Meeting The Trainer

Today, I met with a trainer at the new gym. He was really nice and had some interesting things to say. To be honest the most important thing he told me that I should consume 1800 calories a day or less to loss weight. He took my blood pressure, which was a bit high, but I always have issues with this because I get so nervous. He measured my waist and hips, which are too high and checked my body fat percentage (40 something ) and finally calculated my BMI and told me I was obese (I already knew this). All this to say he made my 60 pond loss look like nothing has been done (in a nice way). Sad.
Nevertheless, I also came to the conclusion that I smart when it comes to the gym and nutritional knowledge, all I have to do is put what I know to work. I KNOW what I have to do, I just don't do it. He was impressed with all the things I knew and I knew in the back of his mind he was thinking (why is this girl still fat?). I do not think that I am going to get a trainer, it is just not in the cards right now, I really wish I could but they are too damn expensive.



These last 40 pounds could be gone by the start of the new school year in September. That would be amazing.



Even though I am done with hearing about the Royal Wedding, I am going to dress the part for work tomorrow. A fancy hat/headband (the one I wore to the wedding a few weeks ago) and a dress. I love dressing up!



ChiChi--Yes, I add raw oats to my shake just a tablespoon, it is so delicious!

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The Yummiest Shake Eva!

I realized that I was giving the gym too much money on all those protein shakes I was purchasing, so I bought all the ingredients and I'm gonna make my own. I think that this is going to be my new breakfast meal:
-almond milk vanilla flavor
-natural peanut butter
-protein powder vanilla flavor
-a bit of oatmeal

This is beyond delicious, I think I'm just gonna drink this for all my meals until I get to 211.

Tim-- you asked about the stair-master and my calves. Yes, it has helped my legs. Below the knee my legs are hot, above the knee is what I am working on. As for men on the stair master, I have seen some so don't feel self conscious.

No gym yesterday and today. Tired.

Happy Wednesday!

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J.Lo and Pilates

Today was a good day on all fronts.  I did my morning workout of some weights (back and chest) and then had a Zumba class, they played that new J.Lo song, "Get On The Floor", I really like it,so I downloaded it onto my iPod.  Take a listen.

 

Am I the only one that fines J. Lo is like a fine wine, she just gets better with age.  She is looking SO HOT these days!  Hers skin, her hair, PERFECTION!

This evening I did 25 minutes on the stairmaster, spinning and pilates.  I must say that pilates is getting better.  It wasn't as bad as the first time, the best part is that when I looked at my watch there was 10 minutes left!  I love that!  I am sure that my abs are going to be crying like a baby tomorrow.

Have a nice night!

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Getting my Monies Worth

      Hope that everyone had a nice Easter.  Hit the gym twice yesterday, once for my usual Saturday workout and then for the Zumba party in the evening.  The Zumba party was an hour and a half with three instructors.  I liked it alot because I got to test three of the Zumba instructors of the gym.  Two out out of the three instructors were great.  Their moves and their music was fantastic.  The third instructor was ok, just thought her moves were a little too repetitive for my liking.
  I felt great.  I ran into a girl I used to train with at my old gym and she said that I looked like I lost weight.  I thanked her.  I must admit, when I look in the mirror I admit that I look better.  My legs are starting to go down a bit (that stepmill works miracles) I don't feel as big as I used to too big. My shoes are too big. A 10 is now too big, but a 9.5 is still too small in some styles. My clothes fit better.  I was always one of the biggest people in the room.  Now I am fitter than I have ever been.  I am not out of breath, I look like an athlete, I feel like an athlete.  The down side is the scale is back up.  I have to admit that I have not been on my best eating behaviour.

This is a new week, with new goals.  Tomorrow I am lucky enough to have the day off.  I will try and hit the the gym twice.

This week's workout scheduale:
-Monday: morning-Zumba and some weight, evening-spinning and pilates
-Tues: body design, ab blast, spinning
-Wed: hill training (7 repeats)
-Thursday: I have a meeting with a trainer at the  gym (the free one you get when you join the gym), if this doesn't end to late I will head to running-8K
-Friday: Spinning and Zumba (One month until the HALF MARATHON)
-Sat: Zumba and Body design
-Sun: 18K! AHHHHHHH!

I know this looks crazy, I always plan for a crazy workout week and then life happens.  I like to over plan and if I cannot go at least I have a plan.

On the eating front, I am going to journal and try and cut the crap.  I have so much trouble staying away from the sweets.

Have a great week!

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Killing It and The Turquoise Bathing Suit

Today, I killed it.  Body design + Ab Blast + Tabata/Bootcamp, I am sure that my body is going to be on fire tomorrow.  I had the yummiest shake after at the gym.  Peanut butter, soy milk, raisins, vanilla protein, almonds and oatmeal.  DELICIOUS!

Since it seems that everyone in blog world is posting comparison pics, I figured I would jump on the bandwagon.  Check out Meisha she is a beast, a sexy beast that is!  She has lost over 100 pounds in 15 months, check her out!  Also she made it to the second round of the Turbo Fire Transformation contest, so when you check her out vote for her too!

Shannie has also made some nice progress, go check her out.

Now, it is going on 3 years that I am still working on my goal, but the good news is I am still at 60 pounds lost.  I still have my eyes on the next 40 pounds and hopefully it doesn't take me another 3 years. Here is what it looks like, through the eyes of my turquoise bathing suit:



2008

2009

2011

I must admit that I really see a difference in the last pic.  These are the things that keep me going.

Even if you have only lost 10 or 20 pounds compare two pics of yourself (if you are wearing the same outfit even better)  I guarantee that it will keep you motivated

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Going HARD!

Thanks for all the positive comments about the wedding pics. I love color and that blue is one if my favorites.

Been working extra hard at the gym and I am going to keep it up all week. I have Friday and Monday off for Easter so I am going to try and hit the gym twice a day on those days.

Hope everyone is having a positive week so far.

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Operation Shelf Booty

OSB is in full effect.  Thursday, I did 30 minutes of stair stepper and 25 minutes of stair master as my cardio.  I also did single legged deadlifts using a kettlebell (15 reps-2 sets).  Friday, I took a break, Saturday I did 30 minutes stair stepper and 25 minutes stair master, along with 3 sets of 20 jumping lunges and 3 sets of 20 good  mornings.  Yesterday, I did 1 15 minute run and some bicep/tricep work.

I am taking a break from the scale until I feel like I should step on it again.

Have a great week!

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Wedding Bells

   Yesterday I went to my friend, running buddy and co worker's wedding.  It was beautiful, even though the weather was terrible.  Here is a glimpse:

That's me at another co worker, all smiles!, I know it looks like a hat on my head it is actually a headband.

The wedding was held at a farm house outside of the city, very cozy.  Guest list was nice and small about 50 people.

Happy bride and groom

T shirts from the groom's dad!  Too funny.

Congratulations Jen and Jesse!

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Real Talk

   I am hungry.  These last few days I have been hitting the gym hard.  I feel guilty if I do not go, because I am paying so much a month.  The problem is that I am hungrier, because I am working out more.  Since I am working out more, I am eating more and thus my weight is going up.  This is the worst catch 22 ever.  I do not know what to do.  I am upset because the scale is once again creeping up.  I was doing so well and then this week things are falling apart.  At this point I am starting not to care get mad, but deep down inside it make me sad that although I am trying hard, the scale is slapping me in the face.  I don't know what to do...

Ro has Operation Bust Gut I am have Operation Summer Shelf Booty.

Everyday that I am at the gym I am going to incorporate at least TWO exercises that are booty (glute) specific.  My booty has always been none existent and I really want to lift and shape for the summer.

Yesterday, I did:

• Jump squats 30 secs x 3
• Walking lunges 2 sets of 15

My cardio of choice is the stair-stepper for half an hour 9along with other cardio, I try to do at least an hour a day).  I know that I am in better shape than I used to be because I could not do the stair stepper for that long and if I did I felt like I was going to die along the way.  Actually I used to call it Suicide because whenever I did that machine I felt like I was killing myself.  Now I fell great when I am done.  I am really trying to get this body in some sort of shape, I fell like Flabby Abby. I am so tired of being at the same weight (or more)  day in and day out.  I am done with this really.

I feel like a fraud.  People look at me and say

  "You lost weight" or " You lost more weight", blah, blah, blah, insert compliment I do not want to hear right now

I really want to tell them, "Actually n the last eek I have last and gained the same 10 pounds, at least twice"  But I am sure that they do not want to hear that.  I just wish that people wouldn't say anything to me.  I know that they are trying to bee nice, but if they only knew the truth.

  I have a lot more to go (45 pounds to the End Game) and I need to get my shit together.  This is NOT acceptable.  I am not taking this as seriously as I need to.  Why I am settling for this body, when it can look so much better.  Time to get it together!

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Get My Abs Some Water, Cause Their On Fiyah!

My weight is like a yo yo, one week it is down, the next it is up. I know that is is terrible for my body. Nothing more to say here.

The cashier from the pharmacy down the street commented on my weigh loss,"You lost so much weight! Just wanted to tell you that you look great! Not that you didn't look great before!" Haha, gotta love that line.

Did Pilates yesterday, wasn't a fan,but my abs are KILLING today, so I think that I will have to suck it up since I HATE to work my core. Hence the weak core, it is a vicious cycle.

Although my weigh on the scale is a fail, I feel so strong at the gym. I'm lovin it (bada da da da, I'm lovin it! Mcdonald's jingle)

Have a great night!

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Awww Yeah 16k Yeah!

As you can tell from my Pauly D title, I did it! I ran 16k! 5 more and I am at Half Marathon distance! Today was good, I was fine until about 12k then my legs felt so heavy, but I made it.
I went with my friend today and we ran downtown, the fact that there were so many lights was a bit annoying because we had to constantly stop/slow down. We had our water and I ate a sport bean every ten minutes



I really felt like they helped, two hours is a long time to run with no food. I am really proud, this is the longest I have ever ran! Next Sunday is another 16 and then we move to 18! I really cant believe this, last year I this time I had never run before, CRAZY!

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Tag Time

I am working on report cards and I decided that I need a break.  Note:  I took a break to go to the gym to do spinning and Zumba.  I loved it.  I also felt that I had to do the two of them because I ate 50 000 cupcakes today at our work staff bday celebration.  Cupcakes are my kryptonite.

 

I got this over at Ro's house. 

 

1. what is one food that, as an adult you love, but as a child you said you’d never touch?

To be honest, I was not a picky eater as a child.  I have never really been a fan of rice and I still stay away.

2. did you go to college? if yes, what was your major?

Yup, went to University twice.  Once did a Biology degree and the other time I did a teaching degree.  Not only am I cute, I am smart too ;)

3. what’s the most wild animal you’ve seen in real life (not counting the zoo)?

Well, I was in Singapore on vacation and they have peacocks wandering the street on one of the islands there...

4. have you ever been to a fortune teller?

Yes, once I went to a palm reader and she didn't say anything worthy (I want my 20$ back), then my mother made me go to this psychic, see-er, she had a few more interesting things to say, we will see if any of it come true...

5. can you juggle?

Nope

6. hardwood floors or carpet?

Not really a fan of carpet.

7. is it called “soda” or “pop”?

None, it is a "soft drink", that's what we say up here in Canada, eh?.  I guess if I have to choose I would go with soda.

8. what was your first car?

A BMW (bus, metro and walk), I did not have a car until 4 years ago when I got a real JOB.  It was a 2007 Mazda 3.

9. what is the most decadent dessert you’ve ever eaten?

Hmmmm, can't say that anything jumps out of my memory.  I did have  a Snickers crepe in Thailand.  Picture a warm crepe with a Snikers bar inside, all melted and gooey....

10. how often do you rearrange your furniture?

Never!?

Have a nice weekend!

16K on Sunday!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (Home Alone face)

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Remember...

You may not be there yet, but you are closer than you were yesterday-- author unknown

Skipped hill training today had a headache, dizziness also didn't help. Took it real easy relaxing tonight.

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Cruise to Run-- I Wanna Go!

I read about this in Running magazine last week and I am dying to go. Cruise to Run is a cruise that leaves from San Juan, Puerto Rico  and travels to various islands in the Caribbean. Imagine two of my favorite things in one place, travel/beaches and running! On each island there is an organized run varying from 5K to 13K.

Here is a break down of the trip:

• Day 1- San Juan
• Day 2- St. Thomas. Virgin Islands (5K prediction run, you cannot wear a watch, you predict your run time and the one who is closet to their time wins)
• Day 3- Tortola, British Virgin Islands (6K run)
• Day 4-Antigua (13 K run, another run in the afternoon TBA)
• Day 5- Dominica (run TBA)
• Day 6- Barbados (5K run then beach fun, haha that rhymes)
• Day 7- At Sea
• Dat 8- Back to San Juan

Doesn't this sound so fun!?  The best part in is that you would not have to worry about eating too much on the cruise because you would be working it off!  I love it!

The cruise prices vary from 700-1200$ depending on where your cabin is located and you have to pay an extra 250$ for the races (25$ if you are not doing the races).

I would then have to get down to San Juan which costs about 600$.  Man, if I was rolling in dough, I would be all over this.


In other news, I stepped on the scale this morning after having a good day yesterday and I was down over 3 pounds, YEAH!  Hopefully by next week I can be back to my regular 211 and work from there.

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Tabata!? Bless You!

Today I did a class called Tabata. Tabata is a method developed by a Japanese man in which you do an activity at high intensity for 20 seconds and then you rest for 10 seconds, you repeat this eight times for a total of four minutes (did I mention that the teacher was impressed that I knew what Tabata was! Thank you Muscle and FitnessHers magazine!) . Then you move on to another exercise and repeat the timing. I really loved it, I was sweating up a storm and I felt great. As per usual I was strong for all the activities except the ab/core stuff, 5 seconds into it and my middle was on fiyah!

I will definitely have to do this class again. I then did a step class (I know I'm a little crazy, but you DID read this morning's post right!?) with some boxing moves. Did I ever tell you that I am not a boxing fan? For some reason I cannot stand workout classes that have boxing in them.

I journaled today and I think my ten pound gain has been from excessive snacks. Let me rephrase that, eating the wrong snacks. I do so many activities that I am hungry often, the problem is I need to make better snack choices and that is what I am going to work on this week and drink more water.

Tomorrow, I want to do Body Design and Ab Blast at the gym. My goal is to try all the evening classes to see which are best. I was suppose to run 6k tomorrow, I did 2.5 today and I will try and do the rest tomorrow. I am not sure if that is allowed to break it up like that, but oh well.

Thank you readers for your continued support, it means the world to me. New followers, welcome!!

Have a great week!

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219.8

That is what the scale said today, so depressing. I have gained over ten pounds since I have been back from Trinidad, from what? Your guess is as good as mine. Journaling starts now!

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I Did It!

14 freakin' kilometers! Can you believe it! The first five kms was tough, my chest felt tight. But after that I got into the groove and felt great. I will not lie it was L-O-N-G, an hour and forty five minutes, I could have watched a movie. Next Sunday we will do 16km, I am excited. This is a big day for me, imagine that I only started this journey last May and look how far I have come, I am so proud of myself. I burned over 1400 calories, damn homey! Now, I am going to take a warm bath in Epsom salts and chill for a bit.

Have a great Sunday!

P.s. Watched the documentary, "Waiting for Superman" which talks about the education system in the US, it talked about the lottery system for kids trying to get into good schools. If you are an educator, you should check it out.

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Am I Ageist?

Went to my new gym today and did a Body Design class after doing thirty minutes in the stairmaster, I have really come a long way, I remember the days when I couldn't do 15 minutes on that monster.


For the first time in my gym career I had an older women as my instructor, I am do bad at guessing ages but I think she was in her 50s. The class was fantastic, but I admit I had my doubts when I walked in and the average age was 55. I don't know why I felt this way, was it because I associate health with youth? If someone is older they usually have more knowledge so technically someone older should be a better teacher. Well, I was proven wrong, the class was fun and challenging, I was sweating up a storm, I was wondering to myself hmmmm was I not giving this class a chance because the instructor is a bit older and holding three pound dumbbells? The answer is yes. I am ashamed that I had these thoughts and I really need to be more open minded.

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Currently Reading

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaleo Hosseini and I love it! Please pick it up, you will not be sorry.What are you reading?

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Running Like A Mofo

I must say that I am feeling good.  The half marathon is in less than 2 months and I am getting my butt in gear, trying hard to stick to my 5 runs a week.  Tuesday I did 3K, Wed. I did hill training that added up to 7K, Thursday was 6.9 K and today I am suppose to do another 3K. That is almost 20K!  Whew!

Sunday is 14K, I missed the 12K last weekend because of a friend's birthday.  This will be the longest that I have ever run.  I am super excited.

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