Hi rjm. I think we posted at the same time!

No, I haven't ordered my refeed yet. My consultant wants me to go in next week, have another blood test, and then she will order it for me to pick up on the 22nd. I would be impatient too if I had it, but couldn't start straight away. But, only 5 days to go and then you start the next part of this amazing journey that you started 4 months ago

Speak to you soon.

rjm do you really think drinking so much water makes you lose weight faster I just feel so bloated from drinking so much.
I do carry water with me everywhere but beginning to think its for my daughter and grandchildren all to do the backwash thing with. They all want to drink it and my water goes very quickly, and you can only cart around so many bottles in your bag when you are out. Have to really try harder as my scales havent moved much this week.
Have you all had weight loss every week or has there been weeks where you havent lost anything? Mine seems all over the place at the moment, I think I will take my scales back to my sons house as I am back on them every morning and I think its a nicer surprise to see what weight loss has been over a month and not stress so much each morning.
My next door neighbour wants me to do water exercises so I bought a pair of board shorts and will see how I feel in them before committing myself to go with her. She is about the same size as me only she is going to a different company similiar to Cohens, but she hasn't struck to it.
The funny thing is though she is so encouraging towards my weight loss and diet.
Anyway hope you all had a great Melbourne Cup day I didn't do anything special didn't want to be tempted with food if I went out.
Do you find people constantly say to you when you are about to eat something are you supposed to have that are you allowed. That really gets my back up for some reason.
Having an early night so will catch you all later bye Di

Evening All,

Well I have done it ... i made it through the day. Yipeee ... i feel very proud of myself. I keep telling myself the sooner i start the sooner the weight comes off and well that eating this way isn't forever, am hoping to get my re-feed program just before christmas. I started feeling tired and hungry about 3pmish and can tell i will be off to bed early tonight. How long did it take u all to adjust to the program?

RJM how did u cope with getting your period every 2 weeks? Poor thing. Am so glad i found this site ... u guys r amazing, massive inspirations.

Hi everyone. Lmr, the re-feed does say that if you build up to eating 60g more protein and feel this is enough, you don't have to increase your quantities any more as long as you still introduce the different varieties. I am so pleased, I am having really good weight loss this week. I think my body knows it is the final chance. My final weigh in day for this week is Friday, and this morning I had already lost 2kg!! I am hoping I might lose another 1 kg before I start the refeed on Monday, and then i would be 77kg with a total loss of 33kg.
Missys mum, Yes I think the water makes a huge difference. If I have a week when I don't lose much, I up the water and decrease the salt intake and change what I am eating, and it usually gives the weight loss a kick start again. Also try changing the batteries in your food scales. I do this from time to time just in case they are going flat and not weighing properly. I tend to lose 2kg, 2kg, 1.5kg then 1kg every 4 weeks. The least I have lost over a week is .5kg.
Slimbod, WELL DONE!! Remember the first few days are the hardest, so once you get over them you'll be fine. I think by the second week I was feeling pretty good with the program, and once the weight starts disappearing it gives you so much motivation to keep going. You get this incredible feeling of " Yes, I can do this".
I'm like lmr, I have been on the diet for 4 months and haven't broken it once. This is mainly because I know my history on diets, and I know if I have even 1 slip up that would be the end of it for me, so I keep reminding myself that it is very short term, and the results are worth the effort!! Getting my period every 2 weeks was just one of those things, and for a skinny body I am prepared to put up with almost anything!
Anyway, Talk to you all soon. Have a great day.

Hi all.

Congratulations slimbod in getting through your first day! It'll probably take a a week or so to feel "normal" again, but it's well worth it. In the beginning, to help the hunger, I spread my crackers and fruit allowance throughout the day - around 10ish I'd have a couple of biscuits, and then a piece of fruit in the afternoon, a couple of biscuits on my drive home from work, and then after dinner I would have a piece of fruit and if I was still hungry, eat my last biscuit just before 9pm. I only had to do that for a couple of weeks and now it's very rare that I eat all my cracker and fruit allowance.

Missysmum, I also had a lot of trouble getting through 2 litres of water a day, but now I get through 3 or 4. I find that it's easier to drink more before lunch for some reason, so I try to have at least 1.5 - 2 litres in the morning, and then at least another litre for the rest of the day.

rjm, your weight loss is on fire!!! How exciting for you!

Have a good night.

Hi everyone, Im a new comer to both the program and the forum so I'm a little nervous. I started the Cohens program 2 weeks ago today and so far so good,20 cms off but I cant tell as I scrutinise myself in the mirror every morning and am devastated if i dont see an improvement, but my biggest fan and support (my husband) would tell you a different story. You should all feel so proud of yourselves, just reading about the results you have all had and the determination and motivation, has given me a bit of a boost, especially coming into the festive season when all the christmas functions are starting to kick into high gear!
My goal weight is 59 (I dont think I remeber ever being that in my life but my mum assures me there was a time!) I cant even begin to imagine what that will feel like!
I hadnt even thought of prepacking my meals a week in advance, but it makes sense, thanks missysmum. Im also going to try varying my meals and being a little more creative! Hope everyone is well and Im really glad to know Im not the only one who sees weightloss as an all consuming task! Just as long as we can always see and remember the bigger picture!

Hi all and welcome AmberKate. Well done on getting through your first 2 weeks on the diet. Do you have much to lose? It's funny, but when you pick up your program and they tell you your goal weight, it seems to be such a long reach. But as you start to lose weight and your clothes become too big for you, it gives you so much motivation to continue. I set myself mini goals - I started at 92kg, so my first goal was to hit the 80s, then the 70s, then the 60s and now the 50s - and I treat myself everytime I hit a mini goal.

I think the most frustrating thing is your clothes grow out of you soooo quickly and you have to continually buy new ones, which becomes quite an expensive exercise, and of course you don't won't to buy too much, because you know in a few weeks they'll be too big too! I started in a size 18 (although I think I was really edging on a size 20 but wouldn't admit to it!) and now I'm in a size 12. It is really a very exciting journey.

rjm, missysmum and slimbod, hope you are all going well.

Speak to you soon.

Hi everyone havent had a great couple of days son-in-law went to the doctor and basically came out with non hodgkins disease with tumours surrounding the spleen and in the lungs we are devastated he is 36 they have 2 little children sees the specialist soon. We cant stop crying.

My diet is out the window not eating anything wrong just not eating.

My ex is seeing a solicitor trying to get even with everybody maybe thats better than how he usually does it by writing disgusting letters about me and mailing them to family and friends.

Diet thats seems last on my mind at the moment. He has left me so unfinancial couldn't afford to buy any food anyway.

Just when I thought my life was going so well.

Better go cant stop crying sorry to dump this on you. Di

Hi everyone, thanks for the warm welcome. I am so sorry to hear about your son-in -law missys-mum. This must be a really tough time for you and your family. I hope you have stopped crying but if you havnt thats ok too, sometimes you feel thats all there is left to do. Ofcoarse the diet would be the last thing on your mind, you wouldnt be human if it wasnt! We are thinking of you.
Imr, I have 15 kgs to lose, my plan is to just use belts until I am down to my goal weight and then go on the biggest shopping spree ever! Well thats the plan anyway.
Can anyone tell me, when I have my second blood test at 4 weeks does dr cohen change my program according to the results or does it stay the same? Something else Im worried about already is the refeeding, Im scared that once I start the refeeding I'll put back all the weight that I have lost, I just dont understand how it works so if someone could explain that to me I would be really grateful.
Hope everyone is well in weight loss world. Im so glad I found you guys!

hi everyone. Missys mum, you certainly are having a rough trot lately, aren't you!! I'm really sorry to hear about your son in law, and after everything else you have been through lately, I don't blame you for just crying. I hope life starts to look up for you shortly, and you start to feel better.
lmr, yes, still going well, but I can't get the re-feed out of my mind. Last night I was thinking I might just have to start it today instead of waiting till Monday, but then talked myself out of it. I have come so far, what difference will a couple more days make!
AmberKate, welcome and well done!! The way this diet goes, you'll be down your 15kg in no time at all. I started this 4 months ago weighing 110kg and just squeezing into a size 20. I'm now down to 78kg and a size 12!! I even fitted into one size 10 the other day while trying on new pants ( must be a big make, but who cares the lable still said 10!!) I am starting the re-feed on Moday of next week as we are going on a family holiday in a couple of weeks, and I don't want to be doing this while away, so I decided to do the re-feed and then have a break through Christmas, and then next year ( if I still feel I need to) I will go back on to shift another 10kg. I think this is a safer option than risking breaking it while away. My goal weight is 60kg, but I really feel this is going to be too low for me. I'll be 40 next year and fear I will look haggard if I get too skinny. I figure if I'm already a size 12, another 10kg will have me down to about a 10, and I think I'll be happy with that. I am also going to "Curves" gym, and I'm hoping that I may still lose weight just by doing this, so I'll see how I'm going after Christmas.
The re-feed is designed to gradually re-introduce back the eliminated foods, and increase quantities. If you have a reaction ( a weight gain of 1kg or more) you have to go back 2 days in the re-feed and do these days again as your body was not ready for these quantities yet. If you need go go back over the same 2 days more than twice, then this is apparently the amount of food that your body can cope with and you don't increase any more. My consultant said she has never had anyone who has had to go back 2 days. The re-feed is designed to reintroduce the things back at a rate that your body can cope with. They also give you "Life After" guidelines for after the program (eg one eat carbs once a day, and never eat carbs for breakfast).
It does worry me a little starting the re-feed, whether if I do gain 1kg and need to go back 2 days, will I lose that 1 kg, or not. They say that you can lose up to another 2kg during the first 10 days on the re-feed, so heres hoping. I am also a bit concerned about the "life After", but I do feel in control of my eating now, and the guidelines for after the program are very liveable. Nothing really weird.
Slimbod, how are you going?
Sorry I've rattled on so much today. Have a great day everyone. Talk to you soon.

Hi everyone.

Missysmum, I'm so sorry to hear about your son-in-law. What devastating news for you and your family. Take care of yourself and cry as much as you need to.

rjm, tomorrow's the big day for you and your refeed. Hope you had a good week's weight loss and you're raring and ready to go. I've been worrying (well, obsessing) about the refeed and my life thereafter and whether or not I'll be able to keep the weight off. It's really quite daunting to think that we're so close to starting "normal" life again. It's so exciting, but really scary at the same time! I've got another two weeks to go before I start it, but I'm becoming increasingly impatient!

Amberkate, hope you're going well. Your program doesn't change at all whilst you're one it. The blood tests are to make sure you're body is doing what it's supposed to be and I think they refer to all of the blood tests when planning your refeed.

I had the best day today. I had an afternoon of pampering at Jurlique day spa with my best friend. I had a full body scrub, a body mud wrap, massage and a facial. It was fabulous! Although, it did run through my head when it was finished whether or not I would've been better off spending the $200 on clothes that I desperately need! But I really want to hold off doing my "big shop" until Christmas time because I should hopefully only be a couple of kilos off my goal then. Again, it's just me obsessing about things! I wish I could focus my obsessing on my last exam for the year that I have on Friday. I haven't even looked at the subject yet - been too busy obsessing about the diet!!!

Anyway, that's enough dribbling from me. Hope you all had a great weekend and no doubt we'll chat during the week.

Hi everyone.
Well it's finally arrived!!!! Re-feed, and I actually managed to wait till today. This alone is a huge improvement from my previous self. Never, in my previous life ( as a fat person) would I have been able to wait till a specific day to start the re-feed. Previously, I would have started it as soon as I received it. I am feeling quite confident that my whole outlook on food has changed, and that I will be able to maintain this weight loss for ever. I know what you mean lmr by it's so exciting but scary at the same time.
Today on the re-feed, I get an extra 30g of protein and an extra 40g of veges and 1 extra piece of "good" fruit. This is to be split between the whole day any way I want, but portions must be split the same ( eg if I want to have half of my extra protein at lunch and half at dinner, I must also have half my extra veges at lunch and half at dinner) "good" and "bad" fruits are explained in the re-feed program, but today I have chosen to have pineapple (YUM) as my extra piece of fruit. Tomorrow I get to have a piece of bread, but this replaces 3 of my crackers. Most days are different, so I will be unable to weigh my meat portions for the week, and will probably just go to the shops every couple of days to buy fresh things as they say to eat as many of the "new" foods as possible while on the re-feed so your body learns to process them properly. Next week I think I am going to do my big shop for new clothes ( how exciting) and on Wednesday of this week I am going to have a new hair do done! I received a $600 tax refund and have had this stashed away to pay for my new wardrobe etc at the end. Not sure how far this will go though as I've grown out of absolutely everything ( even my shoes are too big!!), but it will still be fun.
lmr, your day at the spa sounds lovely. Wish I could have come too! I've never had a day of pampering like that. I have always felt too self conscious to even think about letting anyone see my body, let alone massage it, but I might start saving up and give it a go. Stick with the program, your last 2 weeks will fly by, and you'll be at the end in no time at all.
Have a great day everyone. Talk to you soon.

Howdy doo-dee
Had a tough weekend but it was excellent at the same time if that makes sense. Went and saw Fiddler on the Roof with Topol, I was so excited but I didnt realise just how much weekends away revolved around food and wine, once upon a time! All the food smelt so good and everyone was drinking but there I was with my black tea and 1 sugarine and my poor husband had to pre pack all my meals for the weekend (6 meals in total)- Im sure you can all imagine the fun in that! But I was proud that I got through it so maybe it was a good experience to have -I am learning self control I have the year 12 formal on Saturday, my drama students are graduating finally! (Ive had them since they were in year 9) but im really not sure what I should do its a sit down three course meal so do I eat before I go OR do I take me meal with me (either way I think Im going to look like a bit of a dag not eating or carrying a little pink Barbie lunchbox into the year 12 formal).
Anyways, rjm CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Its so so exciting and you should definately pamper yourself to celebrate! Its going to feel great when you walk into all those shops and just pick the things you love cause you know they'll fit and look good! You no longer have to look at beautiful clothes and wish you could wear them YAY! What are you having done with your hair?
Imr, good luck with the study and the exam, you will do fine and your refeed will come around before you know it and dont worry Ive got the obsession thing down pat too its pretty much got my full attention 99% of the time - doesnt leave much room for anything else (poor Jared)
Missys-mum, how are you feeling today? I hope you are feeling better.
Oh well must be off. I hope evryone is well -everyone seems to be going great guns with there diets...excellent job!
Bye for now

Hi Everyone, JOYSEY here from that other forum. I am so glad to find just about everyone again, I really missed reading the forum when it was closed. I am on day 36 now and have been 110% good and have now lost 12.25kgs. All of my close are now falling off me so just going to buy an elchepo pair of pants today so I will have something to wear and then when they are too big, I'll get another pair. Beckymac, told me about the forum but I can't find her postings on here, are you under a different name. Great to see IMR & MISSY-MUM from the other forum. This is just great. Well hope you are all going excellent and shall speak to you all soon. JOY

Hi all. Joysey, so glad you found us! How fantastic is your weight loss! I imagine you are feeling fabulous!

Amberkate, I know what you mean about weekends. I was the same as you - our weekends revolved around social activity, ie. lots of lovely food and lots more wine. I found the first weekend pretty tough, but then I just got used to it. If alcohol is being consumed, I treat myself to a diet coke. No, it's not all the same and I would definitely prefer to be holding a glass of wine, but I see it as a treat and it's amazing, but it does help! I'm not sure what the best solution is to your dinner next weekend. If I've had a dinner to go to, I go late and eat before I go. But I guess in your case, you'll want to be there for the whole evening so maybe take your food with you.

rjm, how's the refeed going? I'm so excited for you! How wonderful to be going on a big shopping spree this weekend and to be able to go into "normal" shops and try on size 12 and not feel like you shouldn't be there.

I went to my clinic today. I'm having a blood test this week and then they will order my refeed and I'm confirmed to collect it on the 22nd. I saw a different consultant today, which I wasn't overly pleased about because I feel really comfortable with my usual consultant, and she did question me as to why I was ordering the refeed so early. But I told her that I felt it was better that I do it now, rather than stay on the diet and then break it over Christmas and run the risk of not getting back on it again. I'm not sure if I heard correctly or not, but I think she said that if I get back on the diet in the new year, and I lose over 5kg, then I have to do the refeed again. That doesn't bother me too much, but I'm definitely going to attempt to drop the rest of the weight by sensible eating and exercise if I can. I guess only time will tell.

Have a great night all.