Goannabanda

What a shock - I hadn't heard the news, stuck at work all day. I feel bad for poking fun at him in another thread now. How awful for his very young family. Although not a great fan of the image he portrays, the kids and tourists loved him, and he was a great environmental ambassador of the people. he did more to communicate environmental messages to the masses than most politicians or other activists ever could - and as an environmetnal professional, I am appreciative of that. I hope that the media circus focus on the positive things he achieved in his life, and less on the larrikin / yob Aussie image or controversial moments in his career.

Gee - what terrible news. Feel bad now for poking fun of him. Hope we didn't put a hex on any of the other Aussies we made fun of.

Sorry about the Minogue sisters, Daddo brothers, Home & Away, Neighbours etc. We joke that our TV will explode if we leave H&A or Neigh-bores onfor more than the opening theme song. hehehehe. Sorry also for being so smug about Aust. I know we're not as perfect as I like to think, but I truly love where I live. I respect others for feeling the same way about wherever in the world it is that they live. Dawg - I'll have an Aussie beer in your honour next w'end!

Cool! Your surgeon almost made your port scar go away by hiding it with your new BB (which is well healed now too). Does that mean that after your large weight loss, that the port scar has moved away from the port area? that is, it has no relation to the location where the port is stitched? I am ignorant. And curious.

I know I am off topic, but sorry - this is a bit of fun. Stop reading if you want to stay on topic. From Dawg: You must be drinking export Fosters - that's Americanised Aussie beer - not typical of the local brew at all. You can blame Paul Hogan (the Croccodile Dundee guy) for the shrimp on the barbie thing. We call them prawns, not shrimp. Yabbies are disgusting version of prawns that live in the river mud - and taste like it too, no matter how long you flush them out - blech! Most Aussies I know wouldn't waste a perfectly good prawn by BBQing it. Boil in some Water, serve with lettuce and 1000 island dressing & lemon, and an ice cold VB. Just lovely. Thanks. Don't worry - he's lived in England for about the last zillion years, so you're safe from him here. and from Jachut: No argument here - cringe - he's worse than Crocodile Dundee. Steve Irwin is a scary Aussie guy playing up to the tourists, although he is passionate about our natural environment, so credit where due at least for that. But he's still scary. We must be more liberal than you Americans, we don't get freaked out if someone has a "wardrobe malfunction" on national TV, or if we see a few white pointers (bare b**bies) or beached whales (bare b*ms that is - not overweight people!) down at the beach! Heck, even our national kids show (Play School) featured a story recently where the little girl had TWO mummies... ...although I must admit, THAT little effort from Aunty (our nickname for ABC TV - the public TV channel) had a few people's knickers in a twist! And finally, from libra: Come and live in Melbourne - we have a great climate (where else would you get four seasons - in ONE DAY???). We are also the cultural and cosmopolitan centre of Australia. We are also the HOME of THE ASHES, AUSSIE RULES (now, THAT's football!) and THE MELBOURNE CUP. Melbournians are a lot more multicultural and relaxed than many other Aussie capitals / major cities. We have the best food culture in the country, thanks to our multicultural and creative heritage. Our bayside city is a lot more elegant and refined than the brashness of Sydney with its harbour & icons, or the Gold Coast with its baubles and tinsel. Sorry I could wax lyrical about Melbourne for hours - I am a biased of course - but I just don't think that any other Aussie capital matches up. To us, Crocodile Dundee is an American movie. Not fair dinkum or true blue at all. If you like movies and want to see some really great Aussie humour, try and find these titles. They are all set in Melbourne, apart from Muriel's Wedding, which was set in the Sunshine Coast (near Gold Coast) and All Aussie Adventures (set in the outback). Muriel's Wedding Russel Coight's All Aussie Adventures (TV series) Malcolm Death in Brunswick CrackerJack (partly filmed near where I live) Kenny (current new release) He Died With a Felafel in His Hand Kath & Kim (TV series, filmed locally to where Jachut & I live) Find an Aussie to watch them with if you can, so you can have the jokes explained... ...and who knows, you might laugh so hard you forget to snack, get a great cardio workout and maybe even lose some weight, all while watching TV! Which is after all, what we're all here for, isn't it?!!?!!? Cheers!

Variation on HarleyNana's veggies: Slice any fresh mixed veggies (mushroom, eggplant, capsicum, thin sliced potato, onion are a great combo) and toss in olive oil and herbs a la HarleyNana. Then just cook straight on the BBQ hotplate - mmmm - they get the lovely grill taste as well as the herbs - it's like they've been dressed with a BBQ sauce. Push aside the eggplant skins if they get stuck.

Sandybells - you mum's story is really sad, and frightening. Thanks for pointing out the extreme and dangerous health issues that bulimia gives rise to - in addition to the obesity. Bulimia and its issues is a whole other story to the secret eating issues outlined in this thread. Does bulimia have an aspect of secret eating to it, as well as the secret purging? I am ignorant. Sorry. It may be worth starting a new thread about bulimia so that you can get some insight and support specifically related to that eating disorder. There's bound to be many others around here who can provide insight to your mum's problems and support you. I am sorry, but personally I don't have any support to offer with respect to Bulimia, as I don't know anyone (that I am aware of, that is) who suffers. I hope that you find people, either in this thread or another, who can uplift you and your mother. Hugs to you.

All the best TrishS - I'll be looking out for your post when you return from surgery. Hope band is healthy and in place, and no more complications for you.

We don't have too many drive-thrus over here in Oz, mostly just the standard fast foods on every other street corner. I remembered today that apart from Cookies, chips, read etc, I used to sneak lots of little bits of "staples" from the pantry too, that I forgot about - Peanut Butter, nutella, hundreds and thousands, drinking chocolate, condensed milk, even drank topping right out of the bottle. Several times I've eaten the whole chocolate drive box that was sent home. One of the worst was when I was about 18, I ended up eating TWO whole boxes of chocolate bars over about two weeks - cost me 80 bucks for those 40 bars of crappy chocolate!!! Should have spent it on Lindt Lindor Balls and enjoyed it more instead!

Way to go Diva! Two celebrations in one day! Enjoy!

BBQ / OVEN FISH Make a double thickness foil parcel to hold a whole fish. Fill the cavity, and over & under the fish with washed stalks of parsely and dill (I use about 4 to 6 of each, more if a large fish), 1 thinly sliced lemon (skin on) and 1 thinly sliced onion (rings). Close foil tightly. Cook gently on BBQ grill, or in oven until done. Discard trimmings. Enjoy steamed fish with whatever salad or vegetables you like. Works great with trevally, snapper, roughy, butterfish etc. Also works well with fillets of firm textured fish - salmon, blue grenadier, swordfish etc. RISSOLES Mix about 500g - 1kg (1 to 2 lb) good quality low-fat beef mince with one packet French Onion Soup powder (the kind that makes up 1 litre (4 serves) of soup - not individual cuppa soups). Shape into rissoles / small patties about 1/4 cup each. Chill 30 mins before cooking. OPTIONAL: Add any or all of the following: a splash of Worsestershire sauce, tomato sauce, garlic, minced parsely, 1 egg, 1 minced onion and some breadcrumbs (enough to restore texture if egg & onion are added). I used to always add these things - but now don't usually bother - the plain burgers are yummy enough.

I'd often rather listen to the telly while I do other things, than sit and watch it, so the things I do might not suit you, but they might prompt you with other ideas. Early in the evening I often do chores - laundry / dishes / tidying up / paperwork etc. Added bonus of extra calories burned by moving around / standing. I also like to use the time to organise the family schedule - menu ideas, shopping / gift lists etc. I use ideas found from www.flylady.com for getting organised. I am not really fanatical about this or anything, just like to have a general idea what I have to get done on my days off so I don't miss things etc. If I am not too tired, I like to do jigsaws or work on my scrapbooks. If it's been a hard day, I like to catch up on the the weekend papers, junk mail etc. Lately, I've been plugged into eBay and LBT. I can see the screen if I turn to the left. hahaha We are setting up a spare room as a fitness centre to use during some of our TV time. (aka torture cell! LOL!). Hope these ideas help!

OMG! I hope that I didn't kill this thread by adding too many quotes in my last post. I feel like I among friends here. I just called by to see how all my fellow brave secret eaters are going today... ...anyone???

Congratulations!! I'll be tuned into your advice & progress - I hope that I will be in your position by mid-next year. Fingers crossed that all goes well for you.

I was surprised at how many people were there - about 30 or more. It took me a while to get into it - as I was feeling a bit shy. Anyhow, met up with tolmc and tarajane - an unexpected treat to meet them. I can honestly say that this was the first weight loss group I've EVER been to that served FOOD!!! This LGB culture sure is DIFFERENT to ANY other weight loss support / culture I've EVER experienced. Since talking with Liz last weekend, I have felt amazingly calm and in control. More free - like a huge mental burden has been lifted off. I am getting very excited about surgery - counting the days to Oct 5th. Doing okay with 2 Optifast meals per day. Decided not to do the third one until last 2 weeks. Some local gals didn't do it at all (or cheated - completely), so I don't feel so bad after all. Still need to make more of an effort to sit in the sun!

I was surprised at how many people were there - about 30 or more. It took me a while to get into it - as I was feeling a bit shy. Anyhow, met up with tolmc and tarajane - an unexpected treat to meet them. I can honestly say that this was the first weight loss group I've EVER been to that served FOOD!!! This LGB culture sure is DIFFERENT to ANY other weight loss support / culture I've EVER experienced. Since talking with Liz last weekend, I have felt amazingly calm and in control. More free - like a huge mental burden has been lifted off. I am getting very excited about surgery - counting the days to Oct 5th. Doing okay with 2 Optifast meals per day. Decided not to do the third one until last 2 weeks. Some local gals didn't do it at all (or cheated - completely), so I don't feel so bad after all. Still need to make more of an effort to sit in the sun!

Now, I don't recall ever eating bread & sugar (for me it was jam & cream on bread whenever we had leftover cream - mmm!), but I have been known to raid the odd pantry or two whilst babysitting! Plenty of other things have also struck a chord with me - sorry to quote so much in one message! mbprn - that little girl was me too. Oh the memories! The memories!! BJean - I wish I could come over and hug you, and I think you would love the counsellor I saw. It was only a one-off session, but I can go back and see her again in future if I need to. Keep looking for someone who understands and to whom you can open up to. It may be a friend, relative or professional. Just hang in there. It may be that LBT is your best support resource for you right now. Of COURSE we know that we deserve to be healthy, beautiful, and to have an appropriate sense of well being. I guess we all know that as a fact, but knowing it as a way of life or reality is another thing all together - I realise now that I have always had a hard time accepting that I deserve these things as much as the "pretty girls" do. MOM - Mine too. God bless these wonderful men of ours. How did we get so lucky? MOM you are so eloquent. ME TOO!!!

:bump: Bumping for any more Aussies out there who want to come along. It's shaping up as a family-friendly affair - bring partners kids etc. The more the merrier.:biggrin1: :hungry: :biggrin1: I'm going to the Bandsters meeting at The Valley tonight - I'll see if anyone there wants to join LBT / our lunch. Maybe see some of you there later???

I have benefited so much from LBT, and gained (even in the short time I've been around here) so much knowledge, confidence, friends, and courage to help me move ahead with banding and weight loss. Until just now (when I read the thread of questions) about moderators), I thought that LBT was owned by a company or group of doctors involved in banding. I had no idea that a real, individual person - alex - paid for this wonderful place. Thank you so much alex - you have given me the world in such a small time in the benefits I have gained from hanging out here. Until just now, I also thought the moderators were reimbursed for their time here keeping us all on track. (I'm new to forum boards as a whole). Thanks to the moderating team for your time and effort, and for your wisdom also. I just hope that I behave well enough to continue hanging out here, and that I can help in the same ways as I have been helped as I continue on my journey with the band.

My general doctor hasn't been as supportive as I would like, although he was the one that gave me the surgical referral I needed. He jsut says people complicate weight loss. I don't think he wants to get too involved. He wouldn't support my application to see the psychologist and dietician as part of my pre-op - he didn't think it necessary, even though the surgeon's office require it for all of their patients. I am going back to a doctor i used to see a few years back, whihc will involve more travel -but at least I know I'll have an understanding (and hopefully band-savvy) GP. My advice is to move on - find a new counsellor if you feel you need one, or else take charge and move ahead solo (with LBT as back-up - we're always here for you!). You sound ready to move on from your current counsellor anyway - if it wasn't the band being an issue - it sounds like you may find within a few more months you'll be ready for a change anyway. Good luck!

***it looks dead.. ..better be carefull.. ..just a couple more steps and you're past... cautiously tries to sidle past the sleeping thread, trips, falls flat on face, right in front of oncoming CHEESE TRAIN!!! Nup - it's still kickin' On the subject of mamograms - the squishing and PULLING that those of us with "little girls" experience during the process is surely more uncomfortable that just the squishing of "bigger girls". I had my first mamo at 16 (thanks to a lump that grew after a friend punched one of my girls) - the poor babies had barely grown yet - yeowch!! Scared 'em so much they stopped growing right then & there. ROFLMFAO! Personally, I think that pap tests are worse - and we all know that they are more embarasing than painfull. I also think that having blood pressure tested is far more uncomfortable than either a mamo or pap (yes, I am a whimp over the little things). Have the tests people, have the tests.

...and further to Jachut, further Water restrictions were announced for Melbourne in today's news. The will probably come into effect at the end of the week. This will restrict us to only watering on alternate days, and probably ban car washing etc. This is in addition to restrictions already in place, like compulsory trigger fittings on all hoses, only watering at night with a tap timer, no grass to be watered at any time, buckets or high-pressure wash only for cars, permits requried to fill pools, spas and fountains etc. We really do live in a wide, brown land at the moment! (see poem). My Country by Dorothea Mackellar (1885 - 1968) http://www.imagesaustralia.com/mycountry.htm

Well done to all of you for juggling study with your already too-full lives. When I was at uni, I was a hopeless last minute crammer. But one of my friends used to do 1 hour revision every night - where she made up summary notes etc. She did this right from the very first day of class, and always had High Distinctions and the very best marks. Maybe if I had copied her tactics I'd remember more of what it is I'm supposed to be doing now... Good luck, and enjoy!

Hiya Funnies, You don't know me, but I missed your witty insights and "Dr Feelgood" type inputs to the sex questions! While you were away, I finally worked out why you are the conductor of the soup train. hahahahaha you're a Funny Duddy!!! (***rolls eyes and groans at own stupid joke***) That diet was one of my list of shame (on a diet list thread somewhere...) - I think I tried it in 1984, and again in about 1995 or something like that... Great work on the weight loss while you've been away - you'll hit your Christmas Goal in no time. Cheers, Anna. PS The cheese eaters over on "Thread Killers" could do with your help...

Some more suggestions: I like to copy my journal and store it on my hard disk in MS Word or Publisher files. Currently you can copy and paste text from each entry, but this is a pain if you have lots in your journal to export at once. An export feature for journals pages so that the whole journal can be copied out of LBT would be useful. It would need to be a secure feature so that only the account owner can export their own personal journal pages. It would also need to include relevant time & date stamps for each journal entry etc. A forum area for long-term bandits would be great encouragement for all of us - eg. that has sticky threads for "One Year Out", "Two Years Out", "Lifer's Lifestyle", "Plastic Surgery 5 years on" etc etc