>I'd be very surprised if you could consume even weight maintenance calories
>on a zero carb, moderate protein, high fat diet.  I certainly couldn't and
>the weight fell off of me starting about day five.  As others pointed out,
>you'd HAVE to learn to get your calories from fat and thereby level off.
>But in three weeks I didn't.

>Jim

I remember you saying that at the time. I guess I'll eat the few veggies I
have at the house and then go to just protein and fat for a while. I might
add some lettuce at least with dinner.

>I think Jim's suggestion of slightly increasing your protein may be very 
>helpful -- especially since you exercise.  Also, perhaps try playing around
>with meal frequency ie intermittant fasting or meal timing ie no food for 3
>hours before bedtime --  just to see if that could shake things up a bit.  

I think not eating 3 hours (or even 2 hours) before bedtime would help a lot
and it is the one thing I have the biggest problem with. It seems within 30
minutes after dinner I am already looking for more food. Maybe it's not real
hunger but more of an emotional thing.
 
>Finally, perhaps you could tweak your workouts - focus on strength training

>and reduce cardio a little. I'm a firm believer that mixing up one's
>workout can really make a positive difference ie if you usually run for
>cardio -- try hill sprints or jumproping or interval bike training.  If you
>usually do x number of reps/x number of sets for weightlifting - mix it up
>-- go heavy and less reps.  Also, try bodyweight exercises. That may give
>you the lean, tone look women want to have.   I've been inspired to get
>into bodyweight exercises by my hubby.   Tamir Katz's book has bodyweight
>exercises for all levels; Eddie Baran has a good book and of course, Matt
>Furey and for more advanced types. These are just suggestions - lots of
>free bodyweight exercises on the internet. 

I agree on the work outs and I used to mix it up a lot more. We belonged to
a gym in Austin, TX and I would lift 3 X a week. Every 3 or 4 weeks I would
change the type of workout (light/high rep, high/low rep, drop sets, super
sets, etc.) plus I would change the type of exercises and body parts I
worked together. Now all I have is a weight bench and dumbbells so I am a
lot more limited. I am doing more Pilates now but also still lift but here
lately I have been doing mostly supersets and a lot of the same exercises.
My cardio has been mostly walking and occasionally riding the stationary
bike because my energy has been so low. I am currently experiencing 11 days
of PMS and 6 to 7 OK days and fatigue is something that hits me during PMS.
I also get depressed and am not near as motivated as I used to be - I am
during the "good" days but it seems I barely start feeling better when the
next round of PMS hits.
 
>Middle age and beyond  brings about hormonal changes that affect skin 
>firmness  etc so that even reaching purportedly ideal body-fat targets
>frankly will 
>never look the same now as when you were 20.  
 
>Rising stress hormones and diminishing progesterone, testosterone and 
>estrogen can definitely impact skin appearance,  firmness, thickness.
>Paleo type 
>diet should help reduce stress levels - plus maybe add in a few minutes of 
>meditation.  Also, keep a close watch on your thyroid function.
>Hypothyroid 
>conditions are common in women and many are undiagnosed or undertreated.  I
>highly 
>recommend Mark Starr MD's book Hypothyroidism Type 2.  It deals with 
>hypothyroidism that often goes undetected by standard bloodwork

I am hypothyroid and have been taking Armour Thyroid for about 10 years now.
However, I also started supplementing with iodine a few months ago and it
seems to make a difference. I am actually tempted to slowly taper off the
armour and see if it makes a difference. And I am about to have my hormones
checked to take care of the PMS. As much as I want the paleo alone to help I
just don't think my body is there yet. There is so much going on with my
body right now I feel like I can't reach solid ground where my health is
concerned.
 
>Hope this helps -- I always enjoy your interesting postings and you seem so

>motivated -- I am certain  you will find the right tweakings necessary to
>reach 
>your goals.

Thanks - as I said above, I am not near as motivated (or strict) as I used
to be. It was a lot easier to stick to paleo when I was seeing continued
results. Then I was diagnosed with heavy metal toxicity, viruses, and
overgrowth of candida. After 2 years of IV chelation (weekly) you'd think
the metals would be gone but the last test (several months ago) still
revealed fairly high levels (it was a post dmps/edta urine challenge
indicated the levels secreted, not the levels in the body). Now at our new
place I have not found a decent doctor. My doc in Austin believed in paleo
and was alternative minded.

I guess I can do the medium protein/high fat/low to no carb thing as an
experience and post my results here. It would also help to figure out food
intolerances - it's been 3 months since my last blood test and I can't
afford to get another one so I am on my own.

Thanks for all the feedback...it's nice to get encouragement right now.

Kristina



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