This is me and my friend Kerry running the SK marathon together. Unfortunately she is unable to run anymore... :(
It was so cool because my bib # was 100! I once had a bib that said #1 - yes I have it saved... :)
My last full marathon
yeah! its Friday!!!!
I am so happy that it is Friday today... I have been looking forward to it all week.
Yesterday's teriyaki turkey burgers went awesomely well. Thanks to who suggested that one in their blog... see, I do read others. :) My husband swears that I put onion in his though... I didn't except mine and it was in a totally different bowl. I even cooked mine after his... he hates onions and I love to cook with them so I separate some of the recipes. :) We had the burgers with the whole wheat PC Burgers first burger buns. They look really weird but they work awesome and we loved using them. They tasted really good too!
My challenge wi went really well today, even with the super late being awake last night deciding that I finally had enough with the see through background in my blog. I had a coffee with my favorite non-fat creamer at 1 am cause I was just a cravin' it. :) The scale showed a 133.6 lbs for my weight! Woooo hooo!
So far the 19 pts thing has not been too much of an issue for me since I usually go into my APs as needed thru-out the week and the same with the FPs. So that is going well. I am finding that I am putting raw bran in everything though... just so I make sure I am getting my fibre in... yesterday I even put it with my scrambled eggs in olive oil... I know... WIERD.
So it took me since I got home on Mon till the last 2 days to finally get my priorities back in order with losing wt. As I said earlier... it payed off nicely.
My Nanny is still doing pretty good. I could never imagine going through that. When I was told back in 1992 that the chances of me walking or walking normally were slim and that I lost the use of my right hand (bad car accident) I was in total shock and was very depressed about the whole thing. Then I became mad and determined that I would prove the doctor's wrong. Well I did it... I will never be 100%, but I can run properly enough ;) and I have my hand back (thanks to the nerve growing back). My Nanny is joking about things right now, I know she is trying to hide her feelings about everything... but she has her life and will be with us longer... ok... now I have made myself sad...
Exercises for today are cross training with elliptical, bike, walking, then challenge exercises and yoga.
As today I am signing up officially for my half marathon for May, I am going to post a pick today of me and my friend in the full I did a few years ago. I am also going to finish putting up picks of my 'zoo' here so everyone will know why I call it 'the zoo.'
elliptical 35 mins yeah!
walking 30 mins
bike 30 mins
challenge exercises
yoga
Quit Smoking: Day 20!
so I got bored...
Well as you may have noticed a new beach background for my blog. It is now 2:45 am and I am done for now. I was a little tired of trying to get my pics to view well with the clear post background, so I opted for one that had a solid one instead. I am not too overly fond of the orange post background but I just LOVE the purple in the template, and the beach... of course! :)
It sure is a pain in the but though changing the template with the Pizaz though... I have to save everything before I can change it and then put it all back on... time consuming....
But I do like the way that the pics and such pop out a bit more now.
Off to bed.
she came out of surgery fine...
Well my Nanny's surgery went well. That is good. She is pretty out of it and my one aunt stayed there the night. My mom is going to stay there the night tonight and I am visiting her today. I hope that she handles the whole breast thing ok...
Well I have a complaint. I have been using the Nicorette Lozenges for quitting smoking and lets just say that my gums are SORE!!! I only use 2-3/day but they last forever in my cheek! If I try to get rid of them faster I get sick. It would be really nice if they would make them so that they were more sensitive to mouths! I am switching to the gum here and going to try the Thrive stuff to see how they are and if they are any better.
Last night we made the 'Sticky Chicken' from the ESMB book (Eat, Shrink, and be Merry) and they were a hit at my house. It was 6 pts for the amount that I had but oh so good. The rest of the fam had it with some side kicks and I had mine over a salad. Really nummies.... mmmmmm.... Tonight I am making the teriyaki chicken from the ww site.
Today is a really focus on the water day and very low sodium as my challenge wi is tomorrow morning. The scale has been good to me thus far and it would be nice to move it down...
Yesterday I took just took Tala, my husky, to the dog park... Cleo was still slow moving from yesterday's. Tala had so much fun and was more interested in meeting all the the people more than the other dogs. She is just a socialite. :) I have never met a dog or person that she does not like. She is just my cuddle bunny... :)
Last night's run went really well for the first time going outside this year. I thought I would have more trouble with the ice and snow but it was not too bad. I had a decent time and was quite happy with it. It was nice because I was running with a clinic group that is doing their first half marathon and they were quite intrigued by my experiences and doing the half and full before. So it was like I was some kind of celebrity... :) I will be joining them from now on on Wed and Sun for running especially as the long runs get longer... it is nice to have someone with you and since my running partner can not run anymore, this is great! It was just a really great feeling to put on all my outside gear again and go...
Today for exercises I am going for a 3 Km quick run, challenge exercises, and hot yoga. The gym were I do my hot yoga have cancelled Wed nights because they lost their instructor to Ireland... :( So I am happy to be going tonight and get a nice deep stretch in all my muscles. I really think that this is going to help me with my too tight of muscles that I alway get when running. I generally have a problem with my IT band always getting to tight and have gone in the past to a massage therapists to help. This time I am seeing how the hot yoga helps it. I have a few problems in areas of my body from my car accident back in 1992 that will never be the same. But I move on and do my best!
run: 2.9 km/19:21 mins, outside, temp -1 windy, 10 am, avg 157 bpm 6:40 mins/km, steady run, sunny, thin 1st layer and windpro shell - was warm, felt good, by myself
hot yoga
challenge exercises
Quit Smoking: Day 19!
Nanny's surgery...
Well today my Nanny goes in for her surgery. Yesterday they decided that they were going to remove the whole one breast also besides her lymph nodes... We are all very nervous this time as her health is not that good. Last time she went for her cancer surgery they only took the lump out of the other breast. She also does not want Kemo this time... she felt she got way too sick last time and is opting for radiation... She feels that if she only has a few years left here she wants not to bring on sickness like that. The whole family is in town.
Well given all this news yesterday... This morning is turning into a tornado... I slept in till 8:20! I never sleep in like that! I always wake up on time before the alarm. My alarm did not go off and the same with Jason's... Austin is really upset and does not understand that he has to wait for his medications to kick in before I can take him to school... so he is quite angry right now...
As for running yesterday... I never managed to go. We took the dogs to the dog park and walked around for 1 hour and later while watching the Biggest Loser I rode the bike for 40 mins.
Speaking about running... yesterday I was looking at the Sk marathon site that is happening in May... and I think I may be ready to do the Half! With the quitting smoking things are shaping up fast for me. I am sticking to good cross training so I do not over do it. I have to decide before the end of the week. This will give me even more motivation to not smoke! The last time I did a Full one... I smoked. :( I know.. BAD! So it will be nice to do this without smoking... I am going to go running with the running club tonight outside... I hate running on the ice as this is how I injured myself the last time I trained for my full marathon. Here's hoping that it will all work out!
Last night we had our Taco TIme for eat out night and I spoiled myself this time... hard taco, mexi fries!!!! and water, water, water... I was surprised as the scale was good to me this am... :)
Not smoking is doing well, I still am getting my grumpy stages...
Oh... and the Asian zero pt soup turned out really good yesterday!!!
run: 3.96 km/26.57 mins, outside with running room, 6 pm, avg 189bpm 6.49 min/km, felt good tonight for the first time outside this year, did 10/1's, temp -6 and cloudy, thin1st layer + windpro shell + windbreaker - was too warm,
yoga
challenge exercises
Quit Smoking: Day 18!
lower pts.... :(
OK... so I knew it was going to happen... I was just hoping not as fast. My points are now 19! I was doing fine yesterday until my husband phones me on his way home from work (9:45 PM) and asks if I want something from pita pit. So out of habit I say yes the usual... a chicken pita on whole wheat. Now he brings it home... I am not even hungry and I eat half... well it did not stop there... I ate a ww 1 pt lemon cake after! Now I know this is not the end of the world or anything, not really something major where I totally go off and binge eat, but I am trying to stop old habits here of eating late at night when I know I do not need it. It could have been worse and been a quarter pounder from McD's, but I was the whole situation of the thing. Oh well... reset today. Oh and another thing... the only APs I was able to earn yesterday was walking to my son's school and back (30 mins) to sub for the afternoon, a friend requested for me to cover for her as I usually spend Mon, Wed, Fri on homework. I was not able to do anymore because my calf was still cramped from the drive on Sun. I have no clue what I did to it... what could someone do when they are driving to cramp up there calf? I am thinking that I tensed up too much on my way home. So into my FPs I went. I try not to use very much of them... only a bit.
So this morning, my calf does not feel to bad so far... I am hopefully going to try to get some APs in there... maybe a run? I sure hope I can. I am also going through hot yoga withdrawals... :) hopefully I can on Thurs night.
Well yesterday I went and picked up the ingredients for the Asian Zero pt soup from the ww home page and I am going to make that today. I sure hope it is as good as it sounds! Tonight is our family eat out night and I have no clue what we are doing yet. I kinda like to know so I can plan my meals accordingly.
I have noticed also that my water intake is also lacking... yesterday was only 1 L and 1 cup of tea... this has to get back on track also. As I am a daily weigher to keep myself in check, I weighed myself this am and was up. Not surprising with the late extra food I did not need last night. Well I have till Fri for ww wi challenge and Sun for my official wi to move things back on the downward side. My losses are still going steady so I must be doing something right. :) I just have to refocus and get back on track. It has been since last Fri that I have not eaten properly, but still remained OP which is a good thing though. Gotta look at the positives! :)
Also... I have just realized that it has been just over 2 weeks now for not smoking! yeah! I do have my bad times... especially when Jason still smokes! And for example this morning as I am writing this his smokes are right there... no one is awake.... hmmmm... I AM NOT GOING TO HAVE ONE!!!!!!
Back from Calgary
Well I arrived back home... it was a really to get away from everything here. A very needed break! As soon as I go back home, I could just feel the tension come back. I phoned one of my friends after, she did not know that I went, and said don't I ever go away again without telling her! :) So we are now planning a trip for the both of us to 'get away'. :)
Well points wise I did not too badly. The first day was a little off, but I managed not going over all my available points! yeah for me! Sat and Sun here are pretty good so far. I did great on Sat for earning APs; 40 mins running o treadmill at hotel and 30 mins of my version of laps in the pool. (I just try to do go the distance how ever I can :) ) Fri and today are not really happening. My calf kinda cramped up from driving today. :(
On Sat, I drove out to Canmore for a bit and went walking and exploring. I absolutely LOVED it there!!!!!
Well, I should get going and get some things done here and caught up with everything. I hop to be back promptly in planning my meals and workouts.
I arrived in Calgary..
The drive was great until the last hour... detours and construction. But the rest went really well and I made good time too. :) So I have not managed to get any APs in yet... I am thinking about the pool right now. hmmm.... As for eating, so far I have only had 5 pts and it is 5 pm my time! yeowza! I had better get on that. You know there is a Timmies AND a McD's RIGHT beside my hotel! Arrrg! The temptation of it. :( I have brought some healthy snacks for myself but I need a good meal right now.
So... plan for the rest of the evening?
swim
yoga
hot tub :)
movies :)
relaxation :):)
not smoking
oh ya! I weighed in at 135.2 lbs and earned 33 APs for the March madness challenge! WOooooo hooooo!
I booked a hotel...
Well today I decided I needed some 'me' time and well... I am driving to Calgary on Friday morning. I booked a fairly decent price on a hotel and I am so excited to go away! I have not gone somewhere by myself in 2 years and really need this time to spend by myself. I really can not afford it... but my sanity right now needs it. So this room has a queen size bed and is non-smoking... This will help me being away from my husband cause he still smokes. I need to succeed in doing this quitting thing. The hotel also has a workout room and a salt water pool.... APs for me! I so can not wait. I was so excited about it, when my hot yoga got cancelled, I came home and booked my hotel, surfed around a bit on the web and decided I still need APs for the day. So I decided to go for a walk on the treadmill and then challenge exercises and yoga. I had so much energy that I walked for just under 20 mins and decided to run for a bit. Well that running turned into a great experience and I had to stop myself at 30 mins of it. I only had it set for 6.8 km/hr so it was a nice light run. I then finished walking for 10 mins to cool down. After all that, I then did my challenge exercises and yoga. :) It was a busy night.
So since I am writing this on 'late' Wed evening, or I guess it really is Thurs now....:) OOPS! I will plan my day now. Today I am going to wash the car and empty it out for the trip. Pack what I need and find a bathing suit that fits me. Fill up the car and make sure that the fam has everything that they need while I am gone. I am then going to try to get some housework and homework done. I have to find a map of Calgary cause I have no flippin clue where I am going there. I always get lost. :) I know how to get to the mountains and that is about it. I am also going to do some meal planning for some meals ahead of time. I figure I better be prepared or I may sabotage myself. I may call some friends while I am there or maybe not. I just like the idea of getting away from everything.
For exercises today I am planning a run, yoga, and challenge exercises. My food plan for the day is reduced sodium and 3+ L of water. Challenge wi is on Fri morning.
run
yoga
challenge exercises
Quit smoking: Day 12!
my dog ate my supper...
OK. I just finished putting food on my plate and Jason came home to pick something up. So I put my untouched plate on the counter far back and go talk to Jason. When I come back, my plate is still there but the food is gone. Cleo made a mad dash to the bedroom. ARrrg! She ate my supper which consisted of one biscuit, one serving of lasagna, and caesar salad! I was so frustrated because she has NEVER done that before! All I can say is it is a good thing I had enough leftovers for another plate. Geez, I thought I only had to worry about the cat getting on the counter, now the dog too.
Well last night's run went really well until I hit 20 mins. Then a severe stomach cramp hit me. I did not want to stop running so I held on to the treadmill till I was done. This reminded me of the types of food I can only have before a run and which ones I can't. I had too many fruits before hand that day and were not quite digested yet.
Today is a lighter workout day for me. I am planning on just a walk, yoga, and challenge exercises.
As for the rest of the day, I am going to kick some homework butt! Yesterday I had some correspondence with the college about proving that I am taking my Chem 30 and Biology 30. I have already taken university classes in Bio and I am taking Chem now. So I received conformation that they will accept my Bio and the Chem. Yeah! Maybe I will have good news here in the soon future.
walk/run: 30 mins walk/30 mins lite run 10:45 pm, had way too much energy!
yoga
challenge exercises
Quit Smoking: Day 11
so so...
Well the diet coke chicken was ok. I think next time I will do it in the slow cooker though because the chicken was not very tender (it cooked for over 45 mins on the stove trying to get the sauce to thicken up). As for Family Day... my son is officially sick and was not moving too far and Jason did not want to do much. He got up at 2:30 pm. So in the end, the only thing I got to do is some snuggles with my son.
Yesterday was not that good for cravings with the ciggs. I was grumpy so I went for lots of walks. :)
Well I have my day's food all planned out and boy does it look like alot. Its funny because a person gets more efficient with their points as time goes by. :) And very creative.
My plans for the day are take Austin to doctor, housework, homework, exercise, and watch Biggest Loser tonight.
run: 30 mins/4.03 km, good until stomach cramp at 20 mins, had to hold on to bar for last 5 mins, 4:30 pm, cloudy out, cold, treadmill
yoga
challenge exercises
Quit Smoking: Day 10
Family Day
Well, for the second year in a row SK gets Family Day. It is minus 23 out this morning but is supposed to go to minus 10 this afternoon. I think I am going to go hunting for the skates and search for a rink with Austin or if we can't find one that is not taken over by hockey, we may go swimming. I am not too sure if Jason will go or not. Swimming is an option too.
I will be taking the two bigger dogs to the dog park though. I can't take Denver because of his dog aggression issues. A common trait for the Chihuahua. Its funny because he was my little star athlete in dog agility for the first year and a half and then one day we went to the dog park and something happened... Don't know... but he started to go after everyone and anything. I have taken him to obedience privately but it still is not getting better. We even have gotten tests done by the vet to make sure everything was ok. I was told it was the chihuahua and at about his age is when the dominance and aggression really can come out and also that dog parks weren't always the best thing to bring a dog to. I understand part of their reasoning but in someways it is hard to swallow. My other two are great. I took Tala, my husky through her first two levels of agility and then decided this wasn't for her. As a typical husky, she did what she wanted when she wanted, but knew it though. Cleo on the other hand is my star athlete. She knows the different parts of the courses quite well and has completed all her levels. The next for her is competition if I have time this year. She loves it. There... now you know more about my dogs.
Yesterday, I had the funniest craving. About 10 years ago I used to make a peanut butter coating for my popcorn and wanted it in the worst way yesterday. So I arranged my points and made what I remembered for the coating. (1 tbsp peanut butter, 2 tbsp the lightest corn syrup I could find, and 1/4 tsp of lite marg) I did it this way so points would not be too much of a shocker. So with 6 cups of popcorn it works out to be 8 pts. I had half and my son had the other. It satisfied my craving. Tonight I am going to try to make the diet coke chicken. I will let you know what I think tomorrow.
Well, things are getting better in the non-smoking department for me. I had some ruff parts yesterday and did not touch one so it is now over a week! :) I can do this.
On the weight loss part of my life, I am happy to see that things are coming off. I know ww works, I just got worried because I am not as young as I was the last time I lost, when I lost a huge amount. I can really start to tell now with my pants. There is only the odd day that I have not planned my food properly and that is when I get hungry.
So today my exercise plans are a walk, yoga, challenge exercises and what ever family day activity we do.
walk
yoga
challenge exercises
Quit smoking: Day 9
the day after...
Well last night's supper went well but way too late. We did not end up eating till about 8 pm. Jason's brother also ended up ordering so things were not so familiar recipe wise, so when I tried to look in the tracker and online, it was hopeless. So I ended up giving my best guesstimate for everything. I again avoided all rice, noodles, and drank lots of water and tea. I ate all vegetables and about 3 oz of chicken. As for the sauces? I have no clue. Jason's family is starting to wonder what is up because we always eat rice at our meals and I avoided them again. They do not know about ww. I am a little embarrassed to say anything. But as it goes without saying... this is a lifestyle change, not a diet (although I know some would disagree as I sometimes do) and there will be things that I will not be having as much as I used to. I really think the hardest part for me is the sticky rice on days we go for Dim Sum. I just love sticky rice! I just have to realized that I can't have the whole thing. :)
Today was official wi day for me. I was down 0.8 lbs. I am not sure what to expect. On one hand I was truly hoping for more because I was really careful on how much I ate last week, but on the other hand I had some questionable dinners that I am not close enough to 100% knowing how many calories or sodium I have taken in. This can be so confusing some times. I have drank 3+ L of water every day and made sure I got my APs in. I did not go overboard in getting APs. I really tried to watch my sodium and I am measuring everything. Today, I may be going to walmart and checking out the digital scales there. I am starting to wonder if mine is out. But good news is that it is a loss and not a gain. So for the grand total of things, I have lost 10.6 lbs and 13.5 inches since Dec. 30/07! When I just sit back and look at that... I am on track and losing the proper amount that I should be. So I am doing well.
Yesterday's hot yoga went as well as planned. Loved it! Nothing like draining your body of all fluids.. :) Every thing was soaked and wet around me. The towel I had kept slipping so I may have to go and get a 'proper' towel.
My son decided he wanted to stay at my mom's again last night... he just loves it there because they keep on giving him the stuff that is 'off limits' for him here like fruit loops! Besides being absolutely terrible for sugar (he gets hyper way too much) he breaks out all over his face from it. So he lives a life of pop, sugar, chips, and all other known junk foods while he is there. Yes I have spoken to her, but it doesn't help.
Today I am going for a run and some yoga. Tonight for supper I am making the ww slow cooker lasagna.
run: 30 mins/4.03 km, 7:30 pm,nice out, treadmil, felt good until last 3 mins
yoga
challenge exercises
Quit Smoking: Day 8
Saturday
Well up at 8 am, why? who knows... my son is at my mom's house for the night and I just can't sleep in. I was just tossing and turning for the last bit. My son really wanted to go and stay at my mom's last night for a visit because my other younger cousins were all there. Jason and I went to see the movie '27 Dresses' and we both found it quite funny. I was actually quite surprised that he found it funny.
Yesterday, I ended up dealing with neighbour's (both sides) cars parked in certain spots. On the left side, one was parked on the sidewalk (found that one funny) and the right side they were parking basically 3/4 of their car on our driveway. I wanted to clear the snow but the car was in the way, not to mention that I have nearly hit their car a few times now trying to get out. The dad, 'owner' of the house, came to visit them and saw what was happening and spoke to them for me. He told me next time to go give them 'sh@t', was his words. :)
I managed to get in most of my exercises before the movie, but not the run. So at 10 pm last night, I went. I also bought a yoga book yesterday for some new ideas in a routine, so I tried that out afterwards also.
Well, I can't believe that it has been 7 days, not smoking! Woooo hooo! Thanks everyone for all the encouragement! Around here, everyone smokes, most of my family, and friends. So it is really hard because they are not so encouraging and say that I won't succeed. Geez, it sounds a lot like losing weight! There is always someone out there that says oh you can't do that, or you will never succeed. Well I HAVE succeeded once already with the wt loss once, and I am doing it again, AND I WILL succeed at not smoking also!
Today I am going to go to hot yoga and get my but kicked by 'Ryan', the instructor, again. It is quite the workout and has your muscles screaming, but it feels so GOOD afterwards! We are all going out for supper tonight with Jason's dad and brother. It is the anniversary of their mother's death (3 yrs) so we are going out for Chinese food. I don't know if I had mentioned this before but Jason's family is Chinese, so we eat Chinese a lot of occasions. I must say though that this week has been terrible for eating out! I can't wait for next week as we do not have anything planned except our 'regular' eat out night.
After today's festivities, I will be going for a nice long walk on the treadmill. In the mean time I am going to be eating mostly fruits, veggies, and have my milk products because of the eating out tonight. Oh ya... and LOTS of water before and after. Other than that, homework and cleaning.
walk
hot yoga
challenge exercises
Quit Smoking: Day 7!
no chocolate hangover for me...
Besides my one piece of a reeses pieces miniature cup, that was it. :) Oh ya... we had Domino's pizza last night (rare thing for me...) I haven't had it since I started ww. So we ordered a med. veggie for me. WOW! Talk about a challenge just trying to figure out the points for it especially when they cut it in the squares! I still have not quite figured it out properly I believe... I tried out a few online sites including domino's itself and was lost! They keep on talking about 2 pieces or grams. I tried weighing, I wasn't sure if the site was thin, thick, or hand tossed... arrrrrgh! The ww site was even mixed up. I found the pizza for 1/4 of a med (not sure what the crust was?) and when I put it in the tracker... it was for a 1/8 of a pizza! So that is when I went to the other sites. Could they make it even more confusing!!!!! Not Happy!
Yesterday, we did not end up going to the movie. Austin was starting to get sick so we figured tonight may be better if he is well. So I ended up going to hot yoga with my pass I just got. I thought I would try a different instructor. Well, I did not get worked as hard, there were just a lot of stretches. I found out later it was her first night teaching there... She was very nice and gave us a very relaxing time. I had a great sleep last night. :)
Today is homework, cleaning, and exercise. Jason and I are going to go to Grainfield's for lunch. I like going there the odd time because I can have my egg whites, plain rye bread, and a fruit cup. Sometimes I will have some bacon. :) It's their lite breakfast. For the rest of the day I am having my breakfast smoothie, and more fruit and veggies (a good size salad with ham), and a lite supper.
I feel like it is going to be another run day today. Just 30 mins again. I have snuck a peek at the scale and there is no movement from Sunday still, so I am hoping to shake things up a bit. I start the Game on Challenge today and have decided that I will shoot for 132 lbs which is 4.6 lbs in 5 weeks. This challenge is also to make sure we earn AP's every day and set a goal for that one. My goal is to earn 135 APs in 35 days. I have to change my sig in ww for this to keep track.
Well, I am really looking forward to Sunday when I weigh in and take my measurements. I feel smaller... and I can start to really see some differences. I guess that is the plus about being shorter because you get to see the results faster! :)
run: 30 mins/4.03 km, felt good until last 5 mins, 10 pm, going to be warm outside, cloudy, feeling good, on treadmil
yoga
challenge exercises
Quit smoking: Day 6
Happy Valentine's Day!
These are the wonderful things that I got to wake up to this morning. :) Cards from my husband, son, and animals. A cute stuffed frog, flowers, and my pass for hot yoga. It was funny 'cause everything but the flowers were upstairs, and when I went to feed the cat and dogs downstairs, my flowers were waiting for me. ahhhhhhh..... Tonight we are heading out to the movie all three of us. I want to see '27 Dresses' but I think I am going to have to do some convincing the 'boys' first. lol I was contemplating having some popcorn there... but instead I am going to pre-pop my mini bag of popcorn at home and then sneak it in. :) I just may though have some frozen non-fat yogurt with berries.... mmmmmmm
I am feeling pretty good today. Grumpiness is not as bad. :) Yesterday was another smoke free day. Yeah! It really is getting easier.
Yesterday was also a great day for exercising. I had a wonderful short run and finished everything that I had planned to do. Today, the plan is a nice long walk, yoga, challenge exercises, and a bit of the elliptical. I was going to try some jump rope... not quite sure on that one yet. We will see how I feel.
Other than that, homework, homework, homework! (I have so much to do!) I also have to sneak out here now to go get something for my husband 'cause I forgot!!!!! oops! Wish me luck in the stores...
Quit smoking; Day 5
Snowy day...
Well it looks like today I am going to have to do some shoveling/snowblowing... We had some snow overnight and there is more to come. My husband still has not gotten up yet (it is 9:45 am) and I don't expect him up 'til early afternoon just before he heads to work. As I said in a previous post... MUST be NICE!!!! Yes, a little hostility there. He was, of course and as always, on the computer 'til WAY late AGAIN!
Yesterday I tried to get back into school mode again and was having some problems with typing, my nails were too long. I know, I know... things could be worse, but when you are working on a 13" laptop, it kinda gets hard. I was trying to wait til the last minute because of the money it costs to fill them. It is cheap ($30), but that is $30 I could use for something else right now. I am finally feeling the pinch of not having my old income in the household now. I thought about going back to Avon, but that just took too much of my time away... oh well. I will just have to get some more subbing hours in, somehow...
Yesterday was a better day at not smoking, I am really surprised this time with the cravings for one. This time just seems different. I am attributing it to being on ww. Why? Because of myself making sure that I am eating properly. Yes I have my 'treats', but overall, I eat much better. I was funny 'cause last night I did that 'what is your real age' on a site I came across from a post, and I am doing pretty well! I am surprised actually.
Last night for our 'eat out' night we went to McDonald's. I had a turkey on whole wheat/no sauce or bacon. It was great and filling.
Well I managed to get some good homework done, and today is the same, and hopefully more. I also plan to get some exercises done before I start so that I don't sit there and think about it while I am doing homework. I did not manage to get my Tae Bo or yoga in yesterday, but I will get a good workout today. I feel a run coming on. I did go on the bike though for 60 mins last night while watching the Biggest Loser. :)
run: 30 mins/4.03 km, snowing outside and cold, felt harder in the last 5 mins, set at 8 km/hr
30 min walk
challenge workout
yoga
Quit Smoking: Day 4
terrific Tuesday???
Good news! I did not touch one 'nasty' yesterday! I can do this. I feel so weird though today with all those chemicals leaving my body. I did not eat anything extra and ate everything that was planned for me to eat. If I keep this up I won't gain any weight and lose weight! Yippeeee! I am a bit of grouch though and I am finding it a little hard typing at times here. It's like I am not all 'there' and druggy. Oh well... small price to pay when your making yourself healthier!
Last night was a bit different. I had 1 pt left to eat and could not think of what I wanted. What I wrote down did not do it for me. So at 8:45 pm I headed out to Safeway to find these 'Vitamuffins'. You know what? I finally found them. I went to a different store than the one near my house and they were there. So I warmed mine up and enjoyed. They are on the small side and a little different in the taste, but they sure did the trick. Hey... 1 pt for a muffin! I will take that. I am trying not to indulge too much in packaged foods but I have to think 'gee, this is for a lifetime here, what am I normally going to eat' So I am going to let myself ease off a bit here and there. Today should be another good day. Everything is planned for, even our weekly eat out Tues. I am also aiming for another 3+ L water.
I had a big moment that I can not think if I had wrote in here about yet. I fit my white button up shirt! It is a real milestone for me.
Exercises for me today are treadmill, tae bo dvd, yoga, and my challenge workouts. And heh, those challenge workouts equal to 1 AP now! I will take that thank you. :)
Today we are supposed to get more snow here. It is warming up a bit though. I am just dying to get outside and do something though. It's like I am getting cabin fever... Can't wait for warmer weather!
Quit smoking: Day 3
new recipe...
Well I tried the recipe for WW Chickpea and Brown Rice Veggie Burgers with Tomato Salade and they are good... just not that big of size of a serving though. They def would be for a lighter eating day and for a small amount of points, they could also be a snack. :)
In the end though... I most probably would make them again. Just not one of my most fav's though.
manic Monday...
I am struggling today with not smoking. Yesterday I had one slip up which I felt was pretty good. I would have liked to not have one at all, but no one's perfect. Its just that it is such a habit and just out of the blue I found myself grabbing one, lighting it, and next thing you know I thinking...'what the H am I doing!'. I did butt the rest out. Honestly. Today my face feels weird and the cravings are there. I keep on counting to 30 every time I get a craving and it sure has been helping. Oh ya, Jason is still smoking so this is pretty interesting especially when he lays in bed for the better part of the day then gets up and goes on the computer and stays there till way after I go to bed! This is my husband I am talking about here. He took one break to eat supper and then went back to the pute. This is how it has been now since we got married. It has been getting worse and worse. So I get to sit here and smell the smoke while he sits and plays. No wonder I do not have any motivation to do anything anymore. Why can't I just sit here on the computer all the time too? Seems fair to me. He was supposed to be setting up the living room down stairs as a 'guys' room for his computer playing and sports watching. Funny... He hasn't moved his butt to move anything down there. See... why should I do anything if he won't! OK... Sorry... done my rant. I said things would probably get uglier around here for the next bit while I am quitting.
Well yesterday's plans went to H. Instead of lasagna, we had chili and I did not get one AP earned. I did one hour of homework, should have done way more, and I did no housework except the dishes. I am hoping that today will go better as far as accomplishing things around the house. I sat back and planned my meals for the next week here. I am trying to make sure that I am measuring things out properly again, re-evaluating the types of food I am eating, making sure I am eating the 'proper things,' etc... Yes I know I have been doing well but it just seems like I am going through a lack of motivation period here. I know the quitting the nasty has a good part to do with my feelings but I have to snap out of this. I am so far behind in my schooling right now it is not funny anymore. I have to get focussed! I have to get some subbing hours in for income. I have to get the housecleaning done. I have to lose weight. I am just getting sick of everything I have to do. Yes, I have tried to delegate jobs around the house... didn't work.
OK... back to reality again here. I just have to focus on my health here or my son won't have me around here for long. I have had too many scares now so I have to just get healthy.
My plans for the day? Well I hope to get some time on the treadmill in, I wanted to go to hot yoga tonight but I am still to sore, I plan to eat healthy, drink lots of water, and not smoke.
quit smoking day: 2
WI day, quit 'nasty' day...
weight: 136.6 lbs
inches lost: 10.5"
quit smoking: day 1
Weigh-in today went well and I am happy. I am .2 lb from my 10 goal mark but that is ok. I just realized that I forgot to finish my daily points yesterday and I should have had more water for that popcorn I had. I am feeling pretty good about how everything is going and trying to get ready for when things are going to go bad.
Today I quit smoking. Yep. I took the plunge and I had better do it this time. I have tried all sorts of ways before so here I go. Its funny 'cause I would have had a good couple now already. I feel a little funny in the fingers... It has to be in my mind... nerves. Be prepared for some grouchy days ahead... I am trying the nicorette lozenges, so I get to look like a chipmunk hoarding food in my cheek several times/day. :)
So, with my day full of an adventure already, my plan is to keep myself busy. Have to get to the grocery store here soon and stock up on what we need for the week. I will be getting some walking in on the treadmill, the elliptical, then follow up with some yoga. Water is going to be a big thing today as I would really like to get at least 4 L in *flush!* . Then the rest of my plans for the day consist of homework, housework, and just generally keep myself busy. I am making ww slow cooker lasagna for supper tonight, so that should keep me busy for a while. :)
Hot Yoga
I did it! Yeah! I finally got to go to hot yoga and I am totally hooked. I have asked my husband to get me a pass for Valentine's day. I wasn't sure if I would be able to go to the Sat. one 'cause it is not really a beginner one, but there was no problem and I kept up. I had to laugh because here he was helping people to pose right and did not have to help me. He came to me once to help advance my back bend. Here I was basically bent in half from the back holding on to his ankles. I was dying... I have never had so much sweat drop off me before in such a short time. I feel so good right now. A little sore but feel so relaxed yet hyper. It really put me in a good mood. The only thing that depresses me is that for 85 mins of strenuous work, it was only 3 APs. Oh well, I just keep on thinking of how the shape of my body is changing. I am going back on Mon. night.
So there, I learnt more about myself today; to control anger - tae kwon do and tae bo, and hot yoga - to put me in a good yet relaxed mood.
getting worried
I am getting pretty worried about quitting the nasty tomorrow. I have reminded my DH that Sunday is the day and I do not think that he is going to try. So with him continuing... I just hope that I am strong enough. I am also so worried that I am going to gain the weight back. Every time I have tried the last few times, I have put on weight. I think that is the part of the problem why I have been slowly putting back on the pounds before. I am hoping that this ww and quitting thing will help control the amount of food that I eat. I have still been OP thus far... and would like to continue this way.
I snuck a peak at the scale today and yippee! I have lost 10.2 lbs! Official is tomorrow but what the hey. So I bought some mineral makeup online this am for my accomplishment.
Yesterday was a crazy workout day. I did it! I ran again and it felt oh so good! I only had a slight twinge on the side of my rt knee. I backed off the speed a bit and watched my gait. I do not know if it was my IT band being to tight this time or what. I was just so excited. I wanted to get in a 'test' if you will to compare my results of running with smoking vs. non-smoking. Here is my smoking results: 35 min (first 5 min warmup) and 4.25 km. (not quite up to par from what I was but that is ok) It was hard and I was breathing heavily. Now I can't wait to see the difference each week on how I do! I also did some tae bo and yoga yesterday. Tae bo kicked my butt!
Last night my lovely DH was supposed to make supper and he decide the computer was more interesting, My DS (Austin - I have to use names here... I need this real) and I were both starving... I finally said to Austin that it looks like it is a fend for yourself night for supper so what do you want. Finally at 7:30 Jason, DH, says no... he'll order something. ARRRRG! So we had Boston Pizza and I choose the tortellini with pomodoro sauce. I ate half for a great 5 pts! Quite happy there and there was no snacking for the rest of the night.
This am ran out of milk and bananas so I was not able to have my smoothie (1 banana, 1/2 c mixed berries, 1/2 c milk, tsp soy protein powder, 1/2 tsp ground flax, and 1/2 tsp bran) So I ended up having one of those Quaker Weight Control Oatmeals. I am noticing that I am hungrier already...and it is only 9:50 am. My coffee should keep me...its being made right now, till snack time.:) oh yes, and water, water, water,... you get the idea :)
Well plans for the day are drop Austin off at Space club (done), pick Austin up, maybe try to get into the hot yoga this afternoon, final workout before WI, homework, housework, and try a new recipe for supper. Oh ya... and finally get a current pic of my on here. A new challenge was posted so I have to figure out how much weight do I think I can lose in 5 wks. With quitting the nasty... I have no clue.
run: 35 min/4.25 km with 5 min warmup included, cloudy day and cold, TOM, felt hard
Happy TGIF!
Well last night supper went well for the most part. I did not touch one grain of rice, noodle, fried food, or any other sins I can think of. I ate all things steamed only. Ginger steamed fish, steamed tofu and shrimp, and steamed chicken and broccoli. The only thing I could have done better was to stop eating when I was full! But it was too good... and now there are leftovers sitting at my house. :( But I will look at the positives that I did; ate all steamed, drank lots of water and tea!
Today was my challenge WI and wouldn't you know it I started TOM! I knew it was coming 'cause of the crabby mood I have been in. :) I managed to go down 0.4 lb which is great considering the supper last night and TOM! NSV for me! It was a loss. I am happy. I actually expected a gain. Nice way to wake up I would say.
Well last night I did not get my jog in. :( We spent too much time out. Today is the day though to try to get 30 mins in. Wish me luck! I will be doing some yoga too and yes I am going to set up my basement like I said I would. LOL! Gotta get my 'hot yoga' some how!
I just realized that I do not have a pic yet of myself as of today's date on here. I think I will fix that today also not to mention figuring out how to get my previous pic a better size for viewing. I am proud of what I have accomplished before and love to show it off. That's why the one pic is in such terrible shape. I carry it in my wallet to remind myself.
Gung Hay Fat Choi! (Happy Chinese New Year!)
Well today was a long day. Busy the whole time carrying, coaxing, getting kicked, pinched, bit, but loving every minute of it! I do love working with these children. The smallest accomplishments that they make really make my day... I had to cram what I had planned for lunch and snack into 30 mins of a lunch break... little hard but I knew I would faint if I did not eat enough to last me. My son and his EA came to visit me and show me his art work that he made in the afternoon and that just cheered me up so much! If I was wanting a contract again, I would love to work at his school. The staff there are awesome also.
I am trying to psyche myself up for supper tonight. It is going to be a challenge for me to sit there with all that lovely, tasty, fresh Chinese food.... ahhhhh.... it is truly my weakness. Good thing I married into a Chinese family :) (joking...) It will be a big NSV for me tonight if I do well, and with my challenge WI tomorrow... I had better be good! I will be trying to get in as much water as I can now, during, and after.
All this talk about food is making me think maybe I should go for a jog tonight. My leg feels rested and has not been sore for over a week now, so I am hope to get a bit in. I am not going to push it... I just do not want to lose what I have accomplished. I have been increasing my walking so I am not stressing the calf and knee as much. Oh, ya, for all who do not know... I ran a marathon a couple of years ago and ended up with an injury. I finished it... but had to take some time off. I have been jogging here and there, but not to what I am capable of doing. Next week I hope to start back slowly and regularly again. My initial plan was to a half here at the end of Feb... but endurance wise I am not ready. And by the way... I am not speedy gonzalis... I am a back of the packer and prefer it that way. I get more enjoyment out of it. I still like to improve my time... It is just not my goal to win anything. The accomplishment means the most to me.
oh ya... since Dec. 30/07 I have still been OP!
busy day...
Well, in a bit of a rush this morning, so I may post later...
I am subbing at my son's school again today. I did it last week and I was my son's EA for the morning. :) and in the afternoon I was in the junior Autism program. Today, I am in the junior room all day. I love working in that room!
Last night's hot yoga was CANCELLED! I am so upset as I was really motivated to go. By myself yet. It takes a lot of courage for me to do something like that. oh well... maybe I will just turn up the heat and put some space heaters on down stairs and plop in one of my yoga dvds and go at it later today.... :) Sounds like a plan.
Well, tomorrow is challenge day WI and I was really hoping to move the scale but as I sneak peaks, I think I will be staying the same. That's ok, because this week I am really noticing changes in my body. Yeah!
Well, gotta run and get ready...
Hump Wednesday...
Well today my husband decided that I should sleep in (this is rare) and he would take care of the family this morning. So I basically just laid there and tossed and turned. Its kinda hard to sleep in when you do not get to do it very much. I ended getting up at 8:30 just to say good-bye to my son.
I get to go for lunch today with my friend! I am not too worried about where we are going as she has lost nearly 100 lbs herself so far! Woo Hoooo! I am so happy for her and know what it feels like to accomplish that. Then after lunch I am watching her 2 kids while she is in the doc's office.
Tonight, I get to try 'hot yoga'! I am so excited. It is nice to try something new every once and a while. And the warmth is so wonderful right now in this cold weather......mmmmmmm.....
So I was reviewing the recipes on some posts this am and last night and it looks like I have a good handful to try. So, this weekend looks like I am going to be in the kitchen. :) when I really should be working on my studies:( I just can't get that motivation going right now in that area. I so badly want/need to get this weight back off and quit the 'bad habit' next week! Maybe I am just focusing too hard. Oh well.... life goes on. Just have to stay in the positive. :)
Still no word on my Nanny... I don't know when they are going to do the surgery.
So, off I go to do a walk on the treadmill and my challenge sets...
Our Wedding in Hawaii 2006
This is a pic of when Jason and I got married in Hawaii on August 8th, 2006. We got married just outside of Wakiki beach and it was amazing! There was 9 of us in total that went. My son was so excited the whole trip. :) When we got home we had a huge Luau in a banquet room at a hotel with a whole roast pig and all! It was great!
China 2007
This is my fam; Jason (DH), me, and Austin (DS) on our trip to China last year. This is about when my weight was catching back up with me again. Lots of stress.
We went to China to see Jason's family village. There was about 15 of us in total that went from his family. Lots of fun! The village was the best out of all of it. We went to Hong Kong, Xi'an, Beijing, and a few other places I can't spell or pronounce correctly. :)
new day and 6 days and counting...
I have woke up this am with tonnes of ambition to get what I need to get done today. I have done some, but need to stay focused. I can't wait to try my new workout DVD today. A couple of the girls say it is the 'devil'. I did some tae bo and yoga last night (both new ones also) and maybe a small walk on the treadmill to ease things out. I tried the new challenge yesterday 'mountain climbers' and they are truly effective.
I am so excited for Friday's challenge WI! I was really hoping for 135 lbs but I will take what I can get. I have so much food planned for today I get full just reading it.
Well, last night I checked out a few people's blogs from ww and I am truly impressed with all there accomplishments! WOW! There are some truly hard working people out there and I am inspired.
Today is the day that I plan on figuring this blog site out once and for all! I am planning on posting some pics of me when I was quite a different size, one at my goal wt before, and if I can find some... some pics in the last while. I really should be taking more but I always forget. :) Maybe some more pics of the whole fam, zoo and all.
I have a great feeling about today, even with yesterday's bad news in the family.
bad news...
I just got a phone call from my sister and my Nanny's (grandma) biopsy test results came back. Cancer again in her other breast. She has been free for the last 7 years and just had her biopsy done 2 weeks ago. She is going back for more tests, but they said they are going to remove lymph nodes this time too. Bad sign. Grampa, I hope you are watching over her.....
7 days and counting...
Well, it is getting closer. Am I prepared? Trying to be. I think I am going to pick up some herbal cigs while I am out. They did help me last time.
Ahhhh... peace....
Well my son is off to school and I am sitting and relaxing trying to talk myself into getting up to get things done. My first priority is emailing a confirmation of my enrollment in a couple of course that I am taking. Then to pay bills. :( THEN I should get going on some homework and then maybe a trip to the store to look for some new workout dvds. I particularly would like to find a good yoga one and a bootcamp one. That is my plan...
Well my WI went well. I am 137.6 lbs! ya hoooo! I am on my way and just about 20 more to go! Bikini summer here I come!
8 days and counting...
Well, I have decided in one week from now, on Monday, I am quitting smoking. I should have my first 10 lbs lost by then so I think this should be an excellent time to quit! There it is... my contract to myself... in writting.
frustrated already....
OK....ok.... I know I just posted BUT did you ever have one of those days that you wish your dear child would sleep in more? I love my son dearly, I really do, but sometimes he can be a handful, especially when he just wakes up. You see he has Aspergers (on the austism spectrum) high functioning though, ADHD, Tourettes, and Athsma. Until he his meds have kicked in, he has a hard time controlling himself. Maybe I am just too tired today... but he seems more out-there today. Sorry... had to vent. Oh ya, I wish when my husband's alarm goes off he would wake up! It has been going off for an hour now in intervals. It is one of those that gets louder and louder as it goes. Today is just not my day. Here's to looking at the positive!
It has been a while...
Well good day all, the last month or so here has been interesting for me as I have come to a realization that I need to do something about my health. BP is up and I am to young for this. I managed to get off of meds before by losing weight so here I am again.
So, here's the nut shell from the beginning. First of all I did not want to relate all this weight loss stuff with the new year resolution thing. I began this for my health first and vanity second. I must say though that in the last month my energy has increased tremendously and I am feeling awesome! So anyways, I started WW on Dec. 30/07 and to date I have lost 9 lbs and 9 inches! I am so happy and I am mad at myself for not doing this sooner. I am working out again which feels great! I did have an original plan to start running again, but I need to take this slow and easy and not jump into it so fast from my long absence from it. So instead I am focusing on walking briskly everyday, and other cardio. I went to try out this 'hot yoga' that I keep on hearing about but the instructor was sick so they brought in another one that did not know what to do. I will be going back this week to try it.
Other than that, I have been cooking and trying out new recipes like mad! My family has never seen me cook so much. But it is great! I always ask them is this a keeper or not, and if it is I mark it down in my book. And heh, I cooked my first cake in the slow cooker 2 days ago and I am impressed (that one was a keeper by the way).
Well, next Friday I had a goal with this one challenge to get to 135 lbs, (that was before I found out that my scale was wrong). I never changed my goal (the 4 lbs out) but I am going to give it my best shot this week! That means a 2.6 lbs weight loss. If I do not make it, that is ok cause I have already made it if I had adjusted my goal.
So, as I learn more about this site, I hope to post some recipes, pics and favorite links.
