Super Sore!

Man, my body has been EXHAUSTED (in a good way) this week. I've been pretty busy with various things, and I still managed to exercise the past 5 days in a row!

I was extremely stiff all day today... it was hard to say how much was from Tuesday's Booty Camp class, and how much was from yesterday's Body Combat class. It was a perfect storm of muscle aches! But I had to suck it up and go to my Booty Camp class again tonight - it was time for measurements!

I was pretty pleased with my 4-week results. Apparently I lost 2.5 inches around my waist (although I was wearing an extra layer last time I was measured, and maybe I was sucking it in this time or something), and 5 pounds! I don't take most of the measurements too seriously (I often question their accuracy), but I'm definitely calling this a success.

As I mentioned yesterday, I had a very early wake-up today (5:10 am). I had a hot bath last night to try and relax, but I still could not fall asleep when I wanted to. I think I was anxious about getting up so early - do you know the feeling? Panic that you won't get enough sleep or that you'll sleep through your alarm?

I did manage to get out of bed this morning though! My exam went very smoothly, and I promptly came home and slept for a couple of hours. Now I just have a huge pile of marking to look forward to! :)

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Saturday's weigh-in! COME ON, 10%!!!!!

Fight Back

Tomorrow morning at 8 am (meaning a 5 am wake-up time for yours truly), I have around 50 students writing an exam. Out of the goodness of my heart, I held some drop-in office hours this afternoon. Because I am incredibly kind, I bought lots of chocolates this morning for my poor, hardworking students (I envisioned a fun group-study-session-type-thing).

I think you know where this is going.

Two students showed up! Two! Leaving Katie alone with lots of chocolate for the better part of two hours. (Chocolate that went really well with the large coffee I was nursing).

Figuring it can't be that many points and I would make up for it with a tiny dinner, I ate some. I tracked it. I thought about how well I've been doing recently, and how this could be my third week in a row staying within my points.

I thought about how close I am to reaching my Weight Watchers 10% (1.2 pounds away) and how close I am to reaching 100 pounds lost (7 pounds away). I didn't want to go over my points for the week just because of some stupid chocolates. Instead of giving up on a great week, I decided to fight back and earn some activity points!

I quickly looked up class schedules at my new gym and spotted Body Combat at 6:45. I was not planning on working out tonight (did you hear I have a 5 am wake-up tomorrow?), but I rushed home after work, polished off my shiny new gym membership, and was on my way.

Body Combat was GREAT and my energy is still through the roof! I'm feeling SO PROUD that I combatted (get it?) my unplanned chocolates (and my unplanned latte and nature square from Second Cup this morning...) with an unplanned workout! And not just any workout - a new class that took me out of my comfort zone! AND I was right up in the front row, messing up the combos for all to see. :)

I'm off to try and unwind before bed! And hopefully wash my only good pair of workout pants so they can dry by Booty Camp tomorrow night...

Toodles!

Operation: Buff Week 3

It's hard to believe that 3 weeks of Booty Camp have already gone by! I've been sticking to Operation: Buff really well, in my opinion! :)

How did I do this week?

Well, my goals are to have 2 workouts in addition to my 2 booty camp classes, as well as have some greens every day. This week, I had a smoothie or salad every day except today (I'll make up for it tomorrow, I swear)! Here are my workouts from the past week:

• 15 minute run + 15 minute speedwalk on an incline (Monday)
• 2 Booty Camp sessions (Tuesday & Thursday)
• Zumba class (Wednesday)
• 60-minute At-Home Booty Camp-style workout with a friend (today, described below)

I think I'm really kicking some ass with my activity! I would call this week a TOTAL success.

Today, I visited the friend that takes Booty Camp with me. We had planned to do the DVD together, but then she had the brilliant idea to design our OWN Booty Camp-style workout. It was great (and intense)!

We did a few minutes each of squats, lunges, upper body (with MANY tricep dips), butt, abs, and various cardio bits thrown in. We timed things a la Booty Camp as well. Coming up with it ourselves, and doing it together, was much more fun than doing the DVD on our own.

After our intense workout, she made a batch of cornbread and we finished the whole thing ourselves... but I'm sure it all balanced out. ;)

This week, I have plans for lots more fun activity, including some new classes at my new gym! I'll keep you all posted!

Weigh-In

I was down 2.2 this morning! 183 pounds - a new low! :)

This means:

• I am officially in the LOW 180's
• I am only 1.2 pounds away from my 10% key ring!!

But EVEN BETTER than having a good number on the scale is the fact that I have had an amazing 2 weeks in a row on plan.

Not just tracking while still going over points.

Not just being super-careful for the last few days of the week to salvage a few days of eating too much.

But TRACKING and STAYING WITHIN MY POINTS for two weeks in a row! And I feel like I'm really in a groove. My willpower is on fire! Honestly, I was really wavering for a couple of months there. I'm worried about jinxing it by telling you, but I feel really good about my ability to stick with this lifestyle right now. I feel like I'm actually listening to my hunger signals - and guess what - I'm not always hungry! Who knew?!

I am determined. I will stay on track and reach my 10%, and then reach 100 pounds lost (7 pounds away!), and then reach my Weight Watchers goal weight. Watch out!

Old Fears & New Strengths

Have any of you ever played Mario Kart on Nintendo 64? That game has the option of racing yourself: after you drive a course once, you can drive it again, and race against your former performance. At some point, a ghostly version of you (I was always Toad, if possible) breaks away and repeats exactly what you did last time so you have a visual aid while trying to beat yourself.

Last night in Booty Camp, when we reached the point where we were repeating an exercise for far too long and I wanted to stop (I can't remember exactly which move it was, but it's safe to say it was probably a squat), I imagined that I was competing against my former self. I imagined a ghostly Katie (maybe Katie at the beginning of Booty Camp) who was a little less strong than I am now. Maybe she doesn't go as deep into the squat, or maybe she gives up a little sooner. I willed myself to hold the move a little bit longer than her.

Visualizing how much stronger I have become in this way was a great help to me! It inspired me to keep going, even when I didn't want to, and push harder. Rather than compare myself to other people (which can be discouraging!), I have to remember how far I've come.

When I think back further, say, to a former Katie who would have been too afraid to even TAKE a Booty Camp class, I feel even prouder.

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that I used to be afraid all the time. I was afraid to try new things. I was afraid to go shopping for clothes with friends because nothing would fit me. I was afraid to go swimming because everyone would see me in a bathing suit. I was afraid to go to an amusement park in case I didn't fit on a ride (which never actually happened, but sometimes it was a tight squeeze). I was afraid to go to the doctor and find out that I had diabetes or heart disease or something along those lines. I was afraid to eat too much in public. I was afraid to eat too little in public (people might think I was dieting, and then deduce that I was fat... from that). I was afraid to ask for help.

The list could go on and on. I don't have those feelings of fear anymore (for the most part). I no longer put so much value on what others think - and I've realized that people aren't actually thinking that much about how I look or what I'm doing/eating/wearing. My self-confidence is MUCH higher than it used to be (sometimes I'm downright vain!).

On a somewhat related note, I was brave enough to join the gym this week! This morning I tried my very first Zumba class. It was something different, which I think my body liked, and it was fun! Not very intense, but I've got enough intensity in my routine already.

I'm off to find some dinner and get to bed! I have an early day tomorrow. :)

Has getting healthier helped you shed any old fears? Did my Mario Kart analogy make any sense at all?!

Operation: Buff Week 2

I'm back in the city! It's Sunday, which means another week of Operation: Buff has come to a close.

I killed it (again)! My goals are to do additional strength & cardio workouts (one of each), in addition to my two booty camp classes every week. Here are my workouts from the past week:

• spinning class (Monday)
• 2 Booty Camp classes (Tuesday & Thursday)
• Booty Camp dvd, Intermediate workout (Friday)

I didn't get a chance to exercise over the weekend because I was out of town, but I still met my exercise goals because I planned ahead! I also achieved my goal of having either a green smoothie or salad every single day (yesterday I had both!).

This week, I also signed up for another 4 weeks of Booty Camp. This means, I am extending Operation: Buff until Sunday, May 30. Yikes! Can I keep up this pace?!

I mentioned yesterday that I want to stay on-plan for 10 of the next 12 weeks. This week is off to an almost-rocky start: I've already used 34 of my 35 flex points (while out for my friend's birthday dinner last night). But I keep reminding myself that I am in total control of how I do this week. If I decide to stay within my daily & activity points, then I totally can! And I will! :)

Plus, it's only 5 short days until my points reset again. ;)

I'm off to eat a very low-point dinner and perhaps watch some Lost (I'm on Season 3). Have a good night!

Quick Weigh-In Results

Hello lovelies!

I was right - I TOTALLY rocked this week. Down 4.8 pounds. I'm back to my lowest weight ever - 185.2! (Let's ignore the fact that this is where I was on March 6, too).

I bought a new 3 month journal, and I need to make a commitment.

I will be on plan for at least 10 of the next 12 weeks. I don't want to say all 12 weeks (although that's what I'm aiming for), because if I have an off-week (or two), I don't want to feel like a failure. If I hit 10/12 weeks, it will be a MAJOR IMPROVEMENT over the last 12 weeks. Persistence, not perfection, right folks?

I'm off to attend a friend's birthday party - in Tiverton, Ontario! I will not be back until tomorrow night, at which point I will be catching up with all of you folks.

Have a great weekend! :)

Spinning Class & Breakfast Disappointment!

A few weeks ago, I received a free pass in the mail to Legacy Indoor Cycling. While trying to plan ahead my workouts for this week, I realized that I really needed to squeeze one in on Monday, so I went to the 6:45 am spinning class!

I knew that if I got up early and worked out, I would be more productive all day (I didn't have to go into work, but I had a lot to get done at home). I set my alarm for some ungodly hour and tried (without succeeding) to document it for you all:

I was attempting to show the free pass AND the time. I gave up trying to get a good picture pretty quickly (hey, it was before 6 am!)

After showing up a bit too early, I waited on the street (cold) for the studio to open. Finally, the instructor arrived. Only one other woman showed up for class (evening and weekend classes are apparently the more popular ones).

I did really like the studio. The class was pretty good too. I hadn't been spinning in about a year, so I was nervous. At one point during the class, the instructor said to me "You've done this before!!" which made me feel good about my performance!

The music wasn't my favourite, and I missed my old spinning instructor (at my university gym), but I got a great workout and felt good all day - AND, he gave me two more free passes so I could come back with a friend! I'm excited to go back when it's busier, and try a different instructor.

I had kind of made a deal with myself that if I managed to get up and go to this class, I would get a Tim Hortons breakfast sandwich afterwards.

I have not had a Tim's breakfast sandwich in awhile! I used to eat them far more frequently... and I would often get two (pre weight watchers). (Hmmm, when I think about habits like that, it's not too surprising I was 276 pounds.)

I walked to the closest Tim's, which turned out to be THREE subway stops away (I could have sworn it wasn't that far)!

So after my spinning, I had a fair walk to get my sandwich (I really felt I had earned it). I distinctly ordered it on a biscuit (clearly my favourite part). I hopped on the subway to get home, anticipating my wonderful breakfast awaiting me.

I got home and opened the package, only to find...

an ENGLISH MUFFIN. I was SUPER upset (I know, it's not a big deal, but I was soooo looking forward to it)! Anyway, I got over it, and decided to look on the bright side: it wasn't as many points as the biscuit would have been! But my craving has not yet been satisfied! Maybe next week...

Annnnnnd I just signed up for the May session of Booty Camp! So I am extending Operation: Buff to 8 weeks. Man, I'm really going to need a massage after all of that exercise!

I'm really excited to weigh in on Saturday morning because I KNOW I am totally rocking this week. Don't you love that feeling???

Operation: Buff Week 1

Hello! Well, even though I only began this challenge on Thursday, the first week of Booty Camp is coming to an end... so also ends the first week of Operation: Buff!

How did I do? Well, I KILLED it!

My goals were to do 1 strength workout and 1 cardio workout in addition to my 2 Booty Camp classes. I also wanted to have a green smoothie or salad every day.

Here are my workouts from the week:

• 15 minute run + 45 minutes on the elliptical (Monday)
• 2 Booty Camp classes (Tuesday & Thursday)
• Beginner workout from the Booty Camp dvd (Saturday)
• 37-minute run (today - Sunday)

So I exceeded my exercise goals for the week! I also had a green smoothie (they've been purple, actually, because I'm using blueberries lately) every day since I started the challenge on Thursday.

I'm also feeling very accomplished, exercise-wise, because today I had my best run ever. Up until now, I've always run a certain amount of time (not a certain distance). The most I'd ever run was 30 minutes without stopping (that I can recall... maybe I've done a couple minutes extra once or twice in the past).

Today, I decided to try and run 5k without stopping and see how long it took me. I went to the track near my house and ran 13 laps! This is about 3.25 miles (if it's a standard track, which I'm assuming it is...), which is about 5.2 km!!! It took me 37 minutes.

So, not only did I run more than 5k, but I ran 7 minutes longer than I ever have before! And it was not impossible! I felt pretty good for most of it. :)

When I started this challenge, I was undecided on what my reward for completion should be. I had been thinking along the lines of a magazine subscription, but as I was walking home the other day (with sore muscles), I started fantasizing about getting a massage. I've NEVER had a massage before, and I think after 4 (or 8) weeks of Booty Camp, I'll definitely deserve one. SO, I declare my reward to be such!

I hope you all have a fabulous week! I know that I'm planning to! :)

Weigh-In

So, as I expected, I was up this week... up 4.2! Yikes! I guess that's what happens when you go over your points every single day... But I have a good feeling about this week. And, really, it's all IN MY CONTROL anyway. I can choose to eat well, or not. And I will choose to eat well :)

Kate was at my meeting today, and we walked home together! It was great. She also introduced me to this great bulk store near our meeting that carries big 1-point tortillas. It's so handy knowing fellow Weight Watchers!

I had a great start to my Weight Watchers week: I did the Booty Camp dvd and I went to the movies (Shutter Island) and brought my OWN snacks, which I didn't even eat most of (there are some doubles because I brought some to share):

(I found those All-Bran Bites at the dollar store today! The entire box was a dollar!! They had tons of granola bars and such, but I restrained myself and just got these to try. And, sadly, I didn't like them all that much). Popcorn is maybe my favourite thing ever, so I'm really proud that I didn't even bat an eye at the concession tonight.

I also tried cooking dried chickpeas today for the first time, in my slow cooker. It worked really well, and I made an quick chickpea curry dish for dinner (I basically just stir-fried olive oil, onions, chickpeas, diced tomatoes, curry paste, turmeric, curry powder, cumin, ginger, and garlic... and then ate it with some avocado).

Some other eats from the past couple of days (sorry my photos aren't as nice as many of my fellow bloggers'!):

Some plain yogurt with orange and cantaloupe chunks (in a bright 'n' cheery bowl)!

Any ideas what that is?? Quinoa flakes! I tried them today for the first time... I wasn't sure about the taste at first, but I mixed in some strawberry Crofter's and it was better. I think I just have to get used to it.

I'm off to bed! Stay tuned over the next couple of days for an Operation: Buff update...

Buff It Up

I started Booty Camp again on Tuesday. My friend and I went in feeling cocky: "It's only the first class, it won't be that hard." "I hope it's not too easy." We were expecting something along the lines of the first class back in January, and after being through 8 weeks of Booty Camp (and then one month off), we thought we would be fine.

Well, my friends, it was NOT too easy. It was brutal! I was beyond sweaty by the end of it. My butt and thighs are still super sore, two days later.

Our instructor reminded us that to see the results we want, we need to do the DVD once a week, as well. I started thinking about this. During my last session of Booty Camp, I did the DVD a few times, but not regularly. I usually did work out at least one extra time each week (besides Booty Camp), but not as much as I could have. So, I challenged my friend to do the third DVD workout each week with me (but not physically... our schedules don't sync up THAT well).

I want to kick it up a notch! I really need to push myself out of my comfort/lazy zone. Here is my plan:

• 2 Booty Camp sessions per week (Tuesday & Thursday)
• 1 at-home strength workout (Booty Camp DVD or 30-Day Shred), at least 40 minutes per week (Saturday or Sunday)
• 1 cardio workout, at least 30 minutes per week
• green monster OR a big salad every day (if I get my greens in, much of my diet seems to fall into place...)

I finish this session of Booty Camp in four weeks, on April 29. I may continue for the second four weeks (I would like to), but I'm not sure yet if my schedule will permit it. So I will say, for now, that this challenge ends on Sunday, May 2. I will call it...

My rewards for completing this challenge:

• probably a magazine subscription (I've never had one but always wanted one)
• ultimate buffness

If you want to come up with your own Operation: Buff and join me, feel free!

Easter Run

Last week, I made my first ever purchase from lululemon: the Run To Work backpack. It was on sale, and I'd been looking for a way to carry things while running... and I figured, if it was too uncomfortable to wear while running, I could use it for biking or walking instead.

I live near Taylor Creek Park, and for awhile I've been wanting to run there. I hadn't gone yet, though, because it's far enough away that I wanted to be able to bring my wallet, cell phone, and some food with me (always be prepared!). With my new backpack in hand (er, on back?), I set out on Sunday. I took the bus there (I didn't want to wear myself out walking over) and packed a lunch for afterwards.

I'm not gonna lie -- the backpack was pretty annoying to run with. But I persevered and made it through a full half hour. Some pictures:

I tried to sit at these empty benches, but discovered (too late) they were surrounded by super-marshy grass!

Stairs up to Stan Wadlow Park

Funny-looking hair!

Then, I ate my lunch in the "Big Park" (my family lived in this neighbourhood until I was 7... we had a Big Park and a Little Park nearby), better known as Stan Wadlow Park: egg white & cheese wrap, carrots, and chocolate pudding (which I didn't end up eating).

Rather than take the bus again, I walked allllll the way home (past my family's old house!). It took me a good 40 minutes!

Lots of activity points to TRY and balance out some Easter goodies later that day:

I hope you all had a nice Easter!

Weigh-In Frustration

I had plans to go out dancing with some friends on Friday night (which I don't do often), so I was determined to weigh in Friday morning and avoid trying to make it to my usual Saturday morning meeting.

I had checked the Weight Watchers website and there was no mention of meetings being cancelled on Good Friday (even though several locations mentioned they were closed Easter Sunday), so I assumed meetings were on. I got up early on Friday and arrived at a meeting only to find... nothing. No meeting.

I went home, feeling pretty annoyed. I was all set to weigh in (I felt super light, too). I looked online to see if any other meetings were possible.

I will spare you all of the frustrating details, but I made a lot of phone calls (to Weight Watchers and various stores in a mall that had a Friday meeting to see if the mall was open -- this should have been easy to find out but it wasn't) and after a lot of answering machines I decided that all the meetings were probably cancelled. (I know it's probably obvious that there wouldn't be a meeting on Good Friday, but I was annoyed it wasn't listed explicitly on the website, like other holidays were--if it was, I would have gone to a meeting earlier in the week).

On Friday night, I ate some delicious homemade fish and chips. I drank some alcohol. I danced up a storm. I had some post-bar chicken shawarma at 4 am.

And I managed to get up early and get across town (I was sleeping at my friend's house in the west end) to the 10:30 am meeting at The Big Carrot. I am committed!!

I was down 0.4! I am so, so happy with this. Obviously, I did a lot of my splurging right before weighing in... but overall, it must have been a pretty good week to balance that out somewhat!

My goals for last week were:

• at least 3 workouts (Check!)
• measuring and tracking food accurately (Almost check! I didn't make it through all of Friday, but I did well up until then.)
• drinking 4 water bottles every day (Check! I think this made a big difference.)

I will post again soon about the rest of my weekend! Right now, I'm going to unwind a bit and get to bed early. :)