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

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!

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

Lindor, you and your bloody nuts! Hahaha 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...

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

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

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??)


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

Gawd? Was it yesterday?????

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

How is every one elses weekend going?

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!!

Welcome augigi!!

You are very welcome to join our little group!

Good luck with your efforts, I hope you lose all that you want!!

I've been at it for a year nearly and have lost 30kg...although spent the last few months hovering around the same weight! Arrrgh...frustrating as I just want to finish it!

The ladies who contribute here are a wonderful source of support and inspiration! And despite the seriousness of our desire to lose weight, we are also a lot of fun!

I can't help but wonder why you have decided to start your journey now? I mean December???? Ani (PerthChick) just commented on how difficult this month must be for weight loss with Xmas and New Year. Because I have struggled a bit in the last few months (and because I am going away over Xmas and New Year) I have decided I am happy to just maintain for this month and get back into it in the new year. If I manage to lose a bit between now and then, then that is a bonus! If I gain then I am sure I'll be more determined when I start over!

Anyway, hope you find the support you are looking for and that achieve your goals! Hear from you soon

Hey Lindor, my birthday isn't until Tuesday - so I've still got time to try and touch 96kg by then. I am SO determined to get to 95kg by the end of the year … even if that means I will have to behave myself and stop being a camel with water :-).

I didn't walk today - felt a bit plain, so I decided to take the day off from exercise. I think Day One of daylight savings confused my body. I slept in until 8.30am - unheard of for me!

Welcome aboard Augigi. You started at the same weight as me - and I'm almost down 9kg. I started in August, and I try to keep things really simple - I try and walk for an hour a day and eat around 1700 calories. Sometimes I am a shocker, but in general I do work pretty hard to stick to my goals.

Do you have a plan? A set of goals? I think they're important - even if you set a goal of losing 0.5kg a week, and then figuring out how you plan to do it. I wouldn't try for too much all at once. Losing weight is a bit like the old hare and tortoise fable, and in our cases it's the tortoise who wins.

Can I ask why you weigh-in in the afternoon? I always find I weigh up to 2kg more by the end of the day - just curious :-)

I'll check in tomorrow morning after I have faced those dreaded scales.

:-)
Ani

Hello ladies

Wow, a lot of deep thinking going on here! I feel that the root of my problems lies with the men I've had in my life. A lot of men have succeeded in making me feel worthless and although I now have a wonderful man in my life who loves me as I am, it's taking a while for me to realise that I am worth something.

My toe is finally better and I can now wear shoes again so it's back firmly on the wagon for me. I'm aiming to do minimum 40 minutes cardio at the gym today and am back on board with my personal trainer tomorrow. Will also be careful with food - I used not being able to go to the gym as an excuse for abandoning my diet last week so no more of that.

I'm dreading weighing myself because I know I will have gained and after losing a little a few weeks ago it all seems like such a waste but oh well, cest la vie.

Keep it up ladies ..... we can do it!!

Morning ladies!!!

I am happy this morning

Don't know how it happened, but I weighed in at 80kgs this morning!!! That is a loss of 3.5kgs this week!

I find it hard to believe as I have had a couple of bad days this week! Maybe it was wrong last week...although I got on and off them scales a few times then because I was hoping the 83.5kg was wrong! And this morning I have got on and off a few times because I couldn't believe the 80kg!!

So at 80kgs...I really need your help! I would soooooo love to be out of the 80's before I go away next week...even if it is just 79.5kg! I need you to keep me on track! I know that once I get back from my holiday I might not be in the 70's anymore (****, might even be in the 90's!!!), but I'd really, really love a taste of the 70's!

LittleKiwi! Pleased your toe has allowed you to wear shoes again!! Welcome back to the wagon!

Ani!!!

I want to see what you weigh in at!!!

Good luck mate

Good luck all!

Lindor - that is AWESOME! I think I'm speechless … congratulations :-). How good does it feel after all those weeks of struggling, and trying to convince yourself to hang on to that wagon! I'm really happy for you.

I lost 0.7kg, weighed in at 95.9kg this morning - so I'm really pleased about that.

This week - aside from being on Lindor's *getting into the 70's* cheer squad, I am going to try and lose another 1/2kg. I'll walk every day, do my other exercises and if I get a chance I will even go for a swim.

It means a lot to me to be able to reach that first 10kg goal - and I don't care how many Christmas/birthday/new year parties I go to, I intend to reach that goal!!!

Little Kiwi, it's great to hear you're more positive now that your toe is better. Good luck with this week; I hope you get back into your gym routine and that it all goes well.

I'm still smiling about Lindor's 3.5kg. I would have loved to have seen the look on your face when you got on the scales this morning.

:-)
Ani