TWO HOURS!

I just went to the gym for two hours.

TWO HOURS!!!!

I don't think I've ever done that.

This morning, I got up early and took Lucky (aka hubby) to the train station for 6:30am. He's going for some extra training today for work in the big city. I came home and immediately re-tucked myself back into bed. I have been so tired lately. Not sure why. I could have slept until noon, but I didn't.  Instead I got out of bed yet again at 9:45am. I had planned to go to yoga this morning and although I wasn't really feeling like it, I was determined to follow through anyway.

Yoga was interesting. It wasn't like any other yoga class I've gone to. There were no sun salutations. There was no major savasana at the end. We did not use bolsters or straps or have blankets.  After all, this yoga class was at Goodlife, rather than a posh yoga studio.  At first, I wasn't sure about it, and I don't think I was the only one. One person left shortly after we started. Regardless though, I stuck to it, and still enjoyed it. The stretches are helpful for my hips and that's all that really matters. I will go again.

After yoga, instead of coming home, I decided to attend another class. A class called Sh'BAM!
I'm not sure about you, but I've never heard of Sh'BAM before. I first noticed it when looking on the gym's class exercise board. It's labelled as 'moderate' intensity so I thought I'd give it a try. Zumba is also labelled moderate.

Sh'BAM was great. I had a lot of fun and was pretty whipped when it was finished.  My first impression is that Sh'BAM is actually very similar to Zumba.  It's also a combo of dancing and aerobics combined, presented in a fun modern way. I think the only real difference between Zumba and Sh'BAM is the music. Now don't quote me, as I'm new to both, but Zumba seems more imbedded in salsa music with a few other songs thrown in, where Sh'BAM has more pop and hip hop music with a little bit of salsa. One is just as great as the other, which is why I'm surprised Sh'BAM isn't more popular. Each Zumba class I take is packed, where as today's Sha'BAM class there were only eight of us. It's kinda a shame. At the same time as I say that though I liked the fact the class wasn't packed so I had more space to dance! This girl has two left feet half the time, so I need my space!

Since my return home I have been updating this blog. I finally uploaded the remaining salad photos for my #100daysofSALAD challenge that I completed on November 1st. You can see them here. I also started a new tab for my next challenge - #100daysofSOUP. Stayed tuned for this. I'm pretty excited about it. It's a perfect challenge for this time of year. Feel free to join in on the fun!!! My hope is to make low fat vegetarian soups and share them with all of you (including WW PointsPlus points for my fellow weight watchers). I plan to start in mid-december when I return home from my vacation. I'd start it now,  but I fear I'd wouldn't be able to meet the challenge when in Jamaica. Now, I do realize that they likely will have soup at the resort, but the question is, would it be vegetarian? I'm not sure. After all, it's hard enough getting a vegetarian soup at Tim Hortons or Subway! As a result, to play it safe, I'll start when I return home. It should be fun.

Weekly WW Weigh-In with an exercise update!

note to self - get pedicure!

Start Weight: 246.5lbs

WI this week : +1lb

Current Weight: 231.5lbs

Total Lost: 15lbs

Phewwwww, thank you scale gods. Despite the one pound gain this week, I'm thanking my lucky stars.  I know it could have been way worse.  The past seven days have been challenging because of  two thanksgiving meals,  and a hard time getting back to measuring and tracking after them. Thank goodness the exercise gods came to my rescue and motivated me to move my butt this week. It definitely paid off. Can you imagine what I would have gained if I didn't do that? Ugh... I can, and it's not pretty!

As I wrote in my last post, I attended my first zumba and aquafit classes this past week. What I haven't told you is I also went to a yoga class. It was wonderful. We did numerous hip opener poses which are great for my hip pain. It was definitely what I needed and continue to need.  

When I came home though I started worrying about money.  Drop-in classes are expensive and when I added everything up, I realized it's just too much to spend a month. I wish I could 'sign up' for sessions (which would be cheaper), but my shift work schedule just doesn't allow for that.  Well I guess it does, but it wouldn't make sense as I wouldn't be able to go to half the classes. The drop-in classes I went to this past week (in three different locations) have already cost me $40.00. If I did that every week, that is $160/month. That's crazy. As a result, I started looking into something I thought I'd never look into ever again. A gym membership. I know, I shocked myself. I swore I'd never go to a gym again. Past behaviour usually predicts future behaviour (or so Dr.Phil says), and my past behaviour with gyms hasn't been great. I've had two memberships in the past (although many years ago now), and I would go for a bit and then stop....but of course still end up paying the membership until the end of the contract. It ended up being a total waste of money.  

This time though I feel different. I have to exercise. I now realize this. I'm done resisting. I'm done protesting. I'm done complaining.  My hips are tell me it's time and I need to listen. Beyond that I want to lose weight to prepare myself for future babies. That alone is motivation enough. I'm determined this time folks, so there is a part of me that isn't as scared to sign up again. With that being said, I still had to find the right gym for me. To my surprise it wasn't that hard! Goodlife recently opened a new gym within a 10 minute drive from my house. I knew it was coming, but I didn't realize it was actually open now.  They have ALL the classes I planned to take under one roof.  ALL OF THEM! Even aquafit as this gym has a pool! I'm so excited. They even had their class schedule posted online so I had a look to ensure that the classes worked with my schedule. Guess what? They do! Yay!!   It would be perfect, so I contacted them to find out more info.  Goodlife has to be cheaper than $160/month!

Goals, goals, goals....

(sorry, it's a long one).....

I feel like I've lost my focus. I need to get it back. I feel like I'm letting the heat outside and my tiredness take over my will to succeed. They have been huge obstacles that  I need to get over. I feel like I'm travelling backwards instead of forwards these days.

I did go to the doctor and he ordered a bunch of blood work which I had done on friday. I'm sure I'll hear something in the next couple of days. He also ordered a 24hr holter monitor for me. I've had a couple heart palpitations (oh joy) so he thought it best.  I'm not too worried about it. It has only happened a couple of times and for about 10 seconds each, but it's better safe than sorry, right? I got them before I became a veggie head too, but once again very, very rarely. My family does have heart health issues so I thought it best to inform the doc and get it checked out before it becomes more of a problem. With more weight loss, exercise and healthy food choices though, I hope it never does!

I am back to tracking and although I doubt I'll see a big loss at WI on thursday, I am hoping to at least see something.  I found eating via my points during the day far harder than eating my points when I'm on a night shift. I'm back on nights now though, so here's hoping I can kick some ass in the next two weeks.
Since rejoining WW in the last month I've lost 11.2 lbs.  My goal for the next month (July 17-August 17) is to lose 10lbs. It's a bit ambitious I know (since I will most likely not have a killer number like my first week ever again), but with a return to running, and tracking really well, I think I might be able to pull it off.  If I don't, I'll still be happy I lost something so no worries!  Another goal I haven't forgotten about it the 5K next month. I must fight the heat and my laziness fatigue and get out there and run again.  I still really want to participate in the 5K run next month. I have 39 days to train. I can do this! I will do this!!!! Sure the heat might kick my ass again and again when I run, but at least I got out there and tried. Right now, I'm sitting on my ass more than anything and I don't like it! I've come too far to give up now.

A few things I've done lately to help myself succeed are....

I got groceries! Yay!!!! Anyone who has been reading this blog for awhile, knows I HATE grocery shopping. I mean, once I'm there I'm fine. I just hate GOING! I ended up going to Watson's Farm  to switch it up a bit. Plus there's  nothing better than fresh grown local fruits and veggies! Since I was a kid I have gone and picked fresh raspberries and strawberries in the summer at Watson's Farm. This year I didn't pick my own (it was threatening rain when I was there and didn't want to chance it), but I did pick up both berries along with corn on the cob, cucumbers, potatoes, peppers, and green beans. The strawberries are SOOOO much better than the ones you get at the grocery store. So so sweet. The ones at the grocery store have zero taste and almost made me think I didn't like strawberries anymore!

I then hit the grocery store where I bought  beets, kale, cherries and watermelon, along with whole wheat bread, free-run omega 3 brown eggs,  a few 100cal snacks, soy and almond milk, along with a few other things I'm forgetting at the moment.  Needless to say my fridge is packed with great food which can only help me succeed!

I also e-mailed a Goodlife gym near my house asking about membership prices. I have yet to hear back from them though. Really I should have called, but I was just searching around the internet and found their e-mail and decided what the hell. Initially I had talked to a friend who rented gym equipment thinking I could just rent a treadmill for the summer when it's super hot out, but I found out it would cost over $70/month. That is INSANE! My girlfriend has kids so finds it easier for her this way, but for me who doesn't, it just doesn't make sense. Why rent one piece of equipment when I can just go to the gym and use far more pieces for less?  It all still really depends on price though, so we'll see. I think it might be the best thing I can do for myself though. I didn't want a membership for fear of not going after a few months, but if it will help my running which I'm determined not to give up, it might actually be worth the risk. Plus my 30s are all about giving a shit, so I can't give up! I can't quit this time!

Anyway, so that has been my life in a nutshell.  Oh.... last but not least, thanks to Missarahlou I have been given a blog award! Woohoo!!!  In my next post I'll be sure to follow the rules and tell you all #7 new things about myself and nominate others! thanks again Misssarahlou!