Life After The Diet...

[Shasha]

{hi} there Bronwyn

WELCOME BACK!!! :bighug:
I hope you enjoyed your well deserved (but short) time away with your family! {grouphug1}

Did everything go okay on your last day of Re-feeding???

How are you managing with your weight? Everything stable? Eating right? Still drinking your water?? Implementing rules??

How are you feeling?
Okay, okay, I’ll stop nagging, but, as you can see Shasha’s eager to hear all about it… {cheerleader}

[Bronwyn]

Hi Shasha dear!

Thanks for checking in! I had a great time away with my family and while I haven't exactly stuck to the rules this weekend I didn't exactly go hog-wild either. I have allowed myself to have some naughty foods but each day am also eating meals that are from my plan. I did go up to 118 from 115 and have been holding there all weekend. Today is Monday and I'm back to "Life After the Diet" rules and think it will be easy to follow. I also started my workouts again last Saturday and am very excited to be able to incorporate that back into my daily routine.

I will say this: Some of the "treats" I allowed myself sure didn't taste like I remembered and therefore I'm not going to have them anymore. The biggest surprise - the vanilla creamer in my coffee! I've gotten so used to it black w/a little sweetener that the vanilla creamer tasted weird and not very good at all. I also am eating very small portions so even the naughty food I allowed was not very much (especially compared to pre-diet Bron).

Someone told me over the weekend "oh you'll get used to those foods again" and I thought to myself "SHUT UP!!" Again, I'll liken it to quitting smoking... Before after quitting, when I would start again that first cigarette tasted horrible, I felt gross, but I would get used to it and become a smoker again. As I've said before, once I quit for good that was it and I haven't had a cigarette in over 8 years. This will be the same journey for me. I don't want to get used to the taste of the creamer again, or of fast food, etc. so I just won't! If I never eat it, I'll never like it again.

Sorry to go on so long, but you asked. It was a fun first weekend as a FREE person and I'm still very inspired to live my Life After the Diet according to the rules.

[Austen]

Hi Bronwyn,

Congratulations on finishing refeed. I think it's great that even though 1PD is strict you have clearly learnt enough not to go straight back to the old ways once the rules are relaxed - and not liking some of the old bad habits must make it even easier for you to stay strong.

I thought by now, two weeks in, I would be going out of my mind for chocolate but I am surprisingly not. If I could give into any craving now (which I am not going to Shasha!) it would be a punnet of raspberries - which in the grand scheme of things is not anywhere near as bad as, say, a pint of Haagen Dazs or some fries of something like that. I feel like I'm slowly on the way to recovery from a (very) long addiction - which I guess is really true.

[Shasha]

{hi} there Bronwyn

{goodjob} SUPER STAR!!!

THOSE ARE SOME VERY interesting discoveries that you have made!!! Thank you for sharing them... I'm afraid that our Diet Buddies would not believe me if I told them some of this... LOL

When on diet we always seem to dream of how great this or that was, but actually, it’s not such a big deal – only our minds…

LOL: I had exactly the same thoughts about some foods – some were not like I remembered, rather disappointing, some were just plain YUG! And I’ve never bothered to waste time on them again… besides, there is plenty of good stuff and I’m not desperate!!

Yes, many things can be learned – BUT FOR WHAT?!? You don’t need creamer in your coffee any more than you need those cigarettes! YOU GO GIRL!!! Don’t be conformed be transformed…

You’ve said you were going to STAY and from my side, I’m here to HELP… so… if you let me…

This thread is dedicated to YOU and YOUR ON GOING SUCCESS…

So, to make this happen, to get you off in the right direction, now it’s time to immediately {chucks} those 3 pounds – BEFORE they get comfortable and BEFORE they bring friends… so, are you game?

The Plan of action is to do a quick 48 hours no starch – I’m not saying diet – just saying no bread, no rice, no starch veggies, etc… rather drop those 3 pounds now – at this point it is more about brining your insulin levels down again, than losing weight. Remember, you can still have your diet crackers for these 48 hours – no more than 2 at a time, no problemo… but be sure to drink all your water…

Were you drinking all your water while you are away???

BIG TIP: Even when you do eat wrong, water seems to help flush the sins away… It’s definitely going to be your best friend from now on!! (Except of course for all of us :flirt: )

Hope you don’t mind me helping – I’m not trying to interfere… just wanting you to implement the right thing at the right time… and, believe me, after a weekend away, implementing the 48 hours no starch discipline to bring down insulin levels again is a pretty good idea…

You’re still FREE, still no weighing of food, just cutting the insulin triggers out for now… portion sizes on protein and veggies as per your last day of Refeeding ... just judge, no need to weigh... make sure you get enough of the good stuff so that you are full and not hungry... don't try to diet...

Also, I recommend cutting out BAD FRUIT during this time. You can still have apple, orange etc...

Let me know what you think and, what you’re doing and what new discoveries you are making ...

[Shasha]

{hi} there Austen

Recovery is a road to walk and, just like Bronwyn you can get there…
{wave}

[Maya]

Brownyn - love having you here, really {wave}

[Bronwyn]

Hi Ladies,

Thanks for the compliments and words of encouragement. Shasha - Thank you as always for the reminder. I was back on track as soon as I got home and along with working out every day those extra pounds are gone and gone. I gotta tell you guys that I am so happy to report that after 6 months of strict 1PD I am truly a changed woman. The other morning at work our group was going on and on about Jack-in-the-Box food talking about how good this sounded and how yummy that sounded and I just sat their quietly amazed at the fact that every item they brought up sounded GROSS and DISGUSTING to me!!! None of it appealed to me at all (and they were talking about items I used to salivate over). I had to go home to retrieve some items I needed for work and thought I can just pick up something for lunch on the way back to the office. But NOTHING SOUNDED GOOD AT ALL!!! I came home, made a delicious salad and took that to work instead.

I've been working out every day and feel so good. My new body is continuously improving and tightening and I'm just so in love with this new lifestyle. I have mainly been eating 1PD meals, but not weighing my food (SO FREEING!!!) and cooking in the same pan as the rest of my family (SO MANY LESS DISHES!) and keeping my new added veggies (broccoli, carrots, colored peppers, etc.) so having more variety than the last six months. Otherwise, those are the foods I am craving so I'm going with it and those are the meals I'm making.

I'll keep you all posted as promised but had to check in to let you know so far so good.

Oh - and I actually bought a pair of size 0 trouser jeans the other day!!! SIZE 0!!!! I NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS THOUGHT I WOULD BE THAT SMALL!!! My 4's are huge on me, 2's very comfortable and border-line baggy, and so I tried on those 0's and low and behold they fit. It is SO NICE to be so excited to get dressed every day. I don't think I've ever felt like that in my life. My sister is throwing me a birthday party this weekend and I have too many cute clothes and outfits to decide what to wear. I've come a long, long way from the days (my husband hated) where I'd open my closet and stand there for 10 minutes saying that I had nothing to wear and that I'm too fat to look good!! I hated shopping for clothes before because I didn't feel like I looked good in anything. Now I LOVE it!!! (Really having to watch my pocketbook lately)!! But I've had to buy a whole new wardrobe. I guess my ticker theme has come true!!!

[bitten]

bronwyn-i am so over the moon for you.
size 0?????
wow, what an amazing moment that must have been.

i am thrilled that jack in the box disgusts you....me too.

isn't amazing how poisoned peoples palates are?

bitten

[Maya]

Brownie...just as I was gonna ask you how you are doing...I see this post...
I was thinking about you last night...after my dinner...I was wondering...
I wonder how my Brownie is doing...does she have cravings for sweets and fast food? Is this refeed that we have actually fulfilling the tastebuds that have been a little neglected during the diet and the cravings are gone...?... or is mostly the MIND so strong that we convince ourselves we dont need the fast food...

As during the diet I was dreaming about hot dogs that I NEVER ATE even at my biggest...and hamburgers and even french fries... and on the refeed (the beginning) the wish for that didnt stop... I still wanted anything - give me ANY food:hypnotic:...

But last night... I felt so calm...for the first time... Nope, the hot dog didnt seem appealing at all... pizza? Yeah...well, maybe...
Some nice salad with some mozzarela? OH, YES, BABY:party6:!!!!

So, I was amazed myself how my body DOES really, honestly want different, healthier food.

This is the best thing ever.
And I am SOOOO SOOOO SOOOOO happy to read your words. About how GREAT and absolutely hard earned body you are enjoying now and keeping it fit and healthy. I AM SOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU, Brownie:rolling2:!!!!
I know what it means to keep a healthy body and feeling satisfied at the same time and enjoying food - it is still so unbeliveable for our minds... as we were struggling forever with it. Before it was -
either hungry, miserable and less weight
or
stuffed, guilty and fat.

Now, we can, thanks to dr.Cohen and Shasha and people that are helping us so much.... we can finally be

SATISFIED, HAPPY AND WITH IDEAL WEIGHT!

Finally enjoying life.
And I wish that for you Brownie and for everbody deep deep from my heart. Just trust dr.Cohen, follow the instructions and listen to Shasha.

LIFE IS GOOD:party2:!!!!

[Hugentobler]

OMG!!!!! I never knew they made size 0... Did you have trouble finding that size? Bronwyn, my hats off to you. I am honored to have watched your journey to the new you. A huge hug from me to you.

[bitten]

amy lynn-

56 lbs in less than 5 months. wow that is fabulous-

my goodness you are almost DONE!

fanatstic-

bitten

[Bronwyn]

Hi Maya - Thank you so much. I am just as happy for you too! It's been fun going through this together and I just knew you would start feeling better and more satisfied the more food you are able to add.

AmyLynn - Thanks!! Yes - I never ever thought I would be a 0 or a 2! Still feels weird to me that I am 'cause honestly I feel like the same person I've always been. I guess I am, but now wiser and more ready to keep myself healthy. I am enjoying watching your progress as I know it hasn't always been easy. Look how close you are!!??!! SO EXCITING!!!!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Bronwyn

I’m so proud of you!!! :bighug: You are going by the book!!!
You are mastering the art : similar to diet food – only with freedom and more variety!!! {goodjob} those yellow peppers are soooooo nice hey!!! (sorry Diet Buddies, but, your time will come!!!)

I think we get brainwashed into liking junk food… it really is not nice! It’s hard to explain, but once you’ve done Re-feeding you feel so pure and clean on the inside you simply don’t want to pollute your body with fatty rich foods any more… I’m sure you relate to what I’m saying and, I’m also sure you are a bit surprised by how you feel about foods now…

Well Ms Bronwyn, now you can have your {bdaycake} and enjoy it! A slice in moderation is fine…
Remember Dr Cohen says the safest cake is plain baked cheese cake because cheese content will help to block the insulin surge!

I’m of the opinion that it is better to go out for coffee and cake as a treat once in a while, than buying a cake and having that cake sitting in your house for left over’s again and again… Like chocolate, don’t keep it in the house in case guests arrive, rather plan for a special treat over the weekend and then go out and get some.

PLEASE DO show as a photo of you in your unbelievable size O!!! If you feel shy, you can do it from the shoulders down… we’d really love to see just how small that is!!! If you’re not comfortable with posting a photo, simply forget I asked…

Know that all of us are immensely proud of you!!! Keep up the excellent work and come and tell us often how you are doing…

Is your weight remaining stable… sorry, but, I’m still here to look out for you… and, it’s important to establish those new good habits firmly in the beginning… set your boundaries… just because some people still eat junk, does not mean you ever have to go back to that…

[GettinSkinny]

What!?!?!??!? I didn't know about the cheese cake...... oh my gosh, plain New York Style cheese cake (which is baked) is like my all time favorite dessert to eat................. W-O-W, yet another reason to stick to plan and get there so I can enjoy a small sliver of my favorite dessert occassionally. :drool:

[Shasha]

{hi} there GettinSkinny

YES, SO FOCUS AND WORK HARD!!!!

In the meantime you can make Diet Cheese Cake :hungry:

Smooth cottage cheese mixed with sweetener, spooned on top of crackers and then slice some fruit on top – kiwi works great! Remember to eat a salad or something so you get your veggies and then have your desert immediately afterwards…


HAPPY SLIMMING!! {cheerleader}

[Bronwyn]

Hi Gang!

I've been away for a little bit only taking time to check in and read here and there. I had my birthday and then a mini vacation and was quite naughty. I'm back on track - as I call it "damage control" and have already lost a few pounds that I gained over the week. Most of it is probably water weight from all the martinis and wine. This does prove the point that if you deviate from the rules the pounds will begin to creep back on. No way - not for me - so I'm back to clean eating this week and working out again. I tell you that if you do the no carb for 24 hours and then follow the rules the weight falls back off. The key is to not let it get out of hand and I also don't plan on doing what I did last week on a regular basis. It was fun, but I felt really gross by last weekend and it just shows how horrible bad foods, alcohol, etc. is for your body and for your energy.

[Shasha]

{hi} there Bronwyn

{goodjob} on getting back on track. Are you doing 48 hour no starch or are you back on diet?

Big key is to make sure you get back to goal NOW – not goal + 1 etc.

I’m glad you’re here and accountable…

I just want to say gaining a bit on holiday does not mean failing… it just means THANKFULLY YOU’RE NOT ON HOLIDAY ALL THE TIME!!! {wave}

:cop: TIP: Next time please remember to have protein BEFORE you have wine so that you do not trigger as much insulin...

[SPDeRosa]

Bronwyn,

It's so nice that you're keeping us informed as to what's going on AC (After Cohen)! Thank you so much!!

It's sooooooo reassuring to know that if we indulge a bit we don't have to stress out about packing all the weight back on. Having that carb free option for a few days after devouring pizza, beer, ice cream, brownies..... is like a big sigh of relief!

I won't lie, as soon as I'm finished refeeding (once I start) I'm most certainly going to have some "bad foods" because I miss them so much. It's totally psychological, I know my body doesn't NEED pizza or chocolate ... but knowing that I can indulge a little bit here and there is much more realistic than thinking I have to follow the rules 100%. I mean, no carbs ever for breakfast?! That's just not going to happen -- I hope to be around here for another 50 years or so, so to think that I'll never have pancakes or hash browns or a bagel for breakfast is just silly. At some point in the next 50 years it's bound to happen.

Ok, time for my 135g of meat and 100g of veggies for dinner :)

Best,
Shawn

[LesKiya]

Brownyn! post some pictures!

[Bronwyn]

I know! I'm so sorry about the pictures. I'll try to post some. I actually haven't taken any really good after pics yet so that's what I've kind of been waiting for. I'm sure I can find something that will show the change though and then I'll figure out how to post. Any clues on how to do that Leskiya? Your pics posted great!

[Shasha]

Hi there Everyone

Shawn – you are absolutely right… all things in moderation!!! It’s about what you do 95% of the time. Sure, allow yourself to be a bit naughty every now and then - say over the weekend, then come Monday and the rest of the week, if necessary start with 48 hours no starch followed by eating healthy.

Decide to have high days and holidays and treats… but, not every day… because one day leads to another and another and before you know it, your insulin is triggering all the time and you begin to store fat. But, if you have pizza :pizza: and some wine :party7: and even desert over the weekend and you do 48 hour no starch on Monday (if needs be), your hormones come back into balance again… keeping everything under control.

BIG AC KEY (I love that!) is: M.O.D.E.R.A.T.I.O.N.

Leskiya - I couldn’t agree with you more {wave}

Bronwyn – simply insert them as attachments using the little paperclip… We’re all waiting in eager anticipation!!! {cheerleader}