The Beau and I are officially house hunting! It's a very exciting time for sure. After spending the better part of two years lusting over houses of various size, shape and price we've finally taken the plunge into the market.
The Beau owns the condo we're currently in, so he's been through this process before (albeit six years ago), but it's all new territory to me. We're fortunate because we're able to use the realtor the Beau used to buy his condo and she's a lovely woman who has already sent us a list of potential homes and we're hopefully going to start viewing them this week!
Squee!
The hard part for me is going to be the waiting. I might be a little impatient (okay, a lot impatient) but I know this is a major purchase and that we have to wait for the right one to come along. It's just I want it now! NOW! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!
All in good time, though. All in good time.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Friday, April 27, 2012
And - we're back!
We made it home safe and sound today from our five-day sojourn to Muskoka and Algonquin Park. And what a wonderful five days! Since it's the end of April, we weren't crazy enough to camp in a tent; rather, we rented a cabin at Blue Spruce Resort, which was beyond perfect. Our cabin had one bedroom with a king-size bed (which I still managed to almost kick the Beau out of), a 4-piece bathroom with a jacuzzi tub (JACUZZI TUB!) and a full kitchen. It was all kinds of awesome and adorable.
Oh, and we had a fireplace! We had a fire every night and all day Thursday (it was a cold, rainy day).
We were hoping for good weather, but instead got snow and woke up Tuesday morning to about 3 inches. But that didn't stop us from a short hike on the trails around Blue Spruce. Even with the snow and overcast sky, it was a beautiful and refreshing hike. But we got a little wet, so when we got back to the cabin, it was fire time! Later, books.
We also managed to get into Algonquin - and that day, we had blue sky and sunshine! We had ambitiously planned for a 30 km hike, but a late start plus wet and muddy terrain limited us to 8 km. But that was still 4 hours worth of hiking, so it was a good day! That night, we had steak, red wine and playoff hockey!
Our last day, Thursday, was rainy and cold so we stayed in with books and a fire, then hit up the games room for a couple rounds of pool.
And now we're home! What a great week away. And it's even nicer to have a weekend before heading back to work. I'll be honest, I didn't count points at all this past week, but I don't even care. It was worth it to relax and have a fun week away with the Beau. Plus the hiking counted for something. I would go back in a heartbeat!
Oh, and we had a fireplace! We had a fire every night and all day Thursday (it was a cold, rainy day).
We were hoping for good weather, but instead got snow and woke up Tuesday morning to about 3 inches. But that didn't stop us from a short hike on the trails around Blue Spruce. Even with the snow and overcast sky, it was a beautiful and refreshing hike. But we got a little wet, so when we got back to the cabin, it was fire time! Later, books.
And now we're home! What a great week away. And it's even nicer to have a weekend before heading back to work. I'll be honest, I didn't count points at all this past week, but I don't even care. It was worth it to relax and have a fun week away with the Beau. Plus the hiking counted for something. I would go back in a heartbeat!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Vacation snow!
We're still planning on hiking but it will be through a beautiful winter wonderland instead.
Hopefully the rain stays away!
Hopefully the rain stays away!
Monday, April 23, 2012
VACATION!
Our vacation officially starts today! Even though it's overcast and windy in Toronto, we're excited and really looking forward to getting away. We'll arrive at our rented cabin this afternoon and then spend the next three days hiking through Algonquin - we're even planning a 30km hike for one day!
I'm not bringing the computer (or a scale) on the trip so no weigh-in this week and blogging will be at a minimum, if it happens at all. But I do have mobile blogging on my phone and I may feel the need to share some of the awesomeness of the trip.
Until then, see y'all later!
I'm not bringing the computer (or a scale) on the trip so no weigh-in this week and blogging will be at a minimum, if it happens at all. But I do have mobile blogging on my phone and I may feel the need to share some of the awesomeness of the trip.
Until then, see y'all later!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
About that 5K...
Remember how I was all gung-ho to train to run a 5K? And how I kept talking about it - until I stopped talking about it?
Well, something has come up that has piqued my interest in a 5K yet again:
That's right, a 5K zombie-infested obstacle course race. I mean, who wouldn't want to do this? I've been staring at the online registration page all day, debating if I should register, debating if I could actually finish this.
I feel like this would almost be easier than a regular 5K because it's not straight running, and (hopefully) the adrenaline rush of avoiding zombies would help me finish. And if I can't complete an obstacle or if I lose all my flags (I would start with three and need to finish with at least one to still be "alive") I become a zombie; while that would disqualify me from prizes, I'd still be able to finish the course at my pace.
Though, if I'm honest, I know what's holding me back: I don't want to become a zombie. I want to finish with at least one flag. I'd feel like I failed if I became a zombie, even if I finished the course. Crazy, I know.
But the race isn't until September so I have over four months (almost five, actually) to train, get my asthma under control, build my endurance and get my calf muscles less tense so it's completely doable.
So I'm going to do it. I've registered and everything. And it's non-refundable so I have no choice.
Eek!
Well, something has come up that has piqued my interest in a 5K yet again:
That's right, a 5K zombie-infested obstacle course race. I mean, who wouldn't want to do this? I've been staring at the online registration page all day, debating if I should register, debating if I could actually finish this.
I feel like this would almost be easier than a regular 5K because it's not straight running, and (hopefully) the adrenaline rush of avoiding zombies would help me finish. And if I can't complete an obstacle or if I lose all my flags (I would start with three and need to finish with at least one to still be "alive") I become a zombie; while that would disqualify me from prizes, I'd still be able to finish the course at my pace.
Though, if I'm honest, I know what's holding me back: I don't want to become a zombie. I want to finish with at least one flag. I'd feel like I failed if I became a zombie, even if I finished the course. Crazy, I know.
But the race isn't until September so I have over four months (almost five, actually) to train, get my asthma under control, build my endurance and get my calf muscles less tense so it's completely doable.
So I'm going to do it. I've registered and everything. And it's non-refundable so I have no choice.
Eek!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
WW Weigh-In #16
It's weigh-in day! Let's get right to it:
Last week: 185.0 lb
This week: 185.6 lb
Total gained this week: 0.6 lb
Weight loss target: 181.8 lb
To reach target: 3.8 lb
This is the third week in a row I've logged a gain. Three weeks ago, I was at 183.8; now I'm at 185.6. That's only 1.8 pounds, which is incredibly negligible and is partly why I'm not discouraged. But on the flip side, it's small increases like that that landed me in at the weight where I needed WW.
If I wasn't weighing in weekly, I wouldn't notice the weight slowly creeping back on. And I know it's not that much and I know it's easily lost again and I know I'm still making amazing progress. Also, I'm not trying to advocate that gaining a measly half pound is cause for concern or that you should weigh yourself daily to keep yourself in check.
Rather, for me, this is what I need. I need the regular weigh-ins and the points program and a way to see how what I eat and what I do affects what I weigh.
For some people, checking how their clothes fit works. For me, that's good but not great. Yesterday the jeans I was wearing were a bit loose, which is awesome, but at the same time I was putting on weight - and I gain all over so I never notice significant weight gain until I've packed on 10+ pounds and then it's a bigger challenge to get it off.
And despite my gains over the last three weeks, I'm still weighing in at less than I was four weeks ago (when I was 189 lb) so it's all still good!
As a quick note, there will be no weigh-in next week as I'll be on vacation in beautiful Algonquin Park. The Beau and I have rented a cabin and we'll spend the days hiking and enjoying all that spring in Algonquin has to offer, while evenings will be spent grilling delicious food, reading, soaking in the jacuzzi tub and, well, probably little else. 'Twill be heavenly and I have no intention of packing my scale! So in two weeks' time we'll see what a week of hiking does for me!
Last week: 185.0 lb
This week: 185.6 lb
Total gained this week: 0.6 lb
Weight loss target: 181.8 lb
To reach target: 3.8 lb
This is the third week in a row I've logged a gain. Three weeks ago, I was at 183.8; now I'm at 185.6. That's only 1.8 pounds, which is incredibly negligible and is partly why I'm not discouraged. But on the flip side, it's small increases like that that landed me in at the weight where I needed WW.
If I wasn't weighing in weekly, I wouldn't notice the weight slowly creeping back on. And I know it's not that much and I know it's easily lost again and I know I'm still making amazing progress. Also, I'm not trying to advocate that gaining a measly half pound is cause for concern or that you should weigh yourself daily to keep yourself in check.
Rather, for me, this is what I need. I need the regular weigh-ins and the points program and a way to see how what I eat and what I do affects what I weigh.
For some people, checking how their clothes fit works. For me, that's good but not great. Yesterday the jeans I was wearing were a bit loose, which is awesome, but at the same time I was putting on weight - and I gain all over so I never notice significant weight gain until I've packed on 10+ pounds and then it's a bigger challenge to get it off.
And despite my gains over the last three weeks, I'm still weighing in at less than I was four weeks ago (when I was 189 lb) so it's all still good!
As a quick note, there will be no weigh-in next week as I'll be on vacation in beautiful Algonquin Park. The Beau and I have rented a cabin and we'll spend the days hiking and enjoying all that spring in Algonquin has to offer, while evenings will be spent grilling delicious food, reading, soaking in the jacuzzi tub and, well, probably little else. 'Twill be heavenly and I have no intention of packing my scale! So in two weeks' time we'll see what a week of hiking does for me!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Losing ground
Guys, I'm not going to lie: I've been slipping.
I'm still tracking my points but I've also been a little cavalier with them, even ignoring them completely for big meals. It's strange but I was doing much better during the winter months; now that it's spring I can't seem to stay on track even though this is the time of year when people really get on track.
I think it's starting to dawn on me the magnitude of the life change I've undertaken. It's easy enough to say that it's better to make slow progress if it means making lifestyle changes but it sure is hard to actually do!
This is also where my impatience kicks in. I've been on WW for not quite 4 months and I've managed to lose and keep off 17 pounds. There is nothing wrong with that! Despite knowing this, though, I want to make more progress - I want to be thinner NOW, dammit! And I find myself falling into that downward spiral; you know, the one that goes, "Since I can't be thin now, why bother trying? That donut looks delicious. But now that I ate that donut, I won't be thin. And since I can't be thin, well, that bacon cheeseburger looks delicious..."
Oh self-defeat, how I thought you were gone!
So I'm a little worried about tomorrow. I really don't want a third week of gaining but I know I only have myself to blame if I do (I had cake twice this past weekend! TWICE! And it was delicious.)
I've been thinking a lot about habits recently and I'm going to do a post on them and the habits I really want to get into. I need to make eating well and exercising so ingrained in my life that I don't even notice when I'm doing it, but I still get to reap the awesome benefits.
I've got ideas of what I can do to help myself, too. I just need to put them into action. I'll share those with you too, later, hopefully after I've acted on them, so you can see what brilliant things I've added to my life!
I can tell you this, though: no matter what, I will not let myself become complacent or defeated or upset over any changes that don't go my way. I'm 32 years old and the eating and exercise habits I have now I've been working on for 32 years. Four months ain't gonna change that!
I'm still tracking my points but I've also been a little cavalier with them, even ignoring them completely for big meals. It's strange but I was doing much better during the winter months; now that it's spring I can't seem to stay on track even though this is the time of year when people really get on track.
I think it's starting to dawn on me the magnitude of the life change I've undertaken. It's easy enough to say that it's better to make slow progress if it means making lifestyle changes but it sure is hard to actually do!
This is also where my impatience kicks in. I've been on WW for not quite 4 months and I've managed to lose and keep off 17 pounds. There is nothing wrong with that! Despite knowing this, though, I want to make more progress - I want to be thinner NOW, dammit! And I find myself falling into that downward spiral; you know, the one that goes, "Since I can't be thin now, why bother trying? That donut looks delicious. But now that I ate that donut, I won't be thin. And since I can't be thin, well, that bacon cheeseburger looks delicious..."
Oh self-defeat, how I thought you were gone!
So I'm a little worried about tomorrow. I really don't want a third week of gaining but I know I only have myself to blame if I do (I had cake twice this past weekend! TWICE! And it was delicious.)
I've been thinking a lot about habits recently and I'm going to do a post on them and the habits I really want to get into. I need to make eating well and exercising so ingrained in my life that I don't even notice when I'm doing it, but I still get to reap the awesome benefits.
I've got ideas of what I can do to help myself, too. I just need to put them into action. I'll share those with you too, later, hopefully after I've acted on them, so you can see what brilliant things I've added to my life!
I can tell you this, though: no matter what, I will not let myself become complacent or defeated or upset over any changes that don't go my way. I'm 32 years old and the eating and exercise habits I have now I've been working on for 32 years. Four months ain't gonna change that!
Monday, April 16, 2012
My secret weapon
When I first joined WW, I started strong right away and had some great early success. In recent weeks I've seen the scale creep up a bit more than I would like but I'm still doing well and I'm slowly getting myself back on track (now that the turkey-gravy-roast beef-chocolate trap of Easter has passed). Part of that getting back on track is utilizing my secret weapon.
Grapes.
And it's nothing to do with Don Cherry or (alas) wine. Before WW, I wasn't much into fruit. It just ever really appealed to me. Now, though, I've discovered I actually enjoy eating raspberries, blueberries, melon (okay, I always liked melon) and grapes.
I'm not picky on colour - red, green or purple will do just fine; all I ask is that they be seedless. And what the Beau and I have discovered is that if we leave the grapes on the vine in the fridge, we won't eat them. Instead, as soon as I get them home, I pull them off the vine, wash them up and load them into the biggest container we have. Then when we're jonesing for something to munch on while watching TV, instead of bad food, we pull out the grapes. We have eaten a bunch of grapes in a sitting before.
This is particularly helpful because all fruit on WW logs in a zero points. I bring grapes with me to work too, to snack on in the afternoon - or at least I did. I've stopped doing that as much now and it's something I need to pick up again.
When I eat grapes regularly, I feel good, I look good and the scale moves in the right direction. It's win-win-win!
Best secret weapon ever.
And it's nothing to do with Don Cherry or (alas) wine. Before WW, I wasn't much into fruit. It just ever really appealed to me. Now, though, I've discovered I actually enjoy eating raspberries, blueberries, melon (okay, I always liked melon) and grapes.
I'm not picky on colour - red, green or purple will do just fine; all I ask is that they be seedless. And what the Beau and I have discovered is that if we leave the grapes on the vine in the fridge, we won't eat them. Instead, as soon as I get them home, I pull them off the vine, wash them up and load them into the biggest container we have. Then when we're jonesing for something to munch on while watching TV, instead of bad food, we pull out the grapes. We have eaten a bunch of grapes in a sitting before.
This is particularly helpful because all fruit on WW logs in a zero points. I bring grapes with me to work too, to snack on in the afternoon - or at least I did. I've stopped doing that as much now and it's something I need to pick up again.
When I eat grapes regularly, I feel good, I look good and the scale moves in the right direction. It's win-win-win!
Best secret weapon ever.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
WW Weigh-In #15
Oh hi! I can't believe I almost missed posting today! It's actually been a busy day for me: I was working from home this morning, had to take the car in for service this afternoon and then NHL playoffs tonight! It's the first round so there's so many games on - including three tonight. I'm in my own special heaven.
But about the numbers:
Last week: 184.6 lb
This week: 185.0 lb
Total gained this week: 0.4 lb
Weight loss target: 181.8 lb
To reach target: 3.2 lb
A bit of a gain and 1.2 lb gained over the past two weeks. Sigh. I keep reminding myself that, since starting WW, I've lost 17 lb, which is awesome. I just really want to lose that next 15 lb!
I know why I've been slipping: I haven't been as diligent with tracking my points. I've been guessing more than I should and I haven't been measuring my portions as often. I know what I need to do - but sometimes it's the doing that's hard.
But if I want to lose that next 15 lb, I have to do it!
But about the numbers:
Last week: 184.6 lb
This week: 185.0 lb
Total gained this week: 0.4 lb
Weight loss target: 181.8 lb
To reach target: 3.2 lb
A bit of a gain and 1.2 lb gained over the past two weeks. Sigh. I keep reminding myself that, since starting WW, I've lost 17 lb, which is awesome. I just really want to lose that next 15 lb!
I know why I've been slipping: I haven't been as diligent with tracking my points. I've been guessing more than I should and I haven't been measuring my portions as often. I know what I need to do - but sometimes it's the doing that's hard.
But if I want to lose that next 15 lb, I have to do it!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Happy Easter!
Did you have a good Easter weekend? We did!
The Beau and I spent it with my family, in my lovely little hometown. Family time with my family is always...interesting. Being from a small town sometimes means people have small minds and the off-colour comments that are made are disturbing but, alas, there is no changing some of my family members, so I've become adept at tuning them out. The Beau, on the other hand, is still shocked at some of the words that are used. It's a good thing we only spend about three days a year with these folk; they are good-hearted, well-meaning, inviting, sharing, friendly people, just far from politically correct.
We also did some projects for my Momma, which also came with a bit of drama. Let's face it, though, anything done with my Momma comes with a bit of drama. But we got through it and had a wonderful turkey dinner and all ended well. Though I'm going to work on my own attitude to help make weekends with Momma a bit smoother.
I also decided I would backtrack and enter my points for the weekend. I'm now without any extra weekly points as well as down to only 1 extra activity point - it was definitely a good food weekend! I'm a little worried because I have work dinner tonight and tomorrow night but I'm going to do my absolute best to eat well. Some work dinners are easier than others; when it's Thai or Chinese, I just load up on veggies. When it's Indian or pizza, the choices are much harder. I really don't want to have two gaining weeks in a row, which is definitely helpful when I feel my self-control is waning.
Regardless of family drama or overeating, it was wonderful to see so many family members and to spend time with those I care about. Next weekend we're off to see the Beau's family!
The Beau and I spent it with my family, in my lovely little hometown. Family time with my family is always...interesting. Being from a small town sometimes means people have small minds and the off-colour comments that are made are disturbing but, alas, there is no changing some of my family members, so I've become adept at tuning them out. The Beau, on the other hand, is still shocked at some of the words that are used. It's a good thing we only spend about three days a year with these folk; they are good-hearted, well-meaning, inviting, sharing, friendly people, just far from politically correct.
We also did some projects for my Momma, which also came with a bit of drama. Let's face it, though, anything done with my Momma comes with a bit of drama. But we got through it and had a wonderful turkey dinner and all ended well. Though I'm going to work on my own attitude to help make weekends with Momma a bit smoother.
I also decided I would backtrack and enter my points for the weekend. I'm now without any extra weekly points as well as down to only 1 extra activity point - it was definitely a good food weekend! I'm a little worried because I have work dinner tonight and tomorrow night but I'm going to do my absolute best to eat well. Some work dinners are easier than others; when it's Thai or Chinese, I just load up on veggies. When it's Indian or pizza, the choices are much harder. I really don't want to have two gaining weeks in a row, which is definitely helpful when I feel my self-control is waning.
Regardless of family drama or overeating, it was wonderful to see so many family members and to spend time with those I care about. Next weekend we're off to see the Beau's family!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
WW Weigh-In #14
Ack, I almost forgot to do my weigh-in today! I did actually weigh in this morning but I was at work today, which threw me off slightly and is why I'm just getting to blogging now. After last week's 5+ lb loss, I was a little pessimistic this week. It all just felt too good to be true...
Last week: 183.8 lb
This week: 184.6 lb
Total gained this week: 0.8 lb
Weight loss target: 181.8 lb
To reach target: 2.8 lb
But it's okay. I've said it before, having a weight gain week here or there is not the end of the world. And it's really helping me to learn what is right and wrong for my body, not just with food but with exercise, sleep, alcohol and any other external influence. Plus, this is only week 14 and I've already proven I can lose 20 lb. I'll just keep going until I hit my target and then I'll work at maintaining.
Though I'll admit, it's hard not to get impatient. After losing 5.2 lb last week, I couldn't help but think how wonderful it would be if I could lose that much weight every week and how much faster I'd hit my goals. Then I remind myself that it's as much about being able to maintain a weight and a lifestyle as it is about losing weight. It's no good if I gain all the weight back as soon as I stop with the points and the weigh-ins because I've reached my goal weight.
Slow and steady wins the race, my friends. Slow and steady.
Last week: 183.8 lb
This week: 184.6 lb
Total gained this week: 0.8 lb
Weight loss target: 181.8 lb
To reach target: 2.8 lb
But it's okay. I've said it before, having a weight gain week here or there is not the end of the world. And it's really helping me to learn what is right and wrong for my body, not just with food but with exercise, sleep, alcohol and any other external influence. Plus, this is only week 14 and I've already proven I can lose 20 lb. I'll just keep going until I hit my target and then I'll work at maintaining.
Though I'll admit, it's hard not to get impatient. After losing 5.2 lb last week, I couldn't help but think how wonderful it would be if I could lose that much weight every week and how much faster I'd hit my goals. Then I remind myself that it's as much about being able to maintain a weight and a lifestyle as it is about losing weight. It's no good if I gain all the weight back as soon as I stop with the points and the weigh-ins because I've reached my goal weight.
Slow and steady wins the race, my friends. Slow and steady.
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