Fatinah - My Life: Part Deux

Bummed

2010-11-24T22:14:00.001-07:00

I was supposed to meet with my personal trainer tonight. I was on the bus home from work when I got the e-mail telling me she wouldn't make our appointment - her car needed to be towed, yada, yada. For those of you not in Calgary, the only place on earth colder than here at one point yesterday was the south pole. So.... valid excuse, but really, really disappointing. I don't like change at the best of time, but sheesh. I did start my half marathon training yesterday. My 2 mile run - done! I actually thought today was a cross train day - but it was a rest day. Oops. Guest I should read the schedule. I went up to the club with a headache - did the bike for a while - but..... All in all - crappy workout.

I have been weepy all day. I think I must be getting my period. Also, my baby girl turns 18 on Friday and it is freaking me out!!! I don't even feel grown up enough to have a child, never mind an 18 year old child. Young lady. EEK!!!!

We bought her birthday present today. Just have to get it to Lethbridge now. Her friends are going down for the big celebration (she isn't coming home to celebrate) so we will likely send it down with one of her friends. Feels weird - she has never been away from us for her birthday before. I guess this is the cycle of life, but I don't like it - not one bit!! ;-)

Have a healthy day!

Making through the treats

2010-11-22T19:31:00.001-07:00

I made it through the day today with a minimal amount of treats. 4 jujubes and 3 licorice. That's pretty good if I do say so myself!

I had my first test of will power though tonight since coming back to this job. I left originally in June because there was just too much overtime. I had signed up thinking I'd do 40 hours and I was working 90. Anyhow - they called and said no more OT if I'd like to come back. I signed up immediately because I really like the people. Anyhow - tonight at 4:30 (my quitting time) one of the girls had her stuff show up. Which means she will be working tonight to get a jump on it to meet her deadline. I offered to help - but I think she got mad at me asking if she wanted me to stay - I guess I should have just stayed. Anyhow - she wouldn't look at me and just waived me away. So, I left as my stuff is done and I'm not supposed to be working OT anyhow...... but now I'm wracked with guilt. Sigh. In my head I know I need to just let it go - I decided to leave and I negotiated no OT.... but..... it goes against my whole being to not be a team player. My big test tomorrow will be to act normal tomorrow. Argh.

In other news, I have decided to train for a 22k. I'm using the training program from About.com. My first run is tomorrow night. 2 miles. Is it weird that I'm looking forward to it? My daughter and husband are going to train also. Husband has potential for knee issues - so he will have to play it by ear - but.... I'm really excited that daughter is going to do it. Well, she says she's going to do it... ;-)

Have a healthy day!

The Struggle Continues

2010-11-18T20:00:00.001-07:00

I started my new job this week (the one I quit in June). This means I'm in the land of snacks. Oof! Why oh why do I love chips SO much?

Tomorrow I am going to chose a really, really light lunch. I had satay beef soup for lunch today, but I was feeling so full when I was done that it triggered a binge. This has been my problem for quite a while. So.... tomorrow I tackle the problem in a new way.

I met with my personal trainer last night. She used the TRX for the whole workout. I really enjoyed it. I love the TRX.

Tomorrow night I go see Harry Potter. I'll be honest - I'm beside myself with excitement!

I'm toying with signing up for a 22k training clinic. I don't know - I hate the running room instructors, but...... it would keep me on the trails......

Who made up mountain climbers?

2010-11-06T10:15:00.001-06:00

Seriously - I would love to get my hands on the person that made up that exercise! They were included in the exercises my personal trainer had me doing yesterday and I could not believe how much it got my heart going. I just hate them though.

Our workout was fun - but hard. I had to do one strength exercise, one ab exercise and one heart raising (or in my case almost stopping) exercise then repeat them 3 times. Then onto the next set. That is my favourite type of workout. I don't enjoy the sessions when we are just on the machines.

Last night I met my girlfriend for drinks. We had a really nice time. I had some chips and salsa - Chilis has my favourite because they are so nice and salty! Sadly though - they really, really bother my stomach and so I'm in quite a bit of discomfort this morning. Ah well - the price I pay for poor choices.

Tonight I have a function to attend up at my Club. The President's Ball. The theme is "a passport to France". Should be a fun do - and I can't wait to see what foods they have for us to try! Apparently they will have food stations set up with wine parings. And dancing!! I love going out dancing.

Today we going to do some re-organizing in our house. We just purchased a new dining room set and now we have so much extra stuff. We have to move everything into the basement with all the "keep" stuff on one side and all the "get rid of" stuff on the other. Then we have to rent a truck so we can actually perform the "get rid of" part!!

We are experiencing really nice weather - so I have a long walk planned with the pup after I'm done my coffee. Can't wait. Plus - I want to get out of the house - I have a whole crew of men on my roof at this very moment putting on a new one and it really feels like they are going to come right through! It is pretty stressful and the dog is going nuts!

Have a healthy day!

How can it have been so long!

2010-11-04T21:43:00.001-06:00

I was filling out my "new" food journal and I noticed that I was on week 5. It occurs to me that I haven't posted for likely that long. Could that be?

I have been having trouble posting because I don't have as much alone time as I used to. The I realized I can post in an e-mail - which is WAY more discrete and voila!

Just got back from Belly Dance tonight. Our show is on the 14th and I've decided to not participate. I'm so sad. For the first time since I started dancing I just don't feel good enough about myself to get myself up on that stage. Sigh.

I am still running. Did the Halloween Howl a few weeks ago. That is a fun run. Totally rocked it. HaHa!! This week I started running a rout that has a hill in it. Not a moment too soon either - as I was breathing so hard I actually had to run 2:1's up it!!! I have a lot of work to do - but I guess it is good to have a goal.

Well - short post for now - just wanted to say hi to all. More news later!

Have a healthy day!

Melissa's recap and more!

2010-10-08T07:29:00.004-06:00

I ran Melissa's a couple of weeks ago. Had a great run - lost my walking group.

We have a gal in the group that isn't particularly good at making new comers to the group feel comfortable. I've been with the group for 3 years and I'm still an outsider. She is just really at making people feel excluded.

So, we all toodle up to Banff for a couple of nights. She was in fine form, and by the end of the race I knew that life is just too short and I don't have the energy to bang my head against a wall. Luckily - my daughter had made a last minute decision to come home for the weekend - and so I left Banff right after the race instead of staying for the 2nd night.

The race was good. I ran the 10k. My goal for the race was an hour 20. I hadn't been running more than 4.5k before the race and so I wasn't as prepared as I could have been. I'm happy to report that I finished in 1:16!!! YAY me!!

This past weekend I ran the Run for the Cure with a girlfriend. We finished with a 7:16 pace - which translated into 37 minutes I think for the 5k. We were over the moon about that. That was faster than I had been running on my own AND that was running 5:1's.

I got my hair done yesterday. Removed around 3 inches and did caramel & copper highlights again. I thought it looked pretty - but husband didn't notice. Hmpf!!

Thanksgiving this weekend. Daughter should arrive around 5 this evening. Turkey on Sunday. Sadly I forgot to put it in the fridge yesterday to defrost. Hmmmm, it's in there now, but..... Sides this year will be... mashed potatoes, carrots and turnips, broccoli salad and by special request made by daughter - chocolate pie for dessert. I don't happen to like it - but daughter & husband LOVE it.

Still doing pilates 2x/week, working with personal trainer 2x/week, belly dancing 1x/week, curling 1x/week and running 30 minutes a time whenever I can..... but getting no where because my eating is all over the map. Being your own worst enemy is hard work!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

The party and the humiliation

2010-09-17T16:36:00.004-06:00

Last weekend was my girlfriend's re-marriage. It was a touching awesome evening and she just glowed. It was clear she was having the 2nd night of her life!!

Five of the guys attending ended up wearing kilts (mine included) and around 7 - 9 women wore a sash. It looked really pretty to see so many people participating in the Scottish traditions.

My girlfriend had a bit to drink and decided, that before we started speeches and ate and whatnot that she would go around the room and introduce people - say how we all know each other.

I know this gal from curling. She introduced me though as her..... Weight Watchers friend. Yep. 40 odd people sitting in the room and that was my claim to fame for the rest of the evening. Now, while I do follow WW, I don't go with this gal. I've been to.... maybe.... two meetings with her. AND, if was was near my goal.... maybe I wouldn't have been so MORTIFIED, but I'm quite the opposite! I was proud of myself though - I didn't cry at the table. I had my cry about it the next morning in private with my husband. HAHA.

Of course, there were people there from our social circle that I would NEVER, EVER, EVER discuss this part of my life with. And of course, later in the evening, we were talking about the desert. My husband has, our entire relationship, eaten my desert. I'm just not a desert person. On top of that, it was cheesecake, which I happen to despise because of the texture. Well, I made a joke about husband taking my plate, and the gal I would never talk about my weight to asks "so..... is that cause you can't HAVE cheesecake?" ARGH!!!! I hate, hate, hate having to answer questions like that, which is why I don't tell people about WW!!!

I was shocked at how much this bothered me. I was so incredibly embarrassed, I just couldn't believe it.

Aside from that though - it was such a fun night. I bet I danced for almost 4 hours. The DJ was just great and fun was had by all.

I've had a good week this week. Pilates twice, personal trainer twice, belly dance once, and 60 on cardio machines. Daughter is busy at school, and so I haven't spoken to her. Just bbm'ing & facebook. Sigh.....

Freaking out a bit about Melissa's next weekend. I REALLY need to get training!!!!

Below is a picture of husband & I dressed all pretty for the party. After the humiliation, before the dancing. ;-)

Friday!

2010-09-10T08:10:00.002-06:00

Boy - it felt like Friday would never get here! Wednesday I met with Personal Trainer and it was a lot of fun. We did weights for around 30 minutes, then abs, then, for the last 10 minutes, I had to do 10 different exercises each for a minute. Oy! My heart was thumping so hard it jumped out my chest and ran out of the fitness room screaming "no more"!!!

Last night I had pilates again and then belly dance!!! It felt so good to start up again. There are around 8 people in the class - which is a nice size. Pilates was good. The class is way faster than I thought it would be. Move to move to move. Flip on your stomach, on your back, on your stomach. I get a bit motion sick just flipping!! The biggest problem I'm having with pilates is all the toe pointing. It causes my toes to cramp. PAINFUL!!!!

Today I meet with Personal Trainer again. Then lunch with my girlfriends. Woohoo!!

This weekend is my friend's re-marriage. They are celebrating 30 years. It is a formal Scottish do - husband picked up his rented kilt last night and I finally was able to pin my sash into a rosette. I think it will look really pretty. My friend is so excited - it has been fun to be part of the whole thing. They are such a nice couple.

H-Woman: e-mail me at fatinahdc(at)hotmail(dot)com - and I will e-mail you from my real life account and we can exchange contact information and formulate a plan!!

Reality - is relative?

2010-09-08T16:32:00.002-06:00

Husband & I were watching "Last 10 lb Boot Camp" on the weekend. It was an episode with two friends - musicians I think - that wanted to lose 10 lbs before their next big concert.

At the beginning of the show - the taller of the two gals fit into a size 10 and was 166 lbs. Husband was convinced that there was NO way a woman that weighted THAT much fit into a size 10.

Obviously I have never discussed my weight with my husband - other than the fact that I'm always trying to lose weight.

Fast forward to today - I had to buy a dress for a wedding I'm going to on Saturday. I ended up with a size 10 (which I'm sure was vanity sized). I felt so discouraged I just about cried in the change room. Honestly - it wasn't size related. It was shape related. Over the past year my shape has changed significantly. All the while I am trying to change my habits, exercising like a friggen fool. I honestly don't know what to change at this point.

In any case - I really hadn't realized how bad it had all gotten until I was changing in the dressing room. Those lights don't give you anywhere to hide. Does anyone else out there have a problem with cellulite? How do you deal with it? Does anyone have any ideas of any changes I can make?

Meanwhile - daughter seems to be settling in nicely at University (Lethbridge). She actually started class today. I survived a week without her.

H-Woman - are you doing a weekend in Banff for Melissa's? I am with my walking group - any chance we could..... meet? Even just after the race for a quick hello?

I'm off to meet with my personal trainer. After today it feels like a huge waste of $$.

Oh, I had my first pilates class last night - it was..... good - but I thought it would be harder? I know she started us off at the very beginning..... makes me wonder what is in store!!

Monday

2010-08-30T20:56:00.002-06:00

I had the absolute worst sleep last night. Periodically I wake up in the middle of the night so hot I feel like I'm on fire. In my head I feel way too young for this to be happening, but I guess I'm not.

Tonight I met with my personal trainer. It was a fun session, although we were on the weight machines for part of it - which I don't really like. My cardio component tonight was lunges (blech) and the rowing machine - which I actually quite like.

My trainer also did up a running schedule for me to help me get ready for the Melissa's 10k race later in September. Right now I'm running around 4k. I have some work ahead of me. I'm determined to get my stretching in every day so that my knees will feel better. I have described the pain I'm having and my PT is pretty sure my muscles are the problem. Stretch and strengthen.

Daughter is out tonight having a last hoorah with her friends. I am holding it together... somewhat. My trainer asked when daughter is leaving today during one of my exercises and I started to cry. So, maybe not SO together....

Tomorrow night we have a family dinner (husband's side) at Swiss Chalet. I am dreading it. I would be anyhow - but tomorrow is daughter's last night in town and my stress level will be higher than normal and I'm sure husband's family will drive me crazier than normal. Can't wait.

Not much else on the go. Just counting down till my life changes. Sigh.

Back in the groove?

2010-08-27T07:17:00.002-06:00

Phew! Holidays are over. We had a great time. We were in Montreal for 2 weeks with a side trip to Lake Placid New York. What a pretty area. As I live in a former Winter Olympic city - I wasn't sure what to expect - but it was nice. We'd go back. I would have liked an extra day there.

Since we've been back I've been trying to find some sort of routine. I'm seeing my personal trainer 2 times a week. Besides that I've been jogging and going on long walks. After the long weekend my week will be like so:

Monday - Personal Trainer

Tuesday - Pilates followed by 20 minutes hard cardio

Wednesday - Personal Trainer

Thursday - Pilates then Belly Dance

Friday - morning curling followed by 20 minutes hard cardio

Saturday or Sunday - weights with some cardio

Saturday or Sunday - day off

My personal trainer is including cardio in all our sessions - either by making me hop on a machine or doing so many leg moves that my heart friggen jumps out my chest. I have 95 days until Palm Springs and I want to go there in top shape. My trainer & I are calling this Operation Palm Springs. I think if I can get in shape I might even golf well. HAHA.

My food has been good - I had an on program week. Husband commented last night that he feels good now that we are eating properly again. I have to admit - I am too. It is less stressful to just cook a nice meal.

Daughter leaves for school Wednesday. The tears started yesterday. It just keeps hitting me in waves. I can think about it and be fine and then the next minute I'm tearing up. We haven't packed yet. I have a lovely dinner planned for Sunday - I'm going to make her favourite which is lamb. I'm going to do greek potatoes, maple dijon green salad and broccoli salad. All her fav's. We still have to get her a new pillow, a can opener, and stuff like toilette paper, wash soap, etc. We are going to drive her down, have lunch and then come back. I will be glad when I'm all adjusted and over this. I'm really excited for her - but....

Not much else on the go. Just waiting for my whole world to turn upside down.

Yoga Challenge

2010-07-26T19:32:00.002-06:00

I've decided that the poses I will be doing for the challenge are the Kneeling Achilles Stretch, Front Ankle Stretch, Toe Stretch and Pigeon. I'm keeping it small as I want something that I will actually do every day. All of these stretches/poses will really help with the areas that I'm finding tight from running. After doing them last night I noticed that for the first time in around 2 years that when I got out of bed this morning I was able to step down and it didn't hurt. So yay!!

I saw Salt on the weekend. I just love Angelina. Can you imagine if Evelyn Salt hooked up with Jason Bourne? What a friggen ride that would be!!!!

I ran Sunday. Took me 30 minutes to do 4k. Sigh. Oh, well - guess a slow 4k is still better than NO 4k.

Not much else on the go. Just putting in time till vacay on Friday! YA BABY!!!!

Have a healthy day bloggers!

Survived

2010-07-24T06:18:00.002-06:00

Spent the day with daughter yesterday. We shopped and then had lunch.

I got a bathing suit!!! And I feel really good in it!!!! It is a one piece and it is one of those ones that is supposed to make you look 10 lbs lighter. IT DOES!!! I seriously feel so much better about my upcoming vacation now. The only down side was the cost. $188. Seriously - how is it possible that they can charge that much for a freaking suit? And you may be shaking your head because I did. But I can't even begin to describe how good I feel in it.

So we went to lunch at Milestone's. I had looked up the menu online but couldn't find the nutritional information. I made what I thought was the best possible choice. HA! Of course, I get home, and then am ABLE to see the teeny weeny button to click for calorie count and what do I find? I chose the HIGHEST calorie salad!!!! Thankfully I had asked for no cheese - which helped. ARGH!!!

Last night I went for a run and walk for an hour. It was so nice out.

This morning daughter left for a week in Ottawa. Her flight was at 6:30 so I've been up since 4:30. I hate that nauseous feeling you get when you get up too early. Blech. I meet with personal trainer at 9:00. I'm still sore from Wednesday's session with her. Should be fun.... NOT

Yoga challenge starts tomorrow. Woohoo!!

Have a healthy day!!

Swim Suit Shopping

2010-07-23T10:13:00.002-06:00

I have to look for a new swim suite today. I'm so down. I'm in the worst shape ever and for the first time in 5 years I'm thinking I need to buy a tankini 'cause I just can't bear the idea of anyone seeing my stomach.

Yesterday husband booked a golf trip to Palm Springs in early winter - us and another couple are going. I am really, really excited. Husband has been several times but I've never been. He just loves it there. I suspect I will also. I'm so happy to have a "get away" trip to look forward to.

Mmm, did I mention I got my hair done? I was going to go blonde but then changed my mind and did copper & caramel streaks. Looks cute. Fresh and different but not too different.

So, one of the gals in blogland is doing a 7 day yoga challenge. I've decided to do it. My feet could really use the stretching and I need to find my focus. Maybe this will help.

So, on the job front. Argh. I'm getting down about that too. The company I'm trying to get on with has hired yet another person who is not me. I'm starting to feel like a stalker and yet I'm hesitant to not keep following up - as I don't want to then feel like I didn't give it my all. What to do, what to do....

Oy....

Getting off my ass

2010-07-20T17:37:00.002-06:00

FINALLY!!!! I really got out of my running routine and I have had the hardest time talking myself into getting out there. Why is the hardest part of getting back into a routine the self talk that it takes you to get off your ass? What really pisses me off is that I really, really love how I feel after the run. I feel like I'm on top of the world right now. Who doesn't want that feeling all the time???

Not much else on the go. Daughter & I are powering through Big Brother - we have a lot of episodes taped. Oh, anyone watching The Closer, True Blood, Entourage or that new show Rizzolie & Isles with Angie Harmon??? I'm dying to chat about them - but I don't know anyone watching!

Have a healthy day!

Facing The Music

2010-07-17T10:51:00.002-06:00

All of my friends started attending WW meetings weeks ago. Lots of weeks ago. Because I was busy losing my mind with that stupid contract job - I couldn't go with them. They chose a Friday morning meeting instead of an evening or weekend. So, off they go - having great success. And in their excitement - after each meeting when they would find out how much they lost that week - they would BBM me. With each text message I would get sadder and sadder. Feeling left out. Feeling like I would never be able to get out of this cycle of self destructive behaviour I seemed to be stuck in. Feeling so jealous it was all I could do not to delete them from my contact list. Seriously.

So the other night when I stepped on the scale to see how much damage I had done to myself - I saw a # I hadn't even seen while I was pregnant. Even though I knew things were bad - I was SHOCKED!!

Fast forward to the meeting I went to yesterday. Step on the scale - and was pleasantly surprised to see I was up 1.5! My home scale is WAY off and needs to go in the garbage!! I picked myself up a 3 month journal and my goal is to write in it everyday.

I really, really enjoyed the meeting yesterday. The leader was so good and I found myself paying attention the entire time. I have to find out if she does any downtown meetings. I don't know how often I can take Fridays off so that I can make the meetings. Although I am going to try - will be talking to boss on Monday!! It was fun to have friends there. One of the gals is already down 13lbs. She is just so excited - it is nice to see.

We planned a family bbq for tomorrow cause daughter is going off to school and this is her last weekend at home before holidays and then she's off to University. One of the in-laws, when asked if they wanted to come, said "probably" and I called Thursday to see if they were coming, and they still haven't called back. Is it just me or is that really rude? I have decided to make all of my sides WW recipes. I found a WW version of the bonanza beans I always make, a WW version of my famous broccoli salad, and I will be scouring my books for a WW macaroni salad. We will serve up italian sausages also (4.5 for half - not bad). I want to be able to count properly - and with my WW serving spoons - portion control is never a problem!

We went to the chuck wagon races last night at the Stampede. If you're a rodeo hater - save your comments - you won't change my mind - I love going. I was really impressed with myself as we were in a private infield box with free food and booze. I had 1/2 glass of white wine (2pts worth) and it took me the whole duration of the chucks to finish it - tiny sips!! I also kept my portions well in check (which frankly is easier when you're not drinking a lot) and in the end I only used 11 flex!! It is weird to say - but I had some of the best chicken curry I've every had in my life last night. At the Stampede - how strange is that?

We ended up getting special passes to go back to the barns so we could visit with the animals. It was really cool. What a different lifestyle the rodeo competitors have. We never got home till after midnight. It ended up being a great date night - and all it cost us was the belt buckle husband bought! Now next Stampede he will look like a real cowboy! HAHA

Today I will take pup for a walk, menu plan, grocery shop, drink my water and journal, journal, journal.

Have a healthy day bloggers!

Drowning.....

2010-07-16T07:56:00.002-06:00

That is how I feel.

On the work front - I ended up quitting one of my jobs. The one that was really busy. I wasn't sleeping cause I was so worried about how I would get everything done. Since I quit I have slept through the night every night! Guess it was the right decision.

All of the stress has taken it's toll on me though. As if work wasn't enough - I have had the drama of waiting to see if daughter was going to go to University. I am happy to report that she is in, accepted, registered and just last Friday got confirmation that she has a dorm room! I was so distracted I had trouble functioning. The idea of having to find her an apartment last minute that was within walking distance of the Uni was mind boggling!!

Of course, during these times, when it would make sense to throw myself into exercise and clean living to help alleviate the stress.... that isn't what I do. I, in fact, do the complete opposite. Because I am the biggest bonehead ever.

I have a glimmer of hope that, on the work front, I may be offered a contract for a company that I really want to work for. So, in an effort to get some good vibes in my life, I've decided that I need to stop using life as an excuse to not take care of myself. A former high school acquaintance that friended me on facebook has breast cancer. It looks like she will make a recovery, if all goes well this next year with her treatments. This woman is fighting for her life, and I have my health and I'm letting it go. How crazy is that? Also - I don't fit into any of my clothes and it is driving me CRAZY!!

So, after I hit publish - I'm going to a meeting, buying a 3 month journal - and not giving up on myself anymore. I'm going to write on every day of that journal and I am going to be active every day. I leave for vacation in 2 weeks and have already told my girlfriend (whose family we vacation with in Montreal) that I will be following plan and I even found a meeting in her area in English!! She thinks that I should be able to stay on plan and I do too. She has a track near her house - last vacation I ran 8 out of 15 days. In the humidity! I should be able to do that again. Just have to not eat my body weight in bread pizza or drink my body weight in wine. HAHA

Hope all is well with everyone. I've missed the blogging community.

stress eating

2010-05-11T21:08:00.002-06:00

I spent the day at the hospital with my mom's husband - looks like he has an enlarged liver. No surgery or anything - so that's good. But it was a long, exhausting day. After we were done at the hospital we stopped for lunch at a chinese buffet. Oy. I stopped before I was out of points but I was just so close to diving head first into the buffet - and it was all just nerves. Will that ever go away?

We had a substitute French teacher last night and he was in really good shape. It was hard to concentrate! Teehee!!

I'm sore!

2010-05-07T17:06:00.002-06:00

Last night was belly dance. We had our regular class and started learning our choreography. It was fun. There are quite a few new students in the class this session and it has been a lot of fun watching them learn to love belly dance as much as I do. Anyhow, after class another girl and I stayed for an extra hour to work with the teacher. We are doing more advanced isolations and an intermediate choreography. We worked hard and my lower back is feeling it today. Not in an injured way - but in a "gee I really worked that area" way.

My life has been completely upside down lately. I think I mentioned that I'm down to just two jobs. One is supposed to be 5 - 6 days a month and then the other job just 2 or 3 days a week (when I'm not at job #1). Well, so far that hasn't really worked that way and I've been working every day! This is good, because the extra $$ has been awesome. It has been bad because my home life hasn't caught up to the fact that I'm not home all day anymore. My largest struggle has been suppers. Mostly because we are so busy now in the evenings. It is a rush to get home and then a rush to leave again! I think this weekend I will do a week of Cooking for the Rushed. See how that goes. Can't go any worse than this week. Of that I'm sure!

I'm so glad today is Friday. This week I worked Mon, Tue at one company, Wed at the other, Thurs back to the first and today at the other again. Just typing that makes me tired! I would totally love a bottle of wine tonight, but alas, I do not have THAT many flex points left.

I went to a WW meeting Monday downtown lunch time. The leader was easily the worst leader ever. Seemed like a nice enough lady, but oy - she should not have her own meeting. I've been quite hungry this week counting my points again. It is shocking how much my portions had increased.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

still here

2010-05-02T07:51:00.002-06:00

I have been all over the place lately. Work has been busy, it seems like we have a million things going on every night. I've started French class... still seeing personal trainer.... going back to WW meetings starting tomorrow..... oh, and I had the experience of a lifetime, as noted below in the two pictures. Husband has been cut out as he would have a stroke if I posted his picture. I will do a proper post this afternoon, but wanted to at least get the pictures up!

2nd session with Personal Trainer

2010-03-27T12:41:00.002-06:00

I just got back from my 2nd session with my personal trainer. Today we did more balancing on the bosu - I sucked at it even worse this week than last week. Then I had to do lunges the length of the gym holding a heavy ball out in front of me. On the way back I had to lunge to the side on a diagonal, still holding the ball out and in front. Then to my triceps. Ouch. Next up was... lat pull downs. My gym has the machine that has two handles to pull down instead of a bar. I like that exercise. We then moved to the glute machine. Trainer told me at this point that walking and running does not work the glutes, and that is why long distance runners have to bums. You need to do stairs, or hills to get some shape. I did not know that. Once that was done we went to the mats where I worked my back and my stomach. Oy! The stomach exercises were very effective.

I feel exhilarated and tired at the same time. I guess that's good? I'm trying to talk myself into taking the pup for a walk.... but the urge to lay my head down is strong.

So, is anyone watching Biggest Loser out there? I'm getting so mad with the show. All this dis-ordered eating that is required for the challenges makes me SICK. And that Lance's wife. I fucking hate her. Seriously - she completely sabotaged her husband and I think made him feel guilty. What a ditch pig she is. She better not be the one that gets back on the show next week - or I may have to boycott it. I think this will be the last time we watch the show. Honestly, the contestants are just too heavy to be relatable. Having said ALL of that - isn't Sam looking great? I love Tongans!! If the contestants on the show (from last season and this) are any example of what they are as a people - I am impressed!! Plus, I find his tat's really sexy!!

Husband is curling in a bonspiel this weekend, so we are going out to the banquet tonight where there will be dancing! I love dancing!! If I can move, that is, after my session with PT!!

Well, peeps, that's about it for now. I know there was something I wanted to talk about.... but now that I'm sitting here typing..... I got nothing!!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

I can move again!

2010-03-23T21:35:00.002-06:00

thank goodness!

finished my job at the oil company today for another month. this month was very hard to say no to the junk.

my muscles seem to be done being sore after saturday's workout. thank goodness! I did some exercises today from saturday's workout. that was fun.... NOT!!

I'm really tired tonight. Just turned on curling a bit before bed time. I feel like I haven't had a good night's sleep in forever. I need to tweak my eating habits I think. I'm all over the place and it is wreaking havoc on my digestive system.

not much to report today, but I want to start posting more regularly.

have a healthy day bloggers!!

PS: 31 days till my picture with Spock!!

Monday in a big way

2010-03-22T19:45:00.002-06:00

Today really, really felt like a Monday!

I found it to be a really long day today. I actually left work at 4:00 today instead of 4:30 because I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. I just thought I can NOT sit here 30 more minutes! That is the nice part of being a contractor I suppose. There has to be something, right?

I meant to tell you all that my walking group has signed up to volunteer at the HSBC Marathon/ Half marathon. We are hoping to be able to get the food tent. There are 7 of us, and "we"'d all like to be together. Personally I wanted to be on the course. I didn't really care about being with the other girls. I just know that I appreciate people cheering me on so much when I'm out there doing a race. Oh, well. I suppose all that matters is that we are volunteering. I guess all positions are important.

I can still hardly move today since my workout Saturday. I have to do it all again tomorrow. I wanted to run tonight - but there is no freakin way I could do it!!

So peeps. DWTS starts tonight. What an..... interesting cast. Bruno the judge cracks me up. I don't know if I will be tuning in all the time, but.... there is potential for entertainment, that's for sure!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

PS: Ochocinco..... yummiest contestant ever on the show I think..... I wonder if he will dance naked? I might tune in weekly after all just in case.......

Thank God I have ears!

2010-03-21T20:13:00.003-06:00

They are the only part of my body that doesn't hurt after my first meeting with my new personal trainer.

I met with her yesterday and I love her!! We never picked up even one weight and I can hardly move today!

I had to work for a few hours this morning and when I was done I walked my dog home from our club. It is just over 8 k. I thought moving around a bit would work the kinks out. Holy noodle. I could not have been more wrong. Every step hurt. It was so windy to boot that it took me twenty minutes longer than it normally does. Oy!

My little Indiana had a swim lesson this week while at doggy day care. Look at what a little star he is. I was a bit worried about how he would do, but he did great.

Not much else has been going on. I think daughter is thinking of taking a year off of school when she is done high school. I actually think that might be her best course of action.

I'm going to do the exercises that I did with Personal Trainer twice this week. If my limbs don't fall off. Or if I don't cut them off to rid myself of the pain.

Have a healthy day bloggers.

Who Am I?

2010-03-13T09:43:00.002-07:00

I found myself wondering this lately.

As we waited anxiously for daughter's marks, I realized that my whole sense of who "I was" was a complete unknown to me. I am a mom. Always wanted to be one. Quit work to spend time with daughter when she was 14 as I figured that is the age they start making decisions that can change their whole life. Now, here we are, actually waiting to see if daughter passed all her classes. She didn't. I can't remember even the idea of failing ever even passed through my head when I was her age. And yet here is my daughter failing her chem class. Her other marks so low that she is virtually assured to have her conditional acceptance into University revoked. My sense of being a failure is all consuming. Of course, intellectually I know this isn't my failure at all. I got her to school, spent literally thousands of $$ on tutors, nagged, argued, explained that school is essential for a decent chance at a good life. But I wonder - at what point did I fail her when she failed to acquire the common sense that tells you that a high school diploma is the below the bare minimum of what you need to get places in life?

ARGH!!!! Of course, when you're co-parenting this kind of stress means stress on the marriage. Almost every conversation, every thought, every bad dream is about daughter. And where we went wrong. And how we will move forward. And with both of us coming from such different families, we hardly ever agree.

So, where are we now? I have finally accepted that it is ok for daughter to upgrade, take the time to mature a bit so that when she does go to Uni she will be prepared to study hard. Husband has finally stopped being angry. Daughter continues to live oblivious to the fact that we spend so much time fretting - she is just going about her business.... hanging with friends, working occasionally, and facebooking.

In the mean time I have decided that I need to get on with my life. Find some focus that isn't daughter. It isn't healthy for either of us. To that end, I am now working more. The company I had hoped to get back on with full time has been.... slow in retaining my services and so my contract work with them will finish the first week of April. All is not lost though. In the mean time, I have one week a month at the oil company, which I really like, and an old boss tracked me down to offer me contract work for the rest of the month. In March it will workout that I will have worked every day, just for 3 companies! This newest job, which I only started this week, seems like it will be really nice. I really like the fellow that I'm working for and my direct manager seems quite nice. Anyhow, there is a possibility that it will only be 3 days a week, which would be quite nice. Kinda the best of both worlds.

Since I'm working so much, I needed new work clothes. I went on a total spree. I bought new pants, a ton of tops and even new skirts. Almost all of it from Banana Repulic. And it all looks quite nice, if I do say so myself! I also bought new pumps. I look and feel like a million bucks! Normally I would put off buying new clothes, thinking I will do it when I've lost weight. But I'm living in the moment.

Of course, with all this stress I slipped into my old coping mechanisms. Every time I felt panic set in.... I ate that feeling away. Sheesh. The good news is that I've kept up with my running. Yay me.

I've also decided that, now that we have extra $$ coming in, I'm getting a personal trainer again. I start a week today. I'm quite excited about the girl I managed to get - I think she will suit me perfectly.

It was also my birthday this week. I turned 44. It was a nice birthday. We went for a lovely birthday dinner to Caesar's and it was SO good. I also got the absolute best birthday gift ever. I cried when I opened my card. Two two-day passes to the Sci-Fi convention coming to Calgary to the Round Up center in April where I will be getting my photo taken with Leonard Nimoy!!!! This is a childhood dream come true. I can hardly stand waiting.

Well, this is a huge post. If anyone is still reading - have a healthy day!!

Regularly scheduled programming will return in...

2010-02-19T20:07:00.003-07:00

a week or two. I am taking a small break - just waiting for my daughter's marks and quite frankly cannot concentrate or think about anything else. Once I have her marks and know what she is doing and where she is going - I will be back. And by then I may also have work news. Old boss called today - sounds promising!!!

Go Canada!!!!

My runometer just blew up!

2010-02-10T20:49:00.002-07:00

That is what my little Nike+ Avatar is saying tonight. We did hills tonight at the 10k clinic. 5 of them. 7.5k worth of hills. I've been home for almost an hour and my lungs are still sore!!

I also took the pup for a nice long walk this afternoon. It was so sunny out. I really needed the sunshine. Sunshine just makes everything right, doesn't it?

I have to work tomorrow and daughter is going to meet me downtown to look at grad dresses. That should prove interesting. Or frustrating. Or both.

Not much else going on. I made a really, really tasty shepard's pie for supper tonight. I love shepard's pie.

Have a healthy day bloggers!

Biggest Loser - Didn't watch? Then don't read!!

2010-02-09T19:50:00.002-07:00

I totally think that red chick threw it to go home!!!! There is no way she looked anywhere near as upset as she should have. Big stinky liar!!!!!!!!!! I actually threw my arms up in the air when I saw her results and yelled "YA!!". I think she just didn't like working so hard.

Thoughts?

working through the stress

2010-02-08T11:25:00.002-07:00

So, after blabbing about my stress and how I need to find another way to deal with it..... Sunday I had an argument of sorts with husband about daughter and immediately picked up the phone to call cousin to tell her I would be skipping our scheduled run with the running room 10k clinic. I had the phone in my reach, and then thought to myself that if I was ever going to make a change it had to be now. So I went for the 8k run. Small steps, right? At one point I was talking to cousin about the tiff and got myself so worked up I had to stop running because I got so short of breath!

Oh, and I did run Saturday with Indiana. It was slow and a smidgen frustrating because Indiana kept stopping. And just sitting. What a little monkey! Anyhow, we finished the run and I'm sure we BOTH felt so good when it was done.

Last night we went up the the club for Superbowl fun and frolic. All food written down and counted.

This morning I joined daughter for her session with the personal trainer. Oy! The up side was that she commented on my form and said that is was perfect! The down side was that it friggen hurt!!! I have some work to do with weights!

Not much else on the agenda for today. Taking the pup for a nice long walk this afternoon. Not going to run because I've run two days in a row and my knees are quite sore.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

What a friggen week

2010-02-06T07:49:00.002-07:00

I did not have a good week this week. My stress level is at an all time high. My daughter, whom I love dearly, is on a mission to drive me completely insane. Just school issues. But enough to be all consuming. Sadly, I eat when I'm stressed. I'm back on plan now though.

Went to the club last night for my first real workout in 3 weeks. While my lungs were quite unhappy with me, it felt really good to exercise. I did an hour on the treadmill - upping the incline every minute. First go up and down I went as high as 11, and the second go up and down I went all the way up to 15. I was drenched by the time I was done.

Today I plan to try a run with the pup (try in that we will go out, I just don't know how much running I can do, not try to go out). I'm sure he could use the time outside. He's been in doggy daycare all week because I've been working. Of course, he has a ball there - especially this week, they put him in with the medium sized dogs (up to 70 lbs) because his style of play was better suited for that group. He is exhausted every night. But he also got so excited the one day when we pulled into the parking lot to drop him off that he yelped and hopped up and down in the back seat! Anyhow, even with all that I think both of us would benefit from some vitamin D. It certainly will help my mood.

I wonder when I will learn to deal with my stress in a positive manner? I guess when I just do it. I want to be someone who goes for a run when I want to put my daughter through a wall, instead of grabbing a glass of wine and some Tostitos!

Anyhow, I should boogie.... get some food in me so I can get out there. Have a healthy day bloggers!!

PS: My contract at the one place I work got extended 2 months - woohoo!

Personal Growth and a Weigh In

2010-01-30T17:17:00.002-07:00

Major personal growth happening here!!

I was raised to feed a cold. For the first time in my adult life, I was sick (for 2 weeks now) and I DID NOT GAIN WEIGHT. This is huge for me. It turns out that if you don't stuff your face - you will still eventually get better. Who knew???

I'm not kidding - normally a period of illness this long would easily, easily result in a 5 - 7 lb gain.

Moving on.

I went to Zumba today. Daughter was finally able to attend. She hated it. It's not my favourite, but I do enjoy the music and I sweat like a pig, so I know my heart is going like crazy. Of course, today that could have just been a fever... I felt dizzy a couple of times during the class and had to nap this afternoon after my big exertion!!

Tonight is date night with husband. We are going the The Catch restaurant. While I do not eat stuff out of the water, husband loves his sea food. I will be having some lovely beef tonight and I can't wait!! Black Angus AAA tenderloin. Does life get any better than that? We are going to take our time, order a nice bottle of wine and just enjoy each other. The thing that is really nice about a really fancy restaurant though? Not the price, certainly. The portions. They are usually really small and in the end, the perfect size!

I'm thinking I may even put makeup on tonight. I don't normally wear makeup cause I think it makes wrinkles. But tonight might be a makeup night.

Oh, I never made it to belly dance Thursday. Just still felt to icky. And got a headache. I've sure had really bad ones since being sick. I think it is all the coughing. I did curl yesterday though. Curl a really, really good game. I was on fire!! Of course, now my skip will think I can make the occasional shot and she will be disappointed next time I go and get back to my regular missing everything! HAHA

Well, I guess I'd better go get my face on. I need to take some cough medicine and a couple of advil before we go. Wow - how sexy is that - I have the new Benalyn mucus and phlem busting formula stuff. Sigh....

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Back to the land of the living

2010-01-28T07:30:00.002-07:00

Still congested in my chest and coughing but boy do I feel better. Good enough that I'm going to go to belly dance this week. My first "exercise" session in over a week! I still have a day of prescription pills to take. You know, I think it was the rescue inhaler that was making me nauseous.

Still on program - with 4 flex to last me 2 days. It drives me friggen crazy that I can be SO sick and still not lose my appetite. I have been starving and now that I'm feeling well enough to keep my food down.... I've been eating what feels like a lot.

OK peeps. I need to just go on the record regarding the Red Team on Biggest Loser. If you haven't watched then stop reading... NOW!

She is a liar, liar, liar. OMG. Does she really think that we are all so stupid? I hate liars. To my mind, if she wanted to keep up with the lie, she should have thrown her weigh in's until she didn't have immunity. But it was so obvious. I don't normally care for Jillian as I don't like the yelling (I find it actually quite abusive) BUT I was loving her on this week's show. I loved that she didn't back down.

And that Green team. OMG. I have never, ever seen two more angry women in my life. That daughter - when she was sitting on camera all hunched over, eyes half closed - completely shut down. It is inconceivable to me that she is even married. They both need some serious therapy. And that mom telling her not to cry. I just wanted to slap her!

Well, time for breakfast. Have a healthy day!

Oy!

2010-01-25T18:28:00.002-07:00

I am not getting any better. I threw up in the car last night and for most of the morning today. I have a headache from throwing up. ARGH!!

Can't keep any food down and can't exercise. I'm one of those people who does NOT lose their appetite when sick - so I'm friggen STARVING. I guess it is good to know that I still recognize the feeling. Always a silver lining, right?

Anyhow - short post today.....

Have a healthy day bloggers!

OMG! Enough already!!

2010-01-21T19:36:00.002-07:00

I have been coughing so much I've actually given myself a headache. Work was long but productive today. My manager just called me (it's 7:15) - I thought I must have made a big mistake, but she was just calling to tell me that I don't need to come in tomorrow. I'm so relieved. I really think a day in bed will do me good. I didn't go to belly dance tonight. No energy.

Did any of you notice that I slipped my weigh in up on the side? I ran out quickly last night. Didn't stay for the meeting because I felt like crap, but at least I won't miss out on the cheap fees!

Not much else to report. Eating is good. Coughing is a pain. Exercise is non-existent. Yep - that pretty much catches us up.

Oh, my puppy was so "full of energy" today that doggy daycare put him in with the medium sized dogs. The gals said that he just had a ball and was so buy trying to jump OVER the bigger dogs!! I so wish they had web cams in the play areas....

Have a healthy day bloggers.

Blog Award!!

2010-01-19T20:21:00.002-07:00

Hey peeps! I got an award - how exciting!!!

7 things you might not know about me:

1) I haven't spoken French since, while still living in my home town of Montreal, a French co-worker laughed at me for using "le" instead of "la". That was 22 years ago. I decided last week to take French lessons. Thanks to "H" for mentioning it on her blog. The lesson, not the huge chip on my shoulder.

2) Fatinah is my belly dance name, but if I could change my "real life" name to any name, I would chose Elizabeth.

3) I picked my daughter's name out when I was 16

4) Even though I am a firm believer that WW is THE plan for healthy living long term, when LA Weight Loss called me out of the blue the other day to say they had changed their program I still thought "hmmm, should I try it?" Always that part of me looking for a secret weapon.

5) I'm one of those people that doesn't think living together is the same as being married, and I will be devastated if my daughter does it. I know, I know....

6) I get really, really, really irritated when I read stuff like on blogs like "well, I didn't lose cause I ate that cupcake" or similar. Seriously, if you count your effing points, there is no reason you can't have a cupcake. Not at every meal, but if you gained a POUND it is because you didn't count your points accurately. Seriously makes me so nuts.

7) I'm very claustrophobic and have to leave the room if I'm watching a show that has a character in a small space.

8) Bonus fact: my last tattoo was totally inspired by the lovely Tigerlilly!!

Bloggers I would like to pass this award onto are:

1) H-Woman

2) Sparky

3) Graciela

4) Cinemarie

5) Tiggerlilly

6) Totegirl

7) Expressomama

sick :-(

2010-01-19T19:13:00.003-07:00

I have a cold. Which sucks 'cause I actually have to work this week. I ended up coming home at 3:00 today and I just woke up (it is 7:00).

To give everyone a break this afternoon they brought in a sundae bar, complete with around 20 different toppings!! This is how sick I was - not only did I not have any - I wasn't even tempted. They had crushed Skor bars for one topping choice and all I could think was "right after I go throw up, I want to sleep!"

Today was supposed to be workout with weights with husband - ya, he went without me. I'm thinking tomorrows run won't happen either. Boo. I also have to find a time to weigh in this week at night 'cause WW is having a lifetime special and I don't want to miss a week and miss out on the special pricing. $14.70 is significant savings.

My group went to make lattes this morning (no one included me) and they all came back, stood back from my desk and said "We've talked about it and we think you should go home". I know they meant well, but I felt bad. I already felt like a leper with my cold, but I'm hired to work just this one week, and I really didn't think they would appreciate me not coming in - because it would mean overtime for at least two of them. Sigh. I finally did leave when I was feeling so tired I thought I would cry. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel better.

Not much else on the go. Started to watch the Golden Globes, but I found the jokes just too mean spirited this year so I turned them off. Too much nastiness in the world today to watch a bunch of dressed up people insult each other.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Success!

2010-01-16T10:53:00.002-07:00

That is what this week was. I earned almost 40 points of good quality activity points this week. I didn't spend HOURS exercising. I just dialed up the intensity. Yay me. It paid off. See my weight tracker on the side.

Still have no idea how much I weigh. I even left my glasses on my chair in the meeting before I went to the scale so that I wouldn't be tempted to peek.

Apparently the secret to success is filling foods. That is what I learned at my meeting today.

2nd Zumba class in an hour. My knees are sore from the treadmill last night so it will be interesting to see how that goes. Just ate a piece of left over homemade pizza for breakfast. I love pizza way more when it is left over. Mmmmmm....

Daughter is in diploma prep all weekend so husband & I are on our own. Should be a fun weekend. It is weird that I miss her when she is gone like this.

I have to work tomorrow. I work all week and this week is going to be very busy. Should be interesting to see how well I stick to my plans. Do or do not - right?? Our deadlines are so tight this week - I have a headache just thinking about all that I have to do!!

Well peeps - have a great day!

Another quiet day....

2010-01-13T21:21:00.002-07:00

I felt quite blech today. I had coffee with two friends, which was really fun, but I almost cancelled. The thought of having to talk for a couple of hours seemed too much. Don't know what that was about. In the end, I'm really glad I went.

I met up with my cousin for the Running Room practice run tonight. She is doing the 10k clinic. They ran 5.6k tonight. It was an awesome night for a run, except for the ice. Holy shit peeps - it was really hard going out there. The run felt great - I much prefer running outside to the treadmill as I find it much easier on my knee. Having said that - the ice was very hard on my knee because I was so tense. Sigh. Oh, and my stupid Nike +..... would not activate the sensor. If it's not on the Nike + it's almost like the run didn't exist - do any of you feel that way?

Food was awesome today. I'm a rockstar. HAHA

Am thinking of signing up for the Rocky Mountain Soap 12k in Canmore in May. My walking group is doing it - but I will run.

Hey Calgary bloggers..... would you be interested in all joining in to do a 5k sometime in the fall together?? Think on it. We all run anyhow....

I'm watching Star Trek the movie for the millionth time. I just love it.

So, who is watching the Biggest Loser this season? I am finding it hard to watch this go around. First off, it is just too soon after the other one. And second, I just find the sheer size of the cast completely overwhelming. Having said that.... I also haven't picked my fav's yet. Of course, I have a soft spot for the Tongans (sp??) And I really like the fellow from the white team. He just tugs at my heart and I think when he loses weight he will look his age and likely will be quite handsome. With such large contestants, the red team looks quite out of place I find. Not many people are talking about it this go around - I wonder if others are also feeling it was just too soon?

Well peeps - Star Trek isn't the same without a cup of tea, so I'm off to make that. Have a healthy day!!

quiet day.....

2010-01-12T16:09:00.003-07:00

Last night daughter & I went up to the club to hear all about the "I Lost it at the Club" challenge. It's pretty exciting. This year is very different than last year.

We all received nutrition/exercise logs made especially for and designed by the trainers at our club. They are running a whole bunch of exercise classes for people to participate in, at various times throughout the 3 months of the challenge. They have set up an e-mail account specifically for the challenge where we can get questions answered by either the nutritional consultant or the fitness consultant depending on the question. They talked us through our goals. We will receive weekly e-mails with news of upcoming classes, strength and cardio routines for the week at all levels (beginner, intermediate & advanced) and we will get homework each week. If we do the homework we get a sticker. You know I will be doing my homework as I find stickers very motivating!! Homework will be either a fitness task, or a nutritional one. Small changes for us to make toward a healthy lifestyle.

Daughter wants to run a marathon. Now, she currently isn't a runner, but her trainer is going to put together a program for her that should have her ready to do one by August. I told her that if I see her training, I will do it with her. I don't know why the hell I said that, as I hate the hours that go into training for a long run, but there was no way I wanted to discourage her from doing it!!! I personally would like to shave 6 minutes off my 5k time by the end of the challenge. Apparently we have an Olympic athlete/personal trainer at the Club that specializes in running programs and gait analysis. I'm going to talk to husband tonight about hiring him for a session or two. I was told he would be able to design a training program for me. Plus, I thought if I have my gait analyzed perhaps it will help my knee?? Couldn't hurt it I suppose, right????

Daughter was the only young person at the challenge, or so we thought, until this young lady came over to exchange cell #'s!! Daughter actually texted her last night and they have a workout date tonight after daughter is done teaching swim lessons. Daughter is so much more outgoing than I am. I love that about her. Just one of her many awesome qualities.

So, our challenge journal is calorie counting. I'm a WW'er, so I don't actually know much about how many calories I eat in a day. I sat down and figured out my calories for yesterday. Yesterday I ate 22 daily points and 7 flex points. That translated into: 1394 calories and 29 g of fat. Interesting. Well, I thought it was.

Tonight I'm going to the Club with husband and he is going to work me out with weights. I will let you know how that goes. I'm kinda excited about it. That will be our Tuesday date.

Tomorrow I'm going to the practice run at the Running Room for the learn to 10k clinic. It's so nice out - I'm looking forward to the run outside.

I took the pup for a walk today for 45 minutes. He was so happy to be out again. There was quite a bounce in his step! Little muffin hasn't eaten yet today though.... wonder what that's about? Hmmm.....

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Monday again....

2010-01-11T12:58:00.002-07:00

and not a moment too soon!!

Yesterday husband & I had massages. Not together, one after the other. Boy, oh, boy did I need it. I am still sore today. We had an early supper and then toodled off to the gym. I had a good run on the treadmill, followed by 20 minutes of walking on the treadmill. I then stretched diligently like a good girl!

Today I have a bazillion things to do. Argh. By 9:30 I had dropped daughter off at school, gone to get groceries, gone to pick up a prescription, gone to get keys cut and stopped at Starbucks! I've also taken my daughter's mac in to be fixed. Next up is: change bed sheets, clean 2 of the 3 bathrooms and do all my husband's ironing. F*ck - I hate ironing.

I joined my Club's annual "I Lost it at the Club" challenge. Our first meeting is tonight - and so I will update with the particulars tomorrow - as I don't really know what to expect yet!

Congrats to all who have joined the X-Weighted Challenge. I'm really excited to read everyone's journey - I have no doubt you will all have great success!!

Not much else to report. I picked up the new Yoga Journal, Weight Watchers, Canadian Running and the 15 minute Weight Watchers Recipe book. Looks like I have some reading to do!!

Have a healthy day bloggers.

Zumba - and I survived to tell the tale....

2010-01-09T14:00:00.002-07:00

I had my first Zumba class today. It was.... ok. I like it in theory, although I found it fast. This is just 'cause it is new. I was surprised at how hard it was on my knee. This will be worked around with a few modification by moi going forward. I was completely unprepared for how much I would sweat. Yowsers!! I signed up with my daughter, but she missed today and will miss next week because of diploma prep classes. It will be interesting to see her reaction to it.

No much on the agenda for today. Having my cousin over to dinner to thank him for watching our house while we were away. Chicken. Mmmmm.

Big news is that I went to WW this morning. OMG - it was so crowded!! I have no idea how much weight I gained. I weighed in backward on the scale. My reasoning was this: WHEN I lose weight this week, if I know my gain, I will think "well that was a good loss, but I'm still up "x amount" from before Christmas". This way, when I step on backwards next week and the chicklet says "You're down X" - I can think "wow - my hard work really paid off - I rocked it". I realize I'm completely insane, but...... SO I will be tweaking my weight tracker on my page - I will only report my loss for the week and not my current weight. Until I'm in a grove and feel ready to know it.

I have lots of errands to do before dinner - so short post. Have a healthy day bloggers!!

My Name is Fatinah and I'm addicted to....

2010-01-07T21:17:00.002-07:00

self-sabotage. It's exhausting and I have no idea how to break the cycle.

In other news....... I started belly dance again tonight. We have some new people joining the class which is fun. It's always exciting to watch someone discover the joy that is belly dance. We started right back at the basics and it was a good workout.

I did the Wii fit on Tuesday night. My back is still sore today from that stupid boxing! Sure didn't feel like I was working hard when I was doing it, but I must have been.

I have been working this week and feel two steps behind. I haven't had a good nights sleep all week. The weather is warming up and my head is ready to explode.

Oh!! I ordered a skirt from MeSheeky. I got a notice from the post office that I have a package today and I think it is my skirt!! I'm going to wear it to belly dance class. Don't you think it will be fabulous??? I can't wait till tomorrow!!

What else...... not much. Feeling a bit down. Bit of post-Christmas blues. I spent a week with my sister and now I miss her more than ever. Boohoo - I realize people out there have real problems - I'm just venting and being a baby.

Do or Do Not - there is no try. Do or Do Not - there is no try. How many times till it sticks?

Have a healthy day peeps!!

Moto for 2010

2010-01-03T20:57:00.000-07:00

"Do or do not, there is no try"

Yoda

2010 - what will it bring?

2010-01-03T20:21:00.002-07:00

Holy shit - where did 2009 go?

I ran my Resolution Run in Ottawa New Year's Eve. Finished in 36 minutes. Was happy with that because I had just been running on the treadmill, and so running in snow felt like trying to run in sand! Sister ran her first race and was, I think, quite disappointed to not do it in 30 minutes. I kept telling her to run ahead, but she wouldn't.

We had a small party after the run, my friends from Montreal had driven in for the night. At 11:20 we all headed for Parliament Hill to ring in the new year. It was nice, we walked in the end for hours. My friends had a Beaver Tail craving.

So, who has resolutions they want to share? I have two. Since mid-November I have been reading through a "read the bible in a year" type of bible. I want to continue that. The other thing I want to do this year is the splits. Lofty goals, I know! HAHA

I think I gained a fair bit on vacation. I am counting points as of yesterday. Been feeling hungry all day just from the change in volume I was consuming. Weigh in on Saturday.

Well peeps - that's all for now.

Ready!

2009-12-30T13:52:00.002-07:00

Am in Ottawa for Christmas with my family visiting my sister and her family having the absolute time of my life.

Have been on two runs so far - picked up mine & my sister's race package for the Resolution Run here in Ottawa - can't wait - sister's first race EVER!!!!

Love the jackets they gave out this year - am wearing it while blogging it is so awesome.

Was going to report on my eating - but have decided to keep this post positive!! Wink, Wink. Am currently drinking the biggest bottle of Bailey's I've ever seen.

Can't wait to get back to you all when I get home.

Hope all is well with everyone!!

Stay healthy and safe bloggers!

Ten fitness misconceptions for women - Healthcare in Canada - C-Health

2009-12-27T19:31:00.000-07:00

A little bit of common sense to end the year!!

Ten fitness misconceptions for women - Healthcare in Canada - C-Health

Towel It Off: No-Equipment Total-Body Workout

2009-12-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

Here is a workout that requires no equipment - perfect for any of us traveling over the holidays!!

Towel It Off: No-Equipment Total-Body Workout

Saturday.... a fresh start

2009-12-12T11:14:00.002-07:00

Diana left a comment on my blog then deleted it - cause she thought my last post was a joke (I saw Jack Sh*t's post - so I understand why she thought that) - so to Diana - your deleted comment actually made me laugh!! So, thank you.

Today is a new day. I dropped daughter off at her diploma prep for Math. All part of my not giving up! I then drove myself promptly to a meeting. A WW meeting that is. I seriously feel like an addict. I deal with stress by eating and I needed a reminder of why I need to not do that. (I'm up a pound by the way) Know what the topic was at the meeting? "dealing with holiday stress". Well, my stress isn't holiday related - but yowsers - useful or what?? Anyhow - I felt a million times better after the meeting. I cannot miss any more meetings. If the girl I go with can't make it I just have to suck.it.the.hell.up and go alone. I need that charge.

Lunch out with two friends today. After the meeting I am well inclined to chose well. I am in charge of ME. I CHOOSE how to handle my stress.

Oh, ladies - did you all get the new 2010 pocket guide do-hicky-mabobs?? Cool beans, eh? They are made out of paper that likely WON'T SHRED in your purse!

Also out is the updated CANADIAN eating out guide. Didn't get one cause I forgot by the end of the meeting but plan to. They are SO useful! And it is good to stay current.

Hmmm, what else? Gym on the agenda later today. Have to earn my sticker for the 12 days of Christmas Challenge (I have 7 so far!). Don't know what I will do today... my knee is hurting a bit, BUT I may try a run anyhow. I just feel like running. I need that high. That rush. Those deep breaths that remind you you're ALIVE!!

OK peeps - get out there and rock your healthy lifestyle!! Have a good one!

Friday and more snow!

2009-12-11T16:22:00.002-07:00

I'm so done with the snow already!! I have to go back out on the roads here pretty quick and I'm a complete wreck!! It is going to be a long friggin winter!

This week has been ok. Finally got my H1N1 shot. My arm is SORE. To make matters worse - I fell in the parking lot after getting my shot and jarred my other shoulder (the injured one) so bad that I almost threw up! The night of my shot I was awake most of the night because every time I turned over, I turned onto a sore arm! Plus, I had the chills really bad. Collective "awwwww"!

I did the treadmill program earlier this week and something popped in my knee while I was in the running portion. That can't be good. My knee has been sore all week. Sigh.

Family continues to be disjointed. Daughter is not applying herself in school and it is frustrating the hell out of us. Husband & I approach things completely differently and all of this has resulted in tension en-masse. I made a nice dinner tonight - with the intent to make a nice table, turn off the tv and talk. Daughter just called - she has to work. Deep sigh. Best laid plans..... I'm exhausted from crying every day. Sometimes the tears are frustration, sometimes disappointment, sometimes hurt..... but my eyes are tired and we are out of kleenex in the whole house!! I just can't give up on her. She has so much potential.

Well peeps. I had tons more to write about - but now that I'm doing it - I got nothing!! Have a healthy day!!

can I be honest?

2009-12-07T16:46:00.002-07:00

Just writing yesterday's post made me feel better. I went up to the Club with husband and did the same program on the treadmill as the day before. I totally rocked it - I did over 7k. Husband then generously took me to the dining room for dinner at the Club. Yay to not having to cook. We shared an appetizer of dumplings (I only had 2 of the 8). They serve the best dumplings I've ever tasted in my LIFE. For dinner I ordered the mixed greens with chicken breast. Mmmm. It was GOOD. I also had a nice glass of red wine. Good for the heart. Wink wink.

Any of you read MizFit's Friday post? It was a good one. Sigh. It actually made me cry. Just because I feel like my family is falling apart. We are so... disjointed right now. I hate the feeling. We are spinning out of control and I don't know how to stop it or fix it. Bigger sigh.

I made some chicken soup last night for dinner tonight. And I picked up a nice crusty loaf of whole grain bread. Good comfort food for this cold weather we are having.

Tonight I have to drop daughter at tutor and then I may run up to the gym. I haven't decided yet. My hamstrings are screaming from that treadmill program. That has to be a good sign.

Well peeps - have a healthy day.

Snow, snow, snow

2009-12-06T13:35:00.003-07:00

It snowed so bad Friday that I couldn't get off my street Saturday morning to get to the Santa Shuffle. Sigh.

I did make it up to the gym late in the day Saturday and did some treadmill time though. I tried a program that daughter got from her trainer. Start on 2.0 incline for 5 minutes to warm up. Treadmill is @ 3.5 mph the whole time. Every minute, raise the incline 1 full %. The treadmill I was on went to 15. Stay at 15 for a minute. Then, every minute go down on the incline. Then 3 minutes or so @ 2.0 and then cool down at 0 incline. Holy shit. I was breathing so hard that my lungs were sore later that evening. When I was done that - I just ran on the treadmill till I hit an hour... maybe 20 - 25 minute run or so. Anyhow - felt like a good workout.

I have not been on program all week. I could come up with a list of excuses, but really I just chose to take the easy path with my stress and that was to deal with it the way I always do (eat) instead of dealing with it in a more positive and productive manner. The only exercise I did was belly dance Thursday and the treadmill yesterday.

This week I will get my shit together. This week I will journal and put myself first. I will not seek out self destructive behaviour to enable my pity parties. I will fill my body with healthy foods that will get me to old age and I will be active every day.

Short post today as I have Christmas cards to write. And the new Yoga Journal magazine read.

Hope you're all doing well. Congrats to all the Halibloggers that ran the Santa Shuffle - you girls look so happy doing it!!

Blech

2009-11-30T11:34:00.002-07:00

Daughter had her appt with her personal trainer this morning at 6:30. I decided to join her today - I need something to get me going with the weights again. Unfortunately the trainer didn't show up!! I had no iPod or anything with me, so I just came home. Boy was I mad.

Right now I'm sucking back a Grande Triple shot non fat latte. It's going down gooooood. Once I'm done I'm going to take the pup for his walk. It is really nice out there.

We had husband's Christmas party this weekend in Banff. It was fun. Husband & I went alone for the weekend. Boy, did we need that. It felt so nice to reconnect. Left daughter alone for the first time. She for sure did something she wasn't supposed to because she not only changed the garbage..... the full garbage bag is no where to be found! Little monkey!! In any case, the house is in the same condition we left it in, so.....

I feel blech today. Need to get a good program day under my belt.

Not much else to report now..... have a healthy day bloggers!

I rolled the bones with the new hairdresser

2009-11-26T10:30:00.002-07:00

Holy freaking busy day yesterday!!

I ended up just walking into a hairdresser and rolled the bones! I'm now back (sort of) to my natural colour (I had lightened it up a bit over the summer). It looks quite dark compared to what I had, but it just feels so good to have it all trimmed up. I think the cut is fine - my only complaint was that the hairdresser never shut up the whole time. I'm not a chatter, so.....

I never updated my weight tracker on the side from last week's weigh in. I was quite disappointed because I actually felt so much smaller that morning. You know how you just wake up some days and feel a difference? Anyhow, when the scale said 0.2 down I was a bit bummed.

I went this morning and I'm down another 1.4. That makes me feel better about last week, as I'm sure some of this # is from then. In any case, down is down, right?

Last night I skipped belly dance. I went instead to the fitness center and did 30 minutes of spinning and 30 minutes walking a hill program on the treadmill. I also took the dog for a 37 minute walk. I felt like I needed more movement than I would get from Belly Dance.

My stuffed peppers were..... eh, ok. I've made better. They smelled good though - HAHA!

Today is my daughter's 17th birthday. Wow - it went fast. We are dinning at the Club tonight in celebration. I just didn't feel like cooking.

Well, I'm off to meet a friend for coffee, then I have to walk the pup and hit the fitness center 'cause they are having the 12 fitness days of Christmas again at the Club. For a donation to the Salvation Army, we can earn 12 stickers during December and we get our name in a draw for some awesome gifts. They are doing an early bird draw and I have to get 3 stickers before Sunday. I already have one - so I'm keen to get working on #2 & #3!!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

pictures

2009-11-25T18:03:00.008-07:00

Click here to see the shoes:

Shoes

They are called Town shoes and the product code is 1-4110-162. They are in the 15th row on the right.

I took my own picture, but it doesn't do it justice

I also took a picture of what 10 points worth of Chinese food looks like all measured out:

Surprisingly - that is really VERY filling - I don't think I will ever have to over count on Chinese again!!

Taking a Breather!

2009-11-25T07:05:00.002-07:00

I'm off work now till Tuesday, which is when I start a week at a different job. I'm really happy to have the break! The job I just finished with for the month has asked me to do some data entry for a system implementation they are doing in April. I'm going to figure out my availability later today, but I could end up working complete months for Dec & Jan (except for my lovely week off at Christmas, of course!! oh, and except for the week at the other job!!) This is good news because we have made debt reduction a priority. Kinda icky news cause I was really liking the idea of having a week on, week off, week on, week off. That is totally selfish of course, but.... a gal's gotta have dreams!

After work yesterday I went and bought myself some really, really pretty shoes. I walked over to Payless but they didn't have anything kinda fancy (I needed shoes that I could wear to hubby's Christmas party) so I walked over to the nice shoe store (Towne Shoes) and bought myself a seriously smoking pair of shoes. I also stopped at the brand new Holt Renfrew store (seriously - how did I miss that big change??) and picked up a Spanx slip. I think it's all going to come together nicely.

I'm trying to decide if I want to run out and get my hair trimmed today. My regular hairdresser is unavailable and so it would mean stopping in some where and hoping for the best. Eh, it's just hair, right?? I mean, how much could they screw it up??? HAHA!

Program talk: ARGH!!!!

I'm struggling. Do any of you have this problem? Not struggling. This: Monday they ordered in lunch @ work, cause we all had to work right through. It was some chicken stir fry concoction with brown and wild rice and an orange/mandarin salad. I'm not sure how to count it. And when I come across something I don't know how to count - my journaling comes to a grinding halt and I run right off the rails. Sigh.

I have a lot of running around to do today. On the agenda for today is: getting the f*ck back on program, taking puppy for a nice LONG walk, groceries, belly dance...... phew - I'm tired! haha!!

I just made the yummiest looking stuffed peppers - used my brand new WW food scale to calculate the pts value..... 6pts per pepper friends!! CAN'T WAIT!!!!!

OK peeps - I gotta get going with the rest of my day... have a healthy one!

Survived the week AND a NSV

2009-11-20T19:37:00.002-07:00

I made it (although just barely) through my first week at my new job. I haven't done this kind of work for over 8 years and I forgot the stress that comes with it. I had a melt down in the car on the way home Tuesday night - complete with tears. Husband handled it WAY better than he used to 8 years ago!!

The upside is that I was SO busy that I stayed on program and ate the food I brought from home. The girl I report to came in on Tuesday with $127 worth of junk food. What a shit show. And there is HUGE social pressure to partake. I did well though. One hand full of chips the whole week.

Tonight I was so tired that husband suggested ordering chinese. Peeps - I did something I have never done before (enter collective breath holding by readers). I filled my bowl (a small soup bowl) with one soup spoon of everything we ordered. And did NOT go back for 2nds or 3rds like I usually do. I did have 5 dumplings. I realize that is a lot, but I had eaten two while I was taking the lids off the food, then put 2 in my bowl and then had one while I was putting dish in dishwasher. 3 of them were mindless eating - I didn't actually even think about it till I started typing this paragraph. Oh, well. Still a NSV cause normally I do that and still have the 2nds and 3rds.

No exercise this week. I pretty much went to bed early every night. I worked two nights quite late and so missed belly dance. Sigh. Next month I will be better prepared.

This will be a short post as I am really tired, and I have the worst headache. Just wanted to let you all know I was still alive.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Someone please talk me off this ledge!!

2009-11-15T17:41:00.004-07:00

Yes folks - I went shopping today. Needed a pair of pants cause I start a new job tomorrow and I haven't worked in 4 years AND I can't wear my Lullulemons!!

Of course, this meant I had to disrobe under florescent lights. That is where the ledge came in. I go into the mall feeling good - needing some pants and then.....

Why does that happen???????

Moving on.....

I went to pole dancing on Friday. I am over the moon excited to report that my friend went to class AND she said she enjoyed that class the best yet RIGHT UP UNTIL around 20 women arrived 20 minutes before our class was over for a party. That meant that they were watching us on the pole almost the whole time we were up there. We learned a backward spin. It is fun.

Not much else to report. Good weekend. On program. Tired and have a HUGE headache thanks to the gale force winds that are blowing the Chinook in. No exercise for me today - my right knee is SO sore I can hardly get up and down stairs. I'm falling apart!!

Little bit freaked out about learning new names, jobs, procedures tomorrow. Wish I had the points to throw myself into a bottle of Baileys. Guess my glass of water with a lemon wedge will have to do!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Friday at last!!

2009-11-13T09:39:00.002-07:00

Even though this was a short week - that is how I feel this morning.

Belly dance last night was so much fun. I really like my beginner class group. Fun gals. I think we might be almost done learning our choreography.

Who watched Grey's last night? Even though I'm really miffed that Izzie is NOT DEAD and George is (oy! I just CAN. NOT. LET.THAT.GO).... I was so impressed with the Chief's story line. Did not see that coming. And I'm a fan of the new doctor since she was on Lipstick Jungle.

WW meeting went well. Lost 0.2. I was a bit miffed with the weigh in lady. She said "oh, well, this is good - week 10 is about breaking through plateaus". I was like.. "um... ok..... thanks". But I was thinking "I just told you that I was happy with this # because I know that I had noodle soup for lunch yesterday and I'm sodium full of water retention, I had a good week on program, and my # will catch up next week." :-p

Today I have a run (haven't checked to see if it is going to warm up out there - might go up the the gym on the treadmill) and pole dancing.

I decided to go for a walk with my walking group tomorrow. Haven't been out with them for ages. They always go for a big breakfast after and it seems counter productive. However, I feel I've hit the point in my journey that I can go for breakfast and not use their orders as my excuse to put myself off plan. There are plenty of tasty breakfast options that do not cost an entire days worth of points. Right?? RIGHT??? Oops - had a panic moment there as visions of eggs benny floated through my head..... I'm back.

So, posting a picture of my journal.... while I'm sure is mind numbingly boring for you guys to have look at - is really doing wonders for me staying on plan. I find that I'm really thinking about my choices now that I know someone might be able to read what I've written there!

Oh, and peeps - yesterday I was out having a Grande Americano with my buds and I got a call - I got that 2nd contract job I wanted!! It will be for between 8 to 48 hours a month all concentrated at one time of month. It is working with a great group and I couldn't be happier!!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!!!

2009-11-12T07:22:00.005-07:00

I received my introduction e-mail from my motivational buddy AJ. I haven't written mine back to her yet..... hers was so good I'm worried about making a good impression! HAHA.

Anyhow - she sounds like a great partner for me and I'm sure we will find that we have much in common. Please feel free to stop by her site at http://ajlovestolose.com/ - I don't know about you guys, but I'm always looking for new blogs. Gotta keep things fresh, right?

Had my run yesterday with the pup. Haven't downloaded my Nike+ for a while - will do that after I publish this. Anyhow. It was a weird run. The run itself, was good. The pup - oy! What a little monkey he was. He was either running too fast ahead of me or stopping to sniff so long that I had to yank at him. Sheesh. Next time we take the short leash and the Barkbuster collar. That will keep him next to me and then my frustration level will be better. Even with Indiana's escapades, I felt good after the run. Of course, my right knee is killing me this morning. Not where I usually hurt (which is always because I need to stretch the old IT bands). This time it is kinda on the knee cap. Weird.

Had no belly dance last night because of Remembrance Day. My feet were so sore, I didn't really mind. Tonight is my beginner class. I'm looking forward to it. I could use some shimmying.

I just got an e-mail that curling is cancelled this week. Both ladies on our 5 man team that know how to skip will be away. I'm not too miffed though - saves me the cost of doggy daycare!

I'm going to WW meeting this morning. I'm quite psyched as I have learned from the Halibloggers (from their meeting pictures) what the subject is for the week and I think it will be quite interesting.

Angie - I do in fact have a flower button, I pushed it and voila! Easy picture taking for Fatinah!!

Oh, I wanted to tell you all about what I had for lunch yesterday. I had two cups of left over brussels sprouts (roasted with balsamic vinegar, EVOO, onions and a smidgen of bacon bits). Well, I made myself some noodle soup (Ichiban type, but Co-Op brand cause it has less pts and mushroom flavour!!) and added my brussels to it! OMG! It was SO good. And filling. So filling in fact that I only had 1/2 cup of tortellini for dinner and I was stuffed! It was 8pts for that soup - and worth EVERY ONE!!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Coffee tasting GOOD this morning!

2009-11-11T08:07:00.003-07:00

Ever have one of those mornings where your normally tasty coffee is especially good? Mmm, I'm having one of those mornings.

Yesterday was husband's birthday. He came home at 3:30. At first I was kinda happy - cause I thought he wanted some quiet time (wink, wink) BUT it turned out he had a migraine! Poor him. He was laid up the rest of the day.

Of course, I had been cooking for hours at that point and had my mom & her husband coming over for the big birthday dinner. Which they did. Husband didn't get out of bed until 8:30 last night and finally heated up his plate around 9:00.

Run yesterday was a walk with the puppy. Day got all turned around and when I finally got dressed to go out, my knees were sore.

Took me 8 tries to get pics of my food journal. Until this morning I didn't know how to turn off the flash. Now I have to figure out how to turn it back on!!

Oh, and I also took a picture of the pizza I made myself for lunch yesterday. Man, was it good. Chock full of veggies. Only 30g of light feta and a really high fiber pita - great lunch for 4 pts. I don't really appreciate food pictures - I'm too lazy to scroll through them looking for the heart of the post - but I was particularly proud of this extravaganza!! So my apologies to anyone reading this that also hates scrolling through food pictures!

Accountability

2009-11-09T19:45:00.002-07:00

Short post. I have received the 411 on my motivational partner and I have an e-mail to send to her. I can't wait to meet her. Or maybe I have and read her blog all the time - it's so exciting - I don't know!!

So, today is the day I start posting journal pictures. Or rather tomorrow is. I have decided I will post the day before the day after. I had a carb heavy day today. And sadly, not a veggie in sight. I had a scone for breakfast, a sub from subway for lunch, snacked on a bag of those gluten free puffs and for dinner, a piece of pizza. I feel clogged up just typing that. I'd better get some water in me post haste. I think I'm PMS'ing. In any case, I think the picture taking will help with accountability.

No exercise today. Blech. Run on the agenda for tomorrow. I need it - mentally as well as physically.

Oh, that 2nd company I might get work for called today. Dude that is organizing the work was of with H1N1. He is better and back to work and I have a coffee meeting with him tomorrow morning. One step closer. I just finished with my other job today.

Have a healthy day bloggers.

Pole Dancing Class #3

2009-11-08T12:15:00.004-07:00

or as I like to call it - the night of the big pole dancing injury 2009.

That's right - it took 3 classes for me to injure myself. I was on the pole, working my magic like only I can when I stepped out of a spin catching the soft underside of my big toe on the base of the pole. Seriously - easily one of the most painful things EVER!! It hurt like a mother..... The injured area swelled up immediately and turned black and blue. Sigh. Like the trouper I am though, I kept on with the class and did not let hamper my performance. Then when I was doing the slide move down the pole to my knees I slid too fast and BAM my left knee is now black. Double Sigh. Still, on with the show though!! HAHA

Friend & I ended up in different groups. She crinked her neck on her first spin and isn't sure if she will continue with the class. I decided to let her off the hook - if she doesn't want to continue - I think I'm comfortable enough to do the last 3 classes on my own, if I need to.

I think after all, in the end, I'm enjoying the class. At first I really wasn't sure, but..... now..... funds will dictate whether or not I take the class again. I think....

haha!!

Overwhelmed!

2009-11-05T20:49:00.002-07:00

I have had a million ideas for posts, but just haven't had the time to post. Well, that's not true. I've been really tired after working all day (I know, I'm a wimp!) and so I've been going to bed quite early.

I have signed up for the Santa Shuffle in December - Calgary edition and for the Resolution Run New Years Eve - Ottawa edition. Both 5k. Yay!

Many bloggers have re-committed to WW. It is intriguing and quite exciting. I have decided to jump on the band wagon. I don't like to be left out! I'm going to commit to not missing my meetings, regardless of wether or not I'm working AND I'm going to start posting a picture of my journal. Just for accountability.

I am horribly off program this week. Pisses me off because I know better. I had a high point lunch and then had no points left for dinner. Oh, well. Sadly, I've had a story like that for the whole week.

What else. I have been doing some yoga before bed every night. Stretching my toes. My in-flexible feet are getting in the way with both belly dance and pole dance.

Ugh. I'm too tire to think..... off to bed

Have a healthy day bloggers.

Dread

2009-11-02T20:34:00.002-07:00

That is what I'm full of as I consider filling in my food journal for last night and today.

Sigh.

oh, I signed up for a motivational buddy over at Mizfit. cool beans. me thinks this is timely.

Have a healthy day bloggers.

Pole Dancing Class #2

2009-10-31T08:53:00.003-06:00

I met last night's class with the greatest feeling of dread that I think I've EVER experienced. I seriously considered turning around a million times while I was driving there. Got inside the room and it all went away. I had a great time. My girlfriend is still struggling with the performance at the end of class.

What has been happening is, since we get to class first, our names go on the list first, which means we get called to the pole first. And that means that we have 30 minutes between the time we go through the routine to when we have to "perform" for the other half of the class.

Now - I don't know how many of you have learned any kind of choreographies, but I found that it takes a while to train your brain to remember. I'm having an easier time from having learned so many belly dance routines. Girlfriend though - well, this is the first time she's had to do this and it is stressing her out! And it is a shame, because she can do all the moves. I tried to tell her that she is performing in front of 3 other women who are also just beginning. It is a safe place. She's not buying it though!!

What was fun was we learned what they call a Fireman Spin. Not hard, but man, I'm really good at it! So good in fact that I was quite dizzy and nauseous by the end of class! HAHA

Girlfriend & I mozied over to Chili's after class for a nice glass of wine and some chips and salsa. I ate most of them. They were SUPER salty in the way that only Chili's chips can be and girlfriend didn't like it. I, on the other hand, was ALL over that!! I had to points, so it was a really nice treat.

Yesterdays run was good. What a nice day. Didn't stretch after - honestly forgot - and today my knees are reminding me of why I need to stretch!

Having mom & her husband for dinner tonight. Making mini pizza's with left over honey garlic sausage & salad. Should be tasty and COUNTABLE - what a great combo!!

Oh, milestone in the Fatinah household today. Two of them actually. Milestone #1 is that I'm celebrating 22 years of living out West. I can't believe it. That's a long time! Milestone #2 is that I'm letting my daughter to go a party tonight. She has been to friend's places where there has been a small gathering of friends, but tonight she is going to an actual party at someone's house. I'm completely panicked and beside myself scared..... but she turns 17 next month and both she and husband have reminded me that I have to let her grow up. Sigh. Why do I have to do that?????

Not much on the agenda today exercise wise. Just a walk with the pup. My feet are killing me - and I need a rest day.

Oh, I wanted to share the dance we are learning for our intermediate belly dance class. The link will take you to my teacher's dance troup performing the dance (with some minor changes made for our class version). My teacher starts the dance right in the middle. It's quite a cute dance, I think. Some day I will post me doing it..... if I can ever get daughter to video me!!

Fatinah's choreography

Quiet Friday

2009-10-30T10:19:00.002-06:00

I worked yesterday. The day went really well, and I worked so hard that I now don't have to work today! Just every day next week now.

Puppy is at daycare since I thought I would be working. Feels lonely to be here and have him NOT here. I keep looking for him.

On the agenda today - run and pole dancing. I'm going to run outside as we are having a Chinook and it will be a gorgeous day today. Last night was belly dance. It was a really fun class. Glad I went. I almost used sick daughter as an excuse to stay home. Curious to see how I feel after pole class tonight. While I don't mind the class - I don't LOVE it - and right now I'm thinking that I won't do it again. We'll see.

Wednesday I didn't go to belly dance (daughter was sicker and I didn't want to leave her), but did take the pup for a run outside. He was so happy to be running out there he was still vibrating when we got home!

Daughter is back at school today and husband will be taking her to get her H1N1 shot next week.

Not much else to report. Things still looking good for the potential 2nd contract job. Just waiting to hear from them.

Made myself the yummiest breakfast. Fried spinach, garlic, onions (with pam) topped with a scrambled egg & egg white. Yum. I just love, love, love cooked spinach! Anyhow - awesome 2pts. (I don't count points for onions).

Sheppard's pie on the menu for dinner tonight. Daughter missed the last one I made.

Have a healthy day bloggers.

I can't exercise 'cause my fingers are crossed

2009-10-28T10:32:00.002-06:00

I got an e-mail this morning asking if I'd be interested in casual part-time work with some folks that I worked with.... around 8 years ago. Their group divested to another company and I changed groups to stay with the company we were with. Anyhow, I already have some casual work that keeps me busy for month ends, but this opportunity is for mid-month work. It would complement what I have in place perfectly. I'm just waiting for verification from my current casual job that I can do this 2nd one..... peeps - think positive thoughts, send up prayers, cross your fingers - I could really use this!!

Am currently also sitting waiting for the tv repair dude to come. Apparently not the same dude that took it apart. I'm not feeling too confident that it will all get put together again properly!

On the agenda today - run after tv repair dude leaves and belly dance tonight. Daughter is home sick today from school and work. At least I hope they find replacement for her because she needs sleep. Since she teaches little tykes - I'm guessing parents would rather have a cancelled class than exposure to germs!! Poor muffin had to go in to school for a meeting with her teacher BEFORE school but she is home now and sleeping. Good news is that she got an 8/10 on her discussion that she went in for. That will help her sleep better!!

Had our Alpha course last night. The food they serve us before the class is killing me. So fat laden!! I had an upset tummy by the time we got into our discussion groups - we could hear everyone's tummy rumbling around the table!!

Have been dragging my ass about updating my food journal for it all. Flex points will come into play for sure. Last week's meal was 23 pts. Sigh.

Not much else to report. I see some controversy out there with an anonymous commenter. I wonder what makes someone be mean like that? If I come across something that makes me want to say something mean - then I just move onto the next blog. Obviously people don't agree with everyone all the time, that's life, but.... I guess because none of this is face to face it is easier..... sometimes this is where I think things out - kind of like part of my process. Though I find comfort in knowing others are having similar struggles, it is often the act of sitting and typing it out that helps the most..... I don't think I would like to have to worry about some anonymous meanie....

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Tuesday already?

2009-10-27T11:17:00.002-06:00

I have been dragging my butt this week.

Let's see. This weekend was fun. Sunday was a challenge. Daughter had a sleepover Saturday night, which meant our Sunday went like this: drop daughter off at work, drive daughter's friend to opposite end of city at home so she can make it to work on time, drop dog off at home and pick up workout gear, workout, shower, get painful massage, go to friends house for wine & cards, stay on program, rush home to eat, drive daughter way south for tutoring thinking that we can just go sit in Chapters to wait only to find out that Chapters closes 5 MINUTES after we get there. Wait in parking lot for 1.5 hours for daughter. Fall into bed. We never stopped the whole day.

Yesterday I actually napped for an hour. Unfortunately I did not wake up feeling refreshed.

Today I weighed in - side bar updated. Meeting was quite good. Sometimes they really hit home. Today was just Part II of going over the program as a whole. I love the program. It really helped going over the good healthy guidelines. So easy to forget about them. I think sometimes people leave following WW because they want to "just eat healthy" when if they were actually following the program, that is exactly what they would be doing. What surprises me is how much difference it makes for ME to go to the meetings. I always stop going for some reason and when I go back - I'm always surprised at the success I have. Apparently I'm quite a slow learner. I guess better to learn slow than not at all!!

Not much else on the agenda for today. I have to go to the library. Doesn't get much more exciting than that!!

Pole Dancing

2009-10-24T08:35:00.003-06:00

Last night was our first pole dancing class. My girlfriend was REALLY nervous. I wasn't until we got there and I started to really wonder what the hell I had been thinking!

The venue is small and they have an area for floor work and then around 6 or 7 poles on the other half of the floor.

We all kinda waited outside because there was a class going on. One of the teachers said we could come in, so we did and milled around watching. Girlfriend commented how panicked she would be if anyone was watching us. We saw the other class divided in two - one half putting on a show for the other then they switched. The girls were good. I figured they must be a level 2 or 3 class. Nope - turns out they were a level 1 but in week 5. Yowsers! Girlfriend is now convinced this was a bad idea. But, she is a trouper and we stay for our class!

Class is not at all what I think it will be. There are only 6 of us. We warm up and then the teacher calls out 3 names (thankfully girlfriend & I are together). We have to go to the poles first - the other 3 go to the floor. We very quickly learn the first part of our pole routine. Practice it 3 times and then we move to the floor. On the floor we stretch and then learn a floor routine. Other group learns pole. Then we all come together and do a combination of pole type moves and floor moves up against the wall. Then we 3 have to perform the pole dance for the other 3 and then they perform for us. Every class we have to perform for the other half of the class at the end.

Girlfriend was not at all comfortable with this. What I found stunning was that I didn't even bat an eye at it.

Now people - there was a time in my life that I tried to disappear. I would go up to the club and PRAY that no one noticed me. I didn't want anyone to approach me. It was torturous. Anyhow - I started belly dance, and performed and found myself. I cannot describe the feeling I had when I realized on the way home that I performed a pole dance with strangers in front of strangers and I didn't even give it a 2nd thought! I'm not saying that I think I did it well, or that I looked sexy. I'm just saying that I went up there did my sexy walk, did my fancy turns, did my sexy squats, opened and closed my legs, slapped, let my hands wander, did a slide down the pole, got up leading with my booty and sexy walked back and didn't even think about the fact that people were watching me!!

This is so huge for me - even now, the day after - my head is spinning. Personal growth. I'm just so excited!!

Now - last night I would have argued that this isn't an exercise class at all. It's a dance class. We got there and just did dance moves. For an hour.

This morning, however, I might argue that it IS an exercise class. You all should know that it worked my back so much that this morning I am having trouble finding the strength to keep myself upright. Holy shit. And my poor shoulder. I actually did all of my pole work on my left side. And still my right shoulder is killing me. And to add to my stupid - I forgot to ice it last night.

My friend.... said that she doesn't feel sexy and so she was uncomfortable. I think that this class will be good for her - and help her find her sexy. She always equates sexy with skinny (which she is - she is the same height as me 5'5 and weighs 106) but sexy really comes from inside.

Well, I'm off to take daughter to work - have a healthy day!!

Friday Fun

2009-10-23T13:13:00.002-06:00

This morning I had to rush off to the club before I even finished my morning coffee because I had to get my run done before I curled at 9:30. It was a great run until the last 6 minutes. They felt like they took 20 minutes! I actually almost shut the treadmill off with 2 minutes to go. My hand was actually outstretched when I realized what I was doing! Sheesh!!

Curling was a ball! I forgot to put my glasses on - and for reasons I don't understand, I have trouble hearing when I can't see! Could not hear if the skip was telling me to sweep or to NOT sweep to save my life! Needless to say, we didn't win! I was very tired from my run and had zero energy.

TV repair dude is a mere one hour from getting here to fix our tv. I have the tv on all the time - I find is sooooo quiet!!!!! I hope he does make it here in an hour because I have to drive daughter to work this afternoon.

Tonight is my first pole class! Wish me luck!! The class is in a building with a really tiny hard-to-maneuver-in parking lot. Is it weird that I'm more stressed about parking in this lot than I am learning to pole dance??

Oh, and I updated my side thingy for my weigh in yesterday.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Feeling like I was hit by a bus

2009-10-22T07:12:00.002-06:00

So, I worked yesterday. Went right from work to the gym. Actually put all my stuff in a gym locker before I went to work so I would HAVE to go into the gym for sure after work. Had a so/so run. It was good in that I felt like I ran hard - but bad because I stopped several times to drink water because my focus was off.

My focus was off because I went for lunch with a co-worker who told me some stunning health news. My mind is reeling and I'm so upset..... my words failed me completely. I just didn't know what to say. I feel like a complete failure as a friend. I also find myself a bit angry. Times like this I wish I took kick boxing. I really would love to punch something.

Today I go to WW to weigh in. I had an ok week. I didn't go over on points and I was active. What is making me question how I will do is my dinner on Tuesday night. I had that Alpha course and they serve supper before the meeting. Well, when I got home and counted it up - it had cost me 23 flex pts. That is what flex are for - I know this - but my WW pts go Monday to Monday, and I weigh on Thursday. I prefer to manage my flex... after I weigh!! And the reason I do this is because my weigh ins are not consistent but I want my pts to be. Otherwise I find myself "starting over" often....

Exercise today - walk with the pup (who is still snoozing - he is so tired from daycare yesterday!!) and resistance bands!

No belly dance this week - taking a mental break. I'm frustrated with the choreographies right now. That combined with my current urge to punch something would not be a good combination.

Not much else to report. Making a roast beef for supper tonight. Mmmm.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Working Today!

2009-10-21T07:48:00.003-06:00

Quick post 'cause I'm running off to work! I have to go in for a meeting to train someone on something. For the 5th time. Apparently I'm a rocket scientist and this task is just so complicated that no one can do it..... NOT. More like it is so simple no one WANTS to do it. And so here I go again!! Hopefully for the last time. Not working - just performing this exact same task!!

So people - guess what I did yesterday? I SIGNED UP FOR A POLE EXERCISE CLASS!!!! I actually start on Friday. Yep. 2 FREAKIN days from now!!! I'm nervous and excited all at the same time! I'm going with my girlfriend, who, I KNOW wanted to chicken out - but I wouldn't let her. We both need to step outside our comfort zones - and this is a great way to do it. Husband is VERY excited about the class!! HAHA

Gotta run. Oh, that reminds me - going to club immediately after work for my run. Have my bag packed and ready to go!!

Have a healthy day!!

Good News Miz!!

2009-10-20T15:01:00.002-06:00

Well peeps (and Miz) - I just finished my strength training. I am currently using a resistance band. I had the one that came with the Wii EA Sport Active - but I was finding that a bit too lose (even if I shortened it up), and then my physio lady game me a green band to do physio exercises with. Holy noodle - that one is much tighter and I feel like I got quite a nice workout. My biceps right now have that tired feeling that I know will translate into me hurting when I get dressed in the next day or two!!

I had lunch today (vietnamese) with some former co-workers. What a fun group of people we had then. We had to work hard, but we sure had fun doing it. The food was SO good. I had lemon grass beef & onion on rice. Perfect portion size. Countable and filling. A classic combination!!

I treated myself to a latte for the bus ride home. It will replace my afternoon snack. It was so tasty and I managed to stay awake on the bus!

Mmmm, not much else to chat about today. I bought the latest Yoga Journal magazine. It is now the only magazine I'm purchasing, except for WW. I used to be a fitness type magazine junkie - but these are tough economic times! HAHA!!

Things are looking good on the tv front. Future shop was really quite helpful. Kudos to them. They provided customer service - you don't find that very often!!

Have a healthy day!!

no title Monday

2009-10-19T16:25:00.002-06:00

Weekend was good. Didn't really get up to much.

Miz: I laughed when I saw your comment. Mostly cause I have to report that I in fact did not make it up. The only exercise I did was a quick walk with the pup and then my run on Sunday.

Saturday night I had the urge to much SO bad. So bad that resisting said urge actually gave me a freakin' headache!! Seriously. Who the fuck gets a headache from thinking about food?? OMG!!

I also ran this morning. I upped my treadmill speed by .1 this morning. I've been doing that every week. I was going so fast I was like a blurr on there! HAHA

So, our new TV (well, relatively new - just over 1 year old), for reasons we don't know - won't turn on anymore. Well, that isn't quite true. It turns on, and then off immediately. Then on and then off immediately. Until we finally unplugged it. Husband was so mad I thought his head would explode. We are pretty sure that we bought the extended warranty, but like complete boneheads, put the receipt somewhere safe. Next stop is to contact Future Shop to see if they can give us a copy. Sigh.

I decided to make daughter's fav for dinner - sheppard's pie. Little monkey is now not coming home for dinner because she is at her friend's place working on a project. Blah, blah, blah. They were supposed to come here.

Oh, I updated the results from my weigh in. I don't think I mentioned it. I'm sure you can all guess why!! By big insight this week - following plan for one day a week does not work. Oh, and when I tell myself that I don't care that I'm going off plan - total lie. I do care.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

confessions and "a ha" moments

2009-10-16T15:58:00.002-06:00

Remember when I said yesterday that I was GOING to do strength training and maybe go for a walk with the pup? Well, I did walk the pup - sans booties - it is already so nice out again that everything is melting. He did, though, walk through EVERY puddle he came across!! What I didn't do was strength training! I FORGOT!!! Who does that - especially when they have taken the time to write out the workout in their journal. Sigh.

That my friends is why we need to journal in a timely manner. Had I written down my dinner info after I got home from belly dance (or, of course, after dinner) I would have seen my strength workout there and remembered to do it. I didn't write in my supper until this morning, where I GASP noticed that I hadn't done my work. ARGHHHHH!!!

I'll make it up Saturday.

On to my AHA moment. Had lunch after curling up at the Club. Went for lunch with my team. Ordered a Chicken Souvlaki Wrap - which is new on the menu (YUM) - but asked the waitress to hold the feta cheese. Had a side of garden greens. Both my lunch mates, who are on again/off again weight watchers commented on my choice. I said that, since I had dined on a breakfast sandwich (also at Club) for 6 pts this morning - I wanted to forgo 3 extra pts (at least I figure) of cheese. Well, both of them made a big deal when the meals came, because they both had it with cheese (which is how it comes, they didn't get extra). The one gal said "well, I just LOVE cheese". I said that I did also, but that it came down to choices, and that for today, I needed to not have it. They kept going on like I wasn't ALLOWED it. But that wasn't it. I could have counted it. I CHOSE to forgo it. This was a big moment for me - but they kinda made fun. I held strong though and felt pretty proud for making a choice that worked well for me. Even though it was like they ordered to spite me (I say this because of their comments, not because I think people with cheese on their sandwiches are out to get me!!) all I could think was how they weren't hurting me at all.

We had a real hoot curling this morning. So much fun. My team is really nice. Even with the lunch drama - really nice ladies. I look forward to the season.

I ran today. Uber frustration. I did a 2k run to calibrate my Nike+ because it was running fast. Then, I did another 2k run, cause, well, I like to run around 4k. What did my Nike+ say after the big calibration???? 1.76k. Seriously. O....M....G!!!!!!! Sigh.

Well, I better get to making supper. Don't know what the heck I'm going to make......

Have a healthy day!!

PS: Fatmom - thanks so much for leaving a comment to say how you're doing!! I'm SO VERY HAPPY that WW is working for you - what a great success you've seen so far! Keep up the awesome work. You rock!

Up @ an unGodly hour!!

2009-10-15T06:25:00.003-06:00

Oy! Daughter had to open the pool up @ our Club where she works part time today. She is just covering someone's shift. All of this meant that I was up @ 5:00 so that she could be there on time. I'm way to old for this kind of shift work! haha! The good part of this story is that.... I was 2nd in line when Tim's opened!

So Belly Dance last night. Wow. It was really hard. We are now up to 2:00 into the choreography, but she went FAST. It was actually almost frustrating. We kept asking her to break the count down for us for this one move where she kept saying that we needed to do 2 full figure 8's out then round out to 2 full figure 8's in. But every time we ran through the dance, her count would change. We asked her to do it without music, just with count, and she kept saying, but it's faster. Well, once the music is on, you adjust to the beat of it. But we need to know the counts. URGH!!! I wasn't the only one frustrated.

So, meeting today. In 3 hours. YIKES!!!!

Not much else on the agenda. Strength training with bands.... belly dance again.... maybe a walk with the pup. I'm hesitant because it's booty time again for him and he doesn't like them! But the snow gets so stuck in his fur.... and the little bugger kicks them off! Funny the first time..... not so funny after 5 times when I've only made it two blocks down the drive!! Good thing he's SO cute. See gratuitous picture of cute puppy below:

What a face!!

On that note - have a healthy day bloggers!!!

Enough Snow!

2009-10-14T17:02:00.002-06:00

Seriously. Moving on. Luckily I earned an activity point shoveling!

I went to lunch with my girlfriends and then I ran on the treadmill. I had to go to the car to grab my running shoes and I fell in a big way. Oy! What a sight I must have been.

In spite of that I had a good run. I need to re-calibrate my Nike+. But for now, since I'm working on my speed, it doesn't REALLY matter.

I have belly dance tonight. I'm really looking forward to it. I meant to write down the steps of the dance we've learned so far. Sadly I didn't and now I've forgotten them. Sigh. I'm sure it all come back to me, but....

Mmmm, I think I'm going to go to a WW meeting. That won't be pretty.

Well bloggers, have a healthy day!

Freaky Friday Fatinah Style

2009-10-13T07:55:00.002-06:00

Except it wasn't Friday it was Monday. But daughter & I switched places. She was getting ready to go to her personal trainer. I was trying to decide if I wanted to run while she worked out or sit and read my book while I waited up at the club. Daughter says "you are doing your run. if you skip it you're going to regret it all day". Imagine. Daughter talked ME into working out. Then, she told the trainer on me! Trainer thought it was hilarious.

Meanwhile - I had a great run. Daughter had a really good workout with the trainer. Had to run 3 flights of stairs 3 times in between weight sets. Shudder.

I had a great Thanksgiving weekend. Sadly I didn't even pretend to stay on plan. I paid the price though. I've been up since 2 this morning with a very upset stomach.

Today is a new day.

It is snowing outside like crazy. Sigh. My calendar says it's only Oct 13. Looks like Dec 25 out there. Nuts.

Mmmm, not much else to report. Other than just knowing there is so much snow out there is making my feet cold.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Friday - time to take a breath!

2009-10-09T07:27:00.002-06:00

What a week!

I worked - like many do - but boy am I out of a routine. I felt like I was rushing all the time. Daughter of course, works with her personal trainer Mondays before school. All 3 of us were up at the gym to work out before 6:30 am!! Tuesday was a mad rush after work to pick daughter up from work right after work and then off to Alpha course at the Church. Wednesday rush after work to club to run, home to make dinner, back to club to Belly Dance. Thursday rush after work to make dinner then off to club to Belly Dance. Oy - I hadn't realized how much we did in the evenings until I was busy during the day also! Of course, daughter was working after school every day, doing a swim fit class and husband was working out and curling all speckled in there. Yeesh!

The good news is that work went great. Remembered everything I needed to remember and got my work done in a really timely manner. I also managed to pick up some more contract work for the end of the month. I'm quite happy about that.

Today I was supposed to curl, but there was a death of a Club member and so many people from my curling league are friends with him and his surviving wife that most of the league will be at his funeral this morning. This is the fellow that I had been receiving e-mail updates about. So sad.

I am going to buy new running shoes today. I need them BADLY. I can't wait!! I have a run scheduled today. But not before I get new shoes!

Oh, bloggers! This has been a week of good news. First I get the extra contract work for the end of the month (and it should go on for 3 month ends - fingers crossed), then my sister in Ottawa calls - wondering if she (and her son) can come for Thanksgiving. Um.... YES!!!! How wonderful is that?? It would be perfect of course if her husband could come also, but he has to work and I am grateful for as many of them as I can have visit. We are going to have the very best Thanksgiving because I also have an Aunt in town from New Brunswick. Yay!! Then, if that wasn't enough, husband received some excellent news from his business that I can't talk about - but dudes - some huge pressure lifted. We have been very blessed this week.

Food front...... um...... well, I've written it all down. I have a plan in place though for the end of the month so that I can continue on my path of healthy eating. I will be shopping using a weekly plan and grocery list for the Healthy Eating for the Rushed cook book. This will provide me with healthy FAST meals in the evenings and awesome left overs for lunches the next day.

Hmm. Not much else to report. I'm way behind on my blog reading. I will endeavour to catch up this morning as I have been missing you all very much. I have my favourites and I can't wait to read how you're all doing!!

Have a healthy day!

I'm still at it!

2009-10-03T11:06:00.004-06:00

I'm still here! Sorry to have been away for so long. I've been re-evaluating my life. Still watching what I eat, and exercising. I've been looking for work. I have contract work starting on Monday. Don't know how many days I will have since we haven't discussed that, but any days are better than none!

I got my tattoo worked yesterday. And I have pictures. Please see below:

This is my tattoo when I started. I got it 22 years ago.

This is what my tattoo looks like now. Yay!!

Many thanks to Tigerlilly for providing the inspiration that ended up my new tattoo!!

My running is coming along so well. I have moved inside to the treadmill at the club. I have noticed that if I'm at the club, just having people around provides enough social pressure for me to get my stretching in. That is a huge plus! I'm happy with the progress I'm making with my pace.

My shoulder is healing.... sort of. I wish it would go faster.

We have learned 40 seconds of our new routine in my intermediate Belly Dance class. I think it will be lots of fun! When I've learned the routine I'm going to video myself for you all. I'm sure you're all just thrilled! HAHA

What else..... eh... not much. My whole family hit the spin class this morning and then daughter went and did a weights class RIGHT AFTER!!! Can you believe that! I was very proud of her. She has also found a swim class at the club that she can do for free while she is waiting for me to be done belly dancing. She is really enjoying her personal training sessions. The young woman she sees has really inspired her. Can you imagine what it must be like to inspire someone?

We are having company for dinner tonight. I'm making what I hope will be a very yummy supper. Pork tenderloin with a rub, bocconcini salad, pine nut salad and baby potatoes with a dijon sauce. 2 of the recipes are from Eat, Shrink & be Merry. The rub and the bocconcini salad. Mmmmm.

Well, I must away! I have an obscene amount of housework to do before the company comes. I'm such a slob - I don't know how my husband hasn't divorced me!

Have a healthy day bloggers. I will be back to regular posting and reading, although I have deleted many blogs from my bloglines. Some bloggers you just don't connect with, and it is overwhelming to have a bazillion entries to read. I still have some to delete yet. Even doing that takes time!

skipping my workout

2009-09-24T07:13:00.002-06:00

Well, I bit the bullet and got my ass back to the gym yesterday to do some weights. Todays post will be short owing to the fact that I can hardly move my arms. Guess I waited too long in between workouts - note to readers - 3 months is TOO long!!

Guess what I did after the weights? Besides my shoulder physio stretches.... skipping!! Jump for one minute, break for 30 seconds. I did it 11 times. My goal is 20. My heart was really thumping by the time I was done. I wasn't sure if it would bother my shoulder, but it didn't really.

Belly dance last night was another busy class. We moved, moved, moved and once again I wondered why I hadn't put my hair up. We started learning some combos for our choreography. It was a really fun class.

Today is physio and a run. I'm up at the club for physio anyway - so I'm going to do my run on the treadmill.

Not much else to report. Belly dance again tonight. Can't wait!!

Have a healthy day!

I weighed in today....

2009-09-22T16:27:00.003-06:00

My cousin's girlfriend joined WW but wanted company going to the meeting. I went with her today. Got to check out the new Dalhousie center. H-Woman is right. It echoes BAD in there. Nice though. I saw the new style of pre-measured spoons available at WW. I think one of those boxes have my name on them. So much nicer than the set I have now - which are the old plastic ones - which have also changed shape a smidgen from the dishwasher! The metal ones look nice enough to put out at a dinner party. Don't get me wrong - I put my plastic ones out now - but the metal ones will look much nicer!!

I updated my weight on my sidebar. I was very happy with my weigh in.

Hmm, what else. Not much. Starting Alpha course tonight at the Church. Husband has agreed to come to one session with me. Better than nothing. Who knows, he may like it.

I bit the bullet and applied for a job yesterday. I realize I have to apply for more than one to actually find a job, but one step at a time. At least I've done it once now. Right??

Did not run today. Schedule got a bit messed up. Will just pick up tomorrow. Weights, and run on Thursday.

Got to run!

EDIT: Go here to see a picture of the spoons I'm talking about!

On Top of the World

2009-09-19T10:47:00.002-06:00

That's right people - that's what I am. On top of the world. Guess what Family Fatinah did this morning @ 7:00 a.m.? If you guessed a spin class - you're right!

All 3 of us! How friggen awesome is that?

We then all had breakfast together at the Club. It was really nice.

Life is good.

Except that my legs are so tired I can hardly stand. Sigh. Luckily today isn't a run day. Walk with puppy should prove interesting, since I have to stand to do that.

I have meat defrosting for dinner tonight and no idea what to do with it. Yikes!!

Short post today. Mostly cause even my arms are tired from spin class!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Changes

2009-09-18T09:19:00.002-06:00

Ugh! I feel the need to make changes in my life!! I will be glad when I've adjusted to fall. I hate feeling like this!!

Had lunch with two old bosses and a former co-worker yesterday. I told them that I've decided to go back to work. It felt like a huge step even just saying it out loud. Now I have to find some jobs to apply for!! It would be easier if I knew what I wanted to do.

Last night was belly dance. Only two of us showed up so it was like having a semi-private lesson!! Much fun was had by all.... well.... both!!

Daughter had to work till 9 last night, so I had an hour to kill after belly dance. I put my ipod on and did 35 minutes on the elliptical and then did my shoulder physio stretches.

No walk with the pup yesterday because he was at daycare. Had him bathed and his nails clipped while he was there. He came home all fluffy and smelling pretty. He was SO excited to see me when he came home - it was so cute. He was also quite put out when I had to leave to go belly dancing!

Today is a run day. Walk with the dog. Physio stretches. Exciting times.

Tomorrow husband & I are going to attempt a cycle class at.. wait for it... 7:00 AM! Daughter said she is considering coming with us. She teaches at 9:30 at the Club - so she would have time to shower and eat..... I have to admit - I would be out of my mind excited if all 3 of us make it!

Oh, I made that recipe from Eat Shrink & be Merry - the chicken pandemoniYUM - OMG - it was so good. I had one cup of the recipe and was STUFFED!! I highly recommend it.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Biggest Loser & A New TV Show

2009-09-16T07:44:00.002-06:00

I was more turned off of by Jillian than ever last episode. Especially when she was yelling at the gal who is the biggest (Shay?). Given that her mom was a meth head or whatever, she was likely abused her whole life in one form or fashion. To see Jillian yelling at her like that..... made my skin crawl. I love Coach Mo. And the woman that lost her family. Husband even cried!! I think it is going to be a great season! Of all the pairs on the show - the two that were up for elimination were the two I felt bonded with the least.

I found a new show to watch. You can catch it on-line. I caught it by accident Sunday night - I was alone and there were no shows on the regular networks and I found myself on the Slice Network. The name of the show is Re-Vamped. It is a group of women who have been "dumped" in rather cruel fashions and they are there to get their self-esteem back through..... burlesque dancing!! At the end of the 6 weeks, they do a routine and their ex's are invited to sit in the audience. They also get a nutrition plan, exercise plan, live together for 6 weeks. No one gets voted out or anything. It is all about them healing. Anyhow, two episodes have aired. I caught episode two on tv and then watched episode one on-line. I really liked it. I recommend it as it just seems like an uplifting show. It's like the biggest loser - you get to watch people make positive changes in their lives.

I ran yesterday. It wasn't as good as my run two days ago. Mostly because the city was busy breaking a 161 year old heat record and I HATE running in the heat. But I sucked it up. Still felt good to get it done.

Belly dance last night was a killer. We worked non-stop the whole class. I actually broke a sweat and had to leave class to grab water out of the fountain!! It was so much fun. Next week we start learning combination moves that will be in our new choreography! I can't wait!!

That's all for now - I have physio this a.m. and need to eat before I drop daughter at school!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Speedy!!

2009-09-15T10:06:00.003-06:00

That is what I was yesterday for my run. I recorded my fastest pace to date! Woohoo!!

Enjoyed a lovely walk with the pup. He was so happy to be out there. So cute!

Spent some time visiting with my girlfriend who just had toe surgery. That was fun. I brought her a latte. She enjoyed it.

I had a million ideas to blog about, but now that I'm sitting here.... nothing!

I'm trying a new recipe that Andrea blogged about. Chicken PandemoniYUM from Eat, Shrink and be Merry. I can't wait. It sounds so tasty!!

I had physio yesterday for my shoulder and have stretching exercises to do 4 times a day. My rotator cuff is not torn. Thank goodness. I go again on Thursday. Next week, after I've had a week of stretches, I start weight lifting again. Woo hoo... sort of!! Hahaha!! Physio chick said just not to do exercises that hurt. Duh!!

So, husband told his parents that we will be going to Ottawa for Christmas this year. In the 20 years I've been with him, this will be the first Christmas we've missed with his family. MIL pouted the whole night after he broke the news, and only spoke to say that hopefully they won't be DEAD next year, and that since we won't be here at Christmas, we will likely never see them again. Oy vey!! Keep in mind that this past Christmas, they were in for 1.5 weeks, and only saw us when they came over for dinner Christmas day (4 hours). They were supposed to come for Christmas breakfast, which they have done every year my daughter can remember, but cancelled the night before because they didn't want to drive the 20 minutes over. Daughter was so hurt. My mom & her husband are also coming to Ottawa and this will be the first time my sister will have her family at her house for Christmas. I can't wait. I'm feeling very guilty about husband's parents - but husband is so mad at his mom's reaction.... I suggested that maybe we should drive out for Thanksgiving but he won't have any of it. Sigh.

Daughter thinks this is all hilarious because on our end, I'm the one trying to get husband to call and see his parents, but she knows on their end, they think this is all my doing! She actually laughed OUT LOUD!

Well, I guess that's about all I have for now. Have a healthy day bloggers!!

still here...

2009-09-12T21:16:00.002-06:00

hmmm, it has been a while. Still here, still at it.

I have been feeling down all week. I go through this every fall. Daughter is back at school and I have to find my routine again on my own. I think it is hitting me harder because I know that she goes away after this year. And even though, as a parent I know I have to let her go, I hate that I do. I may go back to work. If I can find a job!!

One of the gals that walked occasionally with our walking group is losing her husband to cancer. Even as I type. He just moved into a hospice. It is just a matter of days. They had decided to deal with his illness by being very open with everyone. And given that it is the year 2009, most communications come via e-mail. I'm finding these e-mails harder and harder to read and deal with. Of course, I realize this is not about me in any way, and what this woman is going through, as well as her dying husband, I can't even imagine. But (and there is always a but!) this doesn't change the fact that I don't really know how to process the immense grief and sadness I feel every time I read an e-mail.

My shoulder is continuing to give me much grief. The pain at night seems to be getting worse, and I'm just not getting a good night sleep ever. I finally went to physio on Thursday. The gal there thinks she can fix me, so that's good. I go again on Monday and then again on Thursday. After that, who knows. She did ultrasound and some electric therapy or something.

I started Belly Dance again this week. I'm doing it twice a week this session, on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It felt good to get back to it. Sadly, my shoulder injury made many of the moves difficult or downright painful. It is surprising how much you use your shoulder or lift your arm when you're dancing. So, physio lady said to keep my arm down. HAHA - even I figured that one out.

So, not much else new. I'm still on program this week, although out of flex. Good thing new WW week starts on Monday!!

Have a healthy day bloggers!

PS: Tornwordo - my thoughts are with you and Serge while you deal with your loss. I'm really so sorry.

I'm exhausted from arguing....

2009-09-03T15:49:00.002-06:00

with myself all day. I want something to eat. No you don't. Ya, I really do. No, you really don't. On and on.

I'm over 13 points for the week. 13. This is fixable I tell myself. Just eat your daily points allowance, do your exercises you have planned. You could break even.

By 10 this morning the mental tug of war started. I've actually given myself a headache. I'm going to take an advil and then go for my run. I've walked the dog already. Then tonight, when the house cools off, I will do some Wii.

I do this to myself every time I see some success. Everyone needs a hobby I guess.

I finally got my period this morning. PMS is getting worse for me as I get older. Sigh.

Not much else on the go. I found some new low point soups to try this week. The excitement never ends!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!!

Ok, it wasn't a BILLION points....

2009-09-01T07:39:00.002-06:00

but it was 25 flex. And it was all PMS. Plus, I think I'm coming down with a cold or something. Daughter is sick.

The positives from yesterday though? I did get off my butt and take the pup for a more active walk. I also did the EA Sport Active and 22 minutes on the Wii Fit doing the hula hoop and step programs.

Do you all remember, months ago, when I was doing the EA Sport Active, I kept complaining that it wouldn't let me use the Wii Fit board? Well, yesterday I figured out why. It wasn't until I tried using the Wii Fit though. The batteries on the board were dead!! I'm quite excited now to do the EA today. One of the differences with using the Wii Fit board is for the inline skating. Without the board you have to squat and jump - which is too hard on my knees. With the board you have to do balancing on one leg. Much easier on my old knees.

My shoulder continues to give me grief. The pain is waking me up at night and I can't get a good night's sleep. As a result - I can't keep my eyes open past 9:30!! Sheesh. I have to make an appt with a physio. I thought my massage on Sunday might help, but nope.

Hmm, that's lots of complaining for one post. That must be PMS also!

Today I have a run on the agenda. I can't wait to get out there - I really like my new route. No hills. For so long I thought that I had to include hills, but then I would dread going out. Why did I think I needed to do that? I run for fun and exercise, so I should make it something I look forward to.

We are also meeting friends for dinner. Sigh. I sure hope I can talk them into meeting up at the Club. I can then order the Market Greens Salad with a whole chicken breast (well, half, but you know, not two slices) which has an awesome seasoning (Jamaican inspired).

Well, bloggers. I'm off to take daughter to school. Have a healthy day!

I just ate a billion points....

2009-08-31T19:49:00.000-06:00

Oy!!!!

Monday again.....

2009-08-31T10:27:00.002-06:00

I made it through the weekend. Although just barely. I have been pms'ing so badly. Yesterday I was on the way to the Club with husband and we had an argument while leaving the garage (a stupid one, of course!). I actually ended up telling him I didn't want to work out with him anymore and made him pull over to let me out of the car! UGH!!

Fortunately, by the time I walked home I had calmed down. I took the dog for a 45 minute walk and then brought him home, put him in his kennel and then went back out for my run. I felt much better when that was all done. I found the PERFECT running route by my house - FINALLY!

Today not much on the agenda. I'm going to start doing the EA Sport Active on the Wii again for the month of September. So, I will do that and I have spinning scheduled for tonight. I took the dog for a walk this morning, but I might need to take him again. I met my girlfriend with her dog. Unfortunately for her, she has a broken toe and so it was a slow walk.

Well bloggers, have a healthy day!!

Still on plan.....

2009-08-30T13:49:00.002-06:00

but only by the skin of my teeth! Daughter had me SO frazzled yesterday I reacted with a bottle of Baileys!! HAHA!! Actually, in the end, it was only 3 shots of Bailey's. Thank goodness.

She was meeting friends for the finale of Global Fest fireworks competition. This is in... well, rather a rough part of town. Husband wanted me to walk daughter to the gate and wait with her until the friend she was meeting came to meet her. OMG. She was SO mad! Ranted about us treating her like a 4 year old. On, and on, and on. I was so upset by the time I got back to the car. I tried to explain to daughter that we were not trying to humiliate her, but simply stop her from, you know, ending up... dead. She would have none of it though. She is going to be the death of me! I swear to God I could feel my hair turning grey while standing there!!

Once home, husband and I watched Defying Gravity. We hooked the computer up to the tv and watched off the internet (CTV). We were on vacation when the series started up, so we had 4 episodes to watch online. What a great show!! It is also on Space and ABC. I highly recommend it! While it is set in space, it is actually more drama than sci-fi.

This morning I had my most painful massage ever. My feet and right shoulder have really been bothering me. Massage therapist figures I have damaged my rotator cuff. And as for my feet - well, she suggested freezing a water bottle and rolling it under my arches. I'm going to give it a try. Can't make it any worse I don't think.

I didn't run at all this week because my feet have been so sore. Since they continue to hurt - Monday I will start running again. I missed it. I'm feeling quite emotional today, and I wonder if it isn't just build up from not having the outlet running provides.

Hmm. Not much else to report. Today is my last day of my WW week. I'm out of flex and have 2 AP's left. I'm considering this week a complete WW success! Huge pat on my own back!! I'm starting back at meetings on Saturday. I need the "umpf" you get from the meetings.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Weigh In

2009-08-29T09:49:00.002-06:00

short post 'cause I'm on my way out for breakfast at my cousin's house, but I'm too excited to wait for a proper post.

I weighed in this morning (not at WW, just my bathroom, cause I still have no $$) and I'm down 2.3!! Woohoo!! This sounds boastful - but I really had a great points week. What I could have done better was exercise. I moved every day, but none of my exercise was "intense". This week I will do better. I didn't eat any of my activity points yet this week, and I still have over 20 flex.

To H-Woman: when I do finally go back to meetings.... I will be doing the 7:00 a.m. Saturday morning meeting - so happy to hear that is Faye meeting - she is one of my favourite leaders!! I'm going to start again in September.

More later - just wanted to share my good news!!

OMG What a Freakin' Day!!

2009-08-27T07:15:00.002-06:00

What a stressful day I had yesterday. How stressful you wonder? Well, let's just say that I think it was divine intervention that all I drank out of the bottle of Cab-Sav that I bought IN THE MIDDLE OF THE AFTERNOON was 8 oz (4pts).

Yesterday morning I took daughter to the walk in clinic for her 2nd shot of Gardasil. When she had her first shot she passed out. This is unusual for her as she has no problems with needles. So, yesterday, in she goes, because she is 16 now and likes to go on her own. She also had an infected toe that she needed more medication for. Anyhow, I'm sitting in the waiting room listening to Harry Potter on my iPod when the nurse comes to get me. Daughter has passed out again. Or so I think.

When I get in there, the nurse is asking all kinds of questions. I don't really understand what is going on - to be honest - I thought she was fishing to see if I thought my daughter was doing drugs. I was getting a bit frustrated. Finally, she is able to communicate that she thinks that my daughter didn't faint - but that she had a seizure. Then the doctor "du jour" comes in and tells me that I must immediately get daughter to our family doctor so that he can give her a referral to a neurologist. A NEUROLOGIST. I'm just trying to guard my daughter against cervical cancer here and they are telling me I have to get her to a neurologist ASAP.

Now, you guys don't know me in life. If you did, you would know that this news would IMMEDIATELY bring on tears. Just 'cause that is how my body processes stress. Yes, this is annoying for me to live with, as well as the people who know me, but....

I get myself together enough to make it out through the waiting room. Daughter wanted to run into Starbucks (in the same parking lot). I give her $$ and tell her she has to go alone, because at this point I know I'm going to REALLY break down, and I don't want to scare her more than I have already. So she leaves and the sobs start. I get a hold of my doctors office and can you believe they could fit me in? I had an hour to get to the complete other end of town, in an area I don't know, but I did it - I was only 3 minutes late! Total miracle that we made it there in one piece.

Not only did my doctor fit me in, but his office was actually closed when we finished the appt because one of his nurse's sons had DIED and they were all going to the funeral. I have to send a thank you note. Talk about going above and beyond.

Anyhow, sorry this is long, but I just need to get it out. Doctor does his thing and says that he thinks that quite likely daughter did in fact only faint and that the nurse mis-diagnosed it as a seizure. He has set up a test (through the Children's Hospital) just in case, but thinks she is just fine. Yes. FINE.

We stopped for subs on the way home. Daughter went in to get the subs, I went into the liquor store. Yes. I actually did that. When I had then later taken daughter to work and was done driving for the day I poured myself a glass of wine (I drink from a 2 oz port glass).

What an emotional roller coaster I was on all day. Husband, of course, is the type to not panic until all the tests are done. He therefore, did not have the same ride on the roller coaster. He also cannot even understand why I do that myself. Sigh.

So, tally at the end of the day - 9 flex pts used - 4 of those on wine. The other reason I was over was because I had a 3pt snack while watching tv and daughter got me the wrong sauce on my sub (she got me the sauce I like, but not the one I usually get!!). I did not stress eat. Normally I would have finished the whole bottle of wine AND snacked the whole time. I guess that is some progress!

Today is daughter's first day of Grade 12. Sigh. She just spent the morning changing clothes 80 billion times and her school time snarkiness is back in full force. It is going to be a looooong year.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Monday Monday

2009-08-25T12:28:00.002-06:00

Made it through the day! Didn't go to cycle class 'cause husband was stuck in meeting at work until too late. Did walk puppy during the day and ran at night. Want to hear my latest puppy walking story? WELL, I'm toodling along walking the dog and he is prancing ever so perfectly beside me. I take phone out of pocket to check messages, take napkin out of pocket for runny nose..... more toodling. We get on the 2nd half of the walk and puppy does his business. Put hand in pocket for bag. Panic. Check other pocket. Tons of panic. NO POO BAGS. Must have fallen out of my pocket when I was taking the other stuff out!!!!! I'm a responsible pet owner, so out comes the napkin again. Sigh. Finished my walk with poo in a napkin!!!!!!!!!! What a loser!!!!!

My run last night wasn't great. I never hit my stride. My breathing wasn't rhythmic. My arms kept crossing in front of my body. I finished it - ended up doing over 5k, but it wasn't a good run. I suppose it is good that I at least finished.

Today..... walk with dog. Tonight I will go up to the Club with husband and do some time on the spin bike.

I'm making split pea soup for supper tonight. Mmmm, it smells so good in here right now. I make mine with 450g split peas, one large onion, one carrot and one cup of left over ham. I chop the veggies & meat in my little food processor so that the bits are all tiny. Works out to 1 pt per serving! Scrumptious!!

My daughter just got her schedule for teaching swimming lessons. She will be a busy little girl! She does better in school if her time is more structured (from all those years of competitive synchro) so I'm quite happy. It will also help me separate a bit before she goes off to school. And if that wasn't great enough already - she will be making a shit load of $$ - which will make going away to University a lot more likely. I think it teaches good lessons for them to help pay for their education. We have tons put away (although it used to be more before the recession!!), but I want her to really understand what a privilege her education is, and what kind of hard work goes into saving $$ for it. We have been saving since she was 2. I think a year of her saving will give her a good idea of some of the sacrifice that goes into that.

Not much else to report. Picked up the latest WW magazine. Haven't gone through it all yet. I like to take my time because it only comes out 6 times a year.

Hope you all have a healthy day.

Running without the pup

2009-08-24T09:13:00.002-06:00

I waited until the pup was in the backyard and snuck out of the house for my run. And, oh, what a run it was!! It was nice to have no distractions. I finished my run quickly and my pace was really good compared to when I run with the dog. I really think as long as he gets a good walk every day at a quick pace.... I should be ok to run on my own. Plus, he couldn't have been too mad with me - he still went nuts when I walked through the door after my run!!

Yesterday afternoon I went up to the Club with husband. He did weights while I did 30 minutes on the spin bike, 20 minutes on the elliptical that has a running stride (you know the machine that you can do either step, elliptical or running on?) and then I stretched for 10 minutes on the stretching machine. I love that thing.

Today I was supposed to meet husband for a spin class @ 5:30. He now might not be able to make it. I could go without him, but... I don't think I will. Today is a run day for me and I'd rather do that. If it turns out he can make it, then I will have a super duper cardio day!

I made it through last week on program. Today I not only start a new WW week but a new FitBook! That is right - yesterday I finished another one! Yay me!! I just love, love, love those books! I really like being able to track both my fitness and food in the same place.

Hmmm, not much else to report.

Seems like most of the Eastern bloggers I read made it through Bill without any major happenings - good news indeed!!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Facing the music

2009-08-22T19:20:00.003-06:00

I don't have a pot to piss in right now, so I did not go to WW. I did however hop on my scale here at home. The final tally? 2.8 gain since my last weigh in. Honestly, I was expecting more. There was a time I would go away for a week and come home 5 pounds heavier. I guess that is some progress. I'm not giving up my dream to come home from vacation with a maintain though!

Not much else on the go. Took the pup for an hour long walk this afternoon and it was so nice out. He was so good. No pulling. We passed one dog on our walk. Despite my best efforts, he got ballistic excited. Sigh. We will work this kink out if I have to have the Barkbuster lady to my house every week!!

I am getting ready to go for a run this evening. Sans puppy. I'm feeling kinda guilty about this EXCEPT that he did have a long walk already and my running I've decided is really all about ME!! I don't want to have to stop for pee or poop breaks. I want to be able to hit my stride and just enjoy the feeling that comes with that. I know my resolve will weaken when those big brown eyes look up at me when I get my socks & iPod out, but...... I'm not wrong, am I??

Oh, and I'm completely freaking out because my daughter is starting Grade 12 this coming Thursday. Her graduation date is already posted on the school website. I'm so not READY!!!!!!!!!

Have a healthy day!

Stupid House song

2009-08-20T11:49:00.003-06:00

I'm sure you've all seen that commercial for the 2-hour season premier of House. Well, the song from that commercial won't get out of my head!!

Newest Obsession

I forgot to tell you all

2009-08-20T07:32:00.004-06:00

One of the bloggers I read regularly just celebrated her 21st wedding anniversary which reminded me that I had a story to tell you all.

While we were in Montreal, just like every year when we go, husband & I had an anniversary. Husband rolls over on the day before when he wakes up and says "tomorrow is our anniversay". "I know" I tell him. He says "I just want you to know that I am really, really happy". How cute is that?

Fast forward to the next day. Husband rolls over and says "Wow. 19 years. That's a looooong time". "I know - doesn't feel like a day over 25" I tell him....... "be honest.." I whisper "did you ever for one second think we would actually last this long?" I can see him thinking "should I be honest?" (seriously - I swear I smelled wood burning!). He decides to be honest. "Hell no!!" and then breaks into a fit of laughter. Oy!!

We went out for dinner that evening just the two of us - to the Brasserie Manoir - which was so close to my friend's house we could walk there and back. It was quiet but quite nice.

So, now we just have to make it through the rest of our lives!

Training Tip: 3 Strength Moves for Runners (and Walkers) - MORE Magazine

2009-08-19T09:12:00.002-06:00

I thought this article might interest any runners reading!

Training Tip: 3 Strength Moves for Runners (and Walkers) - MORE Magazine

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