Well, I'm now home and back to the reality of laundry, school, work and whatever other responsibility that falls at my feet.
I had the best vacation and really relaxed and enjoyed myself.
It is interesting though because I find it very difficult to exercise while on vacation.
I took my shoes and work out clothes and had a wee chat with myself about working out....I even took my Polar and was set to monitor where I was calorie wise.
Well....I didn't do anything. Even when I had plenty of time and opporutnity I couldn't force myself to go. Tomorrow morning I as so looking forward to strapping on the shoes and hitting the pavement.
I guess my brain basically says that while on vacation it is total downtime...I would really like to change this though because it doesn't seem very healthy and I really don't want to have that "all or nothing" attitude that can be so destructive.
I gained six pounds over the last two weeks by sitting around (actually lazing around) and eating what ever the heck I felt like eating. I feel crappy...bloated and fat.
Why do I do that to myself. I have no answers and can only chose to make better choices for tomorrow.
See...now that I'm home I won't have any trouble exercising or eating better...I really seem to get a sense of entitlement while on vacation and really binge for the whole time.
Not good.
Not Healthy.
I guess the one difference this time is that I did (once in a while) make some wiser choices and also just the fact that after the vacation I can actually acknowlege the behaviour. Who is it that says..."you can't change what you don't acknowlege..."?? Cuz that is very, very true and I really do need to look at that and do my best to change it.
So tomorrow is another fresh day and one I'm looking forward to.
Gotta love home.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
So...did the wheels fall off????
A simple answer is YES.
Dang. Being on vacation is difficult. It was my intention to work out everyday and eat "smart"...well...It definately has been a challenge and sometimes just a total disaster.
On this trip I figured out the trick to a perfect pina colada...add vanilla ice cream! OMG...then try and have just one. Not gonna happen.
You'll be glad to know tho that I did drink my rum and coke with diet coke and of course added a healthy dose of really super duper fresh lime (that counts as a fruit serving--doesn't it??)
And then today...for breakfast no less...I ate a whole bag of Doritos.
It's like a run away train!!
I have to laugh tho because I don't feel out of control at all. I feel very relaxed (and the pina coladas and rum and coke can't take all the credit!) and I also feel like in some cases I've totally let things go (as above), but in others I've made very good choices. Like the other day when we were driving to the South of the island, we stopped at a convenience store to use the restroom. When I came out I grabbed a bottle of water and when I was waiting in line I saw a woman ahead of me sucking on a slurpee....oooohhhhh it looked so good. I almost put the water back and replaced it with a slurpee and then actually gave my head a shake and stuck with the water. Later I sort of patted myself on the back for making that better choice.
You know, we have to live life and life is not lived in a gym or by totally denying thing/food in your life.
We are here in Hawaii for such a short time and I'm not the least bit worried about getting back on track when I get home.
Routine is a wonderful thing for weight loss and I'll fall back into mine when I get home.
Just so you know....we've also kept fairly busy during this vacation.
Spending all day splashing in the waves with a boogie board is not only fun but also great exercise and then yesterday we went snorkling all day....awesome! So while I may have strayed from my exercise and diet regime, it's all good and I'm sure that a day or two after getting home, I'll get rid of this full/bloated feeling and get back on track.
Aloha.
Dang. Being on vacation is difficult. It was my intention to work out everyday and eat "smart"...well...It definately has been a challenge and sometimes just a total disaster.
On this trip I figured out the trick to a perfect pina colada...add vanilla ice cream! OMG...then try and have just one. Not gonna happen.
You'll be glad to know tho that I did drink my rum and coke with diet coke and of course added a healthy dose of really super duper fresh lime (that counts as a fruit serving--doesn't it??)
And then today...for breakfast no less...I ate a whole bag of Doritos.
It's like a run away train!!
I have to laugh tho because I don't feel out of control at all. I feel very relaxed (and the pina coladas and rum and coke can't take all the credit!) and I also feel like in some cases I've totally let things go (as above), but in others I've made very good choices. Like the other day when we were driving to the South of the island, we stopped at a convenience store to use the restroom. When I came out I grabbed a bottle of water and when I was waiting in line I saw a woman ahead of me sucking on a slurpee....oooohhhhh it looked so good. I almost put the water back and replaced it with a slurpee and then actually gave my head a shake and stuck with the water. Later I sort of patted myself on the back for making that better choice.
You know, we have to live life and life is not lived in a gym or by totally denying thing/food in your life.
We are here in Hawaii for such a short time and I'm not the least bit worried about getting back on track when I get home.
Routine is a wonderful thing for weight loss and I'll fall back into mine when I get home.
Just so you know....we've also kept fairly busy during this vacation.
Spending all day splashing in the waves with a boogie board is not only fun but also great exercise and then yesterday we went snorkling all day....awesome! So while I may have strayed from my exercise and diet regime, it's all good and I'm sure that a day or two after getting home, I'll get rid of this full/bloated feeling and get back on track.
Aloha.
Monday, January 10, 2011
PE Class in the Pool...
So....here I am in the middle of Paradise but it comes with responsibilities.
Leaving home in January is all fine and good but with a nine year old it also means pulling him from school.
We're pretty lucky because we are self-employed and so long as we have a computer, internet and telephone we can work from anywhere....we decided to try the same with school.
The teachers gave us a whole folder full of reading and worksheets that have to be completed prior to our son returning to school.
He has agreed to work hard and get the homework done--without giving me any grief.
So...today it is Monday, a school day, and the lessons must begin!
Instead of getting out the ruler and notebook we decided to start the day with PE.
We headed straight for the pool. He swam laps and also chased after a sinking thing that he could dive for...Me? Well I used the opportunity to do some moves that I learned at Fitness Ridge.
So...if you have the opportunity to do this, its a great way to raise the heartrate and burn some good ol' calories.
First one: just hang onto the side of the pool and kick as hard as you can for as long as you can! those legs will burn.
Second one: push yourself off the side (with your feet); kinda throwing your self back so your arms go against the water. This will create a lot of movement in the water. Stand and "run" back to the side--knees high--and then do it again. This will have you going against the waters force and is a great work out. Do this 25 times....lotsa fun!
I plan on doing this tomorrow too.
aloha....
Leaving home in January is all fine and good but with a nine year old it also means pulling him from school.
We're pretty lucky because we are self-employed and so long as we have a computer, internet and telephone we can work from anywhere....we decided to try the same with school.
The teachers gave us a whole folder full of reading and worksheets that have to be completed prior to our son returning to school.
He has agreed to work hard and get the homework done--without giving me any grief.
So...today it is Monday, a school day, and the lessons must begin!
Instead of getting out the ruler and notebook we decided to start the day with PE.
We headed straight for the pool. He swam laps and also chased after a sinking thing that he could dive for...Me? Well I used the opportunity to do some moves that I learned at Fitness Ridge.
So...if you have the opportunity to do this, its a great way to raise the heartrate and burn some good ol' calories.
First one: just hang onto the side of the pool and kick as hard as you can for as long as you can! those legs will burn.
Second one: push yourself off the side (with your feet); kinda throwing your self back so your arms go against the water. This will create a lot of movement in the water. Stand and "run" back to the side--knees high--and then do it again. This will have you going against the waters force and is a great work out. Do this 25 times....lotsa fun!
I plan on doing this tomorrow too.
aloha....
Sunday, January 9, 2011
5KM, 10KM...1/2 Marathon....
So...Fitness Ridge brought me back to moving and feeling better but it is up to me to KEEP the momentum going.
That is not always an easy thing.
Sooooo.....I have run in the past and completed several organized 5 km and 10 km runs. I've always done these for fun and not competition...so they are "runs" not "races".
I go at my own speed and have always completed them sucessfully.
My last 10 km run was April 2009...and it almost killed me!
Yikey doodles...even the training for the run sucked. I developed bone spurs on my knees and also had trouble getting a proper breathing focus (ended up that I was suffering from some self imposed anxiety...the harder I tried...the hard it became.)
My doctor told me to stop....so I did. Put on 20 pounds like over-night...or it sure felt that way and I felt like crap because I didn't replace those 3 or 4 days of running with anything.....I sat down on my patooty and stayed there.
My trip to Fitness Ridge proved to me that I could work my way back there. My knees are fine and just need to be respected....and what better way to respect them but take 50 pounds of pressure off them. that's my goal!
So before going to FR I started walking again. Not just a little stroll but a good clipped walk. It gets those old lungs moving again and wakes up the muscles etc. After being at FR for two weeks I felt like I could take on the world as far as movement went. My lung capacity, flexibility and strength had all improved and I was able to show myself that once I put my mind to it I can do anything that I want to do.
Well....I've now signed up for the Seattle Half Marathon with my FR roommate Eve!! It is in June 2011 and I'll begin training for it upon my return home.
I can do anything...and I will.
That is not always an easy thing.
Sooooo.....I have run in the past and completed several organized 5 km and 10 km runs. I've always done these for fun and not competition...so they are "runs" not "races".
I go at my own speed and have always completed them sucessfully.
My last 10 km run was April 2009...and it almost killed me!
Yikey doodles...even the training for the run sucked. I developed bone spurs on my knees and also had trouble getting a proper breathing focus (ended up that I was suffering from some self imposed anxiety...the harder I tried...the hard it became.)
My doctor told me to stop....so I did. Put on 20 pounds like over-night...or it sure felt that way and I felt like crap because I didn't replace those 3 or 4 days of running with anything.....I sat down on my patooty and stayed there.
My trip to Fitness Ridge proved to me that I could work my way back there. My knees are fine and just need to be respected....and what better way to respect them but take 50 pounds of pressure off them. that's my goal!
So before going to FR I started walking again. Not just a little stroll but a good clipped walk. It gets those old lungs moving again and wakes up the muscles etc. After being at FR for two weeks I felt like I could take on the world as far as movement went. My lung capacity, flexibility and strength had all improved and I was able to show myself that once I put my mind to it I can do anything that I want to do.
Well....I've now signed up for the Seattle Half Marathon with my FR roommate Eve!! It is in June 2011 and I'll begin training for it upon my return home.
I can do anything...and I will.
Voices from Fitness Ridge ....
We are in Maui right now and I'm not sure there is any more beautiful place on earth. The stunning ocean vistas against the vibrant colours of the foliage is just breathtaking.
We are so blessed to be able to call this place "home" for the next couple of weeks.
We are in Kaanapali, staying in a condo with a loft. We didn't get in until about 1 am after a very long day of travellng. Our condo is perfect as it has an upstairs loft with bed/tv/bathroom and our son claimed that and then claimed this whole place to be Paradise on Earth! Boy is he happy.
We knew that we were going to arrive in the middle of the night and that food and such would be an issue for the first morning. Coffee is supplied but pretty much every thing else is the guest's responsibility. So right by the airport we were able to stop and get some milk and that was pretty much about it.
First thing this morning we went to a local restaurant for breakfast.
Oh...the eggs Benny looked soooooo tempting and so did the cheese omelette but what I ended up choosing was two pouched eggs and toast. This was a very good choice for me as it was filling and not too high in the calorie count.
It is very easy to let those sauces and condiments add to your day.
We spoke about what our plan was for eating and my hubby initially wanted to do breakfast out every morning but I've convinced him otherwise.
I like a good solid breakfast but the choices in restaurants can be so tempting.
We all went to the local Safeway and the voices from Fitness Ridge followed me throughout the whole shopping experience....
I would stop and ask myself if I really....like REALLY....needed that. Most times the answer was no or I'll come back tomorrow if I decide that I can't live without it.
I'm very proud to say that we stocked up on eggs, english muffins, hummus, fruit and veggies. We did good.
I'm not saying that I'm a perfect little prima donna here....there was also chips/munchie and wine in the cart too but it's not like the old days where I'd hit the bakery and snack aisle and that would be it.
I bought a huge bag of sunflower seeds which take forever to eat but for me satisfies the hand to mouth munchies when I'm just sitting and reading or something like that.
Sometimes it's just those little steps that can help me maintain my confidence and keep me Going In the Right Direction.
Have a fabulous Sunday!
We are so blessed to be able to call this place "home" for the next couple of weeks.
We are in Kaanapali, staying in a condo with a loft. We didn't get in until about 1 am after a very long day of travellng. Our condo is perfect as it has an upstairs loft with bed/tv/bathroom and our son claimed that and then claimed this whole place to be Paradise on Earth! Boy is he happy.
We knew that we were going to arrive in the middle of the night and that food and such would be an issue for the first morning. Coffee is supplied but pretty much every thing else is the guest's responsibility. So right by the airport we were able to stop and get some milk and that was pretty much about it.
First thing this morning we went to a local restaurant for breakfast.
Oh...the eggs Benny looked soooooo tempting and so did the cheese omelette but what I ended up choosing was two pouched eggs and toast. This was a very good choice for me as it was filling and not too high in the calorie count.
It is very easy to let those sauces and condiments add to your day.
We spoke about what our plan was for eating and my hubby initially wanted to do breakfast out every morning but I've convinced him otherwise.
I like a good solid breakfast but the choices in restaurants can be so tempting.
We all went to the local Safeway and the voices from Fitness Ridge followed me throughout the whole shopping experience....
I would stop and ask myself if I really....like REALLY....needed that. Most times the answer was no or I'll come back tomorrow if I decide that I can't live without it.
I'm very proud to say that we stocked up on eggs, english muffins, hummus, fruit and veggies. We did good.
I'm not saying that I'm a perfect little prima donna here....there was also chips/munchie and wine in the cart too but it's not like the old days where I'd hit the bakery and snack aisle and that would be it.
I bought a huge bag of sunflower seeds which take forever to eat but for me satisfies the hand to mouth munchies when I'm just sitting and reading or something like that.
Sometimes it's just those little steps that can help me maintain my confidence and keep me Going In the Right Direction.
Have a fabulous Sunday!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Bathing suit shopping....
I believe the title pretty much says it all....yucky pooey to bathing suit shopping.
I believe that it doesn't matter whether you're 100 pounds or 600 pounds...shopping for a bathing suit is not only a humbling experience, but a depressing one too (if you let it--it's all in the way you choose to look at it!).
Let's face it-- we're all our own worst critics and there's nothing like putting on a skin tight piece of lycra to make reality slap you across your face.
ah yes....the dreaded bathing suit shopping trip...I recently had my fix...how 'bout you?
Here's what happened to me...we decided to do an after Christmas quick trip to Hawaii.
Yay!!
How exciting is that to get away from the snow and rain and escape to the beautiful Islands of flowers and white sand?
All I could do is embrace the romantic picture of myself, lounging lazily by the pool or under a palm tree by the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. In my little fantasy I looked pretty darn good....I was wearing a beautiful one peice bathing suit, cut to make me look slim in all the right places and of course enhance all my good spots....Ahhhhh it was an amazingly relaxing and perfect picture in my minds eye.
Reality: Standing with six suits on plastic hangers in a 3x3 cubicle, lit by harsh florescent lighting, with no mood music, or drinks with a little pink umbrella--sucks. Underwear left on (of course!) to pull on these tiny pieces of shouldn't have had that damn carmel frappacino with double whip; full of expectant jubilation in knowing that it will mete with my wee fantasy of sun, fun and impecable nicks and tucks from just the right suit.
Harsh Discovery: The terrible glare of the long tubed lighting puts on at least 20 pounds! (and 30 if you didn't pick a suit with a tummy tamer!) Yikes!!
Thanks I'll stick with my old, stretched out, comfy suit until the stores do something about their lighting.
Aloha!
I believe that it doesn't matter whether you're 100 pounds or 600 pounds...shopping for a bathing suit is not only a humbling experience, but a depressing one too (if you let it--it's all in the way you choose to look at it!).
Let's face it-- we're all our own worst critics and there's nothing like putting on a skin tight piece of lycra to make reality slap you across your face.
ah yes....the dreaded bathing suit shopping trip...I recently had my fix...how 'bout you?
Here's what happened to me...we decided to do an after Christmas quick trip to Hawaii.
Yay!!
How exciting is that to get away from the snow and rain and escape to the beautiful Islands of flowers and white sand?
All I could do is embrace the romantic picture of myself, lounging lazily by the pool or under a palm tree by the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean. In my little fantasy I looked pretty darn good....I was wearing a beautiful one peice bathing suit, cut to make me look slim in all the right places and of course enhance all my good spots....Ahhhhh it was an amazingly relaxing and perfect picture in my minds eye.
Reality: Standing with six suits on plastic hangers in a 3x3 cubicle, lit by harsh florescent lighting, with no mood music, or drinks with a little pink umbrella--sucks. Underwear left on (of course!) to pull on these tiny pieces of shouldn't have had that damn carmel frappacino with double whip; full of expectant jubilation in knowing that it will mete with my wee fantasy of sun, fun and impecable nicks and tucks from just the right suit.
Harsh Discovery: The terrible glare of the long tubed lighting puts on at least 20 pounds! (and 30 if you didn't pick a suit with a tummy tamer!) Yikes!!
Thanks I'll stick with my old, stretched out, comfy suit until the stores do something about their lighting.
Aloha!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Merlot and Brie....
I've now come down off the mountain and therefore back to reality.
It is amazing what this last month or two has brought.
From travel, tears and triumph; from highs and lows; to deepening friendships and to the nurturing of new acquaintances...
Its also brought a new self awareness and a deep seeded knowledge that I will continue to grow and learn as each day passes.
And, of course...these last few days have also consisted of a lot of Merlot, Brie and Baldersons (an aged cheddar....) OMG can you say YUMMY!!!
Over the last couple of days I totally gave myself permission to relax, enjoy and indulge. I basically ate what I wanted...when I wanted....and even how much I wanted! Oh, and of course that goes for drink too...I have a new found fondness for a good Merlot and let's not forget the hot chocolate and Bailey's Irish Cream (gotta have something to keep you warm when you're out walking in the night and temps are -20C!)
I thouroughly enjoyed the whole three days and the bringing in of the New Year.
While my friends and son skiied their days away I lazed about and just enjoyed solitude and the environment of a snow laden ski village...beautiful!
This is me and my nine year old son. I am so proud of him as he learned to ski this year! He took to the hill so quickly and totally loved it!
Here he is just before they all took off down the hill. He now wants to teach me how to ski...hmmm...maybe next year!Life is funny in how it gives us what we need, when we need it, if we're open to receiving.
This morning I went for a 5 km walk and felt strong for doing so. It would have been very easy to just lounge on the couch and let the weekend slip by but by going for a long walk I not only felt better physically but my resolve to continue on my journey to wellness was reinforced! There were no excuses or even the thought of "starting on Monday"...
It was just a part of my day that makes it better for me and I refuse to slip back into bad habits and broken china (you'll have to read the blog posts to understand the china thing...) For me it will no longer be an all or nothing thing but a conscience choice to live life to the fullest and sometimes that means Merlot and Brie are on the menu!!
Happy New Year everyone.
It is amazing what this last month or two has brought.
From travel, tears and triumph; from highs and lows; to deepening friendships and to the nurturing of new acquaintances...
Its also brought a new self awareness and a deep seeded knowledge that I will continue to grow and learn as each day passes.
And, of course...these last few days have also consisted of a lot of Merlot, Brie and Baldersons (an aged cheddar....) OMG can you say YUMMY!!!
Over the last couple of days I totally gave myself permission to relax, enjoy and indulge. I basically ate what I wanted...when I wanted....and even how much I wanted! Oh, and of course that goes for drink too...I have a new found fondness for a good Merlot and let's not forget the hot chocolate and Bailey's Irish Cream (gotta have something to keep you warm when you're out walking in the night and temps are -20C!)
I thouroughly enjoyed the whole three days and the bringing in of the New Year.
While my friends and son skiied their days away I lazed about and just enjoyed solitude and the environment of a snow laden ski village...beautiful!
This is me and my nine year old son. I am so proud of him as he learned to ski this year! He took to the hill so quickly and totally loved it!
Here he is just before they all took off down the hill. He now wants to teach me how to ski...hmmm...maybe next year!This morning I went for a 5 km walk and felt strong for doing so. It would have been very easy to just lounge on the couch and let the weekend slip by but by going for a long walk I not only felt better physically but my resolve to continue on my journey to wellness was reinforced! There were no excuses or even the thought of "starting on Monday"...
It was just a part of my day that makes it better for me and I refuse to slip back into bad habits and broken china (you'll have to read the blog posts to understand the china thing...) For me it will no longer be an all or nothing thing but a conscience choice to live life to the fullest and sometimes that means Merlot and Brie are on the menu!!
Happy New Year everyone.
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