My mantra

Sorry I did not post yesterday.  What started out as a shitty morning literally turned in to a really good day and high anxiety night.  I woke up yesterday morning to prepare for a very busy, lots of driving and sitting kind of day.  I finally put away the laundry I started last Friday, cleaned up my sheets and reflexology room from Monday to then have Elizabeth announce the upstairs toilet was clogged.  Marc bought a new plunger which he loves.  I was not so lucky with it.  After struggling with it for 20 minutes, sweating, with my clothes and the floor covered in poop coloured water I finally got it flushing.  Elizabeth had to pack her own lunch so likely not the best choices.   I got redressed, did a few more things and had to run out the door without breakfast.  Luckily I was meeting up with a friend at Starbucks (Trafalagar and Dundas).  That meant an expensive and not overly healthy breakfast of yougart and granola with a black coffee as I figured it would not be a good idea to get anything with milk or flavour shots.  From there I stopped off at Joe Fresh and did a bit of business casual clothes shopping although I ended up purchasing two cotton t-shirts, red solo cups, shampoo and underwear for Juliet and two bottles of white wine for Easter dinner on Sunday.  I then went to Payless Shoes stores and bought some super cute shoes (business casual) so overall I met my goal.  Down to Lakeshore and Trafalgar for a laser hair removal treatment and walked seven minutes (or so Google maps predicted) to The Green Bean Coffee Company to meet with a Holistic Nutritionist/RMT who wants to start networking.  Had an amazing lunch and London Fog, yummy.  Walked back to the car.  Stopped off at Dollarama because my cat litter scoop broke that morning and then home.  I received a text from a client while I was driving.  She was getting some prelabour signs.  Now this is my client I have already supported through two births and her labours are fast.  Now I didn't know what to do because I had class one of a prenatal class series starting at 7 pm.  It was 3:35 pm.  Do I go ahead with class knowing she will not need me until 9:30 - 10 pm once class is over, or do I postpone for one week?  I called my back up and another doula for advise and both said postpone it, ever just for the peace of mind and energy preservation.  In the end that is what I decided to do.  I had to stop several times and remind myself to breathe, I felt like I was just buzzing with anxiety of the hyper alert of being on call.  At 6:47 pm she texted to say everything settled down.  Crap, I should have gone ahead with class.  So that was yesterday.

Today is a new day.  I didn't realize but my run was 2 minute run, 2 minute walk, then two 3 MINUTE RUN, 3 minute walk, ending again with a 2 minute run, 2 minute walk.  It was tough, there was a lot of self talk going on that I adopted the mantra "I am stronger than my hormones" and that helped me overcome the negative self talk.  It did not help however with the menstrual cramps which got me wondering in women are endorphins and oxytocin constantly linked?  Because I seem to start getting menstrual cramps while walking after my second long stint of running, they cease while running and come back excessive strong on my final and cooldown walk.  I almost wanted to double over today they were so strong but "I am stronger than my hormones."

I will have an easy day today.  I am on high alert not only for my client but also tonight as a back up for a second time mama who was having early labour symptoms last night as well.  It could be a busy weekend.  Also Monday I took a sneak peak I have 3 minute run, 2 minute walk, two stints of 4 minute run, 3 minute walk, ending again with the 3 minute run, 2 minute walk.  Wow, it is amazing how far I have come.  Now time for breakfast.  Have a spectacular weekend.

I love Burlington

I live in such a protected bubble here in Burlington.  There was barely a dusting of snow scattered here and there.  The grass was quite crunchy but totally clear to run on.  The run went well however just before my last running stint I started to get menstrual cramps.  I was hoping the endorphins would kick in to ease them but not in the moment  which made the last run a challenge but still doable.  I was amazed that in two minutes I almost ran the whole soccer field.  I was not doing that before.  It was awesome.

I realized this morning that I did not get any yoga or feet elevation happening.  Court went extremely well for my friend (a happy surprise for her) that I did not even get a lot of work done.  I didn't drink as much water as I would have liked but I can get back on track today.  Juliet also had her first chiropractic assessment and adjustment and she was very pleased.

Today I have Aquafit at 9 am, a date with a friend at 11 am and then need to get some work done as the rest of the week is busy with appointments and family time.  But for now it is time to drink a tea.  Happy Wednesday.

I have become one of the converted

This morning I woke up with things on my mind.
1. How am I going to run tomorrow in the snow?  What will I wear?  I can deal with the cold but do I wear my shoes or boots?  Does that mean I need to run on the sidewalk instead of the grass?
2. What am I going to wear today while I sit and support my friend in family court?  What should I bring with me?  Can I work on a lap top?  Should I bring my online prenatal class material?  Will there be wifi, I could working on my run/walk course?

All these things that I almost forgot to weigh in.  Well now I am truly a running convert.  Yesterday I asked Marc do you think I lost more weight this week.  I never thought I would put him in such a position but I was curious what other people were seeing.  He says he couldn't really tell as he sees me everyday.  I feel I am starting to get thinner in my cheeks. Here are the results

I am down another 2 lbs this week bringing me to a weight of 178 lbs.  I am in shock and amazed.
Neck, shoulders, biceps, and chest were all the same.  Now here is the extra good news.
Waist 43.5" - down a full 1"
Hips 46.5" - down 0.5"
Thighs 25", hold on to your seats that is 1.5" down, holy crap!!!
My calves were up 0.5" but I am totally fine with that.  I have lost a lot of muscle mass and gorgeous shape off of them.

So all together 2.5" down off the areas I measure and 2 lbs in seven days.  Running is pretty spectacular.  I was nervous too because I did not do as good of a job on hydrating and ate well but not completely clean.

I started a new 21 day meditation with Deepak and Oprah.  It was good just to take the time for myself. Today will be all day sitting so I plan to do some yoga tonight with my feet up the wall for a while to help the lymphatics.

Hoping your day brings you at least one pleasant surprise.

I am awesome!

I am a power house.  Today was my 2.5 minute run stints and I did them with ease, it was incredible.  I feel amazing, capable of anything, stupendous.

This weekend was a great prenatal series.  I got out on Saturday for a quick 20 minute walk while drinking a smoothie for lunch.  Saturday night Marc and I did some yard work, because is there any other way to spend a Saturday night.  Sunday I thought the last bit of the prenatal class outside which was interesting as it was a bit windy but it was nice to be outdoors.

Today I need to send photos to Costco, check in on a doula client, do all the dishes that built up over the weekend, do a quick tidy, and then I have a girlfriend coming for coffee at 11 am.  An "Ultimate renewal" reflexology appointment from 2 - 3:30 pm, reset the room for regular reflexology, clean the rocks and have a smoothie for dinner at 4 pm, then a standard reflexology appointment at 4:30 - 5:30, reset the room and start heating the rocks for another "Ultimate renewal" appointment from 6 - 7:30 pm.  Then clean the room, start washing the linens, maybe have a little snack and go for a walk/bike ride if the weather is nice to the bank with Marc, deposit money, pay bills.  You know the typical Monday kind of stuff.  And of course at the end have energy to burn because I am awesome!

Friday

Sorry I did not post yesterday.  It was truly a rest day for me.

Let me rewind to Wednesday.  I ran, napped, and the family went for a walk (Marc and Juliet) and bike ride (Elizabeth and I) to Paletta park.  The past two weeks I cannot get through Wednesday without a nap.  Last week was 5 minutes, this week was 30 minutes, but if that is what my body needs that is what I will give it. I stayed up way too late, reading, cleaning and working on a revamped prenatal class page for my website to include the Waterdown classes. Yesterday I spent most of the day on the computer though I had a great reflexology session with a client.  It was so cool, her body is so responsive.  The second I touched her digestive system it started gurgling, I love it.  I almost opened the chocolate bar yesterday but didn't and drank more water instead.  Stronger in body and mind, I love it.

Today I did my run which was an increased load.  It feels really great, this week when it prompts me to stop my breathing is controlled and the muscles are not yelling. Next week I am apprehensive but at the same time confident.  I have to progress from running 1.5 minutes to 2.5 minutes.  I only have to do that twice for the first two days, so it should be manageable and I am strong yet that is a full minute difference.  I am sure I will amaze myself, as I said I feel I could continue when I am prompted to stop so there is no reason to doubt.  I rise to the occasion, bring on Monday morning.

Today I am receiving reflexology from Bonnie Smith of Soul's Journey.  Thanks to my Mom for the gift certificate.  Groceries will need to be purchased, the house vacuumed and laundry washed.  We will be spending some family time tonight.  This weekend I am teaching from 10 am - 5 pm both days.  A lot of sitting so I hope the weather is nice after dinner so I can get out and do something.  If not maybe we can plan an active family challenge.

Happy Friday everyone.  Lots of love.

It's Wednesdays

So this morning I really didn't want to get out of bed and it was totally refreshing.  It was not lack of motivation last week, just a case of the Wednesdays.  I still went out and ran.  I couldn't find my headphones which was disappointing.  It meant I needed to hold my iPod as I couldn't hear the run/walk prompts from my pocket.  I did however run without music and it went well.  Marc came out with me and has decided to be active, walking on my rest days and running with me on run days.  I am happy for him and know he will feel better for it.

I am still in shock that I lost 2 lbs in 7 days with such small changes.  Yesterday I was really feeling the need to have chocolate.  I went to my sash and grab a mini Kit Kat.  It sat my desk the whole time.  Twice I picked up and decided I didn't really want it.  I think it is good to have it there because it keeps me focused and reminds me to drink more water or change my activity so on my desk it will stay.  Until PMS hits and then I might cave.

Marc and I did get an extra walk in during the evening when Elizabeth was at Guides.  We stopped off to hi to my friends Maja and Cam Edgar from Edgar Chiropractic and then walked along the lake for 75 minutes.

I forgot to take my vitamins yesterday.  As I typed this revamped post I must admit I am feeling pretty low on energy but I know that as soon as I am done teaching Aquafit I will be back to my boisterous self.

Today was a good run.  I am off to teach Aquafit at 9 am, at a Pathways meeting at Kinstruct from 12 - 2 pm where we are talking about temper tantrums and then back home to spend some much needed family time.

Happy hump day.

Celebrate every moment

Every moment of every day is a gift that is why we call it the present.  As I sit here on the Breakfast shift with Marc's grandfather and I see from the book the visitors he has had and the out pouring of love and support I am thankful for this opportunity.  I am in awe of how family pulls together and gets stronger through illness. I continue to see blessings through hardship.  I am grateful that I can spend time I may not make otherwise to show my love and support.

Other things to celebrate
I am down 2 lbs in 7 days - wow
I have lost 0.5" from both my arms and thighs.
This morning Marc and I went out for a 40 minute walk in the cold drizzle.
The coffee I left at home in my insulating mug will be the prefect chugging temp when I get home and I will not have a prickly tongue all day from burning it this morning.
I know get some time to read a book I have had for 20 months.
And for the day. That though cold and drizzly is full of potential.