Cate's Diary

I re-read the letter about certificates & then re-read yesterday's post & yes, I did take it a little personally. It wasn't as harsh as I initially thought. I was sought out to work with this particular client & the case managers probably don't even realise that I am not at all qualified. They'll find out soon as I'll email them & let them know. I'm working Monday, bush-walking Tuesday so will email today. We're not meant to use our mobiles when with a client(naturally).
Just had to share- another 1.5kgs down, so 3.5 in 2 days!!!
I know, I know it's fluid and I know I shouldn't be weighing daily but I needed the incentive & to know that my initial program will work for me. I only have 4kgs to go to get to my lowest weight. I had better shut up about how I'm going to my LH or he'll get crabby. He doesn't want me to go lower than I was even though I told him my goal weight is 6kgs lighter. He thought I was just right. Sweet. I want to get rid of the fat from the tops of my legs.
Anyone have tofu as an option on their program please pm me with the quantities as either a meal 1 or meal 2 option. I really want to try it.
My DIL & the grand-kids are about to visit as she is going stir-crazy. She's been cooped up in the house with sick kids all week & is tired. They've had colds, even the baby. My Lh & I are taking the 2 older children to Auskick tomorrow so hopefully that will give her a nice break as well.
I've been studying the Excel book & have learned so much already. I am only self-taught so have a lot to learn. I think I'll have to go to Launceston this week to look at buying a router & Ethernet card & to visit my BIL for an Excel lesson. He's home at the moment & has not been well. Better go- they've just arrived! Cheers, Cate
 
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Had a 5 hour visit & spent most of that with my younger grand-son playing & cooing on my lap. He is so much like my OS in nature & it took me right back! What a cutie! They are lovely kids. I'm a bit tired & heavy-headed tonight though. I still haven't shaken the cold I have had for most of the week.
I have survived day 3 without a headache or feeling bad which is a good sign. What a buzz being down 3.5kgs in 2 days. Cohen's really is wonderful! I'm glad I have switched back on & am 'in the zone'. I still have 2 crackers & 1 fruit left & will have that in the next hour.
I have to think what I will do on Tuesday food-wise for the bush-walk. I don't know if I will be able to do a long hike on Cohen's quantities. I'll think about it. I don't want to miss it & I don't want to be a hindrance to the group.
Time for a pot of herbal tea I think. I have been drinking 3 litres of water before 5pm so that I don't drink any more during the evening & it seems to make a difference with the number of times I get up during the night. It's only one so can cope with that as I aslo put some wood on the fire. I'm also not suffering from the cold like I did last year. Well, not yet anyway. It's going to get down to 0C tonight. It'll be cold at Auskick!
No-one about yet it seems so I might head, cheers, Cate.
 
I cannot believe it but I have lost another .5 of a kilo, so that’s 4kgs in 3 days. WOW! I feel & look so much better. My stomach has all but disappeared already. My Cohen’s consultant had told me that our bodies, post-Cohen’s, are trained to lose weight & I can now see that is true. Only 3.5kgs to go to get to my lowest weight.
Duh! Why didn’t I do this a couple of months ago?! Better still would have been following maintenance guidelines!
At least I am doing it now. It’s an absolute waste of time regretting what you should or could have done. I now have this knowledge. I’ll make sure I always use it.
We took the grand-kids to Auskick & had a lovely time. Next Sunday is grand-parents’ day so we are going to go again. My LH helped them & I chatted. Surprise, surprise! There is a lovely girl (woman) who takes her son along. She came up & sat next to me & commented on how good I look & stayed & chatted for the duration. She may come bush-walking with me some time. That would be nice as I really like her.
We are having a nice relaxing afternoon together. We both work tomorrow.
Cheers for now, Cate (still singing….4kgs….yay!)
 
It is really amazing but I lost another .5kg this morning. That’s 4.5kgs in 4 days, 3kg to go to get to my lowest!
I feel just great. I had forgotten how good I felt when I first started Cohen’s. I have not been hungry and have been able to wait until mid afternoon to have my first lot of crackers. When I did Cohen’s initially I had 1 egg & vegies every morning for almost 6 weeks until I read in the forum that yoghurt & fruit for breakfast was much more filling. It is absolutely right. My tastes are also changing again so that the non-flavoured yoghurt does not taste as sour as when I first tasted it. I am not craving anything. My jeans are now loose, I am much more comfortable and I am so happy!
My day at work started off just ok. I took a CD from home, from my collection, for something different for my client to listen to (Creedence). Although being really tired today she decided in the afternoon to do a difficult household chore that she has not tackled before & she succeeded. It was really a huge achievement. It made my day feel worthwhile. I am learning as I go & not losing too much heart with the bad days.
I am definitely going bush-walking tomorrow. There will be no more waking up sooky and/or lazy or wanting to hibernate because it’s cold. I’m going!!
The forum is really slow to load tonight & then I got disconnected before I could post anything so will re-connect & quickly post.
I have all the forms for satellite broadband so should have it within 3 weeks. I can’t wait! Cheers, Cate. (Still singing…….)
Whoops- nearly forgot-
Breakfast yoghurt & stewed apple (I love this- yummy!)
No mid-morning snack
Lunch Chicken & vegetable soup
Mid afternoon 1 kiwi fruit
Dinner a nice biggish rissole made with some onion, balsamic, 2 crushed crackers & dried garlic & basil with a salad & my own ‘vinaigrette’. Very nice.
My chop suey has made me thirsty during the night so I’ll hold back on the curry powder I think & chillies!
After dinner I got my LH some Jalna Creamy vanilla yoghurt with prunes marinated in Muscat & I had an orange. I still have crackers to have for supper. I’ll eat them even if I’m not hungry as I’ll need the energy tomorrow.
 
Awesome Cate, sounds like you are really back in the zone. Don't you just love the fact that once you get over those initial first days on Cohens you just feel so terrific that you don't want to stop. You really believe you can achieve anything (and you are!!) Great also that work is not too bad at the moment and wonderful that you encouraged your client to achieve something she has never done before. I bet she was pleased with herself.
Take care
Beck
 
Hi Beck, It was good & she was thrilled! Thanks for visiting, cheers Cate.
I am just too knackered tonight to type anything much. Bush-walking was too much-too far, annoying for lots of reasons & I didn't enjoy the day. I guess it has to happen sometime. I'm too tired to go into detail.
Weight this morning same as yesterday. I knew this had to happen eventually. I ate original program food but extra, luckily or I wouldn't have made it. As it was it was a real struggle. I would hate to think how far we walked. I don't think I have felt this tired for years.
I'll come back tomorrow when I am coherent, 'night, Cate.
 
Oh my! I went to bed last night at 9.15 & got out of bed this morning at 9am. I have not had that much sleep or gone to bed that early for a long, long time. I was totally worn out.
This morning I expected to weigh more than yesterday but was another .5kg lighter. That makes 5kgs lost in 6 days. It's hard to believe but it's true. I'm pinching myself. My LH had a bee in his bonnet about getting the letter posted re our broadband connection & we also had some thermals to exchange at Katmandu & he suggested going to Launceston. I thought I felt too tired but he said he'd drive so off we went just before lunch. We exchanged the thermals for the correct sizes, had lunch & then spent the restof the day searching for a desk, looking at computers, bought a beautiful, comfortable, leather, computer chair & a wireless router. We did some shopping for his golf club as he's, amongst many other positions, the assistant bar manager. It was really good that we did this because if I had stayed at home I would have just vegged out & achieved nothing. I still have tomorrow off to do little & he's working.
I am now within my lowest Cohen's goal weight range & am cruising.
I'll make sure this posts before I'm kicked off again as I forgot to do it in Word!
Cheers, Cate.
 
Not too popular with my 'better half' early this morning as he was meant to start work at 7am & I set the alarm for 6.50 instead of 5.50. The alarm is my side of the bed & my responsibility so I messed up. He usually starts at 8am or 9am. Oh well. He'll be right.
I got up to ring his co-worker(they were doing stock-take together) so decided to stay up. Consequently I have done heaps of chores so thought I would pop in here when it's not so busy, ie I won't get chucked off so soon, hopefully.
Weight this morning-up 1kg so down 4kgs in 1 week.
Why- because yesterday I decided in my infinite wisdom that we would have lunch in Launceston & I would choose wisely. Mmmm. I had Tom Yum soup at the food hall. I would say it had lots of Cayenne pepper (a no no) plus noodles of course. I did not have any crackers for the day to try to make up for it. I did not drink enough water as well & today I am as thirsty as all hell!!
Lesson number 50 squillion & still learning.
I am not worried about it at all. I'll keep on keeping on without any more deviations until I get to my lowest weight. I've got 3.5kg to go.
My son just dropped in to borrow our brush-cutter so I hope I haven't been tossed off the net. He said I looked totally exhausted the other night & laughed when I told him I was in bed almost 12 hours. I'll post this quickly & come back later. Cheers, Cate
 
Today- part 2Because I didn’t deviate when I was on program I did not suffer unduly from cravings. I had read plenty of times where people had deviated off the program & then really struggled to get back on 100% so had decided 100% was the way for me.Today I am really craving sweet things. I did not deviate on something sweet yesterday. It was only the Tom Yum soup, which I didn’t even particularly enjoy. It had a very aggressive flavour. I am used to soups cooked from scratch with bones etc. I don’t knowingly ever eat MSG or use packet mixes or stocks. I’ll get through the day without deviating but it’s good to be aware of what’s happening to my body. Thank goodness I was so stubborn last year when I did the program!I have had bursts of energy today, after my strange start to the day. My OS called back later just as I was about to get some wood. I got him to jump-start our old, unregistered Ute and then took it for a bit of a drive around our block to charge the battery a little & then I got a large load of wood. I brought a lot of it inside. We have a large stone wood box next to our heater.I have done some cooking & housework but I feel really tired today so have been sitting reading a book. I’m having a ginger tea so hopefully that will wake me up a little.Good news-I got a phone call at lunch time from TAFE. I put my name down for a course for volunteers to teach English to refugees. I had rung 2 years ago & they said they would let me know when they were going to have the next class. I rang them last July & was told they were not going to have an intake that year. I was thrilled to get the call today! It looks like it will be on a day that I do not usually work. I do take my new client to the doctor on that day once a month but it is quite possible that can be changed, if necessary.It is something I have often thought about doing. I really miss the interaction with migrants that I used to experience living in multi-cultural Melbourne. I’m quite excited about it!I had my meal 3 at lunch time today & am having a meal 2 chicken soup for dinner. I still have 1 fruit & 2 crackers left. To be truthful I am not hungry. I just feel like eating, hence the cup of ginger tea. I must take a break tomorrow & go do some more fruit & veggie shopping. I would dearly love to be able to buy a nice fresh Australian mango or 20.I might go have a quick look in the forum, paste this & post it & may not be back until tomorrow night as I’m working, cheers, Cate.
 
Weight still the same- Lactic Acid build-up in my muscles perhaps after my big walk on Tuesday? No BM this morning either.
I was only at work 5 mins today but am being paid for the day. I am really pleased with myself(relieved?) that I am not taking things personally with my job. The old Cate took almost everything personally & was very sensitive.
My boss is unhappy as she has been told by the area manager that the client can say she only wants staff who will work in a smoking environment but we are entitled to work in a smoke-free environment. Go figure! She asked me if I am prepared to play it by ear & I said that I am. I also told her that I am not qualified & she is putting me down for some training. I will do a First Aid certificate as mine is out of date. She also asked me what preferences I have, either disability or aged care & I said aged care. My employer pays for the course so I do it at no cost to me but I do not get paid. I knew that already. I might as well get some training as I would not mind ending up working in an aged care facility part-time. Meanwhile I'm just cruising along.
The office job I mentioned I don't think I will apply for. It is a relief job but would be Mon-Frid 9-5 for blocks of 4-8 weeks. I don't want to work full-time hours. The computer programs they use I am not au fait with. I have tried learning but am getting nowhere even with a ........ for dummies book. Too boring. I don't think I want to go there. I feel that I am slowing moving forward in a positive direction & don't feel bothered.
Does anyone watch Catherine Tate. The words 'Am I bothered?' I seem to be using at the moment. It makes me laugh! It can get a bit monotonous but mostly it's very funny.
I started work at 8.30 this morning, I shopped & mailed a letter & I was home in my chair in front of the fire at 9.20. Strange start to a day.Cheers for now, Cate
 
Well once again I’m back to square one with my job. I got a call from my boss this afternoon to say that the client & her mother want my services withdrawn & only want support workers who will work in the house with her smoking inside. I feel very deflated & disappointed. My LH & I had just been discussing how things were going along quite well financially as well as us doing the things we like doing.
As of today I only have 2 hours of paid employment in the next month!
My boss obviously felt really bad. She knew I was also on a different roster (NW) but didn’t realise that it was only 2 hrs a month. I asked after another client that my previous boss had teed me up to work with but then couldn’t fit the days in with my old roster & she wished she’d known as they only found someone for her last month. I suggested I come down to meet her next week & she said she has lots of work available. I would like to meet her anyway. I really find it mind boggling that this has happened. I am guaranteed a smoke-free environment but what does that really mean? It means I now don’t really have much of a job.
Tonight I said to my husband that I didn’t think I would be capable of doing the office job where he works as my computer skills are really only for playing (eg in here). He doesn’t seem to mind. I do feel a little like crying but I’m trying not to. It’s not as though I did love the job or anything. On the contrary it was not enjoyable. I had also gone back a little to worrying about her too much. I tried not to but I was. It’s such a depressing situation.
My LH cooked me a delicious beef curry that I had with steamed Bok Choy. He is such a nurturer. I think I need a little TLC.
I’ll add to this if anyone has been in the forum today, otherwise I won’t, ‘night Cate.
 
Hi Cate,
You weight loss is going great, but it sounds like your job is again a pain in the butt. It could be a good thing though as if your boss feels guilty then she might put you as a priority for any new clients and they could be much nicer than the one you have been dealing with. I would check if they are able to insist you work in a smoking environment as you could find that they can't. No other workplace in the country can insist you work in a smoking environment (not even pubs now!!)
Your husband sounds like a real sweety. Its a shame there aren't more around like him, make sure you hang on to him!!
Take care
Beck
 
Beck-I'll be back later but I just wanted to quickly mention that they do not insist I work in a smoking environment. My employer guarantees that I should not have to work in a smoking environment. On the other hand the client can chose only to have staff who are happy to! It's crazy! I am going to double-check though. It will be much better for me not to go back into their home though. There is a better job out there somewhere I know. Thanks once again for your visit. It gets lonely when no-one types in my diary. You are also being very helpful to the newbies which is nice. xo Cate
My day-
Changed considerably. I was going to spend the day at home, possibly stewing just a little & doing some de-cobwebbing etc. My LH went off to golf, I was pottering about in my dressing gown when my OS rang to say they were going bush-walking & would I like to go with them. I made a snap decision, raced into the shower, quickly packed a bag & lunch & was ready when they got here 40 mins later.
We went to Split Rock, near Meander Falls. It was sunny & not very cold when we left but it was cold when we got there. It was great! Last time I went with the Wacky Walkers it poured the whole time we were there. It held off most of the time today & actually snowed a little when we were stopped near Split Rock for our picnic lunch. My DIl carried the baby in a pouch in front of her but he is a little thumper & my OS ended up with him on his back & my GD on his front. He is very fit & active, being a cave guide. My DIL is also quite fit & active but it would have been so hard on her back & also you really needed to see where you put your feet.
I feel like I am getting so fit. I just love it.
I packed a very quick lunch & without thinking actually mixed my proteins. Plus when you do a walk like that you need to eat more food or it would not be possible to do it. I made the decision 10 minutes ago to share some red wine with my lovely husband tonight. I'll be back on plan tomorrow morning 100% until I get there. Tonight's meal will be 100% as well.
I was .5 of a kg down this morning, so 3 to go to lowest weight. I keep saying this because I think I am going to try for lower than that.
That didn't last long. I just had a teeny bit of home-made pizza. Cohen's tea later!
Our older GS is staying the night as he asked to come home with me. My husband just made him a pizza & I just had a little piece. It was absolutely delicious.
I now have Monday off so my LH & I are going desk shopping & will visit our friend who just had an operation. I will call & see my boss briefly if she's in the office.
I'll come back later. I hope I haven't been booted off yet. Cheers, Cate.
 
Trying Again

OK, time to bit the bullet & get on with it!
April 2006 was when I joined Cohens - workd beautifully but stupidly I didn't complete the refeed. Now I am starting again but need HELP!
Also have no idea what I am doing here? All a new learning process but will get the hang of it sooner or later. Wish me luck, please?
 
Hi Trying Again,
welcome to the forum and good luck with your new attempt at Cohens. Hang in there you can do it!!
Take care

Beck
 
Hi trying again. I'm sorry I didn't come in here yesterday. I've had a fairly full-on last few days! Plus my internet connection is lousy at the moment so it's very frustrating. You have made the right decision to go back on Cohen's. You won't regret it! I'll keep an eye out for you & how you're going. Thanks Beck for replying to TA! Cheers, Cate.
Yesterday I had our YGS & we picked up his sister & took them to Auskick & then there was a sausage sizzle(none for me) as it was grand-parents' day. I stuck to the program 100% but was ravenous all day. Serves me right! I gained .5 of a kilo only thank goodness & have lost it again this morning.
Today we headed off up the coast. I visited my boss & met all the staff, got nowhere really, dropped in on a friend & exchanged something. We drove to Ulverstone where I bought a desk! I also got a double filing cabinet. I am going to get all my paperwork organised properly. I may not have much employment at the moment but hey, I'm going to be organised! On the way back we visited my friend who has just had an operation. She was happy to see us & ticked me off for not letting her know we were coming as she would have cooked us lunch. That's why I didn't let her know! We had lunch in a park. I took it. After her place we detoured via Braddon's lookout & then via another old friend who's husband died of cancer. Her home number was disconnected & I haven't been able to get through to her on her mobile either. Apparently she's changed it. We don't have a lot in common but I still like to keep in touch with her. She may have sold her home & doesn't know where she will live.
I am going to post this quickly before I get booted off. I am having a little trouble with my laptop & may get the new computer I have had a quote for. I will wait a few weeks though I think & see how I go with broadband with this one.
ok-better scoot, cheers, Cate.
PS Very sad about Jane McGrath. What an inspirational woman she was.
 
Back down another .5kg (5 down, 2.5 to go & then re-assess)
This is one of the main reasons you should not weigh constantly because your weight goes up & down, up & down. It's ok though for me now as I just want to watch what makes a difference with me personally. I must make sure I drink enough water & by that I mean 3 litres at least(but not too much).
I have not been very hungry the last couple of days, after my ravenous day(day after bush-walking/pizza/wine/mixing proteins/deviation day) I still haven't eaten any crackers today. I am going out tonight & thought I should save a couple for when supper comes out.
The most unbelievable racket just led me outside for a look. I could not count them but there had to have been somewhere between 80-100 Black Cockatoos flying over our home. When the weather is rough up the mountains they come down for a visit. We are only 1.5hrs drive from Cradle Mountain so they have probably come from there. That was the direction they came from anyway. You should have heard the noise!
I was so excited to see BabyFatNoMore back in the forum. I had better scoot now though as I have to eat my lunch so that I can eat dinner before I go out. I am at work in the morning but will be back tomorrow afternoon. Cheers all, Cate
 
Well, I found my way back! :waving:(I think) For someone who uses computers everyday (accounting) I am a real beginner here.
Anyway, day 2 is over & I am going strong! Haven't deviated at all. Big test when I did the grocery shopping - I didn't weaken & have my extra large Latte with treat. Then, I came home & made the lunches, with extra fresh bread, & didn't weaken! (Missing my milky tea & coffee - but it's not forever, right?)
WOOHOO!!!!!:hurray:
Must drink more water though - really helps with the grumbling tummy, & the weight loss.
Will be interesting to see what the scales say tomorrow. I am trying not to weigh myself everyday this time because its too, too depressing if they say the wrong thing!!:ack2:
I think this forum is going to be really helpful & fun - bit like a dear diary.
Anyway, better stop rabbiting on - might go to bed soon & have a read - its cold & I have to get up at 4.30 tomorrow (crazy, I know).
Bye for now :seeya:
 
Hi Cate! Good to see that the program is still working for you and that you are still so focussed!! You will be at goal in NO TIME! Compared to what you have already achieved its really just a drop in the ocean! Probably only a few weeks before you have to reassess! WOW... (it will be quite a bit more than that for me!)... oh well!

Sad to hear that things continue to be painful with your work! It would be so great if you could find another job! Something that better suited your lifestyle and values in life! You have so much to offer! Don't squander it on people who are not interested....

Thanks so much for your continued support! You're a star! I think this forum would've died if you weren't here constantly to keep it going!

Blessya
Kannadew

Oh and "Trying again" have you thought about creating your own diary and telling us a bit about yourself and your daily struggles etc... then we can visit you and offer support... like we do here in Cate's diary.... You just have to click on the "orange new thread" button under the search box on the main page and you should be able to start a new diary from there. I look forward to reading it! Cheers!
 
Kannadew, I know that you are right & I should not waste my energy & time on those who do not appreciate it. My thinking cap is always on. Thank you for being so positive & kind. I wish I could be more up-front & confident in my own abilities. I'm slowly getting there. I know that I am a caring person & I just love people & especially being able to help others. I will find my path soon I hope. I do feel that I should stay here but as you probably know I 'visit' you often (most days). Thanks for your visit, both in my diary & making the effort to come see me here in Tassie. It was an absolute joy & pleasure having you here, xoxo Cate.
I had another delightful trip today, taking my new client to her doctor’s appointment. I really wish I could do more work just like this. I will keep pushing my case for similar work so that I am not forgotten and keep thinking of other work possibilities.
Next week I will be going to the information session for the volunteer tutoring course & will also start Tribal Belly Dancing classes. Both will be fun!! No income, sheer fun!
I weighed another .5kg less this morning so 5.5kgs down, 2 to go to get to my lowest Cohen’s weight.
I am going to post quickly tonight & get back into my recliner chair in front of the fire. Brrr it’s very cold today- only 13o maximum.
Cheers for now, Cate.
 
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