Shanara's Diary

Shanara · #1 12-10-2008, 09:06

Hi Everyone,

Have been lurking in this forum for around a month now, reading everything and working through whether this is for me or not. Have had my forms from the clinic sitting there for about two weeks ...waiting for me to come to a decision.

I have a lot of weight to loose so know I am in for the long haul. Made my first comment yesterday on AJ's Diary as she really touched my heart with her photos of her in her dress for her sons wedding. Well in true AJ style she sent me a message and has given me some really great reflections and things to think about.

Up shot is this morning I reached a decision - I am going to do this - blood tests Monday morning! And I've also given myself the perfect motivation for me - I am going to Antarctic! Yes - that is right - Antarctica!
I have wante to go there for so long now - travelling is my passion.

Antarctica! Captain would be worried about his ship - "there' a whale on board...lolol. However could not see myself moving around with all those clothes on - I would be like a ball. Lololol. Have visions of them having to roll me off the ship to get me to shore ...omg. Doubt I could bend over with all those clothes on. Need to be lean to be able to move in all that clothing ....so that is my motivation ....Antarctica!

Feels like I have been working through a lot as I come to my decision point. I have been having some energetic healing sessions as well to help move through issues that have arisen - very confronting and fantastic.

My first challenge to myself ...increase my water !

Thanks AJ for your words of wisdom yeaterday.
Looking forward to getting to know others on this forum.
Blessings
Shanara

Antarctica here I come!

JennyC · #2 12-10-2008, 10:25

Good for you Shanara, Cohens is the best lifetsyle change you will ever need!!!! I thought I had a heap to lose when I started 60kg ARGHH!!! Now I have 26 to go.
You can do it.....Antartica sounds awesome!!!! Can't wait to here your story.

JennyC

Annabelle Joy · #3 12-10-2008, 10:51

Welcome to the diaries, Shanara. I'm so pleased you decided to sign up. This really is the best diet, and it's also a new lifestyle. There's no doubt that it's strict, but that actually makes it easy if you can resist the early temptations. If you stick to the diet (actually, any diet) 100% you have to get to your goal.

Antarctica has always been the place I most wanted to visit. I'd given up all thoughts of doing so. Like you, I couldn't imagine myself clambering in and out of little boats the size I was. Must put it back on the agenda again, although first trip overseas will probably be to the US to visit DS and DIL sometime next year.

I use a HydraCoach (http://www.hydracoach.com.au/) for water, drink about 100 mls at a time and set quotas for different times of the day.

I look forward to following your journey -- the first one first, down through the kgs.

AJ

Shanara · #4 12-10-2008, 10:52

Hey Jenny

Thanks for reading my first diary post.

Realise when I read it back it sounds like I have booked my ticket.
No ...not yet ...its my getting to goal motivator.

The exciting thing is that reading what others have managed to do I could actually go next summer - this time next year I could be booked and ready to go !!!!!! Yeah - what an incentive.

Wow - other times I have tried to loose weight it seemd such a long slow slog that I gave up. I am so impressed with your loss Jenny - almost 40 kg - since the end of June - that is incredible - congratulations. I hope you feel really proud of yourself - it must be so much easier to move around - my body feels big and cumbersome

I think I will have around 60 kgs as well to loose - probably a bit more. Before reading this forum I would have said years to get there at my past results. Your results are inspirational.

Thanks - today I have lost the feeling of dread around this and feel.....excited ...omg - a bit scary.

Thanks - all this is helping me get in the ZONE>
Blessings
Shanara.

Manderella · #5 12-10-2008, 12:34

Hi Shanara,

I know the feeling of, "is this the diet for me, should I spend the money and give it a go..will it be another diet that I don't succeed on". I have thinking about joining Cohens for the last month and last week i finally took the plunge and got my blood test and sent my forms away. I am still awaiting my program, so we will be starting around the same time and we can help each other through the our journey's.

Your goal is to go to antartica so you can wear all the clothes, my goal is to wear the least amount of clothes on our Gold coast holiday in January..lol

Look forward to starting this fantastic life changing journey with you.

Manderella

shrinkingTam · #6 12-10-2008, 13:01

Hi Shanara - welcome to the forum

I only restarted my program on Monday, and am incredibly motivated and determined to get to my goal weight.

The most important thing at the beginning, I believe, is to set yourself some short term goals and make yourself accountable. I am using my diary as an accountability tool so tey to post every day about what I am feeling etc... and I have insisted that I go to the clinic once a week for my first month at least. They say it takes about 6 weeks to develop a new habit, so I am thinking I am going to use (abuse...lol?) every single tool I have in this first 6 weeks at least to give myself every chance of succeeding.

Cohens will change your life! And you will be flitting around in beautiful Antarctica before you know it.

Shanara · #7 13-10-2008, 07:53

Well ha ha ha - the jokes on me !

Yesterday decided to move towards pre Cohen principles. Was very pleased with myself at having no carbs for evening meal and then no snacking after it. Went to do my blood test this morning and realised I have fasted for more than 12 hours! Will have to do blood tests Tuesday instead.

Have read so many times on this forum to read it, read it, read it again as it is so easy to make a mis-take. Guess I have now learnt that lesson. Realised yesterday how much I have relied upon carbs like bread, rice and pasta to make quick, filling meals for my two boys and myself. Being a single since they were very young I have use carbs as a way to fill them up. Oh healthy meals - lots of veges, usually organic, but just way too much carbs.

Feel good with this decision - just have to stay in present and not worry too much about how long its going to take.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my diary.

Jenny - you are an inspiration - think I will have 60 and a bit more to loose.

AJ - you have played a very large part in my decision to do this although you probably don't know it! Thanks for the tips and I will get the hydracoach.

Mandarella - looks like we are going to be travelling this road together. Way to go !

Tam - great idea about the short term goals - I am working on them.

If anyone has tips on strategies for staying on track whilst also feeding a family of two 6 foot teenage boys I would be very grateful.

Thanks for visiting.
Blessings
Sharna

Karen67 · #8 13-10-2008, 10:29

Hi, and welcome Shanara... sorry about the blood test... ah well tomorrow is a good day, and i found my blood results were back in a day or 2......

I hear you on the carbs... they were a HUGE part of my diet pre cohens.... but you do get used to not hving them pretty quickly....

I have 5 kids and a husband, 3 of them are teenagers who eat astronamical amounts of food

a baby, and a fussy 3 year old

the only advice i can give is BE ORGANISED !!!! have all your meals planned and measured out.... and if you can pre cook some, then do that too so you just have to nuke it !!!!! I found the times when Ive been tempted to deviate are when Im really busy,and tired, and it would be just easier to have a sandwich or whatever tha family is eating.... so planning is definately the most important thing

Good luck with it, it will be a fantastic journey....

Karen

Jamanoha · #9 13-10-2008, 10:30

Hi Shanara

Thanks for stopping by my diary. I am looking forward to sharing my cohens journey with you. I too have a lot to lose, but I am not going to get myself all overwhelmed by numbers, they'll come down in no time

I can familiarise with your previous way of cooking for your family... I did/do the same thing with mine. I am amazed at how I used to think that a meal wasn't a meal unless it had some kind of carb on the side. It's ok for my kids & husband who work their carbs off during the day, but not for me, who is at home with a toddler everyday.

As for cooking for your family, I can tell you what we've planned for this time around;
My family are going to be eating everything that I eat, tonight I have herbed beef patties and salad planned for dinner and they're having the exact same thing... only they will have some cheese in their salad, and some cous cous also.
They're allowed to have sandwiches etc... they're even allowed to have junk food, just not in my presence. My husband has a cafeteria at work that he can buy his junk from, and my kids can get lunch orders from school.
I have stocked up on the microwavable brown rice, so that when I have mango chicken etc they can pop some rice on and add it to their meals.
The main, difficult meals for us are dinner... mostly because it is the only meal we all sit down and eat together.
I am sure you will find what works for you.
Wishing you loads and loads of success! I can't wait to see pics of your Antartica adventure... we're in this together for the long haul

Lisa

Annabelle Joy · #10 13-10-2008, 12:04

Shanara, initially my husband was eating the same as me, just more and potato, corn, rice, etc. to pad out his meals. Recently I've been cooking him different meals in my magic new machine, and he eats the same thing over several days. At the moment it's risotto, but have made curry, casserole, pasta, etc. This might help you, make up plenty and let them do the reheating, or even better, take this opportunity to teach your sons to cook (some woman will thank you one day). They can then heat up their own meals some days, and learn to cook them other days.

Pity about the blood test, but stay off the carbs and you will be losing weight anyway while you are waiting.

AJ

bruni · #11 13-10-2008, 13:48

What a beautiful name..Shanara - welcome aboard..if you don't mind the pun!!..look forward to reading your journey..

Mette · #12 13-10-2008, 18:41

A belated welcome to the forum, Shanara! What a beautiful name! You've made the best choice for yourself and for your boys. I used to rely on rice and pasta and bread for quick meals too, but since starting Cohens, I'm healthier and happier than ever before. You will be amazed at the results! Have a great week!

slimstar · #13 13-10-2008, 19:50

Hi Shanara,
You have just made such a tremendous decision. I cant wait to watch you shed your kilo's fast !

Welcome aboard.

Nance's big sister · #14 13-10-2008, 21:42

Hi Shanara and welcome. You have made a great decision in choosing Cohen's to change your life. I have 50kg to lose and after a month have just lost 9.8kg. Surprisingly it's easy to follow (but I don't have kids). I agree with AJ - pre cook some meals for your family just to make it easier on you.

Good luck with pre Cohen's it may save you some headaches when you start.

I'll join you on your long haul as I think I will be around for about 8 months - love it to be sooner but I'm being realistic.

Take care, NBS xx

ps. look for Nance, she's been to Antartica.

Shanara · #15 14-10-2008, 23:10

OMG - I can't believe this !!!! I have lost 1.2 kg from yesterday morning. Now I know I have a lot to loose but this is remarkable!

I have not weighted in at clinic but on my scales, which I think are accurate I was 134.7 - this morning 133.5!!!

Ok this is what I have done. Increased water to 2.5 litres. Only carbs I had yesterday were a couple of Taco shells for dinner - everything else just protein and veges. I didn't weight my food - decided I would worry about that when I got my programme. For now would just cut the carbs and sugar. Decided I would let my body adjust in two steps - first cut the carbs and sugars (precohen)- then the amounts (real programme).

Amazing - and my body felt good this morning although I did have a bit of a headache yesterday.

Had my blood test this morning and then went for a session with my energetic healer. I find that if I keep asking myself "what can I do to support myself now" I keep in touch with what's going on for me. Today got to feel that part of me that was really unwilling to feel vulnerable - feel much stronger now.

Thanks everyone for your support in this forum.

Karen - taking on your tip of BE ORGANISED - think that will be key for me as well.

Lisa - yes we shall be there for the long haul. Sounds like you have thought through a lot about how you are going to manage everything with the family as well. I was really pleased with myself tonight got chicken and hot chips for boys for dinner. Eldest son made salad so when we got home I had chicken, salad and mango and not one hot chip - actually it was not too difficult - guess I'm getting in the zone. Really wanted to see of I could do it before I get onto real programme. I am sure we can do this.

AJ - Can you believe 1.2 in one day ...lol. I have taken inspiration from you again and have set up excel spreadsheet - want to really monitor what is going on with my body. I have two friends who swear by their thermomixes - I used to joke with them that when it did the shopping for me I would buy one - maybe I will look at it again and see if it would work with the boys. Actually they can cook a bit - I am really aware us mothers of boys are raising them to be partners for someone so they do own washing and are quite independent but they don't really want to cook. Will help out though mostly when asked. We are having some family discussions at the momment around how this can work for everyone and I get the support from them that will help me. Tonight worked well.

Bruni - thanks for visiting - yes i like my name too.

Mette - thanks - yes it is beginning to feel like I have made a great choice.

Slimstar - thanks for your support

NBS -wow you are doing really well! Yes I feel it will take me somewhere from 8 months to 1 year so looks like we shall be buddies in here. Shall look out for Nance.

Well getting late - will go check out some diaries and then go to bed.

Blessings
Shanara

Annabelle Joy · #16 15-10-2008, 00:07

Congratulations, Shanara. Yes, I can believe 1.2 kgs. This is Cohen's after all.

You'll do a lot of your detoxing with pre-Cohen's too, which will make it a lot easier when you start.

If you get a Thermomix, the boys are likely to take a greater interest in the cooking because it becomes so easy and tastes so good. You could have a demo with them there too, so they can see what it can do. My DH who has never done the cooking, now uses it himself for some of his food. He loves it. If you would like a demo, you can PM me your contact details and I'll send them to HO who will get a local consultant to call you. Demos are enjoyable and should be no hard sell at the end.

AJ

Jenniwren · #17 15-10-2008, 07:42

Hi Shanara,
Welcome to the forum and to Cohen's the program
really works and it is also a lot of planning and thinking
of meals and food in the first month but it does get
easier just take one day at a time, and it will go very
quickly for you.
I look forward to following your journey.
Take Care
Jenni xx

Mette · #18 15-10-2008, 07:59

I can believe it. The good doctor knows what he's doing

Congrats on the 1.2kg loss! That's excellent!
If you want an inspirational story that shows what is really possible, Shanara, have a look at JennyC's diary. She had about the same to lose as you, and she has been doing amazing things on the diet!

Ellabelle · #19 15-10-2008, 08:16

Congrat's on the loss

That's awesome

Jamanoha · #20 15-10-2008, 08:17

Shanara! 1.2kgs! That's awesome!
Wait til you start the real thing... you will be amazed. I'm being stubborn and not getting on the scales until the 1 month mark, after that I might weigh weekly.
Keep up the brilliant effort