Tips for success

[carrieanne_c]

Feeling depressed because the scales wont move? get on the scales while holding onto the wall or door or chair handle-scales will nudge down a bit. Don't move from that spot until you can totally visualize yourself at that new wight. If you want to weigh that amount all day do not move from that spot or carry the door,chair or piece of wall around with you the whole day and lean upon it when you stand still.

[Kohinoor]

Hi CA,

You're a funny bugger !!

[maria1969yellow]

Own your own business, bite off more than you can chew, be married, keeping busy is working for this one at the moment

[mcpsych]

maria- and if you do chew- dont swallow

[dissociative_identity]

Drink teas. Green teas, white teas, oolong, rooibos...there is such a diverse range and they have so many health benefits. If you are a lover of black teas it is quite easy to switch. Me, I hated all teas and coffees and now I can't get enough of the current stuff I drink. It helps your teeth, your weight, your skin, your appetite. I used to have horrible headaches, which bordered on migraines but they have now stopped. Even cravings are reduced for me. I take sips of it whilst eating a meal and it just does wonders to bloating as well. I've converted my whole family to it. I used to have terrible acne and my skin has cleared up as well.

The reason I am posting this is because when I was 18, my only choice when it came to beverages was hot chocolate, soft drink and juice. I finally tried them when my best friend physically forced me to drink a cup with her. (Sounds drastic, but she was so unhappy with my picky unhealthy habits, her and another friend forced me in a corner, made me sip and help my nose and mouth till I swallowed LOL!)

I think if I had placed the teas alongside the cohen's program, I would have been successful at completion. After I quit cohens my weight ballooned to 104 kilos!! I am currently 92 without drastic changes thanks to a change in choices of drink.

So yeah, sorry for the rant, but go the tea, if you can.

[Vooshee]

Thank you all for sharing ideas. I'm so grateful and happy to get active on this forum and being a part of this huge Cohen's group.

I might list some my own tips for you in return:
* I haven't had experienced this stage yet, but some of you might have...if you're getting sick of a certain item (veggie, fruit, meat...) you used to enjoy, compare it to something you really like but it's not in your program. This trick works well for items with similar textures, colours or taste. Make brain. Mislead your brain and you'll enjoy it

*When I do have cravings:

1. I tell myself a big truth: "It looks better than tastes" Look at it this way...if you ate it, you would satisfy your mouth and maybe stomach for a while (measured in minutes). However, the bad emotions coming afterwards dig your mind much much longer (measured in days/weeks/months/years). It's not worthwhile. I believe you've experienced quite a few times anything high in calories that didn't taste as beautifully as it looked. Therefore, I prefer taking a picture of something "bad" for you that looks pretty and attractive for having a bite...and walk away
2. I tell myself: "You have already tasted it before." You know how the cheesecake, icecream, chips, chocolate taste. There is no need to have more of it. Your body doesn't need it to survive. It relates to the fact, food is no entertainment but fuel.
3. Your mouth wouldn't fully enjoy these "evil goodies" as you're not able to either bite or smell icecream comparing with veggie/fruit...and what the yukky imagination of icecream as green as steamed broccoli (btw. I love true colours of veggie and fruit)
4. Think where you're now, how much effert took to be where you are NOW. Any deviation you might do would directly you right back where you'd already been, hated yourself for being there...and you know how it feels to be back there!

* I would add to the previously mentioned point of eating slowly and chewing food more, enjoy every single bite...crunchy celery stick/lettuce, juicy tomato/fruit etc. Take your time and relax. Accept every meal as a reward to your body & sould.

* Although I liked to have yoghurt with a piece of fruit of my daily allowance, I found the piece of fruit missing later during the day. I gave it some thoughts and came up with having a half of the fruit portion with my yoghurt and the second half later (with 2.5h break of course). OR I could have yoghurt with a juice from stewed apples for getting some taste and sweetenest...and stewed apples later with cinnamon

* I wouldn't drink tap water but tea...I could drink litres and litres of tea any kind really. Since I've been on Cohen's I swapped the amount of tea for fresh water intake and enjoy a cup of tea as a treat. OR treat myself with sugarless chew gum

* I see Cohen's program as a tool how to find yourself, enjoy your life the best way you can, learn about your own being. There is one direct way taking you where you would love to be. It goes straight forward...no step aside, no step back. Cohen's is a tool you have to learn how to use and use it properly. I believe there is nothing better what can help you get where you wish to be. Believe in yourself and take Cohen's as a challenge of your life and focus on it.

* I find the more often you go on this forum, the more you learn and stay focused.

* As was already mentioned occupy your hand with doing something. One of my favourite activities are trying new styles of eye make up...might work for some ladies here as well

I'm one of you, guys...we will get through this altogether and succeed. (this is my 18th day)

[Manda becomming skinni]

Hi Everyone, This is my first time on the forum and week one on the cohens diet, so far I have lost 5kgs in 5 days and the food has been actuall eatable (thank goodness). I wanted to thank you all for giving me the inspiration and ideas to keep on track and kick these last 20kgs to the kurb.
I would like to ask though how people cope with having to go out to resturants? not all resturants cater for us cohen dieters and I also have a gils night out in a coupe of weeks I am not sure how to get through avoiding all the alcohol and yummy nibblies PLS HELP!!!
Amanda

[lil_doll]

Hey Amanda!

Well done on your progress so far! 5 kgs in week one!! Woo Hoo!!

And welcome to the forum of course

The best thing to do with eating out, is to call ahead and ask. I was adamant that I just wasn't going to go out for dinner while on plan... but as it happens, life goes on and sometimes plans have to change. I called ahead and asked if I could have a plain steak in xx grams and some plan salad... I decided not to give my salad weight, as I thought it may have been asking too much. So, before I went to the restaurant, I packed myself a little salad in a tupperware container and ate it along with my steak. It was easy peasy!!

The other option, is to call ahead and ask if you can bring your own meal... Often they will heat it and serve it to you with everyone else's meals!

Or you can hide something easy in your bag- like AJ's chicken nuggets (check out the recipe section on the forum) and you can easily pop them into your mouth- the contain your protein and vegie allowance.

The other option is to eat before you go.

Good Luck!

Have you considered starting a diary?? I see you managed to sort out a ticker for yourself!!

[Amz1989]

Glad iv found this forum all these wee tips are fantastic!

Being at home with my baby boy all day has been really bad for me picking and eating allllll the wrong foods! Soooo I need to loose alot of previous baby weight + baby weight + post baby weight! **sigh** but reading all this has giving me heaps of inspiration!

Only on day 2 so far and have my first weigh in on tues - so hoping for a loss!

Feeling slightly hungry but first few days i expected that as guess your shrinking your stomach into accepting these much smaller portions.

Am excited about my journey to getting to the new me and being able to fit into all those clothes iv always wanted to

Amy x

[Kohinoor]

Hi Amy,

Hang tough through the first few days and you too can bring yourself to "the girl you always dreamed of being" - there are a bunch of them on here who are doing (or have done) this.

You can be a slim, trim, wee thing before Christmas - now show us you can.....

More important than that, though - show you !!

Koh

PS and welcome, Amy

[RevampedTramp]

Hunger and cravings are NOT EMERGENCIES
They are tolerable - they are mild compared to:
(insert previous major pain experience here)
I will be eating again in x hrs anyway

This has helped me and put hunger into perspective - before it was a near death situation..now I have scheduled it into its proper place

And, after discussing it with my friend (who is a tiny size 6) was blown away to learn that she absolutely NEVER eats until she is full - she always feels as though she is satisfied, but able to go for a good strenuous walk. She does this naturally - she isnt doing it to stay slim. She is doing it because it feels good for her body. There is much to be learnt from the habits of slim people. They are not slim because they are lucky - they are slim because they are wired differently to us. (of course, there is the odd person who eats like a horse and doesnt gain weight, however the majority of people are slim because their habits allow them to stay that way) This was a major revelation for me - it may be for you also.

[arlo]

hi all

i've been on Cd for 7 weeks and pretty happy with the results so far. And these are some of the things that got me thru:

1. Often i feel to lazy to get up to drink water, so now I leave a bottle of water in spots in the house i usually spend time or pass by regularly ie: by the sofa, near the bed, beside the PC, the dining table and the kitchen counter. That way i can grab a drink whenever i feel like it and finish the 2L of water required.

2. Going out, i lug around a bottle of water as well, clipped to my messenger bag.

3. Cracker, in sturdy container so i wont eat crumbs instead, in the bag also in case i get the munchies suddenly or something comes up and i cant get my meal on the designated time.

4. Experiment with the allowed herbs, spices and ingredients on your own. The joys of discovery make preparing your food exciting rather than a chore.

5. I stick to two measurements that's easy to remember. One for meat and veggies for meal 2 and seafood and veggies for meal 3.

6. i prepare meat and fish meals two ways. One set i pre-cook and pack, for rush days. The other, i just marinate premeasured, during slow days when i can enjoy a freshly cooked meal.

7. My veggie ventor taught me that if i pack my mushroom and green leafies pressing the air out, it would stay fresh longer. So now precut several kinds of veggies and store in airtight/vacuum containers. it works! saves space in the fridge and less hassle in cooking in the long run.

8. Claim the compliments. No false modesty. when people express their amazement at my weight-loss i relish it and claim it. i've worked for it

[Livvy Drawlight]

I know this is very twelve-steppy but I totally believe in the 'take one day at a time' philosophy. I'm just starting and the idea of being on a very strict program for six plus months is very daunting as much as I want to make it happen. I'm trying to just think of getting through today deviation free and dealing with getting through tomorrow then.

[jo0853]

WW has worked out how to get their money for a long time. To a person who can't resist food- that's why fatties like us are there- they give them access to food they can't resist. Stuff that made them fat in the first place.

[jo0853]

I've been on every diet. I was even a leader for WW. Don't let your waking moments be consumed about food. If you follow Cohen's 100% and develop the habit, you WONT feel hungry. You can concentrate on other stuff other than 'when can I eat next?'.

[Fuelman]

you are good man ))

[jo0853]

Hi Fuelman,
Thanks for the kind words.... but I am a woman!

[Andy46]

For all newbies please note that WATER is a key component to your weight loss and the best and easy trick is to drink more.The proof is here -

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/d...se-more-weight

Andy

[Andy46]

Here is another site with may help and reinforce some facts about Cohens and why it works so well.
Using food to help you get rid of the extra - "food as medicine for weight loss" is part of the big picture during and after you complete Cohens.

http://www.nowloss.com/

"Knowledge empowers"

Andy

[JTB]

Hey all,

I have been struggling a little this week (feel free to check out my diary if you want) so have a few tips that are working for me ...

My phone goes everywhere with me, so I set my alarm for 2,5hrs after I finish eating. This means I have less risk of crossing over that 2.5hr time frame for mixing food types. It also means that I can just forget about my food until my phone starts singing "Eye of the Tiger" from the Rocky Movies. I personally find this song invigorating and re-inspires me for each meal.

The 2nd tip I have found which helps me explain to my 10 yr old daughter ... "I've done the crime so now I have to do the time". The "crime" I have explained to her is eating the wrong foods and not being responsible with my food types and quantity consumption. As a result, I have to go through the consequences of my choices, which means I now have to miss out on the "yummy" foods until I have experienced the consequences and am again at a healthy weight.

Hopefully this is a life lesson that she will be able to learn from, as well as understand that there are consequences for bad choices even for adults (and not necessarily criminals).

Hope these help