We had an excellent night's sleep & a sleep-in so feeling really rested & relaxed. My husband is so happy he made the team & so am I.

I'm fairly sure I'll stay with him in Launceston so that I can watch most of the matches. I would hate to miss any of them. It'll be great fun. We have decided to treat it as this years' holiday as it will cost quite a bit even though it's in Tassie.
We have to go out today to have drinks with the couple who's wedding we were meant to go to yesterday but couldn't because the 8-ball date was changed. They are off on a round-the-world trip tomorrow morning first thing. Good for them. They have been together for many years but he insisted they get married & it's his idea to have this big trip. It's his first marriage and he wants it to be a big occasion. I like that. She was all for eloping, like we did, but not him.
I haven't weighed today but didn't eat anything bad yesterday. Eggs, mushrooms, crackers for breakfast, Chinese for lunch-healthy stir-fry with some rice, chicken & stir-fried vegies for dinner, followed by yoghurt & fruit. I feel very relaxed about my eating & weight. I think I'm getting used to it all. I know I have to be careful but why shouldn't I anyway?
It's all about healthy eating & having a balance. I don't want to eat garbage food but I do like to have a glass of wine & a few pieces of dark chocolate(not together!) so I like to eat really healthily so that I can enjoy these indulgences without suffering the consequences on the scales.
I'm having my hair cut tomorrow which I am really looking forward to. I'm going to a different hairdresser & I want to have it quite short & spiky if possible.- nothing like this!
A good week planned this week-
Hair cut Monday, LH working.
Tues nothing planned for me- may go bush-walking, depending on shoulder, LH golf.
Tues night 8-ball final.
We're off to Melb again this Wed just for 1 night to a show. Back Thursday.
Friday nothing planned but probably shopping. LH working.
I'm so happy I've quit or the week would have been very different.
Cheers for now folks. Hope everyone is having a good week-end. We're still in our PJ's at 10.45. It seems a bit decadent but, hey, we're olds! ()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 haven't much to say but just wanted to report something really fun that happened today. When we arrived for drinks at the pub I went up to buy a round of drinks & had to squeeze into the bar to get them. There was a gorgeous looking young guy sitting at the bar & he really flirted with me. It was nice. He could probably see I was with my LH as I had walked in with him but he was really sweet. I felt really good & very flattered. He was stunning to look at.
My LH & I caught up with quite a few friends & then got home in time to see the Saints beat Adelaide & ensure a place in the top 8.
All day my LH has been getting messages of support for making the team.
All in all a really top day!
Cheers, Cate.

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

Got a nice haircut today. It's quite short. Picked up our oldest GS off the bus & have booked the 3 of us on a trip to Melb for a shopping trip in December. I had promised him a trip on a plane & he wants to go to Victoria market because he liked the sound of it. He cannot remember ever travelling on a plane as he was only a baby when he did go on one. He's very excited about it. I thought I would prefer to leave it until just before Christmas as we can go to do some Christmas shopping & we have a fair bit on before then with 8-ball. He didn't seem to mind waiting until then.
I'm weighing in the morning as I haven't for a few days.
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!!

Hi Cate,
Good to hear you sounding so happy!!!
You certainly sound extremely relieved to have quit your job and I'm sure there are no regrets. Sometimes we just need to take that plunge and have faith that it will all be ok, and usually it turns out better than we could have possibly imagined. It makes me feel really good to hear you sounding so well.
Say congratulations to your hubby on making the team, he must be very proud of himself and I can tell that you are also proud of him. Its nice to have people flirting with you, isn't it. Especially if its not something you're accustomed to. When I lost weight last time, I would never believe that someone could be flirting with me so tended to ignore any male attention (I was still married then and also thought it in-appropriate).
Your hair sounds nice and often a change is good to help "lighten" you up a bit.
Take care, and stay chirpy.
Beck

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Beck- You are very sweet! I am certainly not used to being flirted with. That's a joke! I feel like you that when others are happy, I am happy. I react to people's sorrow/happiness. I soak up feelings like a sponge. I am so happy that I am no longer working in that job. I cannot remain impartial and the job was not doing me any good. I must text Kannadew & tell her I've quit!
We had a wonderful time in Melbourne. I got a text from one of my SIL's to say hurry up as we had a show to go to in the afternoon. We arrived at 12.00 noon yesterday, saw Wicked at 1pm, dinner at 6pm, Andrea Bocelli at 8pm. What a day! My MIL was painful at lunch-time & very bossy, but ended up relaxing & enjoying herself.
Wicked was just ok but Andrea Bocelli was magnificent!!!
I had no idea that I would enjoy this show anywhere near as much as I did. The man is stupendous! Tina Arena was so good I can't find the words to describe her. Her duet with Andrea towards the end of the show made me come out in goose-bumps & I actually felt teary. WOW!
Live music is almost always better than any recorded music you would hear. This was at least 10 times better than I thought it would be.
We saw quite a few people in Melb at the airport that we know & I got a few nice compliments. I can now accept them graciously without feeling uncomfortable. In fact they feel pretty damned good. Now I need to lose a few kilos before Summer & buy some new Summer clothes. I need to start wearing something other than black. My LH's family laughed when I said I'm sick of wearing black! One laughed very loudly!
Time for yoghurt & fruit & herbal tea. Back on Cohen's tomorrow. Will report my weight tomorrow as well. I'm sure I'm up a couple of kilos but will soon shake them, cheers, Cate
I am now happy to be home.

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

Hi Cate... I've just had a quick skim through your diary... WOW! BIG decisions! You sound very relaxed and at peace about the whole thing. Good ONYA! Now... just wait for the right thing to come around... the thing that YOU want to do not just something others have asked you to do or that you think will pay a bill! Its not worth the mental health stress.

Im sorry for not popping more often. I just dont have the energy for it at the moment. I have started refeed again.. unfortunately 5 kilos out from my personal goal... but I am just so over it...its been 15 or 16 months and enough is enough. I am physically tired and a bit apathetic as well. Work is pretty crappy and the social stuff is not too crash hot either... so... you can see why I have not been around much.

I really am so glad to hear that you are doing so very well! You know those extra couple of kilos will just drop off in time for summer...NO PROBS!

Blessya
Kannadew

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Started 21/5/07 Goal 1: 99.9kg
Goal 2:79.9kg Goal 3:72kg G4:62kg

Hi Kannadew, I know, I know. I'll be really careful. Next time I put pressure on myself to take something unsuitable I'll give myself a mental slap! I feel great and so relieved that I have taken this step.
I am sorry that you are not happy at the moment. I so wish you to be happy. I'm sure your life will change for the better. You have so much to give and deserve to be appreciated, in your vocation & in love and life in general. For what it's worth I appreciate your friendship and value it highly. Your time will come K!xoxo love, Cate(G sends his love too!)
My day so far-
I went food shopping as we had no vegetables at all. That is serious! Almost every time I go shopping I see someone who tells me how good I'm looking. No longer do I feel shame because of how I must have looked before but I am feeling really good and I am comfortable with it.
A family friend(a businessman) saw me in the street and told me I looked a million dollars. I now say thank you and smile and say I feel much better too. I called in to see a friend who has just got out of hospital after having an operation & she said I look great and should be really proud of myself. A woman who owns a dress shop who is back on Cohen's also said I look terrific and another shop-keeper asked me if I am still losing weight as I seem slimmer whenever she sees me. I think people are also getting used to the new me.
My LH has just arrived home so will go say hi, cheers for now, Cate

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

I hope no-one thought I sounded really conceited because I'm not. It has taken me a year to be able to accept a compliment & feel good about it. It's nice now & I do feel comfortable with being slim. I'm not thin or skinny but feel slim and healthy. It has been a long time since I felt this way. I feel comfortable even with the extra attention I now get. It's sad that over-weight people are mainly ignored but I think that's why I was. I hid behind my fat.
We had a lovely prawn stir-fry tonight. It was delicious. I did have half a glass of wine so have not been 100% Cohen's, although am following maintenance guidelines and less than re-feed quantities. No bread or milk.
I'm not sure what I'll do tomorrow except for knowing I need to get some exercise. I'll either go for a long walk or get on the exercise bike.
I bought a dress today!!
Golly, I nearly forgot. I haven't worn a dress for over 20 years & today I bought a dress. It was at an op-shop and only cost $5. It's a deep red dress with a little self-embroidery on the front and small red buttons and is almost down to my ankles. It will be really cool for Summer. It has short sleeves, Empress(??)neck-line and is a light-weight floaty thing. I have deep red sandles that will match and a choker that will match also I'm fairly sure. I even have matching ear-rings which I made myself to match the choker. I'll take a photo of myself in the outfit & post it if it passes muster.
I left my jeans & sneakers on when I tried it on so I'm not sure how my legs will look in it. Now I'll have to work on trying to love my legs!
My LH is watching the football. He's such a sports addict. I can't watch as much as he can. I tune out in here instead. Hopefully someone will be about. I'll have to visit elsewhere otherwise. Cheers, Cate

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

I typed in here today & was shocked to see it's not here! I think I got side-tracked by a phone call and must not have clicked on Post Quick Reply!
I got hijacked yesterday by our eldest grand-son! He was despondent that a birthday party was post-phoned, then other friends weren't at home when he wanted to visit so he asked his mum if he could come up to our place. She rang me yesterday morning while I was on the exercise bike and I went to pick him up and had him for the day and then the night. We had a lovely time!
I rode the bike again today and feel I will make it a daily habit. 10mins minimum or 10kms, whichever I feel like. Today I only did 10 minutes but also did some gardening and we got some wood. I got another call from my DIL to ask if I can look after our GD tomorrow as her sister has just got out of hospital after a car accident and needs some TLC. My LH has the day off too so he can help keep her company as she's fairly full-on.
I feel really good today again. I don't feel at all bad about quitting my job and wrote a letter today to make sure they know it's final. It felt right.
I think my weight is going down again slowly and I am getting my system working well at last which feels good. I'll weigh in the morning but am not worried.
It is so good that Winter officially finishes tomorrow. I am going to retire my thermals until next year regardless of the weather!!
Cheers Cate

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

Lost the 2 kilos I put on last week and I can feel it in my stomach. That's where it goes instantly. If I put weight on it goes straight on my belly. It's good because I know instantly and have to get rid of it fast!
We have our beautiful grand-daughter here. She is full of beans but is oh so sweet! I had better get back to playing with her. My LH just made some of her favourite biscuits. She's playing a chasie game with lizards and dinosaurs and is dropping them on the floor-"uh oh-I'll get it" "got it" Her language is flying along. It's fun! See you 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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Sam, I prefer this forum and stay here to try to provide support to those that are here if I can. I think you'll find the other forum was an off-shoot of this one or at least the original members were once in this forum and then started their own. I read other forums and have done for well over a year but prefer to keep my diary here as this is the place that has provided me with my best support.
I am feeling really good and am in a good place. I am relaxed about quitting my job and I'm starting to feel really comfortable in my "new" body. After a year at within my goalweight range I feel that I have my health under control. I don't spiral out of control. I very rarely feel like bingeing & if I do over-eat occasionally (getting less & less) I compensate by drinking lots of water the next couple of days and don't use it as an excuse to self-sabotage & continue the binge. I am learning to love myself at last and to let myself relax and enjoy life more. I enjoy life more when I nurture myself & eat healthily.
Every day I eat yoghurt, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, lean meat, good cheese, crackers, nuts(in moderation); drink 2-3 litres of water, 1 coffee only when at home, possibly 2 when away, green tea, 1 or 2 glasses of red wine some days.
I never eat- bread, milk or fried food, junk food like potato crisps.
I only eat good food now. I don't see the point of putting rubbish in my body.
I'm off to watch Australian Story as I usually enjoy it.
Take care everyone, cheers, Cate

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

Hi Cate,
Its so good to her you sounding so positive. You give me hope that there is a "Life After" and that some day i will be able to control my weight also and not have this constant love/hate relationship with food. It is really great that you are so open and share your trials and tribulations with us all and I'm sure once my re-feed is over and I am struggling along that I will be able to look back at your posts and see how you handled similar situations.
I agree with you about the forums. I also drop into the other forum but rarely post over there as it is too confusing to figure out where to post anything and also I think some of the moderators are a bit "big brotherish" and like to dictate what you can and can't talk about. Thats not really me. I like it here where you can say what you like and if someone doesn't like what you say they are more than welcome to respond.
And almost forgot to say, great to see you Sam and its wonderful that you are back and losing again. It doesn't matter where you get your support from as long as you are getting it so if the other forum is doing it for you, that is fantastic. Well done, hope you drop in from time to time and let us know how you are going.
Anyway Cate, enjoy your work free day.
Take care
Beck

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Hi Beck! I always smile when I see you have written in my diary. I did sound a bit harsh about the other forum but I had pm'd Sam & said hi to her just before I typed in my diary. My manners must be slipping which is not good. I like Sam & am glad, like you, that she is finding support wherever! I agree with you about all the rules & general bossiness but it's good for me to read how hard most find life AC & find that I'm not the only one. It is one of the reasons I stay here to share my experiences as it is really important to know that we are not alone in our struggles with weight & self-esteem. I do think that typing or writing how I feel has helped me immensely. You are doing so well with the program, especially whilst studying. Good for you!xo Cate.
I almost feel like pinching myself as I feel so relaxed about life. I'm having daily revelations it seems and my love/hate relationship with food/me is fading into the background. Yay!!Today I have ridden my bike, washing up, cleaning, sorting records, done lots of clothes sorting, ironing etc & have another big bag of my 'favourite' big clothes to give away.
It's now that I confess that I wasn't confident enough that I wouldn't put the weight back on until recently.
I am now!!
It's a constant testing/learning thing but it doesn't scare me any more.I'm sure it's the not eating of bread that is helping me maintain my weight.I think for me bread is a big no no-ever! I hate the way it makes me feel.I'll head back now to finish the ironing. I thought I'd have a quick break. I'm off out to 8-ball again tonight. Another final. If my LH & OS's team wins tonight they are in the GF. If they lose they're out. Cheers, Cate.

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