And it begins...again

Hello again my friends, and Happy New Year's Eve.

I'm officially caught up on all your blogs and I'm totally motivated by your motivation and happy to hear Christmas celebrations went well.

My Greyhound adventure on Dec. 23rd was interesting. When I got there I noticed they had combined the smaller town gate (i.e. Olds, Didsbury, Carstairs eventually getting to Edmonton) with the semi direct bus to Edmonton (via Red Deer). The line was gigantic at the gate and I quickly realized most of these people were trying to get to Edmonton. My bus to Olds did board on time at 3pm but I was sitting next to a guy on his way to Edmonton. He had purchased a ticket for the 1:30pm bus to Edmonton but I guess Greyhound doesn't actually count the number of tickets they sell for each bus. Once the bus is full it takes off and then all these people have to wait for the next one. Sort of reminded me of cattle. This bus takes 5hrs to get to Edmonton because it's stopping in a few towns along the way so originally he was expecting to be in Edmonton by 6:00pm ish now he was arriving at 8pm. The funny part - he was taking the bus to Edmonton to catch the train to Toronto. My thought was - dude you should have flown. I did suggest to him that next time if he takes the bus pay a little more and get a reserved seat ticket that's a way better chance of actually getting on the bus you want.

The week with Dad was great, I had my nose in a book almost the entire time and read all of the Kim Harrison books plus the Patricia Briggs books I got for Christmas. I didn't touch the Beck book as I think I'll be doing that tomorrow. Watched a lot of CBC and realized I do enjoy Stephen and Chris, and Fashion File.

My grand New Year's Eve plans are to put on my PJs watch some movies. I have a lovely bottle of wine in the fridge. I have no desire to do anything else.

I registered for WW meetings online today as I could save the registration fee that way. I also pre-paid for 12 weeks.

My memory card died so I couldn't take pictures of some of my "stay on track" plans but I'll tell you about them for now and pick up a new card on Saturday so pictures are coming. I borrowed one idea from Skinny Me and that's the daily planner/journal idea of tracking my progress. Congratulations go out to her on her engagement as well :) I've come up with the coloured dot thing to track my cardio, strength training, yoga, vitamins, staying Op and flossing. I'm really good at sticking with these things for a certain period of time and then I abandon them. I want to track why I abandon. I might overtime put this info into a graph - yes I am a total geek and damned proud of that.

The vitamins, flossing and staying OP are daily goals. I still need to sort out a plan for the cardio, strength and yoga that's realistice for me and doesn't cause me to get overwhelmed and abandon the whole thing.

I will purchase a 3-month journal when I got to my first meeting on Saturday as well. I've always preferred those to the one week ones.

I once (a long time ago) had to weigh in at a different meeting because I couldn't make my usual one. At that meeting they gave each person a chain of coloured paper clips. One clip for each pound you lost. At one time I had a chain of 25 paper clips on my fridge. The clips came down when I lost my weight loss mojo. I want to put the clips back on my fridge and even make a chain to keep at work as a visual guide to keep me from straying.

Of course there's also the X-Weighted Challenge that starts next week. Normally I'm not so good with challenges but I think this one will be different as it's really a challenge against myself. If I were to win a prize I'd think I'd go for the gym equipment. Training with Paul and a make-over with Fred would be fun but over quickly. I've watched the show since it first aired and I know the biggest part is overcoming your own demons.

I've reset my weigh in on the sidebar of this blog and I'll reset the tracker above the title also once I have my starting weigh in.

It's pefectly realistic for me to hit my goal weight in 2010 and heaven help me I'm tackling this head on for the last time. Third time is the charm - right?

All right my friends, if you are going out tonight please be safe and may we all reach out goals in 2010.

Hugs!!!

Back from the country

Just a super quick post to say hi and that I'm back in the city. I'll post my adventures with Greyhound tomorrow and after I catch up on all your blogs.

My little grey cells have been working on ways to keep me on track with this whole weight loss thing and I'll share more about that tomorrow.

Hope all your Chritmas celebrations were wondeful.

Hugs!!!

I adore you guys

I'm totally inspired reading all your blogs lately and the plans to get back on track. I love the journals, the stickers and all the planning that's going on, as I'm planning the same.

I've been going non stop since I got home from work just taking care of all the house chores before I leave tomorrow. I've dusted, hoovered, done laundry, put dishes away, folded laundry and took out the garbage (which involved digging out the gate as it was wedged in by snow). Last week I flung my garbage over the fence because I couldn't get to the other side. Not an option when you're trying to get to the recycle bin.

I'm tired now I tell ya. Tomorrow is steam mopping the kitchen and the bathroom floor, hemming a pair of sweat pants that I already owned and packing for the trip. I'll probably nap on the greyhound.

I'll have a week to think of a good year ending post as I'll be back on the 30th.

I wanted to make sure to stop into today to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy 2010.

Hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One more day

Until I'm off for Christmas vacation. I had planned to just get organized today like go through my email, clean off my desktop, do anything that could be done early so when I come back on the 4th it will be organized.

Best laid plans I tell ya. I was busy with other people's stuff. One of my co-workers needed help covering another co-worker's stuff and it just seemed like little fire after little fire. When I answered my phone people were surprised I was there. So you were calling me hoping to get the message?

I swear tomorrow I'm not answering the phone and closing the door. Because the day was busy I had no desire to hit the to-do list at home. There is stuff I need to do before leaving on Wednesday afternoon. Right now I have no desire.

The good thing about leaving it for tomorrow is that it will have to be done. No excuses. I don't need to leave until 1pm ish on Wednesday so I'd like to get all the chores done Thursday night so I can zip to Sport Check in the morning (right when they open) to pick up a pair of sweat pants.

I did find an unbelievably good little snack today. I hit the Yogen Fruz and got a small non fat Key Lime Pie. OMG it was yummy even with it snowing outside.

I'm so psyched about rejoining WW meetings when I return from my Dad's and then a week after that is the X-Weighted challenge. I'm feeling good my friends.

I will post again before I leave so I'll save my holiday greetings for then.

Hugs!!!

It's decided

After much deliberation on this blog I've definitely decided to return to meetings. So on Jan. 2 I'll sign up for Weight Watcher meetings for the 3rd time. My mom died between the 1st and the 2nd so I'm not disappointed about myself for that. There was stuff to deal with.

Starting the new job curtailed the 2nd time, it took me awhile to adjust to the longer hours and earlier start. I can't use that as an excuse though because I need to make this a priority. I thought I could do this on my own and that's not the case. I need the accountability of stepping on someone else's scale. Plus I like the stupid stickers, the key chains, the charms and the booklets. So on that Saturday I'll go to the meeting I used to go to. I'm not a 100% sure that Saturday morning will stay my meeting time as there are a few evening options plus I work super close to the downtown one.

I think the nail on the head on making this decision was reading about Kate's success. Now I'm a total loner at meetings but I do enjoy being part of the group. The weird thing is the first time I saw the Tiffany Key I immediately thought of getting to goal. So I might copy Kate and when I hit maintenance I'll get the Tiffany Crown Key pendant with the oval link chain. When I get there it will have been a life long battle and I think I deserve a little bling. Of course that will be for when I get there.

When I first joined WW I weighed 204lbs got my WW 10% key chain at 184 and eventually got to 168. Then it was a long process of putting it back on. I'm now 194. I've had that key chain attached to my keys since the day I got it. Today I took it off.

This is a new journey now and there will be a new keychain dang it. I do remember seeing a whack of people sign up in January and then by March disappear. I'm in it to win it.

Saw the Alberta Ballet's Nutcracker today and it was lovely. I always get goose bumps at the Sugar Plum fairy part.

Hope your Sunday was wonderful!

Hugs!!!!

I'm cool with that

Today's weigh in results are +0.1. Yes that's up .1 of a pound. I'm wondering if I should have just exhaled on the scale maybe I could have maintained again. I think my saving grace was being busy this week which included racing around.

At any rate I'm ridiculously pleased with that as I was saying yesterday food was a battle this week. The two days at work this week won't be bad as hardly anyone will be around which also means no cookies.

The week at my Dad's house will have no cookies, chocolates or convenience stores. He is kind of funny as he'll give advice on how to lose weight but then tell me I'm not eating enough when I don't want to finish the giant serving he's given me.

The Beck book is coming with me as I'll have 12 days starting Wednesday to just chill with a book or mulitple books. Did I mention my Dad has 3 channels. I'm going from my digital cable (which has nothing on lately anyway) to 3 channels and it's only the CBC that really comes in clearly. So as I said loads of time to read.

This morning I got up had breakfast, looked up the next bus and scurried down to MEC. It wasn't crazy busy at all. Got my Dad's fleece jacket, a calendar and pair of Kahtoola Microspikes (pictured above). I've heard really good things about these things plus reviews on mec.ca rate it 5 stars. I got a pair of myself too. I might try them out this weekend as sidewalks are still not in great condition and more snow is coming. Not sure if Dad will buy in to the whole concept of snow chains for your shoes. So I'll make sure to keep the receipt just in case he rejects the whole idea.

Zipped up a couple of blocks to the Safeway downtown grabbed milk as that's all I really need for the week and then went in search of a bus home. Decided to see if the bus that gets me close to home was coming soon so I called transit and it said next bus in 4min. My other option would have been a different bus that's a few blocks from home.

It just seemed like everything lined up today. This also means I'm completely done my Christmas shopping anything else is just gravy. I'm going to the Nutcracker Ballet tomorrow and I'm kind of excited about that.

Alright my friends take deep breaths today if you're heading to a mall, stay safe, stay sane and have a wondeful Saturday.

Hugs!!!

Wild Ride

I mean food wise, for the past week I've been super busy at work and for the last 4 days have had lunch bought for me as I've been working some co-workers who can expense their meals as there in Calgary this week so they just add my lunch in. Of course my two co-workers are male so the food choices haven't exactly been salads. I haven't been finishing the meals so not sure if that helps.

Between the cookies and gift baskets filled with food arriving at the office it's been a bit wild. Water consumption has been minimal. Don't ya just love Christmas.

I expect the scale will show a gain tomorrow but I'm cool with that. That doesn't mean I'm writing everything off until after Christmas. Oh no getting back on track starts now.

I am again seriously considering going back to meetings after New Year's though. Plus there's usually a promotion in January so perhaps they'll waive the sign up fee. I'm feeling I need the weigh in book, the journal and the meetings again.

I know I waffle on that all the time but we'll see. All I know is that when I went to meetings I had better progress. Lately I've been feeling like a snuffleupagus and I'm not liking that at all.

I do work on Monday and Tuesday and then off on Wednesday until the New Year, but I'll enjoy those couple of days to get sorted at work so that when I come back after Christmas it won't quite as much of a gong show.

I'm feeling very positive about 2010 as I've reached some major goals I had, one being finishing my HR certificate and the other getting the CHRP designation so I'm thinking from now and through 2010 the focus will be on getting healthy.

Alright those are the musings of today. Have a fabulous weekend.

Hugs!!!!

Cookie Monster's soul mate

I just pulled the third tray of whipped short bread cookies out of the oven. I took them to work earlier this week and I promised more for tomorrow. Plus I used cookies to bribe someone in to calling me back with info so I owe some cookies too.

The butter was a bit softer this time plus I whipped them for a little longer and they are super light and fluffy this time. It's bizarre really, same recipe and slightly different conditions turn into something different.

This time I sprinkled them with some red sparkles when they came out of the oven. I made them a wee bit more festive this time.

Glitterati - We must chill during the holidays. I'm back from Dad's on the 30th and don't return to work until the 4th.

Many Canadian blogs have been posting about the X-Weighted Challenge starting in January and I am so in. You can register online or in select cities. I'll most likely do online on Jan 9th.

I love the show and have seen tremendous results. Of course staying focused is key. I'm thinking that combined with Beck's Diet Solution read a bit slower could definitely help me.

Many are heading off on their Christmas holiday so if you are I wish you all the best.

In the meantime I'll most likely be posting until the 22nd.

Hope interesting things happen to blog about...hugs!!!

Little surprises

So my good friend and co-worker T, keeps leaving these little mystery packages on my desk saying do not open until Dec. 25. Today my new boss gave myself and team member little Christmas presents. I just think it's all so nice and was very pleasantly surprised that's for sure. I was expecting this at all.

I only have one thing left on my list and I need to go to MEC which will probably happen this Saturday.

Tomorrow The Body Shop finally re-opens in the mall downtown and I'm thrilled as I desperately need under eye concealor and I love their lightening touch. I've tried all the imposters but nothing works like this.

What I'm truly looking forward to about Christmas at Dad's is sleeping. I sleep like a baby at this house and it's got something to do with the country air, zero sound and zero lights as we're in the middle of the country. I'm so rested there and I so need it as apparently I'm going to be smokin' busy from Jan to Aug at work.

Sadly nothing else to report. I did step on the scale this morning and was happy to only see a half pound gain. I can definitely handle that.

Hope you all had a fabulous day.

Hugs!!!

Sleepy

I'm tired today and not entirely sure why. Could be the 10hrs of work teamed with the warming temperatures. When I left this morning it was -20 (-26 with wind chill) and when I left work it was -7. It definitely takes it's toll but I'd rather be tired then have a headache.

I had no idea they debunked the losing heat through your head. Oh well it sucks when your ears get cold.

I think I need to start the Beck Diet Solution from the start again as my behaviour has been far from good. Definitely snackapalooze teamed with a wee bit of stress due to being busy and dealing with change. We recently moved offices and I've been adjusting to a new space and moderately irritating things like not being able to scan anything.

I definitely eat my emotions that's for sure.

Today the uber boss was talking about a fitness challenge focused solely on exercise. Everyone puts in $10 and then you track every 1/2 hr of exercise as a point. When you hit 10 your name gets entered for a draw. I'm totally in if they decide to do it. While I suck at blog challenges I might do better when it's with the people you spend the bulk of your day with.

It's going to be a long week with tons to do so my hard core exercise effort may not return until when I'm back from Christmas vacation. Funny it's just in time for New Year's. I'm not a big fan of the New Year resolution because if you really want to change something why wait for New Years. So really all I can do is take it day by day.

I'm going to spend a week with Dad for Christmas. I adore my father but sometimes we're so a like we drive each other bananas. A solid week together which hasn't happened in a year and a half could be interesting. I'm aiming for calm and relaxing. He turned 87 a few weeks ago and while you would never in a million years guess he was that age (could easily pass for 60ish) I'm conscious of how much time we will still have together. Of course I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, when your time is up - your time is up. I would like appreciate these moments.

Alright my friends, I hope everyone had a fantastic day.

Hugs!!

I don't get it

It was very cold today with it being -28 when I left for work. I was wearing my sleeping bag jacket. It's the long goose down coat from Lands End that makes me think of a sleeping bag. Plus whenever I wear it I'm so toasty warm I could nap anywhere. Seriously I almost fell asleep on the bus to work and the bus home.

I should try putting this thing on when I have insomnia.

Winter is serious business and lately the freakishly cold weather (Edmonton had -46C this weekend that's base temperature, factor in windchill and your heading into the -50C) means you have to dress appropriately to avoid nasty things like frost bite or hypothermia. It absolutely amazes me when this woman got on the bus this morning with nothing covering her head. She had a scarf around her neck and her hair was styled just so. Up to 50% of your body heat can be lost through the top of your head. I looked around the bus and everyone had something on their head except for her. It would be fine if she was hoping in and out of a car but she was waiting for the bus outside.

Yes I get the vanity but when the weather gets dangerous I just thought this woman was an idiot. You can fix your hair when you get to work.

We're supposed to warm up rather dramatically as Wednesday is calling for a +1C so that means all Calgarians better have their advil/tylenol on hand as that tends to cause headaches for many people. It looks like it stays plus for about 3 days which will then cause winter driving chaos part 2 as snow will melt and then freeze. Remember people - sufficient stopping distance is key.

Food was pretty good today but I do find it hard in cold weather that's for sure add in that it's foodapalooza week for me and it's just plain dangerous.

I baked my first batch of Whipped Short Bread cookies of the season which will head to work tomorrow. Then I'll need a second batch for other work mates on Friday.

Plus I want to make a new cookie recipe that I found, might do that tomorrow.

Stay warm my friends and don't forget your toque.

Hugs!!!

Brrrrrr

It's -28C out there today, colder if the wind picks up.

Tracked everything I ate yesterday, I did have wee little free for all yesterday but it's recorded and I planned a wee bit of a anything I want day. Today has a been a wee battle with the christmas chocolate but I'm winning and still on plan.

It took me an hour to talk myself into bundling up and shovelling my sidewalk. I did it and then my neighbour swung by with cookies. There some type of chocolate apricot mixture. Happily I'm not a fan of chocolate mixed with fruit. Another friend gave my ginger spice cookies yesterday, I'm not a fan of those either. So as long no one gives me shortbread I'm good on the resisting cookies.

I do need to do some Christmas baking but today which involves shortbread. I didn't really have the get up and go. I might bake one version still today and bring it to work tomorrow. I'm cool with it if it goes straight to somewhere else.

I should also make some turkey meatballs or do something with the ground turkey in the fridge.

Alright not a lot to say today, stay warm my friends.

Hugs!!

Holding steady

Stayed exactly the same on the scale this morning. Which I'm totally o.k with given that I haven't tracked anything since Monday and didn't go to the gym once.

I do have to get over my block of going to the gym in cold weather. It's not like this is going to end tomorrow as winter doesn't technically start until Dec. 21 so there could be another few months of this.

Tried a new bread at breakfast. It's Dempsters Healthy Way with Pre Cardio something or other. I got the whole wheat version and it clocks in at 1pt for a slice thanks to 5g of fibre. I think it's a keeper as it tasted more like normal whole wheat bread than the cardboard versions. Every now and then I don't want seeds or nuts in my bread.

Ran around with my friend P today. Hit Ikea for meatballs, rosti, napkins, vanilla tea lights (cheap and they make the best) and a couple of other little things.

Next stop a classic bakery in the city where I picked up a Bavarian rye bread.

Then zipped to the local German deli where I picked up the potato dumpling mix, gravy mix and various chocolate with marzipan (that goes in my Christmas stocking).

Then to the grocery store where I just picked up what I forgot yesterday.

Not bad for -27 and the very quick race in and out of the vehicle.

Got home and watched part one of the revamped Alice that was on my pvr. Realized I recorded part two on a channel I don't get. Luckily it's replaying tomorrow. Bought 3 tickets for the Nutcracker ballet, one for me and two for P and her daughter. That's my Christmas present to them.

Downloaded a whack of Christmas music off of Itunes as I've been feeling the spirit and wanted to listen to some classics.

Tomorrow it's supposed to be a wee colder so it's a good day to clean the house, get some Christmas baking done and pack the gym bag for tomorrow. I can get at least 3 gym visits in next week and that's my goal.

Hope you all enjoyed your Saturday.

Hugs!!!

Hair of the dog

Woke up a wee bit hung over from the company Christmas party last night. It started at 5:30pm and I left at 9ish.

Lost count of the diet coke/vodkas I was drinking but I still had my wits together as there was a glass of water and a few sips of straight up diet coke in there. Fairly positive I didn’t do anything embarrassing. Smart planning that today was a paid day off. Finger food was the menu and didn’t do too bad there. Most importantly I had fun and that hasn’t happened in a long time. Laughed a lot so that has to count as an ab workout. Got home drank a big glass of water and took a Motrin.

Stepped on the scale this morning as it wasn’t so bad.

Felt not so bad, a little dehydrated but not sick. Got dressed and went to the post office to pick up my new passport now good until 2014. Hit Wal-Mart and Safeway and stocked up on vegg, fruit, protein, soup, a few frozen “emergency” meals and other sundries.

The snow has been falling continuously and it’s supposed to be stupid cold tomorrow (-20) today it stayed around –11.

As I’m home all week next week I wanted to be prepared food wise. I think I’m ready there. Had a two hour nap in the afternoon and paid close attention to the food today. This included drinking a lot of water.

Not sure what will happen with weigh in tomorrow but I embrace whatever that number says.

Tomorrow I meet up with my friend P and we’re going to IKEA. I want to pick up a few boxes of their frozen Roti potato pancakes and the meatballs – a fast protein with a side of frozen vegg and I’m good to go.

Finally watched the Biggest Loser finally on the pvr. Is it just me or did you hate Rebecca’s hair as much as I did. I far preferred her as a brunette. I realize she wanted to be shazaam but I think red would have suited her better. I thought she looked a little gaunt plus older but good for her for winning. Tracy looked a little freaky too.

Excited about the new season Jan. 5. I love that they don’t make you wait forever.

That’s all I got for today.

Hugs!!!

Whacky weather continues

Worked late today and got a ride home but wowsers light snow on top of packed snow made a white knuckle trip going up hills.

To Enz – I am in the field of the CHRP.

So site this week was interesting, when we landed on Monday the pilot said the current temperature was –37C…brrrr. I didn’t want to get off the plane. It did warm up to a balmy –26C.

The next day was worse, at lunch it had to be –40C with the wind as your skin screamed the minute it came in contact. By the time I left it was –20 no wind and you felt like you could take your gloves and toque off.

I had long johns on the entire time. Thankfully I own multiple pairs thanks to half marathon training in the dead of winter a few years back. It did feel like I was wearing snow pants the whole time.

Eating was so so this trip as the cold weather definitely makes you want to eat. It’s like a hibernation thing. Worked late Monday and by the time I got to camp all the treadmills where full so I just went for dinner and to bed.

Due to working late no gym today. Tomorrow is the Christmas party right after work so no gym. Friday we’ll see but apparently the weather is supposed to be super bad again. We can’t catch a break lately. I don’t back to site until the New Year so that means I am in control of my food for the next few weeks. Which means I need to get to a grocery store and not sure when that’s going to happen.

Your up to date on me, hope all of you are doing well.

Hugs!!!

Quick note…I passed

Remember way back in October I was talking about this mega test. Well the results were waiting in my mailbox when I got home. I passed!!!!! Which means I can now put the letters CHRP behind my name.

Be back tomorrow with tales of the site and –40C

Hugs!!!

When the weather outside is frightful...

Multiple pictures for you today and probably a longish post. The first picture is the promised advantages response card. My apologies I can't get it facing the right way on this and for some reason pictures won't load from live writer.

The 2nd photo is my favourite Christmas decoration. It's an advent candle holder and the angles spin when the candles are lit. It's completely hand carved and a German tradition.

The 3rd picture is what I wound up doing yesterday. My friend T called and asked if I wanted to go for a pedicure. I asked if she was willing to drive in the crazy snow. She said yes so I said yes and it also resulted in a manicure. Normally I go with light colours on my fingernails. When I do it at home I make a royal mess of dark colours. I thought why not do something different with a professional doing it. We'll see how long it lasts when I get to site.

The final picture is of the wee birds taking advantage of neighbours bird feeder in the crazy winds and cold. Determined little guys I must say.

My major activiy yesterday was shovelling my sidewalk. The east side barely had any. The west side had a gigantic snow drift that made the lawn, sidewalk and road look like one mega pile of snow. The deepest part was one foot and it took me awhile just chiseling away inch by inch until it was done. I was trying to time my shoveling with the wind but I did get a face full of snow at one point when the wind shifted.

I left at around noon for the mani/pedi and got home at 3pm with only having had breakfast. I was starving. I weighed out some high fibre tortilla chips, added some 2% tex mex cheese and had nachos for a 3pm lunch. The late lunch totally messed me up it just launched a snacking instinct. The damage wasn't bad and I wound up using 5 flexpoints. Today I will totally on plan as I will again save flex for site and be mindful of what I put on my plate.

I decided to change my goal weight yesterday after re-familiarizing myself with some of my WW stuff. 146 is the high end of age/height range and I think that's perfectly reasonable goal for now. Once I get there I'll be able to determine better what's right for me. I have no idea what 146 will look like on me so I'm looking forward to finding out. I also added the dates on weigh in list as I just wanted to be a bit more specific. November was me trying to figure out how to do this again. I'm planning to get this ball seriously rolling this December with my weigh in yesterday.

As I mentioned the other day I've been working my way through the Beck book. The day one activity was the action response card (reasons you want to lose weight). I keep these in the book as I kind of bookmark.

Day 2 was pick two reasonable diets, the 2nd is for if you hit a wall with the first one. No brainer that number one is weight watchers online and my number two is still weight watchers but going back to meetings or following filling foods only a la old Core program.. I know that's a little wishy washy but when I follow the points I try to use my everyday points for nutritionally sound food and the flex for treats. I've been successful with this program before and I will again.

Day 3 is eating when sitting down or stop grazing I take it as. I do eat sitting down, on the sofa in front of the tv. My plan now is to eat at the dining room table and make meals an event not a hobby and eat mindfully. I will set a placemat and maybe light a candle at dinner to make it more focused. I'll start that at lunch today.

Day 4 is giving yourself credit in other words don't beat yourself up. Celebrate the small successes too. I'm pretty good at that usually. I recognize where I go wrong and the focus on the future. "I never look back darling, it distracts from the now" - Edna Mode.

Day 5 is eat mindfully and slowly, this for me is combined with day 3.

Day 6 is find a diet coach, well that's where you all come in. I use your blogs and comments for inspiration and help.

That's as far as I've gotten so far. I'm not going into mega detail as you should really read the book if your interested but I'm sharing my impressions. So far I'm finding it super similar to the tools weight watchers gives you too but it's nice to see it phrased differently.

I know a few other people are checking this book out right now - what do you guys think?

I'm bringing my runners to site and once again have a date with the treadmill. Next week does have one challenge being the company Christmas party on Thurday but I will have a plan for that as I can plan ahead. Activity is on list of priorities this week, along with tracking and getting the H2O in. I will keep you guys updated on that. Apologies about the mega paragraph, of course in compose it looks one way and when posted it does it's on thing.

Stay warm and enjoy your Sunday...later!

Hugs!!!!

Down 2.1lbs!!!!

I'm pretty darn happy with that I can tell you. Mini post just to update you on the weigh in. I shall be back with more later as I got further into the Beck book last night and have thoughts I need to type.

Hugs!

Blizzard Conditions

We knew it was coming but I have to admit I was a bit flabbergasted when at 8:30am I looked out the office window and felt like I was standing in the middle of a snow globe. It seems Fridays are cursed in Calgary. Last Friday was ice everywhere and today drifting snow and minimal visibility. The picture is from out my front window, not sure if you can make out the drifting snow.

One co-worker was hoping to fly to Newfoundland later - not happening. Another co-worker was planning to drive to Edmonton - not happening. Winter is in full swing and so are road closures.

By 10am we had a call from the boss to go have our potluck and then head home. The trifle turned out fantastic but there were only a handful of us there. I left it in the work fridge in hopes they'll finish it on Monday. Far better than taking it home when blechy weather, howling wind and the desire to hibernate takes over and eats it straight out of the trifle bowl.

I was home by 12:30pm and amazingly my amazon order arrived about an hour later. So I now have the rest of the Kim Harrison - Rachel Morgan Series to curl up with. Boy did the Canada Post dude look tired.

Temperatures are expected to be around -25C this weekend and I plan to stay put. Yes, eventually -25 won't phase me but right now I'm happy to play winter wimp. I am not even going to try shovelling the walk until the wind quiets down. Some parts of my sidewalk are a bit bare and some parts look like there is a few inches of snow.

Food has been alright this week, last night I did wind up eating the leftover custard but my activity points of the week covered that. Due to some challenges this week I won't have a spectacular loss tomorrow as I was hoping to but it will be a loss. If there are going to be higher point days, they definitely need to be further away from weigh in. Next week I will have no dinners out and no pot lucks. I did track everything this week which is a bit of a victory. I wrote out my Action Response Card a la Beck book today and I will post that tomorrow.

Things I need to work on next week is once again water. I also need to be better prepared to schedule gym visits even if the weather is bad or plans go awry.

Tonight I tried the Chicken Quesadilla Smart One - 4pts, one thing is that it's 4pts per serving and there are two servings in the box. Of course the front of the box shows a picture of two halfs. It was tasty with a roma tomato on the side and spritz of balsamic dressing. Definitely a small serving compaired to their 6pt varities.

If your out and about in Alberta, be careful and stay safe. Until later...Hugs!!!!

When plans go astray

Busy, busy day today and some unplanned events.

Day was alright, tracking went well then a late day meeting and then tiredness ruled and I went out for dinner with my friend T instead of hitting the gym.

The dinner worked out as that’s what flexpoints are for not to mention it was great to chat with T and I had 8pts left for dinner on top of that plus I had 8 activity points. I’m guessing I’m out of flexpoints for the next two days but I have 7.5 activity points still banked.

Got mega kudos at work which makes me very happy. I did an amazingly speedy lunch shopping trip that got the secret Santa present out of the way. The chocolate cake for tomorrow’s trifle assembly is baking as I type. Raspberries are defrosting in the fridge.

For the crazy work I did this summer I got a wee bonus and decided to use it on a lululemon gift certificate for myself. I went with a gc because I’m not at a size where I want to invest a lot in lululemon gear but I’ll get there and then treat myself.

The plan for tomorrow is now stay perfectly on plan and hit the gym. Not to mention play close attention to water.

I’m so close to this weigh in and I don’t want to blow it.

It’s going to be an early night again I think. The Beck book will have to wait until perhaps this weekend but I will keep you in the loop.

Hugs!!!

Winter has arrived

Food at site went better this time around. I definitely used some flex as it’s difficult when you’ve got a 14 hour day going on. But I’m still on track.

Did 5K on the treadmill Monday night. Didn’t have a single french fry either. Stuck to protein and veggies mostly actually. Trying to work my way through the Beck book. Last night I was out like a light by 7:30pm. This is what happens when you’re up at 3:30am.

Winter hit with a vengeance, not so much at site but yesterday anyone flying out was delayed due to nasty weather in Calgary.

Luckily no issues flying home tonight but woke up to a mini blizzard. I think long johns are going into the bag from now on. 

I will pack my gym bag and hit the company gym tomorrow. I’m on track to a decent weigh in for the first time in a long time. It’s amazing really, when you follow the program it actually works.

Alright it’s going to be an early to bed night again so I’ll talk to you later.

Hugs!!!!

8.2K today

I went grocery shopping and left with only what I needed which is a major victory this time of year. Safeway has almond tarts at Christmas and I love, love, love these. A few weeks ago I came home with a pack it’s bad news.

I will have them at Christmas (in moderation) and not before. I want complete focus until Christmas, partake in only my absolute favourites (the list is short) and then back on plan. My favourites include those tarts, chocolate covered marzipan and that’s about it. My family doesn’t do turkey and my baking goes out the door to neighbours and the office.

I came home with a few Smart Ones frozen meals as emergency dinners. My favourite is the fettuccine with broccoli, but I picked up a few new ones the quesadilla and the Florentine lasagne.

I walked a total of 8.2K today, 3.7k to and from grocery store and the 4.5k walk around the hood this afternoon. This earned 5 activity points today that will stay banked.

All food today is in the tracker and I’m on goal to hit my target points again no flex. I don’t want to eat anything after 6pm as bedtime will be 8pm as I have to catch the Monday plane in the wee hours of the morning.

I’m saving all the flex points for site in case I need them.

Hope you’re having a fabulous Sunday.

Hugs!!!

Not one flex point for the first time…ever?

My mission yesterday was to stay focused and I happily report I did. I stuck to points, I tracked everything and I drank just over 2L of water. I didn’t use a single flex point which is my normal (we’re talking years) habit.

I weighed myself this morning and it said down a 1lb, definitely in the right direction but the true test is Saturday.

I did feel snacky last night and my witching hour is usually after supper. So when I felt the urge I distracted myself with a facial. I exfoliated, used a mask, a serum and moisturized. I also painted my toe nails.

Now I can’t give myself a facial every day but I thought it was a good start. I can change my nail colour frequently though.

I’m just passed the introduction of the Beck philosophy in the book, I think I hit my first activity today.

Writing this Windows Live Writer today, I keep hearing about it so I thought I’d try it. Which means I’ll have to add more pictures as apparently it’s way easier using live writer.

The Nike sensor and I will be calibrating it on our way to the grocery store and then I’ll head out for a longer walk later. It’s supposed to be 10 degrees today. I must enjoy it while it lasts.

Might be back later.

Hugs

No more peanut butter/ chocolate for me

Alas I was up .2 this morning. I had an altercation with some mini reese's cups last night brought on by a "last meal" kind of vibe. The reason I bought these things is they're 1pt each that's great if it wasn't a trigger food. I tossed the remaining ones and no more for me.

There are definitely some foods that need to be off limits for me. The everything in moderation is not working in those areas.

I seriously debated mentioning this at all on this blog but to not admit it to you means I'm not being honest with myself. Plus so many of you are so honest with your efforts that it would disrespectful to you to not do it myself.

New week starts today and breakfast is in the online tracker. I had wanted to test out the nike sensor today but a sheet of ice has fallen over my city and sidewalks/roads are treacherous. The gym is a 15min walk or a 4 block walk to the bus stop. I'll see how the day progresses as I expect once the sun warms up that will melt. Tomorrow is supposed to be warm so if all else fails I'll go out then. If I'm stuck inside today I'll break out the yoga/pilates.

Today the focus is also on water. I've completely sucked at that lately. I have a litre sitting right beside me right now.

My amazon order arrived yesterday afternoon with "The Beck Diet solution" book. I'll be cracking that open today, what I like is it's based on cognitive therapy. I definitely believe the mind is a positive tool. I'll definitely share my experiences with this book.

Shaking off the negative and focusing on the positive.

Hugs!!

2 in one day!

Yes I felt compelled to blog again.

The renew passport option that the Canadian government now offers is awesome. I had to get passport photos so I just went to the place next door to the passport office. Didn't need the pictures to be signed by anyone because you don't have to for a renewal. Waltzed into the passport office with my old passport and the form I downloaded and shazaam my new passport should be in my mailbox by Dec. 12th.

Then I decided to go the mall to pick up a new journal. I also picked up a new book - Kim Harrison's Dead Witch Walking. The front of the book had a shout out from Charlaine Harris (who writes the beloved Sookie Stackhouse novels) so I couldn't resist. The mall is under mega renovation but you can see a glimmer of what it will be when done.

I walked from one of downtown to the other.

I discovered a Betsey Johnson store smack on 8th ave. That's very new for Calgary and it's a bit odd to see Betsey on one side of the street and homeless people on the other. It's this new complex across from the Bay called fashion central. It looks like quite a few new stores are moving in as construction was a booming.

On the way home it started to snow, the sky is gray and I think it's a good day to chill with the book. Right now I'm actually watching the Biggest Loser - where are they now. What better inspiration to get myself refocused.

More importantly I've tracked everything damn thing I've eaten today. My new week starts tomorrow but why wait a day to get back on the wagon. I wanted to start right away.

Stay warm my friends.

Hugs!

If it was easy everyone would be doing it

Sorry I've been MIA, been a bit busy and plagued with a headache as the weather is changing.

While at site I did attempt the first day of C25K, wowsers that was hard I didn't get all 9 reps in but kept walking. I realize my fitness level has suffered with no regular exercise but this doesn't make me want to give up it makes me want to beat it.

Since then I've had a crazy week. Today is a flexday and the major plan is drop off my passport renewal form and maybe head down to the Body Shop as they have some sort of 3 for $30 deal going on today. I'm obsessed with the lightening touch as an undereye concealor. I've never found anything that comes close to it.

I got the Nike + sensor the other day and now I just need to callibrate it. While I love my garmin I can't use mine on a treadmill and as the weather gets colder and sidewalks get more treacherous I need something to use indoors.

Food this week has been so so and if anything inconsistent. The cookies have started to show up in the office and they live right behind my desk. Happily I'm only there 3 days a week and we're moving soon so hopefully the cookies will live somewhere else. I haven't been totally bad and really don't think I'll see a gain this week but I'm fairly positive I won't see a fabulous loss either.

I use to have fantastic focus on weightloss and then I lost it and it's a been an ongoing challenge trying to get it back. I hate being fat so what the heck is stopping me.

Maybe I do need the accountability of someone else weighing me in as opposed to just me and the bathroom scale. I almost went to a meeting on Wednesday but then told myself you haven't truly embraced online.

I ordered the Beck Diet book after reading about it on other blogs. I know I need to get my focus and emotions in check. I know what to do I just need to get myself to do it. From what I've been hearing about this book I think it helps you figure that out.

My attitude is not defeatist, I'm just a bit frustrated.

I do have absolute faith that I'll figure this out - I just want that sooner rather than later.

Hugs!!

Yummy spaghetti sauce

Ran to Safeway this morning to grab all the fixin's for the Chocolate Raspberry trifle and I realized I had my days mixed up. The potluck is on Thursday so that buys me some time. I think I'll bake the cake part today as it can sit in the fridge until Wednesday night assembly.

When I got home I browned up some ground turkey added half a red onion and some organic roasted garlic spaghetti sauce. I let it simmer for an hour and it's yummy. That can be a few meal options this week on spaghetti, other type of noodle, spaghetti squash or a WW bagel as a "sloppy joe".

I didn't get to the mega laundry so that's on tap for today.

Point wise I'm aiming for a perfectly on point day. I did walk to the grocery store and back but I think I'll head out again when the clothes are in the dryer.

Then it's packing to get on the plane Monday morning. I have a plan for this trip to stay on plan and get in my exercise but I'm not going to jinx it. I'll report back on that.

I've got all the new Prisoner episodes on the pvr so I'm watching that in the background.

I'm so looking forward to the two Biggest Loser's this week especially the where are they now episode.

Hope your Sunday is going well.

Hugs!!!!

Crappy weigh in and mock greek yogurt

Let me start with my mock greek yogurt experience. I took a container of Source Natural Plain yogurt and put into a wire mesh strainer that I had lined with cheesecloth (1st picture). The 2nd picture is the liquid that drained out in 3 days. The final picture is the result. It's super thick and creamy not sure if the picture truly indicates that. This morning for breakfast I had some of this with a smidgen of agave nectar, granola and fresh raspberries. Yummy and no where near the fat as my beloved Liberte medittarean yogurt.

Now onto the crappy weigh in - up 1.7, was so not happy to see that however I know the reasons.

I went to the Kelly Clarkson concert last night and dinner was had a loungeburger , it was fantastic but having a burger and fries the meal before weigh in - not the smartest move. My water intake has not been so great, exercise has been tough this week and add in retaining water = a gain.

I'm moving on, next week will be fantastic. I promised to report the good, the bad and the ugly.

The concert was good. I honestly think Kelly. C is probably the most talented singer American Idol has ever put out. Her voice is fantastic.

Today my friend hooked me up with friends and family coupon at Roots plus we went to the discount store so I got a shwack of hoodies and t-shirts for fantastic prices. I have an addiction to hoodies.

I also zipped by the running room and got a new pair of my Mizuno Wave Alchemy and now I have an outdoor pair and an indoor pair. I got tired of picking out the mini rocks when I was taking my shoes to the gym. Last night I ordered the Nike + sensor. While at running room I also picked up the clip to use the sensor on non Nike runners.

Now I just need to figure out how to get the nike + mini on this blog - if anyone knows please share.

My work's Christmas potluck that was originally Dec. 4th is now Nov. 26th. Eek...I've got to whip something together the night I get home from site. I get home around 7:45pm.

I think I'm going to go ahead with the chocolate raspberry trifle as I can bake the cake part tomorrow and then just need to make pudding and whip cream plus assemble Tuesday night.

I think I have an idea for my secret santa that I'll have to pull together quickly as well.

Now it's off to mega laundry...hope you're enjoying your Saturday.

Hugs!!

And the beat goes on

Yesterday I decided to have a low point day to combat the pour hormone fueled eating patterns. I think this week's challenge was a wee bit of stress combined with PMS. The day went well even with an unplanned dinner invite and my friend T's house. She kindly invited me along for grocery shopping as well which is awesome. I don't have a car so my grocery shopping is revolved around what I can carry.

I also got to meet her adorable dogs. As you know from reading this blog I love dogs. So thanks T and I hope your chat went well today.

So I have the day off today and am planning a lowish point day as well as I think I'm going out for dinner. That has yet to confirmed so we'll see what happens. I'm also focusing on the water before weigh in tomorrow.

I do need to swing by Walmart and I'll do that after lunch today. Plus pick up a few things that the grocery store didn't have yesterday like ground turkey. Of course I'll walk there and back.

Tomorrow I've been invited to a Roots friend and family event which is awesome because I need new t-shirts and hope to find a pair of jeans. I also want to do some cooking this weekend and get some premade meals frozen and ready for reheating on the nights I have no desire to cook -which is most nights to be totally honest. I love cooking but not so much after a long day.

Alright my friends that's all I have for now, I might be back later. I took pictures of my greek yogurt experiment and I might post those today.

Hugs!!!

Can't think of a catchy title

Not to say my titles are normally catchy, but I honestly couldn't think of a relevant one.

First of all a measure up bowl is a snazzy invention that has the measurements i.e. 1 cup, 1/2 cup engraved on the inside of the bowl. I've seen it featured on other blogs and thought it was genius. Now if you're Canadian and ordering I paid $20 to ship not including the price of the bowls. I got the two bowl set. The bigger bowl goes to 2 cups and the smaller bowl goes to 3/4 cup. I think it was totally worth it. I do hope the creator finds a vendor in Canada though.

True I could be better prepared at site. The challenge for me is I have no permanent home at site so I move from trailer to trailer some are equipped with microwaves and fridges others not so much. A cooler is a great idea but you're talking to the person who has issues packing lunch. The eating together part in the main kitchens does help me create the relationships with the groups I support there. The whole point of going is to spend time with the group. This doesn't mean I couldn't make better choices or have a partial meal with the group i.e. side salad and have a lean cuisine afterwards back at my desk. These are things I need to sort out. This time I brought healthy snacks so I wasn't crazy hungry by the time meal times came around. I felt that was a step in the right direction. Next week I'll add something new to create a WW plan for site.

Today after work my co-workers took me out for a few glasses of wine to celebrate my one year anniversary which was super nice.

I got partially organized today but have more to do tomorrow. I have a whack of afterwork commitments this week which aren't typical for me.

Now catching up on Biggest Loser, I love Rebecca's hair. Danny losing double digits for 6 weeks in a row - craziness. Rudy with a 16lb loss. Amanda losing 9lbs, I think that's one of her best weigh ins ever. While I did find Rebecca a wee bit irritating at times I liked her spunk but wow it looks like she's doing great at home.

Alright that's all I got for today.

Hugs!

Home again

Hi ya,
Plane ride home was alright, day went fast/slow. I had a ton to do that sort of showed up unexpectedly then I got slightly overwhelmed. Tomorrow will be dedicated to getting it all straightened out.

I've come to the conclusion staying within points at site is hard. Without nutritional info one must make best guesses or compare to something known. For example it was Chili Con Carne for lunch today. WW says 8pts per cup with beans. There were some beans but not a lot of beans. So I'm thinking I should now save my flexpoints for the days I'm at site.

This will be an adjustment as I'm used to saving them for the weekend. If I want to be a success, sacrifices must be made.

Today was my one year anniversary at my job, it's crazy to think a year has passed. I continue to love what I do so I hope it's many years to come.

A meeting invite went out today in honour of my one year anniversary for wine after work tomorrow. Then I have a concert to go to on Friday. It's a crazy week.

I got the Measure Up Bowls in the mail today. This is was a tricky thing being Canadian as you can't do the quick order option on their website, but if you go to their website and do the contact us option. They will respond and take your order via email. For some reason I wasn't expecting ceramic dishes but I'm pleasantly surprised. I'm testing it out tomorrow with cereal.

Alright I'm zonked but I hope everyone had a fantastic day.

Hugs!!!

Coming from site and buying inspiration

Hi ya,

So I'm back in my camp room and computer came with me again. Had a good day tracking everything and stuck to water. Normally I'm drawn by the chocolate milk. The plan was good until dinnertime.

Well at dinner they had meatloaf, I ate half of the portion they gave me. I ate half of the rice and ate all the cauliflower. Then I passed the dessert section and I caved at a small nanaimo bar and a peanut butter cookie. I'm tired but I tracked everything. Still withing points just need to be careful. It's all good as it's early in the week and I've got 5 days to weigh in. A lot can be done in 5 days. Tonight my plan is a shower and bedtime. The 3:30am wake up is seriously wearing on me now. It wasn't super cold today but there was a chill I couldn't shake. So I'm super happy I brought the winter jacket this time.

Tomorrow is easier be good at breakfast and lunch, by the time I get home I have cereal for dinner.

The treadmills were full (there are 3) so workout plans got derailed but Wednesday I'll hit the city gym and a plethora of treadmills.

OMG you guys you've got me on a Christmas shopping for myself kick. First the laptop lunch box, then Shirls talked about the RUME bags (on their way) and Angie impressed me with the smart cafe milk frother (tracking it down). Seriously you're doing all the fact finding for me, it's fantastic.

Plan for tomorrow is track everything as I did today.

Hugs from a spitting distance from Santa a.ka. the far Alberta north.

Maybe this will encourage me to pack lunch

Yesterday I bought one of these online, it's the laptop lunch bento box. I've been looking for a bento box type lunch container for awhile but always find the original stack on top of each other type that looks awkward. As I was checking out all the new blogs I found this. Thank you Allie for posting about it. I got a periwinkly one.

I need serious lunch inspiration as it's been a losing prospect for some time. I love the individual compartments, friendly plastic and safely microwaveable. I'm hoping it will make lunch fun again.

Today I went to a Silpada Jewellery party bought myself some nice Christmas presents - that was my justification. Plus I'm a lousy accesorizer, I need to put more effort into my style. Oh yes, the cupcakes I made went over really really well. I got many compliments and statements that mine are the best they've tried. Happily I gave them all away so none came home with me.

Tonight I need to straighten up a bit and pack for site. The running shoes are definitely coming as this show needs to get on the road. I'm debating on picking up a Nike + as I believe it tracks on treadmills too. If any of you know, let me know.

Heard a radio ad for the Actifry and I'm totally intrigued. It's a deep fryer that can make fresh french fries (fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside) out of raw potatoes with one tablespoon of oil. Apparently it's hitting many a best idea list as you can make a lot of stuff with signficantly less oil. If it speeds of meal preparation and makes it more healthy, I'm in.

I'm mentally prepared to tackle site food again and my computer will coming to camp with me again so I'll check in tomorrow and let you know how that goes.

Hope you had a fabulous Sunday and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Hugs!!!!

Catching Up

So after my morning weigh in post I got myself together and headed down to the grocery store. I have this idea of creating healthier versions of the foods I love a.k.a foods that blow my points.

I've spoken before of my love for Liberte Moka yogurt but at 6pts per servings it's dangerous. I was thinking of Angie's experiments in making greek style yogurt from regular yogurt. So I picked up some Source Natural Plain yogurt and I'll attempt to recreate her experiment by letting it drain slowly in the fridge. She uses coffee filters in a mesh strainer. I have cone coffee filters so not quite right, however I own cheesecloth so that might work. Then the next trick will be trying to re-create the moka part. I have some ideas like a bit of chocolate syrup with a little instant coffee...we'll see what happens. I'll keep you posted on that one.

Of course I walked to and from the grocery store. I had to get home to make the cupcakes for tomorrow. My house now smells like chocolate as I baked 24 chocolate cupcakes. I'm not sure if I'll make the strawberry buttercream tonight or tomorrow morning. I can't do anything until the cupcakes are cool at any rate.

Then I decided to tweak my blog a bit and start using the "follow" function. Normally I track all my blogs on bloglines but I'm liking the one stop shopping idea of doing it via the blog. I'm totally amazed that 44 people follow me so I decided to share the love. I'm working through my list to follow them and of course that leads me to lists on other blogs. It's an ongoing process I must say. At one point I was following myself - fixed that. I'm finding amazing people out there and it's really mind blowing that we all have so much support.

So many inspiring stories out there and people all with the same mission.

That's all I got, hope you enjoyed your Saturday.

Hugs!!!!

Down 1.1

Whew! I know I said that last week as well but I'm pleased to see a lower number, of course I start thinking "Imagine what the result would be if you were perfect i.e. perfectly on track and consistent exercise" then I mentally slap myself upside the head.

This is a step by step process learning what I need to do to not just lose the weight but keep it off.

Today is new week, a clean slate and I am feeling positive.

Just popped in to record this week's weight. I'll probably be back later.

Hugs!!!!!

Friiiidaaaayyyy

Today was a bit odd as I haven't worked a Friday in I can't remember how many weeks. I'm trying to use up all my flexdays before the year is up. Having Wednesday off caused guilt about taking Friday off so I worked.

It was a quiet but busy day and I got a lot done. I tried the Twins at A&W for lunch. Yes I know not the world's greatest choice and a warning to you those mini burgers clock in at 6pts each that's 16g of Fat in each. So that's 12pts for 2 mini burgers. Just as point of reference their normal Baby Burger has half the fat and clocks in at 5pts. It was good I must say and about the same size as a slider burger found at every other restaurant but I had to have edamame (1pt) for supper to make sure I didn't go over points. I won't be ordering that again.

Today was kind of a send off to bad behaviours a sort of mental good bye. As you can tell by reading this blog over the last few days I've been in a mixed head space. One thing I know with absolute certainty is that no pounds will be lost unless I focus. I definitely think I need to start a manual food journal as a visual reminder. The first batch of Christmas cookies landed in the office this week. So it begins....

I return to site next week and I'll be armed with healthy snacks. I'll bring some unsweetened applesauce with me and a couple of all bran bars to ward of crazy hunger. The worst day is the Monday as it's such an obnoxious early start to the day (3:30am) that it throws me off. The 2nd day isn't so bad as I get up at a normal hour and will be back in Calgary by supper time.

At site I need to embrace leaving food on my plate. As I mentioned before they give giant servings but there's is no reason to be a garbage disposal and I can leave food on the plate.

Tomorrow I must remember to take measurements. As it's important to not the non-scale victories as well.

I can do this and so can you.

I was checking out the future recordings on my PVR and I found Biggest Loser: Where/Now?. I have Biggest Loser set up to record automatically but this episode gives updates on more than 40 previous contestant from the first seven seasons. Apparently Bob and Jillian surprise people.

As I was watching BL this week I actually had the thought of " I wonder if they'll ever to a where are they now episode" and tada they are. It airs November 25th.

Alright that's all I got for today.

Hugs!!!

I have to learn to rely on me

So after much thought I decided to keep going with WW online, I'm not ruling out never going back to meetings but I need to be accountable to myself as that is what's going to get me through life. Only I can decide how much effort I'm going to put into this. I realized I do have support like the meetings it's all in you - my blogger friends.

This Saturday will by my 2nd weigh in since I started my restart so I have to give myself a little more time before I get too hard on myself. I think I was starting to get a little worried with all the holiday stuff going up everywhere. This is a challenging time going from Halloween smack into Christmas food wise.

Alas I did head outside today as I needed to pick up cupcake ingredients for a Silpada party I'm going to on Sunday. I decided to walk to my local mall and back again. Also picked up a pair of new Nike sweat pants as my old ones are in bad shape. I'm going to roll out the yoga mat in a little while as it's been ages since I've been on the mat.

After watching Biggest Loser last night I'm happy Shay went home. Yes being the largest woman to date she needs help and I truly hope she finds it at home. The crying every single episode was getting irritating. I'm dead curious as to why they didn't show an "after" picture for her and they did for Daniel. It will be interesting to see what happens now as the "old" people greatly out number the "young" people. Amanda and Rebecca's days could be numbered.

Alright my friends that's all I got for today.

Hugs!

WW existential crisis?

I started to wonder if I need to go back to meetings today. While the convenience of online is fun I don't think it's working for me.

I think back to meetings and while yes after awhile it gets super repetitive, I'm wondering if there's something in someone else recording your weight that works for me.

I've been following (I use that term loosely) online for months and I'm going in circles. So I started thinking to back when I went to meetings. Do I need the accountability of weighing in elsewhere? I posted a question on the ww.ca board today asking if you've tried both online and meetings, which do you prefer. The answers that came back pretty much said you decide for yourself.

So I'm thinking of running an experiment and doing both at once to see if I prefer one over the other. I know this sounds a little crazy and I have yet to totally think it out but it's there.

The gym has yet to happen as I've been busy at work and just had zero motivation to go. It didn't help that I felt super sore today and forgot how many muscles you use walking. I'm not happy with myself about that.

I'm just in a super reflective head space right now.

Tomorrow I have the day off and will head outside again and think it out.

See ya later.

Hugs!

T

6.5 km and 411 calories burned

Hello,

Dad left early as always so after doing one load of laundry I decided to get my little cardio game plan in action. The sun was shining and it was a breezy 0 degrees but I headed out for a walk. I strapped on the Garmin and immediately put the sleeve of my hoody over it. I didn't want to look at it but I wanted to see the end result.

I just walked, I did my normal 5k route and decided to add a few blocks on so I knew I would hit a minimum of 60min. I love fall, the air was crisp not cold and the rustle of leaves provided a nice back drop. It was about 10:15am when I headed out and I ran into very few people so it was just me and the world.

I definitely want to take advantage of the chinook (and not so freezing temperatures) and go outside while I still can. Tomorrow I'll go to the company gym as my motivation has a tendency to die when I get home from a day at work.

I haven't done any formal exercise since I had the flu a few weeks back so I'm impressed that I really enjoyed myself and didn't at any time think "enough I want to go home".

I actually remembered to stretch afterwards and did so on my front porch. After a warm bath I made my turkey burgers for lunch next week. The second load of laundry is now in the drier.

Yesterday I picked up a box of All Bran chewy cereal bars, these ones are Dark Chocolate Chip. They clock in at 2pts which is a reasonable with 6g of Fibre for mid morning snack and I'll test them out tomorrow.

I think Pillar's is sneaky. I found the other turkey bites yesterday in a small more expensive different package with the word lean stamped on it. They are 50 calories as opposed to other version which looks like the old packaging that are 70 calories. I think they got wind of the WW following.

Tomorrow I will attempt day one of the C25K. I've been meaning to forever and then travel and the flu got in the way. I need to get this goal of actually running the half marathon in May on the road.

I downloaded a Women's Health app onto my ipod a little while ago which has a combination of different weight workouts. Again this week is all about the cardio. I need to take this one week at a time. Historically if I make too grand of plans of what I'm going to do, I bail.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend, until tomorrow...Hugs!!!!

Down 1.2 - I'll take it

I stepped on the scale this morning with much trepidation as I thought of my rollercoaster week, alas 1.2 down. I was pleasantly surprised.

Head is reset for a new week. As I'm in town all week this coming week the gym bag will be coming to work with that's for sure.

I caught an episode of The Doctors on Friday and they were talking about the right exercises for your body type. I have to go back and look at this again but it definitely caused a bit of light bulb moment.

Remember when I was seeing the trainer and I described these workouts that were super heavy in weight training and not so much cardio? While my endurance increased my weight nor measurements ever really changed that much.

When I first did the the half marathon walking clinic I saw pounds drop and it was mostly cardio.

I'd probably describe myself as an endomorph, I'm not so much pear or apple shaped, more hourglass (thanking the dna). I tend to hold weight everywhere, not just in my lower or upper half. I like to say I'm evenly fat. I don't fall into any of the other categories i.e. lean, athletic, muscular. At any rate it described low impact cardio as the best type of exerise for endomorphs. I truly believe cardio, weight training and stretching are important to everyone, thinking about all that can get super overwhelming.

So my focus exercise wise for this week will be low impact cardio i.e. walking, biking, rowing. My goal is a minimum of 30min per day starting tomorrow.

Total goals for this week is to consistently track and the 30min of low impact cardio per day this week. Per day might be a lot but I want to create a habit. Plus I have zero excused not to dedicate a minimum of 30min a day to this.

I picked up a All Bran brand of bar that I'll talk about more tomorrow. It has an impressive amount of fibre but I haven't calculated all the info on it yet.

Hope you enjoyed your Saturday.

Hugs!!!

Have to admit - dreading the scale tomorrow

It's been a bit of a crazy week this week. I have today off but the mission is to clean my house as my Dad is coming in this weekend.

So day 2 at Site was better food wise and I had cereal for supper as I was so darn tired. Wednesdayand Thursday had me dealing with a whack of little things that added up quickly.

My tracking has been less than stellar this week and I know I'm completely at fault for that. Choices have not been so great either. Old patterns die hard. What I love about WW is I will face the scale tomorrow and then it's a new week. Heck it's a new day today. Refocusing can happen with the next meal you don't have to wait for the next weigh in.

I'm in Calgary all next week so I'm in complete control of the week's meals and now that I've re-familiarized myself with what's available at site I can better prepare to return the following week.

I can certainly arm myself with fruit and healthy snacks so I don't make stupid decisions because I'm crazy with hunger.

I promised to share the good, the bad and the ugly. I'll return on the weekend with this week's weigh in and my reflections of what I need to focus on.

Enjoy your Friday, Hugs!

Coming to you from site for the first time!

Hello, hello,

I had to take my computer back to camp with me as I had nowhere to store it and shazaam I can access my blog from here. On the work network it's blocked.

OMG I forgot how hard it is to eat here. There's one cafeteria with very limited options and you can't serve yourself, nor can you ask for things to be prepared a certain way. What's there is all you get.

For lunch there was a choice of chicken nuggets or crispy pork chops, fries and veggies. I got the chicken nuggets as the pork looked super fatty. This is where I went wrong - I chose fries. I did ask for a small amount but I could have skipped that entirely and gone for just vegg. I did have a whack of green beans. Of course only when my plate was clean did I have the light bulb moment.

My eating pattern is so strange here as I'm up at 3:30am and work until 5:30pm.

For supper I got a little wiser I had a very small piece of sheppards pie and then all veggies.

That took me a little off guard today, as did the -10 and a whole whack of snow.

When we got off the plane the pilot warned us that the tarmac was icy and then he said "and it will remain so for the next 6-7 months" We all laughed but that could be for sure.

Met the new group I support, super nice but tough. Felt a little like a job interview in my first meeting. I think I won them over a little. I now sit in a different spot than before and I was a wee lonely this afternoon as I had no peeps around me.

Though I was greeted with enthusiasm all day as I saw people I haven't seen in months.

That will change as I get to know people and my old peeps are still here. I'll see a few tomorrow who weren't here today.

The game plan for tomorrow is to be wiser in the food choices and I'll be home by supper time. That will probably be cereal as I'll be so damn tired.

Hope your Mondays went well.

Hugs!!!

Always double check

Early post today as I was planning all my meals today and plunking them into my WW online tracker, I came to a realization.

I'm planning my supper to be cheemo bite size perogies, green beans and turkey bites. In the past Turkey Bites have been 1pt each. I bought them yesterday and my routine is the moment I get home I write the points on the container. Yesterday I calculated the Turkey Bites as 2pts. They've changed them and they're now 20 calories more per bite.

Important lesson to never assume things stay the same.

Just a note. My chocolate festivities of yesterday was not me going off plan. It was planned as I prefer to use my flexpoints as many days before weigh in as possible.

Today I'm not going to use any flexpoints, it's straight up plan points.

Tried the Blaster Pancake stuff today and it's good. This is a super fast process. It will serve well for speedy meals but I wouldn't replace my regular Coyote pancake mix for this. The fibre in the blaster pancakes is 1g, not as high as Coyote's 4g in the whole wheat mix.

I now have no excuses for mornings in a rush, it took less than a minute to do this.

That's all I got for now, might back later.

Hugs!

Happy Halloween!

I do love halloween, especially the wee little kids who are new to the whole thing. They're so in awe of the bowl of candy and the mom/dad trying to get them to say "trick or treat" totally priceless. I really enjoyed all the dressed up dogs that were along for the ride. There was one dressed like a fairy.

Best costume of the night is a tie between one girl dressed like rubik's cube and another dressed like a spider (down to the multiple google eyes on the hat). Both looked home made so top prize for sure.

Went grocery shopping this morning and only bought what could go in the freezer or what would be consumed this weekend as I'll be leaving at 4:30am on Monday and not back until Tuesday dinner. This will be my schedule until mid December and will resume again the beginning of January. I need to train myself to now grocery shop on Wednesdays. I picked up an extra bag of candy as I had no clue how many kids would be coming (a Saturday plus nice weather). It's now close to 9pm and no sign of a kid for the last 20min. So far I've had 28 trick and treaters. I'm surprised I'd thought there would be more.

I succombed to the candy bowl and have had 23pts worth this evening, thank goodness for flexpoints. This was a conscious act and I put every wrapper smack on the coffee table so I could track it. I tracked every damn point into my WW online tracker as it's all about being accountable. Now it goes into a grocery bag and it will come to work with me to feed all the boys. I tracked everything today so now I just repeat. I will use all my flex points this week as in the past that usually leads to better results for me.

I also read the weekly info on WW online, it's their version of the meeting. Doesn't matter how many times you hear it, it's good to hear it again. I wandered over to the section featuring weight watcher products and that saddens me a bit. The cakes, muffins, cookies are heavily processed. A friend had the muffin at work and I tried a bit. It was blechy. I've done the focusing on low point processed foods before. This round I want to focus on whole foods for the daily points, if things not so whole wind up on the list they will go under flexpoints i.e. the halloween chocolate.

I walked to the grocery store and back but as I said yesterday I'm going back to WW 101 and activity points don't come into the equation just yet. Now the focus is on tracking, water, fruit/vegg, milk, vitamins and oil.

I reset my weight on WW online as well. I usually always use the starting weight of when I first joined WW years ago. I decided to stop doing that. While happy that I've never returned to that weight, I've definitely flirted with it. I'm changing the tickertracker above to reflect that to. Plus I'm going back to tracking weight not pounds lost on that tracker.

Lynn and Angie - I will be posting my weigh ins. It's time to getter' done!

Saturday is my weigh in day and today I start at the beginning which was 196.8 this morning. Didn't make me happy seeing that number but I'll never see it again.

I had an odd food find in Walmart today the Organic Batter Blaster pictured above. It's true I read the indredients it's organic, it has wheat flour and 1pt per 1/4 cup serving (two pancakes). I was intrigued and when I went to the cashier she told me tried it and it was good. Her advice to make sure the pan is hot and to rinse the nozzle before putting back in the fridge. What I like about this is the single serving option as opposed to traditional pancake batter.

I'm going to try it for breakfast tomorrow morning so I'll give my review then.

Day one done, bring on day two.

Hugs!

What is starting back at square one?

In the years I've been writing on this blog I have often gone back to square one. A reset I like to call it. Looking at the number of "resets" I've announced none has truly stuck since the very first time I joined WW.

The problem with my resets is I don't really go back to square one. I usually declare a new attitude towards tracking or exercise and before you know it I'm back to resetting. I'm not truly following WW not dealing with what leads me astray.

What I'm going to do is truly go back to square one as in dig out my WW books and go back to week one. Treat WW like I've never done it before. I have this habit of knowing what to do but not doing it, sort of a WW apathy. "I know this program inside and out". Yeah I do, but talking the talk is not going to get me to goal. Joining meetings is not an option due to my resuming crazy flight schedule so it's up to me.

I used to journal a lot (not everything winds up on the blog). I think the key to not eating my feelings it to think them out. Am I hungry or am I bored, lonely or tired sort of thing. Count to 10 before opening the fridge or unwrapping the chocolate bar.

By no means do I think this will be easy but when I started this blog it was supposed to be about the good, the bad and the ugly on the way to goal. If I don't learn these lessons now I'll set myself up with a yo-yo pattern for a very long time.

I've got the half marathon at the end of May in the back of head also so this journey is about to get a little wild and crazy.

I know WW works so I have no desire to try anything else I'm just going to relearn it.

I want to thank all of you, the posters and the lurkers and the 41 people on my follower list. It's you who make me know that I'm not alone in this. You are all sources of inspiration so I thank you for that from the bottom of heart.

Let the journey begin.....

Hugs!!

Defining Moments and a wee bit random

Been out after work the last few times and haven't had time to blog...sorry about that.

It's been a bizarre couple of days getting back into the swing of my normal job after all the changes we've gone through. I'm surviving but I realized today something was bugging me as my eating has been stupid. I'm a total emotional eater and bad food decisions tend to tune my conscious brain to my unconscious brain. I'm not crazy about some of the changes and it will take me awhile to get comfortable.

I return to site on Monday and that's different too as I now support an additional group. This new group is rather high maintenance so I'm sort of building up my armor just in case. Not the best attitude to have I realize, but I'm tired and dealing the best way I can.

I finally watched Biggest Loser tonight and was a balling mess for the last half hour with Abby's departure. If you don't watch the show Abby was the one who had the most profound effect on me. She lost her husband, baby and young daughter in a car accident 5 miles from her home by someone who was speeding 2.5 years ago. I can't begin to imagine how one deals with that. I found her very inspiring from the whole dust yourself off and get back up philosophy. If I was her, I don't think I'd get up for a very long time. The thing that totally got to me was when she said she found life again.

It was a strange episode for me. The way probe into why contestants became overweight. As the black team was debating who went home and Abby gave all the reasons why the others needed to stay. She could go home because she found life again.

That truly got me thinking what's my reason for being overweight. I've never put any effort into that before as it's always been about fixing it not figuring out what got me here. I think it comes down to seeking the solace of food because I've never felt good enough, no pretty enough, not smart enough. My logical brain thinks that's incredibly stupid and to get over it. Unfortunately the logical brain is easily over thrown by the emotional brain. I've been in a funk for the past few months like I'm stuck. The stressful summer I had and the stuff that's been going on has made me hit the overload level. It doesn't help that I internalize everything. Tonight it all sort of hit me. What am I doing? If I want to truly live I need to get healthy.

On to other things - Had a fabulous lunch with H-Woman on Wednesday. Saw "This is it" Wednesday night and I was totally prepared to think it was stupid but it was really good. You forgot about the wacko jacko and saw the musical genius of the old MJ.

Thanks for letting me pour all that out and that's all I got for today.

Hugs!

Sometimes a weekend off isn't so bad

I started this weekend with a whack of things I wanted to accomplish, a small number actually got completed but that's o.k. Sometimes you need a weekend off.

I went grocery shopping today and demonstrated incredible will power to leave without Liberte Moka yogurt, it was on sale and you got extra airmiles if you bought two. I just chanted "no,no,no,no,no" as I walked down that aisle. I have no portion control with that yogurt and will eat it straight out of the container. I also no no no'd myself past the tortilla chips while extremely high in fibre far too easy to snack on.

Will power faultered a bit when lunch became the fresh 60% WW artisan bread came home (that was still warm) met the nutella on the counter when I got home.

I'm making work lunch right now which will also be dinner. I browned some extra lean ground beef with onion, garlic and shallot added the last dregs of Ragu spaghetti sauce in my fridge and added a whack of spaghetti squash. I haven't made spaghetti squash in ages and I realized I need to branch out in my winter seasonal vegetables. I'm open to trying other squashes I just need to find me some recipes.

I was watching Eat, Shrink and Merry on the food network the other day and I realized I hadn't cracked that open in awhile.

I'm geeked about the new "V" series. I loved this show when I was a kid. I'm normally a bit leery about remakes of old series. I loved the revamped Battlestar Galactica and based on the preview I just watched on abc.com of V, it feels promising.

A former co-worker wants my recipe for my uber popular Black Forest Cake and I'm conflicted. It's kind of my pride and joy, mostly created by myself (combining different variations) and I sort of want to keep it exclusive. Is that horrible? The odds of it being duplicated are slim, but I love people's reaction to this cake.

Got news about the Christmas party this year and all I know is it's most likely not going to be quite as a big shin dig as last year. So a snazzy dress way not be required, which isn't horrible it would save me some moolah.

Watching the season finale of So You Think You Can Dance Canada. I'm not going to post about it as I'm watching it on the Newfoundland channel so I'm many hours ahead of the rest of the country.

That's it for today....Hugs!

Back on the wagon

Hello!
I'm starting tracking today...again. I've been on hiatus for awhile and it's about time I get this thing started again.

I've been reading a lot about re-starts on the blogs lately and my guess is a lot of people are renewing their efforts and energy. This is weight loss stuff is definitely a battle with my self being my greatest enemy. I refuse to beat myself up about it, I know nothing is going to happen until I decide to do something about it. I'm resetting my tracker above as I want to start back at square one.

The coughing is getting better and better which is absolutely fantastic. I will be hitting the treadmill on Monday and starting the C25K. We'll see how the coughing goes but with two more days of rest I think I'll be good to go. I think I'll break out the yoga mat today and get my practice rolling again.

I had yesterday off and I did absolutely nothing, I stayed in my pjs all day and just chilled. Today I need to clean my house/do laundry, I was planning to do the grocery shopping today but there's a weird rain/snow mix falling from the sky and I'd rather not head out in that so I'll but that off until tomorrow or later this afternoon. It's supposed to be 7 degrees later and -4 tomorrow. The colder weather doesn't bother me.

I've been watching X-Weighted Families and while inspiring this show breaks my heart a bit. I was a chubby kid myself and yes while teased I don't feel I was every bullied. It was a different time then, there wasn't quite the media onslaught of "perfection". To see these 13 year olds trying to just survive childhood, their parents and lose weight I can see why it's all so overwhelming, heck it's overwhelming to me. It's so different watching adults deal with weight loss.

Alright so the focus today is stay OP as I'm just taking one day at a time.

Enjoy your Saturday!

Still breathing

I'm sorry I haven't been around much it's just been me focusing on getting well. While the majority of flu symptoms are gone, the cough is driving me bananas. I'm fine if I avoid milk and don't talk to anyone. The not talking to people thing doesn't really work at work.

I'm coughing less but I want it to go away forever. It's quite frustrating when someone tells you that you still look sick and when you go to say "no, no I'm fine" you errupt into coughing. My credibility is totally shot I tell you.

My weight loss efforts are on the sidelines which is also frustrating. I have this Friday off which is fantastic so I can get myself organized. I've been living out of my pantry as I haven't gone grocery shopping yet. I'm saving all that for this weekend as I want to break out the slow cooker and make some meals ahead of time. I've been flipping through "Fix It and Forget It Lightly" and picking out some recipes. I want to focus on flavourful as I notice if that is satisfied I can easily eat less. When it's blah I go hunting for something else.

On Tuesday my group is going team building, we're going paint balling. I'm not crazy about this idea as I think there's something wrong with combining team building and weapons but I'll go. I suggested bowling, civilized and the ability to have a conversation as many of the people who are coming are coming from all over Canada. I think this will go one of two ways - a) I get wiped out immediately and b) I discover my inner rambo and go into sniper mode. I'll report back on which happens.

Today I was typing to a colleague at site as I'm returning to that schedule shortly and she says to me - You should be here Wednesday nights and then you can go to TOPS with us. Yes, site has weight loss program, which I think is great but I'll never be there Wednesday nights. Plus I'm quite happy with WW, I was more disturbed by the suggestion. I would not describe us as friends.

Alright my peeps, that's all I got for today.

Hugs!!!!!