Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 37 (Home at Last)

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 37 (Home at Last)

 

Don't get me wrong, I had an excellent time in Victoria but it will be so nice to sleep in my own bed tonight, in a few minutes in fact!  I had fun trying to figure out ways to stay on plan while away but it is so much easier when at home so in that sense I am relieved.  I walked a lot in Victoria and went to the gym but it's not the same as the Team Workout.  Looking forward to getting back to that too.  I agree with Katherine.  There is something about working out with a bunch of great people with the same goal in mind.  See you guys on Thursday!

 

Last night in Victoria there was lots of partying and I would have been right in there with them if I was not on plan.  Turns out there were a few hang overs this morning.  I am thankful to miss out on that.  Just got home at 7:40 pm this evening.  I have not weighed myself in 5 days so I have no idea how my efforts to stay on plan went weight wise.  I guess I will find out tomorrow morning.

 

I do know that I had to keep pulling my pants up today.  Not used to them being so loose.  Its a great feeling!  I feel really good doing this program with Team Fitness.  Taking a whole year to loose all the weight seems like a long time, but it's already been almost 6 weeks so a year will be here before I know it.  When we first started the plan we were asked to set some goals.  I am now thinking about setting up some rewards too.   Little mini milestone rewards that feel easier to achieve than the whole amount of weight.  Break it into chunks. I will keep you posted.  Now it's time to sleep.  Good Night!!

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 36 (Day 3 from Victoria)

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 36 (Day 3 from Victoria)

Well another interesting day in Victoria. I woke up this morning and had my 1/2 cup cottage cheese 1/2 cup yogurt with protein powder for breakfast.  Then headed down to the safety conference.  Of course there were lots of tasty treats around but I was not even tempted.  I just can't help but think that is what contributed to be wearing this fat suit.  I happily stay away from that.  I enjoyed my black coffee as I walked around the trade show.  Lunch was provided to day and I thought for sure I would be eating apple and almonds for lunch but much to my delight the hotel staff were only too happy to make me a custom lunch and when they brought out desert they brought nanaimo bars for the table and me a martini glass full of fruit.  I think there were a few at my table who were envious of my fruit cup.

After the last session of Day 1 a whole bunch of us headed out to a pub for a social.  I enjoyed my diet coke while everyone else had a few beers.  I keep getting complimented on my will power, after that we headed to Earls for dinner.  I ordered the same thing I had Saturday night, grilled chicken breast and grilled carrots and beets.  I enjoyed it again. After dinner the crew went to another pub.  I decided to go on the Victoria Ghost walk.  A 90 minute walking tour of the haunted buildings of downtown Victoria was a great way to get a little exercise at the end of the night.  Some interesting history here.  I went on my own and there were 4 young girls from Washington State there.  Three of them were fit, and one was quite a bit over weight.  Funny how this whole process has really started to change the way I think about food and exercise.  I wanted to shake her, volcan mind meld with her something!  Do something now, don't wait you have your whole life a head of you.  Do it, if I can do it you can do it!!  I am also so enlightened by all the servers where ever I go.  They have all been so willing to accommodate my special food requests.  It does not feel like a hassle, its been more like a challenge.

Looking forward to going the Day 2 of the conference tomorrow and then heading home.  Its been a nice visit but I look forward to sleeping in my own bed.  Good Night!!

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 35 (Day 2 from Victoria)

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 35 (Day 2 from Victoria)

Well I consider today to be a success.  I can not say that I have been exactly on the meal plan but I have avoided flour, sugar, dairy, red meat and red wine.  This morning, well 11ish (we woke up late at the Empress Hotel)  We went to Denny's.  Turns out they are very accommodating when you need something special made.  I had a 3 egg white omelette.  It had spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes and avocados inside and a side of tomato slices and fruit, coffee black and a big glass of water.  That kept me tided over for quite awhile.   We then headed out the Island Highway on the Goldwing.  Almost time to park the motorcycles so we are making the best of it.  It was a great ride, awesome to get away for a bit of a bonding weekend too.

Hubby went home at 1 pm and I headed out for a walk to find a grocery store.  Turned out to be quite a walk.  I was gone for 2.5 hours.  I did wonder through a few gift shops and did spend  a bit of time in the grocery store but I made sure a good portion of the walk was at a swift pace.  I got a few responses on yesterday's post about the pumpkin fudge.  Apparently it does freeze very well. (Thanks Stella!)  I bought some.  It's going in the freezer when I get home.  Safe for a time in the future when I can have a small taste. Unless it's next October at which time I will be getting myself some fresh stuff!!

I got back to the hotel around 4 pm.  I knew my coworkers were coming in to town in about an hour so I had a few almonds and an apple to tide me over.  Around 6:30 pm we all went out to Brown's Social House.  They were awesome too.  I had grilled chicken, green salad with balsamic vinegar and grilled veggies.  Everyone else had drinks but I kept the big picture in mind and had one diet coke and about 3 tall glasses of water.

The safety conference and trade show kicked off at 730 till 9 so I hit the last half hour of that.  Great to see so many familiar faces.  Got out of there about 9:30 pm and felt pooped but determined to stay on plan I got changed and headed to the gym.  I did 40 minutes on the treadmill.  The very coolest thing about all of the cardio machines at the Empress Hotel is they all have TVs build in to them.  I thought about doing another machine but I was done.  I felt pretty proud of myself that I did 40 minutes at a pretty good pace.

While at the grocery store I picked up apples, almonds, bananas, carrots yogurt and cottage cheese.  I figure I can eat breakfast and snacks on plan at least then see how many more restaurants will accommodate me. Lunch is included both days with the conference.  I am not sure if there will be anything I can eat.  I wont eat off plan so I might have to sneak up to my room for some of the on plan snacks I have stored in the mini bar.  

I want to end my blog today by saying thank you to Team Fitness and to Wes for my sore muscles from the Trio workout on Saturday.  I know I was doing the exercises correct as my pain is in all the targeted areas.  I also want to thank Leanne for picking me for this fitness challenge.  I would not have this will power or drive that has even has surprising me to be this successful.  

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 34 from Victoria BC

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 34 (from Victoria BC)

Well today was a full day starting with my Saturday morning check in.  I was hoping to break the 15 lb mark and much to my surprise and delight I got 15.6 lbs.  I think there must be something to this eat less, exercise more thing.  I can feel my clothes starting to become just a bit looser, I am feeling just a bit stronger.  Exercising and doing stairs is something I now look forward to.  Thank you Team Fitness!  Believe me if I can do this you can do this!  I went to our Trio Workout this morning and Wesley took my measurements.  It was great to do this 5 weeks in because not only am I 15.6 lbs down I am also over 23 inches down. WOOT!

I also feel I must clear something up.  I have stated that I don't like to cook.  This is true!  What is not clear is the fact that I can cook, and I do cook.  I can successfully follow a recipe and when I do cook it tastes good!  On this fitness plan I have done all my own cooking with the exception of one time my Dad made me Turkey Chili.  He would make me more stuff if I gave him the recipes.  I have both my Dad and my Hubby in my home who both love to cook.  Since I look at it as a chore and I am surrounded by cooks why would I cook?  The deal I have with my family is that I don't cook food that is outside my program.  If you want what I eat I will make it for everyone.  If you want something else I don't cook that.  I am sure I have gained a few pounds over the years with all the licks, bites and tastes while preparing meals.  I don't want to be tempted by cooking foods I love and miss so I cook for myself and one of the two other fabulous cooks who live in my house cook for the rest of the family.  I should say even both my son's like to cook so I am in good hands!

So today is Day 1 in Victoria.  I ate lunch at home and then we headed for the ferry.  We had dinner at Earls.  There was nothing on the menu that fit my program.  There was a statement on the menu that said they made everything from scratch.  I asked the server how literal that was.  There is a bunch of stuff I can't eat and I would like to  order something special.  She brought me steamed beets and carrots and grilled chicken breast with no marinade, no butter, no dressing.  It was awesome and totally on program!  There was lots of good food being served around me.  I could smell the dark chocolate cake a couple of tables over!  That's not what I would have had though, pumpkin something was on my mind. We walked around downtown for quite a while too.  So beautiful here, it does feel a lot like Halifax.  Lots of bars and pubs with in a short distance.  Too bad I'm not on alcohol at the moment.  There was store after store with pumpkin treats.  Pumpkin fudge, pumpkin gelato, frozen pumpkin pie dipped in Lindt chocolate. Mmmmmm.  Didn't touch it.  Kept telling myself "don't let what you want now stop you from getting what you really want later!"  But I do wonder if you can freeze pumpkin fudge for later?  Hmmmm....

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 33

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 33

Well another interesting day on the Gowans front.  Got up this morning and made all my food for the day.  I was in my Leadership/Supervisor Skills course all day so no going home for lunch.  Started with my boiled egg.  I love boiled eggs, I missed the taste and texture of the yolk.  Now I only miss the other eggs.  Who'd of thought I would eat one egg for breakfast.  No other eggs, no toast, no butter, no hash browns, no bacon.  OK, I never ate all of that at once, just got stuck in a Maui moment there.  I saved my apple for when I got to my course.  I knew when I got there I would have a huge selection of muffins, scones and different breads to watch people eat.  I poured a cup of black Joe and ate my apple.  

I am actually enjoying my coffee black now.  I don't think I will go back to cream and sugar even when I can.  The other morning my younger son Keiran was pouring cream into his coffee and he said to me "Look Mom, I am having cream and sugar and you can't"  nah nah nah..  I just looked at him and smiled \:-)  and said, "I love my coffee black now...  that stuff is going to make you FAT!  He just chuckled and said "I am 15 what do I care? "  You could not pinch an inch on him.  He is very fit.

After lunch today as per tradition the instructor walked around to each of our groups handing out Halloween sized chocolate bars and smarties.  She put a bunch on my group's table and said "Tracy can't have any".  I corrected her and said I am allowed to have what ever I want.. I chose to not have any.  It is so much easier to see this life style change as a choice rather than having the feeling of being deprived.  I am an adult and as an adult I can chose to eat or drink anything I want.  I chose to get healthy and fit.  It is a very powerful feeling.  I have not even wavered in the almost 5 weeks on the program.  Making it a choice is the only explanation I have.  I have tried to lose this weight many times and very rarely made it a week without cheating.  

Tonight I was sorting through my clothes. Found a few more things to wear.  The one thing I did stumble across is an outfit I bought when I was 20 years old and 130lbs.  It is a white leather jacket and a matching white leather mini skirt.  It is now my goal outfit.  I am not sure it will be appropriate for me to wear it out anywhere but I want to be able to slide it on and have it fit.  I was telling my hubby about that goal.  He is excited about me being so enthusiastic and goal oriented.  I know I am going to do it this time!  

Yes that is me wearing my goal outfit. (a few years ago)

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 32

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 32

Yet another day closer to my weight loss goal under my belt.  Good day today again. I decided to try on a shirt that I have not worn in months.  I really like it, to my delight it fit!  Started my day in a crew meeting at 7 am.  I love my job and individually the guys are great but I always feel like I am in front of the firing squad when I talk in front of the whole crew.  I rushed to my next meeting at the Hall.  Stopped at Starbucks and purchased a grande Pumpkin Spice latte, full sweet with whipping cream and a fat slice of pumpkin loaf and a dark roast black.  Got to my meeting and presented the Pumpkin coffee and cake to the Birthday girl in my department that is the glue that keeps us all together.  It was a win win really. I got to enjoy the sweet smell of the October treat that I am abstaining from this year and I got to say Happy Birthday to a great person too!  Happy Birthday Kelly, I appreciate you!

My second time having yogurt for breakfast,  I had it in a glass bowl and I grabbed it and took it to work with me.  Everyone was asking me what it was.  Most thought it was whip cream, lol.  It might as well have been because I really enjoyed it.  After lunch I was in the coffee room, emptying my cup and filling my water jug when I started chatting with Brad.  He has just blown my socks off in what seems like over night he has dropped 85 lbs. He looks fantastic and it seems everyone in the office talks about it.  He noticed changes in me today.  He hadn't heard about my fitness challenge.  We chatted about it, he always makes me feel good about what I am doing, no matter the topic.  Thanks for being you Brad!

Finally headed off to Team Fitness for my group workout.  It was really great tonight.  I like the workouts lately seem more challenging and I really feel like I had a workout.  Headed over to Bed Bath and Beyond right after the workout to shop for my mandolin slicer.  There were so many choices.  I decided to do some more research.  I don't want a cheap one because we have a great dehydrator and I think we will use it a lot, but I don't want to over buy either.  Hmmm.  Sometimes not being able to buy on impulse is a drag.  Oh well, I will get one soon enough.

Looking forward to our dinner rotation Katherine.  I am also looking forward to some new recipes and adding in some of the missing foods I am unable to have now.  

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 31

Welcome to My Personal Fitness Challenge Day 31

Today is another successful day.  Wednesday is a "high" food day, one I should look forward to but I don't. I am quite used to and satisfied with the food on the "low" food days.  The day after the high day usually results in a higher number on my little metal box.  As promised I won't let it bother me as I know come Saturday it will even out.

There are a few other things I don't like about the new menu.  I really miss the green smoothies, I really hate the cucumbers with apple cider vinegar.  Does it help burn fat, raise metabolism?  If not I can not eat it ever again!  Leanne please give me substitute.  I did not think I would be satisfied with a boiled egg and an apple for breakfast but that is OK, kind of a peculiar pairing though.  I love the addition of yogurt and cottage cheese.  I am looking forward to breakfast tomorrow!

On another note, I was reading my fellow team mate's blog and learned that she got her very own mandolin slicer!  You go Katherine!  I am really motivated to get my own.  Now you need a dehydrator, the combination of both tools could lead to endless yummy and "approved" snacks.

I did have an awesome surprise from one of my coworkers and biggest supporters at work.  My friend Courtenay brings her own version of the green smoothie to work everyday.  She has been doing that for as long as I can remember, much longer than I have been on the Team Fitness + Challenge.  She brings it in a 2 L mason jar so it really stands out.  Today she presented me with my very own 2 L mason jar tied in a ribbon with a beautiful card.  She says its all about making it easy.  The green smoothies never seem to fit in the regular containers so its perfect for that, or since drinking 2 liters of water a day is recommended you could fill it with water and it is an excellent way to ensure you have had your full quota.  Your awesome Courtenay!  Thank you!!  Looking forward to my workout tomorrow with my TF+ crew.  See you then..