Negative publicity

[downsize]

Hi All

I went to the presentation on Monday, blood tests Tuesday and I am getting my programme tomorrow. I intend starting on Monday but I have been reading stuff on the Internet and there is some very bad publicity out there and now I am scared I have made the wrong decision. I have read many of your diaries and they are truly inspiring but what if there are people out there that have experienced all the negative side effects and they are not psting on a forum like this. Aren't we getting a very biased view. I am so angry with myself for doing this as I was totally stoked to start and now I am scared.

Some of the things mentioned are gallstones, hair loss and always being cold. I know some of you experienced this but did they pass once you were maintaining your weight. I suppose you also have to decide if it is bad being cold or dropping dead because you had a heart attack - the lesser of 2 evils perhaps?

I just know I have to do this. My weight is caussing major emotional issues for me and could end up costing me my marriage. It really is not worth being fat. I want to get thin and feel good about myself again.

Hope to hear rom some of you.

[mcpsych]

greetings
would you be able to either post here or personal message me with the links to this negative publicity
as you can imagine, we have all done our due diligence and I for one found no negative publicity, which was a major factor for me.
It would be interesting to read the material and see the source
thank you
cheers
mark

[winghama]

Welcome to the forum. I dont believe you have made the wrong decision, how could I, that would mean I have too! I haven't heard any mention of problems with gallstones, I have heard that one or two have experienced thinning hair and yes a lot of us feel the cold more. As you pointed out - heart attack or have to put on a few more layers? I am pleased with the choice I made and carrying 20kg less means the extra layers dont look too bad. I guess there will always be a few for whom Cohens does not work 'according to plan' BUT for everyone ONE of them, how many hundreds are going along VERY nicely.

I hope you get back your excitement and enthusiasm for this programme, it is so totally worth it. You will find all the support and encouragement you need to help you with your journey.

"Worry immobilises you. Anticipation prepares you" Lisa Jane McInnes-Smith

Prepare for great things to happen.

Andrea

[downsize]

Mike - I sent you a PM with the links

Andrea - thanks for that. I guess in my heart of hearts I know it is the right program for me and I am going to be successful. Success on any program I guess really depends on how well you do it and long term success depends is dependent on doing the maintenance program and NEVER going back to what you were doing before. That is why you got to where you were and you don't need to be a brain surgeon to work out that if you go back to you old ways you WILL get fat again.

Well done on your losses so far. You are almost half way there.

Next week my journey starts and soon I will also be halfway.

[mcpsych]

greetings
i will post this in the discusion
This thread that you quote is quite old and one I have seen before- you will note that it is mostly negative stuff from Danny ( whoever she is) and she makes claims about the program without apparently having personal experience of it and states that she is not an expert.
Yes people talk about the coldness ( never happened to me) but then I dont beleive they get any colder than others its just that they are noticing it more. Yes there are supplements as with mst "diets" people may have some deficiencies and these supplements are not mandatory they are recommended and if the person needs them they take them.
There are a few reports of gall bladder issues but whether this is attributable to cohens or the persons previous lifestyle- dont know
some people report hair loss but again it is not - i am going bald type hairloss and again who knows .
The reality is that no one has reported any serious side effects of the program. Unless being able to breath, walk , run. have sex. play with children , increase life expectancy, sit in a plane seat etc ( yes i could go on ) count as side effects.
I beleive that the talk abour Dr Cs qualifications has come up before in exactly the same manner as you describe and I am fairly sure it has been dealt with on the forum but it may take some time and one of the mods may be better able to assist ( having been around longer)

Originally Posted by downsize

Hi Mike

See link below.

http://www.apinchofhealth.com/forum/vbb/showthread.php?t=5281&page=3

It really worried me when I read it. Please read it and let me know what you think.

I also found another person who says they are unable to find Dr Cohen on the Wits Allumni. I also studied at Wits and it is a legitimate university and if he qualified there he would be listed. Perhaps they are just looking in the wrong place.

http://www.health-forums.com/alt-support-diet/research-about-dr-rami-cohen-md-fcog-wits-57067.html

You can delete my thread and take this discussion offline if you wish but it would be nice to get other people's views.

Regards
Jackie

[ConnieK..]

OK,

I am two years maintaining my loss now - do I have hair loss - Nope not anymore, am I cold - yep - do I care - no - I have lots of beautiful warm clothes in size 10 and when I want to feel sexy or wear a gorgeous designer outfit I can - I just take off the extra layers instead of having them attached to me.

What problems did I have on the program ???

I lost hair - my nails were brittle - so I took hair skin and nails pills - much better.

I had sleeplessness close to goal

What problems did I have before the program??

I was facing type 2 diabetes, had been on metformin and had PCOS and most of it's side effects.

What problems did I have after cohens??

I had a gall attack and had my gall bladder removed - since then - nothing I feel fantastic!!!! .... and if you are fair fat and over 40 odds are your gall bladder is fried anyway ... sooner or later it's gonna get you LOL

DO I regret doing Cohens??

Not for even one millisecond of one day!!! ever!!!!!

I have no PCOS anymore, blood tests are normal ... I feel confident sexy and beautiful - all the time - I can go into ANY store and buy what I want to wear - I know everything will fit !!!!

I will live to see my grandkids ( if I ever have them) I haver gained confidence, self respect and my health back. My kids are no longer embarrassed by me, I don't get uncomfortable in the heat, or feel embarrassed when I run. The list is much much longer.

Was there a price to pay for cohens with small issues like my hair and gall ... yep ... but look at what I gained ....

My story is somewhat unique as I had been on a Very low calorie diet for 5 years before cohens ..... and had much less success with more issues.

My Doctor refers to me as hois medical miracle and says he is constantly amazed by the results I have acheived. D I miss eating carbs and bread and stuff every day?? yeah sometimes - but I consider them a small price to pay for what I get everyday when I wake up and say "hello world I am here to get the very best of what you have to offer - look out here I come! "

Only you can decide what you need to do ... but i have never regretted it for even a millisecond ....

Connie

BTW - I am an alumni of Charles Sturt University and Monash University - but the only reason you can find me is because I am a lecturer - not because I graduated.

[Kohinoor]

Hi downsize,

Originally Posted by mcpsych

I believe that the talk abour Dr Cs qualifications has come up before in exactly the same manner as you describe

I think Mark is likely referring to this thread :-

http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5185

It's a VERY interesting read... Hope it helps,

Koh

[Soon2BSlim]

Hi Jackie

We hear your concerns about negative comments regarding Cohen's but to get a first hand balanced view of this new way of life, read the thread on "physical changes apart from weight loss". There are so many positive changes that Cohenites have listed, you will be amazed to read them. These are real people with real results.

Incidentally, I read in the news the other day that the "powers that be" are claiming that it is now better to lose weight quickly rather than slowly as they had been saying for years. What faster way to lose weight than with Cohen's? Temporary hair loss or feeling cold are minor issues compared to the rest of your life where you're healthy, feel fantastic and look it too!

I hope you take the Cohen's journey! It's well worth it.

Louise

[Never Give Up]

Hi Jackie,
I did Cohens first in 2004, with amazing results. Did it over winter, and yes I came to a time when I felt cold, not that long before I started refeed, and I just wore layers, like alot of other skinny friends do! I had no hair loss issues, did have dry skin ( I have a underactive thyroid which can also cause this), but that's not that unusual for me. I did get to feel my bones, fit into size 8 - 10 clothes, and wear a bikini and mini skirt for the first time ever...and after a few years and some unhappy times, I came back to cohens, because from my knowledge of healthy eating and diets, this one IS a winner, and no one will ever convince me otherwise. So feel confident that you have made the best decision, and get started!! You won't regret it

Lesley

[gigi girl]

HI

well it think you need to do what is right for you. this forum has so many positive reason to do this. I had PCOS and all the symptoms on metformin high cholestrol, mood swings and anger and migranes every two weeks that would last for 4 days, I also stopped digesting food properly and had an ulcer. I started cohens and the only thing i had was feeling the cold. No hair loss or other issues. All my symptoms that i had before had gone and i felt great ans looked great. So for me its worth it every day that i did it. I am starting again on monday as i lost track just before my refeed and have not been in a good head space to restart but i am putting me first and going again as that feeling of healthy is fantastic which is why i do think you have made the right choice. Dont think of another reason not to loos wt and live longer. This is a great forum to help you get to your goal. Good Luck

[jlou]

Jackie
I echo everyone else's comments.
I had no hair loss and the cold hasn't bothered me.
One thing I will say is this:
Have you seen much advertising for Cohens?? I have not seen any and only discovered it through a friend who did it and maintained for over a year at the point I joined up (she is still maintaining). She doesn't use the forum so plenty of happy cohenites out there as well as us on the forum.
Word of mouth is the best and worst advertising available. That you did not find more negative publicity speaks volumes.
On this forum you will see honesty - we are here to get support and give it. You will see that people find the early days tough (as with any effective weight loss measure) but that things get easier. And that if you follow the plan, work through any emotional eating issues as you go, do refeed (the crucial part of it - doesn't work long term without it and is the essence of Cohens) and follow maintenance guidelines you can be slim and healthy for life.

I have just exponentially lowered my risk of stroke, heart attack, cancer etc and am a happier person: I also fel healthier on cohens due to the better fresh quality foods I was eating.
Do this for the right reasons and a little possible (not certain) hair loss will pale into insignificance stacked up against the benefits you will reap

[lil_doll]

Firstly, I would like to agree with everyone else has said the positives outweigh the negatives… but to each their own. Some people know right away that they can’t do this. I think, Cohens is a strategy that you must commit 100% to and in my experience, the consultants and this forum don’t pussy foot around that. It is all or nothing. I was told by my consultant if you don’t do this 100% you are wasting your money and your time. So, you need to make that decision yourself… is this something you want badly enough to actually sacrifice your way of living for a period of time and continue with a healthy lifestyle? Until you have tried it, you wont believe how much you want to continue with a healthy life… it is unexplainable, really.

I did a lot of research and had read negative things about Cohens too before joining and I was WORRIED! I did not want to lose my hair, I did not want to waste money and I did not want to FAIL yet again. But after reading diaries on here (for nearly a year) I saw "first hand' and in 'real time' how great this was and witnessed real changes in people just from reading their diaries on this forum! That cannot be faked. The people here are real! And no one sugar coats the negatives... there are threads here about being cold, about losing hair, about gall stones and the like... we all complain left, right and centre! haha... but we want to succeed, so we keep going. We have seen people succeed and we want to join them! (also, Cohens doesn’t actually do any of these ‘bad’ things to you, but losing weight can unmask underlying issues…)

I weighed up the advantages of being slim and healthy vs losing my hair and... well, hair grows back! It is not like Cohens stops your hair growth... it's just that our bodies are so busy burning fat, that it doesn't have as much 'free time' to worry about our hair... yes, that is a very dumbed down version of what happens... hehe. My hair did thin... and I was worried, but I was so happy with my results, I wasn't about to stop. And everything has settled now. I still get cold more than most people around me... but it takes awhile for our bodies to adjust. A year ago I had an extra 40 kilos of fat surrounding me... of course I was warmer!!

And though this may sound harsh… but, in my opinion, the people who spout off negative things about Cohens are the people that failed to complete it. Perhaps Cohens just wasn’t right for them, or it just wasn’t the right time for them, but Cohens works (as do most diets) and many of us right here on the forum are proof of that … but it is you who must commit. There is no magical cure. There never will be. You have to put in the effort and you too will achieve great results.

[carrieanne_c]

All of the people I know personally who have had gall bladder issues have not done cohens. I think if you have a gall bladder it is a fair possibility to have an issue with it.I had hair loss but I needed it, I have too much, I was cold but so is my dad and he never did cohens.

I don't know if you have received the food list but once you do you will see that it is the most convincing aspect of this plan. It is all normal food that my gramma ate, no chemicals and well balnced. <i have tried a bunch of diets and this one is the best and most balnced and makes the most sense.

[Future Yummy Mummy]

Great replies, especially ConnieK.

Agree with the rest - I've been/am cold, but I'm sure my body will adjust. No hair loss, skin problems etc. And at least I'll be around, albeit wearing 5 cardies, to see my son grow up.

[WellFit]

Definatley agree with everyone.. and you have to remember everyone will respond differently but to be completely honest what are your other options? Weight watches 4 out of 5 I have spoken to dont stick to it and gain weight rather than lose it.. Weight loss pills (why don't you just take some speed) It causes alot of side affects. If you want to lose weight fast there WILL be side effects. If you want to lose it over a few years than there are other options. But no other program I have read about offers you the same results. You are eating healthy food in healthy portion sizes.

I honestly think you have made the right decision it does worry me though that you are so uncertain you are going to set yourself up to fail as you are worried. If you have read the diaries you would see its COhens 100% or nothing. YOu have a great forum here with alot of supportive people its unlike anything i have ever seen.

[WellFit]

And just one more thing.. No matter what your decision and which way you go about it you are going to find negative things.. excersiing 5 days a week (wow you are really pushing yourself are you sure you should be doing that) Pills (why don't you just excersise its healthier, why don't you just eat better food) you name it someone will alway have something negative to say and here you have found a place where you can see the results first hand.

[ConnieK..]

And there's nothing like a stylin' cardi or 7 Yummy Mummy

[WellFit]

And I don't mind feeling a little cold.. that means i need more hugs to warm me up haha

[sundaymorningstaple]

I've been bloody freezin' for the past 3 days! And it's HOT here in Singapore. But, I think it's got more to do with the local penchant to set all the airconditioners on 16 than it does with the fact that I'm not longer fat.

Oh, now I don't need to take the 2 HBP pills, 1 cholesterol and one allipurnol pill every day either. Now, my formerly medicated 138/90 HBP is now an unmedicated 110/70 (at what will be 63 years old in 5 weeks) My cholesterol & gout are history as is my HBP. Does it work long term? I weight 1.5 kg above the bottom of my target range. It's been over two years now since I finished the programme. I eat whatever I feel like eating (not what others feel I should eat). Occasionally I feast but good eating habits die hard (just like the bad ones were when I went on the programme). The only admonishment I make is that in order to be successful, you have to buy into the programme 100% (not just the weightloss portion). Most have the problem there. They go through the programme okay, but figure the programme is over when they finished refeed.

Not so. That's why it's called a "Lifestyle Clinic". People, in their excitement of rapidly losing weight, lose sight of the balance of the programme. It's not over when you finish refeed. You have to continue with the new lifestyle and not think you can go to your old habits just because Dr. C gave you a formula to get rid of the gain quickly. I've been as high as 3.5 kg above my final target and as low as 1.2kg below my target. But because I have changed my habits it all moderates out.

Eat Cohen friendly when you can. Eat in moderation when you can't. Simple as that. To me? Nothing tastes as good as Thin feels.

[Future Yummy Mummy]

"Eat Cohen friendly when you can. Eat in moderation when you can't"

I think that's going to be my mantra in maintenance.