2KMINE - My Year in Review

Wow!! I can't believe 2010 is only a few hours away!! This past year has been one of the most interesting, exciting, challenging and satisfying years of my life!!! So much has changed. I have changed, yet I've also stayed the same! I am in such a wonderful and different place than I was a year ago - I never dreamed that I could ever be here and be comfortable here. The ride to this place has been wonderful and intense thus far and I can't wait to see what 2010 will bring.

Before I even begin to reminisce, I want to wish all of you - my blogging friends and family and all who follow and support me on this journey, the VERY BEST OF 2010!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! I also want to thank you for the continued support, encouragement and blog love over the past year. I never anticipated the amount of wonderful support I would receive (and friends that I've made) when I started this blog in November 2008. I could NOT have done any of this without your support and blog love! I thank you sincerely!

2KMINE!!!! [Two Thousand Mine (2009)]

Last year I made a very bold statement that I wanted 2009 to be "Two Thousand Mine (2KMINE). Sitting here on the very last few hours of 2009 , I feel that was the case...2009 WAS MINE. Please don't get me wrong - I am not an arrogant person but I really feel that I rocked it this past year and 2009 was MINE! (I'm sure there are millions of others that feel this way as well) :) All I am really trying to say here is that 2009 was one of the most amazing years of my life and I truly feel like I have accomplished so very much!! Here are some of the highlights.
In 2009:

• I lost 89 pounds!!!!!!!!! That deserves to be repeated...I LOST 89 POUNDS!! :)
• I reclaimed my life as it relates to living the most healthy lifestyle that I can
• I improved my quality of life (including that of my family and some friends)
  
• I have made fitness a part of my life, permanently
  
• I met and worked with the most amazing trainer/nutritionist in Canada, Rob Lagana of (http://laganafitness.com). He provided me with the tools to succeed and CONTINUE on this life long journey
  
• I have connected with so many wonderful people on similar journeys. We've built an amazing support system for each other (I love my blog buddies)
  
• I RAN my very first (and certainly not last) 5 K (CIBC Run for the Cure, October 4) in 43 minutes, 48 seconds. I cried the entire final kilometre.
• My weight loss journey was featured in 3 newspapers (the Ottawa Citizen, The Metro & EMC)
  
• I was selected as one of the Top 50 people in the capital for Ottawa Life Magazine's Annual Top 50 issue
• I starred in a national television commercial for ParticipACTION
• I was part of the Sun Life ParticipACTION Inspire the Nation Tour
• I was featured on the radio (Live 88.5)

Quite a few more things happened but I'm feeling a little strange tooting my own horn!

2009 was the year in which I learned the value of taking care of myself; the importance of making myself a priority so that I may be able to do all the things I want to do, including being a better mom, wife, friend, etc! I finally learned how to give myself the opportunity to be the best person I could be.

When I weighed 258 pounds:

• I could barely walk a short distance without becoming breathless, having to "take breaks".
  
• I snored like a bear... 89 pounds gone and no more snoring!!
  
• I hardly got a restful night of sleep...now my head hits that pillow and I AM OUT! It's a beautiful thing. I am so much more rested.
• I was convinced I had chronic knee pain or "bad knees"....I was just carrying too much weight because since the loss, my knee pain has vanished. My knees also used to crack with practically each step...no more cracking!
• Undergarments were VERY uncomfortable....now...AMAZING! :)
• I couldn't paint my own toe nails!!
  
• I couldn't keep up with my toddler...now..well, I still can't keep up...lol!! However, I could hang out significantly longer than before. I'm a FUN mommy now :)
  

There are so many more benefits that I've seen and continue to see since losing this weight and getting fit. My energy level is through the roof, I can accomplish so much in a day. It is just incredible!

So here I am at what I believe is the beginning of the rest of my life. I am in MAINTENANCE mode...I lost a lot of weight and I do believe that I will lose some more but for the most part, my greatest challenge in this upcoming year will be to maintain this new life stlye. I intend to do all I can to ensure that I make it. I WILL not re-gain this weight!! I am not looking backwards. 2010 will be all about moving forward with my goals on this journey!!! This is my new lifestyle. I want to live this way forever!! I will make fitness and health a priority and KEY PART of my life.

NO RESOLUTIONS, JUST GOALS!!!!!!!!
My health and fitness goals for 2010:

• MAINTAIN, MAINTAIN, MAINTAIN!!!!
• Train and run a mini triathlon (possibly June).
  
• Run a minimum of 2 Five K's for the year (Ottawa Race Weekend in May and CIBC Run for the Cure in October).
• Keep up with my weight training session to truly sculpt and define my body/muscles.
• Join a recreational sports team (Soccer, baseball).
• Continue with my Martial Arts Training. Become a PRO-Kicker in Kickboxing and advance in Jiu-jitsu

That's it for now, but please note that I will MOST LIKELY be adding to this list as the year goes by and as I attempt new things or become interested in other things!

Overall, for me, 2009 WAS AN INCREDIBLE SUCCESS based on what I've accomplished regarding getting healthy, losing weight and improving my life. I KNOW THAT 2010 WILL BE EVEN BETTER. More to come.

Lastly, at this time, I know there are a lot of people who are resolving that this year, 2010 will be the year that they could finally lose weight. I was in the same boat for so long. I am not an expert however I would like to humbly offer only one bit of advice. Just do it...find the right tools, invest the time, give it AT LEAST a year and STICK to it, YOU ARE WORTH IT!!! You too will be here come December 2010 advising others to do the same.

Until next time which will be 2010!!! HAVE A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
Joania (2 K MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Moving On.....

Yesterday's chocolate covered almond slip is OFFICIALLY in the past!! I rocked out my strength training session today like a mad woman - it was awesome!! I also got in a 30-min jog/walk on the treadmill, which surprisingly felt great. I hadn't gone on a treadmill in a little while since the majority of my cardio over the past few months came from martial arts (kickboxing/jiu-jitsu)! It was really good and I see the benefits of mixing things up every now and then. :)

I can't believe this year is coming to an end!! Two thousand and Nine was truly 2KMINE!!!! I'm working on a special end of year post for tomorrow!! Just incredible how far I've come. I remember this time last year being the first year that I was not making any weight loss resolutions (as I did so many times in the past)...I was about 3 weeks into the journey and look at me now!!

I've been noticing a lot of the weight loss advertisements starting on TV, Radio and print and for once, I'm not thinking of what I need to do to lose this weight! It feels really great to be living in this moment of progressing through my journey!! Wow!! What a difference a year makes!!

Anyway, that's it for today, just wanted to let you guys know that I am back on track today and it feels wonderful.

BTW, I've added a picture of me from the Therien Martial Arts Christmas Party last week. I had such a nice time. This is a pick with one of my Kickboxing Teachers (Ingrid, AKA INTENSE in the pink dress) and one of my sparring partners and new found friend Nicole. I didn't have my camera with me....I had gone straight from work (quick wardrobe change in the bathroom). I wish I got a pic of Sensei Derek - I will in the future! :)


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

Chocolate Covered Almonds

OH MAN!!! They got me!!! Today, I had what I hope to be one of very few weak moments where chocolate is concerned. I ate very well today with one exception....CHOCOLATE COVERED ALMONDS!!!!!!

I had them on my mind all day for whatever reason and I resisted the urge to go to a store and pick some up until about 230pm when I could take it no more!!! LOL!!! I went to the store and picked up a small package...about 100 grams in weight!! The smallest I could find!! They were ridiculously sweet but there was something about the roasted almonds that made it taste really good!!! I really enjoyed it and wouldn't have felt guilty but I do...I feel guilty because I DID NOT WORK OUT AT ALL TODAY!! Today was supposed to be my cardio day (I usually have a Jiu-jitsu class at lunch time, however the dojo is closed until Jan 4!!!) That's no excuse and I really should have planned for this, but I didn't. Anyway, I slipped up, I acknowledge it and I WILL FIX IT!!

Tomorrow morning, I will hit my strength training session HARDCORE, I will also get a quick 30minute cardio session in as well and just continue along on the journey!!! The routine is a little off with the holiday season and everyone around being in a "festive" mood (myself included) ...but it should all get back to normal next week!! I will make it normal!! :)

That's it for today...
Until next time..

Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Surviving Santa

Well Christmas Day has come and gone and I must say that after missing out on dinner and treats last year, I was expecting to GO NUTS this year. But, I didn't!! I had a fantastic Christmas! The spread of food was incredible. HOWEVER, I had only one plate..only one plate!! I took a little of everything. One thing I made sure to do was load up on the steamed veggies, spinach, baked sweet potatoes and turkey...that way there was very little room left for all the complex carbs (triple cheese baked macaroni, 2 different types of rice, mashed potatoes, gravy, etc). I had a little of each (just enough for a taste). I was so full. I also had one glass of white wine. For dessert, I had a piece of apple pie and that was it!!!!!!!!!! I felt satisfied and GREAT!

Throughout the last few days, I did nibble here and there on treats (cookies, chocolate etc) but it was nothing crazy. I'm really pleased with how things went!!

I SURVIVED SANTA!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

I stepped on the scale today and I am happy to report that I DID NOT GAIN any weight, however I did not LOSE any either!! I stayed the same and I must say that I am very happy with that.

Now it's back to the grind and realities of life. The journey continues so it's time to put the plans into action!! 2010 is just around the corner...

OH, by the way, you may have noticed that my reward for hitting 170-pound mark (losing 88lbs) is to see a fabulous concert or play...well thanks to my hubby, I will be going to see Alicia Keys perform in March when she comes to town...the tickets were one of my Christmas present!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Next reward a New York City Shopping trip!!!

Until next time
Joania (2KMINE!!!)

Merry Christmas Everybody!!

Just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. All the best. I'm going to wait for Santa. Stay strong!!! Remember the journey, however enjoy your Christmas! I will try to post tomorrow! !:)

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

Enjoy Your Holidays Without Ruining Your Fitness

I found this article on http:/www.active.com and thought it was very useful information.

Written By Rod Dixon and Matt Mahowald

1. Never show up hungry to a holiday party or meal. Make sure you have a big breakfast and enjoy at least two good meals or snacks before the feast. This will minimize the amount of overeating. For instance, 12 almonds and an apple will help to decrease your appetite so that when you get to that meal you don’t overeat.

2. The most important drink during the holiday season is water. Water helps your body synthesize carbs. It helps with the highs and lows of blood sugar that come with desserts and sweets that aren’t normally in our diet.

3. If you are going to attend a holiday party and plan on drinking alcohol, consume a full eight to 10 oz. of water in addition to a beverage of your choice. This will minimize the amount of alcohol you drink.

4. When eating appetizers or enjoying a potluck-style meal, the best choices are vegetables, lean proteins and fruits. If you’re designated to bring a dish to a gathering, bring something healthy. You never know what’s going to be there for you, and it’s important to have good options.

5. Fill your plate modestly, and wait 30 minutes after you finish before going back for seconds. This allows your blood sugar and insulin levels to adjust. You may find that you aren’t really hungry for that second plate.

6. Look at dessert as a treat. Serve yourself a small portion, and stop there.

7. A good cardiovascular workout for two to three days after your holiday will help deplete the excess storage of carbs and fat that you picked up during the holiday.

8. If it’s possible, throw in an extra two days of 30 minute cardiovascular activity. Remember that walking is just as good as a slow jog and easier on your body.

9. Consistency is key to your exercise program. Don’t let the holidays derail you by missing too many days of your routine. Don’t try to make up what you’ve missed by over-training—just get back on your plan.

10. Remember that it is a holiday, so let yourself enjoy it. The following day wake up and get right back on your food plan and exercise.

Dangerously Wonderful

Hey bloggies...

I had a slice of home-made chocolate strawberry cheesecake today and it truly scared the living daylights out of me. It was sooooooooooooo good, that it was dangerously wonderful!!! Wonderful because the flavors just erupted on my tongue - it was amazing, and the texture was OH MY GOSH!!. In yesterday's post, I mentioned that I had a choco-mint hard candy and could not stand the sweetness...well let me tell you I HAD NO PROBLEMS with this piece of sweetness today. I guess the fact that this cheesecake was home made had something to do with the wonderful taste versus the processed candy!!

I said it was DANGEROUSLY wonderful because of just how good it tasted. I immediately wanted another piece and that serioiusly scared me!! Why was I not satisfied with the one piece...I wasn't hungry or anything, at that point it was all about the taste in my mouth!! I had to have a little mental pep talk with myself so that I wouldn't have another piece and thankfully I didn't. It's almost like I had a glimpse of "Joania before" who would have had 2 slices and possibly 3, depending on the size!! I'm glad I was able to refuse but it got me thinking...I have to stay on top of this game plan, this LIFE PLAN!! I allowed myself a piece and that should be it!

This week will be full of all sorts of yummy temptations with all the goodies and treats around to help "celebrate" the season and all the parties, luncheons and get-togethers! :) I in no way want to deprive myself of anything but at the same time, I DO NOT WANT TO (nor will I) GO OVERBOARD!! I've worked too hard for this! So the plan for this week is making smart, healthy choices and moderation!! Especially when it comes to those "dangerously wonderful" treats! :) I will make sure that I always have healthy snacks (like almonds) that I can nibble on to prevent me from nibbling on Hershey's Kisses, or Turtles, or Pot of Gold chocolates or all those wonderful French-Canadian traditional Christmas treats - like my favorite, home-made "sucre a la creme", which when translated means "creamed sugar (fudge)" YUMMMMMMMM-O!!! :D

Okay so other than the cheesecake, today was great food wise. Oatmeal and egg whites for breakfast, protein drink for morning snack, garden salad with tuna for lunch, baked sweet potato, steamed broccoli and sauteed shrimp for supper. I drank 3 litres of water today. I may have a snack later (apple or a cup of tea or something!!)

Exercise
Today was Jiu-jitsu...amazing class. I learned how to do a take down after blocking a punch to the face followed by the figure 4 leg lock today! It was awesome!! Great workout!

Tomorrow should be an awesome day. There will be the Christmas Party at the martial arts studio I attend (Therien Martial Arts). The owner, Sensei Derek, is hosting this party for all the members. I think it's a really nice gesture and I'm really looking forward to it...I will fill you in and maybe even take pictures so you all can get a glimpse of my Sensei Derek!!!

That's it for today...can't believe Christmas is only 3 days away!! INSANE!! I still have some shopping to do! :)

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

Maintaining on a Monday...

So far so good on the maintenance journey. I am in total planning mode...currently looking into re-designing the blog for the New Year!!! 2009 was 2KMINE...so I need something new for 2010!! I'm pretty well planning out the year!! LOL!! I'm excited. Checking out different fitness oriented goals that I would like to achieve in 2010. My plan is to lay them out there and GO GET 'EM!!! :)

Today - I had a great weight training session and an awesome Kickboxing class at lunch....tomorrow will be jiu-jitsu!! I'm still absolutely loving martial arts and exercising altogether. I actually look forward to it and ENJOY it very much.

Food - omlet for breakfast (3egg whites,spinach and red peppers), apple for morning snack, green salad and chicken breast for lunch, almonds for snack, a protein shake and for supper - grilled salmon and asparagus!! YUMM-O!!! 3 litres of water. Oh I almost forgot, my team took a coffee break together this morning and I had a cup of hot chocolate...actually only half a cup..it was good.

Nothing tastes the same anymore. This afternoon, I had a hard candy (it was chocolate mint flavoured). I used to love these before...I just remember them tasting so good. Well not anymore, once it hit my tongue, it was PURE SUGAR!!! I could barely taste the mint or the chocolate!! Just Sugar!! It's nuts!!

Anyway, that's all for today...

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

Saturday Weigh-In ~ Week 53!!!!!!!!!!

Starting Weight: 258 lbs (Dec 10/08)
Last Weigh In: 170 lbs (Dec 12/09)
Current Weight: 169 lbs (Dec 19/09)
This Week: 1 POUND GONE!!!
Total Loss: 89 pounds!

Hi everyone!!!

THIS IS MY FIRST WEIGH-IN OF THE MAINTENANCE JOURNEY!!! I LOST 1 POUND!!!! I am so very pleased, at best, I was hoping to maintain or even accept a maximum 2 pound gain after the week I've had. I think what saved me from gaining (and even permitted the loss) was that I never missed a workout and I made sure I had healthy meals as much as possible. I had CAREFUL FUN with my meals.

I did have quite a few drinks at the 3-4 events I attended in the past 10 days and this would not normally be the case - it's the festive season. I will definitely be maintaining this regime and enjoying myself through the holidays but come January 2nd, I'm back on the journey path...HARDCORE!! I've got quite a few plans for this upcoming year!! 2010 won't know what hit it!! LOL!!

I can't believe I'm in the 160's...that's just amazing to me. Anyway, I've got a lot to do today so this will be a quick post. Just wanted to let you all know that THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!!!

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

Christmas Parties...PART TWO!!! :)

So yesterday (Thursday), I had an awesome day of eating and exercise...I had two boiled eggs and 1/2 a grapefruit for breakfast...yum! I consumed approximately 3 litres of water for the day. I had a nice grilled chicken breast wrap (chicken breast, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, green & red pepper..no sauce/mayo) on whole wheat tortilla for lunch. It was delicious. It was so big that I only had half for lunch and saved the other half for dinner. I went to my Jiu-jitsu class at lunch time ..which was awesome..learned lots of self-defense moves, including quite a few variations of "take-downs"!! IT 'S AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!

So here comes the "Christmas Parties" part....

It really is the festive time of the year. Everywhere I turn, it's some sort of luncheon, party, celebration, dinner, drinks, etc. I have refused a few parties but this year I certainly plan to enjoy a few of them - especially after missing out last year. My plan is to keep up with my workouts EVERYDAY and eat healthy foods as much as I can, but have fun and enjoy myself as well! So far, sooooooooooooooo good!! :)

I was invited to my former team's Christmas Party (remember I only changed teams in late September - so I'd spent a good portion of this past year with these colleagues/friends). I didn't want to intrude on their "teambuilding" activities even though I know they would not have minded in the least. Plus I had just celebrated with my current team the day before and it was great fun.

Anyway, I did agree to come out for a drink with them later on in the evening. I made certain to
eat the other half of my wrap (from lunch) to ensure that I wouldn't feel the need to order any unhealthy foods at the restaurant. I also had a great deal of water as well. I walked in to a wonderful welcome from my old team and I too was very happy to see them. It was nice. I had a drink (Heineken) and it was on from that moment on!!! Well the drinks just kept coming (heinekens and shooters!!) I was feeling really good and more importantly having an amazing time, laughing and socializing with friends.

Although, I didn't EAT any unhealthy foods, I did consume quite a bit of alcohol - EMPTY, EMPTY CALORIES!!!! I got home pretty late that evening or should I say, pretty early in the morning, however, I woke up this morning, feeling like crap but still dragged my butt to the basement for my weight-training session!! You PLAY, you PAY!! I felt really yucky throughout but pushed through. I had to sweat out the toxins!! LOL!!!

For breakfast, I had some scrambled eggs (3 egg whites, 1 whole egg) and drank lots and lots of water! :) I went off to work and felt very tired throughout the day (I was only going on about 3 hours of sleep). Well today, I would normally attend my 4:30pm 1-hour long kickboxing (KB) class. The way I was feeling today, I knew that wouldn't happen...BUT GUESS WHAT????????????????? I WENT TO THE CLASS, thanks in part to two of my colleagues (K & D) who went to the class as well!! After that KB session, I WAS DONE!! I did not even want to get off the mat!!!!LOL

I feel great that I was able to enjoy the parties yet still made the effort to work out (even though I really did not want to - especially TODAY!!!) I also made certain to get right back on track with my eating!! NO GUILT here, just making sure to continue with the journey!! I'm feeling amazingly fabulous! :)

So here I am, my son and I just finished dinner and I'm just writing this quick post so that we can BOTH go to bed!!! Tomorrow, Christmas Shopping - that should be a work out in itself!!

That's it for now...going to bed...sweet dreams!

Until next time
Joania (2KMINE!!!)