Questions about how "the look" improves after refeed

[Kohinoor]

Hi all,

As Cohens people approach their goals, they get into "that last 10Kg" where (I think I've read somewhere) the face seems to take on a slightly gaunt look (perhaps having those "nearest and dearest" to clamour with the "Stop now" comments).

Right now, there are MANY on here who are closing in on that last 10Kgs, and may be concerned about this. I think I've heard that the face fills out again quite quickly, and returns to that glowing, healthy look that all would want.

But the truth about this needs to be "out there" - and that's not me, so .....

Would those who have graduated please add some thoughts re how "things come right" as refeed kicks in.

Did you get that "gaunt look" when reaching goal? How quickly did it come right once on refeed - or was it after completion of refeed?

Were there other areas where you just had to get to goal "on faith", knowing it would all be right after? (e.g. the "hair loss" thing ...)

Thanks in advance,

Koh

[meagain]

Koh,

At about 3-4 kilos from my top goal (68 -69kgs), I started to look gaunt and have big black circles under my eyes, and my skin looked shocking. (I was asked several times if it was me and not my sister who had cancer. Others asked if everything was alright.) I was questioning going to my goal weight of 65, let alone the bottom goal weight of 62kgs. I was also unable to concentrate and everyone (including my husband) was commenting on the gauntness. Also, my hair had started to thin out from the rapid weight loss.

I entered refeed at goal, worked through refeed and have ended up at my lower goal range. (62kgs)

During refeed, my face 'filled out', even though I still lost weight during the refeed. (Interestingly, some of the same people who made gaunt comments a week or two earlier now begain to commment how great I looked.) Now, six months down the track, my skin and nails are healthier, my hair has started to regain its volume, I look healthy and radiant (From what others have told me). The maintenance guidelines keep you looking like that, and set you up to look great.

I am glad I didn't stop at 68 or 69 kilos. I would encourage everyone to go to their goal range, not a range of their choice, go through refeed and stick to the maintenance guidelines.

I went on faith, I just figured you don't have post doctoral work on weight loss, work in hte medical profession etc to put so may thousands of people at risk. I am glad I put my faith in the good doctor.


Just my fice cents worth, for what they're worth.

[kagiesen]

I had the same experience.

When I had finished re-feed at about 3 to 4 kilos below lower Cohens range, my face looked gaunt. Now, about 3 months after re-feed, I still weight the same, but my face seems to have filled out or in. Looks kind of chiseled, I reckon, so am very happy with the new me. Now my new very short hair cut looks great and feminine.

Katrin

[Kohinoor]

Could be this thread is worth a "bump" - we have MANY more who have graduated since this was posted. It would be interesting to read other comments from graduates, to help those coming behind....

Koh

[Annabelle Joy]

I didn't look gaunt at all. I did have bad backaches that disappeared when I got back to a normal diet. Since refeed I have had continual problems with my fingernails breaking. I'm wondering if the problem actually is related to the end of the diet and it's only as the fingernails grow out that I'm seeing it.

AJ

[hexi2]

Yes I had a look at some photos of me just before I hit refeed and was looking gaunt however about a month later when I weighted less (but had done the refeed) my face had filled out a bit....so the gauntness disapears

[sundaymorningstaple]

Take it all on faith. Most everybody who has successfully completed this program looked like warmed over death just prior to starting refeed. I don't reckon that the gauntness leaves until about 2 or 3 weeks post refeed but sign of the face filling back in does start to show around the middle to end of refeed. It's because the diet burns off the fat regardless of where it's located. Once we start putting more food into our diet to stabilize the loss the parts that normally will flesh out start first.

But remember, if you have always been heavy you will probably look like a different person forever as long as you follow maintenance and keep the weight off. What you see is the real you that has always been there but hidden behind the fat suit. This is what is always shocking to others, especially those who haven't seen you for a while or have never seen you "normal". They just didn't know what to expect and seeing a "NEW YOU" has derailed their mental picture permanently. Rejoice in it I say!

sms

[Kristine..]

Hi Koh

In 2006 when I had lost 25 kilos in 20 weeks, by refeed I was looking transparent.

For my age, my neck is one of my good features, and I noticed that I had a slight (vertical) stringy look to my neck, and the soft skin areas inside the arms looked empty, and the inner thighs looked stringy.

By about six weeks after completion, the neck areas didn't look quite as empty, but washing my face in the morning, I just delighted in feeling the bones under my skin. For the first time in my life, I had cheek bones!

After about six months - one year, the crepiness under the arms, and the stringy thighs, had smoothed over. Mind you, 'sitting on the bones of your bum' took on a new meaning, I never had a large btm and after Cohen's I had none! Even size 10 trousers had a 'seat' in them, no perky little derriere for me! I could even feel the springs in my car seat, and sitting on hard benches is not comfortable at all.

Now, having dropped 10 kilos in less than 8 weeks, I notice that my neck is doing the transparent thing again, but my face is certainly not gaunt. The arms are OK but the thighs are a bit empty looking.

I am not a gym person, never have been. Not interested in 'exercise' just for the sake of it. The arms, legs etc will form their own shape in due course, as they did before.

So we may finish the program somewhat resembling a cadaver, but in very short order we blossom and become ourselves. I now wear my hair up a lot more as my face and head shape are different than previously - I even had to have my spectacles adjusted due to fat loss from my head.

It's all good, and after a while we realise that the person in the mirror or shop windows is actually us. A thin face for a few weeks is a small inconvenience which soon passes

Cheers
Kristine

[fornight]

[Kohinoor]

Hi Fornight,

Thanks for the "bump" (and for seeking it out) - one to keep "upfront" methinks

Koh

[battler]

interesting comments for me as i get closer to refeed. People are starting to say I am looking too skinny and "don't go any further" This site has encouraged me to not be influenced by what "they" say. They don't know what they are talking about because they don't understand the program. I had a chuckle about people not recognising us without our "fat suit" on and was encouraged that this is really the REAL me..........the HEALTHY me! Thanks for creating this string, it has helped me a lot with my thoughts of whether to go for refeed at the top or bottom of Dr. Cohens scale for me.

[jlou]

Hmm... I am about 8kgs off goal now and no gaunt face for me yet - and I will be pleasantly surprised if it happens - I've always had a round 'chubby' face even when I was a skinny minny after glandular fever. Sure would be nice to gain some cheekbones out of this!!

[Deelight]

This is a great thread. I am consistently getting comments like "are you well?" almost then giving them permission to comment and say - "Oh you are looking great!"

Then others are saying - in most definite terms - You certainly dont want to lose too much more. I feel I am looking a bit gaunt. I especially appreciated Kristines post about the stringy neck and thighs and arms looking empty. Only my neck is not just slightly stringy - yikes, it is gross but I would rather be stringy and healthy than dead and overweight like I was. Ha - seems like it will iron out in a month or two after refeed and into maintenance. Yippee!! Thanks for the insights. Narelle

[Ladybird]

Great thread and very helpful. I'm glad it's winter and I can cover the "empty bits" up with warm clothes.

[jlou]

Face still chubby here.... I see for some it hits closer to goal.... Willtake a lot for these chubby cheeks to look gaunt ....

[mcpsych]

awwwww, why would you want to lose those cute little pinchable chubby cheeks (hehe)

[WSM]

Depends which 'cheeks' she's talking about Mark!!!

[Mum Chum]

bump
Needed to read this right now - and I'm sure I'm not alone.

[aussueeater]

Hah......" Both sets of cheeks" still chubby here......., guess I'll have to wait until the last 5kg. The last 10kg has me nervous& excited at the same time....

[goodlucktummy]

it's good to know that the arm 'crepiness' goes away... been seriously considering surgical fixes but i guess i'll put that on hold... and perhaps i'll work some of it off at the gym once i hit maintenance!

(BUMP!)