Jen's refeed diary

[Mette]

I don't think you have anything to worry about Jen. Dr C knows what he's doing, and the balance he creates through the refeed is pretty darn impressive!
Sounds like you will be very successful in maintenance! You have your head in the right space, that's for sure! You're a winner!

[princess_sunbeam]

DAY 11
DISASTER ON THE SCALES!

Got on the scales this morning and was up nearly 1kg on yesterday. I feel like I am about to embark on a game of Snakes & Ladders! I have gone back to day 8 today, to try to sort this out. I have eradicated bread in favour of crackers for the time being.

Had my BIA test done today. This is a "Bio Impedence Analysis" for an explanation, see this excerpt, found on the net:
Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA)
Biompedance Analysis is a scientifically validated test which assists Lifestyle consultants to design a program to enhance your health, vitality and longevity. The Practioner connects leads to your hands and feet and passes a low voltage electrical current through your body. Data from this test include the mass and quality of muscle, fat mass, hydration levels and a Biomarker index which indicates the age of your cells in comparison with your chronilogical age.

The results I was given was as follows:
My biomarker index was 46.1 (I am 43 yrs old)
My ideal weight is 61.8kgs ( I knew it would be higher than 58!)
I have 5.1kgs of fat to lose
I have 1.4kgs of lean muscle mass to build
My cellular health is CRAP- running at 73% (SHOULD BE 100%) with 44.78% of the water being inside my cells (should be at least 60%) and 55.22% being outside the cells (fluid retention)
My thyroid is not functioning properly.
My metabolism is therefore not functioning as it should be.

The Doctor knows the Cohens program well and says that it is fantastic, but with my "lack of cellular health" I am destined to regain the weight I have lost unless I address this issue. He said that my decision to end my program early, work on building muscle mass, then reassess future weight loss is a very wise choice. He believes that my body is highly toxic- but this is NOT due to the Cohens program, it is due to what I have done to my body prior to Cohens and my thyroid.

Recommendations: He has put me on a couple of suppliments and is going to run some thyroid tests. He has told me NOT to eat bread, or the "bad fruits" Only eat fruit AFTER a protein meal, eat protein as snacks (starting to sound familiar???) Increase my consumption of fish and turkey and stay on a gluten free diet.

I am going to have some blood tests then see him again in a week's time. He has told me to go ahead and finish my refeed, incorporating the guidelines above.

For those of you, like me, who are nervous about regaining weight AFTER finishing refeed, this is money well spent. I think today will cost me about $250 all up (havent got the bill yet) + suppliments, but to me, it is worth it, rather than to risk losing too much more weight and not being healthy, or the risk of regaining weight.

The good news was that, he believes by correcting my cellular health and starting some resistance (weight) training, that nearly ALL my loose skin will retract- I am young enough! That made me feel better, as I really dont want to go have surgery, but even more, dont want all this loose skin to stay forever! He recommends FISH OIL- as the best way to assist in fixing the loose skin, along with weight training.

If you want any further details of this clinic and you are in South East Qld, please PM me.

I will keep you all posted.

[maria1969yellow]

Jen this test is so interesting and sounds like even though you have had some confirmation of things r.e your health that its no suprise.. Hope you only see atleast now you know what needs to be improved (sure thats why you have done it.)

Im definately intested keep us posted. I want to do this so much myself so will look into it when I get a chance...

Thinking of you...

Maria

[thenewvee]

Sounds like having a BIA test done is well worth it.
Sorry to hear about the kg gain. Your body must have had a serious reaction to something to make it hold on to so much fluid. I trust you can figure it out.

You are so close to the end now. Keep hanging in there to finish up and start the maintenance journey!!

Vee

[Mette]

Sounds like it was a good idea to get those tests done, Jen! And those guidelines that he gave you sound VERY familiar! Was it expensive to have the BIA done?
I'm sorry you experienced the increase in weight. It sounds like the cellular problems that you have could be the main cause behind the increase. I'm sure it will be gone soon though.
Stay strong and keep smiling pretty lady!

[princess_sunbeam]

So instead of doing DAY 11 I went back 2 days and did DAY 8 again so:

DAY 8 Weds
Did DAY 8 over again

DAY 9 Thurs
Got on the scales and was down .6kg PHEW!!!! Had an easy day, stuck with the guidelines and all was good.

Looking forward to today being day 10!

[princess_sunbeam]

Well my refeed journey was completed before Easter- Phew! I discovered that my body doesnt have a good tolerance to breead of any type-I feel bloated and nauseous when I eat it- plus it just doesnt taste the same anymore- it is a stodgy mess! I have tried burgen, low GI breads etc, but in the end I have eradicated bread from my diet, except for maybe the odd piece of toast with a poached egg on it. Milk makes me squeemish too, as does my formerly revered morning coffee, so I guess it is going to be baby steps to reintroduce anything like that!

I am happily maintaining between 67-68kgs. I went up to 68.6 with the whole "3 breads" thing. I am now- along with my usual vitamins, taking suppliments to correct my low functioning thyroid issue. My ceiling will be 69kgs. I never want to see anything over that ever again.

My plan for now is to continue maintaining, if anything comes off- great, if not, that is fine too. My doctor has told me that it will take approx 3 months for my thyroid to get back to proper function, then I will tackle the last few kilos I have to go. His recommendation of 61.8kgs is my next goal, but if I get there and find that I could go lower, then I will.

I am now wearing size 10-12 or small in everything, and my skin is finally starting to shrink. When I got to refeed, I was in a sad state mentally, as "getting there" didnt feel like I expected it to. I sort of felt like a shar-pay (dunno how to spell it) dog- with all the extra loose skin. I dont look like what I pictured I was going to look like. So I am working on my mind by being kinder to myself and following through this BIA stuff to get my thyroid function/cellular health sorted, before making any further judgements, and I have started to exercise.

I thank the wonderful ladies at the Brisbane clinic and all of you wonderful people who have been so supportive of me whilst on my journey. Having the support, guidance and understanding of others who are on the same path makes it much easier to reach the destination. I plan on sticking around and hopefully supporting others who are on their own journey's.

[Mette]

Yay!! Another Cohens graduate!!



Congratulations, Jenny! You've done so well! Stand proud!

[Gorgeous one]

Hey Jen,


Congrats on finishing up refeed and maintaining so well. Boy that has gone by fast.

Damn that blasted thyroid. Here's hoping it straightens out for you sooner than later.

Notice you have put out a notice for another get together again. I'll be in for that as long as I'm not in surgery or recovering. Don't know when yet so organise with everybody else and hopefully I'll be able to make it. Only suggestion I have is depending on numbers finding a place where we can mix a bit better than at a long table like last time. Was good but limited to hearing what the other people were saying.

Anyway you are doing a great job you sexy thing.

Michele