Hey all

Thanks for the welcome back girls...it is nice to be loved

Glad you are all on your challenges and doing really well. I might start mine next week. I think i need to be kind to myself for a wee bit longer and besides DH is still on holidays and wants to go to lunches, late breakies etc. I think i need the "r & r" at this moment more than the diet...not that i don't need that but this week just won't work and i know i will struggle with it and then beat myself up about failing again...does that make sense????

Been to the Dr again today...he has given me more medication to help with "going to the toilet". He told me that if this combination of laxatives don't work i will have to have a partial colon removal Fingers crossed everyone as that alternative does not sound good. I would have to have a colostomy bag for a while he said...OMG!!! So yet another saga in my life. I tell ya i should write a book with all my crap...i would make a million...

Britt..your quote is great...makes ya think eh? Lindor and Ani...you go girls...you skinny things Post more tommorrow...gotta go and cook tea for the troups..yummy stirfry...trying to be good when i can..xxxleeny

Day 3 is history! How did everyone go?? 18 more to go...

Leeny, I COMPLETELY agree that you should take it easy and ease back into things as you feel neccessary. DONT rush just to partake in our challenge - there will be another one when we're done, I promise! Keep us posted with everything - I dont know if youre a praying woman, but I am, so I will keep you in my prayers! I so would love to know what you did to lose 60kgs! Its my goal to lose that much, so any insight and tips would be WONDERFUL!

Ani, glad you werent sore this morning - proves you are in better shape than you think. I havent been that sore either, so I will def be stepping it up for the next challenge!

Lindor, how was today for you?

Day 3 proved to be very good here. All was under control and great. 32 mins on treadmill, 3 ltrs water, food good, vitamins taken. Tomorrow is another day!

Have a good night ladies and see you in the morning!

Britt
xxxx
PS: Kathy, how are you going babe?

Leeny, timing is so important in this battle. If you are not mentally able to fight then you cannot physically fight. Take your time and fight on when you are ready.

Britt and Ani, three days down and you are doing so well...keep it up.



Not such a good day for me

I went shopping after work...hungry!!! Just nuts again, but a few more than 150g and not just plain ones

What is it with me and nuts???!!!


Anyway, I did do 600 step-ups tonight in an attempt to compensate, but somehow I think my compensation fell way short! And I will only deduct 500 from my challenge.


I also still managed to drink my three litres.

Like you say Britt...tomorrow is another day! Besides, if I didn't stuff up somewhere this week it'd be a perfect week and I'd have nothing to strive for next week


I have people coming to valuate the house tomorrow...before a bank can approve finance for a potential buyer. It is really looking promising this time

My old dog is not looking well tonight. I tend to over worry with him though. At fourteen years old, every time he is not himself, I think he is on his way out. He is a dear and loyal friend and losing him will kill me. I'll watch him over night, it might just be that the weather has warmed up and he is feeling it. I have only just started to use the air-conditioner in the evening, but the day may just be a little warm for him (while I am freezing my butt off at work!). If he still looks off tomorrow I'll get in touch with the vet. Just another worry!!!

I should be getting my car back tomorrow With my car I get complete independence again!!! YAY!!!

Alright...I need to adjust my ticker.

I'll whinge...errr...talk again tomorrow

Lindor, honestly, the things you COULD be cheating on, but nuts?? I think you'll be fine - theyre an excellent source of protein and good fats - you could have done so much worse! Tomorrow IS another day and like you say, you cant have a completely perfect week or what would you work towards?!?

Good luck tomorrow with the buyers (I dont say potential, because I am believing this will be it! House sold!)...keep us posted! And I can understand about your beloved friend - I was so happy I was here when my dog died overseas (NOT to say yours is dying..haha) - just that I can relate to loving your pet so much! Im sure he'll be fine...

Ok, really need to get to bed now - Ive had my cup of green tea and can barely keep my eyes open! Goodnight girls!

Britt
Oh! Forgot to tell you that we had a full on bush fire right in back of our house today! Funny thing is, my sister and I were talking this morning about what would happen if the brush behind our house caught fire and it DID! I was going to wash the dishes and heard this loud crackling...went outside to see the hill engulfed in flames. Well, immediately I called 000 and they had guys out there in 5 mins tops. I found out after they arrived that the fire had jumped a creek bed that was separating it from us and was about halfway to our house! They were there for about 1 1/2 hours putting it out! Talk about scary! And the fact we had only been talking about it this morning - random. Anyway, thought I would share my exciting news for the day! xxxx

Leeny, I hope that combination of laxatives works for you. The last thing you need is the surgery, and all the stress that goes with it. Good luck with everything.

Britt, you sound really motivated - you go girl! Are you walking today?

Lindor good luck with this potential buyer. Let's hope you can get rid of those ridiculously annoying neighbours once and for all, hey!

I did alright yesterday, although I must confess to a bit of a slack day. I did my weights and situps, but felt really tired and sore - so I gave myself the rest of the day 'off'. I figured it was better to rest than to push it and injure myself. But today is a new day and I'm planning to walk and then just potter around in the house. Of course I have work to do as well, but I'm not overly busy this week.

I'm getting a new dining room suite delivered this morning - been using one loaned to me by a friend for ages, so I'm excited about that.

Good luck with Day Four everyone. I'll report in this evening to let you know how my day went.

:-)
Ani

By the way Britt, I meant to say "phew" about your bushfire. They are so scary. I grew up on a farm in NSW, and I know what's it's like to experience a bushfire. I'm really relieved to hear they got it out before it got out of control!

Morning ladies

So far so good today...can't believe i wrote that but it is only 10.30..ha ha.

You girls are powering on...keep motivating each other and keep posting...i think that helps. Thanks again for all your support. I sound like such a winger. I am actually not and usually never complain about anything...just seem to take it in my stride. Maybe this site has been my realease that i need at times...thanks again ladies.

Still not game to weigh myself as i don't need anymore stresses in my life. Today though i did go to the toilet(well sort of)..that's good for me so fingers crossed something is working. Many a gastroenteroligist has given meds and they work for a while and then something happens. Maybe this time...

A new dining suite is lovely Ani. I love buying stuff and my whole house has some lovely pieces in it. Actually today i have an add in the local paper to sell some of it as i just have too much furniture we can hardly move. Already sold a 1920's meat safe that i restored in a fit of madness one day. 2 more dressers to go and an entertainment unit. We bought a huge plasma a few weeks ago and of course needed a new unit for it to fit on so hopefully the old one will sell.

Yesterday got a nice surprise. A package arrived and when i opened it it said Congratulations you have runner-up prize in a comp i entered in at Blockbuster. It was a dozen DVDs...all goodies...so that's great to watch on our new big screen.

Lindor i am thinking that these buyers sound promising. Have you found a new house as yet?Where will you stay? My doggie is 14 as well. He is a Pets as Therapy dog for my son. We love him dearly too. Every morning if he doesn't greet me first thing i think oh no today is the day. He is so deaf but so faithful. We have a 2 year old doggie as well and she keeps him on his toes so thats good.

Britt...how i lost my weight...lots of deprivation, motivation, exercise etc etc. I went to Sureslim and they devised a plan for me. It is mainly low GI stuff, 2 litres water, based on a certain protein amount, grammages of vegies(but no potatoes, pumpkin, peas, corn, carrots, beetroot, pineapple, bread, rice, pasta..i think thats it...the rest of the food is weighed. Only 3 meals a day and no snacks. You get insulin bursts when you snack and if you have a weight problem it is harder to burn fat as your body is too busy buring kilojoules. I can go into it in more detail if you like in another post as this one is too long now. It really makes sense and the weight just fell off. I lost the 60kg is about a year. 20kg in the first 3 months. I was never hungry and had heaps of energy. I have done every diet there is and this one was easy once you got the hang of it. I have put some of my weight back on as i am naughty....thats the ongoing saga though for me...

Must go...hubby wants to go to Noosa for the day...nice beach weather..xxxleeny

Hi girls,

Will do personals tomorrow, but wanted to let you know that I wont be checking in tonight as I wont be getting home until late. So, today is one of my "no-walk" days, still working on water, food been great so far, vitamins taken. Hope you all had a wonderful and successful day!

See you tomorrow for Day 5!

Britt

Whatever it is you are up to this evening Britt (and it has to be good if it takes you away from us ), I hope you are having fun!!!

Leeny, of course I have my fingers crossed for you that this new plan of treatment is working for you! And don't stress about whinging too much (and I really don't think you are), we all do it from time to time and it shows that we are comfortable enough to do it here - which has to be good right?

Ani? How goes today??? And how's the new dining room suite? Did it fit through the door?? I know when I get huge bits of furniture I always struggle to get it through the door...it is just something I don't think of when purchasing!!!

Well I've had a better day today! Just a handful of almonds just before lunch that was my stuff up.

NO MORE NUTS NOW!!!

Otherwise I have eaten to plan. I have drunk my three litres of water. And I have done my 500 step-ups.

So I guess a good day in that regard?


I got my car back today!! Yay!! But it has to go back on Monday to get a small piece that was missing fitted. Now all I have to do is avoid those damn 'roos better in future!!!

My dog was full of beans this morning - I sometimes wonder if he is a bit of an attention seeker!!!


By the way...I don't s'pose we got any budding photographers amongst us do we?? Or maybe just someone who might know something about cameras - what's good and what's not etc???


Alright...I need a shower. Have a good evening everyone

Lindor I know a little bit about cameras - what are you trying to find out?

Day 5 - here we go! I'm planning to drive to the beach and go for a big walk along West Coast Highway (there's a long walk/cycle track that goes for miles). I haven't been on that track for a few years but just feel the urge, for some reason, today.

My weight seems to be coming off a lot slower than everyone else's, and I don't have a clue why. I am eating sensibly (most of the time) and exercising. I'm not whinging - just a bit curious I guess. But at least I'm not putting weight back on, so that's a positive thing.

Hope you all have a great Day Five, and reach all your goals.

:-)
Ani

Hi gals,

Well, its been busy busy busy since yesterday, so this will be another quickie Im afraid. I did have a cheat last night - a fruit smoothie from McDonalds! Ugh. It could have been worse, but it was sugar that I didnt need. Anyway. Am sick. Have a stupid sore throat and ears - and Carter has another cold. So we are a sorry looking bunch for sure! Im going to try and walk tonight, but if I dont feel up to it, might have to make it up when Im better. Great. Right when Im all motivated, this happens!

MIL is here and we're about to go grocery shopping - nice and healthy for me of course! Other than that, nothing really new to report. I weighed this morning a day early and I have lost ANYTHING!! Im spewing! So dont feel bad Ani, Im def not losing faster than you are - were you a pretty active person before you started this new lifestyle?? If so, that may be the reason you are having trouble getting it off quicker - your body is used to the amount of calories you burn. It may take stepping it up in intensity or decreasing your caloric intake for a while to "trick" your metabolism into kicking into higher gear. Just a thought anyway....not sure why people lose weight faster than others. I just wish I would lose anything...

Ok gals, off to drink more water!! Have a great day 5 and if I dont check in tonight, see you tomorrow for day 6! Wow - almost the first week done!

Hi all

Gee you gilrs are doing great on your challenge It kinda makes me sad i missed out but i am definitely starting out fresh as from Monday. By the end of the year(or Xmas at least) i will be thinner also.

Ani that walk sounds lovely..think of all your kjs you will be burning. Remember everyone is soooo different in their weight loss journey and you shouldn't compare. Some weeks are slower than others..i know thats not much of a compensation when you are doing the hard yards but keep on pluggin on...as you said it is much better than putting it on.

Lindor..the nut thing. Did you know it is a chemical imbalance when you lose weight in some people thats why you neeeeed the nuts. I went thru the same phase(when i was seriously dieting). I would eat almonds(although about 10 raw ones are about equivalent to an apple), peanuts, even peanut butter by the fingersfuls straight from the jar in the fridge. Even better was fruit and nut chockie when i was real bad. I asked a dietician once...and that what it was..it is very common and it does subside...so don't beat yourself up.

Britt...hope the cold gets better..do you get on with MIL? She may be able to help with your baby whilst you recouperate. Drink lots and don't push yourself if you are not well enough.

I have been off the diet today..I have got it in my head that Monday is the day and well from now until then it seems to be a free-for-all. I don't know why i always do that....the cakes etc will still be there when I'm skinny won't they so i don't have to eat them all today

Have a good day all...have to get the kids..peace as i know it is now over..xxleeny

Leeny, don't be sad about missing out on the challenge. I have no doubt we'll have another one as soon as this one is over - and you can definitely come with us on the next one :-).

I've had a good day today. Went for a lovely walk along the coast, and for some reason, impetuously decided to start painting my kitchen this afternoon. I have ONLY started with that one, but I'm having the most fun with it. I can't wait until these lurid colours are gone forever… and I hope my landlord thanks me for this!

Britt, I get frustrated with those scales too, but at the end of the day I think it's more important to look at the other things we are achieving. I know, for me, I have more stamina and I feel better about myself. In saying that, I REALLY want this weight to come off, and I want to wear smaller clothes - and all the other benefits of weight loss. And I think it will happen … I'm just trying really hard to be patient, and to not allow the lack of scale movement to hurt my motivation.

:-)
Ani

Today has been perfect!!!

I have eaten to plan, I have drunk my water and I have done my step-ups!

and...


NO NUTS!!!

I have decided when I sell up and move out, I'll be moving into a two story place with the bathroom upstairs and the living area and bedroom down staris (or the other way 'round). That way when I drink my three litres of water, and after going to the toilet for the 100th time in a day, I might have also done my 500 step-ups!!!


Britt make the most of MIL!! I'm sure she'd love to spend lots of time with young Carter?? Get better soon...and look after yourself!


Leeny...edge your way into it slowly. Start making changes from Monday and in two weeks you should be back in form and ready for our next 21 day challenge!

Thanx too for the info on the nuts. I did wonder if it was the exercise that had me reaching for an extra energy source? Nuts are ok...I just have to remember 'in moderation'!

Ani, the added stamina is one thing that has kept me going. The fact that I can do something somewhat physically demanding and still stand up after it is inspiring. It's like I said last weekend...I can mow the lawn now and not die in a heap on the lounge room floor! I asked if 500 step-ups was working as hard as your walks...to me, the fact that I am still standing after doing them has me wondering if I am working hard enough?

The added energy that you body gains from all this is soooo worth it. I never want to be that person who dreads physical effort again and, fat or skinny, that is one thing I want to maintain out of this dieting.



So...

What's on the agenda for the weekend ladies?

I'm going for a lazy one

I was thinking of mowing the lawn again, but I had a look at that this afternoon and it really doesn't need it. But we did have a bit of a wind storm the other day and I have dead leaves all over the place, so maybe I'll rake those up. But, other than a little time in the garden, I think I'll spend my weekend with my nose buried in a book or two!

Ani, I enjoy taking photos. Mainly of wildlife and flowers. I love macro photography. I prefer to take good photos with my camera rather than taking a random snap and touching it up with a photo editor - although I prefer the ease and convenience of a digital camera.

I currently have the FujiFilm S5500 camera but find it is not good taking photos where there is movement. Did that make sense?? Take for example, a photo of a wave crashing on the beach. I want to see the drops of water and the spray clearly...I can't seem to get that with my camera. Of course, there is always the possibility that I don't know how to use the settings on my camera

Any tips and suggestions???

Hi girls,

Is this Day 6 now?? Ive lost track already!

Well, Im feeling a bit better - not achey and weak anymore at least, so thats good. It was 40 degrees here yesterday!!! We almost died...and I think today is going to be at least 30. Sheesh. Not very condusive to walking...will have to hop on the treadmill today instead. Ugh. It always goes so much slower on the treadmill - I guess we will have to just get up really early to walk from now on. Yesterday wasnt exactly to plan - had a couple of cheats - peanut butter and a small glass of my husbands banana milkshake he made last night. My excuse of course was that the milkshake felt good on my sore throat...haha. So, back into it full force today. Also didnt get all my water in yesterday, so back into that full force as well.

Leeny, yes MIL and I get on very well - her and I are good friends actually and she is always the biggest help when she comes. She takes Carter while I sleep, buys our groceries, does our dishes, cooks for us - literally spoils us rotten. Its very nice having her here indeed! And yes, she is helping alot while I try and get well again. I too have the mindset that cakes and goodies wont be there when Ive lost the weight, so I feel like I need to eat them now. What is it that makes us think like that I wonder?? Anyway, hope you are feeling much better and getting things moving normally in your bowels!

Ani, I love painting too!! It just makes things feel fresh and new and makes you feel invigorated! I wish I had your patience when it comes to the scale - I want it off and I want it off now!!! But, like you said, its also all the things that come with weight loss - more energy, feeling better about yourself, etc.

Lindor, yay for a great day yesterday!! I also like taking photos - mainly close-ups of Carter - hands, eyes, etc. I dont have the best camera tho - my sisters have great Pentax's - I want one!!

Ok, best go - Ill try to check in again tonight...have the best day girls!!

Britt