No Weigh Pass used

I don't know how I feel really - I feel good and bad. Can I be both happy and sad ? Attended my Weigh in at WW Lifestyle Centre with my leader Don and used my No Weigh Pass I am pleased that I did this, I didnt want the scales to say a gain and my mind recording this as an unsuccessful week when avoiding emotional eating and turning down cream cakes was a successful one. Whatever peoples views are, it was and is right for me. This week has been a bit weird,I suppose I have been 75% good but saying that when I went to get some milk yesterday I was starving and brought 2 chocolate bars. Not 1 but 2!!!! I kept the wrappers in my bag and tracked them - all 10 points of them. How disgusting. Another lesson for me, and an oldie but a goodie, don't grocery shop when you are starving. Money for the next month is horrendous, my wage hasn't been reviewed in years and so after payment of everything there is little or no money left for food or me - but I have written down a food menu planner for the fortnight - I usually do 1 menu planner and use it for two weeks as I do try to do my grocery shopping fortnightly, with the exception of getting some vegies etc. So there is a lot of eggs, chick peas etc and I am surprised how easily I can do it with the incorporation of legumes. One of the solicitors in my office and I were chatting about money and I was whinging how hard for him to go into work to do stuff when his wife was working, he has offered some regular babysitting jobs on the weekend as his wife is a doctor and it is hard, so for $20 an hour I am happy to babysit or as I call it Nanny work for a few hours, I am going to get him to deposit the money into my christmas club and I won't touch it. I know I would rather be at home relaxing but money is money. I know a lot of people are struggling as well and I have stuff to do at home and next year will need to replace my car - this all cannot be done on the wage I receive. So I am not going out socially for the next 4 w eeks but I can do it - I am by nature very social but there are times when a girl just needs to spend the time at home. My WI on Friday with TTOM due I am not sure how I will go, there is always a possibility of a gain during this period. Anyway, must dash but will post again tomorrow.

Martine

That god it is weigh in day !

Well, all I can say is I have never been so relieved to go to a weigh-in in my life. This week has been really hard. My birthday celebrations just had me losing momentum and then Vincenzo the dog got sick. The positive is that I havent emotionally eaten and have done the "self talk" but probably have over eaten my points. The focus wasn't there this week. The week did have successful moment in it, like the not eating through Vinces' illness, turning down those cakes at work etc. I have made a decision and everyone will have a different point of view, I will go to my WI with Don tonight and chat to him, I have decided to use my no weigh pass because the week actually has been succesful and a real plus in that I overcome the emotional eating but probably overate my portions but if I gain on those scales my head with say "unsuccessful" when really I think I have been successful. I will explain to Don as I don't want the scales to be a sign of my success. I have proven in the past that I can face a gain but think this is good for me, plus my TOM is due next week which will inspire me to be even better. I will do fast track for next week. This weekend is pretty quiet and I plan on some walks and to christen the slow cooker. I am tired at present but if I don't eat enough vegies or fruit I find my energy level decreases - so note to Martine - eat those damn apples on your desk. This will be a long road to goal weight and changing my life around, but it is all a learning experience and I am sure that with each passing week the challenges of emotional eating etc will become easier. This week although hard has allowed me to sit back and realise that I have come a long way in a short time. Martine

This week has been hard

Well this week is a hard one, I am not really sure why. I assume I am tired plus put my foot off the pedal a bit due to the birthday and it has been hard to get back into it. Plus my darling dog Vincenzo aka Vince isn't well and was at the vet's last night for 1.5 hours - so I want to emotionally eat if I could. Those damn apples are on my desk saying - "this is what you should be eating?" but it isn't what I want. To add insult to injury the people in the offices next to ours came in with a plate of cream cakes and bun - they had kitchener buns filled with cream and doused in sugar - I LOVE THEM. But I did say "As much as I would love them, No thank you I am on a diet" and so another non scale victory for me. But it has taken a lot of energy this week to try and keep honest and on track, but a lesson that is learned is that there are times when it is tough, you just have to remind yourself of what you want - for me this week a loss. I really need that weigh in on Friday to get me back on track but I just don't want a gain so have made a WW chocolate drink - 0.5 points instead. I will be happy with a 100 gram loss or stay the same, but I will go to my Weigh in as it keeps me honest. This weekend is going to be a quiet one, so hopefully the weather will be kind and I can have a bit of a long walk with Vince. Have a good day everyone.

I survived the birthday.

Well everyone, I survived the birthday without any tears which was good for me. The issues are being single not getting older ! Anyway, wasn't too bad with the eating but wasn't as excellent as I could have been. Probably a touch of the emotional eating but woke this morning and pulled myself together and did the self-talk and reminded myself of the options I had:-

• Fat and miserable but can eat anything I want !
• Thin and fabulous and mentally great with planned treats.

The answer is always the same, I would rather be thinner. Anyway, today the water intake is dismal so I am needing to act on that and will do the Fast Track for the rest of this week. I have boxed away 2 pairs of pants and a pair of jeans, so that is a good feeling. I just have to remember that I cant have a wardrobe of clothes whilst I am losing weight, a few items that will get flogged to death is probably the wisest option. As a treat, I had a few glasses of my favourite wine - Rockford Alicante and as I had been limiting my alcohol intake it was enjoyable and a real treat. So I am glad that I have really worked on this, although I was always able to say no to a glass of wine - now sometimes when I go out I just don't drink and would rather plan the wine on special occasions. This is a quick post, I needed to get my thoughts down. Although I am a bit dissapointed that I wasnt more in control on the weekend - more the snacking in between meals was the issue - this is all a learning curve isn't it. I just have to remember that special occasions like birthdays, Easter or Christmas is not an excuse to blow the diet.

High Fives all round !

Drum roll please............another 1kg down this week.

Well it is 1.30 in the morning, I have been awake for an hour and can't sleep. Today is my birthday - so happy birthday to me !!! So far so good and I am not emotional. People seem to think that I am anxious about it due to the age thing, that honestly doesn't worry me, it is more the point of looking back at the last 12 months and realising not much has happened.

But onto more happier things. Had Friday off work so Gill and I went out to lunch which was great. Had my weigh in with Don my leader and Sharon happened to be there (another leader I know who has lost a huge amount of weight). She is one of the blogs I follow - although not updated much now due to being a leader but is one of the girls on a facebook group that we email each other daily. Got to my weigh in and the normal questions were asked, as with Weight Watchers at their Lifestyle Centres which are growing more popular each day it is about you and then the weekly topic is discussed. I came to the realisation that I hadn't had any issues this week and was happy and confident to say it was another "perfect" week. Even if the scales are not kind, if you can look yourself in the mirror and say I have been good - then it shouldn't worry how much the scales say you weigh, it eventually catches up. So the last two weeks (for me) have been good losses and I am aware that this week I need to make sure that all things are done perfectly as I am prepared that next weigh in may be small and chances of a gain -after all our bodies are strange things at times.

Don and I discussed the whole mindset thing. I honestly never understood how people lost large amounts of weight. I understand the theory of reducing your food intake, drinking water, tracking and exercising but that is not enough - simply if your mind is not switched on then the weight loss switch at times doesn't work too well as you cave into things when you could say no. I now say no more often, do self-talk and tell everyone (well except family at this point in time) and understand how totally different it is when you are ready to do it and your mind is where it should be.

I suppose as well, I am not embarrassed to sing my own praises as I put 100% into getting myself 50 kilos lighter and it takes effort. The road can be as simple or as hard as I make it. I choose to say that I enjoy it, which I do - experiment with the food and reward myself for all those good things I do - that includes NSV's - non scale victories.

Today I brought a Napolean Perdis lip gloss as a reward for all my NSV's this week and my weight loss, it is a luxury item and for me a reward.

Last week I just a moment where I realised all I had to do was lose 10 lots of 5kg. I use 5kgs, as do most people, as my mini goals. Therefore I only have 10 mini goals to achive - I said to Don today - thats easy. WTF !!!! You know, this is the change in me the most, the focus and determination and as I said to Tania tonight - that I am proud and will sing my own praises because after all if I don't - who will.

On a happier not my jeans and 2 pair of work pants that go with my suits are now unable to be worn to work - they are simply too big which is great. I have had the search for reasonably priced jeans but can't find any that I like the leg and of course can't find my preferred bootleg jeans. Previously my clothes or more to the point - pants were brought a little baggier and now the loss I have had really has made them unwearable.

Anyway, the plan is today to enjoy the day whatever it brings with the promise to myself that next year I am in a happier and better spot both weight wise but emotionally and physically. I have a bunch of cards to open but will do that in the morning - some contain my vouchers for my IPOD.

Hope everyone is doing well - Martine xx

A bit flat today

Hi everyone

I woke up a bit flat this morning, think the approaching birthday might have something to do with it and feel a bit emotional. Saying that, I still remain focused on all things WW so that hasn't been effected by this change in mood. I suppose we think at a certain time in our lives that our lives would be different and I am not exactly where I want to be. But I will pull myself out of this hole and remember my glass half full attitude. This is exactly why I must lose weight, I think sometimes my emotions get the better of me. I am fortunate to have adored friends and family but anyway enough of my drama. Anyway, I must get my act into gear and do some work............Martine xx

My Mojo is well and truly working !

Well ladies, it is 8.52pm on Wednesday night and thought I need to put a post on my blog. All going well since my last post. Yesterday was another great day with another NSV (non-scale victory) to post. As everyone in the entire world knows, I have insomnia and chronic insomnia at that. So from 11.50 pm to about 2.30am to about 3am is a time when I am most stressed as I am trying my damnest to get to sleep and that is when I want to eat. Last night at 1am I woke from my little 10 minute nap and was absolutely starving !!!! Anyway, it was all I could think about and what I did was trying to focus on what I want to achieve and how I am going to feel, look and emotionally and physically be like 50kgs lighter. I did some self talk and really asked myself why I felt like eating. The long and short of it was that I didn't eat and must admit that I was quite chuffed at myself this morning when I woke. Even if I do eat during the night it is always tracked and I thought my god, another non scale victory for me. The NSV's are becoming another valuable tool in my weight loss journey. My friend Tania is the one that made me aware that we put too much emphasis on the scales and the other things we do during a day are just as important. So for me, this was a major step as well I track my NSV's - a bit obsessive I know but I like the feeling of tracking them, that way if the scales are not good I can always look back at the NSV's. My birthday is Saturday which comes with alot of emotions. I don't give a toss that I am about to turn 46 as quite frankly I don't think that I look 46 and without sounding vain, there is nothing I can do about it but being single is hard, but I am lucky to have great and much loved friends. So with the birthday comes a bit of eating which starts Friday lunchtime - I have a RDO day off on Friday - Yippee. Gill and I are going to Panthai at the Pier Hotel for lunch which looks over the Glenelg Beach so I know that menu and will have something stir fried and I will ask for them to stir fry it in little or no oil and will indulge in a glass of wine or too and a latte after. Saturday (the birthday day) Joanne my loved loved bestie is coming over first thing in the morning as my parents live interstate - so I wake up solo and we will go for a coffee etc, lunch I am just having a green salad and a little protein and an apple and then dinner is at Lido at Holdfast Shores and I have looked at their menu and pre-planned what I may have. Sunday is breakfast in the city but that is pretty safe and a few poached eggs on toast and a couple of coffees is the go. I remain focused and have the view that I must stick to the program 100% and with that comes success and as each day goes by with perfectly tracked points, water drunk, NSV's and exercise the more confident and determine I am. My WI day is Friday at 5.20pm and I am hoping the scales record another good loss, I am not going to focus on an amount but just want to secure a loss. After all, I am realistic to know that just because you have had good week the scales don 't know you weigh in on Friday. Anyway, I just want to be able to look at my reflection in a window and not cringe, so for me the fact is I need to focus. The weather in Adelaide has been dismal with rain and lots of wind, the exercise is not happening and I am hoping next week allows me a few more walks. I have asked for Coles Myer Vouchers for my birthday from family and will put it towards my IPOD for the gym or when I walk instead of sensible things like new shoes for work. Must dash it is cold in my study. Martine xx

Thank god a decent loss

Well on Friday - my weigh in day I had a headache all day, obviously a tad nervous about weighing in. I knew that I had done all the right things again this week but with our bodies being complex things you never know how you are going to go. Luckily the scales were kind and I secured a 800 grams loss - for me this is a good loss.

I am amazed that this time around my weigh losses are a lot slower,but I have come to realise that there is nothing that can be done about it, constant losses and if I can maintain my average loss over the overall time frame to 500grams I am happy. The water is going great guns and have measured bottles planted in the fridge at home and make sure I have one with me at all times. My fruit intake is great and that is a NSV for me as I am not the world's best fruit eater. The weekend I did well, went to see my beautiful niece and nephews and took them a Mud Cake but just had a cappuccino at their place, no one even realised I hadnt eaten . I am not in the zone that I can tell family until I am well on the way, but all my friends and bloggers are aware and are of a support. I will deal with it when I am ready and am a good way down the road. As I have said before, with my insomnia my energy levels are quite low but i have noticed the last 3 weeks much more energy and this pleases me no end. If I can get my jobs done at home that I have been wanted to do that will make me feel quite happy. My focus this week is to keep doing what I am doing, I don't need to do anything more but throw in a few extra walks if the rain this week in Adelaide stops. Yesterday had lunch with Tania and Tina (from my blogs I follow and friends) had a meal out. W when we ordered we spoke to the Chef and asked for no mashed potato and a baked potato instead. Of course they didnt have a baked potato, but the Chef was close by and suggested Jasmine Rice with our lamb fillet and vegies. How easy is it ! The WW journey can be as easy or difficult as you want to make it. My issues and WW journey are different to Tania and Tina's as I am single, no kids and really am only responsible for myself and the world's best dog and have decided to focus on the WW road with everything I have, they have husbands, kids, dogs and a house to run. I can say no snacks in the house - but there is just me, for them they have kids but somehow us 3 support each other and just because our lives are different the issues with being overweight is just universal, whether you are young, old, male or female everyone overweight understands other peoples issues. If I have to turn down an invite - like the wine tasting tomorrow then I am happy to do it as weight loss is now my absolute priority. For example yesterday over our skinny Cappuccino's there was an after dinner mint, normally when I was on WW I would have ate that as I would have thought what the heck and not pointed it. I automatically gave it to Tina for her kids. Non Scale Victories like that are also put in my tracker as a reminder that it is not always scale orientated. My birthday is Saturday - a happy and somewhat confronting day for me. I don't give a toss about the age but being single is hard, I am determined that next birthday I am happier, smaller and well down in the double digits as I am sure there is a goddess inside Anyway, this week doing the same and I am sure that the scales will again be kind. Martine x

Another NSV for me

Well today is Thursday and I spent 3/4 of the night awake. I am hoping when I get to my goal weight that my insomnia is somewhat improved because at times it is quite debilitating. I woke this morning, and at 10.19am still am very tired and craved a Farmer's Union Iced coffee and Villi's donut ! But what was great was I was aware that I had these feeling due to being tired and talked myself through it and had my WW pointed breakfast. Another NSV (non scale victory) for me.

Last night did a big walk with my friend Gill. We talked about the WW process and although she is a size 10-12 and tries to understand what you need to do to lose weight, I tried to explain that pointed and watching your food and water intake is only one part of it, exercise must and should be an equally important part. As I am getting older and about to hit another birthday to make myself 46 years young, I realise that between the insomnia and age my weight loss might be a bit slower so really getting as much exercise in and building up the intensity is what is needed. I am accepting of this and what I need to do. I can't say I find WW all that hard and don't feel like I am going without. Of course I would love that piece of baked cheesecake or continental vanilla slice but don't crave it anymore and rather a really healthy and flavoursome meal I have made. Tomorrow is weigh in day with the dear Don and am hoping for big things. I know I have done all I can do this week and am hoping the scales are king. This weekend is a relatively quiet weekend,plan to see my niece and nephews on Saturday and do a lot of work at home earning bonus points plus the wonderdog and I will go for our walks. I am not walking tonight as I have a lot to do at home and consider if I am active at home I am doing the whole incidential exercise thing. Trish and Vic - thanks for the blog awards and I will do my blog awards later today. So overall I am pleased with how I am going, I am realistic enough to know that I cannot put my foot off the pedal and need to keep this focus not just for the interim but for life. I know to get to goal weight may take me 2 years, that is fine and as long as the scales are going down then I am happy. I am fortunate to have support from my online WW girls, the bloggers and friends. Martinex

Friday's weigh in was not fabulous

Hi everyone, I have been going to post this blog since Friday but somehow couldn't work out what to write. As you are aware as it was TOM on Friday I was concerned all week about a gain, had a good week points wise and drank my water etc so thought if I am going to gain it might only be 200-400grams and was surprised as all hell that it was 900 grams. I was a bit (alot) upset and luckily my leader Don is fabulous and talked me though it - he did say that I needed to focus that the week that TOM is due that I might have a gain. Anyway, Don the leader said this was a turning point in my journey. Well you know - it makes me all the more determined and I know by my clothes that I am losing weight. I rang Tania my friend and fellow WW for a little cry and she talked me through it and then I dusted myself off and got back into it. My theory was all I had to do was what I have been doing, eventually it will catch up and really I am sure the gain is purely and simply related to my period. This week the fighting spirit came about. I just got into it - have done my walks, drank my 2 litres of water and tracked like the devil and have been 200% brilliant. I am hoping for a 1.2kg plus weight loss this week and have even walked when I have been exhausted from my insomnia. Today I am tired but am walking my 75 mins with Gill tonight and tomorrow night. The food is good and I am anxious to get my gym program started which is not far way now from opening 15.10.09. realise to get this weight off I need to really dramatically increase the exercise - food alone is not enough. Anyway, this week I am expecting big things and if I am not rewarded with a big loss then it isn't without trying my absolute best and that is all I can ask of myself. Dinner on Sunday with Tina and Tania from WW - both girls are going fabulously so it will be nice to talk about how we are going, any problems and sharing the load. Martine xxx

Weigh in Day tomorrow

Well this has been a strange week. I weighed in on Friday and was annoyed to find I had gained 200 grams, which for me may as well been 2 kilograms as my weight loss is quite slow - but slow and steady wins the race. I know that I put my foot off the pedal slightly for a few days in that I didn't weigh my food or track but did for 3 of the 7 days which I have rewarded myself for those 3 days as previously I would have said I have blown that week and continued to do the wrong thing. What is funny, is that for me a bad week is not tracking or weighing food when previously it was compulsive binge eating. That is a step in the right direction I think. TOM has arrived today so I anticipate another week where there is a possibility I gain - I thought I had dealt quite well with last week's gain in that I didnt stew on it, but saying that I have been compulsively obsessively weighing myself on those damn scales. THEY ARE GOING TO BE PUT IN THE SHED as normally they are a helpful tool, in that they encourage me to do well or if the weight is up, and normally that is just body fluctuation then it makes me try harder but this week has been different- last night I weighed myself 3 times in a hour. This is not good. Anyway, TOM has arrived and I am hoping that I at least secure a 200gram loss and really most women do find their body fluctuates dramatically with TOM so I know it will catch up next week. Overall I have been good, the water has been excellent and although I am living in the toilet - much to the annoyance of my boss, the 2 litres a day are being drunk before I leave for the day. Food is going well and I have a dinner tonight with a friend of mine who goes out with a guy from the USA - actually the tour manager for the rock band Kiss - so we are going for Thai - I have told her (she is a size 6) and has the opposite lot of issues that I do - that I am on a diet and am watching my weight so will have for entree cold rolls and a seafood stir fry with a tiny scoop of rice. My walking partner Gill is back into the walking with me next week and I have been a bit slack with the exercise, so I am pleased to be counting the days down until my gym opens. I have started a plan of the classes I want to try - initially a Yoga class and a body step class, once I get a bit more experienced and fitness increased will try body pump plus want to do a hr of cardio 3 times a week, a class once a week and yoga on Sunday with one day off and perhaps allocate that day around my social schedule. Actually, I am quite excited about planning what I am going to do at the gym, previously when I have attended a gym I actually loved it - the only reason I stopped was because of a male !!! But this new gym is going to be a lot better, my friend Joanne will come along as well but she has different things she wants to do - but we both need to use the weights which I believe is good for increasing the metabolism and toning etc. The week ahead my challenge now that the water aspect is under control is my exericse - the plan is on Monday to Thursday walk with Gill for an hour and 15 minutes each night, get off the tram earlier and walk into work (am trying for 30 minutes) and a 30 minute walk at lunch time. I want to get 2kg loss next week- I know this is a high amount for me but I can do it - I might even fast track my food for the week. Anyway girls, enough of me - I can feel the weight coming off and know my stomach area which is my worst spot is changing shape. I am inspired by my beautiful friend Tania who has been my WW/Diet buddy/weight confidant for a long period, she is doing so well and something has clicked in her head, I do think I have done this too but I am not at the point with the exercise - in that I need to exercise alone at times - when I have to do a walk solo I actually avoid it - but this is changing and that is why I am investing in an IPOD. Anyway, I will post tomorrow - send me positive vibes. I think the food aspect is spot on, the water spot on, the tracking spot on and now the cruical part of this journey - EXERCISE. I am telling myself that EXERCISE EQUALS ENERGY and for me that doesn't sleep this is the key. Take care everyone. Martine xx

2.46pm on a Friday

Yayyyyyyy !!! It is 2.46pm on a Friday, not long to go till the weekend. The weather is fabulous outside and I am hoping that it continues that way so I can have a couple of good walks. My birthday is approaching, yes another !!! I have asked Josie (mum !!) to get me gift vouchers as I think that I might invest with my birthday money a IPOD as discussed previously. Last night did a long walk with Gill for 1 hr and 15 minutes, my left hip and groin area do incur a lot of pain towards the end so must go and see a physio to get it sorted. We have had 3 long walks this week so I am hoping that when I weigh in tonight that it will be good news. I haven't been bad but not fabulous so I think rightly so I may have a gain. I will be upset, of course we say we are not dictated by the scales but we are aren't we? If I am to get to goal and become a LTM of WW then I have to get to 71 kgs. This is doeable (is that a word??) and for the first time I can confidentially say that I think next year I will do that. Anyway, I am at work so I must get back and earn some money for my boss. Have a good weekend.

I am struggling this week

Hi everyone. I am struggling this week for some unknown reason, more to the point my sleeping is appalling. As you may or may not be aware I have chronic insomnia, which is annoying and quite debilitating at times. This week is one of them, as I have been so tired I haven't been my organised self so have gone over points and picked at food. I am sure I may gain on Friday which is devastating but my own fault. A lesson to be learned I say. I have had a couple of really long walk this week, one again last night and one today so hopefully with superb eating I may be able to secure a small loss, somehow I think that is wishful thinking. I weigh in with Don tomorrow night so will chat to him about it all, I think the key is to have meals in the freezer for night, some cereal at work for breakfast (if I sleep in late) and some frozen minestrone soup for lunch if for any of those meals I just cant be bothered. The insomnia is like mid week going out till 3.30am and wake to go to work at 6.30am but doing that 7 days a week - it is shocking. That is why I am determined and am sure that I will get to goal and I am hoping that this helps with my lack of sleep. Some of it is habit and that my brain is in overdrive, I over think too much. Anyway, enough of the doom and gloom. Yesterday was a good eating day, and today will be the same as will tomorrow etc. Will report in tomorrow on my loss.

My Weigh In Results are In

Well everyone, I am a happy camper. After last week's small loss of 200 grams I had put my heart and soul into my week, I am happy to say that I secured a loss of 1.4 kilograms. Yay for me. Don my leader was thrilled as well. It gives me an average of 500 grams a week - I am happy with that, if it is anything above that, well that is good. The water is going well, although yesterday I could have drunk more, so today I have spent the entire day on the toilet - which drives my boss crazy. This week's challenge is to keep up with the water and try and get some exercise in. Saturday my bestie friend and I walked to a beach front cafe, had lunch and walked home so the round trip for 60 minutes. Tonight Gill and I are walking as well so that is another 75 minutes of exercise. Anyway my lovelies, I am focused on the road ahead and just to keep going like I have been. Tania (my friend, WW and blogger) and I have been discussing how different this whole journey of losing weight is, when you are in the right headset. We definitely are. Anyway, I will keep you posted and am really focused for another good week.

Tomorrow is weigh in day - Yippee !!!!

Well I have put my heart and soul into WW this week with the aim to have the best weight loss I can, after all I did the same last week and lost 200 grams but hoping that this week it will all catch up. The home scales are recording a loss of 1.3 kgs so I am hoping that it keeps continuing. Last night in Adelaide it wasn't raining or windy so my friend Gill and I went down to Glenelg and walked along the beach track at Glenelg for an hour and 15 minutes, it felt so good. Hopefully the weather can continue to give me moments where I can walk. Today looks good outside so I am going to try and go for a 30 minute walk at lunchtime. So otherwise, not a lot to report but I am pleased to say all going well. I think you just concentrate on one day and week at a time, weigh in and hopefully score a good weight loss and start again for another week. I am fortunate that I have a great leader and it does make life so much easier. I will report in probably on Saturday morning to let you know of my results. Even if I am have slower weight losses, they all add up after a while and I am determined to keep that mojo in tact and focus on the road ahead. 71 kilos is my goal with an aim to get down to 68 kgs, this is achievable with patience, perserverence and determination. (Note the positive talk, I think the feeling of actually doing the WW program and sticking to it 100% makes such a difference to my mindset)

Empowerment Part 2

Today I went to WWLifestyle at the Myer Centre to change my appointment with my leader Don from 5.20pm to 4pm - or as I call it "my date with Don". I adore him. Anyway, enough of the lovefest with my leader. When I was changing the appointment I spoke to one of the leaders, Julie. Who has previously been aware of me when I previously attended WW. Why is it when we fail before we chringe when we see our leaders? Anyway, Julie (the leader) and I discussed WW Lifestyle Centres and how I had just thoroughly enjoyed it, especially Don. She discussed with me, and she is right, the very importance of bonding with your leader, my friend Tania and Tina have been successful purely because they have bonded with their leader Tina (wife of Don the leader). Julie suggested that I write to the Editor of the WW Magazine about the WW Lifestyle Centres, and I am going to do that. We then went on to discuss last week and my small loss despite great effort, she advised, as we all know the story of the tortoise and the hare and that your body doesn't know what day you weigh in and sometimes takes a while to catch up. Well hoping so. I discussed with her my food intake a couple of Saturday ago when i was out for 3 meals and under points and once you feel that you are in control and empowered that it is like an addiction, an addiction to WW. Today I felt like something sweet as I normally do at lunch and had a cappucino (skim of course) and brought 1 tim tam (2 pts) and carried it back to work. I thought, do I really feel like the Tim Tam - I could have it if I really wanted it. So I decided to drink my coffee and low and behold the Tim Tam is in my drawer at work and not eaten. Yes I cry !!! YES YES YES. My head is purely and simply driven to succeed and I feel so wonderful, yes wonderful and I am only a little way down in my journey. You can either look at life as the cup half full or half empty. I am a half full girl. Anyway, 2 blogs in one day is a bit much considering I have rabbited on a bit but writing and expressing how I feel is good for the soul.

Roll on Friday !!!

I feel so empowered

Well I am so empowered at present, the scales are not necessarily reflecting my good work, or should I say brilliant work but my attitude is second to none. I am really proud of me. I have tracked and have been really good, I am so determined that those scales show a damn good loss, although I do feel it on my body that I have lost. The weather in Adelaide is pure and simple driving me mental. I know we are in the middle of a drought but the rain is never ending at present, put on my sandshoes for a walk when I got home and it just poured down with rain. Oh well, the thought was there. I have Friday off work and am planning to wake up at about 7am and go for a 60 minute walk quite briskly to work off as much additional calories before weigh in with Don. Although I am being a rebel and defying Don by weighing at home and only for this week, the scales at present have recorded at 1kg+ loss last night so fingers crossed all stays well until Friday. It is funny how the mind thinks, normally if I had a bad result on the scales or a figure I thought was less than I deserved, like last Friday then I would go into a heap and feel sorry for myself. Now it has come out that underneath all this weight is a determined person, the fact that I am not letting the little blips upset me and after all the only thing I can complain about is that the losses are small but they are constant. I am lucky to have the support of such a great bunch of friends and the online WW and blog community. I like to set myself challenges, this week has been to concentrate on doing what I have been doing and drink my 2 litres of water. My next week's challenge is going to be exercise, I have to plan what I am going to do so will blog that tomorrow when I have had some thought. Summer is going to be such a relief to me, the wet and deary weather of Adelaide is not very helpful in my attempts to walk. Fingers crossed tonight I have an hour to walk without the rain. October is not far away and then the exercise and improving the levels and intensity will happen, my gym cannot open soon enough. Funny though, Don did tell me that I would get to a point where I want to exercise - I thought he was insane when he said it but I now agree, I think because the food and tracking is being handled so well that this is the next step. Enough of me...............

Reporting in

Yesterday was another superb day with the food, tracking and water. As it was raining in Adelaide last night I rang my friend and borrowed some exercise videos so that I can do them if I can't walk, she also gave me a step (solid foam type substance) and step video (they are quite old) i am worried about breaking the step but will do some of the exercise videos. Drank 2 litres of water and 2 cups of green tea so that gives me a a total of 2.5 litres -and did I spend the entire day in the toilet, hopefully though all this water will give me an edge with my weight loss. My leader Don told me not to weigh in at home - I have gone against his advice and I have weighed in as I want to see how I am going and only for this week. I really hope the effort that I am putting in will reward me on the scales. Made the most fabulous meal last night. Marinated some chicken strips and stir fried them with garlic, ginger, lemongrass and chilli and threw in some rice noodles and coriander and a splash of lemon and soy sauce. Not an over huge portion of food and I could have ate 2 bowls worth but delicious and at 6.5 points rather yummy. The other 3 portions are in the freezer. Tonight am going to make a tomato and bacon risotto which is an old WW recipe of about 10 years ago and relatively low in points, so another 3 portions will go into the freezer. The whole idea is that i have a stock pile of frozen foods, especially when I am going to the gym I want to have some easy meals, and all I have to do is heat it in the microwave and do some vegies. So, another day down and another day closer to Friday which is my weigh in day. I absolutely can't wait as the scales have to reward me with a BIG loss. Although saying that, I can see on my stomach (my worst area) that I have lost and can tell by the rolls on my stomach, better than any tape measure. Anyway ladies must go and have another glass of water, 2 litres is a lot to drink in a day but this is my challenge for this week. I want to get on those scales again and say I was 200% good again, if the result is not what I want - then I know I have tried. I also pray that the weather gods will leave my 45 minutes when I get home to go for a walk, October (when my gym opens) can't come soon enough.

Such a lot of work with a small result

Well everyone. Last week was a absolutely tremendous and fabulous week eating and pointing wise. I eagerly went to my WW meeting at Myer and saw Don on Friday night. Got on the scales and they say lost 200grams. WHAT !!!!! 200 grams !! I asked Don to weigh me a second time because I thought he misread it. Anyway, I did weigh at home on the Thursday and had a 1.5kg loss so I don't know what has happened. Of course I am upset but not to the point of eating or giving up but it really does make me more determined to do exactly what I have done in the past few weeks and am sure it will record on the scales - it has to. I suggest to Don, and he agreed, that I bring in my tracker of what I ate during the week and see what he thinks. I do know with my periods in the past, the week after is the lighter week so it perhaps could be this, but I doubt it. When I got home I was so damn angry but I saw a fierce determination set in and I am absolutely 100% committed to another good week and I will show those damn scales. I can't believe I am saying this, but I am quite ready to start my gym work. I am contemplating hiring for the next few months a treadmill for home so that I can work at a good pace on that. Will depend on the price etc but will go and investigate on the weekend. The weekend was busy but my food pointed and tracked. I normally catch up with my friend Michael some weekends and we order take away. This time I actually ate before going over to his place, I was going to address the whole WW thing and got home and forgot, but will address that with him - he is a support in whatever I do. Last night I made my speedy minestrone soup for the freezer, instead of kidney beans I place in chick peas (addicted to them) and at 3 points is a good lunch. On the weekend I cooked a casserole using a continental packet mix, I am trying to use what is in my pantry and with the meat and packet mix it is a relatively low meal - 5.5 points for the casserole and with some vegies it is great. They are all in the freezer with masking tape on them with what is inside the container and the points on them. Tonight I am stir frying some marinated chicken strips and vegies with some Pad Thai Rice Noodles and will put a few serves in the freezer as well. Hopefully in the next few weeks I will not have to cook too much. Anyway everyone, I know you all have been there once before - when the scales don't reflect your good work, I am annoyed but am proud of me, that instead of feeling sorry for myself, or comparing myself to others, I just got down and focused on what I have to do. Track my points, exercise and drink my water - I am sure a good result is awaiting me this Friday. They do say slow and steady wins the race. I just have to focus on the whole picture that my eating and energy is improved and I have scored constant losses. Until next time.............

Everyone is doing well

Well what can I say, it seems that everyone is doing really well with their eating programs and scoring good results on the scales. My buddies Tania and Tina who weigh in on Tuesday nights with my leader Don have both scored fabulous results and are on a high and show me that with the support we give each other, the WW forums and our friends that anything is possible. Tina has lost 26 kgs and is heading towards double figures, I think an opportunity to celebrate double figures when the magical 99.9 happens, Tania has lost 6.8 kgs in 5 weeks - how good is that. I am very proud friend. On the blogs and WW forums a lot of people have commented on Magda's appearance on a Current Affair and her remarkable weight loss, she is positively glowing and the episode did give me food for though. I am doing well, rather well I should say and can't wait to get on the scales on Friday night and see how I have gone. I had a quick peek last night and so far have a 1kg+ loss and am hoping that it remains that way. I have tracked and been a saint all week and am pleased with how I am going. Areas of improvement are water and exercise, the exercise will come and especially when my gym opens on 15/10/09 and I am very excited to get started and see how I go. I think I might purchase an IPOd and that way I can listen to podcasts, especially Hamish and Andy and Jillian from the Biggest Loser and also not only listen to music but books as well. I am hoping that the gym opens earlier. It will be interesting to see how my weight losses go with the additional exercise. Anyway, that is me for now, I will report in on the weekend on how I am going.

A Brilliantly pointed weekend

Well my weekend was far far too busy. Today I am just tired. Went to my weigh in on Friday night and lost 400 grams, my periods are all over the place and it arrived with full force on Friday so I am pleased to say that I lost. Don my leader is a doll and I am so pleased with him. Saturday was horrendous as it was far far too busy, I must learn to say No. Had a 9am hair appointment at Colonaades, got a take away latte from donut king and there wasn't any cafes in the area as it is just a Woolies shopping centre and some bakeries down the end that my hair dresser is at. So I went into the fruit shop and brought an apple - did you hear that, brought an apple. That was the start of a great day. Finished the hair appointment and then had a lunch at Metro Bistro at Unley and as I had a dinner that night I had for lunch 1 mineral water, a very small greek salad, the size of a bread and butter plate with dressing on the side. When the salad arrived, the dressing was over the salad instead of on the side, anyway I asked them to re-do the salad as I ordered - this is unheard of for me. Then had a flat white. Dinner was at Hog's Breath, had 1 glass of red wine, water, 1 steak and steamed vegies and baked potato and a capuccino. I was just so thrilled with my choices, yesterday caught up with Tania to talk all things WW and had a warm chicken salad with dressing on the side, a coke zero and a latte. The weekend proved that whilst being on WW you can still eat out and manage to stay within your points, I had a peep at the scales today and they seem to have dropped 200 grams already, I am focused on a 1 kg+ loss this week but saying that I am also prepared for a small loss and as long as I loose and there is a minus before my weight then I am happy. I must admit the energy levels are increasing slightly and I am really focused on what I have to achieve. Planning your meals etc is the way to go. For the next two weekends I am hoping for a quiet one, I am tired at present and am hoping to just re-charge my batteries and do some cooking for the freezer. Anyway, another week approaches us - it is good when i am excited to weigh in - always good when you know you have been great as far as tracking and monitoring your food.

Just a quick update

Hi everyone Things are going along smoothly for me. This week has been a good week and I am now really in the swing of all things Weight Watchers. Once your headset is right, everything else follows. Obviously, exercise is my next major hurdle. This week has found me eating between meals, courtesy of a reminder which pops up on my computer at 10.30 and 3.45pm each day. Sometimes when I remember to eat it is almost lunch time. The tracking is brilliant and I write in on tracker sheet from the weekly booklet handed to me at my meeting at WW at Myer and then at the end of the day write in my WW journal at home. There is something therapeutic about writing it in by hand as opposed to tracking online. Obviously, I may change later on but I can scribble and make notes on my weekly booklet handout and then neatly write in my journal. Not much else happening, have notice a slight increase in my energy levels which have been bad for years due to bad eating and my insomnia. I am hoping that with my new eating plan and eventual exercise routine that it helps with the energy. That is all for me for now.

So far so good

Well, this week is dragging. Life isn't too bad. The eating between meals is going along fine, the outlook reminder at 10.30am and 3.30pm is working a treat. The weather has been wet and cold in Adelaide so the walking hasn't been happening but I am hoping to get a walk or two in with Vince the wonderdog on the weekend. Back to eating Nestle Diet yoghurt, I swap between Nestle and the Forme and find the passionfruit one that Nestle puts out quite delicious. I love the fact that sometimes I really crave a yoghurt and other times they get thrown away as they are out of date. I am trying to give my diet variety to keep my system on its toes. On Monday night my girlfriend Jo (one of the 4 Joanne's i know) went to see about the new gym that is opening at Glenelg. We have different reasons for going but as she is my best friend I know she will be a great support and is a very determined and focused person so ideal to go. She won't cancel on me. All seemed good, the gym is brand new with the proposed opening date of 15/10/09. The hours they are opening are really good and I am pleased with the proposal they put in and considerate that women have different issues to men. For example, they have a steam room which they have put one in the mens change rooms and one for the females as they believe some females wouldnt be happy to go where men are. I agreed. They also have great facilities, straighteners in both men and women's change rooms, a lounge where you can get coffee etc which is ideal. Jo and I anticipate we will together do a Sunday morning 9.15am yoga class together. So between now and October 2009 I will try and get my walks in, but really what is important is that I focus and get my food under control - it is under control but ensure that the routine and losses are consistent and then I can focus on increasing my exercise. Anyway, not much more to report. I am hoping for a good weight loss this Friday when I have my "date" with my leader Don.

I must eat more !!

The weekend has been and gone and was far far too busy. Unfortunately, the following weekend is about the same. Went to WW at the Myer Centre on Friday and had my "date" with my leader Don. Lost 300 grams which was a tad disappointing but my philosophy is not to get too bogged down with the amount or the average but as long as I am losing. Don has suggested I eat more, I find that I don't eat in between meals as I seem to forget and realise at 12.15am when it is almost lunchtime. He has suggested, and I agree it is a good idea, to enter a reminder in outlook to pop up on my computer screen. A really good idea, why didn't I think of that. So I have brought in my planned snacks and trying to re-train myself to start having morning and afternoon tea. I had a busy weekend as I said before, had a lunch at the Strand at Glenelg which is fabulous and planned my meal, luckily they have their menu on-line and Don has been there before so we planned what we I was going to eat and allowed myself 2 glasses of wine as a treat. I haven't had a lot of wine whilst on WW, mainly as when I do allow myself to have a glass of wine, I want to be able to enjoy it. Sunday, I went to Victor Harbor with my friend Karen, I must admit I could have been better but when I got home I tracked every morsel of food I ate and although I went over with my points, I will save enough during the week to make up for it. Today I measured out my 2 litres of water and plan to try and drink that before I leave work tonight. Tonight I have an appointment with Gensis Gym which is opening at Glenelg, ideally located not far from home and right near where I park my car to catch the tram to work. My friend Joanne is coming with me, she is thinking of joining but is interested in toning mainly, she has cardio equipment at home and luckily only needs to maintain, but if she decides to go ahead with it, we might try and go to at least 1 session a week together. I am inspired with the gym, I think mentally it is good for me with the gym opening in September. Janice Haley from the WW site who has got to goal on Saturday with a weight loss of 1.3 managed to lose good numbers at the end and that is because she NEVER went over her points and managed to fit in the gym as part of her new life, this has inpsired me. It will also be good for me when I don't have a lot on socially to go and do a workout. Overall, things are going well and I am feeling the momentum building, I am determined that this week should have a good weight loss and tonight will do a DVD which I found in my cupboard which is an old WW video with a fit strip so hopefully it will help, with the rain it is a bit hard to walk tonight. Anyway, enough rambling. Have a good week.

Gym developments

Hi everyone. Well today is weigh in day - hopefully the scales are kind. Last night caught up with my dear friend Dianne, don't see too much of her because she had two children that have a lot of sport on weekends and that is mainly when I am free, so it does get hard. We chatted for ages, I was going to miss dinner (not good I Know) and Dianne was hungry so we shared half a medium pizza at Spargos, it wasn't a huge pizza and turned out to be 3 slices - of very thin based - worked out about 4 points per serve which still made me within my points allowance, I initially felt guilty but realised that as long as it is tracked it is okay and not a thing I do often. With the Gym situation I had registered for the new gym opening at Glenelg as a foundation member and going to see them on Monday after work, although the gym doesnt open until September it does give me time. I also priced fitness first and in particular their membership which means I could go to any club - it was too expensive. The choice is either fitness first but I can only go to one club which would be Marion as my friend goes there, or foundation member for Glenelg. Glenelg is my option as it is located near the tram stop and not far from home and will be nice and new and so I am considering both options. I addressed my fear of doing a class and Shannon who was fabulous did reinforce that everyone is worried about the same thing. He suggested a basic class and build up as well as my fitness with the cardio. I must admit that I think I may go for the Glenelg gym and as I live by myself and have no partner I do have extra time, perhaps a workout after work one day, a morning session and a even after dinner is all suitable, I may vary the times i go a bit. Janice has been my inspiration for the gym - being a fitness freak and jogging is my dream and a sure way to maintain my weight oncesat goal and in the meantime help me lost those kilos, plus I think it is good for me emotionally and mentally. Anyway, enough of me for the moment. Keep you posted. Update with online dating - now have 17 requests - some are boys - I don't want a 24 year old but a few possibilities, so feel a bit better about this.

Reporting in !

Well, not alot to report. I have been sick so have not eaten enough food, of course this is just as bad as eating too much ! My dear friend Tania (see her blog listed on my followers) has lost another 1.1 and is doing great guns, she is now at 5.4 kgs, her head is in the right space which is nice to see. This just reminds me that losing weight is very much about having your head in the right zone. Everything else falls in place. Well I am starting to think about exercise. My mate Gill and I did a walk (70 minutes) on Tuesday night and was supposed to go last night, unfortunately I wasn't able to go because of ill health but if I can get a couple of walks with her and perhaps a DVD or two at home then it is a good start. I am still starting to think about the gym and have sussed about from Janice from the WW site who is just so inspirational. The woman has lost 60 kgs and still losing good amounts on the scale - all due to her eating well and exercising. This has inspired me. The theory is to do a bit of walking, go to the gym and do cardio and perhaps once a week do a class and then build up on the classes as well. But all this will come in time, Janice is addicted to exercise and that is my real wish to love to do it, where at the present I have to do it. Tania has made me realise that to get the results all you have to do is follow the program, it is quite easy really. This weekend I have lunch with Gill at The Strand at Glenelg so that will be easy, supposed to go to Michael's for dinner but may skip the meal and just pop over after and Sunday at Victor Harbor with my friend Karen for a catch up, hopefully a bit of walking will be involved. So I need to plan my meals and ensure that I get some walks in for those bonus points, plus I have the world's best doggie that needs a walk. I am happy and comfortable with my leader, that is a bonus and the thought of him weighing me is always an incentive to be good. Anyway, that is all - I have raved on a bit. Don't hesitate to put a comment on if you wish - it is always good to have interaction with everyone. The online dating has come to a standstill, I am not too worried, what is meant to be is meant to be. Take care

A Loss is a Loss

Well had my weigh in on Friday with Don at WW Myers. I lost 200grams, I thought it would be more - actually I thought nearly a kilo but you never know how your body is going to go. But after all, a loss is a loss and this is not a race and success isn't only rewarded by the scales. Overall I am happy with my progress and how I am going and my average is 0.5 which is within the mark they say. They say 0.5 to a kilo a week is what we should expect. At the time of writing this blog, TOM has arrived so I am fairly satisfied with the amount I have lost, my period is all over the place at present so considering that they were due when I weighed, I am fairly pleased. I have a friend who has gastric bypass surgery, initially she has lost a fair bit - well 8 kgs but it does slow down and is about the same as WW - why you would do this is beyond me, after all on WW you can have basically any food as long as it is counted and tracked - with gastric bypass she said that she doubts if she ever will be able to have steak again. I can't work it out really. The water is reasonably okay but does need improvement and my mind is now thinking about exercise. I do think initially that walking is the best bet with a gym membership a little way down the track. There is a new gym opening at Glenelg called Geneysis - if their foundation membership is reasonably cheap I may change my mind, if not and is about the same as Fitness First then I will do that because I can go after work with Kelly my hairdresser and go across the road at lunch times on alternate days for a 30 minute workout. So that is about it for the time being. Be in touch.

Weigh In Tomorrow

Just a quick blog post. Things are going well and I am pleased with how things are progressing. I basically take one day at a time and so far so good. Exercise is my next hurdle and working out what is best for me to do. I have various options, initially perhaps walking and varying the times I do this, secondly join a gym with my friend Kelly and thirdly perhaps hire a piece of equipment - ie treadmill for the winter months. But over all the exercise is my next step to allow me to have constant and reasonable weight losses. Eating out of my freezer at present,the frozen meals I have cooked are a godsend in winter when I am home late and thought I might make a list of what is actually in the freezer and cross off the list as I eat. My labelled food has been fabulous for the freezer as I know in advance how much that chicken breast is going to be point wise. Organisation is the key to any good weight loss. Anyway, my weigh in tomorrow, I am hoping for another good loss and hopefully the scales will report that I have been rewarded for my effort. Will place a post on Saturday on how much I have lost.

All going well

Well everyone, things are going well with the weight loss - not so good with the online dating. On the 19th June 2009 I lost 500grams and on 26th June 2009 a loss of 1.1. I am pleased with my progress and the WW at Myer. Unfortunately, Toni my leader isn't doing Friday nights now but I am seeing Don who is the husband of the leader Tina that my friends Tania and Tina go to. I love him and he has lost about 45 kilos and so found him good, as well an old leader called Di is there so I get an extra bit for my money as my appointment is at 5.20pm on a Friday it isnt a popular time so get to chat to them both before and after. Had dinner at the Belair Hotel on Sunday and sat on water for the day and turned down dessert - I am pleased with my efforts and as these people know I am on WW it helped and must admit to getting some good words of encouragement from Joey and Gill which was lovely with Gill suggesting anytime I want to walk, she will walk with me which was kind. On the tram today I was talking to an old WW weigher who has lost now 48 kilos. We chatted for a while and she agreed that losing weight is having the right mental attitude and being organised which I agree with. This week the water is my priority and to fit in a couple of walks with Vince the dog. My back is playing up so don't want to overdo it. Don (my leader) agrees that when I feel more energetic that the exercise is something I will want to do. He is surprisingly good and compassionate. This week I don't have any social events other than a dinner on Friday night, so I plan to cook a few more dishes for the freezer, which is looking pretty full at present and is all nicely labelled with the points value - makes life so easy. The online dating is a disaster but I am not worried about that, at present I want to focus on WW which does take a little time and my boss wants me to do a para legal course which I am contemplating - I think I need to be busy. Men I don't understand and I suppose they don't understand women - after all the book is right Men are from Mars and Women from Venus. So I am just focusing on what I have to do, I am not worried about averages or the amount I lose, as long as I record a loss - this is a new lifestyle change and if I want to get to goal and maintain my weight then I need to acknowledge that this is how it is going to be. After all, we can have our favorites - we just have to plan for it. Anyway, I am now just focusing on my first 5kgs which I have already planned to have a facial, something I never do. As Don says look to your first goal - 5kgs and then re-evaluate and work towards the next one and don't look at the goal weight - I agree with him. Anyway, I am pleased with my progress and how I have handled myself this last week. Of course, we always have room for improvement but considering everything I am doing well.

It is about being in the right head space

Well everyone. The Weight Watchers journey has its highs and lows. With me, the lows are associated with losing my focus and not being in the right head space. This is week 2 of my WW Myer Lifestyle Centre journey and I had a big moment last night. I have been religiously tracking, all good and bad foods and foods eating between 1am and 4am - yes they do count. Last night I went to the library, had to go to Big W and then on the way home thought I can't be bothered cooking my frittata that I was going to make, I contemplated for a second McDonald's drive thought but decided to go to the Coles up the road and get a WW frozen meal. I did that, came home popped it into the microwave and after I finished it, gave myself a pat on the back. I think being organised with your food, planning and most of all tracking helps you as well to keep that mindset happening. Although, I prefer not to eat too much processed food, there are occasions when I do. I prefer to eat whole foods and basically try at times to follow the core principles. I am going to do a cook up for the freezer on the weekend. My focus today is water and my apple. I hate fruit, my main staples are berries - frozen or fresh and pineapple. I have brought 2 apples for today and tomorrow and plan to eat them. I am already feeling better for the good eating, I will plan my treats for when I really want them. For example, I will still have McDonalds but will plan to have it and that way I will enjoy it. I believe that you have to have some flexibility with your food, not ever having Maccas is unrealistic in my point of view but planning for it is acceptable. It may mean that eventually McDonalds or the like wont appeal to me. I note with interest a lady on the WW forums called Janice . She is nearly at goal and has recorded at this stage in her journey still good numbers. It comes down to exercise and not luck. I did comment that she was lucky, in hindsite this is a ridiculous saying but the fact is, t his lady works at getting those numbers. At this stage to still be losing around a kg two weeks in a row is remarkable and more importantly inspirational. I am not at the point where exercise is a love, that will come I think during this journey when I am feeling better. I will go to the gym and already have a partner to go with - my hairdresser Kelly which is ideal. But, I want to get the food underway first. Then concentrate on the gym and perhaps if we are brave to undertake a class, I can't do that at triple figures - I would be too embarrassed. Anyway, I am pleased with my progress and trying to concentrate on what I want to achieve and to try and praise myself at the end of each day when I have been good food wise, tracked and done the right things. At the end of the day, I have the support of the WW community, friends, bloggers and myself. Vince the best dog in the world is going to get walked more as well - so that is the a bonus for him.

Yay for me !

Well, where did the weekend go. Far too quickly for my liking. In South Australia we have had a lot of rain, so it was impossible to get the washing dry, my heater died - so I was cold so it was an excuse to snuggle in bed with the world's best dog and read. Now, a lot has happened so here it goes. First Weigh In at WW at Myer Friday arrived and I went to my first weigh in. I was nervous, it all got down to being weighed by Toni and letting not only myself down, by her as well. This is exactly why WW at Myer suits me. I was greeted by an old leader that I had a huge amount of success with and like her style, I did chringe a bit as it is the old thing, been there previously and failed and thought she would think "here we go again". Luckily, Di is fabulous and is doing a variety of meetings and in particular Brighton on Sat morning. Anyway, she agreed that she had seen my name on the list and had thought WW at Myer would be perfect for me, she is right. Toni greeted me and I got on the scales. My period was due - still hasn't arrived ! My rings were tight and I thought god I hope I don't gain. I lost 700 grams and really happy with that. Any loss is good for me. I brought the new cookbook which is really excellent and full of recipes from WW Leaders. We chatted about my week ahead and I had a Thai meal out and suggested some alternatives, although I thought stir fries were good, she reminded me that amount of oil they are cooked in. Luckily, I had downloaded the menu which was a help. Overall, it was good and I am anxious for my next weigh in. Although this week I need to concentrate on my water intake. Men ! I could write a book on this subject. I do not understand them at all. 2 Weeks ago I meet John who I thought we got on fabulously, asked if he wanted to catch up which he happily and enthusiastically agreed to. Obviously, he has had a change of thought as there is no answer to my emails. So I just sent one off saying to the effect, you are not interested - that is fine. Friday meet a really really nice guy called Neil, we got on really well and he was the first that I thought it would be nice to see him again and perhaps catch up over a meal. After our lunch on Friday, I asked if he was interested in catching up again, he also said yes and now has ignored my emails and even when we are online at the same time I get the silent treatment. I don't have any problems with them not being interested but have enough balls to say so. I hate liars. I have 2 more in the wings to meet. Bill a teacher but not sure about him as he has 3 kids and Brenton who likes wine. I suppose it is going to be a long journey but really, should it be this hard. I always think they arent interested because I talk a lot and am voluptous (ie FAT). This I am sure is to overcompensate for my lack of esteem. Like when I meet the online girls recently, I was so nervous about meeting Sam, Jo and Kazz that I nearly passed out. So I talked a lot to cover the nerves. Anyway, when I do meet someone, the next lot of questions I ask myself is about body issues. I am confident that I am well groomed, but once I strip off - yikes...........But, with WW i am hoping to improve that part. Food My food intake has been good, my midnight eating is a problem and working towards that. I am trying to cook a new meal each week and Toni suggests variety is so imporTant. On Saturday after getting my nails done, I headed down to Cibo's for a latte. Normally, Gill and I have half a foccaccia together which is still around 9-10 points. So wait for it. I ordered a skim latte and a bowl of fruit salad, can I say that again FRUIT SALAD. I don't particularly like Fruit but realised this was my only choice and enjoyed it. I was so proud of myself, it was a mega milestone for me. With the right headset you can do anything. I have a lovely group of friends and I am the only one not in a relationship, so Saturday nights is a shocker for me, so I have decided that on this night I would have a couple of glasses of wine (pointed of course) and a nice meal and make the most of this. I am feeling a bit left out at present, so am glad that I have WW to focus on at present. Don't get me wrong, they are glorious people but after all - they do look after themselves first. Anyway, I am focused on the week ahead and my next weight loss.

General Update

Well, last Friday I went to Myers in Rundle Mall, and in particular their WW Lifestyle Centre which did impress me. I like the idea of one on one. My Leader was Toni who had lost 73.4 kilograms and she was pure inspiration. It was interesting to note that she didn't have any lose skin, apart from some on her stomach which probably relates to childbirth more than weight loss. She was insightful and told me that it took 18 months approximately for the skin to go back. Certainly, after 73.4 kilos i was impressed with how she looked. The one on one works for me purely as it identifies my problems and I don't get lost in the meetings.

I have been reasonably good, went and got my groceries on the weekend and nearly passed out about how expensive everything is. To eat healthy costs a fortune, I can't see how so many people say it doesn't. But, I am starting to feel better and am happy how I have gone. For one, I realised after perusing the points guide, which overall had a bigger impact on me than the e-tools. I realised my portion sizes have been way too big. Another significant aspect is that it dawned on me that I need to be 100% focused and not to reward myself with food when I have a good lose on a Friday. With TOM due on Friday, I am not expecting miracles but I am certainly eating way better and enjoying my meals more. The online dating is horrendous, men I find have the inability to be honest, if they are not interested, just say so. Thursday night man ignored two emails and thus have come to the conclusion that he is not interested, but I am not too fussed as was unsure anyway. Friday night man - it was obvious, although we chatted well. He at least considered it appropriate to say he wasnt interested. So have a date on Friday at lunch with a guy who works at Allianz CTP around the corner from work and as I have done alot of CTP insurance work in my capacity as a PA to a lawyer, we at least have a bit in common - we will see. Anyway, this weekend will start to do some exercise. Toni last week t old me just to focus on the food, and not to try and do too much at the start. Drinking my water is hard this time of the year and certainly I need to improve. I will report in on the weekend.

Friday - WW at Myer Lifestyle Centre

Today is Friday which means a long weekend. Saturday is so bloody busy it is ridiculous but fun. Hair at 9am, Coffee with Ron and Jo at 11.30am, Coffee with WW girls and Sam from Vic at 2pm and meeting the famous Jo and Kazz - can't wait and after that coffee and early dinner and a few wines with Jo J. Whew ! Well today I go at 5.20pm to Myer's at their WW Centre - I am ready for this. The last few days my nausea has been shocking - well I can't say I am sick, it is just I have eaten or more to the point BINGED a lot. But a lesson learnt. I am happy with my decision about going one on one at WW. For my personality type, this is a good thing and excited about meeting Toni as i know she is going to be marvellous and after all the girl lost 70kgs and can at least understand the road is hard. But funnily enough, with this whole online dating thing, it has made me want to lose weight. This may sound vain - it is just me trying to sound it out, but if they find me attractive and god forbid even sexy at triple figures, what would they think at double figures or even goal weight. My weight has held me back for far too long and I am also telling people that I have joined, no holding back. Now the other part of my life, online dating. Honestly you could write a book about it. Last night meet John who is semi-retired pilot. I wasnt sure to be honest as he is older than my critera (44 to 51)and he is 54 - so that is a lot older, but he did surprise me. Firstly, neat and dressed appropriately - we went to the Strand at Glenelg for dinner. Love cafe society - which I adore, enjoys wine and ordered a couple of glasses and talked about a couple wines we had tried. He had a Geoff Merrill Shiraz and I had Starve Dog's Sav Blanch which was mindblowingly good. Shared a wood oven pizza, delicious and not WW Friendly and talked for 2 hours. NOW THE BUT.....He talks more than me, which is saying alot and his sense of humour sometimes is a bit over the top, I did have a couple of moments when I just cringed and if he commented once, he commented a thousand times about the waitress' earrings because "it is good to communicate with the young ones" - well we aren't that old. But saying that we chatted about a variety of subjects and he was interesting. Anyway, the man had manners which is great, walked me to the car, gave me a hug and kiss on the cheek - I turned into a lump of cement, that surprised me and I suggested we catch up again, he at least has a mind of his own and suggested we try all the cafes at Brighton. Tonight I have WW then after that dinner with another guy from online dating - I cant remember his name, he flies in and out of Adelaide and seemed quite nice. So at least I am doing something. Next week coffee with Mario. Then that is it. It seems to have been a bit quiet as far as men looking at my profile but we will see. Must dash. Have a good long weekend for those Aussies.

More about the dating, less about WW

Just a quick post. I am now starting to feel eager about my one on one WW session at Myers. I think it is the right time for me and even told a few close girlfriends, who god bless them are so supportive. So between now and Friday I am not going to be good - not the right attitude I know. The online dating is going well, for a voluptous girl I am doing okay. Alright, the men are short and not my type but a few keen men which does my confidence more good than harm. I do take pride in my appearance and take care that my hair, nails, makeup and clothes are good, they seem to like that. One guy was very keen indeed and I did get some racy emails, unfortunately he doesnt rock my boat, or has the possibility of rocking my boat. They ALL have told me I am sexy - that is nice, whether or not that is true, it is nice to hear. I have been quite proud of myself in saying "thanks for the compliment" and it is nice that someone thinks enough to say it. Have two more dates. One tomorrow and one Friday -we will see. Anyway, must go. Martine <

I am an eating machine

I must confess, the healthy eating is out the window ! Luckily, Friday is my first meeting at Myer's Lifestyle Centre and honestly looking forward to it. I think with WW meetings I feel inferior to what everyone else is doing, this way I am only competing against myself. Plus, I am ready. When I eat badly, my emotions are all over the place. For the next few months I want to just concentrate on me. Friday cant come soon enough. On the weeekend I am meeting some WW girls, all of which are great women and inspire me in different ways. Sam is over from Melbourne and I am excited to meet her. I would have started my Myer Lifestyle program so will be able to report in. Now, online dating. I simply cannot work out men. When your not interested they are and the ones you think are okay don't want to have bar of you. It has done my head in, but I know I have to persevere with this. I suppose as well if I am feeling better physically about myself my confidence will also increase. I find online dating hard, most just want to email for ages and then hum and ha about meeting. Anyway, I know I am not alone in this neck of the woods. Anyway, must get back and do some work

.

The latest !

Well everyone, I went to Myer in Rundle Mall and enquired about their WW Life Centre's. Must admit to being pretty impressed and the one on one for me is ideal. I find that i am too busy at WW meetings comparing myself to everyone else and the meetings often get off track. Shazzywomble is only casual, so I have booked in at 5.20pm next Friday to see a lady called Toni. Toni remarkably has lost 70 kilos on WW. God, can you believe that. Apparently according to the lady I spoke to Toni is very good at food etc. I think she will be beneficial to me as I can grab all her knowledge. Anyway, I am going to tell everyone about it - I think perhaps I need to be accountable - but not my family. My friends and acquaintances. The online dating is such a weird experience. The men come on strong without meeting me - I know I am fussy so I just have to relax a bit and not let my weight be such an issue. Anyway, so I am just going to relax this week and focus on next Friday5 June 2009 as my start date. I really think the one on one is going to be great. I always have believed that if the leader weighed you the WW meetings would record more losses. Anyway, meeting "glenelg guy" today at 1pm for a coffee - I do think he is a tad short but we will see....He somehow thinks we are going to be great mates - me - I am not sure about it. How can I when I dont know him. Plus I am a spark type of girl. If the spark is there, then I will be happy. I can't quite get over the number of people that have meet their husbands/partners from online dating.....I suppose in 2009 that is the way we do it. Does my head in though. Wish me luck.

I have decided

Well, since Monday I have been doing on-line dating on Oasis. That is another blog entry in itself. I have decided my weight holds me back so much. My online photo is fabulous but does only show my head. I am going to do WW Lifestyle at Myers and hopefully get Shazwomble. It is a little more expensive but right for me. I need to start feeling good about myself - I cant be pr0-active if I am feeling so self conscious. That is my for the moment. Martine

I have gone off the rails

Hi everyone. To be honest I am not sure what to write. Let me put it this way, I am totally off the rails. I havent followed the plan for over a month - my heart is not in it. I need to decided what I am doing. I really havent been great since my original leader left, I think I need to either go back to her or go to the Myer WW Lifestyle centre which would fit in with my busy schedule. I have lost my mojo. I know doing it by myself just doesnt work as I will just have chocolate and twisties for dinner. Anyway, I am going to Broken Hill on Friday and will be back on Monday night. Whilst i am up there I will have a think. I may go to the Myer Centre to see Shazzywomble who does a Friday. I know what to do, there isnt much I learn from the meetings even though I enjoy them. I will post later - I just need to think about what I am doing. The joys of it all. martine

Update on the trials and tribulations of Martine

Hi everyone. I am really off the rails, not sticking to the WW program very well and accordingly am feeling down and depressed. But I went to WW on Wed night and gained 800grams, but saying that TOM is still to arrive and am feeling quite bloated. My gorgeous leader has come back after being away for a month and I must admit not staying for the meetings as I couldn't stand the relief leader. So, Doreen (the leader) and I had a big chat on Wednesday and I feel 200% better. For me, it is important to have a good relationship with my leader, now that she is back I like to be able to say to her at each meeting how much weight I have lost. I suppose on reflection my going off the rails has been becuase she is away. Saying that, there are other leaders that I like and could have gone to them. There is no one to blame but mysel. Doreen said that she finds alot of people perhaps lose their way but get back on track and get to goal. Although I have been a bad girl, funnily enough I never thought of quitting. I have made some good food choices and planned my eating and stayed for the meeting. Obviously, the meetings are a vital part of my success. Anyway, I am pleased to say that I am feeling a lot better. My sleeping has been at an all time low and it is hard sometimes to have energy for the day and be positive when all you are doing is craving food, a side affect of feeling so tired. But I am focused and want to have a good weight loss this week. I have just turned down a dinner invite for Sat night becuase I just want to concentrate on WW this week. I do enjoy the planning of meals etc and am hoping to experiement with food a bit more. Anyway, that is me at the present. As Doreen and I discussed my emotional issues are caused by lack of sleep and also my weight. So, feeling better about myself through weight loss is what I need to aim for.