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

::: Walking outside is good for you :::

We just came back from an unplanned long walk. We took a well known route, one we took few times before, thinking it'll take us some 50 minutes. But... this time we continued in a field... and had to walk further to find a way back into the neighborhood.

All in all, it took us 80 minutes. It's a warm day, but the breeze is cool, we had cold water with us... and we feel wonderful right now *s*.

Annnddd... I talked to my bro just now for the last time... He leaves for the airport in 15 minutes. He'll be here tomorrow around 11 am... and will stay for 6 weeks!!! YAYAYAY!!! *s*.

::: Lorien @ 01:18 PM MT :::

::: Finally, it has been decided: I'll never go back! :::

It's strange... the way I relate to my clothes when my weight changes. It happened so many times before, and the funny part was - I never threw my clothes out! I kept all the big sizes all these years, and some how - the opportunity to wear them again always came back!

Today, while getting ready for my brother's visit, I was checking our winter and summer clothes, starting to make room in the spare closet for my brother's clothes. We already had some clothes in boxes - waiting to be delivered to the Salvation army. They were in the boxes for few months now - and still in the closet.

So I asked myself: "Am I going to give those away? Should I? Will I?"

And myself answered: "Are you going to wear them ever again? Aren't they too big for you right now? Do you plan to go back to size 18 or 16 ever again???!!! What are you thinking???".

It was then when I realized the question was rhetorical. Hell no! I'll do whatever I can to ever never go back! Am I crazy??? This is going to be the last breath of the accordion! No more going up and down like a yo-yo!

So, one huge carton and one huge garbage bag were filled with Joe's big clothes and mine - and off we went to the Salvation army store to deliver them. Bye bye old clothes... I won't miss you at all!!!

Finally, it has been decided: I'll never go back! And I'll never look back either... This part of my life came today to its happy end! *s*.

::: Lorien @ 11:52 PM MT :::

::: New links :::

I was going through my referrers today, and found 2 new WL blogs that link to me: Body in Motion and 67.6 fluid ounces. So now there's a link back to you guys as well *s*.

Listen people... There are many WL blogs out there that I don't know of yet... If you link to me, don't be shy and let me know, and I'll link back to ya. We're all on a similar journey, and can learn a lot from each other, right? *s*.

::: Lorien @ 01:57 PM MT :::

::: No more gym for a while :::

Today was my first "no-gym" day. Yeap, my membership ended yesterday ( I always go for a one month membership), and since my bro is getting here next week and will stay for 6 weeks, I saw no use to waste money on prolonging the membership, especially when I won't have time to use it. So from now on, all workout will be done outdoors, or at home.

Yesterday I went there for the last time, did my rounds on the weights machines, and to my joy I had a free stretching class. The instructor also gave us lots of written material demonstrating stretches, exercises with ball and dumbbells... lots of useful info!

And to my surprise, she also mentioned to the other lady who attended the class how committed I was to my workout, how I come every day, how I am so serious with it all. I felt so proud of myself, smiled, and told them about the couch potato I was before... Yeap, it sure felt good to be recognized as a hard worker by one of the gym's instructors!

So this morning we already went out for a bike ride along the Bow river. 1 hour and 10 minutes net ride, all in all 21 km. Not bad for a first "no-gym" day, is it? *s*. But than again, it's not the first time for us, so we do it with no sweat.

We bought a new speedometer for the bikes. It measures the length of our ride, how many km we ride, what is our fastest speed (km/h) and what is our average speed. A very handy little gadget who does the calculations for me, so I don't need to remember and count by myself anymore. We just hope it's accurate... that remains to be seen yet, because we're not sure we calibrated it right.

So one bike ride down... and I'm planning on going for a walk later this evening, after dinner, and maybe some dumbbells when I'm back? I'll add the report by the end of the day to the workouts page.

::: Lorien @ 05:54 PM MT :::

::: Compliments... and... Summer vacation :::

Yeap, time for another pic of yours truly *s*. Remember I told you about those blue jeans, size 10, I tried last month? I wore them yesterday for an event at Joe's working place! They fit nicely now, not too tight anymore, and I was happy like a drooling baby... or babe! *s*. And boy oh boy... the compliments came down pouring!!! People who didn't see me for quite sometime looked at me with amazement, and were kind enough to let me know they loved what they were seeing... a lot!!! I have to admit - I love them to death, those kind and lovely compliments... I do! They are my pay off for all my hard work... after the improvement of my health! But most of all I love the look at Joe's eyes when I get all nicely dressed up, with makeup and jewelry and the whole 9 yards! Even if he didn't say one word, I can look into his eyes and see how proud he's of me. He becomes like a peacock while walking by my side... His all being says to the world: "See this chick? That's MY wife, and she looks absolutely gorgeous!!!".

::: :::

Well, I'm happy to let you know my brother is coming for a visit, and 2 weeks sooner than it was planned! He'll land here on July 22nd, and will stay till Sep. 3rd., 6 weeks total!!! Isn't that great???!!! I'm so excited I can't find rest! we're already planning and thinking what to do and how to do it while he's here, to make his summer vacation - and ours - most enjoyable.

Wanna hear something funny? When he got here last year, seeing him was a shock for me! The guy gained weight, and was 100 kg (220 lbs). I've never seen him so heavy... he used to be the slim member of our family!

His job as a video editor puts him in front of the computer for hours every day, and he was never active before... so, his gain was inevitable. But as soon as he got here, he bought himself a bike, and became very active outdoors with us.

When he got back home, he changed his eating habits as well (thanks to our positive influence on him, I have to say). He didn't start a diet, but he decided to give up on certain foods, and started to make better eating choices. And of course, he drives his bike every day. All in all, he lost 25 lbs since he was here, and gained muscles and strength.

So this time, we plan on giving him kind of a "Boot camp" vacation. Lots of outdoors activities, less eating out in "bad" places... We're going to complete his "education" this summer... for sure! ;-)))... and if he'll lose some more weight while he's here - that will be great as well.

And... He's going to celebrate his 40th birthday with us!!! And I can't wait for him to get here!!! *s*.

::: Lorien @ 11:12 AM MT :::

::: Mini goal weigh-in :::

Ok, time to report again. My first mini goal date is today, and the scale shows me 150.7 lbs. 4 weeks ago I was 155.2 lbs. So... I lost 4.5 lbs in the last 4 weeks. It seems I should be happy, right? Wrong. Today I had many intentions to be at 149 lbs... and I'm not!

I was at 150.7 lbs on June 13 already... and since then I regained and lost 3 pounds numerous times. Ach!!! This is annoying to the core, but this is reality for you... for me, I mean *s*.

If I want to get to my goal on time, I need to re think my actions and DO SOMETHING about it!!! Otherwise, all my plans are going to go up in smoke! Boy, sometimes I'm so tired of it all... This journey seems so tedious and unreachable...

... and Joe says: "So what? So you're standing in one place for a while!" Logically, he's right. But for me - mentally - it's a very tiresome process.

Ok, stop whining, girl!!! Get yourself together and do your job - and this time, will ya do it right????

::: Lorien @ 10:12 AM MT :::

::: Feeling groovy, and yet... :::

Few incidents made me feel groovy this past week. I've already mentioned the "s" size pants bellow... Also, I've met people who didn't see me for a long time in 2 occasions, and the compliments flew sweet to my ears. "You look so good! Boy, how much did you lose? Don't over do it, hey?".

Yeap, it's wonderful to hear those compliments, and for few days I've lived on them and had wonderful workouts and good OP eating. But...

The last 2 days went wrong... Workout wise it was great. I pushed myself at the gym to do more than I've ever did before... but I ate too much. Darn, I'm getting to my goal date in 3 days... and I'm not doing well at all! I won't be at 149 lbs... hell no... and that's a shame, and makes me sad.

I still don't know why I do that... actually, in this case I do know. I had a big disappointment from people I see as friends... and turned to food for consolation. It doesn't work, and I should've known better by now. Bad bad choices on my part, and I'm going to pay for them in 3 days. Blah!!!

Anyway, discovering the body I own anew is a real treat. The bones that come out, the muscles that get tight and hard, the fat layers that are getting small and don't cover all the rest anymore... I sure am in love with the image I see in the mirror every morning before getting dressed. It seems I can see the change in my own eyes every few days. And I know I'm doing the right things... and yet I know I'm doing few wrong things as well...

And I sure wish I knew why...

::: Lorien @ 10:37 PM MT :::

::: Non-Scale Victories :::

Few months back I bought me a stretchy workout pants, "m" size. Lately I've noticed they started to hang on me... they became roomy. So the other day we went to Walmart again, and I thought I'll buy another pair since I like those pants a lot... They're very comfortable and also make me look slim...

"Shall I dare and try the "s" size?" I asked myself.

"Be daring", myself answered. "Give it a try, girl. Nothing to lose here!".

Ok, so I entered the changing room with 2 pants, one "s" size and one "m" size (I don't believe in myself enough ;-)), and tried the "s" size first. And what do ya know???? It fits!!! It's not too tight, it makes my butt look cute... Darn, I was so happy!!!

The last time I went into a "s" size piece of clothing was some 13 years ago. It sure feels great to get back there.

I'm VERY happy... and proud of myself!!!

::: :::

Happy Canada Day to all who celebrate Canada's 136 birthday today!

::: Lorien @ 12:18 AM MT :::