Hi everyone,

I thought I'd start my own weight loss diary. Last time I completed Cohens I completed a diary every day (in a book) and it still motivates me and reminds me how great I felt while on Cohens and how fast the weight melted away.

Anyway my story:

I have been overweight most of my life ( in between bouts of anorexia and then bulimia in my teenage years.) In July of 2005 I finally found Cohens and by November 2005 I was a size 12, had lost 35kg's, and weighed 75kg's (still over my Cohens ideal weight but I felt terrific). My girls and I went on a HUGE shopping spree, I had my hair cut from near my waist to a short trendy style, threw out ALL my fat clothes and then found the confidence to apply for ( and get) a new job. My newfound confidence helped me to realise that an abusive marriage was not healthy for myself or for my 2 girls and that by staying there I was telling my girls that it was acceptable for a man to treat a woman in this way. So, I left my husband in April 2006, but the stress of living with him had already began to take its toll on me again and then with the pressure of the seperation and selling our house etc I turned to food again as my comfort and now I am back where I started (weight wise) but much happier in myself. My children now peacefully sleep through the night knowing that they won't be woken by their father yelling at me and I sleep peacefully knowing he's not here.
SO....I started Cohens again last Friday and have already lost 2.5kgs. I have had practically no headaches and feel terrific. I have the wonderful feeling of wellbeing that comes with Cohens increasing the serotonin levels and I am so inspired to finish this again and get rid of the last remaining baggage from my previous life!!
So wish me luck

Well another day, another half a kilo gone forever!!!!! 3 kilos down in 4 days yay. I feel terrific and I am even starting to get back some energy although if I do too much I get tired very easily so I try not to overdo it. I am really proud of myself that I have made this decission and that i am doing so well as my previous attempts to get back on the program ended after about 2 days. I feel like I did when I successfully completed this the first time, but I will have better knowledge (and less stress) for when I finish. i will know that I can never become complacent about my weight. It will always be something that I will need to be extremely aware of but it will be worth it to be healthy and fit for my 2 beautiful girls!!

Hi rjm

well done on your weightloss so far. It takes lots of management to maintain your goal weight once you've successfully lost. I know I have yoyoed since finishing Cohens but I am so much more aware now.... with other programs I have fallen back into old habits but now I try to keep on top of things as best as I can. I am not perfect but I try to manage my weight best as I can and sometimes I eat what I want and other times I need to restrict what I eat and exercise more.
Sorry for the drivvel...take care and best of luck.
Sam:)

Hi Sam,

Thanks for the encouragement. How long has it been since you finished Cohens. I maintained for a couple of months last time before I started to gain again and then then jumping on and off Cohens every second week seemed to muck up the balance I had set. I'd be really interested to hear how others are going at maintaining. I am sure that I can maintain without any problems this time, just remembering that I can never eat whatever I like and that I MUST keep exercising.
Anyway thanks again for popping in.
Take care

Beck

I'm almost at the end of my first week back on Cohens and I'm down an amazing 4kgs so far!!!! BUT....today I am really hungry. I ran out of crackers so missed my 2 breakfast crackers and have been a bit hungry all day. One of the sales men at work brought a big tray of cakes and slices, that were left over from a meeting, round to my department this afternoon and I managed to refrain from having any. Tonight I have to go out to dinner with my ex (he insists on seeing the girls, but they won't go with him unless I go too) and I don't really want to tell him I am on Cohens again as 1. It's none of his business, and 2. He will probably think I am trying to lose weight to try to attract a new man (but I don't think I'll EVER want another man after him) and then he'll get all shi##y and start going off, so I thought I would just order a 200g steak and only eat half and also ask for a salad with no dressing or anything on it. This means that I will have to be doubly strong as I know I'll be super tempted to eat it all and he'll probably be asking whats wrong with it etc so I'll just have to say that I had a really big lunch and cakes for afternoon tea and I'm full.
Anyway wish me luck as I'm going to need it to get through today without a deviation and considering how good I feel (other than todays hunger) I really want to stay on track.
Well I'm off for another hot tea.

Take care

Beck

PS just had a thought, it's funny how I have had no problem with food until the thought of seeing him again. I'll have to monitor that one!!

Hi again,

Just a quick report on the dinner. I was running late due to a meeting at my daughters gym running overtime, so 3 phone calls from ex later we arrived about 35mins late. He was not happy but didn't seem too bad. I ordered my food so carefully "your smallest steak please, no thankyou no sauce and a salad with no coleslaw or anything on it and no dressing." She then asked again what sauce would you like on the steak and again I said no sauce, thankyou and nothing on the salad either please. All was fine so we went and sat down and I realised that ex was hardly speaking to me or my oldest daughter and directed most conversation to the youngest, So I tried to make light conversation telling him about what we have been doing, asking about his work etc and most received 1 or 2 word answers (very draining).
Then, finally the food arrives and guess what. The salad was lovely as requested had no coleslaw and no dressing BUT, the steak was absolutely covered in barbeque sauce with onions and melted cheese. Being with ex I couldn't send it back because that would have started world war 2 "Just eat it would you, stop being so fussy etc etc" so i tried to inconspicuously scape off all the onions, cheese and sauce and then got some napkins and blotted off the remaining barbeque sauce. I then cut it in half and ate that with the salad.
I was so annoyed and disappointed that it could have ruined my weeks work by one persons stupid mistake. I feel ok but am hoping that the scales don't go up tomorrow or I will be really peeved and if I start to get any cravings I will be even more peeved.
Sorry for the long rave but I just had to vent!

Take care

Beck

Well the first week is over and done with and I had an excellent loss of 4 kgs this week. The dinner last night does't seem to have caused any problems. I haven't had any cravings or been hungry and didn't gain any weight this morning (I didn't lose anything either) so it doesn't seem to have had any adverse reactions. I am thrilled that I am focused and still so inspired to get my weight off again and I was really proud of myself for not eating the food as they sent it last night. I was definately tempted!! I think that recognising that my need to eat seemed to be intertwined with the thought of seeing my ex seemed to get me over the initial hurdle in the afternoon and then by the time I got to the dinner I had my right frame of mind back again.
So its all systems go now to get through week number 2 with good weight loss and reach the first target of under 110kg which is getting closer every day!!
Take care

Beck

Well another day done and I'm most definately back "in the zone". I feel fantastic and have no cravings and no hunger. I almost forgot to eat lunch today!! Still no more loss this morning but as I'm over the first week now I don't expect to lose something every day. Usually 1-2 kgs a week is pretty average for me when on Cohens. I'll wait and see what tomorrow brings but I am so happy with 4 kgs for the first week and can't wait to start getting back into some of my clothes. I was inspired to start Cohens again when I looked in my wardrobe and saw 5 pairs of brand new pants (all with their tags still attached) in there. I must have bought these when I was just going out of 16 and intending to go on a diet to make sure I got back into them, but as usual I never made that diet so they sat there while I was down to one pair of trousers that fitted me (washing them every night so I had something to wear the next day) and refusing to buy anything else as I am always intending to lose weight. Cohens seems to be the only thing that I can really get motivated to stick to and that really works for me.

Sorry to ramble.
Take care

Beck

Hi Beck, You're not rambling! It's so good to see you back in the zone, resisting temptation, plus recognising the negative signals (your ex) & sticking to your guns. good for you! You'll get there this time & stay there. Cheers for now, Cate

Hi Beck,
Thank you for starting your diary, I am a couple of days behind you and even though I do have cravings, I find it inspiring to think that this may get easier.

Eating out and food at work are difficult situations and you handled them both well. Sounds like your ex was too focused on other things to take note of what you were eating anyway. It is incredibly frustrating when you dine out and requests are not followed. If you had a MSG allergy or something the repurcussions could be worse (if there is anything worse then putting on weight when you have been so disciplined).

Well done on your terrific weight loss and keep on going, you are like a mentor.
Trudy

Thanks Cate and nomoreweighting for stopping and the encouraging words. nomoreweighting my ex was definately focused on other things (as usual, himself).
I'll be more careful when eating out that I ensure the waitress understands what I am ordering before I let her take the order back to the kitchen.

Take care

Beck

Hi again,
Well I'm still going great and powering along towards my first mini goal of under 110kgs. It looks like Cohens is doing its thing. Last time I did Cohens I got me period every 2 weeks!:eek: After only 11 days back on Cohens, yes you guessed it, I've got my period (and it's not due). Well one good thing is that it shows I must be doing this right and it's a small price to pay for being healthy for the rest of my life. So I'll plod along and hopefully it will settle down as I continue on.
Take care

Beck

Hi Beck

How inspiring your diary is to read. I am sorry to hear about your dinner with your ex and your girls.....some men can be more child like then children themselves.
You seem to be a positive and focused person and you seem primed to reach your weightloss goal.
I am sorry I took so long to answer but I started Cohens in Dec 2006 2 weeks before xmas and completed refeed in march 2007 I lost 16kg and got to my goal weight of 63kg since then I have gained lost and followed this path right up to this point in my life.
I haven't weighed in a while but I know I have gained and need to just refocus so I can get back to feeling comfortable in my clothes again.
Take care and look forwardto reading your next weightloss post.
Sam:)

Hi again,
I'm back. I have been madly cramming for a uni exam I am doing on Tuesday as I am so far behind in the work it's not funny. I am still powering along on Cohens and have lost 6kgs in just 2 weeks!!! I have almost reached my first goal of under 110kgs and I can't wait till I can set my next goal (hopefully tomorrow) of under 100kgs, and even more I can't wait to reach that goal. I feel like this is how I should always eat and I feel so great it is unbelievable. Anyway, can't talk for long as friday night games are on.
Take care everyone.
Beck

Hi again,
Well I passed my first mini goal (yayy) and now I have my sights firmly set on my next mini goal of under 100kgs (and getting back to double digits).
I am fitting back into 1 of my pairs of trousers that were too small and yesterday i put on a top that I haven't worn for about a week and it was so baggy. My daughter said "Mum, I think that the last time you're going to wear that top"...very exciting. I am also getting back into a few of my too small tops so soon I will have a whole new wardrobe as there are so many clothes in my wardrobe in varying sizes it will be nice to get back into them. However its the size 12s I can't wait to get back into!! I know its not going to be too much longer. I have also already started my list of things i reallly want to eat when I finish, and first on the list is pad thai. I was a bit hungry today with the horrible weather in Sydney. I think it was more a case of its cold and yucky and I just feel like eating and I really fancied some pad thai, so this goes on my list of things I will have when I finish Cohens. It also acts as a reminder of just how short term this program is. I finished my exam the other day and I'm fairly sure i'll be doing that subject again as I don't think I passed. Oh well, its good practice and I have no one to blame but myself as I know I didn't do nearly enough work during the course. Next time I do it though I hope I've learned my lesson.
Well sorry for the rambling I've been suffering Cohens forum withdrawals.
Take care everyone.

Beck

Well the weight loss is a little bit slow this week but the last time i completed Cohens I used to lose 2kg, 2kg, 1.5kg and then 1kg every 4 weeks so I'm hoping this is either the 1kg or 1.5kg week and that it doesn't mean that I am going to lose slower this time than I did last time. I also know I haven't been drinking enough water the last 2 days so today I am trying to up that and hope the weight loss kicks back into gear. It is such a bad week for the weight loss to slow down as the weather in Sydney is absolutely shocking and I really feel like something yummy, but so far I haven't really even considered eating anything (just felt like it) I just hope my motivation levels stay high.

Take care

Beck

Well still no weight loss this morning and it is really starting to annoy me. I am definately losing weight though as I am wearing clothes I didn't fit last week so maybe my body is just catching up with the 7 kgs that I have already lost. Hopefully I will start to decrease again soon. I have been really hungry the last 2 or 3 days and i am finding it really trying especially with the scales not moving, but I am trying really hard to keep the motivation levels up. My girls are great and keep reminding me that it is only for 4 months or so and so I am nearly a quarter of the way there. I just hope the weight loss kicks into gear or it won't be 4 months, it will be longer. I need to stop being negative though and focus on the fact that it IS only going to be 4 months and I'll be skinny again!!!:rant:
Sorry to be a pain and ramble so much. It's so great to be able to talk on here and know that everyone can relate.
Take care

Beck

Two posts in one day!! I am feeling much better than earlier on today. I went to my nieces for dinner tonight (we were supposed to be going out but they changed it and ate at home as I am on Cohens) and her husband, who is an awesome cook, cooked me up a lovely dinner. My niece has previously done Cohens so her and her husband are both quite used to cooking Cohens food. He weighed out my steak allowance and then weighed out a lovely assortment of salad veges and cooked the steak to perfection and tossed together a delicious salad and I felt totally spoiled as it was just so good. I then finished up with a nice orange and a my last cracker of the day and a black tea and I am feeling much better than I did. I think i need to remember to be a bit creative with my food or i get bored and then I get cravings. My oldest daughter said she will take over cooking for me some nights as she likes to experiment with food and will cook me up some yummy treats to keep me inspired.
It is so nice to be loved by so many people who will go out of their way to help me and support me on this journey to good health and fitness.
Anyway I'm feeling so much better and thought I'd just drop in to let you all know.
Take care

Beck

yayyyyy, finally the scales have moved and by one whole kilo. hooray. The patience paid off. Just heading out to church so i'll post again this afternoon.

Take care

Beck

Patience is a virtue so the saying goes, I am so glad you lost there is nothing so frustrating then doing all the right things on a diet but you don't see that reflected on the scales, I suppose that is why it is highly recommended to measure all body parts.
I am glad to see you have family supporting...when I did my program the only person I told was hubby and he was so supportive it really helped especially through those difficult days.
I had better go Beck the kids have started we have a pool that is still needing completing and the kids want to go in it now because it is full of rain water...agh!!!!! and hubby is arguing with me the point of why can't they go in.....frustrating.
Take care and enjoy your day.
Sam:)

Thanks for dropping in Sam. Sorry i haven't responded sooner I haven't been able to reply as the forum has been mucking up.
I'm still going really well and i am so motivated. I feel TERRIFIC!!! The only pair of trousers that fit me 2 weeks ago no longer fit me, they're too big!! I now fit in to a couple of pairs of trousers that i had grown out of and I can't wait to get into the rest of them.
I have set everything out in my wardrobe in order of when they should fit me again. the next lot should comfortably fit in another week or 2 as I can squeeze into them now, but wouldn't wear them out as I don't think I could breathe.:ack2: lol.
Anyway, feeling great, going great and I know I'm back in the Cohens zone and heading for the 70's again!!!
Take care everyone

Beck

Well the scales seem to moving a bit slower than the last time I completed Cohens, but I know they will continue to move so I am not letting it get me down. I feel just great and know I am shrinking as my clothes are getting much looser. I have to go out to dinner with the ex again tonight but I haven't had any cravings or anything today. I think identifying that he is the cause of a lot of my cravings last time I had to go out to dinner with him has helped. I still don't want to tell him I'm doing Cohens or on a diet of any kind as it will turn into a major drama so I'll just do what i did last time and order the 200g steak (and eat half) and also order a green salad with no dressing or anything. I will also make sure they understand that nothing means nothing on the steak as well so I don't end up with my steak covered in bbq sauce, onions and cheese this time.
Anyway still going strong and feeling really positive.

Beck

Well just a follow up on the dinner. They got the steak right tonight, no problems. No cheese, no onions, no barbeque sauce. It was cooked to perfection and absolutely delicious BUT this week they weren't able to understand "no salad dressing and no coleslaw on the salad". They sent the saled out covered in olive oil dressing and coleslaw on top of the salad so the whole thing was unable to be eaten as it all had dressings all over it. The only salad that I could eat was the tomato and onion rings on the side so I ate these and I hope it was enough.
Anyway, maybe next time they might get it right. You never know your luck!!

Take care

Beck

Beck, Isn't it mind-boggling that simple instructions can't be followed! No dressing means just that. Thanks for the info re the Internet connection. I think I'll ring them in the morning & say I've cooled off & cancel it. It hasn't felt right at all. Good for you getting through dinner relatively unscathed! I am so glad to have got through day 1. Phew! Cheers, Cate

Hi Cate, yes its hard to believe that people can get something as simple as "salad no dressing" wrong.
Well I'm finally down another .5kg again. The scales are definately moving slower than last time as Its just taken me 6 days to lose half a kilo. It better not continue at this rate or I will find it hard to continue on for a long time. The last time I did this I lost 2kg, 2kg, 1.5kg and then 1kg over a 4 week period. As I have lost 4kg (first week), 2kg, 1kg so far I'm hoping that I am now up to a 1.5kg week and that I am still keeping in the same routine as before. I have stuck to this 110% except for the 2 dinner outings with ex and even then stuck as closely as possible to it so I can't think of any other way to get the weight moving again if it decides its going on a go slow (except maybe change the batteries in my food and bathroom scales).
Just made a very yummy chicken soup for lunch (with chicken, mushroom, red onion, fresh asparagus and baby spinach) as its really cold and windy here in Sydney today.
Anyway I'm out of chat for now.

Take care
Beck

Well the weight loss has started to move again and so far I am down 1.5kg this week (in only 3 days of this week) so I am really pleased and feeling so motivated. I am powering my way down to my next mini goal of under 100kgs. With a loss so far of 9.5kgs (in 3.5 weeks) my BMI has dropped by 3.7 already. I am still in the obese category, but getting closer to being just fat and then normal. At the moment I am still in the obese class 3 (very severe) but as soon as I go under 40 (now 40.1) I move into the obese class 2 (just severe). It doesn't sound very exciting for normal people, but for me to be getting closer to a normal weight is so exciting and each small step helps to keep me motivated.
My major hurdle after is to remember that I will always be an obese person and I will have to modify my life to be able to stay in my new skinny body. I hope I have learned my lesson after my last Cohens journey. I can re gain 40 kgs in less than a year. This will be my greatest challenge. Also my cravings will come back (with a vengeance) if I start to eat rubbish again.
Anyway, I am feeling really good and so pleased that the weight is moving again.
Take care

Beck

Hey rjm

sounds like you are going really well congrats! 9.5 kgs in 3 and a half weeks is amazing! you will be back to normal in no time at all! I know what you mean about quick gain, I put 30kgs on in less than a year, goes to show that it really is a major lifestyle change that's needed! I have decided to not binge drink ever again, I think that is what killed me last time, that new body I had equalled to nights on the town because I gained confidence, however didn't last long when the weight crept back on...

keep going, hope to see that ticker move again soon!

Bec

Thanks Mermaid sister,

I also found it quite amazing just how out of control I felt once the weight started to come back on. I couldn't stop binging. I would try to be good and get back on Cohens or even just eat well and would get to lunch time and end up going to McDonalds or KFC and buying the biggest meal I could find and then just continue to eat all afternoon and evening, anything I could find. I also don't know why I am now sticking so well to Cohens or why I stuck to it so well the first time I did it, but i am so grateful that I am!!
Anyway. down another .5kg this morning YAYYY!!!!! That now makes 10kg (or a large sack of potatos) lost. I like to imagine each 10kg as one of those huge bags of potatos and then you can picture all those potatos as blobs of fat all over your body and actually visualise how much weight you have lost.
Anyway, I have a daughter doing work experience this week and I need to go and iron her shirt.
Have a great day everyone.
Take care

Beck

I have just realised that I have just moved into obese stage 2 (Severe) not class 3 (extremely severe) any more. Not very exciting for most people, but for me its definately very exciting.

I am soooo excited. So far this week I am down 2.5kgs (with one day to go )!!! Amazing. I just can't believe it.
My youngest is a competitive gymnast who trains for 16 hours every week and she has decided to help me by designing an excerise program for me (and ensuring I do it...properly). It has definately helped as since I started it I have dropped .5kg every morning. It doesn't involve too much probably about half an hour in total (if that) but gets me puffing and moving.
Anyway I am so pleased with my progress this week and just have to remind myself not to expect this kind of progress every week as I don't want to get disappointed. Can't wait to get back into double digits!!!
Have a great day all.
Take care
Beck

No more weight loss this week, but I am so pleased with 2.5kgs this week. Today my youngest (the gymnast) had a gymnastics competition this afternoon school so I had to leave work a little early, pick her up and take her home to get her ready and then race out to the gym with her to compete. I had eaten my crackers and fruit sparingly as I was sure I would be late getting my dinner and I wanted some snacks to see me through the afternoon. I had 3 crackers and one apple in my bag and as the competition was supposed to finish at 8.30pm I thought i should have time to get home and quickly throw a tuna salad or something together for my dinner. Well, the competition went overtime and we didn't end up getting home till after 10pm. I was going to skip my dinner as I'm not really that hungry but my girls insisted I should eat something as Cohens says DO NOT SKIP ANY MEALS so I ate a small steak and salad but didn't finish it till about 10.30pm. I have previously read that if you have to eat late you need to stay up for 2 hours after eating but as it is already so late (11.15pm) and I have to be up at 6 in the morning I don't think I will make it for another hour. Hopefully I won't gain weight in the morning but it was a situation that couldn't be helped and I'm really proud of myself as at the competition there is a lovely cafe with heaps of yummy food and was also a bbq going on with sausage sandwiches or marinated chicken wraps etc and I wasn't even tempted to eat anything. I also haven't eaten one of my pieces of fruit as I just really don't feel like it and I'm sure it is just too late.
I think I'll go to bed and i'll let you know what the scales say tomorrow.
Take care

Beck

Well it looks like the late dinner has not caused too much damage as I've dropped a full 1kg this morning. I will, of course, have to wait a day or two to make sure that this doesn't go back on, but I'm feeling good.
The few deviations that I have had to have this time on Cohens have been really good for my mindset. I tend to be an "all or nothing: kind of girl and usually if I had to deviate like this, this would be a signal for me to say "oh well, it's broken now so I'll just go all out today and start again tomorrow" and then binge myself through the rest of that day eating everything that was bad in the house (just so it wasn't there tomorrow when I was going to be good) and then continuing to binge for however many months it would take me to regain control of myself.
Last time I completed Cohens I did not knowingly deviate once while on the plan as I was sure that if I did i would never get control back and finish the program. This time I have had to deviate a few times and have not even considered (ok I have considered it, but never done it) breaking long term. I have (in the words of AJ Rochester) got back up, dusted the cake crumbs off (not literally cause I haven't eaten any cake) and got back to moving forward without missing a beat, and my weight loss has just carried on as well.
This is really going to help me in the future to realise that it doesn't matter if you have small slipups. It doesn't mean that for the next few months you have to eat everything you can get your hand on. You just need to get up and move on and everything will be fine. No guilt, no obsession, just act like a normal person. That is what I am still trying really hard to achieve. To be a "normal" person and blend in with the crowd. Not feel like people are looking at me wherever I go (and commenting on how fat I am). Normal people don't gain 35kgs in year, normal people don't drive through McDonalds drive through and pretend they are buying meals for 2 people just so they can get enough food to binge on, or even think that the person serving them would take enough interest in them to even care how many people they are buying food for, normal people don't refrain from eating in public because they think everyone is talking how fat you are and if you would just stop stuffing your face then maybe you would lose weight. Why would they even care what I am doing. I'm sure they have much more interesting things in their life than looking at me!!! One of my triggers last time was the fact that the person I was married to used to delight in telling me how fat i was and even when I lost all the weight he knew this was a very good way to get to me. He also used to make snide comments every time he saw me eating (like you eating..AGAIN, haven't you just finished eating?? or just walk past and make stupid noises) Nothing particularly nasty if anyone else heard him but definately designed to crush any confidence I had and also resulted in me, again, hiding and eating. Waiting up till he had gone to sleep and then stuffing myself silly so he wouldn't see me which is probably one of the worst things I could have done. This time he is gone and i hope I have a better chance of rebuilding my very fragile confidence as everone around me now is very supportive and will do everything in their power to help me through this.
The last time I did Cohens I just loved walking in a crowd and not thinking that people were watching me. That I just disappeared in with everone else, but I don't think I quite learned the very valuable lesson of its ok to break it once in a while. I hope that this will be the final journey for me and that I will now gain complete control of myself.
Sorry to ramble on so much.
Take care

Beck

What a huge weekend!! I work on Saturday morning and then there was a competition at my childrens gymnastics centre all weekend and as my youngest is going on a tour to USA next year we were fundraising all weekend. This meant we were not home till after 10pm on both Friday and Saturday nights (and didn't get to eat dinner till then) and Sunday we finished at about 4pm. I lost 1kg on Saturday morning, .5kg came back on on Sunday morning but was gone again this morning, so it looks like not too much damage was done by eating late. I am absolutely shattered today and I am having trouble getting motivated to move, which I really have to do as nothing has been done all weekend and the house is a mess!! Its nearly lunch time so I might just sit until I have eaten my lunch and then get my butt into gear.
Have a great day everyone.
Take care
Beck

Beck, Your second last post I can really relate to. I am only just learning to stop thinking I am the fat person & can eat in public without thinking those thoughts. Once you are further down the track your ex's put-downs will fade into the ether where they belong. We do this for ourselves, no-one else. We must learn to love ourselves, nurture our bodies & enjoy our lives. We don't get a second chance at life. I don't know how I would cope in your circumstances & with your busy life but it seems to me you are doing pretty damned well! Take care. I love your attitude & your honesty, cheers, Cate

Thanks for your support Cate. It really means a lot to me. His horrible words are gradually fading, but they do occassionally appear. Sometimes people will say something totally innocent to me and I just burst into tears for no apparent reason. Its hard to explain that you still hear "you idiot, or fat s*#^" in your head but it is slowly going away. The one perfect thing I have from the marriage is my 2 beautiful girls who make everything worth while and whenever I think that I wish I never met him I realise that if this were the case I would never have these beautiful children. For now my weight loss is for myself to get me healthy and strong again, but it is also for them as I can not risk anything happening to me as there could be a chance he would try to get the girls and this would devestate them so I have so much incentive to get to my goal and stay there!! I am just so thankful that we managed to escape from our old life and we are just loving our new life.
Well, sorry about them ramble, again!! I woke up this morning and hopped on the scales as I always do and they had dropped 1.5kgs!! I didn't believe that I could have dropped that much in 1 day so I must have jumped back on them about 10 times and then I got my daughter to check for me and, yes I am down 1.5kgs this morning. This makes 2.5kgs this week already and I still have 3 days to go. My youngest tells me it must be her excerise program that is doing it. I don't care what it is she can take the credit if she wants and I'm sure the excerise is definately not doing any harm.
I'm powering along to my next goal of under 100kgs and I can't wait to get back into double digits!! I had forgotten how quickly you fly down through the sizes while on this too. One week clothes are too small, the next week they fit you, firmly, the next week they fit you well, the next week they fit you losely and the next week they are too big and you are down into the next size. I love it!!
Anyway I better go
Take care everyone

Beck

Beck, Well done! It is a marvellous program, no doubt about it. You are right to put that perspective on your dreadful ex. He's good for something! I would hate to think of life without our 2 sons and I know that I have been very lucky. Hopefully one day you will find someone who will love you, cherish you & make you happy. We all deserve that. Take care, xo Cate

Hi Beck
I dont think I have visited you before... but wanted to say that I read your diary regularly! Well done for getting back on the program and taking control of your life again!

I have really admired your honesty and vulnerability in your last few posts and have wanted to post a couple of times to say... "I hear ya"! I realy felt some of your pain as I read your posts and I remembered some of the pain and indignities that I had also suffered but I dont think to that extreme.

However, it seems you are now finally in a place to be able to CARE for YOU! You can focus on you and love yourself and put the past into perspective. You have and continue to learn from it, but you are not letting it crush you! AMAZING!

I look forward to continuing to following your journey!

Blessya
Kannadew

Thanks Kannadew,
It really helps to be able to offload here, and I appreciate everyones support and good thoughts. You know what, I think I have wasted enough of my time and energy talking about him and I think from now on I'll leave him in the past and hope that he stays there.
No more weight loss this morning (I didn't expect any after yesterdays huge loss) so I am just plodding along again. My youngest daughter is eating a crumpet with butter and honey...YUMM, It smells great. I find when on Cohens that the smell of certain foods is often enough to satisfy me as they smell as good (or better) as they taste, and besides the weight loss is so amazing that I wouldn't even consider eating anything. I'll put crumpets on my list of things I am going to have when I am finished Cohens.
Not too many people are noticing yet that I have lost weight except for my family who know that I am on the program. Hopefully it won't be too much longer before they start to notice.
Anyway, I'm feeling great and still going strong.
Take care

Beck

Beck, that's funny what you said about smells satisfying you. I find the same. I can eat my crackers while others are eating delicious smelling hot food & it seems to do the trick for me. Your head seems to be in a really good space at the moment & you are doing really well. You are facing the challenges & not letting them beat you. Good for you, cheers for now, Cate.

Just a quick note today. I've had no movement for a few days which is probably due to the huge weight loss i had in the last 2 weeks but today the scales have started to move again and I'm down another .5kg this morning. This now makes 13.5kgs in just over 6 weeks!!! I'm slowly inching forward to my next mini goal of under 100kg
Take care
Beck

Not much happening at the moment. The weight loss is a bit slow this week but I was expecting that as I had big weight loss the last 2 weeks and last time I did Cohens I used to lose 2kg,2kg,1.5kg and then 1kg in a 4 week cycle. Life is just plodding along and I'm in a bit of limbo at the moment. I have gone down 1 size so far and I am now finding that most of these clothes are starting to get a bit loose. I'm not into the lower size just yet but it shouldn't be too long. I am also slowly getting down to the next mini goal of under 100kgs (2.6kgs to go). That mini goal is probably the biggest mental hurdle to get back into double didgits will be really exciting and a major motivator. Not that I really need motivating. I am enjoying the food and not getting hungry or anything. I am making sure I vary my meals as much as possible as this helps me to not feel deprived, but most nights I make sure I have a really nice piece of juicy steak and I now save my orange till after dinner so I get some dessert to spoil myself with.
I didn't think I had much to say today, but I always manage to say something.
Have a great day everyone.
Take care
Beck

I didn't think I had much to say today, but I always manage to say something.

Sounds like something I would say Beck! It's good to share our daily diaries, even though it feels sometimes that we are talking to our-selves. I'm enjoying reading your diary & watching you support others, cheers, Cate.

Thanks cate, it's nice to know there a few constants here. Sometimes people seem to come and go very quickly. Thanks for your support.
Take care
Beck

To Cate and Beck,

I don't always contribute but most days I come online for inspiration and support, so keep up the diaries. Welcome to Lumpy, another diary for me to read. I love vegemite so much that I can eat it off a teaspoon, it is good to know that others miss things, even though we are not tempted (well, I'm not with vegemite, other foods, perhaps).

Anyway, wanted you to know that I am usually silently here, keep up the good work.

Trudy

Hi again everyone, I haven't been in for a while as I have had a Uni assignment due. I have just submitted it via the internet...Yayy!!!
I have also decided that sleep must have quite a bit to do with weight loss. When I go to bed really late I seem to gain weight the next morning and if I have a really good nights sleep that is when I tend to lose the most weight. Last night I went to bed at 3.30am (I mean this morning I went to bed at 3.30) and when I got up and weighed myself at 6.30am I was up by half a kilo. I haven't changed my ticker as I'm sure it will go again as soon as I manage a decent nights sleep, hopefully tonight. I have no problem sleeping once I get myself to bed it is just the getting to bed that causes me trouble. I have so much energy and don't seem to get tired (Last night I was tired but had left my assignment till the last minute and had to get it finished) I seem to potter around and then look at the clock and its midnight. Anyway tonight I'm going to bed early so I'll be off for now and will talk to you all later.
Take care
Beck

Hi everone,
I'm slowly inching ever closer to the next mini goal of under 100kg which will be a big milestone for me. Double digits again will be incredible. I'm a bit disappointed that the weight loss is going so slow this week and also was slow last week but I usually have 2 good weeks and 2 slower weeks so i have to keep reminding myself of this so as not to get too disheartened. I just wish it would hurry up!!!!
I haven't been doing my daughters exercise program this week or last week and this could be why it has slowed down again and I also know I haven't been drinking enough water or getting enough sleep.
I must "make a mental note" to drink more and do some exercise and see if that makes a difference as I want to get the weight loss moving again and be finished with refeed by Christmas.
Have a great day everyone and I'm really glad I posted today as I am feeling much better now than I was when I first dropped in here tonight and more motivated than I have in the last few days.
Take care
Beck

Hi Beck. Try not to weigh until after the week-end if possible. I think it helps if you relax a little about it. You know that if you follow the plan 100% the weight must come off. The water & the sleep are so important. I need to do some exercise too. I feel like I'm a hibernating bear at the moment & a grizzly one at that. Come on those double digit figures for you. Almost here!! Cheers, Cate.

Hi Cate,
I can't help myself. i am a compulsive weigher and just have to remember that I don't lose weight every day. The last time I decided to stop being compulsive and threw my scales away I was about a size 14. the next time I weighed myself I weighed 110kgs!!! I weigh mainly so if I don't lose for a week or so I can assess if I am doing anything wrong and adjust it ASAP to get the weight loss moving again.
I have had another .5kg drop this morning.YAYYY. I am trying to go to bed at a reasonable time (11.00pm). I am a bit of a night owl which goes back to my previous life. The only time I ever got any peace was when everyone else had gone to sleep and I could sit and enjoy the quiet. Now I have so much energy (from Cohens) that I have trouble getting myself to sleep if I go to bed too early. I am also trying to make sure that I am drinking enough water and yesterday went for a lovely long walk with my eldest daughter along the local lake front. So obviously something has helped and another little loss has appeared. So far this 4 weeks I have lost 2.5kg, 2.5kg, 1kg, and so far this week 1kg which I really can't complain one little bit about. I need to keep my positive point of view in place and not let the negatives take hold of me (I seem to lose much better when in a positive mind frame anyway!!)
Anyway, I have rambled on about nothing much today and will go and leave you all now.
Take care
Beck

PS.... 1/3 of the way to goal today!!!!!!

Yayyyyyyy, I have hit 100kg and so my next goal is only 1 gram away. Who knows when I will hit it though. Hopefully tomorrow morning but I bet it will be at least a couple of days, just to teach me patience.
This week didn't end up being that slow in weight loss. I ended up losing 2kgs which is great. That means in the last 4 weeks I have lost 2.5, 2.5, 1, and 2kgs. Very pleased with that and still loving this program. I have now been on the program for 8 weeks and I am down 16kgs!!
I did a little bit of exercise this week ( a walk along the lake and a few gentle sessions in the gym) which definately jump started the weight loss again and I am sure does nothing but help. The only thing you need to be very vary of is just how much you do as you can get hungry if you overdo it and you don't get any extra food so you have to stay hungry. So just a little bit of gentle exercise is good in my opinion.
Anyway, it is absolutely freezing here in Sydney today (I'm sure its nothing on where you are Cate, but definately freezing for us) and I need to go sit in front of the heater. That is if I can move my 15 year old far enough away so I can get near it!!
Have a good night all.
Talk to you soon.
Beck

Hi Beck & congratulations. An average of 2kgs a week is amazing! I was told by my consultant that once you have completed Cohen's your body is trained to lose weight. I do believe that when you go back on the program it is almost like your body breathes a sigh of relief & springs back into action. I also agree about the light exercise as it also makes you feel so much better about yourself & life in general. Anything more than that used to make me dizzy & then ravenous. I'm looking forward to hearing about those double figures- GO BECK!! Cheers, cate

Hi Cate,
Totally agree about the sigh of relief. When I first went back on Cohens it was like my body was saying "Thank goodness for that!!" It feels like this is the way I am meant to be eating and most of the foods on the program are my preferred meats, veges and fruits. My sister is not doing the program but I gave her a list of the foods and the general guidelines and although she weighs nothing and eats much larger quantities than the Cohens quantities, she has lost about 12 kgs in about 6 weeks. She also agrees that these are the sort of foods that agree with her best too.
I have done a bit of walking today (just around the shops and things) and I am hoping that this helps me to get to my double digits tomorrow.
Have a great day everone
Talk soon
Beck

Hi everyone,

LOOK AT MY TICKER!!!!! YAYYYYY!!!!
Under 100kg's:party:
Finally I am back in double digits and feeling sooo terrific. That one tiny .5kg makes such a huge difference to my mindset. I am starting to feel "normal" again. I know I still have a long way to go but going back under 100kg makes me feel that I am really going to get there and stay there this time. Having Cate as such a wonderful help and motivator is definately helping and hopefully I will be able to keep calling on her help as I achieve my final goal and move into maintaining it. I do feel bad that I can't be of much help to her in return as I haven't successfully maintained yet, but hope my moral support is of some help.
For now, I must keep up the momentum and get to my final goal by Christmas. So for me that means stick to the program, religiously, gentle exercise at least 3 times a week, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water!!
Unfortunately my signature only allows up to 150 characters and I can't put my next goal into it. Anyway my next goal is under 90kg.
If anyone knows how to expand the signature to allow more characters can they please let me know as I really enjoy having all my goals and achievements in front of me each time I log in.
Have a great day everyone.
Take care
Beck

Congratulations Beck!!!!!!!!

Well, you sure have made me feel good this morning! Thank you. Whenever I see you have typed in my diary it puts a smile on my face :) so please know that you do provide me with lots of support! xo Cate.
:party:
Double digits- Well done Beck!!!!!
P.S Can't help you with adding to the signature. It is really very restrictive so that's why mine is simple these days.

Congratulations Beck,

Well done on you commitment to this programme. After reading your diary I have decided to start doing some exercise also, it may speed up what is becoming a slow process.

After a great start (10.5kg in 4 weeks) this next 4 weeks has had moments of deviations and resulted in only another 4kg. I would love to lose at around 6kg per 4 week marker so that I can finish prior to my contract expiring.

OK, keep up the good work,
Trudy

Thanks Cate and nomoreweighting,

Glad I can be of some help Cate (but I think you might just be being nice!!)
Nomoreweighting, I am always looking for some way to keep the weight loss going in the right direction (down). That is also one of the reasons that I am so compulsive about weighting myself. If I haven't lost anything for 3 or 4 days I am looking for why (have I drunk enough water, got enough sleep, am I eating too much salt, got my butt into gear and moving enough). If everything is in order then I will occasionally change the batteries in my food scale (just in case they are going flat and not weighing correctly) and if all this is ok then I just assume it must be one of my slow weeks in the month. I know if I waited till the end of the month to weigh and had only lost a few kilos and then reassessed what i had done throughout the month and found I was doing something wrong, I would be kicking myself for losing a month. So I know I'm not meant to , but I do complulsively weigh myself. The exercise does definately help the weight come off and also helps you to feel really good about yourself.
No weight loss today, but I'm going great, loving the program and I have just fitted into my smallest pair of size 16 trousers, so the next size I start trying on is my size 14's...how exciting!!
Anyway, have a great day
Take care
Beck

Hi all,
I've now been back on the program for 9 weeks and I'm down 17.5kgs so I am staying close to my goal of 2 kgs per week. Although I don't lose 2 kgs every week it averages out to about that. My sister and I want to be able to go on the new motor bike roller coaster at Dreamworld when we next go to the Gold Coast. we were up there at easter and both loved the look of the roller coaster (we both rode motor bikes as children) and thought it would give us a taste of our childhood. When we went around to queue up we noticed that there was a size restriction and before you could join the queue there was a sample motor bike for your to "try out". we both looked at it and knew there was no chance we would fit into it (although I did try, but it came no where near closing for me) so very disappointed we left the area vowing that if we managed to get back there next year we would definately be slim enough to fit into it. we are both well on the way to fitting next year.
Well the weight loss is still going well and I still feel really good. Some days I get hungry and other days I don't. Mostly I just feel like something different to eat, but I know that it is so not worth it. I will eat plenty of different foods when I finish and I will make sure they are healthy foods at that so my hard work does not go to waste this time.
I get so cold at the moment and just can't seem to get warm most of the time. I rug up but I am still always cold I think it is a side effect of being on Cohens but is a very small price to pay for a slim healthy body.
Not much to say today.
Take care

Beck

Hi Beck- 98.5 nice! I froze last Winter but have found that I don't really feel the cold much now, which is a relief. You are doing so well. I never lost weight that fast 1st time around especially- 10kgs first month, 4-5 each month after that. 2kg a week is something else! Keep up the great work, cheers, Cate

Thanks Cate,
Down to 98kgs today which means I now only have 5kgs to go to be half way to goal. I think I will make that my next goal, 1/2 way to goal (or 93kgs/ loss of 23kgs). Its a bit closer than under 90kgs and a little bit more attainable. I will make the goal after that to go under 90kgs (maybe-unless I think of a better one by then). I don't have much to say at the moment. Its school holidays so I have my girls home for 3 weeks (which I love) and most of my non-working days revolve around them. I have had to eat not 100% Cohens a couple of times but it doesn't seem to be hurting too much and I think it is really helping my mindset (especially for the future). I am not so obsessive about breaking and I don't now think that if I have to eat non-Cohens food it has to be McDonalds or KFC (which I would definately have done when I was last on Cohens). Today I was at the airport seeing people off overseas and had been unable to make my lunch before leaving so I went to Sumo Salad and just ordered a salad of lettuce, cucumber, red onion, and a little tomato with some cold chicken breast and no dressing. I ate what I thought was a Cohens portion and left the rest. Its all a learning experience and I learn with every day.
Sorry I need to go to bed as I never seem to get enough sleep.
Take care
Beck

Wow Becks! You've done so well! I can't imagine having a 4kg weight loss in one week! It's been the 3rd day of my Cohen diet, and I haven't lost any weight at all! I wonder if i'm doing anything wrong?

Hi Campari,
Triple check your program and make sure you are doing everything exactly as Dr Cohen says. Also make sure you are drinking heaps of water. You usually lose the most weight in the first week (usually a lot of fluid) and then it stabilises in the following weeks. Also remember that I had a lot more weight to lose than you do, and the bigger you are the faster you fall..LOL!! Just kidding.
Water is usually the problem as I was told last time I did the program that when your body loses weight the toxins (fat) are released into your system and your body can not lose any more weight (toxins) until you flush out what is already in your system, by drinking lots of water and flushing it away. I'm not sure if this is true or not but it seems plausible and it helps me to imagine all these little fat blobs waiting to be flushed away and encourages me to drink more water.
Down another .5kg this morning, so back to moving along nicely. Down 1kg so far this week.
Have a great day everyone,
Beck

Hi Beck
I think You are right! I've been trying really hard to drink the recommended 2 litres a day but it's really hard! This is the most water I've drunk ever! So it's more water for me! Hopefully I will be able to lose some weight soon. Getting rather demoralized.

Hi everyone,
Well no weight loss for a couple of days now but I know I have not been drinking enough water. For the last few days I've only had about 1.2ltrs of water.
I am quite baffled today as to why moderators from the other forum, who have finished Cohens and completed their refeed, are coming on here asking stupid questions about chewing gum. Questions that they obviously know the answer to and questions that I personally have no idea of the answer to. Is he trying to cause trouble or what?? I don't know. I am really quite annoyed as I come on here to chat with what I consider to be my friends and I feel a bit exposed at the thought that he seems to be trying to catch one of us out giving the wrong answer or something. I really have no idea behind the reasoning.
Not very happy tonight and i should probably not have responded to him at all, but I couldn't help myself. People like that are best ignored and from now on i will be ignoring him and hoping his posts just drop out of the forum.
Sorry to be such a whinger today.
Take care

Beck

No problem here with me Beck as baffled as you may be ... I am not baffled ....... but just disappointed by your response and comments.

I have been a member of this forum for longer than I have been on the New You Forum ......... and regularly read this forum and very genuinely asked the question .... not to catch anyone out at all ... as you said I don't need to do that and don't need to play games ...little bit past that in my stage of life ..... but to see if any one could help me .... and it certainly wasn't to test your knowledge .... there are more than you who use this forum .........that's what the forum is about and its certainly not about catching any one out or anything like that ....... I am a member on this forum the same as you ....... and just like you can post .......... and its not a matter of what side I am on ......... no problems here and no need to carry on like small children ....... we are all in the same boat ....even if in another location who cares really.

Ignore me as you want to ....... sounds like you really need to maybe !!!!!

But anyway have a good week and i hope your dreams come true for you and you finish your loss on a happy and positive note.

I see you still have a bit to go but you will make it one day no doubt.

Andy

I see you still have a bit to go but you will make it one day no doubt.

Andy

Beck, Please try to ignore Andy. This is just plain nastiness!!
Andy obviously did a Google search & got his answer as he has posted it elsewhere. You make an excellent contribution to this forum. You are caring, encouraging & very helpful to all "newbies". Please don't let this put you off. Take care & keep up the good work, xo Cate

Wrong Cate - nothing nasty about it at all - exactly as said in good spirits and well meaning.

Andy

Good to hear that you are well meaning Andy and apologies if I have taken your postings the wrong way. The problem with writing and not talking is that some times things come across differently than they were intended to.
Thanks Cate for your concern and your kind words.
Take care everyone
Have a great day
Beck

No worries Beck - all good and just re reading what was said - I was really speaking from my own experiences - as i do know that it works and that you do loose the weight in your own good time - I lost over 70 kg so really understand and know that it works ....some day down the track you will find the end of your weight loss ..... so keep at it and best of luck for the future ...... its all behind us know !!

have a good one and I will catch up with you again at the end !!!!!!!!!!

Andy

Thanks Andy,

I will be looking for your "Life After" pointers then!!

Take care
Beck

Hi Beck, I'm being very naughty, whiling away my day pottering about reading forum posts, googling etc when I should be out and about moving! I feel very lazy today. I'm going to really miss Le Tour after this week-end but my body will be pleased when it gets more good quality sleep! Vive Le Tour, but also Vive le(la?) sommeil(sleep). Please excuse my dreadful French or lack of! Hope you're going well, take care, Cate

Hi all,
My weight loss is still moving along but this week has been a bit slow. I have been running around like a crazy thing for the last 3 weeks (school holidays) and haven't been drinking enough or getting nearly enough sleep (I have been averaging about 4-5 hours a night for the last few weeks) and I have also had cheese more than 3 times a week this week and last week (I just love it!!!), so the slow weight loss has been totally expected. The kids are back at school tomorrow (much to my disappointment...I love having my kids home even if it keeps me on my toes) so I should start to get my routine back on track again and will hopefully get back to my 2 kgs a week.
I am now only 3.5kgs away from being half way to goal and my BMI is getting closer to being obese class 1 (moderate) after starting this journey at obese class 3 (very severe obesity) so my health is gradually returning.
I have just had 2 of my sisters and their families and my Dad over for a bbq as it is my Dads birthday tomorrow and my Mum is overseas. I was so tempted to have just one yummy salad but I didn't have anything except my measure of beef and green salad with 2 crackers on the side followed by a lovely juicy orange. It is so lovely to be able to entertain again. In the early years of my marriage we used to entertain a lot but as my ex became increasingly unpredictable I had people over less and less and the girls never had their friends over as they were never sure what state their father would be in. After a couple of embarassing situations we all stopped having people to the house so we now really appreciate having our family and friends around and love having them over.
Sorry, I promised a while ago that I would waste no more time on him so I will go for today and talk again soon.
Take care
Beck

Hey Bec,

Wow, 20 kilos in 10 weeks thats crazy. Hope i do as well as you. Whats your secret :)

Hi Beck, If you loved someone enough to have children with them it would be unnatural, regardless of their behaviour & character, to never think of them nor to mention them ever again.
You are doing well sweetie. Don't ever apologise. You have no reason to. You have taken back control of your destiny & are doing very well. It's all about looking after yourself & nurturing yourself & your children now.Well done for resisting the salad. It is possible to enjoy your Cohen's food while you socialise. The company is much more important than the food. Take care & get more sleep, xo Cate( now I'm sounding like an old!)

thanks Cate,
You're a lovely campassionate and caring person and I'm sure you will be so good at aged care. You should be in high demand!!
Chanty86 I don't do anything special. I just stick to the program and I know I'm not meant to but I weigh myself every morning. If I have a couple of days when I don't lose anything I assess if there is a reason and if there is no reason I can come up with then I will change my diet around a bit, drink more water, eat less salt and hope that this kicks it off again. I tend to eat the same food most days so if the weight loss is slowing down then I will eat something different for a couple of days and this usually shakes it up.
Thanks for the encouragment both Cate and Chanty86 and thanks for dropping in.
Take care
Beck

Hey Beck... I just wanted to say G'day! I read your diary right through every time I visit this forum and I always enjoy it. I am very glad to see that you are on track and are focussed on your end goal.

I wish I had more time to write to people more often... sometimes its just so hard to find the time to get on the forum in the first place.


You are SOOO CLOSE to Halfway!I am really looking forward to you getting to goal... and to managing... "the after-life" hehehe.... This is truly the hard bit!

Anyway... blessya
Kannadew

Hi Kannadew,
Thanks for dropping by. I know what you mean about time to post. I just seem to sit down to read the posts when one of the kids "desperately" needs the computer for homework (facebook). So I hand it over (like a good Mum) and then I rarely get time to sit and enjoy it.
I look forward to any "Life After" tips that are going. Cate is a great source of knowledge but as I failed terribly at my last attempt I am after all the information I can get my hands on.
I am creeping ever closer to half way and my BMI is also getting closer to that obese class 1 (34.99) and then I will be aiming for the "Probese" stage (25 to 29.99) then just overweight (>25) and finally normal range (18.5 to 24.99). I just realised that I will have to adjust my goal weight to about 66 or 67 kilos (which is Dr Cohens target range) as at 70kgs (my current goal) I will have a BMI of 26 and still be considered overweight. I might just wait and see how I feel when I get there though as last time I completed this I went down to 75kgs (size 12) and was totally happy with myself. Being well over 40 I don't want to end up all pruney and look shriveled if i lose too much weight for my body. I tend to get a bit of excess skin when I lose weight (although it wasn't too bad last time I did this). I think it must come from too many years of yo-yo dieting and my poor skin having to expand and contract so often in its life time.
Sorry a bit of a ramble tonight I must be suffering withdrawals.
Have a great night everyone
Take care
Beck

hi all,
I had a very hectic weekend and not a spare minute to scratch myself. My OD had a cheer competition on Saturday after at Pendle Hills which is over an hours drive from home so after running YD to gym at 7am then coming home, running OD to work (at the cafe at the same gym) at 9am, picking up YD from gym at 10.30am and back for OD at 12.30 and also trying to do my work and make a lunch for 60 people in the process and then we had to drive to the cometition and spend the rest of the day there. Sunday was church and looking after my nieces 2 beautiful children for the morning (which we all love) and then we had a break and went to the movies (Mamma-Mia). We have seen the musical and thought both were great but I probably prefered the musical. Today I am trying to finish my final Uni assignment for this study period. I haven't done too much work in this course. I keep putting it off but I just received back my results from my first assignment and I got a Distinction. Imagine what I could have got if I actually studied. So now I am all inspired and I am madly working on my final assignment and hoping for a good mark so i can go into the exam with a fighting chance of passing.
Sorry, rambling again. The weight loss is still moving but it is a little slow at the moment. I haven't been focusing as much on losing weight and although I am sticking to the food 110%, I am still not drinking enough or getting enough sleep and I need to move myself a bit more. As my main job is in accounts I spend most of the day sitting on my butt and I really need to make the effort to do some form of exercise after work as I don't want to be hanging around for ever on Cohens.
It is very quiet here at the moment so I hope some people come back on to chat.
Have a great day all.
Take care
Beck

Hi Beck- I thought I felt tired but after reading about your week-end I now feel utterly exhausted! OMG! I'll communicate properly after today I promise. I'm too tired to sound cheerful today, xo Cate

I can't chat this morning as I'm supposed to be getting ready for work, but just had to stop in and say... My BMI has gone under 35kg which means I have dropped into obese class 1!! I am also only .5kg off half way!! YAYYY.
Will chat later
Take care
Beck

Hi again,
I have had a hugely busy week and it won't be stopping for at least another couple of days. Last Thursday my YD had made it to her zone athletics carnival. As my girls go to a Christian school our zone carnivals can be held anywhere and this one was over an hours drive from home. We woke at 5.30am to get ready, pick up our car load of kids and head off to Rooty Hill. My YD was competing in 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, high jump, long jump, shotput and discus. She excelled and came 1st in 100m,200m and long jump and second in high jump with minor placings in the other events (I don't know where my girls get their sporting abilities from). This means we now have to attend the state carnival in 3 weeks. Friday was work as usual and then run my YD to gymnastics and my OD to work. I cater a lunch every Saturday for 65 people for a local company who feed their weekend workers and then had to do my shopping for them and cook all the sandwich/roll meats etc. This morning, I cooked the meal as well as running YD to gymnastic and OD to work and then delivered the food and then picked up both girls and dropped OD to a friends party, took YD shopping for spikes (for her running at state) and then picked up OD and home. This weekend my sister (who usually caters the Sunday lunch) is away so I am also cooking the Sunday lunch so tonight I have to get all the sandwich/roll meats etc cooked. Tomorrow morning is cooking the lunch and church and then it is my nieces birthday (the one whose Mum is away) so we are having her over for a birthday dinner. Monday and Tuesday I will be finishing off the uni assignment that I started last week so I can send it in and then I can rest maybe on Tuesday afternoon before I'm back to work on Wednesday!!!
Sorry I don't mean to sound like a whinger. I really enjoy being busy but sometimes it just gets a bit overwhelming.
My weight loss is still going well and I am now down 22.5kgs in 12 weeks and I am still feeling terrific. I am so pleased that I went back on this as before I went on Cohens I had absolutely no energy and would never have coped with a weekend like this one.
Sorry have to go. My OD has just cooked dinner for us all and is just about to serve it up. YUM.
Take care
Beck
T

Oh Beck, I don't know how you do it! Once again you exhausted me. Doing well sweety, xo Cate

I did a big long post earlier on and then lost the whole thing. Very frustrating!!
I have finally hit half way...Yayyy!! This means that from now on I will always have less to lose than I have already lost. My days are very routine and so I don't have much interesting to talk about on here but my YD is going on a gymnastics tour to America next year and so my OD and I have put in a chaperone form to go. We still have to wait a while to see if we get to go, but it is a great motivator. Most of the other gym parents are fitness fanatics and super healthy and although none of them would ever comment on my weight (they are all just lovely) I will feel much better in myself if I am not the odd (fat) one out. It will also be extremely demanding (physically) as the whole tour is programmed. When they are not competing they are sight seeing and Disneyland, Cirque de Soleil etc. The chaperones have to ensure the kids are up and fed, hair done (competition style) and they are dressed, competition gear is washed every night after competing (one set of competition gear costs about $600-$700 so the kids don't get any spare gear). Much better for me if I am healthy and long flights are always a lot more comfortable if you fit in the seats!!
Not much else happening here, so I'll go for now and "see" you all later.
Take care
Beck

Sorry, 2 posts in one day. I have just been reading over my old posts and thought it was very funny that when I started Cohens I only had one pair of trousers that fitted me (and I washed them every night). These were a big size 18. I am now back to having only one pair of trousers that fit me (and washing them every night). These ones are a size 14!! I have shrunk out of all my 18's and all my 16's and I only had 2 pairs of 14's and one of those is too big!! I refuse to buy any new clothes as I know it will be a very short space of time and I'll be back into those size 12's!!
Sorry, I was just chuckling to myself and had to share.
Beck

Hi everyone,
I've had a bit of a hungry, bored day today. I feel like something different to eat today. I went and bought myself a nice piece of scotch fillet which has helped a little bit but I am still feeling like something. I won't have anything though as I've come to far now and there will be no turning back. I had yoghurt for breakfast today and then cheese for lunch which is probably not the best combination as these are my 2 smallest food quantity choices. I'll remember in future not to combine these 2 meal choices. The other thing I did wrong is for the last 2 days I have been a little heavy handed with my mayonaisse. Don't know if this could have caused the problem but I will get back to 110%.
Its so good to have some new faces here and some old faces back. Its just like old times.
Take care
Beck

Hi Beck

I thought it was about time I jumped over to your diary and say hi. So Hi!

You seem to be blaring along. Going through clothes like crazy. Its so exciting isn't it? I have a whole heap of clothes given to me and I cant wait to fit into them.

I just can wait to get under the 100k mark. I see your close to getting under 90g. WOW!!! Good for you. I remember when my sister did it and she was so excited.

Cant stay and chat as work is calling me back to it.

I just wanted to say thanks for popping into my journal and leaving lovely kind words. Its always encouraging to read new posts.

Have a great weekend. Keep inspired!!!

Best wishes

Vicky

Hi Beck. Just got back from Melb tonight & am dreading the scales tomorrow. I am so glad to be back home. I hope you get to go to the US as a chaperone. You must be a very proud parent. Well done on being half way there! Catch up properly soon, xo Cate.

Hi Cate and Vicky, thanks for stopping by. Had another hectic weekend with cheer competition and nieces birthday but I really love being busy. Vicky it seems like only yesterday that I went under 100kg and now I'm getting close to hitting the 90kg mark. You'll be under 100kg in no time at all.
Cate, You have all the knowledge and seem to be very well able to get your weight back under control even if you have gained a little in Melbourne. You have to let your hair down sometimes!!
This morning I have hit 91.5kgs so I'm getting close to going under the 90kg mark. Sometimes it feels really slow but I keep track of my weight loss on Calorie King and each week record my weight and I have lost 2kg since last Monday when I weighed in which really surprises me this week as I didn't think I had lost that much. I'm not complaining though.
Not much to say today. I have to get studying as my Uni exam is in 2.5 weeks. Madly cramming :banghead:
Take care
Beck

Hi Beck, I did let my hair down & it was good. I am quite relaxed about it all now which is also good. I've lost the 2 kgs now. I love Cohen's! Congrat's on the 2kg weight loss for the week. I used to find some weeks I lost cm's, others kg's & I never knew which it would be, just that I always lost something. The 90's will soon be a thing of the past for you. Take care & try to get your sleep even(especially) with the exams coming up, xo Cate.

Hi again,
I don't have much to say, but I am supposed to be studying and it is so boring. At the moment i'm supposed to be reading page after page about the Accounting standards for company acquisitions and it is nearly putting me to sleep so I thought that I would drop in to say "hello".
I signed on to a sight that reunites old friends and I managed to make contact with a girl who used to be my friend when we were in Primary and the early years of high school. Unfortunately I went off the rails a bit and ended up with a different group of friends and she stayed sensible and stayed with our old group of friends. Consequently I now have many regrets and I'm sure she has none. She is happily married and living in The States, working as a teacher and appears to travel around the country in their huge RV and rides a motor bike (we used to ride motor bikes together on family camping trips) and seems to have a lovely life. It was great to catch up with her and chat and I look forward to keeping in touch. Don't get me wrong, I also have a lovely life and have no current regrets, but I do have quite a few from my teenage years. Even my marriage is not a regret as if I never married that person I would never have given birth to the 2 amazing kids I have, and without the hardships they lived they may never have become the wonderful strong young women they are today.
Sorry, see I'm rambling. I told you I was going ga-ga.
I'll get back to my company acquisitions and leave you all in peace.
Take care
Beck

Hi Beck, you are doing well, keep it up. This time is your time ( and mine too of course). :cheers2:

Hey Bec,

You are doing so well :)

How many weeks in total has it taken for you to lose 25 kilos?

Chantale

Hi all,

I had a nervous breakdown yesterday. When i tried to go onto this site it wouldn't work. It just kept saying there was a problem with the web site and wouldn't let me in. I thought the site had disappeared!! Anyway, its good to be able to get back in again and "see" everyone.
Chantale, I have been on the program for 14.5 weeks and now I am down 25.5kgs. It has been a bit slow last week and this week but I know this is my fault. I must confess I have become a little heavy handed and my teaspoon of mayonaisse has increased and seems to be overflowing the teaspoon a fair bit. I have been piling salt on to my food and drinking almost no water (mainly diet coke). last week I only lost .5kg all week and so far this week I have only lost .5kg. I really have to get myself totally back in the zone and get under 90kg. I always seem to get like this when I am close to a milestone (under 90kg) and don't know if I am self sabotaging. Need to re-focus and I know if I do i will be under 90kg by the weekend. Thanks guys, you're really good at motivating me. I am all inspired now so I might go and jump on my mini tramp for a while.
Take care
Beck

Hi all,

I had a nervous breakdown yesterday. When i tried to go onto this site it wouldn't work. It just kept saying there was a problem with the web site and wouldn't let me in. I thought the site had disappeared!!


Oh I felt the same way! You're the first I've seen mention it, I thought it was maybe just my comp. With the site being down, I knew I could start a paper journal and continue where I left off, but that just wouldn't be the same and it really showed me how much this site has prepared me and motivated me. It's nice talking to people that can relate and I have picked up many ideas that I try to incorporate into my plans.

Good Luck and let's hope that never happens again! lol

Totally agree LillyTame,
I would have been heart broken to have lost all of my progress so far. I might need to copy and paste it onto word documents just in case.
How long have you been on the program?? Are you just starting out? If so, good luck. You won't regret the decision to start. It is the most amazing program i have ever done, and the only one that has ever really worked for me. I saw my sister this afternoon (its only been about 2 weeks since I have seen her) and she has decided to knickname me "The amazing shrinking woman". I'll be quite happy with that name.
Anyway, welcome Lilly and I look forward to seeing you around.
Take care
Beck
PS. I decided to have a ticker change. I have noticed a few similar tickers to mine so I thought a change is as good as a holiday.

I've been trying to get started for awhile but just lately I've been getting better at sticking to it for longer periods of time.

See you around Amazing Shrinking Woman lol :cheers2:

Hi Beck, A.K.A. Amazing shrinking woman. I like that! Get your little a...e into gear kiddo & get strict again. Remember Summer? It's coming up again soon. Seek help about the self-sabotaging if you can but feel free to pm me if you want to talk about it to me. I had my reasons for self-sabotaging but I can now deal with them & never ever want to be fat again. I'm going to knuckle down & lose a few kilos before the 8-ball Nationals & Summer. YOU CAN DO THIS BECK! I know you can! Thanks for your visit in my diary. I tried typing in the forum before I left for Melb but couldn't. A year ago I would have torn my hair out. Know that you have it within you sweety to do this- with or without any forum, xoxo ASW, Cate

Hi again,
Thanks Cate, I needed that. A good swift kick up the backside always helps. I have modified my mayonaisse and no salt today. Drunk 2.8ltrs of water so far. Its very easy to let yourself get heavy handed and although on most diets it doesn't make a difference, on Cohens it makes a huge difference. Sometimes I just need to realise that I am doing these things and then it is easy to re-focus. Thats when it really helps to have all of you who can relate to me and who it is so easy to talk to.
LillyTame, remember this program is much easier to do if you stick to it 100%. The hunger and cravings go if you do it properly. Good on you for sticking to it for longer periods of time, but try to stick to it for an indefinate period of time and you'll be at your goal weight before you know it.
Tomorrow I'm off to Homebush as my YD is in the State Athletics carnival. We didn't even realise she could run but she started to do sprint training classes (for her gymnastics vault) about 5 weeks ago and she has just powered along. Very surprising and I hope she does well as it will be great for her confidence. My YD doesn't have great self confidence although she is a fantastic gymnast and also quite an athlete she just doesn't seem to see it herself. My OD has never had any problems with confidence. She is quite the actress and doesn't think twice about getting up and performing in front of a crowd. Anyway i am very proud of both of them and would be regardless of what they achieved. They are both just perfect!!
Have a great night everyone.
Take care
Beck

Hi again,
Well the weight loss is moving along nicely again. I ended up losing 1.5kg last week and so far I am already down 1.5kg this week. I do always have slow weeks when doing Cohens but they seem to drag on for ever. I thought I had had about 2 or 3 slow weeks but it was actually only 1.
I have a uni exam tomorrow so I am supposed to be madly cramming. I ended up getting a HD for my last assignment which I was thrilled about and I really don't want to waste the good assignment marks I have received by failing the exam. My mind seems to go blank in an exam situation so i need to cram right up to the last minute to try to make the information stick.
I am feeling fantastic and just love this program. I am hoping to be at my goal of 70kg and finished refeed before Christmas so I now have 16 weeks to complete everything. I have now been doing the program for 15 weeks and I am down 27.5kg so I am hoping that I will definately be there but the second half of the program is usually slower than the first. I'll just have to stay motivated and get myself moving.
I'd better go for now and get some more work down.

Hi Beck. How did your exam go? Hope all is well with you, xo Cate

Hi Cate,
Exam went well, thanks for asking and everything else is also going well. I am feeling quite positive about the exam and hoping for a pass. If I just pass the exam I should get a good mark for the course as I got a Distinction, a Credit and a High Distinction for my 3 assignments which should bump up my overall mark.
Life is so hectic at the moment I don't get time to scratch myself so although I regularly check in to see how everyone is going I don't often post...Sorry!!!
My weight is still heading in the right direction and I have now hit 88kgs and feeling really positive and energetic at the moment. Things are looking quite positive for the trip to the USA as the gym owner has said he thinks there will be 2 seats for myself and my OD. I can't (don't want to) leave my OD behind and I wasn't sure if this would be a negative or a positive for them (to have an extra pair of eyes and hands). Lucky for me they all know my OD and they know how sensible and responsible she is. Now the final hurdle is that both the girls passports need renewing which means I have to get the ex to sign the applications. I think he is probably in a "mood" at the moment as he was supposed to call us about Fathers Day (but didn't) and the girls both sent him a text message to say "Happy Fathers Day" and have had no response from him. I think he was in a bad mood because we asked if we could take him out for dinner on Fathers Day and he said he had hoped to have the girls for the day. He, of course, waited till the girls had got in the car so they weren't able to say what they wanted and it was left up to me to say I would check with them and that he should give me a call to see, but he never called so we spent Fathers Day with my Dad who we all ADORE, and we had a lovely day. But now I dwell on what is going through the ex's head and why he didn't bother to call?????
Sorry, he always seems to come into the stress conversations.
Hopefully he just got a better offer and all is still as usual and he will sign the applications.
Hope all is going well with you too, Cate. I'm just going to read your diary now so will see how you're going.
Take care
Beck

Hi Beck, Trying to work out what is in the head of any man is not easy but your ex sounds impossible! Please don't ever apologise for not posting as I know you're very busy. I think you are doing a wonderful job coping with him and still trying to consider him when you must feel like having nothing to do with him at all. I understand that you are probably doing it for your kids and I admire you for it. Hopefully he won't stand in the way of your daughters passport extensions. Surely he wouldn't risk putting them totally off-side? It sounds like he is being sooky. Thank goodness you are no longer living with him.
I hope you sort it with him soon & get the trip all organised. Take care Beck, xo Cate.

Hi all,
Long time, no "see".
Life is so hectic and although i drop in often I don't often get the time or have any news to report so don't post that much. We (my OD and I) have been accepted to go on the YD gymnastics tour to USA in January..YAYYY
Now I have added incentive to get myself moviing and shift this last bit of weight. A long aeroplane trip is always much more comfortable done skinny than fat. Believe me I have tried both options and much prefer the skinny option. We will also be going to Hawaii so I want to be able to wear shorts and things as well.
I want to be doing refeed by the end of November so i now have 11 more weeks to lose 16.5 kilos which is very do-able if i stay motivated and keep myself active. My biggest problem will be that I now need to pick up extra days work to pay for the trip and my job is in accounts which involves sitting on your butt all day long. I'll just need to increase my cups of tea so at least I have to walk back and forwards to the kitchen.
Take care everyone.
Beck

Hi Beck, You are doing so well with your hectic schedule. I honestly don't know how you manage it! I just wanted to tell you that I was feeling quite flat & saw a rainbow. This time though it had disappeared by the time I grabbed my camera but it still left me feeling much better. I'm a bit stressed today about something but it has helped put it back into perspective a little. I am so pleased that you and your OD are going too to the US. (Via Hawaii no less-wow!) What better incentive could you get. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. They just love Australians in the US. They make you feel like a celebrity! xo Cate

That is great news re: yd..How exciting for you all.
I hope the promise of hawaii's sunshine, beaches and lets not forget the eye candy, see's you through these last few kilo's. what an incentive.
Maybe you could make a dream board, pics of what you want, your goals, your dreams etc.. i made my desktop background my dream board so every time i log on i am reminded of what i want and why i am trying so hard......
You have had an amazing loss.
29.5kg's :party:thats incredible.
You must already feel like a new person, it must be quite a transformation. Goodluck.

Chelle:grouphug:

Hi Chelle,
Love the idea of the dream board, but I think I'll give the "eye candy" a miss. Once bitten, twice shy!!
I have had such an energetic weekend. The gymnastics supporters club has organised a series of fundraising events to help reduce the cost of the kids tickets to the US so on Friday we had to set up a full gymnastics competition arena and then take it all down again and pack it away on Sunday night. It was very hard physical work but I am so pleased I have lost so much weight as I had no trouble with the work and kept up with all the others without any trouble. Today I am so sore and I am sure I must have built heaps of muscle!!
The weight loss is still moving along but has slowed a bit. This is more than likely my fault as I eat cheese more than 3 times a week and haven't been obsessing about being super strict. I want to do re-feed at the end of November or early December so I now have about 10 weeks to lose 15.5kgs which is very do-able if I focus and go back to super strict.
I have been a bit flat for the last few weeks but after my super workout weekend my spirits have really lifted. My ex has just informed me that as he quit his job about 6 weeks ago and hasn't found anything else yet (my daughters told me last time they saw him that he said he was going to go back to working for himself again) he only has to pay $20 per child per week in maintenance. Both the girls go to private school and do lots of sports which are quite expensive so I have started looking for a 3rd job to cover the shortfall. I don't care if he pays nothing and would work 24hours a day to support my girls but really can't understand that he thinks so little of them that he would do this. Anyway, he has always focused everything on himself and can't seem to see beyond himself. Its just very bad timing with the overseas trip and Christmas and then both girls birthdays in January, but we will manage and if I continue to let him get to me he will continue to determine the direction my life takes.
Moving right along now, my poor YD has got chicken pox!! She started breaking out in spots on Friday and is totally covered. She even has one on her eye ball!!! Hoping they will be gone before too long as she is going crazy with being stuck in the house. Both my girls are very active and we are usually out more than we are in. Also hoping that my OD and myself don't get it!!
Take care everyone
Beck

Hey Bec,

Zinc is a great sup for keeping our skin healthy and skin elasticity. Chromium is good for balancing out your blood sugar levels and controlling your sugar cravings. Magnesium is also another good supplement as its good for muscle function, reduces cramping etc.The Omegas are also important for keeping nails strong, hair shiney/strong etc.

Thanks Chanty86,

I'll stock up on them. I am looking a little bit like a burst balloon at the moment. I'm sure my skin will snap back into place as it did last time I completed Cohens but I want to give it every little bit of help I can!!

Take care

Beck

Hi Beck, I couldn't remember what vitamins or minerals are meant to help with skin elasticity but know that water really helps. I don't take zinc except in a multi but I have taken Omega 3 for years and a hair skin & nails formula. I'll look it up when I am back on a decent internet speed. I wonder what foods have zinc in them.
You are doing so well with the program and resisting those temptations last week-only 15kg to go! Well done! Hope your daughter isn't suffering too badly. My OS got chicken pox in Grade 7 & he really suffered from a lot of pain. He had them literally everywhere. Thanks for your support in my diary, cheers, Cate.

Beck, beck, beck.......

You have done so well, keep up the good work.. ......31kg's ......
Amazing, if you could see me at this moment, i would be green, very green. I am sure you will coninue to do well, you have lost 1.5kgs in under 10 days. Keep going strong, you are doing something right.

Remember it can take up to a couple of months for your skin to catch up with your weight loss (i was told by the clinic). Zinc and magnesium are a huge help, and maybe try making sure you moisturise occasionally too...

I shall remember the "Burst balloon", :rotflmao:
i can only hope i will reach that stage eventually ....

Sorry to hear about the ex, its amazing how they still cant get the system right. if we could feed, clothe, educate and entertain our children for 20.00 we would all be comfortable. Some work the system successfully , others are crippled by it..

Remember how well you have done and how far you have come, both in your life and your weight loss. You are a great role model for your girls and i am sure they adore and respect you.

Good luck to you and your girls...

May the water and positive thoughts be with you

chelle

Hi all,
Thanks for dropping in Cate and Chelle and thanks for your kind words,
I've bought some zinc and have just taken my first one!! Lets hope they help a little bit.
My daughter is on the mend but has been quite miserable (but very good at the same time), however, started vomiting last night just to top it all off..Poor little pet. Today she is feeling a bit better though.
Chelle, You too will look like a burst balloon before you know it!! You are doing great and it sounds like your holiday was amazing.
I would be pleased if we had nothing to do with the "system", but they make that impossible. You can't get any Family Allowance unless you register for Child Support. I would have preferred it if my ex paid no child support but as we have to register he now constantly reminds me that I was the one who "reported" him to the agency and that he thinks that if he doesn't pay what they say I will have him put in jail or something stupid like that. He is very irrational at times and no amount of common sense sinks in to his brain. Wouldn't it be nice if we could support our children for $20 per week. It would take me 3 weeks just to save up for a pair of shoes!!
Have a great day everyone.
Take care
Beck

Back on track for my burst Balloon Figure... I hope by the time i post this that your daughter will be on the mend.... Ex Hub sounds a little manic... My YD is trying desperately to remove my modem connection at the mo.. so i better make this a quick one... i hope this week is a better one for you and look forward to your next installment..

How long now before you go away?
Alo ha Hoi Alo Ha Hoi
Chelle

Hi all,
Chelle you are so right about the ex. Manic would be a very good description of him. Its quite scary at times and the worst thing is that he is very good at acting normal so very few people see the side of him that we see and so most think he is a really nice guy and we are the B's. Not to worry. The people who are important to me know what he is like.
Well, my YD is fully recovered from her chicken pox and, guess what?? my OD woke up yesterday with spots. Yes, you guessed it, she now has chicken pox. Much better this week than next week as when they get back to school next week they have their school certificate trials so hopefully she will be fully recovered by then.
We have just had the most fantastic weekend away camping. There is a big Christian music and arts festival on in Sydney every year on the October long weekend and we go along every year. Everyone takes their own tents, caravans etc and camp out and there are lots of bands, speakers and arty stuff, food stalls etc. It is great fun and has the best atmosphere. Myself and my girls go with my sisters and their kids, our father and one of the BIL's usually comes too. I ate Cohens food but didn't weigh anything and I know I ate more than I should have but didn't care as there was lots of walking etc and I didn't gain any weight. I weighed myself yesterday and was the same weight as when I left so yesterday was back on track on looking forward to the weight moving along again.;
I'd better go as i have to go and do a fundraising event for the USA tour and need to be there in about half an hour.
Have a great day everyone.

Beck

PS: Just wanted to let you all know how great it is that you are all here to chat to. I can talk to you about things that I would rarely be able to bring myself to tell anyone else and it really does help to get everything into perpective.
Thanks

Hi Beck, I agree with you. I share things in here I don't share with anyone else. It's good for us to do it. I meant to type in everyone's diaries today but have run out of time. Just wanted to say a quick hi, cheers, Cate

The poor things, fancy getting chicken pox... poor duckies..

well i hope your camping sounded like fun..I hope you all really enjoyed the stress free weekend.. I look forward to doing that sort of things when bub gets a bit older.. have to talk hubby into taking the boys away for a night or two...

i hope your fundraising efforts did well, and wishing all three of you the best preparing for your trip. hoping that everything goes well for you all and that it is a wonderful experience..

Anyway better go running short on time today..

i see from your ticker you have dropped two kilo's way to go keep up the good work and remeber with all that exercise you are getting muscle weighs more then fat...


okay better go Aisling trying to pull modem out again..argh

Chelle

Hi Cate and Chelle and thanks for dropping in. I haven't had a chance to look in anyones diaries for a little while so can't comment on how you are all going.. Sorry.
I am madly trying to find a 3rd job as my ex has decided that he will cut the maintenance to $20 per child per week. How generous. I felt like saying "are you sure you can do without that packet of cigarettes or those few bottles of beer", but I don't want to make any waves and I really would prefer that he gave me nothing as I would happily work 10 jobs to support my girls but he insists that he MUST pay what the government tells him to pay or I will have him thrown in jail!!Who knows what goes on in some peoples heads!!
Anyway, my weight has gone done even more and I am now down 34kgs...Yayyy.
My BMI has gone down to 30.9 and is getting ever closer to just being probese. Not obese any more, how exciting. I have also nearly lost the same amount of weight that I did when I last completes Cohens (35kgs) and still aren't feeling any hunger or anything. Being my second time on it, I thought I might have had trouble when my weight got a bit lower but I'm not having the slightest bit of trouble. Still feeling fantastic and looking forward to completing re-feed at the end of November. I have made myself a promise that even if I'm not at 70kgs by the end of November I will re-feed then regardless. I think I will be pretty close though.
Anyway, I'd better go as I'm supposed to be working.
Take care
Beck

Hi Beck, How can he do that? $20 a week buys very little. Surely it wouldn't even feed them.Kids are worth every cent we spend on them but are very expensive little things to look after. How on earth can he get away with that? I can imagine how you feel about not wanting anything off him but I really think he should be paying his fair share.
Congrat's on your weight-loss!! You re doing really well. I know how hard it is to go back on Cohen's so can really appreciate what you are doing. You also sound like a great mum! Cheers, Cate.

Hi Cate,
Thanks for the compliments.
My girls school fees are $1100 per month before I even contemplate feeding them!!
He quit his job and has told child support that he is unemployed but also told my girls that he is working for himself. He even had the cheek to ring my brother to try to get my brother to help him with a job he was doing!! He doesn't realise that his children know what he is doing and they didn't think much of him before, but they think even less of him now. He wonders why they don't want to see him.
I would prefer it if he gave me nothing as I think he thinks that by paying maintenance that he can buy himself time with the girls. He seems to think they are possessions and doesn't care that here they are treated as equals and I always allow them to make their own decisions.
Sorry for the ramble.
Take care
Beck

Hi all,
I know I am a slacker and haven't written for ages. Gymnastics competition season has started and cheer competition season has just about finished (one daughter is a gymnast and the other does cheerleading. Not the short skirt, football kind of cheerleading but the American gymnast kind of cheerleading). We had the YD's first formal gym competition of the season last weekend and she had an OK day getting a 2nd place for floor, but not the best results on bars which brought her overall score down. State is in a few weeks and she hopes to do a bit better there. It must be so nerve wracking for them. She trains 16 hours a week and only gets to sho