January 12, 2019

Intermittent Fasting

This fabulous book is a collaboration between
Jason Fung & Jimmy Moore

Anyone who has been following my story since February 8th, 2018—the day my husband succumbed to a "widow-maker" heart attack—knows that the sudden shift in my circumstances unraveled some of my ketogenic success. I had lost 41 pounds, and although I remain devoted to my lifestyle, I managed to gain 25 more!

I recall one depressing day when I spotted my reflection in the window of my Kia Soul. I was not happy with what I saw. I suddenly felt like Fat Old Widow Miller. As I became emotional, I heard an internal voice say, "Can we talk?" I knew that Father God was not going to allow me to build a case against myself. He reminded me that I was in pain and grieving. He pointed out that I had left a more active job to sit in a cubicle for 8 hours and that my commute time had increased from 25 minutes a day to over 2 hours. I felt His assurance that all of these things were being worked out.

I soon realized that my stress had a name: cortisol. This stress hormone, cortisol, is associated with fight-or-flight and is often regarded as more of a foe than a friend. At its best, cortisol has anti-inflammatory properties, supports the immune system and sex drive, and aids in digestion. The adrenal glands release cortisol and, via the bloodstream, converts amino acids into sugar and glucose. Cortisol increases insulin, also known as the fat-storage hormone.

Chronic stress makes the body believe that it is "surviving," hence, storing weight around the midsection like an innertube. One experiences symptoms such as carb cravings, sleepless nights, a lower libido, and inflammation. Suddenly our digestion and the immune system are under attack. We become vulnerable to the sickness that our bodies should be defending.

Enter Doctor Rosie Main of Main Health Solutions in Meridian, ID. I love it that as a chiropractor, Dr. Rosie treats the entire human and is not merely focused on adjustments. She held a seminar today on intermittent fasting. She is launching seven weeks of prescribed fasting, based on Jason Fung's book, The Complete Guide to Fasting, and has invited her entire patient base to participate.

Currently, I have begun to drop weight again, but it is typical to wake up several days in a row weighing the same regardless of what I ate the day before. I plan to begin this 7-week fasting regimen on Monday, January 14th. The beauty of this is the water fast does not ensue until Week 6 of this program. A ketogenic lifestyle will be the main attraction during the other six weeks.

WEEK 1

Use the principle of 2-2-2-2 to move your body into ketosis.

Ketosis is when the body burns fat for fuel; instead of glucose. 

Your diet must follow these criteria:
  • High in fat
  • Moderate to low in protein
  • Low in carbohydrates
Consume the following every day:
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 tbsp grass fed butter or ghee
  • 2 tbsp of olive oil or avocado oil
  • 2 tsp of sea salt (Himalayan or Celtic are best—not table salt
I plan to add a distinct spiritual element to this fast for it to encompass body, soul, and spirit. You are welcome to join me. I would love the company and support! I will be posting the guidelines for each week on Saturday or Sunday before the new week.

In the Fast Lane,
Share your "COMMENTS" below↓

9 comments:

  1. Hi KJ - Sounds great. I will join you as much as my doctor will let me while I'm still undergoing treatment. Do you have EACH of the fats each day?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are supposed to, but I think that could have a lot to do with variety as well. I often put coconut oil or butter in my coffee, sometimes with a splash of heavy cream. I am honestly not hungry when I do that.

      Delete
  2. Hello Karen, this my first time of ready your amazing story and this fasting is new to me also. Question; is the butter a big part of the fast or can I double up on coconut or avacado oil? Also if I don't eat two meals in the day is that ok?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there! Thanks for stopping by. I love butter. I realized after starting this that it was really the butter I enjoyed on popcorn and could do without the popcorn.

      Yes, you could double up on the other fats. Good fats are good fats. As I told Lynne, variety keeps us interested. As for eating 2 meals, the fast will be be reducing meals as we go along. I usually eat 2 meals a day because the high fat keeps me satiated.

      Delete
  3. Very cool! And who might you be?

    Let me know if I can be of help.

    Karen

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for weighing in...