IMHO when we get within the “redzone” of weight loss (inside of 20 lbs to go, pardon the NFL analogy) seems everything happens at a lower velocity. I too am within 20-25 lbs of a “idealized” weight. When I hit it that will represent a 110-120 lbs total loss since 2/17. No way do I expect to be traveling at the same speed going forward as the past several months. I need time for my skin to catch up to the weight loss train.
So I’m now turning to the finer points of metabolic management. Hydration has been of interest to me of late. It’s cold here (in Maryland) and I know in winter I drink less than I should. Sooooo I’ve been trying to push myself to drink my average daily water loss which is about 1,700 ml/day. First response so far has been some pesky peripheral edema on my ankles has disappeared in 10 days. Very interesting. Proper hydration is acting like a diuretic. Did’nt know that could happen.
Since I only weigh myself now at the start and end of each monthly Zornfast I’m clueless about my daily weight changes. I do know however that my belt is running out of holes again and these pants are 18 inches smaller than when I started. More importantly I’ve not touched an Advil or Aleve since March, 2017 as I no longer have joint pain. My blood pressure meds left the building back in August and I have only my daily baby aspirin to keep me company.
I’ve met some great folks at the pool 3 times a week poolwalking 2.5 miles/week and once a week in the gym on the weight machines. The Dr. McGuff protocols have really paid off with strength gains since August.
My guess is that the 10% of body fat cells I’ve replaced in the past year have been born in a lower basal insulin environment, with those arriving after August having the best chance of being really, really normal. So maybe August is my ketoversary for adipose resurrection. While we’re on the subject of resurrection my skeleton replaces itself at the same rate as my fat so let’s not forget the happy bones. And last but not least Mr. Liver is a regenerating superstar. My guess is that there are a lot of happy insulin sensitive campers there too.
Every 90 days new red blood cells arrive and the last HbA1c in October was 4.8, with ongoing fasting blood sugars averaging 78 for the last 90 days, so there should be happiness in blood city as well.
As to what I’m after going forward is to lock in my gains and explore where this can go. I am now sooooo past what I expected to happen last year, every day is something new. One thing I’m sure of now is that monthly fasting is my go to strategy for personal recharge. The brain on fire mental clarity is my new drug of choice. I’m hooked. And since I’ve now started Zornfast January, 2018 1 hour ago I’m on this cruise with you and the rest of the gang to enjoy the ride. See you on the party deck with @Brenda.