Katrin's REFEED diary

[kagiesen]

Thanks, Pandora, Debs, Hexi2 and Hails! All of you, I think I haven't had that much support ever! I needed it today, so you guys made my day!

Katrin

[cait]

howdy,
once again, I'm a little behind on the eight ball - takes me a while to process stuff i've read, so by the time i want to comment, the subject is already done & dusted! however, i won't let that put me off and i'll comment anyway.

about the refeed only being valid for 6 weeks - when i ordered mine, i discussed with the consultant about ordering it a little early. given that i was within the weight range but not hungry at all, we decided i could wait a bit before starting. there was absolutely NO mention made of the 6 weeks deadline.
BUT also, my refeed was 'made' on the results of my 4 weeks blood results. there would have been no way (if i had not gone off the rails) that i would have still been on the program by the 12 week blood test; so whether i started my refeed when i got it, or in 6 weeks or even in 10 or 11 weeks, it would have to be still valid, because there would be no more new information to submit.

so, i wonder about the seriousness of this 6 week deadline.
would it be different if i had been on the program for many many months, and had lots of blood tests etc.

perhaps Asy has more information? Asy?? are you out there?!

cheers, cait.

[pandora]

Yes Cait, i actually PM'd Katrin (didnt want to confuse anyone!) that my refeed was also based on the 4 week blood test as i picked up my refeed the day AFTER my 12 week blood test so no way was my refeed based on the 12 week one, it was also the 4 week one and no mention of the 6 week rule.

So, case in point, my refeed i got at 12 wks, based on 4 wks bloods, so that is 8 weeks later and then, to top that off, due to my consuming grapes (a no no, i didnt know know!) consultant told me to wait a further 2 wks before even thinking of refeed so that wld have been 10wks after the bloods. Got refeed 1st Nov, so i am now 13.5wks after the blood test that counted for refeed. Oh well, it is all a Cohen mystery!

I also know someone who visited the same clinic as me, didnt succeed on the program 2 yrs ago, only lost 3kg, but was given refeed anyway not based on ANY 2nd test as she didnt have more than one! Go figure! My moral of this story is, The Clinics and the Program are both fantastic guides and support systems for us, BUT MORE POWER TO THE PEOPLE, we MUST take back our POWER and make this work for us no matter what the clinic story happens to be! Pandora

[kagiesen]

Hey guys, it's been unusually lively on my diary, great!

57.7 still, and that after a day/night of munchies. Man, dunno what was the matter yesterday. I had (in addition to my allowance): 8 Maltesers, 1 can o tuna, 3 or 4 pieces of Lindt chocolate, about 7 crackers extra at least, a sesame slice (that's day/evening), and then a slice of toast with Philadelphia at night. Very weird. Despite the tablets against NES. I'll give them another 2 weeks! Anyway, lucky I didn't put on weight, my body is being really nice to me and seemingly coping with stuff quite well without putting on too much.

Now, re re-feed. I had told you that I sent an email to my consultant. In a nutshell, this is what she said about ordering re-feed:

Their aim is to assist the person on the program to decide when to start Refeeding at a time that will be most beneficial to them. This is complex because each person is different and unexpected things can and do happen. Some of the factors they consider are: Some people go straight through the Eating Plan stage, Refeeding and onto maintenance without a single hitch. This is ideal. In this case reaching their goal weight range and also being hungry is advisable. That's the time they'd recommend going on re-feed. In other words: if you are deviation free and NOT hungry, they don't push you into re-feed. Makes sense.

Other people do very well indeed until they are very close to their goal weight range and then suddenly have a big deviation that sets them back badly (blood sugar etc, self esteem because of the binge etc etc). Then they are advised to go back onto their Eating Plan for at least 7 days before starting Refeeding. This can be a difficult experience.

Some people want to get below their goal weight range before starting Refeeding. Where there have been no deviations this doesn't present any problem, although some of these people get very hungry and then break their Eating Plan in a big way and have to go back on their Eating Plan before Refeeding.

In summary, the critical aspect of the program is the lifestyle changes that people develop rather than when a person commences their Refeeding. In particular these are:

Thinking differently about food - choosing fresh proteins, vegetables, fruit and avoiding processed foods
Drinking enough water each day (sipping)
Eating 3 meals every day
Eating meals that are protein and vegetable based, and having protein for breakfast
Choosing foods from the original Eating Plan lists and Refeeding lists as a priority and limiting others (e.g., 'Bad Fruits'/ CARBS)
Limiting CARBS to 2 serves a day, depending on the person's body.
Following the Maintenance Guidelines regarding eating fruit, sweets, chocolate, alcohol and nuts.
Following the Maintenance Guidelines regarding gains in weight.

So, I'm quite pleased with that answer, although I somehow fall in between, cos I didn't deviate cos of hunger, nor did I have a blow out, I just deviated all the way a BIT.

So I don't think the 6 weeks are the most important thing, nor the blood test immediately before ordering the program. Ideally, I'd say they make you do the blood test on the day they order re-feed with most current results, but anyway....

Cheers

Katrin

[Daisy]

Hi Kaitrin,

Hope you are travelling well today/tonight. Seems those tablets are not helping the midnight munch BUT it may be a little too soon.
It seems to me you have a lot of temptation around your house - malteasers may be just that one big tease saying eat me, eat me now.
They are one of my all time favs and i know if I had TES I would not be able to avoid those little delights. Is it possible to rid your home
of things like that so hen you do snack, which you will, it is more Cohens friendly. Just a thought.

On another topic I think the deviation thing on refeed may be more prevalent is because all of a sudden you have more choice. The thing I like about
the Cohens weight loss part is that limited choice which helps me keep on track.

Keep up the good work and keep learning about yourself. You are at an interesting stage in your life and in this program so we are all here to support you.

Take care
Daisy.

[meagain]

Oh yeah, choice is a

but when you go off the rails, at last you have the maintenance guidelines to get you back to being an

[kagiesen]

Hey Daisy and meagain

the Maltesers were at work! We've got this guy at work who ALWAYS has a container of lovely little chocolates on his desk for everyone to help themselves (very nice of him, the skinny sporty guy ). Usually, I'm not tempted, so don't go into his office, or if I'm there, don't really feel like it. But after a very long boring meeting I felt like chocolates.... I went for the little bag of Maltesers cos they last longest (that was his convincing argument) as there are 8 or 10 balls in there, and still they are only 16 grams, ie less than two pieces of Lindt chocolate. And yes, they are gorgeous.

At home, I've got the hubby and a 19 year old son, so not too easy to make house completely Cohens proof. However, the lock on the pantry at least makes it impossible to deviate at night, and usually during the day I'm fine.

Yeah, I read on the net about the medication that it takes about 2 weeks to kick in, and I've only been on them for 6 days so far. So lets wait and see. You're right, daisy, the choice on re-feed makes it easier to deviate. Mind you, I didn't need excuses to deviate before either

It amazes me how Cohens does address all aspect of life, such as why we eat, how we can better get to know your bodies, what we will regret if we give if, what food might be bad-ish, but for some reason doesn't show on the scales next morning (eg self-made muffins versus purchased ones). I don't think I aver thought about food, input, output etc as much as I have during the 3 months on Cohens. It's been a great journey, with ups and downs, and a lot I've learned. I love it!

Katrin

[anniem]

Hi I agree with every one i wish that i just kept going but once i reached down to 54 kg i thought oh a little of this wont hurt but it does and then it is hard to get right back on track. It is best to just get into it and get down do refeed keep going and finish. I am at the stage where i feel heavy at the moment and i find it hard just not to pop one little thing in my mouth without thinking.

I will weigh again sunday but i am not expecting it to go down i hope it does but we will see. But i agree start and get it done and then that is it and i agree with the get down to the weight that you are happy with before you start refeed.

Seeya

Annie

[kagiesen]

Yesterday I experienced again the "a little of this, a little of that won't hurt"! Today, weight up 400 gr to 58.1. Still no reason to go back two days in refeed, and I'm sure it will go down again. Just went for a nice run, and now am having yogurt and banana (yeah, new 'bad' fruit introduced). Got a function with finger food tonight, which is gonna be tricky. However, as of today I'm allowed to mix protein, and hence also don't need the 5 hours anymore, which does make things easier!

Still no 'new' protein or 'new' veg, but I find the serves are really quite big now. Will try chicken and prawns for lunch to mix the proteins.

My night eating seems worse than ever at the moment, or as bad as pre-Cohens, so I reckon that I will have to figure out what exactly it is that seems to make it worse, and then avoid that. I reckon it's having carbs and sugar, so if I can only learn to live on Cohens food just slightly bigger serves for most of the week, then I should be fine. The moment I have some mediocre carbs or sugar (ie Maltesers, as good as they taste) or a Danish or sausage roll, the moment I want MORE. So for tonight, I'll make myself a little pack of goodies that are 'healthy' or good quality, and stick to that.

Gonna be tough, keep my fingers crossed that I'll be fine!

Katrin

[kagiesen]

After going up another 400 gr to 58.4 yesterday, a sudden drop for today down to 57.6. Good. I was at the Xmas function from work on Thursday, and had a few things not on the allowed list, some sort of allowed but not weighed, no alcohol, so felt not too much blown out. Still the 58.5, I was short of having to repeat two days. Yesterday was a solid Cohens lunch (with 1q20 gr more protein it actually does get quite a lot), then a not so solid fruit mince pie (I was allowed 3 slices of bread, had only one, and 4 fruit, had only 2, so kind of makes up the fruit mince pie ), and a lovely dinner at a Japanese restaurant with raw fish, Japanese omelet (allowed as allowed to mix proteins, yeah!), tiny bit of rice.

Also, for the last two days I have been taking the medication from the US which finally arrived. It escapes me what the difference is between 5-Hydroxy L-Tryptophan (US) and 5-Hydrory Tryptophan (Oz: has other stuff added, too), but whatever it is, the US stuff has worked well the last two nights since I started on it, I have not eaten at all and also didn't have the munchies. Good, so far.

Today I can be good, as no function, just going to friend's place for dinner, but will take my own. So day 10 of refeed brings even more veg, good, otherwise same as day 9, so mixed proteins, lots of them but just old ones, loads of veg (old), one good and one bad fruit. Tomorrow interesting cos allowed to introduce 50 ml milk (dunno whether I'll do that) AND new protein, so need to rethink things, actually, writing this, I need to go and get some lamb or so cos just got old proteins here.

Cheers

Katrin

[Debs]

Oooh yum... lamb...

You can probably make a version of Souvlaki .

mmmmmm yummy garlicy goodness

Just need lamb, loads of garlic and yoghurt...

Fantastic drop overnight K...which I'm happy for you about...( even if you did fail to mention the amazing company you were in )

Debs

[kagiesen]

58.4, nothing to say, still continue re-feed as not more than 1 kilo up. Big deviation yesterday all during day; fruit mince pie, 1.5 chocolate muffins, 4 biscuits, so no surprise.

Will stay clear of carbs today, introduce all the other stuff, bit difficult as tonight a wedding dinner....

K

[pandora]

Hi Katrin

Sounds as tho we are both having a similar refeed experience with a bit of deviation nation goin on! And you have a wedding today, i agree stay clear of the carbs and head for the proteins. Make the best of it, enjoy the day "your way" and i am sure you will be lucky enough not to have to join me in the naughty corner as i am now going back two days (reminds me of monopoly when you get sent to jail! hehe). Have fun and do it in style girl! Pandora

[pandora]

Missing in action for 2 days, not like you Katrin!! Are you well? How are yr last few days of refeed going? P

[kagiesen]

Hi Pandora

thanks for dropping in. Can't access my email at the moment so can't send a PM.

Nothing to report, still 58.4 after I've survived all the Xmas functions til the 24th, thank god. That gives me time to concentrate on finishing re-feed.

I have deviated both on Saturday and Sunday at functions, and put on some weight (up to 58. so should have gone back 2 days, but I know it's not the amounts on refeed that make me put on weight. Yesterday had a day where I ate ALL the stuff on the list incl 4 fruit and mixed proteins and 3 slices of bread (just no milk) and plop, lost 400 gr over night. So I reckon with this last few days of refeed if I don't deviate and stuff myself with all the refeed goodies, I will be fine.

The result were released to students over the weekend, and so they are queuing in front of my door to see the exams, sob.... "I really don't understand why I didn't pass the unit!" Yeah, maybe cos you never turned up and didn't listen.

Anyway, I kind of have grown to like re-feed and am glad I went on it. It shows me that I have good control over my body. I can now see immediate consequences, be it: eat 1.5 chocolate muffins and a fruit mince pie and weight will go up between 200 and 800 grams, or stick to re-feed completely, no extra carbs or chocolate, and weight will drop back again. Kind of what re-feed is all about. The serves are getting huge, I still only have the yogurt with fruit for breaky, and am enjoying a fullish feeling.

However, I will as of 26 go back on program until I crack 56 and if need be re-do re-feed. I want the 56 so badly. I will also then continue to exercise, though, as my body is used to that now. Light exercise, mind you, 30 mins runs three times a week, the odd situp or pushup when I think of it.

How are you, my friend? I'll go and check you diary now.

Cheers

Katrin

[Debs]

Honesty between friends


So Katrin comes over for lunch and a catch up.. and once again I have to fight the kids for her attention...If she get's any more popular with my children and family I will have to insist she brings a body guard the next time she comes over!!!

We have a look at the forum online together....

D: Hey Katrin, what do you think of my new photo?

K: I liked the other one one better.

D: Yeah, well I don't like your photo either

K: Why not? What's wrong with my photo?

D: It's boring (I may have said it was too German *LOL*)...Why don't you take a nice photo and put it up?

K: Well why don't you take one now and put it up?

D: Because you're wearing my 5 year old daughters head band!

Katrin reaches up and pulls it out and then proceeds to mess up her mousey brown short hair.

D: Well I'm not taking one now, your hairs all messed up!!



Wonderful spending time with you K ...

[pandora]

Hi Katrin

Sounds like we are having a similar experience with refeed. I also shld have gone back 2 days as gained just over 1kg, but nah, i thought, maybe if it happens again. It must have been me upping my fruit and crackers to original program allowance overnight (3 fruits + 6 crackers) and adding the refeed on top of that! I was right, scales went back down and i am on day 8 tomorrow!

When you say you may go back to weight loss plan if need be on 26th, is that when you finish refeed? I finish on Sat 29th and i agree with you, i plan to go back to Plan A until i balance out at 49/50kg. I have seen 49-50kg one or two days but it cld have been a fluke! I also agree that now doing refeed PROPER as in adding in all the extras, gives us a chance to feel more confident that we can maintain especially when we stick to mostly Cohen friendly foods and guidelines.

Did you read an entry in Tuberose's refeed diary from Kristine re insulin response etc. Very well written and a realisation i had come to myself when on the weekend i had my hand in and out of a bowl of nuts then a bowl of crisps. In particular the crisps, best avoided totally as i couldnt believe how easy it was to just think, oh well, a few wont matter! But, as you know, this is what refeed is ALL about, learning new management skills, its not about being PERFECT, it is about behaviour modification and noticing what works and what doesnt! I now sound all serious and boring and like some kind of psycho babbler!

Sounds like you had fun Debs again today! Hmm, not fair! Re photos, i agree with both of you a bit, Debs first, did prefer her previous pic as it was cheekier but i do like the new one and it gives us all a change in case we get bored! And i do agree with Debs cos i have seen that group photo you were in with Perth girls, quite different. In yr signature pic, you look very intimidating, a force to be reckoned with! I am sure you cld ruffle yr hair up a bit, don some skin tight jeans and a warm fuzzy cuddly top and give us that for a pic to brighten up our days! Ha ha, how does that sound? Or even a bikin shot will do! Anyway, have fun with it all, gotta go, life is soooo busy this week dont ya think! I am out all day again tomorrow! Phew! I love January! Pandora

[kagiesen]

Ok ok, I'll change the pic. Might get the husband to do a few shot tomorrow. Dunno if computer savy enough to put it up, but will try.

K

[hexi2]

Yeh - common show us HOW HOT YOU REALLY ARE!!!

[kagiesen]

57.3, I live these drops of over a kilo. Day 14 of re-feed, 3 more days to go, I don't expect any glitches, so Saturday will be my last day, then 3 days of Xmas, and then if am not 56 (which I will not be after Xmas) back to Cohens original for the last few kilos.

Re-feed is quite exciting, as you really eat a lot of food! I don't think I'll have a problem maintaining that. Got my maintenance guidelines yesterday as well, and a nice Xmas menu suggestion.

Gotta go, so very brief!

Katrin

PS: photo will be changed, just waiting for hubby to take the bikini shot or maybe I will wear a little more than that!