Leptin reset?

[Clabbergirl]

I'm glad to see so much activity on this thread. I've been reading Mastering Leptin and it really is much easier to understand than the good Dr. Kruse's, although I mean no disrespect to Dr. Kruse. I haven't started eating the Big A** Breakfast yet, still in the researching stages, but on the weekends I get a 50-70g protein breakfast in and admit that it really does 'stick to the ribs' and keep hunger away until well into the afternoon. If for no other reason, that's enough to make me want to start this. I really like some of the diagrams in Mastering Leptin, btw.

As for resistance, several medical doctors and other research state over and over again - if you are overweight, you are leptin resistant. Keep in mind, this hormone was only just discovered in '94. In terms of research years, that's like maybe 2 years ago. Most of the current studies are to figure out how to control it (with pharmaceuticals), not heal it back to its efficient state. It could be awhile before science knows all that this hormone is responsible for.

[Tonedbody]

I am still doing well. I started my cycle and things are feeling a little different but for the most part it has been smooth sailing.

[clackley]

Day 2 for me. I am not a breakfast eater but usually sip coffee (with cream) and don't get hungry until around 2. I found myself VERY hungry by about 1:30 despite the 50+g of protein. I have always had this problem with eating first thing in the morning. I hope it subsides or at least lessens.

[zudy]

I've been on the Dr. K reset for 5 weeks now and even with the early- a.m. 50 grams protein have always been hungry by lunchtime. Sometimes I'm not hungry for dinner so either skip it or have something small. I know that a lot of people find that they are not hungry at lunch, but I ain't one of them!

[Clabbergirl]

Originally Posted by zudy

I've been on the Dr. K reset for 5 weeks now and even with the early- a.m. 50 grams protein have always been hungry by lunchtime. Sometimes I'm not hungry for dinner so either skip it or have something small. I know that a lot of people find that they are not hungry at lunch, but I ain't one of them!

But you're still eating 3 meals a day, sometimes only 2? What have your results been so far? Feeling, weight, sleep, etc?

[Books and Cats]

I've been doing Dr. Kruse's reset for about 5 weeks now.
I don't weigh but I've lost inches.
I sleep really well and fall asleep well. I used to use sleep meds every night, but haven't used any for almost 2 weeks now.
My energy after the big protein breakfast is incredible!
He says something about feeling calmer, but I've always had a clam steady personality anyway.
I don't get hungry between meals most of the time unless it's TOM and even then, I'm not all ravenous and full of cravings like I used to be.

I eat three meals per day. Big, high protein breakfast with little to no carbs. Lunch and dinner are my typical meat, low carb veggie, and sometimes cheese or nuts combos. My meals are anywhere from 5-8 hours apart depending on my work hours and I've been fine with all of these intervals.

[Emily-D]

I just saw this in the comments on Jack Kruse's blog, when questioned for the specifics on 50g of protein, and how he could get that much from eating eggs.

Comment #52, Jack says
"...The amount is not important if your cravings and your hunger has gone away. You can tinker with macros if your symptoms are not present to find your optimal protein and fat loads."

leptin resistance, Dr. Jack Kruse, weight loss, Why is Oprah still obese? | Jack Kruse

[zudy]

Clabbergirl, it's been going great. I was already eating the same stuff but no early breakfast (ever before) and food on no set schedule before. On the L.R., I am eating a LOT more protein (averaging 100 grams), about 20% more fat and the same amount of carbs (minimal..very low) so calories are around 300 or so more, but I'm still losing and faster than before. Not hungry between meals, calmer (hard to describe) and sleeping a little longer than my usual shortish sleep hours of 5 or 6. Nowhere near 8 as yet, though. I am just going to keep on this routine since it's actually easier and probably healthier with the higher protein. Don't know when the "reset" will happen or if indeed it was needed in my case.

[Emily-D]

Well, I managed to gain weight during a week of leptin reset. So maybe I wasn't leptin resistant, and maybe it was too much protein (too much food) for me.

Back to my usual way of eating.

[clackley]

My weight is the same but I have not been 100% compliant. I am finding it difficult to get that morning protein in and it messes with the rest of my day in terms of eating. I am going to give it way more time. At least to the point where I can do it more consistently by the rules for at least a couple of weeks.....

How is everyone else doing? Was it difficult to stucture your meals with such a 'loaded' breakfast?

[zudy]

I am still really liking the leptin reset (Dr. K's method). I have 7 oz steak (give or take) for breakfast and that gets over the 50 gram part of it. I am doing this very low carb. I am actually having much more protein than I averaged before. It's usually 100 grams and occasionally as high as 140 (before, I got around 45 or 50). Fat grams are usually about the same as protein grams. Though I'm losing weight on the reset, I've read that not everyone does. I think Dr. K recommended checking hormone levels if gaining on it, though.

[Clabbergirl]

I haven't been able to give this a real attempt. My schedule has been all over the place. On the mornings that I've been able to eat large (weekends and 1 or 2 days during workweek), I've been less hungry all day. Not even thinking about food. I can't wait to try this 7 days a week and see if I get any results weight loss wise.

[Emily-D]

Originally Posted by zudy

I think Dr. K recommended checking hormone levels if gaining on it, though.

Which hormone levels in particular?

[zudy]

Emily, I can't recall exactly where I read in all of the Dr. K discussions (on various websites) about hormones and a quick look didn't yield the answer. He did describe many tests that he performs on his patients to determine any adjustments to be made. But I did find a comment in a forum on MDA that it's very common to gain on the LR but that doesn't mean that it is not working.."something to do with hypothalamus adjusting". Someone else said that most women don't lose on the reset until they become leptin sensitive and another poster said she'd known women who lose, stay the same or gain during the reset. There are many on MDA's various threads describing their experiences.

[Emily-D]

Thanks for the information, Zudy.

[Squigglywiggly]

I am loving the leptin reset. I am losing weight, my husband discovered this week I actually have a waist now! I am sleeping better, feeling no urge to eat between meals, really not even feeling hungry nowadays. I am on week 2.

Re the protein shakes, I am sure they used to raise my blood sugars - I was always hungry after them. Am thinking of making a big raw egg smoothie on days where I don't feel like chewing 50 grams of protein LOL

I enjoy low carbing a lot more now, I feel more in control following Jack Kruse's leptin reset. It just makes sense to me!

[Tonedbody]

My weight loss has not improved (still about the same rate) as a result of the Leptin reset but I feel like it helps to keep my blood sugars at a good place.

[Books and Cats]

I'm still feeling good from this. I had a few days last week where my sleep was terrible, but it was TOM time so I assume that's what messed me up. I never sleep well then. TOM also made me hungrier than I had been on this reset. It was a little frustrating, but I seem to be back to normal this week.

This week I am really noticing the difference in appetite. I wake up easily in the morning and am physically hungry for the big breakfast. I get 50gms of protein down with no problem. Sometimes, I don't get lunch until 7-8 hours later (work schedule) but I feel totally fine.

My dinner and bedtime are a little too close together according to this protocol. Again, work schedule related, but it doesn't seem to be hurting me.

I feel great on this reset.

I agree that I've read on one of the Paleo message boards or on Dr. Kruse's page that weight loss is not always immediate, but that once the reset has taken place, future weight loss becomes easier. In several places he encourages people to not give up 6-7 weeks in because usually they just need another few weeks to be "reset".

I plan to eat this way indefinitely. I sleep great, have absolutely no cravings, have less physical signs of hunger, and feel healthier in general (good energy, good mood, no aches / pains).

[piratejenny]

Books & Cats--

That is so great to hear! Congratulations and for feeling so good!!!

[martiangurll]

Originally Posted by AR-photog

I don't know much about it, but I've been reading up on it too. Jack Kruse's website seems to have a lot of info.

I have been itching to switch gears into Paleo myself coming off HCG diet and follow the leptin reset recommendations. (I like to switch gears frequently and keep my metabolism guessing)

My gratitude for all who have posted their helpful suggestions and Kerry for starting this thread!

I will have to check out the book by Byron J. Richards mentioned about mastering Leptin...I think this could be my missing link.

[freeman525]

Originally Posted by martiangurll

...

I will have to check out the book by Byron J. Richards mentioned about mastering Leptin...I think this could be my missing link.

I bought the book, have read 5-6 chapters and so far am not impressed. I encourage you to borrow the book or go to the book store and sit and read some of it before spending your money. Richards says that the Atkins diet is one of the worst diets you can be on. That right there turned me off. I will read another few chapters before I make my keep or throw away decision.

Janice

[freeman525]

Leptin Resistance and the Search for a Magic Fat Pill

[Books and Cats]

Originally Posted by freeman525

I bought the book, have read 5-6 chapters and so far am not impressed. I encourage you to borrow the book or go to the book store and sit and read some of it before spending your money. Richards says that the Atkins diet is one of the worst diets you can be on. That right there turned me off. I will read another few chapters before I make my keep or throw away decision.

Janice

I've never even heard of this book. I am following Dr. Kruse's leptin reset. He has a blog / website you can google if you're interested and you don't have to buy anything.
He is very pro-lowcarb. He advises a low carb paleo / primal diet for his reset and basically says you should avoid most carbs during this reset.
His stuff can be a little technical because he's a neurosurgeon, but his basics are easy to understand. He also often clarifies things in the comments on his blog when people ask questions.
If you want to do a low carb leptin reset, I would suggest checking his site out.

[martiangurll]

Originally Posted by freeman525

I bought the book, have read 5-6 chapters and so far am not impressed. I encourage you to borrow the book or go to the book store and sit and read some of it before spending your money. Richards says that the Atkins diet is one of the worst diets you can be on. That right there turned me off. I will read another few chapters before I make my keep or throw away decision.

Janice

Good to know. I bet Amazon has a used copy for cheapo dinero

[Emily-D]

Janice,

Why does he think that Atkins is bad?

[freeman525]

Originally Posted by Emily-D

Janice,

Why does he think that Atkins is bad?

I'll go find my book later. (It's 2 flights up and my knees and left hip are on strike.) Seems like he doesn't like the saturated fats ALL LCers inhale 24/7.

Janice

[faithgirl]

This is interesting. If you don't have issues with whey protein, it would count for the 50 grams protein breakfast?

[Squigglywiggly]

I would check your blood sugars first. He says eggs are the best, then animal proteins, and his 3rd but not really preferred is the whey protein, but I am pretty sure he wrote that he has never had a patient that hasn't spiked with whey....

[clackley]

I ate tuna (instead of a protein shake) this morning and 6.5 hours later, I am still not hungry - at all. This is twice now in the past 2 wks. For me, food I chew as opposed to food I drink, lasts way longer in terms of appetite suppression.

It is way easier to down a shake then eat enough protein first thing in the morning but maybe it is preferable in terms of the 'reset'????

[Books and Cats]

I sometimes use a protein bar with whey protein to help myself get to the 50gms, but I don't rely solely on that as my protein source. I have bars from Quest (I think Netrition sells them) that contain 20 gms of whey protein. On the days I eat these, I add them to 30 gms from 2-3 eggs and a small amount of meat.

If I have enough meat already cooked, I just eat it and the eggs.

One thing I've noticed with this reset is in the last few days, when I'm eating lunch and dinner, I'll get this feeling like, "Ok, I'm full now" even if I don't feel physically full. If I stop eating at that point, I still can easily make it to the next meal (dinner or the next day's breakfast).