Phenominal Friday

Once a week it's about inspiration! Which I am not feeling at the moment.. grumble grumble grumble.. I think I have been feeling frustrated about the "process" yes, I know, baby steps.. I would just like to take a lot of baby steps.. quickly! Truth be told, I am also a touch apprehensive about standing on that scale. I know, it's only a number, but it's a number that represents too much emotionally as well as physically. Still, I have committed to looking at that number and dealing with it, and deal with it I will!

So here is my "Phenomenal Friday" this week it is a quote. I don't think life really has a destination! We are always in motion always moving one way or another.. even if we are stuck in a rut we are being pushed all by the current that makes up the energy of life.. so why wait for a destination of happiness when truly a destination doesn't really exist!

“Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.”

Roy Goodman

Been a couple of days..

I'm not doing badly but have hit a couple of bumps along the road.

The eating slowly is going ok.. Two things, first I REALLY have to think about it or I slip back into old eating habits and I REALLY like to mix up my food.. I like a pieces of salad mixed up with some rice and meat all on the same fork.. this is NOT working to my new eating ways!



Plus I hate to admit it but stress effects my eating. STOP rolling your eyes. I know that is a no-brainer.. but I have heard of these mythical creatures that get stressed and DON'T FEEL LIKE EATING! Not me, stress sneaks up and tickles my underbelly and presto, this girl wants FOOD!!




But I guess this is what the process is all about!

I came across some more interesting stats:

A new study by Skinny Cow low fat iced desserts reveals that the average woman burns 48,000 calories a year by shopping. Other findings:

- women make up to 132 shopping trips each year and burn approximately five calories a minute or a total of 47,700 calories over a 12-month period.

- women engage in 11 shopping trips per month: two are to buy clothes; five are to buy food and four are to a local store

- 70% of women say they feel completely exhausted after a shopping spree while 60% say it's a great form of exercise.

Interesting...

The only proven way to lose weight and keep it off is to eat less. But how do you do that day in and day out? Just slow down. Don't eat so fast! Researchers from Laiko General Hospital in Athens, Greece, have concluded that eating a meal quickly curtails the release of hormones in the gut that induce feelings of being full. The decreased release of these hormones can often lead to overeating because your body isn't telling you to stop.

Weekends can be such fun!

Which doesn't usually bode that well for better eating habits.

*sigh*

OK.. really it didn't go that badly! I had a great core workout at Twist on Friday with Kaalun (which I still am still feeling 72 hours later!) Friday night we had a Raclette party with some friends.. what's a Raclette? It is both a cheese and an appliance! Basically you grill veggies, prawns, and meat on top and melt Raclette cheese in little trays below.. combine on a craker and volia - cheesy goodness!

Having problems with picturing this? Here:

Good news: While cheese isn't high on the list of things to eat whilst watching ones weight, this system is excellent for portion control which has been my focus!

Bad news: Wine. Lots and lots and lots of wine.

*interesting note* "They" say organic wine helps prevents hang overs.. apparently not if it's only 1 bottle of organic wine.. and 5 of non-organic!

Good news: Dance Dance Revolution must of burned off a few calories!

I am a week and a half in at this point and I have to say I am please with the change in the eating habits, some weight has come off (I can tell with clothes) and I made it to Twist 3 times.. GREAT!

I was hoping to start with the running last week, but it looks like that will start this week, my muscles have been hurting a ton and I was just to tired last week.

This week I shall "suck it up!"

I am getting myself ready, by the end of the month I will not only stand on the scale but I will also start swimming again. I am very excited about that, Steve has even bought me a water proof MP3 player I can use while swimming laps!

Here's to a wonderful week ahead!

Phenomanal Friday!

This is my friend Melissa.. why is this my inspiration? She is trying to get up on one ski.. she did it, and pretty quickly.. but wiped out with great style in the process! The smile, the pointed toe, the can do attitude! That is how I want to lead my life!

Survey Says!

A new survey by Slimming World reveals that overweight workers earn less than fit workers and are more likely to be bullied or overlooked for promotions. Findings:

- 10% of male bosses have rejected a job candidate because of their weight
- 16% of obese workers say their colleagues are supporting them in their effort to lose weight
- 25% of obese employees have overheard another co-worker making fun of their size or weight.

The truth in that survey really stinks. As some one who has been almost 70 pounds heavier than I am now.. and who has also been 50 pounds smaller than I am now I have been at both ends of the spectrum. TRUTH: You get treated better when you are smaller. OK.. If you are a world of nasty by nature people won't treat you well big or small.. but right off the bat.. before anything besides the physical first impressions.. If you are smaller you are treated better..

Here's as Oprah say's an A-HA moment.. I treat MYSELF better when I am smaller.. OUCH.

As promised here is a picture of the jeans.. I LOVE these jeans. Gap size 6 curvy..

It was Twist day! Where I had to tell Kaalun that yes, I was in pain after Monday! Biceps, quads.. OWIE! But I was back for more.. today was a cardio day, fun fun. Lots of running around, shuffling and hopping.. from bosu to bosu.. "Hey Look Bo, Sue fell down!" while stalling I was telling Kaalun about my goal jeans.. I need to fit into them before they go back out of style! I will have a picture for you tomorrow!

For today.. this is a neat video featuring all the movies from 2009.. about 342 of them I believe.. I think I only saw 5 of them.. but still REALLY well done!

Enjoy!!

Eat like a lady!

My sister and I had a fun chat about my determination to eat slowly.. she understands the frustration .. it's a family trait! She told me a story about years ago deciding that she was going to "eat like a lady" to help her lose some weight.. she told a friend, who told a friend.. that friend lost 75 pounds using my sisters theory!

I did some Google-ing and came across these tips...


Here are some clever ways to use table manners to eat less:

1. Cut your food into dainty, bite-sized pieces, and chew each mouthful 20 times. This will give your brain time to register that your stomach is full, and you'll be less likely to overeat.
2. Set the table. This sends your family and friends a clear message that there'll be no mindless munching around the TV, and by interspersing mouthfuls with conversation, you'll also eat less.
3. Use chopsticks to slow yourself down. One reason why Asian nations have traditionally slim populations is that they eat many small courses slowly, over a longer time.
4. Use small plates, glasses and spoons to help you control portion sizes.
5. Use your non-dominant hand to eat. This way, you won't put food into your mouth so quickly.


Hmm.. I will have to be careful with number 5 because I will end up feeding dinner to my ear and I don't think the chop stick one will work for me.. I LOVE using chop sticks and will keep on eating just because it's fun...and I wonder why I have weight issues!!

Grumpy Day!

Weird day.

Every year around this time I have one day where I am cranky, curlish, and moody. One day when I really have to work to be pleasant at all.. one day when I am spoiling for fight more than others.. this year that would be today.

Yes I am in a wonderful relationship with an outstanding guy!

But much to the surprise of many, I was previously married. I was in love and I had my heart smashed to smitherens when I was left for another women.

It sucked. What really stinks is the scars it left.. Another time I will tell you about the gifts it gave me.. inner strength blah blah blah..

Today it just makes me grumpy.

Therefore today's goals were/are: make it to Twist for my work out (done) No emotional eating (so far so good) and count the wonderful blessings in my life now.. especially that one that is taking me to the movies tonight! (In progress)

Love this... Have a great week!

Small bite, put down food, chew, swallow, chat.. breathe.. small bite.. and repeat!

All my life I have listen to people say, take small bites, chew your food, slow down when you eat..


I eat like a wild animal making sure no other predator can get my kill..





Usually I am the first one done at the table, well part of the new plan involves listening to the above advice and taking those small bites and slowing down. It's only been a couple of days.. but.. wait for it..

They're RIGHT!

It totally makes a difference! Yesterday I was full before finishing everything on my plate, this is not something that EVER happens to me.. I checked on line and found this device. While I don't think I need to go to this extreme I can see how it could work!

This is a totally different "diet" experience, I'm not so much changing the food I am eating as I am the habits surrounding the food.

Phenomanal Fridays!

On Friday's I will post a picture, a poem, a saying, or a story that is special to me and brings me motivation is one way or another... For our first Phenomenal Friday. A picture!







It was at this moment I felt for the first time ever that I could do a sport. My ability in this area has never been "phenomenal" nothing ever felt like it came naturally, until this moment. It was tough to learn, but I mastered wake surfing in a proper time frame, became darn right good at it and have remained a solid surfer. While I don't have any 360's in my surfing repertoire, I can stand, ride and play in the wave for longer than most. This was one of my most liberating experience, this was a moment that reminded me no matter how old I was life's surprises could come in unexpected areas, even those areas I thought I had come to terms with and accepted that it just "wasn't my thing" turns out something was. Lesson learned: Being comfortable with your perception of your abilities is good, but never stop looking for that twist that could open the door to a dream.

An extra toe?

A survey by Women in Fitness magazine reveals that 21 to 23 percent of women would spend a week in jail, shave their heads or trade in a decade of their life to reach their ideal weight. 85 percent of those surveyed said they would rather sprout an 11th toe than carry around 50 extra pounds.

I could TOTALLY handle an 11th toe! I might even go for a head shave... but give up 10 years of my life? Mind you I guess if you are 50 pounds too heavy you could be knocking 10 years off your life anyway..

I don't expect an 11th toe anytime soon so I guess I have to stay focused!

Thanks for the comments thus far.. Answers to a couple questions:

1. I will weight myself at the end of the month.. and as much as I am saying 60 pounds I am aiming for a comfortable size 8.. or size 6 at some stores :D

2. I still believe weight loss is about food and maintence is about exercise.

3. More info on twist: http://www.twistkelowna.com/

4. Frozen shoulder: Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes restriction of motion in the shoulder joint. The cause of a frozen shoulder is not well understood, but it often occurs for no known reason. Frozen shoulder causes the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint to contract and form scar tissue. (and mine is getting better now.. and fast!)

One toe in...

One toe in... One toe out.. One toe in.. One toe out... That's not my style...




Here we go...

2009 was a year of drama for many. I am choosing to call it a year of "drama" to keep away from calling it a horrible, terrible, disastrous waste of 365 days! Truly there were moments of great good, fun, accomplishment and success! Plus lots of lessons learned *sigh* what would life be with out those lessons. Too make a long story short 2009 started with a house fire and progressed to include the passing of not 1, but both of our dogs, a frozen shoulder, no racing, weight gain, a real estate crash that lead us to selling our boat and other finical obstacles, and being homeless twice. On the other side of the coin, we made some new wonderful friends and spent more time with some we already had, had 2 new dogs come into our home that we are fostering, bought a wonderful new condo about 45 seconds from the beach and as Steve will tell you 254 yards to the beer store, i had a stellar year at work, started growing my "voice" work and mentoring business and learned that I have a wonderfully high pain tolerance!

So here we are at 2010.

Normally I'm not a big "New Year - New Out look" kinda gal. If it came down to a time of year my changes generally get put into motion in the fall. But this has been a different kind of 12 months, even with growth and a positive outlook I am very happy to see the door slam on 2009.

I have made some choices that will effect the rest of the year, choices that I will chronicle here. If you would like to join me on this journey I would be thrilled!

Basic concept. 8 months. Lose 60 pounds. Go to Costa Rica and learn to surf.

Good News. when I first really started a journey towards health almost 10 years ago I weighted in close to 250 pds. My lowest weigh since then was 145. I have always been able to the first 60 pounds of my weight loss off.. I fluctuate with the 55 or so in between. So I am taking a hard look at how I lost that first 60, what worked what didn't and why. I am going to apply the lessons learned. The most basic are. Drink lots of water. Get enough sleep. Small portion sizes. Take a multivitamin. Be active, always walk rather than drive if you can and never say no to doing something active over hanging out on the couch. I Listen to what all the "experts" say but decide for myself if it will work for me.

To start I went down to Nature's Fair in the mission and talked to Suzi. I am now taking a multivitamin amongst a host of other oils and minerals. I have started a pretty straight forward and simple 7 day cleanse, which will be followed by a 30 day cleanse to try to get the toxins out of my body. Plus some protein powder that goes into my morning smoothie.

I have continued with my training at "Twist" and will put into action the running and swimming so I can participate in a triathlon again this summer. I will have more details on this as it gets more organized and we see how far I can push my shoulder.

It feels good to be back, exasperating to be in this position, and motivating to know that I might help someone else find the answer to what seems to be a never ending hunt to health and happiness questions!

Bring on 2010!