Good News Miz!!

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

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

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!!

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!

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

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!

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!

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

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....

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

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

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

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!!

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...

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....

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....

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....

Oy!!!!

Monday again.....

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.....

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

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!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

I thought this article might interest any runners reading!

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

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Hmmm, what to say, what to say

I finished my vacation by the pool at my BFF's. We enjoyed spectacular weather, food and drink and more than the occasional dip in the pool. I even played my first ever game of Marco Polo. Every time my girlfriend or I got close to catching each other we would have fits of laughter that would render us unable to move out of the way. What a good time.

I ran 8 times on holidays and I was happy with my pace. All of them were around 6:40/km. I wasn't a runner (jogger) when I grew up in Montreal, so I've never run in the humidity. That was not fun. I prefer the thin air where I live to the humid air there!!

So, how to move forward from my vacation. Yesterday I walked the dog and that was it for activity. I was still kinda tired and had a really bad headache. Today puppy is at daycare getting a much needed grooming, so I might toodle out for a run. I know I will feel better once I have.

Started tracking again immediately on Monday. My body is adjusting to wholesome foods again. The family we stayed with was more into fruit than veggies. My family is really more veggie heavy. We ate a whole head of cauliflower last night for supper trying to make up our deficits!! HAHA

Not much else on the go. I am planning to weigh in on Saturday morning. I usually weigh on Wednesdays, but I need the extra days to undo some damage.

I had e-mailed Amy that I was going on vacation so that I wouldn't be dropped from the challenge but she never responded. I hope I can still report in, no matter how bad it will be!

Oh! I almost forgot! Daughter asked me if we could hire a personal trainer up at the club for her & I to workout together once a week. I told her I would do that if she would commit to workout on her own two other times per week, either up at the fitness center or swimming with my husband. She agreed!! So, as soon as she find out her schedule for work at the club teaching swimming lessons in the fall, we will be searching out a trainer! I'm excited to work with one again. I was really doing well when I worked with mine last year.

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Weekly Challenge - week 8

Our Weekly Challenge this week is to share some figure friendly summer dish.

I would like to offer up what I do for side dishes.

The first is to grill corn on the cob in the husks. We soak the corn in water and then place it directly on the grill. I like my corn crunchy, so it only takes... 20 - 30 minutes. Mmmm. I also top it with the Becel toping spray. 5 squirts for 0 calories and it gives that buttery feeling.

The second is a family favourite. Grilled asparagus. We very lightly brush it with EVOO and then sprinkle lemon pepper on it. OMG. SO good. We have to cook two bunches just for the three of us!!

Anyhow - these are two staples in our house in the summer. The best part is, with these two side dishes I don't need to make potatoes or rice!

Back from Vacation!

I just updated my profile picture - that laugh pretty much sums up how much fun we had. Will catch up properly tomorrow.

Catch up

Daughter and I went to the CN Tower for lunch with my friend and her daughter. What a great restaurant. Plus, what a great way to get to the top. You don't have to wait in any lines! I would never go up any other way. You have to pay quite a bit to get up anyhow - might as well be paying for food. The view was so nice. I'm afraid of heights, so I had to face the wall in the elevator (I felt like an ass) and I just about shit my pants when daughter went to stand on the glass floor with, oh, I don't know, a MILLION other tourists, but.....

After lunch we drove to Vaughn where we stayed at a brand spanking new Holiday Inn. It was nice. We just grabbed subs from the Subway that was right beside the hotel and relaxed in the room.

Friday I was up early and did my run on one of the two treadmills in the "fitness" room. Then we had the breakfast buffet that comes free with the hotel room - it was tiny but really good.

Once breakfast was out of the way we were off to Canada's Wonderland. Oy! 9 hours of walking around waiting for everyone to be done their rides and water slides. I went on one roller coaster and one water slide. Other than that I was the official bag holder. Everyone had a great day and the weather couldn't have been better.

When we finally got back to the hotel - more subs from Subway (my family could eat there ever day!) and relaxation!!

Next day was a travel day back go Montreal, so back to the buffet (again good) and into the van for what seems like a billion hours. But not before I did my run on the treadmill!!

My high school had a mini reunion last night - what could be better after a billion hours in the van, right?? So, off girlfriend & I toodled for fun and frolic and a couple of drinks and a couple of dances. Fun times. I was laughing so hard at one point that it hurt the muscles in the back of my head!!

Today is a pool day. I think I've earned it!!

Please take a minute to look at my NikePlus Mini Me. Specifically, look at how many kilometers I've walked/run since Christmas. Better than a kick in the ass, eh????????

Have a healthy day Bloggers!!

I heart the Blue Jays....

Even though they can't win a game to save their lives.

That's right people, today we piled into the van, drove 5.5 hours to Toronto and went to the baseball game.

We are staying at the Westin Harbour Castle which is just walking distance away from the Rogers Center. What a great job they did on that Sky Dome. Since I'm from Montreal, I'm not really comfortable watching a professional baseball game without cement blocks falling on my head - but even though the Sky Dome doesn't have that - it was AWESOME!! What a top notch facility. We had a ball at the game. I had my requisite hot dog and beer and then switched to water. Sadly, my husband did not - and the beer was $10 a pop!! Oy - was he drunk by the time we got home!!

After we checked in my girlfriend & I met an old high school buddy for a drink in the lounge. After ONE I excused myself (buddy was more my girlfriend's friend than mine - and I thought they might like some one on one time) and went for a run on the treadmill at the fitness center - where there was no air conditioning, but lots of humidity. I was sweating so much that I had to keep wiping my eyes! That never happens to me when I'm running. Anyhow - the run was great. Of course, my knees are screaming today from being on the treadmill, but....

Tomorrow husband goes with girlfriend and her family to the Hockey Hall of Fame and daughter & I go to the 360 Restaurant at the top of the CN Tower for lunch with yet another girlfriend from high school and her daughter, who is celebrating her 13th birthday!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

Humidity Bloat

How did I live with this humidity? OMG!! I feel like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man from GhostBusters movie!!!

We had a ball up north - I even put my feet in the lake!

Graciela: I don't like to swim 'cause I hate being wet! HAHA (although, in the spirit of full disclosure - I'm also not comfortable in a bathing suit - but have been wearing my two piece without cover up in an effort to overcome that silliness - not that I think it is silly cause I look good - just that life is too short!!)

Having said THAT - I was SO sticky today when we got back from up North that I did it again! No, I didn't jyrate to my favourite Britney Spears song - I jumped into the pool!!

I didn't run yesterday, since we were up North, and today when we got back it was just too humid. I was planning on running tonight, until the awful thunderstorm started. Sheesh.

Tonight we unpack - laundry - pack again because tomorrow at 7:00 am we hit the road for Toronto where we will be watching a Blue Jays game!!!!!! I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!

Am so sick from not eating properly. Daughter's stomach was so upset she didn't even eat dinner! I did - but most of what I ate were grilled veggies. They were good and I was craving those vitamins! We had LaFleur's for lunch. Mmmmmm. My steamed all dressed hot dog and poutine was so good. It just about killed me, but what a way to go!!

Sorry - these posts are short and all over the place- but.....

Hope everyone is staying on plan and is ready to talk me though what will be a long road back to program! I will make a good choice for my next meal. I can do this. Just one meal at a time.

sodium hangover

it rained all day today. men folk went to video golf to golf 18 - husband of people we are visiting just bought new clubs day before that HAD to be worked in - and lady fold had a movie day. Rented Bride wars on the satellite. Not an oscar award winner, but fun. We also watched Adventures of a Teenaged Drama Queen. Lindsay had so much potential.

Didn't get my run in until around 5:00, which is when there was a break in the weather. Holy freakin humidity batman!! I had a great run, but f*ck was I wet by the time I was done. Gross. So hot was I that I jumped in the pool right away when I got back. I NEVER GO IN THE POOL. But I was sooooooooo hot.

Rest of the evening was quiet. Watched a ton of Gene Simmons Family Jewels. So funny.

Off to Gratten Lake tomorrow. Men are golfing in a tournament, women & children - having a beach day. Life is goooooood.

Oh, I ate decent and only had 4 glasses of wine the whole day. I'm a rock star. HAHAHAHA

Cinemarie - if you're reading this - this is my hometown too!! I grew up part in Verdun & part in Pierrefonds - you??

Allo!

I'm on vacation in Montreal right now.

I ran this morning.

I also ate my weight in potato chips sitting around the pool drinking sangria enjoying the very best day

That is all.