Day 23 of My 30 Day Countdown

Hi guys!!

Great day today!! Had a great kickboxing class. Unfortunately, Ingrid (the instructor) hurt her foot and as she said, "that would slow her down a bit today!!!" Well, it didn't seem to slow her down one bit, she still worked our butts off!! That woman is tough as nails!!! She's awesome!

Food was great today as well as water consumption. I'm in a groove right now and loving it!

On another note, I received an email from Alison Korn - the writer from the Ottawa Citizen newspaper who has been chronicling my journey with periodic articles on my progress. She wants to do the follow up (final) article which should run in the paper, early next week. The photographer will most likely be coming by on the weekend. Since the article will run in the paper early next week, you will get a sneak peek at the new me :)!! Exciting! I'll keep you posted with the details and post the link for all of you not in the Ottawa area! :)

I really want to take a pic with my trainer...I'm hoping they'll allow it or maybe if I could take it at the dojo doing some kickboxing/Jiu-jitsu move or something!! Who knows? I'm doing the interview tomorrow, so I'll see what she says! :)

Until next time...I am only 7 DAYS away from the BIG DAY!!!

Joania (2KMINE!!)

Newspaper Article

Hi again,

A friend of mine brought this to my attention. I had no idea that this article was published. Last week, I participated in the SunLife ParticipACTION Inspire the Nation Tour (I wrote a post about it here)which launched in Ottawa on June 29. It was a lot of fun and I was actually given the opportunity to speak to the assembled crowd and media. I was on TV that evening.

It was a wonderful opportunity. I got to meet Kelly Murumets, president and CEO of ParticipACTION, Josée Dixon, a regional vice president with Sun Life Financial and former Olympian Sue Holloway of Active Ottawa. We each addressed the group (gave speeches)...it was awesome!! I can't believe all the wonderful things I've been able to partake in because of this journey. It's just fabulous.

Anyway, here's the link to the recent newspaper article written from that event. Check it out here: http://www.emcottawaeast.ca/


Here are a few pics from the event. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get pics of me speaking or of Kelly Murumets (president/CEO ParticipACTION)... I guess in all my excitement, I forgot to ask someone to take a few shots using my camera.







Until next time...
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!!!)

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!!!)

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!!!)

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!!!)

The Ottawa Citizen Follow-up Article!!!

They're checking up on me y'all!! lol!! Glad I kept my butt in check the past few months!!

I received an email yesterday from Alison Korn, the Ottawa Citizen writer who wrote the feature on my story about 5 months ago. Check it out here: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Health/Joania+journey/1238813/story.html

Anyway, they're interested in doing a follow-up interview to check on my progress etc. I'm so happy that they decided to do this, more importantly,I'm so happy I've been able to stay on track!! I'd feel like such a turd if I hadn't! :)

It was always in the back of my mind that they might do a follow-up. I'm actually quite excited to show my progress. The article was done back in January (seems like such a long time ago) and SOOOOO much has changed since. At that time, I had completed only 7 weeks of the journey and had lost 22 pounds. Now, I'm down 30 additional pounds for a total of 52 POUNDS lost and feeling great, and there's just so much to share, including my new plans of training for a 5K run!!!

So I am looking forward to it. They will be sending a photographer to take a current picture....proof is in the pix, right?? I will do the interview next week and keep you posted (as always) as the details become available.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!)

Newspaper Article - Ottawa Metro

Hi guys,

I'm still away on business but had to come on quickly to put up the link to the newspaper article. It ran in the paper today and my husband picked up a few copies this morning. It's available on line, and here's the link:

http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/227085--joania-s-amazing-journey

Tell me what you think!!!

Until next time....

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

More Big NEWS - Metro News Ottawa!!!

Hi everyone,

I've got news again!!!! A couple of weeks back, I was contacted by a representative from Hill and Knowlton -the public relations firm supporting ParticipACTION's Inspiration campaign.

Since my story was chosen to be featured in the upcoming ParticipACTION commercial, they (the PR firm) wanted to share my story with the local media and some of Canada’s marketing media. They wanted to know if I would be okay if they went to the media with my story. I told them, "Sure!" ;)

Anyway, I received a telephone call from Metro News Ottawa and gave a telephone interview to a writer named Tracey Tong. She was super nice. Anyway, the article will run in Tuesday's (May 12th, 2009) newspaper!!! The day after the participACTION commercial goes to air!! It will discuss how I feel about being chosen for the commercial, my blog, fitness routines, trainer etc. I'm so excited!! I'm out of town so of course I've tasked my husband with picking up a few copies!! :) My scrapbook will be awesome! Too bad I don't scrapbook!! I am not very artistic when it comes to things like this. Maybe I'll take a scrapbooking course!! It's a thought! :)

Anyway, can't wait to read it and I hope all of you will check it out and like it!! For those not in the Ottawa area, as soon as the link becomes available, I will post it!!

All this is truly helping me stay on track!! It's awesome!!! When I started on this journey, I knew that being accountable and putting myself out there would help me to succeed!! Never in a million years did I anticipate this level of "accountability". This is one of the reasons I kick my own ass working out regularly!!LOL!! Seriously, it really does keep me motivated.

Anyway, 5 month pix next week!!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!)

Cardio and Coincidences...

Hi Guys,
Just a quick post today....

Well tomorrow is Weigh in Wednesday and as usual, I'm anxious to see the number on that scale...even though I know I'm doing well. I just fit into a winter coat that I couldn't just 2 short months ago. I feel fabulous about that!!

I don't believe in coincidences!
Also, the news paper article is supposed to be published tomorrow...coincidence that it falls on Weigh in Wednesday???? I THINK NOT! I'm still in a bit of disbelief that this journey was picked up by the papers. Even though I was interviewed, had pictures taken, etc., part of me still has the "I'll believe it when I see it mentality!!" But Wow!! I said I wanted to be accountable and that the more people aware of this story, the better...well, looks like I'm about to become accountable to whole lot more people!!

Yesterday, I did the new training program(phase 2 in the progressive program) for the second time...MAN!! My heart was just pumping!! It's a really awesome feeling... I could .feel every muscle working.

Also on Sunday, I decided to change up my cardio a bit as well. Before, I would hop on a machine (treadmill, bike, elliptical), set it at a decent pace, and push through for 20 minutes...I'd be sweating after!! Anyway, my trainer spoke a little about interval training and I did a bit of research (trusty internet) and came across a 20 minute interval cardio workout. I basically push myself really hard for a minute and recover for the next two minutes and continue on until the end, increasing the level of intensity a bit for each of minute that I'm pushing to the max!! Well I tried it on Sunday and holy crap was it ever hard, I was sweating like you wouldn't believe, really feeling AND BURNT WAY MORE CALORIES (about 50 more!!!)..So that's what I'll be doing from now on with my cardio. Jillian Michaels (the trainer from the Biggest Loser TV show has one similar to this as well). Mine looks kind of like this:

0:00 - 3:oo minutes (warm up) level 2
3:00 - 4:00 minutes (push) level 5
4:00 - 6:00 minutes (recover) level 3
6:00 - 7:00 minutes (push) level 5.5
7:00 - 9:00 minutes (recover) level 3
9:00 -10:00 mins (push) level 6
10:00-12:00 mins (recover) level 3
12:00-13:00 mins (push) level 6.5
13:00-15:00mins (recover) level 3
15:00-16:00 mins (push) level 7
16:00-18:00 mins (recover) level 3
18:00-19:00mins (push) level 6
19:00 -22:00 mins (cool down) level 3

It's HARD!! But I like how I feel when I'm done!

ROB - Tell me what you think of this please....

Anyway, I said this would be a short post so that's it for now, until tomorrow am when I post the weight loss results...

Until then,

Joania (2KMINE!!)

EXTRA! EXTRA!! Read All About It....MY BIG NEWS!!!!!!!!!!

So, I received an email yesterday from (you're not gonna believe this), Canadian Olympic medalist, Alison Korn. She won a silver medal in Atlanta (1996) and a bronze medal in Sydney (2000) in Rowing (womens coxed eights)!! She's a freelance sports writer who writes for The Ottawa Citizen ( for my blogger friends outside of Ottawa - that's our major newspaper) and a number of other newspapers/magazines including the Toronto Sun.

Anyway, she contacted ME, requesting an interview as she would like to feature ME and the story of my weight loss journey in NEXT WEEK'S PAPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you believe it??? She even checked out my blog!! My little old blog!! Crazy and wonderful all at the same time!!! Anyhoo, I spoke to her for about an hour yesterday responding to her questions regarding my journey, weight loss, program, exercise etc. She was quite friendly and easy to talk to and well you know I don't have a problem talking!!

So after completing the interview, she said that she will need to send over a photographer to take some pics. The timing could not have been more perfect. I told her that I was meeting my trainer in the morning at his training studio and it would be a good place to take the pics...but I needed to contact him just to confirm. She said no problem and asked that I call her back. I called Rob and left him a message...I was so excited I'm not even sure of what I said...I also sent him an email..Anyway, he responded that it would not be a problem - thanks for that, Rob!!

This morning, the photograper showed up bright and early, right on time at Rob's studio to take our pics.

When I woke up this morning, I was thinking, "maybe I should really pretty myself up for this". Then I thought, no way, I'm gonna be sweating and working my ass off (because Rob doesn't play when it comes to working out) I'm just gonna be me, just gonna be real...and that's exactly what I did (although I did spend a little time on my hair this morning)LOL!! Nothing major - just simple! :)

The photographer was friendly and it was over in minutes. My only request to him was to ensure that he did not take any unflattering butt shots!! He obliged :) , took the pics and was out of there. Rob and I continued on with the program!

You know, when I first decided to go public with my journey, I must admit that there were somewhat selfish reasons behind it. For one, I knew if I went public I would stand a better chance of succeeding because I did not want to fail or quit and have to inform and/or justify it to everyone. I also wanted to show people (especially those struggling with weight) that this could be done, THERE IS HOPE!

Over the last 6 weeks, I've come to really appreciate what going public with this journey is doing for me and others. First, I have and continue to receive such an amazing amount of support - it's incredible, thank you. I have also met so many people with the exact same struggles (some even worse) and they look to this blog and facebook group for support an inspiration. That's just amazing to me. What's rewarding to me is the number of individuals who have been inspired by what I'm trying to accomplish and have started "journeys" of their own. That makes me happy!!

Now, this feature in the Citizen, just means that I will be able to reach even more people and show them that a regular, fulltime working-wife and mother of a 2yr old can accomplish these goals. It's awesome!! I WILL SUCCEED (now more than ever!!)

So that's my BIG NEWS!! The article should be in Wednesday's paper (Health Section) but I will confirm that shortly!! I'm excited!!

Until then....

Joania (2K MINE!!!)