SugarFree Protocol – Heather

Heather will join us all on Monday, February 15, 2016 – but please take a minute to welcome her now!

Heather’s Introduction:

Hi! I’m thirty-eight, 5′ 7″ and weigh 291 pounds. My test results revealed that I am a Diabetic with Hyperinsulinemia, have Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), and am Hypothyroid. My inflammation level is extremely high, and I have signs of early heart disease. In other words, I must now work hard to reverse all this before it’s too late, and I will.

I’ve battled weight all my life. I reached 310 pounds in 2006 when I delivered my daughter. I did the low-calorie South Beach diet, worked out five days a week, and by starving myself, lost 100 pounds. Naturally, starving yourself always boomerangs, and I gained it all back. I have lost, then gained weight like a yo-yo as long as I can remember. I have tried every diet out there – all low-calorie – and since starvation never works long-term, neither did any of them. The fat always returned with a vengeance.

I’ve thought about weight-loss surgery for years, and have been told by most doctors that I should take weight-loss drugs, but I knew deep down that would just help me starve myself – with side effects. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what would work. So I gave up, and ate nothing but junk/fast food for the last several years.

I stumbled upon SugarFree while searching for something else, and I am so thankful I did. Someone who has walked the walk herself (245 down to 130 pounds) understands how to heal broken metabolisms without the useless Calories In, Calories Out, and although I need to do the work, I know she will provide the road map I need to fix my health for good.

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 1 – 2/15

Weight: 291 pounds

Measurements:
Bust: 48″
Waist: 51″
Hips: 58″

Meal:
– 8 oz kale
– 1.5 T. duck fat
– 9 oz asparagus
– 1.5 T. butter
– 9 oz salmon
– 1 oz sweet potato

Fitday stats:
Calories: 775
Fat: 51.9 grams (60%)
Protein: 61.4 grams (32%)
Carbs: 15.6 grams (8%)

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after meal): 87
2-hour PP (after meal): 88

I’m excited to start Protocol, and look forward to making progress.

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 2 – 2/16

Weight: 290 = down 1 pound

Meal:
– 8 oz broccoli
– 1 T. duck fat
– 5 oz green beans
– 1 T. butter
– 3 oz chicken liver
– 3 large eggs
– 1 oz potato

Fitday stats:
Calories: 600
Fat: 43.5 grams (65%)
Protein: 36.4 grams (24%)
Carbs: 15.7 grams (11%)

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 95
1-hour PP (after meal): 92
2-hour PP (after meal): 91

Like a lot of new Participants, I hated the liver. But as SugarFree and so many other Participants have discovered and said – it’s an acquired taste, especially given all the junk food I’ve eaten exclusively for years. Wonder how long it will take me to acquire that taste? 🙂

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 3 – 2/17

Weight: 287.2 = down 2.8 pounds

Meal:
– 8 oz spinach
– .75 T. duck fat
– 4.5 oz artichoke hearts
– .75 T. butter
– 10 oz sirloin steak
– 1 oz corn

Fitday stats:
Calories: 804
Fat: 55.4 grams (62%)
Protein: 61.4 grams (31%)
Carbs: 14.9 grams (7%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 85
1-hour PP (after meal): 82
2-hour PP (after meal): 90

My meal was delicious, and it was nice to see a little color on the ketostix this morning! My headaches have finally subsided, so I am hopefully through the worst of the drug withdrawal. Getting off sugar, junk food and cans per day of aspartame-laden diet sodas is hard work.

[Note: Welcome, Heather! Yes, your body is going through major detox right now, and that kind of drug withdrawal is never easy – though you’re doing great. :D]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 4 – 2/18

Weight: 286.2 = down 1 pound

Meal:
– 8 oz swiss chard
– 1 T. duck fat
– 12 oz broccoli rabe
– 1 T. butter
– 12 oz pork chop
– 1 oz sweet potato

Fitday stats:
Calories: 806
Fat: 53.9 grams (60%)
Protein: 64.9 grams (32%)
Carbs: 15.4 grams (8%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 81
1-hour PP (after meal): 92
2-hour PP (after meal): 86

Another great meal. I’m happy my glucose numbers are responding so well to the real food I now eat, even though I know they’re actually being artificially lowered by all the excess insulin in my body. SugarFree said it will take two to three weeks for my pancreas to get the message that I’m no longer eating junk food, and that it no longer needs to make so much.

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 5 – 2/19

Weight: 285 = down 1.2 pounds

Meal:
– 8 oz broccoli
– .75 T. duck fat
– 6 oz collard greens
– .75 T. butter
– 16 oz chicken thighs
– 1 oz long grain brown rice

Fitday stats:
Calories: 828
Fat: 56.1 grams (61%)
Protein: 64.6 grams (31%)
Carbs: 16.2 grams (8%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 85
1-hour PP (after meal): 91
2-hour PP (after meal): 91

This has been a long, hard week. I look forward to getting extra rest this weekend.

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 6 – 2/20

Weight: 282.6 = down 2.4 pounds

Meal:
– 1 oz onion
– 4 oz kale
– 2 oz turnip greens
– 1 T. butter
– 1 oz chicken livers
– 4 large eggs
– 1 T. duck fat

Fitday stats:
Calories: 569
Fat: 52.8 grams (72%)
Protein: 50.6 grams (22%)
Carbs: 16.9 grams (6%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 87
1-hr PP: 95
2-hr PP: 94

I didn’t eat the liver again. I’ll keep trying.

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 7 – 2/21

Weight: 281 = down 1.6 pounds

Meal:
– 9 oz salmon
– 8 oz spinach
– 8 oz mustard greens
– 1.75 T. butter
– 1.75 T. duck fat
– 1 oz whole-wheat spaghetti

Fitday stats:
Calories: 851
Fat: 52.8 grams (62%)
Protein: 56.7 grams (29%)
Carbs: 16.6 grams (9%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 85
1-hr PP: 97
2-hr PP: 94

My first ten pounds of many are gone! I was starving by the time I ate, but was full before I finished it all. Hunger did return in the evening.

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 1 – 2/22

Weight: 280.8 = down .2 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 47″ = down 1″
Waist: 49″ = down 2″
Hips: 56.5″ = down 1.5″

From other areas = down 2.25″

Meal:
– 13 oz pork chop
– 8 oz broccoli
– 6 oz turnip greens
– 1 T. butter
– 1 T. duck fat
– 1 oz sweet potato

Fitday stats:
Calories: 812
Fat: 55.1 grams (61%)
Protein: 61.2 grams (30%)
Carbs: 17.8 grams (9%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 86
1-hr PP: 92
2-hr PP: 92

Wow – six inches of fat gone in a week! My clothes are looser, but I was still surprised by the loss. I was especially excited about losing two inches from around my waist, since SugarFree says it’s an indicator of healing insulin resistance.

[Note: What a great first week, even though with your extremely high levels of insulin you’re having a tough time getting into lipolysis. Keep at it; it will happen and the hunger will disappear! And yes, losing the fat from around the waist is the hardest, but you’re off to a great start. :)]

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 2 – 2/23

Weight: 280.2 = down .6 pound

Meal:
– 8 oz swiss chard
– 1.25 T. duck fat
– 5 oz green beans
– 1.25 T. butter
– 1 egg
– 1 oz chicken liver
– .5 oz tomato paste
– .1 oz flour
– 4 oz mushrooms

Fitday stats:
Calories: 450
Fat: 34.9 grams (70%)
Protein: 15.1 grams (13%)
Carbs: 19 grams (17%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 88
1-hr PP: 86
2-hr PP: 85

Today was another struggle to eat the liver. SugarFree says it will get better, and it happened for all the other Participants, so I just need to keep trying.

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 3 – 2/24

Weight: 279.2 = down 1 pound

Meal:
– 8 oz spinach
– 1.5 T. duck fat
– 12 oz broccoli raab
– 1.5 T. butter
– 9 oz salmon
– 1 oz brown rice

Fitday stats:
Calories: 814
Fat: 53.5 grams (59%)
Protein: 66.9 grams (33%)
Carbs: 16.2 grams (8%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 87
1-hr PP: 98
2-hr PP: 88

I hope I will have more energy soon.

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 4 – 2/25

Weight: 278 = down 1.2 pounds

Meal:
– 8 oz kale
– 1 T. duck fat
– 4.5 oz artichoke hearts
– 1 T. butter
– 6 oz chicken liver
– 1 oz onion
– .5 oz flour
– 4 oz mushrooms

Fitday stats:
Calories: 564
Fat: 33.8 grams (54%)
Protein: 37.2 grams (26%)
Carbs: 27.7 grams (20%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 81
1-hr PP: 99
2-hr PP: 94

As of today I’ve lost thirteen pounds – in less than two weeks. I look forward to seeing my measurements on Monday. 🙂

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 5 – 2/26

Weight: 278.2 = up .2 pound

Meal:
– 8 oz broccoli
– 1.5 T. duck fat
– 4 oz dandelion greens
– 1.5 T. butter
– 9 oz salmon
– 2 oz whole-wheat spaghetti

Fitday stats:
Calories: 822
Fat: 52.7 grams (58%)
Protein: 61.4 grams (30%)
Carbs: 25.5 grams (12%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 78
1-hr PP: 98
2-hr PP: 93

It’s been a good week.

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 6 – 2/27

Meal:
– 2 oz corn
– 8 oz spinach
– 9 oz asparagus
– .75 T. butter
– 10 oz sirloin steak
– .75 T. duck fat

Fitday stats:
Calories: 833
Fat: 55.4 grams (60%)
Protein: 64.9 grams (31%)
Carbs: 18.7 grams (9%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 79
1-hr PP: 86
2-hr PP: 84

I’m camping in the woods this weekend, while still following Protocol. I love spending time outside when the weather is beautiful.

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 7 – 2/28

Meal:
– 16 oz chicken thigh
– 8 oz kale
– 6 oz collard greens
– .75 T. butter
– .75 T. duck fat
– 2 oz whole-wheat spaghetti

Fitday stats:
Calories: 837
Fat: 55.9 grams (60%)
Protein: 64.9 grams (31%)
Carbs: 18.6 grams (9%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 81
1-hr PP: 89
2-hr PP: 86

I enjoyed being outside this weekend!

Protocol Round 1, Week 3, Day 1 – 2/29

Weight: 277.6 = down .6 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 47″ = no change
Waist: 49″ = no change
Hips: 56.5″ = no change

From other areas = no change

Meal:
– 13 oz pork chop
– 8 oz broccoli
– 6 oz turnip greens
– 1 T. butter
– 1 T. duck fat
– 2 oz sweet potato

Fitday stats:
Calories: 836
Fat: 55.1 grams (59%)
Protein: 61.6 grams (30%)
Carbs: 23.5 grams (11%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 80
1-hr PP: 87
2-hr PP: 86

I’m disappointed that all my measurements stayed the same. SugarFree assures me that next Monday will be much better.

Protocol Round 1, Week 3, Day 2 – 3/1

Weight: 277.6 = no change

Meal:
– 8 oz kale
– 1.25 T. duck fat
– 9 oz asparagus
– 1.25 T. butter
– 2 large eggs
– 8 oz chicken liver
– 2 oz onion
– 4 oz mushrooms
– .25 oz wheat flour

Fitday stats:
Calories: 816
Fat: 52.1 grams (58%)
Protein: 61.6 grams (30%)
Carbs: 25.1 grams (12%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 80
1-hr PP: 88
2-hr PP: 87

I’m getting into a good routine with Protocol.

[Note: I’ll say – you ate ALL your liver! Well done. :D]

Protocol Round 1, Week 3, Day 3 – 3/2

Weight: 277.4 = down .2 pound

Meal:
– 8 oz broccoli
– .75 T. duck fat
– 8 oz mustard greens
– .75 T. butter
– 15 oz chicken thigh
– 2 oz white potato

Fitday stats:
Calories: 812
Fat: 53.3 grams (59%)
Protein: 63.1 grams (31%)
Carbs: 20 grams (10%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 80
1-hr PP: 85
2-hr PP: 85

My meal was very filling.

Protocol Round 1, Week 3, Day 4 – 3/3

Weight: 276 = down 1.4 pounds

Meal:
– 8 oz spinach
– 1.5 T. duck fat
– 5 oz green beans
– 1.5 T. butter
– 10 oz salmon
– 2 oz corn

Fitday stats:
Calories: 836
Fat: 53.9 grams (58%)
Protein: 65.8 grams (32%)
Carbs: 21.9 grams (10%)
Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 77
1-hr PP: 84
2-hr PP: 85

I’m looking forward to the weekend and extra rest. SugarFree has explained that my deep fatigue is due to my hypothyroidism, which will take months to start to heal, not just weeks. I’m still not managing stress (or meditation) very well either, which is contributing to the problem. Hopefully, this will start to get better soon.

Protocol Round 1, Week 3, Day 5 – 3/4

Weight: 275.2 = down .8 pound

Meal:
– 8 oz kale
– 1 T. duck fat
– 6 oz collard greens
– 1 T. butter
– 8 oz chicken liver
– 3 large eggs
– 1 oz tomato paste
– 4 oz mushrooms
– 2 oz brown rice

Fitday stats:
Calories: 873
Fat: 51.5 grams (53%)
Protein: 66.8 grams (31%)
Carbs: 35.5 grams (16%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 85
1-hr PP: 86
2-hr PP: 87

I’m looking forward to taking my measurements on Monday.

Protocol Round 1, Week 3, Day 6 – 3/5

Weight: 274 – down 1.2 pounds

Meal:
– 10 oz sirloin steak
– 2 oz whole-wheat spaghetti
– 4.5 oz artichoke hearts
– .5 T. butter
– 8 oz swiss chard
– .5 T. duck fat

Fitday stats:
Calories: 800
Fat: 49.2 grams (55%)
Protein: 63.6 grams (32%)
Carbs: 25.6 grams (13%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 102
1-hr PP: 98
2-hr PP: 88

I had a wonderful time hanging out with my little girl at her school carnival.

Protocol Round 1, Week 3, Day 7 – 3/6

Weight: 273.8 = down .2 pound

Meal:
– 9 oz salmon
– 8 oz spinach
– 12 oz broccoli rabe
– 1.5 T. butter
– 1.5 T. duck fat
– 2 oz lentils

Fitday stats:
Calories: 879
Fat: 57.1 grams (59%)
Protein: 70.9 grams (32%)
Carbs: 20.3 grams (9%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 82
1-hr PP: 99
2-hr PP: 88

Busy day today shopping and prepping for my first Maintenance meal.

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 1 – 3/7

Weight: 274.4 = up .6 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 47″ = no change
Waist: 48.5″ = down .5″
Hips: 56″ = down .5″

From other areas = no change

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 79
1-hr PP: 88
2-hr PP: 98

Another three pounds and an inch of fat gone this week!