Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Pretty Fierce Week 2

I am proud of myself! I have completed week 2 of an 8 week program! Here is my review for this week.

Starting weight: 255.5 lb
This week weight: 253.0 lb

Day 8 - Cardio plyometrics +Core; This was very challenging as I had no sleep last night and I was determined to do this workout today. I tried to do every move as they were the same as day 1 but it really was an effort to keep the pace. I did complete the 30 minute workout, but I did not do as many reps as I should have done. Here's to a better day tomorrow!

Day 9 - Tabata;  This is the intense Cardio where you only have 7 exercises but you do them 7 times each as fast as you can in a 3 min interval. I actually did better than the first week in repetitions but I was a little slower.

Day 10 - Shredding; Missed - pulled a leg muscle because I didn't stretch enough from the day before. Just shows that you really do need to do the stretching!

Day 11 - Flex Schedule; Missed - still recovering from the pulled muscle

Day 12 - Loading + Core: This is a mix of high intensity Cardo and weights, so you are essentially loading everything in a 20 minute workout. It was still difficult to do the jumping with the weights (mainly because I still have weak kegals), but I did the exercises.

Day 13 - Cardio Plyometrics; I actually took my workout clothes and DVD to my mom's house because we were spending the day. Every other time I have done this with the intent to workout, I never did...but this time I got ready as soon as the boys went for their nap and did the 30 minute workout!

Day 14 - Yoga Hybrid; I have no excuses other than I really didn't feel like working out this day so I ended up missing this day. I felt bad when I was laying in bed that night so my goal for the next week is to do everyday.

Monday, August 3, 2015

Weight Loss journey Continues...

So Back in December I started a new weight loss program and it was working for about 2 weeks...then Christmas holidays occurred and then a bunch of sick time. I recommitted myself again in February and that only lasted 3 days and off the wagon I went!

Well I have done it again and this time I am committed! (Yes I know I have said that before, but this time is different). I was at K-Days in Edmonton, and went on a ride with my daughter...much to my dismay (although she loved the ride) my hips and bottom were spread so wide that I was practically sitting on her. I felt awful and decided that Monday morning I was going to change. I bought the food (not that it's any different than what we already eat), and got my workout clothes ready. 

I have lasted a week and here is my review of the past week (you are going to be sick of this weekly update by the end of 60 days - but this is how I am being committed to this program). Again I can't believe I am posting my measurements but I need to see it.

Start Weight: 255.5 lbs
Chest: 45.5"
Waist: 45"
Hips: 53.5"

Day 1: Cardio Plyometrics - I thought I was in a bit of shape chasing after kids all day, but this was challenging. All joking aside this was a mix of high and low cardio. It was intense but I was able to keep the pace and only missed a few moves.

Day 2: Tabata Cardio - I was feeling the workout from the day before but I managed to do this 26 min workout. For those that don't know Tabata is a workout that you do as many reps of a particular move in a short amount of time and you repeat that move 7 times. (Jabs, Run, Skaters, Football Run and Tuck Jumps). Wow by the time I got to the tuck jumps I was hurting!

Day 3: Shredding - Shredding is the right name for this workout...it was 30 minutes of high intensity cardio with weights included. This is designed to get your cardio up and work your specific muscle groups with weights. You use a mix of heavy and light weights, but by the end of the 30 minutes both sets of weights feel like they are 30 pounds!

Day 4: Flex Schedule - This is my choice of workout of either an Outdoor run (which I don't run very well for any kind of distance) or Tabata. To be perfectly honest, I skipped this day...not because I didn't want to do the workout (as much as I wan't really looking forward to it) but I had a cake that I had to decorate for a client and really didn't have time.

Day 5: Loading - This workout was very difficult, I feel every muscle and to be honest I had a really hard time keeping up with the timing of the exercises. There are 7 short sets that are high intensity mixing cardio and weights. Loading is the perfect name for this set as you really do load everything on during this exercise.

Day 6: Cardio Plyometrics - I didn't make it...I had a date night the and this next day we went shopping without kids. I did a lot of walking so I hope that counts for something.

Day 7:  Yoga Hybrid - I was really looking forward to this workout as I was thinking that I have a low to medium intensity workout. Well I was in for a surprise...this workout is yoga, but you use weights to add to the difficulty!

I am proud of myself that I managed to workout 5 of 7 days. When Lindsay Brin suggests at the beginning of the DVD series that you should have been working out for a month prior to starting this training she wasn't kidding. I was very tired and a little slower on some days but I was able to keep up and not as winded and out of shape as I thought. I guess running after 3 kids all day does count for something.

I keep repeating my workout mantra (especially when I am super tired and only had 5 hours sleep) "I am doing this for me and I can do this". Funny enough I have completed this week and I am actually looking forward to this coming week to see how I can do with these workouts. My goal is everyday! I don;t have any cakes due and nowhere to go so "NO EXCUSES"!

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Sleeping twins

Since this is supposed to be a blog about my life with twins I figured I should actually write about them...I have been looking back on past posts and realized that I am mainly writing about me and my frustrations and not much about the everyday family life.

Well here it is...the average toddler of 2-3 years in age is to have 12 hours of sleep in an 24 hour period. I think whomever did this "study" either doesn't have kids, didn't study twins and really only did it in a controlled environment where the lights could be controlled and no windows or other noises were present. Either that or I just have abnormal twins!

Since the boys turned 2 almost a year ago we have been battling bedtime with jumping out of bed, climbing over into each other's cribs (they are now in toddler beds- only lasted a week), and just not sleeping until sometimes 11 at night. It's now worse that it's the summer and hot (they don't believe me that it's bed time as the sun is still out). What really gets me these days is that whenever someone else puts them to sleep (a grandparent) they are like angels...why not for me?

Today is Canada Day and we decided to actually do something this year. My husband and I took the kids swimming for the first time at a pool in hopes that it would tire them out...nap time was fantastic (the boys went right to sleep and I had to wake them up 2 hours later). In the afternoon we decided that the swimming tired them out so we would take the dog to the dog park for a nice long walk. We went out for dinner (they ate really well), bath, story and bed. Or so we thought

I am sitting here 3 hours after putting the kids to bed writing this as I have taken almost everything I could possibly think of out of their room in hopes that they will go to sleep (I have gone upstairs to put them to bed over a dozen times buy now). My daughter was never this bad...it took 3 months to transition her fro my crib to a bed with her jumping out and me putting her back...the boys now that is another story. I have talked to many people, referred to many sleep training sites and we have tried everything. The going in every 5 min to reassure them that I am still here, the stern voice telling them to go to sleep that play time is over for the day. I have even put them back into bed not saying a word...all I can say is that boys are totally different than girls and twins are totally different than single babies. I really do envy those people who say that their kids have slept through the night at 2 months...Congratulations! You are above the average sleep time for your kids.

Studies have said that kids do better at learning when they have a full night sleep....well if that's the case then I must have really dumb kids. I know I don't as my daughter started reading on her own in kindergarten, my boys can figure out most puzzles...but when you read these articles when you are at your wits end you feel like the world's worst mother! I know I am sleep deprived...I have been for almost 7 years as the sleep depervation begins when you are pregnant to get you ready of a life time of not sleeping. These days I now wish I listened to my mother when she said to go to bed (but I will never tell her that she was right)

Here's hoping that someday I will get a full nights sleep and be able to go to bed early!

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Stubborn

Stubborn people are all around us and it's worse when they are part of your family. Our of all the traits that a person can have that is one that I really don't like. Perhaps it's my stubbornness that causes me to not like this in other people but when their stubborn streak is apparent and they take it out on me then I am not pleased.

On March 10 my husband had a really bad accident at work (which we will never see any repercussions with the builder) and broke his heel bone and dislocated his finger. It could have been much worse, but that is not the point and my anger with this particular builder is for another time. Anyway, months later, a surgery, crutches, a cane, lots of physiotherapy (I think my husband see more of his therapist than me) this weekend we decided that we need to investigate the wooden stairs on our porch. My husband has not liked going up and down these stairs since the accident (for good reason) and this weekend it became very apparent how serious this type of accident really is!

After removing the staircase, we discovered that there were a total of 4 screws holding the stairs up on a very rotten board.


This was a ticking time bomb for anyone who walked on the stairs...

Now to the stubborn part. I give my husband credit in that he is determined to get this fixed as quickly as possible, but he also needs to realize that he cannot push himself. Last night after working on the deck all afternoon his foot began to hurt and we tried to think of why (perhaps that the physio therapist said to try not to use the pressure bandage, or that he was working on uneven ground for 4 hours, or both). This morning when he woke up his foot was still really sore and instead of icing an taking it easy, he pushed through and started working on the porch. He just stopped working as he is in so much pain that he can barely stand. This is where the stubborn comes in....he is in pain,  I am just trying to help and he yells as me. We were told as soon as the Dr. gave the ok to walk on the foot again that pain is not gain in this type of injury and if you are in pain to stop. So instead of taking a day to recover, my husband works with this pain and probably can't go to work tomorrow, and will be off his foot for a few days.

The kicker of all this is (now it's my pitty party) we are supposed to go on a holiday without the kids this weekend and go cave exploring, and a wedding and spending time on the beach. He will probably be sitting in the hotel icing his foot on pain killers. I am really glad that he is up and walking again, but I wish that he would take it easy for just a little longer...heel breaks can take from 6 months to a year to heal and it's only been 3 months!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Readings

Years ago, before I got married I went to a tea house with a group of girlfriends for tea and a reading. You had your choice of palm reading, tea leaves or tarot cards. I was very doubtful that this would be anything but a show, but I went into my reading with an open mind. 

I chose the palm reading and as the lady started the recorder so that I can take the reading home with my I had decided that I was not going to elaborate on any answers and help her along in the reading, just to see how right she really is. I would call myself (back then) a huge skeptic! There were a few pieces of information that I was intrigued about...but nothing really stood out until a few years later. Here were the highlights that I remember (I want to go through my things and find the tape to re listen)

I was told that I would have a long life...I am sure most people are told this but there is long life in my family (my grandmother died at 93 years old)

I was told that I would get married before I turned 30....strange number but looking back now, I got married the month before I turned 30

When it came time for the children line on my palm the medium laughed and I remember asking what was so funny...I was told I would have 3 children and one would be a set of twins. At the time I thought she was nuts and never thought anything of that statement again until I was 7 months pregnant with twins. I had a realization (about 5 years after this reading) that she was right!

When Long Island Medium made her debut on Canadian Television (TLC) my mom was talking about how it would be really neat to have a reading done by Theresa Caputo. My sister and I thought about taking her to New York and getting this done...we never did as the cost was really expensive, but the thought of going to a medium never left my mind.

About a month ago I found out that a co-worker of mine is a medium and she has been for years. I contacted her and set up a reading for myself, mom and sister. I think I was looking for something, but was more curious again if this really could happen. Last night we met with Donna from Third Eye Mystics and what is typically an hour reading turned into almost 3!

I have to admit I had mixed emotions...
Nervous that nothing would happen
Excitement that I may actually connect with a loved who had passed
Wonder if this really does work
Need...I wasn't sure what but I felt that I needed this as much as my mom wanted to connect

Donna was fantastic, before we really settled into our seats she was talking about a very strong woman who wanted to make herself known to us (my grandmother). We had very positive messages and quite a few validations and statements said that there was in no way that Donna would have know about my family. Yes I did work with Donna, but we never really sat down to talk about my life before this day. I had two questions for my dad in my mind that if he did come I wanted answered and he did with a determination that Donna couldn't ignore to pass along.

I have always felt that my dad is with me everyday, even though I don't always think of him, but I needed the reassurance that he is there, and some of the things that came across confirmed his everyday presence.

It was a fantastic experience and if ever I need the reassurance again I think I would go to another reading. I know that he is looking out for me and my family and even though he is not here, he is still guiding me along in my life only like a father could. 

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Lesson Learned

It's funny that after 3 kids I think that I have this being a mother thing down and then something happens...

Everyone gets into some sort of routine...if you think about it. 
You wake up (usually at the same time everyday)
You eat Breakfast
You go to work
You eat Lunch
You go to back to work
You eat Dinner
You wind down after the day
You go to bed
You repeat.

My Husband and I were in for a wake up call about how comfortable we were with our routines. On Sunday I was on the phone with poison control because as we were going to bed, I checked in on the boys and discovered that David had managed to get a hold of a bottle of children's Tylenol and drank a good portion. Other than the day they were born I have never been so scared and worried about my kids in all my life!

How could this happen? We were so careful, putting the bottle on the boys dresser that is quite high. They have never attempted to climb the dresser...but this time David climbed onto the rocking chair and used the arm as his lift to reach for the bottle. I am trying to wrap my brain around this, and my theory is:

The boys have been sick all week and we have been giving them Tylenol to help with sore throats and sleep. Sunday night I thought that they were much better and didn't need it. David however had a different idea. He probably thought that we missed giving it and took it upon himself to get his dose. We have absolutely no idea how much he actually got because the bottle was not new and I don't know how much was left.

Calling poison control the lady on the other line was very nice but I could tell that she was trying to be professional. After weighing David we figured (doing calculations on her end) that he would have had to have 3/4 of the bottle to be toxic. If that was the case I would have to go to the hospital and get the antidote, because Tylenol causes liver damage.

Because I was doubting how much he could have ingested I was up all night making sure that he was still breathing and not turning yellow from liver failure...so the lesson has been learned and I hope this blog can help someone else so they don't have to go through the worry and terror of a child overdosing on something so simple as Tylenol. It can happen so fast!

The first thing I have done the next day was put all medicine in our medicine cabinet that the only way a child can get to is by closing our bathroom door and climbing on a chair...which they would have to get from downstairs.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Weight Loss...What is that???

Everybody has some sort of insecurities be it weight, nose, how they laugh...who knows? Only that person knows what it is and you can't always tell what people are really struggling with on the inside.

For me it's my weight and the look of my body. When I got pregnant with my daughter I weighed myself everyday and when I saw that scale start to rise, I found it difficult to accept and had to keep repeating to myself that gaining weight is a good thing during pregnancy. I did really watch what I ate, which wasn't very hard as I really had not much of an appetite for the duration of the pregnancy. I ate because I had to not because I wanted to. That could be the reason I gained 38 lbs....which I thought was a lot but all the books and my Dr said that was right on target.

When I became pregnant with the boys my Dr. Wasn't concerned with my weight as I was carrying twins and the rules for eating and gaining weight are different. I knew I was overweight with them from the start as I was at the weight when I was about to deliver my daughter when I got pregnant with the boys. As with my previous pregnancy I really wasn't hungry and ate when I had to (which was much more frequently - I felt like I was stuffing my face). I would have the odd day where all I wanted to do was eat but they were not very frequent. Again, with this pregnancy I on;y gained 40 pounds and when the boys were born I was relieved that they were healthy and more so that that 40 pounds was literally baby and all the contents of the pregnancy.

1 month later I was thrilled (much to my sister's dismay) that I had lost all that twin baby weight plus an additional 10 pounds. For the first time in a long time I actually felt good about myself and I had to get my bridesmaid dress taken in! I would shrug my shoulders and the thing would fall off.

Fast forward 2 years and I am back to a miserable weight and feeling very discouraged! As I stated in my December blog, I look at myself in the mirror and all I see is a blob of a person. My friends are really the only ones who tell me that I look good (family really doesn't count). But to be honest...as many times as I hear it, I really don't see it. That is why back in December I decided to start a program.

My usual track record with any weight loss attempt is 3 days and I am actually proud to say I did 2 weeks before the business of Christmas took over and I didn't work out for 2 days and then 3...needless to say I fell off the wagon again.


Looking back...who really starts a weight loss program 2 weeks before Christmas??? On the plus side, I was sleeping better, I did lose about 4 pounds, and my pants were fitting better. I think that is what kept me going for those 2 weeks, I was actually seeing results! After Christmas I got sick with a sinus cold and then strep throat. I was out for the count for the month of January.

So here we go again! I am on day 1 of this 60 day program and so far so good. I have a menu for the week that is actually easy to follow, I have set some time aside to work out and I am more determined than ever. I am doing this for 2 weddings that I am going to this year but most of all I am doing this for myself. As a mother of 3 kids it is human nature to put other's (especially your kids) needs above your own and all too often you let yourself go... I find that I don't put any effort in what I look like because I don't see the point. I will either get covered in food or haven't had a shower that day or I am just too tired to put anything other than sweat pants on. Before I had kids I didn't own a pair of sweat pants, now I have about 4!

So, here is to another try at my weight loss program!