Hello to all of you on JC in Australia and NZ.
I'm an Aussie living in the US. I started on JC two weeks ago - I have about 40kgs to lose - YIKES.
Anyway, I'm going to persevere. I miss Down Under and this site will help me connect with my own.
Good luck to you all and spare a kind thought for the US in these trying times.
LA Aussie

Jane, great to have another friendly face here. We're of the minority as you can see! Hopefully with a little persuasion a few more from "downunder" will attempt this program - and c'mon in here and "chat" occasionally!
anyway, you won't be hearing from me for about 7 days - I'm off on holiday with darling hubby. Got to shake off "mono" and will stay on track.
I initially have 20 kg to lose - I'm almost at 10kg and then, well - another 20kg would be just grand!
So, look forward to hearing from ya

Hi Jane,
Welcome to our small AusNZ section. We will try to give you (and eachother) as much encouragement as possible.
It's not just a weight loss, but an entire attitude adjustment. 40kgs WILL come off, but you will find that you will gain much more. I have gained, so far, a sense of achievement, a sense of self-worth and a sense of control over my life.
I'll never forget the first time my counsellor (Sal) got me to go to the beach... I used to go the beach a few times a week and sit and watch all the Beach Babes with their beautiful figures. I would resolve to be like them one day. Then, Sal said to me that my goal for the week was to go on the beach too. I shuddered.... "Me? But I've only lost half of my weight!" She said, "You are beautiful Lynda, and you have to start seeing that". The next day I gulped and went on the beach. That day I left behind my self-consciousness about my weight. I am losing weight, I am feeling good, and I now see myself as being beautiful just the way I am. I still want to lose the rest of the weight and become a true 'beach babe', but I have now found my 'ego' which had left me long ago.
My point was... 40kgs to LOSE.. An 'ego' to GAIN...
I hope that was encouraging. I am amazed at how many emotional obstacles I had put up for myself to stop me losing weight and keep me feeling a failure. My 'Sal' has been knocking those barriers down (to my 'terror') and helping me to realize the slim person inside of me. It is truly an emotional and internal journey for me. One of growth, maturity and many lessons about myself along the way.
Welcome. :-)
Lynda

Good to see there are still a couple of us who share the same views - re encouraging our small group of Ozkis or whatever we can call ourselves!
I am doing this 20 kg at a time - although the long term goal of course is 40kgs. Since it just seemed too far to aim initially I have been realistic and have said to the JC counsellor here that I want to firstly lose 20kgs. Am off to a good start. I had to come off JC for about a month because of this glandular fever in my system - but the doctor has given me the thumbs up to continue - even tho the virus is still in my system.
So, as of Monday next week - I'm back to being strict on the program. And, I will be strict with myself. I have it in my head to focus - and be damn well selfish if I have to - I am inspired by everyone here - there's some very good answers in these posts and I'm taking it all in and working on it all the time. A great place to be.
At 45 years of age I want a healthier body - I would be much happier with the 20kgs gone (and then another 20kg) - but, for now, I want healthy and I want rid of this "mono".
Go easy gals - and I'll keep you posted and I hope you'll do the same. There's gotta be more of us out there!
I am going to give this website to my counsellor and ask that she also forward this on to future kiwi gals so they too can benefit from suggestions and just generally making friends with people in the same "boat"!!! (bit of a joke there and only you Aussies will know what I mean)!!

Woohoo - more Aussies. I live in LA and have done JC before. I just started again after medication made me put on 50 lbs!!! gasp! The first time I did JC, I lost a lot of weight and got down to 135 lbs, which for a 5'7" woman is pretty good. I have been on it again for 3 weeks and lost 10lbs already, so I am thrilled. I have a lot of size 6 and 8 clothes in my closet and I want to wear them now!!
40kgs is a lot to lose, but with JC you can do it. I hae 40 lbs to go and I know I will get there. You just have to think about the overall health benefits and how super you will look and your motivation will last. Goo dluck to everyone.
It's funny, but there are a lot of Australians and NZ-ers living in LA, but it's nice to have our small community on this board.

to Jane 1551
Howdy! I am a Yank, but in 1999 I was in Oz and found the food there fab, with few low and nonfat alternatives. Consequently I had a few kilos to drop. There seemed to be few low and nonfat alternatives to eat in Q'land and who can resist Devonshire tea, pav etc. I found the JC food to be different- not as many choices, larger dinners, but fewer desserts. I lost a few kilos, then came back to the US. I am now on JC again. I seem to need to drop a few every couple of years. Good luck.
Chris