I miss running

I feel bloated, full and just yuck. Eating too many sweets and servings this Christmas season. I think I have had enough carbs to last a year today. And this is only mid afternoon. Tonight is our full on Christmas dinner being brought in by 4 x 4! LOL. We are pretty snowed in here. What a white Christmas!

I wish I could run but the road is way too snowy. I could get on the treadmill, but I feel too full. All I know is that January 1st is a new start. And I plan on removing this 'spare' tire just in time for my sisters wedding on January 24th, 2009.

I have a dress fitting on January 10th and I know the dress will fit. But still. I just want it to feel good and comfy. 

I will be recording my current weight on January 1st, and doing so every Monday until 'Wedding Week' and I hope to show you all a photo of me in the most beautiful dress! Woot!

So, come January 1st this blog will be very active. I will once again be recording daily my exercise, my eating plan etc.  I am totally looking forward to it.

I will be back under the 150 mark that is for sure. I am WAY more comfortable there. 

PS. Santa brought me a 205 Forerunner Garmin. I love my Santa. He rocks! 

PPS. My marathon training begins December 30th! I cannot wait!

End of the year of 2008?

I started this year with a big goal. A goal to lose approximately 80 pounds. And I have met this goal, and took it even a bit further with an almost 90 pound loss. I want to lose another 7 -10 pounds in the new year. I watched a great episode of XWeighted on Slice last night. It motivated me (as I sat and ate my weekly nacho splurge with Cliff.) She lost 63 pounds in 6 months. Sometimes I watch that show and the don't get even CLOSE to their goal weight. But she sure did. I thought 63 pounds is so much to lose. And yes, I lost even more than her. I still don't see that weight loss or feel it except when I look at the photos from my before.

PS I did run 14 kms in the cold weather yesterday morning. In fact it was so windy that my hat blew off, and I couldn't feel my cheeks from the cold. 

Anyways, as I was saying I suddenly felt motivated to get to my goal. Once my daughter is successfully weaned from breastfeeding (I am certainly hoping to be done January just in time for my sisters wedding!!) I am going to kick up my goals a bit in 2009.

I think I am just going to stay right around here for now, but on January 2nd I am going to start kicking my own but again. It is hard to believe that it has been one year almost since I started my own journey. I am still learning and growing. 

December 30th I am starting the marathon clinic (that will be a 42.2 km marathon race in Vancouver in the beginning of May 2009) My eating will be back on track, and I will be tracking my calories etc. again. Time to get back on track.

I am going to do a resolution run on New Years day (5 km) at 11 am. I am also going to do another half Marathon the day after Valentines day! So, I have a lot to work towards. I am so excited! 

I do not like feeling tight pants, or this muffin top. It is going bye bye! I need to be ready to get myself on that surgery list for my veins this year. Another thing to get checked off my list.

Time to start working on not only the rest of the weightloss, but work harder on myself. 

I am kicking up my running right now. I am running tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday. Maybe even Friday. Then I am starting to get up there in distance again with my long slow distance runs on Sunday. Next week it is 14 km (but I will most likely run there instead of drive again like I tried to do yesterday, but Cliff and the kids grabbed me about 2.5 kms into my run)

PS Santa if you are listening or reading my blog I would really REALLY love a Garmin for Christmas. xo

The proof in pictures...my weightloss journey montage

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Please be sure to shut off my music player in the background to prevent two songs playing at once. I thought it would only be appropriate to use the music I played for Courtney's birth montage.

Enjoy!

As promised: The before and after shots!

150 pounds on the left today*, and 218.8 pounds on the right taken January 1st, 2008

*this photo is the after (for now) but I plan on taking another 10 pounds off by September 1, 2008. I will keep this bathing suit until then, take a photo and expect me to be in a brand new suit by then!

18 km Sunday

Today I did an 18 km with my friend Kevin. Today was awesome! I ran in my skirt, my new fuel belt and my gu's. I was set and felt fab.

Next Sunday I will run my first 2O kms. I am really excited about that. The next week after that will be a taper. The following week Kevin and I will run the half marathon (our own run) of 21.1 kms. Just easier and around home and then I can knock that distance off of my list. That will feel good.

In two weeks the training for the half marathon. I will drop down to about 7 km and the build back up to the 2o kms again.

I am excited to move forward and keep up this momentum. I am HOPING that I will drop down UNDER these darn 150's. This week. I am so close, but it is taking me longer and longer to get there...over a month that is for sure. *fingers crossed*

Well, gotta get showered and ready for the day.

Current Cathy...

currently 152 pounds

217 pounds - 8 days postpartum November 2007

this outfit is getting lose already!

Friday and fine...

Well, life is back to normal around here. Cliff and I are back to normal. We were highly stressed and we took it out on each other, and those around us. But we are sorry for that. And we are back. Our differences worked out. Problems figured out.

What helped? A night out last night with an old girlfriend with the same name as me. Our lives couldn't be more different now...she is a doctor, and me a stay at home mom. But the commonalities were still there and we had nice glass of wine, a yummy salad. And LOTS of laughs and catching up. It was a lovely evening. When I got home Cliff and I were able to get out for a coffee together, and a treat. We were given a yummy choco/banana loaf (reduced fat) each for free by our regular place. So we had a mini date. It was good. We needed that, I need that. He needed that.

So here it is Friday, and I probably will head out for a run tonight. Most likely with my friend Lisa (the one with six kids and the SAME family LOL) so that will be good. Cliff will probably go out after us.

I have decided to wait on my half marathon on June 22nd. I know I can do the distance as I am a mere 3.1 km's away from my goal, but the timing is just not right. For me it is, but for the family it is not. I am still considering that mini tri. My son wants to do the kids version of it. So, that might be a go. BUT we need to wait and see how the family is (FIL) it is too hard to make plans like I have said before.

But I am happy to report that I have not given up. I had a moment of dispair and weakness when I said I was done. Well I am not done. Because yesterday I did kilometre club at school with two of our kids. We did nine laps around the field and it felt great. I cannot give up, because I, Cathy...I am not a quitter. I am dedicated to reaching my goals! And I am going to get there. Even if I am plateauing, or I don't get there as fast as I want. I will do what I need to do.

So, yes. I am back and I am feeling better than ever. This weekend I am going to get my new fuel belt, running skirt and possibly some size six jeans, and some extra small tops from American Eagle. If I can be a size six there, I am buying from them LOL. Remember around our anniversary (May 9th) I was able to fit into my little sister Amy's jeans...they were a six. So, off I will go to see if I can fit into them and find a pair for myself. My current size 9's are loose, and my tops well, they are loose too. I would have never ever thought that a size small would be too big LOL. Never!!

So, I know even if the scale is creeping slowly down, the inches are really coming off. I took a tape measure to my waist yesterday morning and it was around 28inches...and on January 1st of this year my waist was 42 inches. So, that is 14 INCHES off of my waist. That is just my waist. I am truly amazed at how far I have come...I am proud of myself. I measured my hips too, but I will save that number until my goal. Let me just say I was shocked...

Obese - Overweight - Normal Weight (BMI)

It am just over a pound away from being in a normal BMI. When I weigh 154 pounds I am there! That is going to feel so good to know I am getting healthier by the day. I am appreciating every healthy and happy moment I have. Especially when I see my poor FIL and all that he is going through. I cherish the good times these days and make plans for the future!

I can run, I am going to run!

I can laugh, I am going to laugh!

I can do anything I set my mind to, and I plan on it!

I am now 5.4 pounds away from when I FIRST joined Weight Watchers back in 1990. My goal weight back then was 130 and I was 129.5 and a life time member...then I put it all back on and more. Not so healthy...but I lost the weight for somebody else, and not myself. This time, it is all about me and I feel so happy about that! I am starting to take some chances, living life and challenging myself if ways I would have never really imagined about 6 months to a year ago! I am doing it! I am moving forward and I am enjoying myself!

I am planning on weaning Courtney by the time I am almost 37. Probably end of September...I am good with that!

Sunday Summary

It has indeed been a day/weekend of eating/treats etc. I feel really full today. I had a bowl of wonton soup and 1 medium sized plate of chinese food (take out for M-Day) It was good, but I feel bloated. Yuck. Enough of the bloat already! I am over take out.

This morning I wanted to go for a run with my local group. I got out there, was set to do 16K (FINALLY) but the girl I was running with had a cramp and we had to walk. We walked about 8k in the rain. I ran about 2 sets of 10/1's which was OK. At least I got about 8 sets in total. Not bad.

Today, I was really wanting an 'everything bagel' from the local Tim Hortons. So I had one. Shmeared with herb and garlic cream cheese. It was really good. But it was enough for quite awhile. We treated the kids to some fast food which is rare to none here, and we took a few of the kids for ice cream. I didn't have it though. I had to make calculated splurges even though holidays and events always have been a 'license to eat.' Not anymore. Those days are over.

Today, I bought myself a new denim jacket (really fitted) in a size m from Old Navy. I really like it! Yay for all things fitted!

Tomorrow. I am totally back to my regular plan of healthy eats. I don't like this stuffed tummy feeling. I hope I get out for a good run tomorrow too! Two more days until I weigh in!

Happy Mothers Day!

size {6} last night...uh huh!

Last night my little sis Amy, Tyler and his daughter K to babysit so we could go out for our Anniversary dinner (THANK YOU ALL!) So, after we got home I wanted to show her some of my pants I got at Reitmans (buy one get one free!!.) So, off go her pants, off go my pants and we tried on each others pants...oh silly sisters we are. As a joke I try them on, and they actually do up! I am not a size six totally, but I am getting very close. I have to say I have never been a size nine or even better a six in my whole adult life. The closest I came to that was after I had Claire and I wore a size ten.

It was a good night. I did a crazy happy dance down the stairs to show Cliff and they just laughed at me. So, we had a fun photo op!

Here are the results!!

draw your eyes away from the fat roll, draw your eyes away from the fat roll LOL

Not bad for having six kids! I am pretty happy! And I am so close to my goal!!



(ae.com here I come!! Cute jeans!)

22.6 pounds to go?

So how come these last 22.6 seem so hard reach? I have lost over EIGHTY pounds...EIGHTY pounds! I find this so incredibly crazy! I am like somebody on the Biggest Loser!

I 'could' go crazy and lose the last pounds very quickly, but I think I will take it slow. I have 8 weeks left until I want to reach 135 pounds on July 1st, 2008. That is about 2-3 pounds a week for the next 8 weeks. Sounds so easy! But really I am so close, that I could almost 'give up' but I will not. What am I afraid of? Why am I stumped at this point? Why don't I want to move ahead? Why the block? What gives?

I guess because I haven't been getting my exercise in, I start feeling down. I need the exercise to keep moving ahead. I need to keep that balance of food to exercise. Keeps me sane in my crazy world!

By next week I should be under 20 pounds to go...if I lose 3 three pounds this week. I know I can do it. I could probably do better! So, I think I will have to get up at the crack of dawn and run! Run like the wind or power walk and use my hand weights every morning, or back to 5-6 times a week. That should do it for me. The question is, do I have it in me right now?? Am I going to step up to the plate and DO IT??!?!?!?

I have only have 8 pounds until I get into the 140's now. And, another date to record at the 150 mark on my sidebar for progress. I haven't been this close to 150 since I first went on WW back in college. That was in 1990. And then, after I had Claire I think I remember being 154 pounds for a bit (until I became pregnant with Carly) so...I am doing it!

Giving up seems so much easier right now! But, seriously I would be really stupid to quit right now! After 22.6 more pounds I will be at OVER ONE HUNDRED POUNDS LOST!!!! Wow. Now that is incredible!

I would never have imagined how good this weight loss felt back in November after Courtney was born! I cannot fathom what the next eight weeks will bring to me?!

Now, I should really consider what my reward/rewards will be when I get there! I know the obvious are happiness and good health...but I need to do something AWESOME!

OK...I will start thinking about that on the treadmill in the morning!! Tonight though, I get a splurge of nachos of course!

This is a photo my husband took tonight

Remember I said I would have some photos done now that I was in the 150's? Well, this was the best shot LOL!

Apparently somebody likes this view...


I will have him try again tomorrow LOL

18 to 9

I went shopping this morning. I could not BELEIVE that today I pulled up a size 9 pair of jeans...AND THEY FIT PERFECTLY!!! I had to replace my favourite 'trouser' jean that was a size 11.

I actually had to do a double take at my reflection staring back at me in the mirror. I was pleasantly surprised, and in my next
glance and a quick run of my hands down my legs wondered if the mirrors made an illusion or if they were 'skinny mirrors?'

Well, illusion or not. I feel really happy with my appearance to-date. I also purchased two new shirts. I had grabbed size medium, but they were too big. So, when the employee yelled to me in the changeroom how I was doing I asked for a shirt in size small. ME IN A SIZE SMALL?! And it fit perfectly! so, I purchased two of them.

I also got some new tanks in med and small and two pairs of shoes on a BOGO! Score!!!!

I will have a photo taken when I hit 159 pounds OK! That is my next goal of 3.6 more pounds!

Monday - Night before Weigh In

Tonight, we headed back to the community centre. I did a great circuit of weights, both upper and lower. 3 sets of 12-15 reps. I am working on strength. I want to build up my back and arms and legs. I also did a couple of reps of stomach lifts where you bring your knees up to the chest! Wow. Where did my abs go? They left me LOL! But, I can certainly FEEL that they are still there. Why? because they hurt now!

I then got in the pool. And I swam my laps. Did about 20 mins of swimming, and did 20 lengths, or laps? (Help me DAD!!) Whatever I did it totalled over the 400 metres I need for the triathlon in June. The 8 lengths/16 laps? took me under 15 minutes. I am so excited!

I have had some great workouts this past week! And I just feel so good about my weigh in tomorrow! I feel that I have lost some more. Time for a photo soon!

Until tomorrow then!

5k+ and a clear head and mind

I went for a MUCH NEEDED 5K+run today. 3.5 sets of 10/1's. Felt FABULOUS and easy!

I ran with an old running buddy around an old favourite run. Around a lagoon! It rocked. I just found that with such a weight loss that I felt like I was running on air! I could have done a much longer run! I need new shoes now. Sunday I am running with two running friends and we are going to do 10k. It is my week to run.

A huge blessing for Cliff and I. Our old running friends Mom/MIL is going to watch ALL of the kids on Wednesdays so that Cliff and I can get out together. That is so huge and cannot thank her enough! WOW!

Running is so good! My eating was great! I am going to LOSE more this week! Oh yes I am!!

PS I am going to register for that Triathlon!! Yippee!!!!! I want to be at my goal weight for that. End of June! Oh yeah!!!

New Year is a coming soon!

Well, I have been busy researching my fitness and eating plans for 2008. I purchased 2 books and have been reading them and becoming very inspired. Cliff and I are putting a workout plan in place so that we both can do this at the same time.

I am getting excited for the Goo-Be-Gone 2008 contest that starts January 1st 2008. I am finally going to MAKE time for ME, and Cliff will make time for HIM! This is a good thing.

Life is good! I am making specific plans and goals. For the short term and the long term. It is going to be good!

Stocking Saga...

Well, the compression 'hose' were not fit to me correctly, and so I called first the specialist's office and asked them if what I was feeling was OK, and they said the hose are probably too long. So, I then called the place that fitted me and they sent a courier to pick up the old stockings and send me a 'short' pair. So, today it took me about 8 minutes to get these things on with my 'donning gloves' seriously they are called that. I kid you not.

Today, I feel so so about this. I wanted to cry this morning when I put these suckers on. I was doing this when Courtney was starting to cry. And so that made me want to cry. I feel really warm, as I banned pantyhose a long time ago. So, now to be wearing these hot, itchy Lycra hose UNDER my jeans feels really uncomfortable. Thankfully though, this is not happening in the summer.

Well, I need to do this for my vein health, but every day I just seem to feel older and uglier by the second. 10 years ago I would be putting on nice high heels and nice skirts and going to work. Now my life is so different from that.

Anyways, enough of the whining here. On a more positive note, January first is a coming fast and I cannot wait to start this contest called Goo-be-Gone. It is a take off of the Biggest Loser. It runs for 3 months, and finishes on April 1st. I hope to lose about 25 pounds in 3 months. I think that is a realistic goal. And, in 6 months (June 1st) I hope to have lost 50 pounds. And by October 1st I plan on having lost a total of 70-80 pounds. Just in time for my 37th bday. And hopefully something really fun to do, like perhaps run a half marathon if I can train for it.

I watched the finale of the Biggest Loser, and it was so good and inspiring. And, I look forward to watching the couples version of it that starts on January 1st. Perfect time for motivation for my own weight loss. Cliff has decided that he wants to lose 50 pounds. That is so exciting too! We can motivate each other and cheer for each other, and that gives us 2 chances in the competition we are entering!

I am not allowed to kickbox for the time being because of the leg/vein issue so I plan on power walking 60-90 minutes every day. Hopefully when the vein is not swollen anymore then I can ask the surgeon again if I can start.

That will be MY TIME...whether it in the morning or the evening, on the treadmill or outside I will do this. And, I will be watching my portions. And, hopefully do some skipping with the kids!! And a video or two when time permits ;D and maybe some other stuff...who knows. All I know is that I cannot wait to do this! I need this!!

I have booked my ultrasound scan on my veins aka vein study for mid January, and a follow up in the end of January. The cost: $250 dollars...our extended does not cover this darn it. Oh well...I am worth it!!

3 weeks postpartum

Today, Courtney is 3 weeks old. I am still having issues with my veins, and made a follow up appointment with my doctor.

Just when you think that bleeding is slowing down, life gets busy and the bleeding picks up. So, that is my body telling me I am trying to do too much too soon. Hard to not do much when life is busy with family stuff.

But, today the bleeding is slowing down again. That is good. I feel good other than my veins, and my sciatic issues in my back. That should resolve too.

As for the bum troubles, the vein is going down but it is really not gone. Not sure if it will ever go down? Only time will tell. Atleast it doesn't hurt to laugh or sit anymore.

As for my arm vein, well that is looking and feeling way better. There is just a slight bruise left and the arm is softening up again!

I have also found my body joints to be achy from feeds, and sleeping funny (or maybe just from lack of sleep) but I am finding the lack of sleep fine, except I don't feel I have much of a brain left lol.

I noticed I dropped 2 more pounds, so I have lost 22 pounds of 34. Not bad for me 3 weeks past delivery.

I am excited about starting my plan, but I am waiting until January 2nd to start that! I look forward to making positive changes and creating a new me! A different new me! A fresh start! I will be starting my 140 pound plan! Yup! That is my goal weight! I hope to reach that goal by my 37th birthday!

November 26th 2007

Well, my baby is now 10 days old. Hard to believe time goes by so fast. I am enjoying every minute of her that is for sure.

I tried my best during my pregnancy to watch what I ate, and exercised as much as I could. I think that hard work has paid off, because today I am down 20 pounds out of 34 pounds which is really amazing to me. Usually in previous pregnancies I would have put on about 50 pounds.

I am only 14 pounds away from my pre pregnancy weight, but that weight is much too high. I am going to get down FINALLY to my GOAL weight! I have one in mind!

After I get over my vein troubles I was given the OK to go ahead by my doc to start exercising whenever I feel like it. So, hopefully in the next week or two I will just get out and walk. Even if it is on the treadmill for 20 mins. And, I also want to start working on my core strength. I don't think I have any core strength left. All of these pregnancies have done a real number on my body. I don't think I have abs, and if I do they are hiding under a fat roll.