Work Weight Loss Challenge

I really consider myself quite lucky that this second new challenge has come my way. What I speak of you ask? O, not much just the KBAC Belly-Off Challenge! Yup, a biggest loser-kinda competition at my work. How awesome, right?

What is the KBAC Belly-Off Challenge?

The challenge is a percent weight loss challenge for staff members within the company. The challenge will last for a period of 10-weeks starting August 20th. Definitions fitness will be leading the challenge. They will be taking measurements and weight at the start, midway and end of the challenge. They are going to be monitoring group progress and provide feedback on accomplishments.

There are going to be prizes for participants, including a $/Lbs loss reward program ($25.00/Lb loss for your first 5-lbs)

Bonus - 3 lunch and learns presented by Definitions on various health topics.

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Ok, so if you know me outside of this blog, you know I've competed in 'Biggest Loser' 'ish types of competitions before. I've won some and lost some. Most importantly, they are such a lesson learner with regards to knowing your physical and mental capabilities with changing your lifestyle. Obviously when this opportunity came up, I jumped on it! (O, and I'm a money-who*e). So ya, the team of 3 that I'm on are gonna rock this!

My Teammates

Heather Sullivan

 

Miss Sullivan looking phenomenal

1. Weight loss goal - 10lbs and 5 inches (overall). I am aiming low here! I don't want to have a high weight loss and inches goal if I can't maintain it. Let's be realistic! I plan to lose the healthy way, I do not plan on starving myself J

2. Favourite physical activity - Weight Training & Interval Training

3. Habit I plan to change - My diet. I have to say, I love food but unfortunately good and bad foods! I am going to completely cut out bread and drink as much water as possible. The physical activity comes easy to me! I have always been active and played sports in high school. Now I go to the gym and enjoy walking , hiking and running on days I do not go to the gym. For the days I don't feel motivated to exercise, (everyone has these days), I make myself "just do it"! I plan to maintain a positive attitude and never say "tomorrow". If you don't make changes today, then you won't make them tomorrow!

4. What I Plan to do to stay on track - Prepare, prepare, prepare. It is soooooo important to pre-cook foods and pack them for work meals. I work 10-11 hour days so without a healthy lunch available, I will choose fast food. I plan to take many Costco runs for healthy groceries! Ps. Their fruit is so fresh and is way cheaper than Sobey's/Dominion and you get a lot more for your buck! J

5. Why I think you we have a good chance at winning this challenge - I think 'we' as a team (V, Corrina and I) have a good chance at winning this competition because all three of us are motivated to lose weight/inches/build muscle and be healthy! We all have similar backgrounds when it comes to exercising and lifestyle. I don't like saying "I" have a good chance because, to me, winning is reaching my goals! To win out of all the individual co-workers would be fabulous but I don't have that much to lose so I feel I would come in the middle with results. These past few months I have been a bit off track with my eating and exercise so this competition will for sure help me reach my goals and stay on track. Did I mention the money involved in winning?? Hellloooo $$$$!!!!

6. What I hope to get out of this challenge when it's all said and done - I hope that overall I will feel great about myself and be able to maintain this lifestyle. I am generally a healthy person but when it comes to diet, I go into a carb and fast food overload and I am a huge snacker. This needs to stop today! I would also like to fit into my jeans nicely! Jeans are always a way to see and feel for yourself weight/inches lost in my opinion.

Corrina Cranford

 

Corrina with her husband, Jeremy and their precious daughters,
Brianna & Sophie

1. Weight loss goal - Ideally, I would love to lose 20-lbs but who am I kidding? 20-lbs is nuts to lose in 10-weeks, so I'm going to aim for 15 instead lol. I am trying to be realistic but also push myself at the same time, too. I know it's going to be hard work, but with hard work comes long term gain and right now, I need to set a goal and I need to reach that goal!

2. Favourites physical activity - My newest favourite physical activity is definitely running! I am very new and in the early stages of becoming a full-time runner but so far I love it. After working hard all day, I love the new feeling of coming home after work and getting 45-minutes to myself. I feel as though it gives me a chance to blow off some steam, clear my head and get the endorphins moving!

*Feeling super pumped right now ;)
 
3. Habit I plan to change - The biggest and worst habit I have is being a late-night snacker. I know, I know ... worse habit ever! But with this type of goal and some amazing motivation around me, I really hope to conquer this god awful habit.. I know that with eliminating this habit alone, I WILL see results. (I hope).

4. What I Plan to do to stay on track - To stay on track, I am going to agree with Heather and say prepare... prepare... prepare!! I strongly believe that this is the key to healthy living. I am also going to continue running as often as I can, and perhaps even a scattered video here and there (Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred) but not following her meal plan - I would starve!!!!

Did I mention I have 2 children as well?? Dear God, what have I gotten myself into?!?!?!?

5. Why I think we have a good chance at winning this challenge - I think we have a good chance at winning because HELLOO!!! We are strong, committed and powerful women. With the amount of support we have on this team, there is no reason why we can't win this! We got this ladies!! It seems as though we all come from some sort of an active background where we have worked out before, participated in sports AND, did I mention we are not strangers to a challenge?!

6. What I hope to get out of this challenge when it's all said and done - When this challenge has been completed, I hope to get a feeling of achievement and satisfaction. I have been wanting to set a new goal/challenge for myself and when Victoria called me today to seek interest, I thought "yup, take this challenge" so here I am.

I hope to be proud of myself and my team for trying our best and completing this to the end. Who knows ... It may be the start of achieving much bigger goals in the future.

Did I mention I am super stoked about this?!! I can't wait to get started J

Me me me

So ya, obviously you know I love list making and questionnaires/surveys .. yadda yadda yadda .. So I hopped right in on this also.

1. Weight loss goal - I'm a little unsure what a realistic goal for weight loss is for me at the moment. With the upcoming NLABBA, I know I have to gain muscle mass and muscle weighs more than fat. With that being said, I'm sure/hoping to be 20-lbs lighter when the end creeps near.

2. Favourite physical activity - I'm gonna have to say jogging/running. I'm sure this is no surprise to you as I don't shut the F up about my "I jogged here" and "o, o what an awesome run I had this night" blah blah, but as like I've mentioned in the past, I now enjoy running for running. And not just for the aid in a weight loss battle.

3. Habit I plan to change - I've completely manipulated most bad habits I have to train for the show in November so I have a big start there (nutrition, weight-training, cardio), but lately, I've been putting a lot of thought into my sleeping. I do NOT sleep enough and I know that sleep is key in the journey to losing weight and living healthy. Melatonin supplements were recently suggested so that my body can adjust and begin a new schedule but I'm still not sure. Knowing me, I'll pop a pill while sitting with a Starbucks coffee trying to look hipster. But ya, we'll see ;)

4. What I Plan to do to stay on track - Stick to my nutrition and work-out plan, keep close contact with my teammates and constantly seek tips and advice for people with the same goals. Support is key, in my opinion!

5. Why I think we have a good chance at winning this challenge - Seriously? Look at who I have as teammates! Those girls are determined, motivated and ready for this! I'm gonna keep on their asses and they better keep on mine! Both girls are a passion for activity and are so ready for a challenge. This makes me ready for a challenge.

I'm an extremely competitive person so I plan to view the next 10-weeks as a long road with a Victoria Secret swim suit at the end! Not fu*king kidding! I'll post a damn picture if when we win!

Also, I have to drop massive inches by November or my Jon and Kayla will shun me so this is an extra boost!

6. What I hope to get out of this challenge when it's all said and done - I hope to get a new outlook on healthy living,  nail a lifestyle I can live with, feel true beauty, feel confident about my body (on every angle) and rock a swim suit like I own it!! (..more than likely I already own it. Dumb joke). I plan to learn new strategies, be pushed to set new goals and walk away smiling.

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I'd like to throw out a HUGE Thank You to both Heather and Corrina for taking the time to do a blog-interview and I would like to throw out a HUGE Good Luck to all competitors in the KBAC Belly-Off Challenge!

I'll drink to that, friends!

SIKE! No alcohol ;)

Quote of the Day

So I've found myself very interested in motivational speakers lately. I love when friends, family, randoms etc share random little quotations of all kinds.

Mainly, I love 'inspirational' quotes. Quotes that make you stop and think 'Wow. That's sooo true'. or 'O my god. That's sooo me'. Quotes that make you analyze scenarios from every possible angle. That make you put yourself in someone elses shoes and take a moment to be grateful for what you DO have, and stop dwelling on you don't.

I started gandering through pinterest a good few months a go because I wanted to start a 'Motivation Board'. I have a motivation board (I call it my Vision Board) in my bedroom and it's my place to post random sayings .. words for thought .. motivational pictures .. you get the jist (sp?).

Anyhow, I'm going to try to find something that 'moves' me a few times each week and post it for you all. Today, Tuesday, August 12th, 2013, words that made me stop and think were ..




I run because I can.

When I get tired,
I remember those who can't run,
what they'd give to have this simple gift I take for granted,
and I run harder for them.

I know they would do the same for me.


What types of motivational words inspire YOU?

Have any favourite quotes to share?

NLABBA Training Week #1

The Last Supper

So the new diet/training planning was a go for Monday, August 5th, 2013. On Sunday after a hangover 12-pm Starbucks date with two phenomenal coaches, Courtney and I were told to go have our last final delicious supper. I was planning on meeting Val and Sarah at Boston Pizza for a catch-up lunch so I knew that wouldn't be a problem. What did I end with?

I was there before the girls and I felt like I got hit by a bus! So what better way to perk myself up? Ahh subzero, baby! It did just the trick :) O life

To start, we ordered a half full order of twist bread with cheese. Holy yum, always! I obviously was too busy being a bread-head before I realized that I had forgot to take a picture (and yes, I am still reading Wheat Belly). We kinda mighta maybe also had it served with santa fe ranch dip .. but c'mon, who doesn't, right?

For my main meal, I got the buffalo chicken sandwich (grilled chicken, no sauce) and sweet potato fries. It came with thai mayo and I 100% added a cauctus dip for my sandwich. Adam and I used to be fiends for these sandwiches but on Sunday, I definitely realized why I haven't had one in 2-years. They are SO filling! So thick and just blah. The grease from the fries turned my stomach and the bread didn't sit well either. But ya, it definitely tasted delicious!

Groceries 

So I won't be annoying you all with my frequent WIAW posts anymore because I will be pretty much eating the same meals for my first phase of training. Buttttt, I love posting my grocery lists for a preview. So Week #1s groceries are as follows:

On the List:

• strawberries
• blueberries
• bananas
• grape fruit
• sweet potato
• broccoli
• spinach 
• egg whites 

Note: this was taken after my Costco run. I also popped into Dominion for some peppers, salsa, hot sauce and whole eggs.

As you can tell, I'll be living a pretty protein-enriched diet. I'm a big chicken-fiend so I'm down with this :) 

Meal Prep

 

First things first. Equipment. I have so many containers varying in size but I'm constantly losing misplacing the covers, so I went to Costco and bought a box of 30.  1. They're Ziplock, which I enjoy and 2. They were only $14.99. Pretty affordable for 30 containers, hey?

So I finally caved and bought a food scale. I heart my new food scale and can't believe I waited so long before getting one. I used to have a Weight Watchers scale but lost it during the moving transition. I paid $19.99 for this badass (Walmart) and have fallen head over heels for it. It's actually sad how bad I was at 'guestimating' the weight of food before. This little friend helped me on a 2-hr meal prep last Sunday when I was getting all ready for week #1.

Obviously you've seen my classic food prep so I'll opt out of re-showing that again, but here are a few of the classics I containered (not a word, I know), while getting ready for ma week. (The vegetables are a cup each and the berries are a half of a cup. Quite a bit of food, eh?!)

Food Snaps

Workouts 

Monday - Arms 

Tuesday - Legs 

Wednesday - REST

Thursday - Chest and Shoulders

Friday - Back and Traps

 

Saturday - REST 

Sunday - REST (w. a small trot along the Easy Coast Trail)

 

I also threw in a 4-mile treadmill session one day, a stroll around Quidi Vidi one afternoon and to finish off the week, I did a portion of the East Coast Trail <3

After Week #1

.................I didn't wake up and had turned magically skinny. I still have that velly up there.  Weird? haha *progress progress*

My body feels

• as if someone beat me over the ass with a crow bar 
• tense in every muscle 
• stronger than it's felt in a long time
• toner than it's felt in a long time
• like a pretzel

It hurts to

• turn over in bed during the night time 
• walk up the stairs
• use the wash room
• wash my hair in the shower (hands over head)
• raise my legs when shaving 
• get in and out of the car
• bend down to tie up my sneakers 
• ...do everything

(I'm being a little dramatic. . . as you probably guessed. I DID feel all of the above a day and a half a go but on this lovely Sunday evening, I feel pretty a lot better!

I Feel..

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

And because this is how I roll ... I leave you with my new fav combo <3 Pro + Sbux (And cause I'm obsessed with taking pictures of my coffee and computer. O the little things in life)

 

I sure hope everyone had a great weekend :) I had a great week and a phenomenal weekend!

 

Anyone have any new fitness goals to share?

 

Upcoming events?

 

I have an event coming in 2-weeks but I'm not telling yettttt :)

O, and I also have a guess post coming this week! L-O-V-E those!



 

My Latest Fitness Commitment

So I've hummed and haa'd with regards to writing this post since I know that by clicking 'publish', I've confirmed to the public that I have a new 14-week goal that will entail pictures, weights, food, success, failure? (Let's hope not) and all that fancy blog-jazz that I annoy you all with on a weekly basis :) Life

Informing you all on my latest goal means I'm 100% committing myself to keeping these posts consistent and will have to update progress photos and probably information that brings me out of my comfort zone. Comfort zone? I guess that's kinda out the window when you start blogging anyway, right?

So, what's new with me? Well ... I've recently committed to enrolling in the NLABBA. What's the NLABBA you ask? It stands for the Newfoundland and Labrador Amateur Bodybuilding Association. Pending all goes as planned (and I highly doubt that it won't - fingers crossed), I'll be walking the stage on Saturday, November 16th for the 2013 BodyBuilding, Figure & Bikini Championships.

The NLABBA 

"The NLABBA is a not-for-profit association with a mandate to help promote and sport the growth of Bodybuilding and Fitness in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

The funds they raise through various fundraising activities and corporate sponsorships go directly towards the production of the Provincial event, and to supporting the Provincial title winners who decide to compete at the National competitive level.

The NLABBA Bodybuilding and Figure Championships is the only Canadian Bodybuilding Federation (CBBF) sanctioned event in the province." [1]

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So am I gonna be toned, huge and look like I'm gonna 'beat da face off ya'? NOOO haha I'm doing this for the figure component of the show. I will NOT be taking part in the actual body building side of it all.

I guess you're wondering if I plan to look trim, lean and be a total smoke show? Perhaps break out my beating stick to start smacking the fellas away from me? Ahh F*ck yaaaaa *fingers crossed, fingers crossed* haha But ya, I'm gonna stay practical with this.

I really don't even know where to start with this post as my excitement is through the roof! I'll be taking on this HUGE (no PUN intended) commitment with Madame Courtney Tapper. We plan on spending the next 14-weeks sticking to a strict diet, working out 4-times a week and supporting each other until we walk on that stage!

I can honestly say that we both have never thought we'd take part in such an event and seeing how we're only a week in, it still seems surreal. Not only is this such a physical challenge (I'm a cardio gal, not a weight lifter so this is very new to me. Court is a long-term dancer), but it's a mental challenge, also. Multiple times this week we've both stood in the mirror with blank faces and blank thoughts. We've came to the realization that this is impossible possible for a ladies such as ourselves.

I truly believe this challenge will take weeks to wrap our heads around.  We'll both have moments where we're on the brink of giving up. But we won't give up.

We've made a pact to ourselves, to our coaches and to each other. We've started this, and we're finishing this!

Happy happy Friday, friends! Expect frequent updates in the near future :)

Note: Due to confidentiality issues, I still have to find out what is appropriate and inappropriate to post.


If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at minusthirtythreeplease@gmail.com


[1]   http://www.nlabba.ca/?page_id=2 

Good-bye, July (Rhyme)

Where is the summer going? I feel like it was only yesterday that I was writing my May review blog post .. and then my June .. and now July? It's crazy how fast time passes without us realizing. Before we know it, summer will be gone and we'll be back to Helly jackets and insulated boots! (Lies, we'll be wearing fall jackets and playing in the leaves :) ).

Anyways, July has been another great month. So many calories eaten, so much alcohol drank, money spent and so many memories made ;) Yayyy to Summer 2013

Classic Downtown Nights w. Heather

 

Birthday Celebrations

 

Training Days

 

I had a great month of workouts, I must say. But I'd be lying I said I'm not glad that it's over. I felt a great amount of pressure where I had the Tely on the 28th. I found it hard balancing running with strength training with yoga. What does August hold in store? Yoga-up-the-ying-yang! Lots and lots and lots (I say this because I bought an unlimited month haha gotta make the most of ma money :) )

Tanning Days

I forgot how much I love lying around and talking about absolutely nothing with the best of the best. This was my first time at Marine Drive in like 2-years. So many memories at that place, hey? Paddle boats? warf with the barrels on the bottom? eating chips with wet hands? mud pies? tuna sandwiches? mom screaming for you to get out and you pretending you don't hear her and ducking under? C'mon guys, BAYWATCH?? Everyone played Baywatch, right? If not, SHAME! (Not kidding, pretty sure Shaneen and I played Baywatch when we were closer to 20 than 10. I'm leaving it at that)

Sam-scam getting her bronze goddess glow! Samantha colored her hair brown so now she's convinced she won't burn (haha Sorry, Sam)

Chilled with Jess and Caitlin and did some 'we're-all-grown-up' job talk. Jess just got a job with Kiewit and Caitlin with KKC. So happy for you both :)

Couldn't get rid of this one if I tried! Best friend and I getting our glow on :) :)

Fishing Days 

 

Friday night cod jigging, boys! Bill loaded the boat and out to sea we headed! The night was phenomenal. Warm enough for shorts, no wind and lots of fish!

So much excitement going on at the moment! Mama-bear could have scared the fish off the hook she got so excited (n-o-t-k-i-d-d-i-n-g). This was her first time and she was through the roof with joy!

Shell with her 3-fish catch dance! Line wasn't down for a minute when she got the tug! The fish were actually gone wild here :)

2nd Tely Ten

 

Best Investment EVER 

And one of the highlights to my month is definitely my new computer (not to sound all materialistic). August 9th will be my 3-month blogging anniversary (haha, get a life, right?) But seriously, I've been loving it. I've been loving voicing my thoughts, eats, doings and I'm overjoyed from the feedback I've recieved from people. I love the comments you leave and I love the Facebook messages I've recieved. I love sitting in coffee shops and typing on this new MacBook Pro! I find this purchase very accessible, affordable and soooo much fun to fiddle around with ! =)

The last WIAW of the Month

Eaten at 4:50am

I caved and bought this at Costco last night. I always throw it in the cart and then take it out at the last night and literally RUN for the check-outs to stop myself. It's my weakness. My favourite food. Luxury in my belly .. le sigh .. so I said F-itttttt and bought a bag :)

Note  #1: 3562.16-calories in the whole bag
Note #2: I could eat an entire bag in one sitting
Note #3: I ate a lot last night after my run but I'm not telling you how much
Note #4: I only had a handful this morning and pretty much jumped over my stairs to my car before I could put the bag in my lunch tin (yes, I use a lunch tin at my big girl job)
Note #5: I threw the bag way in the back of the cupboard so I'd have to get a chair to reach it
Note #6: Robyn, I will hurt you and your friends if your post-drunk snack is my trail mix tonight ;)
Note #7: I need a life.

Eaten at 10am

So this is one of my new favourite go-tos. Not sure how tempting it looks to some of you, but to me, it's heavenly (people probably thing I date my food ... lately I feel like I date my blog)

This combination is so quick, easy, filling and delicious. Ingredients: strawberries, almond butter, unsweetened shredded coconut.

Eaten at 12pm

I'm on a bit of a pork kick this week (every week) so I today another baked pork chop with some edumame salad.



Eaten at 3:15pm

Rattled I ate this .. I do eat the low sugar protein bars..and I know I'm reading the wheat book and they obviously have many shitty additives in the make-up but it is these Sweet & Salty bars that actually make me feel guilty post-eat. I was away from my desk and was hungry at 3:15pm so I grabbed this from one of the girls. I should have waited and had vegetables, but nope .. mama had to get her hands on the first thing she saw (I'm working on this).

Eaten at 5pm

I <3 celery. I could eat celery for every meal. I don't necessarily need almond butter or any spread with it but I'm pretty much addicted to almond butter / every kind of nut butter so I went for it.

Note-to-self: Moderate the amount of almond butter you eat. Stop bringing the whole tub to work.

Supper - Not shown here .. but sadly, I had more trailmix.. oops.. :) Loves it!

July Exercise

In summary, July was also the month I..

• ran 60.45-miles
• really realized that I ENJOY eating healthy 
• realized that running is completely mental
• fit into a dress I bought at the end of the June for GSF (with the goal of getting into it by August 1st)
• bought 4 pairs of shoes 
• felt comfortable in a swim suit (well, a little)
• decided to stop house hunting and stay another year in the sweet house I live in 
• weighed myself for the first time since last October (not including when they weighed me in April for sky diving - not good)
• realized you can't out-exercise a bad diet

And there you have it. Happy August, friends :)