Kitty's Progress

[Kitty]

I have begun my plan with a lot of prayer, consultation and prep. I have discussed it with my husband and he is on board and I have prepared myself. I know this will be hard but I am determined. I want to be my best. So beyond all this prep I am a bit lost.
It is really exciting to think about being thinner but 115-121lbs is really thin, but The last time I weighed that was junior high school. Because of this I find that I can't focus on the end result. I am focusing on each meal of each day--I don't even worry about tommorow. I am also thinking about not watching TV for a while. The food commercials are killer. When does the daily struggle get easier?

Weight: 206
Height: 5'4"
arm: 15.25
Arm: 15
Bust: 43
Chest: 36
Waist:36
Belly Button:42.25
Hips: 48
Thigh: 27.5
Thigh: 27

[mommabear]

Kitty,

The daily struggle did get easier for me as time went on. Then I hit a couple times where I would struggle again...I think all of us are different. The mind can play some terrible tricks on us.

I think you are smart to just take one day/meal at a time. I also focused on the end number that was selected for me and that bogged me down some. I was told to get to 130 but stopped at 145 and ended at about 142. I am happy there and am happy to not have gone to the 130 goal that was set for me. So with that in mind, you will know when you get there! Just work on getting there.

I cannot begin to tell you the doubts I had in my head when I started this diet. I had tried EVERYTHING previously and nothing had worked. So, I was very skeptical of this diet also. But, I am walking, talking, proof that this thing works! I cannot wait to watch your progress and cheer you on!

[Gail]

Kitty,

I feel the same way. Like you I've never been thin and having a goal set for me of 132, is scary. Like you the last time I was that number was in 4th grade. This will be my 3rd week on the program and I'm seeing my body change. I feel that as long as I see a difference I can hold my head up high into the next day. I've been on so many different diets that I was so leary even after hearing everyone's success stories. I figured they were just lucky and I'm just cursed, ha.
Somedays I'm tired and cranky. I crave chocolate or ice cream. But I keep thinking to myself that its this way of thinking that got me to the overweight stage in the first place.

Mommabear, you are amazing and your words on this forum have been such an inspiration to me!

Keep it up Kitty! We can do this!!

[Kitty]

Thanks girls!

Mommabear,
I agree with you about the mind thing. This diet is so mental for me. When 3pm rolls around I am looking for something to eat. It is then I feel most deprived. I am not really hungry, just lonely or bored. This is when my thoughts turn on me and I have to take control of them. I tell myself that I will succeed, I won't sabotage my success and that 6 months is a relatively short amount of time. Plus I have decided that I love crackers and that helps too! How has your family done with you doing the program?

Gail,
Good for you being on your third week! That is a huge accomplishment!!! I think if you can do the first month you will be successful and you are almost there!
I can't wait to see a change in my own body. Have other people noticed your weight loss yet? I bet you look great.

Also, Have you told people that you are doing Cohens? I have not told many people. It seems personal. Here at least we are in it together, but out there in the big scary world I actually dread people asking me if I have lost weight or worse yet how much I weigh! Has anyone else gone through this?

[OopsieDaisy]

Hi Kitty,
To be honest, I only told maybe two people that I was doing this program at first. I did feel a little weird, and it felt like it was too personal to just tell anyone. I told one of my co-workers because I needed her to help me run interference. You know, if anyone would ask me to lunch or start making fun of my "mini" meals she would chime in with her two cents and cleverly divert conversations elsewhere. The other person I told was a friend with who I had planned on doing the diet with; well really, I planned on doing it myself and she was supposed to join as well.

It really was not until maybe a month into the program that I told one other person; and lately, after almost 14 weeks I have been feeling more comfortable talking about it. I think one of the things that really held me back before was fear; that I would try this program and completely fall on my face. I knew that it worked, a co-worker had lost over 200 pounds, but I did not want to get my hopes up. More importantly I did not want other people to know that I had failed. Now that I have made progress I feel like it doesn't matter anymore. I am doing it and somehow making it happen for myself.

I know what you mean about getting to a pre-high school weight. I am in the same boat; I cannot remember when I last weighed 106. I have been a chunk for most of my life and even now it is hard for me to see myself as anything but a girl with a nice personality. I am sure I will get there, and I know you will too! I think it's great that you have your husband to help you out. It is always nice to know that you are not going into things alone, or at least without someone to support you. I think our weight loss goals are pretty similar. I can't wait until you get to update your ticker :).

Take Care,
Daisy

[Kitty]

Daisy,
Thank you for your honesty. Your words sum up how I am feeling. Scared to hope, but determined to succeed.
My husband is great and I have some super friends so that helps and I just found out that my sister in law is joining too. It will make it so much easier to stay strong this summer at family functions. I am glad that you had a friend to run interference for you. Sort of like a diet "Wingman".

106lbs WOW!! That is tiny. Maybe you'll have to think of a new skinny girl job like swimsuit model or pharmacutical rep? Don't forget the best...TROPHY WIFE!
Just kidding of course. Have a great day.

[OopsieDaisy]

Hi Kitty,

You just gave me some pretty good ideas. Once this market picks back up, I will let you know how it turned out :). That diet "wingman" really comes in handy and I am sure that your sister in law will make a great one; in fact you can be each others'. The temptations really do get easier to handle as you progress with your program. The first time I went to the movies I had to sit on my hands to keep myself from reaching for the tub of popcorn. And it was really strange, but at the end of it I was really proud of myself. Looked temptation in the eyes and said "No". Now whenever I look at those tasty (bad for you) confections I think, "Is it really worth it". I could have choked someone out when I was going through sugar withdrawals. And maybe 42 pounds ago I could have protected myself in prison, but not anymore. I almost got knocked down by a ridiculously strong gust of wind on Monday. I guess you can say that I pass up the snacks in a vein attempt at self-preservation.

How was your day? Has anyone tried to tempt you? Some people mean well, but they really have no idea what a healthy meal really is. Like the ones who rationalize eating a cheeseburger as a healthy meal because it's got protein and vegetables (tomato, onion, lettuce etc). Those were the harder ones to fight off.

Take Care,
Daisy

[I MUNCH SNOW]

Such great words by all. I especially can associate myself with the 'afraid to fail... but determined to succeed.'

I just can't stand how I look. It kills my confidence in SO many departments. It's astounding. If I were more confident in how I look, I GUARANTEE I will be more confident in other aspects of my life. We've all had tough lives and I'm no different. I want to do something about it, and shed the 'current me' and trade in for a 'new me'.

We're gonna get through this. One meal and one liter of water at a time.

[julie]

I was told to get to 130 but stopped at 145 and ended at about 142. I am happy there and am happy to not have gone to the 130 goal that was set for me. So with that in mind, you will know when you get there! Just work on getting there.

Mommabear -

Thank you! I, too, was thinking that 130 is just too thin for me, I've always been athletic so have more muscle weight so I was a bit overwhelmed by the 130 goal. I am glad to know that you ended at 142 and are happy at that. At first I thought that we couldn't do the refeed program until we met the goal weight set by them. This bothered me a bit. I realize now, of course, that they will work with you on your goal weight, so I'm not quite so stressed about it. I think I'll see what it's like at 140 and decide then if I want to get to the 130.

[Kitty]

My day was harder than I thought it would be. I woke up thinking it was Saturday and then I realized Nope it is a school day. TGIF I guess. Plus I was hungry so I went for a snack and *duh-duh-duh* NO CRACKERS!!!! I am devestated. Okay I am exagerating. Running out of crackers is not a world crisis but...

So I survived another day and I get to go to bed proud that I didn't deviate even when I wanted too. Just like Daisy I am experiencing the joy of self control.
I am blessed that all of my temptations were managable. Thanks for asking Daisy.

I munch snow,
Tru Dat!! We will make it through this. You are beautiful and valuable. Something for you to try (Yes this will be dorky) is to look yourself in the mirror and speak the truth to yourself. It can be silly or serious but your self talk can make or break you on this diet. I like to say "I'm a hot tamale!" 3 Times before I go out. It makes me feel good.

Anyway Good night Y'all!
Kitty

[Kitty]

Today I am tired. Soooooo tired! I tried to do some yard work thinking that it would be no big deal and Kazam!!I am exhausted. It was really beautiful though. Warm and lots of sunshine. For supper I spiced it up and had salmon. I felt like a little change would be good and I was right. It was pretty great.

On a side note: I am getting nervous to weigh myself tommorow. What if I don't do as well as I'd hoped?

[OopsieDaisy]

I am sure that your yard looks amazing now thanks to your hard work :). As for the weigh in, I am sure that you will be pleasantly surprised. I have no idea how this works, but when you least expect it the numbers on that scale just keep going down down down. I can't wait to read your update tomorrow and of course see your ticker move to the right!

[Kitty]

I am having a ginourmous fat day!!! Help me!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to know that this is worth it.

[OopsieDaisy]

Don't give into temptation! It is totally worth the sacrifices that you are making right now. All of these dietary restrictions are only temporary. Just think about how horrible you felt about going through withdrawals the first couple of days; do you really really really want to do that again?

[apachejenn]

Kitty, please make sure that salmon is acceptable. From what I understand salmon is not on the menu.

[Layne5]

Salmon is not an acceptable fish because of the high fat content. :( Sorry.

[Kitty]

Thanks for the info girls! I won't lie, I am disappointed but I will live. I am glad I only ate it one day.

Thanks a million Daisy! That was exactly what I needed to hear. I hated the first couple of days and I don't want to go back there again. So I will remind myself that this is just for a short time. Today is much better by the way. I feel motivated and in control.
Kitty

[mamaduckling]

You can do this Kitty. I know it seems like a long way, but you will be amazed at how quickly you will change. Hang in there, I believe in you.

[Kitty]

Thanks Mamaduckling! I am going back and forth between excitement that I am finally doing something that actually works and dread that I will be doing this for so long. Has this felt long to you? or is it exciting every weigh in. I looked at your pictures and WOW!!!

I guess I am afraid that I will be the exception to the rule. Everyone will be skinny but me. I need to trust the process and not get bogged down with time. On the plus side I really am feeling better physically. Eating healthy foods is having a positive impact on my family and I feel more confident when people ask me about "what I am doing". And my sister in law got her blood work done so she is waiting for her program. Today is going to be a good day!

[mommabear]

Hang in there, Kitty! It is very hard in the beginning. It is an emotional journey to lose weight...you will learn a lot about yourself as you go. You are doing great!

[Gnildarts]

Kitty,
I know just how you feel. Sometimes the time committment to this diet is overwhelming, but you are doing great. And there are lots of people here cheering you on and supporting you! {boing}
Keep hanging in there!
Gayle

[mamaduckling]

Kitty,

It does, at times, seem VERY long. I will be starting week 31 soon and feel like it is taking forever. But, when I look back, I am amazed that 90 pounds are gone in only 6 months! If you would have told me that I would be 90 pounds lighter a year ago, I would have called you a liar. I never would have believed it could happen. But it has. I do struggle with making these final 35 leave my bones, but I re-read my program guide and spend a lot of time on the forum. Hang in there, you are doing so well and we WILL be successful!

[Kitty]

This weekend has been good. I bought my children a play set and I am realizing that too much physical activity makes me hungry and tired. Still worth it though. My kids will love it.
Week 31 sounds daunting Mama duckling but I keep telling myself that when you make it that far you can't give up. I have made it 3 weeks and I am already feeling like that.
Thanks for the cheering Gayle. I am loving the dancing faces. How was your weekend?

[Kitty]

Today was weird. I did some mindless eating and had to stop myself twice!! YIKES!!! It is always during food prep time for me. I made my kids hot cocoa and tested the temp with my finger and then I licked it....then I freaked out and washed off my toungue. Good for me!

[Gnildarts]

My weekend was actually extremely tough, personal reasons not diet related. I am hoping the stress I am going through doesn't mess up my weight loss.
I know what you mean about mindless eating. I will be preparing meals for my kids or my husband and almost licked my finger. It is just an automatic response and I have to really concentrate to not mess up.
~Gayle

[Kitty]

Today was a snow day! That's right a snow day on april 29th! My children are all home and drove me crazy (They are super lucky that they are so cute). Other than the chaos my day was great. No deviations, new vitamins and my sister is visiting. She even noticed that I had lost weight (Bless her heart). I also weighed in and the scale moved.

I am so thankful for this plan and for all of you on the journey with me. It is not easy but it is my turn to say "it's worth it!!"

[Kitty]

Gayle, I am sorry to hear that you had a hard weekend. One of the things I love most about Cohens is how in control of my eating I feel, but you just can't control real life. Today is thursday and I hope your stress has passed and that you are blessed with peace in every area. Have a good night.
Kitty

[OopsieDaisy]

Hi Kitty,

I am definitely in agreement with you with that physical activity. I went swimming with my little sister this weekend, and even though I was only in the pool for maybe two hours max; I was so exhausted and hungry afterwards. I even went out for a second cup of coffee just to I could keep awake enough to drive back home. How was your weekend? Is your sister still visiting? It is definitely nice to have someone notice the progress we have made, kind of like a pat on the back for all of our HARD work!

Take Care,
Daisy

[Kitty]

My sister is no longer visiting. She is in her fourth year of university and came to stay for a few days after her exams to decompress before she went to find a job for the summer back home. Her visit was really nice though. She ate my Cohen meals with me to be supportive and since there was a big storm we folded Laundry and watched movies together. We even did manicures. Lame...maybe? Fun...totally!!
I am finding my weekends the hardest because so much of my time is spent running around, and busy means HUNGRY! or Grumpy...sorry kids. The plus is that I like what I am busy doing. I love garden centres and working in my yard. Also my daughter had her ballet recital on sunday and she is adorable so that was nice too. I am getting anxious for some nicer weather though. It is storming again today and BRRRRRRRRRR I am so Cold! I am still trying to find an electric mattress pad or blanket to help me keep warm but for some reason they are not very popular in May. I am sure only people doing this diet could relate to this problem.

So todays goal is to drink Hot beverages and snuggle under a blanket. And maybe do my laundry...we'll see. Hope everyones day is warmer than mine.
Kitty

[I MUNCH SNOW]

Kitty where is home for you? I see your spelling of 'centre' and hearing 'university' it makes me think of Canada? Just a thought!

I just turned on my electric blanket. It's a chilly night here in Buffalo as well. Maybe sip some hot tea and take a bath! I have been cold too. It's funny, I've always been 'The Brave Little Toaster' and lately...I feel more like Chilly Willy The Penguin!!!! LOL

Great that your sis came to visit. So supportive of her as well to have Cohen meals with you! There's a great sis!

Let's hope for some warmer weather our way!!!

[Kitty]

Mindi,
You are right I am a Canadian and I love it...except when it snows in May. I am ready to garden and lie in the sun, not drive on icy roads and shovel things.

Today I made soup and it was so good. I am not creative in the kitchen so it was a huge victory for me. Plus I love crackers so it just made my afternoon. I just got home from a preschool concert where my youngest two children served me coffee and fruit, sang the cutest songs and gave me coffee mugs that they decorated themselves. It was the cutest. I am so blessed to have such awesome children. (Remind me of this later when they are being naughty). Social settings are getting easier for me to manuver. I am not ready to go to a restaurant yet but I have been able to socialize over coffee more. I baked yesterday (for my family of course) and enjoyed to pleasant smell of cupcakes in my house and wasn't tempted to sneak any. My sense of smell is amazing now, and often just a sniff of something is enough to satisfy. I never thought I could be one of these women. It makes me feel very powerful.

[Kitty]

I am so hungry today it is not even funny! I imagine myself eating everything I see. It is hard to understand because I have never purposely deviated and I have done quite well up until now. But... I want to eat pasta and drink juice...

There now my rant is done, and YES! I do feel much better for saying it. Today was hard but I got through it. I actually wrote down some things to remind myself:
1. This is not forever.
2. I might be hungry but I look really good today
3. I have come too far to quit now.

Tommorrow is another day, and it is mothers day so I think it will be a good one.

I just re read what I wrote and it is funny that I can handle cupcakes but pasta and juice...that's another story.

[Kitty]

Summer is here finally!! I am wearing a tank top and capris and...the capris are so big that I don't have to undo them to take them off! It feels really good to say that. I have been feeling down this week- Hungry and low energy -so this afternoon I had a nap.Napping is awesome! I have read the guide talking about our HGH working while we sleep so i am hoping that I lost weight this afternoon...it sounds much better than "lazy".
I ate steak for lunch today and it has really helped with the hunger. It just stays with me for longer than anything else. I was also eating lots of chicken and veggie soup. I would like to try a hamburger recipe and was wondering if anyone modified one? The great thing about hamburger is that they would be east to preportion and freeze. It's just a thought.

[I MUNCH SNOW]

Hey Kitty! Well I'm 5 minutes from the Canadian border and I admit... I LOVE your country. :) My mom is Canadian so I feel by marriage I sort of am too. LOL.

It's so fascinating to read your journey. To see the struggles, and the willpower, the mind games, the strength. It's amazing. It makes me feel alive. To feel those feelings, right there with you. I'm so glad to see you write it down. I pick up tricks and tips this way. I love how you wrote those 3 things down. That made it real to me as well. You're doing so awesome! 22 pounds down already. Sheesh. That's 1/4 of the way there! I LOVE the story about your capris as well. What a great feeling that is. Time to go shopping for you! I'm not there yet. Almost though.

As far as hamburger, I found a little patty maker at WalMart last week. Clearance rack for 4.00. Gotta love it. I use my lean ground beef tenderloin and mix in onion, green pepper, garlic, fresh ground pepper and 1 finely crushed saltine (to give it some stick-to-gether) lol. I made my own home made mustard, so I put some of that on top, along with my daily tsp of light mayo and a little bit of cucumber with the skin still on it.

Then I use crisp romaine lettuce as my bun. Sometimes I'll layer in my crispbread in there as well for more crunch. YUMMYYYYYYY!!!

You're right, they're great to make and freeze ahead of time. I also like to grind some turkey breast and make some turkey patties. Way less expensive. I buy the turkey breast for 5.99 a pound vs the beef tenderloin (here anyways) is around 15.99 a pound.

A lot leaner and for me at least, it has GREAT sticking around power.

Have a great day!!!!!!! :)

[Kitty]

Mindi,
I am so having a hamburger for lunch! Yummy! I live in alberta and we have our own beef so nothing is cheaper than that for me. Turkey does sound amazing though. (Can you tell that it is almost lunch time) I love your idea to use the lettuce as the bun, it makes it seem more normal. I wish we could eat pickles. That would be really great. How often are you weighing yourself?

I weighed in today and I am at 180lbs. That is a 26lb loss and I am really loving it. My face looks slimmer and I bought a new bra so my chest looks pretty great too. Being skinnier is the best feeling. The last week I have been hungrier than before and I am trying to determine if it will be a battle the rest of the way or if I am just lonely and wanting a snack.
The diet is becoming less all consuming and that is nice. I am more confident that I will make good choices and I feel attractive so I am in a good place today. Plus I got a really great hair cut. Fridays rock!!! All the best girls!

[mamaduckling]

Way to go Kitty! Congratulations. That hamburger idea sounds sooooo good. Might have to try that one too! The diet does become less consuming and more of a lifestyle. I have found that the hunger goes in cycles, maybe because our bodies are changing, but it is not a continual battle. The plateaus have come more frequently for me, but those move along too. The key is just staying true to the plan and eventually you will be at refeed. I am so proud of you. YAY!

[I MUNCH SNOW]

Dannnngggg Kitty!!! 26 pounds! Jiminy Crickets sweetheart! That's monumental!

Yep, gotta love the burger! SOOO yummy. Also great because my boyfriend loves them too. So nice to be able to prepare ONE meal for the both of us. I'm sure your family will love the burgers as well! I hear ya about the pickles.... I did use some fresh dill on my burger today at lunch. YUMMO! :)

I am hungry too this week. I'm also trying to determine where the hunger comes from. I hope their right and it'll cycle it's way through. I'd like to think (and I tell myself) that the HGH is working in overtime. LOL. I weighed myself after one week, and then at the one month mark. I refuse to weigh myself in between. I am now going by how my clothes fit. I get too hung up on the damn scale. I only lost 14.5 lbs my first month. I lose it quite a bit slower it seems than a lot of the ladies on here. AH well... lol.

Enjoy your weekend!!! *MINUS 104 sticks of butter that you lost so far!!!!!* (I love to measure my weight loss in sticks of butter. It makes it more REAL)

HUGS!

[Kitty]

Today was my 8 week weigh in. I am down 35lbs and I am quite happy with that but I am also feeling like I have been on this diet forever!!!!! I like the food and stuff but I just wanted to have a treat today. Something mindless...but back to the 35lbs! I am excited! I feel prettier and my hair is fantastic on Cohens! I look HOT! I have to give myself pep talks when I go shopping not to buy more than I need to because I am not even half way done yet. I never thought this would be me. It feels great and no mindless treat could taste as good as this feels.

On a side note has anyone noticed really uneven weight loss? I am losing a ton of inches in my chest and thighs and next to none in my midsection. Translation: I look terrible naked! YIKES! I think I will focus on my good hair month...

[mamaduckling]

Congrats on the loss - that is WONDERFUL! Keep up the great work. There is uneven weight loss, but eventually things will start to even out. And you are so right - "no mindless treat could taste as good as this feels". Keep that as your mantra. It seems like it takes forever, but we didn't gain it all overnight either. Hang in there, you will get there! Congrats, again!

[Kitty]

Mamaduckling,
Thanks for the boost I needed it and looking at your results is wonderful too! You are almost done and when I add up the inches you've lost it is awesome. I do need to believe that my body will even itself out soon but hearing that it is uneven for other people helps too.

Well I am off to mow my lawn aka guilt free sun tanning.
Kiitty

[Kitty]

I am updating my progress because I am home from vacation and my internet seems to be working at the moment. I am doing good...or at least I thought I was. I have been faithful to the plan, but I am on a plateau. No change for 2 weeks. I was shocked and I am here on the forum trying to pep myself up so as to not get down about it.

Diet Pros: I love summer fruit and being thinner in summer is amazing. I look good, and I feel good.
Cons: Spacing out my food is so much harder in the summer and I am getting bored on the plan. I feel like I have so far to go. My skin is saggy.

This is what it comes down to. I am in my second session and need to press on until the end but I am worried that if my weight doesn't start coming off then I will never make it to re-feed...EVER!!! Did anyone get different advice or a diet change when their blood test results came back? Maybe that is my problem...

Pro: My hair is fantastic!!
Con: My chest is not...TGFB (Thank God for bras)

[Cynthia]

TGFB..... AMEN! Hahaha! My stomach is causing me major grief, if it makes you feel any better..... Santa's bowl full of jelly somehow attached itself to me a few Christmases ago and has settle in for a nice, long, cozy stay..... It stinks because I know I'm in a smaller sized shirt already, except I still want to cover my gut! ARG! Same with the back fat... Be gone already!!! Oh well, it'll come..... it has to!

I think you look fab. You're my inspiration, don't ya know? (((HUGS)))

[JenJ]

Totally TGFB! :)
Wow, you're over half done! You Can Do It!! You look awesome by the way :)
Are you exercising at all? I was just thinking that maybe adding some strength training might bust your plataeu . . . or changing the order you normally eat your meals? Just a thought :)

I also think you are totally inspirational, you and Karen are the reason I started this thing :)

[Kitty]

Thanks girls! I really needed a pick me up tonight. Now I am humming "Wind beneath my wings" .
Cynthia: I totally get you on the lumpiness...not cool! But I have been noticing it sort of deflates and then retracts (don't you just love the imagery) I promise it goes away. You are looking fab too by the way!
Jen: I am not excercising at all. I don't want my body to eat all its awesome lean muscle mass. I need it later. I have hopped past my plateau and I am again moving in the right direction and I think half of my problem is that I never drink all my water. So this week I am concentrating on that mostly.
In the fall some of us were thinking of doing a workout class (aka JAZZERCISE) during Ladies Bible study time. Maybe split the time 50/50. Let me know what you think.

PS My Tan is off the hook!

[JenJ]

Haha :) Jazzercise during ladies Bible study would be hilarious . . . I mean awesome! :) Are you going to lead it? do we need to buy a unitard? haha :)
But seriously, I'm totally up for a work out class!