Stuck In Struggle Town

[Manda becomming skinni]

Hi Everyone,
I have lost count of how long I have been on the programme now, though I can tell you my fist 4 weeks were a biss I stuck to the food plan 100% and saw FANTASTIC results. Easter and Mothers Day hit and I did unfortunetly divate a couple of time with the intentions of just working it off at the gym which I later learnt is a no no.
I have since got back on the programme and am finding that if I have a little nap due to tiredness or get woken by my littlies in the night I hit a huge Binge Sessions AHHHHHH which makes me SO Angry, Upset and every other emotion down this same line and maily I feel like a massive failure.
To take on this eating pla was a huge challenge for me as I have always been taught that 6 small meals and my lovely gym 6 times a week will do the trick we'll it did for most of the weight loss but I just couldn't seem to loose that last little bit and now I am finding my fitness has also hit rock bottom.
Is there hope for me peoples? and how do I get over these massive tired sugar binges that seem to be holding me back?

[Bree]

Hey Manda,

I know how you feel I have even found myself getting snappy at the ones I love on one hand I am over the moon at the weight loss, but with all these things happening in life I started to jump back on life's treadmill and got back to naughty town!

I had a very LONG chat with my consultant the other day, and we worked out that I had been doing some silly things for 12 weeks (feta cheese had anti caking stuff) eating too much tomato....

We came to the conclusion when I started I was hell bent on a mission, and somewhat in hibernation mode, something that after 12 weeks I had stopped doing, I had started going out for meals (not taking my own and guessing) and when tired picking what I thought were good meals instead of my meals.

So today is my day one again, I will be hibernating again, preparing my meals properly again, doing up meal planners, and I have decided a few burpies won't go astray as well as playing with my little ones (not big exercise) but at least I am moving.

I hope that you can find your mojo again, because there is nothing worse than being in a rut! let us know how you go - together we can do - becasue we deserve it!

[butterflydreamin]

Hi Manda,

I know how you feel as I have been there too. Do you know what is different for me this time? I have stuck to the program 100% and that for me has really been the key. I still have the life stresses that I had before (if anything, I have had more), I am still very sleep deprived (by a little one waking me up to 7 times a night) and I am also working full time. I find that by sticking to the program 100% I do not get those sugar cravings - I just had to grit my teeth and get through the first 10 days of the program and survive detox. For me, the fact that the program removes cravings and sugar spikes when I follow it has been a real blessing, otherwise I do not know where I would be right now. I expect that I would be heavier than ever, struggling and loathing myself and my program.

I also love to exercise but am avoiding it because I know that it will be the cornerstone of my maintenance journey when I finish the weight loss part of Cohens, so it is just on hold at present. Could you do classes at the gym that focus on stretching, balance, pilates, yoga (low impact etc) rather than cardio because it sounds like you like the gym experience (and I expect the social aspect of it too). That way you will not be interfering with your weight loss journey but still getting your gym fix.

Another thing that assists me is identifying those events that could be a trigger point for me to deviate, well in advance. For me it has been my birthday, anniversary, Easter (usually a real problem for me), mother's day and my strongest one, celebrating my only child's first birthday. I put a strategy in place in advance of these events to assist me in avoiding deviation. I kept my favourite cohen's meal for the event (for me it is usually a cheese meal) and did things like freeze a cupcake from her birthday cake so I can try it after I am finished. It made a difference for me because I did not feel deprived - I could have it, just not now. I am not sure if this would help you too.

I wish you all the best in getting back into your zone. Congrats on your weight loss to date. Feel free to use this forum to vent and get the support that you need while being on your cohen's journey. If you get back on the bus and stick to it - you should be slim by spring!!

Butterfly

[Kohinoor]

Hi Manda,

Is there hope for me peoples?

There certainly is hope if you can relate to the thoughts shown here:-
http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=324246#post324246

Actually, Butterfly had already covered this - but often, we need to hear the SAME message over and over (and in different words) before it strikes home. Hope it helped.

and how do I get over these massive tired sugar binges that seem to be holding me back?

AFAIK, only one way - hold fast, and bust through it !! Knowing why you are doing this may well be paramount, so your reaction to the first quote is probably all-important.

Over to you, Manda - and welcome aboard
Koh

[Shorti]

Hey Manda, we are just about even with weight lost and weight to go. Just don't give up. I struggle with being tired as I never get 8 hours sleep, have a 4 year old and also work full time. I have had ups and downs and hate myself when I give in to temptation but I am determined to get to the end. I too hibernated for the first few weeks and have now started to get out and about more. I struggle with ordering Cohen's friendly food when out as I don't ever seem to get it quite right.

Deviating definately makes the journey harder and I have had to extend my time on the programme because I fell off the rails for a few weeks, but the key is to not give up. Take each day as it comes and keep the end goal in sight.

I look forward to watching your progress.

Stay strong xx

[ropemaha]

hey manda, hope you are doing ok today...

hope this doesnt sound too direct but from my experience there is only one way to get over the sugar binges and their effects...

just grit your teeth and get through the first week...whatever it takes...coz, as you already know, once you do that it gets a hell of a lot easier...

good luck mate, and remember the short term pain will equal the long term gain...especially on cohens...

stick at it

pen

[mantra]

hey manda. i save my orange or apple for after dinner sweets... seems to be holding me off so far (3 weeks in). i have a young daughter and PLENTY of temptations around, but can resist if i know i've got something to look forward to - like my orange! mid morning and afternoon tea are danger times for me, so i make sure i have my icy cold sprite zero or pepsi max ready to go with my crackers at those times. become a creature of habit and you soon wont even question yourself. i reckon.