Not much new to report this week, still weighing the same. I have to say I am a bit surprised by myself to have kept up with my 'weight chart' and blog for almost 31 weeks now! Usually I delete everything the first week that I don't lose the weight I want!

 

Last day of Strollercize today, now we have a break before our new set of classes start up again. Hopefully I can get lots of hot yoga in. Fall training for the gymnastic club starts up again next week meaning I am back to my Sunday 'long day'. Once I am there I am good, but it feels like a really rushy and exhausting morning before I even get out the door.

 

We tried out Gymboree this week and we'll be doing that for the Fall. It's a good developmental program and I lack tremendously in the 'arts' so the singing and musical games are good for Michael. I had to lip sync to 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' it was pathetic, but it's been a while!

 

And I got my speeding ticket withdrawn at Traffic Court. It was filed wrong which happens more often than you think, but I always go to 'fight' them and I usually get off. Chalk one up for minivan moms.

 

The only other thing this week is someone did something to me that was mean and heartless and I am mad at myself because I have let it bother me all week. I will probably never talk to this person again and the best thing to do would be to let it go and not carry it over now that it's done. But I keep letting it irritate me and make me mad. Obviously it's their problem and logically I understand that, but it sure has been in my head all week. Time to let it go. That was my vent about it!

A bit of a relief to be down two pounds, especially after that weight was sticking for a month. It's just always nice to see it moving.

 

My goal of 150 by Jan. 1 is starting to look more promising. I am feeling decently lean now, but I know there is still room for some give. I recently found a height weight chart that specifies how to find your ideal weight according to 'frame size'. The good thing about it was that it also told you HOW to determine your frame size. It's a measurement between the two protruding bones on either side of the elbow. I discovered I am a medium frame. I always think I have a large frame because my shoulders have always been ridiculously broad, even before weight training, but I don't. The negative part of that is that now I should weigh less! Plus I am only 5'8 and not 5'9 like I like to think and that too puts me at a lower ideal weight!

 

Of course it is just one set of numbers and standards, but I should weight between 136 and 150 lbs.

 

 

This week I also got 'food resistance' testing done by our naturopath. Apparently my body congests and inflames from chocolate, vinegar, soya beans, and milk. It was interesting. I also have some nervous system issues from being overstimulated and being a terrible sleeper. This can all affect your metabolism and body's efficiency so I have made some dietary changes again and am using some new sleeping techniques along with a herbal program to try to improve things.

 

I can't imagine what was going on with my nervous system for the last few years! This is the least overstimulated and calmed down I have been in a long time! My poor bod!

 

Anyways, not much else to report. Michael will be 7 months old on Thursday! Can't believe it! Still not crawling, but close!

 

 

 

 

Thumbs down on this cleanse! Seriously though, I might feel a bit less caffeine dependent and better hydrated, but as far as the cleansing products go - definitely not worth the $200. Never again.

 

Sunday is the last day. I will keep doing it until then, but it has been 13 days and I am not impressed.

 

So the weight stays the same. Again. Very frustrating. I have only been down 10 lbs in the last 3 months, this weight seems to want to stick. With 4 and a half months left before the end of the year, I would like to be down another 15 lbs so that's a bit less than a pound a week. But it still needs to get moving!

 

On another note, I have decided that before the next Summer Games in 2012 I will complete an Ironman triathlon. This is amusing for several reasons:

 

1. The World Record Time for this event is 8 hours and 4 minutes. I pretty much want to pass out after my 90 minute Hot Yoga class.

 

2. The Ironman starts with a 3.8 km Swim. I am a huge letdown to my body type - I look like a swimmer, people ask me all the time if I am a swimmer, but the last time I really swam was when I got my Maroon badge with Elementary School Swim Lessons. Remember that system?

 

3. After the Swim that will take the average person well over an hour to complete, there is a mere 180 km Bike ride. I have not ridden on an actual bike since about 1996. I do Spin classes... but it's not quite the same thing I am sure. This takes the average top athlete between 5 and 6 hours to complete.

 

4. And just when you think there couldn't be anything better - a full marathon! Running 42 Km. Currently I think I can run for about 12 minutes straight before my shins start on fire and I want to collapse. A top athlete can complete this in about 3.5 hours.

 

So WHY??? Well, I know that where I am right now basically sucks. But it doesn't suck because I've worked hard and just don't have it in me. It sucks because I haven't made any of this a focus and I haven't put a plan together to better myself in these disciplines. I love a challenge, I love overcoming obstacles, and I love conquering something insanely difficult. And physical challenges are the best way to harness this energy.

 

So does this mean I am going to go out tomorrow and run a marathon to get warmed up? No. But I have taken my first steps for the Fall of 08 by signing up for Adult Swimming Lessons and registering for a Running Conditioning Group. I am planning to purchase a decent bike and may start out just riding recreationally on paths for now. But you gotta start somewhere!

 

In about a year from now I am planning to do a 'Sprint' distance triathlon to get socialized into the sport. There is one is Canmore that has a 1000m swim, a 20 km Bike Ride, and a 5 km run. It's a year away, but I think that is a realistic goal to set for July 2009. I am just waiting to make sure that weekend doesn't conflict with any Fitness competitions for 09 as I plan to back in full swing with that as well. I think it's important to always be striving toward something and I like the idea of setting a ginormous long-term goal. I am sure I have the ability, I just need to channel it in the right direction.

 

And how cool would it be to have actually completed an Ironman in your lifetime?

 

I also think it's important for Michael to be socialized around sport and fitness as just a natural way to be. It's so easy to fall into a slump and get lazy and I never want my children to see me like that. There are so many character building opportunities within sport and so many ways to find yourself through sport. It can take time to find out where your heart is at and where your talents lie, but it's so important to try and not be afraid to screw up or not be good at something.

 

Michael is already heavily involved in our fitness activities! He has been in Mom and Baby Fitness classes of all kinds since he was 6 weeks old. Right now we are in Strollercize and it's awesome. Three days a week outside, I get my workout and he gets a fun ride in a stroller for an hour. It's perfect. And we're continuing swimming through the Fall with him, he has had a couple weeks of lessons in the Summer already and just loves the water. In the Fall we will go once per week, the whole family. While Michael and I have our Mom and Baby lesson, Taso has an Adult lesson. Then Taso will take him to get ready when we are done and I will have my Adult lesson. It's so cheesy, but I am all about classes, lessons, and structure! 

 

And Michael slept an entire consecutive 12 hours last week! Just once! But it's a start!!! Of course I still didn't sleep - I was up watching the Olympics and kept checking in on him when he wasn't up screaming at 4 am!

 

Speaking of the Olympics, the women's all around in gymnastics was last night. Huge congrats to Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson for both putting on amazing performances and coming 1 and 2 in the all around. Completely opposite body types and totally different styles. And for a 16 year old, Shawn Johnson is a very mature young woman - she was really the favorite going in, but Nastia was the better gymnast that day. Shawn said 'I gave my heart and soul out there today, Nastia deserves the Gold'. Really, it was such a strong statement. There were no excuses, there was no ego, just a true acknowledgent that she had been outperformed at her best. Not many people can do that and it says a ton about her character. I love them both, so it was a wonderful competition to watch.

Ummm... why didn't I lose 20 lbs this week? Why?

 

It's a great mystery... I have been 'cleansing' so to speak, which doesn't necessarily mean much although I am taking the powders and herbs, but I have also cut out my coffee, alcohol, and sweeteners. That's a HUGE part of my diet!!!

 

So as I take my disgusting fiber powder, swallow pills all day, and drink my tea... in the back of my mind I am thinking 'Oh my weight's going to drop sooo much this week!' - and of course I weighed myself every morning. It hasn't moved! I have done Hot Yoga every single day, sometimes twice... I eat fruit, vegetables, rice crackers, hummus, and edamame beans... that's it - and I weigh the same.

 

It's frustrating, but getting mad is not going to make it better.

 

The 'cleanse' is 15 days. I have only completed 6 days, so maybe I am jumping the gun. But I just feel that when I actually exercise restraint and discipline in my life (Do you know how much I love my coffee???) I should be rewarded. Maybe the reward is 'delayed' and I will feel better at the end of this. But right now I am cranky, bloated, and tired. Does that mean I am 'releasing' toxins? I freaking hope so!!!

 

Just a note for all of you, toxicity is stored in fat cells, so ultimately the best way to rid the body of toxins is to reduce body fat. However you go about doing that. It's actually been very interesting to work with people who were significantly 'overfat' and made large reductions in body fat. So many 'ailments' just disappeared. Different bodies are prone to carry different toxins, so somebody with a certain type of arthritis might just be carrying harmful toxins in the joints. When their body fat is reduced so are the toxins, and their arthritis may not bother them anymore.

 

That's your education for the day.

 

My son is fabulous and should be crawling soon. He's crazy, but so is his mom... I'll keep you posted.

 

Right now I have to go drink some non-delicious tea that they mockingly flavoured with cinnamon. Mmmmm.

 

Next week I want to weigh 125.

 

 

My weight is up a bit this week, but I am not really concerned. It has been a busy and also 'off-schedule' kind of week. Lots of social events have come up, Taso has family in from out of town, I have friends in from out of town and I also have just been making more dinner plans than usual. It adds up and even though I stick with my no sugar, no flour, no dairy most of the time, I don't guilt myself when I don't. Especially if I really want something and it's an out of the ordinary occasion.

 

Michael had swimming lessons all week. He passed the 'Starfish' level and is now a Duck. But not really. These levels are by age and until he is 12 months old he has to stay a Starfish. He has two more weeks of lessons in the summer. He quite enjoys the water and the lessons are just a fun way to be in the water, sing songs, and see other kids. I even had to dunk him under! He was a bit mad at me a few times!

 

Michael also had his six month check-up this week. He's tipping the scales at 19 lbs 11 oz which is around the 90th percentile. He's actually leaned out since the last time when he was on the 97th percentile. That's still where his head measurement lies though! And the nurse said I can give him three meals a day plus a snack if that's what he wants. I didn't have to ask him twice! He'll start meats this week and then we can get him going on a diverse diet. He pretty much likes everything - every vegetable has been a hit. The only thing he has made a face at has been peaches and apricots! I still make a face at the green beans, Taso has to feed him those!

 

I am going to Cirque de Soleil this week as well, very excited for that. My friend Shallon is in town, we go way back and it's fun to remember all of the things we used to do. We had lunch yesterday and hopefully her and her mom can come see Michael on Monday. Our Mom's used to swim together, we did gymnastics together, and our Grandma's know each other as well. It is pretty neat.

 

Coaching is going great. I am easing back on my hours a bit to be at home more, so I am concentrating on a group of 4 - 6 year olds. So much fun. It's a change, but I really like this age and level. I always like the 'blank slate' stage. And they keep me on my toes. It's much more active to coach this level because you do a lot more with them to show them and keep them moving. They get bored they get distracted, but if they see you do something with them, they can definitely keep up.

 

One more dinner tonight and then I am starting a cleanse tomorrow. I am not a huge advocate of cleansing in the sense that a lot of people with very poor diets, so clenses, and then return to very poor diets. My food intake is quite pure on a regular basis, but there are some things I need to get out of my system. Namely artificial sweeteners, caffeine, and alcohol. Michael is done nursing, so I will be starting this cleanse on Sunday and going for 15 days. I have scheduled hot yoga in as well as massages as much as I can in those two weeks. I want it to be as comprehensive as possible.

 

And that's about it. Sorry to be a day late! So busy!