My bum is bruised!

Yes - I've been gone for a while. I took a break from blogging as I was trying to figure out things in life. I was laid off along with my colleagues mid-March, and I've had a busy seven weeks since... I've been angry, been sad, thought about new options, stressed about finding work, decided to let the universe lead me to where I should go, relaxed, spend time with friends, worked out... basically kept on living.

And as everyone in my life told me, it all worked out. I'm starting a new position at an exciting, growing company in a whole new industry. It will be a challenge, but I am ready for that. Only three more days of "just being" before I start living in the 9-5 world.

This morning I was at the gym for my usual butt-kicking with Claire, and she suggested I join her in a spin class. I thought she was teaching it, but there she was, pedaling away right beside me.It was tough - I'm not a big biker - but after the first 25 minutes, I really started to enjoy it. I've discovered that's my endorphin point for cardio I don't love - after 25 minutes I start feeling really good and energized. I was glued to my seat a number of times when everyone around me was standing up, but I never stopped pedaling. Probably one of the reasons my butt is now bruised from the bike seat - ha!

I thought I'd totally hate it, so I'm surprised that I ended up enjoying it. Anyone want to hit up a spin class with me one early morning?

countdown!

This weekend with G&D we spent a lot of time planning an outdoor trip for June - July. It will involve us + Kim, some 70km of canoeing, 40km of hiking and (fingers crossed) great weather in which to bask.

We'll be starting our journey just north of Port Alberni and canoeing the Great Central Lake, hiking to the base of Della Falls, and then turning around and coming home. Estimated time (we're gonna enjoy a semi-leisurely pace) will be 6 nights in the wilds.

This will be my first true-backpacking trip - living off what I can carry on my back and (as a treat) what our canoe can carry! I've got most of what I need, yet the list of things to buy (gaitors, camelbak, pack cover, etc) seems really long.

I went to MEC today to get a couple of luxury items. Nice to get those now, so that I can justify the price - as opposed to the weeks leading up to the trek where $ will be tighter.

I know I'll be taking a lot of pictures of the journey, and so I'll need my camera in the canoe with me, accessible, yet protected. So I picked up the Pelican 1010 micro case - "submersible, dustproof and crush-resistant".

I also grabbed a pair of paddling gloves. These are the fingerless version - ideal for warm-weather paddling - that will provide palm protection.

Going shopping for stuff like this makes it seem really real, and really close. I've still got over three months to prep - many nights will be spend sitting on my bosu paddling an imaginary lake :)

Spring blooms are here!

The last couple of weeks, I've been noticing all the trees and flowers come into bloom and keep meaning to take my camera out when I go for a walk. Well, I remembered to grab it on my way into work this morning, so here are a couple of shots taken on my regular route to work...

Cherry trees in bloom on my street - I love how the blossoms fall down like a light snowfall!

Cherry blossom close up - I can see why this is such a common tattoo

More Cherry blossoms outside of Abigail's Hotel, just around the corner from my place on McClure Street

A single bloom on a magnolia tree at Christ Church Cathedral - they are so pretty when they first come out.

This is a clear indication that spring is here, and summer is on it's way!

crumble!

On Saturday I made an amazing crumble for a potluck. I don't do baking very often, so I was really happy with the outcome. I think most people who tried it had second helpings, so there was only a little bit left to bring home with me. The awesome part of this dessert is that there was no sugar added to it - it was just delicious in it's own right.

In a sauce pan, combine 1.5 lbs granny smith apples (peeled and sliced), 1 1/2 cups of backberries and the juice of 1 lemon and simmer for 5 - 10 minutes. (I added 2 chopped dates to the mix to add some extra sweetness - I think it was a good call!) Transfer the fruit to a baking dish.

Combine 1 cup of oats, 1/2 cup of flour, 5 tbsp of canola oil, 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds and 10 finely chopped dates. Pour this mixture on top of the fruit and bake for 25 minutes.  

This is based on a recipe from my aunt, who made it for Thanksgiving last year. It'll become a regular on my list, so let me be in charge of dessert next time you have a potluck - you won't be sorry ;)

time to be held accountable...

Ok - so tomorrow morning is measurement time! I've now had nine training sessions with Claire, visited the gym on my own (not quite as many times as I'd like to have), made use of my wandering yogi pass and treaded water at aquajog.

I'm not going to be posting my weight or measurements, but do hope to announce a reduction in inches tomorrow.

A HUGE part of weight loss is diet, and that is still something that I struggle with. I am being more conscious about what I eat, trying to make smart choices and cooking for myself more often. My game plan has been to get fitness to be a habit in my life, and then introduce another big change in terms of food.

I feel so much better now than I did two months ago. I have more energy, feel stronger, feel more alive - even sit with better posture. I haven't seen too much of a change in the way clothes are fitting yet, so I'm interested in seeing how my body measurements have changed since we took them on January 4th.

So fingers crossed, I'll see some results tomorrow! I'll keep ya'll posted...

Update: the only change was a loss of 1/4" in my chest. Oh well. I am wearing a dress today that didn't fit me in October, so I'll take that as my reward for the hard work. And it has been hard work, with a lot more to go. It's all good - yea fitness!

big intentions!

After Megan's comment on my past post, I wanted to write a piece about how even though the idea of feminine beauty changes throughout time, there always seems to be one ideal that the masses struggle to conform to. I wish this was a society where more people felt ok in being the best they can be, as opposed to trying to make themselves fit into a mold, whether that refers to the physical look, their personality or their idea of normal...

But I didn't get around to doing that...

I also had big plans of getting to the gym to work hard. That didn't happen.

Then there was the plan of getting all my laundry done - 0 for 3.

But what I did do, was attend the baby shower of a fabulous friend. I'm so excited that she & her husband will be welcoming their daughter Charlie into the world in a month, give or take a few days.They will be such loving and encouraging parents!

And I did get my Dad into gear and got his company's year-end into the accountant today. He's usually so on top of those kinds of things, but he's been moving slowly since recovering from heart surgery this past summer/autumn. I can see that it bugs him that he's not as motivated as he once was, and while I love seeing him enjoy and embrace life, he needs a kick in the pants to get moving every so often. And I'll be there to do that for him for many, many more years.

And now I will do some laundry while watching the Grammys, understanding that while I didn't get everything on my list taken care of, it does me no good to beat myself up. I will tackle one of my missed tasks now and do my best to get the rest done as I can. And in doing this, I will remember to try to balance myself between the following two sayings:

"He who fails to plan, plans to fail."

“If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” ~ Woody Allen

ouch!

I think I may have been a little adventurous by having two training sessions, pumping through Hit to Fit and going aqua jogging in a 50 hour time period. My body is a little sore and more than a little stiff this afternoon. How come my apartment doesn't have a hot tub?? sheesh!

At aquajogging last night, our insturctor (John) told us that you burn more calories running in the water than on land, and the calorie burn for the aquajogging is 15 calories a minute. Not too shabby!

Ok - tomorrow's goal: get to the Urban Warrior Workout at Base Lounge afterwork with Gillian. (I heart my wandering yogi pass - so many new options!) Their website says "this high energy, calorie burning, body sculpting class will kick your ass! Connect to your inner Urban Warrior with this fun workout fusion of Capoeira, Kickboxing, Kempo Karate, Dance, meditation in motion and basic Yoga. Sweat the stress of your week away and leave feeling renewed and empowered!"


We'll see just how empowered I really feel after that! I reckon I'll be a little more on the fatigued side than the renewed side...

another fanciful resolution

I so enjoy reading other people's blogs. They are always full of humour and somehow they make the regular, mundane things in life entertaining. Can I do that? Well, I guess this will be my attempt!

There is a lot of change in my life right now. First off, things are somewhat up in the air at work. But as I've said, I read other people's blogs. I think one of the most important things I've learned by doing this, is that you should never talk about work on your blog if your blog is public and your true identity is available. So we'll put work away and focus on my personal changes.

I don't really like the idea of New Year's resolutions. I think people make them because they are supposed to, but they are so easy to loose track of. And why not - most people around you are letting their N.Y resolutions lapse, and you can always make them again next year! So this resolution isn't related to the new year, it's for an improved me: get healthy, and stay healthy!

So far, this means that I want to be doing something active everyday. Sounds like the way everyone lives their life, right? Unfortunately, that's not the case. I've fallen in a rut and seem to have stayed there for a year or more. In December I decided to end that. For the first time ever, I received a Christmas bonus. I'd never gotten one before. I've been spoiled at work in the past, and received Christmas gifts of spa days or jewellry (much loved and appreciated) but never cash. As soon as I got it, ideas began running through my head: a new dress for new year's; a spa day; a cashmere sweater; new makeup brushes; more Christmas gifts for my family. But it only took a minute of fanciful thinking before knew where I needed to invest the $ - in me.

I was already a member of the downtown Y - just wasn't putting my pass to much use. I paid them a visit, and spoke with a super nice woman at the counter who pointed me in the direct of where I was going to spend the $ - a personal trainer. Now I'm not a stranger to working with a personal trainer. Many years ago after a nasty breakup I turned to one who got me in the best shape of my life - and boy did I feel great. But as can happen, life got in the way and I stopped seeing her. But having had that experience, I knew that a trainer is what I need right now. A trainer is great if you a) have trouble just getting yourself to the gym, and b) walk in and feel overwhelmed - where do I start, what should I do?

I met Claire the week after Christmas - we talked about what I wanted, why I was coming to see her, what kinds of exercised appeal... I felt very comfortable with her from the get go. We decided to work together for 4 sessions, so I could see how she works and if there was potential before making a larger commitment. And I'm happy to say - it's working out super well :) I find myself not even complaining when I get up at 5:45am on Tuesdays and Thursdays to meet Claire at the Y at 6:30. I get a great workout in before work, and still end up getting to work early.

A trainer isn't cheap - but sometimes you need to invest in yourself. If you have the ability to do so, you will thank yourself. One of the committments that I made to myself as part of a making goals with Claire was that I'd stop buying take out food after work (horrible habit I had). Just going that has saved me a lot of $. Now I cook my dinner every week night which often has the added bonus to having leftovers for lunch - boo yah! Saves even more $ there.

Ok - some not the most concise first blog entry, and maybe a bit tangent-y, but it will do. Up next - what I'm doing in my days off from the gym to make sure that I'm staying active