Fundamental Friday

"Life is what we make it - always has been, always will be," Grandma Moses

Happy Friday friends!

The end of a week but the beginning of a long weekend (for me). Super psyched! Can you tell??

I had a fantastic week this week - I have had a smile on my face everyday. I feel very content and full of love inside.

Next week I will be setting some goals for myself - and posting them on the blog.

Things like goals I want to be at and mini rewards for when I reach each one.

Something inside me feels like it's changing (in a good way). I can't totally explain it but it just feels like life will be on a steady stream of sunshine for me (atleast for the next while) and I'm going to ride the wave.

Are you sick of this sunshine and lollipops stuff yet?? I'm barfing a little just re-reading it! Ha!

Have a fantabulous weekend my lovely darlings!

*hugs*

Aim and Thanks.

"Aim at the sun, and you may not reach it; but your arrow will fly far higher than if you aimed at an object on a level with yourself," Judy Hawes

The beatiful Kelly from Journey to a New Me gave me this blog award. People - I'm blushing! So sweet! Thanks lady!

There are some rules and responsibilities that come along with it...

The Rules

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Nominate seven newly discovered blogs.
4. Let your nominees know about the award

So, 7 things about myself...

1.) I don't like chatting over the telephone. Text is a close second for dislike. I'd rather chat/text for 2 minutes and then actually get together.

2.) I heart Christmas. Maybe more than baby Jesus himself.

3.) My favourite city in the world is New York City. I'm going with a friend in December to experience all that is Christmas in NYC.

4.) I have never been to a Carribean island or down south. I hope to remedy that soon.

5.) My biggest fear is divorce. Not sure why really. No one in my family is divorced. None of my closest friends are divorced.

6.) When I look in the mirror in the mornings, I genuinely like what I see. When I look at myself in photos, yuck!

7.) I pretty much drink a grande, nonfat cappucino every morning. I should have shares in Starbucks.

Nominating other blogs...this is harder! I haven't had time to read through everyone who has added me to their blog rolls so I will create a separate post and spotlight other blogs - pinky swear!

Have a terrific Thursday peeps!

*hugs*

Reason Wednesday

"The difference between a dream and a goal is a plan," Anonymous

Well, lovelies...it is Wednesday. Half way through the week. Hump day. The day after Tuesday.

We have a long weekend coming up in Canada (Ontario actually) and I cannot be looking more forward to it. I'm going to the zoo on one of those days. Am super stoked! I haven't been to a zoo since I was a kid and even then the memories are vague.

On this sunny day, I am wishing to be thinnner because...

...I want to be in better shape.

I don't want to be out of breath when I have to walk up a flight of stairs.
I don't want to be out of breath when I catch up to a group of friends walking ahead.
I don't want to be out of breath when I get into an exercise class and it hasn't even begun.
I don't want to be out of breath when I walk around petting all the animals at the zoo.
I don't want to be out of breath.

With my trusty pedometer and exercise plan, my staggered breath will soon become a thing of the past. My body has what a trainer once called 'muscle memory'. I may be a tad (ok, more than a tad) out of shape but once I start working out regularly, my body morphs to exercise really fast and really well. I must tell you though that this does not help my procrastination problems... Ha!

*hugs*

Goals.

"I knew I was going to be a comedian when I was about six. You get what you believe you'll get. You have to really want it and you'll get it," Billy Connolly

I wholeheartedly agree with this quote.

I believe that when you open yourself up to positivity, love and hopefulness - you will in turn receive positivity, love and hope. When you emit vibes of desperation, loneliness and negativity...well, you get the picture....(disclaimer: I'm not referring to anyone who suffers from depression - I'm referring to those who create negative energy for themselves)

I think I emit a positive vibe most of the time. Don't get me wrong, I stress too but I am truly blessed in life with a loving family, fantastic friends, a good job, amazing b/f - all things I have mentioned before on this blog. I have a friend who is stuck in a rut right now (actually, has been for awhile) in terms of love and romance. Thing is, she brings down all those around her and no matter how positive one is - you can't help but be affected by her attitude. This is causing some of our friends to de-friend her.

Now, I suffer from a major case of the guilts. So, I can never de-friend her. Plus, if this was happening to me, I would want someone to try and stick it out with me and keep on believing in me too. So, I stick it out and believe - but without jeopardizing my happiness too.

On this weight loss journey, I am constantly keeping a positive state of mind and being conscious of my choices to force good habits. I don't want to be that downer to you, my beautiful and bodacious blog buddies. I've told you on countless occasions what it is you do for me - and it's true. I hope, in some small way, that I do it for you too.

(You know do it like help you - unless I do it for you in "another way" in which case I'm flattered :)

*hugs*

Song.

"Just going to stand there and watch me burn, that's alright because I like the way it hurts," Eminem and Rihanna

I love music. All kind of music actually.

I will replay the same song in my car while driving because I find it awesome. This practice either makes me hate the song by the end, or love the song forever.

An example of hate includes Blondie (listened to them when I was breaking up with a b/f and can't stand listening to them anymore...shame).

An example of love includes any 80's song like Rick Astely or Milli Vanilli (it brings me to a happy place when life was so simple).

Most people may think that Eminem is an odd choice of role model but the last 2 songs he has released - well, I find them amazing. Both are about standing on your own feet and overcoming obstacles and facing demons.

People may not like him but his lyrics are usually very profond (my b/f would disagree with me a lot!)

Where is this going? Well, I had a pretty crappy day yesterday - a few personal issues that I had to deal with and needless to say, I woke up this morning with puffy eyes and a wicked headache. As I was driving to work, one of E's new songs came on and I started belting out at the top of my lungs (a common practice for me at any time of day in the car) and I instantly felt better. Empowered. Like the clouds parted and the sun came out to shine. Like the black storm cloud stopped raining. It was uplifting to say the least.

Then I came to write in my blog as well. To get rid of the last of the bad feelings and bring in the new because it's Monday. Because I'm worth feeling good about. Because some may want to watch me burn, but the surprise is that I truly do love the way it hurts. It reminds me that I can always turn a new leaf. And that haters will always hate.

*hugs*

P.S. Tomorrow will be a much perkier post - promise!

Fundamental Friday.

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give," Winston Churchill

I have always been... A giver. A gifter. A giant (huh? how did that get in there?)

Today, I am dedicating this lil' 'ol blog post to all of you - the people who take the time to read what I have written. It isn't always much but it's a collection of jumblings in my head.

You truly do not know how much it means to me to have you support me and how therapeutic it is for me to read all of your words on your blogs about your struggles, and more importanly, your continued successes and tries. It warms my cockles let me tell ya!

Also on this day, I am thankful to not be obsessed with the scale (because I am slightly obsessed with the scale). I am choosing to be thankful for so many other things, like:

- taking some time off for me and to just be me
- being in love and being loved
- having my b/f help me with my fear of dogs (he's dog-sitting this week)
- walking to the fridge looking for a snack and then realizing that I'm really not hungry
- a friend surprising me with a new Starbucks mug I've had my eye on for awhile

See?

And I know that there are a myriad of things similar to my list that each and every one of you is thankful for - that isn't weight related. Sometimes it's nice to just know that life will never give you more than you can handle.

If all else fails, please remember that I think you are fantastic. Truly. This giant never lies :)

Have a wonderful weekend!!

*hugs*

Gifts.

"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive - to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." Marcus Aurelius

me and the b/f

me, super duper relaxed after a day at the spa

b/f being silly

Good-day my lovelies!!

I have been slightly MIA lately...with good reason. I took a few days off. Some well-deserved and much-needed R&R.

I had dinner with friends; I visited my b/f's parents; I went to a spa; I vegged for an entire day by myself. I haven't felt this relaxed in a really long time - and you know what else?? I lost a pound! I am feeling great and back on track. Vaia needed some she-time and it did me a world of good.

What have you all been up to?

*hugs*

Fundamental Friday

"In all ranks of life, the human heart yearns for the beautiful; and the beautiful things that God makes are his gift to all alike," Harriet Beecher Stowe

On this fantastic Friday, I am thankful for all the gifts that He has given me.

I am not taking for granted the fact that...

...I am able to wake up in the morning.
...I have a wonderful job.
...my family is very close to me and I to them.
...my legs are able to walk; my arms are able to carry.
...my mind is full of ideas.
...my heart is full of love.

I don't think I can ask for much more than that (well, I mean, I can ask for much more than that...) but I won't. Today.

Have a wonderful weekend - hope your legs lead you to wherever you want to go.

*hugs*

Extra Giddy.

"Umm, dude!" - me

Wow!
I was just given a blog award!! How freaking cool is that! Extra giddy for sures!

I got it from Vegan Ana - such a cool lady!! Show her some love - I know it's in ya, since you've all shown so much of it to me :) Sorry guys, I don't know how to link to her site :(

So, here are the rules that come with this award (geez, I pretty much just told 3 coworkers I got this and they all look at me like 'and?'.....)

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Nominate fifteen newly discovered blogs.
4. Let your nominees know about the award.

Seven things about myself...hmmm....

i.) My favourite colour is red but I don't own a single item of clothing that is red; nor piece of jewellery; nor purse; nor shoe.

ii.) I heart turtles. The animal and the chocolate.

iii.) I say dude. A lot.

iv.) I am the oldest of 3 children. I am the classic oldest child. Check out definitions of oldest child and you will find me.

v.) I am 32 years old and I look 23. I don't mind this too much since when I'm 42 I'll look 30. It only bothers me when clients say to me 'my aren't you kinda young to have such a big job'. That irks me like nobody's beeswax.

vi.) I work in a children's hospital foundation. I adore my job. So far, the best day has been when some kids came to my office and brought me a red nose to be an honorary clown for a day.

vii.) I love the look of manicure fingers and pedicured toes, yet hate how nail polish feels on my hands and feet.


I'm not sure who to pinpoint so instead, I ask all of you to share your info with me if you like :) No pressure dude.

Thanks again Ana!

*double hugs*

Giddy.

"If people knew how hard I work to gain my mastery; it would not seem so wonderful at all," Michelangelo

water bottle and pedometer (Eddie Bauer)

Weight loss truly is hard work.

One must watch and measure and think about their food intake. However, food intake alone isn't what helps the weight come off, nor what keeps the weight off.

Exercise is a huge component to a healthy lifestyle. Not only for weight loss but for heart health, skin glow, endurance, attitude - it does so much for you!

My awesome boytoy not only got me a gym membership for our one year anniversary (more on that in a second) but picked me up a pedometer (he got himself one too) as well as a water bottle for my hot yoga classes. What a cutie, eh!

As for the gym membership, a new gym is opening near his place and since I spend the majority of my time with him, we both took advantage of the amazing low price that the new gym had to offer. The other night I was telling my mom that the membership was my gift from him and she replied with "why did he get you that? does he think you're fat?" Ugh. This from the woman who tried pushing me to join WW when I was 12 and NOT.EVEN.REMOTELY.OVERWEIGHT.

I replied as calmly as I could that in fact, we were doing it together and that he also thinks that I am perfect and beautiful just as I am. He tells me all the time. Part of why I love him so. I left it at that. She sees weight issues very differently than I do and it's a wonder why I don't have more body issues after growing up with such bad attitudes (don't get me wrong, I have issues but as I've mentioned before, my self-esteem is still quite intact).

So, along with tracking my food, weighing in at WW every week and increasing my water intake - exercise will become a priority and mainstay in my life.

How did you prioritize exercise? What motivates you to keep at it? Your tips are super appreciative!

*hugs*

P.S. I adore and love my mom to bits! She was just raised with a harsh body attitude and unfortunately, still thinks the way her parents did. I am less judgemental about people than most of my family. When she makes comments like the one above, I try to correct or educate her but in the end, it is up to her to draw her own conclusions.

Reason Wednesday

"Often genius is just another way of spelling perseverance," Anonymous

There once was a girl named Vaia,
who set out on a journey of loss;
She started a blog to help her,
stay accountable and lead her like a boss.

She found some friends along the way,
and is forever grateful for the support;
Her daily choices in food and drink
are better - the bad stuff she will just abort.

She has many reasons she wants to be thin,
and every Wednesday she will share;
Every single one becomes her solemn hymn,
and she shares because she knows you all care.

Today her reason is:
to be able to wear sleeveless tops.
You see she wears them since it's super hot outside
but the extra skin she hates since it flops.

To remedy this problem
she'll go to the gym and yoga too;
For she knows that one day in the near future
her wish to have Angela Bassett arms will come true!

Please share with her your reasons
for why you want to be slim;
Even a hello! and how do you do!
will bring her happiness to the brim.

*hugs*

Goodness.

"To know someone here or there with whom you feel there is understanding in spite of distances or thoughts unexpressed - that can make of this earth a garden," Johann von Goethe

Weekly weigh-in = check.

Drinking 2 litres of water = check check.

Purchasing new work-out clothes = check check check.

I did it. I went to my weigh-in because I am accountable to myself to make this work for me. I had a gain but all that does is reinforce the hard work I need to get back to doing.

I joined Kenz (from All the Weigh fame) with the daily water challenge. I love water. Just the pure stuff - no Crystal Light or flavoured stuff for me. It's my drink of choice at restaurants. Over the weekend my brother told me that I am a server's nightmare because all I order is water. But I have found that I get too full drinking anything else and then can't enjoy my food. Plus, I don't want to drink all the extra calories. I'd rather eat them Ha!

I went shopping during my lunch hour yesterday and bought myself 2 pairs of workout pants and 2 tanks. To know me is to know that I don't do sleeveless very often but I am signing up for Moksha Yoga (which is a super hot yoga) and the less clothes the better. I don't need to scare the class by showing up au naturel so capris and tanks it is!

It feels like a fantastic day - even though the view outside my window says differently. And yes, I have a window-view. Jealous? Ooohhh, you should be. I get to stare out at a cement wall all day long. All day. Oh yeah baby. Be amazed.

*hugs*

Envy.

"Anyone can sympathise with the sufferings of a friend, but it takes a fine nature to sympathise with a friend's success," Oscar Wilde

I am guilty.

I have suffered from envy. Friend envy - and it's the worst. The pits I tell ya.

I am not really a materialistic person, I do however like nice things. I want to be able to take whirlwind weekend jaunts to Vegas with my friends; I want that gorgeous Michael Kors clutch; I want to wear that hot pink mini out in the market and be stared at for all the right (errr, wrong) reasons....

So, I work hard and hope that the old saying of 'good things come to those who wait' is really true.

However, that does not apply to weight loss. You have to work really hard for weight loss and not just 'wait'. I am getting weighed tonight. I'm not entirely sure of why I have been in such a downward spiral these past few weeks. After reading some other blogs, some of you have been too.

I spent this past weekend trying to figure out why I am sabotaging myself, why I cringe at compliments, why I envy slimmer people. I don't have all the answers but I did come to realize that envy is not the answer. That only sets me up for another downfall.

My friends love me for me and I love them for them. Exactly as we are. Will they love me more when I'm thinner - well, the best I have come up with is that they will react to the happiness and peace I come to with myself once I set out, reach and succeed at my goals.

Maybe then I'll be the subject of envy...

*hugs*

Fundamental Friday

"Friendship with oneself is all-important because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world," Eleanor Roosevelt

I like myself. Really.

My self-confidence and self-esteem are pretty good - always have been. I can remember back to when I first heard some family members discussing how fat I am and how surprised I was at their comment. (For the record, I was 16, 5'4 and weighed 125 pounds. I had large breasts early which made me look larger as well). According to those stats, a fat girl does not make. I was popular in school, got good grades, had amazing friends, excelled at sports yet I remember the first time I heard family call me fat and that's what sticks out most in my head.

On this gorgeous Friday, I am going to celebrate some of the good things that happened this week...

- tried out a vegetarian restaurant

- took yesterday off and made it all about me (spent the entire day at a friend's pool)

- went to watch a friend's soccer game

- stood outside in a surprise downpour with my boyfriend and just enjoyed the moment

- went to weigh-in, no matter what the results

- was shown TONS of bloggin' love!

So, lovelies...let me know what good things happened to you this week. I don't want to hear about traffic being horrendous, or food intake being bad, or the cat puked into your favourite shoes. There are good things that happen to us each and every day - just take a moment to replay them today!

*hugs*

Reason Wednesday

"You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you," Dale Carnegie

Ummm, hello! Bonjour! Yeia sas!

Imagine the surprise when I go to write a new post and I have 12 comments from the last one. My first thought was that I got spammed. But then I was all like, does spamming even happen on blog comments?

Drazil is such an awesome lady - as almost all of you already know. What I love most about her (and what draws me most to people like her) is that they speak their minds. Their dirty and demented minds :) Love ya D!

Thanks for joining me on my journey - I love the pressure!! I love the accountability. I fear the letdown but the solution to that is not to let you down (or me for that matter).

So, without further ado, my reason for losing weight on this wonderful Wednesday:

Shopping.

I was out and about (oot and aboot for you American folks) in the shops yesterday. I bought myself a few super duper cute bathing suit cover-ups for lounging by the pool (since I have made the decision to not shy away from swimming in pools this summer).

There were a few things that did not fit properly and I refused to go up a size mainly because in a couple of weeks and a few more months, I won't fit into those same clothes. So, why waste the moola? Am I right?

I heart shopping. When people ask me what hobbies I have - shopping is the top of the list. I don't shy away from stores - even now - but shopping with less of me on me is going to be insane in the membrane!

Once again, thanks for joining me lovelies!! I truly appreciate it and look forward to getting to know you all.

*hugs*

Friendship.

"We are all travellers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend," Robert Louis Stevenson

Dearly beloved,

We are gathered here today to witness the weight gain of our lovely blog friend, Vaia.

It is with a heavy heart that she even writes this blog. However, it is with a gentle spirit that she continues to battle on with her journey.

She knows that dedicating herself to this task is difficult yet she forges on.

Vaia has written her own vows which she shall now share...

I promise to love myself and value the body that has served me so well for so many years.

I promise to be true to the choices I make in life.

I will eat well and exercise regularly.

I will remember that the 5th yummy frothy slushy drink is not mandatory.

Her devotion to losing weight will remain steadfast.

Through the power of blog land and the wonderful people and journeys she reads about and learns from, she is forever grateful.

If anyone here can think of a reason of why she should just quit her battle, speak now or forever hold your peace.

*hugs*

Freedom.

"To move freely you must be deeply rooted," Bella Lewitzky

Happy Monday munchkins!!

I had a fantastic long weekend! It started with a Canada Day bbq with some friends and then off to my b/f's family reunion. It happens once every 5 years. It was super fun and mucho relaxing. So lovely.

My eating habits were ok...I didn't snack too much because all we did was sit around and I didn't want to eat a bag of chips every couple of hours so instead I walked around the grounds.

And drank with his sister-in-law. A lot lot.

I am not exactly looking forward to weigh-in tonight...ugh. But it shall be done. I set a personal goal for myself to look smokin' hot for the next reunion...in 5 years :)

*hugs*