Hi Cate,

Congrats on your latest *unoffical* weight loss. And it looks like you've been a positive influence on your hubby. I hope to motivate mine, too. He's only a few pounds overweight (still looks great), but his eating habits aren't healthy-lots of sugar, bread, oil, etc. I've only been on this 2 weeks, so there's still time to rub off on him...

My husband is Egyptian and MIL only speaks Arabic. I've picked up enough Arabic through the years to hold a couple minute phone conversation, but that's about it. I understand way more than I speak. It was a real struggle when she came to stay for a few months. That's when hand gestures really came in handy! Such a sweet lady, though... way more loving than my family has ever been.

Oops... I just rattled on and on about myself... sorry!

Have a good one... here's to continued weight loss and even greater happiness!

Misty-I really wanted to know about your Hubby & MIL. That's why I asked sweetie. I love people in general I think. I'm just a naturally gregarious chatterbox sticky beak! Please don't apologise-I love it! Hope you're nowhere near the tornado! I'll have to catch up on a bit of geography.
I was just listening to a program on ABC National radio (Aust.) where Claudia Roden was interviewed & she was talking about middle eastern food, including Egyptian of course. I had written down her name to remind me to have a look for her new book which I think is called Arabica. I will check it out later.
I have been preparing fruit-cutting up the last of my mango etc. My fridge looks so neat & impressive & organised. Wow. My sons think I'm hilarious.
My hubby is also only about 5 kgs or so more than he should be & I think he is pretty damned cute.
I'm still waiting for this download so thought I would just have another one of those quick peeps. This one is legit though. I got a surprise (nice 1) to see you post Misty. Have a fantastic day! xo from Cate

Downloaded everything. Made it to work on time-just! Feeling stuffed so will be back tomorrow. I feel so focussed it's scary. I'm a very stubborn person but this is ridiculous! I also turn into a pumpkin at about 10.30pm. I'm usuallya night owl. I do fight it still but it's silly. I should just go to bed,xoCate

Hi Cate,
Just wanted to say I love your attitude. You are so positive, and a real inspiration to me just starting out.
I was on the diet before and kept my weight off for a long time before picking it all up again whilst pregnant. Going back on the plan is tough, but its easier when you read others journey on it too.

Cate, Middle Eastern food is yummy! I didn't know how to cook at all when we got married, but I got tons of Middle Eastern cookbooks so I could cook hubby's faves. Now I can cook elaborite Arabic meals, but I have trouble w/ basic American cooking... like meatloaves and hamburgers! Crazy, I know...

Good for you organizing the fridge! It's so soul-soothing, seeing everything laid out neatly. At least, I think it is... mine is such a mess right now, it's hard to remember!

Making rounds to diaries I haven't posted in before. And I have one word for you....

"Tabouli"

Check it out. *yum*

I had typed my usual "little" diary note for the day (huge)& then had 2 lots of visitors & lost the lot so am giving up for the day. We're babysitting our 2 grandkids tonight at their house-no internet access.
Feeling a bit stressed at the moment. There's too much happening & too many other people to worry about!! My 2 boys are not a worry though. They're lovely. It's a long story! I sometimes, very briefly, wish that I was the sort of person who doesn't care about others. Then I am glad that I'm not. I am not worried about deviating though. That will not happen!
Misty-Middle Eastern food is beautiful! Mm Mmm. Later!
Ashy-Tabbouleh has olive oil & burghul (cracked wheat) in it which we Aussie Cohenites aren't allowed. I love it but will wait. I do love parsley though & use it often!
I am relaxing as I type. This is very therapeutic. Had better go, be back tomorrow, xo Cate

What a very strong willed little grand-daughter we have. I wonder where she gets that from? Just a quick look here while my husband has a look at the World Cup Cricket, being played in Barbados. It's washed out so think we'll go to bed. It's 12.30-way past my new Cohen's bed-time! Good night folks, xo

Woke up to rain this morning-not much, but a lovely sound. Had grandparents duties again this morning & thought it would be called off but it wasn't. I just love my grandkids & doing things with them is not a chore, but I would have got out of bed, had breakfast & just crawled right back in again for a few extra hours of sleep.
The problem is I feel just absolutely exhausted. It's mostly mental exhaustion. I want to hibernate!! Be a hermit, not answer the phone, not go to work tomorrow, or the next day. I feel like I could just sit down & cry.
I am going to take myself over to my wonderfully comfortable Lazy Boy recliner, put my feet up & I'll be asleep in about 5 minutes max (with my little dog asleep on my lap). This is a new thing-she always slept curled up next to me on the couch & wouldn't sit on my lap. Now I have a little warm, dog blanket called Sophie. I might come back after a granny nap! xo Cate

Dozed off in the chair for about 15 mins total but feel much better. I think we'll go to bed early tonight-early for us that is. Hopefully I'll wake up tomorrow ready for the world (well work anyway).Today I felt like I have so far to go yet until I'm at my goal weight. I figure still about 12 weeks.
I don't think I can wait much longer to buy some clothes. My old ones make me look fat or make me feel fat. I'm not sure about the first. I am constantly hitching my pants up-not a good look I'm sure!
I have tried op shopping but I don't feel good when I'm in them. I know it's a hangup but I have trouble. It would be so logical to buy opshop clothes to get me by. I have tried to & have bought a few things but I bring them home & wash them before trying them on. So far nothing fits or looks good. Some have been too big, some way too small, but most just don't suit me!!
I have a feeling it's a false economy for me as I'll just end up giving them back!
I will go shopping this week & have a look at Millers, Kmart & Target maybe & see what I can find. I just need a casual outfit that I think makes me not look fat anymore. It will give me a boost & it's probably time.
My husbands clothes fit me now but he didn't like it much when I wore one of his shirts the other day. The sleeves were way too long & the buttons were on the wrong side but when I rolled up the sleeves it looked ok. The colour really suited me too. I guess if I wear his clothes it might work that people will then think he was wearing mine! (???)
Winter has arrived & I often get a bit flat in winter. It gets late so early! Hopefully I only feel flat because I'm just tired.
Will go & have a read of the general forum posts & check back in here before saying goodnight. Cate

Hi Cate, sounds like you could go for some retail therapy! I know you've had problems shopping in the past, but seeing yourself looking sleek and (almost) skinny in a new outfit just might get you over this slump. It has to be an amazing feeling, seeing your old clothes hanging on you! Savor that. You've done such an amazing job and you are an inspiration to all of us newbies.

Thanks Misty. I know I need to go shopping. Today I measured myself & I have lost a crazy number of cm's. It is so hard to measure in the same place but I looked in the mirror & tried to note little landmarks so to speak- a freckle or 3" above belly button, fattest part of bottom etc & I seem to have lost heaps! Sooo.......
Snuck on the scales & 2kg's lost in the last week!!!
I'm on a high!!
Grabbed my sewing machine, broke a needle, grabbed needle & thread, because my work pants that were just a bit loose last week are almost falling down. I can't believe it. If I went out now & bought new clothes they are just not going to fit me in 4 weeks time! OMG! Did a couple of rough old hand-sewn darts in the waist & hey presto, they'll get me through the next couple of weeks. Actually I have a week's holiday coming up so will re-assess then.
I had better get out the 2 pairs of size 14 pants & try them on again. One pair are smart black slacks, the other smartish (oxymoron used here) tracky dakkies.
I am in a hurry as have to go to work soon. Just had to share my excitement!
83KG's-Woo hoo!!

Whoah-just read yesterday's post & boy did I come down off that high. When I got to work yesterday I felt so stressed. I have been running around worrying about every-one else & I fell in a crying heap at work & came home 4 hrs early. My boss said I can have today off as well, if I like & I just rang up to say I would take her up on the offer. I started crying again on the phone! I find it really embarrassing.
I have a doctors appointment tomorrow (just a coincidence)& will have a good check-up. I know that I am stressed. It's all got too much for me. I have to stop worrying about every-one else & think of myself for a change. I'll let you know what she says. Our dr. has retired & I am going to her for the first time.
Nothing will make me go off the rails with the program though. I am just so focussed about my weight-loss. I will get really shirty if any-one suggests that the weight-loss could be making me ill as it's the best thing happening at the moment (other than my hubby, sons & grand-kids!)
I have 2 issues that need sorting at the moment (make that 3)
1 is my mother-in-law, 2nd an elderly friend (92yrs old) & 3rd my thinking I have to solve every-one's problems. None of these are easy issues but.....
I don't know what I would do if I didn't come in here & type away. Ring a help-line for the first time in my life maybe.
I am going to find a good book, get in my comfy chair, dog on lap, in front of the fire & try to veg out for the day.I had better not forget to eat. I have to remind myself to eat these days as I no longer get hungry! Can't believe it really.
Be back tonight, hopefully more like my usual self, xoCate.
Whoops-I think I've let the fire go out!

Hi Cate, I'm sorry to read that you are feeling low. I am not doing Cohen's but am watching my weight & always enjoy your diary. I just thought I'd drop you a note to suggest maybe you find some diaries of past Cohenite's and have a read. I seem to recall a few finding themselves emotional 'wreck's' at some point during their journey. I think sometimes it happens when our body realises we really aren't going to numb it with food anymore. So instead we end up overwhelmed and in tears etc. I am sure there are reasons that you may or may not be consciously aware of that allowed you to gain weight in the first place. This 'slump' may simply be your body telling you it's time for you to face those demons.

OK - psychology aside, the other thing that popped into my head was your comment about blood pressure tablets. It may be that your blood pressure is getting too low now. Having no medical training I can't give medical advice of course, but I personally tend to have rather lowish blood pressure. I have found that when my blood pressure drops lower than normal I tend to get a bit 'overly emotional'. So that may be a physiological reason for your stress reaction.

Anyway, as you can see concise posts aren't really my forte either! Hope things are improving at your end. If not maybe give yourself some me time and snuggle up with that little fur-ball of yours for a good long nanna-nap!

Cheers,
Linda

Linda- Thanks for that. I was starting to feel like I was talking to the wilderness (or worse -myself!) I love it when people come in here & offer support. I think we all need it. I used to be so surprised that anyone would like to read my diary! With me I am as I seem. I'm a good, loyal friend but talk way too much as anyone can tell from reading my diary. Sometimes I exhaust myself!
I've been thinking that it could be my blood pressure as last week I was a little light headed. I have had to find a new doctor & have an ap't in the morning. I want to tell her how I've been feeling but am afraid she might knock the program or tell me I am losing too fast or something. I really think I am suffering from stress. I take on other people's problems, try to solve them & this time I have over-done it! I have to chill out.
I will pop in again tomorrow night & let every-one(any-one) know how I go & what I think of the new doctor. I hope I like her.
If I do I think that I will make monthly ap'ts with her for a while just to keep tabs on my health.
You know I can't seem to find the info in here that I used to. Maybe it's because I spend so much time writing my diary & just have a quick look around. I read the forum for about 6 weeks before I started my diary & used to read pages & pages of posts. I do remember reading something similar but have no idea where I read it.I might go searching now.
I wasn't a big junk eater before but my body must be trying to make adjustments. It's probably suffering from shock.
So am I this week- I nearly slipped up & said 83 kgs to my hubby, who thinks he has hidden the scales !
Might go for a wander & be back later, xo Cate