OCT. JUDDD/Alternate Day Diet

[Leo41]

Congratulations, Misty!!

Twenty pounds and onderland, too, is awesome.

[snaggle]

Great job Mistydisa- 20 lbs yay!

[Jaysma]

Congrats Misty!

Even though I had the church supper yesterday I managed to make it a DD. I'm not exactly sure how many calories but I stuck to green beans & salad. After my first DD Friday I weighed in at 143, went up to 144 after my UD Saturday, but I'm back at 143 this morning so I'm calling it mine.

Here's to a losing week everyone!

[onceNforall]

Wow...cannot remember who told about the shrimp/horseradish/reduced sugar ketchup combo, but just had it for lunch and it was DELISH!!! Best thing....only 85 calories for lunch on a DD!!

I used Bumble Bee deveined medium shrimp in a can and the whole can only 80 calories....downside, it was expensive (can't remember price) but worth it to have deveined shrimp. Next time I would probably add some diced celery and have on Romaine, but just grabbed it in a hurry today on the way out the door.

[Ilpirata]

Originally Posted by PMoon

I've had a good DD today. umm... Tuna salad, some yogurt, coffee (doctored up.) About 384 calories and some chicken broth if I get hungry later.

I am a Great-Aunt!! My sister's son's girlfriend had a baby tonight. A little girl named Ashlen Olivia. She weighs 7 lbs 3 oz & 21.5" long. Mom & baby are doing great.

Oh congrats! And you're right in that pic she looks just like a little doll!

Originally Posted by Leo41

Weekly Weigh In

Down a pound, and I was disappointed because I've eaten so sparingly this week with no grains or dairy, and I am feeling so good that I hoped there'd be a big drop in the scale, too.

But when I look at the month, I see that my loss will be consistent with previous months (4-5 lbs), so there's no real reason to be disappointed. I think I was hoping that improving the quality of my diet would result in bigger losses.

As Whitlin' commented, I need to focus on how my good choices in eating are improving my health. I don't know that I entirely agree with the principles behind "primal" eating, but I do know that I really feel best without starch, grains, and dairy. And at 209.5, I'm at the lowest weight I've been in 32 years

VFT! VFT!!!!! Girl you are doing so awesome. You're totally catching up to me (you might just lap me at my recent rate LOL)

Originally Posted by Agee

Hola everyone,
I am out of town for the weekend and today will be a challenge. I'm helping my husband at an art show (he's a photographer) and am planning on coffee/water all day and some kind of salad at dinner. Hard to calculate exact calories but as long as the salad is a veggie one and I skimp on the dressing I should be fine.
I am stuck at my stuck weight. Oh, it's so annoying. I changed my signature so it only has every 5 DDs - it was getting really long! But you can see that I've been about this weight for a month. I have 1 more DD until I reach my goal of 30 DDs...and you can see by my sig that although I am trending downward, it is a slooooooow trend. I will not be able to weigh myself tomorrow, either, since I'm not at home.
Now, I can think of some things to help my situation:
1. exercise. I used to exercise a lot but since I started back working full time it's been hard to fit it in. This year is especially hard, b/c add to my job (which I've scaled back to 25 hours/week), I run 2 small businesses AND help my husband with his 2 businesses. Oh yeah, and I'm a mom. So while I try to fit in a little walk here and there it often doesn't get done. But I can look hard for the time...
2. JUDDD+lowcarb. I don't really want to do this, because the beauty of JUDDD for me is that it's so easy to do on UD, but I also believe in the health benefits of LC, so it's a definite thought.
3. JUDDD and calorie count on UD. Or at least try to make better choices most of the time. I have gotten into a rut on UD where I tend to treat myself *every* UD, as opposed to special occasions.
All 3 would probably give the best results, but certainly #3 is a good start.
I guess I'll see what my DD 30 weight is, too, before I make any *rash* decisions!
A

I agree with everyone else who says to start with #3 I think thats your best bet.

Originally Posted by snaggle

Leo- 4-5 lbs per month is nothing to sneeze at! Especially considering that you have already lost a lot of weight and have been losing consistently on juddd. I know how it is though when you really hope you will drop a couple of extra lbs for good behavior, or get a whoosh every once in a while, and then not see it happen. The scale can be cruel.

It has taken me 6 down days, but I am back to siggy weight. Still not sure what caused the gain, but I am sticking with the theory that leaving a plan that had me in pretty deep ketosis caused me to gain water and glycogen.

Dang thats pretty good! Once again JUDD tackles water weight gain quickly and effectively. Good job.

Originally Posted by snaggle

Jaysma- you are doing great! Call that 143 yours baby!!
The thing is, if you are a daily weigher like me, you will be up after an up, but now I only weigh after downs and if I do succumb to stepping on the scale after an up, it is usually 2 lbs higher. I figure my "real" weight is an average of the two.

Enjoy your up day!

I agree DO NOT WEIGH after UD! Its totally pointless plus Dr. J says not to which is good enough for me.

Originally Posted by Jaysma

A question for those that have tried both MWF DDs and every other day DDs... was there a noticeable difference in your weight loss? I'm asking because my church has a dinner every Sunday after service and tomorrow is supposed to be a DD. It wasn't a problem for me doing strictly LC, but I don't think I could keep it under 500 calories given the southern food that the ladies cook.

I don't want to tweak the plan too much because I want to give it a fair chance, so since I'm just starting out should I suck it up and keep tomorrow a DD?

Good job keeping yesterday a DD! Just to cover your bases it might be a good idea to schedule Sunday as DD/MD meaning it can become MD if it needs to. And do it Fast Five style meaning just the one meal at the supper and you should keep losing just fine.

Originally Posted by mistydisa

I'm doing a happy dance! I finally reached the 20 lb. mark! I lost 1.6 lbs. this week, for a total of 20.2.

LOVE this WOE!

GET IT GIRL!!!! You're getting down there now and i bet you're looking super.

[BillB]

Hey everybody,

Well....the appetite is back....with a vengeance! I am so glad it's an up day!

Doc tomorrow....trying not to be too anxious. Will keep you posted.

--bill

[Jaysma]

A couple of more questions & then I'll hopefully stop being an annoying JUDDD newbie :blush: ... on UP days is it essential to get in the amount of calories that the calculator says in order to activate the SIRT1 gene - hence less calories might = less weight loss?

Also, if you lost weight doing LC are you still doing LC on your UDs? Are you fairly strict as far as calories go on those days too, or just mainly making sure the food is LC?

[Whitlin']

Grammy Pat I immediately went to the site and read that piece on enzymes (easy to find with quick search) but I am going to have to read it again - it is deep! So interesting, though. I have been happy to "push play" on DVD workouts more often lately.

mistydisa, you are doing so well!

Glad you claimed a loss and hope you get another soon, Jaysma. For your first question, no, coming in under that UD number will not affect the gene's activation - it is a suggestion, not a rule.

Calorie count on UD is really not much of a problem, Agee. It would be my first choice as a change (unless you can free up exercise time, which would benefit other ways besides weight loss).

Beautiful little baby, PMoon. Your nephew looks a lot like you.

I predict you will have fun impressing your doctor, Bill.

[Agee]

Calorie count on UD is really not much of a problem, Agee. It would be my first choice as a change (unless you can free up exercise time, which would benefit other ways besides weight loss).

Thanks for this, ya'll - I am going to try to watch it on my UDs as a first tactic. I don't know that I'll go so far as 'counting calories' - but I'm certainly going to eat better. No more chips and ice cream and hot wings (and no, I'm not kidding. Somehow I let myself get away with all of that! I didn't binge...but I certainly didn't eat in way that I'd classify as 'healthy' every day.)
I'm hoping that next week I can start to get a little exercise in. I'm in a crunch re: a bunch of projects this week but next week I can see things lifting a tad. Hopefully.
Tomorrow will be the day after DD #31 - couldn't weigh after #30 so it will be the big reveal. No idea what to expect, considering how things have been going. But a good DD so far. Ate all my calories in about a 2 hour window today and am sticking to it.
A
A

[Agee]

This deserves its own post:

I'm doing a happy dance! I finally reached the 20 lb. mark! I lost 1.6 lbs. this week, for a total of 20.2.

YAYAYAYAYAYAY! for you! Big congrats! Hopefully I'll be where you are soon...
A

[BillB]

Originally Posted by Jaysma

A couple of more questions & then I'll hopefully stop being an annoying JUDDD newbie :blush: ... on UP days is it essential to get in the amount of calories that the calculator says in order to activate the SIRT1 gene - hence less calories might = less weight loss?

Also, if you lost weight doing LC are you still doing LC on your UDs? Are you fairly strict as far as calories go on those days too, or just mainly making sure the food is LC?

I have been eating a lot less...just not that hungry. I try to get at least 1200-1500 on UD, but the calculator says I can have 2-3 times that much or more. I eat as much as I want to (or as much as it takes to feel satisfied) on UDs. (Low carb, that is....not everyone here does LC).

I think it's the calorie restriction on DD that affects SIRT1. The calorie abundance on UD (and fat abundance, I bet) is what keeps the metabolism from slowing.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but it's a good idea to establish an "eating window" for DD (and really, UD too) so that your calorie restriction period is 36 hours. I eat no earlier than 8am and no later than 8pm every day. Although, I do not eat after 6pm many days.

Asking questions is good for us all. When you want to know something or get opinions, ask away. Discussion helps us all.

--bill

[Beezle]

Originally Posted by Agee

Thanks for this, ya'll - I am going to try to watch it on my UDs as a first tactic. I don't know that I'll go so far as 'counting calories' - but I'm certainly going to eat better. No more chips and ice cream and hot wings (and no, I'm not kidding. Somehow I let myself get away with all of that! I didn't binge...but I certainly didn't eat in way that I'd classify as 'healthy' every day.)

Good choice, I was going to vote for moderately low carb with portion control or snack reduction on UD, because I think LC is healthy.

Originally Posted by BillB

I think it's the calorie restriction on DD that affects SIRT1. The calorie abundance on UD (and fat abundance, I bet) is what keeps the metabolism from slowing.

Agreed. It's my basic belief in the science of this that's kept me trying at JUDD even though it's hard to change my habits. I also started LC because of my understanding of the science, but that transition wasn't nearly this hard. Oddly, I think the main problem is that I'm a breakfast person. Can a breakfast person do JUDDD? We'll see. Glad you're feeling better!



Mistydisa: Grats on your milestone. Odometer numbers are the most fun and motivating. I'm soaking up the motivation vicariously from you!



Adding to the general roll call of losses this week I'm down 2.4lb, weighing in at 133.4. 5.4 total in 2 weeks. I think I'm dehydrated though. After the first two weeks being so great I'll be happy with any loss here on out. I'm the lowest I've been since my early 20s when I got down to 125 for about a min. Can't wait to be 129. That milestone is my motivation for the next few weeks for sure.

On a separate note, my relationship has gotten better. I don't think it's the 5lbs though. I think it's my new relaxed and happy with myself attitude. I'm happier when I make goals and meet them. Thanks for listening to me on that personal issue, guys. It was a good outlet.

[Leo41]

Jaysma-

You are asking very good questions, so please don't hesitate to ask at any time.

As Bill has explained, it's the DD calorie number that's critical to JUDDD. In the book, Dr. J explains the UD number as sort of meaningless--so I don't know why he included it. For example, my UD number on the calculator is over 2000 cal., and if I ate that much, I'd gain--regardless of what I did on DDs. Because I'm post-menopausal and hypothyroid, I have to consume many fewer calories than that.

Basically, on your UD, you should eat to satisfaction--not stuffing yourself but not going hungry either. Dr J advocates eating from all food groups, but I eat low carb for health and have continued with low carb on JUDDD--both DDs and UDs--it's my basic WOE.

Personally, if you are the type of person who gets hungry and cravings from carbs, I don't know how you'd manage DDs if you ate carbs on UDs.

[Beezle]

Originally Posted by Jaysma

A couple of more questions & then I'll hopefully stop being an annoying JUDDD newbie :blush: ... on UP days is it essential to get in the amount of calories that the calculator says in order to activate the SIRT1 gene - hence less calories might = less weight loss?

Also, if you lost weight doing LC are you still doing LC on your UDs? Are you fairly strict as far as calories go on those days too, or just mainly making sure the food is LC?

I agree with everything Leo said. SIRT1 is activated by the stress that DDs put on the body, so UDs don't matter for that. For UD I say eat enough to keep yourself sane.

I did lose weight by LCing and I still do on UDs. It's second nature for me to eat LC at this point, I believe it's healthy and anti-aging, and I swear by the fact that it reduces cravings and food obsession. I'm not strict about calories on UDs, but I try not to graze all day. Sticking to 3 meals and a snack helps me keep portions under control.

[PMoon]

Hey, everybody. Just a little peek in. As of right now, I'm sort of winging it, as I don't have much way to get food that I know the calorie counts of. I'm just going to concentrate on keeping it LC. I feel like I'm probably going to have a bunch of MD's in a row. But, i will be home Saturday and can get straightened out then.

had a salad from chick-fil-a for lunch and some parmesan chicken from longhorn for dinner. I ate half and brought the rest back for breakfast, so that is another problem solved.

[Leo41]

Report on Endo Visit-

I saw my endo today for my four-month check up, and he was SO thrilled with my weight loss--50 lbs in the past year. When I complained that it was so slow and every pound was a struggle, he told me that he has a lot of patients for whom every pound is a struggle--but they don't lose any weight. That reminded me to stay positive on this journey.

On my last visit, he asked about JUDDD, and now he wants to begin recommending it to other patients. For those of us who have to seriously restrict calories, having those UDs is so important.

The major thing I wanted to report on is that some of you may remember that on my last visit, he planned to do a "VAP test" on my cholesterol this time (measure particle size of LDL).

Please keep in mind that my LDL remains fairly constant at a little over 100 (with the lab 'ideal' of <100), but because my HDL is always high, the total number seems much higher than is healthy--according to doctors. In the past, three of my doctors have mentioned statins. After I argued with them, they shut up, but now I have an answer for them!

On the VAP test, ALL of my LDL was the "big, fluffy" kind that is actually good for a person! The fact that my LDL isn't going down below 100 is good rather than bad. Ironically, although the lab report gave the type of LDL, it also reported my LDL as a "risk factor" because it uses solely the number to calculate risk (my endo also thought that was ironic).

My endo told me that since he's been ordering VAP tests, anytime the triglycerides are low (<100), the LDL is almost always the healthy type.

I hope this information is helpful to anyone else who might be concerned about cholesterol.

[BillB]

Originally Posted by Leo41

Report on Endo Visit-

I saw my endo today for my four-month check up, and he was SO thrilled with my weight loss--50 lbs in the past year.

That is something to be thrilled about. 50 pounds is a lot! Especially since each pound is such a struggle. I don't think I could do it if I was having such a difficult time. You are awesome!

I have good news from the doc too. He was much happier with my numbers (blood glucose) than I am--actually, he was elated and shocked. I have lost nearly 50 pounds since my first visit with him at the end of July. (Today, 348, a 22 pound loss in 6 weeks, roughly 2/3 of what the calorie deficit calculators say I should have dropped if anyone is interested in the data). Though my BG levels are still higher than I would like, he says the numbers will improve as I lose weight and that my progress is fine.

I am going to take a little road trip...need a break from the stress of the home front. I think I will also take a break from JUDDD and do a string of MDs while I travel.

Very happy today.

--bill

[Leo41]

Congratulations, Bill, you're doing great! And your doctor is right; as you lose more weight, your BG numbers will fall, especially with low carb eating.

I'm glad you're getting a break from the stressful homefront. I find that when I'm on vacation, a string of MDs is often the best I can do. I've never been able to manage a DD away from home.

The first week in November, I have to go to Florida for a 4-day meeting, and there's only one scheduled "dinner" that I have to attend for business. With the schedule of meetings involving breakfast and lunch, what I plan to try to do is eat only low carb and sparingly and skip dinner on the other nights, and see how that works.

[EmandM]

Congrats Bill and Leo, that is great news that your doctor's are happy! You should both feel very proud!

Congrats to all the other losers this week!

[snaggle]

Leo- So good to get the kudos from your dr. I know my Dr. (who is overweight himself) understands more than anyone how hard it is to lose weight. An endo, especially must see the difficulties.
As I commented to you last week, I know that one lb a week feels slow, but the fact that you have CONSISTENTLY lost that for nearly a year is incredible. You are my inspiration every day!
I was whining with my husband about my 5 week stall (he is in one too), but then I remember that I did lose 5 lbs in the first few weeks of Sept. I always go through these spells where I drop a few, then stall, drop, then stall. It is frustrating but WAY better than the alternative, GAINING. I just hope that by the end of the year, I can say, well,
I may not be at goal yet, but I am 25lbs less than I was at this time last year!

I know JUDDD is the way I will accomplish any type of restriction over the holidays.

[Leo41]

Snaggle-

I mentioned to my endo that comment I'd read that "We're hardwired to maintain our weight," and he immediately agreed and said that's why it's so difficult to lose at all. The body really fights us. When you lost those pounds, your body did everything possible to gain them back. Haven't you ever felt especially hungry after a loss? I have, and I'm convinced it's my body's way of trying to get that pound or two back.

Later in the visit, we were discussing my thyroid hormones and why I don't seem to be able to maintain a higher level of T3. He said that the body is fighting for equilibrium so that if he gives me any higher level, it will 'bind' more of the hormone so that I can't use it. (He increased my dosage last month, but the T3 didn't rise much on the latest blood tests, although my TSH plummeted, showing the effect of the hormone in my body.) I feel better at a higher level, but my body doesn't see that as 'normal.' Isn't it weird how the body seems to have an independent life of its own?

So all we can do is keep on plodding along and hope for the best.

[snaggle]

Leo- I have to laugh at myself (my body that is) because I always try and "get it figured out" and think I can predict what it will do. I am wrong every time.
Plodding along...................................for sure.

148lbs, 5 weeks and counting.

[Whitlin']

Well, the posters of this thread have done their part this week to bolster the morale of physicians! Must have been 2 smiling doctors!

Leo, what an ambitious goal that would have been for anyone to make in autumn of '08: to lose 50 pounds in one year. And, to think, you were able to do it right through specific challenges that would have discouraged others. Thanks for the science info.

Bill, having a shocked and elated doctor - priceless. 50 pounds in about 3 months, is that right? It does seem that bg levels would parallel more, but I'm sure Leo is right. That part's on it's way.

snaggle, I hadn't put 2 and 2 together to realize you have lost 25 in one year. Wonderful.

Great job on your week's losses, Beezle. Hoping you got some veggies in lately!

[Ilpirata]

UP today. Its cold today and I'm not dressed right! lol. I'm wearing some new black leather knee high boots with a skirt... and DARN I should've worn tights. I'm pretty excited about the boots because I've got a 17" calf and can't buy them off the rack. Found these online at Sillhouettes... ALL of their boots have exactly a 17" calf oddly enough.

[mistydisa]

Thanks for all the congratulations, guys! Makes me feel good. I'm laughing to myself because I posted my 20 lb. loss on Facebook on Monday. Now a bunch of people who were all "Wow, that diet sounds ridiculous!" and "That can't be a healthy way to live!" are now sending me messages that read like this: What was the name of that diet again? I may give it a shot afterall... LOL. I'm giving them all the info and wishing them success. I can't say enough good things about this WOE! Even my husband had his first DD today.

Leo ~ How awesome about your doctor visit!!! It's so inspiring that you've lost 50 lbs. in a year! I know that it feels slow to you sometimes (and I get it, really), but you should be so proud! You're losing slowly, which is healthy, and by eating healthy. You should be a poster-person for healthy living!

Bill ~ Ditto on the awesomeness from your doctor visit! You're doing so great!

Kisha ~ I can't wait until I can dress in sexy boots and skirts! I'll have to order online as well....Ya see, my feet greatly resemble Fred Flintstone's...fat and square and thick. They just don't make pretty shoes for Fred Flintstone. As for the "looking super" comment...I can't say I'm there yet, but I am oh-so-most-definitely looking and feeling better! I'm letting people take my picture again, so that's definitely an improvement! I'll get there! It's amazing what a 20 lb. loss will do for your self-esteem!

[PMoon]

Hm. I basically ate salad most of the day today. Got a caesar salad for lunch and a steak salad from chipotle for dinner. Then, thankfully, someone made a grocery store run. I tagged along and got me some groceries. I think I am going to eat in my room tomorrow for dinner. All this socializing is really wearing on me. I just got munch food. But I can make a fine dinner out of sliced turkey & cheese, strawberries, dill pickles & yogurt. LOL

I need a break from all the people!! (but they are all really great)

[Leo41]

Whitlin'
I want to explain because this may help others--I NEVER set any goal to lose a specific amount; the 50 lbs this year is just a result of daily effort. I began JUDDD in desperation about a week before Christmas 08. I had lost about 80 lbs slowly over a few years, eating low carb and usually 2 meals a day. But throughout 08, I seemed to lose and gain the same 10 lbs over and over. I lowered my calories, but then got too hungry, etc., etc. Nothing seemed to work, and I was really depressed over being stalled for so long.

I read about JUDDD and decided that it might help me 'enjoy' Christmas dinner (UD) without guilt. I was actually afraid of gaining more weight that I couldn't lose which is why I tried JUDDD for the holidays. I was amazed at how well it worked and how good I felt, so I continued--to now with that 50 lbs loss! I still don't make goals because my body loves to thwart me; I just keep plodding along. Because of my compromised metabolism, I need to seriously restrict calories, and this seems to be the best plan for that.

Kisha-
As Queen of the Fat Calves Club, I can totally identify with your happiness with the new boots. I've been generally pleased with purchases from Silhouettes in terms of quality.

Cassandra-
When I go to conferences and meetings, I always need some time by myself. Enjoy your 'personal dinner'--I think it's a great choice.

[Jaysma]

Morning all

I had a good DD yesterday (280 cal.) and I'm up 3lbs today. I hate TOM

[snaggle]

Jaysma-- do not be discouraged. Tom really messes with me too.
280 cal down day is very impressive. That ought to really get the SIRT1 goin'!

[Leo41]

Jaysma-

You know that's ALL water, and the nice thing is that when this TOM is all over, you'll have a nice WHOOSH when your body dumps that extra water. Great DD; you really seem to have the knack of this JUDDD thing!