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.