Tuti take two

[Tuti]

Thanks Kristine.

Day 3 of Refeed and going along well. I am feeling a lot better and sleeping better as well.

The only new food I have added in is pineapple and tomorrow I will add either blueberries or blackberries. That means I will have 5 servings of fruit so I think I better make up some fruit salad.

I could have bread right from day 1 but decided against it as I remember bread gave me a rotten headache last time. As I have been very busy the last three days I didn't want to deal with a headache as well. When my plan adds two slices of bread I will try it then.

My weight has remained stable on 62.1kg and I still feel hungry at times during the day even with the additional portions.

[Kristine..]

Hey Tuti

Isn't it strange that the two most prevalent foods in the Western diet - wheat and bread products and dairy, can cause the most problems when reintroduced to the diet?

I, too, have had bread from Day 1 on both official refeed programs (2006 and 2017) and going from my 2006 experiences (no headaches but delicacy forbids me from explaining what happened but it was extremely uncomfortable), was very careful how I introduced bread in 2017

I was in the habit of taking chicken, cauliflower & spinach soup in a thermos to work, so I chose rye bread and took this as croutons for the soup, adding the dry bread to the soup managed to bypass the almost instant problems caused by eating the bread separately, as if it was crispbread, as I had done in 2006.

With regards to milk, I decided I didn't want to go back to milk in coffee, so added it to my Meal 1 yoghurt. I figured my gut would know how to deal with the additional dairy and whatever lactose would be present could be dealt with in that one meal of the day.

But what really stumped me was combining proteins - after six months of single protein meals I found it really difficult getting my head around mixed protein. My consultant reminded me that although I couldn't increase egg, cheese or yoghurt meals I could add the new protein to that so I think I added some chicken to a cauliflower cheese meal, and another time did a rather strange version of a mixed grill.

Enjoy the refeed and glad to hear you are sleeping better

Lotsa love
Kristine

[Tuti]

Day 8 of Refeed.

My weight has stayed the same for the first 7 days of refeed as when I finished the meal plan..62.1. So it was a surprise this morning to see my weight go down to 61.7Kg. Especially considering that I felt so full yesterday after having to have my meals closer together.

I am currently having my 3 pieces of fruit plus one good fruit (blackberries) and one bad fruit (strawberries). So I make a big bowl of fruit salad and divide it into three. I had to have one of these with my lunch as I didn't get a chance to have it earlier because we were at Sovereign Hill with our visitors.

I decided to have bread from the bakery as it doesn't seem to have so many preservatives and I haven't had any problems. Today I had an egg on toast and chicken and veggies for breakfast, Chicken, cheese and veggies on a salada biscuit...grilled, and for dinner I will just have mixed protein and cooked veggies.
It is getting confusing now and I have decided it is easier to work out the next days meal the night before and not plan too far ahead.
I don't think I will add milk either Kristine. I have only had yoghurt twice this time around as I found I felt a bit sick and I really don't like natural yoghurt. Last time I used a sweetener in my yoghurt but this time I haven't because I really hate the taste.
I keep looking at days 15,16 and 17 of the refeed plan I wonder how I am going to fit it all in.

[Tuti]

Day 3 of Refeed.

At this stage of refeed it seems all I do is eat and meal prep.

Have really enjoyed the fruit salad and really don't want to go back to one piece of fruit in maintenance to be honest.
I had margarine on my toast this morning. Toast isn't quite the same without butter or margarine. I still haven't had milk and find I only have one black coffee a day. I also haven't really had to have lemonade or coke. I just have the water to wash all the food down
My last day is Friday and I am so looking forward to not being as strict although most of the time I will probably eat the same foods. I am sure my stomach has shrunk so much more than last time although with what I am eating now it is hard to believe.
I am still at my lowest weight at 61.7kg and every day expect the scales to go up. I wouldn't be surprised if that happens in the next couple of days.
I think my husband is sick of me announcing each day what new food I can have that day..like today I am going to try pasta and Wednesday it will be the scotch finger biscuit.

[Kohinoor]

Hi Tuti,
Seems that should show "Day 13 of Refeed", not Day 3.

Well done you - going like a train. Remember to tip-toe into Maintenance. You are wanting to be on the longest plateau of your life after Refeed finishes.

You must be near to Goal Weight now but if not, don't worry too much. For sure you are now at the kind of weight that will be "no problem" in so many ways. And, (as Shell found out a long time back) it might be that you find you might shed even more weight as you eat MORE. Shell was exercising and still living on mid-Refeed meal quantities - she was starving herself. Once she stopped that, the weight losses came once more.

Your journey though will likely be different to others - so do take the time to test things to find what works for YOU.

Good luck - go get it,

Koh

[Tuti]

Yes that should read "Day 13" Koh

I remember reading about Shells struggles after refeed. My weight has been so stable through refeed and in fact right through out the program. It just doesn't fluctuate like some people. Even in maintenance last time my weight was quite stable for a long time. Hopefully this time it is the same.

Must admit I feel very full after lunch today. Took the dog for a walk but might need to do a bit extra.

[Kristine..]

Hey Tuti

Nearly at the end and you are 18 kilo down

That is an almighty amount of weight.

Those of us who are experts at Cohen's program expect nothing less, but for many people struggling with any weight loss, it is hard to imagine losing 18 kilos - that's just shy of 40 pounds, or 2 stone 12 pounds.

I look forward to reading the last few days of your refeed journey - and your encounter with the Scotch Finger biscuit!

Lotsa love
Kristine

[Tuti]

I have been missing in action for a bit. Doesn't time fly.

I finished refeed at 61.7 and have settled at 61.9 since then. I have had a couple of days off Cohens food where my weight went up but I went back to Cohens foods and down the next day.

I know you are supposed to eat the same amount of food as your last refeed day but I am struggling to do that. I have had only one night where I had alcohol. I was only going to have one wine but it tasted so good I had three and went straight to bed haha. Had a bit of a headache the next day.

The last few days I have struggled not to turn to emotional eating like I used to. We lost our beautiful 10yo labrador suddenly. We love our animals like most do but I find it really hard when we lose them. Mind you we have only had three dogs in over 30 years of marriage. I work from home so Cooper and I had a daily routine and it will take some time to get used to him not being here.
I am definitely making better food choices now and not taking the easy food option like a sandwich for lunch for example. I make the effort to make sure my protein and veggies are weighed out for the day and am still making a fruit salad.
I still haven't got into an exercise routine and will have to work on that.

So everything in maintenance land is going well for now

[Kohinoor]

Hi Tuti,
Hearty congratulations !! Now to maintain the longest plateau - sounds almost boring doesn't it?

I know you are supposed to eat the same amount of food as your last refeed day but I am struggling to do that.

Hmm, I'm not sure if that is mandatory - I'd think it is a guideline, especially for someone who has been on a limited eating program for some months. But in reality, won't you vary the amount you eat depending on your needs, perhaps varied on a daily basis?

Like, after a hard day's work, you might feel the need to "replace the calories the work consumed" by eating a bigger meal. On a hot Summer day, you might not feel like so much - and you instead peck away on a cold meal with lots of salad. Then again, on a cool Winter night, you might bestow some body-warmth upon yourself by tucking into a hearty roast and spuds. Or not.... your call.

Whatever, your ship is now back in a safe harbour - from there you can direct it to wherever you want it to go.

Well done, Tuti !!

Cheers,
Koh

[Imfef]

Congrats Tuti! Amazing achievement and how good must you be feeling right now? Keep weighing yourself religiously and correct quickly - is easier if it's just a kg or two.
All the best in Maintenance Land!

[Kohinoor]

Hi Tuti,
I don't recall whether I have shared this with you before - but I wanted to be sure you knew of it, so do please read this:-
http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthr...654#post447654



It is a warning that another member had raised about "Resets" in Maintenance. Just something to watch out for, especially if you find you are doing Resets occasionally, yet slowing gaining weight again.....


If you do learn more about this "phenomenon" too, do share it in the linked topic, so we all get to learn more - thanks,



Koh

PS And for you too Marc - once you are back into Maintenance Land !!

[Imfef]

Absolutely will remember this/refer to it when I get to Maintenance. Thanks Koh!