The Karmic Cycle: Doing Cohen's the Second time

[Kristine..]

G'Day

There seems to be a few of us doing Cohen's for the second time.

When I had finished the program in 2006, I couldn't understand how anybody could let themselves get to such a high weight again that they needed to do the program a second time.

2006 I lost 28.5 kilos from peak weight of 87 kilos to trough weight (during refeed) of 58.5 kilos.

I maintained 60 kilos without fuss from June, 2006 to March, 2007

I then maintained 62 kilos with a bit of watchfullness until about August, 2007 but then found myself at 67 kilos in April, 2008.

I took part in various 'Sprints' and also tried to monitor myself, but to no avail. I had lost the plot. For a 'couple of kilos' it simply didn't seem worthwile to bother with the regime of the program itself and when I left for UK in May I weighed 67 kilos, and arrived back in October weighing 75 kilos.

15 kilos certainly made the program worthwhile, and I ploughed straight in and the rest is history.

However, this thread is about your experiences in doing the program for the Second Time.

In 2006 I looked quite 'empty' when I had finished. A bit stringy, a bit translucent around the throat. I did look as if I had lost weight.

After six months, the crepiness had settled, I looked firm and good, the arms and tender skin under arms, inner thighs, throat, had all filled out and I looked as if I had always been this weight.

Now, in 2009, having just lost 15 kilos, I look a bit empty but nothing like in 2006. I am more rounded, actually a bit plump looking - rounded belly, small love handles - losing 15 kilos is obviously much less of a shock than losing 28 kilos.

My experiences of the program are as before: I was excited by the challenge, really enjoyed the food, had no problem with the water, and am almost sorry to finish.

This time, I lead a more isolated life, and did not have the amazement of other people to spur me on. No 'the Incredible Shrinking Woman' comments. People who haven't seen me in a while haven't seen the weight increase, either, so don't even know I have lost these 15 kilos.

So no pats on the back, no cheering me on. The Family have seen it all before, too, so the social response to the Second Time is almost non-existent.



This Forum has been a constant. Without this, Asy and others, the Second Time would have been quite different. The First Time I posted a weekly Diary on another Forum (a property investors webforum) in their Coffee Lounge. I had nowhere else public to declare my intentions and I also wanted to encourage others to consider this remarkable, no exercise, program.

If you were in a wheelchair you could lose weight with Cohen's.

So that's been my experience.

If you have done the Second Time, how was this the same as the First, and how was this different?

I would be interested to hear how and why you regained the weight, what prompted you to commit to going back on the program, and how you have experienced the Second Time

Lotsa love
Kristine

[shell]

Great thread Krisitne,

It will be great for Cohenites to see where the hurdles can be, and that they CAN be overcome!

Shell

[flash12]

Hey - well done on loosing the 15kgs!! Did you also do your refeed at the end??

I'm going to get rid of 5kgs starting today...using my Cohen's plan again - so am a second time loser too! I'm hovering just over 60kgs when I should be between 54-57kgs. I started just doing the program during the week whilst I worked but found that whenever I deviated (just a little) on the weekends - I tended to stack the weight on two-fold. Maybe my body thought I was starving it...

I've noticed you've only just achieved your goal weight. Why didn't seek support via this website during your last 'huge' lose?? 15kgs is a great achievement - even better the second time around because of the extra 'motivational' factor you need to not deviate and stay focused.

Well done : )

Flash

[Maya]

Great post, Kristine!

I am the second time around.
The difference?

First time: was more a "jump in the water and learn how to swim" thing. (had no idea what to expect, didnt know about the forum or anything, just the internet offer)
In the beginning the weightloss was incredible - 9 kg in one month. When I saw how everybody is strict, I got a little too obsessed about being 150% and overstressed. I was losing weight like never before. Very motivated. Then it slowed down a little, but in the end I had no idea how/when to stop. I was so afraid to start the refeed to soon and not be in the hormonal equilibrium as I wished more than everything that my hormones would work right...(had problems my whole life with them).

But...My working conditions were bad - I was overstressed, worked hard and didnt get much rest or sleep.

Despite the fact I went too low and lost my health (MY OWN FAULT) - I decided to do it again.
I finished the first time on August 2008 and regained all the weight back, so when I started the diet again - it was December 2008.
I knew why I went back on the diet.

I got a new program.

Second time:
First of all - the weight I regained was regained as quickly as I lost it. Unfortunately it came back in a worse kind of fat if you know what I mean. I never had such "jiggly" buttery fat on my body. I have lost muscles the first time around, so that's probably why I am losing the weight slower this time.
My meal portions are tiny bit smaller than first time around, which means the metabolism is defenitely slower.
The beginning of the diet wasn't as hard as first time around. I felt ok.
I am sleeping more, resting more and feeling less energetic than first time.
I am still making sure I'm 100%, but this time less obsessed and stressed. I am eating much better, healthier, varied and organic food, less diet cokes and less coffee.

Still - the fat on my face is still on - like Kristine said - I don't look as thin in face as I did last time around. I think the body is holding tight on the last few kilograms, trying not to lose it. I dont blame it. I've been torturing it enough.

I know the dieting is not the answer and this time I'm working on emotional part more than ever. I myself, couldnt hope more than anything to never get back to where I was...and that's exactly what happened - because of my stupidity (sending wrong info to the doctor about my height) and because I was so underweight (10 kg) that I lost satiety signal and simply binged for next few weeks after the refeed.

I am sad I had to go back on the diet for the second time, but after all, I learned so much that I think I did the right thing to do it.

P.S. I am getting my hair back and I look really funny with the new tiny baby hair - you know how men get bold in the front of the head? I'm getting brand new hair there!!!!

[hexi2]

Will post my thoughts when I reach goal weight for the second time - but great thread!

[Kristine..]

Originally Posted by Maya

I am sad I had to go back on the diet for the second time, but after all, I learned so much that I think I did the right thing to do it.

Beautifully written, Maya

Thank you for your contribution

Lotsa love
Kristine

[yeti]

I'm back on it, with a over seven year gap in between. The first time, I lost a lot of weight. but three kilos outside my goal range I'd had enough. I thought that I looked good, didn't need to lose any more, and that now I was a slim person I could eat whatever I wanted. WRONG!!!

It has taken me this long to do Cohen's for a second time, and this time is different because I am committed to seeing it through to the end of re-feeding and on to maintenance. It's because I know from first hand experience that the weight does not stay off if you don't do re-feeding and follow maintenance guidelines.

I have been doing my old programme for 3 weeks, but am now waiting for my new one to arrive, because I want the re-feeding and maintenance programmes this time around!

The last few days have been a struggle, I've been tired and grumpy, but I'm hopeful my new programme will fix that right up. This second time around I have a two year old son to look after, so that's making it a little harder too. The first time around I only had myself to worry about!

I'll give you an update when I get my new programme and get into it...

Kate