SugarFree Protocol – Sophie

Sophie will join us on Monday, April 29 – but I hope you will all welcome her now.

Sophie’s Introduction:

Hello everyone. I am 39 years old, 5′ 4” and weigh 232 pounds. English is not my native language (I’m German), so please forgive any mistakes.

I was a normal weight teen, but felt fat even then. I have always had a sweet tooth and I slowly gained weight in my twenties. I have tried many diets and sometimes lost a lot of weight, but gained everything (and a little more) back when I ate “normal” again.

These last few last years I’ve been unable to lose anything at all, even though a doctor prescribed Metformin. I lost about twenty pounds with that, but no more. One of my last attempts to lose weight was Dukan, which is a dangerous very low carb AND low-fat diet. I lost some weight but the backlash was enormous 🙁 I even tried to go vegan because I like the idea – but felt sick and awful!

I found SugarFree via a comment on a book review about HCG. I read a lot here and I thought: she knows what she is talking about, because she went through it all herself. Protocol is the only way out of my trap, because it’s not just my fat that’s the problem, it’s also my health. My blood tests revealed that I am Hypothyroid, Insulin Resistant, in the early stages of Diabetes with Hyperinsulinemia, have PCOS/Metabolic Syndrome XX – and have NAFLD: Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Protocol may be tough in the beginning, and I will probably go through hard times, but I believe the results will be worth the struggle.

I would really appreciate to be cheered on a little by you all 🙂

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

Weight: 232.3

Measurements:
Bust: 45.4″
Waist: 41″
Hips: 44.2″

Meal:
– 5 oz green beans
– 8 oz broccoli
– 12 oz pork chop, lean and fat eaten
– 1 tbsp butter
– 1 tbsp goose fat

Fitday stats:
Calories: 737
Fat: 52.4 grams (64%)
Protein: 56.3 grams (31%)
Carbs: 10.1 grams (5%)

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 114
1-hour PP (after meal): 75
2-hour PP (after meal): 83

I felt very weak and hungry before my meal and then it tasted wonderful. Shortly after that, I felt dizzy, tired and cold but I knew the beginning of the protocol would be tough. But I know, it is the beginning of a new, healthier life, so I can live with it

[Note: Welcome, Sophie! I hope you’ve found the support you asked for, and read the comments of the friends you’re already made here. 🙂 It’s important to understand the reason you felt dizzy and cold after eating: your pancreas is pumping out so much insulin 24/7 (to try – fruitlessly up to now – to keep your blood sugars normal) that when you ate a meal that did not require so much insulin, your blood sugars dropped very quickly. Although your 1 and 2-hr PP numbers were perfectly normal, they were artificially lowered by all the insulin, and after so many years of insulin resistance you are no longer used to how normal postprandial or fasting numbers feel.

That will change as you go on. In fact, once your pancreas ‘gets the message’ that so much insulin is no longer required, your blood sugars will rise again and be high. Eventually though, they will come down again to true normal, that is, not artificially lowered by excess glucose. So hang in there – it will happen. :)]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 2 – 4/30

Weight: 230.8 = down 1.5 pounds

Meal:
– 2 Tbsp butter
– 1 Tbsp goose fat
– 8 oz salmon
– 8 oz spinach
– 12 oz fennel

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 737
Fat: 52.4 grams (64%)
Protein: 56.3 grams (31%)
Carbs: 10.1 grams (5%)

Ketostix: trace to small

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 100
1-hour PP (after meal): 87
2-hour PP (after meal): 83

I was very tired yesterday and slept for ten hours last night! Today I feel much better and not weak at all. I loved my meal and I was not cold afterwards. It is a fantastic feeling to heal my body this way. I am very curious to continue my (long) journey into a healthier life. Thank you, SugarFree.

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 3 – 5/1

Weight: 228.1 = down 2.7 pounds

Meal:
– 2 Tbsp goose fat
– 1 Tbsp butter
– 9 oz chicken liver
– 8 oz swiss chard
– 9 oz asparagus
– 1 egg

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 754
Fat: 54.7 grams (65%)
Protein: 55.2 grams (30%)
Carbs: 10.3 grams (6%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 99
1-hour PP (after meal): 94
2-hour PP (after meal): 84

It is holiday today, so I chose to cook chicken liver for the first time. On other days I cook my food the night before and eat it cold at work – no possibility to warm something up. Even looking at the raw liver was hard and I didn’t feel like eating it. But I acted like a good mother for myself and convinced myself to eat it. I’ll get used to it soon, since this will become a staple food in the future. But it wasn’t bad at all and I even like the taste (it is more the texture I must get used to). Besides that I plan to take things slow and rest today.

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 4 – 5/2

Weight: 226.9 = down 1.2 pounds

Meal:
– 2 Tbsp butter
– 14 oz chicken thigh (with bone in it and skin eaten)
– 8 oz broccoli
– 5 oz green beans

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 760
Fat: 55.5 grams (66%)
Protein: 55 grams (29%)
Carbs: 10.1 grams (5%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 82
1-hour PP (after meal): 76
2-hour PP (after meal): 91

I feel better every day! And I really enjoy to be free from thinking of food constantly with only one meal to eat. I don’t have cravings and I really hope this will go on. My blood sugar went up 2-hour PP, don’t know if this is a problem, so I will monitor it.

[Note: Sophie, since your pancreas is still putting out high levels of insulin, your 1-hr PP was artificially lowered, then went back to a more ‘normal’ 2-hr PP. It is still far too early to make any generalizations of your blood sugars, since until your pancreas stops pumping out excessive insulin, nothing can be inferred about them. Give it a few weeks before coming to any conclusions about them.]

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 5 – 5/3

Weight: 226 = down .9 pound

Meal:
– 2 T. butter
– 1.5 T. goose fat
– 8 oz spinach
– 10 oz asparagus
– 8.5 oz salmon

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 790
Fat: 56.8 grams (64%)
Protein: 58.6 grams (30%)
Carbs: 11 grams (6%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after meal): 83
2-hour PP (after meal): 84

I felt very nauseous last night. I have a lot of pressure at work and thought it might be stress symptoms. But then I remembered that SugarFree mentioned to use salt liberally while on Protocol. I drank some water with salt and a short time after that I was fine again 🙂

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 6 – 5/4

Weight: 225.6 = down .4 pound

Meal:
– 1 T. butter
– 2 large eggs
– 8 oz spinach
– 5 oz green beans
– 8 oz ground beef

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 863
Fat: 67 grams (70%)
Protein: 54.2 grams (25%)
Carbs: 10.9 grams (5%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 86
1-hour PP (after meal): 89
2-hour PP (after meal): 83

Protocol Round 1, Week 1, Day 7 – 5/5

Weight: 225.1 = down .5 pound

Meal:
– 2 T. butter
– 2 T. goose fat
– 8 oz broccoli
– 10 oz asparagus
– 9 oz beef liver

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 841
Fat: 58.2 grams (62%)
Protein: 58.4 grams (28%)
Carbs: 20.9 grams (10%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 88
1-hour PP (after meal): 87
2-hour PP (after meal): 75

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 1 – 5/6

Weight: 226 = up .9 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 43.5″ down 2”
Waist: 49.5” down 1.5”
Hips: 43.3” down 2″

Meal:
– 5 oz green beans
– 8 oz spinach
– 12 oz pork chop
– 1 T. butter
– 1 T. goose fat

Fitday stats:
Calories: 737
Fat: 52.4 grams (64%)
Protein: 56.3 grams (31%)
Carbs: 10.1 grams (5%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 93
1-hour PP (after meal): 84
2-hour PP (after meal): 85

I can’t believe how much inches I have lost! I wear stretchy clothes so I didn’t realize it before I measured myself. Fantastic 🙂 Another good thing from my first week of Protocol is that I have completely lost my obsession about food (especially sweets and starches). I hope this will go on. On the other hand I never feel like eating, so finishing my meal takes a lot of time and self-discipline. If I didn’t have you, SugarFree, I surely would skip eating a day or two, but I trust you and follow the protocol to regain my health.

[Note: Sophie, what a great week you’ve had! Five inches of fat and all your cravings gone in seven days, never to return. 🙂 It’s important, though, to understand why you don’t feel like eating. It’s because you ARE eating, 24/7 – and the inches of fat you lost equal the amount of calories you ate all week, all day and night – but without your fork. If you stopped eating the tiny amount of food you get on Phase 1, your brain would almost immediately go into starvation mode and shut your fat cells again, which is just the opposite of your goal. In fact, you lost so much last week, and your blood sugars have improved so much, that we’ll add back starch and sweet veggies this week to see if your metabolism can better handle them. If so, it’s on to Maintenance the week after. :D]

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 2 – 5/7

Weight: 223.8 = down 2.2 pounds

Meal:
– 5 oz shrimp cooked
– 8 oz broccoli
– 12 oz fennel
– 2 T. butter
– 2 T. goose fat

Fitday stats:
Calories: 764
Fat: 53.8 grams (63%)
Protein: 57.3 grams (30%)
Carbs: 12.6 grams (7%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 86
1-hour PP (after meal): 85
2-hour PP (after meal): 84

I am so pleased with my current well-being, and that I can already add a starchy veggie to my meal. Something strange happened when I measured my 2-hour PP today: my glucometer said 105! I was shocked, so I took a second measurement 5 minutes later to be sure and then it showed 84, which was more what I had expected, since my glucose levels had been so nice and even in the last days. My life has already changed for the better, and yet there is still much good to come, since this is only the beginning.

[Note: Did you happen to wash your hands between your first and second reading? It is so important to do that before each test. The other day I took my 2-hr and it was 170! Like you, I was thunderstruck, until I realized that I had eaten a few grapes at the end of my meal, and had left the dishes in the sink for later. I laughed, washed my hands (and the dishes) and took a reading again. This time it was 82 – a bit better than 170. :D]

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 3 – 5/8

Weight: 223.8 = no change

Meal:
– 9 oz salmon
– 8 oz spinach
– 5 oz greens beans
– 2 T. butter
– 1 T. goose fat
– 1 oz white potato

Fitday stats:
Calories: 893
Fat: 66.7 grams (67%)
Protein: 58.5 grams (26%)
Carbs: 14.6 grams (7%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after meal): 99
2-hour PP (after meal): 103

For the first time since starting Protocol I felt slightly hungry some hours after my meal yesterday. Today was a crazy day. I was interrupted just after I started eating, and finished only one minute before my first blood glucose measurement. And I wasn’t able to wash my hands before I the 2-hour PP. Now I know how important this is, not only for sanitary reasons! After three hours and clean hands my number was 78. So I doubt 2-hour PP 103, but cannot know for sure. The next days will be more quiet, so I’ll get more precise results.

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 4 – 5/9

Weight: 222.4 = down 1.4 pounds

Meal:
– 9 oz chicken liver
– 8 oz swiss chard
– 9 oz asparagus
– 1 T. butter
– 2 T. goose fat
– 1 oz carrot

Fitday stats:
Calories: 767
Fat: 54.7 grams (64%)
Protein: 55.5 grams (29%)
Carbs: 13.0 grams (7%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 101
1-hour PP (after meal): 93
2-hour PP (after meal): 87

No hunger again yesterday, and no problem eating some sweet carrot today. I feel very good and sleep deep every night.

[Note: AND – in your ninth day of Protocol, you’ve lost a total of ten pounds. Some water in the first week, and now fat. I bet you’ll be pleased with your measurements on Monday. :D]

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 5 – 5/10

Weight: 221.8 = down .6 pound

Meal:
– 14 oz chicken thighs
– 8 oz broccoli
– 5 oz green beans
– 2 T. butter
– 1 oz sweet potato

Fitday stats:
Calories: 785
Fat: 55.5 grams (64%)
Protein: 55.5 grams (28%)
Carbs: 15.8 grams (8%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 95
1-hour PP (after meal): 90
2-hour PP (after meal): 99

I felt great today! I really love not to feel hungry at all and knowing I’m getting better and better every day.

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day  – 5/11

Weight: 221.1 = down .7 pound

Meal:
– 9 oz salmon
– 8 oz spinach
– 12 oz fennel
– 2 T. butter
– 1 T. goose fat
– 1 oz tomato

Fitday stats:
Calories: 741
Fat: 51.6 grams (63%)
Protein: 58.0 grams (31%)
Carbs: 11.2 grams (6%)

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 95
1-hour PP (after meal): 92
2-hour PP (after meal): 103

I had another great day with much more energy than I am used to. The tomato tasted incredibly sweet and raised my 2-hour PP, so I will wait to try it again.

Protocol Round 1, Week 2, Day 7 – 5/12

Weight: 220.9 = down .2 pound

Meal:
– 9 oz beef liver
– 8 oz broccoli
– 5 oz green beans
– 2 T. butter
– 2 T. goose fat
– 1 oz onion

Fitday stats:
Calories: 831
Fat: 58 grams (63%)
Protein: 55 grams (26%)
Carbs: 22.2 grams (11%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after meal): 92
2-hour PP (after meal): 87

Onion has natural sugar, but my body can now take it. Still feeling very well 🙂 I’m having problems figuring out what food to eat on Maintenance, but SugarFree is helping me and gave me some good advice: I will learn how to do it, just as I did with Protocol. I spent the weekend with my family and they were all very supportive. The best thing is they  can already see I have lost weight in my face. It is such a relief.

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 1 – 5/13

Weight: 220.5 = up .4 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 44.25 ” = up .75”
Waist: 38.25” = down 1.25”
Hips: 42” = down 1.3”

Ketostix: moderate to large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 88
1-hour PP (after meal): 90
2-hour PP (after meal): 95

I am really pleased with my loss of fat and inches! I still feel no hunger and had big difficulties downing my bigger meal today. But I finished, because on Protocol I consider my food as my remedy and not only for pleasure.

[Note: And the ‘remedy’ is really working. In two weeks you’ve lost a full 5% of your total body weight, a lot of fat, and your waist has gone from 41 to 38 inches. Well done. :D]

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

Weight: 220.5 = no change

Ketostix: moderate to large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 89
1-hour PP (after meal): 91
2-hour PP (after meal): 97

I feel very well, but have woken up in the middle in the night recently. I have already read here that it is my body burning lots of fat which keeps me from sleeping, so I won’t complain 🙂

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 3 – 5/15

Weight: 220 = down .5 pound

Ketostix: moderate to large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after meal): 81
2-hour PP (after meal): 82

Wow! I’m very pleased with my blood glucose (even with two ounces of sweet potato today), so things have really improved already! Yesterday I had a hard time eating all my food, but today my plate was clean after twenty minutes. No problems at all. And I’m enjoying the feeling of my jeans hanging loose already. 🙂

Tomorrow will be a kind of adventure: I will have to eat out and I won’t post until Friday.

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 4 – 5/16

Weight: 220.5 = up .5 pound

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after meal): 108
2-hour PP (after meal): 86

I could only choose between two meals: Lasagna or turkey in tomato sauce with white potato (without skin) and could not order any additional butter or other fat. I think my 1-hour PP indicates there was not enough fat and maybe too many carbs, but I hope my 2-hour PP is a good sign.

[Note: It is, considering your two choices were equally horrible. :D]

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 5 – 5/17

Weight: 220.5 = no change

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 90
1-hour PP (after meal): 103
2-hour PP (after meal): 99

A nice feeling to get back to normal again today. SugarFree, I am not sure if my BG is fine or not, if it goes above 100?

[Note: Sophie, to see if blood sugar levels are a problem, it helps to look at the context. If you’ve eaten a meal with lots of good fat and no starch carbs and have a 1-hr PP of 103, that’s not horrible, but it’s not great. If however, you are insulin resistant and have eaten a new starch carb – like you did with the noodles today – and you go a bit above 100 and come down below 100 at the 2-hr mark, that’s pretty good. A month ago those noodles would have raised your sugars well above 103. In other words, it’s on a continuum, and as long as you are trending toward insulin sensitivity again, that’s true progress. 🙂

What should be most exciting is that here you are having eaten a LOT of calories over the last five days, and instead of regaining any of what you lost, you’ve stayed at exactly the same weight. And your measurements on Monday will be good, too. So much for Calories In, Calories Out!]

 Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 6 – 5/18

Weight: 220 = down .5 pound

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 81

Had a bad day and didn’t eat anything.

Maintenance Round 1, Week 1, Day 7 – 5/19

Weight: 220 = no change

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 81
1-hour PP (after meal): 89
2-hour PP (after meal): 84

I was very hungry today, but had a hard time finishing my complete meal. It seems my stomach still isn’t used to normal portions. I hope this will improve as time goes by.

Maintenance Round 1, Week 2, Day 1 – 5/20

Weight: 220 = no change

Measurements:
Bust: 44 ” = down .25”
Waist: 38” = down .25”
Hips: 42” = no change

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 87
1-hour PP (after meal): 80
2-hour PP (after meal): 94

Back to normal today.

Maintenance Round 1, Week 2, Day 2 – 5/21

Weight: 220.9 = up .9 pound

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after meal): 99
2-hour PP (after meal): 97

I feel better emotionally. I think my new way of eating stabilizes me, too. But I’m still having a hard time eating ALL my food. Never thought this could be my problem. 🙂

Maintenance Round 1, Week 2, Day – 5/22

Weight: 220.7 = down .7 pound

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 97
1-hour PP (after meal): 80
2-hour PP (after meal): 74

Yesterday I felt sick, went to bed very, very early and slept more than eleven hours straight! Today I was nauseous and didn’t eat what I had actually planned. Tomorrow I’m on a business trip so I will not post until Friday.

[Note: Sophie, I hope you feel better soon!]

Maintenance Round 1, Week 2, Day 4 – 5/23

Weight: 219.1 = down 1.6 pounds

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 80

I couldn’t eat anything, not even the recommended sickness meal. But later in the day I felt better. 🙂

Maintenance Round 1, Week 2, Day 5 – 5/23

Weight: 218.3 = down 1.8 pounds

Ketostix: large

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after meal): 99
2-hour PP (after meal): 78

Could eat normally again, and I am looking forward to a relaxing weekend.

Protocol Round 2, Week 1, Day 1 – 6/03

Weight: 226 = up 7.7 pounds

Measurements:
Bust: 46 ” = up 2”
Waist: 39” = up 1″
Hips: 42.5” = up .5″

Meal:
– 8 oz salmon
– 4 oz spinach
– 3 oz fennel
– 2 tbsp butter
– 1 tbsp coconut oil

Fitday stats:
Calories: 762
Fat: 51.3 grams (60%)
Protein: 54.1 grams (28%)
Carbs: 20.9 grams (12%)

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 89
1-hour PP (after meal): 77
2-hour PP (after meal): 76

I have not posted since 5/23 , nor did I follow Maintenance properly – as I can not only see on my weight but also on my measurements!. I had a flare up of ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease which can be symptom-free in periods, but can return, especially in stressful times. It happened again last week after three years in remission. The first days I avoided eating anything at all. As things got worse, I went to hospital.

There I ate bread, felt good with it and continued eating it at home, too. But the worst thing is: I was hiding myself, didn’t answer my e-mails and didn’t want to face my life, including my commitment to get my health back by following Protocol again. I now see a pattern in my life: when I feel overwhelmed or in pain, I just hide away. But nothing becomes better by this behavior.

SugarFree helped me out of this harmful trap. Not only did she have very important information to help fight the disease and the inflammation, she also had good advice for me to better cope with the stress in my life. SugarFree, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

[Note: Sophie, thank you – and welcome back. 🙂 I’m so sorry you went through all the pain, but hopefully by learning to manage stress better and by continuing to take the anti-inflammatory supplements, this will be the last flare up you ever have. And now – forward!]

Protocol Round 2, Week 1, Day 2 – 6/04

Weight: 220.9 = down 5.1 pounds

Meal:
– 8 oz chicken liver
– 8 oz broccoli
– 5 oz green beans
– 1 T butter
– 1 tbsp goose fat
– 1 tbsp coconut oil
– 2 large eggs

Fitday stats:
Calories: 742
Fat: 52.3 grams (63%)
Protein: 57.8 grams (31%)
Carbs: 10.1 grams (6%)

Ketostix: negative

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 107
1-hour PP (after meal): 88
2-hour PP (after meal): 83

I ate everything on my menu. It feels so good to eat the right things. I would love if my body continued to digest the veggies properly and without pain. I had bad news before going to bed. Could my sleepless night have driven my fasting blood glucose up?

[Note: Absolutely. 🙁 Hopefully the meditation you’ve begun will help and tomorrow will be better. At least the water weight from all that bread is gone. :)]

Protocol Round 2, Week 1, Day 3 – 6/5

Weight: 220.2 = down .7 pound

Meal:
– 9 oz salmon
– 8 oz spinach
– 12 oz fennel
– 2 T butter
– 1 teaspoon coconut oil
– 2 T goose fat

Fitday stats:
Calories: 891
Fat: 68.8 grams (70%)
Protein: 57.8 grams (25%)
Carbs: 10.1 grams (5%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 89
1-hour PP (after meal): 87
2-hour PP (after meal): 86

I had a very busy day yet I don’t feel as tired as I usually would.

Protocol Round 2, Week 1, Day 4 – 6/6

Weight: 219.4 = down .8 pound

Meal:
– 8 oz chicken liver
– 8 oz broccoli
– 10 oz asparagus
– 1 T butter
– 1 teaspoon coconut oil
– 1 T goose fat
– 2 large eggs

Fitday stats:
Calories: 726
Fat: 50.5 grams (62%)
Carbs: 11.8 grams (6%)
Protein: 57.3 grams (32%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 115
1-hour PP (after meal): 91
2-hour PP (after meal): 94

Unfortunately I had a horrible night with pain and cramps again, but it helped to breathe slowly and meditate. I find some peace in the meditation SugarFree “prescribed” to me.

Protocol Round 2, Week 1, Day 5 – 6/7

Weight: 218 = down 1.4 pounds

Meal:
– 8 oz shrimp
– 8 oz spinach
– 12 oz fennel
– 2 T butter
– 1 teaspoon coconut oil
– 2 T goose fat
– 1 oz white potato with skin

Fitday stats:
Calories: 863
Fat: 59.0 grams (62%)
Carbs: 17.4 grams (8%)
Protein: 65.6 grams (30%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after meal): 89
2-hour PP (after meal): 100

I’m having a very busy day. But tomorrow is weekend 🙂 I have to travel but will take all my food with me.

Protocol Round 2, Week 1, Day 6 – 6/8

Weight: 217.8 = down .2 pound

Meal:
– 1 T. butter
– 1 T. goose fat
– 13 oz pork chop
– 8 oz spinach
– 5 oz green beans
– 1 oz carrot

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 788
Fat: 54.8 grams (63%)
Carbs: 12.8 grams (7%)
Protein: 61 grams (30%)

Ketostix: trace

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 91
1-hour PP (after meal): 89
2-hour PP (after meal): 103

As my 1-hr PP spiked a little after eating carrot I’m leaving out sweet veggie and starches for the next days.

Protocol Round 2, Week 1, Day 7 – 6/9

Weight: 217.8 = no change

Meal:
– 2 T. butter
– 2 T. goose fat
– 8 oz broccoli
– 10 oz asparagus
– 9 oz beef liver

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 841
Fat: 58.2 grams (62%)
Protein: 58.4 grams (28%)
Carbs: 20.9 grams (10%)

Ketostix: medium

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 98
1-hour PP (after meal): 87
2-hour PP (after meal): 75

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 1 – 6/10

Weight: 216.7 = down 1.1 pounds

Measurements:
Bust: 43.5″ = no change
Waist: 39” = no change
Hips: 41” = down 1.5”

Meal:
– 5 oz green beans
– 8 oz spinach
– 14 oz chicken thigh (with bone) skin eaten
– 2 T. butter

Fitday stats:
Calories: 760
Fat: 55.5 grams (66%)
Carbs: 10.1 grams (5%)
Protein: 55 grams (29%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after meal): 84
2-hour PP (after meal): 85

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 2 – 6/11

Weight: 214.7 = down 2 pounds

Meal:
– 2 T. butter
– 2 T. goose fat
– 8 oz swiss chard
– 12 oz fennel
– 8 oz shrimp

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 803
Fat: 54.5 grams (61%)
Carbs: 12.9 grams (6%)
Protein: 65.2 grams (33%)

Ketostix: medium

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 101
1-hour PP (after meal): 87
2-hour PP (after meal): 75

I feel asleep very quickly but then woke up with pain and cramps, which probably explains my higher than normal fasting reading.

[Note: Sophie, I’m  sorry you’re still having to deal with the ulcerative colitis, which will likely continue for some weeks. The good news is you’ve lost all the weight you gained when you were away, plus another four pounds of mostly fat. :)]

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 3 – 6/12

Weight: 215 = up .3 pound

Meal:
– 1.5 T. butter
– 1 T. goose fat
– 8 oz broccoli
– 9 oz asparagus
– 8 oz chicken liver
– 2 large eggs

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 731
Fat: 51.3 grams (63%)
Carbs: 10.7 grams (6%)
Protein: 56.7 grams (31%)

Ketostix: medium

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 91
1-hour PP (after meal): 86
2-hour PP (after meal): 83

Last night I slept much better and consequently had a better day than yesterday.

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 4 – 6/13

Weight: 215 = no change

Meal:
– 1 T. butter
– 1.5 T. goose fat
– 8 oz broccoli
– 12 oz fennel
– 9 oz salmon
– 1 oz white potato with skin eaten
– 1 oz sour cream

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 782
Fat: 52.4 grams (61%)
Carbs: 15.8 grams (8%)
Protein: 59.0 grams (31%)

Ketostix: medium

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 79
1-hour PP (after meal): 88
2-hour PP (after meal): 89

I enjoyed my potato and sour cream very much

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 5 – 6/14

Weight: 214.5 = down .5 pound

Meal:
– 13 oz pork chop
– 5 oz green beans
– 8 oz spinach
– 1 T. butter
– 1 T. goose fat
– 1 oz tomato

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 782
Fat: 54.8 grams (63%)
Carbs: 11.2 grams (6%)
Protein: 61 grams (31%)

Ketostix: medium

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after meal): 87
2-hour PP (after meal): 90

After a very long day I am tired and will hopefully have a quiet weekend.

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 6 – 6/15

Weight: 214.4 = down .6 pound

Meal:
– 13 oz pork chop
– 5 oz green beans
– 8 oz spinach
– 1 T. butter
– 1 T. goose fat
– 1 oz tomato

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 782
Fat: 54.8 grams (63%)
Carbs: 11.2 grams (6%)
Protein: 61.0 grams (31%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 95
1-hour PP (after meal): 85
2-hour PP (after meal): 88

I am happy to see my weight go down even if I know scale numbers are not important.

Protocol Round 2, Week 2, Day 7 – 6/16

Weight: 214.2 = down .2 pound

Fitday Stats:
– 8 oz chicken liver
– 8 oz broccoli
– 10 oz asparagus
– 1.5 T. goose fat
– 1 T. butter
– 2 large eggs
– 1 oz pumpernickel

Fitday Stats:
Calories: 815
Fat: 52.8 grams (58%)
Carbs: 25.2 grams (12%)
Protein: 59.8 grams (30%)

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 91
1-hour PP (after meal): 86
2-hour PP (after meal): 86

I love this kind of bread… I am looking forward enjoying it with brie on maintenance 🙂 I had a very quiet and relaxing weekend. Just what I needed so badly!

Maintenance Round 2, Week 1, Day 1 – 6/17

Weight: 213.4 = down .8 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 43.5″ = no change
Waist: 38.5” = down .5”
Hips: 41” = no change

Just like on my last round of Maintenance, I had a hard time eating all my food this first day. But my stomach will expand over the next week or so. One thing I love now is eating one meal per day. It is a fantastic feeling to be full and satisfied for twenty-four hours.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 1, Day 2 – 6/18

Weight: 212.7 = down .7 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 86
1-hour PP (after meal): 99
2-hour PP (after meal): 78

I had a very long and hard day today.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 1, Day 3 – 6/19

Weight: 212.3 = down .4 pound

Ketostix: moderate

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

SugarFree has reminded me to eat different foods (I tend to eat the same things over and over) and to be more creative with the food. I don’t have many choices in my market, though. I will be until next Monday, and won’t be able to post until then.

[Note: If you live in a ‘food desert’ – see if you can find a website that lists reasonably nearby farms. Almost all farms have farm stands these days, especially in the summer. Perhaps you can also find a farmer’s market in the summer as well.

In the meantime – Congratulations! In just three weeks on Protocol you have lost twenty pounds and many inches of fat. A big accomplishment. 😀 Another ten pounds and you have lost a full ten percent of your total body weight, which most doctors would be thrilled to see in most obese patients in a year. Best of all, if you stay on Lifetime Maintenance you will never gain an ounce or an inch back!]

Maintenance Round 2, Week 1, Day 4 – 6/20

Weight: 212.5 = down .2 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 82
1-hour PP (after meal): 93
2-hour PP (after meal): 94

Maintenance Round 2, Week 1, Day 5 – 6/21

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 81
1-hour PP (after meal): 85
2-hour PP (after meal): 83

Maintenance Round 2, Week 1, Day 6 – 6/22

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 83
1-hour PP (after meal): 82
2-hour PP (after meal): 80

Maintenance Round 2, Week 1, Day 7 – 6/23

Weight: 212 = down .5 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 86
1-hour PP (after meal): 92
2-hour PP (after meal): 95

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 1 – 6/24

Weight: 212.1 = up .1 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 43″ = down .5”
Waist: 38.5” = no change
Hips: 41” = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 88
1-hour PP (after meal): 87
2-hour PP (after meal): 89

I am back from my trip. It was not easy to find good food, but I did my best.
I am so grateful for your guidance and tips, dear SugarFree!

[Note: Sophie, you clearly did a great job on the trip, and have kept your weight and blood sugars stable, while still losing fat. Well done! 😀 How does it feel to be so much ‘smaller’ and with normal blood sugars than it was just a few months ago? Have other people in your life noticed? Can you see a difference?]

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 2 – 6/25

Weight: 211.9 = down .2 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 91
1-hour PP (after meal): 89
2-hour PP (after meal): 88

Thank you, SugarFree! My life has really changed. I have lost a lot of fat already and many people have noticed. This is a fantastic feeling. And now I know, despite eating so much great food, the fat will not come back. Another good thing is – I don’t feel tired in the afternoon as much as some months ago. I get better and better every day. I’m so glad I found you 🙂

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 3 – 6/26

Weight: 212 = up .1 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 93
1-hour PP (after meal): 92
2-hour PP (after meal): 94

Another good day. 🙂

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 4 – 6/27

Weight: 212 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 96
1-hour PP (after meal): 90
2-hour PP (after meal): 95

I had an awful migraine attack and have tried to stay quiet in my room.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 5 – 6/28

Weight: 212.3 = up .3 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Though better today, I still was not ready to eat. Looking forward to tomorrow!

[Note: Glad you’re feeling better, Sophie! Migraines are horrible. :(]

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 6 – 6/29

Weight: 211.8 = down .5 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 92
1-hour PP (after meal): 82
2-hour PP (after meal): 85

Today was a good day and I enjoyed my meal.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 2, Day 7 – 6/30

Weight: 211.7 = down .1 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 95
1-hour PP (after meal): 90
2-hour PP (after meal): 92

I have a cold and didn’t want to eat my full meal. Instead I ate the sickness meal which SugarFree recommends and felt much better.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 3, Day 1 – 7/01

Weight: 211.9 = up .2 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 43″ = no change
Waist: 38.5” = no change
Hips: 41” = no change

Ketostix: moderate

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

I had the sickness meal again and hope I will feel better tomorrow.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 3, Day 2 – 7/02

Weight: 211.9 = up .2 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 96
1-hour PP (after meal): 92
2-hour PP (after meal): 94

Back to work again and feeling better 🙂

[Note: So glad you’re on the mend! :)]

Maintenance Round 2, Week 3, Day 3 – 7/03

Weight: 211.9 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after meal): 89
2-hour PP (after meal): 91

The infection is still there, but under control. I’m taking extra vitamin C as SugarFree recommends.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 3, Day 4 – 7/4

Weight: 211.9 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after meal): 93
2-hour PP (after meal): 95

Feeling better 🙂

Maintenance Round 2, Week 3, Day 5 – 7/5

Weight: 212 = up .1 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 90
1-hour PP (after meal): 86
2-hour PP (after meal): 85

One thing I really love about Protocol is the fact that I don’t feel hungry between meals. It makes my life so much easier!

Maintenance Round 2, Week 3, Day 6 – 7/6

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 93
1-hour PP (after meal): 82
2-hour PP (after meal): 85

I am away from home visiting friends, and was able to cook my meal in their house. They can see how much better I am doing on Protocol.

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

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 95
1-hour PP (after meal): 90
2-hour PP (after meal): 92

I had a very relaxing Sunday in the sun 🙂

Maintenance Round 2, Week 4, Day 1 – 7/8

Weight: 211.9 = down .1 pound

Measurements:
Bust: 43″ = no change
Waist: 38.5” = no change
Hips: 41” = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 94
1-hour PP (after meal): 91
2-hour PP (after meal): 90

My last week of maintenance starts today. I sleep well, and though I’ve been eating a lot of calories and fat for the last three weeks I have retained all my weight and fat/inches losses – fantastic!

Maintenance Round 2, Week 4, Day 2 – 7/9

Weight: 211.7 = down .2 pound

Ketostix: moderate

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

I am very busy at the moment and preparing for a business trip tomorrow. Fortunately I will be able to eat my own food. That makes things easier.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 4, Day 3 – 7/10

Weight: 211.7 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 86
1-hour PP (after meal): 81
2-hour PP (after meal): 83

I came home very late and was very tired, but felt well, though.

Maintenance Round 2, Week 4, Day 4 – 7/11

Weight: 211.7 = no change

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 81
1-hour PP (after meal): 82
2-hour PP (after meal): 80

Today was a nice day and I went for a walk – something I never used to before! Or at least I only did, when I forced myself to it. 😉

[Note: Sophie, this is an important sign of metabolic recovery! It means that the energy in the nutrients/food you eat, are finally being delivered to your cells, particularly in your skeletal muscles. This means they are becoming more sensitive to insulin’s ‘message’ again, and taking in the insulin along with its glucose/energy load. And when your muscles and body are nourished, you have energy to move again, and thus want to move.

As Gary Taubes so brilliantly said in “Good Calories, Bad Calories” – People do not become fat because they eat too much and exercise too little. They eat too much and exercise too little because they are fat.

In other words, since the metabolisms of obese people are so broken, all the food they eat goes into storage, rather than into energy and nourishment. They are starving in the midst of plenty; barely enough for survival, and certainly not enough for exercise!]

Maintenance Round 2, Week 4, Day 4 – 7/11

Weight: 211.5 = down .2 pound

Ketostix: moderate

Blood Glucose:
Fasting: 88
1-hour PP (after meal): 86
2-hour PP (after meal): 83

Wow, SugarFree, your comment is SUCH good news! And yes, indeed, I feel much more energy all over. This truly a healing path. I am very grateful. I will be off from work and traveling – so I will not post again until 7/29.