Protein Poll

For those of you who hit a plateau... and I know we all have, Did you up your protein? I was just wondering how well it worked for you? I've been stuck for a very long time and I'm just wondering if it is worth trying.

Hi Cassie, Yes, I was on a loooooonngg plateau, and Yes, I tried upping protein, and No, I haven't lost another pound, BUT I JUST DROPPED A SIZE!! Still weigh 156 (at 5' 4 1/2") but now wearing size 8 pants. This was my impossible-dream goal and as far as I'm concerned the scale can say whatever it wants to from now on -- as long as the label can still say "I'm a size 8" I'll be happy! So try it and see if it works for you! Best, Donna 256/156/135 (or maybe not!)

Hey cassie, yes I have tried it and I also upped my water intake at the same time. It worked for me, but has not worked for me this time. I know it is getting harder for all of us now. I am not sure if it hasnt worked this time because I am pregnant, or if my new body is wanting more, like more exercising instead. It wont hurt you to try it, I hope it works for you like it did for me before.- Melissa

Ok Miss Cassie ... Im going to paste the notes from my last support group training ... for OH.. YES .. Upping your protein is the key .. I swear that I have never had a platuea .. some stall outs maybe but nothing longer than 7 days .. Here is the info .. I hope it helps you . I promise that it worked for me and others who are doing it . Hugs ! Nat If I drink protein shakes and eat too, won't I gain weight from the added calories? Eating a low calorie diet actually slows down your metabolism. Diets containing more protein can reduce the drop in metabolic rate seen with low calorie diets. To lose fat, you need to cut down on calories, to consume less energy than you expend. But. Here is the problem. Your body responds to this drop in food intake by slowing your metabolic rate, to keep you alive, which makes fat loss increasingly difficult. Our ancestors had to deal with large variations in the availability of food. Those who survived were the ones whose bodies could adjust to this fluctuation in food availability. Those, whose bodies couldn't adjust, died. The result? Our bodies want to hold on to our stores of energy for survival. It thus preserves fat by lowering the metabolic rate whenever food intake drops. High protein diets reduce the drop in metabolic rate, and also lead to a greater feeling of fullness. Dr Scott Connelly writes in, "Body Rx: pages 18-19...."Why do MASS protein? To escape fat-storage mode, you have to eat more protein. If you want to shut down your metabolism and stay in fat-storage mode permanently, stay on the standard diet prescription- the high-carb, low-protein, low-calorie, low-fat diet. Protein is the key metabolic currency of the body. Your body was designed to run on it. Protein molecules drive all the chemical reactions involved in the breakdown and absorption of food, including carbohydrates and fat. In other words, protein drives virtually all aspects of metabolism. Many studies, including some of my own, show that simply adding protein to your diet turns on your fat-burning/muscle-building switch, even if you make no other lifestyle changes. When I gave one group of body builders extra protein along with their normal diet, they gained two times as much muscle mass as a second group of bodybuilders doing exactly the same workout and eating the same diet but without the extra protein. When you're stuck in fat-storage mode, you need a powerful protein boost to jump-start your metabolism back into fat-burning mode. In most cases, you cannot easily get enough protein from food alone to do the job. To fill the protein gap, in addition to increasing protein consumption through food, I recommend a daily high-potency protein powder. It is a simple, safe, efficient way to repair your metabolism and build a lean, shapely body." Muscle uses more calories to maintain itself than fat. Peole who are more muscular (and have a lower percentage of body fat) are said to have a higher metabolism than others that are less muscular. Symptoms of slowed metabolism Fatigue, feeling cold, dry skin, constipation, slow pulse and low blood pressure. These symptoms could be the result of a medical condition rather than low metabolism - MAKE SURE YOU SEE YOUR DOCTOR to rule out any type of medical problem.

Thank you so much for posting this. It has really helped. Tomorrow... Watch out protein, Here I come!

YES!!!! I upped my protein...beneprotein...and started walking...watching more what I ate...lost 8 pounds in three weeks. It does work!! Go figure...just what the doctor told me...maybe I should listen more, huh? Jeannie