Good to hear from you little kiwi. Don't worry to much about what happened last week, focus on a new beginning next week. Isn't it funny how while your doing something you don't really notice the benifits till you stop :)

Lindor... Nope. Definately was only a 3cm loss. Goodness knows how she managed to get that. I had a look at the computer printout she gave me and she's even entered things wrong in there! My arms measured 36cm's on day one and 37.5 yesterday. She's put a total gain of 3cm's? Don't think so! Oh well, next time they'll think I'm some sort of wonder woman wont they!!! If I were you at the moment I would try and concentrate on maintaining. Too much going on to really stick to anything. Enjoy your holidays, don't beat yourself up over little slip ups. Hey, what happened to your exercise bike?!

I had a great day yesterday, weight loss wise! I did my exercise, ate really well and had three litres of water. Suffering from mega PMS :bomb: though! DH even said something! Will try and be a nicer person to be around today!:lol:
Bye for now, lunch is calling :D

Hi girls!!!!!

Im back! Ok, no real excuses for being away...we were busy with trying to make a baby as you know, but alas, no luck so far. Sadly, I have been so obssessed with the whole thing, Ive kinda committed all my free time to reading and researching about getting pregnant. SO, here I am...still trying for a baby, but a bit more balanced! :)

I see there are new faces here! Welcome! :)

I will go back and try and catch up with everything tonight, but wanted to say that I HAVE been thinking about you girls...and have missed you. I, am back where I started weight wise...sad day. But, I guess the old adage is true - it doesnt matter how many times you fall...as long as you keep getting up. So, Im getting up...again. Hope to stay up for a while at least. Did my grocery shopping last night and am set again.

Will be back soon, I promise! I wont fall behind again...

xxxx

Welcome back Britt and Little Kiwi - great to hear from you!

I've been behaving myself this week … very boring. I SO want to get to at least 95kg by the end of the year, and I've decided that I have to put in some hard work to get there. I've got around 2.5kg to go, so it's not going to be a breeze.

I hope I can get back down to 97kg by Monday (my weigh-in day), so I'm working hard to try and make that happen.

This weight-loss business is SO frustrating!

:-)
Ani

I feel fat!!!


Rock on Monday!


Britt!!! Good to see you!!! The wagon seems to be waiting for me so jump on while you can :p

LittleKiwi, welcome home too! I'd have probably let loose to if I had all that good food in front of me!! Wait 'til monday and start fresh...and enjoy your weekend!!!

Oh and the exercise bike...I just sold it as I wasn't using it and there really isn't enough room in the unit for it! And I sold it for $30 more than I paid for it too!!! Yeah, I am naughty!!! :lol:

***Thinking of all the pizza I can get with $30***



The paperwork for settlement on the sale of my house did not arrive as expected yesterday so now settlement has been delayed until Monday or Tuesday! I am planning to be out now on Sunday night, Monday will be for a final quick clean up and then I'll lock the doors for the last time!!! YAY!!!

Alright...more packing, more moving, more cleaning!

Catch you all later!

Hi everyone

I'm on track this week - except that I still need to drink more water. I don't know if I will lose any weight, but I feel good that I am making healthier choices and looking after myself.

My new extended family of fluffy things have turned this house into a circus - I now have three 8-week-old kittens, a one-year-old and an 11-year old … as I write this FOUR of my cats are playing demolition derby through the loungeroom and kitchen.

My vertical blinds are in danger of becoming horizontal, and I can't even begin to describe the state of my house. I've no doubt I'll get a decent workout cleaning up after them.

Lindor, how are your babies coping with the move?

Today I'm planning to walk and do situps - and I'm really going to try and drink plenty of water.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

:-)
Ani

Hahah...well, if you have coupons, you can get about 5. Sad that I know that. Im married to a pizza-addict and sad to say, I tend to join in...

How is everyone?!? I havent been my BEST, but Ive been making better choices...I had planned to go full-on, but see, I got two positive pregnancy tests last night and this morning. Im still in shock and as the lines are still so faint, Im hesitant to believe it until they get darker. In the meantime, I dont want to do anything stupid, so Im doing my best to eat small frequent meals (low GI - all wholegrain, etc) and drink my water. Its so hot here so Im not sure if I will get any walking in, but we're going to the beach later, so Im sure we will get a bit of exercise in. Tomorrow will be spent cleaning my tornado-hit house. Seriously. Carter is into EVERYTHING! I might try and put a pic up of what he was up to yesterday.

Anyway, will keep ya posted. Have a good day everyone! :)

I have decided that, although settlement is now not until the middle of next week, I am moving out today! I'll have access to the place for cleaning etc on Sunday and Monday and on tuesday I'll had the keys over!

I am sick of staying here! I have no furniture except for my bed! I have no fridge! I feel like I am living in poverty!! Except I am eating more than 100 people in poverty! :lol:

I also want to move today so I can get the dogs and cat to the new place today and I'll have all night and a full day with them tomorrow to settle them in before I have to go to work and leave them alone for full days! I am also extremely eager to get some sort of routine back into my life and get back onto the weight-loss thing fully again!

I have so much to do still! Out of nine rooms, a hallway and the backyard, so far I have only completely cleared two rooms! It still does not seem possible that I can do this!

And this darn machine only aids in procrastination!!!

PC gets moved today, so if you don't here from me this evening some technician stuffed up with the new connection at the unit! I'll be back as soon as I can!

Have a good weekend all :)

Britt, I didn't see your post...

I got my fingers crossed that everything is positive for you! God knows you have been trying hard :lol:

Good luck mate ;)

Go, go, go Lindor! You can do it!!!

I am soooo over moving!

But I am out! My first post from my new (albeit maybe temporary) home!

One dog is cool with it! The other (deaf and blind) dog is very bewildered, he is walking into everything from doors to walls, beds and stoves!!! But, he does still seem ok within himself. Cat...has remained under the lounge since we got here!!! :lol:

I have been way to busy to even think about food today! I sat down at 4pm and had a snack of (lite)cheese and (lite)biscuits - haven't thought of eating again. Now I know that is not the wisest way to diet so no lectures please. I think the fact that I drank twice my set quota of water today (yes 6ltrs!!!!) may have filled me up!

No step-ups either tonight, but I would have walked a 100 miles today lugging huge boxes from one house, to the car then the car to the unit!

I even found the time and energy to take the dogs for a half hour walk too. I plan to do that everyday as the yard here is about the same size as the cats kitty litter tray!!


Britt, you captured Carters 'I didn't do it' look perfectly! :lol: It's a cute pic!

Ani, you are going great...and I reckon you might surprise yourself on Monday!

Well, I need sleep! Another full day tomorrow! Gotta scrub the house top to bottom and, thanks to the rain! I need to mow the lawn again! Pity I sold the lawn mower last weekend!!! :lol: Mum has kindly agreed to let me use hers!


And how is everyone else doing??? ;)

Glad to hear the move is almost done Lindor, and that you have managed to maintain both your sanity and your sense of humour.

I had the worst sleep last night. Didn't manage to fall asleep until almost 2am, then one of my cats started jumping on the bed and meowing at me to wake up from about 5am onwards until I acquiesced. Blurk!

I'm hoping I will have enough energy to walk in a minute - coffee, of course, comes first. Can't let myself down when tomorrow is weigh-in day and I really want to improve on last Monday's 97.6kg! And I'm going to measure myself tomorrow as well to see if there's been any improvement.

Yesterday was mostly good. I ate a pasta dish for lunch, but prepared it myself, so it was less than 500 calories. I walked for an hour as well.

Today I hope to walk for an hour and do my situps. I hope you all have a great day.

:-)
Ani

Heloooo ladies!

I'm doing so well at the moment.:carrot:I've had a great weekend, still done the whole snacking thing and the wine but have managed to lose a little as well:DHappy happy happy!! I think cutting down on the meal sizes has made a HUGE difference!

Ani. My son is sick at the moment so I now what its like to be woken at ungodly hours!
Britt. CONGRATULATIONS:congrat: A positive is a positive!! I would so love to be in your shoes at the moment. Now that you have two pink lines just try and eat healthy. stick to the unprocessed stuff and you'll be fine. I'm cheering for you!!! Don't forget to take a preg multi vitamine.

Lindor. If you weren't so far away I would come over and help you out. I'm an end results girl. I'd love to clean out your old place and stand back and see a job well done!:) Oh and well done on making a profit on your exercise bike!!! :lol3: I was reading way back in the thread and you were doing great with the whole exercise thing. I'd love to own an elicptical trainer. Will have to see how things go next year. So far Curves is doing well for me.

Has anyone heard from Leeny? Hope everything is ok there.

Little Kiwi. How are you doing? Over the working holiday now!!!

I'm off to bed now. good night all.
XXX
Barb

That's more like it - 96.6kg this morning, which means I dropped a kilo since last Monday! Now I need to make sure that I don't "celebrate" by sabotaging it - which has been my pattern for the last six weeks or so.

This week's goal is crystal clear for me - it's my birthday in 8 days time, and all I want is to be as close to 96kg as I can get. I've got a shocker of a week with work, which means 16-hour-days until Thursday - so I'm going to have to work extra hard to find time to walk and do my exercises.

I'm thinking about going swimming next month. I'm not a strong swimmer, but I enjoy it, and since I will be on holidays it would be good to add something else to my exercise routine.

Barb, it's good to hear you sounding more positive.

Right - off to get coffee and find my walking shoes!

Have a great day everyone.

:-)
Ani

Just a quickie as the power has been out for over an hour and has only just come back on - and I still need to get ready for work!

I haven't weighed-in...can't find the flipping scales!!! But I am back into it 120% from today. Ok so it is only going to be for two weeks and then I am on holiday. Ideally I'd like to remain around the 82kg mark but a slight drop would be nice too :lol:

Plan for the next two weeks...

Eat good and no more than 1700cal
Drink lots of water - 3ltrs!
20mins step-ups a day!
Half hour (slow) walk with the dogs every afternoon - weather permitting.
NO NUTS!!
Daily check-ins here.
And anything else I can think of that will help! :lol:



Hoping Ani has reported her weigh-in now because I am so sure she will show something positive!

Ok, gotta run!

Hey Lindor, I'll join you in a two-week plan. Here's mine:

• Eat no more than 1700 calories a day;

• Drink 2 litres of water every day (I know it should be more, but if I set this as a goal I'm more likely to stick to it);

• Do 40 ab crunches and 40 situps every second day;

• Walk for an hour every day;

• In week two, swim 3 times; and

• Report in here every day!

Ani, your post saved me tonight! I was just thinking about getting something to snack on and had decided I couldn't be bothered with my step-ups. Your post gave me the motivation to not snack and do the step-ups again!

So, all up a reasonable day! Ate well, drank two litres of water (I like your plan of 2lt as well - I am struggling as it is soooo cold at work!) and did my step-ups.

I did not walk the dogs as it was threatening to rain! And I also had to do the last little bit at the house and say goodbye to 5 yrs of living there! I found that quite emotional actually :(

I hand the keys over tomorrow.

Anyway...bedtime! Another day tomorrow...I must stay on the wagon! See you then :)

Hey ladies

Great to see that everyone is sounding good and still checking in regularly!

What a week I've had, I got back from my work trip, had 1 day in the office then flew north for the weekend to see U2 in concert. Wow, it was AMAZING and definitely worth the wait. :twirly: :twirly:

Unfortunately with all the standing and dancing I did at the concert, the ingrown toenail which I had partially removed a couple of months ago got pretty badly infected. I went to the doctor yesterday and he ended up having to give me a local so that he could clean it all out and he discovered that there was quite a bit of nail left there that should have been removed the first time :eek: so no wonder it wouldn't heal!

All this means that I can't wear shoes at the moment so no gym for me this week. However, while I can't do my cardio, I'm going to aim to at least do some sit ups and press ups etc at home and will be extra careful with my diet.

Back on board properly next week!

:cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

I had a pretty good day yesterday, all things considered. I met almost all my goals for the day - except I only drank 1.5L of water. I don't know why I have days when I can't be bothered with it.

Today I've walked for an hour, so I'm on track again. Lindor, I'm glad I inspired you to avoid whatever snack was calling your name :-). Have you found your scales yet?

Little Kiwi, good to hear that U2 was awesome. Lucky you! Look after that foot - infections are hideous.

Only five more working days for me and then I go on holidays. Can't. Wait!

:-)
Ani

Yes Ani, I found my scales! Wish I hadn't - 83.5kg this morning! Last week was bad with eating though so I guess I deserve that slap in the face!

Still on track today - kinda! We have a new coffee shop just opened in town so I dared to try a cappaccino this morning - no sugar of course! And I walked the few hundred metres to get it! Unfortunately it was very good and it's location is very close to work! I might have to do something to really embarrass myself there and then I won't have the courage to walk in there again :lol:

So far the weather is looking good, so I should be able to take the dogs for their walk - I don't know why I am adding that to my exercise routine because it is only half an hour if that, and a very slow walk because my old dog struggles toward the end. But I guess it is a little bit more than what I was doing before.

Keep up the good work Ani! 9 days 'til I am on holiday too! Can't wait!!!!!!

LittleKiwi, glad you had a great weekend, although it is ashame about the toe. But, I have seen lots of skinny disabled people around so I am sure it can still be done :p Keep up the good work!

Right, back to work!!!

Hello, thanks PerthChick for alerting me to this post, much appreciated.
Im 27yo, from the Hunter Valley NSW

Welcome Cliona, great to have you aboard! I wish you all the best and all the success on this journey! So, what plans and changes are you working on to achieve this?

So yesterday turned out to be a good day too! Ate well (other than that cappaccino), did my step-ups, did my half hour dawdle with the dogs, but only managed 1lt of water - it's just too cold!!! Funny saying that at this time of the year! :lol:

Today, I am hoping to stick to pretty much the same plan! I want as much off as possible before my holiday! :lol:

Hey Cliona,

Glad you found your way over here - I find this to be a great thread, both for support and the kindness of the women who post here. They make me laugh a lot too :-).

I stuck to my plan yesterday, although - like you Lindor - didn't drink enough water. Today I have a major deadline to meet, so I will be doing nothing else but writing and concentrating for hours. I think I'll save my walk until I'm finished, and launch straight into work.

Here's what I want to do today:

• Walk for an hour;
• Eat less than 1700 calories
• Drink some bloody water!
• and get this job finished so I can start to think about holidays.

Hope everyone has a good one.

:-)
Ani

I swear, I can feel myself getting fatter and fatter by the day :mad: during my 4 days in Rarotonga I ate way too much and I can really notice it at the moment. Now because of my damned toe, I can't wear shoes and therefore can't go to the gym which is really frustrating me :(

If there's one thing about me that's not helping, it's that I hate walking/biking etc outdoors. I get so bored so quickly whereas when I'm in the gym doing it, I'm fine!

I'm feeling really mad that all the hard work I did before the Raro trip has basically all gone down the gurgler. I'm too scared to weigh myself because I know that I will have gained and worst of all, I actually feel fatter whereas a few weeks ago, I was feeling slimmer and therefore more positive.

Anyway, enough of my moaning. Today I am setting a goal of going for a walk after work. Don't know how long it'll be as I have to wear jandals but something will be better than nothing!

Thanks for listening to me rant :^:

Hey all

Yes i am still here. My life is one big headache at times. I definitely can say i am never bored and there is not enough hours in the day for me.

I have been busy with dramas at the Special School my eldest attends. Been to the principal several times, mothers ringing me crying, kids crying and this is all over their teacher. Long story and i won't bore you guys but i have stuck my neck out and stood up for what is right and now i am definitely "in the thick of it" with education dept etc etc. It is funny when someone does something that you know is wrong for your child, you get very very protective and watch out anyone in my path....

So...i thought i'd better pop in and see how everyone is travelling. WE all seem to be hanging in there even though life has thrown some curve balls this year. I have been so-so on the diet. Last week at WW i lost 0.7kg. Was very dissappointed as i was very good. This week a measly 0.2kg. I think my body loves the carbs as it was so not used to them and it wants to keep them....:devil: I have been to 2 parties though this week, the movies and very busy so meals where hit and miss at times. No walking either...i just did not have the time so i suppose that accounts for the small loss. I suppose it is a loss though and i am still going in the right direction this time.

So officially i weigh 87kg now. I have dropped 5.5kg this month at WW. I am happy about that but still can't get my head around that i have put weight on and am still struggling to get it off....again..when i bloddy well was at goal.

Lindor...don't stress...you know you can get back on your diet when you are more organised.
Britt...what is the news? Are you or not...have you been to the Dr to confirm?
Ani..your babies would be just so beautiful(though mischevious) but very funny. Who cares about the blinds...they'll be all grown up before you know it and you can buy newies then
Littlekiwi...you are a busy one...you jetsetter you. Yes it is hard to stay on track when meals are laid out in front of you....remember you can only do the best you can
Clione....WELCOME...post as often or as little as you like. It does help though to stay in contact more often as not....it takes too long to read all the posts if you don't:dizzy:
Did i miss anyone...i hope not.
I must go and have a swim...it it hot here today...so my exercise will hopefully cool me off.
PS...Where are you lucky girls off to on holidays?:hug:

Hi girls,

Well, after a blood test yesterday, I can safely say that I am officially NOT pregnant! 4 positive tests and Im ticked! I didnt "feel" pregnant though, so it wasnt really much of a surprise. I just want my stupid period already! I still havent had it since Carter was born and its getting annoying. Dr prescribed me something to get things rolling though, so hopefully it will help. Ugh!

Anyway, Ani, congrats on the kilo loss! Thats brilliant!

Lindor, glad to hear you are officially moved and your little ones are doing pretty well with it all!

Barb, thanks for the congrats - wish i could accept them! :)

Welcome Cliona! Nice to have a new member to our crew! :)

Leeny, a loss is a loss, no matter how small you think it is, so congrats! :)

Well, wish I could write more...will try and pop on again tonight but I have a very tired boy right now who needs a nap. Have a good day girls!

Britt
xxxx

Sorry to hear about your false positive Britt. You'll just have to keep practicing! :D

Well, I have no excuse, just that I was lazy, but I didn't walk last night. My toe is almost better so at least I'll be able to wear shoes and therefore get back to the gym soon!

:twirly: :twirly:

Bad day for me yesterday. One of my cats (the one-year-old) was sick - took him to the vet, and he had a temperature of 40+. Pleased to say he is on the improve this morning (after an antibiotic jab and takeaway pills), but he was really sick yesterday, and I am hopeless when one of my animals is sick.

I managed to get my work finished by deadline, but didn't go for a walk. I suppose the good news is that for most of the day I was feeling too anxious about my fluffy boy to eat much - and ended up eating less than 1400 calories.

I've got a hideously busy day today as well, and may not have time for a walk again.

But that's all good. Two days of not walking does not a failure make - it just means I need to remain careful with my food, and I will do that.

Gotta run - on top of all else I have to get my car over to the VW shop before 7.30am to get the air-conditioner fixed. And when you live in Perth, and summer is looming, you don't live without the a/c for a minute more than you have to.

It's good to hear from everyone - I would love to have time to reply and say "hey" to you all. But it might have to be tonight. Have a great day everyone!

:-)
Ani

Another good day yesterday!

Going to make this two weeks work for me!!!

I plan on doing a lot of walking while on holiday so maybe that well help if I 'slightly' over indulge with the food! :lol:

Isn't it sad that I am making excuses for myself already :lol:

Ani, how'd you go with the water? I think I managed just a litre again yesterday! If I wasn't soooo cold I'd be guzzling the stuff down!

Leeny, good to hear from you again. You do have a lot on your plate, and then to try an manage a diet plan!! You are amazing! And as Britt said...a loss is still a loss!

Britt, sorry about the non-positive news. Look at the bright side...more trying!! :lol: Probably not that funny right now...hang in there, it will happen! :hug:

LittleKiwi, you'll back into it full force when you are fit! Good luck!

I did have one of those god awful, disgusting cappaccinos yesterday! This is becoming a bad habit! See, this town has not had a decent coffee shop in years, this is a whole new thing for us and we are all loving it! Maybe I can over indulge on cappaccinos so much while on holiday I might be sick of them by the time I get back :lol:

Alright, gotta get ready for work!

Have a good day ladies!

A good chunk of me fell off the wagon yesterday. But although I am dragging along behind it, holding on with my finger tips with my face in the mud, I am still determined to hold on!!!

I did walk to the coffee shop yesterday, I did have a cappaccino too! But they talked me into trying a home baked cookie and when I agreed to it they convinced me I'd be getting a bargain if I bought a 'sampler box' of six cookies for $5! I am starting a real love/hate relationship with that shop!!!!

I only ate three of the cookies, the rest I gave away.

As the day progressed something I did a week ago at work has apparently been the catalyst for a few personality clashes. There seems to be a bit of tension between a few work mates that, although were not caused by my actions, have been triggered by what I did!

Anyway, as I came to realise my part in these tensions I began to feel guilty and miserable about it. I had to go to the shop to get milk yesterday but felt 'who cares' and got some smoked almonds, pringles and a pie as well - all of which I consumed yesterday afternoon and evening!!! I AM A PIG!!!

Out of guilt I made myself do my step-ups and I made myself drink another litre of water (making it 2 for the day!)! I did not walk the dogs...I was too busy being a PIG!

So, that was my yesterday!

Ani, how's your boy? I know I get really upset when one of my babies is not themselves too. In fact I have gone beyond what people say is sane, just to be sure my babes are going to be safe and looked after while I am away!

Well, it is that time of the morning again! I gotta get ready for work! I am working the weekend now so will be starting holidays from next Thursday! YAY!!!!

Yikes. I've just scoffed a small bag of Bailies chocolate truffles :ink: and am feeling rather oinky. Really pissed off that all my hard work has gone to waste (or rather waist :^: ) but I'm just going to enjoy the weekend and jump back on the wagon on Monday.

Good work ladies, keep it up! :cheer2: :cheer2: :cheer2:

Hey Lindor, my little fluffy one appears to be on the mend. He's still not himself, but he's eating and drinking – and showing a little more interest in the world around him. I'm with you on the *above and beyond* stuff - one of my friends was having a go at me yesterday because I had hardly any food in the pantry, but could afford to take *that bloody cat to the vet*. You bet - I don't believe in people sharing their lives with animals unless they are prepared to be responsible for them!

I'm glad you're still clutching to that wagon by the tips of your fingers. I swear - if I keep hearing reports about sample cookie specials, I'm getting in the VW and driving to that coffee shop of yours, and putting padlocks on it :-) – even if it is a 4-day round trip to get there!

I'm about to go for a walk. Haven't walked for two days, and it's surprising how stiff my body feels from the lack of exercise (plus the stress from having a sick baby). Now - you asked me about my water intake. Does getting rained on count :-) ?, because that's the closest I have come to adequate hydration in the last two days.

So you've been a pig, and I've been a camel. Best we both lift our game :-)))

Ani

Hey all

I wonder why we all struggle in this journey of ours? That is the question for the day. It should be so simple...buy the right food, cook it and eat it...end of story. So that what i shall do....right. Right.

Too many things just throw us out and why? One thing should not be related to the other. We should eat to survive, not survive to eat. So that is my lecture for the day too...we all got it...right. That was harsh leeny making us all behave ourselves and reach our goals.....right...right. I feel utterly ashamed of myself that nearly a year ago it was myself, Lindor and Kathy(where is she these days) that vowed and declared that this was the year of making it to "slimville". WElll i can safely say i took several detours and slimmville seems soo many kgs away still. I had to put off my tummytuck because i felt like i was still too fat so what is the point until i reach my goal. I have rescheduled it 17th March so that is the day i will be 66kg...right.

Not that i have been bad at all but it seems terribly slow to come off at the moment and that pisses me off(to say it nicely). I am too impatient with everything actually and need things to go "according to plan" at all times....but they don't nearly never...soooo...what to do.

Drink my water..you listening Lindor and Ani
Eat the right food
Exercise at least 3 times a week
Don't be soo bloody impatient....it will happen if i stick to plan

I went shopping yesterday with my mum and sister. Tried on a few dresses for the many a Xmas party looming...loooked and felt disgusting...so today i am down on myself and trying to gain some perspective and positiveness to my dieting efforts. I think these days are important though to help me reach my goal(if ever). Thanks for listening and keep going girls...you all help me soo much and this thread is great...right...right..xxxleeny:hug:

Pig + Camel = Britt

Actually, yesterday was the best Ive done on water in a long time - I managed to get 2 litres down, but nowhere near my usual 3 - 4 litres. Was doing really well with food as well until hubby came home with dinner, which was made up of chicken enchiladas with refried beans! I mean, how do you pass that up?!? <sigh> Not to mention our house is desperate for a good grocery shop, so I think Ill be living on eggs today! :dizzy:

Anyway, Ani, glad to hear your baby is doing better!

Lindor, you and your bloody nuts! Hahaha :D I just love that you always go for those! I try to eat a handful of unsalted almonds a day just for the vit E factor (is good for getting pregnant), but I really crave cashews...hhmmm...I doubt theres anything in those that will help with getting pregnant so unfortunately I can justify it...:^:

Leeny, preach it! Honestly, even just bouncing back and forth with these stupid 3 kilos, I feel the difference! I hate that my pants are so stinkin hard to zip up and that I have this disgusting flap that hangs over them (not helped by the fact I had to have cesarean with Carter! :( )! I hate standing sideways in the mirror when Im about to get into the shower and realise that my tummy sticks out further than my boobs! AAHHHH!!! I really wish that Jan would come and go so that I can get into this wholeheartedly (we're only going to try and get pregnant until Jan/Feb)...Im so afraid that if I cut out too many calories or exercise too much, my cycle will get stuffed. Its ridiculous really.

Anyhow, like you Lindor, Im hanging on by my fingernails at the moment...but hanging on nonetheless.

Have a wonderful day ladies - am off to get the house clean before we decorate for Christmas this weekend! Thats always fun to look forward to...:D

xxxx

Hey, just a thought, but maybe it would be nice to see what everyone looks like on here?? I mean, we all talk everyday, but never really have a face to put with the name. So, heres a pic of me (with Carter a few months ago)...notice its only a head shot! :)

leeny, your post has made me think about things and I wanted to respond to the question: "why do we struggle…"?

What a complex question, because if you really sit still with yourself and try and answer it honestly, you realise how many layers you need to tease off before you can know. Maybe that's why successful weight loss is a long, sometimes boring, often frustrating process. With each kilo that comes off we are exposing ourselves a little more - taking away a layer of protection. That can be scary.

We have to deal with the confronting cliche of *I am good enough, loveable enough, worthy enough to become the best person I can be*. Very few people truly believe that - and it takes a lot of time to change how we think about ourselves.

We have to cope with the shame of having gotten so big in the first place. That's not fun - not when you can't fit into clothes in *normal shops*. Not when your thighs hurt because you can't comfortably fit into a seat on a plane. Not when people watch you when you're eating – to reinforce in their own minds that fat people are pigs with no self-control. Not when we are assaulted, on a daily basis in the mass media, with images of thin, beautiful, successful women.

We have to embark on a journey where, even when we work ourselves stupid, the results are often achingly slow. I know for me - I have lost 8.8kg as of this morning - yet I still fit into the same clothes I was wearing when I started this journey four months ago.

Sometimes we set our goals too high. For long term weight-loss, when we have so many kilos to shed, we have a lot to do. Learn to eat/shop/plan differently. Learn about being hydrated, strong, brave, and committed. I have set my goals a bit lower and slower than most people (I'm aiming for a pound a week - average - over 18 months).

I figured that there would be days and weeks where I wouldn't lose weight, or would eat too much … or would hit a plateau, and I didn't want to lose motivation by *failing* unrealistic goals.

Sometimes I look in the mirror and all I can see is a fat chick – I can hardly stand to look some days because I feel disgusted with myself for allowing this to happen. And then on other days I will see a newly formed muscle trying to take shape – and I am able to catch a glimpse of the body I am working on.

In many ways I am my own best friend, and my own worst enemy in this journey – I am definitely my biggest critic. Sometimes I eat too much because I am hungry for something other than food, but am not brave enough to admit I'm lonely, sad, scared … or in other emotional places where food fills a void in my life. Sometimes I overeat because it reinforces the view that I'm not worth looking after.

But you know what? I am really proud of the 8.8kg I have worked to lose. And even though I have a long way to go, I am confident that I can hang in there for the long haul, and pick myself up when I *fail*, and keep going until I have learned these lessons, and start to believe in the good things about me.

I'm sorry this is such a long waffle. You got me thinking - and because I get so much from you women in here who have become my friends - I feel like I can open up a little and be honest.

I want us all to touch our dreams, and to believe in ourselves. And to become the best people that we can possibly be.

:-)
Ani

Ani, Im impressed that you know all that about yourself and can address the issues...for me, I think Im lazy, pure and simple. I find that in a lot of areas in my life, not just with food, I just cant be bothered. Some days I wake up and realise how important it is for me to lose this weight, and other days, its the last thing on my mind. I think ever since I had Carter, and therefore survive on a lot less sleep, my concerns are always for him and I dont make the time or bother with the effort to do things for me. I dont want to become one of those mums who looks back in 20 years and realises she let herself go all for the sake of looking after her family. And yet, here I am...headed down that path. Word of advice to those without kids: do it now! Things are so much easier before you have them (and a husband, for that matter! haha)...Anyway, I dont think that I neccessarily "emotionally" eat...but moreso I eat the wrong things because they are the quickest to grab or make. With an almost-toddler literally crawling all over the place, its not easy to cook food anymore, or walk on the treadmill (because its too hot nowadays outside). My life has to revolve somewhat around Carter, and altho I know thats part of motherhood, it does make life that little more difficult. And here I am wanting to add another chick to the nest! :) haha

Well, didnt intend that to be so long...but I think thats why I struggle...its just too hard most of the time and when I have to expel so much energy on my 11-month-old, I cant seem to muster the rest of my energy to doing something that is so hard.

Anyway, its a journey and Ive made steps forward...just have to keep going in the right direction and make the decision everyday to do just that.

xxxx

Everything you said up there Ani is exactly what I'd have said too.

I always ask am I good enough...my answer is 'of course not'. I don't go out because I do feel I am good enough to interact with others, I feel awkward - because I too believe they just see the fat me, they don't see the me who is fun to be around.

I grew up with a mother who put the solution to all my problems, from a sore toe to not fitting in at school, down to 'lose weight!'

I grew up with a stick insect for a brother who called me everything from a whale to blubber guts and much worse!

I grew up with a father, who although had his own weight issues, took comfort in attacking me for mine. 'Here's a diet for you - eat until your stomach grows so much that you can't reach in front of you to make your next meal!'

With that in my immediate surroundings of course I am going to feel everyone out there is going to be watching everything I eat, the speed that I eat, the amount that I eat, etc!

You hit the nail on the head there Ani!


I also try and avoid the mirror!

Even now, 30kgs down, I still look in the mirror and see the fat me!!! I don't see the weight I have lost, I honestly still see the person I was this time last year! I only know I have lost weight because people tell me I have and because my clothes got too big for me and the scales say I have! I cannot see where I have lost it.

Occasionally, I'll see a reflection as I walk past a window, or a photo that was snapped of me and I might not initially recognise it as me - I like those moments, they are the moments I really see the difference that everyone else can see - but they are all too brief, as soon as I know it is me the image changes!


And, yes, I also eat to cover emotions and to fill voids in my life. Feeling sad...I eat. Feeling lonely...I eat. Blah, blah, blah!


It's sad the way our minds work sometimes - can be very distructive to our own selves.

Why is it so hard? Because dieting is more a mental battle than a physical one! And when we diet, we seem to only fight the physical causes of our weight gain - the amount we eat and exercise - we really need to look harder into our thought patterns, our emotions and our habits. It is the thoughts, emotions and habits that ultimately we need to change to diet, the eating and the exercise is only a small aspect of the whole thing!


Anyway...that is my waffle!!

So how'd I go yesterday?

I did well! Ate good, did my step-ups, took the dogs for a walk...but only drank a little over a litre of water.

I did have my cappaccino...but no cookies!

I gotta work this weekend and right through to Thursday now, so hopefully that'll keep me busy for most of the week! If I don't have to walk into a shop I should be fine :lol:

I have to move...I know I have not responded to other posts from yesterday, I'll try and get in tonight to do that! My waffle here has me running late now :lol:

Have a good day all!

Sofar the weekend is going pretty well. I went to a friend's birthday yesterday, and she laid on a massive amount of food. I was a bit worried, because I ate plenty - but it was lots of different salads and skinless chicken. I couldn't resist the dessert - apple and rhubarb pie with ice cream!

These are the challenges of December, aren't they. Birthday parties, Christmas parties, New Year's Eve parties – but this is my first December of seriously wanting to lose a significant amount of weight, so I intend to learn a lot from it.

I made sure I walked for an hour yesterday morning, and did lots of domestics. And I was still full enough from the birthday lunch that I was unable to eat dinner.

Today I will go for my walk, do my situps, eat clean … and try to drink those 2 litres of water. It's weigh-in for me tomorrow, and I really want to be close to 96kg.

How is everyone else's weekend?

:-)
Ani

I hate this day light saving already!!!! Slept in this morning so never had the time to post!!!

Yesterday was not so good for me...ate like a pig!! Started with lollies at work and continued all evening! No pizza though! I am still dealing with burns to the roof of my mouth!!!

I did walk the dogs...did not so my step-ups though!

I drank about three litres of coffee (which might also account for the fact that I slept in this morning as I tossed and turned most of the night!)!!!! But no cappaccinos and about half a litre of water!!!

So far today is going ok...but so was yesterday at this time (or is that an hour from now??) :lol:


Weigh-in for me tomorrow too!


Ani, I am allowing myself to ease up on the diet after next week as I'll be on holiday and all the December things too! I know though, that it will always be on my mind that I have weight to lose, so that might help me to not over do things too!

When is your birthday Ani? Today? Or tuesday? I know it was around the 4th? Or is it the 4th???? I am not good with dates :lol:

Gawd? Was it yesterday????? :lol:

Well I hope it is/was a happy and good one anyway!

How is every one elses weekend going?

Hello
 

Hi ladies - I am going to join your group if that's ok? I am in Sydney. Just been going for a week tomorrow on WW so far. Very lazy with the exercise, but been eating well and drinking buckets of water (ok, 2-3L, but it feels like buckets!).

First weigh-in tomorrow night... arrgghh!! :o