Fears & Doubts

Yesterday Jimmy Moore (from "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb") posted on his Kimkins journal thread about the flak he is getting from people about his involvement with Kimmer & Kimkins:

It seems my enthusiastic support for Kimkins has enraged some people I consider friends to the point that they are cutting off ties to me and my blog.

Their "concerns" over Kimmer and Kimkins have caused them to think I've "sold out" (what the heck does that mean anyway...what have I "sold"?) and lost my mind for supporting Kimkins. They think I should distance myself from Kimkins because it is based on a "fraud" (describing Kimmer) and an "unhealthy diet" (always calling Kimkins an ultra-low-carb, ultra-low-fat, ultra-low-calorie diet).

My response to these charges are that the plan I am following on Kimkins is K/E which is NOT calorie-restricted in any way. If it was, I wouldn't be doing it. But it ain't! Furthermore, while I am eating less fat now than I did on Atkins, it's only for the purpose of controlling calories. I eat a little more fat than Kimmer calls for, but not much.

Furthermore, I've been eating yogurt, sweet pickles, seeds, a little mayo for my salmon, a protein bar or shake here and there, an occasional low-carb wrap or bread, and coconut oil. Since I've been low-carbing a while, I KNOW what I can eat and still lose weight and have made appropriate modifications for ME.

The critics claim what I am doing is not Kimkins, but I disagree. The basics of my diet are indeed K/E and is the foundation of my diet. Even the late great Dr. Robert C. Atkins wanted people to customize his diet to their own needs by finding the appropriate carbohydrate balance to manage your weight. Anyone who says there is one way to lose weight is LYING to you! Do what's right for you and remain undetermined in your resolve.

That's where I am at the moment. Kimkins is working very well for me and I'm reaching my goal. But I'm being abandoned by some people I love and respect merely because I would dare say ANYTHING positive about Kimkins. It makes no sense to me and I'm just flabbergasted by how petty this issue has become. What is happening to the low-carb community?!

Okay, I'm done dumping today. I've got my interview with Kimmer coming up at my podcast show soon and I'll be recording that very soon. People want me to "get" Kimmer, but what's there to get? She's a remarkable woman who lost a bunch of weight and now is helping others do the same. What's so evil and vile about doing that? Still scratching my head on that one!

THANK YOU to all of you for supporting me in my Kimkins weight loss. You are a fabulous representation of what's GOOD about this diet and I won't have anyone ever tell me otherwise. If somebody doesn't like Kimkins, then they shouldn't do it. But I for one am glad it is an option for people who were "stuck" like me.

This post and the subsequent responses he got from people that write on his Kimkins journal thread really got me thinking. I am going to be getting together next week with a couple of parapros that worked in my sons class at school last year. They may or may not notice my weightloss. If they do, am I going to be able to tell them about Kimkins. See I'm not ashamed about this diet. I am excited and loving the losses! They are tremendous. But what I am concerned about is someone getting in my head right now and trying to talk me out of doing this program, with all the negative things they can say. Do you know what I mean?

Anyway I got to wonder, if this feeling, this fear that friends and familiy could possibly talk me out of this, or at least make me feel badly about Kimkins, IS THIS WHY I AM NOT TELLING ANYONE WHAT I AM DOING?

Hamburger Math

This was posted in our most recent newsletter and was written by Kimmer:

A very common question for new Kimkins members is why I discourage ground beef?

The simple answer is the astronomical calories! Deceptive labeling would lead us to believe that a package of ground beef labeled at 10% fat really is 10% fat, right? Nope.

See the label below and do the math (sorry for the quality):


A 3 oz cooked portion of 10% ground beef is 210 calories and 100 of those calories coming from fat!

100 divided by 210 = 47.6%!

What's this 10% stuff about? If we check the math for the 27% fat choice, it's actually 60% fat! Almost two thirds is non-protein fat! AND THIS IS COOKED !

I shudder to even think what the fat percentages are for raw meat.

Me too! Especially after all the ground meat I've been eating. Perhaps this is what is causing my weightloss to slow!

2 Pounds More Gone Forever!

OK drum roll please! I am proud to announce that as of this morning - I too have lost not 1, but another 2 pounds! The scale now very proudly says 182!!!!! I cannot wait for it to get me into the 170s and below, but for today I am doing my little happy dance.

Ok everyone - Stand up!

Arms up and out, half bent, hands just above head level, facing your peeps waving in a circular fashion. Subtly sway to the left, then to the right. Keep with it, back and forth. Don't stop waving. Now mix in a gentle bob, up and down... That's right, good...

Now add a little, "Whoo-hooooo, Whoo-hoooo....." as you sway.

Perfect.

Just 5 seconds of this happy dance, just 5 seconds, even when feeling blue, will always make you smile. Your smile will lift your spirits. Your spirits will summon ancient friends. And your friends will raise you higher into the light.

Works every time.

This has been a public service announcement brought to you by.... The Universe

That makes my total 23 lbs lost so far. Today I guess is day 29, because I started Kimkins on June 9th.



If you are reading this blog and you've not checked out Kimmers website - you really ought to. www.kimkins.com

Starting Afresh

Melodie, an amazing lady on one forum I'm active on, had an interesting post this morning which got me thinking. Like me, she is heading into her 4th week on Kimkins and she is "dreading the week that will inevitably appear with no progress." She has challenged us all to start afresh with Kimkins, pretend that we are newbies again all full of excitement and sticking tightly to the rules.

She wrote, "On Monday (best day of the week to start new things) I'm going to pretend that I've just heard of Kimkins. I'm going to reread some of the success stories as if I've just read them for the first time. I'm going to go to the grocery store as if I'm preparing for this new diet. I'm going to forget that I've lost nearly 10 lbs. and think about my new weight as if it is my starting weight. I'm going to follow the rules in the same way I did the first week, and I'm going to try to forget the little things I've done off program that so far I've been able to get away with. I'm going to repeat the exact behavior that got me my first 5 lbs, and I'm going to fill myself up with hope once again. So Short Girls if you're stuggling, and even if you're not, make this Monday a whole new beginning with a renewed mindset about what you can do."

What a wonderful idea! I agree with the feelings of slacking that have started to set in especially this past week. I did a quick refresher with the Kimkins Diet Food List.

My thoughts:

Keep It Lean & Mean on Plan (KLMOP)
Eggs - limit yolks
Chicken & Turkey - white meat only, eat this more often
Fish - eat this more often
Beef, Lamb, Pork - special occasions only
Ham, Canadian Bacon, Bacon, Sausages etc - special occasions only 'cos these all contain beef & pork

Vegetables
I'm not a vegetable eater, but if I do eat some I think I'm more likely to eat broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, pepper & tomato rather than the rabbit food list (1) so I will have these sparingly, like every second day or as garnishes.

Extras
Low carb protein shakes - I will limit to one per day
Part skim string cheese (limit 1 per day) - I do not like string cheese. I will add Light Laughing Cow Swiss Cheese Bites (1 serving = 5 pieces 35 calories, 2g fat, 1g carb, 3g protein) or use a little grated parmesan cheese (1T has 21 calories, 1g fat, 0g carb, 2g protein) if needed to perk up eggs
Dannon Carb & Sugar Control yogurt (3 carb brand, limit 1 per day) & Sugar free gelatin (limit 4 oz per day, no whipped topping) & Homemade or purchased sugar free popsicle - since I really could care less about these things (right now) I will save these for extra special occasions.


Also - here's a thought on the Daily weighing issue. Firstly I think we are all agreed that food needs to be weighed. According to a Duke University pro quoted in WW magazine 7/10/2007 issue - "We've found that when you stop weighing yourself, it's an early indicator that you're starting to slip." So maybe daily or regular weighing oneself is good - if it keeps us on track! As long as we accept that our weight might fluctuate by a few pounds every so often. If all of a sudden the scales just up more than 3 lbs - then that should set off the alarm bells. I'm still against weighing more than once each day. But if you really have to do it more often, don't beat yourself up over the fluctuations. I'm sure the scale finds it all very amusing, and probably jumps up a pound or two just to see your reaction!

Exercise - I am thinking that I need to do something NOW so that I can start firming up the lose skin. I think I've read somewhere that every cell in my body replaces itself in three months. That means skin cells too. So in my opinion, I should not get stretched loose skin if I firm up my muscles while I am losing fat.


Focus + Planning = Control --> SUCCESS
Weight control is not about willpower.
It is the decision and commitment to manage calories and carbohydrates.
It can be as simple as mind over matter.
Just do it, for life, and enjoy health, happiness and THIN!

Things to Watch in Week 3

I found a post today on the forum by curlygirl Amy that really came at the right time. I know that I've been guilty of relaxing a little too much, and not measuring accurately. I also eat red meat and have been drinking far too many shakes of late. But by far the worst thing, I think for me at least, has been the artificial sugars in such things as Da Vinci SF syrup. I really think they are keeping me out of ketosis, and increasing my hunger even if just a little.

1. Keep a food journal e.g fitday and make it public!
2. Are you adding extras like low carb tortillas, calorie countdown milk, etc. that are not on the list! KISS
3. Eating too much cheese? (for best loss - skip the cheese!)
4. Have you eaten beef recently? (it tends to hang around in your gut longer) Stick with fish & chicken.
5. Have you eaten ham recently? (can be salty - may cause water retention)
6. Are you using shakes as snacks instead of as meal replacements?
7. Do you have carb creep? (people tend to be stricter in the beginning and then get more lax so tighten up your menu)
8. Are you eating lots of processed foods? (they are saltier than food you make yourself - keep it real!)
9. Are you eating too many little extras (SF Jellos, yogurts, etc.)? They are on the list but if you eat ALL of them every day, your weight loss probably will slow down!
10. How are your portion sizes? Are you eating big portions because you truly are that hungry or just because that's what you are used to eating? Start weighing your food.
    
    You've made it this far so the plan is probably working well for you. Now is the time to be tightening up your menu and cutting out all the little extras.
    
    

Another pound gone!!!

Just a quick post to say I stepped on the scale this morning and was delighted to see 186.5 lbs! That's another pound gone. I was a little hesitant to weigh myself because I knew I was still bloated from TOM. But whoo hooo!!!

Don't eat if you aren't hungry

Kimmer's most basic advice is very simple: Don't eat if you aren't hungry. She says that the “3 meals a day” that we think is “the normal way to eat” was originally designed for convenience for our hard working ancestors who labored in fields to grow and harvest food. Few of us are toiling in the fields any longer - hence our ever expanding girth. If you're not hungry for breakfast, don't eat it. You don't have to eat 3 meals per day.

But if I don’t eat every 3-4 hours, won’t my body think I am starving it, and go into Starvation Mode? I've heard that if we do not eat enough, our metabolism slows down and we won't lose weight. Will this damage my metabolism?

(The following is taken from a great answer to the above question posted on the Kimkins forum by littlebit)

We hear a lot about 'starvation mode', but it turns out to be more myth than fact. It is one of those things that 'everybody knows' that just isn’t necessarily so! (After all, if the standard weight loss 'wisdom' is so true, why are 2/3's of Americans who believe it overweight, with 1/3 clinically obese? With the risk of debilitating disease and early death from obesity so great, what is so BAD about cutting calories for a while to regain our lives, looks, and good health?)

Anyway, YES, on a standard low-calorie diet, when we cut calories, the body eventually compensates by 'dialing down' the metabolism to use fewer calories. This is because the body greatly prefers to keep things the same, to maintain stasis, to take the easiest possible path. Yet, people do still lose weight on standard low-calorie diets --- just more slowly, and with more effort. However the 'dialing down' of the metabolism is not permanent, because the metabolism is a dynamic thing. It adjusts to circumstances. If it can adjust down, it can adjust back UP, too. In fact, it adjusts down a little every night when we sleep, and adjust back up in the morning again, once we get up and get going with our day. It doesn't 'break' --- it just resets.

Now comes the good part: With Kimkins we do not experience that same 'dialing down' of the metabolism! Why not? It is because we do not really operate on the same type of calorie deficit! Once we enter into deep ketosis, our bodies tap into a huge reservoir of available fuel - our stored body fat! At that point, the easiest thing for our bodies to do to maintain stasis is just to flip the switch from carb fuel to body-fat fuel, and to keep right on humming along at peak efficiency! We aren't EATING all the calories we 'need', but our body has all it wants, continually! It is NOT starving --- it is feasting!!

Think of a typical low-calorie diet as going out and gathering sticks to heat your house. Tiring, slow, and not too hot! Think of a typical low-carb diet as shoveling coal into your furnace. Easier, faster, and more efficient! NOW, think of Kimkins as having an oil well in your own backyard, pumping fuel into your furnace continually. Strong, sure, and steady, as long as you keep that well pumping!

I love it!

Why does being overweight make us wait?

Something that I've been meaning to do for years, but used my weight as an excuse not to do anything at all, is to get certified as a personal trainer. OK yes I'm sure you see my reasoning why. I mean who'd go to a personal trainer who was 100 lbs overwight. Indeed! But I have the books and everything. I am just sitting here making excuses. It's not that I'm not interested. I'm capable of studying. I can find the time if I really try, and I know I'll benefit from what I learn myself ... but ...

Ultimately my dream is to specialize in exercise for special needs teenagers/children because there is nothing for these children to do when they reach this age. They are taught to eat convience foods rather than how to prepare a nutritious meal. And there is little emphasis on getting exercise. I have really been thinking about this more and more this past week. I need to get motivated. And stop making excuses.

Are we all the same, putting off things "until the weight drops off" or "until I look better in a bikini"??? - what are we putting off, and why? I know this post is sounding very Carrie Bradshaw, but "Why does being overweight make us wait?"

Another 1/2 pound closer to my Mini Goal

I was very surprised to see another 1/2 pound drop on the scales this morning. Taking my total to 17 lbs lost at the start of day# 12 (today). I was feeling a little munchy right before bed last night (wanna bet if that's not TOM about to start!?!) so I nibbled on a cold cooked hamburger patty and drank 2 large glasses of water. I honestly wouldn't have been surprised if I'd gained a little or stayed the same. So there I was naked, doing a happy dance in my bathroom - OK so NOT a good image right now ! LOL

I know I'd be extremely happy if I could lose 1/2 pound each and every day. But obviously 1 pound per day would be nicer. I am kind of thinking that by doing Kimkins I am getting a little spoilt. I mean there are other weightloss programs out there where people get excited to lose 1/2 pound per week. And that's with a huge amount of exercise.

Just in case you are wondering, I am not currently "exercising" - at least not in a formal way. But I am running around daily after my two special needs children, as well as spring cleaning my house because of impending visitors. I have decided that I am going to lose more weight (maybe down to 140-150), then incorporate a little cardio (kickboxing) and lots of muscle building weight lifting (follow a Joyce Vedral program - I like her, she's a shorty like me) into my daily routine. I am hoping I'll avoid too much lose saggy baggy elephant skin, especially around the bits that will show when I wear a bikini next summer!

Bring It On!

Look How Much I've Lost!

I started Kimkins 10 days ago, and I've been amazed at my lack of hunger, my energy levels and most importantly, my weightloss! I am only 5'1" tall, so carrying 100+ pounds extra on my frame looks more like way more weight than that.

Here are my stats:

Start Weight: 205 lb
Start Date: June 9, 2007

Current Weight Today: 189.5 lbs!!!

That's a loss of 15.5 lbs in 10 days.

Welcome to the 80s. Yay me!

I weighed in this morning and was pleased to see another pound gone since Saturday. The scale now prodly says: 189.5 lbs. Welcome to the 80s. Yay me!

Stayed up a bit later than I really wanted to last night watching Deja Vu. If you've not seen it yet, it's a very good movie. Lots of twists and it really makes you think about time & space. Of course Denzel is hot and you do get to see his abs & pecs in one scene, I was more impressed by the story line.

Denzel Washington plays Agent Carlin, a sharp, valiant AFT agent who is so extraordinary talented, that he can analyze a crime scene with little more than a glance or quick walk-through. These talents come in handy when a ferry, full of innocent people suddenly explodes near New Orleans. The terrorist who sent the 500+ people to their fiery deaths filled up an SUV with explosives and all of the evidence seems to have been blown sky high. That is, until Carlin checks his voice mail and discovers a phonecall that took place shortly before the explosion. The phonecall would be of little consequence if not for the fact that the young woman who made the phonecall washed up on shore dead, but was not a victim of the explosion. A little ingenius reasoning in typical Denzel fashion comes to the conclusion that the killer of this young woman is also the terrorist. But there isn't enough evidence to find this man/woman. Impressed by Carlin's skills, he is recruited into an elite group of investigators bent on finding the mysterious terrorist before he permanently escapes or strikes again. Carlin finds out that the investigators have a set up of high tech imaging equipment that might just get a glimpse of the young woman who washed up dead, or, better yet, her killer. But something happens, the plot takes several twists and Carlin starts to experience a little Deja Vu as he visits the key sites of the investigation. He begins to fall in love with the images of the woman who was murdered and starts to doubt the imaging equipment is really what they say it is. You might just think that Carlin is the terrorist, with his odd recollection of the crime scene, and you may or may not be right. Perhaps there is a conspiracy that strikes at the very heart of America, or perhaps it is something else entirely. What is certain, is that the evil is efficient and frightening and might be deeper and darker than a single warped mind.
For a few moments, I thought the the investigation began to question the very essence of time and space and thought I had it all figured out. I was wrong. The acting is superb, the plot twists keep the viewer glued to the seat, and there is sporadic action that is always well done. For those who like suspense, don't miss this one. The actors are well selected for their roles, the cinematography conveys an action filled and mysterious environment to near perfection, and the dialogue is neither excessive nor insufficient. The movie is well balanced and well put together for a nail biting Saturday night. The ending has a prophetic message. Like many unusual endings, there are some who may leave unsatisfied. They prefer the predictable, stereotype image that we have grown accustomed to. I say, plot twists and suprises are welcome, after all, this is a thriller.

Being Sneaky?

DH arrived home for the weekend yesterday. I felt kinda sneaky just eating chicken for my dinner. I served myself some veges too, but tossed them away. Corn & carrots & peas. Nice carb-y veges. Not even what I wanted to see. He didn't comment on my weightloss, which was ok. It's not really that visible yet so I am not going to tell him - just wait until he notices something. He adores the egg muffins, especially the ones with tomato in them. I am going to have to experiment with making these. I think the tomato would look nice on the bottom rather than mixed in also.I also didn't get opportunity to weigh myself first thing, but that's ok. I can wait until tomorrow. Hope everyone is enjoying Father's Day.

Carbaholic?

You are not a carbaholic. You like carbs, but you can survive without them. How you talk to yourself or about yourself is so important.

Start by saying aloud: I like carbs but I am giving my body a break from carbs for a while. I am going to feed my body the protein it needs in order to get healthy.

Honestly it will not take very long begore you stop focusing on carbs.

YOU CAN DO THIS! I BELIEVE IN YOU!

Not Eggs Again for Breakfast

For breakfast - there are no rules that say one has to eat eggs everyday now is there? You can have Protein Shakes, Cold meat, Chicken, Fish, Beef... I have to admit eggs everyday does get boring. So I have a protein shake, and today I had some Boars Head Oven Roasted Chicken Breast. YUMMY! I might have eggs later today or maybe not. I'll probably have a shake for lunch & DH will want meat for dinner so I'll have some of that. As Kimmer says - Don't over think this plan. It is not necessary.

Week 1 Stats

END OF WEEK 1: 190.5 lbs
START WEIGHT: 205 lbs
WEIGHT LOST: 14.5 lbs!!!!

Egg Muffins & Chicken Fingers

Another pound gone today. 191.5 lbs. That's 13.5 lbs lost in 6 days! Today is day #7.

I experimented with the egg muffins today (curlygirl Amy's recipe). My son (10) ate two for dinner - he loves them! All I used was eggs (real ones not EggBeaters 'cos they taste funny to me, and I discovered why, they have onion powder in them!) and a little fresh grated parmesan cheese plus S&P. I have a muffin top pan so I poured some egg n cheese mix in there too, and added a few bits of diced tomatoes. I nibbled one muffin top after they came out of the oven. Talk about yummy, and very easy to make.

I also did some chicken fingers with Paul Prudhommes Magic Season Blends - I used the Chicken one. Boy were they spicy!!! I ate two strips. Then I was full.

I cannot find davinci at local Publix, Kroger, or Target and what walMart has is limited to Vanilla, Caramel & Kahlua (which was fun at first BUT now boring!) So I ordered from davinci.com. I got Irish Cream (I think from memory) plus Peach. Cannot wait until they arrive.

Today is officially the end of my first week. I was down at total of 13.5 lbs for the week this morning!!!!! I cannot wait to weigh myself tomorrow.

Got Though A Very Stressful Day

Down another 2.5 lbs this morning! Yay me! (now 192.5 lbs) I can really see myself getting to my goal of 185 by June 25. So now I've lost 12.5 lbs in 6 days. Very stressful morning, but wasn't able to eat where I was anyway - so not a problem. Ate a few mouthfuls of meat for dinner, and was "full". I love feeling this much in control.

Thoughts Before Bed

Very impressed with how I am coping with Kimkims on a mental level. I received stressful news today, something that I am not going to go into here, but bad enough that I'd usually allow myself to stop by the store and get some chocolate etc etc.... (I'm sure you know that game - I need this stuff because it will help me cope, I deserve it!) Well that hasn't crossed my mind at all. In fact I've felt much more mental clarity, and decided to try to make this negative situation into a positive one. I know that it will give me a chance to shine. This is only day 5, and I feel like a changed person already. I've lost 10 lbs, yes, but that's not even half of it. OK so I feel 10 feet tall and bulletproof. And I haven't even thought about chocolate!

Hope to see 2 more pounds vanish by tomorrow morning. My mini goal is 20 lbs down by 25th, then another 20-30 lbs gone the following month. By the time school starts (Aug 13th here in GA) I want to be down 45-50 lbs. What a way to spend a summer! If I can be 150 by then I'll be in heaven!!!

I start over EVERY SINGLE DAY.. I'm a loser

Did that title get your attention? I hope so! hahahaha

I read a post where someone was really down on themselves for starting over... and starting over ... and starting over. They said that they didn't want to be "one of those people" who is always starting over. It got me thinking about how I have lost over 60 lbs.

I start over every day.

Every day is a NEW opportunity. Every day is another clean slate. Every day! I have NOT been perfect with this way of eating... HEY I HAVEN'T BEEN PERFECT AT LIFE EITHER!! But I'm still living.. and I'm still trying.

I have binged. I have stalled. I have whined. I have pushed. I have cheered. I have cried. I have jumped for joy.

I have had some awesome perfect days. I have had some "squeaky" days. I've had some REBELLIOUS days! hahaha

I AM NOT ASHAMED TO ADMIT THAT I HAVE STARTED OVER MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT ON BOTH HANDS. That is the key. I REFUSE to give up. I REFUSE to think about what I did yesterday or last weekend. I try very hard to keep looking forward.

AND....

The weaker days are getting fewer and fewer... farther and farther between them. Would you beat your child for not walking perfectly within the first months of learning? Would you use as strong a language with a beginner "reader" as you would for yourself for not doing it perfectly? Would you toss out your child for not brushing their teeth because you have told them at least a dozen times what to do? I THINK NOT! Give yourself a break!!!

If you struggle with "perfection" -- determine to be ONE OF "THOSE" PEOPLE ....... start over every morning. I love a new day!

New day = new chance to get it right.

posted on kimkins forum by Regandy

Burning Calories Spring Cleaning

Who knew that "Cleaning, light (dusting, straightening up, vacuuming, changing linen, carrying out trash), moderate effort" burns 2 calories per minute. Well that's what I was doing this morning, and will be doing this afternoon. Spring cleaning. And I love it. I can do this for 5 hours today and burn 503 calories - way more than I would if I was to push myself to "exercise". Also "Cleaning, heavy or major (e.g. wash car, wash windows, mop, clean garage), vigorous effort" burns 4 calories per minute. I love it!!!