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!!!)

FOUR MONTH ANNIVERSARY PICS!!!!!!

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the delay with the pics - busy weekend! Anyway, I've included my start pics for comparison...day 1 to now. I also threw in a couple shots to show a pair of my pants and how they fit (or don't fit) :))) HERE WE GO.....

Front: Dec 10, 2008

258 lbs!!!

Front: April 10, 2009

216 lbs!!!

Side: Dec 10, 2009

258 lbs!!!

Side: April 10, 2009

216 lbs!!!

Back: Dec 10, 2008

258 lbs!!

Back: April 10, 2009

216 lbs!!!

Fun: Dec 10, 2008

258 lbs!!!

Fun: April 10, 2009

216 lbs!!!

Here's just another "fun" shot - I'm feeling good!!

What I noticed in this month's pics:

This month, I'm starting to notice a change in my legs....they're actually starting to shrink (THANK GOODNESS!!) My new routine does incorporate a few new and difficult exercises (lunges and squats) targeting those good old thighs so I anticipate that there will be a more visible difference in next month's pics. Overall, I'm losing inches - I could tell by my clothes and although the scale says I'm down 42 POUNDS, it sure feels like a whole lot more!! I'm so pleased and can't wait for next month. I feel strong and awesome.

I decided to take a couple extra shots showing how some of my clothes are fitting or should I say, NOT FITTING!!! Yeah!!:)) When I started this journey, I wore these pants to work practically every week. They used to be a perfect fit....THESE PANTS ARE A SIZE 22!!!

I can "ALMOST" fit my body in one of the pant legs!!!

PLUS size 22!!!!!!!

The pants are now too big and too long (guess my booty used to hold it up!)

This is me in a PAIR OF SIZE 16 JEANS!!!!!!!!!!! Size 16!! I can't believe I fit into them. I didn't even have to do that wiggle dance to get it to go up!! Incredible!!

Now I know I still have a ways to go, but I really feel that I'm well on my way and I feel great about it...please let me know what you think and as always, your support is very much appreciated..it has really helped me to stay on track.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Today is PICTURE DAY!!

Just wanted to let you all know that my 4 month anniversary pics will be posted later this evening. I did not forget! I'm just awaiting my photographer (waiting for my husband to get home)...hehehhe

As soon as he gets here, I'll take the shots and post them....

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Week 17 Weigh-In......3 POUNDS DOWN!!!!!!!

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 219 lbs (Apr 1/09)
Current Weight: 216 lbs
This Week's Loss: 3 lbs!!!!!!!!

I can't believe I've lost another 3 POUNDS!!! That's 7 pounds in only two weeks....I lost 8 pounds total last month....this is awesome. This new program is really burning the calories!! Thanks ROB!!! I also can't get over the fact that I only (well not only, but only) have 59 pounds left to reach my what-once-seemed-impossible goal of 101 pounds!!

WHOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO!! I've lost 42 POUNDS!!!! I'm so thrilled!! I feel fabulous and most of my clothes are loose. I will be taking some pics of me in my loose clothes - will post shortly.

Also, Friday is PICTURE DAY for month 4...already!! I'm hoping the results will be visible, I do find my legs are getting smaller!! It's awesome!!!

Anyway, that's it for now...very happy with my loss!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Reward # 2 - mmmmmm....Massage!!!!!!!!!!

REWARD # 2 - 38 Pounds Gone ~ An Hour Long Massage!


Okay, so this is reward number 2 and I have not yet posted reward # 1 (still searching for that handbag/purse). It's got to be the right one!! Anyway, here's what happened with Reward #2!!!

I am now referring to Alice Tracey (my new massage therapist) as "Angel" Tracey!! I had a full body massage on Saturday morning which lasted for a little more than an hour and OH MY GOODNESS!! It was amazing. I felt fantastic!!

This was my reward for losing 38 pounds (I actually lost 39!!!) and boy was it worth it...so much so that I've decided from this moment on, I will "reward" myself with a massage on a monthly basis. EVERY MONTH, I will get a massage...yes..I'm worth it!!!

Her hands are magic!! I literally felt like mush when I walked or should I say "floated" out of there. My muscles were so relaxed and just limber...it was awesome. I slept like a baby last night. She's really great at what she does, very professional and just overall a very fasinating and interesting individual. Great conversation. I really enjoyed it. This was a great idea for a reward!!

Alice works out of the west end of Ottawa (centrepointe dr). Her prices are very reasonable and she's an amazing masseuse/massage therapist. Check her out, if you're looking for a great massage. You could even book/reserve on-line.

Here's her website.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Living in the Present

My life is a journey, not a destination. This weight loss journey that I am on is just one of the MANY things I'm doing with my life. I've said it so many times before in prior posts, "although, this weight loss journey is very important to me, I don't want it to consume me, there's so much more to me than just this - as encompassing as it is!!" From the very beginning it has been important to me that I do not miss out on life as I attempt to get healthy. I'm at a good place (very good place) in my life and now is the right time for me to be on this journey but at the same time, I am also enjoying life as I go along! I certainly will not let life just pass me by!!! I don't want to put anything on hold so that I achieve these goals. Because if I was to do that, what would I do when I achieved those goals? Where would I start? I'd be lost!!!

Don't get me wrong, I realize that I will have to make some major changes to my lifestyle, particularly with regards to my nutrition and physical activity and committment to this (and I HAVE) and I will continue to make those sacrifices BUT I won't sacrifice living.....I am enjoying my life, my family and my friends and my work, even as I go through this journey!! It's great! No regrets. I certainly don't want to look back in 7-8 months time, having reached my goals and be miserable due to the things I've missed out on!! What brought these thoughts on, you may ask? Well I'll tell you.

I bumped into one of my old friends today; haven't seen her in about 2 years! She was so pleasantly surprised when she saw the change in my physical appearance...she complimented me over and over and wanted to know what I was doing. We grabbed a seat and I proceeded to fill her in about the whole journey/blog experience. It was really nice. We were having such a good time. Anyway, we started talking about old times. I asked how her sister was and it's then that the mood of our conversation changed. "Oh crap", I thought to myself...."something's wrong, I hope her sister is okay!"

She then started filling me in that her sister (who was always a bigger girl, like me) had lost all of the weight!! She did it using the South Beach Diet and running (she ran 5K's, 10K's and was even training for a half marathon). "WOW", I exclaimed, "that's amazing". "So why so glum", I asked. Well she continued to fill me in.

In her words, her sister had become so obsessed with losing the weight that it was all she did, spoke of and lived. She cut off ties with many of her friends and even some family members. She stopped attending functions etc. This was all that she was about, losing the weight. Anyway, in a nut shell, this went on for about 9 months or so. It has been a little over year since her sister lost the weight and has now been battling depression. She even attempted suicide ...she said that she felt that after she lost the weight, it's almost like there was nothing else and at first it wasn't so bad but she just slipped further and further into depression. she's currently on medication and showing signs of things getting better.

I was truly stunned to hear all of this. I realize that this may be an extreme case (or maybe not, I don't know) but I just found it so sad. This is exactly what I don't want to happen to me and I don't think it would with me because I love life and people (especially my family and friends) and although I want to lose this weight, I really want to lose this weight, I DO NOT want to cut off my friends and family to do it. This does take a lot of time, effort, dedication, sacrifices and resources and I can see how it can get the best of you but I do not intend to let it!! I'm trying to get fit so that I can ENJOY LIVING even more than I currently do.

I always think back to a comment one of my new Facebook friends sent me, "Joania, if your head is right, your ass will follow!" It really is all about finding that balance and if you don't, you might get lost in the end, as was the case with my friend's sister.

Sorry for such a downer post but I really think it's important that I shared this with all of you, especially those of you on this journey with me or on journeys of your own and even those thinking of starting a journey. Stay true to who you are and live in the moment, enjoy the small accomplishments no matter what. I don't know, I'm no expert but it just makes sense to me that this weight loss thing (and everything else for that matter) should be about balance. I mean we all make mistakes but it's that big picture that matters in the end. Your overall accomplishment, right???

I would really love to hear your thoughts on this one, please feel free to post comments!

Thanks.

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Week 16 Weigh- In......4 POUNDS DOWN!!!!!!

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 223 lbs (Mar 25/09)
Current Weight: 219 lbs
This Week's Loss: 4 lbs!!!!!!!!

I am so happy with this week's loss!!! 4 Friggin' POUNDS!!!! WHOOOOOHOOOOO!!!

Today is April 1st, or more commonly known as April Fool's Day!! Well, when I stepped on that scale today, i thought it was a joke ...but NO FOOLING Y'ALL, THIS IS FOR REAL!!!!! I'm down another 4 pounds!!! 4 pounds!!!!4 pounds!!!! I've got 62 more pounds to go!!I can't believe I lost 4 pounds this week. That's 39 pounds in total GONE for good!! 39 POUNDS!!!!!!

I ate well and worked out hard...no, I worked out VERY HARD!! My new routine is a killer - those lunges and one-legged push ups are kicking my butt, big time!! AND I LOVE IT!!! The extra cardio and spinning is helping too....Can't wait till next weigh-in; just the thought that at my next weigh-in, I could possibly break the 40 pound loss mark....that's awesome. I am out of the 220's!!! I weigh 219 pounds!!!I am so happy, I don't even know what to do with myself!!!!!!!!!!

This also means, I've reached another reward level!! YES!! I needed to lose 3 pounds and I managed to do 1 better - friggin awesome!! On Saturday I get my long and wonderful massage - can't wait!!!!

Until next time....

Signing off 39 POUNDS LIGHTER!!!!!!!

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!!!)

Ouch, Ouch, Ouch....Massage Please!!!

My legs are killing me!!! My new program yesterday included some new exercises targeting my leg muscles (lunges and squats) and I can testify, under oath that they work!! I worked those muscles to soreness! When trying to sit on the toilet feels like a form of exercise, you know you've worked it to the max!! WOW!!

All I could think about today is my next reward level (lose 3 more pounds and I get an hour long massage). I went ahead and reserved my massage for April 4!! I know I won't be as sore then but I still think it will be fabulous. I'm hoping I will be down 3 more pounds by then.....afterall, I don't want to cheat my own reward system.

I booked online here. I went to a Health and Wellness show back in January. It was a typical trade show type set up where in this case it was all health and fitness vendors advertising their services. Anyway, my girlfriend Tanya and I were walking around, checking things out, when we saw that one vendor offered a free 15 minute trial massage. Sounded great so we signed up and waited our turns. We each had a different masseuse.

I introduced myself to my masseuse. Her name was Alice and this may sound a bit weird but I felt an immediate connection with her...not anything major or creepy, just like when you meet someone who for what every reason, you just know is a kind soul/a nice person. At least that's what I felt when I met her. Anyway, she asked me a few questions and I got on the massage table. She gave me a sample and it felt amazing. She then asked me if I wanted to try a Reiki massage.

Now, I've heard the term before but to be honest, I didn't really have a clue what it was. So I asked and she told me, "Reiki is an ancient Japanese healing art based on balancing energy systems. There are 7 main energy centres in the body where we either store energy or express energy. These are known as chakras. The chakras correspond to mental, emotional, spiritual and physical aspects of wellbeing. Reiki is a very light touch using intention to feel and re-direct energy. Reiki helps to restore positive energy which helps bring you into harmony". There's no way I retained that info from January, I scooped it off her website. Check it out, you can even book your massage online. She's in Ottawa (west end).

Anyway, this Reiki massage FREAKED MY FREAK y'all!!! Alice barely made physical contact, but I felt every movement. I was sooooooooooo relaxed, felt like my head was floating...it was absolutely amazing. I've never felt anything like that before. I'm generally a skeptic with certain things, but I KNOW what I felt and experienced. I know I left that trade show feeling awesome and ready to take on the world. I had just started on this journey (it was less than a month) and I was in a good place. It was just incredible. So I'm hoping that we could follow up in future sessions.

So if you're in the Ottawa area, check her out. She came off as being very passionate about what she does and you can always see the difference when someone is doing what they love. Anyhoo, I will definitely follow up and give you guys full details of how my massage goes next week. I'm really looking forward to it.

That's it for now. Have a great Sunday. I plan to get in some cardio today and hang out with my son!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)