Six Pack

Tomorrow Dietgirl turns six years old. Well, technically Dietgirl has turned six already, as it's already today in Australia, which is the wide brown land where it all began one stinky summer Monday in 2001.

It was strange reading back over the early entries the other day. Usually if I plunder the archives I feel awed by how much has changed, or I struggle to relate to my old mindset. This time round I was actually... a wee bit jealous. In 2001 I was so single-minded and determined. Losing weight was Priority One and all my mental and physical energy was poured into the enormous task at hand.

 That'd come in handy right now, I thought. It seemed so much less complicated back then.

But then I realised that in 2001 losing weight was Priority One quite simply because it my only Priority. I didn't have any competing interests. I had non-demanding job I could do in my sleep, a comfortable life in the suburbs of Canberra, no hobbies, minimal dramas and very few relationships. I'd retreated from all of my friends and was quite the hermit. And in some ways I think it needed to be like that, to allow the time and space to tackle such an overwhelming task.

In the years that followed it's been one bloody obstacle after another.  Family dramas, moving overseas, travel, work dramas, wedding and visa shenanigans, knee dramas, bah blah blah. Sure enough the lard has come off a helluva lot slower. When I'm in a bad mood I sometimes wonder if I deliberately make things harder for myself.

But then again they've not really been obstacles so much as they were just... life happening. And that's something that I didn't have when I started this blog six years ago. It was just me and my dog and a bag of chips and a block of Cadbury's. Weight loss may have been "easier" back then, but I'm glad that these days there's a lot more going on.

And now for some thrilling statistics...

• I weighed in today at 81.3 kg, meaning I lost an incredible 5.4 kilos in Year 6... that's a whopping ONE POUND PER MONTH!

(I know, I know, my jaw is still on the floor too! But at least my Xmas Blubber is coming off.)

• In the past six years of blogging I have used the word CHOCOLATE approximately 192 times.

• And the word ARSE has been used 152 times. No wonder the Minneapolis Star-Tribune warned last week that this blog contains "frank language".

• I first used the phrase "onward and downward" on 12 April 2001 and I still mutter it to myself in the mirror when feeling flabby.

And now onward and downward into Year 7 of the World's Slowest Weight Loss Adventure. Thank you all for sticking around for so long!

Next entry I will finally post my goals for the next twelve months because dudes, I am finishing the job this year. I am channeling the Determined Dietgirl of 2001 and I'm feeling mighty positive about the way things are going. 

Besides, even if I lose one measly pound a month like in 2006, I can still get there.

Comments

[1 · Posted by Marshmallow · January 14, 2007 at 09:27 PM]

I admire how you've been able to stick at it for so long, Shauna, without going mad. My Mum has just decided that she's going to lose the Christmas-NewYear-TripToSydney weight and its been two days and she's driving me nuts O_O (oh the glares when I picked up a strawberry after dinner! ARGGHHH!)

The fact that your approach has been solid, reasonable, and HUMAN (as opposed to steamroller) is really inspirational. Thank you for these six years.

Onward and Downward in 2007!

[2 · Posted by Kellie · January 14, 2007 at 09:27 PM]

Happy Anniversary DG, you RAWK!
Looking forward to another six years of your health, happiness and um, something else that starts with "h"

XX Kellie

[3 · Posted by Anne · January 14, 2007 at 09:32 PM]

Congratulations on six years! And I know you can do it this year :)Also, I am sooo laughing at their term, "frank language"!

[4 · Posted by dg · January 14, 2007 at 09:33 PM]

AH HA Marshy that's where you're wrong my pet, i actually AM insane and have been blogging from the asylum for the past three years or so... just another 10lb off and i will be able to squeeze between the bars and be FREE... freeeeeeeeee i tells ya!

[5 · Posted by lisa jane · January 14, 2007 at 10:08 PM]

You are awesome,gotto laugh at frank lanuguage :) is there any other way?

[6 · Posted by Ros · January 14, 2007 at 10:18 PM]

LOL.. happy 6 yr anniversary. :) year 7, now that has to be lucky.

Isn't it great that you don't have weight loss as such an enormous life filling to the detriment of everything else journey? I mean you have come through the time you had to concentrate on weight loss and now its just a steady onwards and downwards trend as part of your full life. A pound a month is pretty damn good- its a pound a month in the right direction.

Congrats again and look forward to hearing the posting where we celebrate your getting to goal which I expect will soon be coming around :)
R

[7 · Posted by babs · January 14, 2007 at 10:41 PM]

Congrats on six years and thanks for sharing the adventure with us!

[8 · Posted by Gina · January 14, 2007 at 11:02 PM]

You have come such a long way! :)A big congrats to you! I discovered your blog during one long self pitiful night in 2001 and I can't tell you how much your words have meant to me (the "frank language" and all ;). I can relate so much. Good luck on completing your goal this year! You can do it!

[9 · Posted by Amanda Jane · January 14, 2007 at 11:22 PM]

6 years, wow what an achievement. I wonder where I will be in 6 years from now... I am just a newbie. Congratulations on all of the hard work and the ups and downs that have brought you to this point. I am looking forward to reading about how you will get to where you want to be in this year of your life and blogging life. Wishing you all the very best, and a whole heap of support! Amanda :)

[10 · Posted by Teena in Toronto · January 15, 2007 at 12:59 AM]

Happy anniversary! So much can happen in six years.

[11 · Posted by anji · January 15, 2007 at 02:06 AM]

hahaha - arse! I love it! I use it all the time myself, I think it's a perfect word considering the alternative, I think it's a much tamer word and always makes me laugh too...

[12 · Posted by Michelle · January 15, 2007 at 05:23 AM]

Yay, I'm cheering for you! Happy Anniversary, thanks for 6 years of inspiration and hilarious writing xx

[13 · Posted by Cat (NL) · January 15, 2007 at 08:27 AM]

if you never give up you can never fail, you really are a great inspiration DG :)

[14 · Posted by alea · January 15, 2007 at 08:40 AM]

Happy anniversary!!! One of these days I'm going to read your entire blog - all six years of it. I've always wanted to do that, because your blog is definitely one of my favourites!
I have no doubt you will reach your goal in 2007, and I'm looking forward to leave one of the hundreds congratulation comments you'll get when you're there! :)

[15 · Posted by LBTEPA · January 15, 2007 at 10:19 AM]

GO DG GO!
Every time I read that first entry I get all blinky and want to give that brave, brave DG a big hug.
Anyway here's to a great 2007 and GOAL!

[16 · Posted by Debbi · January 15, 2007 at 12:25 PM]

Happy, happy, HAPPY blogaversary, Shauna. Oh, and onward and downward, too! You're a true inspiration.

[17 · Posted by andrea · January 15, 2007 at 12:47 PM]

Happy blog birthday! You go girl, don't give up on the healthy lifestyle.

[18 · Posted by Alphamare · January 15, 2007 at 01:57 PM]

yay. llok at you turning six. all growed up know. and the absolute best bit? Look how much you have achived!!! *is in total awe*

and you have kept off all the weight. it may be presumtuous of me to say this, but i am PROUD of you!

[19 · Posted by lainey · January 15, 2007 at 02:58 PM]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOLL FACE!

I so pleased to have 'found' you (Ha! I sound like a religious nut job!). You are a constant source of inspiration and have come such a long way so please don't ever stop believing in yourself.

You've got a life! A real living and breathing life, so what it there is more arse than the average one! Ha- and I'm talking the use of the word here.

As you were....

[20 · Posted by Nic · January 15, 2007 at 07:03 PM]

Happy Anniversary, DG! And I wonder how many times the word inspirational has been used in your comments. What ever the number (and I know it is many) I am going to use it again: You are INSPIRATIONAL!

Onwards to seventh heaven. :D

[21 · Posted by Jilly · January 15, 2007 at 09:25 PM]

Happy 6TH Birthday! Yey

[22 · Posted by K · January 15, 2007 at 09:31 PM]

Now you are six! Or your blog is. Hooray! (Though as far as I recall, I didn't know any "frank language" when I was six. Are you sure you're giving this blog a proper upbringing?)

"World's Slowest Weight Loss Adventure"? I often feel that about mine. Which, just like yours, gets derailed (more than occasionally) by life.

[23 · Posted by Beckie · January 15, 2007 at 09:34 PM]

HAPPY Anniversary, happy anniversary, happy anniversary. Ha- ppy anniversary!

I wanted to say THANKYOU for my card. It arrived in the snail mail and is now sitting pride of place on my fridge (loved the shoes!)

Thank you again and keep your eyes posted on your mail box.

xoxoxox

[24 · Posted by Sandra · January 15, 2007 at 10:40 PM]

Happy anniversary DG.

Found this article today and thouht it might explain your amazing gains and losses in the same day. Glycogen...

http://www.trinewbies.com/Article2.asp?ArticleID=191

[25 · Posted by Sue · January 15, 2007 at 11:04 PM]

That's the first time I've reading your starting post and, yes, I was a big sookybubba and cried while I read it.
I am in awe of you. Truly. Not just sucking up.

[26 · Posted by Linda · January 15, 2007 at 11:41 PM]

OMG - you say arse? too funny - happy anniversary and I'm sure 2007 is going to be a goodie.

[27 · Posted by jen · January 16, 2007 at 01:19 AM]

You're so close, you'll make it for sure. Happy birthday to you and PastaQueen -- two of my favorite bloggers.

[28 · Posted by Emma · January 16, 2007 at 01:22 PM]

Happy anniversary and congratulations on all your insprirational achievements so far!

[29 · Posted by Marla · January 16, 2007 at 01:28 PM]

I don't want you to lose too quickly - this way you keep writing. Happy blogiversary!

arse! arse! arse!

[30 · Posted by bee · January 16, 2007 at 01:40 PM]

wow, 6 years huh. And I was so impressed with my 1 whole year :) - you have done so well and just think, in the six years you could have gone backwards and put it all on! So believe me it is a HUGE achievement on your part. Your entire life has change young lady! - happy anniversary :)

[31 · Posted by Donna · January 16, 2007 at 03:29 PM]

I've just found your blog (linked by Clazza's F*t Fighting Blog). I find your weight loss inspiring and although I've not yet read much, your pics are amazing. Just remember how far you've come and what an inspiration you are to others when you're giving yourself a hard time over the weight loss slowing up. My goal is to lose 6 stone, I've made a 5 lb start this week and have a long, long way to go!! Cheers, Donna

[32 · Posted by Katherine · January 16, 2007 at 09:51 PM]

Congratulations! Just so you know, I have already read all your archives (hello stalkersville), and they were incredibly inspiring the first time round. Then I saw the link you posted to your first post, and I idly clicked on it, and now I am re-reading them! Kindof like rereading a good book :)

[33 · Posted by Denise · January 16, 2007 at 10:03 PM]

I can't believe that I missed your Blogiversary, so rest assured that I'm in search of the answer to the question, "What is the appropriate gift for the sixth Blogiversary?"

[34 · Posted by gem · January 16, 2007 at 10:28 PM]

The best part of blog lurking was finding out Diet Girl and what's new pussycat were one and the same so a very happy 6th!

Thanks for writing one of the best blogs I've had the pleasure of reading.

[35 · Posted by miagoddess · January 17, 2007 at 02:37 AM]

Six years! What's the appropriate gift...is it paper? silver? chocolate? :) Congratulations, Shauna, and truly you've inspired me. Onward, downward!

[36 · Posted by Nessajane · January 17, 2007 at 03:29 AM]

Happy Anniversary from me too Shauna. I'm am SOOO looking forward to you finishing this journey because I desperately want to see where this all leads you to.

Go hard or go home baby! NJ xx

[37 · Posted by Ails · January 17, 2007 at 09:59 AM]

Happy 6th birthday Dietgirl! You have so much to be proud of. I certainly don't think of your journey as the world's slowest, but definitely the world's most determined! Onwards and downwards for Year 7!

[38 · Posted by airlie · January 17, 2007 at 12:10 PM]

happy birthday babe!

i know! life sometimes gets in the way of other stuff doesn't it? weight loss takes soooooooo much time!

onwards and downward for a lot of us chicken!

[39 · Posted by sandra · January 17, 2007 at 08:15 PM]

Happy 6th anniversary.
Even if you only lost a pound a month in 2006 you've been thru so many kilos so it's doesn't really count, you're a winner anyway.
I wish you a happy 7th year to come

[40 · Posted by Louise · January 18, 2007 at 12:03 AM]

Hi Shauna, I was with you from the start and it's wonderful to see what you've accomplished. Congratulations. I wanted to ask, have you ever been back to that first WW to show them how far you've come? I know you don't get back to Oz that often, but they might find it very rewarding.

[41 · Posted by Sue Schultz · January 18, 2007 at 12:06 AM]

Hi Diet Girl,
It is because of you that I decided to start blogging my struggles with losing weight. I have now lost 94 pounds with 153 more to go. We can do this. We really can do this. I have such faith and determination!
Keep up the good work and I will too.
Hugs Sue

[42 · Posted by Brooke · January 18, 2007 at 01:11 AM]

Hi Shauna,

Now, I hope this doesn't come across as too stalkerish...*grin*... but I recently discovered you via Beckie and Phil and made it my mission to read back through your entire archives before I posted a comment. I'm up to May 2005, I think. Over about four days. Yep, your assumption that I don't have a life would be correct. LOL.

Anyway, I wanted to wait to catch up to the present day before commenting, but I'm afraid that might not happen before I get a chance to wish you a happy anniversary. So happy six years, DG :o) I really have been blown away by your honesty, sincerity and sheer guts and determination. I've cried, I've laughed, I've made my partner VERY suspicious about whose blog I am reading (LOL)... and I've been truly touched by your story.

So thank you for sharing it. Here's to your seventh year... I hope it's your best ever!

xoxo

[43 · Posted by Ganesha · January 19, 2007 at 02:50 AM]

I dont want this to be a plug for my thing, just wanted to comment that im going to be attempting to lose weight myself while i host a Podcast about Biggest Loser. I was hoping you could provide insight into whether doing this blog has helped motivate you? Would love to hear back from you, seeya.

[44 · Posted by FB · January 19, 2007 at 11:32 AM]

Happy Birthday! I enjoy reading you and look for another 6 years on the road to wellness and beyond!

[45 · Posted by Catherine · January 19, 2007 at 11:38 PM]

Wow - happy birthday! Love reading your blog.

[46 · Posted by Tully · January 21, 2007 at 06:39 AM]

Congratulations Diet Girl. If I could do half of what you have done in 6 years I would be very happy. You should be very proud of yourself, not just for the weight you have lost, but because you have inspired so many other people to make a positive change in their lives. :-)

[47 · Posted by Erin · January 21, 2007 at 03:19 PM]

In six years, you've managed to lose a ginormous amount of weight and not rollercoaster back up...that's what's so impressive to me, especially that you've managed to write so cogently about it in the process.

Strange how many Fativersaries occurred on January 15th. The first time I lost a significant amount of weight I started on that day in 2002.

[48 · Posted by Hilly · January 22, 2007 at 12:28 AM]

Longtime reader, first time commenter...congrats on the six years of blogging and for finding more of yourself to love (hrm, actually less!).

[49 · Posted by Roni · January 22, 2007 at 04:15 AM]

WOW that 6 years and I just found you! I must have been living under a ROCK! Congrats and thanks a lot, now I'll be up all night reading your archives! ;)

[50 · Posted by crankybee · January 22, 2007 at 06:39 AM]

It feels like 6 years since you've posted! What's going on young lady!?

[51 · Posted by Fiona · January 22, 2007 at 09:37 AM]

hi Shauna, I too just stumbled across your blog and have read the ENTIRE archives this past week. (my gf was suspicious as well! hah.) I think it's brilliant and wonder why you don't just publish your blog as your book? :) Anyway you're incredibly inspirational and have given me hope- as I am sort of at the beginning of my weight loss journey (again!). I'll be reading your blog regularly from now on. Good luck in the New Year!

~Fiona

[52 · Posted by runningslow · January 23, 2007 at 05:47 PM]

I just found your website this week. I have started at the beginning and am working my way to present. It will probably take me a while but I just have to say how impressed and inspired I am by your journey! Rock on girl!