BGlovesCG

Hey everyone,

I have to be honest here.  Over the past few days I’ve been flip flopping over whether or not I should close my account on here.  Because I feel bad.  I’m the type of person who loves to write comments and to make new friends, support others, etc.  But I just hate it when I get so busy (like I’ve been for the past week-and-a-half) that I don’t have time to be online very much.  I feel as though I’m letting you all down, that I’m not being supportive enough.  I know, I know, it’s not really my fault (I can’t control my computer access during the day, or my evening activities), but I have felt so bad the past week-and-a-bit b/c I wonder how you’re all doing, but I know I just didn’t have an hour to set aside to sit down and devote to getting caught up (and writing my blogs).

But today I read the comments that were sent to me on my last blog post, and some emails, and I know that you guys missed me and I appreciate it (and it’s great to realize that you understand .  So, I just hope you all know that I truly, honestly think about you every day.  While I’m at work with the rugrats….oops….I mean kids, lol (I teach Kindergarten thru Grade 5, but I still call them all rugrats, lol) I honestly sometimes wonder what my BuddySlim friends are up to, lol.  It’s great!

I think I have a new plan. As soon as I walk in the door after work, I will get in the habit of coming on here ASAP.  That way I don’t let myself get busy, OR I don’t sit down and get too comfy on the futon, lol.

I love you all.  So tomorrow I will come home at around 4 or 5pm and will log on here and read up on your blogs.  Tonight I ask for your understanding, because I had to go to the dentist today (I was lucky enough to avoid getting my 4th root canal. Yes, I’ve already had 3 of them! But it was still a very deep filling, and now I’m dealing with the pain now that the novocaine wore off. Fun times, lol!). So, I just want to take a Motrin and rest. But as my friend Arnold says….”I’ll be back!!!!” ahahaha!!

Have a great night and a great Thursday. Yay, it’s almost the weekend!! Boo-yeah!!!!

Hey all!

I’m super happy to be back at work after having the summer off (I’m a teacher).  The first week back was super crazy.  There were crying kids in Kindergarten and grade 1, students getting onto the wrong buses at the end of the day, and us teachers having to sort it out, find the missing kids, etc, lol. But all in all it was a wonderful week!  People who know me know that I absolutely LOVE my job! Teaching kids is my passion.  I miss my students when we’re on break, and I love nothing more than seeing the smiling faces of all of the kids in the morning as they get off their buses, and in the halls as they greet me and sometimes even give me hugs.  I teach French and Gym, and I have a blast.  I am one of those teachers who is silly and fun (i.e. I have no shame, lol!) and so I guess that’s why I love my job so much.  It feels great making a difference in young lives (and where I teach, some of the kids come from broken homes, so they consider us teachers to be a constant parental figure in their lives. It’s sad but it makes me love my job even more. Knowing these kids come to school, looking forward to being in a place where they know they’re accepted, where it’s safe, etc.).

Wow, I babbled on a lot, lol. In terms of my weight, I’ve lost 2 lbs in the past week or so.  I am now back down to 155.  I think it’s in part due to he fact that I am on my feet all day long, walking around my classroom or the school, and teaching gym in the afternoons (during one gym period, some of my Grade 3 girls taught me the dance to Hannah Montana’s “Hoedown Throwdown”, lol. What a workout!)  I’ve been trying to eat healthier.  I still have to work out more regularly, but I’m proud of the 2lb loss (sweetness!!!).

I hope all of you are doing okay.  I’ll be sure to check out all of your blogs over the next 2 days.  Sorry I’ve been MIA, but I had to focus a lot on getting a great start to the school year I’m so excited for all of the things I have planned this year

Have a super night and a Magnificent Monday!!!

As some of you know, I’ve had a very hard time sticking to an exercise routine (i.e., for more than one or two days, before taking 4 or 5 days off…..NOT GOOD!), AND eating healthy, AND drinking 8 glasses of water.  So, as I wrote before, I know not to complain about the fact that I haven’t lost weight.

I have tried various websites and phone applications to help me develop a daily menu plan and exercise plan, etc. And I have FINALLY found one that works for me.  I’m not out promoting it, lol, just sharing it b/c I’m someone who has found it very hard to stick to healthy eating and exercise for more than a day or two in a row.  So maybe this can help others.

So I use www.sensei.com .  On my blackberry, I got the application for $12.  I think it’s the same thing if you get it from their website on your computer.  I can access it from my phone (it sends me my daily schedule. Menu plan, set times, exercises, etc). And on the computer it shows me my goals, my progress, has daily tips, etc.  When I plan my upcoming week, I can choose which foods I need to avoid (i.e. if you’re allergic to eggs, check that box and they won’t include any egg products in your menu plan), and if they suggest a meal for me and I don’t feel like having that, I can click a button and they’ll change it to something else that’s healthy.  And it shows how many calories are in each food item I eat (they break it down). What I also like is that I put in my current weight and my goal weight.  They suggest losing 2lbs/week, and so they have designed daily meal plans for me that are approx 1250 calories.  It’s just great b/c they email me my shopping list for each week too.  So, you type in your preferences (for exercise and food), and they help you create a plan. And they have online support too (nutritionists).

Here’s an example of what they email me every day (my plan for the day). I only added my exercises today, so they’re not included. But you’d also see something like (5pm, walking for 1 hr, 239 calories burned).

So, this is what works for me I am often on-the-go (i.e. I don’t get much time in front of a computer, once I am back to work next week—I’m a teacher for anyone new to my blogs), and so having it on my phone is awesome!

So, today is the day that Martin & I print off my shopping list and go buy my HEALTHY foods.  Aaarghhhhh… it’s gonna be tough! I’ll be honest and say that once I realized I was accepted onto the Wildcats team, I was super psyched, but also felt a bit sick to my tummy, lol. Because I knew I could no longer avoid the hard work of sticking to a plan.  Now I will be held accountable. It’s what I need, but it’s a bit scary, lol. But a GOOD scary, hahaha!

Have a wonderful day, all of my amazing friends on here! Life is awesome! I’m more than excited to go back to work next week and see all of my students. Because I’m a rotary teacher (French/Gym), I get to see almost all of the students in the school at some point each week.  So all the kids know me. Nothing makes my day more than hearing kids greet me in the hallways, give me hugs, tell me how they wish there was school on weekends b/c they love French class so much, etc. Can you tell I love my job? lol.

Take care!

~Nevella

(a pic of me, Martin, his dad and our kids. taken July 26th, 2009). I thought you’d all like to see a pic of the kiddies the girls are twins (almost 7 yrs old) and the boy is 5 (I don’t want to say names, b/c I”m not sure if this blog is public. Martin and his ex would prefer not to have their kids’ names and lots of photos on the web, available to anyone anywhere. So this is the only one I can post

So, today I found out I am now in the Wildcat group. Woo hoo!!!! I am excited to join a weight loss challenge team b/c I need that motivation.  I’m still at 157 and I know it’s b/c I’m still not drinking 8 glass water/day, exercising 5-6 days/week or eating healthy. Aaaaarghhhhh…  Part of the problem was that i’ve been home for 2 months (i’m a teacher), so I didn’t really do tons of moving about (with my job I’m always on my feet, walking here or there).  Every summer (same thing happened last summer) I swore that I’d ride my bike outside (I think I did it once this summer, for about 5 mins), I promised myself that I’d eat better and exercise regularly and lose the weight. But I end up going out a lot with family and friends, which sometimes leads to fast food and unhealthy eating (and coming home and feeling too tired to exercise). I need motivation! I know I have to take control.  It’s just so hard. I read on here that some people have no problem eating healthy but they can’t stick to an exercise routine. Well I have difficulty with BOTH. So that’s a double whammy, lol.

So I know why I’m still 157lbs. It’s not rocket science (eat healthier, and still not over eat, and also exercise). I tend to exercise for a day or two, and get really pumped up, but then go a week without exercising. I know, not good. So I can’t complain if I don’t take the initiative. I have to do it myself.  So i’m very glad that now I’m in the Wildcats and have to do weekly weigh-ins, and will be buddied up with someone, etc.  I am also going to join a power-walking group of women nearby so i can get more exercise. so that’s a start also

I will be back on tomorrow to show more blog love.

I hope everyone is doing well.  I’m having a bit of a blah day today.

~Nevella

Me this past Thursday at an art gallery taking some photos (I LOVE photography!)

This is Martin & me at a friend’s wedding in July/08. I actually weighed approx. 150lbs here. The black dress is slimming, lol. 

Martin & I camping this past weekend (weeeeeeeeee!!!!)

It was so beautiful and peaceful where we camped

Ahahaha!! Me striking my best mid-air “America’s Next Top Model” pose, lol! Just being silly on the campsite. Hey, ANTM starts soon. Weeeeee!!!

Martin acting silly (we went to a museum/pioneer village). Poor donkey! lol!

Me & Martin at the pioneer village while on our camping trip

This is my attempt at a disguise, lol. 

Hey all!

I didn’t do very well today in terms of eating well or exericse :(  I had to go to my school to set up my classroom for the upcoming school year (I’m a teacher….I LOVE MY JOB!!!! WOO HOO!!!! :)).  Martin came with me and we got a lot done.  But we’ll go back on Monday to finish the rest.  Over here school doesn’t resume until September 8th, but teachers have to go in for PD (professional development) on the 2nd and 3rd (since school is starting so late this year).  I hear that some schools in other areas of Canada (and in the US) have already returned to class. Yikes!! I’m glad to get back to work. I’m one of those teachers who just adores my job. The kids can tell how much fun I have (I teach French and physical education).  I’m entering my 4th year (at the same school I’ve been at for my teaching career).

ANyways, not much else to add.  I’ll be back tomorrow to read everyone’s latest blogs Here are a few pics. Some of our camping trip. It was so beautiful up there. I also included a pic that my cousin took of my on Thursday showing me taking some photos with my camera. I do photography on the side (as a hobby).  Since we share a lot on here, here is my website if anyone wants to see (it’s one of my passions in life….photography):  www.distinctmoments.webs.com

Ok, enjoy the pics. I included a very silly one of Martin and a donkey. It was HIS idea. He’s so silly! We both are Have a great night everyone! Tomorrow is grocery shopping day, so I will buy lots of healthy foods. Weeeeeeee!!!!

[IMG]http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/rr193/BGlovesCG/BW_MeTakingAPhotoAtAGO.jpg[/IMG]

Yes I’m baaaaaaaack!!!!!!  For the past 2 days I have been working for my mom, so that’s why I haven’t had much uninterrupted time online.  But I have been reading blogs here and there and will definitely be back online in an hour or two to read and comment on ALL of my buddies’ blogs (woo hoo!!!).

Martin and I had a fantastic time camping. I live in Ontario, Canada, so we went camping in Northern Ontario (about 2.5 hrs north of Toronto).  We went there in July as well.  We loved it so much that we went back this month :)  I’m a HUGE outdoors lover (I love camping in a tent, building a campfire, cooking over the campfire, going on hikes, etc), but I’m terrified of bears. Luckily to this day I’ve never seen on while camping, hehe. I think it would be cool to see one far away, but not ON our campsite (my friend told me how friends of theirs were camping just about 30 mins north of where we were, and a bear was on their campsite, tossing around pots and pans….YIKES!).  But the black bears don’t generally attack people. they just forage and mind their own business. And usually if they come to your campsite, it’s b/c you’ve left food out, etc. So we’re sure to be very careful.

I’m into photography, so I took my digital DSLR camera (Nikon D90) and captured some great pics of our trip.  I have them on my Facebook page (so if you wanna see them, send me an email I didn’t eat super healthy while camping. Those of you who camp know that it can be super hard. I basically ate eggs and bacon for breakfast, hotdogs or pasta and sauce for dinner, and sometimes soups for lunch.  But I didn’t snack too much (yay, me!).  I got on the scale today and am still 157lbs. Oh well. I always fluctuate withing 2-3 pounds (from one day to the next), so I won’t get depressed yet b/c I’m still between 154 and 157lbs.  But I HAVE to get into a routine. Exercising at least 5x/week (not just one day). And yes I’m still struggling with the 8 glasses of water/day. Geez, it’s hard to do, lol!

I got a new app for my blackberry that actually builds meals for me to help me eat better and lose weight. It even gives me a weekly shopping list (to my phone and emailed to me so i can print it). I love how it divides the shopping list into the different areas of the grocery store (so i’m not running here for one thing, then there, then back to the same place again, etc). The website (for anyone interested) is www.sensei.com   It has TONS of menu ideas, depending on if you want something quick and easy, fast food (they find the few healthy selections….there aren’t many, and no none of them include McDonald’s…I checked, lol), if you have time to make the meal at home, etc.

Ok, I have to get going. Martin and I are going to a sharing circle thing with my mom.  Martin is aboriginal (Native Canadian), and so we’re trying to learn more about his culture. So this is an aboriginal ceremony.

I’ll be back in an hour or so to comment on blogs.

xoxo

I’m so glad to be back!!!

Heya Friends!

So, a couple of weeks ago I paid for a 6-month subscription to “Mynetdiary.com”.  I had been looking for a great online weight tracking and calorie/fitness tracking software for my Blackberry.  It wasn’t until someone on here mentioned the “livestrong.org” site that I realized they have a much cheaper (yet better) app for my phone (it only cost $2.99 as opposed to me paying $40-something for 6 months!).  Oh well, at least now I have a great app for my phone that has no time limit.  Chelleybones, was it you who suggested that site to me? Whoever it was…..THANK YOU!!!  It’s much more accurate in terms of calculating the amount of calories burned when doing various activities.  And I love how it has a TON of selection (like for dancing, I can even choose “American Indian Dancing” or “Anishinaabe jingle dancing”–my fiance is Native Canadian, so I find it extra awesome that this app has a ton of the less common choices).

I hope everyone is having a good week so far.  Martin and I are house-sitting at my parents’ place (they only live 5 minutes away from our apartment, lol) and he is working right now, so I am just relaxing.  But after I finish this post, I am going to eat my breakfast, then relax for a bit, then exercise!!! We’re still going through a heat wave, so I haven’t been able to really do much exercising outside.  Instead, I do my resistance band exercises, and dance DVDs, etc.

I’m happy to report that I am no longer 158lbs (that was my weight 2 days ago when I bought my new, more accurate scale).  I am now 155.2lbs! Yay!!! So, no more excessive sodium for this girl!  Yesterday I drank my 8 glasses of water, but boy was it hard!  As September approaches (I’ve mentioned this before), I will have to come up with a new plan to consume my daily water.  Because I am an elementary school teacher, so cannot run to the bathroom whenever I’d like.  And drinking so much water just goes right through me, lol.  So maybe I’ll drink 2 glasses in the morning, and then the rest when I get home? Would that still be effective? I sure hope so because I think that’s what I’ll have to do (or maybe, as someone suggested, take smaller sips throughout the day). We’ll see. I’ll keep you all posted, hehe.

Martin and I are going on our 2nd summer camping trip this Saturday.  We’re SO excited! We’re both nature lovers.  My dad has always been a hunter/fisherman/outdoorsman and so all growing up my family would go camping (in a tent……I have a few friends who will only sleep in cottages or trailers….for me, I enjoy tent camping).  Anyways, so I try to go camping every summer.  I’m just glad that Martin loves it too!

Ok, that’s all for now.  Yesterday I ate pretty well.  I stayed within my 1650 calories.  Oh, speaking of that……now with my “livestrong.org” app, I typed in my current weight and my goal (to lose 2lbs/week), and so my new daily caloric intake has been reduced to 1474.  I can do it!! I won’t get too down on myself if I am still at 1600 for the next couple of days. I’ll work my way down to 1474 (woo hoo! Boo yah!!!).

Ok, time to eat (I’m working on eating a big breakfast….and I’ve taken some of your advice. I bought some egg whites so will make an egg white and veggie omelette……and I bought chicken and veggies and brown rice to make a stir fry for later.  Sweetness!!!!!).  Thanks again everyone.  I feel so empowered to lose this weight!

Have a super day!

(p.s. if any of my buddies has Facebook and wants to add me, just send me a message on here and I’ll tell you my full name.  I’m always up for new friends!)

This site isn’t just great for support and motivation, but as someone who doesn’t know too much about healthy eating, weight loss, etc, it’s great for information.

Thank you Nancy b/c after reading your blog, I learned that having too much sodium can cause a person to retain water and thus gain weight.  I honestly had no idea! I’m sure a lot of you are like “have you been living under a rock? of COURSE too much sodium, coupled with trying to drink 8 glasses of water a day = weight gain”.  Oopsies!!!! I’m a novice when it comes to knowledge about healthy eating and nutrition. For the past week I have noticed my sodium intake has been a LOT more than what I’m supposed to have (like 1200mg or more over).  I have sometimes had a Chili from Tim Horton’s (major sodium) and those Ramen noodles (I made the mistake of only looking at the calories and fat). So, now I have been give a super duper wake up call and will now also monitor my sodium intake.  I found this online, which helped me understand it even more:

“Sodium in the body is mainly found in the fluids that surround the body’s cells, such as the blood and lymph fluid. When sodium intake exceeds the amount the body can handle it builds up within the interstitial areas and the kidneys have to work extra hard to excrete a constant rise in daily sodium intake. A build up may cause the body to hold extra fluids in the blood and around the cells which contributes to increased blood pressure and also excess weight gain from water.”

Ok, time to go to the grocery store (and stock up on healthier foods. Low in sodium! Weeeeeee!!!!)

So I decided to buy a more accurate scale yesterday at Walmart.  The old one I had was pretty ghetto and not super accurate.  So I decided to spend the extra few bucks for an electronic one (that also tells you your % body fat, etc).  My old scale says I’m 155lbs (give or take), but this new one says 158lbs.  So, there you go.  I’ve been 158 all along but I thought I was 155. Oh well.

I had a nice breakdown last night with Martin. He hugged me and wiped my tears and said he’d work out with me to help me get back on track (basically I was 140lbs before my 2007 knee surgery, and that’s how I want to be again. But even lighter. As you see from my tracker I want to get down to 130lbs).  Today I feel refreshed. I think I just needed a good cry.

One of Martin’s daughters (she’s 7) said to me “You’re skinny”.  I kept asking Martin if he told her to say it, but he didn’t (he was nowhere near her at the time). So, that made me feel better.  I know I’m not skinny, but to have a 7 yr-old say so, it made me feel better, lol.  Then we took the kids to the beach and I tried not to get too down when looking at all of the toned, thin women in their bikinis.  As you know from a previous post, I wasn’t able to find a well-fitting bikini the other day (no selection since it’s the end of the summer), so I just wore shorts and a tee.  Surprisingly, there were a few people doing the same thing (swimming in the lake in shorts and a tee).  So that made me feel better.  We’ll probably go back today, if it doesn’t rain.

I just love this site so much! If I’m away for a day, I think about my new friends from this site and wonder how you’re all doing.

Anyways, this was a short post because I wanted to check in.  So, now I feel really good. I have an accurate, electronic scale, I have a new fitness routine and healthy eating regime, and I have great friends on here.

I have one question.  I’m finding it hard to get enough protein in my daily intake.  I’m not a fan of salmon, but I do like chicken and some other types of fish.  Does anyone have a great chicken recipe (for someone who has never cooked chicken before, lol)? Just something simple. That I can make and have leftovers for the next day.  Thanks in advance! I know I can search online recipes and such, but I wanted a more personal take on it. So that’s why i’m asking here

Ok, gotta go, but have a great day ladies!