There were five girls on this trip - Lauren, Lisa, Sam, Alicia and I. Alicia and I decided to give our savings accounts a workout on the way down via Harbour Town. Now this was my first real shopping trip since starting this whole journey, and I was TERRIFIED. It had the chance to go very well, or very, very badly. Spoiler alert: it was awesome. One of my favourite brands (Veronika Maine), I went down a size in my dress. Given that the one I really really liked was only in a size 16, I bought it anyway to have it taken in. I know I know, seems pointless, but when the original price is $280 and you get it for $67, having it altered is still a saving. Back off. Ladies - you totally know what I'm talking about. I was riding on a huuuge high and fortunately for Alicia, I didn't spend my entire week's pay in two hours. Thank Christ for Alicia, otherwise the remainder of Byron I would have to beg for my food... which isn't that much different to what I'm doing now anyway.
When we arrived in Bryon, we met the girls and headed off to the pub. For anyone who knows the Beach Hotel in Byron, you know how great this bar is. Wicked view, huge space and plenty of sun drenched seats. What I forgot about Byron was how ridiculously hot everyone is. How could I forget that?! So the girls were off to get their wine and here I was with my soda and lime. It sucked and I was so pissed off that I couldn't just have a drink. However when the girls were onto the third bottle of wine, I was feeling less and less like a drink. Playing catch up had often bitten me in the arse before so I definitely wasn't going to tempt it this time. And given how unbelievably attractive everyone was in the venue (including my own ladies) the appeal of the calories wore off eventually. Next time I was back in this place, I was going to look like these people God dammit!
The conversation eventually turned into devices used to make a man clean your floors on his hands and knees, the coloured handkerchief code and corn dogging (all things you're welcome to look up in your own time!) much to the disgust of the older people near us. In our defence, it was hilarious and educational.. I will certainly think through wearing the colour brown in future, that's for sure. Then it became time to get ready for the night's festivities! Here we all were, showered and getting ready.. the girls are in their skimpy underwear, looking sexy as hell, and then here I was in my full body shape wear, looking like I was wearing a full length bandage. NOT SEXY AT ALL. But I would die without that bad boy - it saves me in dresses I couldn't otherwise wear. So I dealt with the fact that even if I was single, getting with a guy was basically impossible and proceeded to get dressed. I won't lie, I was happy with the end result. Dress looked good, hair looked good, make up looked good. I mean I wish I could pull off the clothes my friends were wearing (short, tight, hot), but no one in that pub had consumed anywhere near enough alcohol to handle that sight. Nowhere even near close enough.
I still didn't drink. Even on the persistence of Lisa who held a drink up to my mouth every 30 seconds, I did not give in. I couldn't believe it! It was SO HARD. I really didn't expect this to be this hard. All I wanted to do was jump the bar and skull every bit of wine in sight, but I wasn't going to do that - 1) because I was in a dress and if that bad boy went up, it would set off a chain of violent vomiting for all other patrons, and 2) because not even superman could propel 93kg high enough to clear that bar, and I certainly wasn't about to give it a good ol' crack.
I had made it clear to my friends that Sunday morning I was doing the Byron Lighthouse walk. It was general consensus that I was doing it on my own which suited me perfectly because I could (not so) silently die along the way and no one I knew would be aware of just how unfit I am. Riiiiight before bed the night before though, at 1am, I had changed my mind. I didn't want to do it anymore, and went to bed with the intention of not doing the walk. When I got up at 7:15am though, I had changed my mind again. Yes, I am a Libra and I am completely indecisive. So I got dressed and was on my way. After leaving the room I had realised that I forgot my runners, however at the risk of Alicia murdering me for making any more noise (I wasn't exactly quiet getting ready), I committed to the walk in thongs. I have walked numerous times before in thongs and this was just going to be another tally to add to the list. So be it.
Cruising to the walk in my car, I parked and began the journey. Within about 50m of walking, I was puffed. It was barely even a hill! I soldiered on whilst noticing that there were two different classes of people there with me - the serious athletes who probably run the entire walk, up and back, then have four raw eggs and then completes a triathlon, and the Byron women (very similar to the Ascot women).. coffee in hand, Lorna Jane head to toe, pushing a pram with a full face of make up on. No discredit to these women at all, hell - they were here and doing it! Good on them. But the other factor I was very aware of was that I was the youngest person here. By about 20 years. I imagined everyone else my age was probably either recovering from the night before or were on their boards ready for the morning surf. I tried surfing once and epically failed, so I'll stick to my land based sports for now thank you.
I eventually got up to the lighthouse, ready for the downwards decent. I was tired and emotional already, so it wasn't a great start, but the view was incredible. I remembered that that exact moment exactly why I loved Byron all of this time. The cruise down was easy, greeting everyone along the way while they stared at my thong-dressed feet with utter confusion. I didn't have the time to explain my situation to everyone, so I settled for a simply smile and continued on my merry little way. To anyone who knows what I'm like with directions, you'll think this is hilarious - I got lost. Well not lost exactly, but went the wrong way and found myself on a beach. It was then another 76 stairs back to where the track I was meant to follow was. SEVENTY-SIX. It was torture. I got about half way and then started to consider if I could walk the rest of the stairs on my hands somehow.
I eventually made it to the headland which is where I took a celebratory photo and posted onto Facebook - now no one could tell me I didn't do it! Then it was the ascent back up to the top. I thought I was going to vomit, and being overtaken by a 60+ aged couple who weren't puffed in the slightest, it's a lot more embarrassing than you imagine. Even more so when you've had to stop and take a breather, sweaty and red whilst not quite being able to breath. I was breathing in so hard I think I may have even stolen the oxygen they were trying to breathe! Alas I survived the walk back to the car and felt pretty bloody impressed with myself. Here I was looking like a disgusting mess, but a disgusting mess who had just achieved two things - not drinking all weekend and completing the Byron Lighthouse walk. I saw both things through and although my food may not have been perfect on the trip, I was feeling awesome about myself. Hurrah! Good luck raining on my parade today ;) Starting weight: 101.6kg
Current weight: 94.2kg
Total weight lost: 7.4kg
PS: Here's a sneak peek at an updated photo of me. All honest opinions welcome!
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