My Journal of Determination

[*BAM*]

Goodluck Soleil!! You can do this 😃

[Soleil]

Day 3

Weight loss: -700g

Dear Diary,

It's been a hard day, I've had a little dull headache all day and I've been generally just annoyed (to put it mildly) all day, I suppose I didn't escape the detox after all.... And the hunger, oh my the hunger and cravings. It doesn't help to have two little children in the house eating all the things I was eating just three days ago... If I wasn't keeping a journal I would have probably had a piece of toast today, but didn't, instead I drank two glasses of water.

I've been reading a few diaries here today to keep myself motivated, some amazing success stories here, I really want to be one of them too! I'm loving how active the forum is at the moment as well, it really is so nice to do this with others and share the story!

Tomorrow I'm off for a mini break with my kids until Monday. I have tomorrow's meals all prepared but after that it'll be hotel breakfasts and restaurants. I'll make the best choices I possibly can and that'll have to do. I'm thinking simple, small and as close to Cohens style salads and a boiled egg for breakfast, that sort of thing.

Took some photos yesterday wearing an outfit that I though would look nice once I fit into it. I'll share those photos as soon as I have some progress photos to show too. But at the moment the pants I was wearing for the photo don't button up at all (in fact I could barely pull them up past my hips) and the shirt doesn't close up properly from the front. I'm sure you get the picture, it looks hideous. I can't wait to be able to fit into some of my old clothes again.....

Anyway, day 3 finished successfully, it was hard work, but dammit, I'm doing this, I will stay strong, I will stay strong, I WILL STAY STRONG

[mesmer_eyes]

Hi Soleil!

I just caught up on your diary and Im sooo glad you are back coz I remember we almost started at the same time..

Your plan sounds solid. And must I say-- damn those crackers! I was also fine until those Provitas came along. We are all accountable for each of our journeys and we need to think of what will work for us and hopefully make it actually work for us. So I am here cheering you on too alllll thhhheee waaaaayyy!

I did try that weighing twice a day.. and i stopped it on the 3rd day .. kinda messed with my head.. with the gain in the evening and all..

Hope the trip with your kids went better than my trip I wont be looking forward to weighing myself when I come back.. I have to build up the courage to step on them scales..

Looking forward to updates..

[Cazspaz]

Hi Soleil! Whenever travelling I tend to take some tuna, cheese, salads and fruit with me as well as my food scales. I've swung some meals out here and there too but the less you estimate the better you will go so try and make sure one or two meals are exact portion sizes if you can.

Keep at it! It gets easier with every day!

[mesmer_eyes]

Soleil! Are u back fr ur trip yet?? Hope to see some updates soon! :*

[mesmer_eyes]

hello?? *knock* *knock* missing you here...

[Soleil]

Day 1

Dear Diary,

Here I am....

Giving it my third and final go now...

It didn't quite work out to go out on a holiday four days into my plan did it now.... So rather than making the same mistake again, I have waited to make sure there is absolutely nothing in my calendar to prevent me from being able to focus on my plan 100%. It would have never worked out for me to start in summer either, so I have waited until now, the lovely rainy autumn is finally here, time to stay inside and reflect, calm down and concentrate on my weight loss project.

Having gone thru the illness/cold on my first attempt and then an ill planned start on my second attempt, I'm kind of hoping that for my third attempt, this will be the one now...

Anyway, not here this time to gloat how determined I am or any of that blaah-blaah, I'm here to just say I'm back, again...,and this time putting my head down and just getting on with it, one day at a time....

Starting weight, officially the heaviest I have ever been: 78,3kg. I can't believe it, just can't...

[Ciors]

Third times a charm xxx

[SallyG]

Hi There Soleil! *waves*

Today is (another) Day 1 for me also. Until we hit the zone... it really is MIND OVER MATTER.

We can do this Let's get it done and dusted now, so by the time the silly season hits we are firmly in the zone and our resolve will be strong!

Happy Cohening,
SallyG

[Soleil]

Day 2

Lost -1,8 kg of water retention overnight. Kind of makes me feel happier knowing that my actual weight isn't just excess fat, that at least some of it was just water...

I've spent a good part of today reading some pretty amazing diaries on this forum. So inspirational! It's been a good day and just enjoyed my first ever meal using the Cohens recipe book. I've had that book for a while now, but this is the first time I actually used it. I made a turkey schnitzel and it was lovely .

Soleil xx

Ciors and SallyG: Thanks for your messages. Yes, let's get this over and done with, absolutely

[Soleil]

Day 3

-500 g of water retention lighter this morning Can't wait to start loosing the fat, early days still . My children had an extra special snack of popcorn today and my sweet little 2,5 year old kept giving me some too, I said thank you sweetie and quietly put the popcorn in the bin every time. Doing good

Soleil xx

[Soleil]

Day 4

Another -500g gone overnight. I love updating my ticker with the losses and certainly loving these huge losses in the beginning.

Started getting that tightening feeling in my face again, like I did before around this date, convinced it's from becoming less and less bloated.

Today I had a scrub and a massage at a spa, it felt so wonderfully detoxifying. It was such a great thing to do this early in the program, felt like I was helping things along a bit. Now I'm cleaner from toxins from the inside and outside . Facial next I think. I love how this program gives me a kick to look after myself better too, everyday I make sure I put on my moisturisers now, I even put some hand cream on in the evenings.

I haven't had any major detox complaints so far, not even a headache. Doing good, one day at a time...

Soleil xx

[Soleil]

Day 5

Woke up -600g lighter, always amazes me how the weight just falls off in the beginning. I'm not experiencing extreme hunger, occasionally I find myself thinking oh I could do with some food but it's not overwhelming, thankfully.

Today I caught up with a friend just before lunchtime at a cafe, whilst she enjoyed her hot drink and a danish, I was sipping on my diet drink. She didn't ask, and I wasn't about to tell either. I prefer it that way. However I think I'll keep the socialising at mealtimes very low until I'm further into my weight loss journey. Not that I had any cravings or interest to eat what she did, but I rather not be in that situation, just playing it safe now. Staying strong and making it easier for myself to keep staying strong. Back at home I enjoyed a divine chicken salad.

My first weekend coming up and usually Friday evening involved something to eat in front of the telly. I'll still do that but will be having some mozzarella, cucumber and tomato on my two crackers instead of the usual rubbish.

Soleil xx

[SallyG]

600g overnight!! Wow wee Soleil, it's a beautiful thing isn't it! Definitely helps keep motivation at a high Hope you're enjoying your Friday night Cohen dins, have a great weekend

[Ciors]

It's so nice to see those lovely drops isn't it? And just think, Jenny Craig guarantees that on average...per week LOL, we're so lucky on Cohen's

[Soon2BSlim]

You're doing so well Soleil! Keep up the great work.

Louise

[Soleil]

Day 6

And the day started with another big loss, -400g. Big, big losses. I'm thinking just how much fluid do I carry, really. I'll start counting any loss as a fat loss as soon as the weight loss slows down.

One thing that probably is contributing to these big losses is the fact that I only eat 1-2 crackers a day, and usually only one fruit. The less crackers is by choice (deviation tricker number 1), and with the fruit I like to have my first fruit in the afternoon so then I have the option to enjoy my last fruit as a dessert in the evening. Generally speaking I don't feel like a dessert, but I love knowing that I still could have it because I have that allowance left so in a way I don't then feel deprived... Oh the mind games Yesterday I finished my "Friday night meal in front of the telly" with a beautiful, thinly sliced, juicy and sweet nectarine as my dessert. I took a good 15min to eat it with a proper dessert fork too, loved it.

Still remaining completely free of any detox symptoms. Although, today I have been super bad tempered, perhaps it was a result of my children driving me nuts, perhaps it was detoxing. Either way, I'm going to have to shut myself in the bathroom tonight, have a hot bath and light a few candles to calm my nerves and wind down. It's been a busy day too. But a good day, I'm keeping strong

Soleil xx

[Soon2BSlim]

Awesome Soleil! It sounds like you're on a slippery slope to the bottom

Just one comment about the fruit and crackers ... my consultant told me that for the first 10 days they are compulsory ... I wonder if others have been told the same thing or if it's just my consultant??!!

Whatever the case, you're doing an amazing job and whatever you're eating is definitely working for you!

Louise

[Ciors]

No Louise, I was told the same thing

[Soleil]

Day 7

This morning I spent a little time in front of the mirror and checking out the progress, well my tummy is significantly less bloated and I think I can see a difference in my lovehandels too Tomorrow will be super exciting as I I'll do my week 1 measurements. I had another loss of -600g, which totally surprised me, I'm certainly expecting the losses to slow down by now. At the same time I should just enjoy it, the slow days will get here soon enough, that's a guarantee.

Did my weekly shop today and stocked up on everything for the new week coming up. Bought myself some purifying face masks and bath salts too. Feeling happy and energised .

Soleil xx

PS. SoontoBSlim: Yes you are absolutely meant to have the full cracker and fruit allowances for the first 10 days. As I'm not with a clinic and this is not my first time, I have chosen to ignore this rule. The simple fact is that crackers are just like a ticking time bomb in my house. I rather keep them away from sight. I really want to succeed and this is just one of my coping mechanisms. I still manage just fine with the reduced amount, so far so good anyway . Early days...