Hi Cate

It has been an amazing six months hasn't it. I really didn't think when I first saw my program that it was possible for me to stick to such a rigid plan without loosing the plot and yet the program has truly delivered all of its promises. To the extent that when I went to join at Curves the other day the consultant asked me why was I joining "it obviously wasn't to loose weight!" Imagine her surprise when I said it was for toning after loosing nearly 30kgs!!!!!!!! The way I felt was priceless

Take care Cate good to you are feeling much more contented.

Nonna

Hi Cate and congratulations on reaching re-feed.
You must be elated!!!!!!

You mentioned in one of your earlier posts that you would have liked to have lost abit more weight before starting refeed - well I was like you I would have preferred to lose more on the programme aswell before starting re-feed but the hunger was to overwhelming......but on a good note I did lose a further 3kgs while on refeed.

So congratulations once again and I hope you continue to post from time to time here after completing re-feed.

Sam

Lukey- Well done for resisting the pizzas, but especially the garlic bread! Apparently my LH's pizza wasn't so great & luckily, for me he forgot garlic! I have told him that he had better wait until I finish re-feed before he makes any more. Showing skin in public?? Scary thought!
Nonna-Love it!! What a great feeling that must have been! It has been a wonderful 6 months, even with my downs. I will take care of myself. It's a skill I'm slowly learning. Getting there......
Sam-Thanks for posting in my diary. You were one of my inspirations when I first joined the forum. You have a great attitude & are very positive. I am holding off on re-feed only because my hunger has vanished. My consultant said I would probably lose a little bit more on re-feed but I like the sound of your 3kg's! If I do get ravenous I will start re-feed next day. I promised that I will keep posting after re-feed & I will make sure that I do.
New measurements
Arms 66cm(33x2) Total loss 14cm(7x2)
Bust 97cm. This wk 1cm, total loss 20cm
Waist 91cm. This wk 1cm, total loss 24cm!
Hips 105cm. This wk 2cm! total loss 28!
Thighs 112cm (56x2) Total loss 40cm(20x2)
Total cm lost 126cm.
Weight loss each 4 wks-
1st 10kg. I was amazed & still am!
2nd 4kg
3rd 5kg
4th 5kg
5th 5kg
6th 4kg (today)
I cannot believe what has happened to me! It feels like a fairy tale!
It is really hard to articulate how wonderful Cohen's is. Words just don't seem to cover it.
I will try writing down how I really feel about the program & will post it another day. I know I have never felt as confident that I am learning the skills to keep this weight off. It's so clever & logical.
My LH read my re-feed program today & he said will help me with it. He just loves cooking & seems to be looking forward to cooking my meals. He's a real nurturer! I am a very lucky person!
We are having a social night at our home tomorrow night so have done lots of housework today & am a bit tired. I'm glad I got stuck into it last week! There are about 6 men men coming to play snooker & I can just watch tv in the lounge room (or read, or more than likely type in here!) if I want but they are a funny lot & I will spend some time with them. It will be entertaining. We will provide them with supper & I will disappear after we bring that out. I had better save a piece of fruit & 2 crackers for then. I have no idea what we'll give them but we'll work that out tomorrow. I might "forget" to buy fresh garlic tomorrow!
I really do feel good these days. It's so nice feeling that I'm on an even keel.
Will head off for a quick look around now. I got a good laugh out of Dwali's new diary heading. She has a good sense of humour which really helps in this crazy world of ours. Good night folks, xo Cate.

CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!
You must be bursting with joy! I can feel it from here! I have said it before and l will say it again- You are inspirational! Your family and friends would be looking at new, improved women full of happiness and light ( literally)!
Cheers to you Cate! (and you did it where it is freezing which = desire to eat comforting winter foods.) Big, joyous round of cheering for you! Yay!
No need to say Stay Vibrant to you!! Dwali

Dwali, Your enthusiasm just jumps out from my screen! It's 11.30pm & our company has just left. Thought I would pop in & quickly explain why I have not posted today & saw Dwali's post which just made me laugh! Will be back tomorrow as I'm really tired. Goodnight folks, xo Cate

Last night- I didn't go into the snooker room much at all because one of the wives came too + my grandson (he stayed the night.) The wife I have met a couple of times, briefly, but had never really gotten to know her all. She was easy, pleasant company. We stayed in the lounge-room in front of the fire with the dogs.
The "boys" had a good night, as well as our OS & a friend of his, who hadn't seen our home before. My LH made them pizzas & sandwiches & they brought some snack food with them, most of which I sent them home with. I ate just before they arrived & saved 2crackers & 1 fruit for about 9'ish. I had a coffee with her about 8'ish & I had trouble getting to sleep last night. I think that it's the first time in 6mths that I have had caffeine in the evening so will try not to do that again.
Today- I have just felt like pottering about today & feel quite tired out. I did lots of housework yesterday, wanting our home to look it's best. My LH has been called to ask if he will do a night shift tonight which he hadn't put himself down for. He has decided to do one just to see what it is like. The pay will be good. It will be weird him heading off to work at 10.30pm. I'll then go to bed! He is able to catnap any time & is having a nap now in his recliner chair. He will be very tired tomorrow but he can have a bit of a lazy day.
Funny thing this afternoon I feel really hungry. I think my body is teasing me! I had an egg, with a slice of tomato & some mushroom for breakfast at 7.45am but then did not have my lunch until 1.45 as I was busy pottering about sorting out glasses & tidying a couple of cupboards. I think when I wait an extra hour for lunch I then remain hungry for the rest of the day. Mmm not sure though. I ate 2 crackers & an orange with my Meal 3 meal at lunch time so shouldn't really be hungry.
I haven't had a BM for 3 days & have been taking Metamucil capsules instead of the Metamucil "sludge". I might have to resort to something drastic tonight. I haven't weighed since Monday for that reason as I'm too scared it's crept up!
I'll get some library books tomorrow as reading is so relaxing & I feel like a few lazy days. I had to do some deep breathing exercises yesterday to slow myself down as I started stressing out about having the house tidy enough. Crazy really! It worked though. Well it worked for a time anyway. In the end the house looked lovely & they all had a good time.
I might come back tonight, depending on how tired I am, after the Chaser & Spicks & Specks, cheers from Cate

Not much happening tonight in the forum. I think I'll go to bed as soon as my LH heads off to work as I'm quite tired still. It will be an early night for me but very different for him. I hope he doesn't fall asleep on the job!
I'm a bit hungry tonight & have been all afternoon.
I wonder how Lori is going. If you pop in Lori are you starting to feel hungry on & off like me?
I have a doctor's ap't in the morning & will talk to her about my varicose veins & karpal tunnel problem. I'll also let her know that I'm finding the counselling quite helpful & interesting.
Goodnight folks, xo Cate

Cate,
I was hungry today, but I ended up eating supper at 8:30 pm, because my daughter hurt herself playing and I needed to tend to her first. She was at her friends riding a scooter when they decided to go down a hill... needless to say that didn't work out well for her, she wiped out and is covered in road rash. It took me around 1 1/2 hours to clean the cuts and scrapes. She is cut up on her feet, legs and arm. Thank God she didn't hit her head or face.
I didn't think she would ever stop crying, I had to scrub her cuts clean and it was painful for her. I really tried to be gentle but I know she didn't see it that way. Her friend was so upset she cried until she heard from my daughter 2 hours after the incident. She is sleeping now so I thought I would check in.
Anyway... I was a bit hungry today and finally the scaled more again...I was only down 4 oz but a least it is something. I am trying to hold out for the last couple pounds. I am leaving for a vacation in 21 days... my refeed is 14 (I think) so I would like to finish before I leave (if possible). How about you...have you lost anymore? I would like to go over refeed with you. How many days is yours?
Well... I am exhusted...so off to bed I go, I will check in again tomorrow.

Hi Cate,
Wow 3 to go, how cool is that.

Thanks for your kind words.
I must admit the program has gotten harder for me since I became busier with work and started travelling more. I really need to re-focus and get it together again. I booked hubby and I a trip to Auckland for my 40th late August, I really want to look/feel better plus I want to do shopping whilst there so I am determined to lose a few more kilos by then.

Lori, sorry to hear news about your daughter, hope she is feeling better soon.

Have a great day.

Annie Lusion

Lori, Your poor daughter & poor you. It's so hard when something happens to your children. I used to hate it when my boys were hurt or sick.
My re-feed is 19 days. I was told that if I put on a kilo (even if it's a little bit at a time) I then go back 2 days & continue re-feed. If it happens again at the same time I look at the amount that I am eating at the time & that is the amount of food my body needs to sustain that weight. That & no more. I love the logic of it. If it happens to me that's when I finish & order the maintenance program. Some people go right through re-feed without gaining any weight so I am hoping that I will too.
Annie- It must be tough, but I know you're a strong woman. A few more kilos should be possible before you go & will restore your equilibrium & help to re-focus. It is much easier when you can be a hermit (temporarily) to stick to Cohen's.
Today
I've been feeling quite hungry today but not ravenous. I haven't lost any weight this week so far & am hoping by Monday I'll have lost at least 1 more kilo! Being stuck on 72 would be frustrating.
I didn't go to bed until almost mid-night last night & didn't sleep really well. I don't like sleeping on my own. I'm pleased my husband didn't really like working night shift. It was much easier work apparently but not worth the disruption to normal life & they only pay an extra 15% loading, which I can't believe. No wonder they have trouble getting staff for night shift!
I've been a bit of a lazy bones today. My LH had a few naps during the day. We both went to the doctor this morning. I have a referral to a specialist for my varicose veins & it looks like I'm not having karpal tunnel problems in my right hand, but arthritis. Have it in one of my toes as well which is curling up a bit. Oh well!
My new bra arrived today in the mail but haven't tried it on, with my new knickers & silk wrap. I'll save that fashion parade for my LH, for the right moment. Too tired tonight! Good night folks, Cate.

Cate,
What is the maintenance program, ours ends with refeed and some advice on how to keep your wait in check. I am going to reread the packet tonight as I have some questions for the Cohen's people. I am still a bit hungry myself. Talk to you soon.

Hi Cate, I just wanted to congratulate you on your loss so far, 3kgs to go, wow! I have read quite alot of your diary and am very inspired by your journey, you sound like an amazing person! Today is Day 5 for me, I'm down 4.2kgs with 26.5kg still to lose, so I have a lot way to go!
My mum has really bad arthritis, and she treats it by taking fish oil, glucosamine, and lots of walking...You may find these may help, and I'm pretty sure you can take glucosamine on Cohen's...

Have a great day!

Lori- By maintenance program I think it is really just tips to keep the weight off so it may be the same advice as yours. We don't get it until we finish re-feed. I too, am hungry, but will hold off a little longer if I can.
Crystal-Hi & welcome to my diary. Thanks for your tips re arthritis. I take Glucosamine & Omega 3 every day & I'm sure my arthritis would be much worse if I didn't. When I first started Cohen's I hadn't asked about Glucosamine & didn't take it for the first 2 weeks & soon found out that it does make a big difference. I asked my consultant & quickly got back on it!
Diary-
We had a sleep-in this morning & a bit of a lazy morning but then did some wood-cutting & gathering. I also did some gardening. I am finding it a little frustrating because there is a lot I want to do around the house & in the garden but need some-one else to do something for me first & it's very hard (impossible) to get people to come & do work as they are all so busy. Builders want to build houses, not additions. We need fencing done before spring so that we can get some sheep, but can't even get anyone to come have a look, let alone give a quote. I know it's not life & death. I really want to start on my vegie garden but need help getting beds built up.
Sorry to whinge. I'm not usually a whinger. I am going to try ringing total strangers who advertise in tomorrow's newspaper & see if that works. The people I have tried to get are ones I know who are very good at what they do, which, of course, means they are busy.
I never give up so by typing these words I am inspired to start hounding people until I get some jobs done.
It is really exciting being so close to goal & also frustrating & a little nerve-wracking would you believe! I so want to lose a few more kilos before starting re-feed but have been hungry again today so may not wait much longer.
I may come back later tonight. My football team (Saints) are playing tonight & we'll watch it on tv.
Bye for now, go the Saints! Cheers,Cate.

Question
Has anyone ever done Pilates & found it beneficial. I tried it when I was huge & found it absolutely impossible but think I would like to give it a go. I am going to have to tone up my body, especially my belly & derriere. I AM NOT GOING TO A GYM. All/ any recommendations please. I have felt this need for a while & will resist starting until I finish my re-feed but would like to know more. I'll venture outside our Cohen's thread & have a look for it too,
cheers, Cate.

Hiya Cate,

I was thinking of joining Curves when I finish, is there a Curves in Tassie?
I don't know too much about it, will look into it closer to that date (probably in 5 years...doh!!) but I think it's all about circuit training, women only gyms.
Might be worth looking into.. here is the website

Curves International - About Curves

have a great weekend
Annie Lusion