For all the Picture Whores!

Well its been a really good day, busy but good! 2 of my best friends are getting married.....to each other which I am so happy about! They each have such unique qualities about them that make them so special and to have to only go to visit 2 of my favorite people at the same house is a timesaving bonus jk :P

I am a part of the wedding party and today was the day of the shower. Life is sooo busy sometimes, from the conference last week, working OT all day yesterday (and apparently every sat in March), and the wedding shower(s) today, its tough to ensure that life stays on track sometimes. But well if ya know me, I am huge on planning and staying on course with my program, so while the guests munched on .....

I dug into my own bit of deliciousness :) :)

and no, the wine on the right isnt mine....but the 1.5L of water on the left is :) hehehe I have such good friends, my girlfriend, the one getting married, whispers to me....'you brought your own food again didn't you :)'

She has one more shower tonight...ya, I know, 2 showers and on the same day yet! So while they are munching on cake, pie and chili, Ill be having walnut crusted salmon and veggies. No pics yet!

For those of you that asked about what meals I took with me on my trip here is a snap shot of the goods :)

And the following pics are a week old but the newest that I have of my progress :) Stomach is getting smaller :) Slowly but Surely !




left side








Bum!





Front



Judging a Book by it's Cover

Finally home time!!!

I have been at a conference away from home for the past six days and its been rough. The content was tough. The people were new and I don't feel connected to them. Many meals were served to me and many problems arose with this way of doing things. The gym was weak and things were generally uncomfortable.....

What did I take away from this......

I learned that life is not easy (well I already knew this but it was a good reminder!!)

I learned that my lifestyle demands planning. The program insisted on served buffet meals, this wasn't going to work for me. I planned, planned and planned some more on how to make my time there easier. I packed snacks, lunches, suppers and breakfasts. ALL MEALS. I used the old Murphy's Law rule, if something can go wrong it will go wrong.

I learned to McGyver. I went to the local gym and saw the lack of equipment and the faulty death trap stuff. What did I do? Did I turn around and go home? Did I just do cardio instead? NO! I tied bands together, I changed the set up of the moveable equipment, I got the job done!

I learned that tv is not what I remember it to be. I spent time in front of it, switched the channels, and took advantage but I soon found out I had gotten over my burning urge to see what was on. Instead, by day 2, I decided that making use of the buildings 19 flights of stairs was more fun. I climbed and climbed and rode the elevator down and did it all again..and again.....and again..... :)

I learned that family and their support are missed when not around. I like to hear their words of encouragement. It keeps me going and propells me further.

I learned that sometimes the words 'what is that??? What are you eating???' is not always necessarily a bad thing. Smetimes people just want to know, they don't know what is healthy and they WANT to learn. This was a great way to meet people. Many of them wanted to know why I ate differently. Although I know I didn't reach everyone, I know I know I reached a few. Going to be mailing out a few more recipes to a few more people :)

I noticed that my dedication to my sport is recognized and makes me a much better person. Every morning I was at that gym, working out, pushing hard, leaving sweaty, and eager to come back and do it again. And those who saw me were encouraged. Those that didn't heard about it from those that had and had questions on how they should start.

All in all, even though it may not have been the best week, you can't judge a book by its cover. I learned so much from this week that it makes it all worth while :)

Still not missing TV

A little fact about me is that in my home I don't have tv. Wait, thats wrong. I have a tv BUT I do not subscribe to cable, sati-light or even get farmer vision. I made the decision 3years ago when I bought my home to domthe Internet thing and get tv once I was caughtnup with the adjustment of all the payments that would occur.
Well I got adjusted a long time ago and yet don't have tv. It kills my boyfriend. He has often said to me "why can't you be like everyone else and just get it?" and when my dad visits (once a year) he complains the whole time. My mum visits but she also has dropped a hint here and there about getting it. A couple weeks back I was even contemplating getting it as I was getting a bit tired of hearing it all the time....
This week at the hotel has been a real eye opener for me. I still DO NOT want it! I found that I wasted many hours in front of it, nothing really stood out and I could have been doing something better with my time...like getting in a workout!!! I guess I have become so comfortable with myself that spending hours alone, with out the jibber jabber of the noise in the back ground, doesn't bother me in the least. I wonder if thats why people get it to begin with?

Why the opposition?

Just a little rant here.....yesterday the manager of the kitchen at the radisson hotel in Saskatoon and I went over what I can and can't eat. He knew 2 weeks before I came here what foods were allowed and which I couldn't. I requested a meal plan that followed what a diabetic could eat, simple enough you would think. As there are other members of the conference that I am attending have dietary needs, the host of this conference choose the radisson as they claim to be able to accommodate all dietary needs.
Well this does not seem to be the case. Monday they had me confused with having celiac's. The host spoke to the kitchen and re-gave them my list of allowable foods. Tuesday they prepared me nothing. When the host spoke to them again, they said that they weren't aware of my needs??? What??? So why did you try feeding me flourless bread on Monday??? Why did we give you the list of foods yet again??? So they quickly came up with chicken breast and veggies.
Then felt the need to approach a few of my co-workers and discuss my diatary needs in a negative manner. Such lack of professionalism!
And today I received a scoop of bland tuna on 1 lettuce leaf. Yupp, that's right. One scoop of tuna on lettuce. Huge sign of disrespect, lack of professionalism and just a spiteful thing to do. You better believe that the manager will be spoke to about this tomorrow!!

Is it really free?

I am doing as well as I can here. Following the plan and at some meals I haven't weighed the veggies, done it by eye but I think because I have been measuring everything for a while now, I am doing pretty good with it. Been supplementing the meals they have given me with some of my own foods, like nuts and almond butter as I told them I can't have oil. I figure I couldn't measure how much they were using so this would be easier. They have been giving me huge pieces of meat so have been splitting it and eating it at later meals. Actually really good at telling how many ounces something is to with all this weighing things. I tested my self, guessing than weighing and am pretty smack on. 3 oz does not look like very much chicken lol.

Its tough cause they serve the most delicious looking fruit and dessert platters but I don't even go near it. First day I picked up a home made granola bar and put it on my plate. But then realized even if it's free, it's really not. I just have to work that much harder to get it off. Needless to say, I chucked it in the garbage. Besides homemade good ones don't glisten with sugar crystals :)

Observations from this week so far

Airplanes - I am not a big person size wise and yet I barely could fit in the wash room on the plane

Eating a special diet - why do people have to question why you eat the way you do. I tell you I eat a diabetic meal plan and provide you with a list of items I can eat. Why do you have to harass me with questions and are reluctant to cook these foods when you had advanced notice. And then go on the speak to my co-workers about MY eating habits.

Why are there 13 people in this course that are obese or drastically oversight and there are only 18 in total?

Why do you ask me why I don.t control my diabetes with insulin rather then food? First of all, I don't really have diabetes but it's a healthy way to eat. And secondly, why would you advocate the use of medicine over healthy eating?

Traveling, planning and grannies

Getting ready for my work trip this weekend. Asked for a diabetic meal plan as they are suppose to feed me but, well you never know what you are going to get so I spent a couple hours yesterday portioning, planning and packing enough food for the week...now just locating a suitcase that fits that AND all my clothes lol. I awed for a fridge in my room so that way I can store it in there. If they actually can feed me stuff I can eat, I have already asked the hotel if I can store my own food in their freezer. That way I an bring it home and use it for the week after.....

My weight has been in and around 126 for the past 4 days, been checking it in the morning. Been following the plan religiously and haven't even had one 'cheat'. Think this is the longest that I have gone with out breaking..and you know what? I find it easier each and everyday to say no to sweets. Don't even crave them what so ever. It's always when I start with just one that my cravings get a mind of their own. 

I feel like I am running out of steam sooner in the gym by a bit. Pushing out all the exercises but dead at the end. I'm scared of losing muscle, I love my muscle. Funny thing my granny said to me the other day...in the same breath she told me (in her own way) that muscles aren't for girls, and then she followed that up with......"your eating enough protein right?" hahaha....I love her but we differ on the views of gym, muscles and girls working out :)

Fibs and pics....be gentle!

One day left til the weekend and Im not sure if I am happy or sad about
 that. Normally I would be estatic as I really really enjoy my weekends
 but this one is being cut in half as I have to travel on Sunday for work
 to the province over. Im a little bit worried about whats coming up for
 next week as I am going to be in a hotel room from Sunday afternoon
 until Friday evening and I won't have access to my fridge/freezer and or
 regular gym. It worries me because I have worked sooo hard at this
 program and I don't want to be messing it up now.

 I think I have done as much as I possibly could to prevent any diet
 mishaps...I called ahead to the hotel and requested a fridge and
 microwave in my room, I plan on bringing food with me so tonight I am
 going to sit down and plan all my meals, pull out things that are
 frozen so I can cook them tommorow or Sat,and get portion sizes
 right...thats 47 meals to do for one week away from home....Its a
 conference type even that I am going to and they feed you, but well we
 all know what this means...The cheaper, starchier and unhealthier the
 better. Hello muffins, donuts, pancakes, bulk unhealthy lasagna, and
 anything else that you can produce in cheap mass production... 

I kinda told a fib to the organisers. Kinda but not really and I am
 beyond feeling guilty about it now. I may have mentioned that I need to
 eat a diabetic diet. It is the closest diet plan that coincides with the
 way that I eat and I want to be able to stay on track as this time
 around, my goals will not be easily broken. I want to clarify...I didn't
 tell them I was diabetic, I just said that I had to eat a diabetic meal
 plan!

 

I had promised on MFH that I would post a new recipe but I have made it already and i want to post pics, of which I forgot to take. Don't worry it will be coming up soon! And its worth the wait....How about this...it tastes like cheesecake and is made of cottage cheese...if you don't believe me youwill have to give it a try...I PROMISE you won't be disappointed!!

 

The following are some pics taken 2 weeks ago. Was going to post on MFH but find this much easier!

 

Front

Front

side

Back

These pics are from the beginning of my journey with TC. Goals are to get rid of the flab, get lean muscle and look hot in a bikini!

Rest Days

ahhh...rest days! So important...could kinda get used to this having 2 a
week. With my old planning I used to only have one off a week, never
planned, just when I couldn't make it to the gym. Having a rest days
isn't affecting me as much as I thought it would, its very true that
your body needs them!! I feel re-energised and wanting to go to the gym
when my next work out comes, rather then slow, sluggish and barely
making it through my workouts or feeling forced (by myself) to be there.
 
I just wish rest days included not running around for other people, my
boyfriend seems to always know when I have free time and finds things
for me to do, which this morning included running all over town to
exchange a battery for him for a drill he bought recently. He works
outside of the city and couldn't do it, I don't really mind, I just wish
that I could have slept in. Well who am I kidding, my body has become so
used to waking up for the gym that I never get a wink past 5:45am...no
matter how late I go to bed. 
Yupp, that's right, I am one of those crazy people that is first in the
gym every morning. I find for myself that I have to do my workouts
before 'life' gets in the way. I have tried to go after work but because
I work til either 5 or 6 pm Monday through Friday, I have absolutely no
energy or drive to go, no matter how good my intentions are! I have
really become a morning person, enjoying my breakfast, getting up early
enough so that I won't be rushed, and I know really enjoy going to bed
early, usually around 10 as I can't keep my eyes open much longer than
that anyway. 
I find the atmosphere of the gym quite different in the mornings
compared to the evenings as well. There are the regulars, the ones that
always look forward to seeing you, saying hi, getting in, working out
and getting out. People that are actually there because they want to be.
In the evenings there are people like this as well but a much smaller
group. I find that at my gym, a lot of people that go are there for the
socializing aspect, taking up space on the machines and not really
coming in for a dedicated work out. Mind you, this may be different at
your gym and props to those people that get in there to actually work
out after work, I just can't do it!
 

Trust

Lots of things are going on in my life right now, starting a new aspect
of my career in addition to my current job, a promotion without the pay
if you will. I have taken on another roommate in my home and am getting
adjusted to the new sights, smells and extra $ it costs to have him
around. Living with 2 boys is much better then living with 2 girls
though! Have a BF that is fairly new (only 6 months into our
relationship) and getting used to being able to communicate my thoughts
on what I want to do and having to work with another person, rather then
just doing what I want when I want. I have also started a new
diet/exercise program recently, lots of new stuff happening!

What do all of these things have in common...the need for trust. I trust
that my new position will give me confidence in public speaking and that
it will help me develop skills to further my career. I trust that having
another roommate will have many pro's that will outweigh the con's, like
paying of my mortgage faster! I trust that having and maintaining my new
relationship will help me to grow and that I will learn new things and
gain companionship. And lastly I trust that my new program will help me
get closer to my goals.

As I have said before, I am working with TC and I have put my trust in
her. Exercise wise, the program is different then what I was doing. Its
great because its re-charged my passion of working out. My old program,
though I changed up the exercises, really didn't change....I did 3 sets
of this, 3 sets of that, no cardio/ weights together and it got bland. I
thought that what I was doing was good, but failed to see any results
after a while. I would change the exercises but no visible results
occurred. With this program I feel stronger, excited, pumped about doing
it! I look forward to going to the gym again, and if nothing else that's
a bonus!

The nutrition aspect is drastically different as well. completely
different! Since I lost my weight, I have always paid attention to what
I eat. I always plan the next days meal, have them packaged and ready to
go, have spare healthy food in my purse for those "just-in-case"
moments, never stocked my cupboards with anything that I knew I couldn't
control myself around (CHIPS!). This helped me get to where I am, above
average healthy, in good athletic shape and a healthy weight. But it
didn't get me to where I know I want to be. In the best shape that I
possible can be in! No Muffin top! So I have also taken on a new way of
dieting (side note, I hate the word diet! I believe in lifestyle change
:) ) I am working with TC to see what works for my body to get rid of
those last 10 or so lbs (another side note: I hate the scale and don't
really care what it says, I believe more in the image in the mirror!)
and this called for big changes to my eating habits. 

I trust that eating at night, healthy delicious snacks, is good for me.
Its the choices we make, I have found out, that make the difference. A
certain time of day does NOT determine the # on the scale. I trust that
upping my fat intake will not make me fat, but actually boost my
'fat-burning factory!", I trust that the macros I have been given are
specific to me and that they will take me to where I want to go, even if
it is different and out side of my comfort zone! And though it is scary
to me, I trust TC when she says that a re-feed is what I need :) So
tonight, on V-Day, while my BF is trying to pay attention to the movie,
Ill be quietly munching away on all my delicious carbs that before to me
would have been a big ol' NO NO! It'll actually be nice to have a treat
at a movie...its been a while :)
 
So question to you, in what or who do you trust and why?

Resisting Temptations

Isn't the day past hump day great? For the most of us it signals that the end of the work week is near, the weekend is in sight and the alarm clock won't need to be set. I love Thursdays! Well most Thursdays anyway. At my work when we have staff events to celebrate such as new babies, marriages, retirements etc the office holds a pot luck. In my larger days this was a heaven for me! Cream puffs, cookies, platters of everything you could think of and more! I would be right in there like white on rice! I would even organise these large elaborate events.

Today at work was one of these events. The social committee held a pot luck to recognise that one of our colleagues was leaving the office to go to another position. A potluck was organised and planned, a cake was bought, there was chips, dips, cream puffs, cheesy spaghetti, fruit trays, cookies (6 types), dinner rolls, the list goes on and on....and on....Oh how I wanted to join, My desk is right near the staff room and the delicious smells kept wafting in my direction...calling my name.."Layce, you know you want a nibble, a nibble won't hurt"....Seriously! I am sure I heard that !!! lol

I seriously considered just seeing what was there to be had, It wouldn't hurt right? Well, your right, it wouldn't hurt but it defiantly wouldn't help. Today was hard. There is no denying that! But I resisted! I held back. I did not eat one thing that was not pre-planned, and pre-packed in my lunch kit! I read through my 'bible' (my current program that I am working on with my Trainer, TC)-  this helped me focus. I emailed my Mum and told her about the potluck, and she came back with "I call you the Iron Lady, not just because you lift, but because you have determination!". I texted TC and she encouraged me not to partake as "victory tastes sweeter". I thought about how good the food that I brought was, prob tasted 100x better as I love to cook (no bias here lol) and majority of the items were store bought. I thought about how ASS-TASTIC I am going to look in that bikini this summer. And as I did these things I watched as all my colleagues made 1 trip, 2 trips, 3, 4 ,5 trips back for more. And I realised that I didn't envy them. At all. I work a desk job and there is no physical activity involved whatsoever. I am not changing positions anytime soon and I do NOT want to be at risk for diseases that I could have prevented if I took better care of myself. I love my co-workers. They are the reason that I go back to work everyday as the job itself isn't. But do I envy their lifestyle choices. No.

I'v changed and I no longer want to participate. Its a decision I believe in fully as I know me better than anyone, if I start with one cookie, one chip, one any delicious re-fined carb, there is no stopping!! None!! I will plough through anything and everything! I have the old pics to prove it! And I have worked hard to get to where I am physically and mentally and I am working harder to get in even better shape.

Today started off sour but you know what, it ended great! TC was right, Victory is even sweeter.

And I think I deserve a reward...well everyday I make it through my program I think I deserve a reward :) so here is the recipe for my delicious yummy Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Brownies -

1 scoop chocolate protein powder - (I have also used cookies and cream!!)
1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 c warm water
1 tbls all natural no additives peanut butter

take the first two ingredients and mix them together

then add the water and mix, it should be like a thick pudding. (also tastes delicious eating it like this with out cooking it)

depending on your microwave (wattage) you are going to put it in until the edges are cooked but the middle is gooey delicious. You really have to watch the first few times you make this. With my microwave it takes 12 seconds, at my boyfriends its 30s! If you overcook it, it gets dry and not so tasty :(

Once its cooked pull it out, put the all natural peanut butter on top and mix, eat, enjoy!!!

This recipe also can be halved (as I have to do to fit my macro's currently), just be sure to watch the cooking time!!!

Till next time, remember......bigger snacks make for bigger slacks!

Blogger Virgin!

Well folks, I've finally decided that I can't keep all my thoughts cooped up in my head so I'm going to share them all with you :) Aren't you lucky??? I want this blog to be focused on fitness and nutrition, 2 of my biggest passions! I love to workout, both cardio and with weights. I love to challenge my body daily and to keep it guessing of what its going to to next. I believe that 90% of what we look like is directly related to what we put in our mouths - good thing that I absolutely love to cook, a true foodie. I love grocery shopping, cooking, baking and experimenting! I plan on sharing plenty of fabulous delicious recipes with you....that are healthy!! YES, healthy food is delicious.

Currently I am working with an online trainer, TC. This is new to me, 5 days new actually. I have worked out steady (5-6 days/week) for the past 3-4 years and have come a long long way! Ill post pics soon. I have lost a lot of fat and replaced it with muscle but am now at a stand still results wise and have been for a while. I am very proud of what I have accomplished thus far and can't wait to see where I can go from here. I have wanted to get to a higher level and have decided to seek advice. Which was tough, I am competitive and driven and sometimes its tough to ask for help. What made it easy was when I learned that even trainers have trainers. Its that extra input, those unbiased opinions, the knowledge that makes it worth while the extra help that gets you to that next level! My experience so far has been 100% positive. TC has created a plan for me that was quite different from what I was doing and exactly what my body needs. I have loved the different workouts - much more intervals, supersets and added cardio. And my body has loved it to. In the short time I can tell that its responding positively as I have felt muscles that I haven't felt in a long time and i have been working out so much!

A question I am going to leave you with, Do you work with a trainer or not and what are the reasons for your decision?