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. :)