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!

Kitchen Queen!

I didn't even get out of my pajamas yesterday.

We got a huge dump of snow yesterday (I think 30 cm) so Scott and I didn't leave the house. We both didn't get dressed and just did a few things around the house. I spent the whole day in the kitchen and now my freezer is bursting at the seems. On the menu was:

-Crock Pot Mexican Soup (a recipe I made up a few months ago)
-Starvin Guy Chicken Pot Pie from Looneyspoons cookbook (ESBM girls....sooo gooood)
-Chocobrans - a must
-A huge pot of homemade chili (modeled after the beef chili in ESBM, again, YUM)
-Chocolate Peanut butter pudding desserts

We had the pot pie for supper and it was sooo good. I combined two recipes (Looneyspoons called for potatoes which I didn't have so I subbed in extra veggies) It was so great. I haven't had chicken pot pie in years! Remember those little round ones in the tin plate? They were a staple in my house growing up. KD and frozen pot pies. Mmmm. (gag)

I forgot to buy cauliflower to try Cat's Mac & Cheese Fake out. So I'll pick some up on the way home tonight and make it this week. I forgot how therapeutic the kitchen is.

Other than that my weekend was slightly uneventful. The weather was insane, -40 degrees on Friday, -35 degrees on Saturday then a blizzard on Sunday. Lots of movie watching going on. Righteous Kill, Gran Torino, and Mirrors all made an appearance. All were good, none were fantastic. I think I spent more time digging into M&Ms at the theatre on Saturday night than actually watching the movie.....the chocolate was much better anyway.

I haven't seen the gym since Thursday. We had a pipe freeze on Friday so I had to go home at lunch and Saturday I totally copped out due to the cold weather. Today I'm car-less since ours in the in the shop getting new brake pads, tires, oil change, alignment.... (cha ching) so I'll be missing my lunch time gym crunch today as well. My plan though is to pop in a Yoga DVD tonight to at least get my body moving. (I also have Billy Blanks and P90X which I've never tried so I might opt for something a little more challenging)

Monday Monday.....

Is it Friday yet?

1. I'm loving Crest Whitestrips. I actually got them for Christmas. Weird gift right? But I wanted them for the past year but I never want to go out and spend $50 on them (not your typical fun "splurge" purchase) Hubs remembered that I mentioned them months ago and got them for me. Very thoughtful. Anyway it's been a week and I definitely notice that my pearly whites are shining a little brighter.

2. Scott and I are planning another trip down South but not until June. We are going with a few friends and one of them is in College until the middle of June so we have to wait. BUT at least we'll get a good deal and I'll have a super tan for the summer! Can't wait to start bikini shopping! This should be an awesome motivator to get in great shape again. I know a bunch of you ladies are going down this Spring so I want reviews and resort names!

3. I'm so anxious to start my new job! These last 3 weeks are dragging by at my work. It's been so busy and I think part of the reason I'm so anxious is because I know that I'll be leaving soon. But as always I'm a dedicated little worker so I'll take anything that's thrown at me. 11 more days after today.

4. I've been dying to hit the pavement and start my outside training for my 10K but the weather is NOT cooperating. This morning it is -30 degrees outside (that's -22 Fahrenheit for you Americano ladies) Not good running weather. Not even good weather to stand outside for more than 2 minutes weather. Hopefully it warms up soon, in the meantime, I'll just have to cozy up to the treadmill.

5. I really need to stop buying the McCain International Multigrain Thin Crust Marinated Chicken and Tomato pizza. It's just toooo good. Half of the pizza is 10 points and with a side of brussel sprouts, it's filling and sooo good. I could eat it everyday but seeing as I am trying to get away from all the processed stuff, maybe I'll try to make my own. Any good homemade pizza recipes out there girlies? (Oh and thanks for the Mac and Cheese Cat, I'm making it this weekend!!)

Tuesday...

1. I'm still reeling from the new job opportunity and I suppose I can now throw it out there that the job is with the C.anadian R.ed C.ross - Disaster Management. It will certainly be a challenging role but as always, I'm pretty confident in my own abilities so bring it on! I'm so anxious to start...and I have to wait until Feb 2!

2. I started training for my 10K! I went to the gym on Saturday morning (yes, you read that right. SATURDAY folks) I ran for 30 mins (5K) and then walked for 20 mins. Good start to a good day. Felt great but for some reason by toenail was killing me all day. Felt bruised. Anyone else ever get this? It's already bruised from a few months ago and it was just finally starting to grow out.

3. I'm currently obsessed with Silk Chocolate soy milk on my cereal in the morning. All Bran flakes, Kashi Go Lean and chocolate soy milk. It's like dessert, for breakfast!

I haven't tried the vanilla yet but it's on my list. In my opinion, much better than the Almond Breeze.

4. I hit up some Yoga today at lunch and am amazed at how much I loved it. I can't believe that I gave it up for a few months. Soo relaxing and I feel so refreshed walking out the door.

5. The weather is really interfering with my outside running. This morning was -20 degrees out and now it snowing. I'm hoping to get in at least one outside after work run this week. Friday is calling for -30! Brrrr...