Aussiegirl

Looks like we have all had a positive day
Lissa, definitely let us know when you are in Sydney, July or August I will be around.
Well til the 23 rd of August, as then I will be in hospital, finishing off this journey getting my Tummy Tuck and arm lift. Excited and apprehensive at the same time. The surgeon I saw today I LOVED!!! And will probably end up being a couple of grand cheaper as well. But I feel very confident in her, her approach was the complete opposite to the last doctor I saw. Best thing was she felt all my muscles in my stomach and said she thought it was unlikely I would need the muscle tightening part of the surgery. Looks like the hours of crunches have paid off lol. Apparently this is the most painful part.

Looks like we have all had a positive day
Lissa, definitely let us know when you are in Sydney, July or August I will be around.
Well til the 23 rd of August, as then I will be in hospital, finishing off this journey getting my Tummy Tuck and arm lift. Excited and apprehensive at the same time. The surgeon I saw today I LOVED!!! And will probably end up being a couple of grand cheaper as well. But I feel very confident in her, her approach was the complete opposite to the last doctor I saw. Best thing was she felt all my muscles in my stomach and said she thought it was unlikely I would need the muscle tightening part of the surgery. Looks like the hours of crunches have paid off lol. Apparently this is the most painful part.

Exactly my thoughts.....summer 2013/2014.....here I come. Someone even said to me, now you can wear a bikini....errr not ready for that yet I don't think lol.
Look out summer 2013/2014 here we come

Looks like we have all had a positive day
Lissa, definitely let us know when you are in Sydney, July or August I will be around.
Well til the 23 rd of August, as then I will be in hospital, finishing off this journey getting my Tummy Tuck and arm lift. Excited and apprehensive at the same time. The surgeon I saw today I LOVED!!! And will probably end up being a couple of grand cheaper as well. But I feel very confident in her, her approach was the complete opposite to the last doctor I saw. Best thing was she felt all my muscles in my stomach and said she thought it was unlikely I would need the muscle tightening part of the surgery. Looks like the hours of crunches have paid off lol. Apparently this is the most painful part.

Looks like we have all had a positive day
Lissa, definitely let us know when you are in Sydney, July or August I will be around.
Well til the 23 rd of August, as then I will be in hospital, finishing off this journey getting my Tummy Tuck and arm lift. Excited and apprehensive at the same time. The surgeon I saw today I LOVED!!! And will probably end up being a couple of grand cheaper as well. But I feel very confident in her, her approach was the complete opposite to the last doctor I saw. Best thing was she felt all my muscles in my stomach and said she thought it was unlikely I would need the muscle tightening part of the surgery. Looks like the hours of crunches have paid off lol. Apparently this is the most painful part.

Yesterday I went to a Vinnies (op shop) in a posh Sydney suburb and purchased 2 v stylish pairs of black pants and 2 tops - all in "as new" condition and a size down from anything I own - for a grand total of $20. Wearing one of each today I felt like a million bucks... still got a long way to go but having lost 15% of my starting weight (the half way mark for me) I feel like I'm walking on air! Woo hoo!

That's what I keep telling myself!!

Shelley Shelley, whose a hottie The compliments can get a bit too much, the main thing is that you are proud of yourself....
Sue, so good to meet you!! It has been a long time coming.
Lissa, anytime you are down in Sydney drop us a line, would love to hang out with you and all your funky clothes
Misty, still going strong, you are rocking this.
Brendan, wont be long now!!!
Tashk - welcome aboard so to speak. Yes the opti phase is hard, probably the hardest part in my opinion but just put it in your mind that it is part of the process and the ends justifies the means. It really is a headspace thing.
My doctor also scared me by saying he would not do the surgery if my liver hadn't shrunk enough...awesome motivation to keep going.
You guys may share my amusement of this, after years of trying to win competitions for nights out, tonight I won a $250 dinner for 2 at a fancy restaurant through work...how do I eat that much food? lol

Shelley Shelley, whose a hottie The compliments can get a bit too much, the main thing is that you are proud of yourself....
Sue, so good to meet you!! It has been a long time coming.
Lissa, anytime you are down in Sydney drop us a line, would love to hang out with you and all your funky clothes
Misty, still going strong, you are rocking this.
Brendan, wont be long now!!!
Tashk - welcome aboard so to speak. Yes the opti phase is hard, probably the hardest part in my opinion but just put it in your mind that it is part of the process and the ends justifies the means. It really is a headspace thing.
My doctor also scared me by saying he would not do the surgery if my liver hadn't shrunk enough...awesome motivation to keep going.
You guys may share my amusement of this, after years of trying to win competitions for nights out, tonight I won a $250 dinner for 2 at a fancy restaurant through work...how do I eat that much food? lol

Shelley Shelley, whose a hottie The compliments can get a bit too much, the main thing is that you are proud of yourself....
Sue, so good to meet you!! It has been a long time coming.
Lissa, anytime you are down in Sydney drop us a line, would love to hang out with you and all your funky clothes
Misty, still going strong, you are rocking this.
Brendan, wont be long now!!!
Tashk - welcome aboard so to speak. Yes the opti phase is hard, probably the hardest part in my opinion but just put it in your mind that it is part of the process and the ends justifies the means. It really is a headspace thing.
My doctor also scared me by saying he would not do the surgery if my liver hadn't shrunk enough...awesome motivation to keep going.
You guys may share my amusement of this, after years of trying to win competitions for nights out, tonight I won a $250 dinner for 2 at a fancy restaurant through work...how do I eat that much food? lol

Shelly- OMFG you look incredible!! Well done you! You look brilliant and given your gorgeous smile I am assuming you feel good too!!
Aussiegirl - I am hoping to be in Sydney in July or August for work so will let you know would dearly love to meet you guys in person! Same for you Brissy folk- I will be there in early October so would love to catch up with you all!!
Currently in Newcastle for work and lucky me, my meeting ended early so I am at DJ's shopping at the half yearly sales already hit Metallicus and have two cute new dresses!! Love being able to shop for cute things
Hope you're all well! Cheers Liss

Shelley Shelley, whose a hottie The compliments can get a bit too much, the main thing is that you are proud of yourself....
Sue, so good to meet you!! It has been a long time coming.
Lissa, anytime you are down in Sydney drop us a line, would love to hang out with you and all your funky clothes
Misty, still going strong, you are rocking this.
Brendan, wont be long now!!!
Tashk - welcome aboard so to speak. Yes the opti phase is hard, probably the hardest part in my opinion but just put it in your mind that it is part of the process and the ends justifies the means. It really is a headspace thing.
My doctor also scared me by saying he would not do the surgery if my liver hadn't shrunk enough...awesome motivation to keep going.
You guys may share my amusement of this, after years of trying to win competitions for nights out, tonight I won a $250 dinner for 2 at a fancy restaurant through work...how do I eat that much food? lol

Shelley Shelley, whose a hottie The compliments can get a bit too much, the main thing is that you are proud of yourself....
Sue, so good to meet you!! It has been a long time coming.
Lissa, anytime you are down in Sydney drop us a line, would love to hang out with you and all your funky clothes
Misty, still going strong, you are rocking this.
Brendan, wont be long now!!!
Tashk - welcome aboard so to speak. Yes the opti phase is hard, probably the hardest part in my opinion but just put it in your mind that it is part of the process and the ends justifies the means. It really is a headspace thing.
My doctor also scared me by saying he would not do the surgery if my liver hadn't shrunk enough...awesome motivation to keep going.
You guys may share my amusement of this, after years of trying to win competitions for nights out, tonight I won a $250 dinner for 2 at a fancy restaurant through work...how do I eat that much food? lol

Shelley Shelley, whose a hottie The compliments can get a bit too much, the main thing is that you are proud of yourself....
Sue, so good to meet you!! It has been a long time coming.
Lissa, anytime you are down in Sydney drop us a line, would love to hang out with you and all your funky clothes
Misty, still going strong, you are rocking this.
Brendan, wont be long now!!!
Tashk - welcome aboard so to speak. Yes the opti phase is hard, probably the hardest part in my opinion but just put it in your mind that it is part of the process and the ends justifies the means. It really is a headspace thing.
My doctor also scared me by saying he would not do the surgery if my liver hadn't shrunk enough...awesome motivation to keep going.
You guys may share my amusement of this, after years of trying to win competitions for nights out, tonight I won a $250 dinner for 2 at a fancy restaurant through work...how do I eat that much food? lol

Shelley Shelley, whose a hottie The compliments can get a bit too much, the main thing is that you are proud of yourself....
Sue, so good to meet you!! It has been a long time coming.
Lissa, anytime you are down in Sydney drop us a line, would love to hang out with you and all your funky clothes
Misty, still going strong, you are rocking this.
Brendan, wont be long now!!!
Tashk - welcome aboard so to speak. Yes the opti phase is hard, probably the hardest part in my opinion but just put it in your mind that it is part of the process and the ends justifies the means. It really is a headspace thing.
My doctor also scared me by saying he would not do the surgery if my liver hadn't shrunk enough...awesome motivation to keep going.
You guys may share my amusement of this, after years of trying to win competitions for nights out, tonight I won a $250 dinner for 2 at a fancy restaurant through work...how do I eat that much food? lol

Shelley Shelley, whose a hottie The compliments can get a bit too much, the main thing is that you are proud of yourself....
Sue, so good to meet you!! It has been a long time coming.
Lissa, anytime you are down in Sydney drop us a line, would love to hang out with you and all your funky clothes
Misty, still going strong, you are rocking this.
Brendan, wont be long now!!!
Tashk - welcome aboard so to speak. Yes the opti phase is hard, probably the hardest part in my opinion but just put it in your mind that it is part of the process and the ends justifies the means. It really is a headspace thing.
My doctor also scared me by saying he would not do the surgery if my liver hadn't shrunk enough...awesome motivation to keep going.
You guys may share my amusement of this, after years of trying to win competitions for nights out, tonight I won a $250 dinner for 2 at a fancy restaurant through work...how do I eat that much food? lol

Shelley Shelley, whose a hottie The compliments can get a bit too much, the main thing is that you are proud of yourself....
Sue, so good to meet you!! It has been a long time coming.
Lissa, anytime you are down in Sydney drop us a line, would love to hang out with you and all your funky clothes
Misty, still going strong, you are rocking this.
Brendan, wont be long now!!!
Tashk - welcome aboard so to speak. Yes the opti phase is hard, probably the hardest part in my opinion but just put it in your mind that it is part of the process and the ends justifies the means. It really is a headspace thing.
My doctor also scared me by saying he would not do the surgery if my liver hadn't shrunk enough...awesome motivation to keep going.
You guys may share my amusement of this, after years of trying to win competitions for nights out, tonight I won a $250 dinner for 2 at a fancy restaurant through work...how do I eat that much food? lol

Smoke------ing!

Good luck! I hope all of the tests are fine and that you react well to your modified diet. I know that when I did the Optifast program with the Wesley last year, they had an Optifast option or a non-Optifast option which was only very lean meat and non-starchy vegetables, and under 1000 calories a day. I chose to do the Optifast but apparently the other program works too. It would probably shrink your liver too. You would just have to take a Multivitamin. So if this doesn't work for you then maybe you can go to your doctor with that suggestion. The two weeks will fly by!
I started using a cup with a straw and I can get my Water in so much better! I drank two 16-ounce cups of just Water yesterday! Plus my coffee. I know that's not enough but it's loads better than I was doing before. It is 3:30 today and I have just finished my first 16-ounce cup. It is the plastic double-walled ones that look like a soft drink cup, but are permanent. It even has a hard plastic straw.

Morning all.
Reminder Sydneysiders, catch up from 6.30 tonight at Darling Harbour, Margaritaville. Send me or Sue a message and we can give you deets.
In regards to hair, I lost a lot, from about 3.5 months to about 9 months. It has grown back and is now at my ears length. At the moment it looks I have a mullet at the moment.
I didn't take anything for it and have still dyed it but went back to my natural colour to help deal with it and keep it consistent.

I love this forum..
The emotional side of the transformation is the hardest.
I saw a girl I have been working with for 10 years for the first time in a year (she has been on maternity leave) and she was actually in tears seeing me. She has seen the pictures on Facebook and the like but hadnt actually seen me.
I dont think I ever really had any concept of how big I was, until I see pictures. Same as now I dont see how small I have become.
My journey has been well document, one of my friends even made a video/documentary of the changes. Everyone seems to find me inspirational. I struggle to feel that about myself. I felt like it was a necessity for my life, I wanted to be happier.
While I struggle to understand the skinny me, the fat me hoped that being skinny would solve all my problems. I struggle with that, as it doesnt. I am the same person just in a more socially acceptable body. I used my weight to hide who I was, it was my excuse cause I was scared to let people see the real me.
Now I dont have that shield around me and it is hard to letpeople see me, the real me.
I thought it would be easier to attract the opposite sex, seriously I thought I would be in a relationship by now, but nope, it is probably easier to have a random hook up but to find someone real just aint that easy apparently no matter what size you are...Letting someone love me is the last step in my journey...