Vee's Refeed Diary (OMG, I Made it!!)

[Maya]

Vee, please start reading Geenen later on. Seriously. That's one of the reasons I'm not making adviertisment about her on here.
I do think she is 100% right. But I decided to work on her when I'm out of my self beating phase and in order to get there I have to feel good at least in my head....

If you listen to her too much, it makes so much sense you will defenitely send the diets to... Wait until you are done, ok?

[louise41]

lol Vee, thoughts of forbidden foods adding weight - thats an interesting one!! You have had a great refeed, you can have some of those forbidden foods very soon- the secret is just having small amounts, that the challenge - for the rest of our lives. You must be so pleased though after your struggle and hesitations about starting refeed, then look at the weight you continued to lose - great going gf!

[thenewvee]

Thanks Jenny, Maya and Louise.

Jenny, yes, Geneen's book/s are great, but I don't think right for this time on the programme! I'm going to leave her until I'm in maintenance and travelling along a bit more confidently on maintenance. Then perhaps her methods may sit better with me. At the moment they are causing me a lot of anxiety, and I don't want to inflict that on anyone else.

I think the book that Hexi is reading, Think Slim by Mark Stephens is sounding real good. He seems to be taking a lot of what I've heard from Tony Robbins and applying it to the Think Slim attitude. It sounds much more like what we need. Think I'll invest in that one too! It certainly is helping Hexi heaps!

Thanks Maya, advice taken already!

Louise, yes, it's the keeping to small amounts that I'm concerned about! The thing is I've done it before, so I can do it again. It's time to have faith in my abilities.

Thanks for all your input lovely people!!

Vee

[louise41]

Vee something I am working on in looking to more more discriminating with my choices. There are some foods that are nice but I can take or leave and other things that I just love. I have decided to have small amounts of those things that I think are really yummy and those things that I like but less so, I can probably happily do without them. I will make the majority of my maintenance eating plan cohen friendly, with just small bit and pieces of other things, but no major changes.

Have you heard of the 80/20 rule. Eat healthy food 80% of the time , then 20% you can have other stuff, I might do something a bit like that. My slim sister in law follows this plan and she goes through life at size 8 and still enjoys treats on the weekend (she doesnt go crazy) but is pretty disciplined during the week.

Good luck with the last little bit of your refeed!

[hexi2]

Hey Vee

Looking back at moving into maintenance I wish I had restricted myself to at least one month on refeed amounts post refeed so I could move into it in a staged way...

I was so anxious and excited in many ways I just packed up the scales and though WHOO HOO...what can I eat??????? I started making a lot of excuses in my brain that it was now ok to have this and that and take the kids out for dinner and order take away because i had been deprived (thats how I looked at it)...I felt like I deserved to reward myself with food and then had the view about 'forbidden' foods that once I started ended in a binge frenzy...I couldn't seem to mesh 'a little bit of this is ok' and ended up feeling terrible. I know deep down I didn't think I could succeed, I feared that I would never be able to stay at 58kg and of course look where that thinking got me?? It made me crazy and once those panic thoughts started here I am 9 months later STILL living that feeling day by day - anxiety (but I didn't know what it was and always confused it with hunger) and it just gets down to fear...

Fear that we will never be able to 'stay' this weight...fear that we don't deserve success...fear of 'who we truelly are'....

We are capable of many amazing things - we are capable of maintaining our weight easily its all about the right head set and losing our fears

[Maya]

Hexi, you said it beautiful.

I think I owe some apology here to everybody.
The real reason I wasnt talking about Geneen so much up here is exactly because she is against all dieting. I really felt such a connection with her and I know longterm, she is right.
But even I couldnt simply accept it so easily and decided to get myself to where I will feel comfortable in my body and first balance my hormones before I can apply her philosophy. She helped me tremendously already.
I'm also going to San Francisco this weekend on her workshop.
Because I know she has the answers.

I know this diet is one of the best things, but... what's the percentage of people that never have to struggle anymore?
I don't know one single person. Even my consultant did not want to tell me if she had to go back on diet and how many times does she need to check her weight not to fall of the bus.

I know, you will say - well, some of us simply have to diet forever.
See, I dont believe that.
I believe we have to go on a diet from all these thoughts.
I know a lot of women that have been dieting for 30 years. Not one diet worked. Until they said - ENOUGH. And stop obsessing about food 100%. That's when weight slowly stared falling off and they kept it off.

Despite all that, I still have a plan, because I know myself and I do recommend you Vee, to make a plan, because you are afraid now. I understand you 100%, cuz I was there and blew it completely.

See, make some promises to yourself. Have protein meals through the day, one bigger meal with some starch and if you have a desert, then make sure you exercise more. Walk. And remember, it takes 48 hours to burn that cookie. So, even if you eat it, one, two, even three - you can still go walk it off.

Make an agreement with yourself, don't forbid yourself anything, because that's when you will start wanting it.

But get what you BODY needs. Not what your mind needs. And once you will taste that sweet food again - it wont taste so good anymore. Really.

I was so afraid..now I am not.
And I am hungry on this refeed as well. I couldnt sleep last night, that's how hungry I got, despite ALL the food I eat. I eat EVERYTHING, all the fruits, all the bread...

But I know the freedom of choosing more shrimp, more fish, more salads... clean food wont put weight on.
And if - then I will be probably less hungry the next day.
I know how too many carbs make me feel and I dont wanna feel that way.

And as Hexi says - BELIEVE in yourself, if you will be too scared - that's exactly whats gonna happen.

I believe in you.
You have come sooo far, you will totally make it.
Just do a lot of mirror work.
Mirror work.
Mirror work.
MIrror work.

[Mette]

I love reading your diary, Vee! There are so many insights, both from yourself and from so many other wonderful Cohenites, and I always learn something here.
I can't express myself as eloquently as most people here, so I'll take the easy way out and say 'what Maya said'.
You're going great guns, pretty lady, and remember, it's a learning process. You will be fine on maintenance, I have no doubt about that. In the words of Koh, tread softly, take it slowly, and you will succeed!
Stay strong and keep smiling!

[Snugglebear]

Hey Vee

I am with all of them. Everyone has something very valid to add (except me ). I love Mette's baby steps approach, Louise's learning to pick and choose exactly what is truly worth eating (if it's chocolate make it Belgiun) , Maya's listen to your body (except when it screams for chocolate)and Hexi's fear. I think a little fear is probably good for us, might stop us making bad decisions. I know that I do not want to stuff up all my good work and I know that you don't either.

Put it all together (find your own favourite bits of course) and you can't go wrong. Needless to say I am terrified of being off programme but I can see how an extra month on refeed amounts would make sense. Its a good idea for me to remember.

I certainly hope just thinking about bad food can't add weight, but come to think of it, it would explain afew things . Must think apples not Mars Bars.

Take care sweet lady

Jo

[thenewvee]

Thanks soooooooooooo much!

Thanks Louise, I think the 80/20 rule also makes sense, it can be one of my rules.

Hexi, I know you understand, and I so appreciate your sharing because I'm feeling what I think you felt. Thanks for your very practical advice, I think that makes great sense to eat last day of refeed for a month, as well as making some rules for myself.

Maya, Maya, Maya! No apology necessary! I know you only had the best intentions in mind and you wanted to help. Also what you and Geneen say makes so much sense, but is conflicting at the moment. As you say, I will revisit her once I've been in maintenance for a while.

Mette, I'm so happy that you also got something out of my experiences and diary and what others have to share! That is one of the reasons I wouldn't have been half as successful if it was not for this forum!

Jo, yes, everyone has great advice, and of course I'm taking it all on board and need to find what is going to work best for me! It's just so great to know when you have some angst as I did yesterday/this morning, that so many are willing to help with input and useful strategies and advice!

I went out today and I bought the Think Slim book as well as a book the psychologist recommended to me on my last visit to him, called The Happiness Trap by Dr Russ Harris. So got lots of reading and implementing of strategies to do as well as LETTING THE OBSESSING ABOUT WEIGHT GO!!!

See, I heard you Hexi! I just need to DO IT!!!

Vee

[louise41]

Happy reading!!!

[SuzieQ]

Hey Vee,

Just want to say congrats on going so well, you are lookin fantastic! It seemed like yesterday we were starting out on cohens and now look I am done and you are nearing the end!!! What an accomplishment

Maintenance is challenging, but everyone is different. You will find your balance in time, just keep your weight in check by weighing regularly and using Cohens guidelines to pull in the reigns. You will be fine Vee.

Good on you.

Suzie

[hexi2]

Oh very exciting...someone to share the Think Slim book with lol!! I hope you get out of it as much as I am...I think it is way better than the Beck Diet Solution...I think the repetitive statements and affirmations are working for me and I think a major KEY is to only ever eat 3 meals a day...thats it! No room for snacking as it is the 'it's just a snack' headset that got me into trouble...

3 meals a day is what I say!

[Maya]

Yes, yes, Hexi, now I'm liking the book more...
Honestly, I never liked Becks solution. Maybe 2-3 things...like - that rule -

"Oh, well...I don't like it, but it will make it easier for me...." that helped me when I couldnt eat what other had, cuz I had to stick to the diet.

And that's it. All the rest is just negating our own needs, getting more rules...which were already what got us here in the first place. Diets. I believe 90% of us got into this diet vicious cycle because of our first diet.

I think finding your OWN way to eat is THE ONLY RIGHT ONE.
Of course some rules simply apply -

like, I do believe eating less times a day is better, because every time you eat ANYTHING you upset hormones a little. And that's enough to make a whole process going in your body. That's why I dont believe in snacking through the day. I dont believe in eating early breakfasts. I still believe a man went hunting and THEN ate. I can always run, workout better on empty stomach and eat afterwards when my body and muscles are all warm, ready for fuel.
Anytime someone gives me 5-6 small meals a day rule - freaks me out, cuz I get too hungry after 1st meal.
But that is me.
We all have to find our OWN rythm and foods tha suit us.

I am soooo glad you found this, hexi.

Oups, sorry Vee... again, taking your space...

But really, Vee... even I am not listening to Geneen right now. Too slippery for me, cuz I know I gotta finish what I started.

I think maybe few days after your refeed simply stick to the food and yes, baby steps -, so you will feel comfortable, you will feel you are in control and then first do 90/10 ration, healthy foods 90% and funfood 10% and then to 80/20 - that's how everybody should eat anyway.

[maria1969yellow]

Good morning Vee, I am sure that cause your searching you will find the answser to maintaining...
Doesnt Dr Cohen have some trick of the trade to fall back onto?

Take one day at a time listen to your heart and our bodies are an amazing thing alongside our brain and Im sure you will find what works for you best... This is all part of it..Im sure thats why you are searching and reading also and that is to work whats works best for us as individuals.

I think there will be foods that I will haveto aviod purely cause of the connection and memories i have with that food..

Your doing so well...Rules are good Vee.. Basically thats what we are and have done anyhow and Im sure it would be your mind also accepting the increase of foods as okay and the little more freedom Im sure the mind is testing the boundries..

Keep at it Vee your doing fantastic.. Working it all out is what your doing for yourself I think!
You will be successfull..

You already are sorry!

[thenewvee]

Starting weight: 65.1kg
Today's weight: 64.4kg
Difference: -700g

Weight is up again 400g today. I had some milk yesterday, in my coffee at work. While I didn't feel bloated or anything, I had terrible flatulence all day! Not the best thing to have when at work!! LOL There was a lot of holding in, I can tell ya!

The new proteins are still increasing and have stopped increasing the old proteins, and the new veg is increasing too, and the old veg increases are slowly decreasing.

I'm enjoying this having 4 fruits a day, 2 old fruits and 2 bad fruits. I've been having a small banana for my bad fruit, and had it with some crispbread. Yum! Earlier on in the week had strawberries as my bad fruit. Yesterday I had a pear which was lovely and ripe and juicy.

I didn't get much reading done last night, by the time I got off the forum it was late for me and I went straight to bed. Going to do some reading on the train.

Work is getting more interesting at the moment as well, I'm getting involved in some new things/projects and so that is keeping me nice and busy during the day!

Thanks for the visit Louise, Suzie, Hexi, Maya and Maria!

Well I don't have long to go on the refeed anymore, only 4 more days after this!

Keep well and happy everyone, and keep getting slimmer!!

Vee

[katiefrank70]

Hi Vee

Just dropping by to see how you are going. By the looks of it, like a real trooper . Dont panic over maintenance. I did too at first, but you soon find a way that works for you. I also found that a lot of my tastes had changed. What I thought delicious pre diet, is now too sugary, too fatty too something. This diet actually changes your preferred eating habits. But you will find that as u go along. 700gm drop in 2 weeks even after increased eating is amazing isnt it. Dr C knows what he is doing.

Wow not long to go...four days, you must be counting down towards your first cappacino lol.

Take care

Katie

[Maya]

Vee...
I was just thinking...What I will do...
I will write down some nice meals I would love to have and are in the Cohen's maintnence rules...
Not the ones I already had, cuz I'm done with them, but something I really like.

Maybe that would help you, too?
So you wont be stuck with old kind of meals, that will be way to similar to diet... but some NEW good light healthy meals?

Just a thought...

You're almost there!!!!!!

and I do agree with Katie, eventually our tastes change. I remember trying my first KitKat after the diet. Bleeeeeeeeeeek, soooo sweet and nasty. Seriously.

[Mette]

I haven't been game to try chocolate yet. I have to say though, I feel a lot less restricted than I thought I would. It's all about the mindset, right?

Hmm, no more milk for you LOL!

So glad to hear that work is getting more interesting! And only 4 more days! And then you'll be a Cohen graduate!

[Snugglebear]

Hey Vee

How exciting.....only 4 days to go, yippeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Sorry that the milk doesn't agree with you, but at least now you know that it isn't your friend. Don't worry about the farting, just let it go and then look really innocent just try to keep the volume down.

I am glad your job is getting more interesting, nothing worse than being paid to be bored

Take care honey

Jo

[JennyC]

Hi fellow refeeder!!!! Isn't it fun to try new things after so long!!!! It is almost like you are tasting it for the first time

Bugger about the milk but others have tried it again and it's been okay. With only four days to go it must be a great feeling

JennyC