Resolutions

I’m kind of struggling with the resolution that I’m making for weight loss. As many people know I’m a huge proponent of making SMART goals. Which is why I struggled with making this one. It is on the edge of being "achievable" for me.

I’d like to weigh 200 pounds or less by my birthday. To do this I have to be consistent in losing 2 pounds a week. Which means I have to be consistent in all the things that it will take to get me there.

I am highly motivated by Shari’s success. And also by the success of my sister (who I have asked to guest blog soon). I know that I can do it too. I have done it before. And I’m well on my way to getting there already. It’s a slow process for me because I have been lazy at it. But I have set up a SMART goal for myself in order to reach this end result, and I’m ready to ramp it up and work for it. My birthday is only a few months away and I am looking forward to posting that I made it!

Happy New Year everyone!

Taking a break

 

I have become overwhelmed with all the bad news and ugliness on the internet.  I'm signing off for the rest of the year.  There isn't a lot of time before the new year begins so maybe you wouldn't notice that I was gone.    Even the short time that I intend to be signed out will be tough for me.  If you know me, you know that I spend a lot of time online.  I like to read the news and cruise through facebook every day.  I have a list of blogs that I regularly check (but even the funniest ones are tellingly unfunny right now).  And Pinterest even seems a little down right now.  So I need to disconnect from the bad stuff for a bit. 

 

Know that I am thinking of you all on Christmas.  I'm cheering you on during this time of year that seems to make health an even bigger struggle.  I know you're cheering for me too!

 

Shari, I'll have skype on during the holidays.  I'll talk to you SOON!  (Hope you got your camera working!)  Merry Christmas!!!

Step out of your Comfort Zone

I have joined Aikido. It's way out of my comfort zone. But I need to change some things in my life and I can't change if I'm comfortable. 

I've been watching the boys do it for nearly 7 years now. After all that watching one would think it would be easier. But I think after all that watching the only thing special for me is that I may be slightly less self conscious. Slightly. It's still a lot of touching people and being tossed around. And I'm so glad the dojo is on a slab so I don't shake the building when I fall. I'm still sure I register on the Richter scale at the mines as a series of mini earthquakes.

 

I got my Gui last night. It's the uniform and white belt. It's enormous. Seriously, it could be a tent for a couple of toddlers or a nine year old.  It's is supposed to be a little big so you can move around a lot.  But the pants are just a little tight (thank goodness for elastic, the drawstring is unnecessary).  I have to hem the arms and the legs by nearly 6 inches. But the belt fits and I already knew how to tie it (sort of, it's very different putting it on myself rather than a kid, and I can't see over my boobs and belly to see it being tied). But it feels very official and I was excited to put it on. Now my goal is to make sure it gets too big.

 

And today, I am sore again and walking like an old lady.  I'm looking forward to going back!

Slight rant and then some good stuff

Hey Peeps!

I'm still in the game! Small victories right? I've lost nearly 10 pounds in the last month. And so far all that I have done is change the way I eat. Not even change it. Just be aware of it. That is what Weight Watchers helps me do. As long as I track properly I do OK.

I did have a slight gain this week. And I have several things I can attribute that to. 

• The first is I didn't track as well last week. I was lazy about tracking and therefore lazy about eating. I hope I've learned my lesson. Track track track! 
•  I didn't drink my water over the weekend. I had an absolutely lazy weekend (and it was fabulous!). I stayed under the warm covers with a book for far longer than I'm normally comfortable with. Then I got up to feed the boys lunch. So I went ahead and took a shower at that time. Then finished off the book and turned on some TV while the boys played at a friends house I had several shows recorded and waiting for me to watch. But being lazy went across the board and I didn't get up to fill up a glass of water, even once. 
• This is the week I historically gain weight. You know the week. The one where you feel heavy and bloated and maybe just a little moody. I always seem to gain a pound or more this week. And the older I get the more it seems to last 2 weeks rather than 1. TMI? I don't think this has to be a gain week. If I'm doing it all properly I'll bet I can still lose. Even if it's less than normal a loss is a loss. I'm going to test the theory in a month or so...

     Sometimes Weight Watchers irritates me. And today was a good example of that. I sometimes remember that it's a big corporation and they are in the business of making money. Sure, they are helping me. But their products seem pricey to me, and they change things up every so often and we all know that we need to replace some of the old things when the points system changes (an example is the Dining Out Companion. I bought one years ago on the Points System. Now we are on Points Plus 2012. My book is no longer accurate.). I know the System is backed by research and we have all learned over the years about what works and why, but they are still in it to earn a buck, even with the facade of wanting to help people. It's all about the dollar.

     This week the ActiveLink came out. It's a great way to track the Activity PointsPlus that you earn through the day. I'll bet it's even going to be a fun gadget to play with. It costs almost $40. And there is a $5 per month subscription fee. And you can only use it if you have etools. As I was sitting there listening to the spiel about this fun new gadget today, I got irritated. The company has figured out a way to not only get $40 more from many of their members but also $5 a month for something that probably doesn't cost them much to keep running at all now that the R&D is done. You cannot tell me that the $40+ I spend each month for the monthly pass and etools, multiplied by thousands of men and women around the globe, doesn't pay for the R&D that WW uses for it's products and to revise the Points system every other year or so. You can't tell me that the men and women who pay that at the single location that I go to pays just the overhead and salaries of the wonderful ladies who work there, as well as chipping in for the huge salary of the executives in this highly profitable company.

     But they sell this product as if it's a gift to us. This is one more generous thing that WW has done to help us in our quest to be healthy. Bull... It's one more gadget that will make them some cash!

I bought it. I hope it encourages me and I haven't wasted the money. Ask me in 13 weeks.

    The WW Weekly this week talks about writing down your reasons for losing. We are encouraged this week to think of all the reasons we want to lose. What made us start this journey and what keeps us coming back when we give up (we have all done it). So I thought I'd write a few of my reasons here. The list should always be growing and sometimes it should change. But here are a few points from my point of view.

1. I'd like to feel good in my clothes again. I feel pretty self conscious about my clothes right now. I remember liking my clothes a lot. It could be I have the wrong clothes now. And I guess in a way it is. I have clothes that are too big, because I have a body that is too. 
2. I'd like to be healthier and not get out of breath doing things I like to do. I tend to avoid certain activities because I don't want to be embarrassed from being out of breath.  
3. I'd like to be a good role model to my kids. One of my sons will take after me in being inactive if I let him. And the other is so active it's hard to keep up with him. I'd like to be able to keep up with him. I should show them both that I think it's important to keep being active and to watch out for the foods we eat.
4. Like the way I look. This one is tricky. I normally like the way I look. Until I see a photo or catch my reflection in a store window. Sometimes I'm quite surprised by how the way I look and the way I feel I look are so different. When I'm caught off guard I'm unhappy with the way I look. And that leads into the next one. 
5. Be confident around cameras. I don't tend to shy away from getting my picture taken. I love photos and the history they hold. But when there is a camera pointed my way I do my best to put my head up to try to reduce the double chin. And to stand tall and suck it in so I look even just a little smaller. Maybe someday I'll write more about this. I hope this is something that changes for me, but if the past is any key it probably won't.

Back (again)

I'm back in the saddle.  I've had two really good weeks and am feeling very positive towards this new adventure.  It's been awhile since I've felt so good about setting the big goal of making it back to my goal weight. 

It helped to set a few little goals.  I signed up for Weight Watchers again (I like the accountability).   The first week my goal was simply to track and stay on plan.  And I was surprised to learn that I didn't find it difficult.  I'm the first to admit that I am a lazy tracker.  But this time I did it on my phone, which I have with me all the time anyway. 

The second week I set the same goal, with the added element of "move more".   I did track all week and I DID move more.  I took a women's aikido class on Wednesday.  I was very sore on Thursday and Friday, but I moved more those days too, though I think I wouldn't have if I didn't have to.  I went to a trade show and walked around quite a lot.  Saturday I raked the leaves in the yard, which took several hours (and I have to do all over again, because the wind blew yesterday and the tree isn't naked yet), and Sunday I spent the day cleaning my house and doing laundry. 

This is my third week back and I'm already planning to miss the aikido class (the kids have to trick or treat!).  But I'll walk around the block with them to get some movement.  I've got to make plans to move the rest of the week, but I'm working on it.  I actually bought a treadmill from a friend.  I planned to get up in the morning and walk for 30 minutes (during the winter), but it's so dark at 5:30.  I haven't been able to pull myself out of bed that early in weeks.  But I'm getting closer. 

I've also set a personal weight loss goal to reach by Thanksgiving.  It's lofty.  But Shari can do lofty, so I can too!

Seems there are lots of goals and plans in November (I do plan, go fig).  Along with Nanowrimo I'm squeezing this in.  It's all for ME!

See you again soon!

Hellooooo 70's!!

Have I told you how much I like the 70's? Don't get me wrong, the 80's were great, but I really really love the 70's!! I finally made my next couple of goals which was to make it to 90kg lost & into the 70's and I feel fabulous. I am fit and strong and so so healthy and I feel amazing. Krista asked me how I feel, and I have a lot of people ask me that. My answer is always the same - I feel like Superwoman - like I can do anything - because I CAN!! Really, when I think about it, words can't even really do justice to the way that I feel and I so wish that everyone could feel this way. It takes such hard work, willpower, determination and putting yourself first to get here, but it is so so worth it. For so many years I put everyone else first and look where it got me. I was literally a walking heart attack. I am so glad that something clicked inside my brain and made me make ME the biggest priority in my life. That is such a hard concept for so many parents and I was no different. When you are a parent who loves their children, we tend to always put them first. They need this and they need that, we need to do this for them or that for them or take them here and take them there. Then when you throw in work and other family and friends and really just LIFE, there never seems to be time to spend on ourselves. It seems so selfish to take that time, but my brain finally registered that if I didn't, I was not going to be here to do any of that for my children, friends or family. By taking the time out for me over the last couple of years, I am going to be here for so much longer and I am also able to DO so much more which is an added bonus. So in short, I feel AMAZING!! I can't wait to get to the end of my journey, but I have learnt so much along the way and they are lifetime lessons that will keep me in good stead for the rest of my time here. Starting work on my next couple of goals - the 60's (which I do believe may be even more amazing than the 70's) and another 3 digit number. This time it won't be what I weigh though, it will be what I have lost and that will be mind boggling to say the least. ONE HUNDRED KILOS LOST!!! My head can't even get around that at the moment but I will get there and hopefully it won't be too far away. I send my love out to all of you and hope that you are able to take some time out to put yourself first for a change. It is not selfish - it is what we need to do to be the best we can be for our children and family. xxooxxoo

The light is getting nearer!

Hello!! Just a quick update to say that I had another special weigh in today. I lost 2.4kg (5.2lbs) which now means that I have lost more than what I weigh. Total lost now is 87.5kg (193lbs) and I now weigh 82.7kg. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting closer and closer and I am soooooo excited. I am almost in the 70's as well, which is my next goal after getting to 90kgs lost which is just a tiny bit before it. I may well hit both goals at the same time which is definitely fine by me!! I have also signed up for a 12 week transformation challenge at one of the local gyms near my work. There is a $5000 prize for the person who achieves the best overall transformation in the 12 weeks. I am not doing it for the prize, but I really really really want to get to my goal which is probably another 20kgs or so and I thought it might give me that little extra incentive to really pull all the stops out and just get it done. I am so close now I just want to get there!! Well here's hoping anyways! Catch up with you all again soon!! Shari

August!? How is it August?

I'm sorry to say that this blog post is yet another "I'm-going-to-get-motivated-soon" post. But we all know you can't start until you are ready to commit to it. I've made some life changes lately and feel that this is yet another jumping off point for me. I was fit once upon a time. And I will be again. It's just a matter of getting there. I have to break into the habit again and discover the joy in getting there. I've done it before.

I'll be 40 in 2014. And I think that making my goal weight by then is a reasonable long term goal. So that's what I'm shooting for long term. It looks like a long way off, but its going to be a challenge.

Short term goals are harder to pin down. I've spent some time over the last few weeks ramping up and getting in a little exercise here and there. I've got to learn to cook now, so I'm working on learning to do it in a healthy way that will help me and make the kids happy too. Honestly, diet is my chief concern right now. I have figured out how to incorporate exercise in (even if I don't do it as much as I should still), but cooking and eating right is something I have to start from scratch at. And I have to be able to do it in a schedule full of work/school, gym, football, aikido, and any other extra curriculars. So goal number one is make a meal plan I can stick to. Goal number 2 is to loose 5 pounds by the end of the month.

Shari is so inspiring to me. I keep thinking about how much determination she has to reach her goal. She not only has the determination to reach it, she already has a plan to maintain it after she has reached the target. Her enthusiasm is contagious. I just need to keep checking in a getting dose of it!

I'll check in again soon with progress. One of these day's I won't be posting that "I'm starting today!", I'll be posting "I'm continuing and setting new goals!"

Half the Person!!

Hi All Sorry I haven't posted for a while but I have been trying to get to my next goal and because it was such an amazing goal, I didn't want to blog until I got there. It has taken me a bit longer than I thought it would, but as with all my goals, I got there in the end. Today was the day!! This morning I had an extra special weigh in. At my Weight Watchers weigh in the scale registered 85.1kg which means I have lost 85.1kg (187.6lbs). Yes! You did read that right! As of today I have lost exactly half of my starting weight. If I could have done a backflip I would have!! According to my Curves measure this morning, I have also lost 308cm (121 inches). Woohoo!! Words cannot describe how absolutely fabulous I feel today and to know that I am on the home stretch gives me the motivation to keep going until I get there. I have about 25kg (55lbs) to go I think until I get to my goal weight and if can get this far I can definitely do that. One day at a time, plugging away little by little, it will happen. Anyway - I hope you all have an awesome weekend - I know I will!! Shari

Bloomsday

Almost 20 years ago I made my friend Loretta do Bloomsday with me.  I did have to drag her along for part of it (and she hasn't let me forget it yet).  That was the last time I joined 50,000 people to walk or run 12k (7.5 miles). 

I signed up this year as motivation to start getting into shape.  I didn't train as much as I should have but I didn't give up either so that's good.  It helped that I roped many of my friends into joining me. 

The race was Sunday, May 6.  On Saturday morning I woke up with a very sore throat that developed into a cough through the day.  I was completly out of energy and very worried that I was going to HAVE to bag the race.  I worried about it a lot!  I really didn't want to let down my friends.

On Sunday morning I was feeling a little better.  I loaded my pocket with cough drops, and geared up for the walk.  I told myself that I wasn't running.  I wasn't going for a time.  I was simply going to do the race and know that I can complete it. 

I made the kids do it with me.  And at the last minute Aaron also signed up to walk with us.  I was pretty sure my youngest would pull me along and I'd have to be a cheerleader for the older one. 

Every racer has a bib with a number on it.  Embedded in the bib is a chip that is activated when you cross the starting line and certain points along the race, including the finishing line.  It gives you your personal race statistics.  This is new technology for me!  They didn't do this 20 years ago!!

The race started at 9:00.  The elite runners are able to head off at this time.  Then the next group is lead to the starting line and funneled through.  Then the next group, etc.  I signed us up for the next to last group (lilac).  The blue group was in front of us.  Blue group people expect to cross the finish line in 2.5 hours or more.  I expected 3 hours or more.  It took 45 minutes (and probably a mile of walking!) for our group to get to the starting line!! 

We started out at a reasonable pace.  We weren't passing people, but plenty of people we passing us.  I knew that we had a long way to go and I didn't want to blow all my energy right at the beginning.

The kids started to look for the big orange mile makers.  They were able to keep track of where we were.  The oldest started to complain about 5 miles in.  He twisted his ankle and was pretty tired of walking.  He powered through though.  The youngest only complained of having to go to the bathroom!  But by the time we waited in the line for the honey bucket, we could have finished the race, so I encouraged him to keep going.  About halfway through people started to slow down.  We were passing people!  We caught up to people who had started in the group before us. 

The clock at the finish line when we crossed said 3:10:57.   But remember that it took quite a bit of time to get to the starting line.  The chip in my bib said I made it 12K in 2:26:15. 

My overall place was 38,385 (out of 47,841 finishers)
And it took me 8 minutes to cruise up Doomsday hill!
I walked with a pace of 19:36 per mile. 

I  made it.  We all did.  And now I have a number to beat next year!
http://www2.brightroom.com/97735/64254

Update on Gold Rush Marathon & Double Digit Bid

I know, I know - I am a slacker!! I haven't posted in a while and I am sorry. I have had a lot on my plate lately. That is normal I know, but I had a lot more than normal in the last month which is why I have been so lax. Luckily that doesn't mean that I have slacked off with my weight loss, although I must admit that it hasn't been going as well as I had planned and I am definitely behind where I wanted to be by this time this year, but that's ok. We will get there in the end. Anyway, I really wanted to fill you in on how the Gold Rush Marathon went. There are a few things I feel the need to mention. First of all, it was harder that I thought it was going to be and I thought it was going to be hard!! I guess my mind was in a tiny bit of denial and probably didn't want to acknowledge the fact that it was a rainforest run. I didn't really think too much about the fact that it was not a run on the road, but through the rainforest. I have to admit that I really didn't start to think too much about that side of it until we were driving towards the starting point and were heading towards mountains. That's when I started to really worry!! It is probably good that I didn't think too much about it beforehand because I may not have signed up for it in the first place lol!! Anyway, we did it. I had a lot of support doing it and that really helped. My sister & her husband, his brother, myself & my daughter Nataasjia all did it and finished. I was last but I really don't care. I was so proud of myself that I actually did it. I finished that damn run and I didn't stop running almost the whole time. At some points it was just too hard to run and so I was forced to walk. You have to realise that this run was through a rainforest. I know I have said that a few times lol!! We had to wade through about 18 creek crossings (the wet feet actually became soo refreshing towards the end!!!), pick our way over rocks, through mud, avoid tree roots & fallen branches and weave our way through nasty plants hanging over the path. We were also told in the briefing before the race to watch out for leeches, spiders overhead & snakes on the path. Why the heck did we still do it you may ask?!! I am asking myself the same question lol!! But we did and I know I am glad that I did. I don't know if I will ever do it again, but I guess you just never know. I came last, but I don't care in the slightest. I was the biggest person there & I finished it. I fell over not once, not twice, but yes - three times and I was so frustrated with myself, but I picked myself up and kept going. My knee hurt after the first time, but I was not going to give in and just told myself to keep going. I could hardly walk that afternoon and the next few days, but I finished that darn race and that was all I cared about!! We can do it! There is a saying that they have written on the board at my gym and it is something that I have definitely learnt in the last year or so - "If you say you can or you can't, you are right. You can do whatever you tell yourself you can" or words to that effect. It is so true. It is our minds that stop us & I am determined that mine will not stop me because I am telling it everyday that I can and I will. As to my weight loss of late, I realised that I did not get back to update you all on my double digit bid. I did actually make it. It was right down to the wire, but I really wanted it and I ended up getting that magic number - JUST!! I didn't care - I just wanted to see two digits on the screen instead of three and you have no idea how long it has been since I had seen it and how so absolutely fantastic it was TO see it. It still brings a tear to my eye, although that is probably just because I am such a sook lol!! I have to admit I haven't gotten much further as I guess I have taken my foot off the pedal a bit due to having so much on my plate. But that is life and I have been endeavouring to rectify that in the last couple of weeks. While saying that, I do believe that although I haven't lost the numbers on the scales, I have actually lost centimetres of late which I will confirm in a couple of weeks when I have a measure at curves. I am pretty sure that is the case though because I could feel my ribcage when I had a shower last night. It was quite funny actually because it has been such a long time since I had felt it, I didn't at first realise that it was my ribcage lol!! It is such an awesome feeling and I think I will keep feeling for it in the next few days just to make sure it is still there!! It seems such a little thing to most people probably, but to me it is definitely not a small thing. Anyway, that is enough from me for now. I know that Krista is probably just about to do her Bloomsday walk and I hope that she will be updating us on that. I can't wait to hear how it goes! My friends who started their journey this year are also going well, as I hope are all of you. We can do it if we just believe in ourselves and tell ourselves we can!! Shari

Still catching up!!

I'm still here! I haven't fallen off the face of the earth.  Yet.

I joined a gym a month ago.  I spent the first few weeks trying the elliptical torture machine and recumbent bikes.  The first time I got on the elliptical I was only able to make it three and a half minutes.  I got off and did the bike for the rest of the 25-30 minutes... (closer to 25 if I'm going to be perfectly honest).  The next time I went in I stayed on for 7 minutes, and then 10, then 12.  Then 20!!  I can do 20 minutes on the elliptical!  It hurts still and I don't love it.  But I'm starting to look forward to it, just a little bit. 

I saw a trainer who encouraged me to join a BodyPump class.  I haven't done it yet.  It doesn't happen at a convenient time for me.  It isn't an impossible time.  Just not ideal and I haven't made the effort to schedule it yet.  It scares the lights out of me!  It looks like serious business.  I'll get there though.  It's on my list. :)

The trainer also set me up on a weight circuit. There are 13 machines that I go through in a circle (hence circuit).  They cover everything upper and lower body.  I think I started out with weights below what I was capable of, again because it made me nervous.  I'm slowing increasing the weight as I go.  The last few reps are supposed to be hard to do.  And they ARE! 

I haven't lost any pounds yet.  I'm maintaining.  But I'm seeing a difference in my body.  It's a small difference.  And one I'm sure I'm the only one who can see.  But it's there.  And it's a start. 

I took measurements the first week of March.  So it's time to do it again.  I'll try to remember to post them all, or at least any changes.  Nag me if I don't put it up here.  I think it's important, and a part of a SMART goal!!

Keep it up!  See less of me soon!!

Weigh In Day

Hi everyone

Just a quick update since I had a weigh in today. I lost 2.2kg (4.85lbs) which is ok since I didn't weigh in last week. I have 3.9kg (8.6lbs) to go to hit double digits. I told myself last week that I needed to pull my finger out and stop fart assing around and get to my next goal which is double digits. I knew I wouldn't get there this week but I know that by next Saturday I can definitely be there and I am going to make it happen. I will have to work really hard but I know I can do that and when I get there it will be so so worth the effort. So I gotta get to it, but I hope everyone has an awesome week and I will see you back here by next Saturday at the latest, under 100kg (220lbs)!

DOUBLE DIGITS HERE I COME - WOOHOO!!!!

Shari

Finally!!

Hi everyone

I'm baacccckkk!! I have had a slow start to the year so far, but I am hoping that slow start means good finish :) Anyway, I have had a bit of a set back in the last couple of weeks. I was just starting to get back on track and really get into my exercise in a big way for the year when I found myself in a lot of pain. I ended up having to go into hospital and having surgery which was definitely not expected or planned for. After the surgery I was told I couldn't exercise until the wound had healed which would be at least a week and maybe longer. I hate exercise. I really really really hate it. But no matter how much I hate it, I suck it up and do it because I know that if I want to get to where I want to be in the timeframe that I want, I have to. So as much as I hate it and was secretly just a tiny bit ecstatic that I wasn't allowed to do it, I found that in a very short space of time I became more and more frustrated that I wasn't allowed to. It was really doing my head in & I started to get into a negative frame of mind, thinking that because I couldn't exercise I couldn't lose. I have to say I did go off the rails a little bit, but then I pulled myself together and told myself to take my own advice. Weight loss is mostly eating. Exercise helps in a big way, but it is definitely possible to lose weight without exercise. So as long as my eating is right, I will still lose. Maybe not as much, but it doesn't matter as long as I am losing and I will be able to exercise again eventually. So the next day I started back on my eating plan and the rest is history as they say!

After 2 whole weeks of no exercise I finally felt that I wouldn't do any damage if I tried to do something, so decided to go for a 5km (3.1 miles)walk. I ended up jogging 1.5km (0.9 miles)of it and felt fine. I did that on Thursday just gone and then thought I would try to do a little bit more the next day. So on Friday I did the same 5km but jogged 4km (2.5 miles). I have to tell you, that is the most distance that I have jogged non stop by a very very long way. I reckon the longest that I have jogged in one hit would be maybe 500 metres (0.3 miles) lol!! Today I thought that if I can jog 4km out of 5km, then why can't I jog the whole way? So today I jogged the whole 5km! I need to work up to 10km (6.2 miles) by the end of June and I need to get faster as I wasn't quite as fast as I need to be not to be disqualified along the way, but for now I am ecstatic. I just told myself that I could do it and although I told myself I could, even I am amazed that I jogged 5 whole kms without stopping once! Even after having 2 weeks with no exercise. Baby I'm baaaaacccccccckkkkkkkk!!!!!!

So this morning I went to weigh in and found that I had lost 2kg (4.4lbs) so that makes a total of 64.2kg (141.5lbs) and 2.7kg (6lbs)(I made a mistake in my last post - should have said .7kg)this year. Like I said, slow start but a loss is a loss and it can only get better from here on in.

There is a slight chance that I may have to go into surgery again in the next month or so, but I have made peace with that. I am happy & healthy and if it has to be then it has to be and it doesn't mean that I can't still get to my goal. If I have to have more time off from exercise I am not going to let it get me down. I am just going to make sure that my eating is as perfect as I can get it and it will still happen.

I hope everyone is chugging along on this journey of ours. We have some big things ahead of us and it will be awesome to see!!

Until next time.......

Back on the scoreboard!!

Hi Everyone!!

First of all I would like to say - WAY TO GO KRISTA!! - and everyone else doing the Bloomsday run with her. That is awesome and I so wish that I could be there too. I will be there in spirit though and I know that one day the sisters will be doing it together lol!! My sister and I will be competing in my first marathon on the 22nd April. It is called the Gold Rush Marathon and we are doing the 7km run and I can tell you that I am not looking forward to it, but we will do it. How proud will we all be when we have completed our challenges?!! No matter where we are in the world, we are all in this together and it is great to be able to motivate each other and celebrate our successes together.

I actually wanted to leave Krista's last post on top for a while but as today was my first weigh in for the year, I didn't want to leave it go because otherwise I will feel as if I haven't fully got into the swing of things because I haven't owned it. It really feels as though I have got off to a slow start because it is almost the end of January and I have only just weighed in for the first time, but at least now I feel like my journey for the year has begun, sluggishly slow or not!!

Soooooooo - why has it taken me so long to get there?!! Well as you know I was having a week's break after my New Year's Eve weigh in - a week and 2 days actually as I started on New Year's Eve after my morning weigh in and went through until the Sunday after that first week of the year. Thank goodness I didn't have any longer than that!! I actually had said that I was going to have a full 2 weeks off which I know would have turned into 16 days because I would have gone through to the Sunday, but decided beforehand that that would be way too long. I am amazed to say that when Monday the 9th of January rolled around I was actually glad that it had arrived. I really needed the break - my body and my mind needed it - but I was definitely ready to get back into it and get this thing finished!! It was also a very good exercise for me to do because it showed me just how quickly the weight can go back on if I am not careful. I put on a lot over my break. Not all of it would have been actual weight. A lot of it would have been fluid but it was still shocking to hop on the scales on that Monday morning and see the results of my time off. I did still exercise in my break time, but not anywhere near what I normally do while I am trying to lose and I didn't watch what I ate at all. If I wanted it, I had it. One year ago I would not have been able to do that and get back on the wagon. I would have kept right on going and it just goes to show how far I have come in a year. I knew that I would put on and I was ok with that. I don't think that we should have to go through life and never put anything bad in our mouths. My break was my Christmas break, I just had it a week later than everyone else because I was trying to make my goal by the end of the year. So I don't feel like I missed out. I had all the yummy stuff everyone else had over Christmas and New Year, just later than everyone else and it was worth it lol!!

Monday the 9th came though, and that was it for me. Back on the wagon and happy to be there! I jumped back into my exercise regime and added some new much much harder training in 3 days a week as well. I had already told myself before I started my break, that if I was going to do the crime, then I had to do the time and I am proud to say I hooked into it like a trooper. So in the 3 weeks since I finished my break, I have been working really hard to lose what I had put on and then some so that I could go to my first weigh in for the year. It was actually supposed to be last Saturday, and although I had lost all of the weight I had put on over my break by then, I think I must have put on muscle from all of the extra training, so I didn't go last week. I trained really hard again this week because I really didn't feel like my journey had started yet, since I hadn't had that first weigh in. Thank goodness I managed to lose enough to get there this morning. I had a .6kg (1.3lbs) and although it wasn't the number I was looking for, I am happy that I have a least made it onto the scoreboard and I finally feel like I have begun!! It is especially good when I take into account that whether some of it was fluid or not, the scales showed that I had put on a whopping 12.7kg (28lbs) in the 9 days I had off. Like I said, it just goes to show how quickly it can go back on if I am not careful and even when I get to my goal weight, I am going to have to watch myself for the rest of my life. This is not a short term thing - this is a lifetime thing. Some people are lucky and they don't have to be so careful, but some of us are not so lucky and we have to really work at it. I guess we all have things we have to work on in life and this just happens to be the thing that I have to work on and I know that I will be fitter and healthier because of it.

I also made my list of New Year's Resolutions and my goal for this year is 50kg (110lbs). It is a big goal again but I really want to finish this thing this year. I did it last year and although when I get into the double digits I think it will get harder, I do still think that I can do it and I am much better equipped this year. I learnt a lot last year and I found what works and I know what I have to do to achieve my goal. I can't wait to get there and that keeps me going. It took me a long hard road to get where I am now and although I still have a lot of hard work ahead of me, it will be so worth it and I am looking forward to enjoying all the little milestones along the way.

Anyway, enough dribbling on from me for now. I will post again when there is something to report, but until then keep going. Krista has asked the question before - "How many times can one begin again?" and the answer she gives is, "As many times as is necessary". She is right. We all fall off the wagon at some point. That's life. Life happens. The important thing is that we don't give up. Keep going and I will catch up with you all again soon!

Shari

Bloomsday

I signed up for Bloomsday today. I’ve got 100 days to get in a little better shape now. 100 days to improve enough to not feel like I’d rather die than finish. For those who don’t know what Bloomsday is here is a link. https://www.bloomsdayrun.org/

I signed the boys up to do it with me. Z will love it. Nate will complain the whole time and I will have to turn into his cheer leader. But they might get new shoes for the race, so he might find it worth it. The kids like their shoes and wear them out or outgrow them in a hurry.(I tend to wait until the last minute before they get new ones. Nate doesn’t wear kid sizes any more. He shops in mens shoes. A pair of shoes in mens size costs a lot more than the same pair in kid size!! I know it only gets worse from here, but maybe he’ll slow down growing his feet soon.) And cheering him on will cheer ME on in the process.

AND... my bestie, Teresa, signed up as well!! Her family is signed up too, so there will be a group of us. We have both paid our money and made the commitment! And we will be talking this weekend about meeting once a week at least to walk together. (I know it takes more than once a week, but it might be the only time we have together.)

The last time I did Bloomsday was probably 1992 or 1993. Two of my college roommates, and I did it together (one more cheerfully than the other!). I have great memories from then. We didn’t push ourselves, we walked most of the time, and had an accomplishment to brag about when we were done. Loretta, you can join us again this year!!!

I did it in 1991 with my boyfriend of the time. That was my fastest time. He pushed me to run more of the race than I would normally have done. It was before I was at my fittest, but I was on my way. I have a picture of us crossing the finish line. I look pretty worn out, but pleased.

Before that I’d done the race a few times with my dad and sister. Dad’s company had a corporate team. They had a suite at one of the hotels for refreshments and bragging after the race. We weren’t on the corporate team, but always went up to see their results. (They were done well before we crossed the finish line).

So, now it has been 20 years since the last time I was in this race. Yikes, I was still in my teens! And this time it’s all about setting a goal to be healthy again. This is a small goal in that quest to be healthy.

100 days from today. I’d better make a plan!

Week 1 - Back on the Wagon!

Paleo went to hell this weekend. I did pretty good during the week. That was almost easy actually. Then the weekend came. Aa asked what I wanted for dinner and I (jokingly) said "chicken Parmesan". I don’t have any idea what is involved with making that. And I thought I was being funny and he’d make something else. But he made it, and it turns out that it’s simpler than I thought, but it isn’t paleo. The chicken is breaded and he puts it on top of noodles. He made my chicken not breaded, but I still ate the noodles.

The next day we had errands to run, and then I planned to spend the whole afternoon scrap booking. Lunch time came while we were running our errands. And we were right next to Burger King. So we got Whoppers. I ate it all. I scrapped all afternoon, until the kids started to complain about being hungry. Demanding little guys when they get hungry. :) We had leftovers. There was chicken (breaded) and pasta left. It was delicious again.

Sunday was a little better, until after lunch. I had coffee and apple slices at breakfast. It was all I was hungry for. Then I got busy doing my chores. It’s amazing how fast the day goes when you are busy. Before I knew it the kids were complaining about starving to death, again. They complained to their dad this time and he got a pizza. I ate 2 slices. After I ate them, my energy level dropped like a rock!! I still puttered around but I’m glad I got most of my work done in the morning.

I’m back on target today. I still haven’t figured out a breakfast. I’m not normally a breakfast eater. Even though I know it’s "the most important meal of the day". I don’t really every feel hungry or like eating until about lunchtime. I am trying to try harder, but it’s almost as though I don’t know HOW. What is a good paleo breakfast, that is easy, quick, and doesn’t require cooking?

I had veggies with humus dip today. It was surprisingly satisfying. Don’t have a plan for dinner yet.

Stepped on the scale this morning and I was down 1.2 pounds for the week. I didn’t get around to measurements yet, but I haven’t forgotten.

A year ago

A year ago, I weighed the same as I do now.  Really Krista?  Zero progress in a year?  What have you been doing?!

A year ago, I wrote about setting goals.  My goal is set.  A SMART goal.  (And in keeping with the 4 criteria I posted last night). 

A year ago, I talked about setting up a weekly menu.  That never even got off the drawing board!

A year ago, I promised to blog weekly.  I did keep that up for, um, maybe 3 weeks....

A year ago, I was a different person.  A year has passed.  We have all grown (emotionally, not physically) and changed.  Soo...  This year, I'll set the same goals and you will hear from me more often.  I'll check in soon!



S: Specific - I will strive to lose 50 pounds before my 20 year reunion (date not specified yet).  I will eat less pasta and delicious breads, and more vegetables and fruits.  I will plan a healthy breakfast and pack a healthy lunch (no more fast food trips because I forgot to bring lunch with me).  And I'll start walking again.  At least 3 days a week.
M: Measurable - I will take measurements monthly, and weigh myself each Monday morning.  I will take pictures and keep statistics.  (This part is FUN!)
A: Achievable - This is tricky.  Sure this is an achievable goal.  I have at least 6 months to get there (again, the specific date isn't set by the reunion committee yet, but I have a general idea).  A 2 pound per week weigh loss is achievable and there is plenty of time for that.  Past experience tells me its less achievable than I'd like to think though.  But I'm thinking positively today.  It's doable.
R: Recordable - You bet!  I can  journal and track and blog and photograph.  It's recordable.  Whether I like it or not.
T: Time bound - Yes.  When I get the date for certain.  And in the meantime I'll just say.... hmmm.  July 4th. 

Cliche:  Not to much.  It's pretty specific.
Make it a Game:  Hello statistics!
Be Drastic: January is going to be a mess!  I need a kick in the pants!!
Stick to it:  I'm here again aren't I?

See you in a week with the first statistics!!!

New Year, New Goals?

Every year starts the same doesn't it?  Resolve to be better.  Better at anything.  More committed to weight loss.  More committed to organization.  Better at being on time or at least late less often.  Eat better.  Exercise more. 

I'm in the same boat this year as I was last year.  I want the same things I wanted a year ago.  I must have done it wrong.  I know how to make goals.  Soooo.... this year, I'll try again.  I'm putting my goal out here for you to see.  (I'm pretty sure that last year.  I wrote about SMART goals). 

I read an article this week.  The first tip is to stay away from cliche's.  Sooo... I can't say "I'll lose weight this year".  The second one was to Make it a Game.  That means take lots of pictures and keep a lot of statistics. The third is Be Drastic.  Make the first 30 days a big deal, if you are going to do it, go ALL the way in January.   The last was Stick to it!!  If you fall off the wagon, hop back on!

Side note: Shari must have read (or written) that article.  She ROCKS! 

Anyway!!!  I'm going to try that.  I'm not going to say "I'll lose 50 pounds this year".  This year I'll say... let's see.... I'll wear a dress 2 sizes smaller for the high school reunion.  That's something I can aim for!!!   I am ALL about statistics.  I'll take pictures and measurements and blog.  That really sounds like me.  No problem!  Be drastic... well, I'm off to a shaky start so far, but it's never too late.  So, I'm planning to eat paleo this month.  I plan to eat "only food you can pick or kill..."  Limit my bread or pasta or anything that doesnt' come to the plate almost the same as it was in nature.  And Stick to it!  I don't think I need to learn this one.  I keep coming back to it.  So, that might be the easiest one for me. 

I haven't made the time (as much as I've tried) to draw out the plan as thoroughly as I should.  YET.  I have bits and pieces in my head.  I'll work it out.  I'll be back!  I just wanted to get it out there now!  (and let you all know that I haven't fallen off the face of the earth). 

I'll match Shari as well.  I'll add pictures!  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!