As One Year Ends......

 A new one begins and I feel refreshed and determined.

While my overall weight is lower than it was when the year started....not as low as I wanted.

I have some good plans in place to make it happen and my bestie Julie and I have great plans in the works to be successful!

This year's motto:


I AM......

What is your motto for 2017?

2nd Day of Fitmas

On the 2nd day of fitmas, my Tuesday gave to me....my TOPS Christmas Potluck Party!"

Today is Tuesday, which means it's TOPS night.  While I haven't blogged or reported on it in quite some time....I am still a member.  Tonight is our annual Christmas potluck.  I am bringing my "famous" cold veggie pizza and bringing some buns and butter.

I say famous because it goes over so well and it's the only time I get it.

I'm hoping to also get my miles in before the party, it will just depend on how my day goes.

I will do a bigger blog update later with my trek to North Pole, Alaska later :-)

1st Day of Fitmas

"On the first day of fitmas, my best friend gave to me.....a challenge to get me healthy!"

Did you sing along?

So, today marks the first day of a virtual walking challenge sponsored by Yes Fit.  It's a Christmas themed one, with limited medals available.  The minute my girlfriend Julie brought it to my attention, I knew I had to sign up!  I had to because I have actually been to this destination, and it was during some of the best times in my life!

The challenge is pretty simple...the race itself is 11.5 miles or 18.5 km, for us Canadians!  We decided to give ourselves 12 days to complete it...starting yesterday technically and ending on December 23rd.  For me it means I have to walk about 1.5 km each day extra.  As part of the challenge, we also agreed to wear festive hats while doing it and be pretty active on all our forms of social media...so stay tuned to Facebook and Instagram for me.

Even though it's too late you officially join the race and earn the medal...you can still join us in spirit!!  Follow along with us on Facebook or on Instagram...we have some awesome hashtags for you to throw around!!

So Yeah........

It's amazing how time flies!

I have hardly paid any attention to this little blog space in quite some time.

So, here's the thing....I'm back on my low wave of motivation and inspiration and I am trying my hardest to ramp it back up.  I did really well and lost almost 10 lbs in a month and then in a quick 3 weeks, I let myself slack and put on 3 lbs!  I was so disheartened, with no one to blame but myself of course.  I just gave up on watching what I was eating and didn't think twice about that piece of chocolate or that ice cream bar, etc.  I didn't worry about my step goal each day or doing any form of extra exercise.

I was having a little conversation with another friend on her own journey.  I asked her what she was doing to be so successful.  Aside from her weekly meetings with TOPS for accountability, she is also doing Weight Watchers online to help with staying on track with the food.  Why had I not ever thought of that?  I always avoided Weight Watchers like the plague, because it's expensive and meetings are about 30 minutes away from me.  So I looked up the cost to do it online and it's only $22 a month, which isn't crazy expensive, considering I can spend that on crap each month.  So, I'm going to give it a shot.  Perhaps it will give me the boost I need to get me through for a little bit longer.

I wish I could simply calorie count and exercise on my own, but it's not working out for me in the long run.

So, I am going to finish up this post and head on over and sign up.  No excuses, if's and's or but's!

What are you going to do to make a change for the better in your life?  How is your current plan working out for you?  If it's not....make a change.

My 600-Lb Life

It's been a very long time since I have sat down and written anything in this space.  It's not because I don't think this page has value or that people don't enjoy reading it....it's just that:

• I got hooked on Instagram and realized I can use it to send out short messages and updates.
• I have a Facebook page where I do the same thing
• At the end of the day, I am tired, ready to relax, but also need to get my exercise in, because I prefer to do it at the end of the day when the kids are in bed.

 I have been doing my best to stay motivated, but it is so hard!  I set myself a challenge for April to hit my step goal every day.  My daily step goal is 10,000 steps and while I don't often have much trouble if I put my mind to it...there are times when it just can't happen.   So I challenged myself to reach 300,000 by April 30th.  So far, I am ahead of schedule and expect that not to change in the next few days.  This challenge had me realize that to reach that goal, I needed to just walk for an additional 30-45 minutes each day.  For May, I am planning to increase my daily step goal to 11,000.  I reached that most days during April, so I want to experiment with that.

While I have the exercise part down, the food aspect is still in the crapper!  My results on the scale each week are pretty much NOT inspirational!  I know what needs to be done and I need to focus on that!

By now, you are probably wondering where my blog title fits into all of this.

Have you watched the TLC show, My 600-Lb Life?  I would label this as a guilty pleasure show...one I don't really tell anyone I watch and if someone comes in the room, I switch it off.  At first I thought I liked to watch it because it gave me something to watch that left me feeling better than someone else....and part of that is still true if I am being honest.  I watch it and am always stunned as to how these people could get to 600+ pounds and not realize it....and then one day....I watched and realized just how easy it could be!  Weight is a funny thing....it creeps up on you....it's not like you put on 100 lbs in a week....no, it's a little bit here and a little bit there, until eventually, your clothes are a bit snugger, so you go up one size.  Maybe you have a partner that loves you regardless of your size, or family that makes excuses for you.  For most of these people on the show....they appear to come from a low social economic class, which I know contributes...they often come from a family where other members are larger too.  Far too often I also see family that enables their behavior, however, I can understand that one too.   One of the other key points I noticed is they have not set themselves up with any check points.   They do not have anyone or anywhere to be accountable to on the scale each week.  For many of them....until they start seeing the doctor that will perform weight loss surgery on them...they don't even really know how much they weigh.  For me...this is SUCH a key piece!  I attend my TOPS meeting each week and I know that without it....there is a very real chance my own weight would be over 300 lbs!

I beg you...if you are on this journey and have not set up some sort of weekly accountability with the scale...please do so!  I KNOW the scale is not the only reflection of how you are are doing or the success you are having, but you have to start somewhere!  It's at least going to tip you off if the scale is going up more than it should.

How can you find accountability?  Joining TOPS is always my first recommendation....but there are other programs out there...find one and join!  If that doesn't work for you....find a friend or family member and ask them to help you out.   Set one day each week where you will report to them.  Even if you don't want to actually tell them your weight....as least report if you are up or down!  The point is...you need to do SOMETHING!  Message me....I am  more than happy to be your support!  While the work going into it needs to be something you do yourself....this journey does not need to be...the "weight" and challenge that goes along with it needs to be spread out!  You can do it...but you don't need to do it alone!!!!!!

Week In Review

So, I have completed my first week of my new plan.

I have to say, it didn't go terrible, but there is still room for improvement.

As for the challenge.....I need to LOG, LOG, LOG!  That is my toughest point and will be for so long!  Log Amy, Log!!!

I decided for the week to kick the soda habit (or for us Canadians...pop)  I had gotten to the point where I was drinking about 3 cans a day.  While I wasn't able to resist the urge completely, I did only have about 3 cans of pop over the entire week and increased my water intake significantly!  So, I consider it a success!

As for my daily challenges....the only one I failed was the NO SWEETS or TREATS!  My co-worker brought me a fresh brownie and it was SO delicious!!

I was also on par with my Supernatural walking challenge...I won't have final numbers until tomorrow morning....but I did some good time on the treadmill this week....so I should hit my minimum of 39.90 km and hopefully a bit more...I'll let you know Wednesday.

So, what do I have in store for this week?

Weekly Challenge:

Distance Challenge:  Walk 40 km, with only 10 km coming from your everyday walking...that means 30 km of pure walking or running.

Daily Challenges:

Monday - (#15) Take a picture of your lunch today
Tuesday - (#12) Donate to your local food bank today
Wednesday - (#16)  Burpee Day...do 25 burpees today
Thursday - (#20) Make all your meals homemade today...no processed foods, snacks, etc.
Friday - (#27) Aim for 100 oz of water today
Saturday - (#7) Create a new playlist to get your groove inspired
Sunday - (#17)  Write yourself a compliment today and pull it out when you need it

Personal Goals:

1. No take out for dinner after work this week
2. Keep up with the laundry, including washing, folding and putting away
3. Straighten my hair after washing and wear my wedding rings every day

I will also do my blog after TOPS and continue with my Supernatural Roadtrip.

To finish it off, I have picked a qoute to inspire for the week:

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

Well, I think it's time to get back into these posts.  I will keep it short and consider it a new starting point from here on in.

This week: 266 lbs

Next week, I will have more to report!

Ushering In 2016

As the calendar turns, it is always quite easy to feel refreshed and recharged.  I admittedly am one of those people that jump on that band wagon and quite frankly, I take the motivation when I can get it!

Julie and I came up with a month long challenge to help us get started.  Actually, the original plan was to use it to get through the month of December, but in the end, December was just too overwhelming and stressful for both of us, so we decided to put it off until the new year.

We took inspiration from the calendar idea we did last year, but switched it up to make it a bit easier to accommodate our varying schedules and lifestyles.

The biggest changes were instead of putting an "activity" on the calendar for each day....we simply made a list of items and you get to pick which one you would like to do everyday.  Secondly, in place of the 1 month long challenge, we created 4 week long challenges.  This allows you to decide which one works best for you each week.  If you now you are going to be stuck behind a desk or in meetings for a week, an exercise challenge might not be the best suit for that week.  Lastly, you must food log every day for the month and do your weight and measurements at the beginning and end.

We also gave it a snazzy  name and Instagram hashtag!!

Are you ready?

Let me introduce you to the:

30 Day – Getting Our Shit In Order Challenge

#FaCaingGettingOurShitInOrder
Jan 1st  – Jan 31st

THE RULES

Weight, Pictures and Measurements to be done on the first and last day of the challenge.

  Food logging for the entire 30 days. 

Challenge consists of 4- week long challenges and 30-Daily Challenges. 

You pick a new daily challenge for each day and a new week long challenge at the beginning of each week (Friday) as best suits your schedule.

Weekly Challenges

1)      Cut and Burn – aim to cut 100 calories and burn 100 calories each day this week

2)      Distance Challenge – walk 40 km (24.85 miles)…only 10 km (6.21 miles) can come from everyday moment…the rest must be walking and/or running.

3)      Drop it like a squat - Every time you use the restroom, do 20 squats to add in some extra fitness to your day!

4)      No Soda Challenge - It's that simple. Cut out any and all soda for the week! Replace it with water or tea instead!

Daily Challenges

1)      Add 10 extra minutes of exercise to your workout today

2)      Try a new healthy recipe today

3)      Drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water today

4)      Skip all sweets and treats today

5)      Take a picture of yourself in action today

6)      Write a note to a friend

7)      Create a new playlist to get your groove inspired

8)      What’s in your fridge?  Take a photo and share it

9)      How can you make your dinner healthier tonight?

10)   Get the recommended daily servings of fruit and veggies today

11)   Have a meatless meal

12)   Donate to your local food bank today

13)   Do something for yourself today

14)   “Spruce” yourself up today…when you feel good about the way you look, you feel better

15)   Take a picture of your lunch today

16)   BURPEE DAY! Do 25 burpees today (sets of 5, all at once, your choice!)

17)   Write out a compliment, and pull it out whenever you need a pick-me-up.

18)   Suns out/Guns out! Flex and snap a pic!

19)   NO DESSERT! Skip any additional food after dinner, opt out for water instead!

20)   Make all of your meals HOMEMADE meals! (No processed foods, sweets, snacks, etc!)

21)   Try a new breakfast recipe!

22)   Time for a new blog!! Get a new post up today!!

23/24) Set a personal distance record for running/walking 2km, then break it on another day.

      25) Post about something (big or small) you've accomplished... you deserve kudos!

      26) Snap shots of your breakfast, lunch, and dinner that day!

      27) Aim for 100oz of water

      28) Get up 10 minutes early and write in a journal or take time to meditate/reflect

      29) Make 1 short term (1 month), mid-term (2-4 months) and long term (up to 1 year) goals.

      30) Clean out your closet, if it doesn't fit, donate it!

Now, this challenge was to start on January 1st, and that just didn't work for me...so instead of giving up before it began, I just modified it and started it today and will tack on a few days at the beginning of February.

For my first weekly challenge, I picked the No Soda challenge.  I had gotten back into the habit of going days without drinking any water.  I know my body appreciates when I do and I am healthier when I do drink more water.  With winter here, I need all the help I can get.

My 7 daily challenges are:

Monday - # 22, new Blog Post

Tuesday - # 4 - skip all sweets and treats today

Wednesday - #29 - set some goals

Thursday - #1 - add 10 extra minutes to your workout

Friday - # 6 - write a note to a friend today

Saturday - # 19 - no dessert

Sunday - # 8 - what's in your fridge

So, there you have it, I hope you join us!  Don't forget to check out my Facebook page to follow along and share pics of you in action with our hashtag