Motivation

What is your motivation? What keeps you on track? What makes you start? My road to weight loss has been a struggle. Self-Esteem has always been an issue.. I was caught up in a delusional marriage, living someone elses life and hurting myself more and more everyday.. Food was my escape.. it did not judge me it just gave me what I needed. When my marriage fell apart and I was left with picking up the pieces and forced to be strong for my three boy.. it was what I needed. Rock Bottom was good solid ground to start over. In putting myself first I was creating a better life for my boys. As I became a stronger person emotionally and physically we all benefited more. I began my weight loss in January of 2010 and it has been a heck of a ride. Good days and bad days, failures and wins. What I have gained from this journey so far is worth so much to me. I am living my own life, I am setting goals, I am achieving Goals, I am taking steps out of my comfort zone, I am pushing my own boundaries.

I went from a big ol couch potato watching my kids play to now being the one saying "lets grab our bike and go for a ride", I am being an ACTIVE part of my kids lives.. I love it!! They are loving it!!

Here is my MOTIVATION..


Seamus is 9. He is my Hockey player, my TOUGH guy... We are wanting to do Tree Go this Summer.. Tree go is a Zip Line adventure...definitely out of my comfort zone but I can't wait!!!






Jacob is turning 6 in a few weeks he is my Funny Guy, Always laughing always hugging and always the centre of attention... Jacob and I are planning our mini adventure this summer he wants to climb Jacobs Ladder . It is a hiking trail with stairs and water falls.. We are both very excited!

Aiden is the baby he will be 2 in June and although he was my excuse for all the weight I was carrying I have now come to terms with it and have realized that you do not gain 60 pounds of baby fat!~!! We are both happier now!! lol.. Aiden has super big brown eyes and man does he ever know how to use them... He is my Heart throb.. a little ladies man.. Aiden and I are a running sensation.. we have recently ran our first 5k and we loved it.. What an amazing accomplishment.. and who better to celebrate it with.. I pushed him over the finish line!!!

Here are a few things that I use to keep me motivated... In the gym I am always saying "I got this".. "I can do this".. I always tell myself it is about being Healthy and Strong.. and "when in doubt work it out'.. when I miss count a set and not sure if it was 10 or 15 reps I will always do 5 more that 5 less!!!

Whats your motivation.

Food Journal

My Food Journal So far today

8am 1 cup Kashi Go Lean Cereal with 1/2 cup skim milk and 1/2 Orange

10:30am 1/2 Orange, 1 protein Shake

12:30pm 1 chicken breast, 1 cup carrot (mini) and 1 Apple

2:30pm 1 Banana

5:00 pm Whole Wheat spaghetti, with chicken and vegetables with some chicken broth.

I have also consumed 5 bottles of water and 3 coffee (Large 2 Milk 2 Sugar)

Something different just wanted to share with you what my daily nutrition looks like... I will also have a snack in the evening... something with protein I was weight training today.. probably 3 egg whites....

SWEAT

Setting Day... We are a part of a fishing family... the harbour is bustling with lots of activity.. The fishermen are busy hauling traps to the wharf. The boats will be loaded on Friday and then very early Saturday morning the boats will head out to set the traps.. LOBSTER!!!

We have started to take walks down to the wharf it is a family event. I try to have supper ready for 5pm then we eat, clean up, bundle up and head out it takes about 25 min to walk down that is the slow and steady pace of the kids... It is great to get our and active with my family.. This is what I strive for.

Two of my boys and I had a mini photo shoot down around the lobster and crab traps on the wharf. It was supposed to be a full photo shoot but my oldest Son had gotten caught up and was not able to get there on time.. and then Aiden my Baby started to vomit.. had to call it quits.. I was able to jump in with Jacob and get a few photos. I have always had a bad attitude about getting in front of a camera.. now I jump at every opportunity. These are the best days I want to be able to look back and see how far I've come here are a few photos from that day....

I have had a great ACTIVE day today... I hit the gym at 12:30 and was on the Elliptical and did 20 min.. and then I met with my trainer and we did Chest/Shoulders/ Triceps today., and to top it off Seamus and I headed out to our Rails to Trails ( our railways were converted to walking trails Island wide once the trains stopped roiling on the island) and we did my Learn to Run a 5k training... He Biked ( Lazy Toad).. Feels great!!!

Sweat cleanses from the inside. It comes from places a shower will never reach.

Learn to Run 5K

I am so lucky to live in a community that offers FREE programs to get you up and Moving. I joined up with a Learn to Run 5k group. We meet once a week (rain, snow, or shine) and then we follow a schedule the remainder of the week on our own. Lots of great information.



I am on the right hand side second one in back row in the Green Jacket and pink shirt!!!

ONE POUND OF FAT

One Pound of Fat

Hello! Do you know me? If you don't you should. I AM ONE POUND OF FAT, and I am the happiest pound of FAT you would ever want to meet! Want to know why? It's because no one ever wants to loose me! After all, I am only ONE POUND OF FAT. Just ONE POUND. Everyone wants to loose 3 or 5 or 15 pounds, but never only ONE. So I just stick around happily keep you. Then I am free to add to myself, ever so slyly, so that you never seem to notice....That is until I have grown to 10, 2o, or even 30 pounds in weight....YES it is fun being only ONE POUND OF FAT....left to do just as I please.

So, when you weigh in, go ahead...just keep saying "Oh I only lost one pound". (As if that's so terrible.) For you see, if you do this, it will encourage others to hang around me because they will think I am not worth loosing. And I LOVE being around you..your arms, your legs, your chin, your hips, and every other part of you. HAPPY DAYS! After all I am only

ONE POUND OF FAT!!!

Came across this and wanted to share it...

Body Fat Percentage

I just found out that my body fat percentage is 33%. How do I feel about that? Not sure, I am FREAKED out by that number, I am trying not to let numbers control my life.. My weight has been a number that I focus on all the time sometimes I feel consumed with the numbers... Now this... I want to be healthy and strong... not skinny.. I want my body fat % to be a healthy percentage. Just wanted to share some ramblings about that.. Hows everything else going? It is going Great I am eating Squeaky Clean, and am working out 3 days a week and running 4 days a week, and 2 evening classes of boot camp a week.... I am going to be a lean clean eating machine!!! lol Hope everyone is getting along great!!! What a Journey this is turning out to be.. I am becoming a stronger person emotionally as well as physically and I love it!

Getting Active from Seal Pups to Hockey Pucks

I like to get active with my family in the evening, usually after supper we take a walk, hike, wagon ride, sleigh ride.. Hockey in the drive way, skipping, soccer, tag... anything that gets us together getting us active as a family and having some good old fashion fun... yesterday we took a stroll along a local beach .. well we climbed over Ice chunks and jumped over puddles.. but a nice stroll along. We came across a baby seal that was on the beach.. Usually the seals are birthed out on the ice flows but this year there is no Ice out in the water forcing the seals to come on the beaches.. Here are a few photos.. We did not get too close, You have to let nature take it's course... the baby will find its way to the water.. Jake and the Seal Pup

Seamus and the Seal Pup

Here is the pup it was so super cute.. Hope you find your way!!

Another evening we played hockey in the driveway... Even Aiden got involved he has a stick cut to size for him... Loves to chase the puck.. I think he will enjoy Hockey as much as the older two.. I hope so I absolutely love being a HOCKEY MOM....

This Journey was mostly for me but my family plays a big role. I want to be there for my kids, want to participate with them and have fun, I want them to learn good eating habits, learn what Healthy choices are, Learn to be active !!! I'm doing it for me but for them too...

Getting Active with My Family

I have decided that since we have so much daylight in the evenings that we are going to make the most of it.. We are going to try and get out for a walk every evening after supper.. Weather permitting... It was a little chilly last night but we got out for a walk with Aiden..
We started of with him in the wagon but he wanted to walk.. He walked most of the way!!

It is a great feeling to get active with your family. I think of this time as "Bonus" I am still doing my weight training 3 days a week and Cardio at least 4-5 days a week.. The family getting active is a bonus for everyone.

All bundled up... It was cold out there.

My Current Leg Work Out

Squats on Smyth with 7 1/2 kg per side 4 sets with 15 reps. This is done in a super set with Leg Extension

Leg Extensions @ 65 lbs.. 4 sets 15 reps Super set with Squats on Smyth

Stationary Lunges with 15lb dumbbells. 4 sets of 15 reps.. Super set with Hamstring curls

Hamstring Curls @ 45 lbs 4 sets of 15 reps .. Super set with Stationary Lunges

Leg press @ 2 plates per side (each plate 45 lbs) 4 sets of 15 reps Super set with Hamstring curl on stability ball

Hamstring curl on stability ball. 4 sets of 15 reps. Super set with Leg press.

Blah...

This is exactly how I feel today.. I had a terrible weekend, made every excuse to stay away from the gym, I am an emotional eater so I have been snacking alot,. I was my own worst enemy. This weight loss journey is a challenge every day.. It is stressful, I have alot of people, family, friends, bloggers holding me accountable and sometimes that can take a toll on you.


I hit the gym hard today, doing my leg work out with my trainer. I had to walk out of the gym twice to get fresh air, I kept saying the quote off of Biggest Losser,,,, If you don't die, puke, or faint keep going. I kept going. I am back on the Oatmeal as of today!!!

I Got This

Boot camp classes at my local gym are on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings, they run from 8pm-9pm.. That is one full hour of running, Jumping, Lunges, Squats, Side Kicks, Punching, Crunching, Pushups, Mountain Climbers... and I love it. I feel like I GOT THIS... if I can get through that,, I can do this...

I am in the back row wearing the blue tank top..

This one class was so intimidating to me.. I was scared to go the first time. Finally I just decided sink or swim.. and what is great is that everyone is so busy and so intent on their own work out that no one even notices you.. It gave me the courage to step out of my comfort zone (couch) and try something new!

Here is something that I am super proud of I have Muscles!!! I am in the gym 3 days a week with a personal training doing weigh training. I like that I have a work out designed for me, a wealth of information from my trainer regarding fitness and nutrition, I like that I am accountable to another person...

174

I am part of a "Biggest Looser" Program at my gym.. Today was another weigh in and I am 174.. WoooHooo!!! I am so freaking Happy.. You work hard you get results...

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is one of those foods that I want to eat more of...Here's the thing...Not a big fan of it. I want to add more cottage cheese into my diet, I want the Protien. I am comming up with lots of ways to eat it..
Adding unsweetend apple sauce and Cinamon, Adding fruit Strawberries, Blueberries, Pineapple, and Kiwi, mixed it in with my oatmeal, and tonight I am going to add it to my sweet potato.

I hope I can come up with some more creative ways to incorporate cottage cheese into my diet, It is low in calories and fat, high in protien, low in carbohydrates, and it's high in calcium..

I trained with my personal trainer yesterday, I did back and biceps... My legs were sore yesterday today I am hurting real bad, My legs are so very sore, and my back is feeling tight.. NO PAIN NO GAIN.. well No Gain hopefully.. I am enjoying my work outs and really am feeling quite motivated when training..

I am eating clean very clean, and keeping active,I hope to see a weight loss this week!!!

Ouch...Sucker for Punishment

I think I am a sucker for punishment.. I started with my Personal Trainer today and had a very intense "Leg" work out. It was a grueling hour and I loved it... I like feeling that "I CAN DO IT" I am in love with the feeling of strength!!!.. I also took in a bootcamp class last night..again sucker for punishment.. Squats, Lunges, Kicking, Running, Jumping.... again loved walking out of there with a feeling of "I did it"... I am very sore this morning, feeling my muscles stretching with every movement.. a reminder that I have muscle!!... Off to the gym this afternoon for an uperbody work out, and then a cardio class..Zumba maybe...

It snowed during the night last night, but this morning the sun was shinning.. I got up as usual and got the boys up, breakfast, washing up, getting dressed, hats, mitts, snow pants... all the snow gear, lunches made, and out the door they went to wait on the bus, when a neighbour drives by and says "No School Today"!!! lol.. Cancelled due to heavy drifting on the roads.. Its a Snow Day!! I am the mom that sends the kids out for the bus when school is cancelled.. I quickly made another packed lunch for Little A.. Packed lunches for all the boys today.. A is loving having his brothers home today. Speaking of lunches..I have made some executive decisions regarding my kids lunches.. I only buy healthy choices, so that's what they get in there lunch, and so far no complaints.. Today they have whole wheat turkey sandwiches, Minigo's, Grapes, Watermelon Slices, and a babybel cheese, also at school they get a skim milk and I send a bottle of water instead of Juice. I want my boys to not have the struggle that I have.. I want Healthy eating and Healthy choices to be their normal.

Weigh In Wednesday Week #2

What a busy week... Had a great first week, did weight training, lots of cardio , and lots of fun activities with the kids...Sledding, Taking A out for a walk in his sleigh,and just playing out in the snow with the boys. I ate well with a few minor slip ups.Just have to remember when you fall get back up... I am down in weight...

Here are my numbers..
Weight 182.2lbs Down about 0.8 of a pound...
Chest 39
Waist 39
Hips 43

I got out to Zuma twice and to bootcamp once.. the second class is tonight and I really want to go but I am hurting from the previous class.. it seriously was brutal...

And last but not least some photos....

My plan this week is to try snow shoeing.. I have never attempted it but think it would be a great activity to do with the boys.. It is snowing now and if it lets up we will head out this evening...

Hope Your weight loss Journey is going well... drop a comment and I will stop over and see what your up to..

Steel Cut Oats

I am trying to "Clean up" my diet. Focusing on food choices with preferably one ingredient.. If I can't pronounce it I am not eating it. One food that I have recently added to my diet is Steel Cut Oats. I buy the PC Blue Menu brand.

It takes about 25-30 min to prepare....but so worth it. I thought oh great I can do a large batch and freeze individually, I assumed my children would not be into this food.. Boy was I wrong.. this is great for our family because it is so easy to change it up for individual kids... Shay likes his with a drizzle of maple syrup and walnuts, Jay with bananas and Cinnamon, I prefer it with a sprinkle of cinnamon and am going to try it with bananas and cranberries.. Aiden just loves it as is with a little milk. There is never enough left to freeze...

Steel cut oats get a 10/10 from my family. It makes me feel better knowing that my kids are going to pick up healthy eating habits from me. I see little changes in them that will add up along the way. No more juice in our house, we talk about eating healthy almost daily, we discuss what healthy choices they ate that day, what type of physical activity did they do.. My actions are affecting my family and I could not be any Happier.