Biggest Loser at work, the gym and a cat nap

Today was a good day. Though I did sleep in just a little longer than I initially anticipated, I finally dragged myself out of bed, into the shower and began my day. I decided to make good use out of my bike and rode up the Marlborough Mall for some errands before heading to Sunridge to run a few more. While I was at Sunridge, I remembered that a friend of mine at work had spoken with her gym about a free two week trial at the gym. I should have remembered how that works and that you don't go to a gym for free without first signing up for the remainder of the contract, but it was fine. I had wanted to possibly sign up there anyway because I love it there and the hours are great. Plus, it's literally between my work and home so I can go before work or after work and not lose too much time. Thank goodness for the c-train being right there. I do have a membership at another gym but their hours are horrible and it's very frustrating that I can't use it as much as I would like when it's more convenient for me. My membership is now at World Health and not only do they have showers in the change room, but they also provide shampoo, conditioner and a hair dryer. This means I don't have to lug those things with me if I go before work and worry about getting ready! I love convenience. Also, they now have a dry sauna. My pore's were very happy about that. I'll still be doing some things at home and going on my weekly bike rides around the park next to my house but I'll be able to make some good use out of the gym than ever before. What's great is that I can do some consultations with a trainer as well. I don't like always having someone there but I like having someone start out with me, show me what I need and when the next phase comes up, I can get some help in the next direction so this is perfect. I'm super stoked about it. I forgot to mention that at work we're doing a "Biggest Loser Challenge" and I'm determined to win. Lol My biggest motivation, however, is definitely my health so even when the challenge is complete, I won't stop. I've come this far though, so why would I?

The only thing that is very frustrating is my lack of ability to NOT get heat stroke. It seems to be getting worse as well. Ever since I was young, no matter what I do, I always get heat stroke. It used to be just headaches but over the last couple of months, I've also been getting nausea and it's so annoying. I love being outdoors doing sports, riding my bike or going for a walk and if it's hot out I can't enjoy it. People keep telling me to drink more water but it doesn't make a difference. The manager for the trainers at the gym today suggested High Blood Pressure but directly after I tested it at Shoppers Drug Mart and I was Normal/Optimal. It was neither too low nor high so it can't be the issue. I don't know. If anyone reading this has any suggestions, please let me know. I would love to figure out how to deal with it because I just want to be able to enjoy the outdoors to it's fullness.

The benefit of where I live though is that I'm right next to a park so once it begins to cool down, I can hop on my bike and head over there for a good cardio work out. I can also do some strength and core exercises on the grass area so it's not all bad. It's making life a lot easier in that regard.

It is getting late and I think I've fully recovered from my bout of heat stroke today so I'll be going to bed now. Thursday is my official first day at the gym but I may go tomorrow. If not, I have other plans. I do need to go shopping desperately and add to my fridge. I've got a few good things, but I definitely need a few more things.

That is all for now. My life now consists of work and working out. At some point I need to get more of a life, but for now I'm content with this. Once I have a car life can get busier. It's very warm in my room right now... gosh dangit. Anyone have a fan they aren't using? No? Okay than. Pay Day I may need to take a trip to the store again for one of those.... Though short, summer sure likes to make life uncomfortable if you aren't a person who deals with heat very well.... this cat pretty well sums up what summer is usually like for me when it doesn't cool down...



Until next time.... bon soir!

Patience and Perserverence DOES pay off!

It is amazing what time and patience can do! I've struggled with my weight most of my life but I had no idea that I had it in me to actually do something about it. Since finding out about my PCOS, I have gained more of a desire to get my health in check. My sister has been an amazing example for me because he has the same thing and when she found out, she just kept going until she finally reached her goal but hasn't stopped. It can be a difficult thing sometimes to choose healthy over delicious but healthy CAN be delicious. It also takes time and effort to not only eat right, but get out there and move! But I've done it so far. I could do better, especially food-wise ( more just actually cooking and eating a more balanced diet ) however, I have made some changes that have helped me drastically.

Since the first time a few summers that I stepped on a scale and found out the number I had reached in adulthood, I have been determined to get rid of it. For a while, I did really well. I began to lose and eventually I plateaued and shortly thereafter, stressful situations came into my life and I stopped. And I gained it back. Over the last year or so, I have been trying to focus more and more on my health. In January, however, I had the unfortunate luck to hurt my ankle which hindered my exercise goals. In retrospect, I still ate the right foods, cut out sugar completely out of my diet for about a month ( since then, I'm no longer dependent on sugars ) and have grossly increased my water intake. With a cast and injury, I already started to see a difference. Since healing, I've also been making goals to exercise more and get moving. I've recently purchased a bicycle as well which I've already gotten some excellent use out of. My muscles move better, my clothes are slowly getting smaller and even underwear fits better. It's wonderful! I have more energy and my skin even feels better. The best part, people notice it. That shouldn`t surprise me though considering the amount of weight I`ve lost in total. Are you ready for it?

To date I have officially lost 45 lbs!!! AMAZING! Now I just have to keep going. Along with the weight loss I am trying to teach myself habits that will last a lifetime. I don't just want to lose weight, I want to be healthy and be able to run marathons as well.

My short term goal is to lose 20 lbs at minimum over the summer which will put me not far off from my weight in high school. From there, I would like to lose at least another 30 lbs by the end of the year. That puts me at an average of 8.3 lbs of weight loss each month which is about 2 lbs a week, which is apparently healthy. Given that I am sure to plateau and slow my weight loss the more I lose, I may or may not reach that goal but that isn't going to stop me! Another 78 lbs or so will put me at my "initial" healthy goal weight.

I will continue to blog more often about my weekly health endeavors and share both my accomplishments and healthy finds! If anyone would like to offer tips and advice, they are gladly welcomed.

Health will not be only topic, however. I often have moments of inspiration or a need to express myself in word and this is the best place for it so if I ever rant, feel free to skip it. It's better on paper than in person as most people don't really care what I have to say so thank goodness for the scroll bar on the side of the browser.

Enjoy my blog and comments are both welcomed and encouraged!

It's been a while, I know...

It has been ages since I've blogged, mostly because I didn't have a computer for a while, but also because I'm ridiculously lazy sometimes! So, I apologize. Not sure how many people will actually read this anyway.

So, since it's been so long since I've blogged, I will update you on my life. In a nutshell, I've moved to Calgary and have now been here just over a year. It was a difficult decision, but one that needed to be made. I lost my job in Lethbridge and over much prayer and consideration, decided it had to be done. So, here I am in cowtown! I am working for Shaw Cable and loving it! My job is amazing and I work with some excellent people. I'm still getting used to having a social life up here, however. I've made some friends at church, but that's about it so far.

I've been really trying to focus on my health lately. I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 21, also known as polycystic ovary syndrome. If you're unsure what that is, there is plenty of information online. Basically, if I don't get my health in check, it could get serious. Getting my health in check consists of some major self discipline and a lot of hard work! I have a gym membership and have been trying to go at least four times a week and drinking lots of water, as well as cutting out most sugars and eating lots of fruits and veggies. It's very hard trying to stay disciplined, but I feel better already! I've attempted this in the past and succeeded for a while before falling off the bandwagon, but I've recently realized that if I don't do something now, I will regret it. I will keep you updated!!

Tata for now!

Reflections

I seem to have a running theme. Change. I've been thinking about it again in the last week or so. Over the last month or more, I've been trying to determine the next step in my life. I've often struggled with knowing exactly where I need to be and where the Lord needs me to be. I think I've done well so far. About 7 years ago, I was nowhere near where I wanted to be. I was 19 years old and living in Calgary with my boyfriend. I was extremely unhappy and I hadn't been to church in a while. I had already had experiences behind me that changed my life and perspective, however, they were acquired in ways that I wish on no one. I won't go into detail, but I will say that my eyes were opened to the world in a very big way. Well, 7 years ago this month something happened that also changed the world and that was 9/11. I remember calling my mom scared out of my mind thinking that this was the end. I asked her what the prophet said about it, since that October happened to be the semi-annual conference for our church. She told me that I had no need to worry but she took that opportunity to remind me that I needed to go back to church. Up to that time in my life the only reason I wasn't active in the church was my own pride. I truly believed in what the church teaches because I'd had experiences already that helped my testimony grow but I felt unworthy and "not good enough". I didn't feel that I was or ever could be what was expected of me. Or, what I thought was expected of me. Living in Calgary, I had but a few friends, none of which were members or even understood my need for religion. I had no money and I was in a one way relationship. I struggled to keep food on our table and our rent paid since he found it difficult to keep a job. Eventually I found myself with the missionaries on my doorstep and my mothers and my prayers being answered. I began going back to church and changing my life. It wasn't easy, but eventually I was able to leave my boyfriend and lived with members for a while until I was able to get back on my feet. After a few months, I moved back to Lethbridge.

As many people know, I never graduated high school. I moved to Alberta when I was 17 and due to many factors, I did not have the privilege of graduating high school with the rest of my peers. In 2003, I found out that the government has a program for people who have been out of school at least 4 years and I took the steps necessary to begin the stages of going to school. In december 2004, I walked with my college peers and recieved my Academic Achievement Certificate from Lethbridge Community College. I remember tears streaming down my face as I watched the look on my younger brother's face as he proudly watched his sister walk out of the gymnasium with certificate in hand. I will never forget that day. Anyway, getting back on track, I began the Child and Youth Care program in January 2005. I did that for about year before deciding to take a break. I didn't feel ready to do any practicums due to other factors in my life at the time. I've been working ever since. During that time I've changed jobs as I've struggled to find the place the Lord needs me to be. I've worked mall jobs, video stores and, more recently, a call center. In 2006, I had the privilege of being an EFY councillor and watching the youth I was responsible for grow and have spiritual experiences they will forever cherish. They don't realize the effect they had in my life. I am nearing the end of 2008 and I've just begun a new phase in my life. Last month I lost my job to outsourcing overseas and tomorow I will be doing an exam to be a level 1 insurance agent for AMA (Alberta Motorized Association). Though I feel that this is where I need to be right now, I've still been praying and trying to decide what's next. AMA, school, or a mission?

Last thursday night I went to an institute class. For those reading this who aren't LDS, institute is a religious institution where we have a choice of different classes that help enrich our lives spiritually and where we are able to delve into the scriptures with other students and young adults. This particular class is aimed towards those people who are preparing to serve a mission for our church. That night as we were being enriched, I got the impression that I should ask our teacher for a blessing. A blessing is something that priesthood holders in our church give us, sometimes for healing, other times for comfort and counsel from the Lord. This particular blessing was for comfort and counsel. As Brent laid his hands on my head to give me the blessing, I was given direction and cousel I'd been needing and asking for. There were other things addressed I'd been pondering, but did not expect counsel for. However, it was very much needed. By the end of the blessing, both Brent and I were in tears. The spirit was powerful in the room that night.

As I ponder my experience that night, I can't help but be grateful with the knowledge that we have a Father in Heaven who knows us, hears us and loves us. He had things he needed me to know and I'm glad I was able to listen to the spirit's gentle whisper telling me to ask Brent for the blessing. He told me things that will help me make the choices I need to make. I still don't know my next step, though I have an idea. I know that I'm making the necessary steps that will help me in whatever the Lord has planned.

Time for Change

A friend of mine has a blog. Lately I've been reading his and decided to start my own. I have a lot of things on my mind constantly and have decided that I don't mind sharing it with the world. The great thing about a blog is that I can get things off my chest and get feedback on it from others, yet I can still pick and choose what I share. Not everything on my mind or in my life needs to be shared with the world, only those things I wish to share. I just realized that rhymed. :D

I will slowly work on this blog. I can't guarantee that I will update it frequently, but I will do my best. This is new to me.

Today has been an interesting day. Actually, the last few months have been very interesting, and that's putting it lightly. Today I was talking to a friend on facebook chat. I noticed that he had posted that he actually likes the new facebook and I mentioned to him that I didn't. He asked me why and I responded that I am not a fan of change and perhaps I just need to get used to it. Being the person that he is, he chose to read into that message. He said that he thought there is an underlying message to what I was saying and he was right. He also made a valid point. Our lives are full of change, yet we fear it. Why is that? My life has been full of change. Nothing in my life has ever been certain. When I was 17 I moved my life from Vancouver to Lethbridge. A drastic yet essential change in my life at the time. I've moved around a lot since moving here and I've faced many challenges I wouldn't wish on anyone. I've been fortunate enough to rise to the occasion and I've chosen to take the lesson's I've learned and put them to good use to the best of my ability. However, I still face challenges everyday and I'm constantly finding ways to improve.

Change;
to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.

If we left things alone, we would never grow and we would never learn. Change is essential to life. Things will never stay the same, even if we tried. We meet new people, make new friends, change jobs, and take on new adventures. Why do we fear the inevitable?

I've decided to stop complaining about the new facebook. I'm going to take the advice of my friend and just accept it. That goes for the rest of my life as well. I've often thought about serving a mission for my church. One of my excuses was finances, but that's not the only reason and it shouldn't stop me. My biggest reason was fear. Fear that I would not live up to what I feel God needs me to be and fear of change, something different. I don't know for sure if I will go, but I've decided to put aside those things that I'm afraid of. I've decided to prepare and see where it takes me. I'll let you all know how it goes. The experiences I have had and the blessings I've recieved have led me to have a great desire to share my testimony and knowledge with those people seeking answers. Is that not enough of a reason to go? He will take care of the rest. He never gave up on me when I was living in darkness, why would he send me out there alone? His message is of hope not fear.

Thus ends my ranting for the evening. Thank you for taking the time to read it and I hope you take the time to comment, should you choose to.