how many flights?

I mentioned yesterday that I signed up for the World Wildlife Fund (not the WWE world wrestling entertainment) CN Tower Stair Climb.  It's about 1700 stairs give or take and to prepare for the event I got the Cardio Style ST100 stepper. 

Before you get too excited, it was 50 bucks at Canadian Tire, but that's not the point.  The point is, it will do the job to get me ready!

I put it together and after a few minutes of jury rigging the magnet the computer started working and I was able to track calories, time and stairs climbed. I figure I will wear my polar HRM too since it is a lot more accurate. 

I hopped on and went 300 stairs in 5 minutes, not bad since I haven't used a stepper since I was 15.  I remember it fondly, I purchased that stepper from Consumers Distributing with Christmas money I got and lost about 30lbs on it in just a few months...too bad that was half my life ago and many many pounds ago lol.

Anyway, I plan to get stepping 3 times a week and with such a compact machine there is NO reason why I can't watch the hockey game or a bit of TV with my hubby while stepping my way to 1700 steps.

I also realized on the computer, it counted both feet going up and down as 1, so I think technically I just have to go about 900 steps on the machine to prepare for the climb.  I think it might be better though to do the full 1700 just in case.

Motivation comes in many ways

I don't remember exactly when I met Marc, I just know it was years ago. I had been hired by his girlfriend in what I called my first real job. I was working for a growing software development company in Toronto and couldn't have been more excited.

Fast forward four years and Marc hired me to work in the health care software industry. I was very lucky to have the opportunity to work with Marc and learn from him. I will never forget my first day at that company. Marc picked me up during a terrible storm, we were flying to Ottawa to have a kickoff meeting for one of the projects I was going to manage. That was the one and only time I had seen an executive hold a meeting in socked feet. He was very professional and the presentation went really well until Marc opened the meeting for questions, someone asked if that was his first meeting without shoes on the room of 30 people all started giggling.

I found out last night that Marc passed away Friday after battling cancer. Participating in the WWF CN Tower Stair Climb event something Marc did for a few years and he even did it last year. I decided today that I would do the climb in Marc's memory since he is not here to do it. The climb is 1700 (give or take) stairs so tomorrow I am getting a stair climber to start training for the event.

information is powerful

I felt it was time to hop on the scale as I was avoiding it since November I think.  I was exactly where I figured I was weight wise, my water % was WAY too low and my fat % was way too high!    In the past I would have seen the number on the scale and been really depressed about it and probably gone and sabotaged myself with some really bad food, but not this time.  This time I didn't get upset or down on myself about it, I saw it as the information I needed to refocus myself.

I promptly got my butt on the treadmill and went for a run/walk session for 35 minutes.  I also adjusted the menu for this evening's get together and decided to go for some healthier options instead of fat-filled apps.  I have some shrimp and chicken marinating and will prepare an antipasto platter with multi gran baguettes and some very yummy cheeses. I know the cheese isn't the healthiest options...but I LOVE cheese and don't have it very often.

I have been struggling with exercising regularly as I have been working long hours lately and I know that is not a valid excuse as I have a home gym.  I think part of the problem is that I don't have a specific goal or event to focus on and use as motivation like I did last year.  I have to do some soul-searching and figure out what my goals will be to keep myself focused and on the wagon...my friends blog is titled "She said I need a goal" and that couldn't be more true!

belly rise, belly fall

I went to my Thursday night yoga class this evening.  I look forward to this class every week and miss it in many ways when I don't get there.  This is my hour to turn off all the thoughts that are usually racing through my mind.  This is my hour to think about nothing but inhaling and exhaling.  This is my hour to bend, twist and turn as much as possible to cleanse my body of toxins as the beads of sweat trickle down my face all the way to my toes.  This is my hour.

I remember the first time I went to a hot yoga class.  I was searching for something new to try, something that I could do for exercise and something that I could do to just feel better.  I felt a void in my life and yoga was the answer.  I needed something that was for me by myself and that would help me in my goal to live a healthy lifestyle.  I had gone to a different studio, one that was not quite what I was looking for so I left and made my way to the Moksha Yoga studio I had found online.  When I walked in I was a little nervous, the lobby was buzzing with people leaving from the previous session.  I spoke with the friendly people at the desk and had a tour of the studio.  I really wasn't sure what to expect but I signed the paper work, rented a mat and towel and off I went to lay in shavasana until the class started. 

The room was hot, humid, dark and still.  Although there were many people in the room it was silent.  I unrolled my mat, straighted the towel and laid down facing the ceiling.  I finished the class not really sure how I felt about it, it was a hard work out and I knew I wasn't doing the postures quite right but I went back a few more times.  That was back in February 2009 and while it was touch and go to start I am beginning to find out what yoga is really all about.  If you go or have gone then you know what I am talking about.  If you haven't tried it, give it a shot and go for a few sessions, you might be pleasantly surprised.

running & music

I think running is the purest form of exercise you can do.  Nothing beats the feeling of your heart pounding in your chest, the blood pumping through your veins, the bass thumping in your headphones and the sound of your favourite song blaring on your MP3 player.  I love feeling the burn of a good run, taking the deep breaths and the incredible runners high you get after.

My workout yesterday was already taking its toll last night and I certainly felt it today.  Kick boxing identifies muscles you didn't even know you had!  I was watching a video about an hour ago and saw someone running on a treadmill and thought that looks like a great idea.  I figured it might also help with the tightness I am feeling today and I was right, it did and I am so glad I got a kick run in.  I went 30 minutes and although I didn't do 5km I glad I went for as long as I did.  Any workout is better than no workout! 
Right now, I am in love with this song "The XX - Intro" for me it is one of those songs that brings out so much emotion that I really have no words to describe how it makes me feel.  Do yourself a favour and have a listen.   This song is the kind of song you want run to or rollerblade to with the wind at your back and the sun on your face.  I'm already looking forward to summer.

Motivation

I decided to change up the look of my blog to give me a little added motivation.  I usually head south for a week in the winter to soak up the sun (getting a little extra vitamin D) and relax on the beach.  Living in Canada the winter can be long and cold and I really really love getting away.  This year somethings came up so plans had to be put on hold but I am working on a spring trip instead.

Last year while on my winter vacation I wore my first bikini ever!  I had bought two and I loved wearing them all week long.  I had brought a one-piece suit with me just in case I lost my nerve but as it turned out, I never wore it!  This was a huge milestone for me as I had never been comfortable or self confident enough to even consider wearing a bikini before that trip and it felt amazing to be able to strut my stuff around the resort. 

So with a trip in the spring on my mind I think this will be a great motivator to keep me focus and on the workout wagon.  I want to be in even better shape for this trip and I plan to get a new bikini to celebrate!

...

I tried a new kick boxing studio this morning and I can safely say that was one of the hardest workouts I have ever done!  I actually felt like I was going to be sick for a couple minutes so I know I probably pushed a little too hard.  I don't know that this is what I was looking for.  It was a great workout in terms of the calorie burn, I just don't know that I loved it enough to do this a couple times a week.  I think I enjoy Yoga and running more.  So I am thinking my workout plan will be something like this...

Monday - Running
Tuesday -  Booty Camp DVD or Strength Training
Wednesday - Running
Thursday - Yoga
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Booty Camp DVD or Strength Training
Sunday - Rest

mid week update

I tried kick boxing on Monday night with a couple friends.  I really enjoyed the activity but I wasn't too keen on the place.  It just seemed disorganized and unprofessional so we are looking for other options.  If you want an activity that is fun and really makes you feel empowered then you have to try fitness kick boxing. 

I felt pretty worn out after the class, it's been a while since I have pushed myself that hard.  I woke up feeling under the weather on Tuesday and pretty much lost my voice...talking at work all day didn't help either.  I was walking pretty funny for the past two days but feeling better physically today...the voice is getting a bit better but I didn't talk as much today.  I was planning to get to yoga this evening as well, but with the winter storm we are having right now, it took my almost two hours to get home.  By the time I got out of the car, the last thing I wanted to do was go back out and drive across town.  So it looks like a class this weekend is on the schedule instead...which is fine, I just really like the Thursday class.

My diet over the past few days has been really good and I am getting my water in take back up to where it use to be.  I have not however been able to get my 5 days of activity in this week with being sick, but I am not going to give up on that plan, I just have to feel a little better then I will get back to working out more often.

so far...so good.

Look out 2011, here I come!

My husband and I sat down yesterday and decided on a couple goals and resolutions we both felt were important for this year.

1) A place for everything and everything in its place.  The overall resolution, to clean up after ourselves every day resulting in a tidy house everyday!  I already started purging clutter and junk yesterday getting rid of a garbage bag of "stuff" within a few small areas around the house...it felt great and I can actually see the desk in our office.

2) Exercise regularly, for me its five days a week and I start this evening with my first kickboxing class.

3) Eat healthy 95% of the time.  You have to allow yourself some indulgences once in a while and for us, this will probably be Hockey Night in Canada on Saturdays with wings and homemade wing sauce. 

4) For me specifically, to study and get my PMP certification.

That's it, the list is short and sweet but specific and really, should be easy to follow and a lot it reflects my plan I posted a few days ago.

It was three years ago now that I made the change and started living an overall more healthy life and my husband got on board two years ago.  For us, we certainly feel better when we are moving regularly and fueling our bodies with healthy whole foods.  I am taking a different approach this year however when it comes to my weight loss efforts.  Instead of focusing on the scale and what I "weigh" I am going to focus more on my clothing size more than anything.  I had to resist getting on the scale as I felt if I did that this morning then I would have been discouraged as I know I have gained a bit of the weight back from the summer and I didn't want to start with a negative attitude and drown my self pity in junk food. 

I wanted to remind myself of where I have come from for motivation as I start back on the journey to find my skinny self...she's there...I see her, not yet as clearly as a mirror image, the view of her is a little foggy kinda like a dream, but I know she is there and waiting for me!
                                                                                          

 Is it 5:30 yet? I can't wait to go kick my butt at kick boxing!