We leave Melbourne tomorrow and I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown.

Since my last post much has happened…

1. I caught up with some buddies from my old weight-loss program (12WBT for those in the know) for drinkies and dinner here in Melbourne. I’d met Lindsay and Nikki before, but it was the first time I’d met Jacqui. A fabulous night was had by all and much champagne was imbibed. (Well, the champagne bit may have just been me!)

2. After getting an offer I couldn’t refuse (no strong-arming involved, I swear!), I was able to attend a group training session here in Melbourne on Saturday morning with the much-adored ‘Coach Rell’. Again, I’d ‘met’ Narelle via Twitter as well as a number of other current and former 12WBTers, so meeting in the flesh (in a manner of speaking) was v.exciting. A big hello to Rell (Nikki and Jacqui again) and the old Twitter gang: Em, Jo and Bec, as well our other fellow victims participants. (Joking – in fact, the session was entirely within my comfort zone – boxing and some (tabata) interval type sets. And, I think(!) the only time I complained was during the warm-up run!)

3. Thanks to fellow-trainee Jo I made it back into the city and to my hotel in time for a quick shower before heading off to watch my niece in her beauty pageant – the whole reason the extended family is in Melbourne. She did wonderfully well (if I do say so myself) and scored a heap of prizes, including ‘Queen’ of her age group (the total spoils included 5 trophies and tiaras, plus some sashes and a big stuffed animal. My even-less-tolerant-than-I brother is stoked at having to lug that back to Brisbane on the plane!)

4. Finally we’ve come to our last full day here in Melbourne. I gather some more shopping is on the agenda (my niece being seduced by the clothes on offer and forgoing her planned zoo visit!). I suspect I’ll join the ‘fam’ for breakfast but may venture out on my own in a last ditch effort to procure some boots and laptop case. (I’ve realised I need to be targeted in my shopping missions!)

And as Sunday dawns, I’m just back from another gym session – and pleased with my three (out of four) days of exercise while here. I’m just hoping that the exercise and literal street-walking does something to combat my recent less-than-healthy eating habits. “At least you’ll have something to confess to your therapist,” my mother told me (being a Pollyanna kind of woman!).

Last but not least… this little blog has been nominated in a Sydney Writers’ Centre Best Blog competition. The comp has a range of sections including a People’s Choice award. Diet Schmiet along with a mere 1000+ other Aussie blogs is in the running (so how could I not win, quite frankly?!!). Actually… I suspect my chances of winning are as likely as my weight reaching double digits anytime soon; but I’d appreciate your vote if you have the time (and inclination). You just need to click on the little button on the right hand column. 

Apologies to my usual readers, for my slightly-off-topic posts during my foray south of the border. Things will be back to normal in a day or two!