It's a start!

I started medifast exactly 10 days ago. My first five days were almost 100 percent on plan give or take few tweaks here and there. Even though I tried my hardest to abstain from weighing in I caved in nevertheless and results were promising. I lost 5 pounds in first five days. It might have been mostly water weight however some of my 40 pounds must have been water gain as well. So I Wewas motivated and excited. Next few days were to test my resolve and boy did they ever. I had to endure my birthday party and our school graduation at Carnegie hall. My birthday party was organized by my department despite my disapproval. It was a loosing battle and I knew it. My boss is both stubborn and uncompromising. She ordered many dishes and lots of pastries and bray cake. I did my best to ride through the party but didn't quite make it unscaved. I didn't eat carby staff since it would throw me out of ketosis but I ate more than I planned or should have. I kind of overindulgef on chicken salad and egg salad. And boy did it make me sick. Next day I jumped right back in and did quite ok. Few days later I was one of the people in charge of organizing and implementing carnagie hall graduation for medical school students and college of health related profession. It was a very long stressful day. I packed four medifast chocolate bar and was doing ok. I had to stay away from all the food at lunch and dinner and I did. I was proud of my effort. I was just a bit hungry but not to the point where I was ravenous. And I was looking forward to still eat lean and green meal at home. When I got home my father made a stupid remark about my weight and....and I ate and ate and ate to deal with anger and pain from his comment. He didn't say nothing outrageous but it was enough. He told me that being a fat ass as I am I should have not eat late. He doesn't know I am dieting and in his eyes I was about to indulge. Don't you love it when u r tired stressed and on a diet someone mentioning how fat u r and that u should be dieting. Hello! Talk about timing. so the next few days were completely off plan. But saying that I still ate relatively low carb to stay in ketosis. I just ate a looooot! But all in all I did ok. I lost 6 pounds in ten days. But given the fact I lost five pounds in five days it wasn't much loss in the last five days. However I am still happy and seing cup half full. Today I started Back and will report back next week. This plan is very doable. It's really is and I kind of like it. At times I do get hungry but it's managable. I believe! I still want to update by way of short video blog and I just might if time permits. No excuses though. Despite my fathers remarks it is still in my hands to overcome comments and obstacles like that. These are called challenges and inability to overcome them led me to the fat zone which I ve been in for too long now. it is time to own and control my emotional eating instead of them controling them. It's not easy but nothing that is worthwile ever is, is it?! So to be continued... The journey must go on with it's good and bad with it's wins and losses. Thank u for reading !

Medifast- Day 1

I recieved my supply of Medifast bars, shakes and oatmeals last night and started the plan today. I barealy had any sleep last night because I had to drive my best friend to the hospital to sign a consent form to intubate his mom who is taking a turn for the worst. She had been disgnosed with colon cancer 6 months ago and was doing ok. But suddenly she started wasting away, literally. Cancer is that sneaky and dangerous! But no matter what I decided to go with the plan today rahter than wait for Monday or tomorrow or Christmas or Khanukah or New Year. Every day is a new beginning and I need to start practicing what I know and preach. I dont know if its sleep deprivation or the food but it wasnt that bad at all. Mind you its day 1. Being that I recently slipped out of ketogenic diet indulging in all kinds of carbs and junk it will take my body several days to get rid of glycogen. And when it does I may then start feeling the effect of switching to ketosis again. But then again medifast is not a high ketogenic diet and it does contain around 60 grams of carbs. Its very low calorie, low fat and relatively low carb plan. So here is my food intake for today:

6 am- Lemon Meringgue Crunch Bar= 110 cals= 13 grams of carbs= 4 grams of fiber= 5 grams of sugar= 11 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of fat


12 pm- Lemon Meringgue Crunch Bar= 110 cals= 13 grams of carbs= 4 grams of fiber= 5 grams of sugar= 11 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of fat

3 pm- Lemon Meringgue Crunch Bar= 110 cals= 13 grams of carbs= 4 grams of fiber= 5 grams of sugar= 11 grams of protein and 2.5 grams of fat


7 pm- Apple Cinammon Oatmeal= ,100 cals= 14 grams carbs= 4 grams fiber= 10 grams protein


9 pm- 6 0z grilled chicken with 1 cup of greens= 375 calories= 50 grams of protein


12 am- Medifast Dark Chocolate= 90 calories= 14 grams carbs=4 grams fiber=14 grams of protein


Totals for the day:

Cals= 895
Carbs= 68 grms
Fiber= 20 grams
Net carbs= 48 grams
Protein= 105 grams


So thats basically how my menus will look as far as calories and micronutirents distributions. I know, I know its really low cals. I would be the first to tell its kind of very low but many, many people swear by this plan, including thousands of doctors. This plan has been around for years and had helped many obese people to get back their lives. I dont know. I will report on my progress weekly. I hope, pray and look forward to being consistent with this plan and give it all my best effort. I need to get in shape and reclaim my health. This plan has structure, convenience and proven record. I believe! I may do weekly video update through vblog as well.

Ready To Join The Calorie Restriction Society?

Jimmy Moore once asked this question on his menu blog and it seemed like a no brainer answer. Not so fast Sherlock! I am ready to join Medifast! I am sure you guys have heard of this company. Basically its a low calorie, low carb, low fat plan created by a doctor and used by many doctors to treat morbidly ovese individuals. I have heard numerous stories of its success. Lots of people do swear by it and promise great results. I tried it twice and failed miserably. So why do I even want to try it again? Number one: I think I am mentally ready this time. Number two: it will give me all the necessary tools for success. Number three: I dont have to worry about micronutrients, ratios, fiber content and so on. My weight had spiraled out of control and I need to do something about it before hot, sticky New York summer hits and its right around the corner. I will do everything I can to give Medifast a fair try this time. I just ordered 4 weeks worth of food. I will keep my blog updated weekly to post results for those who are curious. As always thank you for reading and thank you for your support. If you guys have any questions, comments I welcome them all. I am an open minded guy and I promise not to take anything personal. I know many people are against such a drastic plan, and believe me I was one of them as late as yesterday. But today I changed my mind. I need help and Medifast was created and had been in business for many years helping people like me get back on track. I believe!

The genetic weight management test is in! To do or not to do? That is the question of the day!

I havent blogged for a while but here is the latest development. I recently saw a Dr Oz show where he featured the company called Interleukin Genetics. This company specializes in few genotype tests for general public evaluating certain risk factors for heart disease, bone deteriation and vitamin deficiency. They are also first company in USA to develop a weight management genetic test which helps consumers to chose the best type diet based on their respective genetic profile. I was excited to say the least when Dr Oz, of all people, supported this company work 100 percent and claiming that there are people whos diet should be low carb and include less than 30 grams of carbs a day. This company was involved in many researches including famous Stanford University study where group of people were devided into grapes based on their genetic profiles. Study conclusively showed that people who follow their recommended genetic fit diet are at least 30 percent more efficient in losing weight. I did an extensive research of this company and found only great reviews about their work. So I pulled a plug and ordered the test, which is expensive and runs for $149 dollars. Its very simple test and takes literally 5 minutes to complete. You basically swab your cheeks and send it back to the lab and two weeks after you get the results. I was patiently awaiting my results back and yesterday I got them. Here is my report:


Weight Management Genetic Test Report
Results:
The results of your test place you in the category of Balance of Fat and Carbohydrate ("Better Balancer") and
More Responsive to High Intensity Exercise ("High MET").
Interpretation:
Balance of Fat and Carbohydrate ("Better Balancer"). Individuals with this genetic pattern show no consistent need
for a low fat or low carbohydrate diet. In these individuals key biomarkers, such as body weight, body fat, and
plasma lipid profile respond well to a diet balanced in fat and carbohydrate. For individuals with this genetic pattern
who are interested in losing weight, a balanced diet restricted in calories has been found to promote weight loss
and a decrease in body fat.
More Responsive to High Intensity Exercise ("High MET"). Individuals with this genetic pattern are less able to break
down body fat for energy in response to exercise than those with the alternative genetic pattern. They tend to lose
less weight and body fat than expected with moderate exercise. These individuals require more exercise to activate
the breakdown of body fat for energy and weight loss. They must also maintain a consistent exercise program to
keep the weight off.
Your Genotypes:
DNA Variation Name: FABP2(+1283) PPARG(+34) ADRB3(+190) ADRB2(+46) ADRB2(+79)
Genotype: G,G C,C C,T G,G C,C
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Interleukin Genetics. The test was
performed at the Interleukin Genetics Inc. laboratory in Waltham, MA. The laboratory has been inspected and
certified by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) per the U.S. Clinical Laboratory Improvement
Amendment (CLIA) protocols. However, the Inherent Health test itself has not been cleared or approved by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration.
Next Steps:
Call 1-866-990-GENE (4363) for your session with a board-certified, licensed Genetic Professional, who can review
your reports and answer any questions. In addition, the enclosed booklet contains useful information to
guide you, as well as suggestions for diet and exercise.
Patricia D. Murphy, Ph.D., FACMG, 04/ 27/ 2010
Director, DNA Laboratory
Interleukin Genetics

Tons of supplements, finger foods and lauphter! Thats my new plan and I will rock thi time!

Guess where I have been lately? Carbomania! I thought it was all behind me and it really is wayyyyy behind me! Literally! I look fat and I feel it. I have sinned against my body repeatedly, however all is not lost. Somehow, I still believe! I do! I will find the way and it starts toooooday! After yet another unsuccessful attempt at balanced diet, I made my final decision and this is what I call: Finger food plan!
And no, I havent forgotten my medication! It is a new cool plan of mine to keep me rolling and I have this internal funny feeling that I will. So cheer me on my friends, here I go again:

My finger foods plan will include following allowed foods, each food category for each finger! lol, I may not be that creative but each of my fingers will be assigned a food group.
1. All meat and poultry and seafood!
2. All dairy, no sugar added food ( especially greek yougurt)
3. Whey protein
4. Occasional quinoa or buckwheat or oatmeal
5. Berries
6. Sugar-free chocolate
7. Vegetables
8. Nuts and seeds
9. Eggs
10.Low carb bread and lots of supplements! Plus daily dose of lauphter, Stay tuned, to be continued...

I am throwing in a white towel! Its time to reflect, respect and respond!

Not even second day into induction I am stopping it! Not only did I feel extreamly uncomftable but my old symptoms come back once again which I thought were gone due to Zoloft. I am not sure if it is whey protein or induction in general or my inability to keep a plan and switching back and force between gluconeogenesis and glucose metabolism or all of the above. But what I do know is that I need to fix my head before fixing my body, no doubt about it. I am still subconsciously hesitant to go low carb all the way. I think in one way or another I have no confidence in sticking to the program for long time due to various reasons, all under my control yet not controllable. Low carb is a wonderful program and does work wonders. However, compliance must be 100 percent or it is a kiss of death as Dr Atkins put it. We, humans. are complicated machinery. We are not just biochemical chain of atoms and molecules. We are psychospiritual beings. It is not all about leptin or insulin or low carb or low fat, it is about delicate balance called homeostasis. So without further excuses or explanations I am calling my low carb way of living off since I am unable to keep it going any more. I now need a more liberated approach where I can coorect my mistakes in case I fail. Glucose metabolism can afford me that opportunity. I am doing more harm than good by being on low carb and off all the time. It is stressful for the body to readjust hormonal responses and enzymatic changes to accomodate dietary change in which a totally different metabolism is required. I will do my best to eat clean, wholesome food in a style of midetarrian diet. It will still be more or less lower carb plan, yet I will introduce grains such as quinoa, buckwheat and oatmeal which I love. I will also be consuming more fish and fruits as well as dairy. Thats the plan! I just need to find my way and let my body know it can trust me. Hopefully I will find a lifestyle eating plan in which my head and my body are friends, Amen! P.S. I am very fasinated with Japanese culture and was once intrigued by Okinawa people longevity and their simple yet powerful lifestyle. Here is a short clip about their secret to life:

Very short update! Induction Day 1

Weight= 255 pounds. It is a combination of depression plus nightly sugar oveload plus lack of any self-control or self-respect!

Induction, Day 1

1/2 cup of mashed cauliflower with two organic hot dogs ( Its Apple something brand, simply delisious. I am not a fan of hot dogs but these ones are exception. They are expensive and cost $4.50 for 8 skinny franks. I buy them at Trader Joes. But the compnay claims its all organic beef mixed with organic spices and no artificial anything!

4 boiled eggs with dash of salt and mustard

1 oz of goat cheese

4 scoops of MRM vanilla whey protein mixed with 2 cups of Blue Diamond almond milk and half a cup of frozen rasberries.


Thats it! I feel kind of whoozy but not too bad. I pray my previous symptoms are left in the past and it was all stress related rather than anything else. We shall see!