surreal

Good Saturday morning all!! I weighed in this morning and was rewarded with a 2lb loss…Woo Hoo!!! It’s Birthday mania around here…my son turned 7 yesterday and is having a little pizza party and a sleep over with 2 of his little buddies. I passed up the Ice Cream cake yesterday but today I’m going to allow myself a small sliver ;). Today is my “Cheat day” so I Will have my cake and eat it too . I’ll have 1 slice of pizza and a BIG salad while everyone chows on pizza, wings etc. Cheat day doesn’t mean you can destroy all your efforts! Next weekend is my Birthday (Nov 29th) so I’m going to have to burn some MAJOR calories this week to offset it…LOL! My hubby got reservations at a really nice restaurant then got us a jacuzzi suite for the night :D. Should be interesting

I hope you all have a healthy, active weekend! Here’s a little motivation to start you off Hope it helps someone…anyone…everyone!  :D

When you reach for the stars, you may not quite get them, but you won’t come up with a handful of mud, either.”

- Leo Burnett
The moment you begin

Even though today may be far from perfect, it is the perfect place from which to move positively and powerfully ahead. Even though the timing is not completely ideal, this is indeed the ideal time to begin doing whatever you can to get wherever you desire to go.

The moment you begin to take positive, effective steps toward your goal, you are no longer behind. Because the direction in which you are headed is vastly more significant than where you happen to be.

This is the moment you can begin to live at a higher level of commitment to those things you truly value. You’ve learned from the past what has always held you back and what has always moved you forward, so go with those things you know will move you ahead.

There are challenges, to be sure, and not everything will go the way you planned. But that’s no reason to deny yourself the outstanding opportunity that stands right now in front of you.

You have the power, right this moment, to make this day one of those days that you’ll always look back upon with satisfaction and delight. The day will quickly pass by, regardless of what you do with it, and with a little extra effort you can indeed make it great.

Ralph S. Marston, Jr.

Yesterday was a great day I ate well….premade lots of healthy food for the week….chopped veggies for easy healthy snacking….did a great workout and got 11 8oz glasses of water in Today’s also off to a good start. My diet and water are on track and I’m getting ready to head down to the exercise studio Hopefully I can keep this up! LOL!!

Here’s some motivation for you all

Committment

We’ve all heard the the saying…
“If you can’t find the time to do it right the first time…
How are you ever going to find the time to do it over again?”

Well, the same thing applies to fitness and weight loss!
You can have a personal trainer give you all the tools you need, but
If you’re not committed to putting those changes into action…..
It’s not going to happen!

Nobody has a magic wand that’s going to magically make your new body appear.
You need to be willing to make changes in your life!
You NEED to make changes in your life!
If you didn’t need to make changes, you wouldn’t be where you are right?

Willingness + Committment + Desire = Success
When you say “I don’t have time for that” or “I can’t do that”,
What you’re saying is you “Won’t” do that.
When you say you “Won’t”, you’re not going to be any closer to obtaining your goals.

Have an open mind, be willing to make positive changes, commit yourself to YOU,
And you are on your way to success.
Start today with a different way of thinking…NOTHING is impossible!

Michelle

I posted this in a few threads but I thought I’d put it out there for you all to benefit from ;)……

The Stairway to Your Goal

Envision your goal at the top of a stairway and yourself at the
bottom. Now look way up at the top, and see your goal. Then
look at the next step down from the top. That would be the last
step you need to take before you accomplish your goal. What
is that step? And what is the step before it, and the one before
that?

Identify the steps, all the way down to the very first one, the one
that’s right in front of you. That is the step you can take today.
Stand up tall, focus on the top of the stairway, and take that first
step. You’re on your way! Now all you need to do is just keep
taking those steps, one after one.

Don’t waste your time waiting for the stairway to turn into an
escalator that will carry you effortlessly to the top. It won’t
happen. You’ve got to take those steps yourself.

It will take some effort. The higher the goal, the more steps there
will be. But as long as you’re going to be walking up the stairway,
you might as well have something great waiting at the top.

Take one step at a time, and you are certain to make it. You
may occasionally slip, and you might want to sit and rest every
now and then. The important thing, though, is to keep on climbing.
Every moment, every day. Each step will carry you closer to the
top.

And on that happy day when you take the last step, give yourself
a little break. Relax for a moment, and look down the stairway at
how far you’ve come. Squint your eyes and see if you can make
out the people down there, the ones who are just now starting to
climb.

Then take a deep breath, pat yourself on the back, and go look
for the next stairway.

Well…here we are. It’s Monday and it’s my first day being back on track :). Wish I could say I was pumped…LOL! I have a headache so I’ll take an advil THEN get pumped ;).

As they say……”When you fail to plan, you plan to fail” so….I’ve been spending my morning planning some meals, workouts etc.. Not to mention pounding back the H20 :D. I’m excited to see how the week unfolds and a bit nerve racked to be on that dreaded scale again. Oh well…it is what it is ;).

Thank you to ALL my BS peeps for the warm welcome back It’s great to be home

I know….It’s like I dropped off the face of the earth! It’s been 6 long months since I’ve logged on to buddyslim :(. If you remember….I was getting married in Nova Scotia in July, then having a huge reception back home in August in our back yard. This summer was the busiest summer of my life! The good news is the wedding was great! The bad news….I gained a good 8lbs ;(. I’ve been trying to get back on track and couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t. I realized that the missing link was YOU GUYS! I’ve realized that I’m a buddyslim lifer now :o.

So….If you feel like I abandoned you….PLEASE accept my apologies. Life was just really getting in the way :(. If it’s any concelation…I kinda abandoned myself. I need the support from my fellow buddyslimmers and I’m ready to get back on that wagon if you guys will have me :D. Here are some pics of the wedding (hopefully it works!)

Well…I’d LOVE to give you guys definite stats from daY #1 BUT I seemed to have lost or deleted them by accident from my computer :(. On the upside….Survivor #4 lasted the better part of 2 months and we have finally determined out fitness Survivor Winner! Our SOUL Survivor for #4 is….drum roll please…………………………………ALICA!!!! Way to go hun!!!!

 Our players have fought through tough and thin and have ALL proven to be Survivors!!!! Congrats to EVERYONE for your own personal successes during This challenge. Although I don’t have results to show you all….I can tell you whole heartedly…everyone gave it their all….Everyone pushed themselves beyond limits from time to time. I believe…we’re ALL Survivors…we are, however, all surviving the greatest challenge of all. OUR QUEST…to get thin, fit and healthy.

So please help me congradulate ALICA!!! Alica - you can go to our fitness Survivor badge thread and pick your badge for your profile WAY TO GO GIRL!! 

Hey fellow buddyslimmers!!! I just came accross a blog by Dr. Marc where he’s asking for the Newsletter responsibility to be switched up from month to month. http://drmarc.buddyslim.com/2009/02/15/buddyslimmer-newsletter-editor/#comment-463 I wish he had of contacted me but niether here nor there. My duties are done in that aspect so if there’s anyone that would like to take over for a month….jump on in!! I guess I can relax now and go do my workout I look forward to reading the new Newsletter who ever writes it!

Well….here it is. The Trainer needing a kick in the butt. Yes….Even trainers need a push, tough love, a kick in the toosh. I’ve been in such a rut since the weekend. On Saturdays I allow myself a cheat night but it is accounted for in my calories. My Niece came over for her 16th Birthday and I treated her to a “Spa” night here at my home followed by a movie, chips etc..

Obviously I ate WAY to many chips and junk or I wouldn’t be writing this god awful blog right now. So….after that I thought….No prob….I can recover :). NOT!!!! The next day a friend stopped by and we had like 4 glasses of wine. There we go again….out of calorie range. WTF is wrong with me!? HONESTLY! I FINALLY get myself below 140 for 2 weeks and I’m sabatoging myself!

So…today and yesterday I’ve had ZERO energy. I FORCED my a** into doing a 45 minute workout today but it just wasn’t good enough. It actually sucked because for the first time in years I actually did NOT want to do it :(. I just wanted it to be OVER!!! It was all I could do to lift my foot on to the step for step aerobics :(. That’s not like me. This is crazy. I think I’m falling into a funk because of winter blahs and I need to pull myself out. My goal is to reach goal weight by May 2nd……..not too much to ask….I only have about 10-12lbs to go. If I get into this winter rut it may not happen though! Ok…enough of that talk. I’m not going to let this grey, wintery, crappy weather stop me from what I’ve been working so hard for. Hmmmm……did I just give myself tough love??? Whatever……niether here nor there…..I’m NOT going use this as some lame excuse to not achieve my goals. That’s unacceptable. Sorry for all the crazy rambling guys….I’m just venting….writing it down to make me feel better .

Well…..thanks for listening guys!!!

 If you’re veiwing this Newsletter for the first time via email…..please feel free to copy and paste http://surreal.buddyslim.com in your browser so you can view the blog in it’s entirety and be able to click on links. Remember…all links will open in a new window so it doesn’t interupt what you’re doing

Hi to everyone in buddyslim land!! It seems as though some have suffered from yet another crappy week :(. For those that gained this week or didn’t get the results they were expecting…….keep your head up guys!!! It WILL get better!

There’s no BuddySlimmer of the week this week Sorry!!!! I just didn’t get any feedback….well….I had One person reply but I’m not sure I can base results off one person :o….LOL! Oh well…maybe next week

Anj has started a great thread in the forum where you can track your progress….post your pictures, measurements etc. It’s not a challenge but it’s a great idea!!! Click the link below to track your progress

Track Your Progress

Ok….so here’s our group weight losses for the week. If you’re new to buddyslim…..be sure to check out the groups/challenges in the forums. They REALLY are the most motivating and helpful tool here on buddyslim Not to mention….you’ll make some kindred spirits I know, I know…..enough babbling right?! LOL! Here are the results for the week……

Wildcats - 32.1

Fitness Fanatics - 18.5

Rockstars - 15.4

Heartbreakers - 8

Fitness Survivor - 0 :(  (there were losses and gains…..it’ll be a better week next week guys!) Survivor is down to 7 players….It’ll soon be time to declare our Soul Survivor!

The Phoenix - Still don’t have everyone’s results

Here are some links to some other great challenges. Click on the links below and start challenging yourself!

Wade Into Fitness

Valentines Day Walking Challenge

Commit To Get Fit

Get Off The Couch And Walk

Jog/Run Challenge

How Many Boy Push Ups Can You Do

Captain Crunch Challenge

Stop Smoking Lose Weight Challenge

Exercise TV Challenge

New Challenge

Lose 4lbs By Valentines Day

Successful Buddies

Click the picture to view her profile! Remember….If she can do it….SO CAN YOU!!!!

 Sandy

Motivational Tips/Blogs

Here are a few links to some blogs that I think will help motivate you, give you some ideas and hopefully help you see the light at the end of the tunnel J

How To Measure Weight Loss Progress

Feeling Fantastic

I Run Because……..

If you check some of my blogs from earlier this week you’ll see some great tips on eating Carbs/Protein as well

Buddies That Could Use A Boost

Hold My Tail While I Drag My Butt

Evangelist Tip

As a Personal Trainer…here’s a little tip from me to you

So….you think you don’t have time for breakfast? I DON’T THINK SO! If you have crazy mornings try making a shake that consists of a meal replacement powder, skim milk, 1/2 cup frozen fruit, and some low fat yogurt. It tastes like a fruity milkshake, has around 300 calories, and is Quick and easy. You’ve heard it before and it’s true…..breakfast IS the most important meal of the day. It sets your metabolism for the day! You should eat within 1 hour of waking to give your metabolism the kick it needs for the day For more eating tips….read my blog about “Carbs - when to Eat Them, What to Eat Them With”.

Carbs have REALLY gotten a bad reputation in the last few years…….well….more then a few Ever since that Atkins diet came out. Anyway….here’s some info to help clear up some questions about Carbs!

Are carbs going to make you fat? NO!!! Choose “natural” carbs such as brown rice, wholegrain breads, potatoes (yes you heard that right) potatoes! Potatoes are NATURAL……..Fruits, veggies, etc.. Try to avoid carbs that are processed such as white pasta, white breads etc..

When we eat and which carbs we eat at different times of the day is also very important! Choose your starchy carbs such as rice, breads, potatoes etc early in the day. As the day approaches an end…choose vegetables and fruits as your carbs. So…for breakfast you might have oatmeal with fruit and a source of protein……at dinner, choose a salad or raw veggies w/dip and a source of protein. If you’re eating 5 small meals a day (as you should). Your first 2 meals should include your starchy carb and the last 3 a carb with lots of fiber such as veggies or fruit.

Eating a balanced meal EVERY meal is VERY important. You should always choose a carb AND a protein. A meal with carbs alone raises your glucose levels FAST which in turn causes you to crash and burn. It doesn’t matter if that carb is vegetable or bread…the end result will be the same. It’ll leave you feeling hungry and weak and gives your body the chance to convert that meal into fat.  When you add a protein, you’ll feel fuller longer, glucose levels will be more consistent, and your metabolism will work more efficiently. Carbs are digested much faster then protein. When you combine them…protein slows down the digestion of carbs so the energy you get from those carbs is released at a slower rate. End result….more energy for you to burn MORE fat and calories!

So…add some chicken or cheese to that salad, have a yogurt with your apple, don’t be shy…brown rice won’t bite! Just remember…timing and balance God never intended us to cut things from our diets….he put all that natural food here to eat because our body needs it!

Have a good day everyone!