Physical Changes apart from weight loss

[Soon2BSlim]

As I've been reading through various diaries and other posts I've noticed a number of people have mentioned physical changes that they are experiencing in their bodies, since starting Cohen's, apart from the weight loss. They are things like "Dowagers Hump" disappearing, skin changes, feet shrinking ... and many more.

Anyway, I thought it would be good to put them all in one place as it would make interesting reading but also, when you find changes happening in your body others can identify with those things and possibly look forward to those changes themselves.

For myself, my biggest change has been my skin. At 44 my skin had become quite dry and leathery but within about 2-3 weeks of being on Cohen's it had undergone a dramatic change and has become soft and moist, almost like baby skin. Oh yes, I love the feel of my new skin!

[Andy46]

After 60 plus kg -

Shoe size by 1 to 1.5
Hat size by two sizes
Hair is dry and straw like - have been told it will go back to normal after re feed - not confirmed though
skin has shrunk but now as I near re feed its more obvious and starting to show more as excess - or hanging more than say at 40 or 50 kg lose mark
Body fat gone around other areas of body - bonny bum etc and some things have even in effect grown.
Blood taking much better for doc and nurse - veins showing on arms and legs.
Little fatty lumps under arms - gone.
Flexability - can scratch all my own back and cut toe nails no problems
Can now balance on one leg
Can jump up 5 stairs at rear entry to house
Can climb over or under a netting front fence at any time - do not have to find a gate or hole in fence.
Can clean gutters on roof without fear of falling over the roof edge because of front pulling stomache
Can work under motor vehicle without usinga jack and blocks
Can tie my shoes with out standing two steps down.


I know you where talking about body parts as such but I just had to add the others in - after 30 years of not doing it is so very very good !!!!!!!

and the list will go on and on and on .....no doubt ...great post to start Soon2BSlim !!!!!

[lessfatty]

The disappearance of a lifetime of asthma (I had it bad).

[Soon2BSlim]

Hey Andy

Isn't it just great to be able to do things you had little hope of being able to do again! All those things that skinny people take for granted. Well done on your weight loss and thanks for your feedback. I'd be interested to see how long it takes for your hair to feel normal again.

Thanks too for your feedback lessfatty. Fantastic news about your asthma going. Wow! I bet you feel like you really are a new person! Did you find your asthma disappearing gradually or did you just wake up one day and realise that you hadn't had an attack for a while?

[sundaymorningstaple]

No more acid reflux at nights
No more High Blood Pressure

[Andy46]

Snoring - stopped completely !!!!

How could I have forgotten that one .....about three or four weeks after starting my wife started to sleep again after about ten years of shaking and prodding and poking me about every hour.

Also - I was having all the sore joints and headaches and the normal coughs and colds - which I have had absolutely zero - the only headache was in the last week after a upset of my plan and I am so convinced it was directly connected to my upset week.

[shell]

No heartburn for me!
Shell

[hexi2]

Big pits under my arms - making it harder to shave...

Backbone sticks out and can be uncomfortable

Shoesize down my 1 size

Hair falling out

Veins popping out

Had to have my glasses readjusted they kept falling off my head

Rings too big

[asy]

I love this thread... Here are some of mine:

MEDICAL:
Sleep Apnoea gone - No more machine at night.
Sciatic back - much better, very rare sciatic pain, not waking me up at night
Facet joint injury in back - much improved - far fewer medications and only required one facet joint injection since I started the programme.
Blood pressure gone from 190/120 to 120/75 (Doctor stopped panicking)
FAR fewer migraines
Osteoarthritis symptoms almost gone - ceased taking daily steroid meds.
Lost lots of hair thickness, but it's growing back, as is the condition.

In addition (Non-medical, but lifestyle)
Able to walk up a flight of stairs without taking a sit-down break half way.
Can sit in a chair with arms
Can get into an airplane seat (not to be underestimated!)
Can fit through a turnstile.
Able to go on my daughter's school bushwalking excursion...
My gosh, there are so many more it's not funny...

Not to mention the improvements to life in *cough* other areas...

asy.

[Annabelle Joy]

Blood pressure down 138/88 to 120/78, expecting it to go lower.
Cholesterol down from 5.8 to 4.4.
Excellent results on all other blood tests.
Hair is thicker and healthier than it's been for years.
Excess facial hair is growing back very slowly.
Better balance, can walk downstairs without holding on.
Snoring stopped almost immediately (may have been the effect of no alcohol)
Easier to move, easier to stand up.

AJ

[Soon2BSlim]

Thanks for all the replies so far. It's making very interesting reading!

One that hasn't been mentioned here yet but I have seen a couple of posts where it's been said and that is, loss of periods.

[Annabelle Joy]

There are also some negative effects while on the diet.
Low calorie diets stimulate the liver to produce more cholesterol so cholesterol can rise, and also it can cause the formation of gallstones.
Some experience dizziness.
Some experience hair thinning.
Constipation can be a problem.
Some become more emotional.
These are effects of being on the diet and do not cause lasting problems, with the possible exception of gallstones.

AJ

[Tuti]

Headaches gone.
Skin rashes cleared up.
Cellulite GONE! (Cannot believe this)
Complexion has improved.
Best sleep I have ever had.
Hexi.. know what you mean about being harder to shave underarms

I only had 12kg to lose so I am really happy to have experience these benefits of the diet.

The biggest benefit to me is none of the above but the way I feel - fantastic. I have such a better outlook on life these days. It is actually something that I find difficult to explain.

cheers
Tuti

[Soon2BSlim]

Too true Aj and Hexi, there are negatives as well as positives with losing weight. I don't know anyone who would say they'd rather not have those negatives and be fat again, and the positive of being thin has to outweigh the negatives by far.

It's also good to read about the negatives because when we face negatives it's encouraging to know we aren't the only ones. If others can cope and be happy being thin, despite the negatives then it's a good place to be and helps us to make sure we don't put all the weight on again. Who really wants to be fat? Not me! Being fat means aches and pains all over not to mention a myriad of "minor" complaints like not fitting into plane seats, not being able to play with the kids etc.

Thanks for pointing out that it's not all positive changes, it's good to keep things in perspective.

[lessfatty]

Originally Posted by Soon2BSlim

Thanks too for your feedback lessfatty. Fantastic news about your asthma going. Wow! I bet you feel like you really are a new person! Did you find your asthma disappearing gradually or did you just wake up one day and realise that you hadn't had an attack for a while?

I was taking preventatives, and realized that I didnt even wease anymore, so I stopped taking the prevantives (seratide) "cold turkey" I got some weasing, and started taking seratide again, but I then gradually reduced the dosage over 30 days or so and at the end no weasing or anything.

Having milk in particular or too much bread or beer also gets me weazy...so I just need to stay clear of those foods.

Actually I think there is a link between Asthma and Insulin, this would also explain the rapid rise of asthma and obesity in our societies.

The "safe set" of Cohen foods really do have huge benefits even for those not doing a plan as such, I think anyone could get 80% of the effect of Cohen just be eating the foods on his list.

[shell]

Legs dont rub together to start a bushfire anymore!!

Shell

[Andy46]

At Pistol shooting the other day I shot a perfect score - stability and flexibility so much better - and correct foot placing etc - so watch out - run from me.........and it'll hit ya !!!!!!!
Andy

[Butterfly_girl]

Hehe Andy! That's a little scary!
Hubby swears his golf swing has improved. Less of a belly to have to swing around

[Annabelle Joy]

Just been reminded of these reading diaries -- the mental changes that occur:
Improved self esteem;
Happier (just look through the photos);
Increase in confidence.

AJ

[Kezza]

Hi All

I've also noticed that my cracked and horrible heals aren't cracked anymore. They're almost completely normal looking and i've gone down a size in shoes from and 8 to a 7.
Not going to tell Dr Cohen though cause he might want to change my goal weight. (LOL)