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.

The Fast Lane

From wikipedia's entry on "fasting":

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].

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.

[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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Email from Dad

Dad writes:

"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:

1. Blogging. Part of this idea was to use this as my "diet-buddy" I should tell myself to write when I'm hungry.
2. 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.
3. Eat breakfast. See #2.
   
4. Exercise. My foot's a little better, and I should probably at least experiment with longer walks or elliptical machine.
5. Have good snacks around. I never want meat as a midnight snack, but cheese is a possibility -- or veggies.