Stillman's Losers Rock on in November

[IM2fat]

Hey Al! Welcome back .. I missed you!! You know. . I decided to have a beverage tonight myself. . so. .cheers to you .cheers to us. cheers to everyone!! (and I'm watching Intervention. OMG it's on alcoholism, too. . .there is something so wrong with this picture!)

I'm up for a new challenge/week, too! So you are on! We will do it. . we can do it.. we are doing it!. One meal at a time. .

Daisy: As always, you are the best typer I know. . Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to keep us informed. We appreciate it very much. .

We missed you CAt. .Thank you for coming back to us. .We are a losing group, all right!!

[slatman]

I love the power of a refeed when you have been on stillman's for a week...
I have a power meter on my bike and I hit some huge numbers today...and I left some very strong racers in the dust... it does make sense when you think the whole thing through...

1. you eat like a normal human using carbs for energy (fast burn)
2. you go on stillman's on switch to fat/protein (slow burn)
3. you add carbs back in and now you have two motors burning...but for how long and at what price?


the benefits obviously decrease quickly when the bod switches off the fat burning..

and man I just felt like absolute crap this afternoon but it was worth it...

-------

More on refeeds for those that know you can't stay on stillman's for a long period of time...

Eat good carbs (veggies, brown rice etc.) for a four hour period every week or ten days

Stillman's is a FAST -- your body will ADJUST to the lower calories and you will STOP losing weight and you will lower your metabolism and you will go back to your old eating habits if you do not let your bod know everything is o.k. with a refeed...

so...

1. do stillman's for 7-10 days or until the thought of eating meat makes you angry
2. refeed with good carbs... have all the stuff you love for me it's salad packed with veggies
3. go back on stillman's till next refeed
4. rinse & repeat till at goal weight
5. at least WALK every day to take care of your bod

p.s. don't worry about the 2,3,4,5, pound gain after a refeed it's water gain

[mariadonovan]

Hello there! Is it okay if I join in here? I'm looking to do Stillman's until this Sunday (at least!) to drop a few pounds and jump start a new phase of weight loss. I did Atkins induction for about six weeks back in May-June and lost about 20 lbs and cycled a few days of Stillman's in the mix. It wasn't easy eating all that meat without the benefit of rich sauces (which I love!), so I know it'll be a challenge for the next several days.

I go back to work on Monday; my maternity leave is over and it's back to the grind at the office. I could stand to lose more baby weight (*sigh*) so that I can fit into my old work clothes a little better.

Good luck to everyone!

[Lynnehermena]

Good Morning to All

One thing I like about Stillman's QWL is that it works!!! I mean you can feel the weight coming off your body. Meat and eggs......

About long term goals. I think that when I reach my ideal weight I will try to eat more healthy with good carbs like Dr. Oz and others, stress. And also you can't over eat and fill your tummy to bursting. I think that with those strategies you can maintain.

I spent the majority of my life in my 130s and 140s - it was just reckless eating and drinking that ballooned me up. I had become complacent and just kept buying bigger clothes. But now I need to care about me and my health!!! And all of you are inspirational and we help keep each other going strong.

Have a great day.

-Lynne

[IM2fat]

Slatman: Thank you for the info. . it so makes sense!! I may try it to push past this plateau. .

Maria! You will have great success with this program . .after a while, you won't even miss the "sauces". . .


I'm off and running for the day - did not weigh in. . will do that Thursday morning. I plan to shop all day tomorrow and walk, walk, walk. ..

Have a great Tuesday and don't forget to thank a Veteran tomorrow!

[IM2fat]

BTW. .I read an article this morning that said: Statistically people who have a support group lose significantly more weight than those who try to do it alone. They listed on-line support as one of those! How great that we can participate in something for nothing and get so much information. So, lets check in daily and update our progress, you just never know who you are inspiring ~ I would have given up long ago if it wasn't for ya'all. . Thank you for making this such a welcoming place for everyone!

[aleriaaa]

Hi Maria! Glad to have you join us!!

Thanks for the refeed info Slatman! I can only imagine how metabolically challenged I am after doing Stillmans for almost 4 months. I should be afraid. I'm very afraid. I feel absolutely crazy to be scared of a salad.. Gonna continue my plan till I hit 120's...Then I'll be re-introduced to the salad. I miss it so.

I am sooo done with the turkey soup for a while. We had a good run but I just can't slurp another serving of that stuff. I've moved on to pork chops. Sprinkled with s&p, garlic powder, and herbs de provence (thyme,rosmeary,savory). Spray a little Pam on top of the the seasonings so it gets crispy. mmm mmm good. I'm eating the fat too.

The scale....I'm gonna stay away for a few days and hopefully when I hop back on, I'll be in the 130's!

Have a no-cheat day everyone! Forget about any slips before right now!!!

[aleriaaa]

Originally Posted by Getting there!!!

What is crystal light-is it like diet 7up? diet soda?

OH GETTING THERE!!!! Crystal Light is my most favorite edible thing in the world. So many flavors, so thirst quenching. My biggest weakness, for sure. I would mail some to you if artificial sweetners weren't so bad for us. You like water so don't ever even try it, if it becomes available to you. If there was a 12 step support group for the stuff, I'd have to enlist. Just warning you.

[JengerSnaps]

Long meeting at work this morn so a bit late posting but...

B: 2 fried eggs
L: Turkey
Dinner: Turkey & more Turkey (made a 13 pounder last night)

[slatman]

Good Morning
Weight 211

B: Scrambled eggs
L: Hamburger patty & cottage cheese
D: Chicken

[Beth Sch]

OMG! LOL on the Crystal light CRACK HEAD you are Al! I mean, it's good and all that, but... JK!

No, anything sweet has me wrapped around it's finger for sure. Hence having to lose ANY thing sweet!

OKAY GALS! LETS GET VERY SERIOUS HERE! LIKE I'M SAYS WE CAN DO THIS FROM HERE ON OUT! There is not much time left b4 Tday! So, lets stay super strong and determined.

I'm with you, Lynne on the mnts! I want to eat Atkins Induction for a while and incorp all the fats and nice green veggies once I hit 125!

As far as our metabolism goes, I'm not worried. Our bodies are so maliable. We will get it right as rain in no time. Heck, our bodies will LOVE being 40 lbs. lighter! May even live longer!

SO, I'M DOWN .6 TODAY! I'll take it!

BBL

[slatman]

Stillman's was never intended to go over a 30 day period... be careful ladies it's just not worth it... do it smart and you will have greater losses than strict stillman's for extended periods (over 30 days)


and you risk.....
25% reduced metabolic rate
hair loss
dizziness
diarrhea
dry skin

[princessdaisy]

Slatman -- I agree with you. Sillyerin taught me that going too long on VLC screws up your thyroid and your leptin. I'm a big fan of cycling Stillman's with refeeds. But, to be honest, there are VERY few people (Aleriaaa comes to mind) who can make their bodies stay on Stillman's long enough to suffer any adverse side effects. When you have a VERY strong craving, for instance, you body might be wanting what it's been lacking so bad that all the willpower in the world won't keep you from eating off plan (in other words, refeeding).

But more specifically, Slatman, I was wondering if you could give me some advice. I run three times a week: 2 short runs (30 to 35 minutes) and one long run, adding a mile every week. I think I can run the short runs just fine on Stillman's, but what do you think of me doing a Friday or Saturday night refeed for my long run the next morning? Does that give my body enough time (i.e. overnight) to fuel up for 6 plus miles?

p.s. I was UP a pound this morning to 123.5!!! Grrrrrrrrrr? Whyyyyyyyyy? I'm doing Beth's egg-white delight until Friday or Saturday evening.

[aleriaaa]

Originally Posted by slatman

Stillman's was never intended to go over a 30 day period... be careful ladies it's just not worth it... do it smart and you will have greater losses than strict stillman's for extended periods (over 30 days)


and you risk.....
25% reduced metabolic rate
hair loss
dizziness
diarrhea
dry skin

I'm not disagreeing with this but I thought Stillman said to follow QWL until goal? and a patient in his book was on it for at least 4 months? I don't have the books so I'm hoping that someone out there could double-check for me, please?

I'm not suffering from any negative symptoms, yet. I actually had hair loss/dry skin with Atkins in the past. ( I was following induction for longer than two weeks) Anyone else having bad side effects?

I know Slatmans looking out for our best interests so thank you Slatman. I do appreciate it!

[aleriaaa]

Beth!!! You're on the losing train girl! Keep it up!!

[aleriaaa]

Originally Posted by princessdaisy

S When you have a VERY strong craving, for instance, you body might be wanting what it's been lacking so bad that all the willpower in the world won't keep you from eating off plan (in other words, refeeding).

I don't think Im ever craving anything. I honest and truly just want broccoli and lasagna for the fun of it. Im no Stillman super girl, I just really have no control when Im eating yummy foods so I have to keep it strict as can be. I want to be thin so bad, and once and for all. I'm sure if I was exercising like some of you I would definitely need more variety to sustain me, but my small walks and meats are enough to keep me going for now.

Daisy: Meant to say earlier, thanks again for the commandment!

[princessdaisy]

That's why I say that you are the rare exception, Aleriaaa. You ARE a Stillman's SUPERGIRL!!!! And your body has adapted beautifully to that plan. All I'm pointing out is that MOST people can only take a low-fat meat diet for so long. But the wonderful part of refeeds is that a cheat doesn't mean the end of the world. Just jump right back on Stillman's and keep going (probably with even faster results).

BTW: Thank you all for all your thankses (?) regarding the Thin Commandments. I am MORE than happy to pound them out since the concepts are thusly pounded into my brain. So, thank you!

[SillyErin]

Slatman - thumbs up on the refeeds sir! Im with you!

Al - what u have to remember is that even though Stillman info is GREAT - its also OLD. Leptin wasnt discovered until 1994. And thats what we want to increase. (Google Leptin and refeeds)

You have to shake it up...ALL the time. I do it with my diet, I do it with my exercise. If you stay on Stillmans - you will stall. It makes sense. Unless you are eating an insane LOW amount of calories, which becomes starvation and no longer Stillmans.

Thats why people will say "Ive cut everything out, and Im still not losing! I have nothing else to cut but even lower calories"

I would never go longer than 10 days on Stillmans without a refeed. (A refeed is actually like 4 hours, what I do is a free meal) And not because I would be ready to kill someone , but because it would be a waste. Who wants to be strict and eating clean and reep NO benefits?

Not me!

I dont give this advice to hear myself type - Im trying to help cause "been there done that"

You guys need to exercise too. Ive lost inches that never left with dieting alone. I used to be the type to tell you exercise made me gain weight and retain water. I will never diet without exercise ever again, Stillmans is awesome when u pair it with exercise.

[aleriaaa]

Oh yes Daisy, I totally understood. Just giving some meaningless facts about me. thanks for your suggestions everyone. I believe you guys cause I have never been right about dieting!

Hi sillyerin! Glad you made it back to us!! I always listen to your advice, but sometimes Im just stubborn and annoying about following it! I will do my research though and try to move forward to a healthier lifestyle. thx.

[slatman]

Great post Sillyerin!

Aleriaaa -- If you can stick on Stillman's with no ill effects that is great! we do care about you watch everything close!

Princess -- It's the level of activity that is the problem not the distance... in fact stillman's is better for slow and steady than a carb diet...

If you do intervals or have big elevation changes you may need something more... I have found that I can have some low glycemic carbs prior to intense exercise and not have it affect my loss and I do get that "top end" power that is missing on our plan.

Last year when doing a very high intensity weekly saturday group ride I would have a whole grain bagel or a bowl of oatmeal 1 1/2 before and it worked extremely well... I would also take a gel with me in case my energy dropped too much..

using your refeed prior to exercise is a great plan!

[Getting there!!!]

Hi Ladies! and Gent!
Well I'm back on plan today-going to keep it up til Wednesday week! Had 4 boiled eggs. 2 grilled turkey breasts, a bucketfull of water-and some tea! I think I'm with yee on the refeeding thing-think I might start having some salad every so often-it will still only be 20g carbs-and might stop me going insane!

Hi Erin-you found us!! I def agree on the exercise. I really think it is the only thing that works for me. And if I up it, it breaks stalls. And hopefully it cancels out the neg effects on metabolism of low-cal eating! I'm also hoping it wil become part of life so when I eventually get to goal it will be easier to kep the weight off. I keep reading everywhere that that is to secret to successfull maintenance.

Al, you poor thing you had hairloss with Atkins? I've had no side effects at all. Well one weird thing is that Tom is always early-strange. Are you guys taking vitamins?? I've taken nothing at all since I started. Oh and actually come to think about it I do have dizziness a lot with Stillmans-if I get up too quick!

Obviously your egg whites are working Beth!!

Welcome Maria! We're a nice bunch!

Daiy thanks for the comm. and hope you had a good weekend!

I'm with you Al-I'm so glad you guys are here!xx

[aleriaaa]

More meaningless facts about me... To recap, I started QWL on 7/25. I do not eat cheese or eggs. So, its basically meats, little fat, coffee, crystal light, and occasional spirits. I honestly have not strayed from this. No veggie or dessert has touched my lips. Well, there was that one time I had to taste-test a macaroni but I spit it out, I swear.

The refeeds make total sense to me. I felt like sharing this so anyone could decide whether its worth it to them to be so awfully strict.

Weekly Weight loss in pounds....

Week / Pounds Lost
1 = 9
2 = 5
3 = 4
4 = 3
5 = 0
6 = 6
7 = 1
8 = 1
9 = 4
10 = 3
11 = 0
12 = 2
13 = 3
14 = 2
15 = 4
16 = Im expecting at least 2-3!


I'm thinking, I could have lost the same amount with a more varied diet and exercise, for sure.

[Getting there!!!]

Wow Al you lost 47 pounds since 7th July-that is seriously impressive! And even more so is you didn't cheat once-God you are so disciplined!xx

[aleriaaa]

Originally Posted by Getting there!!!

Wow Al you lost 47 pounds since 7th July-that is seriously impressive! And even more so is you didn't cheat once-God you are so disciplined!xx

Thanks! Cheat free for the first time in my life!

[slatman]

Looks like a steady loss al not too much of a calorie deficit to be real harmful...

You made a plan and stuck with it congrats to you 99.99999999 percent of the rest
of us fail to do so..

well there is Denise... so there's two of ya

[princessdaisy]

Thanks, Slatman!

Aleria: That chart is SO cool!!! Thanks for posting your results. Luv it! (Especially the "spirits" part. he, he)

GettingThere: Speaking of luving it -- you're new avatar is the bomb!!!

[lvgal]

Hey all!
May I jump in ?
brief history on me.. started atkins in 2001 at 240 after my son was born. Used to frequent this site under another name.. I forget..LOL. got down to 170. Gained it all back slowly . Would go on every diet imaginable since then. Deciding I couldnt do " low carb" because it just comes back. uh uh. A few years ago after doing low carb seriously for the 2nd time.. and not losing any weight , went to the doc. Blood work showed hypothyroidism. For the last 4 years my levels were still what I thought High but my dr isnt very aggressive. . sooo.. while on the mainland, went to another dr. She was much more aggressive and bumped my meds up 2 levels... this was in May , at 240 or so.
Worked out a lot, eating Low calorie "healthy food" (ie... whole grains, etc...).. and did get down to 225 or so in a few months, but I contribute that to the new meds more than anything. So then.. Ive been doing VLC since mid sep.. with a 3 week break I just came from vacation. Gained back 6 but lost that this last week... so back to prevacation weight (oct 18). Lost 25 pds in that time.. little over a month.. and no exercise ( issues... ugh) soooooooooo......
I read on one of the threads a gal mentioned vlc is very much like stillmans and to come check you all out. Im starting to read more about Stillmans to see what Im doing thats different and maybe what can help
My stats are in my siggy...
right now im pretty much eating 2 eggs and bacon for breakfast, a piece of meat or nothing for lunch , then a meat for dinner.. not low fat tho. Stillmans is low fat? correct? I also have 2 cups of coffee with 1 packet of splenda daily as my ' cheat" . Otherwise... only water for me.. probably about 80 oz a day.. at least.. probably more.

I hope to get to know you all and enjoy your posts and enthusiasm.

Oh.. ps. I am going to recommit to working out even tho I dont have my beloved treadmill anymore. I did the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred yesterday and about died! LOL. And I have a lot of stamina so im impressed I was sweating in 5 min.. its NOT low impact tho, so kinda tough on the knees.

[princessdaisy]

The Tenth Thin Commandment: Losing Weight Is Half the Job; Keeping It Off Is the Other Half

Commandment Essentials:
*Remember to think historically, not just calorically
*Keep in mind that even though you’ve lost weight, you haven’t lost your vulnerability
*Stick to strategies and planning so you stay in control
*Throw out all your larger-size clothing
*Keep problem foods you have a history of abusing out of your house
*Set a weight ceiling and defend it
*Keep a photo of yourself at your heaviest weight
*Keep a food diary
(151)

Warning: as the pounds fade, so does the pain and discomfort that gave you the focus to lose them! If you don’t find a way to maintain you new habits, you might find yourself starting all over again.
(152)

Why Do So Many People Flunk Maintenance? -- We’re all vulnerable to the normal human tendency to let down our guard when we no longer feel threatened. The human psyche is programmed to forget pain. Our minds distance us from unpleasant experiences with the passage of time. It’s part of our psychological survival mechanism. So how do you survive on maintenance when the pain and discomfort that inspired weight is a thing of the past?…In truth, there may be a beginning and an end to weight loss, but never to weight control…All the studies show that the winners at weight control don’t just lose weight. They make real, tangible changes in their thinking…Some who flunk maintenance lose the structure of their eating. And what is a diet but a structured way of eating?…[Also] Some studies have shown that people who choose from a variety of foods will eat 50 percent more than those given a single food…when something tastes great, the tendency is not to moderate but to finish.
(152 - 154)

Once the weight goes, the Thin Commandments still apply. And for maintenance, in particular, never forget the second one: Think Historically, Not Just Calorically. Forgetting this commandment is perhaps the greatest reason why so many who get an “A” on weight loss flunk maintenance. Many maintainers shift back into caloric thinking alone. The weight is gone, and they wonder, “What’s wrong with just a taste of this or that food?”…if you have a history of abusing that food, taking a taste reactivates the craving memory. If you have to fight cravings and hunger every day, how can you expect to control your weight?

Winning At Maintenance: Winners at maintenance let the process be the goal. To live your life in control of food is the process and the new goal of maintenance. If you don’t have the power over food, you’ll never be in command of your weight… Successful dieters know they’ve lost their weight, not their vulnerability. Just b/c you lost 20 0r 30 pounds, your taste buds haven’t changed. You still have the same number of fat cells. You still have the same personality. Most important, you still have the same history with the foods that made you heavy!…The only way to lose the problem is to realize you never lose the vulnerability.
(155)

Feeling above temptation is a red flag on maintenance. Because the moment you believe you’re secure, you run the risk of thinking, “Why do I need strategies and planning? That’s when the enemy of thin rushes in: complacency. Only by knowing you’re being tempted can you resist temptation. Sometimes the greatest temptation of all is the temptation to become complacent.
(156)

10 Tips for Keeping the Weight Off
1) Wear form-fitting or tight clothes! When you reach maintenance, you should have one size, and one size only, of clothing. I’ve found that nothing sounds the warning siren faster or motivates people to act with greater haste than when their clothing gets too tight!
2) Keep problem foods you have a history of abusing out of you home
3) Set a weight ceiling and defend it. Pick a number -- typically about 3 pounds for women, 5 pounds for men -- and don’t let your weight go above it -- ever.
4) Weight yourself every day (or Monday, Wednesday, and Friday if daily weighing drives you nuts)
5) Weight yourself on the Maintenance New Scale: Take the following quiz once a week after you’ve reached maintenance. If you answer “yes” to four of the questions, it’s an early warning you’re slipping into bad habits. If you answer “yes” to five or more questions, you’re in danger of regaining the weight -- even if your scale hasn’t started to rise yet…Remember, slips should teach, not defeat:
*Am I eating any foods that I have a consistent history of abusing?
*Am I getting sloppy about my behavioral strategies and failing to plan?
*Am I eating too much of the right foods?
*Am I nibbling again on whatever foods are around?
*Am I being negligent about weighing myself regularly and guarding my weight ceiling?
*Am I keeping problem foods out of the house?
*Am I skipping meals or snacks or going longer than 4 hours w/o eating?
*Are my clothes tight?
*Am I allowing my moods to dictate my foods?
*Am I skipping exercising frequently during the week?
6) Exercise: It gives you structure and control…A study of more than 32,000 dieters by Consumer Reports magazine found that “regular exercise was the number one successful weight-loss maintenance strategy”
7) Keep a photo of yourself at your heaviest weight; for added emphasis place it next to a picture of you at you lightest weight.
8) Keep a food diary
9) Give yourself clear boundaries: Boundaries are a strong structure for your eating behavior. A major study of the winners found that 88 percent limited some type or classes of food. Another 45 percent limited the quantities of the foods they ate. Remember, if you don’t have a good history of limiting a particular food, avoid it.
10) Go beyond the food reward system: Some of my clients reward themselves with new clothes. Others enjoy a trip to a spa, a new necklace, or a weekend getaway with friends. These are material rewards. A far more meaningful reward occurs each morning when they look in the mirror and see a trim body.
(158 -164)

The 10 Biggest Maintenance Busters
1) Skipping meals. Special bulletin: A new study indicates that the number one behavior that leads people to gain weight is skipping meals!
2) Nibbling: The three meals and two or three snacks on my eating plan gives you structure. Nibbling destroys structure.
3) Eating too much of the right foods
4) Reactivating cravings
5) Letting the supply of healthy food run out
6) The add-on effect: Simply b/c your excluding or limiting foods, you have a history of abusing doesn’t mean you can add on one new food after another to your diet…On maintenance, people tend to practice “one-way mathematics” -- only addition. They forget about subtraction, substitution, or division.
7) Returning to mood eating: Feeling in control in your own life can be a bulletproof vest against the slings and arrows of life’s annoyances and misfortunes
8) Creep syndrome: Weight gain is a slow and subtle process that often goes undetected
9) Failing to plan: Always remember you ThinPack!
10) Tommorowisms: Once someone grows accustomed to the greater variety on maintenance, they often resist returning to lighter food even if their weight starts going up…Remember, the more you say “tomorrow,” the more you’ll weight tomorrow.

There is only one way to achieve permanent weight loss, and that is to make a lasting change in your eating habits. This is the truth. It would be far easier for me to say to each of you, “All foods in moderation.” And that’s what I would wish for all people. But as I’ve said throughout this chapter, that’s not the behavior of all people. The statement “all foods in moderation” is only for those who are given to moderation and whose history bears this out. For the rest of us, strategy comes first. If you follow the strategies in this commandment, whether you choose my diet or any other weight program, one thing is certain: You’ll do maintenance in a new way and get a fresh result -- success. Most important, you’ll hear the compliment most diets never hear -- “You’ve kept it off!” Then you’ll know you’ve not only lost the weight, you’ve also lost the problem.
(165 - 172)

In the spirit of the 10 Commandments, I say HALLELUJAH!!!!! (it’s over.) But, seriously, these commandments REALLY help if you follow them. Like I said before, they helped me ward off a binge last Saturday. Yay!

[Getting there!!!]

Hi Daisy! Thanks for the comm.. I'm gonna start reading them over again to keep me motivated. Hope my cupcake won't give me cravings!

Welcome Sheri! You'll love Stillmans! xx

[princessdaisy]

Welcome, Sheri, to the team!!! Go, Stillman's-erzzz!

GettingThere: That's why I like you're avatar --it's a cupcake out of felt so not exactly mouthwatering, but adorable nonetheless!