Survived Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I had a great Vacation to Las Vegas and a wonderful Holiday season with my great family!  It was fun to see the kids' excitement!

I now have a week off to get my life organized before Jan 1st!  Registration for boot camp, core camp, New Year - New You Weight loss Jump start Seminar,  getting all the lectures and handouts done for the seminar - starting to organize the retreat in March and getting the house cleaned up, Christmas taken down and MOST importantly - a week to get a ton of workouts in to get new ideas and get a few lbs off before the new year.


I went to Las Vegas for my 39th birthday and it was a lot of fun. The weather was horrible! We were not able to get out hiking - roads were flooded and closed. We went to the Canyon Ranch Spa and went to 2 great fitness classes and worked up a great sweat! Probably not how most people spend their time in Las Vegas

I came home from Vegas and jumped on the scale. 198.6 after 4 days of drinks, snacks, eating out, buffets - not bad. I made good choices most of the time and enjoyed food when I felt like it - within reason. It feels great to be losing weight slow and steady without being on a diet!  It makes me feel good that I might have a chance at succeeding and keeping this weight off.

I did some shopping in Las Vegas and bought my first pair of Size 14 pants!

 I think I was a size 14 when I was 14!

This is a picture from Las Vegas 2 years ago

it's unbelievable to look back - when you don't even recognize yourself!

Good incentive to keep moving in the right direction or just staying at this weight!

If you haven't thought about your "goals" - don't use January 1st as the date

START NOW! Make your short term goal for 30 days from NOW

Be accountable to YOURSELF! Believe in YOURSELF!

List the benefits of being healthier & fitter in 2011

Make a plan on how you can achieve that

Find ways to execute that plan

Find some motivation to help you start

Follow through - you deserve it

Cause you can and you are worth it!

Make the most of the upcoming week! Happy New Year

My goal is to weigh in on Jan 1st at 199 lbs - so just to maintain and hopefully I'll be down a few more - but it's really just a number on the scale now 

 I feel great, look great and am loving life

That is what is important.

mmm - not  all yummy things are full of calories! 

 Celebrating my 39th Birthday

My goal when I started this "transformation" was to be better looking and fitter at

 40 than I was at 20

I'm well on my way and have 359 days to improve!

Hanging In There

Well I'm still on track. Have been pretty busy with Christmas, Boot camp wrapping up. Getting ready to head to Las Vegas on Sunday to celebrate my 39th Birthday  for 4 days. I am planning on going back up to Utah and rocking that STOP SIGN hike - but the forecast is horrible. 80 mm of rain in the next 5 days.  So it may be indoor workouts!

Carson & I at his Christmas Party in Nov ( my size 16 dress!)

I love Canyon Ranch Spa. It's in the Venetian Hotel. There are exercise classes, a great gym, amazing spa facilities called "Aquavana" the SPA services are way too expensive but you pay $40 for 12 hours access to the spa & gym facilities and it's awesome. Hydrotherapy tubs, sauna, steam room, IGLOO shower, salt grotto, herb room, reclined heated stone chairs- a very awesome day. So we may have to do inside stuff and lots of walking.

I'm going to Vegas with my friend ANGELA - she is a VEGAS VIRGIN, so we have lots to see.

You do so much walking in VEGAS, there is so much to see & do.  I am looking forward to shopping and getting some new clothes.

My weight is good - still 199 - I won the Weight Loss Challenge at my Boot camp lost 13 lbs for a total of 6.2% body weight loss since Sept. So basically about 1 lb a week - could have been more but......

I don't feel deprived

I don't feel like I'm on a diet

I"m not obsessed

I'm just living and it feels great.

My classes for January are coming along good for registration. My NEW YEAR NEW YOU weight loss jump start has 23 people signed up - so I will have to work on it - polish it up!

Don't forget to focus on FAMILY and not the FOOD over the holidays.  They seem to go hand in hand, don't they?  Remember what you do with food - you can undo with exercise -

so if you don't want to do the time - don't do the crime!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

what is your goal through the holidays?\

My goal is just to weigh in at 199 on Jan 1st and then

to put some coal in my engine and get going again!

Donna

I now weigh Under 200 lbs!

I can't believe that I am saying these words

"One Hundred Ninety Nine" pounds! 



After a quick 30 min morning workout last week-
you don't need a lot of time to workout - just do something and get off the couch!



I know that the number is not the most important thing but........... that's a pretty big hurdle for a "big girl" to overcome - 55 lbs less than it was this time last year. I got into my "Skinny" size 16 - not 16W like I was wearing - just plain old 16!

I have been struggling with food and motivation. I was craving a pop - so I bought a Diet Dr. Pepper at the store and then next shopping trip - I bought a case to save $ and have for when I wanted just one.

I imagine you know the end of that story! I had 8 of the cans that week and am now craving pop again. I am happy to report that I am not having one daily and and none for breakfast! I will not keep it in the house - if I need one, I'll go to the store and get 1.

Boot camp is going well. WE are back in the GYM again. 4 more classes until the Christmas break and I am hoping to do a lot of videos and get lots of new ideas and drop 5 lbs between Dec 16th ( the end of work for me this year) and the first day back Jan 3rd! So I will have to keep my focus, make a schedule with both food and exercise and stick with it!

I had 2 Christmas Parties last weekend. I "paid" for some of the calories that I consumed before I ate them with some Cardio. I made wise choices at the meals - it's a dieters night mare the first party. There are several grazing stations - Seafood, Pasta, Carving, Desert, Appetizers, Cheese etc. just food , food, food, food - open bar for some yummy free drinks. So to not have gained any significant weight was good! The party the next night was a full blown turkey dinner with all the trimmings - so again I practiced portion control and it went OK!

I am going to Las Vegas for my Birthday in 2 weeks! I am going back to Utah for a day -

 so excited to go back and do some hiking and rock that stop sign!

My wonderful husband gave me my Birthday gift early - I got a Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS with a heart rate monitor. So i can track all my workouts and know how far I am going and how long it takes to get me there!

My plans for next year are to:

- reach my goal weight ( between 170 - 180 lbs)

- Train and run a 1/2 marathon May 1st in Vancouver ( already registered, hotel and flights)

- Complete an Olympic Sized Triathalon in Hinton ( where i grew up) on June 6th

So lots to work towards in 2010.

I have added in a Women's Retreat - ReNEW YOU - Health &Wellness Retreat on March 18 - 20th

out at Goldeye Centre in the Majestic Canadian Rockies. 

 So I will be busy planning for that as well! 

Well I've bored you all enough for now! Have a happy holiday season -

remember that the food is not the reason for the season!

 Remember that whatever you DO with food - you can UNDO with exercise!

What are your goals for next year?

Set some goals, make a plan, acquire the knowledge that you need,

and find some motivation and DO IT!

DON'T STOP BELIEVING - HOLD ONTO THAT FEELING!

Vacation Came and Gone

It was an amazing vacation to Mexico!  I had a great relaxing time. Did tons of walks on the beach - calves were screaming. Went to the gym and did some jogging on the treadmill and core work.  I managed to only gain 1 lb on my holiday.  5 days of 3 all you can eat and drink buffets - so that is not bad. I made healthy choices and used portion control. Did not go back for seconds and enjoyed everything that I wanted - in moderation and gave up other things to balance the calories out (white breads, pastas etc

I had the unique opportunity to go Zip lining. There is a weight restriction of 250 lbs. I have not been able to do this before and the guy that picked me up and threw a scale at my feet and told me to hop on - my previous nightmare! But it was OK - I hopped on proudly and came in 45 lbs under the line!

I did not meet my goal of being under 200 and am struggling at 204 and feeling a bit unmotivated.  None the less - the struggle continues and always will!

I am finding myself digging into the bags of chocolate chips and peanut butter jar a bit more than I should. I need to stop and ask myself - What emotion am I trying to stuff down my throat.  I have been eating more processed foods and can feel it. Even though my weight is in check - my body feels very bloated.

I have a friend who is participating in a weight loss challenge and she came over last night to workout and is coming again today and tomorrow - so that is great accountability and getting me moving again. When I am done typing this I am going to go downstairs to do a "Mountain" class on my treadmill to wear off the calories from the 3 hand fulls of chocolate chips that I ate while making "the kids" whole wheat banana bread for snack. I take the butter out and replace it with applesauce and it works great - try it if you haven't.

Well here are a few pics from my Mexican Adventure! I came home to an ugly blast of winter  - 25 degrees - cold - snow - wind - ugh! Better get the snowshoes and cross country skis out so that I can continue this healthy lifestyle outside again.

I have a lot of hard work to do this week - to feel confident wearing a very form fitting black dress for 2 Christmas parties next weekend.  Have a healthy and happy week!

Donna

A bit off track

I seemed to have lost focus a bit this week. 

 I got quite a bit of exercise in and seemed to be really craving and fighting my sugar addiction.

I have been eating more convenient processed foods and not counting calories and feel huge & fat! My body seems to do well on healthy whole foods (whose doesn't?)

I had quite a spill jogging last week. 

 I did 5.3 km and I went to do it again and my feet were feeling a little bit heavy

and I tripped and came down hard.

So much for getting my body bikini ready for Mexico!

 It's healing up pretty good except for the knee.

 I can't imagine doing this at the beginning of a Marathon and getting trampled by thousands!

Speaking of Marathons ---- I have registered for my first race!

 I am going to do a HALF MARATHON (21.1km) in Vancouver on May 1st!

 So excited. It's the 40th year for the race and

I am turning 40 next year so will be getting a special birthday race bib!

I am currently sitting in the airport on my way to Mexico. 

 I am going to try very hard to lose weight on my trip.

 My goal was to be 199.9 by now and I got to 202.4 and then

 hormones, bloating and life happened and I am at 203.

 So no room for 3 out of control buffets a day and endless drinks by the pool. 

 I will choose wisely and pay for any shortcoming.

There is a gym at the hotel that I will use as well and walk through the sand on the beach! 

 I have NO one peice bathing suit packed - so a BIKINI it is!

I am looking at this as my summer vacation.

The month "OFF" in Utah was great - but it certainly was not much of a vacation.

 So I am going to soak up the sun for 5 days in Cabo San Lucas and recharge

 the batteries and get ready to take the bull by the horns again.

For the first time - I am not running to the vending machine past security to buy

 6 bottles of Diet Coke to take to Mexico - Coca Lite does not taste the same

so I have always taken my stash of pop and chocolate bar - so that I could enjoy holidays.

I now have packed a book, some almonds, apples, veggie tray and subway sub,

bottle of water to enjoy the trip!

How great it feels to not be a slave.

Happy Remberance Day!

My bed for the next 5 days!

2 months at home

No exciting pictures, no amazing adventure this week - Just LIFE! I guess I am human LOL

I did not have a great weekend. It started out good, went for a 5.3 km run and then ran stairs for 20 minutes and then........ pop, popcorn, pizza, ice cream, chips, chocolate...... is this part of the 90 / 10? I'm thinking not so much. Although - it was only 2 pieces of pizza, only 1 pop, 1 - 90 cal bag of chips, a few Halloween choc bars - so all in all - not nearly as bad as it would have been "BEFORE".

I found that now I have a sweet tooth and need and want sugar. So I'll have to put an end to this. I am only up 1 lb from last week so that is not bad.  My goal is to be under 200 when I go to Mexico next Thursday so I'm gonna need to pick up my socks and get my butt out of this lazy boy!

I let all the girls in my boot camp know that I have "fallen off the wagon" and need a good kick in the butt , so I got it.  Well I will make a plan to get back on track because I have come way to far to turn around now.

Have a great week and I'll let you know how the U turn around this detour works out!

Ran My First 10 km!

It's been another fantastic week.  I am down another pound.

4 more until I am finally under that 200 lb mark.

 I think when I see 199 I will have to retire my scale for a few weeks -as seeing that number go back over 200 (as my weight fluctuates a few lbs a week even when losing) would do a big mental game.

My successes this week were: 

 I ran 10.6 km in 1 hour and 14 minutes.

 I only walked 2x for a short distance.

My goal is to do a half marathon in the spring and a marathon next fall.

I had a physical yesterday and I need to get my blood work done yet,

but my BP has gone from 140 / 90 last year to 120 / 80 this year!

 I guess I won't need to use that referral to the blood pressure clinic

 that I sort of ignored last year!

My bootcamp classes are going well! I am making them

"more challenging"

enjoying the challenges myself and am amazed that

I can actually keep up with myself!

We went into the city to get some family photos done.

They turned out not so bad considering that the

kids were acting up quite a bit!

(Which is why it's been so long since we've ha

d family pics done!)



My Wonderful Family






A look back at our first family photo 2001

As I sat and looked through the pictures at the store - I hardly recognized myself.

 It's kind of weird. Everyone else sees you - but you don't look at yourself too often. 

 I am very pleased with the progress that I am making.

 It is slow and I certainly could be working harder, but .... slow and steady wins the race!

 More importantly I am just living and going about my week 

 making healthier choices with food and fitness part of my life

and not obsessing about anything and it feels great!

I need to make a plan to get those last 4 lbs off in the next 3 weeks

as I have my bikini packed in my suit case

for a well deserved 5 day get away to

Cabo San Lucas Mexico!

Have an awesome week - If you haven't yet gotten off the couch

and started thinking about what you are

putting into your mouth and why

What are you waiting for?



Getting Stronger Mentally & Physically Everyday

Getting Stronger - mentally and physically everyday!

My Family - at the 2nd Falls at Johnson Canyon 1.5 miles in

April 2007 at 252 lbs
ughhhhhhh this was a motivational photo that I used to get my butt in gear after seeing it! Sometimes those pics are useful for something. Everyone comments "You are looking great - how much weight have you lost"
Why don't they say - you are looking like you've gained a few lbs???
( When it's needed)







Oct 2010 at 205 lbs
Life is so much easier and more fun at a healthier weight!

It has been a good week. I did my 2nd presentation about My Experience at The BLR and I educated 60 more people about Diet, Nutrition, Psychology, Motivation.  I am glad that the presentations are over so that I can start to focus on me. I need to get a good schedule going and work on some bad habits (going to bed to late is the biggest one)

Boot camp classes are going great. I did a free class on Monday and it was fun! I had an old friend show up with her husband and we had a good fun and hard workout.

We are in Canmore & Banff this weekend. I was supposed to have a nice Girls weekend away - but that fell apart - so I used the opportunity to have some nice family time.  I was going to hike up the Sulpher Mountain Gondola (right up a steep mountain 2500 feet with an average grade of 17%) but did not. Was scared about hiking alone with bears and the kids acted up and I didn't want to pay a lot of money to "reward them" with a nice trip up the hill. They came home and I looked at some bikers on the side of the highways on the way back to the condo and thought.......... I want to do that. Decided not to rent a bike but.......

decided to WALK from Canmore to Banff. Hilly and it was 16 km from our condo to where I was picked up in town.  I did it in 2 hours and 21 min (after I had done 5 km's hiking into

Johnston's Canyon) It felt great just to DO IT. I can't imagine ever even thinking about doing that before FR!

The scale is still going down. It's almost surreal. I get a glimpse once in awhile in the mirror and go..... is this really happening - fold my laundry and they are 1/4 of the size ... it really is happening. So happy! So worth it!

I have decided to do a Full Day Seminar called

"New Year - New YOU"

Weight Loss Jump Start Seminar

Jan 22, 2011 in Rocky Mountain House (home)

at the Community Center

including

Zumba, Yoga, Bootcamp, Stretching

Resistnace Training Seminar with Band to take home

Nutrition & Exercise Planning Worshop

Emotional Eating and Self Assessments

Resource Manual

Healthy Lunch and Snacks

so there goes my .... time to myself.... oh well - it will keep me ACCOUNTABLE to standing up in front of another large group of women!

You can check it out on Face book at

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=631753611#!/event.php?eid=116951761697315

I won't weigh in until Wed - number really doesn't matter to me - the clothes are fitting great - that tells the story.

Have an awesome week!



My Biggest Loser Resort Experience Video

Another great week. Another 2.5 lbs gone. I have now lost 49 lbs since signing up! Yipeeeee!

2 ladies that have never hiked before asked me to take them up Allstones so... I delivered and had another great hike 

  I am looking forward to my 2nd presentation tomorrow night. There are a lot of things that I need to get started on and I haven't been able to focus on me much lately.

Thanksgiving came and went in Canada. I used the plate method ( I can't remember if Emily said anything about the height of the divisions LOL.  I have a lot to be thankful for this year - that is forsure.  We went to my sister in laws for dinner - which is great - no left overs!

I was doing research for my presentation and diets.com say that the average thanksgiving meal is 4500 calories, so it takes the gal on the video 6 hours and 40 minutes of jogging ( so basically a marathon) to get it off. Much easier to not put it on I do think!

Have a great week

Week 5 at home

 Another great week. I had the opportunity to go on an amazing hike with a great friend. I am so lucky to have such great support and workout buddies.  Coliseum Mountain was an elevation gain of 2000 feet and 13 km. I burned 2000 calories and had a great fall day!

I enjoyed too many sweets this week. My sweet tooth has returned and I was able to enjoy them in moderation.  I am counting my calories pretty well and putting in extra cardio if I have to to wear off the extra calories. If you wanna play - you have to pay!

I was featured in our town newspaper this week. There is a whole page on my experience in Utah at the Biggest Loser Resort.  So now - the whole town will be holding me accountable at the grocery store and in the restaurants.

I am giving a presentation tomorrow night for the ladies at Curves and whoever wants to come. Next week I am doing the presentation again at The Church of The Nazarene on Tuesday at 7 pm.  I am looking forward to sharing all the knowledge and information that I got at the BLR.  Canadian Thanksgiving is coming up this weekend - it may be 1 bigger meal -but that is about it - I can do some cardio to get some extra calories for the gravy and mashed potatoes. I may get a chance to go hiking again on Saturday as well.  Next weekend I am taking a girlfriend to the mountains and we will go hiking again - I am so addicted. I guess it's not a bad one though.

This is coliseum mountain. We started from the bottom and hiked up on the right hand side and then walked up around the top part in the middle and then up to the top of the knob on the left! Great place for lunch.

 Have a great week and I'll keep on keeping on! I lost 1 lb this week. I went clothes shopping and am fitting into a size 16 pretty well at Sears, Walmart etc. yeah! Oh what a feeling!

  We met my parents for an anniversary dinner and my mom did not recognize me walking through the door.

Week 4 - 1 month Back Home

A fall hike to Allstones Lake

I did this same hike before I went to Utah. It was tough. I had to stop every 10 steps
to catch my breath. My heart rate was at 180 climbing up and up and up and up. 

This time - I did not have to stop - I did to admire the view and take pictures - my heart rate average was 126 this time - last time it was 156! Wow - so much easier not carrying 35 extra pounds up the mountain.

 Gorgeous Fall Colors

 Eating Lunch - I packed a healthy lunch full of nuts, veggies, fruit, whole grains,

lean protein and washed it down with lots of water!

What a fantastic and busy month it has been. I got home 1 month ago today and all is going 

 I am 11 lbs down from the morning I got home.  I am enjoying "living". My life before consisted of  an All or Nothing " on or off" attitude.  It feels so good just to live! Food is something you need for fuel and it doesn't rule my life anymore. Don't get me wrong - I am enjoying my treats - but ... I know that they are in moderation and that they need to fit into my calories if I want to continue losing weight.

Our local newspaper ran a page on my experience at The Biggest Loser Resort. It will be good to have public accountability. I imagine that there will be a few eyes (we live in a small town) watching what I put in my grocery cart and what I choose to eat while I'm eating out. LOL.

I am doing 2 presentations in the next 2 weeks on my experience.  I am looking forward to sharing the valuable knowledge that I learned with as many people that want to listen.

Clothes shopping has been fun . I now buy what I like and what I want instead of WHAT FITS! It's a great feeling.  I am taking more pride in my appearance. I am spending more time looking better on the outside - which reflects how I am feeling on the inside.

This journey will be forever and I am just taking it day by day. So far - it's gone well and all the valuable brainwashing that I got at BLR has been working.  The sense of control that I have over my life, food & habits is great!

Until next week - Keep fit and have fun  - You are worth it - it is worth the hard work and sacrifices to feel this good!

Week 3 At home

The gorgeous fall scenery close to home

my brave kids making mom proud climbing and rappelling

It has been another great week. I have lost 2 more lbs.  A total of 45 lbs exactly since January when I signed up for The Biggest Loser Resort.  I am so proud of myself for making it this far.  I have a lifelong journey ahead of me - but it's not about the destination - it's about the journey. There is going to be U turns, wrong roads, flat tires, pot holes - but as long as I keep going - I will get there !

I have not been working out as much as I should be ( but really who says how much LOL) I did boot camp Mon and wed, jogging Tuesday, treading on Thursday and then that's about it. I need to get lifting more weights and doing more core work.  I need to make myself a schedule and just do it!

My boot camp classes are going great. It is really full -but it's working.  I am burning @ 630 calories during my class (that's even with my heart rate monitor set at 210 lbs (it was at 228 lbs still))

I am having more sweet cravings this week - maybe because of the hormone monthly thing?? Who knows - so I've been having a few treats - making sure that they fit in with my calories and it has been OK, I am learning moderation and not being all or nothing lately! Feels good to be in CONTROL!

I took new pictures in a Bikini that I wore when I signed up for the BLR in January and OMG! It's scary to look at how fat and big I was and am so happy to be where I am. I will keep working and it would be great to get another set of pics in a few months ( if there good enough maybe I'll post the bad ones !)

I will keep on keeping on.  My husband has been gone for 6 days so I'm looking forward to having him home so that I can get to the pool at nights, jogging and maybe some biking. But I have no excuses as I have a whole gym in my basement - so i can workout at home anytime.  Well better get the slow cooker supper ready for tomorrow night!

1. Have a great week - I hope to report a number (not that the number is important)  that is under 210 next week!

WeeK 2 at home

Me at the top of the 30 foot climbing wall

Having fun rapelling down the 30 foot climbing wall - the best part about making it to the top!

Enjoying a horseback ride even in the rain and in the mud

A wonderful group of women at this years Women's Wellness Retreat

me horseback riding at the retreat last year ( it was a good weight loss motivation pic!)

It has been a very busy week. I had my Women's Wellness Retreat this weekend. 30 ladies come and enjoy the weekend with opportunities to go Horseback riding, archery, wall climbing, biking, hiking, canoeing, yoga, pilates, bootcamp, stretching, core camp, bellydancing, or doing whatever they wanted while they were served 5 meals and 3 snacks.  It was very busy organizing and supplying and I taught bootcamp, pilates, core, stretching and managed to get to climb the wall and go for a horseback ride.


The food was not overly healthy - I did pack my own and used it a bit. I made substitutions and used protion control. I did fine - I still ended up losing 2.5 lbs this week.


My bootcamp class has started up and it is very busy. I shouldn't complain as it's very popular (37 ladies) and a big waiting list. I had a compliment from a student that said that it  was very professional and I did learn a lot about presentation with being in fantastic classes for a month!

I am running now.  Friday was a busy day with the retreat starting and I knew that I would not be able to get my workout in if i put it off, so I dropped the kids off for school and ......... went to the trail and ran 5.6 km in 34 minutes and burned 400 calories and had a great workout! YOu really have to plan - food exercise - it's a great way to succeed!

I have been having some chocolate in the last few days ( leftover halloween bars from the retreat ) and they are almost gone so i will make a promise - no chocolate tomorrow!  I have been counting the calories and making sure that they worked in with my calories.

Life is busy but great. My new lifestyle is working out great. I am not getting enough sleep - I need to work on that.

I am itching to go on another vacation - I have time off Nov 11-16th and not sure if I should go to Mexico or Las Vegas. If i go to vegas I will drive to Utah and get a massage from Tyler - Oh yes I will and go and see if I can do Stop Sign in 53 minutes this time!

Have a great week ........... see you next week