Huzzah!
Of course, Diana continues to outshine me: she's lost 20 lbs since June. :o)
Brian was also down 2.5 (!!!) this week. So a big week for all 3 of us! And meanwhile Brian's grown 3/4 inches and Diana 1/4 inches based on today's measurement. A good week. :o)
Sunday, November 30, 2008
225.75 @ 2:35pm
Bacon happens. But that's my only food so far. But the salt will pass by tonight (I think!) and I'm still below last week's weight even now.
224.75 @ 10:30am
I'm only up a quarter-pounder after 2 (3?) large cups of coffee. Goes right thru ya.
still optimistically projecting 224.5 tonite
I may be wildly wrong about where my weight will end up if (when?) I fast today, but undoubtedly it would mean down for the week, which is the main thing.
When I've fasted of late it's typically meant a 1-day loss of 4-5 lbs, much of which I assume is water-weight shed based on less salt in my body. So that more or less works out. My "nibbling" probably had me in the 229-lb range by the time I went to bed last night, so 224.5 ex-post-fasto seems to add up.
When I've fasted of late it's typically meant a 1-day loss of 4-5 lbs, much of which I assume is water-weight shed based on less salt in my body. So that more or less works out. My "nibbling" probably had me in the 229-lb range by the time I went to bed last night, so 224.5 ex-post-fasto seems to add up.
224.5 @ 8:27am
I'm surprised my waking weight was only 2.25 lbs lower than last night. Then again, I guess I ate a bit after last night's weigh-in, so that explains that.
If I fast today, which would appear to be a good option, I wonder where my weight ends up tonight? I'm guessing pretty similar to right now (224.5), unless I watch my water intake (which would be rather pointless).
224.5 would mean I'd lost 4.25 lbs in 3 weeks since Nov 9, and 2 weeks in a row of losing 2.25/week. I would take that.
Let's see if I can execute.
If I fast today, which would appear to be a good option, I wonder where my weight ends up tonight? I'm guessing pretty similar to right now (224.5), unless I watch my water intake (which would be rather pointless).
224.5 would mean I'd lost 4.25 lbs in 3 weeks since Nov 9, and 2 weeks in a row of losing 2.25/week. I would take that.
Let's see if I can execute.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
4-week streak?
Tomorrow's weigh-in could mark my 4th week in a row* of decreasing weight**, so the stakes are high. My G/I illness should make it a shoe-in, however I just cheated and did a check-in, and my weight is right at last week's, so could go either weigh. ;o) Let the betting begin.
*Ok, technically this will only be a 3-week streak of increases, using 4 data points. (4 weeks ago my weight went up, but since then it's been going down -- pending tomorrow's reading. Yikes.)
**Pathetically, this awesome streak has got me "down" to 226.75 lbs.
*Ok, technically this will only be a 3-week streak of increases, using 4 data points. (4 weeks ago my weight went up, but since then it's been going down -- pending tomorrow's reading. Yikes.)
**Pathetically, this awesome streak has got me "down" to 226.75 lbs.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
reply to Dad
[Replying to this post.]
Dad,
We're on the same page on all fronts. My goal on paper is 161 lbs, about 65-70 away from where I sit today. I want to lose about 30% of my body weight.
Fasting has been one of my more successful techniques, so maybe I will give that a shot. I find it easier to eat nothing for a day than to eat half of normal. And my weight tends to go down when I skip lunch (and I always skip breakfast), though I'm sure skipping dinner would be best of all. And not snacking more important still.
I exercised Sunday (soccer with whole family) and yesterday (elliptical machine). Today could make it a 3-day streak, certainly my record in the last 3 YEARS or more. We're not talking about a lot of calorie-burning, though the elliptical could get intense, but it burns TIME, and it reinforces a mindset. (I just worked hard to burn 300 calories. Am I really going to eat a brownie after that?)
But I am so very far away from where I should be that I really do need to make a huge change of some kind. Turning 40 was a bit of a wakeup call, and I lost weight that year by cutting out less-healthy foods. But after 11 months I fell off the wagon and reversed my 18 pounds of progress in under two months!
I'm trying to shake up my schedule, and exercise is part of that. My heel is still a pretty big problem, but the soccer didn't cause too much of an issue, and the elliptical seems not to bother it much at all. I just don't seem able to play basketball, or run, right now. Of course losing 50-60 pounds would help that for sure.
I will try more experimenting!
Dad,
We're on the same page on all fronts. My goal on paper is 161 lbs, about 65-70 away from where I sit today. I want to lose about 30% of my body weight.
Fasting has been one of my more successful techniques, so maybe I will give that a shot. I find it easier to eat nothing for a day than to eat half of normal. And my weight tends to go down when I skip lunch (and I always skip breakfast), though I'm sure skipping dinner would be best of all. And not snacking more important still.
I exercised Sunday (soccer with whole family) and yesterday (elliptical machine). Today could make it a 3-day streak, certainly my record in the last 3 YEARS or more. We're not talking about a lot of calorie-burning, though the elliptical could get intense, but it burns TIME, and it reinforces a mindset. (I just worked hard to burn 300 calories. Am I really going to eat a brownie after that?)
But I am so very far away from where I should be that I really do need to make a huge change of some kind. Turning 40 was a bit of a wakeup call, and I lost weight that year by cutting out less-healthy foods. But after 11 months I fell off the wagon and reversed my 18 pounds of progress in under two months!
I'm trying to shake up my schedule, and exercise is part of that. My heel is still a pretty big problem, but the soccer didn't cause too much of an issue, and the elliptical seems not to bother it much at all. I just don't seem able to play basketball, or run, right now. Of course losing 50-60 pounds would help that for sure.
I will try more experimenting!
email from Dad
[Dad, I'm assuming reprinting here is ok. No one reads this anyhow. I didn't even think you still did! -mns]
Dear Mike,
I see from your recent note that you haven't been doing well with your weight.
hardly know what to say ...... but feel close to certain that if you were ever able to get your BMI down to 22, your outlook on life, vitality, sense of control, ball-playing, etc would all show such benefit that you would find ways to keep there.
But how to get there?
For me it was easy because I became so scared and depressed when my heart rhythm went haywire ..... I zoomed down to 107 by Jan 2008, folloing the CR-ON guidelines at a loss of about 2 lbs a week.
Since then I have "rippled" but never a real yo-yo. I have gone to 115, never higher, and for many weeks seem to have a comfy plateau at 112,. Not that I don't get hungry, I'm often ravenous at night.
But when in my early 50's, and ample data showed that if I could have got my body fat down to 10% I could have comfortably reached my ultimate goal ..... a marathon in less than 3 hours ....... I could never make it. My best marathon was 3:11 in 1978. So just being old may make it a lot easier to get rid of pounds. My appetite and/or poor self control absolutely dominated me in mid-life.
At one point my ease of shedding pounds raised the possibility that I had an occult cancer somewhere, but now many months later and no symptoms I believe I am healthier than I have been in many a year.
How about experimenting with fasts of 12-18 hours with zero calorie intake, only green tea or black coffee, then when you break your fast focus on your achievement and don't go anywhere near overboard on that meal but try to find the time to savor every mouthful in a slow relaxed manner, perhaps with family around. Whatever EXPERIMENT!!!!
BTW if you are 6' tall you would have to reach 162 lbs to have a BMI of 22 ..... that must seem impossible ..... but if you continued being physically active you could do that without losing much if any muscle mass and become a real lean mean efficient machine.
Dear Mike,
I see from your recent note that you haven't been doing well with your weight.
hardly know what to say ...... but feel close to certain that if you were ever able to get your BMI down to 22, your outlook on life, vitality, sense of control, ball-playing, etc would all show such benefit that you would find ways to keep there.
But how to get there?
For me it was easy because I became so scared and depressed when my heart rhythm went haywire ..... I zoomed down to 107 by Jan 2008, folloing the CR-ON guidelines at a loss of about 2 lbs a week.
Since then I have "rippled" but never a real yo-yo. I have gone to 115, never higher, and for many weeks seem to have a comfy plateau at 112,. Not that I don't get hungry, I'm often ravenous at night.
But when in my early 50's, and ample data showed that if I could have got my body fat down to 10% I could have comfortably reached my ultimate goal ..... a marathon in less than 3 hours ....... I could never make it. My best marathon was 3:11 in 1978. So just being old may make it a lot easier to get rid of pounds. My appetite and/or poor self control absolutely dominated me in mid-life.
At one point my ease of shedding pounds raised the possibility that I had an occult cancer somewhere, but now many months later and no symptoms I believe I am healthier than I have been in many a year.
How about experimenting with fasts of 12-18 hours with zero calorie intake, only green tea or black coffee, then when you break your fast focus on your achievement and don't go anywhere near overboard on that meal but try to find the time to savor every mouthful in a slow relaxed manner, perhaps with family around. Whatever EXPERIMENT!!!!
BTW if you are 6' tall you would have to reach 162 lbs to have a BMI of 22 ..... that must seem impossible ..... but if you continued being physically active you could do that without losing much if any muscle mass and become a real lean mean efficient machine.
Monday, November 10, 2008
No News is ... ?
Bad News. Always.
So I haven't been blogging. And I have been eating. And I haven't been ketotic.
But I'm writing now, so that has to be good. Right?
So I haven't been blogging. And I have been eating. And I haven't been ketotic.
But I'm writing now, so that has to be good. Right?
Monday, October 20, 2008
225.5
That was my weight last night. And the bad news is -- that was DOWN! So I guess that's the good news, too.
I've had 2, maybe 2.3 now, solid low-carb days. I am still not Ketotic Man, but I'm at least in the cruising lane I guess.
I've had 2, maybe 2.3 now, solid low-carb days. I am still not Ketotic Man, but I'm at least in the cruising lane I guess.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
The Fast Lane
From wikipedia's entry on "fasting":
[Which could make a kind of sense if the quoted doc is right about diets in between 0-800 cal being "dangerous". But I've never heard that one before.]
I think once in my life I did alternate-day fasts for 6 days (3 fasts), but that's not a very compelling proof of concept!
The punny branding is all laid out for me: "The Fast Lane" implies rapid (weight loss) through not eating (for stretches). The metaphor has legs. I try to stay out of the slow lane (carbs), and esp the shoulder/ditch (binging!), and spend time in the middle, "cruising" lane (low-carb), with occasional bursts of shifting into the fast lane (fasting) for a day.
But I'm leaving that whole concept in the R&D phase for now. I'm just going to focus on low-carb today, and try to put together 8 good days in a row. For a start.
I'm interested in the idea of alternating-day fasting. In practice it might be too difficult, either physically or socially, but it appeals to my "all or nothing" tendencies. (Dieting would be much easier if I could go cold turkey!) And I've often fasted for a day; it seems easier to eat zero calories than to try to eat 1,000.It has been shown in many empirical, scientific studies that fasting can improve health and help to eliminate a variety of diseases. Although some fasting methods use juice or various amounts of food, the health of such methods is questionable, according to Dr. Joel Fuhrman. A true fast, he contends, consists of an intake solely of water, and can last (healthily) for extended periods of time when undertaken with the correct knowledge. According to Fuhrman, it is critically important to consume no calories (to put the body in Ketosis), or more than 800 calories per day, to avoid Hypoglycemia resulting in brain damage. Thus, diets of 100-800 calories/day are very dangerous. Any fasts of such nature should be preceded and followed by a healthy diet, and should also be supervised by a knowledgeable physician to make sure that deficiencies of any nutrients do not take place and detract from the healthful benefits of such a fast [8]
Some doctors believe that pure water fasting can not only detoxify cells and rejuvenate organs, but can actually cure [9] such diseases and conditions as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, colitis, psoriasis, lupus and some other autoimmune disorders when combined with a healthy diet. They believe that "Fasting is Nature's Restorer."[10] There is empirical evidence to corroborate the beliefs of these scientists. [10]
Recent studies on mice show that fasting every other day while eating double the normal amount of food on non-fasting days led to improved insulin and blood sugar control, neuronal resistance to injury, and health indicators superior to mice on 40% calorie restricted diets.[11][12] Alternate-day calorie restriction may prolong lifespan[13] and attenuate diseases associated with inflammation, oxidative stress and aging[14].
[Which could make a kind of sense if the quoted doc is right about diets in between 0-800 cal being "dangerous". But I've never heard that one before.]
I think once in my life I did alternate-day fasts for 6 days (3 fasts), but that's not a very compelling proof of concept!
The punny branding is all laid out for me: "The Fast Lane" implies rapid (weight loss) through not eating (for stretches). The metaphor has legs. I try to stay out of the slow lane (carbs), and esp the shoulder/ditch (binging!), and spend time in the middle, "cruising" lane (low-carb), with occasional bursts of shifting into the fast lane (fasting) for a day.
But I'm leaving that whole concept in the R&D phase for now. I'm just going to focus on low-carb today, and try to put together 8 good days in a row. For a start.
A Good Day
Saturday was my best day in at least 10 days. Followed up omelette and cheese with salad & chicken parmesian (at Papa Razzi). I was no doubt extra-hungry, but it was one of the best meals I've had in weeks. And I didn't touch the bread or pasta that effectively surrounded me. :o)
So a good day. Now to build on that. Weigh-in tonight, which I don't expect to be very good. But there's another one in 7 days, and every 7 days after that... This has to be about the long haul.
So a good day. Now to build on that. Weigh-in tonight, which I don't expect to be very good. But there's another one in 7 days, and every 7 days after that... This has to be about the long haul.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Google King
It is kind of cool that this blog actually comes up first if you search for "ketotic man". I guess that shouldn't even be surprising, but I like it.
Back in the Saddle
Ok, long dark journey of the pantry is over. Right now. I'm not kidding.
In fact, ever since last night even. Today I've only had a ham & cheese omelette and some cheese, so I'm taking a step back onto the straight & narrow.
No carbs tonight!
And I will keep blogging regularly; that's the whole idea.
In fact, ever since last night even. Today I've only had a ham & cheese omelette and some cheese, so I'm taking a step back onto the straight & narrow.
No carbs tonight!
And I will keep blogging regularly; that's the whole idea.
Friday, October 10, 2008
What Happened Last Night?
Ok, last night was not good, true. But I've been through worse. And that's my only lapse in a few days. Today only one cheeseburger so far. Admittedly some bread involved in that, but really not so bad, all in all. No dinner in sight and it's 7:30. Maybe time for some cheese?
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Hanging Tough
Resolve stiffened by the latest (Sun night) weigh-in, I've been good for 3 days. And counting.
Somehow I'm "magically" in the zone again. I've been feeling fine, not starving, being good, no snax. But it's always hard to stay there (here!) for more than a few days at a stretch.
So I suppose I should be girding my (mental) loins and preparing to withstand a brutal hunger assault...
But right now feeling good.
Somehow I'm "magically" in the zone again. I've been feeling fine, not starving, being good, no snax. But it's always hard to stay there (here!) for more than a few days at a stretch.
So I suppose I should be girding my (mental) loins and preparing to withstand a brutal hunger assault...
But right now feeling good.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Breaking Radio Silence
One meal yesterday. Two today. Zero snacks.
A reaction to high weight Sunday night: 226.25.
This seems ridiculous; I should not weigh over 200.
A reaction to high weight Sunday night: 226.25.
This seems ridiculous; I should not weigh over 200.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Email from Dad
Dad writes:
I've fasted for a day or more at least a dozen times in the past year, so under the right circumstances I can fight the power. I often think going "cold turkey" would be far easier, but eating in moderation is unfortunately necessary for life. And then I find myself on a slippery slope. Last night my cheese snack turned out to be a "gateway food" leading to cereal and even 1 brownie. What's up with that!?!
And notice how I didn't blog here for two days. I've got to keep my focus up.
"I've been looking at your ketotic blog .......... I can see you are facing a daily severe struggle ........ not sure I can help ......... Why was my weight loss so easy? Holding my weight down is not easy ......... I've now settled onto a plateau of 112 lbs ........ but it entails hunger pangs."A great question. Must be some combo of not wanting it that bad, really really liking food/eating, and my cells crying out especially hard for sustenance.
I've fasted for a day or more at least a dozen times in the past year, so under the right circumstances I can fight the power. I often think going "cold turkey" would be far easier, but eating in moderation is unfortunately necessary for life. And then I find myself on a slippery slope. Last night my cheese snack turned out to be a "gateway food" leading to cereal and even 1 brownie. What's up with that!?!
And notice how I didn't blog here for two days. I've got to keep my focus up.
True Confessions
Not feeling very ketotic, literally or figuratively, right now. I've had 2 good days, but two pretty bad evenings. After wife and kids are in bed, hunger visits.
Things that may help:
Things that may help:
- Blogging. Part of this idea was to use this as my "diet-buddy" I should tell myself to write when I'm hungry.
- Don't starve myself. Diana should be my role model; she's way less extreme in her swings, has the occasional dessert/sweet, and loses steadily.
- Eat breakfast. See #2.
- Exercise. My foot's a little better, and I should probably at least experiment with longer walks or elliptical machine.
- Have good snacks around. I never want meat as a midnight snack, but cheese is a possibility -- or veggies.
Monday, September 29, 2008
40 hours...
...without eating. Now time to start eating (low carb) w/o going nuts. Salad w/ grilled chicken is on my mind, and on the menu at B. Good. An on my agenda within the next 15 minutes.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Not So Fast -- 224
So I fasted all day today, and the best I can say is that I averted absolute disaster, weigh-in-wise. By extreme last-minute effort, I managed to GAIN only a quarter-pound over last week. If I'd eaten "normally" today (whatever that means) I'm sure I would've been right back around 230 right now.
So it was a bad week, but I snatched mediocrity from the jaws of failure. A gain is a gain (and a bad thing), but a quarter pound means it's small.
Nothing short-term matters. I need to regain ketosis, which I suppose will only be a half-day or so away now, and stay there for more than a day or two this time.
So it was a bad week, but I snatched mediocrity from the jaws of failure. A gain is a gain (and a bad thing), but a quarter pound means it's small.
Nothing short-term matters. I need to regain ketosis, which I suppose will only be a half-day or so away now, and stay there for more than a day or two this time.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
No. No. No.
The obsessive weighing is getting out of control. I just hopped on the scale, thinking I'd be south of 220, and I was 225!!!!
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Getting it Back Together
Ok, I didn't eat at all until dinner. (Strangely, I wasn't as hungry as normal at 6pm, and after fasting all day I'm usually ravenous. I don't have a good theory on that one.)
Anyhow, I was pretty good. I did have a very small portion of rice and of chicken pot pie, but we're talking tiny. Mostly I had just leftover beef, pork, and chicken. :o)
Anyhow, I was pretty good. I did have a very small portion of rice and of chicken pot pie, but we're talking tiny. Mostly I had just leftover beef, pork, and chicken. :o)
Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!
It's been a bad 36 hours or so. Everything is relative, and I've actually eaten fewer carbs, and fewer calories in general, than "normal". But it's been a far cry from ketosis.
A little cereal. Cereal!
A slice or two of pizza. Pizza!
The "pommes frites". Fries!
Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pants tight. Heavier this morning (still 219 though, not hopeless). This has to be a near-zero carb day.
A little cereal. Cereal!
A slice or two of pizza. Pizza!
The "pommes frites". Fries!
Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pants tight. Heavier this morning (still 219 though, not hopeless). This has to be a near-zero carb day.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Frites!
Who knew "Steak Frites" wasn't fried steak?!?! The (only) good news is that Nunzio ate some of my fries, and I left some uneaten as well. But I had too little slices of bread, too.
It was a bad meal, carb-wise (though tasty!)
It was a bad meal, carb-wise (though tasty!)
Good news, Bad news
Last night I did an unofficial weigh-in -- after not eating all day and having only some steak, pork, and green beans for dinner -- and I was around 218.5 !!
But, bolstered by this, I had half a bagel w/ cream cheese later on last night.
So... I think something crazy like 215 could be within grasp this coming Sunday. On the other hand, it's very hard to keep the "eye of the tiger" for weeks. (And it hasn't even been a week yet!)
Call me "Ketotish Man".
But, bolstered by this, I had half a bagel w/ cream cheese later on last night.
So... I think something crazy like 215 could be within grasp this coming Sunday. On the other hand, it's very hard to keep the "eye of the tiger" for weeks. (And it hasn't even been a week yet!)
Call me "Ketotish Man".
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
223.75
So, I lost 4.5 pounds in the last week. (And all of them undoubtedly in the last 4 days, in fact.) And I'm under 225, which was a goal for today.
But I weighed only 218 on August 3rd!! So I don't feel that great about where I am.
Onward and downward!
PS:
Diana is my weight-loss inspiration. She's lost 11.5 lbs in 13 weeks (while growing half an inch!) -- dropping her BMI by 2.1, which is awesome.
But I weighed only 218 on August 3rd!! So I don't feel that great about where I am.
Onward and downward!
PS:
Diana is my weight-loss inspiration. She's lost 11.5 lbs in 13 weeks (while growing half an inch!) -- dropping her BMI by 2.1, which is awesome.
T-minus not much
The kids are keeping me waiting...
I'm ready to weigh in. Without going into great detail, let's just say that I've lightened the load just about every way I can think of, save amputation.
SHould be weighing in within the hour...
I'm ready to weigh in. Without going into great detail, let's just say that I've lightened the load just about every way I can think of, save amputation.
SHould be weighing in within the hour...
stix
And I swear my arms looked thinner* to me this morning, as I was lying in bed, trying to summon the energy to get up**.
*No, arms aren't probably where I'd choose to lose weight, but it always goes equally from everywhere. Smaller waist will mean smaller neck, et al.
**And no, I can't say I'm feeling extra-energetic so far. Not less, bit not more, either. But I wouldn't read too much into my laziness this morning. This was my first chance to sleep in in weeks. And I've been up late lately.
*No, arms aren't probably where I'd choose to lose weight, but it always goes equally from everywhere. Smaller waist will mean smaller neck, et al.
**And no, I can't say I'm feeling extra-energetic so far. Not less, bit not more, either. But I wouldn't read too much into my laziness this morning. This was my first chance to sleep in in weeks. And I've been up late lately.
D-Day
Today I've had a banana, and several apples. (We went apple picking today.) I frankly didn't realize how high-carb those fruits are. I bet I've had 100g today, which is way, way too many. I think I want to stay under 40 or so per day. Oh, well.
Despite this, I feel good. I'm slightly hungry, but nibbling cheese is controlling that. We may eat out tonight, but I should have no trouble going zero-carb, given that my first weigh-in (on this latest kick-within-a-kick) is tonight.
I guess, given all those carbs, I must not be in ketosis right now, but I dunno. I don't feel different, or very hungry right now.
Despite this, I feel good. I'm slightly hungry, but nibbling cheese is controlling that. We may eat out tonight, but I should have no trouble going zero-carb, given that my first weigh-in (on this latest kick-within-a-kick) is tonight.
I guess, given all those carbs, I must not be in ketosis right now, but I dunno. I don't feel different, or very hungry right now.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
24 hours to weigh-in
The short-term key is to not blow it tomorrow -- or tonight!
The beauty is that I'm not hungry. But I've been in ketosis at least twice, probably 3-4 times minimum, and I haven't been able to keep it up.
I think 8 days is my record. In fact, that was 8 days on Atkins, so maybe 6-7 days in ketosis. I must've entered ketosis yesterday, Friday Sept 19, at about noon. So another short-term goal would be to stay "in the pocket" all week, through Friday night, which would definitely be my longest stint in ketosis.
The beauty is that I'm not hungry. But I've been in ketosis at least twice, probably 3-4 times minimum, and I haven't been able to keep it up.
I think 8 days is my record. In fact, that was 8 days on Atkins, so maybe 6-7 days in ketosis. I must've entered ketosis yesterday, Friday Sept 19, at about noon. So another short-term goal would be to stay "in the pocket" all week, through Friday night, which would definitely be my longest stint in ketosis.
To Diana & Bill: You can comment. :o)
[You're the only people I've given the url, so I figure you 2 -- at the very most -- are my readership.]
Anyhow, don't forget that you can leave comments. That would really freak me out. (And don't worry; no one will see them but me. And perhaps you two. Until I spill more beans.)
Anyhow, don't forget that you can leave comments. That would really freak me out. (And don't worry; no one will see them but me. And perhaps you two. Until I spill more beans.)
Mirror, Mirror
Yes, I'm (A-L-R-E-A-D-Y-!-!-!-!-!) looking thinner in the mirror! And I'm just talking about my face here.
But I know, from at least 40, if not 140, diet initiatives, that nearly any new try, if it has some kind of energy behind it, results in some, um, results. In the first week.
If I were to total all of my "first week" weight losses, from all of my various initiative, the sum would undoubtedly exceed my entire current weight. By a factor of two. Easily.
So let's not get excited. 200 will be reason to get excited.
But I know, from at least 40, if not 140, diet initiatives, that nearly any new try, if it has some kind of energy behind it, results in some, um, results. In the first week.
If I were to total all of my "first week" weight losses, from all of my various initiative, the sum would undoubtedly exceed my entire current weight. By a factor of two. Easily.
So let's not get excited. 200 will be reason to get excited.
Natural Man = Ketotic Man ?
It seems to me (when I read this) that it must be a natural thing to be in ketosis periodically. Perhaps not for months or years on end, but, then again, I wonder if even that would be more "unnatural" than existing in a virtual "carb-bath" for an entire lifetime, as I, and many other Americans, and Mexicans, have.
Given the fact that, objectively, the odds would seem to be high against me staying in ketosis for much more than a week, if that long, there's no cause for worry.
I suspect that it's completely healthy to go in and out of ketosis for periods of days, or even weeks. It would make sense that this could be a -- or the -- natural state of things for our ancestors. Find a bountiful fig tree one week, kill a mastadon the next week. And in between starve a little.
Given the fact that, objectively, the odds would seem to be high against me staying in ketosis for much more than a week, if that long, there's no cause for worry.
I suspect that it's completely healthy to go in and out of ketosis for periods of days, or even weeks. It would make sense that this could be a -- or the -- natural state of things for our ancestors. Find a bountiful fig tree one week, kill a mastadon the next week. And in between starve a little.
Hope and Goals
I'm hoping to be around 225 when I officially weigh in tomorrow (Sunday) night. My (recent) low was 218 lbs on Aug 3rd -- which seems incredible. If I really stay ketotic, maybe I can get there again by the end of September.
Getting crazy, and possibly aspirational (I can hope!), maybe I can reach 200 by the end of the year. I'll see my parents, and entire family, for Thanksgiving, and -- as every year -- it's exciting to imagine that I could be noticeably (dramatically!?!?) thinner by then.
[Of course the one time I actually went to SC light(er/ish) the lack of comment was deafening. But I was probably around 205-210 then. The point is I need to be actually thin to make a real impression on anyone. 200 might do it, 195 for sure, I believe.]
Ok, fun with math:
We leave for our Thanksgiving trip in 9 weeks, i.e. 63 days. Reaching 200 would mean losing about 30 pounds in about 65 days, so nearly half a pound per day, or 3ish lbs/week. I think that rate is in the realm of possibility, if I stay in ketosis.
Getting crazy, and possibly aspirational (I can hope!), maybe I can reach 200 by the end of the year. I'll see my parents, and entire family, for Thanksgiving, and -- as every year -- it's exciting to imagine that I could be noticeably (dramatically!?!?) thinner by then.
[Of course the one time I actually went to SC light(er/ish) the lack of comment was deafening. But I was probably around 205-210 then. The point is I need to be actually thin to make a real impression on anyone. 200 might do it, 195 for sure, I believe.]
Ok, fun with math:
We leave for our Thanksgiving trip in 9 weeks, i.e. 63 days. Reaching 200 would mean losing about 30 pounds in about 65 days, so nearly half a pound per day, or 3ish lbs/week. I think that rate is in the realm of possibility, if I stay in ketosis.
So, How am I Feeling?
I think I'm enfolded in the warm embrace of ketosis.
Minimal hunger -- though I can't say it's zero. But I've only had 2 scrambled eggs, 2 slices of cheese, and 2 slices of ham today, and I'm not particularly hunger. (Of course, my stomach did just rumble... I suppose that reaction may be completely unrelated to hunger per se.)
I feel a little more tired than normal -- and that's not what I expect in ketosis.
My back also aches a little. Maybe that's unrelated to anything. I did do a lot of driving today.
But my head is a little "buzzy", and that as much as anything convinces me that I'm in the zone.
In yesterday's lingo, I'm feeling about 75% normal.
Minimal hunger -- though I can't say it's zero. But I've only had 2 scrambled eggs, 2 slices of cheese, and 2 slices of ham today, and I'm not particularly hunger. (Of course, my stomach did just rumble... I suppose that reaction may be completely unrelated to hunger per se.)
I feel a little more tired than normal -- and that's not what I expect in ketosis.
My back also aches a little. Maybe that's unrelated to anything. I did do a lot of driving today.
But my head is a little "buzzy", and that as much as anything convinces me that I'm in the zone.
In yesterday's lingo, I'm feeling about 75% normal.
What happened last night?
Things are good, I think.
We ate dinner at some friends' house. I drank about 4 glasses of wine, had 2 tostitos w/ guacamole, about 3-4 tablespoons of rice. Otherwise I've been very good.
Zero carbs so far today.
We ate dinner at some friends' house. I drank about 4 glasses of wine, had 2 tostitos w/ guacamole, about 3-4 tablespoons of rice. Otherwise I've been very good.
Zero carbs so far today.
Friday, September 19, 2008
1:30pm Feeling Better...
Down to 55% on the "Normal-Meter". But I'm at 85% on the "Feel-Good-Meter".
Much happier than an hour ago.
Much happier than an hour ago.
60%
This has to be ketosis kicking in. I guess I'm about 75% certain.
It's played out in different ways for me in the past. The last time, which was just last January, I felt pretty weird and a little bad for about 12-24 hours I think. Then I started to feel great.
The very first time, when I first tried Atkins, I seemed to enter ketosis suddenly, almost like a light switch, and I went from feeling totally normal to feeling really good. At least that's how I remember it.
When I say "good" I mean I remember feeling:
•no hunger
•elevated energy
•sharpened mind
•positive mindset
(Though this last one could have been a secondary effect of feeling I was accomplishing something. On some level it doesn't matter, I suppose, whether the effect was a direct result of my physical state or a secondary psychological result.)
Anyhow, I'm not feeling great right now. A bit fuzzy-headed and tired. Hope to feel great (see above) by tomorrow.
It's played out in different ways for me in the past. The last time, which was just last January, I felt pretty weird and a little bad for about 12-24 hours I think. Then I started to feel great.
The very first time, when I first tried Atkins, I seemed to enter ketosis suddenly, almost like a light switch, and I went from feeling totally normal to feeling really good. At least that's how I remember it.
When I say "good" I mean I remember feeling:
•no hunger
•elevated energy
•sharpened mind
•positive mindset
(Though this last one could have been a secondary effect of feeling I was accomplishing something. On some level it doesn't matter, I suppose, whether the effect was a direct result of my physical state or a secondary psychological result.)
Anyhow, I'm not feeling great right now. A bit fuzzy-headed and tired. Hope to feel great (see above) by tomorrow.
80% and dropping...
I'm down to 80% normal. In fact as I write this it's closer to 70%, 67% even.
I think ketosis has walked in my front door. Or I suppose the better metaphor is me walking through its door. But, then again, I've been the one waiting for it, so maybe I'll stick with version A.
Still not certain, but I think this could be it.
I think ketosis has walked in my front door. Or I suppose the better metaphor is me walking through its door. But, then again, I've been the one waiting for it, so maybe I'll stick with version A.
Still not certain, but I think this could be it.
Early Lunch -- 40 hours and counting...
I had a Slim Jim and cheese-stick. Didn't feel up to roast chicken (yet) so got some Irish cheddar at De Luca's. Nibbling that now.
Still feel 90% normal. Maybe starting to get that ketotic feeling; hard to say. I've paddled out, now waiting on the big wave...
Still feel 90% normal. Maybe starting to get that ketotic feeling; hard to say. I've paddled out, now waiting on the big wave...
From Dad
Dear Mike,
I continue to be vitally interested in my diet , but lack anything approaching certainty.
Our culture and lifestyle have changed markedly over the past tens of thousands of years ........ but I don't believe our basic biochemistry has had time to evolve much. If there was any good way to find out how the average of out distant ancestors ate we would have far better guide lines.
PROTEIN I cannot believe that humans of even 50000 years ago were efficient hunters of meat animals. They lacked running speed and endurance and even a good sense of smell. The only credible evidence is that of primiitive man digging pit traps where they may have even been able to trap animals as lerge as a mastodon ...... that would keep the tribe and surrounding tribes in meat for a few days of feasting ....... but no way that could be a steady and reliable source. If game animals are well equipped to survive predators as swift as the cheetah or as strong as the lion what chance did a human have.
Only with the domestication of the hunting dog and invention of the bow and arrow did humans become effective hunters, but that was 15-20 thousand years ago. The domestication of the horse, less than 10,000 years ago was another major step ........ then came agriculture, settled villages and herds of meat animals, all in the very recent past.
Much of our physiology, biochemistry and anatomy leans toward a herbivore wih a touch of omnivore but certainly not mch for carnivore.
Excessive protein in the human diet is almost certainly a slow poison to the kidneys and bone strength.
Plus a high saturated fat intake that goes with much of meat eating is a slow poison to blood vessels.
All fats were probably as difficult for very primitive people to find as animal protein ...... and they were likely to avidly eat insects, especially insect larvae and other small sources of fat and oil.
CARBOHYDRATE
Almost certainly primitive people had no access to the abundant carbs we get from wheat, corn, potatoes and a host of other sources ....... although the San people of the Kalahari (one of the last hunters and gathers that could be studied before civilization totally distorted them) showed that they got a big fraction, perhaps 50-80%, of their calories from starchy tubers. This is also supported by studies fro the Transvaall Museum, in Pretoria, of human tooth structure and dentine being almost identical to the teeth of the hairless rat-mole of Africa, that has a diet very high in starchy tubers. These primitive tubers are in general nothing like the potato in that they have far more fiber and require much chewing and saliva production before digestion.
MY BEST GUESS AT PRESENT is that real low carb intake (enough to suppress the appetite by developing ketosis) in not the way to go. Also pigging out on high carb foods is equally bad in that the excessive amounts of insulin released stimulate more hunger ....... which is OK if there is no loaded pantry. In the Fall our ancestors may have come across a wild fig tree, for example, and gorged themselves but there was probably not another tree at hand for the rebound, whereas we have carbs in excess around the clock.
Take a look at tis article ...... which has some good points ....... but overall is still far from a complete answer:
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/diet_and_fitness/article4523487.ece
I continue to be vitally interested in my diet , but lack anything approaching certainty.
Our culture and lifestyle have changed markedly over the past tens of thousands of years ........ but I don't believe our basic biochemistry has had time to evolve much. If there was any good way to find out how the average of out distant ancestors ate we would have far better guide lines.
PROTEIN I cannot believe that humans of even 50000 years ago were efficient hunters of meat animals. They lacked running speed and endurance and even a good sense of smell. The only credible evidence is that of primiitive man digging pit traps where they may have even been able to trap animals as lerge as a mastodon ...... that would keep the tribe and surrounding tribes in meat for a few days of feasting ....... but no way that could be a steady and reliable source. If game animals are well equipped to survive predators as swift as the cheetah or as strong as the lion what chance did a human have.
Only with the domestication of the hunting dog and invention of the bow and arrow did humans become effective hunters, but that was 15-20 thousand years ago. The domestication of the horse, less than 10,000 years ago was another major step ........ then came agriculture, settled villages and herds of meat animals, all in the very recent past.
Much of our physiology, biochemistry and anatomy leans toward a herbivore wih a touch of omnivore but certainly not mch for carnivore.
Excessive protein in the human diet is almost certainly a slow poison to the kidneys and bone strength.
Plus a high saturated fat intake that goes with much of meat eating is a slow poison to blood vessels.
All fats were probably as difficult for very primitive people to find as animal protein ...... and they were likely to avidly eat insects, especially insect larvae and other small sources of fat and oil.
CARBOHYDRATE
Almost certainly primitive people had no access to the abundant carbs we get from wheat, corn, potatoes and a host of other sources ....... although the San people of the Kalahari (one of the last hunters and gathers that could be studied before civilization totally distorted them) showed that they got a big fraction, perhaps 50-80%, of their calories from starchy tubers. This is also supported by studies fro the Transvaall Museum, in Pretoria, of human tooth structure and dentine being almost identical to the teeth of the hairless rat-mole of Africa, that has a diet very high in starchy tubers. These primitive tubers are in general nothing like the potato in that they have far more fiber and require much chewing and saliva production before digestion.
MY BEST GUESS AT PRESENT is that real low carb intake (enough to suppress the appetite by developing ketosis) in not the way to go. Also pigging out on high carb foods is equally bad in that the excessive amounts of insulin released stimulate more hunger ....... which is OK if there is no loaded pantry. In the Fall our ancestors may have come across a wild fig tree, for example, and gorged themselves but there was probably not another tree at hand for the rebound, whereas we have carbs in excess around the clock.
Take a look at tis article ...... which has some good points ....... but overall is still far from a complete answer:
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/diet_and_fitness/article4523487.ece
Ketosis
Here's what wikipedia says:
And, more importantly, even Dad agrees that I'm better off "risking it" if it's the only way I can lose weight. 230 pounds is not good, and I'll be 44 years old in December. Too fat to be this old, and to old to be this fat.
Ketosis (pronounced /kiːˈtoʊsIn this state hunger nearly disappears, which is why it's great from a dieting standpoint. My Dad is one of many who worry about liver damage from prolonged ketosis. However, it seems clear that short stints are not dangerous.ɪs/) is a state in metabolism occurring when the liver excessively converts fat into fatty acids and ketone bodies which can be used by the body for energy.
And, more importantly, even Dad agrees that I'm better off "risking it" if it's the only way I can lose weight. 230 pounds is not good, and I'll be 44 years old in December. Too fat to be this old, and to old to be this fat.
The Science - my understanding
I realized I haven't really laid out my understanding of nutrition on this blog yet. Here goes, in the shortest form I can manage:
I believe that carbohydrates are the major obstacle to weight loss, and perhaps health in general for most people.
Eating carbs elevates insulin levels in the blood, which does 3 things: inhibits fat burning, triggers fat storage, and increases hunger. The effects are almost immediate and last for several hours.
These three effects of insulin are undisputed and clearly demonstrated in humans as well as dozens of animal species. It's also undisputed that consuming carbs raises insulin levels. So it's really an "open and shut case".
I suspect the world would have far less obesity, perhaps hardly any at all, if there were no such thing as processed sugar and high fructose corn syrup. So perhaps blaming all carbs goes too far. However, taste and hunger and biochemistry being what they are, I suspect if those 2 evil things didn't exist, we'd find a way to put potato, or rice, or apple juice concentrate or something in everything we eat.
So carbs = bad.
I believe that carbohydrates are the major obstacle to weight loss, and perhaps health in general for most people.
Eating carbs elevates insulin levels in the blood, which does 3 things: inhibits fat burning, triggers fat storage, and increases hunger. The effects are almost immediate and last for several hours.
These three effects of insulin are undisputed and clearly demonstrated in humans as well as dozens of animal species. It's also undisputed that consuming carbs raises insulin levels. So it's really an "open and shut case".
I suspect the world would have far less obesity, perhaps hardly any at all, if there were no such thing as processed sugar and high fructose corn syrup. So perhaps blaming all carbs goes too far. However, taste and hunger and biochemistry being what they are, I suspect if those 2 evil things didn't exist, we'd find a way to put potato, or rice, or apple juice concentrate or something in everything we eat.
So carbs = bad.
How Long?
According to these guys, it takes "1-4 days" to enter ketosis, and they say people usually need to be "under 30-40 grams" per day to make it happen, and to stay there, though there's lots of variation.
The 2 times I'm certain I got there I believe it took me right around 48 hours, or perhaps slightly less. So I'm going to hope to enter the ketotic zone this afternoon. Very exciting!
The 2 times I'm certain I got there I believe it took me right around 48 hours, or perhaps slightly less. So I'm going to hope to enter the ketotic zone this afternoon. Very exciting!
red wine's better?!?!?!?
Ok, I could've sworn that white wine was lower-carb. But apparently it varies a lot. And in fact "dry red" is the lowest, at half a gram per glass. I'm not even sure what I drank yesterday, but I'm going to guess all the wine added up to somewhere in the 10-20 gram range (of carbs). So I've probably had no more than 25-30 in 36 hours. That should keep me on track...
Friday morning -- 36+ hours in
I came through last night with flying colors, all things considered. At the Sel de la Terre opening party I only ate 2 things: rabbit with bacon (1st rabbit for me ever), and a little "vial" of corn soup. So the soup was bad, but extremely small. I also had about 3 glasses of red wine.
Still, I'd call that a victory.
So I doubt I've had more than 30-40 grams of carbs in 36 hours, and maybe less...
Feel normal. Had to get up early to take Diana to school extra early (chorus). But I'm not yet Ketotic Man. Maybe I've had too many carbs w/ all the wine??? Though it may also take a bit more time than this...
Still, I'd call that a victory.
So I doubt I've had more than 30-40 grams of carbs in 36 hours, and maybe less...
Feel normal. Had to get up early to take Diana to school extra early (chorus). But I'm not yet Ketotic Man. Maybe I've had too many carbs w/ all the wine??? Though it may also take a bit more time than this...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
6ish pm - almost 24 hours since (lots of) carbs
My first carbs of the day were in the form of white wine at "Thirsty Thursday" at work. I chose the lowest-carb choice (apparently white is lower than red, despite the fact it generally seems sweeter), and avoided the pizza entirely.
I'm hungry (and buzzed), but otherwise feeling normal.
Unfortunately, my biggest (foreseeable) test is coming. I'm going to a restaurant's grand opening party, and there will not only be lots of food, and drink, and food, but there will be a certain amount of social pressure to eat a wide variety of what's offered, if not necessarily a huge quantity, per se. I will do my best to navigate the territory between rude and fat...
I'm hungry (and buzzed), but otherwise feeling normal.
Unfortunately, my biggest (foreseeable) test is coming. I'm going to a restaurant's grand opening party, and there will not only be lots of food, and drink, and food, but there will be a certain amount of social pressure to eat a wide variety of what's offered, if not necessarily a huge quantity, per se. I will do my best to navigate the territory between rude and fat...
Lunch -- 17 hours since carbs
This is when I made the decision to go ketotic. I've been struggling with the meat thing, but I put my foot down. Today I searched out just meat, and found it at the Rotisserie place in the mall food court. I had the "1/4 breast plate" which included 2 sides. I got green beans and broccoli w/ carrots. But I didn't touch the sides, only the chicken.
It tasted quite good, esp the skin. And this was only about the 2nd or 3rd time I've eaten meat off the bone in 24 years!
So far so good. Felt totally normal.
It tasted quite good, esp the skin. And this was only about the 2nd or 3rd time I've eaten meat off the bone in 24 years!
So far so good. Felt totally normal.
Breakfast - 12 hours since carbs
I ate no breakfast. This is normal. (And probably bad.) I felt normal.
22 Years
An hour after I decided to start this latest push, including creating this blog, I realized that today is my 22nd anniversary in my job. And 22 has always been my favorite number, so I guess this is a big one.
Not sure if this had any subconscious effect on my thinking, but in any case it's nice to have that much more psychological weight behind me saying, "This is important. This is the one."
Not sure if this had any subconscious effect on my thinking, but in any case it's nice to have that much more psychological weight behind me saying, "This is important. This is the one."
I want to be Ketotic Man
I'm starting this blog out of desperation. Here are my goals, in stream-of-consciousness order:
I have woken up every morning for at least 25 years thinking about losing weight, getting in shape, getting thinner. And in those years I've gained about 45 pounds. I've tried a lot of things which I won't detail here.
I was a vegetarian for 23 years, 1984-2007, only making that change last December, right before New Years. This was a direct result of reading "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes. I'm now convinced that limiting carbohydrates is the best way to lose weight. More, much more, on this later.
So I started 2008 with a plan to eat very few carbs, enter the state of ketosis -- in which fat is burned for fuel, and hunger is suppressed -- and stay there for a long time, losing weight with ease.
But a funny thing happened on the way to 163 lbs. I don't like meat too much. Or at least I'm not at all used to eating it. Meanwhile, I have a L-O-V-E of carbs. I would tell people even when I was in high school that my favorite foods were all carbs. At the time I was pretty thin, and this statement was basically a point of pride; I thought carbs were the healthiest thing in the world. What could be better for you than bread???
So here I am, in September, heavier than ever. I know the theory, but I need to put it into practice. So I want to become Ketotic Man. I tend to agree with my Dad that this isn't the way to live longterm. But I am truly worried that I will die soon if I do not lose some significant weight, and I think the benefits of the "ketotic lifestyle" well outweigh the risks on the short-term, as even Dad agrees.
Essentially I want to stay in ketosis for weeks or months at a time lose tons of weight, and eventually find a way to eat a more balanced diet once I'm well below 200 lbs. Or not. Obviously I'll have to play all of this by ear.
And that's where the blog comes in. I don't know if I'll even share the url with anyone. (Maybe Dad? Maybe Bill? Both of them are interested in my weight loss process...) But in any case I want to be able to do something that keeps my focus. And I like to write. Writing without (much of) an audience takes any pressure off, so I can think of it as more of a diary.
So here goes... everything?
- lose weight
- live longer
- look better
- fit in my pants
- be a better role model for my children
- demonstrate the same discipline and focus I have in most other areas
- stop taking lovastatin
- get under 200 pounds before I really start to suffer the health consequences
- ultimately get to my high school weight of 163 pounds
- increase my energy level, for myself, my kids, my wife
- increase my happiness index, which I believe will happen if the above happen
I have woken up every morning for at least 25 years thinking about losing weight, getting in shape, getting thinner. And in those years I've gained about 45 pounds. I've tried a lot of things which I won't detail here.
I was a vegetarian for 23 years, 1984-2007, only making that change last December, right before New Years. This was a direct result of reading "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by Gary Taubes. I'm now convinced that limiting carbohydrates is the best way to lose weight. More, much more, on this later.
So I started 2008 with a plan to eat very few carbs, enter the state of ketosis -- in which fat is burned for fuel, and hunger is suppressed -- and stay there for a long time, losing weight with ease.
But a funny thing happened on the way to 163 lbs. I don't like meat too much. Or at least I'm not at all used to eating it. Meanwhile, I have a L-O-V-E of carbs. I would tell people even when I was in high school that my favorite foods were all carbs. At the time I was pretty thin, and this statement was basically a point of pride; I thought carbs were the healthiest thing in the world. What could be better for you than bread???
So here I am, in September, heavier than ever. I know the theory, but I need to put it into practice. So I want to become Ketotic Man. I tend to agree with my Dad that this isn't the way to live longterm. But I am truly worried that I will die soon if I do not lose some significant weight, and I think the benefits of the "ketotic lifestyle" well outweigh the risks on the short-term, as even Dad agrees.
Essentially I want to stay in ketosis for weeks or months at a time lose tons of weight, and eventually find a way to eat a more balanced diet once I'm well below 200 lbs. Or not. Obviously I'll have to play all of this by ear.
And that's where the blog comes in. I don't know if I'll even share the url with anyone. (Maybe Dad? Maybe Bill? Both of them are interested in my weight loss process...) But in any case I want to be able to do something that keeps my focus. And I like to write. Writing without (much of) an audience takes any pressure off, so I can think of it as more of a diary.
So here goes... everything?
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