Mexico.... Countdown..... 3 WEEKS!!!

3 weeks to go! I celebrated by eating copious amounts of pizza tonight. Poor HTB has been sick for the past week, so after a week of soup (even though we LOVE soup) something a little more... bad ass.... was in order.

Hence, the pizza.

Deliciousness.

Can you say crazy, full out, sweating like a mofo, kick butt workout at the gym tomorrow? I sure can!

With 3 weeks to go, I had to know if there has been any improvement on the dress fitting front. So this morning I slipped it on...... and it fits better than it has since I bought it! I still feel like it's a bit snug, but I know that in 3 weeks it will be amazing!! I can't wait for HTB to finally see it!!!

THREE WEEKS until we leave!!

Oh yeah..... and a week until CHRISTMAS!!

Happy Friday!

Friday Weigh In.... a few days late!

Sorry for the delay. I understand that you must be totally on edge waiting to find out how many push ups I can do, and if this BTB has lost a little poundage so I apologize for keeping you in a state of such suspense. I'm keeping this post short and sweet, so without further ado......

Push up Challenge! This morning I did my 3rd exertion test, and was able to do 30 full out man style kick your butt push ups. I might have been able to do a couple more, but I kind of wanted the use of my arms today and tomorrow with the last bits of Christmas shopping to finish up!! I'm amazed at how many more pushups I can do after only one month. I'm getting 'the line' and am finding it quite exciting to see the first signs of definition. I wonder how many more push ups I'll be able to do by the time we are in Mexico. I can just see me challenging some poor sucker to a push up challenge... I bet you 2 shots of tequila..... heehee!! He won't know what's coming!

Friday... err.... Monday weigh in! My lowest yet! 145. I'm officially back in the 'normal' range on our Wii! YES!!! I wonder if I can make it into my 130s by the wedding........

A gym beyond my wildest dreams- and believe me, I have some wild dreams.

Bracing myself against the wind and sleet, I tucked in my umbrella, pulled open the door and stepped into another world. Glass bubbles shimmered overhead while serene blue walls and magnificent white crown moulding showcased the soaring height of the ceilings. A wall comprised entirely of fresh green plants made me want to stop and inhale. I think I did. I had officially left the realm of ordinary, and entered extraordinary. I was in gym heaven. "Hi!" a gorgeous and friendly woman greeted me like I was the most important person on the planet. "It's so nice to see you! We're just expecting a mat delivery, so please just leave your boots over by the door and head on downstairs to the change room."

I peeled out of my boots and bounced down the stairs like a kid going to an amusement park. Already smiling, I glided around the corner and stepped into the change room.

I stopped in my tracks. This was NOT just any change room. Grey hardwood floors, cherry wood lockers, Aveda products in the slate and tile showers. A vanity area to rival any show homes, complete with hairdryers and cute little comfy stools to sit on while you beautify. Fabulous lighting, mirrors, but not too many. I actually laughed out loud when I entered the room. "This is my gym," I said to myself as the realization started to hit. "This is MY gym!! I am a MEMBER here! I get to work out here whenever I want," my mind whirred faster and faster, "I get to go to classes, use the equipment, and then clean off and get ready in a space that rivals the best spas." I was so blown away that I think I might have cursed out loud... but just a little one, so that's okay.... right? I mean, seriously, it really is that good. Really. Truly. Amazing.

What a score. I am so, so, so lucky that I happened to walk by on one of the days when they first started to promote the gym. And that they offered a crazy good discount to the first 75 members. So good that I get to work out at a freaking boutique gym in a gorgeous historical building for the same price as a normal gym. Did I mention that it's women only? Of course this is great, but also sucks that HTB doesn't get to work out in the same fabulous space. Sorry, HTB!

Yesterday, opening day, I had the entire gym to myself. Bad weather has its perks, I suppose!! Today there was only one other friendly woman there working on the cardio machines, while I sweated and kicked my ass doing sets on the bike, the weights (legs), the eliptical, some ab work and free weights (legs), more eliptical but going backwards this time, followed by me sitting down at a machine for the back and figuring out how to use it all by myself!! That is something I never would have had the courage to do before, and the funny thing is that the machine was so easy!! It worked my back perfectly, and really was easy to use. Feeling totally back-a-licious, I finished with 10 more minutes on the bike. phew. This going for granite thing is hard work!!

Bring it. I am totally ready for the hard work over the next 4 weeks. They are going to fly by, and I am bound and determined to not only fit my dress, but rock the -insert curse word here- out of it too. Tomorrow morning is push up challenge day 3, week four and I'll post all about it then. And I'll also have a Friday weigh in! Can't wait to share with you.

Okay- time to get dinner ready. It's lemon lentil soup night!! YUM! Have you tried it yet? Do it. It's so good. It's so easy. And it's even tastier and easier for leftovers. Oh yeah.

See you tomorrow!!

It's Open!!

My pretty, new gym opened today! Even the crazy storm we are having isn't going to stop me from going to try it out. Come rain, ice pellets, snow, sleet, freezing rain, wind and, my personal favourite, thunder snow (if only you could hear HTB say THUNDERSNOW in his awesome movie add/superhero voice- it is hilarious!) I am braving the elements to go and get granite!!

Stay tuned for a more detailed post about my new gym, my new weight, and my new record breaking pushup number!

Tame those sisters!!

I'm in love. Officially in love............ with a sports bra!

Far gone are the sports bras of the past, that smoosh any semblance of roundness into something as flat as a weirdly squished pancake. It is now possible to tame the sisters, and keep them perky at the same time! Behold the subject of my adoration.

The incredible Ta Ta Tamer!!

Although I haven't been able to put it to the running test due to an jaw injury, I am most impressed with this fabulous under garment. With adjustable and crossover straps, I can even wear it under my favourite tank tops! I love my 'sisters' and I especially love that I can now show my curves off while I work out. I jump, and the sisters stay still, without being smooshed 'Shakespeare in Love' style. No more flat as a pancake sports bra boobage on this Bride to Be! Yippee!

Yesterday was day 2 of week 3 in the HPC. My sets were 10, 12, 8, 8 and the last set I maxed out with 15.... I was so close to 16.... maybe tomorrow! No weigh in today, although, I did try on The Dress yesterday. It's getting closer to fitting without looking like a giant cream coloured stuffed sausage... I'm fairly confident that in FIVE weeks it will be fabulous.

Happy Friday!! Do you have fun plans for the first weekend of December? We're getting our first real Christmas tree!! And working out- of course!!

The worlds biggest Christmas geek..... and a soup recipe too!

Yes, it's true. I am a lover of Christmas. Of ALL things Christmas. The chocolate, the music, the tacky and not so tacky decorations. The blinking lights, the blow up lawn ornaments, mandarin oranges, baking and holiday parties. I even buy HTB and I an advent calender each year and proudly stick them on the fridge. My students think I'm cool for doing that (okay- probably crazy, but lets go with cool, okay?). HTB will even play me Christmas music in the middle of the summer if I'm having a bad day and he wants to make me happy!

I love the snow and the cold and bundling up all warm and cozy to go for a walk with HTB late at night after a huge snowfall. When everything is so still and quiet that the normal street we walk down every day is transformed to a glimmering, crystalline, magical wonderland. I love warming up with mulled wine, (or a glass of red on its own will do nicely too!) or a steaming mug of chai tea, or hot chocolate. I excite at the chaos of Christmas shopping and truly love that department store decorations go up in November. I love the atmosphere of anticipation in the last few days before Christmas, where everyone knows that it's only a matter of time until they get to stop and

breathe.

ahhh.

With our wedding just around the corner, both HTB and I are going to be eating more healthily this Holiday season. Oh, sure, we'll indulge too, but for the most part we are planning on eating a ton of one of the most amazing foods on the planet. Warm, filling, delicious, nutritious with infinite variations. Have you guessed yet? Yes! HTB and I are going to be sitting in our little coach house, snuggled in blankets, wearing cozy sweatpants and slippers, hands warmed by our bowls containing..... soup!! mmmmmm soup. Easy to make, easy to digest, and easy on the pocket book too. Yes, this year, soup, of all things is going to be our staple to get us through the holidays.

A few years ago I was lucky enough to take a Macrobiotic cooking class with the ever so lovely, and hilarious, Jessica Porter. I learned so much about food, nutrition, and also how to chew! Jessica's book, The Hip Chick's guide to Macrobiotics, is funny, informative and full of great recipes. You should get it. Even better, if you get the chance, you should try her cooking classes!! One of my favourite classes was the soup class. I came home buzzing after that class. Everything in the world just seemed so right, so brilliant, so..... high!! It's amazing what food can do!! My favourite soup from that class (if I had to pick a favourite) is Joan's Red Lentil-Lemon Soup. HTB and I LOVE it. Like, REALLY love it. Like, if there are any leftovers I'll even eat it for breakfast so I get to them first, kind of love it. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Joan's Red Lentil Lemon Soup

(introduced to me at Jessica Porter's cooking classes!)

by Anne Marie Colbin

2 medium onions

2 cloves garlic (finely chopped or in paste)

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1 tablespoon unrefined sesame oil

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 cup dried red lentils

5 cups light vegetable stock, or water

1 bay leaf

2 thin strips lemon rind (sometimes HTB and I add an extra strip if we are feeling particularly lemony)

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

6 thin slices of lemon for garnish

In a 3 to 4 quart soup pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic paste and cumin and cook until the onion is golden, about 6 to 7 minutes longer.

Meanwhile, pick over the red lentils carefully; discard any stones. Rinse. Add to the onions with the stock or water and bring to a boil, skimming off the foam, if necessary. Reduce heat, add the bay leaf and lemon rind, and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes. Discard the bay leaf and lemon rind.

Add the lemon juice to the soup and stir. Pour into bowls and garnish each with a slice of lemon.

Serves 6.

Yummy!! I can't wait to make this later this week!

FYI. For those of you who are following the absolutely riveting results of the hundred push up challenge that HTB and I are doing, we've graduated to week 3! Today my sets were 10,12,7,7 and I maxed out at 11 in the 5th set. Ready for an arm wrestle, anyone?

An Unexpected Post

No, it's not a post about pole dance classes, even though they are supposed to be incredibly fun and a killer workout. I was originally planning on writing about something completely different today, but as I started writing the following is what came out instead. I find it interesting that this happens on occasion when blogging, that sometimes the posts that you start out writing change entirely and new ideas come seemingly out of nowhere and write themselves.

Ok. I admit it. I've not been the most consistent worker outer throughout the course of my life. High school is where my first quest for fitness began. The journey began with an actual trip- a high school provincial honour band trip to Holland. Along with playing music, experiencing culture, making new friends, and learning that (much to my surprise and delight) boys actually thought I was pretty, I also discovered european chocolate, cheese and beer, and breakfasts of delicious bread, meat and more cheese, with a slathering of nutella on the side. It was a fabulous trip and I couldn't wait to get my photographs developed to show my family pictures of all my new friends, and all the amazing places we visited. What a shock it was to actually see myself in those pictures. I've always been curvy, but where exactly had that booty come from? And surely that tummy didn't belong to me. And since when did I have a double chin and chubby chipmunk face? (A very sarcastic thank-you to the person who took that most unflattering picture of me sleeping on the plane ride home!)

Still, I didn't really think too much of it. I was too busy enjoying my new friends. Going out to listen to jazz, or enjoy a coffee was far more enjoyable than worrying about how I looked. I'll never forget the moment I realized that something had to be done. I was sitting in a theatre with a couple of friends. Feeling a little cramped I tried to cross my legs. I couldn't. Hmmm. The ankle resting on the other knee would have to do, I thought. But there really wasn't enough room for that. Hmph. What was I supposed to do? Well, besides shifting uncomfortably on occasion there really wasn't much that I could do. I made it through the movie, and that night I remember looking at myself in the mirror. Really looking at myself in the mirror. Seeing where the white sweater I was wearing pulled in the wrong places, and noticing for the first time just where my pants were too tight. Yikes. This was not how I envisioned myself. Really wanting to continue this wake-up call, I weighed myself the next morning. 148. How could I be 148? Shocked by the number I felt the call to action.

My closest friend at that time is a huge part of my first success story. We went to step class together, went on epic, hard core bike rides together and went to the gym together. We sweated, laughed and cried together. She made me keep going in class when my face was beet red and my hair was soaked with sweat. She was a pretty sweater, and I looked like ass. I can just see her perfect hair in a perfect pony tail, perfectly out of her face. I can see my short, blazing dyed red hair sticking up everywhere that it precisely shouldn't, the absolute picture of anti-perfection. It didn't matter. She made me realize it didn't matter how I looked while I was exercising. That the results were far more important than the few minutes of looking like a blotchy, perspiring, purple faced crazy woman. We lost weight and gained confidence together. It was the perfect taste of health that I needed. It was the beginning of my journeys to and from, and back to being fit.

There have been many ups and downs over the past decade. I did a mini du-athalon. I wore my first bikini as an adult and a crazy small cover up on an epic trip to California. I realized just how much I like poutine. I love wine and beer. I discovered that I'm a fairly good cook. I met the man that I will spend the rest of my life with. Sweat pants and movies in really are a wonderful way to spend an evening. I got busy with life, my bike got stolen, and exercise became a part of my past. I walk mostly everywhere, and quickly too since I'm usually running late, but real, sweating, hard, kicking ass exercise kind of left my life for about a decade.

It feels right that as HTB and I are about to start the next chapter of our lives together exercise is making another appearance for both of us. We've enjoyed doing yoga occasionally for the past year and going for fresh, long walks in the park by our little place. It feels like it's a natural progression for both of us to want to take it up another notch now. HTB tried out the gym by our home yesterday, and is thinking about joining. I've joined mine, and am eager to start beet-red faced, sweating again this week. I discovered yesterday that the Wii is even more challenging when I added free weights to the squats and lunges, and I'm now able to do 12 good form, crazy man style, push-ups in a row. I'm back down to my lowest weight yet since I started my affair with the scale last month- 148.6. I did not buy zesty cheese Doritos yesterday at the grocery store, even though HTB had to stand between me and them to break the MSG craving trance I was in. Thank you, HTB. Decisions about what to eat, (or what not to drink!) are getting easier, and the exercise results are slowly becoming more and more visible, which just makes both HTB and I more inspired to work out and eat well. Admittedly, having less than 6 weeks to go until we're in Mexico helps too!!

What motivated you to start exercising? What motivates you to keep exercising? What are your favourite forms of exercise? I hope you join me this week for more Going for Granite adventures, including my favourite, easy to make soup recipe, and a post about the most seriously amazing sports bra ever!

From 0 to 60...

Okay, so maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. I'm not at 60 pushups...... yet! But I'm most definitely on my way. This morning my sets were 5,7,5,5 and my max at the end was......

are you ready for it?

really ready?!

TEN!!

That's one more than my goal for the week! We are doing another exertion test this weekend, so I'll find out just how many I can do in a row before spaghetti arms set in. My goal for the test is 15. It's amazing just how fast you can get strong. Less than two weeks ago I could only do five in a row!!

Friday weigh in. Still 149 this week, but I didn't get to exercise as much as I really would have liked. No stresses about that, sometimes life happens. I'm just more motivated to make sure I keep active this weekend.

Happy Friday!!

Operation Wedding Dress- trial 3

Tried on The Dress today. With only seven weeks to go, this morning was the time to do it for real. Jiggly butt that jello is envious of for real. Ate a little too much over the weekend had a few beers and didn't go to the gym (but did do a yoga video because I'm not that lazy thank you very much) for real. You know what I'm saying. No 'cheating'. No stretchy nude jiggle/jello camo. It was time to know where I stood, sans spanx, with The Dress.

Feeling inspired (and also excited that I wasn't going to battle with control garments this time), I pulled the dress out of the garment bag and gazed at it. Warning- dress moment- *Wow. I just love my dress. It makes me catch my breath every time I see it.....* Sorry, I digress. This is not the time for rainbows and sunshine and lollipops. This is the time for cold, hard (or.... errr.... not so hard) facts. I stepped into the dress. Hm. A bit surprisingly, there was a little less of a struggle to get it on than I had expected. No sweating and panting with exertion, or awkward contortions and breath holding. Not even one choice word! I looked a little less like an over stuffed sausage and more like someone who is on their way to FREAKING ROCKING THE $%*#!!! out of The Dress.

The number hasn't gone down, but things are definitely improving. Sure, maybe I won't quite be Granite by the wedding, but I'll be well on my way. And summer will be here again before we know it. Perhaps this will be the year that I rock a pair of shorts... or a short dress, or jeans and a tight white t-shirt, minus the cupcakes. There will always be something to work towards, and in a way I'm thankful that The Dress and I had a bit of a falling out. I know we'll be friends again soon. It's worth it knowing that HTB and I are starting our (soon to be married!) life together on the track towards better health and fitness. Plus, muscles are sexy!

Speaking of muscles, week number two of the hundred push up challenge started today. I am amazed at how much strength I've gained- and in only a week! If you want to tone your arms and gain strength I encourage you to do the push up challenge with us!! There's still enough time that you could be doing 100 push ups by the time our big day rolls (no- confidently struts!) around. My sets today were 4,6,4,4 and in the 5th set I almost managed to squeeze up 8, but instead collapsed onto trembling, spaghetti arms. Mmmm spaghetti...... I bet you a plate of spaghetti and a glass of red wine that by the end of the week I'll be able to do at least 9 push ups at the end of my sets.

Goal for the end of the week? 147 (I'll take a smaller number if it happens!!) and 9 push ups at the end of Fridays sets.

Miss Muscle

Muscle weighs more than fat. It must. This, in my mind, is the only possible reason as to why my weight has not gone down AT ALL this week. Still hovering around the 150 mark, albeit on the lower side, mostly around 149.

It's just a number. It's just a number. It's just a number.

It's hard not to become obsessed with something that I know is JUST a number. But, oooh, how nice it will be to have that number start to go down. Some day soon I know it will start to go down. And when it does, watch out!! This BTB has some serious muscles going on underneath that extra (slowly diminishing) layer!!

This was week 1 of the hundred push up challenge that HTB and I are doing together. Monday, Wednesday and this morning we woke up, and first things first, did our push ups for the day! I actually woke up excited to get up out of bed and do push ups- strange but true. Yay..... push ups?!! Yes!! Yay!! push ups!!!

My sets this morning were 4,5,4,4 with about 2 minutes between each set. Then I had to do a set at the end with as many as I could possibly squeeze out (up?), so my maximum today was 6 at the end of the sets. Already seeing improvements in my strength and form. Soon I'll be challenging strangers to arm wrestles! "You wanna piece of me?" "YOU wanna piece of ME?" Crazy arm wrestle challenge ensues. Random stranger thinks this is slightly crazy, but is looking forward to putting this little BTB in her place. But..... what? What? WHAT is happening?!! This piece of cake challenge is going terribly awry! How can this seemingly innocent BTB be mustering up this crazy style man strength. The random stranger puts up a good fight, but he is no match for the crazy pipes of BTB. She slams down his arm, smiling, oh- who are we kidding- gloating wildly in celebration of her victory!!

You've been warned.

HTB is way further along than I am , and he is looking really good already. Muscles are nice. I like muscles. tee hee!! Go HTB!!! I'm too scared to challenge him to an arm wrestle...... for now!

This weekend I'm hitting my new gym for some trial classes. Cycling and Yoga!

Happy Friday!

In exactly eight weeks

I will be able to do over 50 push ups consecutively, thanks to the hundred push ups program, which I started today. And not a moment too soon, because in exactly eight weeks.....

I will be wearing (and looking amazing in) The Dress!!

HTB will be looking incredibly handsome in The Suit!

We'll be on a beach in Mexico surrounded by friends and family!

Our feet will be bare in the deep, powder soft sand (amazing shoes to follow for the reception!).

There will be golden rays of sun shining on my face as I say "I do!" to the most amazing HTB.

We will both be wearing shiny, new rings!

In exactly eight weeks HTB and I will be MARRIED!!!!

You know it's serious when

Earlier this week I saw a commercial for Ferrero Rocher chocolates. "Yummy!" I thought. Actually it was more like "mmmmmm....." while I imagined myself biting through the light, crispy outer layer and then tasting the delicious hazelnut chocolate center.

Today HTB and I were out picking up a few groceries and things. I'd made it by the creamy, thick, lemon yoghurt, and we'd sailed past the Doritos without too much of a struggle. Then I saw them... the little Ferrero's were calling my name. Thinking that they couldn't possibly be that bad, I picked up the package to find out. (note- I rarely pick up the package to find out fat and calorie counts as I figure I know if it's good for me or not!!) Anyways, my reaction was something like a laugh out loud, "WHAT?!?! 16 grams of fat in just 3 little chocolates? Over 5 grams each?!! YIKES!!" Not to be deterred from my chocolate craze I immediately inquired about their neighbour, my other favourite, the scrumptiously sweet Turtles. 5 grams in one chocolate. OMG. After seriously kicking my own butt this afternoon, and gearing up for the one hundred push up program (starting tomorrow, thanks Mary!) there was NO WAY even a bite of indulgent yumminess was making it into the cart today. "Well, Hello! Willpower!! It's nice to see you! It's been quite a long time, hasn't it? I do hope you stay and visit for a while!!"

Christmas is just around the corner, and I'm sure there will be once or twice when I allow myself to indulge in a few of my favourite holiday chocolates. But for the moment, thanks to my old friend Willpower, I know that sliding into my dress and rocking a new bikini will be so, so much sweeter than the few moments of chocolate-y deliciousness I could buy right now.

Bring it.

Booyah 150!!

YES!!! A day off to rest, lots of liquids, a movie, a marathon of Say Yes to the Dress, and a bit of coconut chocolate. A whole day spent basically horizontal except for making soup and doing dishes (fyi- I just accidently typed dresses instead of dishes, lol).

148!!

Goal for next Friday- 145 or less!

In other news, my new gym is opening for trial classes this week! I also just discovered that contrary to what you might think, Bellyfit classes aren't classes for pregnant women! The class description sent to me:

"Bellyfit is a high energy aerobics class fused with Bellydance, African dance, Bollywood and Bhangra, Pilates infused core, Yoga infused stretch and Mudra Meditation. It helps women find strength, balance and inspiration. You can get more information on their website www.bellyfit.ca."

FUN!!!

Friday Weigh In

I'm home sick today with a cold. I'm tired and little bit grumpy (sorry HTB) and my chest hurts. As much as I really, really want to, I'm not going to work out today. I noticed yesterday and the day before that I felt a little less energetic while exercising, and I suppose it's because of this little bug I've caught. Hopefully with a little rest and some soup and copious amounts of tea I'll be better by tomorrow, and able to start exercising again really soon!! There's a long way to go still-

Weigh in today

150

Sigh. Yes- it's not as low as I would like, but my muscles look better, I'm a bit trimmer and I feel better, and those are the things that matter most.... well..... and of course fitting into the dress!! I'll attempt that again in a couple of weeks.

Happy Weekend!!

And we're passed the 2 month mark

Ahhhhhhhhh!!!

So much work to do- on the body, that is! The beauty of a destination wedding is that most of the actual wedding work is taken care of. We just settle a few things before we get there, and then it's just pack, fly, arrive, make a few last minute decisions, eat, drink and be married! Yippee!!

I've been kicking my ass this week on our Wii. The poor little thing didn't know what was coming. Although the numbers aren't quite going down the way I would have liked for all of this hard work, I am starting to see some small differences. A little more muscle here, a little less flabby flab there. It's all good. Like I said before, I'm not going to become obsessed with the number. As long as the dress fits it's all good!! And I'm up in the number of push ups (full out man push ups too!) and lunges I can do, so it's looking positive. And soon enough I'll be the one looking positive- positively HOT!!!

See you tomorrow!

Two months yesterday!

Less than two months to go for operation wedding dress (and looking hot in a bikini too!) to be a success!

We were spoiled with some spectacular weather over the weekend, so HTB and I went for a long walk through High Park for some exercise and, who are we kidding- also to play in the leaves!! We powered up the walk a bit so it wasn't just a stroll, but some actual calorie burning going on. Yes. I think I like this.

I'm looking forward to sliding into a pair of jeans that used to be too small, and to not have any cupcakes spillith over the sides!!

We Wii'd last night after a nice relaxing day which included -mmmmm- freshly pressed apple cider! (Thank you HTB's students mom!!) With less than two months to go, there really isn't much time if I'm going to really make this happen. Even a relaxing day has to include some sweating. My weight has stayed about the same- well... perhaps, maybe, snuck up to just over that little number I swore I wasn't going to go back over- darn!! But I know that muscle weighs more and that once my body gets used to this whole getting fit thing it will be less reluctant to give up the weight. Just hurry up!! I'll weigh in this Friday.

Time for some laundry.... and more Wii Fit!! I'm getting better at push-ups!!

Update!

Laundry- changing over a load (oh the excitement!) And did a 45 minute work out! Watch out beach!!

Wii = Weeeeeee!!!

I love our Wii!!!

Just did 30 minutes of exercise! I can already see where things are improving in my strength- especially in my arms and a bit in my abs. Yes!! It's supposed to rain here later today so instead of a walk this evening HTB and I are having a Wii date tonight before watching Glee.

Wii + Glee = Yippee!!!

No weigh in today, just a few times a week to make sure I'm on track. It's also not a fabulous time of month for that anyways- which makes me especially happy that on Monday I was below 150!!

9 weeks and 2 days until we leave!!

November!!

Holy crap. How is it already NOVEMBER?!?!?!

Things have been busy here in going-for-granite-ville.

October was my Birthday month, and what a birthday it was!! My mom and sister flew into town to surprise me for the big day! Can you say AMAZING? While they were here they also surprised me with a surprise Bridal Shower! What crazy times we had. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Especially appreciated here in going-for-granite land was the gift of a new Wii Fit Plus! Yay!! HTB and I have been having a great time playing around with it, and one of my favourite features of it is that it has a scale! There's nothing like being able to see a number go down for some granite-style motivation!

Combining the lovely wii with my new gym opening up later this month and I think that I'll be close to my goal for the big day!! New gym you say? Yes- I decided that although enjoyable, sipping soy lattes at the cafe for 3 hours, 3 days a week was not a very going-for-granite type of thing to be doing. Especially with basically 2 months to go!! Plus after the big day I want to keep this up so I can be even more super granite for next summer!

Hopefully the studios will be open within the next 2 weeks, so at least I can start some classes, and then the entire gym should be opened by the end of the month. No Christmas snacking for me... (well, maybe just a little bit) I'll be at the gym or at home on my new Wii, going for granite!!

And now for a little update...

149.6 lbs! Yay for being back under 150! I never want to go over that number again!!

Operation Wedding Dress- Day 2

Yay for day 2!!

This means that I didn't work out so hard yesterday that I could still move today! It's much easier to work out a second day when one is able to move!!

I was a little sore in all the right places this morning. I could still walk down the stairs normally. This allowed me to power walk to the gym, where I rode the bike, lifted some weights, and then power walked back home.

I forgot how good sweating feels. I'm going to need to sweat a ton in order to look amazing on the beach in my dress. The goal is sans spanx.

Stay tuned for more adventures in operation-wedding-dress land. There's going to be a lot more to come with ONLY 16 WEEKS UNTIL WE LEAVE FOR TROPICAL PARADISE, BIKINI WEARING, WEDDING DRESS FITTING, LOOONG WALKS ON THE BEACH AND PLAYING IN THE WAVES WEDDING VACATION TIME!

Next Friday I'll have my first weight sharing post!

Happy Friday!!

less than four months!

Means that it's really time to get serious.

My original plan was to go running, but since my jaw has been injured that is just not possible. My bike was stolen, so that's a no go for cardio.... and I am not going to start rollerblading BEFORE the wedding- lol, can you imagine? hahahaha!!

Today I went to the gym. And got a free week pass to try out the gym. Which I did! It was great, and nice to see that there are still some muscles under that extra layer!! I haven't purchased a scale yet, so I weighed myself there....

and yes- I will share it with you.

It's the heaviest I've ever been- but I was close to this weight once before, and managed to lose it so I know that I can do it again.

153 pounds

yikes.

I'd like to lose 20 by the wedding. It's not totally unreasonable, and I know that muscle weighs more than fat, so I'm not going to become obsessed by the numbers. Although it is nice to have some sort of goal to work towards!!

Here's the rest of the dirty details, taken with our not very bendy tape measure.

bust 36 inches

waist 31 inches

hips 42 inches

Let's see how far I can go!!

Bride to be.

Confession #1

I'm currently eating herbed goats cheese, thickly spread on crackers, which is delicious. I plan on following it with a cold pint of beer.

back on track

After a bit of a hiatus due to a week of intense teaching, I am happy to say that I am back on track!!

When I've called home to talk to HTB this past week, there's been at least 3 times that he's been busy doing yoga. GO HTB!!!! So now that teaching is done, it's time for me to get back on track!!!

Going for granite is going to require mega effort, so I tried to do the epic (well, epic for me!) 85 minute long segment of my yoga video. Well, about 50 minutes in I realized that that was perhaps a bit ambitious, so I ended up fast forwarding to the abs section, and then fast forwarding a bit more to the cool down segment. I estimate that I was yoga-ing for about 60 minutes or so in total, so at least it's a step. On the bright side, once I can get through the 85 minute section I'll be that much closer to granite!

See you soon!

Let's get a move on!

Sunday, August 9th

HTB and I went for a short walk in the morning before the thunderstorms started to roll through. We were out of espresso and it was a definite must for the day we were about to have! So, we walked to out favourite little shop and back. Not really 'exercise' but at least we were walking. After a few hours of computer work, something more active was required, so we both did yoga for 40 minutes. (Eoin Finn Yoga for Happiness 2, sunset session).

Monday, August 10th

I woke up this morning to find HTB already up and and it- doing yoga!! (Pure and Simple Yoga with Eion Finn, Intermediate).

If HTB was going to get up early and do yoga, I had to make sure I got off my butt today!

Even though it's hot and humid here today I knew that I absolutely HAD to get out and work up a sweat. Only a 5 minute power walk to High Park, and I was off on a run through the trees. After all of the rain yesterday the trails were extra springy, and they felt great to run on! I was out for 30 minutes and when I got home it was time for yoga! (Pure and Simple Yoga with Eion Finn- Intermediate).

See you tomorrow!

Better than I thought..... just...

I tried on the dress today. You know the one- THE dress. THE special dress for THE special day. The feels like a million bucks when you're wearing it, dress. The, ohh, ahh doesn't she look amazing dress.

I bought THE dress almost a year and a half ago. Yes, I suppose that is early to buy THE dress, but it was a moment of true serendipity. It was meant to be. The little off white dress that I'd always envisioned as my wedding dress was RIGHT there in the window of one of my most favourite stores. It stopped me in my tracks. I'm surprised that I didn't cause a pedestrian rear-end collision the way I froze mid-step. I floated in to the store and over to the rack. There were only 2 left- one in my size.. maybe. I didn't hesitate when my (soon to be) favourite sales woman, fashion councilor, and generally amazing fashionista asked me if I wanted to try it on.

She pulled across the thick velvet brown curtain to the change room. I must have stared at the dress for at least 3 minutes before I carefully took it off of the hanger. I unzipped this most amazing dress and carefully slid it on. The zipper purred as I pulled it up. Holding my breath, I looked at the mirror.....

It was perfect. My dream, beach wedding dress, and I was wearing it!

A few hours, one coffee meeting and an amazing friends opinion later and the dress was in its bag and I was on my way home, triumphantly carrying my prize.

Fast forward one and a half not so active, too much eating out and too much wine & beer filled years later.

I've just finished my lunch of soup (that's good, right?) Not so good is that the soup followed the rest of a giant bag of cheetos that have been living in our cupboard since this weekends BBQ party. oops. And I was craving something else salty (blame the PMS) so I accompanied the soup with some crispy hash browns. yikes.

Looking down at the newly forming roll on my stomach I decided that enough was enough. I needed to know where I stood with my dress. Could I even get it on? I boldly took it out of the closet, stripped out off the comfy haven of my sweatpants and took a deep breath.

I got the dress on. It kind of fits. By kind of, I mean that even if I was wearing spanx you'd still be able to see the panty lines...... but I can still easily zip it up. And there's 5 months... just over 20 weeks to go until The Wedding.

I'm going for granite.

Granite?

Rewind to last March. HTB (husband to be- as he will be called from now on) and I are lying on one of the best beaches in the world. At a mostly European resort. The most amazingly fit, yet still sporting curves, woman walks past us. She is in such good shape that as she walks, nothing shakes. Nothing is even thinking about shaking. It is impossible to not look at her tiny little boy-cut, derriere revealing, bikini bottoms. And the not shaking that is not taking place there. HTB and I are impressed. It is impossible not to be. We nickname her Granite.

Screw Gold. I'm going for granite, for January. I need to go public so I don't succumb to things like evil cheetos. Or the chips and dip I bought last weekend (see- told you I've been bad). I need to have pressure. Five months until beach wedding day should suffice!!