Q&A After Re-feeding...

[PhyllisRis]

So Shasha...once refeed is over does one lose their access to this forum??? I'm just trying to figure out why we haven't heard from Pumbza....
Phyllis

[Shasha]

{hi} there Phyllis

The answer to your question is NO, even after your 12 week program has come to an end, you may still continue to post on the Forum - there is no limit set to this.

:sadeyes: I don't know what happened to Pumbza, or many of the other Diet Buddies, once they reach their goal and complete the Re-feeding Program... :sadeyes:

Perhaps they no longer feel the same need for support or to fellowship with fellow dieters. Maybe they just get busy with life and move on...

[Sharon]

I'm trying to keep positive, that he has moved on and thinking that is all it is, he has been absolutely amazing in his achievement and in his support, thankyou heaps and heaps Pumbza. One day he will surprize us and pop up out of know where on someones thread I am sure.
(But deep down would still be nice to know he returned from his trip safely).

[Shasha]

{hi} there Sharon & Everyone

I share your feelings exactly... in that it would be nice to know that our loved Pumbie Bear is safe!

To go a step further, I don’t like it when diet buddies “disappear” cos it feels so horrible to the rest of us... Simply because we grow to love them as real friends and cannot help but feel worried and, we cannot help but to miss their presence when they “disappear”…

In the year that I’ve been part of this forum, it’s not the first time that a Diet Buddie that I’ve grown to love has gone AWOL just after completing Re-feed…

I remember the first time someone did this and I remember the first time I really had these feelings: we had a lady called Cyberella, she was amazing, always talking, really lively, posted on every single link, on every single day… then when her Re-feeding came to end: BAM: GONE!! as in totally disappeared!! (and, I STILL wonder what on earth happened to her…) Some of our older Diet Buddies will still remember her and they will remember how horrible that felt... Everyone was in shock at her sudden disappearance and we all felt like: Cyberella where are you??? Are you OK??? … there was that horrible feeling of something terrible must have happened, something must be wrong… surely she didn’t just forget about us… no, something must be wrong… OH NO! Please Dear Lord, let Cyberella be OK!!

The next time someone was ready for Re-feed, my stomach turned… and I got this sad feeling of “oh no, I really like you and I don’t want us to lose you too!”

A couple of Diet Buddies have followed this same road, but then thankfully others have stayed. Not as active as before, but still popping in to say that everything is fine and to give an update as to how they are feeling– just giving a bit of feed back and reassurance… like Shawn… we know he’s doing okay… struggling a bit with the water, but he’s in control and he is fine… and I wonder if he’s gone to gym yet…

This “mysterious disappearance” of some of our Diet Buddies has lead me to believe that people log into the Forum to find fellow Diet Buddies who are going through the same thing that they are. They have the need and want to talk to someone who understands (really understands: first hand) exactly WHAT they are going through… They also want to find out as much as they can about the program, the diet and the Re-feeding… and they want to know from others who have gone before that it will “all be okay” and that “they can do it too”… it seems that some Diet Buddies even expect to walk out of this with a medical degree cos they demand to exactly how know it all... (Just kidding! :flirt: )

Once someone has completed the process successfully and they see how it all works, they no longer feel the same need, so they move on… What comes to mind is what happens when you finish school… most people simply feel a bit sad at saying goodbye and then move on to newer and greater adventures… Some may go back to say hi to the teachers, many will keep contact with some close friends, but generally you lose contact with most of the people you use to know… then, some years down the line, it’s time for your reunion and some catch up…

I don’t believe that some Cookie Monster mysteriously chews up all our Old Diet Buddies… I believe that they simply move on… even though it doesn’t feel nice to the rest of us…

Let’s face it – the Forum can be very time consuming and at times it has been so busy that you really have to select what you are going to read / focus on… I mean, we all have only so many hours in a day and need to get through work and chores too! Time is scares… Especially and more so at the end of the year… everyone is rushing around trying hard to finish this or that… there just don’t seem to be enough hours in a day… and, people tend to feel tired when the year comes to an end…

The whole Forum is quieter in general… and, I think it’s the “calm before the storm”… cos in January after all the festivities are over, we will find lots and lots of people decide to focus on the job of loosing weight… and the Forum will be buzzing again…

Still, despite thinking the above, I share your feelings of “wondering whatever happened and if Pumbza is ok”… that’s why I’ve always tried, no matter how busy I have been to do at least one little post in Positive Thought For The Day, every day, so that you can know I’m still here and I’m still thinking of all of you!! {grouphug1} my day just happens to squashed on the clock… but, I'm still here...

The good thing that we can all get out of this is: this diet is a journey and that journey will come to an end! You won’t be on diet forever! Only until you reach your goal weight!!! {wave} then it’s Re-feeding and Maintenance… and, hopefully YOU will keep coming back to tell everyone on the Forum that you are doing just fine…

[Sharon]

I'm sure you are right and life does get buzy.I'll try my best not to disappear off the face of the earth when I finish.

[lfingers11]

Shasha, :sadeyes: Sorry that you are so sad.
What an awesome email and it seems like I know you so much better!
It is sad that our refeed buddies don't check in more often but I know that have moved on and doing great. I think when we are doing the diet and refeed our time is so consumed by it. When we think about eating we get on the boards so we don't eat. After refeed when we want to eat we can have some veg's, crackers/cheese and I guess maybe they don't need the boards because they are so healthy.
I do have to say I probably will not be on as much as I am now. I WILL check in with all of you though. I promise! Also, I am one of the buddies that will be exercising because I can eat a little more if I exercise. Isn't that horrible!!! I want to tone up too.

Shasha ~ How do you deal with maintenance when exercising? I know muscle weighs more than fat so how do I know when to go no carb for two days? I am 5'4" and my weight is staying between 119-120. My tapes should be here next week and my first gym appointment is next week. It is very little exercise next week. I wanted to finish refeed before starting all that! Thanks!

Pam

[happytmo]

Sasha- You are awesome. You really are our little cheerleader.
I joined right when Cyberella was finishing up so I've been around a while. I've seen the board get busy to where I couldn't keep up. When it's so busy, I usually don't post, just read. I always look to see your positive thought for the day to make sure you are still around. Thank you for your wisdom and support. I would be sad if you left.

[PhyllisRis]

I agree with Happytmo....I too would be sad, Shasha, if you left....so don't even think about it!! I've noticed how the forum has calmed down quite a bit....it is a very busy time of year. Hopefully after the holidays people will return to the boards...
You don't have to worry about me going anywhere for a long time.....cuz my diet won't be done for a long time and I'll need lots of further encouragement. And hopefully I'll be able to offer some encouragement of my own to fellow diet buddies!
Hang in there everyone....keep to the plan!!
Phyllis

[Sharon]

massive ditto

[SPDeRosa]

Hi everyone,

I agree that it's scary to have people you chat with just disappear but we can't assume the worst. For me, I chose to start the diet when I had lots of free time. My academic year was drawing to a close (I joined April 13th -- with only a few weeks left in the semester), then I had all of May, June and July to work the program and then August to work my way through refeed.

Now that September is back, I find myself swamped with prepping for classes while still trying to grow my own business which has me flying around the country doing training programs.

I also found that as the boards grew in popularity, they became really difficult to work through. So many people were carrying on personal conversations on the boards rather than through email that I'd find myself spending an hour or more just sorting through people's conversations that weren't really diet-related support, advice and coaching. I'm happy to sort through and comment in a supportive manner, but with so many conversations being posted online that really should have been sent via email, I found myself less drawn to the boards.

Shasha's idea of posting at least one thing a day is such a great idea. It's hard to read through everything, but it's easy to post. I also wonder if I posted at least SOMETHING every now and then if it would be easier to stick to the maintenance rules. Maybe I'll give it a try as I do feel that reading posts and participating helped me GREATLY in that I didn't want to deviate and let all my diet buddies down. Now I'm at the point where I don't want to discourage anyone (including myself) by gaining weight back!

Ok, time to grade 40 assignments (each with 7 essay questions) and then start grading final exams. . . after I finish my coffee and read the paper and read a few more threads. Have a great day everyone!!!!

~ Shawn
P.S. Still no gym (although I'm paying over $70/month for it) and still doing horrible with water.

[Shasha]

{hi} there Everyone, Sharon, Pam, HappyTMO, Phyllis & SHAWN!!

You guys are the best! :bighug: You melt my heart!! I know for sure why I keep coming back!!! :love: It’s cos each one of you Diet Buddies is the very best!!!

HappyTMO, I couldn’t agree more with you: YES, the Forum has been very busy… I also struggled to try and keep up – felt a bit overwhelmed by the sudden growth then got to thinking that the growth has been really GREAT!, cos everyone’s input is valuable – you never know who’s going to be encouraged by something that someone else is going through… Watching the Forum growing has been like putting together one of those giant puzzles – piece by piece… all the little pieces have a spot! Although there are moderators who may guide and help, it’s the Diet Buddies who work together to form the most beautiful picture…

Hey Gal’s you don’t have to worry about me going, I might go to visit with some “real” family on a PC-less planet for just a few days, but I’m not leaving!! So you needn’t worry, but thank you for those kind words – it’s nice to feel so very loved!

Shawn: It’s always GREAT to hear from you!!! YES, please do try to post as often as you can… one post a day is great, if you don’t get time today, simply come back tomorrow… never feel condemned about being busy… The Forum is never going to be a thing of “I better phone my Mother or else I’ll never hear the end of that…” everyone is welcome to come and go, or come and drink a cup of coffee whenever they are able… we sure do love hearing from you!

And, sorry, but I must encourage you with the again!!

Going to gym when you are busy, can be quiet time consuming… especially when you are starting your own business! (How exciting!!) Maybe schedule to try going to gym once a week, say on a Saturday afternoon (or whenever you can… ) for now… that way you won't feel like your money is being wasted but, while you are busy with your everyday life, determine to be “active” and to be “moving”… little things, done on purpose, consistently… anything that get’s the blood moving is great… now don’t burst out laughing… but, when making a cup of coffee, you can stand there or you can stand there and either suck in your tummy or pull in your butt… really tight - just using those muscles help! you can do a couple of sit up’s… and a couple of push ups at home before taking a shower or for the ladies, you can do counter push up’s anytime - lean towards the counter, facing it, push yourself back by your arms and then bend them… get out there and walk your dog, he would love the exercise… try to find an activity that you enjoy – even if that is playing with your children or dancing with your someone… teddybears will do too!

Gym sounds great, but, it’s not always the best solution for everyone… because of their busy lifestyle or because they may not have a gym close to home…


I am one of the buddies that will be exercising because I can eat a little more if I exercise. Isn't that horrible!!! I want to tone up too.
Pam

For sure Pam, you can and should do exercises – but be careful of thinking “I can eat more if I exercise more”… Few people exercise enough to work off a doughnut! The danger comes in when people (I’m not saying you) but some can start to think: I spent 30 minutes in the gym means I can eat xyz… and then, they don’t understand why they are UP on the scale the next day… Exercising does help use up more energy – but when exercising in moderation, that extra energy is very limited… Also be very careful of thinking that you now need those high carb “energy drinks” or foods… unless of course you are running a marathon… You don’t need to load up on sugar before doing a regular work out – in fact, if you do, you will trigger too much insulin (fat storing hormone). If you want to tone muscles, you need to keep the insulin down and Human Growth Hormone up! Yes, have an apple 20 minutes prior to exercising – this will slowly lift up your blood sugar levels, but it won’t trigger too much insulin, so you won’t be sabotaging your own efforts… Don’t forget to keep taking those vitamins and minerals and after Re-feeding please do not cut back on proteins only to increase carbs as this will equal unwanted weight gain...

HAPPY SLIMMING AND STAYING SLIM EVERYONE!!! {cheerleader}

[SPDeRosa]

Yes Shasha you CAN'T leave! You are the foundation of this whole entire board! I'm trying hard to drink my water -- I even went out and got some lemons as I know that helps me get it all in. I might even try those "gluteus maximus" exercises you mentioned -- especially seeing as I no longer have any junk in my trunk :) :weights2:

[lfingers11]

Shasha,
You don't need to worry about me eating to much food! Heck, I was bummed when I found out we should only have one fruit a day after refeed. I will be happy to work out and get two if my body tollerates it.
Pam

[Shasha]

{hi} there Mr Shawn

:weights: ... or is it Mr Muscle Man by now?? :weights2:

I was wondering how those exercises are going???

And, are you managing to drink 2 liters of “lemonade” every day??? :flirt:

[Shasha]

{hi} there PAM

YES, you do need to be careful of fruit, cos it triggers insulin, which stores fat… BUT, if you like fruit, you can eat a bit more fruit by “leaving room” for fruit. I found that if you have less starch, you can have more fruit. Best is try and see…

Fruit is certainly your most healthy desert treat – filled with “good for you vitamins”, antioxidants etc. So, rather have fruit than empty desert...

Also do remember to try to save fruit for after your starch meal – it helps!

[Mei Mei]

Sasha,
Thanks for your insight. I think you are right: we get through, and then don't need the spport quite as much. But, it is sad to lose friends that you have counted on so heavily. Funny how attached we get to one another isn't it? Shawn, good to hear from you too!
Maybe we should start a new thread, "Just to let you know I'm alive"
I have lots from this forum that I wonder about? How is Rachel? is she pregnant yet? How about Bitten? Mrs. Peel? Blondie, chrissy? anyway, I hope they are all well.
Shawn, I haven't been to the club much, sincerely becase my life has gotten so busy. When on diet I didn't exercise--except for tennis, and then my life filled the space. I'm paying 60 bucks a month too...I'm going next week. (She said confidently.)
Love to all,
Mary

[lfingers11]

Mary,

Rachael is pregnant. that came through about a month ago.
I think I saw something from mrs peel a couple weeks ago but for the life of me I can't remember. I feel kind of bummed about all the diet buddies that have dissappeared since the holidays. I am bummed because they were doing so well and now they are gone. Please come back, you guys can do it!!

don't feel bad about not working out. I have been slacking here too. Ok, tomorrow is a new day so I will make myself work out before I go to work. No work out = no work so I will have to do it.

[Shasha]

{hi} there Mary & Pam

I know how you feel and I too miss our older diet buddies!!! Yes Pam, there was something from Mrs Peel on 1 January Mrs Peel wrote:


I lost 98 pounds in 2008 - and MrPeel lost 45! Our total, 143 pounds missing from our house - and the Forum total now: 1,045.9 lbs.!!!!
{congrats}

I was really pleased to see that Mrs Peel popped into the Forum on the first day of this BRAND NEW YEAR!

A BRAND NEW YEAR – what a wonderful concept! And I’d like to share some thoughts with you on this if I may:

What better time than NOW to make a fresh start and a new beginning… ???

Perhaps before some of our Diet Buddies can make a successful NEW START, they may have to let go of the past… do a sort of “forgetting what lies behind” thing in order to successfully push forward towards a goal that lies ahead. Remember that no runner ever looks back – if he does, he could very well hinder his own progress, either by running into something or by having a fall…

NOW is the time to forget the past, whether that be past hurts, lost opportunities, regrets of eating on Christmas day, or any other 'failures' – these all need to be put behind us if we are to focus on the here and the now and future goals. So I would like to encourage you to determine to put the past in the past and push on to the future.

NOW is the time to look forward, we have the whole of 2009 standing wide open before us… Why not set NEW FRESH GOALS and work our very best toward reaching them?

Sometimes there may also some ‘good things’ that we need to put behind us… someone once said that time is like dipping your hand into a river – you will never feel the same water twice. Life is filled with change and new experiences. Sometimes however, we liked something so much, that we hold on way too long… in fact, some people can hold onto the past “good old days” so tight, that it prevents them from living in the present. Doing so, robs us from the very JOY of living in the NOW MOMENT.

Yes, it is indeed, it is nice to look back at past victories – and it is nice to say: I have achieved this or that… but, if you have no where you are currently heading, that’s not good.

Why not use past achievements to be your spring board, launching you off to achieve future goals and future victories. Say to yourself, if I could do this, I can surely do that… and then work at your new goal.

Someone once said that the worst enemy of “BEST” is “GOOD” because if you are satisfied with what is “GOOD” you will not be motivated to push on to reach what is “BEST”.

My hope for each and every one of you is that you will move into “BEST” – not just in terms of your weight loss, but in every area of your life.

My hope {praying} for each and every one of you is that you will move into “BEST” – not just in terms of your weight loss, but in every area of your life. {grouphug1}

[PhyllisRis]

"Someone once said that the worst enemy of “BEST” is “GOOD” because if you are satisfied with what is “GOOD” you will not be motivated to push on to reach what is “BEST”."
I LOVE that statement!!! That's exactly how I've tried to live my life and it irrates me to no end when people settle for "good enough" when they could strive to be BEST! I'm glad someone else thinks this same way!!
Onward to the Top!!! Be the Best you can be!!!
Phyllis

[Shasha]

Onward to the Top!!!
Phyllis

:applause: or, in other words:


FORWARD!! & DOWNWARD!!

...heading for SMALLVILLE!!!

{wave}{wave}{wave}

[jrose85826]

Sasha,

I am hoping you can give me some guidance. I have never posted to the boards before, but I have found them to be a huge help through out the process. I have been done with the program since I reached my goal weight on Thanksgiving. I managed to maintain my weight through the holidays and am still at it now. I am looking to you for guidance because I fear I may need to do the re-feeding portion again. With the holidays I had several days of over indulging followed by 2 days of no carbs. I am concerned that I need to slowly reintroduce more carbs into my body again so I do not shock it. Currently I am eating about 1 piece of whole wheat bread a day and popcorn. I’d really like to be able to eat more carbs or even a cookie in a day with out having to then not have any for 48 hours. I am trying to only to the no carbs for 48 hours if I gain more than 2 pounds from one day to the next as recommended.

Given all your experience with this plan any help/guidance or words of wisdom you can give me would be really appreciated. I look forward to your reply

Thanks!!!
Jamie

[Sharon]

Hi Jamie,
Well done for reaching your goal weight and being able to maintain over the festive time, excellent way to go, you certainly did alot better than me at post refeed management - 10 out of 10.
Just wondering - if you add a cookie or another slice of bread to your bread and popcorn - does you weight start climbing? I may be wrong but I would have thought you would slowly introduce carbs until your body starts responding with an increase that is not transient (ie taking into account daily fluctuations that is not fat), if you increase drop back, challenge it again and if your body responds the same that is probably your daily mainatinance carb limit - (indulgences aside that will need a day or two of carb reduction). I didn't pick up with the plan that if you have maintained / recovered successfully that you would have to do refeed, it was if you placed yourself back on strict Cohen for 2 weeks or more where reintroduction would shock your body.
You have put forward a very good question.

[jrose85826]

Thanks for the quick reply Sharon! I was going to try adding a 2nd piece of whole wheat bread tonight in place of the popcorn and a cookie. Honestly, I haven't been really good about adding stuff slowly. I tend to go off of the deep end and then due the two day no card thing. I will let you know tomorrow what happens to my weight with the additional piece of bread and cookie tonight.

[jrose85826]

Ok, so yesterday as far as carbs go I ended up have two pieces of whole wheat bread and 1 cookie (farmers cookie). The cookie was relatively plain and I made sure to have a starcy vegetable (corn) before 1 of the pieces of the bread and the cookie. I was up .4 lbs this morning. I am fine with that, but my stomach is completely uncomfortable. This has been happening to me a lot lately. I have my carbs at night and have trouble sleeping because my stomach is uncomfortable. First instinct is to think, "Oh, she had to many carbs." However, I have 1 piece of bread around 4:45 pm. The 2nd at 6:50 PM and the cookie at 8:30 PM.

I know Dr. Cohen suggests having your carbs and dessert if you are going to have them in the evening, but I wonder if part of my problem is when I am eating my carbs. During refeeding you space them out through out the day. I usually crave them around lunch and/or 2:00 pm. Maybe I should have my carb/sweet then and not at dinner time? Any thoughts or advice you have would be most helpful.

Thanks!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Jrose85826

Sorry for hearing about your problem with starch… I believe the main reason for the weight gain is that you break the STARCH ONCE A DAY ONLY RULE.


However, I have 1 piece of bread around 4:45 pm. The 2nd at 6:50 PM and the cookie at 8:30 PM.

Doing the above is a clear mistake as you should only have starch ONCE A DAY… NOT 3 TIMES… and, you may mix the starch ie: 2 slices of bread and follow this by a cookie - but eat this at one time, so you trigger insulin once, not 3 times in one day…


I know Dr. Cohen suggests having your carbs and dessert if you are going to have them in the evening...

Also not 100% true – you can have your starch meal for lunch OR for dinner – but NOT FOR BREAKFAST.

If you believe you would feel more comfortable having starch at lunchtime, then do so and have veggies and proteins for dinner (caution, not the starch veggies ie: peas…)

If that doesn’t help, try changing the bread you are having – maybe you have an allergic reaction to bread and your body is merely trying to tell you that it’s not happy to eat this bread…

Hope this helps!!! All the best!! {cheerleader}

[Shasha]

{hi} there Phyllis & Buddies

Hope you don’t mind, but I just moved your thread into the new LIFE AFTER DIET SECTION…

Hope to hear more from you all soon!!

:bighug: from me!

[alabama]

I am confused!!! Can somebody help me??! I had my thyroid removed friday, May 8th. since that point, I went all liquids for three days and then just ate what I could for a week. This was the first time on maintenaince to eat carbs more then once a day. I weighed yesterday to be up 3 pounds and went no carb yesterday. I thought no carb meant we could still have two apples and a cracker serving or two. anyway, I am UP .2 pounds... I am confused!

Sorry to be so dramatic. I just dont want to go through another day of this for nothing. Suggestions welcomed:-). Much love to everyone and you all are doing so great!!!!!!!

[SurferGirl]

HI Alabama,

That sure is frustrating. But realistically .2 lbs could be anything! Maybe it was hotter than normal and your body's retaining water, or maybe its the recovery from the surgery.

You can have your normal diet fruit and crackers when going no carb for 48 hours. I would just keep doing what you're doing, finish out the 48 hours and then get back to normal carb once a day lifestyle. Your body should even out in a couple days. If not, go no carb for another 48 hours.

You are doing great, and it sounds like you are very dedicated.

Best WIshes,
SurferGirl

[alabama]

Thanks for the encouragement, surfer girl!!! you were right. it took two days, but got two pounds off. i tell you what though by the third day I felt like I was going to pass out. I might need to wait til after recovery. Someone else that had this surgery said they only gained 2 pounds until they leveled out their hormones.

anyway, how are you doing back on plan?? How many days? How much did you lose? I wonder how it works after going back on for a short time. You are really awesome though the way you can run and climb and surf and all!!! You are so amazing:-).

[Evolution]

Alabama, I too had my thyroid removed, 8 years before finding this diet. If you are on Thyroid replacement therapy, it will play tricks on your metabolism, and your emotions, until you and your Doctor find a happy place with your levels.
Hang in there and don't ever let your mood swings take you down, it will most likely be your Thyroid Balancing Act.
I would say if you have just flexed 2 lbs up and down, you are doing AWESOME!:clapping3:
Take care,
E

[Evolution]

Alabama, I have to add (in case you are still reading): be sure to have your Calcium levels checked. Hormone replacement therapy (synthetic Thyroid) depletes your Bone Density. Be sure to talk with your Specialists about a base line Bone density test, and the amount of Calcium supplements you should be taking.

I have learned the hard way;(didn't know and was not informed by my Specialists) and have done irreversible damage; now on a high dose of supplements, to keep the continued decline at bay.

We need the supplements on this diet anyway...
Hope all is going well with your progress!

Ev~