Worth the wait?

Phew!  Now that Body Shop is over and my Christmas shopping is completed (yep, that’s right, done!), I have some free time. 

Planks!

Planning for a Long Winter

Well, I am down two pounds.  Finally!  Mostly because it’s been so busy at work.  Body Shop started a little over a week ago and it’s been crazy busy!  That is good, seeing as I mainly eat when I am bored.  I have two teams in the competition and so far, they are doing great!  It’s a hard six weeks though.  Hopefully, they learn a lot and keep going after the six weeks are over.

More Firsts, Thanks to My Y

I didn’t weigh myself this week.  There was no point.  I know what I would see on the scale and seeing no change is not helping me at all.  I have not given up on my Black Friday goal.  I am just making it harder every week I don’t lose.  I have decided that after that goal, I will no longer be focusing on my weight loss. 

60 days....

Two months until Black Friday shopping.  Two weeks into my competition and I haven’t lost any weight.  My friend who is competing with me is into pants she bought two years ago!  Maybe there is something to be said about cheating….  Just kidding!  However, I AM going to do this using Canada’s Food Guide and no help from fancy products. 

My First 5K (and not my last)

A few posts ago, I mentioned my goal list and what I planned to accomplish by the end of this year. By yesterday, I only had one item left on my list; The Terry Fox Run.

Simple Concept, pfft!

I read somewhere that “losing weight is a simple concept.”  Once I calmed down and stopped cursing the skinny person that obviously thought this brilliant idea up, I realized, that technically, it is a simple CONCEPT:

Game on!

 A friend of mine goes Black Friday shopping with me every year.  I was telling her that my (newest) goal is to lose 15 pounds by then so I can get a new outfit and it turns out, she’s interested in doing the same.

Back to School (and routine, yay)

It’s back to school time and to me that means back to routines and crazy busy schedules.  This does have its benefits: less time to think of eating and less time to actually eat.  I find that when I have too much time on my hands (i.e.: boredom) at home, I tend to eat.  To alleviate this problem, I will be staying at work (or doing errands) until 3:00 and then going home to see the kids and get dinner ready and then go where ever that night’s practice/game/lesson is. 

10,000 ways

Thomas Edison said “I have not failed.  I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”  Well that certainly holds true for me.  I tell people that I know what to do, I just have to put my mind to it.  That’s partially true.  I know many things that work for me, but I haven’t figured it all out. 

On a More Postitive Note...

So, taking a month off of publishing weight loss and inches lost didn’t help.  I only maintained my weight and measurements.  I am however tired of being down on myself, so I compiled a list of what I HAVE accomplished since January and the start of this blog.  It’s true, I’m not losing a lot of weight, but I have yet to conquer that problem.  I have done the following though:

The Only Thing Constant is Change

Hi there!  Are you new here?  If so, head back to the beginning and read from there to get to know me and learn what's been going on with my attempt to get healthier.  If you aren't new, read on…

New Approach

I’ve heard of this before: stop focusing on the scale; just eat healthy and exercise.  It doesn’t seem possible for me though.  I’ve lived my life based on the numbers on the scale.  Good days are (few and far between) when the number goes down and bad days are the norm when the scale doesn’t move or when it “shudder” goes up.

Just a week....

So I went to a training seminar last week for work and not only learned some great ideas I can apply at work, but some tips for me and my challenge. The training was on choices and changes.

I did it!

243, 278, 290.  Those were the calories I burned for the first three weeks since I challenged myself to get to 300 calories in a 30 minute cyclefit class (at 6:00 in the morning too!).  Last Friday: 301!!!!  I did it in less than a month!  If you are thinking of attempting this, it’s a lot harder than it sounds!  Ask any of the participants in the class that were trying too, it’s hard.  That 30 minutes does include the warm-up and most of the cool down too, so five minutes are gone there.  This has proven to me that I CAN accomplish what I set my mind to.

Low ropes and more

Phew!  Last week went so much better than last month.  I am on track and have been for a week.  I plan every one of my meals and snacks with the knowledge that changes are likely and try to keep with the same calories if I have to change. 

If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.

I am not surprised.  The saying “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten” totally rings true here.  I have not been trying this month.  All I have are excuses, no decent reasons. 

Thisclose....

 I am thisclose to quitting!  Giving up, tossing in the towel, abandoning the quest, leaving the building, singing….  Most people get frustrated when they are trying really hard and the scale doesn’t move.  That’s understandable. 

Back on the wagon

I have printed out my last blog post and put it on my counter so I can see it daily.  I will be working on the six points that I mentioned, so that I don’t fall so far into the usual trap that I can’t drag myself out again.

Self-Sabotage....

So, there’s a reason why I haven’t been posting about my progress or lack of.  I can’t lie!  And since I can’t lie, I’d have to mention that I have fallen so far off the wagon; that it’s now in the next town without me.

Y Weight?

This week at Y Weight we discussed strategies to avoid mindless eating or overeating.  Below is a list of what we came up with, besides drinking lots of water and having a glass of water if you feel “hungry.”

Changes

Well, another month has passed and if you came to this blog intentionally, you may be wondering how I did.  A little background first:  I was on vacation for 10 days, went through a reorganization at work, and had my last day at Zellers.  Plus the usual….

I Know This....

DON'T.  SHOP.  WHEN.  HUNGRY!!!!

Drink Your Breakfast

One of the girls I see daily at the Y said she can’t eat breakfast because it makes her feel nauseous.  I replied that breakfast is a must, especially if you will be exercising.  You need fuel to exercise properly not to mention that you don’t want to pass out or feel lightheaded.  If you aren’t hungry in the morning, try something small an hour after you get up or take it with you in the car.  Another option would be to drink your breakfast.  

Post Vacation Post

I just got back from vacation and thought I would compile a list of what not to do followed by some healthy alternatives.

What not to do on vacation:

March's Details

Sorry for the delay.  This post was trapped in cyberspace (read: I forgot to hit post and then went on vacation…duh me!)  A week late, but here it is:

Why Haven't I Figured This Out Before?

Here is an email I love:

Don't know WHY I didn't figure this out before!!!!!

I wash my hair in the shower and the shampoo runs down over my whole body.

Printed very clearly on the label is the following warning:

No Time Like The Present

I’ll start on Monday.  I’ll start after I come back from my vacation.  I’ll start once my kids go to school.  I’ll start…..  Any of these sound familiar?  Why not start now?  And when the going gets tough and you fall off the wagon, start over as soon as you can.  Don’t let one (or two) binges become many and ruin any progress you have made. 

Crushing Those Cravings

Did you miss me?  Actually, don’t answer that.  It has been a while since I posted.  Nothing much has changed, certainly not my weight…. 

 

A couple of tips (and pounds lost…)

Well, there goes another month.  You know what they say about time flying when you are having fun?  I have managed to slow time down.  Just announce to the world (or locally) that you are going to lose weight every month and then write about it!  Publically!  Each month seems to take longer than the last.  I find myself waiting (impatiently, I add) for the end of the month, trying to lose a bit more weight and most importantly, not gain any back.

The moment you’ve all been waiting for (or at least, I have)…..

You don't have to do this alone!

Guess what!

Now, no one has to do this alone!  The Y has a new class on Monday nights.  It is called Y Weight?  Starting March 5^th, from 7-8pm in the studio, there will be an information/question session as well as a 30 minute workout based on your needs and present fitness level.  

Grocery Store Conscience

Slow and steady wins the race

This month seems easier for some reason.  I’m certainly not complaining!  I am not having as much trouble with not snacking at night as I thought I would...

A Woman's Week at the Gym

The following has been sent to me as an email many times and I couldn’t resist posting it (I did have to remove some of the nastier words as we are a family Y): 
Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, my husband purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me.

It’s not all about me *sigh*….

I am not totally writing this blog for my own weight loss.  If I was, I could write a diary and avoid the embarrassment of airing my bad habits to the public.  From what I have gathered from talking to some of you who want to lose weight and have read this blog, you are in the same boat as I am.  Attempting to lose weight time after time and if you succeed, you tend to gain the weight right back.  Am I right?

Dear Diary...This bites!

I thought that going public would embarrass me enough that I would smarten up and eat right.  Hmph!  I will treat January as a learning experience, what not to do, and move on.  It is now February and I promised an update on weight and measurements. 

January Recap

If you are new here, here’s what has been going on for the past month (well… my adult lifetime to be exact);

Do as I say, not as I do

As you may know, or have read in an earlier blog, I have two children ages 11 and 7.  You may be wondering what kind of Mom I am as I am apparently not setting a good example for them in the weight area.  I wonder that daily myself; if I am doing enough to offset the obvious.

Excuses, Excuses...

• I don’t have time to exercise,
• I am too tired to exercise after work, kids…,
• I can’t afford a gym membership,
• I don’t know how to eat properly,
• I can’t afford to eat healthy,

This week’s blog is all about excuses.  Ever heard (or used) any of the above?

Sidelined and Hungry

Now that the technicalities are done, the numbers are posted and you know how to figure out your own numbers, (check the last three blogs for this information if you are new here) I can talk about what's going on in real life.

What's the plan?

Planning, planning, planning

In real estate, it's all about location, location, location. In weight loss it's planning, planning and more planning!
1. Plan your meals, snacks and even water intake.
2. Plan your exercise; cardio, strength and stretching.
3. Have backup plans for the unexpected, because we all know anything can happen! I am definitely a personal friend of Murphy (and his laws).

Here we go!

Starting with the (high!) numbers

My name is Tracey and I need to lose weight to become as healthy as possible! I am 37 years old, have been married for 15 years and have two kids ages 11 and 7. I have lived in the area for the past 10 years and 45 mins away for most of my life prior to that. After having my first baby, I left my career and became a stay at home mom. Right now, I work at a restaurant most days of the week and work at the YMCA as a fitness instructor, personal trainer and personal conditioning centre staff in my “spare” time, when I am not at an arena or chauffeuring kids elsewhere.

This Is My Story...

So, in an attempt to improve my health for good this time, I am going public! Public, that is, with my own personal fitness and weight loss journey…..