AJ has moved to refeed!

[Annabelle Joy]

Up 200 gms today. That's okay, I thought it would be more after yesterday's busy day.

I wrote about yesterday and today's refeed last night, so nothing to add this morning. We're going to Melbourne shortly for the demo. I have a couple of wedding related calls to make before we go.

Thanks for calling by, Janine, LouLou and anyone reading this.

Janine, I hadn't associated the constipation with mixing proteins. I always struggle with it anyway (extremely long bowel) but it is worse since I started mixing proteins. That's something to remember for the future. Despite feeling I'm eating far too much, total calories really isn't enough to cause any weight gain.

LouLou, I will be interested to see how you react to bread. Almost everyone has said that the first slice made them feel bloated, but I haven't had any adverse reactions to bread, even though I'm eating it three times a day and previously I avoided it. Yesterday I definitely felt like a juggler with too many balls in the air. Not sure if the smell was associated with the milk, I need to try that again. I'm going to try milk through refeed, and want to try a good cappuccino to see if I enjoy it, but will mainly have black coffee when I finish. There's no doubt that Penny looks better in a body stocking than I do, but I did say I would take a photo when I got to goal.

Have a lovely, stress free, day, everyone.

AJ

[Ronky]

Hi AJ,

Its been awhile since i visited your diary and I heard on the grape vine you had photos up of your dress for the wedding. You look beautiful. What a fantastic colour. You have done just so well. You must be so proud of yourself and what perfect timing to finish. I hope you have a fabulous day.

Keep smiling like you are in the photos. You are just beaming and you have very good reason to.

Good Luck

[Soon2BSlim]

Hi AJ

I've been enjoying your refeed diary! You are doing fantastically well. I was thinking that the timing of your refeed and having the right consultant on the day you needed her has worked out so well! In the words of the A-Team (remember them?) "I love it when a plan comes together". Only we may have to call this the C-Team (Cohen's Team). Anyway, I'm pleased that it's coming together so well for you.

You mentioned that you'd had milk instead of a protein serve (I think) and I was surprised at that. I suppose I shouldn't have been, given that cheese & yoghurt are protein, but I never thought that far. So, while I'm getting used to black coffee I definitely prefer white and would probably go back to white but would like to know if it's worth the sacrifice of protein. Approximately how much milk are you allowed? Would it be enough for a couple of cups a day or are you limited by the quantities you substitute? Is one serve of milk = one serve of protein?

Thanks for your refeed diary. It's good to know what we can expect in refeed, which hopefully isn't too far away.

Oh, forgot to mention that you look gorgeous in your wedding outfit! I bet you're going to feel more beautiful than the bride on the day! You've done an awesome job and so deserve to feel fantastic.

Louise

[Annabelle Joy]

Dinner tonight was a lot different to what I've had so far. I usually don't talk about what I'm eating out of consideration of all of you still on the limited diet menu. However, because this was so different, I'm describing my meal. Skip the next paragraph if you don't want to read about things you can't have.

Tonight I added carbs for the first time, also new vegetable, and new protein, which I started yesterday. There's not much of anything that's new, and still mostly old protein and vegetable. Anyway, tonight I had:
Grilled kangaroo (old protein) and two scallops (new protein).
A ratatouille style mixture including some eggplant (new vegetable).
Corn kernels off the cob (carb), tasted really sweet.
A slice of bread (mopped up the ratatouille).
Watermelon (bad fruit) for dessert, also very sweet.
I'm interested to see if there are any effects from this meal. It includes a lot of sugar in different forms.

I'm still finding that there's too much food. I feel full most of the time, am looking forward to eating a bit less when I finish refeed.

Thanks for stopping by, Ronky and Louise.

Louise, I do remember the A-team. My son loved them when he was small. Milk quantity is about 2 1/2 tablespoons, probably only enough for one cup of milky coffee, or two of you don't add a lot of milk. My consultant said that it's about the same as in a cappuccino or latte, but I think most probably contain more than that. You only have to give up slightly less protein, not a whole meal of protein. There's plenty of protein, so milk is actually a way of reducing it. I probably will feel more beautiful than the bride, but she's lovely, so I doubt anyone else will think I'm the more beautiful.

More tomorrow morning.

AJ

[Shanara]

HI gracious lady,

I hope you enjoyed all your new taste sensations. Interesting to read how new foods are introduced - thanks for sharing. Funny you are looking forward to eating less!

As long as you feel beautiful that's the main thing - bet you are getting really really excited now - can't wait to see the photos.

Blessings
Shanara

[Annabelle Joy]

Same weight as yesterday and up 200 gms on my low. Still going well in terms of weight.

Today I add more new protein. All of the additional protein is now new protein, and that is added to a diet quantity of old protein. New vegetables also has increased, and some of the additional old vegetables has been removed. So, while the additional quantities is not increasing, the food that I eat is different. Still three slices of bread and two 'bad fruits', plus 50 gms of carbs and I will try milk again today, so reduce diet protein a bit to compensate.

Yesterday was reasonably relaxed. DH drove the car to Melbourne and back, so I was able to spend the time on thinking about what needed to be done/taken to Melbourne and making lists, which was a help. Today I had planned to spend on computer work, but have a number of small tasks that have to be completed as well, so fitting them in too.

Thanks for stopping by, Shanara and anyone reading this. Shanara, after the small meals we have been finding quite enough through the diet, eating five times a day (counting mid meal fruit), and comparatively larger quantities it's quite a struggle to get it all in. Even so, compared with what we used to eat food intake is still reasonably small. Having lost all of the weight I certainly don't intend putting it back on again.

Have a lovely day, everyone.

AJ

[lucylou]

Hi AJ

What a feast! I'm going shopping today and making a list of refeed foods to buy. Your diary is an excellent preparation for me.

And today I've finally caught up with you, we both have 0.6kg left on our tickers. Not that it matters much anymore, I think we're both happy at the weight we are right now.

x

LL

[Hervey Bay Shrinker]

Hi AJ, just thought I would pop in and say HI again. Your life is soooo busy, you are obviously a very energetic person!! Good on you!! it sounds like your refeed is going really well, you will be on maintenace before you know it. I hope you continue to do well, stay happy!

Merryn (HBS)

[Annabelle Joy]

I'm posting again this evening because tomorrow we are going to Melbourne in the morning, so may not have much time. It's DS's 30th birthday tomorrow. We want to see him before he leaves for a buck's party (not his, a friend's). We are taking up nine boxes of champagne and wine -- not for the wedding but for the rehearsal dinner and the post-wedding lunch. We're hoping they won't all be drunk, with 20 people at one and 60 at the other. Also taking glasses, serving plates for the rehearsal dinner, and a few other bits and pieces. We'll visit DF also. He's doing much better since the pacemaker was put in.

I spent a good part of the day working on the two computers that I have had sitting here. I hope to be able to return them both on Sunday, and I won't take any new jobs next week. I dropped a pair of pants, part of a suit, off to the dressmaker to let out a bit. I last wore them about 35 years ago. I'm probably lighter now than I was then, but must be a slightly different shape. I was feeling a bit stressed today, thinking of lots of small things I need to remember to do, or need to fit in somewhere.

I'm not spending enough time on planning my refeed, just don't have the time at the moment. I suspect I may have messed up quantities a couple of times, but not sure. Mostly, I'm confident I'm getting it right, although my meals aren't very imaginative. I tried milk again today. I enjoyed it more than last time, but still happy with black coffee. I had a similar reaction to last time too, will try it once more on Sunday.

Thanks for stopping by, LouLou, Merryn and anyone reading this.

LouLou, when I first started my clinic told me my goal was 65 kgs. I set my ticker to 64.6 as that was exactly 40 kgs. However, I reached within 200 gms of they weight they predicted. Yes, I'm happy with that weight. I wanted to be slim again, and to get to a point where my body was happy, the actual number doesn't matter very much to me.

Thanks for stopping by, Merryn. It was a bit lonely in my diary today and your company was appreciated.

AJ

[ceburoo]

AJ looks as though Skinny and I will have to catch up with you in maintenance. Cant se either of us getting to refeed before you leave. I have my refeed now and am slowly reading it in conjunction with your diary. It is so helpful in explaining small parts of the refeed.

Thanks for that and have a great time in Melbourne over the weekend.

[Annabelle Joy]

Same weight as yesterday (65.4). For the past nine days my weight has been in the range 65.2-65.4. I've been amazed at how little variation there's been, given my weight variations along the journey.

Today I increase new protein and vegetables, decrease old protein and vegetables, so meals aren't getting any bigger, but I'm eating more of the new foods. I added leeks as my new vegetable yesterday. Today I get to have butter on one piece of bread. I toasted the crust of my bread and put butter on it. Funny, most things that I've looked forward to having again don't taste as good as they used to taste.

Thanks for stopping by, Ceb and anyone reading this.

Ceb, I'll be waiting for you both in maintenance. I'm planning to be there for a long, long time. No more going back to being overweight and obese for me.

Have a lovely, stress free, day, everyone.

AJ

[Shanara]

Oh AJ

Your lasts post just sound so empowered - well done.

I hope you have an absolutely wonderful time at the wedding and all the supporting festivities. What a wonderful way to celebrate the new you. I am sure your son will be very wwrapped up in his new bride however I am sure there is a huge part of him that will be so proud to have his new slim mother on show!

Have the most wonderful time/

Thinking of you
Shanara

[SuzieQ]

Hi AJ!

Just popping in to see how you're going on refeed . Seems like you are breezing through, not so scarey after all hey?! Good on you.

Take care of yourself.

Suzie

[janine]

You are doing so well on refeed AJ. Well done. Isn't it funny that our tastes change so much. My journey was fairly short but even so, I have gone from soy lattes to not being able to stand milk in my coffee at all! Initially I was off bread after the plan but now have 1-2 slices a day. My only remaining addiction is butter which luckily I seem to be able to accommodate.

On the whole though, it is reassuring to know that our tastes have changed forever!

[katiefrank70]

Hi AJ

Just popped in to see how Refeed is going. Just seems to agreeing with you from Get Go. I know you are very busy but just wanted to say Thank you for your encouragement in my diary yesty. Right now I am having a rough time of it, and if it wasn't for this forum and wonderful posters such as yourself, I really dread to think how my journey could have ended.

Am really glad that your journey is nearly over, you must feel so relieved but frightened all the same. I'm sure you will handle maintenance with as much grace and dignity as you have in your whole journey.

PS The suit you are wearing to the wedding is absolutely gorgeous. What a finale to end your journey on.

Katie

[Cheral]

HI

Just saw the photos of you and your wedding outfit. Lovely colour and shows off your tiny waist.
I finally have an empty house for four days and have gone back on the programme for that time. Feeling a little podgy at the moment, the jeans were a bit tight on Friday, so hoping to get rid of it. My waist measurment is about 10cm more than yours, and is the first place I am noticing the excess. The scales show a good number,but the tape measure might not.

Such good timing for the wedding and your programme completion.

Cheral

[lou102]

HI AJ,

It's great to see that refeed is going so well for you. It almost seems to have been perfectly timed to the exact day. Congratulations.

[Annabelle Joy]

Back down to my low this morning (65.2). I was so scared when I started refeed that I would put on a kilo and have to repeat two days, which would mean that it would run into The Wedding weekend. I can't believe how constant my weight has been (have I said that before?)

I managed yesterday okay. I forgot to add butter to one of my breads, but it's optional. I had some on a roll with breakfast this morning. It doesn't taste the same now. I think I might try unsalted butter instead, something I've not enjoyed before. I didn't have any milk yesterday, will try it again today. I had a minor deviation yesterday. I bought some bottled artichokes for new vegetable, discovered when I was about to add them to a salad that they were marinated. As I was in a hurry, and didn't need much anyway, I used them. They were delicious. I checked the ingredients. Only the oil was not allowed, and given the small quantity I had I don't think there was a lot more than if I had sprayed a pan for a stirfry.

We took the wine and other things to Melbourne, called in and wished DS a happy birthday, unloaded some of the wine, then all went to the bride's mother's house and unleaded everything else. DS then headed off to someone's buck's party, with me providing motherly advice and reminding him to be careful. We visited DF (who continues to improve), then came home.

While with DF we looked at old photos which DH has put onto a DVD for him. DF was a farmer, as were his father and grandfather. We looked at old photos of large teams of horses pulling machinery, enormous haystacks, and huge loads of bagged wheat, both of which would have been built up manually. DF said they must have had forty horses. DH and I both remembered washing days that started with lighting the fire under the copper, clothes being lifted out with a stick, then having to be wrung out, or, later, put through a hand operated wringer, lino floors through the house that had to be waxed and polished by hand on your knees, my mother made butter, after separating the cream, raised hens for eggs, etc. On the way home we commented on the physical work that was required just to live only fifty years ago compared with today, and how much less food we must need now compared with back then. It's no wonder so many people are overweight.

I took the opportunity in the car (after making out various lists for the next few days) of reading more of Cyndi O'Meara's book Changing Habits Changing Lives. I'm very impressed with it. She's saying that we should eat as our ancestors did, simple, unprocessed foods. She claims that today's health problems are due to the processing that occurs with foods, and that whole foods, including dairy and meat fats in moderation, are good for us, and the oils and low fat products are the cause of our health problems, not the solution.

We stopped on the way home to pick up a couple of things in Geelong. I've decided that I'm going to have to shop there rather than locally, as there is so much more available -- fresh fish, decaf coffee beans, a health foods store. We managed to find pasturised only milk, which is not available locally (recommended by Cyndi).

I had planned to get the jewellery for the wedding today, but not sure if she has stocks in. She was making me a bag too, but has had trouble with that. She is going to loan me a silver bag and decorate it with roses made of the dress fabric.

Thanks for stopping by, Shanara, Suzie, Janine, Katie, Cheral, Lou and anyone reading this.

Shanara, it's funny, but the last two times I've seen DS he has told me that he thinks I'm a bit too thin. He said yesterday that I'm looking 'frail' at the top. I told him that probably meant he was fatter than me. I know I'm not too thin, but it's odd how so many people tell me I am. I think it relates to what I was saying above about how 50 years ago people worked much harder, and probably didn't eat a lot more, and were much thinner on average than the population is today.

Suzie, I'm amazed at how much I'm eating and not putting on any weight, or even retaining fluid. Last night my dinner was bigger than my husband's. It's all thanks to Dr Cohen and his plan for me.

Janine, I'm accommodating everything well, with the possible exception of milk. I'm going to try that again today. I'm looking forward to smaller meals when I finish. I think Dr Cohen is making us stuff ourselves to make us aware that we really don't like the way we feel when we do.

Katie, I hope you get through this rough spot and come out the other side feeling well and healthy. For most of us, the diet improves our health, but there are some who have medical problems along the way. Your health is more important. If need be, you can do a pre-Cohen style diet which your health problems are sorted out.

Cheral, With time to devote to yourself and Dr Cohen's help you'll soon get rid of any excess. I'll notice excess on my hips first. My waist has always been small, and at the moment I'm having trouble with all my long pants. They fit at the hips, and are several cms too big at the waist. I need to do some shopping sometime and buy a belt.

Lou, it couldn't have been timed more perfectly. I was resigned to still being on the diet or in refeed over the wedding weekend. I knew when I had to start refeed to finish in time. When I went to the clinic the day before my last possible start date I wasn't feeling any hunger. However, based on several indicators, my consultant decided I was ready to start. It must be my reward for nine months of dieting.

Have a lovely, stress free, day everyone.

AJ

[Katie6]

AJ,

So pleased for your that your refreed programme has gone so smoothly. I imagine its quite a relief to know that your body has welcomed the transition so accomodatingly!!

Your sons comments on you looking frail, reminded me of when I noticed how much weight my mother had lost a few years ago and it wasn't so much that she was frail, because she had never been healthier (just as you are not frail) it was more that I was so used to seeing her padded, robust and strong looking. When her collar bones became visible I was shocked by the realisation that she seemed so fragile and delicate and that made me feel that she needed 'protecting' rather than her being my 'protector'! Does that make sense? I wonder if that's how your son feels too? The reality was, my Mum looked fantastic as do you.

Take care and enjoy all those wonderful comments coming your way at the wedding!!

Katie

[thenewvee]

Hi AJ!

I'm so happy that refeed has gone so well for you and that you will be finished in time for the wedding! What great timing!! You will really be able to enjoy yourself without worrying at all now!

Yes, I guess that to people who are used to seeing you big, you would look frail now. I guess their minds just need to catch up to the new you as well!
Yes, in the older days, there was so much more work that had to be done and the food was a lot simpler too. I think obesity is becoming a real epidemic these days!

I checked out your fab body-stocking pics!! Absolutely fantastic! Well done! You look simply amazing! You have every right to be very proud of your achievements!

Vee