They were right-eating right and exercise is key

On Saturdays around lunch time I go to my favourite gym exercise class, it's a bootcamp where we do lots of tabata work with cardio and weights. That 1 hour class is a killer where I constantly give myself pep-talks along the lines of it's only an hour, you can do this for an hour, and you'll feel so good after this class is done, now keep moving. 

The instructor is this really really fit women whose life is about fitness and wellbeing. When I say fit I mean she has muscles that I didn't even know existed. She's great and I may have a little crush on her. 

She also says the best things at the right time, like when I was doing jump squats and she looked right at me and said 5 little words that meant so much to me those are great jump squats. I needed that little push because this class was kicking my tush. 

It feels really good to be pushing it really hard during my workouts. With the whole30 challenge and working hard at every class I'm really happy with my progress. 

Whole30 was great. Having my bestie Karen doing it along with me helped me so much to stay on the wagon. By help I mean make muffins and granola bars for each other to snack on. 

April 30th 2014-June 1st, 2014

April 30th, 2014-June 1st, 2014

I didn't lose any weight during this whole30 challenge but I did lose 3cm from my waist and 3.5 from hips. 

What's next now the "challenge" is over? Nothing. I plan on sticking to this type of eating. More whole foods, processed is out. Foods with ingredients I can pronounce is the main thing I focus on. Fresh foods. Not looking back now. 

Self time out

On Thursdays it's bodypump at 10am for me. I love thursday because I don't have class and work is much later in the day so I've got the time do to a class and a run or sometimes spin class if I'm feeling super energetic. 

 I typically don't have a day in the week to rest, if I have the time then I'll workout. 

But I'm planning not to do anything today. No short run, no bootcamp. Just rest. Because I'm giving myself a time out.

A time out simply because I'm feeling that burnt out feeling again. Feeling like I never have the time to put my feet up and just rest. Waking up at 5:40am, gym, class, home, off to work till 10pm and all over again the next day. 

It feels good so far. Woke up a little after 9 (ahh 9 hours of sleep), sipped my coffee slowly and made an apple pie smoothie for breakfast and focusing the rest of the day on an essay. 

As much as I love working out and being healthy with food, it's so important to listen to your body. If it says no workout today, I need to rest, then do that. Easier said than done, as much as I want to go to the gym right now-I know my body will crush it tomorrow at 6:30am when bootcamp begins so thats worth it to me.

~

How do you know your body is at it's limit and needs to rest? 

No excuses, get up at work for it.

I shocked myself this morning. I really didn't think I would have time to workout today like I normally do-birthday celebrations for me and ton of school work. 

Instead of skipping todays workout like I wanted to, I decided to get an early morning sweat on and went to bodypump for 6:30. Yes, I was tired when I rolled out of bed and looked real scary on the bus but eventually I woke up and had a great workout. 

With school winding down in the next few weeks, going to the evening classes isn't going to work all the time with my schedule since I have papers after papers to write. Basically today was training day for "sweating at 6am" a few times a week.

Best part-It's a little after 11am and I'm halfway done what I wanted to complete for homework today. 

What really shocks me is the old Sarah would have made today a "rest" day and slept in till 9 and started homework later.  This is where I see non-scale victories, making myself accountable and doing something the old me wouldn't have done. 

I can't (we all can't) let life get in the way of working out and making good choices. So if going to the 6:30am classes is what fits for me that day-then I'll do it.  It'll be tough rolling out of bed that early but it's tougher not being happy in my skin. Quote that. (I'll make sure to read this when my alarm goes off next time at 5:40am.) 

Happenings

To quote every other blogger today, my brain is full and I can't write anything big...so here's fluff.

School is meh. It's boring, learning common sense is draining and I really do not like going. I have 3 weeks left and I can't wait. I need a change from some of my prof's. 

~

Do you ever feel like you are always on the go? Of course you do. I'm cutting back on my hours at work because with school, working out and work  and every little thing in between. I haven't been mentally healthy the past few weeks. 

I'm trying to find time each day to do something that brings me joy. Like reading or watching my favourite show. I need "me" time which is healthy and good!

~

I joined the YMCA two weeks a go and love it. So so so much. Mostly I'm doing body pump classes and a few barre classes (couldn't walk for 2 days, that's how good it was) I even woke up at 5:35am to get on time to the 6:30am body pump class. 

~

Alex is moving again. But so much closer! Come december 1st we will live in the same city! No more long distance relationship for us. yay. 

~
Yesterday my next half marathon clinic started. I misses it because I literally could not see out of my eye (something was in there)  but I can't wait to see new faces and all my friends that I haven't seen in 3 weeks! 

30/300 Ab challenge results part 2

After running hard core throughout the summer, I was noticing big time that my abs weren't in the best shape. Can't have nice legs and no abs!

I missed a few days so that's why I ended on the 7th. 

Now? Gotta make sure I keep the results up! 

Wednesday Randoms

• As my other university friends are getting into day 3 of classes, I'm still enjoying the last few days of my 5 week Christmas break. And? I'm not bored at all. Sleeping till 9am, slowly getting out of head and running have become my new daily routine and I will miss it. Not looking forward to essays at.all!

• I started tracking my food intake right after New Years, and have lost 2 pounds. Thanks MyFitnessPal! 

• Half marathon training is going great. I wont tell you about my embarrassing bathroom emergency that happened on Saturday. Felt like an 80 year old person! 

• Friday is special. It's Alex and mine 6 month (dating) anniversary. We're getting dressed up, having dinner at Wayne Gretzky's restaurant and seeing a comedy show tomorrow. 

Bullets

Hope everyone is having a great monday...

• ...I am, because today is the first day I'm off school. This morning I caught up on about two weeks of tv, stayed in my pj's and enjoy some tea.

• I start summer school tomorrow. Kinda bummed but it's only one class and I'll be done in the middle of june so really I can't complain.

• Friday, I went out with some friends from high school. Sort of celebrating being DONE! These people are the best ever and it makes me excited to go out more this summer.

• Saturday, was Danielle's bachloette party. It was tons of fun. I took pictures but by accident left it at D's parents house so I can't show you. Bum-er

• 12 days till the wedding! Super pumped.

• Since the wedding is so!soon! I'm doing this 7 day Ab challenge and Summer Arms Challenge by Skinny Ms. Hope I can tone these arms by then!

Letters on a Friday

Dear Running,

I am so excited for this 10k on sunday (first one, beginners joy?). Granted I haven't run a 10k in...ever but a 9.3k and a 8k yesterday is good enough. Hoping to finish in an 1:10 or less.

Dear Dad,

So happy you are running this race with me on sunday. Yes, the Boston Marathon finisher is doing a 10k.  Father-daughter bonding say what?

Dear Life is what you make it,


I'm really sorry, but you need to go. You've been my blog title for over 14 months but I am so bored with you. Not to mention it feels like every blog out there has "life" in it. So blog friends? Help a girl out. If you have any suggestions feel free to comment and let me know.

Dear nails,

It totally ticked me off last night when I went to do my nails and noticed I had no more nail glue left because the other bottle glue it self shut and no matter how hard I try, that thing it not coming un-done. Day three of bare nails is killing me.

Dear colour jeans,

Why did I wait so long to get you? Totally love my coral colour and could easily wear them every day. must get another pair a.s.a.p

Running, I've missed you.

Me? Missing running? Nah, wrong person.

But not.

You see, I actually missed running. My last run was on Wednesday January 11, didn't run on the weekend as I went away and I actually found myself on Tuesday evening missing the joy of running. Did I actually just say that running was a joy?! Who am I?

I say "who am I" because I've been a runner for years but I would go thru this cycle. Run for 3-4 times a week for maybe a month then stop. Stop for no reason.  I wasn't injured or anything. I just got lazy.

I would only start when the weight would creep up.

I started hard-core running on November 23, 2011. That's what my nike+ app tells me. So far I've run 141.6km. That is cray-cray. But good.

So since I missed the pounding of the pavement, I brought my running gear with me to placement on wednesday and instead of rushing home, I laced up.

You should have seen the looks I got from my co-workers. The teacher I shadow even said I was crazy to go out. Non-runners don't understand.

It was nice to go for a nice run. It was really windy out but I managed to run a nice 7k.

Slower than normal, not as many calories as I like to burn but I got out and ran!

And here am I blogging after coming in from a shorter run.

It was crazy snowing tonight, but going out proved am I dedicated.  I'm proud of that. The old Sarah would have said "oh, it's snowing, let's just go tomorrow." Look where that got me before. The new Sarah wouldn't have it.

Back to the grind.

Well here it is. School has started up again for me and thousands of others. I've enjoyed my 5 weeks off. I know, I got lucky. I have so many friends that were lucky to get 2.5 weeks off and had to go back late last week in order to make it back in time.

I'm proud that I accomplished all my goals for the break. I ran 3 and sometimes 4 times a week, more than 5k. I finished Friday Night Lights! Cried like a baby. I gave to charity. I rested.

I had a wonderful few weeks spending time with family and friends. Loved staying up till 2am and getting up a 11am. Loved taking my time to get ready to go out. Loved enjoying one to many beers.

But...

School's back. Boo.

I had a good 1st semester of university. I learned a whole lot. Not just about my field but I learned so much about myself. How I learn. What works and what doesn't. I learned not to be caught up in other peoples issues about organization. I learned that it's okay to take a night off work to catch up on readings and its fine to tell your boss you aren't coming back to Thursday's evening. School comes first. I learned that God will understand if I miss worship on Sunday mornings to write an essay, isn't that why we have Sunday evening worship? I kid.

This semester is a bit different as I have placement in a daycare Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8am-4pm. With a lunch break and two 15 minute breaks! So excited to take a walk during lunch and maybe do some homework too. Meaning classes all day mondays and thursday. Thankfully I only have a tourial on Friday's from 1-2pm.

Enough about my class schedule.

I hope to keep running. After all, running is helping me lose weight. I've already mapped out when I will have the time to excercise. Sadly, I can't do it in my two hour break on Thursdays. I smell really bad after I run.

Is it sad that I'm already counting down the days weeks till I'm done?

weight loss update. and link up.

I know I talk a lot about my weight on here. It's something that I've always struggled with. I remember being in grade 9 and being so down about my weight, being so angry at other girls who were able to eat fast food for lunch and look amazing. Naturally, since my grandma works for weight watchers, I joined. Yup, I was in grade 9, 15 years old when I went on a "diet."

I call it a diet because I was looking for a fast-fix. I didn't put in the work at.all. Needless to say, on and off for the next 3 years  I failed. I tracked only the "healthy" foods, because if you don't track the unhealthy foods it didn't happen would forget to track dinner and yet couldn't figure out why I wasn't losing weight. I would sit in meetings and pout when other people got to their goal weight. I did have times where I gave up. Quit going. Then I would see myself in pictures or the mirror and would start tracking.

I dropped 8 pounds in those years. 8 little pounds. It was so embarrassing when the topic of  me and weight watchers came up in conversation. I hated when people asked how much I've lost and would dread saying 8 pounds (or less when I say gaining.) The looks of surprise hurt. I know people were thinking I was going to say a bigger number.

And I know what someone might say "8 pounds is 8 pounds." or "at least it's going down."

True. But 8 pounds over 3+ years? Absolutely horrible to me.

Over the summer I didn't lose anything. Maybe it was the pizza we ordered or my mindset of "oh hey I biked 4.5k to work so I can have 3 slices of pizza, a pop and chicken wings." I still weighed-in but wasn't happy with the results.

Aug 14,2011.

Then in october something happened. Call it what you will but I "saw the light." I was going to weight watchers meetings every saturday, tracking and doing "well." But the only time I would lose on the scale was when I wore a lighter pair of pants or didn't have a big dinner the night before. I was seriously thinking of quitting again. This time for good. I started thinking about school and how I couldn't take 3 hours out of my saturdays to get up, have breakfast, shower, do hair/make up, drive to weight watchers, actually weigh in, listen to the the meeting and go home.

As I was telling my mom my plan I remembered that Susan and Katie and great results doing weight watchers on-line. I looked into it and on October 29, 2011 I joined ww online.

So far I have lost 13.4 pounds! I have started running like crazy. Since November 23,2012 I have ran 103km (plus a few more from when I was training for my 5k in October) and not stopping.

I've also lost 3.5ish inches from my waist and hips. The jeans are getting loose and I have to wear a belt everytime I wear jeans. My family has noticed changes aswell. Like my uncle on Christmas eve. I was standing across the room and he yells out "hey sarah, you losing weight, thought so, your face looks smaller"

Favourite uncle right there.

I do have to say this. Yes, I do have weeks where I only lose 0.2. I do have weeks that I don't lose at all (happened over Christmas, which is fine!) I do have weeks were I gain 1.8.

It happens. Life happens. Again, it's a lifestyle change. Not a let's lose and gain it all back...and more.

LOOK! I have a waist :)
*this morning*

As we enter a new year, I don't want to stop with this life-style change. My one and only sibling is getting married in May and I want to look hot! It would be so nice for my SIL to set me up with one of her 37 first cousins!

My action plan:

• continue with watchers online.
• keep kicking runnings butt
• run many races this year, starting with...
• a 5k in Febuary, a 10k on april 22 and an another 10k on may 5
• add in weight training once a week.

I do have a goal weight and goal measurements  When I get to my goal(s) I will share with y'all. *hopefully it's before may 12, 2012*

Pinned here.

What I'm loving and Oh, how Pinteresting

Has it really been a week and a half since my last post?! Sorry for the week hiatus. 

Last week at school was my "week of hell." I had two papers due and 3 tests! I didn't have time to blog and even if I did i know you guys don't want to hear me complain about lack of time and such. Thankfully I made it through :) I'm now done classes (last one was yesterday) and I am working on my last assignment due tomorrow by 4pm, an exam monday at noon then I. am. DONE! So excited to sleep in, blog!, watch this season of the biggest loser, enjoy my aunts dog that we are watching this coming week and bake :) 

Today I am linking up with Michelle for Oh! How Pinteresting and Jaime for What I'm loving wednesday.  

Here is what I am LOVING today!

~I am loving my new SIL to be. She did the sweetest thing. Let me explain.

Usually for Christmas, Ryan and Danielle come down and join my mom's side of the family for Christmas eve. Then they either go back to their house that night or come to my house and sleep over, have homemade egg McMuffins and open presents between us four  five and then leave. 

Ryan has missed Christmas dinner at my Grandma's the last 2 years because they have to see Danielle's side of the family. It sucks but we understand. Oh the joys of becoming one. 

This weekend my mom asked Ryan what was going on for Chrismas. Are they sleeping over? Going back Christmas eve? Or what! 

Ryan told my mom that Danielle said that them two would be spending Christmas eve AND Christmas morning/day with us! She said that since she gets to see her family (Ry and her live 4 minutes away from her parents house) that they see her family all the time. It's only fair. 

My mom/dad and me are completely overjoyed at her thoughtfulness. We realize that this won't happen every year but we will enjoy it. 

~I am loving that I am done classes :)

~I am loving running :) I downloaded the Nike Plus app and have logged 16.83k since last wednesday! 

What are you loving today?  

Here are the funny finds I found this week. 

So doing this to someone! Pinned here

BEST SHOW EVER! pinned here

This is the Drake I remember. Not the rapper on stage with Nicki. Oh Degrassi days
pinned here 

So funny. pinned here

Come back tomorrow for some exciting news :) 

So much to fill you guys in about!

Linking up today with Cassie from Lowercase Letters.        .

~ I babysat Friday night for the first time in 2 years (I don't count babysitting my cousins who are 8 and 10 babysitting, more hanging out.) When I was 14, 15 and 16, I babysat either every Friday or Saturday night and sometimes both nights! For a 15 year old, making 60 bucks a week is gold! 

The boy wasn't...bad  but he screamed at the top of his lungs when he talked and his laugh wasn't a belly-laugh but an ear screeching sound. I didn't want to be rude but I had to tell him to keep it down,  ya know for the neighbours of either side of him...

He was a pain to put to bed. Pulled the "the other sitters let me stay up."  I'm sure they do but this babysitter has been up since 7, had two classes and wants to read her red book magazine. Oh gosh, this makes me sound so lazy. I'm not. And when he said he reads a book before bed...which is fine, I'm not going to say no to a story (I am supposed to encourage reading!) But I didn't know he read.every.little.thing INCLUDING the bar code. After 25 minutes of reading this book and 30 minutes past his bedtime I told him he could finish reading tomorrow.

Maybe I'm a bit rusty. Gotta get back into the swing of sitting.

~ I signed up for a 5k race on February 12, 2012. I got champagne and chocolate at the end :)

AND

I signed up for a 10k on may 5, 2012! So excited to train for a 10k :)

Karen wants to do a 5k in the spring too. She's never run one and I told her if she signed up then I would to! So ya, another race in march/April.

~ I had a great week on weight watchers. Lost 2.2 pounds! Total: 10.4 :) Another 13 pounds and I'll be at my goal!

~ Two weeks today I'll be done school :) The end is rear!!!

Well guys, I have a psych paper that is due at midnight tonigh, gotta get back to working on it!

happy day, friends!

24 hours is not enough

No, I haven't dropped off the earth for good. Something called university is taking over my life. Correction: Mid-terms aka death is taking over my life.

It's getting so hard to keep up with everything these days. From school to work to excersing so I can lose 15 pounds for Ryan's wedding in may to seeing my family AND being social with friends. It's a lot and seriously? Can we get a few more hours in the day?

School is really good! I finally found a way to study for tests/exams that work for me no more just reading over the notes thinking that's enough. For those who have done college/university, how did you study?

I realized that I cannot study at home anymore. I used to think it was great, having the house to myself, mondays and wednesdays. Quiet. No one talking or being loud. But when the blogs are calling my name, and the cell phone calls my name, it's hard to actually study. My new routine is going to class, eating lunch and hitting the library for a few hours, since most of my class are in the mornings. On my days off I get ready and walk down the street to my local library and camp out there.

I do have to say that all the studying is paying off because I scored a perfect 100%, 10 out of 10 on my Human Development test this week! I could have cried in the middle of the library when I checked on blackboard. My parents were completly thrilled when I told them.

Last week I got an 87% (in Observations) on an exam worth 15% on my final grade! Again, could have cried.

I am ready for Christmas break, folks! Ready to kick back and relax. Only 5 weeks left off fall 2011 semester which is 37 days :) But who's counting ;)

homeowner for the week and other randoms

This week my parents have left me ::cue cry::. Every year my parents love going to Myrtle Beach SC for a little vacation. They invited me a long a while back, but since I was wanting to work as much as possible and going to camp I couldn't. With them being gone I'm left in charge of the house,dishes, garbage, cats and the car. At first I thought it would be easy, ya know feed the cats in morning and before feed, scoop the litter just in the morning, put the garbage out on tuesday and make sure the house is locked and of course don't lose my keys! This is day day four of being a homeowner and I'm hear to say its hard. So much responsibility on my hands.  A week left, hopefully the place doesn't burn down!

*

I've continued running a few times a week which is good! I love running at night, around 10pm. For some reason I like running whens its dark out. Strange? yes. But at least I'm out running.

*

Two weeks tomorrow is when school starts! I'm excited but a little nervous to start, which is normal. Glad to be starting the new chapter of my life.


happy monday!

day 15 of shred

Tuesday May 24 I was in a workout slump. When I was in alberta I went running lots my first week but me and gravel? Don't work well together. I hated running on rocks. I like a smooth surface.

That night after weight watchers I went out to buy Jillian Michaels 30 day shred.

For those who don't know what it is, basically its 30 days of hard workouts. Each workout is 20 minutes. 

3 minutes of weights

2 minutes of cardio

1 minute of abs

repeat 3 times. 

Yesterday was day 15, half way point! And? I notice a big difference! 

Here are my stats:

day one (may 24)

Hips: 39cm

Waist:34cm

Chest: 35.5 cm

Not to bad but I want to lose weight and inches.   And you better believe I took some before pictures! 

to lazy to rotate

Horrible pictures! I'm sorry.

So here are my day 15 stats and pictures (june 7)

Hips: 39cm

Waist: 29! 

Chest: 34cm

Thighs:21cm

Arms:11cm

I have noticed a big change in my arms. My abs aren't flat or lean but I've got 15 more days. Plus I've lost 3.4 pounds since I started.

I am so doing this again next april before my brother gets married! I'll be loads of pictures so I need to look good! 

*I'm sorry for the horrible pictures. 

happy wednesday