Alright, no more blog posts about weight loss and IP. I get it, all you non-commenters!

I am seriously debating getting rid of FB. I love blogging. I love having a record of our lives. I don't do baby books, scrapbooking, or heck, right now, I don't even keep up with photo albums. I know that if I didn't have FB, I would blog more.

I find lately, my life is swamped. I'm often overwhelmed with all that there is to do on my plate. Then I find myself wasting time on FB. My house is a mess, laundry piles threatening to overtake my bedroom, my dishes undone, and there I am, wasting time checking what other people are doing.

I don't like how it makes me feel. Often I feel inferior, unworthy, excluded, and lonely. It makes me compare myself with others, something I try hard not to do.

Other times I get so annoyed at others' statuses that are copied and pasted, claiming that FB will start charging soon, or you need to post your bra size, or if you don't pass it on, Jesus won't be happy with you. Seriously people??

But then there are the people that I do connect with on FB whom I love and would miss greatly. I have a business and I use FB often to communicate with my clients. I have made some great friends because of facebook. I'm scared that if I were to leave FB, I would feel even more left out.

I get that these are all issues and insecurities within me, that probably have very little to do with FB, but something's gotta change.

Anyways, those are my thoughts for the night...

One year.

One year ago, I decided to give Ideal Protein a try. I did it for them.

I was tired of having no energy and tired of being uncomfortable in my own skin. I didn't like hearing my doctor tell me that I was morbidly obese, at risk for heart disease, likely to develop diabetes, and that I probably shouldn't try getting pregnant again. I had no confidence, wanted to hide at home, and it was hurting my friendships and my marriage.  I wasn't happy.

Now, a year later, I'm doing things I only ever dreamed about. I'm learning to love myself, trust myself, and BE myself. I'm happier and healthier and my whole family benefits.

 In my clinic, I have a wall of "non-scale victories." These are little things that have changed since losing weight that have nothing to do with sizes or numbers on a scale. There are so many things that are hard to do when you are overweight.

Some of my personal non-scale victories are:
- wearing boots. They finally zip up! I have choices! I own 6 pairs. Hee hee
- shopping! I never knew it could be fun. I used to have to buy whatever fit.
- I'm not afraid to sit in lawn chairs. (Some of them only have a 200lb weight limit!)
- seeing my collarbones.
- two words - skinny. jeans.
- having confidence to join workout classes.
- finding out how strong I am, physically.
- running a half marathon!! (Okay, this one happens Oct. 8th, but it still counts!)
- buying two bathing suits because I loved them both!
- being able to crawl around after my kids.
- having my doctor stand up and applaud me.
- jumping on a trampoline (again, without fear that it's going to break)
- being able to get in and out of a car, comfortably.
- watching others around me take charge of their lives and make healthier choices.

It hasn't been easy - far from it. Actually, if the truth be told, losing weight was the easy part. Maintaining is always harder. But here, I am, happily maintaining, working hard to maintain, choosing with every day and every meal to maintain. Food still calls my name. I have good days and I have bad days, but all of the time, I have healthier, happier days. (Yes, that was super cheesy.)

Oh and it's been 365 days since my last taste of pop. Oh Diet Coke, I still miss you, but I will choose to avoid you always, mostly because I'm really stubborn. 

Calgary and Ideal Protein Superstars

So last Friday, Chris and I hopped a plane and flew to Calgary to attend Ideal Protein's level 2 and level 3 training seminars. I was pumped. Obviously, my heart belongs to IP and I am grateful to this company for helping me become who I am today. I was sooo excited to go and learn more and meet my IP superheroes.

There were only about 125 people at the conference, so it was small enough to actually get to chat with the speakers and presenters and other clinic owners. It was so much fun. I know the theme of this post is going to be "fun" and "excited" but really, I was. I did learn so much and took a ridiculous amount of notes and I feel refreshed and invigorated.

The first two people I was excited to see were the amazing Martin Galipeau (the business development consultant and my personal mentor and coach) and Cheryl Zatwarnitski (my regional consultant). Without the support of these two wonderful people, I wouldn't be where I am today. I adore my support team! Martin always has me flexing for him and Cheryl tells everyone about my IP cupcakes and my belt of truth.

Saturday, we spent most of the day listening to the President and CEO of Ideal Protein, Olivier Benloulou. He was encouraging, inspiring and motivating. I love his passion and mission for the company. It was so great to hear how IP started and how it is constantly changing and evolving and taking a stand against obesity. I am so excited and blessed to be a part of his team!

Sunday was an intense day of learning. The knowledgeable Dr. Michael Ciell, the Chief Science Officer and Vice President of Clinical Operations, presented, spending a great deal of time educating us on the science behind IP, debunking a lot of myths, and patiently answering all of our medical questions. I found him fascinating and could have listened to him speak all day.

Also, on Sunday, we finally got to meet Dr. Chanh Tran Tien! He is the man with the vision behind the protein diet. He actually got to the hotel on Saturday night and ate supper at the table next to ours. I felt like a starstruck fan. Chris just kept laughing at me as I was watching the doctor all night.



On Sunday, after listening to him speak, I decided I was going to fully embrace my geeky self and go talk to Dr. Tran. I was giddy and starstruck. He listened to my story, congratulated me, hugged me and then we took another picture. I'm smiling like a geek because I was barely holding it together. I am so thankful for this man and what he does. (Seriously, I don't like this picture of me at all, but it's the only one I have!)

So Saturday night, Chris and I had a bit of free time, so we went for a great steak supper, then wound up playing a board game in the hotel lounge. It was nice to be able to relax, even just for a few short hours. Sunday was the conference, then we visited with our friends in Calgary and then took a flight home. We got into Winnipeg at midnight and were tucked into our beds at 2:30 in the morning, and both of us were at work for 8:30 Monday morning.

 

We are exhausted, but oh so glad we went.

Bedtime

I was going to blog something really cool and interesting that would attract tens of comments I'm sure, but then I remembered that I have to work tomorrow - all day. That means being showered, dressed, and fed before I wake up the kids to get them dressed and fed.

Ack. Bubye summer of 2011. You were fantastic. I'm going to miss you.

Change

It's been almost a year since my life changed. September 25th last year I started IP. In so many ways, it was easy. In so many other ways, it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. But this post is not about that.

I'm not the kind of person who declares on facebook every time I workout, but rest assured, I workout and I workout hard. I do bootcamps, Turbo Jam, a few Jillians every now and then and as I declared in my last post - I run. I think I finally think it's okay for me to say "I am a runner."

I've dreamed of running in a half/full marathon for about 8 years. I've trained before in university and got really close, but then caught bronchitis and cracked two ribs and was told to stop running.

I secretly told a friend a few months ago that I wanted to run at least the 10K. This wouldn't have been too hard because I was running a lot. My minimum run when I run is 3.5 miles and at the time, I could do 6. For me, it was more the commitment of actually sticking to it. Last summer, I could easily finish 6 miles, but I didn't sign up for any 10K races because I was so embarrassed in my own skin. This summer, no excuses. So this friend put together a schedule for me to follow and one of my runs was scheduled to be 7 miles.

But add a little determination and a sprinkle of stubborness and I wound up running 8. This was the farthest I had ever run and I did it without stopping to walk or anything. I was so happy and shocked and proud (hence the blogpost).

When I got home, my husband simply asked, "So are you doing the half now? It's only 5 more miles."


So I figured I'd give it a shot. I figured, "Why not?" I'm in the best shape of my life thanks to proper eating and hard work.

So yesterday, I set out with a goal. I was supposed to do 9 miles, but wanted to do 10. Ten miles - yikes.

It was AWESOME! I chose to run down the highway, through a couple small villages and then down country roads. I love the peacefulness of running on gravel with no one around.

As I looked down at my running watch and realized that I had run over 8 miles and that this was the farthest I had ever run, the song "Defying Gravity" came on my ipod.

Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
of someone else's game

Too late for second guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap

It's time to try
defying gravity
I think I'll try
defying gravity
Kiss me goodbye
I'm defying gravity
and you won't bring me down...

I'm through accepting limits
'cause someone says they're so
Some things I cannot change
But 'til I try I'll never know

Defying Gravity Lyrics at elw

I was now running with goosebumps and even a few tears. See? Good thing I run out in the country.

Something has changed within me. I am so strong now and in control. I am doing things and trying new things and have a confidence that I've only imagined.

So, it's official. October 8th, I'll be running the half marathon. I don't promise that I'll be running it fast or anything, but I will finish it. :)

Here's to defying gravity.

8 miles!

"Maybe strong is just what you have left when you've used up all your weak."

Reminder

I love this so much. It's going to go on my wall somewhere. So so true.

Give me CANDY.

First of all, let me start off by saying, "Do not judge."


Okay? No really.


NO judgement. It's my blog and I'm about to reveal a deep dark secret.


I love parades.


There I said it.

Around here, all I seem to hear is negativity - people hate parades. "Our parade is so lame." "Our parade is so short." Blah, blah, blah. I'm from Gilbert Plains, people! We have 5 floats, 3 cows, some bikes and a whackload of machine equipment. Winkler parade is fantastic and Morden's? LOVE!


There's just something about the excitement you see in kids as they watch floats go by and catch candy. I love it. This year we went to Altona, Gretna and Plum Coulee parades. My family got to watch the Winkler parade but I didn't - because I WAS IN IT!!

Okay, I know it's not that exciting. But I was walking in a pink tank with the Tyson Method 4 Moms ladies and I had a blast!
A sea of pink, coming your way!

(This is me, waving at Chelsea. I wasn't this excited for the whole parade, I promise.)
Chelsea got to join us and she also thought being in the parade was the greatest thing ever.
I've been asked to be in the Morden parade and I had to take a few days to think about it because I love watching the parade that much. It was a tough choice!


But I'm super excited. I've been attending aquafit bootcamp on Tuesday nights and I've been asked by Fittwell in Morden to workout on their bootcamp float. ME! People are going to be watching me workout on a float.


Wait - people are going to be watching me workout on a float.


YIKES!

Ah well, see you Saturday!!

Breathtaking.

So so so blessed.

Happiness - 2011.

2 blonde babes

Aww... they really do like each other. Sometimes it's good for me to remember this.

M'baby is all grown up

A twin bed has never looked so big.
He's got all he needs - two monkeys, a sippy cup of water and his blanket.

For the first time in almost 5 years, we're packing away the baby crib and changetable. This does make me sad, I will admit.

As for potty training, I'd like to say he's completely pottytrained, as long as he's naked. As soon as I put a diaper or gitchies on him, he's a mess. But leave him naked and we've got #1 and #2 on the potty, each and every time.

So, with that being said, I've come up with a solution.

He'll be naked, forever. No biggie.

So if you see me at superstore with the Pantless Wonder, just smile, nod and go on your merry way.

Choices.

We started out as babies. At least, that's how I feel now, looking back. We started dating the summer I turned 20.

We were engaged 9 months later. I did not know what marriage was all about, but I knew it wasn't easy. We tried to prepare ourselves with two different sets of premarital classes with two different pastors. We were very different people who needed to figure out how to live as one.

Then, the summer I turned 22, on August 9, 2003 we made our promises, said our vows, and began this crazy, wild ride we call marriage.

I wish I could tell you that it's been easy. I wish I could say that marriage is a simple equation of 2 people + marriage = happiness.

But the truth is, marriage is hard. Marriage involves making certain choices each and every day. Every day, I chose to love my husband. Every day, I chose to value our marriage. Some days, these choices are easy. Some days, these choices are the hardest things I've ever had to do.(2004)

We've had our struggles. If you've ever met us, you'll know that Chris and I are very different people. We've been told time and time again, "Opposites attract." Well, opposites also have to figure each other out. Opposites have to figure out how to co-exist without hurting each other. We had to figure out how to argue - a non-confrontational, quiet, slow to process, slow to anger man, and a rash, loud, deal in the moment, emotional girl. We had to figure out how to deal with finances - a husband who loved impulse buys, credit cards and never worried about money and a girl who pinches pennies, saves in order to buy, and loathes credit cards. (Edmonton, 2006)
We had to figure out how to balance each other. I loved being social, going out with friends, doing things and Chris loved quiet nights at home. (I swear, he would be quite content to never leave the house - ever). We had to figure out everything. Opposites attract, but man oh man, it wasn't easy.

We struggled with having babies. We fought about having babies. We were stressed and unhappy. Marriage was a choice. We had to reconsider our future. What would our marriage look like if we didn't have kids? How would we move on? This was a sad, dark time, but we turned to each other.

God stepped in and blessed us with our amazing daughter. Can I just say, "Woah - parenting." If your marriage isn't strong and built on a solid foundation, I'd recommend putting off having babies until that gets figured out. Babies are amazing and wonderful and such a blessing, but suddenly you don't have oodles of time to devote to your spouse and your marriage. Date nights become a thing of the past, free time is non-existant, and exhaustion seems to rule every decision made.

2008 was a true test of our marriage. We knew enough to reach out for help. We turned to our pastor and counselling. We fought hard for our marriage. Each and every day, we made the choice to stay married. I wish I was exaggerating when I say that each day was a choice. We talked late into every night, trying to figure out how this marriage thing was supposed to continue. We kept our problems a deep dark secret. Looking back, my stomach still churns. But we put on our happy faces and chose to honor our promises and commitments we had made on August 9th, 2003.

(Sept 2008)

As time passed, things got easier again. We began to relax and breathe and enjoy each other. Our choice to stay married was the right one. I'm a big believer that marriage is not always easy. It's not always chocolates, roses and long walks on the beach. It's messy and chaotic, but it's always a choice.

(Oct. 2009)

Marriage can be a wonderful and beautiful thing. I have a built in best friend. I know he's always waiting for me, ready to hear me talk about my day. He understands that I need to talk late into the night, even when he wants to sleep. He gets my frustrations and he's quick to celebrate my joys. He encourages me and gives me strength. We parent well together and love on our kids like crazy. We've slowly learned to balance each other out.

(Sept. 2010)

I think of what we would have missed out on, had we thrown in the towel and given up. I think of how our lives we be so different if we chose differently. During those rough times, I didn't ever think we would make it and that life would move on and happiness would return. I am so thankful that we continued to choose our marriage above everything.

(November 2010)

And here we are today. Eight years of marriage have passed. 8 years. That is such an accomplishment. In the years to come, I will fight for my marriage. I will protect my promises. I will strive to become a better wife, a better friend and a better partner. I will choose to continue to love my husband, even when our marriage isn't full of passion and romance, but rather exhaustion, poopy diapers and a to-do list a mile long.

(August, 2011)

Our marriage right now feels easy and right. It's full of fun, passion, love and devotion.

Chris is my rock, my saving grace, and my best friend. I chose him 10 years ago when we started dating, made the choice to marry him eight years ago, and I would chose him again today.

I choose love. I will always choose to love.

Almost a compliment

C - "Mommy, you work out a lot."

"Yup. I like how it makes me feel strong and healthy."

C- "You are rock hard, right Mommy?"

"Aww thanks Chelsea!"

C - "Well, except for all your jiggly bits."

...


Bahahahhahahahaa.

Projects

We are big on projects around here during the summer.

I wallpapered and painted our master. I haven't done the "big reveal" yet, because I'm still working on some artwork and bedding, but here is a little taste.

The before shot is more of a during shot.

And this is just a teaser of the wallpaper I put up.
Then, project #2 was finishing under the deck. We went from this....

...to this. There's even a hidden door under there so I can still use it as storage. I still need to stain it, but I'm in the process of talking to the paint store, because the stain I did last year did NOT weather well and we need to figure out what to do.

I also bought, primed, and painted a new bedroom set for Chelsea. I'll post pics when it's all set up in her room.

Possible to do still...

- redo our garden shed. Chris wants to make it larger and side it so it matches our house. I'll miss the uniqueness of the shed, but I won't miss the flaking paint and loose shingles.

- tile a backsplash in the kitchen. I'm so rooting for this to happen, but I'll need help picking out tile.

- finish the basement? We still need to finish the bathroom and Chris' office. I'm thinking the office might get done, but the bathroom would be expensive to finish, and really, do I NEED 4 toilets to clean when only 3 of us use them?

And that's it! There's not a lot of relaxing that goes on in our house during the summer.

G-man

This boy has me wrapped around his finger. I am always so amazed by the love I feel for him. We've started the process to move him out of his crib and into a big boy bed. This is a hard one for me. M'baby is growing up too fast!

We've also started potty training. Oy-vey, potty training. He's actually doing really well, and I am learning patience. Oh how I am learning patience as I sit and wait, and wait, and wait some more while he sits, and sits, and sits some more.

So - funny story.

I'm in the kitchen and the doorbell rings. As I walk down the hallway towards the door, I see that Gavin has peed on the floor. No emergency, so I go and let in my guest. As I lead this guest into my house, I'm trying to explain the pee situation going on and she starts laughing.

Oh, my friends, it's not just pee anymore. I watch, horrified, as he poops, and then steps in it. Then, as I'm rushing to clean all this up, clean that up, he holds out a poopy hand with this grossed out look on his face. Don't you wanna come visit me?? Good thing my guest had a sense of humour (and a strong stomach!)

And, it's becoming increasingly clear to me that we have a communication problem in our house.

For example:

me - "Gavin, you have to chew your food, Buddy."

G - "Choo choo? chugga chugga, choo choo!"

me - "Gavin, want to wear your big boy gitchies?"

G - "Yeah!" as he promptly runs to the fridge and points "Cheese?"

(Forever in my head, I will think of gitchies as "get-cheese.")
me - "Where are your knees?"
G - "Ahhh Chooo!"
me- "No buddy, that's 'sneeze.' Where are your knees?"
G - grinning wildly, "Chhheeeeeesssssseeeeee!"

me - "Gavin, go put pee in the potty." (Yup. I'm that blunt. Sigh for potty training.)

G - brings me the potty seat with 10 green peas in the bottom. "PEE!"

:) LOVE this guy, but looks like we may need a lesson in mommy-gavin speech.