Time for a new adventure

I'm starting to think I should just post my blogs at night instead of constantly updating the same entry or titling an entry 'update on this' and that etc. So here's the last update during the day. Here's my second meal of the day (yesterday - if you didn't get the above memo). JUST KIDDING! Mom's homemade potato and leek soup. No cream, she used milk - I'm wondering to myself if it would work if I attempted the recpe with almond milk and made it vegan? Thoughts? It was delicious by the way. I can feel my stomach rumbling right now. But that could also be because I only had a carrot stick for breakfast and a strawberry. Whoops. Another one of my favourites that mom makes - beef stew with potato, beef (obvi), carrots, turnip and parsnip. She let the meat cook in the broth for hours so it was super tender. *mouth watering* I tried to make the same recipe but vegetarian only and I incorporated Yves breakfast sausages - barf. It was disgusting....

So far so good. It's 2:30 pm and there hasn't been snow as of yet. I just got back from my afternoon walk (and walked in and around the office) and I'm feeling good. Currently: 8,160 steps. Completed my morning routine of abdomen (200 assisted crunches) and obliques (150 ankle touches). Walked with Kristina and might I add, against the wind for roughly 40 minutes. My face is feeling a bit of heat as the sensation comes back. It felt like a winter day outside but the moment I came inside, I could feel the sweat roll down my back like a hot, summer's day. I can't wait for the summer. I'm not hoping for that super hot day where there's no wind at your back - more so the kind of day where there's a hint of a breeze and but yet you can still wear shorts and a light sweater / thick T-shirt. Does that make sense? First meal of the day: Long grain rice mixed with my santa fe chicken. I'm almost positive this is the last of my leftovers. In case yo...

Greetings. Again. Let's hop to it. Tuesday I was sort of fasting. I had my first meal at 10:30 am - leftover cheesy bread (from take out Domino's pizza) and it made my stomach do flip flops for a solid 2 hours!! I'm not sure if it was the carb amount or the cheese but I won't be touching that crap for awhile! (and by crap I mean cheese). Lunch: roasted veggies Post lunch: romaine, shredded carrots, croutons, ranch dressing Dinner: 1 glass of white wine, 1/4 pint of Canadian, 4 breaded and sauced wings, fries and gravy (with white vinegar too). Workout Morning: 100 abdomen assisted crunches, 50 ankle touches + 15 minute walk outside Afternoon: 35 minute walk (again, outside) Evening: 15 minute treadmill +  (all below 3 reps of 8): Leg extension: 55 lb Seated leg curl: 50 lb Seated leg press: 75 lb Hip adduction: 120 lb Hip abduction: 100 lb (usually I'm stuck at 90 lb) - YAY! Horizontal calf: 135 lb + 140 lb (3 reps of 8 for each weight) Wednesday...

It's March 30th and it's apparently going to snow this afternoon. Snow? It's Spring. What the actual sh*t Canada? The last couple of days we have been having beautiful weather and I have been so appreciative. Walking on my lunch breaks, even getting off the transit bus earlier before my stop so I can get in additional cardio but it doesn't look like I'm headed that way today. Yesterday was 3 degrees C and there was no wind, my ankles were showing and it was gorgeous. Today, 3 degrees as well and it feels like it's -3 with that wind. I got off the bus 1 stop before mine, and my itty bitty ankles were so cold. Why didn't you wear your winter boots? Well that's a great question.. ain't it? Tonight I'm sleeping over at my parents place. I have an alteration appointment for my bridesmaid dress tomorrow and my mom wants me to come over (she is just DYING to play with her make up and hide my scars that I have on my arms) or she's just dying t...

This one goes out to my girl Kristina who has been DYING for an update. Like 30 seconds of snapchat questioning where I've been. Well, most of the time I've been stressed. If you have messaged me via text and have been getting pretty vague answers, this is why. I'm stressed beyond belief I can't even finish this blog. Next post will probably be tomorrow once I'm caught up on work, social life, messages, instagram and yes, my nutrition / workout routines. Update: I'm actually stressed because Christine's wedding is in 2 weeks and I'm not done my speech. It was brought up last minute to even do one. I haven't been to the gym in forever and my alteration appointment is this Friday - I'm afraid my skin stretched and I'm fatter.. I'm changing banks so I have persistent workers Emailing me asking for my information.. my current bank (thank god I'm leaving) NEVER sent me my statements. I asked twice and I never got an Email. I went in...

What a busy weekend. Some days I'm sad because I have no plans for the weekend so I usually grab some wine, Kristina and play Just Dance (and also go to the gym in the morning) but then other weekends like this past weekend I'm busy!! I love having plans but when it cuts into my meal prep time I feel incredibly lost the entire week - like I go out after the gym and have a 12 inch sub or end up at Swiss Chalet and just binge on all the calories I worked off - like sure, yeah, maybe I "earned" it but really I'm maintaining my body and the whole purpose of my meal prep and working out is to change my body. My end goal for this journey is to appreciate myself inside and out - it's a slow process but I'm not helping myself by going out and skipping out on my meal prep. Well it's not really "skipping" the meal prep more so I have too many plans therefore no time for the meal prep part! This weekend I had (2) bridal showers for Christine + my ...

You want to know the worst part about being sick? That moment where you are so congested you have to sleep with your mouth open because that's the only way you are able to breathe. Scratch that. The worst part about being sick is when you are so stuffed up you can only breathe through your mouth AND you are trying to EAT! It's not like you can put food in your ears and taste it. That sounded super weird, didn't it? Could you imagine eating through your ears as being the norm? Like that would be the way of life? And this is where my sick brain is at... Now that that thought has left the building here's a new thought - I haven't been to the gym in 2 weeks!! That's 14 days. Me so sad. Last week for some unforgivable reason I told myself "let's eat garbage and not go to the gym" and I stuck it through. All the way. And then this past week I get sick? So I have zero energy and zero appetite. Wednesday I had a protein shake, a banana and (3) samosas....

Well, I'm sick. I can't even believe I'm in the office, infecting the keyboard and the phones, spreading my germs. Muahahaha.. I feel like an evil villain. A lazy, disoriented fuzzy villain. I want to go home. The office is dead and I'm just staring blankly at our work E-mail waiting for an important message. HOPING it comes before noon. I would rather not medicate myself with over the counter drugs but I'm in need badly to feel better. It's Christine's bridal shower this weekend. Two actually - one on Saturday and another on Sunday and since I'm involved in the wedding party I should attend both (and I want to). Want to know the best part of being sick? You barely have an appetite. Yes! So that means I'm not even tempted by those finger foods and cupcakes and whatever else I'll be seeing at those bridal showers. Then again, I'm hoping I'm not still sick because I don't enjoy feeling like a bag of dirt. I can't even begin to t...

So after work I went to our nearby bulk barn and grabbed some Easter sweets for the office and of course a little somethin somethin for me (corn chips with flax). They can get addictive and they are sooo good. After my trip to the bulk barn I went to No frills.. I also had to pick up bandaids for the office. As luck would have it, Jack was running late after work so I'm sitting around waiting for him to come grab you. Yes I would have LOVED to walk home from there and get my much needed steps however I had zero Kleenex and I just couldn't seem to catch my nose. (PS current step count: 9,276) .. and as luck would have it again - Jack went to the WRONG GROCERY STORE. Mind you he's sick too - he just doesn't want to admit it. Like I tell the guy I'm at Bulk Barn and then going to the No Frills in the same plaza and even told him the address yet he goes to the location by the gym. I knew I should have hauled my ass to the gym.  1. No gym (guilty as charged) 2....

Don't hate me but I did not log my food this week. Trust me, you don't even want to know. Just assume the worst. I told myself I wasn't going to go to the gym or eat healthy and guess what - it was a complete success! Now it's Monday and I am whole heartedly dedicated to getting back to my usual self. Except there's one problem: I'm catching a cold. With that being said, I am so thankful I had a day to meal prep before this sickness gets any worse. Last night I made my 98% shepherd's pie (thanks Kristina 😊 ) with Yves original ground round, julienne carrots and frozen mixed vegetables. Mashed potatoes I added greek yogurt, butter and a splash of almond milk (as seen in the picture below). Kristina, Christine and some green Strong bow.  A reminder to self. Even though I'm feeling a bit under the weather I'm still going to continue this healthy lifestyle and make the necessary changes to build a stronger me - inside and out...

Guys, I'm so bored. Words cannot even express how bored I am. It seems like hours since the phone has last rung and even then it was the quickest conversation. It's March Break - generally during this time people are away or have their kids and off doing whatever and no one thinks about calling their specialist's office to schedule an appointment so it's completely dead. I have already re-organized the office, thrown out old magazines and prepared for next week's clinic. Currently I am waiting for our cleaning lady to come to the office so I can show her new things to clean. Other than that, it's quiet and boring. I am expecting to see a tumbleweed float by. There is actually a huge pile of charts to be scanned. I could actually do that, and leave the charts to be filed in our electronic system by the intern. Short entry this morning. Guess I better make use of my time and hop to that. Thanks for the pep talk. PS: This was my dinner last night. I was a...

I was supposed to finish up this post yesterday. So the title 'Today is going to be great' was about March 16 aka yesterday. And the beauty of writing a blog about a previous day is that you can say what went right or wrong. Update: it was a great day. I still have yet to make it to the gym but I did make it a goal that one way or another I was going to get my steps, and I did. I will describe this later. Here is my food journal: For a morning snack (after my raisin bran muffin) I had a bag of salad. In the morning I'll pack romaine, croutons and dressing - in a separate container - then add the dressing to the bag itself and shake it like it's no ones business. It's genius really. Every leaf has an even coat and call me crazy but I think it just tastes better. Yesterday I used ranch dressing. My favourite meal made by mama biss - basmati rice with chicken, peaches, plum tomatoes and I added steamed broccoli. It's legit perfection. I have no ide...

As I stood waiting for the bus this morning in the shelter, I thought to myself, DAMN it's friggen cold out. I'm wearing (2) pairs of gym leggings, a tank top, a long sleeved shirt and a cozy sweater with a burly winter coat, thick mittens, a toque and a layered scarf around my neck. All bundled up and yet I could feel the wind coming in at all directions. It's definitely not -9 C with the wind. I'm finally on the bus and in a blink (so it felt like) I was at my stop. I just missed the crossing if I was going to take another bus to the office building - which I really, really wanted to. However, I haven't been to the gym in 4 days and I haven't walked at all - so I'm way behind on my fitbit challenges - so I fought the cold and walked to the building. It's about a 5 minute walk. Pretty much nothing but in the cold it feels like forever. Speaking of the cold and winter, I can't even complain. We had days where it was + 10 and in the double digits! S...

I am definitely feeling the after affects of eating crappy foods. Do you ever feel oddly tired? Especially since you're well rested and haven't over worked your body..? That's me right now. Although it's not odd at all. I noticed when I eat foods that have little to zero nutritional value my body reacts in a sluggish state. Over the weekend I indulged to a point where I just feel exhausted. I'm staring at the computer blogging and I can barely keep my eyes open . It's lunch time thank goodness so I could take a nap if I wanted to. However, that would be such a tease to my eyes and mental state. Today started off super frustrating as my co-worker did not show up. Generally Monday's are insanely busy. The office is closed on Fridays so we have messages from Thursday evening all the way up until Sunday night. The number of messages ranges between 20-40 and usually 30 (or so) fax messages. Returning those messages alone while having the phones ringing in ...

This is going to get a bit hard because I no longer have my laptop working at home so I'll be posting pictures and entries in this one single post. March 9 2017 BREAKFAST: Protein shake SNACK: Raisin bran muffin LUNCH: Ranch salad with romaine, cucumber, croutons SNACK: Same as above DINNER: (Bourbon St grill) Rice, broccoli, cabbage, Bourbon chicken and chicken in BBQ sauce March 10 2017 B: (4) scrambled eggs with ketchup L: (2) blueberry pancakes with maple syrup and (4) breakfast sausages  And I didn't log my dinner, whoops! March 11 2017 B: (2) slices pepperoni pizza D: (skipped lunch was pretty much snacking as I was at a 2 day bachelorette! - peanut meatballs, basmati rice, macaroons, wine, spinach dip with pumpernickel bread March 12 2017 - Sunday - the last day of the bachelorette B: waffle bar! (2) waffles topped with organic peanut butter, dark chocolate almond butter, - literally SCRAPED both of them on with strawberries, blueberries, dark chocola...

Shoot. I forgot to make goals for this week. I suck.. like shoot shoot shoot. Okay so just thinking out loud (obviously not really since I'm blogging), but I'm thinking of 3 small goals: 1. 95 % clean eating (5% is now gone since I had that major cheat meal yesterday) 2. 70,000 steps before 11:59 pm Friday night. (Currently at 42,000 so more than half way there) 3. Increase weights for upper body / compare upper body weights from previous weeks I have yet to weigh myself. I weighed myself last week and I lost 7 lbs. But then I started to have mini cheats at night or for instance a cheat meal at dinner, then the next day I would weigh myself and feel seriously depressed. "How could I have gained 4 pounds over night" Because you don't. It's just food. You are bloated, the weight is not real. Plus, the scale lies. Did you know that? It's far better to go with measurements. A measuring tape is not going to erase it's numbers on it's own and...

System is down at work, so I might as well keep my promise and post up my veggie greek yogurt based dip! This is going to sound crayy but I don't measure what I add in. I enjoy the taste testing process. 👄 Generally I'll add a couple cups of Greek yogurt then half of that portion will be mayo (or maybe a bit less). Season with dried dill (I'm sure fresh would make it FANTASTIC) and seasoned salt. This is the basic recipe that my mom introduced me to. LOVE! Again, this can be used for dipping vegetables and / or plain chips. Not nacho chips. I havn't tried so I can't knock it 'til you try it but for now stick to regular chips. Anna's addition to the basic recipe: - lemon juice - fresh garlic (or garlic powder) - pepper Sometimes I'll add onion powder if I have it on hand - just adds an extra flavour to the combo. Let me know what you think. 🍲

LEGIT. Glorious is the most perfect way to describe my cheat meal. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it was and it feels like I didn't even eat that much.. but thinking back I did. Let's get started with the beginning of my day - I will be combining nutrition with my workout: In the morning I had a protein shake (breakfast), couple hours later I had my leftover baked sweet potato (that was seasoned with paprika, cinnamon and the skin had salt / pepper and EVOO), A couple hours later I had 2 clementines.. which didn't really fill me up so shortly after I had my stuffed pepper - completely vegetarian I might add. =) Kristina was in the office cleaning so once 1:30 pm rolled around I scooted her out and we went on a nice walk. We tried to play Pokemon Go but there was some stupid update. WHY. Omg so annoying - but you know for those of you who don't play it's a great way to get those steps / exercise in while having fun. Just make sure to pack your ...

So as of Tuesday I have had an intern with me. She's twice my age, married with a child and English is her second language. None of the above information is a problem with me. I'm a very VERY patient person. Her hours are 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. During this time I eat at least twice and I feel like I'm always urinating. When I come into the office, I pretty much chug my 25 oz bottle of water.. obviously I pee a lot when I'm at work. My intern on the other hand does not get up once. So I ask HOW? How is someone able to go 4.5 hours without having food? I feel like a beast. FEEL! Not look. *chuckles to self* I am like always hungry - hence why I drink a lot of water (to make sure I'm actually hungry and not just thirsty). How can someone go 4.5 hours without having to use the washroom facilities? I know everyone was built differently but either she has the largest bladder (or whatever) or she's holding that stuff in. And she must have the slowest metabolism OR s...

I don't have my license. Not my full one anyway. I have my G1 and I'm not embarrassed to admit it. Sometimes when people ask me why don't I drive well here it is.. THE BUS IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE. Sure it's not 100 % convenient; especially in the winter time but it gets me to my destination. Sometimes I have to wait. Big deal, then I can walk a bit - get those steps, you know I'm always about my FitBit steps. If it's winter time I can stay warm by walking to the next bus stop or the one before and beat the people that are at my current bus stop! Plus, I see some pretty wacko people on the bus and it gives me time to people watch. Like this one time I was on the bus and this woman got on wearing a BLANKET. Now don't get me wrong, it is winter, I get that but wearing a blanket? All I wear is my gym clothes but have I fallen out of the fashion loop so fast that I didn't recognize that it's cool now to wear a blanket instead of a jacket? And then I got ...

I don't think I could ever blog on a Tuesday unless I get another computer / fix my laptop. Tuesday's are the most absolute insane day of the week by far.. Tuesday mornings I'll arrive at the office by 8:00 am. Clean a bit, and hope to God no patient's come early. I'll plug in the radio, check the messages (and return them), leave out the washroom keys and set up the paperwork just in time for the first few patients to arrive. We start clinic at 9:00 am sharp and it goes until about 1:40 pm. Yesterday I had scheduled an assessment - this is where a patient has gotten into a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) or some sort of accident has occurred to them ie, dog bite, which in turn has scarred them for life - not only physically but mentally as well. It's sad really.. but needless to say, it was a busy day. There used to be times it would be so busy, I would just happen to look at the time and it's like "shit, it's 2 pm and I haven't eaten anything A...

My friends that know me, are quite aware I am a routine person. I pretty much have my days planned out at least a week in advance - whether it be food, exercise, activity, seeing a friend / planning etc.. it's in my phone calendar. If I broke or lost my phone I would become the whiniest little b*tch.. I honestly have no idea what I would do. My daily routine will now be to log my exercise + all meals in my calendar then I will log it on the blog (so no mishaps of forgetting) So I'm looking at my phone and checking the dates I haven't blogged. Seems I haven't written in since Saturday and yet I didn't write about what I did, and what I ate. Trust me, if I didn't write down my workouts and food plan in my phone I wouldn't have a clue (which is why I can't really give exact amounts and what not for Saturday night and Sunday) Saturday I had to come into the office for a bit. Even though I did not AT ALL go to the gym, I knew I had to. I can't not g...

Anyone else enjoy that title? Me too. Sorry I haven't posted in a full day - my laptop broke and I don't really have a ton to say about yesterday other than a quick nutrition and exercise update. I had a wonderful meeting with my pops and the bank so that was the highlight of my day. Left my parents late in the afternoon just in time for annoying school kids to hit the streets and load up on the buses. Great. I hurried my butt to the gym and worked out my lower body. Before I get to my workout this is what I ate: Breakfast: (2)  over easy eggs, (4) small pieces of whole wheat bread and a pecan turtle coffee with coconut oil and touch of chocolate milk Lunch: Macaroni, tomato and cheese and (2) helpings of my moms stir fry - cabbage, spinach, carrots, pork in a ginger sauce. Dinner: (2) chicken tacos - tomato, onion, cilantro and obviously chicken in a sauce and bacon cesar salad on the side. Lower body workout (in no order): Seated leg press: 60 lb Seated leg curl: ...

Holy crappers. Last night I recall a friend posting "10 + today. Tomorrow - 7 Yep. That's Canada". And I thought about this before bed AND was thinking about it this morning and yet I still put on my flats. Dumb move on my part - like what was I thinking? Mush for brains today, I tell you. Fourth day in a row where I didn't wake up at 4:30 am and get my butt to the gym. So today I punished myself and will continue to punish myself. I got off the bus (3) stops too early and walked in the blistering cold - only wearing thin socks, flats, 1 pair of skin tight leggings, dri fit tank, sweater and winter jacket. No hat. No scarf. No gloves. BRRRRRRR. On a good note, I'm already almost at 3,000 steps! Let's recap yesterday: Breakfast: Protein shake (chocolate vegan shakeo + almond milk + water Snack: Leftover protein bowl (chocolate vegan shakeo + plain greek yogurt + frozen mixed berries) Lunch: Vegetable stew Snack: baby carrots, chocolate chip cookie do...

Gah. Yes Gah! Tuesdays are always so hectic at work. I usually end up working through my lunch and staying until at least 6 pm. Considering the fact that I haven't woken up at 5 am yet, I knew I had to haul my butt to the gym (which I did) therefore I was not going to stay another Tuesday super late.  Now that it's Wednesday, I have sooo much work to catch up on. And honestly, I don't think I'll be reaching my weekly goal of waking up at 5 am for the gym. So let's change that to everyday MAKE it to the gym no matter the time and alternate between upper body, lower body, and strictly cardio - either outside, elliptical, bike, whatever. I won't be taking a rest day as I didn't make it to the gym on Monday.  So here's my update from Tuesday's workout (in no order specifically): Seated leg press - 1 set 90lb, 1 set 80 lb, 4 set at 60 lb Leg extension: 1 set at 55 lb, 2 at 45 lb, 1 at 40 lb, 2 at 25 lb (this was my last machine so needless...