OK - this is where I get tough, because I'm not going to allow a dodgy back to become an excuse for putting back on all the weight I have lost.

And I am definitely NOT satisfied with being at this weight.

I'm going to spend some time today working out a meal plan, and I'm also going to put my back brace on and try and go for a walk.

I have one article to write that has to be submitted in two hour's time, and then I'm going to spend some time working out how to get these next few kilos off.

We ALL sound like we're having a tough time - is there something infectious here ? Whatever's going on, I think it's time we turned it around.

Is anyone interested in a 3-week challenge? Anyone willing to change ONE thing about their lifestyle?

Come on girls, we can do this if we support each other.

:-)
Ani

Ani I have a TENS machine! I wonder of something like that would help you after a chiro visit? Personally I don't like those quacks - once gone you're always going. lol.

Well my weigh in y/day was a mix of good and bad. I am down .6 so broke into the 68kg. Might even be more loss than that cause I broke a golden rule and weighed myself after shower with probably 3 kilos of wet hair.

Have to go, toliets are getting replaced today so going to go make sure the kids have left no suprises in theirs and to check on bub. She had needles today and doesn't cope well with them.

Will hop on later and reply to you all then.
Cheers
VONNI

Hi girls

Thanks everyone. Augigi, I am thinking about withdrawing for the semester, but bf doesn't think it's a good idea. (maybe he doesn't think it's "serious enough" for that?) But I am afraid that my grades are going to be awful this time 'round, and I'm paranoid about it showing up on my transcipt.

Vanessa, you are so busy looking after your little one! I guess it would be a bit tricky explaining the fate of pets at three years old. Something to look forward to I guess!

Vonni - hope your little bub is taking those needles alright.

Well, I'm in a pretty good mood today, feeling a little wierd, but ok. I think I might have scared bf a bit, but he's still really supportive and loving. haha - we had our kiwi rellies stay last night, and our flat isnt huge, so we had two in the spare room and one on the loungeroom floor. That would normally be fine, but they were in bed by 10pm, and bf is usually on the comp til 2am!!

We ended up playing monopoly in bed for a couple of hours!

Take care lovelies

Kylie

Oh dear Vanessa you do have a dilemma with the fish.... But if you tell him that it's at the animal Dr he will want to know when he is coming back. Don't underestimate the observations of a 3 yr old. He will know a replacement fish when he sees one. lol. (trust me with 7 kids I've been there ) Perhaps you can gently explain that sometimes Dr's can't always help fish because they live in water, and the Dr can't go underwater to help? Or maybe that the animal Dr is going to send the fish to live with other fish the same so they can all be happy and get better together? I don't envy you one little bit. Mary perhaps you have some SLF (save Liams fish) advice?

Ani how is that knee going after yr fall the other day? Hope you get better soon. You are such a rock in here and I don't like to see bits of you chip away

Kylie you do what feels right for you. Don't worry what yr BF says, or anyone else for that matter. Perhaps you could have a chat to the guidance officer at yr Uni (or careers counsellor whichever you have there) to help you make a decision. They have to be discreet and aren't allowed to discuss you with anyone else so you can be assurred of privacy. Perhaps if you are armed with all possible pathways you can then make an informed choice - and feel right about it. The way I see it at the moment you want to take a break but are scared of the opinions of others around you and scared you will fall behind. Want my opinion? Prob not, but I'll give it anyhow. lol - You are only going to fall behind if you continue in this current state. SO either think BLAST IT and go full steam ahead and also seek counselling to help you through study and life, or take it back a step for a while. I hate seeing you so confused, makes me sad! But please if you do take a break, you seem to me that u need stimulation and are always active in some thing or another. Look at some short courses at TAFE or extra work to keep you occupied.

On a brighter note, I have checked how many applicants there have been for my Nursing course - so far 2 out of only 5 places in my 1st preference and 14 out of 20 places in my 2nd (same course different towns lol). I also listed a 3rd preference - Bach community welfare. If I don't get into nursing I will be sad sad sad but fingers crossed for me.

Lindor Lindor Lindor just don't go running out with those new fandangled scales looking for a road train will you?

Maybe you have just come to a crossroad.. Perhaps some different exercise or introduce different foods and chuck out others? All the experts do say we reach a point and stay for a while. Maybe you have hit that point, but don't see it as a sign to give up. Just continue with your lifestyle cahnge. Remember we are NOT on diets, we are changing our attitudes to the way we think and feel about food and changing our habits to reflect a healthier lifestyle.

Vonni

Hi Everyone!

I'm sorry to interrupt what looks like some serious conversation going on in here, but I just wanted to say a quick hello! I'm 28 and live on the Gold Coast. I joined 3FC a couple of weeks ago, and Kylie very kindly let me know about this Aussie Chicks section! Thank you!! It feels good to have some people to check in with and talk to about things we can all relate to. I hope we can get to know each other as time goes on.

I'm currently learning Intuitive Eating, having quit Jenny Craig a couple of months ago. I was getting quite depressed, and I think being on 1200 cals a day was a big contributor! I'm still not ok mood wise, but I'm definitely getting there! I really look forward to learning about you all, and I'm so happy to meet some Aussies!! When we talk about foods we eat, we'll know what they are! Woo hoo!

Diana. Gold Coast - Lucky you. I was bought up on the coast (southern end)but left 13 years ago. I often go visit my sister and cousins that still live there.

Hope you find us all, helpful, happy, scalding (cheerful scalding) and entertaining.

We love to listen to everyones tips, woes and wins
We are all pretty full of advice whether u want it or not lol but it all helps in this long and exhaustive journey.

Cheers
Vonni

Kylie, I did the same thing - really wanted to quit/postpone my course in first year, but I was too afraid of disappointing my parents, so I stayed. I ended up with TERRIBLE grades (failing, basically), and transferred out of the course after that year.

Do what you NEED to do, rather than what you think you "SHOULD" do. Trying to fulfil other people's expectations is a losing proposition.

I stayed in my course because of what my parents wanted and flunked out. Now its going to be extreemly difficult to get back into uni.

Did better today exercise wise. Didn't want to go to the gym, but went did half hour cardio and pilates. My bicep is still aching, so I've booked in with a physio before work tomorrow. Its really quite painful, but it dosen't feel like I've torn a muscle (I can do things on it, but I get a dull ache)

This is just a quick Hello!(waving) it is late Tuesday night and I wanted to say I am here - thanks for the thoughts about the fish - he did die - Liam thinks he is at the drs - I am treating the water for fungal disease and "Pumpkin" cant come back until it is fixed (aka eventually we will choose a new fish together) I think I will tell him the truth but I will just wait a bit for him to ask. The tank needs treating again on Friday just in case - and then after the weekend I will see how the rest of the fish are before I buy a new one.

Exercised this afternoon even though I didnt feel like it - but I am glad I did.
I will try and do personal replies tomorrow - sorry but it is now after midnite.

Morning!

Welcome to Diana, great to have you aboard the wagon! 15kg down and 10kg to go hey? I reckon you could be a great support to us! I look forward to hearing more from you as you make it to the end of this ride!


I've more or less written this week off. I wanted to come on here this morning and say I am running away from 3 Fat Chicks and the whole weight loss thing for a while, but I seriously don't think my head will let me do that! I am the sort of person who will continue to push and fight until I achieve what I planned to no matter how long it takes!

At the moment I am feeling very miserable, not just because of the diet, but also because of a few other things that are messing with my head just now. I know if I can achieve with at least one thing it might carry me over and push me to achieve another. Funnily enough, losing these last kilos seem like the easiest thing to go for first.

So, for the rest of this week I am going to look at how I can get my diet back on track. I am going to track what I eat, when and why! I am going to work out a light exercise plan that I will gradually increase as the weeks go by.

I am going to stick a photo of my mother on the fridge door with the words "You'll get fat!" next to it!

Ani, lets work out a challenge that we can start next week!!


And all of a sudden time has run away on me again and I need to get ready for work! I will get the team ticker up to date - maybe this evening - I have not forgotten about it.

Vanessa...sorry about the fish. None of my business I know, but I just want to say that as hard as it may be for you both, I think Liam needs to know what happened to 'pumpkin'. Death is a fact of life, we all have to deal with it, and learn about how our bodies and minds deal with it.

When I was a child I lost pet fish and pet birds. It was always a case of 'flush it down the toilet' or 'throw it in the bin'. There was never a time for 'goodbye' or understanding. I was 26yrs old when I experienced the death of a loved one for the first time - my grand mother. I did not cope well...because I didn't know how to cope!

Anyway, like I said...none of my business how you deal with the situation, just wanted to give you a picture from another angle.

That took longer than I expected...now I really do have to run!

Have a good one ladies...hope the back and knee are feeling better Ani!!!

You know I've been sitting here looking at the team effort ticker Lindor - And even when I reach goal I will continue to go on here for the friendship we've all found and to see that ticker reach ZERO to go.

Lindor, don't you run away - you have been an inspiration to so many people here, and especially to me. Good grief mate, you've got no idea how often your humour and wisdom has gotten me through some bad times. So let US be there for you while you sort through stuff.

Are you sure it's a good idea to put your mum's photo on the fridge? It might have the opposite effect… you might eat extra just to spite her. Well, I probably would, if it were me .

I'm trying to think of an interesting three-week challenge for us. I don't want to do the "same-old", because neither of us stick to it for more than four days.

Here's a thought: Now that you've got a smaller body, what would you like to be able to do with it?

I have another suggestion (you know me, never short of an opinion about everything ). It might be worthwhile to change the way you are thinking about your weight loss journey. Look at it this way. In less than 18 months you have lost almost 27% of your body weight - WOO HOO - that is wonderful. And not only have you lost it, you've KEPT it off!

In almost 10 months I have lost 15% of my body weight, and am keeping it off.

Let's work together to lose another 10%. For you, that's around 8.3kg - for me, 8.9kg. Rather than looking at a bigger picture, let's take a 10% journey together. I'm not suggesting we compete with each other, but that we work together to "take off ten %".

So my challenge to you this week is to come up with a plan, then break it down into small monthly goals, and work with me to achieve it.

It doesn't matter how long it takes. I would rather we both come up with a plan that is realistic, and one which will increase our chances of being successful.

And another thought. Rather than just measuring our progress by the scales, why don't we set up even more criteria - a) weight on scales, b) body measurements and c) hours spent being active.

That way we can have a more realistic snapshot of how we are travelling.

* and if anyone else wants to join in on this "take ten…" challenge, feel free. It isn't a competition - but a supportive way of moving forward *

What do you think?

For example, my plan might look like this:

TAKE TEN % OFF…

Start weight: 89.4 - Goal: 80.5
Start measurements… Goal…
Current activity… Goal…

Timeframe: up to 20 weeks

Planned weekly loss: 0.4kg

Daily calories allowed: 1700

Exercise aim: • to walk 60 mins/day 6 days a week
• to be physically active for an hour every day in non-exercise ways


So what do you think? I won't be offended if you say no, because I understand that weight loss is an individual thing. I just want to find ways to support you through the tough stuff.

Come on matey, you deserve to be the very best person you can be. I want you to WIN!


Ani

ANI - OUCH!!!! lmao. You drive a hard bargain. Me - love to, but at the moment can't be in - life to chaotic at the moment. Don't know where I'm at in my relationship or study and the kids behaviour of late leaves a lot to be desired. I'm pushing it to even escape for a walk around the block, and after 10kg lost I don't see any real measurement difference But my clothes are baggier

Vonni
PS when life settles down and I know where I'm at I will be in for sure.

Lindor how much have you lost so far?

Well I went to the physio today and the good news is its not my bicep. **** news is its my rotator cuff! Which, consedering I wanted to get back into softball next season is BAD BAD NEWS. Thankfully, its not my right shoulder (which I use to pitch) its my left and its just bruised. Thankfully I did ignore my mum who told me not to go to the doctors, or I could have torn it.

I've gone way back on the upper body weights and have some exercises to do to get it strong again. Oh, plus $50 a week for six-eight weeks! Yay!

I was suprised though, because it was really sore before I did weight tonight, yet now it barely hurts. Hopefully that means I'm strengthing it.

Well I am not getting on the scales this week at all. Although I have been good with what I have eaten I don't think I would have lost anything.

It was my grandmothers 93rd birthday on the 8th and her sister (87 yo) came down from Sydney so we had a buffet meal at the Hyatt. Then today we had a salad and sandwiches for lunch followed by fruit and some cake.

It has been a nice couple of days though so it was worth it.

Now I will have to work the next couple of days.

Jennylee