Random Thoughts...

I think, today, I'm just going to post random thoughts throughout the day. Should be interesting to see what I think up during my work day!

• I'm thinking about declaring next week (Mon-Fri) a carb free week. I need to kick my own ass, and get back into working out and eating right. I think the first step will be eating right. So, no carbs (other than fruit before 2pm) for 5 days. I did it for 17 when I did the 17 Day Diet so I think I can do it for 5. I'm thinking it might be a good idea to do it once a month, cut out carbs for 5 days, just to keep my metabolism up. And when you don't eat carbs, you lose weight. Perfect!
• Along with that same thought, I'm thinking about making another 5 day week a meat free week. Just stuff to keep my body guessing, and to help me try out new foods!
• And, in addition, I'm going to try out a few other things, even when I'm not on my 5 day carb free, or meat free times. No carbs after 2 pm. It worked before, so I'll try it again. It makes sense. Carbs are hard to burn, so why have them an hour before you go to bed, when it's just going to add fat to my ass?
• As you know, I sprained my ankle back on October 9. I feel as though after 12 days, I shouldn't be in pain anymore. But I can't even jog across the street without being in pain. It's been a very long time since I've sprained anything, and I'm impatient to know how long I'm going to have to deal with this! Should I wear an ankle brace? Should I just do nothing? When can I do a real workout without pain? Can I even go on my tread climber? So many questions. I guess it's time to Google.
• Great. Google didn't tell me anything good. It could take weeks or months to heal. Dammit. I don't have time for this!
• I really am tired of this job. Thank goodness we're moving. Since this job is only a temporary assignment, I was hoping that I would be able to find something else within the company after that two months, and that I would be able to continue. Man, I'm glad I don't have to do that. I'm in HR, so I see all of the competitions that have been open since I started, and nothing is appealing to me. The amount of entitlement most of these employees feel makes me so mad that I can't even talk to them. Honestly. Government employees are the worst. I can't wait to be out of the Union. Some people like the protection of the union, I hate it. There are so many incompetent people here that are going to be here forever because they can't get fired. Ugh.
• I am freezing! Usually everyone in HR is freezing, and I think they're crazy, but now it's me! Usually, over in IT (yes, I work with HR and sit in IT) it's so warm because of all of the computers going up here, but today I'm frozen! It was -3 this morning, but I've been in the office for over an hour and I'm still cold. I need a heater!
• So, yes, I sit in IT. When I first started, there was an empty desk in HR, so I used it. Then they had another permanent employee start, so I got booted. There wasn't any room for me, so they stuck me in a corner in IT. It's not all bad. They boys are quiet, and I get a lot of freedom because there is no one breathing down my neck all day and making sure I'm not screwing everything up, which I'm sure our director thinks. When I was in HR, I got to look out a window at an awesome view, and now I'm stuck in a corner looking at walls. Not as cool.
• I'm currently very irritated with my husband, and I am trying so hard not to be. Last night, he didn't call me until 9:40pm. He was just getting home, which is fine, but I was trying to sleep. I was pissy already because he didn't call, and then he called and disturbed me. And he didn't even apologize for it! Then I was up until after midnight. I am trying so hard to not let it bug me, because it'll be a Chetwynd situation again where all I am is mad at him, but man, I'm pissy. It's so bad that I don't even want to talk to him. I'm glad that I have plans tonight with Lisa so that I don't have to deal with him until late. I'll call him tonight super late and see how he freaking likes it.
• Speaking of that, Lisa and I are going on a movie date tonight to see "The Good Year." I think it looks great! I'll tell ya about it tomorrow!
• Now my husband is sucking up to me and making me feel bad for being mad at him. Argh!
• I've decided that I want to travel more outside of the country. I'm back to talking to my husband because I want to know his opinion, but I'm still mad at him! He thinks Vegas, which would be ok, but I was thinking more like China.
• Maybe a cruise around the Caribbean. That would be fantastic. Spend a few days in Miami, then get on a boat, go to the Bahamas, Turks and Cacaos, and back. Yes, I think that sounds fantastic.
• It's snowing. Yes, snowing. I don't think it's going to stick around, but it is snowing. Mark your calendar friends; today winter begins!
• Ugh. It's still snowing. Harder now though.

Ok, I think that's it for today folks! Almost time to go home! Yay!

September?!?

I can't believe it's the first day of September already! The weather is sure making me believe, but I was hoping that since we had such a crappy summer that we'd get a little bit more of a chance at it! Oh well. C'est la vie.

Good news is that I've found someone to replace me. She's young - just graduated last year, and has no experience. I'd like to give her a chance though. I think it's important to give people chances when they are trying something new, like people didn't really give me. It is giving her a chance to figure out what she wants to do with her life, which is great. I also think that she'll be quick to learn, so that will help greatly. It's going to be a rather boring last few days if she does catch on really quickly. I'll be sitting back a lot and not doing anything, which is fine, but damn, will it ever be boring!

Anyways, time to relax. I've already been on the tread climber today, maybe tomorrow I'll attempt the bow flex!

Tread Climber

Yay for the tread climber! Just did my very first workout. So exciting! It's time to get back at the weight loss!

Food hasn't been great for me, but I'm trying. I am kind of at an in between with my money situation, and I'm buying as few groceries as possible, which means no fresh fruit or veg. But, I'm trying. Trying, trying, trying.

Last Wednesday I did a weigh-in, and it was ok - down half a pound. Better than nothing. I'm hoping for a pound tomorrow, or even half a pound. Hard to imagine since I haven't been eating that well, or working out, but I'm hopeful.

And, starting tomorrow, every other Wednesday, I'm going to post photos of myself to compare from my current weight (which I will let you know tomorrow) and my measurements. I read somewhere that it's a good idea to do that twice a month, and to weigh once a week. Sounds good to me!

Weigh-In Wednesdays start tomorrow! Are you ready?!

Back From Camping...

That's it folks! Camping is over for us! For this year, anyways.

I'm glad, in a way. It's been a great summer, but I'm more excited about getting into fall. This year, fall means hard workouts and weight loss for me and John! As I am typing, he is setting up my Tread Climber, and then most likely tomorrow night he will set up his Bow Flex. I am so excited to get started on these things! Time to kick it into high gear!

This weekend was pretty good. John and my dad went out hunting a few times, but didn't see anything that they could shoot. There's an early start to the season up here for bull moose (male) of any size, but unfortunately it seemed like they knew it and they were in hiding. Mom and I got a good chance to read our books, and just relax. We got rained out today, but it was ok because I was dying to come home and have a shower. We have one in the trailer, but if we're just gone for the weekend I usually don't worry about showering until we get home. It's nice to not have to use an outhouse though!

I should get back to cleaning up the house. I want to get as much done in the next few days as I can so that this weekend and next week there isn't much to do. We're starting on our deck next weekend, and then the Thursday after next we're leaving to head to Calgary for John's hockey tournament. Gotta keep up!

Anyways, back at it. Have a good one all!

Hump Day

It is Wednesday, isn't it? I'm so lost. Hump day. 9 more days left at Grimshaw. Yay!

I'm watching the Sopranos right now. Such a lame show. Maybe if I had watched it at the beginning, it wouldn't be so bad. Anyways. I should go and have a shower and get ready for work, but I'm being lazy.

Yesterday our Bowflex Treadclimber showed up. Monday we got the Bowflex. Now I just need to clean the carpets and then we can get everything set up. I was going to paint the room too, but now I'm too lazy. I'd just rather get it set up so we can start using it - that is why we bought it, isn't it?

And I've been so lazy lately. I made up a plan and haven't stuck to a single part of it. It's getting pathetic. I don't know what it's going to take to get my ass in gear anymore. I've asked for help, support, and I'm getting it, but I'm not doing anything with it. I need to start taking the support, because it isn't going to stay around forever. Sigh. I hope that after this weekend I can get on track. I think camping season will be over, so I can start focusing on other things. All we think about is camping. Soon though, it'll be over.

Anyway. I really should get ready for work.

Walking The Track

I had an excellent walk today at our indoor track. It's around 26 degrees Celsius when I leave work, so I can't really go for a walk outside, but thank goodness for the track. They already have the ice in on the two bottom rinks and the oval, so it's nice and cool in there. And at 3, it's very dead in there so you don't have to worry about people blocking your way. So nice! I think I might go back tomorrow after work too!

Conclusions...

So, I've come to a few conclusions - wanna hear about them?

First of all, I've come to the conclusion that though I want my blog to be a crafty kind of blog, it's not going to happen. I love some of the blogs out there that are dedicated to crafts. If I wanted to have more than one blog, that would work. I toyed with the idea a few months back, but I deleted the other, crafts-only blog because I didn't think I could maintain it. I want one blog, but I want it to be about life, so c'est la vie. I guess I will have to deal with it not being a total craft blog, but I hope you'll keep reading anyways.

Second of all, I've come to the conclusion that posting every day is getting to be a nuisance, but I have a goal, and I am going to stick to it. Look out for next year though. Might not be the same thing!

Thirdly, I've come to the conclusion that I may never understand my feelings about my grandmother's death. I think my father is going through the same thing in a totally different way. I'm not sure if I should feel sad, or upset or anything, so I'm just not going to until the mood strikes me. We're talking about going back there next year to see the family (one last time for me). We shall see.

Fourthly, I've come to the conclusion that I HATE ALLERGIES. Why did I get them all of a sudden? I am so stuffed up, and antihistamines only take the edge off. So lame!

And fifthly - I think this will be the last one - I've come to the conclusion that I need to get off of my butt again. I've gained so much weight this summer, and I've barely cared. Now that I know how much I have, I need to get going. I've been doing well food wise today, now it's time to get going with exercise. I have an Oil Wives planning meeting tonight, but hopefully I will be able to convince myself that I need to get out and go for a walk at some point too. I have a change of clothes and my runners and hikers with me, so there shouldn't be an issue, but you know how that goes. With the allergies, I've been so super tired I'm finding it very easy to make the excuses.

So, back to work. Just thought I would share some conclusions with you all while I have them on my mind. Tomorrow, photos of my newest finished project!

Walking In the Sunshine!

Good Morning World!

This morning I took a walk. I figured, you know, I'm not working, the weather is getting better, I should go outside! So, after doing this workout, I headed out of the house and to a local golf course. I was able to capture this image on the first try!

This was taken at the same spot - so beautiful! I'm so so so glad that the snow is all gone. Time to get outside and see this kind of beauty!

A view of the golf course - so nice!

My last photo of the day. This is the hill down to the back part of the trail. I almost didn't go because I was alone and there is a chance of bears down there, but I braved it anyways! It was so nice in there!

While I was walking, I listened to Jillian Michael's Podcasts. You can download them if you have iTunes here. I think that you should download these, even if you're not losing weight. She goes over everything in life, and you can definitely learn a lot. I'm catching up on them today! 

I have another interview today. I'm not sure what happened with yesterday's, so I called the guy back. He said that he wanted whoever he hired to start today, and I didn't hear anything. I thought maybe I should call back and see what happened. I had to leave a message, so we'll see. I want to work so bad! I got into a pretty bad head space yesterday after I didn't hear back on this last job, and was pretty down last night. This morning I woke up refreshed and started my day off right! I've got to stay within that positive headspace!

Now off to shower and get ready for my day! Hope you all have a chance to go out and enjoy it!

Walking with Hubbs

So, John and I went for a walk tonight, and I think I finally got it through to him that he might not think he needs to lose weight, but that he needs to do it to support me. Thank god! So, maybe he'll help me stick to this new diet that I'm trying, and will try to get to the gym more with me. It's only been a year since I really started losing weight!

But, now it's time to turn to hockey. Our Canucks are doing really well! Playoffs are around the corner, and we're looking good. But, in about 3 weeks I'll be so sick of hockey that I'll be complaining about it being on instead of watching it all the time!

Saturday Workouts

I had the most awesome workout today.

But, I can't tell you about it right now. I rubbed my eye and got makeup in it and I can barely see. Ick.

Run! Run! Run!

Today I went to the track, and ran my little heart out. It was pretty awesome. I think I ran more than I ever have. It felt awesome. So awesome! And tomorrow we're joining the gym - me, John and mom. Hopefully that will help all of us out some. We can all use it.

Now, I'm going to watch some TV then head to bed. John's off playing hockey so he's in for a late night. It's so dumb - they start their game at 9:45PM. How stupid.

Anyways, have a gooder.

Rest Days

Ok, I'm so done with rest days. Every single rest day ends up with me eating too much and gaining weight back! Not cool at all! I was down to 191 lbs, but I gained 0.5 lb yesterday. So lame! I feel as though if I don't work out each day, I don't think as much about what I am eating, and then it's just over. So, no more rest days, I think. I'll take the day off of The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout, but instead maybe I'll do a workout DVD. I have 4 of them to choose from, and 2 rest days a week - I should at least be able to stay interested and not get bored.

So, the second of 46 days of Lent. Giving up chocolate and Pop Chips definitely seemed like the right thing to do. But now all I want is chocolate and Pop Chips. Thank goodness Greek yogurt seems like a treat to me. I think I'll be eating a lot more of that. And it's good for you! Yay. But, 45 days left, no chocolate or Pop Chips. Can I do it? I think so!

Now to catch up on "Village on A Diet" - I haven't watched this Monday's episode yet, and there's only 1 episode left! Gotta see how my friends are doing! Kind of funny, because I've seen almost all of the people on the show since, so I know, but it's interesting to see the show! Have a great day all!

Rest Day

I totally thought today was supposed to be my workout rest day! But, um, NOPE! I ate too much today, and I thought, hmm, I should do a workout anyways. So, I logged onto my workout, and sure enough, I had a workout planned for today! Good thing I checked. And it was a good one. I love the boxing style workouts. I think maybe John and I should try the MMA gym in town. Just to see what it's like! I feel like I need to try more things. John and I are thinking of buying gloves and sparring, but maybe we should hit a gym first. Just so we know what we're doing (and so he doesn't knock me out!).

Tomorrow we're going to visit one of my besties in Fairview. So excited. I miss her, and her little guy, Cam, so much. I'll take some photos tomorrow to post. He's so great. So is she! Uh, miss her so much!

Ok, time for a nice warm bath! I think I deserve it after my workout!

Lent

So, I'm thinking of giving up something for Lent. As a non-Catholic, it's never really occurred to me, but it does seem like something that would be quite symbolic of my weight loss journey. I'm thinking chocolate and Pop Chips are on the chopping block. What do you think?

I just read Bob Harper's blog about the last episode of the Biggest Loser. Check it out. He makes some good points about Arthur being kicked off, and why he needed to be there.

Now it's time to start a new Biggest Loser program on my Xbox. I've done basically nothing today, so I should get my ass in gear.

Have a good day all!

Frustration

So, I'm having a frustration day. I'm frustrated with the lack of weight loss that I'm seeing, even if I know it's my own fault. I'm just gaining and gaining, and even though I'm working out, it's not working. I might just be frustrated with myself, but I'm having a really had time motivating myself to do anything about it.

Yesterday I worked out quite a bit - an hour at the track, plus an hour of the Biggest Loser Ultimate workout and Zumba Fitness with my Xbox. But nothing. Just gain. I was really hoping to find my motivation since I'm not working, but I haven't found it yet. Yes, I'm only on day 4 of being officially off, but I don't know how many days off I'm going to have, and I was hoping to take advantage. Just not happening yet.

Mom and I are trying to figure something out, but so far, nothing.

I want to be able to get outside again, and go hiking, and walk the trails, and stuff like that, but it's -26 outside right now, and it's not an option. I want to get out on my snowshoes, but I still can't do that because it's too cold. Yes, that is an excuse, but seriously, there's a windchill warning for being out for more than 5 minutes. That's just impossible. It's supposed to get warmer out this weekend, so I want to take advantage, but I can't keep waiting for the warm weather.

Yesterday I went to the track even though I wasn't planning on leaving the house, which is good, but it's even getting monotonous. For me, it's just like going to the gym. Gets boring after a while. I mean, everything does. But I need to find a way to push through it.

I keep thinking about why I'm doing this. I'm actually pretty comfortable with my body right now, which is unusual. But I think that might be the slump that I'm in. Really, I need to start thinking more about WHY I'm doing this. WHY am I trying to lose weight.

1. To eventually have a baby. I know that you don't have to be skinny to have a baby - lots of overweight people have babies. But I want to be at my healthy weight when I have a baby to give it the best chance I can to be healthy. And, if I'm healthy while pregnant, it should be easier on me.

2. To be healthy. Not just for the reason I just said, but for myself. My family is riddled with health problems (on both sides - diabetes being the biggest on BOTH sides of my family, not just one) and I need to get my weight down to keep some of those things at bay.

3. Self esteem! HUGE! I was so much more confident when my weight was in the 160s. Right now, that's over 30 pounds away. So far. But, I felt so much better about myself. I know weight really doesn't matter to the people who matter, but you know how it is.

So, I know that there may be more reasons to want to get healthy, but these are mine. Now I need to figure out how I'm going to achieve it. I've tried Slim Fast, and had success. But I'm at home now. All the time. Slim Fast is not an option. I know that I should be trying to follow another diet, but the restrictions really get to me. My sister has told me about the Eat Clean Diet, and maybe today I'll stop in to Coles and pick up the book to see what it's like. I just don't know. If anyone out there has any tips for me, please message me! I'm just having a hell of a time. Need some ideas!

And I think support is an issue. John's too busy to really think about supporting me, and I get that, but maybe I need to sit down and have a chat with him about what I need from him. My mom is trying now, but it's hard too. She works a varying schedule, and right now it works for me, but once I'm back to work I'm pretty much on my own again. And that's really hard for me. That just means I need to figure this out on my own, I guess! Sigh.

Ok, time to get my butt in gear. John's expecting lunch (I forgot to make it for him last night so now I have to bring it to him) and I still haven't had a shower! Time to get my ass moving!

Have a good day all! If you have any ideas or inspiration for me, I'd love to hear it!

(PS: I did go to the bookstore today to look for the Eat Clean Diet book, but being as lame as usual, the bookstore did not have it, so I went back to my standby - The Biggest Loser. I bought the 30 Day Jump Start, so I'm going to take a read, figure it out, and make Monday the day everything changes. I'm still going to work out and things at home here and at the track, but I will definitely be changing it up - stay tuned!)

Skating/Snowshoeing Photos

So, tonight John and I went skating tonight. It was pretty funny. And I do mean funny. It's the third time I've been on skates since elementary school. Long ago. I was going pretty well. I did 10 laps (=2.5 miles) which was pretty awesome. I did one lap, rested, one, rested, 2, rested, 3 (and almost bailed pretty hysterically, which is what happens when you have 2 beer for dinner! LOL!) rested, one, then 2 more. Pretty fun. And funny because of the almost epic bail.

Mosnki wanted to see some pictures of snowshoeing. I'll be honest, I didn't get many, and the ones I did weren't too awesome. I took them with my old point&shoot, and they never turn out well. It was fun though!

Looking out on a nice day!

Deer tracks in the snow.

Not our best picture, but it proves we were both there.

The ridiculous hill with 5 feet of snow that we decided to go down first!

Running

OMG. Running today felt so good! I put it all out there, and it was awesome! The last lap I did was so great. So much faster than before! Score one for me.

And, I cooked a kick ass meal tonight. Trying new things. I don't think John enjoyed it too much, but I'm lucky because he'll eat damn near anything.

I don't want to spoil TBL tonight, but OMG. 9 pound gain?!? WTF!!! Ridiculous!

Time to do dishes. Night all!