To Cohen or not to Cohen???

[bobsy]

Hi everyone,

I saw someone in Slimming and Health Magazine who had lost a whopping 93kg on the Cohen program and thought I had better look into this the only diet I haven't heard of.

In 2006 I lost 47kg on Optifast and felt fantastic. I also had alot of things going on at the time including marriage breakup etc and I have put it all back on.

I have tried so many times to go on the shakes again but I can't do it for some reason.

After spending the last 2 days on the internet looking into the Cohen diet, I rang up today and am going to an information session tomorrow morning.

I am just wanting to find out people's thoughts. I know you are all very kind and honest so I would appreciate your true opinions. I am so scared of failing again but am very sad at how I feel about myself at the moment. Let's face it, I would love to stick it in ex hubby's face by looking fantastic, I admit it!!

Anyway, I have seen so many of you have had such amazing results. How does this diet compare to other's you have done? I have wasted so much money on other diets I don't want this to be some impossible dream. Is it really possible to maintain the loss after the refeeding? I have seen others quote a lower cost for the program but here in Victoria at the Nunawading centre they say it is $750 which is a huge amount for a single Mum of 3 boys that eat and eat and eat and eat..........

I hope you get the idea of what I'm asking. I have had it on my mind all day but find it hard to put into words. I can't get my mind off my weight these days and my confidence has hit rock bottom. I know I need to do something and it would be great to get great results like you have all had. Is is really possible to lose quicker safely? I know there's alot of weighing food involved but is it easy enough to get organised for? I also know there are 3 meals daily, are there any snacks involved? I haven't heard much about the actual food people can have, because everyone is different I guess.

Anyway, I have babbled enough!! I look forward to some helpful advice.

Leigh

PS You are all amazing and kind people by what I have read over the last couple of days.

[Kohinoor]

Hi Leigh,

In case you HAVEN'T read it yet, click here:-
http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4213

It seems to me that Doc Cohen has NAILED the right way to do this !! (But, see my sig - I don't want to give the wrong impression about me )

Re "how much it costs", I particularly like THIS post:-
http://newyouforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=151998&postcount=13

As one who is "on the outside looking in" I am stoked that the good Doc relies on FOOD to make this work - no shakes, potions, rubber chickens, just good ole food !! AND IT WORKS !!! And it's cheap !!!

In case you thought that weight-loss is ALL that's going on here, click on THIS one for a big wake-up (it woke ME up!!! )
http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5249

Leigh, if you've never won a jackpot before, THIS could be it - seriously !!! And, yep, there are people on here who have lost large amounts too - it does work !! Some are still working on it - just check out a few diaries and you'll get the idea.

Good to have you aboard - I hope you make the right decision for yourself,

Koh

[Andy46]

I can only recommend this lifestyle change to you as one of the best decisions I have ever made .... I was 70 odd kg overweight and really starting to find the going hard .... had never heard of Cohens yet had tried all sorts of diets known - all the popular ones at least with very limited success - I would start then loose a bit but after a couple of weeks just give up and very quickly put the weight plus a bit more back on - and also as I am always conscious of the penny's to spend I balk at spending my money on dud diets after wasting money on others many years ago.

So after a desperate few nights of soul searching I read the web site and took it on - as a last ditch desperate attempt and thinking well if I spend the money it might make me stay at it for a while - and suddenly I found that after four weeks of just eating the food which was - small to what I was used to but very satisfying and with no hunger and best of all no exercise.

I had dropped 16 kilos in weight - and my grocery bill dropped from about 300 a fortnight to about 60 - and suddenly I found that I was losing weight - fast and every week - my life was coming back - I could grow the vegetables my self - I was not aching from exercising - I was suddenly seeing my cloths fall off me - people were noticing - the different recipes with the same food was satisfying me - this forum was a constant form of support and knowledge - and it was working ---- yes it was hard in the first week or so - and it was a real lifestyle change - as I was so used to over grazing and I missed it but then again I didn't as I had a self commitment to get fit and loose some weight.

I remember that as I started Baloo had just hit the 50 kg mark of loss - I remember thinking and telling my wife - "I will never do that much - 50 kg is a lot to loose - 20 will do me " and then within a few more weeks suddenly realizing that I could and would and now I can say - Have done 50 kg with a bit more than that as well.

Its a lifestyle change and a learning curve - step but with commitment and dedication it becomes a new easy way of life that's far better than being overweight.

Yes after re feed its different and you need to refocus - trial and error are constant - but at a weight 70 kg less than what you were for many years - it is not a big deal in the big scheme of things.

Yes you have to stick it out and change lots of little things - but its worth it to be so free of a huge amount of weight.

It also has to be your decision and your mental sanctification and satisfaction which is for - number one - and that is of course "YOU" - to do it and make it work.

All the best - weigh up the benefits for you and the gains and work out the loss's - then make your decision.


Andy

[Annabelle Joy]

Welcome, Bobsy. I have been yo-yo dieting for 40 years, and unless you are my age, I've tried a number that you've never heard of. When I started I said that this would be the last diet I ever did -- either I would succeed, or if I failed again I'd give up on diets. Like Andy, I thought the goal weight was unattainable, and would have been happier with much less. It didn't take long before I realised I really was going to succeed, and that my goal weight really is achievable with Cohen's.

Maintaining your weight post-diet phase isn't really related to the diet itself. You will receive a set of guidelines, but it's up to you to follow them. It's much more a matter of having the right mindset to do that. Part of the journey to your goal will need to involve working out why you are overweight and getting your mind to accept that you must eat differently when you finish. Some are getting professional help with this. For others, various realisations come to them along the way.

We all save money on this diet. I am eating chicken breast, fillet steak and prawns and spending a lot less on my food than I did previously. The price went up to $750 in Australia earlier this year. It really is worth it. The trick to success is never deviating. It's hard at the very beginning, then it becomes much easier.

AJ

[louise41]

Hi Leigh, I was like you initially and wondering if it was worth spending the money. Personally I cant do the shakes as I like to eat food. The quantities on this program are small, but what has amazed me is that I am not hungry on the program. I have done other similar programs and lost weight but struggles continually with hunger, this plan seems to have that nailed. I have only been doing it for a short time, but I am happy so far and am greatly heartened by others results
good luck with your decision
Louise

[Shax]

Leigh,
You seem to have had such a hurtful journey in the past little while, being a a single mum is so hard. With every thing that you are currently dealing with and have dealt with.
I believe you can do this!! it is easy once you have made up your mind to do it.

you do get snacks they are really easy to organise. Breakfast and lunch are easy, too. dinner requires a little more prep but is quick to cook, as well. I believe the hardest thing to motivate your self on any diet is not seeing results. I was really nervous it wouldn't work for me but it is going great! The result are constant, the clinic staff are so wonderful, they went through all my concerns and were blunt at times too (in a good way).

While the journey may seem long and out of sight, if you see the scales going down it will boost your self esteem and you will feel fantastic!!!

[lou102]

What do you have for snacks? I have just started today.

Louise

[sundaymorningstaple]

If you have read your weightloss program it outlines what you are allowed to have for snacks, primarily your Crispbreads as per allowance and length of time between as well as fruits. Again, as per your program. (Everybody's program is different so I have no way of knowing how many fruits or crispbreads you are allowed.

The "New" Stallion

SMS

[bobsy]

Thanks for your advice everyone. I went to the information session yesterday and thought it looked great. My main concern is that a goal weight is chosen for us. I am scared of thinking I can get to the 50s. I would be happy to get to around 70kg and maintain. I'm so scared of putting weight on again, it's embarrassing.

My other problem is coming up with the money. I was hoping I could pay in 2 or 3 payments but they only accept payment plans for people who work full time which excludes me as I'm a student.

Since yesterday I have talked myself into and out of cohens and optifast every 5 minutes, it's exhausting. I just need to make a decision and get on with it! I am leaning towards the Cohens but am just really terrified about the goal weight set. Well this is a plan I have never done before (tried all the others) so at least I don't have the history of failing at this. Usually once I have a plan I stick to it really well, so I should just do it!!!!

Thanks again everyone, it's been great reading your diaries and seeing the amazing photos.

Leigh

[Annabelle Joy]

Why anyone would choose a made up mix over fresh, healthy food is a bit of a mystery to me, Bobsy, but I know that many do.

Have you read this thread: http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5249?

With regard to your goal weight, the instruction is actually to go until your body reaches its equilibrium point, which is around the Cohen goal weight. Unless you do that you will not be given your refeed because it will not work effectively if you haven't reached equilibrium, and because you are then likely to add weight again.

I think that you will find that everyone on this forum is enthusiastic about Cohen's. With a very few exceptions, everyone loves the food and feels great. We are not hungry after the initial period. We are as healthy as we have ever been. Despite the initial cost, if you can raise the money somehow, this programme is definitely worth every cent. You will find that you save money on food for the time you are on the diet.

AJ

[louise41]

I must admit I have tried the liquid meals and I was still hungry, With this program I am not hungry and I get to eat reall food

[Kannadew]

Hey Leigh... When I saw what my goal weight was... I freaked... It was at least 10kgs less than what WW had always put me at... I had no concept of what I would look like or ever hope to maintain at that weight...

However.. .once you get started you will realise how easy this program is and how amazing the changes are and how YOU change.... You will realise that not only is this thing possible but if you let it you will never look at food the same way and you will be able to maintain the new you!

I am only a couple of kilos off my final goal although I completed refeed "just" prior to reaching goal due to a long planned holiday and I know that I LOVE being this size and NOTHING will ever get in my way of maintaining this.

You can do this and it is well worth saving for it!

Blessya
Kannadew

[Bally]

Leigh - I was a bit like you - I tossed and turned over my decision, but then one day I woke up and decided that I was going to go for it. It's the best decision I ever made and I've saved a lot of money on food. I'm nearly at the refeed stage (I've lost 41kg and counting) and haven't looked back. My family barely recognise me (they live 7 hours drive away and I'm literally doing it on my own) and even work colleagues do a double take. It requires some effort, but seriously, as you've had kids, you will find that you're able to organise everything (I was inspired by my friends who have kids in the way I approached the diet). Just remember that the really really strict part is not forever, it's just "for now". There's light at the end of the tunnel and I've learnt so much about my own eating habits and foods that I shouldn't eat, I've been able to change my life around.
Good luck in your decision.

Helen

[Nance]

Hey Leigh,
I too was put off by the cost. But after attending an info session and chatting to the amazing clinic manager at Nunawading, I decided to pay in full and just get on with it. I've had the blood test and pick up my food plan tomorrow (in Nunawading). I'm really excited to be starting this. I too have low self esteem at the moment and I hate that. I figure I will save alot of money not drinking alcohol, eating out and the daily coffee purchase - not to mention all the rubbish I 'dial in' for each week. I am unsure what goal weight the Big Man is going to set for me but I expect I am going to have lose 20 kgs or so. If you decide to do it, let me know - we can do it together and encourage one another. Oh and I've decided to pop into the clinic every month instead of having the info posted out to me. I think its important to have someone to be accountable too (as well as yourself) so going in each month and weighing in is a definite motivation.

I've had two people close to me reach success on the program so I know we can do this!!

Anyway Leigh - good luck with your decision. Be selfish and do this for you!!
Nance

[SuzieQ]

Hi Leigh,

I have done optifast in the past before and I was STARVING the whole time, it was awful and very difficult to do for a prolonged time (I could only handle 2 weeks). It just is not natural to not chew and eat any food....that isn't the way we were made!! It may work but it aint nice.

This is my 4th day on Cohens but I did precohens for a couple of weeks and really it is not hard at all. You get food from all of the food groups, 3 meals plus fruit and crackers, I honestly have not felt hungry yet.

If there is any way you can save to do the program I recommend it, if you did optifast and lost 40+kg you can EASILY do this program.

Suzie