Shanara's Diary - Page 4

Shanara · #61 22-10-2008, 08:22

Well I am feeling strong again this morning. really had to sit with the fear yesterday and just breathe through it. Don't have a story around it - just physical fear in my body.

Wow it was so great to be able to come in here and just share what was happening. After that I had to take youngest son to guitar lessons and decided to have a cappuccino - having a few little things in my last week before programme proper - so wanted to have something sweet to go with it -just knew it was only my head reacting to the fear and shock - glad to say I didn't! I live near the best Italian coffee places so that may be a challenge in the next 12 months.

Well scales have moved down again after a bit of up and downing - so I am happy with that.

AJ - I love all the veges - I love veges full stop - we have eaten lots of veges in this household. I was a vegetarian for 7 years - yes even overweight them - i think it was the carbs - too much brown rice lol.

Ellabelle - you are right - think its only demons in my head that sometimes get in the way.

Mette - thanks so much - you often know just the right thing to say.

Lulabelle - thanks for saying hello - sounds like this programme is working really well for you - that is very encouraging.

When I was playing at the festival at the weekend I had a few inward smiles as I wondered what I might look like at the next festival - 12 months away. Gave me a good chuckle.

Now have my scales and click lock plastic bags. does anyone use onw of those machines that seal in the food in airtight pack? I was wondering if it increased shelf life without having to freeze.

Thanks everyone - so glad this forum is here. Feel like we are our own support group - but 24/7.

Blessings
Shanara

Mette · #62 22-10-2008, 09:28

That's what we're here for chicky! Your diary is such an amazing outlet, and I've found that whenever things were tumultuous, I put it all in there and it enabled me to sort through it all and analyze it, as well as getting input and encouragement from all the wonderful people here on the forum. And for some reason, I find that I'm much more open and honest about what I feel here than in a face to face situation, where I find myself covering my emotions up. And it's such a wonderful and safe environment, where no emotion is thought silly or invalid. Does that make sense, or am I just rambling? I tend to do that.

What I'm trying to say is that we'll be here every step of the way for the good, the bad and the ugly. I'm glad you're feeling stronger, and by the next festival you will look and feel slim, healthy and drop-dead gorgeous!

Jamanoha · #63 22-10-2008, 14:42

Hi Shanara

I understand your apprehension and disappointment when receiving your program. I was a little like that too when I first received mine. I wondered how I would survive without pumpkin and the likes... but as someone else mentioned, once the 'happy hormones' kick in, you really don't care anymore. I don't miss what I used to have much... now I am trying to think of my body as being like a car... in order to run, my car needs fuel... my fuel is food. I am trying to think of my eating times as refueling my system times, and making sure I keep my fluids up too because water is magical. I didn't drink much water yesterday, and this morning I woke up feeling soooooooo thirsty.
Anyway... you will be a success at this Shanara... I can feel it.
One thing I have found that really helps me too is cooking bags... I bought 5pkts of them (3 in each) and I usually throw my chicken & watery type vegies in there with some lemon zest, and zap it in the microwave for around 3.5mins, and everything is cooked and yummo. They've been really good for having some pre-packed meals in the fridge... I usually pop one in there at night for lunch the next day.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day

Congrats on the loss.

Lisa

Karen67 · #64 22-10-2008, 14:55

Hi Shanara....... i want to thankyou for you response in my dairy..... I am so grateful for the support here, and definately couldnt keep doing this without it..... thankyou so much

you are in a great headspace to do this.... And you love veggies !! thats a HUGE plus, I dont like many veggies at all

and am coping fine, so you should be kicking goals...... Congrats on the loss so far, you will do fantastic...

Well done, and thanks again

Karen

shrinkingTam · #65 22-10-2008, 15:31

Loving veges is a great starting place

You get used to eating differently very quickly, so I am sure you will be fine... like Mette said, check out the recipes

Hope your having a great day - you are doing so well!

Shanara · #66 23-10-2008, 08:25

Just love it when the numbers on the scales are moving - 4.2 total loss so far ! Wow - .5 of a kilo and I'll be under 130 - my second goal. AJ that's over half a stone.

Last night sat talking with two friends who come to my neditation group - told them about the programme - they wanted to know all about it and asked great questions. Wonderful to have support from my friends as well. Decided I will be up front with my friends - makes it easier to say no if they know why - and don't even make the offers (or bring tempting food)

Mette - you always make perfect sense. By next festival Mette I will be half the person I am now....lol

Lisa - you have such great ideas. The fuel thing really works for me - I remember my previous partner (father of my kids) had just that attitude to food - it was fuel - ok if it tasted good but fuel more important than taste. I remember wishing that I could have some of his attitude.
Good idea about the bags - I am just a bit worried about all that plastic - I am going to get a small corning ware type dish so I can do the some thing - just not with the plastic. I am not so sure that plastic in the microwave is a good thing.

Karen - glad the support helps you - I know it helps me - I don't feel alone on this journey as I have in the past. Yes I do love veges - Karen you can train yourself to like them - one of my sons didn't like veges but i just kept putting them in front of him and gradually he came to like them and now he will often "fight" wiht the other one for who finishes off the salad bowl - I don't think we have a meal where I don't put veges or salad out. I may be overweight but am quite healthy -think its because of the veges.

Tam - will be checking out the recipes to get some variety - and stocking up on mangos and apples lol. Am going to freeze mangoes for the winter this summer - like a squirrel secreting away the nuts lol

Thanks my friends for all your support.

Blessings
Shanara

Mette · #67 23-10-2008, 08:51

Ooooh! I have to print that out and show it to my friends next time they look at me funny and say I don't make any sense!

You're going great guns, Shanara! I think it's a good idea to be upfront with your friends. I have been with mine, and it does make it easier when people avoid offering you sweets and snacks. Only problem is when they tell you 'your goal weight is too low, you don't have to lose THAT much'

Stay strong and keep smiling!

Shanara · #68 23-10-2008, 23:08

Ah Mette
from being in this forum I know not to go there. One asked me yesterday how much I had to loose I just said - rather not say - just a lot! She accepted that answer.

Thanks again to the forum I didn't fall for that one.

Blessings
Shanara

Mette · #69 24-10-2008, 08:56

Why does that not work for me?? I say stuff like that and they say 'but how many kilos'! And I can't make myself say that it's none of their business!

Shanara · #70 24-10-2008, 14:39

HI mette

if they persisted I would say something like - Isn't it interesting thst you want to know a number - I wonder why? I personally wouldn't say its none of their business becaue immediately it becomes an adversarial situation.

I find sometimes just answering wiht a question about them turns the attention from me. And I absolutely know, in the core of my being my weight number is about me - and will not be revealed even under torture ..lol. Why should I feed their curiousity?

Thanks for checking into my diary.

Am off to dance the night under the stars around the fire and do a bit more healing. I'm armed with Cohen's friendly foods so see oyu when i get back. ready to begin Wednesday. With any luck the .5 for under 130 , and more, will come off over the weekend.

Love to all
Shanara

thenewvee · #71 24-10-2008, 18:34

Congratulations on getting your program and working through those first scary emotions of taking the actual step of doing it! I'm so glad you have your head in such a good place cause it does make it easier!

Hope the bush/fire dancing etc goes well and that you have fun!

Catch ya when you return!

Vee

Manderella · #72 24-10-2008, 19:29

Hi Shanara,

Heres hoping the .3 is gone when you start, I am sure it will be. cross fingers for you

I know exactly how you felt when you read your program and as I felt exactly the same, there is not a huge variety of veges to choose from and that had me really worried. But after doing the program now for 1 and half weeks, I have found that I have grown to love those specific veges..hehe

The potions after the first few days start to really fill you up too, sometimes I feel that I could just eat half, but I always finish as my body needs the fuel as they say.

Well done and good luck with your first day.

Manderella

shrinkingTam · #73 24-10-2008, 19:38

"see" you when you get back Shanara - enjoy your weekend!

I have taken to saying "just another 5 kilos" when people ask me... It is so weird how everyone wants a number isn't it?

Mette · #74 27-10-2008, 17:27

I think I might take that advice... It's true, it is a bit interesting how people think that they have the right to tell you what number on the scales is right for you...

Hope you had a wonderful weekend dancing under the stars, Shanara! 'See' you when you get back!

Annabelle Joy · #75 28-10-2008, 22:33

Shanara, I tell people now what I weigh and how much I've lost, but until I got near goal used to say how much I'd lost but not how much I had to go. What you weigh is no one's business but yours unless you want to tell people. It's amazing to me how rude some people can be with their questions and comments.

AJ

JennyC · #76 29-10-2008, 07:26

Hey Shanara, Wishing you a great first day with your program!!!! You are doing so well already...you'll blitz it!!!!! I was just over 130kg when I started and look at me four months later......even I can't believe it. You can be very creative with what foods your allowed.....don't be scared to be adventurous!!!!!!

Have a great first few days

JennyC

Lulabelle · #77 29-10-2008, 09:14

Happy Day 1 Shanara!!!

I hope you had a wonderful time away and have a great start to your program!!!

Annabelle Joy · #78 29-10-2008, 23:28

I hope you've had a good day, Shanara. If not, it won't be long before you are feeling great.

AJ

Shanara · #79 30-10-2008, 09:00

Wow - well today is a good day!

Firstly the scales have moved below that 130 mark - I am officially 129.7 so that makes 5 kilos lost already on precohens and first day of official programme. Not bad ! I didn't stick to precohens religiously and let myself quite consciously eat some of my favourite foods that I knew I would not be having for a long time. Funny snow peas and sugar snap peas were two of the ones I really had to say goodbye to.

So day one is over and I can say I didn't have any detox symptoms and it was very easy. Realised as I finished my dinner of yummy snapper and veges that I still had one fruit and three crackers to eat. Was so intent on saving my crackers in case I got hungry that then I had to work out how to eat them all! I had one with dinner and then two with mango as snack later although it meant I had to stay up late - oh well I guess timings of food and planning is something i will work out as I go along.

Went and bought three kinds of mushrooms - button, swiss brown and shitake along with beautiful fresh asparagus. have decided if I can only eat these its going to be best quality I can get. Off to the organic butcher soon.

My weekend in the bush was fantastic and I stuck to mainly protein and veges with a few treat foods thrown in for my last weekend - won't name them here. Just know I enjoyed and savoured every mouthful which is what I am doing as well on the programme. The bird chorus in the morning as the dawn came was magnificent as us tired drummers, dancers, singers went off to bed after our night of ceremony around the fire.

Thank oyu everyone for your kind words supporting my first day. Was really touching to read them yesterday - I was too tired to respond.

AJ - day was very easy except for son informing me at 4.15 there was a parent teacher night on at 4.30 to 8.30 and I knew nothing about it! And on Wednesdays I hold a meditation night at 7.30. Anyway with help from a friend who came early and set up for the meditation I managed to do everything and even prepare and eat a beautiful Cohens meal. So my day was great ....and no detox symptoms ...... so glad i prepared my body for the change. So far my friends have been fantastic ...so supportive. Notice i ma not telling my family ...except my mum who is great.

Lulabelle- I sure did have a happy day and a wonderful time away - thanks.

JennyC - You are doing so well - you are an inspiration to me - funny how i feel very connected to those who have similar amount to me to loose. This morning i had beautiful eggs benedict....Cohens style!
Poached egg over two crackers with asparagus and mushrooms (swiss brown and shitake) which had been given a quick hit in the microwave, with some balsamic vinegar, to soften them slightly.... with parsley. Soft egg yolk is the sauce ...lol. Very YUM

Mette - its funny how so many people think they know what is right for others from weight loss to everything else. Mostly it is their own projection.

Tam - just another 5 kilos sounds like a great answer. Will keep that one in mind.

Mandarella - Yes I am loving my asparagus and mushrooms in particular. Funny yesterday I could have eaten two crackers less easy. Didn't though as they say for first ten days eat everything.

Vee - my head feels in a really great space - feels like this is just unfolding perfectly and that I am totally supported by all creation to achieve this - can you remind me i said this if I get "stuck" .....lol

One beautiful thing that happened on the weekend. There was a young man at the gathering who came up to me and gave me a big bear hug and told me I was a beautiful, powerful women and he admired me very much. My heart was so touched and I felt very blessed that a young man could see that in me. I worked hard for many years to clear out my emotional and mental crap - now I am clearing out the physical crap. I am deliberately writing this in here so that if I go through challenging times on this plan I can reread this and remind myself that "this too will pass."

Thanks you for stopping by to all who read this. I wish you a great Cohens day.

Blessings
Shanara

Lulabelle · #80 30-10-2008, 09:26

What a beautiful thing that man shared with your Shanara... I'm sure he's right, and I firmly believe sometimes certain people come into our lives or show us things at certain points in our lives for a reason. It sounds like a wonderful moment for you

I'm glad you're enjoying the program thus far... I'm sure you'll continue to do so. I also "spoil" myself with the best possible fresh fruit, vegies and meat I can buy. I think Cohen's has really helped me to appreciate healthy, fresh produce and the flavours of simple, healthy food. You'll be in Antarctica before you know it