The First 43: My Life Now

It's been awhile since I've blogged.  There hasn't been much to update on. I lost some of the motivation that I've had over the last couple of years over the last couple of months.  Even I have to admit, I'm surprised that my motivation to keep at it lasted as long as it did.  The problem with weight loss is that you really can't get lazy, ever, but I need(ed) to find a balance between the two extremes.  I got lucky that I didn't put weight back on but, that's something short of a miracle.  I'm going to start up using my blog again, sharing workouts, recipes, and general thoughts on life post weight loss. Now, my confession. I was trying to live my life without MyFitnessPal and just try to keep at it without all the tech motivating me to keep at it.  What I've learned about myself over the last few months is that I do need it to keep me motivated.  Being accountable to myself isn't enough, I thought it would be.  I need to keep myself in c...

The summer months didn't prove to be great for exercise for me. I got a couple runs in and maybe a handful of trips to the gym. Most of my exercise came from walking and making sure that I walked more than normal. I was starting to feel a little "soft" and I didn't want to go back to where I was. I had those pesky two pounds to lose. They just keep coming on and off. I've decided it's just got to be a day to day variance and I can't stress over it. The one thing I have learned about maintaining my weight is how deep my fear is of gaining it all back or slipping back into old habits. I'm 18 months past my 56lb loss and I've stuck to it but that fear always lives within you. It's not like I think about it everyday, not at all. Every once in awhile though, it creeps on it.  For example,  when I ordered pants online this week and hoped that I still fit into the same size I did last time I bought skinny jeans. This is what got me thinking about al...

Another year, another Color Me Rad run! We had so much fun this year and the big difference from last year - it wasn't raining! The sun was shining, there was a nice breeze, and we got nice and covered in powder during our 5k and afterward doing the "colour bomb." Nice to get out and have fun with friends while getting some exercise at the same time. If you haven't done the colour run, it is as fun as it looks! Here are some photos of team Rainbow Brights! RAD FACES Before the run  After the run! After the colour bomb!  Some fun photos! 

The 10k goal is complete. This time last week I was preparing myself mentally, more than physically, for the run. I went through different stages of emotions and physical pain during the run and I thought I'd share, since so many people asked me how it was, what the easiest parts were and what were the hardest parts. So, here I go. I've broken it down by kilometers because it's the way I remember it. Before the race : It was a cold morning, I decided on sport capris and a tshirt knowing how overheated I tend to get on runs. We met up with the rest of the people running for BTRC (picture below) and headed over to the corral. We had to wait 20 minutes before we started but, I kind of got used to the cold at that point.  Start to 1km: I was still cold, my body hadn't really warmed up yet. I felt like I was the slowest person out there, people just blowing by me. I knew the pace I had to keep to complete the race and monitor my heart rate so, I just kept at...

Well, this is it. Months of training will all come down to just about an hour on Sunday. I did my final training run this evening. I keep watching the weather and hoping that it isn't going to pour. The hourly keeps changing so, I don't think there is a way to really know.  Oh well, at worst we will get a little bit wet and at best it will be warm and sunny! This has been quite the challenging road. I can't say that running 10k is going to be something I do regularly but, I can say I am proud of my body for being able to accomplish things I never thought possible.  As Jeff pointed out, when I finished my first 5k and he said "Now, you can train for a 10!" I literally laughed at him and said "You're crazy!"... looks like I am the crazy one who's actually going to do this.  Most importantly, I want to say a big thank you to those who have donated to the run.  The proceeds are going to deserving dogs who need a little bit of TL...

10k training continues! Weeks and weeks of training and I'm so close to 10k. 8.63km is my current record and Nike+ online informed me that I ran my fasted 5k ever too. Yes!  I finally got around to buying myself a new pair of Nike+ running shoes and I can't begin to tell you what a difference it made.  My other runners were getting worn out and giving me some nice blisters from about the 3k point onward.  It made me run slower and frankly, just made me focus on pain the entire time instead of the run.  New shoes = no pain = better run pace.  They are also light weight and wonderful (Lunarglide) and really make a huge difference in my run.  I have just enough time to break them in before the full 10k. Aside from the accomplishments of running distances I never thought I'd see, I am really noticing a difference in muscle tone in my legs. Trouble zones I'd never been able to target or work on, are tightening up. This makes me happy, an added bonus....

10k training. Some days it's easy and some days it's incredibly challenging.  I was lucky enough to have one mild (ish) day last weekend to run outside. It was glorious and so much nicer than running on the treadmill which gets so boring after a kilometer or two. I really wish I could train outdoor a bit more often. Hopefully this polar vortex will loosen it's grip on us soon, give us some seasonal weather and let me hit the pavement.  Here is a photo of the lovely sunny day that gave me the one and only outdoor run I've had since October. My biggest challenge has been the stitches... oh the stitches. I have no idea why but on my left side I constantly get that shooting pain about 10 minutes into my run.  I try to run through it or walk for a moment to stretch it out.  I have no idea what causes it. I don't eat heavy meals before a run, I make sure to get lots of water to stay hydrated but without fail, it happens.  I read that sometimes i...

I'm doing something I swore up and down I'd never do, Run a 10k.  The Yonge St. 10k on April 13th is coming up and the organization I volunteer with (Boston Terrier Rescue Canada) put together a team to raise money for the cutest little doggies around, Boston Terriers, and get some exercise while we're at it So, I decided why not? I've run a 5k and I have about 3 months to train and get myself up to 10k running strength.  I also won't be ashamed to walk for a few minutes here and there when I need to catch my breath. The good news, this race is 90% downhill. That's my kind of run! So, in support of my run for the little Boston Terriers that need loving homes and medical care when they come to the rescue, please support my run and make a donation. : Donation page (click here) **Charitable receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more. If the link takes you to a login page, just click it again. It should take you right to the donate page but sometim...

As an avid MyFitnessPal user and follower, I saw on Facebook that they have partnered with Pact, another app which pays you to be healthy.  I thought there was no way it could be true but, it is. Basically - you make a pact.  You will exercise a certain number of days or eat more veggies or log your food into an app like MFP for a certain number of days. If you do it, and stick to it, they pay you a sum. If you fail, they charge you $5 (or more, whatever you set, but that's the minimum) for every missed pact. For example, if you pledge to go to the gym 3 days a week and make that pact every week, you'll have $50 by the end of the year. Better than nothing at all. The good news is you can put a hold on your account when you go on vacation for example, that way you can't be charged for not meeting your pact.  Obviously the more you pledge, the more money you can make. I've downloaded the app on a trial basis (which you can do for a week!) to test it out. It syncs to...

It's time to work off all those holiday treats! After looking at a few monthly calendar type exercises online, and a little help from a fitness guru friend of mine, we came up with this calendar to get ourselves moving every single day in January. I am going to do this with some friends in the month of January. I thought I'd share the exercise calendar here. Each week, add in an additional set so it gets harder over the course of the month. Below the calendar you will find links to all the different exercises in case you need a refresher! If you want to make it a little tougher, add some weight to your sumo squats and lunges. Hope you all enjoyed your holidays and happy new year!   Here is how to do all the exercises: Sumo Squats: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY-EQp1oAxs Crunches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyd_fa5zoEU Push – Ups (knee and regular) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7cPaJZoOng Bicycles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqoD0Bdggto ...

I've been slacking when it comes to posting this month.  I haven't really had much to report on or new recipes to share. Well, I have had recipes to share, I just haven't had time to post them but I promise I will in the coming weeks and I really want to pick this up again! This past Saturday we did the Ugly Sweater 5k Run at Downsview Park. Proceeds went to The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. Some of us found actual ugly Christmas sweaters, some of us did a little DIY (you'll notice Jeff and I match!) The run was great, we did some running and a little walking. It's not timed and it's just for fun. I didn't have my usual running strength/endurance this weekend and was a bit disappointed in both my energy levels and speed but when I woke up with a full blown cold on Sunday morning, it was very clear to me why I didn't have the energy just 24 hours earlier. Either way, I completed it and had fun with friends so, winning all around. I highly recomm...

This is one of my favourite somecards. It's hilarious and so very true! Lately I've been having trouble finding the time and the motivation to hit the gym.  After going so hard and so strong for so long, I think I got a little burnt out by the intensity.  I admit I haven't been to the gym in a week.. maybe even two now?  I haven't been running either, but of course I'm not supposed to be. The majority of exercise is coming from doing lots of walking and I've started spending time biking again.  We decided to get our bikes tuned up this summer, make the investment to actually use the bikes we have that were collecting dust or being used by other family members. Jeff and I did a 20km bike ride mid last week. By the time the evening rolled around my legs just ached and ached but I must admit it is nice to get outside and get moving on something that allows wind to keep me cool and moves me faster than running.  In that workout I still burned over 600 cal...

I was reading Chatelaine magazine this week and came across what at first I thought was a joke, and then discovered was real - the treadmill desk! Yup, that's a desk with a treadmill attached.  I laughed a little and then thought to myself "This would actually be really useful!" More days than I can count, I am chained to my desk, a slave to my computer and phone. I think "I really wish I could get outside for a walk." Or I get a burst of energy around 3pm that I can't use which ultimately turns into some kind of sugar crash by 4pm. This would honestly solve my problem. I could walk and get my work done. Think about all the extra calories I would burn not to mention the added benefit of not sitting down all day, being sedentary and they do say you think better on your feet. I've never actually seen one and tried it out so it could be completely bogus but, I think the concept is intriguing. I think every office should have a station of these at the ...

I ran my very first 5k!! It was the Color Me Rad run which originally started in the US and they've started to bring it to different Canadian cities now too.  Proceeds went to Big Brothers, Big Sisters. I ran the whole thing, some parts slower than others, but I got through it! They colour bomb you every kilometer so you end up looking like a rainbow by the end.  It was a lot of fun, here are some photos from the run! It's just coloured corn starch so, after a good long shower, I am happy to report that I am now colour free!

When I first started taking this whole health and fitness thing seriously my brother would constantly remind me that I couldn't just keep doing cardio all the time, I needed to get some lifting in too. It didn't need to be heavy lifting but, enough to challenge me. Often times I find that women shy away from weight lifting and stick to lots and lots of cardio. In April, I was reminded just how important it is when I was working on toning my arms. Those results don't come from running or biking but from weight lifting. It also came from using my own body weight for resistance. It didn't make me bulk up, just toned. I know a lot of women are fearful of weight lifting because they think it will make them bigger. I can't say this has been the case for me at all.  Trust me, I was so concerned I was going to end up with bigger thighs! The other great thing is your body burns calories for longer after you work out when lifting weights (thanks for that tidbit Josh!) so...

Getting tired of seeing the fitness calendars yet?  I hope not! Mad Abs June is on the agenda for well, June!  This one is focused on core strength and toning which I think is great considering we are headed into bathing suit season! You can either save the calendar to your phone or desktop or check back here to remember your reps. Mondays are the rest days which is great for all of us Bachelorette fans!

  This weekend I had the longest run I've had yet. It was certainly not flat (oh how I hate hills!) and I felt pure exhaustion upon finishing. I made it 6.8km.  I admit, I did walk for about a minute at the 5.5km mark as my legs hurt and I was battling a stitch. My pace however was just a standard 12 minute mile. Not super fast, not incredibly slow. I was disappointed because my runs have been closer to an 11 minute mile pace but they were also on average half the distance. Makes sense.  The longer I ran, the slower I went.  I mentioned to Jeff as we ran that I would most definitely be the slower one in the group when we do the Color Me Rad run in June.  Then I was on Pinterest as saw this little quotation, made me laugh because it explained exactly how I felt on that run.  I felt like a turtle stampeding through peanut butter! It explained what I was going through perfectly. I'm just a little turtle trying to improve my endurance running skills. ...

30 days of Awesome Arms completed.  Here is a little before and after. It is the same arm, Jeff just took today's photo instead of me taking a selfie in the mirror. Not quite as impressive as one of my friends (who did even better than awesome!) but you can still see a difference. We are now moving onto May's challenge "Mighty Muscle May." If you care to join me, here is the calendar care of Pinterest.