Sometimes it's easy to get complacent. It's easy to "let things slide", to get out of our "routines". I had done just that with both my workouts and with my Flylady routines.
But I'm back!
I'm in the middle of a detox right now and between detoxing and allergies ... I don't have a lot of energy ... good thing my workouts are first thing in the morning.
I have been inspired by many people the past couple of years since I joined Blogland. I've met some awesome people who have continued to encourage me along the way, whether I really deserved it or not.
I seem to have taken the attitude that since this was a lifelong commitment, I was going to take my time in getting there. WTF? I mean really ... what was I thinking??? Yes this is a lifelong commitment but it doesn't mean I can take a lifetime to achieve it.
The pressure is on folks ... I have 6 weeks to make HUGE progress ... bathing suit (2 piece ... no tankinis allowed for this girl) shopping is june 30th with one of my biggest inspirations and motivators ... Celia at High Heeled Life. I've had to pleasure of meeting Celia in person a couple of times. She is one of the most genuine, uplifting, motivating, astounding women I've ever met. Pop by blog ... her story may bring you to tears ... she has battled back from a devastating accident. Any time I don't think I can accomplish this, I think of her ... of her story, of what she's had to endure, of how incredibly far she has come in the past 4 years or so. She supports me like few do. She won't let me quit. I think if I ever quit, she would haul her butt to my place and kick my behind until I gave up and got back to it. Thank you Celia. You have changed my life in ways you'll never know.
And of course I cannot forget my sister who has endured her own health issues, who was brave enough to commit to going "under the knife", which is risky at the best of times but coupled with a heart problem ...., to have her gall bladder removed and to have weight loss surgery at the same time. She couldn't exercise and the weight just kept adding up. I'm so proud of her ... she is down roughly 70 pounds in about a year. And while others may lose more, or more quickly, I am so proud of what she has accomplished. This is not a race ... we each will lose what we can in the time that we do. Personally, I haven't lost much scale weight ... but there's definitely a difference from when I started out.
My hubby. I'm not going to say much about Barry and his influence on me or I won't be able to see the words on the screen. Suffice it to say, that if it wasn't for Barry, I wouldn't have met any of you. He is the one who encouraged me to start blogging. He's really amazing. For those who don't know him ... stop by at Life in Quotations. You'll be glad you did....
I hope you all have someone who motivates, inspires and encourages you ... no matter what.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A big thank you ....
Firstly, just wanted to say thanks for those who stopped by to wish me well :) Your support is always appreciated.
Secondly ... OMG what a day. It was rough. But I made it through. Not without a little help from my (chocolate) friend.... but my protein intake was also high so that was good (not because of the chocolate tho....) Not much I can do about it now .. just focus on NOT eating chocolate tomorrow. Just because my blood sugar level is ok doesn't mean I can eat whatever I like.
My sis and I are "friends" on http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ what a great site! it's a free, web-based food tracking site. with an app for my blackberry. yay! So we can be accountable to each other and encourage each other when we might falter a little.
Just remember ... take one day at a time. Do the best you can. Don't beat yourself up if you're not "perfect". Nobody is. And I'll always be rooting for you ... no matter what your issues, goals, dreams are.
:)
Secondly ... OMG what a day. It was rough. But I made it through. Not without a little help from my (chocolate) friend.... but my protein intake was also high so that was good (not because of the chocolate tho....) Not much I can do about it now .. just focus on NOT eating chocolate tomorrow. Just because my blood sugar level is ok doesn't mean I can eat whatever I like.
My sis and I are "friends" on http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ what a great site! it's a free, web-based food tracking site. with an app for my blackberry. yay! So we can be accountable to each other and encourage each other when we might falter a little.
Just remember ... take one day at a time. Do the best you can. Don't beat yourself up if you're not "perfect". Nobody is. And I'll always be rooting for you ... no matter what your issues, goals, dreams are.
:)
Monday, May 16, 2011
Medical Update
It's amazing how quickly time flies. I cannot believe it's been 2 weeks since I last posted. I feel like I'm in confessional.....
Anyway, I had a mammogram done - clear. I had an EKG - clear. I had a bunch of blood work done - cholesterol's a little high, iron a little low, but best news - fasting blood sugar was only 5.2. For years, it's been 6.2. I don't know how or why this has changed, but I'm glad ... I think. Given the drops in blood sugar I've had lately, I kinda question why it's dropped so much. But, as my mother always told me, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. So, for the time being I'll enjoy the good health and look forward to even better health in the future.
It's kinda odd being the only one in my immediately family who doesn't have diabetes. Not that I want it. Hell no. And I'm still younger than everyone else (except mom) when it was discovered. But just because my family had/has it, doesn't mean I have to follow in their footsteps. This is one way being the black sheep of the family is a REALLY good thing.
My biggest challenge seems to be allergies and allergy induced asthma. It's been exciting, especially with all this rain. But at least we're not in Manitoba.
I'm back to my workouts, I've planned my meals for the week and I'm determined to stick with the plan, but ensure that I actually eat enough, at regular intervals, drink lots of water and keep a positive attitude.
To your good health.
Anyway, I had a mammogram done - clear. I had an EKG - clear. I had a bunch of blood work done - cholesterol's a little high, iron a little low, but best news - fasting blood sugar was only 5.2. For years, it's been 6.2. I don't know how or why this has changed, but I'm glad ... I think. Given the drops in blood sugar I've had lately, I kinda question why it's dropped so much. But, as my mother always told me, don't look a gift horse in the mouth. So, for the time being I'll enjoy the good health and look forward to even better health in the future.
It's kinda odd being the only one in my immediately family who doesn't have diabetes. Not that I want it. Hell no. And I'm still younger than everyone else (except mom) when it was discovered. But just because my family had/has it, doesn't mean I have to follow in their footsteps. This is one way being the black sheep of the family is a REALLY good thing.
My biggest challenge seems to be allergies and allergy induced asthma. It's been exciting, especially with all this rain. But at least we're not in Manitoba.
I'm back to my workouts, I've planned my meals for the week and I'm determined to stick with the plan, but ensure that I actually eat enough, at regular intervals, drink lots of water and keep a positive attitude.
To your good health.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Losing Friends ...
Written Tuesday, May 3rd
I started my morning with the news of a majority harper government. I was not impressed.
Then I got to the GO station and a friend of mine told me a mutual friend (Steve was an honorary chic for the train ride home) had dropped dead of a heart attack fri or Sat. It didn't seem real. I just took the train home with him on Friday afternoon. He was 52. He was a heavy smoker and perhaps didn't eat the healthiest but nonetheless. I sit here (on the train .. I was looking for him ... Hoping it was someone else who died) thinking about him and needed to write. Having a little trouble seeing ....
It was a harsh reminder to do whatever I can to get/stay healthy. I had an EKG last Saturday ... I'm glad I did. Heart disease and diabetes are too prevalent in my family.
He wasn't much older than me. We talked about gardening and food and joked around ... He was a part of my 453 crowd but caught the 510 with me once in a while.
I'm listening to P!nk's "Mr. President". It's amazing. I just love her music. I seem to have delayed reactions about a lot of things ... This seems to be one of them ... Maybe because I just saw him that evening.
Written Friday, May 6th
I wrote the above on my way into work. Since Blogger is a pain to post on a smartphone like you would on a computer, it's taken me a few days to get this posted. I don't think I was ready to post either. Anyway, to continue with this post ...
It's Friday, and I'm waiting for Barry to get home from work. Then we're going to Steve's wake. I've been looking for him almost every day this week ... big time denial. It turns out he died on Sunday of a heart attack and he was 56. Still far too young to die. I'm not sure why I'm still struggling with this so much. It's not like we ever saw each other outside the train. It's not that we were great friends. I think it's just the suddenness of it. I've had so many people die and I've gone to way to many visitations ... you'd think I'd be able to handle this better. Maybe because it's Mother's Day weekend and I really miss my mom. I suspect tonight will help. It will bring closure.
It's amazing how someone can have such an impact on you, even when they don't play a significant role in your life. And one of my girlfriends at work left the company yesterday. She lives in Mississauga and her job is only a 15 min drive for her so it's not like I'll have much of an opportunity to see her. But we'll BBM and email. I'm really gonna miss her around the office. First Jen, then Yondy. I just hope Trish doesn't leave. She'll be my last real gf at work. Then what do I do?
But things change, people die, people leave companies. It's all part of life. I'll feel better tomorrow when I can spend the day out in the sun working in the gardens.
So please, don't take your health for granted. Do whatever you have to. I know its given me a wake up call.
I started my morning with the news of a majority harper government. I was not impressed.
Then I got to the GO station and a friend of mine told me a mutual friend (Steve was an honorary chic for the train ride home) had dropped dead of a heart attack fri or Sat. It didn't seem real. I just took the train home with him on Friday afternoon. He was 52. He was a heavy smoker and perhaps didn't eat the healthiest but nonetheless. I sit here (on the train .. I was looking for him ... Hoping it was someone else who died) thinking about him and needed to write. Having a little trouble seeing ....
It was a harsh reminder to do whatever I can to get/stay healthy. I had an EKG last Saturday ... I'm glad I did. Heart disease and diabetes are too prevalent in my family.
He wasn't much older than me. We talked about gardening and food and joked around ... He was a part of my 453 crowd but caught the 510 with me once in a while.
I'm listening to P!nk's "Mr. President". It's amazing. I just love her music. I seem to have delayed reactions about a lot of things ... This seems to be one of them ... Maybe because I just saw him that evening.
Written Friday, May 6th
I wrote the above on my way into work. Since Blogger is a pain to post on a smartphone like you would on a computer, it's taken me a few days to get this posted. I don't think I was ready to post either. Anyway, to continue with this post ...
It's Friday, and I'm waiting for Barry to get home from work. Then we're going to Steve's wake. I've been looking for him almost every day this week ... big time denial. It turns out he died on Sunday of a heart attack and he was 56. Still far too young to die. I'm not sure why I'm still struggling with this so much. It's not like we ever saw each other outside the train. It's not that we were great friends. I think it's just the suddenness of it. I've had so many people die and I've gone to way to many visitations ... you'd think I'd be able to handle this better. Maybe because it's Mother's Day weekend and I really miss my mom. I suspect tonight will help. It will bring closure.
It's amazing how someone can have such an impact on you, even when they don't play a significant role in your life. And one of my girlfriends at work left the company yesterday. She lives in Mississauga and her job is only a 15 min drive for her so it's not like I'll have much of an opportunity to see her. But we'll BBM and email. I'm really gonna miss her around the office. First Jen, then Yondy. I just hope Trish doesn't leave. She'll be my last real gf at work. Then what do I do?
But things change, people die, people leave companies. It's all part of life. I'll feel better tomorrow when I can spend the day out in the sun working in the gardens.
So please, don't take your health for granted. Do whatever you have to. I know its given me a wake up call.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Reaffirmation
Barry and I went to spend a gorgeous afternoon yesterday with a couple who we met through this wonderful blogland ... HHL and Mr. G. HHL has been a huge inspiration to us from the get go.
So we spent a gorgeous Saturday afternoon touring their property, sharing wine, stories and a great BBQ. Quite a feast! Thanks guys :)
And while we shared stories and played with a certain adorable "mr. D", it made me realize that I really need to refocus on my writing. I guess I felt, and I've probably said this before, that I've really felt recently that I haven't had a lot to contribute. But the truth of the matter is that we all have something worthwhile to contribute ... And if my writing only helps a person or two, then it was worth it.
I can't believe its been almost 3 weeks since I last posted.
A lot has happened in the past 3 weeks ... I spent a week at home on vacation, went to a Tiesto concert with B (it was great!), got my annual mammogram done (ladies ... anyone over about 40 give or take or with a family history ... get one done!) and got my contact lens checked. To which my opt ometrist asked how my blood sugar was (huh). I got some work done in the garden. Went to my doc to get a requisition for blood work and then went yesterday morning for my tests.
Oh yeah, I haven't mentioned my incident with a very nasty drop in blood sugar after donating blood, even though I did everything right. I was sweating profusely, my heart was racing, a panic attack started (thankfully I was able to shut it down quickly), I had trouble putting my thoughts together and getting them out of me. THAT scared me. I was about 2 minutes away from asking them to call an ambulance. If you've ever experienced a bad sugar low, you'll understand.
So its time for me to get serious about watching my sugar levels. I eat well, exercise regularly, try to stay fairly active, drink lots of water ... But with a family full of diabetics, is it any wonder that at 46 I'm facing these issues.
On a happier note, I can't believe it ... it's only May 1st, and the gardens will be ready with one more full day of work. I haven't been rushed, I haven't felt overwhelmed, I just got outside whenever the weather has graced us with dry enough weather, and got to work. I only got 1 decent gardening day during my actual vacation days but I did accomplish other things. I went to the nursery today and picked up a few more perennials. I'm even trying my favourite flower (Blue Himalyan Poppy) (see below) again. I've tried 3 or 4 times to grow it but have not had any luck to date. I'm not sure whether I'm persistent or a masochist.
I have a major love affair with sky blue flowers ... probably because they've pretty hard to find in nature. I also picked up a few other flowers but I was strong and walked by all the irises and daylilies (my 2 flower obsessions) . I'm so proud of myself :)
On the workout front ... it's been a couple of weeks since my last workout ... but my vacation week I was pretty active, between lots of walking and all the garden work I was doing I didn't feel too bad about missing my workouts. Last week I was fighting something. I should have gotten up today to work out but I didn't. But I've been watching what I'm eating and turning down lunch dates ... and my body seems to have plateaued. So ... 4:15 a.m. tomorrow I will get up and do my cardio workout. June 30th is FAST approaching.
Can't wait!
So we spent a gorgeous Saturday afternoon touring their property, sharing wine, stories and a great BBQ. Quite a feast! Thanks guys :)
And while we shared stories and played with a certain adorable "mr. D", it made me realize that I really need to refocus on my writing. I guess I felt, and I've probably said this before, that I've really felt recently that I haven't had a lot to contribute. But the truth of the matter is that we all have something worthwhile to contribute ... And if my writing only helps a person or two, then it was worth it.
I can't believe its been almost 3 weeks since I last posted.
A lot has happened in the past 3 weeks ... I spent a week at home on vacation, went to a Tiesto concert with B (it was great!), got my annual mammogram done (ladies ... anyone over about 40 give or take or with a family history ... get one done!) and got my contact lens checked. To which my opt ometrist asked how my blood sugar was (huh). I got some work done in the garden. Went to my doc to get a requisition for blood work and then went yesterday morning for my tests.
Oh yeah, I haven't mentioned my incident with a very nasty drop in blood sugar after donating blood, even though I did everything right. I was sweating profusely, my heart was racing, a panic attack started (thankfully I was able to shut it down quickly), I had trouble putting my thoughts together and getting them out of me. THAT scared me. I was about 2 minutes away from asking them to call an ambulance. If you've ever experienced a bad sugar low, you'll understand.
So its time for me to get serious about watching my sugar levels. I eat well, exercise regularly, try to stay fairly active, drink lots of water ... But with a family full of diabetics, is it any wonder that at 46 I'm facing these issues.
On a happier note, I can't believe it ... it's only May 1st, and the gardens will be ready with one more full day of work. I haven't been rushed, I haven't felt overwhelmed, I just got outside whenever the weather has graced us with dry enough weather, and got to work. I only got 1 decent gardening day during my actual vacation days but I did accomplish other things. I went to the nursery today and picked up a few more perennials. I'm even trying my favourite flower (Blue Himalyan Poppy) (see below) again. I've tried 3 or 4 times to grow it but have not had any luck to date. I'm not sure whether I'm persistent or a masochist.
via Google search
On the workout front ... it's been a couple of weeks since my last workout ... but my vacation week I was pretty active, between lots of walking and all the garden work I was doing I didn't feel too bad about missing my workouts. Last week I was fighting something. I should have gotten up today to work out but I didn't. But I've been watching what I'm eating and turning down lunch dates ... and my body seems to have plateaued. So ... 4:15 a.m. tomorrow I will get up and do my cardio workout. June 30th is FAST approaching.
Can't wait!
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