Hi Sue! Thank you for thinking of me. I hope you have a wonderful time in Europe, relax & enjoy it! I will get there before too long. I think that it should be our next holiday & was checking out a few sites today. Next year would be good. Italy & the Greek Islands are high on my list of must see places.
About the compliments- I am getting used to them, but am still hiding behind some of my clothes. I often wear one of my bigger sized polar fleece jackets, with the sides drawn in & a baggy pair of fleece pants. I do feel like hiding a little bit & maybe emerging as a slim person when I am used to being one & accept that I am.
Life is good
Sometimes we forget this & get tied up with the everyday problems, which when you look back at them seem insignificant in the greater scheme of things. I like having the time to think about what is important to me & I'm enjoying life. I haven't felt any real anxiety for weeks!
Weighed & measured this morning & the scales said 73kg. We really shouldn't weigh very often. I almost thought that it served me right!
This week's measurements.
Arms 66cm(33x2). Lost 7cm off each arm
Bust 98cm. Lost 19cm(2cm this wk- there's not much left! )
Waist 92cm. Lost 23cm
Hips 107cm Lost 26cm
Thighs 112cm (56x2). Lost 20cm off each thigh!
Loss this week 4cm. Total loss 122!
I don't know if I will go to Launceston on Wed to see my consultant. It's a 120km return trip & I will be doing the trip on Sat & Sun as my LH is competing in the State Masters 8-ball competition. I would like to get the re-feed so I can study it & prepare. I will ring in the morning & see if I can talk to her. She never seems to be there & if I email her I get a reply from the other consultant which was why I thought I would like to catch up with her.
I have an ap't with the counsellor on Thurs which I'm not really looking forward to.
I like to have a few at-home days each week where I just relax, read, cook etc. I'll see what happens tomorrow when I ring.
Does any-one have Karpal tunnel problems from typing on the computer? Mine is starting to be a real problem. I use a lap-top with a touch pad & always mostly use my middle finger.
When I go to my doctor next I have a list of medical questions that aren't mental! With my first pregnancy I developed varicose veins. I would love to get rid of them so I could wear shorts, a skirt or a dress. I can't believe that I will be able to! I cannot show my legs in public though with these ugly veins. I don't have private medical cover & have no idea how much it will cost to have them done but my LH is happy for me to get them fixed so will ask my doc.
I have been having yoghurt (Vaalia) most mornings with a dessertspoonful of psyllium husks & this fills me up much more than an omelette ever does. I wonder why this is?
I made a chicken soup today, using my frozen vegetable stock & it was just about the nicest one I have made so far. Trouble is I can't duplicate it as I can't remember exactly what I put in it. There was quite a bit of canned asparagus + some asparagus juice. I Bamixed it & it was heaven.
Every time I prepare my vegies to put in the fridge I have been putting all the skins & ends in a bag in the freezer. When I've only got a few containers of stock left in the freezer I toss the vegies in a big pot, add rock salt, whole peppercorns, celery seeds,(+ whatever other seeds I find in the herb & spice cupboard), curry leaves, lemon grass, (if I have it- can't buy it in the nearest town!)a handful of dried herbs & cook it for hours on the wood heater. I then strain it & divide up into about 8 containers which I then freeze. The vegie scraps then go into my compost bin, getting ready for my vegie garden.
At night I take out what meat I want for the next day. Usually I take out one chicken portion & 1 beef portion. If the next day I feel like soup I take out a stock portion.
Quite often I decide I don't feel like one of the meat portions & might make a quick salad, using canned tuna & fresh shredded cabbage instead of lettuce. I might cook the soup, but eat it next day. This way I am always prepared.
Enough gasbagging. It's time to watch Andrew Denton. Night folks, xo Cathy

What a turnaround!
I rang the Cohen's clinic to cancel my appointment tomorrow as my LH is now working. He was going to go with me, just to keep me company. My favourite consultant answered the phone (I don't know the other one) & I told her how I was going. After chatting to her about getting my re-feed early so I can get prepared for it (you can't), telling her I'm 73kg, mentioning my hunger & when I have it, but that I'm trying to ignore it, how I want to hang on until I am in the 6o's, before starting re-feed etc, blah blah, she then decided I am ready for re-feed now. I tried talking her out of it but she still thinks I might drop to the 60's on re-feed, but if not, I can go back on the program a bit later to drop a few extra kg's. I hope I do this while on re-feed!
When I put the phone down I thought I might wait a little to start it but I must admit the hunger is getting a bit hard to ignore. This is a huge under-statement!! I am starving & thinking of food almost constantly!!
So, instead of cancelling my appointment tomorrow, I am now going into Launceston to pick up my re-feed program!!
My feelings on this are mostly-
Excitement!
Trepidation!
A fair bit of relief,
& a touch of pride.
It all hasn't quite sunk in yet. It was quite a shock!
I read in the support thread that Lam (Lori) has ordered her re-feed by email & it will be fun to do it together!
Mostly I feel really happy!!

Will pop back later to see who's about. Hubby is working until late tonight so the forum can help me stay awake (hopefully!) until he gets home. He doesn't know my news yet. I don't like to ring him at work. I am so looking forward to going out for that celebratory dinner!! (with wine)
I haven't stopped singing since that phone call!! Cheers, Cate.

Hi Cate that is awesome news you must be so chuffed with reaching refeed. I know its been a lot of hard work and you have had some ups and downs, but Im sure its all been worth it. I love reading your posts and it gives me encouragement to continue through it all. I cant wait to see some pics.
Way to go cate, you deserve it
Genie

Genie- I am chuffed! Now I'll get nervous about the photos. I'll have to work up a bit of courage.
I got an SMS from our YS in England. Aust. beat England 11/10, then were down 1/8 to Ireland, but got up to win 11/10. They are really excited & positive. They are playing now but the web-site hasn't been up-dated with today's play so will have to hear wait from him for the next lot of results. They have 4 matches today. Although pool is not a physical sport it is unbelievably tiring. Even watching it at the top level & by that I mean State or National level it is so intense & exhausting. I love watching the sport played at it's best. It has been very good for both of our sons. My husband is probably playing at his best as well.
It's really funny but I don't know what to wear tomorrow. I feel I should look my best to go & see my Cohen's consultant. By this I mean my slimmest particularly. I think I will send her a thank you note when I finish, along with befores, afters & a testimonial for them to use if they wish.
I might see if I can buy a smart, short jacket tomorrow. I have a pair of slacks that make me feel great & look good. I need a new top & a jacket. Looks like I'll be doing some clothes shopping.
I'm still on a high! Re-feed -I can't believe it!
It is almost impossible to fathom that I can walk into almost any store & find clothes to fit me. It will take a long time to get used to I think.
The world is my oyster. Oooh oysters....yum.
Whoops- there goes that "hunger" (mental?) thing again. I have bumped my water intake up the last week in the vain hope that I will be able to hang in there a little bit longer for re-feed but it's not working. Hungry, hungry, hungry..
Not much happening in the forum. Good thing Genie's feeling active. Good for you genie. I'm glad someone else is out there!
I'm off for a wander, xo Cate

WooHoo Cate,

We are getting re-feed together!!!!! This is great... I still need to lose a few more pounds too. I was so excited when I read your post. I have been so busy and hadn't been able to get on in a few days so that was a welcome surprise when I got on line. You are so strong and have inspired so many... I can't tell you how inspirational you have been to me...especially in the beginning. I was so unsure of how this diet would work for me... you, Annie, Jools (and others) assured me it would work and it has. I love you guys.

CONGRATULATIONS CATE

You must be thrilled and proud of yourself. I love reading your posts, I might not comment that often but I do try to read your posts everyday. I hope you keep in touch once you have finished the re-feed. I know that you will be probably be out and about in your new hot bod!!!

Well Cate, tomorrow I will have been on my program for 4 weeks. I have my first meeting with my consultant on Friday. I know there are a few things I'm not following to the letter, but I can't help but have one or two more crackers than allowed....bad I know. But so far so good, got on the scales this morning and I am 200g shy of 10kg loss. Was hoping for 10kg in my first month and I haven't in had a BM in a few days...will have to get something for that. I know that I will weigh heavier in the late afternoon than I do when I weigh in first thing in the morning...but I know the truth to my loss.

I just wanted to thank you for your inspiration and kind words over the last month Cate....I know I can do it I know can I know I can.

Look forward to hearing all about the re-feed.....and just think how that first meal and that first mouthful of wine will taste.

Toni

Lori How sweet you are! It's a great feeling isn't it & by that I mean the support we all give one another. I'll talk to you again soon as I want to go over re-feed with you. Eating lots more food is a bit scary but mmm mm red wine...yum! Isn't it so exciting?!xoxoCate
Lukey- Thank you too for your sweet words. You have done really well in your first month. Congratulations! For me to succeed with the program I have felt it really important to follow it to the letter. I have read hundreds of posts from people at all stages of the program. I have noticed that motivation can fall away after deviations. I also have found that by sticking to it I have not had cravings or hunger. A lot of my eating (most of it) had nothing to do with actual hunger. Don't expect to change the way you look at food overnight but stick with the program & it will get easier & easier. You will do it. I'm sure of it! Cheers Cate.
I had heaps more typed but it all disappeared!! (*{!%*!!) I will have to come back tomorrow & tell you all about my day. I can't believe how much typing I just lost!
Oh well, no used crying over lost words but I have to go as one of my favourite shows, "Spicks & Specks" has started!
I haven't told you anything about my day... re-feed, my lovely new clothes (a big splurge!
Will do so tomorrow! xo Cate

Hi Cate,

I have an upset stomach today, I went to a party yesterday and indulged a bit. Not totally crazy but a bit off menu, I hope I don't react this way on refeed. It was a 4th of July cookout, and I had a piece of banana berry pie. I have not received refeed yet... I believe they said around 5 days from my request. I can't wait to talk with you about refeed...are you starting now? I will drink lots of water tomorrow and go for a nice walk. Did you see the post Tony left? He told someone they could lose the weight without this diet, but of course he didn't tell her that it would take forever and she would probably regain the weight anyway. Enough about him!!! I will check back in tomorrow, I have been super busy and can only do short check ins. ugh.

Lukey, You have lost in one month what it has taken me 8 weeks to lose. Way to go girl. Well Done.

Lori- I'm not going to start re-feed just yet as I'm not hungry. I'm pleased as I do want to get into the 60's. (72kg this morning!!) We might just do this together. I will talk to you more about the re-feed as when my consultant explained it to me I had one of those real "light bulb" moments. Now I understand how it works & how we know when to stop. We will also know how much food we will need to maintain our goal weight.
Yesterday
I started my wonderful day (4th July) with a visit to Lisa, my Cohen's consultant in Launceston. She gave me my re-feed & we talked for about 1/2 an hour. I asked her if I could wait to start as my hunger has disappeared again & she said that's ok. I wore clothes that showed my new size so she could see how I look now. I really haven't contacted her much since I started writing in this forum/ my diary as it has been fantastic support for me. After speaking to me the other day she had a look but hadn't found it. I told her where to find the forum & we had a look. I pointed out my diary to her as well as I don't mind her having a look, knowing that it is me.
While I have not asked many questions of the clinic I have always known that I can. Lisa is lovely, very encouraging & a no-nonsense person who seems genuinely enthusiastic. She has "been there & done that" & is a testament to the program. My meeting with her in Hobart all those months ago empowered me to think that I too, could do this. I have had nothing but support & encouragement. Lisa, if you do read this, I really mean it!!
Now for the clothes!
First stop for a new bra. I hate being fitted for a bra but it's best to.
I had taken my MIL into an underwear store earlier in the year & the same woman served me. I told her that I had lost 32kg & that my boobs had almost disappeared. I said I wanted a miracle bra if she had one (they didn't). I ended up trying on bathers & bras at the same time. I ended up with a pretty black bra that they are going to adjust & post out to me. She suggested that I wait to make sure it's comfortable before ordering a second one. I didn't like any of the bathers that she brought me. I thought they were too small & she thought they were too big! I don't think I'm ready for bathers yet, let alone the Roman Baths. Swimming in the sea, for me would be more liberating. I'll wait a few months then try them on again. Perhaps in Melbourne where no-one will know me.
Then I mentioned the state of my undies (baggy) as I was a bit embarrassed at the look of them in the harsh light. I have been pulling knickers out of a cupboard as they fitted me again but have never really had nice ones. She asked me if I wanted to have a look at a few nice pairs & I said "why not?"
I tried on a couple of pairs of similar ones & loved them both. They were cute.
Cute!! Can you believe that? I decided to get a pair of each, one black, one grey & then had a good look around the shop.
I mulled over a beautiful, very expensive, practical, red woollen dressing gown, that looked nice, put it back on the rack & ended up buying a long, black, silk wrap around that looked great. I have hidden the wrap & the knickers & will surprise my husband with a little fashion parade, when the bra arrives! They didn't have a nightie that would match it. That can wait. I did buy a nice, but practical, winter one that I did really like.
Next stop
Sheree Marshall, a very nice women's clothing store in Launceston, having a 25% off sale. This store I had also sussed out earlier in the year with MIL.
I told the owner, who is lovely, that I have lost 32kg's, have an idea of how I want to look & told her what I would like. I said I didn't want any more pants yet as I want to see what size I end up. (Lisa had appraised me & said she thought I would still get down to a size 12 on re-feed). The woman agreed that my pants looked great & picked out some things she thought I might like.
I tried them on & checked everything out in the full-length mirror out in the store. I almost had to step back as most of the things I tried on just looked great & seeing myself in those pants & my boots that now fit me perfectly I thought "Wow!" I am making sure that whatever I buy I can mix and match. It is so much fun to think you can plan your look & carry it out!!
I bought 3 things from here- all the same brand & the same brushed woollen material. They are all a fitted style, with a zip, that is beautifully warm & comfortable & they look damned snappy!-
- A deep red vest, a dark brown vest & a long-sleeved black jacket.
Next stop Feeling very happy I bought some dark chocolate for my hubby & some herbal teas & the makings of a hand cream from a health food store & got chatting to the owner (surprise, surprise!) about almost anything & everything. It was great but hilarious! The poor customers could hardly get a word in edgeways. There are all these kindred spirits out there!
I got back to the car, feeling very pleased with my day, sat & ate my tuna salad in the car & then drove home, sedately. I am very well aware of where the fatal car accidents have occured & passed one of the most recent ones. Life is too good & I am not in any great hurry!
Our OS & our DIL & GK's (grand-kids), along with my LH got a fashion parade & were very flattering. I even got a "you've done really well Mum" from my son who makes me feel that liking nice clothes is a bit shallow. He asked me how much they were though but I couldn't tell him that! He really liked the clothes & said they looked great. I think he also liked that they were made from a natural fibre, wool.
Today
In brief- I weighed myself again this morning & I was 72kg. I know that tomorrow it may be 73 & it won't matter but now I have re-feed handy I am going to weigh myself every day.
I had my second visit to the counsellor & it went really well. We had a great talk & I will see her a couple more times, probably. I will talk about it more another time as I've exhausted my poor fingers typing today. Tomorrow I won't go anywhere so will have more time. No tears today. I feel like I am taking control of my life & it feels really good. Cheers from Cate.

Cate,
I received my email with refeed today. I need to read through it tonight, I am hoping it isn't to complicated. I have 4lbs left until my gaol then I will see how I feel about going lower, I don't think I will need to but we'll see. I am so glad we can do this together.

I was very pleased to see you had a fun and productive day yesterday. I am sure the new clothes look wonderful and your husband with be thrilled with his fashion show. I love buying new bra's and panties, and they make them so much more comfortable now, yet still cute.

Lori, It is really exciting being so close! I'm in no hurry to start re-feed now that the time has almost arrived & my hunger has abated again. I'm surprised that I'm not being impatient to start! We'll compare the 2 re-feeds for fun.
I just skimmed over my yesterday's post & when I said "no tears today" I meant at the counsellor's. The tissues were needed a fair bit 1st time but not yesterday. We just had a lovely chat. I really enjoyed my session yesterday & will probably go another 2 times & maybe no more. I think just talking to her has helped me sort out a lot of things for myself. I have quite enjoyed it so will continue for the moment.
Yesterday she gave me a relaxation cd & exercises to do, including breathing exercises. She asked me if I have somewhere quiet in our home where there would be no distractions & could really relax. I told her our 2 little dogs make that almost impossible in our living area but that we have 2 spare bedrooms. She suggested that I set up a private space that I can use for relaxation/meditation. I loved the idea. One of the spare rooms is set up for either my Mum or our grandson.The other spare room has a very uncomfortable double bed that I will replace sometime & I have not been happy with how the room is set up.
My relaxation space-
We have only lived in our home for about 3 &1/2 years & haven't finished some of it. Also I have neglected my housework for the last few months. I think I've been concentrating on getting my mind & body in order & not looking too closely at my immediate surrounds.
Today was a miserable, overcast, cold day & I felt great! I pottered about, finished a book & then got inspired to get going & re-arrange half of the house!
I moved a pine/rattan, screen from the living-room to "my" new room. I set it up just inside the door-way, so that it hides the room & you have to walk around to the right to actually go into the room. I positioned a beautiful Thai, silk throw that our OS had bought on his O/S trip over 1 part of the screen. Then I placed a pine trunk in the room with my favourite rugs in it. I selected a few of my favourite pictures(bark "paintings") & hung them up in there. Then I re-made the bed & put a lovely Indian cover over it & some extra cushions.
Next- The built-in robe in that room still hasn't got doors. I decided I had to get everything out of the robe, so that it is ready to have the doors put on & so that it isn't annoying & untidy. I only left the packaging boxes, bubble wrap etc on the highest shelf,that I had only just put in there last week, in preparation for my ebay selling foray. It will be handy to be able to use that room to sort out what I want to sell as I will keep the door shut & make it out-of-bounds for kids.
It took me quite a few hours to sort everything out but I was singing while I did it. What a great idea! It will also be a very nice room for visitors when I get a more comfortable bed. I would like something more Eastern & low to the floor. I also placed a couple of Mexican rugs in the room, that my sister & BIL had bought in Mexico. I mix my cultures & countries but I don't care. It all harmonised quite well.
I also re-arranged & really tidied up my "office"( set up in the corner of our living-room) as I had to after taking the screen away! I didn't get the job finished properly as I have a lot of paper sorting to do but it's out of sight &the living room looks great! I had moved a huge pot plant on a stand, so that it is in front of a large window. It is now a feature plant & has just balanced the whole room out beautifully. I absolutely love our home & will make a point of having it looking it's best. It's almost time to be sociable again. I can't wait to have a dinner party. The first one will be Vietnamese!
Somewhere in the middle of my day I threw tomorrow's meals, my fruit allowance, crackers etc) together to take with me to Launceston. (8-ball again!) Plus I got 4 loads of wood up to the house when it stopped raining.
I don't know where all my energy came from. What a day! Me today-
I really enjoyed myself today. I showed my husband the "relaxation room" & he was impressed. I really hadn't spoken to him about the session with the counsellor, except to say that I enjoyed it. He was also very impressed with the lounge room. Tomorrow I will probably be exhausted but it won't matter as I can just watch him play 8-ball.
I'll head off for a wander around. Won't be "in" tomorrow as we won't get home until late. I might buy a small sound system for "my" room to play my relaxation cd's. I'll have a look about tomorrow if I can summon the energy! "Talk" to you on Sunday, cheers, Cate.

Just got a message from our YS in England. If Aust. win their last rostered match against the West Indies they will make the finals! How exciting for him! Go Aussies! We're very proud of him. We knew that he would really enjoy representing Australia. It's an honour.

Hi Cate,

Looks like you are on top of the world, been up to so much I can't keep up with you..hehe
Congrats on the refeed, I can't believe you are so nearly there, from January when you started, it has gone by so quickly. Hope you and Lori get to do refeed together. Lori, you are doing so great , good luck with refeed and thank you for your lovely words a few posts back.

Sorry to hijack your diary Cate but I juat wanted to tell Lukey that she is doing a marvellous job, 10 kilos is awesome.. Lukey, I don't see you post much in the main forum and you don't have a diary so I just had to tell you, how great you are doing.

Ok back to Cate, you are such a wonderful lady and you are sooooooooooo inspiring, hope you get to put up some pics or better still I hope we do get to meet up in melb later on in the year.

Have a great weekend enjoy 8 ball and chat soon

Annie Lusion

Annie, I'm almost having to pinch myself that I'm almost there! It feels really good holding off for re-feed as well. I will give myself a chance to get into the 60's while I can! I would really love to catch up with you later when I come over to Melb. I admire your ability to address every-one individually & can see why you are obviously so successful & in demand at work. I don't know how you manage the program with your hectic life! I am looking forward to being more sociable, especially in spring & summer. By the way 8-ball was a bit boring & I was way too tired. LH didn't play well & the Saints lost!! He was ok though as he's a really good sport. Cheers, Cate
My diary
My self-esteem is gradually building & I am becoming more comfortable with myself. It's a gradual thing but this forum, well my forum buddies really, is/are really helping. I would like to think that I am able to provide the same support for those who help & support me. I hope so!
I had some lovely things said to me yesterday, which I took on board, but was probably too tired to appreciate at the time. I did too much the day before. The amount we eat does not sustain the amount of energy I exerted on Friday. I also lifted way too much & am lucky I am not suffering from more than the odd twinge here & there. It's hard to remember that you are in your fifties. Well I am anyway! My lovely SIL popped in for a visit at 8-ball & to pick up a loaf of bread that I made for her. I really enjoy her company & indeed love her.
Today the 2 of us have tidied up lots of paperwork & by that I mean gotten rid of it. The end of each financial year means we can throw away so much!
I did a lot more tidying in the living room & it looks great. I am going to put off buying a desk as I've decided to just keep using the laptop for the moment but I should buy a filing cabinet. I'm tempted to wait for that as well but might buy a cabinet that will slide under a desk later. At least it will have very little in it after the big tidy!
My husband decided he wanted to try his hand at making pizzas from scratch today! I tried talking him into waiting until after re-feed but he had the cooking bug! The recipe was from the Melbourne "Age" but wasn't too successful as the base was sweet & tasted a little like cake. I must admit I didn't feel too sorry for him. It smelt good though with olives & anchovies. Before it was ready he cooked me "fiery fish" which was delicious as usual.
I have some apples stewing on the wood heater as I have been feeling like having stewed apple with my yoghurt in the morning. I might just have a little bit in a minute as it should be cooked.
Eating without weighing everything & being able to have stewed apples with a little yoghurt as dessert after a meal will seem like heaven after re-feed. That is the sort of thing I am looking forward to, not eating "forbidden " foods. I am so determined to stay slim. I cannot believe what I have learned about food, nutrition, my body & myself since I started the Cohen's program. It has been & still is a wonderful journey!
Cheers from me for today & love to all, Cate.

Hi Cate,

I am really looking forward to how you go with the re-feed. I cant for spring /summer either....just keep thinking I will hopefully feel comfortable for once, and not dreading show some skin.

Annie, thanks so much for your words. Good to see you posting again.

You ladies here were a big part of my successful first four weeks of weight loss. You inspire me to keep at it.

I had a big test last night....we are extremely busy at work and I had to work last night. I had to order dinner for the boys and they wanted pizza. So we had 9 pizzas and some garlic bread. The smell just stayed in the office forever and I was so tempted to have some....but I took my little rissoles that I made that morning and had that instead.

Well enough of hijacking your thread again Cate, i have finally started my own.

Mmm I like the sound of your DH making pizzas from scratch.

Till later...skinny thoughts to all