I'm back in the Poon groove

Sunday's race day!  I'm super excited and just a tinge nervous.  I ran 5k again last night, so I know I can complete the race.  We even ran up and down a pretty steep hill, twice.  So I definitely have confidence that I will finish.  I'm just picturing myself placing last.  I'm not the fastest runner, and I just hope that walkers don't pass me.  But seriously, have you seen some of those speed walkers?  They're freakishly fast!  Tomorrow's our last run before the race and we're moving up to 8:1 intervals.  New intervals always make me nervous, but I know I'll do fine.  I just like to build myself up into a lather before trying something new.  It works out to be very anti-climactic in the end, so I don't know why I bother!

I just finished binging big time.  I wonder if you can call eating an entire head of iceberg lettuce a binge.  Since I'm allowed to eat it until I'm full, I guess I didn't do anything too wrong.  It's gotta be better than eating a bag of chips...which I'm not gonna lie, I really wanted to do instead.  But I chose the lettuce (mainly for the crunch), and I'll be better for it in the long run.  It was just one of those nights when I wanted to keep eating even after I finished my dinner.  Iceberg lettuce gone, crisis averted.

I had a moment of nostalgia today.  I was driving out to Peterborough to see a client and I had a few minutes to spare, so I stopped into Dr. Poon's new Pickering clinic.  It was really so I could buy some Chocolite bars, 'cos I was hankering for a sweet.  I saw Dr. Stephen in the parking lot heading out for lunch and I truly missed the man.  True we have not always seen eye to eye, but absolutely everything he's ever said to me has stayed with me.  I know that he was supporting me the best way he knew how.  And it's not until you're without something in your life that you really begin to miss it.

Before I even knew what I was doing, I went into the clinic and made an appointment for the next time I will be driving out to Peterborough.  I'm sooooooooooo excited to be back.  Not only is the clinic beautiful, but I always liked the regular visits with Dr. Stephen because it made everything official.  And I really want the certificate when I reach my goal. I've seen a picture of someone else's and it's a nice looking piece of paper!

I haven't been to the clinic since it was at the old location.  February 3rd was my last appointment with Dr. Stephen.  That was 19 pounds ago.  I have followed the diet on my own and been successful, but I miss the whole Dr. Poon vibe I get by going to the clinic.  Also, although I love Dr. Pitt, he knows very little about Dr. Poon's diet and I'm constantly explaining it to him.  I suggested he purchase the book!  I think it's better for me to be monitored by doctors who are knowledgeable about this diet.  I'm glad that I swung by and got an appointment for May 10th.  Unfortunately Dr. Stephen will be on vacation, but I'll get to see him in a month and I'm looking forward to it!

While I was in the clinic store purchasing my Chocolite bars, a lovely young woman said my name.  I look up and she says, "You're from Facebook.  I read your blog".  She went on to tell me that she enjoyed my blog and thought I had a lot of guts to do it.  She also wished me well in my race on Sunday.  It was a huge shock to be recognized.  I was so humbled by her kind words, that in all my nervousness, I forgot to ask her what her name is.  If you read this post, please message me so I can also acknowledge who you are and thank you for completely making my day.  The support I get from everyone in my life, whether it be via the web world, or my real life, is not lost on me.  I appreciate each and every kind word, message, comment and only hope that I am supporting others in much the same way.  Thanks once again to all for reading!

A house full of sickos

What a weekend.  Friday my little dude was sent home late in the day for vomiting three times.  He comes home, goes to bed and my husband calls me while I'm two hours away to tell me that the boy is sick.  So I say, "did you put a bucket and maybe a garbage bag down beside his bed?" Simple answer of "nope".  So I suggest he does just that and he insists he's pretty sure he's done.  So Julien woke up and vomited three more times all over his bed and rug.  Men are so dense.  I spent Saturday morning at the laundry mat washing his duvet and pillows.  So now the hubby is ill and I'm with my little guy for the day because although he's almost 100%, he still has a little bout of the diarrhea here and there.

I felt so bad for him yesterday.  We went to see the Imagination Movers in Kitchener, Ontario yesterday and he was sooooooooo excited.  The concert started out with Julien singing and dancing, he was so happy to be there.  Then as time wore on, I could see he was getting real quiet and clingy.  When the show was done, he said he had to go to the bathroom right away.  Then he had a pretty explosive episode in the washroom.  My poor little dude.  I asked him why he didn't tell me earlier and he said he didn't want to miss the show.  I really did enjoy myself (I didn't want to go, but the hubby was sick) and the show was pretty interactive.  The guys came down into the audience quite a bit and Julien was so excited because he got to high five 3 of the 4 Movers.  Definitely worth a look if they come to your area and your kids are fans.

This weekend was pretty decent exercise wise.  We started 5 and 1's at the running clinic on Friday.  All went pretty well.  It was the first time I felt like a real runner.  If you had told me 5 weeks ago that I would be running for 5 minutes straight and not only could keep up with everyone, but hold a conversation during, I would have laughed at you.  After the clinic I went out with my running girls and we had a nice dinner at the Bean Bar in Hamilton.

Saturday was my Yoga class and I was so stiff at the beginning of the class.  I could feel my back cracking as I lay on my mat on the floor.  I don't sweat during the class, but boy do I feel the stretches in my joints.  By the time the class was over, I felt flexible and refreshed.  I personally think that the Yoga on Saturday helps with my Sunday morning run.  I'm definitely not a morning runner.  Other than this Sunday past, the only other time I truly had a good run Sunday morning was three weeks ago when I first started yoga.  There was no Yoga last Saturday because it was the Easter weekend.

Last Sunday when I ran Cootes Drive with my clinic instructor, I felt like I wanted to die.  I did the same run yesterday and it was 100% easier.  Like night and day.  Coming backup the incline was not nearly as difficult as it was a week ago and it amazes me how quickly my body has adapted to this whole running thing.  I have three races scheduled in the next month or so.  The Chocolate Race in Port Dalhousie (April 29th), The Hazel 5K in Mississauga (May 5th), and the Run for Wells in Burlington (May 26th).  I'm nervous, but excited at the same time.  My goal is to finish the races by running/walk intervals of 8 and 1 (Chocolate), and 10 and 1 for the other 2.  I may be really daring and sign up for the Hamilton Marathon in November and register for the 10K.

I get weighed for the first time in three weeks this Thursday.  I think I've been doing pretty good food wise.  The only thing I've been eating more of is Phase 2 veggies and I have a glass of wine here and there (which is also allowed on Phase 2).  Other than that, I still mostly follow Phase 1 of the diet.  I went to my first Weight Watchers meeting in over 10 years on Friday.  I took my client to register and attend her first meeting ever.  Although I know WW works for many people, I'm not optimistic it will work for my client.  She's excited she gets to use her points on whatever types of food she wants and will still undoubtedly eat processed bad foods, but still may stay within her points.  I'm doubtful she will lose weight this way.  I did like the meeting part though where we discussed exercise and keeping active.  I may look into Overeaters Anonymous for her too.  Maybe that along with WW will be more helpful for her.

All I can say is, I better not get sick.  I have a rumbly in my tumbly today and I hope it's just the cramps from my monthly gift.  Since I never had to clean up vomit, I'm holding out hope that the virus has skipped me.  Probably wishful thinking on my part!

A change is gonna come

Maintenance is a scary thing.  I'm not there yet, but I have less than half way to go before I am.  If I'm going to be successful at this weight-loss thing and not just another statistic, I need to start planning.  From this moment on!  I'm a carbohydrate and sugar addict.  I will need to limit these things from my diet forever.  I'm not saying that carbs or sugar will never pass my lips again.  I need to be realistic and I would be lying if I vowed to never eat another carbie or sugary thing.  But I know my triggers better than anyone.  I know exactly what foods could set off binges.  Those are the foods I need to avoid forever.  I believe that I'm beginning to adopt lots of positive habits that I know I must carry on for the rest of my life.

I keep a food journal.  In my opinion, this is a good habit to develop.  I write in my food journal every evening.  I record what I ate throughout the day and post the times.  I also record the exercise I've done and the amount of water I drank.  I've been doing this since October 2011 (minus 3 weeks in February).  It's definitely a habit now and something just as important to me as brushing my teeth.  This is something I will continue to do for now and evermore.

Here is a page out of a very boring eating day.
I ate the same thing twice...but I had to eat out at  two different restaurants that day.
I don't record amounts for lean protein or leafy greens because I'm allowed to eat those things until I'm full.

I have developed an exercise plan.  Right now I'm a bit addicted to running.  While I'm in the middle of my run (which I started to do 4 times a week), I vow that I am going to quit and never run again.  Then as soon as it's over and I completed it, I'm totally pumped to do the next one.  Every week as I build endurance and distance, I become more and more confident that I'll complete this "Learn to Run" clinic intact and be able to run 5k.  I'm already planning to join the 5k clinic that starts in mid-May with  my running girls!  Between running and yoga I'm exercising 5 days a week.  That is a huge change for me.  I was the biggest couch potato ever and hated all forms of exercise.  Running is something I cannot let go of.  Now that I've found a sport I'm beginning to really like, it's best that I just stick with it.

I have had to make a lifestyle change.  This is not a diet.  I am developing eating habits and gaining knowledge that I will have to use throughout my life.  If I think for even a second that I can go back to eating the way I did prior to starting my lifestyle change, then I am wasting my time.  I might as well throw in the towel now and just eat what I want.  Losing weight is hard. Eating healthy takes planning and determination.  I need to plan my weekly meals on the weekend.  I think about what I'm going to prepare for lunches and dinners and make my list and shop.  I love that I can price match at my supermarket.  I've become a bit of a flyer junkie and save about $30 a week price matching.  This is especially useful for meat, since it's my main food source and it can be so expensive.

I read hundreds of blogs.  There are many folks out there that struggle and need lots support and confidence boosters.  Although I am happy to give a boost when required, if the behaviour continues for weeks and weeks and weight gain climbs, I tend to lose interest.  There's only so much that others can do for us.  We need to be able to help ourselves first.  I have not had a gain since I began the metabolic diet that I'm on.  That does not mean that I'm "cured" or immune to this.  What it means is that I'm currently focused and have found other things to replace food with (blogging, running and yoga).

I had a precarious time in February when I thought I might start full on cheating.  In three weeks I only lost a pound.  I was getting sloppy with my eating and I wasn't journaling.  I knew then that I needed to change things up and get back on track.  I was also thankful that my running clinic started soon.  I fear falling off the wagon just like the rest of you.  Thankfully I have not experienced this yet (this time around).  If that happens, I'm counting on you all to give me the kick in the ass I'll need to get back on track.  Nothing nice either, just the truth.

I have come to recognize that food is no longer the most important thing in my life.  Sounds pathetic, but I'm pretty sure it used to be.  I thought about food from the time I woke up, until I went to sleep again.  The only thing on my mind 24/7 now is my family.  I have a beautiful boy who is way more important to me than any enjoyment that I could get out of gorging myself on pizza or a chocolate cake.  I simply don't put myself in situations where I would normally want to eat.  Primetime was my biggest binging trigger.  I used to snack constantly while watching TV.  I have drastically limited my TV watching.  I have become addicted to reading trashy romance novels instead.  Laugh and judge all you want, but it keeps me out of the fridge.

I challenge you to think about your triggers.  Think about how you can modify certain behaviours to keep on track.  I guarantee that if you find something that can replace food in your life, it makes this journey a whole lot easier...for now.  Remember, these modified behaviours and your determination to execute them are going to make your weight-loss and maintenance programs successful.  You're worth it!