Newbie saying hello :)

[purr]

Hi everyone

I'm new to the forum so I just wanted to say hi and introduce myself.
My name is Louise and I live in Canberra, Australia. I'm 37 and work for the government in the IT area.
I started the Cohen plan on 22 January along with my partner Lee. Lee is 34 and also works in the IT area. He is originally from Brisbane and moved down here after we met via the internet.
We've had good results so far. We just did our weights and measurements this morning after completing week 11. I have lost 20kg and 71cm so far and Lee has lost 24kg and 63cm. Getting there!
Our upcoming challenge is being on a cruise for 9 days in May...yikes!
Anyway, hi and nice to meet everyone.

Louise

[lessfatty]

Welcome to the forum. Another 2 IT people join the forum, maybe we can start a secret sub-forum/society, Cohen Dieters Who Are IT people, unless someone can code a binary sort algorithum entrance is forboten!

Congratulations on the combined 44KG lost so far!

I think the cruise will be great, normally you can eat at a buffet right? So at least you can control what gets put on your plate, even if it is not 100% cohen

From someone who has just completed 100% successfully I can only just say it is worth it, every day you choose to eat Cohen is one day closer to your goal, and IT IS A WORTHY GOAL! You will be slim trim and your metabolism will be "reset" just like pushing the reset switch on Windows.

[heyhoewarren]

Congratulations Louise and Lee for taking the challenge together - my hubbie and I started at the same time (August 2006) and he has now reached goal. I'm still going and finding it more difficult now that he's not following the program. He does the best he can to the eat foods I can't have on days when I'm out, which is nice and he's very supportive. I wish you all the best. Lisa

[Lonniecee]

Hey Purr, welcome to you both. Congratulations on achieving so well. The cruise will be a wonderful part reward for achieving what you both have so far. My sister-in-law who started Cohen's 5 weeks ago is also going on a 9 day cruise in May, perhaps there'll be 3 Cohen's eaters on the same cruise........ .
Lauren

[asy]

Hi all newbies!

Welcome!!!

Thought I'd check in, am still away at the farm, on dialup, so not posting much from here, but had to say HI! To all the new people!

asy

[Brieziel]

Fantastic loss so far.... you must be feeling great!! :P

[purr]

Originally Posted by Lonniecee

My sister-in-law who started Cohen's 5 weeks ago is also going on a 9 day cruise in May, perhaps there'll be 3 Cohen's eaters on the same cruise........ .
Lauren

Now that would be a funny coincidence!
We're going on the Pacific Star cruise that leaves Brisbane on Saturday 12 May. It goes to Noumea, Isle of Pines, Mystery Island, Wala and Vila.

[purr]

Thanks for all your welcomes and good wishes.

Lessfatty - Sounds like a plan
I've never been on a cruise so I'm not sure about the eating arrangements. I imagine they will have buffet type stuff available though. I think there are multiple places to eat. We've told the cruise organisers that we're gluten/wheat free so that should help too.

Lisa - Yeah, I think it's going to be harder for me when Lee is finished. He intends to be very supportive as well though and wants to help me get there. He is thinking of putting himself on the elimination diet once he's completed Cohen. The reason for this is that he has a lot of allergies and he's been struggling with very bad eczema since being on the plan. He used to get it in the past but it has really flared up over the last 8 weeks or so and just isn't getting any better. See what happens though.

Thanks Brieziel. Yes, I'm starting to feel better now and my walking, back pain, knee pain etc is improving every day. Lee is feeling 500% better than he was which is great.

[heyhoewarren]

You mentioned your hubby developed eczema on the program - I too developed major skin irritations on my hands. I had absolutely no moisture in my skin and they were incredibly dry and disgusting, however this only lasted the first few months. I'm sure it had something to do with the physiological changes my body was undertaking. Maybe its another of those things that happens on the program.

Have a fab time on your cruise - take plenty of reading material so you'll be too busy to visit the buffet too often.

[lessfatty]

In regard to dry skin and skin allergies on the program.

Are you taking Omega-3 and Omega-6 (EFA) supplements? If not I believe you need to take action

Everyone on the diet should make a point about supplementing with Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acid, as the name suggest these are ESSIENTIAL ie absolutely vital to your health ; and in higher than normal amounts during the diet to allow you to metabolism fat. On the low fat Cohen plan it is hard to get enough of these without taking supplements.

Whilst they are called "fatty acids" they are not "fat" they are in effect vitamins and will not make you fat!.

One sign of low levels of essential Omega-3 and Omega-6 is dry skin, another I learned during this diet is reduced hair growth. I supplemented with this flax-seed oil each day tip is to store in in your refridgeerator. Also possible fish-oil capsules could also be used. Suggest asking your consultant for advise on recommended brands and amounts.

[heavenlylamb]

Originally Posted by Purr

Lessfatty - Sounds like a plan
I've never been on a cruise so I'm not sure about the eating arrangements. I imagine they will have buffet type stuff available though. I think there are multiple places to eat. We've told the cruise organisers that we're gluten/wheat free so that should help too.

Hi Purr,
Welcome to the program. The cruise sounds great. But I would be more specifc with your diet requirements than saying you are gluten free. Otherwise, you may find you end up with gluten free bread, rice and potatoes!!
Usually, there are several options on a cruise. There is the alacarte restaurant and one or two different buffet restaurants you can choose from. The alacarte has 3 or 4 choices for the 4 or 5 course meals! So, it is likely to be a bit of a nightmare for you unless you plan ahead well.
So, I would give them lots of details about what you can and cannot eat. I'd order a salad for entree and then meat for main. Obviously you are going to have to skip dessert.
BUT in my experience when you have food being offered to you non-stop over several days, it becomes almost impossible not to deviate. So, consider setting aside a time where you will give yourself permission to deviate and decide ahead what that deviation will be. You don't have to go ahead and deviate if you dont' feel you need to at the time. But that saves you from enormous guilt and then stuffing yourself if you do fail!
Good Luck!
Pen

[Lonniecee]

Originally Posted by Purr

Now that would be a funny coincidence!
We're going on the Pacific Star cruise that leaves Brisbane on Saturday 12 May. It goes to Noumea, Isle of Pines, Mystery Island, Wala and Vila.

Yep, that's the one. How funny.
I went on the old Fairstar 20 something(ahem, muffle that) years ago and whilst the food is great, there is a lot of it. Yes breakfast and lunch can be buffet but just cos you want 1 egg, don't be surprised if you get 3, they tend to pile it on. things may have changed but just be wary of the amount that they are willing to feed you. Relax, enjoy and don't stress, all very easy to do from my experience, came back from it a new woman.
Lauren