Before...and after

[Lauren]

Okay, guys--it's time for what some of you have been waiting for. My fattest pictures...and I posted a more recent one (from refeed), but I'll post more "after" pics soon. I just didn't get time today to take some. Anyway, so these five are of me when I remember feeling my biggest. I started with one of my famous you-know-what so you can get an idea of what I've been packing. Then, in Ireland two years ago--boy did I pig out! Then the one where I look cold is from last New Years Day, after a major pig-out where I thought I was going to die, I ate so much...and I was really depressed and resolved to lose weight. Then the one of me in shorts is from just over a year ago--right before I did the diet last time. The one of me with Dylan (Bronwyn's boy) is from a week ago when I was on refeed. I'll post some standing ones of me tomorrow (taken tomorrow). Hopefully I'll get time!!! Anyway, enjoy!

[Rachinnj]

Lauren
You look amazing!!! You should be so proud I know I am proud of you.
The first pic the background is gorgeous. Is that your home? If so can you please adopt me. I clean cook and come with a really cute 1 yr old LOL..


Once again I am so proud of you. You are gorgeous

Rachel

[lfingers11]

Lauren,
You look stunning and amazing. What a great job you have done both times on this plan. Make sure you are weighing daily and get rid of the those extra pounds as they come on this time. I would hate for you to have to do this again. I do think that being in the real world of eating is probably harder than doing this so please let us know if you need anything. You have done such a great job!! Can't wait to see more pics.
Pam

[Mama Lake]

Now I know what 130 looks like, I am encouraged! You look great.
Stay focused now that you are on your own.
Cindy

[LiLNightShift]

These are all before pictures?! I'll take looking like that when I'm done! LOL I can't wait to see more!

[PhyllisRis]

Lauren....you were beautiful BEFORE you lost the weight....but...you are gorgeous now, too!!! You have a lot to be proud of!!! And you nephew is sooo cute!
Thanks for being such a great role model for all of us!
Phyllis (and yes...if that's your house I'm moving in, too!!)

[Lauren]

Thanks, guys! I wish that was my house. :) It's actually my husband's cousin's restaurant in Mexico. It's called The Castle and it's in Rosarito Beach. Al Capone built it in the '20s. I'll post more photos of that place later. It's so cool!!! I did a "fashion show" there for charity--we were auctioning off the dress. It was just a silly thing. Anyway, let me just have breakfast & take a shower and then I'll have my husband take some pictures of me...in my new clothes! :)

[Mei Mei]

Lauren,
Of course you are beautiful! I knew yo would be. Your beauty emanates from the inside out. Great Job! Now you have inspired me to have my hubby take a pic of me for my after. How is post diet so far? Phyllis, you are correct, life on this side is hard too!
I reread my life after diet rules because I'm at 121 today! I need to be very careful.
You look great!
Mary

[Lovinlife]

Lauren!!!
You're so beautiful! Before and after! Can't wait to see the full body shot to compare. I can see how you would feel wonderful. I can't wait for my turn. It's so exciting to watch all the neat people on here reach their goals one at a time. I feel as if I'm part of something big, even if I don't have alot of time to post. Keep letting us know how you are handling things "post-Cohen". It kind of scares me. Like everybody else, I don't want to have to ever do this again!

Blessings,
Nicole

[Bronwyn]

Hi there Lil' Sis! Great job posting these photos and yes you do look gorgeous!! For everyone out there, yes life after diet can be a bit trying at times, but just don't lose sight of how great it feels to be thin and healthy. I have yo'yo'd a bit here and there but do manage to reign it back in very quickly each time. Lauren has a set of rules (along with the Cohen post-diet rules) that she is adamant about following. Knowing my sister the way I do, I know that will be her key to her success in keeping this weight off. Once she sets her mind to something she gets it done. Now we can inspire each other. Great job Lauren - and the second time around had to be harder than the first. I NEVER want to do the full-on diet again if I don't have to.

[Lauren]

Okay, everyone--I just had my husband take some pictures of me upstairs on our deck so I added them to the above photo gallery. Maybe I'll have him do some more tomorrow. I'm not sure how much you can tell...but I feel great! And I'm doing REALLY well today! I was out at the store and there was Halloween candy everywhere that I've been coveting the whole time I've been on the diet, so I asked myself if I wanted any. I can have it now--I'm free! But I decided it's not worth it to put that junk in my body and get an upset stomach my first day off the diet, after all I just worked so hard for. There will be plenty of opportunities in life to eat things that aren't good for me (I'm going to a party tomorrow and leaving on vacation the next day too!), so why bring that on myself? So I passed. I had a smoothie for breakfast (Shasha might not like this, but that's alright) that had 1/4 avocado, frozen cherries, lemon juice & orange juice. My first snack was celery with PEANUT BUTTER--which was to die for. It was fresh--the kind you have to stir. :) Then for lunch I made an oriental steak salad, so I got to have sesame oil, olive oil, crushed red pepper, sesame seeds, snow peas, bean sprouts, and red bell pepper. It was great...and HEALTHY! My second snack I just had a little wedge of Laughing Cow cheese (light). And for dinner tonight I'm making sweet & sour turkey meatloaf (breast) with unsweetened applesauce in it and cider vinegar & splenda. On the side--a green salad with corn & Monterey Jack cheese and vinaigrette. I get one cookie for dessert...and that's it! And I'm not drinking tonight. I have too much to do and I'll be drinking tomorrow at the family BBQ I'm finally able to go to!!! :) I also did an hour workout video, which was so fun! I'm a happy girl and I know you all will get here soon too!!!!!

[Bronwyn]

Yum Yum Yum... You're making me hungry... Why didn't you ask me over?? Just kidding! Enjoy my dear - you certainly have earned it!

[LiLNightShift]

You look great and sound just thrilled to pieces!! I'm so happy you made it and I can't wait to join you!

[lfingers11]

Lauren,
Congrats!! I can definately tell a difference with that 25 pounds. I am so happy you are working out too!!
Pam

[MIMI]

Lauren, LOVELY, you are just a picture of LOVELINESS. LOL MIMI

[Lovinlife]

Lauren,
Just saw your full length shots. You are so skinny!!! You look wonderful! And yes there is a big difference! I love it! And I'm glad you're doing great. Your husband must be so proud of you.

Do you want to share your personal after diet rules (that Bronwyn mentioned) with us? I'd love to glean anything I can from you.

Also, you sound like such a great cook! I should start writing down your recipes! (for after Cohen, of course!)

Congratulations again!

Nicole

[CohenInAz]

WOW! Those full length shots are amazing... that is SO skinny and you look so good!!!

:applause:

I can't wait for the rest of us to follow in your footsteps!

[UnspeakableJoy]

Lauren, you are SO BEAUTIFUL!!! I'm at such a loss for words, I don't know what to say except for YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL! {wave}

[Skinnyjeans4ever]

Wow! You look great, yay you!!! In my head I picture myself about where you were when you started the diet, I can't quite wrap my mind around being where you are now, I haven't been that thin since junior high. You're surely an inspiration to us all! Enjoy yourself, you've worked hard! :)

[Shasha]

{hi} there Lauren

YOU look fantastic!!! {goodjob} one can see you’ve got that awesome Cohen’ glow about you! Wonderful!!

Now, you have to work at keeping it that way!! PREVENTION is always better than CURE!

You might not like what I’m about to say, but, I’m going to say it anyway because I believe that a friend is one who speaks the truth in love, even if it’s not what you want to hear…


I had a smoothie for breakfast (Shasha might not like this, but that's alright) that had 1/4 avocado, frozen cherries, lemon juice & orange juice.

Lauren, it’s not about what I like or don’t like, your success in Life AFTER the Diet will depend on your ability to understand and implement Dr Cohen’s Lifestyle Guidelines – having the fruit smoothie 1 day is okay, but daily is not good because:

Page 24 of your Re-feed Guide says:
Fruits. Do not eat fruit before breakfast! Having fruit on an empty stomach will send sensitive insulin levels high—starting a “fat fact*ry.”


My first snack was celery with PEANUT BUTTER--which was to die for. It was fresh--the kind you have to stir. :)

Page 26 of your Re-feed Guide says:
Nuts. Nuts are high in carb/starch content and need to be counted as part of your once daily starch meal. Never have nuts for breakfast with or without cereals. Nuts are for lunch or supper only. (Not a good snack choice.)

You then went on to have more starch later… in the form of snow peas and sesame seeds and later a cookie… so that messes up the starch once a day rule…


... I get one cookie for dessert...and that's it!

When did you have the cookie? Page 24 of your Re-feed Guide says: Eat your dessert immediately after carbs/starches. Do not delay the dessert for more than an hour after you have eaten carbs/starches. This prevents the blood sugar from dropping and stops the starch from being converted into fat.

Hope you don’t think I’m being difficult, I just want you to implement those rules right… Dr Cohen has it all worked out, all we have to do is apply the rules… if we don't, we trigger too much insulin and then things get out of hand again...

Once again: {goodjob} you look GREAT!!!

[Blondie4life]

Wow.....:drool:
-You have done an amazing job! I think you are gorgeous in both the before and after pics, but I know how great you must feel now.... you've been so disciplined and all your hard work has paid off plus some! Congratz!!!!

[PosterGal]

Congratulations!