Cate's Diary

Amaaaazing!

Cate! You look Awesome! Man if I look as good as you do I will be totally stoked! :) (How tall are you?). I am SO Glad you FINALLY put up photos!!!

Seriously... you look very happy and relaxed in your new skin! Its these kind of photo's that really are the Evidence of the program. These are what I constantly show people to amaze them of the power of the program and most peoples jaws drop!

Thanks for sharing them with us! I know it can be a bit frightening and revealing in some ways to post photo's of yourself in such a public forum but Thank You!

Bless ya
Kath
 
Still grinning!

Suzie-:flame: Hehe. This will work!
Kath-:D I'm 175cm tall or 5'8" but I feel like I've grown about 6"!! Now the compliments are making me blush! I am not used to this at all! But you are right I do feel really comfortable in my skin now. I'd be even more comfortable if I could get rid of a bit of the skin mind you but I'll have to get out there & get moving to do that.
Confession-
I have been on another shopping spree in Launceston & feel a tad guilty. My LH has not said anything to me about the amount of money I have been spending but I think I had better get a part-time job so that I will feel like I am spending money I have earned.
I bought-
A hot-pink, 3/4 length sleeve polo shirt(at Glasser & Parker) to go with the black track'n'field pants (with a hot-pink & a white stripe down the side) that I bought from Tash in town. I am going to wear these clothes when I go to Tai Chi and walking. They will go with my white leather pretend Nikes that I bought in Vietnam. (They have a back-to-front tick!)
A long black, gorgeous nightie(at Capri) to go with the long black brunch coat that I bought last time I was there. They only arrived in the store yesterday. I "need" these especially for when I go away. It looks very nice. I'll save that one as a surprise for my LH! (;) )
A white sports bra for obvious reasons. Very comfortable (& nice)
A pair of Corfu, size 13 "vintage" jeans that look great!
A black polar fleece jacket & a red polar fleece jacket at Millers, only $7.95 each, size 12!!!
A heater to replace the one I bought last shopping trip & returned today. It will go in our spare bedroom for our son when he arrives tomorrow.
Some Rhus Tox homoeopathic pillules (for arthritis, that my sister recommends)
that I had ordered from Hatton & Laws pharmacy. They have a naturopath there on Tuesdays but she wasn't there today as she's on holidays. I will go to see her next month & have a good chat with her about what I should or shouldn't take. I think I should be rattling with all the vitamins I take.
There is nothing quite like the euphoric feeling after a successful shopping trip. I don't feel too guilty as I did need some more clothes. I had better stick to op shops for a while though if I don't get a job.
I think I will call into the local employment agency & put my name down. I will be able to be selective as I won't be on any Government money & can't be pushed into doing something I don't want to. I would like to work in either a shop, an office, a hospital or aged care centre but my skills are probably best suited to shop or office. I worked in an employment agency for 10yrs in Melb. Of course, everything is now different but I am a people person & need that contact with the public.
The forum is my main social activity at the moment. Pity it doesn't pay! I am not a solitary person by nature. I think it's time I jumped back into the pool! Perhaps not in the deep end if I can avoid it. I do like earning my own money & my confidence is coming back.
OK, enough for today. I'm off to 8-ball tonight so won't return today. I can't believe I bought 12's & 13's today. Whoopee!! Cheers, Cate.
 
Cate wow that is so brilliant size 12!!!! wohooooooo looking forward to those numbers. I like your suggestion I am going to add it in!!
 
OK! I had better be quick! I have spent too much time trying to find a new avatar & just realised a) I'm starving & b) I haven't typed in my diary yet. So, most importantly-
Today- I hopped on the scales, nervously this morning as I experimented a little yesterday. My LH said he bet I was more than 71kg & I was 68.5 This is the lowest I have been yet. I don't have a clue why but I will just look on it as a "get out of jail free" card. For lunch yesterday I ate lasagne in a hurry to shop, without any salad(ate an apple afterwards) & at 8-ball last night I drank 2 Mercury Light apple ciders. I didn't eat any sweets, choc etc. I had eaten yoghurt for breakfast, drank lots of water, had a thin slice of home-made bread with a very healthy tiger prawn salad for dinner at home (plus an apple), didn't eat any of the offered supper (casserole with rice) & ate 2 crackers instead. I didn't get to bed until 1.15am & this morning I weigh the least I have for 20 years. Go figure. I don't think I will give this too much thought & won't make lasagne & cider a regular part of my diet. I think luck might have played a big part in the day plus I did walk a lot & fairly fast around Launceston. Picture This...shop, back to car, have a drink of water, put money in the meter, head off for another hour....etc....I feel pretty darned good today though!
Our YS is on the bus right now, headed our way. He sounded a little bit chirpier when I spoke to him this morning. My husband got called in to work tonight which is ok. He loves to work & it's best when he is not home all of the time. I have got used to having solitary time & quite enjoy it. Then I really look forward to his coming home.
My battery is low & my stomach is rumbling so will go have a bite to eat. My LH did some cooking before he left for work & we have yummy things ready for the next couple of days. I'm having a big chicken soup that I had in the freezer from earlier. I might have some crackers & cheese as well if I'm still hungry later.
Cheers for now, Cate
 
Oh Cate

You sound so happy and full of life. It's amazing what weight loss can do to our overall well being and self esteem.
I was so estatic when I completed my programme and felt like a new person.
The thing is when you have wrestled with your weight for so long and then to discover you can lose this weight quickly and painlessly within weeks is truely astounding.
So well done once again and happy shopping.

Sam:)
 
Sam- I do feel great. I hope it continues. I will have to channel this feeling & start looking for a paid job before the feeling goes. Hopefully it won't go!
Our YS arrived tonight & we have watched Spicks and Specks & Chaser. Talk about funny. He seems ok tonight. It's nice to have him home. We will probably go walking tomorrow or wood-gathering, depending on my LH. He is working tonight until 11pm & has not been rostered to work for a couple of weeks. You never know when he will get called in though. It would be nice if he has a couple of days off to spend with our son.
I had better not continue in here. I just like to see who's about. Bye Sam! Goodnight folks, Cate.
 
Cate,

It's such a pleasure to read how happy you are and how worth it the journey has been. You deserve every bit of the joy after all you did to acheive your goal. Personally, I think this is one of the hardest things I've ever done--it takes so much focus, energy, commitment and discipline.

What's 8-Ball?

Enjoy your visist with your son, and your new life! You look FABULOUS!!!

Merci
 
Merci- Merci!
8-ball is pool, similar to snooker or billiards, but on a smaller table(7'x3'6"). Our son is the current Tasmanian singles champion, vice-captain of the Tas. team & just represented Australia at the world titles in England. Mum's not half proud as you can see!
We are not sure what we are doing today. I would have liked to go bush-walking if it had been a nice day but it's overcast & looks like it will rain. My LH is not working today so perhaps the 2 of them will go & get wood & I can potter about doing housework. My LH wants to anyway & our son is still in bed.
I have 7 movie vouchers to use before March at the Cmax cinema in Devonport. We won't go tonight as 2 of my favourite shows are on tonight & 1 is a series (The Eagle). "Romulus My Father", starring Eric Bana, is on for the next week & we would love to go see that. It was a wonderful book & I re-read it recently & so that the story would be fresh in my mind when the movie was released here. My LH read it too & enjoyed it. It would be a nice movie for my husband & son to see together because it explores the relationship between a father & son.
Forum-I would like to be able to spur those along who are having trouble staying focussed but I can't think what to say. I know how important it was for me to be really prepared. If I had got home from work & didn't have my meal planned, if not cooked, I may have been tempted to deviate. I had to stay focussed to succeed. I know that I still need to do that so that I do not put the weight back on. I will give it some thought today & try to find the words. I would hate to sound like I know it all because I sure don't. I only know what worked for me.
I'll be back either this afternoon or late tonight. xo Cate
 
Well I have put myself to the test today. My LH & YS got wood together. Our OS, DIL, GS & Grand-daughter came up to our house & we had a family party. Mmmm. They brought a sulphur-free red wine with them so I had one & enjoyed it. No nasty reaction. Then we opened a very old red wine (1976) & it was delicious. No reaction. I had better stop there I think. They stayed for dinner.
I have drunk copious quantities of water since & we are on our 3rd pot of herbal tea since they left. I didn't feel drunk which is a surprise as I should have. If I get on the scales tomorrow & have put on weight I think it would be a good thing. We are going out for dinner tomorrow night & I will not have any alcohol at all.
Does anyone know if Cohen's is available in Canada? Some-ones asking in one of the Sticky's.
I think I am going to have a hangover!!
It was a lovely afternoon though.
I think I had better go as I probably am not making much sense. Whoops! -'nite folks, Cate.
 
Last edited:
I won't read what I typed last night or I might be too embarrassed! Hopped on the scales this morning & they said 69.5kg so that's not too bad. We are going out tonight but I won't have any alcohol. I don't have a hangover, but should. I think I drank about 2 litres of water after all that red wine so that must have made the difference. I won't make a habit of this. It was just a circumstances thing. It's lovely to get our sons together. The self-control slips when you drink & I ate too many snacks(biscuits & dip, cheese etc) We ate a healthy meal together though.
We visited an elderly friend earlier, with our YS & that was nice. He's 92 years old & getting very frail. He was fiesty today though & quite cheeky.
I am not looking forward to going out now as I would be quite happy to stay at home watching the footy. Alcohol saps your energy.
I had better go & iron my nice slacks. I don't know whether to wear my new top tonight or not. I'll decide later.
Cheers for now, Cate.
 
It's funny how when you are not really looking forward to something you usually end up enjoying it thoroughly. We had a lovely night. Four couples all had a $25 voucher to spend at a local hotel that does really nice meals. They had waited until I finished "the diet" so that I could enjoy it as well. I ate chicken breasts with tiger prawns & an avocado sauce. I had a green salad plus a few vegies as you help yourself to the accompaniments. I tried a potato, some cauli au gratin & some carrot & skipped the beans, corn & pumpkin.
My husband & 3 others had won the vouchers playing golf. One couple didn't come along as they were arguing so after dinner we paid them a visit, with some beer & wine & watched the football (the men did) & gas-bagged. It was fun. I drank mineral water at the pub & had 1 &1/2 glasses of bubbly after. A good night was had by all (& no hang-over!)
Weigh 69.5kg. I am going to try to drop this back a bit as I said before. I might wait until our YS goes back to Hobart & go back on the program for a few days. I do so like the idea of hovering within the 66-69kg range that Cohen's had set for me. I chose 69kg as my goal weight because I didn't think I could get any lower than that. I had some lovely comments made to me last night. One of my old work-mates was there with some of her friends & she didn't recognise me! At first I felt a little bit offended but then took it as a compliment.
Our son decided he would stay at home & vegetate in front of the tv. We didn't push him to go along. The first thing people ask is "What are you doing now?" or "Where do you work?" & he does not need that pressure. He seems to be relaxed & is enjoying his break with us. He is going fossil hunting today with his brother & nephew which he thinks is quite hilarious. Our sons get on extremely well but have very different tastes & interests. They share the cue sports interest & have both represented Tasmania many times but their other interests are very different. I think it's funny. I told him that I was thinking of going with them (I'm not) but I don't want to interfere with their male bonding.
Another really good thing about last night's dinner was no-one had an entree, garlic bread or sweets so I wasn't slightly tempted. It makes it easier to make healthy choices when you don't see or smell these things. My husband had battered Tasmanian scallops. He says they were delicious.
I'll come back later as our son has just emerged & I had better ring my Mum as it's Sunday & she usually rings me now & I have the phone line tied up as we only have dial-up internet which is quite frustrating.
Gotta go, cheers, Cate
 
Last edited:
Hi Cate,

Just wanted to pop in and say hello as usual you are doing a brilliant job and i love that you have this new outlook and remain concious about whats going in to you body. Well done hope you have a wonderful weekend.
 
Hi Suzie Slim :flame:
Thanks for dropping in. I love visitors! I think I would be really silly to not think about every little thing I pop in my mouth. We work too hard at this to stuff it up. I do so enjoy being slim. I can actually say it now & believe it. I am slim!! It's wonderful!
I have had a lovely day. Did very little this morning, went into town & did some supermarket shopping this afternoon & sat by the river, eating my picnic lunch in the sunshine. 16oC was very nice. I now feel winter has finished. I have to take up my new jeans & the track pants with the pink stripe because all of a sudden it's warm. Lovely. I thought it was Sunday so my mum will think I've gone senile. Oh well. Cheers for now, Cate.
 
Last edited:
A beautiful, sunny day in Tassie-
Today was one of those days that you are glad you're alive! I won't type much today as I have had so much trouble with my internet connection. For some reason only my short phone cord will work so have to sit in the corner of the room with the laptop perched on my lap on a cushion. Not very satisfactory!
We (LH, YS & I) went for a lovely drive to the Mole Creek Caves, via Sheffield & many beautiful look-outs & scenic stop-overs along the way. We skipped rocks in the Mersey river, had a picnic lunch at Mole Creek near the caves, shared our bottle of bubbly with Anna from Scotland & toured Marakoopa cave which was fun. Our OS is a tour guide for Parks & Wildlife but he wasn't conducting tours today. We had a coffee with him though. It was a lovely day. We are now back home & LH & YS are listening to the football.
I am really enjoying having our son home. It has been really relaxing & nice. We will go do a bit of whole food shopping tomorrow & I'll buy him some healthy things to take home with him. He agrees he hasn't been looking after himself lately. He has been enjoying my herbal tea brews. I usually do a big pot with peppermint, echinacea, senna & sometimes oolong as well. It's delicious. The only problem is him getting them home on the bus. I have collected a lot of Moccona jars of all sizes, from my MIL & have cleaned them up & got rid of all the labels. I would love to fill them, label them & they would look great in his kitchen. He needs some shelves first. I might have to visit him soon & see if it's possible to organise. Whoops, there I go organising again!
Weight 69kg again(still). I love the apres Cohen's. It's not as scary as I imagined. I don't feel tempted to eat like I used to. I eat just enough & then if I am hungry later I have a little more. I drink 2-3 litres of water every day. I love it.
I did a good bit of walking today, not a lot, but it was steep & I was full of energy & had no trouble, no puffing. I feel like I'm a new person. I think I will ring tomorrow & make enquiries about the walking group. It's time.
This is not comfortable sitting here so had better scoot. Bye all, Cate.
 
Last edited:
Had another lovely day. Took our son shopping for healthy whole foods, visited the MIL("Nan"). I cooked roast chicken & vegies for dinner & I am going with my husband to town for the AGM of the local 8-ball association. He runs the association & does the work. I'm his assistant! I type the ladders, rosters etc. I forgot to buy a phone extension cord so am propped uncomfortably in the corner of the living room. I feel like a naughty student. I will pop into the supermarket & buy one so will be right tomorrow.
There is going to be a lunar eclipse tomorrow night & our OS, DIL, grandkids & a friend(who used to work for us) are coming up to our home to watch. I am not going to 8-ball for a different reason so will watch it with them.
Hopefully, it won't be cloudy!
I hope some of my forum buddies are about soon. I'm getting lonely! Only kidding as I'm enjoying our YS's company very much. He'll head back to Hobart on Wednesday & I'm sure he has enjoyed the stay. There is nothing like the way we feel about our kids.
Love to all, Cate.
 
Hi Cate,

Your outdoor trip to the Creek Caves sounded just lovely. How wonderful to live in a place with such natural beauty around. I can imagine how good you must feel being out and about in places like that with your new, light body, On of my most motivating reasons for doing this program is so I can get back to leading a more physically active life and do more hikng and outdoor stuff. So I got particular pleasure reading about your adventure! A walking group sounds like it would be a good way to meet social needs and exercise needs all at once. Keep us posted.

Merci
 
Hi Cate,
I am back from Las Vegas. I haven't had time to read over all the post but I will try to catch up within the next few days. I am glad to see you are doing well. I only gained 1 pound in the last two weeks, and considering I was away, I feel pretty good about that. I will be going food shopping tomorrow to stock up on my healthy foods. I am still adjusting to the time change and feel a bit sluggish. I can't wait for the kids to get back to school so we can get back on a schedule.
Talk to you soon
 
Hi Merci It was great being able to go up & down through the caves & I feel so much more agile & active. Tasmania is a wonderful place to live if you like being close to nature. We are very fortunate in that we are not far from anywhere in Tasmania. We live on 50 acres, half of which is bush (woods) & can go bush-walking on our own land. I am going to start venturing out more. You are right. A walking group is a great way to combine my love of nature, desire to exercise & sociable personality. I have had enough of my own company. I will discuss my outings as there is a life to live out there & it's a distraction from food! Cheers, Cate.
Lori- Hi & welcome back. I missed you! You did very well only gaining 1lb on vacation. I'm glad you had a great time! I find myself eating mostly the foods that I ate during the weight-loss period of Cohen's as I really enjoy them the most. It is great not having to weigh everything though. Are you now going to do re-feed from the start?xoCate.
Today Weight 69kg. I was 70kg yesterday so cut down the carbs ( had crackers). I am not bothering about milk at all, don't have any carb's for breakfast & can indulge in some sweet treats like chocolate after dinner but only have 2-3 small squares. Quite often I will also have 1 piece of Molasses licorice from the whole-food shop. I sometimes have a glass of red wine. I am relaxed about eating now. My body seems to have stabilised as it's meant to & I think following re-feed to the letter is an important key. I will weigh myself every day or 2nd day for a long time I think just to watch what happens. I think it's best to do this as I can then adjust what I eat the next day if I put on 1 kg & then it goes away again that day.
Winter must be over as I have a door open for my little dogs to go out & a blowie has come in & is noisily buzzing about. Drat it! I don't use sprays so will have to track it down with a swat.
I forgot to buy the new phone cord yesterday & this is very uncomfortable. I had better organise wireless broadband soon I think. Cheers for now, Cate.
 
Last edited:
I forgot Annie's birthday!! I think it was the 21st & now she is on holiday in NZ. I have emailed belatedly.
Belated Happy Birthday Annie!!!!!!xoxoxo Cate.
 
Total eclipse-
Did anyone watch tonight's total eclipse? It was fairly impressive. I didn't stay outside. My little grand-daughter was not happy outside-too cold, so I brought her inside & we popped out for the occasional peek every now & then. I think I have told you before but I just love being a grandma!! They have all gone home, except for our GS who has just gone to bed after reading him "How the Whale got his throat" by Rudyard Kipling. Strange language but that's fun in itself. It's good to have variety in the stories. I kept all of our boy's books & enjoy reading them now that I have the time. It's a pity that we don't have the spare time we would like to have when our own kids are young. Oh well. Enjoying the grandkids is lovely. Night folks. It's time I spent some time with my YS now as he goes home tomorrow, xo Cate
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top