Just had to post again - do I become a junior member at 100 posts???

Hello all,

Thank you all for your support! I have finished Day 2 and I have already noticed a difference.... I thought it was my imagination, but no - the swelling in my midriff has actually decreased - I cannot wait to measure myself in 5 days.

FatCat: thank you for that - I couldn't find the tubes so I bought the baby octopus hoping I could use that as my seafood allowance - but obviously not oh well

Nans68: That is fantastic! You are a true inspiration for me! I am currently a size 16 and want to be a 10!

Hey Fatty: Thank you for your support - and congratulations on your success!! It's amazing!!

I have tried the chicken and asparagus soup but I did not like the taste of the chicken it was broiled and not too good for the tastebuds...

I took my chicken portion tonight and scored the skin, I rubbed in some garlic and a pinch of salt and added basil and oregano - I fried up (no oil) tomato, mushroom and celery and fried the chicken - now that was yummy!

Happy Slimming Ladies!

Dear all,

I feel so proud of myself! =)

I managed to work on my brain power to say 'no' to my favourite foods when I was out today with my family. During tea time, my family was having a dessert and some side dishes (in singapore, it's called popiah) while I told myself to eat my crackers and drink a cup of tea. Popiah happens to be my favourite dish. And it came to a point when my sister offered me a piece and I looked at the small piece longingly and was contemplating whether I should eat it but then my sister answered for me by saying 'Oh I forgot! You cannot eat... and she took the popiah away from me.' So that was how I managed to avoid succumbing to temptation.

Second time was during dinner. I packed my dinner with me, was starving and we were at my favourite food stall. It sells rojak (it's a vegetable salad which is not really healthy cos there are some ingredients which are fried.) My sister wanted to order a plate but my mum refused because she's worried that I would be tempted. And that's how I overcame my temptations.

In a way, I got to be thankful of such supportive family members. The popiah trial was the hardest as I was hungry and could only look at my family enjoying the food.

But though I didn't do much brain power, I feel so proud that I managed Day 3 without deviations.

I also made a trip down to the supermarket to buy some good fruits (fruits that weren't allowed but now I can eat it during refeed). I've started eating some good fruits already and am looking forward to pineapple and rockmelon soon!

I also started planning my second week of refeed where food planning gets more complicated with the addition of more new proteins such as pork and different types of fish. I bought a piece of salmon today. I don't really like to eat salmon but that's a new protein I'm going to add in just for refeed.

I also bought corn and peas as carbo for my refeed. I'm looking forward to eating corn cos I love corn! I didn't realize that corn is healthy (much less that it is not a vegetable, but a carbo!) Peas are good too but I didn't realize they are carbo.

I also started scouting around for the new vegetables such as water cress. So I know where I could get them when I needed it.

I'm super tired today. It's 1:30am in spore now and I'm going to sleep soon. Gonna wake up at 830am for brekky before I head down to the supermarket to buy beef.

Sunday will be a busy day for me. After my body toning class, I foresee that I'll be packing my food for round 2 of refeed.

Gotta go! I'm kinda less nervous and less doubtful of myself now. I think as the days go by, I'm more convinced that I can pull through refeed without deviations.

I'm gonna work harder! So you all must work hard too! Go, Go, Go!

hello all, it sounds like everyone is trying really hard and doing so well.

I had my husbands birthday party at our house last night. I was so worried that I was going to deviate, especially drinks wise. I luckily went to see my consultant on Friday night and sat and watched the presentation for the first time and decided there and then not to deviate. I didn't. I saved up my crackers and fruit but didn't end up eating them.

Does everyone eat all their cracker and fruit allowance? I haven't been doing and I don't seem to be losing as fast.Could that be why?

I've done 3 weeks and I've only lost 4.5kgs. My measurements are only down 17cms in total too.Whats happening I wonder?
I'm doing everything exactly to plan and yet its so slow. I can't possibly lose 2.5kgs in a week to reach the 7 to 10 that most people get in the first month.It is so frustrating.

ah well, I'll just keep plugging away, got to get there in the end I guess.

Hi all

So lovely to see everyone using the forum as it should be used for support , to vent to help eachother along Cheers to everyone!!!

HeyfattyThankyou soooooo much will have the prawn salad soon yum yum

IsparkleWell done on coping sooo well!!

[[B]HLHurray on the size 12's way to go !!!![/B]

Newlife Congrats!! enjoy Europe. Did the clinic give you any advise re your trip and managing the program? I have just decided to go on a Study Tour to China in April with meals catered and although I will be careful ( haven't deviated yet 31/2 weeks into the program) I plan to speak with my clinic tomorrow and get some advise. Hoping to be much less of me by the trip 8 weeks away.....Yay!!

Happy shrinking

Regards Nonna

PS Forgive the bold errors not much chop on the keyboard

Hello everyone

Ad4AD - thanks for your nice words I started out a "16" and 7 weeks later I fitted into my size 10 stretch jeans and also loose 12's. This the first diet where i can actually SEE the difference, before on other diets I lost but never saw the difference in the mirror. With Cohen's i actually make time now to dress well and make an effort with my appearance. I had been wearing daggy big clothes for so long that sometimes your self worth is so low that you think you are never going to resurface again. But i am happy to say with cohen's I have some how found that balance and peace.

Newlife - What a supportive family you have that is such a bonus. It sounds like you are doing so well. Keep inspriring us all.

katydidnext - yes you do need to eat everything on plan. And this would affect your weightloss and slow it down. Have you read through your plan properely and spoken with your consultant this should have all been made clear to you before starting plan. Please don't waste your money if you are only going to do this half heartedly. Cohen's is a wonderful plan and you do see results but only if follow 100%. Let us know how you go and hope I wasn't too harsh with you I only want you to succeed and I know you can.

Good luck to all.
Sam

Hi all!! Wow!! I haven't been on for a few days and after reading all the posts I realise how much I need this forum! You are all so inspiring!!


Heyfatty -I live in Albion Park, but work in Wollongong CBD Mon - Fri. Whereabouts do you live?

Newlife - Congrats on reaching RF I know we are all curious to hear more about refeed. How exciting and what an amazing achiever you are!

To all other Cohenites - wow what an awesome bunch of winners. It is so refreshing to hear from those who are alongside in the trenches. I have had so many 'well intentioned' bits of advice from various people, it's nice to chat with those who support and understand Cohens and how it works.

To date after just ten weeks I have lost 16.8 kg WOOHOO!! I actually tried on my Year 10 and 12 formal dresses the other day and they fit!! My y10 was actuallu a bit big! I also tried on my wedding dress, which was loose around the belly but tight thru my ribcage. Could have something to do with my 4 BIG babies (7lb 11 upto 10lb!!) Does anyone know if your ribcage expands permanentley after childbirth?? HMMMM Sounds like the "I'm bigboned" excuse!! I don't care I'm not planning on wearing my wedding dress again and i did buy a size 10 top on Friday!!

Anyway enough rambling, I'm going to make my mango cheescake for my lunch!!

Happy slimming!
Katrina

KATYDIDNEXT - how many days are you into your program??

You must eat your full fruit and crispbread allowance for the first 10 days, then after that if you feel that you dont need to eat them or just arent the type to snack throughout that day, then dont! listen to your body!

When i first started i ate my full allowance, but as the weeks progressed i found i didnt not need my crispbread, sometimes i dont even eat my crispbread! i always eat my fruit allowance though - i have a sweet tooth!
My consultant is absolutely fine with my decision and it didnt hamper my weight loss at all!

you should speak to your consultant just in case and also read your booklet through because it will tell you abolutely everything you need to know in regards to questions like these, but then again your consultants and we are here for you too


caroline xx

only 5 more sleeps till my 12 week weigh in!!!!

Thanks losing,

its great to hear that it does get easier. i notice as each day passes the easier it is to knock back those tempters. once the moment has passed i am proud of myself. was just getting scared thinking only on day 5, can i keep this up for 3 months??? but with reassurance, i am sure i can.

thanks again.

Tanya

Hi all,
HOTMAMMA - I am in Dapto. so just up the road and also work in the CBD. it is great to see your ticker as i am starting exactly where you did and need to get to the same place.

NEWLIFE - congrats to you for not giving in to temptation and the family support is great. my husband the other day said he can understand how i am as he has tried several times to give up smoking and can relate to the temptation.

So a few questions for you all....
1. how much did you lose in first 4 weeks?
2. did you measure every week?
3. what do you think is the hardest thing about the program??

thanks

Lose on friends

Tanya

thanks for the advice guys.
My consultant and my program both say eat the fruit and crispbreads IF you want, so it doesn't really help.
I am continuig to stick to it 100% and will try eating everything this week and see if that helps.
Last nights party was easy compared to today, for some reason all those left over cheesecakes are calling me and the left over baked spuds and chilli con carne are really tempting. I wonder why? Maybe cos I'm tired from going to bed late and its 41 degrees here today.
Have just had dinner and will go to bed early tonight I think, well as soon as I can after my 2hrs from dinner.
I'm just a bit down today sorry guys. I had such high hopes of huge losses and slow and steady has never been my motto, but I must look at the big picture, 4.5kgs lost in 3 weeks is still better than the same amount in 6 months on Weight watchers.

Hot Mama:Mango Cheescakes!! Oh I am missing something! Can I get a recipe - also when can you eat them?

KatydidNext: I have been eating all the fruit and crispbreads more than anything to help my body regulate it's blood sugar levels... as the meals we eat in the first stage of the program are so light on fats, sugars and carbohydrates - I hope this helps

I have a confession to make ladies, and at the end of day 3 almost I have not deviated at all But I did hop on the scales this morning..... I was so shocked by what I saw on them that I screamed and called my partner in to see ! He could not believe it either - but being the loving and supportive man he is - he has now hid the scales!

I am glad he has though - as that was my only slip and I do not want to encourage slips!!

As for what I saw - I still don't believe that I saw it - but I had lost more than 1 kilo per day for the 2 days I had been on the program! I cannot wait to weigh in at 4 weeks!

Ad4ad - Mango Cheesecake
Dice mango (~100 g) into 1cm cubes. Mash ’ mango and combine this well with ricotta allowance. Place remaining mango cubes on cheesecake bases and pour ricotta mixture over top. Bake for approximately 20 minutes. (Copied from Recipe thread)

This was on the recipe thread. I am a bit of a lazy cook, so I just mashed my mango with ricotta and baked it. If you crush 2 salada mix with a little Sprite Zero to stick and bake in a muffin tin b4 you put ricoota mix in you get a nice base. There are a few variations on the recipe thread. If you like coffee the cappucino cheescakes are yummo. I have it as my cheese meal. Sometimes I will use 3/4 of ricotta allowance and use 1/4 of mozzarella on vegies. It's a bit like a 2 course meal!! I am big on variety!!

Dear all,

I'm super tired today.

I woke up early for breakfast and then headed down to the supermarket to buy my beef. And because I went there in the morning, the fruits were so fresh! I managed to find 1 good fruit - blueberries and 1 bad fruit - strawberries. Though they were expensive, it was quite interesting to find out what it's like to eat these fruits after a long time! I also bought a rockmelon and it smelt so nice!

I went for my body toning class and ouch! It really hurts. My joints ache now and I do not think I can walk in heels tomorrow. My thighs and arms are aching and I cannot laugh loud cos my abs are aching too! But though I feel sore at my limbs, I can't help feeling good that I made the effort for my body toning class.

After lunch, I went on to pack my food for round 2 of refeed. This time, I have to mix proteins so I had 5 types of protein like salmon, chicken breast, pork, beef, my old fish and new fish. It was very complicated and I had to concentrate a lot during the packing of my food. It seems like I'm going to eat more protein and MORE vegetables.

When it comes to the day that I can eat 18 crackers (or 9 crispbreads), I'm going to experiment with a slice of bread. I wonder whether if bread is going to make me feel bloated or not.

Oh yah... let me share with you my two landmark victories today and it's through my sheer brain power! My mum made tom yum soup today and actually, I was kinda tempted to use the tom yum soup base for my fish. But upon reminding myself that it's not within the Cohen program, I decided to keep to the original food preparation and reward myself with a diet Coke. Also, my brother was naughty enough to ask me why I was not sharing the soup with them since it is so good? But I chose to distract myself away from that soup by drinking my diet coke at that time. Then came dessert. My family was eating vanilla ice cream and my sister offered me some. And of course, I said no.

I've been looking at the Chinese NEw Year goodies around my house and I think there are so many! Peanut cookies, pineapple tarts, barbequed pork, sweet drinks, sweet desserts... I actually opened up the bottle of pineapple tarts, smelt at it but didn't take any. I was not tempted; it was more like looking at that bottle of cookies and saying 'nope, I won't touch that.'

I feel good to say no. At least, I'm gaining more control over myself and how I eat.

I have also lost weight today! I'm now 66.1 kg. I ate 2 good fruits today - rockmelon and blueberries so I'm kinda interested to see what effects these 2 fruits will do to my weight. Rockmelon is so sweet! Yummy!

I'm just wondering when I will stop losing weight. Will i lose weight continuously until the end of my refeed?

Anyway, to all... keep trying and working hard. Be in control, plan ahead and you will feel good. I hope this week will be a better week for all of you!

Hi hey fatty

In answer to your questions
So a few questions for you all....
1. how much did you lose in first 4 weeks?
2. did you measure every week?
3. what do you think is the hardest thing about the program??


1. I lost 6.6kg in the first 4 weeks
2. I measure every wednesday and have lost approx 80cms so far
3. The hardest thing about the diet is mental - the first few weeks I found hard as I felt it was unfair that I needed to do this and others don't. However it keeps getting easier now my body is looking more like those who don't need cohens.


I watched the biggest loser last night and am going to use this as motivation for the next 11 weeks(this should bring me close to refeed). The people on that show have a lot more weight than me to lose and to do it in front of the nation I think is so brave.