A diary for the last tricky bit

[FFlyer]

Hi everyone, this is my third time around with Cohen's (the other times were roughly around 2004/2005 and 2011/2012-ish, I think!) ... although I experienced good losses in the past, I got off track before getting to the re-feed stage. I ended up putting on more weight each time. So this time has been a big, big effort. I've been at it now for 6 months, and I'm in the home stretch to ordering re-feed, and absolutely committed to getting there. I've been really consistent and haven't entertained the idea of any deviations, which I'm very happy about, as I know it would have risked me going off track and staying there.

I've been getting quite headachy and very hungry the last week or so, so putting this diary together to keep on track and document these last (hopefully) weeks/months on my way to my healthy body weight.

This game is SO MUCH a mental one.

The day I contact my clinic and order re-feed will be such a massive win - I am really really looking forward to that. The feeling of achievement will be immense.

I really enjoy the Cohen's food and way of eating, but there are some things I will look forward to being able to have again, occasionally. They are not the things I would have thought I would be missing though!

I'm glad the forum is still here - thanks team (looking at you Koh) - it was super helpful with previous attempts and I think it might be just what I need to get me over the line this time. Hi to anyone out there on Cohen's now

[Kohinoor]

Hi FFlyer,
Good for you. 6 months sounds like a really good effort, so I can understand you wanting to go "all the way" this time. Nail it once and for all.

So just where are you this time? How much to go? You mentioned headaches - are you taking something for them? Share some more of how it has been, and where you are heading (goal weight, etc) and let's see how I might be able to help. As you know, I've been around a while and have learned a lot.

Do you have the Judith Beck book? Are you looking at professional help to "talk through" things so this journey ends along with the weight loss. You said it - the journey is SO MUCH more mental than physical, so do consider how you can best help you in that way.

I'm here to cheer you on, and to chat to as you go. Let's do this !!
Regards,
Koh

[FFlyer]

Thanks Koh ... nice to have a witness!

I'm at 69.6 kg (huge win to be in the 60's as many before me have noted on their journeys) and my goal is 63kg. I wasn't going to be specific about the starting weight (being a bit shy!) but I've realised that's not really in the spirit of things, and I've appreciated knowing how other people have gone and where they have started from ... so on 2/10/21 I started at 107.4kg.

After you mentioned the Beck book I downloaded a sample on the kindle last night, so will see if I can get into it. Regarding the mental space, this time (on Cohen's) does feel quite different. I've changed quite a few habits around self-care the last few years, so feel like there was quite a bit of work done before starting the program this time that means I'm building on quite a good foundation.

One of the big things I've found over the past 6 months is how much I enjoy being able to do "hard things" - setting a challenge and achieving it. Little did I know that the "hard things" were going to include making it to the next mealtime, but there you go! haha. My mantra for this week has become "feeling hungry is not an emergency" ... its working so far.

[FFlyer]

2 words for today: Grumpy and Tired.

[Michelle5386]

I just started myself because after 9 million attempts I want to get this right and I totally agree about the mental part. That’s where I have to convince myself to not mess up.
It’s good to meet you! My friend used this forum years ago and she lost 83 pds and is back on again. She’s more like a sister to me but This plan really works. I’m so glad she remembered these forums.

[Kohinoor]

Hi Fflyer,
Are you with a clinic too, or going it alone? See, depending, the clinician could be your best friend. If not, well at least you have us - add Michelle to the list too (Hi Michelle )
I heard grumpy and tired - but watch out for hangry - with you being just 7Kg from goal, and having lost a fair bit, there is a chance you may get uber-hungry ahead of goal. If that is the case, do keep sharing, as there is where things can get tricky. But for now, let's help you walk down this last aisle.....

Be kind to yourself along the way - don't be a martyr (I see too many give up at this last hurdle - yet this is the hurdle you really need to jump). So, keep on rocking Fflyer - see you tomorrow,
Koh

[Kohinoor]

And Michelle,
Go ahead and start a New Diary in this forum - like Fflyer did. It is then yours to populate in whatever way it helps you. I saw your Diary Request, and you are good to go,

Regards,
Koh

[FFlyer]

Hi Michelle!! I will pop over and look for your diary I understand about the 9 million attempts - but you are in the right place, Cohen's works. Looking forward to being companions on the journey

[FFlyer]

Hi Koh, I am in a current support plan for Cohen's, so through the online service, but finding them really responsive. They advised me to ease up on the exercise for the current bit, while I'm feeling hungry.

I won't be giving up at the last hurdle, Koh. I WON'T. (Speaks to self firmly). It's too close to the end now, not that things will change that much once I'm through - other than to not have to weigh everything and cook separate meals from the family! lol.

It was hard getting to sleep last night, and then work at 3.45am feeling hungry again. That's a pattern I'm not loving! haha. I'm just taking it that the goal is getting closer, and the body is burning the extra fuel.

Thanks for the company and the support guys (Koh and Michelle). Much appreciated.

[Kohinoor]

Hi Fflyer,
How hungry is that? These latter stages can be hard to take from what I hear. And yes, depending on how much exercise you do, you might need to either cut back a bit, or help out with just a bit more food. Your clinic should be able to guide you with that.

Keep in mind too that there will be a host of signs starting to crop up toward your Refeed that start to signal that "your body needs more food". So do share whatever strange events start to happen with you.

Some even find they have to stop short of reaching their "goal weight" - but again, that should be discussed with your clinic. Main thing is don't try to "hold on at all costs" - discuss what is happening as it transpires. The clues keep coming in these latter days. We wouldn't want you to hold out until you can't hold out any more - and you 'lose it'. Don't want to scare you though - many go right down to goal weight with a bit of discomfort, then they start Refeed, and all is good.

Rock on Fflyer,
Koh

[FFlyer]

Hi Koh, the hunger is currently manageable. I've had a good couple of days when I've felt really satisfied after my meals, so enjoying that. I've been having a couple of meals with green smoothies with my veg allowance, BIG ONES, and that's been super. So keeping on for now. Will jump in with a report just as soon as I hit 40kg lost - will count that as yelling it from the roof tops, which is what I will feel like doing I have no doubt.

[Kohinoor]

Hi again,
As things get tougher, have you tried swapping meals around? Many have found that having meals 2 and 3 through the day help them get through, and Meal 1 at night has you sleeping on an emptier tum - you don't feel hunger so much when asleep !!
Keep on sharing here - the more you share, the more the load can be lightened. Rock on Fflyer,
Koh

[FFlyer]

Thanks Koh

Today is my 200th on the program this time around (including one week with an old plan before getting my new plan) and ... drum roll please ... this morning I hit 67.4kg which is 40 KGS LOST. Feeling super proud.

As to how I feel physically. Not too bad this very minute. But had a couple of days on the weekend with some pretty gripping stomach pains. My temperature regulation seems quite out of whack, hot then freezing. And lots of body aches and pains. Any tips?

[Kohinoor]

Hi Fflyer,
Re aches and pains, I recall "someone" mentioning kidneys and how hard they have to work. They mentioned going to a practitioner of some kind who "massaged" the kidneys - the relief after the treatment was quite significant as I recall. P'raps consider finding someone who can help with that....

Cold is a normal feeling as you lose weight, but also while on the Plan - I've heard that 50% of our body heat comes from digesting food, so if you are eating less food, then your body is less able to produce its own heat. The hot flushes, I dunno - could this be a sickness of some kind?

Some of the events (some quite odd) I recall as folks near Refeed were - back pains, hunger (of course), baking heaps for others (and enjoying doing it), feeling a bit woozy, etc. You're getting close to ordering refeed too, aren't you (2Kg above top goal weight?). I'd suggest getting it ordered - when you need it, it is good to have it handy.

Regards,
Koh

[FFlyer]

Lol - I think the hot is from menopause - competing with the cold of the weightloss.

Good tip about the kidneys - I'll look into it.

I do swap my meals around quite a bit, so will continue to do that.

Re baking for others - that's pretty funny! I've done more baking the last few weekends than I probably have ever ... this weekend gone a big chocolate cake and choc chunk cookies for the family. They smelt divine.

I've been in touch with the clinic and they have me keeping a food diary to see if there is anything to switch/choose differently to make it more comfortable. Sipping water throughout the day has also been advice received, instead of a half cup at a time or however else you might be consuming it (in case anyone comes along behind, reading this, and is also looking for tips).

I've got a blood test due this weekend, which should be my last one.

Thanks for the support Koh!

[Kohinoor]

Hi Fflyer,
I knew I'd read on someone's post about kidneys, so I went looking for it. It is from RevampedTramp's diary - and here's the post where she mentions her kidneys and what happened (about 3 paragraphs from the end - RVT is quite voluble, and funny, in her posts).
https://newyouforum.com/forum/showth...996#post332996

I noted that you have already travelled this way in the past, so you might recall RevampedTramp. Her whole diary is a hoot, if you want a bit of light reading over a cuppa. It also has some neat learnings that might help too, especially near the end as she heads for Refeed. Oh, and she has a Refeed diary too - here https://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12578

Good luck with blood test, and likely Refeed to follow, yeah?

Koh

[FFlyer]

I do remember RVT from earlier times - she was always a great read, from memory. I will revisit, thank you. Blood test is done. I've been in touch with the clinic and explained how I'm feeling, and they agree that once the blood test results are received they'll order refeed. So there is light at the end of the tunnel. Its hard to get to sleep at the moment, and hard to stay asleep, as parts of the body take turns at hurting (back and hip/thigh mainly). On Friday I sat in the office with 4 layers of clothes on, a beanie and ugg boots (excellent fashion sense) while my partner sat in ths same room in shorts and a t-shirt, so there is really something up with my temperature regulation. I'll got check out RVT now and investigate what she has to say about kidneys. Needless to say, I'll be super happy to start re-feed. Thanks for checking in with the tips Koh.

[Kohinoor]

Yeah, RVT used to keep us all entertained with her descriptive rantings. I suggested she should be an author - I'm sure there'd be a market for the type of writing she regaled us with.

But along the way, she also shared some really good stuff, so do go check it out - it may lift your spirits on a tough day (and you might get some good ideas re how to have your partner help too - she was good at involving her partner in her dramas). Funny as.....

I hope Refeed comes your way soon - many find in these last days that they wanna break out, but once they actually have Refeed in their hands, they find they can relax and even wait an extra day or two, knowing that "help is now at hand". Good luck with it, Fflyer - keep on keeping on,

Koh

[FFlyer]

Time to post an update. The mad hungries are gone at the moment, alleluia. Currently on day 9 of refeed. I started above the weight planned, but felt I really needed to start. Changes have been:
Day 1 - start point
Day 2 loss 200g
Day 3 no change
Day 4 loss 500g
Day 5 gain 100g
Day 6 loss 400g
Dau 7 loss 200g
Day 8 gain 100g
Day 9 gain 500g
.... so to date on refeed I'm down 600g from the refeed start weight.
The program takes a bit of planning out before each day begins but its not too tricky overall.

7 days to go. Really looking forward to getting past this phase and into maintenance. Resolve is feeling a little low today, which is perhaps why I am here documenting and making myself accountable!

I have a group of people I usually see each week for an activity. This week I had 2 people approach me, separately, about my weight loss. Once concerned I might be taking things a little too far, and the other encouraging me to start eating more. I assured them it is "in hand". I guess I am a little at the gaunt end of things, which is odd, when I'm not even within my Cohen's goal range, but there you go.

Hanging in there, heading towards happy maintenance land! Have a good weekend Koh

[Kohinoor]

Hey, sounds like you going along in fine style !!! Well done. You must surely be at/near the "mixing protein" stage where the 5 hour between meals becomes a thing of the past.

This is where new "bad" foods should be monitored, especially if you have a sudden overnight gain (and I've heard it can be 2 or 3 days after eating the culprit, so DO keep journaling to end of Refeed, and even into Maintenance).

These happy "bad fruits" are on your side now !!


Koh