Do I need a new plan?

[Scorpio66]

I too have tried my old program and after trying several times to get
back on it, I couldn't I think for me that was more a head thing trying
to battle with something I had already used.
So I bought a new plan, and am thinking as I had never done Cohen's
before so I get excited with the loses and re reading my new program
which is different from my old, as my hormones are so out of whack as
I have packed on 12 kilo's more then my previous starting weight, so
I have turned the page on my new chapter and off I go again.

So I wish you well on your new start
Jenni

[Lulabelle]

Thanks so much for sharing your experience with me Jenni

I've just spoken to my clinic. They advised that I should attempt to go back onto my original program and see how I go for 2 weeks. Apparently if my losses aren't comparable to last time, then it means I need a new one... whereas if my losses are in the same ball park it means I will be okay. She also said (as I asked her specifically) that if my old plan still has me losing weight at a similar rate, it means that the old refeed will work perfectly as well.

She said it's more beneficial to get a new program as it'll be wired to my exact blood chemistry as it is today, but urged me to try the old one first and save myself some money.

I'm having her send me the blood test forms and a new application in the post so that I can make my decision.

I'm tempted to save myself the $750... but I'm also wondering if doing a whole new program may also be MENTALLY beneficial to me I'm really torn as to what to do now. The $750 will hurt... but I'm wondering if it will also help kick start me back onto the program.

I'm leaning towards getting a new program still... whether it's physical or mental or a combination of both... those of you also taking a second shot at this seem to be doing so more effectively with a new program. There's gotta be something to that.

[hexi2]

Thats good to know...i would try the 2 weeks and see if you can last...if not new program!

[Lulabelle]

As I mentioned to my consultant, last year I tried my old program 3 times and the longest I lasted was about 20 days. The results were still good, but not as good as my first time around.

She said that may or may not mean the program will work for me again.

Given that I am planning to "invest" a lot more into myself this time around (seeing a therapist of some sort, joining a gym and getting some PT sessions for gentle weight training to get me into the habit of exercise for when I complete the program etc)... I think that paying for a new program will mentally help me.

Given that she said a new program would be more beneficial I know that my mind will probably undermine my attempts if I try my old program again. Crazy as that sounds. If I doubt it is the 100% the absolute best program for me right now, I may not be as zealous with it.

I did however appreciate her honesty in telling me my old program COULD work and I also received a lovely email from her after our chat. All in all, it reassures me that I'm on the right track again

[Faithy]

Your losses will be different 2nd time around no matter which plan you're using.. but seriously the best way to tell if it's working or not (in my opinion) is how you're feeling.. If you get in the zone you're fine, but if you cant, always hungry, cranky etc etc & generally feeling really off then odds are it's not working.

Sure if you think buying a new one will help mentally then go for it.

[Lulabelle]

Thanks so much Faithy It's daft to admit this, but I'm excited to see your post because you're one of my Cohen's "idols"

I don't recall feeling at all bad when I tried to get back onto my old program last time... but I certainly didn't get into the zone. I had 2 attempts where I didn't even last a week... and one where I lasted just over 2.

My first time around I was 100% deviation free from day 1 to the end of my program (roughly 4 months)... so it felt strange to me that suddenly I felt so incapable of doing it.

I think getting a new program will help me to look at this as an entirely new chapter. I have to be mindful not to compare my losses to last time or my experience.

The one REALLY great thing about doing Cohen's Round 2? I don't need to use photos of OTHER people at my goal weight to inspire me or just dream about how good I will look/feel when I get there... because I have photos of MYSELF at that weight to aspire to and I remember so fondly how happy and healthy I felt too I need to look at those photos and reflect on those feelings as MOTIVATION, instead of as something to bash myself over the head with and punish myself for letting it all slide (as I've done for the past year).

Thanks everyone for your advice It's really helped immensely.

[hexi2]

Yay pleased you have nearly made a decision - have a read of Ms Jiggles...she looks like its working well for her

[Lulabelle]

Thanks for suggesting I read Ms Jiggles diary Hexi I had no idea there were so many of us back on the program! I thought I must have been the only person to discover this wonderful program and then somehow let the weight creep back on. I felt almost guilty to be comforted by the fact that I'm not the only one. That's bad, but it's true.

My decision is made. I'm going to get my new plan organised ASAP. My clinic sent me the paperwork today and I'll be having my blood tests and re-applying straight away

And just like last time... I'm more excited than daunted by the prospect... which I think is a good sign!!!

Thanks everyone!

[hexi2]

hehe there are a few of us...Ropemaha's another one...Pandora, Hopeful and more...

[garden goddess]

Hi Lula belle,
Just a few qualifications.
The last time I posted here, I wrote the stellar post.... and then lost the bugger !
In that post I explained a few things further.
Firstly ...I believe that the biggest struggle, and indeed barrier to succeeding here and with weight loss in general.... is in our own head. Our self esteem, our attitudes, internal dialogue. That is often our real journey here.
The reason why I mention that is that I DID restart my old plan last year, and PHYSICALLY it did work. However, I still did not complete my programme. I came close, but became discouraged and unable to persist and close the deal. That is NO fault of the Cohen's plan....THAT is my true challenge this time. To work on the blocks that I have.And perhaps yours too ?
Just a thought. ANd if you decide to buy a new plan, all power to you for prioritising your health. It's our most important asset.
LILY

[Lulabelle]

Thanks so much Lily I think you're absolutely right. I know for me at least it has been my mind (and whatever it is that leads me to binge) that has undone all of the success I had with Cohen's the first time. I always knew that when I finished refeed I would still have to be balanced and sensible to maintain where I was at. But the second I finished, I was like a crazed woman and apart from a few attempts to get back on Cohen's, I really didn't even TRY to follow the maintenance guidelines.

That's why this time I'm approaching it differently. That's why for the first time in my life I'm prepared to try seeing a professional to work out my weird relationship with food (I've always been hugely cynical about the idea of a Dr being able to tell me anything I didn't already know). This time I'm going to put my mind through the wringer as much as anything else.

Congratulations on your success this time around! It's so great to see so many Cohen's champions out there nailing it a second time around I can't wait to get back into that zone where adjusting my ticker down is the highlight of my day *laughs*

[garden goddess]

Erm....that's my old ticker love. I wish.........too scared to weigh myself for now

[Lulabelle]

Oh I understand that feeling Lily. I haven't been on a scale in months apart from before an operation 3.5 months ago... the number then was 7kgs above my last Cohen's starting weight and I fear I'm even heavier than that now!

Part of starting the program that scares me the most right now is getting on the scales and knowing the actual number, for fear I'll do a tail spin. So I'm mentally preparing myself *laughs*

I received my new pack today with the blood test paper work and application form.

I've decided to give my old plan one more shot for 2 weeks, 100%. I will then evaluate how I'm feeling about it and order a new program ASAP if I think I need it.

If I can save $750, I should. I still think that ordering a new program may mentally be a benefit for me... but I decided this morning that this can be the first test for me to get the better of my mind (something I really need to do).

So I'll give my old program one last shot... and then more than happily sign up again if I think it will make it any easier.

Good luck with round #2 Lily! I'm sure that you'll do brilliantly and as they say in the classics, we haven't failed until we stop trying!

My round #2 starts Feb 1st (going away next week and can't handle the idea of starting just as I leave for holidays - my mind isn't that strong yet *laughs*).

[sundaymorningstaple]

A word to the wise. If you are above the recommended weights and are retrying your programme but are not the same weight and bloods as the first time, you will lose weight, of that, there is not doubt. However, it may or may not be hard to stay on the programme. The problem is not with the losing of the weight but primarily the reprogramming of the HGH. This is the reason for the programme and not the weight loss itself. If you don't get your HGH reprogrammed, redoing refeed isn't going to do anything at all and you will probably gain again once you go off the programme. So, think very carefully how much time you are willing to invest in something that has a very good possibility of failing, instead of biting the bullet and doing 'er right. Yes, I know the money is an issue (it's worse here in Singapore) but we don't want to keep having to "reset" ever 3 to 6 months forever do we? Just a thought.

[Lulabelle]

Thanks SMS Is it the HGH issue that will affect how I'm feeling/if I'm hungry etc? Would that be the sign the clinic is looking for?

[sundaymorningstaple]

Yes. If you are not getting into the 'zone' this time, the HGH is not reprogramming and therefore doesn't have control of your seratonin levels which then impact your insulin responses. Bang! Hunger & cravings. The quantities on your programme are designed for you based on your blood workups at the time of starting the diet. That why you are supposed to start the programme within a certain time frame after submitting your initial bloodtests. Once you have lost all the weight the first time around, the blood work will be different therefore the quantities of foodstuffs will be different as it's with those "to the gram" quantities that he has figured out how to control the serotonin levels and eliminate hunger while on, what is not much more than, an 800 calorie diet. I don't know too many who have successfully managed to lose and subsequently keep the weight off by using an old program. Good luck an any rate.

sms

[Lulabelle]

Thanks SMS, I appreciate you taking the time to explain all of this to me

I have to say, now I'm a lil confused given what my clinic told me. I may have to reassess my plans. I don't want to waste time and I certainly don't want to risk going through months of the program and doing my old refeed which may not even work for me.

Thanks SMS. To be honest with you during the whole process apart from what I've learnt from this forum... I've not known much about how the program actually works. The clinic would never actually explain what the blood tests even measure or mean and actual REAL information was minimal in terms of anything to help me understand how it actually all works. Which was fine, I was always willing to just take it on faith because it was WORKING.

But this has been very helpful, thank you

[hexi2]

Thanks SMS as well...I found it makes perfect sense and explains why getting my new program has made the world of difference to me...

I am happily in the zone and the program seems so 'easy' again, couldnt get that last time

[Lulabelle]

Okay... well then my mind is remade again *laughs*

I will do my new blood test next week and get my plan ready for Feb 1st

Thanks very much guys. I have to say, I think this forum should be required reading/attendance for everyone doing Cohen's. Without this forum I would have spent my first round of Cohen's using the wrong yoghurts, the wrong curry powders, the wrong pain killers etc etc etc and would be quite clueless to be honest.

You're POWERING Hexi... it's really inspirational for me So happy for you that your "Post Grad" program is working perfectly for you again.

[Lervly]

Hexi 2. Can I ask has your second plan differed much from your first plan?