Re-Feeding

[Sammy]

I have received the re-feeding program. Finding you was one of the best things that has happened to me. However, now I am scared to stop dieting :(
what will happen after the re-feeding ? Can I stop weighing my food ? Will this cause me to gain weight ?

[Wilma]

Hello Sammy,

Congrats for reaching the RF stage.

After the RF, you do not weigh the food anymore; the refeeding indicated to you what portions your body can cope with. The last day of refeeding would be a good barometer to use :)

Please see also the tips for life after the diet in your RF Guide for advise how to eat right.

Also, stay in touch here even after your re-feeding and let us know if you have any questions. You may also help your fellow dieters with advise from your own experience.

[Shasha]

Hi Sammy

Just wanted to know how your Refeeding Program is going?

[Sammy]

Hi Wilma, Shasha, and all,

I am on the 6th day of my re-feed program. I'm still so scared that I will go up in weight before the end of it :( I lost a lot of weight and it was hard because it took me more than 9 months to lose it. Here are the milestones of my journey:

Started on February 5 2007 with 95 lbs to lose.

4 weeks 22 lbs

8 weeks 15 lbs = 37 lbs

12 weeks 7 lbs = 44 lbs

16 weeks 5 lbs = 49 lbs

20 weeks it went soooo slow that I hid away my weight scales

24 weeks 21 lbs = 70 lbs plateau ended :D

28 weeks 17 lbs = 87 lbs new clothes!!! {elmo}

32 weeks 7 lbs = 92 lbs requested re-feed

Week 33 :
On re-feed now in the hopes of losing another 3 lbs, although I can't see this happening with all this food I can hardly finish. I wish you had this bulletin board set up earlier - it would be nice to speak to someone who has been through this...

A note: At the beginning I got on the scales every day but was slapped on the wrists by the consultant (who could be nicer by the way) and then started to use the scales only once a week. After week 16 I was desperate because the weight did not seem to go fast enough and my hubby took the scales away seeing how stressful I was. I got used to going on without scales and decided to wait 8 weeks until my next weigh-in which was smart - the plateau had ended and I was losing weight again.

This is by far the best diet I have experienced and I've tried them ALL! The support is lacking a little mainly because the time span it takes until I get reply to my questions but also because the replies seems to be very cut and dry with no emotion. Hello, I am a woman who is trying to lose weight and I am emotional about it :eyebrow:

But the results talk for themselves … I am an accountant and the bottom line is what matters … lol

Love

Sammy

[Shasha]

Hi Sammy

WOW!!! {congrats} on having lost so much weight and having stuck out through all these months !!!

Thank you for sharing the breakdown of your progress - we are very proud of you! {wave}

Going through a plateau is not easy, but you held on and now you are reaping the rewards of a completely transformed body!!!

Remember to take your ID Document with when visiting freinds and family who last saw you in December 06 - they may not recognise you! :)

{cheerleader} The good news is that 1PD Admin have heard your requests and we are constantly trying to improve the program - thus the 1PD Forum... it may come in just as you are doing your Refeeding Program, but at least we are here now to help you.

You may be surprised to know, but quiet a few clients fear going off the diet. During the program you enjoyed the safety of the strickt boundaries and some clients wonder what will happen now...

Firstly, while you were on the diet your body lived off 2 x food sources: 1) the food you ate and 2) the food that was stored up in your body's grocery cupboards...

When you reach your goal weight and the excess fat is gone, your grocery cupboards are empty, your body then needs more food in order to function properly. The Refeeding Program then safely and in a controlled manner brings in more foods, yes, to the point where you feel you can't eat them all... but, push through, you need to train your body to cope with more foods.

TIP: When you reach the stage the you can begin mixing proteins, you can swop your meals around and choose yogurt from Meal 1 for dinner and then add your proteins and vegetables to this. Also remember that choosing heavier veggies like cucumber and tomato will reduce the volume of the food you are eating.

You have trusted Dr Cohen for the last couple of months and, having listened to his advise and you have achieved the results you wanted to achieve. Dr Cohen has the Refeeding and the Maintenance Guidelines worked out to a fine art. All you need to do is follow your Refeeding Program 100%.

After this you must study and apply all the rules regarding your Maintenance Guidelines ie: starch only once a day etc. These rules are vital so that you do not constantly trigger your body's production of insulin (your fat storing hormone).

Getting into your new Lifestyle after the diet will be almost like learning to drive a car... scary and exciting at first, but once you master it, it will become second nature.

Wishing you every continued success! YOU MAKE US PROUD!

ONCE AGAIN: WELL DONE!!!!

[LC]

Sammy,

{congrats}

[peavine]

Thank you for explaining the process Sammy went through bc I feel so much like she does. I am just starting my 4th week and it has been fantastic. :{boing} Reading Sammy's experience will help me not to get discouraged during the moments that where I will feel like I am not losing as much.

My question is regarding exercise...when and how much do you do? I use to workout 3-4 times per week for 30 min on cardiovascular machines but have now cut it down to at least 2 times per week. What should I do now?

[Shasha]

{hi} Peavine

Thank you for letting us know that you were encouraged by Sammy's experiences :)

Now that you know plateau's are a normal part of your weight loss program you can know what to expect and not get discouraged. This is why Dr Cohen advises that clients should only weigh once a month. Weighing once a month will help to keep your focus on eating healthy foods and living a more healthy lifestyle instead of worrying about what the scale says.

How your clothes fit is the best indication of fat loss.

Some clients do find that they need to reduce their exercises somewhat during the program. Just remember, this is for a limited time only and the success of the program is not related to exercise. If however you deviate because the exercise you are doing stimulates your appetite and makes you hungry, you will end up loosing weight slower.

The big key will be for you to listen to your body ie: see how you feel and what you are able to manage comfortably.

If you do exercise, we recommend that you eat your apple 20 minutes prior to exercising, this will help to prevent your blood sugar from dropping too low.

For now carry on with what you are doing and during the Refeeding Program you can plan to gradually increase your exercises as your food becomes more and more.

You know the saying: Jack of all trades is master of none...

This is why we encourage you {cheerleader} to please first focus on doing your diet 100%, ie: no mistakes, all the correct portions and drinking all your water. Once you have mastered this and reached your goal you can change your focus to becoming more active and fit again.

And then you can send us your before and after pic's, we'd love to see them!
{grouphug2}

[Kristie]

Thank you for sharing the tip about eating an apple before exercising. I do exercise regularly, but I have found that I needed to cut back when I started the diet 3 weeks ago. I felt a little dizzy after my regular Cardio session.

I have pulled back, and I enjoy walking outside instead of hitting the gym for those more intense workouts. But eating an apple to stabalize blood sugar is a great idea! Thank you.

What do your recommend in regards to light weight lifting? I would like to do a little bit of sculpting as I lose this fat.

Kristie

[Shasha]

{hi} Kristie

Well done on fitting into your smaller denim already :clapping: you must be feeling soooo nice about this!!

Every person is always unique and as such, we cannot give the same advise to everyone. We can only encourage you to learn to listen to what your own body is saying - this is the big key. Whichever excersises you do must never leave you feeling tired, drained, hungry, dizzy etc. If this happens you have done too much for your current body.

Dizzyness is a sign of low blood pressure, which can be as a result of loosing weight, but, there can also be other factors ie: some people tend to have low blood pressure. Exercises, being ill, pre-mens, a hot bath or sauna all lower blood pressure. The result is that you then don't feel very well :( and could end up eating wrong food to try to 'medicate' the feeling. :( The wrong foods then mess up your hormonal balance and result in slower weight loss this is is why we caution exercises.

Rather complete your diet first and then focus on becoming more fit.

You could start exercising to tone your muscles a bit. Remember to rather do less and see how you feel later in the day.

If you want to tone your muscles, perhaps try working with a light weight for a few days - just to add resistance and tone. For example you could do a couple of reps for a few days with a 1 or 2 kg weight. Or you could do some sit-ups for your tummy etc.

We do stress starting slowly and listening to how your body responds and how you feel.

[Kristie]

Thanks for your reply, and you are right, I am in the Low Blood pressure catagory. I always have been. I am familar with all of the examples you cited and I did actually faint in a yoga class years ago! Totally embarrassing! LOLOL. But I have learned to listen to my body. And mostly I am grateful to have low blood pressure instead of the high, dangerous variety.

I will take it slow. All I have is light wieghts, nothing over 10 lb. And I find that going to the gym, right now, is a waste of time and gas. I can get all the exercise I need just keeping up with the kids. But I would like those nice toned arms... I will let you know how it goes.

And yes! Smaller jeans are VERY motivational! I love this program for how quickly I see results. That keeps me in line!

[Shasha]

{hi} Kristie

10 lbs is quiet a heavy weight, I've just tried and so I hope you are not doing too many reps with this...

Yes, running around after the children is excellent exercises! {boing}

You are right, in my mind Dr Cohen's program is the best there is and the results speak for themselves :love:

With regards to the low blood pressure, this is not nice. You do know that a bit of salt can help with low blood pressure... just don't use too much cos it can lead to water retention and that can lead to slower progress.

Keep up the good work and keep trying on your smaller clothes, especially denims... {friendhug}

[Kristie]

Hi Shasta,

It is nice to catch you online! I like the rapid response. I am working with 5 and 8 lbs weights. 10 is just the heaviest in my little set, so not to worry! And I do keep track of my Blood Pressure. I have been on top of that for years now. (After the embarrassing Yoga incident! At least I was in down Dog, and relatively close to the floor!)

I do use a little bit of salt, but only a little. I figure if the Ancient Egyptians embalmed with it, I don't want too much! A little can go a long way, and I like to mix it up with herbs for full flavor impact!

I appreciate your caution though. I am careful. And "no pain, no gain" is NOT my personal matra. I say "if it hurts, don't do it"! :peace:

[Shasha]

{hi} Kristie

YES nice seeing you right here live in Cyberspace :dance:

I agree, no need to suffer to be healthy and no need to suffer to look good. We have science and proven research that can help us to maximise what we are doing so that we can get the best resuls out. No need to starve on a diet or sweat it out in a sauna - by the way, you do know that you should avoid sauna's if you have low blood pressure - sauna's and hot baths will lower your blood pressure even more.

So, how are your clothes sitting? Looser yet??? Bet you can hardly wait for your 4 week weigh in... You must let us know your progress :flirt:

I love herbs too. Rosemary and chicken with balsamic vinegar is really nice! Over a weekend it's great to add a bit of garlic to this as well, although it can be a bit :stinky: if you add too much garlic...

[Pumpkin]

Hello

I just found out about this forum from my niece who is a computer wiz kid. I finished my re-feed a few weeks ago after losing 41 pounds in 10 ½ weeks and another 2 ½ pouind in the re-feeding. Following is my log:

May
registration (I am 40 yeas old and my height is 5'3 and I weigh 176 pounds

July
blood test I had high liver function results and had to discuss this with ,y doctor before Dr Cohen accepted me on the program

July 24
started my program. The first 3 weeks I used my ounces scales because I could not find grams scales in all 3 department stores I checked. I also had a mistake eating also red and yellow peppers instead of just the green one.

4 weeks report
I lost 25 pounds! I have to go to an event with food from my workplace and that was not good cause my blood test results showed that I cheated. I also used oriental spices mixes like yellow carry mix that I should not have used. My weight did not change for a week and I was upset and almost stopped the program.

8 weeks report
I lost another 12 pounds! I was very good this time. The first week was bad with no changes but then it worked. I had to go overseas to visit my sick father but I was very careful with the food and cooked myself.

9 weeks
I lost another 2 pounds and asked for my re-feeding. It took 10 days to get it because a problem with my blood test report that went lost and by the time I started the re-feeding I was 41 pounds down!

In the re-feeding I had a mistake because I thought I need to eat the food of all the days in the book but then I was told to eat only the days I was given. I lost during the re-feeding another 2 ½ pounds with all the fruits I added.

Now I watch to eat only non fat food I do not eat bread,sugar, candy, and I keep on eating the same breakfast of yogurt with slices of mango mixed with two crackers and cinnamon on top. I learned to watch my food and to make the right choices.

Will I ever be able to stop watching my weight daily. I am so scared to gain weight again.

[Shasha]

{hi} Pumpkin

{congrats} on having lost 41 pounds in 9 weeks and thank you for sharing your log with us!!! :clapping:

Life after Refeeding is almost like learning to drive a car or a motorbike. At first you are could feel a bit nervous and excited at all the new things you need to learn and do all at once. But when you put into practise what you have learned, driving becomes second nature and you no longer have to concentrate on how to change the gears etc. It's the same with Life after your diet...

At the back of your Refeeding Guide, Dr Cohen has provided you with the Maintenance Guidelines that will teach the specific keys that you need to implement ie: never have starch for breakfast, continue to drink your water, etc.

These few simple keys are all aimed at keeping your insulin (fat storing hormone) levels down and your human growth hormone (fat burning hormone) levels up.

You need to study these principles and then implement them. As long as you continue to implement the Maintenance Guidelines you should not gain any weight.

Because bread, sugar, candy, etc triggers the production of too much Insulin, we recommend that you continue to cut these out and if needs be, that you have them only on high days and holidays and also please do keep in mind the relevant rules regarding starch and sweets.

Daily weighing for the first few months is a very good idea as you will clearly begin to see what reaction which foods have on your body.

As you learn to know your body better, your confidence will increase and you will no longer need to weigh every day.

Always remember, the key is to limit foods which trigger insulin. If you do have a weekend of too much, fall back on your 48 hour no starch rule immediately. This will help to bring the insulin right down again to where it belongs. At the same time you should quickly loose any gained weight.

Wishing you a successful and most enjoyable journey! {motorcycle}

[peavine]

I am curious how they can tell from your blood work you cheated. I just finished my 4 week blood work and have received my results. They look mixed with some going up and some going down.

That is fabulous that you lost 41 lbs in 9 weeks!{wave}

[Wilma]

Hello peavine and well done for losing 41 lbs in 9 weeks – you are the champion :flag:

Sorry I didn’t reply earlier. This time of the year is CRAZY ... you need to be a superwoman to get everything done ... {superman}

Dr Cohen is using the results of his research as well as a database with results he gathered over time to determine how well you are following your diet. This is based on the comparison of your results to your previous results as well as to other results he has on his database.

[Pumpkin]

Hello,

I completed my re-feed and I still eat more or less the same as on the last day of the re-feed and I keep 5 hours in between the meals. I am scared **** to change the meals contents and hours.

Can I start eating normally without gaining weight?

I tried emailing the consultants by it seems that they are on a vacation until January.

A desperate housewife :crying:

P.S. I didn't taste alcohol for months ... can I drink some wine or a rum with coke (my favorite) on new year eve? :drool:

[Meemsi]

oooh...Pumpkin! Sounds like somebody's going to be partying this New Years!! LOL

[Secretary]

Hi Pumpkin

Congrats on completing the re-feeding!!!


You may start modifying your menu and eat additional foods, and you do not have to keep a minimum of 5 hours between the meals anymore.

But please take advantage of the knowledge you gained during your program: eat three meals a day and do not turn your day to be a one loooooooooong meal. Also, do not return to be a food processor, as I used to be...

When I finished MY re-feeding, I had to cope with the endless amounts of pizza, donuts and cakes that my colleagues kept brining to the office for every birthday and holiday. I learned MY lesson and I am not even interested now in stuffing myself with carbs and sugar anymore. :sick:

Limit carbs to max once a day (too much carbs will start the weight gain again), eat your dessert immediately after the meal (the same chocolate eaten after a meal will cause less damage than if eaten hours later); preferably dark chocolate. Avoid pizza, but if you must, order the thin crust pizza with reduced cheese. And nice slice of cheesecake once a week (just the simple cheesecake with no whipped cream, chocolate, caramel, etc).

Alcohol Notice:

No alcohol is allowed while your are on the program. :noway:

After your program, I recommend very little alcohol (if you must) as alcohol causes major insulin discharge. Blood sugar drops immediately—causing hunger and cravings and the "fat *******" starts to work.

Pumpkin, you asked about "rum with coke". FYI, rum and coke as well as brandy and coke is probably the "worst" drink as it is like drinking 13 teaspoons of sugar ....

A glass of dry wine with your meal every now and again will be much better.

For hard liquor to celebrate the New Year or your birthday, try a little whiskey, gin, cognac or brandy. :wacky:

Beer notice: No beer unless you want a beer belly.

There is no reason why you cannot live your life happily after the diet. Eat reasonable and even enjoy special foods occasionally. The trick is to eat three meals a day and to respect your body.

{cheerleader}

[redbird]

Hey,
I have received my re-feeding just before the vacation and I need to know how to take the re-feeding. I have 16 days listed as my re-feeding days starting with day 4. Do I start on day 1 to 3 eating normally and then switch on day 4 to the re-feeding? Do I use all 30 days of the re-feeding and eat just the basic diet on the days that are non-listed for me? OR Do I just take those 16 days, day by day, starting from day 4???

[Unregistered]

Redbird...It's my understanding that you only do the refeed days that they tell you to, so, in your case, Day Four on the refeed plan is your Day One.

[Wilma]

Hi redbird

Congrats for reaching your target weight !!!

{congrats}

The re-feeding information you received includes a list of days. As you pointed out that Day #4 is your first day, you need to start on the re-feeding guide from Day 4 and count only those 16 days that Dr Cohen gave you. Skip the other days completely as no one gets the full 30 days re-feeding but only specific days out of the list - based on the blood test results.

Thank you unregistered - we would love to have you registered with us! :)

[redbird]

oh, ok, thanks. I'll do that.

[Shasha]

{hi} Pumpkin

{bubblegum} Just want to follow up and check if you survived New Year's eve???

My best tip for you: WEIGH YOURSELF EVERY SINGLE DAY
This way you can see the effects of foods eaten the very day before.

You will quickly learn which foods and how much of them you can eat with or without gaining weigt. If you do have an event or celebration or too much in a weekend, you can immediately see if you gain two pounds and send them back to where they came from before two pounds decide they like you enough to stay and fetch freinds.

If you do gain, always remember your safety net: do the 48 hour no starch right away and without delay. This will bring down your insulin levels to balanced and help to get rid of {bat} the undesirables.

Don't be scared! You are in control now!

About the pitza, I like the Secetary's idea of ordering the thin crust pizza with reduced cheese. Just remember you DO NOT need to eat the whole thing! I recommend sharing ie: if it's you and your hubby propose to share the pitza and to order a starter greek salad to share as well at the same time that you are having your pitza. If there are more than two you could order the salad, pitza, grilled calamari etc. this way your meal is more balanced ie: not mainly starch, but starch, veggies and extra protein.

We are all here for you ... {grouphug2}