Hi everyone, it's Zelda here.
This is a great forum - and I only wish that I had discovered it while I was on the weight loss and refeed stage of the Cohen Lifestyle Clinic program. Cos it would have helped me a lot. I just journalled my way through the diet alone.
I thought it may be helpful for some of you just starting on the program (or maybe even like TWOLILANGELS - just asking what Cohens is all about) to hear from us weight loss graduates from time to time who've been there and done it. Chelsea is another graduate and her posts are fab.
Anyway here's my brief update and story in brief.
I started on Cohen Lifestyle Clinic program on 22 Feb at 83 kilos. Size 16 was tight. My goal weight was 60 kilos. I had 23 to lose and did that in 20 weeks. My first month I lost 7 kg and over the 20 weeks I averaged 1.15 kilos a week. Some months it was 3 kilos, some months 4. One month I only lost 2 kilos which was pretty upsetting at the time, but I persisted regardless.
I never deviated intentionally - although I was given the wrong info from someone also on the program so... (FREE TIP HERE) - always check with the Cohen Clinic before you eat or drink anything that you think may be OK but is not listed on the program. E.g I was eating sugar free candy and diet ginger beer (I was told these were OK) but these caused me to deviate and slowed down my weight loss.
Anyway, I got it all sorted out, and sailed into the Refeed stage on 8 July 06 at 59.9 kilos. Refeed is when all the foods prohibited in the weight loss stage (such as mixed protien, bread, fattier meats and fish, milk, biscuits and alcohol) are systematically re-introduced to your eating plan so you can monitor the effects these foods have on your system.
And the 17 day refeed was an exciting stage I have to say. At the completion of Refeeding on 25 August 06 I lost a further 1.7 kilos reaching 58.2 kilos - 1.8 kilos under my goal weight. I am now size 8 to 10.
It's now 96 days after completing refeeding, I am on Life After the Program maintenence - and my weight range is stable between 60.2 and 62 kilos - which according to my Cohen Clinic consultant is PERFECT. She said a lot of people after completing the program go crazy loading up on starchy carbs and the weight piles on again. So (another free tip) be very careful when you complete the program and watch the effects that all foods - particularly starchy carbs and high sugars including fruit and alcohol) are having on your system - watch for bloating, hunger, cravings and sudden weight increases, and modify your eating where necessary.
This has been a total lifestyle change for me. I have decided that avoiding all starchy carbs is the best strategy for me. I still have my one egg breakfast and salad lunches, snack on crispbreads and cottage cheese - but now I enjoy all kinds of lean meats and fish, desserts, dark chocolate and an occasional wine. I'm not missing out on very much at all apart from bread, rice and pasta - which I have learned I can easily live without) and and I'm in control of maintaining my goal weight and loving my light new lifestyle.
Hope this helps. If you are interested and want to read more about my success on the Cohen Lifestyle Clinic program I have posted my whole weight loss journal - weight loss, refeed and now maintenence - here:
Healthy Weight Loss Now - Home
Warm Regards
Zelda
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