1st Time Cohenite-Journey to my lifetime goal!

[AudreeS]

Hello, my name is Audree and this is my first time around with Cohens. My official start date will be this Monday. I have tried everything and anything, from WW, Lindora, Atkins, South Beach. I had the lapband surgery in 2006 that keeps me at my current weight, but I can never break past the 170ish mark. If I get it filled anymore than I am right now, I have horrible acid reflux issues and it does not even help me lose past where I am. I am thinking if I lose the weight with Cohen's I will have my lapband removed as I still occasionally have acid reflux if I eat too late and go to bed within a couple hours of bedtime. Unless it continues to help me keep at goal with no health issues, I will keep my band.

I am currently 173 and my goal weight is 140. My highest weight was 240 and I have always struggled with my weight. I am 5/4' and 40 years old (about to turn 41 this Saturday). I think my metabolism might be slowing down as well. I am very excited to see what kind of results I will have with Cohens and I am going to give it 100%, although I am doing it through the holidays because I want to know I gave it all I had. My brother in law is currently also on the plan and has lost 30 pounds in one month. I know men lose it faster but he says I should lose about 20 in the first month. Journaling has always helped me to keep accountable and keep me focused, so here I go!

[AudreeS]

I officially start my plan tomorrow. I have prepared almost two weeks of chicken and shrimp lunches and dinners. I weighed and marked the baggies for M2 and M3. I have balsamic in a spray and sprayed the chicken and sprinkled a little garlic before I froze them so they could have flavor. I bought low fat cottage cheese, eggs and apples, yellow zucchini, spinach and mushrooms. I am going to make sure I take my water bottle and sip on it throughout the day to get my 2 liters in.

I am excited about my new journey! So here we go!

[Soon2BSlim]

Well done for being so organised Audree! I look forward to celebrating your milestones with you!

[Soleil]

Yayyyyyy!!!!! Well done on making the decision to start Cohens. You will absolutely be successful, just remember the first few days are the hardest, honestly it gets so, so, so much easier from there on. You are already preparing yourself for success for being so prepared and organized ! So just keep at it, be strong, and you will be rewarded with awesome results!!! I look forward to following your journey!

Soleil xx

[AudreeS]

Thank you for your support! It is much appreciated and I hope to get to know you all better. I see this as a long term thing not just a quick fix. I know the refeed and maintenance is just as important and support is needed throughout it all.

I had low fat cottage cheese and tomatoes for breakfast, plus a little coffee black. I am working on my first litter of water and having my apple at my break time. I don't feel hungry yet. I have vitamins but I saw the b6 is 10 mg and not the recommended 5mg. What kind of vitamins do you guys use? I also gained 2 pounds over the weekend, putting me at 174.2.

[Soon2BSlim]

And she's off!! Yay! What a great attitude - yes, this is a lifestyle change and not a quick fix and realising that early on is going to help you so much when the temptations come. As Soleil said, the first few days can be a little rocky but hang in there and you will soon hit the zone and be feeling fantastic.

About vitamins - I use a slow release multi vitamin recommended by my clinic as well as fish oil capsules. The B6 content in the multi vitamin is 30mg and I was advised to take 2 per day.

Louise

[AudreeS]

Today was a little rough. I felt edgy and anxious. The meals were filling and good..I had my saltine crackers and fruit. I had my 2 liters and vitamin. Day 1 down and hoping I get past this rough phase.

[Ciors]

The first week is usually detoxing - most people can feel quite awful, don't worry, it will pass. Your body will become much more used to the food quantities and then your hormones will continue to stabilise and you will feel better and better. Take it easy, drink lots. xxx

[AudreeS]

Today was day 2 of Cohens. I weighed myself this morning and much to my surprise....I lost 3 pounds! 2 pounds of which I gained over the weekend plus 1 pound! My brother in law suggested I weigh myself to motivate myself. I felt better than I did yesterday. Not as hungry but did have a slight headache. My meals were filling and the fruits and crackers really hit the spot. I am still working on my water and took my vitamin. I am excited about this journey although I couldn't have picked a more difficult time, through the holidays.

But I want to lose this weight more than I want the food!

[Soon2BSlim]

A fantastic beginning Audree. Yes, it might be tough, especially in the beginning but the effort will be so worth it as you can already see. We often have excuses as to why we can't start out diet now, or make our lifestyle changes now but you have rightly said that your desire to lose the weight is greater than your desire to have the food. It's that sort of attitude that will see you victorious in this journey.

You're doing so well - keep up the good work!

Louise

[AudreeS]

Today is day 3 for me. I weighed myself this morning and was down another 1.5 pounds! How can this be? I am down 4.5 pounds and I am truly shocked. I am also not feeling as hungry or edgy/anxious. I have been enjoying my meals, fruit and crackers. I made a yummy treat that really hit the spot. I got an apple, cut it in 4, sprinkled cinnamon and a little splenda, microwaved for 3 minutes and had the most amazing treat!

I am making sure I drink my water during the day and have it before I let myself have my fruit and crackers. Breakfast was an egg with sauteed mushrooms, sprayed balsamic and garlic...so yummy! I am not used to eating breakfast so I was not hungry but made myself eat. Lunch was chicken and mushrooms, dinner shrimp and mock mashed potatoes...I used cauliflower, a little salt and my 1/2 teaspoon of light mayo. It was so delicious! I do not feel deprived. I am thinking of buying the cookbook. Has anyone purchased it?

Thanks for the encouragement on this journey!!

[Ciors]

I weighed myself this morning and was down another 1.5 pounds! How can this be? I am down 4.5 pounds and I am truly shocked.

And that Audrey, it the magic of Cohen's...and why it's worth every single cent!

Not sure what your cook book looks like over there, I've never used the one I got sent. There are tonnes of recipes on the forum - feel free to check them out for inspiration.

[AudreeS]

Today is day 6 on Cohen's. I've lost 6 pounds!! Today was my daughter's birthday and lots of super tempting foods all around but just knowing ive had so much success and people telling me how great I looked and saying it looked like I've lost a lot of weight really kept me motivated to stay on program 100%. Tomorrow we are taking my father in law out for his birthday to an Italian restaurant and I won't be able to eat. We will leave early in the morning and.I won't be able.to come home for lunch so I'm not sure how I will handle it tomorrow. Hope they have some type of protein and veggie will eye ball my serving.

[Ciors]

eating out is generally tricky. Eyeballing is what most do, or some people take tiny scales. Others ring ahead and preorder - I've done that. Just tell them your on a strict medical diet and what you can eat and quantities etc. Otherwise, take your own, eat just before leaving home or getting to the restaurant.

[AudreeS]

Today is day 7 and I was able to get past my eating dilema. I toom shrimp and mushrooms in a cooler bag and just ate it at.the restaurant. I made.ground turkey.and cabbage.for dinner and it was DELICIOUS!!! A small glass of Sprite zero also was yummy! Bought myself a new water jug, 56 ounces ounces with a sipper so it's easier to get my water in. Im premenstrual so I don't want to weigh myself for at least a week or too. Im.feeling pretty good energy wise although I forgot my vitamin the last two days. My husband decided to eat Cohens so.it will make things easier. I haven't deviated at all and im glad.im past week one since I've been told the first week is hardest.

[ej_nz]

Hi Audree!

Well done on sticking to plan when at the Italian restaurant....I have the same issue coming soon....but at an Indian restaurant....I will opt for baked chicken and veges....no curry or rice for me but that's OK, I will look forward to one of those in maintenance....they aren't going to run out of curry before then..haha!!

[AudreeS]

Hello! I just took my own food and ate with the others. I feel great and so glad I didn't deviate. Today is start of week two, day 8. I'm not feeling hungry and have pretty good energy. I look forward to my meals and excited to see my progress because people are already saying I look like I lost weight. I figure I want to be healthy and in shape much more than I want any food and the food is always going to be there.

[Soon2BSlim]

Absolutely brilliant Audree!! Well done! It's great that you're not feeling hungry and have good energy especially at this stage

Remember to take some progress photo's, if not for others to appreciate, just do it for yourself. You will be amazed at the transformation you see. While we feel the transformation happening we don't always appreciate the size difference until we see it like in photo's.

It really sounds like you have it all under control and will be ready for refeed in no time!

Keep up the good work.

Louise

[AudreeS]

Can we post photos?

[Soon2BSlim]

Yes you can post photos. If you look at some diaries you will see progress photos that people have posted. I haven't posted any but many have

I look forward to seeing yours.

Louise