Finding Victory at the Spa

I am off work this week and following Sunday's half marathon and my first few workouts on the 21 Day Fix, I booked myself in for a massage to ease my tired muscles. 

I chose a lovely local spa so I could take advantage of the fluffy robes, the eucalyptus steam, the fireside chaise lounge and the view. 

As I was lying there during the massage it occurred to me that I wasn't having trouble keeping my hands on the table. That might sound strange, but before I started my weight loss journey I would always need to tuck my hands under my thighs to ensure they didn't slip off. My hips were wide enough that there wasn't room for my hands to lie alongside them.  

My hands were now lying comfortably beside my body with room to spare.

As I got up to put my robe back on I had another realization. I could wrap the robe around my body easily. I didn't have to worry about accidentally exposing myself because the robe wasn't quite big enough.

It's been over four years since I reached my goal, but these "non-scale victories" come up every now and then. Being on a plane and not having my hips touch both arm rests or buckling up without hesitation, grabbing a size medium and not worrying whether it will fit...these moments are more important and more rewarding that any number on a scale.

I love that even four years later these successes still feel like the first time. It's a constant motivation to keep going, to keep making mindful choices every day.

And if I have to book myself into the spa on a regular basis to keep the victories coming, so be it. I'll make that sacrifice.

What kind of non-scale victories have you celebrated?

Finding My WHY

Why do I do what I do? Why did I start my weight loss journey? Why do I make a conscious choice every day to maintain and get healthier? Why did I become a Beachbody coach? 

I've been thinking a lot lately about my WHY. 

Why did I lose the weight and why do I work every day to maintain? SO many reasons. 

MY KIDS

I wanted to have the energy to play with my kids. I wanted to set a good example. I wanted them to know that exercise was important and how to eat a healthy, balanced diet. I wanted to be a happier mom. 

MY DAUGHTER

I wanted my daughter to grow up with a positive body image, and the best way I could do that was to HAVE a positive body image myself. (I want this for both my kids of course, but it always seems to be a bigger deal for girls.) I didn't grow up with a positive body image and it got worse as I got older. To this day I don't love every little thing about my body but I know what that body is capable of, I am proud of it, I understand how to dress for my shape, and I FEEL GOOD about myself. I make sure to NEVER criticize my body or appearance in front of my kids, if ever. I don't use words like "fat," and try and teach my kids that people come in all shapes and sizes but HEALTH is the most important thing. 

ME

I wanted to like myself. I wanted to be proud of myself. I wanted to prove to myself that could do it. I wanted to be healthier. I wanted to feel attractive for my husband. I wanted to walk into any clothing store and be able to try something on. For years the only thing I could even consider at Lululemon was a woollen hat. 

Why did I become a Beachbody coach?

HELPING OTHERS

I have a busy life. I have a full time job that pays well and is very fulfilling. So WHY did I add another "job" to an already full schedule? Because Beachbody coaching isn't a job for me, it's a passion. I love to inspire people, motivate them and help them succeed. I have been a cheerleader for peoples' weight loss journeys for years "pre-Beachbody" and this is just a more active version of the same support. And now I have tools that I believe in, to offer people help in their journey. 

MOTIVATION

I NEED to stay active and be accountable to myself for my own weight maintenance and health, and being a coach guarantees I can't falter. I am there supporting my clients and my coaches, and I need to stay consistent for THEM as well as for myself. 

MY FAMILY

While I make a good salary we are still facing a mortgage, car payments, kids' activities, and all the other expenses that come with a family of four. A year ago our little man was finally diagnosed with ADHD and DCD - Developmental Coordination Disorder. This probably sounds worse than it is, but he has a complex mix of somewhat mild issues that when combined are bringing him some pretty significant challenges in school and socially. He has been in occupational therapy for a year and it isn't covered by my benefits program. It is NOT cheap, but it is completely worth it. 

I want my business to grow to the point that these OT costs aren't an issue, that we can travel as a family without financial concern, we can afford the larger vehicle we need - and Beachbody has the potential to make these things possible. 

I found my why. 

Ultimately, my family is my WHY. I want to be there for them, to be better for them, and to teach my kids to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. They are my life, my heart, my reason for doing what I do. 

They are my WHY. 

Superfoods, Adaptogens and Phytonutrients...OH MY!

I drink Shakeology every morning and it has made a huge difference to my life. I have more energy, I feel fuller longer, I snack less. I even lost 5lbs in the first three weeks after I started drinking it, and it was the ONLY thing I'd changed in my lifestyle.

BUT. Although I knew all the buzz words and the basic premise for what Shakeology was made from, I never really understood what any of it meant.

Here's what it says on the Shakeology website for what's in the recipe:

• More than 70 super-nutritious ingredients.
• Proteins, Vitamins, and Minerals – to help reduce hunger and food cravings.
• Antioxidants and Phytonutrients – to help detoxify and protect the body against free radical damage.
• Adaptogen Herbs – to help increase energy and combat stress.
• Prebiotics, Probiotics, Fiber, and Digestive Enzymes – to aid digestion and promote regularity.

Super-nutritious ingredients is pretty clear. Protein, I understand. Vitamins and minerals, I get.

Superfoods. Phytonutrients. Adaptogens. These I wasn't really clear on.

Superfoods

While not a scientific word and more widely considered a marketing term, the Oxford Dictionary definition states a superfood is “a nutrient-rich food considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being." Also referred to as "dense," these foods are basically packed with nutrients.

Phytonutrients

Plant foods contain thousands of natural chemicals. These chemicals are called phytonutrients or phytochemicals. ("Phyto" means plant.)

From www.whfoods.org:

Phytonutrients (also referred to as phytochemicals) are compounds found in plants. They serve various functions in plants, helping to protect the plant's vitality. For example, some phytonutrients protect the plant from UV radiation while others protect it from insect attack.

Not only do phytonutrients award benefit to the plants but they also provide benefits to those who enjoy plant food. That's because they have health-promoting properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and liver-health-promoting activities.

Adaptogens

Definition of ADAPTOGEN (from http://www.merriam-webster.com/)

adap·to·gen noun \ə-ˈdap-tə-jən\
: a nontoxic substance and especially a plant extract that is held to increase the body's ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal physiological functioning.

Adaptogens have been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. They’re called adaptogens because of their ability to “adapt” their function according to the body’s specific needs.
Adaptogens have highly concentrated nutrients that can help your body cope with stress, provide energy, and maintain a strong immune system.


Basically, Shakeology is FULL of amazing nutrients and good-for-you ingredients. Really, as long as there isn't any CRAP in there, I will go by how drinking Shakeology makes me FEEL, which is AWESOME!

Here is a video on the clinical study recently conducted on Shakeology:

Interested in trying Shakeology? Send me an email! 

My Love/Hate Relationship with Running

I firmly believe that you need to find a form of exercise that you like enough that it will keep you doing it. If you don't enjoy your chosen activity, the chances of continuing it for any sustained length of time is pretty small. You may need to switch it up now and then to keep it interesting and keep your muscles guessing, but you should always ENJOY what you are doing.

I live this theory in all my fitness activities...except running. After two and a half years I STILL don't love running. I have yet to experience the "runner's high" that people talk about. Once in a while, around the 40 minute mark, I do find that it's all a bit easier and I forget JUST how much I hate it, but there has to be more to this illusive "high" than that, right? However, I DO love the feeling of finishing a run - the stretching, the exhaustion, the sore muscles, the warm shower and even the agony of the foam rolling. 

The one part of running that I do enjoy (apart from when it ends) is participating in races. The running pretty much still sucks, but I love the energy of the crowd, the cheering supporters and of course - the bling. I have no delusions that I will ever place, and I don't necessarily even compete against myself to continually better my time. I register to get out there, and to give myself motivation to keep training. Yes, it is nice when I beat my previous time, but it's not a necessity. 

There are 4 key things that keep me going, or at least play a big part in it. Without these elements included I don't know that I would ever get out there. 

1. Music. Without my playlist pumping through my earbuds with a delicate volume balance somewhere between drowning out my steps and breathing and  allowing me to hear traffic and other noises, I would be in hell. Mr Awesome is a DJ and he has mixed my playlist and made every single song the same bpm (beats per minute) as my running cadence so it's seamless between songs and I keep the same pace the whole time. 
2. Race registrations. I always have a race in the future, registered and committed to, to give me added accountability. My next race is the January 1 Resolution Run 5k in Vancouver, and then two weeks later Mr Awesome and I are off to Anaheim for the runDisney Star Wars Half Marathon. 2015 marks my 40th birthday and the plan is to run this one in January in California and then the Wine & Dine half in Orlando in November for my birthday. That qualifies you for an extra medal for what they call the Coast to Coast challenge. That brings me to my next motivator...
3. Bling and swag. I have to admit, it there's not good swag or a medal, I'm not likely to participate. I have a medal hanger in our bedroom and proudly display all my race medals. The Resolution Run actually comes with a free running jacket! 
4. My family. Whether Mr Awesome is in the race with me or waiting with the kids at the finish line, having that support means everything. The kids come running with me sometimes, and are pretty stoked at the plan to run in the family 5k at the runDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend in November 2015. 

The weird thing is that even thought I don't like it, I find myself craving it. I see people out running and wish I was out there too. A beautiful cool sunny day has me thinking about how great it would be to go for a run. Clearly I have lost my mind. 

I will keep running. And perhaps one day I will learn to love it. 

Maybe. 

A Look Back at 2014 Goals

Back in January 2014 I wrote a post about my goals for this year. I was clearly in a running-love phase, as there was a LOT of running. My main three goals were:

1. Run in 10 events (including 2 half marathons)
2. Run 500 miles 
3. Complete Focus T25 Beta and Gamma rounds

I have completed 6 out of 10 running events. I have run nowhere near 500 miles, and although I completed T25 Beta, I did not get to Gamma. 

Do I feel like I failed by not achieving these targets? NO. 

I have run 320 miles so far this year, and that is INSANE compared to where my running was 2.5 years ago - which was exactly ZERO. 

I also began doing Beachbody programs, which has led me on a completely new and amazing part of my fitness journey. This year I have done Focus T25, PiYo, P90 and Les Mills Pump, plus I've dabbled in a few others like Hip Hop Abs and Les Mills COMBAT, which are great for switching things up. 

I became a Team Beachbody coach, which I LOVE. I originally signed up as a way to cover the cost of the programs and the Shakeology we drink every day, with a goal to break even by the end of the year. I started a motivational fitness group on Facebook and as people began to try the programs and Shakeology it became clear very quickly that being a coach a SO much more than just a way to break even. I have a passion for helping people achieve their fitness goals and I can use my experience as a way to support and motivate them. People are seeing success and achieving their goals and it is AMAZING to be a part of it! My business is growing and while I don't have any intention of it replacing my "career" job, I have no doubt Beachbody will help pay for things like a new mini van, our family vacations, home renos and more. 

So...my running has gone a bit off the rails and I am scared as hell to be running the runDisney Star Wars Half Marathon in just THREE WEEKS with limited training, but this year has been AMAZING. I am more fit than I have ever been, and more motivated than ever before.

Bring on 2015, I am READY!! 

The Key Ingredients

You can have all the equipment, the snazzy new workout gear, the DVDs or gym pass, the water bottle marked out by the hour to ensure consumption, only healthy food in your fridge...and you will probably go hard and stay committed for the first few weeks. Then you might start to falter. 

What is missing?

Two of the key ingredients in lasting success when it comes to fitness goals are SUPPORT & ACCOUNTABILITY. 

A workout buddy, a personal trainer, even just committing to a workout publicly can give you accountability. You also need cheerleaders - people that will lift you up and keep you going through the hills and valleys of your journey. Whether this comes from your significant other, your circle of friends or co-workers - or a circle of people online that have come together to motivate and inspire one another.

When I was going through the initial "pre-goal" phase of my weight loss, I had an incredible network of people supporting me - I still do. I started this blog and its subsequent Facebook page to make my journey public as added accountability. It's been phenomenal, but what has really kicked things into high gear has been creating a private motivational group on Facebook.

Team Fit & Focused is a group of people all interested in living healthier lives, all at different stages of achieving their fitness goals. We support, motivate, encourage and inspire one another to keep going. We share struggles and successes. We do monthly challenges, "pop-up" challenges, share recipes, inspirational quotes...anything and everything to keep us on track towards our targets, whatever they may be.

An extension of this team are the challenge groups I run for specific programs. Everyone in the private group is doing the same program on the same timeline. They ask questions, post their workouts, share challenges with tricky moves, and generally just support each other through the 21, 30, 60 or 90 days of the program. At home workouts become a group experience. They are not doing the program alone, they have a whole team behind them helping them succeed.

Whether you start your own group or join an existing one, I absolutely encourage you to add this "tool" to your fitness tool kit. I am accountable to my team both to stay on track with my own fitness, and to help keep my team-mates on track. I have never felt so inspired or committed in the five years since I began this journey.

Do you need some added accountability and support to help you achieve your health and fitness goals? Email me or message me on Facebook to join our team!

My Kids, aka The Workout Police

I am currently doing a hybrid program of Focus T25 and PiYo, alternating each day. The kids like that I workout at home, and for the most part they let me get through a workout with little interruption. Some mornings my 25 minute T25 is more like T33 with running around for Cheerios, more milk, sliced banana...but it gets done.

The little man really digs a schedule, so this hybrid really works for him. He knows that one day I'm doing one, and the next day it will be the other. He loves schedules, plans, structure - but God forbid you change that plan without alerting him. So, therefore, GOD FORBID I miss a workout. "Mummy, you forgot to do your PiYo today! Mummy, why haven't you done your T25 yet?" The concept of a "rest day" has yet to sink in. 

And the little miss is extremely observant. Way too observant. I typically workout in the kitchen, with my laptop on the kitchen table. She sits next to it, eating her breakfast. She will watch the screen, checking out the moves, and then look back at me with a very judgemental eye, evaluating my form. If I am not keeping my leg as high or my feet moving as quickly as the people on the video, she won't hesitate to point it out. "Mummy, that's not what they're doing." 

Thanks, sunshine. 

With the boy keeping me on schedule and the girl monitoring my effort, I have my very own personal trainers. Or workout police. Or fitness Nazis. Po-tay-to, po-tah-to. 

#TransformationTuesday

There is a trend on social media these days to post fitness transformation pictures on Tuesdays, using the hashtag #TransformationTuesday. I find them incredibly inspiring, seeing someone make such a significant change to their health and life. 

The transformation is never complete. Yes, I've been approximately the same weight since I reached my goal four years ago, but it is still a challenge. It is a conscious choice every day - actually, it is a hundred conscious choices every day. Do I have that incredible cranberry scone from the cafe at work? It's soooo good... Do I have a Chai Latte, a Caramel Frappuccino Lite or a simple cup of tea? Do I get up and do my workout? 

You don't have to be perfect every day, or make the "right" choice every single time. It is a balance and as long as you're making the smarter choice more often than not, you're doing great. It does get easier to make the choices, but still some days I desperately want to make the "other" decision. As some days I do it!

Here is my #TransformationTuesday picture: 

Pic 1 - 230lbs, 6 months before getting pregnant with our second
Pic 2 - 160lbs, the day I reached goal
Pic 3 - 160lbs, the day of my second half marathon
Pic 4 - Today. 160lbs and feeling better than ever!

Do you have a transformation picture? I would love you to share it on my Facebook page!

Helping People

Since I started on my weight loss journey nearly five years ago, my favourite parts of the process (other than feeling better than ever) have been knowing that I've inspired others and that I have been able to be part of their process. Being able to share what made the difference for me, my successes, my pitfalls, and helping them to succeed has been so rewarding. 

To celebrate my fourth anniversary of reaching my goal weight back in 2010, I joined Beachbody as an Independent Team Beachbody Coach. 

Beachbody has a phenomenal list of workout programs that you can do in the comfort of your own home. There is huge variety, and the trainers are fantastic. Shaun T of Focus T25 is one of my favourites. 

I didn't sign up as a coach to make money, for me it is about helping people and growing my own personal network of support. I believe in the products and that makes it easy to chat about, but I'm not a salesperson at heart. I will talk to anyone who asks, but I certainly won't be pushing product on anyone. Maybe that will make me the least successful coach on the planet, but it's about more than the bottom line. 

Speaking of bottoms... I think I need to try the Brazil Butt Lift workout! 

No more games: Losing and Winning with Weight Watchers

Being a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers is a huge achievement. One you reach this milestone you only have to weigh in once a month, and as long as you stay with your two pound window (2lbs above or below your goal weight), you don't have the pay the fee.

For about the past four months, I've been playing a little game with myself. I weigh in at home a few days before my scheduled weigh in day, and then if the scale is a bit on the high side I delay the weigh in to the following week. It's a game I've been "winning," until now.

And winning is of course a poor choice of words, as this is not the behaviour I spent a year learning and living. If I was making the right choices every day, then it wouldn't even be an issue.

You also have to pay the fee if you miss a month's weigh in, so being the last weekend in August I HAD to weigh in. (You also get a star sticker for every month you weigh in and I'll be damned if I'm not going to get my star!)

I was 0.8lbs outside my "window," which means I'm actually 2.8lbs above my goal weight. Last month I was lower than goal, so this month I faced a 3.5lb gain. OUCH.

No more games, no more playing the system. I'm going to track, and I'm going to be MINDFUL. I've kind of been kidding myself the last few months, and while I haven't entirely gone off the rails, I certainly haven't been as mindful of what I've been eating. Conscious yes, mindful no.

Three key actions that have likely led me here:

1. Not bringing my lunch enough at work, so I simply HAVE to go have sushi.
2. Finishing off what the kids leave on their plates - never a lot, but every little bit counts. I never did this while I was losing weight.
   
   And...
   
   
3. Fruit. As some of you will know, I am NOT following the PointsPlus system, so fruit is NOT zero points. But there have been so many lovely blueberries, cherries, peaches, strawberries, nectarines...the list goes on and I LOVE fruit.

So. No more games. And even though I won't be playing, I'll still be winning. But not Charlie Sheen winning.

September weigh in, here I come.

The Last 5 or 10 Pounds

Over the last ten years or so, up until November 2009 when the little miss was born, I had progressively been getting heavier. I eventually topped out at 230lbs, before getting pregnant.

I never knew what "those last five pounds" meant. I mean, yes, logically I understood the concept, but it was completely foreign to me. It was more like "the last seventy pounds" and once I got going I didn't look back. There was no yo-yo-ing, no backward movement on my journey to my goal.

Until now.

In just 2 weeks it will be one year since the day I reached my goal. Since I returned to work last October it has been getting more and more challenging to get to the gym, and lately my eating habits haven't been what they once were.

Being a Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers means you have to weigh in at least once a month, and if you remain within two pounds of your goal weight (plus or minus), you don't have to pay the fee. I have weighed in every single month and thus far have not had to pay.

Every month it's been a bit of a game, watching my at-home scale each week and trying to figure out when to head to a meeting. It's cheating the system, really, and last month I almost didn't go.

This is not who I worked so hard to be. And working hard is really what it's all about. My success really began when I realized that I would have to work hard for the rest of my life to maintain this body. But somewhere along the way I started to slip. I started to resent the hard work.

I love the workouts, that hasn't changed. But finding the time to workout is HARD. Mr. Awesome has been travelling for work a lot over the last six months and we can't afford to pay the sitter for any longer than the time I'm at work. The little man is at an age where exercising when he's around isn't exactly practical. I can still get out for a walk with the little miss in the stroller when he's occupied elsewhere, but those opportunities don't come around very often. And yes, I have attempted my Biggest Loser DVD workouts once the kids are finally in bed, but when they wake me up at 5:30am every day it's pretty much the last thing in the world I have energy for in the evenings.

So now I'm facing the very real possibility that I will reach my one year anniversary and be over my goal weight. I feel awful. It will only be a couple of pounds, but I FEEL awful. I want to feel like I did at my "leanest." I now know what "those last five or ten pounds" means. Far too well.

I've talked to my mum about helping me make the time, coming over to sit with the kids for an hour so I can get to the gym, or hanging with the little man so I can take the stroller and get out for a walk. I've talked to Mr. Awesome about it too, but his travel schedule hasn't allowed to even put a plan in place, let alone start one.

I think this is why I haven't blogged in such a long time. I didn't want to admit that I wasn't managing as well as I had been. But that's ridiculous. People that have gone through a weight loss KNOW it's challenging, and people that are currently working through it need to know they're not alone in the occasional set back. So why would I hide that?

I've just called my mum and she's coming over in a few minutes so I can head out for a walk/jog. It's raining and I'm exhausted, but I'm going.

In 14 days I will reach my one year anniversary and I want to CELEBRATE that milestone.

So off I go.

Old Habits Die Hard

Every month my emotions and my body go into a battle to the death. I have always been an emotional eater, a bored eater...and every month around the same time, I start to notice that I want to snack all. the. time. I finish one snack and I'm immediately jonesing for another fix of sweet or salty goodness. At this same time my body starts to get all bloaty and I start to freak out that I'm losing control of everything I worked for.

I didn't have these same cravings when I was on my journey to weight loss, so what the heck is going on now?! I'm panicking that the old Gillian is trying to make a comeback.

Old habits die hard. That's not just a saying because it's catchy. 34 years of building one set of habits cannot be completely erased by one year of better choices. Every now and then, and yes, usually once a month, the old Gillian rears her not-so-lean face and wants to eat everything in sight.

I knew when I started the process that I would have to make conscious decisions every day of my life if I wanted to stay in the body I had achieved. But after a year you get a little lazy, a little complacent and I'm BORED of making those same decisions. I want to EAT!

Sorry, that was the old Gillian. I have now squashed her back down for the moment and will choose the better road.

It's not like the old me wants ice cream for breakfast, but when Mr. Awesome brought home strawberry and rhubarb pie last night, HELL YESI had a piece. And as Weight Watchers will tell you, that's fine, as long as you have eaten accordingly for the rest of the day, or you have your extra weekly points left. Blah blah blah. (Shut up, old Gillian!) Lately I'm thinking less about points and more about the deliciousness of that second 100-calorie snack. Of course then it becomes a 200-calorie snack and that pretty much defeats the purpose of pre-portioned snacking.

A colleague told me the other day that the Vancouver Canucks play "Whistle to Whistle." They only focus on the next immediate goal, the next 30 seconds, the next play. I am making a resolution here and now that when the old Gillian tries to grab an extra snack, I will play whistle to whistle, until the urge subsides. It's a great mantra and I will recite it to myself to get through the temptation.

I may not be bigger than the old me, but I'm definitely stronger and I will win.

Just like the Canucks. GO CANUCKS GO! (Sorry, it had to be said. Game 1 is tonight.)

Back Tracking

Over the last year I have developed a very clear awareness of my body. As I've said in previous posts, I can predict right to the pound what my scale will say when I step on.

Lately I've been feeling a little "squidgey," not as trim as before, not quite as tight as I like to feel. The scale is reporting that as an approximate two pound gain, but it's not about the number. It's about how I feel. Obviously, I don't want that number to creep any higher, but if I was feeling like my best physical self it wouldn't really matter.

For the last six months or so I've been eating "mindfully," not actively tracking my WW points. I've also been keeping pretty steady at about 2.5 workouts a week when I would really like to be at four. In the last month I would say my mindful eating has become a little less mindful. I've still been eating the same way, but there have definitely been a few extra 2-point snacks thrown in each day.

Before this begins a slippery slope that is difficult to climb back up, I am getting back on track. I'm not going to necessarily write down everything I eat, but I will mentally track it. I'm sticking with my tried and true Momentum points plan, still wary of the new PointsPlus. Yesterday I kept track and ended the day at 28 points. My daily allowance is 29 so that's pretty darn good. Mr. Awesome's been away a lot this month which makes finding time to get to the gym a lot more difficult, but with the help of my mum (Nang Nang) I have been making workout time a priority and fitting it in everywhere I can.

This is the reality of a working mom, which is why I started this journey while on maternity leave and established as many new habits and schedules as I could before I was back at work. I knew very well that things would change and shift a bit and planned accordingly but it is tough. Almost all my co-workers are health conscious and workout actively, going to classes after work and on weekends. They don't have munchkins to feed dinner by 5:30pm, bathe and get to bed for 7:30pm before they themselves pass out at 9:00pm and start their day again bright and early at 5:30am! Some nights I would prefer a Zumba class to a fight over who's eating whose dinner and whether or not someone has pooped in their pants, but for the most part my evenings with my family are very precious.

So, I have to work this out. The eating thing is just pure will power and staying mindful. The workout thing takes a bit more logistical effort, but it's doable.

Now I'm off to the gym. Once again, God bless Nang Nang.

Just When I Thought I Had All The Answers...

...They changed the questions.

I really don't know what to think of the new Weight Watchers PointsPlus program. It was launched in Canada after I had become a Lifetime member and I now go to meetings once a month to weigh in. Yesterday was the first meeting I'd been to since it was introduced. I've heard the basics from friends and know most of the key differences, but I haven't switched over yet.

Truth be told, I'm not actively tracking my points now, I'm just eating mindfully. I spent a year learning what my average day looks like, what points values are in my regular foods and snacks, and I can get through a day easily staying within my points allowance.

So WHY should I change? The whole POINT of starting WW while on maternity leave and doing it for almost a year before going back to work was to get so ingrained in my new lifestyle that I would never have to think about it once back at work full time. I know my points, I know my body, I know how to manage both.

I now feel like I can't really attend a full meeting because I won't be speaking the same language as everyone else. All the snacking tips and tricks have changed, so anything I would have suggested as a great 2-point snack is probably something like four points on the new system and I'd be laughed out of the room! I truly believe that meetings help you be successful on the Weight Watchers program, and even though I only go once a month now, I feel like I'll be missing out.

Sure, there are some great things with the new Points Plus program. The free fruit is fantastic, and it does encourage people to choose healthier options for snacks, etc. A free banana would obviously be more attractive than that 4-point (I'm guessing) 100 calorie pack of Cheetos...most of the time. Some days the Cheetos are necessary.

But that's another thing (the whole "I'm guessing" comment). The previous WW points formula was fairly simple. You could use any variety of slider gizmo or online calculator to figure out the points value. It got to the point (no pun intended) that I could look at a nutritional label and (almost always) accurately predict the points value per serving. That's a handy ability when you're grocery shopping and your husband suggests a new item you've never tried before. You could know in seconds if it would be a reasonable choice or not. Now that's impossible, thanks to the completely convoluted formula that is so far beyond my math-hating brain's capabilities. Now you have to dig around in your purse for the WW points calculator, which you've HAD to purchase for $9.00CDN. Well, that's not entirely true. You don't have to purchase it if you're an online member and already paying for eTools. You can then access the Weight Watchers app on a smartphone and access the info that way. But still, you're paying.

Before I reached Lifetime I was on their Monthly Pass program, and it included eTools. eTools is not cheap at the best of times, so this was a screaming deal. What they don't tell you at the time is that once you reach Lifetime, you cancel your Monthly Pass and eTools disappears right along with it unless you start to pay. Shouldn't Lifetime members be REWARDED for their hard work with something like free online access, something more than a key chain? (Okay, I guess the new body, new lifestyle, etc are their own rewards. Rub my face in it, why don't you.)

The whole thing seems like a lot of work, EXACTLY the thinking I didn't want to have to do. I don't want to have to re-learn the program, the points, the way of life.

This was not meant to be a Weight Watchers-bashing post. I still believe in the program. It works and it's a healthy way to lose weight, probably even more so with the new system. If I was starting WW today I would be totally excited by all the new books, calculators, snack ideas, etc. But I do feel a little hung out to dry as a Lifetime member. Even the PointsPlus Pocket Guide for Lifetime Members I was handed yesterday doesn't address how the new program will affect those on maintenance that have already succeeded. Even a one-pager on the transition targeted at Lifetime members might have been helpful.

So far I'm holding fast and steady at around 2.5lbs BELOW my goal weight, so for now, I'm good. Even at this post-Christmas weigh-in I was down 0.2lbs, so my system is working for me. I'm going to stick with the program I learned and know inside and out. If I run into challenges and start to see the scale creeping skyward, then I will look at learning PointsPlus.

I do feel a bit like I've been kicked out of a club and the only way to get back in is to go through a massive initiation ritual, but I can deal with those insecurities. I won't bow down to peer pressure! I have to do what's right for me.

10 Simple Changes

I was recently contacted by Choices Markets and asked to share their new "New Year, New You" feature with my readers. They have a full 10 week nutrition makeover available, but for the purposes of this blog I chose to share the "10 Simple Changes" feature. It's got some great info and you can check out www.choicesmarket.com/nutrition for more resources. The best part is, it's FREE!

Hope you enjoy their tips, and please let me know what you think!

New Year, New You 2011 Feature

Top 10 Simple Changes to Instantly Improve your Diet

Desiree Nielsen RD, The Choices Dietitian

It’s resolution time again…whether your goal for the New Year is to lose weight, learn to sail or finally get that promotion, your body is the vehicle for all of your ambitions. So how are you fueling that body? Busy lives can leave nutrition on the back burner, as we mistakenly think that any food that fills our belly will help us get to the finish line. If you find yourself constantly relying on takeout and “instant” meals, soon you’ll be running on empty. Good food is the foundation of good health and a healthy body has the energy to help you achieve all that you want out of life.

Desiree Nielsen RD, the Choices Dietitian, has created this list of 10 simple changes you can make to improve your diet instantly, without restrictive diets or complex menus. Try making one change at a time and stick with it until it becomes an effortless part of your life. Or join us in our 10 week nutrition makeover, starting January 3^rd, using the changes described below.

Choices Nutrition Team will be offering informative seminars throughout the month of January and personalized nutrition consultations by donation in Vancouver, White Rock and Kelowna to help you get a jump start on the New Year. Look for more helpful resources in store and detailed tips to help you make the changes at www.choicesmarket.com/nutrition.

1. Eat a better breakfast

Why make the change? Remember that old adage, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day”? Now we have research to prove it: research presented by Dr. Daniela Jakubowicz and her team in 2008 showed that eating a large 600 calorie breakfast every morning helped dieters lose more weight than the typical light diet fare. The ideal breakfast should contain a balance of protein, fibre and slowly digested carbohydrates to keep you going all morning long. What makes this breakfast so special? A hefty dose of protein, combined with quality carbohydrates, helps to control blood sugar rise so you feel energized all morning long. While more research is needed to confirm the findings, big breakfast eaters in the study reported feeling less hunger and fewer cravings throughout the day even when on a low calorie eating plan. Find breakfast ideas at www.choicesmarkets.com/nutrition.

2. Eat ¾ cup plain probiotic yogurt daily

Why make the change? Plain probiotic yogurt contains live bacterial cultures that help to promote a healthy intestinal flora. Billions of bacteria live in our colons; healthy ones promote a healthy gut barrier and produce beneficial compounds like vitamin K. Unhealthy critters, often the result of a highly processed diet and stress filled lifestyle, can wreak inflammatory havoc and cause GI upset. Good old fashioned plain yogurt contains beneficial probiotic cultures in addition to calcium, magnesium and protein…more of what we need everyday! Don’t like the taste of plain yogurt? Sweeten yourself with a little fruit or honey.

3. Don’t drink your calories

Why make the change? Never before in our history have we designed so many ways to drink ourselves fatter. Consumption of sweetened beverages has increased dramatically since the 1970’s: according to data published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the percentage of calories consumed from drinks increased by more than 50% while calories from soft drinks and fruit drinks alone increased 135%. All of those calories can lead to weight gain over time as research shows that we do not compensate for the calories we drink by eating less later on. Instead of cutting back on meal portions, cut calories the smart way by eliminating them from your drinks. You will likely save yourself a great deal of sugar in the process: a large Double Double will set you back 230 calories and 6 tsp of sugar (making the occasional cookie seem like less of a splurge!). Your best hydration choices? Plain water, coffee and tea with milk or soda with a splash of juice.

4. Eat a piece of fruit with each meal

Why make the change? Many of us are still not reaching the recommended goal of 7-10 servings of fruits and veggies each day, even though the evidence on the health benefits of produce consumption is overwhelming. So instead of radically changing the meals you make, why not try something simple? Finish each of your three meals a day with a piece of fruit. Fruit is quick to prepare…just rinse and eat, no chopping required! Here’s the key to success this week: if you don’t put it in your cart…it won’t end up in your stomach! 3 pieces of fruit a day means buying 21 pieces of fruit per person during your weekly shopping trip. So stock up and enjoy…

5. Keep an instant salad in the fridge

Why make the change? Sometimes, you just really want macaroni and cheese…no problem! Just don’t forget to fit in some veggies! Add a container of baby spinach and a container of cherry tomatoes to your weekly shopping list and make sure that you use them…at least a couple of times a week! With just these two items, you can add a side salad to any meal in 60 seconds flat. Spinach boasts the most nutrition of all the salad greens: antioxidant rich, spinach also contains the most iron of the greens with fewer phytates to block absorption. Spinach also contains folate for DNA repair and lutein to protect your eyes. Toss on a handful of cherry tomatoes for vitamin C to help boost iron absorption and provide chlorogenic acid, a compound which helps prime your body’s natural detox system.

6. Eat your Beans

Why make the change? Oft neglected, beans are the healthiest food you aren’t currently eating. Very high in fibre, beans contain an average of 10 grams of fibre per ¾ cup serving. That is a quarter of a man’s daily recommended fibre intake and more than a third for a woman. This fibre not only helps you to feel full and satisfied as you eat; in combination with the slowly digested carbohydrates found in beans, fibre also helps slow down the rate at which blood sugars rise, reducing your urge to snack and helping you to maintain a healthy weight naturally. Beans are also a great source of vegetarian protein, good for you and the environment. As if that weren’t enough, beans offer a variety of important nutrients such as iron, magnesium, potassium and folate. Try to eat beans 3 times a week; see www.choicesmarket.com/nutrition for meal and snack ideas with beans.

7. Try an Oil Change

Why make this change? The fats we eat directly influence our health by altering our blood cholesterol, influencing inflammation and nourishing our skin and other tissues. Saturated and trans fats from animal foods and processed snack foods directly promote chronic inflammation, which can accelerate premature aging and increase risk of chronic disease. In addition, data published from the Omni Heart Study revealed that eating a moderate amount of healthy monounsaturated fat in place of more processed carbohydrate choices can lower our risk for heart disease over time. This week, clear out your pantry of less healthy oils and stock up on healthy sources of fats to enjoy: use extra virgin olive oil as your primary cooking oil. Consider taking fish oils daily for their EPA and DHA, two anti-inflammatory omega 3 fats and enjoy healthy food sources of fats such as raw nuts, seeds and avocado regularly.

8. Go Nuts

Why make this change? Nuts are a great daily addition to any diet and a smart replacement to more carbohydrate based snacks like granola bars and crackers. Nuts provide monounsaturated fats, protein, fibre and plenty of trace minerals. Looking for heart healthy foods? Nuts are rich in magnesium, potassium and B vitamins to protect your ticker. Need a little iron boost? Cashews and Almonds stand out. Almonds are superstars for their vitamin E, fibre and protein; just 2 Brazil nuts will supply a cancer fighting dose of antioxidant selenium and walnuts deliver anti-inflammatory omega 3 fats. Nuts are energy rich, so portion control is key: choose your favourites and enjoy a ¼ cup daily.

9. Swap your Bread for Sprouted Grain

Why make this change? By far, switching to sprouted grain bread and tortillas is one of the easiest ways to boost your fibre intake and help control blood sugars. Many people are familiar with 100% whole grain breads, but all are not created equal! When you see the term “sprouted grain”, it means that the wheat was not ground into a fine flour before making the bread; instead, the grains are sprouted and crushed. The main advantage of this technique is an average of 5 grams of fibre and 5 grams of protein per slice, versus 1.5 - 2 grams of fibre in most whole wheat breads. Have a sandwich for lunch every day? You now just more than doubled your fibre intake simply by swapping your bread! Sprouted grain breads are more filling, will produce a slower rise in blood sugar and help you control your weight.

10. Cook Something New

Why make this change? We are becoming a nation of take out dialers and instant food assemblers. But if you can boil water, you can make yourself a simple, healthy meal in less time than it takes to stand in line for pizza. As an added bonus, you will save money and may even trim your waistline! The average restaurant or quick service meal contains more salt, fat and calories than the same food made at home. March is National Nutrition Month® and our mission is to get Canadian families cooking. This week, try one new recipe from a cookbook, magazine or the internet…that’s all there is to it! If you enjoy the process, why not make it a weekly event?

Desiree Nielsen RD - The Choices Dietitian

Desiree Nielsen, BSc RD received her degree in Food Nutrition and Health (Dietetics major) with honours from the University of British Columbia and completed her dietetic internship with Capital Health in Edmonton, Alberta. Registered with the BC College of Dietitians, Desiree is also a proud member of Dietitians of Canada.

Desiree advocates that good food is the cornerstone of a lifestyle that prevents chronic disease and promotes energy, vitality and overall wellbeing. Maintaining a commitment to evidence-based nutrition, Desiree’s practice also respects traditional knowledge and beliefs. To her, food is more than the nutrition it provides it is a vital part of our culture, our celebrations and our lives.

Desiree is a sought after speaker on a wide range of topics: from eating for a healthier body and planet to fighting chronic disease, Desiree’s positive “real world” approach to healthy eating is informative, motivating and practical. She delivers regular seminars to public and corporate groups on behalf of Choices Markets. Desiree is a member of the professional advisory board for the Vancouver Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Association. Desiree is currently featured on Dietitians of Canada’s website at www.dietitians.ca as a leader in nutrition and business. Recent media appearances include CTV Your Health, Breakfast Television, CBC Radio and CKNW Radio. Desiree’s love of food extends well beyond her work: she enjoys strolling through farmer’s markets, hoarding cookbooks and one day hopes to become an expert patio gardener. Working with Choices provides Desiree with the opportunity to do what she loves most: sharing her passion for food and living well with the community.

One Year And Three Days Ago

One year and three days ago I signed up for a membership at my local rec centre. December 27. And one year and 12 days ago I joined Weight Watchers. A lot has happened in the last year and twelve days.

I knew when I joined Weight Watchers I would have to commit to making a lifestyle change, a comprehensive transformation of mind and body. I didn't fully know what that would look like, but it was an innate understanding that would make this time around different.

And different it was. One year and twelve days later I am a very different person.

• I don't think twice about choosing active activities with my family. (We're going snowshoeing tomorrow!)I take the stairs whenever I can.
• I don't worry about parking close to the mall, store, etc.
• I can play and rough house with my kids anytime and for as long as they want.
  
• I LIKE going to the gym and I miss it when it's been a few days.
• I have a very real awareness of my own body. I can predict down to the half pound what my weight is on any given day, good or bad.
• I eat mindfully, even if I'm "mindful" of that fact that I had three treats in one day.
• I can now cook more than just pasta and sauce.
• I no longer feel like a hypocrite at my job when messaging to women about healthy living and maintaining a healthy body weight.
• I like myself more than I ever did before.
• I am happier.
  

And that's just the stuff I can list right now. There are small, indescribable changes that I realize every day. I now recognize choices I would have made before, and how those choices ultimately contributed to me reaching 230lbs. Little things like helping myself to a free sandwich in the office kitchen even though I'd already eaten lunch. I wouldn't have thought twice about that just over a year ago.

2010 has been an absolutely amazing year for me and for our family. I had a good portion of the year off to spend with them and although the little man is STILL not fully potty trained and may not be before his seventeenth birthday, there were other significant milestones achieved by us all. Not to mention I began blogging!

As this year draws to a close tomorrow and another one begins, I wish you the very best for the year to come. Thank you for reading, thank you for your comments, and I'll see you in 2011!

10 At Home Exercises to Keep You Fit During the Holiday Season

I was recently contacted by Jessica at Gym Source and she asked if she could share an article with my readers. She's compiled 10 easy exercises to do at home without any exercise equipment needed. With the cold weather and dark mornings coming in, I've been a bit worried about keeping up my routines, and Jessica's suggestions are great for those days I'd rather stay warm and dry then haul my butt to the gym!


10 At Home Exercises to Keep You Fit During the Holiday Season

Question: What's the best form of exercise?
Answer: The one you'll actually do!

As long as your fitness program:

1. Raises your heart rate
2. Has a strength training component
3. And is done at least thirty minutes a day five days a week – you'll experience significant health benefits.

Variety is the spice of life; it keeps you motivated and works better for your body by working different muscle groups. You don't need to go to a gym and use fitness equipment. In fact, here are ten simple, yet effective exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home that can help prevent putting on holiday weight.

Take a Hike/Stroll

It's also simple, low-impact and easy on the joints – just put on a comfortable pair of shoes, step outside and walk at a fairly brisk pace around your neighborhood. It's a great way to clear the head and improve your mood – it may be cold, but will give you an opportunity to enjoy all the lights and decorations for the holiday season.

Jump!

Act like your kids on Christmas morning! Jump up and down, or do some jumping jacks. They're a great way to get the heart pumping and the limbs loosened up. 15-20 repetitions with a minute or two of rest between sets for thirty minutes should be sufficient. This will increase endurance and work on toning your thighs.

"Drop and Give Me 20, Soldier!"

Push-ups confer all the same strength-training benefits of bench presses with barbells – without the risk of handling heavy weights and need for a "spotter." You can adjust the intensity by elevating your feet. Push-ups do more than work your arms, they are a total body workout Lift That Leg This provides a strength training workout for the thighs and adductors (muscles that attach the upper leg to the hip). If you can't manage leg lifts with a straight leg, bend the knee .

Washboard Abs?

You may not get "ripped" by doing crunches, but you'll definitely work your ab muscles – and this will award real benefits to your back as well, and you will see an improvement in toning your abs.

You Can Keep Running In Place...

...and you should. This is an exercise you can do while watching TV, making the "boob tube" actually good for something. You can also do it while stringing popcorn on the string for the tree. The Squatters... No, we don't mean settling land that isn't yours – it's what you do every time you sit in and get up from a chair. Just do it several times until you "feel the burn!"

Household Weight Equipment

Cans of food, milk and water jugs, sacks of flour – you'd be amazed at how much weight training equipment is just sitting in your pantry or refrigerator. (Who knew your could actually lose weight with using your holiday baking ingredients?

Roll Up The Carpet

The latest craze is dancing off the weight, but not all of us can get to the classes when they are offered and the videos cost more than Christmas. Instead roll up the carpet, and crack up the tunes, whether it's Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas" or whatever is on the radio, dancing will increase your aerobic hear rate, and help with endurance training.

Steppin' Up

Finally, you don't have to buy a bench step and sign up for a step class to do step. Chances are you've got a step or two around your home. So while those cookies are in the oven, run the stairs a few times. The timers will make great intervals and keep you fit while baking!

The fact of the matter is, that all of these are not difficult, and do not require patience, or a long drawn out explanation. They are simple and they WORK. So maybe you aren't getting fit on treadmills, or ellipticals, but the end result is the same and you will have a lot of extra cash to go and spend it on holiday gifts, or a treat for yourself!

Jessica Costello
Jessica is a writer with the outreach team at Gym Source. In addition to writing, she is also a personal trainer, working mainly with new moms looking to get fit after having their baby. Her specialties are fitness, and nutrition, and toning.

Blazing My Weigh

Mr. Awesome and I just got home from a kid-free getaway to Napa and San Francisco. Before embarking on a healthier lifestyle our vacations were fairly inactive, held back by my fatigue, overheating, laziness and sometimes fear.

I've written before about staying on track and active while on vacation, and so far that has meant braving the hotel fitness rooms or going for walks. I decided it was time to push myself even further. In one of our San Francisco guidebooks I read about the popular activity of "Biking the Bridge" - renting bicycles and riding across the Golden Gate Bridge and down into Sausalito. I would NEVER have considered this a year ago, but for the first time I wasn't held back by my physical or emotional insecurities. While I wasn't scared, I was still nervous because I have never attempted anything like this before.

I contacted Blazing Saddles and they kindly agreed to provide two bikes for the day, so now there was no backing out. I'm sure I could have come up with an elaborate tale of woe to get out of the deal, but it was a personal challenge and I had to prove to myself I could do it. (For those bike lovers out there you're probably rolling your eyes at my hesitation over a fairly innocuous ride, but until now any biking excursions for me have inevitably ended shortly after they began due to burning thigh muscles or heavy breathing. It was a big deal, so bear with me.)

We arrived at Blazing Saddles just after lunch on Sunday. The staff were awesome and led us through our route by way of a huge map on the wall. We were fitted for helmets and then bikes, given the final safety check and sent on our way. It was a beautiful day without any fog in sight, so we were not the only ones with the brilliant idea to go for a bike ride. Although there were masses of people out and about that day, it didn't feel too crowded once we got going.

The eight mile (13KM) route starts down near Fisherman's Wharf, heads along a gorgeous waterfront path for a good distance then up onto and across the bridge. You then bike down into Sausalito and can either turn around and bike back or take the ferry back across to Fisherman's Wharf. There are also bike paths than can take you further afield, over to a redwood forest and down into the town of Tiburon, but as we started later than planned we kept it to the basic route.

I knew from the start that there would likely be some uphill involved as the path along the waterfront was noticeably lower than the start of the bridge. I'd been given an awesome light blue Breezer bike, but it only had three gears. Nevertheless, I gave it my all when it came to the first hill. I felt positively triumphant when I rode past a woman pushing her bike and overheard her say to her friend "There is NO way I could ride up this thing." It gave me a burst of energy and I made it, although slowly, all the way to the top.

The second (longer) hill was a bit more of a push, but I made it until the top where the road turned and right at the turn where it got steep about 20 riders had decided to stop. Get to side, people, I'm coming through! Not so much "coming through" as coming to a stop on the steepest part because my legs gave out and then falling off the bike, but no one ever said I was the epitome of grace. My ego was bruised, but that's about it.

We made it to the start of the bridge and onto the bike path that runs along the side. When I told my mum our plans, she had visions of me actually riding across the bridge IN TRAFFIC. Um, no. Rest assured there is a nice wide bike lane.

I'm not the most confident rider at the best of times, so I really had to force myself to pause to enjoy the spectacular view. It was definitely spectacular. Absolutely stunning. And windy. Very, very windy. We wound down the hill towards Sausalito but the route we took did present yet one more hill, which my thighs simply wouldn't go for. I walked my bike up while Mr. Awesome hassled followed me the whole way.

Sausalito is a beautiful, picturesque little seaside town that I wish we could have spent more time in. Given it was the Sunday before Labour Day it was very busy, so the next time we go we'll opt for a longer mid-week visit.

We went for the ferry as the idea of biking back up the hill from Sausalito wasn't appealing at that point. I'm sure it's a beautiful ferry ride if you're one of the first 100 people on board, but we were among the last ones to make it so we ended up sitting on the floor inside. We were just happy to be on board as we were going for sushi that night and had to get going. NOTHING can keep us from a good sushi dinner.

We arrived back at Fisherman's Wharf and rode (Mum, don't read this part) through traffic to beat the other riders back to Blazing Saddles. It wouldn't really have mattered as the staff checked everyone in very quickly and there was never a line. My favourite part was all of them cheering as we rode in, as they did for all the returning riders, as if we had just ridden the Tour de France. They called out "Welcome Back! Way to go! Head for the finish line!" and while I'll never even be Lance Armstrong's clumsy half cousin, it felt pretty darn good.

For once I wasn't held back by my own insecurities or physical limitations. I've always enjoyed walking and that's how we've done a lot of our sightseeing in the past, but this opens up a whole new way of experiencing our travel while staying active. Blazing Saddles does a ride across the Brooklyn Bridge, so maybe we'll add that to the list for things to do when we go to New York in a few years. And biking through wine country in France has always sounded amazing... so many options!

My life's "must do" list just got a little bit longer. Bring it on!

Sweating & Snacking Together At Last!

Sweating and snacking...not necessarily at the same time, but both have certainly helped me on my weight loss journey.

I was recently asked to check out Kraft Canada's Rice Thins Brown Rice Crisps and review their new "Sweat and Snack" program. The program was developed by personal trainer Jo-Ann James, founder of Vital Steps Inc. and includes four workout circuits using inexpensive and easy-to-use equipment that most people would already have at home (or like me, intend to buy one day).

I was intrigued because I'm a sucker for healthy low point snack foods, and because the program includes exercises that you can do at home, the gym, anywhere. I'm heading back to work in a couple of months and my exercise routine will be changing to fit in with my new schedule, so a good set of exercises I can do at home is very appealing.

The "Snack" portion is obviously referring to the Rice Thins Brown Rice Crisps. I was sent a package of each of the three flavours - Sour Cream & French Onion, Sea Salt & Pepper, and Sweet Mesquite Barbecue. Any time the Little Man spies any kind of snack packaging he's in like a shot, so I of course had to open them up immediately for a taste test. Mr. Awesome's dad (or Opa Awesome) was over for dinner so we all had a taste. All three flavours were good, but the Little Man and I were fans of the Sweet Mesquite Barbecue and Opa Awesome preferred the Sea Salt & Pepper.

The serving size is nine crackers and they're a decent size so it's a fair portion. One serving has 90 calories, 1.5g of fat and 2 grams of fibre so that equals two Weight Watchers points. Not bad if you have points to spare. Now, I might not choose these over a lower point snack if I was tight on points for a given day, but I would certainly munch on them if I had the room. Even so, I still really like that this is a healthy snack option for my family.

Some nutritional highlights:

• All flavours are gluten-free
• Baked, not fried
  
• A source of fibre
  
• Made with brown rice
• Contains 13g of whole grains per 21g serving
  
• Low in fat and have zero trans fat and zero cholesterol
  

Blah, Blah, Blah...But What's In It For You?

When I agreed to review this program, I wanted to make sure there was something in it for YOU. Sure, you can run out to the store and grab yourself a bag of these tasty snacks, but what about the "Sweat" part? Unless you actually RUN to the store, there's not much exercise in grocery shopping. The program isn't for sale and it isn't available online anywhere. I wasn't about to tell you how great it was and then say "But too bad for you, you can't try it" because a) that's mean and b) what would be the point of that?!

The nice people at Kraft Canada have said I can post the program right here, on Finding My Weigh! I've uploaded it via Scribd, so hopefully my tech skills reign supreme and you can see it below.

All four circuits incorporate the same equipment, available pretty much anywhere these days. Here's what you need:

• Exercise ball
• Jump rope
• Resistance bands
• Yoga mat

I tried Circuit #1 just now. It says to do the full circuit twice but I will admit that today in the interest of time between naps (the little miss's naps, not mine unfortunately), I only did it once. I will be doing it "properly" in the next couple of days but I'm on my own this week and time is precious, people!! I hadn't done ANY resistance band work before and holy-mother-of-God is that hard. Probably why I hadn't tried it before...

I invite you to give these circuits a try and let me know what you think. You can scroll through the document below for all four circuits, as well as some simple health and wellness tips they've put together. If all goes as planned, you should be able to download it yourself from there as well. Yay for technology, or "Techology FTW!" as the cooler kids would say.

Happy sweating!

Tuck and Roll!

My friend's sister has a gift. She has an extensive background in fashion retail and has recently been dabbling in personal styling. I had them over last week to help me plan my shopping strategy as I start to rebuild my wardrobe. Mr. Awesome and I will be doing a major shop down in San Francisco in a couple of weeks and I need to have a plan of action or he'll never survive. Or he'd kill me for spending too much...either way, without a plan one of us isn't getting out alive.

Sarah is like Stacy and Clinton but without completely slagging my current wardrobe. Of course my current wardrobe is fairly nonexistent, so there wasn't really much to criticize. I have had a few things tailored already - things that I really liked and I knew would be cheaper getting altered than buying new. This included a few blazers, one pair of pants, one dress and a couple of skirts. I've given away almost everything else, so I was expecting a long shopping list but no real outfit building. Man, was I wrong!

One of Mr. Awesome's talents is the ability to look in a cupboard that I consider basically bare and create a fantastic meal. Sarah is like that. She dove into my closet headfirst, digging out items I haven't worn in years (but they still fit so I haven't given them away), pairing them with the newly tailored pieces and creating very cool outfits I would NEVER have put together. I was trying stuff on all evening, with her showing me potential outfits or "ideas" for outfits when I get a few more items. Mr. Awesome was thrilled to know that I actually have quite a bit to work with already and that the shopping trip wouldn't be quite the dent in our bank account that we originally thought. Maybe just a ding.

There were a couple of other surprises. Sarah introduced me to a few concepts I'm still trying to wrap my head around. Tucking things in, for example. I haven't tucked something in since bodysuits went the way of the dodo bird in high school, but apparently ALL the cool kids are tucking these days (does that sound dirty?).

And leggings. And skinny jeans. I have lived the better part of my fashion-conscious life with hips I lovingly refer to as saddle bags. I literally looked like I was wearing jodhpurs if I wore anything even remotely form-fitting. Only recently on my weight loss journey have the saddle bags started to disappear, and I'm still getting used to it. Whether or not I have the guts to actually do this look still remains in question, but I did actually try on a pair of legging-type jeans yesterday and I can see how they MIGHT be okay...MIGHT.

And belts. I stopped wearing belts ages ago because they made me feel like a sausage and because I didn't tuck anything in, I believed that belts would just add extra bulk to my midsection. Now belts are everywhere and ON TOP of clothing. Who knew?! On my shopping list is now at least one skinny belt.

And rolling the sleeves on my blazers. Giving it the "boyfriend jacket" feel without actually having to go out and buy a new jacket. I would NEVER have considered rolling the sleeves of a blazer, but when she puts the whole outfit together it just works.

The woman seriously has a gift. She needs to go into business doing this for a living. She has given me ideas, tips and a shopping list of things to look for. And she makes you feel good about yourself, instilling confidence and making you believe you can look great (even in skinny jeans). My problem is I want to go and get it all NOW, but I need to restrain myself until San Francisco. Maybe just a couple of things...

Another thing I really want to get but that we didn't specifically talk about is a wrap dress. Stacy and Clinton are ALWAYS talking about the benefits of wrap dresses, drawing attention to the narrowest part of the body, etc etc. Everyone they ever make over looks great in one, plus they make a whole outfit on their own. Definitely a must have, and I'm pretty sure Sarah will approve.

She's offered to come over again once we get back to go through all my goodies and make more outfits, as well as to go shopping with me if there are any items I'm missing.

It's a whole new world of tucking, rolling and belting and to be honest I am a little afraid. Anytime we give someone a ride somewhere and drop them off, Mr. Awesome yells with glee "Tuck and roll, 'cause I ain't stoppin!" as he pretends to not bring the car to a complete stop to let them out. While some do question his deranged sense of humor, I think the expression is appropriate here. I'm not stopping, I'm going for it.

Tuck and roll, baby, tuck and roll.


All images are from the Banana Republic website.