Jen's Diary. My journey to the new me.

[princess_sunbeam]

Well I have now been on the Cohen's program for nearly 26 weeks- that is half a year! I have never stuck to a diet for this long this religeously. Thus far I am happy with the results, and I am optimistic that I will reach my goal weight range by my birthday, which is march 21st.

I have had some milestones that I have been proud of so far..........
cracking 110kgs
cracking 100kgs
people at work starting to notice
buying new clothes
losing that third chin
being able to lie on my back without feeling like I was going to suffocate!
cracking 90kgs
the kids at work starting to notice that something is going on
buying more new clothes, from normal peoples clothes shops!
losing that second chin
being able to walk UP stairs without feeling like I was going to suffocate
being able to use the push mower (as opposed to the ride-on)
feeling my hip bones for the first time in years
starting to see my collarbones- I forgot I had any!
being the topic of discussion at the lunch table at work. Everyone has noticed now and is really interested!
cracking 80kgs
the male principal at work noticing my newfound slimness, and telling me that I was getting dangerous!
buying new bras- from kmart rather than having to spend $80 at Myer finding something that would fit!

It is interesting, the largest of people around me who are not motivated to do anything have not commented at all. People are starting to tell me that I dont need to lose anymore weight, and seem shocked when I tell them that I have another 22kgs to go!

Now I need to work on the psychological part of me, so that I never end up back where I was. I am struggling at the moment, with my brain not keeping up with my body. I go to buy clothes and dont know what size to try on. I feel like an idiot turning up at the fitting rooms with lots of clothes to try, because I dont know what to try. ( I am working it out though!)

There have been lots of benefits to losing weight and I know I will live longer for it. I look forward to maybe meeting my great grand children one day. (kids are 15 & 16)

[Mette]

Welcome to the forum Jen! And congratulations on your amazing achievements so far! You've done so well! If you need support, encouragement and advice, you've definitely come to the right place! This forum is absolutely brilliant!
You're right, the mental part is the hardest to work with, once you're in the right frame of mind, losing the weight is easy. Maybe that's why your heavier friends haven't commented - they aren't ready to admit that there might be a problem and aren't ready to commit to a big change like weightloss.
Keep up the great work! I look forward to hearing more about your journey!

[Shanara]

Wow Jen

your entry in your diary has really touched my heart.
'
Congratulations on the incredible journey you have done.

Some fairy dust to speed you on your journey to goal and to clear your head.



I think your awesome
Shanara

[SOON TO BE]

Well done on your jorney so far,
Your list of achievments are similar to mine we started at the same weight, you are ahead of me in losses though.
Goodluck with the downhill run of your journey.
Keep smiling & happy days
Tara x

[Kohinoor]

Hi Jen,

I am optimistic that I will reach my goal weight range by my birthday, which is march 21st

If you "stay true" till then, you'd have a damn good chance of making it, Jen.

I look forward to maybe meeting my great grand children one day

... and, if birthdates mean something, you've picked a good one.

My Grandmother shared the same date - she got within 6 weeks of making 99 years (and, yes, she got to meet SEVERAL great-grandchildren)

I love your opening post - I'm sure it is going to be appreciated by many - thanks for laying it out there. You may never know just how many you help, but I'm sure many will be letting you know anyway, while others (who may be guests right now) are also benefitting.

You're going well, and welcome to this magic place,

Koh

[katiefrank70]

HI PS

Wow

you are amazing. So many milestones achieved. You sure are going to reach your goal by March 21st the way you are going.

I really enjoyed reading your post. I can relate about the biggness of others around you. But unless you are motivated and committed, Cohen's won't work. You are perhaps inspiring some (maybe in their own hearts) to do something eventually. I too live in a town where there are many many morbidly obese people. I felt skinny at 80kgs. But to do something about it is their choice.

Well done for turning your own life around.

Katie

[Ellabelle]

Wow! Look at all those milestones reached You must be feeling terrific! I'm sure you will be at goal in no time

[Free as a bird]

Woah, that is fantastic Princess.

I'm glad someone else is new to the forum, but not to Cohens. You are about 10 weeks in front of me though, so I can't wait to get to your stage. You must feel so good.

I too have had no reaction from those I know who are overweight. I think that they are feeling sad inside and would rather not acknowledge someone else becoming healthier.

You always seem to get those ones who tell you that you don't need to lose anymore too. They are just feeling a bit threatened I think.

Are you a teacher too?

I have 3 kids: 15, 13 & 12. I'm finding them to be very supportive and I'm glad that I am finally setting an example to them. They are benefiting from this program also.

Anyway keep up the great work and I look forward to watching your progress and getting inspiration from you.

Thankyou

[princess_sunbeam]

Thanks guys for all of your lovely replies! It is so good to be able to come to a place where people understand what you are going through, can rejoice with your successes and prop you up when your day has gone to crap! I am looking forward to following lots of other peoples journeys and hope to make some new friends along the way!

FOOTNOTE
Yes I am a teacher too! Today was an interesting day. It started with a trip to the GP as I am having voice problems (again!!!) It ended this afternoon with a work cover certificatefor 2 weeks extra holidays- starting today, after a trip to the ENT doctor, who stuck a camera up my nose and told me that my throat was inflamed! DUH!!!! That cost me (which I pass onto work cover) $300!! In the middle of the day, I took 44 students to Laser skirmish, and got to stand back and watch them eat PARTYFOOD Fortunately, I was deep in conversation (about Cohens) with my collegue and the 3 mums who came along for supervision support. They wanted to know the ins and outs of what I have been doing to lose so much weight so fast! Mind you, they were horrified when they saw what was in my lunchbox ("Is that all you get to eat- I'd starve!!") I actually thought it looked like quite a decent lunch!!
At least I can get on here and talk til my hearts content, and not end up with a sore throat!!

[maria1969yellow]

Hi Hope you dont mind I was reading your diary and its great to see the ups and downs of others that have embarked on this wonderfull journey of weight loss.

You have done so well and I would be giving yourself a big pat on the back for everything you have achieved.

Funny its only my first week into it and whilst Im cutting my toenails I was thinking gee its nice to be able to do this without to much of a struggle (and thats only a week into it.) I cant wait till I can feel my rib bones too. Very exciting!!!
And I have had similar comments about my amounts of food but as a nation we definately over eat and good for us to getting ourselves healthy in and out!!!

Hope you have a well rested time off work.

[thenewvee]

You are doing so well, Jen!
Congrats on achieving all those milestones already!
Yes, I hear you about those overweight people who don't say anything, there are a lot of them about!
Luckily we get to choose who we surround ourselves with, (even at work) and I've made a point of choosing more positive, supportive people in my life!
Re: the work on the psychological aspect! I've found making an investment in the book or book on cd of the Beck Diet Solution to have been invaluable! It's about learning to think like a thin person so that you can lose the weight and keep it off. It is fantastic and has helped me soooo much on this journey! I know it has also helped many others on here too!

Keep going strong, hope your throat improves and that you feel better soon! Some good lovely R&R won't go astray!

Vee

[Ellabelle]

You are doing so well - congratulations

Sorry to hear about your throat - ouch! Hope you heal quickly!

[princess_sunbeam]

Well this has been a slow week- 1.2kgs. Had I been on WW now, I would have been ecstatic with that, but am thinking this is pretty average. Last week I lost 2.2kgs in the week. Now that I am home and am a "lady of leisure", I can experiment with some variety and drink more water. See how it goes. I still have to weigh in again on Sunday for the Christmas challenge. Hopefully something miraculous will happen between now and then!

[Kohinoor]

Hi Jen,

Your new avatar looks great !!! (wolf whistle) How good are you going to look by your birthday ???

Now that I am home and am a "lady of leisure", I can experiment with some variety and drink more water.

That two weeks off may turn out to be a blessing in disguise, Jen. Grab a few nanna naps, lots of "early to bed", and work on the water - it all could combine to accelerate those losses to speed you on your way to goal

Hope your throat heals quickly too,

Koh

[LiLi]

hi princess sunbeam!

i have just caught up and your diary and WOW! you are doing fantastically! good on you!

you must be feeling fabulous!!

i loved reading through your first post about all the things you have achieved so far.

i hope your throat issues clear up soon - time away from school and yelling and kids will surely help!!

look forward to seeing you around the forum more!
L x

[Mette]

I'd kill for a 1.2 kilo loss! Mind you, my body has been rather unwilling to give up the kilos. It'll get there though. Keep up the great work!

[princess_sunbeam]

Thanks to you all for such encouraging words! My throat is feeling ok today, so long as I dont talk for too long. This is very frustrating, as there is nothing wrong with me physically, I just get a very tired, scratchy voice. I feel guilty for staying home, and feel that I am letting other people down. Some dont understand and believe I should be at work, but past experience tells me (4 months off on Workcover with NO voice) that I am best to shut up now, before I cause myself more damage. On Monday I am having another camera stuck up my nose, so they can do a video of my larynx and then I can start speech therapy again.


Another milestone that I forgot- I cant believe I forgot cos it is one of my favourites............ I can sit cross legged both on the floor and upright on a chair now! The cross legged on a chair is a pretty big deal. You know when your thighs are so big that your idea of sitting cross legged is lifting the ankle of one leg up so that is sits on the knee of your other leg? That was me 6 months ago! I could only envy my slimmer workmates who A) didnt have to lift their leg onto the other and B) who could cross their legs so that their calves touch! I CAN DO THAT NOW!!! It is amazing how silly little things mean so much!

My next goal is only 2.5kgs away. This means that I will no longer be obese - only overweight (BMI below 30) and a double whammy for this goal, I will have lost 40kgs in total. I am hoping to achieve this within the next 2 weeks.

WISH ME LUCK!!!!!

[JennyC]

Hi PS, I had to giggle at your last post......I too had a great day when I could cross my legs while sitting on a chair I don't think it's silly at all...it really does mean a lot for us to do these things that we prevously only envied of our slimmer friends etc!!!!!!

Have a great week and welcome to the forum

JennyC

[Mette]

Yay for reaching goals! I'm sure you'll get to the next one within the next two weeks! Here's some fairy dust to help you on your way!

Keep up the great work!

[princess_sunbeam]

Thanks JennyC & Mette! It is great to be able to do things that you havent done in a long time, and I knew people here would understand these quirky milestones. I look forward to sharing in yours too! You guys must feel so different by now with the massive losses you have had! Keep up the good work!