Cravings!!!!!

[Frenchy06]

Hi Guys and Gals,
I am a newbie and have a few questions. Do the cravings ever go away?! I know that I love the thought of losing weight more than I like food, but still its so hard! Argh! I am on my second week and I have lost 13 lbs. :laughing:(YAY!) But I still think of "cookies, and cakes, and chips, OH MY!!!" :( I have not cheated at all but I am hoping that they go away.. :praying:Do they?? Oh and one more question, in the guidebook it says that all meals should be spaced 5 hours apart. Because I work during the day, I have a specific lunch hour and sometimes it has been about 4.5 hours. Is this okay?

[Shasha]

{hi} Frenchy06

WELL DONE on having lost 13 pounds so far :clapping:

{uhm} We are sorry to hear that you are experiencing cravings and believe that you may be making a mistake/s that can be leading to cravings.

First question: are you taking your multi-vitamin as per your New Customer Guide? Are you eating all your food weighed raw as per your Personal Eating Plan? Are you drinking your full quota of water every day?

If not, all of the above could leave you with cravings.

The 5 hour rule, as with all the rules, is a very important part of the program and as you have lunch at a set time, we recommend that you please try moving breakfast earlier so that you can manage to keep to a minimum of 5 hours in between your meals.

For the next few days, please avoid the yogurt and the cheese options as these are the least filling meals, rather choose fish, chicken or meat.

Please take a second multi-vitamin at lunchtime, we believe this can also help with the cravings.

By making sure that you are following your eating plan 100%, we believe that the cravings will soon be something of the past!!!

Please keep us posted on your progress and write to your consultant if the cravings continue or if you become too hungry. :bighug:

[Almost Done]

I have found that "greek" yogurt is very filling. Where I live, you can buy it at Trader Joe's. Either their brand or one called "Fage" (but the latter is much more expensive). It is so thick that your spoon will actually stand up in it! And it is VERY filling. The other benefit is that it contains 20 g. of protein vs. the 8 in my previous yogurt. And it tastes decadent. :-)

[Unregistered]

Hi Shasha,
Thank you for the encouragement! It's always helpful. I have been doing everything correctly except for the vitamins, I will make sure to go buy some tonight. Thank you for your reply!

[Unregistered]

Hi Almost done,
I will make sure to try that.. sounds yummy :) Thanks!

[Shasha]

{hi} Frenchy06 & Almost Done

The vitamins do play a very important role!!! Just remember that the Vitamin B6 level must always be below 5 mg per day. (Vitamin B6 triggers appetite and can make you hungry.)

If you are following your program 100% and your hormones are balanced, then a craving is simply your body's way of asking for extra nutrients - please remember that your body cannot speak to you in English. It always speaks in in feelings ie: when you need to empty your bladder it's a feeling; when you burn your hand on a hot stove, it's a feeling.... Your body cannot ask for another 500 mg of vitamin C please.

Always remember this when you have a craving and then you can give your body excatly what it needs.

Normally an extra vitamin at lunchtime will do the trick and your body will be happy because it feels that you finally understand it :love:

About the yogurt, as long as it's fat free that is great!! For a delicious treat add a bit of sweetener and some cinnamon! If you like you can even crumble in a cracker... ENJOY!!! {grouphug2}

[Unregistered]

Yes definitely need to listen to my body, thats the only way it will get skinny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) which I am hoping is soon.. By the way, Dr. Cohen said that my goal weight is 120-130 lbs. Does this mean if I do everything right(and dont cheat!) I should have lost everything in 12 weeks? Is that what you mean by a 12 week program or is this just what I should weigh eventually (No time frame). I am really curious about that. Also, I know that you say not too exercise too much and to listen to your body but if you feel good and not overdoing it, would you say that it helps the weightloss? Or that it does not really matter. I would really appreciate it if you let me know. Thanks!
Frenchy06

[Almost Done]

Speaking of your body talking to you...I've been on this diet nearly 6 months. The most wonderful thing was that my hot flashes almost completely went away (after spending the last 10+ years after surgery with so many and so severe that they were seriously affecting the quality of my life). Just this week, I've noticed that I'm starting to have the night sweats almost every night and the hot flashes during the day are increasing. UGH! I don't want them to come back!! Is this normal for them to go away -- and then come back after we've lost a lot of weight? Is there anything Dr. Cohen recommends to keep them at bay?

[AZKAT]

Frenchie06, I have been on this diet for 6 months and am loving it! I had a lot of cravings and hunger for about a week or so when I first started. I have found that when I weigh exactly and space my meals the diet works better for me. Sometimes when I am feeling tired or hungry, taking an extra vitamin as recommended really does help. I don't have to often, because I usually have more energy than I need on this diet! Switching from apples to citrus also helps me with the cravings. Although, I only have cravings when coming off a plateau or during TOM.

Almost Done, I don't need to hear that all that misery can come back! {explode}
Another forum I'm on mentioned the same thing though. Yikes!

[Wilma]

Almost Done,

Sorry to learn that the hot flashes are coming back .... so many people write to say that the diet helped them with their hot flashes. In fact, this is very individual and no one can guarantee that hot flashes will stop because of weight loss. We hope that these hot flashes will go away but if not, you may want to consult with your doctor.

[Shasha]

{hi} Frenchy

Since that apple jam you're my hero! I was just reading all and see that you still have unanswered questions...

The 1st Personal Diet is a 12 weeks and not unlimited timeframe in order to allow more people access to this program by making it affordable. This way, people who do not need more than 12 weeks, can get it cheaper and people who do need more than 12 weeks can pay it off over time. The additional 12 weeks program costs only $179 as they are based on the same program.

How long it takes you to loose the excess weight will always depend on two things: 1) your ability to follow your eating plan 100% and 2) your personal metabolism.

The success of the program is not related to exercise. If however you deviate because the exercise you are doing stimulates your appetite you will end up loosing weight slower. You may do moderate exercises providing that the exercise you do does not increase or stimulate your appetite – the big key will be to listen to your body ie: see how you feel and what you are able to manage comfortably. If you do exercise, we recommend that you eat your apple 20 minutes prior to exercising.

Happy dieting!!! You can reach your goal!!! Maybe in 12 weeks, maybe in 24... what matters is getting there! Finishing the job so to say! {cheerleader} GO FRENCHY, YOU CAN DO IT!!!

[Frenchy06]

Thank you Shasha! I hope you enjoy the Apple jam as much as I do! I love it! yum. Absolutely I agree with you as far as the diet goes... whether it takes 12 or 24 weeks just do it. So thats what I am doing. It's always good though to see fast results because it makes you eager to keep going. That why I was asking but either way it will be done. Thanks for answering my questions!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Frenchy

GREAT to see you again!!! :bighug: :bighug:

How is your diet going??? Has the vitamins helped with the cravings? How are you doing??? I am still making apple jam!!!

When you have a moment, I'd love it if you could please come and share your progress with us in MY PROGRESS, I'd love to know how much weight you've lost... and how your clothes are sitting???

Even 1 pound, is progress! The other day I heard a client who was complaining that she did not loose more weight than 3 pounds because she was deviating over Christmas... she was upset about this until she went to see her doctor who was ecstatic because she had lost 3 pounds. She ended up saying that her doctor helped her to put things into perspective.

Meaning that she had still done well to loose 3 pounds... every bit helps!!! If you keep walking in the right direction, YOU ARE GOING TO GET THERE!!!
{elmo} I can't wait to see how you are doing... please give us an update it that's okay with you...

[queenmom]

Frenchy

I have found a great tea (Oolong) that seems to curb the cravings for me....Shasha, if it's OK to give the web site out here, let me know....I really notice a difference when I don't drink it vs when I do....I like tea better than coffee (since I can't have my latte's, coffee just doesn't taste as good). I've lost 17 lbs in 18 days and I'M LOVIN' IT!!! What Apple Jam??

Almost Done

I have had the same thing happen....go away, then come back.....I have a Chinese Herbalist that made a tea for me and it worked (12 different herbs)....Shasha, can I use it again?

QM

[Shasha]

{hi} there QueenMom & Everyone

Thank you for your valued imput ~ it is only by discussions and asking questions that we learn...

I have spoken to Dr Cohen before regarding Oolong Tea and you are NOT allowed to use this while being on the 1st Personal Diet Program: {oops}

As we cannot say what is in the tea made by your Chinese Herbalist, we cannot say if you should use this tea or not {oops}

You may use plain herbal tea such as mint, camomile etc.

{congrats} on having lost 17 pounds in 18 days - we are THRILLED WITH YOUR PROGRESS! Well done!!! :-)

I must however ask you PLEASE not to weigh yourself again until your 4 weeks are up! Please see posts on weighing: #26 in Coffee & Pies & a Movie 4 Any1... and also post #32 in Questions regarding the program...

After your 4 weeks, we would LOVE IT if you could please share your progress with us in MY PROGRESS... that will be so nice to see your official progress after only 4 weeks!

What I can suggest to ALMOST DONE is that you please contact your consultant who can request a TOFU option for your from Dr Cohen. I have heard that eating TOFU 3 times a week works wonders for menopause... not speaking from experience, just here say... but you may want to give it a try :-)

QueenMom, thank you again for your valued imput - I just know there were some silent memebers out there who may have been using or thinking about using Oolong Tea and I'm sure our discussion has helped them ~ so thank you very much for bringing this up. A big Cyberhug from me to you: {{{QUEENMOM}}}

[MrsPeel]

I had asked the Consultants Team at the beginning of my diet whether I could have Earl Grey tea, and they replied that yes, it was allowed. My husband and I enjoy it quite a bit! :D

[Shasha]

YES Mrs Peel, Earl Grey tea is allowed and, if you have got some left in the pot, why not simple cool this down and mix with some diet Sprite flavoured soda to make your own delicious ICE-TEA... you can garnish with a sprig of mint and decorate with a little umbrella on those fancy occasions...
Diet cocktails are delicious! {cheerleader}

[cyberella]

Although, I only have cravings when coming off a plateau or during TOM.


would anyone b so kind 2 tell me what "TOM" means? i'm austrian and not a native speaker ... :confused:

and one more question: how does one know when he/she comes off a plateau, when one is not weighing daily?:thinking:

[Shasha]

{hi} there Cyberella

I do believe AZKAT was referring to that Time Of the Month... (TOM) (ie: Menstruation)

When some people go through a plateau they will find that they go to the toilet less often to relieve themselves of water. Then a couple of days later it suddenly it seems like one is running back and forth quiet often...

I would like to point out what DR COHEN says regarding plateau's on page 10 & 11 of your New Customer Guide:

�� Don't weigh yourself constantly while on the diet—it is distracting.
�� Only weigh once a month, and note the difference in clothes size.
�� The body does go through stages during the weight loss where it might seem as if you are not losing actual weight (on the scale), but note the drop in clothes size!
�� Remember that you are still breaking down fat during these “plateau” periods, but the growth hormone is dissolving the fat in the water so you will weigh water when you get on the scale, and you'll notice that you are not running to the rest room as often in this period!
�� If you weigh only once a month, you will focus on the total loss for the month, and the small plateaus in between will not de-motivate you!!!!!

Hope that this helps our Austrian Diet Buddie: {friendhug}

[cyberella]

and it will!!:hug:
thank u, shasha!
yours sincerely,
"your austrian (diet) buddy" (i like that one)

[Shasha]

{hi} Cyberella

It's all about growing together :bighug:

[cyberella]

:love::bighug: 2 u, 2!!!!
{cheerleader}{grouphug1}

[Shasha]

:bighug: I'm so glad that our Austrian Diet Buddie :love: the Forum... it's people like you who make all the time spend here so very worth while... :bighug:

[cyberella]

honey, i'm so very flattered
and can just pay u the same compliment!!!!!
:love::love::love:
i'm really happy 2 b here and even proud 2 b part of this journey,
and this party!!!!{grouphug1}
really proud of all of u(s)!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!