fem's diary

[fem34]

Hi there

Well, this is really scarey now that I put fingers to keyboard...

Have just restarted my Cohen's after a shocking year when I put on over 20 kilo since February!
Still don't know how it got quite so out of hand .

I initially lost 28 kilo in 2006 & had managed to keep it off until this year.

But, I am now ready to shake off all the madness & armed with the knowledge I got last time round, I am on my way back.

I DO plan on going back to my local clinic in next couple of weeks if I have any problems BUT so far so GOOD!

It is so nice to find out that Cohen's is STILL the easiest [and FASTEST] way to get rid of that spare tyre!

For the first time in a long time I feel hopeful & even a bit confident.

Look forward to being inspired by others as we travel this solitary journey together

cheers, Fem

[goodlucktummy]

Good luck and best wishes to you fem! You've done it before, this time 'round, it should be (relatively) less difficult as you know what to expect. You can do it!

[sammy]

HI Fem Welcome To Cohen's the best place in the world I have been on it for 5 weeks and loving it!!!!!. First few weeks are a little hard but after that it just seems to be a breeze...

[fem34]

Thanks girls for your welcome
Your words, and your tickers, are inspirational!

After reading a lot of posts around the forum I have found that unlike a lot of others I do weigh myself every day.

AND so far the number has reduced a little every day - which is THRILLING.

It has ranged so far from 1.1 - .2 a day [over five days] but I don't care as long as it keeps going in the right direction.

It inspires me to stay the course and reminds me that this program WORKS!!

I do know that I will get to a day when there is no loss and I thnk that will just motivate me more to keep on track & get the numbers moving again.

[fem34]

OMG I am so LOVING this!
Day 5 & my weight is down 3.3 already

And, I feel so GOOD!!!
No hunger No Headaches

Spent a lot of time these past few days reflecting on my journey thus far.
Realised that [of course] the weight loss is the means to an end NOT the end itself.

For me, the weight loss represents the opportunity for the real me to come out of hiding.
When I am heavy I am emotionally disconnected from myself and the world around me.

When I sustained my weightloss the first time around I felt REAL for the first time in years.
I connected with who I was BECAUSE I was actually presenting the authentic version of me to the rest of the world!!

When Iam heavy I 'hide' the 'real' Fem under the fat suit I carry through life with me.
AHHHH! I will leave the analysis of that one for another day.

It's the weekend & I am going to enjoy some quiet time & celebrate my current success on the program as it brings me back to me.

[Kohinoor]

Hi Fem,

A phrase involving "ducks and water" comes to my mind as I read your words You certainly sound excited, and even confident.

It's always good to get early validation of the path you're on - and a "honeymoon" figure on the scales can do that. Week 1 is usually great - then things start to settle into your body's pattern. Usually by week 3 you'll have found the zone - and your smile will get even wider....

The more you can just enjoy what you are doing, the easier your path will be. If you've already read around a bit, you'll know by now that weight won't always go down daily (it can even go up) - same with weekly.... But, over the months, if you stay true, the monthly losses (after month 1) will be somewhat regular - and pleasing .

Welcome aboard, Fem - and, if you ever strike a "down day" (yeah, they happen too) just come back and read your own words, re-live your excitement and confidence, then look back to see how much you have already achieved ! That can set you right back on your feet again,

Koh

[fem34]

BIG thanks for the words of encouragement Koh .

Had my honeymoon rudely interrupted by warning of a monthly visitor
That means feeling swollen & heavy, so I stayed off the scales & won't get back on til they are gone.

Think I seen a thread about 'women's issues' or something...off to read some more soon.

Still eating healthy. But have not been 100%.

Did not have quite my quota of water these last couple of days.

The weather has been miserable & for me that made water less appealing.
Will need to make a real effort with that.

Hopefully there will be another water challenge soon?!!?

Anyway weekend over and an early day required...ahhh!
Why OH WHY aren't weekends always THREE days

[Annabelle Joy]

Welcome aboard, Fem. I'm another one who has returned to the forum having gained rather more than I want over the past couple of years. Your comment about a 'fat suit' struck a chord. I went through a period of looking in the mirror and feeling like the person I expected to see was covered with an outer suit of fat, and the real me was under it.

Yes, why don't we put a stop to the weight gain before it goes too far? Hopefully, having learned the lesson we will know better next time.

There are a few of us on here back again losing excess weight, some following a new plan, some trying with their old plan and some (like me) just following Cohen principles.

AJ

[**Debs**]

Hi fem...

Welcome back! I too am using my old programme and getting great results with it

[fem34]

Hey Annabelle & Debs,

Thank you for the warm welcome & the sharing.
Seems we're all here for another [hopefully last] go round.

If you come by for another visit please let me know whether you have a diary - I would be interested to read of your journeys.
I did check in new diaries but next time I'll have a look in the personal diaries - didn't think to do that earlier

So nice to realise others have faced a similar experience.
I don't feel like I am the only one in the world whose had to face this particular nasty truth.

It's not an easy thing to finally admit you've slipped up - BIG TIME.

For months I was in DENIAL -mumbling about putting on a few kilos.
And, having to wear my fat pants more & more often til even they were tight!

Til I just COULDN'T hide it from myself anymore .

Finally got on the scales recently and HAD A FIT!!!!! CRIED!
How did this happen to me after my years of maintaining my weight

A bit of honest reflection later & I realised I had been an accomplise in my own downfall - a dessert here, a chocolate there, full strength coke whenever...on & on...

Away from home with work for next few days but after reading the tips others have shared I am feeling confident about sticking to the eating plan.

Still having trouble with the water - that was never an issue before.

Tomorrow I am going to buy a litre bottle of water & keep it full to make sure I get my quota.

[Annabelle Joy]

Look among the Maintenance Diaries fem. Mine is still there, as are some others who are returning. The join date can give a clue to some of those who have returned, particularly in the new diaries. Also, if you use the Member List (look along the top right of the page) you can look a a member's Profile and in Statistics is a link to list all threads started by that member. Just a single left click on a member's user name in a post brings up a menu that takes you to the Profile also.

Just a matter of getting back into the habit of drinking the water, fem. The bottle is a good idea. I try to ensure I drink four glasses by lunch time, which is one litre, then need to drink another four during the day. Drinking my water was almost the only Cohen habit I continued all along.

AJ

[fem34]

Day 9 & this morning my workpants were LOOSE!!!!!
Was sooooooooo EXCITED...in fact I am STILL pretty excited...

YAY...YAHOO...YIPPY <does another victory lap around the motel room>

I mean, the numbers on the scale going down is AWESOME, yes!
BUT, there is really something special about the clothes getting loose - makes it REALLY REAL!!!
And I feel FANTASTIC!
Can't wait to get home & see what the scales say.
Initially I was weighing in every day and only stopped when I got my period. Now I am away from home & don't have access to my scales.

Be back home Friday...Bring it on I say!

[Annabelle Joy]

Congratulations, fem. Yes, fitting into smaller clothes is really what this is all about. The number on the scales really isn't important, it's what size you are that is what you are trying to change.

AJ

[fem34]

Originally Posted by Annabelle Joy

Yes, fitting into smaller clothes is really what this is all about. The number on the scales really isn't important, it's what size you are that is what you are trying to change.

AJ

Oh YES! How right you are AJ...thanks...more words of wisdom

I have a wardrobe full of lovely clothes I can't wait to wear again soon.

Even have my Xmas day outfit already picked out
Will pull it out of the top of the cupboard [where I put the clothes I no longer fit] when I get home.

OMG, is it really only four weeks to go!?!?!?!?

[fem34]

Almost forgot - something WONDERFUL happened for me today.


After my shower I spotted my collar bones just starting to make a reappearance!!!
Haven't seen them in quite some time
In my opinion the collar bones being visible are a great look on everyone & they make me feel sexy.

I LOVE THAT!!! Even though they aren't totally out yet it doesn't matter.

Goal feels that much closer already!!!

[Kohinoor]

Hi Fem,

Your excited post just put a big smile on my face

Almost forgot - something WONDERFUL happened for me today.

... so, thank you for that.

Keep on being you, won't you.... You're lovely, just as you are,

Koh

[MissNix]

Hi Fem..

Just like Koh, your post put a SMILE on my face tonight too!

Really really, LOVE that you've discovered something wonderful about yourself - a small change but one that can have a BIG impact on your demeanor ... keep searching for the little things that make you happy NOW - because that's what life is all about!

xo

[jlou]

Hey Fem

Good on you for getting back into it - four weeks till Christmas and you will look and feel so much better then - it won't be just those collarbones we will see but a great nightspot smile!

This time around why not give away those fat pants as they get too big so once you are back maintaining you can't easily slip back into them?

There is a thread Pandora started for people back a second time on plan - will try to find it and post it for you. Meantime here is a link to our new FAQ section where you may pick up some tips in the Programme area in case anything has changed since you got your program . http://newyouforum.com/forum/faq.php

[jlou]

http://newyouforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10836
That is a thread of other graduates getting back on plan

[fem34]

THANKS so MUCH to Koh, MissNix & Jlou for your LOVELY posts
So nice to have others pop by and comment, give some great advice or sharing in my JOY!
Makes me really feel a part of this online community.

I spend so much time on here reading through the various threads.
They are so inspiring, motivating, affirming, exciting - and I haven't even made it to the diaries yet!

Currently I am reading a thread about defining moments - so relate.
And I have already opened the link you sent jlou so I can have a read when I get home.

Thanks again everyone, so nice to be a part of things rather than always the observer.

cheers, Fem