Weight Loss Journals - petecohen.tv

Feeling pretty good about yesterday, probably even more so after watching today's video.

I bought a punchbug yesterday and set it up in the garage as a way to get stress relief but I recognise it will have health benefits too. It's quite tiring but fun and cathartic too. I didn't go to the gym in the end but I definitely feel some slight soreness to indicate it did some good!

Food yesterday was pretty good, ate slowly although still overate a little, but definitely not as badly as I have done! At the moment, even when I eat something I think I should not have and feel like I have failed, I think back to days where I probably have been 10x worse so this is still improvement even if not perfect.

Am very gulty of this, one biscuit or a missed gym session indicates failure in my head. It's not true however, I should give myself credit for what I have done!

I now have 4 hours free time before boyf comes back so the plan (although I shan't give myself a hard time if I don't do both) is to do a resistance session and a run. As long as I achieve one, I will give mysefl credit!! To do both would be great though. I'm hoping that the endorphins Pete described from the first will power me through the second!!

Wish me luck!

oh, and a Happy Bank Holiday to all...

Lea x

Well, I didn't make my run yesterday due to an overdue delivery man but I did do a hit of resistance training instead. With that and the yoga, I'm really feeling some muscle pulls today, but all in a good way.

Was a bit upset last night with one thing and another and had a wobble but learned why and feel better equipped not to let the same thing happen.

I really need to eat when I am hungry and eat what I want, not what i think I should. I think that will make a big difference. Letting things get me down triggers angry helpless eating so really going to work on avoiding that today. In terms of tools yesterday 5/5 for water. 3/5 for eating slowly and 3 1/2/5 for exercise.

I read a useful tip in a magazine I wanted to share with those of you who are trying the "eat slowly" tool. Use the other hand, I ate my cereal much more slowly today because of that!

Off to the gym at lunch in 15 mins, have only eaten cereal so far and not feeling hungry so on track so far.

Happy bank Holiday to all!


Lea x

I can't beleive I'd fallen off the programmer for nearly a month! Wowee, after re-watching Day 1, i realised I really missed Pete's sensible advice. With a beach holiday only 2 weeks away I've become so focussed on what i will look like in a bikini that I'd really lost track of approaching this all sensibly!

Day 1 has reminded me to focus one day at a time, difficult, when you're a control freak who plans a month ahead!! So, two weeks left to focus on tools and tools only so no matter what I look like on holiday I can feel happy that i'm back on the right path!!

In the month off, I've been really good with water, I always drink the 2litres on a weekday, not so much on a weekend though. Exercise-wise I have been building up my running, did 4.5 miles on Monday at 10 min mile pace. I've been adding 0.5 miles each time and will try for 5 miles today (although maybe a little slower). I have managed to exercise in the hotel at conferences too. Took a skipping rope and did a little circuit based on 1 minute bursts. 1 min cardio followed by 1 x2 resistance, push-ups etc. Amazing how tiring it was - pitying the room below though ..lol.

So, why, I asked myself am i heavier than when I started the programme? Because i stopped getting my daily support and keep having food binges, promising myself to start afresh next day whilst continuing the bad cycles, again and again. So, I'm back to get my daily Pete fix to keep me on track.

Today has gone well, eaten only when hungry, All Bran for brekkie and soup plus half a bagel for lunch and lots and lots of water! Did some ashtanga yoga for 30 mins at lunctime, that got the heart rate going!!

My aim this time around is to be successful with the tools, that's it. I want to be giving myself 5 stars each day. I'm also going to give myself credit for being great as I am, i.e. ignore the duck and be nice to myself.

Finish soon so am hoping rain holds off long enough for my run!!

Hope all are well and enjoying the sun :o)

Lea x

Just a quick note to say that not only are you all very inspiring in your detereminatioon but you're a hilarious lot too!! These blogs make me smile and giggle...

Am pretty happy with my exercise tools at the moment, have been to the gym 4 days out of 5 this week. Done 2 cardio sessions and 2 resistance sessions plus jogging the 10 minutes to the gym as my warm-up. Will go again tomorrow, resting today, my boyfriend thinks I am addicted!!

I did eat some chocolate very quickly and unconsciously in the morning which would usually put me into a negative downward spiral. I managed to go on and eat slowly only heathly food; apple, cereal, ryvita and cheese, jacket with cheese and beans and 1/2 slice wholemeal bread, so feel redeemed.

Listened to mp3 twice already today (in my snoozy time this morning). Will try to listen again just before going out to dinner tonight. Meeting an old Uni friend and really want to make healthy choices and eat slowly. Am driving so alcohol cannot be an issue. I think doing the strong visualisation of my slim body will help keep me on track...

Wishing all a great weekend!

Lea

Apologies first to the sugar abandoners who are doing a stunning job!! Sorry to let the side down :o(

I tried to go without yesterday but ended up cutting down instead, hope that counts. I had been sugar free until 3 PM then my mind went crazy, became obssessed with going to the corner shop with chocolate and crisps on my mind. After fidgeting for an hour, I opted for a small bowl of wholegrain cereal with only 1/4 teaspoon of sugar. That really helped, the craving went and I ate healthily for the rest of the day.

Was the duck tricking me and i should have battled on? Or is it ok that I just had a small amount?

Today, I had sugar to start day again and have gone on to eat only small amounts of healthy food:

apple
ryvita and cheese
low fat wholegrain cereal

and I don't feel the need to eat any more. Maybe cold turkey played tricks with my mind?

I downloaded Petes new (old) track from the other web site last night and listened today, actually I like this a lot!! Rooms in the mind where you increase your metabolism and motivation, great great great!! I learned self-hypnosis a couple of years back and that fits in really well. I can see me using quiet 5 mins to concentrate on stoking that fire with unwanted fat...yuck!!

Anyone else listended to that one?

Hope all are good and enjoying the sunshine ;o)

Lea x

Please excuse me but in this blog I'm going to ahve a little ramble about the duck !!

I've been trying to figure out who the duck IS these last few days. I hope that in working out who he is, he'll be easier to tackle/ignore.

I figure it must be made up of a gaggle of people in our past, either recent or long ago who have ever said anything bad or negative about us or made us feel worthless. I'd like to think the duck wasn't actually a part of us, just remnants of people/situations we have experienced in the past.

So if the duck is not "us" per se, he/it should be easier to shift, no? After all, we now know we don't benefit from those people and/or their thoughts and opinions.

I am sure my duck is partly my father who spent some of my childhood telling me I was fat. I think it may even be my mum who forced me to eat when I was ill wth an upset tummy and I knew all I needed was fluid. Etc etc.

So even if the negative messages come from people I still hold dear, can I ignore what I learned from them? I hope that I can, after all, it's not me, it's not what I think, I have just absorbed it from others. I can chosse to give it back and carry on with my thoughts and feelings about food.

So everytime I hear the duck quacking, I will try and work out who it is, even if I can't I'm going to tell I don't need to hear that messge anymore. I'm choosing to think my own positive thoughts instead!!!

Sorry for babbling on, probably doesn't make sense but I just needed to witter on!

Best wishes to all...

Lea :o)

After reading blogs like Sanga's and Kathryn's I really decided to go anti-sugar. After a good ear-bashing from the duck , I stormed out to the supermarket and bought low sugar cereal and naturally sweet products instead.

It's amazing how much better I feel at this time of day than I usually would!!! (ie, climbing walls and obsessing about food).

I started the day with All Bran and raspberries (no added sugar - result!!) and a slice of wholemeal bread with marmite ( gotta love it ;o).

I am trying to graze so had some low-fat natural yoghurt, no sweeteners.

Here with lunch I am eating a Covent Garden soup with whoegrain ryvita spread with lettuce tomoato and beef flavoured quorn. No thought of chocolate or processed food in sight.

Ahead of me I have to look forward to ...crudites with reduced fat hummous and veggie burger and veg for dinner, The great thing I don't feel deprived thinking like that. Kiwi, apples and mango to hand for sweet cravings.

I CURRENTLY feel in control and REALLY hope I can hang onto that !!

Will try to pick up decaffeinated tea bags to start fighting that battle ( I drink about 8 cups per day!! - no sugar though :o)

My Louise Hay desk calendar has another relevant though I would like to share today...

"I am a very accomplished person and I deserve to succeed. I accept success!"

Today, I challenge you to acknowledge everything you have achieved so far, all the good things in your life you have made happen, and realise you can succeed. This si another thing you will succed at and you';re succedding right now, reading these blogs and not giving up.

Big positive thoughts going out to all today!!

Lea xx

Morning All,

I've realised that I am taking C2 more slowly, not watching videos over the weekend etc. Maybe I need to watch it all closer together to get more benefit. Does anyone else do this?

When I logged on I got my 3 month questionnaire and the Day 14 video asked me how I had got on? Looking back on these 2 weeks, my feelings are mixed, 3 takeaway dinners but 8 gym sessions. Good and bad behaviour. I really think sugar may be my downfall, sugar and chocolate. I've been eating Special K sustain for brekkie with a small spoon of sugar on top. Could this be starting me off the wrong foot for the day? I think natural yoghurt and fruit is the better option but I always prefer the cereal, is that a sign I'm addicted?

The 3 month questionnaire asked me for my weight and I was smug because I didn't actually know it since I threw away my scales. I have gained a lot of muscle from my 3/4 resistance sessions each week. My body is defnitely more toned from that!!! I have decided to add in some more cardio though.

About 4 years ago, I used to run for the joy of it, it shifted my cellulite and toned me up but that was all just a great side effect. Since moving towns in the last 3 years, I have only run to lose weight and not enjoyed it as much. I aim this week to do a couple of runs just for the love of running. Will try to get out today whilst it is still light and get down to the river. I also think running used to keep me slim because it kept my stress levels and therefore cortisol down. Wish me luck!!

I had a really tough day on Sunday, I know I've made progress and really started to tone up but I just had a day where I looked in the mirror and could only see the bad bits! Is that the duck that highlights those? Probably!!!

Anyway, not quitting but working hard today...so far:

Up at 5.30AM to do ..

20 min jog to gym and back
60 min resistance session

Eaten...

Special K
Yoghurt and fruit
Slice of leftover pizza!!! - arrggh!! - why does it taste still good the next day?

I am still heading in the right direction so will give myself credit for that.

Enjoy the sunshine all!

Lea :o)

Dear All,

Today has started well, I used my snooze time in bed to listen to R&T, it made me jump out of bed more refreshed than the second alarm does!!

I also spent last night making myself a motivation board with the help of my life DIY book to pin up at home/work. I took a picture from a magazine of a strong fit lady in gym gear. (this is my goal, not to lose weight as such but to be stronger slimmer and fitter). For this reason i threw the scales in the dustbin last week!!! All the trainign I have done has made me put on muscle.

Around the picture I stuck post-its with comments and phrases to cheer me on!!
- VISUALISE (to remind me to picture my ideal body)
- LIST OF GAINS ( confidence, control, new clothes - they're in the wardrobe they just don't fit!!)
- Action + Desire + Discipline = Results (this reminds me of all the components, where ACTION is following the tools)
-EXPECT TO SUCCEED (this is important for me, to remind myself that this time I will do it!!)
-ACKNOWLEDGE SUCCESS SO FAR (when the duck starts about the fact I have gained weight, I need to remember where I've shrunk and all the positive changes I've made so far!!)
-I HAVE ACHIEVED GREAT THINGS ALREADY (remind myself that I can and have achieved great things already so why should this goal be any different?)
-LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES - reminder that we are amazing and there we shouldn't apply limits, why can't you aim to be a size 12, run a 10k etc., of course you can!!

Anyway, I thought I'd share it because it is really helping me today. If you can think of anything to add to my board, let me know.

I did this becuase I needed a boost yesterday, had started really well, ran to gym, 1 hour resistance training, r&t, eat slowly then I went to the supermarket and bought silly food of which I ate too much. So, I set aside time to read some motivational books and do this board. I really hope it will help me.

My challenge/outomce for today is to make a healthy choice at the resto tonight, if what I want has a side a chips, I will request salad!!

Will let you know how I go....

Have a great day all!!

Lea :o)

Just an addendum: have eaten pretty well today, only 1 biscuit and have resolved to be a winner at the resto tonight. Done the mp3 and will try to listen again before leaving to increase motivation to eat healthy food tonight...

Been out of the programme for a few days due to being busy but feel back on track again.

Have booked some personal training sessions for the next 4 weeks (take advantage of being in the country). It's amazing how a different point of view really mixes things up!! I have been going to the gym at least 1 hour 3 times a week for 8 weeks and felt I had plateaued!! I threw out the scales (literally !!! in the bin) as the results were making me sad and starting the duck off.

In that 8 weeks I had defnitely toned in some places but I felt I should have seen more results. So J is now making me discover muscles I never knew I had and showing me lots more resistance moves. He even got me into the testosterone-filled corner of our gym with the heavy weights!!! (I'm surprised I didn't leave with a beard :o) lol.

Anyway, my favourite pair of jeans are still impossible to do up but my arms seem smaller as does the area under my bust. My waist also seems smaller (I'm an hourglass shape) but it makes my hips look bigger in comparison ...doh!

I'm trying to shut the duck up by explaining that soon the muscle will start to encourage the fat loss from my hips, arms and legs. But 8 weeks on and it's easy to listen to his remarks that IT'S NOT WORKING!!!

I have fully accomplished the tools of drinking, exercising and mp3. I think it's time to crank up the eating ones, priority 1 - EAT SLOWLY... I think that will help loads and have been focussing on that today and yesterday so might make that my only tool so I have no excuse but to pay attention!!

Out to dinner tomorrow evening so will try to order fish and salad and not eat it all (tempting when in a resto!).

Have a great Thursday all!!

Lea :o)

Hi All,

It's been a busy and food-filled weekend. I found myself so caught up in all the events that I wasn't following the tools AT ALL. I ate when I wasn't hungry and I definitely ate really fast. I did however notice that I didn't enjoy any of it at the time. So, I ate food I didn't really want that I didn't really enjoy. In fact, this may sound silly but it was like I ate more rubbish food than I wanted as punishment for eating any at all!! It's the "all or nothing" mentality...I think the duck had something to do with it...

I think it's made me realise that I need to slow down and think first, I'm always rushing around trying to fit loads in and convince myself there's no time to think about these things too much. This is the duck trying to sabotage me!! Putting mean little thoughts that I don't have time to treat myself well! I'm onto him now and am aware of his efforts to jeopardise my success!!!

Yesterday I did get back on track, 2l of water, 20 min walk and 1 hour PT session at the gym.

Today I am focussing on eating slowly and natural foods to try and reduce the bloat accumulated over the weekend!! Breakfast is banana and raspberries in natural yoghurt and I did a quick 15 min jog round the block today (no more, sore from the PT session still!!)

Happy Tuesday all!!

Lea :o)

Hi All,

Yesterday in Turkey was a big wobble, I was so sick of being there and really wanted to be at home so I ate food I didn't really enjoy and ate too much. I've decided to be gentle with myself knowing that being at home for 4.5 weeks now will allow me to set good habits for the next conference. Wasn't going to let the duck drive me to giving up.

Today i'm taking a break from videos and starting Day 10 tomorrow (hence today is 9.5). At home today, I've definitely eaten better than away but no fresh food in the house means I could have done better. I leave in a mo for the supermarket so will stock up on goodies then.

I noticed something funny today, I had a 121 with my line manager for the yearly reviews. I feel really blessed that she acknowledged my hard work (and long travel hours) with an above average payrise and bonus. Lucky me. But what happened next was scary. I was so happy to be recognised I decided to reward myself for doing well....so what did I do? Bought chocolate!!!! Not a large bar, just a finger of fudge and then organised to go to to dinner to celebrate.

Why was celebration all about food? I did what I was programmed to do and rewarded myself with "special" food. Funny how we do that. Dinner tonight I'm not too concerned about because it will be the "event"and not the food and I am happy to make healthy choices tonight. I jst wish that my instant thought for reward was something I was NOT food oriented. It's funny how it's an instant available reward. A new item or clothing or CD for reward would not ahve been so easily accessible at my moment of joy would it? I guess the fact I realised it and indulged only a little means I have defninitely improved. Still a way to go.

Anyway, still patting myself on the back after a 30 minpower walk, 1 hour at gym and likely to do the 2litres today.

Hope all have enjoyed the spring sunshine!

Lea :o)

HI All,

My, we are all chatty today, good to see so many people online.

Here I am in the penultimate day of conference and feeling a lot better about my wobble than yesterday. I went to the gym this morning before we started and had fruit for breakfast and lots of salad and protein for lunch, a mini dessert but nothing massive. I woke up before the alarm this morning so have already listened to the mp3 track, so 2/4 tools done. Whilst working in the room, I have snakced on fruit and nuts instead of the goodies in the fridge.

Have eaten a little past full though, still something to work on. At these conferences, there is always SO MUCH choice, which is dangerous, you want a little bit of everything. Can't wait to get home tomorrow where I will then be in the country for 4,5 weeks and in a position to exert control over food and exercise.

My boyfriend has alreay cottoned onto the fact that any day spent with me does involve me fitting in the gym at some point. He's naturally slim and says he likes me the way I am so is struggling slightly with my commitment time-wise to this. He does however compliment so we give him some points fpr that. I aim to finish the 2 litres of water by 7PM so can then count off 3/4 tools.

For those of you who like the Louise Hay way of thinking, I'd like to share with you my daily desk calendar offering from her today (even when travelling I carry these with me for a daily pick-me-up).

"It is time for rejoicing. Today I recognise my own self-worth and beauty".

That is very fitting for all of us. Each day, we are logging on and continuing with this programme because we believe we are worth investing in. We think it's worth following the programme and making these small but important changes. So even, if you wobbled today or yesterday, rejoice, you have acknwlodged how importnant you are by not giving up.

Wishing all a lovely day.

Lea x

I'm sitting realising how much I like the idea of measuring my success by success with tools as it makes me feel better about my wobbles last night and today.

My tools were:

*2 litres water
*activity session
*R&T
* eat slowly

If I wasn't remembering that, my duck would be having a field day telling me how rubbish I was last night and today (and it is trying still, I'm just la la la'ing and drowning him out!!). I have succumbed to all the edible conference temptations and completely ignored my full feelings. Well, based on that alone I would have given myself a 2/10 today.

However, if I look at the positive side of achieving all the 3 other goals, I get a 7.5 out of 10, a 75% on track with the tools and thats helps to shut the duck up. I also took a leaf out of Pixie's book and spent a few minutes acknowledging the changes to my physique since taking up the resistance training. I could see improved tone in lots of places plus a little fat loss in others. the duck tried to jump in and point out where there was still plenty of fat but I tried to ignore him.

I have time enough for more gym tomorrow and am quire enjoying this hotel's gym , it is well equipped and I'm having to use different machines to work musclles so that is a challenge to my body (and brain - to figure them out!!). Let's see if I can score 10/10 tomorrow with the same tools.

Hope all are doing well, I hear so much about Debs' reciped I'm determing to do a veggie one/version when I get home!!

Take care all,

Lea :o)

Here I am landed in Turkey ready for a 3 day conference. I travel a lot for my job and often find these conferences my downfall. You can't eat as and when you want.

I attended Pete's seminar in London and speaking to him and Debs gave me sone great ideas for preparing to make these trips easier and to fit in with the tools.

Firstly, I packed some resistance tubes in the case (ready for strength training in the bedroom if a long day means I can't get to the fitness centre). I also packed my own healthy cereal and nuts to snack on in the breaks ( to help avoid the cakes!!!).

Usually I would eat a hot breakfast at the airport leaving me overfull (veggie plane food stinks). Instead I went to Pret a Manger, got a tuna sandwich and a couple of fruit bowls. It meant on the plane I could graze lightly WHEN i was hungry rather than eating a heavy meal before boarding that I didn't really want.

It is now 5.30 PM here and I've eaten the fruit, some yogurt and the sandwich. In terms of the food provided at the conference, I've decided to look at it differently. There is always vast amounts of salad so I can eat that instead of the carb heavy veggie options (pasta and potatoes). I can't control WHEN i eat but i can control WHAT and that is the thing to focus on.

I've checked out the gym beforehand via the internet so packed my gear and intend to go this evening, I will miss dinner but it will be too early UK time to eat and I don't have to panic about being hungry later because of all the healthy snacks.

So, I feel well -prepared but I won't lie and say to be this well-prepared was easy...(it wasn't - I had to make a list and check it 3 times) but since I travel 1-2 times per month if I keep practising, it will be habit so this is a start!

Here till Wednesday so I'll let you now if all the work up front pays off!

Hope you are all enjoying the latter half of the weekend.

Lea :o)