Oh, I forgot

Confessions of a tv addict:

I didn't earn even one activity point yesterday because.........

I watched almost the entire season 4 of Angel on dvd! YIKES!!

Not much to report

Not much to report.

Spent the weekend in Lake Louise with the family. The Chateau Lake Louise is awesome. Awesome. Awesome.
Didn't write down or count points while I was away, but didn't overdo the eating at all. Even got a walk around the lake in.

Started counting again yesterday. I have to work for the next two weeks. Didn't have my act together and so had to buy lunch. I did well. I have to go have a snack now though - I'm feeling dizzy!

Have a healthy day bloggers!

Ticker Updated

to reflect my staggering 0.8lb loss this week.

Woohoooo!!!

HAHAHA!!!

In all seriousness, I am quite proud of this loss. Talk to you all Sunday!

30 Minute Workout

Good morning all!
Quick post today. Just wanted to pass on this article from Sparkpeople. It has several ideas for 30 minute workouts, for all levels. Thought you might find it interesting.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/thirty_minute_workout.asp

I have to go weigh in today because I am unable to attend my Saturday meeting. I will be honest. Weighing in early always freaks me out (but then, really, what doesn't?) and having done so much socializing with High School Buddy........well, whatever the outcome I guess I'm ready. I feel that overall I've had a good week and made better choices than I would have if I wasn't weighing in.

I will be away from blog land till Saturday or Sunday, so stay healthy bloggers!

PS: I will try to update my ticker though....well, at least I hope there is a reason to update my ticker! HAHAHA!!

The Big Let Down

Well, last night was my class.

By the time it was time to leave, I was beside myself nervous. I had no gas in the vehicle and I was all a-twitter and then husband does something wonderful. He offers to drive me.

So, I get to class. Nice and early, like I like to be. I end up chatting with a gal. I'm feeling more comfortable. Then, it is time for the class to start. I find it odd that the teacher doesn't get there at least 5 minutes early to get settled. Well, 45 minutes pass and finally everyone leaves. No teacher.

Now I have to call the University to see what the scoop is. I'm REALLY disappointed. All that worry for nothing.

Today is my 2nd swimming class. Tonight I go for dinner with high school buddy. I will do another walk after swimming, since the weather is so lovely - might as well get my vitamin D!

Have a healthy day bloggers!

PS: To Kate (http://fromflabtofit.blogspot.com/) - I do indeed feel like complete crap after eating a greasy burger. Often I have terrible stomach problems even the next day. And even knowing that - had high school buddy not ordered that salad - I'd have had my original burger with mustard, mayo & onions! Apparently, I am quite pigheaded with making my lifestyle changes! HAHA!! I will though, one burger at a time!

Burning Question

Attn Fellow Weight Watchers:
I am doing my 5 pin bowling today. My question to you all is: would you take activity points for this?

The NSV called Entree Chicken Salad

Yesterday was a fun day. High School friend had the morning free, so we went for coffee, browsed at the mall, had a quick bite to eat. Oooo, that brings me to a wonderful NSV inspired by High School Friend.

We stopped quickly at the airport food court and went into Harvey's. This is my favourite hamburger joint. Bar none - hands down. My FAVOURITE!!! I didn't even look at the menu. She said what are you getting and I said, I guess the original hamburger. I had decided to forgo fries & onion rings (ha). She then orders an Entree Chicken Salad.

I'm shocked! Harvey's has salad????? I peek at hers. Hmmmm, it looked good. Nice quality chicken pieces. I order one. I get with it, two packets of fat free honey dijon dressing. I use both and dig in. Yowsers! This is tasty!!

I finally get home, get on the Harvey's website, get out my points finder and figure out that my salad was only 2 pts???? And each dressing only 1 pt?? YAY, YAY, YAY!!!

We watched Dancing with the Stars last night. I find that show so entertaining. My fav's are Joey & Ian. I'm ready for Heather or Billy Ray to go.

I did my weights yesterday late in the afternoon. I just cannot believe how much I sweat. It felt good to get it done. Today is my bowling day...so, I think a walk will be in order. I talked to my daughter this morning, and we are both going to start C25K on Thursday. I'm quite excited about this. I'm really the type that needs a buddy to do things.

Alright. That's all I have for today.

Have a healthy day bloggers!

PS: Tonight I start my course - I'M FREAKING OUT!!!

Still on Program and Olive Oil

Well, I'm still OP. I'm just about out of flex points, mind you, but...that is why we have them, right? I had the best visit with my girlfriend and her family. We all went swimming and then to dinner. By the time we ate, I had only had 1 small banana and 1 tbsp peanut butter the entire day. I know you all know where this is going....But you know, I'm still really proud of myself, because I did not eat more points than I had, I really enjoyed my day, and I didn't freak myself out and binge the next day. This is a huge win for me bloggers.

Now, I know that someone out there is thinking of the Shangri-La Diet, but I can't for the life of me remember who it was. Here is a link you may want to read. This gal is doing something similar (The Olive Oil Diet?), and is really happy with how it is making her feel (http://www.6monthfitnessproject.com/2007/04/my_olive_oil_ex.html).

I wonder, for those of us on WW, if taking our 2 oils per day in the same fashion would help with satiety? I find that, while we are rewarded for making veggie choices (in that they are 0 pts), I don't really feel satisfied. Full, yes, but.....

So, after I drop daughter at school, I go meet high school buddy again for the morning. Then, I drop her at her hotel and I need to fit in some exercise. If I have the time, I will do weights. If not, I will do C25K, which I have to start over. If I don't do the weights today, I will do them tomorrow before bowling.

Me & Synchro mom were in the pool for 30 minutes, practicing our strokes. I'm still going strong with the flutter board. I did do two lengths without, but panicked 1/2 through. Lots of work to do, but it was fun just to have the break in the middle of the day, plus it wasn't a really long time away from the family.

I start my German class tomorrow night and I'm freaking out!!! Husband just shakes his head, but he doesn't understand how scary it is after all this time.

Well, I must away!

Have a healthy day bloggers!

Back in the Saddle Again!!!!!

Well, I did it. I attended a WW meeting this a.m. I had been trying to just count calories, but.....I wasn't getting anywhere. So. The good news is: I didn't gain back ALL of my previous weight lost. And that is all I am focusing on.

My WW buddy (who is also walking buddy, swimming buddy, bowling buddy and belly dance buddy) is really anxious to hit her goal weight. I'm just anxious to see the scale move downward.

Today I already have a great challenge. High school buddy is in town with her family. We've been best pals since age 14. I know we will end up going to dinner. My plan is to suggest the restaurant, because then I have more control over what I have to choose from. I have already decided that a salad will be the choice, with a protein with my dressing on the side, which I can dip my fork in every bite, like the good little weight watcher I am.

The key to my success today will be on the booze front. If I limit that, I will make the right choices. I've already decided that I will just be frank and explain my weight loss goals. What's the point of having a best bud if you have to hide something so important? Plus, then husband can have a bevy.

I am not exercising today, since I had such an active week.

So, I'm on my way to make a new ticker to track my weight loss.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Friday, finally!

Well, yesterday I went to the gym and did the weights. I get so focused on what I'm doing, I forget to breath. At one point I was quite dizzy. Anyhow, I made it through the workout and only forgot how to adjust one of the machines. I was so sore. I figured out which exercise it was though. The assisted chin up was the culprit. I had brought my swim stuff, but by the time I was done with the weights, I was DONE. There was just no way I could get my arms over my head to do a stroke!

So, last night was the start of a new session of belly dance. We are learning zills. And fancy shimmies. It was a fun class, and a great ab workout. Plus, I made plans with my buddy to practice swimming today. This has to be a quick post, since I still have to eat and then leave for the Club.

I got confirmation yesterday that I will be working for two weeks at the end of the month. The gal that replaced me in July when I quit has moved to another group, and I will be filling in for her till the new person starts. I sure hope I remember how to do my job! The best (and worst) part is that I'm only working 4.5 hours a day. Unfortunately, I used to do the job full out in 6.5 hours a day. So, I will need to really keep my head down to get it all done. YIKES!!

Well, bloggers, have a super healthy day!!

PS: Tomorrow I return to WW meetings. EEEEEEK!!!

The Morning after the Night Before

I did it! We had our performance last night. We were supposed to go on "stage" around 8:15 - well, they weren't ready for us till almost 10! We did lots of practice, then we just sat around chatting. It was really nice to have that time to get to know each other better.

So, the performance went great! We had a glitch here and there, but over all I think the ladies were very impressed with us. There were several that were keen to join belly dance after the performance, which was our goal. So, YAY!!

I also did my swimming class yesterday morning. I'm sad to report I am the weakest swimmer in the class. My buddy is the strongest. The good news is - there are only 5 gals in the class, so it is really easy for the instructor to meet the needs of each of us. I spent most of yesterday's class doing lengths with a floaty thing just practicing my breathing. I tend to panic. Anyhow, I think I'm really going to enjoy the class. I'm going to go practice today, I think.

I am so very sore EVERYWHERE just because everything seemed to happen at once this week. I had my strength training session, then bowling, then belly dance practice Tuesday, then yesterday was swimming and then belly dance practice then the performance. Husband had to help me out of my nightgown this morning, because I couldn't lift my arms.

I'm trying to decide if I want to do the weights today or tomorrow. Husband says today would be better. I say today may very well kill me.

VegasGirl (http://weightyissuesvegas.blogspot.com/) asked how I chose my trainer. Well, here's the scoop. Since last August, I had been doing a weight training class at my Club. Since I had enjoyed the teacher so much, I "hired" her to set my program up for me. Had I not had that luxury, I would talk to the gym and try to talk to people who have used the trainers there. It is quite important, I think, to find someone that you can have a rapport with. This person, will after all, likely be asking you to do stuff you don't want to (the phrase "just one more, you can do it" comes to mind). Good luck. Trainers are worth the $$. I can only afford to meet with this gal every 6 weeks or so, but I still think it is $$ well spent. There. That is my...well, I guess that was around $0.10 worth!! HA!!

Well, my stomach is growling. I didn't eat super last night. Too nervous about the performance.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Trainer Wrap Up

Well, I made it through yesterday.

1st: The meeting with the trainer. I am SO excited about the program she set up for me. It isn't too long. And it works every muscle in my body - I know this because I can hardly move today! We worked out for an hour, did two sets of everything. I think I'm really going to like it. I meet with her again in 6 weeks to tweak the program. She set it up for two times a week. I will do it again on Thursday.

2nd: The bowling team. I met the ladies on my new bowling team. Two of them I knew already (I go to WW with them, and they are former synchro moms) and two I didn't. Seems like a really nice group of women. They are all looking to have fun, and don't care about winning, so I think I will fit in just great. The best part was: I won $6 for bowling a strike in the first frame of the first game. Woohoo!!

3rd: We had our practice for belly dance. My daughter was at the club working out, so when she was done she came in to watch us so we could practice doing the dances in front of someone. I think we are as good as we are going to get. We will be able to practice for 30 minutes or so tonight before the show, so the routines will be fresh. My daughter thought we looked good, but told me to be sure that I smiled, and didn't count out loud! She also said to exaggerate my movements. I figure since she performs more than me (all those synchro competitions), I will take her advice.

So, today I have my stroke improvement class. I haven't taken a swimming class since I was 14. YIKES!!! I'm surprisingly nervous about this class. There will be all levels in the class. I just hope I don't make an ass out of myself.

Well, time for breakfast. I have a lot of stressing out to do before I perform, so I'd better get to it!!

Have a healthy day bloggers.

Wrap up from yesterday:

I did the strength training given to me by Sparkpeople, but did not do the bike - my headache was just too bad. I honestly don't know if I will survive spring.

On the eating front - I had a good day except for the butter I put on my 100 calorie popcorn! Big boo boo, but man, was it good - ha!

Today:

Today I have another busy day, but all on an activity front. I'm supposed to do cardio (walking), but I don't think I will because:

a) I have my session with my trainer to set up my weight program. I'm quite excited about this - I will let you all know tomorrow how it goes.

b) Synchro mom - my walking partner - called yesterday to see if I wanted to join a 5 pin bowling league with her and one of the other mom's that I'm doing the walk with. Even though I hate 5 pin (I'm a 10 pin-er through and through), I said yes because I think it will be a lot of fun socially - since I like both ladies so much. Plus, I was assured that it is just a fun spring league, so there will be pressure to actually knock any pins down. This league starts today at 1!

c) Tonight we have an extra belly dance practice in preparation for our show TOMORROW NIGHT!!!!!! I'm SO very nervous!!!! I will definitely be stopping at the bar after the performance for a great big glass of wine!

Well, I have to go figure out what the heck I'm going to serve for dinner tonight. Ugh.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Proud Mom

I had a really rough weekend this weekend. I will start with the best moment:

My daughter & her synchro Team won at Provincials this weekend, for both their Team & Combo events. They just looked so beautiful out there, and they had a lovely swim.

The bad parts of my weekend were twofold. I'm am still plagued with headaches (Springtime out west and the large temperature swings), and so I was feeling quite ill most of the weekend. On top of that, I had really bad arguments with both husband & daughter. The husband conflict lasted the entire weekend, which is really unusual for us, and I just found it so draining. Add to that 5 hours of volunteer time as locker room monitor. I feel completely spent.

I have so much running around to do today that I needed to make a list. I'm leaving in 10 min to get started. Since today isn't a walking day, I will do a hill profile on the bike.

I am going to have a healthy eating day today.

Have a healthy day bloggers!

Blog reading DOES = success....

Just a quick update.

I went and bought my book, found my class. I was completely freaked out, feeling old while all of the young kids around me were celebrating the last day of classes. It was 10:30 in the morning, and most were already quite drunk. Anyhow, I was feeling the stress, and I made my way to the food court.

I'm an emotional eater. Always have been. Likely always will be. I had EVERY intention of getting a meal, even though I had just had an apple and it was the middle of the morning.

I was picking out where to have my meal, when Christina popped into my head (her blog is: http://christina-mybodyismytemple.blogspot.com/ ). She had a falling off the wagon incident. I had, until that moment, been using the fact that I had a dinner out tonight as an excuse to indulge (you know the whole, well, if I'm going to blow it anyhow...). Of course, that wasn't the reason. The reason I wanted to eat was because I was feeling stress about taking a class. But, I thought about Christina, and how she was getting back on her healthy eating wagon and I'm happy to say that instead of getting pizza, I got myself an X-Large Tim's - one and one. Calories used? Yes, but better than a pizza. This will give me more calories for tonight.

So, thanks Christina - reading your blog today positively impacted my personal journey.

Friday, FINALLY

How can I be happy that it is Friday, when I just got back from Mexico on Sunday? Sheesh.

So, yesterday I didn't do my resistance training. I moved all the exercises that Sparkpeople gave me to do from yesterday to today. I will endeavour to do them between my daughter's practices.

What I did do yesterday was a very rigorous belly dance class. Our teacher graciously let us meet at our usual class time, even though we are on break till the next session starts next Thursday, so that we could get in extra practice before the show. How nice is she? We warmed up and then just did the two routines over, and over, and over. I was quite sweaty when it was over.

So, I just reviewed my day yesterday on Sparkpeople. I went over by 214 calories. Since I did both the bike and the class, I'm not too fussed about that. What I found more interesting was the makeup of my calories. I think I need a carb intervention. Seriously. My protein consumption was seriously lacking. I was at the high end for fat and carbs, but really low for protein. I'm going to try and fix that, because I know I get less hungry in between meals when I eat more protein. Sheesh, yet another thing to work on.

So, bloggers. I don't know if I told you all this, but I registered for a course at the local University! German I. I'm going to go try to find my classroom today, and maybe buy my text book. I'm quite stressed about being able to do this, but I figure one course is the way to start - get over my intimidation, and then maybe I can take more courses at a time. We'll see.

Well, I must away. I have to wake up daughter and get her ready for practice.

Have a healthy day bloggers!

Turning up the Resistance

I did the bike today, and decided to use some resistance, as recommended in the Sparkpeople article.

Holy shit. I cannot believe the difference it made in the ride. I just chose the first pre-programmed hill profile. Yikes. I just about gave up after 16 minutes. Then I thought about updating Sparkpeople, and how I would be short of calories expended on exercise, and I kept going. I think I did the profile 5 or 6 times in the end. In any case, that brought me to 33 minutes. Since I still have some resistance training to do today and an hour of belly dance, I thought that was good enough. Plus, my legs were spent.

I finally went for my massage today. That was a workout in itself. I wonder if you can burn calories trying to relax while someone tortures you for an hour? My back and neck feel so much better. Unfortunately, the release I get from a massage usually results in a headache, which means I have had a really bad one for 5 days now. Shitters.

Well, I have to get going on supper. We are just having left overs. Last night I made honey mustard chicken in the crock pot. The recipe called for 1/4 cup of butter, which I left out and used 1/4 cup chicken broth instead. It was finger licking good!!!! The other ingredients were 1/2 cup honey & 1/4 cup of Dijon mustard. Yum. there isn't enough left over for all 3 of us, so husband and daughter are having that with brown rice and a veggie. I'm going to zap up a WW turkey dinner, which, oddly, I'm REALLY in the mood for.

Have a healthy day bloggers!

PS: For any Canadian readers, have you seen the site:

www.tetesaclaques.tv

it is really funny - especially the Halloween skit!

I get e-mails from Sparkpeople that have articles pertaining to weight loss. Today's was particularly good. Below is the link, if you would like to give it a read. It really hit home for where I am now.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_articles.asp?id=346

I had a good day yesterday. I tracked everything I ate. After being on holidays, I really need to find my routine again. Has anyone seen it? I didn't workout, since I had the worst headache for most of the day. I'm going to book a massage today and then do my walking on the treadmill.

Which reminds me of one of the other article I read from Sparkpeople. It was about not making the most out of your gym workout, and how when you're using the treadmill, bike or elliptical, you should always have an incline or resistance. Often I don't. I'm going to start.

I bought the latest Shape magazine. I'm not done going through it yet. It takes me a long time to go through them. Each time I flip through, I read something different. Anyhow, what I buy the mag for is the success stories. I love reading them. I wish they would put more of them in.

When we decide to make a big change, we all have a picture of what things will be like after that change. At WW they tell you to visualize your goal. Anyhow, what I think about as my "end" is a success article. Seriously. So, imagine how excited I was (not really, but I'm trying to turn a frown upside down, so work with me here) when husband took a picture of me walking along the beach this vacation. I HAVE MY BEFORE PICTURE! I'm actually going to print the picture and put it where I can see it.

I'm making an appt. with my trainer from my weight training class to set up a program for me. Since I'm done my class, I haven't been using weights. I can really feel a difference. I swear, I can feel my bones shrinking! ;-)

In any case, I'm one of those people who needs to track things. So the idea of going to the gym and just picking up the weights without a "plan" is inconceivable to me. I'm going to get trainer to set the program up using the machines. Our gym just replaced every weight machine at Christmas - it is all state of the art. Plus, I will be very intimidated, and it feels less "out in the open" if there is a machine beside you. Silly? Yes, but I am who I am.

Ok. You've been reading long enough. Go move! HA!!

Have a healthy day bloggers!

A Great Loss for Canada

We lost six Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan this past weekend.

Their names were:

Cpl. Chris Stannix
Cpl. Brent Poland
Pte. David Robert Greenslade
Sgt. Donald Lucas
Cpl. Aaron E. Williams
Pte. Kevin Vincent Kennedy

I want to take some time away from thinking only of me and my weight to say to their families how much their sacrifice means to me. My prayers are with their loved ones.

Have a healthy day bloggers and please take a minute to enjoy the freedom that we all take for granted.

Ola Amigos!!

I am back from two lovely weeks at the Barcelo Maya Tropical Beach Resort on the awesome Mayan Riviera in Mexico. Phew! What a trip! We had such nice weather and so much nice family time. Back to reality now though! The radio said snow tonight. I fully expected to come back to spring. Oh, well.

So, I had full intentions of doing my walks while away. The only walks I did were down the beach! I'm happy to say that after 14 days of resort food and drinks (I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all inclusives!) I only gained 3 lbs. I never ate from the buffet on a plate larger than a side plate, and I never had 2nds. I did have my fair share of Ceasars by the pool though.

I have been blog reading like crazy since I got home (yesterday). Yikes. I was reading one blog in particular, where I left a comment that I would go for a walk. Well, Fatmom, I did. One hour around my drive 5.4 km. Woo, hoo. I lost some of my speed during my vacation, but I'm back at it.

Some comments from my last post were asking, commenting on the ladies curling banquet. We have a curling league for the ladies only, and they have a dinner at the end of the season. It is at that party that we will be doing our dances.

Which brings me to my next big panic. Any guesses on how much practice was done while away???????? Yowsers!!!!! I'm in trouble!

Well, I have to get about my day. My daughter has a marathon synchro practice today. She ended up with a dooser of an ear infection in Mexico, so I hope she will be able to swim!

Ugh, reality sucks!!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!