Jem_HA's Diary - For the Second and Final Time

[Jem_HA]

It's been a long while...

...after almost 10 weeks since my last post, I'm coming back!

I lost my motivation to keep up the Cohen's program but I know for sure that Cohen's approach is the best way forward for long term health benefits.

So I use the power of choice...I choose a life of good health and well being. I choose to improve the quality of my life. I choose vitality!

Starting stats and a new ticker to follow...

[WhereAmI?]

Welcome back!! There are a few of us that have had some ups and downs but thats what great about this place!! Everyone is so supportive!! Drink plenty of water the first few days, I find it helps me and I'm only just starting back on the program XO

[Tes]

Welcome back Jem how was your first week - wishing you lots of success and keep writing its very helpful and we like to hear everyone news or the forum gets boring and morgue like!

[Jem_HA]

The saying 'the first answer is generally the correct one' is so true of my experiences with diet since my last post. In my downtime from the forum, I've researched the best approaches for me to make some significant lifestyle changes, starting with diet, and it all points back to the Cohen's Program. These plans really are the most cohesive and simple for quick and prolonged results. Would anyone disagree?

So...I'm back! I was reluctant to reconnect to the forum after such a long time away but I've been re-reading my diary and some other favourites journals and I've realized, of course, that there is no judgment here! Only support, advice and friendship.

Since my last post...we'll I've really only gotten fatter haha. I own the fact I've regained the 8+ kgs that I lost. While I'm disappointed, it will not hold me back from moving forward.

So effectively, this is hello (and happy new year!).

I restart my journey with a modified program from Saturday (cutting out the processed foods and sugar), with Sunday allocated for meal preparation and officially compliant with my original EP by Monday (in my experience the structure of the working week is helpful in those first few days).

Let's do this!!!

[skinnyPIG]

I'm with you Jem! Let's do this!!!

[Wendym1221]

Hi Jem
I was like you the last time I tried to get back on track and was reluctant to join the forum as embarrassed that I went back to my old habits but decided I needed the forum and came back even though it was a failure that round
This time did not hesitate and came back here I need the support of people doing the same as me everyone else cannot fully support you as they do not understand the program like the people doing it.
I get negative feedback from family, friends and work mates as they do not understand what we are doing

Looking forward to reading your journey and doing this together

Cheers
Wendy

[Jem_HA]

Recorded my starting weight and measurements this morning...

Date: 09/01/16
Weight: 109.1kg
Bust: 115cm
Waist: 93cm
Paunch: 116cm
Hips: 129cm

I want to have an 'is what it is' attitude to weighing in as I no longer see the point of demonising the scales - it's not the scales fault I'm fat. I control my behaviour up to and after weigh in.

[Jem_HA]

Feeling great this morning with the menu I've planned for day one...well week one - I'm a bit of a creature of habit with food - especially during the week at work so I'll be eating the below all week.

Breakfast was an egg plus a wholefood juice (I have a kambrook blitz n' go) using some of my veggie allowance (combo of spinach and cucumber) and half my fruit allowance (half each of an apple and an orange).
Morning snack consisted of crackers (homemade to be free of seed oils and gluten) and remaining veggie allowance from breakfast. With a cup of tea.
Lunch will be a tuna salad (allowance of tomato, cucumber, capsicum, lettuce) with salt and vinegar dressing.
Afternoon snack is the remainder of my fruit and a tea or coffee
Dinner will be chicken and Asian slaw - i'll share the recipe for the dressing in my recipe collective, Tasty eats.

I don't feel hungry or deprived at all this morning, I felt just like every other morning the past week where I've been consciously cutting out the refined sugar and processed foods. I hope this is indicative of feelings to come.

[Wendym1221]

Sounds like you have it all planned out
I struggle planning and go as to what I feel like at the time
I am looking forward to your recipes
Have a great week

[Jem_HA]

Day 2 done! I was actually quite hungry prior to dinner today and so redesigned my dinner with some steak and tomato, cucumber and parsley salad. It did the trick too, I felt really satisfied.

I've noticed in as little as two days that I'm sleeping better and it's easier to get up in the morning, I don't feel stiff. I feel like I've got some energy back.

Oh and I'm definitely in fat burning mode! I have some keto-sticks and tested one yesterday...maroon baby! After only two days!! It really validates how I feel which is so motivating.

And reflecting on motivation, I think I'll weigh in at the end of Week 1 and then only take measurements thereafter until the end of Week 4.

[Wendym1221]

Hi Jem doing well
I am much more layed back about weighing this time around I am not even measuring myself just judging by the clothes fit

[Jem_HA]

Really good idea, Wendy. The scales have so much influence on how I feel about my progress and often lead to self sabotage - the kind where one has a loss and so rewards oneself with a large lunch as well as the kind where one sees a gain and thinks 'what was all the hard work for? I might as well go have a large lunch, with dessert and wine!'

[Winterboots]

Well done Jem for the positive re-start. I am also a creature of habit and didn't venture to much into food variation. In fact, 4 years later I am still eating very similar to what I did when on plan - with more lei way but essentially still plain protein and veges.

I note that you said you kept some vegetable allowance for morning tea. I did this in my first week too and was told by my consultant that this is not allowed and that you need to eat the food allowance in each meal all at once. Hence the 5 hour rule other than fruit and crackers which maybe be eaten between meals but 2.5hrs apart. I put down my small first week loss down to this unintentional deviation. I still have my a cracker allowance for morning tea .

WB

[Jem_HA]

Thanks WB - I thought the 5 hour rule applied to proteins in main meals so the body's HGH is activated but I will restructure my meals in week two.

[Jem_HA]

Week 1 - complete!!

Date: 16/01/16
Weight: 107.1kg
Bust: 111cm
Waist: 90cm
Paunch: 113cm
Hips: 127cm

*2kgs lost and 12cm slimmer - so stoked, what an amazing result (if I do say so myself). Even better...because I cut sugar and processed food from my diet since 01/01/16 (weight was up at 111.3 kg) I know this is not water weight, this is fat!!

I'm feeling this round is going to stick 😄

[Jem_HA]

A bit flat this afternoon - I have a headache, I feel vague and I'm tempted to turn to food to up my energy.

Instead I took some Panadol, 'treated' myself to some diet lemonade, am lying down and reading some inspirational diaries on the forum...you really can travel so far with just a few steps. I couldn't not have done this last year. I would have had some chocolate in my gob in a minute!!

[Soon2BSlim]

Sounds like detox to me Jem - hope it's over soon. It certainly helps to distract us from our cravings when we read inspirational diaries on this forum and well done for not taking the chocolate route.

I find that my sense of smell is heightened when I am eating clean on Cohens and quite often I feel satisfied just by smelling something I thought I wanted to eat - like chocolate. I take a huge whiff (feeling ever so wicked when I do, almost like deviating lol) and then my desire is satisfied but I haven't even let that item get near my lips

I hope your headache eases and that you start feeling better soon but in the meantime, enjoy your downtime and reading here in the forum. It's a good place to be.

[Wendym1221]

Funny how the headache hits people different times mine happen right off the bat
Hope you feel better soon and remember how positive you were yesterday that will be back soon

[Jem_HA]

Is it possible to skip the detox? I don't feel like I've detoxed at all?!
My headache was actually postural and radiating from my shoulders. I can't explain the vague feeling though so maybe that's the detox? Or simply having a headache? In any case the concern and get well tips are gratefully welcomed, thanks ladies. 😊

[Soon2BSlim]

I didn't really have a detox last time Jem and only one day of real grumpiness this time that I put down to detox but it may just have been because my psyche was adjusting to the proper way of eating again.

It's great if you've skipped detox - they can be really unpleasant.