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We get bread?!

We get bread on refeed?! I'm so looking forward to it! Imagine! Soft warm bread dipped in garlic olive oil :p Now that's motivation for me to stay on the straight and narrow! Is pasta anywhere on the list? :D

Anyway, I've been having problems with my erm waste disposal system. I tried psyllium husk like my consultant and some folks on this forum have suggested but it's not very effective.

Is the Cohen diet very low on fibre? It seems all the veg that I'm allowed to eat are of the high fiber variety :confused:

I also realize that my skin is much drier. My hands need moisturizer throughout the day and my lips are getting a bit chapped! I've up my water intake to over 3litres from 3 litres previously but haven't noticed much improvement.

And a very warm welcome to new Cohenites! This forum also inspired me to join the program and 7 weeks later, I, and the people around me, have noticed the positive differences. I discovered my natural face shape is actually not round, and that I have an hour-glass shaped body, not pear! You'll love the compliments that start coming just after the first month ;)
 
To Windy Blue

Hi Windy Blue,

with psyllium husks, pls make sure that you drink lots more of water. I did some research that if you do not drink lots more of water, psyllium husk will actually cause constipation.

You may want to go to Fairprice shop or any organic shop to buy Lecithin. i'm taking it now and it's easier to move my bowels.

Also, take a variety of fruits. Sometimes, eating apples help, sometimes it doesn't. Don't take too many mangoes cos it's heaty. Eat papaya?
 
To windy blue

Hi Windy blue,
Just wanted to let you know about some supplements you may want to try--It's called Aciphidopholus (I hope I spelled it right). Its the active bacteria you find in yogourt and it really does help. Walmart carries it as well as pharmacy's and health stores--Walmart is cheaper. Anyways buy the one that needs to go in the fridge after opening and buy the one with the most active bacteria amount. Don't be afraid to take 2 tablets instead of the one especially in the evening. Give it a try and hope it helps-also I'm still going to the gym and if you haven't exercised try going for a very brisk walk for at least an hour or 30 min at least-you'll find it gets everything moving inside plus I find it supresses my appetite.
Keep it up everyone
YM2B
 
Another ticker update - only 800gms to go! This has been the hardest week. I have been so hungry lately but I will stay strong to lose the last bit of weight. It's my birthday on Monday and losing all this weight has been the best gift. I'm so happy!

Have a great day everyone :D
 
Windy Blue, i had the same problem - but i found incorporating spinach into my dinner vegie count really helped move things along! I now have spinach everday at some point, and on those rare days when i dont eat it...things are a little harder to push lol.
 
I also realize that my skin is much drier. My hands need moisturizer throughout the day and my lips are getting a bit chapped! I've up my water intake to over 3litres from 3 litres previously but haven't noticed much improvement.

Dry skin is not cause by lack of water, it is caused mostly by lack of vitamins and essential dietary oils, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Talk to your consultant about taking some essential oil supplements. I take about 1/2 a teaspoon of Flax seed oil each night, helped a lot with my skin and also reduced my overall hunger a little.
 
Movement!

Thanks Lexie07, lessfatty, YM2B and newlife for the various suggestions.

I haven't been taking yoghurt for breakfast 'cos I prefer the other two options but I will switch back to yoghurt daily and see if it helps.

I think spinach has some natural laxative effects but it doesn't keep well in the fridge. However, if it helps, I'm also going to try it :D Same goes for lecithin and papaya!

I can take fish oil and have a bottle at home. But my consultant said it's for firming up the skin so I haven't really bothered to take it conscientiously. Will start a nightly routine of fish oil if that's what will help!

When bowel movement gets difficult is when I feel the weakest resolve to stick to the program. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks again!
 
New Life,
I am having those same constipation problems and tried the spinach and psyllium and now switched to Benefiber that worked for afew days and now it doesn't either...but I saw you mentioned not to eat too many mangoes how come?...I have been eating an apple and a mango daily could that be my problem??? Thanks for your post
 
Hi WindyBlue, Lessfatty is spot on! (as usual)- You must take your Omega 3 fish oil tabs to stop your skin drying out. If your consultant said to take them for firming up the skin then start now and be consistant.
Even the egg meal helps, as the fat from the yolk and a little olive oil spray is really the only fat we ingest!! Flax seed oil could be a good idea - I would probably check with my consultant though.
I need my skin firmed up now that I have lost so many cm's. I hope it shrinks up soon!!
Yes bread is reintroduced in refeed. Very slowly! Alot of people react badly to it by bloating or feeling lethargic or sick. I haven't had this problem so far, but towards the end you do have increased quantaties introduced (up to 3 a day) I think this will be too much for me personally and I don't want to get into the habit of eating bread daily. So I will switch a piece of bread for it's equivalent 3 crispbread instead (up to 9 a day).
and yes other carbs are slowly introduced also but only a small amount - 50g of Cooked Weight only.
Anyway there is soo much food it's almost overwelming! I had a 155g peice of steak last night with a salad of 145g.. talk about full!!! and this morning I was down another 200gms!! So in 3 days I have dropped 600gms on refeed! Gotta love that action!!:p
As far as the constipation goes, I've been taking benefiber for the last week and it hasn't done diddly squat!, the herbal slim teas help me move everything along really well, but I only have that when things get desperate as you get some bad pains! Spinach works an absolute treat though! just a heaped teaspoon in one dish a day keeps you really regular! You can even portion them out in an ice tray and keep the ice tray in a frezzer bag in the freezer and just pop one out as you need it.. such a small amount defrosts pretty quickly.
Anyway have a great day and keep shrinking losers!
;)
 
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Thank You SSSSSSOOOOOOOOO Much!!!

Well good luck, but you don't need luck! Its all about planning, planning, planning and the self discipline of more planning, planning and preparing each and every meal for however long it takes to reach your goal. Decide that you will do it, and begin planning meal ideas today. Buy lots of ziploc bags and put servings of crackers inside, more ziploc for storing your foods eg fruits etc. Make some frozen lunches/meals for emergencies so you can just heat-n-eat rather than grab something that isn't Cohen.

If possible try to start this Friday night, make a Cohen meal for dinner, prepare your meals for the weekend as much as possible (cut and measure your vegetables and meats ) and get plan a good rest for the weekend, it will most likely be a tough few days :D

As someone wrote, all that separates the fat you from a thin you is the consumption few Cohen meals. It really is that simple :cool: , you will be thin if you simply put one foot after the other and follow the plan!

Feeling excited, nervous? Then get real, get into the planning and start preparing, feel excited enough to plan each and every meal for next week! Look at the ingredients and imagine what you are going to make and cook for yourself that you will like. Make a list of foods and equipment you are going to buy, and go out and buy them. Do you have a tiny fry-pan? Do you have digital 1gram food scales? Do you have some reusable larger water bottles? Small "Tupperware" containers. Have you thrown out those biscuits, cakes, chocs, frozen pizza's whatever that you wont be eating? Have you thrown out or given away last seasons fat clothes that you wont be wearing again ?


Lessfatty -

First, let me say THANK YOU for the encoragement and tips. I read several of your posts and started to prepare last weekend. I bought a digital scale to make measuring easier. I also bought containers and ziplock bags to store my meals. My husband is very supportive and while he is not on the program he is going to help me prepare my meals. I took a look at the program today and tried to plan out my meals for the 1st 7 days and made a grocery list. Tomorrow I'll be going food shopping and saturday I'll prepare all the food I can.

I realize (by reading your posts) that it is vital that I plan my meals and have them ready to go. This way I won't deviate. I'm committed and each time I feel like I get overwhelmed, I just read the Guide or come hang out in the forum. I am in school so hopefully my work will keep me occupied. Once I get through the first 3-4 days I'm sure I'll be ok. :)

The foods I like to eat I've gotten rid of. The clothes, I still have those. I have to wear something until I drop the 1st ten or or fifteen pounds ;)

Finally, I have to say I love your straight talk!! It's real and refreshing. I don't need anyone to "sugar coat" this for me. I look forward to hearing from you again soon.

One meal at a time!
 
Mango could be the problem

New Life,
I am having those same constipation problems and tried the spinach and psyllium and now switched to Benefiber that worked for afew days and now it doesn't either...but I saw you mentioned not to eat too many mangoes how come?...I have been eating an apple and a mango daily could that be my problem??? Thanks for your post

I think mango could be the problem.

I realized that when I take mango with yogurt, I cannot move my bowels the next day. So I have to start pumping in psyllium to get it moving.

But I really wonder why some cohenites suffer from constipation problem?
 
Has anyone noticed that you can only buy Valia low fat plain yougurt at Coles, what a pia I have to drive 20 minutes when I have a Woolworths down the road that stocks everything BUT plain. My whinge for the day lol.
Big week this week weigh in 8 weeker hopefully I may reach 80's whoohoo I loved the 80's year wise cant wait to re-live them again.
Hi Minny welcome :) you will be a skinny minny before you know it
Ahh going to get my beauty sleep for all those that are alittle bound up the kiwi fruit sliced thinly with the skin on..one piece works a treat;)
Bee
 
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I also have had a problem but I have bought the frozen spinach in the cubes and every morning I make an omelette with spinach, tomatoe and mushroom and I drink a glass of water with benefiber. (buy it at Coles supermarket) Try to have an apple a day as this is higher in fibre. It has helped me, hope it hleps others. The benefiber dissolves in the glass and you can hardly taste it, unlike the husks!!
 
Has anyone noticed that you can only buy Valia low fat plain yougurt at Coles, what a pia I have to drive 20 minutes when I have a Woolworths down the road that stocks everything BUT plain. My whinge for the day lol.

Hi Bee, I only shop at woolworths and haven't had any problem buying vaalia low fat plain yoghurt there. Maybe it's just your local woolies. That would be a pain to have to drive to another supermarket though

Irene
 
Hi Bee, thanks for the heads up on the Valia. I was looking for it in my Safeway last week, and they didn't have any plain either. Ended up going with Pauls Low Fat. I'll have to check out Coles. You're doing so well. Can't wait to see your ticker move again after your next weigh in. Keep up the good work.

PS. It's me...*S_ _n* from BB.....Ssshhhhhhh!!! :p
 
Minny..lol I figured it out :p
Pauls taste like crapola..Valia soooo much better. Must be a Vic thing
Hope you are doing well...you managing to stay away from the scales :D
Bee
 
Newlife,
Thanks for the tip on the mango I will eliminate it and see if that helps..the spinach doesn't work for me I was eating it daily at dinner..still taking benefiber and acidopholis and heard kiwi with the skin on it helps and perhaps lecithin...why do we Cohenites get this problem I would love to know..
 
Newlife,
Thanks for the tip on the mango I will eliminate it and see if that helps..the spinach doesn't work for me I was eating it daily at dinner..still taking benefiber and acidopholis and heard kiwi with the skin on it helps and perhaps lecithin...why do we Cohenites get this problem I would love to know..

Also try to eat less red meat.. I find that makes me a bit blocked up. I think the fact that there is so little fibre and bulk on the diet is what makes Cohenites prone to constipation. It just slows everything down!
HL
 
Hi Everyone!

In Melton, I can only get Vaalia in the large tub (5 servings) at Coles and if i want to get the twin pack I have to go to Safeway. I only do that if i'm going away and want the convenience of single serves.

I was wondering if anyone had some advice because i was going great, 1 to 2kgs a week until I hit half way and now i'm just hovering. I recently started a new job and i'm not sleeping as long. Has anyone noticed anything similar?
 
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