Cohen's Lifestyle My Cohen diary

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Esthlee -- I liked reading your diary because I wonder if you have something like PCOS (I do). Just some comments made me think you did.

Also, I wanted to comment on the carb = depression thing. You are 100% on track. I have to find the article where I read something about how the carbs that we consume can (in certain people) give a "boost" to relieve depression. I don't remember exactly what the article specified, but they did suggest alternatives so that you don't binge on carbs.

If you do have PCOS, I recommend the website Soulcysters. They have tons of information on it, and how to help manage the symptoms. I am going to read up on Cohen's because it sounds like something that would help.

I'll be back with the link to the article.

Good luck! You've done amazing so far.

---------

This is not the article I meant, but it has some interesting information:

And this one has the sources where the study is used:

It's in the Diabetes Care, that I think I found the article.
 
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Hi Esthee

So sorry to hear about how you are feeling. I think Winedeer might have some good advice for you here.
Esthee the other reason for your irritability and carb cravings may be linked to your time of the month (TOM's). You may be experiencing pre-menstural tension (PMT)....this is when I crave the carbs the most and become very irritable with everyone. My husband knows when it is occurring and luckly for me he stays out of my way and also keeps the kids out of my hair.

With regards to not losing well this could be contributed your TOM's well...we all carry extra fluid during this time. So don't panic too soon.

I hope things are improving since your last post and please let us know how you are going. You are such a motivating person to us here so please keep strong...life throws us many curve balls and at times they can be difficult to manage but when we do - it only makes us stronger which in turn helps us to manage the next challenge of life.

Take care Esthee.

Sam:)
 
Day 25

Hi everyone,

WineDeer Hi and welcome to the forum. You are 100% correct. I've been diagnosed with PCOS a few years ago. I actually decided to use the Dr Cohen diet after my gynie told me that the Dr Cohen diet will be able to help get all my hormones and serotonin levels back to normal. I would really recommend this if you have PCOS. I haven't had enough estrogen in my body to actually have my TOM without using my pills, but on my recent check up, the gynie was really happy to see my estrogen levels having increased wonderfully. Thanks for the wonderful links! :) I'll definitely go through them.

Sam Thanks for your wonderful message! You've just reminded me why I adore everyone on this forum :) Unfortunately its not my TOM, but I do think its just a bunch of emotional issues that's coming to the fore now that I'm losing weight.

I just need to say that I'm doing way better than my previous post. I tend to have low days, but mostly I'm OK. My cravings are still here, but I'm managing by drinking loads of water. I decided to start using my elliptical trainer again. I think 20 minutes of exercise will definitely help.

Happy Valentines to all of you. :)
 
Hi Esthee

I too am having a hard time with my emotions and especially the cravings. I am finding it a struggle everyday not to deviate. I would love a piece of toast a vegemite for breakfast. I could live on that for beaky every morning and never get sick of it. But I am stuck with yogurt and mango, seems to be only thing I can get down in the morning without feeling nauseous. But my carb cravings are huge. And I found myself crying in the middle of the night 2 night ago, just feeling so overwhelmed with everything and I just could not stop.

Anyway just wanted to show my support and let you know that I am on your side and we will get through this together with all the great support in here how could we not.

Take care:waving:
 
I don't know the day, but tomorrow is week 4

Hey,

I haven't really been in the mood to type much this past week. It was an extremely eventful week for me :) I've ordered some beautiful couches for our sunroom in our house, mainly for the purpose of lounging in them reading a good book enjoying the garden. I've ordered them back in November and they were finally delivered on Thursday. It made for an interesting Valentines. Me and WF spent the whole evening sitting on the new couches chatting. We watched the sun come up and drank loads of coffee. :) They really are extremely comfortable, and eventhough I'm huge at the moment, I can curl up in them like I used to when I weighed 60kg in a normal chair.

The main events of the week however was my work. Early this year the head of communications in America changed our team's structure and put one of my coworkers in charge of the team. I'm generally not really that interested in office politics, so I just continue writing, doing my job etc. The only problem is that the new TeamLead was useless (and I actually really like this oke). He has NO leadership skills and the whole team was basically sitting around not knowing what we were supposed to do, browsing the internet etc.

I can handle many things, but sitting around at the office doing nothing is not my idea of a fun day. I travel 60km to work everyday and to travel that distance to sit and hope that this new TeamLead will do his job is not something I'm ok with. So I told management that I was not happy, which is something I really don't do. And promises were made, I was asked not to look for other work etc. But a week later, nothing really changed. A lot of confidential :( stuff happened and now our old TeamLead is in charge again. :D That means I'll be working my arse off as from tomorrow :) I'm really happy with the outcome of these events. I'm a bit of a workaholic and I love writing documentation. So this week will definitely be a good one.

On Friday evening I also got my new car :d :hurray: I love it. With me traveling so much for work, I really needed one. Spent the whole weekend showing family and friends my new car. :d

We went and had lunch with my sister, brother in law and my amazing niece today. She is 2 years old on the 23 rd of March and she is growing so fast at the moment. She's definitely the apple of my eye and it helps that I'm her favourite aunt :) They've been thinking about their future lately and what they want for my niece and the other children that they will have. So during lunch today they told us that they've decided to move to Australia. My bil is a mechanical engineer and his job prospects looks much better in Aus than it does in SA at the moment. Companies aren't allowed to employ white men because of BEE and they need to build a life. I can understand they're reasoning completely, but I'm a bit sad. I'm not close to my family at all, I hardly speak to my parents and have no contact with the rest of my family. But my sister and I are extremely close. We chat at least an hour every day. Her living in Aus will make it very difficult. If it was up to me, I'd be jumping on the plane with them :) but I've got a WF and another family I'm also close to. But who knows what the future hold? Maybe in a few years we'll join them?

On the diet front I'm doing wonderful. I've not really lost much weight this week, I think I've been stabilizing a bit, but I'm down and I've lost 8.1kg in my first 4 weeks on Cohens. The cravings have been better this weekend, this past week was rather a struggle.

I'm starting with my antidepressants again tomorrow. I've analysed my depression and it has no logic behind it, so its time for my pills again. I'm really in a dark place at the moment, but I've learnt to take it for what it is. It will take 2 weeks for the pills to start to work, but I need them if I want to finish my Cohen journey.

I'm really very happy with the Cohen diet. I haven't been able to stick to any one diet for longer than a few days and tomorrow morning I'm going for my blood tests and I know I've been 100% for 4 whole weeks. :) Well, I have to get up early to go to the hospital before I leave for work so I'm saying good night and going off to bed now... :)
 
Esthee, I feel for you with the depression. I, too, suffer from it & have done for over 30 years. When it doesn't pass I seek help. Thankfully, these days it passes. It's probably because I'm no longer hormonal. There's something to be said for being "mature" in years! My sister moved to the US in 1980 but we managed to maintain our very close relationship until she died 2 years ago. It will be tough but we made sure we could get cheap calls & spoke at least once a week & emailed constantly. It's a good reason to come to Australia for a visit & who knows what will happen a little further down the road. You & your WF & maybe even his family may end up following your sister. Stranger things have happened... I hope you feel better soon. Make sure you are getting enough sleep. It's very important on Cohens. Take care, xo Cate
 
Hi Esthee

I feel for you when I read your diary you seem to have to face alot of challenges in your day to day life......but within your post I can recognise a strong person who hasn't given up on themselves or life. I know you are facing alot on your plate - and having your sister move must bring you lots of sorrow....if my sister moved away I would be devastated she is my best friend but I would also respect her decision and her family and then I would start saving money straight away so I could visit her.
As humans we must look at the "bright side of life"....corny i know but it makes sense.

I must tell you this story of a friend of mine who recently broke down to me....I think I mentioned it briefly in my diary. Well she admitted to me that she suffered from depression had just stopped her meds.....her parents are coming out from OS and she is stressing about it...she had an unhappy childhood and other things which I won't go into, but you would never know she has suffered so much grief in her life... she is the most out going and happy person you could ever meet, she is there for anybody...which unfortuately for her can attract some hanger ons..but we are working on that. She is basically taking one day at a time now, but I can see the little steps she has taken have actually been major ones. She also has a sister that she is very close to but she lives OS and did try it out here but it wasn't for her.
So Esthee you are not alone in this I feel you have your support systems with you there you WF for one and now you have us here too.

Take care.

Sam:)
 
Hi everyone - I am so glad I am finally able to say this ...

I started Cohens on the 1st of February and was seeking to know how others are experiencing it. Well, I happened on one of your threads Esthee, I registered on this forum because of reading your posts - you are inspirational. I believe that you are on the right track with the medication and while I have no real understanding of depression, from what I read you seem to be pretty strong and capable of beating it.

That's it for now, I still have to figure out how this thing works - it is the first time ever that I am subscribed to a forum like this:confused:
 
Hi everyone!

I'm a month on from starting with Cohens and it is really really going well. :) I went to the consultant yesterday and she actually mentioned that Dr Cohen told her to tell me that he could see an amazing improvement in my hormone levels and that he could see that I haven't deviated one bit :) I've lost almost 10kg in one month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I'm through the difficult part of the diet as I'm starting to feel energetic, organised and happy. I was sitting in my sunroom yesterday looking out at my garden and having this wierd feeling... I analysed it and I realised that I'm completely happy for the first time. There's always been something bothering me, but now, I'm in control of my worklife, my personal life, and most importantly, my food intake :). I had an extremely traumatic childhood and I've learnt that people can't cope with my truth, so I don't speak about it or tell people about what I had to live through. But my one wish that I've had since I can remember was to create a happy safe life for myself. And I've been working hard at it now since I left my parents' house. But for the first time, I think I might be there :)

GJeans :waving: I'm so glad I've been able to be an inspiration for you :) It wasn't really my intention when I started with my diary, I just tend to write whatever I'm dealing with. I'm glad you found this forum. It's been my rock on very bad days and coming in here reading that I'm not alone has been a tremendous blessing. Don't worry about how the forum works, this has also been my first forum experience and the others are very helpful when you make a little faux pas ;) Good luck :cheers2:

Sam and Cate thanks for you wonderful messages :) The WF and I had a long talk and we've decided to follow my sister in 2 years. He knows how much she means to me and we've taken some other factors into account as well. He owns his own company and they've been thinking of branching out internationally for some time now. His parents are in the position to come and stay with us for 6months at a time and I'm sure his siblings will also follow... will have to see how things pan out.

Well that's me for today... I need to get ready for work :)
 
Great job with the weight loss Esthee! That is really awesome! And it is great to hear the Cohen's program has not only helped you in weight loss but also in other aspects of your life. I spent a large part of 2006 & 2007 suffering Post Natal Depression and know the fog. Not a nice place to be. I am glad you have found a peaceful place. I too am finding the diet's helping with feeling in control not only in the kitchen. Doesn't it feel great to take the power back! Keep up the good work. Lots of love:beating:Jen
 
Esthee- Reading your post has made my day. I just came out in goose-bumps!We are here to support one another, through thick & thin (no pun intended!). If ever you want to share your experiences we are here to listen, not to condemn. You sound like you are in such a good place. I am really pleased for you. What state in Australia is your sister moving to?
10kgs-fantastic!! Well done!!!!
Cheers for now, Cate.
 
happy smiley :)

Hi,
Cate I'm so glad I made your day, because mine is wonderful :) My sister is thinking of moving to Diamond Creek in Melbourne. But they'll rent a place first and have a look at the city. Her husband grew up on a farm in a little town in the Cape and they want to live in a country like atmosphere. We'll probably settle in the same area as them when we move as well. :) We'll definitely go to Tasmania as soon as we can, the WF has always found it beautiful.

Esthee
 
Hi Esthee

I am so glad you are feeling better within yourself. I too understand the depression and the darkness that surrounds you and your thoughts. But I am so proud of you for seeing through it and enjoying what you have in the here and now. And feeling more in control of your own life sure does help.

WOW fantastic weight loss, you must feel so great. How are you clothes going, are they falling off yet. I noticed that my nickers have gotten alot looser. I was walking around the house in my skirt the other day and I noticed that they started to fall down around my bottom, what a laugh.

If you move out here you will have to come visit me. I am about 40mins south of Melbourne, in Geelong.

Anyway I hope you are still feeling uplifted and have a lovely weekend.
 
10kg gone....well done

Hi Esthee

well done on the 10kg weight loss!!!!!!! that is so awesome. I am also glad to see that the issues you were struggling with are being discussed and some closure is being made.
I hope you have restful weekend and look forward hearing from you again.

Sam:)
 
Day ... I stopped counting :)

Hi,

After my month of really doing well on the diet, the WF has decided to start with Cohens as well. He went for his blood tests on Monday and we visited the consultant together on Thursday. She went through my bloodwork and told me everything was fine and then she turned to him and I'm still horrified with the results. His family has Type 1 Diabetes in their genes and his grandmother passed away a few years ago because of complications with her diabetes. The WF is such a strong big man I don't see him as weak or sick at all. But according to his bloodwork, he is on the verge of being diagnosed with Type 1 D and has liver damage because of all the junk food he eats. Apparently his liver is very sensitive to too much salt :(.

It can all be fixed with eating healthily so they will redo all his test in 4 weeks and see if their has been an improvement. If not, he'll need to see a doctor and start with medication. We're just glad it was caught this early. He needs to loose 35kg and started with the diet yesterday.

Now that you know the background I need to tell you of the monster I'm living with at the moment :rotflmao: She warned us that his detoxing was going to be bad, but he is soooo funny. I've sent him to our room an hour ago, closed the curtains and told him to sleep :) He's biting my head off one moment and sulking the next. I'm just glad I know what he's going through so I can be patient with him and his MOOD today... Tomorrow is my 29th birthday and he better not be mean to me :smilielol5: But shame, I'm feeling so sorry for him at the moment.

I'm doing well, going out for coffee with my sister and niece this afternoon and I'm looking forward to that. Well, enough of me on my laptop... I need to start cleaning the house and buying supplies for the week ahead.

Bye
Esthee
 
Even though you got some bad new glad to hear that it is all fixable that you found it nice and early. I hope that he is feeling better.
:party:HAPPY BIRTHDAY:party:

I hope you have a wonderful day

My WH is doing the diet with me, but having double everything most of the time. It makes it so much easier doing it together. But he is still having the occassional drink and bad foods when we are out, but in moderation. Even though he is not on the strick diet he has already lost 11.4kg in 4 weeks. It make you sick how easy these men can loose the weight. And he is eating double what I am and also have a rum and coke a few nights a week and a tiny bit of junk food a couple of days a week.

Anyway you are doing so well, keep up the good work and I hope WF detoxing breaks soon and he gets that bust of energy which we all know if fantastic.

Again Have a lovely birthday.
 
Good morning everyone - wow Esthee 10kg that is MASSIVE :hurray: ... and you have not cheated once - wow - that is really incredible!!!!

I have been at this now for 23 days and I can honestly say the 1st 16 days were almost 99%, I had a handle on things and was barely cheating - give or take an extra 10g chicken here or there.

Come day 17, the wheels literally came off the bus, I binged liked a crazed monkey on Kentucky Fried Chicken of all things :puke: I have just gone off the program again yesterday...( I find weekends are my absolute nightmare - I dont know how to spend my time without eating and I am on my TOM so yikes ... I am at a loss as to what to do to get a grip... someone help .

And talking about WF's mood swings - I find that mine have not evened out as yet - is it because I am not following the programme 100% - every small little thing seriously gets to me - I am a monster of a wife and mother at this stage ... (1 supportive husband, 3 sweet kids and 2 eager to please "pavement specials" dogs)

Shoot, there I went using your diary to vent - :eek:

But hey on the bright side - when I went to weigh on the 20th, I had lost 5.8kg - my body wants to do this, but I am not sure if it is the mind continuously trying to sabotage my efforts ...

Anyways, well done and your WF is lucky to be with inspiration in the house so, at the end of the month, he might be out of the T1D danger ...

:waving:
 
And where are my manners - Happy Birthday - 29 is the very best year, you will see. By the time you reach 30, you will be healthy and slim!
 
Happy Birthday Esthee!!!!!!:seeya::hurray::cheers2::waving:**** :hurray::waving: :seeya::cheers2:Cheers, Cate.
 
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