On the mend

I haven't sneezed once all day and I can breathe through my nose...whew it definitely feel like I'm on way to healthy again. The only thing remaining is a cough and it's not as bad as it was two days ago. A bit less in frequency but still annoying. It's not swine flu (thank goodness). Don't you love how every major health scare in the last few years starts with "flu like symptoms". All it takes is for someone to sneeze and one's thoughts go there.

I'm dying to get back to the gym but I know I should still take it easy for a bit until the cough is better under control. Changing bed sheets today resulted in a wee bit of coughing fit so slowly but surely it will get better. Mind you I haven't exerted myself much in the last few days. So I'll just take it day by day.

I went to bed super early yesterday as well and slept until 7am. I'm avoiding naps today as I want to sleep through the night so I'm ready for work. To keep myself entertained and awake I watched Wolverine on shaw on demand. Glad I didn't pay to see it in the theater. Still focusing on water and appetite is starting to return. Plus my head is feeling way clearer.

I'm just trying to focus on healthy habits as I return to healthiness so drink my water, eat my veggies sort of thing.

When I was in Halifax I bought this funky tea to go thing from Lululemon. It's double walled glass (with all the Lululemon phrases all over it) with a plastic sleeve on it so you don't drop the thing because it's hot. It's on my desk at work as I want to get into the habit of drinking green tea. They told me it was new.

That's the excitement of today soon to back to my weight loss persuit self.

Hope you enjoyed your Sunday...Hugs!

Knocked sideways

The last time I was here was Tuesday and I wasn't feeling so well. Tuesday was just the start, I've felt awful all week. I dragged myself to work Wed - Fri and each day at least 3 people said you should go home. I felt progressively worse as the week went on.

Yesterday was particulary bad as I was a coughing, sneezing, runny nosed mess and had a red nose to go along with it. I had a phone meeting I had to take part in and then left for the day.

I took a cab home and the minute I walked in the door I put my pajamas on and went to bed. I was absolutely freezing. Slept for 4 hours got up ate a little something and then went back to bed at 6:30pm. This morning I woke up at 7am. Got up had some breakfast (cream of wheat) and drank a whack of water (feeling mega dehydrated) and went back to bed at 10:30am. I then woke up at 3pm.

Eating has been a challenge as nothing appeals to me and I don't really have an appetite but I have to keep the energy up.

I think I'm on the mend. I feel a bit more clear headed and the sneezing is less. When I went back to bed at 10:30am the coughing was getting a little crazy so I took cold meds. I'm normally not a fan of cold meds as all it does is suppress symptoms but at least it lets you sleep. I'm just listening to my body today. I so want to be at least 95% by Monday. I hate being sick. I don't get sick often but when I do it's a doozy.

Just thought I'd check in and be back later more healthy.

Hugs!

Out for the count

I woke up not feeling all that great, sniffly, coughing, sore throat but I thought I could make the effort to get myself together and go to work.

I headed out into a pretty steady onslaught of wet snow. I waited for the bus, I waited for almost 40min. I was now soaked, cold and feeling even more blecchy and no evidence that a bus was coming. So I dragged myself home and called in sick. Changed out of wet clothes into pajamas and slept for a solid 3 hours.

Watched the local news tonight and there were 200 fender benders during the morning rush hour. Accounts for the missing bus and this is so typical for Calgary's first snow. It happens every year. I call it winter dress rehearsal, remembering how to drive on slick streets, finding your mitts, toque and the appropriate jacket.

I slept a couple of more times throughout the day and that definitely helped. I'm feeling better now just a cough that won't die (which is typical for me but nothing that magnesium won't fix), I definitely needed the extra day of rest. I'm sure it was combination of things, working like crazy then a whack of plane flights.

What sort of sucks is I had this grand plan to get back on the treadmill now that I'm back and get super focused. Hard to be super focused when any attempt at activity (I did shovel the snow this afternoon when I was feeling a bit better and it knocked the wind out of me) is a chore. I think that getting sick is a little signal from your body to take a minute and rest.

I'm going to bed early so I'll be good to go for tomorrow. I've missed my work peeps as I haven't seen them for a week and half.

I'm super gung ho to get going again on the learn to run. I took the book Running for Mortals with me on my trip and both the hotels in Montreal and Halifax had running maps available for the area. I didn't pack any workout clothes not realising that all the gyms in these hotels were included in the price. Knowing about the maps now let's me know there is a super easy way to incorporate a workout when travelling. There was a scale in my Montreal hotel bathroom which I've never seen before.

I have not stepped on a scale since my return as I all I want to do know is focus on feeling better and get back to normal.

That's all I got for today...hugs!!!

My Trip part 2- Halifax

The story continues, we left Montreal on Wednesday and when we got to the airport there were messages saying there was an emergency drill scheduled for 10am. That was in about 15min. My co-workers went off to Westjet and I went to Air Canada. I was just about to walk up and get my boarding pass and these alarms start going off signaling the start of the drill. Everyone in the airport had to exit and head into the parking garage. My flight was an hour later than the boys so I had time, they didn't. The minute the drill they had to hurry.

As I was waiting by my gate it all of a sudden started to pour rain, luckily that didn't happen during the drill.

The flight into Halifax was gorgeous. The colours of the trees were truly amazing all these reds, yellows and oranges. Now we have trees in Alberta of course but I've never seen the colours quite that vibrant.

When I got off the plane it was raining and by the time I got to the hotel it was still raining. I touched base with the boys and everyone was super tired so it was decided we were on our own Wednesday night. I attempted to look around but the wind and the rain soon forced me back in side and I ordered room service.

The pictures above were the view out my window the next morning. I gigantic Crown Princess cruise ship. Later on in the day I took a walk along the boardwalk and got a picture of the front of the boat, see how it dwarfs that building. This thing was massive. On the boardwalk I got high fived by someone dressed as a lobster. We had all seperated to do some shopping before dinner and I bought a hoody at Lululemon. The boys then made a bit fun of me and the fact that I paid provincial sales tax. I just said I was stimulating the economy of Halifax. I now get what all the fuss is about those hoodys, it's thicker than a regular hoody and super comfortable.

We went to the 5 Fishermen for a work event dinner on Thursday and I actually ordered fish, I don't eat a lot of fish in my general diet and if do it's frozen and breaded, so that was a big step for me. I did ask the server what was best for non-fish eaters. She suggested the halibut, it was awesome.

For lunch on both days we headed over to Pete's Frootique. I remember Pete from the CBC noon news where he's introduce the nation to different fruit and veggies, so I was totally geeked to go there.

Later on I was stopped and asked for directions and totally honoured that someone that I lived there.

Friday was our last night and we were done work. Again we all finished our shopping. I needed an extra bag due to the books I bought and I had collected some extra clothes that the boys brought me baring our company logo. So I returned to Lululemon and caught a canvas bag, an gym towel and a neat glass togo container with a strainer for tea. Again stimulating the Halifax economy. We then went to the tour at Alexander Keith's Brewery - very cute and it was just the three of us. I can imagine it to be even more of a hoot with a bigger crowd. We then had dinner at the Red Stag pub next door and closed the place down. I was drinking Keith's white and it was awesome.

We then headed to the Lower Deck which totally reminded me of the Ship n' Anchor in Calgary but it was definitely a wee bit different. One the maritime decorating and the cry of "Sociable" and everyone clinking their beer mugs (a number of times). I sang along and switched to Keith's Red. We closed that place down too and it was now 1:30am. The boys wanted to hit another pub and I decided to go back to the hotel. I did not want to be stupid tired on the way home the next day as I had a 6hr journey.

Saturday morning I woke up early with the intention to do more exploring before I had to leave but once again it was pouring so I packed and had breakfast in the hotel.

What I loved about Halifax were the people (super friendly), the water (OMG the humidity had me melting the first day but I grew to love that I didn't need to put on moisturizer and the history. Everyday I passed a cemetery were I was told Titanic victims were buried (that's the pick with the Lion sculpture), and there was this gorgeous church on Spring Garden Rd that apparently was once a fortress somewhere else.

It was quite interesting that you could buy fresh lobster and other sea food at the airport.

I would move there too in a heartbeat if I was transferred. I need to go back to fully explore this place too.

Trip home was uneventful with a lot of people coughing on the plane. I watched Terminator Salvation and the Coco avant Chanel. The minute we landed I could feel all the moisture sucked out of me as I walked into the dry air of Calgary. It was -7 and windy so definitely chilly.

Saturday I attemped to sleep in and woke up at 6:30am (well 9:30am Halifax time) and as the day progressed I felt a cold coming on. So I've just layed low consuming liquids. I feel better today so I just thing it's a wee cold.

That's all I got for now, back to work tomorrow.

Hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving.

Hugs!!

My Trip - First up Montreal

Alright so as promised here's a recap of worldwind trip to the other side of the country.

Last Sunday: Woke up at 2:30am so just stayed up until cab arrived at 4am. When I walked out of the house it had started to snow, I was going to hear about that all week.

Paid $3 for an apple and caramel sauce on Air Canada as I just had yogurt when I woke up and I was starting to get hungry. Landed in Toronto and had a little less than 25min to get to my gate for my flight to Montreal so as I jogged through terminal 1 I was silently praying my suitcase would make the same trip.

For those that don't know Canada is a bilingual country and anything ruled by the federal government requires things to be in English and French. On my way to Montreal on Air Canada I'm very used to hearing the English version of whatever their saying and then the French version. It felt like the moment we hit Quebec airspace is switched to French first and then English. That began my "My French isn't so dusty after all".

Miraculously my suitcase arrived in Montreal and then I was off to find a cab. Hopped in the cab with a female driver (I've only seen one in Calgary) and she immediately starts talking to me in French. I did pretty well and only had to flip to English for a couple of words. I told her I need to practice and she suggested watching French TV. Not a bad idea. She had asked where I was from but after we talked she was surprised I was born in Calgary.

Through the whole trip the moment I said I was from Calgary people would say " I hear it's snowing there".

The hotel was great located right on Sherbrooke so just a few blocks from St. Catharine's street which is a shopping mecca. There is store after store after store. Two different department stores that specifically to Quebec. You could buy any name brand from cheap to crazy expensive. I accidentally found the Underground City (their link of stores located at basement level that link a whack of buidings that goes on forever). I came to the realization that this is where I should come when I build my goal weight wardrobe. Montreal is amazing, for the shopping, the food and the history. It made me feel like I was in Europe, the majority of the people are very chic.

This is stained glass window that belongs to a gym, c'est chic oui?

Everyone was nice and it was crazy to hear French and English intermingled everwhere. I was totally jealous of this family I observed while waiting for the Montreal flight. This one guy was seamlessly switching from each language as he talked to his mother and his friends. I want that.

My major purchases were grammar books in French and Eat, Love, Pray (in French).I walked into a few clothes stores bought nothing because I'm not staying the size I am and I was having issues with provincial sales tax. In Alberta we pay only the GST 5%, everywhere else the add an additional PST (Provincial sales tax). My goodness there H&M was goregeous, the ones in Calgary always look like they got hit by a bus. I walked through the first floor of the La Baie, The Bay and there purse section is four times that of the Calgary downtown store (and that's not a small store). I realized I could easily live in Montreal and if I were to be transferred tomorrow I'd happily go. I don't feel that often as I normally feel "nice place to visit". I adored the girl in Chapters who looked we up by phone number so I could get the 10% discount and asked me if I needed to update my address to Montreal.

I had dinner at 3 Brasseurs, a pub style environment as many restaurants I passed looked really romantic and I was dining alone as my co-workers were flying in from Fort McMurray later that night. I also found a fantastic bakery near the hotel and had an amazing cinnamon roll.

Monday we started work and I met up with my coworkers in the hotel for breakfast. It was quite funny how my coworkers were commenting on all the things available here and not in Fort Mac. While FM has 100,000 people due to it's location (far North) it doesn't quite have the same variety as a major city. We hit the food court of the Centre Eaton for lunch and it's massive. They were super excited about Thai Express, I have one in the building next door to mine but I went along with them.

For dinner we went to Gibby's located in Old Montreal, amazing!!!!!! The food, the service, the location. The building is 200 years old and the courtyard used to be the stable. We also had amazing wine and the most amazing Creme Brulee I ever had. It was airy and mousse like. We then walked around. My one co-worker is a massive Montreal Canadien's fan so we had to go find the Bell Centre after a few wrong turns we found it.

Tuesday was another day of work, we hit Tim Horton's for breakfast and the food court once again for lunch, this time I had a crepe. The rest of the day I didn't feel so well with a stomach ache. I'm blaming the crepe, never pick the place with no line at a busy food court. The boys (my co-workers) left me in charge of dinner as they ran off for the last day of Montreal shopping and I returned to the hotel to find alca seltzer. I picked a lovely Italian restaurant about 5 min from the hotel. I had a linguine in a rose sauce that was spectacular. I could eat about half of my entree and my stomach was hurting again so I called it a early night and the boys continued to explore.

Wednesday we were leaving for Halifax. I felt 100% the next day so had a chocolate croissant (from the fabulous bakery that I bought the night before and I strolled alone Sherbrooke to take some photos. What I love about Montreal is the mix of old and new as you can see in the pictures at that start of this post. It is truly an amazing city and I can't wait to go back.

It was raining on the way to the airport and that followed us all the way to Halifax.

I definitely need to go back as a tourist to fully explore. There wasn't a ton of time to play tourist as that's the challenge with work trips.

It's so awkward attaching pictures to this thing but I'll continue with Halifax tomorrow. There I drank a lot of Alexander Keith's finest and saw some pretty big boats.

To be continued...

Hugs!!!

I'm back and adore Montreal and Halifax

My body is still on Halifax time as I got home at 6pm MST, so I'm feeling a little wiped. I took pictures, not a ton but a few so in the next few days I'll give you a recap of my trip with pictures.

Didn't follow WW at all while away but I have food stories, especially Gibby's in Montreal and the 5 Fishermen in Halifax.

Can't wait to catch up with all of you.

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

Day 26 - Test is done and now I wait

Results should be out around Dec. 3rd. Why it takes them two months to mark tests that are fed into a computer escapes me. Saw a load of people from my company there, I knew a few of them were taking one of the two tests but I was surprised at how many there were. We should get them to let us write it in a boardroom therefore no need to schlep oneself to the University of Calgary at 8am in cold damp weather.

As far as the test went, I feel o.k - have no idea which way it went so we'll wait and see. This is exactly how I felt last time so that's not so bad.

Zipped downtown to pick up a couple of things and then straight back home to straighten up and start packing. At this time tomorrow I'll be in Montreal for 2 whole hours....yippee! I needed to buy an umbrella as I could not find one in my house, of course I get home and immediately find one that I left in a purse I haven't used in awhile - of course.

Camera is charged, cell phone is charging and blackberry is up next. (I'm brining the cell as that's usually the emergency contact number I have) I'm happy I decided not to bring my work computer, one less thing to lug.

So it will be about a 3AM wake up call pour moi tomorrow and I'll pre call a cab for around 4am. It's a 6am departure. I'm a rather be early than right on time type of person. So if I have to hang out in an airport for 90min it doesn't bother me. Thank goodness I'm a pro at sleeping on planes, loads of practice from going to site every week.

Saw today that the new Holt Renfrew opens on Oct.7th, I will definitely have to check that out as it's huge and looking awfully pretty on the outside.

I'm ordering pizza for dinner so there's no dishes nor pots that need to be cleaned as I'm also planning an early night.

So I won't be blogging but I'm taking loads of pictures to share with you when I get back.

I wish you all a fabulous week and I look forward to catching up on your blogs.

Hugs!!!

Day 25 - very snacky and a disclaimer

First of all let me say that when I said that I didn't remember making a goal to lose 30lbs by Christmas, I was "gently" reminded by my co-worker/ good friend T that I had agreed to go along with this plan, in fact I high fived her. So to my good friend T I say - Happy now? :)

Do you sometimes regret letting people know about your blog? Love ya T and you are fabulous!!!

So test review had gone well today but eyes are starting to glaze over. You can't really study as it's all case studies but you practice, practice, practice. I've gone over about 140 questions. I'm feeling good about tomorrow and so far I like this format way better than Test 1. Hopefully it loves me back. I did take my business card and write CHRP behind my name as a little motivator.

The day has been very snacky as I've had my nose in a book all day with the exception of a quick trip to Walmart first thing this morning. When I would surface I would snack. I had a strange fixation on Oreos, thankfully I have none in my house. I did walk to and from Walmart -roughly 3K.

I'm getting more excited about my trip but trying to stay focused on the test, once that's done I can be as excited as I want.

One question: All you Amazing Grass fans, I've ordered their stuff but want to know how to get the drink container. I've never seen it on their site.

That's all I got for today.

So if you have the time send me positive vibes at 9am mst time.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Hugs!!

Day 24 - Sometimes it's "meh"

Woke up to "Battlefield" this morning, I can't stand that song. I'm in a "why won't they play anything new on the radio" mode today. The slow Kelly Clarkson song, the Kelly Rowland song, Halo all irritate me now because they've been played a bizillion times.

It's a strange time right now as it's all a period of adjustment. Dynamics have changed which are starting to play out and seeing people in new light will make things very interesting in times ahead. It's amazing how quickly things can change.

Remember that project I've been on that created "the summer that never was" ended today. It's the source of the change as it was the craziest 3 months of my life, at times rewarding and at times you wanted to pull your hair out. Today we all moved back to our normal jobs and while comforting it also brought on the feelings of what happens now. Things are different. I don't have a lot of time to think about it as I've got the test and my trip straight ahead. I'm curious to see what the future holds.

I'm really looking forward to this trip and I'll do my best to make it on Thursday - my Halifax friends. I do have to stay conscious that this is a work trip as I get a little distracted about the idea of exploring Montreal and Halifax. I keep getting told I'm going to have a great time and I totally believe these people.

Once I get back the learning to run happens, and with a bit more of a regular schedule coming I now feel ready to focus more on my health goals.

Taking the day off tomorrow to review, review, review for the test on Saturday. So I'll definitely post in the next few days but then after that I'll be dormant for a week and then come back with pictures I promise. That reminds me I need to charge the camera.

Alright that's all for today.

Hugs!!1

Day 22 - I'm going to do it

I'm going to do it - the half marathon in May that is. Thanks for the encouragement by the way. I just need to get this test done and do my other side of the country trip and upon my return I will start with the C25k and then build from there. I'd rather not start the C25K until I get back home just to be consistent. These are some long days on this trip. I'll bring one of the training books with me on the trip to sort a training schedule (6hr flights are good for that).

I'll share this journey, because now that I've shared this with you all I feel a bit accountable.

Today I took part in a United Way fundraiser that consisted of a 3k walk, there was also a 5k run. On the way to work I was standing at the bus stop and then realized I had left my bag of stuff (runners, workout clothes) next to the front door so I ran home grabbed it and then ran back. Oh yeah I have work to do if I'm going to run/walk this 21km. I was winded by the time I got back but it was definitely a sprint more than a run to get back in time to make the bus.

After the walk today I heard my good friend and coworker telling another coworker that she and I are trying to lose 30lbs by Christmas. I knew she was doing that I don't remember setting that goal but heck why not try.

The Rachel Ray "fried" chicken is awesome out of the oven, not so great heated up in the microwave...soggy. So for the next two day I'll probably buy lunch (Sunterra Salad or Wendy's small chili & side salad).

I got me a goal....whoa

Hugs!

Day 20- Should I?

First off a congratulations to all the Melissa Road Race people, kudos on your 20km. Especially to H, C and D - I heard it was rough and you guys are truly heroes.

I met up with D and her husband (here from Ontario) for lunch today, it's been about a year since I've seen her and it was great to catch up. She told me she'd be back for the Calgary Half Marathon in May 2010. Then she said you should do it, when I shook my head she countered with - you've done a marathon. This has been percolating in my brain since then...should I? The last one I did I was not a happy camper, I was disappointed in myself and I hurt. Mind you the training for that race was greatly lacking. Then I thought about the marathon in Hawaii, that was by far the most physically and mentally difficult thing I've ever done. I pushed myself farther than I ever thought I could.

So I've walked two half marathons and one marathon. What if my goal was to run/walk a half marathon? I do better with a goal in mind. I've got time to seriously think about it. Serious training would have to start a minimum 16 weeks before hand. So that would be February, with Oct - January to actually learn to run. I have something to prove to myself. I have until January to sign up for the race at the cheapest rate. Goodness know I have all the gear already. This has the wheels turning my friends.

I felt a twang walking past the new Sport Chek downtown at all the training gear...

Stepped on the scale this morning and I was 2lbs down from yesterday...dang it. Why don't I weigh in on Sundays?

No biggy but this coming week all my spare time is dedicated to preparing for the test. So the focus on food is huge this week. In the oven right now is Rachel Ray's "fried" chicken (chicken, mustard, bread crumbs baking) and that will teamed with peas or beans for work lunch. I'm debating on tossing in some brown rice into that so I might but the rice cooker on in a minute.

The studying has been off and on this weekend, I've had a hard time focusing. So far practice questions are going well but I still need review time. Walking will be outside this week as every minute counts this week.

I'm definitely packing my running shoes for the trip next week, what better way to explore these new cities then go for a walk.

That's all I got for tonight, until tomorrow.

Hugs!!!

Day 19 - Up .6 WTF?

I was not happy when I weighed in this morning as the last thing I was expecting was a gain after a pretty awesome week. Of course I knew what was causing the gain....the dreaded TOM. I felt like I was retaining water when I woke up and had a general feeling of ickiness. The good news is I'm normally up about 2lbs at this time so .6 is not so bad. I just need to keep taking it day by day and I'm sure next weigh in my work will be rewarded.

Today I'm sticking close to home to practice test questions. I might need to swing by the local store to grab milk as that might not be able to wait until grocery shopping.

I'm planning to do the grocery shopping tomorrow morning. I have friends here from Ontario and we're going for lunch tomorrow. I have no clue on timing just yet as they're running the Melissa Road Race today so we'll wait and see. I need to plan the grocery list as I'm gone the following week so I don't need a fridge full of food.

I also need to start a pack list so I don't forget anything for my across Canada trip that starts next Sunday. It's one thing when you're packing for vacation, a whole different ball game when you're packing for work.

That's all I got for now, enjoy your Saturday!

Hugs!

Day 18 - running out of steam a bit

This week I brought my lunch 4 times, I hit the gym 3 times. 2 trips short on the gym visit goal of the week but I'm still happy I actually went.

Lunch was out with the team today, well to the food court in my building I had a Montreal smoked meat panini, this is one thing I'm going to track down when I'm in Montreal as I'm always told it's just not the same unless you have it there.

Yesterday's seminar was good and I was exhausted. Being up at 5am does not lead to a energized person by 10pm that's for sure. I met up with my friends at Milestone's. I did look at the online menu beforehand and picked out a salad but when I got there the last thing I wanted was a salad. The veggies were intense this week and I got meatloaf instead. It came with garlic mashed potatoes but I ate a smidgen of those and stuck to the side veggies.

So of course I peaked at the scale this morning. Wednesday morning I was super happy as it was heading in the right direction, this morning not as fantastic so it's water, water and more water today.

This weekend will be grocery shopping at some point and a whole lot of practice test questions as the big test is next Saturday. Not exiting but necessary.

That's all I got for tonight but I hope you all had fantastic weeks.

Hugs!!!

Day 16 - OMG I brought lunch 3 days in a row

That is a record my friends. I'm going to finish off the week and that will be the first week since probably high school (I'm not kidding) that I've packed a lunch for a solid week.

Jamie - thanks for the comment and Halifax bloggers if you're available I'll be in Halifax by late afternoon on Wednesday (Oct 7) and I'm leaving Saturday morning (Oct 10). I have no idea what my schedule is like on the Thurday or Friday. I'm sure I can swing a dinner on Wednesday or Friday if you're up to it. It would be fantastic to get meet some of you face to face.

I'm totally psyched about seeing the Atlantic ocean. I'm such a geek :)

Hit the gym after work and did 40min on the treadmill playing around with incline i.e 2min at 3, 2min at 4, 2min at 5 sort of thing but it felt good and I had no hamstring issues at all.

At 2pm I had a mega snacking urge (snackapalooza week) but I resisted and stuck to my Kashi granola bar instead. It was a tough battle but I'm happy I won.

It was a blistering 33 degrees in Calgary today so for dinner I just nuked scrambled eggs and had a piece of toast. I didn't want to turn on any ovens.

Tomorrow night I'm heading to a positivity seminar so I doubt I'll be posting but I'll fill you in on any aha moments.

That's all I got for today my friends, until tomorrow.

Hugs!!!

Day 15 - Going East

I'm psyched! The week before Thanksgiving (CDN) I get to go to Montreal and Halifax. I've never been further east than Toronto. It's a work trip as I'm covering for someone else, but I'm still looking forward to it.

I love travel and being single with no kids it's no real problem for me.

In Montreal I'm so getting to a bookstore to pick up french books. I need to keep my language skills up and some of them are getting a wee bit fuzzy. Refreshing my french is a priority as I can also use that at work. German and Russian are the next projects.

I'll be happy when my NPPA test is done as then I can focus a bit more on that.

Food wise doing well today and on plan. I packed a gym bag but came home instead thinking the weather is so nice and then I wilted on the bus home. OMG it's hot out there and plus 30 is expected for tomorrow. So yoga it is tonight, return to an air conditioned treadmill tomorrow.

First I'm going to watch Biggest Loser (I heart Canadian time shifting).

Hugs!

Day 15 - water, water, water

Water was the go to drink today as I was trying very hard not to go off plan and stick to my packed lunch. I made a vow to buy no food item today and I did it. But man I must have zipped off to the bathroom 10 times today. Don't you love when you fall off the water wagon and then get back on it takes awhile for your body to adjust.

I brought a salad with chickpeas, spinach, yellow pepper, snap peas, grape tomatoes, red onion and Kraft Fig Balsamic dressing...it was awesome. I definitely eat with my eyes and all the colours were fantastic.

Snack was baby carrots and hummous. Not bad, it has never been my go to thing to combine carrots with hummous but it was really good.

Workout#2 of the week was 30min on the super fancy treadmill in my company's gym. This thing is funky and had a personal fan (loved that). I had meant to go a little longer but all day today I could feel my right hamstring and from previous experience I know to tread lightly when that acts up. Plus I knew there would be more walking from the bus stop to home. I kept a super good pace and on a 1% incline but opted not to add any running.

Was pretty darn hungry when I got home so I made a fast quesadilla with 2 WW tortilla and a 1/3c of Tex Mex 2% shredded cheese, with a good bit of salsa on the side.

Tomorrow I'm debating on walking around the hood (5k) route or go back to the treadmill at the gym. I'm thinking hood to enjoy the weather before snow falls.

I caught the tail end of Rachel Ray on the treadmill tv and so want to make the "fried" chicken dish. She took chicken breast, slathered it with mustard (eliminating the egg, milk combo) and then coated it with self seasoned bread crumbs. She baked it on a cooling rack within a baking sheet so the hot air circulates the chicken. It looked amazing and protein is an area I need to improve in. I'm not so good and making sure protein is represented in my diet.

I find my cooking mojo to be kicking back in, it's been dormant for awhile and I've stuck to the same stuff day in day out. I'm writing ideas down as they come to me so I don't forget them on grocery day.

Alright must go study now...hugs!!

Day 14 -- the rain won't stop me

First of all let me clear about my last post, the focus is still very much on food and tracking. I'm categorizing that like brushing your teeth = mandatory. The goal this week for exercise is more a tracking on the calendar with stickers sort of thing.

Speaking of exercise, I didn't let the rain stop me and went outside for a 5k walk around my neighbourhood. I put on the Garmin to track my progress. My pace was an average of 9:41km, not bad but no as good as it used to be. I didn't look at the Garmin while walking instead I just walked. Discovered at my first step out the door my ipod was dead but that did not stop me. I always hit a bit of a zone when I walk outside. My mind goes empty and I just focus on moving and the surroundings.

Got home and had lunch, which was soup. My co-worker introduced me to Spoon Fed Soups here in Calgary, it's an online organic soup delivery service. Every week there are 3 new soups. I ordered "Richard" which is an organic lentil, lime and roasted garlic and "Uhleen" a corn & potatoe chowder with bacon. I hate making soup -way too much prep work for me. So I thought I'd check this out. Richard was for lunch and it was really good, at first I thought it was kind of cilantro-ey (I despise cilantro) but I think it was the lime I was tasting. There was also plenty of carrots, celery, tomato and red pepper in the soup. Had a piece of ryvitta with a triangle of light laughing cow cheese - yummy. The soups come in mason jars and you get a credit for returning the empties. New soups are listed on Tuesdays and I'm looking forward to see what's coming up. All the ingredients they use are organic by the way. All the soups are named after people and they've got a list of about 50 types on their website. Totally intrigued as to which 3 will be featured this coming week.

There's something about the onset of fall that brings out the soup craving.

I don't know if I told you guys that I cancelled my organic grocery delivery as I just found it hard when the majority of products I was buying could be found at my supermarket. There is something about picking out your produce yourself.

Just wanted to stop in and report that workout #1 is done.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

One step at a time

I can't even tell you what I've done since Wednesday, it's all a blur. I had Friday off which was dedicated to yard work and house cleaning. My Dad came in and we cleaned eavestroughs (it's truly a wonder how much gunk gets in there) and fixed the board that the meter guy busted.

Dad is now on his way home and my head is swirling. You see yesterday afternoon I watched an episode of Dr. Oz. I've seen this guy on Oprah before and I have all the books, but the format of the books kind of bugs me so I've never got all the way through one. Yesterday there was episode focusing on a 60 day challenge to get healthier and improve their "Real Age".

The part where he showed the healthy liver and the fatty liver was totally disgusting but drove home a point. When Bob Harper came out and said most people give up because they take on too much i.e. I must eat healthy, all my fruits and veggies, do yoga and exercise 7 days a week, instead of focusing on one step at a time. This happens to me all the time hence the swirling head.

I know I've used the excuse of tracking diligently as my first step multiple times and that one goes in circles. I realized I need a different focus for first step and that's consistent exercise. So my goal for this week is 30min for 5 days this week. This doesn't mean that tracking is falling to the side, no no it's just I want to use exercise as the goal.

I set myself a goal of getting to goal weight in 6 months, that was on Sept 6th. I haven't done much in the last two weeks to get me there so I've got to get my patootie in gear. Happily the work project is winding down and the free food has stopped which is fantastic.

I'm heading to the gym today for workout#1 of this week and I will post what I did.

Later...hugs!

New Year's resolution

Funny conversation with work mates tonight as we enjoyed a lovely dinner at the Keg and then we zipped to a second location for drinks. It was a good bye dinner as team mates are returning to their home locations and back to doing what they normally do. I was super stuffed so stuck to water as opposed to drinks.

It was a conversation about how we've all gained weight during this project. The long hours, crazy schedules and free food being tossed at us has been rough.

We're all sort of thinking that the end of this project is like New Year's. The plans to get back to normal eating patterns and back into the gym has begun.

It is interesting how we all think of our body image. One of my co-workers is tiny in my eyes and she was bemoaning the gain of 5lbs on her just over 100lb frame. I did at first look at her with the thought of "You've got to be kidding me, I have 60lbs to lose" but I realized it's not about that.

When I get to goal weight I'm very sure 5lbs would bug me too.

I know I don't like myself now as I feel sluggish and tired. It's all a product of the behaviour I've had since being put on this project. The stress combined with a huge amount of stuff to accomplish resulted in bad decisions with the free food. There is always a turning point where you pick yourself up, dust yourself off and get back on the journey. That's the point I'm at. I've had enough and want to be on the right track.

Did you all catch the first episode of Biggest Loser? My favourite is now Abbey, wholly bananas to go through something like that...your family being wiped out by an accident and then being able to simply get up and keep going is pretty damn inspiring.

I'm intrigued by the format of Bob and Jillian working together (awesome) and the teams being strangers (awesome).

I did tell them about this blog and gave them a clue to find me. So if you do find me, know that you are super fabulous people and I am blessed to have met you and having the opportunity to get to know you. For those who are going home, you will be missed but friendships are now formed. To those who are here, I think we have even stronger bonds to face whatever the heck it is we're facing in the future.

Love ya!

Hugs!

Day 9 - First Saturday off in 8 weeks

I slept till 9am, it was so nice.

I tracked nothing this week but was miraculously down 1.7lbs. Of course, tracking started again today. I got lucky last week as it could have easily been bad.

Since my last post on Wednesday, things have been a little crazy. Work is still a bit nuts and now I'm going to be on this project until October after that it looks like a new project. I have a feeling it will be months before I return to my normal responsibilities.

I'm going to go grocery shopping tomorrow as today I'm going to make a meal plan to get through next week.

I'm also going to create a study schedule as that big NPPA test is in 3 weeks and that will be here in no time at all.

Since I had a late breakfast, I'm just going to let my body decide when the next meal is needed.

Have a fantastic Saturday!

Hugs!