I've MOVED!!!

Yup, I did it.

Come and find me at www.bringingbalance.wordpress.com

See you there!!

C

Thank You!

Thank you so much for the welcome back! Oh how I've missed you girls! You don't even know....

So I've been doing a little evaluating of my eating habits. I'm NOT impressed. Even though I *think* I've been eating relatively healthy.....not so. For example, my go to morning snack has been a Nature Valley Sweet & Salty Dark Chocolate Nut granola bar. Carolyn...... C'mon. Seriously? Take a look at the label...

Calories: 170
Fat: 8g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber:1 g
Sugar: 12g
Nutrition value: 0

This paired with 1 fruit and a peanut butter sandwich does not a healthy lunch make. No sir.
So my question to you ladies is........What do you pack in your lunch? What little goodies might I find in your brown bag?

Workout front: Good news is...I brought my gym clothes to work today. Bad news is...I'm hoping to spend my lunch hour test driving a 2005 Honda Civic. Since I will be carless in about 12 days...I need to find some wheels asap. Any suggestions ladies? What are you driving and do you love it or hate it?

In other news.....Today I feel super cute in a new dark red cardigan that I scored at H&M this weekend. I have been all about shopping lately. Everywhere I go, I see something super cute that would look great in my closet! Not good when you are moving in a week and a half and trying to be budget conscious. Plus I booked a shopping weekend in the States with a few friends for Nov 14th so I should be saving up my moolah for a blowout shopping weekend! Much needed, I might add.

Off to browse all your recipes! I've missed so much over the past few months....

I'm Baaaaaaaack!

Ok.....so I know it's been forever. Literally forever. No excuse.

It's been a loooong few months....

I have so much to catch up on but I have been following along with all of you here and there and you guys are all doing so great! I'm so proud of you guys (and insanely jealous of your Halifax weekend getaways!)

Truth is.....I have been going through a seperation. Without getting into much detail, things are on very good terms and we both know it is the right thing to do. We continue and will continue to be very good friends and we want the best for each other, above all else. No regrets at all. We just want to be happy.

Soooo.....we sold our house (sold in 3 days!) and will be moving out on Oct 31st. I found a great apartment with my very best friend. It's a really nice duplex and only 3 minutes from my work. Speaking of work, my new job has been going great. I'm really enjoying the challenge and love the organization.

And the health front?
Well...............

hmmmm.......

It's not awful.

It's not great.

I basically stopped going to the gym around March. Motivation has been somewhat lacking. Luckily my weight has been pretty steady around my comfort zone but I've certainly lost the "in-shape" feeling that I once had and loved so much. So now I am looking to jump back in the ring. My work has an awesome gym...Free! Treadmills, an elliptical, stepper and weights...and it's a ghost town 90% of the time so I can turn on the TV and rock it out whenever I want. But without motivation it has been impossible for me to drag my butt down there....

I've missed blogging soooo much! I didn't realize how much support I was losing until I realized that this is the time I needed it the most. I hope you guys can forgive me for dropping off the face of the planet. I think I just needed to go through what I was going through on my own.

oxo
C

***Update
Oh Girls!!! You guys are the BEST! Thanks for the welcome back!! I can't believe how much I've missed you guys and blogging! Now I need help! My blop needs a facelift for the new me! How did you guys get all the great backgrounds?? :) SOOO glad to be back!!!!!

What I've learned in just 4 short days....

1. I love a challenge.

2. My new job is certainly that.

3. I'm probably more capable than I give myself credit for. Who knew I'd be the Disaster Management Coordinator for Southern NB when just 2 years ago I was graduating with an Arts degree wondering what in the world, if anything, I was qualified for.

4. Blackberrys are insanely addictive.

5. Not eating after supper makes the pounds drop....fast.

6. I'm so HAPPY!

W-w-w-Wednesday

Thanks for the encouragement ladies! My closet is growing, one new article at a time.

This week has been pretty busy so far.

Recap point form style? Sure!

1. My Mom is moving home today. Well she's driving home from Ottawa today, the rest of her stuff is following next week in a big moving truck. She'll be living with my brother for a few months until she can find her own house. She moved to Ottawa about 3 years ago with her partner and now they are splitting ways and she is returning to New Brunswick. He isn't very happy and has been causing a lot of drama within the family. BUT it's over now and hopefully we can all just let it rest now. It has been a major stress lately so I'm glad it's settling down now. I want nothing else but for my Mom to be happy, wherever she is!

2. Monday I tried the Windsor Pilates Body Sculpting. I did the general body sculpt, the Abs and the Buns and Thighs. It was about an hour in total and I seriously felt the burn in the thighs. Yikes. They were only about 20 mins long so it didn't feel like a long time. I think I might throw it into the routine at least 3 times a week. It's only 20 mins right? Plus if I'm going to be sporting a bikini on the beaches of Dominican (or Cuba) in a few months, I need Pliates!

3. My new obsession? Anthony Sedlak from The Main on the Food network. Love this guy. I have been watching the Food Network like no ones business for the past few weeks. Does anyone else notice that he pronounces 'olive oil' a little strange?

4. I went to Yoga class yesterday. I have been having a lot of trouble with a joint in my lower back so it was good to stretch it out. Although it has been in pain for 3 straight days now. Grrr. I do NOT want to go back to physiotherapy. Cardio usually helps it and I realise it's been about a week since I've done any cardio so I'm hitting up the gym today for some elliptical and maybe a little stepper action.

5. We are getting up to 40 cms of snow in the next 2 days! Yikes! My outside running has been non-exsistant. Actually all running has been non-exsistant. Why? Prepare yourself, what you are about to hear may digust you. I am petrified that my toenail is going to fall off. Half of it is dark purple. Almost black. Anytime I run over 5 K my toenail is in pain for at least 2 days. Has anyone ever had this? I'm pretty sure it means my shoes do not fit properly. I've done a little looking online and from what I read....you should buy your runners a half a size larger than you would normally wear. Runners? Does this sound right?

Lunchtime! I'm off to the gym!

Inspired by Jenn

ok so lately I've been realizing my utter lack of fashion. My closet is filled with plain ol v-neck sweaters and the classic brown, gray and black dress pants. Everyday I wake up, blow dry & run a straightener through my naturally wavy hair, throw on a sweater and a random pair of dress pants, apply the exact same make-up and off I go to work. No earrings, no accessories, no fussing with my hair. Nothing that makes me unique. I told Scott last week that I'm almost positive that there is a 45 year old woman out there somewhere who has the exact same wardrobe as me.

If I were to analyze my wardrobe, I'm almost certain it would bring me back to being overweight the majority of my life. I was always trying to hide myself and blend in with the background. Like they wouldn't notice that I was 80 lbs overweight if I didn't wear anything that made me stick out. My style has stayed the same. Nothing vibrant, nothing to draw attention, nothing exciting. I've never read a style magazine with any interest. Stacey and Clinton are from another planet to me and I just don't understand if your shoes or your belt or your purse are supposed to match. Many would be embarrassed to know that typically, I don't have more than 2 pairs of shoes per season (dramatic gasp) with the exception of summer because I'm completely a flip flop kind of girl. Even more embarrassing is that I probably only buy a new purse when my last one is too worn out to wear. Actually come to think of it, I don't even remember the last time I even wore a purse. (with the exception of Scott's "big purse policy" when we go to the movies so we can stash our Bulk Barn treats). Point is, I haven't been taking much prise in my appearance and I think I've finally realized that after all the weight I lost, it's time to liven things up. I'm young, I've got curves and I've got a waist that I'll probably never see again once we decide to have kiddies.....soooo Live it up Carolyn!

Jenn's Friday Fashion has inspired me. Well.....at least I'm willing to step outside of my otherwise mundane fashion box.

Baby steps I know, but still steps in the right direction.

Now old habits die hard so yes, they are 2 pretty identical outfits in different colors BUT notice the bracelet detail, earrings AND even a little poof sleeve (which may or may not be visible in the picture) Oh and I also wanted to show off my first size 7 pair of pants (black ones)

I know I need to branch out in the color world but hey, it's my first shot. Give me a little credit?

So there it is. Next I'm taking a few tips from Cat and hoping to spice up the makeup. And I didn't even realize until now how long my hair is! It needs shape. Long bangs maybe?

In the spirit of this week....Be the Change.

Off week....

I'm having an off week.

I haven't been my old chipper self. I haven't been hitting the gym. I haven't been rocking the point journal. I haven't been doing much of anything. It's pretty much been a domino effect of crappiness. I feel lazy. I come home from work, put on my jams and then just veg. Not like my usual productive self. No exercise (minus one yoga class on Tuesday), no tracking, no weight loss.

That being said (because you know I always have to look at the positive side of life right?) I did start getting my act together yesterday. Point journal is out and the days eats are all written down. Plus I was super stressed yesterday when I got home from work so I laced up and headed out for a very slippery 6K. There is a sheet of ice covering all of the side streets (I'm sure JavaChick knows where I'm coming from) so running was twice as difficult. But it felt great and I felt better once I got home and had a nice hot bubble bath. Felt good to get outside and fight the winter blues and just run in out in sub zero temps.

I'm hoping I can shake this off before the weekend. Tonight Scott and I decided to spend the night in. Light a fire, rent a movie, make supper together. Looking forward to it actually. Tomorrow Scott is heading to a friend's for the day to help with laying a floor in their basement so I'm on my own tomorrow. I thinking shopping, a nice long run at the gym, maybe a haircut and a stop by my brother's to spend some time with my two nieces. Tomorrow night, I'm meeting up with Scott and some friends for a few drinks and some games. Fun!

I still have another week at my old job. It's seems to be dragging on forever, I mean, wasn't it a lifetime ago that I told you all I got the new job with R.ed C.ross?? I'm anxious to get in there and learn!!

Oh and thanks to Jenn's fashion Friday post.....I went out and bought my first pashmina!!! I need to get some style up in here!

Have a great weekend!