Reset the mindset

[Mandy1]

Well here goes, I have never committed to the diary before, but think it is time.

Some background info first I guess.... I joined Cohen's back on 22 June 2012, age 46, weighing 106kg and feeling frumpy and low. I loved the program, stuck to it like glue and watched the marvellous results! I dropped down to 66kg in just over seven months and completed refeed at 65.3 kg on 12/2/13. Wow that felt good!!!

I stepped gingerly into maintenance and watched with amazement as my weight stabilised between 66-68 kg even with all the additional foods (including red wine and chocolate at least once a week). I was able to have the occasional dinner out with no negative side effects and started to feel confident that I had mastered maintenance.

Unfortunately, I forgot one simple piece of advice that I was given right at the start....this program is for life, it is not a quick fix. I let met self have holiday times completely off program...no weighing of food or self, no need to be too particular with choices...it was holidays after all. The problem is that each holiday has cost me about 1kg...each time I would tell myself it was only a small amount in the scheme of things and anyway I knew it all, right??

Well, several holidays later and facing my 50th birthday at the end of the year I am up to 75.1kg (as at 22/6/15), 3 years on and feeling nervous about the upward spiral! This not good! At the moment I am still in size 10 clothes, but gee they could be a bit more comfy! I don't really want to get down to 65kg again, but the feeling at 68kg is perfect.

So dear friends, that is where I am headed. Thanks to those of you who have already provided support I feel energised and ready to get back to the ultimate me. I have had 2 great days using my old plan (thanks Angel), and am going to give it my absolute all. I will check in here and bore you with the details...feel free to give me advice along the way, I need it all and will be ever greatful. Mandy1

[EEEE]

Hi Mandy.

Firstly you done great by not "letting go" and only gained a few kilos. You will drop those within 4-6 weeks whilst on plan.

So you wanna lose the weight? What are you gonna do? You are going to up your water intake, weigh your food and make fantastic choices.

I am 5 kilos away from Refeed and had a few bumps and obstacles in the last 5 weeks but I am taking it day by day.

Good luck with your plan and great on the mindset!

[Mandy1]

Wow, only 5 to go, you must be feeling fabulous! The home stretch is hard, but so worth it, I think refeed is where the real magic happens, so keep focused until you've got through that and you'll feel so good! Thanks for the advice, I will push the water a little harder...always a challenge on cold days, but good to keep in mind 😀

[Andie27]

Hi Mandy,
Good to see you have a diary. Can't wait to read about your progress the second time round. And I agree with EEEE well done not letting yourself go too far. A big high-5 for making the decision to go back on plan. I'm halfway, have a bucket load to go so I will be here for you.
Got a few tips for you:
*stick your allowances page on the fridge and take a photo of it in your phone so when you're out and about you have it for quick reference.
*drink at least 2-3 litres of water every day. Hard at first but you get used to it.
*stay focused by having a list of short term achievable goals.
*speak kindly to yourself, hard to do if you've deviated, but try.
*write as much as you can in your diary as this helps to keep you honest with yourself.

All the best darl.
Hugs Andie

[Mandy1]

Thanks Earth Angel, all good advice, I know the water is one area that I let slip by, so am trying to drink, drink, drink!
Well it's day 4 on plan and all is going well, I have managed to stick to it so far and am feeling a bit empty / hungry this morning, but just need to keep busy to avoid 'topping up' with any extras. I find the toughest part of the day for me is between 5-7 pm. That after work moment when I get in the door and start the dinner etc., just feel like munching! Have saved some fruit and 2 crackers for this time slot in the last 2 days and it has really helped, but I do need to stay focused here 😡 Once I get past dinner I am fine again, just a short window where the cravings really hit hard. But ... so far so good. I haven't stepped on the scales yet, but will do next Tuesday morning and as per Cohen's last time around I am actually looking forward to it. That makes a nice change from the past few months (scale terror).
My big challenge in the next few days is that we are heading to the country to spend the weekend with my parents....all good fun, but not particularly Cohen's friendly food if you know what I mean. So the plan goes like this...take plain yoghurt and fruit for breakfast on both days (and politely refuse the cook up offered &#128517, suggest that I prepare lunch and get the family on chicken and salad day 1 and BBQ steak and salad day 2, try my best not to offend (or indulge) by only eating the parts of dinner that are suited (i.e., avoid the wine, cheese, bread and dessert). I know it can be done...'cause I did it before, but it is always a challenge.
Challenge no.2 is that although my husband is on board with me doing Cohen's and was a great support last time when I had heaps to lose, he makes sweet unintentional gaffs along the way...'does it really matter / it's only a few kilos / you look great anyway, why not relax a bit" all well intentioned, but I need to reset my mindset to be the quiet achiever just for me!
So, in the days ahead I will need all the focus I can muster, will be checking back in on Monday and then weighing in on Tuesday....keep you posted 😘

[Mandy1]

Well it's Tuesday and here I am...I have had a great week back on plan, some small bumps here and and there but nothing to disrupt the momentum. Jumped on the scales this morning and am down to 72.3kg...that feels so good! I have dropped 2.8kg in one week and feel like I am back in charge. I still have about 5kg to go before I'll do refeed (started refeed at 67kg last time, but will see how I feel as I get closer), but really feel great about the changes so far.
Some things that I have learnt this week:
1) support really matters...I have been trying to go it alone on plan (sort of) for a while and it is not the same as committing to the plan and reporting in to others
2) doing half of / or most of the plan is a cop out..the real thing worked before and will work again
3) I can say no to food that I don't want and it will not offend anyone!
4) I need to drink more water!
Well that's about it...nit very exciting, but working well just like the first time around. I just need to keep up the momentum and it will work!

[Andie27]

Hi Mandy - sounds exciting to me! What an amazing effort for one week - 2kgs!!! very impressive, you should be very proud of yourself. All the best for the rest of the week.
Hugs Andie

[Mandy1]

Thanks so much Andie...you seem to pop up just when I need you! I had a bit of a challenging day yesterday and slipped off plan a bit...nothing huge, but enough to make me feel let down this morning. But, onward and downward as they say😅 I just seem to lose the motivation from time to time (usually first 3 days of my period are a killer!), but it's the all important getting back into it after a slip up that counts the most. I don't want one days mistake to become a week's worth! So, back to it today...trying hard not to be too focused on the negative here...it was only a small slip! Aargh I can't wait to get back to maintenance !!!!!

[Andie27]

I know what you mean. It's TTOM for me and I've been craving salty and sweet all day. Drives me nuts. The things we have to go through as women. You'll get back to maintenance in no time sweetie. Hang in there.
Hugs Andie 😉

[Andie27]

Hi Mandy. Hope you made it through the weekend df. Hugs Andie 😉