the tops for flavor. Tomorrow is a DD for me and I sure could use some ideas......got one from an article about the Biggest Loser that said she used fiber in her water and that helped her not get hungry....

[BillB]

Originally Posted by GrammyPat

BillB, what do you eat that's all meat and cheese and under 500 cals and not get hungry on the DD? I'm doing the carb master yogurt but it's 80 calories for 6 oz. It's 12 g of protein go a long way to not getting hungry, but I have to supplement it with the Scandanavian Bread Crisps that are only 12 calories apiece, and I use fat free cream cheese with basil and garlic on the tops for flavor. Tomorrow is a DD for me and I sure could use some ideas......got one from an article about the Biggest Loser that said she used fiber in her water and that helped her not get hungry....

Hey Grammy,

That day, I had 2 Johnsonville Brats w/cheddar. I try not to eat that kind of processed meat, but...those things seem to have the right combination of fat and protein to keep me full. I am planning the same thing tomorrow.

--I wait as late in the day as possible to eat
--whatever time I start my food day, I divide the time from then until 8pm into 4 parts, and I have half a cheddar brat at the beginning of each period. For example...noon, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
--if I have to have something else, I will have some chicken broth
--I think this works for me because it is so easy. I decide ahead of time that is what I am going to eat, and when.
--I know I can have something else to eat in an hour or two--all day.
--I cut the brats into little pieces, and try to eat no more than one little slice a minute. By the time I am finished, I am full.
--I find that DDs go by faster if I have a project or errand to run during some part of the day.
--I am not advocating this for anyone else...I am opposed to frankenfoods in general, but I eat whole foods most of the time...this is a convenience food that allows me to eat better *most* of the time.
(Not to mention that I am eating more healthy all the time, now, compared to my habits since I fell off the wagon 8 years ago).

I just moved from Charlottesville back to NC, so I really am missing Kroger, just because of the carbmaster yogurt--it is so good! I am planning to visit some family over in Abingdon so I can have an excuse to wipe out the supply of carbmaster at their Kroger.

Up day today, just about 2000 cals. My average cals are 1700 since I started alternate day, which is way better than the 3000+ I was averaging before.

Keep up the good work, everyone!

--Bill

[cherlyndria77]

I use protein shakes on dd's to tide me over, also plenty of water and coffee. I like the protein shakes, I don't feel like I have to improvise every dd, they are ready and waiting for me and keep me from making bad choices.

[EmandM]

What kind of protein shakes do you use? I have never found one I liked, plus I like to eat real foods. But the odd day when I am super busy at work, a shake would work well for me!

[giJ]

I'm curious as to how y'all handle exercise/calories on your DD.

I burned almost 400 calories today biking. My DD calories should be between 327 (20%) and 573 (35%). [My usual goal is only under 500, but often it is way under.]

Does the exercise mean I get more calories? How many more? Is it a 1:1 for the number I burned, or some percentage?

Thoughts?

[I'm at 510 for the day, and am probably done. I'm just curious as to how the rest of y'all handle this.]

[GrammyPat]

Thanks BillB and Cherlyndria77 for the DD tips! had a good DD today: totaled 494 calories. Had 3 carbmaster yogurts to which I added a tblspn of liquid fiber to 2 of them for the fullness factor, 2 SG crisps w/ff cream cheese, an EAS carb advantage shake with 17 gms of protein, and some K20 powder (tea and lemon flavored) added to water. Really good stuff. And I'm not hungry before going to bed - I hate that. Anyway, have a great week everyone!

[snaggle]

gij--One way to figure the additional calories for exercise would be based on what level of restriction you are doing with your down days. For example, if you are doing your downdays at 20% of your up days, then you would take 20% of the calories you burned and add it to your regular down day number.
On the other hand, you could just recalculate that day, using the highest activity level. So the days you work out extra, you would use what the calculator said at that level. If you did it this way however, I think you need to then use the lowest (sedentary) level on days when you don't exercise.

[cherlyndria77]

Originally Posted by EmandM

What kind of protein shakes do you use? I have never found one I liked, plus I like to eat real foods. But the odd day when I am super busy at work, a shake would work well for me!

Yeah....um.... I didn't say the protein shakes actually tasted good though! They are pretty gruesome. I've just decided that the pay off will be worth it in the end. After I'm finished weight loss mode and I'm onto maintenance I'll incorporate more real food, but just now the shakes are a means to and end. And.... I don't restrict on my ud, I don't count calories, but I'm finding I don't want to eat as much anyway.
xxx Congrats to everyone, doing a great job

[Leo41]

My own experience is that I have to eat whole foods and as cleanly as possible--DDs and UDs. I would love to do shakes, but they don't satisfy me, and I need to avoid ALL artificial sweeteners.

I find that egg white "omelets" are good on DDs, and later in the day ( I either cook in Pam or I have a brand that cooks in the microwave with no fat at all). Today I added some pepper strips to my omelet, and I often use a few broccoli florets or some chopped spinach. The few veggies make the 'omelet' very satisfying.

I either have some lean meat or fish for more protein.

Chicken broth is great in satisfying hunger on DDs (I make mine to avoid too much sodium and possible MSG in brands). Usually I add vinegar and hot sauce to make a "sweet and sour" flavor that's really satisfying, but last week I did a variation of an old family recipe by cooking chunks of zucchini and some sliced onion into my broth for a really satisfying 60 cal. meal.

I usually eat 3x during the day on DDs with 'mini-meals' of about 100-130 cal--or less when I have soup.

To 'snack' (and keep hunger at bay), I have dill pickle slices handy (to make my own, I divide the juice from store-bought pickles into two jars and add some water and vinegar to the mix (to lessen the sodium), and then I slice cucumbers into the mix and refrigerate.

I drink black coffee for breakfast and have hot green tea throughout the day. The tea also helps with hunger.

[mistydisa]

I made it to Onederland! I'm thrilled! I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't lose more this week, but I pretty much knew I wouldn't because I had 2 back to back UDs. Seems like everytime I do that, I don't lose as well. I lost almost 1 lb. Goodbye and good riddance to the 200's!

[Leo41]

Good for you, Misty! That's my goal by Christmas--to be in onderland, too.

[giJ]

Originally Posted by mistydisa

I made it to Onederland! I'm thrilled! I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't lose more this week, but I pretty much knew I wouldn't because I had 2 back to back UDs. Seems like everytime I do that, I don't lose as well. I lost almost 1 lb. Goodbye and good riddance to the 200's!

That's fantastic!

[giJ]

Originally Posted by snaggle

gij--One way to figure the additional calories for exercise would be based on what level of restriction you are doing with your down days. For example, if you are doing your downdays at 20% of your up days, then you would take 20% of the calories you burned and add it to your regular down day number.

That's kinda what I was thinking, as much as I would have LOVED for it to be a 1:1

Originally Posted by snaggle

On the other hand, you could just recalculate that day, using the highest activity level. So the days you work out extra, you would use what the calculator said at that level. If you did it this way however, I think you need to then use the lowest (sedentary) level on days when you don't exercise.

I hadn't thought of that one. hmm... I hate the activity level options on Dr. J's website because there's a difference between intensity and frequency, and the options have them correlated. Yup, I overthink EVERYTHING. ALL THE TIME.

[GME]

Originally Posted by mistydisa

I made it to Onederland! I'm thrilled!

Woo Hoo on Onderland!

Hi folks. I haven't been here in awhile. I did JUDDD April-June with good results, then stalled through August. I just couldn't keep doing the DDs with no results so I switched back to regular LC.

I tried a couple of things- straight LC, LC with eating "windows", backing off my running, had my thyroid tested (but I don't believe the "normal" I got back) and I got into a teeny bit of VFT, but I bounced right back up again. I have been hovering around the same 5 lbs since the end of June.

I'm going to give JUDDD another try. Hopefully I have had a long enough break from it that it will work its magic again for me. I would love to get to my 175 goal finally. I have another goal in mind after that, but one thing at a time.

Today will be my first DD. I had coffee for breakfast. I packed a chicken burger, Laughing Cow cheese wedge, carrots and SF Jello for lunch and am planning fish for dinner. That will clock in at 400 cals for the day. I'll have a SF Popsicle or more Jello as needed. Probably make a pot of decaf tonight too.

I am going to keep running. I am training for a half marathon in November. Throughout my looooonnnggggg stall it is the only thing keeping me sane. When I cut way back it didn't help my losses any and I started to flab up.

Have a great JUDDD day everyone!

[Ilpirata]

Originally Posted by mistydisa

I made it to Onederland! I'm thrilled! I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't lose more this week, but I pretty much knew I wouldn't because I had 2 back to back UDs. Seems like everytime I do that, I don't lose as well. I lost almost 1 lb. Goodbye and good riddance to the 200's!

RIGHT ON GIRL!!!!
Kudos to you!!!

Originally Posted by GME

Woo Hoo on Onderland!

Hi folks. I haven't been here in awhile. I did JUDDD April-June with good results, then stalled through August. I just couldn't keep doing the DDs with no results so I switched back to regular LC.

I tried a couple of things- straight LC, LC with eating "windows", backing off my running, had my thyroid tested (but I don't believe the "normal" I got back) and I got into a teeny bit of VFT, but I bounced right back up again. I have been hovering around the same 5 lbs since the end of June.

I'm going to give JUDDD another try. Hopefully I have had a long enough break from it that it will work its magic again for me. I would love to get to my 175 goal finally. I have another goal in mind after that, but one thing at a time.

Today will be my first DD. I had coffee for breakfast. I packed a chicken burger, Laughing Cow cheese wedge, carrots and SF Jello for lunch and am planning fish for dinner. That will clock in at 400 cals for the day. I'll have a SF Popsicle or more Jello as needed. Probably make a pot of decaf tonight too.

I am going to keep running. I am training for a half marathon in November. Throughout my looooonnnggggg stall it is the only thing keeping me sane. When I cut way back it didn't help my losses any and I started to flab up.

Have a great JUDDD day everyone!

Hey Gina... I 've been doing strict induction for basically the last three weeks and have been slowly gaining weight. Isn't that SAD!?!?!!? I'm gearing up to get back on JUDD soon too. I may go for two DD this week Tuesday and Thursday.

[Leo41]

Gina-

Please don't settle for a "normal" report on your thyroid (if you read on the thyroid section here, you'll see why). Do you have the full report, including numbers? If not, get yourself a copy (it's yours, and the doctor will give it to you if you ask). If you PM me (or just post them), list the numbers and lab ranges. Thyroid is so important, and my one regret is that I allowed my primary doctor to tell me for 5 years that I was 'normal' when I wasn't! I'm no doctor, but I've learned to read the lab results and can either affirm or challenge that diagnosis of 'normal.'

Kisha-

I know (slightly) how you feel--I'm not losing, but if I were also gaining, I'd be really, really bummed! Despite the hypo, I went to meat/eggs for a week to try to get some loss going. I watched calories, too, and yet the scale didn't move, and I felt yucky without some carbs. Then I tried two shakes and a meal (breakfast), which everyone swears by as a way to jump-start loss--nothing happened for me except that I was starving and miserable.

I kept my DDs throughout these 'experiments,' but from now on, no more tinkering--just whole foods and calorie restriction via JUDDD. I may play around with UD calories (lower/higher) to see if that helps.

Today I had a new JUDDD revelation. I woke up, hoping it was an UD because I really wanted to eat for some strange reason. Of course, it's a DD, and I said to myself, "I won't be able to do this today." I didn't have hunger; I just felt that a DD wasn't 'right.' But I plowed on, and it's already 4 pm, so I know that it will be a regular DD for me (about 400 cal). What's been amazing is that as the day has progressed, I've felt better and better, and I have no desire to eat any more. I'm sipping some hot tea right now, and I feel really good physically.

More of the psychological aspects of overweight for me. In the past, I would have just eaten whatever I wanted, rationalizing that it would make me feel better because that's what I 'felt like' doing. Now I realize that this process is really a war with my body. I have read that the body misinterpets weight loss as a negative (as it is with illness), so it really resists.

So I am convinced that I can't trust my body and will follow my plan regardless of how I 'feel' like eating, etc. Above all, I will not give up!

[cherlyndria77]

Originally Posted by mistydisa

I made it to Onederland! I'm thrilled! I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't lose more this week, but I pretty much knew I wouldn't because I had 2 back to back UDs. Seems like everytime I do that, I don't lose as well. I lost almost 1 lb. Goodbye and good riddance to the 200's!

Congrats Misty xxxxxx

[Agee]

Yay Onederland!
Good for you, and WELCOME (BACK) Gina!
Nothing new to report. 2 UD in a row due to weekend entertaining. Probably will do 2 more UD this coming weekend. Am preparing for no loss. But today's DD is going just fine.
Too much family visiting going on!
A