V*A*C*A*T*I*O*N!!!!

All I need to do is:

1. Survive an uber-long day at the office and get eleventymillion things done.
2. Figure out what I'm actually going to pack in my suitace - oh, and actually pack (likely tonight will be a laundry-o-thon)......
3. R*E*L*A*X.....and you know, after my last post, I'm a work in progress on that one.

I have a new camera.
I have new suitacases.
I have some new clothes that make me feel great!
I will be spending two weeks with my sweetheart in Portugal!!!!!

.......and, to be true to myself, I'm taking workout clothes with me and even going to hit the gym on Sunday morning before we have to drive to Toronto to get on the plane.

Stay tuned!

Stress.....

So, stress......it's one of those things that is sometimes good and pushes you to accomplish things, and sometimes bad and sends your blood pressure to the boiling point and inhibits your ability to see things clearly.

I have a very demanding life......too much so at times. I work full time, I live on a working farm (and I help when I'm not at work) and I own and operate my own seasonal farm business with my partner. Things are finally winding down for the farm season.....however, my full-time job is in academia and it's crazy season at work for all of us now. Basically, I guess I'm saying that I'm crazy busy and don't find time to do things I love to do.

Personal life stress comes and goes as well.....stress with kids, your significant other, well, you get the picture.

So, I'm doing things right:

1. I'm eating clean - mostly following 17DD with an occasional indulgence.
2. I'm working out at the gym 3-4 times per week with my absolute fave trainer - she totally gets me which is awesome.

I'm not losing weight. Hmmmmmmmm......................
I am losing inches though, so I'm trying very hard to not let the lack of weight loss itself get to me because I can feel and see so many positive changes with what I've been doing. But you know, the scale, being the evil thing that it is, well, I'd really, really, really (really!) love it to move down a tad......

........which brings me to - CORTISOL - well, I'm likely borderline (if not full-blown) suffering from chronic stress......it's not pretty and lately I haven't been dealing with any additional stress well at all.

If you do some reading on Cortisol and Stress.......well, it's clear that although 1 & 2 above are definitely going to get me to a healthier place.......I need to add another to the list and put it up as my first priority. STRESS MANAGEMENT.......I need down time, I need time to unwind, relax, and just be.......

Stay tuned as I figure this one out! Last night's first attempt was: send DSO and his son out for dinner just the two of them while I light candles and soaked in a bubble bath......that's day 1. Today I will spend some time doing something just for me as well.....just not quite sure what that will be yet.

A Day of Remembrance - A Day to Give Thanks

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Happy Birthday to Me!!!!!!!!!!!!

...hmmmm....I think I need to change the name of my Blog......I turn 51 today!

Anyway, hope you're all keeping well - I'm doing okay.

Stress-ville is still my location of choice, but it's getting better day after day.

So, this is a little challenge I'd like to throw out there - do something nice for yourself on your birthday this year! For me, I've booked an extra training session with my trainer.....so I'm off to the gym after work to work off some frustration and earn some extra lee-way for my supper out with my two daughters!

A Plan for Success

Want to share something here. I often feel like a failure. I try (sometimes too hard and set the bar too high).....I don't finish = failing.

So, I'm working on turning my life around - personal relationships, work and career aspirations, and mostly about taking care of me. Dealing with mind clutter, dealing with stress, dealing with food, dealing with getting enough exercise.......bottom line - taking care of me.

Years ago (about 7 years now) when I first joined WW, I was very successful....I lost 28 lbs in 8 months and managed to keep them off for close to 2 years. I gained back about 5 lbs and managed to maintain that again for the same period. Then I let stress win, I let a boatload of ridiculous commitments win, and yes, I lost....or maybe I should say gained - weight. Pretty much back to where I started.

This past few months, let's say 6 - I've had a few glimpses of the old me....the one who was focused and determined, but continuous stress just keeps getting to me.

What I have accomplished is:

1. lost 19 lbs since mid February and kept them off.
2. embraced clean eating (most of the time) by following 17DDieting as much as I can.
3. given myself permission to be human - yes, I do still indulge in things that are not good for me, but not anywhere near as often as I used to.
4. taking care of myself physically - I always go for my annual checkups, dental checkups, etc.....but the muscular/structural parts of me have needed serious overhaul. I recommitted to going to the gym in early summer, but then farm work sidelined me for a while. I've been back working out regularly with my trainer for a month now and I'm starting to feel better......makes me realize that I AM WORTH THIS. I DESERVE THIS. So, putting the hard work in is now super important.

Earlier this morning I was e-mailing my trainer......and looking at which of my fave blogs had recently posted. Mousearoo had posted a list of what has made her successful in her quest.....WOW, I can relate to so much of what she wrote. Thanks Mousie.

So, to use the old addage - today is the first day of the rest of MY life - how about yours?

Day 1 went well...on to Day 2!

So, yesterday was a bit of a stress-a-thon....gotta love kids!?!!!!!!!

Anyhoo, did not indulge in any pitty-party food after the stressing episode.

Stuck to my plan
Went to the gym

Today - longer day at work. Breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner planned. Will take some time to relax this evening.

Onwards and downwards!

Tuesday - November 1st

Wow, where did summer go? Yeah, I know, I was busy working on the farm, but still...where did the whole summer go? Gone.....another frosty morning again this morning. Hate scraping ice off the windshield....most especially since I cleaned out my garage on the weekend, but my MIL's car ended up in there instead of mine.

Another beef I have........it's too darned dark in the mornings these days! Really....can't wait until the weekend when we regain an hour!

On that note.....today is the first day of the rest of my life....yeah, old saying, but still so true.

Today....I restart C1 of the 17DD
Today....I'm working out at the gym
Today....I put a BIG dent into the snowdrifts on my desk at the office!
Today....I will drink 3L of water (might have to move my 'puter into the loo, but that's the plan!)

What are you doing today?