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(Dawn) #21

Thanks again @OldDoug. I do remember Dr. Fung saying that he has never had to refer anyone to surgery because of a loose skin issue while on his program. So that is all very encouraging. I will stop watching youtube. THANK YOU…smooches.

(Doug) #22

Well D, that is encouraging indeed. :slightly_smiling_face: I didn’t know Dr. Fung is that positive about it not being a problem. Fingers crossed…

#23

Going about your business… That’s exactly how fasting is supposed to be IMHO.

I think setting a fasting goal based on weight makes more sense than setting it for an arbitrary number of days, as most people do.

I feel fine. This is my new normal now. Of course we can make it to Friday. No problem!

(Dawn) #24

Still going strong. At this point, this is just a normal routine for me. I don’t feel anything. Nothing different from any other day. Well I do have a few bouts of glee, but those are quickly contained. The sad part is, I am almost at a 50 pound weight loss but I am still considered morbidly obese. The suggested BMI for my height and age would put me at a weight lower than high school. I am a pretty muscular girl even with all of the fat, so getting down to that BMI would almost be foolish…unless I plan to be an emaciated being who can barely walk.

@Brenda, I know you don’t like the current BMI scale that is currently peddled by the medical industry. Can you suggest another measure of what my weight should be? I want to lift, not heavy, just serious and I want to go back to walking marathons. All of those things build very heavy muscle on me. I have a goal weight. But I am starting to think my goal weight may still be too high based on this stupid BMI chart. RIght now my focus is on getting below 200 pounds. I will have plenty of time to really assess my goal weight after that goal is reached. But any advice that anyone has would be really helpful

#25

Yes, scales/BMI don’t give you a lot of useful information! Body composition is probably the simplest measurement if you have access to it (not from a scale that claims to measure body fat % - I’ve never seen one of those but it sounds like they’re wildly inaccurate).

Also (or otherwise) can you make a list of what you think your goal weight would give you (and then use those?).

Feeling like ____ and ___ and _______

Being able to ______ and ________

Wearing __________

Having _________ measurements (or proportions).

#26

There is a reason why every doctor’s office has a scale and on every visit they weight the patient along with taking other essential measurements like blood pressure and temperature. Scales are a useful tool. People can misuse the information, but that doesn’t take away from the utility of the tool itself.

For people who have a current or previous problem with weight, a scale can provide crucial feedback. The National Weight Control Registry studies folks who’ve been able to maintain their weight loss for more than 5 years. There are several habits that successful folks have, one of them is weighing themselves regularly.

I realize some folks emotionalize the data received from a scale and it can drive unhealthy behavior. I’m not a psychiatrist, and won’t play one on the internet. But a scale can also be used to provide motivation.

For those trying to lose weight, the most useful useful information is the aggregation of data points such that a trend can be determined. Scales use BIA and an algorithm to calculate % body fat. If your body is close to their theoretical model, the number will be fairly accurate. But whether it’s accurate or not isn’t important. It’s the trend that matters. If you’re losing weight, the pounds should go down and the %bf should go down. If you’re not losing weight and the %bf is going down that’s assurance that good things are happening with your body. If you’re losing weight and the %bf is increasing, you should examine your routine.

Being on a weight loss journey without using a scale, is like flying a plane without instruments. It can be done but you’d be better off learning how to use the tools at your disposal.

(Mark Rhodes) #27

My thoughts are that the structures that hold the skin together are elastin proteins much like the cell membranes that hold fat cells in place. I do not have proof but wonder if autophagy deconstructs these and then using GH generated by the fast or as a part of the sleep cycle uses this for reconstruction as needed and this might be why loose skin is less of an issue during fasting. Would like to know other’s thoughts.

(Doug) #28

Mark, sounds entirely plausible - I sure hope something like that is the deal. All I know for sure is that there are many anecdotal accounts of fasting getting rid of loose skin, from weight loss and from other causes like past pregnancies.

(Dawn) #29

Well, I am 50 pounds down. The first 20 lost over the last year, the second 30 lost within the last 2 months. Very quick loss of the last 30 and I have seen NO loose skin. Not sure if that means anything, but it’s something that makes me hopeful. Even if I do have some loose skin, who cares. I have never been a bikini babe even when i was in my 20’s so I have no intention of showing that much of myself anyway.

#30

@4dml What a great post! I think that @Goal179 was trying to figure out how this next leg of her journey should be framed given her own body’s tendencies. She was struggling to make sense of all that in terms of BMI and weight, I’m not sure that weight is the best way to format her goal.

But I amend my general comments about scale use based on reading your post. I agree: it’s a tool, and you need to know what information it doesn’t give (and what it gives!).

(Dawn) #31

Today is my 9 or 10th day. I can’t remember but I feel fine. I dont feel as good as I did but still ok. I am trying to hang in there until Friday which will be about 12 or 13 days. My energy is a little lower than normal so I have stopped working out. I will continue on because I really do feel well. No headaches or anything. Stil lmentally sharp. I am really flexing my fasting muscles. Maybe a 21 day fast in my future. @4dml, how is it going for you?

#32

If you feel fine, keep hanging​ in there!
Your doing great and Friday is only 72 hours away.

I’ve never fasted longer than 10 days without having a meal. My energy level never wanes, but I am prone to having episodes of orthostatic hypotension. Challenging workouts can also cause my BP to drop. Since my normal pressure is 90/60, a 15 point drop can make me light headed.

Normally I have a bullion cube for dinner, but for the past several nights, we haven’t had a sit-down dinner, so I haven’t had it. It’s ​an easy way to take in a little extra salt, but apparently I’m ok on that front right now.

For me, the challenge of fasting is mostly physiological. So once I’ve made up my mind, it’s easy. I’ve come a long way. Up until a couple of months ago, I thought fasting was reserved for religious devotees who wanted to get closer to God.

(Dawn) #33

@4dml You are sooo right, I thought the same thing about fasting. In fact, I thought the entire idea of fasting was silly. I actually had someone approach me about it two years ago and I ignored them. She was trying to help me by explaining how she had so much success. I thought she was a nut. Now, I beat myself up everyday for not listening to her. And to make matters even worse, when I was growing up, my best friend’s dad used to preach fasting all the time. This was in the late 80’s. But I guess I just wasn’t ready to hear it. But now fasting has changed my life. I have lost 30 pounds in about 2 months. Very good progress. Noticing some of my pre diabetes symptoms going away as well. I may add a little bone broth tonight. It may stop autophagy but if it helps me get through the next 72 hours, then I am fine with it. Thank you so much for your unwavering support. Tell me how much you have lost? I want to partake in your joy =0)

I think I am down about 8 pounds since I started fasting last week. My goal is to get down into the 2-teens. I am only 1 pound away from being 219. I hope to end the week at 217. God willing

#34

By all means, have some bone broth. You’re fasting to address insulin resistance, not prevent cancer. There is a time and place for a distilled water only fast as Seyfried suggests doing once a year. But right now it’s about giving our pancreas a break and inducing a state of lipolysis. Bone broth won’t effect that. Drink up!

I’m down 35 lbs in 65 days (not all fasted), currently at 197. I intend to fast until I get down to 25% BF. I don’t know (or care) how long that will take, I’m guessing January. I don’t know (or care) what weight that will be, I’d guess 140 - 160 lbs. I’m really enjoying the process. Weird…

(Dawn) #35

Didn’t need the bone broth after all. I was so busy with taking the kids trick or treatng that by the time we came home, it was time for bed. I will prepare take it for “lunch” tomorrow. thanks @4dml for the constant motivation

#36

How’s it going today?

I’m doing good, though yesterday I battled with diarrhea, if that’s what you call the green water that came out my butt hole :disappointed:. I think it’s one (or a combination) of the vitamins in taking. I know, TMI…

(Dawn) #37

@4dml I am so sorry about the BM issues. But your body knows what it wants and CLEARLY it did not want that. LOL!!!

I am still doing very good. A little worried about some sort of refeeding syndrome but I plan to take it very easy. Starting broth tonight, moving forward tomorrow with a few nuts and olives around dinner time. Then some tuna, eggs, or crab with butter for dinner. I am only one pound away from my monthly goal. So honestly, if I am not at goal by tomorrow AM, I am going to push into one more day and break the fast on Saturday. I am going right back on a 5 day fast starting Monday. From there I am going to mirror you and do a 5:2 until I reach my 100 pound mark.

I LOVE this as a weight loss tool. I feel so empowered and so spiritually fit. BUT, I will confess. I have been a bit cranky the last couple of days. I’m not sure where it’s coming from. It started Wednesday night and continued through yesterday. Feeling a little better today though. I also have a nasty taste in my mouth that won’t seem to go away no matter how much I brush. But that’s a minor problem.

#38

Yeah, if you’re only 1 lb away from your goal, keep on fasting! Just let me know when it’s time to break our fast.

I haven’t had any issues with refeeding, but I never let my GI shutdown completely, I consume about ~75 calories a day. During refeed, I just eat a regular meal and then resume fasting.

(Dawn) #39

Well I have started brothing up today. I will break my fast tomorrow at 11am eastern time with a nice group of mac nuts and olives. Followed by crab or tuna. I will eat throughout the entire weekend and then jump back on first thing Monday. I am only fasting through Friday of next week because I actually have a social engagement. =0)

Thank you so much @4dml for your support. I could not have done this without you. I will check in as I start actually eating tomorrow. YAY!!!

Ohh and i am down 12 pounds. Still didn’t meet my goal, but I am only .1 pound away, so I expect to see that scale hit it tomorrow.

#40

Awesome! The fast was a big success. Congratulations! Let us know what your break fast meal was.

I think I’m going to have guacamole and bacon.