After more then a week of not working out at all on account of the disgusting heat that Toronto had looming over us, I came home today and decided to make myself do a bit more sweating. I can honestly say I did not enjoy it, not even a little bit, but after I was done I was happy and the sense of fulfilment I felt was awesome!! I'm trying to get back up on this horse and pick up where I left off. I'm gong to do my detox cleanse again. That's what got this whole thing started for me. It gave me the boost I needed.
I have some vaca time time coming up so I'm not going to do the detox just yet. I'm guessing the second week of August I will do it. Looking forward to it actually. Although it was difficult, I really and truly felt some amazing. My insides felt clean and I was noticing how much energy I had.
I think I will tweak it a bit and add some detox smoothies in there but in general still follow the same regime I did before.
A friend I work with is going to do it with me again. Like I always say, it's more fun and makes it easier when you have someone to take the steps with you! It is important to take on your journey yourself. This is, after all, your life, but if you have a friend there along side you as you take the steps to a happier and healthier life, it just makes the journey all the more enjoyable. When days are tough and you feel like you aren't making any progress, to have that added support by your side may be just what you need to pick yourself back up and carry on through.
I have an amazing friend who is my support when it comes to working out. I feel like I am accountable to her when she asks me if I'm going to hop on the beast today. Whether it be the beast, a work out DVD or some other exercises, I really think that having that person, who may be near or far, asking you what you are doing instead of if you are going to do it is awesome! I'm still have that mind set most days where I have the best of intentions but throughout the day I try and talk myself out of working out for whatever stupid reasons pops in this brain of mine. Sometimes the stupid reasons win out, but other times, when I get that text message from her or a message on twitter from my dear friend, pushing me to get my sweat on, that's all it takes. It's all I needed. So thanks my friend, you know who you are! xo
I would gladly be anybody's support should they need that perk up or voice over the phone. It only takes a minute to let someone know you are there for them and you stand by them and support each step they take. It makes all the difference in the world.
If anyone wants this detox or to follow along with me when I do it, you are more then welcome!!
Thanks for tuning in kiddos!
Take it easy!
Misty
xo
Monday, July 25, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Some little tips for a healthy day
If any of you are like me, I tend to look for any kind of healthy weight loss tips that I could easily implement into my day to day routine. I fine that if I try small things I get way better results! Through some reading I did the other day, I found that many different cultures had various ways of cutting the calories and chopping the pounds. I wanted to share some with you guys. Some I think I will try and put to use myself. This info below I got from the Best Health Magazine, May 2010.
Germany - Eat breakfast. We've all heard it before. Eating breakfast in the morning gives you a great start to the day. It will give you the boost you need and that extra oomph of energy.
India - Do more yoga. Although I am not into yoga it would be something that I can see myself doing once I was at a more comfortableweight. It has been said that people who do yoga on a regular basis have a lower BMI.
Thailand - Eat spicy food. Hot peppers raise your metabolism but also, it's been documented that spicy food makes you eat slower, therefore taking your time with your meal and allowing you to know sooner when you're full. So, make sure you add a few dabs of hot sauce to your meals.....nothing wrong with that!
Hungary - Eat more pickles. The vinegar in the brin is said to have an affect of lowering your blood pressure, blood sugar levels and fat formation. Although be careful as this food can be high in sodium. I wonder if the deep fried pickles I plan to eat on my vaca next week are included in this? Um, I kinda think not. *sad face*
Poland - Eat at home more often. When you eat out it is so much easier to eat unhealthy. Not being able to see what is going into your meal and how much. Limit your eating out as much as you can. This includes bringing your meals to works. I know it can be hard to always plan enough ahead of time to bring breakfast and lunch to the office, but giving it that extra 10 minutes to prepare will save you a load of money and also a load of empty calories!
Germany - Eat breakfast. We've all heard it before. Eating breakfast in the morning gives you a great start to the day. It will give you the boost you need and that extra oomph of energy.
India - Do more yoga. Although I am not into yoga it would be something that I can see myself doing once I was at a more comfortableweight. It has been said that people who do yoga on a regular basis have a lower BMI.
Thailand - Eat spicy food. Hot peppers raise your metabolism but also, it's been documented that spicy food makes you eat slower, therefore taking your time with your meal and allowing you to know sooner when you're full. So, make sure you add a few dabs of hot sauce to your meals.....nothing wrong with that!
South Africa - Drink rooibos tea. Drinking this naturally sweet tea instead of your specialty coffee could save you thousands of calories a month.
Mexico - Eat a big lunch. If you try to get in the big meal of your day at lunch and eat a smaller dinner, you'll wake up hungry and therefore eat breakfast and so on and so forth. Having a smaller dinner cuts the calorie intake and you aren't eating alot before bedtime.
Hungary - Eat more pickles. The vinegar in the brin is said to have an affect of lowering your blood pressure, blood sugar levels and fat formation. Although be careful as this food can be high in sodium. I wonder if the deep fried pickles I plan to eat on my vaca next week are included in this? Um, I kinda think not. *sad face*
Poland - Eat at home more often. When you eat out it is so much easier to eat unhealthy. Not being able to see what is going into your meal and how much. Limit your eating out as much as you can. This includes bringing your meals to works. I know it can be hard to always plan enough ahead of time to bring breakfast and lunch to the office, but giving it that extra 10 minutes to prepare will save you a load of money and also a load of empty calories!
Norway - Spend time outdoors. Getting out and walking can do wonders. Planning a routine to get out with yourself or family and friends and go for a good hearty walk will surely do the body good!
Japan - Take a nap. We all have said it on many an occasion. 'I'm going to have a nap when I get home' Most of us never do because once you get home there is always something that takes your attention away. It has been said that sleep deprivation can be tied to weight gain. So when you get home from work, take a little shut eye time for yourself. If anyone asks, just tell them you are trying to lose weight!
Hope these little tidbits helped! Thanks for tuning in again dudes!
Misty
xo
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Happy Happy Joy Joy...NOT
Mad, cranky, pissy, annoyed, angry, frustrated, agitated. These are among the many emotions I felt this morning. Shocker here....I have an anger management problem. At least that's what my therapist says.
Today was a work from home day for me. I woke up feeling good. A little from working at my other job last night, but in general fine.
I opened up my laptop, went to log in to get to work and nothing working. I couldn't get logged in to any of my systems or applications. So frustrating......to top off I knew I had to call our support team for assistance. Two hours later, most issues were fixed but still have 2 that they had to escalate.
I know that whatever happens is completely out of my control. I know that I let things affect me way to easily!! Why is that? I think it has alot to do with feelings of helplessness and the powerful urge I have to be in control. When something doesn't go my way or the way I think it should go, I have a very hard time accepting that. I'm working on it and have made progress but obviously, I still have my moments.
When someone has felt so powerless and when control over their life was never really theirs (or maybe not so much not theirs but more like they didn't fight to keep it, it was just easier to give it away)when this happens and you begin to take back your control, it almost becomes an internal battle to ensure you never lose it again. Without realizing it, it can turn into an obsessive feeling so when the littlest thing occurs that doesn't fit into your plan.....BOOM!
Just breath. Seriously..... As you're breathing in and out slowly, think to yourself what it is exactly that you're upset about. Ask yourself what caused it and then talk yourself off that proverbial ledge. Once you are being rational and thinking clear, the anger goes away. The goal here is to get to a point where the anger doesn't even take over where I need to use and think. To get to a point where I can just let the little mishaps in life just roll off my shoulders and continue on. I will get there!!!
There are so many things to be grateful for. Little things, big things, unimportant things. No matter what they are, I am thankful.
Just yet another step on my journey. Always the adventure. And this is proving to be quite the adventure, filled with unexpected highs and lows. The most rewarding feeling is that I am doing this all on my own. I am not going to depend or expect anyone to do this for me because at the end of the day, although I have people who truly love me, I can really only count on myself to be happy. I feel like this time next year if I stay on course with my journey, big exciting changes could be upon me!!!
Thanks for tuning in kiddies!
Misty
xo
Today was a work from home day for me. I woke up feeling good. A little from working at my other job last night, but in general fine.
I opened up my laptop, went to log in to get to work and nothing working. I couldn't get logged in to any of my systems or applications. So frustrating......to top off I knew I had to call our support team for assistance. Two hours later, most issues were fixed but still have 2 that they had to escalate.
I know that whatever happens is completely out of my control. I know that I let things affect me way to easily!! Why is that? I think it has alot to do with feelings of helplessness and the powerful urge I have to be in control. When something doesn't go my way or the way I think it should go, I have a very hard time accepting that. I'm working on it and have made progress but obviously, I still have my moments.
When someone has felt so powerless and when control over their life was never really theirs (or maybe not so much not theirs but more like they didn't fight to keep it, it was just easier to give it away)when this happens and you begin to take back your control, it almost becomes an internal battle to ensure you never lose it again. Without realizing it, it can turn into an obsessive feeling so when the littlest thing occurs that doesn't fit into your plan.....BOOM!
Just breath. Seriously..... As you're breathing in and out slowly, think to yourself what it is exactly that you're upset about. Ask yourself what caused it and then talk yourself off that proverbial ledge. Once you are being rational and thinking clear, the anger goes away. The goal here is to get to a point where the anger doesn't even take over where I need to use and think. To get to a point where I can just let the little mishaps in life just roll off my shoulders and continue on. I will get there!!!
There are so many things to be grateful for. Little things, big things, unimportant things. No matter what they are, I am thankful.
Just yet another step on my journey. Always the adventure. And this is proving to be quite the adventure, filled with unexpected highs and lows. The most rewarding feeling is that I am doing this all on my own. I am not going to depend or expect anyone to do this for me because at the end of the day, although I have people who truly love me, I can really only count on myself to be happy. I feel like this time next year if I stay on course with my journey, big exciting changes could be upon me!!!
Thanks for tuning in kiddies!
Misty
xo
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Damaged Tools
I'm going to change things up a little for this post. Although, I firmly believe that my addiction of food and body image issues stem from what I want to talk about today.
I watched a repeat of Oprah yesterday. It was about twin sisters who were raped repeatedly over a number of years by their two older brothers and their father. It was enough to knock the wind out of you just listening to it. My heart broke for these 19 year old girls who had to endure such devastating treatment by the people in their lives that should have been their to protect them from any harm.
Child abuse takes on so many evil and dark faces it can be hard to recognize at times. It's been documented that a child is sexually abused every 13 seconds. Every 13 seconds!
As the protectors over these little ones, we need to step up and take a stand against this disgusting mistreatment of a child. We all need to open up our eyes and listen. Listen to that whisper because sometimes that's all it will take.
They are out there. And more often the not, these predators are known to their victims. They take the time to groom these children and make them feel safe, building a trusting relationship with. Then when the timing is right, they make their move.
I am a Survivor of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of a neighbour. From the ages of 8 to 11, I was groomed and then abused by a man whom I thought I could trust and who myself and my parents thought I would have been safe with.
Thankfully I have gotten amazing therapy and can understand why I do and how I feel. Being abused really does change the person you might have become. It veers you on a different course. When your innocence is ripped away from you, you have no choice but to go into survival mode. Granted survival mode at that moment isn't best, but you do what you think you have to just to make it through the day.
I have this analogy. When you are born, each and every one of us are given inner 'tools'. These 'tools' are there for us to build a healthy and productive life for ourselves. When a child is abused, whether it is emotionally, physically or sexually, these tools become damaged. Then when it comes time for a child to start building their life, they have no other option but to use these damaged tools. Your entire structure is unstable and it is only a matter of time, without the proper help, that the structure comes crashing down.
"Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different."
I had to forgive. Not for anyone but myself. Carrying around resentment in your heart does you no good whatsoever. Once I was able to accept my truth that there was or is nothing that could or can be done to change what happened to me, it opened up my eyes. And my heart. And so I find myself on this journey. If you have been reading any of my other posts you'll know that I have begun a weight loss journey. But that isn't the only thing I am trying to accomplish here. This is an all over body life style change, both on the outside and the inside.
My only ask to anyone who is reading this and may suspect something is this. Be attentive. Listen to that little tiny nagging feeling you may have about how a child is looking or acting. Be aware. Ask. Put yourself out there and let the child know you can listen to them.
If you yourself are currently suffering or have suffered from any type of abuse, just know that you are absolutely and 100% not alone. There are people who can help. You have endured and you are a Survivor. Welcome.
Misty
xo
I watched a repeat of Oprah yesterday. It was about twin sisters who were raped repeatedly over a number of years by their two older brothers and their father. It was enough to knock the wind out of you just listening to it. My heart broke for these 19 year old girls who had to endure such devastating treatment by the people in their lives that should have been their to protect them from any harm.
Child abuse takes on so many evil and dark faces it can be hard to recognize at times. It's been documented that a child is sexually abused every 13 seconds. Every 13 seconds!
As the protectors over these little ones, we need to step up and take a stand against this disgusting mistreatment of a child. We all need to open up our eyes and listen. Listen to that whisper because sometimes that's all it will take.
They are out there. And more often the not, these predators are known to their victims. They take the time to groom these children and make them feel safe, building a trusting relationship with. Then when the timing is right, they make their move.
I am a Survivor of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of a neighbour. From the ages of 8 to 11, I was groomed and then abused by a man whom I thought I could trust and who myself and my parents thought I would have been safe with.
Thankfully I have gotten amazing therapy and can understand why I do and how I feel. Being abused really does change the person you might have become. It veers you on a different course. When your innocence is ripped away from you, you have no choice but to go into survival mode. Granted survival mode at that moment isn't best, but you do what you think you have to just to make it through the day.
I have this analogy. When you are born, each and every one of us are given inner 'tools'. These 'tools' are there for us to build a healthy and productive life for ourselves. When a child is abused, whether it is emotionally, physically or sexually, these tools become damaged. Then when it comes time for a child to start building their life, they have no other option but to use these damaged tools. Your entire structure is unstable and it is only a matter of time, without the proper help, that the structure comes crashing down.
"Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could have been any different."
I had to forgive. Not for anyone but myself. Carrying around resentment in your heart does you no good whatsoever. Once I was able to accept my truth that there was or is nothing that could or can be done to change what happened to me, it opened up my eyes. And my heart. And so I find myself on this journey. If you have been reading any of my other posts you'll know that I have begun a weight loss journey. But that isn't the only thing I am trying to accomplish here. This is an all over body life style change, both on the outside and the inside.
My only ask to anyone who is reading this and may suspect something is this. Be attentive. Listen to that little tiny nagging feeling you may have about how a child is looking or acting. Be aware. Ask. Put yourself out there and let the child know you can listen to them.
If you yourself are currently suffering or have suffered from any type of abuse, just know that you are absolutely and 100% not alone. There are people who can help. You have endured and you are a Survivor. Welcome.
Misty
xo
Monday, July 11, 2011
Meatless Monday July Edition
Hey Gang!! Another awesomely fabulous meatless Monday recipe for you all to enjoy. this one is sup easy to make. You can either do it on the BBQ which is what we did or inside on a grill like the George Foreman one.
I went down to the Falls to spend Canada Day with my family. One night we did these pizzas on the Q and they were so scrumptious!!!
Here's what you need:
Naan bread - I used whole wheat
Whatever sauce, cheeses and toppings you like.
My mom and I used:
red, yellow and orange peppers diced up into tiny chunks
mushrooms, sliced
hot peppers
pineapples - diced - I'm not a fan however, but if you like, be my guest!
shredded mozza cheese - get the cheese meant for pizzas because when it melts, it gets all stringy and gooey....YUM-O!
Heat up your Q. On the side of the naan bread that you are putting on to the grill, coat lightly with EVOO. Pop it on to warm up up, about 5 minutes or so.
Take it off and load up all of your toppings, then place it back on to the Q and just the heat do its work! It only takes about 5-10 more minutes. Remember, you're not cooking it, just warming it and leaving it on there long enough for your toppings to get hot and your awesome cheesy goodness to melt.
Remove from grill, plate and ENJOY!! See? So simple and yet so incredibly tasty!!
Until next time kids!
Misty
xo
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Mishaps happen....say that 5 times fast
I had to give my head a shake today. I obviously still am faced with quite the difficult road ahead of me and I am still learning as I go. As a matter of fact, I still have a lot to learn when it comes to living this healthy lifestyle that is no longer a desire but an absolute must.
I've struggled this last week and it's scary to know that even though it is so hard and a constant struggle every day to eat the right things and exercise the right amount, that doing the opposite comes so easy and naturally to me. I wish this was not the case but HELUR!!! It is!!!
I wanted to do some baking and bring it in to the office but when I really thought about it, I knew that all of the yumminess I would bake wouldn't make it in there. I wish I could be that person who could bake cookies and only eat one or two. Leaving the rest in a container out of sight out of mind. But instead, that container consumes my thoughts. Although I am learning portion control and I have had moments of clarity with regards to a single serving of ice cream or just a taste of something sinful, I obviously still have a lot to learn here.
But these last few days it was like a snowball effect. First, the long weekend came and I allowed myself not to work out at all. that was the start. Then it was eating something I shouldn't which lead to eating more things I shouldn't which lead to yesterday eating whatever was placed out infront of me.
This week has been filled with the the sadness of a close friend of mine and her family. They have suffered a loss. Yesterday there was a gathering at her house with lots of people and lots of food. And where was I? Standing right by the food of course.
I know that I am still on the brink of my journey but I was, probably naive in hoping that I have learned enough to not put myself into a tight spot where I feel trapped and suffocated by food.
Again, HELUR!!!!! I have an addiction. I know what it's like to feel panic over food. The overwhelming consumption of it all over when will I eat again, what will I eat and how much can I have. These last few days have shown me one thing. That this is going to be an on-going battle that I must face for the rest of my life. The silver lining here is once I can grasp the handle of how to do this and what works best for me, it will be a a little more smooth sailing. Once I am able to reach a healthy course, the maintaining of that healthy course will be something that I can do in a more relaxed state of mind knowing that I have already accomplished the steepest of hurdles. However, food is something that we need to live. We need food to survive. So, sadly for me, the thing that has become such an unhealthy addiction isn't something that I can walk away from and never look at again. I have to learn how to live my life using food as a tool of sustenance instead of using it as my drug of choice looking for that next fix.
After work today, I had to do some grocery shopping. I did well and got plenty of healthy food options, however, I did buy a package of cupcakes, without even realizing, I just picked them up. As I was on my way home, it started to sink in and it occured to me what I did and what the consequences could mean for me. I knew that I needed to snap out of this funk I let myself get into this week and pick up the pace of my journey before it totally gets away from me. So what became of those cupcakes you ask? Well, I will gladly tell you! I came home, put down my bags of groceries, took the cupcakes, walked right back out the door and headed for the back of my apartment building. What's back there? The dumpsters!! And that is where those cupcakes are right now. I then came back into my apartment, put away my groceries and changed into my work out clothes because I knew that I had to get my ass on the beast to sweat out some of the crap I've let myself eat.
So tonight, after working out and eating a light dinner, after having a cool shower, because its hot as hell in my apartment, I find myself in an almost coaching state of mind. I keep telling myself that I can do this. I just need to pick it right back up where I left it off last Thursday and this it totally possible.
The most important thing for me right now is to remain positive and ensure that that infamous demon of self doubt doesn't creep in on me tonight in my sleep. So I had a mishap, we all have. But I am picking right back up and moving forward.
We can do this everyone!! For any out there who are struggling too, please know that you are not alone. this is why I am writing this blog. Because I know I'm not alone. I know that there are so many other people that have the same hurdles as I do. We can do this together!
Misty
xo
I've struggled this last week and it's scary to know that even though it is so hard and a constant struggle every day to eat the right things and exercise the right amount, that doing the opposite comes so easy and naturally to me. I wish this was not the case but HELUR!!! It is!!!
I wanted to do some baking and bring it in to the office but when I really thought about it, I knew that all of the yumminess I would bake wouldn't make it in there. I wish I could be that person who could bake cookies and only eat one or two. Leaving the rest in a container out of sight out of mind. But instead, that container consumes my thoughts. Although I am learning portion control and I have had moments of clarity with regards to a single serving of ice cream or just a taste of something sinful, I obviously still have a lot to learn here.
But these last few days it was like a snowball effect. First, the long weekend came and I allowed myself not to work out at all. that was the start. Then it was eating something I shouldn't which lead to eating more things I shouldn't which lead to yesterday eating whatever was placed out infront of me.
This week has been filled with the the sadness of a close friend of mine and her family. They have suffered a loss. Yesterday there was a gathering at her house with lots of people and lots of food. And where was I? Standing right by the food of course.
I know that I am still on the brink of my journey but I was, probably naive in hoping that I have learned enough to not put myself into a tight spot where I feel trapped and suffocated by food.
Again, HELUR!!!!! I have an addiction. I know what it's like to feel panic over food. The overwhelming consumption of it all over when will I eat again, what will I eat and how much can I have. These last few days have shown me one thing. That this is going to be an on-going battle that I must face for the rest of my life. The silver lining here is once I can grasp the handle of how to do this and what works best for me, it will be a a little more smooth sailing. Once I am able to reach a healthy course, the maintaining of that healthy course will be something that I can do in a more relaxed state of mind knowing that I have already accomplished the steepest of hurdles. However, food is something that we need to live. We need food to survive. So, sadly for me, the thing that has become such an unhealthy addiction isn't something that I can walk away from and never look at again. I have to learn how to live my life using food as a tool of sustenance instead of using it as my drug of choice looking for that next fix.
After work today, I had to do some grocery shopping. I did well and got plenty of healthy food options, however, I did buy a package of cupcakes, without even realizing, I just picked them up. As I was on my way home, it started to sink in and it occured to me what I did and what the consequences could mean for me. I knew that I needed to snap out of this funk I let myself get into this week and pick up the pace of my journey before it totally gets away from me. So what became of those cupcakes you ask? Well, I will gladly tell you! I came home, put down my bags of groceries, took the cupcakes, walked right back out the door and headed for the back of my apartment building. What's back there? The dumpsters!! And that is where those cupcakes are right now. I then came back into my apartment, put away my groceries and changed into my work out clothes because I knew that I had to get my ass on the beast to sweat out some of the crap I've let myself eat.
So tonight, after working out and eating a light dinner, after having a cool shower, because its hot as hell in my apartment, I find myself in an almost coaching state of mind. I keep telling myself that I can do this. I just need to pick it right back up where I left it off last Thursday and this it totally possible.
The most important thing for me right now is to remain positive and ensure that that infamous demon of self doubt doesn't creep in on me tonight in my sleep. So I had a mishap, we all have. But I am picking right back up and moving forward.
We can do this everyone!! For any out there who are struggling too, please know that you are not alone. this is why I am writing this blog. Because I know I'm not alone. I know that there are so many other people that have the same hurdles as I do. We can do this together!
Misty
xo
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