Tuesday 5 March 2013

If I were a betting gal...

but I'm not.  Right?

I mean, I'm that girl who cringes every time another dollar, quarter, nickel, penny goes in the slot I want to throw up a little bit!  I mean, those pennies might not be worth much on there own - well, clearly in Canada they're about to worth much, much  more, but hey!  They still add up, right?

Let me peddle backwards a little bit here so that you actually understand where I'm going with this one.

I've clearly been lazy as of late.  My last post went up on February 11th.  That's almost an entire month ago.  Remember how I promised (and I quote):
Until then, my promise to you is my head is back in the game.  That means I'M BACK IN THE GAME!  That means you'll be hearing a lot more from me.  Hope you're ready for it!!
 So, clearly, well, I lied.  Ok, ok, that might be a bit strong.  I haven't been sitting on my butt doing absolutely nothing.  I have been running and I still L.O.V.E. my treadmill.  However, I have been getting sloppy with MFP and tracking everything honestly.  I haven't been measuring and weighing foods the way that I should and clearly the scale has been noticing my indiscretions!  This morning, that  bitch had the gal to tell me that I've gained about 2 lbs.  She told me that I'm weighing in at 156.6.

Crapdidilytasticassmonkeyballs!

This is not good.  We're definitely going in the wrong direction if I'm ever going to lose these last 10lbs.

So, what did I do?  I made a bet.  That's right, this girl who would rather buy a pair of shoes than pull on some lever - just ask the Husband ;) , put some money down that I can, in the next 4 weeks, lose 4% of my current weight.  That amounts to about 6 1/2 lbs over the next 28 days.

Several of my awesomesauce online ninjas pals have joined in past DietBet competitions before and have liked the extra motivation of winning a few doll-hairs at the end of the 4 weeks.  I'm finding that I need that right now - extra motivation to keep me on top of things.

I really want to feel good going out and buying a new bathing suit for the summer this year and I'm hoping this little battle with myself will help get me there.  I mean, the buy in was only $15.  I spend more than that at Starbucks in a 4 week period!  So, guess what?  No Starbucks for me.  Not for 4 whole weeks!  Yikes!!  Ok, maybe that's extreme.  Right?  Like, let's not push me off the rails and straight into the depths of crazy town!  Ok, new plan!  No SB for 2 weeks.  That, I can do.  If for some reason I do end up going there, all that I'm allowed to have is a brewed coffee with whole milk and raw sugar.  No handcrafted music of my soul goodness for 2. long. weeks.

So, I do have some good news to report!  I finally went out and bought a few new items of clothing!  It was well past due!  I'm doing some contract work for a couple of organizations and felt really embarrassed going in wearing the same thing each week!  Wanna see a few of my finds??  Ha!  Too bad!  Here you go!




Why, oh why is there always one picture that doesn't format properly?

So, now I don't look like a bum off of the streets, but I still feel like there's much room for improvement!  Time to kick this game into hiiiiiiiigh gear!  Those there hips need to get smaller and those there arms need to get more toned because summer, she's a comin'!

Hopefully these two work horses can help get the job done!


Who else wants to help keep me on track besides these two, adorable, furry bundles?




Monday 11 February 2013

This train is bound for glory!

I cannot, CANNOT, believe that I've had my treadmill for more than a week now - actually wait!  It's been almost two freaking, treadmill-filled weeks and I've yet to post a single word about my new BBF (butt blasting friend!)

So it all happened a little bit like this.  Two days before the BBF arrived, I was worried.  No wait, I was scared.  I was scared that I'd just convinced the Husband to spend $1000 on a machine that I might not actually be able to use.  My hip was still bugging me.  I'd been trying to stretch that MoFo out, but nothing was working.  Every time I flexed my toes or downwarded my dog, I sort of winced a little bit at the greeting my hip gave me.

However, the doorbell rang on that Wednesday night and the two guys grunted and groaned as they hauled my BBF into the front hallway.  Secretly, I was kind of hoping they'd take it down to the dungeon, but apparently the union and the Husband weren't hearing any of that request.

The Husband got me to help him push the box down the stairs.  That exercise was, well, a bit tense to say the least.  If you've ever hauled a really big box, containing really expensive stuff in it then you know what I mean.  I'm pretty sure some of the dye jumped off of my greys and ran away that night because FOR SURE there were more of them the next morning!

I digress!

The Husband got the old treadmill out of the way and within two and a half hours, had the new one all set up and ready to go.  I said to my hip, 'OK hip, listen up!  It's time to make nice with the BBF, so let's stop these shinanigans and do a little bit of running here, ok?!'  Ummm, well, maybe it didn't quite go down like that, but well, you get the point I'm sure.

2 miles.  That's how far I said I'd for for the trial run.

2 miles.  I could do that.  That's only 20 minutes.  I'd go slow.  No faster than 5.3 (which is what I log all of my runs at in MFP anyway - might as well actually do it!)

2 miles came, and I felt...FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!  I could feel my hip, but it wasn't hurting, it was just a bit tight.  The treadmill itself is AMAZING to run on.  I've never, ever run on anything like that before and honestly, I've been around the block a few times - well, at least on the little display screens I have.  I've never really run around the block on a treadmill.  Or with a treadmill.  That would be, well, odd.




So, I've been running.  And I've been loving it.  We ordered the iFit module for it, but of course there's a problem with it.  I'm not quite sure why they wouldn't have told us that when we ordered it, but oh well!  In the meantime I'll just keep doing what I'm doing!  I'm actually having to stop myself from running every day.  That's how much I'm loving it again!

The even better news is that I feel recommitted to this crazy journey.  I feel like I have what it takes to get down below that 150 point again.  I'm aiming for 145 as my goal.  I'm confident that if I get down there, I can maintain between 145 - 150 and be happy there.  I want to train to do a few 10Ks and hopefully the 15K again this summer if we're not away for it.  I'm not sure that I'm committed enough to take on a 1/2 this year, but hopefully next year I will be.

AND, I can't believe that I didn't mention my haaaaawt new kicks yet!  I love them.  I thought I was an NB'er for life.  I really did.  Then I went to a local running store where the woman there Blew. My. Mind.  She had me try on a pair of Sauconys because she had that I had very little pronation and that NB's were best for people with fairly pronounced pronation issues.  I swear - like on my life, that when I put these shoes on my feet, it's like I'm walking on pillows.  They are a-maze-balls.  I'm in love.  All over again!
Hmmmm, that's a really bad picture.  Clearly it's time for a new iCamera!

I'm still playing around with my big scary thing for 2013.  I've got a few ideas that I'm mulling.  I should be ready to share those with you.  Soon.  I promise!

Until then, my promise to you is my head is back in the game.  That means I'M BACK IN THE GAME!  That means you'll be hearing a lot more from me.  Hope you're ready for it!!

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Same %^*+, just a different week!

Blaaaaaaaah! That is what every pore, every fibre, every ounce of my body is screaming right now. Just blah!

I know that yesterday was Blue Monday and all, but come on! Enough already! I need to get my butt into gear and get this show back out on the road. I haven't really gained anything, but I haven't lost. More importantly though, the lack of exercise in my life is starting to show in obvious ways - like the thighs in my pants are getting tight again. My tummy is getting jiggly and my bum is starting to reach out to shake hands with next week. None of these things are good. None. Of. Them.

So, whose fault is it? Oh, you know. Mine!

Every day I wake up and am steadfast in my resolve to make today a better day than the last. I WILL drink my water. I WILL log everything that goes into my mouth. I WILL chose good, clean foods over heavily processed/easy choices. I usually make it until about 3:00 and then something happens. I don't know if that's when the boredom from not working out goblin invades my body or if its my butt sliding down the side of sugar mountain or what but I've got to get past this little funk because its gonna be bad news bears reeeeeeeaaaaaaalllllly soon!

So far today I've had about 50 oz of water. I'm going to at least double that between now and when I go to bed. For breakfast this morning, I had a yummy smoothie packed with greens, blueberries and other frozen fruit. I also put almond milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds AND for the first time ever, I threw in some raw pumpkin seeds for fun! I am still full from it and I drank the last bit about 2 hours ago! I will have salad with leftover Mexican night offerings when I start feeling hungry in an hour or so. Then for dinner tonight, I think we'll do some stir fried veggies and chicken with rice noodles. It's quick, yummy AND hits all of the above points!

I think it's time I make a move and commit to that scary thing I was talking about before. I've got a couple of ideas that I'm mulling over and will put out there toute suite, er, I mean PDQ? Before I get there though, I think I need to post about the Big Boy turning 8 tomorrow.

So much to enlighten you with over the next week or so! Hold on to your yoga pants, things are gonna get...real!

Water chugging makes me and the bathroom BFF's. gotta fly!

Sunday 13 January 2013

It's square to be hip...

Whaaaaaat? I don't even know what that means and I'm the one who just typed that. Like, with these two hands. Weeeeeeird...

So I tried running a couple of times last week and both times I ended up having to walk because my hip was hurting. I can't decide if it's a muscle issue, a joint issue... Even worse, I really don't know how to deal with it. Do I go see an RMT who specializes in sports injuries? Do I go to my Dr? Do I just keep trying to stretch it out and see what happens?

So many questions.

I think it's time for new shoes. They are a year old now and they've definitely seen some miles over the last year. I know for sure that they've done more than 300 miles, but probably more like 400. I know they say replace them at the 500 mark, but I think that once a year or 500 miles is a good plan. Which ever comes first.

The husband though? Yaaaaaaaaa, it's pretty safe to say that he'd disagree with that statement.
I mean, he wears theeeeeese on his feet all the time (keep those gag reflexes in check everyone, it's about to get real scary in here!)

So clearly he and I have veeeeeeerrrrrrry different points of view when it comes to the timely replacement of foot bling! I swear, if they still fit him, he'd probably still be wearing the very first pair of shoes he ever purchased by himself!

So, new shoes are on the agenda for this week. You know what else is? This meal plan, that's what!

What's happening in your house this week?

ps, does anyone know how to place pics in your posts from an iPad? I'd really love to figure this shizzzzzle out before toooooooo long!



Saturday 5 January 2013

Oh Mr. Sun, Sun! Mr. Golden Sun...

Where the heck are ya?  I seriously need some good vitamin D inspiration to get my butt outside.  I still haven't broken in my new lulu's and we're almost at 3 weeks post Christmas now.  What the haaaaaaay?


These are the ones Santa brought me.  I should REALLY get my ass outside and run in them before they don't fit this ass anymore!

Honestly, it's been about 4 weeks since my last run and can I EVER see a difference in my butt and thighs.  I was actually pretty happy with the reflection I was seeing in the mirror before Christmas happened.  I KNOW RIGHT!!  What?  What was that?  Did she really just say she was HAPPY with what she saw?  Yup, she sure did (ok, I should probably stop the 3rd person thing now, right?)

So, what happened since then?  The cold and snow and lack of a treadmill.  That's what happened.  I've been sitting on my lazy butt, ignoring my squatting and planking rules (every time I pee, I squat and plank - also part of the reason why I liked what I saw!)

We've been in our Christmas break mode for the last 2 weeks.  Allass, that comes to an end on Monday morning at 9:00 am!  The boys are back in school, so that means I'm back in my routine!  I can run whenever I want and not worry about whose making sure the kids aren't lighting the house on fire!  I can go to hot yoga - which I'm hoping to do at least once if not twice a week with my regular yoga date, EP.

Today, after I get my butt outside and finally get that run done (the garmin is charging on my lap - well, it's sitting on my lap under my computer, not actually charging from my lap.  Although that would be crazy impressive, wouldn't it?  I wonder how I'd track those calories burned in MFP?) I am going to plan out my meal plan and grocery list for the next week.  I'm done with flying by the seats of our pants!  We need order and routine around here and it's starting today!

I found this today on pinterest.  It spoke to me.  Like really did.  I think I'm gonna make some decisions over the next couple of months and then a plan to work towards something just for me.  2013 really is going to be a phenomenal year!


I want to do something scary this year.  Who wants to join??

Monday 31 December 2012

It's a new year, it's a new life...and I'm feeling good!

Can you even believe it for two seconds that 2012 is a mere handful of hours away from being done? I mean seriously, wasn't it just a few weeks ago that we were nervously heading into 2012? The end of the world year? Wow!

I've been MIA this month bi know it and simply put, I suck.

It's been crazytown around my house this month, but that doesn't mean that I couldn't find 10 minutes here or there to maybe post quickly wishing you, my awesome-sauce readers a Merry Christmas. I just didn't have words to write here.

I delayed doing my Christmas baking this year as long as I could. For two reasons really. The first is that I hate stale baking. If its not fresh, I'm not interested! Secondly, I knew that as soon as I made it, I'd start the slippery slope down towards I-don't-cares-ville-population-me! And I'd start shoving stuff in my mouth like nobodies business!

Sadly, I did really well. Ok wait. Lets be honest here because this is my blog so if I candy coat it (oh yummy, fibs covered in candy? Delish!) then I'm only really lying to myself, right? I was eating like crap, but because I wasn't eating very much I was totally staying within my calorie goals. As a matter of fact, on Christmas Eve morning, I stepped on the scale and I was 150.1. Just a mere .2 away from a new decade. And then I missed logging into MFP on Christmas Day and it spiralled from there.

I ate cookies, chocolate, cake, stollen (German Christmas bread with fruit and marzipan...mmmm!) So many things that I haven't touched in so long and I just stopped thinking about it.

I can't tell you the last time non-butter or cream laden veggies have entered my mouth. Oh wait, yes I can! December 23rd!!

So, I'm not going to promise that those spirals aren't going to happen ever again, but I can tell you this! I didn't enjoy seeing 155 staring back at me this morning. If I was in that Last Loser Standing contest, I'd be d.e.a.d. To them right now. Out. Game over. Plug pulled! I'm going to get back into my own game though because this girl doesn't want to slide any further down the hill than she already has!

So, for 2013 I'm going to pledge to do my best every day. To make the best choices I can to keep me moving towards my ultimate goal of being healthy. I'm going to find at least 30 minutes every day doing something with each of my little boys one on one and then one big thing of their choosing each week. I blink and they've grown a little more. I don't want to waste the few years I have left of them being sweet and innocent and all mine! I'm also going to strive to work with the Husband to get us into an even better place financially. We are not poor or destitute by any stretch of the imagination, but I know that we could both be more financially responsible.

So, those are my goals. I don't call them resolutions because I think it's easier to give up on resolutions. Goals, I think, are things that you keep working towards. When you hit a brick wall, you take a few steps back, brush yourself off and then set out on a new path towards that goal!

So, as I sit in the midst of the Christmas chaos that has still devoured my house, I'd like to wish you the happiest and healthiest of New Years! I hope that 2913 is a wonderful year for you and I honestly can't wait to see what comes our way!

Bring it 2013, this chick is ready!!

Monday 10 December 2012

Things my mama taught me...

I'm going to lay it out for you all right now.  This post that you're about to read is not going to be like what you'd usually find here.  I'm honestly not sure exactly what shape it's going to take, but I can tell you that it's going to be heavier than most of the things I post on here.

And here's why.

8 years ago today, I rolled my ginormously large, 9-month pregnant body from bed and got myself ready for work.  I went through the motions, even though I probably should have been somewhere else.  8 years ago today, I sat in my cubicle at work and starred at my phone as it rang with the phone number at my parent's house showing on the call display screen.  I listened to my Dad's voice on the other end and I knew in my heart, that my unborn baby was never going to meet his Grandmother.

8 years ago today, my husband rushed to my office and picked me up, because a) I couldn't have been trusted behind the wheel even if I did fit and b) my license had been suspended for not paying a speeding ticket.  Ooops!  8 years ago today, my sister and I drove in silence to the hospital where my mom had been admitted two days before, where we'd been waiting to get her admitted to long term care because we knew her battle with cancer was in it's final stages, although none of us had come to terms with it.

8 years ago today, I stood in a hospital room and watched, helplessly, as my mom took her last breath and slipped away from us.

In that one, horrible, life-altering moment I wasn't thinking about all the amazing things my Mom had taught me over the years.  No, I definitely wasn't.  I was thinking about how angry I was that my mom wasn't going to ever get to meet her grandchild.  How she wouldn't get to hold him the day he was born or watch him smear ice cream all over his face on his first birthday, take his first steps or hear him speak his first words.  I was thinking about what I'd just lost, in that one, horrible, life-altering moment.

I think it's only fair at this point that I tell you, my mom and I didn't have the best relationship when I was growing up.  I mean, I didn't want to inflict pain on her (well, not on most days anyway), but we were never besties or BFFs or anything.  She was my mom.  She drove me NUTS!  She was always signing me up for crap, trying to get me to sing at things I didn't want to do.  Trying to involve us in things within the community that in my eyes were lame and when I finally got to a stage in High School when I actually had friends to hang out with on the weekend, she would very rarely let me go out let alone drive myself anywhere.

It always felt to me like she was controlling.  Like it was her way, or no way at all.  Like she was there to tell me what to do, but not listen.

It's a funny thing, though, this thing called parenthood.  It gives you perspective.  It makes you look back at some of the things your parents did with you, and look at it in a new light.  Some things, you realize weren't nearly as awful and as meddlesome as you maybe thought they were, before becoming a parent.

So, on this, the 8th anniversary of losing my mom, I have come to realize that although she's no longer here with me in spirit, she taught me so much more than I ever knew.

She taught me that if there is anyone in this world to advocate for, it's your kids.  She taught me that a parent doesn't have to be their kids' best friend, but they do have to be their number one cheerleader.  She taught me that sometimes in life, you'll find great disappointment,  It's what you do with that disappointment though that will define who you ultimately are as a person.  You can either chose to sit and be angry about the hand life deals you, or you can wake up in the morning and be happy that you've gotten to see a new day.
She taught me that just because you're old enough to do something, it doesn't necessarily mean that you're emotionally ready to do it.
She taught me that even when you feel like you don't have even one more ounce to give, that there's always just a little more in there.
She taught me that Christmas is a time for miracles and that even if all you can offer is a song, you should sing it as loud and as often as you can.
She taught me that even though you may be fighting a losing battle, there is always a reason to fight back.  You don't give up.  EVEN when the fat lady is singing.
She taught me that there is nothing more important in this life than to love your kids and your family with the fiercest of all loves.  That even when you don't like someone, you STILL love them.
She taught me that if someone has hurt you, it's OK to be mad at them and to distance yourself while you heal, but that eventually, forgiveness is how you move forward.
She taught me that sometimes in life we have to make choices that we won't like.  Sometimes those choices will be easy and sometimes, they'll be heartbreaking.  When we're ready though, if we look and listen hard enough, the answers always seem to have a funny way of presenting themselves in one way or another.

Not a day goes by that I don't miss my mom.  That I don't wish she had gotten the chance to know her two amazing grandsons.  I know she would have loved them both to bits.  She would have been amazed by the big boy's amazing artistic skills and his passion for reading and learning.  She would have been won over in a second by the little man's sparkling eyes, warm hugs and infectious giggle.  Most of all though, I like to think that she would have been so proud that she raised a strong, confident and loving woman who will hopefully pass on some of the same lessons to her own sons.

I only wish my mom had lived long enough for me to truly appreciate the sacrifices she made for me, for my brothers and my sister.  I have to believe, that she watches over me, the Husband and our boys every day and knows that she taught me well.


Every year, I've searched for a way that I could recognize her on this day.  I mean, other than just thinking about her, missing her and getting together with whichever family members want to gather to remember.  But I'm talking about finding a way to honour her.

Last month, on a whim, I asked the principal of the boys' school if they had families within our school community whom they would be helping out at Christmas.  He told me they did indeed and would welcome any kind of support that we could offer.  So, today, in loving memory of my most amazing mother, I'm going shopping.  I'm shopping for a 13-year old girl, a 9-year old and a 5-year old boys.  I am going to make sure, just as my mom did every year, regardless of our financial situation, that those kids wake up on Christmas morning, and feel the magic of Christmas.

I'm pretty sure she'd be proud.