Week in Review

Can't believe it's Saturday already...older people once told me the world would fly by in a flash and I mocked...now I am one of those 'older' peeps, and it's already July 11th!! Seems like just yesterday that I was trying to decide whether to make resolutions or not.

Let's see...Monday I was sick. Still have the cold (checked the Health Canada, and I'm pretty certain it's NOT H1N1!!) but I've been doing my best to sweat it out all week, and that's worked well.

Got excited by Amy's challenge this week because outside is my gym. I hate paying money for someplace that's going to make me feel less than who I am - there's nothing better then some "Miss Hard Body" snappily asking "are you done with that yet??" and then standing over you sighing until you leave...or has that just been my experience?! And I've tried several different operations...same snotty clientele! Outside, I can be ME! Sweating and wheezing and all my glory...besides, fresh air over canned air, birds singing or some discofied tinned muzak, trees, grass, flowers and river or exercise equipment all lined up...which would you rather? And hey, I save roughly $80 a month!!! But back to the challenge...I couldn't go out on Tuesday as I was championing a Pie Bake Off at work (yes, I sampled...) but after work was Boot Camp, and Trainer Josh did his best to sweat the cold out of me...stairs, ab work, shoulder work, more cardio, more abs...it was all good. Wednesday I did go for a 4+ km run/walk and ended it in the park doing push-ups, triceps dips, some step ups, ab work, plank, and squats...lots of squats!

Thursday, again no run...I had to race home to meet the roofer (a leak) and then halfway back to work, I had to turn around and come back as there was another issue. Have I mentioned I walk? So that was sort of my workout on Thursday...again, the Pie Bake Off and Eating Contest took precedence in the afternoon (this was the building wide competition, for huge prizes...think I'll bring a pie next year!) so I relied on Trainer Josh to kick my butt after work...and he didn't disappoint!

Yesterday, I again went for the 4k loop at lunch, and ended it in the park again. Trying to establish a core routine for after the cardio portion of my lunch...squats for the legs, push-ups for a good upper body, triceps to work the arms, abs for core and good old plank...love plank!! Then we did Boot Camp last night, and after running the beautiful Douglas Fir Trail (although the humidity and my cold infected, asthmatic lungs didn't initially get along!) which I finished strong by being able to totally tear up this section of stairs repeatedly! If this were 8 weeks ago...NOTHING!! I heart Trainer Josh and all his wisdom and butt kicking skills!!!

Dropped off H. and came home to try to decide what to have for supper. Shared a Green Monster on the way to BC, so wasn't ravenous, but still needed to eat. So, into one pot went whole wheat yolk less egg noodles. Into the frying pan, sliced red onion, evoo, garlic, turkey wieners (they were more like a sausage) from the Farmer's Market, some diced up red & green peppers and mushrooms. Toss till all cooked, add some fresh Thyme and some veggie stock (Epicure, of course) and then tossed it all together. Topped with some shredded cheddar, and voila...dinner is served. Ate, watched some TV and then hit the sack. Didn't even spend the night hacking and coughing, as has been usual this week.

Well, finishing up yet another Green Monster, and then time to get ready to pick up H. for a trip to said market, and then to hit up some stairs / park for some cardio and the weekly work out challenge. Pics and details to follow.

Later,

Starting to feel better

It felt very decadent, but staying at home on my couch all day was a good thing. Throat is still a little sore, but we'll swish with Listerine tonight and hopefully kill anything lingering back there. The blowing and coughing has eased off, which is good. I hate having a cold.

Today I actually felt like eating, so I had a Green Monster, Ezekiel English muffin with almond butter and home-made raspberry jam (made by me, fresh picked (last fall!) from my parent's yard) and tried not to think about cookies, chips, more cookies, cake...man, I was obviously very bored today! Nothing a nap didn't help me a avoid, so I survived the day. Was going to have a refried black bean burrito, until I realized my beans had turned into a science experiment in my fridge, so then I began to waver on healthy and look for quick. Then I found the Mac & Cheese recipe in a Clean Eating magazine, and it turned out awesome. Granted, I didn't have the brown, nun-ground, Tuesday picked rice flour (okay, so it wasn't that extreme, but I still didn't have it!) but it was still good. I also substituted Edam and Gouda for Swiss - work with what you have. A couple of bison wieners fresh off my Griddler, with a dollop of Epicure Sweet & Spicy mustard, and dinner was done. I snacked on some carrots to up the veggie intake, but again, I had a monster for breakfast which has 3 servings in it alone.

And now I'm going to sip some water, and head for bed early to try and shake this thing. I'll call in sick once...I admit I have trouble with more than that! Blame my folks!!

Later,

Still sick

But I did do something I've almost never done in the past (unless I've actually been hospitalized!)...I called in sick. Wow!! I keep hearing about these "sick days" our company offers as a benefit, so I figured in nine and a half years, I should use at least one or two of them (we get 6 a year).

So I'm home with the fur babies, one of whom is also under the weather. Coco had a terrible night (hairballs, I hope), but seems to be much better this morning. She did leave quite the mess for me to clean up - rather ironic that I don't like babies because of the whole diaper thing, but I'll clean up nasty piles left behind by a cat, no problem! She has finally eaten breakfast, which if you saw her, you'd think that wouldn't be a problem (she's the very round one in the picture!), but she wouldn't eat first thing this morning. Since then, she's had some food, purred me a song, and had a belly rub, so I think she's on the road to recovery. If only it were that simple for me!

Going to have a Green Monster (there's got to be a few good vitamins in there for me!) and a latte, and then move on to the couch. Hope day-time TV has improved over the years...I hate soaps.

Saw this week's 15-week challenge...which is awesome, because I hate gyms (actually, I'm cheap and I hate paying that kind of money for something I can do outside for free!) and have only worked out outside. So, Bootcamp aside (which we do in a park, and use benches and tables for exactly what Amy suggested) I also use the park by work for some extra toning after my lunchtime run. Of course, that's also counting on this cold being on it's way out tomorrow!

Off to make some breakfast and chill.

Later

Death's grip...

That's how I'm feeling right now. One of my bosses kept insisting on meeting with me on Thursday, all the while he hacked and choked and spewed all over the place, so surprise, surprise, here I am today feeling like someone drove over me with a very large truck!! It's not pretty, and it's even in my one eye (which does this all the time, and so far no doctor can decide what's wrong or how to fix it - good news, it's already clearing up)

Started to feel it yesterday, when H. and I went up into the mountains. I thought it was allergies (cotton poplar fluff, which was wicked bad up there...who knew?) but when it continued all night and into this morning, I knew! But still didn't stop us from having an awesome time in Banff (even though it was a tad crowded) and Canmore. When the Lottery Gods come through, that's the first place where I'm buying! It's just so beautiful and peaceful up there. I am very Zen when I get into the mountains. Discovered the gardens surrounding the original Parks Canada office (and named for the gentleman that started Parks Canada), although my photo doesn't do it justice. We'll have to back in August when everything is in full bloom. Everything is so late this year, with our extended winter out west.

We had a great lunch at the Rose & Crown (after climbing some very steep steps) and I did post an Operation Beautiful note (although I forgot to take a picture) that said "Smile, you're beautiful". There was a tourist in the washroom after I posted it, but I don't know if she read English or not...she and her spouse were speaking German or something when they walked out. But I did leave it there for anyone to find.

I also took a picture of what I have beside my mirror, so I can see it in the morning. In case you can't read it, it says "I am...strong, flawed, open-minded, not perfect, willing to try, full of potential, not believing the hype, LOVED, gifted, fascinating and woman." I found this in a card shop...yes, it's a blank card, so I bought it, bought a frame and immediately hung it up.

I'm off to bed...the alarm will be going off way too soon, despite me sleeping most of today! However, if I still feel as bad in the morning as I do now, I will be staying at home in bed. I don't want to miss any Trainer Josh sessions, so have to be healthy (or a semblence of) by Tuesday!

Celebrate!

I'm sure to many it's nothing, but tonight at Weight Watchers, my weight went to a point that I haven't seen in probably a year, AND I get to remove 1 point from my daily points allowance!!!! That's a very bid deal for me, as I have struggled with this plateau/maintenance thing for too long now. I want to thank the combined efforts of ME, Trainer Josh and anyone else who has pushed or inspired me to keep at it.



To that point, I need to figure out what to take for lunch tomorrow, and then go to bed! I am wiped. Work got very crazy right towards the end and I was almost late for Boot Camp!!! Who knew I could walk the 14 blocks home (9 of which have lights that I almost always miss!) in 15 minutes!!! Changed, grabbed water, clothes to change back into after the work out and got H. at 4:27 (10 minutes later than usual) - made it to the park just in time.



My arms hurt from Tuesday, my abs killed from Wednesday's Whittle Middle Workout (almost blacked out when I sneezed this morning!!!) and we ran hills at lunch today...so what does that mean for Boot Camp?? Stairs!!!!! Lots and lots and lots of stairs. Run up...run back down, run up 2 at a time...run back down, go up doing squats the whole way...run back down, and (my personal favourite) run up and down as many times as you can in 4 1/2 minutes!!! Oi...then run back down the hill (are you kidding me?!) to the park, where we'll do some thrusters (could barely lift the weights over my head) and then...AB WORK!!! Can't wait to see what he's got in store for us tomorrow. That's if I can even get out of bed in the morning!



Later,

Week 1 Challenges

I am a good cook!!! I decided, since it was Canada Day and a day off work, that I wanted pub grub. And then that got me to thinking about Amy's challenge this week of skinnying (is that a word?!) up your favourites. See...I'm pretty good about all I eat. I tend towards fresh, and not processed and eating out is usually a favourite restaurant and is either Vietnamese (which is healthy) or Japanese (sushi rocks!). And when I do make something from my past, like lasagna, I'm making LASAGNA...I only enjoy it once or twice a year, and it's dang hard to skinny that one up - takes two just to lift it out of the oven, for crying out loud!

So, I decided on pub grub...chicken wings (Lord, how I miss chicken wings!), bacon cheese burger and poutine...how's that for Canadian, eh???

Burger was easy...ground bison (very lean) with Epicure Barbecue Rub, Chili Garlic Sea Salt and some Garlic Pepper. Grilled on my griddler, along side a thick slice of onion (to duplicate those delish fried ones), and a slice of Canadian Back Bacon. Top with a tablespoon of shredded cheddar cheese, some Sweet & Spicy Mustard, all on a whole wheat bun, and voila, we have Cheeseburger. One down...

Poutine...thinly slice up a small baking potato (scrubbed well, to keep the skin on and therefore more fibre) as well as a small sweet potato (again, with the skin and to ump up the fibre). Toss with 2 tsp of canola oil (heart healthy, thank you very much) and then laid out on a rack and baked at 425F, turning after 20 minutes. Gravy was Club House Brown (25% reduced sodium), which I only made half the pack, so only had a very small amount to deal with (after boiling to reduce). As for the cheese curds, I rinsed off a quarter cup of 1% cottage cheese and drained the remaining curds. Tasty!

Lastly the wings, and we can all thank Food Network's Alton Brown for this! Start with a portion of chicken wings, separated at the elbow (??) and tip removed. Lay in a single layer in a steaming basket and steam over boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack over a paper towel and put in the fridge to cool down. Heat oven 425F - 450F, and (I did this so they wouldn't stick) toss the cooled wings with a tsp of oil. Arrange on a rack over parchment or silpat and bake at the high heat for 20 minutes, turn them over and bake for another 20 minutes. They really will come out of the oven golden brown and crispy, just like they were deep fried!! And the steaming gets rid of a lot of the fat, so you'll only set the smoke alarm off once (which I did, but I also had the burger going and the fries...I think the heat actually set mine off, not the smoke). Meanwhile, in a bowl mix 1 tsp of extra virgin olive oil with your favourite hot sauce (Alton uses melted butter, but again, I went for heart healthy!) and immediately after the wings come out of the oven, toss with the combined sauce. Serve!!

So there, Amy...food challenge done. Wednesday work out done (and OMG! I thought my abs were sore from yesterday's boot camp...today really added to it! Good job!). And weigh-in done!

I am loving this!!

:)

Carol

Happy Canada Day!

Happy birthday to you...

Happy birthday to you...

Happy birthday, dear Canada...

Happy birthday to yyyyyyyooooouuuuuu...

Trust me...this is the ONLY way you want to hear me sing!

Celebrated Canada Day so far the only way for a typical Canadian...sleeping in! :) I did not have to get up at the 'crack of stupid' (sorry, H-Woman...just keep telling yourself "double-time"!), although the fur-babies did their tag-team darnedest to make sure I got up and fed them at their usual time of 6 am...good thing I've always been really good at rolling over and falling back asleep!

Finally got up at 8:30 and made a latte (1 c 1% milk + 1 c espresso, pressed myself), watched Anna Olsen cook some lovely food, cheered on fellow Canuck Rob Feenie on Iron Chef (he won!) and then decided I was hungry and it was time to eat. Enjoyed an Ezekiel English muffin with almond butter, apple slices, all natural cinnamon honey and some craisins for colour and texture. Then I had a Green Monster to tide me over till dinner. I am really LOVING those things...if you haven't tried it yet, do so. You will be pleasantly surprised at the taste. I can even drink them out of a clear beer pint glass...kind of ironic, actually, since beer used to make me turn that colour (look at how Canadian I am!)!!

I then went out into my hallway (house is way cluttered, and I need to seriously do something about that) to do the Wednesday Fitness Challenge for the 15-Week Challenge. I am getting much better at v-sits, but still need to work on side plank. Front plank is getting much easier (don't get me wrong...still sweat up a storm, and my arms were shaking by the end, but I used to only hold for 38 seconds from my elbows...now I do full arms/legs), thanks in part to Boot Camp. Have I mentioned that I HEART trainer Josh?! He pushed us hard last night (1st of another 6 week set) and warned H. and I that we were in for "a killer group" on Friday! BRING IT ON!!!! I also took my measurements (like to do that on the 1st of the month) but couldn't find prior months to compare to. Where has that spreadsheet gone?! However, I did stumble across many of my past spreadsheet journals, and what's really sad...and I mean really freaking, frustratingly sad is that I have stuck around the same weight for over 3 years now. That's all the while attending weight watchers every week, running at lunch, training for half and full marathons, etc. And it's no where near my goal weight (which I could deal with if it were 5-10 pounds, but it's more like 40 away!). Okay, so I have proven I am really, really, really, really good at maintenance!!!! That part will be easy, obviously...it's the getting to goal that's proving to be the challenge. BUT, that being said, I am beautiful, inside and out, and I am proud of how I look and feel. I am a 46 year old asthmatic who ran a marathon, for crying out loud! I WILL stand up and be proud!!!

Okay...time to get moving and see what the rest of Canada Day will bring for me. I'm going to experiment with a 'pub' dinner tonight, to see if I can skinny it up for the food challenge this week. Details (and photos) to follow.