This..is..it's Diary

[this..is..it!]

After four weeks of agonising over the descision to embark on yet 'another attempt' to lose weight (Cohen's this time..), I went and had my blood test done yesterday. Now the nervous, anxious wait for the program to come back and then start.

Since having my baby (who is now 4, might I add) I have struggled with my weight and tried absolutely EVERYTHING to lose the massive 20 plus kilos that have firmly moved in. When I say everything, like many women, I mean everything.... Dr prescibed diet pills from Duramine to Reductil, detox diet, naturopaths, body trim, sure slim, personal training, protein shake replacement meals, hypnotherapy. I am exhausted and embarressed to even coninue the list as they only get more lame and demonstrate my inability to stick with anything and get this weight off.

I am fed up with fat.

This is the only outlet I have to discuss my journey and the only support system I have. Due to soooo many failed attempts (almost every week for four years!) I have not made public this one fo fear of public failure and the dreaded 'here we go again' response.

What I have read to date makes me feel supported already. I love reading others success, progress and honesty. I would love to be one of the success stories that is encouraging others whilst in my refeed program.... its seems so far away, yet so possible.

Thank you to all that have already shared their stories that I have read. You have made me feel that even after four years of failed weight loss attempts that this may be possible for me.

I can not wait to start and for the results to finally come my way.

[time4it2go]

Welcome This programme is amazing. Like you I had tried everything. I have being doing Cohen's for 7 weeks now and lost 13.5 kilos. It is strict, but I love that because you know precisely what to do. Also I love the fact that I can cook! I also cook similar meals for my husband, but spice his up more and adds carbs to it for him. The biggest thing that i had to get my head around was weighing everything and cooking each meal individually (you can't just make a big batch of food up and divide it into portions), but i now do that on a sunday and my week is set!
Stick to it and you will succeed.

[lil_doll]

Yay! Congats on starting the journey.

And I was sooo with you on the 'not telling anyone' thing... and for the same reasons.

As things get easier you wont be able to hide it... I have continued to be a little secretive, I say it is from my doctor... and I don't mention the $$$.

Hope your plan comes super quick!!!!

Are you going to cut out some bad stuff now or wait for the program?

xMissy

[this..is..it!]

Originally Posted by time4it2go

Welcome This programme is amazing. Like you I had tried everything. I have being doing Cohen's for 7 weeks now and lost 13.5 kilos. It is strict, but I love that because you know precisely what to do. Also I love the fact that I can cook! I also cook similar meals for my husband, but spice his up more and adds carbs to it for him. The biggest thing that i had to get my head around was weighing everything and cooking each meal individually (you can't just make a big batch of food up and divide it into portions), but i now do that on a sunday and my week is set!
Stick to it and you will succeed.

Thank you for your encouragement and advise. Yes I do think be organised is going to be the key for me. I also think that having to follow to the gram will give me the 'stick to this' mentallity that will work...hopefully!
Congratulations on your fantastic results so far! How long will it take for you to get to your goal? The thought of being 13.5kgs lighter in 7 weeks seems like an amazing dream for me!! Good for you

[this..is..it!]

Originally Posted by lil_doll

Yay! Congats on starting the journey.

And I was sooo with you on the 'not telling anyone' thing... and for the same reasons.

As things get easier you wont be able to hide it... I have continued to be a little secretive, I say it is from my doctor... and I don't mention the $$$.

Hope your plan comes super quick!!!!

Are you going to cut out some bad stuff now or wait for the program?

xMissy

Hi Missy,
Glad to hear I am not the only secret squirrel! hahaha

Yes the cost is one big reason I don't want to say anything, I have paid out thousands over the years on this and that in hope of trying to get the weight off. I just don't need the grief or judgement!! I also have done sureslim in the past which cost $700 and feel bad about that.

I hope my plan comes quick too! Funny you should mention about cutting bad stuff out... I have grilled chicken breast and salad for lunch today and planning on salmon steak and steamed broccolini for dinner. I feel inspired to do what I can from here on in! Any further suggestions until my program comes would be great!!

How long have you been on the program?

[lil_doll]

Originally Posted by this..is..it!

How long have you been on the program?

I have my 4 week official weigh in and measure (and blood test!) tomorrow! I am pretty excited/scared/etc hehe. I have been weighing myself every now and then out of curiosity, even though they say to weigh every 4 weeks, for motivation and to actually see it working. So far I have lost just over 7 kilos. But I feel really good, and have lost inches off my body... and have oodles of energy.

Once you get through the detoxing stage you will not know yourself!

Hmm, handy tips for pre-cohens...? hmmm, just as you are doing with the healthy meals... focussing more on protein and the allowed vege... cutting down on anything that is not allowed, like "normal" coke (I was never a drinker, but I know some are) and other favourites you may have. Maybe you want a mars bar for the last time in awhile?! There is a great thread on this forum about getting ready for Cohens, you should check it out.

Also, you could try stetching out the time between eating... on Cohens there is a 5 hour break between your main meals and that can take some time getting used to.

Are you seeing a clinic? or doing this from home? (I am from home, but I could easily pop in to my local-ish clinic).

One other thing, don't forget to do your starting measurements and also do a before pic! Even if you don't like it, you need something to look back on and to motivate you to continue.

May I ask what happened with the sureslim program? I think my sister was on that but I don't think she continued with it (I only see her once in a blue moon).. I am just curious as I have heard Cohens and sureslim have some similar guidelines, but differing rates of success.

Anyway, you will do great!!

xMissy

[this..is..it!]

The results you have achieved in 4 weeks are amazing. Congratulations! Like I said to 'time4it2go' to think I could be 7kgs lighter in 4 - 7 weeks BLOWS my mind! BRING IT ON!

My experience with Sureslim can be explained in two words... hard work. I went onto the program about 12 weeks after having my son. (They have a breast feeding program) I experienced a loss of about 6 kilos in my first month. All good you would think. But I ended up having issues with feeding my son. Milk stopped being produced, I struggled to go five hours between meals and unlike Cohens there are NO snacks, NO eating between meals with a minimum of 5 hours between meals. All the seeds with natural yoghurt were hard to swallow, but I did it anyway in the name of losing weight! It was pretty yuck. In hind sight I should never have gone onto a program like it until I had finished feeding my son. Set myself up for failure there I think.

I ended up losing about 9 kilos in total, which of course are all back on me now. By the sounds of things there are a few similarities in the programs but the biggest difference for me will be the small but still allowed snacks between meals. I guess I will see just how similar they are when I get my program!

I am going to be going to a clinic, although it sounds like it is pretty relaxed about when they want to see you. (Sureslim you had to go to weekly weigh ins) I am a bit concerned about how relaxed the clinic seems to be about seeing me. I like to feel that I am staying ontrack, being accountable to someone, something, meeting small weekly goals rather than feeling like Ok you need to lose 25Kgs, see you when you have almost reached that!

The hardest thing for me will be my social situations, you know, champagne with the girls. That and ice cream are my biggest down falls. i am not a coke person or burgers. Champagne and Ice cream! But I remember what the consultant said on my info night, Nothing tastes as good as what being skinny feels like! Cheers to that, I say!

What happens with the results of your week 4 blood tests? Is there any follow up or feedback on those results?

I look forward to hearing about your success. Keep on with the fantastic results!

[Andy72]

Welcome, you have made the right step for your healthier, slimmer future. Could you include your name with your next post, it makes things a bit more personal. I am on my third week of the program, and let me tell you the first week is very hard, the detox is different for everybody, but for me it lasted 5 days, of headaches, nausea, dizziness, and it wasn't pleasant. You really need support during this time, and definitely someone to be accountable to, so is there a friend that you trust that could support you. But don't worry there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am now feeling good and into the swing of things with cohens, it took me a while to figure what works best with organisation. You gradually stop feeling hungry and get used to the smaller portion sizes too. When you see the weight coming off you really will want to keep going.
As far as your clinic is concerned, I am doing it by phone for most of it, and my consultant has rang me every week to see how I am going. Maybe talk to them and tell them that you need a bit more support from them, and you know you can call them anytime or drop in and see them. Hope your program arrives soon. Good luck with starting, sounds like you are off to a good start already cuttning out certain foods.
Andrea x

[lil_doll]

Originally Posted by this..is..it!

The results you have achieved in 4 weeks are amazing. Congratulations! Like I said to 'time4it2go' to think I could be 7kgs lighter in 4 - 7 weeks BLOWS my mind! BRING IT ON!

What happens with the results of your week 4 blood tests? Is there any follow up or feedback on those results?

I look forward to hearing about your success. Keep on with the fantastic results!

Thanks for the that this..is I needed a little boost

As far as I know the blood tests help to get your refeed prescription ready, as it is based on your blood results. And also you get feedback from your clinic as to whether you are doing things right

Originally Posted by this..is..it!

I am going to be going to a clinic, although it sounds like it is pretty relaxed about when they want to see you. (Sureslim you had to go to weekly weigh ins) I am a bit concerned about how relaxed the clinic seems to be about seeing me. I like to feel that I am staying ontrack, being accountable to someone, something, meeting small weekly goals rather than feeling like Ok you need to lose 25Kgs, see you when you have almost reached that!

Thanks for the info about sureslim... I do think the snacks we can have really help, especially considering they are quite flexible, with the timing, and you can really make them work for you, once you work out the kinks

Use this forum to hold yourself accountable.. having a diary that you can look back on will be a great tool, plus we are all going through or have gone through the same thing... it's a great place for support, as well as to ask any questions.

Most clinics have like a 'if you don't call us, we wont call you' type of mentality it seems... so If you need extra support, call them up and ask for it. I want to be relaxed with my clinic, I don't want a million phone calls, but it's great, I get nice little weekly emails to give me some "food" for thought, and they always say 'if you need anything, give us a call'.

Can't wait for you to start!

[this..is..it!]

Originally Posted by Andy72

Welcome, you have made the right step for your healthier, slimmer future. Could you include your name with your next post, it makes things a bit more personal. I am on my third week of the program, and let me tell you the first week is very hard, the detox is different for everybody, but for me it lasted 5 days, of headaches, nausea, dizziness, and it wasn't pleasant. You really need support during this time, and definitely someone to be accountable to, so is there a friend that you trust that could support you. But don't worry there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am now feeling good and into the swing of things with cohens, it took me a while to figure what works best with organisation. You gradually stop feeling hungry and get used to the smaller portion sizes too. When you see the weight coming off you really will want to keep going.
As far as your clinic is concerned, I am doing it by phone for most of it, and my consultant has rang me every week to see how I am going. Maybe talk to them and tell them that you need a bit more support from them, and you know you can call them anytime or drop in and see them. Hope your program arrives soon. Good luck with starting, sounds like you are off to a good start already cuttning out certain foods.
Andrea x

Hi Andrea and thank you for your message.

Firstly, my name is Kat!

Good on you, week three and doing well! I am looking forward to being in week three and four! By the sounds of things the first few weeks are hard, but with excellent reward.
I couldn't agree with you more that seeing the weight come off will keep me motivated to keep going! I have been doing Personal training for a few months and I have lost cm but not a lot of weight, just a couple of kgs! I know it is good for my health and i have got size results but not much on the scales. It can be a little disheartening but I keep going!!
To get what seems like almost instant results with Cohens really excites me and I know you are not meant to weigh yourself but I think I will want to after one or two weeks just for a bit of confirmation/ positive reinforcement I am going well! Have you weighed yourself since starting?

Yes, I think even weekly calls to or from the clinic might be a good idea for me to start with. I have been contemplating telling a friend what I am doing but seriously, I have 'tried' so many things I am really embarrassed to make public another effort at this point.

My morning coffee (with milk) will be missed. Are you a coffee drinker? I drink green tea, obviously with no milk, but I can't really stomach a short black. Looks like bye bye coffee then!

Did you get any cravings for anything? How did you deal with them, if you did?

Thanks for your support
Kat

[this..is..it!]

Originally Posted by lil_doll

Can't wait for you to start!

I can't wait to start either!

HEY!!! I noticed you moved your TICKER!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! 7.7kgs!!! was that your 'official' weigh in at the clinic?

You are awesome! I can not wait to get a result like that......bring on my program!

Keep up the amazing work!

Kat x

[lil_doll]

Aw thanks Kat

7.7 in 4 weeks is pretty good, and I really don't feel like I have deprived myself badly or killed myself at the gym or anything! So, it's great!

And thanks for noticing my ticker *blushes*

I actually don't do weigh ins at the clinic... I might later on, but I am like a home school kid (I did my first starting weight at home, so I figured better to continue doing it from there). But I do have to email my clinic to let them know... and also that I have had my blood test.

Oh and about coffee... I was a coffee drinker. And I just plain stopped cold turkey... aside from my allowance of diet coke, I was caffeine free. And I think that is why I detoxed a bit roughly. I had terrible headaches... I tried my first long black last weekend, and I got a LARGE... next time I will just get a little one... but the smell and taste was quite nice, but I couldn't finish it. Obviously even a splash of milk would have been awesome, but we can't have it... so, considering it was something I hadn't had before, I enjoyed it.

I have been getting really cold lately, so to warm myself up, I have a cup of black tea with a sweetener... It's lovely.

Do you have an estimation for your program arrival?

xMissy

[this..is..it!]

OK, so I have just spoken with the clinic and I have an appointment booked for Monday @ 2.45pm to collect my program....*gulp*.....unless it arrives earlier! Yay!

I am kind of bumbed that it is not tomorrow as I want to start NOW! Oh well, my last weekend as a boomba. I am going to eat "as if" I was already on Cohens. Even though I don't know exactly what that entails, I know what it doesn't entail! hahahaha!

Thanks Missy for the heads up on the coffee - I think I will have my last one - tomorrow morning bahahaha! One last good bye to a tall skinny late thank you!! Probably if I stop those now, might help the detox thing. I am a diet coke girl too, never liked the taste of normal coke!

I am feeling nervous and excited. I just want the next four weeks to be over so I can be jumping up and down about losing 7.7kgs like Missy - awesome! I would be happy to lose anything really!

Roll on Monday..............

[Rach77]

Hi Kat,

I was told by my clinic that they were there if and when I needed them. I had appointments weekly for the first month and then cut back to monthly visits. If you feel that you need to go in to see them regularly then just ask. I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem.

All the best for the monday.

Rach

[this..is..it!]

Originally Posted by Rach77

Hi Kat,

I was told by my clinic that they were there if and when I needed them. I had appointments weekly for the first month and then cut back to monthly visits. If you feel that you need to go in to see them regularly then just ask. I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem.

All the best for the monday.

Rach

Hi Rach,

Good tip, I think I will follow suit. When I go in to collect my program I will ask for weekly appointments to get started, on the right track.

WOW! I am looking at your ticker and your results are nothing short of amazing! You must be feeling over the moon. How has the journey been for you? As someone who has come so far, what words of advise would you give me as I look to start on Monday?

Thanks for your input! Seeing your results really inspires me! Thank you and Congratulations!

[this..is..it!]

Ok..... So today is my official DAY ONE on Cohens. So far, so good! LOL! Breafast done, black coffee (hmmm...) Chicken and salad ready for lunch, premium crackers, lots of water and a Sprite Zero. I think I am ready to roll!
I did a ticker up. Previewed it, it looked correct, so will see if it works now!
Oh and yes, the number in my head (kilos to lose), different to the number Cohens. Oh well, what's another 7 kgs??? hahaha!
I have a weigh in two weeks at the clinic, for my benefit more than anything. I am so looking forward to four weeks being over and gone so I can be many kilos lighter!

Go me!!!

[zojoho]

Hiya Kat,

Yaaayy for you getting thru Day 1. I hope you don't detox too badly.

It won't take long Hun and you'll be seeing some results alright..it's amazing just how fast

Have you planned your whole week out? or are you going to wing each day?

I find it easier to plan my whole week out via a Meal planner, and then prepare all my meat n vegies accordingly. It works for Me anyway.

Well good luck my Lovely, and can't wait to read more about your journey.

Mwah,

~*zojoho*~

[lil_doll]

Hi Kat!

Go you indeed!!!

Congrats on starting!! You sooo wont regret this! And as soon as you see results (which as zojoho said, it's amazing how quickly you see them) you will know it is ALL worth it!

xMissy

[this..is..it!]

Thanks Zojoho & Missy!
I had a nice head ache yesterday and today. But I wasn't feeling the greatest before I started! So could be coincidence??
Yesterday I stuck to the plan LIKE~GLUE, no probs there. All organised again for today. i found out that I absolutely LOVE mangos. Nice one and here I was thinking that mangos are only good in a frozen mango daquari! LOL

Zojoho - I am pretty much clear/planned for breakfast and lunch for the whole week. I have weighed lunch portions of chicken and I have tuna organised too. Breakfast I will be doing the yoghurt with a fruit allowance during the week and the egg option on Sat & Sun. Dinners I will organise, yesterday and today I have scanned the cook book and picked out what appeals to me! Yesterday was prawns! YUM!

The water has been no problem and I enjoyed Sprite Zero yesterday.

Going well, looking forward to results and for my head ache to go!!

[zojoho]

You can take some pain relief Hun, especially if your headache gets really bad. Hopefully drinking heaps of water will get rid of it, and if you need to have a nap, feel free to do so too.

Glad to hear that you're all organised, that's such a good move.

I had to laugh at your Mango comment, I'm taking it you've only just tasted one?? Well, come a little closer and I'll whisper in your ear, I've never eaten a Mango in my life, and I'm too scared to try one.. heeheehee..

I tasted Sprite Zero the other day and I didn't like it..so now I've taken to just using it when I'm making Tacos..Lol.

~*zojoho*~