Weigh-in Saturday ~ Week 51:WOW!!!

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 175 lbs (Nov 28/09)
Current Weight: 173 lbs (Dec 5/09)
This Week: 2 MORE INCREDIBLY FABULOUS POUNDS GONE!!!!
Total Loss: 85 pounds!!

WOW!! WOW!! WOW!! OH MY GOODNESS! I AM OVERWHELMED!!!

ONLY 16 pounds left to go to 101!! Well I know that won't happen! The only place I've ever seen a 16-lb loss is on the TV show the Biggest Loser!!! I am not bothered by this one bit!!! I AM THRILLED with my weight loss and more importantly my fitness and health this year!!

Next weigh-in will be my 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! One whole year since embarking on this incredibly amazing journey, where to be honest, I wasn't sure that I would last 1 MONTH!!!

I am at a loss for words today! I can't imagine how I will be on the 10th!! Those of you who have come to know me over the past year (and those who've known me for years), know that I am RARELY at a loss for words, but today, I am. Truly.

I've lost 85 pounds - I am 1 weigh-in away from my 1 Year!! This is just wonderful. I am so proud of myself and more importantly, so excited for the future....I'm in a "so what's next?" mode!! The wheels in my head are in constant motion, thinking of all the things I want to try out - there are so many!! One is that I want to join some local sports team (soccer, softball, volleyball, hockey) - who knows??? I just want to try!!

I'm going to get my hair done on Monday and will probably just make a whole spa day of it (mani, pedi, facial etc.) WHY NOT??? Gotta look good in those pix!! My girlfriend (who's been my friend ever since I was 7- so more like my sister) bought me a hot little black dress!! Whoohoo!! can't wait to see it...I'll take pix!!!

Putting the final touches on the celebration dinner. My little man (3-year old son Malcolm will be my date for the evening)!! My husband will be there as well but has to leave early as it is also his annual staff Christmas party!! The date couldn't be helped - quite difficult to get reservations for a large party at restaurants around this time with all the Christmas parties going on - so we'll just make the best of it!!

This morning I had a 4-egg white omlet ( chopped onions, mushrooms & green peppers) with a turkey sausage for breakfast. I drank about 1.5 litres of water by that time. I made 2 pancakes for my son (and did not have 1 bite, nor a lick of the syrup!!_ :)

Today's lunch will be a salad with some left over grilled salmon!

Dinner - SPAGHETTI and MEATBALLS!!!! Okay, here's the truth. The "pasta" will actually be spaghetti squash and two meatballs made from extra lean ground sirloin with fresh tomatoes, a bit of tomato paste and veggies - it's really good!

Today's plans...no exercise!! I will be cleaning the house from top to bottom and putting up the Christmas tree and decorations - finally!! Then later this evening, hitting the malls to get started on the x-mas shopping!! I think I will be burning a few calories in there somewhere.

On Sunday, I may be trying a "SPOGA" class!! It's a combination of Spinning and Yoga!! It sounds interesting and tough. I hope I will be able to make it - I'll let you know how it goes!

Until then...
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!!!)

Just call me "SPIN-derella"!!!!

I just completed my very first ever SPINNING class and HOLY MOTHER OF EVERYBODY!!! I was sweating like you wouldn't believe, my crotch area, (maybe too much info here - but I'm keeping it real), inner thighs, thighs in general, my butt cheeks - entire lower body as a whole is burning and sore!!! Holy crap what a workout!! My legs are pumping and burning....I KNOW I will be sore tomorrow.

So I get to the class, and let me tell you, these bikes are no joke!!! They don't look like the typical stationary bikes ( you know, grey and boring), these ones look mean! I did feel a little intimidated - but again I reminded myself of my goals and reason for doing this and for the time being that was enough to keep me from running out of there. The spinners started filing in and setting up their bikes. In walks this cute little girl/woman named Tiffany. She was a fricking POWERHOUSE!!! So sweet - until she started TEACHING THE CLASS!!!! I spoke to her briefly prior to starting, just to advise her that I was new and I had my health card with me!!! I was so nervous. Anyway, she was so helpful...she showed me how the bike worked and how to properly set up the height of seat and how to stop the wheels etc... I hopped on and it was on!!!

It was just awesome. I know it's only Day 1, but I swear I'm hooked. The workout was extremely challenging and I was just so friggin proud of myself for finishing the class. I will be doing it twice a week and I just know I will see results. Between eating right, the awesome strength training plan that Rob created for me (and his regular guidance) and this new form of cardio, my body will have no choice but to say "Buh-bye" to my fat!!!! My next class will be on Thursday morning and I'm really looking forward to it.

I'll keep you guys posted...again, if any one of you living in the Ottawa area is interested in joining me....check out the website . I will be going every Tuesday (6:45pm to 7:45 pm) and Thursday (6:30 am to 7:30 am).

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Am I a SPINNER?????

Well it's official. I start my spinning classes tomorrow (Tuesday). To be quite honest, I'm a bit nervous. I've never spinned before. I've been on a stationary bike, but not like this!! Spinning is kind of like a stationary bike on red bull!!

A Little Bit about Spinning (taken from the Cyclefit website)

Spinning is an aerobic exercise that takes place on a specially designed stationary bicycle called a spinning bike. Spin instructors will lead the class through a variety of drills and skills that will sometimes have you pedaling as fast as you can, at a recovery pace, other times cranking up the resistance and pedaling slowly from a standing position, all while pedalling at your own pace.

Spinning burns serious calories (about 450 in 45 minutes) and offers an awesome aerobic workout that makes your heart pump fast. It also tones your quadriceps (front thigh muscles) and outer thigh muscles.

450 CALORIES IN 45 MINUTES!!!!!You know you're working your ass off for that to happen!!!

Anyway, after checking with Rob, we decided that I would be spinning twice a week to fit in with my program. I decided to go with CYCLEFIT. It's funny, when I attended the Health and Wellness show back in January, one of the vendors there was Cyclefit. The lady at that booth just looked so fit and friendly and when she spoke, she was full of energy! I was interested. I took some of her flyers home with me, looked them over then visited the website. I unfortunately convinced myself that I wasn't ready!

Remember I was less than a month into my Weight Loss Journey and still weighing over 250 pounds. My mom always used to say to me, "Joania, nothing happens before its time, and if it's meant to be, it WILL be!" I guess this was meant to be. I am ready now!! I am going to do this even at 224lbs!! I look at this as just another challenge and opportunity to set some new goals.

I spoke with an individual from cyclefit today. She was really nice and funny!! She may have been the same person I spoke with at the Wellness show. I think she could sense that I was a bit nervous. She confirmed my registration and I'm all set to go for tomorrow!! Arrrggghhh, no turning back now. We spoke a bit and she basically echoed a lot of what Rob told me regarding cardio training and heart rate etc. So I feel good about this, a little anxious BUT GOOD!! So I'm signed up for 10 classes, that will be good for 5 weeks (2 classes per week).

So I can't wait and I will definitely fill you guys in on how it went. BTW, if any of you are in the Ottawa area and would be interested in doing this with me, I WOULD WELCOME the company!! I think it may be fun!!! :) Any takers???

Until then...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

A New Level of HURT ...and More!!

Hi guys,

Well my trainer tried to warn me. He sent me a message last week telling me that he was working on my new program and that I would be in for a "new level of hurt"!! Boy was he right!! I must admit that when he first told me that, my first thought was, "BRING IT ON, Lagana!!" Well, he brought it and he brought it hard.

I am already SORE and I just worked out this morning. My body was screaming, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, IT'S 7:30 on a SATURDAY MORNING??" I met him at 7:30 am and got started right away...he had a special grin on his face and at the time, I did not know why. At the end of my workout I knew why that grin was there! This program is the ultimate "Plateau Buster"and that's the perfect name because I really can't see how I could plateau on this program. Every time I've felt that I've got a hang of the program and that it's "almost" easy (not easy-easy, just almost easy), it's usually time for a new program. Rob (trainer) knows exactly what he's doing.

For example, in my last routine, one of the exercises he gave me was to do 10 push ups on an exercise ball...I thought, "there is no f'ing way I'm going to be able to do that!!" Well just last week I was doing all 10 on that ball and feeling pretty darn pleased with myself. Well today, he made one of his "slight adjustments" to my push-up exercise - literally as small as lifting one leg while I did the exercise - and I was done for!! I could barely get through doing 3 in a row!! But it's all good!! As Rob likes to remind me, this program is progressive and I can totally see the improvements in strength thusfar!! So I have a new goal and I WILL DO IT!! I can't wait.

I've increased the amount of weight I'm lifting and will also be increasing the number of times per week that I do cardio training as well. I will be doing cardio 5 days now instead of 3!! I CANNOT believe how strong I am getting. It's incredible. My body was in shock after this morning....my legs were shaking like you could not believe..IT WAS AWESOME!!!

With each new routine and new exercise, I felt myself challenging my body like never before!! I was hurting but no pain no gain, right?

So thanks Rob for today and this is my official "you were right, you kicked my ass today, I felt more than a new level of hurt" statement!!:) I hope I made you proud today with my progress. I know I left your studio feeling like I WAS THE SHIT TODAY!!! Totally a great way to start one's day!!:)

So that's it for now. I'm looking forward to this week starting my new routine, spinning and more cardio!!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)