Zonked

So I did see a gain on Saturday, but I'm o.k with that. I was so expecting 5lbs but it was 2.4 and I do believe a contributing reason was dealing with the unnatural heat we've had lately. Apparently that has now left and nights are actually cool enough to sleep.

I am so tired today and I don't know why. Perhaps it's full moon related. I didn't sleep fantastic yesterday, I never do on Sundays I think it's because you know you're going to work the next day.

Have had a somewhat productive day and out of the blue my friend asks me about going to Vegas in September. It's been 2 years since I've been to Vegas and I wasn't planning on a go away vacation this summer but it's looking like we can get a deal so maybe I will go. It's not like I want to do any major shopping as Sephora is now here and I've found a bra a like at La Senza so no need for Victoria Secret. We'll see what happens.

That trip would give added inspiration to get my butt in gear weight loss plan wise. Nothing like realizing one must put on a bathing suit...eek.

Nothing incredibly enlightening to say today...see ya tomorrow

Running walrus

Well that's what I felt like yesterday. I got home, changed into running gear and headed out the door. I managed to do 4 out of the 6 running bits but I felt like lead so I just walked after that. Who knew that 90 seconds could feel like an eternity. A lot of that had to do with the 27 degrees and not moving a muscle in 2 weeks. I'm determined to get through it but my next attempt will be on Sunday morning when it's cooler. I think I'll figure out how to encorporate that into the mornings. I just need to figure out how the morning routine will change.

I will see a gain tomorrow but oh well this is what happens when you don't follow the plan. I'm going to pull up my boot straps and keep moving on.

I was exhausted yesterday and went to bed in the middle of Big Brother.

I've got a lot of errands this weekend but I think I'm going to take a good chunk of time and focus on some goal setting and put it up somewhere so I can visualize. I need to do some meal planning too.

I hope everyone has a great weekend and here's to a new week!

New Day

First of all I need to talk about So You Think You Can Dance...how irritating was the solo portion with all 10 dancers dancing the same routine to the same song one person at a time. I used to like John Mayer's Waiting for the world to change...not anymore. I really hope Kameron doesn't go home, he's a cutie.

On other things...today is new day. I'm leaving my tracker on my desk so I'm concious of what I'm doing. I will start the C25K tonight, why wait for a new week when today is new day.

The goal list will wait for tonight, but work wise I've made a list of what I need to accomplish today and will check things off as they're completed.

I'm trying to learn more about Ayurveda. A bazillion years ago when I worked for The Body Shop they launched a line based on this ancient tradition. I still have my training from that but it's just the basics. My yoga gura has recommended anything written by Dr. Vasant Lad or Dr. David Frawley. I have a list of foods that are better suited towards my dosha which is pitta. I don't want to go into too much detail here but it's really interesting material I must say.

Apart from all this, I will report in to say how day 1 of C2K went.

Go forth and succeed!

Rebellion

Three days into my work week and I'm still not up to speed. If I actually put my head down and focused I'd probably be organized but little things keep getting in the way and distracting me from the work in front of me.

I feel that way on the weight loss front as well. I know what I need to do, I just don't have any get up and go. At least tonight I did an hour of yoga but I have yet to lace up my runners. At first the horrible heat was the factor but now the humidity is gone and I wasn't psyched up to go. It might due to change, I'm not heading out for the usual walk. This time out it's running, could that be freaking me out?

When I'm not focused it stresses me out a bit, which then results in snacking. The weird thing is at my Dad's I didn't snack.

I need to write down some goals, starting small and going forward.

I know I'll get my groove back, I just want it back sooner rather than later.

The picture above it the view from Dad's front door.

In conclusion, I'm not saying I'm giving up or fallen off the wagon. I'm just a little stuck in the mud.

Back among the city dwellers

Hello All,
I am back from a week of total relaxation. My Dad lives on an acreage so it was like living in silence-no traffic, no lawn mowers, no barking dogs, no sounds of kids. All that you can hear is the wind, leaves rustling, and the buzz of the black fly. I slept 10hrs a night and napped in between, it was like being totally relaxed. I didn't track a thing but at my Dad's house there's no convenience food, everything is wholesome not necessarily low fat but not messed with, if you know what I mean.

I didn't get into town in time for weigh in but home scales shows no damage.

My C25K mission was put on hold due to a bear on the property. It's true they are more scared of us then we are of them but I wasn't comfortable not being in shouting distance of anything out there with him/her. On top of that there were some pretty big thunderstorms every second night and there's no pavement out there either, didn't feel like running in mud.

This week will be the start of that endeavour. I've cleared my garmin to start tracking walk/running.

I pretty much read and watched the limited tv you can get out there minus a satellite. I watched a lot of the good old CBC (canadian broadcasting corportation) well known for news and great docs but they have some good sitcom like shows as well. I really enjoyed Rumors and Little Mosque on the Prairie. I got completely caught up on Coronation Street so I think that will become my Sunday routine once again. Got caught up on Days of our lives as well. I only watch it in the summer and it's amazing how fast it all comes back.

I have totally immersed myself in Harry Potter. Took Order of the Pheonix with me to re-read before seeing the movie. Read the 6th book again this Saturday, the 7th book was delivered that afternoon and about an hour ago I finished that. I won't give any spoilers on the Deathly Hallows but it did make me cry.

I'm trying to keep my sense of calm as I think of work tomorrow. It's a bit of a chaotic environment. I think I should add a desk fountain to my Mr. Potato Head collection...

I hope everyone had a fantastic week while I was gone. I so look forward to catching up on all your blogs.

Later!

Well knock me over with a feather

As I was puttering around my house yesterday I realized there was a meeting at 6:30pm that I could go to. So I hussled down there ready to accept a gain due to my Stampede behaviour and lo and behold I was down a pound. I think the dancing at Bon Jovi saved my patootie. I was so happy!

Now it's a half day at work, zip home, mow the lawn, zip back and head down to Cowboys. Then up early tomorrow to pack and water flowers then off to Dad's for rest and quiet for a week.

No where near a computer so y'all come back next week...ya hear.

Shout out to all my Fit and Fabulous team members we will rock this challenge.

Hugs to everyone!

Mr. Potatoe Head and friends

Finally! Here are some pictures of my hutch at work.

So on the left are the spud buds, corn, carrot and a small potatoe head. On the right, my pride and joy- Darth Tater, R2 Potatoo with a hologram of a potatoe head Princess Leia, Spud Trooper holding a potatoe masher, Spudder Man and Optimash Prime.

I'm quite surprised that not everyone notices them when they sit down with me but those who do always smile. Of course I have responsible adult elements of the picture and the daisies :)

Bon Jovi was fantastic last night, two encores and the guy still has it. The entire Saddledome (15000 people) sang Richie Sambora Happy Birthday. Heck the whole crowd knew most of the songs with the exception of the new album. It must be such a rush to hear that many people singing your songs back to you.

Went to the Avison Young buffet which is only open to concert ticket holders after 5:30pm. That was nice. It was kid's day at the Stampede so there were teenagers everywhere. We went on one ride that we waited 45min in line for. Oh well, there's always next year.

I was a little surprised to see a 1.5lb loss on my scale this morning. I slept through weigh in so it looks like this weeks is a miss. I think the loss was due to dancing through the whole concert. The guy in front of me stood for the whole thing so I had to as well. It wasn't bad but I was tired by the end of it.

Today is day at home so I'm happy to have a completely controllable day food wise. I'm going to walk down to the grocery store and back and do some yoga this afternoon.

Have a groovy day!

Bon Jovi Night

Hi All,
First of all I need to stop promising stuff to you. The Mr. Potatoe Heads will be posted but last night I went to our company's stampede party, left early and came home to water my flower beds and then hit the hay. Had to tape BB8, thankgoodness I have tomorrow off to catch up on things like posting a picture and cleaning my house.

Tonight is the Bon Jovi concert I'm excited. First time I'll hit the grounds this Stampede. We've got reservations at a buffet so we can eat in a civilized manner and have a nice place to wait for the concert. However we'll have about an hour to roam around the grounds a bit. Maybe go on a couple of rides, watch the knick knack sale guys try to sell their wares, inhale the aroma of mini donuts and corn dogs...

I have to admit this week has gone to hell in a hand basket since that stampede party last Thursday. I think the whole city gains weight at this time of year. For sure I'll be getting a workout in on Thursday. Friday I only work until noon and have to go out for 3pm so maybe I'll go home get an hour walk in change and come back to earn a few aps. It will be so much easier to focus when Stampede is over. I'm heading out of town next week to my Dad's, I can't control the food but at least it's typically unrefined, unmodified food. I will be bringing my ipod and the C25K podcast so I can start that. Plus drink gallons of water. I'm bringing my yoga mat, so when Dad naps I'll yoga.

Hope everyone has a groovy day

Totally Exhausted

As I was on my home yesterday I felt a tension headache brewing in my shoulders and I felt totally exhausted. Made a quick stop at Shopper's and then had a bowl of cereal for supper. I was in bed by 7pm and slept through until my alarm went off at 5:30am. I think the half marathon was catching up with me, I've never worked the day after a race before and I think I was missing the rest.

Alas, this is the reason Mr. Potatoe Head collection is not posted today. I will do it tonight I promise. The pictures have been taken so I just need to upload.

My friend H posted some pictures from race day. I don't like looking at pictures of myself because it never lines up with what I think I look like. Mainly the obvious rolls I could see in the pictures. Of course standing in front of mirror your posture is typically correct but it's the pictures of you relaxed that shows the truth. I'm not embarrassed by it or disappointed in them, I know the work that needs to be done and it inspires me to follow the plan and work at this.

Next year when I do that race I want to see an after picture and will consider this years the before.

Have a good day everybody!

Determining your strength and spirit

Hello hello,
Busy weekend I must say.
On Saturday up at 6:30 am and I went to the 47th annual Chinook Mall Stampede breakfast which was great, went to the brand new Sephora that has finally arrived in Calgary and purchased stuff (of course :)). Later on went to Transformers and loved it. Had lunch at Taco Bell and then out to dinner. Dinner was fabulous with D and her hubby from Ontario, my friend H and I.

The alarm went off at 4am on Sunday so I could get ready for the Alberta Jeep Half Marathon. I was counting down to this date with some fear. My training has been erractic, I'm not sure why. It was a combination of losing motivation and finding that I have a tough time motivating myself. I was pretty much training for this on my own which I've never had to do before. Alas I felt good about the race as I headed off. I started off with H, but then she got her mojo and started to run (way to go on her part - she's my hero). I continued to walk, keeping an eye on my Garmin to check my pace. I thought I was doing pretty well, when I got to the 10K marker I was at 1hr and 30min. At this point I realized there was no way I was making a 2:45 time, so my focus then became to just get to the finish. According to my Garmin I finished at 3hrs and 17min, which makes this my slowest time. Mind you it's only my 2nd half marathon and the first time was pooring rain. My pace was better than December's marathon.

I'm not disappointed, now I know what I can do with very little training. Next year will be a different story. I will be back next year and the mission is to train properly this time around. Hey I earned 15ap on Sunday.

I have to admit I'm happy it's over and now I can focus more on over all weight loss efforts. I'm not massively sore today so the good thing is I'm learning how to recover from races. The minute I got home I did a bit more stretching and immediately got into the tub with epsom salts. Had a nap and then walked down to the corner store to get a paper.

The past 4 days have been pathetic food wise so I need to battle down the hatches and get myself in gear. Thankfully the 100 day challenge starts on Wednesday so I have a couple of days to get on track. I did take a picture of myself front and back just in my underwear for the start of this challenge. This my plan: pictures once a month, measurements every two weeks, tracking 24/7.

I brought my digital camera today so I'll take a picture of the potato heads and post it tonight.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Stampede is here!

Alright I'm going to have to get a little creative over the next 9 days. Stampede has hit the city of Calgary and I got started last night at a party hosted by my friend's company. It was a hoot! Not points friendly whatsoever but you know what I'm cool with that. I weighed in yesterday morning and stayed the same, which is good considering this is the week before tom.

If you don't know about Stampede, it's 10 days of beer, burgers, pancakes, mini donuts, corn dogs, candy floss and caramel apples - well that's just the food. There's also rodeo, loads of concerts and a whole lot of packed bars. The city literally shuts down for a 10 day party.

I had the party last night, 5 Corona's count as carb loading - don't they? I was good, I also downed alot of water to stay hydrated. Tonight I pick up my race pack. Tomorrow will be a stampede breakfast and out for dinner. Race day is Sunday. Have another stampede breakfast on Monday, my company's party on Tuesday, Bon Jovi concert on Wednesday and then hitting a local bar for one more Stampede party on Friday. I think I'll weigh in on Thursday again because I'm going on vacation as of next Saturday.

I will be focused on good behaviours but I'm allowing myself to treat myself during this festive time of year. I will seriously be focusing on activity. The half marathon will certainly help that but once that's done I'm going to focus on C25K. I want to complete week 1 next week and week 2 while I'm on vacation. It's 9 weeks in all which will take me to the first week of September and hopefully that will become a pattern in my life.

Here's to dealing with challenges along the way and finding a solution.

Have a groovy day!

Shaking things up a bit

So WI was a bit of a disappointment, well I shouldn't really say that as I controlled my actions. I was up 1.4 due to a lack of planning and very easily leading myself astray. When I analyze why it happened I can't think of any concrete reason, perhaps boredom, or the lure of summer and it's wicked treats. Either way I'm responsible for it and I'm not changing my tracker at the top because I'm going to fix it.

Kim over at Kim Under Construction created the 100 day challenge and I'm joining in.
Here are the rules:

1. Drink a minimum of 64oz of water a day.
2. Depending on your current activity level, complete a minimum of 10 to 30 minutes of exercise everyday.
3. Eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day.
4. Keep a positive attitude. If you slip up, forgive yourself and get back on track THAT SAME DAY.
5. Be kind to yourself. In your thoughts, and in your actions.
6. Weigh yourself once a week and report in.
7. Take your measurements to compare at the end of the challenge.
8. Take a before and after photo to see your progress.

This challenge is pretty much the 56pt challenge I've been doing but I really like number 4 and 5 of this list. Particulary keep a positive attitude. We are our own worst enemies after all so why not be in your corner and support yourself.

Apart from my renewed focus I had a fairly busy weekend and boy did I nap. Helped A out on Saturday with moving in to her beautiful new space. On Sunday I mowed the lawn, watered the flowers and grocery shopped, then napped, then saw Ratatouille - I thought it was cute.

Monday was a bit of a write off, slept in, then putzed around, then had a nap, watched TV and went to bed. I guess I just needed a day to veg.

Batteries have been purchased...talking blog coming soon I promise.

I'm off to eat my yummy Turkey Tortilla Casserole (WW recipe).

Have a groovy day everybody!