Time for a new adventure

Monday, July 31st, 2017 is my time to SHINE! I'm committing myself to a major change and I think I'm ready for it. Social calendar is cancelled which means less expenses and no drinking. Time to take a big breath and continue on... I'll be starting Focus T25 (I love my Shaun T workouts). 5:45 am every morning (hopefully) I'll be rolling out of bed - yes I'm gross - I'm going to sleep in my workout gear - grab my water and tie up my runners and popping that DVD in. I re-reviewed the Nutrition Guide and I absolutely love when shit is written out for me and I don't have to think twice about a recipe or what I'm going to eat. There are a number of options which is AWESOME so I can pick what I want, and sadly (for Jack) prep for breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner. Ultimately I want to work out in the morning and do minor cardio after work. But who's to say this will all happen - I'm just baby steppin' so far. My #1 GOAL is to STICK with

Being an adult sucks. I remember in my younger years wanting to grow up and doing what I want, when I want and how I want. If only we were rich and could be in that zen. Currently it's lunch time and I've paid my Rogers bill, and inquired about a pre approved mortgage. YAY! Living the dream life. I miss the younger years though - not giving a shit about what you ate, and now it's all about counting calories, intermittent fasting, some sort of fad diet and/or keeping up with a healthy lifestyle. Speaking of which.. here's my update for yesterday's food and exercise (plus so far today):   I had to make this picture huge because it was so fcking amazing! Boiled carrots/peas/green beans, roasted potatoes (garlic, pepper, salt and paprika) and lastly the chicken schnitzel! Instead of flour I've been using unflavoured protein powder and it is BOMB. Shoot I just remembered I was thawing pork tenderloin ... gotta make more schnitzel - I doubt Jack is complaining.

You remember that feeling of having to go up on stage when you were a kid in a stupid costume and having to say some lines in front of a huge audience? That gut wrenching feeling of being slightly embarrassed and afraid? That's me right now. Today I started work early to leave early and go to the optometrist. I have to do a visual field test - it's a test where a technician shines a bright light in your peripherals to diagnose and/or monitor glaucoma. I'm terrified. I don't know what to expect and I literally asked everyone if they have ever done this test.. nope, nope and nope. There's not one person out there that can tell me what to expect? According to statistics not a lot of young people have glaucoma so that's probably why my circle of friends haven't had this test. But hey, if they ever get it done they can come to me. I'm going to keep myself distracted. Speaking (or more so blogging) about distractions here's a good one, Jack and I rec

and I've been doing grrrrrrrrrrreat! 5 Days ago I posted 3 easy changes for my lifestyle and what can I say, I'm rockin' this change. Although Thursday was Meha's Mehndi and I had 1/3 cup of vodka/pineapple juice - which I don't count because it was less than a shot's worth of alcohol. My water intake is through the track. Literally. It goes in, and comes out. By 1 pm in the afternoon, I'm already at 3L. Bonus: my brother who is my boss drinks a ton of water so every time I notice him drinking water, it's an additional push for me. As for meals, I have not been living like the quote. My dinner has been healthier but definitely not a smaller portion. Like last night for instance, mama biss made salmon (my first EVER experience trying it) and it was deeeeeeeee-lish (also accompanied the dish with sweet potato fries and sesame ginger salad). But at the same time, I double booked myself for a dinner with mama stew (mother in law) for wings - I was so ful

Yet again, I'm starting this lifestyle change. This time around, I'm not doing anything too drastic. Just minor, easy changes that I can work into my lifestyle: 1. No drinking during the week - ultimately I want to cut out alcohol period but let's be real, it's summer and every weekend I have a social gathering. Or maybe I should start being a dick to my friends, then I won't be invited to anything. Or I guess I could start saying no.. 2. "Eat breakfast like a King, Lunch like a Prince and Dinner like a Pauper" - This is the smartest way to live. Just think - you go to bed, sleep for 6-8 hours (and your body is fasting during this time) and you should wake up hungry. During the day you need to energy to function aka through carbohydrates and as night time arrives, you really shouldn't be eating a ton because you are preparing your body for rest, not functionality. This would make my life so much easier! Smoothie for dinner... but yet I would have

This so called adventure sucks. I was supposed to commit myself to a healthier lifestyle and I'll tell you right now - I didn't change anything. The only change that I made was starting a blog. I told myself that creating a blog would make me more accountable but if anything - it's been the complete opposite. Lately when I write, it seems forced like a chore. I can't even. I weighed myself the other day and yep, back at 191 lbs. I'm so disgusted with myself. That same day before hopping in the shower I noticed fat on my back. Like BAD! Nothing is more unappealing in my eyes then back fat. I'm looking at my back, moving my arms in different motions trying to find an accurate exercise to rid myself of that extra meat and I couldn't find one. Apparently LAT pull down is awesome for back fat. I'm hoping it does the trick. Unfortunately now since my work is so close to home I no longer have a bus pass. So I can't just hop on the bus and go to the g

I can't believe June is almost over! It literally feels like it just started but here we are, it's June 26th Monday afternoon and it's almost July. I'm not going to get ahead of myself just yet though - let's go back into time. To Saturday morning to be exact. *insert rewind sound here* Woke up, got dressed and headed to boxing. IT WAS AMAZING. First I had a brief tour of the place and then we started the warm up. Until the teacher arrived, we are to jump rope. Once the instructor arrived our warm up was either doing the following exercises WITH the rope or without (I gladly did them without the rope): butt kicks, high knees, jumping jacks x2 - people with the rope did cross overs and I honestly can't remember. Now that it's Monday the rest of the exercises for the warm up seem like a blur. After warm up our group was split up into 2 groups - one group with the bags and the other group was in the ring. Once I heard I was in the ring I wasn't happy

Do you ever get so ticked off you just want to punch something? Me too. All the damn time. Sometimes I'll even punch the wall.. no, not smart at all but it happens. A friend has been going to Boxing lessons for about a month now (I think) and I always wanted to join but I'm extremely terrified - I'm mostly afraid my form will be incorrect and it will be a one on one experience. Other than that, I'm absolutely pumped! I really hope I enjoy myself because I hear boxing is an INSANE WORKOUT. There's been a Groupon for this place since forever, I always saw it being recommended to me on my account and I figure - about time. I better get my ass in gear! If I learn the proper form and enjoy it, I'm 100 % sure I'm going to get a dummy or a punching bag and start punching when I'm angry. I already checked out prices - expensive - of course for the good quality and cheap for crappy bags that will break in no time. I hope it's all upper body though and n

I am so good at tossing shit together and calling it a meal. This is my version of chili. I used 1/2 ground pork and 1/2 extra lean ground beef + the following: - black and kidney beans - frozen corn - fresh tomatoes (pulsed in my nutri ninja with garlic cloves) - oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, cumin - red onions And it was glorious. I brought some for my lunch today and topped with greek yogurt, green onions and chopped lettuce. Low carb and super filling! I haven't been posting a lot lately mainly because I've been a bad little bitch. I have been drinking on week days and going out for chinese food and eating more than I probably should be. I've been a disgrace. On a lighter note (and for the most part) I have been keeping up with my workouts. I started Hip Hop Abs again.. I can't remember which day I'm on but I know I'm on week 2. My thighs are currently killing me because I did Total Body Burn a couple days ago and then Hips, Bun

I really need to start taking my laptop home again. Blogging on my mobile just doesn't feel right. I imagine people who blog everyday at home with their nice desk and cup with pens and highlighters and shit and a coffee and a big ol' smile on their face. Me: Sitting slouched on the couch, smirking contemplating who I'm going to bore next with my life. Sometimes I wonder if anyone actually reads. And then there are times like these where I just don't give a shit. It feels nice to blog. Like an online journal. If I'm mad I'm going to rant about it. Like here's a mini rant about people who are always angry - if you are angry, or upset about something you don't need to bring that shit to work or where ever you go and whomever you encounter. You really want to ruin someone's day and bring them down with you? This is why I think the world is such an unhappy place. There are people that are having some majorly bad days and they take it out on the world.

I SUCK. I haven't blogged in forever. The job change happened YAY and I am so much more at ease... well in a way. I am a bit over whelmed because I don't necessarily understand the construction terminology but who cares - I'm actually appreciated here and that's all that matters. I mainly came back to blogging to stay accountable for my food intake and workouts and will you look at that? I woke up on time, worked out my biceps and triceps (mostly my triceps) before walking to work! My arm pressed up against my body is HUGE. I feel like I look like the hulk. Hopefully I can keep at this. So far today: 73 minute walk (got locked out of work so a walk was forced upon me) + bi's and tri's.    As for food I didn't pack a shake - biggest regret - had celery for my breakfast. Snack I had my leftover lunch. For my actual lunch I had more celery and leftover of my lunch and now I'm hangry again. I've gone back to Hip Hop Abs and currently I

I have no excuse to not blog. Except... I've been leaving my laptop at work This transition has been crazy And I'm still being contacted by my old work because my replacement legit had TWO days of training. How fcked is that? Right? It's my own fault though - I did not want to leave her hanging especially since she's sort of like family. I can just imagine get togethers "so how does it feel to have left me in the dust to fend for myself?" "He yells at me all the time because I have no clue what I'm doing" "you are such a btch Anna!!! AHHH" lol. I doubt she would ever call me that unless she was calling me a badass btch. Anywho, yes I have been MIA. I barely even respond to my text messages. Sooo I have a work phone - did you hear? And a personal work email! Gosh I feel so special. I'm so excited to plan the company picnic !! Btches don't even know how many Facebook events I planned in my past - like how hard can it be t

Do not try to understand what happens in my brain because I'll be honest with you, you never will. So here goes nothing... Pas de Membres (translation: No Limbs) or Au Revoir les Membres (translation: Goodbye Limbs) This is just one idea and I haven't thought of a background story as of yet but it's loosely based in the 1960/1970s and this sadistic villain cuts off the victim's limbs one at a time, shreds it and cooks it and makes them eat it. (once they wake up after passing out from the pain) and then I'm thinking the killer does this for a number of years before disappearing... or better yet changes their identity and now lives among us... Pokemon Drift As we all know how popular Pokemon Go is these days I was thinking how cool would it be to watch a movie about... The God's playing Pokemon Go but with humans being the Pokemons. Rare pokemons would be celebrities and regular people  could be evolved into the highest ranking of their current job

How sad is it that I was terrified of the previous weekend.. I was mostly nervous because I had no idea how the long weekend would pan out. Usually in situations where I know no one I generally tend to freak out and keep to myself. This weekend it was Meha's bachelorette in Montreal and I knew the bride and another friend, Ashler. But surprisingly, it was a great time. It was a mix of relaxing and drinking - which I am down for both. The worst part of the weekend was the drive. Holy shit Montreal is far! Fck man. The drive up was okay - it took long but not as long as the way home. Left by 130 maybe 2 pm and got home a little after 9:30 pm. Fckkkk and there was so much traffic. Thank god for Snap Chat filters...  It was just a bit sunny...   That's our driver Ashler and this is her sexy face.  This is how happy I was after the spa - man, I'M DYING TO GO BACK!  Carnivore queens - Do I even dare to mention they survived at a vegan restaurant? Bravo to th

I was spoiled rotten yesterday. From the beers, to the shots, poutine, wings, salad it was great and delicious. Yesterday was a bitter sweet moment in my life. The last day with these ladies as co-workers but will remain friends. And it was at one of my favourite restaurants - Wild Wing. And before you even think it - I'm not hungover! One thing I have learned on this journey of health discovery is that eating better foods for your body does wonder - and I don't just mean the bowel movements. Haha! I mean, the food I have been eating is helping my body and my muscles recover at a faster rate. If I go hard at the gym and I don't stretch after or before, my body isn't super sore afterwards... maybe a little but not overly huge or anything. I'm thinking the protein shakes really help. And this is what I need to remember for this weekend. May 2-4 weekend is coming up and this basic bitch is going to Montreal for a bachelorette. Shit is going to get REAL. And lit.

Might I just say what a babe I looked like on Saturday. Generally I don't wear make up, do my hair or really put much effort into the way I look but I was feeling it on Saturday. Woke up early, put some make up on, did a quick abdomen session and then hauled my ass to work to train my replacement!! Jack and I were supposed to go to dinner as well but he was feeling under the weather. That's okay though, it gave me time to enjoy some wine and make many different dips for Sunday's mothers day - and a greek yogurt fruit bark too!  Saturday after the training. DAMN GIRL. Check out my stomach. And my forearms now that I'm noticing. I've always had a bigger  upper body and tiny legs so I sort of look deformed lol but lately I've been doing more weights upper body so hoping the fat will just slide off my body. Hoping and crossing my fingers. So as you can see I was doing my tri's and bi's plus obliques and some cardio. Yay me for finally learnin

I'M SO EXCITED!!!! Today is one of the final days I work with my boss and this office. This is actually the last day I'll be working along side my boss in person. The final Tuesday clinic.. dun dun dun.. We are extremely over booked so today will go by fast and I wanted to pop on while I'm ahead. First patient is scheduled not until 8:45 am so this gives me a chance to update on nutrition and working out. Lately I have been eating fairly well - mostly protein and vegetables and A TON of avocado. Jack and I started eating 1/2 an avocado a day and it's been splendid. Saturday rolled around and I made scrambled eggs and instead of eating it plain (as I had planned) I smashed an avocado and put the egg and avocado into a wrap. I was full 1/2 way through. Tossed it in the fridge and then forgot about it. Boo urns what a waste. Aw well. As for working out as promised I have been focusing more on weights rather than cardio and it has been doing wonders for my body. I v

Sometimes I feel like I'm the fastest walker among my friends. Maybe it's because of my long legs or maybe because I just want to get to my destination faster. Yesterday Kristina and I went to one of my favourite restaurants, Mongolian Grill - and since she didn't have a bus pass for the month and I wanted my cardio, we walked. According to google maps it was going to take just about 60 minutes to get there. For us, it took 90 minutes. Kristina doesn't have long legs. She has had her mother's car for the past 2 weeks (which obviously I was jealous over) but that's besides the point. Usually she walks, and walks a ton at her own pace but because she had her mother's car, she wasn't nearly walking as much as per usual. So to not surprise she was cramping a few times during our walk to the restaurant. I didn't mind it until I felt a cramp myself - because I was dying to go to the bathroom. The urge started 30  minutes into the walk. And I was like &

Found this rant in my iPhone notebook: Ladies. Why do you bathe in perfume? Some men do it too but I had to bring it up for a little rant because I was just outside walking to the bus stop and all I could smell was perfume and I was still 10 or 15 steps away. There was a woman waiting in the shelter. Decked out as if she was going downtown to pick up an older man in the financial district. Either that or she works in a top notch hair salon... I can't even make a joke properly because my head is still fuzzy from that smell. When I am in a closed space and someone sprays perfume (an abundance of it) I get light headed accompanied by a headache. It's not fun at all. I'm not the only one either which is the reason why most gym change rooms have signs not allowing perfumes to be sprayed. Same with certain departments in the hospital. Nurses shouldn't wear perfume because of the contact with some patients. Anyways, all I'm saying is - even though YOU can't

Remember those leftovers from the quesadillas? I found a use for them. I would like to call this a scramble of leftovers with fresh dill, yogurt and avocado - because that's pretty much what it is. - cooked noodles (I used penne - roughly 2 cups - leftover quesadilla filling - 1/2 avocado - 2 tablespoons of plain greek yogurt - roughly tblsp of fresh dill - small handful of shredded old cheese Combine all and eat. I swear I didn't use a lot of dill but using the fresh stuff, it really comes through. And I just LOVE dill... it's the best. It's the tastiest herb (in my opinion). Staring at my lunch this morning - before I combined the ingredients I was thinking to myself "what the fck Anna. What were you thinking this looks absurd. Good luck". Especially since the avocado was turning brown.. it was very unappetizing and then one bite and I was hooked. I'm glad I didn't give this to Jack. I don't think he would have liked it. Recent

Okay so I didn't wake up super early yesterday but I still went to the gym after work and it was great. And you know what? Surprisingly my arms aren't a whole lot of mush. Because after lifting weights yesterday and chillen on the stationary bike, my arms were just slowly moving to my side and did not want to lift again. Yesterday was all about the biceps and triceps 5 sets of 10 - Bicep curl: 10 lb dumb bell - teapot dips: 10 lb DB (3 sets), 7.5 lb (2 sets) - tricep dips: 10 lb Db - bicep curl: 12.5 lb db (1 set) Machines - biceps curl: 15 lb (2 sets), 20 lb (3 sets) - tricep extension: 40 lb (1 set), 30 lb (4 sets) + 10 minutes on the stationary bike Using a 10 lb dumb bell for my dips instead of 7.5 was HARD. Some woman was using the dumb bells I needed and instead of waiting or rushing her workout I decided to murder my arms and try for the 10 lb.. I mean it was only 2.5 lb difference but holy shit what a difference it made!! I'm almost contemplating cont

Okay so this may not be the healthiest recipe but after a long day and getting your period early, f*ck this I needed it. And let me tell you I used to NEVER go to the gym on the first day.... but look at me now - I'm an adult. Let's get started shall we? For this combo you will need: - whole wheat flour - corn starch - water (luke warm or hot) - butter - warm almond milk - whatever cheese you want - leftover veggies - cooked chicken breast - noodles - minced garlic - paprika, garlic powder, cayenne To start off I followed (and failed at) this  Recipe  The link should take you to a Bechamel Sauce.. for me it didn't work so I had to make a slurry by mixing corn starch with hot water (in 2 doses) which helped thicken it up. First I added cheddar cheese (roughly 1/2 cup shredded) and then 2 tablespoons (roughly) of minced garlic, 2 shakes of paprika, a couple shakes of cayenne, 1 shake of seasoned salt and garlic powder. I'm not going to lie - it was alr

I can't even begin to express what a frustrating day it was today. Another Tuesday has come and gone and I don't have any wine. Which I am in dire need. I've been up since 4:45 am - got my shit together and went to the gym this morning and did lower body. Here is my workout: 5 sets of 10 Hip adductor: 150 lb Hip abductor: 70 lb Leg extension: 55 lb (Omg and I was struggling after the third set) Horizontal calf: 160 lb (yay!) + 20 minutes cardio Before doing my leg extension I thought I was going to barf. I was SO hungry. I have no idea what came over me but I couldn't even start another exercise without eating otherwise I would vomit or pass out. I scrambled through my bag and ate about 5 sweet potato crackers.  I finally finish my workout and then we are leaving the parking lot and Jack points to a goose - "That fcker only has one leg!!! BAHAHAHAHAHAHA" I'm laughing with him until I notice his leg is propped up on his chest ... so he did look

Before I tell you my recipe let me just correct myself - we are going to call this a combination of ingredients. Because what I do when I try something new is "throw that shit together and hope for the best". So we all know that quesadillas are pretty much some sort of veggies, cheese, meat and seasonings / herbs. For this combo I included: boneless skinless chicken breasts (I had 2 breasts - HAHA!) cheddar cheese (about 1/2 cup) 3 red pepper and 1/2 orange pepper (don't be scared of leftover mixture - it's amazing on its own). 1 yellow onion + 6 tortilla wraps (I used 2 pesto and garlic and 4 chiptole flavoured - yes I know I spelled that wrong). Prep work Spray the baking sheet with non stick spray. Tear apart (2) pieces of aluminum foil that are roughly double the size of the chicken breasts. Spray 1 side of the foil with the non stick spray as well. At this point you can place the chicken on the foil and season it however you like. I used Clubhouse T

Saturday rolls around and I have been dying to check out this new gym - it's in between my house and my work so I thought it would be perfect since Jack is working on Saturday (starting at 8:00 am and the gym opens at 7:00 am) so he would drive me there and I could check it out!  We get there and see signs for "GoodLife parking" but we could not locate which way the arrow was pointing. I swear I felt like the stupidest basic b*tch of life. Was I missing something? Was there a hidden sign that I just couldn't see or are my eyes failing me. Mind you I haven't had them tested in a good 6 years.. We circled around a couple of times until Jack was fed up (and so was I) so he dropped me off at the main doors and I went in.  It's 7:15 am and Aqua Fit doesn't start until 9:00 am. No biggie. I haven't been to the gym in so long it was good I went and got a good work out in. Did minor machines for my lower and upper body then walked around the track befor

Even though it pissed cats and dogs I hauled my butt to the gym today. I didn't make it yesterday - I gave into temptations instead. I wanted wings but I wasn't necessarily hungry for wings - I just wanted the wings. I really need to get out of the cheating habit. We were doing so well too! Going out on a week night seriously fcked me up. So I'm thinking because I've been bad since Monday I might as well complete the cycle. Today's "nutrition": Breakfast: pizza Lunch: pizza with dipping sauce Dinner: pizza with dipping sauce Post dinner: green tea. So I went to the gym today. My brother let me leave early so I finally went! I worked out my tri's and bi's + chest and my love handles. I would have to say my stomach and my upper body is the most out of shape. I love my legs - I can get away with not having that thigh gap. My legs are pretty strong too. I mean c'mon they carry around a 5'9 woman almost 200 lbs all day long. And I

Can I just say how much I'm enjoying the nicer weather? Sure it's raining but at least it's not Brrrr damn cold so cold that I have to wear my winter coat and boots. I can still get away with wearing my crappy shoes with zero support. And then obviously I bring my sneakers for the gym - which by the way I AM GOING TO THE GYM TONIGHT!  I used to tell myself "if I don't make it to the gym by --- (insert time)" or "if I'm not at the gym by 6:30 pm I'm not going. I'll just do cardio on the WiiU instead". But what I failed to realize all those times is that doing cardio won't make you fit. It won't help you to reach your goal. It won't make you strong as a whole. Sure it will make your legs strong but that's it. You don't get a booty by doing cardio. Contradictory to this post, I was doing cardio this morning and with a good reason. There was an accident close to where Jack drops me off. I got so excited! TWO fire

An apple. I hate when my hands feel so sticky after eating an apple. It's not even like you have to fully wash your hands after just a drip drop of water and you are good.  You thought I was going to refer to something dirty, didn't you? Dirt migirt. I know K-star was thinking I was... gross.  So this was my lunch : Roasted peppers and onions, cheddar cheese, arugula, chicken, and avocado in an ancient grains wrap. No mustard. No mayonnaise. Just simple ingredients and it was delicious! Sometimes I over complicate things and try to make it into the most extravagant meal and it comes out absolutely disgusting. But this right here is the best meal I've had in a long time.  I enjoy the simple life. I like to appreciate the little things. And damn am I ever enjoying this simple wrap. Did I forget to mention that I don't even like avocado? Just last week I didn't know how to purchase one and now I'm adding it to my lunch! Not that I'm crazy fo

I skipped Monday. And I skipped Tuesday and I feel disgusting . I haven't been to the gym or have done a proper workout since Saturday. The struggle is real fit family. So here is the news I couldn't share until everything was 100%: I gave in my two weeks notice. I am leaving my current position as Administrative Assistant for a plastic surgeon to Administrative Assistant for my brother. It wasn't until I gave my two weeks notice that I realized how much I was valued as not only a worker but as a person. But at the end of the day, blood is thicker than water and my brother really needs my help. And I love him and want to help in any way I can. Plus, it's a sweet job. Not only is it great to help out a family member (because you know you feel like you are doing a good deed and inside you feel all warm and fuzzy - like go me! I'm helping someone. I'm so kind and shit) but I get to go on social media and promote his business. Take out the current flaws (if