ODE to KIMMER from a long absent poster-turned-lurker-turned-LOSER!!!

[Kayjwag]

Originally Posted by MarieCV

Still hoping for Kimmer's answer on cottage cheese, but am down another 2lbs today so I suppose I should just say a huge prayer of gratitude and not worry anymore!

PM her- this thread may get lost before she gets a chance to come in and read it.

BTW- Congratulations on your loss!!!

[MarieCV]

Thanks! Duh. Never thought of that!!

[Kimmer]

Marie, I'm so sorry! It's summer and my teenagers are on the computer constantly ... I'm lucky if I can check email once a week now! For that matter, I'm lucky if I can navigate the battle zone of X-box, Gamecube and Playstation I'm calling a living room floor, LOL!

I didn't eat the cottage cheese because it was too high in carbs for me, but since I didn't have an appetite anyway it didn't matter. Recall the nutritional info we have now wasn't as easy to find back in the 70s which is why I believe Dr. Stillman allowed cottage cheese ... people thought of it as mostly protein (false), same for eggs (which are 62% fat). Keep in mind that a tiny jello cup of cottage cheese is 100 calories and 4 carbs ... one kitchen serving spoon would be 200 calories and 8 carbs.

If people try to do Stillman's with cheese and don't lose, they should look to "desserts" and cheeseburgers ... neither were the intent of Dr. Stillman.

Weight loss is still a calorie game and it's quite possible to eat several thousand calories a day on Stillman, if a person chooses.

Marie, if you want to try for no appetite (read of others on the BB who have experienced the same thing), skip the cottage cheese and sweeteners for 3 days. See what your body does!

Depending on how much cottage cheese you're eating

[MarieCV]

Oh dear! I just knew you'd say that! I'm learning a lot about myself this time around. For example, I'm always looking for the easy option - losing weight while still eating plenty of lovely food. The words 'calories count' fill me with dread. But I do so want to experience appetite suppression. I've been following the M/E principles for a while, but the weight loss has stalled. And I still feel hungry. I keep remembering reading your words about keeping calories low and am afraid over-eating is my problem. So I'll be ditching the cottage cheese. (Sigh.) And I'll have to limit portions until I finally force myself into ketosis. (Even bigger sigh.) It will be worth it if I can actually forget to eat like so many others.

Thank you again for giving so much wise advice to all of us - sometimes advice we don't want to hear! But I seriously want to rid myself of this weight so I expect it's time to get serious.

[Kimmer]

Marie, skip what I did! If you're making healthy choices (cottage cheese is awesome!) and losing at the rate you want to then go ahead and eat it!

Have the basic understanding that calories and carbs are what causes weight gain (or not losing), then figure out what you WANT to do for the long term. Of course we aren't fooling ourselves with a 250 calorie 20 carb Atkins bar ... we know it.

You don't want to feel punished, but it's equally important to figure out what food means to you. Is it important? Why? For me I think it was growing up poor. My dad was a trucker and on strike during Christmas one year. I remember my mom going to the Salvation Army for food. These are memories I've had to rationalize and overcome over the years ... though I still stockpile pantry items like pasta, soups, canned stuff.

Be sure of what you're doing, then get on with life. Do stuff, try something new, fill up your day (or evenings) with non-food activities. This can be harder than it sounds!

Good job!

[MyCarolinagirls]

Congratulations Marie for coming back! You can do this! I'm lucky I can't stand cottage cheese! So no temptation there!

Kim, Would you be willing to tell me your TRUE rules for M/E fast. I have been reading and I see that there are two different challenges both saying m/e feast. So what are your guidlines that you followed? I eat alot of fat, but very little carbs. I'm trying to lower my sodium intake right now. I eat way to much sodium! Well any advice would be great!

[Kimmer]

My interpretion for "protein only" is just that. Lean protein and eggs, any 0 carb diet drinks. That's it. Nothing sexy, just good strong weight loss.

If you're losing well on lots of fat and little carbs, stay there! That's Atkins Induction before it got mucked up.

I think the question would be where's your appetite at? If you're still hungry (truly hungry, not that something sounds good), take a look at your carbs, especially the hidden ones.

[MyCarolinagirls]

Thanks Kimmer!! Yes, I have no appitite today! I have only had two eggs and three pieces of bacon at 11:00. I'm gonna start dinner now. I also just bought the Atkins 72' book off of ebay, so it should be here soon. Thanks though!

[MarieCV]

Yes, it's amazing how much more time there is in the day to get on with life now that I'm cooking so rarely! I love cooking, but have plenty of other things to spend time on. Apart from my singing and family life, I may even be able to finish writing my book at this rate.

Food has always symbolised approval for me. I was always rewarded with food for being 'good' - i.e. quiet and out of the way. But I certainly can't blame my mother for my own self-destruction. In any case, it was relatively easy to stay slim through exercise before I had 8 months of bed rest in my pregnancy and my metabolism seemed to change. My father used to say 'you never know where the next meal is coming from...' which rather stuck, too. I also stock-pile as if the second world war is still going strong.

You are right. The question is if we're losing or not. If I were losing on pure Atkins induction I wouldn't be tempted to 'tweak' it. My worry over cottage cheese was well-founded because, after the great pound a day loss, even Stillman's stalled on me. Clearly I have yet to experience real ketosis. I'm finding it truly elusive! I'm not eating much of the cheese - and it's mixed with eggs in the thingie I make - but it must be enough to keep ketosis at bay. I'm obviously one of those who really need 0 carbs. I'm still hungry, even at 5 carbs, which makes calorie control more of a challenge. Aaaargh. Well, I know what to do now.

Thank you again, Kimmer, for all your help!

[MarieCV]

Originally Posted by MyCarolinagirls

Thanks Kimmer!! Yes, I have no appitite today! I have only had two eggs and three pieces of bacon at 11:00.

I long for the day I can say I've lost mine too!

[Kimmer]

Marie, the hunger thing at 5 carbs can be from whatever happened a few days ago. It's that glucose-conversion-liver thing ... go figure.

It's sort of like if someone is carbed up, goes to 0 carbs, waits 3 days and it didn't happen yet, so they start eating carbs again ... except now it's day 4-5 and the 0 carb weight loss is happening. Then they think "huh, I guess my body needed more carbs", begin eating more carbs and the weight loss stops ... then comes the thinking "my metabolism is ruined".

I think our mindset should be try whatever plan a solid 7 days without cheats or tweaking, Marie, do you subscribe to www.writersmarket.com for updates and new markets? $3/month, can't beat it!

Carolinagirls, just eat according to how you feel. If you're not hungry at dinner time, take a small piece of whatever protein you cooked for your family and a serving spoon of veggies. Pick at it while you chat with your family. It's amazing how "little" we actually need. Don't sweat it and be sure to take a Centrum type vitamin each day!

[MyCarolinagirls]

I have started back walking with my Mom everynight. I'm gonna start back aerobics. Did you exercise from the beginning? I do love to, but I cannot eat before I exercise. I eat alot of salads. Usually, romaine with chicken salad, but I've not been lossing eating them, so I'm gonna cut them out. Only a small one every now and then. I'm just ready to get back on the lossing train! I've been stuck going back and forth between 175 and 185lbs for months now. I need to see results fast to stay motivated!! Well thanks again for your help!

[Kimmer]

Carolina, walking with your mom? How totally cute is that? It's not the veggies in the salad that are slowing you, it must be the dressing (calories).

You've done great so far and you're close ... good job!

[MarieCV]

Originally Posted by Kimmer

Marie, the hunger thing at 5 carbs can be from whatever happened a few days ago. It's that glucose-conversion-liver thing ... go figure.

I know you're right. Unfortunately I've been following the original Stillman's, alternating it with your M/E experiment, since June 27th. After losing 5lbs - which seemed like a miracle (I was ecstatic!) following directly after 3 weeks of <10 carbs Induction and a massive 2lb(!) loss - I actually put on 2 again. This was without a single cheat, but, admittedly, some of the famous cottage cheese. I've not cheated since returning to LC at the beginning of June. I've rarely been over 10 carbs and had no water whoosh on M/E. I suppose I'm one of those 'lucky' few who truly need 0 carbs for ketosis to kick in. But I'm willing to do whatever it takes.

[MarieCV]

Oh and thanks for the great link! I'd actually buried myself so much in writing I hadn't heard of this one.

[Kimmer]

Marie, in the US the Writers Market is a huge book published annually with lots of writing markets (magazines, book publishers, agents, professional publications) and they also publish a monthly magazine (totally awesome!) In the US it's $12/year, I don't know about overseas.

The funny thing about going very low carb to lose is that you need it, then when you get to goal you can eat a lot more carbs to maintain ... very weird. Don't worry about that right now, just lose then figure out maintenance.

[MyCarolinagirls]

How do you eat 0 carbs. By only eating meat? Or are you not counting the carbs in the eggs? I have to count all carbs. I'm scared I'll mess up!!
The dressing....I've wondered about that. I don't use dressing, unless I'm eating grilled chicken. It's probably the mayo in the chicken salad I put it on romaine and eat it that way.
My Mom is my best friend in this whole world!!! I talk to her everyday and could not live with out her! She started Atkins at 220 pounds and she's been maintaining at 165lbs for almost 3 years! She can eat 100carbs a day and not gain a pound! Too lucky! She has just decided to go back to Induction to get to 140 pounds! I think alot of it has to do with the loss of her brother last month. He died of a heartattack, at almost 300 pounds. She doesn't want to be unhealthy, so we're walking agian. We shouldn't have stopped!! She has a bad back and athritis in her hips, so slow and steady. I hope to soon have her jogging and ME TOO!! We'll see how it goes!

[MyCarolinagirls]

Good night Marie..... tomorrows a new day!

[MarieCV]

I'll definitely subscribe! Thanks again! Do you write too? This site looks to be packed full of useful information.

Yes, I'm not worried about maintenance yet. It's got to be one step at a time. It will be a joy to figure out how to maintain.

[MarieCV]

Originally Posted by MyCarolinagirls

Good night Marie..... tomorrows a new day!

Yes, I was off to bed - but am still here!

Well done with the walking. And well done to your Mum! Wow! I have a 7 year old daughter and my husband works in Switzerland so I miss my evening walks.

I still count the eggs - but use fewer than usual and consider 0-3 carbs as 'zero'. So, yes, to get into ketosis I'll probably need to eat only meat. Even spices add up. Still, meat is more food than water-fasting....my next attempt if this doesn't work!

Sleep tight, BB!

[Meyer]

Marie,

How many calories are you averaging at this point daily? I found that eating the following on DAY 1.........

BF: 4-5 eggs (1 yoke, rest whites) made with Pam (no calorie) spray
L: Same or lean meat (like a single boneless, skinless breast)
D: Ditto

Drinking water, iced tea, Diet Rites throughout the day.

then on DAY 2 and 3.......

Same but maybe add a single hard-boiled egg between meals as a snack.

This is way less than the 2000 calories you mentioned much earlier in this thread and I'm a guy with a little muscle, so it VERY QUICKLY ate-up my glycogen stores and resulted in what I consider DEEP ketosis.

I love food too, but I made the choice that a couple of days was not going to hurt me and the food wasn't going to vanish from the store shelves over the 3 days. I did Kimmer's 3-Day Experiment for 3 days and I honestly believe it helped shape my current eating habits that I can best sum up as "happily controlled." I seem to require much less, yet I have ample energy and I don't think I've lost any muscle along the way. I've not lifted weights in many months and I seem to have the same mass. I honestly have not had anything like ice cream or candy for 35 days now and I'm honestly not missing it. I'll have something on special occasions, but I won't turn my eating habits into low-carb cookies, cakes, etc on a daily basis.

I've read so many posts of people on M/E fast who are eating cheese, dipping their food in ranch dressing and mayo, drinking alcohol, etc....... Many wonder why it isn't "working" yet it should be obvious in many cases.

I'm curious about your caloric intake, for I think, as you mentioned earlier, that it may be a problem.

[gerard]

I think I remember you marie. Wasn't your husband a maestro?

[MarieCV]

Hi Gerard! Yes, my husband's still conducting. It's great to be back.

Meyer, I'm now averaging about 1,200 calories a day. I'm not yet consciously restricting calories - just eating when hungry. I've realised the hunger IS abating slowly by looking at my daily totals over the past few weeks. I'm just surprised that it's taking much longer than for most who've done M/E. I also don't feel any of the more obvious side effects of ketosis. And I'm not dipping my chicken breasts into anything.

I will try something like your daily menu if I don't experience deep ketosis soon. I'm now fascinated by this and want to know how it feels and whether I could sustain it long-term, until goal. Which of us would NOT like a more direct route to goal? I've reached the point where I want these 50lbs gone for good so that I can concentrate on the rest of my busy life! Being hungry is a distraction!

[missclaudia]

I'd like to add a hearty "hear, hear" to everyone else's endorsement of kimmer's contribution to this community. Yes she's unstintingly generous of her t9ime and knowledge but what I love about her is that she cuts through the nonsense.

I never hear better sense from anyone here and, despite some quite alarmingly personal attacks visited upon her over the years, she maintains her cool. I love the way she factually cuts up the folklore arguments and myths that are so often perpetrated here.

First thing I do when I visit here is do a search on her name and see what she has to say.

Yaaaaay kimmer!

[Kimmer]

Originally Posted by missclaudia

I'd like to add a hearty "hear, hear" to everyone else's endorsement of kimmer's contribution to this community. Yes she's unstintingly generous of her t9ime and knowledge but what I love about her is that she cuts through the nonsense.

I never hear better sense from anyone here and, despite some quite alarmingly personal attacks visited upon her over the years, she maintains her cool. I love the way she factually cuts up the folklore arguments and myths that are so often perpetrated here.

First thing I do when I visit here is do a search on her name and see what she has to say.

Yaaaaay kimmer!

Claudia, what a very sweet post! If I ever do write a book, I'm going to ask your permission to use your quote on the book jacket!

Thanks a bunch!

[sammykay]

Thanks to kimmers posts, I have followed her and lost 30 lbs. And I have a lower body fat % now then before I started. Though other posters would probably think I was losing my muscle, heart tissue, and be on the verge of organ failure.

[MarieCV]

Originally Posted by missclaudia

I'd like to add a hearty "hear, hear" to everyone else's endorsement of kimmer's contribution to this community. Yes she's unstintingly generous of her t9ime and knowledge but what I love about her is that she cuts through the nonsense.

Yes, it's sometimes disheartening to hear that we should actually cut calories rather than increase them in order to reach our goals! I do still wish I were one of those on this BB who genuinely lose at a satisfactory pace while piling their plates high!

That said, what is 'nonsense' to one person's physiology is helpful to another. I'm sure nobody suggests increasing carbs, fat or calories without sincerely believing in the truth of what they advise. We all post on what has helped us as individuals.

I'm just grateful to have read Kimmer's posts before giving up on LC again due to my failure to lose.

[MarieCV]

Oh, and I think personal attack is part of success in any field. What makes Kimmer so special is that she continues to offer help in spite of it.