Cohen's Lifestyle What exactly is Cohens?

Prefix for Cohen's Lifestyle
Hi Kreed

Welcome to the world of electronic friendships!!!

The plan is simple to follow. It's completely black and white and there are no grey areas. For some people, like me, that makes it simple. For others it's too structured and strict. At the end of the day it is going to be up to you and your mindset - how much do you want it?!?

You get three main meals plus fruit and crackers for snacks etc whenever between your meals. You get a list of allowed foods and recommendations on some of them regarding how often you have them in a week. If its not on the list you cant have it while on the weight loss part, more foods will be brought in on the refeed (reintroduction) phase of the program and then you will be given maintenance guidelines which advise you more on how to eat as apposed to what to eat.

Meal portions all have to be weighed so you will have to cook yours seperately but it doesn't have to be as hard as it sounds i.e. if you are doing steamed veggies for family you can put yours to the side or in a seperate dish etc etc...

I hope this has helped with some of your questions.

Lauren
 
Humm, this sounds intresting. How do they handle people who want to goto the gym at least 5 days a week as well? Or do they tell you to just focus initial food program for the first few weeks and then build up.
I'm just concerend that I dont know if I could handle just eating the basics and then working out as well.
 
You could lose 25lbs without this program. You could also probably lose 25lbs with it. Im not sold on it, so I would opt for the former.

Tony,

I wasn't sold on it either in the beginning but at almost 61 and 50+ lbs overweight on a 1.7m frame (5'7") I wasn't about to try to find time to go to a gym when I work 6 days a week and am sitting behind a computer all day and spend 4 hours to and from work on public transit daily. With the little time available to me, I figured even if I could find the time to get back to exercising regularly (only way would be to find another job - which is not easy at 61), I might die of old age or a heart attack in the process before I got back to being a lean mean machine.

Cohen was the fix for that. I was a commercial diver till I was in my Mid-late 40's but when I quite diving and came onshore again, I starting flying a desk and piling on the weight. When I quit smoking 3.5 years ago I added even more weight. (when I quit diving at 47 I only weighed 5 kg more than my military discharge weight of 69kg at 20 years of age. Most of that was muscle as I lifted regularly and along with the constant oil-field diving stayed pretty fit (except for the smoking - but a regular diet of pure O2 in recompression chambers helped to offset that).

When I started Cohen's in January this year, I tipped the scales at 94kg. I took two different medications for HBP (and that only kept it at ~138/85 - borderline high) I also took statins for cholesterol and also allipurinol for gout. The unexpected result of Cohen's was not only did I lose all the weight plus a bit but my BP is now steady at 110/70 without meds (doc stopped them). He also stopped all my other meds as well as a full blood workup has revealed that all systems are now completely back into normal ranges and for the first time in over a decade I am completely pill free. I regained 20 years of my youth. I am now slowly getting back into some cardio (easy-easy) on a elliptical Cross-trainer that I pick up for a song. Once that gets going good, the mountain bike comes down off the rack as does the membership to the pool. Also, All my Scuba gear will be dusted off.

Yeah, as a fitness trainer who only has to do a little bit to refurbish the machine to get back into shape it's a bit different when you are technically "obese" and it hurts your knees to walk up a flight of stairs AND you have medical problems as well. So, while the fitness routine is without a doubt the best way to go for THE AVERAGE PERSON, it is not necessarily the way to go for the "Overweight" or "Obese" person. Or for persons with certain medical problems. As this is not a high protein diet it's great for gout sufferers. (the reason I never tried Atkins). Most cardio is high impact on the joints so as a 30 year gout sufferer, it's not what you would call good for my joints. The elliptical (while not good in the long term I know) and cycling and swimming are all low impact cardio's that will not deliberately sabo my joints further than the damage all the weight has already done.

SMS
The "New" Stallion
Cohen Singapore Graduate
Class of June "08
 
Hi Maleficent,
In the US is is called 1st Personal Diet and I think is is only done via the internet, the website is and in Australia it is
I'm not sure if your allowed to post websites here:confused: :confused: I'm sure it will be ok as it isn't spam, and people who genuinely want to know can check it out for themselves.:)

yea, thanks for the link! I was wondering how to find info on this in the US
 
This sounds very similar to what I am doing. I had blood tests done that showed I'm pre diabetic. So now I'm on this low glycemic diet to help get my body functioning the way it should. From what I've heard from others doing the same thing I'm doing, they burn fat and build muscle better than on any other plan they've ever been on.
 
Cohens...

*Okay this is the third time i have tried to post this... arghhh i didnt copy.....*


Hello and Welcome marinette,

Counting calories, food portions and exercise are a great way to go.. Your weight will move....

Cohens offers a healthy but rapid weightloss alternative... Dont be mistaken Cohens is not easy or a fad. This is a change forever not just for the moment.. Most people have to address some bad habbits while on the proram wether its emotional or edible and incoperate some new techniques to address these.. lets face it if we didnt have a few bad habbits we probably wouldnt be over weight..

I attempted Cohens about 5 years ago (yes, 5) unfortunatley my world fell apart finacially and i couldnt cope and packed it in... I have regretted it ever since.. I should have pushed myself harder, even after everything started to improve i didnt return to my program or clinic.. I had a 2 year contract and plenty of time, instead i stuck my head in the sand and got bigger...

When I started at the end of August (old program) i was a size 24-26 ( 110.8kg) if i was very lucky i squezzed my fat behind into a size 22 (Autograph)...I lost 10.8 kg on my old program before i went back to my clinic and recieved a new program my weight was 102.3kg at weigh in that was Nov 11th I am now back down too 100 kgs. My hips are only just holding up my size 20 (Kmart) Shorts and they are now also an inch below my knees instead of an inch above them, and very soon to become Knicker Bockers...

Okay sorry i do prattle...

okay bit more info about Cohen's..

Dr Cohens creates an eating plan for you...and only you....Even my programs are not the same.. .. you follow this to the letter. The program consists of fresh fruit and vegetables, protiens and carbs. No special food to buy just regular healthy produce.. Yes it is very strict but once clothes start falling off, and you see your measurements get smaller and lets not to forget the endless comments and compliments you get as you progress, youhave all the incentive you need to stay committed... Cohens is healthy rapid weightloss program, it uses Human growth hormone in your own body to reduce your fat and tone and firm skin and muscle..It not only is good for the body its great for the mind.. Once you have reached your goal weight you have refeed which introduces the foods you were unable to eat during your program slowly back and it also stabilises the sugars and hormones.. Then you have maintenance guidelines to help you keep your new slim and trim figure and never return to your old plump self...

Australia:


Interbnational:


Hope this was of some help...

Good luck and TTFN

Chelle
 
Just a question about Cohen's, I saw a list of requirements on another forum. Basically, the no starch, no sugars, no alcohol, soft drinks, chocolate, etc etc type of thing.

Now, everything I read on that list is exactly what I had to do for Tony Ferguson and a couple of other meal replacement/low carb programmes. I'm a bit confused.

If Cohen's is supposed to be individual and supposed to be based on my personal blood tests results, then why is there a stardard list? Basically, it looks like the same list of foods given to 'O' blood types in the blood type diet.

It also says on the Cohen's website that its not calorie based - yet, you are being told to eat only lo cal foods and stay away from the high carb starches. How is that not lo cal?

Sorry, I'm just really wary of diets that offer 'everything'.
 
helpful?

welcome to the forum...

I hope i can answer your question....

Cohens is not a meal replacement program...

Cohen is a balanced and portion relative eating plan.. amounts are individualised..... we eat only fresh fruit veg and protien.. only a handful of products on the program are processed. I have never tried or ventured near the programs you have mentioned, so im unable to compare... Have a look around our little corner of the forum, it may help you get a better understanding... I have posted some links below... these may explain things a bit better then i can..

Australia:


International:


Hope this was of some help...

Good luck and TTFN

Chelle
 
MJA - Cohen's does significantly reduce a lot of carbohydrates, however the amount you eat is at least twice as much as a diet which is officially classed as "low carb" so they don't call it that. You count the veges you do eat as carbs, plus the cracker allowance.

The diet is just made up of everyday food you find in the shop and already have in your fridge. No meal replacements or anything like that.

Although I believe the diet doesn't vary a huge amount from individual to individual, they do monitor your blood. In the first instance, they screen out anyone for whom they believe the diet is unsuitable - significant medical issues for instance. Secondly, they do take note of various variables. The things that tend to vary are the egg allowance, fruit and cracker allowance and quantity of meat and vegetables, depending on (a) your build and (b) your blood results.

Most of us doing Cohen's joined up not because it's "magic" or anything like that - we wanted to (a) lose weight fast, and (b) have the discipline of being monitored and encouraged along the way. The knowledge that your blood is being tested from time to time is an added incentive to keep on track, though this is not the primary reason they do it.

Basically there are three hormone levels Cohen's seeks to adjust by its dietary guidelines - serotonin, insulin and human growth hormone. Most obese people have imbalances of these - not only does this feed the cycle of what used to be called Syndrome X, but affects fertility, mood and general health.

When I first joined I was constantly checking out medical studies to find evidence that supported what the diet was promoting, and found to my surprise there are indeed many out there which do study particularly the role of insulin and human growth hormone.

The diet was formulated not as an aid to the weight loss industry in the first place, but as a way of quickly shedding weight from obese women who had fertility problems, particularly PCOS. I believe the success of the diet led many people to ask the doctor concerned if they could use the diet just for weight loss itself, which is how he came to be running these clinics.

It's no magic bullet - there are many weight loss systems out there, and whatever you choose, you need to be determined to stick with it and take responsibility for the choices you make from then on. Many women stuck in the obesity cycle, however, have been demoralised by years of trying different systems, many of which stress exercise and other things which they find difficult because of their bulk and generally poor fitness levels.

For me the diet has definitely been a life-changing experience, but at the end of the day, the diet does not "cure" you - you have to recognise that if you put on weight easily, you will need to take charge of your lifestyle choices long term. The problem doesn't end when the diet "finishes", which is why they stress re-feed and maintenance guidelines must be followed, and a return to physical exercise etc.

Good luck with whatever you choose - there are many ways to skin a cat, but I can certainly say I've found this particular method successful, and the elevation of mood is an added bonus for me, having suffered depression over many years.
 
Thank you, Fifty2drop & Niyah for the replies. I'm not wanting to put the programme down at all, just trying to clear up why its different. Sounds to me like the weight loss phase is very similar to others out there, but its the refeeding part that is different. That, that is the part that is individually tailored, would that be right?

I am looking more into it.

:)
 
Both the diet and the refeed instructions come to you in an individual folder for you.

That said, I wouldn't be able to say whether they're hugely different to anyone else's, but do take account of the individual health factors which apply to you.

The first while it's a matter of making careful note of the list of allowed foods and forbidden foods when you shop - it doesn't take long to get it in the head pretty well, but the first few shops it's worth taking that sheet of the folder with you.

I always took my husband with me the first few shops so that I wouldn't be tempted to look at stuff I found pretty irresistable. It only took about 2 weeks to get past that stage, but definitely helped.
 
As for the Canada question, this sounds very very similar to Dr. Bernstein. Although their method is to trigger the ketosis process. You lose on average 5lbs a week, you feel great and you have tons of energy.

I did this diet a few years ago and know plenty of people who have and I have the following opinion on it based on both my personal experience and those of countless others I have seen go through the process.

A large percentage of people who go on this diet gain it all back + more... maybe twice as much. The reason being that it does not teach you how to eat properly in my opinion.
Sure you can lose +60lbs in 3 months, but I'd be willing to be you will pack on 80lbs back in a year.

I can see this being great for people that have weight in excess of 150lbs to lose where the effort ahead is so discouraging that you may need the fast results. But I would say that once you get within 80lbs of your goal, switch to a lifestyle diet that you can maintain.

I used to swear by these programs until I saw myself and many others lose the weight fast and gain it even faster.

anyway, just my thoughts on the subject... but it does work in the end.
 
As for the Canada question, this sounds very very similar to Dr. Bernstein. Although their method is to trigger the ketosis process. You lose on average 5lbs a week, you feel great and you have tons of energy.
I did this diet a few years ago and know plenty of people who have and I have the following opinion on it based on both my personal experience and those of countless others I have seen go through the process.
A large percentage of people who go on this diet gain it all back + more... maybe twice as much. The reason being that it does not teach you how to eat properly in my opinion.
Sure you can lose +60lbs in 3 months, but I'd be willing to be you will pack on 80lbs back in a year.
I can see this being great for people that have weight in excess of 150lbs to lose where the effort ahead is so discouraging that you may need the fast results. But I would say that once you get within 80lbs of your goal, switch to a lifestyle diet that you can maintain.
I used to swear by these programs until I saw myself and many others lose the weight fast and gain it even faster.

anyway, just my thoughts on the subject... but it does work in the end.
This thread has not had any new questions in it for over 6 months.
Spoonsie- I'll give you the benefit of the doubt & hope that you mean well.
You have done a diet that you thought was similar to Cohen's & failed it.
Now for some reason you think that you have the knowledge to advise people to give up Cohen's before they get to their goal weight & follow some vague "lifestyle diet" which you don't describe. I assume you have done so successfully or surely you would not presume to give advice.
Cohen's is a lifestyle program & it works. There are many other diets & programs which also work. Cohen's is what we chose to do. Anyone will put all of their weight back on if they go back to eating as they once did as soon as they get to goal no matter what program or diet that they follow. Doing Cohen's successfully has taught me more about food & nutrition than I knew in my lifetime. The program does not have shakes & pre-prepared food. It's all healthy, nutritious food that you cook yourself. I learned to love cooking!
When you get to goal there is a re-feed program which gradually reintroduces the foods that were left out during the weight-loss part of the program & then there is maintenance advice that works if you follow it.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion but please don't waste our time & energy unless you have something helpful to impart .
All helpful advice is welcome. Cheers, cate
 
No worries Cate, I was reading the thread today and therefore I assume others like me are also reading it and someone mentioned looking for a Canadian alternative, I stated which one was extremely similar but added my opinion on Bernstein, not cohen...

I see you take the subject to heart and I am happy the cohen one seems to work, my only warning is that even with the maintenance (re-feed equivalent) is that for the majority of people, they don't seem to keep it off in the long run.

My post was an opinion on Dr Bernstein diet which Canadians will recognize as an equivalent.
 
Cohen syndrome is an inherited disorder that affects many parts of the body and is characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, small head size (microcephaly), and weak muscle tone (hypotonia). Other features include progressive nearsightedness (myopia), degeneration of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retinal dystrophy), an unusually large range of joint movement (hypermobility), and distinctive facial features. Characteristic facial features include thick hair and eyebrows, long eyelashes, unusually-shaped eyes (down-slanting and wave-shaped), a bulbous nasal tip, a smooth or shortened area between the nose and the upper lip (philtrum), and prominent upper central teeth. The combination of the last two facial features results in an open-mouth appearance.

The features of Cohen syndrome vary widely among affected individuals. Additional signs and symptoms in some individuals with this disorder include low levels of white blood cells (neutropenia), overly friendly behavior, and obesity that develops in late childhood or adolescence. When obesity is present, it typically develops around the torso, with the arms and legs remaining slender. Individuals with Cohen syndrome may also have narrow hands and feet, and slender fingers.
 
I thought the same Cate.

I was quite fascinated with the entire thread and it seemed like something that might suit me. I am looking at initially losing 30kg by March next year, and then get to 85-90 by June. It looked promising all the way through and will now take some effort to do some research and see if it is a good fit for me.

The other factor would be the ongoing $$$ side of it as it hasn't been something that has been brought up. I imagine some feedback from their site should rectify this.

Thank you all for the info.

Rob
 
Rob- Firstly I must apologise as I only read this post this morning. After moving my diary over to the general diary section, I rarely come back over here & don't get any email notifications. You seem to be doing really well, having lost 12.4kg already. Cohen's is very strict, but I am very glad that I followed the program. There were lots more clinics in Aust back then, including one in Tasmania. Only 2 left in Vic? What a shame!
I'll read over your diary & catch up with you in there! Cheers, Cate
 
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