Neighbours – I don't think I have ever met mine, and I have lived here for nearly three years. I have heard so many horror stories about neighbours that I tend to look a wee bit further from home for company :-). And it helps that I live in a quiet street and we all have high fences.

Lindor, sounds like a stressful week for you. Naughty computers, scary neighbours, and planning to move – poor you. How are you holding up under the stress of it all?

Leeny, I'd hate your neighbours as much as Lindor's :-). Next time she comes over with food, tell her you've become a Hari Krishna and offer her some lentils and alfalfa sprouts – I'm being bad aren't I. But she has no right to try and impose her lack of self control on you.

My week has been OK. I've had a gastro bug for a couple of days, but it's better now. Busy at work and all of that - but very pleased that I'm still motivated and happy to be here. At least I managed some exercise. Yay!

I'm not having a good time just now!!

Eating all the wrong stuff without a care at all!

The last couple of days have been tough. I got the house on the market, I am now paranoid about not keeping it tidy enough!! I have had one person view it already, but he has not come back with an offer so I guess it didn't appeal to him.

For the real estate agent to call and say 'we are bringing someone around to view the house' immediately starts a massive panic in me. I have to juggle three totally unmanagable dogs and get them into the car and drive them 'round to Mums house. I then have to quickly settle them there and get home and pick up their toys and crap and then make sure the place is looking respectable...including the yard to make sure the neighbours have not thrown crap over the fence, and chase their dogs off my property!!!

The to top that off...my washing machine sprung a leak yesterday!! Getting a repair person in on a Friday afternoon is near impossible!! But it seems I begged enough

So I shuffled the dogs up and shut them in one of the rooms and he fiddled around. He didn't have the parts required but he felt he could patch it up. It didn't work!!! On top of that...the tap in the laundry is now leaking too!! So I need a plumber in for that, but that won't happen on a weekend because it is not considered an emergency!!!

***AAARRRGGGHHHH***

Anyway...

I gotta go to work!

Have a good weekend everyone!

Trying to sell your house is one of the biggest stressors known - so don't beat yourself up about it. I know this is nothing compared to what you're going through - but about a month ago a major Telstra cable died in my area, and I was without a phone, internet and email for six days. It drove me nuts. The day it came back on line my modem and printer BOTH went kaput, and the TV antennae fell off the house in a windstorm. Two days later my washing machine died a spectacular death. In the end, I just laughed (it was that or cry!).

Take a deep breath Lindor, and think about how it's going to be when you have moved house - how peaceful! No rampaging neighbours who scare you and violate your private space … it might be frustrating, and stressful to get there, but it'll be worth it in the end.

Hmmmm

Fatter, fatter, fatter!!! That'll be me at the rate I am going

I thought I was going so well these last few weeks too. Not sure I'll make the 70's in the next few weeks at the rate I am going.

New day tomorrow...lets see if I can turn things around then.



And Ani! I think if I lost my internet for anything like a week I'd have been admitted to the psych ward by day two!!! My leaking washing machine and laundry tap are nothing compared to that. You actually made me feel a little better about that.

One of the girls at work is married to a plumber...I might talk to her and see if I can't get him over to look at the tap for a cheaper (off the books) rate or even a carton of beer.

It's funny, up until Thursday, I had not had anyone set foot in my house since May when my mother left. That is how I prefer it actually...I hate visitors, I prefer to be alone! Since Thursday I have had two people (one of them twice) from the real estate agent and one chap view the house, and I have had a washing machine repair man come in. And I have the view of the washing machine guy coming again in the next week and a plumber, not to mention the hope of others to look at my house with view to buying! My house feels like Grand Central Station!!!

Anyway, I'm off to bed now.

Hope the weekend is going better for everyone else

Lindor, it's really scary to realise how dependent we are on technology - I felt really lost without my internet and emails. Now, it sounds to me like you are feeling a little bit out of control. I wish I could say something to make you feel better … but selling your house, dealing with leaky taps and misbehaving bits, not to mention having strangers tramp through your home and sanctuary – it's like being on a roller coaster.

How's your food intake going throughout all of this? There's nothing like stress to make you feel undeserving of the 'new you' - but take a couple of deep breaths and reflect on how far you've come. Your weight loss is an awesome inspiration to me, and if there's anything I can do to support you through this tough time - please make sure you let me know.

:-)
Ani

Come on girls. lets all jump back on the wagon tomorrow. I'm going to start low fat, I cant stick out the low carb.

Hey Kathy, I'm with you. I'm just trying to watch calories, and walk for an hour every day. Sofar it is working - I've been at it for 4 weeks, and lost 3kg. Do you have short-term goals (do you set yourself goals) - or how do you go about it?

:-)
Ani

Hi everyone!

Well, been lurking around a bit but not posting since Ive had a shocker of a week! I was so committed the first half, but then got a tummy bug and it was downhill from there. Ugh! Why cant I ever stick something out?!? Ive decided that I have a serious willpower issue...its evident in so many areas of my life - my lack of discpline is just bad beyond words. I feel like I need to redo my entire life, rather than just my body. BUT, knowing this about myself and being willing to admit it, maybe I can start REALLY doing something about it...?? I sing on stage at my church, and am really starting to notice the effect my weight is having on my ability to move freely and sing to my capacity....I hate feeling like everyone is watching me because of how fat I am...Im over this! I want to be fit, thin and healthy already!

ANYWAY, thanks for the kick in the bum kathy! Back on the bandwagon tomorrow. Like you, I cant hack the low carb thing....so, Im going to something that worked so well for me in the past - no carbs past 3pm, low-fat, not eating after 7pm, lots of water and WALKING EVERY DAY. Ive started doing the walking with Carter - 30mins at the moment, but will be upping it here shortly. I lost 20kgs last time I did this (in like 3 months), but went back to my old eating habits ans stopped exercising, thus putting it all back on. NOT THIS TIME!!! Can you tell Im pissed at myself?!?

No time to do personals at the moment, but am trying to keep up with everyone - Lindor, I feel ya honey! Its a stressful time...get back into it and dont give it another thought!
Ani, hope you're doing well....keep it up!
Ok, forgive me everyone else, but my mind is elsewhere, so I cant really remember anything...haha. Have a great night - be in again soon!

Britt

I know what you mean about will power and discipline. I'm hopeless. But I have to do something, and I like your idea of no carbs past 3pm, low fat, not eating after 7 and lots of water and walks. I'll have to see if I can find time for walks my schedule is so full I get 15 mins for lunch these days. But I have to lose something.

I had to throw words like "willpower and discipline" out of my vocabulary. I had a long, long think about what would work for me, and had to make some frank admissions about myself too. I work at a desk job, love chocolate, hate cooking and DETEST rules.

So I realised that whatever I do has to be fairly fluid, and has to include the kinds of foods I love. So rather than cut out chocolate, and feel 'deprived' I bought a packet of those bite-size Mars lite bars (about 70 calories each) and when I feel like chocolate I have one. If that means every day - I still have one.

I think we set ourselves up to fail when we make these "diets" too rigid. I know for myself it's really important to eat food I can still be eating 20 years from now (and at a more healthy weight). It's about learning a healthy, sustained way of living … not going without. Stuff that :-)

I enjoy walking - so that's a bonus. And I love my garden - so I figure that anything that gets me up and away from my desk (I work from home) is a good thing.

Don't get despondent girls, and don't convince yourself this is too hard. Of course losing weight is HARD, but if we set realistic goals, and keep encouraging each other, we're all going to get there.

:-)
Ani

Back up to 82kg this week!

Damn! I knew it was not a good one!

Folks are back in a week or two - I might make it to 80kg if I am good. I will work for that

This last 20kgs is hard!! It was easier losing 30kgs!!!

Anyway, I can't stop! I gotta get to work, but before that I have to shuffle all these dogs up and get them 'round to Mums place in case I get a call at work with someone wanting to view the house!

Arrgghhh! I am glad I never knew it was this hard to sell! I'd probably never have done it then

Talk later ladies, have a good day

Ani,

I know what you mean about finding something that you would be able to stick to without feeling deprived. Thats half of the reason Im wanting to go back to what I know worked for me...I never felt hungry or deprived and am allowed a junk meal a week, so if theres something I really want, I use it for my junk meal. I was losing 1-2kg a week from this and it was so easy and healthy to do. I dont know why I didnt just start with that, but I got caught up in the fact that it was so easy, fast and convenient to do these shakes....plus, theyre pretty yummy. Anyway, back into it today - had a lovely brekkie of eggs, capsicum, tomato, mushrooms, shallots and sprinkle of light cheese - nice and healthy. Have to get to the store tonight tho or else Im in trouble for tomorrow.....

Ok, a lot to do today - have the best day everyone!

Britt

Britt I reckon you need to trust your own instincts about your body and not get caught up in all the fads and quick fixes. While shakes might be yummy, they don't teach you how to eat healthy, or how to manage those times when you just want to reach for food because you're feeling emotionally down.

Good on you for making yourself such a yummy, healthy breakfast. You can eat anything you want, as long as it's in moderation - and that's a whole new thing to learn … moderation!

Lindor, you're going through enough stress. Don't beat up on yourself. It's only a kilo, and you know that you can get rid of it - throughout life, even skinny people gain and lose a kilo here and there. Remember to try and be gentle with yourself throughout all of this.

:-)
Ani

Hi all
Well we all have our ups and downs don't we. I 'spose we all want the downs but Life...ummm....

As i have said umpteen times before Lindor you are much too hard on yourself. I can agree that moving is really really stressful so maybe you should just say to yourself that i can only do what i can do and that is OK. to you though. I have moved 14 times in 20 years i have been married. One time is was from Qld to Tasmania with an unruly old english sheepdog across on the boat. That was something i would not recommend. Nor would i reccommend building a house. We have done so twice and never never again. Some people breeze through these experiences but oh no not I. Just laugh through it and remember people won't even see the dust on top of the TV etc. they are coming to look at the structural aspects of the house.

Ani...i love reading your bits. You are so wise in some of your comments...i just have to make myself believe i have the willpower. I have enough determination but to actually stick to something is very hard.

I was going great guns and then we went out to dinner. Had garlic bread, penne salmon(in a creamy wine sauce). NO wine or dessert though but had some bickies later on that night with a milo. So after that i managed to find a kilo(not even fair as that was my only indulgence of the week). Am starting my walking back up with the over friendly neighbour this arvo. She has to be good for something eh???

On track today though and yesterday but desperately want something sweet now....just have to perservere as that feeling goes away after a few days.

Brit...you seem to have the right attitude and the right combination. I hope it works for you and thanks for supporting us all.

Kathy...hoping you are on the straight and narrow again. It is hard yakka when uni committments take up a lot of your time to stay focused. Keep your sisters wedding goal in your head and i'm sure you will succeed.

I think goals are important...don't just say them to yourself in your head but write it down somewhere. It will help you if you can visulise it as well and believe it. I have a photo of myself at my heaviest and then thinnest on my fridge with my mantra....I will be thin and healthy....just a thought..xxxleeny

Hi All,

Been a bit since I've posted. I been really busy but sticking ton the plan. Not eating too much after work, having a fruit smoothy. It's quite weird that I'm overweight as I like skim milk, cottage cheeses etc. Must be the other stuff-chocs, cheese, bread!! Anyway I'm proud I've started exercising and I've lost a couple of kilo's. Hope everyone's had a good couple of weeks.