A final look at 2013

Wow what a year.  It was totally a year of change, and excitement.  We did so much as a family and as a person I totally changed.  I lost a total of 29.5 pounds.  I did not make my final goal (missed it by a half a mother fucker pound) BUT I did not gain any weight over the holidays!  I managed to lose a little bit without even a work out.  I ran my first 5KM with some inspirational woman.  I built on some existing relationships making them some of the most important people in my life.  I want to take the time to thanks these women.  First of I have my total BFF Tina--you always listen, laugh, and swear along with me at all times of the day!  Julie and Kelly--my 5km bitches, my weight lost bitches, and two of my closest friends--thanks Ladies you rock!  Tania- a true inspiration for handling stress and change in style and finally Nadia, you started as my daycare family but you really are a truly fantastic sound board and its fucking crazy ass stupid how similar we are!  Love you all!  There are many people I would like to thank like my hubby, kids, brothers, sister-in-laws, parents and friends that encouraged me, complimented me, and just made me feel like I actually deserved to feel beautiful.  You may not realize what a small compliment does to a girl like me but trust me, gushing with pride inside is how you always made me feel.

I plan on continuing to use myfitnesspal.com
I plan on running
I plan on dancing
I plan on using my fitness coach
I plan on getting smaller and stronger
I plan on laughing more
I plan on losing more
I plan on running more (dare I say 10KM)
I plan on giving y'all a laugh more
I plan on scrapbooking more

Here is a silly little poem about 2013

2013

We laughed, We cried, we had a flood
Hell I even donated blood

I managed to lose a lot of weight
Everyone including myself thinks I look great

I have never been able to wear Lululemon
Simply because of my arse and gigantic melons

But I wear it now, with pride
Trust me all I do is dance and scream inside

Thanks for reading all my stories

And celebrating all my glories

It is time to say goodbye to 2013
It was the year my ass was like it was eighteen

Thanks to all my family and friends for everything you have done

You made 2013 number one!

I am a happy little shit

I say bring on 2014- you will be an even bigger hit!

I look forward to posting some new ones in 2014.  All the best and I will post my pics of my Lululemon hoodie that I got once I find my damn camera!

THE FINISH LINE

Well way back in January I started watching what I ate with my fitness pal.  I started working out regularly (well as regular as I can get) with Wii's My fitness coach and Xbox Just Dance.  I started running, and I ran a 5km and I have lost almost 30 pds.  I set two goals wonderland, and fitting into regular clothing (with a true goal of a lululemon hoddie).  I have achieved those goals.  Not sure about the hoodie I am too afraid to find out, but the regular sizes are good.  Now out loud to the world I am giving out my last goal.  I want to lose 2.5 pds by Dec 31, 2013.  Again, sounds like nothing but it is huge especially since I am the half pound wonder.....but I know its achievable.  So, to all my past and present cheerleaders I am calling on you to cheer me on.  When I get there trust me you will know.  That being said, feel free to cheer me (or others that you know are doing what I am), and when I get there help me celebrate my tears of joy with lots of jumping up and down.
I will keep you posted but in the mean time, I gotta get my little red head boy lunch and try not to eat the chocolates I made and work out this afternoon when I really want to sleep!

Cheer Cheer Cheer LOL

I swear I will get there--I got my bitches behind me, my hubby and my babies.  I will however take a few more pushes.

Until I achieve my 2.5 pd lose--take care and enjoy the festive season.  Merry Christmas!

JAMAICA BABY

Well, we did it, we surprised our 3 children plus two more from another family with a trip to Jamaica!  It was not easy, it was, let us say, exhausting!  BUT totally worth it!

After all the hell my family has been through with the flood, having no kitchen, constant renovations, my cyst bursting, lice growing, not be able to have play dates and well just life--we said FUCK IT and LETS GET THE HELL OUTTA DODGE!

We had a lovely agent Linda linda.dipenta@travelplus.ca who helped plan everything for us.  We told our children we were going to Montreal for the weekend with friends.  We said we were going to the Bio-Dome--which is totally cool but seriously its not Jamaica.  We managed to hide the suitcases (not an easy task) and got them to bed around 11:00pm.  We had arrange a wake up call at 2:00am and told the children the other family needed our help and we had to scoot over to their room--as they were half in the bag they just followed.  It was not until we were in the room when my middle child Connor said "Shhh I think this might be something good."  Well, he was right, it was but they were so tired and out of it that they were like "Oh ok Jamaica--but I want to go to the Bio-Dome"-----seriously!  After 20 minutes and explaining everything the jumping and excitement began.

The flight was great.  The resort well, it was AMAZING!!!
http://www.beaches.com/main/bo/bo-home.cfm?WT.mc_id=PPC&infinity=gaw~Beaches%2BBrand%2BJamaica%2BCA%2BENG%2BSPART%2BDESKT~Beaches%2BBrand%2BOcho%20Rios%2BCA%2BENG%2BSPART%2BDESKT%2BEXACT~23127223007~beaches%20ocho%20rios~e&gclid=COri5uT8_roCFbA7MgodZ3MARw

I could write several blogs about what we did and how amazing it was but I wanted to write about how unbelievable it was to go away-not think-just be-lay in the sun-have some cocktail-laugh with my kids-hold hands on the beach-see some beautiful beaches and creatures.

But, that would take all day.  I just want people to know that everyone needs a break.  Everyone is busy, everyone has their own shit to deal with.  No one is busier than the other.  I had a breaking point and this was my salvation.  To be honest Jamaica was a dream come true but if I did not have the money the Montreal Bio-Dome would have been fantastic.  I just needed to recharge the batteries and BE.

That week was amazing.  Coming home always sucks but I am always happy to be home.  I am running around again getting Christmas decorations up, catching up on homework, and the never ending house cleaning.  BUT I have a tan, a FINISHED kitchen, and a happy family.  I do not need anything more!

When I am freaking out with everything, I stop pretend I am on the beach, and chill for a minute and life is always better.  If you can't get to a beach, find your happy place, breath and ahhhhhh life is good!

Thank you to all of you who kept my secret, who helped plan, rearranged schedules, and who have been there for me through all this shit!  I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!  To the Sears--2014 Florida and 2015 Jamaica sounds lovely--I just don't want a new kitchen before I go!  BTW I ALWAYS check my dishwasher (my new Bosh rocks!) and I turned the water to my house off for the first time before I went away---the little things I will do now.

Here is a couple of pics of the gang

Thanks Piero, Caitlin, Connor, Cayla, Jason, Kelly, Morgan and Eric for a fantastic holiday!

I look forward to next year with a possible few more stragglers......  ;-)

Throw the scale out....well maybe!

Okay I know that the scale is a horrible thing, and I know I was worried about becoming attached to it. Well, I am.  BUT, I have realized that there is so many other ways to show my weight lose journey.  Some of them have made me double over in laughter and others brought grins to my face.

In the last couple of weeks I have been crazy busy but I have been noticing some funny things that have made me realize I have lost weight.  So, get ready for some giggles all at my expense cause there is some funny ones.

So I have been running around trying to get my house back together so exercising as not been as big of a priority, and neither has been spending time getting ready in the morning.  I got dressed the other day and put my bra on when all of a sudden I realized my boob was completely lost in my bra.  I could have packed two of those sucks in one cup.  I have been the same size in the chest for ever, I have been a 40D and currently I am a 34C now.

Another morning I was running down the stairs in a cute skirt when I almost went face first in the hardwood.  One would think I may have tripped over something but sadly that was not the case.  My underwear fell down to my ankles, while running down the stairs.  Funny yes--pretty NO!

Every woman has a pair of "fat girl" or "PMS" pants that are their go to every month.  I went to put my on cause I was feeling bloated and yucky.  Well, did I laugh, my PMS pants were officially ready to be given to the next linebacker for a CFL team!

I was cleaning out my closet.  Trying on clothes which fit and did not fit.  When I turned, the pile that did not fit -- meaning the TOO BIG pile was greater than the fit pile.

I brought all the winter gear up only to discover my winter coat that I loved last year is too big and needs to be taken in ALL OVER.

BUT the best one was when I was lining the shelves in the kitchen with shelf paper.  My back was getting sore and I wanted to sit down.  Behind me was my little two step ladder.  I kinda fell into it thinking I would lean when I sat.  I mean I sat......down..........on the step ladder.  MY ASS FIT--WITH ROOM!!!  I laughed, I danced, I cried.  Seriously I am not lying I did all that, At. Home. Alone.  Then I called my girlie and girl, my hubby and even my Mommy!

So, when I bitch about a half a fucking pound, I will take out my ladder and sit down awhile and smile.  I will remind me I have lost almost 30 pounds (sounds better than 28).  I have come down 2 dress sizes and no longer need a plus size store. ( 18+ to a size 14 regular)  Most importantly I will think of my girlfriend Kelly who has told me at least a dozen times to "throw the fucking scale out" and smile, giggle and move on!

I have enclosed a picture of me sitting on my ladder in my newly fixed kitchen after a hot shower after my 5km run tonight--booyah!

5KM and me

Holy Hell I did it.  I just ran a 5km race.  I have been running and I have completed the 5km at home but there is something special about doing it with your family and friends cheering you on.
I ran for the CIBC Run for the Cure http://www.runforthecure.com/.  I ran it with 3 beautiful friends and loved it!
I honestly did not think that I could do this.  Honestly, I never thought that my big ass could do it.  You are talking about a girl that has not skied for fear that my ass would not fit in a snowsuit to ski in!  So, that being said I am so pleased that I said I would do it, set a goal of just running the whole thing, and actually completing the run!  When Julie said she wanted to run in the Spring and I said why wait--I really was not thinking.  I thought we would give up---I know its sad but honestly I have never followed through on anything LOL.  Not only did we do it, we have all lost weight and have really enjoyed the running.
After our run we all went to Tutti Frutti http://www.tuttifruttidejeuners.com/fr/ for some yummy breakfast.  Now this restaurant is a bit on the expensive side but when I say the service rocks it is freakn' kick ass!  We have never gone as a table of 5 but a minimum of 11 and today we had 15.  Not one fuck up!  Not one late meal, or cold meal.  Coffee is super yummy and always flowing!  It was here we talked about doing another 5km in a couple of weeks called Rattle me Bones.  It was  also here we talked about doing a 10km in the Spring/summer.
All I know is I am proud of me!  I have never been prouder, and I am proud of my girls!  I will not stop, I may not post every 5 minutes on FB as I am sure people are like "Seriously here she goes again!"  But all those words of encouragement meant the world to be.  I ask a favour from all of you, next time you see a runner, cheer them on!  It feels great!
Thanks to the beautiful lady that took the time to congratulate me on my first 5km--you made me smile, cry and heart swell with pride.  THANKS everyone!

I did it!

Yes its been awhile.  Its amazing how fast time passes by.  I wanted to give you an update on the whole weight lost exercising thing.  Well,  I have been running.  Yes, running, well jogging and even that its slow.  I have been using the podcast Couch to 5km.  It works!  I am on week 8 which is the final week, and I ran 5km nonstop in 42 minutes.  I nearly crapped my pants.  I was crying.  I was so damn proud of me!  My hubby was with me and to be honest he pushed me the last 3 minutes and I did it.  I have registered in the Run for the Cure on Oct 6, 2013.  I have registered with some very special ladies and I look forward to do it and from what I understand be inspired.  I am running for everyone, but more specifically for my wonderful Aunt Kay.  She doesn't even know, but not only is she a survivor (of many alignments) but she is a true inspiration.  Knowing that I have done this once, makes me breath easier for the Oct 6 date.  My only goal was to run the whole thing.  I will let you know how it goes.  Listen guys, if I can do this so can you!  I for the first time actually realize I have lost weight, and my body has changed.  I have seen the changes!  Clothes don't fit, I feel better, and actually look forward to my run ever second day.  If I inspire one person to change and become healthier all this shit and hard work is worth it.  Well, it worth it for me anyways, but I want people to understand if this fat ass bitch can do it YOU CAN DO IT!  BTW got a name for our little team of runnings.  My husband wanted the Barrhaven Bitches but I did not think they would welcome us but we came up with JST DO IT K!  Julie, Sonia, Tina and Kelly!  Cute eh?!  Keep on trucking, I am.  Let's do it together.

July is almost over

Well its been awhile since I have posted and thought I would send a quick update.  A couple of great things have happened.  I have lost more weight and I have maintained some.  I have lost an additional 3 pounds since my major goal.  I have been on holidays for the last week and a half and I did not lose but I did not gain!  That is a miracle considering I have been drinking and eating some pretty wonderful food!  I still think about what I am going to eat when we are out and try to stick to the better choice.  I think it has been what has worked for me!  I am going to start inputting all my food again as I took a holiday from it, but I need to see what I have been eating to help me make better choices.
I have also started a new exercise.  A dear friend talked one day about wanting to do a run, and me and my big mouth said "Why wait, let's do it now."  So, in getting ready for my first "real" 5km I have started Couch to 5km.  I did do a 5km with my kids a couple of years ago, and that was with a stroller and lots of "come on Mom you can do it!"  This time my plan is to RUN the entire 5km.  It just seems sad when I say it as 5km is not a lot.  I walk that almost 3 times a week, but running it without leaving my lungs on the side of the road is a hell of a lot different.  I am on week 2 and I am finding it easier then I expected.  I think all the other exercises I have been doing helps.  That being said I did take the week and a bit off of working out, and I know I will pay for it on my first couple of exercise times but oh well.  It needs to be done to get to my next goal.
Speaking of next goal, I am putting it out there.  I want to lose another 15 pounds for my cousins wedding in September.  Ok, so I just said it out loud.  I know it won't be easy as everything for me is slow.  But, slow is better than to fast.  My prize will be shopping for my dress.  I bought my first non plus size dress (size 14 people now that is fucking huge for me).  I loved it for the size it said, but I loved it cause it looks good too.  I am the first person to realize that the size of a dress doesn't matter as there can be so many different styles etc that a size can change from 1 to 2 dress sizes.  BUT it was a non plus size and to me that is all that mattered.  I am expecting to have a beautiful dress for September with some beautiful bling from my favourite place-- Stella and Dot!
I will let you know how my journey goes.  But, always know you can do it, sometimes we stop, sometimes we cheat, but overall you can do it!  I was walking around my neighbourhood the other day when one of my neighbours stopped me and told me how wonderful I look and asked me all kinds of questions, like how, what have you been doing and I found my self standing taller and puffing out my chest a bit more acting all  proud and shit!  So, thanks Nancy, those words made me freakin' day, and gave me the motivation I needed to get back to it!
'Till next time stay strong, have fun, and get a friend to do it with they are the best support in the entire world!