Tuti take two

[Tuti]

Nice surprise on the scales this morning. I went from 67.1kg to 66kgs overnight!

We had been away for four nights and I struggled to get a good nights sleep as the room was so hot.
Stuck to my meal plan but stayed on 67.1 for over a week.

Lack of sleep was one reason the other was I got a period after nearly 12 months without one. Thought I was over all that but with the weight loss and Cohens it is back again. Hopefully not for long. So I was obviously holding fluid. And last night I finally got a good nights sleep.

So 3kgs to my top goal weight of 63kg but I will see how I feel and if I feel I can go a bit lower towards 60kg I will.

cheers

[Tuti]

Down another 500gms this week. A total of 1.6kgs this week! The third biggest weekly drop I have had in the 13 weeks I have been doing Cohens. My current weight is 65.5kg....14kgs gone! Another half a kilo and I can order my refeed.

Must admit I am not feeling as energetic the last couple of weeks as I had been and even a little weak.

I won't be starting any exercise program now but am feeling keen to once I have finished.

Cheers

[mesmer_eyes]

Hi tuti! I had a read of your diary for some motivation and kudos on staying strong esp. that time when you were away for four nights. Those situations can be really tough. Keep it up!

[Kohinoor]

Hi Tuti,

Must admit I am not feeling as energetic the last couple of weeks as I had been and even a little weak.

If not some kind of sickness, this could be an early-warning of Refeed being near. Do order it as soon as you hit their guidelines (even if you think you might want to go lower in weight).

Refeed is a very important time - but it can also be a "skating on thin ice" time too. It doesn't hit everyone that way, but be ready for headwinds. And don't wait too long before starting Refeed. Be the "newest best friend" of your clinic and have them guide you through this.

In my recollection there can be many signs that you are "near" - watch out for all of them. Even though Asy said "You will have unimaginable hunger", not all of those I watched go through this had that hunger (especially if they had previously eaten just one meal a day). So, it is not the same for all.

But do tread cautiously as weakness is one of the signs, along with "scatter-brain syndrome", back pain, waking up super early, hunger (and also being hangry), and even a weight-loss pause (as the body waits for the famine to be over). Some even found themselves going full-bore BAKING for everyone else... (like, you can't have it, but you want them to be able to eat it???)

You've been through this before though, haven't you, Tuti? You will be more aware than I am.... Just don't be a hero and hang out too long - have it ordered and "ready to go" when your body says "Enough already!!"

Good luck,
Koh

[Tuti]

Thank you Mesmer_eyes.. Good luck with your journey

Koh I didn't have hunger last time. I just started refeed because I got close to the bottom of my goal weight.

I am still feeling weak and do have back pain. I am not necessarily over hungry.

My clinic said to order refeed when I got to 65kg so I have done that and should receive it Monday. I have a phone hook up with the clinic Wednesday and will be guided by them. I would still like to lose a couple of more kilos but won't be stupid about it if I am still feeling like this.

Cheers

[Kristine..]

Hey Tuti

Congratulations on ordering refeed, such a small word but such a milestone on this amazing journey!

Well done!!

After Cohen's 2017 I felt very weak. I put this down to a probable depletion of iron reserves and got a bottle of Clement's Iron Tonic https://www.fgb.com.au/product/clements-iron

You would think that after six months of daily multi-vitamins, probably half a kilo of red meat each week and spinach, fresh or frozen, as part of each day's vegetables, that iron may not have been a problem for me, but within a week and by the end of the bottle I felt significantly perkier overall.

The iron tonic certainly did me no harm and for this Program, I stocked up beforehand and include the daily 15ml dose in with the usual breakfast rattle of pills and supplements.

Interestingly, the 2017 program shredded my hair and fingernails, by about half way through I was taking the Blackmore's Skin, Hair & Nails tablets (which had been suggested by my Consultant at the original interview) but I reckon it took more than a year to recover from that period of silica depletion.

Even though we all have the same Shopping List, our personal eating preference holds sway, and this can provide it's own challenges when it comes to the end result.

Not trying to be the medical expert here, just sharing my own experiences of coming to the end of this long journey. Our wonderful, miraculous bodies work extremely hard over the Program and have used up more than fat stores along the way. We will adapt in time but simply eating more food may cause weight gain, yet not be enough to restore balance for us.

So if you are feeling tired or weak, sleeping but not waking refreshed, consider / discuss with your Consultant whether the body's stores of these important vitamins / minerals may be at a low point - she may have some handy hints to start the repletion process during refeed

Hope this helps
Kristine

[Tuti]

Hi Kristine. Your info does help a lot. I thought I might be low in iron too. I have taken a liquid iron supplement in the past and it has really helped. I think I will start taking it today and then I can report back to the clinic on Wednesday whether I feel better or not.

Last time I did Cohens I also struggled with hair loss and weak nails and took Blackmores Skin, Hair & Nails tablets for a long time afterwards. This time has been completely different. My hair is as healthy as it could be and I haven't had hair loss. My nails are also stronger than they have ever been.

As a kid I hated veggies and have had thin hair and nails for as long as I can remember. Over 12 months ago I started taking a supplement called Happy Hormones which has really turned my health around (along with losing weight on Cohens).
It is a natural supplement which helps balance the hormones and a lot of women have had amazing results and improvements in their health particular with peri-menopause and menopausal symptoms. (My 26yo daughter also takes it).
In the middle of last year I finally stopped getting acrylic nails after a few years. It has taken quite a few months for them to regain their strength and thickness but they are as strong as ever now. I cannot believe the difference. One of the reasons I started getting acrylic nails was because my nails were forever breaking.
I sent a list of the ingredients to Dr Cohen and was given the okay to continue to take the supplemement and see whether it would effect weight loss. I am not sure if it has or not but I am still losing around 1kg per week on average so I am happy with that.
If you are on facebook you could have a look at the feedback. One of the pages is called Happy Healthy You. It really is worth a look.
Cheers
Tuti

[Kristine..]

Hey Tuti

Thanks for the feedback regarding the iron tonic, I consider it quite the miracle tonic!

Do you know, I have painted my nails (almost) religiously every Sunday night since I can remember - maybe fourty years or more - but I have never once had a professional manicure!!!

In that time I have used all sorts of nail strengthening products, and I reckon the Max Factor Diamond Hard nail polish range was the best of them all, but I haven't seen that product in the stores for a few years now

I shall look into the Happy Hormones but I must admit that I feel very comfortable at the moment, I think having even a moderate amount of exercise commitment is beneficial, as otherwise I would literally never leave the house!

Good luck with the refeed. I was working during 2017 and found the best way to manage it was to focus on making all the changes with Meal 3 only, but to each their own

Lotsa love
Kristine

[Tuti]

Just a quick post to say I have been taking an iron supplement since Saturday and I am feeling much better now and my energy levels are back up. Thanks Kristine!

[Tuti]

I had my refeed consult with the clinic yesterday. As I am still not hungry she suggested cutting out one piece of fruit and maybe a crisp bread to help speed up weight loss. I have three pieces of fruit on my plan so gave up an apple and dropped 600gms overnight. I am now down to 63.9kgs.

We are going to see how I feel by next Wednesday before I start refeed. My goal weight range is 60-63kgs and I was hoping to get to around 60-61kg but not sure if I will. Like I said I am still not overly hungry but even with the iron supplement I did feel a little weak yesterday afternoon. Today I feel fine. It really is a balancing act.
She advised to have my refeed food ready incase I did experience extreme hunger so I am in the process of planning the first 5 days.
Still changing my meals around and have cut out the afternoon coffee. I did have an extra can of Spite zero yesterday as it was hot but didn't effect my weight loss. I don't have lemonade every day but on these hot days I get sick of water.
Hope everyone else is coping with our hot spell.

Cheers

[blondetastic]

Hey Tuti and Kristine thanks for posting about your experiences. Found the info really helpful as I've experienced similar issues. Am definitely going to give some other supplements a try and see if they help.

Sent from my SM-J250G using Tapatalk

[findingme]

Hi Tuti
It is great to have your refeed ready for when the true hunger strikes, well done!

Jen

[Tuti]

Thanks for visiting blondetastic and findingme. Maybe the iron would help blondetastic as I read in your diary how busy you are at work. Could be worth a try.

Today I got in touch with the clinic as requested to let them know how I was going. I am down to 63.4kg but still not famished. So I will keep going on the plan and hopefully I can lose another kilo or more.

We have some unexpected visitors from Germany this week and they are staying for three weeks. They are both of Croatian descent which means its all about eating. One of the ladies runs her own restaurant in Frankfurt. She wants to cook for us which is lovely and normally I would be rapt. I know from past experience it is very hard to tell a European mother that you cannot eat their food. As they do not speak English I have had to rely on my husband to explain the situation to them. The problem is when we take them somewhere they alway ask my husband what I am having. Nothing. They wouldn't even have an ice cream because I wasn't having one. Lucky I packed a picnic for them so when we stopped to eat they just assumed I would eat the same food but ..no...I had my beef salad ready to go..lol.

I did promise them that I would eat with them if we ever go to Germany to visit.

Their timing couldn't have been worse for me and it does make me feel guilty and rude I must admit. They are lovely people.

[Kohinoor]

Hi Tuti,

Their timing couldn't have been worse for me and it does make me feel guilty and rude I must admit. They are lovely people.

The timing sounds terrible for sure, but hey - let's reverse the tables for a minute....

Scenario:-
You go to visit them in Croatia, you had been planning it for ages, and when you arrived the lady of the house was on a doctor's eating plan that was going to help her immeasurably. You had said you would cook for them when you came (they know you are a GREAT cook!! and have said so) and they are mortified that she cannot eat what you are preparing. But they feel her health must come above all else. And you agree with them, but still offer to cook for her husband, family and yours too while she eats her own prepared food. You all smile, and you don't feel offended in the slightest that she can't eat your cooking....

Do you? Of course not - you are a lovely person too - and would only want what is best for your friend. And right now, with the situation reversed, I would bet she feels the same.

Big hugs, and just enjoy their company,

Koh

[Tuti]

I am down to 62.6kgs now so within my goal weight range. I still haven't started refeed. I am a bit hungry this afternoon so will see how I feel for the rest of the day and night.

We have been on a few outings with the overseas visitors. One of the ladies is quite interested in what I am eating and the other just keeps offering me more food..lol
You are well intentioned in what you say Koh but some people just don't understand particularly some of the Croatian women I know..haha.. They don't realise the will power it takes to knock back their food. They are such good cooks and their food is delicious.

I have found that I am really tired the day after we have been out and about so I must be pretty close now.

Hope everyone is going well.

Cheers

[Tuti]

After I wrote yesterdays post I was sooo hungry for the rest of the day. I ended up eating the piece of fruit and crisp bread that I had omitted for the last week.

Today I haven't felt that hunger.....yet.

I thought if I felt so hungry again today I would start refeed tomorrow. Now I am not sure.
Even though I am not hungry I am tired and feel a bit like a zombie mentally.

I wish it was more clear cut when to start refeed.

[Kristine..]

Hey Tuti

At no time have I ever started refeed because of hunger.

Cohen's #2006 was because the Clinic was closing and ordered refeed ahead of time for the customers they thought would complete their programs.

Once the Refeed Program arrived it whispered to me and I started before I really thought I was ready. Mind you, I dropped to 58.5 kilo during refeed and that was quite skinny for me.

The couple of other times (2008, 2011) when I lost about 15 kilo I used those eating and refeed programs again and started refeed once I reached goal weight.

Cohen's #2017 was because the Consultant insisted that I had reached goal and should cease the weight loss part of the program. I still continued to lose weight during refeed achieving my own personal goal of 62.5 kilo - for a day or so - but I have the photo of my feet on the scales and can prove it!

Not experiencing hunger is one of the great strengths of this Eating Plan but in truth, by loosely following the Maintenance Plan, I don't think I felt hunger for quite a long time afterwards.

So although the Program indicates that Hunger = Time to Start Refeed, I think there can be the occasional day when we feel overwhelmed by hunger, fatigue, life in general, but the next day it is just business as usual

I can't advise you on what to do next, but I would say that during each official, monitored and controlled Refeed I continued to lose weight and achieved my own personal goal weight which was a kilo or two below the program weight.

However, my 2017 Consultant was concerned because I had run the whole program without mishap and saw no point in perhaps undermining my good health and resilience by taking it too far.

Perhaps if you set yourself a date a week or so away, and concentrate on the date to start Refeed rather than holding out for that last kilo you will take some of the pressure off yourself and lose that last little bit, anyway!

Hope this helps
Lotsa Love
Kristine

[Tuti]

Thank you Kristine. That helps a lot.

I think I am going to take your advice and set next Monday 11th Feb as my deadline to start refeed. If I have to start earlier I will regardless of what I weigh.

When I did Cohens in 2008 I didn't feel hunger either and got to the bottom of my goal weight range of 56kg before starting refeed.

This time around and as of today I am 6kgs heavier at 62.6Kg although within my weight range for my age.(60-63Kg). My personal goal weight was originally 60kgs but I am really happy where I am now and with the way I am feeling now I don't think that is achievable.

Although I think I will run it by my consultant today.

Thanks again xx

[Tuti]

Down to 62.1kgs this morning. After a pretty sleepless night, the third in a row, and struggling with fatigue, I have started refeed today!
17.4 kg down in just over 16 weeks. Slow but steady and i am so much happier and healthier.

I think I really needed to start refeed. My plan is 17 days on refeed so should be finished on 24th Feb. i gave myself until April to lose the weight so to finish so much earlier is a bonus.

[Kristine..]

Well done, Tuti!

And it seems that you are well done, too!

No point in thinking that the body in 2019 is the same as the body in 2008, and that you can treat it the same or expect the same as ten years ago.

You have done an amazing job and now it's time to call it quits and move on to refeed.

This is a triumph, not a defeat, so be proud of yourself and enjoy working through what can be a very challenging couple of weeks

I hope you can sleep well tonight, try and give yourself the best chance at some catch up sleep by having high serotonin-response foods at dinner time, maybe a quick bath or shower - any chance of some lavender soap or oil? and a fresh pillow case.

Then just let the world turn without you for a while and we will be interested to hear your next weight loss tomorrow morning!

Lotsa love
Kristine