When should I start refeed

[kagiesen]

Why don't you just read the sticky on 'when should I start re-feed?' I should answer your questions!

Katrin

[sassy123]

do u have to get to the goal weight that was writtin in ur plan b4 u can do the refeed program

how long is the refeed and wat kinds of foods get added

[Faithy]

Sassy.. I think it mentions it in your program.. but you can order refeed usually 2 kilos from the top end of goal weight.. in SOME circumstances you can order it sooner, but it wont work till you reach your ideal weight which is usually around your goal weight..

The length of time differs for everyone, depending on your blood results prior to ordering refeed, if you've deviated etc.. mine was 15 days.. some can go for longer...

More of the same types of foods get added at first, then we receive a list of various different veggies, fruits & meat.. we also add bread, carbs such as potato etc & even milk.

Hope this helps.

[sassy123]

i am still 7.7 from the low end of my goal weight but i am sooooo hungry. that hungry that i am feeling really sick and i just threw up.
i ordered my refeed last week cause i was starting to get real hungry and felt that i was prob closer than i thought.
shoudl i start refeed once i get it. i am not sick it is just the hunger sick that i am getting.
its even waking me up early in the mornign and my tummy is growling like crazy.

[shell]

Hi sassy,
Are you taking chromium tablets to help with the hunger, as well as your multi vitamins?
Drinking all your water & your soft drink allowance will help as well.

You could be just "sick" not from the diet?

7.7kg is a long way off your goal weight, I am surprised your consultant has ordered re feed yet.
I hope you feel better soon,
Shell

[sassy123]

yup taking and eating everythign that i possibly can. i am gettin about 2 lt of water if i drink anymore it makes me hungrier

[rocks]

Hi Sassy,

I really feel for you, i am about 8kg from my upper goal weight range and have days where i am getting the worst hunger pains. I don't know if you have tried mixing your meals up at all, i have done this and it helps for a few days, then a couple of days of hunger pains, then its good.........so on so on. I guess the point is to keep the body guessing what it will be getting to eat, so if you have any patterns like yoghurt for brekky everyday, killing these may kill the hunger. Also remember, that the chromium is simply to help with sugar cravings NOT hunger. Everyones body is different, you may have heavy bones or your frame may be naturally bigger, maybe you are ready for re-feeding, maybe you're not. Try the process of elimination with the mixing of meals, and also try consuming more water via tea/coffees or even your full soft drink allowance (i drink nearly 4 lt of water alone a day and my body still wants more). Hope this helps, i'll be feeling that hunger with you through the last 8kg. Good luck.

[sassy123]

hey rocks,
i have been mixing my meals up. i have tried everything.
i really think i am ready for re feed. i am starting to feel dizzy all the time now. i have been sick all morning. i know people have suggested i might be sick but this is def being sick from not enough food i feel like i am starving myself.

[Kohinoor]

Hi Sassy,

What is your height? I think that ticker of your is telling lies (re BMI)

I was wondering why you'd be feeling hungry on Cohens when still in the Overweight range - but, since you have a lowish number of Kgs to lose, I suspect the ticker is incorrect,

Koh

[sassy123]

i am 168cms and at the mo i am 82kgs

[Annabelle Joy]

Are you able to make an appointment with your consultant to talk about whether to start refeed, Sassy? It does seem rather early to be starting, but if you are really hungry it makes it difficult to stick with the diet. I found talking with my consultant about refeed last week extremely helpful.

AJ

[rocks]

Ohhh.........i feel for you. I dare say you are ready for re-feeding, i don't think your consultant would have ordered it for you if she didn't feel it was right. I think the important thing to remember as well is that most of us are doing cohens because we weren't happy with how we looked or what the scales said, and i emphasise ourselves. Its best to be happy and healthy and feeling sick and dizzy is not apart of that. At the end of the day a peice of paper with two numbers doesn't tell us what we should weigh, its our body and everyone is different.

[louise41]

How long does refeed take to come? Im just wondering if I am really hungry and then order refeed, do I have to be hungry for a couple of weeks while I wait for the program. Should I order it when I get to goal to have it ready for when the hunger etc hits?

[asy]

Louise, you have to be no more than 2kg from your goal weight to order the refeed.

The refeed should be out to you within the week. It's in the office about 3 days after ordering, then gets mailed out.

If you think you might hit your goal during the Christmas Shutdown, make sure you ring the office by the end of the first week in December.

asy

[rakkiizoon]

It's been all good and I am hoping I can order my refeed in December. But for the past 2 weeks, I start to get hungry! I initially dismissed it as probably just cravings but when my stomach starts to churn and I feel lethargic, I think I am really hungry! I still stick to the program amidst the tummy growls but just wondering if this is a tell-tale sign that I am ready for refeed?

I'm 1.67m and the higher end of my goal weight is 62kg. However, I do have a history of big bones and large frames in the family (i was even overweight since i was borned! lol!) Scientifically will some people actually meet their 'lowest' weight earlier? I have not talked to my clinic cos 8kg is a bit too far off, but I was hoping to endure with this and maybe order mine at like 66-67kg? Doable?...

[shell]

Hi,
You have to be within 2kg of your goal weight to order re feed.
Are you taking chromium tablets, that might help.
Shell

[rocks]

Hi Rakkizoon,

We are both a similar height and have a very similar weight range too by the looks of it. I also struggled a lot when i hit the top 60's, for 2 weeks i had incredible hunger pain and thought that this could be it. However, i got a wrap from someone about it possibly being a result of where you once maintained quite well. So in the past, did you hold your weight around this region for some time? I found i had to really push through those 2 weeks and pull deep, it wasn't easy not to deviate. Keep yourself busy and really push is all i can advise, mine went away after 2 weeks but now i get the occassional day where i consider eating my arm, then it stops. Be very very carefull, your body might be trying to trick you, mine tried it with me.

[Kohinoor]

Hi Rakiizoon,

(i was even overweight since i was borned! lol!)

Hehe - good try I was "big borned" too - I was 10lb 6oz (or 4710gm in the new money). So, bigger than most. Yet, I've spent my adult years being no more than 12 stone 7lb (79.5 Kg), and usually nearer 76Kg. I'm also 1.87m tall - so never approached "overweight" - just a skinny bloke since forever....

Scientifically will some people actually meet their 'lowest' weight earlier?

From what I've read, some do reach their "equilibrium" ahead of goal weight. Age seems to be one factor (older people will settle at a higher weight than younger). There can be other factors too - but USUALLY the Cohens suggested range is "on the money".

In your case, you've only just snuck into the top of the "Normal BMI range" - so I'd be surprised if you really should be settling there. And, it might be difficult to stabilise there if you haven't reached YOUR equilibrium. In the end though, what does your clinic say?

Koh

[rakkiizoon]

Thanks alot Kohinoor, rocks & shell. Appreciate the advice!

Though my current weight is not somewhere I've once 'maintained' quite well... It was almost 20kg more than this. Guess I just have to bear with this and pretend I did not feel (and hear) anything! btw, you're doing so well rocks!

[katiefrank70]

Hi

Interesting thread.

I too have been feeling hungry at times, dizzy and wondered the same thing. I have only just hit normal bmi, and still carrying flab. Try mixing your meals around. Eat the heavier meals and split your crackers and fruit between meals.

That's about all I can suggest. Good luck with working it all out

Katie