Over all ready

I can't believe that my Christmas Vacation is over all ready...but I can say that although I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to see, I overall had a great trip home.

So now let’s get down to business....the reason for my blog...my battle with the bulge ;)
Well I started off on my 2 and a half week vacation saying that I would let myself eat whatever I wanted to eat on Christmas eve and Christmas day...cause those are the days my family has the yummiest foods around, and I figured what could two days worth of not counting points really hurt. After the 22 hour drive to home (stupid rush hours in Toronto and Montreal!) I soon realized that keeping track of points was not as straight forward as it was at home...or at least that is what I let my self believe, and so I did not count a single point after noon on my first day. To tell you the truth, I actually realize now that I have no idea where my tracker even is...somewhere in NB...lots of good it is doing me here.

To give my self some credit I did promise to at least be conscious of what I was eating. And I was, until Christmas Eve...and it didn’t stop till I got home 2 weeks later. WHY did I give my self permission to go all out for two days, knowing that I wouldn't be able to stop at that? I should have been strict...but it was Christmas and I thought I deserved a bit of a splurge. I can feel it though…creeping up on me...the truth will be revealed tomorrow at weigh in. I am expecting a 5 pound increase. I can deal with that...I have dealt with it before.

Today I am joining the gym here in Kincardine and I am getting back on track. No more slips for me, 55 to lose this year, 45 down last year (and I didn't even really start till April) so I think I can do it...HELLO 2006!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

So I am very excited that there are only 5 more working days till I leave for NB. And really it could be 4 working days, cause Friday afternoon is a Christmas Luncheon, and Tuesday I am leaving early to get the car all packed up and ready to head out bright and early on Wednesday!

So I am hoping to get a chance to see some of you while I am home.

Did I mention it hasn't stopped snowing since I moved here. Atleast 4 hours of everyday is snow...but it isn't the messy yucky city snow like in Ottawa, is teh nice, pure white, fluffy stuff like back east. I LOVE it. Josh and I went for a walk in a blizzard the other day...nothing makes me happier then being all bundled up, walking in gorgeous snow, holding the hand of the person I lvoe more than anything in this world! Life if so awesome!!!

I can't wait to be home!!!

All Settled In

I can't believe how fast time is going by these days.

Josh and I are all moved into our place and everything is unpacked and cosy...thanks 100% to Josh. He is very bored not having a job right now, so he whipped right through getting boxes unpacked, painting, and cleaning, as well as hanging up pictures and organizing knick knacks and stuff...I could get used to this ;)

I have really been missing my Goodlife though. Such a great gym...but the closest one to me now is 2 hours away...not quite worth it. There is a gym here in Kincardine, actually a couple, but I am waiting to join after christmas...since I only have 1 week left till I go home, and I will be home for 2 1/2 weeks.(WOOHOO!) I will have to take some pictures of teh new place and post them up...it is my favourite place I have lived so far (and trust me, I have lived in a lot of friggin places). My kitty likes it lots too, and has adjusted well.

More exciting news is that I have lost a few more pounds and am currently at 200.2 (I swear that body knows how bad I want to be below 200 for Christmas). I am more than positive I will be able to reach my goal of 199 by the end of the year now...thanks to the weight watchers group here in Kincardine. I like their approach, and I find it more welcoming then some of the meetings I attended in Ottawa.

So that is a grand total of 43.8 pounds! WOOHOO! only 56.2 to go (almost half way there).

Busy Busy

It has been a long time....crazy!

Things on the weight front are holding steady. It is like my body knows how bad I want to be below 200, so it teases me by hovering by 1 or 2 pounds from week to week. I have a good feeling that the upcoming move will give me the shift in my routine I need to shake things up a abit and get those last 50-60 pounds off of my a$$. I was getting a bit discourages at one point, but I need to look at it over all...I have lost 43 pounds, which is no small feat. I am totally proud about that and I am loving the way I am looking. Clothes that haven't fit in a few years are fitting great, too bad they are things like button fly jeans that are not quite "in" any more.

Another positive note, Josh is also reaping some serious benefits of my cooking healthier along with his Karate. The bugger has lost
somewhere between 40 and 50 pounds...I am so proud of him. He is looking even more fabulous than he was a while ago. I am so excited at how great we are going to look when we get married in a little over a year. Maybe that dream dress will be mine after all!!


On another, exiting note...I am moving yet again. This time I am leaving Ottawa and going to a fairly rural area of Ontario, the town is Kincardine. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen! For those of you who don't know where that is (which is probably EVERYONE), the map below shows where it is in relation to Toronto...about 2 hours North West, where most people in Toronto refer to as Cottage Country.



Not the most fabulous place to visit in the winter, but come summer the beaches along Lake Huron are amazing, and there is an open invite to any of you who'd like to come visit at ANY time!!! An interesting fact for you...I will be about 30 minutes from the longest fresh water beach in North America...Sauble Beach. There will be no dull moments!

Fun Pictures

Some fun pictures from the last few days...I love Fall!!!

A day at the Park

Vanessa and I being silly ...such a nice fall day!

Been a While

wow..I really thought that I had posted since the last post...but I guess not.The run went great...I ran the whole thing...and was able to shave about 4 minutes off of my personal best time (although the time is not a big deal for me, as long as I can run teh distance I am happy). I am starting training for a 10K distance wednesday, and I am very excited.

Last weigh in I was down 3 pounds. Sounds great, but with the gains a few weeks ago, I am just back to where I was a while back...but I am back there, so that is good.

Have had company for the last little while, and we are having a blast! We are on our way to a Sens Leafs game in a few minutes, and we spent the day having fun and taking pictures with Josh on Saturday. Yesterday I made my first ever turkey dinner! So Yummy!!! Complete with apple Pie (I so rock).

Phew........

Alright, so the scales are now going in the right direction...down! I had a small loss today, but a loss none the less, and I will take that.

My First 5K

Good news all...

I am going to be participating in the CIBC Run for the Cure 5K run. I use dto think 5K was a pretty long distance and that it would be a tough race...now I kinda feel like it will be no problem, and find myslef a bit dissapointed that they don't have a 10K distance at the event...

All in all, it is a great cause, and I am just happy to be abel to contribute to something so worth while. If there is a run in your area you shoul go out and support the runners. And to those of you that are doing the run, best of luck to you and remember to have fun!

Frustration

I haven't posted in a few weeks...and I am now biting the bullet and posting to explain why.

I have gained a few pounds over the last few weeks, my weight last week and this week were both up. A total of only 4 pounds, so it isn't the end of the world by any means, and as much as I hate to admit it, I know exactly why. When I got back from the Wedding in New Brunswick I weighed in and I was down 3 pounds...I was thrilled because I didn't really pay very close attention to what I ate when I was home. So it kind of gave me a false sense of security in that I could do the same all the time. And to top it off I have had 2 weekends that included licorice and nachos (they just go so well with movies)...both of which are problem foods for me that ALWAYS lead to over eating. 1 or 2 Nibs, I think not, the whole bag more like it.

So this is my confession post...as much as I hate to post bad reults I need to do it and I need to keep myself accountable. I recommitted to journaling my food and activity yesterday and am fully committed to going back to the basics and rereading a lot of my "motivational" material.

All Grown Up!

What a week!!! My best bud in the whole wide world got married on saturday, and I was her maid of honour. Doesn't she look amazing! That is me and Josh in the picture with her. I had such a great time the whole week at the Stagette party, the wedding shower, the rehersal, the actual wedding, the open house, and I didn't want to leave when I did. I realized this past week how much I miss having her around...it is so nice to have someone that knows you better than anyone else, and has shared more with you than anyone else. Miss you Mrs. Alward!!!

Can't Believe I Didn't Tell You

So I lost three pounds, and reached my 10% last week! WOOHOO!! This means I got a really nice keychain from weight watchers and I have had my eye on it for about a month now....things were slow for a while. So this puts me at a total of 24 pounds lost since I started weigt watchers, and 39.5 pounds in total. That is a lot of pounds...actually...you know those 18L jugs of water that you put in water coolers, the really ginormous ones....well one of those weight 39.6 pounds. Go ahead, next time you ar ein a grocery store, pick one of those suckers up! That is the extra weight I had previously been carrying around!

Will update tomorrow with today's results ;)

Thank Yous

I have been realizing lately just how many people it takes as a support network in order to lose weight...and I have quite a support network. It consists of so many people, some I hardly know, others I have known forever and love with all my heart. So I decided that they deserve some recognition...In the style of my "fat-loss Grammy award winning moment" I'd like to thank,

Michelle, Sara, Bill, June (class instructors from Goodlife) for being kick ass instructors and really knowing how to keep a girl motivated. Special props to Michelle for taking a true interest in my progress and giving me someone I want to impress. I need that to be successful.

Brooke (running trainer) for really knowing how to get a group of non-running girls motivated enough to get up at 5:00 am in the morning to run atleast 6 kilometers...and having the great sense of knowing when and how to push us, as well as when to back away.

Kelly - the girl who asked me to go to the gym with her...you hardly knew me at the time yet was willing to bring me with you to the gym, show me around AND go with me almost every day. Despite the fact that you are in fabulous shape you made me feel like we were at the level...that means more to me then you will ever know! Knowing that you'd be disappointed in me not going gave me the extra push I needed to get my butt in gear. Please hurry up and come back to Ottawa :)

Heather D. and Tineka - the gals who introduced me to weight watchers - Although both with very different goals then me, the two of you more than willingly set me up with the info I needed to get started and the motivation I needed to stay on track in attempting to do weight watchers at home. The great snack ideas and food items that you guys told me about made getting through the cravings much easier and having people that didn't think I was crazy when talking about "2 points" for food made me feel a bit more sane.

Sonia - for asking me to join you in running, not once, not twice but three times. Even after I said no, you asked again and made me question why I was saying no. It was the best decision I have made in a long time!

Sean - my first weight watchers leader - When I decided to first officially join weight watchers (i.e. go to meetings rather than do it on my own)I was very nervous You were the BEST leader a girl could ask for, so motivational and always had the right words to say when the scale was up or down...I always left there feeling like a better person, whether I was heavier or lighter. The new leader just isn't the same. I miss you a lot!

Therese - for understanding without questioning. I love you!

Gilly, Donna, the Australian Gals, random posters - For offering such words of encouragement and knowing what to say to put a smile on my face...despite the fact that you hardly even know me. When someone replies to anything I post on here, it makes me want to post more, and that is what keeps me accountable, and that is what I need!

Melissa - For knowing exactly what I am going through because you are in the exact same place. You are the person I can really relate to, and I know that you feel the same. Being able to share our ideas and recipes while on totally different plans, makes things so much more fun!

Mom and Jody (my sister) - for keeping up to date with my weight loss and giving me the support I didn't really think I'd be able to get from home since I am away...I didn't really know either of you knew how to work a computer! Also for actually being interested in my progress, calling the minute I get home form my meetings to see how it went, and congratulating me with every small step. This means more to me then you will ever know!

Dad - for writing me a small email that said the weight loss was fantastic and that you could really see a difference. You can't possibly know how much that meant to me!

Barb - for having the personality I wish I had when it comes to my body. You carry yourself with such pride and confidence I only wish I had. You can talk to anyone and be comfortable with who you are. I hope someday I can say the same about myself.

My Uncles - you buggers who always are the ones to have something to say when it comes to teasing me about my weight - when you actually commented on the loss I was so shocked, and impressed!

Josh - you are my rock, my beacon, my peace. For saying you are proud of me at 5:00 in the morning when I get up to run. For eating anything I give you and appreciating that I am contributing to a healthier life for both of us, for telling me on the day I felt like I looked horrible that I was looking great and you really were noticing a huge difference, for pushing me to stay motivated, and not letting me buy the tub of ice cream, for making me feel special, for loving me.

To all of you (and I am sure this list is only going to expand as I think of people I may have forgotten) I have times when I think no one understands, and no one cares or even is there for support. Making this list gives me something to look at to see just how many people I have for support! Thank you for being a part of the toughest thing I have ever done in my life.

Things that make me happy

Okay, so I am a big copy cat and saw this on a few other people's blogs...but I thought it was a great idea...so here goes:

...someone I miss LOTS AND LOTS coming to visit very soon
...knowing that when I get to see that person I will have a fabulous day, no matter what we do
...a co-worker I hardly know commenting on how I look so healthy, and saying that I am just glowing compared to a few months ago
...dreading going home all day knowing the dishes and laundry need to be done and arriving home to find out your fabulous fiance has taken the evening off to get it done before you got home
...getting a window seat on the bus
...going to a class at the gym
...completing a run with my running group
...cuddling up with my fiance and my kitten to watch a great movie
...going back to NB for a visit
...being the maid of honour in my best friend's wedding, and getting to look really glamourous

Looking Hot

Today I am wearing the dress that I talked about in an earlier post. Just wanted to say that I am looking hot...it feels so great to be able to wear something that is so flattering for a change!

Speedbump

Its true...I was up by 1.5 stinking pounds this week...but I can feel that I have lost that already. You see I kind of decided I wanted to have a splurge all you can eat anything you want weekend. And I REALLY enjoyed eating ANYTHING I wanted too...it was a long weekend and I need to do this once and a while to get in some goodies (I mean pizza, ice-cream, chocolate, licorice, nuts, you name it I ate it!). Oh and I did nothing as far as working out on Sunday or Monday.

And this was the consequence. The BEST part is that I know how to get back on track after having a pig out fest like that and that I still fell great (although I was a bit down on Weight In day, I did bring it on myself).

So I dusted the dirt off, pulled my socks up and I am back in the game. No more pig out fests for me...

What do you think?

You Are From the Sun

Of all your friends, you're the shining star. You're dramatic - loving attention and the spotlight. You're a totally entertainer and the life of the party. Watch out! The Sun can be stubborn, demanding, and flirty. Overall, you're a great leader and great friend. The very best!

What Planet Are You From?

ALMOST 10%

Yesterday I got to go to Smiths Falls with my Josh since he had to write a test for a job he is hoping to get and hence I was not able to go to my usual WW meeting. Instead I decided to go on Monday and I was pretty excited cause I only had 1 pound to loose to get my awesome pewter keychain, which represents that you have lost 10% of your original starting weight...for me this is 37.5 pounds (but 22 since I started WW). They say that if you lose this much weight you have decreased your risk for many diseases by quite a substantial amount (In theory I have already reached this mark...but in the official ww records I have not)... So I was all excited when I went to the meeting, and I stepped on the scales, and I was only down 0.5 pounds...that 1 extra day may have been enough...stinking Mondays!

So I need to lose 0.5 pounds this week to get my keychain...very doable. I went to Macdonald's for fries and nuggets last night, I don't think that is going to help...but I just needed a grease fix ;) So the sail is set for a (rest of) week on track so that I can get the keychain. And then I am on my way to hitting the 40 pound mark. It would be great to be in Onederland (i.e. the 100's) by the time I go home at the end of August for a wedding...here is hoping!

July Challenge

I am going to participate in a challenge that a fellow blogger is giving herself. The goal...to do 1200 minutes of working out this month. I am a bit off track since I didn't do any gym for the 1-3 of the month, but we will see how I do...here she goes:

01/07/05 - None
02/07/05 - None
03/07/05 - None
04/07/05 - 60 minutes(pm-BodyPump)
05/07/05 - None
06/07/05 - 60 minutes(pm-BodyStep)
07/07/05 - 60 minutes(pm-BodyPump)
08/07/05 - 60 minutes(pm-BodyStep)
09/07/05 - None
10/07/05 - None
11/07/05 - 60 minutes(am-learn to run clinic...Loving It)
- 60 minutes(pm-BodyPump)
12/07/05 - 60 minutes(pm-BodyStep...new release holy frig was it awesome!)
13/07/05 - 60 minutes(am-learn to run clinic...didn't know I HAD that much sweat)
60 minutes(pm-BodyStep...I am so sore!)
14/07/05 - 60 minutes(pm-BodyPump)
15/07/05 - None (I wimped out)
16/07/05 - 120 minutes (am-BodyPump followed by BodyStep)
17/07/05 - None
18/07/05 - 60(tough)minutes (am-learn to run clinic)
60 minutes (pm-BodyPump)
19/07/05 - 45 minutes (pm - Body Step, had to cut it short for WW meeting)
20/07/05 - 60 minutes (am - learn to run clininc)
21/07/05 - 60 minutes (pm- BodyPump)
22/07/05 - None
23/07/05 - 60 minutes(am - running)
- 60 minutes (am -BodyPump)
24/07/05 - None
25/07/05 - 60 minutes (am - Running Clinic)
60 minutes (pm - BodyPump)
26/07/05 - None
27/07/05 - 60 minutes (am - running clinic)
(p.s. I bought new running outfit as a reward...it was on sale for a great price AND it looks totally cute on me!)
28/07/05 - 45 minutes (pm - run)
- 60 minutes (pm- BodyPump)
29/07/05 - None
30/07/05 - 40 minutes (am-run)
- 60 minutes (am - Body Pump)
31/07/05 - None

2310 down, I DID IT!!!!

Goal Rewards

So I have decided to set myself up with rewards for achieving small goals along the way on this adventure of mine. Thought I would share them with you:

Weight Lost Anticipated Date Reward
30 21-Jun New Gym Shirt (already done by the way)
40 23-Aug New Gym Pants/shorts
50 06-Sep Full Body Massage...ahhhhh
60 11-Oct New Gym Shirt
75 29-Nov Spa Day - Pedicure, manicure, facia...more ahhhh
85 03-Jan New Gym Pants/shorts
100 28-Feb Hot air balloon ride - Josh Promised!
Goal (115 lost)30-May $500 summer clothing shopping spree (bikini included)
Maintain 6 mos 30-Nov $500 winter clothing shopping spree

Anyone is welcome to come with for the shopping sprees..I WILL FINALLY BE ABLE TO BUY ANYTHING I WANT!!!!