Finally ... a breakthrough!

As many of you know, I've been struggling for so long to get my weight down sufficiently.  I work out ... eat reasonable portions ... drink plenty of fluids ...and I've made some progress.  Quite a bit since late 2008 but I've been stuck, more or less, for way too long.

Then last week my body seized up on me ... I called the health clinic I go to and asked to see a massage therapist.  I didn't care who ... I just needed to be able to move again.  The newest therapist had 90 min free so off I went.

Little did I know that I would meet the man who would change my life.  See, I had made a decision about a month ago to shake up my life.  It started with a new look (shorter, darker hair), continued with a new attitude, and now my nutrition has changed tremendously, and I have switched back from strength training to circuit training.  It's important to keep your body off balance with exercise.  So ... as of today .. I do 3 days of circuit training ... 3 days of cardio and yoga ... and still take make 1 day off to rest.

Nutrition ... this is fun.  First he (Andrew) took me off wheat, flour and gluten (first week).  Then he took me off dairy (except for a little yogurt) and reduced my sugar and salt intake as well.  Sounds like fun, huh?  It's actually not that difficult.  It requires some thought and some planning but I'm actually making better meals now.  And I'm enjoying them.  I don't think about what I'm missing ... I only think about the progress I'm making.  I've lost 4 pounds in 3 weeks and lost an inch off my waist.  I can't find my last measurements so I'm starting again from day 1 today.  I'm FINALLY under 210.  I don't remember the last time I was under that number....  I feel great ... have tons of energy (did I mention I'm off my 3 small double double coffees during the day ... green tea with a little honey instead ... and my espresso first thing in the morning but that's OK).

I said I was going to shake up my life.  And I have.  It's only been about 10 days or so ... it hasn't been difficult ... weird ... I don't crave foods ... I enjoy what I'm eating.  All in all ... I'm loving this ... but the secret is to make a decision to change.  If you truly haven't decided to do what it takes to make those changes ... they won't happen.  Plain and simple.

Andrew's also got me going for about a 30 (give or take) minute walk after dinner for my digestion, then a 20 minute epsom salt bath 3 times a week.  I make it a point to walk for 20-30 minutes after lunch as well. 

He's really happy (maybe a little surprised) that I dived right in (typical me) and am doing this whole heartedly.  Even sent him an email thanking him ... I really believe that people need to know that they are appreciated ... I don't think "we" take the time to say "thank you" enough.

I would encourage you to find a health care professional who cares enough to help you through changes.  I wouldn't recommend doing anything this extreme unless under their care.  But I do hope you find someone .... it truly is a blessing.

Wishing you good health and much happiness.

SOS

Everything happens for a reason ....

So I was supposed to have a 90 minute massage booked last night.  Unfortunately my therapist had to cancel because she had car issues.  I was not happy about this but understood.  I was getting desperate ... it had been months and months since I had a massage.

Well ... I got up this morning ... did my cardio workout ... stretched and went to work.  Somewhere between the GO train and the office, my hamstrings, glutes, hips, back and neck decided to seize up on me.  I could barely function.  So ... I called my chiropractor's office and made an appointment with a massage therapist whom I did not know.  BEST call this year!

He certainly had his work cut out for him.  To make a long story short ... we talked about a bunch of things as he was working on me ... he gave me a list of do's and don'ts ... including no wheat for a week ... and no coffee!!!!!  OMG ...  I think I can live without the coffee ... except the espresso in the morning is non-negotiable... 

The drill is ... no wheat ... no coffee ... loads of room temp water with slices of lemon, green tea and a little honey ... evening walk for 30 minutes AFTER dinner ... warm bath with 2 cups of epsom salts ... 3 times per week for 2 weeks.  He's basically doing a mild detox with me.  Although I think after the lack of wheat will be the lack of dairy!  YIKES!  We'll cross THAT bridge when we get there....

The funny thing is ... when I did the Atkins diet years ago ... I lost 13 pounds in 2 or 3 months ... and felt AWESOME!  I had so much energy ... didn't feel weighed down by all the carbs ... so I'm basically eating protein, veggies and this time I can add fruit.

He said wanted me to reduce my circumfrence!!! What a polite way of telling me I needed to lose some fat around my middle .... lmao!

So not only is Andrew a massage therapist, he's also helps with stress management and health coaching!  First time I've had a one stop shop for both physical and nutritional counselling.  Woo hoo!  I feel really good about this.  Now I just have to work on my postural issues.

He's tough ... he's direct ... he's funny ... I LIKE HIM!!!!

So the moral of the story?????   Just because things don't work out exactly as you planned ... doesn't meant that something better might not come along and totally blow you away!

Wishing you all good health and an amazing life!

400th Post

Wow.  I didn't realize until just now when I was about to create a post that this was my 400th.   Not that I've been doing a lot of posting this summer ... I haven't been on the computer too much.  That would entail being INSIDE the house....lol

Anyway, just to touch base and update you ... I've been doing OK with my workouts and my nutrition.  Not quite as strict as I need to be, but this is only week 2 and it's kinda tough when travelling, long weekends ... I know, excuses, excuses .... but ... I woke up a bit late this morning ... thought about doing a lower body workout but since it was upper body day ... I did it anyway.  Lunch was basically ready to go so there was no prep time needed and I didn't have to blow my hair out so it was ok.  It was a good workout.  I always feel so strong, so empowered after an upper body workout.

My strength is coming back ... my endurance is getting better ... I'm walking faster again (new New Balance walking shoes help), stairs are getting easier....  all this after only 9 days.  Imagine my life in 10 more weeks ... which ... can you believe ... will be the O'Shea Christmas Party.  YIKES!  So I definitely have to keep my butt in gear ... and very important ... watch my nutrition.  My caffeine intake was bad today ... so was my eyesight for some reason.

Anyway ... I spent yesterday in the gardens and this weekend should hopefully be spent there too ... only at a cooler temp (which, at this time of year is a welcome change for me).  I had a 90 minute massage booked for tonight ... she had to cancel :(  But it gave me time to write instead.

I used to hate September and October ... the vast majority of my family died in those months ... but my parents messed that up so ... I can either be bummed from August to November ... or I can just say "that's life" ... and continue to live mine.  I am in no way belittling the death of family or friends, regardless of age or circumstance.  This is just my life ... my way of coping ... besides ... not one of us is going to get out of this alive .... ;)

My attitude is getting better ... I'm not so tired (except of course for today ... I chalk it up to weather), I'm happier, possess a more positive attitude ... all in all ... things are good.

We had a great weekend in Ottawa ... visiting family ... lots of laughs ...  totally adore Tammy and Simon.  The weather was awesome, the traffic amazing until we hit Oshawa coming home ... so we ducked off the highway and made it home in one piece.  Monday was an awesome day off.  All in all ... life is great!

And, just to keep life a little on the lighter side ... for your entertainment ....

Introducing ... Gerty Goose ....

I think she's staying in the house until next Spring ... then she can join the others ... 

Hug from mommy at the end of the day ....

I just LOVE this guy ....

This is the end of the day ... I'm tired ... but no, I'm not strangling my cat.

I think we were both tired at this point ... daddy LOVES to take tons of pics.

Never giving up....

Sunday I hit the reset button on my workouts.  I had been so consistent, doing so well, up until the spring hit and I was spending so much time out in the gardens ... between weeding and digging ... it's a lot of work.  Have I enjoyed it?  Absolutely!  Does it replace a regular workout?  Nope! 

So 2 days in, my nutrition is good ... the only caffeine I've had is 1 latte (and I've reduced the amount of cream and sugar in my latte) and 2 green tea with a little honey, just for flavour.  The test, of course, is going back to work tomorrow.  I just have to remember to drink green tea instead of coffee ...   My workouts have been great ... in fact I don't remember hurting this much for far too long ... and I feel good.

I feel ready to hit it hard again ... to commit to making a big difference in my life.  I know I've said it before ... but I really didn't have the conviction that it took.  This summer has been crazy busy.  This weekend ... we didn't plan anything social ... we needed a break ... EVERY weekend since the end of June, we've had social commitments.  Don't get me wrong, I've loved it.  There were still people we missed seeing but I hope to see them before the year is out ... even if it's just at one of our parties.  I've already booked 3 days in November ...it's kinda crazy.  I had planned on doing a major renovation to my gardens this weekend ... it rained off and on for most of the weekend ... so I took a rest.  We had some impromptu social stuff happen, I bought a few new pieces of clothing, we took care of some business.  All in all, it was a fabulous weekend....

So even if you have false starts ... you try ... you falter ... you try again ... you falter again ... just keep doing it .... don't ever stop ... don't ever give up on your goals and dreams ... because if you persist ... you will eventually achieve whatever it is you want out of life.