Losin' It in October 2009! Stillman's way

[princessdaisy]

Okay, folks, here's Thin Commandment #2:

Think Historically, Not Calorically

1) Think about your food history -- how you've behaved with "problem foods" in the past 2) Identify trigger foods, behaviors, situations, and times that lead you to lose control of your eating
3) Stop thinking about simply counting calories, but about how much of your problem food you eat at any one time
4) Realized that even the most "healthy" foods aren't healthy if you eat too much of them

1) Gullo calls this "the most essential strategy" b/c it forces you to re-think food. I'll use me as an example. When I was about thirteen, mommy dearest started putting me on diets so that I wouldn't ever end up with a weight problem (I wasn't overweight); well, whenever I got the chance, I would sneak ice cream from my brother's stash and just eat and zone out. Since that was a "forbidden" food, I'd cram in as much as possible (i.e. binge) before I got caught. So, my history with ice cream is a not-so-healthy one; to this day (uh, day-before-yesterday) I can't eat just a little cone of ice cream whereas there are other people who didn't use ice cream as prozac in their youth who will do just fine with a small serving. For me, Gullo would point out, there is no such thing as the serving size they post on the side of the container since, for me, the whole container is ONE serving. So, "there are no good foods or bad foods. There are only good and bad histories with a food" (p. 25).

2) This seems pretty clear: identify the foods, behaviors and times that trigger you to overeat. For example, he says that some people are finishers i.e. feel compelled to finish everything on their plate; then there are the finger eaters (like Sillyerin explained so well); trigger situations would be like parties or sporting events where some people get into trouble; and trigger times which seem to affect SO many people in the mid to late afternoon, starting around 3 or 4 pm.

I think 3) and 4) are why so many of us find success with low carb eating (he doesn't write anything more specifically about these last two since they're kind of incorporated in what he said earlier). Like Starzmom said about eating veggies on the weekends; those seem like healthy foods, but they are absolutely NOT healthy if they lead to feeling bad and cravings for even worse carbs.

Finally, he ends the chapter with six ways "This Commandment Make[s] You a Weight-Control Winner":
1) It predicts your behavior in advance with any food you have eaten in your life
2) It predicts the time of the day when you are most likely to be vulnerable to overeating
3) It predicts the types of situations that are most associated with losses of control
4) It helps you evaluate food in a new way -- not just in terms of counting calories and carbohydrates, but in terms of how any food affects you behavior, appetite, control, and success at dieting
5) It shifts you thinking from being "good" or "bad" to thinking in terms of "what works or doesn't work for me" (P. 32)

Tomorrow, The Third Commandment: "The Problem May Be in the Food, Not in You" (Yay!)

[princessdaisy]

Yay, Beth! I think 1200 cals should be the LEAST amount you eat; all I know is that I can get away with more food the less my carbs are and you certainly do NOT want to ever feel hungry.

Yesterday I sorta did Stillman's high fat/high protein diet (it's in the book!!!) b/c I felt like I was coming down with something. I ate high-fat ground beef (1 lb. total, split into two meals with seasoning but NOOOOOOO salt), 4 eggs and 3 TBSP Coconut Oil. Everytime I've eaten this exact way I've ALWAYS had a significant loss the next day.

I'm with Sillyerin on the running or running/walking -- the day after I run I always have a loss. I think weight training may stall the losses since you're building muscle that holds water, but cardio has never stalled me (but I totally understand people who say it undermines their wieght loss b/c it makes them hungrier. There was a whole article about that this last May in Time magazine that debunked the role exercise plays in losing weight; basically researchers have found that it does NOT help, although it's good for your health in all sorts of other ways).

[princessdaisy]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay Aleriaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! TWO pounds is incredible!!!! Wooooo-hoooooo!

[IM2fat]

[QUOTE=Beth Sch;12669760 IM, what do you eat to lose? Just curious. I am learning the HARD way that I have to eat to lose for sure! I'm excited as I'm really hungry at only 900 cals a day! Sucks![/QUOTE]

Beth: I try to make sure I eat breakfast before 10:00. .usually 1 boiled egg... pretty boring. . Lunch is usually about 6 oz of chicken or steak, afternoon snack is usually tuna . for supper I will do either a chicken breast (or two). .steak or grilled pork chop. If I have to have something else, I try more tuna, more chicken. I use different seasonings. .You can also do stew meat (very trim) in the slow cooker with onion soup mix (check carb count), bouillion, seasonings. Wonderful if you let it simmer all day. . .

The stillman's cookbook also suggested doing a slow cooker stew type and only eating the meat and broth. leave any veggies for someone else. Haven't tried it but in a pinch, might taste great.. (green pepper, onion, celery. .), .another idea is to try lemon juice or other rubs/marinade.

Like I said, I lose slowly but whatever works. We are all different machines we just have to find out what works for us as individuals! There is no way I could do a free meal and maintain my losses - I've learned that. Also, I find if I am typing, I can't eat so I like lurking on the website when I should be exercising. .my fingers are getting pretty thin!!

[Getting there!!!]

Hi Everyone! Ok banning the scale until November1st (which will be a year since I started!) I haven't lost anything since Monday. Aaagh! I keep reading your posts about not eating enough calories. I wonder is that true for me-and is that why I am stalling.I worked it out today-2 small eggs (160) and 450g/15ounces of turkey breast(630) So I think that's about 800 and I do about 2hours-broken into two bits(before and after work) on a bike. This stall has lasted ages-granted for a week I wasn't doing it-and didn't gain either-but still! The last time I stalled for this long I was at 201 and wasn't doing as much exercise and was eating veggies and some fat-so I cut that out and started losing again. I'm just worried because after Stillmans as a stall breaker there isn't really anywhere else to go. Ok my rant is over!

Well nearly over.....!!!
Erin: I have just been reading your new posts. Have you really been doing Stillmans since Oct 05? And if you were 155 and now 124-that's only 30 pounds in 3years. And now since October have you only lost a pound? If you're doing it that strictly-like seriosly no carbs-then that's a seriously slow weight loss. (Granted you don't need to loose anything-I would be ecstatic at 125!-but that's not the point) I seriously don't want to have to wait 3years-I wanted to be at goal at Christmas!!
Daisy: thanks for the 2nd installment.
Aleriaaa:I'm jealous!!!

[Getting there!!!]

Originally Posted by Kikilynk

Well I have silently been following along the last month. Mainly bc y'all inspire me so much! I have lost 10lbs since the 3rd of October but feel I should be doing better especially since i have read his book. Thanks for posting all your sucesses! I appreciate it. Have a wonderful day and keep up the great work!

10 pounds in less than a month is brill! I'm jealous of you too!!

[Beth Sch]

Thanks for all the advice, ladies! Princess, I need to get the book! What is this about a higher fat day!? Can you tell me about that? I'd love to learn. And, where can I find the book/books?

Thanks,
B

[IM2fat]

I just have to comment here: I know we all want to lose as quickly as possible and this die-T is designed to do that. but it was not designed for long term. Naturally, the weight loss will slow and that is completely normal and completely healthy. WE just have to remember to focus on our long term goals! Don't lose sight of the fact that we did not put it on overnight so it will not come off overnight. Stay focused and maintain the small success!!! I'm just saying.. . We have to stay healthy toooo. .

[IM2fat]

Beth: try Abebooks.com. . .

[Desha]

You guys have really motivated me. Can I join your group? I went to the library today and got The Thin Commandments. My plan is to roughly following stillman's until I no longer feel hungry. So i guess 3 to 5 days---then i'm gonna add veggies to my diet.

[Beth Sch]

For sure IM! I just don't want to do it and NOT lose wt. There were a few weeks back that I wasn't losing quickly and I just had to figure out! I am learning so much about my body! I'm wanting to get to goal once and for all and stay there this time! And, the main thing then is to stay healthy and whole!

Thanks so much for all your help gals! Had a 1200 cal day! I'm proud of myself

[SillyErin]

Imgettingthere - what you have to realize is that my weight has jumped around quite a bit. I havent been on Stillmans 100% of the time - I also did Kimkins, and the 1972 Atkins (no carbs) but it has always been very low carb that I have stuck to. Ive been on a diet since I was 19 - anything considered "normal" eating ive done in between there was cheating. I went from 155 to 137 when I dropped my calories for my wedding. Then after I got married I jumped back up to 145. In the summer of 08 I couldnt get lower than ,137 for the life of me then in August of 08 dropped down to 133 and in Feb of 09 was 124. I quit weighing myself in July and went from a size 6 to a size 2, so I know I have lost more - I just have 125 as what I think it may be.
The key to taking off weight for me has been to take it off quick and maintain it for 6 months to a year. I take off about 10 more pounds each year, then stay there for a long time (on purpose). I may go up a couple pounds, 5 or so. But I have never gone back up to 200 where I started, and a lot of people do. It takes strategy to keep of 75 pounds this long. You never just take the weight off and presto, youre done - its a life commitment.

[princessdaisy]

Good morning, friends! Up bright and early again. Weight was the same even though I ran 3 miles yesterday evening and stayed on plan, so you know what that means: TOM has arrived! But I am SO, SO, SO thrilled that, even though I've only been doing Stillmans (imperfectly) for 5 days, I didn't have any PMS symptoms: no binges, no weight gain. That is a MIRACLE for me!!!!!!!

Beth: In the Doctor's Quick Weight Loss Diet by Stillman he offers, besides QWL, about 20 other kinds of diets. I kinda think that's cool since he is encouraging you to mix it up. I agree with IM2fat about using this diet as part of your weight-loss tool chest; I am in TOTAL awe of people who can stay on this for MONTHS at a time (ALERIAAAA!!!). IM2weak.

Getting there -- first "brill" and now "bits"? Too, too cute!!! Say something else, come on.

Sillyerin -- you are my hero! I've seen your "before" picture and you have done what most people achieve only with bypass surgery. I bounce up and down, but you just go down, down, down consistently (as I've told you before) and that's the name of the game, right? I also remember that last year you were not at all an exerciser and NOW you're training for a marathon...HERO!!!

Hope everyone has a terrific Thursday!

[Lynnehermena]

Good Morning Ladies!!!

I am feeling fine and sitting here drinking my coffee. I find that it is harder to go #2 when you are on adkins or stillman's so I drank some laxative type tea last night. Here you can find them in the beauty supply stores, as Diet Tea or in the organic tea section of the grocery store as Smooth Move. Anyway, I intend to weigh myself tomorrow morning and update my stats.

I appreciate IM2FAT for mentioning the ****** website. I logged in and it is great. Seems to provide a lot of information for free. Unfortunately it told me that I am in the obese range, so I will hopefully work my weight down to overweight level and eventually to healthy!

Yesterday, I received some good news, but rather than celebrating - I just ate 2 turkey patties and drank my water. I will have my dinner at Red Loster on Friday night and do my celebrating then. I am moving to a new job that will be (hopefully) less stress and drama!!! I love Dr. Oz and he is always talking about that bad fat in your belly. I read that it gets bigger with too much stress.

Anyway, have a great Thursday.

-Lynne

[Starzmom]

Desha..Welcome, welcome, welcome! If you'll look at the stickys at the top of this forum you'll see there is a 14 day shape up program that includes veggies and a bit of milk or yoghert. I do that one when I'm not on the Quick Weight Loss protein diet.

[IM2fat]

Lynne: I take fiber capsules every day. .most often up to three times a day. . it helps plus it keeps you full. Rite Aide sells the natural capsules in a big bottle (320) reasonably and there are no nasty side effects. Hubby takes them too and he is very sensitive to anything "laxative". .Just thought I'd share because I was having the very same problem in the beginning. If that doesn't work, you may need to throw a bit of fat into your diet. I finally got off the obese range (per ******) and have graduated to overweight but I love how the chart looks so I'm not complaining too loudly..

Desha: Welcome! We are happy to have you . .

Daisy: I feel your pain. . Tom visited me too and I wasn't even expecting it! The very best news is that I didn't have a gain (I always do). .hopefully its fast and will take some of this nasty bloat with it. My symptoms have been less since I've adopted low carb! Such a nice trade off considering we get to live through He** for 2 weeks out of our month! Life is just too unfair somedays. I am looking forward to next week when I can go back to "normal". . .

[chessie2m]

HI Everyone..... the key to this diet is planning ahead!!!!! If I have meat thawed and ready to cook I can stick to this diet...2 days ago I had no meat and I was starving...guess what happened??? so yesterday morning went to the store and I am back in action...fridge is stocked with chicken, turkey, eggs, and lean ground beef...I am feeling back in control...if I could just make is to the third day I know I will be losing real weight and not just the initial water weight...I will get to 125!!!!!
how is everyone doing this morning???
Jess

[aleriaaa]

Welcome Kiki and Desha! Let us know how you're doing!

[aleriaaa]

[QUOTE=Getting there!!!;12670439]I haven't lost anything since Monday. Aaagh! QUOTE]

Dont fret! I've been known to go 7 or 8 days without a loss and then comes the whoosh. Stick to plan and follow it through. You will get results!

[aleriaaa]

Originally Posted by chessie2m

HI 2 days ago I had no meat and I was starving...guess what happenedJess

Hey Chessie! Dont forget cans/packages of tuna if all else fails.

I've also kept canned chicken and turkey on hand but . Weird consistancy and too much salt!!

[Beth Sch]

Welcome Desha, Kiki! Get in here and rock with us!

Okay! it's working! I ate 1200 cals yesterday and I'm down .6 today! Rock n Roll! Gonna keep on keepin on. It was a solid day of lean gr. beef and 2 oz of cheese. I can't believe it! I lost 1 lb. in 2 days eating like 3-400 cals more! I was so hungry too. Weird!

Have a wonderful day all!

BBL

[aleriaaa]

Originally Posted by IM2fat

I take fiber capsules every day. .most often up to three times a day. . .

I have no idea what Im talking about but I know how hard you work to get the pounds off and I'm wondering if this could be whats slowing you down? You eat perfectly to plan, so maybe this IS the culprit.

[aleriaaa]

Originally Posted by Beth Sch

I lost 1 lb. in 2 days eating like 3-400 cals more!
BBL

THATS AWESOME NEWS BETH!!!!!! Woohoo!

[aleriaaa]

Originally Posted by princessdaisy

I am in TOTAL awe of people who can stay on this for MONTHS at a time (ALERIAAAA!!!). IM2weak.

Thanks Daisy but dont be. I'm way too weak to indulge in a celery stick. Cause then comes the ranch dressing and then the peanut butter....

[Lynnehermena]

I have a question for SillyErin.

For your "cheat" meal - do you sort of cheat or really, really cheat. I was looking at the calorie and sodium count of some of those Red Lobster favorites and they are a lot. I don't want to wake up Saturday and feel like I've gained back all of my weight.

What would you suggest Erin... a little bit off plan or majorly off the plan?


-Lynne

[chessie2m]

Originally Posted by aleriaaa

Hey Chessie! Dont forget cans/packages of tuna if all else fails.

I've also kept canned chicken and turkey on hand but . Weird consistancy and too much salt!!

I forgot about tuna!!! I think I will add a little mustard..not sure I can stomach plain tuna. Cant wait to get on the scale tomorrow morning..2 days in a row of strict stillmans.

[chessie2m]

Congrats Beth!!! I am trying to also eat a little more..some days the food sounds so yucky I would rather not eat...but too little calories will cause trouble in the long run...so for now I will choke down a plain piece of chicken..
Jess

[IM2fat]

Originally Posted by aleriaaa

I have no idea what Im talking about but I know how hard you work to get the pounds off and I'm wondering if this could be whats slowing you down? You eat perfectly to plan, so maybe this IS the culprit.

Well. . .I think I'll do some investigating to see if this is the problem. .I want to lean towards not because i was really having issues before i started taking them but one never knows. .I'll do some searching on the other chats to see if anyone else is having problems. .maybe you are onto something. . I've learned a lot about all sorts of stuff (Who knew about Candida before Atkins???) Not me. . .

[aleriaaa]

Hi Lynne! Can I jump in? I just got through scanning the mouth-watering choices at the Red Lobster site. The "wood-grilled" choices seem like a great choice without all the sauces and butter and rice.

You've already made it past the hard part and are losing! Don't stop now.

Steak and Lobster - What! What! YUM!! No one will even notice if you dont' eat the rice!

What time shall we come?

[aleriaaa]

Originally Posted by IM2fat

(Who knew about Candida before Atkins???) Not me. . .

I had no idea about candida til I just looked it up.