Help! I can't seem to do this...

[Healthygal]

Hello all you wonderful dedicated cohenites,

I would be very greatful if anyone could share their motivation strategies on how to stick to the program - I have had two false starts and am wondering if I can do this...? Its not that I don't want to lose weight, I really do, but I seem to be strong for about a week and then fold. Any tips plans etc would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
HG

[avarona]

Hi Healthy Gal,

I can totally relate to finding it hard to get in and do this thing. It is really hard to plan out your meals and find the time to prepare everything.

The thing that has helped me is to plan a weeks menu in advance including all meals and snacks. On weekends I spend some time weighing and chopping all the meats for the week and then freezing them. During the working week I get home and do the lunches up for the following day (mine, my hubby's and daughters) and weigh up my tomato etc for breakfast. Once that is done I start preparing dinner.

Once you get into the habit of doing your planning and preparation it becomes 2nd nature to do all this. You can do it HG - the results will happen so quickly and keep you motivated. Good luck - I can't wait to see your results!

[thenewvee]

Hi HG!

Planning of your strategies is a part of being successful that you cannot leave by the wayside during this programme. If it is certain events, or thoughts that you are having or whatever it is that causes you to fold after a week, you need to take a good look at whatever it is, and plan an alternative strategy for you to implement so that you do not revert to your old behaviour. This works well on the programme cause we know we are not supposed to be hungry during this programme, so if you are feeling hunger, it is generally "emotional" hunger.

Look into tools like the Beck Diet Solution which provides lots of strategies as well as how to combat sabotaging thoughts while doing a weightloss programme. It basically teaches you techniques to implement to help keep you on the straight and narrow.

This programme is so worth doing for the fabulous resulst you can achieve. You deserve to give this gift to yourself and you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labour!

I hope that is of some help to you. We are all different, and we are all motivated by different things. You just need to find what will motivate you and will keep you motivated.

Vee

[louise41]

HG your dilemma is a common one and the reason that so many never finish diets. I believe that the biggest key is to be in the right place in your head. Number one you have to decide that you really really really want to do this because you so badly want to lose the weight. If you can find more reason not to do it than you can to do it, the truth is your probably not in the right place at this moment. That doesnt mean you cant get yourself to that place. I often sit myself down and give myself a good talking to. I think for many of us we got to the place place where we said "enough is enough" and it was now or never! I have started many diets in a half heartened manner or lost motivation after a few days or weeks. This time was different for me, I was determined and the diet had great losses which was a major motivating factor for me....phew am I raving? That is just how it works for me. I hope that you can find the motivation that you need to help you achieve your goals/dreams.
all the very best, I think the other thing that really helped me was sharing my experience on this forum. Although I did it for myself I somehow felt accountable to my new friends on the forum and that helped me through some hard time

[finally]

Im the same.. I have been on cohens for 5 months now and I keep slipping up any help would be much appreciated as although ive lost 10kg on it.. i really need to stick to it so i can finish it.. and it aint easy..
Mary

[Imfef]

Hi Healthygal,
I've not been on this for even a week so who am I to talk, but in times of need the more support you get the better, right?
I usually ate when I was bored - so what I am doing and plan to continually do is keep myself and my fingers busy. I'm spending more time on the web, either reading inspiring stuff on here, posting my diary and making the odd comment on others. I am also on other forums and make sure that I'm posting on those so that I'm continually checking the replies and having some fun. It's a good way to spend with my friends that I don't see mcuh of anymore too.
If you prefer to be more active, why not take up a hobby or reactivate your interest or passion in something you used to enjoy. Another thing I'm going to start doing is painting. I've bought the paints and canvas and am raring to go. No possible way of boredom snacks when I've got paint all over me. I'm not saying that boredom is the cause of your deviations, but being busy takes the mind off the thought of food, for me anyway. So once you've eaten your allowance - get busy.
Good luck and I hope you find your motivation, soon.
Marc

[Daniella]

I'm exactly the same - I was eating when I was bored.
Now I just try and find things to do to keep myself busy - and try to stay away from places and rooms (ie the kitchen) where food is readily available.
I also find it makes the BIGGEST difference if you plan and cook everything in advance. I've only been on this plan for 2 weeks but its working and that's giving me the motivation to keep going.
On Sundays, I do a grocery shop, then go home, weigh everything (in meal groups), cook it, put each meal in snap-lock bags that are labelled, then pop everything in the freezer. Then I dont have to worry about my meals for the whole week. And trust me, it really helps. I used to nibble while I was cooking, (and it all adds up!) so this helps me avoid doing that if its all already there.
Anyway, hope its helped. I know I havent been on this long so I'm still probably in the first flushes of excitment, but I'm trying really hard to stay positive and keep it that way!

[Sissa]

Hiya

Ive remained DF for only a week now so Im no expert- but Im feeling pretty good at the moment.

I think whats helping me is something my partner was saying about how he quit smoking (cold turkey but with the help of the Allen Carr book).

He was saying every time he thinks "man I need a smoke" he asks himself "why?" and if he cant think of a good reason then he cant smoke.

I spose its the same with cohens. I went to the shops yesterday with my friend and daughter - they shared a yummy piece of date cake and I could have killed for a bit. But I asked myself why and all I could come up with was "coz I want it" which isnt really a good excuse. The cake wasnt on my meal plan, it wasnt going to help me lose weight (which is my current goal), it wasnt going to make me feel better or do anything else special, in fact the second it was in my mouth i would have felt worse.

Cohens isnt forever, when we are on maintenance surely we can have the occassional bit of cake and enjoy it because it really is a treat

Goodluck and stay strong

Reb

[FlaMie]

Originally Posted by Healthygal

Hello all you wonderful dedicated cohenites,

I would be very greatful if anyone could share their motivation strategies on how to stick to the program - I have had two false starts and am wondering if I can do this...? Its not that I don't want to lose weight, I really do, but I seem to be strong for about a week and then fold. Any tips plans etc would be much appreciated.

Cheers,
HG

Hi HG, I think many experts of Cohen have spoken so I'm not going to repeat. But I just wanna say, I'm also very much like you. I almost crash many times in the last 3 weeks. However, the losses on this programme gets me going. Also, I've actually mentally psyched myself up ... which diet actually allows you to go un-hungry and NO NEED for exercises? I detest the latter and hunger is a NO NO for me too. Besides, i also tell myself...FAT = unhealthy and I think I want to be able to enjoy a couple more years of looking good...

[cmc]

I think your finding it hard and deviating HG and anyone else who is struggling week after week because ur body isn't getting a chance to get into it's happy place (and stay there) which allows you to be free of hunger pangs and allows you to lose weight.

I believe this is not only a diet but a Lifestyle change.. I know I have to constantly remind myself why I won't be eating food that isn't allowed and what outcome I WANT at the end of all the restrictions...
Keep busy..
Some one has already mentioned that and it is great advice, I find I wanna snack more when im not at work because home is not regimented.

Go shopping for the next smaller sized clothes you'll need. .

Make the decision to do the diet once and for all...
Tell everyone u know that ur starting this fabulous diet which will make u lose (insert amount here) within 6months and without exercise..
wait for the "yeah right's not possible, I do this and I do that, try this and try that.... blah blah blah..."
And then show them how its done... just like U said.

Get rid of all things that may tempt u and keep reminding yourself that everytime u deviate your hurting your body because when you don't deviate your body is in a happy place losing weight with no hunger pangs...

Just no that when u deviate just that once you'll in turn have the snowball effect on urself.. body and mind...

And no you can't just have that little peice/slice/taste.. whatever.. it will effect your time on this diet and you paid damn good money for it aswell... It aint worth it..
And another one I tell myself... I want to be done as soon as possible so I can get back to "life as i would like it" eating healthy, in moderation, with exercise and loving it..

Just be strong...

Carla.