Week 3 - OOPS..what happended to week 2?

So, it occurred to me that week 2 came and went and I failed to post a blog. I am so sorry about that faithful readers and followers. Life suddenly became crazy and hectic (well crazier and more hectic than usual) and I failed to hold up my end of the bargain. After all, you can't read and comment on my wisdomless words if I fail to impose them on you can you?

So, my apologies, and/or to those of you who welcomed the break from my inane and often pointless blabbing...you're welcome!

Week 2 weigh was a bit nerve wracking but I found that I had lost a respectable 2 pounds making that a total loss of 6 pounds.

Week 3 did not have a stellar start I must admit. I was out for a late dinner and a drink early in the week, although I did manage to not scoff down the entire roasted vegetable roti by eating more slowly than my normal "swallow everything within sight at light speed before anyone notices that the food has hit the table". By actually letting it hit bottom I felt full about half way through a large meal, and, get this...I stopped eating! I know that seems obvious to most normal human beings, but I have unconsciously trained myself to eat for the sake of eating for 39 years. (Hey I grew up the youngest of 6 kids, so it was a basic law of the jungle upbringing of eat fast or go hungry:) So to actually put some thought into what I am shoving into my mouth and weather or not I am actually hungry is a revelation for me.

I've also learned that on the occasion where I might have a drink, I enjoy a simple Vodka and Soda with a slice of lime.

Work out wise I was pretty good about training hard as often as possible. I haven't managed to wake up early enough any day this past week to ride my bicycle to work (just keep hitting that snooze button) but I have incorporated Dr Rachelle's concept of "High Intensity Interval Training" and oh my god is my butt sore! And, on the first glorious Sunday of the spring, I took the family hiking for a good 4 hours. (Incidentally, it is indeed time to break out the sun block..the back of my neck is now lovely shade of lobster red).

OK, so insert drum roll here! The weight lost for week 3 is...... 4 pounds! Making it a grand total of 10 pounds lost. Tada!! And so goes the water weight. I expect the amount of pounds I lose on a weakly basis to slow down somewhat at this point.

I must say I'm fairly happy and proud. Although I don't feel a huge change in how my clothes fit yet, it does feel encouraging to see that number on the scale shrinking every Monday. By the way, I think publicly weighing in Monday mornings may well have been my best incentive to keep from cheating too much. Knowing I have to tell everyone how I did every Monday keeps me fairly honest on the weekends.

I am starting to notice an improvement in my energy level and my ability to feel satisfied by less food. So there is allot to be said for small healthy snacks throughout the day when you feel hungry, drinking allot of water and fitting in some sort of physical activity into everyday (even 10 minutes is better than nothing).

I am also now the proud owner or a stationary bike which I picked up at a garage sale for $20. I spent twenty minutes on it tonight while waiting for a load of laundry to finish and with my work book in hand and I had a brilliant million dollar idea I simply feel compelled to share with you all. Forget the stationary bikes that have little tv screens attached to them so you can watch your favorite show while sweating and panting away. What we should have is a stationary bike with a television that is powered by riding the bike itself. Imagine if you could only find out if Bella chooses Edward or Jacob by peddling at 30 km per hour? What a nation of skinny biatches we'd be! It has probably already been invented, but hey, if not, that's my million dollar idea for you. You're welcome.

That's all for this week. As always, thank you all so much for the constant words of encouragement and fantastic advice. I am trying to incorporate it all, though I'm sorry Laurie, I still take cream in my coffee. Do you have a brand of coffee you recommend?

Next week - to crunch or not to crunch? How do you tackle the flabby abs? And in my case... thunder thighs and gargantuan behind. Yes, this baby's got back!

Until next week, be well

Well..it's a start.

First and foremost, let me say a GIANT THANK YOU to all of you amazing friends and family who are being so supportive of this little endeavor. Not just the great comments and tips I am getting on this site, but through e-mails and facebook. You've given me some great ideas, and I plan to try everything till I find what works best for me. If I get the green light, I will share some of the amazing advice I've received so far.

Thank you also for all the pledges of support for Hamilton Food Share. It is definitely a worthy cause. I will post donation information at the bottom of this blog.

OK,so down to business. I can officially report that as of my weigh-inn (carefully monitored by my merciless task masters, Debbie and Annette..thanks ladies), that I am now a full 4 pounds lighter. Well, it's a start I guess. Not quite the stellar start I was hoping for with the initial shedding of the water weight. But then, I haven't done any radical dieting this week.

Week one has consisted mostly of just writing down everything I eat (which is enough to curb allot of bad habits right there when you have to stare at it in black and white....I ate how many bags of popcorn with that movie???) And I worked on (and still working on) losing the sugar addiction. Hey..I haven't had any chocolate this week, and miraculously..no one in my immediate vicinity has died! Though the neighbourhood dogs are turning tale and running at the sight of me. Guess that makes me the scariest biatch on the block now:)

Haven't gone cold turkey on the morning and evening timmi's with double cream yet though..let's not get crazy. Innocent lives are at stake. I will work on at least switching to (ugh) Milk.

Activity wise, I've heard it said that the latest research suggests that to lose weight you need to do 90 minutes of vigorous exercises per day. Well..that is well beyond my energy level or available time. I am, however, making a point of doing some sort of physical activity everyday. I have karate lessons twice a week, which helps. I try biking to work at least once a week, and if I don't have allot of time, 10 to 15 minutes of cardio or running in the morning and at night.

I've been been thinking of joining an intense 10 week boot camp program, the problem is finding the time. Any tips on creative ways of fitting in working out in a busy life would be appreciated.

That's my progress so far. Thanks again to all my friends and followers (woot, woot..I have 4 official followers on my blog. I feel like John Grisham!:)

For my local pledgers,I will contact you directly to collect your donations at the end of this campaign. For my out of town supporters, or anyone who feels inclined, you can make a donation online to Hamilton Food Share on their website at http://www.hamiltonfoodshare.org/ and clicking on "Donate Now". If I can ask one favor of anyone donating online, in the "comments section" of the donation page, please state that you are donating for Nathalie's Fabulous by Forty campaign.

That's all for this week beautiful people. Soon I will start posting some (eeekk) before shots. But, that's just so I can stun you all with the "after" photos when I'm a hot tamale of a beach bunny::)) Till then, be well, and in the words of a very wise fish.."just keep swimming!"