Annabelle Joy's diary

[Stoddy]

Hey AJ ... you are moving on down to single digits left to go !! Well done .. it didn't seem that long ago you hit the half way .. 20 - 20 mark ...

Thanks for your support ... with all the newbies in here .. you need to break up days alphabetically to make sure you get to everyone . hehe !! We know that even if you don't get to us for a few days .. that you are thinking about everyone !

hope you have a great loss today !

[Possum]

Hi AJ,
Well done on your weight loss under trying....cold circumstances. The cold seems to make us want to eat but I drink my water warm or hot and it helps to get passed the the old habit of snacking.
I agree with Jenni, you will look fantastic at the wedding. The fun will be shopping for the new outfit.
Thanks for your support. I look forward to getting on the forum most days and seeing that you have visited me. I'll be working for the next few days but more importantly my friend Julianne has just gone into labour and I'm her birth support until her husband arrives.(He works 8 hrs from home) so I may not get onto the forum for a couple of days.
I just said to Shell that i wish I could come to Bendigo and meet you all but my daughter will be home and the drive is a little too far for the day. I know that you'll all have a great day.
Bye Possum.

[Annabelle Joy]

Down another 200 gms today. Those single digits to go are getting closer. I'm up to 1.1 for the week now, with one day to go. I'm always happy with a kilo for the week.

Nothing else to report today. Yesterday was busy, but not stressful. Today looks like being the same. For some reason, I'm feeling dizzy today. It's not uncommon for me to be a bit dizzy when I shower in the morning, but it is unusual when I'm just sitting as I am now.

I've put a photo of the dress I'm planning on for the wedding below. The dressmaker, who's a client of mine (a bit of bartering of services) suggested it, and it's along the lines that I like. I'm thinking of satin dress and matching brocade jacket in something like sapphire blue or ruby red, or maybe aqua. Other colours that suit me are hot pink and lime green, but maybe not so appropriate for MotG. I won't have the slit, but some sort of pleat at the back. I have another client who will make me a clutch bag to match (more bartering), and I'm thinking of getting my shoes covered in the satin.

Thanks for stopping by, Jenny, AE, Maya, Lily, Jenni, Stoddy and Possum.

Jenny, we cross posted yesterday. There's no doubt that my rate of loss slowed after the first 25% or so, but I'm still averaging 900 gms a week for the time since, and there aren't many diets where I can do that. The middle third can be a bit tough in terms of motivation, but I think that's true for any diet. I might download the other tracks. I can't say yet that the one I'm listening to is helping, but it's not doing any harm.

AE, I'm back down plus 200, so I hope you are back down again plus your usual loss. Check out the Central Victorian thread.

Maya, good luck for tomorrow, but I'm sure that you are not going to need luck. I know you will be thoroughly prepared and able to satisfactorily answer whatever they throw at you. Are you flying to England? As I said above, I don't know if the track I'm listening to is helping, but I am going to download the others that Jenny recommended as well. I listen as I go off to sleep, and when I wake during the night.

Thank you Lily. I rather liked the one that SMS found for us. Good to see that you have sorted out all your menfolk and can now devote yourself to you.

Jenni, I'm so pleased that I found this diet when I did -- actually, my doctor suggested it to me as she's seen what it's done for others. The maximum age is 62 and I'm nearly there, so another couple of years and I wouldn't be able to do it. I'm doing it primarily for my health, the wedding wasn't a consideration, but I am pleased that I will be looking good for the wedding photos.

Stoddy, I have finally accepted that I can't get to all the diaries every day now. I'm going to make sure I use our massage bed every day as I'm getting backaches more easily now, and that takes half an hour out of my evening. I'm going to go to the newbies and those who aren't getting many replies first, and to the ones with plenty of others posting when I can. Sorry, but I missed you last night. You're one of the popular ones with everyone else.

Possum, in addition to helping remove the toxins and fat, one of the advantages of the water is that it does help keep us full. I hope all goes well with the labour and it doesn't take any longer than her husband needs to be back in time for the birth. As I said above, I'm having my dress made for the wedding, but will be looking at materials with my future DIL very soon. I need to get moving on things as the date is fast approaching.

Have a lovely day, everyone, and a good weight loss in the morning.

AJ

[stephanatelyb]

AJ, What a fantastic outfit!! You will look gorgeous! And i cant believe how close you are wow!!

[shell]

Hi AJ,
Congrats on another 200g down- it all adds up!

That dress looks stunning, have you tried one on in a shop?
You are going to look sensational.

Maybe you need to get you back looked at?
There is a man in Donald who has magic hands-he does a lot of the AFL players and gets bus loads from Adelade visiting him he is so good.
I can definatley vouch for him, he is like a miracle worker!
If you are interested (probably a long way for you) I can PM you his phone number- he is pretty hard to get into.

Have a great relaxing day
Shell

[ConnieK..]

WOW AJ,

You will blow them away in that dress! It looks really beautiful.

Way to go with 1.1 for the week, it seems you have some downward motion going now!

What the others have said is so true ....Your son will love you anyway .... when someone asked my 14 year old how well she thought I had done my baby said "I never saw mum as fat anyway ... she was just mum" .... out of the mouths of babes LOL.

Having said that ... he will be blown away by you in that dress I am betting .....

Have a great day AJ and I hope your run continues!

Connie

[louise41]

Hi AJ
That dress is really elegant, you should look great! congrats on the 1.1kgs, you are right shouldnt be long and youll be in single digits- what a great feeling!

Louise

[Annabelle Joy]

Down another 400 gms today. That puts me down 1.5 kgs for the week. However, I usually have a bigger loss Friday, Saturday or Sunday. Last week it happened on Saturday and this week it's been today, so I've had two in the same seven day period. It may be that the HGH CD has contributed or it may be part of my usual cycle. I'll wait another week before crediting the CD. I've lost 2.5 cms off my main measurements and 4 cms of the others I measure, so quite good losses there too.

I had a very quiet day yesterday, sat in front of computers all day, one needing repair, the other I'm developing something for a client, and didn't leave the house. That's usually a help with my losses.

I am finding that I'm really deeply asleep some mornings when the radio starts up, much more so than I used to be. I do think that's from the HGH CD.

Another fairly quiet day today. I have an appointment with an eye specialist, and am taking DH in case the specialist puts drops in my eyes and I can't drive afterwards. DH needs new jeans, he's lost 5 kgs on my diet, and I'll take him to buy some. He would happily wear his old, baggy ones, or buy some from the op shop now that he's discovered how cheap clothing is there.

Thanks for calling past, Steph, shell, Connie and Louise.

Even closer now, Steph. At the moment I'm looking forward to single digits to go.

I have a miracle worker in Geelong, shell. He's a Bowan therapist, one of six who trained with Tom Bowan and the only one still practising I think. At the moment, our massage bed seems to be sorting out the problems. I can feel it working on my lower spine when I first use it, then it's okay. I might see the Bowan therapist though. He's also difficult to get to see. Usually takes only minutes to sort out a problem, and I've said to him that I think he's a miracle worker. The dress came from a magazine, so I haven't tried one on.

Certainly a good loss this week, Connie, but as I said above, it may be part of next week's as well. Yes, my son will love me whatever size I am, but if I'm nice and slim he'll also be proud of the way I look, and what I've done. I'm going to keep the dress a secret until the day, although future DIL will know the colour as I'll go shopping with her. I don't want to clash with anyone else, although I doubt that I will as her bridesmaids and her mother will probably all be wearing light colours and quite different styles.

It is a great feeling, Louise. I'm within sight of the end now.

Have a lovely day, everyone.

AJ

[enough!]

I am REALLY happy for you AJ,
You truly deserve some big losses. Heres hoping that there is more of the same to come. Wouldnt it be wonderful for you to have an easy slide to the end and finish earlier than expected. you would have people from all over Australia, actually 'the world' so excited for you, you have quite a fan club here.
Good Luck
Kate

[SOON TO BE]

Hi AJ
Congratulations on a great loss you deserve it, thanks for taking the time to post me.
Thanks and goodluck.
Tara

[lucylou]

Hi AJ

Go the hot pink for the dress, you'd look great! And congratulations on the great losses. I'm a wee bit jealous, mind you I wee all the time so that's not unusual!
I seem to have slowed down a tad, not that I'm complaining about 1 kg this week and as I mentioned in my diary I think I need time and space for my emotional states to catch up with my physical one sometimes so it's all part of the process.
I'm interested in the HGH CD, did you buy the whole thing from the website or just download the free trial?

Also a quick question re diet drinks. i usually don't have artificial sweeteners so it's not a problem but on a whim at the movies I had half a small diet coke (couldn't drink the whole thing) I have no idea if it was caffeine free or not, it was just the usual post-mix stuff. Is that a deviation? I was reading the artificial sweetener & diet drink thread a while ago and I must admit I got a bit confused!

thanks

Loulou

[shell]

Hi AJ,
It is looking good for the HGH track, especially if you tend to have more losses over the weekend!!

I listen to mine at work all morning, have it on a constant loop.
Might be working for me, considering the amount of food I have been eating, and weight staying pretty stable.
Either that or I am really relaxed about my weight and what I am eating, and that is helping also?

Have a great weekend, I am thinking of going out and practicing my drinking in "moderation" !!
Shell

[bruni]

Hi AJ..I'm trying to get in and catch up on diary's..how is your Dad going??

The dress for the wedding looks great - you will look stunning..great loss for you
also - have a great week end

Jules

[Almost Eden]

What an amazing loss AJ.

Awsome work my love. Whatever your doing keep doing in...you'll be beating down that goal weight door to re-feed in no time with those sort of losses. Huggles

AE.

[Possum]

The outfit looks so elegant. So right for the MOG. No matter what colour you choose you will look stunning. Imagine how surprised those people that only knew you pre cohen's will be............sooo envious.
Congrats on the great loss for the week.
Possum

[Stoddy]

Great loss AJ !! Your ticker just keeps on moving .. YAAAY

Lovely outfit too . that will look great at the wedding ... Are they having a colour theme .. so you don't clash ?!

[shell]

Hi AJ,
Good luck for a decent loss this morning!


Have a great day
Shell

[sundaymorningstaple]

AJ, boy are you getting close! Looks like a good possibility that you will make it by the wedding with the losses coming closer together now. May be the tape, may be the coincidence, maybe purely the psychological aspect of something new that is supposed to be good for you that is doing it. What ever it is, and I'm inclined to think it a combination of all of the above, it's definitely working.

Oh, and yes, the dress will look fantastic and it's quite elegant. (especially with the glass of bubbly, huh!?!)

[louise41]

What is it about weekends and better losses AJ. I always have my best loss on Saturday morning. Perhaps its the sleep in and relaxing (less stress) because its the weekend. i dont know but Im jsut happy it occurs. good luck with your weigh in this morning.
Louise

[Annabelle Joy]

Up 200 gms today, due I think to having too much of my fluid at the end of the day. I visited the eye specialist yesterday morning, spent 1 3/4 hours there, including waiting time at the beginning and time for drops in the eyes to work. I'm very pleased, I can read the bottom line of the chart on the wall and the card in my hand with no errors. The doctor twice told me how lucky I am to have such good vision. I am short sighted in one eye and long sighted in the other. The eyes compensate, so I effectively see using only one eye for short and one for long distance. However, I did slightly better this time than last visit, and felt I could see the letters better. I asked if it might be the effect of the diet. He was most interested in the diet, asked about what I was eating in some detail. He didn't think it would be the diet, but didn't completely discount the possibility. Afterwards we bought DH some badly needed jeans. As all this took longer than expected, I didn't have as much water as I would normally drink in the morning.

I tried clothes on this morning. I can get into size 12 clothes now, and do them up, but everything's just a bit too tight to wear. It won't be long though. I need to go through my wardrobe and get rid of all the clothes that are now too big.

I'm hoping for a quiet day at home today. I still have two outstanding computer jobs to finish. It's a lovely day here today.

Thanks for stopping by, Kate, Tara, shell, LouLou, Jules, AE, Possum, Stoddy, SMS and Louise.

Thanks, Kate, AE and Tara. Kate, it seems a lot do speed up at the end. It would be great if I did, but definitely not counting on it.

LouLou I answered in your diary. However, I thought a bit more on your situation. Your memories are stressing you. You're probably correct that going more slowly will make it easier for you to deal with the various issues as they arise. There's lots on the Internet about stress and weight loss when you are dieting. I did a search and this article was the top of the list that I came up with (ignore the heading) http://www.prevention.com/cda/articl...otional.eating Most of the articles will say much the same thing.

Shell, it seems to me that post refeed there is an adjustment needed to get to a working plan for stress free maintenance. The diet is so regimented that we are not learning the lifetime habits we will need, and those of you on maintenance are having to work them out for yourselves. Maybe there's some stress in doing that as well (see the link I put in for LouLou). You're now more comfortable and confident with what you are doing, have your life plan worked out, and suddenly it's working for you. I didn't see your good wishes in time, so the loss has been deferred to tomorrow morning.

Jules, when my dad came out of hospital we thought he would have to go into a nursing home. However, within a couple of days he was amazingly improved. Mentally he's better than I've seen him since sometime last year. He's still very frail, uses a wheelchair to get to the dining room, but hopefully won't need to go to a nursing home. The hostel staff where he is are very good. Someone collects him for meals, he's supposed to call them when he wants to go to the toilet so someone can come and assist him (he doesn't). They have a mat on the floor that monitors his movements so they can check on him. The big problem is that he really doesn't have any interest in anything, mostly just sits and stares at the wall.

Possum, there will be a lot of people at the wedding who have only met me once before, at the engagement party. I think they will be wondering who the woman with my husband is, and where I am.

Stoddy, I'm taking the bride shopping with me when I buy the material. She can direct me away from anything that might clash with anyone else that matters.

As you say, SMS, the reason for the increased losses could be anything, or nothing at all. It would be nice if they continued, but by now I'm prepared to accept whatever happens. The glass of bubbly does make a nice accessory. I think I'll have to be careful at the wedding though, get some practise beforehand standing with a glass without drinking it (not the way I usually do it). Having read some of the stories of post-Cohen drinking it seems that it affects us more quickly after the abstinence. I don't want the main topic of conversation after the wedding to be my behaviour.

Yes, less stress means better losses, Louise. See the article I referred LouLou to. Unfortunately, my big losses are seldom followed by another loss the next day.

Have a lovely, stress free day everyone.

AJ