So...

Where did it all begin?

It began with me be a little too insulated.  hahaha  That was back in November 7, 2010.  I was 135 pounds, 30% body fat (that's the big number).  My thighs were 58cm around.  Waist 81cm and hips 101cm.  Built just like my Grammie...rest her soul.  Always had lots of cushion for pushin'.  And my Dad had just one year before that had a quadruple bypass.  BIG wake up call!!!

So I started.  I read all I could about eating clean.  Started to keep a food journal to make sure I was on top of what I was putting in my mouth.  Got my ass off the couch at night.  Little things.  A stroll.  Crunches.  Girlie pushups.  I liked the small changes I was seeing so I decided I needed to get serious.  I hit the gym.  Three times a week.  Lunch time.  Sometimes 20 minutes on the treadmill.  Sometimes I hit the weights squeezed in 45 minutes.  I still needed to shower and get back to work.  I didn't have the time to do after work so that was the extent of my workout.  I had a little girl to get after work.

I set goals right first thing.

• Reduce hip and thigh size.
• Less stress.
• Drink more water.
• Eat more vegetables.
• Get better with my cardio.

First week in, after tracking what I was eating (I use Tosca Reno's food journal.  Works best for me) I saw I needed to increase protein and watch my portion sizes.  The next week, guess what...goal achieved.  I never would have known that if I didn't journal what I was eating.

December 5, 2010
129 pounds
25% body fat
Thighs 53cm
Hips 97.5cm
Waist 75cm


I shit you not.  One month.  Keeping track of what went in my mouth.  Going to the gym three times a week.  Cardio.  Weights.  Taking every opportunity to be active...Jbird to the park, walk the dog, calf raises while doing the dishes, crunches at night, taking the stairs, parking a little ways away from the mall.  All.  Adds. Up!!!!


Then February 2011 came and I fell off the wagon.....

 

The Journey

I've been on a journey or two.  One that has been constant; my journey to healthier living.  My family on both sides has a health issue or two.  Heart issues.  Cancer.  Stroke.  That's just the big stuff.  I figure that I should do all I can to mitigate risk.  A healthy diet and exercise.  That doesn't mean I don't live.  I love a few beer with friends.  A chocolate bar once in a while.  Skittles are a weakness.  I don't lose it if I don't make it to the gym.  I could never adhere to the strict lifestyle some live by.  I admire them greatly but it's not my thing.

Going forward here, mixed with my other "goings on" I would like to share some of the things that keep me on the wagon.  I'd like to share when I fall off so someone out there can give me a kick in the ass.  I need the motivation as much as the next person.  Living a healthy lifestyle can be a challenge.  I've had lots of help with my challenges and I hope even one little thing I mention here can give someone that little extra boost.

So on with the challenge.  Thanks for hanging out with me.

As always, love the one you're with.  XO

More to life

Work.  Job.  Career.

All good but there is more to life than work.

Some people get consumed by it.  Some people define themselves by it.  Some people live by it and some will die by it.

I know it's an old saying but it's true, when you die, no one cares about how many hours over time you worked or that presentation you made or that business trip you went on.  They talk about what a great person you are.  What a loving sister.  What a great mom.  What a wonderful friend.

No doubt about it, work is important but it's not IT.  Family is IT.  Friends are IT.

Love the one you're with.  XO

It's been a while....

I started blogging in 2007.  I have long since deleted those blogs (three of them).  They represented a different chapter in my life.  It was comforting to write the words, somewhat anonymously, get the comments and varying perspectives, see my feelings in black and white.  The writing helped me get through some very challenging times.  I write now as a past time.  At least I'll call it write.  It's the thoughts in my mind presented exactly how they come to me.  There's no editing.  No magic.  Authentic.  Hence the name of this blog.  The new chapter in my life.  :)

I have never opened my writing up to folks I know.  Of course, over the years people I know have found my musings, put two and two together and figured out it was me but I have never openly shared my written jibber jabber with friends.  I think I'm ready to take the plunge.  Not that it will be overly riveting reading but it may serve as a good laugh for people once in a while.

I read this and had to laugh.  Reality for most I think.  Though I got a good chuckle out of it, it did make me ponder...as do most things.  What if I did kick it next Tuesday?  In this case, next Tuesday is tomorrow but for these purposes, I'll give myself a week.  :)  What would I have on my one week bucket list?

• Loving my Jbird.  That's a given. <3
• Spending the best quality time with my family and friends.
• Visiting some folks who have had a profound impact on my life (though I'm sure they don't know it) and thanking them.
• Making a final visit to the OSPCA.  Kissing the face right off of Vanilla the black lab.
• Taking a good long walk in the woods behind my house...alone.  Drinking in the memories of being out there on three-wheelers.  Tearing through the mud.  Having my first smoke.  hehe  Feeling invincible.
• I'd say 'I apologize' to those I know I've hurt many years ago and I'd forgive the few hurts that linger from the past.

There's nothing earth-shattering there.  I mean I do only have a week.  :)  When I look at it now...probably a few things I should do anyway....

A family friend passed away a few days ago.  Children.  Grand-children.  A loving husband.  Family.  Friends.  Shocking to hear.  Really drove home the point that 'you just never know'.  Sounds so clique but it is so true.

How about your bucket list?

Until next time, love the one you're with.  XO

Peace

Peace can come from the strangest of situations.

My peace lately has come from the terrible weather.  It has been freezing rain and grey outside.  This does a few things.

it keeps me inside

it keeps me puttering

it keeps my mind going in a gentle hum instead of a roaring blur

inspires me to organize

to spend time with my dotter in her nest (top bunk, complete with beautiful lanterns from Cultures)

to plan out my meals for the week so that my family can get back on the healthy wagon after the holidays

to read about clicker training and start with my beautiful new puppy

to watch out the window as the grass turns from green to grey, a shiny, translucent cover building on it

I close my eyes and hear the peace around me.  It has a sound you know.  The sound of my dotter reading out loud.  The pup playing with her toy.  The cats scurrying around.  My honey typing away on his laptop.  The gentle patter of the frozen ice drops on the window.


Those are the sounds of peace.  The simple tasks I worked away at...peace.


I have vowed that this year, I will find a moment of peace in everyday.  No matter how hectic.  I will see the good wherever I can.  I will take the time to make memories with the ones I love.  2011 opened my eyes to lots of things.  2012 will be the year of change.

Be sure to love the one you're with.  XO
 

The New Year is a Comin'

I'm not one for resolutions but it does help to set a goal and what better time to start then the first of a new year.

I think this year physical fitness has to rank up there pretty high.  I am a healthy eater for the most part but the exercise thing...I make excuses on why I can't.  I have to get back in the groove I was in before, like two years ago, gym every day or at least four times a week.  So, that complimentary one month gym pass is going to serve to get my mojo going.

Mental fitness is going to take priority too.  I read.  I write.  I do quite a bit to fire up the brain.  The mental fitness I am speaking of...distancing myself from toxic people.  People who lead a lifestyle that I just do not share, I have to put distance.  People who are passive aggressive guilt-trippers.  Have to step back.  I need my emotional self to be 110%.  I have a busy job.  A busy family life.  There is no room for the garbage.  I say garbage because I have tried to "accept" these "traits" in others but I just can't anymore.  I have a wonderful family and an amazing group of friends.  They deserve my best and I can only give that to them if I'm not consumed with the bullshit.  So bullshit free (reduced, that's more realistic) in 2012!!!  And a slightly slimmer ass.  2012 is already looking good.

Love the one you're with!!

Christmas is coming...

...The goose is getting fat.
Please put a penny in the old man's hat.
If you haven't got a penny then a half pence will do
And if you haven't got a half pence then God bless you.

It is that time of year again.  For some it can be very difficult.  They are barely getting by.  Find it hard to get something small for the ones they love.  Feel guilty because of that.  Haven't got food to put on the table.  Miss someone they love.

This time of year, if you are blessed with abundance.  Share it.  Share your physical goods and your emotional ones.  It just takes a moment to show someone you care.

Love the one you're with.  XO