Cohen's Lifestyle Deviation on Cohens and Refeeding

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janzoorah

New member
Hi there
I started the program on the 1st of November 2008 at 76.9kg. My goal weight is 57kg to 60kg.
I followed the program 100% except for 2 days before my 4 week blood test I had a piece of chocolate. (How stupid really I cant believe I did that!!)
I went in for the weigh in and had lost 8 kilos in 4 weeks which I was so happy and proud of but my bloodtest said DEVIATE:banghead:
We went on holidays in December to London Paris Spain and Florida for 5 weeks so I didnt follow the program 100% because we were always on the go I made sure I ate protein and salad/vegs 3 times a day and had the occasional wine and chocolate but no breads pasta or rice.
I didnt put on more than 1kg while I was on holidays which also was a great achievement for me but I was so ready to come back and get back on the program so I can get down to my goal weight.
When I got home I was due for a bloodtest within 12 days so I restarted the program and followed it 100%went and for the blood test but my second bloodtest has come back DEVIATE again:banghead:
I have lost more weight since I got back and now am at 63kg 6kg away from my lower goal weight range which is where I want to get. BUT it was my birthday on the 29th of Jan and I had a big party and ended up deviating on that day. Now I am due for my 3rd bloodtest on the 21st of Feb 10 days away and am thinking my bloodtest is probably going to say DEVIATE once again. SO being so close to my goal weight now I am going to be ready for my refeed soon and am worried I wont get a chance to have another bloodtest that will be clear before getting to my goal weight.
SO my concern now is how this is going to affect my refeeding part of the program???? I am so stressed and worried about this because I dont want to put the weight back on ever again. Will my refeed still work??
Anyone out there that went through the same thing I would love to hear some experiences. I am glad and proud to have lost the weight but I want it to be gone for good!!
 
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Hi Janzoorah

I am doing Cohen's a second time. The first time I had a really nice mentor and when I advised her of the date I intended to deviate, she advised me to delay blood test until 10 days after a deviation to ensure a clear blood test result for Dr Cohen. If you are still getting a deviation response to a blood test after more than ten days has past then perhaps you need to consult with your mentor and check you are following all instructions correctly for your eating program.


Simple deviations can include, pre-mixed herbs and spices, too much fizzy drink or sweetners, incorrect chewing gum, eating crispbreads less than 2.5hrs after or before a meal, eating more than your designated fruits, not drinking enough water, not getting enough sleep, mistakenly eating non-designated vegetables, Using multivitamins not approved by Cohen's program, etc (really there are just too many to list!).

But I really think you should contact your clinic and ask for advice .... incase it is not the known deviation that is the problem...One lady kept getting a deviation result for her blood test and it was investigated by her clinic and all she was doing was eating tuna too often... So on that note, check that your Cheese meals are once every three days or 2-3 days per week and there is also some similar guidelines to tuna meals, but at the moment the golden rule eludes me... So once again best to check with your clinic.. In my experience when the clinic was unable to answer my questions they emailed Dr Cohen, his response is usually quick...

Where are you located? Are you using an Australian Clinic or are you an online client of cohens?

Best of luck and hope that you can resolve this issue.. Fingers, feet and toes crossed that your next blood test is Perfect...

Bye for now
weigh2fat
 
Oh hello
Thanks so much for ur reply, I am in Perth Australia doing the Cohens program and I have found it fantastic and really the best thing I ever did but I worry about the bloodtest because I want my refeeding to be 100% accurate and I was so disapointed with my last bloodtest saying deviate because I was back on the program for around 2 weeks and delayed my bloodtest 3 days hoping it would be ok but it wasnt eventhough I was 100% sure that I did not eat anything i wasnt supposed to. But today after speaking to my wonderful and helpful consultant at the clinic I feel a little better and I think my deviation result may be due to some of the examples u have stated... ur so right so many factors could give a Deviate result.
Today I was told by my consultant to not worry and focus and be proud of my acheivements and keep going and she also said the worst thing could be that my refeeding may not be as accurate as it could be but that wouldnt mean that I havent succeeded in the program or that I would pile kilos back on or most importantly that my refeeding wont work. She said I will be fine.. I have a bloodtest on the 21st of Feb I am hoping and praying that will be ok because apparently if I get to my goal weight before my next blood test in March (which i should having only 6 kilos to go) then Dr Cohen will need to use the February bloodtest results for my refeeding. I will let u know how I go. Once again thanks for ur reply it was very helpful and informative..
 
Janzoorah- Weigh2Fat has answered perfectly so I won't add to her advice. You have done very well & should be proud of yourself. Mostly the consultants are on our side & want to help. It's best to keep them informed of what is happening so that they can help us properly. I think most, if not all, of them have been over-weight & lost on Cohen's, so they understand.
Well done & good luck with your next blood test & re-feed. I wouldn't be in too much of a rush to start it at 3kg above your goal weight, unless of course you are starving, as it's much harder to go back on later to drop a few kilos. You can always adjust up a few kgs if you are not happy with your body at that weight. Know that your skin etc adjusts after a few months to fit your new body. How exciting for you! Cheers, Cate
 
Hi all,
weigh2fat, you mentioned not being allowed to eat tuna too often. Does anyone know what this rule is. Its the first time I've heard it mentioned and I'm now a bit concerned as I eat tuna every day for lunch and some days for dinner as well!!:eek: I'm not sure if I'm doing a big no no or not. If anyone knows anything else, could you please let me know.
Thanks
Beck
 
oops

Hi beck, Cate and janzoorah

... well the tuna thing was my input.. I am sure someone on this forum posted something about tuna...?...Anyone else remember??

Maybe i steered my mother and janzoohrah wrong and if that is the case everyone please accept my apologies..

my only defence is I dont eat fish... yuk yuk yuk... anyway so i take responsibility for the tunagate incident.... ha ha ha..

Well janzoorah i am glad to hear that you have spoken with your clinic and they have reassured you... i have to make this post short as i need to collect my daughter from daycare soon but will be back in later...

Be kind, be strong and be good

TTFN
Chelle
 
rjm said:
Hi all,
weigh2fat, you mentioned not being allowed to eat tuna too often. Does anyone know what this rule is. Its the first time I've heard it mentioned and I'm now a bit concerned as I eat tuna every day for lunch and some days for dinner as well!!:eek: I'm not sure if I'm doing a big no no or not. If anyone knows anything else, could you please let me know.
Thanks
Beck
Click to expand...

It was me. You have to be careful eating Tuna everyday because of the potential Mercury poisoning. You can use a calculator to determine what you can eat per week and still be "safe"

I had asked my consultant about it and she refered me to the mercury calculator to determine what I can eat each week based on my weight. It has changes a little as I've lost weight.
 
Hi there again Weigh2fat
I was wondering in ur post u said that the mentor advised to postpone one of ur bloodtests for 10 days after deviation to ensure a good blood result and I am due for my bloodtest on the 21st Feb (next Sat) is it ok to go out of the original blood test cycle? I am thinking of going for my test on the 24th of Feb because I will be deviating for Valentines Day. My husband wants to take me out for dinner and I dont want to say no and be a party pooper!! So I think I will delay my blood test to the 24th of Feb..
I ask because I was told by one of the ladies at Cohens (not the mentor I am seeing) that even not having ur blood test on the day ur supposed to can cause a DEVIATE blood test result...
Thanks Janzoorah
 
I just read this thread and I have never been told anything about eating too much tuna. I eat it maybe 2-3 times for lunch per week? hoping thats okay!!

Also I deviated once before my first blood test but my consultant did not say anything about the results??? Do everyone else's consultants talk to you about your blood test results? Mine has never said a word..........

I am also a little worried about my refeeding program being accurate because I have had a couple of deviations and with so many things coming up in the next few months, i will do my best to get through deviation free but we are going away for a week in the first week of January so I'm not sure whether I'll make it through sticking to cohens 100% seeing as I'll be away from home - I'll just do my best!

Anyone have anything extra to add on this deviation/refeed accuracy issue???

Cheers
Kristy
 
Deviation

Hi Everyone

Ive never been on here before but just reading the posts on deviation now has me really stressing. I admit I know I dont have alot of weight to loose but I believe everyone is on their own journey and I turned to Cohens after it being recommended by my natropath. Im 31 and when I was 28 my husband was tragically killed, following I lost and extreme amount of weight only to eventually pile that and more back on. My metabolism was completely out of whack from everything that happend. Basically not eating for 8mths then when i started to again its just piled on and wouldnt budge which added to my depression and anxiety.

I have been trying for over a year to loose that bit of extra weight including 2 x Personal Training lessons a week gym nearly every day and trying nearly every diet and 'trick' in the book - only to not loose even 1kg not 1. At my wits end my natropath recommeneded Cohens. I have only been on for 2 and a bit weeks and already seeing great results.

My biggest challenge had been not drinking alcohol and suddenly I am feeling like cake?? Im so worried now about the blood test im due on 30th Nov but I have had the smallest bit of 'sugar free' chocolate tonight and a couple of smarties and also seriously like 3 hot chips, I also eat alot of tuna. So my results are obviously going to say deviation???

WHat does this actually mean.. I know its all my fault for deviating, but just wondering what happens when you have a blood test and it indicate deviation. ALso im worried about this SUnday im throwing my sister a baby shower and there will be deviate food all around me - but im not going to deviate now after reading these posts but man this really is challenging. Sometimes I almost feel like crying even though I can already see results and that makes me happy (Emotional!!!)

I guess I need to stop, breath and refocus. Anyway sorry for blabbering on im just worried i have undone all of the whole 2 weeks work i have done. And thats not anyone else problem but mine but i thought I would take this oppurtunity to discuss it with people who are on Cohens and understand..

Thanks for listening
 
Hey Newco

I am sorry to hear about the tragedy of loosing your husband and the battles you have faced since. My heart really does go out to you. You have come to the right place for support as I have found the people on these forums are so genuine and really are willing to reach out to each other and give advice and support when needed....

I am probably not the best to give you advice at the moment as I have been battling with cohens for the past week or so and have really stressed myself out because of it. I know this isn't a wise thing to do because I chose to commit to cohens 100% when i started the program but I'm having a week off :( I feel its what I need to get re-focused and loose the last half of what I need to loose.. I have a feeling the last 7kgs are going to come off very slowly :(

Like I said I'm not one to give advice on deviating because I'm actually CHOOSING to deviate from the program here and there this week.... but from what I understand, it will set you back a week. I am not sure how the blood results work with showing up a deviation, I am going to ask my consultant this on Thursday!!! I think if there are a lot of deviations over the life of the program it can effect how accurate your refeed is... but this is what I'm asking as well!!!! Is by me choosing to have this week off going to mean dr cohen will refuse to write me a refeeding program when i eventually get there???? does the clinic expect everyone to have such discipline that they will get through the program deviation free? hmmm, I sure hope not.. at the moment, I'm thinking to myself that as long as in the end I get to my goal weight and obviously I really want to complete my refeed also... that I will be proud of myself for making that accomplishment!!! all journeys have their ups and downs and we just learn from them :)

There I go blabbering on!

This is a real challenge and newco, keep coming back to the forums and hopefully next time you'll get someone who will be able to give you better advice (so sorry!!)..

Just keep doing the best that you can do, and remembering you deserve this.

Thank YOU for listening to my babble!!!!
Kristy
 
Hi Kristy

Thanks for responding and your kind words. I have been racked with guilt all night lol! Anyway I might email my mentors today and see what they say I really wanted to be on my refeed before christmas which they said i probably would be as Im going overseas for a holiday after christmas.

Dealing with weight issues is hard enough for eveyone and you and everyone else on here are amazoing people - the wieght loss I have read about people is amazing a credit to the strength of people.

Weight and grief is a hard road but I feel if I can get to my goal weight it is one more thing i can stopfeeling so sad about. Its also hard at the moment as im going through court battles due to my husbands accident so the pressure is on - i normally wouldnt reach out to food as a saviour but i defiently reach out for alcohol. It became my coping mechanism - so its been so hard not to drink - but i do feel better for it. But like they say sometimes thing like alcohol and food become like your friend and its hard to let go of that friend sometimes.

Sorry blabbering again!

Anyway I hope your appointment goes well and I wish you all the best.

Today im going into the day woth a positive mind and not letting anything get in my way of my goal!

Have a great day :)
 
Hi newco

Wow that's a lot to cope with at a young age. Good on you for having the mental and emotional strength to start Cohen's :hurray:

I'm not an expert, either, having only started a week ago but I am an expert in cheating with eating, feeling guilty and then just giving in and totally self sabotaging!!!

You've had that small deviation - it's done, it's NOT the end of the world, now you just need to re focus on what you're aiming for and get started again! Don't beat yourself up about it - that will only make you feel worse!

I understand how hard it is with the alcohol - I pretty much don't drink, but I am a chocoholic, I could hardly go a day without chocolate, and I'm still really craving that sweet taste. I used to almost shake when I walked down the choc aisle at the supermarket, and I rarely left without some !!!! Hopefully that desire for alcohol will abate very soon.

All the best with the court case, as well - I can imagine that's a very stressful thing for you to deal with, and I hope it's over very quickly.
Ali
 
Hi Newco- & welcome to the forum. I agree with most of Ali's post & it's lovely to see her being supportive & positive as she is new also. That's one of the things that I like about this forum. You have had way too much to deal with at such a young age and I am truly sorry. Don't worry about any mistakes you have made in the past. That's where they belong. Stop stressing about it as it makes everything worse. Our consultants are there to support us & help us succeed on Cohen's. Forget the naughty/good thing & instead focus on succeeding & getting to goal. Imagine how good you will feel when you seriously commit to completing Cohen's 100% & getting to your goal weight. Focus instead on doing that. You will start to feel much stronger when you regain control.

This is not about being told what you can or cannot have, This is you taking control of your health & future well-being. It's your choice & your responsibility & it is in you to do it I'm certain. If I can do it anyone can. I've said it a squillion times but I honestly believe it. I've had a lifetime of losing weight, regaining weight but had never really changed my attitude until 2 years ago when I did Cohen's.
It's not all down to the program; it's as much down to my determination to succeed this time in making this a permanent change & building my self-esteem by whatever means I could including having counselling. I would imagine that you have had grief-counselling but I think it would be beneficial to see someone now to help you along at this stage of your life. Sometimes it helps to just speak your thoughts out loud to a stranger, but especially one who is trained to help.

You will feel so much better about yourself & your life if you succeed so give yourself every chance. Incorporating exercise into your maintenance will help you keep it off when you get to goal & to feel much better about yourself. Take care & know that we will be here to support you. Sending you a big hug, Cate.
PS I don't use the words "if" I prefer "when"
I love the saying "Do or do not. There is no try." by Yoda. It's funny but when you tell yourself that this time you are doing it, not just trying, your brain can click into the right gear & help you to be absolutely determined.
 
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Hi Cate and Choclover

Thanks so much for all of your advice it really does help. It also helps so much knowing I can jump on here and get my questions and feeling out without feeling too silly.

I still go to my psychologist and he is a great help along with my natropath. I emailed my clinic today - I felt like I was at confession lol! I havent heard back yet, but like you said whats done is in the past and now I am refocusing on an exciting slim future!!

Thanks guys x

"I am doing this!!" :)
 
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