A Letter of Gratitude to My Trainer & Friend, Rob Lagana

Dear Rob,

Wow!!! Here we are, less than a month away from Dec 10, 2009!!! This year has truly flown by. I have so much to say. I did not want to wait until the end of the journey (or what I am calling "the beginning of my new and permanent lifestyle), to write you this letter. Expressing gratitude has always been significantly important to me and I really want to do this one right. Rob, I know you would be perfectly happy with me just saying, "thanks a lot Rob, we did it!" but I wouldn't be. So here goes...

Even at my heaviest weight, I was never one to be low on confidence or self-esteem, but where I lacked strength was in believing in my ability to lose this weight. I just lived with it and for the most part, wasn't overly bothered by it until I reached my breaking point. That's when I contacted you. From the moment I met you and we discussed the plan, I felt an immediate energy - it was strong and it felt right. I knew then and there (I really did), that you were the person that would help me achieve this goal; you were the one that would provide me with the tools that would not only work for me, but FIT with the person that I am. Your confident approach, awareness of self and confidence in your knowledge and abilities was evident from day one. I knew that if I really wanted this, it could be mine and you would be right there supporting and pushing me along.

I stepped on the scale yesterday and dropped another 3 pounds and that took me over the 80 pound mark! 81 pounds GONE!! That is a HUGE, personal victory for me. I feel like a WINNER!! I did it!! I know that my initial goal was to lose 101 pounds and even though I don't lose that amount come December 10th, I FEEL LIKE I'VE WON!! WE WON!! WE DID IT!! The journey continues, I WILL continue with my lifestyle as well as achieve and maintain my ideal weight in the near future - whatever that weight might be!!

I am on a new and exciting path. I am healthy and strong and day by day, my body represents those feelings!! It's incredible all of the wonderful things that have happened to me since embarking on this journey. Most importantly, I am healthier and stronger AND my quality of life has and is continuing to improve.

So, with all that said, I wanted to THANK YOU!!! Thank you for your time, your support, your knowledge, your encouragement, YOUR PATIENCE, your sincere and genuine caring nature! Thank you for helping me to save my own life!!! Thank you for believing in me from day one and NEVER ONCE judging me for how fat or unfit I was. When I first saw you and how physically fit you were, I wondered if in your mind you thought to yourself, "how could she have let herself get so out of shape!" But never once did you ever make me feel that way and I appreciate it! You were one of my loudest cheerleaders and I truly thank you for that.

Thank you for all of the kick-ass routines and meal plans. I have cursed your name many, many times in the wee hours of the morning as I pushed through the training but it was all worth it! LOL!! Thank you for answering ALL of my NUMEROUS questions, regardless of how silly they were! THANK YOU!!

You are so good at what you do. Your obvious passion for fitness is contagious! This is what you were born to do! Really!!

I know that the best way that I can repay you for all you've done for me is by continuing to live this healthy lifestyle and taking care of my body, respecting my body. I promise you Rob, I WILL!! You've shown me the way and I will always appreciate you for it! I just took my measurements and when I post the results, YOU will be blown away and I know that will make you happy!

I don't know what else to say, except, thank you!

Thank you for changing my life. Thank you for the wisdom and confidence you have shown while training me to be the best I can be. Your influence on my life is immeasurable. The knowledge and skills you have taught me will stay with me for my lifetime. Your presence and guidance in my life eternally holds a place in my heart as trainer and a friend.

Thank you!

In health and friendship, always

Joania :)

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!!!)

My Workout Plan

Hey guys,

First off, thank you all so very much for the wonderful feedback/comments on my recently posted anniversary pics!! THANK YOU GUYS!! IT MEANS A LOT!!!!! I always look forward to your comments.

After looking at those 4-month pics and noting all the changes/progress from Day 1 to now, I'm motivated like crazy to just keep pushing through!! I don't want to lose momentum. I am so very excited for what's to come. I've been feeling good, really good actually.

The next few weeks I plan to really give it a 110 percent with each workout and with my eating as well. I want to stay true and clean to both the meal and exercise plans!! Optimal results!!! I feel like I'm in a zone and I just want to stay there!!! Fitting into those size 16 jeans may have a lot to do with this attitude!!:))

Working It Out

I am currently working out 6 days a week...rest on Sunday....Rob (trainer) now has me doing Cardio 5 times a week instead of 3 days a week and my strength routine 3 times a week. Here's the breakdown:

Monday - Strength Routine (1 hour) and 30 minutes of Cardio
Tuesday - Spinning Class (45 mins to 1 hr)
Wednesday - Strength Routine (1 hour) and 30 minutes of Cardio
Thursday - Spinning Class (45 mins to 1hr)
Friday - Strength Routine (1 hour) and 30 minutes of Cardio

Saturday - My own day of exercise fun - either I go for a walk/jog outdoors, do yoga, swim or any new fitness thing that I want to try - SAMPLE SATURDAY!! This is something I wanted to do, my program calls for me working out 5 days a week. I think it's important in regards to maintaining this new lifestyle for me to try new things; for example in the summer time, I think it will be just as simple as putting my son his stroller and taking a long walk - we'd then end up at one of the many parks in the area where we'd play (you'd be surprised at the workout you can get running around and climbing up and down those play structures!!!) Healthy FUN!!

I've always wanted to take tennis lessons, so this may be something I will try in the very near future!! Maybe I'll join a recreational sports team (like soccer, or football)...who knows???The options are endless!!
Sunday - I'M OFF BABY!!! Rest, Worship, Family and REST some more!!!!!

Then continue strong on Monday!!!

So this is my plan for the next few weeks. I look forward to the weigh-ins on Wednesdays to see what happens next!!

Until then...

Joania(2KMINE!!!)

Lessons Learned....

Hi everyone,

Well what a week I've had!! It was busy, exciting, scary and exhausting all at the same time!

I returned from Halifax with a bit of a cold/soar throat....one day later, my two year old had a fever and vomitting, so sad and scary when they get sick at this age...I took the week off to nurse him (well us) to health. On Friday evening, my husband came down with a fever, vomitting, dizziness etc. We've been running around from clinics to pharmacies and everything in between. My son and I are now 95% back to normal but my poor husband is still fighting the good fight. It really hit him hard. I hate when my boys are sick, it just reminds me of the importance of not taking them and what we share for granted, especially when everything is great! I love my boys - they make up my heart!

Anyway, this week put a lot of things in perspective for me. Like the importance of living and enjoying life to the fullest and not wasting time on trivial things, which brings me to the whole "SUNNY" situation. I recently added a new friend to my facebook group and he asked me a question regarding this situation that really and truly got me thinking. He said, "Now if it pissed you off this much, ask yourself why? That's perhaps the lesson you can learn here". It really got me thinking and what I've come up with in response to this question is one of a few lessons I've learned regarding this situation. Thanks Mark!

Lesson One - Don't Take Things Like this personally!!
Even though I didn't think I took this extremely personally, it did bother me for a bit and I did spend some time and negative energy on this. I realized that this individuals comments are just that, "their comments!" and has nothing to do with me. It is all Sunny's reality, not mine! I do, however appreciate the support received from everyone and I'm grateful for that - Thank you!
The last thing I want to say on this Sunny Situation (that sounds like a song) is directed to Sunny him/herself (who I hope is reading this). Sunny, I sincerely wish you the best in all that you do and attempt to do!

Lesson Two - Keep Smiling/Laughing!!

I've always loved laughing and smiling. I just like how I feel when I'm laughing and again my new friend Mark reminded me of this as well. He told me, "Smile right now...no really while reading this grin your ass off ear to ear for 5 seconds. You will automatically feel better. It's physically impossible to be pissed when smiling. See? It always works!" So of course I tried it and I tell you I immediately started laughing, just the thought of me sitting in front of my computer grinning from ear to ear, just made me laugh!! It really worked! I told him I'd share this technique with all of my friends and I meant it!! So the next time, you're upset or down, heed the advice of my new friend Mark!! :)

Lesson Three - Stay True to Myself!!
I embarked on this journey for my own reasons and it's important to me to stay true to who I am and my initial goals. I realize that I may be challenged at times and the next time i will be fully prepared for that and I'm okay with that...

So that's it for my lessons from this week! My next couple of posts will explain a bit more of the "good and exciting news I want to share!"

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Oh Happy Day!!!!

Wow!!!!

What a day it was yesterday!!! I was up at 5:00am (did my cardio) and didn't get to bed until after 11:oopm!!!! When I finally put my head to pillow, I was exhausted - funny, I had so much energy all day (I think that was 1 part adreneline, and the rest this new level of fitness)!!

Anyway, I am on such a high from the incredible displays of support and encouragement received from SOOOO MANY especially after reading the article in the Ottawa Citizen. I wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone for the ongoing support!

I quite enjoyed the article myself (thank you again to Alison Korn for doing such a stand up job on it).

So that's it...just a quick post to say thank you to all who checked out the story. I plan to use this momentum to keep me motivated as long as I can or until the next 'big thing" happens. My plan is to continue thinking and being positive, stay focused and DREAM BIG because you never know!!!!!! Who would have thought that trying to lose weight and get fit would be so interesting!!!!!??!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks again all!!!

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

The Pics Are Out - Here's What I Noticed...

I'm so relieved that the pics are out AND that the results were visible. Personally, I am truly amazed at the results. I never thought that dropping 16 pounds would be so significant (especially visually). I realized that I shed a lot more inches than pounds and in the bigger picture I AM FEELING MUCH BETTER!! I am breathing easier, sleeping better and not as breathless when I RUN up and down my stairs, my feet aren't always sore, my knees no longer crack with each step and they don't hurt anymore!! Trust me, I like the weight loss part, I love seeing that number get smaller and smaller, BUT I also truly love the way I'm feeling right now - just STRONG! It's awesome. I will post my "inches lost" soon - you guys will be amazed; I was STUNNED!!

I received such awesome feedback/comments from everyone - Thank you all!! I've also had a few questions, but here is the answer to what was my favourite question thus far:

"Joania, you look so awesome, it looks like you've lost so much weight in these pix, be honest, are you wearing a gurdle or you know, spanx???"

"NO!! I'm NOT wearing a gurdle or spanx in this picture! I'm wearing the exact same outfit I wore on Dec 10/08, including same underwear and bra!!!!" I literally take it off, WASH it and put it away for a month!!

Anyway, here are 10 differences (physical that is) I noticed in this month's pictures:

1. My butt is getting smaller and more shapely (whoohoo..on my way to being even more bootylicious than I thought I was!)
2. My boobs are smaller (my husband's getting worried)
3. I HAVE A WAIST AGAIN!! WHOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!! (Well it's on its way back)
4. I've lost not one, BUT TWO sets of rolls on my back!! Oh Yeah!!
5. My face is smaller
6. A little space is slowly starting to reappear between my legs!
7. My shoulders and arms are shrinking.
8. My "Backboobs" are shrinking and I TOTALLY hope they DISAPPEAR!!!
9. My legs look longer (that's because my gut is shrinking, hence my shorts can be properly pulled up, exposing more of my hot legs!!) ;))
10. I LOOK taller! :)

The one thing that stayed just as big is my heart and I hope it never loses any weight!! My heart is truly filled with joy right now at my progress, the fact that I've remained committed and determined to succeed. I am also very happy and grateful to have such supportive people behind me, in my corner, beside me, having my back on a regular basis. Thank you all so much for all the support, kind words, words of encouragement and offers to kick my butt when I need it!! THANK YOU!!

I am even more committed to see this through and just can't wait for next month's pics...Feb 10 is closer than it seems!!!!

Joania (2000 MINE!!!)