How do I STOP from deviating

[Shax]

OK I haven't deviated yet. But I am craving food so bad that I dream about it I droll (well not every where but the saliva certainly increases) at the smell of anything sweet. I tried chewing gum which just made me insanely hungry! I have completed 3 weeks and I am still very hungry at times.

Yesterday I had to cook 6 TIMES!!!! all that cutting and chopping and around food preparing all the time and such little eating is driving me bonkers!!!

Do we get chocolate on the refeed? if this IS normal and if so when will the I want pizza salty chips and real coke, or Camembert, crackers and pepperoni

When will the thoughts stop! if ever will I continue to forever have this internal struggle of wanting to eat. I don't know how many times I have had to spit out the extra food I have pick up and put in my mouth subconsciously. that is getting less frequent.

but now I'm dreaming fo eating foods I can't ahve on this "lifestyle".

this may sound funny to some of you but I feel I have replaced my overeating with an obsession of foods I want to eat, even subconsciously. I don't know of any one dreaming of binge eating.

Regards
Sharne

[shell]

Hi Shax
No you don't get chocolate on re feed!

Have you thought about getting some counselling?
That has helped quite a few of us on here.

Find something else to do to distract you when you feel like deviating, listen to a relaxation cd, go for a walk, take a shower or bath, read a book, do a crossword, knit, scrapbook, garden anything to distract yourself.

Hang in there you will get past it!
Shell

[tommi]

Hey Shax,

Don't worry, I dream about food as well all the time. In my dreams I deviate and I feel guilty for doing so and put food back!
I haven't deviated yet and I sincerely hope if I ever do in the future it will be minimal and not a downward spiral. That also scares me so I'd rather have none than allow a little and wonder what the consequences may be...

I found if I am tempted I allow myself to "smell" the food I am not allowed (e.g. chocolate, champagne, lasagna!) and use that to treat myself! hehe
If you watched Rules of Engagement last night Jeff did the same thing on his crash diet weekend
Reading also helps me, and sipping on peppermint tea. I also remind myself of the compliments people give me about how good I am looking and how my skin is glowing, plus how loose my pants are feeling.

I know each person has to find their own way of doing things, but this forum has given me tons of guidance and support in tougher times (even though it's only been a few weeks). It is always inspirational when you know you are not the only one going through these changes.

Best of luck
xoxo

[Ronky]

Shax never fear you are alone. I too have a very unhealthy love for food and dream about my "ultimate goal meal". I almost talk to the food in the pantry. When I have been on other diets I would cook 2 separate meals one for me and one for my partner. He got all stuff that I loved. butter, Cheese, Cream. Then when I started this I thought what am I doing to him? Im losing this weight to have a happier healthy life whats the point of having that if Im killing my partner with love?

Im not so much a sweet tooth but a savoury junkie. My sister is a sweet tooth and she recommends green tea. This doesnt help me but apparently it helps her. I have also heard on this forum to take Chromium to ease the cravings and to maybe take an extra if the feelings dont go away. 1 at night and 1 in the morning.

Please dont feel you are "trapped". You are doing yoursef such a huge favour for this. Look at your progress? That is you doing that not anyone else. Your heart, liver, kidneys everything that we dont think about because we are obsessed by the outside is benefiting from this. Im sure this will pass and that you are just going through a freak out stage. As Shell said mybe counselling is a good idea if you dont come out the other end. Something I was also thinking about before joining is Overeaters anonymous kind of like AA but for people who just love food.

Good luck and if in doubt look at your progress.

[sundaymorningstaple]

And remember this if nothing else.......


NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY FEELS!!!

[Lizz]

Hi Shax,
Hang in there it gets better. I have completed 6 weeks now and found around week 3 the worse. The one piece of wisdom in this is that it does pass. Keep drinking lots of water and keep reading the forum for support . It really does help. Also try lots of different recipes. Also on the forum to make each meal special. Always remember how far you have come already in your efforts. It is worth it. Deviation is just not worth losing a weeks weight loss for.

[Annabelle Joy]

I was hungry at times for about three weeks, Shax. I seldom feel comfortably full in the afternoons/evenings, but not really hungry. I think some of it is habit rather than hunger.

There are quite a number on the forum who have reported dreaming of deviations. You are not unusual in that.

I agree re the cutting up food. I give my husband the same meals I'm having, and it seems to take ages to chop up little bits of vegetables for most meals, and to do it twice.

I've only once had to spit something out that I've put in my mouth, but there have been many times I've had to stop myself putting something in my mouth. That's one of the things that contributed to us having to do this diet. It's a good habit to break.

I think that shell's advice about counselling is worthy of consideration, as are all the other suggestions that are in previous posts. However, you are not alone. There are many others who have the same struggles.

AJ

[paza]

Hey I just wanted to add my story. Firstly I was deviation free for 10 weeks when I started and lost 19.6kilos, I did dream of junk food and deviating often. However the first time I deviated was pretty much the end for me. I now have been completely off cohens for just over 4 months will the added addition of 12kilos. Its HARD to get back on the program.
The only thing I will say is DONT DO IT!! It will be something you reget!.
I have set new goals for myself so tomorrow after shopping with cohens foods again, I want to be back on the program 100%, but its taken along time to get back here again.

Eat all your food, all your liquids allowance need be and even chew gum and drink tea, but please DONT DEVIATE!!!!

[Shax]

Hi all the past weekend has been much better. I have been trying more reciepes I have found cutting up a whole bunch of veggies, especially the diced stuff and putting in Tupperware and using it over a couple of days for both mine and families meals has been really helpful. DH as been making suggestions about efficiencies and cooking with me if I get out of control. Also some meals making really easy sandwhiches for the kids so I don't have to worry about them and then allowing DH to sort him self out is almost like having a break.

he has been very patient with me, but I think he realizes if I get too over whelmed with this food prep I am more likely to break. I have found I will find more solutions as I get further into the diet.


thanks for all the suggestions I have been saying often to my self "NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS SKINNY FEELS!!!" thanks SMS for that!

[KyMMy]

Hi Shax,

Please speak to your consultant before you start taking this - but my consultant recommended to me Blackmores Sugar Balance - I love it.

Its like panadol for hunger. It's apparently a Chromium supplement. My consultant recommended it to me in my final days of my program. On my final days before refeeding I was struggling big time. I was really hungry (normal at refeed time) and was about to deviate when I rang my consultant saying I couldnt bear the hunger anymore and she recommended me to take these. So not sure if its something you can only have towards refeed time?

Best to check as I mentioned - I love these tablets - it makes you feel full and give you that satisfied feeling that you wont deviate.

[KyMMy]

Oh and I constantly dream of eating rice and stuffing my face with rice and my mums noodles. I then wake up and feel guilty and think I've put on weight, but of course its just a dream.....hehehe

[Annabelle Joy]

Your DH is a gem, Shax. My husband usually comes and talk to me in the kitchen, but doesn't help much. However, he eats what I eat, and gets anything extra for himself. It's so much easier with a partner who is supportive.

AJ

[Inn]

I found i will eat my meal + fruit or crispbread- then cook 3-4-5 meals and freeze. i do this every few days so i always have food, and Know what i'm eating. My husband does his own cooking now, to help me out- i love it! gives me time to clean up, or spend some time with hunter before bedtime. Plus I don't have the want of tasting or sneak licking etc...sad i know.

i too dream of weird stuff. the first few nights i dreamt of the kettle chips saying "eat me, eat meee" as they wobbled up the hallway. I'm glad I'm not the only freak

Keep it up. Once you deviate, you just keep going, like all the other diets. Just this once, then I'll be good. Aww well this week is nearly over, I'll start on monday... etc. Before you know it bam it's over. I do believe like all diets/programs etc. it must be harder the second time round.
Everytime i'm starving, or thinking of food. I drink water. and jump on the scales. Or I get on here. Before you know it, I've forgoten.

Good Luck

[Shax]

Oh I was so temped to get pizza last night when we were coming way way wasy late home from fishing. Every one was tired and hungry, not fish caught, bummer.

Well DH said he would drive so I couldn't stop. Also my DS of 4 1/2 is starting to make his and his sister miss 2 their lunch sandwiches.

I know the temptations are so fleeting but they seem so real at the time!

I am finding it hard to come in here often as read too. it is frustrating at times.

[Annabelle Joy]

Sorry to see that you are struggling a bit right now, Shax. Hopefully, it will pass. Most of us have lows, and usually we get past them if we can resist the temptation to deviate.

AJ

[bellabella]

ahhhh shax..... i have been in your shoes too many times to count!!!

this is REALLY long but i hope that sharing my story will put it into perspective for you....

my story is i started cohens april 2007 after a breakup at 86kg and flew along for the first 6 weeks losing about 10 kg.

felt great about myself - started going out with friends, enjoying the compliments etc and falling into the "one day won't hurt" trap. Then I'd think- well I've stuffed it now I will start again Monday. Then I'd do 3 cohens days perfectly and then I would have a work dinner or a conference or a family birthday celebration and "BAM" another deviation.

I knew mentally that deviating would ruin my program but I just kept thinking I could jump back in- BUT I COULDN'T. It is sooooooooooo hard to get back on I can't tell you. It is like a drug- once you relapse you have to go through withdrawal and feeling crummy and hungry and cravy all over again. YOU DON'T MISS WHAT YOU HAVEN'T HAD- that is the best advice I can give.

Anyway 07 passed in a flash (doesn't every year) and I put on all I had lost on Cohens plus an extra 14 KG just for kicks.

Have started again a 100kg!! Yes - basically I am a goose. I know that I could have been enjoying my skinny 54kg life for 10 months now but INSTEAD I had to repay the clinic ANOTHER $700 and start ALL OVER AGAIN. Am not even back to the weight I started Cohen's at the first time yet.

DON'T BE A ME!!!!

Deviation is death. Seriously. The people who have done amazing things like lose 50kg in a year aren't deviators. I am going to be one of those. Have drawn a line under my past mistakes as obviously my head wasn't ready for me to be skinny- it is change and it is scary.

So this is what I am doing (and I have only been totally deviation free since July 25 but I FEEL DIFFERENT THIS TIME, resolved, determined, NO excuses).

I work best under time pressure. I am one of those people who do expense reports for work the night before they are due (did it at school and uni too). So I have given myself a MASSIVE TIME PRESSURE in 3 month blocks of mini goals. Just so I can see the light. I think the first time it stretched too much into the future that I couldn't see past the abyss of time and kept thinking "AM I THERE YET?" So the time pressure helps a lot!

Pick an event. I am lucky I have a o/s trip, bridesmaid dress fitting, Christmas and then a wedding next year to kick myself into panic.

Have made it really straight for myself by asking this question- "Do you want to be on a Contiki tour in maternity pants as that is all that will fit?" And made myself picture what that will feel like.

Same with the "Do you want to be a 100kg plus bridesmaid?" And picturimg what that will feel like - letting myself and my family down.

Or imagining my uncle having to eat his words of a few christmases ago when he said he couldn't remember me not being fat (idiot- was an seriously underweight 17yr old at 42kg-what he can't remember back that far!?)

I know it takes a HUGE amount of discipline to be Cohens. I am also much more organised this time round.

I buy 3 tubs of Vaalia at a time as I know I go through a tub every 5 days and they have really long use by dates. Then I am set for two weeks and don't risk running out of breakfast.

I bake 8-12 apples at a time with cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon, portion them and freeze them in little tupperware so I always have stewed fruit for my allowance in the freezer. And I can grab one on the run if I am running late or defrost overnight. On these chilly mornings it is nice to zap in the microwave for a hot snack or hot breakfast with my yog. DELICIOUS! Sometimes I have pawpaw and in summer I iwll have mango but these are my faves out of the avail fruits so I have them all the time. Don't need variety on this diet as that makes me want to rebel and have REAL variety which I can't. Is just easier this way.

I always have tins of asparagus and tuna in the pantry so if worst comes to worst I have a protein and vege allowance that won't GO OFF and is highly transportable and doesn't need refrigeration.

At the start of the week I buy a whole lot of chicken breast or mince and freeze a dozen portions.

I use my food processor HEAPS. It really helps give things flavour through the chopping process.

I only eat what I like. Sounds silly and obvious but last time I tried to experiment and get fancy and I had some dissapointing meals that weren't as nice as others. Also found I was spending more time in the kitchen and thinking about food or in the supermarket buying new ingredients which was torture. Why not give yourself your favourites EVERY DAY??

So I have tuna or mince patties for lunch which are AMAZING. I food process fresh basil leaves, mince, onion, tomato, spinach mushrooms and MY CRACKER ALLOWANCE and whatever other spices or herbs I feel like ( I mix it up depending on the day- do I want a mexican flav, italian, asian?? Roll into balls and fry. Yum hot or cold. Tuna patties ( I hate uncooked tuna but cooked is lovely! Use fresh coriander, veges, make a mayo dipping sauce with chilli flakes, or roll in lettuce and dip on balsamic vinegar.

3 times a week i have my favourite stuffed mushrooms with ricotta (or feta once weekly) and mozzerella on top and baked. Or spinach, mushroom tomato chopped in food processor with ricotta, pressed into little oven dish and topped with mozzeralla and baked until it has a hard crisp cheesy crust. Eat with crackers. I love this on weekends.

Dinner I am really boring but I LOVE IT. I just boil my chicken allowance in a small sacepan with water, zuchini, czuliflower and onion and curry powder (or garlic and cumin- again depends what country cuisine I am going for) and blend the soup in food processor with crackers which thicken it and give a lovely salty flavour. In summer I will change to different dinner but for now the chicken soup is filling, warming and I look forward to it.

Also easy to take to a friends house and eat. I have been to my mums for dinner and had my soup when they had a lamb roast and my stewed apples when they had desert, sparkling water when they had wine, green tea when they had the coffee cheese course. I felt good that I had stuck to my diet and enjoyed the company and conversation more as I wasn't obsessing over the food.

The rest of the time I am hibernating and not going many places that I can't Cohens or where I might be tempted. If friends (who I can't explain cohens to) want to catch up for dinner or lunch I say lets have breakfast instead. Easy to say you had to get up really early and was so starving you ate before you came. I have a long black and pots of green tea and nobody cares. Or if worst comes to worst order a poached egg on a bed of spinach and a tomato no toast.

There will be plenty of time to socialise post cohens where I can really enjoy myself. People are more understanding than I thought. I also smell foods if tempted- I made my sister cupcakes for her b'day on the weekend and when they ate them I had one just to smell. smelt lovely but i didn't want to eat it. Had a picnic, I had my cohens and was fine.

Believe me I am a huge foodie, and am addicted to eating. Pretty much everyone here is- that's why we are here. If I can do this you can too. I know it sucks sometimes but don't feel sorry for yourself. Have a sleep or do something and the craving will pass. I have just had two really "hungry" days when thoughts of yummy food just kept jumping into my head or i felt really susceptible to food adds on TV. Also felt tired and irritable. I think it is just a hormonal thing. But I didn't cave and I am ok today. It does pass.

Let's do it together.

[bellabella]

ps. and i forgot the other two BIG rules- drink water and take your vitamins. i found out last time that on days i forget i feel lousy and have no energy. on bad days sometimes i have two multis.

I take a multi, and a fish oil in AM

I take a calcium and magnesium and a zinc in PM.

if i don't drink my water i feel empty and fainty.

also start a list of post-cohens food. Every time I have a craving, dream about something or see a recipe I would love to try (eg the hungarian cherry cheese strudel i saw on the food safari show on SBS) I document it and add it to my list I have saved on my computer and tell myself I will have it when Cohen's is over. It works as I don't feel as deprived. And know it is just a matter of time. It can be anything from a quarter pounder to a prawn risotto. It is your list.

[Shax]

thanks bella

[Annabelle Joy]

That's a great post, bellabella, full of good ideas for others to try.

AJ

[kagiesen]

Great post, Bella, very inspiring for all of those who struggle not to deviate (me included when I was on the program), or those who have deviated and are now finding it hard to get back on! Thanks for sharing!

Katrin