Help - FAQ

General Questions:

• What is coaching?
  Coaching is a form of guidance given to one person or to an entire team. Its main purpose is to address the needs of an individual and to develop his or her potential. Individual and group coaching is a method that allows each person to evolve and reach the best of his/her abilities. We help them by finding the right solutions.
• How does the program work?
  It’s simple. The program is designed to help you achieve your goal. We do this by sending you helpful tips, food guidelines, and sessions via e-mail and video every day. As soon as you register, you will have access to a set of tools especially developed to facilitate your progress in the program and your weight loss goal.

  You can take note of your progress day after day by writing in your weight loss journal. You can restart the program any time you want within the year.

• Is the coaching program restrictive?
  Not at all! The best part about the program is its flexibility. You can easily adjust the program according to your needs and availability.
• How/Where do I send my comments and suggestions?
  You can send your specific questions to our team of experts dedicated to the program by clicking on the Contact at the bottom of the page. If you're already a client, you can directly access the "personal questions" space to send your ideas for improvement. Comments are always welcome!
• Can I lose weight without working out?
  Yes! If you’ve already made changes to your eating habits and with your relationship with food, then you will see significant changes in your weight, physical activity, and your sleep. Still, exercise has a positive effect on your mood and keeps you healthy. You will stay in shape, replenish your energy and regulate your sleep. Although exercise helps you lose weight, it is more important to see it as a health benefit.
• What is the weight loss journal?
  The weight loss journal is an online tool where you can track your daily progress and your daily food intake. Here, you can write your activities and insights about the program each day. This allows you to take note of your continuing progress, the fulfillment of your objective, and the difficulties that you will eventually encounter. When you have diet questions, the team of licensed dietitians can refer to this tool to fully understand your history.
• What is the purpose of the coaching videos?
  The videos are included in the e-mails that you receive. They help you better understand certain aspects of the program. They motivate you and also provide supplementary information that are not available on the site.
• What is the purpose of the forum?
  The forum is a place where you can exchange ideas with people who are participating in the program at the same time. You can learn from others' experiences, and they, in turn, can learn from yours. It's a place for encouragement, motivation, and respect for your endeavor.
• How can I contact the team?
  To consult with your assigned dietitian in the program, simply post a question or message on the "diet questions" page. Write your question in the "question" field, and don't forget to click on "send". You have unlimited number of questions that will allow you to have a permanent line with them whenever you have personal questions concerning the program.
• How much is the program?
  This service is available at the discounted rate of only 99¢ a day, if you avail of the 6-month program at a one-time payment of only $174.00. You can also receive a discount by availing of the 3-month program at a one-time payment of $117.00. The regular price of the program, if you choose to pay for only 1 month, is $59.00.
• Can I receive a printed copy of the program in the mail?
  The Parisian Diet program is entirely available only on the Internet. All exchanges are carried out through e-mails and messages online. No documents will be sent in the mail.

Specific Questions About the Weight Loss Program:

• Is the program adapted more for women than men?
  The proposed program can be followed both by women and men. Nevertheless, it is true that men have higher energy requirements than women, so it is best for men to follow the Gourmet Plus plan.
• Is the program safe for diabetics?
  The Parisian Diet program by Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen is compatible with non-insulin dependent diabetes. Thus, this weight loss program will lead to the improvement of your blood sugar levels. Appropriate advice will be provided during this program to help you in your approach.

  This is not supposed to replace the advice of your physician or a medical check-up, so please consult with your primary health care provider before undergoing the program.

• I have high cholesterol levels, is this program for me?
  The diet program may actually be beneficial in the regulation of cholesterol or triglycerides. Appropriate advice will be provided during your program.
  This is not supposed to replace the advice of your physician or a medical check-up, so please consult with your primary health care provider if you would like to undergo the program while afflicted with high cholesterol levels.

  This is not supposed to replace the advice of your physician or a medical check-up, so please consult with your primary health care provider before undergoing the program.

• I am vegetarian. Is there a specific menu for me?
  Vegetarian menus are now available in the program. If you would like to follow the vegetarian meal profile, simply go to your profile or account options, click on the Preferences tab and choose Vegetarian on the Meal Plan dropdown menu.
• How is it possible to lose 30 pounds in 3 months?
  The Parisian Diet is made up of three phases:

  The Café Phase (8-10) days, where you can lose between 8-11 pounds.

  The Bistro Phase (2-3 weeks), during which you can also lose 8-11 pounds.

  The Gourmet Phase, where you can lose 8-11 pounds in the first month, and 6-9 pounds each month thereafter.

  It is possible to start The Parisian Diet right at the Gourmet phase and still lose close to 30 pounds. The Café and Bistro phases are optional phases designed to jump-start your weight loss.

  The rate at which you lose weight is based on many factors, such as your starting weight and overall health. 30 pounds in 3 months is an average and approximate figure, based on the results of those who have followed Dr. Cohen’s programs around the world.

  Changing your eating habits and your relationship with food, and adding a moderate amount of physical activity will help speed up the weight loss process.

• Is the program suitable for people with busy lifestyles?
  This program is designed primarily for busy, stressed and over-worked individuals. When an elaborate recipe is suggested, you can opt to simplify the dish. We also thought about people who eat out a lot when conceptualizing this program.
• What is a BMI calculator?
  A BMI (body mass index) calculator is a simple program that calculates the BMI of an individual. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is calculated by dividing your weight (in pounds), multiplying it by 703, then dividing it by your height (in inches) squared.

  Your BMI is computed automatically when you update your weight graph. Please be sure that you entered the correct figure for your height. You can adjust this in your Profile settings, under the Preferences tab.

• Can I continue the program after 6 months?
  Yes you can! The program will simply continue and you will receive new videos, meal plans, and recipes from Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen.

Technical Problems:

• How long after signing up does the weight loss program start?
  The program starts on the Monday following your registration.
• I've received my password for my personal account. How do I access my account?
  To access your weight loss account through your e-mail address and password, please visit the homepage of the site, then at the upper right corner of the page, click on the button "Login".
• How do I change my password?
  You can change your password right now. To do so, go to your profile or account options, click on the Preferences tab and find the mention "Password: Modify" under "Privacy", and then follow the instructions.
• How do I change my email address?
  To change your e-mail address, log in with your personal details, and click on Contact at the bottom of the page. Specify the reasons for changing, write your new e-mail address, and send your request.
• I am not receiving my email program!
  It is likely that your e-mail server or you have activated an anti-spam filter. If you wish to receive our messages and leave your anti-spam filter on, add our e-mail address as an exception to the anti-spam rule. If you are using Yahoo Mail, Gmail, Hotmail, or other web-based mail clients, check your Spam folder if our messages have been redirected to that folder. If it is, mark the message as "NOT SPAM" and transfer it into your Inbox. This should fix the problem, and you should receive subsequent program e-mails.
• What do I do if my payment has been rejected?
  Less than one percent of connection attempts are denied, but this may sometimes occur due to simultaneous attempts from several users. Simply send us your proof of payment in order to identify your transaction and validate your account.

Payment Questions:

• Where do I register for the weight loss program?
  To complete the registration form for the program and make your payment online, you can click the button that says "sign up now" on every page of the site, or in your e-mails once you’ve taken the free diet profile. Make sure all fields are filled, and pop-up blockers are disabled to continue registering.
• What payment methods are accepted?
  You can pay for your program by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, AmEx) or Paypal.
• Is the credit card payment method secure?
  We use a secured online payment system to ensure the utmost security of your subscription to The Parisian Diet. By paying via credit card, you are sent to a secure site.
• Can I pay in cash?
  Cash payment is not yet available in our platform.
• Can I pay in installments?
  Whatever the chosen plan - one month, 3 or 6 months; full payment is made at the start of the program. Breaking down the payment across several installments is not accepted.
• Am I going to receive payment confirmation?
  Yes, you will receive through e-mail a confirmation once your payment has been made. The e-mail confirmation includes specific details about your payment.
• What useful information do I need when I write about my concerns?
  Whenever you contact our customer support team (by clicking the Contact link at the bottom of the page), it is important to include the following information:

  • the e-mail address with which you subscribed
  • your order number
  • the duration of your program: 1 month, 3 months, or 6 months
• Is my subscription automatically renewed upon agreement?
  No. Rest assured that there is no automatic subscription payments.
• What should I do if I want to renew my program?
  If you wish to renew your program, you will have to make another payment and re-enter your payment details. Towards the end of your subscription period, you will receive an email asking if you wish to renew your membership. When you renew your program for another 3 or 6 months, you will pick up from when you last left at your previous enrollment.
• Can I unsubscribe any time?
  Since there are no automatic payments, you can simply let your current enrollment run its course. If you decide to re-enroll after a lapsed period of time, you can choose to continue from when you ended your last enrollment or start anew.

Practical Questions:

• Do I have access to all the meal plans and menus all the time?
  Your personal account allows you to access the menus of The Parisian Diet by clicking on the menu at the top "Nutrition" then "Meal plans".
• How do I update my weight graph?
  Here's how you can update your weight graph every Saturday:

  Access your account online. You can do this by going to the e-mails sent to you by Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen, by clicking "Access my personal account" at the bottom of the page (your password is written at the bottom of the e-mail).

  Click on the button "Update my weight" on the Graphs & Progress widget of your dashboard.

  Type your weight in the field next to "current weight", and save by clicking "Submit".

• How do I update my weight loss journal?
  To access your weight loss journal and update it regularly:

  Access your account online. You can do this by going to the e-mails sent to you by Dr. Jean-Michel Cohen, by clicking "Access my personal account" at the bottom of the page (your password is written at the bottom of the e-mail).

  Click on the button "Add an entry" on the Diet Journal widget of your dashboard.

  Then, fill out the fields as specified, and click on "OK".

  If you want to write a blog entry for a date that has already passed (for example, yesterday), you can change the given date before clicking "OK".

• How do I take my measurements and where do I write them down?
  Measure the following:

  • Waist
  • Hips
  • Thighs
  • Biceps

  To update your measurements, go to your Weight Graph first. You will have the tab to click for each of the measurement. Type your measurement in the field and save by clicking "Submit".

• How many questions can I ask?
  You have unlimited number of questions. You can ask the questions whenever you want.
• Where can I read the answers to my questions?
  An e-mail will be sent to you whenever the team responds to your question. You can read the answer to your question on the page "diet questions" at the top of your archived messages.
• Should I follow the program to the letter?
  Yes, if you want to obtain the best results, it is important to follow the provided meals. You can also customize menus to your taste by using equivalent dishes. To do this, consult the list of food equivalents in the "Practical References" section.
• Are the proposed meals suitable for my entire family?
  Yes, the proposed meals are suitable for everyone in the family. You don't have to prepare separate dishes. Just adjust the serving size according to the age and level of activity of each member of your family.
• Are the quantities listed in the recipes for raw or cooked food?
  The amounts shown in the recipes are raw amounts, unless otherwise indicated.
• How do I integrate all the recipes on the site into my daily meals?
  All these recipes are part of the meal plans, so they are easy to find. As you progress in the program, you will learn that it is about the nutritional balance of your meals and that you need to find the same food groups when replacing certain ingredients in your original meal plan. For example, if you have a meal comprised of salmon, broccoli and 2 steamed potatoes, you can replace it with steamed cod, beans and 2 slices of bread. In both cases you have a serving of meat, a serving of starch, and a serving of vegetables.
• What exercises can I do, and how often?
  Physical activity is a great way to invigorate the body and increase metabolic rate. To make it even more beneficial, exercising also helps you lose weight, increase energy consumption and stabilize your weight faster. All you need is about 30 minutes a day. To make sure it's effective, it's advisable to work out for at least 40 minutes at a moderate pace three times a week. Choose sports that make you happy, so it's easier to stick to your workouts. Try swimming, water aerobics, fitness, cycling, racket sports, running, dancing, ball sports; take your pick!
• Is there a calorie counter on the site?
  The nutrition information is included in your meal plans. However, at present it is not possible to calculate the calories directly on the site. It is important to give your body all the nutrients necessary and to do this, try to stick as close to the proposed meal plans as possible. Furthermore, you must eat from all food groups, follow the cooking methods, and stick to the suggested portions.

Dietary Questions:

• How is the US version of Dr. Cohen's program different from the French version?
  All international versions of Dr. Cohen's program are based on the same sound principles, in favor of nutritional reeducation and a balanced diet.

  The variation lies in the meal plans, which is adapted for each market, according to the culture’s eating habits and emphasizing locally available ingredients.

  Only The Parisian Diet, which is the US version, offers three flexible phases that you can alternate, depending on your needs and according to the rules—Café, Bistro, and Gourmet.

• What are the three phases of The Parisian Diet?
  They are:

  • the Café Phase, an optional and quick kick-start, to lose 8-11 pounds over no more than 8-10 days;
  • the Bistro Phase of nutrient, fiber, and protein-rich meals for continued weight loss of an additional 8-11 pounds over the following 2-3 weeks; and
  • the Gourmet Phase of recipes designed for enjoyment, to lose 8-11 pounds in the first month and 6-9 pounds each month thereafter. This phase can be continued until you reach your desired weight. If you want to speed up your weight loss, you can also return to the earlier phases.
• Must I always start with the Café phase?
  No, it is not necessary. The draw of The Parisian Diet is its flexibility. The Café phase is an optional phase, so you do not have to start with it if it is too restrictive.

  The Cafe phase is a quick start before moving on to the Bistro and Gourmet phases. You should never go directly from the Café phase to normal eating without first following it up with the Bistro phase for a minimum of 1 week and then the Gourmet phase for a minimum of 2 weeks.

• Do I have to strictly eat 3 meals a day?
  If you are in the Bistro and Gourmet phases, you can spread out the menu across the day, if you prefer a 6-meal schedule. But be sure to stick to the prescribed menus, instead of adding food that is not in the meal plan.
• What if I do not like the food in a certain meal?
  You can replace foods that you do not like as long as they are equivalent in calories. We will not force you to eat food that you do not like! To help you, visit the List of Food Equivalents found in the Bonus and Meals in the left side of your navigation bar.
• How can I season my food while in The Parisian Diet program?
  To season your fried or steamed vegetables, meat or fish, you can use:

  • all spices
  • all dry or fresh herbs
  • soy sauce
  • mustard
  • tomato sauce without added fat
  • chicken, beef, fish or vegetable stock
  • vinegar: raspberry, cider, wine, sherry, balsamic
  • occasionally 1 tsp olive oil
• I love vegetables, can I eat them anytime I want?
  You can increase your intake of raw vegetables or cooked vegetables if you're hungrier than usual. Just make sure they don't contain any added fat.
• Can I replace the fruits and vegetables in the meal plan for those that are in season?
  Yes, you can! Check out the List of Food Equivalents in the Bonus section for tips on how to replace fruits and vegetables offered by those in season or those that you want.
• Can I switch the menus around?
  You can switch menus for lunch and dinner because it does not change the nutritional balance you need for the day. Similarly, you can switch entire days of the week without it affecting your diet. But it is better not to pick meals from different days as they might change the calorie count of your daily intake. Check it first to make sure.
• What can I drink?
  You can have water, tea, coffee and some light sodas. If you get bored with water, have a glass of sparkling water or add a sprig of mint or a squirt of lemon to give it a little flavor, without adding any calories.
• Can I have an alcoholic beverage from time to time?
  Everyone needs a moment of relaxation, and having a drink is a great way to end a hectic day. Do not say no to after-work drinks with friends. You can replace a fruit or a tablespoon of oil for a glass of wine or any other hard drink. Please visit the List of Food Equivalents in the Bonus and Meals.
• I love chocolate; am I allowed to have it?
  Chocolate makes us happy, so this is definitely allowed. Although it is rich in magnesium, you should not use this as an excuse to eat too much of it. Instead, make it a treat and have 3 small squares, which is equivalent to half an ounce, instead of a piece of fruit.

Your Stories

• 

  Anne-Marie

  "The meal plans work, and the results are incredible."*

• 

  Corinne

  "I reached my goal with ease. I was pleasantly surprised."*

• 

  Gislaine

  "I met my exercise buddy through the forums. The community really helps!"*

*The testimonials presented are individual experiences that are neither advertisements nor guarantees. As with any diet program, monitored meal plans and regular exercise are required to lose weight for the long term. Always seek the advice of your physician before starting a weight loss program, an exercise program or when changing your eating habits.