Ok. So i dont know if this has been posted before or not. But recently some people who are also on the Cohens say that they have cheat days here and there. Does anyone else? And what do you consider a cheat day?

It is better not to think about "cheat days". That was one of the reasons why I did not manage to finish my cohen the last time. I tried to think of ways and means to cheat the system during then.

In addition, don't forget that if you cheat, your blood test results will be affected and it will affect your refeed program which is designed to stabilize your weight. The consequences are quite big. What is the point of losing all the weight and after it, you gain them all back because your body chemistry is not stabilize properly to handle the real life.

I was just wondering because of some of the people I know. Im in my first week and honestly its making me crazy. Hopefully I will make it through the next two weeks free and clear

It might be good for you to find something to do to occupy yourself.

This is my 2nd time in Cohen and I am currently in my 2nd week. The last time I lost 14kg and did not went through refeed program. within a couple of months, I gained all back.

Basically I have an idea what I will be going through this time. I chose my first week to be the week where I will be going through a lot of office training. It takes my mind away from eating during the day. I was so busy that I need to set timer to eat my crackers. In the night, I tried to shift focus by reading other people's weigh loss diary or surfing the net for "cohen friendly" spicies. I tried to get in bed by 10.30pm too.

For my first weekend, I tried to occupy myself by doing some handicraft work such as cross-stitch or window shopping in grocery stores (for spices again).

Hi Yuko

I would not recommend ANY form of cheating whatsoever...

If first you've deviated, it'll be SO much easier to do it again...and again...and again...

It's really not worth it -- and as fornight said, it's screws up your blood tests AND the chemistry in your body. One "cheat" can set you back a whole week of losing no fat!
Is that really worth it?

I know that it's difficult for you to hang in there...but I PROMISE you, it WILL get better
Just drink lots of water or soda and take naps when you're really hungry.
Remember, your body is fighting this new way of eating -- don't let it win. It wants to return to the bad way of eating...
It's really worth it to stick to it! Really!!

*hugs*

You CAN do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep well xxx

Thanks much for putting it into another perspective for me. I think im just going to take it one day at a time. I decided that I wont prepare meals early so that I have something to do for myself for dinner. I think I will have to take some time and read and I have been looking through some fashion magazines so I can pick out some things that would be nice for goal presents.
Well thanks again for the support. Its much needed. And I will take in any advice that is available

Yukio-So some of your friends cheat. They are only cheating on themselves. It's not being clever at all. This is all about you taking control of your health. You have made the decision to do Cohen's & you have paid the money. Why? What do you want the most? Do you want to be slim & healthy & to be able to fit into nice clothes & look good or do you want to eat rubbish food, cheat & possibly stay over-weight? Your choice & your choice only.
You managed to get through the hardest week of the plan. Well done! Resist your friends 'advice'. Use this opportunity to prove to yourself that you can be strong & you can learn how to eat healthily. It is something you will be able to take with you throughout your life & you will consequently gain a lot of self-esteem. Cheating does not make anyone feel really good about themselves. Overcoming hurdles & being strong & maintaining will-power does. You can do this Yukio. Tell yourself this. Picture yourself slim & shopping for & then wearing lovely clothes & never ever being overweight again!!

Re the having a snack late. My plan says 'Last meal before 9pm (or at least 2 hours before bedtime for shift workers)' I have always read that as just your last meal & almost always had my fruit and/ crackers later. They do not count as a meal.
Yukio take it hour by hour. Get through each day, without even thinking about deviating. Be strong. We can't do this for you but you sure can! xoxo Cate

Thanks Cate. I did think it was all food. Last night I wasnt hungry after eating. I ate around 6:30 pm and went down around 11pm. So that wasnt bad. I didnt eat anything after dinner though. I ate my fruit and my meal at the same time though. I felt like the last meal wasnt giving me enough.
I dont honestly think of cheating. But I see them doing it. And I wonder why pay all that money and then go and do that. Was just wondering if anyone had cheat days is all.
HOWEVER Cate... LOL i do think my hardest wekk will be coming up because it will be that time of the month lol... YAY me
But your right and I will be thinking of what you say constantly

Hi Yuki!

I wish we could say YES to cheat days-- but unfortunately its a NO NO!

Like Cate said-- You only fooling yourself! I know that it sounds hard and believe me its tough! But the foods that you crave and feel so deprived of will still be there-- today, tomorrow and way after you have finished Cohens!

You just not eating them for a while-- but it doesnt mean never!

Trust me, even eating more of the prescirbed things --likle crackers-- are a NO NO! Ive developed a bad habit of eating to many crackers and it has slowed me down! ye SOMETIMES YOU LEARN THE HARD WAY!

Like if you cheat toady-- Nothing will happen--but thats exactly that-- NOTHING WILL HAPPEN-- YOU SIMPLY WONT LOOSE A THING-- and whats the use of sticking to the diet 95%? When it comes to weight-in your bloodtest will show it! It realy does! You wont get the results that you need even if that 95% was perfect!

Good-luck with the PMS mine also on the doorstep aaaaaaawwwhhh! Ive been on Cohens for 2 and half months now and that week id deff the toughest! But soon afert you will FEEL that its over!

Girl you invested to much for to to spoil it on one 5min of pleasure! RIGHT!

Keep strong lady! YOU CAN DO THIS!

I dont think I will be deviating ever.. I found some great tasty meals that I can do and are well within the Cohens diet and more lol. Im ready to be a SUPERSTAR

Hi Yukio
This is my second time on Cohans and the first time i stuck to the diet completely 100% and the weight just fell off (but unfortunanlty i didnt do re-feed as i found out i was pregnant the week before.. By the way.. it really DOES boost fertility so be carful..lol.. in saying that, we wanted our adorable baby boy.. so i was delighted to be preggo). Anyway back on track... This time (3 years and 2 kids later) i am again sticking to it 100% and again the weight id dropping off.. so i think in order to lose weight Fast... you need to be 100% failthful to Cohans.. ANd my mindset is that during refeed, ill be introduced again to bread and carbs and milk and all the things you think your missing now.. and becasue of that i dont crave them now... When you think you cant have something, your body WANTS it BAD.. but knowing you will have it soon enough means you dont feel that craving as bad... I hope this helps.. your doing great... every step forward counts...

Hey!

I do a two hour 'refeed' period every week where I eat what I want, within reason (a meal out with a dessert, or pizza, or something like that). Apparently it helps your body out, and it sure doesn't hurt mentally to have something like that to look forward to.

alphafemale - Are you in "maintenance" phase now thus allow to do cheat days one in a while? I think your post is quite misleading.

i agree.. on cohans you cant have one cheat day a week or you will never see a loss

I cannot speak about Cohens - but I do know about life on a restrictive diet. I have been on my project for 2.5 years and am in maintenance. I have no wish to eat pizza or chocolate - or a heap of other things that I found hard at first.

When I got to goal my first thought was to reduce the exercise levels (which I will admit were excessive) and not increase the food.

I would encourage anyone to try their hardest to resist the urge. A lot of things will actually get easier with time. The rewards will come with the acquisition of good health and the figure that you thought would always be just in your dreams.