Nine and a Half Weeks..

Do you guys remember that movie?? I was 12 years old when that movie came out in 1986 and I know I should NOT have watched that steamy movie, but I did. It was on one of those channels (superchannel, I think it was)....and I watched it... muted! This movie was an erotic story about a woman, the assistant of an art gallery, who gets involved in an impersonal affair with a man. She barely knows about his life, only about the sex games they play, so the relationship begins to get complicated. The scenes were quite graphic (especially the kitchen/ice/food/sex scene). It starred Kim Bassinger and Mickey Rourke.

Well boy did I ever get an eyeful and since that then, anytime I hear or see the words "Nine 1/2 Weeks", it makes me just a wee bit uncomfortable - just a little!! :) So why am I telling you this? Well, I found it ironic that as I was just looking at the calendar today, I realized that I only have "nine 1/2 weeks" left to the "end" of my journey. Nine 1/2 weeks!! I feel like this past 9 months just flew by!!

This time, I don't feel uncomfortable - just ready!! Ready to finish strong!! 9 more weigh-ins until my one year anniversary. I still have lots of time to do some serious damage where this journey is concerned, so I want to ensure that I maintain my focus, momentum and motivation.

Food and exercise were on point today!! Kickboxing class at lunch was tough and good!! I only drank about litres of water today so I need to do better tomorrow.

My goals for the next nine and a half weeks:

- stay focused /eyes on the prize
- eat clean - very clean
- rock out the workouts
- drink enough water
- Enjoy every moment

until next time...
Joania (2KMINE!!)

Focus and Determination - No Excuses!!

See the man in the picture above?? Look at this man's face!!! Look in his eyes?? What do you see? When I first saw this picture, I thought, "holy crap, he means business, no excuses!" I want to ALWAYS have that kind of focus and determination while doing my workouts. His eyes are on the prize!! Making it count!!

This man is my trainer Rob, y'all!!! He is hardcore and he certainly practices what he preaches. Apart from the obvious good looks (yes ladies, eye candy at it's best - he's gonna make me pay for writing that), he is obviously and honestly passionate about what he does and he does it very well.

I feel like I am at a very pivotal point in my journey. It is essential that I maintain the type of focus and determination displayed above by Rob, not only during my workouts but throughout all aspects of this journey. This is my new challenge: staying focused, motivated and determined for the duration of this journey.

Keeping my focus is crucial to my success on this journey. I have to stay on top of this..we all do in order to meet our set goals. We can't expect a plant to grow if we don't nourish, water and take care of it. Same thing here. I've got to make sure I stick with my workouts, stay on top of eating healthy foods and remember to take care of ME as well.

Taking care of me, means doing all I can to reduce and/or eliminate any and all stresses or situations which cause stress! Making and taking the time for myself, even if it's just an hour, just to sit and reflect and/or relax. I haven't been going to my Sunday yoga sessions in quite a while and I think it's time to start that up again.

Anyway, here we are, about to start yet another week (time is just flying by) and I want to do all I can to make each week a great one! So that's it for now, enjoy your Sunday and all the best with the journey this week!

Until next time...
Joania(2KMINE!!)

Wow....Incredible Support..Thanks

I had a FABULOUS workout earlier!! Today, I did very well with my meals...all day!! I had eggs for breakfast, with two turkey sausages...yummy...for lunch I had an almond and feta cheese-stuffed chicken breast with steamed carrots, cauliflower and turnips and a side of tomato and cucumber salad. It was delicious!! Dinner tonight was roasted chicken, spinach and a baked sweet potato...tasted wonderful. I also had lots of water throughout the day!!!

Now, gratitude.....You guys are absolutely awesome!! Thank you so much for all the supportive comments and encouragement and understanding regarding my previous post!! I TRULY APPRECIATE IT FROM EACH AND EVERYONE ONE OF YOU!!!! THANKS!!! IT REALLY DOES HELP!!! Also, thank you to all of you who sent me personal emails and messages on the facebook group as well...

Okay, so the message I got from all the comments is that I need to dust myself off, RE-FOCUS and move on. Don't let all my hard work go to waste by sabotaging the progress thusfar. There were many of you who've been down this exact road before and understand exactly what I'm feeling and going through (especially Kimmy and Kimberley)...thanks for your wise and encouraging words and for those going through the same thing and/or on journeys of their own (like my "twin" NIA, Crys, Lisa), we will get there!!! Steve and Joy, thanks so much for the great advice and encouragement.

ROB - you are amazing...you always know what to say to get me thinking and wanting and just to get that whole "eye of the tiger" back!! I am so pleased about having a cheat meal every two weeks...I know to some it might not seem like much but for me I think it will help greatly. You are right....my body is a CASTLE and I AM THE QUEEN!!! :) I love that :))) I will CREATE in the NOW!!! Thank you Rob....I don't say this enough, but I know that I couldn't get through this without your support....THANK YOU!!!

So here's my plan. Tomorrow morning, I will wake up, weigh-in, then get my workout done first thing in the morning. I will then have a nice healthy egg white and spinach omlette and be on my way.

Today is my 5th wedding anniversary and tomorrow is my husband's birthday so we will be going out to celebrate over dinner and a couple of drinks!! This will be my very first cheat meal and then back on track!! I will post details of my first "official" cheat meal and how the day went!!

It is time to RE-FOCUS!!!

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!!!)