Alberta Beef!!

Hey guys,

This is just another quick post to touch base. I am now in Edmonton. Hotel fitness facilities not as good as 4 seasons in Vancouver but it will do. It's still quite nice, just not as many exercise machines. Best part of all is that...THEY DO NOT HAVE A PULL-UP machine!! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!! Anyway, I've been doing pushups instead.
I've kept up very well with my exercises. I haven't missed a workout!!

Food wise however,..................well....................lets just say that I had a few drinks last night....AND a mushroom swiss burger (it was HUGE!!!)....I am in Alberta.......the beef is fabulous, I just had to. I could have had a salad with beef BUT chose not too. Instead I had shoestring sweet potato fries. I did not eat all the fries, but I ate that huge burger. I was stuffed afterwards. It was uncomfortable but I must say it tasted fabulous!! Here's a pic of the burger - the actual one, half eaten. I had already started into it before thinking that I should take a picture. Sorry for the quality, it was taken with my cell phone cam.



Take a look at the size of this thing. I'm sure that
with this burger alone, I put on a pound. We'll see when I get back.
Anyway, that's it for now....





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

I'm Out of Town on Business Again..

Hey guys,

I'm in Vancouver right now and will be out west for the next little while so the posts won't be as regular for the next couple of weeks but I wil definitely keep you all posted and I WILL STAY ON TRACK with the diet and exercise.

I just checked in at the hotel in Vancouver (the Four Seasons)...beautiful hotel...I was upgraded to an executive suite(don't know what I did to deserve it) the room, I should say "the suite" is gorgeous!! Anyway, I checked out the fitness centre hoping they wouldn't have a "pull-up" machine!!!! To my surprise....the first machine I spotted was that dreaded pull-up machine so NO excuses. The gym is huge and full of top of the line equipment. I will be kicking ass on this program!!

Anyway, off to bed!!

Until next time...
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!!!)

My New Challenge.....PULL-UPS!!!

PULL-UPS!!! arrgggh, and I'm not talking about the potty training diaper!! I'm talking about the most dreaded excercise I've ever come across!!!!!!!!! This is the push-up's BIGGER and MEANER BROTHER!!!!!!! I never thought there was an exercise worse than push-ups! Well there is...

What is a pull-up (other than hell on earth)?

A pull-up is an upper body compound pulling exercise where the body is suspended by extended arms, gripping a fixed bar, then pulled up until the elbows are bent and the head is higher than the hands, utilizing an overhand grip (see pic below).

There are quite a few variations of this exercise; I'm just working on doing the standard pull-up. This thing is a frigging killer!! I have it listed as one of the things I want to be able to do after this journey (my health goals) but Holy Mother of Pearl, is it ever difficult!!

As part of my new training program, I'm required to do 3 sets of 8 of these suckers!! "ROB (my trainer), what the crap were you smoking when you built this program?? Are you nuts?" I could see you smiling right now, but could also hear you cheering me on!

So far, I've managed to do the required 3 sets of 8 reps.....hahahahahaha, NOT!!!! I can barely do one pull-up!!!! My arms (upper, lower), shoulders, abs, chest, back, nostrils...EVERYTHING shakes and burns when I try to do this...WOW!!! I'm able to bend my knees at a 90 degree angle and hang on the bar. I can "pull" myself up for only one repitition, and that's using everything I got!! So what I've been doing is hanging and pulling myself up as far as I can go, then hold for a second or two. I figure I will get stronger and should be able to eventually do at least 5 of these babies!!

I'm not going to give up on these...I WILL BE DOING 3 sets of 8 reps in 6-8 weeks time!!! I know I have it in me...I just got to find it..LOL!!! When I am finally able to do this, I will have it video taped and post it!!! LOL!! I'm serious, I will!! It may be next year, but I'll get it done! :)

Anyway, wish me luck with this one...

Overall, the new program rocks!! I feel like I just started working out again, except I'm stronger. It's HARD, don't get me wrong, but I can almost feel each exercise sculpting that respective muscle - it's pretty cool. It's super challenging and totally kick-ass, thanks Rob!!

I will once again be on business travel the next couple of weeks. I'll be out west and hoping that the hotel gyms are equipped to handle some of the exercises of the new program. I'll keep you posted.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

My Heart...

It's my son's birthday!! He is 3 years old today!! I cannot get over how quickly the time went by. He is the absolute love of my life - my husband is a very close second and he's okay with it :)!! The pic above was taken when my son was only one month old - seems like yesterday!

What does my son's birthday have to do with my journey?? EVERYTHING!!! I'm doing this for him!!! I want to be as healthy as possible for him! I want to be around to celebrate as many of his birthdays as possible!! I make reference to my son often in my posts. He is the number one reason why I finally decided to start this journey and he remains my daily inspiration and motivation for sticking with this journey. I love him and I'm so proud of the little man that he is, so today, I wanted to wish him a very Happy Birthday!! Of course, I've got lots of Birthday plans for today and this weekend.

This is a pic of him on his birthday last year!! You are my heart, sweetie and I love you very much. I have never felt a love more pure and deep. I hope one day, when you're all grown up, you can look back and read this and know just how much you were loved and how much you mean to me (and Daddy). You've completed every corner of my heart! Happy Birthday my sweet baby!


Here's one of my favorite poems by Mencita (Carmen) Monoi Angel.

Precious as a Child

Nothing should be more precious than a child

Nothing should be more contagious than a smile of a child

Nothing should be more cared of than a child

Children's innocence so often shattered

Children's love so often flouted

Nothing should be of more importance than a child

Nothing should be more powerfully loved by us than a child

Children's spontaneity so often trampled on

Children's forgiveness so often ignored

Nothing should be more cherished in this world than a child

Nothing should be more hugged with affection than a child

Tell me stranger, what is more beautiful and precious than any dear child

Until next time
Joania (2KMINE!!!)

My NEW Strength Training Program.....Holy Crap!!!!

Hi guys,

A couple of days ago, I got an email from my trainer with my new, more difficult, kick-ass training plan for the next few weeks. OMG!!!

I will be weight training 4 times a week. I have 2 new programs - one day upper body, the other lower body with core and balance training incorporated in both programs. I have a choice of doing the program 2 days on,one day off (so Mon, Tues - workout, off Wednesday, Thurs, Fri -workout and have the weekend off) or do it on alternating days. So far, I've done 2 days on 1 day off! It is killer hard.

Lots of supesetting (when two exercises are performed in a row without stopping/resting). It's quite vigorous but really shows me how much my strength has increased. It's awesome. I think after this 6 week period with this new program, the definition in my muscles will really be noticeable - I can't wait!

I've never seen some of these exercises before; like one where I'm working my triceps as I'm balancing on an exercise ball!! Insane!! There's another one that I'm calling the "Lagana Lunge-a-palooza"!! I'm doing all sorts of lunges (side, back, front) and balance moves all in ONE exercise!! It's crazy and really gets your heart going!! Mother of pearl!!

MrLagana (my trainer) wasn't playing around when he put this program together! I'm really going to give it my all and will be really excited to see the results. Thanks Rob!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

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!!)

Happy 4th of July!!!!

Hey y'all...just wanted to come on quickly to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July!! Enjoy those BBQ's!!

I'm busy getting ready to go to a wedding. I weighed in this morning and have good news!! Will be on later tonight topost details!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

A Fun Day ...Lessons Learned

Hi guys!! I had a GREAT time on Parliament Hill yesterday celebrating Canada Day with my family!! It was wonderful.

So yesterday, I decided that I was going to eat whatever I wanted. It would be my "free" day where food was concerned. I don't believe in "cheat" days, I never want to feel guilty for eating something. I realize that all things must be consumed in moderation but it's also important (very important, actually) for me to be able to live and enjoy certain foods from time to time without any burdening guilt attached. And I did just that!

My family and I usually have a jumbo grilled italian sausage with a poutine (a combination of fries, gravy and cheese curds) on Canada Day..it's become tradition and this year would be no different. Here's what I had to eat:

1. A medium poutine (I so wanted to get a large one but thought better of it). It was delicious (see picture below)
   
2. A jumbo grilled italian sausage - I thought I would load it up with all sorts of toppings (saukrout, hot peppers, onions, pickles - but I ended up just adding ketchup). It was so yummy.
   
3. I also washed it all down with a can of Coke and my goodness was that ever sweet!! I don't remember coke tasting so sweet..it was "almost" disgusting...almost! LOL!!
4. On our way home that evening, we stopped off and picked up Chinese food - chicken fried rice, chicken balls, garlic spare ribs...YUMMY!! I had a pretty decent-sized plate and OMG....yum-a-licious!!!
5. We put the kids to bed and my girlfriend and I capped off the night with a few (3 or 4) cocktails - chopped pineapples, chopped strawberries, VODKA and tropical flavor five alive juice with ice....YUMMMMMMMY!!!

So it's fair to say that I had a great time yesterday and surprisingly, my stomach held up...for now....

So here's my annual "Canada Day Face-stuffing" shot. I put up last year's pic to compare. I can really notice the weight loss, especially in my face. Check it out...





Canada Day 2008

Canada Day 2009

Now that I've posted these pix side by side, I notice a huge change in my arms and face. Wow!! What a difference 57 pounds make!!

We do a lot of walking on Canada Day. My husband always thinks we're nuts for walking so much..he's always so tired after! :) We spend the whole time (about 5-6 hours) walking around from place to place, checking things out (vendors, shows etc)...so I think I got a good amount of cardio in for the day! :)

Back to my stomach holding up.....So how did I feel after eating all that greasy, yummy, fatty, sweet, wonderfully tasting food??? I FELT GREAT and SOOOOOOOOOOOO satisfied......until about....4 in the morning when I was awakened by serious stomach cramps....oh my goodness, I FELT HORRIBLE!!! Let's just say, I spent a whole lot of time on that "porcelain throne". It was not good!!! I made a number of "frequent visits" to that throne right through the morning. I started feeling better around 11am!! MY BODY LET ME DOWN, Y'ALL!! I felt awful!! I did go a bit overboard yesterday (lessons learned) but that's in the past and I'm back in the groove....back to business!! I have no guilty feelings about it!!

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

HAPPY CANADA DAY, EH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi guys,

I just wanted to come on to wish everyone a very HAPPY CANADA DAY!!! I will be on Parliament Hill today celebratin......ALL DAY!!!

I will be having a big sausage, loaded with onions, ketchup and all the fixings...I may also have a POUTINE!! You know how we Canadians love our poutine. For those of you who don't know what a poutine is...see pic below...

It's french fries, with gravy and cheese curds..YUMMO!!

I will be back later to post....

Until then...

Joania (2KMINE!!)