Advice anyone?

[Two Princesses]

Hi everyone!

I have been on the Cohen's diet now for 21 weeks and it has been pretty much all smooth sailing till 3 weeks ago. I was feeling great and then over the last 3 weeks my hair started falling out, the skin on my hands is cracked and peeling, I'm hungry (not all the time), I am dizzy and lightheaded, I am moody and irritable, my BM's have stopped (now only weekly WITH the help of laxatives!!), my TOM has gone, my weight loss has slowed down, I am exhausted and to top it all off can't sleep!!

I spoke to my consultant who made some suggestions which I have tried but they don't seem to be helping. These included: Increased water, swapping meal order, increasing my vitamins, cutting out/down tofu and cheese and taking some gentle walks. Do any of you knowledgeable people have any other ideas/suggestions? I really am struggling but am desperate to get to goal and finish what I have started!!

Thanks for any replies
xx

[Shanara]

HI two Princesses,

This may not be what you want to hear but i am wondering if it is your body telling you that it is time for refeed. I had things change after almost eight months on the programme when I was 10 kgs out from goal.

I went onto refeed and lost another 5 kgs. The weight loss started again from the day I started refeed. Sometimes our body actually knows what it wants to do and it doesn't always agree with what our head is saying.

Shanara

[lessfatty]

Are you having enough Omega-3 oils? (Flax seed oil or Fish oils supplements)
Goggle them and see if that makes sense to you? Particular hair falling out and skin being dry.

[Two Princesses]

Thank you so much for your replies Shanara and lessfatty.

The idea of starting refeed early has also entered my mind but I am still a long way from goal. My body DEFINATELY still has AT LEAST 7-10kgs to go and I am still in size 14-16 clothes!!

I am currently taking flax seed oil capsules but maybe I will increase the dose?

I actually slept well for 6 straight hours last night and feel slightly better for it. I think I will just have to tough it out till the end. If my symptoms worsen, or if I am tempted to deviate, I will again contact my consultant. I think typing out on here how I was feeling also helped a little.

Thank you again
xx

[Faithy]

If you can still see fat on your body then you aren't ready for refeed, that's for sure.. & by the sounds a size 14, you do sound like you might have another couple of sizes to go??

I know for me towards the end, around where you are at.. I had a week or 2 of similar symptoms.. I just tried to get more rest.. it certainly does help recharge the batteries & does help promote weight loss..

How much water are you drinking? You may be having too much or possibly not enough? Also, for me I cut out salt from my diet completely, but towards the end I had to add a little as I was feeling faint.. it helped a lot.

Definitely take fish oil tablets.. I unfortunately lost quite a bit of hair, but my skin was great.. maybe try talking Blackmores nail, skin & hair tablets..

I dont know about you but for me swapping meals didn't really help.. but if you feel better having your bigger meal earlier in the day then go for it.
If the faintness still continues do check with your consultant, there are another couple of things you can do which might help but they are kind of a last resort type thing.

[Two Princesses]

Thank you Faithy for the advice!
Yes I agree that I definately have more weight to lose!! I still have a lot of fat around my tummy and waist. It's good to know that others have felt this way too. I am going to try and rest more, although not always easy with 2 toddlers running around!! I might also try some fish oil capsules instead of the flax seed oil.
Thanks so much
xx

[firefox]

Two toddlers running around is REALLY a lot of work! No wonder you feel frazzled! Don't feel guilty about using the TV once in a while to give you some rest. Let Uncle Disney take over for an hour!

[Tantravaya]

Toxic chemicals that we might have been exposed to and not been able to metabolise accumulate in our body fat. As we lose fat, these toxins are released into the bloodstream again as our body will try again to eliminate them. This can lead to all sorts of uncomfortable symptoms including those you mention (the cracked hands was a giveaway for me).

Organochlorines are hormone disruptors and can affect your body cycles and especially love fat. Have a close look at the chemicals that you use every day and eliminate any chlorines, ammonias, pesticides, skin, makeup and hair products that contain toxic chemicals. Many products typically contain toxic ingredients. This includes carpet cleaners, room deodorizers, laundry softeners, laundry detergents, dryer sheets, mold and mildew cleaners, mothballs, and spot removers. Hobby products, glues etc also have risks.

The best solution is to avoid contact in the first place. Some people find chamomile tea helpful in dealing with symptoms of toxic overload. Others find that supplementing with atomic iodine helps (toxic levels of fluoride take up iodine receptors and affect the immune system).

Less known yet a better alternative to fish oil is emu oil capsules. There is less liklihood of toxic metals in emu oil whilst being superior in the good EFAs. Taking the animal oil capsules (fish or emu) also helps with the elimination of toxins since most toxic chemicals bind to fat.

[chatnoir]

Hi All

I'm brand new today and just starting out by replying to Two Princesses by saying what might seem really obvious but something is wrong and i hope you have sought your own GP's advice! That set of symptoms sounds quite worrying and another opinion would be a comfort if nothing else. Hope to be around a good while on my own journey!

[Two Princesses]

Thanks so much Firefox and Tantravaya for your replies.

Firefox, yes I think I do need to make better use of Disney and Nick Jr channels this week!!

Tantravaya thank you for such detailed and interesting info. This could well be why I am feeling the way I am at the moment! I am DEFINATELY going to buy fish oil capsules today.
I love cham tea and haven't had any for ages so will also get back to drinking this each day.
I hadn't thought about all the chemicals I am exposed to every day. I have been meaning to explore other more natural ingredients/products (like vinegar and bi carb soda) to clean my house. I think I have some homework to do this weekend!! Thanks heaps!

Chatnoir, welcome and thanks for your concern! I do not feel my best at the moment but from what I have read on the forum here and from being in contact with my consultant at Cohens, these can be some of the many symptoms arise from undertaking such a drastic diet, which I have now been on for almost 22 weeks!! Believe me, up until 3 weeks ago, I was feeling AWESOME and with now 2 nights sleep under my belt, I am starting to feel slightly better. Thanks!!