SugarFree Protocol – Shani

Shani will join us today, November 19. Thanksgiving week is a great time to start Protocol. 🙂 Please welcome her now.

Shani’s Introduction:

Greetings, everyone. I’m thirty-three, 5′ 6″ and weigh 162 pounds.

In all honesty, I’m quite surprised to find myself here. I grew up with weekly trips to the health foods store, spent many of my young years as a vegetarian, and then tried blood type, high protein, Paleo, and other similar diets. I’ve been nothing but attentive and intentional with what I eat, and know all about good fats, grass-fed beef, eating locally, natural health, and more. Somehow my body didn’t get the message. And I still crave anything sweet.

Skinny as a child, I hit adolescence and ballooned quickly. When I was seventeen I was given Synthroid, but I only took it for a short time after I decided I wanted to find a different answer. And I’ve been in search of health since. I even tried HCG last year. It seems that wasn’t the answer (well, I now know it wasn’t the answer). 🙂

So, I’m ready and grateful for a new approach and am learning along with others here. After reviewing the results of my metabolic blood tests, it’s clear that my fatigue, fuzzy memory, bloating, and slew of other concerns come from having bottom basement ferritin, borderline anemia, and a metabolism that has just about shut down. I also have Metabolic Syndrome XX: lazy insulin, a body my brain thinks is skinny, and Hypothyroidism. Although my doctor says my fasting glucose and A1c means I’m pre-diabetic, SugarFree explained that there’s no such thing. You either have tight sugar control – or you don’t. And I don’t. Go figure.

I am ready to feel GREAT again, and have great hope that this Protocol is the answer to becoming healthy again.

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 1 – 11/19

Weight: 162.2

Measurements:
Bust: 36″
Waist: 34″
Hips: 40″

Meal:
– 8 oz spinach
– 9 oz asparagus
– 1 teaspoon heavy cream
– 8.5 oz steak
– 1 oz butter
– 1 oz sweet potato with skin

Fitday stats:
Calories: 746
Fat: 50.9 grams (61%)
Protein: 56.2 grams (30%)
Carbs: 15.7 grams (9%)

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 91
1-hour PP (after breakfast): 96
2-hour PP (after breakfast): 94

Oh my goodness. I really like green veggies but that felt like a mountain of asparagus. But I ate it all! I have really good energy today, and only one slight pang of hunger before lunch. I felt a little sluggish after eating, and I’m curious to see how long I’ll stay full.

[Note: Shani, it likely won’t be for long. It will take your brain a few days to ‘recognize’ that caloric pickings are slim, and thus will not start lipolysis and open your fat cells until then. Once you’re ‘eating’ thousands of calories of your own fat you won’t be hungry at all, but expect hunger until then, and perhaps fatigue as well. It will take a good two weeks before your body becomes ketone-adapted and burns fat as its main source of fuel instead of carb. Once it happens though, you’ll have energy to spare. :)]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 2 – 11/20

Weight: 160.2 = down 2 pounds

Meal:
– 8 oz broccoli
– 9 oz chicken liver
– 1 teaspoon heavy cream
– 5 oz green beans
– 1.5 oz butter
– 1 oz potato with skin

Fitday stats:
Calories: 811
Fat: 57 grams (63%)
Protein: 59.2 grams (29%)
Carbs: 15.4 grams (8%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 82
2-hour PP (after lunch): 94

I felt a heavy and sluggish waking up, and my eyes were a little puffy (not unusual for me), but I don’t seem to be bloated much at all (I’ll take that any day!). Lunch: I have never had difficulty in eating as I had today. I’m tolerant of different foods, especially when I’m determined to like them! The liver was a challenge, and by the end of the meal, I was basically force-feeding myself. Ugh. It would have been a little smarter for me to put another less-filling green veggie with the green beans, I think.

[Note: Given that today is the first day in your entire life that you’ve eaten liver, you did well. The secret to great liver is to never overcook. Rare and rosy is wonderful, as is salt and spice and even a bit of onion, tomato paste and cream for a terrific sauce. Or making a rough version of chopped liver (you can have the delicious real thing on Maintenance, with lots of fat) with the onion and hard-boiled eggs. As to the veggies: roast, roast, roast in a preheated HOT oven with olive oil and garlic. A half a pound of broccoli florets roasts down to a bare handful that tastes like crunchy candy. :)]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 3 – 11/21

Weight: 157 = down 3.2 pounds

Meal:
– 2 oz kale
– 6 oz chard
– 9 oz chicken liver
– 1 teaspoon heavy cream
– 2 eggs
– 1.5 oz butter
– .5 oz onion
– .5 oz tomato paste
– .5 oz white rice

Fitday stats:
Calories: 808
Fat: 56.9 grams (63%)
Protein: 57.9 grams (29%)
Carbs: 16.1 grams (8%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 83
1-hour PP (after lunch): 124
2-hour PP (after lunch): 88

I’m celebrating a slight improvement of my tolerance of liver – made chopped liver with the eggs, tomato, onion, and butter. I crumbled the roasted greens over the liver, that was the best part. I was feeling sluggish again this morning, still puffy eyes. But I’m sleeping really well at night and got a full eight hours last night! The change in blood sugar from 83 to 124 seems significant. And now two hours after eating, I just want to sleep and feel a little unsettled. Happy Thanksgiving!

[Note: The sleepiness, sluggishness and puffy eyes are symptoms of drug withdrawal. If you stay on the straight and narrow tomorrow and eat ZERO sugar, you should start feeling better by the weekend. And if you needed incentive for that, your diabetic-level spike in blood sugar from a mere half an ounce of onion, rice and tomato paste should be it. Significant indeed! The good news is that you will be able to eat those both in another month or two without a spike at all. It will just take a while. Have a great Thanksgiving!]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 4 – 11/22

Weight: 155.5 = down 1.5 pounds

Meal: (none measured)
— turkey, dark meat
— green beans, not measured
— potato, white
— sour cream
— butter
— stuffing

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 74
1-hour PP (after lunch): 103
2-hour PP (after lunch): 96

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 5 – 11/23

Weight: 153 = down 1.5 pounds

Meal:
— 9 ounces Salmon
— 8 ounces broccoli
— 5 ounces green beans
— 1.5 ounce butter
— 1 teaspoon heavy cream

Fitday stats:
Calories: 805
Fat: 57.8 grams (65%)
Protein: 57.6 grams (29%)
Carbs: 13.5 grams (7%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 76
1-hour PP (after lunch): 117
2-hour PP (after lunch): 113

This morning I was slow again. I’m sleeping A LOT, nine hours last night. It feels good to be more aware of what I am eating today again, and more precise about the amounts. I was miffed at the elevated blood sugar numbers this afternoon; wracking my brain about what may have happened.

[Note: See comments below.]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 6 – 11/24

Weight: 152 = down 1 pound

Meal:
— 8.5 ounces Beef
— 8 ounces asparagus
— 8 ounces kale
— 1.5 ounce butter
— 1 teaspoon cream

Fitday stats:
Calories: 714
Fat: 56.9 grams (64%)
Protein: 57.9 grams (31%)
Carbs: 16.1 grams (5%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 118
1-hour PP (after lunch): 102
2-hour PP (after lunch): 91

I’m still waking up still with headache and puffy eyes and my knees were really stiff this morning. I adjusted again for no starchy carbs in my meal for today. It’s confusing: why did I had a fasting blood glucose level of 118?

[Note: Unfortunately, an easy answer. You’re a diabetic. That means you have very poor sugar/glucose control and your body struggles to get that toxic glucose out of your bloodstream. Given your high readings the last few days, I am absolutely positive that you ate something (or some things) with sugar on Thanksgiving. Unaware I’m sure, but equally sure of the sugar. Given that people put it on and in everything, it’s very likely there was sugar in the stuffing and in the spices that went on the bird. A non-diabetic could eat that and not spike at all, or if so a little, be perfectly fine the next day. Diabetics, on the other hand, have a sort of ‘carry over’ – which means it takes them DAYS to recover, to get their sugars under control again. This is why I tell Diabetic Participants that, like recovering Alcoholics whose bodies cannot handle any alcohol at all, recovering Diabetics have bodies that will never again be able to handle sugar. Luckily, if you stay on Protocol, you will never miss it. :)]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 7 – 11/25

Weight: 152 = no change

Meal:
— 9 ounces Salmon
— 8 ounces spinach
— 5 ounces green beans
— 1.5 ounce butter
— 1 ounce squash, butternut
— 1 teaspoon heavy cream

Fitday stats:
Calories: 805
Fat:  grams (65%)
Protein:  grams (29%)
Carbs:  grams (7%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 91
1-hour PP (after lunch): 111
2-hour PP (after lunch): 91

I woke with a headache and feeling sluggish. Beginning to feel like a broken record, sorry. Ready for week two!

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 1 – 11/26

Weight: 151.4 = down .6 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 35.5 = down .5″
Waist: 33 = down 1″
Hips: 40 = no change

Meal:
— 6 ounces chicken liver
— 2 eggs
— 8 ounces Swiss chard
— 7 ounces artichoke quarters
— 1.5 ounce butter

Fitday stats:
Calories: 699
Fat: 52.6 grams (68%)
Protein: 45.2 grams (26%)
Carbs: 11.3 grams (6%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after lunch): 102
2-hour PP (after lunch): 94

Today I woke up feeling alert and headache-free! Then I ate my liver, and could only eat six ounces. It’s frustrating!

[Note: For someone who never ate liver before in their life, you’re doing fine. Things will be better on Maintenance, when you can have real chopped liver with lots of fat. Speaking of which, you lost a fair bit your first week — you’re now in lipolysis — as well as eleven pounds. And your withdrawal headache is finally gone. Hooray! :)]

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 2 – 11/27

Weight: 151.4 = no change

Meal:
— 8.5 ounces steak
— 9 ounces asparagus
— 8 ounces spinach
— 2 ounces butter
— 3 teaspoons heavy cream
— 1 ounce sweet potato

Fitday stats:
Calories: 840
Fat: 60.2 grams (64%)
Protein: 58.6 grams (28%)
Carbs: 16 grams (8%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 103
2-hour PP (after lunch): 109

SugarFree, thanks for your work and support. I love not feeling bloated, and I have great energy. I’m really hopeful that I can make those last!

[Note: Happy Birthday, Shani! I hope your Day continues to be wonderful. :)]

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 3 – 11/28

Weight: 151 = down .4 pound

Meal:
— 8 ounces Salmon
— 11 ounces zucchini
— 8 ounces spinach
— 2 ounces butter
— 1 ounce rice

Fitday stats:
Calories: 852
Fat: 60.8 grams (64%)
Protein: 58.7 grams (28%)
Carbs: 17.6 grams (8%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 91
1-hour PP (after lunch): 108
2-hour PP (after lunch): 109

Today I felt a bit slow after eating lunch, but had great energy at the start of the day. I checked my blood sugar again at 3-hr PP and it was lower.

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 4 – 11/29

Weight: 151 = no change

Meal:
– 8 ounces chicken liver
– 2 eggs, whole
– 4 ounces kale
– 4 ounces chard
– 1.5 ounces butter
– .5 ounce onion
– .5 ounce tomato paste
– 7 ounces artichoke quarters
– 3 teaspoon of heavy cream

Fitday stats:
Calories: 831
Fat: 60.7 grams (66%) 546.3
Protein: 55.8 grams (27%) 223.2
Carbs: 15.4 grams (7%) 61.6

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after lunch): 109
2-hour PP (after lunch): 93

Bloating arrived at my door again this morning. Bu, energy levels are still fabulous, and I ate all of the liver today – no small victory for me.

[Note: Shani, that’s great. 🙂 About the Bloat: if you are close to TOM, no problem – it’s normal. If not, the bloating means insufficient sodium. If that’s the case, get some good, sugar-free chicken bouillon cubes, and have half a cube in warm water with your meal until all the bloating is gone. Then have the drink every few days while on Protocol. During Maintenance, season liberally with salt when you cook.]

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 5 – 11/30

Weight: 151 = no change

Meal:
— 9 ounces salmon
— 8 ounces kale
— 1.5 ounces butter
— 9 ounces asparagus
— 1 teaspoon of heavy cream
— 1 ounce squash, butternut

Fitday stats:
Calories: 760
Fat: 51.2 grams (61%)
Protein: 61.5 grams (32%)
Carbs: 13.3 grams (7%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 76
2-hour PP (after lunch): 93

I was ravenous this morning, and so grateful for morning coffee to help fill me up!

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 6 – 12/1

Weight: 151 = no change

Meal:
– 8.5 ounces steak
– 8 ounces kale
– .5 ounce coconut oil
– 9 ounces asparagus
– 1 ounce french fries

Fitday stats:
Calories: 919
Fat: 71.6 grams (70%)
Protein: 48.8 grams (21%)
Carbs: 19.8 grams (9%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 91
2-hour PP (after lunch): 98

I loved the steak today, and am feeling great!

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 7 – 12/2

Weight: 150.8 = down .2 pound

Meal:
– 9 ounces salmon
– 8 ounces kale
– 1.5 ounce of butter
– 9 ounces asparagus
– 1 ounce potato, white, with skin

Fitday stats:
Calories: 754
Fat: 50 grams (60%)
Protein: 61.6 grams (32%)
Carbs: 14.4 grams (8%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 94
2-hour PP (after lunch): 101

I haven’t been sleeping nearly as well as during the first week of Protocol. Other than that, I feel well energized through most of the day. On to Maintenance!

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 1 – 12/3

Weight: 150.4 = down .4 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 35.5 = no change
Waist: 32.5 = down 5″
Hips: 40 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 99
2-hour PP (after lunch): 113

The stew was delicious, and surprisingly, I packed in the zucchini and spinach with no problem. Over the last few days my glucose levels were higher at the two-hour reading. It has always gone down nicely after I check again. I wonder if it’s due to me taking at least an hour to eat in the last couple of days.

[Note: A 2-hr PP that goes up a bit but stays in the normal zone (Saturday and Sunday) indicates Metabolic Syndrome XX, where your insulin is too ‘lazy’ to handle the glucose sufficiently. A 2-hr PP that goes into the ‘red’ zone means you ate too many carbs for your insulin to handle at all. Which means tweaking the beef recipe (for a month or so) to reduce some sweet and/or starch veggies. All that said, you’ve only been on Protocol a few weeks ago, so give it more time — a few months — to stabilize your blood sugars.]

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 2 – 12/4

Weight: 150 = down .4 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after lunch): 84
2-hour PP (after lunch): 91

Dear SugarFree, your Chicken Normandy recipe was heaven. Feeling moderately energized through the day today, and had much better sleep last night.

[Note: I’m so glad you liked it. It’s one of my all-time favorite recipes. 🙂 Speaking of which, we’ve had a few requests for your Cinnamon Beef Stew — so please post it on the recipe page and give everyone a chance to taste it.]

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 3 – 12/5

Weight: 150.6 = up .6 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 74
2-hour PP (after lunch): 95

The liver was definitely better this way (as chopped liver with lots of fat), but I’m still having difficulty eating it all.

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 4 – 12/6

Weight: 150.6 = no change

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 92
2-hour PP (after lunch): 108

Feeling great today!

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 5 – 12/7

Weight: 150.4 = down .2 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 105
1-hour PP (after lunch): 121
2-hour PP (after lunch): 124

My blood glucose numbers are bumming me out, but I otherwise feel great. Could onions be spiking things?

[Note: The onions, yes – when combined with carrots, tomato paste and balsamic vinegar. 🙁 So now you know the recipe as is will not work for you right now. Next time you make it you’ll need to put in fewer carrots, a bit less onion, and use regular rather than balsamic vinegar, which is high in natural sugar. Think of it as a learning experience. :)]

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 6 – 12/8

Weight: 149.6 = down .8 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 104
1-hour PP (after lunch): 114
2-hour PP (after lunch): 104

I feel great, and am just grateful for this journey .

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 7 – 12/9

Weight: 149.8 = up .2 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 105
2-hour PP (after lunch): 107

Goodness, I slept until 9am this morning. I’m not sure that I have EVER done that in my life. Post-lunch, I’m feeling like a little nap.

Maintenance Round 1, Week 2, Day 1 – 12/10

Measurements:
Bust: 35″ = down .5″
Waist: 32.5″ = no change
Hips: 40″ = no change

Weight: 150.6 = up .8 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 89
1-hour PP (after lunch): 95
2-hour PP (after lunch): 96

This is just a day where things feel “off” to me. I’m bloated again and have a lot of popping joints, which makes me aware that this is less common for me now!

[Note: Is it close to TOM?]

Maintenance Round 1, Week 2, Day 2 – 12/11

Weight: 151.4 = up .8 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 90
1-hour PP (after lunch): 100
2-hour PP (after lunch): 98

SugarFree, you were correct. TOM, it is. Today is a day without starchy veggies, and I’m hoping to get blood sugars stabilized again. By the way, my complexion is wonderful, and cystic acne almost gone!

[Note: Isn’t it amazing what good fats will do for us? 🙂 Since TOM is nigh, remember to get sufficient sodium, either by being a bit more liberal with the salt shaker, and/or have half a bouillon cube in warm water with your meal.]

Maintenance Round 1, Week 2, Day 3 – 12/12

Weight: 150.8 = down .6 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after lunch): 89
2-hour PP (after lunch): 98

Today is a day of good energy, and I feel I’ve returned to my “new normal” of feeling great.

Maintenance Round 1, Week 2, Day 4 – 12/13

Weight: 150.2 = down .6 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after lunch): 93
2-hour PP (after lunch): 96

I miss a wide range of veggies and fruit, and I miss the ability to eat dinner in the evenings with family and friends as a social event. I don’t miss feeling bloated, fatigued, and sluggish. The trade-off is worth it.

[Note: Shani, the world is full of fabulous veggies — and you should be eating most of them. Simply add them to your menu. As for fruit, not only should you eat berries on Maintenance, you should add new fruits on each subsequent round – as your blood sugars and return to insulin sensitivity from insulin resistance dictates. Even better news – you can of course share meals in the evening with family and friends “as a social event” since a social event means you are spending time talking with and enjoying friends and family. You’ve made sharing and putting food in your mouth a mutually inclusive event, but it’s not. Sip a cup of your favorite tea or coffee, and relish the fact that you can truly listen and talk to people you care about at length, and without the worry of what you’re eating. And of course on weekends, make your big meal their big meal at a wonderful brunch! They’ll get to eat your terrific foods, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re feeding your family well. :)]

Maintenance Round 1, Week 2, Day 5 – 12/14

Weight: 150 = down .2 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 82
1-hour PP (after lunch): 104
2-hour PP (after lunch): 99

I was hungry last night, and woke up hungry this morning, which hasn’t happened since I was on Protocol.

Maintenance Round 1, Week 2, Day 6 – 12/15

Weight: 150 = no change

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after lunch): 105
2-hour PP (after lunch): 99

I’m enjoying a relaxing weekend celebrating birthdays and cooking for family.

Maintenance Round 1, Week 2, Day 7 – 12/16

Weight: 149.8 = down .2 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 98
1-hour PP (after lunch): 114
2-hour PP (after lunch): 111

Today was the first day I tried fruit. My blood sugar was already high, I ate blueberries at the end of the meal (with cream) — after eating apples and carrots yesterday in the Chicken Normandy, maybe not a good idea — and then my numbers came down (oh-so-slightly) at the two-hour reading. Clearly my body still isn’t ready for so much sugar, even if it’s ‘natural’. I’ll try again next round of Maintenance and hopefully I will be less insulin resistant then.

Maintenance Round 1, Week 3, Day 1  – 12/17

Weight: 150.6 = up .8 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 35″ = no change
Waist: 32.5″ = no change
Hips: 40″ = no change

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 100
1-hour PP (after lunch): 93
2-hour PP (after lunch): 86

Clearly the berries in my meal had an impact on me yesterday. I’m glad to see my numbers come down again this afternoon. As for measurements, I’m pleased that they are staying put for now!

Maintenance Round 1, Week 3, Day 2  – 12/18

Weight: 149.8 = down .8 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after lunch): 111
2-hour PP (after lunch): 97

I’m really trying to understand my elevated blood sugars today again when they came down yesterday so well. TOM continues, so perhaps that is still a factor. Last night was also a little restless in terms of sleep.

[Note: Shani, if you’re thinking that food is the only factor in blood sugar control, I can understand your frustration in trying to understand the up and down numbers. Unfortunately, not only are there other factors — stress, TOM, illness, sleep, cortisone cream or products containing it, other medications, exercise, to name but a few — but diabetics in particular have a tough time getting blood sugars stable. The slightest thing can affect them. It took nearly a year for Kym’s numbers to get rock steady, for instance. In contrast, tomorrow will be only four weeks since starting Protocol. Your numbers will stabilize over time, absolutely. But think of the healing process in terms of months – not weeks — and the fluctuations should be easier to understand and accept. :)]

Maintenance Round 1, Week 3, Day 3 – 12/19

Weight: 149.8 = no change

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 96
2-hour PP (after lunch): 94

Post-lunch, I’m really sleepy. That’s all for today!

Maintenance Round 1, Week 3, Day 4  – 12/20

Weight: 149.8 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 95
1-hour PP (after lunch): 114
2-hour PP (after lunch): 91

I ate cream of broccoli soup today and I do not feel well since eating it this afternoon (headache, bloated, and fuzzy). Plus, it’s just been an all around crazy stressful day. Looking forward to several days off soon!

[Note: Shani, it wasn’t the soup – it was the amount. You ate 26 ounces of soup, plus a healthy serving of salmon and a lot of other veggies. That would have made me bloated too. Next time, try half the amount of soup with your protein, and remember that the broccoli counts toward your daily amount As to the high 1-hr PP, that is absolutely attributable to the stress, not the food. Stress raises cortisol, which suppresses insulin, which raises blood sugars. I’m glad you’ll have some time off on the holiday!]

Maintenance Round 1, Week 3, Day 5  – 12/21

Weight: 149.2 = down .6 pound

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after lunch): 111
2-hour PP (after lunch): 93

Heading into holiday weekend and feeling so much better than yesterday. No work until Thursday, yay!

[Note: And the blog is on hiatus until January 3 – double yay! :D]

Protocol Round 2, Week 1, Day 3 – 1/2

Weight: 150.2 = up 1 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 35.5 = no change
Waist: 32.5 = no change
Hips: 40 = no change

Meal:
— 8.5 ounces salmon
— 8 ounces spinach
— 12 ounces zucchini
— 2 ounces butter
— 1 ounce potato, white, with skin

Fitday stats:
Calories: 844
Fat: 60.8 grams (65%)
Protein: 59.3 grams (7%)
Carbs: 15.1 grams (28%)

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 89
1-hour PP (after lunch): Forgot
2-hour PP (after lunch): 88

It was very hard to wake up for work this morning, and I feel like I could have slept another hour or two. Coffee helped a little, but I felt very slow and like I wanted to return to bed this morning. Hoping for the energy to arrive soon as my body adjusts to being back to work!

[Note: Shani, looks like you had a good, restful holiday and only gained a pound of water (from eating a bit of sugar and other non-usual carbs) with ZERO fat gain. Well done. :)]

Protocol Round 2, Week 1, Day 4 – 1/3

Weight: 149.2 = down 1 pound

Meal:
— 8 ounces Chicken Liver
— 8 ounces broccoli
— 8 ounces asparagus
— 1.5 ounce butter
— .5 ounce onion
— .5 ounce tomato paste
— 2 eggs

Fitday stats:
Calories: 831
Fat: 55.8 grams (60%)
Protein: 58.2 grams (12%)
Carbs: 24.1 grams (28%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 80
1-hour PP (after lunch): 118
2-hour PP (after lunch): 97

I feel so much more energized today, and less hungry. But, it looks like my body isn’t handling the tomato paste or onion well.

[Note: Glucose readings tend to go up the first few days of returning to Protocol after Maintenance, but your 2-hr PP did drop into the normal range. And your fasting level was very good. Let’s see where you are in another day or two.]

Protocol Round 2, Week 1, Day 5 – 1/4

Weight: 149.2 = no change

Meal:
— 9 ounces Beef
— 6 ounces Artichoke Quarters
— 8 ounces kale
— 1 ounce sweet potato
— 2 ounce butter

Fitday stats:
Calories: 738
Fat: 52.4 grams (64%)
Protein: 50.9 grams (8%)
Carbs: 25.7 grams (28%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 89
1-hour PP (after lunch): 97
2-hour PP (after lunch): 90

Another day of great energy, which is really helpful getting through a very busy time at work. Bloating has returned, as I’m heading into TOM.

Protocol Round 2, Week 1, Day 6 – 1/5

Weight: 149 = down .2 pound

Saturday Meal:
— 9 ounces pork loin
— 5 ounces beans, green
— 8 ounces broccoli
— 1 ounce butter
— 1 ounce white rice

Fitday stats:
Calories: 785
Fat: 55.3 grams (64%)
Protein: 53.9 grams (9%)
Carbs: 18 grams (27%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 80
1-hour PP (after lunch): 74
2-hour PP (after lunch): 107

I started eating right at 11, but then got distracted and finished my meal just before 1 p.m. (when I ate the rice).

Protocol Round 2, Week 1, Day 7 – 1/6

Weight: 149 = no change

Sunday Meal:
— 8 Beef
— 11 ounces zucchini
— 1.5 ounces butter
— 8 ounces kale
— .5 ounce yellow pepper

Fitday stats:
Calories: 729
Fat: 51.7 grams (64%)
Protein: 55.3 grams (4%)
Carbs: 10.6 grams (30%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 97
2-hour PP (after lunch): 90

I was so hungry last night before going to bed. I ate a few nuts late at night; probably not the best time to eat, but blood sugars seem okay today.

[Note: Your body is finally beginning to give you trustworthy hormonal signals. This is a good sign of returning metabolic health, and you should listen to them. If you’re really hungry – eat. This is also an indication that you no longer have a large amount of excess adipose fat left, so we will have to up your fat intake from here on out. A burden – LOL – but I’m sure you can do it.]

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 1 – 1/7

Weight: 148.6 = down .4 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 35.5″ = no change
Waist: 32.5″ = no change
Hips: 39.5″ = down .5″

Monday Meal:
— 8 ounces chicken liver
— 2 eggs
— .5 ounce tomato paste
— 2 ounces butter
— 9 ounces asparagus
— 8 ounces broccoli

Fitday stats:
Calories: 786
Fat: 55.8 grams (64%)
Protein: 57.5 grams (29%)
Carbs: 13.4 grams (7%)

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 82
1-hour PP (after lunch): 86
2-hour PP (after lunch): 103

Excellent energy today. I would like to see my measurements change more, but I could tell during all of last week that not much was changing with my waist. Finally a little change with the hips, though! And, today I had the hardest time eating everything at lunch, getting full very quickly.

[Note: Shani, it may seem like slow going, but in about six weeks you’ve lost nearly 14 pounds, which is great. But because you were so relatively small to begin with, that’s almost 10% of your total body weight, which most doctors would be thrilled to have patients lose in a year! You’ve also lost 2.5 measured inches of fat, and 1.5 of that was from around your waist. I say ‘measured’ because I am sure you’ve lost fat and inches from around your thighs, calves and derriere as well. :)]

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 2 – 1/8

Weight: 148 = down .6 pound

Meal:
– 8 ounces salmon
– 5 ounces green beans
– 8 ounces spinach
– 1 ounce potato, white with skin
– 2.25 ounce butter

Fitday stats:
Calories: 858
Fat: 65.4 grams (68%)
Protein: 52.7 grams (25%)
Carbs: 14.7 grams (7%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 116
2-hour PP (after lunch): 107

As my body adjusts I’ve seen a pattern over the past 3-4 days of feeling more hungry than usual. I’m very hungry by 10 a.m., and at 7 p.m. Last night I ate a few more nuts, roasted in a bit of butter. SugarFree upped my fat intake today, so here’s hoping that will do the trick!

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 3 – 1/9

Weight: 148.2 = up .2 pound

Meal:
— 8 ounces beef
— 11 ounces zucchini
— 8 ounces spinach
— 1 ounce squash, butternut
— 2 ounces butter

Fitday stats:
Calories: 843
Fat: 63.2 grams (67%)
Protein: 55.6 grams (27%)
Carbs: 13.0 grams (6%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after lunch): 107
2-hour PP (after lunch): 105

This week has been VERY busy and stressful at work, so that may be contributing to the high PP readings. But I also sense that my body is still not handling the carbs. At the same time, my fabulous energy partnered with morning and evening hunger continues. I am hoping today that won’t happen after the increase of fats in the past two days, though it may be time for Metformin.

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 4 – 1/10

Weight: 148 = down .2 pound

Meal:
— 8 ounces salmon
— 5 ounces beans, green
— 8 ounces broccoli
— 1 ounce sweet potato
— 2.25 ounces butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 862
Fat: 65.4 grams (68%)
Protein: 52.6 grams (25%)
Carbs: 15.8 grams (7%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 99
1-hour PP (after lunch): 97
2-hour PP (after lunch): 107

These blood sugar numbers are frustrating. Just a few days ago my fasting was in the eighties. Can a stressful week do that much?

[Note: Yes. Think about what stress means biologically: a steep rise in cortisol. Which depresses insulin. Which raises blood sugars. Becoming metabolically healthy isn’t just about waistline sizes or food, but also about important things like good sleep – and managing stress. Meditation and deep breathing at times throughout the day can truly make a difference.]

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 5 – 1/11

Weight: 148 = no change

Meal:
— 8 ounces chicken liver
— 2 eggs
— 8 ounces spinach
— .5 ounce tomato paste
— 11 ounces zucchini
— 2 ounces butter
— 2 ounces duck fat

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 1418
Fat: 124.8 grams (79%)
Protein: 60.5 grams (17%)
Carbs: 13.2 grams (4%)

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 88
1-hour PP (after lunch): 84
2-hour PP (after lunch): 99

I’m glad to see the lowered blood glucose levels today (although that 2-hr is still a bugger), and thanks to a helpful phone call with SugarFree, I’m understanding my body more. My 2-hr higher PP is a symptom of Metabolic Syndrome XX but luckily Metformin can fix it. Happy weekend, everyone!

[Note: Your sugars were lower today because of the vastly increased fat. Metformin will ultimately lower them permanently because it will fix the root cause.]

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 6 – 1/12

Weight: 148.8 = up .8 pound

Meal:
— 8 ounces steak
— 1 egg
— 8 ounces kale
— 5 ounces green beans
— 1 ounce polenta
— 1.5 ounces butter
— 1 ounce duck fat

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 1058
Fat: 80.4 grams (68%)
Protein:52.1 grams (20%)
Carbs: 31.4 grams (12%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 101
1-hour PP (after lunch): 102
2-hour PP (after lunch): 88

Enjoying a relaxing day. I ate an egg in the morning, then ate the rest of my meal in the afternoon. I was still hungry later in the evening.

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 7 – 1/13

Weight: 148.2 = down .6 pound

Meal:
— 8 ounces lamb
— 8 ounces broccoli
— 1 ounce pasta
— 6 ounces artichoke hearts
— 1.5 ounces butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 1024
Fat: 77.9 grams (69%)
Protein: 46.8 grams (13%)
Carbs: 34 grams (18%)

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 93
1-hour PP (after lunch): forgot meter
2-hour PP (after lunch): forgot meter

It’s been a nice relaxing weekend. Today, I had plans to meet for a movie, ate quickly before going, and then forgot to take my meter with me!

Protocol Round 2, Week 3, Day 1 – 1/14

Weight: 148.2 = no change

Measurements:
Bust: 35.5 = no change
Waist: 32.5 = no change
Hips: 39.5 = no change

Monday Meal:
– 8 ounces salmon
– 1 ounce white rice
– 1.5 ounces butter
– 1 ounce duck fat
– 11 ounces zucchini
– 8 ounces swiss chard

Fitday stats:
Calories: 1069
Fat: 77.7 grams (65%)
Protein: 59.9 grams (23%)
Carbs: 32.4 grams (12%)

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 93
1-hour PP (after lunch): 102
2-hour PP (after lunch): 110

Two great things for today: I’m sleeping very well at night, feel alert and energized during the day. Also, I noticed that my Reynaud’s symptoms (numb, painful extremities) seem to be reducing.

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

Weight: 149.0 = up .8 pound

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 93
1-hour PP (after lunch): 85
2-hour PP (after lunch): 105

A change; I’m on to Maintenance given my continued levels of hunger with Protocol.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 1, Day 3  – 1/16

Weight: 150 = up 1 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 93
1-hour PP (after lunch): 85
2-hour PP (after lunch): 98

I’m going to ignore the pound increase, and hope my measurements stay put through this round of Maintenance.

[Note: It’s water weight, and will ebb and flow throughout Maintenance. Look at how much better your blood sugars look though! Yes, your 2-hr PP is higher than your 1-hr, but that is an absolute sign of Metabolic Syndrome XX and fixed by Metformin kicking your lazy insulin into gear once you’re up to a full dose. :)]

Maintenance Round 2, Week 1, Day 4 – 1/17

Weight: 150 = no change

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 89
1-hour PP (after lunch): 91
2-hour PP (after lunch): 98

It’s good to feel full again, even if it was hard to get all of the food in. But I feel just a bit more sluggish as well.

[Note: Not surprising when you go from P to M – but I bet in about two hours, as your body begins to absorb all those nutrients, you start to feel really good. :)]

Maintenance Round 2, Week 1, Day 5  – 1/18

Weight: 151 = up 1 pound

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 102
1-hour PP (after lunch): 109
2-hour PP (after lunch): 95

Darn it, this is frustrating. Last night I got hungry again, and ate an ounce of cheese. This is the only think I can think of that would contribute to that fasting glucose number.

[Note: Your high blood sugars — and hunger — have nothing to do with cheese, or even having to eat an ounce of it in the evening. It may be less frustrating for you if you can understand what’s going on inside you. You eat food. Insulin is raised to deal with it. When your ‘glucose load’ is low, and your insulin efficient, insulin is created in little slow squirts all day long, removing the glucose/blood sugar from your bloodstream slowly over many hours. Thus, you stay ‘satisfied’ for a long time.

When your insulin is inefficient, your blood sugars rise. When that happens, the brain immediately orders the pancreas to pump, pump, pump out more insulin quickly, in a ‘spike’. Spikes wipe out your glucose/blood sugars in a rush – over a few hours. When your blood sugars plummet, your brain worries about not having fuel, and sends out hunger hormones, telling you to eat. This is called hyperglycemia and sometimes also hyperinsulinemic. When this happens, folks can be hungry even a few hours after a big meal – like the ton of calories and fat you eat on Maintenance.

If you are not: exercising, ill, fighting off illness or taking any sort of cortisol-containing medication, cream or shampoo – then inefficient insulin is all that’s left. And only Metformin can fix it. Please read Kym’s reports over the last few days and see the difference Metformin has made in her blood sugars already.]

Maintenance Round 2, Week 1, Day 6 – 1/19

Weight: 149.8 = down 1.2 pound

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 88
1-hour PP (after lunch): 103
2-hour PP (after lunch): forgot

Spent part of the day reading the FAT: An Appreciation of a Misunderstood Ingredient cookbook and looking forward to trying some new recipes in the coming week. Thank you for your help and note yesterday, SugarFree!

Maintenance Round 2, Week 1, Day 7 – 1/20

Weight: 149.8 = no change

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 105
2-hour PP (after lunch): 96

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 1 – 1/21

Weight: 151.2 = up 1.4 pounds

Measurements:
Bust: 35.5 = no change
Waist: 32.5 = no change
Hips: 39.5 = no change

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 98
1-hour PP (after lunch): 79
2-hour PP (after lunch): 100

I feel “off” today. However, my measurements stayed the same, which is encouraging, since that’s what they’re supposed to do on Maintenance.

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

Weight: 151.2 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 86
1-hour PP (after lunch): 101
2-hour PP (after lunch): 82

Very busy day, but wonderfully full after eating my cream of mixed greens soup and meal!

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 3 – 1/23

Weight: 153.0 = up 1.8 pounds

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after lunch): 100
2-hour PP (after lunch): 82

I’m very bloated, as my overnight water weight gain shows. I’m feeling much more full lately, though.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 4 – 1/24

Weight: 153 = no change

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 95
1-hour PP (after lunch): 89
2-hour PP (after lunch): 95

I’m ready for the bloating to go down now, though I have a lot more joint popping on these more bloated days. Other than that, I’m feeling very energized!

[Note: Is TOM near?]

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 5 – 1/25

Weight: 151.8 = down 1.2 pounds

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 93
1-hour PP (after lunch): 77
2-hour PP (after lunch): 99

Seems a little early for TOM, but we’ll see. The bloating (and water weight) has gone down a bit, which I’m glad to see.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 6 – 1/26

Weight: 151 = down .8 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 86
1-hour PP (after lunch):
2-hour PP (after lunch):

Feeling pretty good today, but I forgot my meter again this afternoon while heading to a friend’s. This evening I broke down and had a very small glass of red wine and then stuck with tonic water for the rest of the evening.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 7 – 1/27

Weight: 149.8 = down .2 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 88
1-hour PP (after lunch): 78
2-hour PP (after lunch): 93

Nice, slow lazy day, and again feeling well.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 3, Day 1 – 1/28

Weight: 151.8 = up 2 pounds

Measurements:
Bust: 35.5″ = no change
Waist: 32.5″ = no change
Hips: 39.5″ = no change

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 85
1-hour PP (after lunch): 101
2-hour PP (after lunch): 89

I haven’t slept well the past couple of nights, and am hoping the pattern changes soon. The funny thing today is that even though my weight increased by two pounds, I don’t feel bloated like last week.

[Note: Shani, you may not feel bloated, but things are not going well for you. As of next Monday, it will be two full months since you’ve lost any fat – and that was only half an inch around your waist. Nor are you losing weight. You are, in fact, stuck with a medical condition — Metabolic Syndrome XX — that requires medication to fix, and until that happens I’m afraid you are simply spinning your wheels. Staying on Protocol won’t hurt you, but without the necessary medicine it can’t help you, either. 🙁 I hope you made the decision to get the needed medication soon.]

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

Weight: 151 = down .8 pound

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 90
1-hour PP (after lunch): 84
2-hour PP (after lunch): 96

Today I am home with a tension headache and some back pain, which is unusual for me. I think I’m sleeping with a fair amount of tension and stress and waking up with the result of that.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 3, Day 3 – 1/30

Weight: 151 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 87
1-hour PP (after lunch): 92
2-hour PP (after lunch): 95

Today is not great. When I started Protocol, SugarFree told me that after a while I wouldn’t remember what it was like to feel this way (heavy-head, fuzzy thinking, achy), and that has been so true. I have not felt this way in a long time!

Maintenance Round 2, Week 3, Day 4 – 1/31

Weight: 151 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after lunch): 102
2-hour PP (after lunch): 92

I slept poorly last night, but hope for better days ahead!

Maintenance Round 2, Week 3, Day 5 – 2/1

Weight: 151 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 95
1-hour PP (after lunch): 83
2-hour PP (after lunch): 91

Celebrating at least seven hours of sleep last night, and feeling better today!

Maintenance Round 2, Week 3, Day 6 – 2/2

Weight: 152 = up 1 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 83
1-hour PP (after lunch): 87
2-hour PP (after lunch): 82

It’s snowing like crazy today! Nothing more to report except I’m feeling great!

Maintenance Round 2, Week 3, Day 7 – 2/3

Weight: 151 = down 1 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 100
1-hour PP (after lunch): 94
2-hour PP (after lunch): 84

I ate out for brunch and handled it well, sticking with a delicious veggie scramble (eggs, spinach, cheese, and celery root).

Maintenance Round 2, Week 4, Day 1 – 2/4

Weight: 149.8 = down 1.2 pounds

Measurements:
Bust: 35.5 = no change
Waist: 32.5 = no change
Hips: 39.5 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 108
2-hour PP (after lunch): 104

I woke up really hungry, so I added a hard-boiled egg that I ate after morning coffee.

Protocol Round 3, Week 1, Day 2 – 2/5

Weight: 151.4 = up 1.4 pounds

Meal:
— 12 ounces chicken thigh
— 8 ounces swiss chard
— 5 ounces green beans
— 1 ounce rice
— 1.5 ounces butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 863
Fat: 64.7 grams (67%)
Protein: 52.2 grams (25%)
Carbs: 18.0 grams (8%)

Ketostix: small

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

I woke with a stomach ache that continued through the morning. I ate a few bites of the chicken, then had unexpected craziness at work until I got home, when I ate the rest of my meal. And then I couldn’t get my internet up and running to post. It felt like one thing after another, and I’m glad for a new day.

Protocol Round 3, Week 1, Day 3 – 2/6

Weight: 153 = up 1.6 pounds

Meal:
— 8 ounces steak
— 8 ounces broccoli
— 12 ounces zucchini
— 1 ounce potato
— 1 ounce butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 891
Fat: 71.3 grams (72%)
Protein: 47.2 grams (21%)
Carbs: 15.1 grams (7%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 95
2-hour PP (after lunch): 92

It’s good to see my blood sugar numbers normalizing. Feeling good, and back on track!

Protocol Round 3, Week 1, Day 4 – 2/7

Weight: 151.4 = down 1.6 pounds

Meal:
— 8 ounces salmon
— 8 ounces spinach
— 9 ounces asparagus
— 1.5 ounces butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 693
Fat: 48.2 grams (62%)
Protein: 55 grams (6%)
Carbs: 9.9 grams (32%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 85
1-hour PP (after lunch): 88
2-hour PP (after lunch): 91

Post-lunch, I’m really sleepy, but thankfully I’m not feeling too hungry in the morning or evening; this was my fear after the last round of Protocol.

Protocol Round 3, Week 1, Day 5 – 2/8

Weight: 151.4 = no change

Meal:
— 9 ounces steak
— 8 ounces swiss chard
— 6 ounces artichoke hearts
— 1 ounce butter
— 2 ounces sour cream

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 838
Fat: 59.0 grams (62%)
Protein: 62.3 grams (30%)
Carbs: 14.4 grams (8%)

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 90
1-hour PP (after lunch): 94
2-hour PP (after lunch): 92

I feel really great today, got lots of sleep last night. But…it’s 5:30 when I’m posting this and I’m already feeling some hunger. I will make some tea in a bit and hope that works.

Protocol Round 3, Week 1, Day 6 – 2/9

Weight: 150.2 = down 1.2 pounds

Meal:
— 8 ounces salmon
— 10 ounces spinach
— 12 ounces zucchini
— 2 ounces butter
— 1 ounce potato

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 897
Fat: 61.0 grams (61%)
Protein: 25.2 grams (11%)
Carbs: 61.8 grams (28%)

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 86
1-hour PP (after lunch): 97
2-hour PP (after lunch): 89

It definitely helped to add in some extra vegetables today, and I made it through the day without excess hunger. Spent the evening with a friend, and ate a very small bit of cheese.

Protocol Round 3, Week 1, Day 7 – 2/10

Weight: 151.6 = up 1.4 pounds

Meal:
— 12 ounces chicken thigh
— 8 ounces broccoli
— 4 ounces spinach
— 9 ounces asparagus
— 1.5 ounces butter
— 1 ounce sweet potato

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 865
Fat: 64.8 grams (67%)
Protein: 54.9 grams (25%)
Carbs: 15.6 grams (8%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after lunch): 107
2-hour PP (after lunch): 98

Would love to see those numbers go down eventually.

Protocol Round 3, Week 2, Day 1 – 2/11

Weight: 152.4 = up .8 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 35.5 = no change
Waist: 32.75 = up .25″
Hips: 39.5 = no change

Meal:
— 9 ounces chicken liver
— 2 eggs
— 1.5 ounces butter
— 6 ounces artichoke quarters
— 10 ounces spinach
— .5 ounce tomato paste

Fitday stats:
Calories: 888
Fat: 66.9 grams (68%)
Protein: 56.0 grams (25%)
Carbs: 15.5 grams (7%)

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 86
1-hour PP (after lunch): 96
2-hour PP (after lunch): 111

I’m frustrated. It’s TOM, so I’m hoping that’s the reason for the lack of progress.

[Note: I’m so sorry, Shani – but as I’ve said so many times before in comments here, it is not TOM, and therefore nothing will change after it’s gone except a few extra pounds of water weight. You haven’t had any changes for nearly three months, and haven’t had TOM for all that time, right? 🙂 This is Metabolic Syndrome XX pure and simple and, in your case as in mine, NOTHING WILL CHANGE WITHOUT METFORMIN. Luckily, you’ll have yours in a few weeks, and should see the changes you’re looking for by mid-March.]

Protocol Round 3, Week 2, Day 2 – 2/12

Weight: 152.2 = down .2 pound

Meal:
— 8 ounces salmon
— 10 ounces swiss chard
— 5 ounces green beans
— 4.5 ounces artichoke hearts
— 1.5 ounces butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 729
Fat: 48.1 grams (60%)
Protein: 55.0 grams (30%)
Carbs: 19.1 grams (10%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 85
1-hour PP (after lunch): 90
2-hour PP (after lunch): 108

The added veggies eliminated the hunger  yesterday, but I didn’t add enough today. Feeling pretty good, but had stiff knees and a lot of joint popping in the past two days.

Protocol Round 3, Week 2, Day 3 – 2/13

Weight: 152.2 = no change

Meal:
— 8 ounces beef roast
— 6 ounces spinach
— 12 ounces broccoli
— 17 ounces zucchini
— 1 ounce butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 799
Fat: 50.4 grams (57%)
Protein: 65.1 grams (33%)
Carbs: 21.2 grams (10%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 98
1-hour PP (after lunch): 108
2-hour PP (after lunch): 99

As of this posting time, I’m not hungry yet. We’ll see what happens later.

Protocol Round 3, Week 2, Day 4 – 2/14

Weight: 151.6 = down .6 pound

Meal:
— 9 ounces salmon
— 12 ounces spinach
— 10 ounces green beans
— 1 ounce polenta
— 1.5 ounce butter
— 8 ounces broccoli

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 883
Fat: 51.4 grams (52%)
Protein: 63.5 grams (29%)
Carbs: 41.5 grams (19%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 95
1-hour PP (after lunch): 107
2-hour PP (after lunch): 88

I’m working to understand my hunger patterns. I was hungry again before bed last night, and am hopeful that the adjustments we continue to make with the veggies will help. Today is the day of love, and I’m glad I’m on this journey, it’s a way to love my self, right?

[Note: Absolutely. Happy Valentine’s Day!]

Protocol Round 3, Week 2, Day 5 – 2/15

Weight: 151.6 = no change

Meal:
— 12 ounces green beans
— 10 ounces chicken liver
— 1 egg
— 4 ounces Brussels sprouts
— 17 ounces swiss chard
— .5 ounce tomato paste
— 1.5 ounces butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 897
Fat: 54.0 grams (54%)
Protein: 65.3 grams (29%)
Carbs: 37.5 grams (17%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 93
1-hour PP (after lunch): 96
2-hour PP (after lunch): 102

It was hard to eat this many veggies, there was almost no hunger last night. Thanks again, SugarFree!

[Note: While it is highly unusual for someone to be hungry just a few hours after consuming so much food – and I can only attribute it to severe insulin resistance, in that most of what you’re eating is going into fat storage rather than being burned for fuel; hence your not losing any fat for the last three months – I’m hoping the Metformin will reverse this. All digits crossed. :)]

Protocol Round 3, Week 2, Day 6 – 2/16

Weight: 151.6 = no change

Meal:
— 8 ounces eggplant
— 8 ounces Beef
— .25 serving of pasta
— 12 ounces spinach
— 12 ounces broccoli
— 2 ounces butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 841
Fat: 60 grams (65%)
Protein: 51.3 grams (24%)
Carbs: 24 grams (11%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 99
1-hour PP (after lunch): 102
2-hour PP (after lunch): 110

Today I am energetic, and did not experience hunger pangs like the past week. Small successes!

Protocol Round 3, Week 2, Day 7 – 2/17

Weight: 151 = down .6 pound

Meal:
— 12 ounces broccoli
— 8 ounces pork
— 10 ounces asparagus
— 10 ounces kale
— 1 ounce squash
— 1.25 ounces butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 757
Fat: 53.7 grams (64%)
Protein: 53.1 grams (28%)
Carbs: 14.3 grams (8%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 82
1-hour PP (after lunch): 86
2-hour PP (after lunch): 95

Ready to head into another work week. No evening hunger since Friday, yay!

Maintenance Round 3, Week 1, Day 1 – 2/18

Weight: 152.2 = up 1.2 pounds

Measurements:
Bust: 36 = up .5″
Waist: 32.75 = no change
Hips: 39.5 = no change

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after lunch): 97
2-hour PP (after lunch): 93

Today was not the best way to start out another round of maintenance. I had several unexpected situations at work, which I allowed to impact my eating schedule. Started eating at 11:30, but was then interrupted. I just finished eating at four, so it’s like I had two meals. Though I ate all the “right” things, I wonder how this lapse in time will affect me.

[Note: Not at all. 🙂 Your blood sugars are some of the best you’ve had, and it’s great that the hunger has gone and the Metformin has arrived. 😀 Things will start getting better from here.]

Maintenance Round 3, Week 1, Day 2 – 2/19

Weight: 152.2 = no change

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 86
1-hour PP (after lunch): 82
2-hour PP (after lunch): 98

I’m puffy and bloated today, and woke up with stiff knees. Energy during the day was fairly good. I’m having a hard time eating all of the food mid-day now and have been consistently full through the end of the day since last Friday.

[Note: The bloating and hard time eating all the food is coming from the same place: all those extra veggies. Time to cut back a bit on them now and see how you do.]

Maintenance Round 3, Week 1, Day 3 – 2/20

Weight: 153 = up .8 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 85
1-hour PP (after lunch): 111
2-hour PP (after lunch): 100

My knees are still stiff and I’m a little puffy. Hopefully the metformin will make the pounds go the other way in a month or so.

Maintenance Round 3, Week 1, Day 4 – 2/21

Weight: 152.4 = down .6 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 95
1-hour PP (after lunch): 80
2-hour PP (after lunch): 108

I think there might have been sugar or something strange in the frozen artichokes I ate today. They tasted slightly off, and I’m having a very strange reaction and feel funny (foggy head, and watery eyes). MSG?? Although I’ve eaten them before, I’ve not noticed this sort of reaction until now. I did not have any hunger again last night.

[Note: Shani, there’s no sugar or MSG in those artichokes. That’s not to say they may not have been ‘off’ – and you should toss the bag if you think so – but the foggy head and watery eyes sounds more like you’re coming down with something, or fighting it off. If it was bad food your tummy would have let you know within hours. And your 2-hr PP spike was caused by the rice you ate today that followed by all the tomato/onion carbs eaten yesterday. With no sweet/starch veggies tomorrow, you should see that number go back down again.

The good news is, it looks like you’re burning fat again even though you’ve only been on Metformin just under a week. Hope you feel better soon!]

Maintenance Round 3, Week 1, Day 4 – 2/21

Weight: 1514 = down 1 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 78
1-hour PP (after lunch): 84
2-hour PP (after lunch): 82

I’m feeling great today! And look at my blood sugars! Lowest they’ve ever been, I think, so far.

Maintenance Round 3, Week 1, Day 6 – 2/23

Weight: 151.0 = down .4 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 87
1-hour PP (after lunch): 105
2-hour PP (after lunch): 94

Today I went to an outside (with some heaters) driving range. I spent ninety minutes there without wearing gloves. This may be a strange comment, but this is HUGE step for me, given my past Reynaud’s symptoms. I’m convinced that Protocol has helped immensely!

Maintenance Round 3, Week 1, Day 7 – 2/24

Weight: 151.8 = up .8 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 77
1-hour PP (after lunch): 93
2-hour PP (after lunch): 106

I ate some store-bought chowder today, and it had some corn in it. This was probably not my best decision of the weekend. On the up side, I’m no longer hungry in the evenings!

Maintenance Round 3, Week 2, Day 1 – 2/25

Weight: 152.6 = up .8 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 36 = no change
Waist: 32.75 = no change
Hips: 39.5 = no change

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 88
1-hour PP (after lunch): 92
2-hour PP (after lunch): 103

Post-lunch, I feel like I need a nap.

Maintenance Round 3, Week 2, Day 2 – 2/26

Weight: 153.8 = up 1.2 pounds

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 89
1-hour PP (after lunch): 92
2-hour PP (after lunch): 86

I woke up this morning with an unsettled stomach but I felt quite a bit better after lunch.

Maintenance Round 3, Week 2, Day 3 – 2/27

Weight: 153.2 = down .6 pound

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 96
1-hour PP (after lunch): 94
2-hour PP (after lunch): 95

Today I’m sick and home sleeping! I managed an egg, some broth, and a few veggies in the afternoon.

[Note: Shani, I hope you feel much better tomorrow!]

Maintenance Round 3, Week 2, Day 4 – 2/28

Weight: 153.2 = no change

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 85
1-hour PP (after lunch): 87
2-hour PP (after lunch): 83

Today is a repeat of yesterday. I’m ready for the sickness and bloating to go away!

Maintenance Round 3, Week 2, Day 5 – 3/1

Weight: 152.4 = down .8 pound

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 91
1-hour PP (after lunch): 93
2-hour PP (after lunch): 90

This morning, I felt much better and got hungry around early afternoon. I ate about three-fourths of the lunch I had planned to eat this past Wednesday.

[Note: Shani, glad you’re feeling better!]

Maintenance Round 3, Week 2, day 6 – 3/2

Weight: 152.6 = up .4 pound

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 85

I ate dinner out tonight and had chard with butter earlier in the day.

Maintenance Round 3, Week 2, day 7 – 3/3

Weight: 152.8 = up .2 pound

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 90
1-hour PP (after lunch): 87
2-hour PP (after lunch): 92

Enjoying some chicken Normandy today.

Maintenance Round 3, Week 3, Day 1 – 3/4

Weight: 153.8 = up 1 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 36 = no change
Waist: 32.75 = no change
Hips: 39.5 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 91
1-hour PP (after lunch): 96
2-hour PP (after lunch): 81

Wow, look at my gorgeous blood sugars this weekend. Haven’t seen numbers this good, so consistently, since . . . never. 🙂

Maintenance Round 3, Week 3, day 2, 3/5

Weight: 153.8 = no change

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 91
1-hour PP (after lunch): 100
2-hour PP (after lunch): 94

Hey, my 2-hour is lower than my 1-hour!

[Note: Same as yesterday! :D]

Maintenance Round 3, Week 3, Day 3 – 3/6

Weight: 153.8 = no change

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 97
1-hour PP (after lunch): 89
2-hour PP (after lunch): 92

The apples and carrots (in yesterday’s Chicken Normandy) would have been too much for my blood sugar to handle even a month ago but look – no spikes at all! Yay, Metformin. 🙂

Maintenance Round 3, Week 3, day 4,  3/7

Weight: 155 = up 1.2 pounds

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 85
1-hour PP (after lunch): 87
2-hour PP (after lunch): 82

Those are some fantastic blood sugar numbers.

[Note: BEST EVER! :D]

Maintenance Round 3, Week 3, day 5,  3/8

Weight: 153.2 = down 1.8 pounds

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 85
1-hour PP (after lunch): 97
2-hour PP (after lunch): 95

I’m quite content with these blood sugar numbers, especially the 2-hour PP being lower than the 1-hour.

Maintenance Round 3, Week 3, day 6, 3/9

Weight: 153.2 = no change

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 77
1-hour PP (after lunch): 97
2-hour PP (after lunch): 78

Enjoying some delicious quiche today. Great recipe and guidance, SugarFree!

Maintenance Round 3, Week 3, day 7,  3/10

Weight: 153 = down .2 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 80
1-hour PP (after lunch): 90
2-hour PP (after lunch): 121

Emotional eating? Yes, I had some chips and guacamole, and some big blood glucose numbers on the side.

Maintenance Round 3, Week 4, Day 1 – 3/11

Weight: 153.2 = up .2 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 36.0 = no change
Waist: 32.75 = no change
Hips: 40 = up .25″

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 98
1-hour PP (after lunch): 98
2-hour PP (after lunch): 93

My body is rallying after a night with little sleep and I’m feeling fairly energized.

[Note: Whoa – your ketostix is moderate! Haven’t seen that for months, and it’s really good news. Ditto, your wonderful blood sugars (aside from the chips yesterday). Your insulin is finally getting that kick in the rear from Metformin, and becoming efficient again. :D]

Maintenance Round 3, Week 4, day 2, 3/12

Weight: 153.4 = up .2 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 123
1-hour PP (after lunch): 84
2-hour PP (after lunch): 125

Today I tried the cinnamon beef stew recipe (and had a few bites late last night when I was cooking it, as well). I totally forgot that balsamic vinegar is forbidden on Protocol, and now I know why: it’s got too much natural sugar.

Maintenance Round 3, Week 4, Day 3 – 3/12

Weight: 154.2 = up .8 pound

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 99
1-hour PP (after lunch): 86
2-hour PP (after lunch): 90

Great to see my blood glucose numbers heading back down after yesterday!

Maintenance Round 3, Week 4, Day 4 – 3/14

Weight: 154.2 = no change

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 101
1-hour PP (after lunch): 92
2-hour PP (after lunch): 102

I’ll be carefully selecting tomorrow’s meal to help lower my BG numbers.

Maintenance Round 3, Week 5, Day 2 – 3/19

Weight: 154.2 = no change

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 91
1-hour PP (after lunch): 95
2-hour PP (after lunch): 98

This morning I woke up bloated again. I’ll keep my meal simple today and tomorrow, and hope for some positive change with the numbers.

[Note: Your blood sugars may not be as low as you’d like yet, but they are all in the normal range and have been for the last three weeks, except for the accidental sugar intake. You’ve never shown such good numbers for such an extended period of time before.  At this point I suspect this on and off again bloating may be due to ‘low motility’ (common in women with MSXX and Thyroid Hormone Deficiency. Some enzymes – specifically Hydrochloric Acid with Pepsin – are required to fully digest and ‘move’ your food in the proper direction, but you may not be making sufficient acid for this. Take one capsule with each meal. If you don’t feel an immediate ‘burning’ in your esophagus, this is what has been missing, and the bloat should be gone in a few days. Luckily, as with Melatonin taken correctly, your body will ‘get the message’ that it needs more acid and will begin to produce enough within a week or two on its own. How will you know? You’ll start to get a burning sensation when you take a capsule, and that will be your message to discontinue it. :)]

Maintenance Round 3, Week 5, Day 3 – 3/20

Weight: 153.8 = down. 4 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 90
1-hour PP (after lunch): 123
2-hour PP (after lunch): 112

Ate a few root chips at lunch- yikes! And can anyone recommend a brand of bullion that doesn’t have sugar in it? I thought I had some, but it has sugar in it.

[Note: Shani, it wasn’t that you ate root chips. It’s that the root chips must have had sugar in some form on or in them. Unless you also had the bouillon today with the sugar in it. In that case – yikes indeed! 🙂 However, your comment sent me off on the Great Sugar-Free Bouillon Hunt, and all I can say is – if there’s a manufacturer out there who can make cubes without the sugar in it – they’ll make a fortune.

That said, and following the axiom of the great Galaxy Quest Commander: “Never give up; never surrender!” — I was able to find a lovely-sounding, reasonably priced stock – Kitchen Basics – that can easily be reduced down, poured into some ice-cube trays, and frozen until needed. It’s all natural, without any MSG (including the oft-disguised hydrolyzed yeast or protein that really is MSG) or sugar. There’s a tiny bit of honey toward the end of the ingredients, but since an entire cup has ZERO sugar grams, I don’t think this will be a problem for any Participant.

You can buy one container of Beef Stock for $2.69, or a 4-pk of Chicken Stock for $11.89. Plus, if you order before 9 a.m. tomorrow morning, you can get 10% off your entire order at Vitacost by using the code Spring10. Hope that helps!]

Maintenance Round 3, Week 5, Day 4 – 3/21

Weight: 154 = up .2 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 87
1-hour PP (after lunch): 96
2-hour PP (after lunch): 102

Feeling great today, and looking for those numbers to be showing some real change in the coming weeks.

Maintenance Round 3, Week 5, Day 5 – 3/22

Weight: 153.8 = down .2 pound

Ketostix: small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 93
1-hour PP (after lunch): 99
2-hour PP (after lunch): 84

The numbers are heading in the right direction, and I’m glad to see the 2-hour PP lower than 1-hour again.

Maintenance Round 3, Week 5, Day 6 – 3/23

Weight: 154 = up .2 pound

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 84
1-hour PP (after lunch): 110
2-hour PP (after lunch): 117

I ate lunch out with a friend today, had a delicious lamb burger with feta cheese. Unfortunately the only option for steamed veggies was pea pods (odd, I thought). I don’t think they did me any favors and I should have gone with a salad.

[Note: I don’t believe it was the pea pods at all – and you can do an experiment on Friday to prove it. Most restaurants these days bring in meats, and most meat product producers put sugar in meat, either directly, or in the spices that go in or on the meat. Your PP’s look like sugar to me! Do an experiment on Friday, by having a great meal with carbs only from veggies and make your ‘other’ green veggie that day pea pods. You should have even more than you ate in the restaurant. Roast them or saute them with olive oil/butter. Bet your 1 and 2-hr PP’s are great. :)]

Maintenance Round 3, Week 5, Day 7 – 3/24

Weight: 154.2 = up .2 pound

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 93
1-hour PP (after lunch): 75
2-hour PP (after lunch): 84

I had a nice low-key day today. Cooking a beef roast for tomorrow’s start back on Protocol, and hoping this round will offer me some great change.

Protocol Round 4, Week 1, Day 1 – 3/25

Weight: 156.8 = up 2.4 pounds

Measurements:
Bust: 36 = no change
Waist: 33 = up .25″
Hips: 40 = no change

Meal:
— 8 ounces Beef
— .25 serving of pasta
— 8 ounces broccoli
— 12 ounces zucchini
— 2 ounces butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 883
Fat: 64 grams (65%)
Protein: 55.1 grams (25%)
Carbs: 21.6 grams (10%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 80
1-hour PP (after lunch): 111
2-hour PP (after lunch): 103

My fasting glucose number today was really good, and my 2-hour PP was better than my 1-hour. Trying to ignore the other numbers in anticipation that all will come together in the next couple of weeks.

[Note: Positive thinking is always good. 🙂 But please remember ‘carry-over’ in insulin resistance. Thus, perhaps having the pasta today – after eating what I feel sure was sugar on Saturday – might not have been a good idea. Especially after the 2.4 pounds gain, which absolutely, positively was water weight from all the carbs you ate on Saturday, plus going from ‘small’ on Friday to negative ketostix the next two days in a row. Your body was definitely trying to tell you something, and it’s an important part of Protocol to learn to listen to all the signals (not just fasting glucose), and trust them enough to follow them.]

Protocol Round 4, Week 1, Day 2 – 3/26

Weight: 156.4 = down .2 pound

Meal:
— 8 ounces pork
— 1 ounce sweet potato
— 8 ounces swiss chard
— 5 ounces green beans
— 1.5 ounces butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 825
Fat: 63.2 grams (69%)
Protein: 48.2 grams (23%)
Carbs: 15.8 grams (8%)

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 104
1-hour PP (after lunch): 105
2-hour PP (after lunch): 97

Thank you for the notes yesterday, SugarFree – points well taken. Seems that my numbers are still affected. Though, I did wake up in the middle of the night last night feeling nauseous and ate about .25 ounce of bread to settle.

[Note: Oy, Shani! 🙂 Your numbers today are not an ‘affect’ of a few days ago, they are a direct result of the bread. Bread doesn’t ‘settle’ the stomach, it just raises blood sugars, and it does so on an empty stomach almost instantaneously. Bet you had quite the insulin spike, too. Next time you feel nauseous, take a Zantac! It’ll do the job in minutes, with no down side.]

Protocol Round 4, Week 1, Day 3 – 3/27

Weight: 155.8 = down .6 pound

Meal:
— 8 ounces salmon
— 8 ounces spinach
— 9 ounces asparagus
— .5 ounce polenta
— 1.5 ounces butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 749
Fat: 49.0 grams (59%)
Protein: 56.4 grams (30%)
Carbs: 20.5 grams (11%)

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after lunch): 103
2-hour PP (after lunch): 90

Today I feel really great, less bloated and very energetic. I love being able to think clearly.

Protocol Round 4, Week 1, Day 4 – 3/28

Weight: 154 = down 1.8 pounds

Meal:
— 8 ounces beef
— 8 ounces broccoli
— 5 ounces beans
— 1 ounce potato
— 1 ounce butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 810
Fat: 62.6 grams (70%)
Protein: 47.1 grams (23%)
Carbs: 14.6 grams (7%)

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 89
1-hour PP (after lunch): 106
2-hour PP (after lunch): 89

Feeling great again, and grateful to see 2-hour levels lower than 1-hour again, though 106 is still quite high.

Protocol Round 4, Week 1, Day 5 – 3/29

Weight: 153.8 = down .2 pound

Meal:
— 8 ounces pork loin
— 8 ounces spinach
— 12 ounces zucchini
— .5 ounce yellow pepper
— .5 ounce butter

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 836
Fat: 67.6 grams (72%)
Protein: 45.4grams (22%)
Carbs: 11.5 grams (6%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 86
1-hour PP (after lunch): 112
2-hour PP (after lunch): 94

My head still feels clear, which I’m so grateful for. Today I tried the yellow pepper. I’m determined to stay on track here and keep learning the details.

Shani’s Farewell:

It’s hard to believe I’ve been on this journey for over four months! It’s one that has come with a lot of learning points along the way. I started at 162 pounds and am now a steady 153 pounds. My measurements for bust and hips remain the same as the start. My waist is an inch smaller than the start, and I’m grateful for that change. It’s a glimpse of what is to come as the healing process continues. As a person with Metabolic Syndrome XX, this is going to take some time (the Metformin I’m now on should kick in over the next month or two), and I’m eager to see the changes that will bring. I intend to continue on Protocol, but because of sudden job changes no longer have time to post. I began working with SugarFree with a great deal of hope, which became determination; and both remain with me. Thank you, SugarFree, for your guidance and expertise!