Still unsure almost 6 months in

#21

Phlegm/congestion in the body that slows digestive processes, interferes with absorption via a coating of gunk, and can make one weaker to other problems including mental malaise.

It’s a foundational concept in eastern medicine (Chinese, and Indian ayurveda) that a strong digestive fire is essential for health, and that conditions of ‘excess cold’ or ‘not enough fire’ are root causes of some serious probs. Biodynamic or elemental frameworks are part of diverse indigenous healing traditions too, named in different ways, all earth-based.

(Allison) #22

I’ve heard that before, working out less. Does it really make that significant of a change to move less when the goal is to burn body fat? Since exercise is something of a staple for me, what would be the alternative to working out less? More food, more fat, more protein? I’ve had 2 months of IF with minimal results, so I’ve decided to try IF 4 days a week and eating when I’m hungry the other 3 days. I used IF Monday and Tuesday and this morning I brought eggs and bacon with me to work. I’ve had 1 boiled egg, 6 strips of bacon, a 100 cal pack of guacamole and coffee with cream. I logged it all into my food diary and it says I’ve eaten 388 calories, 34g fat, 7g carbs, 15g protein. I still have 120g of fat left for the day, I’m wondering if IF is actually stalling my weight loss if I am trying to eat 154g of fat in 2 meals - that’s 77g of fat in one meal - how do you get that much in one sitting? If I could just figure out how to pack in the fat without getting nauseous from it all I’d be good.
So - is it that I don’t eat enough fat or that I’m trying to eat too much and that’s what’s causing the struggle?

#23

Yes it does make a significant change, because restoration & recovery are critical for recomposition. 1-2 intense, slow, short workouts per week - when those workouts are strength training with weights - are quite sufficient for mitchondrial energies to be boosted - and McGuff cites studies which show that even longer recovery times speed lean mass development. The books I linked above are wonderful resources.

In fact, 99% of muscle development is dietary. Just 1% is strength training, but that 1% can leverage a lot.

As far as fat intake goes, some females who are fat-adapted but have overfat bodies may well find that reducing fat intake allows the body to access its own internal fat stores. Also, supplementing with Ginger reduces cortisol, and low-cortisol is essential for the body to access belly fat.

If you use the search bar on these topics, there are lots of past posts and facinating tidbits of info.

(Allison) #24

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me. I don’t want to be a pest.
Could you tell me how you could tell when the Ginger began to work for you? How long did it take?

Can i take it on an empty stomach? Can i mix it with my other vitamins?

Thanks

(Diane) #25

I bought a bottle with 100 caps of ginger. I take 2 a day at bedtime with LOTS of water (at least a full glass, you don’t want it dissolving in your throat, it burns a bit) on an empty stomach with my other supplements and meds. Never had any problems as long as I had enough water. I noticed that my pants were a lot looser by the time I finished the first bottle. So, about a month and a half to two months. I’m upping my doses by taking 2 capsules with my meals now, especially with dairy. Usually don’t eat more than 2 meals a day. Still getting into this habit, so I’m not sure if this will help with digestion or not.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #26

It helped me. I am intrigued.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #27

And now I know where you got your name from!

#28

You’re very welcome!

The digestive enhancement and cortisol/insulin hormonal balancing starts after the first dose - and I’d say I noticed significant lower GI tract vitality (speedier BMs and a pleasant feeling in the low belly due to good circulation) around week 2, and general inreased anti-inflam bliss.

I’m 52, so I assume that the body’s response processes are prob a bit slower for my age group - but I feel happy knowing that Ginger has been used for thousands of years as a go-to herbal ally for both children, invalids, and midlife/elder health.

Then around the 3rd month s after a swoosh is when I noticed that yes, my belly fat was changing. At this point, I’ve recomposed all fat in the lowest two inches of the belly above the pubic bone - and the fat bulge isn’t as low as it was, it’s changed - I guess I’ve lost a small roll :smiley:

I take two caps w/ fatty coffee in the a.m. - and with my two meals a day later in the day - a total of 3.3 grams, which is below the cut-off dosage used in human studies. I built up to it. though. On OMAD days for whatever reason, I seem to need/want less.

As Ginger is a natural circulatory enhancer, it’s contraindicated with blood thinners. It replaces aspirin - two caps will banish a headache or congested sinuses, etc., it’s a powerful NSAID, etc.

(Allison) #29

Can I pick your brain a bit more please?
I have implemented the ginger root since you and I last “spoke”. I take 2 capsules in the morning while drinking my coffee with cream. So it has been about 2 weeks. I am noticing that my body feels “softer” for lack of a better term. I know people can have firm fat, and even with my prior weight loss 2 years ago, my fat wasn’t this soft. So can I attribute this to the ginger?
2. I tried to fast for 24hrs yesterday. I wanted to go from dinner the day before until 24hrs later to have dinner yesterday. Unfortunately, I made it 21hrs. I felt some hunger, but mostly it felt like my blood sugar had dropped and I had a headache despite drinking some ketoaide. Does this mean I’m still not fat adapted?
3. I will admit to you that I am still working out 3 days a week, which is a drop from my previous 5 days that I had bumped up to. So, I’m trying to get down to being comfortable with only 2 days pers week, it’s hard when that’s your source of anti-everything lol.
I am writing this to @SlowBurnMary but I appreciate anyone’s perspective on what I’ve written today. Thanks

(Lisa F) #30

Hi Allison - I don’t take ginger but I’ve often noticed my fat feels softer and I’ve always attributed that to actually losing some…or maybe water leaving the cells so they aren’t as rigid.

As for the low blood sugar feeling…when I fast I will often get a bit of a shaky feeling that is similar to low blood sugar but I’ve been Keto for almost three years and I’m definitely fat adapted at this point. You may still not be getting enough electrolytes and fluids so try to up those a bit. And don’t worry about quitting early…it takes time to build up to longer fasts.

Finally I’m a bit late on this but do try to cut the dairy and maybe the nuts also? Both can be pretty inflammatory and cause stalls. Also I ended up needing to eliminate lunch and preserved meats and stick with natural foods. Just a thought! I cut dairy cold turkey and ended up losing about 5 lbs immediately. Still working on cutting nuts…can’t have them in the house at all…

Good luck!

(Troy Anthony) #31

I put fresh ginger in my smoothie everyday, that and turmeric, big fan

(Diane) #32

I agree. I used to have a rounder belly, now it’s softer and I am starting to have a couple of rolls. My pants are much looser in the waist, belly and thighs. I’ve attributed this to fat loss. The skin and connective tissue takes longer to lose or tighten, I think.

(Ken) #33

If you are training, I suggest you reduce your fat. IMO, that’s what’s keeping you in Maintenance. (Or stall, plateau, etc). Go to the 60/35/5% macro and aim for a 500 Cal per day deficit. If you start having noticeable energy balance issues, (including diminishing performance in the gym) consider consuming some carbs on the Weekends.

#34

Well, ginger aids circulation of water as well as blood - and it may or may not be related to the changes in your fat cells, which replace fat with water until they are totally empty of fat and then shrink. :wink: I’d recommend taking another afternoon/eve dose if it’s working for you - to keep the levels of gingerol up in the blood.

Don’t exacly “try” to fast - be open to it, and see what the body does. Have your fatty coffee in the morning (I recommend a tblsp of coconut oil in too, for MCTs boosting) - and then immerse in your day, and see where it takes you. I had my first 24 hour ‘fast’ quite unexpectedly around month 4 or so… was working late - and the lovely fat-adapted hunger cues are so subtle and easy to diminish with a glass of mineral water!

Also, there is an argument that for women, 18-20 hours max of IF may serve us better - the primordial female biology often raises cortisol in the absence of any protein or carbs. This is getting more attention in the last couple years - and Mark’s Daily Apple blog (primal paleo verging on keto), has some female writers reporting on it - Dave Asprey started reporting it some years back from his client (and also that 20% of female endurance athletes do actually do well on OMAD).

Well, 3 days is better than 5 days. In the meantime, maybe poring over Body By Science and the Slow Burn Fitness Revolution will help you further.

If I’ve repeated myself, apologies - haven’t checked to see what I wrote before, lol.

Most of all:

keep%20calm%20and%20trust%20the%20process%20resized

(Allison) #35

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Do you see any change? I’m thinking at this point with the wedding 90 days away and me wanting to get 15 to 20lbs off I’m going to have to switch to carnivore keto.

(Allison) #36

Ok, another dose in the evening and add coconut oil to the coffee, got it. Now if I enjoy an afternoon cup, is it ok to add some coconut oil to that one as well or just keep it strictly to the morning cup?
I will definitely look into those fitness resources as well.

(Allison) #37

Would you be open to sharing your personal results with keto? How much weight you lost and in what amount of time?

#38

LCHF/Keto takes time - just like it took time to develop the overfat state.

I see change in your pic, reasonable amount of it at the 6 month mark - the body has been prioritizing dealing with visceral fat, probably some fatty liver, and restoring lean mass. Measuring is always a better way to tell. Looks like you’ve lost a good inch or more in various locations!

I just had a suprise re-measure after six weeks, and it showed I’d lost 1.5 inches off of each upper thigh! That’s no small potatoes, but it wouldn’t show much in clothes.

(Allison) #39

Really? you think so? I know scale weight has not changed at all. I figured it was because I train fairly often.
I guess i get caught up like so many others on how people lose 15 pounds their first month or they drop multiple sizes in weeks and I’m over here on the other side of the fence.

#40

About 9 months in - and I don’t weigh - after the first couple weeks of water weight loss, the scale doesn’t report most changes that happen when one isn’t obese.

HOWEVER I’ve lost lots of inches and about 2 clothing sizes. I went down from an XL/1X to a comfortable size L apparently. Am 5’10 and almost back to my leaner version of me.

3 inches from bust,
4 inches from underbust,
2 inches from belly button waist, (both of which involved losing lost of back fat - and experiencing plenty of thermal sensations during it, as I eat about 2 tblsp of coconut oil a day, and the MCTs really boost the fat burning)
a total of 1.5 inches from each thigh,
and my lower face cheeks went through a few cycles of getting squishy then getting more firm, and I’ve lost the subtle jowls I got after I turned 50 :smiley:

That’s just some of it. I haven’t been measuring my calves or my ears, hahahaa