Day 15 of My 30 Day Countdown

Halfway there!! Today is Day 15!

Very quick post today

EXERCISE:

1.5 hour weight training session which was awesome...my legs were on fire this morning

45 minute kickboxing class - high cardio today. It was awesome.

FOOD:

B - 3 boiled eggs (egg whites only), grilled tomato slices (medium tomato), 1L water
Sn - protein drink (vanilla whey powder, water)
L - grilled chicken breast, steam mixed veggies (spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms), 1L water
Sn - handful of almonds, water (1/2 L)
D - roast beef, green salad (lettuce, cucumbers, green peppers), 1L water
Sn - 1 small baked sweet potato, 1/2 L water

All in all a very good day today both on food and exercising! I'm still pushing through but I'm a bit tired today so I'm turning in shortly. Tomorrow is a new day.

Also something I'm thinking about is to have to a big celebratory party at the end of this. I was thinking sometime in December but since it's so close to the holidays, it might not be a good time. My birthday is the end of February - I could hold off until then and just have a HUGE BIRTHDAY-END-OF-JOURNEY-BASH!!!! And that will give me a little extra time to REALLY tone up!! I would love to hear what do you guys think...any suggestions would be welcomed. Thanks :))

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

Weigh-in Saturday ~ Week 43

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 192 lbs (Oct 3/09)
Current Weight: 191 lbs (Oct 10/09)
This Week's Loss: 1 lb

Another pound gone and out of my way!! YES!!! I am happy with the loss this week for a couple of reasons. First, a loss is a loss and is ALWAYS better than a gain!!! :) Secondly, it was one of my girlfriend's birthday so we celebrated by going to dinner at Moxie's and had a great time. To be honest, I was a bit worried that I would have had a gain this week so I am truly pleased!!

I've lost 67 pounds in total so far!!! 67 pounds!!!! I am 1 pound away from another reward (weekend getaway) and I "only" have 34 pounds left to go in order to achieve my 101 pound weight loss goal!! I can't believe how far I've come, I am so proud of myself!! As I was updating my blog, I also noticed that there are 9 weigh-ins left until the big one year weigh-in on December 10th!! Incredible!! Only 9 weeks left! :) This is just great! I think that birthday dinner celebration/planned cheat meal will be my last one for awhile. I may not have another one until my big final celebration in 9 weeks!!!!! I'll think about it and decide!! I'm pretty sure I'll do it!

This week, exercising was awesome - as always my weight training is challenging and effective and I'm really starting to get into the kickboxing and Jiu-jitsu classes for my cardio. I stuck to my eating hardcore...very healthy breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks and ensured I kept properly hydrated by consuming enough water. The only exception with my eating was the birthday dinner I mentioned above. I decided that I was going to have whatever I wanted and I did!!! It was amazing! I didn't feel any guilt because it was planned and it was only one meal and also, I got right back to business the following morning with an intense workout and right back on the nutrition plan. So here's what I had for my cheat meal session:

I started off with a couple of nibbles from a nacho plate...yum..yum...crunch..crunch!!More appetizers came out (dried ribs, sweet potato fries, sauteed mushrooms)....these were all shared but I know I consumed a lot of it....everything was delicious!! OH I almost forgot, I had a huge bellini (slushy type drink with alcohol - holy sugar!!) but it was yummy!!

My meal... I decided to go for the "fall off the bone" succulent slow roasted ribs with a loaded baked potato and a side of steamed broccoli (had to have some semblance of health on the plate)!! I then finished off the night with a sticky toffee pudding cake served with one scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled in caramel. Everything was D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!!!!!!! I also had 3 shooters!! These things were amazing and I wanted more!! The ingredients: red bull, red sour and something else - I forgot what's in it but it's called a "FLORIDA TRACKSUIT"!! I don't know why, but it is GOOOD!!! My new favorite shooter!!

I had a fabulous time and what I'm starting to realize is that every now and then, this is exactly what I need. That whole "moderation" thing. After all it was only one meal! Not like in the past when I would eat like this every couple of days and not to mention all the other unhealthy stuff in between!! So it was a great time with great friends and great food! :)

Now, time for the food porn...at first site of the appetizers, I just started eating, then it later came to me to take some pics...lol. I took the pix with my cell phone so the quality is not the best, but here they are:
My Bellini: Slushy sweet alcohol drink! Yum! By the time I took the pic, the slush had melted (and half of it was gone, lol). I told you it was big.









Dinner: slow roasted ribs, loaded potato and broccoli. It was delicious!














Dessert: Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce - TO DIE FOR!!

Wow....Incredible Support..Thanks

I had a FABULOUS workout earlier!! Today, I did very well with my meals...all day!! I had eggs for breakfast, with two turkey sausages...yummy...for lunch I had an almond and feta cheese-stuffed chicken breast with steamed carrots, cauliflower and turnips and a side of tomato and cucumber salad. It was delicious!! Dinner tonight was roasted chicken, spinach and a baked sweet potato...tasted wonderful. I also had lots of water throughout the day!!!

Now, gratitude.....You guys are absolutely awesome!! Thank you so much for all the supportive comments and encouragement and understanding regarding my previous post!! I TRULY APPRECIATE IT FROM EACH AND EVERYONE ONE OF YOU!!!! THANKS!!! IT REALLY DOES HELP!!! Also, thank you to all of you who sent me personal emails and messages on the facebook group as well...

Okay, so the message I got from all the comments is that I need to dust myself off, RE-FOCUS and move on. Don't let all my hard work go to waste by sabotaging the progress thusfar. There were many of you who've been down this exact road before and understand exactly what I'm feeling and going through (especially Kimmy and Kimberley)...thanks for your wise and encouraging words and for those going through the same thing and/or on journeys of their own (like my "twin" NIA, Crys, Lisa), we will get there!!! Steve and Joy, thanks so much for the great advice and encouragement.

ROB - you are amazing...you always know what to say to get me thinking and wanting and just to get that whole "eye of the tiger" back!! I am so pleased about having a cheat meal every two weeks...I know to some it might not seem like much but for me I think it will help greatly. You are right....my body is a CASTLE and I AM THE QUEEN!!! :) I love that :))) I will CREATE in the NOW!!! Thank you Rob....I don't say this enough, but I know that I couldn't get through this without your support....THANK YOU!!!

So here's my plan. Tomorrow morning, I will wake up, weigh-in, then get my workout done first thing in the morning. I will then have a nice healthy egg white and spinach omlette and be on my way.

Today is my 5th wedding anniversary and tomorrow is my husband's birthday so we will be going out to celebrate over dinner and a couple of drinks!! This will be my very first cheat meal and then back on track!! I will post details of my first "official" cheat meal and how the day went!!

It is time to RE-FOCUS!!!

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!!!)

I'm 35 and Feeling FINE!!

What an interesting birthday!! I must share all...I must come clean...I must be honest....so here we go....



What did you eat Joania??????????


Well, we all have only one life to live and my philosophy is, "You better enjoy it!!"


Below you will find a list of statements of events that occured on my birthday. At the end of the post, you will find whether these statements are true or false.....

1. I started off my day by skipping my morning workout - slept in an extra hour


2. I had my regular healthy breakfast.


3. I had a special birthday lunch with my colleagues at work (including my friend Kim who was "BORN TO BAKE").


4. At work, I ate a piece of cake so large, it could qualify as a small cake to some.


5. I went to my favourite restaurant for dinner and "went wild".


6. I had more cake (this time DQ Icecream cake) when I got home.


7. I worked out in the evening!


8. I cracked a bottle of wine, had a few glasses and went to bed drunk!


9. I decided that a chocolate bar wouldn't hurt..yummmy.


10. I ENJOYED my day!

So what do you think? How did I do? Well here are the facts.

1. TRUE - I did skip my morning work out...one of my birthday gifts to my self was to sleep in and it felt awesome. I gave myself a one day break...back on schedule though, just finished my workout.


2. TRUE - I did have a healthy breakfast - I figure, why not start the day right!


3. TRUE - Now, although I did have lunch with my girls, and Kim did bake this chocolate chip, cream, graham cracker crumb number which looked amazing and smelled even better, and there was also some sort of poppy seed with cream icing cake, I RESISTED!!!! I had a grilled chicken wrap with a bit of gralic sauce and water for lunch - it was delicious! I still can't believe I resisted those desserts, but I did - it wasn't easy.


4. This one could be TRUE and FALSE. Had I eaten a piece of cake, it WOULD have been as large as a small cake. I did not have any cake at work!!!


5. My favourite (well one of) is a little Italian restaurant on Preston (Trattoria Cafe). The lasagna made fresh daily with home made pasta and sauces is to die for. 1 half order of lasagna, 1 half order of creamy fettuccine alfredo, warm freshly baked bread, a glass of white wine and chocolate mousse for dessert - is what I would have ordered had I gone there for supper but I didn't so the answer is FALSE!!!!


6. FALSE - I HAD NO CAKE!!!!!!!( yes, i am a bit pissy about it - but whatever!:0(


7. FALSE - I decided..no working out on my birthday..I already wasn't having any cake so no working out!!!


8. I FRIGGIN WISH!!! FALSE - Not only did I not have any cake, I ALSO had no alcohol!! I'm making all impossibilities seem possible. I know a few of my friends were betting against me on this one!!


9. TRUE -I had a creamy, gooey Caramilk and it was awesome...THEN I WOKE UP FROM MY DREAM!!!!I had NO CHOCOLATE!!


10. TRUE - Even without my usual vices of chocolate, cake and alcohol, I still enjoyed my day. I received so many wonderful birthay wishes and hugzzz, it was great. My team at work took me to lunch on Thursday (where I had a wonderful meal- grilled chicken breast over salad), great company and just a nice time -all in my honour - thanks guys. I also enjoyed lunch with my lunch girls yesterday - as always, wonderful conversation and great company. My husband and son were the first to wish me happy birthday and give me my cards and gifts...what's sweeter than a two year old singing "Happy Birthday to Mummy", it was awesome. I received my birthday telephone calls from my friends and family abroad -spoke on the phone for 2 hours with one of them - we laughed so much. It was great. It was relatively warm for a February Winter day! I have no complaints..truly enjoyed my day! Different, but enjoyable nonetheless!

So there it is. I'm a woman of my word. I put up the Birthday Poll two weeks ago and said that majority would rule and it did. 42% of you wanted me to stay true to the journey and I did and it felt great doing it. But, more importantly, I did it for myself. I really feel that I am at a point where I no longer feel the need to sabbotage my progress - it takes a whole lot of effort and determination, but also wonderful support and encouragement!!

So I am 35!!!!!!!! 35!!!! I feel amazing and happy to be going full force on this journey.

Until next time.

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

HAPPY 35th BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!!!!!

Okay, sing along y'all...you know the tune...

Happy Birthday to Me,
Happy Birthday to Me,
Will I eat cake and ice cream,
We will all have to see!!!!

:)

Until my next post....

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Birthday Poll

Well guys,

So far the poll shows that the majority of you want me to stay true to the journey and celebrate at the 1/2 way mark!! Secretly, I was hoping that you would vote "celebrate like nobody's business". Why, you ask? Well as one of my colleagues pointed out to me today and I quote, "Hey, Joania...I voted on your poll for you to stay true to the journey. I think the reason most are voting that way is because we don't want to be responsible for you sabbotaging your progress/journey!!" WELL THANKS A LOT!!! :) I was hoping to use that as my excuse for endulging!!

But as it stands right now, "staying true" is leading the way, so it looks like I will have to find another way to celebrate this birthday. It's still early and I really don't know what I'll do tomorrow...well, whatever it is, I am not stressing about it.

I'll let you all know what I decide tomorrow evening!! Wish me luck!!! :)

Joania (2KMINE!!)

My Birthday Poll

Only 4 days left until the poll closes. Friday is my 35th birthday and I put up this poll for suggestions on how to celebrate or not. As with all polls, majority will rule!! So far, it's a very tight race and "staying true to the journey" has a very slim lead.

Keep those votes coming!!

Thanks!

Joania (2KMINE!!)

Wow..Time Surely Flies...

I originally contacted my trainer Rob on October 24, 2008 asking questions about his services. When I finally decided to start the program with him on December 10, 2008, one of the things I told him was that I would be turning 35 on February 27, 2009 and I want to have a handle on getting in shape and finally losing this weight by then. I wanted to be well on my way to doing that. Back then, February seemed soooooo far away!

Well, my 35th birthday is 10 DAYS away and I really feel that I am truly on my way. I've lost 25 pounds, a ton of inches and I am much healthier than I was at this time last year. Can't wait to turn 36!

Now birthdays have always been about the cake and good times (good times usually include some "special juices") for me!! I have always looked at birthdays as a time to celebrate and live it up!! Never cared that I was getting older - always felt that each year would be better than the last! This year, I'm turning 35, very excited and really believe the next phase of my life will be the best yet, especially with this new lifestyle I've adopted! So, lets get back to the cake and special juice. I have three choices:

1. It's my birthday, do it up right (that would include cake, special juice and whatever else I feel like having on that day!!
2. Have a piece of cake OR one drink! One or the other and be satisfied with that!
3. Have NO CAKE, NO DRINKS, just stay true to your program and do it up right at my half way mark (a couple of months!!)

Oh, what to do....we'll have to see how I feel. I don't plan on stressing about it. It's just when it comes to BIRTHDAY CAKE (well cake in general - oh, just got a memory flash of my friend's mom's carrot cake with cream cheese icing...oh my yumness), needless to say, I have a serious weakness - and quite a few of my friends can attest to this fact!! I think I may have to figure new ways to "celebrate" and "live it up" that do not necessarily include excess calories!!

Ideas and suggestions always welcomed...

Please take a minute to fill out the poll on the right (top). Thanks!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)