Monday, March 30, 2009

Post-script to Monday the 30th 2009

OMG!! I did a "yt weigh in" and am down another 1.5 lbs, leaving me with only 3 lbs. left to reach my goal of losing 30 before the end of April. I have decided that I am SO gonna blow that goal!

Sheesh...how could I forget to report THAT good news!!
(a)yt xox

Monday, March 30th 2009

Heidi ho, dudes & babes! It's about 7-ish in the evening and I'm getting ready to settle in for the evening with the Harry Potter Book 6 (HP & The Half-Blood Prince)...looking forward to it!

Today was a good food day, starting with a salad (with chicken) for lunch and my homemade chicken/beef chili...yummy! I made up a huge batch yesterday, gave some to my hunny, and had enough left over to freeze. Gotta love that! Making big batches comes from the "olden days" of cooking for a small army. I do it in honour of my mom who ALWAYS had to cook for an army of siblings or kids!

I went into LPS today. I was supposed to have a workout, but ended up getting stretched by Werner. He does this facscial stretch therapy, which basically means he massages the muscle and stretches the body. It's supposed to be pain-free, but it wasn't for me. I found myself lifting off the table, breathing like I was having a baby and, sweating like crazy! I'm sure my blood pressure shot through the roof! True confession...there was a point when I almost cried, but stopped because I refused to "act like a girl". I feel alot better, though. The Evil One worked on my knees, then had me go onto a mat on the floor where I did this yoga move while he worked my back muscles. Picture this....

* I'm on all fours on the mat. Note that my fuscia pink t-shirt is now a tich big on me. Therefore, my cleavage (in a black bra, BTW - sexy, I know) is fully exposed to anyone who chooses to walk by.
* Then I flatten my back by extending my arms and moving my bum back, flat, towards my calves. It was challenging to go into the back position, slowly, not only because of my lack of coordination but also because my belly was in the way, keeping me from being flat.

So...now you've got the picture of me, hot pink tshirt, arms extended as flat as they can be with my belly and my bum moving slowly to a crouched position towards my calves. Got it?

OK, now add Werner to the picture....hands on my lower back, probably straddling my fat arse (where else is he gonna stand), moving back and forth with me as I'm going forward and backward to crouch. Are you laughing hysterically?!? Fortunately, there was only one other guy training and he was too busy lifting his weights to notice this comedic scene. Poor Werner, you can only imagine HIS view! I'm just grateful I didn't expel any natural gas, if ya know what I'm sayin'.

Anyway, such is the life of the aging! Time to get back to Harry Potter - I'm so excited!

Tomorrow will be a self-directed workout ...aka...hauling that (bleepin') sled across the gym floor, followed by another networking event downtown. At least it will be sunny!

Later, poppits!
(a)yt xox

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Sunday, March 29th 2009

Happy Sunday everyone! It seems as if the rain has subsided for a bit and the sun is back out. Way to fight those clouds, sunshine!

I am sitting having an AWESOME snack of 1/2 cup goat's milk yogurt, 1/2 cup of black berries, 10 almonds and some Xylo...mmm, mmm, MMM!!!! You can't imagine the pleasure this snack is giving me - to have yogurt back in my life just makes me really happy. Again, it's life's little things we've got appreciate....

Yesterday was spent grocery shopping, napping then off to dinner & the symphony with Vincent. A great performance, compliments of Vincenzo - sure beats a movie anyday! It was a more "casual" concert, which meant that instead of their usual tuxedos, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) wore black pants & a black top. The conductor (Yannick Nezet-Seguin) came out with black pants & a black sweater with his white shirt tails peaking out from under the bottom of the sweater. I thought he was adorable, but I'm sure he caused a few gasps of shock from some of the older audience member - not to mention Vincent who wore a tie in protest of the casual concert! It was a great concert, with three pieces. One of them was titled "Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major" and was composed specifically for a pianist who lost his arm in WW1. It was amazing to watch it being performed. I really enjoyed it.

Now, I don't know about you guys, but when I listen to classical music, I have a tendancy to drift. Last night was no exception and I found myself thinking thoughts like...
..."Would my St. Joseph's Church choir experience qualify me for the TSO?"
..."Could one play the cello if one had really, big boobs?"
..."Where exactly does the fluid go when the brass section empties their spit valves?"

More glimpses into the mind of yvonne. Judge me not, poppits, just never ask me the question, "So, what 'cha thinkin'?"

Today I met cousin Sandra for brunch at Milestones then for a movie. It was a good time, with good conversation & good food. Now I'm off to do laundry and cook in prep for the arrival of BBF, Bill.

TTFN, dudes & babes!
(a)yt xox

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Saturday, March 29th 2009

Well, today is the last Saturday of March...can you believe it? If time passes more quickly as you get older, I'm beginning to feel like I should be 100 years old...yeesh! Is it me or does it feel like the days are just one big blur after another?!? As BBF, Bill would say "time is an illusion". He's so deep!

Yesterday was a good day. I hung out around the house in the morning then headed into LPS for another workout, where I did the "farmer's walk". Basically, I carried metal bars bearing 34 lbs. each, back and forth across the gym for 10 reps. This after riding that friggin' bike for 11 minutes. You see, I must increase weight and/or time with each workout. I must confess that I paid for the week of 4 workouts. After my shower, I hobbled out of the change room, barely able to walk. No kidding - I did in the back.

After leaving LPS, I hobbled to the GO station, hobbled on & off the train, into the car and drove to Lorry's. Thankfully Lorry has had her own share of back pain, so she took good care of me - rustlin' up her back massager and a cold compress. Not to mention a yummy steak dinner. Call me "princess", but it was certainly nice to be taken care of & Lorry did that well!

After dinner, Lorry & I ventured to two Canadian Tires in search of an Obusforme mattress topper, which I purchased. Lemme tell you something, this is a queen size foam mattress rolled & shrunk to a package 1/3 of it's full size. Needless to say, there was ALOT of rassling & cursing before I managed to get the damn thing on my bed...and with a sore back...oie! But I managed and had a really good sleep last night. A very good investment - on sale where I saved $200. Does it get any better than that?!?

Today will be spent replenishing my fridge with veggies and meat, then I'm off to the symphony with Vincent. Lucky me!

It's a beautiful day, poppits! I hope you can get out and enjoy the sunshine!
(a)yt xox

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Thursday, March 26th 2009

I think I've experienced hell on earth...Or maybe just yvonne's hell on earth. Indulge me for a moment while I explain.

I knew I was in trouble when I went to a health food store called "Ambrosia" with BBF, Bill. As I wandered mindlessly through the aisles, grabbing the things on my list, I would often find myself standing in front of the bulk candy section. I don't know how I got there..I just kept finding myself in that section. We're talking at least 3 times this happened to me! Fortunately, we left the store before I could do any real damage. Then I headed downtown via subway to LPS for my 2nd workout this week. Here's when I experienced my personal hell...

I took the underground path from the Queen Street station to the gym. In order to reach my final destination, I had to walk through The Bay. The route took my right through the deli/bakery and gourmet candy section. It was BRUTAL! I kept seeing Laura Secord eggs...and those candy-coated chocolate "Eggies"...and Cadbury Creme Eggs...oie! This time of year is so hard for me as I LOVE all of the candy that's available. Honestly, give me 2 giant Laura Secord eggs, 1 KG bag of Eggies and a large bottle of water and I'm in heaven. Anyway, by the time I actually reached LPS, I was ready to kiss the ground. It wasn't until the door closed and I heard the sweet sound of JACK FM playing that the taunting voices of the chocolate bunnies stopped. It was the first time in weeks that I'd been really tempted and, quite frankly, I didn't like it. I can see it's going to be hellacious until all of the Easter candy is gone from the stores. When is that? July?!? God give me strength to withstand my own self!!

On a more positive (and less dramatic!) note, I pulled 162.5 lbs, my personal best on that (expletive) sled. I worked out while Clance & Werner worked out. Here these guys were lifting God knows how much weight and doing chin ups and using chains & other nasty stuff, and I was the one making the most noise! Seriously, can one do physical damage to oneself just by breathing loudly?!?

Well dudes & babes, it's time to sign off and meet my friend, Karen for dinner. Happy & healthy eating, everyone!!
(a)yt xox

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Tuesday, March 24th 2009

Werner is my new best friend.

I know some of you are thinking "Am I on the right blog?" or "Who are you and what have you done with Yvonne"....let me explain.

I had an "ah-ha" moment today when I went for my weekly weigh-in at LPS. I was battling the scale, voicing my concern in my so-whiny-it-makes-your-fillings-hurt voice about how the scale was "a filthy liar" because it didn't reflect the 2.5 lbs. I lost. Werner said my weight out loud as Clance happened into the room (the scale is in his office). I yelled "Shhhh! Don't say it out loud!!" Poor Werner had a look of angst on his face, that said "what'd I do wrong now?!?" Then, I'm sure out of desparation to stop my friggin' whining, Werner jiggled all the nobs on the scale and then re-weighed me. Fortunately for everyone in the gym, the scale did show the loss of 2.5 lbs. Crisis averted for the moment. It was then that Werner started his mission to "pump me up", congratulating me on this week's loss as well as my total loss to date. He carried on this positive reinforcement (and even attempted humour a few times) during my workout, as he pushed me even more then he has before. Did I play out various torture scenes in my head as I did my leg presses? Absolutely, but my ah-ha moment came when I realized the tenacity this poor guy has exhibited in keeping me motivated. OK, so he's not really my new best friend, but I raise a virgin Ceasar to Werner for showing the patience and commitment to my health & well-being, and for putting up with constant blog-bashing and whining about my aches & pains. Cheers and thanx to you, daddy-o!

OK, back to me....:)

I am waiting for my epsom salt bath to fill the tub and take me away from my body aches. I get full body shakes when I think that I have 2 more workouts to complete this week...oie! But I will do it. Why? Because I have a damn contract with The Evil One committing myself to 2 extra workouts per week. What the HECK was I thinking?!?

Today was a good eating and socializing day. I met Aubrey & Duane for lunch today where we chatted about all the amazing things on the go for them. Whether you believe in God or not (I do, BTW), it's hard not to believe in a higher force with a greater purpose when you hear of all the wonderful things in store for those two!

Dinner was spent with Henry, a man extraordinaire and a great friend! Good conversation & healthy food surely help to make the day pass faster, don't they?!?

Well peeps, my bath is calling me. Tomorrow will be spent downtown for two seminars at Felix Global then off to hang with my BBF, Bill. Until the next post, stay warm & dry. There's rain in the forecast!
(a) yt xox

Monday, March 23, 2009

Monday, March 23rd 2009

Greetings & salutations from a sunny-but-chilly Mississauga! Do I care that it's still freezing cold outside? Noooooooo! Why?!? Because it's SUNNY!!!!

Today was the official "yt scale" weigh-in and I'm typin' at 'cha 2.5 lbs lighter than last week. That's a much better weight loss as it seems more reasonable to me - ya know, safer, more effective. Now don't get me wrong, I'll take another 5 lb weight loss week any time, but this just feels better. Anyhoo, this leaves me with only 4.5 lbs. to go to achieve my 15 lb. goal AND I'm now into a lower decade on the scale. Don't 'cha just love it when you go into that lower range of weight? For me, it's only by a 1/2 lb, but it's a 1/2 pound in a lower number. Feeling good, poppits!!

As mentioned in Friday's blog, I headed to The Briars Spa & Resort with my sisters Lorry & Dianne. I was REALLY looking forward to getting away with them as they always make me laugh and I just feel very relaxed with them. They're good peeps and I'm proud to be their sister.

Friday was the road trip to the spa, stopping for lunch and a little window shopping in a little town near Keswick & Jackson's Point. We always go there...it's tradition! Then we checked into our little cottage, chatted, napped then headed to dinner. Saturday was spent sleeping in for me (my eating window did not allow for breakfast), then we headed to lunch and parted for the afternoon. I went to the spa for a pedicure & facial where I napped on the table while my facial mask dried....we're talkin' snoring & drooling on the table....such grace! Saturday evening dinner, chatting then in bed by 11:00 pm. We couldn't believe all the sleeping we did. Clearly, our bodies were telling us to slow down! Sunday was lunch, the drive home and "chores" for me.
All in all, a great weekend.

Now, I should tell you that The Briars offers very tempting desserts including a chocolate pecan pie. I must admit that my cravings have subsided somewhat - meaning that I haven't wanted to commit violence over a chocolate cream puff in a while. However, when my sister Dianne was eating her chocolate pecan pie and enjoying it SO LOUDLY, I was ready to TAKE HER DOWN. Honestly, if it wasn't for the fact that she was my sister and there were actual witnesses, that woman would've been a goner. I'm not sure which was worse - seeing the pie or her enjoyment of said pie. At least Lorry would tell me that the chocolate brownie or apple crisp she was eating didn't taste "that great"....but noooooo!!! Dianne had to actually ENJOY her pie. AND, to throw salt into my gaping wound, she ordered it on a second night..."because it's so good". Where's the love, people?

Today I'm heading into the city for a meeting at Christie Gardens, with the most amazing advocate of seniors I know - Grace Sweatman. She started Christie Gardens, a full-time care & living facility for seniors, 25 years ago and is all about ensuring dignity and respect for seniors. I love this woman!

I received a reminder from The Evil One Friday about the contract I'd signed for my commitment to work out 2x/week in addition to the torture session with him. Now he's a lawyer...hmpf. So, that means workout #2 from last week will happen today, guided workout with Werner tomorrow, and my own workouts Wednesday & Thursday. Needless to say, I'll be umm...how do I say ... dead....Thursday evening. If anyone wants to check in on me Thursday night, that would be great. I may need you to dial 911 for me. Oie!

Time to have my second cup of black coffee (yum!) and get ready for my day. Until tomorrow, good day and good eating!
(a)yt xox