Your thoughts on Re-feed days?

[catjrow3]

Originally Posted by LoosinItNow

I've got nearly 60 lbs to loose, still. I am in R1P2D17 and I've lost a total of 21.6 lbs so far this round. I didn't gain on the load days, in fact I lost 1 lb (if my crazy scales could be beleived). I have lost almost every day, the biggest which was nearly 5 lbs! I have gained twice, about a pound, but then lost that and a little more the next day.

I was going for a 43 day round, but had decided to stop at the 23, now I may change my mind again and continue on. I did a 6 hour refeed, which included lunch and dinner - I have been struggling with weakness issues in the morning, though I think I may have tweeked things enough to have solved that problem via advice from several of you guys. (Thanks!)

I ate lunch at Subway (12" Chicken/Bacon/Ranch with Sun Chips and a cookie), then ate a snack at Panera Bread (a choc croissant & an Assiago cheese bagel), then for dinner ate some Buffalo Stew from Whole Foods with a cheese buscuit - oh, and a whole bag of Taro chips! , err,, as well as a rice dream bar).

I felt very full, this is the most that I've eaten since my load days. I have cheated, but it was with zucchinni chips and cauliflower popcorn, with a little chocolate crack thrown in, so I really haven't gone too far off protocol before today.

I am using the Pellets, which are obviously doing VERY well, though the hunger the first week was fierce! I think I decided to do this refeed purely from a psychological need, but also to see if I can maintain my great losses into and beyond the third week of P2. I will post my gain/losses tomorrow morning, as well as the next few days. I will temember to comment on this break during my P3 phase, to see how that responds to this refeed!

Fingers crossed!

We will look forward to your results as well as Kay's!! We love you guinea pigs!! It sounds like you were doing well the entire time so far though, so it will be a bit different than Kay, who has been experiencing more of stalls.... but still interesting to see!

[girlsaidwhat]

Originally Posted by 2011me

maybe google about depleting leptin and hcg refeeding... too much info to try and explain here without links (that are not allowed)...

Ok...so... the words leptin hcg refeeding brought up that website mentioned earlier in this thread, that talks about refeeding and hcg and how to do it.

From what it says about shocking the body:

>>Shocking the body - The idea of the refeed is to shock the body with carbohydrates. This will provide the needed energy and insulin spike to restore fat loss hormones such as Testosterone, HGH, Leptin, and Thyroid to optimal levels. These hormones, along with the hCG injections, will be especially important to anyone following the hCG Diet. The only rule is to load up on carbs for 36-48 hours. This will be just the right amount of time in order to increase the BMR without laying down any new fat stores. So load up on carbs, keep yourself full, and don't be stingy with the fats and proteins either. Any type of carb will work, so go ahead and have some fun with it.


That was just what I was looking for (in bold). So thanks!...

Because from what the researchers say these days, fat doesn't make you fat...which is why I was wondering why we, as hcg-ers, would do lowfat at a refeed, just as a body builder would do. It didn't make any sense to me.

Thanks again!

[2011me]

Originally Posted by girlsaidwhat

Ok...so... the words leptin hcg refeeding brought up that website mentioned earlier in this thread, that talks about refeeding and hcg and how to do it.

From what it says about shocking the body:

>>Shocking the body - The idea of the refeed is to shock the body with carbohydrates. This will provide the needed energy and insulin spike to restore fat loss hormones such as Testosterone, HGH, Leptin, and Thyroid to optimal levels. These hormones, along with the hCG injections, will be especially important to anyone following the hCG Diet. The only rule is to load up on carbs for 36-48 hours. This will be just the right amount of time in order to increase the BMR without laying down any new fat stores. So load up on carbs, keep yourself full, and don't be stingy with the fats and proteins either. Any type of carb will work, so go ahead and have some fun with it.


That was just what I was looking for (in bold). So thanks!...

Because from what the researchers say these days, fat doesn't make you fat...which is why I was wondering why we, as hcg-ers, would do lowfat at a refeed, just as a body builder would do. It didn't make any sense to me.

Thanks again!

[mirroravoider]

Originally Posted by LoosinItNow

I've got nearly 60 lbs to loose, still. I am in R1P2D17 and I've lost a total of 21.6 lbs so far this round. I didn't gain on the load days, in fact I lost 1 lb (if my crazy scales could be beleived). I have lost almost every day, the biggest which was nearly 5 lbs! I have gained twice, about a pound, but then lost that and a little more the next day.

I was going for a 43 day round, but had decided to stop at the 23, now I may change my mind again and continue on. I did a 6 hour refeed, which included lunch and dinner - I have been struggling with weakness issues in the morning, though I think I may have tweeked things enough to have solved that problem via advice from several of you guys. (Thanks!)

I ate lunch at Subway (12" Chicken/Bacon/Ranch with Sun Chips and a cookie), then ate a snack at Panera Bread (a choc croissant & an Assiago cheese bagel), then for dinner ate some Buffalo Stew from Whole Foods with a cheese buscuit - oh, and a whole bag of Taro chips! , err,, as well as a rice dream bar).

I felt very full, this is the most that I've eaten since my load days. I have cheated, but it was with zucchinni chips and cauliflower popcorn, with a little chocolate crack thrown in, so I really haven't gone too far off protocol before today.

I am using the Pellets, which are obviously doing VERY well, though the hunger the first week was fierce! I think I decided to do this refeed purely from a psychological need, but also to see if I can maintain my great losses into and beyond the third week of P2. I will post my gain/losses tomorrow morning, as well as the next few days. I will temember to comment on this break during my P3 phase, to see how that responds to this refeed!

Fingers crossed!

Okay LIN, I will be keeping my finger crossed for you too! Please prove my skepticism wrong -- there is nothing that would please me more Best of luck!!!

[C'Marie]

Here's another question.... when it takes several days for the craving to stop once you start a round, and you get the "detox flu" etc... wouldn't this just awaken all that cr@p I don't want to deal with again? I like how I feel on the vlcd once I get past that stage.

I certainly wouldn't want to see someone get set up to start cheating just because cravings are re-awakened. That is, if you're following a plan - even if it's your own -

[LoosinItNow]

Well at weigh-in this morning I was up 1.8 lbs - well under the 3 lbs warned about in a refeed = 'course, I only did 6 hours worth, and not 24 or 48! I think I sort of needed a planned interuption to then continue for the rest of this round.

I will see how today goes with weakness/hunger and or any renewed cravings. If this triggers huge struggles in these areas, of course then it will be DANGER, WILL ROBINSON! (sorry, showing my age!).

It will then be interesting to see if I have any or what types of releases I will now experience in the next few days to a week.

Regardless, I have been very excited to start HCG! I will have at least 2 - 3 more rounds to do before I reach my goal, but for the first time it looks dooable!

[2011me]

Originally Posted by C'Marie

Here's another question.... when it takes several days for the craving to stop once you start a round, and you get the "detox flu" etc... wouldn't this just awaken all that cr@p I don't want to deal with again? I like how I feel on the vlcd once I get past that stage.

I certainly wouldn't want to see someone get set up to start cheating just because cravings are re-awakened. That is, if you're following a plan - even if it's your own -

I can not offer an answer here, as I did not have hunger/cravings/illness at the start of my first round. Now on day three of my second (extended) treatment phase...I ate carbs the last two days... first day back on phase... lost .04... second day ate even more starchy carbs... gained back the .04 (this morning)... but that still has me in my LIW window.

Just my experience at this point... a carb up (refeed) is on plan for day 21 of this extended treatment... so until then...

[CherylB]

I didn't experience any cravings or struggles with hunger of any kind in the beginning, either. Obviously we should avoid doing anything that would reawaken things like that inside of us.

[Joy2UnMe]

CherylB, OH MY GOSH, thanks for referring me to this thread. I will stay posted for anyone giving this a shot and how it goes. If this works, this could be a key to keeping a really long-term commitment to VLCD for eternity. I am thinking a refeed over Easter weekend would bring me welcome relief. And just not having to feel guilt, since it is all completely planned and controlled, would be sweet! I have heard of this before when I was doing the Metabolic Research Center initial plan, so it is really making a lot of sense! Thanks, Joy2UnMe

[mermaid]

I did a one evening refeed Tuesday night of Pizza and cookies followed by some chinese herbs to bring my blood sugar down. I was already up three pounds due to TOM, and the refeed added two more pounds for a total of 5. It still has not come down, but I am still feeling bloated due to hormones not shifting back to normal from TOM yet. Hope to see a drop on the scale tomorrow.

I had mild hunger yesterday, so I ate more at the upper end of my calorie range (rogue HCG 900-1200 calories a day). It really wasn't too bad, just a little bit of a hangover feeling. Probably from eating so much wheat/sugar.

I feel like I needed to do the refeed for psychological and physical reasons, since I am on a long round. I plan on just trucking right through the summer, because I always lose better in the summer, and can't lose a darn thing in fall or winter. I'm hoping to at least get to 170 or 180 but with my metabolism, that may be difficult. I have not been able to get under 200 pounds in 21 years!

I will probably alternate Atkins (high fat) with refeeds (high everything) for those times when I want to take a little break from the low calories and shake things up a bit. I think I can groove along on that just fine.

[2011me]

Originally Posted by Joy2UnMe

If this works, this could be a key to keeping a really long-term commitment to VLCD for eternity. Joy2UnMe

This is my thinking... sorta. Although I don't think a vlcd could be maintained for an 'eternity'... I think this process could help extend vlc days (or any weight reduction plan) to help folks reach goals in a more timely manner.

I 'do' think this process could be used in an overall lifestyle lifetime 'maintenance' phase... such as ... low carb and/or low cal during the week.. and a refeed on weekends.

It is similar to the 'steak day' concept... just with carbs as opposed to protein.

jmho here tho...

[CherylB]

I almost broke down a few minutes ago and decided to start a refeed day that would last for 2 days, but something in me slammed on the brakes! I want so much to do a clean 23 days and that would make my refeed on Saturday and Sunday. Talk about being "anal"! I'm in such great control of my eating and appetite on hhcg that I can't seem to throw all caution to the wind.

I guess I want to bust through this little stall I'm in and THEN do my refeed. I keep telling myself that tomorrow I will see that drop on the scale. Tomorrow never comes! (Just kidding, sort of.) In 22 VLCD's I've only lost 14.2. That's not as great as I thought I would do. I have a long row to hoe, ya know.

Joy, I'm glad you found us! Mermaid, keep us posted on if the scale drops after that refeed, okay? Wishing us all LUCK!

[mermaid]

Originally Posted by 2011me

This is my thinking... sorta. Although I don't think a vlcd could be maintained for an 'eternity'... I think this process could help extend vlc days (or any weight reduction plan) to help folks reach goals in a more timely manner.

I 'do' think this process could be used in an overall lifestyle lifetime 'maintenance' phase... such as ... low carb and/or low cal during the week.. and a refeed on weekends.

It is similar to the 'steak day' concept... just with carbs as opposed to protein.

jmho here tho...

Well said. It may not be for everyone, but it's an option that a lot of people have had success with losing and maintaining.

[mermaid]

Originally Posted by CherylB

I almost broke down a few minutes ago and decided to start a refeed day that would last for 2 days, but something in me slammed on the brakes! I want so much to do a clean 23 days and that would make my refeed on Saturday and Sunday. Talk about being "anal"! I'm in such great control of my eating and appetite on hhcg that I can't seem to throw all caution to the wind.

I guess I want to bust through this little stall I'm in and THEN do my refeed. I keep telling myself that tomorrow I will see that drop on the scale. Tomorrow never comes! (Just kidding, sort of.) In 22 VLCD's I've only lost 14.2. That's not as great as I thought I would do. I have a long row to hoe, ya know.

Joy, I'm glad you found us! Mermaid, keep us posted on if the scale drops after that refeed, okay? Wishing us all LUCK!

In your situation, I think it's good to stick with the first 23 days. No reason to rush.

[2011me]

Originally Posted by mermaid

In your situation, I think it's good to stick with the first 23 days. No reason to rush.

agree...

[CherylB]

It's just funny because now that I know a refeed is in my near future, it seems silly to put it off. I don't know why Dr Simeon said 23 days was the magic number, but I'll be good until Saturday. Until then, I'll make a list of what I want to eat and dream...

How are our guinea pigs doing today? We are eager to hear from you!

[pacetbostic]

Originally Posted by CherylB

It's just funny because now that I know a refeed is in my near future, it seems silly to put it off. I don't know why Dr Simeon said 23 days was the magic number, but I'll be good until Saturday. Until then, I'll make a list of what I want to eat and dream...

How are our guinea pigs doing today? We are eager to hear from you!

Nothing to report here. I had a planned cheat at our luncheon today so I will only eat a small amount of chicken or turkey tonight. I am actually still full from 11am and I didn't even eat that much (but my tummy was sooooo happy!)

I got into an argument with my sister in the breakroom (I have 7 family members who work at the VA with me) about whether or not your stomach actually shrinks when you eat less. She swears it does....silly little girl.

I didn't have time to weigh in this morning(forgot to set my alarm last night and woke up at 5:30 I usually leave at 5:25!) so I tempted fate and weighed when I got home. BAD idea! Up 2.4 from yesterday!!!!

On a good note, the mono test was negative and he is feeling much better and back to his usual mouthy self!

I am still planning a mini refeed for Saturday....we shall see...

[CherylB]

That must be interesting, working with so many of your family members. How does that work for you? Sorry you over-slept! Never weigh in mid-day or late day. Silly girl indeed. Glad the kid is feeling better. Enjoy our mini refeed on Saturday.

I am still trying to figure out when to start mine. I may be driving to the beach with my sister and our 2 dogs early next week. If so, I'd like that day to be part of my refeed days. That would mean I have to keep on keepin' on until at least Sunday. No biggie! As long as my head is in it, my heart will follow.

[pacetbostic]

Originally Posted by CherylB

That must be interesting, working with so many of your family members. How does that work for you? Sorry you over-slept! Never weigh in mid-day or late day. Silly girl indeed. Glad the kid is feeling better. Enjoy our mini refeed on Saturday.

I am still trying to figure out when to start mine. I may be driving to the beach with my sister and our 2 dogs early next week. If so, I'd like that day to be part of my refeed days. That would mean I have to keep on keepin' on until at least Sunday. No biggie! As long as my head is in it, my heart will follow.

It was interesting when we were all in the same building. My mom has a fairly high up job (and a control complex) so when I first started she had 'spies' who reported back to her. Mom, step-dad, 2 aunts, 1 uncle, 1 cousin, and 1 baby sister all working for the VA.

My department moved off campus last year and soon after, my sister and uncle followed. One of my aunts has an upcoming interview with our group as well. We see each other several times per day but my job is so very demanding that I rarely have time for visitors, so we usually just chat in the hallway between meetings...

[CherylB]

That's funny. (Spies) Sounds like it works well for all of you. I'll bet your Aunt will join you all! Keeping it all in the family.

[pacetbostic]

Originally Posted by CherylB

That's funny. (Spies) Sounds like it works well for all of you. I'll bet your Aunt will join you all! Keeping it all in the family.

I'm trying to get my hubby on out there too. I am applying for a supervisor position with my former group...oh, I they pick me! I love my job and the fact that I have job security (at least until midnight tomorrow) But I my current role is just way too monotonus....I hate being bored at work!

[Christalina]

One guinea pig reporting in~

I did a 24 hr refeed yesterday by eating fats, carbs, proteins and no sugars (diabetic) and I continued taking the HCG (injections).

Although it did satisfy all my cravings, I felt unpleasantly full and full of gas! This went on all day and part of last night.

The gas is gone today but I'm feeling a little tired. I'm not craving anything and was happy to get back onto the VLCD. I didn't weigh myself today but I will tomorrow.

I did HCG last year for the first time and have my journal from then. I lost 14 lbs in the first 12 days, exactly like this round. Then I only lost 9 more the rest of the time which was 17 days more.

As I said earlier, I did this refeed because there was a real chance that I wasn't going to make it for another 15 days with all the horrible cravings and obsessing about food! I've never experienced that before.

I have a lot more to lose, so I'm doing this kind of scientifically to see how it works, how it affects my body, my attitude, my ability to stick to the program and of course my weight loss.

So far I'd say it's helped me stay on the protocol and keep going whereas I might've just quit due to the way I was feeling a couple of days ago.

I'll keep you posted on the weight loss as I go.

Good luck to anyone else doing this and I look forward to your comments!

[CherylB]

Thanks, Christalina! Wish it was all pleasant for you, but when you may be feeling a bit deprived on the VLCD, think back to all that gas and bloat!

[LoosinItNow]

Well my day was fantastic! I have struggled from the beginning with serious hunger pains that finally quieted down to just a constant background hum on VLCD5. I was hungry every day, but was handling it, with the weight loss goal in mind. For those who didn't see my earlier posts, I did a 6-hr refeed, mostly with carbs & protein, but with some fat (aka the Rice Dream Ice Cream!)

Today, - no hunger until around 5 pm! AND I hand ENERGY!!!! I have also experienced weakness and dizzyness each morning after the load days, some quite severe. (I, too, am diabetic).

However, the energy or lack of weakness could, I supose, be because I added extra potassium and ate a bit of protein in the am, instead of my apple.
But I did this on Wednesday am as well, without the notable energy.

I felt ENVIGORATED today! I ate lunch around 1 pm, which is usual, and didn't even remember to eat my fruit. I haven't had dinner yet, and it is near 8 pm (cooking chili - as I've heard so many good reports on it).

The real kicker is weather my deviant behavior will cost me another rise in weight tomorrow, or if I will see a significant loss. Even if I just go back to my Pre-Re (feed) and then continue down again, I consider it worth it, just for the feel-good aspects of eating a "full" meal again.

Please don't let me be the cause of someone else de-railing, ok? It was worth it to me for the break alone.

Onward with the experiment!

[kaylem]

So, if you read my *novel* from last night, you will know that I had a similar experience to Christalina--everything tasted wonderful, but after eating, I felt horrible!

I, too, continued my hhcg drops while re-feeding.

I woke up this morning to 151. This is a 3 pound gain from Tuesday's weigh in of 148. This is pretty much what I expected, and I was glad that it was not more!

I went back to VLCD, and was quite happy to do so! Although, after reading girlsaidwhat's post stating that a 36-48 hour refeed was optimal, I am hoping that the 24 hours was enough to trigger my metabolism. To be quite honest, I don't know if I would be able to eat like that for 48 hours!

I am looking forward to my weigh in tomorrow morning and to finishing out this round next week. If I start losing this weekend again, I will continue with my drops/VLCD until next Wednesday or Thursday. If I find that I stall as a result of the re-feed, or for whatever reason, I will move into P3 early next week and then perhaps revist a Round 3 at a later date. (This summer maybe?)

So, thanks for all of the support and well wishes! I think the "real" results will come in the form of what I weigh in the next three days!

Your humble guinea pig, Kay

[girlsaidwhat]

Originally Posted by kaylem

I went back to VLCD, and was quite happy to do so! Although, after reading girlsaidwhat's post stating that a 36-48 hour refeed was optimal, I am hoping that the 24 hours was enough to trigger my metabolism. To be quite honest, I don't know if I would be able to eat like that for 48 hours!

Kay,

Just a quick note...though I copied and pasted that info from the website that talks about hcg and refeeding, I myself don't think I would do a 48 hour refeed, personally. I could see doing a refeed /meal/....or a refeed day. I was more posting that quote regarding whether or not to include fats in a refeed while on HCG. The optimal time to do one that they suggest may work for others, I just can't imagine doing a refeed for that long myself!

I'm very grateful to our guinea pigs, including you! Thanks for the reports so far!

[mermaid]

Originally Posted by girlsaidwhat

Kay,

Just a quick note...though I copied and pasted that info from the website that talks about hcg and refeeding, I myself don't think I would do a 48 hour refeed, personally. I could see doing a refeed /meal/....or a refeed day. I was more posting that quote regarding whether or not to include fats in a refeed while on HCG. The optimal time to do one that they suggest may work for others, I just can't imagine doing a refeed for that long myself!

I'm very grateful to our guinea pigs, including you! Thanks for the reports so far!

I have done two-day refeeds, and I am quite positive that I gained fat, and it took a long time to recover from much less lose the fat. It really is too much for a carb sensitive person. Now if I need a longer break than a meal or two, I will do Atkins days. It seems to really serve the same purpose of resetting hormone balance, but without gaining fat unless I really go for it. Atkins days make me feel better, whereas refeeds take some recovery. That is why I will probably alternate them when I need a dieting break. Both have their purpose, but Atkins days do feel better and I can do it a lot longer without gaining fat.

[minimonkey]

Interesting reading, folks. I guess I am doing a sort-of modification of this -- short interruption cycles of p3 between p2 rounds. Most of you know, at this point I am not in it for pound loss anymore, just some reshaping and last minute finessing.

I do think this would be a viable plan, though, if I had more weight to lose long term

Can't wait to see how you all fare in the coming week!

[mirroravoider]

I'm hoping the very best for our "test subjects", but still worried! You know me What will tomorrow bring? Love y'all!

[kaylem]

I know it is late, and I haven't slept yet or had my weigh in for tomorrow, but I would swear that I shrunk today, even though the scale showed the gain from my re-feed yesterday. It has been a strange experience, for sure.

Curious, what does an Atkins day look like? I know the basic premise of the Atkins diet, but not the indepth details. Thanks for the info!

Mirror! You are such a sweetie! Thanks for worrying about me!

Looking forward to what tomorrow will bring...

Kay