erikahollister's Journal, 03 October 2016

So, I went to see my Integrated Medicine Doctor last week. I complained about slow weight loss and poor sleep. Of course, he confirmed that insomnia often leads to weight gain or slow loss due to cortisol and other hormones. I prescribed some supplements to address the insomnia, all of which I've tried before, with positive, but tepid results. But this time, he said to take them together as they work synergistically. And voila - really good results! They are: melatonin with 5HTP (that I get at Trader Joe's), magnesium glycinate and Kavinace (a gaba formulation). I still wake up at 2:30 AM, but I just take another dose, and -hallelujah!- I fall asleep again for another 3 hours or more. After months and years of short sleep, this feels positively luxurious. And weight has started to drop now with every good night of sleep. Yay!

Diet Calendar Entry for 03 October 2016:
1177 kcal Fat: 83.89g | Prot: 51.81g | Carb: 50.49g.   Breakfast: Heavy Cream. Lunch: Southern Home Chicken Salad, Lettuce Salad with Assorted Vegetables, Heavy Cream. Dinner: Lettuce Salad with Assorted Vegetables, Kale, Trader Joe's Diced Onions, Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Butter, Wal-Mart Cube Steak. Snacks/Other: Heather's Tummy Fibers Organic Acacia Fiber, Daisy Sour Cream, Trader Joe's The Dark Chocolate Lover's Chocolate Bar, Albertsons Heavy Whipping Cream. more...

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Comments 
He prescribed - correction - not I. 
03 Oct 16 by member: erikahollister
I love when something works! Sleep is a wonderful thing. 
03 Oct 16 by member: mskestrela
I am so happy for you!  
03 Oct 16 by member: XshapeshiftX
Insomnia is a very common symptom on low carb diets. When blood sugar gets low Adrenaline floods your system to free up bloodsugar. Adrenaline and sleep dont mix well. The good part of all this is it means your insulin sensitivity and blood sugar sensitivity are returning to normal functioning. 5HTP is a precursor to serotonin, which is also tied to carb intake. I'd be willing to bet your sleep would get a lot better if you ditched lchf. You probably dont need it anymore. Just a suggestion.  
03 Oct 16 by member: SoMuchBS
Hmm.......... thank you for the suggestion. I have been eating more vegetables. I still have 50 lbs to lose, and no other diet has been as effective or sustainable for me. Not quite ready to switch it up yet, but I'm not averse to thinking about it. 
03 Oct 16 by member: erikahollister
I've lost 72 lbs on low carb; it's hard to argue with that! 
03 Oct 16 by member: erikahollister
You're a LCHF rockstar, Erika. I'm slowly transitioning to a more Paleo diet as I get stalls on LCHF. The 'slow carbs' are good for the gut flora, and have an emotionally satisfying component. 
03 Oct 16 by member: mskestrela
That's a lot of weight lost. Good job. I'm not saying it doesn't work. Anything that restricts energy intake below energy expenditure will burn fat. There are a million different ways to do that, but its all the same underlying mechanic. The main benefit of lchf is reversing pre/diabetes and getting insulin sensitivity back. If you're to the point that blood sugar is bottoming out in the middle of the night and you're getting flooded with adrenaline you've already reaped that benefit and there might be a better 'road' for you to take now. That's all i'm getting at. Good luck with whatever path you take!  
03 Oct 16 by member: SoMuchBS
Wow, Erika! I really hope you found something that works. I'm still struggling. Keep us posted. And congrats! 
03 Oct 16 by member: ChicaLean
Glad your supplements work. I was supposed to try Ashwagandha and Hops, but hubby would not order them. He thinks they are too expensive. I will just have to do it myself. 
03 Oct 16 by member: LadyinDenim
Hey cool!!! You are on kinda what I'm on now. Melatonin is great (I take 2 to 3 of 3mg at night). I also take methyl-12 chewables and folinic acid. (All supplements available through iHerb for cheap.) So that's what you call my new "fancy" doctor: "Integrated medicine". He also checked my testosterone levels and I had none! So I'm on homrmone replacement for that too. 😃 so, so awesome for you. ❤ 
03 Oct 16 by member: Aussie Elise
I sympathize Lady in denim. My husband wont let me go overboard with the supplements either! He is better about it now, because I'm more active and sexier, so he can see it's benefits. 😄 
03 Oct 16 by member: Aussie Elise
Wow Erica, that total weight loss is awesome! I don't sleep well either, but I need to invest in a new mattress first I think. I get pain in my right hip after a few hours if I fall asleep on that side and it wakes me up and it can be hard to go back to sleep. I don't think supplements will help with that problem. 
04 Oct 16 by member: PhillySue
Mattresses are expensive, but I agree a good one is a worthy investment! 
04 Oct 16 by member: erikahollister
SoMuchBS - Can you direct me to an article about that; I'd like to read up on it.? 
04 Oct 16 by member: erikahollister
Great! Good sleep helps weight loss. I will try adding Kavinace to my Metonin and Mg 
04 Oct 16 by member: cerobit
Im a huge fan of melatonin. Take a little every night and I sleep like a baby. If i dont, I cant fall asleep till 2-3 am even if I wake up at 5 am.  
04 Oct 16 by member: redgirl1974
Eight is great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  
04 Oct 16 by member: Chowdah
Glad to hear that you are getting some sleep-deserved sleep. Weight loss is outstanding! Yay for you. 
04 Oct 16 by member: 2227Gwen
Melatonin... I used to rely on that stuff. It's pretty good. Maybe I should jump back on it also. Trying to get up everyday at 6am for a run, is no problem, it's the getting to sleep early enough to get 8 hours in that's the difficult part...  
04 Oct 16 by member: PicklesPickles

     
 

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