Weight Loss Wednesday - May

After a couple weeks of gaining, I have finally gotten myself back on track. Last week I lost 1.2, and this week, 2.2 - and I must thank a special competition 2 of neighbours and I started. We all need to lose a little bit of weight - so we decided to create a friendly competition, the person who loses the most in 4weeks gets treated to a movie. So - the game was on. I worked out almost every day, on the treadmill, outside walking. The 3 of us have been walking 5km 1-2x a week. And it's been awesome - and it has really helped on the scales. I am now down 29lbs =D

I weighed myself this morning and was 156.8 - when I got pregnant with HoneyPie in November of 2004, I was 155. I haven't been this low since the end of 2004. I was so excited!

I am going to try hard to get to their goal of 146 by my 2nd anniversary with WW - perhaps even lifetime. That gives me 3 months to lose 11lbs. Wish me luck, I hope I can do it....maybe I can even get to MY goal of 140.

Too Sexy Too Soon? - Updated

Well, Miley Cyrus is in the news again....and this time it is because her new video "Can't be Tamed" is being labeled as "too saucy for her tween audience".
In it, the 17-year-old pop sensation transforms into what she calls an "Aves Cyrus" - - a rare species of sexy dancing pop star bird that can't be caged. The video features a very grown-up looking Cyrus complete with tight costumes, smoky eyes and racy dance moves. The darker, sexier video shows the teen star writhing around a cage in a feathered corset singing lyrics such as “I go through guys like money flyin' out their hands” and “Have to get my way, 24 hours a day, ‘cause I’m hot like that.”

Miley Cyrus' days of an innocent Disney star are over...perhaps this video is a way to distance herself from the Hannah Montana persona

What do you think? Too sexy for a 17 year old?



UPDATE!!!!
So - it looks as if she really "can't be tamed" - - Check out this video:


Miley -- who was 16 at the time -- was dancing with 44-year-old Adam Shankman during a wrap party last summer in Georgia for the movie, "The Last Song." Shankman, who is openly gay, produced the movie as well.
The people who shot the video say they were offended by the dirty dancing -- which included a graphic lap dance.

YIKES is all I can say!

3 Gals + Grove City Outlets = Way Too Much $ Spent

This past weekend, I spent a wonderful weekend with my mom and sister. We left on Friday and headed for Erie, Pennsylvania. I must tell you, my little Buddaroo was so sick with a stomach flu, leaving my little man was so difficult, but knew he was in good hands and it turns out, that night he made a turn and had a pretty good weekend with DH and HoneyPie...Anyway - back to my mini-vacay.
Armed with a load of American cash, we crossed the border and prepared ourselves for a crapload of shopping. We made really great time, probably because my sister is the fastest driver I have ever seen ;) I held tightly onto the door handle for most of our trip (I kid, I kid). Our first stop was Millcreek Mall in Erie - located on Peach St, it was right down the street from our hotel. I wasn't super impressed with the mall, I had heard good things about it - but I think with the economy, a lot of stores were closed down - especially in the food court - this was the most disappointing since we were starving for lunch when we arrived. I said to myself that I was really going to "try" to be good this weekend with my eating. Eating out is always hard when you're trying to lose weight - so for lunch that day, and at Grove City I chose Subway - was super yummy...and good for my points.
So we did some wandering - didn't buy too much there - Got DH 2 Affliction t-shirts and me...a super cute zester. A lot of my new recipes call for zest of lemon or zest of orange - and I never add it - but NOW, I have a zester...and it's cute! We hit a bunch of box stores, like Target, Best Buy, Payless, Kohls etc. Got some cute stuff - a pair of Chuck Taylor All Star's, a few really cute shirts.
From there, we went and checked into our hotel - Country Inns and Suites. Was nice - an older hotel, but with a huge room, pool, hot tub and free breakfast. We were a bit tired and laid around for a tiny bit before heading to dinner at Applebee's.
We ordered some yummy drinks. Mom, a Skinny Margarita, Jenn a Blue Coconut Margarita and myself, a Pomegranite Margarita that came IN a shaker...that could have filled my glass 3 times. OY! We ordered a great appetizer platter to share - so yum...and I had the Orange Chicken Bowl (the same one I raved about last year at this same time...although this time, it wasn't as tasty). After dinner we did a bit more exploring and then turned into the hotel - an hour of TV and then hit the hay...we knew the next day was going to be a busy one.

Up bright and early and headed down for breakfast - for free! Mapquest directions said Grove City was about 1hr7m away...but I'm sure we made it there in 40mins. We were pumped and ready to spend, spend, spend. I got so much spring/summer stuff for the kids - and a few things for me - my #1 on my wish list was COACH! I added to my collection a small burnt orange purse and a light coloured wallet. Can now count my Coach purse collection on 2 hands =D Whoo hoo! LOL

We did the outlets in about 4.5 hours - tired we hit the road back to Erie and did a bit more shopping once there. Dinner at Ponderosa, and then some stops along the way. Man, when we got back to the hotel we were exhausted. We tried to stay up for a movie...but lights out by 10:30.

It was so nice to spend a weekend away with my mom and sister. My sis and I spend girl time together more often, so it was really great to spend some personal time with my Mom. We had such a fun time, the 3 of us - the laughs...OMG! My Mom kills me some times. We are already looking forward to our trip next year - not sure where - but a weekend away for sure.

And I leave you with a photo of the goods...And be certain I DID NOT go over the $400 limit for items brought back to Canada (Ha, I kid, I kid! LOL)


Also - may as well fill you in on last night's weigh in...So with a week of no exercise due to Buddaroo's illness taking up all of my time, and indulging on some really tasty and super fattening dinners...I sadly gained 3.2 this week (BUT, I also may have screwed myself by weighing in last week first thing in the morning instead of in the evening). So - this week, I vow to get my exercise back on track, keep on the WW program and hopefully lose what I gained this past week. Cross your fingers for me =D

Weight Loss Wednesday

I just realized I hadn't updated my weight loss since January. Jeez, I've become such a slacker when it comes to this blog - For those who read it - so sorry =(

About 6 weeks ago, I was reading my Weight Watcher's magazine and I came across an article about learning to jog. It provided an 8-week cycle that you follow in order to train you to jog 20 minutes straight. My neigbours, Gayle and Deb had recently started jogging together and had asked me to join - they do 5km, which scared the hell out of me, so I declined...instead I dusted off our treadmill and started on this program. You start off walking 2 minutes, jogging 1 minute and repeat 4 times....and week by week you slowly add more jogging time and decrease the walking time. I started at week 4 - 4 minutes jogging 2 minutes walking...I felt that the earlier weeks were too easy...this was a good place for me to start. And oh my god, I soon became obsessed with my treadmill - I was jogging every day, even skipping the "walking" days outlined on my program to jog instead. And this new exercise certainly paid off. My first week I lost 3lbs.

On March 26th, we took the kids to support DH's brother in The Around the Bay Race - a 30km race circling the Hamilton Bay. I can't even imagine running 30km. Holy smokes. Seeing Dennis run this race was so inspiring. He was amazing. He ran the race in 2hrs13minutes - He rocked it. After we got home that afternoon, I thought I would just see how long I could actually run...and I did 20 minutes. I was SO proud of myself. Seeing people of all shapes and sizes run and finish an amazing race was so inspiring for me - I am going to keep training and hopefully be able to run the 5km CIBC Run for The Cure...I've done it once before, but this time I hope to run it...not walk.

So, I'm thrilled to say that my hard work on the treadmill has been paying off the past few weeks. Last week I lost 2.6, today I lost 1.2 - with a grand total of 28.8lbs. 11lbs to go to my WW goal...and 17 to go to MY goal of 140!!!! I am so motivated and so determined.

But you know what's funny - I know I've lost almost 30lbs but still when I look at myself I don't really see that much difference - it's silly, I know - but I've always been hard on myself and critical of my body - so tonight, HoneyPie and I were looking at old photo albums on facebook and I came across a picture of my mom and I. And I cringed! I could finally see a difference.




So, yes it has taken me 1y8m to lose 28lbs - but I did it...and I'm going to lose more. I sure hope that by my 2yr anniversary at WW (August 2010) I will be a lifetime member. Having lost enough weight to get me to goal and to be able to maintain it for 6 weeks...I can do it!!!!!

WW: Orange -Crumbed Baked Chicken

So, I haven't been doing that great with my WW lately. The beginning of this year, I was doing pretty well. I had lost 7.2lbs from January 1st - February 1st...and sadly from February 1st - now, I think I've gained it all back. UGH! It's my own damn fault, though - I've been snacking more - falling into old habits...and then there was Buddaroo's birthday - I made too much cake and had almost a whole pan left over...well DH and I dove into that pretty quickly. I was so upset with myself. So - weigh in is tomorrow night...and starting Thursday I AM getting back on track.

One thing I am going to do to help out on my journey is to try some new recipes. DH bought me a couple WW cook books for Christmas. I've tried a couple...but tonight's turned out great. Here is the recipe for:
Orange-Crumbed Baked Chicken
*Be sure to use whole-wheat crackers for the coating - they add to the nutrition in this flavourful dish. If you prefer, substitute lemon juice and zest for the orange.
Makes 4 servings:
2 tbsp orange juice
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp salt
3/4c whole-wheat cracker crumbs
1 tbsp grated orange zest
1 shallot, finely chopped I did not have shallots on hand, so I looked online and a suitable substitute is green onion with garlic powder
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
4 (3oz) skinless boneless chicken thighs
1. Preheat the oven to 350F, spray a nonstick baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray
2. In small bowl, combine the orange juice, mustard and salt. On a sheet of wax paper, combine the cracker crumbs, orange zest, shallot and pepper. Brush the chicken on both sides with mustard mixture, then dredge in the crumbs, firmly pressing the crumbs to coat both sides. Place the chicken on the baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes; turn over and bake until cooked through, 15-20 minutes longer.
Per serving: (1 thigh) 179 Cal, 4g Fat, 1g Sat Fat, 1g Trans Fat, 59mg Chol, 518mg Sod, 20g Total Carb, 3g Fibre, 16g Protein, 18mg Calc.
POINTS value: 3

Filling extra: Enjoy the chicken even more by serving with a bowl of steamed mixed baby vegetables, such as carrots, pattypan squash, and zucchini.

Of course mine didn't look as wonderful as the one in the cookbook, but it was so good. DH, Buddaroo and I loved it - HoneyPie doesn't seem to like much these days - she ended up eating it all, but dinner time is always a fight with her. So here is one WW recipe that I would highly recommend. If I find more I like, I'll be sure to post them =D

Here Come the Terrible 2's!!!!

"Today our little Buddaroo is turning 2!"


Two years ago today, our little Buddarroo was born - it still feels like it was yesterday. I can't believe that two years have passed. You have accomplished so much this year.

Buddarroo - You started walking just after your 1st birthday and have learned so many new words. You are chatting up a storm and love to talk to on the phone. You love to play with your sister and think she is so funny. 2 weeks ago, you started sleeping in your big toddler bed...no more crib for you (although it is just the crib, turned into a toddler bed...you still love it) You are feisty and give us a run for our money, you have had your share of time outs - but, you are the most loveable little boy I have ever met. You give hugs to everyone and love to say goodbye to the daycare parents, jsut as they're own children do - hugs and kisses for everyone. You are cuddly and love playing with Mommy's hair, as much as that drives me crazy. You make me laugh every day - you are growing up to be quite the little ham. I can't wait to see all you accomplish in the next year - Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!


You are Mommy and Daddy's best boy - you and your sister are the reason the sun shines.
We are so very blessed to have you in our lives.
Happy 2nd Birthday to our wonderful little boy.

2010 IS THE YEAR FOR ME!!!!

That is our new 2010 WW slogan. "2010 is the year for me!" This is the year that we will get healthy, this is the year that we will get to goal. And I am going to do it! It's been a long time since I've written about my weight loss. And to be honest, the last few months, I have been stuck at a plateau. I had lost that 25 in September or so, and since then have been up and down - and then with Christmas in there, too - there were definitely a couple PLUS weeks.
At the beginning of January, one of the other members had said "this coming year, I'm going to treat it like I'm a new member - start fresh, follow the program like I should" and I thought, "Me, too!"

So this year, I have been tracking everything - choosing healthier meals - still haven't gotten my exercising back on track, but its a start. I definitely think my extra-curricular activities have been helping. Bowling every other Monday, Intermediate volleyball every Tuesday. At least it's something!

And...3 weeks in a row, I have lost 1.4 pounds - putting me at 25.6lbs lost. I was so happy. I've lost more this past 3 weeks (4.2lbs), than I have in 3 months. I am determined to get to goal this time - to stop paying every week would be great, but to finally, after 3 tries to become a "lifetime member" would be amazing!!!!

I spoke to one of the leaders there and she said "you're doing great, you'll be at goal in no time" I really wasn't sure what I wanted my goal to be - they have my goal weight as per my height anywhere between 111 - 146lbs. So, she said shoot for the 146lbs - follow the 6wk maintenance program and become lifetime...and then if you decide you want to lose more, no problem. So, that means I only have 14.2lbs to go until my first goal! I'm so excited...and now extra motivated.

Of course, to be healthy is my main priority - but to feel comfortable in a bathing suit and to be able to rock a pair of shorts this summer would be awesome, too.
So, as I said before - 2010 is the year for me! And I promise I'll keep my weight loss posts more up to date.

Here Comes the Heater!

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I have the BEST neighbours. The "new-girl" =D , had been nominated to organize a few fun events over these icky winter months to keep us motivated until our spring/summer/fall festivities begin. She stepped up to the plate and organized a team to enter into a local volleyball league. We are the Court Jesters (special thanks to Brad, for coming up with an awesome team name), intermediate volleyball team. EEEK! Intermediate? What was I in for?

The first game was this past Tuesday night. Our team arrived early to get some practice time in...and to scope out the competition. And boy - were they fierce. Our game was at 7:45 against "Da Ballz" This team was hardcore - a little intimidating.

The first thing they said to us "We're going to be running Libero, hope that's OK?" Libero? What the flip is libero? Alright, I was officially scared LOL (for those who don't know - a libero is the backrow defense specialist, they are allowed to sub for any backrow player when the ball isn't in play without previous permission from the refs. they wear a different color jersey). Well those Libero-running-jerks kicked our butts 4 games in a row. We all agreed that they were a little too hard core - more on a competitive level. They were beating us huge, yet still spiked the crap out of us - with one of our team mates taking one HARD off the shoulder. We weren't too impressed.

But nonetheless, we had a great time - with some drinks after...having fun was most important! And we sure did! But, we're still hoping we don't get our asses handed to us so brutally next week. =D It was so much fun - I'm glad I changed my mind and joined.

And you know what the best part of playing was:
When DH said to me the next morning, knowing how nervous I was about playing - "I'm so proud of you for playing, you did great!" He really is my biggest fan - supportive and encouraging even when I suck =D

Look Out PWBA!!!!

I joined a fun bowling league in September of 2008 with DH, our parents joined too after hearing how much fun DH had the year before (I didn't join prior as I was pregnant with Buddaroo). It's so much fun. We bowl with a friend we went to middle/high school with and his wife...and there are a few other people we know from school, softball, etc. We have an absolute blast.

I am in no way a great bowler. The first year we bought our own shoes, this year we bought our own balls - and boy, have they made a difference for me. My average has only gone from 104 to 117 but sometimes I unexpectedly score in the 130s, or 140s.

This past Monday, my scores were 109, 139...and then in the 9th frame of the 3rd game I got a strike....and then in the 10th frame, I got another strike...and then with my 2nd ball...I got another STRIKE! OH MY GOD!!! I screamed so loudly - I think the entire building heard my accomplishment. My very first turkey! I was so excited. My 3rd ball was a 8 or 9, I think. I ended up with 170. WOW!

Was a great night of bowling =D

32 years ago today, my wonderful DH was born.

Happy Birthday to my amazing husband, my best friend and my biggest fan.

I am so lucky to have you!

For you see, each day I love you more
Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.