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