I've been following the BFC very strictly for the whole month of January but also severely limiting my wheat and guess what? I've lost nothing! I've spent the last three or four days pouring over articles and doing research on why I'm not losing weight at this point. Is it because I'm post menopause? Did I have too much stress over the last months with the loss of my mother? Am I too sedentary? Not enough exercise? Too many carbs? Too many calories? Hormone unbalance? All of the above? The possibilities are rather endless. All I know for sure is that what I'm doing isn't working anymore. I decided to treat myself to a little consult with Maria Emmerich to see if she could come up with the reasons I'm SO stalled. I've always liked her blog and she never deviates from the plan she sees as healthy (I'm talking to you Jorge Cruise!). Anyway, I've also decided to get a full Thyroid Panel done and see if there is any obvious problems with my hormones. This will include testing for Vitamin D, and my Cortisol levels. Also I saw this neat little program offered at the Medstar Hospital in Baltimore called "50,000 Mile Checkup". For a small $50.00 fee they check:
Height, Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), Blood Pressure, Pulse, and Respiration Readings
Vision Exam to test visual acuity and look for signs of macular degeneration, cataracts and other abnormalities.
Comprehensive Laboratory Tests (including cholesterol panel, metabolic panel, complete blood count, thyroid function, iron levels, kidney function, liver function, and urinalysis)
Comprehensive Heart Screening
Vascular Screening
Lung Capacity
Oxygen Level
Ankle-Brachial Index Test
Walk Test
Bone Density Test
Sophisticated Hearing Rest
PSA Blood Test (for men)
I'm going to sign my husband and I up for this and see what we find. Hopefully I won't have to wait forever to get in.
Maria suggests I start out one week kind of neutralizing my body by eating only proteins and fats and of course no alcohol. The only bad thing for me is that she wants me to give up dairy. She suggested no dairy for four months (ha!), but I don't think I can do that. I can probably give up cheese and stuff for awhile, but no cream in my morning coffee!!! No can do!
I am going to give her plan a try this week by eating only proteins and fats BUT I will have my first cup of coffee in the morning with my cream. After that I'll switch to hot tea instead of my usual second cup of coffee. For hot tea I don't need any cream. So for this week, no more spinach smoothies, no cream cheese, no sour cream, no butter, no wheat, no more 86% chocolate, no nut butters, no baked treats. It will be one strict week! Like she said, we can all do anything for just one week right? (well, except the cream in the coffee thing).
I'm also getting back in to my kettle bell routine. The routine I'm trying to create is to get up, take care of the dogs, have my cup of coffee and hot tea, do my little kettle bell routine, then breakfast. This kettle bell routine I came up with is very mild, but to me it's at least do-able everyday. I've actually already started and after the first two days I've got to tell you I was SO sore!! But I'm keeping up and I'm almost sore-free now.
So that's the plan for now. My official trial week for all of the above will start tomorrow because I need today to get some foods ready so that I can keep on track. I'll report back and let you know how it goes!
That's so funny! I just spoke with someone I met on WB FB who is working with Maria too. I was considering it. She told me about the no dairy and the protein/fat week. Apparently if you don't lose weight eating only fat/protein it can indicate an underlying issue to be tested (ie. thyroid).
ReplyDeleteI think it is SUPER wise of you to get the tests done - why keep spinning your wheels.
I gave up diary this week after talking to this person (fyi full fat coconut milk in my coffee is ok - I didn't think I could drink coffee without cream but it's good). I put some coconut milk, a little coconut oil and cinnamon - whiz with my frother thingy and it's good. You should try it just to see if you can go without dairy completely. Apparently, for some the whey of dairy is a problem (just like Dr. Davis said). It can cause a big insulin response even though blood sugar stays low. I thought about doing the protein/fat (curious what you're eating) but decided to do more Fast Track/Atkins Induction (net carbs under 20), keeping calories down and eliminating dairy. Good grief ... I wish it was easier :(
I was actually rereading Fast Track last night to remember what exactly Jorge said.
I wouldn't be concerned about eating meat/fat. I read this recently on Dr. Georgia Ede's site (fascinating site) and it spells out that meat is the only complete food. You can go there to see her chart and read more if you're interested :)
Delete"Meat is the only nutritionally complete food
Animal foods (particularly when organ meats are included) contain all of the protein, fat, vitamins and minerals that humans need to function. They contain absolutely everything we need in just the right proportions. That makes sense, because for most of human history, these would have been the only foods available just about everywhere on the planet in all seasons.
Below you can see that animal products are superior sources of most essential vitamins and minerals, including 4 that do not exist in plant foods at all: (there is a chart comparing all the nutrients on her site)
http://diagnosisdiet.com/food/meats/#i14
Thanks Trina! I wish it was all easier too! Even though I'm officially starting my week tomorrow I sort of tried it out today too. I thought I'd ease into it, but for today at least, it wasn't that hard. I made a batch of that protein bread she has on her blog and made french toast out of it using almond milk and frying it in coconut oil. I also made some nitrate free bacon 'cause that is allowed. It was so good I did the same exact thing for lunch, lol! For dinner I just made a burger and fried a little cabbage in oil with some salt and pepper. Tomorrow I'm going to try making some homemade mayo and then make some deviled eggs for lunch or dinner. I'm using the Jay Robb egg white protein powder for her recipes right now instead of the whey.
DeleteIf you are trying do no dairy we'll have to come up with ideas for each other when we get stuck or sick of the same things.
Your coffee idea sounds good and I think I'm going to try it. What kind of full fat coconut milk do you use? I tried just almond milk in my coffee this morning and YUCK! It was a no go!
I use Thai Kitchen or Native Forest brand full fat coconut milk (no light). Its thick more like cream - almond milk wouldn't cut it for me either. I didn't think I'd like the coconut milk but I really find it close enough to be passable. I found a great recipe to make a chocolate pudding using unflavoured gelatin - that's helping me because it's pretty good and no dairy. Jeez ... I hope cocoa isn't on the no list. Are you allowed some vegetables for the week or none at all? I was rereading a post by Dr. Eades today about what goes wrong with a low carb diet - we get "creative" as he puts it and start consuming more "calories" ... I can see that. I think because I was following Jorge’s Fast Track near the beginning I was eating simpler (more real food less baked things and shakes). I’ve gone back to that. We'll see what happens this week. Although I was making things for my FIL today and ate some scrap pieces of protein bars ... couldn't stop myself.
DeleteThanks Trina, I'm sure my store has the Thai Kitchen brand so I'll try that. Unfortunately cocoa is on the NO list, and the only vegetables allowed are iceberg lettuce and cabbage. I think you are right about us getting too creative with the diet while we are still trying to lose. That is probably left best to maintenance people. I think you'll see some good results by doing the Fast Track. I don't blame you with those protein bar scraps - gosh those things are good!
DeleteAgree with you both about getting creative with the diet while trying to lose. I think the fast track menus were very simple. I am a foodie an always looking for food to excite me. I have to get back to basics.
DeleteBeth - Best of luck on your 'trial'. That sounds like a good deal to get all of those tests for $50! I just had annual blood work done and I think it's the first time my Vit. D was checked and mine was really low. I don't think it's something you would realize is low because any symptoms are so similar to other symptoms (possible depression, fatigue, etc.) I blame the low Vit. D on the dreary/cold winters in Illinois! haha Only 15 minutes of sun (UVB rays) should give you all the Vit D you need each day. I'm guessing the doctor tested my Vit. D this time because I turned 50 last fall (low Vit. D can also cause soft bones). I asked them to send my blood results and will have to look at it to see if they checked cortisol levels.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dana! I've been hearing about how important Vitamin D is too. I'm really interested in getting all the results. I called and was able to fit my husband and I in on the 22nd, so we'll see. I hear cortisol levels can really be affected by stress,so I guess that would be easy to be off on too.
DeleteWell I guess it is true that we can do anything for at least one week. I read lots of articles that going gluten and wheat free will not help you lose weight if that is why you did it.
ReplyDeleteThat testing for only $50 is great. I found Maria's blog a long time ago. Love her. Have a great day :-)
Thanks Rosalie, I'm going wheat free to see if that affects my weight and also to see if it makes me feel better all around. You never know until you try right? I heard you have to give it a try for at least a month or so to really see any benefits. I wonder if would help those tremors that you get? I mean I don't know, but sometimes changing something in the diet helps more than just in the weight department. I lOVED that I could find the $50.00 deal! It's worth it just for the blood work alone.
Deletedoes she let you drink whey protein or no to that too
ReplyDeleteAshley, No the whey protein is out for the no dairy trial. I switched to Jay Robb's egg white protein to make stuff with. Unfortunately my spinach shake is out because spinach is out - for the week anyway.
DeleteWow - what a great thing to do, have that consult! I am glad you are going up for your tune up, too. That will give you some good information,hopefully. Good luck on your week of protein/fat. It's true that you can do anything for one week. It's also true that once you do something for a week, it gets a lot easier to do it, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dawn! Yeah, I sort of gave it a go today and it was easier than I thought. I've got protein bread made, and hard boiled eggs in the fridge and I'm going to try Trina's idea for my coffee.
DeleteWow only protein & fat? That's interesting. I have gone a little over board with my heavy cream in my 5-8 cups of tea a day. Might be something I should try.
ReplyDeleteI'll be looking foward to your update in a week. I just might try it along with you.
Thanks for the info,
Crystal
I think I've gone overboard in my heavy cream dept. too. It would be one thing if it was just the morning, but I started having it in the afternoons and after dinner too! Let me know if you try the no dairy thing.
DeleteVitamin D was a huge life saver for me, in a million ways! I took 5000 ICU's for a very long time and eventually dropped down to 2000. I know within 2 days if I haven't taken it because I get arthritis type pain back in my thumbs that quickly.
ReplyDeleteI am excited to hear about your results with Maria. I love her blog too. I don't quite understand how you could possibly get enough nutrition a day with just fat and protein? I would say you would lose weight because you will get rid of any built up waste in your system during that week. That would be really helpful to me right now.
That medical profile is a great deal too! Woot Beth for being proactive!!!
Wow Kay that is interesting about the Vitamin D. I'm only just realizing how important it is to our bodies. I had that problem with a Magnesium deficiency I think. I was getting a pain in my one leg more and more often that wouldn't go away by shifting my weight or shaking it or anything - like an uncomfortable bone pain. Once I started taking Magnesium supplements I've never had it since! About the nutrition, it's only for one week and then I think I'm allowed more stuff. Plus, she suggests a lot of vitamins and supplements to help you along and keep you healthy. I think after you're eating normally again she suggests one day a week of the just fat and proteins to kind of keep you cleaned out. You should give it a try for just one day and see what happens!
DeleteHere's some great info on vitamin D (from my fav cardiologist ... lol). He always talks about it being the second most important health strategy. He discusses somewhere how it's related to some kind of heart thing (aorta something ...).
Delete"I count vitamin D as secondary only to wheat elimination as among the most powerful strategies I have ever witnessed to regain ideal health. While a wheat-free diet is richer in vitamin D from eggs, mushrooms, fish and meats, most people nonetheless remain deficient.
And because we lose the ability to activate vitamin D as we age, supplementation is necessary for most people to achieve desirable blood levels of vitamin D. Having restored vitamin D in thousands of people over the past six to seven years, I have found most people require 4000-8000 units per day to achieve a desirable 25-hydroxy vitamin D level; I aim for 60-70 ng/ml (150-180 nmol/L). (Tablets are poorly or erratically absorbed.)
The list of potential benefits of restoring vitamin D include relief from winter “blues,” heightened mental clarity, elevation of mood/relief from depression, improvement of memory; increased bone density/protection from osteoporosis and fracture; increased HDL cholesterol, reduced blood sugar/enhanced insulin sensitivity, reduced blood pressure; enhanced athletic performance; protection from colon, breast, prostate and other cancers; among many, many others." - Dr. William Davis, M.D. and author of the book, "Wheat Belly"
Meant to say he specifically says you should take the gelcap form as tablets are poorly absorbed. I'm currently taking 3,000 but need to have mine tested to see what it really is. I probably need to be taking a lot more. I do live in Canada (brrrrrrrr).
DeleteMaria suggests 5000 icu's daily.
DeleteVitamin D is one of the vitamins that has a toxicity level. I'm sure each person is different on the amount they need. My doctor started me on 1000 iu.
DeleteKay - good to hear from someone else taking vitamin D. I wasn't overly excited to be taking one more pill!
Dana I've read that about Vitamin D and I'm staying with the very small amount I've been taking (400 icu's) until I get tested.
DeleteMost of us are so deficient in D that I'm sure taking at least 1,000 iu's is fine. I'll be interested to hear your number Beth. I'm VERY interested to find out my own. Living this far North and being someone who usually avoids the sun I'm guessing it's low (although I have been taking 3,000 iu but if we are very deficient that's not enough to bring up are levels).
DeleteBeth, I think we think alot alike! I was actually thinking of doing a consult with Maria, and in fact last night I opened her book, Secrets to a Healthy Metabolism on my kindle and started reading it again. Did you talk to her in person or through email? Will you continue to consult with her or does she just give you the plan to follow and that's it. I have gained since the summer. I'm not really doing anything wholeheartedly. I'm jumping between the BFC, trying to keep low carb, sometimes skipping wheat, sometimes eating it. I do have a thyroid problem and take two meds for it. I have my blood drawn every 3 months, so waiting for the results to come back. Durng the summer, whe it didn't seem so hard to lose weight, my levels were making me hyperthyroid. Good for incresing the metabolism, but not good for the heart, so my dr cut me back. I just knew it would affect my losing. Although, there are many other things to blame too...christmas cookies, too much wine, too little exercise. I just have to get out of this rut and focused again. Looking forward to seeing how things go for you. XO!!
ReplyDeleteBeth, I was just looking on her website and saw all the plans that she has. Which one did you choose if you don't mind me asking. I'm thinking about it. See what you started!!!! LOL!
DeleteHi Pattie,
ReplyDeleteI decided to do the consult with Maria for the same reasons you are considering it. I just can't seem to be able to lose anymore not matter what I'm trying and needed a clear cut plan and someone I could go to and say, "hey that didn't work, now what". Right now I'm doing Maria's "Health Assessment with email follow up" I filled out the form on her website and then got an email with a user name and password that lets you go take her health assessment. After I filled that out and sent it in I sent her an email telling her which service I wanted. I then paid for it with Paypal. After she reviews your health assessment she sends you information on what might be wrong based on your answers (i.e. inflammation, likely low progesterone, etc.) and gives you a wealth of info. on vitamins and supplements that might help those areas. She then asks for an email detailing your eating, sleeping and just plain old daily habits and also your goals. Once she receives that and goes over it she sends a very personal email detailing what you should stop doing and why(i.e. no more Hershey Sugar free chips, etc.) she also lays out a plan of attack and sends a ton of very helpful handouts including recipes. I had a couple questions about the no dairy part of the plan and she responded back the next day. I'm not sure what happens from here on out and how long I email, but I will say she is very responsive, helpful and friendly. I'm pretty sure there are going to be a couple follow-up emails after my first week. I will tell you this, she is very against alcohol and wheat! Apparently those beers I had watching the game set my gut repair back aways. However, she gives lots of explanations for anything she tells you.
-I'm starting my first week of the plan tomorrow which is just proteins/fats and no dairy. I think this first week is probably recommended to all her clients and then we go from here by how well we do or don't do on it. Let me know if you decide to consult too!!
Beth,thanks for the reply. Wow there are alot of comments on this post. I can tell a lotof us are interested in what you are doing. UGHHH, the no alcohol just isn't doable for me. I love my wine, but more than that, it's a hobby for me. I have one last question. How are you making her protein bread without the cream cheese? The recipe I have from her site has that in it. Please keep us posted on how you are doing. I may try to do something similar his wheat ( protein and fat).
DeleteGood luck to you my friend. I will be watching closely. I am still deciding whether to contact Maria. I'm not up for wine scolding!! And I don't even want to tell her how much wine I had superbowl Sunday!
She doesn't scold too bad, lol. Also I think beer is worse because beer=wheat. As for the protein bread per her suggestion I substituted 2 egg yolks for the cream cheese. Also I've now made the protein bread three ways and my ratings are: Protein bread as rolls (just OK), Protein Bread as a loaf with cinnamon from her blog was really good as French Toast, and her protein bread as Angel Food Cake from her blog was good just to eat plain. (I subbed vanilla Jay Robb Egg Protein for the Strawberry she has in her recipe)
DeleteBeth, I just made the protein bread recipe from her blog. I decide to use the whey protein and cream cheese. It's confusing because she says on the recipe to mix 1 cp protein powder with the cream cheese and onion powder if you are using and fold into egg whites. Turned out very clumpy. There was a video she made on that same post ( it's called Crab BLT and Paula Deen) which is to add the protein powder into the egg whites and then add cream cheese. It looked beautiful, but it literally tasted like stryofoam. I almost choked it was so dry and disgusting. It was fluffy but I could never eat it without it just clumping up in my throat. I spit it out it was so bad in texture. I wrote on the facebook page asking her what I did wrong. I made two batches and wasted all those ingredients. It really was horrible. I was so looking forward to it being a great sandwich bread! :(
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteDo you put anything on the french toast? Look at us ... we're all so interested! You've sparked a great discussion Beth :)
DeletePattie, I made the cinnamon bread in a loaf pan that's posted here, http://mariahealth.blogspot.com/2010/09/cinnamon-bread.html and it was pretty good as french toast. I made it with whey before I started this new thing. I sprinkled the whey in little by little and then added the super soft cream cheese. It's good as French toast. I made the plain protein bread as hamburger buns last night and wasn't loving them. If you want a good sandwich bread without coconut flour or almonds I thought this flaxseed bread was good when I made my avocado chicken bacon sandwich before. http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/breads/r/flaxbasicfoc.htm It's a focaccia bread that I just cut into squares to use for sandwiches.
DeleteTrina,
DeleteI think I sparked an interest because we are the ones who are still trying to get to our goal weight!!
When I first made the french toast with the whey protein and before I started this protein/fats week I just put the St. Josephs sugar free syrup on it. Have since found out that Maria hates malitol products and says they spike your sugar just like the real thing - great, I've been using them all along. This morning when I made the French toast I heated up a little water and "just like brown sugar". It wasn't too bad that way. She does have a coconut milk, syrup recipe on her blog and now that I have my full fat coconut milk I might give that a try. This afternoon I dipped a piece of my "angel food cake" into the coconut milk and boy that was good!
By the way I had a decaf coffee today after I got my full fat coconut milk and tried your idea and it wasn't bad. I'm going to give it a try for my morning coffee tomorrow and see I can go completely dairy free.
Yes no go on the maltitol ... Dr. Davis says the same thing. The absolute least bothersome is erythritol (I use Swerve). I have the Nature's Hollow syrup with xylitol wich I think Maria is ok with. So you're allowed sweeteners on this protein/fat week? I had the coconut milk in coffee again today and I'm ok with it. I actually think I could stick with it for good. I add some cinnamon too and whirl it up. Cinnamon is super good for us :) I may try the protein cinnamon bread as french toast - sounds like a nice change.
DeleteI have the cinnamon bread in the oven (nail biting). It was hard to keep the whites stiff while adding the egg white protein and the yolks. Sure hope it turns out. If so, I'll be dining on french toast for breakfast (with bacon of course).
DeleteWhat did you think?
DeleteOMG Beth ... I really hated it. My husband had a piece toasted and liked it. I might try it toasted but the french toast was a no go. The bread cooked nicely though.
DeleteIt is definitely not the best bread or French Toast in town! I think I'm only liking it because I'm SO limited this week in what I can eat, plus dipping it in the egg and cinnamon and adding some kind of syrup helps. Maybe you could use it for croutons?
DeleteLadies, I think that bread was AWFUL!!! I am a pretty good cook and baker, and it looked beautiful when I took it out of the over. I have never eaten styrofoam, but I imagine that bread is what it would taste like. I tried to make french toast with it and it was TERRIBLE. I am so perplexed as to how Maria thinks it tastes so great. I am very opened minded and like to try new tastes and textures, but this was going too far. I added cinnamon and some cream to the egg and used the natures hollow strawberry syrup and had to throw it out after a bite. I am willing to change my eating habits, but it has to be palatable. I have wasted so much protein powder with this experiment. I just don't know how Maria raves about it and always keeps a loaf in the freezer. I think I'll send her mine or else it's getting trashed!!
DeletePattie, Did you try the other bread she has that you make with pysllium husks? I've made her pizza with that and thought it was good. If you still want to try the protein/fats things for a week you could just forget about any bread for a week. I was looking around and it looks like her protein bread is pretty similar to that Atkins Oopsie bread people use to make(with out the protein powder).
DeleteNo, I haven't tried that bread yet. I took a break from baking since I am throwing so much money away with my last two recipes. I'm still eating my flaxseed and ezekial bread.
DeleteSorry about all the typos. It's early! That sentence should have said, I may try to do something similar regarding no wheat,and concentrating on protein and fat!
ReplyDeleteHey there. I've been struggling on this weight-loss journey too! I've been doing the BFC for 6 months now and I've only lost 20lbs. so far, so frustrating! I have a long way to go too, at least 100lbs., so it seems it would fall off a little faster. I'm pretty sure there are some hormonal issues going on too since I'm 54 and still having bleeding issues, along with anemia. I really thought cutting sugar and heavy carbs out was going to be my answer but I guess there is so much more to it! Oh and Beth, I love the cream too, I guess too much! Two cups every morning!
ReplyDeleteFrancie, Maybe you should try doing only proteins and fats for a week to see if that gets you jump started. It's supposed to make you become more of a fat burner instead of a sugar burner. I'm using Coconut milk (from a can) in my coffee in the morning now as per Trina's suggestions and its pretty good.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to check in to see how you were doing? Did you have the tests run? Did you find out good information?
ReplyDeleteI miss seeing your blog and I was just curious how things were going:)
Have a great day!
Hi Kay, honestly my weight is still stalled. It isn't going up and it isn't going down. Weird and depressing too. I've sent in my cortisol tests and vitamin D tests earlier this week and then this Friday my husband and I have that checkup where they will do our blood work. I'm starting to think I might have some hormone or thyroid problem or something else that is preventing me from losing. I'll blog about it after I get the results. I appreciate you checking on me!
ReplyDeleteHi Beth! So glad I found your blog! It's good to see people who actually tried this and had good success.
ReplyDeleteI just got the Belly Fat Cure Fast Track book and I'm a little lost with the Fast Track Menu... It doesn't say how much of each item I can eat. I know it says palm size but it's kinda' hard to gauge that with some of the items, like the vegies. It also doesn't say how many bacon or hard boiled egg I can have or how much Avocado, half or a whole one? 1 serving of Deli Meat or cheese, is that like 1 slice of Ham or Salami and 1 slice of sandwich cheese or string cheese? How much salad dressing to use? You get the idea.
I'm thinking of stir frying together some of the dinner menus to feed a family of 3. How much is 1 serving and can I add soy sauce?
I would really appreciate it if you could help shed some light into this, since you have gone through this and had great success.
Thanks,
Melanie
Beth, I have been thinking of you. I am struggling and the weight just doesn't want to come off. Ironically they increased my thyroid medicine recently. I was losing when the dose was higher. UGGHHHH!! Hang in there!! XO
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very nice Idlis are an Indian breakfast dish made from fermented rice batter. They have been around since ancient times.
ReplyDeleteThere are many varieties of idli recipes available in the market. Some people prefer sweet idli while others love savory ones. If you want to try something new then you should try making moong dal idli recipes at home.https://theopenmagazines.com/recipe/difference-between-moong-dal-and-toor-dal/