Tracking 1st 30 days on DNA-customized supplement

sunnysmile

Day 9 continues ...

I am definitely higher energy, less hunger ... hope this continues.

Today I succeeded with 33 lengths swimming in the pool ... and a few minutes of aqua jogging.

I am going to try not to eat the exercise calories and see what happens.

It's been longer then I can think when I lost 4 pounds in two weeks, usually I am lucky when I can get off half a pound, so this is wonderful so far.

My husband is giving thoughts to trying these supplements too, we just need to see where we can get the money for both of us.

sunnysmile

Day 10 on supplements ...

I am feeling very good.

Definitely less hungry, which makes eating within my calories much easier.

I am sleeping well, soundly except for bathroom breaks during the night, guess that's a byproduct of weight loss, so I can live with that

Energy level feels good today

I stepped on the scale today and was down from yesterday but I don't want to count it because next Wednesday is my week and things have away of going up and down sometimes. I am wondering if I am losing faster on these supplements though because I usually do not lose 4 pounds in two weeks. But I haven't been on the supplements two weeks. Yet the first week I lost 1 pounds and the second 3 pounds. I will have to see how that progresses because it would probably be a stretch to attribute faster weight loss to the supplements.

I was reading a bit more about these supplements last night on their website and they say they are plant-based, rich in whole foods, extracts, phytonutrients, and antioxidants to help you achieve and maintain optimal health and well being. The customized formula is supposed to have an equivalency of 5 to 8 fruits and veggies in ORAC values.

Exercise will be later today, am working on a deadline for work. Hope everyone has a wonderful day.

(On a completely different topic, if anyone is looking for nice mens dress shirts, like the type they sell at Brooks Brothers, check out Costco, they now sell some under the Kirkland name that are wrinkle free and comparable to the $80 shirts from Brooks Brothers for $17 each. My husband bought 4 last night for less than the cost of one shirt from Brooks Brothers.)

sunnysmile

Day 11 on supplements ...

I slept so well last night, a nice change I see happening. I still get up for bathroom breaks, probably always will but there were no long stretches awake and a nice deep sleep. I don't know if it's related to supplements, but I have read about other people sleeping better with them. Really too soon to judge that.

Energy level is still high. Have been up since 6:30am and already have done one project for work, colored my hair, and have laundry going while I work. That is really good for me as it's only 9:37am. (I work from home so that lets me multitask, but I don't always do it as I should.)

I did not exercise yesterday, too much work, and don't know if I will be able to get to the pool today. But I do love swimming.

I am continuing to be less hungry or not at all hungry between meals and snacks, and I can't think of when I had a craving last time. I do think this is directly related to the supplements. I also have been getting on the scale in the mornings and I am seeing it move down like I haven't before. I read someone's post about calcium playing a role in additional weight loss for them and I wonder if that and the other ingredients in the supplements could be helping speed mine too. I am very curious to see what next Wednesday's weight shows. I know a lot of people can lose 2 pounds a week if they work at it, but it has been my experience that I can work hard for that 2 pounds and be lucky for a half pound (which adds up but is much slower). For two weeks now I have lost 4 pounds, and more if I go by the scale this morning.

I would love to hear anyone's thoughts, if anyone is reading this.

If you are interested in reading the ingredients in the supplements, in general, I believe that info is somewhere on the website where I purchased the supplements: www.mygenewize.com/dnavitaskin. I know that Karen (on that site) is good about tracking down answers if you have any questions I can't answer. (some people emailed me questions, please feel free to do that, even if I don't know the answer I can find out, if you're curious about something).

zebras

It would take a miracle for me to get up that early and do anything! I am not human in the morning. I think its great that you are having improvements in sleep and apetite on this stuff!

sunnysmile

day 12 on supplements ...

I am definintey having sleep improvements. Last night I was up to go to the ladies room and noticed my husband was up at the middle of the night watching TV (in the other room). Not me, him. I said hi and then went back to sleep. So I have now slept through the night nicely for the last few days. (I hope this continues).

Energy level continues to be high

Hunger continues to be less,cravings almost non-existent now. It's funny, it's the absence of the hunger and cravings that I notice, since being hungry and craving was almost normal for me.

My eldest other (not the one married to the sister in law who recommended the supplements to me) asks me how I can spend around $100 a month for these supplements. I thought about it and told him that I am feeling good on them and will continue to try them out. I think he mainly takes a multivitamin. He does eat nutritiously and does not have much of a weight problem (like I do). He cannot relate to the concept of cravings, although he can relate to being hungry ... he was born hungry and is always hungry (but slim).

Someone else asked me if it could be a placebo effect that I am feeling good on these supplements, or sleeping better. I am not sure how to answer that. I will continue to track how I feel. Can't imagine a placebo effect would last very long if it is that. But I don't think so because I tend to be a skeptical person about these things and would be the first to look for a problem with the supplements, especially when it's $100 a month. (I am Coupon-girl ... I like to buy on sale and don't part with a $100 a month easily ... I watch what I spend, especially in this economy). I look at it this way, if I feel better and it is a good support for losing weight then the money spent is not important. I would spend any amount of money to have real help with weight loss. Can't wait until I weight myself on Wednesday and see if I am still losing well (a novelty for me).

How about you? Anyone trying anything new that is making you feel good, or helping lose weight, or sleep better, or anything? I am glad to be tracking but would love some people who are reading this to say hi, if you feel like it.

Have a great day.

Sunny

sunnysmile

day 12 on supplements ...

My eldest other

Must laugh ... correction ... I meant my eldest brother above (not eldest other). So much for accuracy on a Saturday morning.

sunnysmile

Day 12 ended up being the most tired day I've had in the last 12 days. Perhaps because of the dark skies, or the very heavy rain and thunder. Could be the massive walking we did at two different Costco locations hunting down shirts for my husband.

We went to Buffalo Wild Wings for lunch and I ordered the Naked Tenders, but they are so bad, they taste burnt, perhaps mine were overcharred. I would have loved just some plain chicken with the sauce. The wings were too fattening to try.

I discovered a new product today ... Yoplait makes a Triple Berry Smoothie that Costco carries. It's not bad, must say.

Chat with you on Sunday after the pool.

sunnysmile

Day 13 on supplements ...

not as energetic as last week, but slept well

knees are hurting, hopefully this is from the heavy rain we had ... arthritis and all that

they say the supplements are supposed to help the joints, but perhaps that is to help further damage rather then heal the damage already there. I was hit by an SUV as a pedestrian in 2005 and so there are certain times when my body just still hurts.

Even with that I did the pool today for 30 minutes, so that is good.

Also, am still less hungry than before the supplements, so that remains a real plus.

sunnysmile

Day 14 on supplements ...

I definitely am sleeping better every day, which is most welcome. I am even up early today rested and about to go to the pool to exercise ... also a nice welcome change

I ate more this weekend then I wanted too ... too much snacking at Costco and eating out, but my appetite was basically in check, so I guess that is a small improvement, would prefer my husband not to bring things home to tempt me, like he brought home a Dunkin Donuts croissant just for me and told me it was just for me. I went ballistic and told him not to choose my calories for me, so that didn't go so well as he was hurt. But really, isn't it for me to decide if I want a croissant or how I want to spend my calories? I took one taste but didn't eat the rest. (It wasn't even that good)

ok, enough ranting and ravings ... off to swim. Have a great day my friends.

sunnysmile

Day 14 on supplements ... continued...

I succeeded with 45 minutes in the pool doing breast stroke and crawl. I am recording it as leisurely swimming instead of fast or moderate ... I don't know how to judge my speed and guess it's better to be conservative. It seems wacky to me that that is over 600 calories ... do you think that is accurate? I mean I sure feel like I worked out and all but I wonder how that is measured.

anyone have any thoughts?

Off to drink lots of water today ... holding salt from the weekend.

Happy Day to everyone.

sunnysmile

I finally have the name of someone to ask questions to at the company that customizes the DNA-supplements. I have some questions from earlier posts on how the DNA is used to customize the supplements.

Anyone have any questions you want answered? I won't call until either tomorrow on Wednesday so please post some questions.

Thanks,
Sunny

sunnysmile

Today is Day 15 on supplements ... didn't take them yesterday ...

Had a very grumpy day yesterday, am PMSing big time, gaining weight too ... overate wrong things, didn't take supplements ... not my best day.

Today I am counting again, also took the supplements.

Scale went up on weigh in today ... boo hoo, think it's my period due any day now.

Could use some encouragement right now ... know calorie counting works, know exercise works, know supplements help ... was definintely hungrier yesterday and also was up part of the night.

Must not forget to take supplements even if grumpy.

Husband is waiting for non-grumpy girl to make an appearance.

sunnysmile

Hi all - Happy Columbus Day.

I'm making today Day 16 (although I have taken the supplements on and off in the last 5 days, but not consistently and was too busy to record calories and post info ... not a good excuse because I probably overate when not seeing the calorie count)

Last few days have not been the easiest, have been PMSing big time (more than usual for me), saw family, all sorts of things that make eating right more difficult for me. (My Mom today told me unsolicited that I should reduce my carbohydrates ... whenever she makes comments it throws me in the wrong direction, so I promised myself I'd write and maybe get some encouragement from friends here not to do that ... please send some encouragement. Do you have family members that push you in the wrong direction with their comments? Even if it is well meaning?).

I have been keeping up my exercising though, in the pool every other day (is the plan to avoid itchy skin reaction). Need to start something else on the off swim days. Got the new Wii Fit update, so hope to begin on yoga and strength training on that again.

I did notice that I was not sleeping as well when I did not use the supplements consistently last few days, also I was hungrier (could just be PMSing). But sleep issue was definitely back, and it was better on the supplements. I will let you know if that gets better again.

I submitted the DNA methodology questions to someone at the company that customizes these supplements, I will let you know when I hear back. Nobody had additional questions, so I asked only those regarding how they customize for my unique DNA based on prior postings on this thread.

Time for me to write down what I ate today, and to mark down my exercise.

I did 30 minutes aqua jogging with resistance booties on. Followed that with 8 laps swimming. Followed that with about 10 minutes aerobic exercises in the water. (I am pleased to say that on Saturday I also used the flippers in the water, and boy did my muscles burn).

My friend commented the other day that I am looking better from behind (that is my largest area ... my rear end, LOL). Was happy it's looking better.

Have a great day.

sunnysmile

Day 17 on supplements ... back on track, feeling better on them, more pep, less hungry, better overall feeling of wellness. My knees have only hurt once since starting on them, and that was a very rainy, bad weather day. Overall, it is successful.

I have not heard back from Genewize regarding DNA-methodology questions, looking forward to an answer from them ... the question was pumped up the chain from the original name I was given (who I think is an affiliate who sells the supplements rather than a scientist who would understand methodology).

Yesterday on Dr. Oz he said that overweight women he was teaming together to lose 2 dress sizes in 90 days had a big lack of Vitamin D (I think he said) ... which is being stored in the fat instead of helping as it should. So how do we get more Vitamin D? He said there was an aswer but I don't recall hearing it. Frustrating.

sunnysmile

Addendum to Day 17 ...


successfully used Wi Fit Plus today ... haven't used Wi Fit in a while but it's good.

I did 35 Fitty credits (or time, though I think I was on over 50 minutes total). I did 10+ yoga poses, pretty good posture, think the pool has helped me there. Did hula hoop, step aerobics and then advanced step aerobics. Not bad for the first time in a while. All I can tell you is I like the yoga poses linked together, and I was dripping when I finished it all.

sunnysmile

Day 18

Today I achieved my personal best in the pool. I swam 40 lengths, half freestyle and half breast stroke. I can definitely feel a difference in my muscles and the power I am beginning to bring to the movements. I had to talk myself into doing the last 10 lengths ... forgot to bring water to the pool and my throat was very dry from using the snorkel mouthpiece. Must remember water in the future. It took me 50 minutes to swim the 40 lengths (with very little down time).

I do think the supplements are helping me achieve optiminal performance and general feeling of wellness.

I am sleeping better, but not consistently yet

I am less hungry when I consistently take the supplements, more hungry when I take it only in the morning. I need to work on taking the second 5 pills with dinner (sometimes I forget)

Most days my joints don't hurt, have had only one real day when they ached and that was a very rainy day. That is an improvement for me.

I do have more consistent energy with the supplements

I have never felt as good on just vitamin pills as I do on these DNA-customized supplements.

Still no word back from Genewize on DNA methodology questions submitted. If I don't hear by next week I will follow-up.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday.

sunnysmile

Well, I never did succeed on this. I got sick so many times the last six months that I saddly gave up. I did receive a reply to the questions about how the DNA was gathered and will post it below. I am now back to counting calories again but it is my first day back in a long time. My asthma has been awful the last six months which made me stop exercising for a while but now it is much more under control and I am beginning again.

Anyway, I have no definite conclusion on these supplements. I have delayed my next shipment for a while, so time will tell if I start them again.

Here's their answer to questions about DNA is collected ... some very smart people on this site asked very specific questions. Sorry for the delay in getting this on ... was too busy coughing away with bronchitis, then a cold, then another cold, then the flu (even though I got the shots) ... glad to be enjoying health again.

Genewise DNA reply:

The GL testing does not examine expression levels of mRNA or protein.
Rather, the tests examine polymorphisms or SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in the DNA that can affect protein stability, cell localization or transcriptional promoter activity. Most importantly, these SNPs are associated with certain physiological conditions, e.g., making the encoded protein (e.g., SOD or GPX) less effective in eliminating oxygen free radicals or hydroxyl radicals.


In all cases, there is a direct (known) association between the particular polymorphism (SNP) and a biochemical pathway. For example, the SOD polymorphism is thought to affect the leader sequence of the protein, making SOD less efficient at entering mitochondria. TheNQO1 polymorphism affects the stability of the protein, creating, in essence a “null” mutation. The TNF polymorphism resides in the promoter of this gene, making it more transcriptionally active and heightening the immune response. The value of the DNA testing is that the DNA is constant from birth to death (random mutations that occur to individual cells excluded). In essence, SNP testing provides information about specific cellular machinery components through examination of the DNA blueprint. Metabolic testing, while direct, has the pitfall of needing to be well-controlled and repeated in order to make a valid conclusion. Thus, concern over fluctuations in expression levels of mRNAs and proteins, as seen in metabolic snap shots, becomes a moot point. The DNA defines variation in the machinery (enzymes, cytokines, etc) that can either advantage or disadvantage an individual. The beauty of this approach is that for a disadvantaged SNP, specific nutrients can be provided to compensate for the effected biochemical pathway. This is a rational approach to customization of nutrients and skin care. In particular, this approach has been validated for skin by an outside laboratory in a double-blind half face study and is bolstered by issued Patents.

sunnysmile

One last update .... turns out I am allergic to something in the supplements ... it kicks off my asthma very badly so I have cancelled taking them.

Positive note though, the DNA testing was fascinating, showed me that I have a variant gene in Vitamin D Receptor which turns out if you don't have enough of it contributes to be overweight. So I have upped my Vitamin D3 to what they recommended and the weight is coming off easier.

Overall, it was an interesting experience.

DesertCowgirl

Just wanted to say that I read all your posts on this DNA customized supplement and found your reports very interesting. Also was impressed by the information that was given by other members of MFP. It was a very expensive experiment for you, and I am sorry that you are allergic to the supplements.

The good thing is that you were able to determine what part of the supplements were helping you and add just that to your food intake. Now you should be able to do better at the weight loss without the expensive supplements. Keep up the good work.

aippolito1

I'm interested to see your results. OMGOD, Reliv. My parents made my siblings and I drink Reliv when we were younger and omgod, bad memories. I'm sure you could put it in smoothies and make it taste better but ugh, we tried everything & they tasted horrible.

sunnysmile

I can say that having the DNA testing was very helpful and then buying at least one month of the customized vitamins is good because although you don't learn the base formula breakdown in terms of vitamins, minerals and ORAC values, you do learn what extra they suggest you take because of your DNA results. It definitely overall helped me, even though I ended up allergic to the formula. I do recommend the products. My sister in law has a website should someone be interested. Mine was provided to me but I have had them cancel it, I wasn't looking for a business, just to feel better.

Look into Vitamin D and it's relationship to weight loss, it's worth the reading up. One good website is The Vitamin D Council.