Hey 28!
I am getting so much out of your journey, thanks so much for sharing your experiences here. You are very inspiring.
I am up to day 14, so second measure up tomorrow and I am so curious about it!
The results so far are astounding. Over the past year I have been trying so hard to lose the kgs, sweating away at the gym, restricting my diet yadda yadda yadda and now, I have found the answer and wonder what took me so long, wish I did it years ago.

Hon your before and after photos ... you should be SO proud of yourself!! By the way, gorgeous hair!! I cannot wait to read your first entry after seeing your family in Sydney again!!! They will be gob-smacked!!!

Hi there Guys, My name is Angela and I am from NZ, ive been peeking in on these forums to try and give me the guts to join on the Cohens Journery, 28weeks your photos are amazing!!!!! I do have a copy of the cohens diet from a friend years ago but thinking of just saving up and paying out the money to join properly, only prob is the only clinic in NZ is in the south island and i live in the north!! so would only be phone consultations, is this still ok?? just wondering is this the truly best thing you have ever done guys?? im just so nervous at parting with that amount of money.... any advice u have would be muchly appreciated... cheers ange

Hi 28! Your photos are amazing, and hey, if that "backside" view gave you the urge to do something, then they probably did you a HUGE favour!!!! (Why do photos always look even worse than the mirror?????).

I've been away so haven't been posting, but congrats on the success of your journey and great to see how much progress you've made in so many ways. Good luck for the rest of the journey.

Not much longer to go now 28!!!

Seems like you are pumping along and really sticking to the plan ow so very well

Loving the pics- just need to see the front view now!
xx take care of yourself sweet and keeping knocking away those last few kg's!

Hello everyone,
Well, it's been a good week since i've visited.
I had my birthday last week and have also been madly
working on my positive thinking website. I love it and
feel like I now know enough to turn the site into a big success.
I want to quit my job and work on it full time. I love it!

Work sux. I am grateful for it for the money but just find the people
and the content of the job so uninspiring.

Weight wise things are good. Am now at 169 lbs (76.5 kilos.) So about 10 kilos
to go which is very exciting.

Weight loss has definitely slowed but that's okay. I'll get there in time and that's what matters.

I have a friend coming to stay in just over a week. She will be with me for about five days. She asked me to reco a restaurant where we could go and she'd take me out to dinner the first night she's here. I told her I'm not eating out and haven't been for months. I didn't hear back from her so hope she's not disappointed. I know I might be disappointed if I went all the way to NYC only to find that my friend was on a madly restrictive diet. It does make a difference. But anyway, no pt in getting too worried as there's zero I can do.

Hope all are well.... it's getting cold here. and I am getting hungrier!

28 x

Miss you 28+1!!!!

Hope you will call in for an update soon! I am in the same boat as you and my weight-loss has slowed down alot. Looks like we may not reach our target for being finished by Christmas but hey, look how hot were looking lol if we dont finish by then it's not so serious

Take care of yourself and I hope work improves for you
Hugs xxx nicole

Hello Everyone,

It's been a while for me, but as I am now approaching refeed, I thought I'd come back and document my journey.

I am now at goal weight (low end), but haven't stopped yet. After having read many people's experiences of refeed and maintenance, I decided I am best to get another 2 kilos off before I begin. I don't mind at all my size now. So if I am another 2 kilos down I really won't feel stressed if I gain a kilo or two when I reach maintenance.

I went home at Christmas time and saw my family for the first time in a year and a half. They got the shock of their lives to see me! It was a very fulfilling moment to realize how far I have come on this journey.

Lots of people are now telling me I am getting too thin. I am not worried though. I am sure I look gaunt but it's just a function of losing for so long.

I am definitely not the same girl who started this journey. I am now much softer in speech, action and even maybe in thought. I move much more slowly and feel a lot calmer. Food is transformational!

In total, I've now lost 120 lbs (54 kilos) since I weighed myself when I was closest to my largest size in 2008. A whole person!

Moving forward...

In order to prepare for the next phase, I've been reading a lot of diaries here and at the NewYouForum. Here's what I think will help me succeed:

- No sugar for this year. Yep, I know that's extreme, but I know my tendencies. I've decided to give myself more time to adjust to no sugar. So no sweets/candy this year. No cake, ice-cream and stuff like that. Cohen's has really helped me change my tastes. I now love veggies like I can't even tell you, and I think growing that love is the key to my long term success.

- Keep to the plan but in greater quantities. I get the sense that those who succeed are generally sticking to the Cohen's food groups. Maybe adding in some rice or bread here and there, but overall, they don't drift too far from Cohen's. This is my intention; to really continue eating what I've been eating on Cohen's. At least for the first month or so of maintenance. I would eventually like to have more fats (olive oil, avocados), nuts and legumes in my diet so I will definitely need to eventually change my regimen over time, but I am going to do this slowly.

And another thing I've started doing to help me succeed is studying Buddhism. I started in September last year and it's been life changing. All my priorities have changed and I feel very much in flux in terms of my values and beliefs. Anyway, it's definitely helping me with understanding and dealing with my food issue. I encourage anyone who is overweight to pursue a spiritual practice. It has helped me so much.

Anyway, I am having my final blood test tomorrow in preparation for receiving my refeed. I will then document my journey, sharing all the foods/recipes I choose and also any challenges and watch outs I come across.

One quick shout out: Thank you to Cate, Niyah and NickyChick for all your support early on in my journey. You guys really helped me stick to it when the plan was oh so difficult. It has of course become second nature. But back then it was hard. I was so low energy for so long!

Speak to you all soon,

28

28!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have missed you so much I was wondering if you were still going to be around? Seems like you must have been busy with your Aussie holiday! How did it go and how are you?

Looks like you have reached your goal and are doing SO well!! I am so proud of you and you must be looking STUNNING! Please put some pictures up so we can see the new you!

Wow your family must have got a huge shock when they saw you. You have done so well to stay on track and finish the programme whilst away on holiday- that's true dediaction, you must have really changed on the inside too!

So are you in maintainence land now? Gee seeing how well you have done gives me fresh hope that it is possible!

GO YOU Please keep in touch, you were such an inspiration to me with your positivity!

xx nicky

p.s I will post this in your diary to just in case you dont come back again for a while.

Hi 28, Once again your post has been really interesting & I have enjoyed it a lot. I agree with most of your insights and think you are being very wise with what you have chosen to do. I think a very gradual re-introduction of new foods is an excellent idea & that is what I had decided to do this time around. What you have achieved in the last year has been an enormous accomplishment and I am really happy that I have been able to share it with you. I am looking forward to hearing more about your journey & insights & already feel that your life has become such a positive one & that you will make a big difference in this wonderful world that we live in.
Catch up again soon, xo Cate

Hi Peeps,

Thanks for your note Cate... so what don't you agree with? You can speak up in my diary; i love a bit of debate. Come on, tell me! Good to be speaking to you once again and I look forward to more exchanges with you.

NickyChick, hello, babe! Good to be speaking with you too! Australia was great. It was wonderful to see everyone and have the shocked responses. You can easily get used to yourself as you drop on Cohen's but then when people see you who haven't in ages, it's just wonderful to watch their eyes pop out!

Well, I received my refeed today so now the countdown is on until I begin the next phase of this diet. As I mentioned earlier, I am keen to lose a bit more weight before I commence. To be precise, I want to lose 2 more kilos. Hopefully that won't take more than one more month as my hair has really thinned and I'm just done anyway with Cohen's.

Today I thought a lot about food. One of those days where I just felt so sad that I can't go and buy a big bag of potato chips and gorge from time to time. It was so annoying to have to feel that way. By the way, I won't ever pig out again. EVER. But sometimes there's just so much sadness in that for me... Knowing I can't. It's true that over eaters are just like alcoholics. It's just a different drug is all. I swear I feel all the sadness of a love lost by having to give up excess eating. I know I'll get through this and remain slim. I'm just afraid of how hard it will be. Not that I'll fail but that I'll have to endure such emotional upheaval. blah blah blah.

After reading the refeed I think I've decided I won't go back to milk... nor am i going to go back to coffee as I like the slow pace I move at these days and I like the idea that I'm stimulant free. So I'm going to have to come up with a new form of nurturing drink. After work today I ventured to a tea store and spent... wait for it.... $80 on two really exquisite organic teas,
a teapot (with an infuser), and a portable tea cup that i can take on the subway to work. They're all divine. One of the teas i'm having right now and it's a herbal green tea that tastes like Earl Grey. yum! i actually don't love it
so far but will learn to. i have to.

Well, I best be off peeps. Hope you're having a good day wherever you are, whatever you're doing...

28 x

28- you are so cheeky! There is nothing in your post that I disagree with! I don't think that I could be as strong as you though, especially with the no sugar for the year. Mmmm? Maybe I could but I don't know if I will. No chocolate at all, not even once a week? You are so strong & determined. I know what you mean about the not being able to gorge or binge & the sadness. It's strange & a little bit sad, letting that old person go & re-defining yourself. I liked that old me, even though I was big.
It's lovely having you back in here & I want more please!!!
xoxo Cate

Hello new neighbour,

Wow - your achievemnt is astounding! Truly! Actually, it's not just the weight - but a total 180 deg. shift that has happened. Brilliant!!!

I had a quick glance through your website. There is some really good stuff there. I think that the best of it is actually you - reading the words and insights that come out of your heart - and it is so apparent that they do reflect your life journey so far. Also, you look radiant with joy and generally seem content in your 'miniscule' photo. Be proud girl!

Oh, yes - my hair seems to thin out when I am on Cohen's too. But, I have lots of it, so I've never really paid a lot of attention to it. Why is that? Has anyone else experienced the same?

Take care,
3D x

Oh dear! SO there I was, ready for refeed and I jumped off the wagon.
Let me just say, I am so exhausted. It's 7:40am and I haven't been to sleep yet. Have done an all-nighter for work.
Stress = stress eating.
Oh well, I am not going to let this get out of hand. I have definitely gained some weight.
Am realizing I can't live my current lifestyle as a busy, career woman and also maintain a stress-free existence.
It's important to contemplate what I want though as I am not a spring chicken anymore (now 34) and need to instill some good long term behaviors that are pro-health.
The current job I am doing is soooo stressful. I feel like my boss always looks like he's ready to shout at me. Once this job is over I am thinking very seriously about taking a looong break. As in at least a month, maybe three. And just regrouping. What's important? WHat do I want?

I also want to get back to 148. Not that I am too far up - 168 - 20 lbs.


Okay, I am off. I am so tired. How will I make it through today?

Hi lovelies! SOrry for not checking in in forever. Hope everyone's well. I certainly am not! LOL!!!

28 x

Sorry to hear you have been so incredibly busy that you have not been able to stay on the wagon thats just awful when you're under so much pressure at work that you don't have the time to take care of yourself as much as you should. I see at my work at certain times of the year as I work for the auditing division at an accounting firm and sometimes the deadlines the auditors have to make and the timeframes are just so unrealistic, they're all there for breakfast, lunch & dinner and just eating absolute crap.

The break sounds like a good idea when you can - and perhaps you need to speak to someone in HR at your work about your intimidating boss?

Take care and hope you're able to check back in soon.
K xo

Hey 28

So nice that you dropped by to check in! We missed you!!!

I was trying to find the link to your website to see what you have been writing lately so if you could put it up again I would be greatful!

You know that falling (or jumping) off the wagon happens to the strongest of people so dont beat yourself up about it! I found as soon as I ate ANYTHING off plan I litereally gained 15kg's over night! I think our bodies become so super sensetive to food whilst on Cohen's and in a way you can liken it to a starving person who hasn't eaten unusual anything for a year. Our bodies adapt to what we eat and when we stray from that they react like crazy.


You can do this and were all here to support you. I have fallen off the wagon but instead of staying off I re-commited and leaped back on, your just lucky you realised before me

What a good idea to have a holiday and refresh, I think we all need a good break to re-group. I was reading an article about holiday's and big decisions and they say that most people make big decisions on holidays and stick to them after they come back. Very interesting.

I know that for me I am going to have to stay pretty close to plan post cohen's and your idea of no sweet things sounds clever. I dont think I could do the no sweets for a year rule but I can definantly take a leaf out of your book. I know that sweets are my down fall also so I am going to have to be very careful after I finish.

Hope your doing okay!!! Just think tomorrow is Friday and then you have the weekend to relax and renew.

Take care of yourself hun!

xx nicky