Time and Motivation

I was going through my emails this evening and a couple of them really got me thinking, which led me to write this post today.

One of the questions came from a stranger following my journey and the other came from a friend of mine (from way back in our University days). The first question (from anonymous) was, "Where do you find the time to work out, while working full-time, having a toddler and all the traveling, etc.?"

Well, anonymous, lets just say that my days are very full! I will not sit here and tell you that this just comes easy after a while and it's no big deal, just do it, blah, blah, blah!! This shit is one of the hardest things I've ever done!! It may even be harder than labor because at least I got a beautiful son at the end and it "only" lasted 17 hours!!

What I've come to learn (and still learning) is that when you truly want something, you go get it....you make the time!! I really have to "MAKE" the time. My son (family) is the most important thing to me and although part of my reason for doing this is for them (especially my son), I also don't want to take time away from him either. I work full-time, so that's already time away from him. When I pick him up after work, I want to make sure we get our time together - it's for that reason that I don't workout after work! That's his time.

So I make the time by waking up early enough (530am) to get my workout done prior to heading to work. I also work out on my lunch hour at work so that leaves my evenings free. Don't get me wrong, there are times when it's not perfect but I make do!! Some evenings I go for a power walk with my son (in his stroller)...I then stop of at the park before heading home. we play together and I get some exercises in as well ( like dips and push-ups on the park bench) while my son goes up and down the slide/play structure.

I also try to keep my weekends free for family....I try to get an early morning walk/run in on Saturday or a yoga class and that's it for the weekend!! The rest is for family fun!!! :) It keeps me sane!

The other question came from my girlfriend Tasha who asked me, "How do you stay motivated?" And as I told her in the email, it is really a struggle, it is difficult but I credit a big part of being able to stay motivated to the fact that I've put myself out there for all to see - that whole accountability factor. It is definitely helping to keep me on track. The extra attention I've received from the media is helping as well!! Nothing keeps me sweating it up, than the thought of a journalist calling for an update article and progress pic!! :)

Also, blogging about it helps a lot. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have an outlet in which I could express all my feelings throughout this journey - it's been quite therapeutic to write about it - all the ups and downs!! Sometimes when I feel like I can't do this anymore, I go back and read some past posts and trust me it helps, especially the incredibly supportive comments.

I pray a lot. Prayer and more prayer also helps me to keep going. I have a very strong belief in God and His grace. Praying to me is also a form of meditation and reflection, you know? I take comfort in the fact that I am loved and blessed, daily!

Of course the support I've received from my trainer has just been fabulous. I cannot tell you (or him) enough, just how much it means to me to have him in my corner - not only providing me with the tools and guidance that I need to succeed on this journey but just incredible support.

My family and friends keep me motivated with continuous support, encouragement and loving me regardless - nothing beats unconditional love!!

I've said this many times before but the incredible support that I receive from the blogging community - who regularly check in on me, leave encouraging, supportive messages/comments...IT IS JUST AMAZING and a HUGE part of what keeps me motivated. I don't ever want to let them (you guys) down!!

AND last, but certainly not least I really don't want to let myself down - you know!??! I make sure I keep myself motivated by constantly reminding myself of the reasons that I'm on this journey. I frequently go back and read past posts just to keep it fresh in my mind and avoid complacency.

So that's my rant for tonight, bottom line - if it's important enough to you - MAKE IT HAPPEN, KEEP MOTIVATED, MAKE THE TIME, you deserve it.....it's still a difficult thing to do, but the rewards are definitely worth it!!

Weigh-In...Week 29 ~ ONEderland!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)

Last Weigh In: 201 lbs (June 27/09)

Current Weight: 199 lbs

This Week's Loss: 2lbs!!!

Total pounds lossed to date: 59

Well...this is my GOOD NEWS!!! I have FINALLY made it to ONEDERLAND!!! The actual weight on the scale read 199.4 yesterday. It could have read 199.9999999 and it would still be awesome to me!!! I was out of TWOterville!!! YEAH!!! It was fabulous!! I've done it and I feel great about it!! I am down 59 pounds!!! This is amazing!! Starting this journey back in December, I remember saying to myself, "If I could lose 50 pounds and weigh around 208lbs, I'll be happy!!" Well now I WEIGH 199lbs!!! This is only the half!! I have no doubts that I will lose the rest of the weight and reach my overall goal of losing 101lbs!! I can't wait 'til that day!!:) I feel great!! That picture on the left is exactly how I feel, crazy hair and all!! :))

Another reward level accomplished!!! My reward for reaching this level (58lbs lost) is a "C'est La Vie" eat-whatever-I-want-day!!! Well, yesterday, I ate very healthy all day. At the wedding reception I had steamed veggies and fish and a salad. It was delicious. I had a small piece of cake. HOWEVER, I thoroughly enjoyed the wine (both red and white) in addition to a "few" rye and gingers and a shooter!! :) Hence the reason why this post did not go up last night nor early this morning :))) I wouldn't have been able to type my name last night, if you paid me lol!! So although it wasn't an "eat-whatever-I-want" DAY, I think that qualified as my reward. It worked out better this way, plus I don't really want to eat badly ALL day. The cake and alcohol were good enough rewards!! It was a great wedding, fun...I danced all night....it was wonderful!

Anyway, that's it for now...signing off very happy today. Off to get my cardio workout in for the day.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!)

Weigh-In Thursday...FIFTY and Feeling Fab!!!!

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 211 lbs (Apr 29/09)
Current Weight: 208 lbs
This Week's Loss: 3 lbs!!!!!!!!

50 POUNDS DOWN!!! 50 POUNDS!!

I am sooooooooooooooooo happy about this week's loss. It must be the alcohol I drank last Thursday! I'm on cloud 50!!! 50 pounds. As of this morning, my weight is 208 pounds!! I don't remember ever weighing that amount. It's more than likely before I started weighing myself so I was probably 10 years old!!

With this week's loss, I have hit another reward level - a full spa day!!!! Can't wait!! Oh Yeah!!

With this week's loss, I am now 0.5 lbs away from my halfway mark!! 1/2 a pound!! INCREDIBLE!! ROB!!! Can you believe this!! Awesome!!

I am out of town again on business and will be back on Friday the 15th!!! So my next weigh in will be on Saturday the 16th instead of Wed...and I will take my new pics then as well!!!!

Until then, I'm signing off 50 POUNDS lighter and loving it!!

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Weigh-In Wednesday ~ Week 20

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 212 lbs (Apr 25/09)
Current Weight: 211 lbs
This Week's Loss: 1 lb!!!!!!!!

Another pound gone!! Whoooooooooohoooooooooooooooooo

I did not expect to see much movement on the scale since I just weighed in on Saturday!! But another pound, that's awesome!! I feel great about that!!

One more pound until my next reward!! YES!! I weigh 211 pounds!!! I'm slowly but SURELY approaching "Onderland" (weighing in the 100's) and can't remember the last time I was there!! Wow!!

I'm in a really good place!! It's awesome!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Week 19 Weigh-In......2 More Pounds!!!

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 214 lbs (Apr 15/09)
Current Weight: 212 lbs
This Week's Loss: 2 lbs!!!!!!!!

This week, due to my business trip, I weighed in this morning (Saturday) as opposed to my usual Wednesday scale love.

I AM THRILLED with this 2 pound loss!!!! I think I would have dropped a couple more had I not strayed with my diet this week but I'm still down and I must credit that to sticking with my workout 100%!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I have now lost a total of 46 pounds. I am 4.5 pounds away from my halfway mark of weighing 207.5 at which point I would have lost 50.5 lbs!! This is just incredible!! I AM ALSO 2 POUNDS AWAY from my next reward!!

I am feeling fabulous and plan to really push it to my limits in the next upcoming weeks!!

Until next time....

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Reward # 1 ~ Isn't She Beautiful???

REWARD # 1 - 28 Pounds Gone ~ A Beautiful Handbag!

Okay, I'm a bit late (very late) picking up this reward but, BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!! I've already written about my "Reward # 2- An Hour Long Massage". I never realized how picky I was when it came to choosing a bag....anyway.....

You may or may not know, but, I decided to set up a reward system for myself as another means of keeping me motivated. See, "Rewards - Weigh This, Get That!" on the right side of the home page of my blog. I figure, I should reward myself when I accomplish a certain goal weight. That can only help to keep me on track and also, I get GOODIES!!!:)

My first goal weight on this reward system was to reach 230 pounds (lose 28 pounds). I accomplished this goal at February 25th's weigh in. For my hard work, I will be purchasing a new handbag and not any old handbag, I want a beautiful, fancy one; an investment piece (lol).

My next reward will be when I weigh 220 pounds and would have lost 38 pounds!!! I will then reward myself with a very long massage (minimum 1 hour). It was great!!

So, here's a picture of her (my new bag, that is)....

Isn't she beautiful????

A closer look...

A side view....

A little closer...

Until next time....

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Reward # 2 - mmmmmm....Massage!!!!!!!!!!

REWARD # 2 - 38 Pounds Gone ~ An Hour Long Massage!


Okay, so this is reward number 2 and I have not yet posted reward # 1 (still searching for that handbag/purse). It's got to be the right one!! Anyway, here's what happened with Reward #2!!!

I am now referring to Alice Tracey (my new massage therapist) as "Angel" Tracey!! I had a full body massage on Saturday morning which lasted for a little more than an hour and OH MY GOODNESS!! It was amazing. I felt fantastic!!

This was my reward for losing 38 pounds (I actually lost 39!!!) and boy was it worth it...so much so that I've decided from this moment on, I will "reward" myself with a massage on a monthly basis. EVERY MONTH, I will get a massage...yes..I'm worth it!!!

Her hands are magic!! I literally felt like mush when I walked or should I say "floated" out of there. My muscles were so relaxed and just limber...it was awesome. I slept like a baby last night. She's really great at what she does, very professional and just overall a very fasinating and interesting individual. Great conversation. I really enjoyed it. This was a great idea for a reward!!

Alice works out of the west end of Ottawa (centrepointe dr). Her prices are very reasonable and she's an amazing masseuse/massage therapist. Check her out, if you're looking for a great massage. You could even book/reserve on-line.

Here's her website.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Ouch, Ouch, Ouch....Massage Please!!!

My legs are killing me!!! My new program yesterday included some new exercises targeting my leg muscles (lunges and squats) and I can testify, under oath that they work!! I worked those muscles to soreness! When trying to sit on the toilet feels like a form of exercise, you know you've worked it to the max!! WOW!!

All I could think about today is my next reward level (lose 3 more pounds and I get an hour long massage). I went ahead and reserved my massage for April 4!! I know I won't be as sore then but I still think it will be fabulous. I'm hoping I will be down 3 more pounds by then.....afterall, I don't want to cheat my own reward system.

I booked online here. I went to a Health and Wellness show back in January. It was a typical trade show type set up where in this case it was all health and fitness vendors advertising their services. Anyway, my girlfriend Tanya and I were walking around, checking things out, when we saw that one vendor offered a free 15 minute trial massage. Sounded great so we signed up and waited our turns. We each had a different masseuse.

I introduced myself to my masseuse. Her name was Alice and this may sound a bit weird but I felt an immediate connection with her...not anything major or creepy, just like when you meet someone who for what every reason, you just know is a kind soul/a nice person. At least that's what I felt when I met her. Anyway, she asked me a few questions and I got on the massage table. She gave me a sample and it felt amazing. She then asked me if I wanted to try a Reiki massage.

Now, I've heard the term before but to be honest, I didn't really have a clue what it was. So I asked and she told me, "Reiki is an ancient Japanese healing art based on balancing energy systems. There are 7 main energy centres in the body where we either store energy or express energy. These are known as chakras. The chakras correspond to mental, emotional, spiritual and physical aspects of wellbeing. Reiki is a very light touch using intention to feel and re-direct energy. Reiki helps to restore positive energy which helps bring you into harmony". There's no way I retained that info from January, I scooped it off her website. Check it out, you can even book your massage online. She's in Ottawa (west end).

Anyway, this Reiki massage FREAKED MY FREAK y'all!!! Alice barely made physical contact, but I felt every movement. I was sooooooooooo relaxed, felt like my head was floating...it was absolutely amazing. I've never felt anything like that before. I'm generally a skeptic with certain things, but I KNOW what I felt and experienced. I know I left that trade show feeling awesome and ready to take on the world. I had just started on this journey (it was less than a month) and I was in a good place. It was just incredible. So I'm hoping that we could follow up in future sessions.

So if you're in the Ottawa area, check her out. She came off as being very passionate about what she does and you can always see the difference when someone is doing what they love. Anyhoo, I will definitely follow up and give you guys full details of how my massage goes next week. I'm really looking forward to it.

That's it for now. Have a great Sunday. I plan to get in some cardio today and hang out with my son!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)