Summer Hibernation? I think not!

So yeah, I’ve been hibernating a bit since May… I got a new job, got on the wagon, fell off the wagon and everything in-between. I know that I’ve said I’d be back at in the past and to stick around but the truth is I couldn’t even hold up that end of the bargain. Anyways I’m here now, in a great head space and with new focus.

I’m feeling really strong and determined today, I got  a lot accomplished around our apartment and made very smart choices at the grocery store. Now the hard part is being able to let that strength and determination carry me through my entire journey.  I guess it’s like they say: “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail”.

Feels good to be back!

XO

Ready, Set, Win!!

Would you be able to stay on track with your diet and exercise if a little cash-money were involved? If so read on!!

I came across dietbet.com today and totally want to host a challenge!

I think this would be a super fun way to get on track before the summer starts. It’s basically an online game where participants put money in a pot and work towards losing 4% of their starting weight in 4 weeks. Don’t worry your weight or photos will only be shared with Dietbet.com’s referees so there is no need to be shy/nervous. The official low down can be found by clicking here.

My $25 contribution is in the game pot and my challenge is starting on May 27th! Who’s joining me? I promise it will be super fun and who couldn’t use some extra money right? Let’s do this together! Join the challenge by clicking here: http://www.dietbet.com/games/16015.

Thoughtless Thursday

 

May Mayhem

Eek 13 days since my last blog post, that’s depressing 😦

What a crazy month it’s been thus far! We celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary on the 1st, I’m planning a Mother’s Day Tea Party on the 12th, my Birthday is on the 13th and on top of everything I’m in the midst of a job hunt! Are you exhausted yet? Because I sure am!

Applying for jobs these days is not a walk in the park to say the least. You’re constantly dealing with online postings, crazy profiling questions, recruiters and extensive testing. While I understand the means behind all of the information we provide, some of the tasks/questions can be daunting. Not to mention, you perform all of these tasks and you’re still not even guaranteed an interview!

Luckily, there are some really interesting opportunities on the market for me right now and I ‘ve kept quite busy with applications, phone calls and follow up emails. So far I’ve gone for 5 interviews and all of them except for 1 have gone really well.  The 1 that went not so well you may ask? Haha let me elaborate.

The interview was for an online venture capitalist firm who specializes in plastic surgery and the position was Executive Assistant to the CEO. The HR Manger was extremely friendly and an absolute pleasure to speak with. The position sounded fun and exciting along with great pay and benefits. The office was breathtaking and had a beautiful view BUT the CEO… He was definitely one of a kind! Here are just some of the completely inappropriate interview questions he asked me:

1. “What are your personal finances like?” 2. “Do you currently have any kids? Are you planning on having some anytime soon?” 3. “If I BBM you on the weekend I except you to reply in 5 minutes are you okay with that?”

Million dollar question: “Have you seen the movie A Devil Wears Prada?  I’m asking because I want you to be my Anne Hathaway.” I almost spit out my coffee at this one! Did he seriously just say that and is he forgetting that he is trying to sell me the job?!!

Being the courteous individual I am, I thank him for his time and tell him that I look forward to hearing from him.  He leaves the room and the HR Manager returns to say “He really enjoyed meeting with you and we will have an offer to you by Tuesday.” At this point I have no words…

My day then gets increasingly better by the hour; I get back to the office and snag my nylons, the fire alarm goes off  forcing me to go down 8 flights of stairs in 6” heels and on my way to another interview I’m the canvas for a seagull splatter paint project! Whomever said that having a bird poop on you is good luck, better be right! As of now,  all I have is a $45.00 dry-cleaning bill!

 

Dedication and hard work pays off!

I’m happy to say that things are going GREAT! I weighed in this morning at 183 pounds and I couldn’t be happier!

Here are my overall results:
Weight lost: 28 pounds
Inches lost: 11.7
Dress size: -1
Pant size:-2

For those of you that have just started following me, here’s what I’ve been doing:

I’m a Beachbody Coach and  follow the ChaLean Extreme workout program for 6 days a week for 30-45 mins no matter what.

I also eat a clean meal every 2 hours 7 days a week and drink at least 3 liters of water.

Here is an example of what I ate on Monday:

I’m here to share my journey and support those that surround me, so if you have any questions or just want someone to talk to message me!

 

Thoughtless Thursday

  

  

Frank couldn’t have said it better.

The people that know me/follow this blog probably know by now that if I haven’t written a post in over a week it’s probably because I messed up!  I guess I shouldn’t really say I messed up, it’s more like I had an off day and I’ve been EXTREMELY busy lately.

I’m not here to say “sorry for the lack of posts” or “I’m sure you’ve been wondering where I was”. To be quite frank, I’m sure the internet would go on even if I wasn’t contributing to it.

Monday night my lovely husband decided to take me out for a nice dinner because he was heading out of town on business the next day.  He took me to a seafood and chop house and I definitely over indulged.  We started off with freshly baked bread drizzled with lobster oil and balsamic, it was divine.  I ordered the jumbo scallops with a creamy butter sauce, vegetables and wild rice for my main course and the flavors were incredible.  We then took a stroll to a local frozen yogurt place and had a nice dessert. Sounds lovely right? NO.

I got home so stuffed that if my belly had buttons, they would have burst. I was incredibly uncomfortable and completely exhausted. This is when the anger set in; I sat on the couch pouting about what I had just done and how guilty I felt. My husband came in and saw me upset, to which he apologized for taking me to dinner and talking me into dessert.  I yelled and told him that the next time he wanted to take me for dinner to just go to Tiffany’s to buy me a new pair of earrings or something instead (can you say princess much?!).  Really, who yells at their husband for taking them out to dinner?!? After I had cooled down a bit I had a really great conversation with him and told him that it was not his fault. I told him that there are going to be situations that are difficult for me and that I need to learn how to say no.   Man-oh-man the stuff this poor guy suffers through!

Anyways, long story short I’m proud of the new me, the me that gave Tuesday a chance for a new beginning. The me that got back on track to the extent of working out at 11:23PM last night and most importantly the me that had the balls to kick the old me in the ass!!

It feels good to be back!

XO

Are all addictions the same?

About a year ago, I came to the conclusion that I was a Food Addict. I would eat and not feel full, go out of my way for a doughnut and cry for things I couldn’t have.  I knew I had a problem and I tried everything to stop it, diet after diet, nothing worked.  One morning I got on the scale and realized that I weighed 215 pounds. Weeks prior I was below 200, convinced the digital scale was broken I took it back to Wal-Mart. When she asked the reason for my return, I simply said that it was inaccurate. After my return was complete, I marched straight to the scale section and placed a good old fashion analog scale on the floor.  I stepped on the scale hoping that it would be more forgiving then the digital option, but to my surprise,  it wasn’t. I stood there for a minute almost in tears and decided that, that was the night I was going to change.

For the past few months I have been writing about what’s been working for me and some of my successes. To a general reader it may seem that everything has been easy peasy for me but it hasn’t. I struggle every single day to fight off old habits while I create a new way of life for myself.  I get in arguments with my husband, I cry and there are days that I feel like giving up.  Sometimes I dream about all of the things I would binge on if I had the chance, but then I come back to the life I have created and realize that it wouldn’t be worth giving up for a slice of pizza or order of poutine.

Today I have come to the conclusion that all addictions are similar. In fact, a study done on food addiction recently revealed that eating highly palatable foods has similar effect on the brain as cocaine and heroin. The study showed that once a food addict experiences pleasure associated with increased dopamine transmission in the brain, they quickly feel the urge to eat again. The more the person experiences these feelings, the more they develop a tolerance to food.  This then leads to a decreased level of satisfaction, encouraging the addict to overeat and in some cases become obese.

This blog and my ENORMUS commitment to Team Beachbody is my “rehab” and I appreciate having all of you as my support group.

So you’re a chef, but you don’t know how to beat a couple of eggs?!

My morning was full of frustration and HORRIBLE customer service until I ended up at IHOP.

This was the rant I posted on Yelp:

Now correct me if I’m wrong, but with all of the newly developed allergies and restrictions people have in their diets you would think most restaurants  would attempt to be as accommodating as possible.

That is all for now.

XO

Are you up for a challenge?

There is something to be said about someone that inspires others, it is my goal to be that someone.

I’m sure many of you have heard about Michael Moore and his “virtual walks” and if you haven’t, you need to read about it here. On March 18, 2012, Michael decided to go for a walk and America decided to join him. By the end of the week there were thousands of people in hundreds of cities and towns walking with Michael. Night after night people wrote… Michael asking to walk again and feeling obligated, he did. The reason you may ask? There was no reason at all, no prize at the end or specific goal to meet. They did it because they could and the benefits that came along with it were priceless.

Michael’s story inspired me and it was one of the many reasons I have decided to host the From Flab to Fit Accountability Group on Facebook. Starting April 14th we will encourage each other, work out together and share our ups and downs for a total of 15 days. It will be the perfect way to jumpstart your body for bikini/Speedo season!

I personally will be doing the ChaLean Extreme program but I invite you to use any Beachbody program suited to your needs. Note: if you have questions about which Beachbody program is right for you, just ask! I’m happy to help!

As your Coach, I will provide you with:

• An invitation to my group on Facebook where you will have access to amazing resources and ideas to keep you fit and healthy
•Unlimited guidance and motivation via phone, email or text
•Access to nutritional information/recipes
•Fun prizes along the way

How to participate:

• Must have or purchase a Beachbody program.
• Sign up for your FREE Beachbody membership by clicking here
• Create an online profile to track your results and before/after photos
• Log your workouts online in the Supergym for a chance to win prizes.
• Share your results with the group- this includes the good, the bad and the ugly

Think this sounds like fun?! Join me today!!

Note: For those of you that wish to continue you beyond April 29th I will be hosting a Challenge group and there will be some MEGA prizes up for grabs.