Clean eating, happy living! GAME ON!

[Light_Life_Love16]

Thanks Relles,

I read through your diary, what an amazing injury you've overcome to still be successful in your weightloss! Well done, what an inspiration. Thanks also for your understanding about the discretion I am trying to achieve with my program, I love the idea of just telling people I am eating clean, fresh foods rather than saying 'I'm on this really strict diet' etc. The first option makes it sound like I want it to, it reminds me of having freedom of choice, a healthy attitude and the best in mind myself. The second option makes me think of deprivation, forced against my will, and being excluded. Makes a massive difference to your state of mind, I think.

I hope maintenance is treating you well, and you as still having ongoing success with cohens, long term. I look forward to that being me one day soon.

Ta, LLL16

[Light_Life_Love16]

On one more note, I feel I will not be satisfied until I reach goal. No matter what I weigh in at in be month, three months etc, I want to strive for the goal, and will not be satisfied until I arrive there....and maintain it too! Sounds harsh, mad don't worry, I will be proud of my achievements, however, I am desperate to prove to myself and everyone else that I don't want to rest until I make it.

Ciao for now

[Light_Life_Love16]

I've made a decision. I'm going to go to my monthly clinic visit, I'm going to gt on the scales, but I'm going to ask my consultant to write down my weight, pop it into an envelope and not tell me what it is. I want the focus to be on how I'm feeling living this life, not on the scales. But as I get closer to goal, I'd like to know how much I lost and when that occurred, hence the envelope with dates and weights included, for future reference.

It seems weird, considering I'm on a weightloss program, however, my clothes are already telling me how great I'm doing, and I want to keep focused on that. That and how I am feeling energy wise etc.

Things are still going great!

[mesmer_eyes]

wonderful! i have also decided not to get on them scales like I used to.. I told myself I will weigh at the end of each month only.. and just keep doing my best.. I just hope I can get past this 'hurdle' period..

have a good day!

[Light_Life_Love16]

I was just doing my groceries, striding through Coles on a mission, when I past the underwear aisle....and all of a second it occurred to me: no more granny undies for me! I'm 31yrs old, and my underwear draw has the appeal of an unfashionable 80yr old. Simply because i can't find nice stuff in my size! Oh the thought of matching pairs, of colours and fancies! I can't wait!!!

I'm still going strong and 100% deviation free. Finding it a simply task at the moment to stick at it. Not feeling tempted at this stage, although I did have a ravenous day last week. Figured it was just all part of it, it only lasted a day.

I'm also finding that when I shop for my family, I'm choosing the healthiest options for them too. The leanest cuts of meat, the wholemeal pasta, the cleanest food for them too. I'm not sure my husband is stoked about that....but he is keeping quiet and being supportive.

Ciao for now!

[Light_Life_Love16]

I'm facing the second weekend in a row with my husband out of town, and I can here ice cream, chocolate, chips, pastries and fried foods calling me from the shops as I write. My time alone used to be my worst time, spending a ridiculous amount of money on a ridiculous amount of sugary, fatty foods that I would never eat in front of anyone else, and I would eat until I couldn't eat anymore.

Last weekend was a bit of a test for me to prove to myself I could be on my own and not fall back into my old behaviour. I passed with flying colours. And here I am again. The calling for bingeing is stronger this weekend, so I am declaring it. I am thankful I have two precious daughters in bed, which means any impulse to grab the keys and go shopping must be denied without discussion.

But I'm also being kind to myself....because although I am having these feelings of longing, I am still here, deviation free. I am still here eating what I need to everyday. I am still here drinking my water and shrinking by the day.

And as I type this, I am sitting here in new size 20 jeans I previously couldn't squeeze into. As of 3 weeks ago, I was a tight size 24. And I'm super happy with those results.... But it is not enough. It is not enough to feel comfortable. It is not enough to start to see results. I want the end result!

Eyes on the prize. It's the way we respond to the temptation that matters, not the temptation In itself.

[Light_Life_Love16]

This thursday I will have completed four weeks 100% deviation free. I'm stoked to be notching up those weeks! More more more!

My jeans are so baggy in a wee or two I won't be able to wear them any longer. And I will throw them out once they are too big to even wear around the house...I'm not keeping them in the cupboard (in case). I will prob actually give them to vinnies or something, but they aren't staying here. Did you throw out yours once sizes were too big?

I can see I'm losing my double chin, and my tightest bras are now fitting me comfortably on the inner clasps. My cheekbones are showing, my skin in clearing (although had horrid acne prior to period as per normal), and I am sleeping really well...when my youngest allows it.

I'm not struggling on this, not really. I'm just putting one foot in front of the other ATM, and getting each day done. Allowing myself no deviations is actually really helpful, because I don't have to bargain with myself or make deals with myself eg: if I am 100% today, tomorrow I will allow a piece of chocolate, or something to that nature. None of that takes up my brain power at the moment, so I have lots of room to consider other things, like what kind of style I might have when I am at goal, and how I will have my hair when i reach goal.

As rewards, I promised myself a hair dressing appointment once I made it through four weeks without deviation, so I will be off to have my hair done soon. and when I have achieved 12 weeks of 100% I'm going to have a 90min massage treatment. And I have spoken with my husband and we are going to have a weekend away sans our daughters once I reach goal. Les Miserables is coming to Sydney in March for a few months, so we will go for a fancy weekend in the city, in a beautiful hotel room. It will also be a wonderful treat because it will be the first weekend of just the two of us since our second daughter was born...she will be 18months by then. Yay!

Anyway, that's all for now. I'm really glad to have this diary to read through as I continue on, as well as everyone else's. it really helps to see how far I have come.

Ciao for now!

[Light_Life_Love16]

I did it. I went in to my clinic, I weighed in, I didn't look at th results, and I asked my consultant not to discuss them with me....unless there was an issue. She was happy with my results, so we just chatted about the program, she wrote the results down for me, and I have them in an envelope ready to look at when I choose to check them out. I'd actually like to get closer to goal before I check my numbers on the scales. I'd like to make it down to a size 14 before I even check them out. Maybe that will be my goal. Yes, I'll do that.

Because I like the thought of people eventually noticing the weight disappearing, and them asking me and I will tell them I don't know. I'm just doing what I need to everyday, not for a number on the scales, but for well being, for better sleep, for more energy and happier perspectives. For a happier and more in control me. Who doesn't need to know a number, like that's all that matters. I don't need to put a 'price' on how well I am or am not doing. I simply need to do it 100% and it will sort itself out.

[Relles]

Well done LLL, coming up with a method that suits you.
Maybe the envelope can be for times you might be losing focus or feel like deviating... Not saying that it will happen just if it does.

I understand not wanting a number on the scales define you.

[Light_Life_Love16]

Thanks Relles,

Yes, I thought I'd save the envelope for a time I really need it. But to be honest, feeling my body changing is the best reward. I have less back fat, which both my husband and I noticed individually. My tummy is flatter when I lie on my back in bed. I took before and after pics for start date and one month in, in the same clothes and can see a great difference.

Yet, I'm feeling very unsatisified at the moment, not in my efforts, but more in my weightloss. Not unsatisified with how much I must have lost over the past 4.5 weeks, but an overall dissatisfaction. Which I am embracing, because it simply means I am not content here, and I will keep plodding along.

I really do believe this time is my time. I've often lost my first 10kgs or so and then have felt satisfied that I did not need to continue on. I felt better as my clothes fit a little better, and then I would stop, never truly believing I would ever be able to persevere at anything to reach goal. This time it feels different.

I've really come into this journey with the long term in mind. I also considered what this journey will 'cost' me as far as what I need to forfeit for the moment to get the end results. Eg: not eating out, taking my own food everywhere, not missing Christmas, weighing my food when we go camping at Christmas time.

But you know what? It's the best time to do this. I have the next 7 months off on maternity leave, so my eating is so easy to control at home. Minimal packing of lunches, no rushing, no temptations. And I'm super excited to return to work looking so slim and healthy. From the averages I've seen in the polls on these forums, I can expect to reach goal around the 9mth mark, give or take whatever my body needs. Which means I won't be far off reaching goal when I return to work, soooooooo excited to show myself off when the time is right.

And the other reason it's perfect timing is because we intend to have a third child, and I will aim to fall pregnant later next year, after maintaining a few months. I'm looking forward to having a pregnancy within a healthy BMI. Yay!

[Light_Life_Love16]

I had anything winning result on the tape measure on Thursday, saying goodbye to another 14.5cms last week. Really enjoying seeing tangible results that are not based on the scales.

Next weekend is going to be interesting...we are heading away with friends for the weekend, so it will be the first time I have to take my scales away and eat my own special food in front of others. Feeling slightly anxious about it, but not too much. It will just be a matter of staying organised and I will be fine.

I'm now comfortably fitting into my size 20 jeans, which is awesome. My husband can see my changes and often comments on them as he notices. Yesterday, I was wearing my size 20jeans and a jumper, and he said you're definitely looking skinnier. And I notice too. This program truly works.

If anything, I'm struggling to get in my quota of water. I think when it's so cold, it doesn't help. Just need to keep trucking with it, and have started filling my drink bottle with warm water instead of cold. Seems to help.

Ciao for now.

[Applemango]

Hi, I have also just started Cohens since one month ago, but you are doing better than me. Let's work hard together. Upon seeing yr motivation, I will persist too =) we can do it

[Light_Life_Love16]

Thanks for the message applemango, I am glad you at finding encouragement in my journey. What's the hardest part for you? I'm struggling to get water into me!

[Light_Life_Love16]

Here's a quick progress pic of me at the beginning and then 4 weeks in.

[Light_Life_Love16]

And from the front ....

[neets]

OMG - thats an amazing difference in such a small time, you can definatley see a difference, its great to keep progress picktures as its such a great incentive.

[Relles]

Looking Great!! Wow look at your face and outline! 😄 awesome work, can't wait to watch the progress!
I have added you to my contacts if you want to see my photo album

[AZ1908]

Wow!!!

You go girl!!!

[Ciors]

Well done LLL, looking great!

[Applemango]

Well done, You look great. your tummy all gone in a month =)