This is not a substitution for the full 180 protocol. Please refer to the 180 Product Usage Protocol for complete instructions. The statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, prevent or mitigate any disease. Dynamite Specialty Products takes a firm stance that our products always be used in accordance with the opinions and expertise of your trusted health care professional or doctor.
1. What is the importance of taking a vitamin/mineral supplement on 180™? Do I have to take them in order for 180 to work?
The Dynamite Daily Foundation supplements help to support the body’s vitamin and mineral needs, allowing it to crave less food (which are actually mineral cravings), and properly utilize stored “fuel”. Fast weight loss will flush electrolytes, and people may feel fatigued if they are not up to speed on potassium, calcium, magnesium and sodium. Proper supplementation is critical to your success.
Additionally, Natural Trace Mineral Salt (Dynamite NTM Salt) is the greatest alkaline-forming substance known; therefore, when a natural and better diet is undertaken, it must include NTM Salt. The absence of salt in the daily diet greatly hampers absorption of nutrients contained in foods and it renders them unable to function as natural healing agents. NTM Salt is a living food, with its ionic and electrolytic properties profoundly anchored in its grounding crystals. Note: typical table salt is not advised on the protocol because it contains anti-caking agents and other additives.
If your weight issues were due to stress hormones, thyroid issues and other metabolic issues, we recommend adding Dyna-Lite. This product offers mood and metabolism support while providing an all-natural energy boost.
We highly recommend adding Mega Botanicals for added energy, lasting hunger management, digestion, detox support, and alkalization. As you progress with this protocol, you may want to consider Elixir for electrolytes, Super ACV to support healthy stomach acid and balances blood sugar, Premium Magnesium to regulate bowels, and Izmine and/or Miracle Clay to assist in detoxification.
2. How long can I take 180?
180 can be taken for as long as needed to reach your weight loss goals. Sometimes the body will “stall out” and it may be a sign to take a break, quit using 180 and give your body a rest with the intention of restarting your 180 program later to reach your goals. Many users have found this technique very successful. 180 can also be taken daily even after lock-in if needed.
3. How does alcohol, especially wine, fit into the protocol?
It doesn’t. This will have to wait until after stabilization is achieved. Be sure to journal how alcohol affects your weight.
4. What if you’re a vegetarian or vegan? (protocol does not list alternative protein sources)
The main protein sources for vegetarians and vegans (such as tofu, quinoa, nuts and beans) are not part of the 180 approved food protocol. This will make this diet difficult for vegetarians and vegans. That being said, our protocol food list is designed to be one-size-fits-all. Food journaling will indicate which foods work with your specific body systems on the diet and which ones don’t.
5. Why are certain fruits (bananas, watermelon, grapes) excluded from protocol?
The foods on the protocol diet are proven for weight loss. Other foods may be omitted because of common allergies and/or phytochemicals which can impede weight loss. These foods can cause inflammation, stall outs and weight gain. Additionally, some fruits have a higher glycemic index (GI), which means that they increase blood glucose levels and in turn affect health on many levels, including fat storage.
6. Why are broccoli, green beans, peas and carrots not listed on protocol?
The foods on the protocol diet are proven for weight loss. Other foods may be omitted because of common allergies and/or phytochemicals which can impede weight loss. These foods can cause inflammation, stall outs, and weight gain. The key is to keep a food journal. Any foods not on the list that you may introduce into your diet will reveal themselves on the scale within 24–48 hours. A food journal helps keep that running log of what may be causing fluctuation in your weight. So write it down and refer to your journal as a reminder.
7. How do I cook or sauté food without using cooking spray or oil?
- Use broth or stock (beef, chicken or vegetable) to cook with. Be sure to look at the broth ingredient list and check sodium content.
- Use flavored water like infused tomato, cucumber, lemon, or lime water.
- When cooking meats, often there are enough natural fat and juices rendered to cook the meat and to also cook your vegetables in it. Add stock as needed.
- Grilling is a great way to cook your protocol foods and infuse flavor.
- Bake or roast your food. In either case you may need to put a little water or broth in your baking dish until the natural juices are released during the cooking process.
- Vinegars are great! Come in many different varieties and add real depth to any dish.
8. What are other ingredients can I use?
- Hot Peppers and Cayenne (Capsaicin). Good sources include Tabasco sauce, jalapenos and pepperoncinis, habanero sauce, cayenne pepper and pepper flakes. Spicy foods raise your metabolic rate and help with weight loss, controls your appetite and make you feel fuller, helps stabililize blood sugar after a meal, as well as provide flavor. Check the ingredient list on prepared pepper sauces to make sure it’s protocol food friendly. Note: Capsaicin can interfere with some medications, be sure to check with your doctor.
- Lemons and fresh lemon juice helps with digestion and prevents blood sugar surges with a meal. The d-limonene in lemons boosts the liver’s ability to break down fat.
- Cinnamon helps to balance blood sugar. Try on apples and pears, and in your coffee.
- Garlic regulates blood sugar, improves the circulatory system, lowers blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, and boosts your immune system.
- Ginger is an anti-inflammatory, can help calm an upset stomach and diminish nausea, aids in digestion, and lowers cholesterol.
- Be sure to add herbs and spices to infuse flavor. Protocol food doesn’t have to be bland food.
9. When you recommend 3-5 oz protein for lunch, does that mean a woman should have only 3 oz while a man could have 5 oz? Or should you determine the size by your appetite at the time?
Body size and appetite are both factors in the amount of protein that you eat. If your employment or lifestyle is more physically challenging, increasing protein may serve you well. If you are more petite in size, less protein may be all you need. Listen to what your body needs.
Use this time to evaluate normal portion sizes. Using a food scale in the beginning will help you determine visually what a correct portion size looks like. Make good choices when purchasing cuts of meat which can vary depending on fat and water content. Look for leaner meat options rather than ones higher in fat content.
10. You say one cup raw or cooked vegetable. There is quite a large difference between one cup cooked versus one cup fresh spinach. Does each count the same?
There are so few calories in fresh and/or cooked veggies that it doesn’t really matter. The 1 cup measurement is to ensure you are getting at least that much.
11. Do you recommend not eating the same meat twice in one day?
We think that variety is the spice of life! We have heard of a lot of people burning out more quickly if they don’t provide themselves with more variety. However, if eating the same meat is simpler for you and you will stick with the program better, then do it.
12. Can I add in one grissini stick or melba toast each lunch and dinner?
For instance, can I use a melba toast to make hamburger stick together to make a meatloaf?
We don’t recommend adding anything not listed in our protocol, however, you can always try it, journal it and see how you feel and if the scale shows a difference. This is your best guide.
13. The only 40 calorie bread I could find has sugar as the second ingredient. Does that impede the weight loss progress?
Being on the 180 protocol is a perfect time to evaluate what we have been putting into our bodies. 180 helps break our addiction to processed foods and sugar as well as cleanse our bodies of all that we had been putting in. In any prepared foods the first three ingredients will be the largest amounts in the make up of that food. Reduced calorie foods tend to be highly processed or have chemical additives to rid those extra calories. If the ingredients listed are ones unfamiliar or hard to pronounce, they are likely not the best choice.
14. I assume the toast in the morning is eaten without any butter or anything else on it?
Yes. Don’t add anything that isn’t on the protocol.
15. What if I miss a dose?
Continue to take as directed.
16. What if I take the drops but don’t eat within 15–20 minutes?
Take the drops as soon as you remember and then do your best to take them before eating your next meal.
17. I’m going to cheat tomorrow/this weekend. Do I take the drops even though I’m not eating on protocol?
Yes, continue taking the drops. The drops will also help control your desire to eat, so even when cheating you may end up feeling full and eating less. Refer to the Cheating section in your protocol booklet.
18. I’m going on vacation for a couple of weeks and I don’t want to do the 180 protocol while I’m gone. Should I continue taking the drops?
This is your choice. If you stay on the drops, you can do a fruit cleanse or steak day and generally get back on track sooner. If you go off the drops, you will want to re-start the whole process with 2 loading days and then proceed.
19. Can I use 180 while I’m pregnant or nursing?
No. While we whole-heartedly support pregnant women up-grading their eating habits, pregnancy is no time to be cutting out fats, reducing caloric intake, or even focusing on how much fat your body has stored. The primary goal during pregnancy (and nursing) is to support the growth of the child. Dieting in any way, especially cutting out good fat sources, could be detrimental to that goal.
20. Is it safe/recommended for teens to do the 180 protocol?
We do not recommend 180 for anyone who is still growing.
21. Will 180 interact with any medication that I may be taking?
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING THIS OR ANY WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM. Talk to your doctor about how weight loss might affect the dosage of your medications.
22. Is there hCG in 180?
No. 180 does not contain the hormone hCG, nor does it contain any form of hCG (including homeopathic versions).
23. Should I be concerned about using lotion/oil on skin or hair, or switching to a certain type of soap, shampoo or conditioner?
These are all things to consider because our skin absorbs 60% of everything we put on it and the liver then has to deal with it. That being said, we don’t talk about it in our protocol because it can be too much for people when starting a diet. Our goal is to keep it simple so people will start, stay with it, and see results. Then once they have established better habits, more stringent steps can be considered.
24. Why can’t I work out when I start 180? Isn’t weight loss about burning more calories than you consume?
Best not to start a vigorous exercise program at the same time you start the protocol. Exercise creates inflammation and swelling in your body. If you were already exercising you may continue (you may need to eat a little extra protein). Ease into exercise after you have been on the program for awhile. This allows you to gain weight loss momentum at the start. Exercise will likely stall you out temporarily so be prepared to stick with it and don’t get discouraged. When you’re ready - walking, rebound (on a mini trampoline), Chi Swing machine, ride a horse, jump rope, Yoga, Tai Chi, etc. Slowly build up the time and intensity of your workouts until eventually you make exercise a regular part of your lifestyle.
25. I’m doing a marathon/ironman competition should I continue taking the drops?
It depends on when you will start training for it. You can certainly do the 180 program before you start heavy training, however, the 180 protocol will not supply sufficient energy requirements for optimal results once you begin aggressive training.
26. What do I do after I reach my goal weight?
When you reach your goal weight you will begin the stabilization period also referred to as “lock-in”. Stop taking 180* and continue to eat the protocol for three days. You will have some residual effects as the 180 leaves your system. You should notice a stronger appetite after about 3 days which will trigger you to begin eating larger portions.
We recommend no less than 3 weeks for this period but some may need a little longer in this stage. You will know you need to re-enter stabilization if, once you add in new foods, your weight fluctuates dramatically. If this occurs, simply go back to eating only protocol foods and extend the stabilization period by another week or two.
Refer to Stabilization Period in your protocol booklet. Please note that some users refer to the stabilization period as “lock-in”. You may see this term used on the 180 Support page on Facebook.
*Taking the 180 drops one to three times daily during stabilization and maintenance can be helpful for some people. The product is approved for prolonged usage, however part of this program is reengaging your body’s innate ability to maintain a healthy weight moving forward without the use of 180.
27. Six weeks is a long time to “lock in” and still eat the same foods. Is this stage really necessary? If my hypothalamus is reset, can’t I just go back to eating the same foods as before?
The first 3–6 weeks after stopping 180 is different for everyone. You need to take the time to listen to your body and respond accordingly. This phase is as important as all the others combined because if you quickly revert to old habits, you will see your body weight increase again. If at any point you feel your weight is not stabilizing, you may return to taking 180 as needed.
The main purpose of this phase is to see what foods work for you and what foods work against you to maintain your goal weight. Food journaling during this time is very important. It is important to not add a lot of different foods at once but to systematically add them and analyze how they affect your body. The time period will be determined by how many foods you want to add back into your diet.
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