Strength!!!

So it has been a very, very emotional week. On Friday, a young, 13 year old boy in our neighbourhood accidentally killed himself by playing a game of auto-asphyxiation. I can not begin to explain how sick it was to learn of the details, at the same time joing a community and family in mourning this young life. I strongly urge all parents to speak to your children about this "game". I was surprised, when speaking to my 9 and 6 year old that they already new about it. Do not be naive. We continued to speak that some of these decisions have deadly consequences. Knowledge is power!

About a month ago, my 90 year old Baba took a fall down about 13 stairs - never broke a bone but hurt her shoulder and was pretty bruised up. On Monday, she was admitted to the hospital because her resting heart rate was way over 100. They have put her on blood thinners and continue to run tests. Hopefulloy she will be out of the hospital in a day or two.

And, as everyone knows that things happen in three's, today an aquaintance of my from high school, advises me that he underwent tests last week and they found a brain tumor. WTF!!! How sad, so enough is enough, I am trying to remain positive in the midst of all this shit.

I went to weigh in this morning as was down 3.2 pounds. I had actually gained last week 1.4 so the net result is 1.8 pounds, which I am totally happy with.

Hug your loved ones with extra tight hugs and tell them you love them! Life is too short to wait.

:O)

Weekend Strategy and Weigh In Results!

Firstly, after a week of what I had originally thought as crazy, I am excited to have lost 1 lb. As hard as it was to get in some exercise, I did manage a few walks and played outside with the kids. I find it easier lately just running around and playing with my kids as my form of exercise. I think it is very important for us to adapt to our lifestyle and incorporate fitness the best way we can, while still being health conscious.

So now I am into another crazy week. My husband is leaving this morning for Dallas, TX and leaving me with the following:

- 2 children
- 2 sets of swimming lessons
- 6 hours of hockey tryouts
- 1 football game
- 1 art class

I am not sure why he didn't leave a padded room for me, but I am determined to get through this weekend relatively unscathed. I am promising myself not to fall off the wagon just because we are busy. I am going to use this to my advantage!!

To all of you that have a busy weekend planned - we can get through it! :O)

Weigh In and I'm Not Disappointed

I had a STS at weigh in today and for some reason, I am totally okay with it. I accept that I am not going to always lose weight each week, but I will learn how to deal with a STS or gain. It is all part of learning and being comfortable with this new lifestyle.

I do know one main reason for the STS this week is my activity level was way down from what it has been in the past few weeks. I just need to up my game a bit for this week. I am going to make every attempt to get out for a walk each night or morning. I can also work it into my lunch break at work. I have to do this and will feel much better about it next week.

Looking forward to kissing the 240's goodbye.

:O)

Feel Like I'm Drowning

So I have had a really tough week. Many things are going on and are really, and I mean really, stressing me out. I have never been one to stress, but for some reason this week it is really getting to me. I am feeling so terrible, I feel like I could puke every few minutes. I have never experienced anything like this in my life.

I have decided to try and keep mega busy so I don't have to live the stress all the time, I am writing about it, hoping it will allow me to release some of it, I am picking away at the things I can control and trying to kick the ones I can't control to the curb.

I am hoping that my week of holidays will allow me to relax and find the good in life again.

In the meantime, I have still managed to control my eating and am happy to post a 1.8 loss this week. Thank goodness, because I am not sure what would have happened if this would have been a gain.

This is probably just what I needed this week to deflect some of the stress. Along with losing the 1.8 pounds, I also passed 25 pounds total lost and got my 10% key chain.

I will get through this! :O)

I am Thrilled

I have to say that after coming back from wiegh in today, I was extremely pleased. I lost another 3.2 pounds, after just being on vacation, and have lost a total of 21.2 pounds.

I can not tell you how happy I am that I made a decision to lose weight a couple of months ago. I feel successful and I feel that I am strong enough to continue on this journey for the long haul.

I often find myself reflecting on what a great place I would be in if I could just make the weight disappear. However, what positive lessons would I learn from that. I truly believe that I will be more aware of what I need to do to make this work as I continue. I think this is one of those life lessons I needed to learn for myself. I am prepared to make this work. :O)

Satisfied!

I am trying super hard to listen to my body signs when eating. I must remember to eat slow and to STOP once I am satisfied. This is sometime easier said than done.

I had weigh in at noon today and was down 0.8 pounds. After weigh in I came back to the office and heated up my lunch.

I had packed some leftovers from last nights supper, however, as I was eating my lunch, all of a sudden I felt like I overate. I obviously missed the signal (because of course I wasn't really paying attention) and not didn't feel too good. I still had my cherries to eat, which I was looking forward to. Now the old me would have still ate the cherries. But realizing that would make me feel worse, I left them and will have them as a snack a little later when I am hungry.

Although I missed the first signal, I was successful at not making another bad decision and for that I am happy.

I am looking forward to a week at the cottage and am looking forward to some fun activities with my children.

Have a great Canada Day weekend.

Missed it by that Much

Missed my 5% goal today by 0.2 lbs. Really?

Somewhat disappointed, but I will get over it. LOL!

The scale is definitely going in the right direction and over the 5 weeks I have been doing this, I have lost 12.8 pounds, which I think is just great.

I am going out of town again this weekend for my son's ball tournament, however, I am going to really, really try to be super good. Although I follow Simply Filling, I may just track my foods for this week, to keep me a little more accountable while we are out of town. I will endeavor to drink water and try and get some walks in.

Resetting my lifestyle is such a mental game, far more than any physical component. I hope that I am able to stay mentally focused for a lifetime and that it will only get easier and become a habit. :O)

Another One Bites the Dust

Another weigh in, another 1.8 pounds down. YEAH!

This next week will be somewhat of a challenge. My son is competing at the PanAm Martial Arts games and we will be away. So this means mostly eating out with a very minimal schedule.

I will however, pack fruit and some "wise" snacks to nibble on and attempt to make the best choices while we are away.

I am truly excited for him to be experiencing this great opportunity and I not going to let me issues get in the way of us having a wonderful time.

Here's to hoping he brings home for Team Canada.

Weigh In Week 3

Success!! Down another 1.4 pounds.

Every week when I go to meetings, I get nervous. As I am driving I can feel my stomach getting more anxious by the minute. How crazy is that? This past week had a whole lot of crazy to it and I guess I was just hoping the scale would still cooperate.

I always feeling a weight being lifted off my shoulder, once the leader tells me I did a good job and lost weight. Why is it that I need that reassurance? Is it that I have low self esteem, because I have never really pegged me to be that type of person? Is it I need others to validate my success?

My preference would be to go about doing my thing, making healthier food choices and incorporating exercise, quietly go to the meetings, weigh in, listen to the meeting and leave unnoticed.

Maybe it's that I am a bit embarrased for letting my weight get out of control. I never used to be overweight. Like many others, mine has crept up in the past 8 years since having children. But how does one gain 100 frickin' pounds in 8 years and not get a hold on it sooner. Oh well, there is no use dwelling.

I have made the conscious decision to say goodbye to the added baggage so I am around for a long time.

:O)

Weekly Weigh In

Well, was able to lose 2.4 pounds after a week of being laid up for a week with back spasms and then a big Ukranian wedding to boot. So I feel great that I was down the 2.4 pounds. I guess it is definately becoming second nature to pick whole foods and eat a lot of fruit and veggies. I have also snacked very little at night this past week, so that also may have something to do with it.

So I am also officially 1/2 way to my goal, almost 6 months to the day. Not bad!!

Tomorrow is my last day of work until August 4, 2009. I am thrilled and will be going grocery shopping to load up on healthy food for out at the trailer.

I was hoping to spend more time blogging tonight, but I am freezing and can't seem to warm up. So I will be back tomorrow.

:O)

Weigh In

So after my re-commitment and refocus, I went to weigh in today and was pleasantly surprised with a loss of 1.8 pounds.

This signifies over 50 lbs gone. I am totally thrilled and almost half way to my goal. I have the confidence that I can continue to do this and I am thrilled at the lifestyle changes I am making.

So with the same enthusiasm I had when I lost 25 pounds here are some items that weigh 50 pounds:

50 pounds of tomatoes50 pounds of potatoes

My daughterHave a great weekend - I am off to the trailer for some R&R.

Weigh In and Struggles

I was somewhat sad but still gratefull at my weigh in last week. I lost 0.2 lbs. Yes a loss is a loss and I am totally happy with that, but after a week of struggling, I was really looking forward to a great meeting.

The leader was subbing for our regular leader and was less than inspiring, and therefore I got very little out of the meeting, which was so unfortunate. Especially at a time when I needed it.

We had a very busy weekend and I believe that the choices were not the greatest. I am really looking forward to the meeting on Thursday with hope that I can get some newly energized motivation out of it. I have not completely fallen off the rails, just slowing down a bit.

Weigh In

So another weigh in down and am please to report yet another 2.4 pound loss. So now I am just 0.8 pounds away from a total of 50 pounds. Hopefully I will reach that goal next week.

I have also posted another progress picture. I sure have a hard time looking at myself in pictures. I always think I look terrible. However, I perservere so when I look back I will see how far I have come.

It is quite funny, even though I have lost nearly 50 pounds, when I look at the pictures to me it doesn't look like I have lost that much.

I can't wait to be looking at the progress picture in six months time. I am hoping that I will see a difference by then.

Week 21 Weigh In

Just a quick post to update on my weigh in this week. As many know, I have been pretty sick the past couple of weeks; however, I am still thrilled to report a loss of 1 pound.

I am totally flirting with 50 pounds gone. I am hoping to reach that little milestone by July 2, 2009.

Another Great Weigh In!

Just returning from another weigh in and I very proud and excited to report that I lost another 2.6 pounds this week.

This will make my 20 week total - 45.8 pounds.

I will stay focused this week and continue to fight the fight. We have another busy week out at the trailer and should be able to keep myself busy.

Weigh In and Self Awareness

Had my weigh in today and lost another 2.6 pounds. I love learning that this is a new way of life and not a "DIET".

This week I am focusing on self awareness. One of the most important factors in building your self esteem and confidence is your self awareness.

Being self aware is knowing:

What you want in your life? I want to live long and enjoy a wonderful life with my family and friends.

Your strengths and weaknesses. Some of my greatest strengths are my greatest weaknesses. Some of my strengths would be that I am caring, well educated, creative, while some of my weakness are I am a perfectionist, stubborn and very private.

What motivates you and makes you happy? Definately my family is one of my greatest motivators. I cannot explain the overwhelming love and emotion that I have as a mother. I just want to be around as long as I can for my children. They are my pride and joy and I love sharing their life with them.

What you want to change about yourself or about your life? Part of my journey is too allow my body to exist in a healthier environment, therefore, this is one of the changes I would like to make and am actively doing it.

Your achievements so far. I have successfully lost 43 pounds. I am raising 2 beautiful children to be respectful people and love themselves and others. I am a successful business women, with a wonderful husband and extended family and friends, a beautiful home and other luxuries we can enjoy as a family.

How you relate to others. I can relate to others on a variety of different subjects. However, there are always certain areas that one finds hard to relate to, especially if you haven't experienced it.

You need to improve as a person. I have to learn to "relax" and take more me time. I find that when I have free time, I should be playing with the kids or doing other chores. I think it is important to have time alone, I just need to learn how to do it.

Your most important beliefs and values. I believe in respect for yourself and others and value friendships.

How you see yourself as a person. I see myself as a hardworking mother and wife that strives for happiness and fulfillment.

This was a wonderful exercise - it allowed me to really believe that I have lots to be thankful for and to keep striving for my happiness.

Thursday WI (18th Week)

Lost another 1 pound for a grand total of 40.6 pounds -- so far.

On my way back from the meeting I was reflecting on what has made me successful so far. I truly believe that staying for meetings is so crucial. It is amazing the hints, ranging from where to buy low point foods to coping mechanisms, you get out of the meetings. Obviously everyone at the meetings are dealing with the same struggles as I am, so for me it is far easier to relate to them and find the confidence to continue.

I also credit my children - my source of energy. I love them so dearly and I am enjoying every minute I can with them. It is so much to know that playing takes less energy now than it did a few months ago.

I am also very stubborn (which is an understatement), so with that alone, I cannot fail and will not fail. It may take me a while but I will keep at it.

Now onto week number 19 with 4 days at the lake - will be packing healthy and will earn as many ap's as I can.

:O)

Weigh In #17

Down another 2 pounds today at weigh in. I LOVE IT!!! That is a total of 39.6 pounds. My BMI has also changed from 41.8 to 35.8. Very exciting.

So will be trying a few new recipes this week, including 1 point chocolate chip cookies (yum!) and trying to up the activity.

We will be going up to the trailer for the weekend so I need to go out and get groceries. Will be stalking up on fruit and veggies. I really try and have a great selection of food at the trailer so it is easier to stay on track.

Thursday WI

Had my weekly weigh in this afternoon and am proud to report I am down another 1.2 pounds.

Even though I am following the simply filling, I am going to track this week and make sure my portions aren't getting out of control. I want to make sure I am not slowly increasing portions, and how close I am to my aloted range.

Another Successful Weigh In!!

So last Thursday was my weigh in, and I am happy to say that I am down 4 pounds for the week. I had some serious ap's this week which included three hours of raking on Sunday alone. I did make a concerted effort to ensure that I fuelled the body for the upped activity. So I must have done something right. I also received my 16 Week charm for the key chain. Hard to believe that I have been at this for 16 weeks and have lost 36.4 pounds. I am very excited and am looking forward to another 16 weeks.

The 2 most important things for me in being successful at losing weight is tracking and portion control. If I can stay focused on these two things, I see the results.

As a side note, we pulled the trailer out on the weekend to park it for the summer and we are going to try and spend the night this coming weekend if the weather is nice. So note to mother nature, please send nice weather our way.