Colorado Newbie!

[PosterGal]

Hi Everyone -

I'm new - today is my first day - and I'm both excited and a little nervous. Lots of material to get thru :reading:

Seems like I've truly tried EVERYTHING - you name it, I've done it - most to some success, but nothing lasting. And certainly nothing that would get me all the way to goal. My last one, I lost 20 lbs and then plateau - for months. Finally gave up.

My new doctor recommended this diet. It took a while to get my blood work because I had it drawn thru her office and the copy the lab sent was so light it wouldn't fax. The lab company said it would take 30 days to get me a new copy - so I went thru DLS - and bingo, here I am.

Very glad to be here - and really hoping this will work. They set my goal weight between 144 - 150 - which I haven't weighed that since - gee, I don't even know - I can't even picture 150 - truly.

Anyways, just thought I'd introduce myself. I live in Colorado, although I originate from Michigan.

I'll be going shopping for new food this afternoon.

Looking forward to getting to know you all better as we travel down this road together!

PosterGal - Gianna:)

[Rachinnj]

Gianna ( love your name)
Welcome, tomorrow will be a week for me and what I can tell you is this. The first few days stink but it gets easier and you will be blown away about how much weight you lose.
Everyone is so nice and will answer any and all of your questions. How did you first day go?

Rach

[MIMI]

Welcome PosterGal, so glad to have you join us. We are all your IPD buddies so if you have any question, feel free to ask. Everyone is sooooooo great. MIMI

[Bronwyn]

Yes Welcome Gianna!! So glad you have found this program and that you're already on this forum. We are here for you during this incredible journey.

[lfingers11]

Hi and I am so glad you are here!!:party1: Good luck!!
Pam

[PosterGal]

:party1:Thanks Everyone -

My first day went pretty okay. Although, I was shopping and then lunch took me longer to prepare - with measuring and all- didn't get it eaten until about 6 hours after breakfast.
-
And I had a bad headache last night - perhaps from not having iced coffee at breakfast? I just can't do the no milk in coffee thing - I'd rather skip it.

So, I'm glad to have made it thru. . . and looking forward to getting these first 3-4 days done - since everyone says they are the hardest.

Thanks for the Welcomes!!

[pumbza]

Hi Poster girl the DIET BUDDIES are all right the first three days are tough as your blood changes to fat burning mode and by DAy 10 you will be rocking and the weighing will become second nature and it just becomes a way of life and it becomes easy and remember 5hr gaps between meals with a 1hr lee way allowed!!!:innocent4:I agree with Rachinnj and I Love your name I can just imagine it!!Ha Ha!!!Have a great day and we know - YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!SMILE WHILE YOU LOSE WEIGHT!!!!!Have a COOOL DAY!!!:innocent3:

[PosterGal]

Thanks Everyone! On day 3 - going well!:party1:

Now if I could just find Diet Fanta Orange. . .:thinking:

[GettinSkinny]

And I had a bad headache last night - perhaps from not having iced coffee at breakfast? I just can't do the no milk in coffee thing - I'd rather skip it.!!

Hello Gianna, Gina here. :party1: Glad to have you in our group. You have made the right decision. I too have tried so many other things and this is the first thing I have found that actually works, continuously.... can't speak about the long term since I've only been on it just over 4 months.

About the headache, you may have it for 2-3 days. It is your body withdrawing from caffeine or sugar, or possibly both. It might help a little if you could drink some coffee during these days. I too didn't think I could drink coffee without creamer, but I tried it with Splenda a couple of times and now I find that I tolerate it quite well. The caffeine may help with the headache. I don't drink carbonated drinks, but if you find you just can't stomach the coffee, you might dry a diet Pepsi. Caffeine in any form may help with the headache, which can sometimes be quite painful and not respond to aspirin/tylenol.

Again, welcome to our clan. You are now a fellow Cohenite. Happy dieting and see you in the threads!!! :innocent3:

[Mei Mei]

Welcome Gianna,
One of my daughter's best friends' name is Gianna :) Such a pretty name. Welcome and good luck. I'm having such fun taling with these diet buddies, it helps me to enjoy this process rather than dread it. It is truly wonderful to have support. How is your day going so far? I'm on day three, and things are going well.
Mei Mei

[PosterGal]

Thanks Mei Mei and GetSkinny - I'm on Day 3 too - so far, so good. My headache has gone - but of course I slurped down a strong tea. And I'm finding that I definitely need the crackers and fruit for inbetween meals. I'm glad to have them!:)

I got a complement on my hair cut today - which hasn't changed at all - I'm due for a cut in 2 weeks. Kind of funny - I just figured my face must look a little smaller. :thinking:. .

[Mei Mei]

Take the compliment and run with it! Maybe you are holding yourself differently :)
Well done almost finished day three.
Blessings,
Mei

[PosterGal]

Yes, I'll definitely take the compliment - my DH even said to me yesterday that my face looks better. Which considering it's only be a few days, I thought was silly- but I do tend to hold water in my face - (gets puffy at times. . .and normally I loose weight there first).

[Shasha]

{hi} there PosterGal

A very Warm Welcome to you!!! :bighug:

I love your avatar {rofl} please do get a Ticker too :flirt:

All you have to do is follow your eating plan 100%, 1 day at a time and continue to do this – with Dr Cohen’s help, you can make your dreams come true and we’re here to help you to bring out that PosterGal that is already living within you!!!

Take it from me, clearly your transformation is already begining to show: please keep up the good work!!

[CalamityJ]

Welcome Gianna!! I think you're going to love this plan and all of the support... Its nice to have you join us on our road to Onederland!! You'll have to choose a ticker and add it to your signature line to track your journey...

Best of luck, Jane

[PosterGal]

Shasha - that's why I came up with PosterGal - well, 2 fold, first I figured posting and getting support would be very beneficial. And secondly, my goal of being a 1PD Poster Gal. . . :party1:

One can hope!

CalamityJ- thanks for the support too!.

I decided to wait to get my ticker - until my weight moves, I don't really like to think about how much I have to loose - seems overwhelming to me right now. :shocked: Figured it'd be a nice thing to look forward to, instead of always seeing that large number.

Anyways, Thanks for the Welcomes!

[CalamityJ]

Hey Gianna, I can relate to not wanting to look at the large number, if you notice I have mine set only to track my progress, not the amount I started at!! lol... We are all in the same boat which is why we are here... & one by one we are reaching Onederland!!

[PosterGal]

Thanks Jane - good way to look at it - maybe I'll be brave and update it. I know we're not suppose to weigh for a month, but I'm a scale addict. . .:hypnotic: LOL. . .eventually I'll give it up to my DH to hide. . .

[Sexymama]

Hi Gianna! How is your week 2 going? What have you been eating? Mine has been good except for this afternoon!! I was going crazy! I wanted to eat everything in site!! I made it thru without too much damage!!! I hope your week is going good!
Julie

[Lauren]

Hey Sexymama!

What do you mean "not too much damage"? No cheating, I hope. :) Hang in there! I was totally in a funk all weekend and couldn't even communicate with you guys--everyone is so positive, I didn't want to bring everyone down. :) But now I'm back and feeling good! Weekends are just particularly hard for me because I feel like I deserve a treat after working so hard during the week. But I just watched movies instead of eating/drinking naughty things. How are you hanging in there, Postergal? I love Colorado! And I can't stand my coffee without cream either, so I'm skipping it. Hope you're doing great! We can do this! :)

[PosterGal]

Hi Everyone -

I'm doing well. I had 'pizza' for breakfast today - :pizza:the Cohen way.

I think I'm adjusting okay, although I'll be searching thru recipes for some more variety. :reading:

I keep having dreams that I cheated and wake up sooooo bummed - then realize it was just a dream. And I'm surprised that it was a dream. :shocked: Seems like it would be real and I'd be down on myself. Then I'm glad I've made it this far and keep telling myself I committed to 12 weeks, I'm going to make it 12 weeks!

I'm getting used to portion sizes and such. And I treasure my diet sodas.

Also, added to list of positives:

I had to fold the waist of my shorts over for them to stay up. They were a little loose in the waist - not hips - when I bought them mid-July. Now they are really loose around the waist and I figured I better do something or I'd have 'plumber butt' - not pretty. :shocked:

[Sexymama]

Hey PosterGal!! How the heck are you? How are you doing on the diet? Good I hope! I have had a rough few days but am great now!! I can't wait to weigh!! Only 10.5 days!!!
What is you favorite meal you have made yourself? I'm so boring and need some good ideas! -- Julie

[757 flyer]

Hi postergal
LOVE loose clothes!!! You go girl! Soon it's off to the store for a new size! Have a great day.
757 flyer

[PosterGal]

Sexymama - Glad to hear you made it thru the last few days - It can be tough some days - I personally would like to eat the whole fridge right now, but can't eat dinner for another 1/2 hour. :eyebrow:

757 Flyer - Thanks for the encouragement - it's always nice to get that. Hope you are doing well too!:)

My favorite meal? Zucchini Pasta with Tomatos and Vinger (and Chicken). Yummmmmm:dance:

[Sexymama]

Hi PosterGal! Your Zucchini Pasta sounds great! How do you make it? I am in need of some new recipes!!

Julie

[Mei Mei]

Poster gal,
That does sound good! Tell us about it. I had melted cheese on crackers today at lunch. It was good. I was afraid to have cheese for 2 reasons: 1. I thought it wouldn't fill me vs. meat/fish/ck protein and 2. I love it so much I thought I might lose control. thanksfully, neither happened!

Have you tried teh spahgetti squash?
Mei

[PosterGal]

Hi Sexymama & Mei Mei -

I actually have a picture - which I'll post once I download it.

It's been crazy busy here - start of school and all.

Can you believe it's the beginning of our 4th week? Wow!!

[drexel]

yeah i wanna know about this zucchini pasta TOO? do some people get pasta on their diets? or is it like zucchini shaped like pasta?

[Mei Mei]

I can't beleive we are starting week 4! Wow, girls. So far, so good! How are you doing? Do you know when we order our blood test?
Mei

[PosterGal]

Drexel - not it's not 'PASTA' as typical - it's Zucchini which I pass thru a spiral slicer that cuts it like Angel Hair - a little salt, tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and it's a REALLY Good substitute!!

I'll try to get the info out there soon!

[drexel]

oooh that's genius!!! i need to get one of those! i bet there are LOTS of things i could make pasta out of. :) i can figure out the ingredients combinations. but that spiral slicer...yeah i need one of those... thanks for that brilliant idea.

[PosterGal]

Hey guys - I just put a post on Support talking about Spiral Slicers - I'll up load pictures when I can.

It's great!

[Sexymama]

Hi Postergal! How is week four going? Do you know when we have to do our blood test? I was going to ask my consultant. Monday is weigh in and I can't wait to see how much I have lost in these four weeks! I have an idea because I weighed at my moms on Sunday afternoon. I'm hoping for 20lb but we will see. Hope your doing good!
Julie

[PosterGal]

Thanks Julie -

I'm doing well. I can't believe it's week 4 already. I'm excited to finally weigh on Monday. I'd like to loose 20, but I'll be happy with anything close. Not everyone is going to loose that - just to see movement in that direction will be great!

I'm beginning to get used to this program - in the swing of things. Definitely have my favorites too - and can't believe I've actually made it this far without Chocolate!!

Have a great day!
Gianna

[Sexymama]

Great job Gianna!! That was where I failed last week! I was really PMSing and had 2 Hershy Kisses!! It was small but it was a cheat! The great thing is I have no migraine before I started! I KNOW it is because of this diet!!! This has been happening to me for a few years now. It is very dibilating!
We are almost to the end of our first four!! I am so excited to hop on that scale!! I know I'm down at least 16lbs. I hope I will hit 20! I am going to Hawaii with my family September 26th and would love to be down 40. I don't know if that is realistic or not but I will shoot for it! I am going to stick to plan the whole time I'm there!!! Wonder if I could make my goal by end of December?? Wouldn't that be nice!!
I am really trying some new thing on this diet! I made chicken stir fry for the family and experimented with mine. It was soooo good I think I will make it for them next time! Very filling!!
Have a great day!!!
Julie

[PosterGal]

Julie -

Did you season your stir fry with anything? Just curious.

Sounds really good!

[Sexymama]

Hi! I did us a few things! I cooked the chicken with a smidge of water and a little Balsamic vin. I also added a smidge of ginger. (I have never cooked with ginger so I wasn't sure how much to put in). I then took it out of the pan leaving a little of the juice in there. I then threw my veggies in and added a little garlic and pepper. When those had cooked I threw in my chicken and cooked it for a few min. It was so yummy!!!
I bought a mango and want to try the mango freeze. Did you use the recipe that was in the recipe section?
Julie

[PosterGal]

Hey Julie -

Your stir fry sounds great!! I'm going to have to try that.

I haven't tried the mango freeze - yet, but I should. I'll try to pick up a mango when I go shopping later.

Honestly, I can't believe how good some of this taste! Who'd of thought?

Have you tried the 'Apple Pie' recipe - it's really good - I dont' add the crackers and still totally love it!

Have a great one!
g.

[Mei Mei]

Hey gals,
How are you doing? I got an e-mail from my consultant today wondering how I am doing. I feel pretty good, I'm a little disappointed that compared to many of the others here, I havne't lost that much. I really look better, and won't stop until I get there!:weights2: I just have this feeling I must be doing something wrong. :thinking:

I will galdly look at the blood test results to see if they see something. I would have loved to have lost 20 pounds by 4th week, now it looks like I'll be lucky to make 15.

I'm so proud of everyone though. Have a great weekend, and looking forward to hearing from you at tend of our week 4.
blessings,
Mary

[PhyllisRis]

Mary....don't be down on yourself.....every pound lost is marvelous!! Just keep going....like Dori from Finding Nemo...just keep swimming, just keep swimming!

[Rachinnj]

Mary
The reason you have not lost as much is because you don't have that much to lose. You know how the last few pounds are always the hardest. Well you are working on your last few pounds. So no pouting please :). In 4 pounds you can order your refeed.

Lucky you. I can't wait for the day I can say that.

[Mei Mei]

Rachel,
I'm trying not to pout, and I am so so very proud of you and all the others! Sorry if I sounded annoying, totally did not mean to sound like a big fat baby.
But I may have figured it out. I have been going crazy on mangos--yes the mango sprite dessert, 4 nights in a row. But the mangos have not been small. I just reread the fruit section, and thought I could have medium. :sadeyes:yikes. I was so resolved not to cheat, and must have done it anyway. :( Rats. {bangdesk} Oh well, tomorrow is a new day eh?
You rock girl.
Mary

[MIMI]

Mei Mei, girl you are awesome!! You are always encouraging everyone else, now it's time to encourage yourself. You have come so far an i'm like you i'm not going to quit until i get to my goal weight. I know by the time you get to your 12 weeks you will be there. I BELIEVE IN YOU!!!!! YOU WILL DO IT!!!!! NO LOOKING BACK!!!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!! LOL MIMI
{wave}

[Shasha]

{hi} there PosterGal

{congrats} on having lost 17.8 pounds!!! :bighug: I am sooo proud of you!!!

You are WELL on your WAY to becoming a 1PD Poster Gal!!! {wave}
Can’t wait to see your AFTER photo’s!!!

Try taking a few moments to think about and picture the slim gorgeous new you waiting at the end of this road before going to sleep… this way you may have sweet dreams instead of nightmares about eating wrong foods…

Love the spiral slicer pasta idea!! GENIUS!!!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Lauren

Was thinking it could be wonderful for you to treat yourself with a manicure or facial or a massage :flirt: over the weekend instead of food – so that you DO FEEL REWARDED! :love7:

Especially because you are working so hard! {chearleader} You deserve treats – so go ahead and spoil yourself this weekend with goodies that will not derail your progress but ones that will at the same time make you feel pampered and special because you are worth it!!! :bighug:

[Shasha]

{hi} there SexyMama

Did you try some of the nice recipe’s in the recipe section?? This can make all the difference in your not becoming board… :hungry:

During that TOM please try taking a second multi-vitamin each day at lunchtime instead of the chocolate… remember, 26 September is just around the corner!!! NO time to waist!!! {noway} time to slim down drastically right now!!! {wave} 26 Days and counting!!

[Shasha]

{hi} there PhyllisRis


Mary....don't be down on yourself.....every pound lost is marvelous!! Just keep going....like Dori from Finding Nemo...just keep swimming, just keep swimming!


I just loved this post it was not only cute, but really motivating!!!
Wow, what a wonderful Diet Buddy you are!! :clapping3: :bighug:

[Shasha]

{hi} there MeiMei


WELL DONE!!! {congrats}
I am soooo very happy for you for having lost 16 pounds!!! :clapping3:

You have done very well and look how close to goal you are!!! Please don’t let the mango’s slow you down… stay strong a little longer and finish your race on a high note!

Remember, it’s not over until you reach your goal and until you complete your Re-feeding Program… and please change your thinking from “tomorrow is another day” to: “TODAY IS THE DAY, that I follow my eating plan 100%.” {cheerleader} YOU CAN DO IT!!!

[PosterGal]

Thanks Shasha! I love reading all your encouraging post -not just mine.

It's still hard to picture myself at goal weight - but it's really great to see changes already. My DH told me when he came home he thought someone else was in our house. LOL. I love that!

[PhyllisRis]

Hmmmm...DH...that stands for Designated Hitter in the American League baseball....does that stand for Designated Husband here on the Cohen Forum????
Phyllis:thinking:

[PosterGal]

Phyllis - I've always thought it meant 'Darling Husband'. Anyone know for sure?? I've always used it in a positive way, but I guess based on tone, it could mean a few other things!:thinking:

[pumbza]

Hi Poster Gal and PhyllisRis YES I believe it stand for DEAR HUSBAND but PosterGal YOUR version sounds nicer and MORE ROMANTIC!!!Ha Ha!:innocent4:Have a GREAT DAY!!:innocent3:

[Shasha]

{hi} there PosterGal & Buddies

Yes, DH could stand for Designated Hitter… or Department of Health…

But, mostly in on on-line discussion groups, this is the abbreviation for "dear hubby." or "dear husband," "dearest husband," or "darling husband."


…My DH told me when he came home he thought someone else was in our house. LOL. I love that!

In the above case, I would have to agree that your hubby is simply DARLING!!!
For sure, he deserves a :bighug: and an even bigger :kiss:

[Sexymama]

Hi Gianna!! How is my fellow triplet? I saw your post for the pasta!!! WOW!! It sounds and looks great! I can't wait to try it.
Can you believe we are almost to week 8? It is going by sooo fast!! I decided I could not weigh once a month and have been weighing once a week. So far so good. I think after I come back from Hawaii it will be eaiser to do it once a month.
I love that your DH thought someone else was in your house!! That is great!! Keep up the good work! Your doing great!!!
Julie

[PosterGal]

Hi Everyone -

Yes, it's true, my husband is quite darling - I'm very fortunate in that respect. And, he's quite thrilled at my progress.

Julie - I know, it's very hard to believe we're getting close to week 8 - who'd of thought? It's nice because it's getting more and more to be a habit instead of a hassle.

I'm pretty excited this is working so well!

Thanks you guys for the encouragement!!