Trying to Get There....

[poetically-yours]

Ok, so I'm trying to be patient with the weight loss process as I know I didn't get this way overnight. I have quite a bit to lose (Over 130 lbs) and it's become more and more daunting. I guess I've been putting blinders on about how I REALLY look. I always kept telling myself that I didn't look THAT big. I avoided pictures for the most part so I didn't have to face the awful truth. I guess that's why I have so FEW pictures of myself. I used the same philosophy with getting on the scale--out of sight, out of mind. Going through this process had made me really confront my weight for what it truly is. It's funny, I keep thinking about 12-step programs and how the first step is to realize you have a problem. Then, you can start thinking about solutions. So, I'm officially on Step 1.5...LOL! I've only been on Cohen's for 7 weeks and have lost about 23 lbs. But, I'm really realizing that I have to see me and my body for what it truly looks like. Here are 2 pics at my highest weight (around 303) and me recently 7 weeks into the program. I plan to take pics every month to document the change. I can't tell a whole lot of difference in these pics. But, I just posted them anyway as it helps me to think about this as a process....that will take some time. Most importantly...to enjoy every little victory..and eventually, I WILL get there. I'm finally facing the truth about myself and for the first time in a while...I feel like I can MOVE ON in this domain of my life (as well as others) and become the person that I truly want and need to be.....My current mantra has been...."Trying to Get There"....I acknowledge that little by little I will get there....I just can't stay static anymore pretending my weight isn't that big of an issue...I'm on a mission now! :-):weights:

[MrsPeel]

Poetically-yours, you are on your way!! 18.5 inches lost is HUGE - and 23 lbs. is fantastic! I know how daunting it is, and how we don't really realize how much weight we've put on until we see HARD EVIDENCE (photos!). I started at 251 and hardly dared dream I would see myself slender at the end of this plan, but here I am with 33 lbs. left to go and I feel phenomenal.

Thank you for sharing your pix and your progress - it will be so exciting to see your goddess-self emerging, pound by pound! :applause:

[bitten]

you can do this miss poet!
well done for taking the first 1.5 steps.

you are worth this.

bitten

[Hugentobler]

Wow... I love your attitude. Just wait you will be able to see the results in those pictures soon. I always get a kick out of "Getting Skinny's" pictures, because you can see such big changes. I was like you. I don't have ANY pictures of me at my heaviest. I would just delete them. I even refused to take any when I started this program. (I regret not having them now for my "before" and "after"). I just didn't want to see them. So stick with your photo journey. I will pay off in the end. You will quickly be getting out of your clothes. Save a pair of your "fat" jeans. It is amazing to look back on them.

[Katra]

Hello Poetcially Yours! And Welcome!

You are definitely on your way and you are right admitting there is a problem is the first step! We have all had to admit it to ourselves and we are all just like you! It's so nice to welcome someone who is as dedicated as you are to a marvelous life change! I am so happy for you!

:party1:

Congratulations on taking your pictures and then posting them! They will serve you so well as you continue on your path! I love Hugentobler's idea of saving a pair of "fat" pants just for later!

Have a great day. I know you will succeed!

[Bronwyn]

Hello Dear Poetically-Yours! You have already come so far. Like you said, admitting it is the first step - so you're actually more like on Step 3 in that you've already started and have maintained this program for 7 whole weeks. You're off to a great start and I'm glad you are including our support team on your journey. Someone recently told me - and I LOVE it - that I should not try to "lose" the weight. When you lose something it comes back to you. I need to "release" the weight. It's very true. Release the weight, release the big clothes as you "undergrow" them (except I too have kept one pair of my biggest jeans as a reminder), release the old you and embrace the new, healthy person that is anxious to meet the world from a new perspective. Congratulations!!! Keep us posted!

[poetically-yours]

Thanks, ladies! I'm really trying to make this a life change and your positive words of encouragement are great! I'm down 3 more pounds!!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Poetically Yours

{congrats} on having lost 26 pounds!!! There is no doubt in my mind that you are well on your way to becoming slim and healthy again {goodjob}

YES, IT IS GOING TO BE A PROCESS... a daily walk, consisting of many little steps all moving in the right direction. When you keep walking in the right direction, you will reach your destination!

Try to enjoy the journey to the New Healthier YOU! {cheerleader} This will be for a limited time only, so please give it your very best effort! It may be difficult, but THIS IS WORTH IT!!!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Bronwyn

Thank you so much for sharing this interesting LETTING GO OF IT concept with all of us:


I should not try to "lose" the weight. When you lose something it comes back to you. I need to "release" the weight. It's very true. Release the weight, release the big clothes as you "undergrow" them (except I too have kept one pair of my biggest jeans as a reminder), release the old you and embrace the new, healthy person that is anxious to meet the world from a new perspective.

I'd love to hear more about this... :reading: I do believe that too often we hang on to old unnecessary baggage we deserve to be free :party3:...

[poetically-yours]

I agree....I've always been "heavier" and everyone (friends and family) always knowing me as the nice "heavy one". So, it's been a real process...seeing myself as thin....I still have a WAYS to go. But, I can see the finish line (over the mountain) for once in my life. Thanks for the words ladies!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Poetically-Yours

{grouphug1} ... that's what friends are for!!!

[Bronwyn]

Hey Shasha,

I'm glad you like that. My Father-in-Law told me that. His pastor at his church gave a sermon and that was part of it (very positive thinking church). I have another friend who is very into Yoga, holistic healing, etc. She is going to perform a ceremony for me before I start the refeed to embrace the new me, release the old feelings, baggage, etc. that went along with the extra weight, and to welcome me into my new life. This really is a new beginning. I'll let you know how the ceremony was and how I felt afterward.

I gotta tell you - these last few pounds before refeed are TORTURE!!! I have my plan and am so ready to start, but the last few are going so slowly!!! I knew that would be the case, and don't worrry... I didn't come this far to mess up now, but wanted to share with you and the group so people know what to expect.

[Shasha]

{hi} there Bronwyn

I've come to help you with my knock pounds off squad, so here goes:


{hammer}

Small suggestion: avoid the cheese for now, cheese is higher in salt which can lead to water retention and slower weight loss. Up the water intake a bit... Fruit and crackers are optional, if you don't feel hungry you may decide to leave some of them out.

Now's not the time to start exercising... just in case you were considering this...

Hang in there and stay strong, we're all routing for you Bronwyn and I know it's just a matter of hours and you'll be at your goal!

The end is just around the next bend... {cheerleader} GO BRONWYN GO!!!

[Bronwyn]

Thank you Shasha! Those are good points. I don't use the cheese option often, but did the other day because I had to eat on the go and it was convenient. Also - I had started exercising - hard core - a few weeks back and while it felt great I have realized I should wait until I'm done. I read your post to GettinSkinny re: her hike and it made me realize that the same thing could be happening to me. I'm hanging in there. I also have a business trip to Canada on June 9th and don't think that following refeed will be as easy as staying on this plan. I'll have to see how the next couple of weeks goes but right now am leaning toward staying on plan and starting refeed at the end of my trip. What do you think about that?

[GailStout]

Hi there! VERY VERY WELL DONE on getting through SO much and WINNING!!!! That's just awesome.

I too have always been been ""heavier" and everyone (friends and family) always knowing me as the nice "heavy one""...and I just got back from a trip where the folks I was visiting hadn't seen me in 2 years; they walked right past me at the airport with absolutely NO RECOGNITION! So, get used to it, and do what I do: keep a "before" photo in your bag so you can "prove" it's you.

Believe me, being healthy, feeling great, and looking great are all wonderful; but the best is KNOWING THAT I, MYSELF, DID IT!!!! Watching those "instant weight loss" commercials on TV where the small print at the bottom of the screen says "results not typical" -- and KNOWING that on 1PD the results ARE typical!

This is true for you, too -- you've lost 20+ pounds in such a short time -- it WILL come off. You CAN DO THIS!

Much love, Gail

[Shasha]

{hi} there Bronwyn

:thinking: exercises may very well cause you to stand still because you may be gaining muscles while still burning fat - on the scale the progress then slows down or even stands still but, your clothes should continue to sit loser because muscles weighs more than fat does... As you have so very little to go, maybe cut back a bit on the exercises, rather get your diet done ASAP, then follow the Re-feeding Program after which you can exercise to your heart's content - starting slowly of course to prevent injuries etc...

Have you received and read through your Re-feeding program yet? How many days did you get? How long is your business trip to Canada? How much more to weight to lose to get to goal? All these will influence your decision as to when to start. Even if you do go a bit below your ideal goal weight, it would be better to do this and follow your Re-feeding Program 100% than start your Re-feeding Program and go off it after a few days due to not being able to pre-pare foods properly and weighed correctly etc.

As you can / will see, during the Re-feeding Program lots and lots of foods are added and meals can become quiet a mission as the program progresses ie: especially when you start mixing old and new proteins all in one meal etc... (You can make this simple ie: tuna fish and salmon or chicken breast and chicken thigh etc.)

The Re-feeding Program will however clearly take more planning that your original diet does... I do agree with you that it will probably be easier to go on your trip and then to start Re-feeding when you are back.

Question: will you continue to follow your eating plan 100% during your trip? The reason I'm asking is because it is very important to stabilize your hormones 100% for the two weeks prior to starting your Re-feeding Program... if you do have an ooooops, you will need to diet 100% for two weeks prior to starting Re-feeding so that your hormones remain stable.

I'm not sure what facilities you will have when traveling or how long your trip will be, but if for example you reach your goal two days before your trip and your trip is 3 days, and you have full control over when and how to make your food etc, I think you can begin Re-feeding if you will be able to do it 100%... the first few days are actually quiet simple, simply adding in more of the old proteins, veggies, good fruit and bread etc... this is not too bad.

I hope the above helps you to make the right decision for you and, once again I’m very, very proud of you!!! {wave} YOU GO GIRL!!! {cheerleader}

[bitten]

OMG bronwyn this is so exciting...
i am just thrilled for you and love to read all of sasha's suggestions...
i would re-feed whilst traveling if you can...to keep it going...
she's right about ooopsies and not weighing as well in restaurants, you do not want to wait 2 more weeks for re-feed....
i am psyched for you-you must document it for all of us..
bitten

[Shasha]

{hi} there PoeticallyYours

I've been meaning to say that your Avatar is really inspiring - it reminds of the following saying:


THERE'S A THIN GIRL INSIDE ME JUST WAITING TO GET OUT!!! {cheerleader}

[poetically-yours]

Thanks, Shasha....It's my way of depicting an inner struggle......the "Overweight Me" vs the "little me" inside. That totally sums up my journey through all of this!!!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Poetically Yours

YES, being overweight for most of us is a very real struggle, that is UNTIL WE DISCOVER DR COHEN'S 1ST PERSONAL DIET PROGRAM!!! {wave} Then things begin to really change fast! All you need to do is follow your eating plan 100% - the weight loss will come by itself.

When you reach your goal, you simply do the Re-feeding Program and then on a daily base implement Dr Cohen's practical and easy to follow Maintenance Guidelines to teach you how to live a healthier lifestyle.


THERE'S A THIN GIRL INSIDE OF YOU AND SHE'S ON HER WAY OUT!!! {cheerleader}