Well… Time to put some thoughts down I guess.

I officially started Cohen’s on the 29th May. My Counsellor suggested that I give it a go, as I was working so hard on my own, she said this might help speed it up. I looked into it for a couple of weeks and did some research and this was one of the sites I found in my wanderings. I have been reading this forum for about a month now, and it certainly helped me decide to go ahead and do it. I was concerned that I would pay all this money for a list of foods I would hate so I contacted the clinic and they sent me the list of allowed foods and I felt that I could follow this. Once I had decided to do it, I got rid of everything bad from my kitchen. I gave it away to my church or to friends and I shopped only for those items only on the list. I lost 3.5kgs in the week before my program arrived. I have just finished my first official week and I have only lost 2.2kgs, and I shouldn’t be bummed because I got my period 3 days after starting! So 2.2kgs in the same week as your period is probably pretty good. Its just hard not to compare it to the 3.5 the week before. I'm 172cm and currently sitting on 111.5kgs.

A bit about me… I am 35 years old… about to turn 36 in a month and a bit. I am a Psychologist (conditionally registered) working as a youth counsellor, which I love! (I also love saying the bit about being a psychologist! Sorry… it has taken me SOOOO long to get my registration and it has only just happened and I am FINALLY allowed to call myself a Psych (conditionally registered)!! I am single, which I am firmly convinced is due to my weight, especially when I have had 3 successive guys tell me that I am not what they want, physically, in a girlfriend/wife. I have only recently had this happen again, about 3 months ago and that had been my first relationship in at least 12-15 years!!!

I have already lost a fairly significant amount of weight on my own, but I am tired of it taking so long, and am looking forward to it being OVER! I have always been bigger than other people. Although when I look back at photos from school, I see that I was bigger than other girls, but not “huge”…but I sure felt “huge” and was teased for being “huge”. If only I had settled for that and been happy with myself then. So … ever since finishing high school my weight has crept ever upwards. Early in 2004 it reached 141kgs. At that point I said NO MORE and started to work on it. I lost 23 kgs in a year, but then went to visit friends overseas at Christmas and lost momentum although I never put the weight on, came back to a very stressful situation at work and lost all incentive to focus on me. Over 2005 I put 10kgs back on. Then I made some big changes and moved to a regional town in WA, Geraldton, and tried to get my life back in order. I lost 17 last year, but again, by the end of the year had lost all determination…. I guess cos I just get overwhelmed with how long it will take and how could I possibly ever do it.

After being rejected once again I decided that I needed to make some changes and I was going to step up the exercise regime and get a personal trainer and make some major changes in regards to my food, and had just talked to my counsellor about this and she mentioned Cohen’s and so here I am. I have also given up a number of "extra-curricular" activities so that I could focus on me and making this work. I think Cohen’s is working for me, because I really like Structure. I had tried WW, which was good, but if I wanted to I could save all my points up and have a piece of cheesecake and nothing else. That didn’t teach me anything really. I like that fact that I KNOW exactly what I am supposed to eat and when. I am sure I will get bored and annoyed with it very soon and will WANT to deviate, but right now I have not really even wanted to. I even had my mothers’ 70th Birthday party at which I ate mostly Cohen’s food and had NO cheesecake or any desserts or alcohol! I am really glad I had the week and a bit of just eating Cohen’s foods before starting, because I feel like I have been on it for ages and it hasn’t been a shock to the system. I am going on Holidays in a few weeks, but I have some great friends who should be very supportive, so the only issue will be eating out.

Well that’s a little about me. I have really enjoyed reading the forums. It has actually been a bit weird how riveting it can be. Like, I am supposed to be doing notes at work and I find an hour later I am still reading. It’s a good thing I have today off. I don't know how often I will update this, but I wanted to start the process before I got too involved. I know that this is long and detailed, thats just who I am. But I guess this is all about me, and my journey... my journey to redeem myself from being stuck inside this fat prison.

Kannadew, A very big welcome to the forum. I think you have made a great decision to give Cohen's a try. I have found the program, with it's tight structure & strict rules has changed the way I look at food, my body, health & self-esteem. It really is re-training my brain & I think some very clever psychological tools are being used. Everything is limited (as it should be). This is the first time in my life that I feel that I will be able to keep the weight off when I get to goal. Like you, I have tried almost everything but back it comes as you are taught nothing. This time I know that won't happen. "Food is my medicine" is working for me.
I look forward to watching your progress & feel sure that you will find the happiness & love we all deserve. Congratulations on becoming a qualified Psychologist. Good for you. You deserve to be proud of yourself! Just think....
Doing a job you love, slim, happy....the world will be your oyster! If you think you have typed too much you should have a look at my diary-OMG! That's if you've got days to spare!! Cheers, Cate.

Thanks so much Cate! I have really enjoyed reading all about your journey. I am so excited for you about what your future holds! What an amazing time in your life! Slim and an open horizon...! Awesome!

I am still feeling a bit annoyed that I only lost 2.2kgs this last week. I KNOW I shouldn't be! I know I shouldn't even be weighing myself! I know I had my period. I just find it hard to not compare myself to others who have lost so much more in their first week. I guess I should really just STOP weighing myself and wait till the end of the the month and then see what happens.

I am going on holidays on the 28th June for a month to see friends I havent seen in over 13 years. I am a little (a lot) worried about not being able to stay on track during that time, even though I think that they will be very understanding, as they have lost a lot of weight as well. Its just the idea of eating out often and things like that. I had decided when I started that I wanted to be one of these people that did not deviate AT ALL, and apart from some minor mistakes, like buying the wrong fish and wrong vitawheets etc I have done ok. Havent even craved chocolate! I just dont want to lose that momentum over the month that I am away. I will endeavour to try and stay online and keep up my motivation by reading and posting during that time, maybe that might help.

I am really surprised at how easy I am finding it so far. I have only told a couple of people and one or two of them have read my file and have been amazed and said that they could Never do something like this. But I am just not finding it difficult. Sure I would love a little more variety in my vegies (I miss my peas, corn, carrots and Broccoli) but generally I am happy with what I have got. I am now feeling full at the end of meals and not feeling hungry until its time to eat again. I think that is pretty amazing really. After only 1 official week on the program (plus one unofficial).

Thanks to all in the forum who are sharing their stories and trials. You make my journey that much easier! Many Blessings

Hi Kannadew

Congrats on your weight loss so far. You should be proud. Even this week 2.2kg is a good weight loss for one week. Especially at that time of the month. Keep strong girl.

We sound very similar. I turn 32 next month and this will be my last b'day that I will be obese. I have had enough. I want to be fit, healthy and happy. I want to meet a nice guy, I want to have a family one day, and I don't won't my weight to be one thing that keeps holding me back.

I just got my program today. A bit daunting but I am ready for it. I will start the program fully on Friday, need to sit down tonight and write a shopping list.

Looking foward to share our shedding of unwanted kilos. Although my goal weight is rather scary....not sure if I can ever see myself at the weight, I can't remember when I weighed 65kg especially since I am 125kg. I couldn't believe it when I saw it....I have never been this big!!

Anyway enough of me this about you.

Hi kannadew

Welcome to you and congrats on the loss so far and also for making the best decision ever !
You will love the results this program gives you and you will start looking an d feeling better in no time.
Don't be too bummed on the 2.2 , it happens around that time of the month.
It does get easier and easier and when you start seeing and feeling the results - it just motivates you more to keep going and going. I went away in week 3 of starting the program back in Feb and I managed to stay on it 100% I packed my food scales with me and prepared and cooked my own meals. It was easy, and will be for you too as you will be with friends who are going to support you anyway. Re: going out, just make Cohen choices, order steak/fish/chicken and salad/cohen vegies. Restaurants can be very accomodating so just ask.

Good luck with it all, really looking forward to following your progress.

Annie Lusion

Well... I couldn't sleep so I decided to get up and add to my diary. The weather here in Geraldton has been pretty full on the last couple of days. No rain yet, but major winds, which is nothing unusual in Gero, but still full on!

I have a confession (it's not bad!haha)... I got on the scales again this morning... and had lost none! That totally sucked! It doesn't tempt me to cheat or anything, its just annoying. I wonder if it is because I bought the wrong fish. I forgot to write down which fish I could have before I went shopping, and so when I saw that there was Barramundi at the Deli, I didn't know AND couldn't resist! But then after I got home and portioned it all out... It was only 2 meals thankfully.... I realised it was the wrong fish. So I guess I wont be buying Barra again. I haven't had any other deviations, cept for those wrong vitawheets.

I am going to endeavour to at least not get on the scales til next Tuesday...so that I will do weekly weigh's, cos I don't know whether I could do a monthly weigh.

Lukey: I am looking forward to sharing the journey with you. It does sound like we are in similar places. Its definitely a good idea to plan ahead and get everything ready. I think thats why it has worked so well for me! Dont forget to actually get rid of everything "bad" from your cupboards so that you are not tempted to cook them or run to them when you are having a bad day. Like I said earlier I gave my stuff to friends or the local church welfare kitchen to give away. And just remember its one kilo at a time! one gram at a time. If you look at it as the big goal you might become overwhelmed with how much you have to go and become disheartened. You can do this! You are making a great choice just for YOU!

Annie: Thanks so much for your encouragement! 100% the whole time you were away! I am impressed! You have set a high standard. That's my plan. I definitely don't plan to deviate and I certainly hope that I can achieve it! Did you just ask for specific veges at restaurants?

This is becoming a bit weird. I couldn't wait to check to see who had responded and to write to them! It really is SOOO good to have people to share stories with and learn from and just talk to about the process, because I don't really want to tell everyone around me, cos they are not all in the same space as me and I am fairly certain they don't want to hear about every little "event"... well neither do you guys ...hahaha... but hey its my journal... so only those that ARE interested will read it!!! hahaha

Ok.. better get ready for work

Welcome Kannadew

Don't ever apologise for writing too much and congratulations on acheiving your psychology certificate. You must feel so proud of yourself.

You have definitely made a positive step in choosing this programme, it truely works. I lost 15kg in 12 weeks and I am still maintaining. I have fun with my food now and yes I admit I have overdone it at times but you need to reel your self back in and re-focus.

Don't ever think their are any easy solutions (like a magic pill) {what a shame} to weight loss. But in choosing Cohens it does have some psychological affect post the programme which with myself makes me more aware of what I eat now as opposed to other weight loss programmes.

Sticking to the plan 100% is the key to success and some adivice would be to keep check of your cheese allowance. And get that water down you, I actually kept a 1 litre jug and made sure I had my 3 litres everyday.
The other thing is I did not weigh until my 4 week weigh ins - that way I didn't get disillusioned by those scales. I judged by my clothes fitting looser and others did it by measuring.

So goodluck with it all I will look forward to watching you posts your weight loss's over the weeks.

Sam

Hi Kannadew, I weighed too often when I first started & found it can be too off-putting. After a while, when you literally see yourself shrinking, the scales & your weight somehow don't seem as important. Just know that you will get slimmer & slimmer &...... I am still amazed at how many people read my diary. I love it! Keep up the good work. Attitude & preparation are keys with this program & it gets easier as you go, cheers, Cate.

WElcome to the program, Kannadew...
I think you need to be careful to keep things in perspective.. You've done WW before, right. So, how much did you lose on WW each week...... my guess is that most weeks it would have been less than 0.5kg. YOU LOST 2.2 KG IN A WEEK!!! Its a shame you threw everything out of your kitchen, but you need to go and find some margarine containers, or something that can give you a visual impression of 2.2kg... its a lot of weight! REjoice in the weight loss, rather than think of what might of been. This is a good time for you to put all the cognitive behaviour therapy that you've trained in into practice in your own life!!
You will settle into a routine of weight loss, which will reflect your monthly cycles and food intake.
I personally weigh myself every day, but I don't get depressed if the scales don't move. i know roughly which days they are going to go down. I find I'm 2-3 days on the same weight, followed by a big drop of a kilo or so at a time. The weight doesn't shift evenly each day. But for me weighing every day provides good feedback, because I travel and eat out alot. So, I can see very quickly if I'm overdoing it.
Good luck with the program. You will be successful, if you take one day and one meal at a time. and the great thing is that the weight shifts really quickly, and before you know it, you'll be a slim, healthy person!
HL

Hellooooo everyone... Thanks for all your kind words and support! I am doing well. I am sticking to the program with no problems and with no desire to cheat or deviate. Although yesterday at lunch I started eating a bit on automatic and ate half a cracker too many... so that I had 2.5 at lunch rather than 2. Have to make sure I pay attention to that. I probably should have taken my exact amount out of my container and put the container back in my bag or somethin'. I was eating in front of the computer doing something else and not really paying attention to what I was doing, and it was fairly automatic to just reach for the next cracker. I'm not too bummed out about it. It just reminded me that I need to PAY ATTENTION...

Nans: Thanks so much for your congrats! I DO FEEL very proud of myself... more excited... nervous... stressed etc. Still have lots to do before I can actually finally call myself a Psychologist (without the Conditionally Registered bit) but just like my degree I will get through it! I do like the psych nature of this program as it very clearly MAKES me think about food in a very structured manner, about what is right and what is wrong. Thanks for the warning about my cheese allowance. I know I have been tempted to have it more than 3 times a week, as they suggested, but so far have stuck to it...hahah which is funny considering I'M ONLY ON MY 2nd WEEK! hehehe. Thanks so much for coming back and supporting all of us even after reaching your Goals! That's fantastic and committed!

Cate and HL: G'day! I think my problem is that I am too competitive.... hahah... with myself... and maybe with others as well. The fact that it was 3.5 the first week and only 2.2 the 2nd was like... hmmm what was I doing wrong... kinda thing and I tend toward perfectionism and anxiety... so start to THINK about it. I am still debating with myself about the weighing every day. I like the idea of weighing everyday, as I have already been doing that for ages and have been writing my weight down to help me keep track of the minor fluctuations. However, I also see that I do compare myself to others when I KNOW that I SHOULDN'T! So... I am still a little unresolved about it... I wonder if keeping track of the weight changes every day based also on what I eat everyday might be an interesting exercise.

Thanks so much to everyone. I am feeling really encouraged and supported through this process and not Judged for being or thinking particular ways. Its great to be able to express myself in my diary about all the things I am thinking about and processing!

Kannadew, You are so right about the freedom of writing in your own diary. I get nothing but support. I think most of us worry about being judged unfavourably for opening up but I have found none of that. It is all positive.
I have eaten 1 or 2 Salada squares too many, a few times, so started putting my crackers in 1 portion containers. I don't think it ever affected the scales but you would never really know. I find though that if I eat cheese 2-3times a week I barely lose anything that week so am cutting it out until after re-feed (& it clogs up my system.)
Keep up the good work & look forward to reading more of your diary, xo Cate.

Hi kannadew,

6 kilos in 10 days is awesome!! You should be very proud of that.

When ordering out at restaurants, I usually order steak and salad, i know roughly how much steak I can eat by looking at it (as big as my palm) and usually have salad with balsamic vinegar as dressing. When I go Chinese, I order a stir fry with steak or prawns and only ask for cohen vegies only, cauli, zuchini, mushrooms, celery, capsicum etc. I do find restuarants very accomodating. I usually say that I am allergic to other vegies. It's worked so far.

Thanks for sharing your diary with us, I love reading everyone's diaries.. very motivating indeed.

Good luck with the trip away.

Annie Lusion

Hello everyone!

I had my first social event last night. A workmate invited a few us around for some drinks and dinner and I didn’t want to miss out, so I just asked if it was ok if I brought my own food and they were fine, cos its usually pretty casual with them. I felt a bit of a twinge of sadness looking at all the lovely food especially the lovely fresh bread and butter… but I didn’t cheat and really I didn’t even want to. One of my friends asked me if I was doing Atkins, cos that’s what she does all the time to lose weight. I talked with her a little bit about what I was doing, although I had planned not to tell too many about Cohen's. I don’t know if she “approves” or not… but then I am not doing it for her or anyone else I am doing it for me. I did the research and investigated the system fully before paying my money and I am happy with the decision I have made. I don’t have to or want to feel bad for doing something positive about my weight. Even ladies at work who generally seem to be supportive are often making comments about how it could be bad for my health and I will probably just put the weight back on. I just say that … “its up to me to MAKE SURE I don’t put the weight back on” and that’s why I chose Cohen’s, because of the whole retraining and re-feeding process. The whole reason I am doing this is to learn new and correct ways of eating. I have eaten wrong my entire life and I need to do something pretty drastic to produce change. Its not Just about the weight loss but as Cate has said in her diary its about understanding food and nutrition and its effect on you.

I weighed myself this morning and had lost 200g from yesterday which I guess is acceptable.. although I am still a little sad that I seem to be on the lower end of the losses compared to others. (woohoo to Lukey for 3kg in 3 days!!!!) but then I went for a walk this morning and decided that hey… if I only lose 2 kgs a week that’s ok… cos I can still get to my goal in 6 months (2kgx24 weeks).. I can handle that… so I will just persevere and do my very best… and make sure I stay on top of things like cheese and spices etc. I have also decided to cut back my crispbreads to 3 or 4 a day rather than 5… we’ll see what happens… maybe I will cut them out completely. The other good thing was that I weighed myself when I got back from my walk and I had lost another 400g! SO that was pretty cool. Hasn’t happened on other days I have walked.

I spent the morning cutting up and weighing out my portions of chicken, fish and prawns for the next few weeks. I had a query from people. Do people weigh their prawns with the shells and heads etc or do you shell them before weighing them? I decided to shell mine cos to me that made it the same size serving as my fish serving. I bought some Snapper and it cost me nearly $12 for about 3 meals worth!!! AND after shelling and weighing my prawns I only got 1 meal worth for nearly $6!

I also spent some time nuking some apples and putting them in the blender, before adding them to my yoghurt allowance so that they are ready to go in the mornings. I also made coffee yoghurt with Splenda…. Am I allowed splenda? I bought it the other day when I didn’t have my list with me… and I couldn’t see it on the list as such, but I don’t know if it comes under the category of a natural sweetener.

Anyway… that’s it for now… I am getting hungry which tells me it is time for Lunch… at 3! So I might check others diary’s later!
Blessings to you all!
Kath
PS... I have changed my ticker to reflect the weight that I was when I started Cohen's not the weight that I had lost before, as well. Otherwise it might get a bit confusing.

Kath, I have almost given up trying to justify the program to the knockers. Even some close friends used to be critical but now are full of praise & telling me how proud I should be. It will be a 6mth plan for me too & I think that will set us up better to keep the weight off. I do think it's best to eat all of your allowance, including crackers, as I think it's a finely tuned, well-balanced program, designed especially for you. It might be best to ask your consultant. Your attitude to the program sounds excellent, your patience will improve & I'm sure you will succeed, cheers, Cate.

Congrats Kath on your first 'social' outting. Good for you for taking your own food and resisting bread and butter....mmm.

I couldn't help myself, on the scales again this morning, I think I have 4kgs...I can't believe it!! Not sure how great my scales are, maybe I should just change my ticker at my Cohen's weigh in...but them I am too impatient. Either way its keeping really motivated.

Last night I went to the movies with a friend and we went to have coffee first, so since I don't drink coffee or tea and I was a huge fan of hot choccies I just had a diet coke....my friend had a bowl of wedges in front of me, but I was so strong and didn't want any. I guess I had the 3kg weightloss in my head. So at the movies I had my water and apple.

Tonight I am going to my friends to watch Big Brother. But since I slept in today, late breakfast then took my friend for a walk around the Lake (absolutely gorgeous weather today here) and it meant a late lunch like you Kath at 3.....so I still have 2 hours before dinner. So I am taking my dinner all weighed out over to my friends to cook.

I bought prawns the other night too Kath. I just got the green prawns that were de-headed and stuff, as I can't bring myself to do it....pathetic I know, just like I can't pull a BBQ chook apart. They aren't cheap and I have never really cooked them before but I have been inspired by some receipes on here.

ANyhoo, enough of my wafflings...its Kath's thread.

Skinny thoughts to all.