Is the glass half-empty or half-full?

I guess it all depends on how you look at it...

www.my-calorie-counter.com The webs free Nutrition Calculator

Half-empty, as in the fact that I worked out so hard this week, and only had a one pound decrease...

Half-full, as in, I am under 200 pounds for the first time since month 5 of my first pregnancy 5 years ago, I am on day 4 of my period, and I only have one more week of full fast left.

I am trying to be more optimistic than pessimistic...but it is hard...

Fitness Friday - Week 2

Right now I am focusing on 3 key things in regards to my fitness and workout routine:

1. Accumulate
2. Consistency
3. Variety

By "accumulate" I am referring to finding ways to incorporate more physical activity into my daily life. Do not get me wrong, looking after 3 kiddies all day keeps me on my toes - but I am trying to increase my activity during daily chores or activities. Every bit helps - so, why take the easy way out when you can work out!?!?!?!?

Some of the things I am doing include taking the stairs at work and walking more. I work on the fourth floor and park two floors underground - so, each day I am doing between 8-12 sets of stairs (I am spooked to climb the 4 flights at 4AM in my old building!) I am also trying to spread my household tasks - for example, instead of taking the laundry, frozen food for dinner and whatever else I can carry in one trip, I make it into two or three trips.

They say that taking 10K steps a day is an indicator that you are leading a fairly active lifestyle. I am trying to hit that mark every day - and that is not counting my running or walking activities.

In terms of consistency, I am trying to work out every day. I am trying to make it a habit. I have even gone so far as to marking it on our family calender. An extra bonus is that David sees my activity plan is able to encourage me and to ensure he is home to relieve me from my "family duties" so I can get some exercise.

Right now, I am doing my activity at dinner time, since I am not eating food. I am a bit worried this will cause a problem when I do transition back to regular meals I can share with the family. But I am sure David and I will work it all out.

Getting up at 3AM, working, coming home, caring for the kids and daily life can get stressful, and more and more I am looking forward to that me time at 630PM. Plus, I am crawling into bed feeling good about my workout.

Variety is also important. I do not want to get bored with my workout routine. Also, I want to make it more of a social event too - me time with friends - could it get better than that??? I have one good friend I have started jogging with, one good friend I meet up with at boot camp and another good friend I join for a weekly walk. Plus I have my indoor soccer team.

Another aspect of variety is the fact that I try to get both cardio and weight training into my routine. I was a bit disheartened to learn last weigh-in that I have actually lost a pound of lean muscle mass. Weight training will ensure I loose fat mass and not lean muscle. I am therefore increasing my weight training.

So, here is my weekly fitness log. I have had a great workout week. And have a few aches and pains to prove it!

Monday - Started a weekly run date with my friend Jo. We are loosely following The Running Room Program. We walked a minute and ran a minute for 3.8KM. Add this to the fact I walked to our meeting place, which is 1.7 KM from my house!


Tuesday - Turbo Jam Workout Video - I love the beat!


Wednesday - Boot Camp - This week we did a circuit of __ stations, the time spent at each station varied, but it averaged between 2-4 minutes - the instructor pushed everyone until we were all doing out station properly!

1. 3 laps warm up run that includes a long ramp and a long set of stairs
2. Power Squats
3. Sit Ups - legs at 90 degree on wall and sit up bringing a weighted ball up over your head and as high as you could go to the wall
4. Push Ups
5. Triceps with hand weights
6. Side Power Kicks with deep lunge - KILLERS!
7. Flutter kicks
8. Shoulder presses with weights
9. REPEAT!!!!!
10. DIE and CRAWL home!

Thursday - Regular walk with my friend Dawn We chat and walk at a fairly good pace. I want to clock out our regular route, but I would guess it is just over 8KM.


Friday - I bought a set of resistance bands and plan on doing an upper body workout


Saturday - not much exercise planned, but I will walk to my French Class - about a 3km round trip and I always take the stairs to my 4th floor classroom.


Sunday - Soccer game - I am hoping we have fewer subs and I can get lots of playing time. After the game I have been challenging myself with a light jog around the dome. This is week 3 and I hope to make it 3 laps!

So, that is my weekly commitment to leading an active lifestyle. How about you? Any suggestions or ideas you can share with me to help me along?

Next Friday I will write about commitment and goal setting - and I have a surprise!!!

Also - look for a new Friday Fitness section and a Menu Monday section - coming soon!

Hey! Have you voted for me yet??? I have been nominated for BEST BLOG and BEST FAMILY BLOG for the Canadian Blogging Awards - today is the last day to vote!

Finally - only 2 more posts till I succeed at the NaBloPoMo challenge!!

Weighing in with Questions and Answers

Yesterday I thought I was simply posting about my menu planning for the week. Nothing too exciting - in my humble opinion...then the comments and emails started to come in. WOW.


The amount of support and encouragement that I am recieving from all my bloggy-friends is over whelming. Please - KEEP IT COMING - I need your support and encouragement. I so appreciate your comments and cheers. It is all helping me keep focased and motivated.


Yesterday also sparked a few questions. My inbox began to overflow with question marks! Everything from, "why did you decide on a liquid diet" to "what do the shakes taste like" to " do you have any cravings and how do you control them?".


One comment left yesterday by the wonderful, lovely and ever-brilliant blogger Mrs. Incredible at That's Life v 2.0 really made me stop and think.

"I find it interesting how you are able to detach yourself from the food prep. That is a good skill to have, but I am sure it is not easy.I am also wondering if you have specific cravings, or do you try to not think about that. I am a little afraid to even ask the question, because I don't want to derail your progress. But, I was thinking that with all those shakes you might be wanting something not as sweet. I hope this was not a bad question to ask. I think you are doing awesome and I like hearing about how you are changing your relationship with food. I think that even for people who don't have a lot of weight to lose, examining how we view food in our lives can be valuable."

I am a very open and honest person, and I like sharing my thoughts and opinions. By being open and writing about my weight loss journey I hope to be an example for others - liquid diets are not for everyone - but healthy lifestyles and choices are for everyone. I never thought I would be inspirational for anyone embarking on a improving their lifestyle choices, but maybe I can be just that...maybe I can use my blog to document my own journey, track my progress, keep myself motivated, while sharing my newly acquired knowledge and information and helping others make better lifestyle choises and lead healtheir lives.

So, I now open the floor to you - my lovely readers - ask me anything - well, almost anything - about my Weight Loss Program, commitment or plans. Over the next few weeks I will start answering them to the best of my ability.

I am no expert - just a fat girl working hard to loose the fringe, get control, and rediscovering the person I want to be - all while blogging and doing a liquid diet!

Ask away!

Today and Tomorrow

It has been exactly 30 days since I last ate real food. I have been doing great - feeling great. I had no problems leaving food and following my medically-supervised 4 shakes a day plan. It has felt like a "vacation from food". I do not have to worry about food prep. I do not have to measure portion sizes. I do not have to count calories. Mix. Shake. Drink.

For the first 30 days I had very few food cravings. I did not face any difficult challenges. It has been easy.

Today has been tough. Thirty days and 120 shakes into the program and I have finally hit a mental challenge.

Up until now, it has been a wonderful experience. I have been able to recognize old, destructive behaviours and have been forming new rules, regulations and lifestyle changes to implement when I "go off product".

Over the first 30 days I was able to loose weight, increase my exercise and keep motivated. I have learned so much in my group sessions, personal sessions and on my own. I have been succeeding in my weight loss journey.

Today is different.

Today, I am tired. Today, I am sore (low back/hip). Today, I wondered what food would taste like. Today, I thought perhaps some junk food would lift my spirits. Today, I was tempted by every bit of food I have prepared for the family. Today, everything smelt so delicious. Today, my 22 pound weight loss did not matter. Today, I battled my inner-cravings.


Today, I was challenged.

Today, I won.

Tomorrow, I will be better off than I was today.

Tomorrow, I will realize my strength, commitment and desire to succeed.

Tomorrow, I will have yet one more "fasting-experience" that will help me cope with food temptations.

Tomorrow, I will win again.

Liquid Lessons

I have been on a liquid diet for 9 days. Things are going great! I cannot believe it! I am not hungry, I am motivated, positive and starting to see the results.

I had my weekly meeting on Tuesday night. It was very interesting to hear how others are doing with this program, especially since this was our first week.

Again this week we discussed having and getting support - now, while on program, later when we transition back to food, and even further down the line as we implement and live healthy active lives after weight loss.

A main topic has been the benefits of keeping a journal. How important it is to keep both a food journal and a journal of your thoughts, concerns, struggles and successes.

That got me thinking about my blog - or more importantly, all the wonderful people who read and comment on my blog. I wish I could reply to each and every one of you - I would tell you how much your words of encouragement, your support, your suggestions and your humour really help me. It is a bit over whelming - it means so very much to me to have such wonderful blog-friends. THANK YOU.

Now, for a few liquid lessons for this week:

1. They were right, once in a state of ketosis you do not feed hungry.
2. I do not need to sample or taste food I am preparing.
3. My body does not need tons and tons of calories to function - with proper nutrient my energy, mood and body can be fueled with much less than I was accustomed to consuming.
4. Sleep is wonderful. Since going on the 900 calorie shake diet, and evenly spreading my consumption through the day I have been sleeping better.
5. Pounds lost is not the only indicator that this program is working - look at the positive impact it has had on my mood, my sleep, my activity level, my patience level and my belief in myself.

These five lessons speak louder than any number on the scale.

That said - the number on the scale did go down. As anticipated, at first I was a bit disappointed in the amount lost - but once people helped me put it into perspective, I am very proud. What is more, is that I am starting to look more at the long term results and lessons learned, not just the pounds.

According to the doctor, based on "my cycle" my weight loss was good this week. He did indicate that my results showed a much higher volume of water in my system. No shit Sherlock! I am drinking a bloody gazillion glasses of water like YOU suggested!

According to my hubby, I powered through the week, avoiding temptation or battling through temptation. He also reminded me that I had cut down my exercise level in order for my body to get adjust to the lower calorie intake. David also mentioned that he can see and feel (YA Baby!) a difference in me! Best of all - he is soooooo proud of me!

According to DJ and Anderson our afternoon walks to the park instead of quiet time in front of the computer or TV are much more fun!

According to Madigan my boobies are "broke" and a bit engorged from not breastfeeding. So, that must add to my bulk!

According to the scale I lost just under 4 pounds - that sounds better than 3.65 pounds.

According to my calculations, since the start of this program I have lost just over 12 pounds.

Ya for me!

This week the plan is to increase my exercise and continue to rock at sticking to program.

Day 6 or Day 19

Well, it is Day 6 or Day 19 of my weight loss program. Day 19 since I started the Core Program at the Ottawa Hospital and day 6 since I have been on their liquid diet.

For 6 days now I have only had 4 Optifast shakes and no real food.

It has been going great!

To read more about my last 6 days - click HERE.

Tomorrow is my weekly group meeting and wiegh-in - wish me luck!