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MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Reducing portions really didn't work out today - oh well.

I found that by consciously trying to cut back on how much I eat, I automatically went into 'diet mode' and thought about food pretty much all day. I kept thinking about what I could eat and when I could eat next etc. It was...not appealing.

I'm not ready to give up yet because I think I DO eat more than I need to but I'm going to cut back very slowly as I don't want to have to think about food all the time - after all, that's the beauty of ZC.

Again, we'll see how it goes - If it doesn't work - no big deal, I'll just go back to being a ZC pig and hopefully keep slowly losing.

I did manage to drag myself and do some exercising tonight, I've GOT to keep that up. I really do hate it though Mad

kateryna · Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:20 pm Post subject:

MM, before you started eating smaller portions were you just not losing weight or were you gaining weight? Also, did you have a lot of cravings anyway? Hunger? If so then something you are eating is causing them and should be removed. ZC cured all those cravings for me. I haven't had a craving or hunger in 18 days.

Hugs Comfort

_________________
Carnivore (Jun 12/09) 227/197.8/137 Max. wt: 247 (Jul-08)
"I don't want to live a little, I want to live a LOT, and I want to live WELL! Kateryna

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Kate,

I'm just looking to tweak my eating to speed up my weight loss. Considering how much I have to lose and previous experience with weight loss I know I'm capable of losing weight a little faster than I have been.

I don't seem to have a hunger shut-off, at least not yet. I can always eat. I can also completely stuff myself and have stomach pains after and still be ready to eat again in a few hours - not sure why that is. That's part of the reason behind my thinking that I'm in fact eating more than I need to.

As far as cravings go - they come and go but I don't have a problem handling them anymore. I believe the root of my cravings is from seeing/handling/cooking food that stimulates it. I can pretty easily get over them now though.

No worries...still plugging along on ZC, just trying to find the perfect balance

Yup

jeff · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 12:19 pm Post subject:

MM, it sounds to me like your insulin is still not under control. Even after going ZC, it can take some people many months for this to happen. Your body has to learn that it no longer needs to put out as much insulin as it used to.
_________________
Eat, Drink and Be Merry, For Tomorrow We'll Die

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Jeff,

My doc was trying different types of medication to treat my insulin resistance (mostly diabetic drugs) and the last time he checked my levels the nurse called me and was reading my results and said "wow -your insulin levels are through the roof!". At that point I just gave up on the meds and decided I would try to reverse it through diet.

I know ZC is the only way to do this effectively - hopefully my system is starting to heal. I'm sure you're right about still not being adapted - I'm just so damn impatient LOL

jeff · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:39 pm Post subject:

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

It was May of last year I believe - I did Paleo for a while and then Atkins before I found ZC - of course I kept falling off course and regaining weight and having massive carb binges until I recommitted to ZC here in May.

I'm sure I've messed up my system pretty bad.

kateryna · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 2:14 pm Post subject:

Jeff is absolutely correct.

I too am extremely insulin resistant and to beat the cravings and hunger I had to give up everything sweet including my stevia in coffee. It also took me a while to figure this out as evidenced by my journal with the yo yo-ing around from plan to plan but always being overwhelmed with cravings.

At least you know now what you have to do and what works. That in itself is great progress Sunny

_________________
Carnivore (Jun 12/09) 227/197.8/137 Max. wt: 247 (Jul-08)
"I don't want to live a little, I want to live a LOT, and I want to live WELL! Kateryna

y0u · Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 4:08 pm Post subject:

I am insulin resistant as well..but...there is good news.

I seem to have improved greatly..and can now eat fruit and veggies in small amounts without going overboard or spiking my insulin levels..so there may be hope for you too..I think my eating ZC for 4 months..and VLC after and before has really helped heal my metabolism..

I still cannot eat things like Dreamfields pasta, or Splenda..or grains...but at least I learned that from ZC and the elimination process..and testing strips..

This may or may not be the case for you..but then..it might..

I still take metformin because I gain horribly if I do not..but maybe some day when I am 150#..I may be able to not..

Best of luck..
_________________
Flap-a-doodle-kick-a-poodle-kitty-kitty-cow-cow ~ Fat Freddy's Cat

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Thanks kate - I think the hardest thing to give up was probably the Diet Pepsi - I had a serious addiction and it was much like giving up smoking (at least for me) - it was SO hard. I've got a plan and it's the only way for me so I'll just keep on going and hopefully my body will follow my lead ;-)

y0u give me great hope!! You've come so far and your transformation is amazing! Originally, I had planned on adding back some nuts and olives after my 30 day challenge. I haven't done that as of yet because I just don't think it will work - but I'm still hopeful that someday I'll be able to add them back.

jeff · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 12:32 am Post subject:

MM, elevated insulin levels would also explain your lack of energy. With high insulin, your fat stores cannot be accessed for energy. It's as if they're invisible to the rest of your body. You'll know your insulin levels are coming down when you start to get more energy.
_________________
Eat, Drink and Be Merry, For Tomorrow We'll Die

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Thanks Jeff - I am SO ready for the energy boost!!

jeff · Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 5:45 pm Post subject:

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Weigh in : 309.2 - no change

It is what it is.

y0u · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:15 pm Post subject:

Hang in there...when you lose weight..your body will do everything it can to hold onto it..mine sure does..in the form of cravings.

Have a happy 4th!!
_________________
Flap-a-doodle-kick-a-poodle-kitty-kitty-cow-cow ~ Fat Freddy's Cat

kateryna · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 7:18 pm Post subject:

Hang in there MM Comfort

You are doing great.
_________________
Carnivore (Jun 12/09) 227/197.8/137 Max. wt: 247 (Jul-08)
"I don't want to live a little, I want to live a LOT, and I want to live WELL! Kateryna

Willeke · Posted: Sat Jul 04, 2009 7:56 pm Post subject:

The only thing that helped me with cravings is eat fat meat. You don't need to eat a lot, but it gives your subconscious the message that there is food, and that will really help. Also your cells will learn they don't need to prepare for famine anymore.

I have no cravings anymore, and that is SUCH a blessing! But don't take anything carby for then the whole balance is gone and eveything has to start all over again. Just eat fat meat, make sure you have something in the fridge or freezer. I bake chicken thighs in the oven 20 at a time, and then freeze them in bags of three or so. When I need them, I put them in the microwave for a few minutes when frozen and I have a wonderful warm and fatty snack!

You can beat this!
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Willeke

jeff · Posted: Sun Jul 05, 2009 1:11 pm Post subject:

Excellent idea, Willeke!
_________________
Eat, Drink and Be Merry, For Tomorrow We'll Die

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Something is happening....changing. I'm not sure what just yet but I'm taking it as a good sign.

I am suddenly ravenous (even more so than normal - haha). My stomach seems to be growling all the time. I also have felt a lot more 'peppy' the last two days. Not exactly a big energy boost but definitely a bit more spunk in my step Grin

I'm upping my fat and eating a bit more to try to quiet the beast in my belly.

Here's hoping the scale confirms positive things on Saturday.

Willeke · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 5:22 pm Post subject:

yeah! sounds good!
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Willeke

jeff · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:00 pm Post subject:

More pep is a good thing!!!
_________________
Eat, Drink and Be Merry, For Tomorrow We'll Die

kateryna · Posted: Wed Jul 08, 2009 2:03 am Post subject:

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Weigh in: 307.4 Almost 2 pounds Ecstatic

Thank goodness. I'm frankly surprised as my stress level this week has been extreme and I've been eating like a pig (all zc though).

I really needed this Yup

Willeke · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 8:53 pm Post subject:

terrific! Isn't it wonderful when the downward movement of thos scales is really beginning!?!?!?!
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Willeke

kateryna · Posted: Sat Jul 11, 2009 9:30 pm Post subject:

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

I burped a few times today after eating. It was so strange - I can't remember the last time I had gas - haha.

I ate pork ribs seasoned the same way I always do. Maybe I ate too fast, who knows but it was just so strange...I burped and almost laughed out loud because the sensation is so foreign to me now.

Back in my 8 a day Diet Pepsi days I'd burp all day long and think nothing of it.

Oh well...

That is all.

What?

You wanted something exciting or interesting?

Dunno

I've got nothing.

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Weigh in day: 307.4 - no loss this week.

Looks like my body may settle into a loss every two weeks pattern - I can deal with it. I hate losing slow but hell it sure beats gaining.

Still feeling a little bit of energy increase - not much but it's there, a good sign my insulin levels may be dropping. Hopefully I'll see more improvement in that soon.

kateryna · Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2009 6:20 pm Post subject:

Sounds to me like you've got your priorities straight. First tackle the BG and insulin and then worry about the weight loss. It's all about being healthy and the weight loss will take care of itself Yup

(speaking to myself as well Grin

) We wouldn't be human if we didn't want to lose weight quickly and RIGHT NOW!!!!
_________________
Carnivore (Jun 12/09) 227/197.8/137 Max. wt: 247 (Jul-08)
"I don't want to live a little, I want to live a LOT, and I want to live WELL! Kateryna

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Weigh in: 306.4 - 1 pound down

Honestly...I was hoping for more, but a pound is a pound and I'll take it - thank you very much.

kateryna · Posted: Sat Jul 25, 2009 5:51 pm Post subject:

jeff · Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 5:09 am Post subject:

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Weigh in: 306.0 = .4 loss (yes I'm counting it as a loss dammit! LOL

)

July total - down 3.2 pounds - going slow as molasses

Random thought here - I miss dessert. I really miss it...but the thing is - I don't even think it's the sweetness I miss so much, it's the texture. I miss things like mousse and spongy cake, melt in your mouth chocolate, and cold, smooth ice cream. I don't think they're cravings so much as a longing for something smooth and creamy. Maybe I should blend up some beef with heavy cream, freeze it and have a meatshake ROTFL

I don't think I exercised a single day in July (other than some serious cleaning) - I have had tremendous stress in my life lately coupled with financial issues and too many hours working. I used all of that as an excuse along with the semi common theory that it will impede my already slow weight loss. Honestly...I don't think my weight loss can get much slower and I think my body NEEDS to be more active so for August I'm going to try to get back on my exercise program. I'll be curious to see if it affects my weight loss efforts.

kateryna · Posted: Sat Aug 01, 2009 8:20 pm Post subject:

Hey MM, 3.2 down is a weight LOSS! Line Cheer

Time to celebrate.
_________________
Carnivore (Jun 12/09) 227/197.8/137 Max. wt: 247 (Jul-08)
"I don't want to live a little, I want to live a LOT, and I want to live WELL! Kateryna

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

So I experimented a little earlier this week by adding a little mayo, some olives and some no sugar added tomato sauce. I've used all of these things in the past with no problem. I had planned on adding this stuff back in to my WOE permanently at the end of June (along with nuts) but postponed it.

This week I was struggling with convenience issues and some mild boredom so I mixed it up a little. Still keeping my carbs super low.

I seemed to tolerate all of them fine as far as cravings/reactions (I fully expected to get sick on the tomato sauce but didn't). However, for fun I stepped on the scale yesterday morning and I was up 6lbs. Yes - I said SIX pounds.

Something is off because I really don't believe that those simple VLC additions could make such a difference and I'm not going to panic. At this point it's just a simple observation that I want to record.

For now - it's back to basics and I'll see if my weight evens out again by Saturday. I think it will....it better!

jeff · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 4:44 pm Post subject:

Interesting, MM. Keep us posted.
_________________
Eat, Drink and Be Merry, For Tomorrow We'll Die

Heather L · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 5:47 pm Post subject:

MM- There is no way that the 6 pounds can be fat... more likely water retention, I would think. Even so, it stinks to get on the scale and see such an increase. Hope it goes down just as quickly for you.

y0u · Posted: Thu Aug 06, 2009 6:49 pm Post subject:

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

5.4 of those 6 pounds are gone today - no idea what happened. I'd blame it on a faulty scale but my scale is new and pretty consistent, plus I had weighed three times that morning just to make sure I would get the same reading.

So weird. Anyway...glad to see those pounds gone.

Official weigh in is tomorrow - hopefully that last .6 will be gone by then :)

y0u · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 5:33 pm Post subject:

Yeah!!!! My scale does whacky things sometimes too..or maybe it's just my body holding onto water..who knows...I'm just glad it went away for you..
_________________
Flap-a-doodle-kick-a-poodle-kitty-kitty-cow-cow ~ Fat Freddy's Cat

jeff · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:27 pm Post subject:

That's good to hear, MM. We knew it wasn't fat,but it's still good to have it gone.
_________________
Eat, Drink and Be Merry, For Tomorrow We'll Die

kateryna · Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:31 pm Post subject:

Yayyy!!! 5.4 lbs gone. Always cause for celebration. Ecstatic

_________________
Carnivore (Jun 12/09) 227/197.8/137 Max. wt: 247 (Jul-08)
"I don't want to live a little, I want to live a LOT, and I want to live WELL! Kateryna

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Weigh in: 305.2 - .8 lbs down this week

Good enough for me...the whole 6lb thing just reinforces my policy of never weighing more than once a week. Who needs that kind of drama LOL

jeff · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:56 pm Post subject:

Jessica · Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:50 pm Post subject:

I don't weight myself (maybe I should) but I know i'm doing things right when my clothes are getting baggy (and vice versa). :) Right now my clothes are baggy, probably because i've been sticking to meat as best I can. Keep up the good work.

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Thanks Jessica.

I'd go crazy without weighing myself, I must know LOL

but I've gotten much better about taking it in stride. It wasn't so long ago that a 6 lb gain on the scale would have sent me face first into a carb binge (duh...like that would help), I just go with the flow now.

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

I've booked tickets to fly to NJ on Thanksgiving to visit with family. I'm concerned about this for many reasons, not the least of which is flying with a two year old (DH is not going so I'll have to handle him alone). I did this trip when he was just a year old and it was absolute hell - I'm hoping he'll handle it better this time around.

I'm also concerned about food. Staying in someone's house is always awkward enough but I'll be staying with two vegetarians - lol. I've talked to my mom and explained how I eat and she's ok with it, I hope I don't complicate things for the household too much though. My plan is to head to the nearest grocery store as soon as we land and stock up on some easy essentials - steak, rotisserie chicken.

We will also be visiting some other relatives that I haven't seen in years. Unfortunately the last time any of these people have seen me, I was at my lowest adult weight (230), so my significant weight gain coupled with the fact that I'll likely have to explain my radical and unhealthy Roll Eyes

eating style, you can see why I'm not looking forward to it.

I need to arm myself with some GCBC facts - I don't intend to lie about my lifestyle and would like to educate family if possibly. I need a cliff notes LOL

All the science makes perfect sense when I read it but explaining it to others always presents a challenge. This is a highly intelligent group, and I don't want to be stumbling around sounding as if I have no idea what I'm talking about.

Hopefully I can lose another 15 or 20 pounds by that time although that's a bit ambitious. We shall see.

Budzinski · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:39 pm Post subject:

Hi there MetalMama, this is budzinski, a newcomer. Maybe it is something like this you need for your armour. It's a list compiled by a David MacPhail on Eades' blog in a comment. It may be found here: http://www.proteinpower.com/drmik...tierney-taubes-and-saturated-fat/

And here is the comment in its entirety along with Dr. Mike's comment on the comment (where he understandably corrects one of the points).

Says MacPhail:

One way to look at the fat versus carbohydrate as the preferred fuel debate is to look at the 3 potential sources of energy (protein, fat and carbohydrate) from a functional perspective:

1. Minimal storage capacity for glycogen, which can be converted, to glucose.
2. Extensive and very large storage capacity for fat.
3. Gram for gram, fat has more than twice as much energy as carbohydrate – a clear evolutionary efficiency advantage in terms of dietary sources of energy and storage in the human body.
4. The human body can go for weeks without food.
5. When food is not available the body runs on stored fat and after a point protein, not glycogen.
6. The management of dietary sources of glucose derived from carbohydrate presents significant challenges to human system.
7. The metabolism of carbohydrate drives insulin secretion.
8. High blood levels of glucose and insulin are exceedingly toxic.
9. There is a threshold blood insulin level after which fat burning is shut down.
10. Carbohydrates can be converted in the body to fat and stored as saturated fat.
11. Fat cannot be converted in the body to carbohydrate.
12. There is no requirement in human nutrition for carbohydrate.
13. The body can produce all the glucose it requires through the process of gluconeogenisis.
14. Abdominal fat synthesized from glucose is the first fat to be burned when carbohydrate consumption is reduced to the point that insulin drops below the threshold level.

The above strongly suggests that fat, not glucose, is the preferred fuel for the human system, that carbohydrate can act as a supplementary fuel in small quantities to augment fat and that carbohydrate can act as a source of stored fat when consumed in large quantities at sporadic intervals when dietary sources of fat are in short supply. In other words, carbohydrates are intended to keep us going so we can hunt for sources of dietary fat.

Says Eades:
Excellent summary. I have only one quibble and it’s a matter of semantics. #11 states that fat cannot be converted to carbohydrate. It is true that fatty acids cannot be converted to carbohydrate. But fat, as in triglycerides stored in adipose tissue and circulating as serum triglycerides can be partially converted to carbohydrate. In triglycerides three fatty acids are attached to a glycerol backbone, and this glycerol backbone can be converted to glucose.

Load your dietary guns with that and have a great trip Happy

kateryna · Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 11:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks, budzinski, I think I'll use your response myself as well, if you don't mind. Grin

_________________
Carnivore (Jun 12/09) 227/197.8/137 Max. wt: 247 (Jul-08)
"I don't want to live a little, I want to live a LOT, and I want to live WELL! Kateryna

Budzinski · Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 5:33 am Post subject:

By all means, kateryna, as you see, I nicked it myself Smile

The whole carbohydrate thing always leaves people flabbergasted. "Are you telling me that we don't need carbohydrates? But every cell in the body run on carbs. And the brain needs it all the time."

Partly true, but we can make our own. It's like magic, as the Highlander would say.

MetalMama · Location: GA Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 567 Gender: Female

Thanks very much Budzinski - this is very helpful!