Sirens Of Life

Last night, I was running a bit late to aquafit, but I managed to get changed and was sitting on the edge of the pool five minutes before class started.  I was sitting there, reluctant to get into the water, but I mustered the courage and lowered myself in.  Less than a minute later a whistle was blown, and the lifeguard was telling everyone to get out of the pool.  Everyone was in a state of confusion, but slowly made their way to the side of the pool.  The lifeguard became even more urgent this time, yelling loudly that everyone needed to hurry and grab their stuff because there was a fire.  Well, that put people in motion!  I hustled, changed out of my bathing suit bottoms, put on my yoga pants and threw my two sweaters and coat over my wet swim suit top.  Another lifeguard was now in the change room expressing her concern that we needed to hurry, and could change in the lobby if needed.  I left the change room, and waited anxiously in the lobby with a swarm of other aquafitters.  We were then told that there was a fire by the family change room, the fire department was coming to take care of the situation, and that we needed to leave the building, and get out to our vehicles.  Out I went to the snowy night, thankful that I had worn boots and a winter coat, and not my normal light jacket and flip-flops.  I waited until I saw the flashing lights in my rear view mirror, and then headed home.

The whole incident really got me thinking, no matter how we can plan our lives out, some emergency, or fire, can come and change the path we're heading in.  Specifically I was thinking in terms of exercise, eating healthy and meal planning, but this really applies to life in general.  Sometimes there is an event that comes up that is simply unavoidable, and we just need to come up with another plan, a Plan B.  Last night, I needed to be the firefighter and find a solution to my unexpected exercise dilemma.  Other times it could be needing a different meal option, because something unplanned took up too much time, or left you away from home.  As long as we make another healthy choice, or the best choice that is now available to us, this new plan will work.

In life, it's far better, and a lot less stressful, to realize that an alternative is available, rather than just going up in smoke.

Tips And Tricks

It seems Tuesday is the day I work the hardest at my diet plan; it's when I weigh in, and it's the start of my week for my exercise plan.  I like the first day of my week being on Tuesday though, that means Friday (my favourite day) is in the middle of my week.  Hump day is a highlight, rather than just a blip to pass by.

 

Anyways, I wanted to share my latest fitness related web find, My Fitspiration.  These two sisters were the Season 11 Winners of The Biggest Loser, so they really do know what they're talking about.  Together they lost a whopping total of 249 pounds!  Seriously, Hannah and Olivia are amazing and have truly done it all to have lost the weight.  My favourite tip, and one that I implemented myself today, is writing in a food journal.  It's so much more than just documenting your daily food consumption; it's a way to stay motivated and give yourself a pat on the back.

 

Lately, if I don't feel motivated to do a work out, I give myself two options (either the elliptical or one of my Walk Away The Pounds DVDs), and choose which one I'd prefer.  Each time I've given myself the choice, I choose one, and before I know it my workout is done!  And, a great after workout snack, is a sliced granny smith apple with a triangle of Laughing Cow Cream Cheese smeared on each slice.  Crunchy, and a little bit of protein - so yummy!

 

I think any new ideas, or sources of information are essential to losing weight.  What are some of your tips, or places on the web you go for inspiration?

Because I'm Worth It

I've come to the point in my diet plan, that I've decided small rewards will give me added incentive each week.  I figured I'm not the only one with this desire, and thought I'd share a list of 50 little rewards for a great weight loss week.  Sometimes it's hard to come up with treats that don't revolve around food, so hopefully this list will give you some ideas and inspiration.

1. buy a new pair of dress shoes
2. watch your favourite movie
3. call up a friend
4. buy a new plant and pot
5. put up your feet, relax and enjoy a cup of hot tea in a favourite mug
6. buy a new workout outfit
7. give yourself a pedicure
8. take an hour and read a book
9. have a decadent bubble bath
10. buy a new necklace
11. get a haircut
12. buy new lingerie
13. drive to the other side of town
14. buy a new book
15. go to the new show homes
16. buy a new pair of jeans
17. give yourself a manicure
18. buy a new bathing suit
19. watch Funniest Home Video's on Netflix
20. buy a bouquet of flowers
21. have a dance-a-thon at home
22. create a card, write a message and make someones day
23. buy a new soft throw blanket
24. do something found on Pinterest
25. give yourself a facial
26. buy a new herbal tea
27. print some photos and frame
28. go for a walk with a friend
29. buy a new purse
30. go for a stroll around your neighbourhood
31. buy a new scarf
32. go antique shopping
33. take a Sunday afternoon drive
34. buy a new luxurious towel for the pool
35. go out to the latest movie
36. create a workout play list
37. buy a new pair of pajamas
38. gamble on the horse races
39. buy a new top
40. have a professional massage
41. buy a new movie to watch
42. get your hair coloured
43. buy a new table lamp
44. go through your clothes and donate what you no longer love
45. buy a new workout DVD
46. get out of town for the day, to a neighbouring city
47. have an afternoon nap
48. buy a new pair of runners
49. create a workout play list
50. buy a new lip gloss

Some are rewards are bigger and more expensive while others don't really cost much at all. I like to use the bigger rewards for major milestones, like after the first month of meeting exercise goals, or achieving a weight loss milestone.  I figure a little treat will go a long way to keep my motivation up during this weight loss process!  It's all about having fun, and making it work for you.

 

Do you give yourself rewards for reaching weight loss goals?  What would you add to your list?

Friday's Night Moves

For me, Friday nights can either be the best part of my week or the worst, but either way it always revolves around food.  On those good nights, Justin and I go out to eat, have a couple drinks, and enjoy ourselves.  However, since I had a bad day at work from the moment I arrived, and Justin was going out with friends, I knew tonight was shaping up to be the bad version.  Before deciding I needed to lose some extra pounds, I would have placed an order for sixty dollars worth of sushi, brought it home and eaten it all.  Tonight, that wasn't a road I was going down, but I was at a loss as to how to turn this night and my bad mood around.  Feeling sorry for myself on my drive home, I decided to grab a couple oranges for a treat since I've been craving them all week.  While at the store, I decided to make salsa and enjoy it on cucumber "chips."  Immediately I started feeling better about my night; I had a plan, and I was ready.  It really is about taking this whole diet thing (and life in general, for that matter) one day at a time!

Being Healthy

To most of the world, I would appear to not have a weight problem.   From the outside looking in, it seems that I'm at the perfect weight, but on the inside it is a different story.  I work hard at making sure that what I wear will portray a silhouette of a slender person.   I wear lose fitting tops, I keep my belt lose and wear dress pants that come up high on my waist to avoid that “muffin top” at all costs.  But when I take off my clothes, that illusion I’ve built is gone; suddenly I am faced with the hard reality that I do not like my body.

I’ve always enjoyed food, almost to a fault.  The taste and flavours amaze me.  (It’s like that scene in Ratatouille when Remy tastes the strawberry, the cheese, and then both together, and magical colours form in his imagination at the experience.)  When I eat, I will continue eating when I'm full, (stuffed sometimes), because I simply love the taste of it.

Before it gets out of control, I decided it was time to do something about my weight.  Since I’ve heard that goals have a greater success rate if they are written down, here we go: I plan to lose 23 pounds by mid-June.  That’s a healthy weight loss rate, at about 1% of my weight per week.  I plan on succeeding by eating healthier, eating more fruits and veggies, cutting out a lot of snacking, eating smaller portions, and getting more exercise.

 

For every pound I want to lose, there's even more I want to gain!  I want more confidence, more knowledge on what healthy living means, and more outfit options.  It's going to be a win-win, and I hope you will follow along with me on this journey.
 

Do you do anything to maintain your weight?  Does a new year inspire you to make plans to lose weight, or make changes to your lifestyle?  What healthy choices do you make that add to your life, but subtract from your waistline?