Countdowns... Countdowns everywhere... Lets start from the top (but apparently, not really in correct order, but whatevs):
1. My 30th Birthday, 79 Days away! I am still on a mission to lose my 30 lbs by my 30th birthday! I think I have about 25 lbs to go!
2. Here in lies another countdown in itself... I wanted to lose 30... 5 down, 25 to go! Let's keep counting....
3. The UG Series - UG Madness competition at Downsview Park. September 20th... 67 days away! I am going to be part of an Amateur Team, but I still have ass loads of work to do. If there is a run in the event, I am screwed! (Check it out here)
4. My NYC Trip! I have never been... And since we leave the day AFTER my 30th birthday for 5 nights, it's 80 days away! So extremely excited to go to NYC with my wonderful boyfriend. Our flight it booked. BEAUTIFUL hotel is booked. It's going to be amazing!
5. Amber's Bachelorette Party - Las Vegas Pool Party Style! 332 Days! I want to try to lose at least 70 lbs by this time... which is 332 days away. 47 weeks at 1.5-2 lbs per week, this is a highly do-able goal! I just need to learn to not love food so much. Sugar detox? Yes. Paleo? Let's do it! I got two amazing high waist (cuz I am not a fan of my belly) 2 piece bathing suits that I want to wear... I'd hate to not be able to wear them because I was a lazy ass.
6. Amber's Actual Wedding!!! 425 days! At this point, if I have achieved the goal above, the mission here will be stability and maintenance... Make sure I keep everything off that I have lost at this point. It apparently takes 18 months of stable weigh maintenance in order for your body to adapt to its new size, so the wedding will happen during this process! I will, however, likely need to get my dress altered, but that's ok! I sure do love the dress... I bought it a little early, but I think it will be ok... It's an easily adjustable dress. Eeek, so excited.
7. Now, I have to commit myself! Not really a count down, but really, it's something I need to do every day, so technically, it's a daily goal that I am working toward and every successful day is a step in the right direction! How do I do this?? Well, I work out every day (rest days aren't really rest days because I still take the dog on long walks or clean my house or do something)... Lots of water, daily.... A diet of clean, fresh, non-processed food... Sleep, I NEED my sleep or I just don't work at all... Minimal sugars and bad carbs.... And most importantly, a positive attitude and consistency! Why is that part the hardest? At least with Crossfit, I have people expecting me to be there... So it's harder to avoid if you have to be accountable to someone. Having 2 active gym memberships (the other that is a 24 hour super gym) will really take the possibility of "missing a class" or a "schedule conflict" out of the mix, which is good!
So is this all achievable?? Well, honestly, I have no clue... but here goes nothing. I have some amazing girlfriends whom I work out with regularly that keep me committed, so hopefully we can all rely on one another to get this done.
Wish me luck, folks. I will be checking in regularly. Weight loss sucks... It's hard... But it needs to be done for some of us... And today is day one!
How are you going to achieve your goals?
Ashley - Challenge
Monday, July 14, 2014
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Moderation! Motivation! Dedication! Determination!
It's often hard to see your own progress! It's easy to feel like you are starting from the bottom and your goals, ESPECIALLY fitness and weight loss goals, are next to impossible to reach. We often forget that we didn't become overweight and out of shape over night and, sadly but truly, it takes even longer to undo what you have done to yourself than it was to do it in the first place.
I am on a journey! Yes, I know, totally cliché, but it is true. I have been battling my weight for YEARS and, honestly, I have fallen off the path several times. If you look back through my blog posts, you will see that I was totally go go go just a year ago, but lost the momentum when things changed, I didn't adapt to the change in lifestyle, but my body sure did. It got used to lack of healthy food and exercise. Since I wasn't moving, neither was my metabolism. Even my blog posts vanished, after becoming very negative and angry at myself publicly, sadly.
You see, I like things to be social! I like being surrounded by like minded individuals and, contrary to the current size of my ass, I really like being active. Last year, when I was all go go go as I mentioned, you will see a common thread... I had a person, I had a one-on-one trainer to answer to, I had a group of people that I met us with regularly that had like minded goals and we all worked together. Well, things changed and even though I still had a gym membership, I never went. I didn't know anyone, I was bored, I didn't have anyone to help plan out my work outs and I didn't have the social aspect of fitness to keep me going! I think, if in highschool, I was good enough to be on sports teams, I would have done very well, because I like being part of a team.
Although some people will argue with me until they are blue in the face about it, I have found that again, through Crossfit. My adventure started out in the owner's basement... He had an awesome set up, and, although small, it served its purpose and we all did pretty well. But as interest grew (and taller people joined us), he decided to open an actual gym in a proper unit and it is amazing. I am totally hooked! Soon as I walk out of the gym now, I am looking forward to and planning out my next work out. I feel a sense of accomplishment, even if I am the last to finish a work out or I am unable to lift a certain weight and have to drop it, I am ok with that, very ok! I am competitive, by nature, but I am really only interested in beating my own records and, for the most part, that goes for everyone there as well!
As for the people, they are all amazing. The coaches are super friendly, know their stuff and are extremely helpful and encouraging. Outside the gym, I may not have as much in common with them, but inside, we are all striving to kick ass, break our personal records, beat our previous times and, most importantly, cheer each other on as we do so. For the most part, we are all following a similar diet (some paleo, some just clean eating)... I follow Weight Watchers (as I mentioned before, I'm all about accountability) and eat as clean and naturally as possible! Each one of us is striving to be the best version of ourselves and I truly find that having that energy is what is going to help me achieve my fitness goals! (Like "The Cabin Crossfit" on Facebook if you are interested in more information).
I have two current goals! My weight loss goal is to lose 8 lbs per month. I would like to lose 40 lbs by my 30th birthday (October 1st) and, so far, I am right on target. Last week's Weight Watchers weigh in had be down 6 lbs, so still two weeks remaining of the month and more than half way to my monthly goal! My second goal, as silly as this may sound, is to stop wearing giant bagging sweaters at the gym! These people I am working out with are not blind, they are already aware that I am chunky, THAT IS WHY I AM THERE! But restricting myself under heavy clothes and hiding any potential results because I am not comfortable is the silliest part of all! Besides, we are going into the summer months with no AC at the gym, icky! I guess it's just important that I don't make the same mistake I did before by trying to set giant scary goals... I am going to keep them light, short term and achievable in order to actually have the opportunity to feel accomplished and rejuvenate my motivation and energy each month in order to push further!
I am an extremely lucky person. I have an amazing home life, a great boyfriend and, now, an amazing group of people to work out with daily and I am thankful for it all!
Finally, I have posted the words: "Moderation! Motivation! Dedication! Determination!" all over the place... At work, at home, on my cell phone, in my car... I read these words daily to remind myself that I need to stay focused, patient and encouraged to reach my goals! Further, I have the picture below on my fridge, it is me now and me 10 years ago, to remind myself that this is and always will be an ongoing journey for me! I used to say "struggle", but that is negative! Where I am now is positive and I want to continue in a positive manner!
Follow me on Instragram for updates:
I am on a journey! Yes, I know, totally cliché, but it is true. I have been battling my weight for YEARS and, honestly, I have fallen off the path several times. If you look back through my blog posts, you will see that I was totally go go go just a year ago, but lost the momentum when things changed, I didn't adapt to the change in lifestyle, but my body sure did. It got used to lack of healthy food and exercise. Since I wasn't moving, neither was my metabolism. Even my blog posts vanished, after becoming very negative and angry at myself publicly, sadly.
You see, I like things to be social! I like being surrounded by like minded individuals and, contrary to the current size of my ass, I really like being active. Last year, when I was all go go go as I mentioned, you will see a common thread... I had a person, I had a one-on-one trainer to answer to, I had a group of people that I met us with regularly that had like minded goals and we all worked together. Well, things changed and even though I still had a gym membership, I never went. I didn't know anyone, I was bored, I didn't have anyone to help plan out my work outs and I didn't have the social aspect of fitness to keep me going! I think, if in highschool, I was good enough to be on sports teams, I would have done very well, because I like being part of a team.
Although some people will argue with me until they are blue in the face about it, I have found that again, through Crossfit. My adventure started out in the owner's basement... He had an awesome set up, and, although small, it served its purpose and we all did pretty well. But as interest grew (and taller people joined us), he decided to open an actual gym in a proper unit and it is amazing. I am totally hooked! Soon as I walk out of the gym now, I am looking forward to and planning out my next work out. I feel a sense of accomplishment, even if I am the last to finish a work out or I am unable to lift a certain weight and have to drop it, I am ok with that, very ok! I am competitive, by nature, but I am really only interested in beating my own records and, for the most part, that goes for everyone there as well!
As for the people, they are all amazing. The coaches are super friendly, know their stuff and are extremely helpful and encouraging. Outside the gym, I may not have as much in common with them, but inside, we are all striving to kick ass, break our personal records, beat our previous times and, most importantly, cheer each other on as we do so. For the most part, we are all following a similar diet (some paleo, some just clean eating)... I follow Weight Watchers (as I mentioned before, I'm all about accountability) and eat as clean and naturally as possible! Each one of us is striving to be the best version of ourselves and I truly find that having that energy is what is going to help me achieve my fitness goals! (Like "The Cabin Crossfit" on Facebook if you are interested in more information).
I have two current goals! My weight loss goal is to lose 8 lbs per month. I would like to lose 40 lbs by my 30th birthday (October 1st) and, so far, I am right on target. Last week's Weight Watchers weigh in had be down 6 lbs, so still two weeks remaining of the month and more than half way to my monthly goal! My second goal, as silly as this may sound, is to stop wearing giant bagging sweaters at the gym! These people I am working out with are not blind, they are already aware that I am chunky, THAT IS WHY I AM THERE! But restricting myself under heavy clothes and hiding any potential results because I am not comfortable is the silliest part of all! Besides, we are going into the summer months with no AC at the gym, icky! I guess it's just important that I don't make the same mistake I did before by trying to set giant scary goals... I am going to keep them light, short term and achievable in order to actually have the opportunity to feel accomplished and rejuvenate my motivation and energy each month in order to push further!
I am an extremely lucky person. I have an amazing home life, a great boyfriend and, now, an amazing group of people to work out with daily and I am thankful for it all!
Finally, I have posted the words: "Moderation! Motivation! Dedication! Determination!" all over the place... At work, at home, on my cell phone, in my car... I read these words daily to remind myself that I need to stay focused, patient and encouraged to reach my goals! Further, I have the picture below on my fridge, it is me now and me 10 years ago, to remind myself that this is and always will be an ongoing journey for me! I used to say "struggle", but that is negative! Where I am now is positive and I want to continue in a positive manner!
Follow me on Instragram for updates:
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Happy New Year, Loser!
Sounds harsh, eh? I know, I am feeling a little harsh. The Loser is me... And not because I "lost" a whole bunch of weight, or shed pounds, or dropped fat like crazy.... It's because I feel like a loser. I tried really hard last year to stay on track and lose weight and I 'lost' the fight to keep it off and stay motivated.
I know that so many people battle weight issues, but I hate the fact that I have to be one of them. I have friends who can eat and eat and eat and never gain a pound. Others who can work out casually, run once in a while and look totally fit all the time. Weight loss and management is a full time job for me! I did the best when I was working out in the mornings and the afternoons with no rest days in between and sticking, to a tee, to the Weight Watchers schedule, no teetering... But that is NOT sustainable... And I felt very alone when I was doing that. I didn't have much of a social life and I did not have a good relationship that I wanted to commit my time to. Now I do!
I lost 50lbs and have gained back 35lbs. And no, it's not muscle, it's fat... I am a fat girl, I seem to have always been a fat girl and it appears that I will always be a fat girl. I don't even want to be skinny, I would be happy being where I was last year, maybe with a bit more muscle, because I felt like I looked good, even if others didn't think so, I was happy in my skin. But I did want I didn't want to do, I got complacent and lazy and "satisfied" and it was a bad thing for me. I didn't do any of the events I wanted to do, I let me cardio go to shit, I developed issues with food again and here I am, New Years Eve 2013, hating how I look and feel. So yes, I am going to say, this year, I was a loser, who clearly did not live up to my own expectations or keep my own promises to myself. I let myself down and others around me down.... And although this year was a happy year, I am sad and disappointed that I have let me health slide.
What can I do? I can continue going to Crossfit five days a week.... I can continue with Weight Watchers and do as much clean eating / paleo as possible to ensure I am getting the purest form of nutrition possible... I can continue having green / dairy free smoothies for breakfast and lunch and a healthy dinner every day.... I can work on my cardio at the gym between work outs at Crossfit.... I can continue to track my eating, activity and successes.... I can try to stay positive and change how I look at food... I think these things are all possible, if I can improve my attitude and outlook. So, instead of making a resolution for this year, I'm just going to to the above items and maybe do a few runs and obstacle courses. I'm also going to get outside more, head back over to Sunnidale to do some trail running.... I actually enjoy trail running. I am going to try to use as many possible avenues to remain positive and inspired this year and continuously thrive in positive re-enforcement. Anyone who doubts the Crossfit movement clearly doesn't understand that aspect of it! The community / family spirit that comes with each workout acts as a very influence on you... Inspiring you to do more, to lift more, to do one more rep, to push harder and I can't even put a price on that now!
Finally, in 2014, I am going to stop allowing shitty people into my life! I got rid of one poisonous friend this year who is anything but missed and I vow to not let people like that in my life ever again. So, yeah, that is my one resolution. I am going to write a year in review next! Enjoy.
I know that so many people battle weight issues, but I hate the fact that I have to be one of them. I have friends who can eat and eat and eat and never gain a pound. Others who can work out casually, run once in a while and look totally fit all the time. Weight loss and management is a full time job for me! I did the best when I was working out in the mornings and the afternoons with no rest days in between and sticking, to a tee, to the Weight Watchers schedule, no teetering... But that is NOT sustainable... And I felt very alone when I was doing that. I didn't have much of a social life and I did not have a good relationship that I wanted to commit my time to. Now I do!
I lost 50lbs and have gained back 35lbs. And no, it's not muscle, it's fat... I am a fat girl, I seem to have always been a fat girl and it appears that I will always be a fat girl. I don't even want to be skinny, I would be happy being where I was last year, maybe with a bit more muscle, because I felt like I looked good, even if others didn't think so, I was happy in my skin. But I did want I didn't want to do, I got complacent and lazy and "satisfied" and it was a bad thing for me. I didn't do any of the events I wanted to do, I let me cardio go to shit, I developed issues with food again and here I am, New Years Eve 2013, hating how I look and feel. So yes, I am going to say, this year, I was a loser, who clearly did not live up to my own expectations or keep my own promises to myself. I let myself down and others around me down.... And although this year was a happy year, I am sad and disappointed that I have let me health slide.
What can I do? I can continue going to Crossfit five days a week.... I can continue with Weight Watchers and do as much clean eating / paleo as possible to ensure I am getting the purest form of nutrition possible... I can continue having green / dairy free smoothies for breakfast and lunch and a healthy dinner every day.... I can work on my cardio at the gym between work outs at Crossfit.... I can continue to track my eating, activity and successes.... I can try to stay positive and change how I look at food... I think these things are all possible, if I can improve my attitude and outlook. So, instead of making a resolution for this year, I'm just going to to the above items and maybe do a few runs and obstacle courses. I'm also going to get outside more, head back over to Sunnidale to do some trail running.... I actually enjoy trail running. I am going to try to use as many possible avenues to remain positive and inspired this year and continuously thrive in positive re-enforcement. Anyone who doubts the Crossfit movement clearly doesn't understand that aspect of it! The community / family spirit that comes with each workout acts as a very influence on you... Inspiring you to do more, to lift more, to do one more rep, to push harder and I can't even put a price on that now!
Finally, in 2014, I am going to stop allowing shitty people into my life! I got rid of one poisonous friend this year who is anything but missed and I vow to not let people like that in my life ever again. So, yeah, that is my one resolution. I am going to write a year in review next! Enjoy.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
282 Days Absent!
What was I thinking? Last time I blog, I say I am going to review my new gym, then NOTHING, literally nothing, for 9 months.
To any loyal fan I may have gotten in the 2 months of blogging that I did, I sincerely apologize for my absence. I confess, I have been bad! I have lost my motivation and I am finding it very, very difficult to keep up. Just like this blog, my gym attendance dropped significantly... I haven't been a total failure, but I haven't been great either. I completed a few events, so I will go over all of those.
First off, in May, I went to Vancouver for a week, the trip was AMAZING!!! Although not an official event, while I was there, my dearest former Guelph friends and I completed the Grouse Grind on Grouse mountain, rated amongst the 10 most dangerous hikes in the world. It was ridiculously difficult. 2,830 stairs to the top, 2.9 kms vertical, and as the air thins, breathing becomes so difficult. I honestly thought I was going to die a few times, but I managed to make it to the top. It took a few minutes over 2 hours and I'm pretty sure my far more fit friends were ready to kill me, but the view at the top was so worth it. There were bears and crazy birds at the top to look at and such, but wow, the view was amazing. It was May when we were up there, but at the top of the mountain, it was a crisp 10 degrees and there was still TONNES of snow. We took a gondola back down to the bottom, thank god, and I slept like you wouldn't believe that night, but it was a great experience.
On Canada Day, I took to the waterfront to complete the Canada Day 5K. I didn't do too bad, cut 10 minutes off my NYE 5K time. Completed in 37 minutes... I know that isn't great, but I am not a very good runner AT ALL so for me, it was an accomplishment.
Further to that, on the 20th of July, I completed the Warrior Dash for a second year in a row, well, just barely, this year it was far more difficult. They reversed the course and, not even kidding, a guy dropped dead within the first few hundred feet... However, he apparently had heart issues prior, but that just shows how much more difficult the race was, from start to finish.
So, those were the 3 of the 4 events I did complete this year, even though I had planned to do 6 or 7, it is ok I think. On August 11th, after realizing that I really need more guidence to pull myself out of the rut I got into, I started doing Crossfit. I don't go to a big expensive Crossfit gym, I do Crossfit with a small group of people who have a full Crossfit gym set up in their basement. I love it... Even though I suck. Crossfit it a lot of pull ups, push ups, sit ups, lifting, skipping, rowing and fast paced movements. I am good at most of the lifting, carrying around all this weight all my life has actually given me some muscle. Skipping, or double unders as they go in Crossfit, are tough for me... again, because I have higher body weight and gravity is a bitch, but I am getting better. Sit ups I do well at... Push ups and pull ups suck big time, but there are band assisted pull ups that are allowing me to build up some more strength and complete the exercises and Work outs (WOD's). The Crossfit group that I work out with is truly amazing. They motivate me, they support me and they are all so patient with me.... And I try my hardest to do the same for them. I really hate letting people down, so that is a positive motivator for me. I owe them soooo much!!
I find that I am finding some improvements in strength, but I am so discouraged lately as I have put on so much more weight. I haven't gained back everything... and I know some is muscle... but it is the wrong direction.
When I first started out with working out and Weight Watchers I was miserable, I hated myself, I was in a negative relationship and I had zero confidence. I worked my ass of and lost almost 50 lbs... I ended the relationship that brought me down... I gained independence... I built confidence... I learned to love myself and I felt sexy! I believe that the way I felt about myself and the fact that I began to put myself out there instead of hiding is the reason I met Jason, who is truly the love of my life. I am so happy and so comfortable. Yes, that is a good thing, but in the beginning, my need to want to impress and keep him interested kept me strong and motivated. But once I realized he genuinely loved me like no one ever has for who I am, not what I look like, I got too comfortable.... I stopped working out so much, I stopped tracking with Weight Watchers and going to meetings. I'm not blaming, but I know that I got complacent and, with that, I am vowing to change. I want to be Jason's motivation like I was before and I want my motivation to be feeling as I did about myself when we first met, sexy and confident, so I can enjoy our relationship the way I am supposed to so I don't disappoint him anymore.
That being said, I don't know if this is so much a Fitness Self-Challenge, but just a Personal Self-Challenge. The steps I am taking to fight back to where I was are as follows:
1. Keep blogging, I need to stay accountable and remind myself of why I'm doing this.
2. Track all my meals and food, attend my Weight Watchers meetings and follow the program.
3. Continue cutting grains and dairy. Replace bad stuff with fruit and veggies.
4. Crossfit 5 times per week: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday.
5. Work on Cardio in the mornings. Attend Cardio classes to rebuild my metabolism
6. Stay Motivated. Remember why I am doing this. Learn to love myself again.
7. Get back into the few items of clothes that don't fit me anymore.... Normal sized clothing is so much cheaper!
No one is to blame for weight issues.... Maybe genetics... But mostly, we are all responsible for ourselves.
I own what I am, what I've done and what I have become. I want to be a better, fitter, healthy version of me, FOR ME and I start today. I am going to plan meals and exercise and motivation. Yes, it's a few days before Christmas, but I am using that as motivation to earn my Christmas treats.
Thank you if you read this. Please wish me luck. I promise I will be back soon (I think instead of daily, I am going to work toward weekly posts).
Remember...."obesity doesn't run in your family... The issue is that NO ONE runs is your family"!
To any loyal fan I may have gotten in the 2 months of blogging that I did, I sincerely apologize for my absence. I confess, I have been bad! I have lost my motivation and I am finding it very, very difficult to keep up. Just like this blog, my gym attendance dropped significantly... I haven't been a total failure, but I haven't been great either. I completed a few events, so I will go over all of those.
First off, in May, I went to Vancouver for a week, the trip was AMAZING!!! Although not an official event, while I was there, my dearest former Guelph friends and I completed the Grouse Grind on Grouse mountain, rated amongst the 10 most dangerous hikes in the world. It was ridiculously difficult. 2,830 stairs to the top, 2.9 kms vertical, and as the air thins, breathing becomes so difficult. I honestly thought I was going to die a few times, but I managed to make it to the top. It took a few minutes over 2 hours and I'm pretty sure my far more fit friends were ready to kill me, but the view at the top was so worth it. There were bears and crazy birds at the top to look at and such, but wow, the view was amazing. It was May when we were up there, but at the top of the mountain, it was a crisp 10 degrees and there was still TONNES of snow. We took a gondola back down to the bottom, thank god, and I slept like you wouldn't believe that night, but it was a great experience.
On Canada Day, I took to the waterfront to complete the Canada Day 5K. I didn't do too bad, cut 10 minutes off my NYE 5K time. Completed in 37 minutes... I know that isn't great, but I am not a very good runner AT ALL so for me, it was an accomplishment.
Further to that, on the 20th of July, I completed the Warrior Dash for a second year in a row, well, just barely, this year it was far more difficult. They reversed the course and, not even kidding, a guy dropped dead within the first few hundred feet... However, he apparently had heart issues prior, but that just shows how much more difficult the race was, from start to finish.
So, those were the 3 of the 4 events I did complete this year, even though I had planned to do 6 or 7, it is ok I think. On August 11th, after realizing that I really need more guidence to pull myself out of the rut I got into, I started doing Crossfit. I don't go to a big expensive Crossfit gym, I do Crossfit with a small group of people who have a full Crossfit gym set up in their basement. I love it... Even though I suck. Crossfit it a lot of pull ups, push ups, sit ups, lifting, skipping, rowing and fast paced movements. I am good at most of the lifting, carrying around all this weight all my life has actually given me some muscle. Skipping, or double unders as they go in Crossfit, are tough for me... again, because I have higher body weight and gravity is a bitch, but I am getting better. Sit ups I do well at... Push ups and pull ups suck big time, but there are band assisted pull ups that are allowing me to build up some more strength and complete the exercises and Work outs (WOD's). The Crossfit group that I work out with is truly amazing. They motivate me, they support me and they are all so patient with me.... And I try my hardest to do the same for them. I really hate letting people down, so that is a positive motivator for me. I owe them soooo much!!
I find that I am finding some improvements in strength, but I am so discouraged lately as I have put on so much more weight. I haven't gained back everything... and I know some is muscle... but it is the wrong direction.
When I first started out with working out and Weight Watchers I was miserable, I hated myself, I was in a negative relationship and I had zero confidence. I worked my ass of and lost almost 50 lbs... I ended the relationship that brought me down... I gained independence... I built confidence... I learned to love myself and I felt sexy! I believe that the way I felt about myself and the fact that I began to put myself out there instead of hiding is the reason I met Jason, who is truly the love of my life. I am so happy and so comfortable. Yes, that is a good thing, but in the beginning, my need to want to impress and keep him interested kept me strong and motivated. But once I realized he genuinely loved me like no one ever has for who I am, not what I look like, I got too comfortable.... I stopped working out so much, I stopped tracking with Weight Watchers and going to meetings. I'm not blaming, but I know that I got complacent and, with that, I am vowing to change. I want to be Jason's motivation like I was before and I want my motivation to be feeling as I did about myself when we first met, sexy and confident, so I can enjoy our relationship the way I am supposed to so I don't disappoint him anymore.
That being said, I don't know if this is so much a Fitness Self-Challenge, but just a Personal Self-Challenge. The steps I am taking to fight back to where I was are as follows:
1. Keep blogging, I need to stay accountable and remind myself of why I'm doing this.
2. Track all my meals and food, attend my Weight Watchers meetings and follow the program.
3. Continue cutting grains and dairy. Replace bad stuff with fruit and veggies.
4. Crossfit 5 times per week: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday.
5. Work on Cardio in the mornings. Attend Cardio classes to rebuild my metabolism
6. Stay Motivated. Remember why I am doing this. Learn to love myself again.
7. Get back into the few items of clothes that don't fit me anymore.... Normal sized clothing is so much cheaper!
No one is to blame for weight issues.... Maybe genetics... But mostly, we are all responsible for ourselves.
I own what I am, what I've done and what I have become. I want to be a better, fitter, healthy version of me, FOR ME and I start today. I am going to plan meals and exercise and motivation. Yes, it's a few days before Christmas, but I am using that as motivation to earn my Christmas treats.
Thank you if you read this. Please wish me luck. I promise I will be back soon (I think instead of daily, I am going to work toward weekly posts).
Remember...."obesity doesn't run in your family... The issue is that NO ONE runs is your family"!
Friday, March 8, 2013
Marching toward Change!!!
2013... 13... Unlucky 13.... It's going to be the year in which NOTHING happens because people are superstiticious! There is never a 13th floor in a tall building, there were 13 people at the Last Supper, some people actually suffer from Triskaidekaphobia, the fear of the number 13 and Friday the 13th is, apparently, always bad news. But there are good things too... You become at teenage at the age of 13, many athletes wear the number 13, Apollo 13 had technical failure but was able to return home safely and if you get a 'baker's dozen' when you buy cookies, it means you get one more cookie! YAY!
What am I getting at here? Well, they say that there won't be a lot of weddings this year because 13 is an unlucky number (as if THAT is the only reason marriages fail, the 'year' in which you tie the knot, sure) and that many people won't plan to have babies this year (they expect people to start trying beginning in April so they are sure to have a 2014 baby) and they also say that new car sales will be down this year! I mean, REALLY? Are people that superstitious that they will really write off a full year of potential happiness because there is a hair sized chance that it could be cursed with bad luck? Well, I am going to say "F THAT!" Why do I say that? Because, so far 2013 is the best year of my life... I don't fear 2013, I am not one of those rare people who chose 13 as their lucky number, nor am I as superstiticious as I once was. 2013 is, 3 months in and I have never been happier... and that's because I made the choice to change my life last year and they are slowly, but surely, rolling into this year.
Lets start off with the fact that I met Jason. I met him last year and, late December, we decided that we only wanted to be with each other... It's now mid-March and I now realize that I have never felt so good about a relationship in my entire life. He and I relate to each other in so many ways that it is actually easier being with him than not being with him. He actually makes me a better person because he makes me think about how I react and what bothers me in a way I haven't before and he inspires me to do and be better! He encourages me to be what I wanna be and do what I wanna do and to not be ashamed of who I am and I love him for it! I decided last year that I needed to do what made me happy and, although things were difficult, I feel that was a very good decision. A decision that is slowly shaping 2013 for me... A year I know is going to be so exciting and filled with many exciting events that I can't wait to share with him.
Also, in 2012, I decided I needed to become more fit and healthy and, 2013 is well underway and I am still in the process of doing so. I read earlier, it's not motivation, its momentum! So once you take the first step, which I did last year, the ball will keep rolling if you continue to push it! I am doing so by competing in events and trying new things. When Weight Watchers alone wasn't helping me anymore, I went gluten free as you may have read, that is still continuing and is helping me a lot with my eating habits. I completed my 6 Hour Spin a thon and I will be registering for Warrior Dash and Spartan Race soon.... I'd like to complete a few 5km races this year and I want to learn to do Crossfit, again, all changes that I am making as the year progresses. I recently joined the Barrie Athletic Club which will allow me to begin learning the basics of Crossfit before moving into classes and more difficult, demanding moves. I needed more push and harder routines than what I was giving, so I went out and found it. Momentum.... Keeping myself interested to continue with progress!
Finally, although the contest was in 2012, my trip to LA and my make-over was a tonne of fun! I would say that one of the best days of my life is now biking the 5 mile boardwalk stretch from Palisades Beach in Santa Monica to Marina Del Ray.... It was perfect weather, amazing beach and I got to do it with my sister (pretty much my best friend and my rock) and I couldn't have been happier! It was so liberating, I felt like a million bucks! My make over was amazing too... The crew was great, the clothing was amazing and I felt like a movie star and I felt good about myself, which is something that is coming very new to me. Check out the pics below of my new looks:
We also go to see Hollywood, we bought amazingly priced shoes and we had dinner at Mr. Chow's! It was the best first vacation I think I ever could have had and I thank Jenn and Mary Kay for it. Meeting the other winners and their family members was a lot of fun as well...
I guess what I am saying is... Life is exactly what you want or need it to be if you make is so! Don't let the fear of change prevent you from happiness.... If that were the case for me, I would still be unhappy, psuedo-alone and hating myself. All I want to do is help people and inspire others and, in order to do so, I have to help myself and remain inspired to be better!
Tonight I am venturing to the new gym to try it out, will report back tomorrow!!
What am I getting at here? Well, they say that there won't be a lot of weddings this year because 13 is an unlucky number (as if THAT is the only reason marriages fail, the 'year' in which you tie the knot, sure) and that many people won't plan to have babies this year (they expect people to start trying beginning in April so they are sure to have a 2014 baby) and they also say that new car sales will be down this year! I mean, REALLY? Are people that superstitious that they will really write off a full year of potential happiness because there is a hair sized chance that it could be cursed with bad luck? Well, I am going to say "F THAT!" Why do I say that? Because, so far 2013 is the best year of my life... I don't fear 2013, I am not one of those rare people who chose 13 as their lucky number, nor am I as superstiticious as I once was. 2013 is, 3 months in and I have never been happier... and that's because I made the choice to change my life last year and they are slowly, but surely, rolling into this year.
Lets start off with the fact that I met Jason. I met him last year and, late December, we decided that we only wanted to be with each other... It's now mid-March and I now realize that I have never felt so good about a relationship in my entire life. He and I relate to each other in so many ways that it is actually easier being with him than not being with him. He actually makes me a better person because he makes me think about how I react and what bothers me in a way I haven't before and he inspires me to do and be better! He encourages me to be what I wanna be and do what I wanna do and to not be ashamed of who I am and I love him for it! I decided last year that I needed to do what made me happy and, although things were difficult, I feel that was a very good decision. A decision that is slowly shaping 2013 for me... A year I know is going to be so exciting and filled with many exciting events that I can't wait to share with him.
Also, in 2012, I decided I needed to become more fit and healthy and, 2013 is well underway and I am still in the process of doing so. I read earlier, it's not motivation, its momentum! So once you take the first step, which I did last year, the ball will keep rolling if you continue to push it! I am doing so by competing in events and trying new things. When Weight Watchers alone wasn't helping me anymore, I went gluten free as you may have read, that is still continuing and is helping me a lot with my eating habits. I completed my 6 Hour Spin a thon and I will be registering for Warrior Dash and Spartan Race soon.... I'd like to complete a few 5km races this year and I want to learn to do Crossfit, again, all changes that I am making as the year progresses. I recently joined the Barrie Athletic Club which will allow me to begin learning the basics of Crossfit before moving into classes and more difficult, demanding moves. I needed more push and harder routines than what I was giving, so I went out and found it. Momentum.... Keeping myself interested to continue with progress!
Finally, although the contest was in 2012, my trip to LA and my make-over was a tonne of fun! I would say that one of the best days of my life is now biking the 5 mile boardwalk stretch from Palisades Beach in Santa Monica to Marina Del Ray.... It was perfect weather, amazing beach and I got to do it with my sister (pretty much my best friend and my rock) and I couldn't have been happier! It was so liberating, I felt like a million bucks! My make over was amazing too... The crew was great, the clothing was amazing and I felt like a movie star and I felt good about myself, which is something that is coming very new to me. Check out the pics below of my new looks:
We also go to see Hollywood, we bought amazingly priced shoes and we had dinner at Mr. Chow's! It was the best first vacation I think I ever could have had and I thank Jenn and Mary Kay for it. Meeting the other winners and their family members was a lot of fun as well...
I guess what I am saying is... Life is exactly what you want or need it to be if you make is so! Don't let the fear of change prevent you from happiness.... If that were the case for me, I would still be unhappy, psuedo-alone and hating myself. All I want to do is help people and inspire others and, in order to do so, I have to help myself and remain inspired to be better!
Tonight I am venturing to the new gym to try it out, will report back tomorrow!!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
GF - Day #28: SUCCESS!!!
Holy Crap... I leave on holidays in one sleep... as kids would put it! 6 hours and I will be getting up to go on holidays! Tomorrow morning, I am heading to HOLLYWOOD for 4 days, 3 nights and I am so excited. My first holiday.... Thank god my sister is coming with me because I would be a nervous wreck the entire trip... Likely sitting in the hotel too overwhelmed to do anything and too indecisive to figure out what to do. Yup, that's me... A Giant Ball of Anxiety! Who would have thought, eh?? But I am getting excited. Nervous. But excited. I hope I meet some hot celebrities while I'm there! :-) I'll post some pics!!
On a side note, I have not blogged for several days, but I have 2 very valid excuses. The first one is that I was exhausted after my 6 hour Spin-a-thon that I completed on Saturday afternoon... Yes, 6 hours, a total of 300 minutes after breaks for fluid, potty and some snacks. I raised a total of $1,000.00 and donated my Mary Kay prize of $2,000.00 to the Strong Kids Foundation, I think an overall successful day!
Then, reason number two, I got food poisoning! NEVER trust potato salad with only a few days left on the expiry date. BAD news. So Saturday & Sunday, I slept... Monday and Tuesday, I was recoving... Wednesday I was packing and, Thursday, here I am... blogging and heading to bed. First of all, best food poisoning cure, eat a cup on plain, cooked white rice! It absorbs all the ickiness in your stomach and pulls it through... I felt better within a few hours! AND... stay hydrated, I got dehydrated and I felt even sicker!
Today is the last day of February, Gluten-Free February! Challenge #2 of 2013 is complete and A HUGE SUCCESS! I am now one of those people with a dietary restriction (sorry Mom), but I am remaining gluten-free! Both Jason and I have found that we both feel better, are less bloated and are losing weight (him way faster than me) and we are both happy. We have found excellent alternatives and realized that eating clean and healthy is how we want to live, along with actively and that if going to continue for the next 10 months of 2013 and beyond.
Although I have only lost 5 lbs while during the month of February, I am happy with that amount, but I have decided that the month of March, I am going to make my challenge to be to lose 10 lbs by March 31st, 2013! Starting March in LA, I think, is going to be a great motivator and, likely, the best place on earth to find reasonable healthy clean food! My scale at home broke, so I am not obsessing about my daily weigh in's, but my weekly weigh-in's at Weight Watchers are far more exciting and I have to be good or feel healthy and successful. Thank you for staying with me for the month of February. I promise to blog more when I get back and post pictures and keep you up to date with my March Challenge!
Off to bed, early morning flight!
Much love.
On a side note, I have not blogged for several days, but I have 2 very valid excuses. The first one is that I was exhausted after my 6 hour Spin-a-thon that I completed on Saturday afternoon... Yes, 6 hours, a total of 300 minutes after breaks for fluid, potty and some snacks. I raised a total of $1,000.00 and donated my Mary Kay prize of $2,000.00 to the Strong Kids Foundation, I think an overall successful day!
Then, reason number two, I got food poisoning! NEVER trust potato salad with only a few days left on the expiry date. BAD news. So Saturday & Sunday, I slept... Monday and Tuesday, I was recoving... Wednesday I was packing and, Thursday, here I am... blogging and heading to bed. First of all, best food poisoning cure, eat a cup on plain, cooked white rice! It absorbs all the ickiness in your stomach and pulls it through... I felt better within a few hours! AND... stay hydrated, I got dehydrated and I felt even sicker!
Today is the last day of February, Gluten-Free February! Challenge #2 of 2013 is complete and A HUGE SUCCESS! I am now one of those people with a dietary restriction (sorry Mom), but I am remaining gluten-free! Both Jason and I have found that we both feel better, are less bloated and are losing weight (him way faster than me) and we are both happy. We have found excellent alternatives and realized that eating clean and healthy is how we want to live, along with actively and that if going to continue for the next 10 months of 2013 and beyond.
Although I have only lost 5 lbs while during the month of February, I am happy with that amount, but I have decided that the month of March, I am going to make my challenge to be to lose 10 lbs by March 31st, 2013! Starting March in LA, I think, is going to be a great motivator and, likely, the best place on earth to find reasonable healthy clean food! My scale at home broke, so I am not obsessing about my daily weigh in's, but my weekly weigh-in's at Weight Watchers are far more exciting and I have to be good or feel healthy and successful. Thank you for staying with me for the month of February. I promise to blog more when I get back and post pictures and keep you up to date with my March Challenge!
Off to bed, early morning flight!
Much love.
Thursday, February 21, 2013
GF - Day #20: Partners for Success
So this morning, while getting my ass handed to me in boot camp, I realized something... I work out so much harder with a friend. I brought along my friend Amanda to her first fitness class and, although I know she is just starting where I was a year ago, I felt obligated to work my hardest. I didn't want to a) look like a hypocrite (spouting the vurtues of a working out, but then not put in effort while there) and b) slack on form and effort and teach her an incorrect way of doing something.
That being said, I also got uber competitive. Ian knows what I can and cannot do, so he called me out right away to do better and work harder, but there was a girl there who was doing extra as well, so immediately, I wanted to be the best. Even though I wasn't the best, I worked pretty hard and I didn't even start bitching until the end. I mean, mind you, it was 6:45am and I am pretty sure I didn't even wake up until sometime after 7:00am, but I think I did fairly well. Next time, I will continue to act like I am the best there, just like in the boot camps before at the Y, until I am the best one... I got better because I WANTED better.
Speaking of better, from personal experience, I think bringing Amanda really helped... Even though I think she might hate me, I know she will appreciate it later. I needed someone a year ago to be accountable to and to meet up with and to inspire me. Sherri was that person for me and although Sherri is still my favourite work out partner and a great friend, I want to be that same inspiration for Amanda as Sherri was for me. I know Sherri worked harder because she wanted to be better and always showed up when we made arrangements to do so and didn't want to disappoint. I aspired to be the same and I got pretty good. I know that Sherri hasn't had the best few months and isn't quite back to where she was nor have the energy yet, but I hope when she does come back, I can help get her back to where she got me... And hopefully with Amanda being around, we can all be each others inspirations. Amanda needs someone to help her and I would love to be that person. Who doesn't love making new friends, anyway, especially ones with similar goals!?!?!
Helping others, even though I am not in my best shape YET, really helps me with my goals. I find that, even if I'm just helping people get started like I did a year ago, I have a reputation to maintain and people looking up to me makes me even more accountable. The gluten-free challenge is very much like this as well! I tried it before and I failed, miserably, but now that Jason is doing it with me, I feel that I need to stay strong and too my word in and remain gluten-free, resist temptations and continue to be creative and healthy, for the both of us, with my cooking and shopping. He is doing amazingly well, I am so proud of him as I know he is of me!
Well, this is all for now. Work out with friends, be each others inspiration. Set up friendly competitions and work toward beating them, together!
Much love!
xoxo
That being said, I also got uber competitive. Ian knows what I can and cannot do, so he called me out right away to do better and work harder, but there was a girl there who was doing extra as well, so immediately, I wanted to be the best. Even though I wasn't the best, I worked pretty hard and I didn't even start bitching until the end. I mean, mind you, it was 6:45am and I am pretty sure I didn't even wake up until sometime after 7:00am, but I think I did fairly well. Next time, I will continue to act like I am the best there, just like in the boot camps before at the Y, until I am the best one... I got better because I WANTED better.
Speaking of better, from personal experience, I think bringing Amanda really helped... Even though I think she might hate me, I know she will appreciate it later. I needed someone a year ago to be accountable to and to meet up with and to inspire me. Sherri was that person for me and although Sherri is still my favourite work out partner and a great friend, I want to be that same inspiration for Amanda as Sherri was for me. I know Sherri worked harder because she wanted to be better and always showed up when we made arrangements to do so and didn't want to disappoint. I aspired to be the same and I got pretty good. I know that Sherri hasn't had the best few months and isn't quite back to where she was nor have the energy yet, but I hope when she does come back, I can help get her back to where she got me... And hopefully with Amanda being around, we can all be each others inspirations. Amanda needs someone to help her and I would love to be that person. Who doesn't love making new friends, anyway, especially ones with similar goals!?!?!
Helping others, even though I am not in my best shape YET, really helps me with my goals. I find that, even if I'm just helping people get started like I did a year ago, I have a reputation to maintain and people looking up to me makes me even more accountable. The gluten-free challenge is very much like this as well! I tried it before and I failed, miserably, but now that Jason is doing it with me, I feel that I need to stay strong and too my word in and remain gluten-free, resist temptations and continue to be creative and healthy, for the both of us, with my cooking and shopping. He is doing amazingly well, I am so proud of him as I know he is of me!
Well, this is all for now. Work out with friends, be each others inspiration. Set up friendly competitions and work toward beating them, together!
Much love!
xoxo
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