A worrying piece of information..and some questions if I may.

[Leanne45]

Since my earlier post I have emailed my local Dr Cohen clinic and received a very quick reply! The clinic happens to be only 2 minutes down the road from me!! Anyway, when perusing the net to find out all I could about this program I came across a remark that has me a little worried. A woman stated she began the program with 3 friends and they ALL received the same diet to follow even though the program states your eating program is individually tailored to suit each persons blood results! This worries me a little as I dont want to think I have entered into a program that is not entirely above board with their claims. Please tell me this could not be correct! I would feel very cheated if this was the case as I would expect anyone would.

Apart from the above I have read all the info. sent to me and am very keen to take the plunge and begin my final journey to a slimmer, healthier me. I have been told I can contact the clinic, make an appt and they will show me a sample menu and discuss the program with me in more depth.

I was also relieved to read that you DO NOT HAVE TO PAY THE FULL AMOUNT UP FRONT as this was also a bit of a stumbling block for me. The information emailed to me stated that as of March 2008 the price for the program would be increasing to $750, right now it is $680. If I elect to pay an upfront fee of $260 I can then pay the rest at $40 fortnightly for 13 fortnights. This method will mean I will pay an additional admin. fee of $100 for the program but it would suit me to go with this option if I join up rather than outlay $680 so soon after Christmas. Does this payment plan mean I have immediate access to the program or would I have to wait until all the payments are over before I could start? I can ask the clinic this question but they are now closed and so thought I would ask here to see if anyone knew the answer to this.

Also, I am a real lover of multi-grain bread, white rice, pasta and potatoes, all of which seem to be excluded from the menu. How hard has it been to go without this when you love these foods and have them almost daily? Once you reach goal, are these foods slowly re-introduced into your eating plan, or does that depend if you are 'sensitive' to these and gain weight to easy if you have them. A fact I think is determined by your refeeding blood tests if I have read the info. correctly.

Where is the best place to purchase the digital kitchen scales for weighing the food?

I dont wish to be a pain with all these questions but I need to have some things sorted out in my mind before I embark on the program. Call me anal!! lol

Thanks in advance for any info. all of which is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

PS Anyone else on the Gold Coast here?

[baloo]

anal

The plans are different. If you look at sundaymorningstaples diary thread you'll see we've been talking about the differences a few of us have. I imagine the core meals are the same with minor variations to the serve sizes based on age, hight, weight and blood work results. Could it be a con anbd a computer randomly kicks out a choice of one of 10 variations ? Possibly. Do I care ? I lost just on 50kg in six months so quite frankly, no, I don't care at all if it's a con.

As for the carbs/bread addiction, quite a few of us here have it. It actually seems to be quite common amoungst obese people. Yeah, it's hard to break and physically the first couple of days are very tough as your body goes through carb withdrawal. After about day 5 you find your body is fine and you just have to control the mental addiction to carbs that you have.

As far as the money is concerned, as long as you stick to the plan and you lose the weight you want, it's more than worth it. To be honest, if I had known in advance how successful the programme was for me, I would have gladly paid 5 times the asking price. I also made the money back simply by not drinking alcohol, not ordering delivery, avoiding fast food joints and cutting back on junk food. I did though spend some money on buying a new wardrobe, 2 in fact.

As for the scales you'll need to ask some of the Aussie based people here but if you look at the beginners start here forum you'll see people have listed out all the things you really need to equip yourself with before embarking on this journey.

Lastly, you, like I, searched and searched for negative stories about Cohen's before paying my money. What amazed me was the *lack* of bad press about the programme. try searching any other weight loss programme and you'll find plenty of sites detailing why they are bad. That's got to tell you something.

If you decide to go ahead and you can committ fully, you'll look back on this as the best life changing decision you ever made.

[jeannie77]

Leanne

From what I've heard from others my program is different to others. Even my consultant has commented on how different mine is.

I have been on Cohens for 10 weeks now and have lost 23kgs so I think it has been worth ever cent. I asked about the payment plan and was told I would get my program after paying the initial payment, but opted to pay the full amount.

As for being a lover of carbs - i think we all have been there. I haven't really craved carbs at all during the program and have been told they will be gradually reintroduced into your diet during refeed. The first few days are hard but it does get easier, and to be honest I am not missing them.

Jeannie

[lessfatty]

Basically the plan works, follow the plan, eat the prescribed meals as diligently as possible and you will thin faster than you have ever experience on other diets. I guess you have tried other diets or worse those 5 day wonder diets from slimming magazines etc. and failed.

The way to fail is falling off the wagon, deviating and going back to old habits, this accounts for 99% of the failures of Cohen diet. By following the plan, it cannot, "not work"

[Lonniecee]

Leanne, I have seen a couple of plans from others on Cohens and whilst the foods are the same it appears that the quantities are different. I can only reiterate what Baloo said...........I love it and it is the only time that I have lost weight without being hungry and feeling overly deprived.

It is my understanding that if you pay by installment you receive your plan after the first payment is made. As to the cost, I was on the programme (start to refeed) for 34 weeks which = $20 / week, easily affordable when you cut out all the 'extras' as Baloo said.

As for the scales, I bought my digital bathroom and kitchen ones at Big W for less than $70 total. They are my best friends when on the plan.

Good luck with your decision whatever it may be.

Lauren

[hexi2]

Hi

I know 5 other people who have started on Cohens (friends and work mates) everyone has a different plan to me...

I got my digital scales at KMart think they were $30

We just had a catch up on the Gold Coast (me holidaying, Daisy holidaying and Wendy she drove up from Ipswich) but I do know that Leslie and Samara's mum (Sonia) live on the Gold Coast...

I believe each clinic operate differently - I think they are a franchise so not every clinic offers payment plans I know mine doesn't at this time

You will be fine without your carbs once you have been through detox - I love them and don't miss them the problem is that they create hunger! and cravings

And I agree this program is CHEAP, BARGAIN to have our health back not to mention paying itself within a matter of weeks as we aren't buying takeaway, alchohol and other prepacked crap

I know you will be joining us soon

Can't wait to see you around the boards

[asy]

I've literally seen hundreds of programmes, and never two the same.

Everyone has the same list of foods, it's the QUANTITY that's different.

The only thing EVERYONE has in common is 175g of yoghurt for breakfast as one of the options.

Other than that, I've literally never seen two alike, not even close.

Hope this helps,

asy

[Leanne45]

Thank you ladies for your replies. I am very relieved to hear just how the plans work as it was playing on my mind a bit although the reply from Baloo really made me think...

.Could it be a con and a computer randomly kicks out a choice of one of 10 variations ? Possibly. Do I care ? I lost just on 50kg in six months so quite frankly, no, I don't care at all if it's a con.

A great statement which I agree with wholeheartedly! It was food for thought and helped me in my decision to begin this plan. Thank you Baloo!

[pandora]

Hi Leanne

I VERY SKEPTICALLY paid my money in August. Like you, i went for the payment plan and my final payment is this week i think!

I went from 68kg to 48.9kg = 19.1kg lost. The first 16kg came off in 10 weeks! That took me to the low end of the Cohen goal = 52-55kg as i am 159cm and 53 years old!

I NEVER in my wildest dreams thought i could be this slim and HAPPY! This program is PRICELESS! And i am with Baloo on the who cares if the programs are all the same etc, mine worked! I feel 10 years younger! What they dont tell you is, it is like finding the Fountain of Youth! Better than a facelift, surgery, etc!

Any negative stuff you see "out there" can only be created by people who havent succeeded on the program due to their own lack of commitment and determination! This program is LEGENDARY stuff! Pandora

[baloo]

Originally Posted by Leanne45

Thank you ladies for your replies.

Thank you Baloo!

I'm glad I got a separate thank you. For a second I thought you were calling me a lady.....

[a healthy life]

You only have to pay the deposit to receive your program.

I had planned to do the payment plan too, but after my hubby read the contract terms I've decided against it. The terms are a bit dodgy.... I've been caught too many times not reading the terms & conditions of payment plans (gym memberships, etc) so my program is going on the credit card. I figure I'll pay less than $100 in interest anyhow.

If you can manage it, I'd pay by credit card.

[Blu Crooza]

I have started Cohens with 2 mates and our programmes are VERY different......

[lil_doll]

I have also spied someone else's program and it is different from mine too...

(congrats on your first 4 days, Blu...!)

xMissy

[mumandnana]

Hi Leanne, I am doing the program with 3 friends and our programs are all different, our builds are all different, the amounts we have to lose are all different and it is WORKING FOR ALL OF US

[sundaymorningstaple]

Why is that surprising? The first thing you are told is each diet is individually designed based on your personal information.

[Shanara]

Funny how this old posting has resurfaced. It is originally dated 11th January 2008! If you click on Leanne's name you will find she only ever made four posts. I wonder what happened to her? I hope she is thin and happy. I wonder did she ever do Cohen's or did she let her head talk her out of it.

I remember first finding out about Cohen's in July 2008. Took me until October to sign up - after 2 months reading this forum to help me decide. Once i did I wondered why it took me so long!

So if you are reading this wondering about whether it works or not and whether to sign up then I say go for it. Particularly if you have really decided that you are really ready to shed that weight and are prepared to do what it takes to get it off.

Funny how these old posts surface ..lol
Shanara

[louise41]

I first stumbled across cohens on the net a couple of years before I ever tried it. I didnt start it then as I thought it sounded too good to be true - Now I know is it the best thing ever and does deliver on its promises!

[lets.get.started]

Good call Shanara
I was thinking the same thing when I first read it.
It is a pretty braod statement

[mcpsych]

i found out about cohens- did 2 weeks of intensive research, found nothing except positives- signed up
24 weeks later baby, just ask me i will give you the drum
if you follow the program you will succeed

[amouage]

Hi everyone

I have been skeptical too. BUT, even though I've stumbled along on this program, I have never felt so well on a diet - and I've have tried them all, believe me.

I don't know why Dr Cohen is so secretive and refuses to be assessed by peer review, the only true standard for scientific research. My clinic said it was about protecting the plan. Intellectual copyright issues aside, and what I imagine is a rivalry with Sureslim, I would like more explanation.

I'm not saying it doesn't work - it does. I'm amazed at what it has done for me, and I am a most imperfect member of the club. I suppose any 800 calorie a day diet would work, but what is so good about this one is that you don't feel hungry, weak or wobbly. And sleep... that's the best bit. Used to take a pill. Don't now. Don't ask me why I don't know. Could it be the reduction in evening carbs?

Perhaps the best thing in all of this is this forum. Good people who know what it is like to be fat (I said the word) and who want each other to succeed. It is so supportive. All types, all ages, all wanting to just be liberated from their poor overtaxed bodies.

I will continue to resist the slide from skepticism to cynicism. "A worrying piece of information.." may be an old topic, but it is still relevant. A con or not, I'm better for doing Cohen's.

Still, I do think it is healthy to question the program, as long as you have given it an honest go. We should all be tolerant of dissenters. Once we start bagging people for asking questions we will have moved from a forum to a cult. Let people question the program. It is healthy and right to ask what it is you have signed up for. Overweight people can feel so desperate, we all know that better than anyone, so why should we criticise the questioners?

I still wish that the elusive Dr Cohen was accessible, accountable and reviewable. What is to fear? We are all looking for the answer to the world wide epidemic of obesity. The personal is political, believe it.

Am