Back in Shape Challenge - Day 3!

Yesterday was awesome! I watched what I was eating, I worked from home and was able to take Dali out for a walk at noon for about an hour! Then at night after dinner, we went out again for a 40 minute walk around the neighborhood. Dinner was pan seared swordfish in lemon/garlic sauce and a salad with 2 slices of Wegman's Whole Grain Bread - delish!

This morning we got up and went straight for a work out! I was able to do the treadmill for 45minutes. Since I can't run because of my back, I do more of the interval training on hills. I can feel the workout and much better. I  then did 25 minutes of upper body weights and some ab work on the mat. It just feels great!
So it's just a matter of sticking to the healthy choices, watching the portions and walking at noon again for the rest of the day.

It's a rainy but nice day! 

Getting back in shape Challenge - Day 2

Yes, I went to Zumba last night!! :)) I was very tempted to make an excuse and not go. I was really struck by the last time I had gone when I had to walk out before the class was over because I just did not have any energy left. So yesterday I kept telling myself that walking out before the class was over would not be as bad as not going at all. I went! Am I glad that I did!! I was able to finish the whole class, and I felt and still feel great about it! Not to mention that it was absolutely amazing to see my Zumba family!! :)
It felt real good to just let it go. To just be in the moment, truly. Enjoying the music, the moves, feeling my body move.
I am so, so grateful for everything! Especially for my health. I am very glad that even though I had given up on my body the last few months that it did not give up on me!
So even this morning, I got up, got my husband up and we worked out. He did the treadmill and I did the elliptical and weights. I am far far far from where I was a few years back. I used to be able to stay on the elliptical for over 1.5 hours. This morning I was able to complete 30mins and felt like Rocky!! :) Weights is the same, but I know that I will get back to where I was, and probably even better in no time!
Tonight, if I have time Im going to do the Zumba Wii for 45 mins. Lets see if I can start fitting a bit easier into my jeans by this weekend.
I am also watching what I am eating and taking a multi-vitamin.

Another whole year again...

Yes. Again. I've completely ignored, more accurately, abandoned you. I am online every day at least for an hour wasting my time. I'm not sure why I'm not posting all the silly, sometimes useful, sometimes crazy things that I find....
To my defense though the past few months have been quite tough for me. I have started a blog in January for my dad, who is now in a Long Term Care Facility in Ottawa. It's with this experience that I've come to see the few realities of life. That life is seriously too short. That one never has enough memories with loved ones. That sooner or later we all do regret not spending more time with one person or another. That no matter who you are, what you do accomplish you end up in the same place as others. That being old usually does mean being alone and lonely, no matter how many people you had, or still have in your life. That we all do really sweat the small stuff.... but that's going to be all the "downers" in here now.

I really wanted to post right now because I am trying to get back on track with everything I was doing. I've gained about 15 lbs in the last 2 months. How awesome. I feel like a whale. I'm completely out of shape. The best thing in my life right now is my career and I am counting my blessings for that. I am loving every minute of my work to be honest. Even the times that I am bored, I am grateful for having the job, for being where I am. I just have to keep the focus. I need to get back in shape, and make sure that I do not lose my focus.
The first thing I'm going to be doing is getting back on track with Zumba. I never missed a class for nearly a year, and then I couldn't get back to routine even just for a week! I travel up to Ottawa from here (a 7-8 hour drive) on Fridays and come back on Sundays. I am in no shape on Monday nights for Zumba. I just want to sleep. I can make it on Thursdays, which, after this week, I am committing.
For every other day, I got the Zumba Wii game and I will try to keep up with that, and/or go down to the basement for the treadmill and weights.
My goal is to lose 15 lbs and get in shape prior to July. We are in March, I do not see why I coudn't do it.
I am taking up the Body For Life life-style that we so religiously used to follow. So Zumba and Body-for-Life are my major tools, my health is my major motivator. I do not want to go down the path that my parents did, especially knowing the long history of diseases in the family...
I am starting right now. I am going to leave work early at 3:30 go home and take Dali out for a walk. Then come home hit the treadmill then I will be at Zumba at 6:15.