My slimming journey

Hi Mands,

I have just been having a read of your journey and I have to say, congratulations!! what fantastic results.
I'm a newby and from reading your stories has given me lots of motivation. I had my blood tests this morning so I'm on my way and want to say goodbye to the 30kg of unwanted me!! :seeya:
I will keep checking in on your journey and hopefully pick up some hints and tips from you. :patriot:
Sal xo
 
What is the purpose of the consultant?

Hi All

Ok so it has been a while.... I haven't been following my diet 100% for the last 3 weeks. I haven't picked up anything but haven't lost anything either. I would lose then pick it up, lose then pick it up...

Anyway, that is behind me now and I started 100% dedicated again today.

My reason for this deviation: 1) A lot of stress & pressure at work and 2) my mom's 2 yr death anniversary is coming up next week.

I have been having dreams about her and fearing going to the grave. I haven't been to the grave since we laid her to rest in the ground. Every year on the anniversary I attempt to go to the grave - but no success.

My photography course is probably the only thing keeping me sane at this point. I had my first student exhibition 2 weeks ago - it was amazing!

Saturday we started the "on location & studio" module. Very exciting....Wednesday we are shooting our first model in studio and Saturday we are going to Dikhololo to "shoot" some animals/wildlife.

I've now realigned my focus and is going full steam ahead to lose the next 18kg!

I have been reading the usual dairy entries but wasn't motivated enough to write any comments - apologies for that.

Will make time to write some comments.

Tx to those that visits my dairy constantly!
 
What is the purpose of the Dr Cohen's consultant? What are they supposed to do?

I NEVER hear from my consultant!!! Aren't they supposed to be supporting us through this process?

Let me know what your consultant does for you please.
 
Mands, I am sorry you are going through a rough patch. I have always felt that consultants are there for you but we need to tell them what we need. Everyone is different in their needs & wants & some people do not want to see consultants all the way through.
It is very hard not to resort to food for comfort when that has been our default for so long. Old habits die hard as they say. We all need to find new strategies to replace that habit. Stress will always happen so finding something that works for you is important. There is nothing wrong with a good cry. A walk? Listening to music? Visiting a good friend & talking about how you feel? I saw a psychologist not long after starting Cohen's & she helped me change my perspective about lots of things, but mainly my self-worth. Reading is good for me but a walk is even better. Getting out in the fresh air does wonders.
Mands, You will always miss your mother but how you react to that memory will change eventually if you try to change the sadness into a strong feeling of the love that you had for one another. Nothing can take that away. It's deep within your soul. I carry my older sister's love deep within my being. It now makes me smile to think of her. She's in my heart & soul. Sending you a big hug Mands :beating: xo Cate
 
Getting back on the bus

Ok, so it has been quite a while that I've posted something.

Unfortunately the anniversary of my mom's death threw me a BIG curveball. During April it was the only thing on my mind. All the memories and re-living her last few days got me back into my old habits......emotional eating - my friend: chocolates!

So April, wasn't a good month - I stopped loosing weight but with some miracle I didn't pick up. Then May month came and I made a decision to start with Cohen's afresh with determination. Then WHAM:( I got flu that became bronchitis and then trancheal bronchitis. 3 sets of antibiotics with Cortisone!! Almost 3 weeks that I've been sick.

I weighed 3 days ago and saw that I picked up 2kg! It was a huge wake up call - but I expected it.

I have been reading everybody's diaries regularly but just didn't feel like posting because I knew that for a month I ruined all my hard work of the previous 3 months!

Now that is over and done with. Life carries on and I can't live in the past. I have to look forward and get my perspective back.

Nobody said this was gonna be easy. So get you butt in gear and get focused Mandy. You can do this. You can beat this "disease" that likes to control what you put in your mouth. I AM the ONLY one with the say of what I eat.

Now I have all that of my chest I feel much better.

So from tomorrow its me and Cohens again. Thin here I come (with a vengeance)

To the rest of you - you have been doing great and WELL DONE!!!
 
Refocusing again

Hi All

It has been about 3 months since I fell off the bus and just been eating anything and everything.

Work has been hectic, stressful and my boss has been breaking my nerves. I also battled with trancheal bronchitis.

So with all this on my plate I fell into my old habits of chocolates. Not really food but plenty of chocolates - quite disgusting if I think about it.

So I've decided to take 2 weeks leave just to regroup my mind as I felt very close to cracking.

Today is the first day of my leave and I've followed Cohen's to the "T". Also going to book myself for a massage and my husband and I have been planning outings for me to take some photographs. All to de-stress and just take my mind off work.

I have been catching up on the diaries today and you gals have been doing so great. If I stuck to my diet I would have been at my goal weight this month - tragically I'm not.

But I'm positive, re-focused and starting afresh!

During my "time off" I have picked up 5kg. So now I have to lose 23kg instead of 18kg. But I will do it. I am not going back to the overweight, insecure and unhappy Mandy - I refuse.

So I will be checking in on a regular basis again. Hope to re-connect with all of you again.

Happy losing!
Mandy
 
Last edited:
Hi Mandy, Good thinking re the 2 weeks leave. What better way to re-focus! Away from the stress of your job and with the support of your husband. Nice. You sound like you have that bus right back on track. It's a much better feeling once you have taken back control of that steering wheel- both mentally & physically! It's nice to have you back sweetie & also to have someone visiting diaries & showing support. Providing support to others also helps yourself. Good for you. Sending you a big thumbs up! xoxo Cate
 
Hey Mandy,
thank you so much for offering support. I couldn't thank you earlier because i'm still having problems with logging in to the forum.
I know you will achieve your weight loss goals as well. In any case, we're all in this together and we will take control of our lives. You have done it once, you can do this again dear. Let's get it started. :p

lotsa love,
geo
 
Hey Mands,

Thanks for visiting my diary!!

Good on you for starting again, i'm sure you will be back down in no time :)

The 2 week break is probably exactly what you need, I also need a holiday but trying to save my leave for the end of the year so unfortunately I'm stuck here for awhile, lol.

How is the photography going? I have been so terrible with time, never really make an effort to go anywhere to take pics and stuff, gotten bored with it but think it could be cause I don't have the proper training for it.

I'm doing good on the plan, I'm in my week 4 also restarted about a month ago and things are going good, the loss hasn't been amazing but now bad, have lost about 7kg's, would have liked to have gotten to the 10kg mark but happy with anything at the moment!!

Good luck with you journey ahead and keep your head down and you will do this.

Enjoy your leave.

xxx
 
Hellooooo

Today is day 3 and I have done great so far - haven't started my gym routine as I wanted to but HEY, I'm on leave:coolgleamA: At least I'm eating right.

So this is what is irritating me at the moment. I contacted my consultant to ask for a refeed programme that she gave my friend when she went overseas - it was a generic one she said. This was when we wanted to go away next week for a couple of days. Then she comes back and tells me that as per my terms and conditions they only support for 6 months!!! What the hell?????

I haven't replied to her as I'm fuming and would say things that I shouldn't. If you can remember I used to complain about the NO support that I receive from my consultant. In the 3 months that I went off the diet I had NOT ONE follow up to motivate or support or anything me!!!

So I was wondering that does mean I have to pay all that money again for 6 months only?

Anyway....I'm having great lazy days at home and I can feel how all the negative energy and stresses are leaving my body. I'm sleeping better - only slightly, fall asleep about 01h00. Remember I suffer from insomnia for a couple of years already.

They stole our gate motor this morning and my husband is on nightshift tonight which makes me a bit nervous as now the gate can just be pushed open as there is no space for a lock. But I'm praying for God to keep me and my doggies safe until the motor is replaced. The accessor will be here tomorrow morning.

My mom's birthday would have been next week and I'm determined not for it to let me go off my diet and let my emotions take over. I have to start facing it and remember her and keep all the good memories alive and forget about the bad. I have to celebrate the fact that she is with our Maker.

I'm booking for my wedding photography course that starts next week Saturday and I'm soooooo stoked!

Ok everyone - keep the focus and stay positive - we are healing our minds, bodies and soul all at once!!

Happy losing:seeya:
 
Oh Mandy, I forget how different our lives are. Gate motor? I thank my lucky stars that we no longer live in a city. I love my wide open spaces & living without fear. Try not to be fearful tonight & distract yourself if you can. It's more likely that someone thought they had a better use of that gate motor or could flog it off for some money. Take care my friend, xoxo Cate
 
Ok, it has been just over 2 months and I have been doing so bad and just can't get back on the bus and STAY on.

As I stand today I am back to square 1 - ashamedly so. I weigh 90.8kg again. Picked up the ALL the weight I lost in my first 3 months of Cohen's.

I can give you all the reasons but it boils down to my stress & emotions. You'll remember that I have this cow for a boss that makes it her life mission to make my life a misery. The workload is wayyyyy to much for me to handle and unfortunately my request for 2 additional staff members got turned down due to budget constraints.

My heart & nerves acted up again and I'm now on a beta blocker aswell to slow my heart rate down, bring down my blood pressure and make me calmer. So with all this I couldn't focus on my weight. Went through quite a rough patch.

However I'm giving this another shot and I am determined to reach my goal. I will take it only one day at a time and try and control my emotions.

I was wondering today: if they can hipnotise a smoker to stop smoking, can't they hipnotise me NOT to eat when I feel emotional:biggrinjester:

My photography is going great and I have had my first paid job as a freelance photographer. Loving every minute of it and hopefully I can do this full time one of these days.

I'm in the process of catching up on everyone's diary and I apologise for my absence.

So nice to be back and feeling like I can take this beast by the horns!!!

Have a great weekend!
Mands
 
Oh Mands, don't be so hard on yourself. It's not easy & I don't know any perfect people. I can't really help you with emotional eating. I can say that if food is not part of the problem then it is not part of the solution but it's up to you to find ways to work out what can work for you & how to replace that stress eating, which really adds further to your stress, with something else. If you cannot change things(at work especially) try hard to change your attitude toward them.
I have always been an emotional or stress eater. I do things to distract myself. My best way of coping with stress is to have a drink of water, grab an apple & head off for a walk.
You have to get yourself back to where you can really focus on getting to your goal weight. I know that you can do it as I have said a squillion times that if I can, anyone can. Don't put it off & put it off until you get to my age. Be determined- want it more than anything else & do it! It really does boil down to how much you want to do it & how determined you are to succeed. There will always be stress. It never goes away.
I'm here for you Mands. I know that you can do it. I hope I don't sound harsh. The strength you need is in yourself. I'm sending you a big hug & lots and lots of support, xoxo Cate
 
Ok, yesterday was day 1 again. And I did fabulous! Was craving a big fat chocie at about 18h00 but I resisted and had 500ml water!!

Decided outside influences are not gonna derail me any longer! It's enough that certain people (my boss in particular) cause me stress at work - I won't let them influence what I put in my mouth -otherwise I give them the power AND THE POWER IS MINE!!

Tx Cate, missed the forum a lot but I was not in a good place but I'M BACK!!

Day 2 going strong thus far!!

Have a fabulous day everybody!!
 
Mands said:
Ok, yesterday was day 1 again. And I did fabulous! Was craving a big fat chocie at about 18h00 but I resisted and had 500ml water!!

Decided outside influences are not gonna derail me any longer! It's enough that certain people (my boss in particular) cause me stress at work - I won't let them influence what I put in my mouth -otherwise I give them the power AND THE POWER IS MINE!!

Tx Cate, missed the forum a lot but I was not in a good place but I'M BACK!!

Day 2 going strong thus far!!

Have a fabulous day everybody!!
Click to expand...

Yes! You have taken control. Congrats on day 1. Go Mands!! xo Cate
 
Hey Mands,

I started my new plan yesterday, have been on my old one for the last 3 months but decided to get a new one, so yesterday was my new day 1 :)

Good luck and before you know it, you will almost be finished!!!!
 
It has been almost 6 months since my last post!!! I can't believe how time flew:eek2: and I have to admit (ashamedly so):blush5: that I have fallen of the wagon quite badly. I'm back at square one and have to start ALL the hardwork again.

A lot has happened in the last 6 months and I will try and give a short version of my hectic, chaotic life.

October 2010: Went on holiday to Cyprus and bought a house over there. While on holiday I got a call to advise me I got retrenched from a 16 year banking career!!
November 2010: Returned from holiday and went to work for 1 day to hand in everything and sign all relevant documents for my retrenchment.
December 2010: Started doing the ground work to boost my photography business. Designing my website took a lot of time - had to do it myself to save money - had to really learn many things before I reached the final product. Also babysat my 2 year old godson for 2 weeks - very tiring. Got bookings for 2 weddings - had sooooo much fun!!
January 2011: Did further marketing to market my photography business - got a couple of couple shoots. Did some training & workshops.
February 2011: Starting thinking about moving to Cyprus and start a new life - Business a bit slow but I'm remaining positive. 14 Feb 2011 were informed that my 2 babies (Cheeky & Chewy) have some serious health problems: Chewy diagnosed with stage 1b heart failure with a tumour next to the heart. Cheeky diagnosed with bronchial lung disease. We were advised Chewy will never be able to fly - so we then dropped the Cyprus debate.

Over the course of the next 2 weeks Chewy's health just deteriorated. Took him back to the specialist on 3 March 2011, he stayed in ICU overnight as he wasn't getting enough oxygen. On 4 March 2011 at 09h27 we received a call that crushed our entire world and ripped our hearts in two. Chewy had passed away after they tried to draw the fluid from his lungs. This was THE worst news we EVER received. Our little boy of almost 14 years was no more. He wasn't coming home, he won't be playing the passage game at night - nothing......

The 2 weeks following this devastating news is a blur - I didn't get up from bed except at night when I had to bath. I had to try and keep Cheeky calm as she and Chewy has never been seperated in the 14 years. She was missing him terribly.....the vet advised it would take 3 weeks for her to normalise. She got some calming medication for her anxiety. Me? Well, food was my "comfort". Have to be strong for her to get her through this.

My husband and I decided on Friday that he would accept the voluntary package from his work and we are off to Cyprus in about 3 months time.

And that is where I am today......

I saw myself in a video my husband took of me last week playing with my doggie and I got another shock - I really look bad. This is not what I should look like. I have picked up all the weight I lost last year + 2kg.

So today I've decided that I need to start looking after myself so that I can be healthy and live a long healthy life. I'm not gonna lie to you, I'm still very emotional about Chewy and have the odd breakdown by myself in the bathroom. Also stressing about emigrating. But I can't continue like this.

So here I'm standing at the forum's door again hoping to get the same support that I did last year that helped me loose all that weight.

I'm sorry if I just dissappeared off the forum and stopped supporting my friends.....but I was in a different place and my head was focused on other things.

So did all the shopping today for Cohen's and tomorrow will be DAY 1!!

I know it will be a struggle to break old habits - but I'm gonna take it day by day!

Looking forward to the real me trapped inside this body.....

Happy losing!
 
Hi Mands, Of course I remember you! Some things are meant to be & losing your job after just buying a house will probably be the catalyst to a great future for you in photography. It looks like you did the wedding photography course from the bookings you have got.
Mands treat this as a new start in life. Forget the other times you have tried & felt that you failed. This is it. They were practise. No excuses. It's time to bite the bullet & go full steam ahead with your plans & aspirations. You can do it! I'll be here to support you. You must want to be slim more than you want to eat off-plan. Remember-
Nothing tastes as good as slim feels!Take some time each day to type how you feel. If you feel like eating off-plan, jump on the computer quickly! Distract yourself! YOU CAN DO IT!!
xo Cate
 
Tx for the words of encouragement Cate!!

Its been a week and I lost 1,5kg !!! Not too shabby!!!

We've been very busy with all the preparation that has to be done for our big move from SA to Cyprus. My husband and I have seen people to transport our house contents, people to transport my little angel - Cheeky (Chihuahua), I've gone for police clearance certificate to apply for my Cypriot passport, applied for Birth certificates, seen an estate agent to rent our house, contractors for some minor repairs on the outside of our house and I've been painting doors, cupboards and frames like there is no tomorrow - just to brighten up everything again.

So busy busy busy. Also have been doing some photoshoots and booked myself on a couple of workshops just to broaden my knowledge of photography.

So I'm doing well and my mind is focussed. I NEED to loose all this fat before we get to Cyprus!!!!

Happy losing everybody!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top