My 5K Blog

Just a quick post to inform you all that I have started another blog (in addition to this one). It will be used predominantly as a training log for my upcoming 5K! I will log all my workouts and any and everything relating to training for this race!!

I just bought new running shoes...check it out:

http://www.My5K.blogspot.com

Thanks!!

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!!)

New Adventures...

Hi guys,

I have decided that I will be running a 5K this Fall - October 4, 2009 to be exact. The CIBC Run For The Cure, here in Ottawa.

My trainer gave me the okay to start training for it and we've incorporated the running plan into my regular training - it will replace some of my cardio sessions. I also decided to start a "5K Training Blog" in addition to this one. It will be just for keeping track of my training and anything to do with the 5K. More like a training log. Check it out @ http://my5k.blogspot.com/

I only just decided to train for this run this week so I'm still in the planning stages. The first thing I'll need to do is get a good pair of running shoes and some more courage 'cause I have to be honest, now that I've committed to this, "I'M SCURRRRED, Y'ALL!!"

Also, about 4 people have offered to train for and run it with me, some are avid 5K runners, others are in that same big-bright-beginner-boat that I currently sit in!!! It would be great if I could put together a team for this race..that would be so awesome - trying to work out the logistics. A post will soon follow soliciting interest and offering more details!! One of my fellow bloggers was also a running coach with the Running Room and has offered to share advice/tips etc...Thanks VegNext Door...Check out her site here: http://thevegnextdoor.blogspot.com/

Anyway, that's it for now...excited!! Check out the other blog!!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Weigh-In Wednesday ~ Week 24

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 208 lbs (May 27/09)
Current Weight: 206 lbs

This Week's Loss: 2 MORE POUNDS!! YAY!!!!

Hi guys,

Happy to report that I weighed in this morning two pounds less than last week!! It's a different scale, so it may be off 1 or 2 pounds but I'm hoping not. I feel great!! I don't notice much of a difference physically except for my legs...they're definitely smaller than last month. I can't believe I've just completed 5 straight months of this and I am so excited for what's to come.

Quick post..will post again shortly...

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

My "Other" Big News

Hi all,

So I guess I've teased for long enough!! Really, I wasn't teasing!! :)

Anyway, my news is that I have decided to embark on a new adventure ....(and some of you may think I'm nuts)......

I've decided that I want to to start training for a 5K RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you believe it??? Am I nuts??? I HATE running!!!

I've been giving it a lot of thought lately, so I checked with my trainer and once he gets back to me, the process will begin!!!

I started a new blog that will be dedicated solely to My 5K Training. It will serve more like a training log than anything, outlining exactly what training I will be doing, including pix etc.

Check out the blog, I put my first post up yesterday. Here's the link:

http://www.My5K.blogspot.com

Until next time....

Joania (2KMINE!!)

Big News - ON THE RADIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey guys,

First off, thanks for all the well wishes, hopefully, I'll get over this sore throat/cold/flu thing sooner than later. Thanks for all the home remedy suggestions (Kimberley)! :)

So what's my news....well as of yesterday it was one thing but today it's another!!!:) I'll tell you what the original news was later (maybe this post, maybe another).

Okay, so hubby and baby pick me up from work today, I get home, run around with my son for a bit (of late we've been going outside because it's been so nice). I cut it short today because I'm still not feeling that well. Anyway, we came in. I gave my son a snack and came on line to check my emails.

Well, to my pleasant surprise, there was an email titled, "Interview Request"!!! I open it up and it's from Lauren Stone of The LiVE 88.5 Start-Up, a local radio station here in Ottawa. Check them out here. I must be honest, I've probably listened to them once or twice, not a regular listener - but I WILL BE NOW!! :)

They want to do a radio interview with me!! Isn't that nuts? I truly can't believe that people would want to really hear my little story...I think it's cool! So they want to do an interview with me about "my inspiring weight loss story" and how it led to the Particpaction commercial. It would be a 5-10 minute interview, either over the phone or in the studio!! I'm so excited!! Of course I wrote back saying YES!! I think it's awesome.


Anyway, that's it for this news...I will keep you all posted as soon as I get more details.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

This Sucks!!

It was an absolutely beautiful day today! Clear blue skies, pure white fluffy clouds and a big, bright and hot sun!! It was 20+ degrees celcius today!! So why does this suck? Because I'm sick!! I have a sore throat and runny nose....I know it's just about to get worst...that's what sucks. I don't know if it's a cold or what, kinda feels like the beginnings of strep. GREAT!!!

Anyway, just a quick post tonight. Don't much feel like writing today, even though I've got a lot to say (as usual) but I will post tomorrow or maybe even later this evening. I have some news to share!! :) I'm just going to check on my son, make sure he's sleeping soundly!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Have You Tried to Cut Your Own Wood??

Cut Your Own Wood And It Will Warm You Twice!! Henry Ford

That is one of my favourite quotes by Henry Ford. What he meant was that the person who chops their own firewood, not only enjoys the heat from the logs burning in the fireplace, but also gets physically warmed from the exercise involved in their labor.

If you really want to enjoy your workout/exercises and benefits thereof, you should “cut your own wood” by doing things for yourself. For years I looked for the quick fix, the miracle drug, the easy solution. If I could just take a pill and have all the weight just fall off!! Let the "science" of that wonder drug do the work for me and I reap the rewards. Well, I know better. I've realized that I will be "chopping wood" for a long time but the "warmth" I will receive will do me wonders!! It already has.

Two weigh-ins back, when I had my first gain, it really got me thinking. I really need to give this my all and continue "cutting that wood". I can't miss workouts and "hope" that the weight will continue to fall off. I can't sneak in unhealthy foods and drinks here and there, and expect those same results!! I must remember to drink enough water throughout this process. I need to consistently and continuously put in the work to see results. I need to chop my own wood!!

Anyway, I'm just trying to regain focus and keep myself on that right path!! I've been really battling it out in my head lately. I mentioned briefly before of my past history of "self-sabbotaging" when it comes to getting fit, "enjoying" the comforts of being fat. I've lost 50 pounds and somewhere in my head, a little voice is saying, "You've lost 50 lbs!! That's awesome!! One BIG MAC won't hurt!!" But I know that 1 big mac will turn into a meal with supersized fries and a large coke (plus 2 apple pies and possibly 6-pc chicken mcnuggets)!! I can't let myself fall back in that cycle. So right now, it truly is a mental battle for me. A head game, you know?

I think back to what my FB friend, Mark once told me, "If your head is right, your ass will follow!". It is so true. Your head really has to be in the right place. I'm starting to think that the mental journey will be more difficult than the physical one.

My trainer, RobLagana once wrote, "the weakest link to the body is the mind!" I can totally see where he's coming from with that statement, and I believe it's true, HOWEVER, I also believe (and I think he does as well) that the mind CAN BE the strongest link. One just has to train the mind to be strong and efficient and that's what I am currently working on, where this journey is concerned. Right now, I do feel like my mind is not as strong as it needs to be, but I'm doing some "mental strength training" right now to get it where it needs to be for me to succeed and achieve my goals AND I WILL!! I AM WOMAN, afterall and everybody knows we can do anything!! ;)

I am not at all bored with my exercise program, it is extremely challenging even at this point and it frequently and progressively changes. I still can't get through all my reps of certain exercises. So, I can't possibly see myself ever getting bored with my training program. Eating is posing a bit of a challenge and I just can't figure out why. I make different meals all the time, and they're tasty!! Always trying new recipes. So I really just think it's my mind right now!!

To be completely honest, I just sometimes feel like I should take a break. Maybe a week or two of eating whatever I want - BUT I KNOW that's not a good idea. That would just set me so far back (maybe not physically), but mentally!! I've worked so hard the past months to adopt this new lifestyle, I really DO NOT want to throw that away, not even temporarily! I'd feel like I was going backwards - and who wants that feeling?? NOT ME!!

So as it stands, I'm still on track but the view is just a little blurry right now. I just need to regain that focus!! I've been really thinking of training for a 5K this fall (Sep/Oct). It would be to benefit Cancer research - so that would be a different type of reward for me. I would have to start training next month, if I decide to go that way. I think just having a different goal (apart from just losing a certain amount of weight - not that anything is wrong with that) may help me to re-focus!

What do you guys think?? Gosh this journey is hard. It is filled with SO MANY ups and downs and bumps and hurdles. I am determined though!! I will keep chopping that wood!!:)

Anyway, that's it for now...

Until next time...

Joania(2KMINE!!!)

Weigh-In Thursday...Back ON TRACK!!! :)

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)

Last Weigh In: 210 lbs (May 16/09)

Current Weight: 208 lbs

This week's Loss: 2 lbs!!!!!!!!!!

VERY HAPPY TO BE BACK ON TRACK!! :))

Yesterday, I woke up at 3am, left my house at 4:00am to catch a 6am flight to Toronto for another business trip. It was a same day trip. Anyway, I returned home this morning at 12:36am. I'm exhausted. I did not work out yesterday but did quite well with my eating (I brought a mini ziplock bag of almonds in my purse for snacking, bought water at the airport - WHAT a rip!! $3.75 for a 750ml bottle!!! Anyway, I also did not get a chance to weigh myself yesterday because I was just swamped and really had no time.

Anyway, I weighed myself this morning and I'm happy to report that it's all good. I've lost the 2 pounds that I gained last week so I'm back at 50 pounds down and back on track!! I feel so relieved!!

Anyway...gotta go, but will post later...

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

My ParticpACTION Commercial - HERE IT IS!!!!

For all of you who wanted to see the commercial, here it is guys!! The first video is the one asking Canadians to submit their stories of what they're doing to stay fit!! The second on is my story. Check it out and let me know what you think!! Enjoy!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)