I hit the gym last night - upper body workout - and I went hard!
Outcome: Rich had to help me get my workbag over my shoulder this a.m.
Help........
Soreness is to be expected. I'm not really "easing" into this program - it's full power straight ahead. So - I know my muscles (yes I have some) will pay. But it's a good hurt - the kind of hurt where you know you've done something good for your body. I did my cardio this morning before coming to work too. So - it's been a good two days!
Can I stop now?
(*wink*)
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
Building a Body-for-Life?
Back in 2000, I competed in a nation-wide 12-week competition, called the "Body-for-Life" Challenge. It's a 12-week fitness and nutrition program laid out in very specific detail and guarantees that you can change your body in as little as 12 weeks. Of course before I started I was skeptical, but let me say, if you put your mind to it - you can accomplish anything! And I did. I worked out 6 days a week - and i'm not talking about using rubber bands and bouncing on a ball - this was TOUGH training. Weights and cardio - working your muscles to failure, and high bursts of intensity. Eating 6 times a day - small hand-sized portions...and it goes on....but after 12 weeks, I was down 35 lbs and I had more muscle tone than I'd had before. I looked good. I didn't win the competition, but I was awarded with a medal and a certificate of completion and I had never been so proud of myself as I was after I finished those 12 weeks.
Problem was - after the 12 weeks and the finish of the competition, I slacked off. I figured i'd "take a break". And break I did! Seven years worth! So here I am now with a wedding coming up next year and not at all happy with the way I look. So, I'm going to try my best to do a modified version of the Body-for-Life program again. I don't have to 'kill' myself like I did last time, as I'm not on a 12-week deadline. But in all honesty - it really is an easy program to follow "for life" (the workouts are challenging) but it's very well laid out and if you wanted to make it your permanent fitness routine - it's a great one. (www.bodyforlife.com) You just have to be dedicated and committed. That's where I fall off track. I do something for a month or so and then I slack.
So please folks - wish me luck as I try this again. My results won't be as fast as last time because I'm taking it slower, but I'm hoping to be down in weight for when my wedding rolls (no pun intended) around. Rich supports me and loves me no matter how I look (obviously) but I know he'll be proud of me, and I'll be proud of myself, if I can finally accomplish a goal that I've been talking about for the past 7 years!! I have my pedometer on today, so - let's get to steppin!
Problem was - after the 12 weeks and the finish of the competition, I slacked off. I figured i'd "take a break". And break I did! Seven years worth! So here I am now with a wedding coming up next year and not at all happy with the way I look. So, I'm going to try my best to do a modified version of the Body-for-Life program again. I don't have to 'kill' myself like I did last time, as I'm not on a 12-week deadline. But in all honesty - it really is an easy program to follow "for life" (the workouts are challenging) but it's very well laid out and if you wanted to make it your permanent fitness routine - it's a great one. (www.bodyforlife.com) You just have to be dedicated and committed. That's where I fall off track. I do something for a month or so and then I slack.
So please folks - wish me luck as I try this again. My results won't be as fast as last time because I'm taking it slower, but I'm hoping to be down in weight for when my wedding rolls (no pun intended) around. Rich supports me and loves me no matter how I look (obviously) but I know he'll be proud of me, and I'll be proud of myself, if I can finally accomplish a goal that I've been talking about for the past 7 years!! I have my pedometer on today, so - let's get to steppin!
Monday, October 22, 2007
A wedding inspired weekend...
This weekend was great! Saturday was a big day – dress day! I had been out looking at dresses a few months back and saw some I really liked, but wanted to give it a bit more time before ordering. So on Saturday, me, my mom, my aunt (Linda) and my sister-in-law (Brenda) all met for lunch and then afterwards we headed to the bridal salon!
The girls at this salon are amazing. They remembered me from my last visit and they pulled out the two dresses that were on the top of my list so that I could try them on again. And then Brenda and Linda went nuts! They started pulling dresses upon dresses off the rack and saying “leece try this one”; “lisa – here’s another one” “oh leece, this would look great on you!”. My poor mom was in the changeroom with me helping me in and out of the dresses – and some of them are HEAVY! It was a workout for sure!
It was funny too, because there was another girl there with her family also trying on dresses. When I came into the store, she actually had on my #1 choice! (and it looked great on her which made me happy because we were about the same build) And so in I went until “my dress” was free and started trying on some others. Turns out the first dress I came out in was HER #1 choice. So there she was in “my” dress, and I was in “her” dress! It was freaky!
So, as I was saying my family kept bringing me in other dresses to try – but at the end, when I finally put on my #1 choice from 2 months ago – they all ooohed and aahhhed and said “Yup! That’s the One!”. Even the girls’ friends who were there said that it was the nicest one I’d had on all day. So it’s a done deal! I bought my dress and I love it and I’m so happy!
Then on Sunday, a friend of ours who’s taking courses in photography came over, and we headed down to a conservation area by the lake and she took a whack of pictures of us. I guess you could call them ‘engagement’ photos – but we’ll use them for different things. It was a great afternoon – the weather was perfect – the sun was shining – the breeze was blowing and the fall colours and leaves with the inky blue of the lake provided for some very beautiful shots I’m sure!
So – that was my “wedding weekend”. Rich had a good time too! After the photo shoot, we went out for dinner and then came home and crashed! We were wiped. It’s not easy shopping all day one day, and then being a supermodel the next you know!
The girls at this salon are amazing. They remembered me from my last visit and they pulled out the two dresses that were on the top of my list so that I could try them on again. And then Brenda and Linda went nuts! They started pulling dresses upon dresses off the rack and saying “leece try this one”; “lisa – here’s another one” “oh leece, this would look great on you!”. My poor mom was in the changeroom with me helping me in and out of the dresses – and some of them are HEAVY! It was a workout for sure!
It was funny too, because there was another girl there with her family also trying on dresses. When I came into the store, she actually had on my #1 choice! (and it looked great on her which made me happy because we were about the same build) And so in I went until “my dress” was free and started trying on some others. Turns out the first dress I came out in was HER #1 choice. So there she was in “my” dress, and I was in “her” dress! It was freaky!
So, as I was saying my family kept bringing me in other dresses to try – but at the end, when I finally put on my #1 choice from 2 months ago – they all ooohed and aahhhed and said “Yup! That’s the One!”. Even the girls’ friends who were there said that it was the nicest one I’d had on all day. So it’s a done deal! I bought my dress and I love it and I’m so happy!
Then on Sunday, a friend of ours who’s taking courses in photography came over, and we headed down to a conservation area by the lake and she took a whack of pictures of us. I guess you could call them ‘engagement’ photos – but we’ll use them for different things. It was a great afternoon – the weather was perfect – the sun was shining – the breeze was blowing and the fall colours and leaves with the inky blue of the lake provided for some very beautiful shots I’m sure!
So – that was my “wedding weekend”. Rich had a good time too! After the photo shoot, we went out for dinner and then came home and crashed! We were wiped. It’s not easy shopping all day one day, and then being a supermodel the next you know!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
MEEEOWWWW
Last night Rich and I went to see the stage production of CATS. CATS was one of the first-ever live theatre productions that I saw with my parents when I was maybe 12 years old, and I loved it! I saw that it was coming to T.O. for a limited engagement (it’s only here for one week apparently) so I snapped up two tickets right away.
As some of you know, we recently got our own cat about 6 months ago – “Jackson”. After seeing CATS last night, we look at him in a whole new light. For those of you who haven’t seen the show, it’s all about cats and how they get their names, and what their individual names mean to them and the story behind them. There are scary cats, mean cats, magical cats, glamorous cats, jokester cats, etc. It’s quite powerful and even emotional at times, as the weathered old “Grizzabella” who was once the most beautiful cat is now tattered and torn and growing old and all the other cats want nothing to do with her.
The entire cast is cats! They are in lycra and spandex and have ears and whiskers and tails and claws and are very believable – I forgot that I was watching people. They even run and crawl through the aisles – kids would have a great time at this production. The singing and dancing was amazing, and the set was all aglow, as it takes place in an old junkyard, but there’s a starry sky and a bright moon and lots of coloured lights all around.
As you can probably tell, I enjoyed last night’s show as much as I did when I was young, and Rich said he really liked it too. In fact, when we got home and Jackson greeted us at the door – we decided (well, Rich decided) that he required a new name to better identify him and tell his story. So, he is now known as “Tabitha Von Purrrstein”. I told Rich that Tabitha is a girls’ name, but he said that Jackson is part tabby and is always purring so that’s his new name. (sorry Jackie – blame your father)
Anyway – go see the show if you can while it’s here – it’s Great!!
As some of you know, we recently got our own cat about 6 months ago – “Jackson”. After seeing CATS last night, we look at him in a whole new light. For those of you who haven’t seen the show, it’s all about cats and how they get their names, and what their individual names mean to them and the story behind them. There are scary cats, mean cats, magical cats, glamorous cats, jokester cats, etc. It’s quite powerful and even emotional at times, as the weathered old “Grizzabella” who was once the most beautiful cat is now tattered and torn and growing old and all the other cats want nothing to do with her.
The entire cast is cats! They are in lycra and spandex and have ears and whiskers and tails and claws and are very believable – I forgot that I was watching people. They even run and crawl through the aisles – kids would have a great time at this production. The singing and dancing was amazing, and the set was all aglow, as it takes place in an old junkyard, but there’s a starry sky and a bright moon and lots of coloured lights all around.
As you can probably tell, I enjoyed last night’s show as much as I did when I was young, and Rich said he really liked it too. In fact, when we got home and Jackson greeted us at the door – we decided (well, Rich decided) that he required a new name to better identify him and tell his story. So, he is now known as “Tabitha Von Purrrstein”. I told Rich that Tabitha is a girls’ name, but he said that Jackson is part tabby and is always purring so that’s his new name. (sorry Jackie – blame your father)
Anyway – go see the show if you can while it’s here – it’s Great!!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Shop Till Ya Drop!!
This past Saturday, Rich and I set the alarm for 6:30am (sick, i know) to head out for a full day of cross-border shopping. A quick stop at Timmy’s for a bagel and a coffee and we were on the road. It was a nice easy drive as nobody is on the highway that time of day on a weekend – that is however until we got to the bridge into the U.S.
Oh lord…I think the whole world had the same idea as we did. We were stopped – bumper to bumper – for about an hour and a half just to cross the border. That’s what happens when the loonie hits a high! Everyone gets so excited and heads for the border.
But…eventually we made it across – first stop – the fashion outlets!! We had our cell phones charged, knowing we’d probably split up – I mean, Rich didn’t really want to go to the Coach store (can’t imagine why) and I wasn’t in the mood for Fossil – so we just went our own ways and met up every 15 minutes or so depending on where we were. It was great!! The deals were amazing in a lot of the stores there. By noon we were pretty pooped so we decided to sit down for some lunch. We had a really good falafel wrap with hummus to give us more energy for the rest of the day! A couple more stores there, then we were off to Buffalo for the afternoon to hit the Walden Galleria.
Gotta say – I much preferred the fashion outlets. It had all the same stores at lower prices (except for DSW –which is great!! bought two pairs of shoes and a pair of boots from there). But we still managed to make some purchases (go figure!) and of course we had to peek into the Cheesecake Factory just to catch a glimpse of the glorious cakes they have to offer – check it out @ http://shop.thecheesecakefactory.com/PublicStore/catalog/Cheesecakes,92.aspx. It was packed to the gills – which is probably a good thing cause we may have considered sitting down for a piece if it wasn’t. So – thanks to the crowds, I kept a pound or two off my waistline!
All in all it was a wonderful day. Although, coming back across the border was worse than going. We were honest (or dumb??) and told the guy how much we spent (a lot!) so we had to park our car and go inside and pay the taxes. That took about another ½ hour. Add that onto the 2.5 hour line up just go get back across the border and we ended up getting home at about 10 pm. It was a LONG day. But worth every penny I must say! :)
Oh lord…I think the whole world had the same idea as we did. We were stopped – bumper to bumper – for about an hour and a half just to cross the border. That’s what happens when the loonie hits a high! Everyone gets so excited and heads for the border.
But…eventually we made it across – first stop – the fashion outlets!! We had our cell phones charged, knowing we’d probably split up – I mean, Rich didn’t really want to go to the Coach store (can’t imagine why) and I wasn’t in the mood for Fossil – so we just went our own ways and met up every 15 minutes or so depending on where we were. It was great!! The deals were amazing in a lot of the stores there. By noon we were pretty pooped so we decided to sit down for some lunch. We had a really good falafel wrap with hummus to give us more energy for the rest of the day! A couple more stores there, then we were off to Buffalo for the afternoon to hit the Walden Galleria.
Gotta say – I much preferred the fashion outlets. It had all the same stores at lower prices (except for DSW –which is great!! bought two pairs of shoes and a pair of boots from there). But we still managed to make some purchases (go figure!) and of course we had to peek into the Cheesecake Factory just to catch a glimpse of the glorious cakes they have to offer – check it out @ http://shop.thecheesecakefactory.com/PublicStore/catalog/Cheesecakes,92.aspx. It was packed to the gills – which is probably a good thing cause we may have considered sitting down for a piece if it wasn’t. So – thanks to the crowds, I kept a pound or two off my waistline!
All in all it was a wonderful day. Although, coming back across the border was worse than going. We were honest (or dumb??) and told the guy how much we spent (a lot!) so we had to park our car and go inside and pay the taxes. That took about another ½ hour. Add that onto the 2.5 hour line up just go get back across the border and we ended up getting home at about 10 pm. It was a LONG day. But worth every penny I must say! :)
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Holiday Wrap Up
Well - if everyone had as much turkey as I did, you’re probably still yearning to lay down on that couch and continue digesting! Between Rich’s family, my family, and the leftovers, it’s been turkey central! But it was a lovely Thanksgiving weekend – as it always seems to be.
We were at Rich’s cottage on the Saturday and during dinner a storm passed directly over us, accompanied by lightning and thunder, and then wouldn’t you know it - out goes the power! But it was actually kind of cool because we all grabbed some candles and set them up around the table and dined by candlelight. Actually, once the power came back on, we contemplated just turning the lights back off!
At my mom’s place the next day it was a lot of fun and felt so cozy and “homey” for me. They have made their little house so attractive and welcoming and I love being there. Me and my mom just lied on the couch for awhile – well, she was sitting, but I was lying down with my feet on her lap and she rubbed my feet for me while I had a snooze – what can be better than that! The colours up north were magnificent. I didn’t go swimming, but could have. It was that warm.
So, Thanksgiving is over. No more holidays until Christmas. But our trip to Chicago is booked around the middle of November! I’m very much looking forward to that. I had no idea how expensive hotels are in Chicago!! If you want to stay in the downtown core that is – which we are – but we got our flights free with Air Miles, so I guess we can’t complain. Anyway – I’m looking forward to seeing the big aquarium that’s there and of course the shopping on the Magnificent Mile – and it just so happens our dollar is great right now!
On the wedding front – everything is still on track. Next big thing will be ordering my dress and thinking about where/who to do our invitations. I’m supposed to order my dress on the 20th of this month – but after all the food this weekend I’m thinking I may hold off a little while longer to try to whittle away some of the holiday leftovers that have made their way around my waist! Anyway – that’s the wrap up for now. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend!
We were at Rich’s cottage on the Saturday and during dinner a storm passed directly over us, accompanied by lightning and thunder, and then wouldn’t you know it - out goes the power! But it was actually kind of cool because we all grabbed some candles and set them up around the table and dined by candlelight. Actually, once the power came back on, we contemplated just turning the lights back off!
At my mom’s place the next day it was a lot of fun and felt so cozy and “homey” for me. They have made their little house so attractive and welcoming and I love being there. Me and my mom just lied on the couch for awhile – well, she was sitting, but I was lying down with my feet on her lap and she rubbed my feet for me while I had a snooze – what can be better than that! The colours up north were magnificent. I didn’t go swimming, but could have. It was that warm.
So, Thanksgiving is over. No more holidays until Christmas. But our trip to Chicago is booked around the middle of November! I’m very much looking forward to that. I had no idea how expensive hotels are in Chicago!! If you want to stay in the downtown core that is – which we are – but we got our flights free with Air Miles, so I guess we can’t complain. Anyway – I’m looking forward to seeing the big aquarium that’s there and of course the shopping on the Magnificent Mile – and it just so happens our dollar is great right now!
On the wedding front – everything is still on track. Next big thing will be ordering my dress and thinking about where/who to do our invitations. I’m supposed to order my dress on the 20th of this month – but after all the food this weekend I’m thinking I may hold off a little while longer to try to whittle away some of the holiday leftovers that have made their way around my waist! Anyway – that’s the wrap up for now. Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend!
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Thank-Yuh Thank-Yuh
Wow! Times have been busy! There have been family functions, dinners with friends, the run-for-the-cure (which was AWESOME by the way!!), birthdays and a new lawyer that started at work – so needless to say - I haven't had a lot of time to post.
But here I am and what better thing to talk about than my favourite time of the year. That’s right – Thanksgiving!! It’s just around the corner and I can’t wait! I love everything about it. The weather, the trees, the colours, the smells in the air, the cozy cottage visits, of course the dinner, but most of all just being with friends and family and thinking about all the things in my life to be thankful for, such as my loving family, my honourable and true friends, my health, my in-laws-to-be, and of course the love of my life – Rich. I still pinch myself each day to see if I’m dreaming. I can’t imagine being more happy and fulfilled as I am right now - and that says a lot, as the best is yet to come.
We’ll be seeing both our families this weekend and the weather is supposed to be fantastic so we might even get a swim in at the cottage! We’ll play a round of golf, eat, drink and be merry. It’s the best. Also, we’ve decided to head to Chicago for a little getaway. Probably a four-day trip. Neither of us have been and it’s on our list of places to go – so I’m really looking forward to that! Wedding plans are still on track and going great! We’ll probably get our bands made soon as our jeweler is moving in the new year, so he asked if he could make them sooner than later – fine by me!! (it’s pretty cool having your own personal jeweler I must say!)
So that’s what’s shakin’ for now. (by the way - can you believe I've been blogging for a year now? Who Knew!?) Oh, and I also want to say Happy Birthday to Rich’s mom! You looook mahvelous! Happy Turkey Everyone! :)
But here I am and what better thing to talk about than my favourite time of the year. That’s right – Thanksgiving!! It’s just around the corner and I can’t wait! I love everything about it. The weather, the trees, the colours, the smells in the air, the cozy cottage visits, of course the dinner, but most of all just being with friends and family and thinking about all the things in my life to be thankful for, such as my loving family, my honourable and true friends, my health, my in-laws-to-be, and of course the love of my life – Rich. I still pinch myself each day to see if I’m dreaming. I can’t imagine being more happy and fulfilled as I am right now - and that says a lot, as the best is yet to come.
We’ll be seeing both our families this weekend and the weather is supposed to be fantastic so we might even get a swim in at the cottage! We’ll play a round of golf, eat, drink and be merry. It’s the best. Also, we’ve decided to head to Chicago for a little getaway. Probably a four-day trip. Neither of us have been and it’s on our list of places to go – so I’m really looking forward to that! Wedding plans are still on track and going great! We’ll probably get our bands made soon as our jeweler is moving in the new year, so he asked if he could make them sooner than later – fine by me!! (it’s pretty cool having your own personal jeweler I must say!)
So that’s what’s shakin’ for now. (by the way - can you believe I've been blogging for a year now? Who Knew!?) Oh, and I also want to say Happy Birthday to Rich’s mom! You looook mahvelous! Happy Turkey Everyone! :)
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