2011 Goals

Ok, so 2010 was an excellent year for me. Here's what I want to accomplish in 2011:

1.) Run a 5K
2.) Run a 10K
3.) Participate in a Yogathon
4.) See one of the seven wonders of the world
5.) Visit three countries other than Canada
6.) Get to goal weight of 130 lbs
7.) Pay off credit card debt
8.) Be able to do the splits
9.) Learn to meditate
10.) Be able to do a headstand

November: A Recap

November was more or less a big ol' blur - pretty inactive and pretty slow weight-loss wise (I guess those two go hand-in-hand).

I lost a total of 4 lbs this month - which isn't too shabby, but probably could have been better had I followed my monthly goal of tracking, tracking and more tracking. Let's check out how well I did on my goal:

November 2010

1.) Get to 163 lbs (Currently at 167)

2.) Stay within my daily points allowance (25) EVERY DAY!
Nov 1: 27.5 points (2 APs Earned)
Nov 2: 28 points
Nov 3: 29 points (4 APs Earned)
Nov 4: 29 points (2 APs Earned)
Nov 5: 39 points (Girls Night Out)
Nov 6: 30 points
Nov 7: 39 points (4 APs Earned)
Nov 8: 36 points (4 APs Earned)
Nov 9: 41.5 points
Nov 10: 28.5 points
Nov 11: 36 points
Nov 12: 49.5 points (2 APs Earned)
Nov 13: Untracked due to binge!
Nov 14: 29 points (6 APs Earned)
Nov 15: 31 points (2 Aps Earned)
Nov 16: 45 points
Nov 17: 85 points
Nov 18: 33.5 points (2 APs Earned)
Nov 19: 49.5 points
Nov 20: 40 points (4 APs Earned)
Nov 21: Untracked (1 AP Earned)
Nov 22: 38 points (2 APs Earned)
Nov 23: 48.5 points
Nov 24: 40.5 points
Nov 25: 55.5 points (2 APs Earned)
Nov 26: Untracked
Nov 27: Untracked (2 APs Earned)
Nov 28: Untracked (3 APs Earned)
Nov 29: Untracked (2 APs Earned)
Nov 30: Untracked

Reward for completing all tasks: Pedicure
_________________________________________________

Well, as you can see, I won't be getting a pedicure this month! I really do need to be a better tracker. I may be doing OK eating wise - but that does not mean that I cannot track what goes in.

I have also been having troubles getting to the gym to get some cardio in. A lot of this is just laziness on my part - and I have to smarten' up.

December's monthly goals are going to be great and I WILL accomplish them! I must - I only have 1 month left of my "rescuing lisa" project and I still have 34 lbs to lose. I know I won't get to my goal - but hey - I am no quitter. I'm going to give it everything I got to get as close to 130 as possible.

One thing that has become quite apparent this month though - it the amount of repairing I am going to have to do on my inside - I've done a pretty good job at casting myself out - putting myself down on the inside (although you would never know it based on how I act) - but inner Lisa is pretty battered and bruised. I am going to have to start the inner repairs soon if I want the weight to not only keep losing - but to maintain that loss too.

It's so weird - I never thought I was bruised and battered on the inside - but turns out, there is all sorts of hurt in there that needs to be addressed. And with less weight to hide behind now, I have got to confront it and deal with it.

We all over-eat for a reason: well I have learned why I do this to myself - it's to punish myself and to hide from things I have been bottling and keeping in for so long. I didn't expect to find this on the inside when I started losing weight. But now it's here and there's nothing left to do but deal!

Mondays

Gawd I hate them.

I haven't completely left my funk that's been hanging around me.

I've seriously got to figure things out - and by "figure things out" I mean that I've got to make some changes in my life.

Tomorrow is the last day of November - meaning I have a mere 1 month to rearrange my plan and set myself up for success in 2011.

It's OK to Switch it Up!

I have got a super busy day planned for today.

So what did I do first thing this morning after I woke up? I got my arse to the gym! Hooray - finally! However, I do wish I had had breakfast before going! I felt a little light headed after 20 minutes on the elliptical - so then went over and did a walk on the treadmill for 45 minutes.

I did a lot of thinking while I was walking - namely that my fitness regime has evolved. I used to go to the gym everyday and giv'er hard on the cardio. And as a result, I have lost 66 lbs. But, I am a new person now - I am smaller and fitter. I have evolved - so why can't my fitness regime do the same? Well, It can - and I am going to embrace it.

So, from here on out I am going to do yoga 3 times a week, go to the gym for cardio twice, and swim once/ week. This, my fellow bloggies will be my fitness regime until the lights go out on 2010.

I think the biggest thing I learned today (or realized) is that it is OK to change it up. I am just so scared that I will put the weight back on if I stop going to the gym everyday and working myself like a dog on the elliptical. Well - that is not the case - especially considering for the past few months, I haven't even been doing that and have still been losing weight.

I also thought a lot about my life in general, but I will save that for another post.

So, It is OK to change up my fitness regime, but, it isn't OK to go to the gym without eating breakfast.

I am fueling up now, and then am heading out to enjoy my busy day:



Oh, and PS -I lost another 2 lbs this week - 66 lbs lost! Incredible!

Love being at 167 right now - and will love it even more when I am in the 150's!

Food Inventions

Today I did a turn around. I didn't over-eat - but I also didn't track.

Actually, I am quite proud of myself today - I made a very healthy and delicious dinner that I made up.

First, I took all my favourite veggies and fried them up in my wok then mixed them with some brown rice and a can of broccoli and cheese soup:



And then I took some cabbage leaves:



And then put all the stuff in the leaves like a little healthy taco:



I was pretty impressed: it tasted pretty good, made a lot so there are lots of leftovers and was really, really filling.

*pats self on back*

ADDITIONALLY, I went for a 1 hour walk today and weighed myself: still at 169 lbs.

Going to hope it goes down for the weigh in tomorrow.

A Letter to My Body...

Dear Body,

I am so very sorry for putting so much carp into you over the last few days. I know that you dont like cake - especially when I have it as a meal for dinner. Its not right.

I have completely failed to get my heart rate up with some cardio activity over the last few weeks, I know this is why you have been acting all sluggish. For that I vow to you to get my heart rate up on both Saturday and Sunday. I know yoga, as great is it is - is not enough - you need and deserve more than that.

So be prepared, I am going to get you moving again and will start putting grade A fuel into you so that you can help me feel optimal again.

If I do all this, will you promise that the next time I step on that scale you wont punish me with a gain - pretty please with a cherry on top.

Love,

Lisa

Give Away Winner!

If you've been absent around these parts - you missed a whole lot!

Last week I hosted my very first ever give-away and it was great - today I picked a random winner from a hat and that winner is lucky number 19:



Debbie from Suburb Sanity! said:



Congrats Debbie - I am happy to connect you with your $40 gift for CSN and will be sending you an email.

Now - for an update:

As you know from my last few blog posts - I have been a little down in the dumps celebrating a pity party for myself.

Well, I can officially say that I am back to my old self: happy!

First off - reading all your comments, telling us all why you are awesome really helped - served as a great reminder that I, like you all, am awesome.

Secondly, this morning on the way to work on the bus, one of the older ladies who is always on my bus told off this young punk girl who is always rude to everyone and wears a backpack that hits everyone in the face as she strolls the isles looking for a place to sit on the bus - everyday!

This punk girl has been bothering me for weeks because I hate rude and inconsiderate people.

When the old lady told her off today, it made be really happy - and then I realized - I shouldn't let others bring me down because everyone gets what's coming to them. The reason I have been so down is because of the people around me - negative comments from friends and family, coworkers, teachers. I have felt like a punching bag for others - and was just tired of being beat on. But after this little act this morning, I realized that I shouldn't be wallowing in others comments and actions. Those who are mean and say hurtful things will get what is coming for them.

So, thank you old lady on the bus this morning - you really made my day and got me out of a funk.

Just Too Darn Cold Out!

As a Vancouverite, I am not good with the cold and the snow. I live in Vancouver because I can hack the rain - and that is about it!

Thus, I am using the cold weather as an excuse not to go to the gym. I am regretting this decision already - but seriously people - it is cold outside.

I got off the bus to walk the remaining 8 blocks home and I could not stand how cold it was outside - so I ran. I must have looked so weird running in my high heeled boots and work attire (with big wool coat). But I did it - I ran the whole way home because it is so frickin cold out there. And not just a light jog either - I bolted down those streets like it was a life or death situation.

When I got home I ate 4 chicken strips (the frozen kind that you bake in the oven). Big mistake - turns out that 4 chicken strips are 16 points! WTF! It is a good thing that I ate real lightly today - I had 6 points of yogurt this morning with 4 cups of tea and a 4 point frozen dinner for lunch. I also plan to have a few chee cha puffs later tonight.

So, it will be a night in - I have sent the boyfriend out to fetch me some broccoli, mushrooms and peppers so that I can make myself a rice-less stir fry to eat while watching the biggest loser.

On the emotional side - today I am still feeling very carp-tastic. Still in my slump and there is no indication of me coming out. BUT, on the plus side - I am not turning to food. I am keeping things under control (minus those darn chicken strips). I can now officially say that the idea that food will cure my funk no longer rests in my head. I KNOW now that food, will just make me fatter and add to my misery.

In other words, FOOD is NOT the ANSWER.

Giveaway - Tomorrow!

Hi All -

Don't forget to leave a comment on this post to enter my CSN Give-away! I'll pick the winner tomorrow!

So You Had a Bad Day? Try - BAD WEEK!

Not much has changed since my last post - except that I've been feeling really down in the dumps lately.

I've received a few comments from friends and others that have just plain put me down. And when I get down, I am really good at wallowing in my pity. I estimate that I will need a few more days of this pity party before I get back to my self-loving self.

In the past - during these tough times, I would certainly have turned to food for comfort. These days, although I have not been tracking, I am still on plan, eating only things I know are OK to eat and avoiding overeating at all costs.

I just need to push through this dark little place I am in right now - there is light on the other side...

As a result of this (and yoga last night) - I did not weigh in last night *sigh* but will be weighing in tonight. I am not expecting a gain or a loss (although am hoping for a loss).

Feeling Off

Folks, I am feeling lost.

Tomorrow is my weigh in.

For me, this whole journey is about much more than losing weight - it is about gaining control and taking back my life.

Today started off well - I went to see the Harry Potter matinee this afternoon with a bag of snow peas, some chee cha puffs and a couple mandrin oranges. But I didn't track. Why? because I woke up this morning only to find that I was 85 points over my weekly allowance for Weight Watchers. And my attitude towards this: why bother?

Everything sort of snowballed today, after getting a 3/5 on my latest school assignment - it kicked me into an "I don't give a rat's a$$" mode. Not good. As a result of my pissy attitude, I didn't go to the gym, I ate OK (but didn't track) and have been just plain down on myself.

See, I have been thinking a lot about the bigger picture - you know - what life will be like when I am at 130 lbs, when I have my Masters degree, when I hit 30...

I want more than to just acquire this stuff in life - I want more - something significant - but what what does this "more" entail?

Maybe all that green tea I have been drinking has gotten into my head, maybe it was Harry Potter, or maybe I am just having a bad day and tomorrow all this pissy-ness will go away and I will wake up and be content. *sigh*

Let's hope that I just need a good nights sleep.

On With the Show: Yoga Style

The day is progressing nicely (despite it's rocky start).

I did yoga for a full hour in my living room (seeing as I am snowed in!) and I have been drinking a awful lot of green tea today - seriously, it's been cup after cup, after cup...

Yoga was good - earned me another 2 activity points. Thought I would show you all a few of my favourite yoga poses (this is the best part of doing yoga in your living room - you can just do all your favourite poses and skip all the ones that do nothing for you!).

Here I am in Downward dog:



And in Upward dog:



And Triangle:



And Warrior:



As you have probably noticed, I love yoga, and I love my yogi tea:



After a a nice yoga break, I enjoyed a spanakopita.



Can you tell I am bored today? Well, I am off for another walk - then tonight I'll be watching Harry Potter!

What do y'all do on a snowy winter day?

Not Going to Let it Slow Me Down!

The weekend isn't off to the greatest of starts!

It snowed last night, a lot. So much so that I cannot get my car out of the underground (FYI - Vancouver (and it's resident's) cannot handle snow).

I woke up this morning snowed in. The community centre - where my friend and I were planning to go to a yoga class this morning) is about a hour walk from my house.

My friend calls me this morning at 9:30am (class starts at 10) and tells me that she is running late and needs to meet me at the community centre. I tell her, that I I will try my best to meet her there.

So, I put on all my snow gear, grab my mat and I hit the snow running. Except that I cannot run without slipping on the ice.

I get about 80% of the way there, only to look at my clock and see that I am already late - it's 10am - the class has already begun. I have no chance of getting there.

So, I turn around and start to walk home. I was so pissed that I missed the yoga class - you can't even imagine.

I stopped at the deli and picked up a green tea and some stuff to make a sandwich for lunch. Take a look at what my yogi tea message said:



(Note: Doubt conquering in progress).

All in all, I didn't get to the yoga class, but I did get a nice 45 minute walk in.

I'm not going to let this slow me down though. I am going to do a yoga video at home today and then later I will hit the snow again and do another long walk like I did last weekend (in hopes that I will see another loss on the scales again on Monday).

But before I do all this activity, I got to fuel up with an 11 point meat sammich:



Rye bread = fibre!

This should tie me over until dinner. Yum!

Numbers on the Scale

Every since I began this journey to health - I have been very conscious about my weight. Like, really conscious people.

I weigh myself every day, sometimes twice or three times a day. A lot of people think this is bad: that you should just weigh yourself once/week and take it.

Me: not so much. My weight is an issue - a really big issue. The way I see it, the number on the scale has controlled my life for far too long, and back in March, I decided that I was going to grab the reins and be the one controlling the scale.

The only way I know how to do this is by staying on top of it and watching it like a hawk - this means weighing myself everyday.

So, like I mention, I've been watching, watching it hover around the 170-169 mark these last few days - wanting it so badly to GO DOWN. I can now see the "140" mark on the scale (it's one of those old fashioned scales, aka "non-digital") and I have got to say - seeing that I am in reach of the 140 mark is AMAZING! I was thrilled when I could no longer see 233 on the scale - heck - at this point, I can no longer see the 200's.

At yoga last night, I was given the card of "perception" to think about throughout my practice. I thought a lot about the things we give value to - and in my case, it would certainly be that number on the scale. It made me think about why I place so much importance on that number. The answer: because that number is reality. I would be fooling myself if I said that gaining a pound or two meant nothing - because it means that I gained a pound of two. The scale is a symbol of me taking control - standing up for myself - taking care of myself - giving myself what I deserve. In the past, I have been excellent at putting myself on the back burner - and I want that expertise anymore, I want to become the expert on taking care of myself, and being the healthiest person I can be.

When I started this - I never in a million years thought that I would find this at the core of my eating and unhealthy issues. I always thought that I was putting myself first - HA! The secret to all this (for me at least) has been to learn to care about me and love myself.

Who would'a thunk it?

Good Golly Miss Molly!

Wow - yesterday was the WORST eating day I have had this month.

It all started well - with my usual yogurt for breakfast, some tea, and apple, banana....

Yesterday was my Boyfriends birthday, and we were planning to go to Boston Pizza for dinner, but then at the last minute, changed our minds and went to Montana's (the outback steak-house).

Well, it was Rib Wednesday (all you can eat ribs) - and I fell into the trap.

85 points I consumed yesterday - 85!!!!!



I can't believe I let myself do that to myself - the ribs were one thing ( I even got a house salad on the side instead of fries), so the ribs alone were 31 points (more than my daily allowance).

But then after dinner - that's when I went down hill.

I was so full, but just kept eating and eating and snacking and snacking. I was so full that I felt uncomfortable. And then as I jumped into bed to go to sleep last night, I thought to myself - I remember this feeling of uncomfortably full (I used to be the queen of it!). And I don't want to feel that way again.

So, lesson learned - my old ways do NOT feel good. From here on out, I want to go to bed feeling normal - that is: having had a nutritious and filling dinner and that is it!

The good news is that it is only Wednesday, My weigh in is not until Monday. I have time to recover. My plan of recovery: to eat like an angel until weigh-in day. The last thing I want is to fall back into the 170's.

Get Excited! It's A GIVEAWAY!!!!

In celebration of me hitting the 160's (can I get a whoop whoop?) I am hosting my very first Blog Give-Away!



(This totally deserves a thumbs up!)

I know what you're thinking - it's just in time, cuz Christmas is around the corner and I haven't gotten anything for anyone yet!

CSN is comprised of over 200 online stores, where you can find everything from a counter stool for your kitchen to a new pair of shoes! CSN's promo team contacted me and said they wanted one of my followers to win a $40 gift card to the online store.

Seriously folks, there is so many different things you can buy here, so why not enter to win!

How do you enter?

All you have to do is be a follower of my blog and leave a comment to this post telling me why YOU are AWESOME. I will randomly draw a winner in 1 week (Wednesday, November 24th) and will announce that winner in my Wednesday post!

And a quick note about shipping - CSN only ships to the US and Canada, so if you live beyond North America, International Shipping charges will apply.

Love Thyself and Hello 160s! What Up!

I have said it before and I will say it again:

The journey to health and happiness is rooted in a love for yourself.

It is NOT selfish to love yourself - think that you are awesome, or even if you are your own role model.

This is why I say that you must always put yourself first (or even consider yourself worthy) - because YOU ARE AWESOME and there is no shame in thinking that way.

Today I showed my myself how awesome I am with a veggie burger for dinner, followed by a quick cat nap and then a yoga class. I also showed myself how I awesome I am by weighing in at 169 lbs at tonights official weigh in! What up! That is right! I am in a whole new decade now! And now that I am in the 60s I am determined to hang onto it with all my might!

To celebrate this success, I will be hosting a giveaway right here on my blog (my very first giveaway ever!). Check back on my Wednesday post to enter to win something almost as awesome as me!

Now I am of to enjoy some tea and then am off to bed!

EPIC 2.5 Hour Walk

So, I awoke this morning at 1pm! That's right, I slept most of the day away. It must be Sunday.

Once I rolled out of bed, I decided that I was going to walk the perimeter of my City (mind you I live in a rather small city that is full of steep hills).

I live in a suburb close to Vancouver and walked the approximate 10 miles around the city this afternoon and it was awesome. I kept a steady pace - it wasn't speed walking but more of a "walk with purpose". There are tons of hills where I live, so I got my heart rate up a few times. This 2.5 hour walk earned me 6 Activity Points - more than I have gained all week!

I came home to have a salmon burger on a whole wheat bun and some yam fries. Nom nom nom for sures.

So, today was not bad overall - 29 points consumed and 6 activity points gained! Monday I am off to work again, so the routine will commence. God bless routines - without them I would be lost!

While on my walk, I thought a lot about how this year is quickly coming to an end and how I have accomplished SO MUCH this year - it is absolutely amazing.

I think it is very unlikely that I will reach 130 lbs by December 31st (which, is also my 26th birthday), so I am going to aim for a reasonable 150 lbs by then, and will make some new years resolution goals to hit 130 lbs in the year 2011. I am a little disappointed that I was unable to hit 130 this year, but I will settle for 150 lbs.

Shoot for the stars friends, even if you only make it to the moon!

Did Someone Say Binge!

Today started off with great promise.

I got up early to head out to yoga. Once I got to the community centre I was told that the class was cancelled due to the instructor being sick - this right here was when my day started going off the rails.

I then took a quick trip to the grocery store only to come home, get into my pajamas and watch episode, after episode after episode of How I Met Your Mother - Season 4 (very addicting - but those Canadian references are soooo off base!).

I suddenly got into "veg mode" - not good!

So I thought - Ok - I can veg out as long as it is with something healthy right? WRONG.

I made this for dinner: Wok steamed broccoli and Mushrooms with Nando's Peri Peri Sauce:



Totally healthy and yum, but I forgot how broccoli bloats the sh*et out of my stomach. Let's just say, my boyfriend won't sit in the same room as me!

And you would have thought that the eating would stop at dinner right - NO!

I then proceeded to have a subway sandwich, too many servings of Chee Cha puffs, some babybel cheeses, some cereal, potato chips.... and the list goes on and on and on.... I can't even track all the crap I inhaled tonight - all around it was just bad.

Bad habits that every once and a while creep up and bite me in the arse when I am not looking.

I would like to think that had that yoga class not been cancelled this morning, I wouldn't have been de-railed, but the truth is, I could have easily gone to the gym instead (and I didn't). In fact, I don't even know what the inside of the gym looks like anymore :(

FAIL!

Looking forward to a new day tomorrow.

I Did This - ME!

This morning in yoga (I had the day off today), I was twisting and turning and bending forwards and backwards, and I couldn't help but admire my body. It then dawned on me - I totally changed my body - but bigger than that - I have completely changed my life - the way I eat, my outlook, the way I treat myself, even my social life. I was struck by, how only in a matter of a few months, I have done a complete 180 and changed my life for the better.

It truly is amazing!

So, naturally, after yoga, I thought to myself, "Lisa - you should celebrate, you should treat yourself to a little something special". So, I hit the sale racks, and I hit them hard.

Exhibit A (Oh and PS - I am now a Medium and a Size 10!!!!!) unreal folks:



New shirt for yoga / activity = $5

Exhibit B:



Printed shirt from RW = $4

Exhibit C:



New shirt to show off my sexy blindingly white legs = $7

Exhibit D:



Best find of the day! Banana Republic blouse = $11

Overall, I made today all about me because I am awesome and I have changed my life - isn't that worth celebrating?

PANIC! We're Under Attack!

Ok, so technically, I am not under attack, but I am certainly feeling nervous and panic-like today. So much so, that I bought 2 cups of green tea this morning.



I have come to realize that when I am anxious or nervous about something, I tend to want to stuff my face. A LOT!

The reason for being nervous tonight: very important work function.

Forget about the actual pressures from being at work, there will be a huge buffet at the function tonight! I have packed Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and snacks for today trying my best to plan ahead - but really what it is all going to come down to is my attitude at the function and whether I can summon my inner strength and self-control and avoid all the cheese, chicken wings and alcohol that will be circulating the room.

My mantra for the party will be: "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels"

Deep breath!

Booo You 170s!

I gotta say, I am prety sick of the scale sitting on the 170s every time I step on it. My official weigh in tonight was 171 lbs. Argh! So frustrating!

I managed to eat myself 36 points today (not my best). I know that the only person who is standing in my way of losing weight is myself.

Tonight I went to a 1 hour yoga class and did 40 minutes of power walking on the treadmill. That earns me 4 activity points.

In yoga today, the instructor noted that the way people treat themselves is the same way that others treat them. She made reference to the fact that people are transparent and how you feel about yourself on the inside shines through and people pick up on it.

Although it is a bit airy fairy, I have lived this and comletely believe it. I have noted several times in my blog that: when I started taking care of myself and putting myself first in life, my life completely changed for the better - bought my first condo, got into grad school and got my health back.

So, have you taken a moment to love and appreciate yourself today - It will make your life better!

November: Week One: Recap

Ok, so, one week down in November and 3 1/2 to go!

Week one was OK, but I can do better. I get 25 points / day on weight watchers, and 35 weekly (flex) points as well as any earned activity points.

This last week I managed to stay within the three points combined (daily - weekly- activity). This week though, I am going to aim to only consume my daily and weekly points - and leave the activity points alone.

Weigh in is tonight! I am looking forward to seeing 160-something on the scale tonight!

I managed to make it to the gym last night as well and got my sweat on.

Here's my activity plan for this week:

Today: 1/2 hour gym and 1 hour yoga
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 1 hour gym and 1/2 hour Swimming
Thursday: 1 hour gum and 2 hours yoga
Friday: 1 hour gym and 1/2 hour Swimming
Saturday: 1 hour yoga and 1 hour gym
Sunday: 1 hour gym

*Phew* it is going to be a long week! Buckle up cowboys!

Speaking of Awesome!

I totally am awesome.

Last night, while everyone around me at the restaurant was eating ribs, steak and pizza, I ordered my mixed greens salad with dressing on the side. It was truly a non-scale victory.

However, I did go a little nuts on the alcohol (hence the 39 points for the day) and managed to break out my dance moves for a good 3 hours (can you say serious activity points.

There is also a survey going around blogland right now and I have been tagged by both the Heavy Mans Diary and Tim over at Fat. Boy. Thin.

I love a good survey, here are my answers:

1.)What was the defining moment that caused you to want to get healthier:

This was a conversation my mother had with me back in February - that darn near broke my heart.

2.) Who is your role model and why:

My ma and pa (because they are the bestest!)

3.) Have you ever been caught by someone, while you were singing to yourself in the mirror:

Oh yes, signing to myself in the mirrior, while walking down the street, on the bus... I really dont have any pride...

4.)What was the best halloween costume you ever had:

Cindy Lauper - when I was 16 (voted best costume at the high school halloween dance).

5.) What is the most embarrasing mp3 song you own but absolutley love:

There are too many to count, but if I had to pick one it would be Paranoid by the Jonas Brothers. It is an excellent work out song!

6.)If you could go anywhere in the world where would it be and why:

I would go to South Africa. I have never been but ALWAYS wanted to go. It is one of those places that are super expensive to fly to, so the likelihood of me ever going is not very good.

7.) Whats the best thing about writing a blog:

It keeps me accountable for what I eat.

8.) What is the funniest joke you know:

What do you call cheese that isnt yours --- Nacho Cheese! Ha ha ha.

A True Test of Will Power

It's Friday!

However, with the weekend, comes super difficult food challenges.

Tonight, I am going out with a bunch of old friends, and these friends like to drink. In the past, I have gone out with them before and used my weekly points, but tonight, I am sticking to under 29 points (and this has to include wine)!

I have budgeted for 10 points worth of wine, but that only leaves 19 points for food *sigh* AND, I have got to make sure that those 19 points are smart foods - meaning that they are full of nutrients and will support my body (especially if I'll be drinking 6 glasses of wine!).

Having said that, I have already looked up the menu of the place we'll be going to, and will be getting the beet salad with no goat cheese or pine nuts and dressing on the side. I am also planning on having a late lunch with hopes that it will tie me over until 7pm, which is when I expect to eat this salad.

You know, it is really difficult to be different from the pack. I expect all my friends will be eating pizza and pasta, brie cheese and spinach dip, and I'll be sitting there nibbling on my beets and lettuce.

Now, I used to look at this situation and be a little depressed, thinking "woe is me" and "it's not fair!", but I don't think about it like this any more.

By eating this way and being different from the pack, I am giving myself a gift (can you say cheesy?) I really am, because when I wake up the next morning, I will still have participated in the activities of the night, I will have had lots to drink - but I won't be suffering from poor food choices.

It's November 5th - we are 1/6 of the way through the month and I have totally rocked my eating goals. I WANT to see 160-something on that scale on Sunday so bad it's not even funny. I cannot let a piece of pizza or a plate of pasta bring me down - I just can't.

The Then and The Now

I took a moment today to appreciate how far I have come on this journey so far.

In particular, there is that photo - that photo that started it all:



I still cringe when I see it - and now, I just cannot believe that it is ME!

Well, I reenacted that pose today, and to my surprise, look how different I look with 62 pounds less on my body:



There is such a HUGE difference (no pun intended). I look in the mirror now and I smile because I cannot believe that it's me! And the most satisfying part: I did this: ME! I did this all on my own.

Of course, the journey is not over yet, but seriously - wow! knowing that I can lose 62 lbs and SEEING and FEELING the difference everyday on my body gives me the fuel I need to keep on truckin' and lose the last 38 lbs I need gone.

*put put*

High Fives!

Just got back from the gym *ahem* *rubs finger nails on shirt*

1/2 hour on the elliptical and 1/2 hour on the treadmill.

I am back baby!

Oh and a mere 29 points consumed today.

Talk about ending your day with a bang!

Guilt *gulp*

Argh! I am frustrated with myself.



Yes, yes I have managed to stay within range of my 25-points/day for the last couple days (which by the way, is no easy task), but now I am struggling with my activity.

I went to yoga on Monday, but it was a super easy class, like really, I didn't even come close to breaking a sweat! Then yesterday, instead of going to the gym and getting my heart rate up, I decided to take the 1/2 hour drive across the USA/ CANADA border and fill up on some gas and food stuffs that are not sold in Canada.

I had every intention of going to the gym yesterday, but I didn't - and I didn't go because I just plain old, didn't want to go.

I know very well that losing weight is about both - the eating and the exercising. Which is why I am going to drag my fat arse to the gym tonight, even if it kills me. I have got to get my body moving and sweating again! Period. End of story.

So tonight, look for my post about how I overcame my stupidity and got my arse to the gym!

On the upside, I did find some really great stuff in the States. For breakfast, I had key lime pie:



And for lunch, I am looking forward to a microwave pasta:



And after lunch? I'll be enjoying the outdoors by taking a stroll in the park near my work.

Word.

Gimmie A Break

Today at work, I decided to take a "health break" - something I never do.

Don't get me wrong, I do take breaks at work, but most of the time I stay at my desk and check facebook or do something that involves very little movement and more starring at the computer.

So today, I walked over to the cafe, bought a 10 calorie vitamin water, sat on a bench in the park and drank it. It was funny because I was surrounded by smokers on their "smoke break" and I was the only one sans cigarette and with a vitamin water.

It made me realize that the only people taking true breaks out there are the smokers of the world. Whatever happened to people enjoying their break outside, out of the office?

I am definitely going to start doing this more often, that is: take some time to stop and smell the roses.

Takin' It Seriously

I am impressed with myself - here we are - day 2 of November - and I have not cheated on my eating once - not once!

Last night, after a pretty easy yoga class, I had a handful of Chee Cha Puffs (which I tracked) and 6 smarties (also tracked).

I think I may meet this month's monthly goals people.

Alas, I almost buckled this morning when I found out that Christmas has arrived at Starbucks.

But, you'll be happy to know I ended up with a 0 point green tea.

PS- Green Tea doesn't taste very Christmasy



It's going to take a whole lot of will power to say no to those Christmasy treats this month.

What's Shakin' November?

November is finally here! I can take my candy hangover from last night, tuck it away and get going on some new goals for this month.

Candy Hangover:



OK. so it has become rather evident that I don't really need to focus on my activity - I pretty much have my activity down to a fine science. What I DO need to focus on is my eating.

So here is my goal this month: Stay within my daily points allowance (weight watchers) every day this month. EVERY DAY I will track my eating and will record the number of points I eat on the side of my blog. If I do any kind of activity for the day, I will include those points in my daily allowance.

This is going to be a seriously difficult goal for me considering how the last few months have gone.... I'm really going to have to step up my game this month and really take ownership for what goes in my mouth.

Also - I would like to see a 10 pound loss this month, and with this eating schedule, I am going to make it happen!

Bring on November!

Let's Wrap Up October

I ended October not so well - I fell into the Halloween candy trap and ate as many little chocolate bars as I could get my hands on (instead of exercising and weighing myself).

But mark my words bloggies, November will be different - November will see some serious change from Lisa.

Let's wrap up the sad month that was October and see how I did on the monthly goals I set for myself:

OCTOBER GOALS 2010

1.) Get into the 160's: Currently at 173 lbs

2.) Do 10 hours of swimming in the public pool: 3/10

3.) Do 15 hours of cardio: 9.5/15

4.) Do 15 hours of yoga: 10/15

5.) Be able to run 5 km in under 30 minutes: Nope

6.) Make a big pot of healthiness every weekend, and pack healthy lunches for the week:
Sun, Oct 3: Turkey Chili
Sun, Oct 10: THANKSGIVING TURKEY (thanks to mom)
Sun, Oct 17: Nuttin made :(
Sun, Oct 24: FAIL

Reward for completing all tasks: NEW ATHLETIC BATHING SUIT CHECK!!! THANKS TO MOM!

Ok, so I didn't quite make the goals I set out to achieve, but I still did pretty good. In fact, for someone who moved, worked full time and had to complete a group project for school among other things, working out almost 23 hours is pretty impressive. I am pretty impressed with myself.

Here's the reality check: MY DIET!

I know it: my diet needs to improve.

So this folks, will be my focus for November. November Goals to be posted shortly!