Is it Butter-Tart Worthy?

I got to the gym today and found out that aerobic class was cancelled due to the long weekend.  Mind you, I didn't miss not doing it.  I spent about 45 minutes on the elliptical and treadmill combined; 450 calories burned.  That should burn off part of the butter tart that I ate this week.  Yes, I gave into my baser instincts and indulged in a butter tart.  It was one of those medium-sized, gooey-in-the-middle-just-the-right-texture, lip-smacking good, girdle-busting butter tarts. Who can resist such visual and physical pleasure all rolled into one sinfully delicious package?

The justification I used to have the butter tart is the biopsy I endured this week.  Recovery from the biopsy took 2 days.  The first day being the worst pain; butter tart-worthy pain.  Presently, I am feeling much better. An occasional treat does not hurt anybody.  That's quickly become my motto this week at any rate.

A Ticket to Nowhere

A 20-minute walk today was all the energy I could muster after yesterday's biopsy.  I was able to get out to the music store on my own.  There are bins in the skytrain station to put your used bus tickets.  As I was getting my ticket out I noticed that it hadn't been validated. YIKES!! I thought I had validated it on the bus but there was no printing on the back of the ticket to indicate that I had! I must have shown it to the bus driver and kept walking.  The strange part is that the bus driver didn't remind me to validate it.  Thankfully, I did not get caught by the Transit Police because it would have cost me a bundle in fines. Not to mention the fact that I would be detained in public by the Transit Police (completely embarrassing). I'm usually not so absent-minded. 

Tomorrow's another session with the Boot Camp Queen.  This time it's for a workout called the Nash Knockout which uses boxing drills and skills for the cardio portion.  Plus they do some core strength training as well.  The things we do to get in shape, but at least it's for a good cause. David will be joining me for the workout.  He's learning boxing skills at a local boxing gym.  It will be interesting to get his perspective on the class.  It will be nice to have the company as I work out.

Today is the 21st day (3-weeks) smoke-free!  The cravings have diminished so much I barely notice them anymore.

Get Up and Go Got Up and Left

My mind is restless and bored today.  It keeps trying to encourage my body to get up and move.  My body's not budging today.  I had a biopsy done this morning, and I'm still in some pain.  All my body wants to do today is rest.  That is exactly what I have been doing.  I'm not pushing my body beyond it's comfort level until I've recovered.  I'll feel better tomorrow, and by Saturday I'll be Kick Boxing with the best of them.

The Boot Camp Queen

I enjoyed sitting on the couch in the foyer of the gym last night.   Drinking cold water felt so nourishing and refreshing after a very intense Step class.  I closed my eyes momentarily enjoying every minute of rest.  Upon opening my eyes I saw the instructor walking towards me.  We high fived each other, and then chatted.

I told her that what's motivating me to get in shape is the Bust-A-Move for Breast Cancer.  She was very interested.  She said that two of her friends have died from Breast Cancer.  Then she told me that she was definitely going to join Bust-A-Move. I was so glad to hear those words.  Then she added, "Don't you worry, we'll (the gym) will get you ready for Bust-A-Move".  I was well aware that my facial expression had changed at that point from a smile to one of surprise.  That's because I think of that particular instructor as a Boot Camp Queen.  I say that most affectionately about her because although her class is very intense, she also makes allowance for people being at different levels of fitness, and does not expect people to work beyond their capabilities.  When the Boot Camp Queen says that she'll help me get into shape for the event (through her classes); you can take her at her word.  This is part of the reason I looked so surprised.  The first thought I had was, "You're in deep now.  There's no turning back."  It's not my goal to back out of anything at this point in time.  It was the realization that I've just added another rung to my accountability.  Accountability is very important to me because it keeps me motivated.

This Saturday morning, David will be joining me as a participant in her class.  It will be nice to have some company and I hope that he enjoys it.

Step Aerobics - in Bed???

"Okay class follow me - step up, step down, travel, kick left, kick right..." the step aerobics instructors' voice became more and more breathy as the class continued.  Beads of sweat rolled down the faces of the class participants as they kept glancing at the clock, wishing that the class would end there and then.

I remember Step Aerobics classes well.  I was always really happy - once it was over (giggle).  I do enjoy the energy of Step though which is the reason I am going to my first Step class (in 2 years), this evening.  It's all part of my plan to get fit for the Breast Cancer fundraiser.  I expect that because it will be my first class in 2 years that I will most likely be doing a lot of walking on the spot just to keep moving especially if I feel tired.

Hopefully, the exercise will help burn up some calories from a big lunch I had today.  My friend and I enjoyed the lunch but it was a lot of food.  At the end of the meal we got our fortune cookies.  My friend told me that she always reads her fortune and adds "in bed" at the end of it.  My fortune cookie says, "Next month will be hectic, yet delightful" (in bed).  Wow! That fortune cookie read my mind! It would be great to have a hectic, yet delightful month in bed!  Perhaps I'll start dreaming of doing Step in my sleep? Yeah, that's probably it - Step Aerobics in bed will be my hectic, yet delightful month (*grin*).

Getting Fit for Breast Cancer #2

The sun is shining in the beautiful rainforest today.  A rare, but relished treat.  I have taken full advantage of the sun by doing some gardening and lawn work.  I noticed that my strawberry plant was not getting enough direct sunlight so I had to move it to where it will get the most sunlight during the day.  Weeding is not my favourite pass-time but as any gardener knows it needs to be done.  I spent some time doing that as well as sweeping the porch and clearing the pine cones on my lawn.

A brisk 25-minute walk in the direct sunshine did me a world of good.  The sun feels so good on my skin.  My body just soaks in those rays of sunshine.  The rainforest had so much rain this spring that it's now flooding in parts of the province. I suppose that is just part of living in  a rainforest.  Rainforests need more rain than other places do otherwise drought conditions set in rather quickly.  I would much rather have a day of rain rather than a drought.  Although sometimes when it rains for weeks on end it can be quite annoying.

For those of you who are wondering, yes, I did do my abdominal exercises and weight training today.  For those of you who are just starting to read my blog, I am getting in shape for a breast cancer fundraiser taking place in April 2013. Taking part in this fundraising activity is twofold for me: getting in shape (losing weight as a result), but also it helps me to remain smoke-free.  Two and a half weeks ago I quit smoking after 13 years living with the habit.  It's been difficult but not too bad overall.  I feel more relaxed, physically stronger, breathing more deeply, and I have a surplus of energy.  In my opinion, these are all good reasons to remain smoke-free.

Losing Weight and Getting Fit for Breast Cancer

Last summer I joined TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) for weight loss support.  So far, I have lost 32 lbs., and been recognized (receiving certificates) for losing that weight.  I have been eating a balanced high fiber, high protein diet (I still include some carbs in my diet, just no junk food except in very small amounts and only very rarely i.e. once a month) and exercising. I have gone from being barely able to walk 1 mile to walking 4 miles. I am very happy about that because it means that I am now getting in better shape. 

Recently, a friend of mine mentioned that she will be a participant in Bust-A-Move Vancouver which is a Breast Cancer fundraiser.  The fundraising participants take the challenge that they will do 6 sessions of exercise in April 2013.  The idea of getting in shape for a good cause appealed to me so I joined my friend in this fundraising challenge.

As of today, I have officially started training for this fundraiser.  Yesterday, I joined a gym and I'll be going to the gym with my husband 4x a week.  My husband is a motivated exerciser so I'm hoping that his enthusiasm keeps rubbing off on me.  I'm really up for this challenge, however, so I am not relying solely on my husband to motivate me.  The real motivation comes from inside of me.  Today I did 30 minutes on the Elliptical machine, and some stretches.  Tomorrow I'm working out at home with a videotape - weight training and abdominal work.  It supposed to be sunny and warm here in the rainforest region tomorrow so I'll probably go for a walk too.

Gardening

When we moved to our current home we inherited 5 terracotta pots.  The plants had been neglected and overgrown.  There was moss growing on the top layer of the soil, and the pots themselves needed some cleaning.  I spent last summer emptying the pots and preparing them for use for this summer.

May 24th is generally the time of year that people plant their gardens. We finally were able to get to the store yesterday.  The store (Gardenworks) was having a 30% off on all types of soil and plants.  We hit the jackpot so-to-speak! We got 3 large 32L bags of Sea Soil Standard, 2 types of sage, lemon thyme, rosemary, basil, lavendar, and strawberries for $60 incl. tax!  We were so happy with the price.

When we got home I eagerly went about transplanting the plants into their new homes.  As I was doing this I noticed that one of the plants had a slug on the soil near it.  That slug is no more.  It reminded me to be more cautious in selecting plants; always check for pests before buying.  Well, at least it was a slug and not aphids on the plant.

My garden seems to be doing well. We had a good rain last night and today the sun is shining and it's warm outside.  The plants seem to be comfortable in their new homes.