Panda's Diary

[bells25]

Hi Panda,

Glad you are keen for a catch up!!!! Look at your amazing weight loss!!! FANTASTIC!!

I can do Sat or Sun from mid August for a catch up!!! Sorry, first 2 weekends are booked!!

Can't wait to meet you!!!

Bells xx

[mumandnana]

Hi Panda, are you still sick? I am missing you.

[Panda]

Hi Bells, M&N and Kenga. Thanks for visiting. I've been away school holidaying in the countryside. Feeling very relaxed, forgotten where my massive list of to-do's is and decided I can face it all on Monday!

I'm struggling a bit, and I've only caught up on a couple of threads and gather others are too. Maybe it's that "settled into the plan, now gotta do the work" syndrome that Winghama mentioned elsewhere. I just seem to need energy and I'm wiping out my fruit earlier in the day than I would like, then struggling around 4 or 5 pm and eating lots of chewing gum (like a mad woman really - not pretty), then getting a very sore tummy and well, er, wind. Not nice and as I write this I realise how ridiculous it is.

I'll need to start a thread called "gum chewers anonymous" for other psychologically warped addicts like me.

On a much brighter note, up till now I have been working back through the sizes in my wardrobe and haven't had to buy any clothes! Another 3 or 4 kilos and I'll be back to my wedding weight of 16 years ago, and I'm venturing another 10 kgs beyond that.

BUT THIS Morning - I had to wash my jeans I've been living in. The alternative black pants are falling off me, so I bravely dove into the skinny section of my wardrobe. The "ever so expensive and gorgeous" designer jeans I bought about 6 or 7 years ago (still with tag) nearly fit.... Just a couple of kgs to go. But all the other skinny pants fit, and frankly are a bit too big.

So I've now entered new territory and a weight that I've really not been at as an adult.... and new clothes. That's quite a feeling. LIke I've noted in Kenga's diary - the brain will need to adjust and maybe that's what is sabotaging me at the moment. That barrier of "I'm quite comfortable at this weight". But of course I will follow instructions and march towards my Cohen set goal and follow the Cohen expertise. I realise just how important refeed will be in resetting the body to stop fat burning and to maintain that weight and I think that will be a challenge.

[Mum Chum]

That barrier of "I'm quite comfortable at this weight".

Phew! how many times have I thought that. Must be the day for cleaning wardrobes as I've also been doing it. Found a few things that I've really missed the boat on - much too big to wear. Whoops. Also had the heater on in the bedroom - which we rarely do but figured if I was getting in & out of clothes I may as well be comfortable - and decided I still have some fat deposits that need moving. Did me good to actually look & see - temptation to stop has now been averted for a bit longer. (not that I was going to but when people start asking I have an answer).

[mumandnana]

Wow Panda ! Good on you for many things. Realizing you must finish this, determining to do so,for all the weight gone so far,and fitting into new territory sizes. You and Mum Chum are sitting on the same amount to go right now and it is so close to the last 10 kgs ! I am feeling really excited for you both and tremendously proud ( as if I had anything to do with it ! except cheer you on ) Go wee champion.XXXXX

[winghama]

Well done Panda, enjoy those adventures into sizes previously unworn! Keep up the great work and run the race til the end.

Andrea

[Panda]

I am struggling big time. Don't know if it's the cold or something psychological, but I've blown it this week. Eating way too much fruit and chewing gum, and my weight of course hasn't shifted.

I'm not sure what to do. I am hungry all the time. I think part of it might be weighing too much because I'm part of two weekly weigh in groups. So it's on my mind and if I don't see a loss it affects me. So my positive plan of action is to cut out fruit and gum altogether for the next couple of days and eat the protein heavy choices at each meal. If I get the carbs right down for a couple of days I might get back into the zone and feel a bit better.

[winghama]

Hi Panda,
If you have been eating more fruit and gum than you should that could account for you being hungry. It sounds like you are getting too much sugar, natural and artificial and I was told that would make you more hungry. Stopping both the fruit and the gum at once may or may not help - I dont know. It may take a couple of days for your body to adjust again, which could mean the 'hungries' as well. I think I would still have the carbs though, might be too much of a shock for the body if you limit those as well. Try and up your water too.

I know what you mean about the scales, I knew before I started Cohens that I could not afford to weigh myself at home, I had to go to the clinic and only once a fortnight. Too much past experience of bad result days!

You have come so far, and done so well, so I hope you get back into the zone soon.

Andrea

[Panda]

Hi Andrea and thanks - I think you are right. I'm fine this morning and will get back on track. I will leave my fruit until later in the day and be very strict about amounts. I know it's the sugar that triggers more cravings but I also am learning a lot from this eating plan about how it acts on my body and when the cravings kick in, and I think it's got a lot to do with digestion. The further away from BM land, the greater the craving for fruit, I'm driven to eat more of it, it helps digestion and then I'm back in the zone.

So now I've recognised this hopefully I can stop myself or take a laxative if it's very bad. I've got my head straight to get into this next 6 kgs to get to the next goal.

I'm drinking lots and lots of water so that's not the issue. Also the universe is giving me a couple of signs - I keep dropping and smashing my paprika. It's happened about 5 times in 5 months. I'm going to take that as a sign that maybe it's a trigger for me and not buy another one for a while.

On a happy note, the measurements on Cohen's sheet now up to 103 cms which I am super happy about.

[forfreddie]

Great to hear you're back in the swing of things. Its just a question of one day at a time isn't it?

Sometimes, when I feel a bit overwhelmed with the programme/life in general/how am I ever going to maintain... I just focus on what I can cope with, which is usually just the rest of that day! And then I do the same the next day, and the next and bob's your uncle!

Spooky about the Paprika!! Whats that about. You've really gotta love chilli if you're considering giving it up.

ff

[Panda]

This is absolutely not working for me right now. I need to contact the clinic and find out what the options are. No loss, hunger pangs, cravings. I'm tempted to drop all the extras but don't think there is enough protein in the meals to carry me from one to the next. I really feel as if I've stalled and I might be best to wind this up and come back to do the last leg a little later.

[mumandnana]

I posted this in my diary Panda but I wanted to put here for you as well in case you miss it over in mine. Quote "Hi dear Panda, thank you for your kind comments in my diary.The hunger is making it's presence felt but still fine.My heart has gone out to you in the struggle you are having at the moment.I don't know what to say but I do send huge hugs your way.Just wish I could deliver them to you in person and somehow ease the problem for you.What I can say is look at the huge amount you HAVE lost ! and just over 11 to go is amazing.I had two sticky points on the way down,one was an old goal and Koh warned me that could be a little harder to shift ( not in those words but to that effect ) and he was so right and that last one has just passed and it was roughly 10 kgs after the first one.Now it might still be hard because I am nearly done and our bodies are in the business of protecting us so it might be reluctant to give up the smidgen of reserve? All we can do is keep plodding on and be vigilant at watching till we get the signal to stop. I was going to ask if you talked to your clinic but realized it is Saturday and you can't.Others say chromium helps with cravings and I cannot remember if you are taking them? XXXX I might post this bit in your diary as well so you know that we all care about your struggle and hopefully someone can come to your aid.

[Lisa Joy]

Hi Panda, I'm sorry to hear your having trouble at the moment. I think contacting you clinic is a great idea, they might be able to give you some options where to go from here or say something to help get you through this. I think its really wise getting some help now before weight comes back on. Your post on the 17-07-10 is filled with so much excitment about your jeans and wearing your skinny clothes in your wardrobe - it was great to read, maybe have a read through your diary and see how far you have come, it might just be the push you need to get you through this. Good luck with your consultant Panda,
Lisa

[forfreddie]

Hey Panda

What news from the clinic? Please please please don't put this on hold. You have done so amazingly well and I'm sure this is just a glitch in the matrix that you can get through.
Even if you just 'do your best' for a few days until youre in a better head space.
Its to easy to whizz down that slippery slide if you stop now.
Remember 'nearly there isn't really there'.

Keep us posted.

ff

[Panda]

Thanks so much FF Lisa JOy and M&N for popping in to visit. Clinic recommends refeed, but they seem to have a different goal weight to the one that was set for me. By my calculations I'm at least 12 kgs off top of goal weight, so way too early for that. I've replaced wheat crackers with rice crackers and that seems to help a bit and I haven't weighed yet this week so will see how it goes.

On the upside - had a batch of clothes TAKEN IN at the tailor - massive, massive seams up the sides of the pants. The whole lot cheaper than a couple of new pairs so that will keep me going till I hit goal weight.

Have a lovelyl day everyone. x

[Ladybird]

Hi there Panda
You will know when you look in the mirror, if you are ready for refeed. 11kg will dramatically change your shape and if you have fatty deposits left, you'll see them!!
I remember when M&N tried to speed up her loss by eliminating the extras. All she did in effect was slow the weight loss down as her body went into "starvation" mode. As soon as she added them in again her losses continued.

I totally agree with FF - nearly there isn't REALLY there. Hang in for as long as you can. Change focus, include some rewards (a long soak in bath, massage, time to do some quiet reading etc etc.)
Enjoy some ME quiet relaxing time to keep focused.

I hope the change in crackers works for you. Sometimes things just plateau and then take off again.
Kia Kaha (be strong)
LB x

[Panda]

Thanks so much Ladybird. No I don't feel ready for refeed atall as not in the safety zone of health statistic for waist measurement or bmi, so I would rather be well under 24 bmi and under 80cms waist.

I think wheat might be the problem that I've overlooked so fingers crossed.

I remember poor M&N struggling and starving. What a trooper and to be honest I'm too much of a wimp to cut the extras like she did.

Also I just read an interesting article about fructose consumption leading to insulin resistance and health problems, and how we are meant to consume 15g of fructose a day or less for optimum health. When I look at the content of a medium apple its 10, so having two apples a day gets my sugar quite high. Mango is even higher at 12, but fruits like melon and oranges much lower around 6 each per serve. So I will also cut one apple a day and replace it with a lower fructose fruit serve. All worth a try.

Thanks again.

[Panda]

Big day, new ticker. Revised goal from clinic, so now I am in the happy position of only having 7.5 kgs to go to goal. I am sure when I get there it will feel like the right weight for me.

[forfreddie]

Yay Panda! Automatic entry into the 10 kg club methinks!!!

Whats your target weight now?

Hang in there girl. We can do this!!

ff

[winghama]

Well done Panda on sticking with it and looking into all that could help with your continued weightloss. Not long to go now, keep up the great work.

Andrea