::: Home ::: The plan ::: Useful links ::: The workout :::

::: Educational moments from the less fortunate :::

So you already know we go to the leisure center every day to work out, right? I hold pride in that, because I was one of the laziest bums I know... and the emphasis is on was! And now, we needed to be told by the instructor in the gym to take the weekend off, and let our bodies rest for a while. Since both Joe and I are very disciplined people (haha, yea right), we take Saturdays and Sundays off, but if the weather is nice, we walk some place in the city... just for the fun of it *s*.

This is our forth week in the gym, and since we go every morning around the same time, we meet almost the same people every day, so faces have become familiar (and bums as well ;-)), and there are few people we talk to, and it feels great.

One thing that left me in awe was watching few handicap people who come to the gym to work out. Sitting on a wheelchair, walking with a walker, having Down Syndrome or a heavy eyesight are not considered an obstacle in their eyes. They come in few times a week with their care givers and make the rounds... pushing, pulling, lifting, walking, biking as much as they can. They do it out of pure reason - better the health of their broken body. They'll never acquire the athletic body most of us healthy people so desire, and they don't care to do so... They push their limits and work out for a most excellent goal.

I have to tell you... I admire these people more than any other shaped "weight lifters" bodies I meet there! I admire their spirit... I admire their will... I admire their ability to defy their difficulties...

But what I've seen today was the most amazing thing of all. We finished our workout and walked to the lockers room. Suddenly I've seen a young guy literally crawling on the stairs, going up. Beside him was a crutch, and there was another crutch laying on the floor few meters away from him. I guess everyone would've thought: "Maybe I should ask him if he needs help", right? It was only natural to assume he fell...

Taking few more steps closer... I realized I misunderstood it all...

The young guy had a cloth in his hand... He was working... he was cleaning the glass wall...

We will never ever take our health for granted again. We started this change of attitude a while ago... and today we've learned the most valuable lesson of all.

::: Lorien @ 08:22 PM MT :::

::: I'm not around much :::

lately, since Joe took the week off... I'm trying to catch up on my daily reads, but am far behind on commenting. Sorry guys... Will try to catch up as soon as Joe goes back to work on Tuesday.

On a happier note... We went to the doctor yesterday to start our yearly checkup. After checking my blood pressure, and finding it standing on 120/80, my doctor praised my battle with the situation, and said I might be able to go without any pills in the future, if I continue being active and keep my weight on a normal level. I was stunned!!!... in a good way *s*. He'd let me understand in the past that I have to take pills till the end of time... And now, after seeing that my efforts are getting me some good results, he thinks my blood pressure might have been caused by mental stress.

He's probably right. I sure am a happy camper at this time. My goal to get rid of the chemicals is close to be achieved now than it ever was!

Jacz... If by any chance you're reading this... YOU WERE SO RIGHT!!! *s*...

::: Lorien @ 09:56 PM MT :::

::: Starting all over again :::

Today is our first day back to the gym. For now, we purchased a one month membership to the leisure center here in our neighborhood, but I'm sure we'll prolong it later.

Our first workout was a piece of cake, actually a real pleasure! *s*. I've asked the instructor for the best exercises to strengthen my back muscles, and she showed me 3 machines that do that. It felt good, and I'm going to do those every day. Other than that we used the bikes and the tread mill for 45 minutes, and that wasn't too hard.

Today is also the first day I'm taking a new pill for my high blood pressure. Since my blood pressure went a bit too low lately, my doctor agreed to change the old chemicals I was taking with a new pill which is milder, more natural. All we have to do now is wait and see if it does the work it supposed to do. I sure hope it'll work... Hate to take in chemicals!!! And since I lost lots of weight and was active - it might work! We'll see *s*...

So that's a kind of a resolution for the new year, I suppose. I'm giving myself 8 months to lose the last 17 kg (38 pounds) I need to lose, but more important - be healthy and strong. Time (and me) will tell how I'm doing *s*...

::: Lorien @ 12:25 PM MT :::

::: Hahahaha *s* :::

Just got this from my diva friend MJ. As usual, she sends stuff that brings a huge smile to my face *s*... I wonder where she finds all those goodies *s*... Gives me a good opportunity to report my "heavy" status: Didn't lose any, didn't gain any for the month bro was here. In my book - I did very well, hihihihihi *s*.... (Doesn't take nothing from the fact I still wanna lose 18 kg (40 pounds)... and it's getting harder now). We'll see....................... *s*...............

::: Lorien @ 10:36 AM MT :::

::: A report on "Heavy" :::

After almost 15 weeks of a desperate diet, I've lost 13 kg (28.6 pounds). It's going slower now, but still... going... *s*... and it's still a daily battle! I still want to lose 18 kg (40 pounds). Yeap, I'm not even half way down the road to my total goal, but already feel good about myself, and very proud of my recent achievement!!!

I know it'll be very hard dieting when bro is here, but I'll try to go easy on restaurants' food and have lots of physical activity, which we'll all have. If I manage to lose 2 kg (4.5 pounds) in the month he's here - I'll be happy *s*

::: Lorien @ 07:42 AM MT :::

::: On success and such :::

Miki asked me: "What's your secret ... how did you lose so much weight so quickly?"

Well, Miki. First of all, it's only 1 kg (2 pounds) per week in average, which is the recommended rate by doctors as the healthiest way to lose weight. So it's not very quickly. Second... you made me think...

See, I've started gaining weight at the age of 9 (33 years ago), and since then I was battling excess weight almost all my life. I'm the ultimate yo-yo weight loser, the accordion phenomenon at its best! Never found out what was the reason for my unreasonable eating rate, though I've tried.

I tried all diet methods available under the sun. Believe me, I have a Ph.D. in dieting *s*. I can tell you what to eat and what not, how much, when, why, what powder to mix and drink, how to calculate calories... the works! I lost hundred of pounds in my life time, but they always sneaked back on me, and brought more friends with them. A constant loser on this battle. I'm sure you can understand the frustration of it all!

So I was thinking. Being over weight along the years made me very angry, frustrated, stressed, miserable and what not. I felt I was being judged by the no. of kg I was carrying around with me. I wanted to be thin, to show all those critics that I can be beautiful according to their criteria too. That was the wrong reason to try to lose weight, and that was the reason for the constant failures.

Joe met me when I was weighing few more pounds than now. He fell in love with all my pounds. He fell in love with me as a whole. He thought - and still thinks - I'm very sexy. He wouldn't mind having me like I'm now for the rest of our lives. For the first time in my life, I knew I was loved as what I am, and not as what I might be. So there was no reason to lose weight to be more attractive to someone. The only reason for me to lose weight now is only me doing it for myself!

The one things that motivates me now is my health. I have high blood pressure that is being kept down with pills. And I'm in a risk mode because of that. That's enough reason - to want to eliminate the risk. I want to live long. And that's a very good motivation to make me do it, and succeed.

I can't tell you that it's easy. I still love to eat, and sometimes I can't find my will power, and I shove food into myself like there's no tomorrow. But, most of the time it's working... and yes. Every day is a small battle, and
when I win - I feel very proud of myself *s*.

That's how I do it. And I didn't invent the wheel, ya know... I think anyone can, with the right thinking, and the right reason!

::: Lorien @ 09:56 AM MT :::

::: A good meal... or some self pride? :::

Just want to brag: After going on the scale this morning, I'm down 11 kg (24 pounds). Now imagine if I had a real Shavuot meal today... Would I be so happy?????????

Well............................ if it was with my family............... I imagine I wouldn't mind eating the good stuff my mom makes for Shavuot. She told me about that this morning, and boy... I was drooling all over the keyboard. BUT, the good news is mom promised me she'll make the same dishes in September, when I'm there for a visit... JUST FOR ME!!! *s*. So I have lots to wait for... and still lots of time to shed more pounds! (Sounds good here! Yeap!)

Holiday time is harder for me, being away... I miss them... my family. I miss the special meals, the feeling of a holiday, which I don't have much here, unless I decide I'm going to cook a meal myself and invite some friends or Joe's kids. Today, it didn't happen, since Joe is working... but maybe tomorrow, I'll cook up something special. Yea, I can do that *s*.

Feeling much better now*s*........

In the former post, Jennifer commented with a description of what her mother-in-low made for Shavuot dinner. Boy... This is something else!!!!! She wrote:"my mother-in-law made gefilte fish, blintzes, pashtidah (cheese quiche), chicken soup, roast chicken (i.e. "oaf mechubas"), roast beef, grilled potatoes, salad, green beans, strawberries, 2 different kinds of cheese cake and chocolate mousse". YUMMY!!!!!! I'm dead!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!

::: Lorien @ 04:05 PM MT :::

::: I will survive... and have a good life quality! :::

I don't exactly know what drove me into this health madness lately. I guess it has much to do with what happens in Israel, though I don't live there anymore... and also with the fact I have lots to live for. Seeing how fragile and uncertain life has become for so many people made me think: "People in Israel and other parts of the world don't have much control over what happens to them anymore... You (me) do!"

So as I've mentioned here before, I've changed my diet completely, and stopped eating red meat. I still eat chicken, turkey and fish occasionally, and the rest of the time - I consume Soy products and lots of fruits and veggies.

I wanted to make sure this new diet will make me healthier, so I've read some more, consulted my doctor about this, and learned that it'll be good for me to take some more food supplements on top of those I already take. I'm already taking Centrum forte (which contains 29 essential Vitamins & Minerals) and Calcium + Vitamin D pills, and now I'll also have Vitamin C and B complex (all Vitamin B groups) pills.

Why, you ask? Well, Vitamin C has a crucial importance in the maintenance of a healthy immune system, and also believed to help with cancer. Vitamin B12 is very important for the functioning of the brain, and since people get it most from red meat, I should take it as a supplement.

For years I couldn't care less about my health. Being a smoker and overweight was BAD, I knew it, and just went along without paying attention. Now, something has changed in my perception of the life I want to live, so I'm doing something!!! At long last, I'm taking care of the abuse I gave my body for so long...

I just hope I'm not too late.

::: Lorien @ 12:30 PM MT :::

::: I have a problem :-( :::

I'm hungry!!!

I'm hungry!!!

I'm hungry!!!

I want to have

or

or

and for desert

I want

... all of it!!!!!.................. BUT................. All I'm gonna

have is

and and

cooked,

and ... alive

See what I've come down to? I'm sitting here since 5.00 PM, trying to make myself busy so I won't go downstairs to the kitchen and snack on Joe's food. My oh my... This diet thing is not easy sometimes... BUT HELL!!!!! Today I've won another small battle. Yay to me!!! *s*...

I'm out of here to have my dinner. What did you have for dinner tonight????

::: Lorien @ 06:00 PM MT :::

::: Foody Goody :::

We went out in the afternoon. Took coffee and cookies with us, and drove to Bowness park, to sit by the Bow river and enjoy some fresh air. The fresh air wasn't so fresh after all, since it was very windy and dusty. But, it was fun anyway getting out for a while, looking at the ducks and geese (Yea, they're coming back already) and experiencing some peace and quiet for a change...

We came back home, and I've started working on diner. I've peeled some potatoes for Joe, and put them on the stove to start cooking. Joe took care of hid steak, and added spices and stuff to it. And me? I was going to munch on a Soy hot-dog and some veggies.

And then...

"I'm going to be honest with you", goes me.
"Yea... ?????????", Joe eyes go wide open.
"On the way home, I was thinking that it'll be nice to go out for dinner tonight, to Foody Goody", goes me.
"Oh!" says my other half. "Well........."
"Well?", I'm asking. "Are you up to the challenge??????????"
"Well, yea", goes the man. "But......... I'm short..... (on cash)".
"I'm asking you this time", I say while giving him a big smile. "Are you up to the challenge???!!!"
"No problem here", says he. "I'm putting everything back to the fridge, and we can go. If you ask me to go out, who am I to say NO?"...... and he smiles like a cat who just got a pot filled with cream.

So the potatoes, steak and Soy hot-dog go back to the fridge, and here we are, driving to Foody Goody (Now called "Maxim's Palace") for a nice Chinese Buffet. And that was a yummy meal indeed!!! *s*

Mind you, tomorrow is 7 weeks since I've started another diet. No, I didn't forget I've told you about it here already. So....... Drums, please!!!!!!!....... So far, I've lost 8 Kg (17.5 pounds)...... Nice, hey? (*BIG SMILE HERE*). Yeap, I'm very pleased with this current achievement, but... I'm not going to weigh myself tomorrow morning, no way! Not after tonight's nice Chinese buffet.... hihihihihi *s*...

If you want to succeed big time... do it with small steps. And, that's not such a big bad deal to walk one small step backwards from time t time. Got that? *s*

::: Lorien @ 08:17 PM MT :::

::: Dieting??? Moi??? :::

Yea, I'm a chicken? Why, you ask? Let me tell you:

I'm the ultimate Accordion phenomenon... You know, one of those humans who get big-small-big-small all their lives, body wise. I can't remember the number of times I had a diet in the past... many many times for sure. I can do it, I can go on a diet, lose 20 kg (44 pounds) in few months... that much I can do! The problem is, I can't maintain it for more than 2-3 years, and then I'm gaining weight again, and the Accordion is sadly playing *s*...

Someone said ones that being over weight is a matter of the brain, the state of one's mind. One has a brain which either "thinks" fat... or slim. I'm not sure it's true for most people, But I sure am sure it's true for me. I was born with a brain that "likes" to gorge! I started to gain weight when I was 9 years old, and since then I am doing the Accordion dance. I got so good at it... I think I can have a Ph.D. in Diets as well *s*. Boy, I'm so envy of people who can eat whatever they want... and stay slim!

Now, 2 years ago around this time, Joe and I stopped smoking. I was the one to initiate this, because my blood pressure hit the sky, and I was afraid... very afraid! We didn't smoke for almost a year, and yours truly gained 15 Kg (33 pounds). Hell, I sure didn't need that extra load, since I was already 22 Kg (48 pounds) above my "normal" weight.

Then, my brother came for a visit (and he's a heavy smoker), and we went back to smoke, to keep him company (Yea right!) and after bro left, we decided we will smoke 10 cigis a day. Gaining more weight scared me more than having a heart attack, I guess. Stupid me!!!

I've tried to lose, but it didn't work right. I lost 6 Kg (13 pounds) over the last year, and wasn't happy with myself at all! I've also started taking pills for the high blood pressure, and after few months I've managed to bring it down to my normal levels. That made me very happy, but also made me think: "Well, girl? Are you doing whatever you can to kill yourself at young age? Are you sure you wanna leave this world young and beautiful? Either you take your fate in your hands and do something to better your nutritious life style, or..."

Mmmm... Heavy thinking indeed. But then... How am I going to do it? What method am I going to use? I've tried Weight watchers before, and many other methods with powders and stuff to kill the appetite... They all worked to a point, but the main thing was I wanted to go with a healthy method this time... one that won't give my body a shortage of the substances it needs, and put it into a panic state of hunger. One other thing... I have a very lazy Digestion system... Going to the toilet was always a problem for me... and whenever I'm going on a diet, this system goes on a vacation, leaving all the toxins inside my body. I had to find something which will stimulate it to work properly. Healthy and successful was the code! *s*

So, I've started my diet last month, in February 25, and by now lost 6 kg (13 pounds). My Nutrition is all changed, I feel very good and energetic, and my Digestion is great! I still want to lose 25 Kg (55 pounds), so it's a long way. And I'm a chicken because I won't let you know how much I weigh for now... If you'd like to guess, be my guest *s*. I still don't trust myself to be able to accomplish this mission I've taken upon my heavy self to fulfill. Keep your fingers crossed for me, and I'll let you know how it goes *s*.

Since that has become a very long post, I'll let you know about the method I'm using in another post, soon. All I can say now is, that I went back to a book sent to me by my best friend from Israel more than a year ago... Eat right for your blood type by Dr. Peter D'Adamo... and it works!!!

::: Lorien @ 11:04 AM MT :::