Hi, I have just finished my first week, and reading this forum has helped heaps! This is my second attempt at the program and after seeing that I'm not alone I thought this is a great way to keep on track! I certainly am feeling motivated to stick to it this time after reading how many kilo's everyone is losing (or has lost!!) I know it's all about sticking to it! I must say though, that after my first weekend, the non-drinking part is super hard!!

Welcome Lumpy and good luck. This is my second time, too. We can do it... just have to keep our eyes on the prize. I type that as I'm fighting a craving for chocolate!

Hi all,
I think there are more second timers than first timers at the moment. Its good to see that we're not alone. Good luck everyone, Lets make this our last time!!
Beck

Hi, thanks for your welcome. I am going to find this a great outlet when those tempting times come around, like now when I crave for vegemite on crackers! I've even got a headache, withdrawals I reckon from not having it for eight days!! I've learnt from the last time that I can't break it once, not even by putting vegemite on my 2 biscuits in the afternoon, 'cos if I know that if I break it once, it's all over, tomorrow I'll be eating toast with vegemite!! and probably 4 slices!! Well that's enough talk on vegemite, but I do feel good knowing I'm not the only one starting this program again! Thanks!

Last time I did Cohens I thought I would go crazy as I missed vegemite so much. It was the one thing that really tempted me to break, but I didn't and since i finished it I haven't really felt like vegemite that much and don't often eat it any more (I used to have it at least 2 or 3 times a day). It must be part of being raised an Aussie kid. Vegemite is a staple in every Aussie kids diet!!

Hi Lumpy, I'm with you on the Vegemite! OMG do I love it! It's so salty though & we would be much better off without it....but.....Seriously though it does make you retain fluid. After re-feed some consultants recommend it as a snack on your crackers. I have it without any other spread like butter or margarine occasionally(not at the moment though). It'll still be about later don't worry. They wouldn't dare take our Vegemite away, cheers, Cate.

Hi, well it's great to hear I'm not the only one that loves vegemite! I got over my afternoon craving, the next one will probably be when I make the kids a vegemite sandwich with fresh bread for lunch! (or it could be if they ask for toast and vegemite for breakfast which is even worse!!) as you can see I am a vegemite addict! I have definately learnt some valuable lessons from my last attempt on Cohen's and that is how important it is not to deviate at all! I'm wondering if there is anybody else who is so extreme that the whole lot goes out the window even if one extra cracker is eaten. I was only 5 kilo's from my target last time so I didn't get the "Refeed", I was under the impression you had to reach your target before ordering the refeed, is this true? I didn't know about this forum last time though, and I'm sure this is going to help heaps!!! There are some really inspirational members out there, so thanks already for getting me through the first week!!
Catch ya later!

You're not alone in being exteme, all or nothing. That was my downfall last time. I gave myself permission to have real cheesecake on my birthday and then it was all over. I went on a weekend binge and couldn't recover. That's why, this time, deviating is not an option!

I've never heard of vegemite outside of these forums. I guess it isn't available in the US?

Hi, well I'm heading towards my third weekend and finding it's getting a lot easier! Yesterday my young son had a small packet of potato chips and when I opened them for him I nearly pinched one before I handed them to him. I found that by thinking about what would happen made me stop in my tracks, rather than just quickly eating one. I knew that one chip was going to make me look for something else later and then I would spend the rest of my holidays putting back on the 3kgs I have lost! So I'm still at it, I weighed myself after 2 weeks, now I'm going to wait until the 4 weeks is up. I feel that this time I've lost less than when I did it first time round, but going by what other people have said, it's that I need a new programme instead of using my old one. But financially I cannot afford it at the moment (especially with a vet bill coming in tomorrow at $1700!!) Hopefully I can save up for another one, but for now I'm going to keep on track because even if I only lose 1 kg a week, that's better than nothing, and I do feel so much healthier and get heaps more achieved in a day!

Hi Lumpy. How long ago did you do the program? I wonder if it has changed much since. There may be something you are having that is not on program that may be affecting your weight loss. I know I had to read my program almost every day to get it right 100%. I was having Chinese 5 spice early on, not knowing it has filler & that would have slowed me down. I'm sure it is best to get a new program & more importantly I think to have the regular blood tests but I too could not afford it & have done my original program. As you say you are feeling really good on the program so that in itself is good, even if the weight may be coming off slower than you would like. All the best with it, cheers, Cate.