Today My Name Is...Giddy

Coke would be nice...fizzy...sweet...

I cheated...Nachos and cheese....I felt horrible...guilty but it was good. If you fall off...fall hard...

That's always been my motto...I must break it! Food driven, emotional eater...this blog should be called 'Life of an Emotional Eater...' Why is there no quick fix?!?

Oh but there is...it's called Healthy eating in appropriate portion size helpings...and in a few months the pounds are gone...but it's staying on track and getting there that sucks...it's a struggle...

What's worse is the working out....I feel great after doing it...pumped, good, stronger, more able and as though I could conquer anything. Those are awesome feelings. It's fighting the inner monster that tells me no, don't do it that is the worst. If I just do it I am always glad I did. If I don't...well the guilt is there...I quit, failed...

No one ever said, "I'm glad I didn't work out" Well maybe someone but few I am sure...

Healthy eating helps our over all health, organs, function, hair, nails, skin...I write about the importance of feeding my Eclectus parrot a strict diet to give him the best health possible and it took time, and it took dedication and it took patience and habit...but he's in superb health. If only I could do the same...damn advertising, damn markets with good looking boxes and packaging that screams 'Eat Me!' Damn Nachos....oooooh I want a slurpee...

Welcome to my daily struggle. How the heck do I find inner strength to fight the inner food demon that wants junk...why am I so weak? Food is addictive! I need to do another cleanse! Pronto! Hmmm...maybe when I return from Florida, that in combination with the 21 Day Fix...following it to a T!

Countdown is on...two sleeps and we're out of here....leaving the basement until we return but when we do it's getting 100% attention. We need to get it ready to move plumbing, frame and electrical....then drywall, hire mudding and taping plus ceiling spray...from there it's all downhill. I look forward to checking off a long over due To Do list home reno...

So house is clean, bags are pretty much packed. Had a minor set back when the dryer made a loud terrible screeching sound...figured for sure we were without a dryer when we needed one most. Thankfully I have a handy hubby and wonderful father in law! Laundry check! YAY!! Talk about moment of stress. We did get the pictures in the Bonus room hung...that was a highlight.

Today was a shopping day. I dislike shopping. I love clothes, love new things but not so much the shopping aspect. I spent my Christmas gift card at La Senza...sharing it with my girls. New comfortable and appropriate PJ's as well for the trip and books for all of us for the trip. My girls are huge book worms. Especially our oldest who goes through books in a day or two...I made the deal with her in grade one that for every book she read we would buy her one. That turned into an expensive deal. She has a huge bookcase in her room filled with books. Figuring that she would over run the bookcase we got her a kobo ereader but alas...she likes books and couldn't transition well to the ereader. She reads quite a few more than once which helps with cost. Could be worse right?

So now we are pretty much ready to go...just playing the waiting game. Tomorrow we will enjoy one last visit with my sister and her family before we leave. My sister is in town at the moment to have her third child. This one will be a surprise...I suspect it will be a girl by the way she is carrying, although I did see clothes for a boy today...Hmmm does she know the gender and isn't sharing? She's due May 2 but the doctors are inducing her the day we leave and then she and her husband and two daughters need to be back home by May 3rd to relieve their dog sitter. Alas we will not get to see the new baby until later. It's always hard to plan around things, we had to do what worked best for all of our schedules. I'm sure we will see them all soon enough, it just won't be an itty bitty new baby we get to meet. I'll be waiting for updates.

At this point I don't know who is more excited in the house...the kids or my husband and I. We love travel, love adventure, and love Florida. Be ready for an awesome update...more than likely when we return.

Until then...

Today My Name is...Giddy!

Today My Name Is...Lacking

Where to start....sheesh wish it could be as positive as my last post. Frustration I tell you! I am lacking will power...lacking motivation...lacking drive...lacking everything. :(

So I went from being pumped, uplifted, sore....down 10lbs...but then with working out weight started going up. Which having read an article about how the body retains water to help heal muscles I knew would happen so there was the reason but being me and liking to see instant results I stumbled...fell...tripped...it was all over Easter weekend. I was showing almost a 5lb increase. Not happy but knew it was likely water retention...my muscles hurt. The number though was what got me so I fell off the amazing eating I was doing and enjoyed beer and wings with friends Friday...then Saturday ham, potatoes, rice and broccoli and two slices of coconut cream pie. I cooked a turkey Sunday which turned out fabulous if I don't say. We had mashed potatoes, spinach salad, buns, veggies, gravy (<- from scratch and again turned out heavenly) plus stuffing and then a three layer chocolate bar cake....plus beer. Feeling super crappy about everything I ate I had a couple beer on Monday too. :( Plus a chocolate Bunny. FAK! Seriously...when I stumble I do it well and leave marks...GRRR. I did do my work outs though all through with the exception of Monday. I had a poor me day and felt like what was the point. Tuesday I worked out and still hate Cardio though happy that I made it through the whole workout without a pause or quitting and my legs hurt less. I guess that's a good thing. Here it's Tuesday and I cannot find the motivation to do upper body workout. I'll have to do a double workout this week to make up for lack of Monday. I do see inches off...without a doubt toning...but it's the stupid number on the scale that kills me.

What's the saying? One bad meal won't hurt you, but many will? Something like that...I guess for the most part it was healthy, minus the cake, pie and beer....and bunny.

So having now vented and realizing all of the above when I return from Florida the scale is out the door until I do a full 21 day fix. NO Stumbles!

I will do the work out....I will do the work out....Motivation please find me!

My daughter returned from her trip having had an amazing time. I was so happy to hear all about it and see the pictures and listen to her share with family. She bought gifts for everyone and even returned with money in her pocket! She said she could easily see herself living in Montreal, or going to school there and cannot wait to return again one day. She is now looking forward to the day she graduates high school as we promised her a trip to France. I am sure her love will change directions when she steps foot there. I fell head over for France, specifically southern France. Oh lala!

It's been a good few days still despite my stumbles. I am happy to report that the high school came back with acceptance into all classes she requested. The first evening at hockey went great. My daughter said she was the newbie having missed the first week because she was in Quebec so the girls didn't really talk to her. She enjoyed the dryland workout and said she loved the intensity of the on ice session. From the videos I saw she looked good...and she was up against AA and AAA girls. The players skills were amazing to say the least, very impressive and the other goalie will teach my daughter a thing or two. She's always played ringette with hockey goalie school so it's not super foreign but she's new out there. Being competitive she will catch on quick and will no doubt go into tryouts strong! The goaltending coaches are super too! Did I mention a Calgary Flame's daughter is on ice with her? Pretty cool!

My youngest is gaining strides in her riding finally after being pitched a few months back. After the dismount (we'll call it that) she regressed being nervous but thankfully is once again gaining confidence and we look forward to competition and shows come May after our return. She also had a teacher in tears happy over her school audition and set the bar high.

As always I am a very proud mom. :)

Even with my days of falling off the super healthy wagon, I didn't totally fail in accomplishing my to do's for the weekend. In fact we got the tent trailer set up, new hardware put on, cleaned out, all our stuff moved to the new trailer. I got the back yard tidied and poop scooped. House cleaned, visited with family and friends each day, did Ukrainian eggs and managed to paint two HUGE paintings that I am quite impressed with. I may have found my new outlet for art. It doesn't bother my arm like cross stitch or drawing does. Perhaps that is because I lay my canvases flat vs upright which adds less tension on my arm. In any case I now have two pieces to hang...of which one goes up tonight.  I also got my parrot Viggo out in his new travel cage to enjoy some vitamin D and fresh air. He was thrilled and was completely ok being in the cage.

Lots to do before we leave so really I should be doing that vs blogging but I needed the down time...

From my list of things still to do I've:
-sold the old small set of goalie pads
-plus sold old goalie chest protector
- Truck got an oil change.
-Obviously got a storage lot for the trailer

 So I am getting closer to being ready for a new spring list. ;) Of things I want to accomplish this spring....

Spring To Do:
-power rake & aerate the lawn
-add more dirt to bring up the lawn level & seed heavily
-add flower bed by deck
-close in deck & re stain
-add flower bed in front yard
-finish garage clean

As for this coming weekend....seriously finish cleaning the basement and take a load to the dump! That way we can get going on the basement.

Until next time...be it before or on our return....

Today My Name Is...Lacking

Today My Name Is...Energized

 

 

It's been an interesting year as I reflect back. Since my grandmother passed away I have repeatedly seen the number 11. On clocks, the time of emails, the gondola, we picked up our trailer on the 11th, my hospital appointment was on the 11th....all good has come in hand with that number. It's been like a signal that I am on the right path and I've felt the presence of my grandmother right there along the way. Additionally it's been interesting....I've seen Canadian Geese, but after our dear old Thunder left us I see them constantly now in two's. Maybe that's always been how they are but life just comes to my attention now. Stop and smell the roses right? New appreciation.

 

My week has been all in all great. It started with Monday night out with my mother, her friend and my aunt for an evening of painting. FUN! I love to paint, but what was better was the company and atmosphere. It's something I could do more often in the company of my mother, friends or anyone for that matter.

I'm on day 3 now of the 21 Day Fit program. Eating has been simple. I am still following the cleanse diet as that agreed with me exceptionally well. The only thing I have really added into the diet has been a small amount of fruit...1/2 a banana and a couple strawberries. They are not unhealthy choices so I do not feel badly. Now...the eating has been a slice...again no cravings....well I shouldn't say that, I actually crave vegetables. Interesting eh? The work outs...haha...well the cardio kicked my butt something fierce and my legs have felt like crap. Yesterday was upper body which wasn't too bad, mainly core and arms. I had to modify a bit for my right arm and I did not use the suggested weights. I did it all with 3lb. I will get 5lb but I do not want to push my arms too much and cause anything that could trigger a migraine or issues with my TMJ or nerve issues that would bring on loss of use. I know my limits and what I can and cannot do, anything past and I pay dearly. Today is lower body...yup...more legs. They haven't even recovered yet....so this should be fun!

               

Above are a few of the yummy lunches and dinners I have had. The amount of energy I have had in these last few weeks is huge. I am so driven, motivated...energized. I am seeing more done, feeling much more capeable to conquer anything. It's good. Especially good because I have lots of to do's planned for the weekend.

This weekend is Easter and it will be my first ever time cooking a Turkey and making Easter Dinner. I know it will be good. Don't ask me how I just know. I've turned into quite the little Betty Crocker. I love to cook...bake...Dinner will be healthy, that way I can eat a bit of all of it. Dessert on the other hand I can't say I will touch but that's only because I am being so careful about what I eat. I'll be sure to post a picture of my first Easter Supper.

Tomorrow my oldest returns from out East. Time has flown by...we've filled each day up with lots! She has had a blast...and I am anxiously awaiting her return and hearing about everything. It's been a year now since my Grandmother left us and I thought it was especially touching that my daughter lit a candle for her in Notre Dame. The count down for me is on until she returns... One more work day and after work we pick her up!!!! Then thankfully she has the following day off...we all do, so it will be spent doing family stuff, like the traditional Ukrainian eggs.

                              

We've done Ukrainian eggs every year since I was bitty and now since my girls were able. The eggs always look amazing and each year holds a new look or story to the pictures that make their way onto the eggs. I miss the Easter egg hunts and chicks and bunnies at Police Point in Medicine Hat and fun games and walks and adventures but we just don't have time to get down this year between my oldest daughter's trip and leaving for Florida. Too much to do, and not enough time.

The count down is also on until we leave for our trip....we leave in 12 days!!! Whoop whoop!

Lots on the go lately and hopefully the weather once again warms up. I think Mother Nature needs to change her meds...her mind sure isn't made up. Loving life in the moment...living presently...

Today My Name Is...Energized.

Today My Name Is...Fortunate

OMG! Life is fantastic!

9.2lbs down at the end of my cleanse. I felt fan-freaking-tastic! I say felt because with one day between the cleanse and the 21 day fit I figured I would allow myself slack that day to enjoy myself with friends. A few beers, a cupcake, my girlfriends amazing dip...a mile high mud pie...(however that was shared)....anyways needless to say in doing so I felt like tremendous crap after and all night long. There is no way anyone should ever go jump into crap coming off a cleanse...what an idiot. I did read the warning that the body would really feel it. Oh did I ever. I had a wicked headache, stomach ache, flu like symptoms, gas pains, aches....you name it. On top of it I had a crap sleep, nightmares...Mistake made, lesson learned.

What I also learned having done the cleanse and feeling so amazing is that I really feel that my body for so long was telling me something wasn't right. Most issues stem from food and a lot of my stomach issues, digestive all stemmed from eating dairy! Having cut it out I felt amazing. I brought it back in, along with sugar and felt like immense crap!

So knowing this now I decided to continue my life with clean eating and carry it into my 21 day fit. The kit arrived this past Friday. It's a lot like weight watchers. I am allowed a certain number of each color container per day and each container represents food groups...protein, carbs, fruits, veggies....I won't be doing the full 21, so I will do it all again in May when I return from Florida. From today until the day we leave though I will do it in hopes I reach my 15lb weight loss goal. I really only have 5 to go so hopefully I can do it.

I started today which will allow for 14 days on the program before I leave. Today was a full body cardio workout. I woke up at 6am sharp, jumped into the work out, which by the way royally kicked my ass and I feel the effects already. Thankfully each day is a different 30 minute work out. I like variation. Eating hasn't been an issue. With the container sizes I had my oatmeal as I did while on the cleanse only had to portion so it was less than I ate while on the cleanse. Lunch was a salad with avocado, tomato, hard boiled egg and a vinegar dressing. I am not hungry. For dinner I will enjoy left over brown rice pasta and meatless veggies ground round sauce. Then I am off to a night of painting with my mother, aunt and mother's friend.

I'm motivated right now having seen such big results. Additionally it's motivating to lose it knowing that I'll be hitting great outlet shopping in Florida. I cannot wait to outfit a thinner more in shape body! Who wouldn't right? That is huge motivation. Plus feeling awesome, looking good is a big part too.

We got the trailer home Friday as well and loaded it with everything we had waiting inside. The weather was not conducive to unload the tent trailer so that will be another weekend...perhaps even this weekend coming up. Once we do we'll make a trip out to the storage yard to drop it all off. I love the trailer and am so very excited.

Saturday we took our oldest to the airport and wished her an amazing trip to Ontario and Quebec. She was very excited and nervous too. Big hugs and we departed to take the trailer out to the storage lot, then hit up jysk for duvet covers and sheets for the beds in the trailer as we don't want to sleep in sleeping bags. Jysk was cheap and we are not looking to sleep in real luxury bedding when camping so it was perfect. We only purchased for the master bed and our youngest and will let our oldest go pick her choice of bedding when she returns from out east. After that it was a quick in and out at Ikea for picture frames for the freshly painted bonus room. They have yet to be hung but that could happen this weekend as well. We stopped at Costco for a quick adjustment on the new truck tires, then returned a couch cover to Home Sense...and then returned home to relax...we were all beat by then.

It's Monday...it's been 2 days that my oldest has been away and so far I am ok. She's keeping in touch, posting pictures of her adventure and we face timed. I'll survive I am sure. The days ahead are swamped with to do's and activities so time will fly.

My youngest will be switching stables soon with her instructor and team, so she and her dad will go check out the new digs tonight while I am out. Lesson tomorrow...

Somewhere in the midst of everything on my plate I will need to pack, figure out which suitcases we are using, book seats, clean for the carpet cleaning I booked prior to leaving....there's tons...plus get the trailer set up and unloaded, cleaned and ready to sell. Plan is to return from Florida and literally it's a quick turn around until the long weekend...OH and my oldest will get her braces off the same week we return from Florida! Fingers crossed anyways unless something changes.

Our lives have been packed with wonderful news, happenings, surprises, and just a fantastic bouquet of life...and positives. I am grateful. Sometimes it just takes things falling into place to really see how fortunate we are and how amazing life is.

I will be posting a before and after so stay tuned. I didn't do one of myself prior to the cleanse...I should have though and then after too. Instead I will show a before and an after before I leave for Florida and then do it all over again when I return to show how my body benefits from everything I am doing.

Today My Name Is...Fortunate

Today My Name Is....Fantastic!

 

Detox...Cleanse....so far so good and down   8 lbs in just....10 days! That's almost 1lb/day!

I'm still waiting on my 21 day Fit kit....boo wah! I want it now! I'm listening to everyone else with theirs and posting their foods and doing their exercise and I'm wanting on that wagon too. I've lost 8lbs...my goal is to lose 15lb by the time we go to Florida. That said 15lbs is a bit much to lose I think in 1 month but I've been really on the ball with watching what I have been eating. Eating clean sure does work. You want fast results and to feel better....eat clean...it's rewarding to see results so fast.

Tomorrow we get the trailer!!!! I'm so thrilled. We got it from Bucars just by Airdrie. I cannot wait, but what I look forward to more is now getting out camping...just a few short weeks with so much between. It will go fast and we will take her on her maiden voyage. Yay! I also landed us storage near by for a great rate. I am super pumped.

While at Bucars last weekend signing all the paperwork we picked up a solar panel, a few other items for the trailer and it made me even more anxious to get out. Alas...I must wait. Thankfully I will be keeping busy until then.

Trailer comes but my oldest goes....she leaves for Quebec with school. Lucky kid. She is over the moon with excitement...me...not so much. I am excited for her but nervous about this and it will be a real test on myself over the next days having her away and far to boot. I've never had her away from me without her being with family so this is huge for us. I know all will go fine but as mother's it's hard. Thankfully it's just for a few days. I look forward to hearing about it.

When she returns she starts her hockey school for a week and then we are off again....wow....now having just said that I realized I don't have a lot of time remaining to meet my goal....Uh oh! I best get that kit and get fit before...I won't be able to do the full 21 days before leaving but I will do whatever amount it is leading up to it once the kit gets here.

So mini update but I am pumped, positive and feeling fantastic. Pretty awesome eh? Oh and did I mention it's like spring out? Snow is almost gone, and it's been beautiful out...so much so that jackets come off after a bit. That in itself is awesome!

Today My Name is...Fantastic!

Today My Name Is...Wandering

I seriously suck...I win at falling off the wagon and shi&^ing the bed....Grrrr I wish will power was a great friend...we waver...

Since our pooch left us I have been in a serious slump. My weight shows well how much of an emotional eater I am. Almost 10lbs this month. :( So much for feeling better and having lost weight before Florida...no reaching the Jan. goal I set. There's no time like the present to get in shape but I just cannot kick myself from this slump!

Plan is...or was to do a 3 day juice cleanse/detox and then the Wild Rose cleanse and then follow it with the 21 day Fit (if it arrives in time) I figure if I can kick start and boost metabolism then perhaps feeling a tad more uplifted I can conquer a 21 day practice before heading to Florida where I hope to shop and get some nice stuff...so feeling good, smaller sizes...incentive right? Fingers crossed I can secure will power to hang out with me.

As for Juicing for 3 days...well...I lasted 2 and am now on day 2 of my Wild Rose Cleanse. By day two of juicing I had a headache and felt a bit sick as was expected and I knew based on information that by day 3 I would feel great and that the headache and sick feelings were detox symptoms but it got the best of me and I folded. I'm sticking strong to the Wild Rose Cleanse...let's see what this does for my over all well being.

I'll keep the blog updated as I go. My hubby describes the Herbal Detox cleanse as "Pretty much Paleo" so FYI if thinking about it.

That all said...I got tires...for not one but both vehicles from Costco. They had a sale and beat prices elsewhere, plus included tire rotations and free fixes if we have a flat ect. Feels good to have new boots on the vehicles. Cross that off the list. I also got a good chunk of the basement done. YAY!

In addition I felt like a change was in order for the room I spend a lot of time in so I gave the bonus room a face lift and with the help of my hubby and daughters the bonus room got a paint job. Thankfully Rona had a sale on their paint with a 3rd can free. We used 3 cans last time when we painted the bonus room. This time we used 2 cans surprisingly, especially since we went dark to light. We tried Rona's Sico brand paint and really liked it for coverage and how it went on. I think in future we will use it again, especially since we have the free can sitting untinted waiting for us to put it to use. The bonus room went from olive green to a very pale grey. I'll update with pictures later. I'm getting used to it. I think once decorations, curtains, frames and art is up I will like it more. Now I feel like doing a house over haul! Is this...could this be energy I feel?

I really need to learn how to not let things bother me...whether it feels like it or not my subconscious is well aware and triggers the food call button.I also need to learn restraint...when cake is available I need to realize moderation is key...not chow like it's the first time I've ever tried it...I'm terrible for giving in to a moments craving...the worst culprits..Nachos & Cheese, Lightly salted chips and dill pickle dip, cake, cupcakes, chocolate covered Almonds or Peanuts! I'm glad I am detoxing...maybe that will help with all of the cravings I had been having.

Perhaps if spring would ever come and the sun would show her face vitamin D would do me good...this ongoing snow and cold and blah skies does nothing for me for extended periods. That blah has been a good friend. I'm tired of grey, cold and blah. Sun heals and sure makes one feel good.

Anyways...as of late I've been struggling to find will power, motivation and everything in between. If you know of anywhere I can find them let me know...

Today My Name Is...Wandering