160's and McDonalds - WHAT?

This week was another one of those ones that started off so well, with me tracking every bite, but then, as the week goes on, something happens and I lose that focus. Don't get me wrong, I don't go all binge on myself or anything, I still try to eat healthy and in moderation (i.e. "no cheese on that please", "can I have that without the mayo?")

But then on Friday night, what with me having the day from hell and felling like I was hit by a dump truck, I decided that I needed a McDonald's McChicken Meal - so I got it.

I ate it, and it was good. But here's the funny part - I couldn't finish it because I was full, so I had to give the remaining fries to my boyfriend. In the olden days I would be able to eat 2 of these meals no problem, and then still be hungry. I have come a long way. With the exception of McDonald's, everything else I ate this week was good

Tonight I weight in, but I gave myself a little sample of what's to come tonight:



It's hard to read from the photo, but it says 168lbs on my home scale.

On the home scale, the 200's are slowly disappearing from the main screen - this is totally awesome!

Now, all I have to do is somehow not stuff my face with halloween candy tonight and the weigh in should yield me in the 160's... I smell a milestone coming...

Physical Exhaustion From Yoga?

On Thursday night I went to yoga with my favourite yoga instructor. I know it sounds a little cheesy, but I really like her because she incorporates some spiritual components into the class.

On Thursday, we were doing all sorts of warrior poses, and she instructed us to step forward, out of warrior with intention.

For some reason, this was incredibly powerful for me. I imagined myself stepping forward into Volume II of my Life - leaving behind the fat Lisa, my old dumpy apartment and a life where I put myself 2nd all the time.

I honestly felt as if this one step signified me leaving my old life and officially stepping into my new one - where I matter, I come first and I DESERVE wonderful things - something I have never thought about myself in the past.

This one step was very powerful for me.

As my friend and I were leaving the class, I immediately felt as if I had been hit by a semi truck - every bit of my body was exhausted!

I woke up on Friday morning and could barely move my body ached.

My theory: I was achy because I have shifted my life entirely. Taking on a new volume in life is obviously exhausting, and my body was recognizing that.

It is now Saturday and I am still a little sore, but more than that, I am excited to begin this new chapter in my life: New Lisa, New Condo, New outlook on life. My life is WONDERFUL.

PS - home scale this morning said 168... Official weigh in tomorrow!

High School Memories and Rising Above Them!

This morning, I got on the bus to go to work at 6:30 am, only to find myself sitting beside a guy I went to school with (back in the 1990's!)

Now, this guy didn't remember me - but I sure remember him.

We were in Career Planning 9, and I had the pleasure of sitting next to him in class, we were mapping out options for different career paths. Note: in grade 9 I probably weighed about 150 lbs, I was very athletic (a swimmer and a runner) and was a bigger build than most of the other girls.

I mentioned that I was considering being a personal trainer.

This guy looked at me and *burst* out laughing and then turned to one of his other friends, whispered to him - letting him know that "the fat chick" wants to be a personal trainer, and then his friend burst out laughing.

There I was, in grade 9 (150 lbs) sitting in my chair, being laughed at for expressing my interest in being a personal trainer when I grow up.

This memory is on my top 10 list of worst weight-related memories from my youth.

I look back now and think to myself, 1.) this guy was a total douche and 2.) boys will be boys.

I debated saying something to him on the bus, but then came to the decision that I would rather leave the past in the past. I am better than that, I rise above.

But still, guys can be such douche bags sometimes - you know?

On the plus side, I look amazing today.

Have I mentioned that I have lost 60 lbs since March?

Well, I can now wear a button dress shirt, and I look incredible in it!

Cheers to rising above the douche bags of the world and looking great:

Super Excited!

This morning, while eating my greek yogurt parfait and a green tea for breakfast, I logged into my blog account only to find that I have OVER 100 FOLLOWERS!

This seriously excites me:



Never in a million years did I think I would be a successful blogger!

This blog has been INSTRUMENTAL in my weight loss journey. It really is (and you - the audience) the only thing that keeps me accountable and truthful through this whole process.

I think project "Rescuing Lisa" has been incredibly successful so far.

Although technically I still have 40 lbs to lose before New Years, I am already happy, and that really was the primary goal of this whole thing - to find happiness in my own skin.

Do not fret my wonderful bloggies, I am not giving up. I will make it to 130 lbs, come hell or high water (that's the saying - right?)

THANK YOU!

Attack of the Late Night Snack!

Last night was a total FAIL.

I did manage to get to yoga, but after I came home I dove right in to the Cheese Snak box and didn't look back.

21 points worth of cheese snack indulgence, I finally came up to breath only to realize what I have done to myself.

So much for starting the week off well.

The good news behind all of this - I tracked it all. I will no longer let myself get away with this. I hate being in the low 170's - I truly am too comfortable here and it scares me. I don't want my old eating habits to sneak back up on me - I want them to stay in the past where they belong.

What in the world can I do to convince myself that I need to keep going, to take this seriously (as seriously as I took it when I was 233 lbs)?

I feel fat Lisa coming back - and she's hungry and angry!

Something About the 70's

I spent a few minutes this morning reviewing my history. I noticed a pattern.

A few years ago I lost about 40 lbs - namely by not changing my eating pattern and doing a stupid amount of exercising. This lasted about 4 months and I went from 220 lbs to just under 180 lbs.

I hit the 170's and then - I gave up.

Looking though my weigh-in history, I see that I have been in the 170's since the beginning of August! Either my body likes the 170's or there is something mental at work here - some sort of comfort level I reach when I hit the 170's.

I'm convinced that the 170's is a comfort thing for me. I don't feel too fat here, but I also don't feel too skinny.

BOTTOM LINE: the 170's are no longer an acceptable end point for me - I MUST push through this and get into the 160's. This is no longer optional for me - it's a must-do!

Here I am giving the 170's my "you stink and I hate you" face:



As of today, I am back to tracking and will be back to doing some form of activity every day.

I CANNOT GET LAZY with this here and now. I got lazy once before at this weight - and then ballooned out to 233 lbs. That can never happen again.

I have got to stay focused here.

Back to the Track!

I am back to tracking!

I woke up this morning saddened that I had gained 2 lbs this week at weigh in and am determined to reach that 160's goal I have by Halloween!

So, time to get back to the basics: TRACKING!

Just like the good old days when the weight was falling off me - i'm back to drinking a Yop for breakfast:



And a frozen entree for lunch:



And the best part about all of this - I am tracking every. single. bite.

Now, I just need to stay on plan and continue tracking all week - this will not only make me feel better - but will help me get into the 160's!

Tonight I will be at Yoga, and may even make a pit-stop at the gym to do a quick 30 minute sweat session with the elliptical.

Nose Cup Anyone?

Ahh, moving weekend is now coming to an end.

The last time I moved, it was 5 years ago, and I admit, I completely forgot how crazy moving can be.

Don't get me wrong, moving is really hard work and I was sore for days! But moving is also fun. Everyone was so tired today (including myself), but with the right toys, it can brighten up an otherwise long and boring experience.

Take: nose cups (paper cups with pictures of noses on them):



These cups are so silly, but super fun. It got a good laugh.

Finally headed back to the gym tonight, only to do 40 minutes on the elliptical mind you - but still, the fact that I returned was a non-scale victory for me.

I'll get my groove back, eventually!

Sadly, I weighed myself tonight, a disappointing 173 stared back at me. Damn 173 - I can't seem to shake that number!

A Ten Pound Scare

Here I am - 3 days into moving and let me tell you. It. Is. Exhausting!

My entire body aches and I am soooo very tired.

This morning, I was curious how I was doing weight wise (since I have not been to the gym, yoga or to the pool in almost a week) AND I have not been tracking my food - but have been trying to eat well and in moderation.

So I jumped on the scale this morning and it said 180!!!!

I nearly had a heart attack.

I was grumpy all day, going over the week in my head and wondering - how in the hell did I put on 10 pounds in a few days!

Sure enough, after dinner, my boyfriend comes out of the bathroom and tells me that the scale is at 10 lbs to start - it must have gotten bumped in the move.

THANK GAWD I didnt put any poundage on - according to my newly adjusted and balanced scale - I am still at 170.

PHEW!

Sore From Head to Toe

Got the keys to the new place yesterday at noon and worked unil 11pm moving.

I should note that my current place does not have an elevator and I am on the second floor, so I was walking up and down and up and down for HOURS!

At the end of the day, I was too tired to go to yoga, so was feeling pretty guitly. But this morning I woke up sore all over and am now convinced that I got a good workout yesterday just from moving WHOOO HOOO!

I managed to stay on plan with the eating component as well too - a subway sandwich for lunch, and then sushi for dinner. I will admint that I had 2 sushi rolls and a miso soup for dinner, but I really think my body need the energy (I needed more than just one roll).

Here we are now - day 2 of moving day - I am ready for those stairs and ready to get my sweat on!

MOVING DAY

Today is moving day.

I am so excited I almost feel like I am going to throw up!

I get the keys at noon, so will be working my arse off to make sure everything gets transferred to the new place.

I realized yesterday that I need a plan of attack for my eating during this stressful next couple days. So, here's what I have come up with:

(note, I am not a big plan of "pre-planning" my meals, so this was interesting for me)

I plan to have sushi for dinner (only 1 Alaska Roll) and will be drinking water all day. I had yogurt for breakfast and will be having a 6-inch turkey sub from subway for lunch. That's al, nothing more and nothing less.

I really and truly do hate pre-planning what I am going to eat. It makes me feel very restricted. I prefer to keep an ongoing food tally during the day and if I feel like eating something I just calculate in my head if I have room in my points allowance to eat it.

Alas, this will not do during the move.

Here I go folks, wish me luck!

Anxiousness = Bad Eats

I have been really anxious - like real anxious these last couple days.

I move tomorrow and literally cannot wait to get into my new place!

As a result I have been fighting the temptation to eat and eat and eat.

Mostly my efforts have been successful, but I caved last night and ate a chicken burger with mayo AND bacon.

Tomorrow I am going to be back on plan with only healthy eats and I am pretty sure that the move will keep me active - I just need to stay hydrated!

It is times like these where we are put to the test.

Rest assured - I will come out a winner!

What do you do to fight the anxious food cravings when life gets super busy?

STILL FAT!

Today, While I did my two hour yoga class, all us yogis were lined up in front of the teacher and as we were standing there, I couldnt help but notice my reflection in the mirror compared to the other yogis.

Guess What people - I am STILL FAT!

Urgh. Honestly and truly, I do not FEEL like I am fat anymore, but in reality - I AM! I am still very much obese. According to all the charts,I wont be at a healthy weight until I reach 140 lbs - so I still have a long way to go.

I have got to get out of this plateau and start losing again. I want so badly to see the 160s - lets hope they will be there next week.

The Lisa Chronicles: Volume II

Wow - my life is on fire right now - things are coming up - such as the big move. If you remember I bought a condo (my very first) this summer and I am moving in on Thursday.

I am ubber excited, but it seems as though all other areas of my life are flourishing at the same time!

My work has taken off and I am incredibly busy - I'm finding it difficult to complete everything I do within the working day things just keep happening!

Here I am now - drowning in paperwork!



School is taking off too - i've been working on some papers to try to get into a conference in Spain in the Spring.

My relationship with my boyfriend is excellent as well as he has nearly battled all his inner demons. We are back to being 'in love' - which is always a wonderful thing.

AND - with all this goodness going on around me, I am still making time for myself. Just last night I managed to get 1 full hour in on the elliptical at the gym. It felt good to get my sweat on - I don't go to the gym nearly as much as I used to and in many ways I kind of miss it.

I'm 25 years old and I really feel like I am closing the first 1/4 century of my life and moving on to bigger and better things: being a homeowner, a grad student, having a great job and, most importantly: MY HEALTH!

Well folks, just want to pop in and tell you all that I'm still givin 'er 100% even though life is seriously unfolding for me. Got two hours of yoga planned for this evening... I can hardly wait!

Back to the grind and onto Volume II of the Lisa Chronicles...

Take-Out Hangover

*YUCK* This morning I woke up to find that I had a take-out hangover.

I have learned my lesson - Pad Thai is a once per year type of meal, even if it is delicious!

Weigh in is tonight - Lets hope the scale says 160 - something. Although after my pad thai encounter last night, I should be hoping not to gain.

Off to go shopping again today, in my new they-fit-me-like-a-glove jeans.

Love it!

Can You Say Take Out

Wow, today was not my best.

I started the day off well - with a yoga class, but then followed it with a foot long turkey sub from Subway.

I shopped pretty much all day, and came accross a new pair of jeans (at the Gap) of which, the size 12 pair fit me like a glove - like really - I was not spilling out of those puppies anywhere! First time in a long time I tried on a size 12 and debated going DOWN a size. Incredible!

Then, after a long day of shopping, I ended it with a nice big plate of Pad Thai. Now I am sitting here in pain. I now remember why I dont eat enormous piles of noodles.

*sigh* So close to having a perfect day. Off to bed so I can get some serious cardio in tomorrow!

Skipping Lunch

Busy work days suck - everybody knows that.

And today, for me, I just kept going and going and going - there was WAY more work than I was able to complete.

As a result of my busy day, equipped with deadlines, I was unable to stop for lunch.

I think making someone work through lunch should be illegal in this country - fueling up is an essential part of life afterall! Granted, had I brought my own lunch I would have been able to eat at my desk - and I did, but it was a bean salad and after the first bite - I decided I was too good to eat something as gross as the bean salad.

So here I am now, it's 5pm (dinner time) and I still haven't had lunch - so I go down tot he cafeteria (starving) and the only shop open is Pizza Pizza.

Again, I am too important to fuel myself up with crap like Pizza Pizza.

So I take a detour to the deli down the street and pick up this turkey sandwich on whole wheat and then make my way over to the chinese food store and get some veggies (no rice or noodles).



nom nom nom!



Rest assured that I am aware this is a pretty big portion for one meal - but overall, for being STARVING, I think I did pretty good choice-wise

On a lighter note - despite being a busy bee all day - I have to say that today was a skinny-feeling day - I felt super skinny today (you know - like a super model!). It felt good. I bet if I were to jump on the scale right now - I would be in the 160's!

Let's hope that I am in the 160's by Sunday night!

Now, time to inhale my sammich and get my butt home!

Taking a Stand Against Laziness

Guess what - Laziness DOES lead to an unhealthy lifestyle!

And I'm taking a stand against it!



Prior to me taking up this new lifestyle back in March, I had to rid myself of any and all my lazy thoughts.

For example, yesterday, I squeezed in a 1 hour swimming session at the pool before dinner. You know what the old Lisa would have thought? She would have thought, "well, if I go swimming, then I'll have to shower afterwards and blow dry my hair... it's just such a big production."

Guess what people! I am WORTH a BIG PRODUCTION.

Laziness is an excuse to not love yourself. I have since learned that I DESERVE to spend time on myself.

So please, next time you are dragging your feet, remember that you are SO WORTH spending that hour at the gym, or in the pool, or that fitness class. In this life, the most important relationship you have is with yourself - thus, put yourself first! Accept nothing less than the best for yourself!

Thank YOU Thanksgiving

Get ready for this:

I did not get a chance to weigh myself on Monday (weigh in day) due to being on holidays and visiting the family.

I went for a swim tonight (now that I am back at home). The scale says I weigh 171!

It is about frickin time that scale budged, but whats weird is that it budged over thanksgiving (extra) long weekend. How fricken awesome is that. I have been at 173 for over a month - and as soon as I inhale a good amount of turkey (and a small piece of cake) - I loose!

I guess I am more in control than I give myself credit for.

Lovin it!

A Very Controlled Thanksgiving

I came up the interior to visit my family for the Thanksgiving long weekend, and I have to say, my food choices have been excellent - but the portion sizes - errr not so much.

The day I got here, there was a 10k marathon in the community, and I found myself to be incredibly jealous of all those walking around town post-race with their race numbers pinned to their shirts.

I want to be a runner! I want to pin a number to my shirt and prove to myself that I can compete in a race! Watching everyone else has really fueled my fire to run, and when I wake up tomorrow morning, that is exactly what I will be doing. I can't wait!

ALSO! My mom, who is super fantastic was so proud of me that she bought me a brand new TYR race bathing suit. I will no longer look like a blue bubbly fool in the pool! It's just plain black and it's awesome - I can't wait to get home on Wednesday and give it a test swim.

Lastly, my little sister has decided that she is going to go vegan. I think it's awesome. She got the "Kind Diet" book and I was flipping through it - it looks awesome. Maybe something I can do down the road. We made a vegan cheesecake and wow, it was soooo delicious! Made of tofu and non-dairy cream cheese. I would totally make it again!

Even thanksgiving dinner was well done on my part. A little bit of everything and only one helping - very controlled if you ask me.

Now I just need to pray for a loss on the scale when I go to the gym tomorrow. I'll be taking my mom to the gym as she wants to get into it and lose some weight herself. Therefore, I'm letting her tag along.

I haven't had the chance to do too much activity since I got here, but today I did manage to squeeze in a 2.5 hour walk with my sister.

I have to say, I am so thankful for having a wonderful family - they truly are the best! I couldn't be luckier!

Here's hoping the scale will be kind to me tomorrow!

Paying For My Sins

Yesterday, I gorged - more than I have since February.

It all started innocently enough - with a trip down to the states to stock up on some of my favourite Trader Joe items, but then, I got home and could not stop snacking.

I ate so much "snack foods" such as popchips, babybel cheeses, yogurts, etc, that I felt sick when I put my head on my pillow to sleep last night.

All in all, yesterday was a horrible eating day.

So today, I have vowed to make up for my wrongdoings.

Starting with, a yoga DVD. Since I started back into yoga a couple months ago, I really wanted to find a DVD that I could do at home that I really liked. Well, I can stop searching now, I have found the *perfect* yoga DVD, it's power yoga with Eoin Finn (a fellow Vancouverite):



Not only is his instruction clear and calm, it's encouraging and peaceful.

Additionally, he incorporates modifications into the practice, so I don't have to worry about breaking my neck.

I love it!

You can expect me to be raving about yoga a lot more on this blog, since i'll be doing it at home a lot more.

I was hoping to go for a long walk today to clock in some cardio hours, but mother nature is not letting me - it's raining and windy, and all in all, just not good walking weather here on Canada's westcoast.

Thus, I will be heading to the pool in a couple hours to get my swim on and clock some swimming hours.

Happy Saturday everyone!

Shoulder Stands

I did it, I did it, I did it!

Today in yoga I was finally able to do a shoulder stand. The instructor payed special attention to me, because last week I approached her after class and told her that I want to learn to do a shoulder stand. And tonight... I did it and it was amazing.

I was looking at my lower body, folding over my upper body, and my form was almost that of a dancer.

It was incredible.

I am looking forward to many more of these moments in yoga in the coming months... you know... those moments where never in a million years do you think you can do something - and then... one day, you just do it, and surprise yourself with how well you do it. This is just fueling my motivation to attempt more things I never thought I could do!

Awesome!

STOP. Pool Time!

I went swimming agin tonight! Yippie! And I even got a pair of goggles so my eyes didn't sting.

I have been a "swimmer" for as long as I can remember - swim clubs, racing, lifeguarding - these were all a critical part of my childhood and young adulthood. Needless to say - the pool is a very comfortable place for me. It both reminds me of my youth and feels like a home away from home. Swimming is very much like riding a bike - as soon as you plop your arse in the pool, it all comes rushing back to you - like second nature.

While I was doing laps, I couldn't help but notice in a few lanes over - the swim club was practicing for their upcoming swim meet. Man oh man are those kids ever fast! It got me to thinking - was I ever that fast of a swimmer? If so, could I ever get my speed up again?

So tonight, I did 1.25 hours in the gym on the elliptical and 30 minutes in the pool (it would have been longer if some chatty Cathy guy didn't feel like I should know his life story).

I like that I am now a "fitness fanatic" - it's a title that I am comfortable with and that I am proud to wear and endorse. Fast forward to 6 months in the future and I may even start looking like a fitness fanatic!

What the Heck?

What is with me!

I just don't have the same motivation and determination I used to have when I started this Healthy Living Journey back in March!

Last night, I went for a 1 hour walk - that's it! AND I went crazy on a bag of cee cha puffs, followed by a bag of popcorn!

I promised myself that I would work out the entire time the Biggest Loser was on - and I let myself down.

I am not a fan of disappointment - especially when it is ME that is disappointing MYSELF!

I've GOT to stop this! I want so badly to break out of the 170's, but it appears as though I don't want to do the work. Well, enough is enough! I have had it with myself!

Come hell or high water I will stick to my eating plan for the rest of the week and will get as much activity in as a person possibly can!

Here we go bloggies, I'm re-committing to eating well as of right now!

Bad Moon Rising

Oh how the tables have turned.

Last Monday, I blogged about how a David Beckham look-a-like was seated in front of me at yoga - I titled it "Yoga Bliss".

Tonight, David took my spot in the back corner, so I was forced to put my mat down in front of him.

This is what David Beckham got to look at during the class: My fat arse:



It certainly ain't no Victoria Beckham skinny arse!

We must have done downward dog about a million times, and each time, all I could think about was the view David got in the back row.

On the upside, today I was successful in executing upward dog.

Still though, next Monday, I must get there super early to make sure that I get that back row spot.

A Whole Row Of Cookies...

That's right - I ate a whole row of cookies all to myself today. All the more reason why cookies should never enter through my front door!

Managed to get a 1 hour walk and a 1 hour cardio workout tonight at the gym - excellent!

My upper back, arms and calves are KILLING me from the swim I did on Friday - hopefully 2 hours of yoga tomorrow will help my muscles out a bit.

Is it just me, or did this weekend go by WAY to fast?

Do YOU Have Happy Hips?

Yesterday I purchased this Yoga DVD - made in my hometown of Vancouver, BC:



Holy smokes was it ever hard - reality check for me: I am not that great at Yoga!

Needless to say, I had to dumb it down a few notches for many of the poses. I've got a long way to go in the practice of yoga before I can consider myself a real yogi.

After an hour of this practice I can feel my hips are a lot happier than they were 1 hour ago. How are your hips? Are they happy?

What Do You Call a Fish with No Eyes?

Fsssshhhhhhh....

Actually, you call it LISA!

Holy smokes people, I went swimming for the first time in 5 years tonight! And it. felt. great!

I just did laps (106 of them!), but wowza, was it ever fun! I felt like I was 16 again!

At first I started off rather slow (in the slow lane) but then I found my pace and kept it FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF!

As I was swimming, I was thinking to myself - wow - this is so easy, as I alternated between back stoke and heads up breast stroke (note to self: must get goggles - my eyes are killing me!).

Then, I got out of the pool and thought I was going to fall over - my upper back and arms are KILLING ME! I'm dreading what it's going to feel like tomorrow morning!

Funny, at the hour and a half mark, I was debating to myself weather I should keep going and make it 2 hours - thank gawd I decided to quit when I did!

So far October is shaping up to be pretty good!