Adventures in Carb Cycling

[GME]

Hey Twyla

Well, I did it. I just got done registering for a half marathon on 11/15/09 at 7:00 (a.m., as in really early). I'll be 43 and it's our 23rd wedding anniversary.

I ordered the race specific training plan, I'll probably just ignore the nutrition advice. I feel like I've got that pretty well dialed in for the amount I'm running now and I have time to figure it out as I start going longer.

I have 7 months. I guess I went from zero miles and no speed to 3.2 miles in that amount of time. Wish me (and my knees) luck.

[GME]

Friday 4/10

Spring break is here. We're headed for the folks this afternoon and will come home Sunday night. Then I have a whole glorious week to run, do some more arranging & fixing up around the house and put in my garden.

I had a fabulous run this morning. I went a new route from my house- down through the neighborhood, took the back way into a beach campground (where I found a drinking fountain and a bathroom just in case), down the beach stairs (high bluff here- looks like 5-6 flights), down the beach about 1.5 miles and then back. BACK up the stairs and then home. I live at the top of a hill so I walked the last half mile or so.

It was rainy & wet when I started out, but the running gods smiled on me with sunshine and six sand dollars.

I had good energy, no lead legs and no bogged-down-in-the-belly feeling. I made some oatmeal with pecans, butter and cranberries last night about 9:00, ate half and went to be about 10:30. I warmed up the other half this morning and hit the road about 7:45. Felt perfect. Don't get me wrong, I am still verrrryyy slllooowwww (got passed by 2 or 3 people) but I am OK with that. I think my "training program" for now is up my miles, build stamina and lose weight.

I haven't been on the Wii for an official weigh-in, but the wonky scale is still up a couple of pounds.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]It was rainy & wet when I started out,
but the running gods smiled on me with sunshine and six sand dollars.[/COLOR]



Happy Easter, Gina.

[GME]

"Don't confuse what should be with what is."

Wise words a dear friend learned from her dad and passed on to me. I think I have a big case of the Should Bes.

I had a lot of time to think this weekend (hours in the car with a non-chatty DH and kids plugged into iPods will do that to you).

*I am eating better than I ever have in my life, and better than most of the people I know (even the thin ones), so I should be losing weight steadily.

*I run about 5 hours a week. That should be all the exercise I need to tone up and lose weight.

*I have good advice from successful people ( Twyla). I should be able to do what they do and have it work the same way for me.

The problem is the should bes are not matching reality.

I posted last week about my "runniversary" (which I am still extremely proud of), but when looking back at the dates I've noticed I have only lost 28 lbs in the last year. That's 2.33 pounds per MONTH. I know its better than no loss or gaining, but for all the effort I put in, and at 200 lbs, I would think a little more would be reasonable. It should be. That started me thinking.

There is another poster I've "followed" around the boards and we've joked about how we're weight-loss-twins. We have the same starting weight, same height, same goal (because its what we weighed in HS) and are both slow losers. She has tried many tweaks and adjustments with a little success and is now doing a calorie cycling plan where you alternate a very low calorie day (a % of your manitenance cals), with an "Up Day." The book its based on (I gather from the website as I haven't read it) says eat whatever you want on the up day, but she and the other folks following it here still keep low to mod carb.

I really believe cycling is the answer for me, but my body just isn't handling the high carb cycling well. If I do high carb, low fat I'm starving and its sets off cravings. If I do high carb, high (or higher) fat, I'm not starving but I feel like crud and it sets off cravings. Another part of the problem I have is since I can't eat wheat products because of my allergy, there just aren't that many high carbs things I WANT to eat (well, I could choke down candy and ice cream, but that really isn't the right thing to do).

My "weight-loss-twin" and I have been neck-and-neck with our losses for over a year, but since she started the JUDDD cycling she has been steadily creeping ahead of me. I logged on yesterday morning and she is down to 190 and says she lost 12 lbs last month after almost nothing for months. So I decided to give it a try.

I had my first down day yesterday and it went OK. I didn't try to run, but I did do the upper body workout on that new Kathy Smith video I bought.

That brings me to another should be. My bottom half is improving nicely, but I still have the batwings. Running isn't going to do it all for me, so I broke out the weights yesterday. Are you cheering out loud Twyla? I know this is the day you have been waiting for.

Anyway, I finished my oatmeal and need to get out for my run. If anyone out there has made it to the end of this, have a great day!

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

[COLOR="Sienna"]NEWSFLASH!
BREAKING NEWS!
GINA BROKE OUT THE WEIGHTS!


[/COLOR]

Gina, I hope your new calorie-cycling WOE strategy works for you. I tremble at the thought of a 500-calorie cap, even for only a day. Maybe one day a week for me, if they locked me up in a room with no windows. Apparently it's not as bad as it sounds. You're still breathing. And even with the workout!

I'm anxious to see if this is your ticket.

[GME]

Hey Twyla, I have those DOMS I see you post about!

The 500 cals was tough yesterday, but I didn't really have many of the right foods handy. I had a protein shake about 11:00 a.m. and then fish w/ peach salsa (that was good) & broccoli for dinner right after my weights workout.

I went shopping yesterday afternoon and got some LF cottage cheese and yogurt, soups, shrimp, chicken patties and some other low cal stuff. I'm trying to stay focused on protein on the DDs. I also got some almond milk to make my protein shakes. I'll save 50 calories per shake that way. DH used to be a highcountry backpacker. He would shave ounces off his gear like that. I've seen him cut the handle off his toothbrush to save weight in his pack.

All the JUDDD folks say the first DD is the hardest. It wasn't that bad and its only three days a week. It will be worth it if it works. I'm hoping not to mess up my metabolism since it isn't daily and I'll still be shooting for over 100 grams of protein (made 98 yesterday I think). We'll see. I may not need to stay at 500 cals either. They have a formula based on your maintainance calories, they recommend 500 for two weeks to get you started (like Atkins induction I guess).

I just got in from my run. My energy was down a little, but not too bad at all. When school starts again I'll be running about 8 hours later than I did today on the up days, so my breakfast and lunch will have time to sink in.

I worked out a little schedule for myself:

Monday- DD, weights in the morning before work, followed by a protein shake
Tuesday- UD, run in the evening
Wednesday- DD, weights and protein shake again
Thursday- UD, run
Friday- DD, weights
Sat & Sun- Medium days, higher carb for the 12 or so hours before my long run (whenever that falls with the family goings on and the tide)

Oh, and the most important thing of all..... 13 sand dollars! A new one day record for me!

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by GME

DH used to be a highcountry backpacker. He would shave ounces off his gear like that. I've seen him cut the handle off his toothbrush to save weight in his pack.

Sounds like my brother to a T! He's one of those too!

Gina, I'm all eyes/ears.

Hoping this works for you.

You gotta love those DOMS!

[GME]

Wednesday 4/16

I just posted this over on the JUDDD thread:

I'm back in for another DD today! My UD went great yesterday:

Calories 1,819
Fat 88.0 790 40 %
Carbohydrate 167.0 658 33 %
Dietary Fiber 20.1
Protein 128.6 524 27 %

My calories weren't very "up" (for me anyway), but my carbs were. I ate when I was hungry and ate what I felt like (within reason) and that's where they fell. I had a oatmeal, bacon & eggs, a turkey sandwich on sprouted wheat bread, an apple, cottage cheese and a bowl of Cheerios.

I went on a good run/climb (I call it a run/climb because I live above the beach. Getting down is easy, but coming back involves about 5 flights of stairs up the bluff and a long, gradual hill back to my house). Under this flab I probably have the best looking butt in town. I just started working with free weights and I'm planning an upper body workout today.

I took a peek at the scale this morning and my weight held steady. Hopefully I can get back to my siggy weight with another DD.

I haven't figured out what I'm going to eat today beyond a protein shake after the weights. I have a gallon of iced tea and a big pot of coffee brewing right now though. I know I'll be drinking!

Have a great day everyone!

It was interesting to have a peek at the wonky scale this morning. No gain from yesterday. My cals weren't very high for me, but I just ate intuitively. I don't want to use UDs as an excuse to go overboard or I will have just found another mantainance plan. I guess that's the positive side to losing sssooooo ssssllloooowwwwlllyyyy- I KNOW how to maintain. I've been doing it for months at a time.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Your calories weren't high at all yesterday, Gina. Or maybe 1800ish is high for JUDDDD?

Staying tuned.

[GME]

Originally Posted by WATCH-ME-SHRINK

Your calories weren't high at all yesterday, Gina. Or maybe 1800ish is high for JUDDDD?

Staying tuned.

No, my calories weren't high at all. I just ate pretty much when and what I felt like eating and that's where they wound up. I was planning a bigger dinner, but then our plans changed and we were headed for a restaurant I don't care for and just ate at home.

Truth be told, I haven't actually made the calculations I am supposed to- its all based on BMR. I figured I go with the 500 cal DDs and eat-to-hunger UDs to get a feel for it and make adjustments as I go.

I was thinking about it today and part of what is happening is I bought lower cal foods and now that is what I have- LF cottage cheese instead of regular, 0% Fage instead of full fat. That's part of the problem I had with your way of cycling. I had a hard time making the switch between the reg fat and low fat stuff.

It is a learning process, that's for sure. I feel good though, I can still run and I did another weight workout today. If it works it will be worth it.

[GME]

OK, I went to the "official" website and they had a little calculator. I plugged in my height, weight, activity level, age and the DD % I wanted to follow. They started at 20% (the UD stays the same, no matter what % you choose for the DD). I guess the lower your DD, the faster you are supposed to lose.

At 20% my DDs s/b 509 and UDs 2537
At 25% my DD's s/b 637 and UDs the same

I guess I'll shoot for between 500-600 on DD's and the 2500 on UDs (I'll be putting real butter in my SC oats tomorrow before my run, I'm thinkin' steak for dinner). The 2500 days will give me a chance to get some extra protein in since I haven't been able to get over 100 grams on either DD.

Twyla, I bet you know this,

???Will protein carryover like that? If I have a high protein snack before bed help me any if I lift 8 hours later in the morning????

I'll still have a protein shake right after.

Today's totals:

Calories 596
Fat 19.9 178 31 %
Carbohydrate 22.0 83 14 %
Dietary Fiber 4.3
Protein 79.6 316 55 %

I had about 20 calories worth of dill pickles and some salsa on my chicken burger dinner that I didn't add in. I did get hungry in the afternoon, but the training guide for my half marathon came in the mail and distracted me. There is a whole section on weight training for runners. They say I need a lower body workout too. Isn't running enough?! I know, I know....

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Gina, first, before I forget (my brain is just waking up), I've always said that you've eaten too few cals based on your PERCEIVED BMR (IMO) and your activitiy level. And I firmly believe that eating too few cals too often is one of your culprits. Sermon over.

Next, yes, protein before bed is always a good thing. Your body will draw on that protein in the night, a time when our metab is doing its HGH thang, and lean protein (casein is best, such as cottage cheese) is ideal for aiding in that process. In fact, there are some bodybuilders who will intentionally get up in the middle of the night to have a lean protein snack for this VERY reason.

Casein protein is a good source of essential amino acids and it has anti-catabolic properties which reduce muscle protein breakdown. Whey protein, though better than nothing, does not have as great effect because it's digested more quickly than casein protein. Casein, digested more slowly, offers a timed release effect to the preservation of our muscle tissue.

Yes, protein before bed, and if a shake is easier, preferred, go for the shake. Have your protein.

[COLOR="DarkOrange"]"Bartender, can I get another whey protein shake over here!"[/COLOR]

[GME]

Originally Posted by WATCH-ME-SHRINK

[FONT="Franklin Gothic Medium"]Gina, first, before I forget (my brain is just waking up), I've always said that you've eaten too few cals based on your [COLOR="Magenta"]PERCEIVED BMR (IMO)[/COLOR] and your activitiy level. And I firmly believe that eating too few cals too often is one of your culprits.

You're right, I know. That is the thing that worries me about this. I'm hoping the UDs (even though my first one wasn't very "up") will keep the whole starvation thing from happening. If it does, I'll adjust, adapt and try something new.

Do you think my BMR (you said "PERCEIVED BMR") is off? All I've ever done is plug my numbers into FitDay or the JUDDD calculator. I realize its all subjective (exactly what does "moderate" exercise mean to each person) and it always SEEMS high to me. When I was heavier and just started running a good amount, FitDay was telling me 2900 cals a day. That is a lot to eat without drinking bacon grease.

I just really want to find a plan I can manage (and I can't handle complicated) that works. I kept telling myself I was OK with slow losses, I was making improvements in other ways- and that really was true- until the idea of long road races entered my head. I just can't see hauling 200 lbs 13.1 (or 26.2!) miles.

Thanks for the protein info. I have a little concoction I adapted from one of your concoctions with cottage cheese, vanilla protein powder, strawberries and sunflower seed kernals that would be yummy before bed.

Some good scale news this morning... back down to my siggy weight. I had bounced right back up and stayed there after the initial low (Easter weekend at my mom's helped prop it up). Looking for new, fresh pounds now!

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Gina,

I'm cheering for ya girl!

Bacon grease!!!! You crack me up.

Okay, I understand your reservations. But I feel that you need to be eating on higher days close to 2000-2100 calories MINIMUM. At least for a while. Think about the cals you burn off in your runs. Then factor in total daily expenditure, routine stuff you do that burns cals; factor in muscle you've built AND WANT TO PRESERVE, and finally, your stats. If you dip too low for too long or for too many days, your body will fight to keep the fat. Don't you see? It's winning that fight too many days. It's time to step up and take charge. Be the champion.

Keep up with the focus. Anxious to see how the new WOE pans out for you. But realizing that you now have INTENTIONAL down days, and baby, those are DOWN days, then by all means, get those calories up there on your high days. You'll never know till you give it a fair shake.

Feed that body. Burn the fat.

[GME]

Thursday evening 4/16

I just posted this on the JUDD thread:

Well, I certainly had my UD. Everything was delish and I came in right where the JUDD site said I should.

Calories 2,506
Fat 176.4 1,568 63 %
Carbohydrate 100.2 389 16 %
Protein 126.4 520 21 %

I had oatmeal with pecans and raisins for breakfast, A bbq'd burger on sprouted wheat bread for lunch and a big dinner with a rib eye steak, broccoli salad (the kind with bacon and sunflower seeds- I make it myself and use Splenda in the dressing instead of sugar) and a small red potato with sour cream and butter. I have some TJ dark chocolate waiting for me when I get off here.

I had a great run this morning and when I plugged it into FitDay it said I used 3300 calories today That jives with the JUDD site- Fitday said 2500 for "normal" activity and BMR and 800 cals for the run.

I went to Trader Joe's this afternoon and was a big, fat copycat of what Kisha buys. I even got some hummus. I have never eaten hummus, ever. But I will tomorrow. That and 45 calorie hot dogs.

This doesn't feel like a diet. It will tomorrow, but I am OK with that if it works. I'll worry about that tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day (I wish I could type in a cheesy southern accent).

It sure felt like a lot of food while it was going down, but it's what they say. I'm going to try to give the plan a fair shot within the realm of low to mod carbs- they say to whatever you want. You know what though? I did eat what I wanted. I can't really think of anything I would have liked to have that I didn't. Very satisfying. I could have gone higher on protein. Tweak, tweak, tweak.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

[COLOR="DarkOrange"]Tomorrow is another day (I wish I could type in a cheesy southern accent).[/COLOR]

(And I wish I knew what your idea of a cheesy southern accent is!)


Glad the day went well for you.

[GME]

Originally Posted by WATCH-ME-SHRINK

(And I wish I knew what your idea of a cheesy southern accent is)

Scarlett O'Hara's. It's a line (quite possibly misquoted since it's been awhile) from Gone With the Wind.

I think she really said "I'm too tired to think about that today. I'll think about that tomorrow." I repeat it to myself sometimes. To me it means, you can't do and solve everything at one time. Let some stuff go until later.

I also depend upon the words of Dorie (the Ellen DeGeneres fish with short-term memory loss in Finding Nemo) "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Swimming, swimming, just keep swimming." I use that on myself when I am tackling something big and it's too much to think about the whole thing. Just keep making baby steps toward the goal, do what you have to do right now and it will happen.

Anyway, enough of my chantings. I posted this on the JUDDD thread:

Good morning all.

I had a little happy news this morning- I am down a fresh, new, never-before-seen 0.7 of a pound.

I didn't stay to 500 cals yesterday (which I am OK with, >800 is still pretty low), but instead of thinking carefully and making good fuel choices and just grazed on stuff that seemed low cal. So my protein was low for me. I didn't do any running or anything strenuous though. I guess the lesson here is if I am going to eat so little, it all needs to be good, high quality food.

Calories 785
Fat 38.1 336 43 %
Carbohydrate 43.1 172 22 %
Protein 67.2 272 35 %

Today is scheduled to be a "medium day." How do the rest of you figure a medium day? My UD cals are 2500 and My DD cals are 500 at 20% and 625 at 25%. I am thinking 2000-2100.

So I have lost about 5 lbs in all this week. 4 were bounce and temporary pounds and I would have ditched at least part of them anyway, so that leaves me with a real pound down.

We drained the spa last night (it still had the water from the previous owner of the house in it. It has been running so it wasn't too dirty, but ewwww, stranger cooties). We went to the spa store and figured out all the junk that has to be done to it and hopefully by tonight we will have a clean, fresh, warm spa to sit it in. It will sure feel nice after a good workout.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by GME

I also depend upon the words of Dorie (the Ellen DeGeneres fish with short-term memory loss in Finding Nemo) "Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Swimming, swimming, just keep swimming." I use that on myself when I am tackling something big and it's too much to think about the whole thing. Just keep making baby steps toward the goal, do what you have to do right now and it will happen.

That's good stuff. The mind games we play for focus, for charging ahead, pushing through -- they're so essential. So many strategies. It's all part of that "visualization" process, no matter the task in front of us.

Congrats on your fresh new loss!

I envy you once more....that warm spa sounds great. I would rudely invite myself over to join you if I was your neighbor.

Have a great day.

[GME]

Saturday evening 4/18

I just posted this on the JUDDD thread:

I finished my first "medium day." It just seemed like a regular LC day with a few more carbs (two pieces of sprouted wheat toast with a little grape jelly at breakfast). My original plan was to do another MD tomorrow and a DD again on Monday. I'm rethinking the set down days though, since if we go out to eat it's usually on Friday and that would always be a DD. Hmmmm.

Calories 2,102
Fat 132.9 1,188 57 %
Carbohydrate 82.6 326 16 %
Protein 141.5 573 27 %

It's great to see how well this is working for everyone. Congratulations on the bagel victory Leo!

I guess I'll see how I feel in the morning and then decide if it will be another MD or a DD.

I'm not scheduled to run again yet, but I think I might just to wear my muscles out enough to really appreciate the spa. I am also planning to start the new garden tomorrow too. That might tucker me out enough. Although I saw the weather earlier and it's supposed to be 87 degrees tomorrow. That just doesn't happen much here.

I just finished a book about a non-runner who ran a marathon for charity. She asked her friends and relatives to write her little notes she could read during the race to keep her motivated. She said a friend wrote her one that said:

"Just keep running. Just keep running. Running, running, just keep running."

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by GME

[COLOR="DarkOrange"]"Just keep running. Just keep running. Running, running, just keep running."[/COLOR]

Um-hm. Nice familiar ring.
I sooooooo get it.

Good stuff.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Gina, was reading today, came across this snipet that I thought you might appreciate:

[COLOR="YellowGreen"]

What's the Right Protein Portion for You?

According to Susan Kleiner, Ph.D., RD, FACN, CNS, FISSN, author of Power Eating, the variation comes with a person's energy intake and fitness goals.
For example, muscle-building activities require more protein than endurance activities. "When energy intakes are adequate then protein requirements are stable, but when energy intake is deficient, protein needs increase," shares Kleiner. Depending on which category you fall into, here's how your protein needs shape up:

Muscle Building: 1.8 to 2.2 gr per kilogram of BW daily
Endurance Athlete: 1.2 to 1.4
Weight Loss: 1. to 2.0

1 Pound = 0.45359237 Kilograms

[/COLOR]

[GME]

Originally Posted by WATCH-ME-SHRINK

[CENTER]Muscle Building: 1.8 to 2.2 gr per kilogram of BW daily
Endurance Athlete: 1.2 to 1.4
Weight Loss: 1. to 2.0

That's good information. I weigh about 90kilos, so mid weight-loss is 1.5 (which covers me for endurance athelete too) and would be 135. That's much more doable than the gram per pound I kept frustrating myself with. Still hard to reach with JUDDDing on down days though.

Speaking of, I found some precooked chicken breasts today with 33 grams of protein. They are Raleys/Nob Hill/ Bel Air brand. I don't know if you have that chain nearby, but when I saw the protein count I thought of you.

Down Day totals:

Calories 593
Fat 23.9 215 37 %
Carbohydrate 9.8 39 7 %
Protein 82.6 330 56 %

I didn't run, lift weights or any other "workout" today. I did, however, till the ground for a new garden... hard ground.... with my little rotatiller... outside... and it was 90. It would have been much easier to run.

It's cooled off now and the nice, warm spa is calling me. I'll answer it when I get off here and eat my 33 grams of poultry protein.

Have a good week!

[GME]

Monday 4/20

I hit a new low this morning... 196.7. My week of JUDDDing took my bounce and Easter pounds and one new, fresh one.

Sunday was a down day. It really went pretty smoothly. It seems to be getting easier everytime. I had two eggs and a little bacon for breakfast (a pretty usual weekend breakfast), went out and spent some quality time with my tiller in the garden, had a protein shake fixed with ice in the afternoon and a chicken breast for dinner.

Calories 593
Fat 23.9 215 37 %
Saturated 3.1 28 5 %
Polyunsaturated 1.4 12 2 %
Monounsaturated 3.8 34 6 %
Carbohydrate 9.8 39 7 %
Protein 82.6 330 56

Today was an UD:

B- protein shake & sausage
S- Fage & blueberries
L- turkey sandwich on sprouted wheat bread
S- cottage cheese, van protein powder & strawberries
D- hamburger on more SWB, small ear of corn & SF ice cream

Calories 2,425
Fat 125.8 1,119 47 %
Carbohydrate 148.2 589 25 %
Protein 171.0 688 29 %

I am feeling full and satisfied. I just don't see how my body can think it's starving. I should probably read the JUDDD book, I've just gotten snipets here and there of the science behind the plan- how your body "resets" itself, but not for 36-48 (?) hours so the DDs don't send you into 'starvation' mode.

Its supposed to be cooler tomorrow. I have some plants to get in the garden after school.

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Gina,

Congrats on that new pound loss, girl!

Are you getting the hang of this or what?

I appreciate the tip on the chicken. I haven't heard of it, but I'll ask around. I am always eager to find new yummy sources of lean protein.

Enjoying reading your progress and experiences. Hope things go well for you today.

Blessings.

[GME]

Wednesday 4/22

Another half pound down today! 196.2

Yesterday was a DD, my first since coming back to school and it was tough. I posted this on the JUDDD thread:

I'm winding down another DD and this one was hard. It was my first one since going back to work after spring break. I am used to breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner at regular times. It seems like it would be easier at work than home... but it wasn't. The cals in my planned foods were fine, but I had a few carrots and some hummus at a b.o.r.i.n.g meeting and now my son is baking cookies. I think I'll go get a Diet Pepsi and plan to eat one of those cookies for breakfast (even though I probably won't really do it).

Totals didn't come in too bad. I didn't count the carrots and hummus:

Calories 640
Fat 15.0 135 22 %
Carbohydrate 20.0 80 13 %
Protein 102.0 408 65 %

Today is an up day and I had some sausage and a tiny cookie for breakfast. I found myself with some extra time and stopped for a SF mocha. I have Fage & blueberries for snack and an apple & tuna sandwich for lunch. Some cottage cheese and a Babybel as needed. The heat seems to have broken, so I will probably get out for a run tonight.

[GME]

Thursday 4/23

Having a much better DD today. Just posted this on the JUDDD board:

I'm not as strict LC on my up days as I would normally be- maybe around 100 carbs. I am also doing LC as much for the health benefits as weight loss.

This DD is going much better for me (I had a hard time with the last one since it was my first DD at work). I had coffee w/ a little NF milk in the morning, a light Babybel about 11:00, tomato bisque with some shrimp in it at 12:45 and I'll have some chicken tonight for dinner. That comes in at 495 cals.

I ordered the book from Amazon. I hope to learn more about the science behind why this works. I am really liking it. There is always something to look forward to each day. On the UDs there is the yummy stuff to eat. On the DDs there is the probability of a new loss. It keeps things exciting!

I may kick myself hard for this later, but I think I just may sign up for graduate school. They have a two year program that works with my district and at the end I'll come out with a master's and an admin credential. I almost did it two years ago, if I did I would be done next month. Eeeek, the work!

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by GME

I am really liking it. There is always something to look forward to each day. On the UDs there is the yummy stuff to eat. On the DDs there is the probability of a new loss. It keeps things exciting!

I may kick myself hard for this later, but I think I just may sign up for graduate school. They have a two year program that works with my district and at the end I'll come out with a master's and an admin credential. I almost did it two years ago, if I did I would be done next month. Eeeek, the work!

[COLOR="DarkOrange"]Go for it, Gina.

Congrats on your success with JUDDDD.[/COLOR]

[GME]

Friday 4/24

The dawn of another up day (OK, its 8:30, not really dawn). I just posted this on the JUDDD thread:

I got on the scale this morning after my DD yesterday and I am up a half a pound. Realistically I know I can't lose every day, but I sure want to! The good news is my stomach area is noticably smaller and I am swimming in my pants. Everything I have lost on JUDDD seems to have come from right around my middle

Today is an UD. I had a sprouted wheat bagel and cream cheese for breakfast, packed a tuna sandwich for lunch and don't know about dinner yet.

I'm testing the higher carb on UD waters with the sw bagel & bread. My last UD was fairly high carb too (about 200) and I didn't lose this morning, but that's hardly enough time to judge. I'm in the middle of TOM too, so all bets are really off. If I don't lose something after my next DD I think I'll pull back on the carbs and maybe try again later.

The sw bread sure is convienient if I can make it work for me. When I first figured out I could eat it without symptoms I didn't buy it because it was so darned expensive and I had to keep it in the fridge (I don't like cold bread). But now I found a Trader Joe's brand that tastes great, is priced reasonably and will last a few days in the bread drawer.

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Friday evening

The kitchen's closed for the night. Today's totals:

Calories 2,400
Fat 125.6 1,115 47 %
Carbohydrate 191.0 749 32 %
Dietary Fiber 21.0
Protein 126.6 503 21 %

The carbs are higher than I had planned. 30 or so came from a protein bar w/ SAs I keep stashed in my desk for emergencies- I had a hunger emergency this afternoon. I loved the bagel this morning, but since I had it I didn't have much protein at breakfast and that set me back for the day.

I have really noticed a change in my body comp lately and have received several compliments. I'm going to write them down so I can revisit them if I need to later.

*We had a hot spell so I got some sun on my runs and broke out the light clothes so my partners have started calling me "Summertime Barbie" (I'm the tallest and blondest of our little group).

*Another teacher told me "you just look so healthy and... well.... just great."

*A gal I don't see too often saw me at a meeting on one of those hot days (where I had to lose an overshirt, jackety thing) and told me "You're rockin' that tank top."

*Our spring staff picture came this week and I went to hang it up over last year's (April 08) and I can really tell a difference in my face (big group photo so I can't see much body)... and a really, really huge change over the April 07 photo.

I've lost weight several times before, but this time just feels different. It's not just weight lost, its health gained.

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Originally Posted by WATCH-ME-SHRINK

I appreciate the tip on the chicken. I haven't heard of it, but I'll ask around. I am always eager to find new yummy sources of lean protein.

Another Protein PSA:

I like tuna, but I didn't think it was going to work for DDs since I like it mixed with a generous amount of mayo. Well, I found some little pouches of flavored tuna that are good straight. They're call Tuna Creations by Starkist. I got a hickory smoke flavored one and ate it on a couple of rye Wasa crackers on my last DD. The info for a full pouch (I don't see tearing one open and not finishing it off):

Calories 200.0
Calories from Fat 54.0
Fat 6.0 g 9 %
Carbohydrate 0.0 g 0 %
Dietary Fiber 0.0 g 0 %
Protein 35.0 g 70 %

No refrigeration or cooking needed. I think I'll keep a couple in my desk. I had it with crackers, but I could see tearing it open and eating it with a fork in a pinch.