When I first began ADF nearly 10 months ago, I never really expected it to work. I had become inordinately discouraged in ever finding any diet that would work other than protracted water fasting. Whatever was wreaking havoc on my metabolism sometimes even prevented me from losing weight while water water fasting. How frustrating is that?! Imagine eating absolutely nothing for 2 days in a row and still not shedding an ounce. I was ready to give up and give in and just eat whatever the heck I wanted as often as I felt like it--because "what's the use?!"
The good news is that after this experiment in alternate day fasting, my metabolism appears to be functioning like a normal person's now. My weight bounces right back after an over indulgence, whereas previously it would shoot up after the slightest indescretion and oftentimes it shot up for no apparent reason at all. I've often been shocked as I stepped on the scale expecting to see that I've SURELY gained weight this time and instead discover that my weight remained stable. It is a surreal experience. I am very grateful.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Fasting Day 149 - 112.4
Today, the San Diego Tribune ran an article on childhood obesity and surgeries to correct it. The article said that weight loss surgeries can cost more than $15,000 and often do not qualify for insurance coverage. Some families are taking their children across the border to Mexico where the surgery is cheaper. Another part of the report said,
It breaks my heart to watch this condition spreading across the planet, especially knowing all the anguish and suffering that tend to accompany it. Sure, some fortunate few are comfortable being heavier and that is wonderful for them. However, for most people being overweight or obese means being teased, ridiculed, humiliated. It means having a difficult time finding clothes that fit. It means watching from the sidelines rather than participating for fear of calling more attention to oneself. It means feeling self conscious eating in public. It means countless diets struggling desperately to lose a few pounds, only to gain them back again plus more. There is the self loathing at being unable to lose weight and the panic at feeling out of control of one's own body. The beautiful people on television with their perfect bodies and perfect teeth and perfect lives reminding us of just how much OUR lives lack ... how much we lack ... how imperfect we are. Only to be bombarded with commercials of unhealthy foods designed to exploit the pleasure and comfort that eating can provide us. Disguised as a nurturing friend who will help us bury our imperfect feelings and imperfect bodies -- only to find ourselves abandoned in a place where we begin this cycle of self loathing all over again.
What if...just what if...it really isn't our fault? The article states that our thermostats get reset when we reach a certain weight and it becomes extraordinarily difficult to lose weight. But, what if this 'mechanism' is actually getting triggered first? What if something (again in our environment, or food or water supply or whatever) is actually triggering the mechanism FIRST and the result is weight gain and obesity -- not the other way around. Wouldn't that make more sense? Wouldn't that be a more likely explanation as to why obesity has become so rampant? Then, wouldn't it be shameful ... all this cruelty and shame that we have bombarded overweight people with? How long ago was it when we locked epileptics up inside mental institutions? Will future generations look back in disdain at the inhumane treatment of our own barbaric and ignorant civilization?
I know that I go on and on about this topic far too often. But I really do believe that the true cause of this epidemic is something other than humanity suddenly turning into a bunch of lazy, gluttonous pigs. This 'trigger agent' is becoming so tangible in my mind that I can almost reach out and touch it. I think when we finally identify what is really causing this problem, it will be an 'AHA' moment and everything will suddenly make sense. We will all take a step back and wonder how we could have ever believed the way we did. How we could have been so insensitive to the suffering of others.
I understand the pain and the desperation that would drive people to take so drastic a step as weight loss surgery. I understand the feeling that the surgery is worth risking your life, especially when life isn't worth living if you have to stay as miserable as you are right now. I'd like to suggest trying one last diet plan before undergoing surgery... try alternate day fasting. Try it for 3 weeks and see if it works for you. I know that it isn't for everyone, maybe it isn't even for most people. But it worked for me -- it has changed my life. Talk to your doctor, maybe he could prescribe something to help you get through the fasting days easier or perhaps you could start with using a meal replacement shake on your fasting day. If it worked for me than I know that there are other people out there who it will also work for. Maybe you are one of those people, maybe you could feel better than you ever dreamed possible. Instead of surgery, you might be able to use that +15K to treat yourself to a new bathing suit and a fantastic vacation. Talk to me, I'm here. I offer you my friendship and support. You can do this -- I know you can.
"Science is helping doctors better understand why many youngsters and adults can't seem to shed pounds through diet and exercise once they've packed on an excessive amount of weight.
It turns out that once you're about 100 pounds over your ideal body weight, your body has reset its thermostat ...."
It breaks my heart to watch this condition spreading across the planet, especially knowing all the anguish and suffering that tend to accompany it. Sure, some fortunate few are comfortable being heavier and that is wonderful for them. However, for most people being overweight or obese means being teased, ridiculed, humiliated. It means having a difficult time finding clothes that fit. It means watching from the sidelines rather than participating for fear of calling more attention to oneself. It means feeling self conscious eating in public. It means countless diets struggling desperately to lose a few pounds, only to gain them back again plus more. There is the self loathing at being unable to lose weight and the panic at feeling out of control of one's own body. The beautiful people on television with their perfect bodies and perfect teeth and perfect lives reminding us of just how much OUR lives lack ... how much we lack ... how imperfect we are. Only to be bombarded with commercials of unhealthy foods designed to exploit the pleasure and comfort that eating can provide us. Disguised as a nurturing friend who will help us bury our imperfect feelings and imperfect bodies -- only to find ourselves abandoned in a place where we begin this cycle of self loathing all over again.
What if...just what if...it really isn't our fault? The article states that our thermostats get reset when we reach a certain weight and it becomes extraordinarily difficult to lose weight. But, what if this 'mechanism' is actually getting triggered first? What if something (again in our environment, or food or water supply or whatever) is actually triggering the mechanism FIRST and the result is weight gain and obesity -- not the other way around. Wouldn't that make more sense? Wouldn't that be a more likely explanation as to why obesity has become so rampant? Then, wouldn't it be shameful ... all this cruelty and shame that we have bombarded overweight people with? How long ago was it when we locked epileptics up inside mental institutions? Will future generations look back in disdain at the inhumane treatment of our own barbaric and ignorant civilization?
I know that I go on and on about this topic far too often. But I really do believe that the true cause of this epidemic is something other than humanity suddenly turning into a bunch of lazy, gluttonous pigs. This 'trigger agent' is becoming so tangible in my mind that I can almost reach out and touch it. I think when we finally identify what is really causing this problem, it will be an 'AHA' moment and everything will suddenly make sense. We will all take a step back and wonder how we could have ever believed the way we did. How we could have been so insensitive to the suffering of others.
I understand the pain and the desperation that would drive people to take so drastic a step as weight loss surgery. I understand the feeling that the surgery is worth risking your life, especially when life isn't worth living if you have to stay as miserable as you are right now. I'd like to suggest trying one last diet plan before undergoing surgery... try alternate day fasting. Try it for 3 weeks and see if it works for you. I know that it isn't for everyone, maybe it isn't even for most people. But it worked for me -- it has changed my life. Talk to your doctor, maybe he could prescribe something to help you get through the fasting days easier or perhaps you could start with using a meal replacement shake on your fasting day. If it worked for me than I know that there are other people out there who it will also work for. Maybe you are one of those people, maybe you could feel better than you ever dreamed possible. Instead of surgery, you might be able to use that +15K to treat yourself to a new bathing suit and a fantastic vacation. Talk to me, I'm here. I offer you my friendship and support. You can do this -- I know you can.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Normal Day 148 - 111
I weighed 111 pounds this morning after fasting yesterday. I'm getting really close to my dream goal. On the 24th of this month, I will have been alternate day fasting for 10 months. I've lost over 40 pounds.
My weight loss has slowed as I approach my ideal weight, but that's okay. My mantra has been, "the time will pass regardless." It may take a long time to lose weight, but the time is going to pass whether you lose weight or not. Wouldn't you rather be passing that time becoming healthier and thinner?
My weight loss has slowed as I approach my ideal weight, but that's okay. My mantra has been, "the time will pass regardless." It may take a long time to lose weight, but the time is going to pass whether you lose weight or not. Wouldn't you rather be passing that time becoming healthier and thinner?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Normal Day 139 - 112.2
I only expected to do this for a few weeks; however, alternate day fasting has made me feel so healthy, happy, energetic and (yes, even) beautiful again that I have continued doing it for over 9 months now. I honestly feel at least 10 years younger. This has inspired me to take better care of myself and my family. Instead of having junk food in the house, we have organic fruits and veggies. My son balked at first, but even he is snacking on organic carrots, plums, nuts, etc. now. There is a package of frozen hotdogs and another of frozen hamburger patties sitting in the freezer gathering ice crystals -- he has lost his appetite for that stuff. Now, we fight over who gets the last apple -- instead of the last chocolate Ding Dong.
A couple of months ago we decided to shut off the Cable TV at our house. It was a waste of money and a waste of time. We just got tired of all the stupid shows and annoying commericials blasting us with ads for drugs, junk food, and other useless things that we didn't need or want. I really enjoy documentaries, but there were so many commercials that I would forget what I was watching and change the channel before the show came back on. We never got in to the reality shows or the talent or game shows. We didn't like watching shows about violence and murder either. That doesn't leave a lot of American TV shows to watch, does it? If we really want to watch a TV show we log onto Hulu.com -- if we want to see a movie we walk over to the video store and pick something out together. We can read the news or stream a video online. It took a little bit of adjustment in the beginning, I was used to plopping down in front of the TV when I got bored. We read and talk more now.
A couple of months ago we decided to shut off the Cable TV at our house. It was a waste of money and a waste of time. We just got tired of all the stupid shows and annoying commericials blasting us with ads for drugs, junk food, and other useless things that we didn't need or want. I really enjoy documentaries, but there were so many commercials that I would forget what I was watching and change the channel before the show came back on. We never got in to the reality shows or the talent or game shows. We didn't like watching shows about violence and murder either. That doesn't leave a lot of American TV shows to watch, does it? If we really want to watch a TV show we log onto Hulu.com -- if we want to see a movie we walk over to the video store and pick something out together. We can read the news or stream a video online. It took a little bit of adjustment in the beginning, I was used to plopping down in front of the TV when I got bored. We read and talk more now.
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