Hi,
I had my first appointment yesterday and signed up on the spot. I weighed in at 123.4kg and only signed on for the 10kg for $10 program at this stage.
My story is very likely to be similar to others, in that I've tried pretty much everything, and I have had success, but only for as long as I was prepared and organised - and it can be a huge effort! I have found that as soon as numbers/points/weight comes into the equation, I get *OBSESSED* and it's unpleasant for all concerned.
I had a talk with my honey, and proposed a 3 month trial. My main objective is to live 3 months (or 10 weeks more accurately) without food running my life.
The weight loss is a given. That will happen. I just want to be free to think about other things!
So that's my story.. there aren't too many Aussies on this board yet, hopefully that will change. I'm in Canberra.
I picked up my food yesterday, and will start on Monday. My honey and I are in a routine where we shop Sunday night, so I want to fit in with that - so my first weigh in will be next monday.
I was also impressed that the consultant was a bit creative - for example - toast is a trigger food for me. I just love the smell of it and want to EAT IT! I find it hard to stop.. so when I saw all the toast that was for breakky, I said, well I won't be able to eat that. It's easier for me to just not have it. She went through a few suggestions and then we ended up decided that instead of toast for breakky, I could either make a peanut butter sandwich to take into work, or have some cracker w/light cream cheese later in the morning. So I was happy that they were able to be flexible for me. I would've walked away on the spot if they weren't able to do it.
Anyway.. sorry for the "War and Peace" essay.. hope to see round the forums

Hey there! Just wanted to say welcome to the boards!
Good luck on your first week!
Siren

Thanks Siren!

It's just before dinner on day 2 and I am absolutely loving it. it feels like i'm on holiday! no cooking, no decisions (apart from avoiding the office lolly jar) it's quite liberating.
so far food is quite good - i have enjoyed everything although at first glance i think.. that'll never be enough! but like i said.. so far so good!
how are you finding your journey?

I'm doing really well, thanks! I like most of the food (with the exception of the soups..blech - but I'm not a soup person anyway)and the not having to think "what's for tea" is pretty great too...lol
I still wind up cooking for 5 but mine is already sorted for me.
Last night the brood had pizza...but I stuck to the Macaroni & cheese.
My loss has been pretty steady, I seem to have a .5 kilo loss each week so no complaints there.
Glad you like it so far, keep it up!!
Siren

I had the minestrone yesterday and know what you mean. Infact, it was the first day of my TOM and with being so unsatisfied after the soup ( i had it for lunch so i could look forward to the pizza all round for dinner) i was really craving. Had avoided the work lolly jar ALL week, but had some tim tams yesterday. It's not the end of the world by any stretch.. but i'm annoyed because the other days were so easy cos the food was good.. but that soup just messed with my chi!
Good on you for cooking for the rest of your family. I don't know how you do it. WOnder woman!

Arghhhhhhhhh Tim Tams.... the bane of my weigh loss. How I love you little melty, chocolate pieces of pure joy....
Can't blame you there. I make a point of substituting the soups in every menu now. Firstly, they aren't really satisfying and secondly, definately not as nice as some of the other meals. I think that the spinach and ricotta wrap can be substituted for the Thai pumpkin or mushroom and I can't remember what I used for the minestroni... have to ask your consultant about that one.
Don't worry about slipping, it happens. Best thing to do is jump right back into the program. If you start changing the soups for something more satisfying, I'm sure you'll be fine.
Don't have a choice about cooking tea for the fam... rather deal with that than 4 whinging kids AND a hubby..LOL
Take care and good luck this week!
Siren

I forgot to mention in my other reply that I lost 1.4kg in my first week, even with my tim tam blowout. So that's pretty cool, but I'm really not doing it for the scales. I just want a mental holiday from thinking about food. And so far so good.
I also asked to substitute all soups to keep me on track. :P

Heeeeeeeey!! Good onya!!
I know what you mean by the "mental rest" I get so tired of trying to come up with new and exciting things to cook for tea.
Now, because I don't eat it, it seems easier, I just cook whatever and they eat it! LOL
Siren

Hi, I hope that you dont mind my popping in here, or should I say popping in from another country. I was reading your posts and it sounds like you have some different foods in Australia - that is cool. The spinach and ricotta wrap sounds yummy - we dont have that on our plans in America.
Also, can I ask another question (my curiousity) you mention that you cook tea for your family - is that the same as an afternoon snack? Again, I hope that you dont mind my asking. Thank you.

I'm popping in here also. My 21-year-old daughters just got back from a semester in Melbourne. Eating different foods these days I notice. They go back to San Diego State in a month. Lot's of "heaps" and "reckons" and "yips". Especially the yips!! They were in Melbourne, Sidney, New Zealand and Fiji. So, they are having double winters .. since "you all" are going into summer now that we are going into winter. It's fun reading your messages after getting e-mails from Kathy and Jessie "down under" for five months!

Hey Golfer,
"Tea" means dinner here. They are interchangable. So when I say I'm cooking tea for my family, I mean the evening meal. Although... if I were to make afternoon tea for hubby's cricket team, I would mean an afternoon snack. LOL
I can imagine the change in vocabulary in your girls Chardonney! I bet "no worries" crops up a lot as does "hey" at the end of sentences. "You'll/she'll be right" seems to get picked up rather quickly as well.
Don't worry it won't be long before they are standing in lines again (instead of queues) sleeping under comforters (instead of "doonas") and using ketchup on thier fries (instead of tomato sauce on thier chips) or sweet chili and sour cream on thier wedges! LOL
Siren

SirenWA - thank you for the explaination - that is interesting. My son was asked to be a junior ambassador to attend a 3 week program representing the USA. He is not going since he was already signed up for overnight camp at the same time. He would have been going to Australia and touring 4 different locations. The program sounded really neat. You have a beautiful country.
We looked into going there for our honeymoon when we got marreid, but then my husband explained to me that I couldn't possibly see everything that I wanted to see in two weeks. Perhaps when my kids are older we will visit there.
Ok, so I have to ask. Have you always lived in Australia? I ask because of how you explained the meanings of the saying to Chardonney.

LOL Nope! I move to Australia 2 years ago when I married an Aussie. I'm actually Canadian. Born and raised in Montreal. That's why I can pick out all the differences (and know which ones come faster than others!)
My vocabulary has completely changed since moving here. I suppose that is because I'm married to an Aussie, have 2 aussie step-kids and work with aussies all day long! My kids have definately changed as well. They sound just like thier mates at schools now.
Siren