Back on the Cohens wagon (2 years later)!

[moneypenny]

Hi all - new member here but not new to Cohens... Did the program Feb - May 2006 but the damn kgs have crept back on ... So I'm a newbie to this forum but not new to the program... Was quite active on the other forum last time around but it seems like this time a lot of support can be found here...

I must say I am very disappointed that I let the weight come back. Lost 20.5kg last time and swore to never let it back on - as you do... But with eating out, drinking, eating portions like my hubby (who has also put on weight but refuses to do Cohens) etc etc it just snuck up on me! It was almost like one day I was fine and the next day NOTHING in my wardrobe fitted anymore. Has anyone else had this experience after doing Cohens?

Last time around I was a big fan of "the tea", not eating my crackers and doing Ketostix testing most days. I will go the same way this time, I think. Since I'm not new to this I am more than happy to share my stories from last time with anyone curious.

I'll make a ticker soon but have 11kg to lose this time, goal weight 64kg.

Looking forward to getting to know you all.

[hexi2]

Hi and welcome

make sure you add a diary in the diaries thread...

You will blitz through this and like you said there is heaps of support here

Good on you for getting back on the program

[Annabelle Joy]

Welcome [back] moneypenny. I've wondered about how often people do put the kilos back on after Cohen's. I'm hoping that by the time I get to goal I'll be so accustomed to weighing and measuring that I'll keep doing it, but there's still the social occasions. Please explain "the tea" and the ketostix testing. I've used ketostix with Atkins, but haven't tried on Cohen's because I know my carbs are so much higher.

AJ

[moneypenny]

Thanks for the welcome, guys. Cohen's almost feels like a religion and the devotees like family, which is really nice!

AJ: The tea I referred to is a Chinese diet tea that some of us were using when we were a bit sluggish in the bowel etc due to lack of fibre. I found it really helpful however I can't help but wonder if it accelerated my weight loss but conversely contributed to my post-Cohen's weight gain... As previously mentioned, the weight crept up slowly but still...

In terms of Ketostix, I used them during Cohen's and found that I was in Ketosis very soon after commencing, with pretty high levels of Ketones. I attributed this to the fact that I wasn't eating the crackers, so really no carbs in my diet. It was reassuring to be in Ketosis and remembering that I would fall out of the "zone" if I deviated helped to keep me motivated. I found my old pack of Ketostix last night and they haven't passed their expiry date so I will be able to use them again. AJ: what other foods on Cohen's are you eating that would be carbs?

[Annabelle Joy]

Mainly the fruit and the crispbreads, moneypenny. However, my allowance is 3 fruits and 8 crispbreads a day. I usually eat 4-6 crispbreads and 2-3 fruits. The salad adds a few more, but if that was all I was eating I'd certainly be in ketosis.

AJ

[moneypenny]

I see, AJ: that makes sense!

Motivating to see this morning that on day three I am down 1.8kg so feeling pretty pumped to stay on track. It will be interesting to see if 2nd time around on Cohen's if the weight loss is faster than the first time, as perhaps the body has some sort of "memory" of how to function on this diet, with these prescribed amounts of food etc...

[Jeannie]

Hi Moneypenny, good on you for coming back and getting rid of what has crept back on.. Are you using your old plan or have you rejoined? Just curious that if you have rejoined is your plan much different?

[moneypenny]

Jeannie - I'm using my old program as I couldn't justify another $680 without at least giving the old program a shot. After I did Cohen's, a few of my friends did it as well and we compared our plans and they weren't very different. I know they say that if you gain more than 4kg, then your old program won't work, but I am having success so far, so perhaps I can dispel that theory... In my experience, the variation in plans has more to do with your starting weight, hence the amount you want to lose, than anything else. For example, I had about 20kg to lose last time so my plan was similar to others who had 10 - 20kg (approx) to lose. I saw a plan done for a friend who had about 50kg (approx) to lose and her quantities/crisp-bread/fruit allowance etc was a little higher than mine... This is pure speculation and I don't mean to discredit the program or its scientific basis in any-way. I'm just going to stick to my old program like glue and if I don't see results in the next 4-weeks (as I expect/hope) then I'm probably going to re-join...

We'll just have to wait (weight!) and see!

[Jeannie]

I understand Moneypenny, I used my sisters plan who was the same weight,height etc (although she is 6 yrs younger) to start with, but I did order my own as I wanted tofu included in my diet.. some of my allowances were more and some were less, but when I actually weighed the difference It was like a small slice of celery, or a tiny bit of diced tomato.. I am happy that I ordered my own though as otherwise I would have always wondered if it would have been a different faster result. They say that if you have a baby that makes a big difference in your hormones and it is best to get a new plan if you have been off it for awhile.. I guess I can understand that...


Anyway Good luck with it and I look forward to your posts..