How Low Can You Go

HOT in Here!

>> Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Today was hot! 32 plus humid ex.  We went for a run anyway.

Time: 26:46
Calories: 328
Distance: 3.4 K
Average HR: 152
Max: 167
Average Pace: 7:53 k/km
Max: 5:34

Tomorrow we are working on speed, but I am not going to be able to make because we have a meeting at work.

I headed to the gym and had a great workout.  I am feeling really good these days.  Hopefully Friday's weigh in will be a good one!

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Short But Sweet

>> Monday, August 30, 2010

    I went and got a cut, here it is.


Short but sweet.  Life can now go on as scheduled.

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Hair Nightmare

Got my haircut on Friday, it was uneven so I went back today.  Now it looks worse.  What do I do?

P.S. Just called my Mom's hairdresser and I am going to see her after work, when all is said and done I will post a pic.

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Sunday Morning Run

>> Sunday, August 29, 2010

   This morning was my Sunday run with the Running Room.  I went to a birthday party last night and didn't go to bed until about 1 am. When my alarm went of this morning I DID NOT want to get up.  Nevertheless, I pulled myself out of bed and headed to run.  It was already about 24 degrees Celsius by the time we started running at 9 am.  Our instructor told us that when you run in the heat your body interprets the  temperature 10 degrees higher.  The run was great. I was so pumped when I was done that I headed to the gym and did 40 mins of weights and 20 mins of StairMaster.  I felt really good!  I am trying to get to the gym as much as possible because lasy week I only went 2 or 3 times.  I came home and made a breakfast burrito.  Eggs scrambled with red and green pepper, onions, tomato and fresh thyme.  Wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla. YUMMY!

Running Stats:
Time: 40:22
Calories: 564
Distance: 5.57K
Average Pace: 7:15 min/km
Max Pace: 4.44 min/km

Have a great day!

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Weigh In

>> Saturday, August 28, 2010

     Yesterday I weighed in at 212.6 same as last week.   I am happy that the scale is finally moving in the right direction.  I would like to be around 210 for next week.  I am aiming for 200 around Halloween. 

     On a sad note my hair was breaking like crazy, I am not sure why, I have not done anything different, I have not changed what I put in my hair, nor have a changed my diet.  I noticed it two weeks ago and it just keep getting worse, so yesterday, I went to the hairdresser and made her cute most of my already short hair off.  The cut is for the better and it is only hair, hopefully it will grow back.  I have known since I was young I am not genetically dispositioned to have long hair and I am cool with that. Nevertheless, the hair that I do have, I would like it to be in the best possible shape that it can be.

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*Sigh*

>> Wednesday, August 25, 2010

     Today I was bad, real bad Micheal Jackson, I went on a cookie binge.  I ate a whole row of Oreos. A WHOLE ROW!  What the f&*k is wrong with me? ARRRGGGGHHHHH!  Now that that is over, tomorrow is a new day.  I really need to get this eating in check.  My eating is what is going to make or break me and my weight loss and since I would rather make than break, I need to get my head in the game.

  I was so tired today.  The Grade 7's came for their first day, so I was running around giving them a tour of the school. I didn`t want to go to running tonight.  I really did not want to go, but since I ate a whole row of Oreos I figured I might as well do something right today.   I am happy that I went.  I felt great after.  It was really hard.  I am not going to lie, this clinic is a real challenge, but I am up for it I like to be challenged, it is in my character. When I encounter something that I may not be able to do it forcesme to work harder to get the job done.  Garms was with me (that is my nickname for the Garmin watch) and she is FANTASTIC!  I set it to alert after 30 minutes and when I have reached 5K.  Our instructor is no joke, she pushes us to the limit and I like that. On Sunday we will be running 6K.  I think that I am only going to add one more day of running and that will be Friday and I will do a 8K then, at the gym I will stick to an hour of "other" cardio such as stairstepper or reverse escalotor, I am stepping up the cardio, I need to.  Here are today's running stats:

Total time: 45:42

Calories: 573

Distance: 5.74K

Average pace: 7:58 km/min

Avg Heart Rate: 152

Max pace: 4:59

Max HR: 180

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10K Clinic

>> Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Tonight was the first meeting and it wasn't bad. There are 25 people in the group and the skills vary tremendously, I was happy that I wasn't at the back all the time and that I kept up with our 4K run.  I am the only one that has gone from the Learn to Run to the 10K, so I am proud of myself.  I was so anxious last night that I had trouble sleeping.  After the run today I felt much better and I think that I am going to be fine.  Tomorrow we are running 5K and we are working on speed next week.

As for eating I have been craving sugar like a mofo.  I had 2 Fudgeeos, which I REALLY didn't need.

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THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVA!

>> Sunday, August 22, 2010

Saturday was my birthday mani and pedi party.  It was really fantastic, one of my friend's who told me that she couldn't come because of a work trip, ended up coming because they cancelled her trip.  I love surprises.  Everyone loved the food, the mango salad was a HIT!  I was a little mad at the salon because the basically kicked us out.  The owner tells me that her partner had surgery and is in the hospital and she has to go meet him. So we had to leave early so she could close.  Question #1: You had my number why didn't you call me and I would have cancelled (this would have sucked, but I would have done it).  Question #2 You didn't have a few extra minutes to do MY manicure? It was MY birthday *sigh*.  We didn't have time to eat dessert, so we had to move to my house.

The cake was delicious

It tasted even better than it looked


Then it was time for the gifts

Running Room Gift Certificate! I said out loud, "Now I can by a water belt!"

No need, because look at what another friend gave me!

Gotta stay fresh, M.A.C gift card *heart jumping up and down*

WHATTTTTTT!!!????? Four of my friends put together and got me this!  OMG!  I can't believe it.  It does everything, GPS, calorie count, distance, pace, my taxes, you name it.  Once I set it up, I will let you know.

I made these for my friends to take home.

A spice jar filled with gum balls!  As you can see I still had the Caribana feel in my, decorating with jewels and feathers.

All in all an AMAZING time was had by all.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In race news.....
I ran 5K number 4 today and I finished with a time of

32:10

THAT IS WHAT I AM TAKING ABOUT!  I felt so much better today (even though I went to bed at around 1 am and got up at 6:30).  I was on the ball and it felt great.  Towards the end the last 1 km was hard, but soon as I saw the finish I bolted like a cat out of hell.  Next race is Sept.11 and I am hoping for 30 mins.  This was our "graduation race" at the running room, so everyone from the clinic was there.  I was touched when one lady said, she thinks I have come the farther and my strides were gazelle-like when I ran.

I start my 10 K clinic on Tuesday and I am very excited.

New followers welcome!

Cardio Music Sunday, today's song is Kanye West's "Power", enjoy!




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Summer Challenge -- Week 13

>> Friday, August 20, 2010

This is the last week of the Summer Challenge.  Today the scale reads 212.6, up 3 from last week.  Am I mad? No.  Monday I was at 216, so I am pleased that things are coming back to normal.  I am really working hard to get back to that 209 and eventually get out of the 200's. If I stick to my guns, I can do this by Oct. and work from there.  I am getting my Back to School challenge details sorted out stay tuned!

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Back To School

Back to Reality. Today, I went back to school, granted I will not be teaching until next week, but just being in the building makes me depressed.  Already, I can see that my eating has taken a nosedive.  I had a sugar craving which I squashed with some dark chocolate covered almonds and chocolate covered pretzels.  My eating has been horrible lately and I think that it is the reason for my unset tummy.  I was eating all clean and then I put crap in my machine and it got all sick.  I NEED TO GET BACK...TRINIDAD!

Saturday, I am having my birthday party.  My friends threw me a wonderful get together in Toronto, but not all my friends could be there.  I am having a little shindig at the local nail salon.  They let me rent out the place after hours.  My friends and I will get manis and pedis, all while enjoying food and drinks provided by moi! The idea is ingenious.  The menu I have prepared is pretty clean, salads, chicken curry with roti, salsa; YUMMY! The exceptions are the cake and the alcohol.  I have also created a surprise for my guests, I will post picks on Sunday.

TGIF!

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Disappointed

>> Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Just finished running the 5K and I must admit that I am disappointed in my time.

33:04
It is 4 seconds faster than my last race, but it is slower than I wanted.  I was so thirsty during this race that the water supplied was not enough.  Also during the last km my sports bra lifted and my boobies were flapping around and that was super uncomfortable.  On a happy note the stuff that I bought for chaffing worked. I am still aiming for 31 on Sunday, let's hope for the best.

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5K Numero Trois

>> Tuesday, August 17, 2010

I am running my third 5K tomorrow.  I am aiming for a time of 31 minutes, the race is in my area, so I am used to the terrain.  Thankfully there are no hills in this race.  Wish me luck!  Next race is on Sunday (I am a machine, I KNOW!).  Starting to look at my September calender and start to sign up for races, so far I have one on Sept.11.

I start my 10K clinic next week, I am doing it with the Running Room again, the clinic is 10 weeks and it will prep me to run the 10K.  I like the Running R  can you believe that only a few months ago, I had never really run and now I am going to start training for a 10K.  Our goal race for this clinic will be at the beginning of Nov., but I am going to try and run a 10K before, so that I can see what I am in for.  I like to be prepared.

Could the next step be a half marathon?  The thought blows my mind.  What about a marathon? 46K....Whoa, Whoa...One thing race at a time.

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No Repeats Of Last Year

>> Monday, August 16, 2010

On my birthday I was 209, today I was 216.  DAMN homey!  I know it is because of the weekend and all the food, snacks, chocolate and alcohol, I consumed.  Last year I gained 17 pounds from Aug. to Jan.  This IS NOT happening again.  I am not going to downward spiral, into an abyss of depression. NO!  I have worked too hard, to let myself revert back to my un less sexy self.  This will not happen.  Futhuremore, a down payment was made on my Trinidad costume for March.  This means  that I am in for the greatest show on Earth.  No turning back.  I have less than 6 months to tone, lift and flatten. I am planning to work harder than ever before, I may have to try a few things that I have not done in the past. I want to be in the best shape of my life.  Every time I will reach for an unhealthy choice, I will whisper "Trinidad" to myself.

I bought these short running shorts and I got the nerve to wear them today.  You know what; I am 30 now and I do not give a f**k what other people think.  I have lost 60 pounds bitches!  I can wear short, shorts to the gym if I want.  I really just wish that I could take an iron to my thighs and iron out a few of the creases.

Do you ever play the 3 wishes game?  Do you ever think of what your 3 wishes would be if you got them?  Do you have one thing about your body that you wish you could change, but you know that it never will.  My issue is strech marks, no matter how much weight I lose, no matter how toned I am they will never go away. I hate them so much and I would give anything (no the devil did not show up at my house), ok almost anything, to have them vanish.  I have had them so long that they might as well be a member of my family.  They really bother me,  I didn't wear sleeveless tops until I was in my 20s and even then it was only for special occasions.  I am especially ashamed of the ones on my stomach and back.  I look like I have been clawed by a bear.  Breasts, I can deal with, arms I can also, but for some reason, the stomach and back are like perminant tattoos that I did not pay for.

My body is still in pain from pole dancing, it hurts to laugh.

On a happy note, I saw that ex-student at the gym again and she said, "Miss, I can't get over how good you look!"

That is all I need to get my ass to the gym everyday.

I am thinking of hosting a Back To School Challenge, any takers?  Can anyone make me a snazy banner? Feel free to discuss.

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Workin' The Pole

>> Sunday, August 15, 2010


I went to a bachelorette this weekend and it was extremely fun.

We did an hour and a half pole dance lesson.  Can I just say pole dancing IS NOT A JOKE!  I have a new respect for strippers, they deserve every dollar that they get.  The amount of strength that is required to work that pole is unbelievable and they are truly athletes.

Today, I have bruises and pain in places that I have not had pain in a long time.  I am more sore than and weight training workout.  My arms, my core, my inner thighs are on fire and so sore.  This comes from all the lifts and spins that we learned.  Our teacher was amazing, she was thick and about 5'10", yes she has cellulite but she could work that pole like anyone else.  She could hold herself up on the pole without holding on with her hands.  As for a workout I was sweating up a storm.


I liked this so much, that I am looking for a place that I can pole dance in my city.  I would love to do this once a week.


Fun Times! As you can tell I like to dress up.
As for eating, two thumbs down.  Cheetos, M & M's, alcohol. I will have to get back on track tomorrow.

I have a race on Wed., I am hoping to do it in under 33 minutes, 31 minutes would be nice.

This Sunday's workout song is Taio Cruz, "Dynamite"


Enjoy!

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Thank You + Summer Challenge Week 12

>> Friday, August 13, 2010

First of all, thank you so much for all your well wishes on my birthday. I guess I never really thought of myself as special for travelling to all those places I listed, but in reading your comments I realize that I am truly blessed to have seen and experienced places in the world that many will only see through the eyes of others.

 Yesterday was a great day!  I got a massage, had breakfast with a friend and dinner with the family. When I got home I was greeted by this:

An Edible Arrangement!

Sent to me by one of my best friends!  I was so surprised!  I have only tried these at school when a parent has purchased one for the staff.  There were chocolate covered strawberries, cantaloupe, pineapple and melon.  Can you see the 30 cut out of pineapple on the top?  So creative.

A touching note was also included:

Dear Haneefa,
Just a little something to brighten your special birthday!  Hope you enjoy your day.  You are such a kind person and really deserve all that you dream of.  Your friendship means alot to me and I am grateful to have you in my life.
Love, A

I could not thank her enough for this fantastic gift.  I am so blessed to have wonderful friends.


Yesterday, I weighted myself, because I knew that I was going to be celebrating my bday, so this number is YESTERDAY'S weight, is that cheating?  Maybe, but it makes me feel better and that is what counts right?

209.6
Wow!  A new low!  What a wonderful birthday present.  This puts me at an total loss of 62.2!  EXCELLENT!
Can I just add that restaurants are trying to keep us fat?  We went out to eat yesterday to this ribs restaurant and the ribs come with either french fries, baked potato or mashed potatoes.  I ask for vegetables, waiter says it will be 2$ more.  My mom asks for a salad instead of a soup, waited says 5$ more, but I can give it to you for 2$.  WHY??????
I am heading to a bachelorette party tomorrow, for the wedding that I am going to at the beginning of Sept.  We are going to be doing pole dancing lessons!  Woooohoooo!

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Go Shorty It's Your Birthday!

>> Thursday, August 12, 2010

Today I am 30.  Wow.  As with any birthday, it is a time to reflect and to see where the next 30 years will lead me.  I decided to look at 30 things I have done and 30 things I want to do.

30 Things I Have Done:
  1. Lost 60 pounds
     March 2007--It all began here             Last weekend--Aug. 2010
     
    2. Lived in Japan for 2 Years
     
    3.Visited the Petronas Towers, one of the tallest structures in the world located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    4.Ran two 5K races and I am not stopping there
    5.Zip lining in Costa Rica
    6.  Snorkeling in Thailand
     
    7.Gazed at North Korea from South Korea
    8. Chilling with the snakes on Sentosa Island, Singapore
     
    9. Watched traditional dances in Bali
     
    10.  Amazed at peacocks crossing in Singapore
     
    11.  Meeting Lady Boys in Bangkok, Thailand (Yes, these individuals were born male)
    12. Cooking classes in Ubud, Bali
    13. At least 15 push ups
    14. Leg press 270 lbs (only about 6 times)
    15. Gone natural with my hair, and have learned to love it
    16. Visited Niagara Falls
     
    17. Played "mas" in Toronto`s Caribana
    18. Shot an AKA 47 in Vietnam
    19.  Crawled through the Cu Chi Tunnels in Vietnam, they had to make these tunnels larger for the tourists to go though (we are just to big).  Here is one of the original entrances.
    20. Meet The Roots in Japan
    21.  Have 2 degrees, Biology and Education
    22.  Made some great friends that will be with me for life
    23. Started a blog
    24.  Got stuck in an elevator and had to jump my way out.
    25.  Strolled though Central Park, NYC
    26. Can play the piano and the clarinet
    27.  Played rugby in college
    28.   Been to the top of the CN Tower
    30. Worn a sari
     30 Things I Want To Do
  1. Run a 10 K
  2. Improve my swimming
  3. Try hot yoga
  4. Lose another 40 pounds
  5. Play mas in Trinidad Carnival
  6. Travel to Turks and Caicos
  7. See the Eiffel Tower
  8. Learn another language (or 2)
  9. Travel to an African country
  10. Get married
  11. Have 2 kids
  12. Own my own place
  13. See kangaroos in Australia
  14. Ride a camel to the pyramids in Egypt
  15. Visit Dubai
  16. Do a pull up
  17. Become a personal trainer
  18. Complete a triathlon (or a marathon)
  19. Live abroad again
  20. Become vegetarian
  21. Take some painting classes
  22. Learn to Tango
  23. Attend a figure competition (not as a contestant)
  24. Lay on the beaches in Greece
  25. Learn to change a tire
  26. Go to an NBA game
  27. See Mary J. Blige in concert
  28. Ride a gondola in Italy
  29. Learn to scuba dive
  30. Go to the Olympics, Summer please
  31.  
Wow, funny that the things I want to do list took me half the time as the things I have done list.  Thanks for sharing this day with me.

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Blog Award

>> Wednesday, August 11, 2010


I received this award from Overweight in SoCal and Pencil Skirt Bound a few weeks back, thank you very much!

Here are the rules:


1. Thank the person who gave you the award.


2. Share seven things about yourself.


3. Nominate a few newly discovered blogs.


4. Let your nominees know about the award

Things about Me!

1.   My two all time TV shows are Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Degrassi (the original one) 

2.  I have never downhill skied, even though I live in Quebec.
3.  I appeared on Japanese TV a few times while I lived there, mostly in the crowd clapping.

4.  I once stayed in the same hotel as Lil John, when I asked him for an autograph he said, "YEAH!" "NO!"

5.  I am not on Facebook

6.  Most people I know, DO NOT know I have a blog

7. I because a teacher by accident chance, I wanted to be a pediatrician, but didn't get into Med School, I 
    was so crushed, I gave up on that dream.

 NEWLY discovered blogs
Today is the last day in my 20's, thank you to all my readers.  I know that there are some of you that do not comment, but I know that you are out there (at least I hope so ).

Have a great night!

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Red Velvet Cupcakes With Cream Cheese Icing

>> Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Do any of you have a recipe for this? I went looking online, but I figured I would ask the blamily (blog family) first. I want to make them for my bday.  Email me the recipe please haneefa_c [at]hotmail[dot]com

Thank you in advance!

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Welcome Back Mojo

After my race on Sunday, I felt like a million bucks.  I decided to ride that wave and headed to the gym,lifted some weights and killed 20 minutes of cardio. I was a superstar.  Yesterday, I headed to the gym again feeling good.  While I was on the Stairstepper (you know the one that is like an escalator aka suicide)  I saw a former student that I used to teach a few years ago (this is what happens when you live where you work) and she was amazed at how I looked, "MISS, you look AMAZING!".  I was smiling from ear to ear.

I don't want to lose this momentum, my birthday is coming and it is tradition in our family to go out to eat.  That day I will also be going out to breakfast with a friend, I will have to make extra smart choices.

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My Second 5K and Workout Song Sunday

>> Sunday, August 8, 2010

Today I ran my second 5K.  This one used chip timing.  Chip timing for those who do not know, is a plastic device that is placed on your shoe, that records your time as your cross the finish line. This race was a bit different than the last one, as in the people in this race were hardcore runners and there were so many more people in the race (at least 150). This race was really hard for a number of reasons.  We ran over an overpass and there was a hill at the end.  When I train on my own, there are no hills and if there is one it is not that steep.  The weather was not that great, it was about 22 degrees C and it was drizzling.  Nevertheless, I finished with a time of.......

33:08

WOOOOHOOOOO! I beat my last race time by 4 and a half minutes!   Can you believe it?  To think that I have only been running for about 2 and a half months,  I am very proud of myself.  The sad thing is that I finished 35/42 in my age category (30-39), but who really cares about that.

I am going to make myself a breakfast burrito, I have been in the mood for one in awhile.

This week's workout song is not that new, but I rediscovered it in Toronto. This is the remix, Enjoy!

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Fustrations

>> Saturday, August 7, 2010

The scale is going in the wrong direction and it is getting on my nerves.  I really need to get my act together.  I will not be having this, it is not acceptable, on any level.  I can't seem to get back into the swing of things, what is wrong with me?  I have worked really hard to get here, but I cannot seem to saw no to treats.  Chips and salsa, candies, desserts, they keep calling my name.  It is hard also knowing that my birthday is coming up.  Last year I did not have a birthday cake and I think that I will do the same this year.  Cake is my weakness and if it is there I feel like I must eat it all.  I refuse to let my hard word go into the garbage.  I have my eyes on attaining my goal weight by Feb/March for Trinidad. 40 pounds in 6 months is very doable.  I am scared because I am going back to work soon and it is very hard for me to stay on track at work because there are so many temptations,but I am going to give 150% in the next few months.  I want this more than anything and I know that I can do it.

  Now that I have that off my chest, any of you who have lost weight maybe you can relate to this.  Do you have friends, who now that you have lost weight, make comments that you find semi inappropriate?  For example, when I showed my friend Caribana pics, she made it seem as if I looked better than she expected.  Maybe I am just looking into this too much....

Tomorrow is my second 5K race and I am as ready as I could be, this time around I feel as if I did not train as hard as for the first one, so we will have to see how I do time wise.

I ran my 8K yesterday, it took alot of self pushing, but it really wasn't as bad as the 5K the day before.  I felt much better.  The only thing was after the run I felt very nauseous, does this happen to anyone else after a long run?

On a happier note, I have motivated some of my friends to try running.  They say that I have motivated them to try a run walk for 20 minutes.  I am happy that I have this effect on people.

I know that my eating has not been on point, but everyday is a new day and I aim to do my best.

Happy Saturday!

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Summer Challenge -- Week 11

>> Friday, August 6, 2010


This week I am at 214.6 up 2 from last Friday.  This sucks, but I have to remind myself that I was away and not eating/working out the way I am used to.  My birthday is in less than a week and alas I will not make my goal of 200 pounds, but I did put up a damn good fight.  This week, I am going to try my best to stick to plan and not indulge.  I am also on my period so that does not help at all.

The race is on Sunday and I really hope that I can beat my last race time of 37:37.  I am aiming for 35 minutes.  I am going for the 8 K run today, yesterday I did a 5 K and I must admit that I felt really tired at times.

I have received a few blog awards and I will touch on those this weekend.

Have a great day.

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Toronto Caribana: Amazing Weekend!

>> Thursday, August 5, 2010

I am back from my wonderful weekend in Toronto.  I had a fantastic time.On Friday I headed to Toronto with my parents and I got to the hotel early so I headed to the gym.  I should have learned by now that black girls do not go to the gym, because I swear the looks that people were giving me were out of control.  I was in the hotel gym , which is located next to the pool and everyone that walked by looked at me on the treadmill like I was crazy.

That night my friend and I headed to an all white party.

Damn! I must admit that I look pretty damn skinny in this pic.

Saturday was the big day, we were supposed to be at the mas camp (the area where all the masqueraders were meeting) around 10 am.  Since we were 5 girls  getting ready we got up around 8 am.  We proceeded to do our make up, eyelashes and all that jazz.  We then headed to the parade.  Let me tell you that when you see 5 beautiful ladies in full costume, you will get stares.  I now know what a celebrity feels like, everyone wanted to take pictures with us, young old, foreigners.  I felt so special.  Here are a few pics. 

This guy's abs are out of control!  I can't stop looking at this pic in amazement.



A fantastic time was had by all and out band came in 2nd place.  I will definitely be down again next year.

The weekend was great,but of course, I ate more fast food than I had the rest of the year.  One week until the big 3-0 , so I am back on track.  The good news is that in all the madness, only 3 pounds was gained.  Lets see what weigh in on Friday brings.  Next stop TRINIDAD in MARCH!

New followers, I see you!  Welcome, welcome!

P.S. I realized that I only have about 35 pounds to loss to reach my goal, that really isn't that much!  I can do this!

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