Another newbie..

[Megsy]

G'day everyone!
I'm at the end of day 5 of my journey to the new me and I'm feeling quite good! I think the thing that's struck me the most is now I have such a structure in place, I've realised how much I would just graze throughout the day. Picking up something here and there and often not of the right choices. Probably the first time in over 5 years that I've actually taken particular notice of what I'm feeding my body.
I've stuck to the plan 100% to date and as long as I keep myself busy enough throughout the day, I don't notice what's been omitted from my previous eating style.
I'm an Australian who's moved to Colorado 4 months ago with my husband and two kids. I bring with me vivid memories of a few friends back home who made the journey with Dr Cohen's plan and had fantastic results. I knew I'd start the plan one day and after a very hectic year last year (my father passed away, birth of our son in Sept and moving halfway around the world) - I knew I was ready and excited to commence a fresh start.
I'm so glad to be a part of such a successful program and have gained alot already from this forum.
I have fantastic support from my husband and look forward to getting futher support from all you inspirational and motivational people. So thankyou and look forward to reading more great threads.
Cheers
Megsy

[iggyjoh40]

Welcome Megsy! :)

Our success will definitely be something I'll share with others, as I've never heard of Cohen's diet until I saw my cousin at Thanksgiving and she dropped 160 pounds - amazing, that's when I knew I needed to jump on board and do something for me!!

I too lost my dad 3 years ago, then we moved and I gained a lot more weight just in those 3 years. Stress can really play havoc with our systems when we allow it, but this time, stress is just going to have to be diverted towards another avenue instead of "FOOD."

Keep us all up-to-date with your progress. {bouncing}

[Shasha]

{hi} there Megsy

A WARM WELCOME TO YOU : {bighug}

We are so glad that you are enjoying the forum - thank you so much for coming along... we really want you to be successful and we know that YOU CAN DO IT!! Imagine the surprise of those back home when you see them again.... woooowhooo!!!!

I want to invite you to come along for COFFEE and a chat... about all sorts of stuff... movies... life beyond food... etc. When it's your time to weigh, please come share your progress with us... we'd love to know how you are doing...

Earlier on today in Life Beyond Food, I asked our Diet Buddies to let me have their input on how to stay strong...

{praying} PLEASE will you come and share what you wrote with everyone... YOU HAVE A BIG KEY HERE when you write: I've stuck to the plan 100% to date and as long as I keep myself busy enough throughout the day, I don't notice what's been omitted from my previous eating style.

The girls need to know this... Once again, warm welcome and you're part of us... so please come share your life & experiences whenever you can... :bighug:

[jaynestart]

hi Megsy,

I am an Aussie living in Canada (3 years now) so can very much relate to the stresses of moving so far away! I am on Day 5 and doing well so far. I know of people who have had phenominal results (and hope the same happens for us!). I hope its warmert in Colorada than Thunder Bay! Best of luck! Jayne

[cyberella]

hey! we have a megsy and a memsy, 2 ohioians who started exactly on the same day, a diet queen and king (mr and mrs peel), a queenmom, mother and daugher aso.... and all of us come from so different places and communicate here so freely, supportively and with no time delay- exept that u guys sleep when i write my posts and vice versa.
exept 4 shasha (who didnt answer the question of where she comes from {rofl}), i pretty much get the picture that we r a community of global dimension- i like that a lot, also bcause we can share so many different (cultural) ways, inputs and ideas..

btw, megsy: i just LOVE your signature and have 2 always think that way, since i'm on 1st pd- i'm a bit impatient at times and have 2 slow down a little!

happy dieting 2 all of u(s)!!!
{grouphug1}

:flower:
your austrian diet buddy (o;

[Megsy]

ohhhhh shucks....thanks everyone for such a warm welcome - warmer than what I received in Colorado!;) (Not really, Colorado is full of lovely people too.)

Hi Iggyjoh - you are so right about stress playing such a part in our eating habits (of old..) I'm now using this forum as my substitute for emotional eating. I lost my mum 3 years ago aswell, both of my parents were taken by cancer (between them they had 5 different types) and both were under 60. Hence why my weight has risen significantly in recent years. But as much as their death has triggered eating binges, their death is now my motivation to lose weight, reduce health issues and know that I'm looking after my body, mind and spirit to the best of my ability. So like you said - We'll get there together! Thanks:hug:

Hi Sasha - I love your encouragement and all your recipes! And I'll certainly contribute to the Life Beyond Food thread (soon I promise..):)

Hi Jayne - or should I say "how's it goin' Jayne?" We're from Adelaide and Colorado is a beautiful place. We live about an hour and a half from Aspen (but haven't been there yet..) So the temperature today was a high of -6C and a low of -17C. There's been more snowfall this winter than for the past decade! What an introduction! btw - my middlename is Jayne :shades: cool!

Hi Cyberella - great name and I so enjoy reading your posts, you sound like such a happy, positive person. Can't wait to read your future ones!

I know that by the end of the year, all our photos will be posted and our stories will inspire many others to join this transformational journey.

Talk to you all again soon
Cheers!

[cyberella]

hey, megsy!!:bighug:
thanx a looooooot 4 your sweet words!!!:love:

i'm so very sorry 2 hear that u've lost your parenz so early and so dramatically!! cancer is something that we all r a scared of! and 2 what extent u and your family were confronted with this traumatizing desease!! i cannot imagin what u must have gone through!! brave girl!
i'm sure u r very careful with your own health now!! u'll take good care of yourself and thaz the main thing now! :kiss:

*I'm now using this forum as my substitute for emotional eating*
those r such true words 4 me, 2!! guess y i hang around here all the time!!! {rofl}

[Shasha]

:bighug: Megsy :bighug: & Everyone :bighug:

I'm so sorry that you lost your parents... and then had to move so far from home...

Don't worry, we'll be your cyber buddies!!! :bighug:
That's what friends are for... – you know the song... in good times and bad times, we'll be by your side forever more...

(FYI: Stress and trauma is a major cause for weight gain... Something happens, you go through stress and this has a psychosomatic effect on your body... before you know it the pounds start climbing... adding to the stress! Thankfully you have come to the right place you now have the right eating plan and you have all of us, YOUR CYBER BUDDIES... so just grab a cup of coffee / tea or better yet a glass of H2O and come and visit and relax at anytime...)

[jaynestart]

Hey Megsy!
Cool middle name! I was so sorry to hear about the loss of your folks. Im sure its tough.
We live in Northern Ontario and we had 2 days of -45 degrees C last week, so I guees you are enjoying the warmth of Colorado (in comparison!!). It gets easier, as I have found also with 1PD, day 6 for me and it is actually getting easier. I wish you every success and look forward to seeing your before and after photos as the year progresses. Best wishes
Jayne

[Shasha]

{hi} there JANE

THAT IS FREEZING!!!!

In such cold weather you could really feel hungry :hungry:

I recommend that you try some of the soup recipes: {pot} to help you keep nice and warm! {friendhug}

[cyberella]

hey there, miracle-megsy!! :flower:
:peace:
i just did some wondering how u managed 2 have reach your goal in only 3 weex ;).. as far as i understood u started on the 1st of feb and your ticker says u reached your goal of loosing 69 lbs...
did i get anything wrong or is the ticker meant as super-motivator?:jumping2:

[Megsy]

Hey there Cyberella!

I know....pretty amazing aren't I!!? {rofl} No not really - the story is I'm on my last day of week three, so my first weigh in is a week tomorrow. I was excited by the Ticker and wanted to create one asap but as I couldn't post an amount for weight loss to date, it came out with that I've already reached my goal. Odd isn't it - you'd think it would state I've got 69lbs until my goal - or something. Maybe the admin gurus can have a go at rectifying that one?

Very observant of you Cyberella!! :clapping3:
Chat again soon
Megsy

[mama]

Megsy - try and make the 'Current Weight' the same as the 'Starting Weight' - it should show 0 lbs lost.

[Megsy]

thanks mama! all fixed..

[Shasha]

{hi} there Everyone

I'm so glad that Admin managed to get the tickers... looks like you girls are having sooooo much fun! and, it helps to keep the focus on WHERE YOU ARE GOING!!!

Do you realise that you are BURNING FAT RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW WHILE YOU ARE READING THIS???

I must agree, THAT WAS VERY observant of Cyberella! :applause:

[cyberella]

thanx 4 praising me- i'm flattered..:party1:

hey, megsy! just wondered again :thinking:- besides the fact that u r very pretty :hypnotic: i wonder where u hid those 69 pounz u want 2 get rid of? sure not in your face, cause i hope it will stay right the way it is, dear!!!
just saw u r online.. here iz almost 1 am and i'll hit the sheez!!
good nite, all!!!- enjoy your saturday, as your's still last pretty much longer...

[Megsy]

ha ha {lol} just luv your sense of humor Cyberella!! Sorry I missed your message yesterday - I get interrupted often whilst trying to catchup with all the latest posts...

And I thank you for your flattering compliment :embarrassment: - if your baby is any indication of what you look like - you must be the hottest mumma in Austria!:love1:

And to answer your question of where those 69lbs are hiding? Well I thought they would disappear when I gave birth to my gorgeous kids - but no! Those rascally pounds obviously decided it was pretty cool to stick around (on me!!)

But I'm now beating them off with a big stick! {bat} And with the help of all you wonderful cyber friends. Oh yeah... and Dr Cohens diet!

[cyberella]

i had 2 laugh when u wrote that your little girl wanz 2 feed u, as "iz good 4 girls"...
well, we thought that 2, didnt we?!?!?!!{rofl}
un4tunately reality kicked some -big- ass here! {chucks}
(--i think thaz what reality will look like after i'll b done with it)

well, u'll b doing great in this program as i can sense your determination and dedication.. and everybody praised me 4 doing the diet while taking care of my baby- i have 2 pass this compliment on 2 u, as u have an even smaller baby..
i also wanted 2 start 1stpd asap, but little mr. cyberella decided it was his kind of nutrition 2 stick around mommies boobs on and on and on- (while mommy multiplied herself)--
he was even frustrated when i made the milk decrease right after his 2nd birthday;
so, if it would have been up 2 him, i'd still b breast-feeding him :disagree:

[Megsy]

Wow - that is a long time breast feeding, great for bubs but I could imagine the drain on you (pardon the pun). :laughing: I only lasted 7 weeks with number 2. After the move to the States it was all a bit stressful and he was a terrible sufferer of colic. He's just come out of it now at 5 months - our saving grace is he started sleeping through the night about 3 weeks ago.... ahhh bliss!
I must say I was surprised to read you have a 17 year old son also - only because I imagine you to be a young yummy mummy, way too young to have a son that age. Your youth comes through your words and your personality is so happily contagious, it always brings a smile to my face to read your posts. :jumping2:
So keep smiling Cyberella and look forward to your future posts!

P.S. Do you like my new Avatar? Talk about positive imagery hey!! {rofl}

[Shasha]

{hi} there Megsy


:clapping3: I LOVE your new Avatar :clapping3: Caution: Hot body ahead! :clapping3:


I think this is EXCELLENT!!!
WELL DONE !!!

[Shasha]

{hi} there Megsy


:clapping3: I LOVE your new Avatar :clapping3: Caution: Hot body ahead! :clapping3:


I think this is EXCELLENT!!!

WELL DONE !!!

[Megsy]

Thanks Shasha - it's a hoot isn't it! Everytime I read it, I'm owning it more and more. :applause:

Two more days til my first weighin.... can't weight (wait {rofl})

[Shasha]

{hi} there Megsy

That is so exciting - only two more days!!! YAAAAY!!!

Please come and give us an update in MY PROGRESS... :jumping2:

We know that whatever the scale says, your future holds a Hot Body Ahead! {cheerleader}

[cyberella]

hey, sunshine!!!
i loooove your avatar, 2!!!!!!!!!!! :peace: (this sign actually means: "V" as in victory--mrs. smartass wanz t adress)
iz reeeeaaallly coool and so very true!!
u'll b THE hot mama around!!! :party6: leaving broken hearted guys lying on the waysides of your path....

well ,about me, i am only 5 years older than u r- if i'm not mistaken, i think u posted that u r 36-
well, in my mind there is no such thing like age--
only in the body *sigh*.. i carried elias 3 nites up and down the place as he was in terrible pain and now i'm in pain, as my back is trying 2 kill me.... :gurney:
..but mind-wise i'm an estimated 12-15 year old.. (luckily that is not the criteria once u wanna enter a club :innocent4:

..and sorry 4 having been gone 4 so long!..

[BarbieGRRRL]

Good luck Megsy! I can't wait to hear your results as you started a few weeks ahead of me. It's so very hard not to step on a scale and just "see" if you are really losing numbers. And once you reach your goal, you'll have to get a BIG CAKE! Not to eat... to jump out of with your HOT NEW BODY!!!!! :party1:

Wishing you low numbers on the scale.....

[Swimmer]

Hi all,

I'm fairly new as well. I'm on my 19th day and just wanted some clarification on the actual weigh day. Will my first weigh-in be on day 28?

Things are going well for me, my only real problem so far comes from having to travel on weekends out of town. I had that first experience last weekend. I got advice from my consultant to just order grilled chicken or fish and a plain dinner salad. I had a hard boiled egg and sliced tomato for breakfast. One day, we had a catered lunch and I had to have deli turkey, that was the only thing "off program" that I ate.

I felt I did very well because I stuck to the correct foods. It is so tough not to be in control; not to be able to weigh and cook the food. I'm not sure my portions were accurate, but I did not waiver from the appropriate choices. I got right back on program on Monday and feel fine. I got pretty good at requesting that my food be broiled and not fried or cooked in oil. My travel companions were so supportive. We usually go out for dinner and they were sure to pick places that would allow me to stick to my program.

My guess is that my overall loss (60 pounds) might take longer, and I'm okay with that. This is a busy time of year for me as I do travel quite a bit. This weekend I'm taking my daughter to her State Swimming Championships and I have pre-measured and cooked all my food! We are staying in a hotel with a fridge and microwave. So, I can stay on program while I'm away this time. By the way, she is seated in the top 16 in all her events, top 8 in the Butterfly events!

I do need some advice on another not so fun issue. I have difficulty going to the bathroom. I hate to bring this up on the forum, but I'm wondering if taking some sort of fiber supplement is okay? Or taking a stool softener. Any advice here would be appreciated.

Hope you are all doing well and although I don't always have time to write and post, I do read the posts and appreciate everyone's support. This is a life changing process and a new lifestyle for me. When I was pregnant, I had gestational diabetes and was resigned to the fact that one day, I would eventually get the disease. I believe I have turned that corner and have at least a bit of an insurance policy now because of the way I'm eating and reducing my weight.

A bit about me...I am married and have three kids, age almost 13, age 9 and age 8. They are all so supportive and have actually begun eating better too. My secret goal is to get into shape to swim in Masters swimming again. I turn 50 next year, and would love to compete again.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts, ideas and support.
All my best.
Swimmer

[cyberella]

hi, swimmer!!
iz amazing that your daughter is such a great swimmer.. wonder where she got that from... hmmm, let me guess :thinking:

sorry 2 hear about your (un)"digestive" problems- i had some issues there as well, and found my solution, mayb it can make u happy, 2 :embarrassment::
when getting up in the morning i drink 1,5 liters of water, not 2 slow and not 2 warm - most times that already does the trick - if that sounz unreal: try it!!
and if thaz not enough, have your 160g of kiwi - if u wish with yoghurt and/or wheat brans (2 teaspoons we r allowed, according 2 shasha).
kiwi always helps getting your digestion going!
good luck! with everything..:)

[Swimmer]

Thanks for the ideas. I will give it a go. I didn't know about the bran. What is the allowance?

Your baby is so cute!!!!:angel:

Talk to you soon,
Swimmer

[Shasha]

{hi} there Swimmer

A very WARM WELCOME TO YOU :bighug:

Your 4 week weigh-in is done once you have completed 4 weeks and the day your 5th week starts, so if you started on a Monday for example, your weigh-in will also be on a Monday.

Well done on making such wise decisions during your travels {goodjob} this will surely help!!!

{congrats} with your daughter's wonderful swimming achievements!!! How nice that your goal is to swim in Masters swimming again - talk about a wonderful goal!!! I guess the apple really does not fall far from the tree then!!

Please remember that bowel movement twice a week is sufficient while you are on the Eating Plan. This is because you have reduced your intake (particularly starch). Please do not assume that a change in bowel movement indicates constipation.

You may take a fibre supplement such as Duphalac, Linseed or Psyllium Husks while being on the program. You should increase your water intake when taking extra fibre.

You can also use the bran as per Cyberella's post above :-)

[mama]

Swimmer - I've found that 'Ry Krisps Natural Crackers' (from the guide) is the best for a regular BM. It's very high in fiber and I haven't had any problem since I started eating it. I buy it at our local grocery store and eat 5 for my 6 crackers allowance.
I hope this helps.

[jaynestart]

hi Swimmer and welcome!
You could also try having a cup of boiling water, just like a cup of tea but without the teabag!Its one of those old wives tales/remedies that seems to do the trick with keeping you regular.
Good luck!