Hi all!!!!!

So, I did the blood test today and picking up the results tomorrow! (faced my fear of needles but it did it!)

Ok so I found out about Dr Cohen though a magazine aricle, one of out local celebs did it and in the aricle I saw the diet link. On monday I followed up on the net and found the details needed.

Last night I was so excited and thrilled that I found something 'personal' and made up my mind that I AM GOING TO DO THIS!!!!! So now having paid and done the test Im waiting for the consultation.

Something intersting-- Dr. Cohen's research was done here at the University I was at(WITS)! And the Wellness Centre is the main one in Johannesburg, Which is to my conveniency -- right down the road from my office block so all in favour! yaya!

I have to say that Im NOT a serial deiter or excersise freak but I do love food and I do like my excersise routine of 3-4 times a week!

Im currently : 82kg HEAVIEST IVE EVER BEEN SIZE 12+
Height : 1.67m
BMI : 29.3
Bodyfat :36 % (eeeekk)

I have never realy had a problem with loosing weight, yet I cannot seem to do it anymore and now that I am desperately trying it kick the fat 'ME' Im struggling-- and 'conventional' and 'all range' diets I dont trust anymore.

3 Months ago I have I decided to dedicate this year to ME and to loose 25kg before i turn 25 in September 25 THIS year! Allot of 25's LOL!! But ya thats my goal! I have sort of an idea that i have to loose like 23-25kg to get to my target weight! (at this point im a bit discourged by gyming alone --its only made be bigger)

I LOVE fruit and Veg and can live on it if i had too!

I have also read some threats of people on other forums to get a 'feel' for whats in store-- some good things and some bad! Im also a social eater and drinker and forsee some hardship for me ! LOL

I joined today as i would like to share my progress--sometime people closest to you are not the best motivators and like-minded peeps are just what you need!

Looking forward to the interaction-- also meeting some of you guys!

Greets!
**

Great to hear from you Starfish.

Lucky you being right near the main clinic!

Honestly, just believe that it will work. That might sound weird, but so many people have found from experience that this diet DOES shift weight when they've tried many other things before and failed.

I used to believe that I was hopelessly stuck with being fat no matter what I did. But once I started Cohen's, I just remember the exhiliration of the early days when the weight just started to DROP OFF!!! I was walking around on Cloud 9 for months!

That said, the first week is the toughest, and your body will object lots to the restricted food range. Just get through it however you can, rest lots, drink lots of water, and believe that once you've done the same thing for 2 weeks, you WILL start feeling better, not starving, and find it's all second nature and easily doable. Space out your biscuit and fruit allowance during those early weeks so you've always got something to look forward to.

Hope your plan arrives soon and it all goes well.

Hi Starfish- & welcome to the forum. I agree with the advice that Niyah has given you. Cohen's is great & you can relax knowing that your weight will drop off. It really does work. I'm the slimmest I have been since my 20's(55 now) & I am loving it! I look forward to following your progress, cheers, Cate.

Hi all!! Thank you ladies for your replies!

Ive just read the 'before and after' threads!!! OMG I so excited and i tell you i feel like crying! Im just so happy for the people that have found happiness through this program! Im desperate to have the same feeling!

Today all my Information was filled and my blood tests are in- now i only have to wait for my consultation--- THEN I CAN GET STARTED!

After paying for the program (yet i havnt recieved anything) I started reading a bit more about other peoples opinios about the Cohen lifestyle. Deffinately some mixed thoughts out there-- its very easy to go with the BAD ones and think that it wont work--like all the other programs before-- and whats this similarity to the Sureslim program-- is it realy that similar?

Well, Im going to Stick with my choice and im deciding for myself that this program WILL WORK FOR ME-- or better-- IM GOING TO MAKE IT WORK FOR ME!

I want to have a sun filled summer holiday this year, at the beach over December- and wait for it-- IN A BIKINI!!! heheheh very cliche-- but true
As soon as i Get my program and my sart date-- im going to take a photo-- stick it in the inside off my cubboard-- checking it out everyday!

YAY im excited!

There's a risk in everything you do, Starfish, but if you accept that and just work with the program, you'll probably be one of the vast majority it works well for.

I've heard a few bad stories of people who've got sick, got pregnant and so on, but most people I've heard of on the program just find it plain works.

When I did it the first time, I remember spending heaps of time online looking up medical studies etc, to satisfy myself about the science behind the diet and the "rules", and I was completely satisfied in all respects that it is reasonable and doable.

It's a lot tougher diet than many others out there. However, I and many other seriously obese people want to see results happening fairly quickly. Many of us have felt like everything else has failed, and it's important when committing to this that we believe it works, and see the results rapidly. A lot of us found it difficult to exercise because of our obesity and all the consequent problems it causes. It's amazing how much easier it is to breathe, move around and sleep, once the fat disappears!

I have no objection to people who want to lose weight more slowly, or have a bigger daily intake of calories overall, or do heaps of exercise, but truly for me, this one WORKED. I was fortunate I'd seen firsthand a few other people turn their lives around before I started first time around, including one lady who'd had an advanced breast cancer diagnosed (and huge obesity) and decided she really needed to get on top of her health and hormones. Despite the poor prognosis, she's still going well several years later. I took one look at her, and several others I knew who done it, and thought "Whatever you are doing, I'm going to do. I don't care if it's eating bananas, or drinking orange juice - whatever it is, I'm going to just do it". I did the diet first time around with that attitude, and it worked fantastically.

I had a big disruption in my life, and some hugely stressful things happening which meant it was difficult for me to keep my focus, and I ended up ditching the rules and putting weight back on. I have no-one to blame but myself for that - I just stopped doing what they said, and that's all there was to it. I'm also learning that even when life changes, and we're "too busy" to do it, we STILL have to do it - somehow! I'm making this work with very long work hours, little shopping time, and at times a fair bit of stress - something I thought I wouldn't be able to do.

This time around, I'm taking a much longer term view. I know I will have an obesity problem for life - I will tend to put on weight rapidly if I eat the wrong stuff. I'm ready to face that for life this time around. I finally understand there is no "cure", only things you can do to either help or hinder.

hehehe what a funny smiley!!! I just had to put it in!!! LOL!

Thanks Niyah for you relpy!

And ye, you right, there is definitely a risk in all that one do-- i mean, even getting in your car to go to the petrol station is a risk. I think what makes a personal 'journeys' or 'achievements' so hard is the fact that you, yourself, is the risk- -the success is dependent on you and when one fails then there is no-one else to blame but you. not a nice thought!

I see myself in you words when you said that you went and search for scientific jounals and related studies to sort of 'proof' or then rather a guarantee -- looking for that solid answer to make the axciety go away. Ye by the way, so ive learned-- THAT DONT WORK! However, i still find myself doing it!

I have been having these conversations with myself in my head for the past week. I feel a bit looney! LOL!
No, but i think that what ive realised is--

Im in denial! Im in denial about my weight,in denial about the fact that i need to do something, in detial that im happy with myself!

The truth! IM NOT HAPPY WITH MYSELF and im overweight! Is a hard pill to swallow-- i keep telling myself - -no its not that bad-- tomorrow than you just have to eat right! HELLOOO if ive been eating right then i suppose i wouldnt have this problem in the first place!

i think to myself-- if someone that you have just met had to go and describe me to another person-- they would say-- Do you know that blond girl, ye she's got brown eyes, the rather chubby girl???

THATS ME YE! There is no way they would say: the fit skinny girl with the blonde hair and brown eyes!
SAD BUT 100% TRUE! and i dont want to be the chubby one STILL out of all my friends!

Im raving here and i hope that all dont it to nagging! Yet, i feel it nessecary to say it-- im not sure that there is many people who would listen-willingly- to my whining!

Im at the very begining of my journey to better health and better mental wellbeing! Ive taken many step and I have achieved a couple of things that i thought i would never be able to over come!

1. Stop biting mu nails-- this so such a stupid thing but i struggled with it for years-- BUT ive kicked it and I have beautiful nails now and im proud of them!
2. Stopped smoking! YA I did, I half stopped in 2008 but now have stopped completely +3 months and counting!
3. Take up gyming, to get fit. (this was the second step after smoking, couldnt breatth with smokers lungs)
AND NOW
4. LOOSE WEIGHT!

ya so ive come a long way and most of these thing has not happend over night, but rather over years! mmmmmmmm

NOTHING WORTH WHILE IN THIS LIFE, COME WITHOUT A FIGHT!

FOOD IS THERE TO NOURISH-- SO MAKE HEALTHY CHOICES! -- My new MOTTO!

SO ye thanks for listening--- I can promise(unfortunaly) that there willl be more! LOL!

Hope you all have a great Weekend--

REMEMBER EARTH HOUR ON the 28 !!!! ITS SO IMPORTANT!

GREETS
**

Starfish-That's what your diary is for. Let it all hang out! Get it out of your system. You have the right idea looking at what you have achieved already & giving yourself credit for doing so. Giving up smoking is so tough. You did it! You can do this. If you set your mind to losing weight you will do it. Follow your Cohen's program, make that lifestyle change & you won't regret it. Cheers, cate.

Hi Starfish~

Good luck with your Cohen's journey!!!
I'm still waiting for my program though, but I'll soon join all of you and I can't wait!

We're here to support you. And yeah, Earth Day is awesome

Oh and I saw that you're also from Jozi!!! Which clinic are you at??

oooh coool Luvbug!!! Not always you find someone from the same location!

Im at the Wellnes Centre on Main rd Bryanston!

Yo im also waiting for my program! -- All was paid and sealed on wednesday! SO yes also in the waiting phase!

if you in JHB then i think you should also be with Louise?

That's pretty fantastic, Starfish!
I'm at the Bedfordview one, though. It's so cool!
We'll probably start at the same time...hehe

How much do you want to lose etc?

Oh SUPER MAN! I didnt know that there was a centre in Bedford! I stay in Randburg and also work in Bryanston so its very close and easy for me! No need for extra traveling all sorts!

Man, I think i want like 25kg to go!!! I KNOW I KNOW! I DONT KNOW HOW!!! Flip man it seems impossible at this stage-- maybe because I havnt recieved anything yet (program wise)!

It seems like me and you are exacatly at the same stage! HEHEHE its cool! I also joined this forum like 3 days ago!

I see that you are a Student? Where and what you studying? Oh how i remember those days......... mmmmmmmm NOSTALGIC! LOL!
Im 24 now and turing 25 on the 25th of september-- ALSO STRANGE STRANGE-- ur b-day is on the 22nd ya(i just checked you info, so dont think im telepahic or something wierd! LOL)

But ya thats my goal!!!! 25kg on the 25 September on my 25 birthday! WHAAPPPAAA!

Starfish- I lost 36kgs in 28 weeks doing Cohen's. That's why I say with such confidence that Cohen's works. You have both made the right decision & it also looks like you can really support one another at the same time. I have made some lovely real friendships from the forum. A big hi to the 2 of you in S.A. from Cate in Tasmania, Australia "Under down under" xo.

Down under! yeahy!! Im still visiting your country, ITS deffinately a MUST! Id like to see one of your hopping kangaroo's and you can come see our Lions!

We also sorta down under! Like horizonly Down-under! Ya we going into our miserable winter months so im going into Hermit-mode and coming outa my shell again when spring is here! Like a cocoon!

Cate, you such great inspiration and thank you for all you motivation! Im hoping for as much as possible and going to stay optimistic!

Its nice to meet people with the same goals even more so when its from your own counrty! BIG UP LUVBUG!

Wow Starfish, that's a great goal!!
I want to lose 10kg's in (hopefully) 12 weeks! But I know if I stay 100% on it then it's possible.
And that means it's definately also possible for you!

Yeah, I'm a final year student at the University of Johannesburg - I'm studying B.Ed. (Education). I also live in Randburg LOL and I'm 21

Btw, are you afr?

Cool, Cate! We're not suppose you like Aussies when it comes to cricket, but otherwize we love you
Keep up your good work Have a lovely day xxx