So yesterday turned into a day of rest for me.  This typically happens on Friday and I am totally ok with that.  My husband and I are endeavoring to start a major construction project so we spent quite a few hours at the supply store last night gathering the things we need to get started today.  I can honestly say I am not sure we will hit the gym today.  I do know that we will spend hours working on the renovation and that I will squeeze in some yoga at the very least in my living room tonight. 

In other news, I have been reading labels lately, a lot.  Can I just say there is tones of sodium in the weirdest things.  Yesterday, I go to make lunch and start looking through my very bare cupboards (I need to get groceries) and decide that we'll have some beans.  Not a great choice but it's in the cupboard.  Well I get it going on the stove and look at the can. and OMG it has 45% of your daily sodium needs in one serving.  The beans are sweet so I expected sugar not salt.  But then, as I was standing there I had a flash back to Jamie Oliver's Eat to Save Your Life (here's the You Tube video of it) .  At one point during the special he is cooking a spaghetti sauce and he demonstrates how easy it is to hide salt within the sauce.  It just drove home the point that I really need to pay more attention to what I am eating.  Sodium for me is huge, it makes me bloat up and nobody wants to be bloated.  So that was the last pack of pre-made beans I'll be eating and thankfully it was the last can in the cupboard.

Are you surprised by what you find on nutritional label sometimes?

Have a fabulous Saturday!
Cheers!
Leah

Weigh-In Friday!

Last week's weight: 269lbs
Today's weight: 266.8lbs

Loss:  2.2lbs 

Ok so obviously this morning's weigh-in is a good one and proof that me hitting the gym works.  For some reason that i have yet to pin point.  I even eat better when I go to the gym.  I have no desire to go to the gym and then hit up Tim Hortons.  It's just counter productive.  I am way more likely to eat crap on days that I do not workout then on days when I do.

Last night I hit the gym for Aqua Bootcamp just like I planned.  Only it wasn't the normal instructor and this very nice lady was good but she did not kick my butt as much as the usual girl does.  I mean it was an ok class just not what I am use to.  On the upside, I got to chatting with someone else in the class and found out that the Y will be offering ZUMBA in the fall.  I am so excited about this. I have been wanting to take a ZUMBA class for a while now.  The fact that many of the girls from my Aqua Bootcamp class go is a bonus to me.  I am very anxious in a new setting.  I love new things; but I am really nervous and self-conscious around people I don't know.  I am working on that, but still the anxiety is there.     

So today's plan is to hit the gym, although, not in a class :(.  I really do prefer to work out in a group.  It's more fun.  I also need to clean up around the house and plan out my meals for the next week.  

The sun is shinning and it's going to be a great day!
Cheers!
Leah

Hooray for Smaller Pants!

I had a great workout at the gym again yesterday.  Did a half hour on the elliptical and then a half hour swim in the pool.  It always amazes me how great I feel after I have worked out.  Tonight I get to do another awesome Aqua Bootcamp class should be fun!  

Yesterday as I was packing clothes to wear post workout into my gym bag I decided to brave it and grab my smaller pants.  I typically have been wearing a 22 but have numerous size 20 pants in my closet.  So I grabbed a fabulous pair of size 20 dark denim jeans.  And I have to be honest I was a little nervous because we rushed out the door and then my brain started talking.  What if they don't fit? You didn't bring anything else with you?  Eventually I realized that worse case scenario I'd put on my yoga pants back on; no big deal.  So I did my great workout, had a shower and the moment I'd been waiting for was there.  I slid my legs into the pants and THEY FIT.  They were not even tight just a nice comfortable fit!  I was so excited.  There are many a day that I am grateful that I am the only person in that locker room.  I did a little happy dance and headed for home.  

I can't explain why but I know that for me fitting into clothes that have long sat in my closet collecting dust are way more exciting to wear then new clothes from the store.  Not that I don't like new clothes, I do, but I am saving the shopping moments for when I have no clothes in the house that fit me anymore.  And that day will come very soon I think; as 20 is the smallest size in my closet.  

Alright well I am off to enjoy this raining day. 
Cheers!
Leah

Wicked Wednesday

Yesterday  I went to another kick ass Aqua Bootcamp class.  My abs are feeling it today!  I have to say I am so happy that I am already down and under 269lbs after being way up after a weekend away.  My food choices have been excellent this week and tasty if I do say so myself.

I am so blessed to have in-laws that have a very very bountiful garden every year.  This year was no exception on our weekly visit with them I was able to snag: zucchini, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, beans, beats and carrots!  I will attribute my healthy eating this week at least in part to the fact the the veggies in my house are so delicious that they are like eating candy! Today I believe I will have to take a run over to grab more as we have eaten most of it already! 

Harvesting their garden is always exciting to me.  I grew up in a house with very limited vegetable selection most of which came out of cans.  So for years I thought I just didn't like vegetables.  Imagine my delight in discovering, courtesy of my awesome husband, that vegetables can taste good and don't have to be mushy!  

Here's hoping that you are all enjoying fresh local vegetables that are readily available to many of us this time of year! 

Cheers!
Leah

Time for a Plan

Things are looking pretty good today.  The weight gain from the family reunion is almost gone.  Hopefully with another good day of eating and a great workout this evening things will be back on track.  So I feel like I have a large goal in mind which is to get to 190lbs before next August but I need some time of daily plan so that I have better focus.  So here's what I have planned for the next 7 days.

1. Go to Aqua Bootcamp Tuesday and Thursday 
2. Workout at home or in the gym all other days at least 30 minutes
3. Drink lots of water ( I am aiming for 4 glasses a day to start) 
4. Eat mindfully (Check in with myself, am I really hungry?) 
5. No junk food! 

I know if I stick to this plan I will be looking at another loss.  Any loss would be great.  I am really looking forward to hitting the 250s.  I need to remember to stay focused and be patient so that I don't get down on myself over a number.  I often get a head of myself and then become self defeating even though I know I have come a long way from 292lbs at the end of May.  Well it's another beautiful day and I am off to enjoy it! 

Cheers!
Leah

A Family Reunion

Well I hope everyone had a great weekend.  Mine was filled with my family reunion.  It was so great to see everyone and catch up.  I come from a very very large family.  My Dad has 12 siblings, the 13 of them produced 69 children and those grand-babies have produce over a 100 offspring so far.  So when I say huge I mean it.

While visiting with my family, I couldn't help but notice how many of my family members, like me, are extremely overweight.  I couldn't help me notice how that affected what they did or didn't do.  I just couldn't believe it.  Many of them literally, sat all weekend at the picnic tables, munching away, smoking cigarettes and doing nothing.  We had a wedding in the middle of our reunion and my brother and I were the only two who danced the night away.  I am so glad that I am on this journey.  One that will bring me health and happiness.  Imagine all the fun I would miss, if I simply could not get up and dance.  It sure did make me think.

I hate to admit it but my intake this weekend was WAY TOO HIGH!!!  Mostly due to drinking too much with my brother.   So this week I must must must stay on track and get back in the game.  Thankfully there are no more big party type events planned for quite some time.  So the plan this week is to get my 5 workouts in, eat well, drink lots of water and blog here everyday.

Hope you are all having a wonderful Monday!

Cheers!

Leah