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Sweet Chilli Sauce!!!!

Hi all,
Thanks so much for your words of encouragement lizzi, meant a lot. I am doing much better this week, really motivated now, I am not yet game to change my ticker until Friday, but I think I'm at about 68, which means only three kilos till I get to order my refeed, yay!! Am determined to be off this program by my birthday which is 7 weeks away, so hopefully that is an achievable goal!!! Am planning to have a big birthday dinner - just cos...well I can!!! For those of you in Adelaide, if you haven't already been, you HAVE to go and check out the Kent Town Hotel, they have totally revamped it, it is bloody amazing!!! Same owners as The Bombay Bicycle Club, only better!! It has an indoor golf driving range that is right in the middle of the pub, the front bar floor is clear glass, so you can see all of the kegs downstairs in the cellar (wierd!) and the main dining area is split over three levels with a massive palm tree going up the middle, and some of the tables have swings which hang from the ceilings as the chairs - totally cool!!! Have never seen anything like it!! Definitely a must see for all us locals, and anyone visiting!!
So, about the sweet chilli sauce, this has definitely become my new 'thing', it is just like thai takeaway!! I've been having it for lunches, dinners, with fish, calamari, chicken - it's just so good!! So give it a go girls! (Has been great to have a bit of 'variety'!):

1 teaspoon l/fat mayo (allowance)
dash of lemon juice
dash of vinegar
teaspoon mccormick dried chives
sprinkle of garlic powder
4 teaspoons artificial sweetner
approx 1/4 cup water
1/2 fresh chilli (with or without seeds)

Just mix this all up in a small bowl and pour it over your 'stirfry' meat/fish and vegies and let it simmer for a minute -DDDDEEEEEEELLLLIIIISSSHHH!! :D

Hope you all have a great week - be strong, hopefully I'll be able to post again on Friday with a ticker change!!

Tash xox
 
Everyones doing so well. It's great. I had a pretty busy weekend, ending with friends for dinner on Sunday night. But still giving it 100%.
The Old Me - I'm feeling much better now. Must be past the worst of it. Over the next week my period is due, so I always feel like eating more, but I know it's not real hunger, just cravings for carbs mainly. Aside from that I can feel my energy levels have improved a lot. Had someone ask me on the weekend if I've lost weight.
My husband weighed me the other day (I don't look, and he doesn't tell me). He did say I'm under 85Kg and reckons I would reach my first goal in a couple of days. I have only 8 days to go until I see for myself on the scales. Clothes are definetely looser.
Sorry Minxy - I have no idea about the milk, maybe the lactose which is the sugar in dairy products? I used to miss milk, but now its more things like the occasional icecream, and I could eat more cheese than is in my allowance. Actually if I'm really honest pretty much everything I'm not allowed to have I could easily be craving if I didn't distract myself. I remember when I first did the program, for our 10th wedding anniversary, we had a heap of friends organized a bbq for us, and everyone bought a dessert. I stuck to Cohens, and after that I kept making mental lists of all the things I was going to eat when I was finished. If anyone watched the series of survivor which Jerry was in, and she kept going on about chocolate and all the things she missed, I was probably as annoying as her. Speaking of survivor, I'm glad thats back on this week! Another thing which was funny, hubby and I were invited to a friends for lunch. They are Italian and she made pizza just for us. Anyway, poor hubby struggled to eat the whole thing himself, with a lot of ec=ncouragement from our friends. See how I'm going on about food? This is what I do when I'm expecting my period. It's as if I like torturing myself lol.
Keep up the good word everyone. Counting down 8 days.........
 
Monthly curse....

L-Jay - I so sympathise with you on the CRAVING at 'that time of the month'!!!!! But you know what.........???? It truly didn't happen last week for the first time in YEARS for me!!!!! I think my Hormones are being "Straightened out!!" So you never know, you may not get the full impact of the cravings like you did before?? ( I hope not anyhoo!!) ;)

I am SO cold tonight.....Brrrrrrr....freezing!!! Does anyone know why we get so cold while on this program?? :confused:

Thanks for the postings today guys, reading them has lifted my spirits 100% XXXXX - I have a new addiction POSTINGS!!!!!! - Gone are the food addictions & in with the POSTINGS!!!! LOL :eek: :D
 
I don 't know if any of you guys read the magazine NW but today I saw something very upsetting in there:( There is a woman who lost 51kg (same amount as I want to lose) and after she lost it all, she had a granny tummy:confused: What the?? I'm hoping that because she was 32 and im 20, things might be a little better. Has anyone noticed any sort of saggy skin? :(
 
KimJ01

Hi - don't worry about the saggy skin - for some reason the cohen diet is supposed to not do that - depending on what our skin was like before.
I had a baby 12 months ago and honestly, I am yet to meet a woman who got worse stretch marks than I did, I got them down the front of my thighs, the backs of my knees and so many on my stomach that they were above my naval. Since having the baby my tummy has just been a big, fat flap of skin that hangs down over my crotch! (Sorry if too much info their!) The stretch marks never eased in colour or anything and I have been so depressed. People who have seen my stomach (Dr's included) looked on in utter horror and said that my stomach will never recover - ever.
WELL - I've got news for those people, since being on this diet for only 2 weeks THE FLAP IS NEARLY GONE!!!!!!! Ofcourse the strethcies are still there but they are already shrinking and fading (Can hardly see the ones on my knees and thighs at all!) It is just miraculous!

SO don't fret pet! And I'm only 27 - so if you're only 20 then I'm betting you will bounce back into shape and be prancing in a bikini before you know it!


I LOVE DR COHEN!

(Obviously I'm having a better day today and my blood sugar is up - probably because I just smeared my mayonnaise allowance onto my steak - ewww)

Minxy xx:D
 
Great to have some postings to read!
Minxy - don't know about the milk. I agree with the lactose point, because our vitamins had to be lactose free. BUT, I'm sure that the mayo must have lactose in it.
I can I will - Well Done! That is so great! 6kgs is nothing - you'll be ordering your refeed in no time! I also seem to get cold - I think it's because your body doesn't have as many resources (ie food energy) to warm itself, so consequently it makes you shiver in attempt to get your muscles moving to warm you up.
Tash* - Fantastic results for you too! You will definatley be finished before your birthday! And I have to give that sweet chilli sauce a go! Sounds yum!
I tend to eat the same things each day too, moneypenny. Just with a couple of variations of tuna or chicken on my salad. Do we need to mix up our diet? Is it true that if you eat the same things, your weightloss will be slower?
 
Well done!!!!!

Hi Minxy & kim_j01! I just couldn't resist posting in reply to your comments.....

I too have stretch marks on upper arms, thighs, behind the knees, boobs & of course tummy! :eek: Since the loss of weight it has been less noticable & my tummy skin has shrunk - even the 'verandah' over the C-Section scar!!!! I have a frined who lost a massive amount of weight on Cohen's & she does not have sagging skin either, she looks fabulous!! Please don't worry about it, your body will change shape many times before your at your ideal size. While it changes it seems to 'tighten' somehow. :)


Well done Minxy on the tummy shrinking - that's proof this program is a healthy well balanced one, keeping the outer body in sync with the inner body!!!

Hey ridiculous! Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement XXXXXX I can't wait to order the re-feed :D It makes a lot of sense about our bodies not having the reserves to fuel the warmth, thanks for that!! :) I've found mixing up the meals has helped my weight loss.... I've not gone a day without eating my full allowance yet either.... :D love my fruit & crackers!! My weight has basically fallen off me & I have a full tummy! Gotta be happy with that!! :D

I'm actually LOVING Vaalia Natural Yoghurt in the morning by itself ( That would have made me dry reach before I started this program!!! :p ) It's very filling!!!!!


OMG did anyone see WAL from the biggest loser on tonights show...... HOT BOD!!! yummo, he looks de-lish!!!!!!


:) :) :)
 
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Looks like I'm going to have to start mixing up my menu!
Hmmm....
Today was the first day I haven't eaten my crackers, but I didn't even realise and that's because i wasn't hungry. So that's good!
I can i will - me too with the yoghurt! But I'm addicted to Tamara valley - so creamy (I tried Jalna - YUK!!). I would never have eaten natural yoghurt befire, let alone by itself!

This is going to be a good week all round, I think! Everyone sounds so positive!
 
Long time, no post...

Hi Gals and welcome to all the newbies- its great to see so many!!! :)

It seems like forever since I last posted (I have missed my "daily addiction") but its been a very busy week for me. Last week I had to do the country run for work so was away from home and computer for a week. And then I came back Friday night to unpack and then repack for a weekend in Sydney. And in the meantime there have been so many posts!

Well my week away at the mercy of local restaurants and my weekend indulgence have not been kind to the scales. :eek: I am up by about 1.5kg... So tonight I have re-stocked my fridge with all things Cohen to go back on for a bit and to lose the last few kg that didnt come off during refeed.
One of the great things about this diet is that it teaches you control over what is happening in your body. I've learnt a lot about balance in the way I eat and I am far more in control as to bringing them back down.

In regards to milk its not only about the lactose which is a form of sugar, but in the meeting we were told that milk is actually a mix of proteins aswell which totally buggers up the 5 hour rule. I really thought I missed milk until I was allowed to have it again and I still prefer black coffee these days.

I too was someone who really felt the cold all of a sudden. It is just about your body's reserves- that fat layer that is shrinking provides more insulation than you realise. I found it did settle down and dont have the problem anymore.

Well, I am keeping it quick tonight, have work to finish.
Ciao and keep up the good work everyone!
Nat :)
 
Dear All

I finally got my program! Yeah! Very exciting! I can't wait to start, your stories of weight loss are so encouraging.

I am going to start on Sunday this weekend, after my friend Mel's wedding. My consultant and I agreed it would be better to wait than to have to deal with a seven course Chinese banquet at the reception on Cohens!

Reading all the posts has made me realise how important it will be to follow the program exactly, there is no room at all for little 'slips'! My consultant said that each 'deviation' equates to a week with no weight loss, as it takes that long to get back on track! So not worth it! I don't want to be on this part of the diet for one week too long!

So I have decided to pretty much avoid social things that involve food for 4-6 weeks, it is going to be hard but worth it in the long run, I just know what my will power is like in a social setting!

My program looks pretty straightforward although not a great deal of food, but I have faith that I will not be hungry on the program. I have to drink three litres of water a day! Crikey!

I was reading on the forwellbeing.com website about all the other health benefits of the program, really extraordinary. And all through tweaking the food combinations and quantities! The news from you guys about stretchmarks and saggy skin is amazing. I would love to get rid of all my stretch marks. I have loads from yo yo dieting over the years.

I am on the detox this week and have been getting used to black coffee and no sugar, and feel much better for it. I am going to do no carbs except for Ryvitas this week.

I can I will, encouraging to hear about your experiences, you have a similar amount of weight to lose as me. Good to hear about the stretch marks.

Divinemissnat, good to see you back, and great to hear your newfound confidence in being able to manage your weight, that is so great!

Ridiculous, well done so far, that is great for a start!

Re: not eating food, I thought that we had to eat all the food, or else the precise balance of things would be out of wack. Think the idea is to eat just the right amount, not too little and not too much.

And, I had a great idea, thinking through how I was going to plan all my meals and stuff. Am going to shop once a week, buy all the stuff I need, then freeze the meat in freezer bags in meal 1, meal 2, meal 3 portions, already weighed. Think this will help me when it comes to preparing food.

And I have bought a beautiful set of scales, they are silver and like a laptop or something, very swanky.

Anyway better get back to work here in rainy London, Wish me luck for my detox and for Sunday, my first day!

Great to read all the posts!

Kathy
 
Dear All

I finally got my program! Yeah! Very exciting! I can't wait to start, your stories of weight loss are so encouraging.

I am going to start on Sunday this weekend, after my friend Mel's wedding. My consultant and I agreed it would be better to wait than to have to deal with a seven course Chinese banquet at the reception on Cohens!

Reading all the posts has made me realise how important it will be to follow the program exactly, there is no room at all for little 'slips'! My consultant said that each 'deviation' equates to a week with no weight loss, as it takes that long to get back on track! So not worth it! I don't want to be on this part of the diet for one week too long!

So I have decided to pretty much avoid social things that involve food for 4-6 weeks, it is going to be hard but worth it in the long run, I just know what my will power is like in a social setting!

My program looks pretty straightforward although not a great deal of food, but I have faith that I will not be hungry on the program. I have to drink three litres of water a day! Crikey!

I was reading on the forwellbeing.com website about all the other health benefits of the program, really extraordinary. And all through tweaking the food combinations and quantities! The news from you guys about stretchmarks and saggy skin is amazing. I would love to get rid of all my stretch marks. I have loads from yo yo dieting over the years.

I am on the detox this week and have been getting used to black coffee and no sugar, and feel much better for it. I am going to do no carbs except for Ryvitas this week.

I can I will, encouraging to hear about your experiences, you have a similar amount of weight to lose as me. Good to hear about the stretch marks.

Divinemissnat, good to see you back, and great to hear your newfound confidence in being able to manage your weight, that is so great!

Ridiculous, well done so far, that is great for a start!

Re: not eating food, I thought that we had to eat all the food, or else the precise balance of things would be out of wack. Think the idea is to eat just the right amount, not too little and not too much.

And, I had a great idea, thinking through how I was going to plan all my meals and stuff. Am going to shop once a week, buy all the stuff I need, then freeze the meat in freezer bags in meal 1, meal 2, meal 3 portions, already weighed. Think this will help me when it comes to preparing food.

And I have bought a beautiful set of scales, they are silver and like a laptop or something, very swanky.

Anyway better get back to work here in rainy London, Wish me luck for my detox and for Sunday, my first day!

Great to read all the posts!

Kathy
 
Dear All,

Sorry for my two posts, getting a bit trigger happy!

Am also trying to work this ticker thing.

Here is me having another go! Anyone have any tips?

<a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/">
<img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/3;54;67;1;1/c/64.5/t/57/s/64.5/k/3d49/weight.png"></a>

[link=http://www.TickerFactory.com/]
[image noborder]http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/3;54;67;1;1/c/64.5/t/57/s/64.5/k/3d49/weight.png[/image]
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Re: saggy skin

Hi Girls

yes the saggy skin thing is true...

yes the stretch mark thing is true ....

And feeeling the cold is true...well all the above for me..


Well girls going great guns so far , wil have to move my tricker soon..thats a must do job..

Just a short check in..

Anyone heard of Optislim?

My a friend who I hadn't seen for a while has been on this and wait for it .............. lost 22kg in a month..

I can't for the life of me see how that is healthy for you????

But I can't judge as I don't know the program...

Nat good to see your going well..I understand with all the dining out, I have to dine out a lot with work functions and it makes it really hard...

But I have decided I am going to try and dodge as many as i can for as long as I can...

I have date with Cohens now and that is my main goal...

BYE ladies

Tammie
xxxxxxxxxxxxxoooooooooooooooo
 
Temptation is a curse! Resistance is strength!

Good morning ladies! Well, I don't know if it was just because it was a miserable, rainy Tassie Monday or because I just got my period or what, but yesterday I was OBSESSED with thoughts of breaking Cohen's! I was DYING for a subway, even after I had eaten my Cohen's lunch and when I went to the supermarket on the way home I bought my poor husband every kind of naughty, biscuit, cake and junk that I could find, just to alleviate my cravings! He is trying to lose a couple of kg's now that I am shrinking so much and now he has ended up with a pack of chocolate covered macadamia shortbreads, apple danish, easter eggs etc etc which will now sit in the cupboard until he gets around to them! I was just so over it all yesterday but luckily I didn't give in! I ended up having a dream last night that I ate 8 chicken-in-a-biscuit's and I was feeling sooooooo guilty so clearly my subconscious was working over time! This morning I was rewarded with another 0.5kg loss, so I am glad I didn't break!

I now have 9.5kg to go, so in to the single digits, which I am loving!

Regarding stretch marks and loose skin, I was developing stretch marks on my boobs due to putting on so much weight. They were faint, but definitely developing. Once I started Cohen's, I got some massage oil formulated for pregnant women, that is meant to reduce stretch marks, and have been using it every night. I also bought the Dove brand firming moisturiser and have been using that almost daily, too. The good news is, stretch marks are gone and no new ones have developed! I would recommend something similar to those of you who are concerned. Vitamin E is also meant to be very good. The cheapest option is to buy a jar of the capsules and pop them with a pin and use the concentrated oil direct on the skin. Worked a treat for me after surgery left me with a HUGE scar across the back of my hand...

At the supermarket last night, I found a new Kraft salad dressing. It is "carb well" or something and comes in French Herbs, Italian and Ceasar flavours. The French and Italian have no sugar or fat. Basically they are vinegar with herbs and spices so I bought the Italian one because I am sick of the salad dressings I have been inventing on this diet so far. I don't know what the consultants would say about them but I checked the ingredients list and there is nothing in the product that isn't on the approved list so I feel satisfied!

With respect to eating the full allowance, I am not eating ANY crackers and generally only have 1 piece of fruit, in my yoghurt each morning. I am not hungry aside from this and I have been very happy with the speed of my weight loss so far. I would suggest that if you want to speed things up, my experience is that you can cut out these additions to the daily rations.

Sorry for such a long post - I don't know where it all came from! :D
 
End of Two months...

Hi Ladies!

Well, it's the start of week 9 for me today, which means I've sucessfully lasted 2 months! Which in itself (for me) is a god damn miracle! I remember putting off telling my consultant I'd actually started on the program for a week, because I wasn't even sure I'd last that long!

Here are my stats:

Start date: 31/01/2006
Start Weight: 103.8kg
Body Fat %: 43.1
Bust: 105cm
Arms: 35cm
Waist: 96cm
Hips: 122cm
Thigh: 78cm

Today: 28/03/2006
Weight: 93.5kg (Total loss of 10.3kg)
Body Fat%: 38.9
Bust: 95cm (Total loss of 10cm - although my bra size hasn't changed!)
Arms: 31.5cm
Waist: 90.5cm
Hips: 114.5cm
Thigh: 71.5cm

Overall body loss in 8 weeks = 33cm

So I guess I'm happy with the centimetre loss, but my scales are still being a****les, as I only lost 500 grams this week!! ANOTHER crappy loss! Grrr.

I'm trying my hardest to stay focused... because I've now come to the REALISTIC conclusion that it's probably going to take me around 6 months to lose the 30 odd kilos I need to... instead of around the 3 to 4 month goal I had set myself in the beggining. Which is disheartening in a lot of ways... 1) My birthday is in September and I'd REALLY love to have finished by then 2) My sister's wedding is in October, at which I'll be a bridesmaid, and we're putting off dress shopping for me until I lose my weight - but it can't be delayed too much longer (flowers have to be made to match dresses and the florist needs to know what to order a month or so prior to wedding, etc etc) 3) I've been willing to sacrifice my social life for this diet - but for SIX MONTHS!! I'll be pulling my hair out by then!

I'm going to start mixing up my food/meal options and see if that has any effect. It's not a guaranteed thing, as my consultant said, she ate the same meals for her entire program and she lost 37kg in 54 weeks (or somthing similar) so there doesn't appear to be any hard and fast rule for anything on this program.

MISS KATH - I had a squiz at that website you mentioned in your post. I'm not entirely sure if it's the same program. I know they call themselves TLC - Which stands for The Lifestyle Clinic, but I can't see anywhere on the site that mentions any affiliation with Dr Cohen. I think it may just be a similar name. Plus, they say they don't do repeat blood tests, so I'm pretty sure it's not the same program. However it seems very similar. I could be wrong. I see you're based in London, so maybe that's what they call themselves over there... but I was pretty sure there was a Cohen's clinic in London... Hrm

To everyone else, I'm sorry I haven't made the effort to send a personalised message, but I've rattled on too much already (again!!).

Keep up the great work everyone. And for all of you close to your re-feeds WELL DONE!

Cheers :)
 
Day 1

Hi all,

Day 1 of my new lifestyle. Highly motivated by all the good news and information shared in your posts.

Prepared breakast and lunch this morning. Took my multivitamin and supplements. And have been drinking water... goal is 2 litres a day.

And today seems colder than usual. Hmmm...

So far so good (fingers crossed).

Have not mastered the ability to post my ticker. Still trying to find out how it works. Any help for the technlogically challenged anyone?

Cheers :)
 
Good to see where everybody is at. Seems like some of you are so close - but all of us are on track.

Tash*: I tried the sweet chilli sauce - yum. Had attempted one earlier on and didn't get it right - this recipe is great, so thank you!! Will have it again tonight.

kim_j01: I worry too about how the skin will respond and whether everything will go back in place. I have been assured it will happen, and all evidence tells me that my skin so far is reacting really well - people are commenting positively about 'how well' my skin is responding. So we just hang in and hope they are all right at the end!! I am sure it will be fine.

i CaN i WiLL: you seem to be going along so well. You must feel really pleased. And, yea, you will be there in no time - it looks like a whole new winter wardrobe for you!!

ridiculous and moneypenny: I don't think we have to have the variety to lose weight, but it is a good idea to shake things up if you think you are stalling on the scales. I do mix my meals up a bit because I like variety, but I tend to go through stages where I want the same kind of things and then I want something totally different. High on my eating agenda at the moment is freshly minced meat, like rissoles and stews. Even the simple things are good when you haven't had them for a while. Also appreciating really sweet coffee ice blocks that I make, although as the weather is colder I almost have to sit in front of the heater to eat them. I don't know how long the summer fruits are going to last, but I am going to be having my mango and nectarines until the very last possible moments because I love them.

moneypenny I have to laugh at your food shopping spree, but I certainly understand. I sat with people who were having nachos at lunch yesterday, and had to ask two of them why they had left off the guacamole and the sour cream - if I couldn't have them, I at least wanted to know that someone else was enjoying them!!

Pink Virgo: you are really doing it tough too. I know what that is like. But listen, we are going to make it and when we look back we aren't going to be thinking about the time, but how pleased we are with the results. Your cms show that you must be looking a bit different, so I hope you are feeling good about that. You go for it, it will be worth it.
I have 23kgs to go too, and I am aiming to finish refeed by mid October at the absolute latest. If I can expect that, you can too. A bit awkward for making bridesmaid dresses, but you will be so proud of yourself at your new weight, and should be able to enjoy the food at the wedding too. So hope you can sort out the practicalities of organising ahead of time.


hopeful1: Finally, you're on your way! Congrats on getting through the first part of day 1. Seems like you were really ready for this, so look out world, here comes hopeful1!!!

I have 0.3 to go before I can change my ticker. Will it take a day? Or 5 days? No way of telling, only that I will get there and it will all balance out in the end. Been a bit tired the last couple of days. Will be so good when this phase of life is over and the next phase begins - then I will really appreciate the energy to do things and keep up with my busy life.
Take care everyone,
lizzi
 
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Evening ladies! Everyone sounds good - great to hear!
In an effort to keep up my weight loss momentum I mixed things up a little bit today. I had paw paw on my yoghurt instead of kiwi, and instead of steak for dinner, I ventured out and bought a squid tube to make a calamari salad - and I think I have a new favourite! And it's so cheap! 1 squid tube cost be $1.30, which was 115g. Here's what I did:
sliced the squid into calamari rings
squeezed the juice from 1/2 a lemon over it
a fair amount of black pepper
garlic chives and parsley (fresh) to taste
Let it marinate for about 10 mins
Cook quickly in a really hot pan (don't over cook, cos it'll be chewy)
Calamari is cooked when it loses its transparent appearance and becomes opaque
served warm on my allowance of salad with balsamic vinegar and a squeeze of lemon.
It was very tasty! Hopefully that will get this weight to keep falling off! I'm not jumping on the scales again until Saturday.
For the first time today, I had a couple of people ask if I'd lost weight. I love it! I can't really notice the difference too much at the moment, but if others can, I'm happy with that!

It has been a day of long posts! Sorry.
Have a great night - keep drinking that water!

Bella
 
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