Protein Power

[peachy]

Hello everyone!

This has not been the best weekend for eating healthy for me. I dove headfirst into sweets twice. Must be TOM. Both times we were out to eat as a family. I'm going to have to have a plan before I put myself back into that situation.

I'll do better next time.

[Luvmykidz]

Originally Posted by peachy

Hello everyone!

This has not been the best weekend for eating healthy for me. I dove headfirst into sweets twice. Must be TOM. Both times we were out to eat as a family. I'm going to have to have a plan before I put myself back into that situation.

I'll do better next time.

Don't be too hard on yourself.

Eating an overload of sweets is never a good thing, but it isn't the end of the world, either. Part of the beauty of PP is that YOU are in control of your food choices....But that can also be a problem for some people who have difficulties making wise choices on their own.

I have learned where my max carb load sits and also found out that I can afford to eat a few bits of almost any sweet treat I want. As long as it stays within the carb limit. Not everyone can do this, I understand. Some people can have a few bites of ice cream but have to avoid chocolate. Others can taste whatever as long as it is just a bite. Still others have to totally avoid all man made carbs.

For me, the key is deciding just how badly I want to eat a certain food. In comparing choices, it is apparent that some are much better 'carb bargains' than others. One bite of frosted chocolate cake can have as many carbs as half a piece of fruit--or a huge green salad with assorted veggies and meat and cheese. 1 cup of plain whole milk yogurt sweetened with LC syrup generally has fewer carbs than 1/2 cup of ice cream (depending on flavors). If you use the 'yogurt exception' 1 cup of plain yogurt only has about 4 carbs.

If you really need fiber and volume in your diet, it is best to stick with mostly healthful veggies and occasional dairy, fruit and grain products. This does not mean they are forbidden, or that you are sinning for eating sweets. I feel the guilt of having made a poor choice is often more destructive than the act of eating the junk food. So many people seem to beat themselves up, then give up because they feel unworthy. It doesn't have to be this way.

It is best to avoid junk foods as much as possible. But you can learn from your weekend experience. Did the foods you ate make you crave? Did you overeat them? If so, was it because of a physical craving, or because you remembered enjoying them, and wanted to have that experience again? Or were you feeling left out of what everyone else had? Or just feeling rebellious because you were tired of watching your food intake? Or something else totally?

Obviously, you don't need to answer to me, but you should try to figure out for yourself, so you have a better chance of avoiding the problem in the future.

[Shantony]

Hey guys. I'm doing good. I ate on plan. I have been lazy and just laying in bed all weekend. I think its Kleritea.

I'm still TOMing it and so I'm looking forward to my monthly WHOOSH. Let's see what happens.

[belfrybat]

I've been on a plateau for several weeks, so decided to do a bit of tweaking to see what might happen. I've been intrigued by the "Eat Fat Get Thin" thread on this same board, so as an experiment lowered my protein to the minimum recommended by the Eades and increased fat to keep calories about the same as I've been ingesting (1300-1350 daily). Although the scale still isn't moving (well, it's moving, but down 1 lb. and then up 1 lb), I have lost 1/2 inch off waist, abdomen and hips in the last three days. Also morning fasting blood sugars are back to the low to mid 90's.

I am insulin resistant, so attribute this to my body doing a very good job of gluconeogenesis. I have a feeling that every molecule of protein over what my body needs is being converted to glucose. So, if anyone has plateaued while staying pretty much on plan, you might re-calculate your protein needs and stay within 10% of that, increase fat a bit to see what happens. It certainly seems to be working for me.

[Luvmykidz]

Originally Posted by belfrybat

I've been on a plateau for several weeks, so decided to do a bit of tweaking to see what might happen. I've been intrigued by the "Eat Fat Get Thin" thread on this same board, so as an experiment lowered my protein to the minimum recommended by the Eades and increased fat to keep calories about the same as I've been ingesting (1300-1350 daily). Although the scale still isn't moving (well, it's moving, but down 1 lb. and then up 1 lb), I have lost 1/2 inch off waist, abdomen and hips in the last three days. Also morning fasting blood sugars are back to the low to mid 90's.

I am insulin resistant, so attribute this to my body doing a very good job of gluconeogenesis. I have a feeling that every molecule of protein over what my body needs is being converted to glucose. So, if anyone has plateaued while staying pretty much on plan, you might re-calculate your protein needs and stay within 10% of that, increase fat a bit to see what happens. It certainly seems to be working for me.

I came across the EFLT thread by accident, and, with the exception of my calorie load, I already was eating very much similar. I regularly do 50-60% fat, and really try to keep my protein within the proper target zone for my lean body mass. And the weeks that I have been pretty consistent with those proportions and basically eat around 1600 cals a day (I do exercise), I seem to lose best. When I relax too much on carbs and/or protein, I seem to be able to maintain, but definitely do not lose pounds well.

The Eades do say that more protein is generally okay, but I would think someone such as yourself who is apparently so sensitive would do better upping fat and keeping protein at its minimal levels.

BTW: congratulations on your loss!

[Darrow]

I've been doing the EFGT program also and had a loss this morning. I also feel great and will stick with it for this week to see what happens. Glad you are feeling better Shay.

[Shantony]

Well my face is looking thinner today. I haven't stepped on the scale yet. I had on an outfit and I looked HOT!

My drawls were drooping off my butt and I kept thinking it was my skirt. Time to buy smaller underwear..

[peachy]

Shay -- Go buy some pretty panties. That is one of my favorite parts of losing weight. New pretty panties.

I'm going to have to look at the thread that you all are talking about.

[Shantony]

I'm so happy. I put on a skirt that has been sitting in my closet for a year. I could not zip it up. I couldn't zip it up 2 days ago. I zipped it up tonight. I started dry skin brushing today. I hope to get those benefits.

[Luvmykidz]

Yay, Shay!

For breakfast, I had scrambled eggs covered with green Tabasco sauce. And a side of mixed broccoli, carrot and green beans.

And a quart of water.

I am experimenting with cutting out dairy for a few days (no cheese, or cream or ricotta), to see if that has affected my progress any.

[peachy]

Heather - I cut out dairy as a protein source last week and lost a pound right away. Nothing since.

Shay - Yeah! It's great that the skirt fits! What the heck is dry skin brushing?

Brigit and Darrow -- How is the EFGT approach working for you?

[Luvmykidz]

Peachy, I know you didn't ask me, but dry skin brushing is basically just using a stiff natural bristled brush and, using short, brisk strokes, 'brushing" the skin, kind of like you would a pet. Starting at the feet and working up the legs, over the torso, toward the heart. Same with the hands, up the arms. I use 4 strokes at each new site as I go. I expect there are informative bits around here if you search 'skin brushing'. Or you could google it for more detailed info.

The main idea is to stimulate circulation and help cleanse the skin by removing dead, dry skin cells. This would open up the pores better so the skin can do a better job of eliminating toxins via this route. I definitely have softer, smoother skin when I do it regularly.

[Shantony]

Also, I am trying to shrink as much skin as I can to reduce the cost of a tummy tuck and lower body lift.`

[peachy]

Brush my body?

I have my long hair (to my waistband) my three daughters' hair, and two dogs to brush. I am not brushing my body, too. I'm gonna get carpal tunnel for all the brushing.

[peachy]

BTW - I lost another pound today. That makes me on track with my pound a week goal. Yeah! Now if I can only avoid temptation this weekend.

[Darrow]

Peachy: The EFGT WOE is working out great. I haven't had any "issues" with wanting to cheat at all! I feel wonderful. There has been no fluctuations with the scale...just steady loss every day. Dr. Groves also says there won't be a plateau. No headaches, tummy problems etc. My body loves this.

[peachy]

Darrow - Are you still following Protein Power protein requirements? I'm afraid that if I try to do both that my calories will be too high.

[Shantony]

Hey guys. I'm loving protein power. No urge to cheat except when I eat rice. I think I will stay away. I ate the 1/4 cup serving and it got me all cravy. I'm okay on the low carb WW tortillas and whole wheat bread. Today I added 1 tbsp of LC peanut butter and 1 tbsp of low carb preserves on a piece of WW LC bread. Didn't taste the way I remember peanut butter tasting but it did have a peanut buttery after taste that was warmly reminiscent of PB. The preserves were strawberrish tasting even with the real strawberries in it. But you could tell it was sweetened with sucralose.

[peachy]

Shay - I buy the natural peanut butter from Trader Joes. It's so good.

[peachy]

I have a question. According to PP I should be having around 60grams of protein a day. According to PPLP it is 81. Now I always went higher than 60 and way more than 80 on many days.

I have been following the EFGT thread and saw that excess protein becomes glucose. Then Dr. Eades was quoted on the Main board saying the same thing as regards to starvation mode.

So, am I eating too much protein? Is there such a thing?

[Luvmykidz]

Originally Posted by peachy

I have a question. According to PP I should be having around 60grams of protein a day. According to PPLP it is 81. Now I always went higher than 60 and way more than 80 on many days.

I have been following the EFGT thread and saw that excess protein becomes glucose. Then Dr. Eades was quoted on the Main board saying the same thing as regards to starvation mode.

So, am I eating too much protein? Is there such a thing?

I think there is more to the protein equation than simply how many grams you are eating.

There are so many different opinions about how many carbs is appropriate, as well as acceptable sources and when to eat them and how to combine foods for 'optimal' health--even among those who advocate low carb as a healthy WOE. And then we hear about how too much fat can sabotage us. And now, we hear we can overeat protein, where before all I ever remember hearing is that excess protein is excreted by urine and so high protein can be hard on the kidneys.

It is frustrating sometimes.

The best advice I could give you is to ask yourself some questions.

How do you feel when you eat the higher amounts of protein as opposed to the lesser amounts?

Are you still losing weight when you eat the higher amounts? (if so, you are probably not overeating protein, which apparently would turn to sugar and stimulate insulin response)

Are you very active?(then you may need a little more protein on heavy workout days, to keep your muscles from starting to break down)

Do you already eat very few true carbs?(when carbs area kept lower, the few grams of protein that get converted to sugar may not make much difference)

Also, please keep in mind Dr. Eades is only human and does not know all. He apparently has had second thoughts about some of what he wrote in his original PP. I don't have the PPLP book to consult, but I did read it a few years ago. He doesn't know any of us as individuals and so his statements may or may not apply. Same goes for any diet author. Yes, research may indicate one thing, but that does not mean we all are affected equally by those findings.

Any published diet program is just a starting point. As you follow it, you may find some of what is stated as general fact may not apply to you as an individual. Other people can follow it 'by the book' from start to finish.

That said, I tend to try to hit my ideal protein (although I go over sometimes) and my carbs, and fill in the remaining calorie need with fat. So far, I have not learned that fat affects insulin production in one way or another. If I keep it within my calorie limit, I don't have to worry about overeating it.

I hope this helps you in finding your answers.

[peachy]

Thanks Heather,

It definitely helps.

[Darrow]

Heather: I try to keep my protein under 85 g a day, but higher than 60. I have been doing the EFGT by Barry Groves for the last week. I was up on weight today (5 lbs!) and I think it's because I had bacon and corned beef yesterday...lots of sodium & nitrates, I also am not feeling as good as I usually do. I didn't cheat on carbs either, kept them at 40. Guess I'm sensitive. Hope it flushes out.

It's a daily process.

[Shantony]

I always go over my protein. I feel hungry at 70g of protein. I average about 112g fiber and less fat since starting PP. When on Atkins I was averging around 88g of protein but had more fat.

What do you guys think about that? More cals and protein now and more fat less cals then but didn't hardly lose squat. I"m losing better now.

[Luvmykidz]

Originally Posted by Shantony

I always go over my protein. I feel hungry at 70g of protein. I average about 112g fiber and less fat since starting PP. When on Atkins I was averging around 88g of protein but had more fat.

What do you guys think about that? More cals and protein now and more fat less cals then but didn't hardly lose squat. I"m losing better now.

Sounds like you are learning the finer points of diet customization!!! Congratulations on your progress

Everyone is different and we each have different needs day to day. Some of us can set things in concrete and leave them there, but I feel many of us will get the best results if we are aware of what we need and be willing to give our basic program a tweak every now and then.

[peachy]

What I've been doing has been good so far. A steady pound a week. I don't know what got into me thinking about switching plans yet again. Protein power is the one plan I always go back to. I feel the healthiest on this plan. Sometimes it just feels so slow.

[Shantony]

I meant to say 112 g of protein. WOW at a 112g of fiber I don't know what'd I do.

I'm retaining water again. I have to figure out what the cause is. I'm holding 6lbs of water weight.

I know it's dietary. I don't know if it's salt or splenda or cream/cream cheese or all of it.

[Luvmykidz]