1st Time Cohenite-Journey to my lifetime goal!

[AudreeS]

Thanks for all the encouragement Louis! I am a few days away from wrapping up my first month and I've lost 14pounds! I'm super excited about that. My goal was to lose 15 pounds in my first month and it will be a month on December 10 so I still have a few days to go. My husband has lost 17 pounds in 3 weeks and is really encouraging. My brother in law has lost 50 pounds in 3 months! The Christmas parties went fine but a challenge. I also had my mother in laws birthday today and that was really hard but ate my snack before and lunch after. My success and progress help me stay motivated and on track. I have a my dad's birthday Tuesday and the big Bear trip this weekend. Christmas is also coming up and I'm taking one event at a time. My brother in law also advised that my water intake should be a minimum of 2 to 3 liters or I won't lose as well. He's done Cohen a few times over the years and said he didn't lose as well when he didn't drink water. He drinks a lot of water this time around and has lost 50 pounds. He looks great and I don't even see any sagging skin. I'm excited to see the changes my own body will make as well. Journalist also helps a lot and the support I get here.

[Soon2BSlim]

Well done on completing your first month in such style Audree and well done to your husband too! It's awesome that he has also lost so much weight. I can only applaud you both for the hard work you have put in! I'm sure you will already be seeing many benefits from having lost so much weight.

Keep up the good work!

Louise

[AudreeS]

I dont know why I have been really hungry this past week. I am up in Big Bear with my family for the weekend and it haa been a HUGE struggle for me. I have wanted to cheat so bad it hurts! I had emailed my diet consultant and told them ive been very hungry lately. They want me to do follow up blood work at this 4 week mark and said if im not feeling well, to have an additional fruit and 5more crackers. Instead of cheating yesterday, I had extra crackers. Im also making sure I drink at least 2 liters of water. Today my hunger isnt as bad as it was yesterday but its more than normal...I wonder why and hope I go back to normal. Its much harder being so hungry. I was having a seasoning with a little cayenne pepper. My brother in law said this might have spiked my hunger. Or maybe trips spike a mental hunger?

[Soon2BSlim]

Sorry to hear you have been feeling really hungry this last week Audree. It does make things harder when you are so hungry. I don't have any suggestions for coping with the hunger but I have heard it said that when you are hungry like that you tend to have a big loss for the week. Hopefully this is true for you and struggling through the hunger while remaining true to your eating plan will give you a nice loss as a huge reward.

You're doing so well ... just a little bit longer and you will be at goal!! Hang in there, it will be so worth it!

[AudreeS]

I was asked to do a second blood test since.its after my 4 week mark. I have been at a plateau for about a week but then due to start my monthly tomorrow. I normally retain water so im not weighing right now. Ive been on plan 100 percent with no deviations except the extra crackers that they said I could have which I only did for 5 days. Im curious to see if they modify my plan. Im a little frustrated that my weight loss slowed down but im looking thinner. We'll see!

[AudreeS]

I went to my families Christmas party at Buck Did Beeps, which is family style Italian. I ordered unsweetened ice tea, brought my apple and crackers. I thought I'd really have a hard time but I didn't!! I haven't weighed myself because last time I was discouraged since I've been at a plateau. I'm taking one day at time. My husband has lost 22 pounds and 3 from his goal then to re feed. I know I'm looking thinner, lost 2 inches from each thigh. Im curious what Dr. cohen will say with my new blood work and if he will change my current plan. I'm fine if he does and the weight comes off.

[Soon2BSlim]

Well done for sticking to plan Audree. It is hard especially when you have a plateau. It would also be good to cut out the extra crackers if you don't need them any more as they can affect your blood tests and weight (from what I've read around the forum).

Have you read the various posts on the forum about plateau's? Some people get them every few weeks while others never have one. It is very encouraging to read how others have handled their plateau and know you are not alone so go digging around the forum, there is a wealth of valuable information here.

Hoping your plateau doesn't last much longer and that you have a nice drop soon.

Keep up the good work!

Louise

[AudreeS]

Well I made it through three Christmas celebrations and have lost 3.8 so I also moved past my Plateau! My clothes are fitting very lose and I'm feeling great. I haven't gotten my 2nd blood test results and Im wondering if they will change my eating program at all. I haven't been at this weight for a very long time and even when I did I didn't maintain long. I've blown past the weights I've had any type of body memory and I'm excited to see the further changes my body will undertake. My husband is almost done and ready for reseed in a couple weeks.

[Odette79]

Well done audreeS, great feeling those clothes getting loose.

Your eating plan won't change as you loose weight, only once you get to refeed.

Well done again!

[Soon2BSlim]

Well done on sticking to plan during Christmas Audree and congratulations on getting past your plateau! What a great feeling

Onward and downward!

Louise

xx

[AudreeS]

Originally Posted by Odette79

Well done audreeS, great feeling those clothes getting loose.

Your eating plan won't change as you loose weight, only once you get to refeed.

Well done again!

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm glad to hear they won't limit my food too

[AudreeS]

Originally Posted by Soon2BSlim

Well done on sticking to plan during Christmas Audree and congratulations on getting past your plateau! What a great feeling

Onward and downward!

Louise

xx

I'm glad to finally get past my Plateau. I figured out what probably happened to slow down my weight loss. I haven't been leaving a 5 hour window between breakfast and lunch!!! I didn't realize how important this was until I started reading the forum more. I've made the change as of this weekend so let's see if anything changes. Have you experienced this at all?

[Not2Much]

Hi AudreeS

Well done on getting past the plateau! The 5 hour rule is one of the most crucial factors of this eating plan, and it has to do with the mixing of protein. Unless you have the same protein for 2 consecutive meals (i.e. beef), you really should follow this rule. As most of us have an egg or yogurt for breakfast, I think we can assume that this is also the case with you and I think you've accurately discovered the culprit.

Good luck for the rest of it, but I think if you've safely made it through Christmas so you shouldn't have too much to be concerned about.

[AudreeS]

Originally Posted by Not2Much

Hi AudreeS

Well done on getting past the plateau! The 5 hour rule is one of the most crucial factors of this eating plan, and it has to do with the mixing of protein. Unless you have the same protein for 2 consecutive meals (i.e. beef), you really should follow this rule. As most of us have an egg or yogurt for breakfast, I think we can assume that this is also the case with you and I think you've accurately discovered the culprit.

Good luck for the rest of it, but I think if you've safely made it through Christmas so you shouldn't have too much to be concerned about.

I am looking forward to see if the weight starts moving now. So the theory will be proven for me. How long have you been doing Cohens?

[AudreeS]

Originally Posted by Not2Much

Hi AudreeS

Well done on getting past the plateau! The 5 hour rule is one of the most crucial factors of this eating plan, and it has to do with the mixing of protein. Unless you have the same protein for 2 consecutive meals (i.e. beef), you really should follow this rule. As most of us have an egg or yogurt for breakfast, I think we can assume that this is also the case with you and I think you've accurately discovered the culprit.

Good luck for the rest of it, but I think if you've safely made it through Christmas so you shouldn't have too much to be concerned about.

I also noticed your below goal weight, that's awesome! It seems unreal to me. The goal weight they want me at seems real low and I'm not sure it's attainable. Thanks for any advice.

[jaccari]

AudreeS, thankyou for putting out there your day to day experiences, I am starting this diet again and without support its quite hard.
When I came across your thread I felt more encouraged to do this diet.
Thankyou.

[Not2Much]

Originally Posted by AudreeS

I also noticed your below goal weight, that's awesome! It seems unreal to me. The goal weight they want me at seems real low and I'm not sure it's attainable. Thanks for any advice.

I first started and completed Cohens in 2012 and got down to 48kg's - 7kg's below Cohens' lowest weight range. That was obviously too low to maintain, but at the time I kept thinking that I had a nice little 'safety net' and wasn't vigilant until it was too late and I picked up all of the weight again.

I always believed that Dr Cohen 'sees' us as we are meant to be. We don't think that we could ever reach a certain weight as many of us haven't weighed that since being a teenager. But our own eyes are playing tricks on us and we still see the same overweight person in the mirror. Sometimes it is because we dropped the weight so quickly that our eyes and mind haven't yet had time to catch up to what other people actually see.

Be assured, your own goal weight is attainable and you'll be amazed at the results!

[AudreeS]

Originally Posted by jaccari

AudreeS, thankyou for putting out there your day to day experiences, I am starting this diet again and without support its quite hard.
When I came across your thread I felt more encouraged to do this diet.
Thankyou.

I'm glad I could be of encouragement! I come here often for encouragement too and it makes a difference. It helps me to be able to continue.

[AudreeS]

Originally Posted by Not2Much

I first started and completed Cohens in 2012 and got down to 48kg's - 7kg's below Cohens' lowest weight range. That was obviously too low to maintain, but at the time I kept thinking that I had a nice little 'safety net' and wasn't vigilant until it was too late and I picked up all of the weight again.

I always believed that Dr Cohen 'sees' us as we are meant to be. We don't think that we could ever reach a certain weight as many of us haven't weighed that since being a teenager. But our own eyes are playing tricks on us and we still see the same overweight person in the mirror. Sometimes it is because we dropped the weight so quickly that our eyes and mind haven't yet had time to catch up to what other people actually see.

Be assured, your own goal weight is attainable and you'll be amazed at the results!

Thanks! Im really looking forward to it! My husband is also doing the program with me. We are keeping each other accountable. He's missing our dates and flexibility of being able to go out with friends. I'm eager to finish the program and begin refeed. I'm thinking about stopping short and beginning refeed then going on maintenance. We used to work out and lift weights and are eager to start working out again.

[AudreeS]

Well, I finally got a response from my blood tests and it shows my HGH levels are low. I had not done the 5 hour window properly between breakfast and lunch and I guess it did not trigger the HGH. THis is what was sent to me. I also replied asking about the 5 hour window since they did not address this.
***
Please be advised that Dr. Cohen has checked your blood test results, and instructed us to send you the following checklist in order for you to check if you are taking your program as instructed.



Regards,

The Consultants Team

Please note: No additional blood test is required, unless we specifically request it.


CHECK LIST
===========
Are you following the Eating Plan 100%? ? If you are deviating at all, even if it does not seem that dramatic to you, you will not trigger the growth hormone, and you will not experience the energy boost triggered by the growth hormone. You cannot have more or less than what is allowed on the eating plan.

If not:

Do you have an accurate food scale that clearly indicates 5-gram intervals? On this Eating Plan every gram counts! Be sure to weigh accurately.

Are you weighing all your food raw, and avoiding processed, pre-cooked, battered and crumbed food?

Are you having only the specific protein and vegetables as indicated on your list? Never assume that anything is equivalent in value to replace a food type, as we are working with very specific food (and chemical content).

Are you having your full two litres of water?

Do you ever have more than two Crackers together in one serving? This will register in your body as a starch and show up as a deviation.

Do you ever skip a meal, or have less than your indicated quantity on the
Eating Plan? Skipping a meal or having less than your allowance will register in your body as a deviation, as you will not trigger the growth hormone fully.

Have you been taking any new medication or treatment? Certain medications, such as cough mixtures and throat lozenges, can contain sugar and alcohol, which will interfere with the Eating Plan.

Have you had to attend a function, eat at a restaurant or at friends? Even a once-off deviation can impact on your repeat blood test result.

Are you using herbs and spices? Which ones? Ensure that there is no starch, MSG added.

Are you taking any homeopathic remedies? These are often in an alcohol base- sometimes as high as 30% alcohol.

Are you using any fruit that is not specifically mentioned by name on the eating plan, or dried fruit, or fruit juice, or more than your allowance of fruit? Fruit is not a "safe" cheat, because of sugar level.

Are you using lemon-juice as a flavoring in your drinks or food (over and above your fruit allowance)? It is essential to count lemon as part of your fruit allowance; otherwise your sugar intake will be too high.

Are you using unflavored yogurt? Flavored yogurt, even if it says "Eating Plan" or "no sugar added" is a deviation.

Are you using flavored Tea? Flavored teas such as Berry, Apple and Cinnamon, etc are a deviation.

Are you using flavored gum, or flavored Cracker bread? No flavoring must be added to any of your food.

Can you think of anything you have had while on the Eating Plan, that is not specifically mentioned by name in the eating plan.