Hi Kannadew, Would you believe I feel better already? After only one day. 2kg down. I know it's fluid but Woo Hoo I feel so much better that I am back on track 100%. It's as much a mental thing, ie I'm in control of my body again. I hated that out of control..."I'm getting fat again' feeling! I hope to keep going when I get to my 'original' goal weight & get to my 'for real' goal weight. I'll decide when I get there. That LH of mine has not tuned in to the fact that I am really doing the program 100%. Itlooks like I'll have to cook everything myself again. Oh well, that's what most people do. Cheers for now, Cate.
Lost 2kgs, lost 2 kgs, la la la!!!
Now I know I'm back on track. Went to bed ravenous last night but that's because I had a late night. I don't know if I can go to bed early. My brain is programmed for late nights after running a pub for 18 years.
Breakfast 175 Farmers Union yoghurt with 1 stewed apple.
Lunch will be chicken soup.
Dinner is a mystery. I might buy some prawns.
I had better get on the move as I have to go shopping.I have cancelled the Telstra Wireless thingy & it has arrived at the local PO so I will return it. Need some library books to while my free time away so I'm not thinking about food. Need to shop to have more vegie choices & fruit. The key has always been to be prepared & nothing has changed. I was going to make a lot of chop sueys yesterday but the mince we have (half a beasts worth of beef!) is fatty. I'm not happy about that at all. My LH is going to have to eat a lot of mince over winter. It won't worry him. He'll whip it up into lasagne, rissoles etc.
ok This is not getting me out the door. I always have 2 crackers with me but want to be out of the supermarket before the hunger pangs kick in. I'll have my crackers before I walk in the door. I have continued to do this even since I finished the original program. It's a good tip.
Cheers for now, Cate

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

I have had a really good 100% Cohen’s day. I have stocked up on Cohen’s food, got a collection of library books including one I had ordered (a Kerry Greenwood book in the Corinne Chapman series) & visited one of my favourite local shop-keepers who is also doing Cohen’s. She is delightful. I took more ‘fat clothes’ to the Salvos, went for a bit of a walk but found it made me feel a little light-headed. I received a weird letter from my employer ticking me off for not providing my certificates & giving me a dead-line to provide them or I will be considered ‘untrained’. Funny that! I have not been asked to provide any & I don’t have any anyway. I must admit it made me laugh. In a separate envelope was a case plan & instructions on how we are to do our job with the client I have been working with since last Dec. Nothing applied to me this time which was a relief but it was also amusing. I must be getting better at removing myself a little. I didn’t take anything personally. Happy about that!
I have stuck to my tried & true favourites food-wise just to get myself back into the swing of things with the program. Chicken soup for lunch, chop suey for dinner. My chop suey was absolutely scrumptious, albeit miniscule. Tomorrow I will have a chicken breast stir-fry for lunch & maybe mini rissoles with a tomato sauce & spinach for dinner. I bought some really lean minced steak & more chicken breasts today. You eat so little on the program I think you should eat really good quality meat & veg & enjoy it! Once again my soup was too watered down. The next 5 won’t be so bad but I’ll leave them in the freezer for now.
I need some help please as I bought some tofu today & have never cooked it. Also it is not on my day’s menu choices. I must have said at the start that I never eat it. I doubt if the clinic will provide me with a choice now that I am not paying them any money. If some-one has tofu as an option would you mind pm’ing me a meal 2 & a meal 3 portion + the veg. allowance that goes with it. Even if your program was slightly different to mine it shouldn’t be too different & I won’t have it very often. I just want to give Tofu a bash!
Internet-
I returned the Telstra stuff to sender, after ringing them & cancelling.
I have rung around today & have settled on activ8me I think. A satellite connection with 2MB downloads & pretty fast connection speed & streamed so that I don't have extra charges. I rang them; found a very helpful consultant who explained it to me in detail & answered all of my questions (plus some) She also said to ring the Dep't of Communications to get a broadband guarantee form so that we have then get it without any installation fees (because cable broadband is N/A in our area). I have since searched & found the form which I completed last year but did not go on with it. I really didn't think I would find it. Good one! It will save me a lot of time & hassle. This plan was recommended by the guy I got a quote for a new computer from. I would still like to get a new desk-top computer but I must weigh up the cost. I would like a router & an Ethernet card though for my laptop so I'm not tied to a cord! I'm learning a lot about computers at the moment. I also got Excel for Dummies from the library as it's the one I have on my computer. I have to get & feel proficient in Excel in the next week as it's essential for an office position I am about to apply for. It's where my LH works & is a relief position. I have to have the application in within 2 weeks. I don’t know if I can do the job but I’m sure I can learn!
I need to make a call to our OS so will copy & paste & come back later as my LH is watching the footy (AFL) & I would rather be in here. Cheers, cate

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

I re-read the letter about certificates & then re-read yesterday's post & yes, I did take it a little personally. It wasn't as harsh as I initially thought. I was sought out to work with this particular client & the case managers probably don't even realise that I am not at all qualified. They'll find out soon as I'll email them & let them know. I'm working Monday, bush-walking Tuesday so will email today. We're not meant to use our mobiles when with a client(naturally).
Just had to share- another 1.5kgs down, so 3.5 in 2 days!!!
I know, I know it's fluid and I know I shouldn't be weighing daily but I needed the incentive & to know that my initial program will work for me. I only have 4kgs to go to get to my lowest weight. I had better shut up about how I'm going to my LH or he'll get crabby. He doesn't want me to go lower than I was even though I told him my goal weight is 6kgs lighter. He thought I was just right. Sweet. I want to get rid of the fat from the tops of my legs.
Anyone have tofu as an option on their program please pm me with the quantities as either a meal 1 or meal 2 option. I really want to try it.
My DIL & the grand-kids are about to visit as she is going stir-crazy. She's been cooped up in the house with sick kids all week & is tired. They've had colds, even the baby. My Lh & I are taking the 2 older children to Auskick tomorrow so hopefully that will give her a nice break as well.
I've been studying the Excel book & have learned so much already. I am only self-taught so have a lot to learn. I think I'll have to go to Launceston this week to look at buying a router & Ethernet card & to visit my BIL for an Excel lesson. He's home at the moment & has not been well. Better go- they've just arrived! Cheers, Cate

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

Had a 5 hour visit & spent most of that with my younger grand-son playing & cooing on my lap. He is so much like my OS in nature & it took me right back! What a cutie! They are lovely kids. I'm a bit tired & heavy-headed tonight though. I still haven't shaken the cold I have had for most of the week.
I have survived day 3 without a headache or feeling bad which is a good sign. What a buzz being down 3.5kgs in 2 days. Cohen's really is wonderful! I'm glad I have switched back on & am 'in the zone'. I still have 2 crackers & 1 fruit left & will have that in the next hour.
I have to think what I will do on Tuesday food-wise for the bush-walk. I don't know if I will be able to do a long hike on Cohen's quantities. I'll think about it. I don't want to miss it & I don't want to be a hindrance to the group.
Time for a pot of herbal tea I think. I have been drinking 3 litres of water before 5pm so that I don't drink any more during the evening & it seems to make a difference with the number of times I get up during the night. It's only one so can cope with that as I aslo put some wood on the fire. I'm also not suffering from the cold like I did last year. Well, not yet anyway. It's going to get down to 0C tonight. It'll be cold at Auskick!
No-one about yet it seems so I might head, cheers, Cate.

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

I cannot believe it but I have lost another .5 of a kilo, so that’s 4kgs in 3 days. WOW! I feel & look so much better. My stomach has all but disappeared already. My Cohen’s consultant had told me that our bodies, post-Cohen’s, are trained to lose weight & I can now see that is true. Only 3.5kgs to go to get to my lowest weight.
Duh! Why didn’t I do this a couple of months ago?! Better still would have been following maintenance guidelines!
At least I am doing it now. It’s an absolute waste of time regretting what you should or could have done. I now have this knowledge. I’ll make sure I always use it.
We took the grand-kids to Auskick & had a lovely time. Next Sunday is grand-parents’ day so we are going to go again. My LH helped them & I chatted. Surprise, surprise! There is a lovely girl (woman) who takes her son along. She came up & sat next to me & commented on how good I look & stayed & chatted for the duration. She may come bush-walking with me some time. That would be nice as I really like her.
We are having a nice relaxing afternoon together. We both work tomorrow.
Cheers for now, Cate (still singing….4kgs….yay!)

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

It is really amazing but I lost another .5kg this morning. That’s 4.5kgs in 4 days, 3kg to go to get to my lowest!
I feel just great. I had forgotten how good I felt when I first started Cohen’s. I have not been hungry and have been able to wait until mid afternoon to have my first lot of crackers. When I did Cohen’s initially I had 1 egg & vegies every morning for almost 6 weeks until I read in the forum that yoghurt & fruit for breakfast was much more filling. It is absolutely right. My tastes are also changing again so that the non-flavoured yoghurt does not taste as sour as when I first tasted it. I am not craving anything. My jeans are now loose, I am much more comfortable and I am so happy!
My day at work started off just ok. I took a CD from home, from my collection, for something different for my client to listen to (Creedence). Although being really tired today she decided in the afternoon to do a difficult household chore that she has not tackled before & she succeeded. It was really a huge achievement. It made my day feel worthwhile. I am learning as I go & not losing too much heart with the bad days.
I am definitely going bush-walking tomorrow. There will be no more waking up sooky and/or lazy or wanting to hibernate because it’s cold. I’m going!!
The forum is really slow to load tonight & then I got disconnected before I could post anything so will re-connect & quickly post.
I have all the forms for satellite broadband so should have it within 3 weeks. I can’t wait! Cheers, Cate. (Still singing…….)
Whoops- nearly forgot-
Breakfast yoghurt & stewed apple (I love this- yummy!)
No mid-morning snack
Lunch Chicken & vegetable soup
Mid afternoon 1 kiwi fruit
Dinner a nice biggish rissole made with some onion, balsamic, 2 crushed crackers & dried garlic & basil with a salad & my own ‘vinaigrette’. Very nice.
My chop suey has made me thirsty during the night so I’ll hold back on the curry powder I think & chillies!
After dinner I got my LH some Jalna Creamy vanilla yoghurt with prunes marinated in Muscat & I had an orange. I still have crackers to have for supper. I’ll eat them even if I’m not hungry as I’ll need the energy tomorrow.

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

Awesome Cate, sounds like you are really back in the zone. Don't you just love the fact that once you get over those initial first days on Cohens you just feel so terrific that you don't want to stop. You really believe you can achieve anything (and you are!!) Great also that work is not too bad at the moment and wonderful that you encouraged your client to achieve something she has never done before. I bet she was pleased with herself.
Take care
Beck

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Hi Beck, It was good & she was thrilled! Thanks for visiting, cheers Cate.
I am just too knackered tonight to type anything much. Bush-walking was too much-too far, annoying for lots of reasons & I didn't enjoy the day. I guess it has to happen sometime. I'm too tired to go into detail.
Weight this morning same as yesterday. I knew this had to happen eventually. I ate original program food but extra, luckily or I wouldn't have made it. As it was it was a real struggle. I would hate to think how far we walked. I don't think I have felt this tired for years.
I'll come back tomorrow when I am coherent, 'night, Cate.

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

Oh my! I went to bed last night at 9.15 & got out of bed this morning at 9am. I have not had that much sleep or gone to bed that early for a long, long time. I was totally worn out.
This morning I expected to weigh more than yesterday but was another .5kg lighter. That makes 5kgs lost in 6 days. It's hard to believe but it's true. I'm pinching myself. My LH had a bee in his bonnet about getting the letter posted re our broadband connection & we also had some thermals to exchange at Katmandu & he suggested going to Launceston. I thought I felt too tired but he said he'd drive so off we went just before lunch. We exchanged the thermals for the correct sizes, had lunch & then spent the restof the day searching for a desk, looking at computers, bought a beautiful, comfortable, leather, computer chair & a wireless router. We did some shopping for his golf club as he's, amongst many other positions, the assistant bar manager. It was really good that we did this because if I had stayed at home I would have just vegged out & achieved nothing. I still have tomorrow off to do little & he's working.
I am now within my lowest Cohen's goal weight range & am cruising.
I'll make sure this posts before I'm kicked off again as I forgot to do it in Word!
Cheers, Cate.

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

Not too popular with my 'better half' early this morning as he was meant to start work at 7am & I set the alarm for 6.50 instead of 5.50. The alarm is my side of the bed & my responsibility so I messed up. He usually starts at 8am or 9am. Oh well. He'll be right.
I got up to ring his co-worker(they were doing stock-take together) so decided to stay up. Consequently I have done heaps of chores so thought I would pop in here when it's not so busy, ie I won't get chucked off so soon, hopefully.
Weight this morning-up 1kg so down 4kgs in 1 week.
Why- because yesterday I decided in my infinite wisdom that we would have lunch in Launceston & I would choose wisely. Mmmm. I had Tom Yum soup at the food hall. I would say it had lots of Cayenne pepper (a no no) plus noodles of course. I did not have any crackers for the day to try to make up for it. I did not drink enough water as well & today I am as thirsty as all hell!!
Lesson number 50 squillion & still learning.
I am not worried about it at all. I'll keep on keeping on without any more deviations until I get to my lowest weight. I've got 3.5kg to go.
My son just dropped in to borrow our brush-cutter so I hope I haven't been tossed off the net. He said I looked totally exhausted the other night & laughed when I told him I was in bed almost 12 hours. I'll post this quickly & come back later. Cheers, Cate

__________________
Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

Weight still the same- Lactic Acid build-up in my muscles perhaps after my big walk on Tuesday? No BM this morning either.
I was only at work 5 mins today but am being paid for the day. I am really pleased with myself(relieved?) that I am not taking things personally with my job. The old Cate took almost everything personally & was very sensitive.
My boss is unhappy as she has been told by the area manager that the client can say she only wants staff who will work in a smoking environment but we are entitled to work in a smoke-free environment. Go figure! She asked me if I am prepared to play it by ear & I said that I am. I also told her that I am not qualified & she is putting me down for some training. I will do a First Aid certificate as mine is out of date. She also asked me what preferences I have, either disability or aged care & I said aged care. My employer pays for the course so I do it at no cost to me but I do not get paid. I knew that already. I might as well get some training as I would not mind ending up working in an aged care facility part-time. Meanwhile I'm just cruising along.
The office job I mentioned I don't think I will apply for. It is a relief job but would be Mon-Frid 9-5 for blocks of 4-8 weeks. I don't want to work full-time hours. The computer programs they use I am not au fait with. I have tried learning but am getting nowhere even with a ........ for dummies book. Too boring. I don't think I want to go there. I feel that I am slowing moving forward in a positive direction & don't feel bothered.
Does anyone watch Catherine Tate. The words 'Am I bothered?' I seem to be using at the moment. It makes me laugh! It can get a bit monotonous but mostly it's very funny.
I started work at 8.30 this morning, I shopped & mailed a letter & I was home in my chair in front of the fire at 9.20. Strange start to a day.Cheers for now, Cate

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!

Well once again I’m back to square one with my job. I got a call from my boss this afternoon to say that the client & her mother want my services withdrawn & only want support workers who will work in the house with her smoking inside. I feel very deflated & disappointed. My LH & I had just been discussing how things were going along quite well financially as well as us doing the things we like doing.
As of today I only have 2 hours of paid employment in the next month!
My boss obviously felt really bad. She knew I was also on a different roster (NW) but didn’t realise that it was only 2 hrs a month. I asked after another client that my previous boss had teed me up to work with but then couldn’t fit the days in with my old roster & she wished she’d known as they only found someone for her last month. I suggested I come down to meet her next week & she said she has lots of work available. I would like to meet her anyway. I really find it mind boggling that this has happened. I am guaranteed a smoke-free environment but what does that really mean? It means I now don’t really have much of a job.
Tonight I said to my husband that I didn’t think I would be capable of doing the office job where he works as my computer skills are really only for playing (eg in here). He doesn’t seem to mind. I do feel a little like crying but I’m trying not to. It’s not as though I did love the job or anything. On the contrary it was not enjoyable. I had also gone back a little to worrying about her too much. I tried not to but I was. It’s such a depressing situation.
My LH cooked me a delicious beef curry that I had with steamed Bok Choy. He is such a nurturer. I think I need a little TLC.
I’ll add to this if anyone has been in the forum today, otherwise I won’t, ‘night Cate.

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Lost 36kgs 2007(Cohen's),now maintaining.
"Nothing tastes as good as slim feels".Mmm?No!Not even French Champagne!!