90 day challenge update.

I started my 90 day challenge on August 16th by changing up my nutrition. Between supplements cutting out the junk, and eating better, I've lost 5 pounds. I also started P90X again, which has given me a boost. Until this past week that is. I'm not sure if it was the whole back to school thing or what, but this week was tough! I managed to stay pretty much on track diet wise, but my workouts suffered. I guess you can't always nail it, eh? So, back on track starting today! I had a shakeology for breakfast, some blueberries for a snack, and I'm in the process of doing some healthy menu planning for tonight (thinking steak and salad).

In other news, my mom decided to join the 90 day challenge with me, and she is down 4 pounds in under 2 weeks! Nice! I asked her how she liked it and she told me that she finds it is working well - especially because there aren't a lot of healthy eating options at work. She makes her shake at home and then has it for lunch. I'm guessing she's saving some money too. Every time you step foot in the cafeteria it's at least $8. I'm looking forward to getting out to Vancouver in a couple of weeks to see how good she's looking.

                                                                                                                                            

Exercise: P90X workout

the secret to weight loss.

After all of the years I have spent trying to lose weight and get in shape, I finally figured out the secret to weight loss. I bet you’re dying to know what it is, right? Well, unfortunately for you (and for me), the secret is that there is no magic pill you can take to lose weight and get in shape. The only way to really change your body is to eat healthy food in moderate quantities and to get off your ass and get moving. That’s it.

Knowing this, a few weeks ago I started a really good supplement program to get me on the right track. It’s a 90 day challenge (see...there are no quick fixes). I’ve been on the program for 2 weeks now (in whole hog doing the Transformation Kit) and I’ve lost 5 pounds, which I’m really happy with. I also feel exceptionally clear headed and light (as if the world has been lifted up off my shoulders). To rev things up a bit, this week I also started my second round of P90X. I did my first round back in January and I had amazing results. Unfortunately for me, I totally slacked on exercising this summer, and I am now paying the price for it. Ouch!

So, that’s where I’m at. Slogging it out with Tony Horton and doing my best to eat an exceptionally nutritious diet. On top of that, I’ve cut down on my alcohol intake (no more lazy afternoons on my neighbor’s back deck drinking vino) and increased my water intake. My goal is to be fit and ready to conquer the sequel to P90X which is coming out in December. Also, I have a certain pair of jeans I’d love to squeeze into.

If you’ve been thinking about turning a new page and switching up your eating and getting your butt in gear, now is a great time! Don’t wait. I had been thinking about putting off getting back into P90X until Max was back in school when I’ll have more time for me, but I realized that there will always be a reason to not exercise. And really, there is always time to exercise if it is a priority. So get off up your butt and join me! I could use the support!!

                                                                                                                                            

Exercise: P90X workout (currently on week 1)

cutting the crap: 90 day challenge.

One would think that summer would be time that I would be most motivated to eat healthy and stay in shape, but nope -- I'm not and I didn't. There are lots of reasons (excuses) for this. Losing two friends, a major change in lifestyle with being home all day, and the ups and downs of having a child with autism to name a few. The thing I have realized though, is that there will always be reasons (err...excuses) to not take care of myself. It is very easy to let my health land at the bottom of my priority list (too easy!!). Do I think I'll ever completely nail this healthy living thing and never need to apply checks and balances? No, I don't. But is it time to give my head a shake and my ass a kick and get moving? You betcha.

The universe must have known I needed a little help, because out of the blue, my friend Marcelo sent me an email suggesting I try a 90 day challenge that involved nutritional supplements. I wasn't sure what to think, but figured that the timing was perfect and that this might be just the thing to get me back on track. After doing some research into the program, I decided, what the heck, might as well. I've never done a program like this before, but I have done Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, No Carb/Low Carb, and guess what? None of them worked long term.

This program involves a 90 day challenge. Today was day one and so far so good! I was worried I would be hungry but I'm feeling full and energized. I would like to get back down to my wedding weight of 140 pounds. Today (gulp) I weighed in at 173 (which I am blaming on a crazy summer and some new medication that is not helping me on the scale). Can I get down to 140 by the end of the 90 days? Well, that may be a little out of reach, but who knows? I'll be updating my progress here for one and all. If you feel like joining me, let me know - the more the merrier and I can use all the support I can get!

                                                                                                                                            

Exercise: P90X workout

Nutrition: Transformation kit supplement program

how i got my ass handed to me at bikram yoga.

Having completed a round of P90X just last month, I like to think I am "in shape". Sure I am still chasing a flat tummy and slimmer hips, but really, I am fairly confident that I can tackle most physical challenges thrown my way.  That was until I went to my first bikram yoga class at Bikram Yoga Oakville.

I got my ass handed to me.

I started the class feeling a little cocky. The instructor told me that since this was my first class to take it at about 40%. Right. Whatever. I started out okay, keeping up with the postures. But then it got hard. I did my best to keep going but eventually came to the realization that there was a reason for the 40% rule. I laid down on my mat and focused on breathing through my nose, and tried to calm my racing heart. And I sweat. My dog did I sweat.

I made it through the class (barely).  The feeling of relief when I got out of the studio was incredible.  Quite a rush! The instructor (Dann) and I spoke about the class for a bit.  He told me that one of his first instructors had said that the people who need to be in the class most are the ones who are struggling with something, not the ones who are executing every posture perfectly. Also, that bikram yoga is an individual practice. It doesn't matter what someone else is doing - it only matters what I am doing. Good thoughts to apply to life in general, really.

One of my favourite things about this studio is that it is a really large open space.  While other studios have cramped facilities, these change rooms are huge with lots of showers so you don't have to wait to freshen up after class. If you live in the area you should check it out. They have an intro 10 days for $10 offer that gives you a chance to take some classes and see if you want to sign up for a membership. Also - they are having an open house this Friday night so if you are free, swing by and say hi to Dann! I'm thinking of going to tomorrow's 9:30am class if anyone wants to join me.

hfcs makes you fat.

There is a new ad campaign taking over the airwaves for high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The Corn Refiners Association wants everyone to know that “hey, corn syrup is AWESOME. It totally doesn’t make you fat at all. It’s really good for you too. Seriously - eat it!! It’s good stuff!”. Check out their website – aptly named “sweet surprise”. Huh. Really? Because, the last time I checked, HFCS is just about the worst stuff you can ingest, and it is hidden is just about every form of processed food sold in North America. I'll let you do your own google search on HFCS - it's some nasty stuff.

The premise behind this new pro-HFCS campaign is that our bodies don’t know the difference between HFCS and regular sugar. Even if that's true (which I don't believe to be the case) the problem is that most people don’t pour regular sugar on everything they eat just for the sake of eating more sugar. Why does sugar need to be in your bread? Cereal? Baby food? Ketchup? The list goes on and on and it’s actually mind blowing once you get a grasp on just how much HFCS is hidden in our food.

Anyway, it’s all well and good for me to come on here and talk a bunch of ish about HFCS, but who really cares if I can’t prove that this stuff makes you fat? Starting today I am cutting HFCS out of my diet. Completely. And I’m going to write about how hard it is, what foods it’s in that I had no idea it was in, and how much weight I lose as a result of not eating this garbage.

So far today I’ve ingested:

• 2 cups of coffee with cream and stevia
• 1 apple
• Cucumber, tomatoes, orange pepper (my afternoon snack)

I had to skip my usual Oatmeal Crisp cereal because it has “corn syrup” in it, which mixed in with other ingredients like whole grain rolled oats and barley malt extract sounds kind of healthy, right? Wrong…so wrong. I’m hungry. I need to go find a bail of hay to gnaw on. Or maybe I’ll just eat this orange on my desk?  I feel skinnier already - where are those pre-baby jeans at?

Wiggle Less Wednesday: How to Lose 6 Pounds the Hard Way.

I lost 6 pounds this week. I can only really take credit for one of those pounds. Cameron gets credit for the last 5 pounds. She's the one who brought the Norwalk Virus into our house. Yes, that's right - those last 5 pounds were lost in the most painful way possible. The kicker? They don't even count because we all know any weight lost through being sick comes back the minute you eat your first meal.

Since I obviously haven't been to the gym since the plague stomped all over our house, I have been trying to find ways to keep myself motivated for when I am feeling well enough to resume working out. My main diversion has been making workout playlists for myself. I like music I can groove to, that is upbeat, and most importantly helps me push through those moments when I feel tired and ready to quit.

My top workout tunes include:

99 Problems - Jay-z
Work It - Missy Elliot & Ciara
The Way You Move - Outkast & Sleepy Brown
The Jump Off - Lil' Kim
We Fight/We Love - Q-Tip & Raphael Sasdiq
Lose Yourself - Eminem
SOS - Rihanna
Love Sex Magic - Ciara
Bouncin' Back - Mystikal
Give It to Me - Timbaland
Rock Your Body - Justin Timberlake
Beautiful - Snoop & Pharrell
I'm Real - J-Lo & Ja-Rule
One Mic - Nas
Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
I'll Be - Foxy Brown & Jay-z
What's It Gonna Be - Busta Rhymes & Janet Jackson
#1 - Nelly

While that's a pretty good list, I need some more recommendations. What are your top workout tunes? What gets your rump shakin'? Helps you push through the wall of fatigue? Please share! Really...I need something to get me back into the gym once barf-fest 2010 ends.

Baby Got Mac.

I want a macbook. And I want to shed some pounds. I want these things equally. The only way I can reconcile this is by merging these two desires. So, I need to save money for a macbook, and I need to eat less and exercise to lose weight. The cheapest macbook is $1100, let's say $1250 all-in, give or take, when you add in the tax.

I have no extra money. What I do have is extra pounds. So, I figure if I cut down on some of my edible indulgences, which let's face it, ain't helping me towards my weight loss goal, and put $5 per workout into my mac-savings-account (the envelope in my underwear drawer), I'll be a) super motivated to work out and b) eventually save enough money for a macbook. This week I worked out 4 times. Yay! $20 saved towards my macbook. Hmmm...this might take a while. How about if I add another $5 for the weeks I lose weight (I won't deduct money if I don't lose, because that's a super downer and completely cruel). For weeks I really kill it in the gym (go 7 for 7) I could save as much as $40!!

Realistically, I'll work out 4 times a week. I won't need to lose weight forever, but once I hit my goal weight, I'll reward myself that $5 for maintaining (yeah, I know, a bit of a scam...). So, at $25 per week, I should have my macbook in time for...2011. Boo. Ah well, maybe they'll go on sale for Christmas 2010 and I'll be able to get it early?!

Wiggle Less Wednesday: Kitchen Dancing is Exercise, Right?

There comes a point in every woman's life when she must choose between her face and her fanny. I do not wish to make this choice. Can I not have a beautiful face and a bodacious back end? Perhaps having both is possible - so long as I set reasonable goals and keep an eye on my booty as I make a concerted effort make my face a little less round while I firm things up.

I am tired of boot camps and extreme diets that force you to work out until you can't walk and cut out your favourite foods. They work for a short period of time and then when you inevitably can't maintain these rigorous standards, everything falls by the wayside and you are left back at square one, or worse. So, this time I'm going to go about things differently. This time I am going with the mantra "slow and steady wins the race".

I am exercising again - moderately. Instead of running I am walking. I am starting out with a 50 minute walk at a 4% incline at level 4, 5-6 times a week. It is just about as fast as I am able to walk without running. Once I have this under control I'll add in a yoga class or two. I am drinking water again - all recommended 8 glasses. I find this particular task challenging, and I continue to wonder why I would have absolutely no problem drinking 8 glasses of wine, but water? That's hard! I am writing down what I eat, down to the single glass of red wine I enjoyed tonight and the square of dark chocolate. And, last but not least, I am weighing myself (gasp!). I don't love the number, and I will admit to setting a goal of losing 17 pounds. Now, if I get to a point where I feel great, and I like the looks of my face AND my booty, I may decide that I don't need to lose 17 pounds. Or, I may lose 17 pounds and think, hmmm...maybe a few more (but I doubt it).

So, wish me luck. I plan on kitchen dancing my way to a fitter, more confident self. I'll keep you posted on how it all works out!

Wiggle Less Wednesday: Back to the Gym.

It was inevitable. I could put it off no longer. So once the kids went to bed, I strapped the sisters into my über sports bra, put on my workout gear, laced up my sneaks, and headed to the *gasp* gym. I've been thinking about it for a while, putting it off, finding excuses why I couldn't go (I'm tired, I had a long day, I don't want to), but the time had come.

I entered into the gym, punched in my client number into the keypad and my picture came up with a bit "ALERT" warning in red, with a picture of a red stoplight. Wow. I knew it had been a while since I'd been there, but COME ON! That is completely unnecessary humiliation. Geez...way to make a girl feel self-conscious! Turns out there is something messed up with the billing and I'll need to sort that out with the gym manager tomorrow. I talked the girl at the front desk into letting me workout anyway by telling her "you have no idea what it took for me to drag my ass in here". She looked at me, seeing that I clearly needed to be there, and let me enter.

I kept it pretty low key tonight. I did a half hour of cardio (walking on an incline and a fairly bright clip and the elliptical machine to work on my booty).  I want to hit the gym 3 to 4 times a week, and I know I need to ease myself into it.  I got home, feeling pleased with myself, and more relaxed than I've felt in a while. I'm hoping that some regular exercise will help me sleep better, clear my head and get me toned up. As promised, I'm going to do my best to stay off the scale and judge my progress solely based on how my jeans fit and how I feel. We'll see how long I can resist!

Wiggle Less Wednesday: An Open Letter to My Body.

Dear Body,

I owe you an apology. For years I have been an unappreciative jerk. I have put you down, used you as a punch line and denigrated you. Instead of celebrating your beauty and strength (because as you can see from the image below, I clearly know how to celebrate), I have wished for a body that came in a taller size, with the ability to tan. I have complained about being curvier than I would like. I have looked in the mirror and hated you. I have covered you up in baggy t-shirts. I have looked at other bodies and wished you away. I have put you on stupid diets, and overfed you too. Then there was the red wine, spaghetti and licorice incident - a million apologies for that - it won't happen again.You have given me the greatest gift, not once, but twice, in the form of my children. And you didn't stop there, you nourished them for over two years all told. And how did I repay you? I criticized you for the stretch marks that occurred as you made room for their growing bodies. I lamented that you weren't "quite the same" since you'd  been busy creating life. To top it off, I publicized my displeasure with you on my blog - where I focused on a number on a meaningless inanimate object as a way of determining if you were worthy of being loved.

Every day, you get out of bed. You are healthy and strong, lifting my children up as if they are light as feathers. I put you through long days, and you don't complain. I don't always eat right, definitely don't give you enough water, and abuse you with too much caffeine and other liquid substances. Yet day in and day out, you stand by me. I have not been a good friend. I don't know how to make it up to you except to do better by you, respect you more, and celebrate you.

Katrina

*****

There will be no more "Weight Loss Wednesday" posts. And don't think for a moment that I have given up on having that fit physique I have coveted for so long, because that is the furthest thing from the truth. I am going to try a different approach, because clearly the one I've been trying isn't working. Letting a number on a scale dictate how I am going to feel on any given day is asinine and I know better. There is so much more to health and fitness than what you weigh.  From now on I am going to focus on making my body strong (hence the "Wiggle Less") and that is what I will be writing about on Wednesdays moving forward.   

You may wonder where this is coming from, and I'll give credit to the "Blogs & Body Image: What are we teaching our kids?" panel at BlogHer for giving me a good quick kick in the pants on this subject. They helped me give my head a shake and think about how my attitude towards my body will absolutely shape how my children, especially my daughter, feel about their bodies. I need to change my attitude now so that I don't burden them with the negative body perception that I have carried with me since my teens.   So thank you to Heather, Carla, Claire, Kate, and Roni.   We are the real deal.  It's time for me to start using my power for good.

Week 13: Weight Loss Wednesday (aka "Shaken, Not Stirred").

Finally, some movement on the scale! If you're thinking, my dog, this is the slowest weight loss EVER, join the club! What a relief to see that scale nudge down a pound after toying with me the past few weeks. I have definitely been doing better with the whole drinking water thing, but my schedule has been a bit out of wack in terms of eating. The mornings are such a whirlwind, trying to get everyone out the door. I usually manage a cup of coffee and a bite of toast. Dinners tend to be later than we'd like, (after the kids are in bed), but what can you do? Such is the life of two full time working parents. If my life were a snow globe, it would be a sandstorm, shaken constantly, and I'd be that hula girl, but instead of being glued to the bottom, I'd be getting tossed around in the waves, with my mouth full of sand. Things are going to settle down right? Right??

Week 1 Weight: 170.8 lbs
Current Weight: 164lbs
Ladytown Status: clothed in beautiful lingerie, underappreciated

Week 12: Weight Loss Wednesday (aka "Good News & Bad News").

First the bad news: I didn't post last week because I didn't lose any weight. I was going to skip my post this week for the very same reason, but decided that was a cop out. There have been plenty of pictures of me on Fickle Feline lately, so I decided instead of taking a big frowny face picture of myself, I would feature something much happier - my new Hunter Welly boots that I got for my birthday (that's the good news). See? Aren't you smiling now? It's hard not to at least crack a half grin when you are staring at bubble gum pink rain boots. I was inspired to get these boots when my friend Jennifer got a pair of red ones for herself. We chatted back and forth about which colour I should get, and I finally settled on fuchsia. If you look closely, you can see that I've already labelled them up with my very own set of Mabel's Labels (my kids aren't the only ones who lose things!). I did consider getting plain old black, as it seemed more sensible, but shoot, rain boots are already sensible. Pink will tell people I have a sense of humour (and they will be able to see me coming from a mile away). Pink will also embarrass the crap out of my kids when I join them on school field trips to places like Springridge Farm and Centre Island. Yes, my goal is to be that mom. My kids will pretend to be mortified by me, but secretly they will love it and all the other kids will wish they had a mom as cool as me. Hey - shut up, it's MY fantasy!

Week 10: Weight Loss Wednesday (aka "The Bitch is Back").

I learned another weight loss tip this week. If you need some extra motivation to eat light, watch both your kids projectile vomit their breakfast all over your bed (thanks Cameron!) and your couch (thanks Max!). Lucky for Scott he has quick reflexes and vaulted out of bed the minute he heard the first suspicious wet gurgle. Lucky for the couch that Max turns white as a sheet before he barfs, so we had already covered it with towels. Ah parenthood, so, so, glamorous.

After committing to getting off the sugar train, I got a not so lovely visit from my Aunt Florenza this past week. She was nice enough to arrive with a big basket of chocolate in hand, along with a bottle of vodka and a pack of smokes. Well, I don't smoke, so I let her keep those to herself. And according to my friend Jennifer, vodka has no sugar in it, so we're all good, me and the vodka. I held off on the chocolate until Saturday night. But The Dude, with his "Hey, careful, man, there's a beverage here! " mantra, broke my willpower and I had a bit of chocolate. Not a lot, and it was dark, and damn, was it ever good. The Fickle Feline abides.

I see that my friend Raye hasn't blogged in quite a while about her weight loss efforts. I'm wondering if this means she is just to busy to blog or has fallen off the wagon? She's coming to town in May, so I'll be able to get a look for myself. Giddy up Raye, I'm catching up to you! Another mom who is blogging about getting back into shape post baby is my friend Rakhi. I love that she is so candid - and she takes pictures too (Biggest Loser style, not like my lame-o head shots).

10 Weeks until my reunion and I have 15 lbs to go...that's 1.5 lbs a week. Yikes, better get moving, eh?

Week 1 Weight: 170.8 lbs
Current Weight: 165 lbs
Ladytown Status: slightly cloudy, chance of rain

Week 9: Weight Loss Wednesday (aka "Getting Off the Sugar Train").

I didn't write a Weight Loss Wednesday post last week because I didn't lose any weight and I was pissed off about it. After blogging about having a muse, I thought I'd have a great week, but not so. Apparently my college reunion wasn't that inspiring after all. Add to that some problems in ladytown, and I was wicked cranky. My body felt out of whack, and I knew I needed to do something about it.

I called my trusty ladytown expert, Jennifer, and we discussed my "issues". She confirmed my suspicions that I needed to cut out all forms of processed sugar. That includes wine flavoured water (argh!), sugar in my morning coffee, and animal cracker crumbs. Also, time to start popping the acidophilus again, three times a day. I upped the ante and decided to get strict about my "no carbs after 5pm" rule as well. Jennifer also passed along some ladytown expertise from Megan, and that was if I really wanted to lay down the ladytown law, I could even (*gasp*) insert a capsule of acidophilus in ladytown when I went to bed. Shoot...this is turning into a TMI Tuesday post...

Anyway, I'm happy to report that getting off the sugar train was just what my body needed. I dropped 2 pounds this week! Funny how I'm able to eat healthy if my ladytown demands it, but am not necessarily motivated for the purpose of weight loss. Whatever works, eh? Maybe I should start labelling these posts "Ladytown Wednesdays".

Week 1 Weight: 170.8 lbs
Current Weight: 166 lbs
Ladytown Status: Happy!

Week 7: Weight Loss Wednesday (aka "I Found My Muse").

After hemming and hawing for a few months about going to my college reunion this summer, I finally bit the bullet and decided to go. Turns out, this was just the kick in the ass I needed to get me taking losing weight seriously. Up until this week, I was easily tempted by anything yummy that was offered to me... or hidden in the back of the top shelf of that cupboard that I can't reach and have to get a step stool out to access. Ahem.

I have 13.5 weeks until the reunion (I took these pictures precoffee and premakeup, so be kind). That's a good chunk of time for me to trim down. Realistically, I don't want to lose all that much weight. I like my curves, and so far as I know, so does my husband, so I don't want to get all crazy and get too skinny. I mean, if I do that, then every time I cry you'll all be laughing at me.

My weight as of April 1st (and this is no joke) is 168 lbs. I'm going to set a goal weight of 150 lbs by the reunion. That's 18 pounds in 13.5 weeks, or roughly 1.33333333333 pounds per week. I think I can do that. If I manage to get any lower, then that's gravy (the low fat kind). 150 will get me back into the single digit dress sizes and will allow me to keep my curves, and it is also a weight I can realistically maintain.
My goal this week is not going to be weight focused, it is going to be water focused. As in, I need to start drinking it, and not the wine flavoured kind. Also, salads, at lunch and dinner! Nothing like a little fibre to get things moving. Maybe I'll even cook something yummy from my best friend Jennifer's food blog. That chickpea stew is calling my name and so far she has yet to deliver any to my doorstep (to be fair, Jennifer lives in Ottawa).

Week 1 Weight: 170.8 lbs
Current Weight: 168 lbs

Weight Loss Wednesday: Week 5 (Finally Some Movement).

Woot! Imagine my surprise when I stepped on the scale this morning to see 169.1 come up! I have finally made it out of the 170's - took long enough, eh? I had to weigh myself twice to be sure that I wasn't seeing things since my eyes are a little bleary this morning. Cameron was up all night crying and being a miserable mite in general. We hightailed it to the clinic this morning (where I feel like I should have a seat with a personalized plaque after the number of visits I've made this winter) to find out that she has an ear infection. Third one since December! Gah.

I have also come to an important decision, one that will definitely affect my weight in a positive way. I am going to start weaning Cameron off the boob. I came to this realization at 3am, when she chomped down so hard on me that she made me bleed. That's not the first time she's done that either, it's just that I'm a sucker. I love this little girl more than tall, tall buildings, but I'm about done with the breastfeeding. Operation Wean Cam starts today. She will likely be very unhappy with this, but I am done with yelping every time she sinks her teeth into my tender flesh. I want my body back, I think 11 months of 100% booby milk is pretty good (most of my friends in the US who don't have the luxury of a full year of maternity leave are shocked I have made it this long). I feel really happy about this decision, relieved in fact. So are the girls, they're tired of being abused.

Weight Loss Wednesday: Week 4 (and sick as a dog).

This is my Jann Arden pose. Do you liked it? If you don't get it then you have never been blessed with a round face and tried to take a self-portrait without looking like you have a double chin. The only way to truly be successful is to get an aerial view, or do a close up and make it all artistic and blurry. Or you can hold your face, or just obstruct it altogether. Hey, whatever works, eh? But I digress.

I have been sick as a dog this week. I think Julie over at Mabel's Labels gave me this virus via email. She'll deny it up and down, but how else could I have gotten it (besides my own two germy kids, I mean). You'd think that with all the coughing I've been doing, and laughing at skinny girls crying, I'd have burned a bunch of calories and therefore dropped the pounds, but sadly, it isn't so. I only lost a half a pound this week, and I am hovering at 170.1 lbs. Seems like the 160's are just teasing me - so near yet so far. I think I'll go get a haircut and see if that puts me over the edge. Is that cheating? Also, these breasts of mine, milky goodness and all, likely weigh about 5 pounds each. Can I deduct ten pounds from my total weight or is that cheating too?

Weight Loss Wednesdays: Week 3 (aka "I'm Just Not That Into You").

I have too much on my plate, literally and figuratively. The scale didn't move for me this week (though I suppose I can take solace in the fact that I didn't gain any weight). My temptation is to beat myself up for being a big fat failure, but I think I'll take a pass on that. I feel like "I'm just not that into" this weight loss thing right now, as necessary as it is. I'm juggling a lot, and between managing Max's hectic therapy schedule and having my sleep interrupted every few hours with Cameron wanting to eat, there isn't much left for me. Once again, I am at the bottom of my priority list.

I'm hoping that as the weather warms up (hardy har har, it's been -14 out all week), I'll feel inspired to get outside with the kids for walks. It has been so cold out lately that all I've felt like doing is hibernating. I believe I described it as "colder than a witch's tits" when chatting with my mom the other day. My extra fat has been keeping me warm! Bulky sweaters and wool socks have pushed the thoughts of bathing suit weather right of the radar.

What's my strategy to actually start losing weight, you ask? Well, I think I'm going to lighten up on myself, and try to just take it a day at a time. This is a tough week because Scott's parents (who help with the kids during the week so I don't have to cart them both around to therapy) are basking in the sun in Jamaica. If I lose weight, it's probably going to be because I don't have any time to eat! Today alone is nuts. Max has IBI from 2-4, our Behaviour Consultant is visiting us at home from 4:30 - 5:30, and then I have to get to night school for the Learning Journey into Autism course I'm taking from 6:30 - 9:30. That's a busy day, and my Wonder Woman costume is at the dry cleaners.

Weight Loss Wednesdays: Week 2 (aka "I Need a Do-Over").

I stepped on the scale this week thinking "this isn't going to go well". I was correct. Not only did I not lose any weight this week, I GAINED a half a pound. Though I'm sure we can all agree that this could be "water" weight right? And denial is a river in Egypt... snicker. Actually, it really isn't a laughing matter. My tush isn't getting any smaller and my work clothes aren't getting any bigger and I have zero money to buy new clothes for my return to work, so I need to get motivated here.

The only thing I can think of that will help me kick this weight loss into gear is if I tell everyone how much I weigh. Again. Once it is out there for general consumption, I will be forced to report back and if that number doesn't get lower every week, I will be embarrassed. There's nothing like everyone you know in the world, and many you don't, knowing exactly what the number on the scale says. So, here it is: 170.8 lbs.

I have lost about ten pounds since Christmas, so it isn't like I've been doing nothing. This past week was particularly stressful with Max having a trip to the ER due to a lung infection, a meeting with my MPP, and wondering if I had managed to muster up enough of a grassroots movement to get myself to Chicago. But enough with the excuses. Excuses don't keep you warm at night (whatever that means).

This week I need to:

- start eating oatmeal again for breakfast (I find this keeps my blood sugar in check and is a good way to start the day)

- drink more water

- go for a walk every day

- get off the sugar train

- eat no carbs after 5pm (hard!)

- menu plan so I don't get stuck eating whatever we happen to have in the fridge

I promise I'll report back next week and I will be out of the 170's. Book it. I'm going to look like that sexy, fit lady in the picture by May 1st 2009!

Sunday Morning Ramblings.

1. It's snowing out. I am so very tired of the snow.

2. Max is turning into a little boy right before our very eyes, and he is starting to calm down, and also interact with us a lot more. We're not sure if this is as a result of his therapy, or if he is just growing up a bit. Sometimes we wonder how much of his behaviour is a result of being Autistic vs. being 2 years old. As first time parents we don't really have a benchmark.

3. Cameron is starting to eat finger foods. Her favourite so far is cheerios. Good call. I need to start weening her soon...but she hates formula and I hate pumping. Not sure what to do about this? I would also very much like to get her sleeping through the night, but we don't have the luxury of doing any "cry it out" with her because she will wake Max up.

4. My healthy eating isn't going so great so far this week. I need to get focused so I can squeeze my behind into my work clothes come May.

5. Tomorrow is the big day when Mabel's Labels will announce the winner of their BlogHer contest. It was very cool that my post made the Top 10 along with the following blogs:

Such The Spot

Prairie Mama

Who's The Boss

Mom of 3 Girls

Postcards From the Mothership

What's That Smell

Jolly Mom

Mommy Goggles

Meladramatic Mommy

I haven't heard anything yet, and since I'm guessing they need to contact the winner before they announce who she is, I'm thinking it isn't me. But that's okay - I knew going in that my chances were slim since I'm such a small blog and the majority of these blogs have huge followings. What's that saying? It was an honour just to be nominated...and thanks to those who voted for me!
6. I am really enjoying the show Dollhouse (bad acting and all), and I am bummed that the ratings are low and it will probably get cancelled. I hate it when I get invested in a show and it gets cancelled (Studio 60 On the Sunset Strip, anyone?).

7. I met for an hour with my MPP, Kevin Flynn on Friday. He is a good guy. I brought Max, and I think he charmed the pants off of Kevin. He also tore Kevin's office apart...Kevin didn't seem to mind, which earned him points with me. He's going to see what he can do for Max. I'll let you know if he has any success.

8. This past week I spoke with my Director at work (basically my boss's boss). I'll be back to work effective May 1st and talking about the details with her made it very real. Scott and I need to figure out how we are going to get Max to his therapy while we are both at work, and how we are going to manage pick-ups and drop-offs for both kids. I am kind of excited to start this next chapter, but also a little overwhelmed with how we are going to juggle everything without dropping too many balls.

9. We are making a lamb shoulder roast for dinner. I think we'll try this recipe. Commence "baa-ing" now.

10. Scott is up (it was his turn to sleep in today), so I am going back to bed for a bit.