- Meanwhile, Wednesday on Instagram...
- It's #coffeetime and my coffee game is weak this morning. Needed a stronger brew. Got woken last night by the rain. Heavy rain and excessive winds are here for the next couple days. Luckily the big giant tree in my yard was pruned. Still makes me nervous though. Oh the joys of living in an old neighborhood.
- Today I'm taking the Go Train into Toronto. It's team day which means my work team gets to do something team building that is away from the office. We're going on a historical walking tour then out for lunch. It should be fun. It's not work. What to wear on an all rain day? Ripped jeans and an army jacket? I'll have to think on this. And later I'm heading out to Brantford to help my sister with a Stella and Dot trunk show. I will not buy anything. I will not buy anything. I will not buy anything...
- What a fun day. I was a commuter today. Met my team at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto for a historical walking tour. My dad worked at the Royal York for 40 years as a doorman. It was like going back in time for me. Lots of childhood memories were made there. And I loved hearing about the history. I already knew a lot, but seeing places I haven't for 20 years or more was cool. And made me a bit verklempt. My dad spent much of his life there and that's where he met my mother. She worked at a hat factory on York Street and walked by him everyday. He'd tip his hat to her and wink.
- There was lots of police and security around. The Earl of Wessex (aka: Prince Edward) is in town to speak at The Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Asked if Eddy would join me for tea. Sadly I got no response:-( Afterwards we had lunch at Hot House on Front St. courtesy of my supervisor. Such a nice surprise. I ate sweet potato fries like a champ. Don't feel so good now...
- Meanwhile, Thursday on Instagram...
- A late #coffeetime, but I've already been to the gym and had a solid 1.5 hour workout. I did HIIT and then a good hour+ of upper body with Tony. Today I did the best push-ups I've ever done. And I also did pull-ups on the bar with just a giant elastic band assisting me. The band is harder than using the assisted pull-up machine. I did 4 sets of 8 reps. Tony was very pleased. There's no better feeling than your trainer telling you he's proud of you.
- Yesterday I got a call from the fight team captain for the Fight to End Cancer. Although there is another woman that I can be paired with age wise, we cannot fight due to weight restrictions. They want us on the team and she wants to do this just as badly as I do, but she needs to lose weight first. Since she has a significant amount to lose, I've been invited to train with the team for 2016 and I've been offered a place on the team with my opponent for 2017. They want us to meet and train together and support each other in regards to our fitness goals. I'm still down for that. An extra year to get fit and ripped? Bring it on. And I look forward to meeting and training with my opponent. When he told me I was too light, it felt surreal. Never in my life have I been told I was too light. I've always been too heavy...
- It's #wineThursday. It's an actual hashtag. If you know me at all, you know it's wine time any day. It's freakishly windy today. I worked from home and got a quite a bit done. Started a couple reports and also began my much neglected mileage. I ate snacks today like a boss. Still need to eat an actual meal. I'm holding out for dinner. Maybe. I've not much of an appetite right now. Force eating sucks.
- So, I figure I should start running again. My last run happened on October 11th. Since I'm not boxing this June, I should register for the Around the Bay. Training will begin in December. I'm still going to train with Tony and Kingsway Boxing Club, but those days will be double training days on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Tony in the morning, Kingsway in the evening. That leaves me an extra gym day and 3 days for running. I'm working in a rest day there too. Just need to decide which day that'll be. Normally I'd train 5 days a week for The Bay, but with everything else I'm doing, I think 3 days (one being a long run day and one being a hill repeat day) should be enough. Tony concurs. And to be honest, he's the authority on my abilities right now...
- Meanwhile, Monday on Instagram...
- It's #coffeetime and Monday morning is a bitch. But I will say this. My sleeping is back on track. In fact, I'm sleeping better than I have in ages. To be honest, I think it's the gym that's making me sleep so well. I'm fatigued by the end of every workout and I'm ready for bed by 9pm.
- I've given some thought to my long term goals over the next year. I'm still waiting to hear about whether or not I'm going to make the boxing team for The Fight to End Cancer. If it happens, I'll be working very hard to get fight ready. If not, I'm going to train as a boxer with Tony's trainer at 5 Star Fitness. And continue to train with Tony of course.
- Either way, I'm going to get as fit as I can because come the new year, I'm going to start working on my certification for Personal Training Specialist and Healthy Eating & Weight Loss Coach through Canfitpro. That's who Tony's certified through and it's done through on-line as well as in class courses and is offered in my area. I'd love to help others meet their fitness goals. But first I need to meet mine. I need to practice what I preach. Can't expect someone else to do unassisted pull-ups and push-ups if I can't demonstrate how they're done. Happy Monday y'all:-)
- Meanwhile, Tuesday on Instagram...
- It's just after 5am and I'm enjoying this protein smoothie. I drink mine from a Pyrex measuring cup. How do you take yours? Off to meet my maker. AKA Tony. Not sure what he has in store for me this morning but it always starts with HIIT.
- Then later this morning I have to go see Dr Patterson. There's a large hard lump on my right upper arm near my armpit. It's not as big today as it was yesterday, but it's still there. I managed to stay away from Dr. Patterson for 2 weeks. Perhaps he'll be impressed with my restraint. Afterwards I'm working from home. I'm owed thousands of dollars in mileage. I'm a tool. I've not claimed it yet. I need to get that done today. It's not like I don't need the money...
- My favorite time of day. When it's not rushed. #Coffeetime:-) Went to the gym and I am pooped! Didn't do a lot of variety today but boy did I get worked over. Started with HIIT like always. Then Tony set up the trap bar. It's fecken hard and tiring. I went from 95 - 145 pounds in 5 sets. The best thing about doing trap today is that I kept my form the entire time. That's some progress. Tony barely had to tell me to keep my ass out.
- I also did Romanian dead lifts. I've done them before but only with the bar to get my form down. Today Tony added weight. My last set was at 115 pounds. He says the goal for both the trap bar and the RDL's is to get to your body weight then add 10 more pounds per week. The trap bar was fecken hard at 145. I can't imagine going up even 10 more pounds. Tony lifts 380. Today his trainer is going to get him to lift 400. That's just crazy talk.
- One of the regulars paid me a nice compliment today. He said he's definitely noticed a difference in me since I've been going there. The most noticeable being that nothing jiggles. Sweet of him to say, but I didn't tell him my compression capris helped with that:-) That's one of my goals. To get toned and firm so that nothing jiggles when I run...
- It's #transformationtuesday and look at me wearing leggings where my bum isn't covered by a long sweater. I'd never have done that even a year ago. Feeling nice and toned from the gym. I've definitely gained some body hugging clothes confidence.
- On the left is from 5 summers ago. That was from the trip to Williamsburg, Virginia where I decided to make a change for good. Julien was 3 and I couldn't fit on a ride with him at Busch Gardens. I'd had enough and knew I needed to do something or completely miss his childhood. So by September 2011, I committed to a lifestyle change and I've not looked back. It took me 15 months to lose 132 pounds on Dr. Poon's Metabolic Diet.
- I lost 8 pounds in August and part of September 2011 taking diet pills. Never a healthy option or a sustainable way to lose weight. I'd taken diet pills throughout my lifetime thinking they were a quick fix. The only way to lose weight and keep it off is by diet and exercise. It's the only thing that has worked for me long term throughout the 35 years I spent my life morbidly obese and yo yo dieting. This December will be my 3rd year maintenance anniversary...
- Today's last word is about some body lotion and army boots. You know what would have been a good transformation Tuesday photo? The army boots before and after they got cleaned up. I bought them used at an army surplus store near work. Thirty bucks. I know that's more than my clothing budget usually allows, but if I bought them new, they would have cost $140 and they wouldn't have been nicely worn in . Sent them to the cobbler to get cleaned up and voila. They look just like new. Thirty bucks for leather boots is a deal!
- Many of you are asking what kind of lotion I use. I was using Marc Anthony's Body Butter in Coconut Shea, but in the past I've used whatever was on sale. Because, you know me:-) My faves were Nivea Q10 Plus Firming Body Lotion and Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Firming Butter. Whoa! That's a mouthful! I've just run out of Marc Anthony's stuff and I'm going back to Palmer's. Keeping your body hydrated and your skin moisturized during weight loss will help with your skin's elasticity. I lost all my weight after 40 and I lost a lot. Something my mother always instilled in me was to moisturize! I think it made a huge difference in my abdomen and my legs. My arms were helpless...
- Speaking of my arms. That's me after leaving Dr. Patterson's office. He legit thinks I'm nuts. Took a look at my arms and said, "you know that the swelling will not go away for another 2-5 months right?" I asked about my arms of steel that I want by next month, he said they'll not be happening till summertime. He drained the right arm, but the hard part by my armpit? He said that will just eventually go away. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. Told me to keep the compression sleeves on when I work out (which I've not been doing) and I can ditch my lower compression garment that I wore for the lipo. And he said in regards to my thighs; moisturize, moisturize, moisturize...
- Meanwhile, Saturday on Instagram...
- It's #coffeetime and I woke with a happy heart today. I'm so proud of our boys in blue. What an awesome season they played. Thanks for the amazing ride boys and for bringing such excitement and joy to our country. The Blue Jays are number 1 in my heart:)
- Today I have to get my shit together. Gym, grocery shopping and clothing organizing. And I've got to figure out a Mega Man costume for next weekend. Lots and lots to do. And I need to purge. So much clothing to donate. Julien and I both have tons of stuff...
- This describes me perfectly. Especially asking about food. Today I pushed myself at the gym. Tony would be proud. Especially since I did all the things I hate the most. Including push-ups:-( I had a massive sweat on the entire time and I was tired when I left. Tired and fecken hungry! I've still got to go grocery shopping so I had to swing into No Frills before coming home to get eggs, avocado and tomato. That's what I wanted. I scrambled a 1/2 dozen eggs, sliced up the tomato and avocado and sautéed an entire package of mushrooms and ate the entire thing. I'm hungry still. Some days I can't eat and some days I can't eat enough.
- I struck up a conversation with the woman on the treadmill beside me while I was doing HIIT. She asked what I was doing and I explained how HIIT is an effective fat burner and helps boost your metabolism. She was walking to warm up before she met with her trainer and she told me that I had her goal body. She said I had muscular legs and was evenly proportioned. That was very humbling to hear because I always admire other women who have what I consider my goal body.
- She's embarking on a weight loss and fitness journey and said that it's always so hard to stay motivated. Then I told her that if I could do it, so could she. She stared at me for a pregnant pause and I said, "I used to weigh over 300 pounds". She shook her head and said "you did not"! I showed her my picture from my last transformation Tuesday and she said she couldn't believe that was me because I look lean and muscular.
- Then she asked if I've had a tummy tuck. That's always my most asked question. I told her about my arms and liposuction and said that my tummy isn't a huge issue for me. She said that she feared excessive loose skin after weight loss. I told her that's a minor worry compared to regaining her health. Then I told her to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. The best (along with water consumption) but most overlooked advice for weight loss. What an interesting conversation though. She was so lovely and I saw her working hard with her trainer in the upper gym 45 minutes later. Had to tell her how awesome I thought she was before I left:-)
- Now here's something that hasn't happened in a while. The last word with Smitty. Today was a bit of a write off. The weather sucked the life outta me. It's 8pm and I'm ready for bed. I've not eaten dinner and I'm not going to. That insatiable hunger I had after the gym? Gone. I had some spoonfuls of nut butter and an apple for my dinner:-( So basic.
- No laundry is done. No groceries have been bought. No clothes have been sorted. But I did venture out to Party City and I got a Halloween costume for the boy. I'm a liar and I deserve to be sent to bed without dinner. Okay! Heading there now:-) Today is the first day I've not worn either dressings or compression sleeves on my arms. Felt weird and freeing. It's windy out. I just want to crawl under some covers and sleep. So that's what I'm going to do...
- Meanwhile, Sunday on Instagram...
- It's #coffeetime and my sleep game was strong yesterday. I fell asleep around 9pm and didn't wake till 3am. Then fell asleep again and didn't wake till 6:30am. What? I better have grown some prime muscles during that time! Today is supposed to be sunny and cool. A perfect fall day. I'm going to the gym, then picking up some dinner provisions, then my girlfriend and her daughter are visiting for the day. Laundry and groceries to follow. My most hated chores of the week...
- I just spent an hour and a half of pure joy at the gym. I'm talking smack. It sucked today. But I kept my promise to Tony of going 2 more times before I saw him again on Tuesday. I got drenched in sweat. I cried. I raged. I felt hopelessness and despair and finally elation when I was done. I think I covered all the emotions. I did notice that my ass was huge in the gym mirror. Worked my glutes a lot and got that muscle pump. It will be gone by noon.
- Wanna know what I have no patience for? Mean girls. Encountered them today at the gym snarking on a woman who was doing her very best and getting her fitness in. She was larger set and has my utmost respect for getting active. It's not easy. I know. I gave them some sharp looks. They gave me side eye (I'm sure it was because of what I was wearing as well as the sharp looks). Then I reminded them to read the gym rules posted all over the place about inclusion and the gym being a non-judgmental place. One of them gave me the finger as per the mirror reflection evidence when I turned my back to them. Meh, their smirk game may be strong but their humanity game is weak. Karma can be a real bitch...
- Meanwhile, Wednesday on Instagram...
- It's coffee time and I went to bed last night at 8pm. You'd think I'd feel well rested right now. Nope. Groggy as hell. Hoping coffee will perk me up. Back to the old grind today. Gotta shake it and get moving. Team meeting this morning followed by pot luck lunch then back to back meetings. Busy day. See what happens when you're away from work for a few days?
- My body is so stiff and achy this morning. Most notably my shoulders and abs. Those damn pull-ups and crunches. Now that my house guest is gone new rules in place. No wine for a while and back to strict Paleo.
- Yesterday I brought him for Vietnamese in Toronto. I eat there all the time so there are options for me and they basically accommodate me any way I ask them to. Thought I'd treat myself and get Pho (which surprised the guy who takes my order). Huge, huge mistake. The stomach cramps that followed weren't worth it. And I know how grains affect me. So it's back to the basics. Protein and lots and lots of veggies. I feel best when I fuel with the good stuff...
- This is my current situation. Gotta pop the melatonin and hopefully reprogram my sleeping. It's been pitiful over the past week or so. Such incredibly restless and broken sleep patterns. Gotta fix this because I'm mostly exhausted all the time and I'm not sure how I'm functioning properly. Plus, I'm getting back into my heavy training schedule and sleep builds muscles.
- This does not help me fall asleep. What it does is help me stay asleep. I've no problem falling asleep but I wake up several times throughout the night and if you add up the actual sleep time I get, it's probably only about 4 hours. I got some comments on Instagram about the dangers of melatonin and that I'm taking too high a dosage. This has worked for me as per my doctor's instruction because I do not want to take prescribed sleeping aids. I take melatonin for a week, and my sleeping returns to normal. I've used it off and on over the past couple of years when my sleep gets messed up. Especially when I'm dealing with a lot of anxiety.
- I'm off to bed. Tomorrow I'm up at 4:30 to get to the gym. I'm doing 20 minutes of HIIT, 1/2 hour of legs, 15 minutes chest and 15 minutes core. I prefer legs to anything else. My leg game is strong...
- Meanwhile, Thursday on Instagram...
- There's no crying at the gym. Unless I'm doing the trap bar. Then my crying game is strong. But my grip is weak...
- Thank God #coffeetime has arrived. Day 2 of operation "get Leigh's upper body ripped" is in full effect. I feel like I've been abused. Worst thing about that is I've asked for it. Can't fully remember my entire workout because the names of things escape me. But I did 20 minutes of HIIT followed by a bunch of torturous things a la Tony. Which were not limited to but included:
- The dreaded trap bar
- Back extensions
- Pull ups
- Push ups
- Knee lifts
- Single arm pulls
- Other stuff I don't know the names of
- The good news is my push-up game is strong. The bad news is that I've promised to do them everyday. Ugh. Hate them right along with the pull-ups. I've also promised to go to the gym two times before I see Tony next Tuesday. Help me...
- It's Throwback Thursday and I found this picture at my in-laws house. It was taken around the campfire of my husband's family cottage. I look thrilled don't I? And don't even about what I'm wearing on my feet. I'm not sure why and I have no defense for my footwear choice. Lots of cute wide width shoes available. This is probably circa 2005. And if you're wondering, when I stood up, the chair came with me. I was gingerly sitting in it hoping that it wouldn't break. Resin's not that strong.
- When I look at this photo it makes me sad. I feel a disconnect with that woman and I'm not sure how I feel about that. She's an incredibly important part of my journey. Without her struggles, I wouldn't be where I am now. Nor would I be where I am without her determination. I never feel ashamed or embarrassed when I see these pictures of myself. There are reasons why I struggled for all those years and it's made me stronger. But she was strong too. I've the utmost respect for her because she never gave up...
- Meanwhile, Friday on Instagram...
- It's coffee time and you wanna know what today is? Massage day. And I could use it so badly. Right now my hamstrings, glutes and delts are beyond achy. And before I start getting the inevitable messages about how I'm pushing myself too hard, I'm using new muscle groups and doing different exercises at the gym. Just working through the kinks here. No pain, no gain. I'll feel like a million bucks tomorrow and go back to the gym to do it all over again.
- There's no point in having goals if you don't push and challenge yourself. And I need to really work my upper body. That's where I'm weakest. Long term goal is to be able to do unassisted pull-ups this time next year. Yesterday Tony wanted to see if I could hold myself up unassisted on the pull-up bar. Major fail. All I managed to do was get some good wind as I fell to the ground. I still get the giggles thinking about it. Work today and hanging with my sister later. Haven't seen her in a while and I'm missing her...
- This happened today. My massage therapist spent my hour session just working on my back, glutes and hamstrings. It hurt. It was enjoyable, not at all:-( He did tell me my thighs looked good and he could feel definition in my glutes. So there was that. But I felt abused afterwards. He advised me to come back sooner than a month because I'm so stiff. He only worked on my back end. Didn't even flip me over today. I do have to admit that I feel looser than I did this morning. But it's after 1pm now. It's only taken all day. Really, really looking forward to hanging with my sister later. Winetime will be mucho welcome...
- #Winetime in Brantford with this girl. Having some laughs and telling some stories. It's been almost 3 weeks! Gonna belly up to the telly and watch the Jays vs Royals. It's a do or die situation. Either way, it's been quite a ride. No one expected this. It's like being invited to an awesome party you never thought you'd go to. Thanks for that:-) #cometogether...
- Meanwhile, Saturday on Instagram...
- It's #coffeetime and I'm beat. Nothing coffee won't fix though. We went to the Fallsview Casino last night for buffet dinner and gambling. The food was good and I doubled my money. We tried to watch the Jays game in Niagara but all the bars were full. So I drove back to the Hammer and we watched the Jays game at a bar down the street from my house. Not panicking. Only the first game of a possible 7. Today I head into Toronto with my house guest. We're going to the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon expo so he can pick up his race bib, then a Toronto Marlies game. Should be interesting. I know absolutely nothing about hockey...
- There I am at the Toronto Marlies game. I'm not gonna lie. It was pretty lame. I really do not appreciate hockey. I should. I come from a hockey obsessed family, and you know...I'm Canadian. Saturday was quite the day. Went to the Exhibition for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon Expo and my friend got his race bib. But first we went to the airport because when he flew in, the airline lost his luggage. He's been here since Thursday with just his carry on. All his running gear was in his luggage. Even though his luggage landed yesterday, we left the airport without his luggage because the airline that lost it didn't start working till 3pm. So after the Marlies game, we went back to the airport and finally located his luggage. Ugh, ugh, ugh. Then we watched the Blue Jays lose again...
- Meanwhile, Sunday on Instagram...
- Busy morning so far. #Coffeetime happened at 5:30am. I was in the shower at 4:30am and out my door by 6:30am. I had to get my friend to Toronto in time for the gun. He's running the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon today. I'm spectating. Taking a warm up break in the Eaton Center right now but I'll be making my way back outside to see who wins. There was a large group of elite runners participating. Being here makes me miss running like I used to. I was always training for a race. After boxing happens, I'll register for another half marathon. I love the challenge. Thank God the finish line is super close to the Eaton Center. I've 3.5 hours to kill. Some shopping might be in order. I need a winter jacket. Did I mention it's snowing???
1st place male Ishhimael Chemtan
1st place female Shure Demise
1st place Canadian male Eric Gillis
1st place Canadian female Lanni Marchant
- Congratulations to Eric and Lanni. Both have qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. This will be Eric's 3rd Olympics! Go Team Canada!!!!
- As exciting as it was to watch the elites run in, I feel sick to my stomach right now. One of the 1/2 marathon runners collapsed at the finish line and fell through the barrier. The first aid crew got to him quickly, but by the time EMS got there he had no vital signs and they cut his shirt open and were pumping his chest as they took him away on stretcher. So incredibly hard to watch. Praying very hard right now...
- It's #winetime and boy do I need this drink. I found out some news about the man who collapsed in front of me at the finish line. He indeed had no vital signs but they were able to get a pulse enroute to the hospital. He's in critical condition at a trauma centre and his condition is considered life threatening. I'm still praying hard. For him and the other young man who collapsed at the finish line of the marathon 2 hours later. I'm thankful I didn't see that.
- My friend finished and I'm super proud of him for pulling through. Forty two point two kilometers is no joke yo! Being at the race and seeing all the runners made me miss it. If I don't get picked for the boxing team, I'm gonna run the Bay. Whoa. What? Who said that? I love how strength training is changing my body and how strong I'm becoming. But running will always be my first love...
- Meanwhile, the past few days on Instagram...
- It's #coffeetime and I'm in the office for the long haul today. Gotta get everything off of my "to do" list because I need to take my last 3.5 vacation days starting tomorrow. The long haul means I don't leave until everything is finished. Exciting times today. The Blue Jays play the final game against the Texas Rangers. We'll see who advances to the American League Championship Series. Exciting but nerve wracking I'm sure. Work plays the games in our auditorium. So that will be distracting. Happy hump day everyone. Make it count. Make good choices...
- It's a #coffeetime and #thickthighthursday post together. I've been super busy over the past 24 hours. I've a house guest coming today. So getting my house in order and having to catch up on work stuff. Which incidentally took much longer than I anticipated because I kept switching between screens on my computer to watch the Jays updates.
- This morning I saw Tony and we did a lot of work with the bar. But I've the worst ass form in the gym. Tony has a new mantra that is now ingrained in my head. "Stick that ass out Leigh". Over and over again. So much work to do to get my ass on par with the rest of the gym. We joked about how we're only able to do a lot of legs right now and I'm going to end up with an opposite meme about skipping upper body. I'll have enormous legs and a tiny torso. Back to the office then out to the airport. Gotta meet my guest around 5pm. Flight got delayed 2x...
- It's #coffeetime and today is going to be a good day to visit the Niagara region. As long as it doesn't rain. I become a tourist for the next few days. Nothing like sight seeing in your own backyard. Living in the Golden Horseshoe means I take the beauty of this place for granted. It will be fun to appreciate the sights and sounds of Niagara and Toronto as a tourist. Yesterday I went to see Dr Patterson and I think he thinks I have a crush on him or I'm crazy. There was no liquid to be drained from my arm like I was sure there was and I've not got an infection like I insisted. Yes my right arm is swollen, but he assures me that everything will even out in the end. And he told me to start working at the gym. Like really working. I texted Tony with the news. Upper body starts on Tuesday. He was so excited...
- This is my current situation. Hanging out at the Horseshoe Falls with my house guest. A down pour with hail and thunder is happening right now but we found shelter and are getting up close and personal with 20 other people. It's crowded in here. I'm not gonna lie. I'm scared for my leather jacket and my hair. All that straightening for nothing:-( As soon as the rain lets up we need coffee. Then it's off to Fallsview Casino for some gambling, buffet and watching of the Jays game. Fun times...
- I love this because it is 100% true. It's great to find inspiration in others, but finding it in yourself is what is going to make your journey a success. I love following fitness journeys and seeing before and after pics of weight loss, body builders and strength training progress shots. Lets me know what's possible with a lot of hard work. My biggest motivation is seeing my own progress though. Noticing changes is my body, even though it takes time and I have to be patient, is very motivating for me. Makes me excited to see where I'll be a year from now...
