OMG – Where have the time gone?

It is November 1! I am still weighing in at 229-230 lbs as per scale. I must admit that I have not been diligent on meal planning and eating at home. Many meals have been from restaurants where portion sizes are massive and where I have no self-control. This week Michael and I have decided to implement a weekly meal plan schedule.

Tonight’s menu

Roasted chicken, garlic mashed potatoes (for Michael) and garlicky quinoa for me, with roasted lemon asparagus and Brussels sprouts.


November Fitness/Weight-loss Goals
Attend 3 step-classes per week (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday)
Practice hot yoga class once per week (Sunday)
Strength training 3-4 times per week
Weigh in at 220-222lbs on November 30

November Food Goals
No eating or drinking out! (Except for November 15, 2011 – Sushi Date with friends from high school)
Allowed one take out coffee/tea per week and only if I am visiting with a friend


Financial Goals
Pay and extra $500 to personal loan
Save $500 for Boxing day/week sales!

Hot Yoga

I went to a hot yoga class this evening. I feel wonderful! I do not want stress to be my narrative. Let's see if I can keep this up.
Good Night!

Hard time

This summer has been a struggle at work. I am in high stress mode and I need a vacation. In the mean time, I decided embrace yoga once again. I read wonders what yoga teachings can do for one’s mind and body. I need to feel secure and confident in my work again. Lately, I have been questioning my roles and responsibilities as an Inninu woman, as well as my own mortality and health. I think I do not want to have children, although a part of me would like the gift of raising a human being. I also want to pursue my education further; I would like apply to Trent University as they have an Indigenous studies PhD program there. I have a friend who also claims since I only have a 3.75 GPA in my Native Studies Masters that I may not get into any program. With that said, do I do another Masters degree? My colleague at work who is a senior scientist in biology asserts that is a “load of bullshit” and is certain I would get into a program strategically with the right letters of recommendation, my work experience (I am a researcher/analyst/writer) and my area of interest (hydro development). Sigh...

My scale is not budging. I am still hovering around 229-232. I am trying to make peace with that so I can move on. I have read that yoga may help with weight loss dependent on what type and intensity, but the main reasons why I would like to pursue this type of exercise is that I would like to learn to relax and chill out!

I heart Bodystep

Today I felt lousy. I was very emotional and sad. Sometimes I feel like quitting my job and hiding under a rock. I feel like I cannot do anything right and everyone thinks I am an idiot. I blame it on my monthly visitor. Although, I felt like crap, I made it to a Bodystep class. I feel wonderful now.




I am hoping my eggplant, tofu and mushroom stir-fry turns out.

New Workout Shorts

Yeah Me! New workout pants!
Bought at Reitmans size XL (Yeah no plus size)

230

Yeah! Soon to be in the 20's.
I kinda find it a bit humorous stating that.
Oh how I would like to be in the 120's but I do not think that is feasible to my body type. All I can say I am looking forward to being in the 100's hopefully by November. Then I can proudly state that I have lost 100 lbs via decolonizing my diet and exercise. The past few weeks I been taking my workouts outside! I can run/jog for 4 min on the treadmill then back to a brisk walk and back to a run/jog. I am still self-conscious running/jogging outside and I am in a desperate need to acquire a new sports bra (I been surviving on wearing two bras) and new workout pants/shorts as I am swimming in them. As for attending hot yoga classes - I have not checked that off my list. Soon maybe tomorrow.

Gym Week

I have been working hard at the gym all week... so far

Sunday - 40 min med/hard cardio (bike and treadmill)
Monday - Step Aerobics (Bodystep class)
Tuesday - 42 min med/hard cardio (bike and elliptical machine), triceps, back, chest and chest
Wednesday - 20 min on bike, triceps, legs, hips


go me. Not much movement on scale.

Walk/Jog/Run

It has been about a year and a half since I started to get serious about my health. Since November 2009 I have lost 50 lbs and went from a size 22/24 down to a size 16/18. I can lift heavier weights than ever before and I do not get winded after 20 minutes of cardio. I go to the gym 3 or 4 times a week and when I am not giving into my cravings I eat very light. This past month I have been upping my cardio exercise by increasing my walking on treadmill to 4.0 mph to a light jog of 4.8-5.0 mph. I am excited that I am improving with both cardio endurance and the increasing weight in strength training. I am starting to 'swim' in my gym clothes and I am starting to notice that I have a 'waist'. It is pretty exciting to see this transformation and I am starting to feel 'more in control' of my life.

Summer 2011 goals

To start walking/jogging/running outside (1 x week)
Hot yoga once a week (1 x week)

Eating Out

I eat out a lot. Not going to hide the fact that I enjoy Asian food. I heart Dim Sum, Japanese, Thai and Korean. The job I have now is very high stress and we are on tight deadlines. When I am stressed I emotionally eat. I run out at lunch and indulge. I rationalize to myself that I will work an extra hour to pay for my indulgence and I promise myself that I will go to the gym and burn off the extra calories. Often enough I break my promise and choose to laze around, play on computer, or watch TV. Sometimes I am so tired to cook anything I often twist my partners rubber arm and order something or go out for burgers and fries or mall food. This summer my goal is to be a better meal planner and save the $$ I spend on take out, restaurants, and mall food and put it toward debt (car loan and old student line of credit that was merged into a single loan) and save for an end of summer splurge. I am not cutting myself off from eating out; I still want to have my weekend indulgence of dim sum with my good friend and perhaps a payday pizza or breakfast with my partner.

Here is a picture of Michael and me at Lake Louise, Alberta in October 2009
(50 lbs heavier). I like this picture because it was our first big trip we took together. I hope to go somewhere this summer before Michael goes back to school to finish his last year in the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba.

Last nights workout

35 minutes hard cardio (treadmill and step)+ 220 lbs seated leg press + 45 lat pull down + 45 lb chest press = sore butt and chest

238

Yeah in the 230's
Bye bye 240's
Not sad that I have to say good bye to size 20 and some 18 pants!

yeah me!

242

There it is.
42 lb loss since November 2009.

Goal 232 by March 4, 2010

Goal - under 200 November 2011?

Time to be accountable.

sigh...

Up 2 lbs

I am still on my journey to achieve a balanced lifestyle. The past two weeks I only been to the gym twice and I am starting to feel it in my body and mind. The other night over mimosas, movie theatre popcorn (finally went to see Life as We Know It) and a few episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, I felt like rubbish. I knew a brisk walk or jog would make me feel better. The gym was closed and there was a -30 degree Celsius wind-chill so I decided to make it to the gym today. My 20 minute brisk recumbent bike ride and a 20 minute brisk elliptical hike/jog/walk felt wonderful. I did some weight training and that included time on the leg press (level 12?), back row (95 lbs) and chest press (level 4). My body felt so much better. Even though I know working out makes me feel wonderful, I admit to being a workout slacker (especially through this past December).

Eating wise, I did not do too badly. I watched my meal portions, but I did snack – chips, popcorn, pie, xmas dinner leftovers at inappropriate times, like when watching Grey’s at 11:00 pm! Although, my weight loss effort has dwindled a tad, I am back on the saddle.

I am not brave enough to state my current weight at this moment in time, but let’s just say that I am between a size 18 and a 20. I tried on an old pair of size 16 pants from Reitman’s and 16 months ago they could not be done up. Last night I could button and zip them up but had a slight muffin top. I think if I can drop 10 pounds in the next eight weeks or so, the pants may fit like they should.