Hello, I"ve been lurking here for a few days! I had my blood work yesterday and am waiting for my program. In the meantime I've been "practicing" based on what I gather the general program is from other's posts. I thought it best to get myself into the right frame of mind so I can hit the ground running. I've cut back my quantity of protein, focussed on lean, eating vegetables, eliminated any sugar, breads, pasta, etc (mostly did this anyway) and am only having some fruit and crackers between meals. I"ve been doing this since Monday (5 days).

I have some questions about what others may have felt like in the first few weeks. I feel hungry alot, which I can deal with, but almost every day I have a mild headache by late afternoon. The last few nights I've had more trouble falling asleep even though I'm exhausted by the end of the day. And I'm waking during the night hungry and staying awake. Last night I finally ate something to see if it would help and it did but it took an hour and then the sleep wasn't so great. I'm not having trouble with cravings as I ate very little carbs and sugar anyway.

Did any of you have these difficulties at first and did they go away, and in how long? I"ve lost about 1.3 kg but I find that it fluctuates daily. Do most of you notice a steady decrease or a plateau, or is it typical to go up and down? Of course I know I'm not doing the exact program right now. Actually, I'm a little concerned because I think the program is going to be even less food than I'm currently eating.

Thanks for your answers; this board and the people on it are a great support!

Merci

Hi Merci,

I'm sure you will get other replies from more experienced Cohenites but I thought I would tell you how I feel. Today is only my second day and when I first saw the diet I thought I would starve. Actually I like it. I peed all night long because of all the water but I slept good in between bathroom runs. I also woke up with a pretty bad headache but I took some aspirin and ate my breakfast and I feel pretty good now, a little light headed when I get up but not bad. I started taking Chromium supplements also and I haven't had any cravings. The food portions are not that bad either. Mango is one of my favorite fruits so I mixed some up in my yogurt for breakfast and it was delicious. I already feel like I've lost weight too, my stomach doesn't look as big. I hope this helps. Anyway, good luck with the diet.

Thanks longing2bthin. I'm sure it will get easeir but I have to admit I'm having trouble with the portions. Since I haven't gotten my official program yet it may be better than I think. But I'm committed to give it my best. I think I may try potassium supps as those really help with extremely low carb programs. Good luck to you (tho it isn't really luck is it?)

Merci

Hi Merci
Welcome! I reckon you have made a great decision! I did the same thing when I started. I wanted to also be as ready as possible and not sabotage myself with a last minute binge etc.

The headaches should disappear soon...it is part of the normal detoxing... but I wonder if it is because you are not drinking enough water? I immediately increased my water to 2-3L a day and now I am up to over 4L a day. I think the recommended 'dose' is a Litre for every 25kgs you weigh...

The extreme hunger should well and truly pass. I find that I am often hungry but it is usually around my next meal time. I have also learnt that actually I am not hungry I am thirsty and so I will have a big drink of water. Also you could be missing out on essential nutrients. My consultant told me that my hunger could be a sign that I am missing out on these... so make sure you start taking a good multi-vitamin. (Some clinics sell them..I just take a Blackmores sustained release and a Calcium & Magnesium tablet, and a Omega 3 Tablet). The hunger could also be about the way you are spacing your food. I eat brekky around 7, then fruit and a crispbread at 10ish... lunch at 12.30, fruit and crispbread at 3ish and then dinner around 6. You could save a piece of fruit for after dinner so that you have a fuller meal in the evening... (I dont get that hungry in the evening... and I only get 2 pieces so I dont).

With your weight loss... Unless you are going to track everything and can handle (emotionally) regular increases and plateau's in your weight then I would suggest that you either weigh once a week or once a month. I do weigh every day, but I use a spreadsheet to track absolutely everything and I have days where I have large increases followed by a small loss and then days of plateau... but then I start losing again. Our bodies work in a cycle. So make sure you start to keep track of your measurements as well. I know that a LOSS IS A LOSS... and that if I stick to this program the weight will definitely come off!!

I was surprised by how full I feel on the quantities I have been given. I looked at them and thought... that's small and my consultant also said I apparently have a 'lean profile'...but you know I am pretty much ok after most meals. I have learnt that some things make me really hungry (mango prawns)... but most things are very filling ... and once you hit your stride you will be fine!

Sorry for all the blather! Hope it helps though!

Blessya
Kath

Hi Merci

Welcome welcome welcome, glad you got the courage to post your queries on here. A lot of people simply read, but getting yourself involved is a good step. (I should have done it much earlier)

Those feelings although they aren't terribly nice, are all normal. Even though you are fairly light on with your carbs already, adjusting to everything else healthy and lean is going to be a little uncomfortable.

I've found, that I felt similar in the time I was waiting for my blood test to come back in order for me to start, I was fairly keen on beginning not wanting to lose any time to lose the weight. I was so keen after the information meeting and about how the body works and HGH at night time whilst you sleep.

Although, in my first week I had headaches, I suppose they didn't bother me because I knew how much bad food I'd been eating only the few weeks before for such a long time, and my body was just in shock and craving itself for more every day food. Although I had no actual cravings, I was just a little hungry. It was a really good feeling instead for me mentally, I knew I was doing the right thing for my body.

When I do get headaches and feel hungry, water usually helps a lot - so I've always got a bottle there with me and take a few mouthfuls and I settle down again, and do this until my next meal. Lately I am the same as Kannadew, I tend to feel hungry, and then I realise it's only 1 hour until my next meal, which is normal as I food amounts are not much.

As for sleeping, it will not be long before you settle in to the eating that you will be sleeping really really well. I've noticed in the past week, I woke up every 3 hours for 2 nights in a row, but that when I did wake up it felt each time like I'd slept for 7 hours already - it was a real deep sleep. Now I am barely waking up at all (if only for my back problems when I turn over.) I do wake up quite early raring to go now!

I agree with Kannadew, make sure you are taking the right supplements as you don't want to be missing out on the vitamins your body needs in order to be healthy and strong throughout the weight-loss process.

I've also been set in my program to have 2-3L of water per day, and I aim for 3L. It fits in with what Kanna said for every 25kg = 1ltr water actually. I hope to increase this as time goes by.

Keep in touch hope you stay and start up a diary of your own, or let us know your progress.

Thank you Kath, those are great suggestions. I do struggle to get water in, and I know headaches come from dehydration but I didn't put two and two together. I bet that is it. Now that half and half is out for my coffee I should be able to get more water in earlier in the day! Also, I was just on my way back from Whole Foods and thinking that I should probably take a Multi. I don't usually b/c I eat alot of different beggies and some fruit but with the limited quantitites and calories, I'm sure a Multi would help.

I know you are right about not weighing daily but I'm like a kid at Christmas each morning wanting to see if I got a good present! I think once I see the weight really coming off and that it's for real I can relax on that.

I so appreciate you taking the time to post!

Merci

I feel encouraged, thank you. Deeper sleep sounds awesome! I too am so curious about the chemistry of this and how this all works in the body. Being in the States I won't have the option of a meeting so I hope the book explains alot and I hope the consultants don't mind lots of questions.

I'm going to need to explore the board a bit to figure out how to post a diary--is it different from just posting a question?

I expect to have my program toward the end of next week and I'm really looking forward to officially getting going. So far I'm really proud of myself for shifting some of my attitudes and habits. Like going through Whole Foods and not snacking on the samples, or being hungry and reminding myself this is a good thing in my body. I do my share of griping too when I look at the food on my plate and I can't imagine it's going to fill me up! That's getting easier though.

Can't wait for that really deep sleep though!

Merci

Hi Merci

The clinic should answer all your questions and just be there for you no matter what! They better or else!

If you haven't been already, there is some info on HGH on the Cohen aussie website, but searching it online, I found this "In general, human growth hormone (hGH) secretion follows a circadian rhythm and is secreted in 6-12 discrete pulses per day, with the largest pulse secreted about an hour after the onset of night-time sleep (around midnight for most people)." - website link: human growth hormone | hgh

As for the sleeping, I would ask the consultants that question, as I do not know of everyone else's experiences. I certainly know that the foods I used to eat (high in fat and salt) made me feel awful at night and when I woke up. Go for a read on everyone elses diary, they may mention it somewhere. Along the way you will get to know their daily struggles thoughts and feelings. I have noticed those that post honestly, I get more out of (eg, their inner thoughts, deviations if any..etc) as it is what I go through.

To start a diary, make sure you are in the Cohen section just like you posted this one I think? And yes, you just name it what you like, and go from there. Some ppl may reply here and there, but essentially it is a diary for you to come in and update day to day, week to week.

Thanks for the link to the HGH article. I've also been wondering if what happens with this program is that leptin resistance is reversed. I 've been reading some articles about Leptin and even though most say they don't yet know how to do that (in obese rats they just shoot 'em up with Leptin) I wonder if Dr. Cohen is conducting his own research. One of the issues of leptin resistance is also infertility and it seems like he did alot of his original work with the diet in his OB/GYN practice. That would be entirely revolutionary if he's figured out how to do that. Of course most people will still wait for a drug to come out to do it for 'em!

Have a great week!

I won't be getting my program until Friday or perhaps next week. Could one of you experienced folks answer some guideline questions for me?

1. Are vegetables weighed raw or cooked? How about protein? (I haven't wanted to ask about protein cuz I'm afraid the answer is raw and I'll get even less food!!!) But I've been ally feeling vegetable deprived and I notice a few people say they use mushroms alot beuase they're higher volume. It occured to me that mushrooms cooked absorb alot of liquid so maybe people are weighing them raw.

2. Are herbs and spice allowed?

3. Is spraying a pan with Olive Oil allowed? (I don't use non-stick cause it's carcinogenic)

Thanks!
Merci

[QUOTE=Merci;306286]I won't be getting my program until Friday or perhaps next week. Could one of you experienced folks answer some guideline questions for me?

1. Are vegetables weighed raw or cooked? How about protein? (I haven't wanted to ask about protein cuz I'm afraid the answer is raw and I'll get even less food!!!) But I've been ally feeling vegetable deprived and I notice a few people say they use mushroms alot beuase they're higher volume. It occured to me that mushrooms cooked absorb alot of liquid so maybe people are weighing them raw.

2. Are herbs and spice allowed?

3. Is spraying a pan with Olive Oil allowed? (I don't use non-stick cause it's carcinogenic)


[B]
Hi Merci

All foods are weighed raw: meat and vegies, the herbs and spices are very limited, nothing containing persevertives or caking agents allowed you will get your list with this all specified. I used mushrooms, bokchoy, spinach and zucchini the most out of my vegie selection. Cooking sprays are allowed but I never used them this would have been to big a tempatation for me to over spray. I bought the jamie Oliver Baccrat non stick pots.

The food quantities are small but it's funny how your body adjust to this amount especially after detox (about 3 days). And you will find you are not hungry the only time I felt the hunger return is close to refeed.

Hope this helps - Good luck Merci.

Sam

It won't let me post so I need to twaddle on a bit more not sure why something about not having enough characters.

Hi Merci, Scanpans are great too. They are not coated with teflon which is carcinogenic & have a life-time guarantee. I use mine every day! When you are following the actual program you will find your hunger disappears, even with the small quantities. Stick to the program & you will lose your weight! I re-read my program almost daily for the first month until I felt I had got the hang of it. All the best. I'm sure you will be successful as you have a great attitude. Cheers, Cate.

Sam: Thanks for the info. I had two delicious and (finally) satisfying meals yesterday now that I'm weighing my vegetables raw. I didn't mind less protein even (I had been weighing it cooked). The support from all you women is great.

Cate Thanks for the suggestion about reading the guide daily. I JUST got my program this morning and I'm freaking out a little--it's even less than I was eating!! I know I'll do it though. I have the day off and am going to go and buy a digital scale then on to the grocery for some supplies. I've lost 2.2 kg in the last 10 days doing an approximation of the program and I feel great so if I do it right I should get even better results. What is a scanpan? I've never heard that term in the States! I use cast iron alot because it stays seasoned and only needs a spray of oil for an egg. Well I'm off to walk my dogs then on to the stores. Have a great day (tho i'ts probably evening where you are by now.

Merci