Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 140 and thoughts on running a half marathon

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 140

Wow has my life changed for the better in just 140 days.  I was privileged enough to be chosen as participant in Team Fitness new TF+ program back in Aug 2013.  At that time I was over 100 lbs overweight and at a pretty low point in my life. Good intentions were not helping me loose weight.  I kept trying different things but with only me to disappoint (or so I thought) it was easy to give up.  I will start again on Monday.  Sound familiar?   

Now 140 days later I am 49.8 lbs lighter and so much healthier and happier.  I was telling my friends and workout buddies at Team Fitness that I have never made it this far and felt so strong and positive that I am going to do it this time.  I could never quit, I am too high on this feeling.  I am addicted to feeling the after effects of a good hard workout, the tougher the better.  It doesn't hurt one bit that every single day at least 2 people ask me what I am doing or that I look great.  Funny story; I was walking up the stairs at work talking to a coworker when another coworker coming up the stairs behind me said "Hey Tracy, your losing weight"  I smiled and thought "he's looking at my butt"  LOL I thought about saying out loud but didn't.  I just said why yes I am.  I beam inside when someone says something.  I don't want that to stop either.  I can't quit I have too many people cheering me on!

Now a note on the upcoming BMO half marathon.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a runner.  I never have been, but for some reason when Lauren asked me to run with her I thought another challenge that helps me get to my goal.  Ok, I accept that challenge.  I ran a couple of times before actually officially registering.  The second time I ran I bonked.  Weirdest feeling to be feeling strong muscle wise and cardio wise and yet your legs feel like concrete and you just can't run.  My gas tank was just empty.  I have a weight loss goal to be under 200 lbs by Feb 15th.  To accomplish this Leanne has me on a lower calorie diet.  Turns out this makes it hard to workout hard.  I do love the fact that I lost 4 lbs this week but I do need to train for this marathon.  I want both!  I want to lose weight fast and I want to be able to run.  I am going to stick to this lower calorie diet and just add a little more before I run.  See how this week goes.

After my last run I thought I might not be able to do this marathon, maybe I am not cut out for it.  After a couple days I went to the BMO website and signed up.  I am going to do this, I still had second thoughts but Lauren and I went running the Stanley Park Seawall today.  We ran/walked 8 km and then walked the last 2 km to our vehicles.  It felt great!  I now know that I can do this!

I won't be done my journey until at least September 2014 but I can tell you life is so much brighter right now, it will only get better and I am so excited about what the weeks and months a head hold.

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 123 OMG

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 123

Well I am back!!  Got a new laptop finally, went from a PC to a Mac so huge learning curve!  Did you miss me??  Haha.  I have not been blogging very often but I have been following my food plan and spending much of my free time at Team Fitness.  I am now down a total of 42.8 lbs (37.1 since start of TF+ challenge).  

I have set myself a goal of getting below 200 lbs by Feb 15th.  That means I have to lose 11 lbs in a month.  I have been following my meal plan, including now some juicing.  Love my juicer, but I must say it is an acquired taste.   I have never been a sweets lover, I am much more a savoury person.  I do think that this Team Fitness Challenge has changed me in many ways.  At the beginning of the food plan you have to give up completely flour, sugar, dairy, red meat and alcohol.  It sounds loco when you are used to eating whatever you want.  Geeze I had milk, cheese and yogurt almost every single day.  I had cream and sugar in my coffee.  I thought Leanne was nuts, how was I ever going to follow this food plan, come on lets be realistic.   Well... now seventeen weeks later I am allowed to eat bread and yogurt, red meat and red wine and yet I rarely do.  I don't need to, I don't really miss it.  OK, maybe I miss red wine but 1 glass is never enough so I choose to abstain completely. 

Because of my goal of 11 lbs before Feb 15th I have been trying to up my exercise and water intake.  Water intake has been a challenge but the exercise has been great.  I went to bootcamp on Wednesday with Zarah, there was 11 people and it was still a huge challenge.  I loved it.  Tonight is was just Lauren and I and Sarah had us going.  My muscles were still tired from last night but I pushed through.  It is such an amazing feeling when we are done. 

On that note I am wondering what is happening to our tight little group.  It is not the same without you Katherine, Tristan, Sharon, Robyn, Vickie and Cassandra.   Lets get it back together and commit to working out together at least 3x per week!

Lauren and I discussed the Vancouver 1/2 marathon again tonight.  I am both excited and nervous about it.  I have never run anything in my life and I am starting with 21 km.  Am I crazy?  Yes, maybe but it is a good incentive to  run, run and run.  

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 110 - And thoughts of continuing my Journey into 2014

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 110

Funny as I go through my day to day activities I always think to myself hmm that would be good for my blog, then again another great topic for my blog...   Then I go to write my blog and I can't think of anything to say.  Like the other Team Fitness Challengers I too was not perfect over the Christmas and New Years holiday period food wise anyway. Close, but I did have just a little bit of stuffing and one spoon of the delicious dessert my Dad made on New Years day.  I also have to admit to having a tea biscuit.  So that was it, not too bad.  I really tried to make up for it by doing extra workout sessions.  I still managed to lose weight every week so it must be working!

Two exciting things are starting to happen to me, the first one is that all my clothes are too big.  Every time I put something on to wear I have to wonder if it is going to fit me or is it going to be too big!  The second thing is when I workout I am able to now do things I could not do a couple of months ago.  Three months ago I could do 1 to 3 push ups, tonight I think I did more than 12. Woot!

Much like Katherine I too watched Fat, Sick and Nearly dead along with about 6 other food related documentaries. I did get a Breville juicier and I do plan to incorporate it into my food plan.  I have not made any juices in it yet but tomorrow is looking pretty good!  Today I was at Gilford Mall in Surrey.  My son was getting his car detailed and oil change etc.  We had to kill time and at lunch I was starving.  We only had the food fair.  I didn't know what I was going to do, so I walked around to each vendor searching for something that would work.  I found a grill place that let you customize, then right next door there was a company that made custom green juices and smoothies. I think it was called Freshi or something close to that.  I ordered the 270 calorie green smoothie. It tasted really good but I have to admit I really had to wait a while before my hunger went a way.

I went to the Friday night boot camp at TF tonight.  This was not the TF+ session and it was quite a bit more intense.  Wes was awesome with encouragement and I really felt like I could hold my own with 95 % of the circuit, I also felt like I had really worked hard.  I love that feeling, I am addicted to that feeling.  Looking forward to doing it all again tomorrow morning! 

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 104 and Surviving Christmas as a loser.

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 104

Well it's day 104 on my weight loss journey.  I find the longer I am on this journey the more my life is changing.  It's not all about my body getting smaller, that is just a very positive side effect of my participation in this challenge.  The biggest change is happening in my brain. I have been successful on diets before, I lost 54 lbs in 2008.  What has never happened before is the change in my thinking.  I don't feel deprived, I simply don't want all the foods that made me fat.  I am now firmly addicted to the feeling that exercise gives me.  I am looking forward to my boot camp and almost feel excited as the time approaches.

I just survived the week of Christmas with a 2 lb loss.  It didn't look good for a loss but I really should learn to wait and see what Saturday morning holds.  The little metal box in my bathroom was once again good to me, even though I was not perfect on Christmas Eve or Christmas day. Well I wasn't terrible either.  Christmas past was much more calorie rich than this year.  I had my Dad's home made egg nog both Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.  It is tradition and one I did not want to go without.  My Dad just moved out here from Nova Scotia this year and I just had to take advantage of having his eggnog at Christmas. It's really not that bad.  2% milk, egg yolk and nutmeg with a merang topping. So I have not had milk in awhile and there is sugar in the merang but really not that bad.  On Christmas day I brought all the fixings for a green smoothie lunch only to find my mother in law's blender was broken.  I decided to have some of the low fat chicken noodle soup hubby was having with crackers.  Still not too terrible but yet not on my food plan.  I also had about 6 multi-grain taco chips with salsa and maybe a bit too much sweet potato on my Christmas dinner plate but I did skip the potato, stuffing and gravy.  Before bed I had one more digression.  One chocolate covered cherry for a serious treat.  In previous years I would have easily had 5 or 6 so I felt good about having one.

I had an excellent workout with Sarah on Thursday evening and I decided to check out the beginner boot camp on Friday evening.  Much to my surprise I was the only one to show up.  Even thought I offered to take off and go to the Rec Center Eric said nope you came down and we shall get to it, and get to it we did. I have never had a personal training session and I have to say I felt seriously worked out when we were done.  I was exhausted and exhilarated all  at the same time.  I am sure it made the difference on the scale Saturday morning, and I woke up feeling totally sore in my back, neck and shoulders.  I have not felt that sore after a workout in a while. No matter I got up and took an advil and had a hot shower and headed back to Team Fitness for my Saturday morning workout with Sarah and my TF+ buddies.  Tristan you were totally missed.  Where the hell have you been??  Get back on track my friend, your life depends on it.  As I said to Katherine today, I wish someone had gotten through to me 15 years ago,  Tracy put yourself first, get your weight off, eat healthy exercise, your life will be so much fuller, you will be so much happier!!  Listen!!!  

I didn't get it until now.  My young friends on the TF+ team please listen, put yourself first! Get in shape and life will be so much brighter.  Ok, off my soap box and enough rambling for today.

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 97 - Life after the Official Challenge comes to an end.

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 97

Well the official 90 day challenge is now done and life goes on. I have a much longer journey to meet my goal but I am definitely up for it.  I am now down 37.8 lbs and have 75.5 lbs to go to reach my goal.  I am getting stronger, I am finding exercising really enjoyable almost to addiction.  I love how I feel when I have finished the boot camp and 20 minutes of cardio.  

I can hardly wait to get to Team Fitness so I can earn that feeling once again.  I guess like any other addiction I need more and more, harder and harder workouts to achieve the same feeling.  I love the group of people I workout with on the TF+ nights but they are not always the most challenging.  I find the Sunday boot camp just a little more challenging.  I have signed up for another 3 months, this is the first thing that has worked for me in years and I am not quitting.  I will reach my goal this time! 

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 90. Wow Day 90 I can't believe the Official Challenge it over....

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 90

 

 

It is so hard to believe that I have been doing the Team Fitness Challenge for 90 days.  The whole experience has be fantastic.  I wake up everyday feeling fitter and stronger, I look forward to working out, when I don't have a Team Fitness workout scheduled I am looking for something else to do.  Part of my success is my connection with the trainers the other part is my connection with the other participants.  Nothing like working out and receiving encouragement from your friends.

 

Last night I was getting ready to go to my husband's work Christmas party get together.  The one thing I always dread about getting ready to go out is getting dressed.  My clothes don't look nice on my, they just cover my body.  The other issue is my nice clothes don't typically fit.  Well this year I am 35lbs lighter than last year.  I put on my green shinny blouse that I only wear on Christmas and it was way too big, so I put on another shirt I hadn't worn in a while and hubby said that one is too big too, what do you have that is smaller?  I pulled out a red blouse I had not worn in a very long time and put it on.  It fit great!!

The Christmas party was at Browne's.  We had the upstairs to ourselves.  The food was an endless stream of appetizers including 3 different types of chicken wings, sushi rolls, quesadillas, pizza, etc. and so on.  I ordered grilled chicken, grilled seasonal veggies and leafy green salad with oil and vinegar on the side.  It was very good.  I for real was not even tempted by the other stuff. That stuff made me fat, I don't want it anymore. :-)

 

I have only just began my weight loss fitness journey with 78 more pounds to lose.  The first 90 days is done and I look forward to the next 90 days and all the adventures that lay a head of me.

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 86 - And thoughts on getting out of my fat suit...

 

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 86

 

 

Well I have not written a blog for a few days. My laptop died :-(  making it much more difficult to blog while watching TV.  Oh well, now I have the password to my son's laptop so until I buy a new one I am back on track.  Weighed in on Saturday with a 2.5lb loss this week.  I am very happy with that.  This gives me a total of over 28 lbs. in 12 weeks and 34 lbs. from my top weight.

 

Saturday's workout was good, really did feel like I worked out.  We did "super sets" with Sarah.  My shoulders are still sore from the chest press exercise.  That is one set of muscles I have that need a lot of work.  I received my new nutrition plan from Leanne after my Saturday morning check in.  High breakfast, Low lunch and an almond milk and protein powder shake for dinner.  Hmmmm... not sure how well it's going to go.  A shake for dinner just does not feel like dinner.  Just might be a recipe for falling off the wagon.

 

Sunday I had every intention of going to the boot camp at 10 am but I woke up with a headache and I was tired so I didn't go.  I kind of felt guilty.  Just goes to show, left to my own devices I don't push myself as hard as I get pushed by my trainers.  I need your guys to kick my ass every time!

 

Today is day 3 of the milkshake for dinner routine.  I came home from my Monday night TF+ workout.  Eric worked us out hard.  Maybe me a little more.  I always set myself up to get my ass kicked, and I am always thankful when I do.  I had to do so many stairs!!  Followed by my extra 20 minutes on the treadmill as prescribed by Leanne.  I seem to always be the one on the treadmill after our workouts on my own.  Maybe the others are more disciplined than me but I believe if I don't do it right after the workout I might not get it in later and I don't want to take that chance.  No matter how tired I am I ask myself how bad do I want to shed this fat suit? The answer is always the same "really badly" and I get on the treadmill at 6 or 7 incline 3.5 speed and I do 20 minutes and when I am done I feel good!  I got home, had my almond milk shake with protein powder, watched TV for a bit and went to bed hungry.

 

Tonight is not so bad.  I saved my snack and ate it with my liquid dinner.  I just needed to crunch something.  I then when to the Rec Center and did 30 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes on the elliptical.  I didn't do weights, since my department Christmas Party has been delayed until after the New Year I will be doing weights with the trainer at Harry Jerome tomorrow night and my Team workout at TF on Thursday.  Now off to my son's hockey game. 

 



Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 82 and Thoughs on People feeling bad...

 

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 82

 

 

I took today off work to help my good friend Ariel pack.  Not sure how much we accomplished but we did seem to get a few things packed away.  We had a healthy tasty lunch and chatted about our different fitness and food plan challenges.  The one thing we both have in common is not eating what everybody else is eating.  Why do people feel bad when you can't eat what they are having?

 

I tell them that what I am eating is a choice.  I can certainly choose to eat whatever I want to whenever I want to.  I eat what I do to propel my body to good health and it feels so good.  Don't feel bad for me, be proud of me!  Especially since I have about 9 more months before I reach my final goal.  I must then always exercise and pick my meals and snacks wisely.

 

Speaking of that I keep wondering how I am going to make it through the Christmas season and still lose at least 1 pound per week.  I'm not so worried about Christmas day, more challenging is all of the lunches and dinner's I am attending before the big day.  I can do it!!

 

Tomorrow morning is check in day followed by the TF+ workout.  I am looking forward to it.  See you in the AM Team Fitness!

Welcome To My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 81

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 81

Worked out tonight with the TF+ team tonight.  Parts of it were challenging and other parts were fun. Lauren and I always push each other and tonight we ended up laughing through several of the stations.  At the end I went to do my 20 minutes on the treadmill and urged Tristan to join me.  Much to my surprise he did.  It always goes by quicker when you can chat with someone.

It has been a pretty good week, Tuesday I did Zumba with Glenda. The instructor is always fun and brought Santa hats and reindeer antlers etc.  I did my whole Zumba workout wearing the Santa hat.  I didn't work as hard as I normally do. I just felt so tired.  I woke up 1.5 lbs down from Monday morning.  Adding none days to my routine really seems to have had an effect.

Wednesday I took my Dad out to visit my sister.  This means I did not go to the circuit workout at Harry Jerome.  It was worth it though, my sister and her partner Sylvie seemed really pleased to see us.  My body probably needed the break too.  I woke up this morning and the little metal box in my bathroom rewarded me.  I lost another pound bringing me past my next milestone.  The middle number dropped so I am rewarding myself with a haircut and either a color or highlights.  Time for something fun for me.

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 78 and Thoughts on The 12 Week Check in and having your ass kicked.

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 78

Today was the start of my "none" days.  It is a little harder but I really want to "shock" my body and kick start my weight loss a bit so it is very worth it. 

I have worked out at Team Fitness Saturday, Sunday and now Monday.  I was looking forward to tonight for a couple of weeks.  We did 12 week photos, weigh in, measurements and composition.  During the assessment I mentioned to Leanne and Wesley that some of the workouts were milder than others and I really need to be pushed.  I know I can always work harder but if I am pushed I always do more than I would ever do on my own.  I got my wish.....

The workout started as it normally does, little warm up on the treadmill, followed by some stretching then the workout began challenging and stayed that way until the end.  I felt like I was working out and pushing myself the whole time! At times it was hard and I was sweating and I loved it the whole time.  An hour after the workout my muscle are already talking to me.  Tomorrow at Zumba I am really going to feel it.

The other great thing about tonight is the team.  We have gotten to know each other and we know what buttons to push to encourage each other to work just a bit harder. Even though it was difficult and we were breathing hard, sometimes to the point of reaching an anaerobic state we were still laughing and poking.  I really hope we can keep our little group together after the challenge ends.  Most of us have a ways to go and the support is what is going to propel us to success; both from Team Fitness and from the crew of friends working out.

So start of week 12 I am down 25.8 lbs and 33 inches, and a total of 31.3 lbs from my top weight a few weeks before the challenge started.  I am so happy about how I feel and how I am starting to look.  I can't wait to see how I feel and look in the next 12 weeks.

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 75, 76 & 77

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 75, 76, & 77

Another 3 days have gone by, day 77 already.  I was off work on Friday.  I had to do a side job down by Science World.  It is teaching worker rights and responsibilities around occupational safety at the Immigrant Services Society.  I really enjoy doing that.  It is amazing when you teach someone something the didn't know and you see the light come on.  This group was excellent and really asked a lot of questions.

Afterwards I planned to go to the gym.  I kept putting it off and then early afternoon I got a bad headache.  The gym did not happen on this day.  Before this program for over 2 years every month around my cycle I would get a bad headache for 3 days.  Almost a migraine, not bad enough to stay home from work but close.  Good News, my Friday headache was gone on Saturday morning and did not return all weekend.

Saturday morning was our TF+ workout.  I always look forward to that one with just the 3 of us.  Well even though this is week 11 we had 2 extra people in our workout.  I was a little disappointed.  I know the promotional time is coming to an end and more people will be joining us but change is hard.  I love our little group.  The biggest downside is that when new people join the workout intensity is much less.  I know I can always work harder but I need to have my ass kicked or I just don't the same burn.  Leanne, I have an idea.  If you get a large in flux of people into your TF+ group than perhaps you could add a TF+ intermediate or advanced group so the beginners can start at a lower level and those who have been doing it a while can keep working at a more advanced level.

On that note; I attended the beginner/intermediate boot camp on Sunday morning.  I was pleasantly surprised when Katherine showed up.  There were a couple other less fit people there too so we fit right in.  It was not so hard that we couldn't do it but it was that much more challenging that I really felt like I got a great workout.  Going forward I might attend that boot camp a couple times a week.

Only lost 1 lb this week.  Going to mix it up a bit this week and go back to a few "none" days.  I am actually looking forward to that.  I am hoping for a bigger loss by next Saturday.   I will be out of the 220's with any luck.  Once that happens I am going to get my hair done and I really need that!  I any event I am now lighter than I have been in more than 5 years and it feels good.  I love now when I buy clothes I have to ask for a "smaller" size.  Such a great feeling.  Thanks Team Fitness.

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 74

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 74

Today started much like every other day.  Got up, had my green smoothie and headed to work.  Sat through a 90 minute round table on Bill 14, the anti bullying and harassment bill.  I am normally very interested in this stuff but I could not sit still this morning and I was the one with the heavy eyelids. When I am teaching I hate when people fade like that.  Aren't they interested in what I have to say?  I really was, but I couldn't help it. I blame the fact that the meeting got moved to the Council Chambers where we could not bring our coffee!!

Next meeting with Stefanie from WorkSafe.  Love Stefanie, always a pleasure when we meet to discuss claims.  I had a salad for lunch with leafy greens and veggies.  I skipped the snack as I knew I had a catered dinner meeting this evening.  It really was a good meeting.  We had Gary Anaka and he talked to us about "Your Brain on the Job"  It is so fascinating to hear about all the advances we have had on the brain.

I have been going to these meetings the last Thursday of every month for 14 years.  There is almost always chicken as a choice on the buffet table so I knew I would be able to eat on plan.  Well not tonight there was a huge roast of beef.  I had a choice to make, beef or no beef.  I have not had beef for 75+ days.  I chose to fill my plate with leafy greens and plain steamed veggies.  I was starving so I decided to have a small very thinly sliced portion.  It as so good!  I am hoping it wont effect my weight loss this week.

It has not been a good week on the little metal box.  I am not suppose to weigh myself everyday (sorry Leanne) but I do.  As of this morning I am up compared to Saturday But it is very soon to be that time of the month so I am hoping it is water retention.  I know this week has been so hard with cravings but I have still remained on plan with the exception of a couple extra flax seed crackers that I should not have had.  Nothing I have had should equal a weight gain.  If I had a big fat steak, with baked potato and a few glasses of red wine I would except a gain or stay the same but I haven't.  Tomorrow is another day...  I am going to do this until I reach my goal!!

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 71, 72 and 73

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 71, 72 and 73

Wow such a busy week and it is not over yet.  I have been trying very hard to blog every single day but Monday and Tuesday were just crazy. I found out that my sister was in the hospital.  This is always worrisome and I didn't get out to see her. Love you Sis. xoxo  I went to the TF+ workout for 5:30 pm.  Monday's are always the busiest days but this Monday we had a huge group.  We have all become pretty tight.  There are not too many place you can go and workout and sweat and be so comfortable doing it.  I don't mean physically though, the workout usually pushes our limits.  After our workout I took my son to his hockey game.  It started at 9:15 pm and we got home around 11 pm, way past my bed time.  No blogging, too tired.

Tuesday was another busy day at work.  I was looking forward to my Zumba class as I think each week I get just a little better at keeping up with the moves. It was not meant to be though.  I really wanted to go visit my sister but turns out my hubby had to go be Scout Leader for an archery outing with a bunch of Scouts.  I went to my son's band concert.  I love that he plays sax in the jazz band and bass clarinet in the concert band.  I love hearing him play.  Downside, had to drive him to practice and pick him up, drive him back to the school early, wait for half an hour in line then wait hours till it was his turn to play.  To top it off he had to stay back with a bunch of other kids to clean up.  Ended up getting home after 11 pm.  Did I mention I go to bed most nights by 10?  Got home late, again no blogging.

Today was a busy day at work but not stressful.  My HR team and I spent the morning in an Emotional Intelligence workshop learning how to give and receive feedback.  I really had a few uhuh moments.  Love when you get a few good ideas that you can use in real life.  I think it helps our little group bond too.  I then rushed off to my next meeting where we were planning a big confined space entry and rescue plan.  I love doing that stuff.  My friend Ariel called last minute and said lets grab a bite and chat for a bit.  I decided to do it.  I didn't ask enough questions about the food.  I got a few things taken out but I forgot to get the dressing on the side. It was suppose to be vinaigrette but it did not look like it. I felt bad after that.  I have to do better, I have to stay on plan.  I don't know what it is this week.  I was up this morning on the scale from Saturday.  Lets hope it all settles and I have a loss by Saturday.  I have literally had no cravings over the last 10 weeks but yesterday and today I have had such a hard time.  I keep feeling like I need something.  I am not hungry just feel like having something.  Feels so hard to be good.  I have a catered meeting tomorrow night.  I have to go.  I am going to see if they can make me something custom.  Try it see what happens.

Because of my meeting I have to miss my TF+ workout tomorrow night.  I hate missing it but I have to attend my meeting.  I decided I had to get another workout in so I found a circuit training session at the Rec Comm HJ facility.  It was 1 hour and it was very much like the circuit training at TF except it was not as personal.  Well not for anyone else but because it was my first time I actually got a lot of attention.  I got to use some different equipment and the trainer showed me how to do some new exercises that I hadn't done before.  I can feel my muscles already sore from tonight's workout.   I feel good that I got that in.  See you Saturday Katherine and Tristan.  Looking forward to our workout!!

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 70 and Thoughts on keeping it intersting

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 70

I am amazed that it is day 70 already, I don't want to wish my life away but I hope the next 70 days, as far as the fitness plan goes, moves by just as fast.  This is only because as I type this I feel my muscles, my sore achy wonderful muscles in my arms and my chest, all the ones that Eric had me work and work and when I was done I had to do two more.  Love it!  I feel like I am working towards my goal.]

I have been trying to keep my food plan interesting by trying new things.  I have never been into cooking and the Cadillac of a food dehydrator we have has largely collected dust over the last year or two that we have had it, with the exception of when my hubby dehydrated his spaghetti sauce for his back country camping trips.  It has now found a new home on the counter where it sees lots of use.  Yesterday I made sweet potato, kale and zucchini chips.  Such an awesome change for a snack over almonds and apples.  I found purple sweet potatoes at Walmart today.  I can't wait to make them and see if they taste any different.  My dehydrator is working hard right now preparing my next tasty snack.  I finally got around to making Leanne's awesome Flax Seed Cracker recipe.  My house is smelling pretty awesome right now and come morning we should have some crispy crackers ready to go.  Tomorrow night I will make homemade humus to go with it.

Pretty good for a chic who prefers not to cook! 

Welcome to My Fitness Challenge Day 69 and Thoughts on New Clothes and Dehydrated Treats

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 69

Another 1.5 lbs down this week.  Started my day by driving my son to work at 5:45 am followed by a workout at Team Fitness this morning.  It was just Tristan and I at our workout this morning.  We missed you Katherine.  Eric was our trainer today.  We have not worked with him since the beginning of the challenge 10 weeks ago.  He was pretty soft on us initially.  I kept pushing him to bring it on and he did.  I'm not sure how much Tristan appreciated it but I am feeling my muscles tonight and I love that feeling.  I love when I walk out of Team Fitness and I feel like I've been worked out. Booked my body comp assessment for Dec 2nd.  I am excited to see how much my body has changed other than the weight loss.

Stopped at Pennington's on the way home from TF+.  I don't usually find too much I like.  My criteria for clothing used to be does it fit?  If so I will take it.  Ever notice that plus size clothing is usually so ugly.  Why do the designers think fat people like to wear ugly clothes?  Well today trying on stuff I actually had to ask for a smaller size; so cool!  A bought some new workout gear, can't wait to try it out on Monday.

Tonight I made Sweet Potato, Zucchini and Kale chips.  Love using that mandolin slicer and those crunchy chips feel like such a treat.  I turned down my reward meal.  I don't want anything slowing me down.  My treats for now are my turkey chili and dehydrated veggies.  I have not tried the Kale chips yet.  I am looking forward to trying those.

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 68 and Thoughts on What more can I do... wor

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 68

I wore my new smaller jeans today, victory!  Not my last size change either.  Hoping these jeans are going to be falling off me in a few weeks :-).  The little metal box was not as generous as I had hoped this morning.  No matter it is tomorrow's results that count.  We shall see what tomorrow holds.  I am eating on plan so I keep thinking what else can I do.  The only thing is to build in more exercise.  How much is enough?  I am happy with 2 lbs a week but not less.  

My son got his "N" on Wednesday.  He got called for work today.  He needed to be able to switch locations throughout the day, he needed a vehicle.  Hmmm...  He took my truck at 8 o'clock this morning. It's 9 pm now and he is still out.  Film shifts are 15 hours!  I'm such a Mom.  Can't wait to see him.

Made turkey chili tonight.  It has become my treat meal.  My younger son loves it too.  Not too much else to chat about.  Looking forward to my TF+ Trio workout with Katherine, Tristan and Wes tomorrow.  Saturday is my favorite workout day.  Stay tuned...

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 67 and Fun at Team Fitness

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 67

Today was a good day.  Woke up and checked in with my little metal box down a pound from Saturday's check in.  I am hoping for a little more before the next check in and time will tell.  I went to bed last night with my assignment half done.  I looked at my calendar for today and it seemed like I would have some time to put the finishing touches on it before the end of the day.  Did not happen.  My calendar filled with unplanned work which is my priority.  Good day actually, feel like I got a lot done.  

When 4:30 rolled around I got changed into my workout gear and started to head out the door when Brad popped in.  He greeted me with "Hi There Skinny" Well what can I say he had my attention.  We chatted for a few minutes about losing weight.  Brad is on a journey of his own, he is now down 85 lbs.  He is doing a very different diet, one where he is not allowed to exercise.  I don't get it, I thought healthy weight loss involved lots of exercise.  I have to admit I am really enjoying the feeling I get from working my muscles, I love that I can feel my abs and how my clothes now hang on me.  I am excited about the future.

Workout at Team Fitness was great tonight.  I am not sure it was the workout itself though, really wasn't that challenging. I did enjoy the work but the camaraderie that has developed in our group is awesome.  We cheered each other on and poked fun at each other.  Both Lauren and I noticed a change in Tristan, the weight loss is starting to show!  We had a new member join us tonight too.  I suspect our workout was a little easier to accommodate our new addition.  I talked to her at the end and told her to keep coming, that it was worth it.  She said she was so excited to be there.  I hope she commits, the journey is so worth it.

I went back to work after my workout and completed my assignment.  When I got home hubby was sharing his plans to ride back East on his motorcycle.  He wants me to come with him.  Hmmm 5000k on a motorbike.  Could be the adventure of a life time. Of course I said I thought he just wanted me on the back of his bike because by July I would be smoking hot and he would be the envy of all his friends.  He smiled....  

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 66 and thoughts on my 18 year old driving my truck alone!

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 66

Well I took today off work for 2 reasons.  One I had a huge homework assignment due and my 18 year old son had his ICBC road test booked so he could get his "N".  I also thought that with the day off I could squeeze in a run on the treadmill at the Rec Center.

So I didn't get my homework done only started, I didn't get any time in on the treadmill, but I ate on plan and my son well... He got his N!!!  Woot.  So proud of him.  That made the day all worthwhile.  As promised he then got to take my truck out on his own.  Of course he picked up his friends, one at a time, and drove them to work or home.  Made him feel pretty good.  His friends couldn't believe I let him but I'm glad I did.

Not too much on my weight loss journey today except I feel guilty for not getting the treadmill in and actually a little disappointed too.  I am now really looking forward to the burn.  Well I always have my Team Fitness Thursday night to look forward to!

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 65

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 65

Wow, Tuesday was a very busy day.  I think I had back to back meetings all day long.  I actually had to excuse myself from my last meeting before lunch so I could go home and eat before rushing off to the next one. Funny on the good side the day went very quickly and the meetings were all fairly productive.  

Got home in time for a quick salad and then off to Zumba.  It is good for getting the heart rate up and it sure beats sitting on the couch but I am not sure I will ever learn all the moves. It is fun to try..., ok gets a bit frustrating but I know I will get it eventually.  Just like my weight loss fitness journey one foot in front of the other or if Wes has any say in it one flight of stairs after the other and fitness will come.  The women at the Zumba class are all very interested in our Team Fitness boot camp.  Glenda and I were talking to them.  Be great to have a couple of new additions to our team.

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 64 and Thoughts on Beforeand After..

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 64

Welcome to my Monday. Woke up this morning and started with my morning ritual of checking out the results on my little metal box.  Same as Saturday morning, good right? I guess, but I would like to see it go lower.  In time it will!  I didn't get much exercise on Sunday so I was really looking forward my Team Fitness Workout tonight for a few reasons.  

My work is so busy and can be stressful, that is all good though, I love my job,  most days...   My biggest stress there is getting the long list of to dos done well.  Not always easy.  Then there is home.  It is no easy task to balance the personalities in my household.  I live with my hubby, my two teenage sons and my Dad, a Great Dane and 2 cats.  See a trend?  I live in the magical world where even the animals are all male.  I sometimes get in trouble for leaving the toilet seat down... Anyway, balance is a fine art and working out is not only for weight loss but most excellent for therapy.

Tonight's workout was most excellent.  Leanne was not in tonight.  Does not seem the same when she is not there on Monday's.  I am not sure if she was sick or one of her children but either way get well soon!!  Our check in went very quickly with Wes at the helm so we had an extra good workout and about 15 minutes longer than usual.  I got there early and did a 15 min warm up, followed by a kick ass workout that included 25 flights of stairs and many squats followed by another 20 minutes on the treadmill incline 6 speed 3.2 heart rate 125.  I was beat at the end of the workout but knew I would feel guilty if I did not get the prescribed extra cardio in.  Glenda joined me.  It is always more fun with company.  Felt great when we were done!

I found a photo of me taken a few weeks before the start of the challenge.  I guess I really didn't notice the change because I have to look at my own face in the mirror everyday.  I was shocked.  Before and after photos to be posted below.  All I can say is Thank you Team Fitness.  Without this program I am sure my today picture would be very different.

Tracy weeks before Team Fitness Challenge

Tracy on Day 64 of the Team Fitness Challenge