Good afternoon everyone

Finally got a chance to sit for a bit in front of my computer and get this down.  Those of you who have been reading my blog will know my family has had a few bumps and bruises this week, but things seem to be on the up. I hope they stay that way.

Regarding MOTH: as of today, all the cards are in place regarding getting him better and there's not much more we can do but wait for the doctors to get their crap together. We are still waiting to see if his affliction settles on it's own and yes, while it seems to be a little better, it does look like an operation for him is on the cards. But no, it won't be anytime soon by the looks of it.

So this means I'm definitely a go for next Friday. I'm getting banded and now there's no stopping me. I woke up this morning with an excited feeling in my stomach. I lay there for a second wondering what it was all about, and then realised now we have things settled (at least in my mind) I am looking forward to next week again. Nothing like a serious upheaval to mess up the head and make you spin out of control. 

I thought I would post my weight loss so far, just so those considering optifast or struggling with it, can see that it really works - if you apply yourself and stick with it. I think I will definitely keep up the program even when banded, at least for a time. While I'm looking forward to eating again - and let's face it, nobody could live on opti permanently, it's fantastic while it lasts. I think I will will do one meal replacement with it. At least until I'm thoroughly sick of it - or just forget about it because I can actually eat!! lol. 

So, before I started optifast... on the day I visited Dr Couch and was weighed, I was 113.3 kg's on his scales. I calibrated mine to his so we are the same, so now I will go off mine. 

5/5........113.3 kg

8/5........109.7  (Pretty sure this is all water weight)

12/5......108.3 (I got stuck here for a few days)

15/5......108.2 

18/5.......107.2

19/5.......106.5

20/5.......106.8  (There's that pesky gain of 300 grams after my hospital kiosk debacle)

21/5.......106.5  (Lost it again the next day by jumping right back on that bandwagon)

23/5.......105.7

Grand total lost so far: 7.6 kilos!! Whoo.. and that is a great feeling. This morning I was standing talking to my husband. I was a bit chilly so I started doing up the buttons on my pink cardigan I was wearing. It wasn't till I did the last one up that I suddenly took stock. OMFG!! ALL the buttons did up. A few weeks ago I tried to do the same thing.. and while they DID button up, they had that nasty pull leaving a gap we all know so well when something doesn't actually fit too well. I was amazed and happy. And so was MOTH. He was grinning and gave me the biggest hug. He's proud of me. What a great feeling.

This optifast thing is catching on in my household. My oldest son (the brat with the tatt lol) has been on it also. He has about 6 kilos to lose, and although he's tall enough to carry the weight, he knows he needs to blow it off... and so far after four days is down four kilos... What's with men losing SO much faster than women... pfft... and now as of today MOTH has also started it. We will be a super fit family!

Just a quick footnote. I'm still off the cigarettes (this occurred to me as I'm writing yet another novel here that I haven't actually mentioned them again since I told you I had stopped.)  Even with all the stress of the past week I haven't used them as my crutch (as I did in the past) and I haven't gone to the shop to satisfy my food craving either. My inner strength (MOTH's words: he said this to me this morning) is shining through. It's been a while since I have used it... and I'm loving it!! 

See you soon 

Cara xxxx

P.S You know, I'm curious as to who is reading my blog :) I have had over a thousand hits since I started over a month ago and I'm sure they're not all from Australia. Just drop me a comment to let me know where you are reading from. I would be tickled pink. Thanks xx