Cohen's Lifestyle Kannadew's Redemption

Prefix for Cohen's Lifestyle
Hi Kath,

Yay for you on your loss. I admire you're moving forward no matter how slow it goes. I know it's one thing to say "well at least it's going" but it's hard (for me anyway) to keep feeling positive when I think I'm not getting the result I want.

I have a somewhat similar issue to your calf problem with my thigh. I had a motorcycle accident in my foolish youth and was thrown against a fence post. Where I hit there is a visible mound that adds an extra inch to one thigh, with scar tissue underneath. In my case it doesn't interfere as it does with you. But I know there are body work therapies that can help to break down scsr tissue from old injuries and I wonder if something like that might be a solution for you. It can be painful to work through but a good therapist should be able to work with you slowly at a level of discomfort that is tolerable. I used to see somebody that did that and I can't remeber the name of what she did offhand but if you are interested I can call her and get it for you. I bet there are lots of different techniques that could do that.

Merci
 
Hello All!
Its Weigh in Day! Its been another low week this week (.9), but it was also that TOM... so that's no stress. However... I officially reached 20kgs exactly today... so that was VERY NICE! I am 6.1kgs away from being half way through my journey! I cant wait til I get to that point. I am going to see some friends and my Mum in Perth at the end of September... and I WOULD LOVE to be half way by that point. Now ... it is "possible" that I can get there based on my average loss per week, but I am not going to hold my breath... I am still pretty happy with where I am at right now.

So the updated details are:
Weight: 97.2
Weight lost so far: 20.0
Weight lost altogether from my heaviest to now (2004): 43.8
Kgs to go: 32.2
Measurements so far:73cms lost (still pretty slow in cm's as well as kgs!)

Merci: thanks so much for stopping by and offering your thoughts about .."stuff" :) . I do have a lot of scar tissue on my ankle where my surgery was... (so my ankle is thicker than the other, on that spot... but I am not too concerned with that) but the issue I have is actually my whole calf muscle! I still didnt lose ANY cm's from that calf again this week and my jeans and 3/4 pants keep getting stuck on the calf! Its so annoying. Anyway... if it is still a problem in a couple of months... I will go to the physio and see if they can do some massage on it. I know that they used to do some therapy on it that used to really hurt... and they also used, ...like an ultrasound machine, that breaks down the muscle/tissue (I think).

I think I have decided to keep going with one Aquarobics once a week... even if I lose more slowly. Even if it takes me a whole year, I will keep it up, simply because I have noticed such a difference. I have already noticed a difference in my flexibility in stopping the extra week. I feel a bit more stiff and awkward and if I gave it up completely then I would go back to the way I was and I refuse to feel that much pain again. So... no matter if it takes months longer... I will do it once a week.... as I always say... a LOSS IS A LOSS. I cant allow myself to get depressed and/or distressed over my slow losses, I just have to keep moving forward. Sure its annoying when compared to others ... but hey... I'm still here and still focussed and NO deviations since my holidays (and even then it was like only 2 or 3 deviations in 3 weeks). So I am really happy with how I am going with Cohen's (wish it was faster)...but the weight is dropping and I am finding a new way of living.. and others are being encouraged to change their lives because of my experience... what more can I ask for?

Alright.... sorry for another long entry... I dont think I know how to write brief entries!! hahaha...

Blessings to all
Kath
 
Kath- You are showing great determination and strength. You seem to be in a good space at the moment. Knowing that you are moving forward is so important to motivation. I decided also that even though we want to get anywhere instantly the slower we go the more we learn. Good for you! Cheers, Cate.
 
Hellloo... Well Its weigh in day! A kg this week, low compared to my general average, but it looks like my average is slowing down, as I have had a number of weeks of a kg or less. It looks like my goal of reaching halfway before the 28th September is pretty much "kaput" at this point! I am actually pretty disappointed about that, as I was really hoping to show off to family etc, so to speak. (I know I still can... it just wont be the same...)

Weight: 96.2
Weight lost so far: 21.0
Weight lost altogether from my heaviest to now (2004): 44.8
Kgs to go: 31.2
Measurements so far:76cms lost (still pretty slow in cm's as well as kgs!)

Well I have not lost any weight in 6 days running now... and its the longest stretch ever!!! At least I havent put any weight on during this period, so that has been a Godsend! I have stayed on 96.2! I am pretty annoyed about it. It can be so hard to read other people's diaries and see their awesome amazing journey's. I truly am so excited for them... the weight just seems to fall off them. I know that everyone is different etc, but still they can be hard to read. The hardest bit is reading the diaries of people who talk about deviating and they still lose more per week than I do! Even as I write this I realise how angry I am about this. I have not deviated and I am doing everything, as far as I know, right and I still lose less than others and they even talk about doing more exercise than me. I only do one aqua class a week and have cut out all other exercise, just to make sure I'm not doing too much.

Oh well... there is nothing I can really do about it. I cant make myself be like anyone else. This is my body and I just have to learn to live with this metabolism etc. I can be overwhelmed and distressed which may lead to me giving up or I can continue to change my thinking and develop healthier habits. Basically doing CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) on myself!!

I am hoping that we might be able to have a mini-group up here soon! I know a couple of different people who have decided to join up. I just have to find out if they want the others to know that they are doing it. It would be good to all meet and then we could talk about how we are going etc and be an encouragement to one another.

Anyway... gotta go
Blessings to all
Kath
 
Kannandew i tink your results are amazing and you should be proud that you haven't deviated its shows a great strength in you, now that is a wonderful quality not every one can put their hand up to
 
Well I FINALLY spoke to my consultant today! 2 weeks after my blood test! She said that it had been lost?! Anyway... she called... so that's good.

I had a big vent at her about all the issues I wrote in my diary this morning and she was very supportive and said that I seemed to be doing all the right things. We went through everything I do and nothing seemed to be wrong. She started to suggest getting a massage to help circulation and it was at this point that we realised that... OF COURSE ... Circulation! I had written it down on the form... but none of us had really thought much about it. I have Raynaud's Disease/Disorder. Which is a circulation "problem". It is the BLOOD that gets rid of the fat cells in your body... SOOOOOOO .... if your circulation is not functioning correctly then your fat cells are probably not getting out!!!

This has helped me big time. It doesnt actually change ANYTHING. But it does make sense and explain the slow rate that I have. She also said that I have been pretty consistent with losses every week, whereas there are people that she has worked with who have had no loss for 2 weeks at all, and then they start losing again, for seemingly no reason at all. This was encouraging that I have generally been so consistent.

So... I need to not only get a massage and start "loofah-ing" in the shower... but I also need to take some different vitamins that should help with my circulation. Maybe it will make a difference... if not thats ok... at least I understand now!!

Blessings to all and thanks for putting up with my rants!!
Kath
 
Okely Dokely.... that time again! Happy Tuesday everyone!

I bought my very first BELT..... EVER this weekend!!! How awesome is that! I was completely stoked. Its large... but I dont care... It's a start.

Ok... I actually lost 1.2kgs this week, but unfortunately had a .4 rise yesterday so this week, officially.... was only .8! Suck! At this rate, I will be here till May, which will make it one year exactly.... arrrhghghgh... hahaha. Nah.... I'm fine... I think it will be ok... even if it does take til then (which I dont think it will...) I am hoping that things will improve over the warmer months for me.

Weight: 95.4
Weight lost so far: 21.8
Weight lost altogether from my heaviest to now (2004): 45.6
Kgs to go: 30.4
Measurements so far:81cms lost (slow slow slow!)

Well, one of my friends from work has signed up and is eagerly awaiting her program. It is so cool having someone to share the journey with. One of the other ladies that was going to do it, has decided not to at this point. I am not sure if she is feeling nervous about it, or if there are other issues in play, but we all have to reach the decision on our own, otherwise it wont really work. I can just be a support to her no matter what she chooses to do.

I have started taking Carnitine, which is supposed to help with circulation etc, but I havent noticed any difference yet.... I think it may take some time to notice a difference. I am taking SO many vitamins/medications in the morning it takes me ages to get them all down and nearly 500mls of water!!

Gross Alert: I have been struggling lately with my BM. I have only had one in 5 days! I have been taking metameucil and I on a few occasions I have tried overnight Senna tablets, twice taking the maximum dose... but still nothing happens! Any other suggestions people? I havent been having any problems since the beginning! I thought I was really lucky in this area... but over the last 2 weeks, things have become really blocked up and I think it has contributed to me getting sick as well. I wonder if it is because I stopped having egg regularly (along with the extra veg). I used to alternate each day with yoghurt and egg... but it just became so much easier over time to just have yoghurt. Maybe I will start doing this again and see if it makes a difference. I will need to buy a new frypan though... the new one I bought got wrecked! I used the wrong scourer on it and the whole surface got ruined.... arrrghgh... thats what I get for buying a cheapy! Oh well... it will be another cheapy for now.

Ok... Hope everyone is having an Great week!
Bless ya
Kath
 
Hey Kath

I know what you mean about having a friend join up. My LB's best mates wife has just joined up too. She actually picks up her program on Thursday and we're both so excited. They actually live a ways out of town but the Cohen's office is 5 minutes from my place so if she has time she's going to pop through so we can compare, chat and discuss recipes etc!

You're doing well... kepp up the great work!

Lauren
 
Hi Kath,

Thanks for your post of my diary in the other forum, I appreciate it. I'm like you, my weight loss has slowed down from when I first started....I knew it would but part of me got used to the kilos dropping quickly.

For the first time in 3 weeks I have had a loss. Funny that I have gone back to the program 100% and then off drops a kilo. I guess I am getting to the stage where I just want this to be over with....I'm so impatient. I have to face up to this that it is going to take longer than I first thought to get to my goal weight.

Thats great that you have a friend starting the program. I had a friend that was on a similar program, but she hasn't stuck to it. Its hard to watch her eat naughty fatty food again, knowing that she will hate herself for it later. I have watched her slowly gain weight and I know she isn't happy. But I can't say anything to her really, this has to be her decision, her choice to take the weightloss step for once and for all.

Enough of my blabbing. Keep up the good work - and yay about buying a belt....can't remember the last time I did that.

bye for now

Lukey

PS: I'm 5kgs away of my next goal - to be under 100kg for the last time EVER!!!

 
Kath- Congrat's on the belt. I know that feeling. I haven't needed(or could wear) a belt for 30 years. I had to adjust my thinking as I went about how long it was going to take me to lose my weight but it sure is worth the wait! Re the BM- Gigi told me about Bekunis tea which her Mum recommended to her. It is available in Woolworths in the medicine aisle near head-ache pills etc. I have a teaspoon of it at night (I have it in a herbal tea) before I go to bed & next morning a BM, without cramps or any other side-effects. I had lots of trouble with lack of BM until I tried this tea & am still taking it. I just don't feel right if I don't go!
It does make you feel really good that you can be a positive influence on others, especially when they join the program. Love reading your diary! Cheers, Cate.
 
Hi Kannadew

Just checking in and see it's been a week or so. I know Tuesday's are your official weigh in days, as it's the same as mine. I hope you go well tomorrow and look forward to hearing about your results!

Lauren
 
Hello All! Well, I am a day late with my update, but things have been pretty full on here. I wouldnt be even doing this today if it werent for the fact that I woke up at 5.30am and couldnt get back to sleep.

I lost 1.4 kgs this last week. A small yaay for that. At least it was back to more normal level of loss and not .8 or .9. Hope it stays that way! I have noticed that for some reason I seem to lose on Wednesdays and Thursdays and then I have 2-4 days of no loss, and then maybe a tiny loss and then nothing again til Wed. isnt that weird! I have just had another 5 straight days again of no loss, although the scale keeps flickering to a lower number it stays on the higher one. I am coming up to TTOM any day now...so nothing really unusual.

Weight: 94
Weight lost so far: 23.2
Weight lost altogether from my heaviest to now (2004): 47
Kgs to go: 29
Measurements so far:86cms lost

Well, 2 of my friends have actually bought, and started their programs this week!!! Woohoo. I am so happy for them. We are meeting on Sat to talk about issues and so I can answer any questions etc. I cant wait for them to experience the marvelous changes that I have. Hopefully not as slowly as me, though!

I went op-shopping again on the weekend to get a new jacket, cos I have still been cold and the other ones are size 20 or 22 and I'm more a 16 now, and I found some really cute size 10 ones that I put aside for later ($5 Each!!, they would have been really expensive ones if I had bought them!!) but I found this Suzanne Grae zip-up jacket that was a size 14 and thought that would be good in a couple of months for when I get cold at work etc. Just out of curiousity I tried it on when I got home to see how far I had to go and IT FIT!!! OH MY GOSH...you could have pushed me over! It went on and did up...not very attractively mind you, with lumps and bumps everywhere, but it did up! I was stunned. I will be able to wear it like next week or so, just without doing it up. However, I think I am still just fitting into 16's. I am still not able to comfortably fit into some 18's, and some 16's fit heaps better. ITs annoying, trying to work out what size you are, when they are all different, and I am not talking different shops and different brands. I bought 2 pairs of jeans from Target. one 18 and one 16. same style, same brand, same cut, even the same pattern on the pocket!. I am fitting the 16's for the first time today, but I can barely even get the button done up on the 18s!. I think they must have sized them wrong.

I met my consultant for the first time this week. She travelled up to Geraldton and met with people. I showed her my spreadsheets with all my info and she was impressed (probably laughing about how 'anal' I was!). I also showed her some of my before photos, because I hadnt met her when I first started. I talked with her about the forums and how useful they have been. I also talked with her about whether the consultants actually meet regularly and talk about what they do etc, and she said they had in the past, but not that often. I think it would be a good idea if they did that, cos from what I have read there are some consultants who need to pick up their game!

Lauren: Thanks so much for stopping by and checking on me! I'm so glad that you also have someone "reasonably" close by that you can share this with.

Cate: I did go and buy the Bekunis powder. It does work, but as usual for me it seems to work slower! surprise surprise! I dont seem to see a result until late in the following day. So I might try taking it earlier, say with dinner and see what happens.

Lukey!!! So glad you stopped by! Good to hear that you have been able to get your head back to 100% as well. It really does make a big difference. I think it takes a lot of the guilt away. If we deviate and we dont lose we feel massive amounts of guilt and sadness, but if we are 100% and we dont lose we cant really feel guilty because there is nothing that we could have done differently and its just our "stupid" oops no "wonderful" bodies losing at the rate that's right for them. I think accepting that this is going to take as long as it takes and in my case possibly longer than average has really helped me not get stressed and upset. I mean sure its annoying and I have bad days, but I am in for the long haul and I will not sabotage this no matter what. Changing the thinking and the mindset really makes a huge difference. We can see this as a temporary fix until it is done or we can see it is the beginning of a new way of living and its just the first step. In regards to my friends doing the program I have said to myself and to them, that if I see them making deliberately bad choices I am not going to sit by and let them lose the money, the effort and the success that they have worked hard for. So I will say something to them about this. It may be challenging and it may cause problems, but I think in the long run it is better, and if its all done in a loving way then....we can get through it.

Anyway... I have written heaps! I had better go, I have got heaps to do today!

Blessings to all
Kath
 
Kath- The tea now doesn't work so well for me & I'm adding Metamucil capsules. It has been a life-long battle for me. It seems every time I try something new it works for a while & then not! I need to see a Naturopath or nutritionist I think. I Love reading your diary and following your progress which I think is at similar rate to mine. It's great knowing that you will get there & you have a lovely positive attitude & nature. Cheers, Cate.
 
Hi All!

Cate! Thanks so much for your thoughts and encouragements! You are always so Faithful. I wasn't sure if I had offended you with what I had written in your diary... cos it could have been read as a "telling off" but it certainly wasn't meant that way! I really appreciate your honesty and support! I sometimes feel that people will find my diary completely BORING because nothing ever really happens... I am just PLODDING. I am not going up and down in my emotions (re: Cohens/eating) and I have no stress regarding cheating or wanting to..... etc.

I seem to have become a little bit more active in the BM area... It could be because it is that TOM... as that always helps... but I have gone back to alternating between egg & veg and yoghurt in the mornings now and I actually think that this is what has made the difference... plus the regular dose of Metameucil each morning.

The reason I am on today... is I met with "my" group today!! It was really cool. There were 3 of us (there could be more in a couple of weeks), and it went really well. We chatted about who we'd told and recipes and issues etc and it was just sooo nice to have the time to talk just about Cohens and not feel bad about using up work time or wasting someone's time who didnt really want to know. We took photos and looked at my photo's which was really cool. I have been taking a photo every month about the same time I get my blood test. We are planning to meet monthly. I should be a my next goal by then (HALFWAY!!!). I will be so stoked! I am already starting to FEEL Normal. That's what I was saying today. I look at myself in photo's or in group photo's and I look normal. I don't stand out from everyone else as different. I wore this really cool outfit, all 16's the other day and I loved it and FELT HOT! I got a friend to take photos and sent it to some friends in Perth along with old photo's and they were STUNNED! Its sooo COOL! I am sooooo looking forward to seeing my Mum and some friends next weekend, as I havent seen them since July (I'd lost about 10kgs).

As its my Diary... and I am allowed to say my own thoughts in my diary... I am a little concerned about Posts which encourage people to deviate. Especially for Newbies who are just trying to work everything out and who might be struggling....for them to read posts either in their own diaries or in question threads that encourage them to try different things. I know that for me the SUCCESS has been because I have not deviated. I knew exactly what was on the list etc and sure there have been side-effects, but like everything else in life it is learning how to manage this... like for me... with my BM... working out I needed to eat Egg & veg more often and Cate telling me about Bekunis Powder. Learning how to improve my creativity and variety so that I don't get bored with what I have on my list is key, (not saying I should add to it because I FEEL like different vegies). I guess I have just been thinking about my little group that has just started with 2 Newbies... and I would be concerned that they might start reading things that "oldies" have said they can do this and do that and its good/ok etc... but they are not actually being true to the program and giving it time to see what works for them. Anyway... I dont want to Flame anyone or have a big argument...these were just some thoughts that I had about it today after my meeting.... which is why I have kept my thoughts in my own diary.... if you completely disagree..... no worries... please dont "Flame" me in here... I'd really appreciate it!!! ;)

Ok... I am getting a bit peckish and its time for dinner.... so... I might leave it there and check in again on Tuesday as usual!

Blessings to All
Kath
 
Hi Kath,
You are going great guns!
I remember when you started and remember reading about your challenges but hey look at you, you have done tremendously. Happy that you look 'normal' i mean that in the same way you referred to it, I know where you are coming from there. it's a good feeling not to be odd one out.
In regards to your thoughts, hey no-one is going to flame you in your diary Kath (especially me, i think you know my thoughts on this ;) the majority of us in this forum are following cohens 100% and agree with you. My thoughts were why tell me that i should be eating All Bran when All bran is not on my plan.
The person that has been posting their non cohens journey has been moved to a more appropriate section in this forum, so that should help.
have yourself a great day :)

rolypoly
 
Kath- I thought I had missed something so went back into my diary & had a read of your last post. I had already done the walk when I had read it initially but I read it as being supportive, encouraging & said as a good friend would. I really needed lots of encouragement to do it & I am so glad that I did . I couldn't imagine you being negative towards me! I really do wish you lived nearby as I'm sure we we get on like a house fire! I am in a bit of a hurry as I think my GD will wake up any minute & I want to be ready to greet her with a big smile! I love what you are doing with your fellow Cohenites. There a a few in my local town that I visit regularly but we haven't got together as a group. It may be a little hard as they own shops. I think another is about to start. Will catch up with you again soon when I have more time. Gotta go-she's awake & singing out! Bye Cate.
 
Last edited:
Hey Kath, how cool your own support group! I'd love to be able to do that sort of thing with people doing the plan with me. I found that the one person I knew who did the plan didn't want to talk to me unless I told her it was okay to deviate. I was like the best thing for you, (from personal experience is to not deviate), because once you walk down that horrid road of temptation there is no going back. I commit to Cohen's 110% because 1. I bet that I'm like you all and don't want to have to make this strict change last any longer than it needs to 2. because I feel so alive, so healthy and so wonderfully positive I just couldn't imagine life feeling any better, I mean I guess I feel in control.

What a great success you will be, I mean have you thought about your own franchise? If your team sessions go well it is definately something I would consider doing myself. LOL.

Have you posted any pictures of yourself for us to see?

I'd love to see some.

Goodnight
Faithie
 
Hello All.... Well its that time again... The Weekly update!
Well... it looked like it might have been another low week... but I just scraped in today with a 400g loss and so I lost 1.2 this week. Which is respectable! I am happy with that if it stays that way. I wonder if my extra vitamins etc are all starting to work now... plus the weather is warming up...so my circulation generally improves.

Weight: 92.8
Weight lost so far: 24.4
Weight lost altogether from my heaviest to now (2004): 48.2
Kgs to go: 30.8 (has gone up because I have lowered my Goal)
Measurements so far: 90cms lost (not long til the magic metre)

A friend of mine found some photo's of me at my biggest, last night (141) and I was just amazed at how bad I looked! I laughed for about an hour. I was simply astounded at the changes in my life now and the realisation that I have actually lost an entire person already, has really kicked in! (I have 2 work mates who weigh this much). I am just stunned. I cant wait to share my photo's with you... but I am gonna wait til the end I think!

I am going to see friends and my Mum who havent seen me in ages this weekend and I am looking forward to seeing their faces! Some have seen photos but some have no idea... so it should be cool. I am trying to make sure I pack all my skinny clothes!! =) I also get to go to Cirque Du Soliel!! Cant wait!

One of my friends who started last week, had her weigh in today and she lost 4kgs exactly and she said she is Ecstatic!! I am soooo happy for her that she is seeing great results. It is such a fantastic reinforcement of the program. I dont know what my other friend lost because she is away in Perth this week...

As you may have noticed... I have changed my Goal weight. I have decided to go for the lower end of my weight range so that I have some room to move at the end. So if I finish at 62 I still have a 3 kg limit but it is still within my goal range.... I know that things may change the closer I get to refeed, but that's what I want to aim for, because it feels more achieveable now than it did when I first saw the numbers. Its only 3 kgs less. I am only 2.9kgs away from Halfway!! Hopefully only 3 weeks away! By the end of October I should no longer be Obese according to my BMI...but only Overweight... I cant tell you how good that will feel.

Rolypoly: thanks for the support! I knew that some people felt the same as me, but I also knew that there are people that agree with the whole planned deviations and changing the program aspects and I was concerned that they would start voicing their opinions big time in my diary rather than the community one.... I am kinda glad that the diary was moved though... because at least its not in the Newbie's faces all the time.... but I wonder if she is happy about it being moved... she hasn't written in it since it was moved... i was interested in following her progress to see how the changes worked for her.

Cate: I am glad that you were ok with what I said... I kinda thought you would be and I realised I was probably late in what I wrote... but my thoughts were there and I wanted to share them with you. I did love meeting as a group.... I reckon it would be great for you guys to do the same... there is something special about all getting together and being focussed and having the time to talk about Cohen's stuff....Could you guys meet on a Sunday arvo for a coffee or something for an hour or so?

Faithie: Thanks so much for stopping by! As I said I dont want to put up photo's yet... I want to wait til the end when its done. A couple of people have told me I should be getting a commission for all the people I have helped sign up to the program and now organising a group etc... but nah... I dont think I could do it as a business... I love what I do. I am hoping that we can all encourage one another not to deviate and that it wont be just me on that particular bandwagon!

Anyway.... another book as usual... gotta go and get dinner ready!

blessya
Kath
 
Kath- Thank you for your lovely support in my diary. I really appreciate the time & care you take for me. I am trying to find the words I want to say to you about what I think you deserve in life but I am having trouble finding the right ones. I wish for you what I have in a loving, close relationship, where you are appreciated & cherished. This may sound corny I know but I think you will find the right one for you. You seem such a good, kind-hearted, loving person who deserves to be loved in return. xoxo Cate.
PS.Please don't stop giving me any advice. I need all the help I can get! I have a lifetime of bad habits to get out of & one of the worst is stewing over things. I go very quiet when I'm really upset, quieter still if angry.
 
Arrrrrghghghgh I just wrote this Massive Post.... and something happened!!!! Arrrgghghgh.... I need to go and get my dinner... I will come back and retype everything later.... but I just wanted to say....

Cate: Thanks so much for your LOVELY words! I wish those things for myself all the time and so I dont think they are Corny at all! I am also glad that you told me not to stop giving you advice or talking to you about "stuff".... cos I love doing that.... I really appreciate your faithfulness and commitment to this Board and me personally! You Rock!

Be back soon
Blessya
Kath
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top