Just Chillin'

I haven't done much in the past week. I have played a lot of cards with my parents, read a few books, slept in - so far, it's been a great vacation.

A couple of nights ago, Dad and I went for a canoe ride during the only sunny part of the day (all 45 minutes right before sunset). I got to see the lake's beaver population (both of them) up close and personal. I saw one on the shore that quickly jumped into the lake when we went by - and then swam right under the canoe. It must of lost sight of us, 'cause when it popped up 3 feet from the front of the canoe, it was sure startled and slapped it's tail and dived back down. I just about got wet. I have never been so close to a beaver in the wild before.

And then yesterday, we went golfing. It was cool (maybe 8 degrees) but at least it wasn't raining. And the leaves on the trees are prefect right now - all yellow and oranges. I don't have pictures - you will just have to imagine.

Mom and I have done some serious shopping. And then of course we can't forget the games of 100-pin bowling on the Wii. So far - great vacation. I'll try to post more later.

Trip by train

I took the train to visit my folks... I was suppose to be in a berth (basically a bunk bed separated from the hall by a curtain), but when I boarded the train, I found out that someone was sleeping in my berth. And I didn't really want to share my bunk with the fellow who was already in it, so they started looking for another place for me to sleep. And then I was told that all their berths were full... and I got upgraded to a cabin! I was pretty excited. Almost too excited to sleep in it. And the train left the station close to midnight!

The wonderful thing about getting a ticket one step up from economy is meals are included. Breakfast was first come, first serve, but all the other meals you had to book a spot. I had a tomato pesto omelet with hashbrowns and rye toast with coffee. I would have done better if I had skipped the toast (or skipped the hashbrowns) but I had to try the tiny little jams they had. And the hashbrowns were very tasty.

Lunch was a choice of 3 and I picked the lamb burger. The salmon wrap would have been better, but I kinda wanted to try lamb. I had veggie soup, coffee, and SKIPPED the dessert!!! I got off the train just as they started serving supper so I missed out? didn't have to agonize over? got out of? having to pick something for supper. I guess it depends on how you look at it. It was a grey, rainy day and I was happy to curl up in my bed in my cabin for the afternoon.

The last few days at my parent's place have been really good both food wise and exercise wise. I have brought some of my own food and I'm eating right. And I can always find someone to go for a walk with. I'm probably doing a whole lot more than I would have been doing at home. I guess this beats sitting around at home! I'll try to check in again - maybe at an internet cafe.

Weigh in 10

I'm down a little bit - 1.4 lbs. I guess that is a move in the right direction. I haven't quite lost all the weight that I gain a few weeks ago, but I'm pretty close. I was hoping to be down a little more than I am for my vacation, but I'm still happy with this loss.

I had to buy some new clothes - the old ones don't really fit, and the really old ones are a little out of style and more for summer. So I had fun buying clothes for fall - I like sweaters. And now they fit better. I'm only down one size, but I feel like I look better when I'm trying on the clothes. I guess I'm going to call this my celebration for hitting -25 lbs. If buying a ton of clothes every 25 lbs is motivating... I think I'll do it. Even though it is going to get a little expensive. I think one of the problems is that as I have gotten older, my tastes have matured and I just can't buy the super cheap stuff - it just isn't made as well. And then buying things in plus sizes - it is more expensive than regularly sized clothes. Or maybe it is just that there isn't as many options. I'm looking forward to when I'm the smallest of the plus sizes - they always have that size when things go on sale. Right now - they never have my size on sale - it always sells out. Getting to the small plus size is my next mini goal.

So I'm off to visit my parents tomorrow. I don't know how the weigh ins will work. Hopefully I can get some blogging in. Maybe even throw in a few pictures. This first week will be really good. I can totally stay on track at my folks' place. The weeks after that will be tricky. But as my Jenny Craig consultant said - I'm only going to tackle one week at a time (like how is it possible to take on 2 or 3 weeks at once?). So this is going to be a healthier vacation... I just know it!

Quick update

I haven't been blogging much - I have worked a lot in the past 2 weeks. I think that contributed to my burn out. I got off work this morning at 7am and now I'm on VACATION. I have been looking forward to this for a long time. I got 4 hours of sleep today, but I still feel great! I'm now trying to figure out what I'm doing on my vacation. I have some stuff planned, but mum was asking if I wanted to come out there to visit. So I've been making lists and figuring out if it works for me to go out there in a few days. I have a bunch of things I need to get done, but it might work. At least by the end of the week. And tomorrow is my weigh in (which ends up being 3 days later, but with all the extra shifts I worked, it is just how my scheduled worked).

So I'll be writing more later - I just have to start planning my life now. (Oh - I'm pretty sure tomorrow will be a good weigh in - while I didn't exercise, I ate all the right things (and not too much of them) even at the mall today when I was craving sushi)!!!

Weigh in 9

I gained 1.7lbs. I guess that what apathy will get you. I think I'm burnt out. I don't want to exercise, I don't really want to eat well, I don't want to be at work, and I don't really want to be at home. It is a good thing vacation is coming up soon. In a little over 1 week, I have a lot of time off. I'm looking forward to it. Maybe using the time to refocus my attention on my weight loss goals.

(you can tell I'm not really into this - I hardly have been blogging - weigh in was actually yesterday and I couldn't even be bothered to blog about it).

Apathetic

I haven't been really excited about the program recently (like in the past 3 or 4 days). I need to find some motivation again. I had time today to excise... but I didn't. I could have eaten better today... but it was only mediocre. Not that it was really bad - just not really great. So now I have to go back to work tomorrow - so I need to go shopping. I need things to eat for the next 2 days. I have already found out that if I go shopping after working a 12 hour day, I do not make good choices. But it is 7pm, and I haven't had a lot to eat today. So I'm going to be tempted to buy the wrong things tonight. And maybe just admitting this - it will keep me accountable. I'm not sure. But I have to go now - before it gets too late.

Weigh in 8

After getting off nights yesterday - I decided that it would be healthier to go for a walk then sit in front of the TV for the night. So I ended up going on a 90 minute walk! Once I got going, it was easier - thanks in part to my new upbeat music. It felt good.

Today was the work golf tournament. I'm not much of a golfer. But I enjoy getting out there and having fun. And it was a glorious day for golfing - slight breeze, sunny but not too hot, and a great team to play with. One of the women I golfed with is very experienced and a couple of her tips totally improved my game. And it felt fun - not competitive at all (I was a little worried about people needing to win). Our team came in 4 out of 6 teams.

And then weigh in this morning. I'm down 1.9 lbs! Which is absolutely perfect. I did have sushi this evening and then ice cream - but I'm back on the wagon tomorrow. Actually, I'm back on the wagon right now (starting to change my attitude about having bad days - it is not a bad day - only a bad moment. The next moment can be great). No cheating. And I might even work in a swim tomorrow. But there are only so many beautiful days of summer left - I should try to squeeze in some more vitamin D. So maybe that will be a walk instead.

(Can you believe it - weigh in #8 and I'm down a total of 26.2lbs! Granted, that is not 8 weeks. I am weighing in every 9 days or so because that makes more sense with my schedule. Now I just have to think of a reward for hitting the -25lb mark... any suggestions?)

Up and at 'em

I got up this morning and needed to do some serious pep talking to go for a bike ride. I have a million excuses... it really isn't my favorite exercise, it looks like it is about to rain, it already rained, I don't have any fenders on the bike if it does rain or I have to ride through puddles... but I did it anyways. I'm feeling good about me. And I rode just a little farther than last time (I am talking in mere feet - that hill is a killer)! It would be great if I just didn't have to climb that last hill. But I'm going to keep biking. Once I get out there - it isn't so bad.

Weigh in 7

YAHOO!! Great weigh in... I lost 5.9 lbs! I just knew some weight was waiting to fall off! And I think it is time to post another picture. So I have lost a total of 24.3 lbs. Pretty good, eh? I'm pretty excited. I treated myself to some iTunes. And I have been dancing around ever since. I have been craving some white bread - but after this morning's weigh in - NO WAY. I'm sticking to the program.

I went for a swim this morning as well - it is amazing how motivating a large drop in weight can be. I was going to play around on the Wii this evening - but I might just dance a little around some more (the guilty pleasure songs... upbeat, top 40 hits, fun songs I will never admit that I actually bought).

So this dance... it's for a healthier me!

Balcony

After the weekend I spent with my family, my folks came and stayed with me for a couple of nights. And they took me shopping! Patio set shopping. Which is a great thing for someone who doesn't have a car. I get around the city pretty good by bus (or even walking to the stores close to me). Its looking for the big items that is a little tricky. We found 2 good chairs at a great price and then a table and 2 matching chairs. So now - 4 people can sit on my balcony at one time. It is like I now have a whole new room in my apartment! I found a pretty good deal (let me tell you - the beginning of August is the best time to shop for outdoor furniture) and I'm happy that I have something to sit on. While I'm not a fan of wicker - this was the best set for a balcony by far that I saw. And the most comfortable. And that includes the stuff in the store where we found single chairs that sold for well over a thousand dollars! Sure, they were comfortable, but not at all practical for my little balcony.

I just got off working 5 days - I did manage to go for a swim one of those days, but not much activity other than that. So far today - I have been cleaning, doing laundry - keeping busy. While not exercise - it is activity. And I have stuck to the diet plan really well (always so much easier when at work). I'm looking forward to weigh in tomorrow. Even with the visit to the family. I know it will be good!