Sceptical but hopeful.

[Donzie]

Hi New You Forum,

I'm Donna, I've paid my money, had the blood test, and am now awaiting the EP.
A new clinic opened up a short walk from my house (I'd never heard of Cohens beforehand) and thought perhaps with support I might have a chance. The online reviews were glowing so I said yes.

I'm a little anxious, the food allowance I've researched online is way less than I have EVER eaten before, just hope I can find my groove so-to-speak.

I am sick of dieting, most of my adult life has been spent dieting / gaining and I would like this craziness to stop.

My heart felt goal upon embarking this program is to get off the diet/binge cycle and reset my body to eat appropriately. I've been successful at weight loss in the past, but not at maintaining the loss. The last few years have gotten very hard carrying this extra weight around (35kg) with a young family

I honestly hope this time it will be different. I look forward to getting to know some of you and to great things ahead.

Donna.

[Tannalee]

Hi Donna! My official start date is today so we are starting around the same time! I did start last week Thursday and have been going through a detox. What helped is reading the boards and realising that everyone goes though the same. The first couple of days are the hardest. Just keep reading and be prepared!

GOOD LUCK!!!

[Donzie]

Hi Tannalee,

Today is the day, huh? Good luck!
I'm impressed you have started already. I look forward to keeping in touch and hearing about your progress. I'm officially starting on Monday the 23rd due to a planned weekend away. But actually today is day 2 (I thought I would start earlier and ease my way into it a bit). So far all good, just a mild headache.

It's exciting and terrifying at the same time.

Talk soon.

[Loveyourbody]

Donzie i was also sceptical when i did this plan as i had been on every possible diet out there however i dug deep and just trusted the plan and it's really one of the most amazing gifts i have given myself! My life has changed in such a positive way and i'm healthier then ever! This forum is great so many inspirational stories! All the best on this exciting joureny

[Tes]

Hi Donzie,

I was worried in the beginning especially when you see the calorie count on the plan but best to remember this is not about calorie counting programme at all. You will feel so clean and light in a few weeks and if you stick to it - YOU WILL LOSE YOUR WEIGHT. Most nb thing to remember is that once you have reached your goal you will always need to watch and maintain your weight if you have struggled all your life. For those of us who have this problem (I am one of them) we can never EVER relax - we need to be watching what we eat forever. What this does is gives a person hope to lose everything and start anew. Wishing you lots of great luck - and I promise it is worth the journey

[Donzie]

Thanks Tess,

It's comforting to know you have got to the other side - so it can be done. Yes, you are right it's the lack of food that has me worried. I just hope it doesn't spark the mother of all binges in a few weeks. Maintaining is the real challenge though. Good luck, your one determined gal.

[Polgas]

Hi Donzie,
Yes, try to ease in to the program. I started last Saturday 7 Nov but before that I had bloods taken 2 October and weighed 116kg. From that day til i started, i just decided to eat helthy, no rice, pasta, or bread. Lots of veggies and salads, but had 2 parties and only ate the healthy stuff. When i weighed myself saturday I lost 10kgs and lost another 2.5 or so when I weighed today. Getting headaches too so when on the program, try to spread the crispbread and fruit allowance throughout the day so less hungry. I also usually have a fruit and youghurt breakfast but might move the fruit to be a snack so i last longer thru the day!

Good luck!

[allie_82]

Hi Donzie,

I too had the same concerns when I started the program... but once you get through the first week or so you will NOT feel hungry - it really is amazing how the hunger just disappears!

Have faith in the program and faith in yourself and you will do great!

I agree with Polgas - make sure you use the entire crispbread and fruit allowance in the first weeks as this will help you get through - after that it is optional but I found that I was eating the 5 CB and 2 fruits for most of my Cohen's time. If you get a headache - take something for it and drink plenty of water

I wish you the very best with your program and I look forward to reading all about it!

allie

[Tes]

Hi Donzie

I ate all my crispbreads and fruit in the first couple of weeks then stopped but near the end I started eating them again - that is when you are near goal and you get much hungrier. I will tell you something that may not make me popular but some of the things we tell you - you must decide for yourself if you care to follow these tips or not.

When I got really really hungry - often near the end. I would have an additional litre of soda water (not flavoured - zero calories). While you are not supposed to have more than your allowance on fizzies. I found that based on the temptation scale and abating hunger and avoiding a potential cheat - I would rather cheat on soda water with no calories than pick up food. The soda is supposed to contribute to possible water retention but - its a very very quick fix to make yourself full - FAST. You can do the same with non fizzy water - but if its off the charts bad - fizzy water - does the trick!

[Donzie]

Thanks Everyone,

Any tips and tricks are much appreciated! I'll remember the soda water one Tess if I'm ever struggling, thanks.

Polgas, your new like me! Sounds like your off to a ripper start already 12.5kg lost. Can't imagine that happening to me that fast, but you should never say never, right.

Allie_82 yours was the first thread I read on the 'Cohen Support forum' I found it an incredible read you seemed to go from strength to strength. So inspirational for a newbie like me. How is maintenance going?

Thanks everyone for you help and support. I'm ready to DO IT!

[allie_82]

I'm glad you liked my diary you will do great on this program, seems you are focused and determined!!

Maintenance is HARD... I have actually put on around 6 kilos since finishing refeed... I know what I have done wrong though and it is my own fault I am back here... I let bad habits creep back in and even though I have been weighing almost everyday I still let it get too far!

So from today I am back on plan 100% to get rid of it once and for all!! I am so ashamed of myself right now... so here goes!

[Tannalee]

Hi Donna! So when you starting? I am on day 7 and its true the hunger goes away! The feeling of needing to eat everything in sight has gone woohoooo!

[rettstar]

more people joining!

Hello and Welcome!

I am on week 5 and doing just fine.

Keep the faith and trust the program.