Jem_HA's Diary - For the Second and Final Time

[Jay's Wife]

Jem I love your food.

[Donzie]

Jem, my mouth is watering reading about your meals. I am lazy and tend to rotate the same three meals over and over, but you inspire me to try new things I would never have thought of. Thankyou X

[Jem_HA]

Back on board for an earnest go - I wrote on the FB page recently that I didn't have the mindset to be 100% but I had my light bulb moment tonight!

A 'friend' (that is someone I worksite, who I don't see outside of work, who doesn't really know me or my life) shared a link with me to a bridal boutique that is having an open day in my area (I got engaged earlier this year). I extend my thanks. She replies - yeah might be worth a look. I do just this...this bridal boutique (lovely as it looks) caters exclusively to plus size brides size 22 and up...

I can't decide if this 'friend' is being helpful or if she's insulting me because, hey I'm fat but I also don't recall asking for your fashion advice or wedding advice. I also don't need you to remind me that I'm a size 18 and will struggle to find mainstream bridal attire for my private special occasion.

So the lightbulb flared to life as I internally yelled 'f-u, I'll show you what fat girls can do...' And so my journey begins tomorrow. First goal: a DF October - I'll be using my original plan, taking daily exercise (walking), weighing in monthly. Let's do this!

[Heidimama]

Hi JH,

I think I understand what you are feeling. I have used thoughtless people's low expectations of me to succeed with goals before, and it can serve as real motivation! Even if they don't see the results, there is something about proving it to yourself that will just keep you determined.

Yes, you can do it! I'm glad you're fired up.

Congrats again on your engagement.

[Jem_HA]

So just to document my food this week (as I tend to eat the same breakfasts and lunches for easy bulk prep and commuter convenience):

Breakfast: Soft boiled egg, spinach (wilted - in the microwave for 20secs), half a tomato, remainder of allowance in celery (tends to change depending on the portion of tomato).

Lunch: Tuna Salad (mixed lettuce and cucumber) with juice from 1/2 lemon as the dressing base (lemon counted as a fruit portion) *Fruit is a bit of a 'gateway' food for me to overindulge so I prefer to use my allowance in cooking.

Dinner: I'll make a couple of dishes to alternate throughout the week - I'm thinking chicken and zoodles; and meatballs (lean steak cut minced) and cauli-rice.

Looking forward to getting the first week under way.

[Soon2BSlim]

What a brilliant beginning Jem! You can do this!

Louise

[Nomoreweighting]

Way to go JH,

Looks like you're in the swing of things!

[Soleil]

Sending lots of pow pow to you !!!!
You will look beautiful on your wedding day in any size, it was a very stupid comment by that person on fb and all I can think of that she surely didn't mean it as it sounded. But hey, it gave you that sparkle and fight so you go girl!!
Hugs, Soleil xx

[allie_82]

Hi Jem,

How has your first week been??

Allie

[Jem_HA]

Allie! I was thinking about checking in with you last night!!

First week has been really good. I can see and feel that I've lost water weight as my jawline, shoulders, upper arms and waist are more defined...less of this shape ( ) and more of this shape ) (

I'm dying to weigh in but along with the dietary habits, this is another habit I need to break. I do have keto-sticks and they are proving to show significant fat burning!

I can't wait to know how well I've done in a few more weeks!

How are you going?

[Jem_HA]

A short note to anyone following my diary:

I have made amendments in my program this time around. These are purposeful and critical to my long-term success on the program and overall health. By no means does this discount the balance of the Cohen's program - I just have additional conditions to consider.

1. I don't have fruit other than lemon juice which I use in cooking or as salad dressing.

I struggle with self-control of fruit portions and find myself to be hungrier when I include fruit. Fruit isn't off the table forever but the low GI fruits like berries etc aren't available until re-feed.

2. I don't eat the crispbreads.

To manage insulin resistance and PCOS I need to follow a low carb diet and the crisp bread options do not fit my daily carb count.

I may have a mountain bread wrap on the weekend as a breakfast wrap (with egg and spinach) but not usually.

3. I am attempting to repair my gut.

In the morning I have a glass of water with aloe vera juice. In the evening I have a glass of kombucha tea. I also take a daily good quality pro-biotic.

To this end I also occasionally have pickles in place of cucumbers and sauerkraut instead of cabbage.

It's not clear if fermented foods are approved or not but I'm sure these small changes will be beneficial for me over time.

[Soon2BSlim]

What lovely updates Jem!

I love your amendments to your plan. You have thought about each one and why you have made the changes and they totally make sense! This way of eating has to fit into your lifestyle and what your body can handle and if these changes are beneficial for you, i say go for it!

I'm also excited to see how well you've done in a few weeks!!

Louise

[Jem_HA]

Originally Posted by Jem_HA

104 kg - the weight I was when I met my now fiancé.

99kg - because it's been years since I was in double digits!!

87kg - the starting weight of my very first attempt at Cohen's in May 2004.

72kg - the finishing weight of my very first attempt at Cohen's (prior to re-feed which I did not complete) in July 2004.

68kg - would give me a BMI the middle of the healthy range.

65kg - middle of the weight range determined by Cohen's.

Recalling my weight goals from a number of months ago. Still so relevant. My starting weight is 106.5 and I'm hoping I might be able to achieve at the least the first one, even the first two by the end of the month!! Exciting times ahead!������

[Winterboots]

It is exciting times ahead - great to have goals to keep you motivated. Another motivation will be buying your wedding dress from a shop that doesn't specialise in "plus" sizes - the biggest problem will be trying to determine what size to buy as you will be shrinking so much

Have a great weekend
WB

[Jem_HA]

Thanks for everyone's kind words regarding that 'friend' and for the encouragement to stay on plan.

[Jem_HA]

Little update:

I feel well so far and a work colleague complimented me today saying I looked glowing (I'm sure its the absence of junk food and the extra water because I haven't changed my makeup or anything else).

I wanted to share another little win from last night...

My partner suggested take-away for dinner last night after we'd been out. I desperately wanted to par-take and so decided if that was my joy, I would enjoy! I chose the grilled option and swapped the chips for a small salad. My partner even downsized his meal (but still got the sundae ).

For the first time, in a long time I didn't feel guilty for going the fast food option and I didn't feel deprived that I didn't have desert. That is huge psychological progress for me and totally unexpected at this point in the journey!

[Heidimama]

Sounds like you are doing so well, JH. You are doing things that feel 'right' to you and you sound really informed and motivated. I am also sugar-sensitive and thus trying to reduce the number of fruit I consume as it does slow my losses. Also trying not to have the crackers for the same reason, but I have to admit gave in today.

You will be very happy at the end of the month, I think.

[Soon2BSlim]

That's a huge step and so exciting Jem - not feeling deprived because you didn't have something. You're well on your way to goal

Well done on being able to make the right choice of grilled and salad when you ate out. It's not always easy to make that choice but it shows your determination to get to goal and it's that kind of attitude that will get you there.

Hope you have a good weekend.

Louise

[Jem_HA]

Thanks heidimama and S2BS - I think that's why I've failed before because I changed my lifestyle to fit the diet rather than changing the diet to fit my lifestyle (which on balance is wholesome and healthy). I might have a goal weight to reach but I'll actually have to eat this way forever.

Heidimama, I do have the crackers and fruit from time to time when my body tells me it needs that little something extra.

[Jem_HA]

Tried to be a bit tricky over the weekend and 'substitute' the couple of crackers I should have eaten for a modest slice of garlic bread my partner was eating...

the computer says NO!

I was gassy half the rest of the night, I woke up the next morning with a puffy jawline, a blocked nose and a foggy head. What was I thinking!!

So DF October may technically be bust but I'm proud to say the very next meal I was back into it 100% and today, I feel so much better!