Count down!

[Focussed]

Hi everyone, a bit embarrassed to say that this is the THIRD time I have opted to start Cohen's. Just waiting to receive my programme. I actually signed up everything and had my blood tests done on 24/4/13 (3 weeks ago tomorrow) ... I was so excited to get started! But there was a mix up, and I've had to have the test done again. So, still waiting Anyhow ... had great success with my first 2 tries, but didn't make it to the end. Of course, this time will be different. Of course it will!

So I have a big task ahead of me, which I am sure is what we all feel when we are starting out. 40 kg (I am guessing, as I don't really know what weight the clinic is going to come back with for my target range) to get rid of FOREVER.

This time around I have a beautiful daughter watching my progress, which is surely all the motivation anyone needs - to try to be the best role model we can be!

My preparation today has involved going to a website that has a visual comparison of what someone with your height would look like at this weight, and then at your goal weight. I have printed the images out, put them back to back, laminated them, and put them in my handbag. If i ever feel like its all too hard, I will pull the pictures out for a quick reminder of why I am doing this. Oh, and I'm also eating according to my old plan to ease myself into things. I won't get my new plan until next week sometime, but I can't wait any longer to make some kind of start.

So thanks for reading, its going to be a fun fun ride I'm sure, sliding all the way down the scales. Can't wait Enjoy everyone!! And have a great day.

[lil_doll]

Hey Focussed!

Welcome back to the program!!

I am a third timer too!! You are not alone!!!

Are you aiming to lose the same amount this time as last time? I manged to gain an extra 14 kilos on my highest Cohens start... *sighhhhh

We appear to have a similar goal weight. How tall are you? I am 169cms... I have my ticker set at my finished weight first and last time I did Cohens. I am hoping to get to my proper weight range though, which is 58/58-61-62 or something.

Anyway... It's great that you want to be a good role model to your daughter!

I hope you get your plan soon... And that pic you got sounds cool!! I think I know the one. Is this it? http://www.modelmydiet.com/

[Focussed]

Hi Missy, thanks for the reply. Glad (not glad for you obviously!) that I am not alone in this third time lucky approach. I got myself an extra 4 or so kilos on my previous top weight ... very disappointing ... but what are you going to do? - sign up again, that's what! So I will have more to lose than last time. Last time I lost around 23 kilos within 13 weeks, and then I was feeling so good about myself, I just let go of the strictness and didn't get to refeed. That was about 2 years ago. 6 months after my lowest weight (I got to about 72kg), I had a gall stone attack and had emergency removal of the gall bladder. Then I've spent the past 18 months finding all the weight I'd lost.

I'm about 163cm - so frightening to think how low They might set my goal weight. Maybe there is more than 40kg to go. Oh dear. Oh well.

yes you are right about the site of where the picture came from .

I got an email from the clinic ... the plan is in the mail ... so should get the proper start date about Saturday 26/5/13. (I won't get the mail til 25/5/13, fingers crossed!)

Thanks for replying anyway, lets me know I really am here in the forum! Chat soon, Sam

[Gay'zin]

Hi Focussed, welcome to the forum.
I am 1st time Cohen's (but 10 times dieting), Thanks so much for mentioning the visual website I have just printed the photo's for me too.
Rebecca

[lil_doll]

Hey again Focussed!

I am actually using my old plan, but I have been lucky that it is working quite well for me so far. Should I need to, I would get a new plan, but I am hoping this one takes me through to the end.

Hope you get your program ASAP!!!

I have an inkling your goal weight will be lower... Being that I am 169 and my goal is technically 58, but that is from the website... and shoe size and age come in to play too!!

Anyway, time will tell!!!

[Shrìnkabelle ★★★]

Hi Focussed!

I'm second time around on Cohens......actually I tried doing my first plan a couple of times to no avail.....so I bit the bullet & paid for another plan I've got 26-28 kg to lose (eek) but I really feel it's an investment in my future as you do too I'm sure I'm onto day 3 now; any news on when you'll receive your plan?

[michiemama]

Hi Focussed,

Any news on the plan? We have about the same weight to lose... Good luck to us!

[Focussed]

Hi everyone! What a lovely surprise to have some messages waiting for me - thanks for taking the time to say hi. I got home Friday from a week away, to find my NEW PLAN in the post! I had been thinking I was going to start yesterday (Saturday), but I didn't get to open the envelope and get reading ("refreshing") until Friday night. As they only want you to have a one day leeway for the blood tests, and I can't get a blood test on a Saturday or a Sunday, I'm going to make Monday my Day 1. (There, I have told you, so I am committed!)

When I was in the city I was taken along to a weightloss hypnotherapist ... so who knows, maybe that will be a little bit extra to help me a long in the first few hard days? Anyone else had any experience with these?

Hi Rebecca – I’m glad you found the photo thingy helpful. Just wondering, you’ve lost so much already – did you put your starting weight or your current weight in for the comparison? Or all 3?!

Missy – I got my weight range, and I wasn’t too far off with my estimates which is pleasing. My range is 57-60kg (hope that is OK to say here?!) Do people usually put their top or bottom number on their tickers I wonder? So looking forward to reading your diary – you have some great things to say from what I have seen so far. And so funny!

Hey Shrinkabelle – I tried to “re-do” my 2nd plan a few times too before deciding to sign up for my 3rd (gosh that makes me sound like such a quitter – I’m not really!) I found it really really hard to get more than 2 days into it. Fingers crossed now that I have a new “real” plan the cash injection incentive will push me past the hard bit. Because I really remember that it was pretty EASY once I got going last time … a bit inconvenient at times (I was travelling a lot for work) but at least for the first 3 months I didn’t have too many worries. Fingers crossed it’s the same this time.

Michiemama – hey, a buddy! Lets race!! Oh, and support each other and stuff too Yes, good luck to us.
Hope everyone is having a beautiful weekend. Stay tuned – I’ll sign up for my own diary soon soon soon. At least THAT will be something I am doing for the FIRST time

Roll on Monday and day 1!

Sam

[Nomoreexcuses]

Hi Focussed sounds like you are very excited to start I know how you feel I put my lower goal weight but that's because I don't have a massive amount to lose so want to go as low as possible. I think the rest is just very mixed. I say get to 60kg then see how you feel. Even if you get to 60kg you might lose an extra kilo or two during refeed from what I have heard.

good luck and congratulations on coming back on board

Good quote that I often try to remember: "If you are tired of starting over, you need to stop giving up".

This is our chance!!

[Focussed]

Excellent quote Nomoreexcuses - thats one for the fridge I reckon And I think you are right about the 60kg. Thanks

[dee06]

hi,
Just want to wish you luck, I too am on my 3rd go at Cohens. First time didn't even finish, second time was successful but had a surprise pregnancy (found out during reefed ha). Anyhow fast forward, baby 5 months old have tried and tried on old program just wasn't happening so got a new program but still haven't got the motivation. So saw your post and thought we in similar boat so nice to have people to start the journey again with.

[lil_doll]

Hey Focussed!

My ticker goal is the weight I reached on my first time on plan- 66. Like I said my actual goal is 58-61 or 59-62 (my shoe size varies).

I am planning to get to my Cohens goal this time around! But to make my ticker not seem quite as bad, I used my last lowest weight.

You asked Rebecca about what pics she used for the virtual weight loss thing... Well, I am going to answer too. haha. I printed off my start weight, my weight to become overweight and not obese, my getting into normal range and then also my 2 goals ( 66 and 58 ). I went crazy!! I have a little notebook where I jot down my weigh ins and measurements... And so I added the pics there. I also have printed copies of my summary from my first time... Like what I originally weighed and measured at, and also where I was at the end. All in good fun... And it keeps my mind busy

Today is Day ONE!!!

Go Focussed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[michiemama]

Hiya Sam, yes yes, let's be buddies!!! We really have pretty much the same to lose, barring 3 kg difference.

We can do this! How was your first day? Do you have a diary yet?

[Focussed]

Hi everyone,

Dee06 - congrats on your baby - how lovely! Is it your first? I am surprised you have made it out of the "new baby fog" to even think about Cohen's - well done to you. Don't be too hard on yourself. Maybe remembering how good you felt last time might get you over the tough days (hours, minutes)

Lil_doll, thanks for your ongoing support and enthusiasm

Michiemama - you've had such an awesome result for 1 month! First day for me was not too bad - actually excellent, since I'm still going. yes, I have a diary over in new Diaries ... Sams Third Go Round or something like that! Looking forward to supporting each other as we go on with this

Happy days! Sam

[michiemama]

Oh I remember! I shall pop in!

[Babybear]

Hi everyone!

I'm just about to start too and super excited!

Do you think that it works for you going back and getting a new plan because you get the support of your consultant?

[Focussed]

Hi Babybear

I am so so happy you decided to commit to Cohen's - you'll be so pleased you did.

I personally don't think the consultant will make much difference for me as I am having to do it remotely anyway. But I think committing to a new plan does a couple of things.

1 - demonstrated to myself that i wasn't just playing around, I really am doing it 100% now and there is no more decision making to be done.
2 - if you believe the method (and on past results I have no reason not to) then my portions have actually varied between plans. Maybe that is making the difference with getting through these early days?
3 - I knew I had to get a new plan to get through refeed this time. And I MUST get through refeed this time, so I'm not signing up for go round #4 in another few years time.

Yay for you Babybear!! You will be so so glad you did it. Just get through that tough first week, and its pretty cruisy on the other side. We're all here for you!

Good luck - and let us know your start date Sam

[Babybear]

That's awesome thank you so much!