Had A Good Week

Hi guys,

Just wanted to pop on quickly to tell you all that yesterday (Thursday) was a great day!! I ate very well for the ENTIRE day (including dinner at a restaurant with colleagues).

THURSDAY

For breakfast I had:
2 boiled eggs (egg whites only)
about 1/2 cup of fresh fruit (oranges, apples and cantaloupe)
yogurt
3 cups of water

Morning Snack
Small banana

Lunch
green salad
2 thinly sliced pieces of roast beef
a few pieces of raw broccoli
750ml bottle of water

Dinner
1/4 chicken (BBQ'd, sauce on the side)
Steamed veggies (mix of broccoli, red onions, zuccini, red peppers and carrots)
1 glass of iced tea (unsweetened-and not a very big glass I might add - it was one of those slim, sleek ones)
several glasses of water

FRIDAY

This morning I had a pretty good breakfast...
2 eggs with a sprinkle of grated cheddar and about 2 teaspoons of salsa
1/2 cup of fruit
2 cups of water

Lunch
grilled chicken, onions, red & green pepper wrap (ww tortilla) with a salad
591ml bottle of water

Dinner
Roasted curried chicken breast
2cups broccoli
3 cups water

It was difficult sticking to those choices, temptation was so strong but in the end I am so happy that I stuck with it!! I did not have one drop of alcohol of any kind!! Usually, when I travel, especially if I go out to dinner with colleagues, I tend to have a beer or a glass of wine. I think it's the whole social aspect connected to it however, this time around I made a point of not having a drink...it was tough but obviously it's do-able!

On the exercise front, I hit the treadmill hard and for the first time since starting to train for my upcoming 5k (October 4 - CIBC Run For The Cure - check out my training blog for details here.) I was able to run continuously for 10 minutes (at level 5.6 on the treadmill) and did the walk/run combination for the remaining 25 minutes. I felt awesome!! Tomorrow, I will try to go for 11 minutes! I did my weight training routine on Wednesday evening and it was awesome (still working on those pull-ups!!). Tonight, I will do my weight training routine and continue on.

Weigh in tomorrow...very interested to see the results especially because I really tried hard to stick to the program.

So overall, it wasn't a bad week with a few exceptions which I mentionned in my last post.

Until tomorrow...
Joania (2KMINE!!!)

On The Road Again.....

Hi all,

Well I'm on yet another business trip. These are getting tough.. I'm just finding it very difficult to stay on track when it comes to my eating and exercising...MORE SO MY EATING!!

Most of these hotels are equipped with top of the line fitness machines/facilities so it's not really difficult to stay on track..it is however, a different experience as you go from hotel to hotel. There are different machines at each hotel, different set-up and different equipment!! It throws me off a bit, I must admit. It just makes it that much more difficult because it breaks my routine...however it does keep it interesting (so I should look at it as a positive).

Also, since I've been training for the 5K Run, all this travelling makes that difficult as well. I have a mapped out route that I use regularly when I'm at home. Being in a different city makes it difficult so I find myself training on the treadmill as opposed to running outside. Hopefully that won't hurt me when it comes to race day which is an outdoor event. I guess it's just about making the necessary adjustments at the time. Working with what I got!

Eating-wise, I messed up a bit today...nothing too damaging. I was in such a rush today, I ran out of the house without eating breakfast! I haven't done that in about 6 months - prior to this journey, skipping breakfast was a regular part of my day. I was so busy at work today, by the time I realized I was hungry, it was a little after 11 am. I bought a mini quiche. I ate only the middle which was eggs and veggies and I threw out the mini crust...I had that with a bottle of water. A few hours later, I was rushing to the airport, I grabbed a toasted bagel from Tim Hortins (it was multi-grain) with another bottle of water!! On the flight, I ate that little puffy-pretzel-snacky-thing they hand out with more water. Unfortunately, I did not properly plan or prepare meals for today and that caused me to slip up by grabbing crap.

Anyway, once I checked into the hotel, it was dinner time. I had a nice green salad with a light vinigarette and a couple of pieces of chicken breast (grilled) with more water. It was great. I'm back on track, tomorrow is a new day. My plan is to wake up at 530am get my workout in and have a nice healthy breakfast. A good start to what I hope will be a great and productive day!! Good night.

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

Most Recent Pic

Hi guys,

Sorry I haven't posted a pic in a little while. Here's a picture of me on my way to a wedding (just a couple of weeks ago). I'm actually wearing a dress (size 16)....a dress (size 16). I was pretty impressed with size 16 pants but when a dress fits and it's size 16, it makes me happy!!

Anyway, I've been really busy lately and that pace will continue for the next little while. I will be gone again on another business trip on Wednesday, should be back home on Saturday, and will be visiting with family the 3rd week of August. I will continue to update posts on the blog and should post a more detailed blog soon (hopefully tomorrow).

Until then, here's the pic...tell me what you think. I can't get over how flat my tummy looks (No spanxx, ladies..)!!! My "girls" have also gotten a lot smaller, which I don't mind at all (my husband does - but hey, whatever)!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

How To Get Fat Without Even Trying

Hi everyone....

Hope you all had a nice weekend.

A few weeks back, someone left an anonymous comment on one of my posts with a link to the following mini documentary. I didn't want to post it until I got a chance to view it. Well, I watched it and I must say that, this is a very facinating documentary that runs about 45mins with a few interruptions of sponsor messages (commercials). Thank you "anonymous" for this link. It's worth watching if you have some time; quite interesting. Please click on the title below to view.

How to Get Fat Without Really Trying (Peter Jennings Reporting, 2003)

Obesity is fast on its way to becoming the nation’s largest and most costly public health problem. While much of the public debate about obesity has focused on personal responsibility, PETER JENNINGS REPORTING: HOW TO GET FAT WITHOUT EVEN TRYING reveals how federal government agricultural policies and food industry practices are contributing to America’s growing obesity epidemic.

I do agree with a lot of the points brought forth in this documentary as it relates to contributing to our current situation with obesity (both in the U.S and here in Canada). However, I do also believe that we each have to take personal responsibility for ourselves and children, by making healthier choices when it comes to foods and including physical activity. Anyway, looking forward to your comments on this documentary.


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

Saturday Weigh-In ~ Week 34

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 198 lbs (Aug 1/09)
Current Weight: 197 lbs
This Week's Loss: 1 POUND

Total pounds lossed to date: 61!!!

I actually weighed myself on Friday morning...don't think the results would change in one day (at least, I hope not) LOL!

Another loss...a pound is a pound!!! I'm happy with it!! This was a good week. Ate well and exercised well!

I made a few adjustments to my training after speaking with my trainer Rob, regarding the pull-ups! I HATE PULL-UPS!!! I can do 2-3, then it's a shaky struggle to get through the rest of the reps. I'm not giving up..I'm going to do as many as I can. In my case, my plan calls for 3 sets of 8 repititions. I can do 3 reps per set, which btw I think is a huge accomplishment. So, I will do 3 pull-ups and 5 close-grip push-ups until I get strong enough to do more reps of the pull-ups.

That's it...quick post today, got a busy day ahead, will post again today if I get a chance...if not, then tomorrow.

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

WEIGH to GO BLOG BUDDIES!!

When I first started on this weight loss journey and decided to BLOG MY PROGRESS, I really did not know what to expect!! Well, I can affirm, that I have "met" some wonderful people who are in the same or similar situation as I am... ON AN AMAZING JOURNEY TO GET FIT!!! It's funny, I don't "know" any of these people but I share in their ups and downs and today as I'm catching up on all the blogs I follow, I am so filled with pride and joy for quite a few of them right now, especially these two!! Talk about inspiration!! You guys ROCK!! Keep it up!!



SEAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so very pleased for you and proud of you !! Congratulations on losing 201 pounds!!! 201!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! You enjoy it, you deserve it and keep it up baby!! Dancing for you right now..I really am.....(listening to Beyonce's Single Ladies - song doesn't fit, BUT I'M DANCING FOR YA!!!!)!! Please click on his name above to check out his 201 POUNDS GONE!! post!! Congrats bud!! I am truly and sincerely happy for you and your fam!! Fantastic job!!


STEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My southern buddy LOSING IT right!! Steve is very close to his GOAL of weighing 175 pounds . His last weigh-in put him at 196.5 POUNDS!!! THis is simply amazing!! I'm so proud of you as well...keep it up...I can't wait for your next weigh-in!!! Keep up the fantastic work!!

So if you guys get a chance, swing by their blogs and give them a "cyber-HIGH-FIVE"!!! Awesome job guys!! :)

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

My Friends at ParticipACTION

Hi guys,

I had a "not-so-hot" day today at work and was quite pleased to get home!! Anyway, I picked up my mail and started opening the letters/bills/etc....Well, buried within all the bills and junkmail was a little card from one of the people from ParticipACTION. I must say, I was so pleasantly surprised when I opened it. It was a simple note congratulating me on being selected by OttawaLifeMagazine as one of their Top 50 in the Capital!! Wow!! I just thought that was so very sweet. These are busy, important people and yet they take the time to remember little old me....I am just so appreciative and it was signed "Your friends at ParticpACTION"!! Amazing! I would have never thought that all this would be going on as a result of my weightloss journey!! Wow!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! Special thanks to Katherine J!! :)

This isn't the first time either, the President and CEO of ParticipACTION, Kelly Murumets also sent me a personal "Thank You" card for participating in the ParticipACTION SunLife Inspire the Nation Tour (Check it out here). Here are a few pics from that event. It was so much fun!!

(Click on the picture to get a better look)

That's me on stage with ParticipACTION President & CEO Kelly Murumets, SunLife Financial Regional VP Josée Dixon and Olympian Sue Holloway!!!

Me, telling my story to the crowd (and media) :0)

A little jump-rope action ( Go Josée!!) and lastly, the four of us making our Inspire video which you can check out here along with a lot of others!!

Anyway, I know that a lot (actually most) of this media attention coming my way has to do with my affiliation with ParticipACTION and I am so thankful and honoured!!

Anyway, that's it...just wanted to express a little gratitude!! THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU AT PARTICIPACTION!! Keep on keeping on!! You guys rock!! Thanks again for all the support, it really does mean a lot to me!!

Until next time...

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Focus and Determination - No Excuses!!

See the man in the picture above?? Look at this man's face!!! Look in his eyes?? What do you see? When I first saw this picture, I thought, "holy crap, he means business, no excuses!" I want to ALWAYS have that kind of focus and determination while doing my workouts. His eyes are on the prize!! Making it count!!

This man is my trainer Rob, y'all!!! He is hardcore and he certainly practices what he preaches. Apart from the obvious good looks (yes ladies, eye candy at it's best - he's gonna make me pay for writing that), he is obviously and honestly passionate about what he does and he does it very well.

I feel like I am at a very pivotal point in my journey. It is essential that I maintain the type of focus and determination displayed above by Rob, not only during my workouts but throughout all aspects of this journey. This is my new challenge: staying focused, motivated and determined for the duration of this journey.

Keeping my focus is crucial to my success on this journey. I have to stay on top of this..we all do in order to meet our set goals. We can't expect a plant to grow if we don't nourish, water and take care of it. Same thing here. I've got to make sure I stick with my workouts, stay on top of eating healthy foods and remember to take care of ME as well.

Taking care of me, means doing all I can to reduce and/or eliminate any and all stresses or situations which cause stress! Making and taking the time for myself, even if it's just an hour, just to sit and reflect and/or relax. I haven't been going to my Sunday yoga sessions in quite a while and I think it's time to start that up again.

Anyway, here we are, about to start yet another week (time is just flying by) and I want to do all I can to make each week a great one! So that's it for now, enjoy your Sunday and all the best with the journey this week!

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

Support and Encouragement for a Fellow Blogger

Hi everyone,

I've just learned that one of our fellow bloggers suffered the incredibly tragic loss of her mother in a vehicle accident this past weekend. If you have a moment, please visit Jen'sBlog and offer some support and encouragement at this difficult time. Jen, my heart aches for you. I will continue to pray for strength and comfort to you and your family at this difficult time.

Thanks
Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Saturday Weigh-in ~ Week 33...BACK ON TRACK!!!

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 201 lbs (July 25/09)
Current Weight: 198 lbs
This Week's Loss: 3 POUNDS!!! YES!!!!

Total pounds lossed to date: 60!!!

I'm a very, very happy camper today...out of TWO-TERVILLE, back in ONDERLAND!!! Yessss!! A 3lb loss this week..that's just awesome!! I really worked hard for it this week and I realize I have to maintain that effort from now on. I had a few business lunches this week with colleagues and it was difficult. I was surrounded by chicken wings, french fries, burgers BUT I am so thankful that I stuck to my plan and now I'm being rewarded with this awesome loss!! YEAH!! I'm pumped!

I haven't received my info package for the magazine article (Ottawa Life Magazine Top 50 in the Capital Issue) as yet...more details will follow.

Anyway, happy to be back on track with new motivation...I'm feeling really good right now.

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