On the road again - (or atleast not draggin on the ground)

A bit of determination goes a long ways! 

I set my mind to it and Monday morning was my January 1st! 

Caffeine Detox ( from the diet cokes)

 and Sugar Detox

and it's Day 3 and I'm still alive to talk about it!

Now just to get off the Tylenol addiction for all the headaches. LOL! No headaches & fatigue today!

Yesterday I had a hard day at work and I am feeling some stress around my upcoming exercise classes. For the first time in 14 years of teaching here, i don't know if I have a spot to teach and 35 anxious students that want boot camp.

  Normally - Diet Coke & Mr. Big would have comforted me - but instead....  I chose to hop on my bike, headed out west towards the magnificent Rocky Mountains and biked 16 km's and then turned around and came home. I did 32 km's in 1 hr 17 min and it felt great!

In three days this week, I have done 50 km's between biking, walking and jogging.

 It feels great to feel great again and I can't believe that it only took

3 days of clean healthy eating, exercise & good night's sleep!

I sat down last night and did my goal setting sheet. My goal is to lose 19 lbs by Oct 20th

 ( our family vacation to Hawaii)  but... I have learned that that damn scale is not the be all end all...

for those of you who are addicted to the scale ... beware

I am 15 lbs lighter now than when I came back from Utah last year and

my body fat percentage is higher and my muscle mass is lower

and my clothes don't fit or look as good as they did a year ago

Don't be afraid of those weights, they may give you some muscles that weight more but you'll look better and burn more calories sleeping.

Well it's my Friday tomorrow and a challenge for me to keep this momentum going

why

BECAUSE I CAN  and I AM   WORTH IT!

until next time ... don't just think about it - DO IT!

1 Step Forward and 3 steop Back

Well I always said "if i didn't have to work - I would have no excuse to not be more active!" How wrong that is! I do not function well without a routine.  I've been off work for a month now and all in all I"m eating well and preparing meals but then snacking on crap and drinking pop all day long.  I am actually looking forward to getting home tomorrow and getting back to work on Monday.

I can't believe that it's almost been a year since I returned from Fitness Ridge. I am definitely not where I thought or wanted to right now .... but on the other hand - I am still under the weight that I came home at. I still have 4 months to tweak a few things and work hard until my 40th Birthday!

While on holidays here in BC, with access to this damn computer and Internet ( which is one of my biggest stumbling blocks) Bob Harper ( trainer from the Biggest Loser TV show) posted and it really opened my eyes and a day later The Biggest Loser Resort also posted it ( as I was reading while snacking on a chocolate bar) 

A true lifestyle change means you have to CHANGE your life!

Wow - how simple yet how complicated that is!  So it is time to sit down and go through my weight loss jump start materials and so some self assessments and goal setting and do some Changing!

Looking back since my last post -

I had a wonderful trip to Las Vegas with my husband.  We did a side trip up to Utah and I stopped by Fitness Ridge and wow - the emotions that rolled out.  We had a great day hiking around snow creek canyon and I did not do that STOP sign hike - as I wanted to spend my time hiking with him - and I did not need to prove anything to myself as I knew that I would have made it up there in under an hour

I kicked butt in my first Triathlon.  Even with my really really bad transition from the pool to the bike ( I decided that I wanted to be comfortable not fast, so I changed )

(didn't shower but might as well have LOL)

I came in 2 / 8 in my age category.

I would love to more triathlons and am considering spending my winter vacation at a Triathlon Training Camp in Tucson, Arizona in Feb!

I signed up for the Las Vegas Marathon.  After thinking about it ... I have decided that I am not going to go.  I really don't want to complete one of the biggest accomplishments of my life and get to the finish line and ....... have no one special there.  So I will find a marathon in Alberta where my family and friends could come and support me!

Well .... that's about it

The next post will not be 4 months away because

2 steps back and one step forward!

Where to start? I can't believe that it's been 4 months since my last post!

Let's start in February.  Our friends got married in the mountains and it was a great weekend away.



Me & My Wonderful Husband




Dancing with my boys!

A few days later, we went on a fantastic vacation to Maui HAWAII! Carson & I spent 10 glorious days in Maui.  I was feeling pretty sick with the flu and got down to ??? maybe 195 while in Hawaii. Dehydrated and feeling very skinny!  Then I got feeling better and found a great deal on chocolate covered macadamian nuts ;( probably a good few lbs on those)  I did quite a bit of walking and snorkelling - made decent food choices for being on holidays.

Enjoying a wonderful meal at sunset at Whalers Village

 Snorkelling in Molokini

We rented a boat and found a pod of wild Dolphins!
Wow what an amazing experience! 

 My favorite past time - swimming with the turtles!

Rock Climbing with the Junior Forest Warden's ( this is the kids' small wall)

did the big one - and made it to the top - so much easier

than it was 60 lbs ago!

May came along and I found myself in Vancouver with the challenge of my first

HALF MARATHON! I did well with my training - my fastest time was 2 hr 22 min to do 21.1 km

My goal was to do the race in under 2:15

The night before the race I stubbed my toe in the restraunt - ugh

So I wrapped it up and stuffed it in my shoe!

My time was 2 hours 10 min 49 sec! FANTASTIC - I was so proud. 
The race was relatively easy! There was a 200 m hill at Stanley Park at mile 8 
you could tell those who had not done the hill training - most were walking up the hill
I followed my training plan - 10 min run and 1 min walk - even up the HILL! 
It was tough but - I CAN DO IT! The training at Fitness Ridge helped
The mountain class, the treading class - dig deeper and try harder!
 

 Awesome feeling at the finish line! 
 Can't wait to hold the marathon metal next!

If you don't set your goals high - you won't know how far you can climb!

Even with the a successful race under my belt and my first triathalon around the corner - I feel like I am drowning!  I have gained 7 lbs and am having touble getting it off.  Consuming the devil's Diet Coke again, which goes hand in hand with chips, chocolate & ice cream.  I feel out of control and my fat cells have expanded and I feel like I've gained a whole lot more than  7 lbs!

How does one from feeling like the girl on the right - to the girl on the left in a matter of a few short months?
One day at a time - I am still down 62 lbs and I"m not throwing in the towel by any means!
The choice is mine - time to re-evaluate my goals, rewards
and make a U Turn!

I am off to Las Vegas with Carson the end of May. I am looking forward to going back to Utah to
conquer that STOP SIGN! I want to see how fast I can do it now!
And take Carson up some amazing hikes in Snow Creek Canyon!

Have an awesome week!



If you told me where I would be today - a year ago - I wouldn't have believed you!

It was an amazing day. I hosted my Weight Loss Jump Start Seminar. 30 strong and amazing ladies came from 8:30 - 5 and did everything that I put in front of them. Boot camp, Yoga, Resistance Training, Zumba, Stretching.  They sat through 2 hours of Nutrition Lectures, Exercise Information & Goal Setting.

I was going to do Subway Subs for lunch - but I did a bit of research into the ingredients and .... High Fructose Corn Syrup is the 3rd ingredient in the 9 grain wheat sub! Sickening! So I chose PIZZA - yes that is not a typo - PIZZA! 

Panago's multi grain, thin crust - with light cheese (about 1/2 as much) on a medium pizza - is only @ 125 calories a slice~! Pretty decent - so paired with veggies with low fat dip with a nice creamy yogurt for dessert - it was a pretty tasty lunch.

I am doing OK. I have achieved my goal of getting under 200. I weighed in today at 197.9.  I am enjoying a bit too much pop, sweets, treats - practicing some emotional eating so........... time to tighten up the belt - I am happy that I am not gaining weight through this struggle. I am accounting for the "slip ups" and paying for it with exercise and doing it in moderation. So it still may just be the 10 % and I feel like I'm cheating - but I feel much better when eating "clean"!

I bought  my first pair of Calvin Klein Jeans today at Costco - Size 16 and they fit good! Wow! Feels so great to be able to pick up pretty much any size 16 in any store and have it fit! I would like to get to that point in a 14 - so I need to make a plan and get practicing what I'm preaching.

I am still training for the 1/2 marathon - but need to get on a more serious schedule too.

I hope to report next post that I am getting back on track - now that I have some time to focus on me. I am still planning my wellness retreat in March - but I'm keeping it more simple and if it starts booking up more - then I'll do a bit more planning for it!

Have an awesome week - 3 weeks to get in Bikini Shape for Hawaii!

Happy New Year

Welcome to 2011! Happy New Year
What exciting goals / challenges will you face and achieve this year?
I didn't make any exciting resolutions
1 short term goal to be under 190 when I go to Hawaii in February
(only 8 lbs to go to achieve that goal)

I survived the holidays and came out 2 lbs under. Got in a fair amount of workouts in.
Last weekend I took 3 new certification courses - It was great to learn a few new things!
My new classes have started up and are going well.
I got a wireless headset and speaker system - so that my class can now hear me - seems kind of weird!

My New Year New You weight loss seminar is coming up next Friday. It has been frustrating trying to get people to commit and pay! Most people that haven't paid yet are using excuses to back out now. I just don't want to have to supply food, buy supplies & get manuals for them when they are not going to be there. Ugh............ dealing with people - I guess it's just part of the "job". I'll have to get solid policies and just start getting tough.

Well until next time - just wanted to drop a line to say that I'm still here, still on this journey and on track ( with the occasional bump and U turn - but doing OK)  just living a normal life feels great!

Happy New Year - get mooooooooooooooving!

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?