SugarFree Protocol – Kim

Kim will join us on Monday, January 28 – but please welcome her now.

Kim’s Introduction:

Hello everyone. I am 47, 5′ 6″ and weigh 272 pounds. After reviewing my metabolic tests with SugarFree I learned that I am Hypothyroid and Insulin Resistant. When SugarFree said I am on the short track to diabetes I decided this will not be my fate!

For most of my life I remained slim and fit due to an obsession with excessive exercise and six years in my late teens and early twenties as an anorexic.  A typical exercise session lasted over four hours, and on weekends I added a twenty-mile run each day to that! I actually traveled with a portable treadmill in the back of my car, in case I couldn’t get to a gym. A comically sad (but true) story of who I was at the time: I ran on that portable treadmill at a friend’s party, while people around me ate, drank and had a good time.

I dropped to an alarming low of 102 pounds and my menses stopped. When my hair fell out at a frightening rate I knew I was in trouble. I started to eat again, and as my weight gradually normalized I began to return to health. The exercise obsession took longer to break, and has continued throughout my life. It’s only now that I am too overweight to exercise well that I am probably normal.

After the birth of my son, I had several life-threatening complications which resulted in  months in a hospital and the long use of Methotrexate and blood transfusions. My weight gain began then but snowballed when we moved into a house ten years ago that was, unbeknownst to us, loaded with toxic mold. It led to a long and painful struggle to try to discover what was wrong with my husband and my two children, with a massive weight gain on my part, despite trying every diet known. I did vegan, raw vegan, juice fasting, South Beach, Atkins, Ideal protein, Nutrisystem, and Weight Watchers. I resorted to extended fasts. Everything worked for a short time, but nothing worked for long because, as SugarFree has shown me, I was doing everything wrong.

Now I want to be healthy and well and let my body heal from the years of abuse I’ve put it through.  I never ever realized in the early days of anorexia that I was doing significant damage to my metabolism, but after several conversations with SugarFree I finally understand how the human body works on a science and biology level. I am profoundly and utterly grateful that my doctor recommended her Protocol.

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

Weight: 272

Measurements:
Bust: 50″
Waist: 42″
Hips: 54″

Meal:
– 8 oz. Spinach
– 9 oz. Asparagus
– 14 oz. Chicken thighs
– 1 oz. white potato
– 1 oz. sour cream
– 1 T. Butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 751
Fat: 50.1 grams (60%)
Carbs: 15.6 grams (8%)
Protein: 59.3 grams (32%)

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 103
1-hour PP: 115
2-hour PP: 132

I’m excited to begin Protocol, but also daunted by the sheer amount of food I had to eat today. It is way more than what I would have had in a typical meal and my anorexic brain is having a bit of a hard time taking all that in. I also feel very cold. Looking forward to my progress!

[Note: Welcome, Kim! Progress you will make, not least of which will be to bring down those extremely high blood sugars. Given what a single ounce of potato did to spike them, it will be best to drop all starch veggies for the rest of the week, and try again on Monday. The good news is – it all gets better from here. :)]

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

Weight: 271.2 = down .8 pound

Meal:
— 8 oz kale
— 5 oz green beans
—  9 oz salmon
—  3 T. butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 694
Fat 49.9 grams (65%)
Carbs 10 grams (6%)
Protein 51.1 grams (29%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 124
1-hour PP: 131
2-hour PP: 122

I’m doing well today. My energy level is up today and I’m not very hungry but I am still very cold. My fuzzy morning thinking seems to be diminishing. The most difficult part of Protocol is advance preparation; no quick convenience meals here. I’m also struggling with the sheer volume of food. It took nearly an hour to eat my meal. I am also craving Mangoes by the bushel, it is really all I can think about!

[Note: Kim, use the search box to find Roasted Vegetables or Veggies. I suspect you are steaming yours, which makes a huge volume. Roasting eight ounces of broccoli shrinks the volume down low enough to fit in one hand. And oh how much more yummy! 🙂 As for the ‘craving’ – that’s a normal part of going through drug withdrawal, which is what’s happening to you, and which will subside in a week or so.]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 3 – 1/30

Weight: 271 = down .2 pound

Meal:
– 8 oz broccoli
– 11 oz zucchini
–  8 oz chicken livers
–  3 T. butter
–  2 large eggs

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 792
Fat 56.7 grams (65%)
Carbs 10.5 grams (5%)
Protein 59.8 grams (30%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 110
1-hour PP: 134
2-hour PP: 118

I feel great today, lots of energy. I’ve discovered I really hate liver but if it will heal by body that is o.k. by me. I’m still having a difficult time with all this food. So much of it! I feel good about my blood glucose numbers dropping. They aren’t great but they are better. I’m happy to see that Protocol will head off diabetes and insulin resistance right from the start.

[Note: Kim, I know this will sound strange to someone who never tasted liver in her life until today, but you will grow to love it. Everyone does. Especially on Maintenance when you can make my chopped liver recipe. And you will know that your metabolism is starting to heal when the amount of food on Protocol seems very small indeed, especially compared to Maintenance. 🙂 The food seems like a lot now because your metabolism has been dormant for a long time, and because you have entered lipolysis, which means that you are finally burning your excess fat for fuel, which is feeding you. You will probably be very happy with your measurements on Monday. :)]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 4 – 1/31

Weight: 264 = down 5 pounds!

Meal:
– 8 oz spinach
– 8 oz asparagus
– 7 oz shrimp
– 4 T. butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 744
Fat: 51.0 grams (62%)
Carbs 11.3 grams (06%)
Protein 60.2 grams (32%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 100
1-hour PP: 139
2-hour PP: 114

I am delighted to see my greatly improved blood glucose levels and happily shocked at the amount of weight my body has released in just four days. It proves that Protocol is making my body happy.

On a sadder note, although I feel good physically it is an emotionally rough day because a very close family member passed away this morning. After conferring with SugarFree, I am putting off Protocol reporting for the next few days (though I will follow my menus and take my blood sugars as I can under the circumstances) to be with my family, and will hopefully post again on Monday, when I will have a ‘re-do’ of Protocol Week 1.

[Note: Kim, I’m sure I speak for all my readers as well as myself when I say that you and your family have our deepest condolences for your loss. Please take care of yourself as best you can, and come back next week to a plan that clearly is working well for you – just two red inks on your blood sugar readings! :)]

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

Weight: 272.2 = up 1.2 pounds

Measurements:
Bust: 52″ = up 2″
Waist: 42.5″ = up .5″
Hips: 54″ = no change

Meal:
– 8 oz. Spinach
– 9.5 oz. Shrimp
– 9 oz. Asparagus
– 1 oz. Butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 751
Fat: 50.1 grams (60%)
Carbs: 15.6 grams (8%)
Protein: 59.3 grams (32%)

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 154
1-hour PP: 98
2-hour PP: 108

After a four-week hiatus I am back and, it appears, just in time. SugarFree wasn’t kidding when she said I was a half step away from diabetes, as my fasting blood sugar indicated during that time. There were days I went over 150 PP! My metabolism is clearly so damaged that even potato or bread over the weekend would cause a dangerous spike, and in just four weeks I’ve put back all the fat I had when I started in January – and a bit more.

Only one day on Protocol and I feel fantastic again. I really feel so much better eating this way. For me, the results are dramatic and very worth it.

[Note: Kim – welcome back! If going back to the old way of eating taught you something important, it was well worth it. You’ll make up your old ground in no time if you stick to the straight and narrow from here out. :)]

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

Weight: 272.2 = no change

Meal:
– 8 oz. Kale
– 5 oz. Green Beans
– 8 oz. Salmon
– 3 T. Butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 805
Fat 55.7 grams (62%)
Carbs 16.2 grams (8%)
Protein 59.7 grams (30%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 122
1-hour PP: 122
2-hour PP: 113

I’m having a hard time adjusting to the preparation required for Protocol and juggling long work hours, being a mom and wife and all the rest. Meal planning isn’t easy for me, but  SugarFree assures me that the more I do it, the easier it will be. So I’m spending time trying to make sure I have everything right. The planning was the biggest adjustment my last Protocol go around and the same applies now. SugarFree said something that has stuck with me though, which is that taking the time to care for yourself when things are hectic is exactly the time you need it most! Other than that, I feel great.

[Note: And it’s exactly what women are not taught to do for themselves! Quite the opposite, in fact. So I would suggest that the meal planning difficulty isn’t because you’re on Protocol – but because although it is required for everyone if they are to stay healthy (as is getting sufficient rest and sleep) – you haven’t done it for years. Hence, the health dilemma you find yourself in now. In other words, Protocol or no, learning how to take care of YOU is the first step back on the road to health. It’s just that Protocol makes you do it now. :)]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 3 – 2/27

Weight: 270 = down 2 pounds

Meal:
– 8 oz broccoli
– 11 oz zucchini
–  8 oz chicken livers
–  3 T. butter
–  2 large eggs

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 792
Fat 56.7 grams (65%)
Carbs 10.5 grams (5%)
Protein 59.8 grams (30%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 118
1-hour PP: 134
2-hour PP: 126

I loathe these blood sugar numbers! SugarFree says they will come down but fast is not fast enough!

[Note: Kim, I know it’s scary – these are scary numbers – but what may help is understanding how long it took you to get to these numbers, and that reducing them involves changing things at the cellular level. That is going to take time. Months, not three days. If you can truly accept this, it will reduce your stress at seeing them, and that in turn will lower them a bit faster. In other words: Patience, Grasshopper. :D]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 4 – 2/28

Weight: 264 = down 6 pounds

Meal:
– 8 oz Broccoli
– 2 T Butter
– 11 oz pork chop, with bone
– 11 oz Zucchini

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 794
Fat 61 grams (62%)
Carbs 10 grams (8%)
Protein 59.7 grams (30%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 112
1-hour PP: 122
2-hour PP: 76

I continue to feel really great, with no hunger. In fact, I struggle to eat everything that is on the menu.

[Note: WOW — A first-time-ever normal blood sugar reading at the 2-hr PP, AND a six pound loss — fantastic! :D]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 5– 3/01

Weight: 264 = no change

Meal:
– 8 oz swiss chard
– 11 oz zucchini
– 10 oz chicken livers
– 2 oz butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 792
Fat 56.7 grams (65%)
Carbs 10.5 grams (5%)
Protein 59.8 grams (30%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 110
1-hour PP: 123
2-hour PP: 114

Boo! I was hoping for some great blood sugar levels today but no. However, I am breathing deep and practicing patience. Otherwise, I feel great. High energy and really no hunger to speak of.

[Note: On Patience: Go to nearest mirror. Look in. Say out loud to your reflection: “It took years to get my blood sugars this high. It will take months to lower them.” Repeat. :D]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 6 – 3/2

Weight: 264 = no change

Meal:
— 8 oz kale
— 11 oz asparagus
— 7 oz beef sirloin, raw
— 2.5 oz butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 847
Fat 67.0 grams (61%)
Carbs 11.0 grams (09%)
Protein 50.0 grams (30%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 102
1-hour PP: 112
2-hour PP: 97

Good day today.  I’m always happier when it is a no liver day!  My mood continues to improve as does my overall outlook and energy levels

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 7 – 3/3

Weight: 264 = no change

Meal:
– 8 oz Broccoli
– 2 T Butter
– 11 oz pork chop
– 11 oz Zucchini

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 794
Fat 61 grams (62%)
Carbs 10 grams (8%)
Protein 59.7 grams (30%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 97
1-hour PP: 109
2-hour PP: 102

I feel great on Protocol yet continue to have a difficult time eating all this food.  I’ve tried roasting the veggies in high heat and it is still a ton!

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 1 – 3/4

Weight: 262 = down 2 pounds

Measurements:
Bust: 49″ = down 3″
Waist: 39″ = down 3.5″
Hips: 49″ = down 5″

Meal:
— 8 oz kale
— 11 oz asparagus
— 7 oz beef sirloin, raw
— 2.5 oz butter

Fitday stats:
Calories: 847
Fat 67 grams (61%)
Carbs 11 grams (9%)
Protein 50 grams (30%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 122
1-hour PP: 110
2-hour PP: 103

I  ate two hours later today, and it seems to have affected my blood sugar levels.

[Note: Lots of things may affect blood sugar levels, but eating two hours later isn’t one of them. :)]

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 2 – 3/5

Weight: 262.4 = up .4 pound

Meal:
– 8 oz. Kale
– 5 oz. Green Beans
– 8 oz. Salmon
– 3 T. Butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 805
Fat 55.7 grams (62%)
Carbs 16.2 grams (8%)
Protein 59.7 grams (30%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 83
1-hour PP: 120
2-hour PP: 106

I’m very surprised by the amount of weight I have lost this week and a little scared by it. It seems extreme and based on my measurements, accurate.  I’m down a FULL dress size which is super exciting but I am unclear if this is okay.  Protocol is easier in terms of eating but I still struggle with finding the time to get reports accurate and in on time!

[Note: Reports will get easier over time as well. As for your weight – not counting what you put back on your hiatus, you only lost eight pounds, not unusual for a first week. It won’t happen again, so enjoy it. 🙂 The high fat loss – losing a dress size in a week – is unusual, but that too won’t happen again. You’ll now slow down and lose weight and fat much more gradually, especially since you’ll start Maintenance next Monday.]

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 3 – 3/6

Weight: 262 = no change

Meal:
– 8 oz broccoli
– 11 oz zucchini
– 8 oz chicken livers
– 3 T. butter
– 2 large eggs

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 792
Fat 56.7 grams (65%)
Carbs 10.5 grams (5%)
Protein 59.8 grams (30%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 97
1-hour PP: 109
2-hour PP: 91

I hate liver day but my body appears to like it so I am going with it. I feel really great. I’ve noticed that I’m hungry in the evening now, though I wasn’t when I started Protocol.

[Note: Kim, you’ve lost so much fat so quickly, that hunger is your body’s way of saying: Slow Down! So, that’s just what we’ll do, by add more fat to your menu now, and starting you on Maintenance on Saturday. :)]

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 4 – 3/07

Weight: 262.4 = no change

Meal:
– 8 oz spinach
– 8 oz asparagus
– 7 oz shrimp
– 4 T. butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 744
Fat: 51.0 grams (62%)
Carbs 11.3 grams (06%)
Protein 60.2 grams (32%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 97
1-hour PP: 102
2-hour PP: 96

Lots of energy today.

[Note: Kim, your blood sugar improvement in less than two weeks is nothing short of remarkable! Look how far you’ve come. One thing to keep in mind: you’ve had such abnormally high blood sugar levels (and insulin spikes) for so long, your body/brain is more used to them than to normal levels. It may take you another week or two to adapt, and during that time might feel a bit shaky and/or ‘odd’ in other ways. That will soon pass, and never come again. :)]

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 5 – 3/8

Weight: 263 = up .6 pound

Meal:
— 8 oz kale
— 11 oz asparagus
— 8 oz beef sirloin, raw
— 2.5 oz butter

Fitday stats:
Calories: 847
Fat 67 grams (61%)
Carbs 11 grams (9%)
Protein 50 grams (30%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 97
1-hour PP: 116
2-hour PP: 110

I woke up feeling a nauseous sort of hunger. Overall, I feel fantastic, though. I have a lot more energy and I’m sleeping much better than I have in a long time.

[Note: Kim, could there have been any sugar in the seasoning you put on the steak or veggies? Your sugars rising like that to almost early Protocol numbers makes me suspicious.]

Weekend Maintenance Round 1 – 03/09/13

Weight: 262 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
– Fasting: 102
– 1-hour PP (after lunch): 99
– 2-hour PP (after lunch): 97

Weekend Maintenance Round 1– 03/10/13

Weight: 264 = up 2 pounds

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
– Fasting: 96
– 1-hour PP (after lunch): 91
– 2-hour PP (after lunch): 85

[Note: Wow – completely normal blood sugars two days in a row!]

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 1 – 03/11/13

Weight: 265.5 = up 1.5 pounds

Measurements:
Bust: 48” = no change
Waist: 39.5 = up .5″
Hips: 50.5” = up 1.5”

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
– Fasting: 99
– 1-hour PP (after lunch): 107
– 2-hour PP (after lunch): 92

[Note: Kim, as we discussed, when the body sheds fat and weight very quickly, as you’ve done in the last two weeks, the brain fills up the emptying fat cells with water as a place-holder for the missing fat. Sometimes by as much as five pounds. It hopes you’ll eat badly and get fat again, but after a week or so it will give the water up and you’ll lose the weight and inches again quickly. :)]

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 1 – 03/12/13

Weight: 267.5 = up 2 pounds

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
– Fasting: 124
– 1-hour PP (after lunch): 102
– 2-hour PP (after lunch): 90

Have no idea why my fasting blood sugar spiked like that. SugarFree says I need to put on my Detective Hat to figure it out. Maybe the sausage I ate yesterday had hidden sugar.