Welcome to team 'Aussie Chicks' Cite!! I really wish I was as smart as you at 18yrs - although if I was, I would not be here and I would not have met these lovely ladies!

Type II DM had just recently decided to come touch my family and was one of the larger reasons for my taking on dieting. It is good to see someone so young taking pride in their health and future!

We ALL wish you truck loads of luck!!


Guess what I did last night? I managed to stay away from the food and the snacks after my evening meal!!! Yes Ani, even the nuts But, in doing so, I forgot all about my last litre of water!! And I didn't do my step-ups!

But I am proud of myself for not over eating!!! That is a huge step for me!!

Vonni, I am not following any plan as such either. All I have done is cut out between meal snacks (or making smarter choices) and drastically reduced portion size. I don't want to deviate from the foods I enjoy eating...I just want to learn control. And, when I stick to it, it does work!

Ani, I am following your suggestion...I am going to have a gentle talk to my scales this week, I am going to carry them outside and I am going to introduce them to the road - actually I might take them out to the highway! Lets see how good this really works

Half a kilo is going to happen for you this week Ani, I can feel it!!!


Lets make it another good day ladies!!

Hey ladies

Thanks for your support yesterday. Somehow I made it to the gym and did my weights workout and of course, felt great afterwards.

Today is not shaping up to be so good though. Got a page long email from a workmate which I don't agree with any of her complaints at all so am shaping up to confront her about that.

Didn't pack my gym gear this morning so won't be going to the gym.

Honestly, as soon as I saw the email I burst into tears and went outside for a ciggie. I'm sitting here almost shaking but can't talk to her until she's free so just have to wait.

I wanna scream!

Hi Girls

Welcome Cite! woo - I'm in your boat, except it was 10kg over SACE (HSC) and 10kg after moving out of home! I don't think I have any family history to spur me on though - just the sight of me in the mirror is enough! I hope you stick around - these girls are full of good ideas and support.

Augigi - i totally understand the 'zero motivation' factor. At work, i am treated with no respect at all, and the boss has this habit of looking at me as if to say "I -cannot- believe you are this stupid" or " you are scum - why are you talking to me?" I really don't enjoy getting treated like a kid. But, I guess it's hard to find a good job when you work around uni.

Ani - I've jumped in your boat too! I've got a nasty twinge in my left shoulderblade, not to mention an aching lower back from working registers all day! I know it's not a prolapsed disc, but I can sympathise!

Buying scales on Wednesday I hoping it will tell me good news. I've ben too busy to get to the gym the last few days - I really need to get there.

Have a great day lovelies

Kylie <- my primary transport! woo!

Little Kiwi, I'd be giving that workmate of yours a mouthful. Did you know this email was coming, or did she decide she doesn't have the simple courtesy to tell you stuff to your face? I'm not a fan of using email for any kind of confrontation - I think it's gutless.

Kylie, sorry to hear about your back and shoulder; promise I didn't mean to infect everyone with aching backs this week! What kind of scales are you going to get?

Lindor you be careful on that highway. The image of you dodging road trains with your scales tucked under your arm is very funny to my warped imagination . But I must say it's awesome to hear you sounding enthusiastic about your weight loss - and good on you for avoiding a late night snack attack!

Gen did you end up going to work?

I'm on a mission! I'm getting rid of that next 0.5kg this week so there'll be no sitting on MY arse waiting for anything

Today I'm going to walk for my usual hour, write down my calories, and try and drink enough water. If I feel really inspired I'll do some stepups tonight as well!

Hope everyone has a great day.

:-)
Ani

Hi ladies and welcome to Cite and Vonni. Its great that you found us to share the ups and downs of this journey

Everyone sounds really motivated at the moment and looks as if all the hard work and effort is finally paying off

Me.........well I think I'm in the wrong head space at the moment! I start the week motivated and ready to go and then by about Thursday I start slipping, making the wrong food choices and snacking on whatever. Not good. Saying that I've managed to keep my weight the same so maybe I need to concentrate on maintaining for now and see where that takes me. I know that eventually I'll get really sick of myself and do something about it........sooner reather than later I hope

I'll pop back with my weigh in tomorrow and see how everyone else is faring.

Bye for now.

Barb
XXX

Hello again ladies

Well, I had it out with my workmate. I'd sat here and stewed about it until midday and by the time I talked to her I was so upset that I burst out into tears. I gave her my side of the story and she was suitably apologetic and I'm feeling better about it all now.

I'm having one of those days now though where I feel like crying still. I wish I could go home and curl up in bed and not have to deal with the world today

I'll just try to remember that it's a new day tomorrow and it will be a better day. I must be doing pretty good I think, in the past I would have felt like going on a bender and now I don't so yay for that

Nope, wussed out and stayed home. I'd think my boss is a complete misogynist, except he treats men like crap too. He is just so supercilious and smug, he acts like he knows everything and we are just SO stupid. Yet he says "oh, you're so valuable to us" but I can't even take that as a positive because he's so smarmy when he says it. He's not actually my "boss", he's my CEO and a complete arsehole.

Anyhow, I've decided that it shouldn't be miserable to go to work every day, even though it's a great job and I've loved it and earn a lot of money. I was happier working as a nurse, so I'm going to go back to that for a while as I work out my US registration and job.

Anyhow... will have to go back tomorrow, but a three day work week is much easier to take! I may as well use my sickies before I quit, can't take em with me!

Welcome Cite. I just discovered these guys too, and I love em already

Thanks for info Ani, I think I will have to have a snack but make it a bit of fruit. I am a self confessed food addict so really need to exercise some self control. I'm best to go cold turkey rather than try to cut back (A bit like giving up the ciggies which I did 7 years ago.)

LMAO@ the picture in my mind that Ani painted of Lindor dodging road trains:

Littlekiwi don't let others get you down. My policy at work is "SMILE AND NOD" . I work at the courtesy desk in a retail store, and sometime s the customers don't have much courtsey. And some staff can be really mean towards other workers. I'm just glad I'm the type that can get along with most anybody, but figure if they are talking about me at all, they are leaving someone else alone.

Rang a friend (who's 4 fooot nuthin and very slim) to come walking with me this morning. (She panicked when I called, thought something was wrong and screamed "what are you doing ringing me this early?" I said I always ring you at 8. Well she freaked out, had set her clock wrong it said 5am lol. She was pretty rushed getting her kid off to school.)

Anyhow to get back on track.... I picked her up in my car and we went to the river for a walk along the pathway. It was nice for a change, beats staring at houses and hills. I was pretty pleased with myself when we returned to the car after 40 minutes and stopped. She was gasping for air and I was fine.

Does anybody have any suggestions for different exercise at home that is low impact? I want to do something other than walk but have a damaged knee, a baby without a sitter and a low budget so a gym membership doesnt cut it.

Gotta go and stop prattling on. Time to get the two legged creatures from their training ground.

C ya all

Vonni

Hi girls!

Man, you guys sure are talkative lately!!

I feel like I miss so much when I dont check in everyday!

Just a quick one - time for Carters bedtime - but I lost only 1/2kg last week...course I started af (haha...remember Lindor??) today, so Im sure I was retaining water. Should be a better number next week. However, I spent over $200 on MY food alone last week and we just cant afford that! So, am on my first week of LitenEasy as its low-GI and only $120...still expensive, but cheaper than what I was spending and a lot easier. I just cant spend all day in the kitchen every day for the long haul, know what I mean? Anyway, so Ill keep ya posted. Ive heard great things about it...and Im not worried about it being pre-prepared as I already know HOW to eat...its just not being able to afford the time and money its been taking. So yeah. We'll see. Still on the supplements to help with the insulin sensitivity and will be starting walking (finally) when Dh gets over his cold.

Sounds like you guys are doing wonderfully!! Welcome to the newbies!

Check in again soon!!

Britt

Barb, what's going on? Have you lost sight of your goals? It sounds like you're having a big battle with your head at the moment, and maybe it would be good to set yourself some new goals. Throw out what's not working, and make a plan.

I agree that sometimes it's really tough to get motivated - but I've given up believing you have to be motivated to do this weight loss stuff. One of the things I've learned is that if you want the weight to come off, sometimes you've just got to get out and do it… and trust the inspiration will follow.

I've just come out of a seven-week plateau - and I refused to quit. I figured my body was adjusting to something or other, so I kept walking, kept visiting here, and stayed (mostly) with my eating plan. And as you know, a few big emotional issues surfaced during that time. I just got stubborn about it - and FINALLY another kilo donated itself to the universe.

Vonni, I'm glad I made you laugh about Lindor and road trains. You do know that I'm scared of her, and she might belt me for having fun at her expense . Very good to see you inspired and out walking.

I can't suggest anything in the way of exercise for dodgy knees. Are you near a swimming pool, where you could do aqua aerobics?

Hey Britt, good to hear from you. I think it's great that you've dropped 0.5kg.

:-)
Ani

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome! It's good to know I'm not alone on this journey, and that just because it isnt easy losing weight doesnt mean it is impossible.

Ani, as to your question about my food habits, I am still going through that teenage stage of not feeling tired until 1am and sleeping until noon. So most of my food usually gets consumed between about 4pm and 10pm and since my body is starving by then I have just sort-of grazed on anything sugary and sweet I could get my hands on . BUT...now I'm trying to eat at regular intervals, having at least 2-3 pieces of fruit a day etc. If there is a cake or something in the fridge I will just have a small piece, rather than trying to avoid it at all and ending up eating 8 pieces. My mum is always offering to buy me donuts and chocolate when she goes shopping so I think I am going to have to train her...too hard to say no.

Has anyone here seen a dietitian? Dr. referred me to one and I went last week but I got sick of her saying 'you are going to have to eat outside your comfort zone...are you willing to do that? really?' - she gave me a good eating plan but made me feel like a child . Yes, I know I am only 18 but it seemed pointless that she kept telling me to eat foods I know I dont like, for example vegemite and yoghurt, rather than why my diet had gotten so bad. Sorry for the rant...seems pathetic compared with problems at work and a seven-week plateau [congrats Ani for overcoming that! ].

Kylie - the mirror thing isnt working for me since I spent about an hour a day avoiding all the mirrors in the house, any windows with reflective properties...it'll be nice when it doesnt bug me anymore.

Barb - I can also understand the total lack of motivation you are feeling...couldnt be bothered walking today and the treadmill is only about 5m from my room.

Vonni - some aerobics tapes are low impact, depending on the theme; not the oz style bum, hips and thighs one because the whole video is basically squats and lunges [I couldnt walk for three days and my knees are fine]. Aerobics looks easy but it can be a really good workout and most go for 30-45mins. Maybe an idea.

Sorry this is so long-winded, I am going to have to learn to be concise. Thanks again for the welcome, feeling motivated now !

Yes Ani I do live near a swimming pool, but alas I have no swimmers, my boardies burst the velcro when i bend forward, and the pool is also home to a gymnasium full of "I love me" people trying to outdo each other. No kidding I think the word VAIN was invented in this town. It makes you feel a tad uncomfortable. Maybe I might case the place first until I see a time slot that the vain and the beautiful aren't around. - Oh BTW, I'll send you a raw steak for your eye when Lindor wacks u one.

Cite I was like you with my eating habits. "Just one little piece won't hurt me" usually ended up being, "oh my god the cakes gone, better just tell DH and the critters it went stale!" But so far for a week I've had zero bad foods. It isn't easy either when DH brings home softdrink and pringles then gets offended when I say no. When will he GET IT?

And yes I have previously seen a dietician. Not for weight loss but for iron deficiency and I agree they make you feel like a child. Man I reckon I've done so much information digging I could probably tell the dietician how to eat properly. She just didn't seem to get it that I CAN'T physically eat as much leafy green vegetables or red meat that they recommend. My body does not utilise it correctly so even when I DID follow her advise my tests still came back low.

I went for another walk this evening after dinner. Thats 2 in a day

Keep on movin everyone.
Cheers
Vonni

Someone else with an iron deficiency! I'll never forget when I went to the doctor after getting the blood test back and his only comment was "Why don't you just eat steak?", in an exasperated tone. I never went back to him again. Vonni have you tried Spatone [http://www.spatone.com/en.php?section=home]? You get it from the chemist, it is natural springwater from Wales or somewhere there. It comes in a box with liquid sachets, one for each day, and is high in iron. It tastes a bit metallic but I just add it to orange juice when I remember and my iron is fine now . Supposedly it gets absorbed better than the other iron supplements and there are less side effects.

One day I'm going to go and add up the amount of food you would need to eat in a day to get all the essential vitamins and minerals from food alone - I really wouldnt be suprised if it was like 3000+ calories. Ridiculous.

Yes, I am a major vitamin whore these days - I take SO many tablets, it's ridiculous: vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, fish oil, calcium, vitamin B12, multivitamin. It's a wonder I don't rattle!

Went out at 5:30am for my first session with a personal trainer, a group of us from the WW board are sharing the sessions. Was hard but doable, feel very virtuous now. Having another day off work, just because I can Back feels much better today after icing it yesterday.

Re parents and partners sabotaging you with yum food - I found it helpful to take my mum and my WW calculator to the supermarket when I was visiting her - then I could add up the points for various things so she realised what I could and couldn't have. I've actually inspired her now - she's watching her diet and has started eating breakfast and drinking water!

Morning ladies!

Just a quickie from me, I over slept this morning and I am kinda running a tad late - despite falling asleep on the couch for a couple of hours last evening!!! That incidently, was as far as I got with my step-ups last night too!!! I got my steps out, sat on the couch for what was s'posed to be a moment and ZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz!!

Anyway, I ate to plan yesterday - I think I slept through my 'I need to snack' urges Didn't quite manage my water quota, and well, the exercise never happened. But I am happy I seem to have the food under control a bit more now, so no complaints from me!!

I scored myself a new set of scales yesterday (should arrive in the mail early next week) - a set the count by .1kg rather than the .5kg that I have now. I think at this point I need to see the smaller losses more. I can't keep expecting .5kg or more each week! These scales apparently have all the other gizmos with it...water and fat percentage etc - they are even going to tell me what my recommended calorie intake should be!!! Hey, they might even wash the dishes and make my bed!!!

So, it looks like I might not need to waddle out onto the highway, scales in tow and face the road trains after all!!!

Ani and Vonni, I get the feeling I am going to have to keep my wits about me when it comes to you two!

Fortunately I have broad shoulders (not to mention the other broad parts!), so pick on me all you like!!! Because I garrantee you I am capable of making a bigger fool of myself than anyone ever could!

Besides I couldn't beat anyone up over the mental image I got of me doging road trains!!!


Britt, great to hear from you! I was only thinking about where you might have disappeared to yesterday! Sorry to hear the Atrial Fibrillation is back...oh hang on, AF, yes that's right you have been waiting on it's return!!


Alright, I gotta run!!! Sorry!

I'll try and post again this evening.

Have a good day ladies