30 minutes for 30 days

As a concerted effort to get off my ass and focus on movement and avoid scope creep, I decided to trick myself into getting things moving again.  I figured that I can easily walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes a day... and if I happen to walk longer, or even go crazy and break out into a running pace, well that's just gravy... mmmmm gravy :)  *ahem*

I started out on November 30th and so far I have been able to get in the 30 minutes per day.  This time of year is really busy with social activities outside the house, social activities at our house, baking, shopping etc etc, you get the picture right?  That being said, I think this 30/30 program is well timed and working out quite well.  To be accountable, I posted on facebook and several friends pledged to try doing something similar as well.  So far myself and Vicky seem to be the only people posting everyday, so I don't know how others are doing.

An added benefit that I did not foresee at all, much like getting T-boned at a 4 way stop, was me lifting weights all of a sudden.... well it wasn't that sudden like the barbell appeared in my hand like by magic... helloo Harry Potter.  Nope, it was more like I was surfing Pintrest (www.pintrest.com which is like bookmarking on speed) pinning some really gooey looking recipes and also seeing some fitness bloggers link and thinking: "hmmm that would be a good idea for the 30/30"  before you know it I had printed off a bunch of magazine scans that fitness bloggers seem to love posting and that very evening, whilst watching a movie I did some bicep curls, some shoulder presses, the obligatory tricep kickbacks (bat wings people!  I could fly to Japan) and a few deadlifts, but what really got me excited was a standing ab exercise routine that is done with weights.   I interspersed the lifting with some cardio like squats, high kicks, knee lifts and shadow boxing.  I was shocked that I really enjoyed that little routine.

I mean, I've done my share of crunches over time, but they always feel pointless to me since there is still a large layer of fat hiding them.  That standing ab routine, did make me feel like it was making a difference under all that stuff, so I think I'll be doing it more often.  Follow this link to see the workout:

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/standing-abs-workout

I'm also very tempted to buy a freestanding punching bag, but the reviews aren't great so far.... they keep saying they leak air... I guess inflatable is not the way to go, too bad because I can see it as being more convenient to move around... and you wouldn't have to hang it from the ceiling.  Besides I shouldn't be buying myself gifts before Christmas.

Scope creep

I'm not a project manager or anything, but there are elements of my job that incorporate the philosopies of project management.  So this week when I was thinking of finally getting back to my blog, updating it with the last race, my last weigh-ins and basically getting on track, I realized that I have begun to scope creep.

Usually there is a bit of focus lost for an event or the holidays, but I usually get back to my routine fairly quick (even if I whine about it) but I feel much better once I'm back on track and somewhat sticking to a routine.  For the past few weeks (almost a month) I feel like I'm suffering for major scope creep.  The focus of my efforts and intentions seem to have shifted to crafting, cooking and laying around in my pajama's... I've become a pajama mama.

So needless to say I need to re-focus like a laser and get back on the treadmill.  Fixing the media box near the treadmill is a step in the right direction because I just can't handle being on the treadmill without being able to watch something on TV.  I could listen to music, but then my eyes would get bored.. yanno?

Vicky (my leperchaun friend) and I have tried to run the 10km schedule, but neither of us seem to be able to focus.... so i'm thinking of focusing on movement for movement's sake and not worrying about kms.  I think i'm going to suggest that we do 30 minutes per day of movement for 30 days.  It can be running, it can be weights, it can be boxing, whatever!  I'll ask her to see how she feels... but i'm up for 30 for 30.

Race pictures for Rattle me Bones coming up next post!

Running in camo, Tiaras & Tutus, Cheap Kitchen renos, family visit and birthday month!!

Ok.  I.am.bad. BAD BLOGGER... I didn't quit.  I didn't get hit by a truck, even some seem to aim for me.  Alex pointed out that i've been quite negligent updated my blahg.  I just got really super busy, and when I wasn't busy I was EXHAUSTED!  So here it comes in a torrent of words and pictures.  Don't say I didn't warn ya!  Grab your favorite snack... sit in a comfy spot and get ready for me to ramble on. :)

Army run... I did post a quick review, but here is a pic of me crossing the finish line.

Run for the Cure on October 2nd:

My friend Vicky and I decided to sign up for the Run for the Cure to support breast cancer research.  Not because we're all charity like and stuff like that, but mainly because a lot of people wear pink (like the pink ribbons) and other cool costumes and we didn't want to miss a chance to wear pink while running.  We went shopping awhile back and bought the stuff to make pink Tutus... and on the same trip while hopped up on Starbucks and chocolate, we bought tiaras to go along with the big pink floofy tutus.  Vicky finished the race in 45 mins and I trailed in behind her at 45:15.  Pretty decent time for me since 45 seems to be my magic number and Vicky was nice enough to keep me company for the majority of the race.

FLOOF!!

Cheap kitchen reno for 700 bucks:

My Mom and Sister were coming up after the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend (11th) so I decided to reno my kitchen for the few frantic weeks leading up to their visit.  Every waking moment not spent at work was mostly spent painting, cleaning, glueing or crafting something or other.  I spent 60 bucks on a can of Smart 3 paint, about 15 bucks on podge, 35 bucks on fancy paper and about 500 bucks on Smart tiles for the back splash.  The tiles weren't cheap, but they didn't end up looking cheap either.  That's the part of the kitchen I got the most compliments on.
(Source www.thesmarttiles.com)

BEFORE

AFTER

Family Visit and Birthday:

My Mom and sister came to visit from October 11th to October 18th and we had a blast!  We went to the movies, we went shopping, we stayed up late and talked.  My sister's friends Annica came up from Boston for the weekend and her other friend Lindsay came up from Kingston as well.  There was lot's of laughing, eating, talking and shopping :)

Vicki about to eat Sushi after over 2 years!

Annica dancing after getting some Starbucks

Vicki, my Mom Bev and Me

Going to see Footloose!

Lindsay the girl that got me into running , going for her Cinnabon fix, so we now call her Lindsabon :)

Shopping!

Vicki and her friends Lindsay and Annica

Me with my big birthday glass of wine, my Mom and John

Making a weird face sitting across from my friend Patti whose birthday is also on Oct. 15th 

Now everyone is gone.  I've cleaned the house.  I've done some laundry, I've slept in a bit, I've hung out with Nala the wee little puppy I've been babysitting since my birthday... and Sunday it's the Rattle me Bones Halloween race already.  Time flies when you're doing tons of stuff I tells ya!  I think I'm gonna go lay down!

Nala!

Army run review

On September 18th I ran the 4th annual Army Run.  It's a great 5km race that follows the exact same route as the May race weekend, so very familiar and comfortable.  I know where to park, I know where to drop off my backpack, and at 7:30 am on a Sunday, it's good to instinctively know where the hell you're going :)

The 5km race sold out this year, and you could tell, as the place was jam packed with people.  During the race itself, I felt rusty and cranky, but determined to crank out my 5km without too much whimpering LOL  I didn't wear my Garmin because for some silly reason I figured if I knew how fast (or slow) I was going, it would mess me up... I'm starting to think that I should *always* wear my Garmin to help boot me in the ass!

I'd hung out with friends the night before and ate pizza and cake.... I figured it wouldn't be an issue since it's the day before right???  mmmm Nope, probably not... that's probably what made me feel slow and rusty, oh well, leasons learned right?

During the race I saw my co-worker Bill run by, not streak by, but passed me pretty quick.  So I sped up a bit and grabbed his butt, freaked him out, but they all laughed about it... He said that he was in the zone and that I'd messed with his game, but really it didn't slow him down at all.  I should have followed him and his friends because he did really well!   He ran the race in 47 last year, so this year he was hoping to beat that time and he ran the race in 39:55, isn't that awesome???  I totally should have held onto his butt and kept running with him hahahah!

After the race I wanted to meet up with some friends for a coffee or breakfast, but couldn't get a hold of anyone, so Starbucks latte in hand I slowly sauntered back to my car while looking for my results online.  Thank goodness for the Sportstats app for the Iphone because I got my results before I even made it to the car!  Sweet!  I'd finished the race in 45:34 and last year was 45:09 so 25 seconds slower due to pizza and cake is still pretty damn decent in my book, especially considering I felt like a slug on a rug and figured I'd probably have run it in 48 mins when I saw the timer over the finish line flash up 52 mins and change...

The race pictures don't seem to be available online yet, but I'll post some as soon as I steal them :P

So another medal for the bling colection, another wicking shirt for the running wardrobe and another runner to talk about running with at work... life is sweet!

Speaking of sweet... my next run is October 2nd (Run for the Cure) to support Breast Cancer Research and Vicky and I will be wearing all pink, tiaras and tutus... those pictures will be epic!

Fall is my race season this year...

It's strange, but I didn't really sign up for many races this year... or so it seemed at first glance

St. Paddy's race on March 12th (ran 5km)
Ottawa race weekend on May 28th (ran 5km)
Perth Kilt run on July 2nd (walked, didn't run)
Ovarian Cancer research walk on September 11th (walked, didn't run)
Army run on September 18th (registered to run 5km)

So out of that list, there are only 3 races... now all of a sudden these are on the calendar too:

CIBC Run for the cure on October 2nd (5km)
Rattle me bones on October 23rd (5km)

Six races is a decent amount... I just didn't expect to reach that number this year because I had told myself that I should register for a race if there is no medal... and of the races I'm registered for 3 of them offer medals or dog tags.  I guess I'm making my own medals for the others!  It may seem superficial or weird to some that I wanted to register only for bling races, but I like the sense of achievement when I look at the medals hanging together.

One of the great things about the Run for the cure and the Rattle me bones races is that we can dress up:  Vicky and I bought yards of tule to make tutus as well as tiaras to wear to the Run for the cure (gotta wear pink!)  I mean we couldn't resist the opportunity to get all decked out in pink flouffy stuff and run LOL  I totally vetoed the feather boa idea because sweat and feathers don't mix very well....  lot's of sticky pink feathers all over the place is just not the way to run a race!  And for the Rattle me Bones race I can wear my skeleton hoodie again, I <3 that hoodie so much and I can't wear it everyday yanno...

On the weigh-in side of things I hit a brick wall by gaining 2.5 pounds this past week, but man that was a good long run!  5 straight weeks of weight loss and then 3 weeks of hovering at 225.5, I mean for me that is totally awesome.  I'm used to loosing for 2 weeks and then going straight back up.  I view this as a temporary set back, a moment to catch my breath and then launch myself down the slope again :)  It's the first time in my life that I'm not phased by a weight gain at all, I think I've proven to myself that I know how to loose, I just need to refocus like a laser beam.  Weekends will probably always be my weakness and as they say in those after school specials "knowing is half the battle".

6 great weeks

This summer has been really great.  Great weather, great friends, great BBQs and best of all great weigh ins!

I've added a tablespoon of ground flax seed and walnut pieces to my morning yogurt along with the cinnamon.  I like the way it tastes and the flax seed and walnut pieces only come up to 2 points which I can afford at this point.  hehehe no pun intended

Strangely enough I haven't had salmon since I posted about the 6 secret tips to fat loss :)

I've started running again, the weather cools off nicely in the evenings so i've had a few 2.5km runs.  I have a 5km race coming up on September 18th, so I have to haul ass and try and get faster than last year...I was enjoying the heat, but while still being overweight, too much heat + running is not a good plan.

*fingers crossed* for the Army run :)

6 tips to fight fat. Fact or fiction?

I read an article recently with 6 tips on how to fight fat.  Most of the tips seemed pretty reasonable:

1.  Drink water with lemon. 
Mix 1/2 lemon with hot water and stevia first thing every morning to cleanse your liver

2.  Flax seed. 
Grind up flax seed and eat 2 Tablespoons of flax seed every day. Put it in your shakes, salads or over vegetables. Flax seed helps stabilize your blood sugar and will keep you from going on a binge.

3.  Eat 10 walnuts a day
Eating walnuts will reduce your insulin and keep fat storage in-line. Studies have shown that eating walnuts as a snack or on salads will keep you fuller longer. Walnuts are rich in Omega-3.


4.  Throw a little cinnamon in your ingredients.
Put cinnamon in your coffee or on your oatmeal. Studies show that cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon a day will help with cholesterol and triglycerides.

5.  Hot Sauce.
Burn more fat by eating spicy food. Put some cayenne pepper on your soup or vegetables. Hot sauce helps clear insulin out of the blood stream.
Plus, save money on heating bills.

6.  Eat Salmon
Eat 3 ounces of salmon and you will receive more than the daily requirement of Vitamin D. Tuna, Sardines and mackerel have almost the same benefits. By having enough Vitamin D in your system will help reduce your belly.


Water:  check
Flax seed, I guess I could add it in (depending on point values).
Walnuts, i'm not willing to spend the points on them everyday.
Cinnamon, that's a spice I don't use often, just don't think of it.
Hot sauce, that's another item I don't use often, again not part of my routine.
Salmon:  check

After reviewing my answers on how many things from that article that i'm actually doing, I decided to add the two easiest things:  Cinnamon & hot sauce.

For a full week I put cinnamon on my yogurt and a few drops of hot sauce on my breakfast sandwich... by my weigh in on Saturday, I'd lost 3 pounds... *virtual cartwheel*

Bottom line, one week can't say for sure either way if it's really the main reason for the weight loss or even helpful, but I'm willing to keep it up for another week or two.. you know, for testing purposes :D