Ask Kimmer!

[Kimmer]

I don't think "water" matters, but you should get 6-8 glasses of whatever non-calorie stuff you like.

One reason for constipation in non-LC people is lack of enough water to bulk up the stool (there are actually laxatives designed specifically for that ... weird, huh?)

Use a blender for the Epsom salt and drink fast, LOL. I have a glass of something else nearby to help get rid of the taste.

[wannaloosewt]

Thanks Again SO MUCH!!! I was STRESSING!!! Kimmer, You are SO Special!!

[sdflenner]

Kimmer: Did you ever experience periodical weight gains, no matter how small, during your weight loss? If you did, what did you contribute them to? Sodium? TOM? Other?!

I vaguely remember being able to see your weight progress in your fitday, but apparently there is a new format for public viewing, and it is not in it.

Thank you!

[lovemycats]

As I have said many times in the past, you are SUCH an asset and giving, compassionate lady on our boards. Thank you from so many of us. You are quite a woman!

Marnie

[genifire6]

Hi Kimmer!! Great thread idea!! Very convenient for people like me who are starting again!
I remember you saying how don't know hao many times that when you were in ketosis, that you were never never hungry. That you had to force yourself to eat. It never happenned to me, even though I fasted for days (meat) and I was losing quite well. The thing is I was always hungry when it came close to the next meal. I have tried many other diets or plans but the reason why I come back to this one is for ketosis... I love to know that I am burning my stored fat, but I never experienced not to be hungry at all. If so, I wouldn't force myself to eat, I would love it!!

Thanks. Nice to see that you are still around answering the same questions over and over!!

[RITA04]

Kimmer.. Ok, once I get closer to goal and prepare for maintanence, what foods should I start adding in and how fast should I start adding them ? All I have been eating was meat, eggs and veggies..

[nurseintraining10]

I have a question about water fasting. I was just wondering how do the electrolytes stay stable throughout it? I'm not doubting at all that they do, I'm just curious as to how the body makes up for the lack of them coming in.

[uniquelymade]

Kimmer,
I have Hashimotos and am on 112mcg. of Synthroid.
I have read on thois board that you MUST eat at least 30 carbs
if you are hypothyroid. Something about the T3 converting to the T4???
Aren't you hypothyroid? Is this true that I HAVE to eat 30 carbs???
Thanks !!!

[wannaloosewt]

Kimmer!!! Do you see me today???? 177!!!!! 2 pounds girl!!! Woo Hoo!! Thank You so much for last night!!!

Uniquelymade,I'm hypothyroid on 75 mcg of levothroid. This is working AWESOMELY for me. I probably eat maybe 10 carbs a day if even that! Good Luck!!

[sallyanddon]

Originally Posted by uniquelymade

Kimmer,
I have Hashimotos and am on 112mcg. of Synthroid.
I have read on thois board that you MUST eat at least 30 carbs
if you are hypothyroid. Something about the T3 converting to the T4???
Aren't you hypothyroid? Is this true that I HAVE to eat 30 carbs???
Thanks !!!

I'm on Lyvoxyl 100 MG and have been on meat and eggs with an ocasional screw up. But not often and I get regular check ups and everything is always good with that. Been doing Kmmers ME since Feb of 2004.

[Tylar_Connar]

Kimmer, I have MVP also....i am 27. Do you have any problems with yours now? How did you know that you had it?

Originally Posted by Kimmer

Your electrolytes stay perfectly in order. The only case where this isn't true is people who are underweight (this is why Karen Carpenter died ... skeleton, no body fat).

Interesting comment about arrhythmia. About 10 years ago I felt my heart skipping a beat and figured I should have it checked out. Went through the entire series of cardio tests (stress, echo, Holter, EKG) which showed my heart was in perfect condition. My cardiologist explained that when I didn't "hear" my heart beat, it was going behind the muscle rather than in front. He also pointed out that hearts are living "things" and don't operate with mechanical precision like a fuel pump. OK, doc, got it.

A few years ago I had another echocardiogram/EKG because of the Phen Fen litigation to see if I had the damage associated with those drugs. I took them for a few months when I was 21. Absolutely nothing wrong, and these are doctors paid by the attorneys ... they want to find something, anything! Nope, nada, nothing.

I have water fasted (OK, 0 calorie fluid fasted) on a regular basis for the past 25 years from 3-45 days. All cardio workup tests from age 31 to 47 come back "unremarkable" although I do have mitral valve prolapse (so do both of my brothers, not my sister).

The 45 day fast was when I was 21 and considerably overweight. The 30 day fast was a couple of years ago at goal weight, although I think we all stopped at 14 days. You can read about it as "30 Day Detox" in Past Amazing Posts.

Personally, if I had to do it over again I would have water fasted 150 lbs off. But, I had come to this site, fell in love with everything about it, became almost obsessed with Fitday and chose 1992 Atkins w/ minimal fat instead.

You absolutely won't regain by adding veggies! They're so low calories. I did a post recently which showed you could eat 16 cups of veggies and still come in under 300 calories a day! And the nutrients, holy cabbage!

If you want more info, by all means check out the "Make It Fast" thread in the Challenge forum. Nady has all the important links on page 1 so read up!

Sallyanddon, thanks so much for your sweet post! We're all in this together. It's never over, even at goal ... sigh.

[GardenMom]

Hi Kimmer...I have a couple questions.

I know you advocate very low fat....but what difference does it make at the end of the day if calories and carbs are still low?

With salad dressing, a lot of the low cal ones have sugar in them, did you still use those?

I use 1/2 and 1/2 for my coffee....and I am trying to use less, like just a tiny splash of it. Would you suggest just a splash of regular milk?

Thanks

[Kimmer]

Originally Posted by sdflenner

Kimmer: Did you ever experience periodical weight gains, no matter how small, during your weight loss? If you did, what did you contribute them to? Sodium? TOM? Other?!

I vaguely remember being able to see your weight progress in your fitday, but apparently there is a new format for public viewing, and it is not in it.

In my Fitday it would show a 1-2 pound "gain" after a planned meal at my favorite Chinese place. The Hot & Sour soup is loaded with cornstarch (not to mention sodium & carbs in the Kung Pao chicken). There would also be a "gain" after eating beef ... it seems to take longer to process. Maybe around TOM although I don't retain water usually (it's pretty much constant, LOL).

But they aren't actual gains. You'll also see 2-3 days later a several pound whoosh and this is what I mean about the body "catching up" and showing the result.

If your carbs/calories are low enough you are constantly, constantly losing weight. Every minute of every hour. This is why gastric bypass people lose 100 pounds in 4 months at 500 calories.

[Kimmer]

Originally Posted by Tylar_Connar

Kimmer, I have MVP also....i am 27. Do you have any problems with yours now? How did you know that you had it?

When I got pregnant at 16 the doctor heard the "extra" beat or something. He drew a picture on the examining table paper of how it works.

I don't have any problem at all. Years ago the dentist would give you a handful of antibiotics before dental work, but they don't do that now (why not?)

I live in southern California (lawsuit central) and since other cardiologists have done the usual cardio tests, my HMO does them every so often just so they aren't "negligent". Ixtapacheryl's husband will understand it as the 'standard of care'. Anywho, I have an EKG every 6 months (when they check my thyroid meds) and an echocardiogram every 2 years. I insist on seeing my heart on the monitor ... as if I know what I'm looking for, LOL!

[Kimmer]

Uniquelymade, I know Nonstickpam says the 30 carbs is minimum and I'm in no position to question her knowledge except to say that I'm about as severe hypo as you can get and I lost weight just fine ... and quickly.

I don't have anything else to add because that's a medical question and I'm not a doctor. I am first aid/CPR certified, but that's hardly the same thing LOL.

[Kimmer]

Originally Posted by GardenMom

Hi Kimmer...I have a couple questions.

I know you advocate very low fat....but what difference does it make at the end of the day if calories and carbs are still low?

With salad dressing, a lot of the low cal ones have sugar in them, did you still use those?

I use 1/2 and 1/2 for my coffee....and I am trying to use less, like just a tiny splash of it. Would you suggest just a splash of regular milk?

Thanks

I don't think it does matter if the numbers end up the same, but how could they? I can't think of a protein that doesn't include fat. So, if someone has 6 oz ribeye steak instead of 6 oz skinless chicken breast, that's a difference of 300 calories.

If someone has 30 carbs at 1200 calories they will lose less than eating 10 carbs at 800 calories.

Remember our proclivity for estimating quantities and forgetting small amounts. I look at Fitdays all the time and it really makes me sad that people can be so off. Back to the ribeye example, no one is doing themselves a favor to be eating a fatty high calorie ribeye, but entering it as lean sirloin. Your body isn't fooled. They will lose slowly and figure it's their metabolism.

Keep in mind my advice is only for very rapid weight loss. There are many plans that are low calorie and 1-2 lbs a week weight loss.

[Kimmer]

Originally Posted by GardenMom

With salad dressing, a lot of the low cal ones have sugar in them, did you still use those?

I use 1/2 and 1/2 for my coffee....and I am trying to use less, like just a tiny splash of it. Would you suggest just a splash of regular milk?

Sorry, forgot your last 2 questions!

The low cal ones do have sugar (some use artificial sweeteners), but the calories are still way lower than the full fat. It's a trade off that works. I'm talking salad dressings that are 15 calories per serving BTW. If the calories are similar then you're shooting yourself in the foot to pick higher carbs.

Actually, yes. If you can use the same amount of milk, the calories are way less. For 3 days try measuring the splash and see how much it is. Two cups with 2 tablespoons each sounds small, but its actually .25 cup.

[Kimmer]

Originally Posted by nurseintraining10

I have a question about water fasting. I was just wondering how do the electrolytes stay stable throughout it? I'm not doubting at all that they do, I'm just curious as to how the body makes up for the lack of them coming in.

The body self regulates. Even with 0 calorie 0 nutrient intake, the body stabilizes it's sodium, potassium, etc. levels.

As a nursing student you'll love the Fasting links. I'm often curious about why more people don't read them? There's quite a few actual scientific/medical studies. Check 'em out!

[Kimmer]

Originally Posted by wannaloosewt

Kimmer!!! Do you see me today???? 177!!!!! 2 pounds girl!!! Woo Hoo!! Thank You so much for last night!!!

I know of which I speak.

WTG, keep it up! What's your plan for when boredom sets in? It didn't for me because losing fast is enough excitement, LOL, but it can be an issue for some people.

[Kimmer]

Originally Posted by RITA04

Kimmer.. Ok, once I get closer to goal and prepare for maintanence, what foods should I start adding in and how fast should I start adding them ? All I have been eating was meat, eggs and veggies..

I think following Dr. Atkins' idea of 5 carb servings daily each week is a good place to start.

His example for 5 carbs was an extra serving of asparagus. At 40 calories you won't undo any damage, although 5 carbs of 400 calorie cheesecake will.

So, I'd start with extra veggies, maybe yogurt, occasional fruit ... or do you miss grains? Half slice of whole wheat bread? .5 cup serving of oatmeal?

The key is to go slow. If you add too much too soon you won't know what is messing you up. Keep using Fitday so you'll see a connection between carb intake and calorie level.

[Tylar_Connar]

Interesting...mine was found because my heart would race and i couldnt breath. And certain food set it off or I could just be resting. i still take antibiotics when I go to the dentist. I go to the dentist in VA. Glad you dont have problems from it, I hope I never do either!!

Originally Posted by Kimmer

When I got pregnant at 16 the doctor heard the "extra" beat or something. He drew a picture on the examining table paper of how it works.

I don't have any problem at all. Years ago the dentist would give you a handful of antibiotics before dental work, but they don't do that now (why not?)

I live in southern California (lawsuit central) and since other cardiologists have done the usual cardio tests, my HMO does them every so often just so they aren't "negligent". Ixtapacheryl's husband will understand it as the 'standard of care'. Anywho, I have an EKG every 6 months (when they check my thyroid meds) and an echocardiogram every 2 years. I insist on seeing my heart on the monitor ... as if I know what I'm looking for, LOL!

[wannaloosewt]

Originally Posted by Kimmer

I know of which I speak.

WTG, keep it up! What's your plan for when boredom sets in? It didn't for me because losing fast is enough excitement, LOL, but it can be an issue for some people.

I have my trusty ole Snow Cone Machine!! When I get bored I eat the shaved ice usually flavored with diet drinks or sf flavored syrups. Looking forward to getting on the scale the next day is ALL I wait for!!!

[Mrsevans]

Originally Posted by wannaloosewt

I have my trusty ole Snow Cone Machine!! When I get bored I eat the shaved ice usually flavored with diet drinks or sf flavored syrups. Looking forward to getting on the scale the next day is ALL I wait for!!!

I saw a snow cone machine today and was thinking the same thing! I want to flavor it with maybe crystal light or other diet drinks.

[Kimmer]

Originally Posted by wannaloosewt

I have my trusty ole Snow Cone Machine!! When I get bored I eat the shaved ice usually flavored with diet drinks or sf flavored syrups. Looking forward to getting on the scale the next day is ALL I wait for!!!

I live on those during the summer! I also make ice cubes out of Crystal Light or flat diet soda and toss in the blender with a bit of diet 7-Up or whatever and make my own Slurpee ... 0 cal, 0 carb.

[Mrsevans]

Originally Posted by Kimmer

I live on those during the summer! I also make ice cubes out of Crystal Light or flat diet soda and toss in the blender with a bit of diet 7-Up or whatever and make my own Slurpee ... 0 cal, 0 carb.

yum that sounds good!

[wannaloosewt]

Wally World has these AWESOME new flavored Sugar Free Snow Cone Machine Syrups out.I have blueberry and cherry.YUM!! o carbs o fat 5 cals per ? ounces.

[Bearski84]

Those sound great!