Sharon's Life After Diet

[Sharon]

Hi there, and thanks for the happyness and the concern,
My focus may get potentially a little blurred over a couple of days, but my track and goal is clearly defined and I keep reminding myself what is at stake, I still look at my photos of where I originally was and where I want to be, and also HATE HATE HATE crosses in my track book{mood}, also when the ketostix drop out to neutral it really rips my nightie {scream}, so I'll be doing my best to reach that finish line.
We will both keep going - we have come too far to do anything else.

[Sexymama]

Sharon, you are too funny! You are doing great! Good for you for staying strong!! You're almost there!! Keep up the good work!

[Sharon]

Hi there Sexymama,
Very happy you like my post, and thanks for the encouragement.
Looks like you are staying strong and doing really well yourself, you will soon be joining us on the maintenance thread by the look of your ticker, awesome work.

[Dayanira]

Talking about photos, today as I was getting my classroom ready for next week I found a picture of me from the time I started the diet in Feb 2009. I look square, like Sponge Bob! Honestly, I couldn't believe it! I brought it home and stuck it on the fridge. So I DO understand when you say that "you know what is at stake". I KNOW TOO!!
Keep focus my friend, you are doing a fantastic job!
Dayanira

[Sharon]

You forget how far you've come until you pull out the before photos (and the after)- they are a great visual reminder, I look at them and still can't believe I was that big, but I suppose I had nice rosy cheeks. I love your 'Sponge Bob'analogy, that certainly gives a good mental picture. You will have good before and after photos with the class - will look like a new teacher. And just think 2009 - where has the time gone, and Sponge Bob has not returned - I call that success with a hiccup.

[Sharon]

Another week completed and I've been 100% Cohen, with regard to the scales it has been a bit of a slow one, but I am still making headway. In a couple of days time we are going out to tea for one sons 18th birthday and he has picked Mexican, and end of this week I accompany my other son up north to commence his studies, so this week is when the blurring may be. For the first couple of days we are going to stay with my brother and I'm going to take my supplies for breakfast and lunch, tea - I don't want to get in the way so I'll see what is on the menu and if it is totally no ie macaroni, I'll have some tuna or something of the like. But I'll stick as much as I can to Cohen or sensible choices and portions - and take my running shoes.
BEST LAID PLANS OF MICE AND MEN

[Dayanira]

You are so remarkable! Week 8 and no deviations! Yay! I don't think you will have any problems while you're away, nobody and nothing can make you fall off the wagon. Way to go Sharon!

[Sharon]

Thanks Dayanira,
your support is always much appreciated.
I'm bringing in weigh day a day early, we fly out this morning to Auckland, I've packed some supplies and my brother has told me its his fresh caught snapper tonight so it's a good start. Never made it out to mexican as younger son had to work but that's ok he had a birthday with his mates on the prior weekend and we'll do something when we get back from up north. So I have had a 100% Cohen 6 day week, so all is good - and effective.

[Sharon]

Well the mouse ran off with the cheese, my nightie ripped and I've got crosses in my track book - in other words{scream} I'm in damage control, as planned 'I'm back on the program 100% and it will take me an extra week at least to get to refeed. The food I had probably had more of an impact cos I was on 100% prior, that is why refeed is so important. But all is good, I've been and gone and done it so move on and fix it.

Did go for two decent runs while I was there which was great, one was for 1 1/2 hours as I turned right on one street instead of left, I had a small rough street map but I don't normally where my glasses running so it was somewhat useless (wore my glasses on the second run) Auckland is somewhat lumpy and I was enjoying the ups and downs of the streets, I was in the 'zone' and had some good music playing so I found the unexpected orienteering course awesome - thankfully (I think my brother and his wife think I'm crazy:wacky:).

[Sharon]

I have just finished another week and have undone most of the damage done while away, believe it or not I gained 4 kg in 4 days while away, how insane is that, Yes I ate some food I shouldn't have but yes I went for 2 runs let alone all the walking I did, I put it down to my body going from 100% Cohen to non cohen food rather than any quantity I ate - cos I reacon what I ate wouldn't have weighed 4kg in total. I have managed to loose 3.4kg in the last 4 days by putting myself back on the plan, and I am sure soon I will start making headway again, I'm now getting keen to start refeed but I think it will be another 3 weeks yet. Maybe I will start doing a few more weights :thinking:- I have been intermittently playing around with my sons weight blocks to keep a bit of muscle mass up as when I finished last time I had lost alot of muscle and looked like a saggy baggy elephant, not an overly pretty sight, I thought this way I would be targeting the fatty bits more as the muscles are still required to do some work :weights2: and changing what you are doing keeps the body guessing and wondering what you are up to :confused:

[Dayanira]

Oh Sharon, Oh Sharon! The same happened to me 2 weekends ago when we went out of town. Yes, I deviated but at the same time I went swimming the 2 evenings we were there, I even timed myself, I swam 30 min non-stop each time! Plus racing my daughters a few times, had a sauna, too!!! And when we came back 3 days later, I was about 3 kg up!!! :$ Terrible!!! I completely agree with you when you say that going from 100% Cohen to non Cohen food rather than quantity! For me It takes 1 day to gain 1kg but it takes 4 to 5 days to lose it! It's insane!!!
Keep the determination Sharon, it will pay off soon!

[Sharon]

Hi there Dayanira,
Seems like a pattern, 1 kg for every day you misbehave, its a high price to pay. at least it does come off relatively quickly if you hit it straight away, send out the Cohen eviction notice and don't give it time to set up home and invite some more mates. I have to remember my own advice:embarrassment:

I'm going to maintenance with a plan a bit different this time and I think it will be more effective for me, I don't want to go back to where I was before Christmas, but I'll get to refeed first which hopefully wont be too far away.

Part of my plan is to buy some new jeans, but not just any old jeans these are expensive kevlare (not sure about the spelling) jeans for my motorbike, so I have to stay at a certain weight to be able to fit them, and I've been waiting to get to close to goal weight before I buy them, and its just around the corner.

Yahoo:applause:

[KMac]

Hi Sharon,
I am so proud of you! I have been reading someof your past posts -you really have re-committed since the beginning of the year- that is awesome!
Did you sign up again- or do your original diet?
Thanks & have a great day!

[Sharon]

Hi there KMac,
Yes I had to bite the bullet, I was having major wardrobe issues, one thing I have stuck to since finishing Cohen 3 years ago was refusing to buy bigger clothing, and I couldn't even bare to look at clothes anyway as they reminded me what I had lost by regaining the weight, so it got to the stage only one pair of jeans would fit me ( I called them my magic jeans) , even though I have an amount of clothes at times I am embarrassed about. Now I can't help to look at more because I feel so great being small again, to say I am spoilt for choice is an understatement.

I am on the original program and it has again worked really well for me,if I could have signed up again with the original team I would have. But I'm not going to be bullied, blocked or overcharged by our lot in NZ - and I have reports that they are not as good on line as this program is.

I've managed to knock off a few more bad boy fat cells and I've got the finish line is sight, I feel so good about myself with loosing the weight, knowing my health future will be better, and wearing my nice clothes is so great, I have to remember this feeling - it is an inner happiness - a warm fuzzy that isn't fleeting. This is where I need to be and why maintenance needs to work, but there is only one person that is in control of making it work. while on Cohen 100% we have to pre-plan and organize ourselves. My plan is to have robust action plan to keep me focused, so I can still enjoy the things I want BUT have a plan of action that is effective at keeping me or getting me back effectively where I need to be. I do well on 100% Cohen, so I am writing myself a 100% maintenance plan, a set of rules I can live by.

[Dayanira]

Hi Sharon,
Thanks so much for your call the other day. It was so nice to catch up with you over the phone and now I can't wait to see you in a few days!

Every time I read your posts, I can see how determined you are this time around and the best part is that I believe that this time it's going to be the last time that you'll be in this position. We need to seal this fat *******!!!

Kmac! Nice to "see" you here!
Take care everyone!

[Sharon]

Hi there Dayanira it was great to talk to you - it has been too long, and it will be good to do a face to face soon.

Just thinking of food and temptation, have been baking for my lads to take to courses and work (and give some to my parents who live down the road), which I have been really enjoying and a nice feeling to give them something from the kitchen that you know is good food and made with love for them. I've not been greatly tempted by them even though being generally Chocolaty are Caramel. But I made a lemon shortcake the other day and the smell when I bought it out of the oven - OMG - if I was ever to be tempted and boy was I tempted, I had to remove my nose from the tin and move away fast and promise myself I'll make it again when I can have a little - there is something about lemon.

This week for me has been slow, I'm on 100% Cohen with exercise but the scales aren't moving, I know its retention cos 1st there is no way you can be on this program 100% and NOT be loosing, 2nd my extremities are heavy and achy tired, and 3nd my Keto stix say "it's all fat burn-en baby"; well the dam has to burst sometime soon, and then there will be the urgency and the running and the disturbed nights - bring it on. It's just a bit hard to gauge when I will start my refeed, but hey I'll know when I know - no good stressing what I can't fix. Weigh day for week 12 is on Monday so I'll just have to take it as it comes.

[Sharon]

Another week gone and I've kept to the 100% Cohen, I didn't loose much last week so I expect this week to be more noticeable on the scales, and I should start refeed this week.
I am so pleased I did bite the bullet and got back on 100% Cohen and stopped playing about, It has been no where as bad as I built it up to be in my own head in reality it hasn't been bad at all, and it has made me feel so good in so many ways. this diet should not be considered a sacrifice of food but a giver of a better and healthier life mentally as well as physically, after all the food will still be there.
A friend said to me yesterday I don't think I could deprive myself of the food I want that is not on the list, I don't think of it as deprivation but making a personal choice at this time to say no, I think of this program as a positive thing we are doing for ourselves and our families and we should be celebrating our successes every day, not as a hardship we must endure.

[Dayanira]

Week 13!!! You must feel soooo goooood!!!! Remember that the last kilos are the most stubborn ones! And If you are doing everthing right the weight will eventually come off!
I'm just behind you!

[Sharon]

Hi Dayanira,
Thankyou for all your support - its been great.
I'm 100% Cohen so I know its gonna happen, I'm just coming off a plateau which is good to get it out of the way now before refeed - the urgency and the running has begun, and I'm on night shift so I'm pretty disturbed anyway - Haha - looking forward to my bed.

[Sharon]

I won't bore you with what I'll be eating but it will be the same quantities as in my original which is in the "refeed" thread. One thing I am interested in is when I drop out of notable stored fat utilization, my Ketostix tell me I'm still burning and at a good level, I think my slow loss at the end has been because its predominantly fat rather than muscle I've been loosing as I've still been running (I was doing it pre diet and it actually curbs my appetite - lucky I know), some days have been really hard as my muscles are tired to start off with but after a few minutes they kick in and get the energy they need. I am interested to see at what stage my Ketostix drop out, this is when I'll be starting to consider the quantities I'm eating, but still march on to the end of course as it will mean that is when my body will start to be in balance with my intake.

I'm sure it would have been much better to have gone through the consultants and had blood tests, and it would have been my first choice ( maybe if I was more computer literate I could have stopped the blocks), and I would have been really interested in any changes to my original plan. But I am so pleased the program has come to my rescue - again. I will do some more photos though and post them on here (not sure if I should add them to my pictures one, as I don't have a before - any thoughts???), I also want them to put into my maintenance diary to remind me what I've got to loose.

[Dayanira]

Congratulation Sharon!! You made it!! :party3: What a great way to start March!!! I'm so glad that the old programme worked for you! :drool:

You know that my hubby could break the blocks for me and I asked the consultants if that was OK, and this is what they replied to me:

"Breaking the code is not the issue but since each and every registration is processed manually this will not work. 1PD is not licensed to distribute the diet in NZ and to avoid penalties we check not only the registration but also the source of the credit card payment as well as the laboratory address."

Interesting, isn't it?

Oh well, but here you are (and me) with the old programme and still having great results! Way to go Sharon!!!
:applause::applause:

[Sharon]

That is soooo interesting about the blocks and the non-licensing, so much for freedom of choice. We were so lucky to get in when we did, back then little old NZ was quite the unknown to the Cohen franchise.
It may not be the optimum thing to do but I'm really pleased we can still count on our original program to help us out, and that we have this forum to support us.

With regard to the program and refeed, I'm on day 3 and having little anxiety attacks with adding the extra food, in particular the bread, it is almost with fear I head toward maintenance, because I did so well at it last time - not. In saying that I have lost a further 0.5kg which is great. But it is more how I will cope back in the big wide world of unlimited food choices, I know I have a plan that I think will work for me and I will be doing my utmost to stick to it, the anxiety cause is that Hubby and I are on holiday for three weeks two weeks after I finish refeed, the good thing is we will be staying close to home. I've got two busy weeks of shifts pre leave which I will try to start anchoring myself to my management plan, and if I do gain - FIX IT ASAP.

[Dayanira]

Bread is like a drug to me! Once I start eating it I feel that I need more. I didn't go overboard previously but I know the effect that it can cause on my body by just eating a toast in the morning and a sandwich at lunch.

During refeed try to have as much variety and experimentation as you can.So, the "new" food doesn't give you those anxiety feelings!!! I've been collecting a lot of recipes that have the same new ingredients that refeed asks us to add and I'm planning to use them and even look for more! Don't worry about your life after refeed, take one day at the time and if there is an increase in your weight as you said FIX IT ASAP!

You being on Refeed motivates even more! I'll be doing it in 3 weeks, I hope!

[Sharon]

Thanks Dayanira, as always you are a great support.
my anxieties are more the 'hope I behave myself this time" stuff - more than any real sence of it, (true anxiety isn't really in my make-up- i'm more of a 'I'll panic later if I need to' maybe thats my problem LOL) , there is a certain amont of comfort one can get from the restrictions on Cohen and I think even more so with the sence of achievement one feels in that it is a personal choice one makes to accept and live by those restrictions. At present it is the knowing I wont have tham soon and a three week holiday coming up soon after I come off refeed, I have built some of the none negotiable rules into my maintenance plan but its the 'hope I behave myself this time" reality looming with excitement as I havent had a holiday for a year and I also want to enjoy myself, once I'm off holiday I'm sure I will settle down to a workable plan. I went out for the first time today on my bike in my new kevlar jeans - reality is I can't afford to gain too much weight as if I do they will not fit and I want to wear them for safety on my bike, let alone most of the clothes in my wardrobe also won't fit.
I'm sure in three weeks time you will be enjoying refeed, just think when I see you on Friday you will be that much closer. I had forgotten how fast the quantities climb, went through my old refeed thread and reminded myself about making a berry conserve for my toast, it is sooo yummy - I just sit there with a cup of tea and savour slowly mmmmm.

[KMac]

congratulations & good luck on refeed.
I totally understand your anxiety about the bread & extra food- looking back I let my anxiety ( & fear of eating off DC1) stop me
from really absorbing the refeed & maintenance plan.
I think you are going to do terrific!

[Sharon]

Thank you so much KMac, I hope so,
I think we know ourselves too well and how easy it is to fall back to the old patterns, which gives us cause to pause and reflect.
You are right in that when coming off 100% Cohen for the first time there is a mix of anxiety, and also excitement, when reading some of our old threads (plus some new ones coming through) we were so excited about certain FOOD being back in our lives that it also can interfere with absorbing and putting into action a sustainable plan, maybe this time we are a bit older and wiser having done it before, we are not running head long into life on maintenance:munchies::pizza::party4:, but taking a more cautious :hiding:, reflective approach which I hope will be more sustainable for us all.

[Dayanira]

It's the old patterns the ones we need to get rid of, for sure. We tend to think that by the time we finish the diet they are all gone with the kilos we lost. But noooo! They're still there and trying to get their way in. So, it's our mind that we should train as well. We probably need to keep talking to ourselves in order to go back to those old patterns.

I must go back and read your refeed, too. A berry conserve! that sounds yummy. And your new kevlay Jeans? I wouild like to see you wearing them and with your bike!! Yes, pictures are a must Sharon!

[Sharon]

Hi there,
Yes, those serious talks with ourselves is a must to keep us on track, as the saying goes "OLD HABITS DIE HARD", and getting mentally prepared for maintenance is something we can underestimate the importance of.

The photos are going to be done within the next day or two and will post them up, will definitely do a bike and jeans shot, especially as the jeans are one of my maintenance strategies :cop:.

I'm on day eight of refeed and its going great, over the next couple of days will be some significant jumps in food, at present I am still burning up fat - so its all good :jumping2:.

The berry conserve is just throw your berries in a pot, gently let break down and reduce over heat and then add sweetener when reached the desired consistency, place in fridge till required. I like to double cook my toast so its nice and crunchy.

[Dayanira]

Thanks for the conserved recipe, I'll definitely try it once in refeed.

I ordered the strips today to start testing my fat burning. It will interesting to see.

My husband says that I should go as low as 50kg!!! That will be 4kg lower than my new goal, no way! I said to him that I will look like a walking cadaver! :) No way! It will so hard to maintain.

Weight day tomorrow!! I can't wait!!!

[Sharon]

50!!!!!
maybe he doesn't realize the difference a kg or 2 make once you get down to a slim weight let alone 4, - I'll have to see how low Cohen thought I should be - in that I don't make 5'2" and I think we are about the same height if I remember - has been a little while but for me {noway}

Will be interesting to see with you on the STIX what your results are.

[Sharon]

Sorry about the last post - thinking of self and a knee jerk reaction{bangdesk}{oops}{sorry}.
Just looking at my notes and Cohen has my lowest at 52 with goal at 55, for me I'm comfy where I'm at the moment with 57.

[Dayanira]

No worries Sharon. He is crazy! No way I'm going to follow his advice! Life is good even now that I'm about 3 kg away from my goal!

Soooo nice to see you yesterday! It was great to catch up with you and share more tips! You look great! Can't wait to see the pictures!

Have a nice weekend with your husband!

[Sharon]

Ditto with the face to face catch up, after Hubby and I get back back to work after our holiday we'll catch up again - you will be well and truly plowing your way through refeed by then - and looking slim trim and gorgeous (you are looking great now). I'll try and make it a day off then we can go for a walk maybe pre coffee, maybe one of the Grampians tracks?.
Hopefully photo session this afternoon, its a lovely sunny day - I'm getting on a bit - bugga (no offense - kiwi slang) so natural light is a bit kinder to my creases.

[KMac]

Wow- way to go Sharon!!!
The berry recipe sounds so good and nice and simple to make (love simple!)

I forgot to ask what is the STICK? fat burning info? is that new?

Enjoy your weekend :)

[Sharon]

Hi there KMac,
The conserve is simple, tasty, and will last a couple of days in the fridge, and I don't miss the butter or spread at all, and if I double toast the bread it is fruity, crunchy yummmy - mmmmm - stop, stop, stop.

The KETOSTIX are something I started using soon after I started back on the program ( not a Cohen recommendation), I had them in the back of the cupboard from many many many moons ago (pre any knowledge of Cohen) when I tried Atkins but the protein level and no veges was too much for me. Ketostix measure the presence and concentrations of ketones in your urine, ketones are the bi product of carb and fat metabolism, basically when you burn your fat stores you produce ketones which you flush out through your kidneys (I use them first thing in the morning, and I get them from the local pharmacy, you can get blood ones but that is OTT), they are normally used for diabetics and it is not a good sign for them, but for healthy non diabetic individuals it is fine. I started using them out of interest and my interest grew, it is really reassuring, in that I know the diet works - I have utmost faith in it, but when you reach a plateau it doesn't matter cos I know I am burning regardless, but as I say it is more out of interest as I am very much the more information the better, I wouldn't make a good mushroom - I'm a real nuts and bolts person - keeps me focused and on track.
P.S. be aware that I do run which means my results may differ from that of a sedentary person, in that I probably don't loose the same lean muscle mass along with the fat that often happens on a low kilo joule diet.
Hope this information is helpful.

As always great to hear from you, keep up the great work.

[Dayanira]

Sharon,
I found the spaguetti squash seeds! I'm going to order them tomorrow. They sell them at kingseeds.co.nz check them out!

[Sharon]

Will do, be great addition to maintenance.
Thanks for that.

[Sharon]

I am nearly at end of refeed and believe it or not I haven't had my cookie, or my carbs. I am going to keep going for a bit longer than I have too and look at starting them over the weekend and having a few more days on Cohen food to make sure I bring them in safely. I'm not in any rush this time around, far more relaxed as far as my diet goes and making sure I don't dive into problems, sausages tonight? - yeah right - not for me, I actually prefer my chicken or beef vege stirfry. Hubby is on call for the next week so no partying for him and I start night shift as soon as I finish refeed so none for me either, so is neither here nor there. I'm below my goal weight still - yahoo with only two official days to go.
I am really enjoying the bread but this time I have been not having it in my mealtimes but inbetween with either banana or my blackberry conserve and really savouring it with a nice hot cup of Jasmine tea, I try to eat it slow and concentrate on the taste, texture - the whole pleasure thing, as my stomach has no real appreciation of a good piece of toast - I suppose its not its fault it has no taste buds.

Paul McKenna the hypnotherapist has been a tremendous help to me, he does a CD called "I can make you Thin", I listened to it at least once a day for a month before I started back on the program and I concider it has helped me have a more positive attitude to food. I have given it to a good friend who is a work collegue who has significant issues when it comes to food and she reacons that even after only a a week of listening she feels her relationship with food is more positive.

Keep strong and positive out there guys, it is so worth it.

[Sharon]

Hi all,
Well it is my last official day on refeed, I am wondering where the last 15 weeks have gone, this is the new me for 2012, I've lost 1.3 less than the goal I gave myself, and I'm going to continue as I haven't added the carbs yet and I want to do all 6 days with adding them to my protein and vege, am saving them for night shift which starts tomorrow night, and I hope this will help me adapt better in that it will allow me to transition into successful maintenance, and maybe even loose a little more and get closer to what should have been my Cohen Goal (which is only 0.7 away).
The ones with my bike are with the Kevlar jeans on, which means they are padded on the knees, hips, thighs and butt, and they are all about saving your butt if you hit the tar-seal. Not the most flattering and they look better when I'm upright, they are designed for function in that the padding is made of kevlar and a special metal fabric - sounds uncomfortable - but they certainly aren't. They would be too expensive on my pocket to buy bigger and potentially on my hide if I don't wear them.- good reason for maintenance to work this time around and part of my cunning plan.
Took the others in similar position to my 2008, but I am 2.7 KG heavier as I gave the wrong shoe size and ended up 2 kg lower than what should have been my goal, but I'm happier this time around as I am not the saggy baggy elephant this time as I have kept a lot more muscle tone due to my running, which I see in my thighs, where 2008 I pretty well lost it all. Have noticed I've a podgy belly but I suppose not to bad for someone hurtling towards a half century.

(Please note I have followed the program independent from a consultant because in New Zealand we are now blocked from the site so the changes are my own).

[KMac]

Hi Sharon-
You look beautiful!! Congratulations- you are beaming in the photo's.
I though you were writing about a bicycle- a motor cycle- yes the padding in the jeans is a terrific idea.
Have a great last week of re-feed!
:)

[Sharon]

Thanks so much KMac, I really appreciated your reply.
I must admit I do feel great - the effort has so worth it, and I must keep reminding myself that the sooner you act the sooner you reap the benefits.
I'm on my 2nd to last 'day of my self imposed extended refeed which is going well, I feel like I'm always eating at the moment.
My favourite would have to be the toast I must admit, especially when I put a bad boy banana on it - being a 'BAD" fruit you feel like you've been a bit naughty, won't have any trouble moving onto apples though as the new season ones are starting to arrive.
My other fav has been the stir-fry - the squeezy tube of Thai herb mix I found and our local supermarket has made all the difference, wont have any trouble going back to it if I need to to get myself back on track, I have beef and chicken portions measured out in my freezer and I'll throw in a tube of herbs so I can make a quick correction if I need to - no excuses allowed.
Thanks again

[Dayanira]

Dear Sharon,
I sooo love your pictures! You look terrific! Congratulations on finishing Refeed! Those pants will be your body measurement from now on.
So now is the "no excuses allowed" time of your life. Keep it in mind Sharon and you'll be fine this time around.

{congrats}{congrats}{congrats} You made it!

[KMac]

Ohhh the toast w/ banana sounds so yummy! Enjoy it you worked hard for that banana!!lol
The Thae seasoning sounds great, I think I have to try and explore seasoning. I didn buy mustard seasoning ( I don't even like mustard) and have
starting sprinkling in the ground chicken breast for seasoning- (its so dry the ground chicken breast)
Hope all is well with you, enjoying your bike I hope!
Have a great day :)

[Sharon]

Thank you so much for the thoughts and congrats, I certainly have the 'warm fuzzies' which I must hold on to.
Computer glitches have delayed me being on the threads{bangdesk}, sorted at the moment long may it last, well I've finished 18 days of refeed with a further self imposed further 5 days to add my 50g of carbs which I hadn't already done. Came off to go to an Ale house and had a beer and a platter, for tea made pumpkin soup and home made bread (I know asking for trouble) but kept to small slice. and the next day was as expected up, but hard to gauge having only had 4 hours sleep coming off night shift and due to lack of sleep I am often up. But the good thing was I only had one day off, and then back on afternoons, good chance to try my new rules so have kept to them for 3 days, all the excess has gone plus I am now 0.2 kg below Cohen goal - YAHOO.
So far so good, a pass mark in the trial but know the challenge will have only just begun, last evening shift today, I am holding a staff dinner at my place tomorrow and have made yummy food for that is not all Cohen friendly but have made healthy too, and I am on leave for three weeks.
I tell myself that I need to balance the small indulgences with my rules.

[KMac]

Hi Sharon,
All that sounds so yummy- including going to the Ale house, hope you had fun.
I like your thinking about balance & then small indulgences- sounds so easy! I will have to remember to keep
them small.
Good luck with your dinner party :)

[Sharon]

Thanks KMac,
The dinner party went down really well, all the nibbles I made went down really well with minimal damage control needed, I enjoyed the food but didn't get over indulgent, and put myself back to 'good' food the next day.
Have just had an overnight trip away to a small country pub on our motorbikes which was really great, came back home and put myself straight back on 'good' food again but the scales are horrendous this morning, I know it is predominantly fluid as I feel terrible, I feel really overloaded and like I have had a night indulging - instead of green tea. Am going to go for a run soon and see if I can shake it off, and I've got my parents coming for tea tonight - but I've got small portions of relatively healthy food planned.
It is hard to keep the indulgences small sometimes, but its a plan and I'm going to try by best to make it work this time, it is going to be a bit rocky over these next few weeks but I may just have to manage the best I can between the indulgences and good food and then completely sort myself out when I get back to work. As we haven't had a holiday for over a year Hubby and I want to be able to go out and relax but it isn't so easy finding the balance of enjoying oneself and behaving ones self over this time.

Just remind me guys in three weeks time to stick to the promises I have made myself.

[Aqua Eyes]

My hat is off to you Sharon for trying to control your portions on the indulgences. Quite frankly, I do not have that kind of control and that is why I am where I am today.

Maybe I can practice this going forward but it would be done out of fear... the fear that I would put the weight back on if I have anything off of plan. It's so hard to have just one glass of wine or just one beer when you are out with friends having fun. I don't drink to excess but I definitely want at least one more glass of wine or another beer. I may just swear off alcohol all together! It's hard to pass up the bread basket when you are out for dinner and very hungry, waiting for your dinner to arrive. I think I have to pick my battles where food is concerned and just say "no" to some types of foods for life. I will have to think of some types of foods as something I'm allergic to, such as cookies or bread or ice cream just so I can accept never eating them again. I have an addictive nature and this is part of my body trying to please those dopamine receptors in my brain... by telling me to eat the chocolate or sweets or whatever. Nope...there's no way I have control over them. They are very strong. I was able to wrestle them away from cigarettes but I find it really hard to wrestle them away from chocolate.

[Sharon]

Hi there Aqua Eyes,
All those things I find tough too, when I start on something yummy I find it very difficult to walk away, and alcohol always drops my resolve, I want to be able to go out and enjoy myself without the kicking myself afterwards. I don't want to go out saying no to things I want to eat like the cookie or the bread basket, or the wine or beer. Its a hard balance and I certainly haven't gotten it right yet, but 'I'm gonna do my darnedest to make it so. like you that is why i am back here - actually i never really left because the battle has been raging for the last three years and I wasn't winning. It is hard at the moment and I hope it will be easier after the holiday.

Right now I eat and drink while I'm out or away and Cohen ' good foods' when I'm home, I run every day and I'm hoping for the best for the next few weeks. But I know there will be a certain amount of damage control required once my holiday is over. Because I'm eating Cohen refeed sizes without bread and carbs I am use to the portions to drop back too, so I hope it will be a smooth transition. But what I'm doing at the moment isn't what I want to do for the rest of my life, otherwise I will be in perpetual indulgence to recovery pattern, not very stable or relaxing.

With regard to feeling awful yesterday I feel so much better today, believe it or not I had lost 300gm over the day, I was lighter when I went to bed, and that was after having my parents around for a three course meal, no wonder I felt terrible.

Maybe this time around you will be more relaxed and controlled and be able to sort out your own balance, it is worth starting to think about how you live now, how you want to live and how you can make that happen so when it comes time you have a plan, may still need some fine tuning but it will be a start.
PS if you are going to eat chocolate, make it good quality, high % of coco and rest it in your mouth, after all your stomach hasn't taste buds, so don't rush to swallow.

[Dayanira]

Wow Sharon!
You're doing sooo well! Going back on track right after an indulgence it's the right thing to do. All your hard work has paid off!! And definitely, you sound more relaxed this time.

As you, I dread being off work. School break has just started and I'm worried that I'm going to go back to square one. At work I'm so organized with the food, but at home I just lose it!

If you are going to be around while on leave, maybe we should meet for coffee and catch up.

Dayanira

[Aqua Eyes]

I don't want to behave myself while I'm on vacation. I will if I'm not scuba diving, but if I'm scuba diving... I listen to what my body wants. I never gain weight on a scuba diving trip. I love my vacations for so many reasons and on so many levels. :)

[Sharon]

Hi there Aqua Eyes and Dayanira,
Yes Aqua Eyes when I'm on holiday I don't want to behave myself either, next year we are planning to go back to Asia and there won't be a set of scales in sight, for myself or my food, and I won't have scuba diving to keep me on track, but there will be lots of walking from market to market and food stall to food stall, its a full on month trip of exploring a different world to my own again - awesome. This time around I'm really enjoying my break from work although we are not going far as I need to recharge my batteries as I've been running on empty for a while when it comes to work (as has Hubby), had the energy to do the Cohen business thank goodness, and I think its that activity and success that has kept me focused and going, so its been good to stop, rest, relax, and I'm certainly not missing out when I'm out, but when I'm just having something to eat at home I pick 'good food'.

Thanks for your supportive words Dayanira, I do feel relaxed and my jeans still fit :applause:
Work certainly does give you the stability of a routine which can make it easier but I do love my holidays and days off. Entertaining young people like you are doing in the holidays also makes it hard too, and often the entertainment is around being creative in the kitchen. I don't have that anymore as the boys certainly don't want to be entertained by their mother at 18 and 19, in saying that we are going to take them out to brunch this morning which will be nice family time.

I think Hubby is talking about going out for a dive with a friend so if he does I'll give you a tinkle and look at getting together.

[Dayanira]

How are you doing Sharon? I was just looking at your last pictures and I hadn't realized that your hair was so long and beautiful! I think the last time I saw you had your hair tied up.

School break is almost coming to an end I'm happy that I'm going to be back to my routine. I have minimized temptation in my kitchen this week and I hope to keep it that way until I go back to work. How is your break going? Give me a call if you have time for a cup of coffee!
Take care,

[Sharon]

Hi there,
Sorry Dayanira,Hubby never made it out diving and we have been busy doing whatever comes to mind which has been great. And thank you so much about my hair, and will definitely get together soon for a cuppa and a face to face catch up.
But the holiday has come to an end:crying: and back to reality of work and saving enough money for our next one.
To say I have eaten well and drunk without consideration to the program would be an understatement - but I had a great time and have no regrets, the regrets will come if I do nothing about it.
Weight wise I still fit my Kevlar jeans, as well as all my other clothes, but am noticing a slight unattractive muffin-age appearing, I am in the "RED ZONE" on my self imposed maintenance rules, which I've nick named as resus (orange is 1st aid), but I know by tomorrow I'll be down to orange with plan to be back in Green soon. Under Red the plan is back to return to Cohen with slightly extra protein and vege allowance - and yes weighed - which has been actioned today, I've my running gear on and all psyched up. I'm actually looking forward to my stir fry beef or chicken this evening, which will be continued to be on the menu for at least the remainder of the week if not next as the plan is to stay on Cohen until back at goal. I don't plan to make it into a habit of getting get into the "Red Zone", but holidays (and weekends) have always been a part of my downfall and this is my fix-it.

[Dayanira]

No worries Sharon, the same here. We were doing whatever we felt up and not too expensive! :) School breaks could get very dear if we let them! During the school break I saw my friend who introduced me to Dr. Cohen's diet. She has maintained really well, the highest she's been is 10kg up. And she said that she has 3 simple steps: 1st step: reset (mainly no carbs for 2 days); 2nd step: plan food, but quantities based on maintenance; 3rd step: if the above fails (unlikely) go back on plan with weighed quantities. She doesn't drink alcohol but she said that she loves fresh bread and chocolates! I hope this help.

I'm back to work, too and happy to 4 students wanting to learn Spanish, but I'll still have time for a cuppa!

[Sharon]

Good to hear your friend is doing well on maintenance - gives hope to us all.
Ta for the info on maintenance, problem is it didn't work so well for me last time as the steps are a bit too vague for me in that I need to be more specific with my plan of action and my rules, I need to bullet point myself, I think that is why when I'm on Cohen 100% it is easy as the rules are ultra specific so I have built that into my maintenance plan for when I step into the wrong "weight zones". Over time with successful maintenance I think it will become more second nature and I can become more relaxed (rules wise) and less vigilence will be required.
I've been back on program and within 24 hrs am back into the "orange zone" yahoo, wsh it would all come off so quick, but it is good to be headed back in the right direction, have been hungry as have to go through the 3 -4 days of hunger again, the coffee and green tea are getting a hammering.
There is a half marathon in 12 days time so am going to enter(if hubby has nothing planned, I'm getting all excited about it so I hope not), it is basically all of it is my running track so will be perfect in keeping things headed in the right direction, but instead of picking sections to run I'll be doing it all and twice, be good for me to get out and instead of just running have a specific goal to train for.

[Aqua Eyes]

That makes running and training much more worth it if you have a specific event you are training for. I don't really enjoy these type of things. I've been in a couple of events like this... the 11 mile Sun Run and the Bay to Breakers run.

One of my boot camp workout buddies wants me to sign up for the Tough Mudder with her. There is nothing about having to try to climb over a 12 foot wall, plunge yourself in ice cold water, and crawl on your belly in mud that appeals to me... although I know I could do it. I will enjoy just hearing about her experience though.

I applaude you Sharon for getting right back on the program again. I'm hoping I will do the same going forward after I've reached my goal. Remember how many of us were so afraid about going onto maintenance? I'll never forget how I felt prior to maintenance ... that I would never screw up again. DOH!! What happened to that resolve?? I remember one person didn't want to go on maintenance and kept on the program longer than she needed to... and mostly out of fear.

[Sharon]

And thank you for your support and encouraging words. Yes we were so poorly prepared weren't we, and the fear of coming off Cohen was quite significant for some of us, and as far as the program itself I think it probably is still the same as far as the preparation - will be interested to see if it has changed when you get to maintenance. It has certainly been different this time around, my whole approach to the program was better - hopefully it will make the difference
This thread has certainly been my rock, and its due to all you guys - thank you thank you thank you.

I'm just getting into day three back on my recovery program and I have the munchies big time and I've just had tea about an hour ago (my first meal of the day as on night shift),I do not miss this part of the program at all, I am staying strong keeping well away from the kitchen, but will make myself a cup of coffee soon and grab an apple. Probably not help that I ran 10 k today, although at the time activity suppresses my appetite, until my body adjusts back to Cohen it is going FEED ME!!!!

Hopefully I will find out in the next day or two if I am going to do the half marathon, if hubby has to work - yes, if he doesn't have to work then no as we are off away for the weekend on the bikes making the most of the weather before winter hits as we will then stay away from the roads that have a tendency to get icy, which is all three roads out of the region. One option will be good for the waist line, one potentially not so good. But will continue training like it is all on and will still get the benefit of striving and preparing for it. Like you JoAnn the thought of high walls and freezing water does nothing for me, I'll leave that one for those hardy souls out there that thinks that sounds like fun.

[Dayanira]

It's WILD out there people!! Obviously the "going back to normal" after Refeed it's not the way to go for us. That lifestyle wasn't working before we decided to do this programme. We think: "Phew! Done! I can eat whatever I want now!" Then we go back to our old ways. But the best thing to do if our scales start going up, it's exactly what you're doing Sharon: IMMEDIATE action! You'll be on your desirable weight soon, with no problems!

As you Sharon, the Threads have been my stronghold! It's the only place I can come to be accountable to myself, to get support, help others (if I can), get ideas, learn on being healthy. Well the list goes on and on!

You can take up a Half Marathon challenge any time of the year Sharon! You are so fit! Go Girl!!

[Sharon]

You are right Dayanira in that we each have to find our new normal and anything that is a change can take some time to become that normal, and meanwhile it is so easy to fall back into our old ways.

To late to back out now, I'm all signed up, invested in some new runners and ready to go, by this time next week it will all be done and dusted.Took the new runners for a test run today and all is good, get a few more k's under their tread and should be good to get me around the track.

I'm one kg off my goal but I've just started to add a few carbs reflective of refeed to ensure I am prepared for the half marathon, will review where I sit after the weekend, of course daily monitoring will continue.

Goodness its getting late - bed time.

[Dayanira]

Great Sharon!
You should get somebody to take pictures of you doing the Marathon! Is it here in the city? If I have time I may go to cheer for you! Send me a private message with the details!

If I can keep going with all the walking, I may try to do a marathon one day! But I must be sure to get my pelvis aligned before!

Good luck Sharon, I hope that you are at goal by the time you do the marathon.

[Sharon]

Hi there
Days are counting down to the big run.
The run is here in Stoke - my own neighbourhood and my running track - so Ijust couldn't resist
Dayanira, If you look at
Athletics Nelson: Nelson Half Marathon
it shows the route, there is also 5k walk, run 10 k walk and run and the half marathon walk, they cover all abilities which is really great, hopefully they will make it a regular event.
There is going to be a photographer on the track - will probably look like a beetroot - very flattering, but I wont be alone.
Not sure how I will go, I'm not doing it for time but just to finish and not collapse into a heap at the finish, I've been stepping up the k's so I only hope this old bod holds up
Probably wont be at goal but I am holing my own at the moment, so all is good - I'm looking forward to the cahllange.

[Sharon]

well I've crossed the finish line,
21.1 kilometers in exactly 2hrs 10minutes, a lovely day, still and sunny, well worth the effort.
Now I will have to go back to sorting out my excess, its not much - but its still there - and guess where it is sitting - you guessed it - around my middle.

[KMac]

Congratulations on the crossing the finsih line!
way to go!! :)

[Sharon]

Thank you KMac

[Aqua Eyes]

Excellent job on reaching the finish line Sharon! I know how good it feels to say you did it and glad you that it is now over. Running is the best thing for the belly, so research has found. O.k... running and watching your diet. I think as we age, there's no getting away from it though. I never had a belly before my 50's and now... :shocked: I've actually considered seeing how much it would cost to have a body lift and liposuction in the areas that bug me. I have a plastic surgeon's card recommended by a friend. There's no considering it now until I get a job!

Well done, though, on the race!

[Sharon]

Thanks JoAnn,
I enjoyed the run and really pleased about my time, much faster than I thought I would do, mainly a lot of serious runners, of course they got to the finish line before me, not many fun-runners I ran most of it on my own with no one in sight, with some runners still coming in behind me, am looking for my next challenge.
Plastic Surgery - ooo - the thought of it scares me, but a tummy tuck would certainly tidy things up, it certainly is a stubborn area for a lot of us. But I think I'll stick to the running so good to hear that running is the best thing - will just have to keep clocking up the k,s.