Thursday, December 9, 2010

Back to Reality

....reality if you can call 3 feet of snow in a few short days real for early December! WOW.....London, Ontario, near where I live (and where I work) actually received at least that much snow since Monday......

Finally back in the office today now that things have slowed down.

Back on track with my food after my vacation......

More later!

Monday, November 15, 2010

A new week....and continuation

Repeat, do it again, keep on going, don't stop now, don't throw in the towel........you kind of get it, eh? Well, I have been working out at home, sometimes at the gym, making sure I'm doing something 5-6 days per week. I've been careful about what I'm eating (though too many carbs are part of my diet again) - even though I'm on WW and I'm tracking, I'm not losing weight...well, I'm losing a bit, then it stops, or slows down to a dribble.......f*r*u*s*t*r*a*t*i*n*g!

I know what's got me in a funk...work is just absolutely well, ridiculous.

Tony and I are going to Cuba in less than two weeks......I week away from the computer is just what I need....away from my blackberry....away from "inquiring minds who just want to know ...well something that I know."

I need to relax......and am still struggling on how one actually does that.

My battle....one day at a time.......I will get there....nice and slowly.

Monday, November 8, 2010

I Feel GOOOOD!

Five days of not eating anything that is bad for me.....drinking more water and feeling in control! I feel GOOD!

More later....

Thursday, November 4, 2010

23 days until vacation!

So, can I lose, oh 8 inches and 20 lbs in 23 days? Not likely short of an amputation......

Can I stay in control and do what I need to do to be as trim as I can be - yes......

and that's my focus.


Gym tonight at 5......tracking, tracking, tracking in the meantime.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

The Six Week Countdown - and My Plan of Attack

Let's go! Exactly six weeks from today is my partner's 50th birthday. He and I will be celebrating his birthday on our favourite beach in Cuba. What he doesn't know yet is that I plan on having a special dinner booked! What you may not know about me is that I am actually 26 days older than he is....my 50th is in, less than 3 weeks.

So this morning, I was watching a mindless show on TV while I was drinking my coffee - "Bulging Bridges." Interesting thing about that show....the brides had six weeks to get into their wedding dresses......me I have six weeks to look better in my bathing suits!

The past 10 days have been about surviving lots of stress at work without turning to food. It's been about planning on a minimum of 20 minutes per day of activity....MINIMUM. What I really need is 50+ minutes six days a week. Starting today, that is what I am going to do. I did well on Thursday - went back to the gym after work. Will do that again at least twice this week. Hey, at home, I have an elliptical trainer, treadmill, exercise bands, stability balls (2), bosu ball, handweights, several DVDs, Shape Magazines in a pile........so I have no excuses. There's also the great outdoors......I could go really crazy and ride my horse!

My home scale said lovely things to me this morning. 164.....I didn't believe it at first, so got back on a few more times....so let's say 165. A few short months/weeks ago, it was saying 178.....so am I excited - oh yeahhhhh! But I refuse to get complacent about it.....I'm going to build on it. Some of you may know that I've recommitted to WW....and I go to meetings at work. Unfortunately this past Tuesday, I had a meeting over lunchtime so didn't actually get to a meeting.........I will still be using my WW WI as my real weight, but it's definitely incredibly encouraging to see the home scale take a dive!

When I finish this post, I am going to put my exercise clothes on, throw a movie into the DVD player (we actually went out and rented movies yesterday - a first in I don't know how long), and go to town. I won't do too much.....cuz I don't want to not be able to walk tomorrow, but I know my limits and will push them. Elliptical, treadmill, yoga mat on the floor for ab work, a few weights thrown in, and some lunges and squats - that should definitely be a good way to ramp it up.

So, friends, watch out.......the six-week countdown is ON!

Happy Sunday!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Week 2, days 1 and 2

Had an AWESOME workout at the gym last night - 50 minutes of cardio - big sweaty mess - that's good, right!

I committed, I went, I came out feeling accomplished.........

Day 2, today. I'm not working late today, will be taking my pooch for a long walk when I get home......detoxing my mind from this work week, planning things for the weekend (although I am working part of tomorrow), and most importantly, thinking through menu options, workout choices and timing and rolling them all out.

Have an awesome day! I know I will.....

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Days 3-7 and Week 2, Day 1

So, didn't get to my WI on Tuesday. BUT, this time didn't use it as an excuse to derail my eating, my exercising or anything.

No formal exercising at all since Thursday last week, but have done TONS of walking (40-60 minutes per day) and am going to the gym tonight for another cardio session.

I SHOULD be going to Toronto this weekend to visit a bunch of friends who are flying in from everywhere....it's only two hours away, but I just don't think I can walk away from the kids, the house and work.....might even be at my office for hours this weekend as well...so......one more month of not putting myself first - but that is getting better. I AM going to go to the gym, and will ramp my workouts up in the next few days.

I have an elliptical, treadmill, bosu ball, stability ball, exercise bands, hand weights......even Pilates workout cards, several videos - basically, I have it all at home. NEED to put them front and centre in my life and actually use them again on the days when I can't get to the gym.

Stay tuned.....I promised measurements (which I forgot at home again).....

...and my sweetheart has acknowledged that although I'm not back at 162 which is where I was last Christmas (and it's our agree-to start point on a challenge we were running), I'm getting close! He's noticed that my body is changing again! My home scale said 166 last night, after dinner, fully clothed. I'm making progress, I'm not obsessing about it, I'm feeling less bloated, and stronger........and nicely, I'm feeling energized and focused again!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Day 1 & Day 2

Forgot to take my measurements last night, but I formally am putting it out there, yesterday was day 1 of me getting my @ss back in shape.........program - continuous, never-ending, focused, "just-do-it"..... you get the picture.

It's been 30 days since I'd been to the gym - yikes! Still, managed 50 minutes of cardio - felt stronger than the last time I was there, so I pushed harder, broke a nice sweat, and this morning feel so much better for it.

So today, I'll work out when I get home....NO EXCUSES! That will make it day 2

Will post measurements (which I'll take later today) sometime in the next few days....and then again on my 50th birthday!

Have an awesome day!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Wedding, Thanksgiving.....and SUCCESS!

Being accountable......planning to move physicall, planning to eat sensibly, and drinking enough to keep you going, that's what it's all about.

My sister's wedding was this weekend! Beautiful wedding and beautiful weather!

Long story for another time.

WI at WW at Work today has me down 1.8 over last week and I'm THRILLED!

Syl....I'm still with you....may not be shredding, but the minimum 20 per day is a charm!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

It's Saturday!

Harvest is officially OVER!
Year-end is officially OVER (well, still have "stuff" to finish, but the pressure is now officially off!)

My sis' wedding is next weekend - finally found a dress yesterday and shoes and jewelry, so I'm set!

Off to paint my daughter's room today....well, to finish it. I'm on a paint-the-house-a-thon this fall....one room down, one started, one to go then front and back stairwells to paint, then kitchen reno, then, oh....well, you get the picture. Nice thing is we're trashing each room as we go and purging as much stuff as possible. Storage or share with someone else......either way - outta my house!

WW - going well.
Activity - going very well.

Life is good!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Questioning why I'm even trying....

....boy, when you're sick and tired.....it's amazing how your mind can slip into pitty-party mode, isn't it?

Harvest is almost finished - phew. Things will slowly get back to "normal" by the end of October as things wind down for yet another season.

It's year-end so lots of book work to be finished......

Work is insanely busy......

and last but not least, my sister's wedding is Thanksgiving weekend. I cannot find a dress anywhere to wear to this event......likely I will wear my "lbd" that I bought this time last year for a friend's wedding......and new shoes of course...need to go find a good pair of new shoes and likely new earrings and a bracelet and I'll be set.

I haven't lost anywhere near the weight I wanted to lose before her wedding because I'm just too blastedly busy to focus on planning meals and preparing meals properly.

On the flip side of that, I have managed to lose about six lbs since the end of June, so all is not lost, it's just not what I wanted it to be.....

....almost thought of dropping out of WW meetings.....giving up my on-line membership and throwing in the towel......

What I am going to do instead is do the best I can with what I have to work with:

Acknowledging: 1. I have a bad cold and I'm working long hours. Likely trying to get to the gym is not going to happen, so I will PLAN on getting back to the gym as originally planned on October 12th with NO EXCUSES.
2. I have my sister's wedding to assist with and some pre-wedding events to cater for so I'm going to focus my energy into this and let the rest just go.
3. I will continue tracking my food intake......

October 12th....watch out......!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Syl......you are a TRUE inspiration! Thank you

....and quick cut & paste & personalization of a truly inspiring and FACTUAL account of why she and I do not accomplish what we set out to do in the first place (lose that last 15+lbs):

..."it finally hit me that I need to be real and stop fooling myself. I am the reason my scale is not moving, because I am sabotaging myself into believing that it's okay.

So here's my plan for October:

1. 30 day Shred or visit to the gym six days per week.

2. Go to my WW meetings each and every week and stay for the meeting.

3. Walk (and learn to run) a minimum of 10km a week - this can be spread out over a few days.

4. Limit myself to only healthy, preplanned snacks.....zero points ones if at all possible.

AMEN.............thanks Syl!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Fit.....

....if these sore muscles are any indication, I'm making a dent in the "fit" portion of my plan.....GRIN!

....which of course makes me feel fabulous (or will once my glutes stop reminding me of my workouts!)

.....which couldn't possibly lead me closer to my 50th birthday now, could it?


Had an awesome week - two weeks back tracking and feeling in control. Very conscious of moving my body...whether at the gym, on the farm, or at work.......FOCUS and IN CONTROL!


Next.....progress - how's fitting into fall pants I couldn't possibly have done up the waistband on two weeks ago - yup, progress is being made as well!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

I did it!

Wend to the gym last night - survived 55 minute cardio workout - barely!

Feel good today - a bit sore, but nothing I can't live with.

Farm chores tonight - back at the gym tomorrow night after work

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Update! This week's WI

....so go figure WW works if you work the plan!

-2 whole entire pounds at WI today!

Yipppppeeeeee!

Tuesday!

WI and gym after work

Execution of the plan underway.......stay tuned

Monday, September 13, 2010

FINALLY! Corn Season is OVER!

Can you hear how super excited that made me? More like super exhausted......

So, today is my day (or should I say evening) off anything I SHOULD be doing and I'm only going to do stuff I WANT to do.

Likely, I'll be bonding with my horse - cleaning out her stall and run, which means LOTS of very hard work!

Tomorrow morning, the plan unfolds:

Tuesday & Thursday
- 6am - 30-day Shred
- 4pm - Gym - yes, me, back at the gym!

Wednesday & Friday
- 6am - 30-day Shred
- Noon - aquafit at the rec centre

This weekend will be adventures in finding my gardens from amongst the weeds, bartending two weddings, and chillaxin'!

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Corn Season Ending Soon!

Oooooh, thank goodness!

Sunday will be our last day with our corn stands for this season. I'm absolutely exhausted, so is my partner. His stress will continue for a bit longer as harvest continues another 2-3 weeks, but we can finally see the end!

Work is nuts, as always, and that's fine. I work in academia, it's September - go figure, it's busy.

I tracked most of the past week....and my WI yesterday at my WW meeting saw me down .6 again. Not stellar, but considering all aspects of what's going on, I'm quite happy with this.

For the next few weeks, I'll be getting back on the regular-scheduled exercising bandwagon.

Monday morning next week will be my first Shred in absolutely AGES.
Tuesday and Thursday after work, I'm going to go back to the gym.
Wednesday and Friday at lunchtime, I'm going to go back to my aquafit class on campus.

My horse will get more attention and I will be getting back on her to ride sometime very soon.

Life will be back to normal.....soooooon!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Success and focus

I have had three successfully action-packed, tracking (a little low on water) days so far.....today will most definitively be day 4 and I will be on track and stay there!

Day 1 of the Shred sometime today, just not sure when yet (my cleaning lady is here right now, so not likely until she leaves....more likely this evening).

Can't wait for the hot steamy weather to blow out of town so I can actually FEEL like looking for reasons for sweating!

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

September 1st - New Beginnings.....

.....my oldest daughter turns 20 today! WOW....seriously seems like yesterday.

Day 1 today of Syl's 60-day challenge (well she and I are doing 60 days of it).

Today is day 3 of tracking religiously on WW.

Restart weight was at my WW WI yesterday - 174.2 (down .6 from last week).

Water is something I need to pay more attention to.

Shred day 1 will be tomorrow morning for me and I already have my 20 minutes of activity planned into my day - corn stand after work for an hour or more will cover that off with no planning required!

Syl - best of luck with your new job today!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Accountability matters!

So my best friend in the whole world came to visit last weekend - we ate well, but we at LOTS.

Accountability - didn't track, knew I had blown it, but I did focus on fresh clean foods (and there might have been some alcohol involved at some point).

Went to my WW meeting on Tuesday, even though I knew my Wi would be a disaster - +1.6. Okay, so I'm here, I'm writing about it, and I'm back on track and resisting the urge to go buy some nasty thing at Tim Horton's. Maybe just a coffee.......

So, I'm here, I'm posting about it, and I'm putting it behind me and am back on track.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Monday, Monday

So many things to be done, so little time to do them - living and working on a farm, while working full-time off the farm, while having 3 teenagers and trying to have a life all at the same time will do that to you!

All about me - C25K - yes, I keep mentioning that, don't I? Well, my best friend in the whole world came from Montreal for the weekend so I didn't quite get to that - but I did get caught up on a few things around the house (she's awesome company while I declutter!). I got caught up on some bookwork for the farm as well. I got a chance to chat up a storm and generally get caught up on a few things and I feel, well, better.

C25K - right, back at that. Either tonight, or more likely tomorrow morning, first thing. I have decided what kind of stretching (dynamic AND static) I will do before/after. Then shower, then hot tub.....that should help keep my not-so-close friend Art(hritis) under control.

Then Jillian - the woman I LOVE to hate. Back at my time with her on September 1st. 30 days Shred.....a few times per week.

Monday - Saturdays will include C25K and Shredding.....and generally getting my @ss back into some sort of reasonable shape.

Things to motivate/look forward to:

1. First and foremost is a HUGE secret that I can't share with any of you yet. I will when the time is right - I've waited sooooooooo long for this.........stay tuned.
2. My first 5k will be on October 3rd with my friends Leanne and Stacey in London...OMG, I'm actually going to do this?!
3. My sister's wedding on October 9th.
4. My SECOND, yes, SECOND 5k on October 23rd...decided to trade in my tower climbing for a running excursion instead....again with Leanne, Mouseroo, Tara, and I hope PRM and a few other lovely ladies in Toronto.
5. My 50th birthday in November - WOW! What better motivation than to start the second half of my life on the right track! Taking care of MOI!

Seriously, have begun tracking my food and activity again on WW on-line. Will continue this. Have also decided to post on my blog more often with my accomplishments! AND.....back to writing in my journal, taking my measurements, and writing down my feelings.....

STAY TUNED.......this woman is a work in progress................

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

WW Meeting Today

I'm feeling on top of the world - -.4 this week at WI, which means 3 solid losses in a row (-1.6, -1, -.4)....and I feel IN CONTROL for once in ages.

Continuation of this feeling has lead me to great success in the past, and will lead me there again this time. WW leader and I sat down and we've established a -1 goal for the next six weeks.....which will mean 167.2 by September 28th - I say I can do better....and am aiming for -10 or 163.2!

Anyone care to kick my backside if I need it? Line starts here............

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

C25K anyone?

My friend Leanne, a fellow WW follower, CN Tower Climber, and GDTer........has started a group on FB - C25K.....been there done that, right? Failed twice.

This time, my body is feeling stronger so I'm committing to doing it - we start Saturday, August 14th.........and if I can manage to get past the fist few weeks, I've promised to run the CIBC Run for the Cure with her on October 3rd.

YIKES! Excited, scared and PUMPED!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Monday!

Goood morning! Today is a brand new day....a brand new week....and brand new opportunities.

Harvest started last week ... and they are back at it again this week for five straight days. My partner gets out of bed around 5:30 because they go out and pick two or three trailers of sweet corn for our corn stands before hitting the tobacco field, so I though - why not me? (I say that a lot, don't I?). So, though I'm still not feeling 100% physically, I did manage to crawl out of bed at 6:15 and did more than an hour's worth of yard work (mostly watering and moving hoses all over the place). We're in the middle of what seems like a draught - some storms have passed our way, but we have had zero rain at home, so all of my gardens are suffering.

So tomorrow's plan: get up at 5:30 with DSO and hit the elliptical.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Why not!?

WOW, I come back from vacation and back to blogging regularly at lunchtime at work and find that Ms Bitchcakes has transformed herself into this radiant woman who is very proud of herself! She reached GOAL! Her smile is radiating....intoxicating.....and I want some of that to rub on me.

So I thought....why NOT me too? Seriously. Other than laziness, and business, there's no reason I can't find my own success as well.

I started a course of anti-biotics last night, so as soon as my energy level is back again - I too will put exercise first on my list of priorities and execute.

There's no reason not to get up earlier each morning and get a workout in. I will be going back to the gym after corn season is over, but WHY NOT work out at home now? I have the tools.....I have the knowledge.....heck I even have two "at home" workouts that my former trainer, Susan, made out for me. So WHY NOT?

No more - I'll do it tomorrow.....no more - I'll do it later.

Taking back control, putting things in order will lead me to where I need to be.



I did go back to WW meetings yesterday - 174.6 - which is down 2.8 since June 22nd. Nothing to sneeze at....I'll take it!

I'm back to tracking on WW on-line again and will stick with it.

Hope you're all having an awesome summer! I am

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Corn Season has Begun!

Sorry folks, I'm not blogging because I'm on vacation - okay, I'm not at the office, but I'm working on the farm instead which is nuts.

Great news comes from hard physical work - I've lost 4 lbs this past week!

I'll be back next week with updates!

Friday, July 9, 2010

FOCUS - HOCUS POCUS!

Need to put my head down and plan and execute:

1. Here at work today so I can take my 3 weeks off and not "worry" about anything around here.

2. At home:
a) finish my gardens tomorrow!
b) get my house cleaned - OMG where did my house go? It's a disaster, honest!
c) get my body clutter/mind clutter organized and shelved.....and start putting me first.

I know what I need to do.....I need to EXECUTE!

Tomorrow will be the first day of my vacation - I'm getting up EARLY and going to do Day 1 of the Nike+ learn to run program. It's only 15 minutes of walking! That will be my formal exercise for the day......then off to muck out the horse barn, move a stack of hay, muck out the horse run, and dig up another ton of weeds in "the beast!" That will keep me honest!

Sunday: Day 2 of the Nike+ learn to run program

Monday: Day 3, etc..................

I will be a success.....just watch me!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Quiet Week This Week

This week, I'll likely not be posting much, if at all......back to work for one last kick at the can so to speak.....next vacation starts 3:30pm on Friday....and can't come soon enough!

Friday, July 2, 2010

Finally! Garden Photos for your Viewing Pleasure

Now, remember....I've been working really hard on these.....and I have 4.5 acres of lawn and gardens, so lots of them aren't quite finished yet! But I'm getting there!


This is a new garden under the cedars along the edge of the yard looking out over a soybean field.

More hostas under the lilac trees


Another view from under the cedars:

One of my favourites!


The biggest hosta ever - Sum & Substance (I forgot to put sunscreen on this puppy!)



This is part of the garden I refer to as "the Beast!" It's about 60' long and is just chock full of weeds.....in the spring, first you get the tulips, closely followed by the irises and bright orange poppies....then things get a bit out of control and I jump in with both feet to tame the beast! Should have it all finished and a ton of annuals dropped in for continuous colour by the end of the weekend. This will be THE FIRST year that I won the battle too!

Bam was helping me this morning!
The new front porch - not quite finished, but getting there......jacuzzi anyone?






One of my favourite gardens - in the spring, gorgeous irises, white icelandic poppies come after the black tulips and purple grape hyacinth....then the lillies and delphiniums.....and of course annuals to sustain colour. Shortly - pink coneflowers and dinner-plate sized hibiscus! (I just noticed I posted this one twice! Oooops....but remember, it is my favourite!




A closer look at the lillies!


Lillies from another part of the garden next to the porch



...and more because they last such a short time!




The firepit.....WIP again (grass seed going down today) - this view taken from the pool gate


A bit of whimsy à la Recycle Reuse!



The shady side of the pool yard



Giant Halcion hostas




More hostas: generic bicolour, May and Lemon Lime



Strip Tease!




Top to bottom - Seafire, small Halcyon, Strip Tease and June!


You likely have noticed that I have LOTS of perennials.....and that hostas are my favourite.....and I have a penchant for lillies.......well, a confession - I think I have 40 or 50 hostas.......and likely 30 varieties of them....hmmmmm.....here's a list of those that are top of mind:
1. Sum & Subtance! THE biggest
2. Giant blue Halcyons (I have two giant varieties)
3. Small blue Halcyon
4. My smallest hosta is called Quilting Bee
5. Whirwind
6. Gold Standard
7. Green Silky
8. Ginko Craig
9. Brim Cup
10. Lemon Lime
11. May
12. June
13. Janet
14. Seafire
15. Strip Tease
16. Spilled Milk
17. Shade Finale
18. Pineapple upside-down cake
19. Oooo La La!
20. Christmas Eve
21. White Christmas
I know there are more....these are the only ones that jumped out at me this morning!

Well, the garden is calling! I'll post more photos again in a week or so as things progress and colours change again!











Thursday, July 1, 2010

Back to blogging again!

Good morning - Happy Canada Day everyone!

I had lunch yesterday with two of my on-line WW friends! It was so nice.....I swear we could have sat their and talked for the next 24 hours and not run out of material! Ladies it was so nice to spend time with you!

I've been very busy this week - off work, gardening, running errands, appointments and trying to catch up on life!

Finally got on the scale today (there was no WW meeting this week - restarts next week).....and my home scale shows that I'm down 3.8! Wahhoooooey! Finally some movements on zee scale!

I've promised some garden photos and promise that today I will take some.....stay tuned!

Later gators!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

It's Thursday

The longest work day in my life, I bet....it's only 9:09 am.....today I'm here for the long haul. I'm on vacation next week.....then back for only one week.....then off for three weeks! Need to get, well, everything finished by tomorrow at 3:30! HA! Not going to happen, but I am going to do my best to do as much of it as I can!

WW - tracking, water. Not making 100% sensible choices, but have decided that today and tomorrow I will do the best that I can do and regroup at 3:31pm tomorrow when my vacation starts. Lots of physical work to be done on the farm - logs to be moved and stacked, horse stall and run to be mucked out.....and I want to put a new flower bed in and the guys are all busy hoeing the field, so may have to tackle this one alone.

I LOVE summer....easy eating - grill just about anything on zee BBQ......and fruit and veggies abound! Amazing!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

I finally did it!

I posted a loss at my WW meeting - whew!

Recommitted and showed a loss - go figure, a weight loss program that makes you eat sensibly, drink water, move your @ss and lets you get healthier as you lose weight.....duh...and I haven't been following it at all lately why?

I'm back, I'm focused, I'm IN CONTROL, and it feels greeeeeat!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

I feeeeeel GOOOOD!

I knew that I would!



Standing strong, this new resolve is so empowering. I will succeed at whatever I put my mind to. I will lose this weight, I will keep battling to get this awesome, almost-50-year-old-body into kick-@ss shape! I will! I'm a doer, not a talker....


Yesterday was awesome....got home around 4:30, changed clothes, grabbed water and headed to the gardens (yes, I know, the camera needs to come too! Soon, I promise!).......came back into the house around 7:15 to eat supper (my daughter had made her and I a bite to eat - and I'd already tracked it)....then didn't come back into the house until it was almost dark - after 9:30pm! I wanted to finish weeding my veggie garden, well, what's left of it. So I did finish it, in the almost-dark! So, when I say what's left of it....well, we seem to have a plethora of bunnies this year. Every time my parsley and cilantro grow a new shoot - POOF! next day - gonzo......and my yellow, purple, white and green broccoli and cauliflower - all of 'em GONZO! Those waskely wabbits!

Anyhoo, looks like this year's garden will be full of tomatoes and cukes if nothing else. I'm growing five different kinds of tomatoes.....oh and strawberries....they're just starting to ripen now - what an incredible thing! The taste is amazing!

Anyhoo - I'm focused, I'm on track, I'm feeling strong, and I will do this.....this time is IT!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Well that was a reality check

Reality checks usually only show up when you are working on a project and then the truth comes to light.

My current project, amongst many, but the most important one is me. Well, in support of my new resolve and on the first day of my new five-week plan, I went back to WW meetings and found out today we were discussing tracking. Ahhhh, tracking, I remember it well, but have only flirted with it a bit lately. I restarted tracking on-line again yesterday....have tracked and planned today and am off to a great start on that front!

Water - needs to be upped.



And today's WI.......a whopping 177.4 which is up 2.4 from where I thought I really was (according to the home scale). That was a slap in the face, but I've relocated the hit to a kick in the @ss to get me moving!

Monday, June 14, 2010

Operation Five Weeks of Madness!

Madness.....fitness....eating only healthy foods......water.......

via gardening.....getting up a bit earlier in the morning to formally exercise.....meeting friend at the gym two evenings per week.....walking around zee farm and between farms.....and swimming

via planning....making lists for trips to the grocery store.....drinking water....planning and packing healthy snacks......

water.....the essence of life. I've finally acknowledge the hoovering the kitchen that occurs daily around 4pm is likely due to lack of hydration, so starting today, I'm packing a refilled water bottle for my 30 minute drive home.

I'm reinventing me......

Today: 175 lbs......

First day of reckoning: Monday, July 19th (goal 165)
Second day of reckoning: Monday, August 23rd (goal 155)
Third day of reckoning: Monday, September 27th (goal 145)

Aiming to be at goal (144) by Monday, October 4th. ULTIMATE GOAL!

Can it be done you ask?

I say ABSOLUTELY......just focus and execute.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Another Great Day!

Yesterday was a good day. I drove to see my sister (about 1.25 hours away) after work and she gave me the tour of where her wedding will be in October, which of course drives home the urgency of getting back on program NOW and working out NOW and tracking and planning and executing NOW.........I would like to be at goal by Thanksgiving (Canadian Thanksgiving)....and oh, go figure, my sister's wedding is on that actual weekend......I don't want to be the fat older sister in the photos. I was to be drop-dead gorgeous instead, right?

So, I'll be here "slave" for the event.....lots of behind-the-scenes things will need to be done....and I am the volunteer.......should be interesting.

Anyhoo, back to me......today's breakfast, lunch and snacks are AWESOME....picked some fresh lettuce out of my greenhouse while I was watering some of the flats of flowers I haven't planted yet.......which lead to an amazing salad with basically everything that was in the fridge thrown in. Fresh strawberries and yogurt for snack........breakfast was bran buds, 1% milk, and my favourite frozen raspberries on top. Also have an orange and some kiwis to round off my sensible snacking......AND, it would seem my allergies are finally lestening, so I'll be out for a good 30-minute walk at lunchtime today to destress and re-energize for my afternoon in front of the 'puter.....followed by gardening from the time I get home until the sun goes down (likely 5-9:30!).

Oh, right, and hydration.....off to fill my water bottle!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Success......work in progress!

I didn't do any formal exercise this weekend, but I chose instead to focus on my gardens (sans camera again, folks, sorry!)......didn't stop, digging, hoeing, planting, moving, lugging, lifting and not stopping until I dropped!

AWESOME!

Food this week is very controlled and I'm not struggling with any of this at all....

Life is great!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Back at the Execution Portion of Working Out!

Tomorrow morning, 6am....after the alarm goes off.....elliptical and treadmill followed by weights and core workout. A gold, old-fashioned, back in the swing of things, move that bod, kind of workout that will get things moving again.

My mother often said, and likely still does: "Never put off for tomorrow what you can do today." Well, I will be busy today, and the AC in the house isn't working 100% right now (need to install window AC unit #2 over the weekend), so it will be honestly too hot inside the house to work out. And my grass allergies are so bad right now that I don't like to do too much physical that makes me breathe hard while I'm outside.

I will be gardening though.....and if it's not raining, I'll take some more photos....heck, might even share some with you all soon too!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

There is only one Option - Success!

This post was inspired by my friend Syl's post this morning

Bottom line......if Success is an option......where are there other options?

Well, for me, bottom line is.....Success is the only answer.

Stay tuned!

Monday, May 31, 2010

Planting on Zee Farm!

Yes, folks, it's that time again! Planting season...which is why I have been MIA.

This year, I made some changes.....I planted my GARDENS instead of the fields. I was the "support crew" for the field crew, which means I made and brought out morning coffee breaks......and I sat on the planter only three times for about 1-2 hours at a time.....instead, I played in my house and in my gardens.

Not quite where I want them to be yet....and I'm thinking I should take photos and share some of them with all of you! If it's not raining tonight, I'll get that done.

Planting season on the farm is worth a ton of informal, yet challenging workouts! Lots of water - it's been sweltering hot in south-western Ontario! Sweltering!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

...some inspiration

Thanks to Jack Sh*t, Gettin' Fit - his post this week on the stages of dieting are so, well, bang on!

Hope you don't mind if I adopt your words and tailor them to fit me......


Sunshine’s Stages of Dieting

Denial - At my heaviest, I remember that I could look at myself in the mirror and, at certain angles and with the proper lighting, convince myself that I looked pretty much all right. Sure I could stand to lose a few pounds, but I didn’t look half-bad, even though I felt like day-old crap most mornings. I felt like I was okay… and then I’d see a snapshot taken of me at a picnic or party and my self-image would deflate like a soufflé during an earthquake. I do remember the AHA moment, March 28th, 2005, when I finally said ENOUGH! I joined WW on-line and lost 28 lbs in 8 months and kept it off for almost 2 years! Now, the frustrating thing for me is that until I hit my 40s, the only weight problem I had was that I was under weight….and could basically eat anything I wanted!

Anger - I can’t tell you how many of my attempts at eating healthy were initially fueled by feverish anger… getting mad at myself, at my weakness, at my inability to get my act together – I was great at starting, but it never stuck. But here’s the thing about anger: it burns white-hot for a short period, but it’s simply not sustainable, not something that can carry you over the long haul. Anger is an all-out sprint from the starting gate of a marathon…..and right now I’m finally through the anger, again….

Bargaining – I’ll just have one more reckless weekend, one more bust-a-gut free-for-all before I really, really and I mean really get serious about it. That's what I told myself over and over and over since the end of last November….somehow or other I’ve managed to regain 15 lbs….mostly around my mid-section. Funny how those “last meal” gorge-fests don’t really get the job done as a diet booster… well, not all the funny when you stop and think about it……and right now I’m over this too!

Depression - Overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and crushing levels of frustration, bitterness and self pity. That’s what a lifetime of not being able to get the deal done generally brings about. You feel like there’s nothing you can do to engineer a U-turn on the healthy living highway. You feel down and out, lower than low. This is the darkness before the dawn……..and the sun came out for me yesterday – it’s been peeking through the storm clouds for a few days even weeks, but not been brilliant the way it is now!

Acceptance - I doubt that there’s a single one of us that doesn’t know exactly what we need to do to lose weight and get more fit. We know it. We know it like we know our own names, yet we stumble and struggle to eat the right things, do the right things. Then one day (if we’re very lucky) it clicks – did you all hear it click yesterday? It was a LOUD click! in our heads and in our hearts, and we realize how all the parts and pieces fit together, how energy, effort and enthusiasm can come together to create extraordinary circumstances. That is when the magic happens...

I don’t really know how appropriate it is to appropriate the “stages of grief” idea for a discussion about losing weight and getting more healthy, but I will use anything I can get my hands on–rants, rhymes, riddles or rabid rambling–to help drive these points home. I’ll use anything and everything at my disposal to keep pushing myself (and you, I hope) to a better place. Thanks for these words, Jack, I can definitely relate to this.

Wherever you are on this journey, I hope you’re finding yourself making progress. I hope you've left behind your anger and self-doubt. I pray you’re done with the bad bargains and the pity parties. I am so over it….I am ready to re-embrace MYSELF!

I hope you’re in a good place, ready to face your challenges, your opportunities and your future head-on, with courage and conviction.

You can do this. I KNOW I CAN!

Accept that fact and let’s go. GOING, GOING…….WIP - stay tuned!

NOTHING is going to stop me now!

That's it.....something clicked yesterday - I had a great day. Very little mindless eating (okay, so it was day 1 and the mindless part happens....but I noticed and stopped!)....and it gave me the boost I need to get back to it.

Back to basics for this lady.

Today, I've had my vitamins....and my afternoon dose of calcium and vit D are on my computer screen stand right in front of my face so I can take them after lunch.

Today, I have planned AND tracked my food intake for today - GRIN!

Today, my water bottle, and back-up bottle, are filled and on my desk - and I've already started drinking.

Today, I go for my favourite walk around UWO's campus at lunchtime (note to self, bring kleenex - yes, it's allergy season for me, but I'm not going to use it as an excuse not to go!)




Today, is truly the first day of the rest of my life. Back to basics, back to taking time to take care of myself. Today is day 1 of MY success story!

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Reorganizing my Thoughts - AGAIN!

There's no shame in starting over again.....the shame would be to sit back and NOT put any effort in!

Rebooting, restarting, reorganizing, refocusing, whatever you want to label it.....

bottom line is still the same......

ENOUGH already!

I make horrible food choices.....actually I don't choose, lately, I just binge.

I've never actually written the word binge down when referring to me before - well it's out there.....I don't eat to the point of discomfort, but I make horrible choices and eat lots of crap and this has got to stop.

TODAY is the first day of the rest of my life.

Found out about 10 days ago that I am officially PAST menopause.....PAST? I don't really remember starting it.....nevermind going through it......my blood work states emphatically that I am officially on the "other side."

So, I need to be cognizant of genetic issues.......women in my family have osteoperosis and osteoarthritis......I have the latter and have had it for many years, so I need to start doing things to stop any progression....the arthritis is degenerative and not debilitating for me right now, so I just need to listen to my body. If I was in better physical shape, I'd suffer less........

Anyway, I've finally written it down....and will make plans to figure out how to work through this and get my mind around things.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Saturday

I walked 5+ km in the wind this morning!

Go Syl, Go Linsey!

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Two 5Ks - Back to Back this Weekend!

I am not a runner due to osteoarthritis. Finally acknowledging that I will never be a runner....I've tried many times but invariably after a week, or several weeks, I start paying the price with my hips/spine/ankle and it's just not worth it.

I will; however, support both Linsey and Syl this weekend in their 5Kms and walk with them on Saturday and Sunday!

Sneak peek at the scale this morning shows that following WW consistently, even for a short period of time, actually works! Who'd have thunk it!?

Monday, May 3, 2010

I was late for work today....

....on purpose. I got on the bathroom scale this morning......I haven't been on it in about a month....it told me the truth. 173 (no decimals). It hasn't shown me to be over 168 since 2004........at first I couldn't believe it....I moved it across the floor and tried again, but invariable, there it was.

THUMP!

Reality check......yes, I have regained a lot of weight in a short period of time....okay, maybe only 8 lbs, but in 2.5 months? NOT good.

THUD! That's me smacking myself upside the head. I knew I was eating out of control....I knew it. I didn't seem to care.

TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF MY LIFE.

I'm owning the 173....and I have planned and tracked ALL food intake for the next 3 days. Will stay 2-3 days ahead of the game to ensure I have what I need in the fridge.

Yesterday, when I went into the grocery store, I consciously shopped around the perimeter of the store. I had a list of things I needed from the internal parts of the store (flour, sugar, cereal) and I stuck to the list like it was a lifeline.

1L down the hatch already.....lemon/lime slices in my purple water bottle to make it that much more appealing....




....I was late for work because I decided to STOP what I was doing midlessly and sit down and make a plan.

I have now tracked my food for today, planned my exercise and I'm offffffff...........on my way to a successful weight-loss and a healthy body!

Off for a 30 minute walk around campus in a few minutes......will be doing my favourite journey - hills and stairs!

Tonight - gardening is on deck.....a gazillion WW APs in that.....I'm expanding one of my flower beds which means lots of shovelling and digging and hauling dirt in the wheelbarrow.

Later gators!

Friday, April 30, 2010

Spring has sprung! Part II!

Yes it has! Tomorrow I'm going to post pics that I've already taken and that I will be taking tonight....parts of my garden are looking awesome right now!

Lots of APs (activity points) this weekend - lugging a zillion wheelbarrows of horse manure to flower beds.....and seeding grass around the new patio - more lugging of wheelbarrows of dirt to the seed bed.....and transplanting tiny annuals in the greenhouse

Can't wait!

Monday, April 26, 2010

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!

So sorry for shouting, but I think spring is here and will finally stick.

How do I know? Well, I have this absolutely fabulous Magnolia tree in my front yard (I'll try to remember to take a photo of it later today if it's not raining)....well, every year, it comes out in bloom and POOF! We get a killer frost that nearly wipes it out.....then next day - warm again?! True to form, it happened again.....BUT, because it has been so much warmer earlier this year, it wasn't quite in full bloom when it froze, so I'm hoping that by tomorrow it will be gorgeous again.

Busy time at home for us now.....I live on a farm for those of you who don't know. Seedlings in the greenhouse for my gardens need to be transplanted....LOVE the solitude of being alone in the greenhouse and playing in the dirt. Lots of "free" exercise in the form of squats, heavy lifting and lots of stretching! This evening, after work, that's where I'm headed!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Grrr......

just wrote a long post and it disappeared into cyberspace....grrrrrr.....

Well, not going to try and recreate what I had written....

Very busy time of year for us here.......next few days will be about focus, organization and execution.....

....included in that will be craziness like water, activity and tracking foods!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Great new Toy/Tool

Okay, a lot of you out there will likely say something to the effect of "welcome to the age of technology;" however, I'm still going to write about it. I bought myself an IPod Touch just after the holidays and I'm finally getting around to finding out more about it. Last night, found out that because I now have wireless in the house, I can access WW online to track my food intake/activity/water, etc........don't have to boot up a computer, don't have to do any of that....and can likely access to track in a lot more places than I would have dreamed of!

Lots of weeding on deck for today after work.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

4 days and feeling FABULOUS!

Four days back on program and tracking and FEELING FABULOUS!

Lots of lawncutting on deck for this evening.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

I did it!

Soooooooo excited!

-1.4 at weigh-in today!

That is all.....for now

Monday, April 19, 2010

Wooohoooey it's Monday!

Gooood morning everyone! Okay, so it's almost noon around here....been busy working this morning!

Anyhoo, back on track, I am tracking my foods, tracking my weight loss, tracking my exercise and oops, forgot to go refill the water bottle (will go when I finish this post).

Today is Monday - day 3 of me back on track! GRIN!

Today is a very busy day, so will only squeeze a 30 minute power walk in at lunchtime (off in a few minutes).....

Tomorrow won't be too much better as I need to drive about 1.5 hours from home to pick up my daughter's new car after work, but I will do my 30 minute power walk at lunchtime.

Wednesday - another power walk at lunchtime, then back to the gym - going to do a Zumba class if there's room!

Thursday - yet another power walk at lunchtime - lovely weather, so why not!? Then after work, back to the gym again! Pure Cardio for me.

Friday - power walk at lunchtime, then serious gardening until the sun goes down.

Later gators

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Mission Accomplished!

I did it! 1756 steps, 144 flights, 40 minutes and 37 seconds.......that's three minutes and 9 seconds less than October's climb. My friend who went with me blew my time right out of the water coming in at an even 32 minutes......I knew she would! We had an awesome day in Toronto yesterday as well....AWESOME!

I'm pumped, motivated and will stay not only on track with food, but will also keep up being physically active.

Focused, driven, motivated......I'm going to be a success!

Friday, April 16, 2010

Tomorrow is the big day!

I'm getting up at 4:30, on the road before 5......picking up my friend near Toronto and arriving at the CN Tower for the big climb shortly after 7. 144 flights of stairs my friends! I did it in October and I'm going to do it again tomorrow! Last time 43:48, this time, who knows! I know I'm NOT in good shape right now, but I know now that you don't push hard at all at the beginning of the event.....so will do what I know I need to do not to get discouraged early on.

Then rest of the morning and afternoon will be spent walking around St-Lawrence Market and Kensington Market and China Town..........then drive to Hamilton to pick up an antique buffet hutch that DSO and I bought last weekend, and then home to collapse!

Can't wait!

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Happy Hump Day!

I took a few days off life......wasn't feeling 100% physically, headachey, stomach a little off. Saturday and Sunday we drove to Hamilton (and stayed overnight) and my stepson's basketball team won gold - I've never seen them push so hard - they were awesome! WTG Jammers!



Monday and Tuesday - lots of spring cleaning - what on earth is it about spring cleaning? I make more mess while cleaning and the house is still in shambles, though much cleaner than it was on Monday morning! It will likely take me several days to get it back to "normal!"



Back at work today for the rest of the week. A few challenges there and a few hurdles to get through.


I've also been doing yard work at home and working in my greenhouse - quite a few of my annuals have shown their face!

This Saturday, I'm meeting, face-to-face, for the first time with two ladies who I've known from the WW boards for 4+ years! Addie who just moved from BC to just west of Toronto in Feburary is climbing with me (I'm picking her up at 6:30am!) and Melody will meet up with us later! Can't wait!

WW meeting and WI tomorrow night as I did not make it to my usual meeting yesterday at lunch because I wasn't in the office!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

A Day of Reckoning

I went home last night and had a little pitty party for myself. I'm feeling sorry for myself right now.......CANNOT get my head around the fact that I may now be in menopause (I can't believe I've written that down), and that I will be turning 50 this year, and that I cannot seem to get a grip and stay focused on taking care of me. I spoke to my sweetheart about it last night and he's being incredibly accepting, supportive, well frankly amazing, and I still just can't seem to care about me.

Syl wrote and amazing post on her blog today: "I fear that you will find this post motivating but will not motivate yourself." This is just part of what she wrote and it is almost as if she read my mind and put it out there for everyone to see. Thanks Syl, might just be part of the kick in the head I need to get myself into the right headspace.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

My First Week Back at WW Meetings

I tracked - 50% of the time
I made excuses not to exercise - 50% of the time
I gained .2 lbs.

Enough said.

So this week, I'm tracking, I'm moving and I'm renewing my love for the outdoors and finding opportunities, and making & keeping commitments to work out.

Tonight - planting seeds in the greenhouse - lots of squats, lunges and stretches
Tomorrow night - back at the gym for 60 minutes of cardio
Friday night - gung-ho on house cleaning as we're away at a basketball most of the weekend
Saturday morning - 30 Day Shred before leaving
Sunday - gardening and cleaning out the barn

Next week:
Monday - Aquafit at lunchtime with gardening after work
Tuesday - back at the gym & my WW WI!
Wednesday - more water
Thursday - gym
Friday - gym
Saturday & Sunday - the great outdoors - I'd like to start riding B again!

......

I'll let you know how it goes!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Feeling like my resolve is going to stick!

Work is still nuts - and will continue to be until end-of-day tomorrow. It's year-end AND we have a big event in our department tomorrow that I'm running. Not making excuses, just PLANNING my activity (and lack thereof) for the next few days. Means that if I want to earn a certain number of activity points (WW) over the next week, I will have barely any some days and more than usual on others. Same result....calories injested - calories burned = weight loss. Simple math!

Had a good day on program yesterday (though a bit low on veggies and fruit), but making up for it nicely today.....

Back Friday! Lovely weather is here - today's high is 15 already (Celcius, my US friends!), and the next four days will be bright sunshine and 20-22! The PERFECT weather for riding.....my bike, my horse, whatever I choose - heck, maybe both!

Later

L

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Back to Weight Watchers Meetings for Me Today

Lunchtime, in my building.....12:30....be there! I'll be there!

13 weeks left, which brings us to: June 22!

I will be 15 lbs, at least, lighter by then! I WILL, MARK MY WORDS!

Now, back to the cr@p on my desk.

*********
Update: I went to my meeting

News: my home scale is too kind!

My Weight Watchers at Work Scale says 173.6, so 173.6 it is. I have mixed feelings about this.....I'm MAD at myself for letting myself go again, but at least I recognized it, acknowledged it, took ownership of it, and am planning and working on getting myself back out of it! Or back on track......today is day 1 all over again - AMEN!

Monday, March 29, 2010

It's Monday

Boy what a week ahead of me at work! One step at a time, so MANY deadlines and a big event on Thursday - than thankfully a three-day weekend. Phew!

Saturday I had an awesome workout! Awesome.......then I walked 4.5km on top of it up and down a bunch of hills.....felt WONDERFUL! Yesterday was a quieter day, but got lots of puttering done in and around the house.

Today, 12 hour work day, so not likely that I'll get any exercise at all, unless you can count "stressing out" as exercise!

Tomorrow, gym date for CARDIO! Yes, CARDIO. Funny, I had such a good week last week and got two really good workouts in (yes, only two, but you have to start somewhere, right?).....and I ate better and drank more water and I feel so much less bloated and "toxic" today!

Okay, so off I go....will check in tomorrow....and will track my food intake and drink LOTS of water today.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Do You Believe Things Happen for a Reason?

Weight Watchers: a lifestyle adjustment plan that works when you follow it - I know because in the past I have been a WW success.......at the end of March 2005, I joint WW online and lost 28 lbs in five months - and I kept it off for 2 years.......then I allowed life to happen (well, it does happen!) but didn't take any responsibility for the consequences of not taking care of myself. Fast forward another couple of years, I've recommitted, half-heartedly at best, and after losing maybe 5-8 lbs, I've continue to not commit fully and continued to fail to achieve.

I use the word fail - I'm not seeing myself as a failure, I'm just frustrated because I am a high achiever in my work life, I have a successful business on the farm with my partner and love of my life, but I just never seem to get the putting myself first part right!

As I posted the other day, I will be turning 50 in November this year. My new drive is a question: "Why can't I be fit, fabulous at fifty?" The answer is simple.....there is only ME standing in my own way. Our kids are all older now - one finishes her undergrad this year and has one year of grad school and she's off - she'll be working away from home most of the summer agian this year.......the second one is finishing up her firstyear in university and will be moving back home in a month - she has two jobs this summer and will likely be working 6-7 days a week - so she too won't be demanding too much time from us....my youngest daughter will be turning 16 shortly - she works on the farm in July and August pretty much every day, so she too will be busy......and this year, finally, my young stepson who just turned 14, has been working side by side with his dad in the greenhouses and I know he'll be asked to do a lot of the work that I have usually taken care of with his dad (I used to get home from the office, change clothes and go to work on the farm!). Sounds like NOW IS THE TIME FOR ME, doesn' t it?

So yesterday, was an interesting day....indeed, interesting. I had already made a commitment to myself to get back to the gym and stop making excuses about going. I have a girlfriend who I used to work with who has agreed to meet me there twice each week, so there's a great opportunity to get in a great workout while spending time catching up with each other. Yesterday we went for the first time in months......and I told her that I was going to kick her @ss and mine back into shape - and I told her the first two weeks were going to be about cardio and nothing else when we're at the gym and that she needed to get in a core/arm/leg workout on her own time in between. Yesterday, we did 30 minutes on the bike, and 25 minutes on the treadmill and I was in the "zone" for most of the 55 minutes (yes I did warm up and cool down)......it felt FABULOUS to be back......and the realization that I hadn't lost the touch, and wasn't in as bad a shape as I thought I was was incredibly motivating. Tonight when I get home from work, I have a date with my elliptical trainer at home, and Jillian Michaels 30-day Shred. Gym again tomorrow night, etc. I've even re-revamped my old workout calendar and have started using it again. Enough about that......

Yesterday, something else also happened. Last summer, while at the gym, I noticed that they had a WW meeting right next door, so after my workouts, I joined meetings. Unfortunately, I stopped going to the gym, which made it easy for me to stop going to meetings. The incredibly thing about the meetings is that the leader they had there was so motivating.......seriously the best leader I have ever had (I've been a WW-meeting-goer for years in Montreal, Brockville and close to home in London various times over the years). So yesterday, I tripped over a booking in a conference calendar that said there were WW meetings in my building at the university (HUGE campus) on Tuesdays at lunchtime. So I said to myself....hmmmmm.....in order to succeed I need motivation - so I e-mailed the person who booked the room - she forwarded me on to someone else, and ultimately I ended up being connected to the leader......the leader is my favourite leader from the other location from last summer! Coincidence - maybe, but inspiring enough for me that I'm joining next Tuesday.

I'm embracing the opportunities that have been laid out in front of me and I'm going to take responsibility for my actions (good and bad) and take ownership of self-care and going for broke with my new "Fit, Fabulous and Fifty!" goal.

boy that was a long post, but I just needed to put it out there.......!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Monday - looking back

I did not too badly at all yesterday. First day of focusing on me, putting ME first for a change. Went out with a girlfriend after working 12 hours - YIKES! I got home at 10pm (left at 7am!)...but it was nice to get out and talk.......

Today, back to tracking food, drinking at least 2.5L of water and going to the gym. I have a girlfriend who is as committed as I am so we're going to keep each other honest while we work through getting back into the groove.

I have already tracked my food intake for today - including a pancake supper I'm going to tonight. Lots of veggies today....before the event itself!

I'll be back tomorrow with an update on how today went......

Monday, March 22, 2010

I'm getting my mind around a lot of "stuff" right now

.....like I'm going to be 50 this year....wouldn't it be wonderful (and sensible) to be in the best shape and healthy when I turn 50?

Well, I will be.

I've devised a plan.......and I'm working on executing it.

It involves weight watchers - I'm going to track my food/exercise there.
It involves the gym - and visiting it on Tuesday and Thursday every week after work
It involves Jillian Michaels for the short-term and getting back to Shredding
It involves the nice elliptical machine in my living room and getting back on it and slowly increasing my time on it with each bonding experience!
It involves planning and tracking my food, and getting all of my water in.


Mostly, it involves taking care of me, focusing on the positive in my life and being the best that I can be!

Tomorrow.......gym after work with my friend Gail......

Survived The Weekend!

Went to a neighbor's for supper last night - she made every single one of my favourite dishes. I'm writing yesterday off.....what with wine, and food and dessert......and restarting again today!

Going for a walk at lunchtime today - it's cold out there, but as long as it's not raining, I'm walkin'!

Have an awesome day folks!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Good morning on this wonderful Saturday!

Off to the barn shortly to work all morning seeding trays for the greenhouse. I've already been into WW and tracked my breakfast, and planned activity for today, which includes barn work, yard work and either a power walk or elliptical/treadmill depending on the weather later on.

I feel like I've taken back control again - and it's about time. I had some sort of epiphany yesterday - it was gradual, but I want you all to know I'm back, going to kick the unwanted pounds to the curb for good this time, and am going to develop my body into a leaner and toned creature. So it is written, so it shall be done.

Welcome to the rest of my life!

(sneak peek at the scale this morning has me down 1 from yesterday - GRIN!....so I thought I'd start the -20 in 10 weeks drill again)

20 lbs in 10 weeks - started Friday, March 19th at 168
Day 1 -1 or 167

Friday, March 19, 2010

One more thing!

Words to live by: I borrowed this from Spark People - you can insert whatever "activity or distraction" you wish anywhere in the text to personalize it........but very much a huge hurdle for me:

Put Yourself First

Reach Other Goals by Starting With Your Self

You’re a parent, school volunteer, Little League coach, and trusted assistant to your boss. You’ve been up since 6 a.m., made breakfast, packed lunches, cleaned the house, chauffeured the neighborhood kids, helped with homework, read bedtime stories, and finished extra work from the office.It’s 11:30.You’re exhausted.And, in about six-and-a-half hours you’ll begin the whole 24-hour cycle…again.If you find yourself saying ‘Stop the merry-go-round, I want to get off!’ you’re not alone. Most of us—especially women, but men too (hey, there are reasons that men die younger than women)—have at some time found ourselves at the bottom of the heap when it comes to taking care of our needs.The problem with that is that if we don’t take care of ourselves, sooner or later we won’t be of much use to anyone else—or to ourselves. Just as the airline attendant tells you to put on your own oxygen mask in an emergency before helping a child with theirs, you must take care of your own basic needs before you can attend to the needs of others. What’s more, being busy is not necessarily the same as being productive with meaningful activity. (Do the workaholics you know really accomplish that much more in proportion to the time they invest?)

If “putting yourself first” (a common admonition) sounds too selfish or too hard, try something simpler: put yourself on an equal footing with those you love and tend to. Do you insist that they get enough sleep? Start making that a priority for yourself too. Do you give them time for fun and socializing with friends? Then you do the same! Remember Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: human beings must meet their basic needs before they can move on to higher-level goals. Since most of us already know that we should take care of ourselves—but often have trouble figuring out how to do it, here are some guidelines for getting there:

- Preserve your physical health with adequate sleep, exercise, and nutrition.
- Value your emotional health as much as the physical, with a support system of friends and a willingness to laugh—especially at yourself.
- Schedule fun activities on a regular basis—it’s just as important to plan pleasure as it is to plan work.
- Identify “busy behaviors” (or people) that drain your time and energy but aren’t really important, then dump ‘em, or at least minimize their hold on you.
- Kill two birds with one stone, combining family time with exercise, for example, which benefits everyone involved.
- Try to look at the problems in your life with new eyes to find solutions. If you’re a new mom, for instance, see if you can trade childcare with another new mom to get some time for yourself.
- Learn to say “No!” Your “yes” is valuable and should not be automatic. Instead, reserve it for the things that are most important to you.
- Don’t try to change every problem area in your life all at once. Start with one or two items, then expand as you get things under control.

Your life should be like a checking account, balancing out on a regular basis so that you always have assets to draw upon. By making even small deposits—taking care of yourself with a 10-minute walk or a nutritious meal—you’ll be amazed at the interest you’ll reap.

NOT following the plan!

Excuses, excuses, excuses.....well, no not really this time. Just can't get my head around what I should be doing. Gone back to bad habits - eating everything in sight when I get home.

On the positive side, I've been working hard at home at night - lots of spring clean up to do in the horse's run, and the gardens and yard work - yikes! Last night I visited a friend in town before driving home and we went for a good walk up/down lots of hills. So at least I'm moving.

WILL get a grip on eating this weekend and turn over a new leaf with a firm plan on Monday. No more of this ridiculous behaviour for me.

Groceries and fridge clean out planned for Sunday, so will devise my plan around that.

Eeeesh...This time, I can't give up, I have to go for it.

Friday, March 12, 2010

GOOD MORNING! TGIF!

March break starts around here this afternoon......so I've decided to take two days off work next week Monday and Tuesday to do something with our two youngest kids (14 and almost 16)....maybe a movie, swimming......SOMETHING either way!

I'm peeking out from a snowdrift of priorities, papers and deadlines on my desk. Head down and plow through as much as I can today so I can be comfortably off on Monday and Tuesday!

I've been tracking for four straight days now again and doing well with it. This weekend, we are driving to Toronto (about 2 hours away) for a family wedding.....ceremony is at noon, reception starts at 5:30, so we're hoping to walk around Chinatown and pick up some amazing veggie deals and a few treats. We'll be driving home after the reception....into the wee hours of the morning, but there's something to be said for waking up in your own bed!

This weekend I'm going to make some time for me ... read some of a book I recently started, browse through a few magazines.......a pedicure......

Thursday, March 11, 2010

I'm still here, honest!

Work has just been absolutely crazy and my sinuses are still bugging me.......going for my annual physical on Monday and will seek advise on how to manage arthritis and working out better and sticking to a weightloss program!

I'll get there eventually! Important thing is that I'm not saying "forget about it" - it's still very much front-of-mind.

Later!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Thursday

Sooooo........today, I go back to the gym! Yes, me......gym.

Not the gym I have been going to the past year, but my old gym......I'm going to see if my all-time-favourite PT is still there.....if she is, I'm going to hire her back to create a new workout for me and then meet up with her once a month of updating.......a commitment like that will have me AT the gym three times a week (done it before!).....I'm PUMPED!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

I'm Climbing the CN Tower AGAIN!

1774 steps....144 flights....and yes, I'm doing it again on April 17th....this time it's a fundraiser for World Wildlife Federation....

Last time 43 minutes, 46 seconds

This time, I hope to make it in 35-38 minutes. I start training this week.

Work, as I may have indicated before, has been incredibly busy. I'm finally out of the woods and life can get back to normal again! I had a huge pile of crazy deadlines and today around 11am, I hit "send" on one of the big ones and things can now get back to normal...it's still busy, don't get me wrong, but I won't be up nights worrying about stuff any more!

So.........hopefully tomorrow morning I can remember to bring my camera to work. My window faces East and today, for the first time in I can't tell you how long, the sun was streaming in my window when I got here! It's SPRING!

Later gators!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

A Beautiful Tuesday Morning!

Good morning! It's beautiful outside here this morning - okay, the thermometer on the van did say -8 (celcius), but it's crisp, clear and just beautiful outside! It was also light (well, getting there) when I got up at 6.......which gives me hope for a renewed season...spring is almost here, right? Can't wait for the snow go melt and to get out into my gardens once again!

So, work is crazy (budget season), so I won't be on a lot for the next few days....but wanted you all to know that I had an awesome WI last Sunday - I managed to lose 3.1 pounds last week.....which is 2.6 that I had gained the week before and then .5 on top of that. It was definitely a happy moment when I stepped on the scale last week! So, my plan now is to keep up with my clean eating (lots of great foods in my lunchbag today), keep the water going, even have sliced lemon in it today.....and make the most of the nice weather and likely go for a power walk at lunch, just to blow cobwebs out of my head! My "work" runners are under my desk and the sidewalks are finally clear so there's no reason not to go for it!

Here's to another successful week!

and starting today, I'll start posting how many days I've been on program: 8 for me, today will be 9!

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

...one more thing

.....Sunshine Mama - you mentioned your push-up challenge......funny thing - in my whole life, I have never been able to do even one. I'm partially paralyzed on the right side (arm and shoulder) and have never been able to do one. Recently; however, thanks to Jillian's 30 Day Shred, I've figured it out with the help of my two daughters and my sweetheart, I have figured out proper form and can now do two sets of 7 on a good day. Sunshine....how did you set your challenge up?

Wednesday and going strong!

Choices and accountability......Guess I missed a B word in there, so how about:

Accountability - making a plan, sharing it with friends/family, and staying true to your word

Baby Steps - take things one baby step at a time

Choices - if your original plan does not pan out, make alternate choices or change something out


Yesterday - 20 flights of stairs! 12 up and 8 down (I took the elevator once because I was carrying "stuff"). 11.5 minutes on the elliptical is all I could manage, but it's up from 8 minutes last week (that would be the babysteps part).

Today - ankle still a pain......and now I have a deadline which means I can't get to the pool at lunchtime for aquafit (I packed my bag and brought it to work though!)....so today I will again take the stairs - aiming for 15 up today. And will hit the elliptical and do some ab/core work when I get home.

Accountability and planning: I have promised myself not to make excuses and just stop this time around. I've been tracking my food for 3 straight days and eating sensibly is working! I have also promised myself to earn 2-8 Weight Watchers Activity Points each and every day.

I feel good in my head about this!

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Tuesday - and still focused!

Okay, so last night I had to get up in the middle of the night.....and noticed that my left ankle is bugging me....this is only day 2 of the Shred....freakin' arthritis is a bear sometimes. Anyhoo, I've decided that I'll baby it today wrt to jumping through the Shred and take it back up tomorrow. So far today I've gone up 3 flights of stairs, down five flights, up five flights, so I'll get some of my workout that way.....and hit the elliptical after work.

Basically......stopping is NOT an option this time.

I'm tracking, I'm exercising and I'm drinking my water.

Tomorrow.......Shred in the morning and then aquafit at lunchtime.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Another great start to the day!

I did it! got up at 6am and did the Shred.....morning chores......and shower.....and still got to work on time. Freakin' snow is falling again today, so driving was not fun....and it won't be any better by the end of the day either, that I know for sure.

Just when you think that spring is finally here - um, nope.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Don't get angry, get even....

Alrighty then......I'm really NOT impressed with myself....NOT I tell you. +2.6 lbs this week....I worked hard earlier in the week....gave up the ghost by Thursday evening and ate, and ate, and cr@p, gained...didn't exercise, etc.

So, what am I going to do about it you ask? I AM GOING TO pull up my socks and focus, write in my book, post on my blog, and work the program - not plan and give up, I'm going to plan and execute.

Jillian Michael's is my first "date" this morning - 30 day Shred and 10-20 minutes on the elliptical....and then we're off to watch my step son play in a basketball competition for the rest of the day. I promise to get up early tomorrow morning and do the Shred again......no excuses this week.....head down and just do it.

I may be posting "light" this week as I have a lot of heavy deadlines at work....but I promise I will update you by the end of the week on progress on the fitness and not eating everything in the house front!

L

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Day 4 - recap of day 3!

Getting bored with my titles yet? I'm starting to.....!

Day 3 was awesome....tracked, drank water, did shopping with DD#2 - mall was empty and we found every single thing we went for in record time! It was a lot of fun too......I've looked at a few items in a few stores that I'm going to go and try on when I hit 150........7 weeks from now!

Day 4......Shred and elliptical on deck for after work. Then a nice quiet evening alone with DSO....we haven't had a moment alone in ages it seems, so it will be nice having all four kids at their "other" parents for a few days so we can reconnect - GRIN!

I made a mistake today......I think. Opinions needed here please. I got on the scale and did a mid-week WI....it said +1.1 from Sunday. I'm feeling pretty displeased, to say the least, about the number....the question is....should I WI every day? or should I WI only once each week? What to do, what to do?! I know weight fluctuates daily.....I know why......just not sure daily WI is a good idea for me? Or maybe it will reinforce the message "be strong" today!?

Have an awesome day everyone!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Day 2 recap - on to day 3

Day 2 was AWESOME! I did do my Shred workout, I did do the elliptical and I did haul water to the barn......a zillion gallons of it. Then I hauled water to the hot tub.....and scrubbed the outside of it. Then I vacuumed stairs (both sets of stairs), I tore apart our MBR and cleaned like a fiend, and I vacuumed and scrubbed both bathroom floors! Then I spent the afternoon with my youngest daughter and we put a dent in making her first summer dress. She's soon to be 16 and last time we attempted this was two years ago and she was a bit freaked out by the foot pedal on the machine.....this year, she's tackling it well and doing a lot more than I thought she would! Next session (likely next Tuesday night), will be zipper installation!

My sewing area is now clean and I have a few UFOs (Un-Finished Objects) out for me to put the final touches on.....then I'll be tackling one of my quilts again. It's nice because I can just go up there and pick up because the clutter is gone! Well, most of it anyway.

The house is a lot more peaceful with more of the clutter gone! GRIN!

Today is a day off exercise....only because of timing. I have a shopping excursion planned with my youngest DD for after supper/before we pick her sister up from work.

Tomorrow, back at it!

Yesterday, I tracked everything I ate and came out well within my points range. And today I will do the same!

It feels so good to be back in control!

L

Monday, February 15, 2010

Accountability

This week is starting with the letter A - Accountability is a good one!


Now, and I can't believe I'm going to do this, photos - taken this morning - these are my "BEFORE" shots:





...and the dreaded candid bathing suit shot - when we Canadians all jumped into the ocean - at 63 degrees!




I just realized I posted yesterday's photos without any description....I'll go and fix that in a few minutes....

So, accountability - taking a queue from my friend Syl and my new friend Sunshine Mama - photos.......my sweetheart told me that I don't look happy about having my photos taken.....and he's right! Hmmmmm....guess when I strip down and strap myself into lycra and spandex, my self-confidence goes out the window!

Nevertheless, here are some stats for you:

WI on Feb 8 - 167.3
WI on Feb 14 - 164 - not bad at all.....I was "careful" last week, but didn't track. I've decided I'm going to stick with the WW system and track my food intake and activity on line.

Yesterday, I below it! DSO and I went out for wings and beer.....geez....so 57.5 points later (I did earn 8.5 APs yesterday - activity points), so I was left with "overspending" my points yesterday by a whole lot! 28 points to be exact. Nice thing, though, is if I keep earning APs and keep tracking and make wise choices for the rest of the week, I'll be okay. Accountability.....if it passes your lips, you write it down! There, done.

Measurements - my start measurements are:

Neck: 13"
Bust: 39"
Rib Cage: 34.5"
Waist: 34.5" (something wrong if my waist is the same size as my rib cage)
Hips: 42"
Butt: 41.5 (again, something not quite right if my hips are bigger than my butt!)
Thighs (L/R): 23.25/24
Calves (L/R): 13/13.75
Upper arms (L/R): 13/12.5

Now most of you don't know is that I'm partially paralized on the right side (arm/shoulder), so my measurements are always skewed because of compensating for an arm with little strength.....


Today, so far, vacuuming, Jillian's 30 day Shred, going to jump on elliptical now....then have to haul water to the barn and if I'm in a good mood, likely will muck out stall and haul wood shavings from the back barn on a toboggan into her stall........maybe a walk this afternoon too!

It's "all or nothing day!"

And for what it's worth - I'm going to be working on teaching my youngest daughter how to sew this afternoon!

Later gators!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

So, I promised pictures!

Going up the causeway from Sarasota back to the keys (above)

Crazy Canuks - our polar bear dip into the ocean.....63 degrees F


Waving from the deep freeze!


View from on top of the causeway (Bird Key where Lucille Ball used to live)



Another view from the causeway.


All photos taken first week of February 2010!




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