Bon! C'est fait! I had my vintage-feel-but-not-actually-vintage-super-awesome bike tuned up and took it for a long spin yesterday... gee whi that's neat!
I rode all the way across town to see some friends, and then back home, and it felt amazing.
The unfortunate thing is always the one or two drivers who don't see you coming, but I ride really slowly and almost always follow the rules, unlike many cyclists here who seemingly have a death wish. I was a little nervous riding through main streets (I haven't used my bike downtown on a weekday in years), since I mainly use my bike for leisurely excursions along the waterline in summertime.
I'd like to start riding more to get from A to B, but I'm too scared to lock it up on the street it's so pretty. Bikes are a hot commodity in most cities, so I don't take many risks.
In good news, I've been 138.2 for two days, and I know that with about 10% more discipline I am probably actually 136-137 lbs (having many beverages late at night will shift the numbers hahah, I know... nitpicking...but a girl's gotta try right?).
So I am continuing to push push push. Wish me luck EVER getting past 135 please, I need all the help I can get!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
updates
Hi guys,
Excuse my habitual absence. This time I can say that it has not meant I haven't been pushing myself hard. First of all, here is my workout routine lately:
Mon-Thurs: Beach volleyball
Tuesday: Started playing soccer last week
Wednesday/Saturday/Sunday: usually some bootcamp once a week, and running on the other days weather permitting, or trying out something new like Aussie football
Friday: my day off :)
There are other forms of physical activity that would not be proper to mention, but let's say my weekends are intense physically ;)
Food-wise, I've pushed myself just a little to try to bring in lunches a few times a week, and eat at least two homemade meals per day. For my takeout meals, I choose hearty salads, meal replacement shakes, or otherwise balanced meals that include carbs, protein and veggies.
I am at 139 still, but I am looking a lot more muscular these days. For now, I am very pleased. I would love to be a little leaner to see more muscle, but there is the issue of having a bit of extra skin from the weight loss. So I'm not sure I can lose much more weight without having flab, despite my very-fitness.
Anyway, mentally I am feeling good. I've had some random ups and downs and I am keeping a close eye on my emotional health these days. But being rested helps me a lot. I've been waking up earlier, more easily lately, and have been feeling generally more energetic. The exception was in the past few weeks when the noise from my street was keeping me up every night.
Alright. I'm going to finish my fruit smoothie (blueberries, blackberries, greek yogurt, walnuts, mango juice, water and Vega Whole Food Optimizer-half scoop-) and homemade espresso from grains bought at my local cafe. So goooooooood.
have a wonderful day!
Excuse my habitual absence. This time I can say that it has not meant I haven't been pushing myself hard. First of all, here is my workout routine lately:
Mon-Thurs: Beach volleyball
Tuesday: Started playing soccer last week
Wednesday/Saturday/Sunday: usually some bootcamp once a week, and running on the other days weather permitting, or trying out something new like Aussie football
Friday: my day off :)
There are other forms of physical activity that would not be proper to mention, but let's say my weekends are intense physically ;)
Food-wise, I've pushed myself just a little to try to bring in lunches a few times a week, and eat at least two homemade meals per day. For my takeout meals, I choose hearty salads, meal replacement shakes, or otherwise balanced meals that include carbs, protein and veggies.
I am at 139 still, but I am looking a lot more muscular these days. For now, I am very pleased. I would love to be a little leaner to see more muscle, but there is the issue of having a bit of extra skin from the weight loss. So I'm not sure I can lose much more weight without having flab, despite my very-fitness.
Anyway, mentally I am feeling good. I've had some random ups and downs and I am keeping a close eye on my emotional health these days. But being rested helps me a lot. I've been waking up earlier, more easily lately, and have been feeling generally more energetic. The exception was in the past few weeks when the noise from my street was keeping me up every night.
Alright. I'm going to finish my fruit smoothie (blueberries, blackberries, greek yogurt, walnuts, mango juice, water and Vega Whole Food Optimizer-half scoop-) and homemade espresso from grains bought at my local cafe. So goooooooood.
have a wonderful day!
Monday, July 18, 2011
the ups and downs
oh the ups and downs. I am kind of getting tired up being so up and then so down. I often wish I was someone who doesn't reflect on, question, over-analyze (read obsess) everything. Life could be so grand, so simple, and I could just enjoy all that I have. I have a lot of blessings. A lot of luck. Yet my silly brain makes everything hurt so much, even the little things.
I admire those who are tougher. I know this sensitivity of mine also has many upsides, but it is sometimes just too much to bear over so little.
This is not meant to be a depressing blog, more contemplative, but I just had to say it out loud that no matter how good I feel sometimes, or how good I look, I can't shake my insecurities, anxieties and obsessive thoughts about my inadequacies. It's completely illogical because my career, my friends, my family should be enough evidence that I am not deficient, and NO ONE is deficient. We are who we are. Unfortunately, applying that reasoning when I am in pain over the thought of losing everything is a challenge at best.
On a lighter note, I am still playing volleyball, running (less lately to give my hip and knees a break), and trying new things. Tomorrow, I am starting to play soccer again for the first time in many, many years. I played for 11-12 years, and I miss it oh so much. I am playing in a recreational league with a good friend of mine, since his team needed more girls. Since the season's already begun, the league will let me play for free too, yippeeeeee!
Food-wise, I'm about one-third of the way to where I want to be: I am eating all breakfasts at home and EITHER lunch or dinner at home every day, but I am still buying out one meal a day. It's mostly healthy, but still...
This may sound super cold (trust me it's not, but I'm tired and just thought of mentioning this bu want to wrap up and hit the sack)... my aunt was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer and is suffering a lot right now. So are my sick grandmother and aunt who live with her. In all this, it is pushing me more than ever to treat my body "as a temple" as they say, and to really enjoy my life. Out of every bad, there should come some good, you just have to figure out the point of it all.
So here's wishing you all seize the day!
I admire those who are tougher. I know this sensitivity of mine also has many upsides, but it is sometimes just too much to bear over so little.
This is not meant to be a depressing blog, more contemplative, but I just had to say it out loud that no matter how good I feel sometimes, or how good I look, I can't shake my insecurities, anxieties and obsessive thoughts about my inadequacies. It's completely illogical because my career, my friends, my family should be enough evidence that I am not deficient, and NO ONE is deficient. We are who we are. Unfortunately, applying that reasoning when I am in pain over the thought of losing everything is a challenge at best.
On a lighter note, I am still playing volleyball, running (less lately to give my hip and knees a break), and trying new things. Tomorrow, I am starting to play soccer again for the first time in many, many years. I played for 11-12 years, and I miss it oh so much. I am playing in a recreational league with a good friend of mine, since his team needed more girls. Since the season's already begun, the league will let me play for free too, yippeeeeee!
Food-wise, I'm about one-third of the way to where I want to be: I am eating all breakfasts at home and EITHER lunch or dinner at home every day, but I am still buying out one meal a day. It's mostly healthy, but still...
This may sound super cold (trust me it's not, but I'm tired and just thought of mentioning this bu want to wrap up and hit the sack)... my aunt was recently diagnosed with stomach cancer and is suffering a lot right now. So are my sick grandmother and aunt who live with her. In all this, it is pushing me more than ever to treat my body "as a temple" as they say, and to really enjoy my life. Out of every bad, there should come some good, you just have to figure out the point of it all.
So here's wishing you all seize the day!
Friday, July 15, 2011
satisfaction
Hi munchkins.
Sitting here, enjoying a "meal replacement" smoothie which isn't really replacing much because I still put in Greek yog, spinach and plenty of fruit on top of the Vega Whole Food Optimizer (berry). I am testing out this product as well as the Vega Sport Performance Optimizer to see what it all does. I've never been one to replace real food with powders and gunk like this, but I am trying something different.
My weight loss seems to have stalled permanently around 139-140 (we'll see when aunt flo leaves) but with all the extra working out and careful eating, my body is getting very toned. My boyfriend said my back is very toned, and I have noticed my arms and thighs and abs are looking different. I am going to keep this up for a few more weeks and then take a few days off. I've worked out every single day this week, so I will need to decide on a day off sometime soon haha. Monday-Thursday were beach vball plus walking, Tuesday a 50-minute run, Wednesday was Aussie Football (something I had never seen played before and was trying out) and tonight I may go to a gym.
Speaking of Aussie Football, I went to the practice of a local team. Since the sport requires many, many players, they leave their practices open to anyone since it's not a very big sport here. Almost everyone playing was Australian, and everyone was friendly and helpful. I did have a pretty awesome kick to begin with, and my handpass isn't bad, but there's a lot to thinnk about at the same time, and so it may take a long time for me to learn the intricacies of the game.
One piece of great news is that I am finally starting to really make a dent in my debt load accumulated over the last 4 years of bad decision making, and with each slice I knock off, I feel a load off my shoulders. I am starting to be able to breathe again... yes.
Sitting here, enjoying a "meal replacement" smoothie which isn't really replacing much because I still put in Greek yog, spinach and plenty of fruit on top of the Vega Whole Food Optimizer (berry). I am testing out this product as well as the Vega Sport Performance Optimizer to see what it all does. I've never been one to replace real food with powders and gunk like this, but I am trying something different.
My weight loss seems to have stalled permanently around 139-140 (we'll see when aunt flo leaves) but with all the extra working out and careful eating, my body is getting very toned. My boyfriend said my back is very toned, and I have noticed my arms and thighs and abs are looking different. I am going to keep this up for a few more weeks and then take a few days off. I've worked out every single day this week, so I will need to decide on a day off sometime soon haha. Monday-Thursday were beach vball plus walking, Tuesday a 50-minute run, Wednesday was Aussie Football (something I had never seen played before and was trying out) and tonight I may go to a gym.
Speaking of Aussie Football, I went to the practice of a local team. Since the sport requires many, many players, they leave their practices open to anyone since it's not a very big sport here. Almost everyone playing was Australian, and everyone was friendly and helpful. I did have a pretty awesome kick to begin with, and my handpass isn't bad, but there's a lot to thinnk about at the same time, and so it may take a long time for me to learn the intricacies of the game.
One piece of great news is that I am finally starting to really make a dent in my debt load accumulated over the last 4 years of bad decision making, and with each slice I knock off, I feel a load off my shoulders. I am starting to be able to breathe again... yes.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
some new things
This week has been a bit hellish in its own very special way, but all's well that ends well I say, ad nauseam(sp.?)
I went through some major, major PMS issues, had some family health scares, arguments with the ex, and other odds and ends that were nothing short of frustrating to deal with. On the flip side though, I had two nights of good sleep and hope to get another tonight now that the weather's cooled off. I've been amazing when it comes to exercise, and pretty much amazing when it comes to eating, EXCEPT that I've managed to keep my weight down AND enjoy ice cream almost every day for the last two weeks. I have redeveloped an addiction, but this time it is much more contained, controlled and responsible. I feel no guilt. None. Now that, my friends, is progress.
I'm now charting every feeling or symptom of whatever that I have, for the next three months, to see if I do indeed suffer from PMDD, or if it's really just PMS aggravating a pre-existing condition. Only time, and careful note-taking, will tell.
So tonight I decided to bite the bullet and give Aussie football a try. I've been invited several times on this site I am a huge advocate of called trainingmobs.com. Have been since it began last year. Anyway, I keep turning down the invitations because Wednesday night is rarely good for me, but I decided tonight was the night. Turns out, it was quite fun to learn, and I am not bad at all! It calls on similar skills to those used in basketball, soccer, volleyball and football (I am good at volleyball and soccer, terrible at the other two, but the KEY skills are those that come from my sports of choice). Most of the players were extremely friendly and helpful Aussies who've recently moved here and needed this little piece of home.
I am off to bed shortly. Am slightly bloated, but eating well and keeping my weight down. Still need to try harder on the food end though to manage to lose any more pounds, but for now my body's getting firmer again and I am very much liking the results.
Power to you!
I went through some major, major PMS issues, had some family health scares, arguments with the ex, and other odds and ends that were nothing short of frustrating to deal with. On the flip side though, I had two nights of good sleep and hope to get another tonight now that the weather's cooled off. I've been amazing when it comes to exercise, and pretty much amazing when it comes to eating, EXCEPT that I've managed to keep my weight down AND enjoy ice cream almost every day for the last two weeks. I have redeveloped an addiction, but this time it is much more contained, controlled and responsible. I feel no guilt. None. Now that, my friends, is progress.
I'm now charting every feeling or symptom of whatever that I have, for the next three months, to see if I do indeed suffer from PMDD, or if it's really just PMS aggravating a pre-existing condition. Only time, and careful note-taking, will tell.
So tonight I decided to bite the bullet and give Aussie football a try. I've been invited several times on this site I am a huge advocate of called trainingmobs.com. Have been since it began last year. Anyway, I keep turning down the invitations because Wednesday night is rarely good for me, but I decided tonight was the night. Turns out, it was quite fun to learn, and I am not bad at all! It calls on similar skills to those used in basketball, soccer, volleyball and football (I am good at volleyball and soccer, terrible at the other two, but the KEY skills are those that come from my sports of choice). Most of the players were extremely friendly and helpful Aussies who've recently moved here and needed this little piece of home.
I am off to bed shortly. Am slightly bloated, but eating well and keeping my weight down. Still need to try harder on the food end though to manage to lose any more pounds, but for now my body's getting firmer again and I am very much liking the results.
Power to you!
sorry kiddies
I'm sorry I haven't been writing more. I've been keeping my weight down, eating fairly well and even starting to cook a little again. Also working out like mad. Unfortunately I have some stuff going on and I've been exceptionally tired. Just wanted to check in and let you know I am still pushing forward. I'm actually quite proud that I've managed to keep up with the exercise while I was so down and unmotivated.
Alright, gotta jet to work early, have a wonderful day!
Alright, gotta jet to work early, have a wonderful day!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
pardon the interruption...
It is 3 am. I am awake. I am angry at being awake. I am angry because I am depressed and haven't slept properly all week and I am finally able to sleep well and I get woken up by some asshole punching through the windows of the car parked outside my apartment, trying to break in. The moron thinks noone will see him when it's the loudest noise he just made, and his hand was bleeding. I yelled at him saying "I sure hope that's your own car" and he took off. Now I cannot sleep.
The Laws of the Hood.
I live in a neighbourhood that's up and coming, meaning it's still pretty dodgy at times. During the daytime, the atmosphere is totally different and it is amazing. At nighttime however, you wont catch me going for a stroll. Since I have moved here I have noticed a pattern: I get woken up at least once a week by someone screaming, vomiting, blasting music, fighting, breaking into cars, smashing a window, etc... ALWAYS AT THREE-IN-THE-EFFING-AYYY-EMMMMM!!!!!!!!!! ALWAYS. always.
I cannot express how relieved I am that I returned my leased car yesterday given this morning's events. I also cannot express my frustration at this wannabe car thief and all the trashy punks that feel the need to be loud at all hours... no I rephrase...at THIS (3AM) hour of the morning specifically, cutting into my best sleep.
PARDON MY FRENCH BUT FFFAAAAAAAAHHHHHCK.
Okay, I suppose I should go back to sleep. It's hard sometimes to fall back asleep after these crazy things happen.
The Laws of the Hood.
I live in a neighbourhood that's up and coming, meaning it's still pretty dodgy at times. During the daytime, the atmosphere is totally different and it is amazing. At nighttime however, you wont catch me going for a stroll. Since I have moved here I have noticed a pattern: I get woken up at least once a week by someone screaming, vomiting, blasting music, fighting, breaking into cars, smashing a window, etc... ALWAYS AT THREE-IN-THE-EFFING-AYYY-EMMMMM!!!!!!!!!! ALWAYS. always.
I cannot express how relieved I am that I returned my leased car yesterday given this morning's events. I also cannot express my frustration at this wannabe car thief and all the trashy punks that feel the need to be loud at all hours... no I rephrase...at THIS (3AM) hour of the morning specifically, cutting into my best sleep.
PARDON MY FRENCH BUT FFFAAAAAAAAHHHHHCK.
Okay, I suppose I should go back to sleep. It's hard sometimes to fall back asleep after these crazy things happen.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
in case you're wondering what's got me down...
Bear in mind, I am self-diagnosing after about 5 months of self-observation (without journal), but I am about 98% sure this is what's wrong with me. I have no physical symptoms except in the very hours right before it begins, but ALL the mood-related symptoms for the 5-11 days pre-period, which cease almost immediately after my period starts. It's a fantastic feeling (note sarcasm).
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004461/
blah.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0004461/
blah.
:(
feeling blue for a few reasons. don't feel like writing much.
Don't worry, I am keeping up with all my crazy exercising, socializing and work, and still being very careful about food even though I'm not making home meals.
courage to all of you.
:)
Don't worry, I am keeping up with all my crazy exercising, socializing and work, and still being very careful about food even though I'm not making home meals.
courage to all of you.
:)
Monday, July 4, 2011
Still kicking ass...
I did go up weight-wise as usual over the weekend, but not drastically, and I have it under control.
This weekend was a continuation of both relaxation (to avoid another burnout, since things are extremely busy again) and working out. I took Sunday off, and spent the afternoon by the lakeside taking in the waves and rays with my man, after brunching, followed by an ice cream lunch and a family dinner at his parents' place... the one weak moment: at 8 pm his mom brought home a bag of steaming-fresh Montreal bagels, and I held out right until I saw Noodle bite into one, and I could see how fluffy and wonderful the bread looked. I am not a big bagel lover (I like them a lot, just can't compare myself to bagel-obsessed locals) but I cannot resist ANY form of doughy goodness.
In any case, this morning I had a yogurt, cereal and fruit breakfast, a salad at lunch that had chicken, strawberries/oranges/blueberries/pecans/pineapple, etc. (bought) with balsamic dressing and a green Arthur's smoothie. Dinner was (as unhealthy as this may sound), a slice of pizza. It was bought fresh from a fancy Italian place at the local fresh market and I got it to add more veggies to my meal. It had only minimal cheese. I added some chili spice and fancy balsamic. I also sided that with a salad made with fresh lettuce from Noodle's folks' garden, half an avocado, some almonds, capers, grated parmesan, fancy balsamic, olive oil, squeezed lemon juice, fleur de sel and ground pepper. yumsy.
So I am not sure if I mentioned it, but I did a kickass bootcamp on Saturday, and will try to go back again soon. Good times. Most of all the trainer fosters a real sense of "teamwork" which is rare with a lot of fitness-obsessed people unfortunately.
Tomorrow I will try to take a run, and tonight I played beach volleyball for about 2 hours or more. It was a great set.
Oh, remind me to tell you about how I am being a guinea pig and tested out this sport performance optimizer tonight as a one-time deal, and this meal replacement powder by Vega that I tried all last week in smoothies. I don't want to promote replacing meals with ground up vegetables, but I wanted to test it out for a few personal reasons. I'll post about it later in the week maybe. Until then, have a great sleep!
This weekend was a continuation of both relaxation (to avoid another burnout, since things are extremely busy again) and working out. I took Sunday off, and spent the afternoon by the lakeside taking in the waves and rays with my man, after brunching, followed by an ice cream lunch and a family dinner at his parents' place... the one weak moment: at 8 pm his mom brought home a bag of steaming-fresh Montreal bagels, and I held out right until I saw Noodle bite into one, and I could see how fluffy and wonderful the bread looked. I am not a big bagel lover (I like them a lot, just can't compare myself to bagel-obsessed locals) but I cannot resist ANY form of doughy goodness.
In any case, this morning I had a yogurt, cereal and fruit breakfast, a salad at lunch that had chicken, strawberries/oranges/blueberries/pecans/pineapple, etc. (bought) with balsamic dressing and a green Arthur's smoothie. Dinner was (as unhealthy as this may sound), a slice of pizza. It was bought fresh from a fancy Italian place at the local fresh market and I got it to add more veggies to my meal. It had only minimal cheese. I added some chili spice and fancy balsamic. I also sided that with a salad made with fresh lettuce from Noodle's folks' garden, half an avocado, some almonds, capers, grated parmesan, fancy balsamic, olive oil, squeezed lemon juice, fleur de sel and ground pepper. yumsy.
So I am not sure if I mentioned it, but I did a kickass bootcamp on Saturday, and will try to go back again soon. Good times. Most of all the trainer fosters a real sense of "teamwork" which is rare with a lot of fitness-obsessed people unfortunately.
Tomorrow I will try to take a run, and tonight I played beach volleyball for about 2 hours or more. It was a great set.
Oh, remind me to tell you about how I am being a guinea pig and tested out this sport performance optimizer tonight as a one-time deal, and this meal replacement powder by Vega that I tried all last week in smoothies. I don't want to promote replacing meals with ground up vegetables, but I wanted to test it out for a few personal reasons. I'll post about it later in the week maybe. Until then, have a great sleep!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Bootcamp in the park
Gentle readers, the first week of getting back in gear is over. It was a success.
This morning, in 29 degree Celsius weather, I did the toughest bootcamp I've ever done. I had to run with sandbags around my neck and use ropes and all that hardcore crap :) Normally, most bootcamps are not as scary as people imagine them to be, and consist mostly of light jogging and calisthenics. But this one, while very doable for most people, did push all of our limits.
I also played 2 hours of 2x2 beach volleyball yesterday, which is quite a workout itself!
I think tomorrow I will need a break. It's supposed to rain anyway I believe.
Food is on track. I'm making do with barely any food at home, but I'll probably do a week's worth of shopping tomorrow. I think I will need to start scheduling in grocery shopping so it becomes a mandatory weekly routine. Otherwise, I put it off for weeks every time I run out.
Okay, I'm off to help a friend learn to ride a bike... which should be highly entertaining.
Have a great day all of you!
This morning, in 29 degree Celsius weather, I did the toughest bootcamp I've ever done. I had to run with sandbags around my neck and use ropes and all that hardcore crap :) Normally, most bootcamps are not as scary as people imagine them to be, and consist mostly of light jogging and calisthenics. But this one, while very doable for most people, did push all of our limits.
I also played 2 hours of 2x2 beach volleyball yesterday, which is quite a workout itself!
I think tomorrow I will need a break. It's supposed to rain anyway I believe.
Food is on track. I'm making do with barely any food at home, but I'll probably do a week's worth of shopping tomorrow. I think I will need to start scheduling in grocery shopping so it becomes a mandatory weekly routine. Otherwise, I put it off for weeks every time I run out.
Okay, I'm off to help a friend learn to ride a bike... which should be highly entertaining.
Have a great day all of you!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Did it, for this week anyway.
I was 138.8 yesterday! And I did NOT starve myself or take desperate measures to get there. I DID work my ass off exercise-wise, but I haven't even bought groceries yet. I need to be very careful this weekend though.
My strategy is this: eat suuuper light in the mornings, because today there's a BBQ, then eat light for dinner. Tomorrow, I have to buy food and eat home meals and perhaps at a resto for dinner, but choose wisely. Then Sunday, another super light breakfast and no lunch, since there will be a big BBQ again for someone's homecoming.
I am going to play more volleyball at noon today, which is fantastic because yesterday was a flop. We played 1.5 games (and barely got into it) because of poor organization on the league's part. But all of us left early since our second challenger defaulted, knowing that we'd be back the following day for a free day of beach volleyball and BBQ.
Alright, so I am a happy camper. Off to continue cleaning and getting stuff done around this pigsty.
have a great day!
My strategy is this: eat suuuper light in the mornings, because today there's a BBQ, then eat light for dinner. Tomorrow, I have to buy food and eat home meals and perhaps at a resto for dinner, but choose wisely. Then Sunday, another super light breakfast and no lunch, since there will be a big BBQ again for someone's homecoming.
I am going to play more volleyball at noon today, which is fantastic because yesterday was a flop. We played 1.5 games (and barely got into it) because of poor organization on the league's part. But all of us left early since our second challenger defaulted, knowing that we'd be back the following day for a free day of beach volleyball and BBQ.
Alright, so I am a happy camper. Off to continue cleaning and getting stuff done around this pigsty.
have a great day!
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