Can you start refeed before you reach goal weight?

[ozi]

Hi all,

I'm posting this on behalf of my mother. She started Cohen's about 32 weeks ago in February at 87kg. She dropped a lot of weight in the first couple of months, then her progress really slowed down and she was averaging a loss of about 0.5kg per week. Some weeks she wouldn't lose anything, even though her measurements were gradually reducing. She followed the program precisely and didn't deviate at all (maybe 2-3 accidental ones only).

About 2 weeks ago my mother went on a 1 week holiday to Noosa. She weighed in at 66.5kg before she left and came back 1kg heavier. There were obviously deviations, but she did try and stick to Cohen's friendly foods where she could (without weighing them). This holiday was booked months in advance and it was expected she would be finished the program by then. It has now been 1 week since she got back home and she has been following the program 100%, yet she didn't lose any weight this past week. I spoke to the consultant about this and she suggested we try and changer her meals around, eat different foods, cut out crisps and fruit if not feeling hungry, no coffee, etc… She said to try this for another 1-2 weeks and if she still doesn't loose any weight then it would be time for re-feed.

My mother's goal weight is 58-60kg. My mum is happy with her current weight and wouldn't want to go too much lower. We were originally aiming for 60-62kg.

Does the advice received from the consultant sound right? I'm a bit confused because about a month ago she told me it was too soon to be starting re-feed and back them my mum was about 67-68kg. If my mum does start re-feed now, will she gain weight during the re-feed? The consultant said she will need to be very careful to manage her weight once re-feed is complete. This sort of contradicts her being ready for re-feed, doesn't it?

Has anyone had a similar experience where the weight just wouldn't move, leading you to start re-feed early?

Any comments and advice would be appreciated.

Regards,
Ozi

[ozi]

*bump*

Anyone? please

[Lonniecee]

Changing food around has been known to kick things off again. Is Mum hungry at all? Hunger is supposed to be the timer that lets us know we are where we need to be. Perhaps another couple of weeks on the plan and a readjustment of meals may make the difference. I wouldn't drop the fruit or crackers as I would have thought that they would be providing essential nutrients to our diet and would only make her 'falsely' hungry by diminishing her already 'small' daily intake.

I know I probably haven't answered adequately but maybe food for thought. She has done so well.

Lauren

[ozi]

Hi Lauren,

Thank you for your reply. Regarding hunger, she only feels a little hungry in the evening when she gets home from work. During the day there is no hunger. What you say about the fruit makes sense as it provides essential vitamins and fibre. I'll get her to keep eating fruit.

We'll see how things go in the next week or two. Hopefully the weight starts coming off.

Regards,
Ozi

[minime]

i was told through out the program that you essentially can stop your program before getting to goal weight as long as you complete refeed. Refeed is the most important element to reintroduce richer and bigger quantities of food and to learn what amounts are right for your body. From there it is up to you to continue with the new habits you have learnt and to not revert back to old eating patterns.

For me, I have just started refeed 10kg out from my goal weight. My measure was the fact that I was getting increasingly hungry and would still feel hungry after I'd eaten. I do intend though to get to my goal weight as this is obviously the right weight that I should be. So considering I have started refeed - and 3 days in I am still getting loss on the scales - I intend to stabilise now for the rest of year and jump straight back into the program at the beginning of the new year to shed the extra 10 kilos.

Do whatever your mum is comfortable with. If she feels that she has done enough and is happy to stop now, then I say get her on refeed.

Cheers
MiniMe

[FatCat]

Now before you jump on there, I'm not planning on starting refeed now, nor am I planning not to get to goal, I'm just curious!!!

If someone's goal weight was 55kg for example, but they got to 65kg and thought they were happy there, could they do refeed?


60-63kg is my "goal" but previously 65kg was always where I imagined myself (I've been 60kg once upon a time and was VERY skinny). I know I'll get hungry yada yada when it's 'time' but I was just curious if Cohen's can produce a refeed plan for someone who hasn't reached goal, regardless of how close or how far they are from it?

[kagiesen]

I don't think it's ideal. The reason is that you should start re-feed once your body has reached its hormonal equilibrium, and that is indicated by you getting so hungry you could eat a horse. Before that, I don't think re-feed would be as effective as it can be.

Also, re staying above goal weight, I've just PMed you, so have a read of that...

Katrin

[Nel]

Hello FatCat

I started my refeed before I got to my goal weight as I started bruising easliy. The first bruise I got from a pencil falling off a bench and landing on my foot. From then on bruises were coming up everywhere. I went to my own doctor and had tests done but the bruising was unexplained. I then spoke with my consultant who contacted Dr Cohen and my refeed was organised. I am happy at this weight, size 10-12, depending on the clothes. The goal weight set for me was between 61-64kg.

[Daisy]

My consultant said you can stretch it to 5 kg above goal but that is usually it. I think you can sway them depending
on the consultant, the main things is to wait and reevaluate when you get closer.

Cheers
Daisy.

[cait]

re the bruising Nel mentioned...
that's fascinating!
i've been wondering when i suddenly got so clumsy?!
i don't remember bumping into lots of things lately...
(yeah, ok, i confess, i was just trying to trick you - i AM clumsy!!)
but seriously, i have bruises all over the place and i used to only bruise from a pretty heavy collision with a doorway or edge of a table or whatever...
what did Dr Cohen / the clinic have to say about the bruising?
is it a bad sign?
yours, in clumsiness, cait.

[Nel]

Hi Cait

I too was like you, only bruised when I bumped into something really hard. The fact that I bruised from a pencil falling onto my foot was a huge concern for me, (as well as other bruises appearing) hence the trip to the Doctor.

My consultant told me that Dr Cohen felt that my body was telling me that it had had enough, so the refeed was ordered.

BTW it had nothing to do with my age. I was only 37 years old, so still a spring chicken!

[kagiesen]

Guys, the bruising sounds to me like an iron deficiency. Recommended dose per day is at least 15 mg, the supplement multi mix only has 5, and I have taken an extra iron supplement ever since I started Cohens, and my bruising has become BETTER!

Katrin

[cait]

ahhhh, the guru from the west has spoken! thank you for helping us puzzle this one out, Katrin.
well, your idea is interesting...
i have been conisistently iron deficient for years, due to 20 years as a vegetarian mostly but perhaps also hereditary? don't know...
i took iron supplements as a vego but then was found to be anaemic 2 years ago, so had to start back on the meat.
(i only eat beef, and only if i can tell exactly what cut etc - i'm saying i don't eat an unidentifiable meat in a slimy sauce!)
so now i'm eating alot more meat on Cohens than i have been previously... and i still take a supplement...
and yet now is when i seem to getting lots of bruises.
do you think maybe it all adds up?
the low iron for years has counterbalanced the meat i'm eating now, because of the effect of Cohens??
or is that just clutching at straws?!

Nel - thanks for saying 37 is a spring chicken. 38 must be just a slightly tending-towards-summer-spring chicken then, huh!
also Nel, i may have missed it but what is your current weight - i notice your goal weight was 61 - 64kgs. size 10 - 12 would be a dream come true for me.

cheers all.

[Lonniecee]

I too noticed 'increased bruising'. My theory was that there was less padding and 'more' bone'.

Interesting note about the iron deficiency Katrin. The naturopath I recwently bought my multis off recommended a certain brand because they didn't put incompatible vits and minerals in such as iron and calcium (!). I should probably start back on my iron tabs as I've not taken them since May when my levels finally reached normal after 3 or so years.

Lauren

[bibabs]

Hi there, I think I agree with Lonniecee's theory.
With a substantial fat layer, you will not neccesarily see the the bruising that easily. Remember it is caused by bleeding under the skin. So obviously if the muscle tissue ( which has the major supply of blood vessels) is closer to the skin surface, firstly it will be easier to rupture a vein or artery and secondly much easier to see.
There are certain deficiencies that could cause it as well, but it seems seems odd that so many people who all have become skinnier are all bruising more. Dont believe you all suffer from the same deficiency, not witht he food that you can eat on COHEN..it is pretty well balanced.

[sassy123]

could u order refeed a few weeks early so i could have it and read through it heaps to make sure i knwo it 100% before i am ready to start.
i have read some people get a bit confused when they read it at the start.

[lucylou]

Hi Sassy

Both AJ and myself have ordered our refeeds even though we may not start refeed for a few weeks. It's good to have it in case the hunger hits but don't leave it too long because your blood test will be inacurate.

x

LL

[Faithy]

Originally Posted by sassy123

could u order refeed a few weeks early so i could have it and read through it heaps to make sure i knwo it 100% before i am ready to start.
i have read some people get a bit confused when they read it at the start.

Hey Sassy... it depends a lot on your clinic. A lot of clinics wont until you're about 2 or 3 kilos away from goal weight. It also depends a lot on where you're at in regards to when your next blood test is due.

Having a chat with your clinic should fill you in as to what they think, but I doubt with 8 kilos to go that they will do it just yet.

[Annabelle Joy]

Sassy, I was expecting it to be a lot more difficult than I found it. There's a lot to read, but having been reading refeed diaries all year I found that I understood it fairly well immediately.

AJ

[sassy123]

i do it online. i dont have had i am week 7 so i still have 5 weeks b4 another bloodtest and i am sure i will be ready for refeed b4 my next blood test anyways.