Dennyhorse - galloping to a leaner me.

[Dennyhorse]

Hi all.

Thanks for the warm welcome in the newbie section.

So I'm on Week Four Day One - I go back to the clinic for a weight in next Wednesday and have my blood tests.

So far so good - apart from a crappy first week with the detox symptoms I'm actually really enjoying the plan.

Weirdly the the only craving I had in the first week was for toast... weird because I'm gluten intolerant and haven't had toast in a couple of years (most gluten free bread tastes like crap!!). Since then I've not had any cravings at all - although the smell of my husbands dinner makes my mouth water I'm quite happy not to eat it and very satisfied with my meal. I'm actually feeling full now quite often after a meal!!

I'm trying not to weigh myself each day... which is hard!! I last weighed myself on Sunday -so I'm going to try and go cold turkey till weigh in on Wednesday... Lets see how strong I am!!!

I'm a bit of an egg and shroom girl for breaky - I love yoghurt but even with an apple grated in it, it doesn't seem to fill me up and I'm ready to rip my arm off in a couple of hours and eat it.. so Egg and shrooms or asparagus is usually my breaky staple.

Lunch I tend to go a protein with salad - easy for work, and dinner I'm loving stir fried cabbage, bok choy or zuchini. Actually I have a new found love and respect for the good old zuchini - I cant believe how much I have neglected this vege in the past!

Interestingly I have absolutely NO desire to eat cheese... I have used ricotta a couple of times in meals but I have no desire for the Mozzarella... very very weird!!

My consultant told me to only use the fruit and rice thins in the first week as a snack and after that to eat them with my meals - so that's what I've been doing. Admitedly I am always getting very hungry right on the 5 hour knocker - which i guess is fine as I'm pretty organised with my meals...

Anyhoo.. Thanks again for the welcome

Cheers

T

[1and1and1is3]

Welcome Denny!

I started just before you (I'm 5 1/2 weeks in) and it's amazing how easy it becomes, hey?

You have great discipline... my entire reason for getting out of bed is so I can jump on the scales haha. Although you're probably doing the right thing as I've had a horrible 5 days of essentially sitting at the same weight (sometimes it goes up, then I'll lose that the next day etc), which can be a bit hard to see mentally, especially since I haven't been deviating at all!

Great work, so far! You'll be at goal before you know it!

[Relles]

Hi there Dennyhorse...

I was only coming in for a quick peak.. Then I saw your name! Hmm I have horses and I sort of live near a town that is shortened to Denni so I just had to come and say hi when i saw your username!

Congrats on starting you are going to be very happy when you do get on the scales!
I'm definitely a space out the crackers and fruit throughout the day type person.. I need my snacks, did it all along the way and didn't seem to make a difference. Very strong of you to only eat your fruit and crackers at meal times!
Anyway, welcome!.... Now I need to slink off to my studying..

[lil_doll]

Hey Denny!!

I'm like Relles, I need to space my crisps and fruit out!! haha.

Congrats on everything so far! You're doing great! And good luck with staying off the scales!

I also now appreciate a good zucchini!! LOL

[Cazspaz]

Welcome and yay for zucchinis! Have you seen the Zoodle thread? OMG Zucchini noodles are the best!

You're off to a great start!

[nicolac]

Hi Denny, it sounds like you are doing really well. I've just finished my second week and definitely finding I'm getting into the groove of things more. Although, I do hope my consultant doesn't tell me to have crackers and fruit with meals - I like to munch on my apple slices throughout the day!
Cravings definitely start to go. I went to a friend's 40th today and lots of yummy food, cakes etc and strangely it didn't bother me too much - which really surprised me. Hopefully bread won't haunt you for much longer! I'm with you on the eggs and shrooms for breakfast -yum. Looks like we have similar amounts to lose too (although I'm still in the 80's). Hopefully I'll join you in the 70's soon =)

[odette776]

Hi Denny! I have been having either egg with mushrooms or egg with zucchini for breakfast since I started. It's hard to get low-fat/non-fat yogurt so I don't have much choice. I'm not complaining though since I find egg-veggies combo filling.

[Javanilla]

Welcome Denny!

I agree with you about zucchini. I am now 4 months into the program and I haven't had this much zucchini in my entire life! And now, I make them into Zoodles so I'm seriously hooked.

I didn't know about the fruit/crackers as a snack only in the first week...I'm on the internet program and I don't get a nice consultant that answers all my questions like everyone else. I absolutely need to have my fruit or crackers (usually crackers as I am not a big fruit person) as a snack just to get me through the next meal. But so far it's doing okay in my diet.

Congrats on starting the Cohen journey and you're doing great so far. Keep it up!

[Dennyhorse]

WOW thanks all the replies guys!! Sorry I've been AWOL - my life (like all) gets a bit hetic at times!!

113 - I'm so suprised (in a very good way!!) at how easy the programme is!! I have NO cravings and NO desire to eat anything outside of the programe.. and since I can feel it working my I am so determined not to deviate!! It's ruddy hard not to imediately jump on the scales in the morning - and I must admit I did this morning but I can feel my clothes looser so that helps!!

Hey Relles!! What sort of horses do you have?? I've got warmbloods - a 13 yr old that is training Prix St George and a 5 yr old that is working Novice/Elemantary. The PSG is having a bit of a break as I dont have the energy to ride him - and besides the first few rides I have on him are crap - a bit like doing the first week on the plan - you feel like crap but know its working and you just have to work thru it!!! I've also got a very special stallion that's retired - he's special cause he represented Aust. in the Paralympics in Hong Kong in 2008 I wouldnt mind munching on my crackers during the day but she made it out like the plan wouldn't work if I did???

LD and Caz - yum I cant believe I've previously neglected the good old Zuc... I might have to invest in a Zoodle they look pretty cool!! I've also taken a bit of a fancy to Enoki shrooms - they have a texture a bit similar to pasta would you believe!! Did a meal with prawns and Enoki shrooms a couple of weeks back - I was telling my self it was a pasta and garlic prawn dish!!!

Nicolac - How's it going?? Are you feeling a bit better after your first couple of weeks? I cant believe how great I feel - my mind is clearer than it is ever been and no more toast cravings!! How good is that!! Good on you for surviving a 40th!! I had to have two meals out last weekend and managed to survive - we deserve a medal!

Odette I dont miss the yoghurt either - I've actually had eggs and asparagus a couple of mornings and love that too!!

Jav - Congrats on your 4 months!! I havent heard BOO from my consultant from my first appointment - so I may as well be on the online program!! I have an app on Wednesday and I think I had better ring and make sure they haven't shut shop!!! Thank god for this forum hey?? I've got more info from this place than any!!!

[Dennyhorse]

So I confess - I stood on the scales this morning!!! No willpower!!! I had a busy weekend and I had to have two meals at restaurants so I wanted to check that I hadnt put weight on!!! No chance - my weight - 76.8 which is a 1.7kg loss since last Sunday!! Woo hoo!!! I weigh in on Wednesday and it will be interesting to see the difference between their scales and mine as I neglected to weigh myself when I got home from my first app. ;(

My first meal was at a really flash pub for a business meeting - I ordered fillet steak (250g) and steamed asparagus.. I cut the steak in half and gave the bigger piece to my husband, gave most of the asparagus away (huge serve!!!) an ate a Cohens portion. I was really please with my ordering and felt SO in control!! I was not at all tempted with the fancy entree's and drinks that everyone was having - or the mountain of chips that some one ordered for the table - go me!

The next was an unexpected lunch catchup with a friend. I got caught up at a club AGM which went overtime and ended up at a nearby cafe with a good friend. I was ready to rip my arm off and eat it..... The cafe is in our Swan Valley and is really funky and a little alternative. All I had to say to the owner (who I know) is that I was detoxing - and he was so happy to help out. I had grilled chicken on a salad of lettuce and cucumber with Balsamic on the side... Once again the amount of chicken and lettuce was huge - so my friend had my extra chicken and I just ate what I thought was about 100ish grams of lettuce and cucumber. Yay!!

My energy levels have been better - however I do notice that when I get close to mealtimes or past them I get really hungry and my blood pressure seems to drop a bit. I'm not fazed by that though -it just makes me more dilligent to eat when I am supposed to!

But, I am loving this plan!!! I feel so clear! Its the only way to describe it - clear. There is no foggyness in my brain (except if I go overtime to eat) my thoughts are unmuffled. Weird or not?? My skin feels great!! My skin can be a bit greasy at that tom but on the plan it is super! My clothes feel better - actually some are now too small but hey that's a good thing. My face is thinner - my hands are thinner - and my legs are thinner!!!

I can sit on my horse - and look down and my stomach is flat - ok this is thanks too good underwear and breeches but I no longer have a great bulge there!! My boots zip up very easily - they better not get too big cause they are expensive to replace!!!

Best of all - I have NO desire to eat anything else other than what is on my programe. I cannot believe I am surviving on the small portions and am amazed at really how little my body needs... I was blown away when I ate out and how HUGE the portions where even when I asked for simple meals. I feel sick at the thought of how large my portions where in the past - God I was a pig!!!

Anyway - Looking forwarding weighing in on Wednesday at the clinic (if it's still there!!!) and bring on the next four weeks!!

[Cazspaz]

Yep, totally get where you are coming from on the "clear" sensation. It's an even and balanced feeling... Nothing weird at all! It's great huh!

[nicolac]

Its great to hear that you are enjoying the programme so much. It amazes me too how I feel satisfied on small portions. I've always filled a dinner plate and now I have half a bowl! I'm feeling really good too. Not bloated, good skin and energised =) There's things I still miss but only psychologically - no physical craving now. If I'm feeling stressed I still think chocolate would be nice but its not "I MUST have chocolate" which is what happened before! I need to get more creative about lunch because that is getting a bit boring now. Most days I have tuna salad and cheese salad a couple of times a week. They are both nice but feel I need some change. What do you make for lunch? Hope Wednesday appointment goes well =)

[JulieD]

Nicola, coleslaw is delicious! I finely shred cabbage, grate cucumber and cut up some spring onions add some mayo, salt and pepper and apple cider vinegar!! Delicious. Usually I just cook up some chicken with it, but any protein goes really

Love that clear head Denny! You are going great The weight will be off in no time.

[nicolac]

Oooo that sounds good Julie - I'll try today =)

[lil_doll]

Oh yes, I am definitely more clear headed on Cohens. Sugar and processed carbs definitely cloud us! Not to mention the sleepiness, and the only way to wake up is more carbs/sugar!! Then again, I do sometimes desire an evening snooze on Cohens! haha... Oops

[Dennyhorse]

The clear headed thing is amazing isn't it!! I've suffered from depression for most of my adult life. Actually I should say I suffer from depression as it's not really something you actually get a cure for - it's always lurking in the back ground.

I've been on antidepression meds in the past and weened myself off as I didnt like what they did to me. I eventually found a Pill that worked but after a couple of years that was not as effective. About 9 months ago in my ever increasing search to find out what the heck I'm doing wrong in my diet etc I went and saw a Natropath. She took me off the pill, put me on some herbs, checked my Thyroid function (which was non existant) and put me on some Iodine tabs. The Natropath's "meds"worked a treat - no more PMT, I felt better but not fantastic.

Fast forward to today - I'm on 1/2 the amount Natropaths "meds" and feel fantastic. Honestly sugar and carbs have a hell of a lot to answer for!

Has anyone read "Sweet Poison" ?? I cant remember the author - but it is a super book and well worth the read about what sugar does to our bodies - I must re-read it now I'm on the plan!!

Julie D and Nic that coldslaw sounds yummy!!! I usually '"marinate"my protein in garlic and ginger powder, and fry that up with a bit of zuch or asparagus. I put that in one container and the other I use the balance of my vege portion in lettuce. At lunch time I heat the chick/zuch toss it thru my lettuce with a bit of balsamic - voila - lunch!!! I use the Woolies bags of Italian lettuce that has a bit of variety - and some rocket for extra flavour!!...

Off to tuck in to lunch now!!

Oh - and LD - I'm eyeing the clock at night until 8.30 - then it's off to bed!! I sleep SO well now too!!!

[lil_doll]

I tried to read Sweet Poison... I actually still have it out from the library. 2 + years later!! Oh Gosh!

I didn't finish it because I mainly got the gist... haha. Yep, sugar is baaaaaad.

[Dennyhorse]

LOL I won't tell the Library if you don't LD!!

I dont think I read the whole book the first time either - but I got the general gist of it too - I might have a go again as I reckon it will make heaps more sense this time (and not be quite so boring....)

[mcbell]

Originally Posted by lil_doll

I tried to read Sweet Poison... I actually still have it out from the library. 2 + years later!! Oh Gosh!

I didn't finish it because I mainly got the gist... haha. Yep, sugar is baaaaaad.

I can't believe how naughty you are LD! I have had it out from the library, but I don't think I finished it/can't remember much from it.........might have to get it out........unless LD has all the Chch copies too........

[Fox&Whale]

Hi there Denny,
You are going great guns, well done The best bit is, that it sounds like you've found a good balance with your health. Feeling great has got to be the biggest motivator.
I was chatting to a naturopath friend of mine just today, about the issue of insulin resistance, carbs, and linking with depression and mood swings and of course, obesity in Western society. It seems that so many people are actually quite gluten intolerant, which leads to gut issues which then causes a whole bunch of other imbalances in the body and mind. It completely makes sense. I know I am so, so much better when I'm away from carbs and sugar. The more I eat, the more I crave, the more the weight piles on and so forth. Funnily enough, when I do detox them from my diet, after just a couple of days I don't miss them.

I've heard good things about Sarah Wilson's I Quit Sugar. Same sort of thing, a bit less boring, more enjoyable, more to the point, that might be worth a shot? I snored through the first chapter of Sweet Poison and it now lives at the back of my cupboard somewhere...!