Hello to everyone!
I stumbled accross this forum the other day in the hope of finding out more about Cohen's and have become totally addicted to reading it.
So much so, that I just have to do this now. I'm attending an information session tomorrow, and am eager to get my program and get started. I have about 40kg to lose - it's very hard to picture myself in the 50-odd kg range - haven't been there since age 17.
I am completely inspired by people such as Moni (who lost 78kg!!!!) and Less of Me - what wonderful photos on the "before and after" forum .
I look forward to getting advice and swapping tips with you - you all sound like a wonderful bunch of positive people.
Good luck to you all - stay strong!
Cath

Mermaid_sister I remember when first on Cohens getting to the 2 1/2 to 3month mark, and I got really sick. Like an awful cough and flu thing. By then all my friends knew I was on Cohens, and some of them said it must have been toxins. Once I got past that, I felt even better than I had in the previous weeks on the program. My energy levels skyrocketed. So its possible its detox, but as rjm said it could also be TOM. Hope it gets better soon.

Well, I joined the forum today, having been told about it by a Cohen's consultant. It is great to be in contact with others on the program. Started the program on 4th September so am now in week 9, going well and hoping that I will have reached my goal by Feb/March. Can't believe the amount I'm eating and not hungry!! Good luck to all.

Hello everyone!!
Need your help! I really love this forum with all your comments, advice and progress. I had only been on cohens for 3 weeks then came down with cold/flu so cohen's went out the window I'm ashamed to admit....felt sorry for myself and needed comfort food. Well of course the 5kg I had lost is now down to maybe 3kg (if I'm lucky).
So woken up today and starting to feel like normal self and thinking about Cohen's again....so starting again at lunch time....stopped cohens on Sat so been off it for 4 days.
Anyone else out there been off it for a few days and then back on, due to sickness, holiday etc.
sorry friends need some inspiration as really disapointed in myself.

thanks heaps Jo

Welcome Ladybird and Lonniecee.
Ladybird try not to think about where you've been, look ahead to where you're going. Life is full of setbacks. Think of other things you've undertaken, and have been interrupted. Even menial things like housework, when we are sick or unexpected things come up, sometimes gets put on the back burner, but at the very next opportunity, we know it WILL be done, and when it is, we feel accomplishment. Now take that idea and think of something you've achieved that isnt menial, like a hobby or something. I bet it wasnt all smooth sailing, but you did it anyway. And felt great. Yesterday is in the past - leave it there and look forward. You are still in front, and will stay in front as long as your attitude is positive. We all know what its like to be where you are, if we can do it, so can you


Ps - never apologise for needing help.

Ladybird, don't beat yourself up, today is a new day, the past is past. The positive is that you only put on a few of those kilos, not the lot, so you're still ahead.

Hi Ladybird,

I just read your post about you being sick, sorry to hear that.

Id just like to assure you that you will be ok, just get straight back on the Cohens wagon and you'll be fine.

I have had some troubles of late, being sick and some other problems which has thrown me off track that much that i actually ate some really bad foods.. ie- Hot Chips, Kabab, and had a few drinks.. not of water either..

I am now back on track, for the last time. I have been on Cohen's for 12 weeks so 3 months.. and it took its toll on me the other week. But i will finish because i have done so well so far.

I am determined to finish Cohen's and get back to the normality of life.

So hang in there, i too have stuffed up.. but it isnt the end of the world.. if you are strong enough you will get back to it.. and you will finish this.

Mermaid Sister- Your ticker has come down so far, well done!!!! So proud of you

To the rest of you, good luck with everything

Hi everyone,
I am back on track today and feeling really motivated and positive. Thanks everyone for all your posts because these are what has helped to get me fired up again. I have even adjusted my ticker to read the goal weight that Cohens have set me which is 57 - 60 (I'll aim for the high side at the moment). I have always aimed for 75kg previously and so when I get close to this I consider myself done and don't even attempt to go any lower. A few people on here have said that you are better to go right down to the goal weight set, and I emailed one of the clinics yesterday and the reply I got was

"if you do not reach your “natural goal weight” there is no point in doing the reefed as it is only effective when you have got rid of all the fat (your body will still have what it needs in order to function but there will be no excess). This is why Dr Cohen does not want us clinics to give people their refeeds unless they have finished. The amazing thing about reaching you natural goal weight is that your body will tell you when you have reached it – this will happen when you start getting really hungry – this is when we do the reefed.
This helps us stabilise the hormones involved in the weight loss and also consolidate the weight loss which enables us to keep the weight off (as long as we keep to sensible foods and keep our bodies balanced).

so I have decided to aim for my correct goal weigh, which again seems a huge amount, but plenty of others on here have done it, and I'm sure I can too. If I make it to 60kg I will have lost 52kgs all up. Last time I completed Cohens I lost 35kgs, but, unfortunately, have regained about 18kgs of this, so I'm back and fired up to get this over and done with once and for all!!!!

Hey everyone- ticker update, not very exciting but that is only because I cheated last week and weighed myself at my parents house- funny I can't practice what I preach, but I just had to, my belt moved down not one but two notches last week so I had to see for myself, I think its that old theory of not much scale movement but huge inch loss. People keep asking me if I feel better for it, and I hate to be a negative nancy but I don't yet- I still feel fat, but I always hold the sentiment that I will soon!

BAM!!!! where have you been sweetie I have missed you! we have so much catching up to do! glad you've hopped back on the wagon, I know its been a stressful time for you, but you have come so far!

rjm- we almost have the same amount to lose, don't worry, it may seem like heaps but look at Bams progress, shes knocked off nearly 20kgs in 12 weeks (? correct me if I'm wrong Bam) we can do this!!!

Cath- welcome and I hope you decide to join, it is a good program to be on, good luck!

also welsome to Lonniece and Ladybird- Ladybird just think of it as starting the program first off, but this time you have 3 or so kgs less to lose- bonus!

What I wouldn't do for a day off! my bf ate KFC last night for tea, and cos I got the car yesterday I had to take him through drie thru oh! I'm so vulerable eekk! its not TOM, apparently it has something to do with detox again, and also I think my scales need new batteries so the cravings are happening, however they are settling down, so I am determined to make it to xmas! (thats my planned deviation day minus any bread stuff) I really just wanna have KFC for xmas lunch how funny!

sorry about the long post guys, I'm procrastinating, sooooo much uni work (a bit overwhelming)

I know we are meant to stick to the program 100%, but for those of us who in the past haven't, remember, in real life, these things happen. No one is perfect all the time no matter what it is they're doing. And everyone goes through rough patches that causes them to revert back to old habits sometimes. It took our whole lives to develop these habits. When choosing the wrong things to eat, it cant be compared to giving up smoking or recovering from alcoholism, because people who give those things up, have to abstain from them completely. Impossible to do with food, so from that point of view, the battle can be tougher. Having said that, another way of looking at it is it's easier, because reformed smokers and drinkers cant touch the stuff, however, we can at least fill our stomachs with something to relieve cravings. We are all only human, and we are all doing our personal best, so lets not beat up on ourselves. Guilt is not a hugely motivating force. Acceptance and support is what everyone needs here, and we are so lucky to get it.
We are getting heaps of pressure to attend the end of year dinner. We get free transport, and the meal is a set menu. I really dont want to go, because I wont want to eat anything there, and wont really want to take my own food. Its not that I cant deal with not having anything, but we pay x amount and the social club covers the rest, so its a waste of money if I'm not eating. So I'm trying to think of the best way to get the point across. I guess its just a matter of explaining and being firm, which isnt that hard. By that time I would have been back on Cohens for almost 2 months, and there is no way I'm deviating.
BAM only 10 kgs to go, you'll be there and celebrating before you know it. It does take it out of you when you get sick and have other stuff going on. Been there, and if I didnt cave in at the time, I did later. Good to see you back. Keep drinking that water, and the rest will fall off.

Mermaid Sister- You have done so well, and I have missed speaking to you aswell.. but unfortunately at the moment there has been alot of Up's & Down's and im trying to take control of that.. also work has been really busy and I havent been able to get onto Msn without having 10000 things to do at the same time. I will come on soon, and talk to you.. Also i dont have the internet at my new place.. let alone a computer.. so i cant talk at night
And yes you were right about my kg loss in 12 weeks, it can be done.. Just do it girls, you have nothing to lose other then weight hehe

L-Jay- Thanks so much for your post, yes i do have 10kg's to go and they will come off as soon as i get my ass into gear again.. Im happy with the way i look at the moment and im sure that has something to do with being so content.. and having Cohens going downhill.. but ill get there, as will you

Hi L-Jay,
I would explain that you're on a special diet for medical reasons and can they order a special meal for you. I do that regularly at events, seminars, business lunches etc. You will need to be quite specific! You won't necessarily get the amounts correct, but the general type of food should at least be OK. They will need to cater for vegetarians, those on gluten free diets etc, so it should not be too hard to get something you can eat. I normally ask for either steak and a garden salad with balsamic vinegar dressing. honeydew melon, kiwifruit and mango for dessert. It is possible to eat out on the program, and not deviate, apart from in quantities. In some cases, I have also specified quantities, but that's a bit harder to patrol!

I got my program today and ready to start tomorrow... gotta say I'm a big meat eater so for me it's looking good, I think a lot of it will be mental more than anything else to start with. Just diced up my chicken and beef and boy 110 grams is not a lot hey lol

L-JAY I'd be doing as other's have recommended, tell them you're on a specific diet for medical reasons and this is what you can eat in these sizes only. Good luck and have fun

60kg's til goal weight.. here I come 57kg

Someone did my ticker for me THANK YOU xxxooo

L-Jay I can so relate to how you're feeling, as i have just gone through that myself with my trophy night (Which we contribute to over the year with our Rego fees) and a 21st..... I know it's hard, because i went to both and was an anti social non eater & non drinker!
I also have an end of year work function with a set menu (and all the grog you can drink) so that will be difficult too. If you really don't want to go (and your decision has NOTHING to do with not being able to eat) then don't go. However if this is going to be a fantastic night out (aside from the food) with lots of socialising and good company and the only reason you feel uncomfortable is the "Food" then go!!!! Why sit at home and feel sorry for yourself cause you can't eat... you can go after the meal has finished, or leave the room while they are eating, or have a big glass of (allowed) soft drink or water.
People understand, and really Who CARES!!! it's your body and you are doing this for YOU! not them!!! So enjoy yourself and if they hassle you tell them to B##*@r Off!
(sorry peoples, i get a bit passionate sometimes...)