Friday, December 18, 2015

Stepping Stone In My Journey

I have been looking at the transformation pictures of friends and ladies that want to share their journeys with me and reading all the great news about the amount of weight they have lost AND the changes in your bodies that they have noticed.

I am so proud of each and every one of you. My progress did not happen near as quickly as it did for the rest of you. 2 1/2 years later, I am 'almost' at the part of my journey where I can finally smile. I get very frustrated when those around me complain on how fat/big a certain part of their body is. When it truly isn't.  Is it that they just want the attention?  Are they looking for compliments?  Do you honestly feel that you are making me feel better?  I do NOT comment and I try to avoid any sharing of anything that I have done. I am still uncomfortable wearing proper fitting clothes. Yes, I do like loose fitting but it is great to be able to go into a regular store and buy something and it actually fits. I have gone from a size 26 to a size 10...my BMI started at 36.6 and was last read at 25.4 - this was my proudest number.

I have been told that I have motivated a few to start their own journey.  That is my proudest moment.  These ladies are at the point in their lives where I was 2 1/2 years ago.   From these ladies, I get positive reinforcement.  They don't complain that they haven't lost.  We support eachother.   We laugh at the same things about ourselves without making ourselves uncomfortable to what is being said. 

This is something that I had to get off my chest.  Enjoy your journey.  Each and every one of you have to do your own.  Remember, I also have a mental journey and I need support just like you do. 

Until next time

BETTY



Monday, November 16, 2015

Our Children Grow Up So Quickly

This past weekend my little boy moved out to start a new chapter in his life. 
Gosh, it seems like yesterday he was holding my hand and calling me "mommy".  I remember him telling me that he would live with me forever...of course I knew that was not true.  I packed his suitcase many times over the years, especially during the teen years.

Now, with University complete and working at a steady job for several years it is time to try it on his own.  It was quite the process.  He asked me, his mom the Relator, to give him a hand.  He was surprised at how much time it took.  I guess I was a little fussier than others to find him a place and where he lived...but I treat ALL my clients the same.  He still thought he was more special.

I stayed in the background as much as possible when he was packing his 'things' up.  I gave advice as I have done it a few times.  I was there when he put the last of the stuff in the truck and I was there when he put the key in the door of his new condo.  Am I proud?  You betcha!!!!!

That was this past weekend.  As I walked through his empty rooms today, I remember all the chats we had as I sat at the end of his bed or we sat on the floor
together to talk and laugh.  So many memories.

I have been through this before as my daughter has moved to Calgary 4 years ago.  No one saw the amount of tears that were shed then and the heartache that I felt and once again no one will see these tears and know that my heart aches.  I survived that and I will be okay with this.  Please give me time.  Do I miss him, a big and resounding YES.  He is much closer but it's not the same.

I remember the day I brought this beautiful child into the world and have watched him grow up to be a pretty nice young man.  I am very proud of all his decisions in his life. 

I can't wait to read the book that he's starting now and see where his life leads him.  We, as parents, have to let them spread their wings and test what's out there.  I'm here if he needs a landing page once in a while.  Will I continue to voice my opinion?  Of course.

For all those new parents, this is what you have to look forward to!  It may seem very far away but time and days move a lot faster when you want your children to remain with you forever.  We all love our children but we show our love by letting them go.  I've done all I can!  I've nagged all I can!  I know he knows that I am always there to listen.

Until next time

Betty
416 427 1875

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Two Years Into My Journey

Yes, folks...it's been 2 full years of exercise, healthy eating, and positive thoughts.  The exercise has
not been difficult once I set a commitment.  The healthy eating has also been pretty easy.  I can now tell people that I really don't like pasta and sweets.  I don't eat junk or processed food.  Yes, there have been times when this was questioned.  Well, there have been times when I was hungry and I didn't pack something to eat while I worked that I stopped and got a bag of salted peanuts or even a sandwich.  Eating the inside of a sandwich when you drive is kind of tricky to manage so I end up eating the bread.

What has changed in my "Food" side of my changes:
I started eating much smarter.  I have added more protein - including lean meats and fish (something I thought was not necessary and caused weight gain)  I don't focus on calorie counting anymore but I try not to eat 'empty' calories.  My carbs come from vegetables and my sugar comes from fresh fruit.  Do I enjoy a treat once in a while?  A resounding, YES!!!  But it has become extremely limited as I don't want to consume empty calories that will contradict everything that I have done to get rid of them out of my diet.  So when there is a blue moon, I may have a small treat!  LOL  Another BIG one for me was - it is not the number on the scales that matter.  I most certainly have to thank a special someone who has gotten me out of that (he know who he is but does not want to be mentioned).

The positive thoughts are still a work in progress.  We all have 'those' days when we are not happy or we are looking for someone just to let us vent.  I try to be positive most days and it starts with a great morning workout.  That gets all my happy endorphins working full speed.  Monday is the day that sets the tone for the rest of the week.  (Yes, I am quoting my Personal Trainer who reminds me of this often)  If I start out great on Monday, the rest of the week is easy peezie.   When I'm not my 'happy' self...I have learned of a strategy that works for me.  I won't share it because you have to develop your own.

I will share what has become a habit about my exercise routine:
I do go to the gym 7 days a week.  That is my choice.  I have a set program that has been developed with the help of my Personal Trainer and his knowledge how to change things up has been extremely helpful.  Here it is:  elliptical machine, weight training, I play squash (and now I have added tennis thanks to a young lady that has got me playing this), and then my 10,000 steps every day.  Do I do that many steps EVERY day?  No, but on the average it's about 8,500.   When I go to the gym I am there for, at least, an hour.

I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel!  Yes, there it is.  I do know that this will be the most difficult of all.  Once the weight loss has been achieved, I will continue to tone and make sure that the life style that I have chosen is so inbred into my brain that there will be no more going back to the way it was. 

I have learned that weight loss isn't all about dieting or exercise.  It's the combination of both.  I have
been told by a few people that I have met that I have influenced them into starting their own journey.  Remember the first thing is just to start...but getting the advice from a Personal Trainer, a professional who will help you get to a healthy lifestyle.  He/she will see improvements before you do!

Don't give up or be impatient with the process.   This is not an overnight fix!  Also, and most important, you have GOT TO WANT TO DO IT AND TO COMMIT!!!  No one is going to do it for you.  Don't compare yourself to anyone else around you.

I'm almost at the point where I am kind of proud of my accomplishments.  I DID commit and followed (sometimes kicking and screaming and using unladylike words) instruction.  I know I say it often...Thank you to my Personal Trainer.  No, he didn't do the work but he has led the way.  Just an aside - I still will not get my picture taken.  Not yet!!

I continue to wish all of you luck with your journey.  It certainly has not been as easy as everyone thinks it is.  But, if I can persevere, so can you!!!  DON'T GIVE UP!!!!  No more excuses!!!  If you truly want to change how you look and how you feel, then do something...anything.  Don't take on more than you can as this can sabotage what you are trying to achieve...hire a Professional Trainer...this is what they do!  It doesn't matter what other people think how you look, get past it!!!  You will be smiling and enjoying yourself before you know it!  I still try to blend into the woodwork and not stand out in the crowd.  But this is MY choice.

Again, this is just for something different.  I'm not just a Realtor, but I do enjoy life outside my job.

Until next time...


Betty
416 427 1875