Just realizing that i'm actually posting on New Year's Eve....it is just that late. Must go to bed after this and get my zzzzzzzzzz's.
Today was really bizarre, but here it is;
M1 : Yogurt and berries, coffee
M2: 3 egg whites (hard boiled)
M3: chicken breast and steam veggies
M4: missed it!! oops
M5: whole wheat pasta with veggie sauce (I didn't have time to cook meat along with it, as we were heading to the gym).
The gym - well my 12-year-old niece is here with us for a few days, and as the daycare is closed until the New Year, it has ben difficult for Craig and I to go to the gym together (Tosca really stresses the importance of working out with a buddy). So, we've been taking advantage of the family swim times instead, and taking turns doing our workouts.
Well, Hannah really wanted us to "All" be in the pool together, so I dropped Craig off at the gym first (he wasn't ready for a meal anyhow) and made dinner for the rest of us. Then we headed to the gym about 1.5 hours later. Craig joined us in the pool, and we were there for an hour. I stayed in the deep end for 45 minutes, while I dove, swam and treaded water. I kept moving to keep my heart rate up.
At the end, Craig took the kids home and I continued my workout. Let me tell you, trying to workout after swimming was HARD!! I did 10 minutes on the bike (very hard, mind you), 5 minutes rowing, 1/2 an hour working out my legs, and 10 minutes on the treadmill. I could only run for 2 minutes tonight, I was just so tired!!
Moral of the story....plan ahead, and try not to workout after swimming...your muscles will thank you! ;-)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Trying Again!!
Oh my! I have been having some major problems trying to post to my blog. But I think I have it this time!
Anyhow, today I decided to look for some recent and not-so-recent pictures of me. Almost a before and after. It literally took me an hour to find the "before" picture posted below. The reason? Well, like many overweight women, I don't like the way I look. Therefore, I am always behind the lens (I am a photographer after all), or i'm being goofy and giving a fake smile to the camera. More often than not, I delete all photos of me. Again...it took me an hour to find one picture of me on our computer. This one must have slipped by my delete-happy finger.
So here it is, an almost full length picture of me, at my heaviest, taken in March of this year. It really brings to perspective just why I chose to change our lives by following the Eat Clean Diet. I have had many ups and downs, but the fact is that I am down 39 pounds since this photo was taken, and 24 pounds down since starting to Eat Clean. I was able to lose 15 pounds somewhere along the line from March to September, by doing bits of cardio here and there at the gym. But the 24 pounds is from September to December is all from eating clean. 15 pounds in 6 months, versus 24 pounds in three months....i'm no mathematician here, but I think eating clean is the way to go!
Here is the picture I took of myself today. It's a raw photo, which is what I wanted. It's me, without makeup, without a fancy hairdo, and just using a small flash. It's as real as I could get it. I'm wearing spandex...yikes, and not much on top. I was going to do a sports bra, but this is as brave as I could get. I couldn't get the same angle, as all my photography equipment was out in the garage, and it's cold out, and I wasn't changing again! HA! So, this was done without a tripod, and the photo above has the better angle...believe it or not. So again, it's a raw photo that I took of me today, and i'm proud that I posted it. It will be great to compare it to my future sexy photos!!
Anyhow, today I decided to look for some recent and not-so-recent pictures of me. Almost a before and after. It literally took me an hour to find the "before" picture posted below. The reason? Well, like many overweight women, I don't like the way I look. Therefore, I am always behind the lens (I am a photographer after all), or i'm being goofy and giving a fake smile to the camera. More often than not, I delete all photos of me. Again...it took me an hour to find one picture of me on our computer. This one must have slipped by my delete-happy finger.
So here it is, an almost full length picture of me, at my heaviest, taken in March of this year. It really brings to perspective just why I chose to change our lives by following the Eat Clean Diet. I have had many ups and downs, but the fact is that I am down 39 pounds since this photo was taken, and 24 pounds down since starting to Eat Clean. I was able to lose 15 pounds somewhere along the line from March to September, by doing bits of cardio here and there at the gym. But the 24 pounds is from September to December is all from eating clean. 15 pounds in 6 months, versus 24 pounds in three months....i'm no mathematician here, but I think eating clean is the way to go!
Here is the picture I took of myself today. It's a raw photo, which is what I wanted. It's me, without makeup, without a fancy hairdo, and just using a small flash. It's as real as I could get it. I'm wearing spandex...yikes, and not much on top. I was going to do a sports bra, but this is as brave as I could get. I couldn't get the same angle, as all my photography equipment was out in the garage, and it's cold out, and I wasn't changing again! HA! So, this was done without a tripod, and the photo above has the better angle...believe it or not. So again, it's a raw photo that I took of me today, and i'm proud that I posted it. It will be great to compare it to my future sexy photos!!
I'm still not liking the way that I look, but I do think that I look better. Most importantly, I feel better. I have an appointment with my doctor at the end of January, and i'm hoping to get more tests done and get off all medication!! Wish me luck!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
An Emotional Roller Coaster!
I haven't been keeping up with my blogging, and i've made a promise to myself to get back on it, so here I am!!
Last week I made a few self discoveries that have really helped with my image issues. I have realized that i'm actually a good person, and that I deserve to be happy. So, instead of sabatoging myself when i'm down, I am looking to find a healthy habit to replace the drug that, until recently, helped ease whatever emotional pain I was in...food. I'm going to start with walking for 10 minutes or however long it takes for the feeling to go away. Walking will let me sort out the problem, and I might still be upset without having found a solution, but at least I won't be turning to food.
With that said, I have been diligently following the clean diet and have been continuing with my exercise regime. I actually love exercising. The fabulous feeling I get afterwards is something I always look forward to.
This past weekend was a girl's weekend with my friends Nancy, Andrea, Laura and Trina. These girls have known me since I was 14, and they have all known each other since grade school. The weekend usually involves copious amounts of food and alcohol. I promised myself not to have more than two glasses of wine, and I actually stuck to that promise. The red wine was one that I had never tasted before, and it was delicious. After the second glass, I was feeling more than a little tipsy, and there was a moment where I really wanted a third glass. Nancy promised to look out for me, and even said that she would drink the rest of the bottle, so I wouldn't have the third glass! But something inside me kept saying "no" to the third glass, and i'm pretty sure I heard Tosca yelling at me, saying she would kick my butt if I did.
The food was delicious. Nancy made a wonderful spread. She showed us how to take rice paper, put it in hot water to make it soft, and then use it as a wrap. I had chicken, and all sorts of veggies in mine...with hot sauce. It was wonderful!! And so easy to do!
The next day Andrea and Trina left early as they had family duties to get back to. Nancy, Laura and I had a light breakfast and we decided to head to the cemetary to have a visit with Laura's mom and my dad. I haven't been back to the cemetary since we had the burial ceremony. That was over 10 years ago. I was afraid that it would be to hard, and I didn't want to deal with those feelings. But i'm so glad that I went. I feel like a big weight was lifted off my shoulders, and I wish I did it years ago. I will go as often as I can, and I will take the kids the next time I go.
All in all, it was a very good week. Emotionally draining, but we all need to have weeks like this to regroup with our inner beings.
Cheers to all who come across this!
kn
Last week I made a few self discoveries that have really helped with my image issues. I have realized that i'm actually a good person, and that I deserve to be happy. So, instead of sabatoging myself when i'm down, I am looking to find a healthy habit to replace the drug that, until recently, helped ease whatever emotional pain I was in...food. I'm going to start with walking for 10 minutes or however long it takes for the feeling to go away. Walking will let me sort out the problem, and I might still be upset without having found a solution, but at least I won't be turning to food.
With that said, I have been diligently following the clean diet and have been continuing with my exercise regime. I actually love exercising. The fabulous feeling I get afterwards is something I always look forward to.
This past weekend was a girl's weekend with my friends Nancy, Andrea, Laura and Trina. These girls have known me since I was 14, and they have all known each other since grade school. The weekend usually involves copious amounts of food and alcohol. I promised myself not to have more than two glasses of wine, and I actually stuck to that promise. The red wine was one that I had never tasted before, and it was delicious. After the second glass, I was feeling more than a little tipsy, and there was a moment where I really wanted a third glass. Nancy promised to look out for me, and even said that she would drink the rest of the bottle, so I wouldn't have the third glass! But something inside me kept saying "no" to the third glass, and i'm pretty sure I heard Tosca yelling at me, saying she would kick my butt if I did.
The food was delicious. Nancy made a wonderful spread. She showed us how to take rice paper, put it in hot water to make it soft, and then use it as a wrap. I had chicken, and all sorts of veggies in mine...with hot sauce. It was wonderful!! And so easy to do!
The next day Andrea and Trina left early as they had family duties to get back to. Nancy, Laura and I had a light breakfast and we decided to head to the cemetary to have a visit with Laura's mom and my dad. I haven't been back to the cemetary since we had the burial ceremony. That was over 10 years ago. I was afraid that it would be to hard, and I didn't want to deal with those feelings. But i'm so glad that I went. I feel like a big weight was lifted off my shoulders, and I wish I did it years ago. I will go as often as I can, and I will take the kids the next time I go.
All in all, it was a very good week. Emotionally draining, but we all need to have weeks like this to regroup with our inner beings.
Cheers to all who come across this!
kn
Monday, November 3, 2008
Trying to Keep UP!!!
Holy cow, I can't believe how long it's been since I posted last. I thought that blogging would be an easy peasy thing to do, but my life has been so busy lately, that this blog has taken to the back burner.
So, an update. I was accepted into the Ontario Self Employment Benefits program, and am currently in week 2, of 7 weeks of business training (how to start your own business, and market it, and get financing, and and and). There is a lot of information to take in, and i'm sitting in a class room for 5-8 hours Monday to Friday.....my body is NOT used to being idle like this. It's very hard to concentrate after awhile!
Last week started out good, but the closer it got to Halloween, and the more unorganized I became, the stress in me was ready to come out. I was so worried about Halloween, and afraid that I would just gorge myself on the kid's candy, that I never really got to enjoy the night. I spoke with Tosca beforehand, and we discussed what to do with the candy. We basically decided that we would get rid of at least have of the kid's candy, giving it to those in need. I called around, and shelters cannot take loose candy items, so I ended up giving it to the cast of Cats (the show that the theatre group I belong to is putting on right now). Hannah loved the show, and was delighted that the cast was happily eating her candy. How's that for a generous kid?
Nick, Hannah and I went through their candy, and they each picked 25 pieces to keep in their Halloween bags. This was to last them 3 weeks, with one candy a day, but some has been "disappearing", and it won't make it to the three weeks. Little sneaks!! heh
As for me, I did have a few little chocolate bars, but I would say that I have eaten about 5 per cent of what I would normally have eaten in the past. It used to be a free-for-all in the past, and now I was able to have a couple, and leave the rest. Pat on the back for that one!
Today I had yogurt, mixed with bee pollen and Kashi cereal. Yum!!! I need to add fruit to that next time. The pasta tonight with ground turkey and roasted veggie sauce was sooo yummy too. Mmmmmm!
I'm starting classes at the gym in the morning (6:15 a.m. ... ugh), twice a week. Craig started a boxing class tonight, and just about died!! I guess it's my turn tomorrow. I'll write about it soon!
So, an update. I was accepted into the Ontario Self Employment Benefits program, and am currently in week 2, of 7 weeks of business training (how to start your own business, and market it, and get financing, and and and). There is a lot of information to take in, and i'm sitting in a class room for 5-8 hours Monday to Friday.....my body is NOT used to being idle like this. It's very hard to concentrate after awhile!
Last week started out good, but the closer it got to Halloween, and the more unorganized I became, the stress in me was ready to come out. I was so worried about Halloween, and afraid that I would just gorge myself on the kid's candy, that I never really got to enjoy the night. I spoke with Tosca beforehand, and we discussed what to do with the candy. We basically decided that we would get rid of at least have of the kid's candy, giving it to those in need. I called around, and shelters cannot take loose candy items, so I ended up giving it to the cast of Cats (the show that the theatre group I belong to is putting on right now). Hannah loved the show, and was delighted that the cast was happily eating her candy. How's that for a generous kid?
Nick, Hannah and I went through their candy, and they each picked 25 pieces to keep in their Halloween bags. This was to last them 3 weeks, with one candy a day, but some has been "disappearing", and it won't make it to the three weeks. Little sneaks!! heh
As for me, I did have a few little chocolate bars, but I would say that I have eaten about 5 per cent of what I would normally have eaten in the past. It used to be a free-for-all in the past, and now I was able to have a couple, and leave the rest. Pat on the back for that one!
Today I had yogurt, mixed with bee pollen and Kashi cereal. Yum!!! I need to add fruit to that next time. The pasta tonight with ground turkey and roasted veggie sauce was sooo yummy too. Mmmmmm!
I'm starting classes at the gym in the morning (6:15 a.m. ... ugh), twice a week. Craig started a boxing class tonight, and just about died!! I guess it's my turn tomorrow. I'll write about it soon!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
My Baby is THREE!!!!
Today we had one of several parties for Nick's birthday. I can't believe that he's THREE! No more babies in the house. Booooo! Ah well, they do have to grow up, don't they?
Craig and I decided that we would have a "Clean" party, meaning that all the foods we were serving were part of our new healthy diet. We had chicken fingers (in rolled oats, flax seed and wheat germ), sweet potato fries, ground turkey baked ziti, and more. I was surprised at how much our guests enjoyed the food. OH!! Craig was sick, and I started to prepare the food on my own...I didn't get very far, and made Hannah get him out of bed. I just got stressed, and I couldn't figure out how to make the hummus in my Magic Bullet! LOL.
Anyhow, Craig powered through his yucky tummy, and we pulled of a lovely "clean" party. We didn't have time to make the clean cupcakes, so we did have a cake purchased at our grocery store. I didn't have any, and Craig stuffed two pieces into his mouth. The cake was meant for 5-6 people, and I bought it that way to serve small than normal portions, keeping with our clean theme.
Nicholas was given two pieces (equalling one piece) and went on a sugar rampage, and passed out at 6 p.m. He had lots of fun.
Nicholas enjoying his trains on his new train table!
Tim, Kathryn and Gerald enjoying some cake....mmmm cake. I DID NOT have any!!We had another party for Nick's birthday, but a small one for just the grandparents. We had turkey breast, sweet potatos, roast potatos, asparagus, carrots and pumpkin loaf for dessert. Very yummy, and we have lots of left over turkey breast. Oh yes, and we started it off with Roast Vegetable Soup!! The leftovers from that soup are going fast, and, I am addicted to it!!!
With Nick's birthday celebrations over, i'm left with wondering what to do about Halloween. We have a tradition to go Trick or Treating in East York with Hannah's godparents, and their daughter (Hannah's BFF). The kids look forward to it every year, and have been talking about it non-stop for the past couple of weeks. I don't think it would be fair to get rid of all their candy....decisions decisions!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
The much-anticipated day came and went, without any tears from me. HA! I didn't do too badly, but my meal was not totally clean. My mother made it, and isn't exactly against what i'm doing, but she feels that on big occasions we should be allowed what ever we want. Luckily it was being filmed, or else I might have given in to more temptation!! LOL
Here's what my Thanksgiving meal consisted of:
Turkey
1 tablespoon cranberry sauce (jarred, full of sugar)
1 tablespoon of dressing (white bread)
1 tablespoon of garlic mashed potatoes (skim milk, no butter)
4 sweet potato fries (from Tosca's book)
corn
turnip
1 slice of apple pie that my daughter and DH made with whole wheat crust, and filling made with Sucanut (sp?) instead of sugar
AVOIDED: gravy, salt, ice cream, pumpkin pie, bread and butter.
It was amazing to see parts of my plate that are normally covered (read: my plate is usually piled high on Thanksgiving).
Here's what my Thanksgiving meal consisted of:
Turkey
1 tablespoon cranberry sauce (jarred, full of sugar)
1 tablespoon of dressing (white bread)
1 tablespoon of garlic mashed potatoes (skim milk, no butter)
4 sweet potato fries (from Tosca's book)
corn
turnip
1 slice of apple pie that my daughter and DH made with whole wheat crust, and filling made with Sucanut (sp?) instead of sugar
AVOIDED: gravy, salt, ice cream, pumpkin pie, bread and butter.
It was amazing to see parts of my plate that are normally covered (read: my plate is usually piled high on Thanksgiving).
Friday, October 10, 2008
Photoshoot - Oh What to Wear
Well, today was our family photoshoot day, and, as usual, I couldn't decide what to wear. I did try a few things on that didn't fit before, but they fit now, and that was very nice indeed. However, it was very nerve-wracking, as I absolutely loathe my reflection in the mirror. Perhaps if I installed one of those mirrors they have in the clothing shops that are angled just so, that any madam who looks at herself, sees a much thinner, and slightly taller reflection looking back.
Anyhow, Helen Tansey was very nice, and made us all feel welcome. She brought out some good smiles on our faces, and I gritted my teeth through it all. Someday I really do hope that I'll be able to smile at a camera, and mean it inside and out.
Newsflash! Today is weigh in day, and i'm down 8 pounds! Hooray! Only a billion more to go...oops, there goes that negative talk again. Try to say something positive. I lost 8 pounds....think of what that looks like....wow, that's a lot! Things are fitting better...more good news!
Hannah is still grudgingly following the Eat Clean way, but is missing her comfort food. But she was very happy to have had pizza today for lunch. It was made with low-fat mozza, rice flour crust, no sugar added sauce, and the crust was nice and thin. It was delicious, and almost felt like we were cheating, and yet all the ingredients are good ones. Yay! What I don't know is what kind of oil was used, but i'm going to guess that it was Olive, or some other good for you oil....it was that kind of place.
Craig made us some yummy veggie egg white omelettes (with one egg yolk to I think 4 eggs), and we had the pizza. Not sure what is on the menu for tonight though. Hannah is very excited, as she will be Little Chef and helping Big Chef (Daddy) make the apple pie for Thanksgiving.
Off to see what Old Mother Hubbard has in her cupboard for dinner. xo
Anyhow, Helen Tansey was very nice, and made us all feel welcome. She brought out some good smiles on our faces, and I gritted my teeth through it all. Someday I really do hope that I'll be able to smile at a camera, and mean it inside and out.
Newsflash! Today is weigh in day, and i'm down 8 pounds! Hooray! Only a billion more to go...oops, there goes that negative talk again. Try to say something positive. I lost 8 pounds....think of what that looks like....wow, that's a lot! Things are fitting better...more good news!
Hannah is still grudgingly following the Eat Clean way, but is missing her comfort food. But she was very happy to have had pizza today for lunch. It was made with low-fat mozza, rice flour crust, no sugar added sauce, and the crust was nice and thin. It was delicious, and almost felt like we were cheating, and yet all the ingredients are good ones. Yay! What I don't know is what kind of oil was used, but i'm going to guess that it was Olive, or some other good for you oil....it was that kind of place.
Craig made us some yummy veggie egg white omelettes (with one egg yolk to I think 4 eggs), and we had the pizza. Not sure what is on the menu for tonight though. Hannah is very excited, as she will be Little Chef and helping Big Chef (Daddy) make the apple pie for Thanksgiving.
Off to see what Old Mother Hubbard has in her cupboard for dinner. xo
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