Lonniecee's Ongoing Journey-Bring on 2008

[Lonniecee]

Well it's a New Year and a new me is emerging. Thought I would start writing diary about the last 20 or so kgs that have got to come off.
When I started the Cohen's programme I was ready for a major change in how I was treating myself. I, like many, have always been overweight and can only ever being around 75kg as my lowest in many years. My last serious weight loss was in 1999 on the Easyslim plan, very similar to WW but with an exercise class at the end of the meeting, all in all I lost between 25-30kgs but it took me 9 months and I didn't get below that magical 75kg mark. It was hard work, the food, the exercise (walked 6-8km per day, almost a power walk pace) and the thought of having to work that hard again was more than I could stand.
My kick in the butt came this year when my husband commented that I was not breathing occaiionally during sleep. Up until then, my obesity hadn't really impacted much on my life. My blood pressure has always been perfect, my sugar and cholesterol as well. Sleep apnoea scared me, things were starting to catch up with me.
So coming in contact with someone on the programme was a blessing, as was a decent tax return so after attending the info session my decision was made.
I am so happy that this has become part of my life. At the time I was more than ready so my motivation was well in gear.
I commenced on September 4th 2006, weight = 104.8kg
measurements = bust 126cm; waist 108cm; hips 131cm; thigh 75cm and arms 42cm.
So, today after 17 weeks my weight is now 76.3kg a loss of 26.5kg. My measurements = bust 108cm; waist 81cm; hips 106.5cm; thigh 59cm and arms 33cm, a loss of 94cm.
My husband is very happy, though he has never been one to comment on my weight and 'just wants me to be happy', and my 2 teenage boys can't believe how well I look and comment on my baggy clothes, 'you can't wear that out Mum, it's too big'. As for my parents, brothers and in-laws, there has been only support and interest in how things are going. I am very lucky, I know.
My goal weight is 54-57kg, unimaginable to me, but my motivation hasn't died. I want to know how I will look to be normal weight and to shop wherever I want. Clothes shopping does scare me a little even now when I am size 14-16, I don't want to try something on to be disappointed as to whether it fits, we've all been there . I am hoping to be at or finished refeed by the end of March when the boys and I head off to Qld for a week to catch up with friendsand ex-workmates. I've not told anyone up north about the loss, I can't wait to see their faces.
Well, this post has been longer than I anticipated. For those thinking about Cohen's it is well worth the effort involved, (such as it is), and to those who have made the decision and are on the programme, well done and keep up the good work.