SassyK's refeed diary

[hexi2]

Great thinking Sassy - the introduction of biscuits were no good for me and thats when I started bingeing...dangerous things they are...

You have come such a long way - stand tall and proud

[FotoHijinx]

Hi Sassy - you are doing great. I'm with you guys - I've been obsessively buying cookbooks lately - what's that about????

Not long now!! yayayayaya

cheers
Irene

[enough!]

Go Sassy Girl.
You truly are fabulous and that is because you're not perfect... but human. Its getting through the tough times that makes you grow and learn and you have really done that on your journey.
It gives us other 'less than perfect' ones some hope and determination to do this right!

I ran a City to Bay 2 years ago (12kms) and when I started training I didnt manage 1km!! (and probably couldnt now but cant wait to return to that fitness after Cohens) I cried for the last 1km as it is a fabulous feeling! Sorry about it being spoilt for you with the crowd and the tummy bug. I urge you to try it again next year and I promise you will have a better experience. Get in a better start position and keep away from germy kids! lol

You're Nearly there,

[Faithy]

You go girl!!!!

Sorry to hear you weren't feeling the best.. that sux ..

As for the biscuits.. perhaps you could just take what you need for refeed & just throw the rest out? I do that now.. I had to throw cooking chocolate out the other day (having a bad day & I knew I was going to eat it if I didn't toss it.. ugghhh so gross).. anyway.. up to you..
But as for the rest.. how exciting that it's nearly all over

HUGS

[SOON TO BE]

Great going SassyK, sensational effort on the run, you must feel so proud.
Reffed seems to be going well for you.
Goodluck for the last few days
happy days
Tara x

[Almost Eden]

Great plan for getting rid of the temptation of the biscuits...I have no fear in this house as scotch fingers are a bit of a fav of my dad...so I dare say they will be polished off in no time when I buy them...so much so that I have decided not to buy them until the day befor it's time to introduce them in a couple of days. Otherwise they are likely to be all gone by the time I go to have one.

I have some of the same desires for food after the program as you. I can't wait to have olives and try avocado...which is odd cause although I have always liked olives...they were never something I craved. And as for avocado...never really been a fan...I wonder why the idea of it is so exciting now...quite odd.

Well just wanted to wish you luck on your last few days of refeed and congrats on a job SO well done. Huggles

Eden

[SassyK]

Day 16, 14 August 2008

Weight: 70.4kg (-0.6kg on refeed start, +1.4kg on lowest weight)

Breakfast: Yoghurt + apple + crackers + tomato
Snack: Crackers + apple + celery sticks
Lunch: Apricot chicken + salad + Scotch Finger biscuit
Snack: Banana + carrot sticks
Dinner: Salmon + asparagus + artichoke + carbs (beans or potato - undecided)
Fluid: Water 1.5L (so far), Soft drink 0.75L (so far)
Exercise: RPM (1 hour), Run (1.5km/10 mins) AM;

I've bounced back over 70kgs again... so I'm no longer a 60s chick which blows. I'm not sure why I've gained today... I haven't tried bread again... the only thing I've introduced lately is the sweet biscuits, which I'm not planning on having routinely anyway, and more new vegetables. I'm a little bit disappointed that I didn't lose more on refeed, but, by the same token, I've been feeling completely stuffed just about every day, so I think when I back off the quantities a bit I might see the scales move down again. Here's hoping, anyway.

I'm excited to think there's only one more day to go, but also a bit apprehensive about the future. I like the relative security I got from the program - and not having to think about what I'm going to eat or how much. I'm a little bit worried about gaining everything I've lost - it's happened to plenty of other people - and not being able to lose the last little bit when I get back from holidays. But, I'll just take it one day at a time and do my best to make good decisions.

I have a very busy weekend coming up, with lots of running around, so hopefully I won't have a chance to think about the fact that I'm off the program and could, if I wanted to, eat just about anything I wanted. In fact, the next 6 days are going to be a complete whirlwind, so there's a good chance I'll be too flat out to think about what I've been missing for the last 10 months.

Thanks for visiting Hexi, Irene, Kate, Faithy, Tara and AE.

Hexi ~ Thanks for dropping by. Good to see you've worked things out and everything is going more smoothly for you.

I know biscuits would be an issue for me. Though I hope I've gained some self control through doing this program, I'm still not confident I could trust myself not to go a bit nuts and eat them all. I'd rather just get rid of them then leave temptation in my way.

Faithy ~ I got rid of the biscuits - I cooked them up in a slice to bring to work. I considered throwing them out, but they found a good home!

[hexi2]

Hey Sassy

I really recommend that you make a plan of attack for the next week...

Plan out everything you are going to eat...

Come up with some regular meals eg: 6 or 7 different dinners, lunches and breakfasts you can eat and stick to it with a few planned luxuries.

I found moving into maintanance got my head into a whirlwind and I wanted everything all of a sudden. Restrictions are important for the rest of our lives and planning is what is going to help in keeping with success...

My thoughts anyway.

[shell]

Hi Sassy,
I was going to recommend what Hexi said also, makes it a bit less daunting when you come off such a regimented eating plan.
1 more day, how exciting!

Shell

[jeannie77]

Wow Sassy one more day of refeed and then you start maintaining for life.

Wanted to ask you if you have any tips for adding gym to my routine? I have only started at the end of last week and I'm planning on going 5 days a week with 2 weight sessions and a few classes/cardio sessions.
I have been going after work and then coming home having dinner etc.

Any tips would be appreciated! You've inspired me to start to get fit.

x

[Annabelle Joy]

I've only just read your fun run post, Sassy. Well done for all you achieved on the day, including getting yourself home.

I'd have more trouble resisting the slice than resisting the biscuits.

AJ

[sundaymorningstaple]

I'll have to also agree with the bikkies! They could become my downfall if I'm not careful. Eating 9-12 a day ever since I discovered Anzacs!

First I was buying them (but too darned expensive here Singapore as they are imported from Aus.) So, downloaded a couple of recipes and have been baking them myself! Bad news as they are cheap & easy to make (even I can do it - I've been the one doing it!) I've always loved Oatmeal Cookies and also Macaroons (Coconut Cookies). Now I've found bikkies that have both combined. That's almost as dangerous a combination as Reese's Peanut Butter Cups! That guy Reese, who poured chocolate on his peanut butter was as genius!

[SassyK]

Day 17, 15 August 2008 ~ Last day of refeed

Weight: 70.6kg (-0.4kg on refeed start, +1.6kg on lowest weight)

Breakfast: Yoghurt + fruit salad + crackers + tomato
Snack: Crackers + apple + Scotch Finger biscuits
Lunch: Chicken curry + salad
Snack: Banana + strawberries + carrot sticks
Dinner: Grilled lamb + eggplant + zucchini + mushrooms + potato with oregano and balsalmic vinegar (delicious but way, way too much food)
Fluid: Water 3.0L, Soft drink 2.0L
Exercise: RPM (45 mins), Run (3.0km/20 mins)

Up again... 200g this time, but still not above refeed start weight. In some ways I'm a little bit bummed that I didn't lose more on refeed, but I didn't really give it a good chance. The first time round I deviated only 4 days in... and I hadn't been 100% deviation free for two weeks before I started... so I guess I got what I deserved, really. I'm confident, however, I can get in there and lose the rest - I've seen what this program can do.

So that's it... I've eaten my last meal on refeed... for now at least. I have a feeling I'll be back here again, when I get back from my trip, but it's all over for the time being. Anyone who's been following along would know that I haven't enjoyed refeed as much as I would have liked to - I enjoyed the program way more. I've found the quantities of food, especially towards the end, a bit overwhelming. Dinner tonight, for example, looked like a mountain of food, and I felt very uncomfortable afterwards. Somehow that just seems so wrong to me.

Something that I've observed on refeed, that I wasn't expecting at all, is that the more I eat, the more I want to eat... has anyone else found that? While I've been on refeed I've felt incredibly full, but all that seems to have done is make me want to keep eating. Right after a meal, when I'm feeling completely stuffed, I'll be looking for something else to eat. I've been eating all the extra fruit (up to four pieces a day) and crackers for snacks each day. It's like something gets triggered and I lose my self-control. I didn't feel like that on the program, when I never felt full, only satisfied.

Today I had two Scotch Finger biscuits at morning tea, and an hour later I felt as though I'd been drugged. My head felt heavy, I suddenly had no energy and I couldn't concentrate. Sadly, it was all an too familiar sensation - I recognised that it's how I used to feel almost all the time, and what I used to think was normal, and I don't want to feel like that again.

The other thing that I've learnt on refeed (which I think I knew already), is that my body can not process carbohydrates. They make me bloated, gassy and lethargic. I know that I don't have any self-control when it comes to that kind of stuff as well. As a result, bread, pasta, potato, rice and wheat will not be a regular part of my diet.

I didn't introduce alcohol when I could have (Wednesday/Day 15). However, I know from my deviation back in May that I am a VERY cheap drunk now - one glass and I'm gone! I'm sure there'll be plenty of opportunities to observe how my body reacts on holidays!

Something else that is very clear to me now is that strictness and rigour are good for me. I'm one of those boring 'follow the rules' kind of girls in general anyway, and having limitations works for me. If that means weighing food for the rest of my life, that's something I can cope with, but I'm confident that I can 'eyeball' portion sizes now, so I need to make sure I put that into practice.

So on to tomorrow... and the first day of the rest of my life. I'm going to relax a little for a day and I'm not sure what I'm going to eat yet, but right now I'm thinking avocado and vegemite on crackers, olives and sundried tomatoes in a salad at lunch, and the Osso Bucco that's been sitting the freezer for a couple of months for dinner. But, what I'm craving most right now is pure and simple proteins and vegetables and that's one craving I'm going to listen to. Oddly, I'm not the least bit concerned about the Lindt chocolate that I bought on special about a month ago and have had sitting in the pantry cupboard.

Thanks for your advice Hexi and Shell - I've learnt a lot from both of you and am so grateful that you've continued to share your experiences on maintenance with all of us. What you've suggested makes a lot of sense to me. I've been quite worried that I'm going to go a bit nuts... for weeks now I've been prowling the aisles of the supermarket thinking "not long now until I can have that"... when I go to the shops tomorrow I'm going to go in with a clear plan of what I'm going to buy, and not get stuff simply because I can.

For now I think I'm just going to try to eat program foods, because I enjoy them and now recognise how great I felt when I ate them. It will be a bit of trial and error, but I'll probably end up having slightly higher than program quantities, and relax a little if I'm out, and maybe also on weekends. I'm going to listen to my body and understand the difference between being hungry and simply wanting to eat. I never want to feel stuffed, like I have in the last three weeks, again. Even if something tastes so good that I want a second helping, or it's a special occassion, or I don't want to offend someone, I'd much rather finish a meal feeling like I could go for a run than needing to lie down for a couple of hours.

I'm so grateful to have found this program. When I first read about it about this time last year it seemed too good to be true. It took me a couple of months to sign up for my program because I was convinced I'd be the first person for whom it didn't work. After so many demoralising years of punishing myself at the gym and perpetually being on Weight Watchers and still gaining weight, I was prepared to be disappointed and frustrated again. Thank goodness I decided that I had nothing left to lose, other than a stack of weight of course. Because of this program my life has changed so dramatically, and in so many ways, that sometimes it feels like I'm dreaming. and someone is going to wake me up and I'll realise that I still weigh 125kg (or more!).

For the first time in my life I'm pretty happy with how I look. My body isn't perfect - there are places I could lose quite a bit more (abdomen and legs come to mind), and places where I could put a bit on (like my practically non-existant bum and boobs), and lo0se skin (but not nearly as much as I thought there would be after losing almost 100kg) - but I could hardly expect it to be after what I've put it through for the last 36 years. Most days I look in the mirror and like what I see. When I'm at the gym I can see the muscle definition in my arms and my legs, and I'm no longer the biggest person in the room. Even recently when I looked in the mirror I still saw a fat person looking back at me, but I've gained a bit of perspective in the last couple of weeks and I see myself for what I am - a fit and healthy woman with a normal body weight, with just as many hang ups about her body as most other woman. I can now walk into any clothing shop and find something to fit me that also looks good (and the shop assistants actually want to help me), and I'm 10 times more confident in everything I do. I'm not going to hide myself away anymore - it's time to get out there and take on the world.

I'm even more grateful to have found this forum and all the wonderful people on it and the amazing friend I've made. There's a good chance I wouldn't have stayed on the program without everyone here giving me endless motivation, inspiration and support. My heartfelt thanks goes to everyone.

So, it's only six sleeps until I get on the plane, and things are going to be hectic until then. I won't have a chance to start a maintenance diary... that will have to wait until I get back. I'll be checking in on all of you from time to time - there are lots of people edging towards refeed at the moment, it's getting exciting! So good luck to all of you fabulous people.

[Kannadew]

WOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!

DONE!!! DONE!!! DONE!!!!


Well at least the major part is now over... and now comes LIFE! I am so very excited for you Sassy! Sure you may not quite have reached your personal goal... but you have truly shown yourself capable of achieving this goal whenever you choose to attempt it! You are one amazing gal. There is absolutely NO WAY I could have done this program and the amount of exercise you did at the same time. You have proven that it is possible to work hard physically and still lose weight consistently. It may not be for everyone... but it has worked for you and you seem really pleased with the results!

I hope you have an absolutely Bl**dy awesome Holiday! You totally deserve some amazing adventures! Hope it lives up to and exceeds every dream that you have for it! May you come back rejuvenated and refreshed and inspired in new ways!

Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us!

Blessya
Kannadew

[shell]

Hi Sassy,
Congratulations on finishing re feed!!
You have come a long way and done an amazing job in making yourself much healthier.
I hope you have a sensational holiday, what a great reward for yourself!

Just know if you do gain a bit of weight on holidays, it IS fixable.
You now have the tools and guidelines to manage your weight for life!
Shell

[Stoddy]

Congratulations Sassy !!! It is soooooooo fantastic that you have finished. I am very proud and happy for you !! YAAAAY

I for one would like to thank YOU .. when I started this program 5 months ago, your diary was one of the couple that inspired me .. I never said anything for ages but had looked at your photos and I continued to read your weekly updates as you had such insight into things and I found it both inspiring and helpful.

6 days till holidays .. I can't believe it ... that is so exciting and you will have a fantastic time .. yes and I am sure you will get to introduce alcohol .. hehe ... I will continue the countdown on Sums diary till you go !

Hope you drop back in occasionally ... and again .. thanks for paving the way for us .. I am getting close to refeed and have learnt a lot from yourself and others from reading your diaries !!

I wish you the best in the world out there .. you are a beautiful person and a stunner !!! I am sure you will succeed in anything you try or want to do !!

Congrats again Sassy ... and have a great holiday !!!!!!!

Stoddy
xx

[jeannie77]

Congrats on finishing refeed Sassy!

I am so proud of you and so happy for you. Your journey has been an inspiration to many and has helped me stay motivated. You are a beautiful person inside and out, and you deserve every happiness.

Enjoy your holiday!

x

[SOON TO BE]

Well All I can say is
CONGRATULATIONS
You look fantastic and are a true inspiration to me.
If I dont get a chance to pop by have a great holiday, Im sure you will.
Happy Days
Tara x

[lucylou]

Hi Sassy

I'll add my congratulations to the list. It's been a long journey for you, you have been incredibly brave and tenacious especially when things have got a bit tough, you've just brushed yourself off and kept going. You deserve to have a wonderful and happy life but first...a fabulous holiday.

I look forward to hearing all about it in your maintenance diary when you return.

x

Loulou

[FotoHijinx]

Hi Sassy

A big congratulations - hugs and kisses - what a fantastic challenge you have faced and won - you deserve all the happiness in the world and a fantastic holiday.

Enjoy it all girl, its all yours and you so deserve it!!!

Cheers
Irene