Here's to a holiday celebrated!

• Posted by Elisa on December 20, 2008 at 12:49pm

Even though I did not finish the Holiday challenge in the way that I had liked (impromptu trip to Jamaica came up .....HA!), I just wanted to share my thoughts and experience of having been a Holiday Hottie!

Now if there was any reason for doing the challenge it was to stay afloat amongst all the sickness and stress that swims at this time of year. It was a struggle for me to be in top form and with the stress of packing up most of our things (including weights, workout bench, and my computer), rearranging and staging my home and listing it for sale. Also, with my son starting school and a new phase of development with no security at school and coming "home" to instability and uncertainty, he has also shown how many changes all at once can be hard on mind, body and spirit.

Nutrition was a strong point as eating supportively has become the easiest option. Keeping it raw and simple (and seasonal) helped to keep us out of being sick for too long (can we say I just LOVE all the germs that can come home from school hehe) and to provide us with the energy we needed without being drained from eating less than supportive foods. The holiday gatherings provided me with a new option to cheat meal, the second serving of supportive foods. As most things are baked (with wheat) or sugared, I was "forced" to enjoy the bounty of the fruit and veggie plate and maybe an extra slice of turkey breast when others would be sampling all the chocolately and sweet smelling goodies from the desert table.

Physically, I went into travel mode. I even broke down my workouts to spread them out throughout the day when I was lacking in energy and mental motivation to do it all at once. As much as I wanted to, my head wasn't in the game this time around. Focused on finding a window of stability for my family and a little hole in our lives where we could all cuddle into was my priority. Gladly I can say though, that window did involve my children motivating ME to join them in doing a workout in the day. So I would drop and do a set of pushups if I thought about how I was "missing" my workout and before long I had done a workout to log. It was encouraging for me and helped me to remain in FYM mode as best I could.

Now that I am in Jamaica with family (and nutrition is more in survival mode atm), I have found I am still able to get some physical activity in. My family is perched on the edge of a mountain range and all the extra rain has turned the roads to barely drivable and the hike up is quite a workout. Also the gate on the veranda has proven to be an excellent pull up/chin up spot and that has also improved my back as we (all 4 of us) are sleeping on a HARD mattress and the boys flip like fish.

What I am most grateful for is that I have been prepped through my FYM lifestyle to go anywhere and make the most of taking care of me. It's a great feeling to know that even though I have been out of my routine and many changes have come and continue to present themselves, I am able to adapt in the moment and when I get the chance to get back to the workouts and nutrition, I will not have lost ground, but given my body the best I could and the change it needed to be stronger and fitter.....and yummy too.

Greetings from Jamaica

• Posted by Elisa on December 11, 2008 at 12:34pm

Good day everyone!

Just wanted to say hello from sunny Jamaica. The boys are loving it and at my mom's cousin's house they have cable internet....WOOHOO!

Now from an FYM standpoint, things are ok. I have pulled out of the Holiday challenge,but nutrition and fitness is always a part of what I am doing.Did my push ups and pull ups yesterday and of course hiking the day before. Very easy to stay active and it is nice and cool where I have been staying (up in the hills and countryside). Nutrition wise, I packed almonds, dried cranberries, raisins, brown rice, quinoa, corn and flax chips, corn puffs, coconut oil, and rice milk (LOL Almost a whole suitcase for food, and pullups). The best part is that we have allergies and my children help to confirm the rule of no wheat (gluten). They have had it from relatives,and not even 5 minutes later they are going poo.....WOOHOO! Not to prove me right, but to help my family better understand and respect the result of eating what is not good for you. Everyone is unique and Jamaica is the perfect place to show that. I must say though, after going into the grocery stores here it saddens me to see all the JUNK on the shelves. Baked this and sugar that and syrup for "juice" .....'tings too irie for me 'ere'. Laid back and not fully concerned.....which is perfect for a vacation and high-strung individuals. At least the love of education here would be great for a health campaign. And once my supplies run out I will have to search High and Low (LOL a grocery food chain out here is called Hi-Lo Foods) for replacements. Although coconut oil and almonds are exported, I have yet to see it in a shop or grocery yet. There are not a lot of varieties of veggies here and I am really missing them. So much fruit and I am starting to feel like a sugar bomb,....ick! I feel like a mosquito magnet with all this sugar LOL.

Anyways, back to the sun and getting some laundry done. Have a great day ladies.

Giving our presence not just presents during this Holiday season

• Posted by Elisa on December 3, 2008 at 1:30pm
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As many have been reflecting on all the "to-do's" on their lists this holiday season some are experiencing a level of stress, perhaps based on perceived expectations of having to produce a gift that was specifically requested for or preparing a meal and ambiance for a feast and Christmas card experience. Either way you are expected to be present in that moment. How about making your presence the present you give?

Try sharing cost effective (or free) ways to love up on those around you. Encouraging letters or notes, Hand-written cards, an updated photo of you or your family, if you are spiritual, share quotes or scriptures of encouragement, put together an arrangement of songs and music. It takes as much time to go shopping for that gift as it does to put the thought and effort into something more personal.

So think of ways that you can give your personal touch to those around you in a way that they will remember for years to come and will help to make a difference in their lives. This is not only applicable for this holiday season, but throughout the year.

Victoria's Secret sweaters......

• Posted by Elisa on December 3, 2008 at 11:30am

As promised these are photos of me in the sweaters I received from Victoria's Secret. My hubby took the photos (he always seems to be in a rush HAHA....no glamorous photo shoot here).The sweaters are thicker than I imagined which is good since the cold weather just started here this week. The one lace top didn't work out as it has a "nude" lining and looks a little off with my darker skin tone (like wearing the wrong shade of foundation haha).....it was also a little snug on my muscular (insert Arnold accent) arms hehe. It was my first time ordering clothes online so not bad for a first time =D. I have ordered online before, but only after trying it on in the store.

Tips that were shared with me on ordering from VS......sign up for the emails as there are a lot of additional promotions that way. Also, get the catalog (for the same reason). They have a lot of nice clothes and I may consider ordering from them in the future. Thanks Holly and ClubFYM for the gift =D!


Elisa

Stay down

• Posted by Elisa on November 20, 2008 at 10:30am

What another beautiful morning! Filled with glass shattering screeches and I bathed my son after his splishity splashity 30 seconds of fame in an unflushed toilet (MWAHAHAHAHA...the joy of being a mom) and a dance-a-thon in the kitchen with my oldest son.

When I visit my page, I sometimes bust a move as the music plays. It's what I workout to and do my intervals to (chorus High, verse Low.....). I do my stretches and cool down to Keisha Cole, Mary, and Alicia and then get my inspiration (compare to the moment in the movie "Gone in 60 seconds" where they began their night with their song) and reminder of who I am from the song by Linkin Park.

But today I wanted to share in the lyrics from Mary J. Blige's "Stay Down". The chorus stuck out to me as being a call to persevere through struggles and being that we have all been through them, I thought I would share......

Chorus:

Stay down. (We're almost to the very best part)
Stay down. (You'll always be the pride in my heart)
Stay down. (We too can pass the test)
Stay down. (Yeah, we gotta lot of work)
Stay down. (I know it ain't been the best but it certainly ain't been the worst)
Stay down. (The drama will not last forever)
Stay down. (We'll beat it long as we're together)
One day we'll look back on this. (Yeah)
We'll be like "Remember this"? (Remember this)
And it's gonna make us smile. (Make us smile)
Cause in the end we stayed down..........

Bridge:
Understand you are the one on my heart.
(And I'm holding yours so we can't live apart)
When things stop making sense we'll figure it out.
(I walked into this and I don't wanna walk out no, no)
(Everything ain't gonna be how we like)
(And what is worth keeping if it didn't take a fight?)
(Your healing is in me and my healing is in you)
(So get your mind right cause this is what we're gonna do)

Stay committed, persevere , continue to take action, and together we can get through.


Elisa

In time for the holidays.....

• Posted by Elisa on November 19, 2008 at 3:09pm

Along with a few other picks, I think this is the closest I have shopped to regular price in 20 years heheh. And that was my treat =D. Will model the goods (some of them heheh) for you ladies in the New Year (won't need the sweaters in Jamaica heheh).

Can I kick it? Yes I can.....Can we do it? Yes we can....Pt.2

• Posted by Elisa on November 16, 2008 at 3:00am

I like who I am. I may not be pleased with all that I do, but I choose to keep refining myself so that I can like what I do and continue to enjoy the decisions I make and the person I am.

If you haven't used the goal setting resource available on this site or in the beginning of the FYM e-book, then I recommend to make good use it. I have many goals in life that are not only focused on health, fitness, and nutrition. I also strive to grow as a parent (it never really ends), to grow in my relationships with my husband, friends, and family. And I want to share my artwork, writings and life with others. However, I have felt that I lack focus and direction (LOL and finances) to achieve success in a couple areas of my life. I have continued accountability from my church family (and God) for parenting and marriage (as well as personal spiritual growth). SO I needed to find the outside eye, that could look at what I have to offer (my talents and passions) and help mold it into something that not only gets shared on a larger scale than inside my home, but can benefit me and my family as well. I got an email in my inbox for a free consultation and I filled it out. Why not? What do I have to lose? I received a call and preliminary interview and was approved for going on to the next level of interview. They encouraged that I have my husband involved in the decision making process and I fully agreed. So I sent him the assignment we were to prepare beforehand and then discussed what my situation and intent was AND that he was booked to be present for the interview. He wasn't taking it seriously or giving it much thought (and we have been at this point before) and I thought many successful woman made it without the support of their spouse (or their spouse at all as many ended up divorced....), so my nudge for his presence involved a bit of sharp elbow and pierced lip (wasn't leaving him out of my dreams.....to death do us part =D).

We got the call the next morning after a quick rush to finish the assignment and a little more elbow, and it was HUGE! The impact from that interview has made waves for a brighter future. How did it turn out? Well, coaching isn't cheap and my finances aren't at the level at which would help fund my possibility for being coached by Jack Canfield and associates HAHAH (I aimed big =D), but if it wasn't for my minor bank account,I would have been a great candidate for coaching, or as I later referred to it, swimming with the big fish. So I may be a little fish right now, but my appetite is huge and I am a good swimmer ;D.

My husband went off after the call was over. It was AWESOME!! He jumped right on the problem solving wagon and started breaking down what I wanted to do into little bitty pieces. He put in his input and just kept running at the mouth about how to make it possible. LOL it made me realize that we can really come out of ourselves into the different levels of our relationship. He was not talking to me as a loving husband, but as a friend that I had bounced an idea off of him. I had to grit my teeth and sort through what was being said in order to take away, without bias to tone and presentation, to get to the info I needed to hear and wanted to hear. Again, HUGE impact that call was. My goal achievement has broken through it's plateau and is on the move again, but to maintain the forward momentum, I need to keep my eyes open at ways I can grow more and do better and get input from those who have achieved success around me.

So the call is going out to anyone who has ideas to share as I am a sponge for info now (got an ocean theme going on....can you tell I am excited about my upcoming trip??) as I am hungry for continuing on full steam ahead, gobbling up success and living out my dream as best I can. This process of finding the resources on how to meet your specific goals or looking for the right kind of support may help to spur many on to action......so let's get the comments and mind juices flowing!


Elisa

Living the metaphor

• Posted by Elisa on November 12, 2008 at 11:46pm

I struggled today. Struggled to have energy and strength....I am not well and not sure what is ailing me. My chest has been hurting me and it is quite painful. And I thank God for the reminder to do as I want to do in the moments I do have as I am not guaranteed the next.

After sharing at a women's midweek service this evening I spoke with one of my friends and asked how she was doing with her fitness journey. She used the phrase "I can't get the food part down." And I shared with her this thought.......everything we do in life is a metaphor for our relationship with God. She then went over all that she had said in our conversation about fitness and saw the connection to our walk with God. She then said to me "Why didn't you just say that to me in the beginning!" (she had come to me to help her with her weight loss goals).......Then I said "I guess you have to live the metaphor to understand it."

Living my life as a Christian has given me great joy and revelation. I can see so many connections in everything we do in life and how it relates to my ultimate goal. And the metaphor of our weight/fat loss journeys are included as well. How many of us were "slim" before and didn't appreciate it? Or didn't even work for it? Or ate whatever we wanted and were still slim? And then when it was "gone", we are now fighting to get it back. The fight is the living part and that's what is great about this journey. Now we are gaining knowledge and wisdom through experience and association, and we are growing on the inside and glowing on the outside. Regardless of where you think you are at in your goals, you have already succeeded in growing as a woman, because you are living the metaphor.....walking the journey.
So look for those connections in your life....through parenting or marriage, through your relationships with co-workers or family and see how you can learn from what doesn't work to make what you want to work in your life a success!


Elisa

The DRAMA of taking before photos

• Posted by Elisa on November 7, 2008 at 4:30pm

Ok, before you leave a comment LOL.....even I have issues with posting the before photos. HAHAH I signed up on Monday or Tuesday to join the Holiday Challenge and I was typing my before stats and goals (and admiring Samaria's beautiful smile) when I realized I had to take before photos. So I was thinking my hubby could take pics again, but since the last ones turned out so well (<== Sarcasm ...=D) I decided to do it myself.....well me and the timer on the camera. This time I decided I would actually put on my face first (thanks for the inspiration Mary) and I tried playing around with alternate outfits which all fit loose.....so I put back on the same outfit I posed in before. Also, since I took QUITE the time off and had quite the unsupportive party with coming off the ED, Thanksgiving, Birthdays, and Halloween (Ok ok ....no more zucchini spice bread or pumpkin spice cake hahah....oooo and I forgot about the apple crisp.....well maybe just one more apple cranberry crisp LOL),....let's just say I have a lil extra to account for. I finally had the outfit on, the face on and I took the pics and the camera dies HAHAHA. LOL and with the office packed up, I couldn't get the pics off of the thing. SO I had to grab the other camera and try again. And since this other camera had less time to set up I had to take extra shots as I got caught....fixing my shorts, then fixing my hair. It was too funny, but they are up and I am in! Here we go!



Elisa

Yes we CAN!!

• Posted by Elisa on November 6, 2008 at 11:28am

WOW! What an awesome week! What hope and change for the future, what promotion of unity, what strength of heart, what intense passion and struggle realized .....WOW!

Congratulations to all the success that each of us have accomplished and thanks to everyone who voted for me and to all who provided their wonderful support to help me through and the other women here as well. As this group of wonderful women sought to encourage others in need, it left no room for not doing the same and including myself in the process.

We aren't done yet as we know life is still going and I hope that this celebratory time will encourage more confidence, more commitment, more positive thinking, more support and more love to go around.

Let us ALL seek to do better and love more and leave fear behind and walk forward into bright futures full of success. It does take work, but with many hands and hearts to help, we CAN do anything.

Again, I thank God for such a wonderful example to live by and continue to strive for. Thanks for letting me live out love and life to the fullest.

Keep it UP!!

P.S. Thanks Holly for taking the first step and sharing this journey with us. Much love and gratitude to you.

P.P.S.
I guess I really should get some undergarments in my size heheh.....no excuse now!

Ok Ok.....Time to GET back on track

• Posted by Elisa on November 2, 2008 at 7:00am

LOL, so if my waning health wasn't motivating enough, or that it's the first crank week I haven't fully "cranked" it (crank week is that time of the month for me), we just finished booking a Christmas vacation to Jamaica (mainly as a working vacation to help repair damage after the passing of the hurricane) and my hubby is determined to be on the beach at least a couple times while we are down there.

SO, with Halloween and birthday splurges coming to an end, it IS time to regain my focus and continue with doing the full workouts and eating supportively.
Now since my computer was packed up a month ago and my office stuff, I have been without the trusty FYM e-book at ready access since we are operating from our laptop atm (the spacebar on this thing is frustrating to say the least....). But I have been doing squats and pushups, planks and side planks with leg lifts and lots of walking. SO I have managed to maintain, but in the end, it's not what I am happy with. Being that my bosom has gone off to another dimension, it makes no sense not to strive for a flat tummy to balance my figure out. LOL the idea of having a gut and no chest is so NOT feminine, that I am motivated by the potential of that image alone! UGH!!

I am choosing to make use of the resources here on ClubFYM to do my work outs. I was doing the holiday workout to the max before I got the e-book and I know I can enjoy it again. I will keep looking for my little book that has the workouts printed out, but I won't use it as an excuse not to be working out.

Bodyweight circuits would be best to get both strength training and intervals in and get me into the habit of what I will be doing while in Jamaica....I'll be there with my boys and my dad for 3 weeks (My hubby, sister and mom will join us a week later). We are working on a plan of action to accommodate our dietary restrictions as there is no guarantee that we will be able to have what we need on hand to eat when we get there.

My goals? To keep it up. Knowing that I continue to keep working at being healthy, feeling and looking good.
How am I going to do it? Work out 3 times a week using resistance training and intervals. Eat supportive, live food at every meal, and drink at least 5 pints of water a day.
What are my obstacles? LOL, in the end, it's just life. Sometimes you don't get sleep, sometimes you are faced with having to shift your priorities, sometimes you will be tempted to have more of something than you intended, it is ok. How will I deal with these obstacles? I will choose to remember "ME" in the process. And choose to love ME enough to give myself some time to enjoy a vigorous workout for about 15 minutes and enjoy eating food that will give me energy and help me to enjoy the rest of my life around me. When am I going to start? NOW! It is always now! LOL it's a trick question I think. Do I not need a glass of water in the next hour or so? Do I not need to remember me as I go through life? Aren't obstacles always present? Am I not setting into action my thoughts by getting them down in a plan.......The answer is ALWAYS NOW hahah. And how will I reward myself? Enjoying life and living it fully each day (and shopping for new pants and a couple holiday items......of COURSE!)

Here we go!


Elisa

Today is a beautiful day!!

• Posted by Elisa on October 29, 2008 at 12:30pm

And I just want to cry. Sometimes a compassionate hug is all we need as the constant waiting in life picks away at our "need-to-know" instinct.

My health has been deteriorating and I just want to run somewhere. I know it is best that I don't exactly know what is going on (although I know my asthma is being trigger by the "fun" mold issue.....HAHAHA....) as I am not sure how I would handle it. I'm more and more fatigued, and my doctor called back after having my ultrasound and now she is booking me for a biopsy (ever have that feeling someone is not telling you all that they know.....again,do I need to know what she knows right now?...probably not!). I know that I turn to eating when I am physically tired, or stressed....so I haven't been at the top of my game since I came off the ED. Actually HAHAHA, I find it funny that since I have little energy to prep, I have resorted to snacking on the not-so-supportive (hahah chocolate......that's all I can say) which doesn't help me to maintain energy....vicious cycle. Hopefully today, I will just walk over to the grocery store and grab some quick snacks to save me from falling into the pitfall of that time of the month and also help me to get back on track.

But besides all the issues, I am comforted by knowing that my boys are excited by their new closet and they can see their clothes again and get dressed by themselves again (they LOVE clothes) for a time. And that things look hopeful that change is in the near future.

Now to go and get those snacks =D.


Elisa

We are listed!

• Posted by Elisa on October 27, 2008 at 6:10pm

Well after the lengthy efforts of getting this place sold and on to a new home for a number of reasons, we are in sell mode. Here are some of the pics we took.

Master Bedroom

Kids Room

Bathroom

Kitchen

Livingroom

Office

These are the photos we took, but atm a few glitches still need to get worked out. Will keep you posted =D.

How DARE they call this recipe healthy!

• Posted by Elisa on October 18, 2008 at 8:04pm

Ok, so I am looking to make a chocolate cake for my birthday, but I am putting it off a bit as I had a bit more of my experimenting with a apple cranberry crisp this week and I came across a headline in my email. It reads "Guilt-Free Birthday Cake: Second helpings are not a sin with this Die-and-Went-to-Heaven Chocolate Cake."

So I clicked the link for the recipe. First ingredient is all-purpose white flour...next is white sugar and then a white icing with confectioners' sugar.

So where is the healthy part? It meets certain "guidelines"....
Low Calorie
Low Sat Fat
Low Sodium
Heart Healthy

I was hoping to see the inclusion of some pureed veggies or something, but it's just a regular cake recipe (it had 2 eggs and those were healthy hehe).

So I am going to make use of this HUGE zucchini that I got from my friend and make a chocolate zucchini cake or something like that. I will use chickpea flour instead of white flour and not sure on the sugar part (combo of stevia and agave with a few bananas perhaps),but I usually cut it down by half of what the recipe calls for.

Nothing like experimenting with recipes and making the changes needed to suit your lifestyle. Now I am out to make another good and "healthy" chocolate cake (my other recipe is a chocolate coleslaw cake) hehehe.

Peace of Pomegranate

• Posted by Elisa on October 15, 2008 at 12:00pm

I am blog-hoggin it today, but I am feeling overwhelmed and need to get some thoughts out.
As I was eating the seeds of pomegranate, my son was crying for every little thing. And I realized as he was crying unyieldingly about not being able to put his pants on, I realized he has taken on my tears. And I began to sob with him as I comforted him. He had full sympathy for what I was going through. There are many expectations on me atm and it is getting to be a bit unrealistic and I am getting angry as I have lost my focus and it seems no matter what I do, it is not enough to satisfy. I have sacrificed sleep and have resorted to napping to get my rest in. I eat on the go and use ClubFYM time to get food in. I have become overtasked and if I could have a team around me I would have:
One to do laundry.
One to go out and work haha (gotta pay for the extra people)
One to do the dishes and cooking and grocery shopping.
One to meet the needs of my boys.
One to help me to paint, move furniture, and other handy work.

Many seeds to get the job done. I would like to think that things will improve however it may be necessary to go through this extreme in order for change to happen.
Anyways, that's all for now. Off to paint, move furniture, and get lunch going HAHAHA!

HUGS!!

I LOVE Alberta Beef! But...

• Posted by Elisa on October 15, 2008 at 9:25am

SO I found a farm for organic beef, and meat and I was all ready to make a big order when we sold our home and then something funny was happening. Could I be pregnant? I felt a fluttering among other symptoms and I figured I may be expecting. A friend of mine was going through the same thing and they figured as much as well. As it turned out both of us were not and even better, something had changed with my cycle......longer and heavier. I figured it was fibroids as it runs in my family. I looked up ways of dealing with it and it turns out that not much is known but what they do know is that red meat encourages growth. UGH!! My favorite is Triple A Alberta beef and game. I love my beefy recipes and with the allergies and sensitivities I already have, I was not looking to add more. OH WELL! I said YES to keeping my uterus and NO to the amount of red meat I used to consume.

I just had another ultrasound and yeah......my suspicions were correct. We will see what the doctor has to say, but I have the support of other women who have experienced the same, my mother, who lives with them and my neighbour, who had a hysterectomy because of fibroids and endometriosis. Another motivating factor to stick to FYM hehehe....supportive and back to basics nutrition and consistent workouts.

Tags: beef, fibroid, health

Pride of Ownership

• Posted by Elisa on October 11, 2008 at 2:30pm

I was watching TV and a phrase popped into my ears and stuck there....Pride of Ownership! It was referring to a home that was well taken care of and reflected the love that the owner had put into it.

I got an email from the city councillor that I have been in contact with over the last week (well her assistant) and it turns out from what they have suggested that I do, I have taken every avenue to try and get this situation resolved. Now it feels as though I am just waiting for it to come through the wall in the kids room now. The signs have already started as what happened before, when we had discovered a mold issue in our kids room on the window wall (quality windows are a good investment....quality installation is a key component). The boys don't want to sleep in their room and won't sleep through the night anymore (on top of the fact that they are sick). And of course, my "spidey" senses can smell that same smell and going into that room triggers my asthma. I am hoping that I'm just being sensitive, but if it has made it's way through, it will be quite the undertaking.

I can't help but to think about the topic of neglect. I am an advocate for love and coming from a past that was filled with neglect, I can't imagine any other path to forge forward with. But when it comes to putting something off to the side and not giving it the due love, and respect, whether it be a home to maintain, a child to raise, or to stay healthy and fit, you could be encouraging something negative and unknown to foster. Without putting the love into what you do, you can not expect to get in return positive results. Want a nice, clean house? Put in the love to get it there. That house in return is going provide you with shelter and a place to be together as a family. If you don't take care of and maintain a home it could come down around you. Want a fit, healthy body? Put in the love into what you do to get it there. Love up on your workouts and being active. Don't think of giving up food or taking on the responsibility of being thoughtful about what you put in body as a burden, but rather as the due respect and love your body, YOU, require. How else are you going to get healthy than to live it. Live the lifestyle.....being unhealthy or thoughtless about the care of your body (and the environment around you) leads to many negatives, from pain, reduced quality of life or even no life at all. And if we put in to ourselves the attitude of "pride of ownership" we will help to shape not only our lives in a positive way, but our children will have that example to live from as well.

So back to loving up on this home and hoping for the necessary fixes to take place so that everyone (including the home) can return to an improve state of health and respect and continue to serve into the future.


Elisa

Sweeter the victory!

• Posted by Elisa on October 7, 2008 at 2:30pm

"You can't always get what you want......
But if you try sometimes you'll find, you get what you need." This was the original title, but I have gained so much more over the last 12 weeks, I needed a more celebratory title.

I have been places that were not truly understood until recently. Having gone to weights and sizes I could never have imagined myself at (and I don't think I really did) and, although for a temporary time, I feel it was a needed experience to bring me to a new level of who I am to become as a woman. I actually had to FIGHT for my shape and EDUCATE myself on how to eat and live better for myself and others around me. Who would have thought that I would be able to share such a battle to be won with so many wonderful women. I even walked up to a lady who I have noticed around the neighbourhood (as she looks very fit) and she shared she had come from a similar struggle and is just trying to find her way to a better version of herself as well.

What confidence to be had from a battle fought and won. What wisdom to be gained from the knowledge we have armed ourselves with. What an example to become of perseverance, strength, endurance, and beauty from making the choices that inspire change in not just ourselves, but the world around us. We walk through our journey of improving the life we live and in turn, people cheer us on and see the glow of success even though we may not see it ourselves. We are victorious no matter how small we think our battle was.

I came into this challenge for a number of reasons that didn't specifically involve something for me to accomplish physically. My number one reason was to give the support to Holly by finally owning my own copy of the Fit Yummy Mummy 16- week lifestyle system. I had not gotten the program in the first place as I was making use of all the resources she had already provided me upon signing up for the newsletter just over a year ago. But after months of trying to put it together myself I finally read the full page and made the purchase of the e-book (LOL,always helps to read the full page....never know what it will say towards the end =D). I am grateful that through finding her I was able to achieve the changes I was looking for. She has put together a wonderful,efficient, and simple program and for the cost of a month at the gym, I have something to use for a lifetime.

Second, I joined the Summer transformation challenge in support of my fellow fit yummy mummies. You see, many had been hesitant to join and I gave my word that I would travel the journey with them this summer and enroll in the Summer Transformation Challenge. I am overwhelmed with excitement to see all the great successes my sisters here have accomplished through this challenge and how much just 12 weeks has changed their lives.

And then it comes back to me. What did I want out of going through the Summer Transformation Challenge? To continue.....confidently into my future and to enjoy the surprises that would be before me as I stood by the supportive nutrition and progressive workouts to accomplish a fitter, healthier, yummier version of myself. I wanted to continue to grow as an example of health, fitness, love, positivity, perseverance and discipline to my hubby, my boys, my friends, and my extended family and I did that in ways I could not even imagine. I grew in my relationships with the women in ClubFYM and in my emotional and mental growth I helped to inspire others in their journeys. I couldn't have asked for more........but I did get more than I expected. I never imagined losing 10 pounds and to get even slimmer and trimmer than I was. I was happy with where I was at, but I am overjoyed at where I have come to now. Life has been full of challenges to itself, but I know because of it, I have grown tremendously. I had a plan of action, but I did my best instead of doing my plan to perfection and it saved my sanity and helped me to reach my goals and beyond, regardless of what situation was presented.With just having the FYM workouts as my routine, I have gone further than I could have imagined. I was surprised to see myself after each week, and even at the end of the challenge, I still have yet to grasp the results. The supersets made my day as I kept thinking that Holly had a little evil grin on her face as I pushed through (can we say uhem....muscle awareness HAHAHA....I LOVE it!). I am tighter and less "squishy", and stronger....a FIT Yummy Mummy!

July 10, 2008
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 151 lbs
Chest: 41"
Arm: 12"
Waist: 30.5"
Belly (Abdomen): 34"
Hips: 38.5"
Thighs: 24”L, 23.5”R

October 5, 2008
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 141 lbs .................difference of 10 lbs
Arm: 11" ..........................difference of 1"
Waist: 28.5" .......................difference of 2"
Belly (Abdomen): 31" .................difference of 3"
Hips: 37"...........................difference of 1.5"
Thighs: 22"L, 22"R ........................difference of 2"L, 1.5"R

What I have learned over the last 12 weeks is that you choose to make the most of the resources around you. You are the only one inside your head (hopefully) and your goals and what motivates you is ultimately coming from within you, but you can also choose to take the help of others and share your journey, and theirs, along the way. Accountability is an important part of success and growth. And when others have faith in what you are capable of, it helps you to have faith in yourself. The support is paramount for me, from myself and others, it is nice to know that others care enough for you to do well and to help you stay on your feet when you feel you have lost the strength and will to continue. Although in the end we chose to walk this journey with others or all by ourselves, imagine how much sweeter is the victory and how much more powerful the impact in every step we take when we continue to do it together.

Thanks be to God for answering my prayers and bringing me to the change in myself I was looking for. I got exactly what I need and more.

Concerns of air quality and mold toxins

• Posted by Elisa on October 4, 2008 at 4:00am

The JOY of it! It's 1 am and as I sit here on the sofa next to our wailing toddler I can't help to think the "illness" we have been experiencing is connected to the mold toxins I have been suspect of coming from my neighbours unit. I haven't been able to pinpoint what I have been ill with. Yesterday it was sore throat, headache and fatigue. Today I have a lingering headache (could be due to a lack of sleep), but I think it is time to raise the level of concern.

What I would pay for peace of mind and to be able to fix the problem that I know exist. To eliminate the concerns and problems and to narrow the options of what is making us ill. I know that my heart is just going out to my children as they are getting frustrated with being ill and after a visit to the doctors, I am actually hoping to hear it is a viral infection of some kind. Something that will phase out and go away and won't continue on for weeks and months as this has.

I have contacted lawyers, condo association, capital and environmental health, contractors and inspectors, Mike Holmes, and a city council member all for help,advice, or assistance and unfortunately I have no recourse. And what pains me the most is to know that others may be in this situation as well and either lose their drive and motivation,stuck with being sick all the time or just move and "leave" the problem for someone else to deal with. I am not going to do that. But what can I really do?
Anyways, back to tending to my son.

LOL I'm not a packrat, I am just in transition

• Posted by Elisa on September 25, 2008 at 11:00am

What a revelation to have! Although revelations tend to arise out of realizing something wrong or off-tilt in your life, but so be it. If it can help pave the way to change, then bring on the revelation!

I have been on the move and in transition for over 10 years! In university I had a few sparse items.....a futon (for a sofa), a desk my dad gave me for Christmas, a dresser, a couple filing cabinets and a trunk. I had a toaster (which I still have today LOL poor thing) and that was about it (and my fabric collection).....a few items to set up my new home when I was ready to move out......well after getting kicked out I had a rapid move into a house with a friend. My job bombed and the utility costs went up 200 percent that year and I was done. Little to no income (and mentally frozen) No moving back option given, I moved some of my stuff into storage and then moved in with my boyfriend (now my hubby). With a suitcase and a few household items (again, brought the toaster), we were together in a bachelor basement suite. 300 sq ft of prime livin', baby! HA! Separated from the stuff I had and no way to really sort through it, it stayed where it was, in storage. Then we moved into 2 bedrooms in an house, sharing the rent with a friend and again, stuff stored at a distance. Our situation temporary, and our friend pretty much had the place furnished with hand me downs, we had what we needed in the space. After getting notice that the house was for sale and we were to move, we rented a 2 bedroom basement suite with our new arrival, our first son. DH began selling computer parts and other items he picked up at auctions to supplement our income as I was now at home with our son. We weren't planning on staying long and long did not happen either. After a messy legal situation, we ended up putting our stuff in storage and living with my parents......eventually we ended up in the condo (a.k.a. flip) that we live in today. We are not settled yet into the space we need as we are in need of a workshop (garage) based on our talents and trade.

We are in transition. Everyday I go through the stuff we have and toss or donate something......I guess with each little piece I am hoping that we will actually fit into doing or being something else. The advantage of it all is that we didn't let the little bit of space affect how we would grow with business and with having and being a family. But now it is getting to be too much. It is time to be making full use of the talents that were given to us. To do the things we are able to do in the space required. It is obvious it is time to move on to being settled FINALLY!

So please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, as with very little time and assistance, we are feeling a bit discouraged. All I can do is have hope and keep on moving.

P.S. Although I have shared this blog with the community, it is a flow-thought process (organizing my thoughts).

Need a new pair of skinny jeans hehehe.....any excuse to go shopping I 'spose

• Posted by Elisa on September 23, 2008 at 2:52pm
  

This was me June 20th......



And this is me now!

The size 29 jeans I was so excited to get into a few months ago, and that were tight, are now baggy hahaha. I am now even smaller than I was 7 years ago (September 2001), but I was struggling to regulate my thyroid at the time. Funny thing is, I haven't been getting in my scheduled workouts as I would like, but instead opted to through in a piece of the travel workout here and there so I get SOMEthing in amidst the chaos. Something is definitely better than nothing and it shows hehehe.......shopping trip for my birthday now WHOOPEE!!!

Tags: goal, jean, progress, skinny

Happy Anniversary INDEED!!!!

• Posted by Elisa on September 21, 2008 at 8:30am

Well the day started off quiet, except for me singing to old Bell Biv DeVoe and New Edition songs and the boys running about. I didn't really speak a word to him although I knew what I wanted to say...."It's time for a change and to move on to the next step." A lot of negative thoughts were swirling around in my head as well. I had let that bug buzz in my ear and it went straight into my head. I should've squashed it with the first annoyance.....Anyways, he got a lot of stuff moved into storage and then it was time to get ready to drop off the boys for the day. Weeks ago I arranged for them to go to a friends house over night for our anniversary with nothing planned, but to not have the kids in the house. We got a few words in along the way and I could tell that there would be hope in the day.
Dropped off the kids and then I mentally went through the time line of the day. The van we rented to move stuff to storage had to be back for 5:30 pm. He rode his motorbike to pick up the van, so it would be how he gets back home and I was with him.......HMMMMMMMM! I guess I am going for a ride. I have no helmet and I didn't wear a coat HAHAHA. So I figured out his plan was to go ride together as we originally planned when he first got the bike. This would be the weekend I would ride with him, trusting him with my life.

The trusting him with my life thing has been the issue. This was the last step that needed to happen to get us over to new beginnings. I am a fighter. I consider myself a knight. A defender and protector and that is part of how I approach my fit yummy mummy-ness. I used to play an RPG (role play game) where I was a knight. In game and now in real life, I am a knight. SO when I felt that my warrior wasn't fighting along side me (he played a warrior in game), I knew that something was wrong. His priorities weren't where he said they would be and being a stickler for keeping your word, I felt hurt. Well, yesterday I owned my hurt and found a way to deal with it and put that bug out of my head. I LOVE my husband and I do believe that we are one in the same person. I have seen other marriages and I admire how well they complimented one another, but my marriage is not quite the same as those. We are one in the same. Our passions, our doubts, our fears and hold backs, our struggles, our pain......it's like looking into the mirror and being faced with the harsh reality of yourself day after day. What we don't like in the other is the same thing we wish we could change in ourselves. It is great and awesome, and really painful all in one. So as I watch him stumble and struggle, I know that I have to help us to grow past that by getting to the heart of it myself. To change it in me so I can help him to change it in himself. For example, fitness.

After our second son was born and my recovery and health was nothing like what happened after our first son (refer to my page for visual), he started to go after changing how we eat and the activities we would do together. He thought I had chosen to become fat and frumpy and I told him that that wasn't the case. I couldn't walk, I couldn't stand and I had tearing and straining almost up to a year after the c-section. I was injured, I wasn't healing and I knew although I had a second chance at life, I wasn't living it the way I wanted. But he expressed how he wanted us to be and I was thankful for his input and efforts. We got new cookware (Saladmaster), and we ate according to that cookbook. He got a free weight bench and then bought weights. I got an exercise program and tried it out. I got insoles for my feet (the big difference in foot recovery and mobility) that helped to restore the natural arch to my feet and from there I came to where I am today. He helped me to recover (although wanting to do it together.....). So now it is my turn to help him.

So before we unloaded the last of the stuff to storage he made a detour to get me fitted for a helmet. SO I have a helmet (same size as his because of my hair LMBO) and gloves, he brought the jackets and after we unloaded we rode. And it was better than a roller coaster, I guess. But the joy of it for me was that I was on a motorbike (finally) and that I got to hold on to my husband for most of the day. We talked over an early dinner about going into the future together with growth and success and we were open about our thoughts, feelings, and actions over the last week. HUGE!!!

With a little faith (and trust me, at the end of last week I had very little left.....stupid bug), and a lot of hope we are going into another year together (and many more) with a plan that will last a lifetime.

Tags: anniversary, love, marriage, support

SO, it's that time again.....Dax has put out another Elimination Diet challenge starting tomorrow!

• Posted by Elisa on September 21, 2008 at 8:00am

This is how it began the last time. I got an email challenging me to start the Elimination Diet and this was after posing a few personal questions to Dax himself. I knew if I didn't do it, I had no real excuse as to answer him with. For 28 days all I had to give up was sugar, dairy, preservatives in processed foods, caffeine, and using a microwave. That was all I had left in my diet to give up haha. I only had a couple days to make the change in pantry so I could start on a Monday. Well, I haven't been reading my emails as I should've been and now it starts tomorrow. Can I do it? No microwave, just a toaster oven. Can I cut out the caffeine (hmmm, no chocolate in the house)? Can I cut out the cheese ( I haven't bought cheese for weeks....)? Can I cut out the preservatives in the processed foods (all I have is hummus)? How about the sugar (ok.....there has got to be.......nope)? LOL, so with even less in my pantry to worry about than the last time I started and with even MORE support (I wasn't in ClubFYM until after the ED last time) and with the last stretch of the STC can I do this? What excuses do I have? I just had my anniversary meal yesterday and that's why I didn't start when I got back from my in-laws..........
LOL I am starting RIGHT NOW!!!!!!

Bring on the challenge BABY!!!!!

Now of course, keeping in mind that I am celiac and don't eat wheat and have other food allergies and sensitivities that leaves me to eat a pretty clean diet, it would make a pretty simple start or go of it for 21 days of elimination and then the week of re-intro, but if life gets crazy and hairy and I do make the choice to stray from the strict ED plan, I know that I am still putting my best foot forward with it and giving it a go. I know what to keep in mind when I am doing the ED, and for the most part I like to say that I did it! But when it comes down to the reality of it, I will also keep in mind that I eat supportively first (live, whole foods) and the Elimination diet is a form of detox for my body (and less toxins has lead to less cellulite) so my choice if for giving my body another boost to do it's best!

So for breakfast this morning, leftover steel cut oats and chicken breast with broccoli. LOL I know it sounds like dinner, but if I could eat eggs, it would all get mixed into an omelet. I'll be posting again in The Elimination Diet Group recipes or foods that I find as I experiment again with foods from around the world. I'm not sure which country or part of the world I will explore this time, but it should be interesting.

Tags: challenge, detox, elimination

In the move.........Week 10 review

• Posted by Elisa on September 19, 2008 at 5:30am

Last night I went to a mixer with other women and the focus was on a financial venture. The friend who invited me hadn't seen for a year (we later figure it out) and said "WOW GIRL!! You lost weight!! You are back to your university size." I guess the last time I saw here I was in a size 16 and now I am in a 4-6, so it is quite the difference. And it was the size I was at in University and I also weight trained then as well. My training was very similar to how the FYM system is. I weight trained 3 times a week with my male friends and then I would do my sisters track workout a couple days a week with her. My bone structure was different then as there are a few pieces of clothing I have that I will not be getting back into, but I am glad to know that being a mommy has transformed me in ways I couldn't imagine. I found out an interesting fact that our bones completely change after 7 - 8 years of growth. So if I count it back, since I have been with my husband I have grown into a new woman all the way through LOL. And it makes me want to promote the best growth for the next 7 - 8 years and beyond (I am big on evolution hahaha).

This weekend will mark 8 years together with my hubby and I am grateful. Although this last week has not been the best and he has chosen to get distant again, I can still take the time to reflect on what we have grown in and how we can grow more together in the years to come.

Motivation has been on a low point for me to do anything this week and it has been painful to watch myself in this. It's good sometimes to get to the lows so you can reach out for help and come out of it stronger than what you were before, but it's kind of like getting your feelings hurt at the same time. There may have been a better way to do it, but it was the way that was chosen and it's better just to make the most of the situation. I decided to take a new step and find a new resource to help put in my head the principles that will lead to a new stage of development in our lives. I sought out Jack Canfield and I will be purchasing (when I budget it in) a book to sit down and go through, The Success Principles. I need a new outlook on familiar information to bring it to light and to the surface again.

As for exercise, this week I have been on the walk (and running for the bus). Here and there and everywhere! I got in a lot of walking and running and my body is telling me so heheh. I have been trying to get my son to the school bus on time, but they shifted the time and the adjustment has been a touch frustrating. So today, myself and the other mom are going to confirm the time with her once again and state that if she could wait until such specified time for our children to board if she happens to be early. On Wednesday I had very little sleep and I am still recovering from it today. I plan on jumping in and doing as much of an Intermediate workout B as I can since I know I had put myself on back burner mode and everyone has been thrown right off by it. When I don't care, no one does. So I need to crank it for everyone's sake. I did manage to get a few more things out of the way, so now I do have a space to workout in, but it was a fight to get that space hahah.

I was so encouraged on Wednesday by the call with Jennifer Nicole Lee and I would LOVE to meet her and sit and talk with her sometime. So I am saving my money and making plans to be ready to meet with my favorite fitness friends (I am hoping for that FYM retreat and if not, I am just going to have to drop in to Elizabethtown, KY looking for lodging hahahah). I want to look fit and tight, but also be on the road to success in other areas of my life by then as well, so I will have more to share. So keep moving forward and onward to a better version of yourself each day and before this Summer Transformation Challenge ends, I am beginning a new phase and goal for the journey I am on.

Tags: active, modify, nutrition, supportive, walk

Confessions of a packrat....

• Posted by Elisa on September 13, 2008 at 6:30am

SO as we pack and get things ready to move, I am realizing that I married just the right person. We are so much alike and it really helps me to change for the better. We come from families that don't get rid of stuff as they should and live with a lot of extras in hopes that it will get put to good use one day haha.

For example, I got to know the lady who I see every morning while loading our sons on the bus. She is a wonderful lady. Mature, forward thinking, and just the type of person I love to surround myself with. Yesterday morning as we were walking back to our homes, I invited myself over HAHAHA and when we (my 2 y.o. and I) walked in and INSTANTLY made ourselves at home. Just LOVED her place (we live in the same condo complex, so the layout is exactly the same except for flipped). And then it made me realize I really wish we had less stuff! No matter how much stuff I throw out this STUFF is still there. A lot of nicky-nacky's and stuff I don't like, gifts from others from our wedding and other "special" occasions and I just want to JUNK it! Now I really appreciated the thought that was behind the gift-giving and the fact that many people are always giving us gifts shows that we are loved people which is very encouraging, but it is time to pass it on to the next person. And it is all stuff that people would pick up in an instant and put to use and that is why it is still in my house. It is still here, because I need a spot to sort it out, box it up and then donate it. I guess when we get to our new place we can always have a garage sale and get rid of stuff that way, but I would rather just pass it along and not have an experience with the departure of the item.

ANYWAYS, with all that said, now is not the time to be putting stuff off to the side as many things get shuffled around and with little people on the go, it is better to get it out of sight than to have them get at it. My husband and I have moved many times in a hurry (no, we are not wanted by the law haha) based on short notice and taking the opportunity as it comes, but it has left us in a position where we have a lot of unsorted stuff that keeps getting moved along with us. After we get all the stuff that we don't want out, we will be left with two major "collect" items each. My husband will have his tools and computer stuff and I will have my fabric and clothes.

LOL I must have a separate wardrobe for every role I play as a woman.

~ I have what I call mommy clothes (casual to semi-casual, slightly stained clothing that I can be out looking good with my kids and not worry about getting food rubbed on me).
~ I have sleep, loungewear and workout clothes.
~ I have camping and hiking clothes and other applicable sportswear.
~ I have creative clothes (even more stained than mommy clothes for cleaning, gardening, and painting).
~ I have 'hanging with my girls' clothes (more fun and playful and items my hubby isn't exactly fond of).
~ I have 'date with the hubby' clothes (more sexy and I wouldn't wear it with anyone else but him).
~ I have work clothes (I used to work in office environments and I enjoy dressing in suit pieces).
~ I have the rest of which I usually wear to church or events where I represent the family as a put-together wife and mom (and trust me, I wasn't always doing that and it was not encouraging for anyone if I didn't put myself together right).

This last section is smaller, but very important, because it means I get taken care of with the rest of the family. I used to run around and get everyone else ready and looking proper and walk out of the door with my hair in a scarf , make up not done, dark circles under my eyes, ashy skin, and the outfit was probably a work outfit. So I just looked like I was coming home after a horrible day at work hahaha.

I do not wear creative, sleep, loungewear or workout clothes out of the house. That is usually mommy clothes or one of the other applicable wardrobes that I can apply to the appropriate situation. I noticed from before that I got asked inappropriate questions and approached in a way that was overly forward, stereotypical, and abrasive if I don't dress accordingly and take the time to put myself together. It was not the way I wanted to be approached or the way I wanted to approach myself. I didn't want the extreme of getting treated like a superstar, but didn't need the assumption that I was less than I really am. Life didn't just happen to me and I was dealing with the consequences. I chose my husband, am happily married (as frustrating as it gets sometimes hahah), and planned for our children and to put off the opposite impression was not working for me anymore. Now, there are people who can get away with just wearing sweats and a loose fitting t-shirt out shopping, but I was not given that luxury. I look WRONG no matter how I strut it, so I just have to put in the effort to get it done right the first time. And it really doesn't take that long at all (except for my hair LOL), and my boys take pride in putting on their clothing and taking care of themselves properly as well.

So I may have a lot of clothes, but when the moment calls for something, I am prepared hahaha (almost, I could use shoes that fit now hahaha.......but that is for another time).

Tags: clutter, respect, roles

Pride of Maturity

• Posted by Elisa on September 7, 2008 at 7:30am

"I'm Mature and you're not!....Nah nah nah nah nah nah"

I was given a note book with a bunny with his tongue out and that is what it says. I was turned off by it when I read it and realized I am not a fan of taunting. But I have also come to think about and pose the question, "What ever happened to being mature?" Wanting to grow and improve on, and grow past and beyond a way of thinking......on to the next step and next phase. To continue on in development and even as deep as saying to progress with evolution. Now being a bit of a science buff, I constantly think about how we are evolving everyday and with everything we do, feel, think and eat. It affects the generations that are to come. But beyond that, as chivalry faded out with the push for equality, has maturity died off too. Has convenience and comfort taken such a forefront in our society that we never truly grow up? Are the only things that are growing our waistlines and the amounts and upgrades to our "toys"?

When you type a message, do you proofread it or rely on spell check? And when spell check highlights a word do you look through the selection of words or do you read the word and correct it yourself? Granted, I have spell check and I think it is a useful tool, but does it know what it is I really want to say or is it providing suggestions? It's a TOOL! To help make things easier for me, but I am the one that still has to do the thinking and thus put it to use. I need to put the pieces of the puzzle in and create the whole picture. I need to ASK the questions and then SEEK the answers.

I AM A FREE THINKER! I AM a problem solver! I AM a lover of the concept of maturity and I think in the end, beyond all that I do to improve, it is maturity that I seek.

For those of you that have the FYM e-book and have made full use of the resources provided through FYM (e.g. Yummy Mummy Makeover, coaching calls, etc.), you have been growing in your maturity as the challenges are continually presented to you. As questions are asked of you whether or not you have thought of or acted upon something, that is a cue to stop and think, and find the answer. The question is asked and the answer is usually given in return. The answer will come verbally or through blogs expressing how the challenge given has made you think or physically through taking action when it wasn't before.

This is a lifestyle change. A progression on to the next level in fitness, to the next level in health, to the next level in thinking, to the next level in emotional expression, to the next level in responsibility, not just for yourself, but for ALL of those around you. THAT is mature! NAH, NAH, NAH, NAH!

Tags: challenge, grow, think

Week 8 in review.........Work THAT!

• Posted by Elisa on September 5, 2008 at 11:00am

Well I had my crank week in true fashion. I switched to intermediate and I am loving the switch. I have been lacking in energy due to a change in my monthly cycle. Much heavier flow (as forecasted) and in turn, I wasn't into cooking or preparing meals or much of anything really. I think I ate my fair share of almonds this week LOL. Also, after the emotional upheaval I had at the start of the week, I really just needed to take a step back and refocus on getting back to my priorities. With looking for a house and seeking financial advice, and reaching a stagnant point in emotional and spiritual growth, it has been quite painful and frustrating for me so I put my focus back on my relationships and being what I was called to and the refocus has been what I needed.

I may have the opportunity to care for my friends daughter so that she can go back to work and in turn I will get paid and she can know that her daughter is in good hands. This will be good for many reasons, so I hope it works out. As for growth in other areas, I am going to open my mouth more and speak more of what it is I want to say.

Plan for week 9 and beyond.......

- apply some nutritional discipline. I was going to go with doing the ED, but my anniversary weekend is in 21 day range so I will do that later on and maybe apply something else for the remainder of the STC.

- stick to 3 - 4 activities a day. I don't do well with more or I don't do more well (however best worded) as I know I am not a multi-tasker, just a many tasker. I don't like having more than one thing on the go at a time. I tend to have to give everything my full attention or I can be forgetful or go a little batty.

- encourage growth and progress in my husband's life. I do well when he is doing well. I want to do better if he is doing better. We both succeed when he does. How? Share my thoughts and keep on top of what needs to get done. No more sliding as many details are time sensitive atm.

- keep loving up on my workouts. I know I am getting stronger, and it's getting harder to see results as quick as before. But I am having fun and it helps to keep me sane and healthy, so there is no stopping now.

And while I was doing my intervals today some words stood out to me, so I thought I would share.....Have a great weekend!

Mary J Blige - Work That

Work your thing out
Work your thing out
Work your thing out
Work your thing out

Theres so many-a girls
I hear you been running
From the beautiful queen
That you could be becoming
You can look at my palm
And see the storm coming
Read the book of my life
And see I've overcome it
Just because the length of your hair ain't long
And they often criticize you for your skin tone
Wanna hold your head high
Cause you're a pretty woman
Get your runway stride home
And keep going
Girl live ya life

I just wanna be myself
Don't sweat girl be yourself
Follow me
Follow me
Follow me
Girl be yourself
That's why I be myself
And I'm gonna love it

Let em get mad
They gonna hate anyway
Don't you get that?
Doesn't matter if you're going on with their plan
They'll never be happy
Cause they're not happy with themselves

Na na work what you got
I'm talking bout things that I know
Na na work what you got
It's okay show yourself some love
Na na work what you got
Don't worry bout who's saying what
It's gonna be fine
Work what you got

Feelin great because the light's on me
Celebrating the things that everyone told me
Would never happen but God has put his hands on me
And aint a man alive could ever take it from me
Working with what I got I gotta keep on
Taking care of myself I wanna live long
Aint never ashamed what life did to me
Wasn't afraid to change cause it was good for me
I wanna...

I just wanna be myself
Don't sweat girl be yourself
Follow me
Follow me
Follow me
Girl be yourself
That's why I be myself
And I'm gonna love it

Let em get mad
They gonna hate anyway
Don't you get that?
Doesn't matter if you're going on with their plan
They'll never be happy
Cause they're not happy with themselves

Na na work what you got
I'm talking bout things that I know
Na na work what you got
It's okay show yourself some love
Na na work what you got
Don't worry bout who's saying what
It's gonna be fine
Work what you got

Work that
Work that
Work that
Girl don't hold back
You just be yourself

Na na work what you got
I'm talking bout things that I know
Na na work what you got
It's okay show yourself some love
Na na work what you got
Don't worry bout who's saying what
It's gonna be fine
Work what you got

Work that
Work that
Work that
Girl don't hold back
You just be yourself

Work that thing out
Work that thing out
Work what you got

I want to thank the true loves in my life

• Posted by Elisa on September 4, 2008 at 10:30am

If you visit my page, you will notice that you have entered my FYM love zone! I am a romantic and a HUGE advocate of love in general. With one of my anniversaries coming up soon, I am thinking of ways to enjoy it fully. Now why did I say one of my anniversaries? Because my relationship with my husband has some huge, significant dates that I wish to acknowledge.

September 21st
- In 2000, it was not only the first "unofficial" date that we had, but it was also the day I vowed to God to marry him (LONG story, but a good one......)
- In 2002, we had a wedding ceremony that was beautiful and renewed our commitment to on another.

November 7th
- 2001, we were married in a small civil ceremony in a dimly lit garden in front of the waterfall. Our lives together began legally that day.

December 9th
- 2001, we were baptized, one after the other to become disciples of Jesus Christ and make another life long vow with God as our witness (and a room full of friends, and my mom and little sister).

And back to the topic of enjoying my anniversary this year.....On the topic of SEX (I am a married woman and it is my right and privilege haha), I thought I had mentioned it sooner (must have been on someone's page or PM) being that I was a youth coordinator with a health committee promoting safe sex and teaching AIDS 101 to teens and peers (was in University). So I spoke of it openly with many people. I even got to meet and discuss with Sue Johanson at a forum at my University the work I was doing (She really loves the topic). Also in high school, I had a friend that was very interested in the ancient techniques and philosophies surrounding sex. I learned a lot such as Kama Sutra speaks a lot about the roles of men and women where as the Chinese texts describe the therapeutic benefits. And I must say, we got the jump on the topic and info before it became popular in Cosmo hahahaha. But from the info I have come across, I find that fostering intimacy has been the key to a good relationship. Getting to know deeply and share vulnerably and openly has been applicable to all relationships, not just the "sexual" one between me and my hubby. Intimacy is a strength and distinguishing between the "high" of intimacy and the "warm fuzzies" that come with sex (or sexual attraction) takes a level of awareness. Being "in" the moment takes on a big meaning and importance. Conscious behaviour and being aware of the details of what we do and why we do it really adds fullness and control to what we do and helps to make it that much more enjoyable.

I have an intimate relationship with my husband, my parents, my dear friends, my children, my own body and my God. Now there are things I enjoy passionately, but I cannot say that it is an intimate relationship since the other side of it is not getting to know me deeply or is vulnerable with me. Like food. I can passionately enjoy the taste, the texture, the after taste and the feeling of the food entering my system, but I don't think the food is feeling the same way. So I take it more as a passionate moment shared between me and my body. In that, I am focused on how my act of taking in the food affects my body and how it makes me feel. I try and pay attention to HOW I make my body feel. With this being September, I can say that this is not only a time to celebrate the relationships in my life, but also reflect on how I have improved the intimacy of those relationships as well.

Almost a year ago, I decided to become more intimate in my approach to my body and with the help of Holly and the info she provided and that I chose to use, I have developed a loving, deeper relationship between me and my body and in turn with everyone else around me (Thanks again Holly). I get to go into this 7th year of marriage and 8th year together with my husband with health, and depth and everyone will benefit. How intimate is that?! And I can say that I will enjoy more physically this year than the last as I am filled with more energy, knowledge and wisdom and am more able to move too.

So to the relationships in my life, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Tags: anniversary, intimacy, love

I don't know what to call this HAHAHHA

• Posted by Elisa on September 2, 2008 at 6:00am

But I will say this, it's not the worst that could happen.

I have decided to take matters into my own hands (and hopefully with God's blessings) as I am no longer tolerant of neglected situations. That is the best way I can word what I have to say. It's funny, as I move forward to be completely independent at this time ( a concept I do not find comforting and quite lonely), I know that I am in need of some major help. I am going back to work. This is a huge sacrifice and may not last long, being that I have limited options, allergy and ability concerns. I feel how I felt before I joined club FYM, lacking in support. I am glad that I was able to find this group of wonderful people as it has gotten me this far and I have no idea what my life would have been like without it. You ladies have really helped to carry me and encourage me in ways that others have not been able to. I asked my mom for her support and told her I would not be able to do this without it, so she provided what she could. And I know that she understands to some degree the situation I am in and may even grow in retrospect from this experience and maybe that why things have played out this way. I also hope that the great pain that I am feeling is only because it is a great change (for the better) that is occurring.

So after breaking down in tears during my workout yesterday, I will probably not be as focused as I would like to be in that area of my life. I did enjoy the switch to the intermediate workout, but my mind really needs to be in it, so I will switch to auto mode, because if I don't get my workouts in and some level of proper nutrition in, it won't be good for me. I can't give up on taking care of me because I get overwhelmed and frustrated. I am still sick and now stressed without a spotter (do NOT bench press more weight that you think you can handle without a spotter....trust me), BUT I am NOT going to be giving up or quitting ANYTHING. I am fighting that prideful little voice that says "I don't need help....I can do this all by myself" or "There is no one that can do this as well as I can do it" or etc, etc. We all need to get over ourselves and ask for help sometimes and to be brave enough to share our thoughts and worries and not worry about burdening someone if they offer the support. Now, of course, there are limits to that statement and there are people that are meant to be supportive and have not allowed themselves to fill the role they put themselves in. They get frozen in chaos (HAHAH I love that phrase) and choose not to train themselves to deal with situations and just do nothing instead. But doing nothing and hoping either the situation figures itself out or somebody else to come along to fix it is not a good thing.

However, if I do happen to "manage" things well, I will also remind myself not to find comfort in what I perceive as my own ability, but to remember that things are constantly changing around me and choose to remain in tune to the needs (emotional, and spiritual) of my family as I set forth to meet needs physically. I know I haven't gone into a lot of detail, but at this time all I can really say is that some situations and some people need physical, hard proof instead of explanations (or perceived excuses) to know that certain things won't work to their benefit. This is what has come about in my life and it will be a hard lesson learned, but hopefully will bring about much understanding, growth, and fruit. So pray that I land a job that pays well and that has minimal physical restrictions (allergens mainly), and that God will guide and bless me or humble me through this time. Thanks again for your support.