Cate's journey-join me - Page 3

Minny · #31 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2007, 02:17 AM

You're doing so well Cate...keep it up! On the the Chinese Five Spice - I LOVE it and was putting it on all my meats, but something in the back of my mind questioned if i was allowed to be using it because i know it's a mixed spice. I stopped using it (after about 2 weeks mind you) and the next time i was in the supermarket I checked the ingredient list (i put my spices/herbs into labelled glass shakers) and it had the spices, which is fine, but it also includes wheat or starch or a flour (can't remember) which help bind it together or stops it from hardening or something. I haven't used it since and i checked with my consultant and she said 'yeah, can't use that one', so it's just the pure spices we can use....bummer hey, coz i love it rubbed onto a nice bit of steak or chicken mixed with a little smoked praprika. Oh well, the smoked paprika is just as good.

As i said, keep up the good work and you'll be there in no time....xxx

Annie_Lusion · #32 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2007, 02:32 AM

Hiya Cate

Congrats on reaching the 80's..woo hoo! ..I cant wait for when I reach the 80's.
So happy that you are not feeling hungry in between meals, glad I could help, I have gotten so many tips from this forum and it's great that we are able to share our experiences.

TTFN
Annie Lusion

cate · #33 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2007, 03:21 AM

Thought I would have a quick look-
Rashmi- I would love to go buy something nice to wear but I have such a long way to go...
Minny-I didn't know why Chinese 5 spice was not allowed so that helps explain it. I was a fair bit slower on the uptake than you-took me 10 wks. Whoops!
Annie-You're right. It's actually great to learn from one another. Never a day goes by that I don't learn something!
I feel great today-best I've felt for a couple of weeks. Love this diet, love life.
& Woo Hoo, I can't believe I'm in the 80's! Pity I can't(won't) confess that I've weighed myself to my husband though! I will just have to wait 2 more weeks!
xoCate

cate · #34 (**permalink**) April 4th, 2007, 03:50 AM

Had a busy day today which was good-gardened, re-potted some plants, visited my son & his family. It meant I didn't think about the diet much at all. Tried having my crackers & fruit at each meal-time for a change. Must buy yoghurt tomorrow as I now know that is filling.
I'm pretty tired so will have an early night. Work tomorrow..Cate

rashmi · #35 (**permalink**) April 5th, 2007, 12:06 AM

hey cate! have a great thursday!

cate · #36 (**permalink**) April 5th, 2007, 03:29 AM

Another good day (except for work). At least if I go to work it stops me thinking of food as much & usually stretches my break between meals. I'm still wearing my old uniform(taken in) but will start to wear smaller sizes soon. I have some clothes 2 sizes down but want to wait a couple more weeks so that they are baggy. No idea why. I think I am just so used to hiding my body that it will take some time to adjust my mindset.
Hi Rashmi! I had quite a good day really. Work I could give up if I really wanted to but I think I'm still too young to give up work. Also I like to plan our next holiday so work pays for that. I may have a change of direction in the next year though. Weight loss first, change job later (maybe)
I had better go back & sit with my husband & watch our beloved football team get a thrashing!! Cheers, Cate

cate · #37 (**permalink**) April 5th, 2007, 07:15 PM

Tried my egg & vegie muffins(?) that I had cooked a couple of weeks ago & froze, this morning. Zapped them in the microwave for 40 seconds. Not bad. Will be handy for emergencies or trips away. Got a couple of these happening soon. Had my fruit straight after, haven't been hungry since. Still haven't had any crackers & it's 5 & 1/2 hrs later. I think I have discovered (with help) the secret to me not being hungry. Spread the fruit out evenly during the day & skip the apples. 1teaspoon powdered Metamucil, mixed with water 1st thing in the morning does the trick in the bathroom department instead.
I'm off to work this afternoon. My fault-I did volunteer! Lots of people at my work are a lot younger & have small children so I volunteered so that they wouldn't have to work & now I wished I didn't have to go. Bummer!
There was nothing organised by the family so I thought-"Oh well, might as well work Good Friday" & then they organised a lunch for today. I don't think I'm very popular with my husband, unfortunately as he has had to pick up his mum & go to lunch without me. He always wants me to go anywhere with him which is nice.
Better go & have my lunch (vegies with cheese grilled on top) as I have to have my tea in my break at work which is just over 5 hrs away.
Happy Easter every-one!! I don't even feel bad about not eating chocolate easter eggs as I just don't want or feel like eating any!
I won't include my ticker until I update it on the 16th, cheers, Cate

Annie_Lusion · #38 (**permalink**) April 5th, 2007, 09:49 PM

Hi Cate,

So glad you sorted the hunger bit out, I also find when I drop my crackers during the day, I do so much better on the scales (daily weigher) but it doesnt happen often as I love having them with my meals.

I wish I had worked today, I have been in kitchen all day baking and dyeing red eggs. I made some Greek almond crescents and I had a quarter of one (first deviation...grrrrr and the last) I felt terrible but I had to taste them since it was my first time making them and I couldnt possibly give them out to family/friends without tasting them first. They were yummy, so very proud of myself also my eggs turned out great ! (mum will be proud)

Happy Easter to you too!
TTFN
Annie Lusion

cate · #39 (**permalink**) April 6th, 2007, 10:48 PM

Easter Saturday. I almost forgot to have lunch today because I wasn't at all hungry! OMG! I had the same breakfast as yesterday-egg/vegie muffins as I slept in, had mango & kiwi fruit(equiv. of 1 fruit) straight after breakfast, lots of water all day & headed off to go shopping & didn't get home until 2.30. Whoops-had to quickly cook lunch. I'm getting good at this cooking caper-it was delicious! Minced steak, tomato, onion, garlic, bok choy, curry powder, balsamic, salt & pepper, fresh basil( I just love basil!!)
Well I have decided to delay the clothes shopping a bit longer as I have dug out some clothes that are too big but don't look like tents but.....
I did buy some leopard-skin patterned, leather glothes. Very nice!
I also have a black, with leopard skin trim, cape that I bought about a month ago for our Tassie winter, that I haven't worn yet & these will look great together. The cape( 1size fits every-one) will fit regardless of my size & they will look great together. I have this picture of slim me in my mind & what I will wear.
I love black & it suits me. I will still wear it when I am slim but will add colour and have more fitted clothes, perhaps even a polo jumper. I am going to buy some good quality, knitted & fitted jumpers. I'm saving up for a classy splurge. Might wait for a trip to Melbourne I think. A new black leather handbag too. You know the perfect one we are all searching for!!
Met a friend today who I haven't seen for a while. Her husband died about 2 years ago. She was going to call in to see me at home on her way home. It was lovely to catch up with her and we went to the local deli & had coffee. Even a cappuccino, which used to be my favourite, didn't appeal. I think I will stick to long black apres Cohen's. Looking at anything milky or creamy makes me feel queasy.
My husband wasn't shirty with me re Good Friday. He ate oysters, abalone, smoked salmon etc etc & sounds like he had a lovely time. Work wasn't too bad. No disasters at least. I work again Easter Sunday & Monday. I will think of the dosh going towards my classy clothes spree!!
Can feel myself getting smaller, can see myself getting smaller!!
Life is good & getting better all the time. I have been singing today.
Annie, I LOVE Greek food. I can't think of any Greek food that I have eaten that I didn't like. We used to live amongst a huge Greek population in Melbourne- Greek neighbours, work colleagues/friends (OMG the hospitality, the food, the parties, the fun!). I also interviewed lots of Greeks as part of my job for years. People would start to spell their names out to me, not believing I would get it right & I would show them. Every now & then one would stump me but mostly it was logical. I miss the interchange of cultures in Tassie. I have put my name down for a class to teach English to migrants & they will contact me about July. Apparently there is a real need for English tutors & as you can see from todays long diary note I LOVE words & language (& accents)
We are planning on going to Greece & Italy hopefully in the next 2 years.
I had better work some more!
This diet is so much easier to cope with now that I am not hungry. Thank you Annie very much! I think I will give up on apples too, even though they are particularly scrumptious at the moment. xo to all, Cate

Annie_Lusion · #40 (**permalink**) April 7th, 2007, 02:06 AM

Hi Cate

I am in Melbourne, where abouts did you live?
Very impressed with the spelling of Greek names , some of them are doozies even I can't get them. All my life I had to always spell out my name over and over again, it was such a relief when I married a Brit and changed my name...much much easier.

Well if you make it over let us know maybe we can meet up.

I havnt had a big shop yet, I am going to hang out until I reach mid 80's, my clothes don't look too tenty (i think it's because I may have been wearing my clothes too tight to begin with ..doh!)
Aunt Flo has been in town (TOM) and I have had the munchies bad, she hasnt affected other months, this one is bad...grrrrr. I have been good but it's tough with so many goodies in the house!

It is a great feeling of looking and feeling slimmer, it's amazing isn't it how the fat just drops off...I love it!!
Have a great Easter
Annie Lusion

cate · #41 (**permalink**) April 7th, 2007, 03:15 AM

Annie, I lived in Prahran for a couple of years (Perth St) but worked in Prahran for about 7 years. I was never far away though. I loved it. I now live in the country in Tassie and love it but whenever I go to Melb I always go to Prahran market & usually stock up on olives etc. Won't be doing that for a while.
My pants were always pretty tight but the tops I always wore loose.Thought I was hiding it all I guess.
I plan on coming over a few times this year. I will be in Melb for just 1 day next week,to see a show, again in August probably for a week-end and then a shopping spree maybe Sept/Oct(?). It would be lovely to meet for a coffee. We'll keep in touch.
I don't have any visits from Aunt Flo (I had never heard that one) anymore thank god. I had to have a hysterectomy years ago. I don't miss it! Do you take anything? I took Evening Primrose Oil for years & it seemed to help. I'm about to watch RockKwiz-I love the show, so will say good night,Cate.

cate · #42 (**permalink**) April 8th, 2007, 04:29 AM

A funny old day today. I felt like I was waiting to go to work most of the day. I don't like starting work in the afternoon. I have such an aching back,shoulders & neck. It has been gradually getting worse for the last week or so. I had better get myself a decent massage this week.
People are starting to notice that I have lost weight now. Funny thing is it doesn't matter as much as it did at the start. I am still not half way so have to keep focussed. I would hate to get hijacked by anything. I am really doing this for me. I am not really used to doing things for me.
I think most people who become parents put their children first & forget that they too are important. I know my health & well-being is important & it is great to be doing something that I know will(is) improving that.
Please, please scales let me be 87kg or less on the 16th of April. Then I would be half way. I won't despair though if I'm not, it just would be sweet.
Yoghurt, mango & crackers for breakfast this morning. Again no hunger for the whole day. Pity about the apples=hunger for me!!
Will try to write in my diary each day even if I don't feel like it but feeling a bit flat & tired tonight so better get an early night for a change, Cate

Nans68 · #43 (**permalink**) April 8th, 2007, 03:20 PM

Hi Cate

You sound so well and in the zone to completing your cohens journey. You will succeed. I am just answering your question from another thread - WHAT IS PERRI PERRI? It is a portugese sauce made from chilli, spices and vinegar.
They sell them at all major grocery stores and it is made by "NANDOS" the people who sell the chickens.

By the way I used to live in Melbourne "Hawthorn" and became very friendly with several Greek families as well. We were only there for a few years and the area was becoming yuppiefied so their was a bit of snobbery, but several Greek families really went out of their way to make us feel welcome and of course that also includes the wonderful foods which was part of the welcoming committee.

I do miss melbourne for it multiculturalism, the foods, shops etc,etc,etc. It's a wonderful city. I also love Tassie my favourite was Hobart I fell in love with this city and can't wait to return.

Sorry to carry on Cate. got carried away here.
atb
sam

cate · #44 (**permalink**) April 8th, 2007, 04:01 PM

Hi Sam, Thanks for answering my Perri Perri question. How are you poor thing? Flu makes you feel so miserable. I hope you are starting to feel a little bit better.
Hawthorn is a beautiful suburb or used to be many years ago. Don't you just hate snobbery though. What makes anyone think they are better than anyone else? I now make a point of going to Melbourne at least once a year. I don't miss living there because of the hustle & bustle but I will always love Melbourne for the same reasons as you.
My back is really sore today so will finish up quickly. Looking forward to a massage & I think I had better get myself a computer chair & desk for home & keyboard to add to my laptop as this could be part of the problem. Also my desk/chair at work is so uncomfortable as well.
Sam, You are right. I am really in the zone. It's a great feeling & I will get there, with alot of help from my forum friends! Still a long way to go but I'm setting a 1kg a week target & if it happens quicker than that well that's a bonus!
1 week to my next official weigh-in & blood test. I will try not to peek at the "hidden" scales.
I am keeping that picture of me, slim, at goal weight, in slim black pants, fitted, black, polo jumper, new black leather boots(that I haven't bought yet), my new leather leopard-skin gloves, the as yet not worn,black cape with me. Whoah-hold that picture...... xo Cate

Nans68 · #45 (**permalink**) April 8th, 2007, 07:49 PM

Hi Cate

I am feeling much better thank you. The funny thing with the flu is you may feel alright and then you manage to do a few things and that makes you so exhausted your back to square one.
I feel sorry for poor hubby though he has had charge of out two boys and he really hasn't had a break and his back at work tomorrow..........don't get me wrong he hasn't complained it's that mother/wife thing, we think we are invinciable and then when we are shown we're not we don't except it too well this probably pertains to my agitation at the moment at not being as mobile as I'd like and in control.

The other thing is I haven't been able to eat, but I was craving a hamburger the other night. But I am still unable to eat - just a slice of bread with lots of vegemite that's about the only thing I can taste and get down.

But I am grateful I didn't get this while i was doing Cohen's - I'm not sure how it would have affected my weight loss.
This forum has also been a god send while having the flu, I highly recommend it when ill. (and other times too-of course).

By the way Cate my average loss a week was about 1kg, it was a little more the first 4 weeks. I was ok with this because at least their was a loss being made.

I hope you post us some photo's of you at goal weight looking ultra fab in your new get up sounds very "tres chic".

Sam