Living it....I think we can relate to sitting at our meal crying at one point or another. It's a defining moment when we know there is "yummy' food in the cupboard and we choose to eat what is on our plan.You made the right choice!

I find on the days I am down....I 'treat' myself to a strong coffee, glass of caffiene free diet coke and a mango. Some nights I even eat all 5 pieces of chewing gum. It's a sugar hit and leaves you with a full tummy. Comfort food Cohens style.

There have many nights were I have sat in tears of frustration because I have too much dinner to eat. I am probably a little rarer than most people on the diet because I find the amounts of food we have to eat massive. Some days I am literally the only one sitting at the table with my kids walking past saying "mum you have to eat it all' or "I'm not leaving until you eat it all". Refeed needless to say was a nightmare.

LOL@ lessfatty's kids- My kids had similiar rules....but hey I've never been one to follow the rules! My kids have tried the 'don't talk to anyone', 'park down the street', 'omg my friends are coming over can you all stay in the lounge room'.....don't ya love them!

Re: Garlic...I took another look through my plan. In my plan no fresh garlic is allowed (that includes minced garlic and ginger) and I am allowed only 1 teaspoon of 'condiments' i.e garlic powder. I wonder why our plans differ? Maybe it's because mine is an older plan?

Anyway...I just wanted to post that I survived a "lawyers lunch" which means there was lots of booze (and the good stuff too!) and lots of lovely food that nobody on a diet should ever be faced with. I drank water and snuck back home to eat my chicken and asparagus soup.

I spotted the dress I want to wear to this wedding I have to go to in November. I wasn't game to buy it just yet. Hope it is still there in a week!

mysh

where did you all get your weightloss picture things from? I would like to get one to keep a track of each and every one of the 60kg's I"m a bout to lose

I recently met up with my friends whom i have not seen for months since I have start this program... and well.. comments were very good and pleasing to the ear.. but they will always have a statement in their comments that is "this weight is enough do not slim down any further" well... this is even the same for my mother who keeps asking me to stop when i have reached 6 months.. I did not tell her but i want to reach my target weight... which is 59kg.. I do not want to think negatively of their comments.. but i would choose to think that they are just worried for me.. do any of you have the same issue??

lessfatty - First of all...CONGRATULATIONS!!! You must be feeling fantastic! And so you should be! I know that when I got down to double figures, I was walking on air for weeks. well done! Now your question regarding the refeeding program. My refeed program went for 17 days (this is different for everyone) and you get the individual additional allowances for each day of refeed in a table. So on day 1, I had to add 30g of 'old protein' and 40g of 'old vegetables'. These amounts are to be added to your original plans' meal allowances, but spread out over the whole day. So, for example, you could choose to split the extra protein and/or vegetables between lunch and dinner, or you can opt to add it all to one of these meals. I was inclined to spilt it. The 'base' food amounts you enter on the spreadsheet (I assume that is what you have) are taken directly from your original plan. Does that answer your question?

GARLIC - just to make this clear: fresh garlic (and ginger) was NOT in my list of allowed vegetables in my plan. I emailed my consultant about eating fresh garlic (and ginger) when I was sick with the flu. She gave me the all-clear, but said that the 'limited amount' rule still applied. Limitted, Smittited ! I ate heaps of it AND I kept on eating it after I got over the flu - it just has soooooooooo much more flavour than the dried stuff! I have no idea if she contacted Dr Cohen or if she just decided (off her own bat) that it wouldn't do me any harm...Either way, it didn't! I have sucessfully completed the program - garlic, ginger and all! By the way...as for it 'showing up' as a deviation in our blood test...I still don't get this ! What results do you get from your tests? I never recieved any feedback on my blood test results the whole time I was on the program!

~BAM~ - Come on girl! You can do this! Just take it one meal at a time...I have complete confidence in you!

Jewls - So glad to hear that your ankle is feeling a little better. Your post about the things your family members do made me laugh...so thank you!

living it & heavenlylamb Regarding having to loose half your body weight...I had to loose almost half mine. My starting weight was almost 120kg and I am down to 64kg! And it only took me 8 months!!! You can both do this...it is entirely possible! These days, I am baffled as to how I managed to carry around all that extra weight with me all the time...I have trouble picking up my dog (yet alone carrying him anywhere), and he only weighs 40kg!

As for me...Life after refeed is both liberating and terrifying! Having made the decision to only weigh once a month whilst on the program, I now weigh myself twice a day...once in the morning and once at night, before I go to bed. I am so scared that I will undo all the hard work I put in to make it to where I am now. I am pleased to say though, that my weight is currently holding steady. I am very conscious of what food passes by my lips these days, but it is nice to know that I can have something naughty if I choose to...the trick is not to have too much naughty stuff. I liked being on the program because there were clear lines that I refused to cross (with the exception of the limited amounts of garlic, of course ). Now that there are no 'lines', I am constantly debating with myself as to whether or not I should eat this or that. Anyway...it is all good for the time being!

HILARIOUS!!!

LIVING IT - Reading your words has allowed me to realise just how many other people are in the same boat as myself. You are very courageous to be doing this with very little support. Most people would have broken down and given up by now. Im sorry to hear you are so alone for so many hours a day. But remember, although were not there with you in person, we are here all the time and definitely in thought and spirit. Your doing an amazing job. If I can manage to hang in there, and all the other incredible people on here, so can you. Together, we CAN and WILL succeed!!!!! Chin up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all - haven't posted for AGES, been very slack. I've finished my holidays (4 weeks) and returned to work this week. I'm actualy pleased, as being on holidays was very difficult and i actually deviated many times. didnt put on weight but didnt lose any until this week - i've dropped 1/2 kilo since Tues when i've pulled myself back into line and also got back into the routine of work.

6 kgs to go until i think about refeed. Which will be 3 kgs more than Cohen says I should look at refeed but I will assess myself when i get to 72kg. If I think i can lose a bit more, then i'll keep going, but i seriously doubt it. 67kg for me (as a max weight range) is very light. We'll see.

Anyway, I havent read back across the posts yet - hope all is well with everyone.

Hi all. I have been lurking quietly in the background for a few weeks now watching your progress and too nervous to join in. I felt inspired today by Less Fatty reaching 99.6. I weighed myself today and for the first time in nearly fifteen years am under 100kg - 99.6 to be exact. What an awesome feeling. I have been on Cohens for 7 weeks now and loving it. The support you have shown everyone has been one of my mainstays and look forward to joining in.
Dizzy

Hi Dizzy!
Welcome to the Madhouse! and Congratulations for getting under 100kg's Well Done!!

i think if i didn't have a ticker to update every couple of days i would actually go mad... i mean if i am feeling in a low mood all i have to do is log on and look at my ticker. It is very inspiring to see the fact you were that big, and now after a bit of personal tlc and self control this is what i have achieved. I am on the homewood stright now ladies and gents!!!!

To all congradulations.

Asyoz - well done when you get half way i would love to see some before and half way shots... I'll send you mine if you send me yours... And thatthe same for you all. my email is tamsimpson@optusnet.com.au... Email me even if you all wanna chat...

Tam

Where do you get your great tickers from? I'd love one as I'm just starting out.

Hi All. Good to see so much progress across the forum.
Tried the dieters tea for the last two nights it works very well, highly recommend it (when required). I have been having trouble keeping up with trousers not falling down. I wish the tummy would move as fast as the hips. Kmart and Target are my new favourite shops have recently bought size 14 jeans, very exciting Yeah!!! 4 weeks ago I bought exactly the same jeans in size 18, sent photos to my friends that have not seen me for a while and they have all responded in amazment. Who cares If Dr Cohens is real or not My results are real thats all that matters to me. Had my 20 week weigh and blood test today have updated the ticker. I am having issues with chocolate cravings have surrended a few times, made the decision today after talking with consultant I will not have it in the house not even a little bit.

LessFatty: Congratulations a massive goal achieved. Well Done. Bet you are feeling as light as a feather. A word of advice from personal experience dont get on the scales tonight just weigh yourself at your regular time. Keep up the excellent work.

Good night all. Sweet dreams ( but not chocolate)

can anyone see me?

Absolutely a good idea, this thread needs to be closed and a second entity of it opened.

Also those four damned pictures need to be removed from each page, it takes so damned long for a page to load it's not funny.

Thanks heaps for offerring to help us out, Maleficent!

That was sooooo funny!

Not sure we'll cross the line together, but so long as we both cross the line, I'll be thrilled.

asy

Literally, no, Virtually, yes.

Um, if you can see you, we can see you.

asy