PICTURES!!! Finally!!!!

Hi guys...so my husband and I finally got a chance to take some pix...it was a gorgeous day today so we went out and had some family fun with our 2-year old! We just got home about an hour ago and took the following pics.

A few things...

You will notice that I've changed my outfit...I wanted something different and new and SMALLER :))...I will use the original outfit in my final pics which I will take in December. But for now, I've changed it and who knows, I may get a new outfit with each new pic...we'll see. Anyway, this outfit is SIZE L for Large y'All!!! Not, 3x or 2x or even XL...it's L - LARGE. I love it...I kept it similar to the colours of the other outfit. Here's a couple of pictures showing the size I am now wearing.

Top - L/G...Large/Grand (en framçais) YEAH!!

Pants - L/G...Large/Grand

A pair of size 'L' pants fit over my butt!! Incredible!

I noticed a few things with these pics and with me overall. First of all, those "Lagana Lunges & Squats" have really started to shape my butt. Now I know that we black women have been "blessed" with having a little extra junk in the trunk, but for some reason, it skipped me - if you look at my 'before' pic from December (Back Shot), you'll notice the bootie wasn't as "shapely" as it now is. I'm not sure that I want everyone staring at my bootie but take a look at the pic below of me from the back....LOOK AT MY BUTT!!! LOOK AT IT!! All I have to say is "Lagana Lunges and Squats!!!"

Now for the pics....

Front: Me NOW...201lbs..June 28/09

In my new outfit, I might add

Me THEN: 258lbs, Dec 2008

Back: Me NOW - 201lbs June 28/09

LAGANA LUNGES & SQUATS!! LOL!!!

Me THEN: 258lbs Dec, 2009

SIDE: NOW 201lbs June 28/09

THEN - 258lbs Dec, 2008

This is my "Just for Fun - I think I'm Kinda Hot Shot" lol!!













THAT's IT!! Let me know what you think!

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Saturday Weigh-In...Week 28

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 202 lbs (June 20/09)
Current Weight: 201 lbs

This Week's Loss: 1lb!!!

Total pounds lossed to date: 57

Slowly but surely, I'm getting close to breaking that 200 pound mark!! I thought I would have done it this week, but either way I WILL GET THERE!!

I'm happy with the loss...A LOSS IS A LOSS and WAY BETTER THAN A GAIN or NOTHING AT ALL...so I am happy with it. One pound away from next reward level...almost there. This month's total loss was about 5 pounds which is a bit low compared to other months,but I realize that I won't have a huge loss everytime and I did have a lot of changes in my schedule this past few weeks. I'm still happy quite with it! :)

Where the heck are the PORGRESS PIX, Joania?????

I've been so busy and out of town so often the past couple of months and my poor husband (my photographer), he has been so busy with his work and taking care of our son while I'm away, that we haven't had a chance to take some pix. He worked today....by the time I opened my eyes this morning, he was already out the door. He's off tomorrow so we will have a big photo shoot in the morning. I apologize for taking so long to post these pics....there is a recent picture of me from the last Citizen newspaper article....it was from a couple of weeks ago..but it's not the same as my full body, front, back and side shots...tomorrow for sure!!

Believe it or not, I received a couple of emails from people who thought the reason I haven't posted my progress pics is because I'm gaining weight and I don't want to share that, basically calling me a liar...which is nothing short of BULLSHIT and it ticked me off at first but I just shrugged it off - not even worth my time. Pix will be posted tomorrow and the proof will show. Some people...I will not waste my time on it!!

ANYWAY... I've got myself a new outfit which I will be posing in and I may even show some skin this time...I actually have curves in my waist and I may just show it off (still deciding!) :)

Until tomorrow...
Joania (2KMINE!!!)

BIG NEWS...PARTICIPACTION!!!

I was quite excited when I learned about this but couldn't say anything until now. Read this:

ParticipACTION Sun LIfe - Inspire the nation launches!

Canadians received a clear message today to "get active" as the ParticipACTION Sun Life - Inpire the nation tour launched in downtown Toronto. A crew of branded joggers ran through the city's downtown core to energize Torontonians to get active and join the physical activity movement. Donovan Bailey rallied bystanders to get moving by sharing his own story about what physical activity and sport mean to him. The event kicks off a nine-week, cross-country tour created by Sun Life Financial and ParticipACTION to energize all Canadians to join the physical activity movement.

Check out this link for more details about the Inspire the Nation Tour

So guess what??????

They will be launching in Ottawa (my hometown) on Monday June 29th and have invited me to be a special guest!!!!!!!!!!

I received an email from the public relations and communications manager, Katherine (super nice!!), at ParticipACTION a little while back telling me they would be launching this new program (The ParticipACTION SunLife Inspire the Nation Tour), and more importantly, "I WAS INVITED TO BE PART OF IT!!!!" I was so surprised and thrilled!!

The president and CEO of ParticipACTION, Kelly Murumets has asked me to join her on stage, along with Olympian Sue Hollaway (who became the first woman and first Canadian to compete in both Summer and Winter Games in the same year, in the 1976 Winter Olymics in cross-country skiing and 1976 Summer Olympics in canoe sprint ) and Canadian Television Celebrity, Farley Flex (Judge from CTV hit Reality Show, Canadian Idol)!

This is the media advisory they sent out..I think this is too cool:

ParticipACTION Sun Life – Inspire the nation tour comes to Ottawa with Farley Flex
City will come alive with active living messages
OTTAWA (ONTARIO) – The ParticipACTION Sun Life – Inspire the nation tour will come to Ottawa on Monday, June 29, 2009 to deliver a clear and simple message to the city – it’s time to get active and move more. The city will come alive with thought-provoking and inspiring “get active” messages on windows, parking spots, ground decals and banner wraps. And a branded jogging pack will run through the city, igniting excitement for physical activity. Before the tour moves on to continue its nine-week, cross-country tour, the public will be invited to visit the “Inspiration Booth” to get a free pedometer and record a video about how they’ve added more movement into their lives. Each video will be made into a ParticipACTION Sun Life commercial that can be e-mailed to family, friends and colleagues. The stories will be uploaded to ParticipACTION’s online Wall of Inspiration and some stories could be selected to be featured in nationally aired ParticipACTION television commercials in the fall of 2009.
Media are welcome to come down and record their own ‘get active’ video.
WHO:
Speakers

Kelly Murumets, President and CEO, ParticipACTION
Josée Dixon, Regional Vice-President, Business Development, Eastern Region, Group Benefits, Sun Life Financial
Farley Flex
Sue Holloway, Chairperson of Communications Action Team, Active Ottawa Actif

Special guests: Joania Burnett, featured in ParticipACTION’s ‘Get Inspired. Get Moving.’ television campaign
PHOTO OPPS:

Game of skip rope
Speakers making “get active” videos at Inspiration Booth
Public interacting with Inspiration Booth
Crew of branded joggers interacting with public
WHEN:
Monday, June 29th
11:30 a.m.
Media registration opens
12 noon
Speaking remarks from presenters
12:20 p.m.
12:30 p.m.
Photo opportunities with speakers
One-on-one interviews with speakers
Photo opportunities with public and of on-site activities
WHERE:
Capital Infocentre (90 Wellington Street – at the corner of Metcalfe and Wellington)
The event will be held outside. Please check in at the media registration desk.

If anyone of you in the Ottawa Area would like to come down and check it out, please do!!! I would love to see/meet you!

That's my big news....

Until next time

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

RIP Michael Jackson...1958-2009

Michael Jackson was pronounced dead at 2:26pm (5:26pm E.S.T.) on Thursday June 25, 2009. He suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Los Angeles, California.

I am so saddened by news of Michael Jackson's passing yesterday. I know this is a blog predominantly about my weightloss and fitness journey, but this effects me and as such is part of this journey.

I am a huge fan of Michael Jackson's music. I know that some of you will disagree with me posting this blog in tribute to MJ but we are all entitled to our own opinions and "my blog, my rules". I realize that there was a lot of controversy surrounding what was indeed a troubled life, however, his talent was and remains undeniable. His music reached so many and transcended so many barriers. Michael Jackson was one of the most widely beloved and recognized entertainers in the world and probably one of the most influential artists of all-time. He leaves an indelible imprint on popular music and culture; one for which we may never see again in our lifetime. His legacy will live on forever!
Michael's music helped me to get through two of the most difficult times in my life. I have a lot of memories associated with his writings and songs, so for that I say, " THANK YOU and rest in peace, Michael Jackson - may you find the peace an comfort in death that you did not have in life."

I feel like I should say so much more, but I just don't have the words, so once again, I go to his music for comfort.

This is a song by Michael Jackson and I just find it's so fitting to end this post with it. If you'd like to hear this song, scroll through the playlist on the Ipod icon on the right.

Gone To Soon

Like a comet

Blazing 'cross the evening sky

Gone too soon

Like a rainbow

Fading in the twinkling of an eye

Gone too soon

Shiny and sparkly

And splendidly bright

Here one day

Gone one night

Like the loss of sunlight

On a cloudy afternoon

Gone too soon

Like a castle

Built upon a sandy beach

Gone too soon

Like a perfect flower

That is just beyond your reach

Gone too soon

Born to amuse,

to inspire, to delight

Here one day

Gone one night

Like a sunset

Dying with the rising of the moon

Gone too soon

Gone too soon

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Saturday Weigh-in ~ Week 27

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 204 lbs (June 13/09)
Current Weight: 202 lbs
This Week's Loss: 2lbs!!!

Total pounds lossed to date: 56

OH YES!!! 2 WHOLE POUNDS!!! I'm sooooo happy with that. I think my 5K training is giving me an extra boost. This is awesome. I weigh 202 lbs, I am 3 pounds away from ONEderland!!! I can't wait!!! I am also 2 more pounds away from my next reward!!! I still haven't done my full spa day (which was my last reward for losing 48 pounds) - I've just been too busy, BUT I WILL MAKE THE TIME!!!

I looked at my ticker on the bottom of the page, and it says 45 pounds to go!! 45 Pounds!! I'm passed the halfway mark of my overall goal of losing 101 pounds!! I remember when I first set this up and how daunting it was to see "101 POUNDS to GO!!" And now, here I stand with ONLY 45 pounds left to go. I know I shouldn't say only, but coming from 101 pounds, I'm really psyched and truly believe 45 pounds is possible!! I'm on a total high!!!

This is awesome...my body is weird right now...very loose, almost saggy skin in the stomach, leg and arm areas, but you can also see the muscle underneath - I'm hoping with my strength training that those muscles will soon takeover ..lol!! I know it's just one of the many phases that my body will go through. Progress pictures will be up in the next post.

With the change in weather - it finally looks like it will be warm - I've gone through my closet, pulling out my summer clothes, well, NOTHING FITS!!!! It's awesome. All shorts/capris are falling off, it's a wonderful feeling...not good news for my wallet but great news overall!!

It looks like my weigh-in will be on Saturdays now...since I've been out of town the past two Wednesdays, I've had to weigh-in on Saturdays. It may make more sense to keep the weigh-ins on Saturdays; just more convenient.

Anyway, that's it for now...feeling great with this weeks loss!! Yeah!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Trainer, 5K's, Belts and Things

Hey guys,

I have just been swamped of late with work and travel. I do have quite a bit more travel coming up over the next few weeks - by August, things should hopefully settle down. I have been so busy with work conferences and business trips that I haven't even had the time to see my trainer. We've been in touch regularly via email but I ABSOLUTELY need to see him. He has a new program for me which I haven't yet seen. He will email it to me and hopefully I can follow up with him after. In the meantime, I will try the new program and just email him with any questions or concerns I may have. So it will be on-line training...my e-trainer....should be interesting. I just don't want to fall behind and it is time for a new program (it's actually past the time - my fault).

Anyway, I've started my 5K training and holy crap it's tough. I'm blogging about it specifically at http://www.my5k.blogspot.com/ , so please check it out. Jogging is excrutiatingly tough for me but it really is one of those things I want to tackle in my lifetime and I've started. My goal is to run a 5k race in October and I will!!! One of my girlfriends has actually started the training as well. She's in a different city but following the same program. Right now, I think she hates my guts for asking her to do this with me..lol!! She told me how sore she was after Day 1!! Hang in there BEH and keep it up!!

Something else I wanted to mention which I just found amazing, is that I can no longer leave my house without wearing a belt!!! I remember days when I left the top button of my pants un-done (so that I could breathe)....and my pants could stay up for days!! LOL!! Belt??? There was never a need. Now, most of my pants require one! It's amazing to me. As I was walking from a meeting today, I could feel my slacks slipping down, I kept tugging at them to pull them up...this stuff just freaks my freak!! So my plan is to go and purchase a couple of belts (pairs of belts?? I don't even know what it's called - 2 or more belts) lol!! It's something I never thought I'd have to purchase.

Anyway, I will weigh myself and take some pics in the morning and post tomorrow. This month the weight has been coming off literally 1 pound at a time...hey, at least it's not a gain. This is my big flashing sign that I need the new program, one that is just that much more challenging than the current!! I think I'll see a jump in the loss once I start that!!

All in all, I'm still feeling great...I've noticed that extra effort is required on my part to stay with it, but I try to re-focus daily and remind myself of the reasons why I set out on this journey in the first place.

Anyway, that's it for now...

Until next time

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Updates and Things...

Hey guys,

I just wanted to come on quickly to thank all of you for all the nice comments regarding the citizen article and just the support in general. Thanks!

On another note, I just finished my very first run today (as part of the C25K -Couch to 5K Training program) in quest of my first 5K race later this Fall. Check out my training blog for details here. It was quite intense.

Tomorrow I will be heading out of town once again on business. It won't be a long trip, I should be back home Thursday evening (Friday- the latest). I will take my lap top with me so that we can stay connected.

It's a really busy time for me at work right now, however it should hopefully quiet down next month.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Follow-Up Newspaper Article

This picture was taken by Wayne Cuddington for the Ottawa Citizen article .

I didn't get a chance to post this on Wednesday, but here it is! Enjoy!! Let me know what you think....

It's the link to the follow-up newspaper article in the Ottawa Citizen, written once again by Alison Korn (thank you Alison - great job). The story ran on Wednesday!!

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Health/Joania+journey/1679889/story.html

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Saturday Weigh-In ~ Week 26

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)

Last Weigh In: 205 lbs (June 3/09)

Current Weight: 204 lbs

This Week's Loss: 1lb!!!

Considering the week I've had....I WILL HAPPILY TAKE THIS ONE POUND LOSS!!!


This week was so very busy for me work wise. Staying in a hotel and eating out for every meal as well as long demanding days, makes it very difficult to stay on track! For the most part I stayed on track with some of my eating, but I did let myself go when it came to dinner. I had perfectly healthy breakfasts and lunches but dinners were a problem for me. One evening I had one slice of pizza, another night I had chicken quesadillas and another, I had lasagna. The one good thing was that I found that I could not eat a lot. In the past, I could polish off a medium pizza all to myself. However after eating about 3 quarters of the slice, I was full. The lasagna was a small order which I shared with colleagues - so not so bad and same thing for the quesadillas...I only ate half. So all in all it wasn't that bad.


SO What Was Bad???

1. In 4 days, I only managed to get one workout in...which is really sad. As I metionned, my days were very long and tiring, I got to bed late pretty well every night. I didn't get much sleep. Anyway, I don't want to sound like I'm providing excuses. I sucked when it came to working out.


2. I enjoyed the "liquid" diet a little more than I should. I did not resist on the alcohol. When it came to the pizza, it was accompanied by beer, I had some wine with my lasagna and more beer with my quesadillas and when it came to the last night (closing ceremonies), lets just say I enjoyed a nice variety from the liquid menu selection! :) I had a great time!!

Anyway, it's over. I will need to get in touch with my trainer to get my new program. Then get moving. When my photographer (husband) gets home, I will take my monthly pix and post them for your perusal.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

I'M BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!

Hi guys,

So sorry that I haven't been able to post anything this week. I was away on my conference with work and I was also having some computer problems.

I have lots to post and I will later this evening. I will also weigh myself in the morning and post that information tomorrow.

I hope some of you gotg the chance to hear me on the radio show (hopefully, I will be able to get a copy and post it to my site) if not, no biggie!!

Also, my article ran in Wednesday's citizen. I will post the link.

Until next time (very soon)

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

I'm Out of the Slump.....

Hey guys,

It's Saturday morning and I had a great workout this a.m. I rocked it!! I didn't work out on Thursday or Friday and I was starting to worry. But I must say, I received a few emails and comments after my previous post and they were so encouraging!! It really helped me to get back on track. Thank you so much guys!!

My trainer, Rob is awesome!! He not only provides me with the right tools to become physically fit, but every now and then he will send me some "words of inspiration"!! He just seems to always know the right things to say to get me pumped and ready to go. He just sent me the following, which I plan to recite on a daily basis:

"You were born with potential.You were born with goodness and trust.You were born with ideals and dreams.You were born with greatness.You were born with wings.You are not meant for crawling, so don’t.You have wings.Learn to use them and fly." Rumi

Anyway, I'm feeling better. Next week should be my last "crazy-busy" week at work and things should get back to normal after that. So for now, it's one day at a time!!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!)

Didn't Work Out Today...Re-focus

Hi all,

I did NOT work out today and I really have to make sure I get it in tomorrow. I have been working very long hours of late - it's a busy time at work. I'm prepping for a 3-day conference next week in addition to my regular duties, not to mention everything else (including this journey of mine).

This is one of those times when it gets really hard and I need to just kick it into overdrive to make sure I don't fall off track. Things are going so well with the weight loss and I really want to keep it that way. I am so close to getting under 200 pounds...just amazing...I can't wait to get there. I just may cry when I step on the scale and no longer see the number "2" at the start.

I've just been looking back at a few of my posts and for the most part, they've been extremely positive with a few slip ups/hurdles here and there. I find it helps to check back every now and then - it helps me to re-focus!! Anyway I'm quite pleased about the fact that most of my posts are positive ones, yet at the same time, I don't want to give the impression that I'm just cruising through this!! My goodness, it takes constant effort. Especially on days like these...I'm working longer days and just feeling tired. While I'm at work, no problem - pretty well full of energy, but when the day is finally over, I'm exhausted and the last thing I feel like doing is working out. Some days, depending on how early I leave for work, I work out at nights. Some nights, I'm just too tired.

These are the times however when I really have to push through it. My plan is to wake up just a bit earlier in the morning and squeeze in my workout. Once it's done, it's out of the way and I don't have to worry about it until the next day. Things should ease up a bit at work over the next two weeks so it should go back to normal. I haven't even enjoyed my last reward yet!! I still have a full spa day to take advantage of and I can't wait!! Looking forward to taking a break from work - just a couple of weeks off to rejuvenate! :)

Anyway, that's it for tonight...

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Weigh-in Wednesday ~ Week 25....1 More GONE!!!

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 206 lbs (May 27/09)
Current Weight: 205 lbs

This Week's Loss: 1lb!!!

I lost another pound today...bringing my total to 53 pounds lost!! Gone!! I'm quite pleased. I weigh 205!! 205!!!!! 6 more pounds and I'll be in Onederland!!!! (the 100's - WOW!!!)

I sent in my pictures to the citizen today so you may get a sneak peak of what I currently look like, depending on when the article runs in the paper. I will be taking my monthly pics next week (on the 10th).

So good things all around....

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

The Ottawa Citizen Interview

I had the follow-up interview with Alison Korn of the Ottawa Citizen today. It was really good talking with her. She asks such great questions and I really liked the last article she wrote. So I am looking forward to this one as well. I will provide them with a current picture as well!

The article should run in either the June 11 (Thursday) or June 13 (Saturday) edition of the paper. As soon as it's confirmed, I will let you know. I will post the link to the on-line version as well!

I've had a great day today! A good workout; good, healthy food and two great telephone interviews!! Awesome!!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

The Live 88.5 Start-Up

I had my radio interview today and all I have to say is FUN!! FUN!! FUN!!! I was interviewed by Katfish Morgan of The Live 88.5 Start-Up (Ottawa's #1 morning show!!!) For more details check out their website.

The interview should air either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday morning at 8:10 or 8:40am. That's all the details that I could get so far!! I'm really looking forward to hearing it!! I'm excited. For those in Ottawa and surrounding areas, please listen....hope you can tune in...if not, listen on line @ http://www.livelifelive.fm/

I will send an email to see if I could get a copy of it and post it on my blog!

That's the update!!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!)

Radio and Newspaper

Hi all,

Well I have both interviews tomorrow morning. First the radio interview for Live 88.5. It will be pre-recorded so I will find out the details as to when it will air and will inform you as soon as I know. I'm excited! :)

I will also be doing the follow-up interview for the Ottawa Citizen tomorrow. It should be a busy morning but fun as well. I'm really looking forward to it!

Thank goodness for technology so that I'm able to do both these interviews via telephone and/or computer!!

Anyway, that's it for tonight...wish me luck!! :)

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)