Sometimes you need to shop in your own closet

So my two workmates and I headed to Cross Iron Mills, this mega mall just outside of Calgary. I've never been before and I've heard mixed reviews. Some people like it and some people don't.

I'm not impressed. Yes it has stores that other malls don't have but all in all it was a giant oulet mall to me. Great if you are not really looking for something specific but useless when you're on a mission.

I tried on dresses and came away with nothing. I just wasn't feeling it and just saw flaws with every dress I tried on. I then thought ,maybe I'm better off with seperates and then I thought of the black lace skirt and scoop neck velvet top I have in my closet now and thought good enough for a "cocktail" party. Now I just acessorize and we're good to go. Technically I have shoes and earrings I already own that could work but I'm not 100% sure if that's the direction I want to go. The plan is to hit a normal mall on Friday for any last minute needs.

Giant malls exhaust me so after work tomorrow I'm going to head over to the downtown mall which I'm very familiar with and grab a few more pairs of jeans for site and worry about the Christmas party when I'm back on Thursday.

We left a 11 and I got home at about 5:45pm. I'm zonked now and just going to chill for the rest of the night.

Tomorrow I must also finish packing the rest of my site stuff. The runners and workout tops are coming this week so I'll be able to establish a workout routine there going forward.

Hope your Sunday was super.

Hugs!!!

Sleep is good

I did sleep through my WW meeting today but I'm totally fine with that as I needed it. I'll definitely go next week.

Got word that dress shopping has been delayed till tomorrow so I had more time on my hands than I had originally planned.

Many bloggers talking about the new WW plan that's launching in the US on Monday, not sure if it is Canada as well or if we're delayed another week. I could have sworn my leader said around the first week in December. So far I think it's just American bloggers talking about it.

I was planning to head to Walmart today to get my christmas cookie supplies and check out their jeans. Last time I was there they had a huge selection at $18 a pair. I need more jeans for site and I need to get that sorted by Tuesday.

My first mission of the day was to got get cell phones on another network that will actually work while I'm in Northern Alberta. Got that done about 3 blocks from my house and noticed the sidwalks were a bit treacherous with ice starting to form where the evil neighbours did not shovel their walks.

I decided to not go to Walmart today and just stay home and relax. I thought about putting up my tree but didn't. Then I got bored with what was on tv and turned to netflix.ca. I signed up for the 30 day free trial as I thought this might be good not just for home but also good a site.

While today was a rest day, tomorrow can't be and I'll need to think of some sort of workout to do. I was hoping to go outside for a walk but I'm not crazy about icy sidewalks. I saw a few people running today and thought they are far more dedicated than I am.

Hope your Saturday was spectacular. I will tell you tales of dress shopping tomorrow.

Hugs!!!

The end of an era

Today was my last day in my current job and I start the new opportunity on Monday.

I'm going to miss my old group. Last night we had my good-bye at Aussie Rules with the dueling pianos. OMG everyone had so much fun. We were all singing and clapping and just generally having a fantastic time. There was 20 of us and I was quite honored that they all came out to see me off. Food was all bad as it was nachos and cheese sticks sort of thing.

Our Director was sitting next to me at the table and she said some really nice things to me including she think she'll one day report to me...I'm sure she was just being nice but that made go "Whoa" for a minute.

Today I packed up the rest of my office  and put a message on the phone of where I can now be reached and it felt kind of sad.

I'm totally excited about the new job but I've been through a lot with the old group and they always make me laugh. It's not like I'll never see them again but they won't be part of my day and I'll miss that.

Tomorrow is Christmas Party Dress shopping with two of my new workmates who have become my friends. One of which will be my site buddy and I'm so happy we get along so well.  I've looking forward to this as I really enjoy spending time with these girls and need help when it comes to picking out dresses. Next weekend is the party so the pressure is on.

I'm so tired I just might play russian roulette with weigh in tomorrow and see if I wake up in time. I've had a tough time sleeping this week with plenty of waking up at 1am, 2am and 3am. I think it was partially due to the stress of what was happening with my current role with my last day looming. I'm still not 100% sure on what's going on with that but the train has left the station and now I just roll with it. I need energy for tomorrow as the plan is to hit two malls.

I hope all my American friends had a great Thanksgiving and I hope everyone had a great Friday!

Hugs!!!

They lied

That whole 2nd coldest place on earth thing from yesterday was fiction, I learned this when I got to work this morning and thanks to Carol for commenting on the same.

Happily it did warm up a bit today but by the time I left work my nose still got cold. I hit the mall as I needed a few things to replace what I took to site or things I realized I need at site. This weekend I sort out the clothes.

I have two days left in my current job and I'm looking forward to my good bye get together tomorrow. It will be bittersweet as I'm looking forward to the new job but I'll miss my current group. They're amazing people.

It's looking more and more like I'll be doing both jobs for awhile and I'm really not sure how I'm going to swing that.

Got a huge surprise today when I opened my inter-office mail. I got a thank  you card with a $100 visa gift card from one of the groups I support. They thanked me for my hard work and said that whoever takes over for me will have big shoes to fill. Later on in the day when I was telling this story I got told I had clown feet in terms of shoes to fill. Aww shucks is all I can say.

On the workout front it's been really lax as in zip, I'm not very organized this week at all. I think the cold weather and trying to organize my current work is the cause. Tomorrow is a right off as well. Oh well life happens sometimes and you just have to roll with it.

Hope your Wednesday was wonderful.

Hugs!!!

The 2nd coldest place on earth

Apparently Calgary held that record today with -33C, the coldest was the South Pole with -38C, now that's base temperature add the wind to that and at one point Calgary was -41C.

It was about -28C with wind and -21C without at site today so way warmer than yesterday. If you were out of the wind and in the sun it felt quite nice actually.

I used my street savvy skills to text my go to cab driver to pick me from the plane so I didn't have to fight everyone else for a cab. My plan to leave stuff at site also allowed me to get off the plane with just a computer bag so it was a speedy exit.

My day was stupid busy today as I what I thought was a one hour meeting turned into 3 hours. Which meant I got nothing done that I wanted to. I got a bit more info on my new job starting Monday and it sounds absolutely exciting and a wee overwhelming all at the same time.

I had a healthy breakfast and could only eat half my lunch before I had to pack up and get to the plane. I had no snacks on the plane at all so I was starving when I got home.I treated myself to spaghetti for dinner with some precooked bacon added to my organic pasta sauce. It was quick and filling plus absolutely yummy.

The trip home from the plane was crazy as it was bumper to bumper traffic the whole way. Next week when I start my shift schedule I'll be landing later on Thursdays which might be better traffic wise.

Tomorrow after work I'll do a little more shopping to get sorted for site as Thursday I'll be out after work and I'd like to start decorating my house for Christmas on Friday.

In case you didn't know Biggest Loser is having a "Where are they now" special tomorrow so I'm looking forward to that.

Hope you all had a fantastic Tuesday.

Hugs!!

Now that is cold

Arrived safe and sound this morning and wowsers it is cold up here. The jacket, boots and layers held up well. Where I really felt it was on any bare skin for example my cheeks. I felt like little needles were poking me. Super happy I wore long johns but part way through the day I had to take them  off as it felt like I was wearing snow pants.

On the way back to camp it definitely dipped into the -40C with windchill, boy am I happy that I had my master plan of how to handle carting my bags around.

Now my office is more or less set up and the potato head got lot of attention today. They are totally an ice breaker. Apparently what I shipped form Calgary arrived. The question is arrived where as they haven't turned up just yet. My first schlepped load of stuff is now unpacked in my permanent much smaller camp room. It's not so bad actually and quite cozy. I think I'll be totally set with one more load of clothes. Tomorrow I will just be going home with a computer bag so that will be a very quick run into a cab.

Food wise was a little meh today as I leaned more towards comfort than healthy. Damn the cold. Well my breakfast and lunch were good, and for my dinner I opted for a hot dog and fries. I don't remember the last time I ate a hot dog.

Tomorrow will be different as I already know what I'm having for breakfast (cream of wheat) and lunch will be a healthy sandwich and then at home dinner will be a healthy omelet.

I'm already looking forward to next week as I have a pilates buddy.

Alright my friends time to wind down for me.

Hope you had a fantastic Monday!!!

It's all about layers

I turned my Saturday into a treat day but I did track it all. Now the focus for the rest of the week will be to stay on track and so far so good today.

I've been taking it easy this weekend as I'm trying to sort myself out for working from site in a week. I'm hauling two duffle bags with me this trip. One has office stuff (my potato head collection, coffee mug and etc) and the second some clothes that will stay there plus the majority of the toilettries I use. My outward appearance doesn't scream girly girl until you see the products and I use.

It's going to feel like -32 to -38C with the wind, that's pretty darn cold so long johns will be on that's for sure. My routine will be slightly interrupted as I have a co-worker coming with me and I have been nominated his "buddy". Right this minute I wish someone else was his buddy. Normally I get off the bus on the first stop and nip straight into the building. Tomorrow I need to take him to get his site i.d which is two stops later, wait for him to watch the security video and then go back to where I normally sit on the site shuttle. This will be while hauling my two dufflebags and computer bag in the freezing weather. These people owe me big as I don't even work directly with this guy.

Sure I could wait to bring stuff up when it's a bit warmer but December is just the start of winter, I'd like to get to the point where all I'm carrying is a computer bag on and off the plane so I can just jump into a cab or the bus therefore completely eliminating waiting outside for luggage. There is method in my madness.

I'll double check the agenda with him tomorrow at the airport. The cab is booked and soon I'll have dinner so I can have an early night as it's back to being up fairly early to get the show on the road.

My netbook is packed so I can blog without having to haul my work computer at the end of the day. I will be back tomorrow.

Hope you had a great weekend.

Hugs!!!

Down 4.2!!!!!!!

Shazaam, I'm back into the 160s by one solid pound weighing in at 169 today. I was kind of hoping to smoke past 168 which seems to be the threshold I have a difficult time breaking but 4.2 in one week is fine.

I wanted to walk to weigh in today which is my normal routine and it's about 8 blocks or so. It was -24C this morning and thankfully no wind. My normal weigh in uniform is a t-shirt and yoga pants. I put my MEC thermal long johns on under my yoga pants and a fleece hoody from Roots on top of my t-shirt and then added the usual winter wear. When I got to WW I removed layers to get to my normal weigh in outfit and then bundled back up again afterwards. Complicated but I was warm the whole way.

So what did I do this week? I focused on protein in each meal.

Total points eaten: 200 (+11 over my daily point allowance plus flexpoints)
Activity Earned: 15

Now I'm 27.2 down from when I rejoined WW in January and down 29 from when I first joined back in the day. There are 7 weigh ins to my one year anniversary of the day I rejoined on Januray 2, 2010. I'll have 6 as one lands while I'm away visiting my Dad.

My goal for next week is 2.8 lbs, I'd really like to hit 30lbs down. I think this is doable if I stay focused on tracking, water and activity. My activity tapered off towards the end of this past week.

After WW I headed to Walmart to start collecting what I'll need for camp. Oy vey it's not cheap setting up a second life. I just sort of went aisle to aisle plus picked up stuff I need for home. It will be totally worth it since I won't have to cart stuff back and forth. I had thought I'd take a cab home and then realized cold weather = long waits so instead I opted for the bus. I hauled my mega shopping bags to the bus stop and waited for the one that brings me closer to home. It felt like weight training.

I still have a few things to pick up that I can't get at Walmart that I'll collect over the next week and then I should be good to go.

Workout wise today I think I'll finally unwrap the new Mari Windsor pilates. K has been doing it at camp and tells me she really enjoys it. I'll give a recap tomorrow.

Have a super Saturday.

Hugs!!

TGIF

I'm so happy it's Friday this week felt really long, probably due to the mega cold and the extra effort it takes to go anywhere. Toque- check, mitts- check, serious winter jacket-check, winter boots-check and take a deep breath and go outside.

I'm also getting closer and closer to my new job and I'm so excited. Tonight I got invited to a drink after work with my new group. I love these people in all seriousness. I'm totally excited about working with my friend K. We are going to do great things.

I had my year end performance review this week and my boss had a giggle over some of my responses to the pre performance questionnaire. I used "I believe I do this to the best of my ability" which in my head means "If you haven't noticed how well I do this already there's no point in my saying anything".

My boxes of office stuff got picked up today so we'll how long it takes to get to site. This weekend I'm starting the site shopping, more or less creating duplicates of all the toilettries I use at home plus stuff like advil, alka setzer.

Then I need to sort out clothes. I want to keep a wardrobe there so I don't need lug a lot of stuff back and forth.

On the weight loss front I'm now in food/beverage cut off for weigh in tomorrow. Tonight I'm super proud of myself. I had my one planned drink (vodka and soda) then I switched to water. Two platters of deep fried goodness landed on our table which included potato skins, dumplings, deep fried zucchini and other things.

I resisted completely, not even a nibble. That is huge for me as I love potato skins.

However tomorrow I will treat myself a little as I want an Egg Nog Latte from Starbucks, I understand there is a reduced fat version as well which is fabulous. The thing about egg nog is even the reduced fat or light is still decadent.

Then it's back to focus as it's two weeks to the Christmas Party.

Hope your friday was super fabulous.

Hugs!!!

Being all techno savvy

For the past few weeks I've been trying to remember the password to my wireless router. I wanted to add my iphone to my at home network. I've tried every variation of my go to passwords and nada. Obviously I've thought of something brilliantly secure that I can't remember it.

Yesterday I bit the bullet and reset the router, which was fine until I tried to get a wee complicated and then I undid my complications and now I'm sorted. I was so tired of the whole deal I couldn't blog.

The week continues to be decent plan wise. The scales is getting lower and lower with one day left till weigh in I'm committed. I've tracked every day. Activity took a little vacation for the past few days as snow shovelling and bundling up seem to activity. My focus has been on food.

I've been really focusing on protein and making sure to have it in every meal. I'm kind of trying to follow the new WW plan without really nowing anything about the new WW plan as I'm counting based on my current plan.

In other news it's been fully socked in winter the past few days. It's snowed daily and a been a wee bit chilly. Today on the way home it was -27 with windchill. On the bright side I got confirmation from the snow removal people that I've hired them and they technically started yesterday. So I quit shovelling now and see what happens.

I have a plan with my friend C to go Christmas Party Dress shopping next Saturday so that's motivation to keep focused for another week. Thus far the plan for New Year's is more of a pajama party then a get all dressed up so the focus after that will just be to get to goal. I still want to be at my lowest weight to date by New Year's and then use Vegas as the motivation to take it to the end.



On Thurday it's my good bye from my current work mates and I think of that with mixed emotion. I'm excited to start the new opportunity but I'll miss these guys.

But boy the shopping list for camp keeps growing, it's completely like setting up for a second life.

Alright that's all I got.

I hope you all had a great past few days.

Hugs!!

Wet Snow = Strength Training

I, being a good samaritan, shovelled my sidewalk before I left for work this morning and it was a bit of a workout as this was very wet snow which means heavy.

Thanks to the wind one side of my sidewalk had a half a foot or more and the other side had about an inch.

I then decided to walk the 5 blocks to the other bus that runs down the main road. Again a wee bit of a workout trudging through all the unshovelled sidewalks where you couldn't tell where the sidewalk ended and the road began.

Stuck to my plan today even though the call of the snack was strong around 1:30pm. I resisted. I chewed gum which wasn't exactly satisfying but it kept me distracted.

I've been slowly packing up my office for my move to site. We've been in temporary office space for a year as we were waiting to move into the new building. Now I won't be moving to the new building but everyone has kept the majority of their stuff in boxes for the last year. I've been culling, today I found a pack of gum (not the one I had) that was rock hard. As my stuff needs to be shipped a fair distance I'm really trying to reduce the number of boxes. So far I'm down to 4 from 6 not so bad. I really want to ship this stuff early next week so it might have a chance of getting to site before I do.

I so thought I'd have to shovel again when I got home but I was pleasantly surprised that there was just a dusting of new snow. My Sorel funky boots got their debut today and did very well plus got a few compliments on them to. When I got home the Sorel Caribous were here. They look more serious. Good for even colder weather and deeper snow. My new Lands End parka got it's debut today too and did extremely well.

I don't know what it is but if I'm all bundled up and toasty warm all I want to do is nap. I have a long Lands End down coat that I've named my sleeping bag coat. It does kind of look like a sleeping bag and when I wear it I could nap instantly anywhere.

I came home and attempted Jillian Michael's 30 day Shred. I lasted 10min, it's intense. It's definitly something I want to work on but I think between the shovelling, trudging and the 10min I'm pooped. I'm still counting all that as a workout as combined it was at least 30min.

Tracked for the 3rd day in the road. This morning the scale said I squeeked back into the 169s. The mission to squeek a litte further in that direction by Saturday.

Hope your Tuesday was terrific!

Hugs!!!

Finding the mojo

Everyone was talking about the weather today or the weather that's coming. Apparently we are to be slammed with winter including a drop in temperature and 5-10cm of snow....fun.

As of yet not a snowflake, however if it does come that means roughly 300 accidents tomorrow as it's the first serious snow and everyone forgets how to drive in winter. It will also most likely mean my bus that goes through every neighbourhood between my house and downtown will not arrive as the side streets will be messy.

The good news I found my snow shovel and my new winter boots might see some action.

When I got home I took out the garbage a day early so I don't have to jump through snow tomorrow or dig out my back gate. Then I had a lovely turkey bacon/ tomato sandwich for supper and then I contemplated a workout. I didn't want to but I did.

While I sifted through my dvds in search of the step aerobics I found 30 day Shred. I had completely forgotton I picked it up in Walmart for a really good price. I own a lot of workout dvds that intrigue me at the time and then get put on a shelf. Good reminder as winter sets in and travel might be difficult.

I momentarily debated on doing the shred but then thought I'd stick to the plan and do step aerobics.

So tonight's workout was:

34:03min/ 305 calories burned/ 155-182 heart rate

That's now 3 stickers on my calendar and 3 days tracked.

It's paying off, I saw a good number on the scale this morning.

Hope your Monday went well and if you're in Calgary - find your winter boots.

Hugs!!!

I got the magic in me

I love this song by B.0.B and Rivers Cuomo and I do have the magic in me. By saying that I mean I am in control of my actions, my effort and my dedication towards anything I put my mind to. It's funny I put loads of effort and work into work but I always sacrifice the effort to get to goal first. My goal to get to goal deserves just as much effort.

I have tracked every bite, lick and taste for two days now. I've got my butt off the coach and gone for a mega walk yesterday and today. Tomorrow I'll do step aerobics to add some variety.

I broke out the stickers and put them on my calendar to mark activity for the past few days. My goal a sticker each day this week.

Here is the tale of my two mega walks.

Saturday:
1:10:48/ 8.23km/ 419 calories burned/ Pace 8:37-7:56/ HR 161-142

Sunday:
1:12:05/8.17km/409 calories burned/ Pace 8:50-8:14/ HR 153-140

I did the exact same route each day but note the little differences. That comes down the moment I turned the garmin on or off and it felt a little harder today. It was completely overcast and kind of blechy looking when I went out today not sure if that effected it.

I'm working on bringing the weight loss mojo back. I'm also weighing myself every morning again to keep me going. It's all about baby steps as even last night about 2hrs after dinner my instinct was to go in search of a snack and then consciously thought I'm not hungry so I settled for water.

I'm also keeping a close eye on protein. I've noticed a big difference since adding walnuts to my morning hot cereal (oatmeal or oatbran) as it keeps me full way longer and therefore not so tempted to go buy a muffin.

On my walk I noticed today that one of neighbours has covered their lawn in inflatable Christmas decorations since yesterday. It's crazy they have like 6 or 7 giant blow up decorations on their lawn. I overheard this girl on the bus who already had her tree up. Wowsers. My tradition is to put the tree up the 4th advent/ Sunday before Christmas. So with Christmas day landing on a Saturday the decorations will go up Nov 27-28ish.

I hope you guys had a nice weekend, I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Hugs!!!

Russian Roulette

My celebration mind set of my new job has given me license to play fast and loose with the plan. Well more like not following the plan...at all.

Yesterday I went out to eat twice. First lunch with my friend C and then dinner and a movie with the girls. I knew this would not result in a good weigh in today and this morning I seriously debated on going.

Ultimately I decided to go. After all I put the words "the good, the bad and the ugly on the way to goal". I was up exactly 2lbs. I know it's the result of the night before and I didn't really appreciate the weigh in chick telling me to follow the plan next week.

I weighed in at the second meeting today as opposed to the one I usually go to because I opted to sleep in a little. I had no intention of staying for the meeting today. I walked in a saw a sub leader. I remember her as she used to go to my usual Saturday meeting. There were a few people from my normal meeting having a chat with her and she was advising them. One of the women was saying how she's not tracking and the leader simply said you decide how much effort you're going to put in. That hit a chord with me. I also heard that the new plan will start in Canada on Dec.4th.

Now while I am looking forward to a new plan that doesn't mean I can throw the next 3 weigh ins out the window. I've challenged myself to be back at 168 or a wee lower before the new plan starts.

In other news I decided to buy a netbook to take site with me so I don't need to lug my work computer back and forth and my lovely purple 17in Dell can stay home. It would be pretty heavy to haul around with the work computer anyway. All I want is to be able to access the internet, check my email not put together mega documents in my camp room.

I was checking out an HP one on best buy for $288, then I noticed Walmart had one as well for the same price. The best buy one sold out so I went in to Walmart today. At first I didn't see it and it turns out they only had one left. The totally awesome part was it was roll backed to $198, totally meant to be.

So I walked to and from weigh in today and in half an hour I'm heading out for a mega walk. I missed that this past week.

It's a new week and a new attitude.

Hugs!!!

My little hot water bottle

That's the dog, she never left my side the entire time she was with me and last night she slept with at least one body part i.e paw, head, entire body touching me. It's so funny to watch dogs dream and one point I'm sure she was as the little sounds and twitching paw seemed like she might have been dreaming of chasing a squirrel.

I'm still excited about the new job and the mind is racing.

The dog and I went for a walk this morning and it was chilly, there was frost on all the vehicles, the grass and the lamp post so it was fairly quick. Later closer to noon we went for another one and this time longer. I dropped her off at her house at 1pm and then I came home took some advil and had a nap. I had a monster headache.

Now the headache is gone and I feel refreshed and thinking what I should have for dinner. I have go to to work tomorrow for a few hours to do some catch up. Yes it's a day off but I figure it will also be pretty quiet with little interruption and I can get a lot done in a minimum amount of time. I'm just there to get a few things off my plate to set up next week for success.

I was reading Sarahlou's blog (glad to see you back by the way) and as she's recenlty moved back to the UK she's following the ProPoint plan now. Yesterday she mentioned how the leader determined her daily points and it wasn't a questionnaire like usual. That made me think back to the day we were filling out the cards in my meeting, when I left that meeting I saw them filing the cards to match the record files of us. I had wondered why they wanted our membership number and registration number. Hmm..I'm guessing the same thing will happen here. I wonder if the plans will be a bit different or just have different names. Still very much looking forward to this.

Alright that's all I got for today.

Hope you took a moment today to think of all those service men and women who have fought/ fight to protect us.

Hugs!!

Excited and a bit scared

So my major life changing event is I got a promotion at work to do a job I've spent the last 4 years preparing for and now it's all up to me.

When I joined my company I was beyond excited as I despised my previous job and I can't believe a mere two years later I'm off to use all the education and designations I've been collecting.

This also means I'll be at site for 4 days on and 3 days off. A few people have asked me do I really want to be away for 4 days in a row.

Let's see..I only need to buy groceries for 3 days a week, I don't need to cook for 4 days, my gym and room will be in the same building, I don't need to buy a bus pass, no traffic..not to mention it's a promotion and I get every single Friday off!!! In a nutshell I save a load of money plus make more.

They made the announcement at work today that I was moving on and it was a happy sad moment. I'm looking forward to the new opportunity but I'll miss the people I work with now. I made a lot of friends and it's not like I'm moving to a different company but I'll miss their personalities on a frequent basis.

This won't effect the blogging as I can do that from anywhere. A few of them read this so at least they'll always know what I'm up to.

I'm a gemini so half of me is excited and chomping at the bit, the other half is a bit scared and OMG I want to do a good job.

The next little while will be hellish as though I start my new job in two weeks I'll be doing my old job until a replacement is put in place. The good thing is I've been working with my new group for the last two years as well so I've got support.

In the meantime I must stay focused on the weight loss. I gain a workout buddy at site which will be great.

The neighbour's dog is now napping beside me and I'm so looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow.

Hope you had a great Wednesday.

Hugs!!!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

I got news today that will change my life fairly dramatically in a majorly awesome way...that's all I'm saying right now. Will reveal more later.

On to other changes I can't wait for this new WW plan. I need a change on the weight loss front, I need a charge and I need something new.

I was so happy today I celebrated with Oreos - not smart.

I also dropped the course I've been avoiding for months. I do not have the time nor energy to put into this and would rather not do a half ass job.

I'm totally excited that tomorrow is my Friday and I've excited about having Sally (the dog) as company.

That's all I got.

Hope your Tuesday was freaking fantastic.

Hugs!!!

A day behind

It was a bit strange not to have to get on a plane today. I arrived at work and 4 people asked me why I was there. Nice to know they notice.

What I didn't factor into this week was my two days of solid meetings, which means lunch with a group and today it was chinese. Plus being out of the office for the entire day means a longer day due to things that need to be done before leaving for the day.

I get to repeat the whole thing tomorrow but I'm going to encourage the group to go to Subway. My neighbour's dog better be ready for some serious walking as I'll need to make up workouts.

I got home late and thought Biggest Loser was on and then realized I'm a day ahead as normally I'd be chilling in my camp room and not standing in my living room.

While I love daylight savings time for the extra hour of sleep I forgot how it also means coming home in the dark. I like winter, I like the crispness in the air, I like how everything is so clean when it snows and I really love when the snowflakes look like mini diamonds. What I'm not crazy about it is the going to and from work in the dark. Magically on Dec. 15th it get a minute lighter every day.

Hope you all had a marvellous Monday!

Hugs!!!

Back up plans are key

I am completely committed to tracking this week as I strongly believe that's the key to my successful weeks. Yesterday I had thought I left my 3 month tracker at work so I logged into e-tools and tracked there. Today I found the tracker under a magazine so I filled out what was missing.

I like the tracking on paper. I hadn't filled out the dates to the end so I did that today and it takes me straight to the end of the year. I then realized that this new WW plan will be launching in December so I'm not sure if my current tracker will still work.

I tried researching the new plan again and found more info on the plan just launched in the UK called Pro Points. It looks like the points are determined by calories, fat, fibre and protein which is interesting . This one UK article compared breakfasts of the same point value using the current plan but redid the calculation with the new plan and the meal with more protein counted lower. The articles also mentioned that the North American plan will not be called Pro Points. I'm very interested in this as I know from history that if I make sure to have enough protein I tend to have better losses. I hope it launches at the beginning of December as I'm really looking forward to this.

Yesterday I headed out for a walk and ran into my neighbour and the dog about half way through. I then walked with them as the dog and I are best friends. I didn't go for a long as I wanted but it was a good pace. All in all 4 AP earned.

I then hit the mall with my friend K and we went for dinner at Moxie's. I used a whole whack of flexpoints and it irritates me that they don't post NI info on their website. I guessed high to compensate.

Today I did housework and worked from home on stuff to get more up to speed. I spent a good amount of hours on that while watching the Mad Men episodes I have on the pvr. Tomorrow is my 2nd anniversay in this job. I love the company I work for and I'm so happy that everything turned out the way it did.

It's a 3 day week for me next week and I get to have a sleepover with the dog from Wednesday to Thursday. My plan is to start the Christmas baking as I left it all to the last minute last year. Of course these cookies are intended for others.

It's supposed to be cooler tomorrow so I think I'll do a workout dvd when I get home from work. I'm leaning towards step aerobics. I get to sleep in a little as I'm not getting on a plane as well.

Hope you all are having a fabulous Sunday!

Hugs!!

The effort you put in is the result you will receive

My week in review:
Exercise = iffy
Tracking = iffy
Water = iffy

The result: up .6, the thing is I'm cool with that. I wasn't expecting some awesome weigh in because I didn't put in the work. I don't feel bad about that because I said yesterday there's nothing I can do about the past.

I am pretty excited about the week ahead. I updated my trackers at the top because I needed a change. I changed Operation Little Black Dress to the end of the year. I didn't factor in New Year's Eve on the first tracker and that is yet another opportunity for a LBD. 

As of Jan 1 Operation Hottie - Part Deux begins the countdown to Vegas in March.

There are 8 weigh ins left till the end of the year. It's not unrealistic to aim for another 10lbs down by then. There are 10 weigh ins between Jan 1 and Mar 16th. If I could pull off 2lbs a week that would put me at goal but I'm not going there in my head yet as I just want to focus on now to the end of the year right now and take it week by week.

At WW they had us fill out these pieces of paper to fill out your height, weight, membership info and it has something to do with the new plan that's coming in December. I'm intrigued.

I also picked up a pair of cross trainers today for indoor workouts like zumba or a workout dvd. I got a pair of Nike Air Exceed and they're not the newest version so they were on sale plus feel comfortable. I need to be prepared for winter coming and my runners are designed for motion control so not so good for non walking/running activities.

I also picked up "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest" up from the library. When I first requested the hold I was number 364 on the list. It's been a long wait. My nose will be buried in that for awhile.

Hope you all have a fabulous Saturday.

Hugs!!

Inspiration in the strangest places

After yesterday's post and me feeling a little diappointed in myself and my difficulty of getting back on track I turned on the radio and heard:

I love myself today

Not like yesterday
I'm cool, I'm calm
I'm gonna be okay! Uh huh

While Biff Naked is really singing about a loser significant other, I took this a slightly different way.

I can't do anything about yesterday, last week or any time in past. I'm in control of the now. Today my mantra was the lines above. Today was not perfect but it wasn't a disaster either..baby steps. Today is the end of my week and a new one starts tomorrow with weigh in.

I had the thought of trying the Jillian Michael's 30 day shred that I read so much about on the blogs but it kind of scares me. Yes, going out of your comfort zone can be good or a disaster.

I might head downtown tomorrow for a little retail therapy so we'll see if I come home with that.

I tell ya one thing, the mantra is kind of fun.

Hope your Friday was fantastic.

Hugs!!!

Running on fumes

Oy vey I'm tired.

Yesterday getting home from work was a long laborious process due to mega traffic. I got home and was exhausted.

Today was super productive work wise but really long with the added complication of not working in my normal location.

I'm so looking forward to the weekend and the long weekend I have planned for next weekend.

Tired does not help me plan wise as I tend to snack and not track. Yesterday in my paper journal I wrote "my do I sabotage myself". I've started each day this week with super good intentions but tend to shoot myself in the foot later in the day.

What I don't get is how we can be super motivated and totally in the zone then a total flip into making this whole process a battle.

Last night I cracked open "The End to Overeating" once again. I kind of raced through it the first time I read it so I want to really absorb it this time.

On a happier note I'm heading back to Vegas in March for my friend T's birthday. The theme is very much starting to look like Sex in the City. The part I'm really enjoying is I have to plan nothing. I do enjoy hearing about the plans as it builds the excitement.

It's now no longer about goal for the rest of the year as it's unrealistic to lose 30lbs in two months. It's not about throwing the plan out the window either. Then I think of March, I could so be at goal by March bring on Operation Hottie part deux.

Never give up!

Hugs!

People are funny

I'm on the plane home tonight, we've landed and the flight attendant is reminding everyone to keep their seatbelts fastened until we come to a complete stop. Some idiot reaches up and opens one of the overhead bins which then prompts her to say "that included the overhead bins".

Site was good this week, the weather would have been beautiful if there wasn't the crazy arctic type wind. I was wearing my company winter jacket which was good due to the weather but it's a bit too roomy which is kind of awesome because when I first got it - it just fit. It's kind of awkward big now and not great for colder weather as air can get in.

While I'm on this flight schedule Monday workouts are hard. I'm up at 3:30am and I'm on the 6pm bus back to camp later on. By the time you eat dinner (you're pretty darn hungry by 6pm) it's now 7pm and all I want to do is take a shower and go to bed. In theory I could get up early the next day and do it before I go into work but I take the 6am bus and then I have to leave for the plane by 2pm. If I was staying later I could take a slightly later bus in so I had time to shower.

I tried to get my ahead around what it would be like to be at site for a few more days in row and I think it would make planning way easier as it would involve more consistent hours to develop a pattern. Plus I have friends there who work out together.

Food went really well and water was better than usual, could be better. Tomorrow when I get home I'm going for a mega walk outside as the weather is supposed to be nice.

Today I heard the first Christmas tune in a commercial (Thanks President's Choice). It's bizarre that it's November already.

Hope your last few days went super well.

Hugs!!!

Happy belated Halloween

I was all over the place yesterday trying to get my weekly chores done and be sorted and at the door in time for the kids searching for their treats. Activity was racing to the library and back as I needed to pick up a hold and my only option was yesterday. I was walking fast.

Now I'm waiting for the cab to get to the plane so time for a quick post.

I'm still in love with my new washer and dryer as I tried the steam feature on my down comforter and pillows for the first time. It was so nice and toasty warm when it came out of the dryer I could have had a nap right there.

I've tracked everything this weekend but used flexpoints on both days, need to get that in check today.

Workout gear is packed as well as breakfast and lunch. This week it's a Healthy Steamer - Beef Merlot. I realized by the time I add all my fixings to me oatmeal it's the exact same points as the Starbucks version. Except mine has a tablespoon of coconut - kicks it up a notch.

Cutest kid of the night was a 4 year old (guessing on the age) dressed as a puppy. This kid practically stumbled to the door and I asked the mom if he/she was tired. It was kind of funny as the kid almost looked drunk and I stayed at the door till he/she got back to his/her mom in case he/she needed to be carried. Good thing mom had one of those wagons.

Not too many kids last night as I'm thinking due to being a school night. I got 23 in total which is down from last year. The first one came at 6:40pm and last one came at 8:20pm. That worked for me as I needed to head to bed due to my early wake up time today.  I do have leftover candy. Which I'll take to work later in the week. I'm thinking a few people will bring it in today.

I noticed on the calender this is foodapalooza week for me. I'm glad I noticed in advance as opposed to realizing after I ate something. I can keep it in focus this week which is good.

That's all I got for this morning so I'll talk to you all on Tuesday.

Hugs!!!