Hi All,

Hopefully I will find some encourgement on here. This is my story.

I weigh around 110kgs and hate myself. I am trying to get the money together so that I can join the Cohen's programme, so for the time being I am following the basics of the programme from the golden rules book that a friend gave me. It seems pretty simple and have been sticking to these rules, except have not been weighing, which I know will not help me, but thought that I would start weight loss until I can get the money together for the real programme. I read somewhere that a lady was on the Cohen's programme and her husband followed it also and he lost weight off her programme. I am not following my freinds programme, I am just using the golden rules, 5 hours between meals, crackers, right food groups etc. Would this be ok to do? Hopefully I can get my own programme soon.

Thing is I am so scared that this deit will make me sick, with headaches, dizziness, lack of energy etc Did anybody feel this?

And maybe I just can not ever imagine myself being thin but I really cant imagine this working for me. I totally have no willpower and with christmas around the corner how hard will it be!!! Has anybody cheated on the diet and had days of bad foods? If so did this make you feel sick? I am scared that if I have a bad day that I will be ill. I am overweight and feel yucky sometimes, but generally I am healthy, I just dont want a diet that makes me ill.

Very scared and so frustrated !!!

Hello ebby,

Welcome to the forum.
Don’t be so hard on yourself..
I understand how you feel about yourself and your weight. I started my old program at the end of august @ 110.8kg… I am embarrassed to say though, that it is not the heaviest I have been..

I think following some Cohen’s guidelines is a great way to start. I am sure you know the basics of your friends program, this information will aid in your weight loss endeavour. As I mentioned above, I started my old program and lost 10.8 kg in 2 months, even though the program was not working and plenty of deviations and falling off the wagon. After a week on my new program I have already lost 4.3kg. (2.3kgs I gained since deciding on and waiting for my new program.. tut, tut…)

Okay your questions:

Well being:
When on their program some people may experience headaches or feel tired and hungry, but these symptoms usually pass after a few days, it’s the body adjusting, cleansing and in my opinion, withdrawals.. I had a bit of a headache but really nothing else.. You have had friends complete the program so you know that it takes a big personal commitment. It can be hard at times, especially this time of year, as we all tend to socialise with food, alcohol or both.. But I think it’s the closest thing to a little magic pill we will ever get..

Cheating/Deviations:
I have deviated, and fallen off the wagon.. I found I couldn’t eat as much and some things just tasted disgusting.. Some foods tasted extra good too. Yes, I have felt ill after over indulging, my body just was not used to it, bit of a senses overload too.. I also found that if I said yes to one thing it could/would lead to more yes’.. But now I am on the program officially I must remember 1 deviation (no matter how big or small) will cost me 1 week.. I only have a 6 month contract and considering this is my second attempt.. I have to be good..

Feeling Good?:
Cohen’s does make us feel good.. I think it truly is great for body, mind and soul.. I think you will be amazed at how well you will feel following the guidelines and even better when you start your program. I still have down and bad days, my emotional response for food is still there, but at least I am able to recognise that’s what it is and it is something I have to change within myself. Posting on the forum is a great help..

A thin you, can seem so far away and out of reach but the program works and you see and feel the results quickly, this makes it so much easier to believe in yourself and your program..

Dont be scared, stay positive and be kind to yourself. Good luck..

TTFN
Chelle

The trick to all progression is to love all of yourself. The good, bad, ugly, fat, pretty, etc attributes all need to be equally loved and accepted. Then true progression towards a healthier you will start.

Thank you so much for your response. I am onto my third day of following the golden rules and I must say that I do feel slightly good !! I am getting bad headaches and dizziness, but I am determined to stick with it. I am even now in contact with the Cohen's clinic and should start up soon if everything goes to plan. I cheated a bit yesterday and had bad carbs, bit I didnt let that spoil the whole day and I forgot about the cheating and moved on. I will be glad when the side effects go away though. My husband says that the first couple of weeks will be the worst so get through them and you are there. So thats my plan, get through the first two weeks and fingers crossed I might see some weight loss and that will really motivate me.

As for loving myself, in so many ways I do, but I just know that I am better than what I am now, because I have been slim and I take so much pride in my appearence that being fat is not me. I have read through this forum and read so many inspirational stories and I will work towards that day when it is me who is skinny hahahaha

ebby- Loving yourself means loving yourself, regardless. That's regardless of anything. Whether you are over-weight or slim you are worth loving. Doing anything is so much harder if you feel negative about it.
Start from that premise and then work towards becoming slim. Loving yourself will help you become slim. It's very important. You are important.
If you cut down on caffeine & up your water and follow the other "Golden Principles" it will help you prepare for the Cohen's program.
I hope you can afford to purchase the program as it works. If & when you do, and I really hope for your sake that you can, you should not suffer withdrawal symptoms as you would have gradually de-toxed already.
My life has changed so much for the better because of it. The strictnessof Cohen's, leaves nothing to doubt. It's black & white. Ni ifs and buts. No excuses for failure. Nothing to be scared of. It works.
Cheers, Cate

I know what you mean Cate and I will get there. Today I tried on a very fitted top thinking that it would not fit but I actually got it on!!! I am so pleased, something must be working. I will purchase the full programme maybe after christmas but what i am doing now cannot do any harm and i feel positive about it so that is good. I have uped my water and i have 2 black coffees a day. One question: what is 1 cracker? i am using the 97% fat free saladas, the ones that you break in half or can break into small sqaures. is half a cracker 1 cracker or is the whole square one cracker or is the tiny square 1 cracker? LOL

4 small squares of Saladas(ie whole)= 2 crackers, so yes- 2 small squares = 1 cracker. Limit them to 6 crackers per day with at least 2.5 hrs between crackers. Cheers, cate.