Hi everyone. Joysey, I'm here. Just thought I'd use a different name on here, don't know why, I must have felt like a change. Your weight loss is going so well, and excellent job to have stuck to the diet so well. It makes a huge difference.
AmberKate, I think I would just take food with me. If I have an outing that I can't avoid, I tend to eat " dinner" (meat & Veges) for lunch, and then take some cheese and crackers or something easy like that with me to eat while I'm out. I also take a couple of cans of sprite zero and my chewing gum with me so I have a few things to nibble/sip while I'm out.
Lmr, if you go back on the diet for more than 2 weeks you have to complete the full re-feeding, but this wasn't really an issue for me. I know myself, and I know if I break the diet I won't be able to get back on, so safer to "finish" the diet properly. If you gain more than 4 kg, you need to have new blood tests, and a new program written. If you stay within 4 kg of the weight you finished the re-feeding at the original program will work for the rest of your life. Good incentive to not gain any weight back.
I am also hoping that I will lose the last bit that I want to lose through healthy eating and exercise, and I don't mind if it takes a bit longer. If I have not lost any more weight by the end of January, then I will consider going back on the diet to shift the last 6 or 7 kg that I want to lose.
The re-feed is going really well. Today I had a piece of toast for lunch (YUM) with cheese, tomato and salad on it. It was such a nice change. When I first made it, my "old" brain looked at it and thought "There is no way 1 piece of toast will fill you up", but I ate it and was totally satisfied after. I also had some rockmelon as my extra piece of fruit, and I got an extra 30g of protein and an extra 40g of veges. Doesn't sound like much, but I am feeling quite full. They must be trying to gradually stretch your stomach back to be able to eat a reasonable amount. Not sure if I will be able to increase too much more, but I'll see how I go. The re-feed says that if you increase your protein by 60g and feel this is enough, then you don't have to increase any more, you just have to keep introducing the new varieties.
How exciting that you'll be joining me on the re-feed soon!! Who would have imagined, 4 months ago when we started this, that we would actually do it, and be sitting here a size 12 and feeling great about ourselves!! Don't let the consultant get to you. You should have just told her that you have already discussed ordering the re-feed early with your usual consultant, and she could speak to her about it. Anyway, I seem to rattle on quite a bit lately. Sorry. Have a great night everyone. Talk to you soon.

Hey everyone, having one of my many confused moments! My consultant rang me yesturday and told me that because Dr Cohen has set my goal weight at 59-62 I have to order my refeeding at 64kgs but I really want to get down to 59 so instead of ordering my refeed at 2kgs from my goal weight which is 61 Im ordering my refeed 5kgs from my goal weight I dont understand!! But Im very glad to report that I will be needing a couple of new pairs of pants very soon which is exciting!
rjm- what I would give to have a piece of toast (can you have butter?) So have you put any weight on since starting the refeed? Or are you still losing it?
Imr- bet the 22nd is circled in bright texta on your calendar! You are so close now its count down time!!!!Yay
Josey- your weight loss is amazing! Totally inspirational, actually everyone here is inspirational!! Keeping me motivated Talk to you all later!

Hi everyone. How are you all going today. AmberKate, that sounds really weird. Did she say why you have to order your re-feed at 2 kg above the top end of your goal weight. You have a contract which lasts for however many months ( mine was 13), and I would assume that as long as you are still within that time frame, you should be able to order whenever you want. Just don't tell them when you hit 64 if you want to wait a little longer, but it is really exciting to think that you will be buying new pants soon. That is something you will need to get used to. I was buying new pants every 3-4 weeks. Lucky I know where all the warehouse clearance centres are in Sydney or I would have gone broke. Also have a niece losing weight who is much smaller than me ( not the one on Cohens, another niece), so once I hit size 14 I got her hand me downs.
No I can't have butter yet, but next week it increases to 3 pieces of bread a day and I get butter on one of them. I am only on day 3 of re-feed, but I am pleased to tell you that I have lost half a kg since starting. I am am bit concerned, however, as the portion sizes start to increase quite a bit now. Today I get an extra 60g of protein and 40g veges, and tomorrow I get an extra 60g of protein and 80g veges. This continues to increase until by the end of re-feed I am having an extra 200g protein and an extra 200g veges, also 3 slices bread ( in place of your crackers), 50g carbs ( eg potato, rice, pasta etc) 2 extra pieces of fruit ( which makes a total of 4 pieces) and a milk arrowroot biscuit per day. About half way through milk is again allowed, but you have to "buy" it by giving up 40g of your protein and also alcohol is also allowed, but you also have to "buy" this ( can't remember what you give up for the alcohol, I didn't take much notice of that as I don't drink). It seems an awful lot of food to me, and I'm not sure if I am going to be able to eat it all, but I'll see how I go as I get through the re-feed. They increase very gradually the quantities of food, probably to let your stomach become accustomed to the increase.
Anyway, I'd better go and get dinner ready. Hope everyone is doing great today. Talk to you all soon.

Hi every one, have just read all your entries and it has proably been the best thing for me as it has made my mind up to join, i have tried most things and they have not worked. i enquired about the Cohen's program on Monday and next week i plan to join infact i wish i could go sign up now !!! (hope this attitude lasts). I have a heck of a lot of weight to loose, but you have all inspired me well done and congratulations to you, and thanks

Hi everyone.

Welcome Casey. It is honestly the best diet I have ever been on (and I've been on a lot!). It's first diet where I haven't diverted. Usually, about 6 - 8 weeks into any other diet, I fall off the wagon, but I just haven't had the desire to divert on this. I think watching the scales go down each week and the huge amount of loss in centimetres has kept me on track. I guess also because it is so strict, I don't want to be on it for any longer than I have to be, so I think that has been a huge factor in keeping me focused.

rjm, my eyes light up when I read that you can "buy" wine on the refeed! Wine and milk (I love my lattes) are the two things I have missed the most. I've already decided that I'll happily forego all the carbs in the world providing I can indulge in a nice glass of wine and a morning latte! 4 months ago the amount of food on the refeed wouldn't have sounded like much at all, but now it sounds huge!!! That's a great sign that you've already lost half a kilo. I guess that's the greatest fear - hoping that the scales continue to go down or at least stay the same, but not go up!


Amberkate, that sounds strange about when you have to start your refeed. I agree with rjm - wait until you're at a weight that you are happy with and then order the refeed. Isn't it a wonderful feeling when you're clothes start getting baggy! I think it really keeps you inspired to continue because it's just so exciting!

Have a great night.

Hi everyone its been quite teary around our houses lately I wish there was good news to tell but it seems worse then we thought he had his bone marrow test today tomorrow his lymph node is taken and they then will have the whole picture and what stage its at.

Joysey glad to hear that your weight is coming off great 12.25kgs you must be happy congratulations.

LMR with what rjm is eating with her refeed you must be bursting to start, toast wow I would eat it stale at this stage I really miss having a sandwich.

rjm well you have nearly completed your program what success you have had but I guess this is a program for life isn't it. After all the effort we put in we don't want to get back to where we were ever again. Do you think that part of it will be difficult maintaining our weight loss?

My diet hasn't been the best these couple of days missing meals again I just have more to worry about I actually am having trouble feeling motivated to stick to it again with the same enthusiasm that I once had. Worrying about a diet when someone in the family is so ill seems so self centred.

Joysey my weight loss is 23.6kgs now in 13 weeks I am pleased with it just have to get my self together.

Casey welcome I to have a lot of weight to lose but these girls show you it can be done and they are so supportive you will do well I am sure of it.

Take care everyone thanks for the support Di

Hi Everyone, great to read through everyone’s threads.
AMBER KATE: I am exactly the same as you they said my goal weight should be between 59 - 62 kgs so I am just not going to order my re-feed until I am at 62kgs because I want to be 60kgs. The things that gets me is, if they are so precise about the measurements of the food, 120g meats 100g Vegies, then they should also be precise about our re-feed weight and not give us 3kg to play with here and if they do then it should be us, the customer that decides when we want to re order it.
CASEY: Great that you have made the decision, you won’t be sorry. Make sure you enjoy yourself before you start the program because once you do you have to be 110% strict with yourself. Believe me it is worth it though. I have been on the program now for 39 days (started on the 3 October) and have lost 13.75kgs, I pretty pleased as that is only around 6 weeks. I haven’t broken it once and now it is just a part of my daily life and I really enjoy the meal. I do however use the low fat, Italian, Greek or French salad dressing on my salads as I am not a big mayonnaise lover so I thought if you can have a teaspoon of that then the other salad dressing shouldn’t hurt and I have proved that it doesn’t. Also I use quite a large range of different masterfood & McCormick seasonings to sprinkle over the chicken or meat when I am cooking it as it just makes them taste a bit better and these also have not effected my weight loss. We are all here to help you and answer any questions you will have when you first start. Even thought the diet plan may look a bit overwhelming when you first get it you can be quite creative with the foods they give you and I have some great recipes to share.
MISSYS-MUM: Hi you lovely lady, you nearly made me cry when I read through your thread, got people can be so nasty, wish we could all be there to give you a big hug. We are all on your side. Wow, 23.6kgs in 13 weeks, you must be feeling great. I know you said you have more to worry about than dieting at the moment and it is the last thing from your mind but even if you don’t stick to it accordingly I know it will be imbedded in your mind and you won’t be eating as you did before you went on the diet so in a way I just know you are going to be o.k. and you will get back on track when all of this is over. Remember what that lady told you that day, that was so incredible and should give you something to look forward to in the future. Anyway you know you can always talk to all of your Cohen’s friends. You just take care of yourself…….
RJM: Wow the re-feed sounds amazing, I must admit I haven’t even thought of it yet as I am just so use to what I am allowed to have now but it does seam to increase quite a lot and your still loosing on it, that’s great.
SLIMBOD: What a great name you have chosen. How are you going, I noticed that you started on the 1st November so you should be getting use to everything by now and have dropped around 3kgs (6.6lbs) at least. Did you get any headaches for the first few days or were you one of the lucky ones.
IMR: I am the same, I cut out my crispbreads about 2 weeks ago now and have found that they were slowing my weight loss down, I was loosing about 150g per day eating the 5 of them which was my allowance, and now that I don’t have them at all I am loosing between 350g & 550g per day. I am just not a fruit eater so I don’t have it.
I also scale my weight the same aiming for the next 10 kilos so I started at 90.3 was down into the 80’s the next day, Day 29 hit 79.95 so now I am counting down to hit the 60’s, I think it is the best way to do it because if you look at the big picture at the end say 30kgs god, it looks like it will take forever. Just interested in what you reward yourself with. I was so tempted with I hit that 70 mark to have a glass of wine with my dinner but I was strong but really wanted to….
Well everyone, it has been great talking to you all and I hope you all have a successful dieting day. Take Care, JOY

Hi everyone.
Missys mum, my heart goes out to you and your family at this very difficult time. I wish there was something I could say to make you feel better. Sticking to the diet is not, however, being self centred because you and your daughter and son in law are going to need you to be at your fittest and healthiest to get through the struggle you have ahead. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
Casey, welcome. Starting this diet will be the best decision you have ever made. You do have to stick to it 100% to get the great results, but it is so short term you just keep telling yourself that you won't have to be on it for long. I cut out bread, rice, pasta,milk,sugar and anything else I knew I wouldn't be allowed on the program a couple of weeks before starting and I think this really helped in the first week. I didn't get any headaches or bad side effects other than feeling a little hungry.
lmr, don't know if you will get enough milk for a latte, sorry! You can only "buy" 50ml of skim milk which I don't think is much. This morning the half a kg I lost went back on .I will see tomorrow if it is still there or not. I'm hoping it is only fluid or something as, silly me, had salt again yesterday. I was feeling a bit cocky and thought "what harm will a little bit of salt do". Today I will have no salt again, and see if that helps. I think I might need to keep away from salt as it seems to always retain fluid or something, because every time I have some, I either stop losing weight or gain weight. The re-feed says not to worry about less than a kg weight gain as it is probably just fluid or something, but I don't want to keep the half a kg on, I want it gone again!!
Joysey, I usually treat myself with some new clothes or a movie or something like that. My next treat is a new hair do. I am trying to get myself away from thinking of food as a "treat". I want to think that food is now just something to sustain you. I eat reasonably quickly and don't focus on what I am eating, just filling myself up and then move on to the next thing I need to do, not sit at the table thinking "what can I eat next" like I used to do. I am really enjoying shopping now as I can walk into a "normal" shop without thinking that everyone is looking at me wondering why I am there as nothing would fit me anyway.
I didn't end up having my hair done yesterday as I arrived at the hairdressers and my usual hairdresser had not come to work as he is sick. They said someone else could do it for me, but as I want a total change, and I don't know what I want done, my usual fellow is the only person I would trust to say " do whatever you think will suit me" to, so I have to go back next week on Wednesday and have it done then. Bit disappointing, but that's the way it goes.
Anyway, I'd better go and get my washing out. It's absolutely boiling here in Sydney today. Have a great day everyone. Talk to you soon.

Hey everyone

Thanks for all the advice. I am going to wait until I am 61 before ordering my refeed! If Im going to do this, Im goin all the way! I think that had made me feel a lot better now that I have made that decision! Can happily report I have said good by to a futher 10cms this week taking my 3 week grand total to...31cms! YAY!!!! I measured myself today and hubby wrote down all the figures and said I hadnt lost anything. I cant tell you how devestated I felt I almost cried! I was in shoch so I got a friend to do it for me and I realised I had been reading the measurements upside down! and the 87 of my waist was actually a 78 and I lost 1cm off my arm but that was about it for me. So next wednesday is the big day! Blood test and scales YIKES. I just really want to see a number on those scales that motivates me.
rjm-Im sure that tiny bit of weight will just dissapear, and I am going to really take on your attitude toward food and not see it as a reward. I think I have always done that, even now I think about the food that Im going to eat the day I finish (and the wine I am going to drink ) So Im going to try really hard not to do that- Do you get a little nervous each day when you have to step onto those scales?
Josey-I am going to stop the crackers because I really dont need them at this point (my consultant told me I had to for my insulin levels or something like that.) but I do enjoy my fruit after tea with a cuppa - at the time when we used to have dessert.
Does anyone else find that if they have the cheese for lunch they get hungry (im not used to feeling hungry but for the past 2 days when I had cheese for lunch I was so hungry) I just dont hink its enough when you look at the total weight of the meal in comparison the the other meals but that might be just me. Didnt like the cheese anyway so thats ok
Hey Casey- Go for it girl! You will be so pleased with the program I know it sounds almost too good to be true but you better believe it! And when it gets tough just remember that its not forever ok and the food really isnt that bad once you get used to it and start being a little more creative.
Anyway hope all is well with everyone. Missys mum hope you are feeling better
Cheers xo

Hi Everyone,
How did you all go yesterday. Hope it was successful and you were all good.
Remember it pays off on those scales.
Speak to you all soon, JOY

Hi everyone. I had my last exam for the year today, and I am soooooo relieved to have survived my first year of study - only 3 years to go! When I look back, I'm not actually sure how I fit in working full time, studying part time and obsessing about my diet!!! I also had my last blood test today so I'm really pleased about that - I have a serious phobia of needles!

rjm, sounds like you are going great on your refeed. Don't worry about the half kilo - hopefully it was just the salt and I'm sure you'll lose that half a kilo plus some. Bummer about the milk - I guess I'll just have to make myself a half latte when the time comes!

Amberkate, how fantastic is your weight loss and losing 31cms in 3 weeks is huge!!! That kind of loss should give you heaps of incentive to keep focused to your goal.

Joysey, you are also doing so brilliantly. Congratulations! You'll see the big 6 on your scales before you know it!

Missysmum, you are such a strong soul with all you've been through in the last few months. I think the fact that you are still on your diet at all during all these hardships is testament to the strong will you must possess - it's not selfishness at all - so please don't be so hard on yourself. Yes, I am busting to start my refeed. I just can't wait until the 22nd comes around!

I weighed myself this morning and I'm now on 64.4kg - over 27kg down - so I'm feeling pretty good. I would really like to see the big 5 on my scales by the time I finish my refeed, but I think I might be pushing it a bit. My weight loss is so slow now - the last couple of weeks have been 600gm - but every little bit helps.

Well, have a great weekend and everyone and we'll chat soon.

hello all.

i have just joined this forum after i discovered it via google. what a shock, i know

i have only recently learned about the cohen's program. i have looked at their website, but wondered whether some of you could answer some questions for me? i am a uni student and so i live on a pretty tight budget. how much is it to do the cohen's program? i couldn't find that info on their website, so i'm a bit concerned that it costs a fortune!

also, how does the program work exactly? what sorts of food do you get to eat and in what sorts of amounts? i don't, for example, eat red meat. is that something that can be factored into the equation?

i'd be really grateful to hear your stories and thoughts on the program. i am twenty-seven and thanks to a couple of medications i am required to take [for bipolar disorder] have gained about twenty kilos in the last year and a half. i'd really love to lose that weight and get back down to what i formerly was.

thanks for reading. i look forward to your responses

Welcome Bruisesroses to answer a few of your questions the price when I joined was $595 it may have gone up im not sure also bloodtests are required at $20 book in for a free info session and ask everything then also tell them about your medication because i take antidepressants and they said that some medications can make the weightloss slower. My sister and best friend have bipolar and the medication can be a pain re: weightloss but its amazingly fast results on this diet 2kg a week weightloss and no cravings as your body goes into ketosis and loses fat rapidly. If you dont like meat you can have chicken or fish,2 pieces of fruit a day,5 vitaweats,1 litre of diet coke,cheese,yoghurt,only certain types of vegies and fruits though,you must eat main meals every 5 hours and can have only 2 vitaweats at a time every 2.5hours and atleast 2 to 3 litres of water a day and 5 pieces of sugar free gum. when you reach 2kg from your goal weight they make a refeeding plan to introduce more food back into your diet that can take 2 to 3 weeks to complete and then they give you guidelines on how to maintain. Its no quickfix but a lifestyle change so if you eat the bad foods in abundance again you will not stay at your ideal weight. If ive missed anything out someone here will add it in. Goodluck and make sure you ask any questions you like at the info session if you go. What state do you live in? Im in Canberra and we only have one clinic here. Have a great weekend everyone and hope we all lose lots before xmas. Hi missysmum thinkin of ya,hope you are hangin in there. I will post soon when i see the magic number 8. Take care everyone.

Hi all,
I have been following this and the previous forum for several months. It's good to see it up and running again. Congratulations to every one who has reached their goal and also to those on their way. You are all inspirational. I have lots and lots to lose. I lost 17 kgs very quickly but then I went off track and it has been hard to keep going. I'm hoping with the warmer weather it will be easier to drink the water and stick with the salads. Kaseysmum, I am also in Canberra and the people at the clinic are very helpful.
To Missysmum, my brother also has had non-hodgins lymphoma. At first it is a shock to hear this but you have to be positive for yourself, and be positive and supportive for your son-in-law and daughter. My brother was diagnosed 5 years ago and at present he is doing well. My doctor said that if you had to get cancer this probably was the most curable type to have. Hope this helps you.

To everyone, thanks for your support and hope everyone has a good week.

WELCOME Raja!!!Thats great you have finally joined the forum I too have followed the forums moving from one thread to the next. I have been on and off my plan this year so dont be too hard on yourself and I started in January this year. I lost 22kg pretty fast and then lost the plot and put back on 14kg well I know that the results are fast and encouraging so I have been getting back into this week,and yes the warmer weather definately helps. Ive been having a boiled egg for brekky with salad on 2 crackers and I know this must sound discusting but it tastes nice. For lunch ive been having the mozarella cheese with salad on 2 crackers and for dinner chicken salad along with an orange and apple for fruit. I have 26kg to lose so I should be finished this by now but you have to be totally ready mentally aswell as committed to wanting to do this plan. At one stage i just felt it was too hard and I had 12kg to goal at the time but just threw it in but now Im ready to finish this once and for all. Raja did you notice who has moved in next door to cohens? I just noticed today that curves has moved right next door to them how convenient. Hey Becky hows the refeed going? My friend who completed the refeed ages ago lost more weight on the refeed so its not something to stress over. Well today marks 6 weeks til xmas so we should all start a tally on how much we can all add up together our weekly losses.This is only a suggestion maybe a motivator to stick to our plan. Hope we all have a great week losing this week,cyas!!