Stina's Study Journal

[Stina]

Week: One
Day: One
Today’s Program: Regular LC


Foods eaten:
2 hamburgers
pepperoni
2 pork butt steaks
1 cup Bok Choy
unsweetened chocolate square
1/2 cup diced chicken breast
3 coffees
3 teaspoon Splenda
1.5 oz whipping cream
3 tbsp brown sugar twin


Calories: 1878
Protein: 115
% of protein: 24%
Fat: 154
% of fat: 73%
Carbohydrates: 13
% of carbohydrates: 3%

Activity: computer work, pretty low-key day

Weight: 175.5

Measurements: still no measuring tape

Thoughts: Absolute dread for tomorrows fat fast. I wonder how those people in the study went for 7 days on the fat fast? I barely can get through 1 day even though results have been worth it!!

[Stina]

*Fat Fast Menu*

Week: One
Day: 08/21/01
Today’s Program: Fat Fast


Foods eaten:

2 avocado
1 egg yolk w/1tbsp of mayo & 2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup romaine
2 cups j-e-ll-o
1 coffee ++



Calories: 1077

Protein: 17g
% of protein: 7%

Fat: 105g
% of fat: 90%

Carbohydrates: 10g
% of carbohydrates: 3%

Activity: Housework, painting, some web work

Weight: 178 (up 2.5 since yesterday, damn water)

Measurements: still no measuring tape

Thoughts: I hate weighing everyday. I am up since yesterday, probably just water weight but still, it sucks. sigh. Watch I will lose exactly 2.5 lbs after the FF today, bringing me back down to the same spot. Argh. I so want to break below 170.

12:28 and I am still not hungry. Good sign. Then I can make it through the evening tonight. Will post more thoughts later...

8:47 done all my food and I feel so hungry. I can't wait to go to bed so that I can wake up and eat breakfast. This is getting harder each time I do this fast. Fingers crossed that it is worth it come morning.

[Stina]

Week: One
Day: Wednesday, 08/22/01, cycle day 3
Today’s Program: Regular LC/Dairy Free/Calorie Boost


Foods eaten:

8 slices very thick bacon
4 hard boiled eggs
coffee+
1 hard boiled egg
mayo
turkey wing coated in mayo, pork rinds and almonds
mushrooms
broccoli
mushrooms
turkey skin

:p I am so full. Blech.



Calories: 2582
Protein: 164
% of protein: 26%
Fat: 202
% of fat: 72%
Carbohydrates: 24
% of carbohydrates: 3%
Activity: computer work, housework, some extra activity doing chores in barn, scraped and scraped the foamy crap under the carpet I pulled up in the bathroom today. That was work! Took 2 hours to do a 4x4 area.

Weight: 176 (up and down, up and down)

Measurements: still no measuring tape

Thoughts:

9:29am---awoke with the same migraine I fell asleep with last night. Scales moved down a wee bit last night but this just seems to be water weight I guess. No major losses for me yet.

4:37pm---okay, this is so weird. I am absolutely craving hard boiled eggs. Same thing has happened on my last 2 fat fasts..the next day I would kill for a HB egg. I just ate 2 more (had 2 with breakfast). How weird is that? BTW, headache disappeared after breakfast.

10:24pm--okay, I did NOT remove fibre and hit 25 grams of carbs but I don't think that is how we are supposed to do this. Man do I feel gross. I don't like this over full feeling at all! I ate a bunch of turkey skin just to boost my calories for the day...that just doesn't make sense. Eat only until you are full...and I went way over that line today. Yuck. I think the purpose of the calorie boost days was to fool the bodies into forgetting the fat fast and lean protein days not to gorge ourselves just to hit a certain number. Hmmm. Many thoughts to think over tonight:confused:

[Stina]

Week: One
Day: Tuesday, 08/23/01, cycle day 4
Today’s Program: Lean Protein


Foods eaten:

1/2 turkey breast
3 cups chicken broth
2 coffees
2 tsp whipping cream
2 teaspoon splenda


Calories: 661
Protein: 114
% of protein: 73%
Fat: 16
% of fat: 24%
Carbohydrates: 5
% of carbohydrates: 3%

Activity: computer work, housework, primed large bedroom floor for lino

Weight: 176.5

Measurements: still no measuring tape

Thoughts: So NOT hungry today. Why couldn't I have this appetite on fat fast day? Hmm. I am thinking of doing a carb boost on the day prior to fat fast. That would fit into the category of regular low carb if done properly. I mean seriously, ZERO appetite today. Literally went 'oh, better eat meal number two...better eat meal number 3'. I had originally intended to have the whole roasted turkey breast but there is no way anything else is getting into this tummy! Leftovers for tomorrow when mayo is available again heehee

Very interesting. How is everyone else feeling the day after carb boost?

[r.mines]

Hey, Stina! Looks great - all but the whipping cream - I think we should avoid this on Lean Protein day (I know, it's only 2 tsps). I like cream in my coffee too, but I drank it black that day, and I was so NOT into food, I didn't care.

Isn't it odd how lean protein depresses the appetite? I kept forgetting to eat too, which is NOT like me! I ate more on Fat Fast day, in terms of calories, and was much hungrier.

Rachel

[Stina]

I know I totally caved for the cream. Truth be told, I woke up, waddled into the kitchen (where DH leaves me a fresh pot when he leaves for work), poured a coffee and added cream. Halfway through I went, oops. Then the last one I admit, total caved (denial I knew exactly what I was doing).

I woke this morning and didn't put it in although I was this * close to. So back on tract (phew thank goodness I didn't make that late nite baggie of ice cream). The no dairy part of this study is probably harder than anything else to me (well that and 8pm on fat fast days heheh).

Thanks for watching :D

[IslandGirl]

I noticed the same thing, Rachel.

carbs --} 99.9% conversion to glucose, 100% insulin spike
protein --} up to 58% conversion to glucose, 20% insulin spike
fats --} 2-5% conversion to glucose, 0% insulin spike
or something along these lines.

Oddly enough, one would think intuitively that the fat would mean less appetite but I think the protein, with its relatively LITTLE insulin trigger, would help keep the blood sugar level whereas with the fat alone, the blood sugar might be dropping just enough below 'baseline' to trigger appetite.

The best combo (a la Bernstein) then is probably a good basic regular LC with both Fat and Protein in sufficient quantities. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm? ;)

[Stina]

Week: One
Day: Friday, 08/24/01, cycle day 5
Today’s Program: Regular LC/Dairy Free/Calorie Boost


Foods eaten:

10 slices very thick bacon (1/4')
2 hamburgers
broccoli broccoli broccoli broccoli broccoli broccoli :p
2 coffee+
broccoli broccoli broccoli broccoli broccoli broccoli :p
handful of mixed nuts (I know...)
broccoli broccoli broccoli broccoli broccoli broccoli :p
pork steak
ghee, mayo

Well that just about did me in. Seriously, I am positive this was not the way it was supposed to be. Way too full to be healthy and I still didn't hit the numbers I was aiming for.

Ghee is awesome BTW:D



Calories: 2031
Protein: 123
% of protein: 24%
Fat: 159
% of fat: 72%
Carbohydrates: 33 (fibre not subtracted)
% of carbohydrates: 4%
Activity: computer work, housework, another painting of the floor

Weight: 176-175.5

Measurements: none

Thoughts:

If I look at broccoli again it will be too soon....I am looking forward to cheese and cream in my coffee (would I lime some shine with that cheese? Sheesh I hate even listening to myself
:rolleyes: but yuck, I should have mixed up the greens today)

[Stina]

Week: One
Day: 08/25/01 Saturday, Cycle day 6
Today’s Program: Regular LC


Foods eaten:
2 hamburgers
McDonalds Big extra w/bacon/cheese no bun no ketchup
McDonalds Cheeseburger no bun no ketchup
1 cup 4% cottage cheese
2 squares purdy's SF chocolate
8oz sirloin tip steak w garlic and olive oil
1/2 LE cucumber
3 coffees
2 litres water
1/4 cup mixed nuts


Calories: 1775
Protein: 112
% of protein: 25%
Fat: 140
% of fat: 71%
Carbohydrates: 19
% of carbohydrates: 4%

Activity: shopping, lazy day with DH

Weight: 177 SIGH

Measurements: still no measuring tape

Thoughts: Weekends are a treat. I love cottage cheese so I had a bit more than I normally would have today while still keeping within my limits. Should have had more veggies but I will work on that tomorrow
:D

[Stina]

Week: One
Day: 08/26/01 Sunday, Cycle day 7
Today’s Program: Regular LC


Foods eaten:
2 hamburgers
1/2 cup 4% cottage cheese
1 squares purdy's SF chocolate
1/2 LE cucumber
2 coffees ++
2 litres water
4 chunks bacon
jello SF butterscotch pudding
1.5 cup romaine
.25 cup mozza
meatballs
caeser dressing


Calories: 1439
Protein: 65
% of protein: 17%
Fat: 130
% of fat: 76%
Carbohydrates: 127
% of carbohydrates: 7%

Activity: zero zilch, very lazy day

Weight: 177

Measurements: still no measuring tape

Thoughts: Relaxing day with DH

[Stina]

Week: Two
Day: 08/27/01 Monday, Cycle day 1
Today’s Program: Regular LC


Foods eaten:
1 hamburgers
2 coffees ++
3 litres water
tomatoes
2 chicken wings
.5 cup mozza
meatballs
whipped cream
3eggs



Calories: 1634

Protein: 84
% of protein: 21%

Fat: 136
% of fat: 75%

Carbohydrates: 18
% of carbohydrates: 4%

Activity: lots of farm chores, cleaned floors

Weight: 178! sigh

Measurements: still no measuring tape

Thoughts: I am getting really depressed. Weight is creeping up. Threw out the rest of the Purdys chocolate bar as it is not helping. Almost zero aspartame now. Perhaps not enough greens. I am keeping fingers crossed the fat fast may move the scale DOWN (not up, please not up). sigh...

[doreen T]

Don't get depressed. Instead .. stop weighing yourself every day. The Study guidelines clearly state that daily recording of measurements are optional, and really only the start and end weights are what's critical for the purpose of the project. For you personally, you only need to know your weekly weight to calculate your intake for the Calorie Boost days. I'm not weighing in until the midway point, and at the end. I'm using my start weight for the Cal. Boost days (even if I lost 5 lbs, that's only 65 calories, or 1½ tsp olive oil).

That being said, I understand exactly how you feel. I'd hoped that I would see an end to the yo-yo thing .. but I've decided that's just how my body operates.. :rolleyes: .. no matter what combinations of foods I eat. The point is the overall result at the end. Since I've been sitting at a stall for months, a 2 lb net loss at the end of the 4 week cycle will be a success in my mind.

Another thing I noticed, looking back over your menu ... the drop in pounds seemed to happen after you'd had a few days with no BEEF. Then the hamburger and McDs happened, and the weight came back. It may be the saltiness or MSG in commercial burgers or .... in Protein Power, the Eades explain that some people may be sensitive to arachidonic acid which is abundant in red meat and egg yolks. Especially red meat from older animals - beef and pork - since the AA is found in the fat, and the fat in older animals is marbled throughout the meat. In younger animals - lamb and veal - the fat is in a layer surrounding the meat, and can be easily removed before cooking. You can then use butter or olive oil for cooking. Hamburger is impossible to remove the fat, since it's all ground up together. Arachidonic acid can cause fluid retention, and this may be a part of your yo-yo problem. Here's the link to the Protein Power FAQ's about this problem .. http://eatprotein.com/answers6.html#6b

Anyway, hope today's Fat Fast goes well, and it brings a whoosh for you .. :)

Doreen

[Stina]

Thanks for picking up on the beef issue. Sometimes it takes an 'unrelated' person to point out the obvious (or pick up on the obvious). I do eat hamburger patties almost every day (easy, quick, tastes good). So as of right now, no hamburger for a week. I won't cut out beef steaks as it is easier to narrow things down one step at a time and if I eliminate all beef and pork at once and then start losing, I won't know what was the culprit and what wasn't.

For some reason I thought I had to weigh in every day for the study. I will be happy to stay off for a week (starting tomorrow) :o

I also would be really happy to have just a small loss by the end of the study. I am sticking out the study but I think after the 4 weeks I will probably tailor this to fit my own body. We shall see but incorporating at least one fat fast in each week may be the trick for continual weight loss. I worry about eating so much protein on other days.

Prior to reading your reply to me I actually had thoughts of french fries and whole wheat toast. It is so easy to justify why going off low carb for a week might boost the weight loss. Thank goodness I came home instead and sat down to focus. I feel focused again. Thanks;)

I do believe that my body 'catches' on to different weight loss methods really fast. I can call it metabolically resistant but it is from years of horrible dieting, starvation and bulemia. What I need to keep reminding myself is that I feel wonderful 99% of the time. Never before have I felt that good. Ever. Rarely do I need a nap, rarely does my back hurt (injured in a car accident 4 years ago). I sometimes sit in awe and wonder how the world could be so messed up in eating. Truly believe this WOE is the natural way for me, for everyone, to eat.

Well okay, I am pontificating a little too much :rolleyes: Feeling pretty good for a fat fast day. Although I am trying very hard to eliminate Diet Coke and aspartame, I am allowing a bit of DC on FF days. I love Diet Coke with heavy cream...tastes like a float to me and is also very filling. Last week I felt like I was starving by this time and today I am doing very well. Halfway through my 5 litres of water and I still have my salad, 1/2 avocado, jello and whipped cream left:D The key for me is to plan on being away from the house as much as possible on FF days. When I am sitting here on my butt doing nothing, the tummy starts kicking in and water no longer helps curb the hunger. Feeling much better today ..... hopefully it lasts!

Thanks again Doreen. Saved my day by giving me a new perspective!

[Stina]

Day in Cycle:
Week: Two
Day: 08/28/01 Tuesday, Cycle day 2

Today’s Program: Fat Fast


Foods eaten:

1 cup heavy cream
2 cups cherry j-e-ll-o
1/2 avocado
3 cups romaine
2 coffee +
4 litres water
1/2 litre diet coke :o
1 tbsp cream cheese
.5 oz heavy cream


Calories: 1059

Protein: 17
% of protein: 7%

Fat: 103
% of fat: 88%

Carbohydrates: 14
% of carbohydrates: 5%

Activity: Drove to town. Farm chores. Watched Big Brother heheh

Measurements:

Thoughts: Doreen's post really 'enlightened' me. Really it is so nice to have a good support system in place for days when a person is down. I feel back on track and I got through the fat fast no problem. It is 10:16pm and I have a little bit of a headache which will carry on until morning or until I get some protein into me. First instinct will be to get up and microwave a couple burger patties but will resist the urge. Some bacon and eggs will fix the headache I'm sure :D

Anyhoo, I am weighing in tomorrow and then making DH hide the scales for a week because guaranteed I will obsess if they are anywhere where I can see them :o

Nitey nite

[Stina]

:D :cool: :D :cool: :D :cool: :D :cool:

Just got on the scale and I am down to 174.5! Down 3.5 lbs. Granted my weight is (daily) like a bad roller coaster but considering this is the first real downward motion, I am quite pleased. NO more scales for one week!

Happy Day To All!

:D :cool: :D :cool: :D :cool: :D :cool:

[doreen T]

Stina, that is so awesome! Oh, I'm so glad you didn't throw in the towel the other day.

Just keep yer eye on the long term goal to get through the 4 weeks of the study. Everything that happens along the way, including temporary yo-yo's, is just part of the experience.

Congrats darlin' .. ;)

Doreen

[Stina]

Thanks Doreen! It's always this support board that keeps me in line! Feeling great today although craving cream like there's no tomorrow:rolleyes: Must have been those diet cokes with cream yesterday because that is what I am craving today....

No biggie. I am feeling so good today, I know I can make it through til the end!

Thanks for your support!! You are the best:D

[Stina]

Day in Cycle: 3
Week: Two
Day: 08/29/01 Wednesday, Cycle day 3

Today’s Program: Dairy Free Carb Boost


Foods eaten:


1/2 avocado
1 cup romaine
2 coffee +
4 litres water
bacon
chorizo sausage
mixed nuts
mayo
HB egg
beef steak
cauliflied rice (added too much garlic)

Calories: 2079

Protein: 81
% of protein: 16%

Fat: 180
% of fat: 79%

Carbohydrates: 40 (fibre not removed)
% of carbohydrates: 6%

Activity: Housework, computer work

Measurements: 174.5

Thoughts: Slipped and dipped a pork rind into sour cream...wasn't thinking about it being dairy. Realized right away and stopped.

[Karen]

Congrats on the loss Stina! :D

I don't know if you made modifications to the plan, but the carbs on calorie boost day are supposed to come from green vegetables only. I was on Calorie Boost yesterday and failed miserably in the green vegetable department. I had a salad and tried to eat 2 cups of cooked spinach. Couldn't do it! :(

Karen

[Stina]

I guess cauliflower doesn't count as green, does it? I was just thinking low carb veggies, cauliflower, romaine and avocado (duh, not a vegetable). I added the nuts to the sald and ending up picking at them while cooking as well.

Hmpf. Thought I did so well yesterday:rolleyes:

[Karen]

Yeah, I did the same thing the first week. Had avocado and cucumber and then realized at the end of the day that they were not green vegetables.

To me, calorie boost days are very much like Atkins induction with 5 grams more of carbs and no dairy.

Karen

[Stina]

Originally posted by Karen
Yeah, I did the same thing the first week. Had avocado and cucumber and then realized at the end of the day that they were not green vegetables.
Karen

Cucumbers are not vegetables or not considered 'green' vegetables?

[doreen T]

[Cucumbers are not vegetables or not considered 'green' vegetables? Ya, I was wondering the same thing. The cucumber in my fridge looks mighty green to me. On the other hand, it does contain the seeds, therefore it is technically a fruit, as are green peppers and zucchini.

Cauliflower is blanched white because the leaves have been brought up and wrapped around the "head" to prevent the development of the chlorophyll. Purple cabbage has the same nutrient profile as green, and in fact the "green" IS there, it's just masked by the red pigment, which contains beneficial indoles and carotenoids. What about the white part of a green onion?? Or Ruby swiss chard? Brussels sprouts are green, but they're a heckuva lot carbier than daikon or mushrooms.

Hmm, now I'm the one who's babbling.;; :rolleyes:

Doreen

[Karen]

Oh, because I'm such an all or nothing kind of gal, I like to take things literally. ;)

You can always cut away the red veins in the Swiss chard. :p

But seriously, it's only 4 weeks out of my life and I want to do what's written to see what works the best. I might even continue and keep on refining the WOE.

Karen

[Stina]

Well I had a very bad day yesterday. Got hit with some sort of flu bug mid-day and needless to say, my whole system was messed up. I started to drink weak tea with cream as that was what I have always drank when my stomach/intestines are messed up.

I hardly ate anything except one cup of chix broth with some breast meat in it for breaky. But I totally blew the lean protein day by having like 5 cups of weak tea with cream.

What to do? Pull out of the study or just keep going?

Sorry. For the person who started this whole idea I am not doing very well at it :rolleyes: (albeit I see how the concept is working and will be including this regularly after the study is done, modified).

:( feel bummed for breaking the 'schedule'. Anyhoo, just need to know if I should continue on here or in my regular journal....

[Karen]

Don't worry about it Stina. So far, no one has followed it to the letter! :D

It's no longer a study, just a group thang! ;)

Karen

[doreen T]

[It's no longer a study, just a group thang! ;) [/B]In a way, it's almost a group of individual "studies of one" ... meaning each of us is learning and discovering new things about ourselves and what we eat and how we eat ... and how it affects us. Whether or not the original purpose was to see if a rotation of fasting days with dairy-free calorie boost days would bring about more weight loss than lowcarbing alone ... we are all gaining valuable insights here.

Onward and (hopefully) downward we go! :D

Doreen

[Stina]

I have finally got a hold of my friend to get many many more details to their 'routine'. I feel a bit better now as I can forward all the info and then perhaps 'finish' what I started:-)

I have 2 pages of notes that I will type in as soon as I have a moment. Hopefully later this afternoon/evening.

Hugs!

[r.mines]

Oh, goody! Looking forward to it, Stina!

Rachel

[Stina]

Just wanted to drop a quick line to explain why I have been absent for the past few days.

I started taking my cayenne supplements again a few days ago. Same time I was feeling flu-ish. No connection until last night. Shortly after taking the cayenne and multi-vitamins with dinner, I began feeling sick again. I had to sit down and look at my journal (my hand journal) to figure out what was happening.

Lightbulb:rolleyes:

Anyhoo, for 2 hours I was having severe stomach cramps (like jabbing-a-knife-in-my-stomach type cramps). Finally after a few cups of bland tea (no milk) I fell asleep for an hour only to be awoken by myself, nearly choking to death (scared out of my mind!). My eyes were burning like I had wiped the cayenne right in them as well as my throat and of course my stomach.

Needless to say, my stomach is still wrapped in knots today and I am tolerating chix broth but nothing else. I just pray I have not done permanent damage to my stomach! I used to take the supplements all the time and never had a problem...

Anyhow, I have figured out my 'flu' and will try and get this info typed up for everyone. Sorry for holding everyone up but I have been so sick (duhhh) and have not had the energy to do much of anything....

[r.mines]

Oh, you poor thing! I love cayenne and sprinkle it on everything (well, ALMOST everything), and have considered taking it in capsules ..... NOT. Hope you're feeling better soon!

Rachel

[Stina]

MONDAY
Regular Low Carb
· high protein dinner/no carb will help hunger on F.F. day

TUESDAY
Fat Fast
· 90% fat, 1000 calories
· additional 3 cup S.F. Jell-O
· headaches mean drink more water

WEDNESDAY
Regular low carb/no dairy/calorie boost

·avoid any known stall foods
·eat as many calories as possible up to 13 calories per lb of weight
·choose carbs from vegetables (preferably green) not dairy or processed meats

THURSDAY
Lean Protein

· low calories
· low fat
· lean protein whole foods (unprocessed)
· lots of water

FRIDAY
Regular low carb, no dairy, calorie boost

· avoid any known stall foods
· eat as many calories as possible up to 13 calories per lb of weight

SATURDAY
Meat Fast

· no dairy
· no vegetables
· no aspartame
· no caffeine
· water, water, water
· whole foods (NO bacon, ham sausage etc)

SUNDAY
Regular low carb

[Stina]

Okay after typing this darn thing out 3 times and then having one thing or anyther happen...well I finally got it up.

The main point of clarification is the calorie boost days. Eat as much as possible, without including dairy, up to 13 calories per person without making yourself sick. The reasonings behind this are the inclination to eat very little after a FF or Lean fast. She also said she would often throw a meat fast in on the weekends but this was not a regular part of her regimen.

The main purpose of this rotation is to confuse the body into never stalling out. This rotation with the FF and lean protein seemed to work for this group of people.

Oh, another point she had was that there were just some days when a FF was impossible for one reason or another. She would throw in a extra lean day or meat fast if the FF couldn't be done. She found that eating a high protein, low or no carb dinner the night before the FF seemed to curb her appetite on the FF days.

The elimination of dairy was one of the best stall breakers amongst the group and this is why they systematically including it into the rotation.

One last point. She found that the best weight loss was done by never mixing animal proteins in one day. Has anyone every tried this? I found this very interesting as in researching home diets for my cats, this was a huge point in serveral authors books (i.e. never mixed raw chicken with raw beef liver). She said it takes different enzmes to digest different meats and mixing them just slows the whole process down. I would like to hear comments on this as I know it applies to my cats but never thought of it applying to myself....

Hopefully this somewhat clarifies things for y'all :D

[Stina]

Originally posted by r.mines
Oh, you poor thing! I love cayenne and sprinkle it on everything (well, ALMOST everything), and have considered taking it in capsules ..... NOT. Hope you're feeling better soon!

Rachel

Me too! I add pepper or cayenne to everything so this really came as a shicker. I have just had my voice return today as my throat was so red and sore that it hurt to talk. I am still amzed at this and wonder what happened to cause such a painful reaction. Perhaps my stomach acids were off or something...

Needless to say, I will not take the supplements again...live and learn.

[Karen]

Thanks Stina!

One last point. She found that the best weight loss was done by never mixing animal proteins in one day. Has anyone every tried this?

I have thought about this and it was a point brought up in Fit for Life. As I recall, they said you shouldn't mix them in the same meal, but having a day of all of the same protein makes sense.

I think I will try this...

Karen