mind over matter

There is something to be said about mobility.  Before I go on about this, let me go back to a place where there is not a lot of mobility... the one where I was 256 pounds years ago and where I was headed to again.  Before starting this journey I had gained enough of my weight back I had lost (45 of the 85 lost) that I was again starting to loose my ability to move. The little things we take for granted, tying my shoes without holding my breath, being able to get down on the floor and back up again, and the big one ... crossing my legs without having to hold onto my leg so it wouldn't fall off the other. Well I am just finishing up on my week 3 on the pro-energy plan and I have to say I am super happy, I am weighing in tomorrow and hoping to hit the 10 pounds off mark, however the coolest thing is I can cross my legs again! It might seem small but to me it is like getting to the top of mt. kilimanjaro .. Victory! The other big thing is being able to put on my runners and tie then up without having to not breathe, this is because my tummy is slowly disappearing!!! I was measured last week after my Eurowave appointment and I believe it was over 5 inches off the middle, I'll take it! This morning I joined a group of ladies on a run that I used to do lots with... they are a great bunch! There was a few of them starting out again or nursing injuries so it was great for me, running buddies!! Well jogging around promontory up and down hills at over 200 pounds wasn't real fun, but we paced at 1 min running 1 min walking to complete 3.5 km's so it felt like a great move forward! I have to say to date the largest reward in having the opportunity to join "team pro-energy" at Gente bella is that I have hope again to be fit and healthy again...

I encourage anyone reading this to also write your "victories" below, sharing is what inspires others and we could all use inspiration!

Nordina

What hit me.... the karma bus?

Life can throw you some curve balls and it's all how you deal with them that matters.  When it comes to weight loss and sticking to a plan the curve balls come in many different shapes and sizes, in the summer it' socializing for me!

It started on Friday, i couldn't shake the craving for a glass of wine, the little voice in my head kept telling me it would be fine. It soon became like an obsession, kinda like when someone says "don't think of a pink elephant"... well I decided just to have a glass and get it out of my system. Epic fail, it was a hot day and I bought some crisp white, before the night was over so was the bottle of wine. I figured I couldn't be totally irresponsible so I figured out the carb count in the particular brand and counted it.. 4 grams of carbs for a 5 ounce glass, so for the 24 ounces I drank.. 19.2 grams of carbs for my little slip, not eating my dinner was not a great plan either..hmmmm was it worth it? Well i felt so ill that i have to say I doubt that craving will hit me again anytime soon. Saturday came and I had both a Proellixe and Eurowave appointments, now not feeling my "best" I went in hoping it would be ok. Well I have to say the Karma bus hit me hard, the Proellixe treatment I had happened to be the day it went to the highest level, there I was vibrating at warp speed feeling ill, Karma. Then onto Eurowave, omg not recommended with the "morning after too much wine" tummy, but I got through it.  I guess not being absolutely perfect is ok, but I'm not too proud of my night of giving in.  I am going to crank up the activity again this week and am looking to hit the 10 pounds lost on Tuesday as it is the half way mark for the 6 weeks.  I have met a few really  nice ladies since joining team "pro energy at gente bella" and really feel together we will all do this and be successful. To any of the ladies who are doing the program I really encourage you to comment on my blog letting everyone know how you are doing! Hows the day to day going? I know there are some amazing results happening!!  Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine.

Nordina

Hurdles life throws at you....

Wow into week three.... it's been amazing.  My friends ask me how it's going, well it's kinda hard to explain cause I've never lost weight like this before, checking in daily, being encouraged, having spa treatments that help with my flabby belly lol... all nice and all very unusual for me.  It has been an amazing 3 weeks! I know one thing for sure, after my 6 week program that I am on I will keep with this until all 75 pounds are gone, but for now I'll keep enjoying loosing weight in luxury.  I treated myself to a delightful haircut at Gente bella yesterday, something I have never done at Gente bella, it was awesome, I can't wait for my next one. Well its now Friday and I am preparing for the hurdles I must get over, I know I have a couple days of them as I am going into Vancouver tomorrow to watch the symphony of lights.

To prepare for a good hurdle jump you need appropriate attire (in this case my plan). So I am starting to thing about when we are leaving (time of day) and when we will be returning so just like paint by numbers I can fill in the blanks. For now I have the food part figured out, low carbs and take some shakes along.  We are going out to dinner at a steakhouse, this is good, I know I can get a good dinner and not go over board, but I will check out the menu online so I can look forward to it and maybe make some great choices while there, but stay away from the wine, stay away from the wine... my mantra lol! We are staying overnight and I am glad as my husband and I could use the time away, all positive things and all real life situations. I told Lesley the other day that I never have all these events to do, seems like I go onto an eating plan to loose weight and it all comes out of the woodwork! Well maybe not, maybe being aware and not stumbling through these situations is just making it in the forefront for me, whatever the case here I go into the weekend hopefully over taking one hurdle at a time successfully.

Have a great weekend everyone!
Nordina

Keeping it real!

Well yesterday was my two week weigh in and I have to say I felt a bit let down.  I have done this enough times to know week 2 is a killer but I don't think I really THOUGHT about it! I weighed in... 216 pounds... 2.2 pounds lost... ok I know I know it's two pounds right? Usually I would be estatic about it but after my 6.2 pounds last week I held the bar pretty high! It lingered in the back of my mind all day... "only 2.2... only 2.2.... I could feel the old feeling of "why bother" start to sink in. Why have I given up bread, going out to eat, drinking, all the things I was doing before.... for 2.2 pounds?

Well after my day of internal pity partying... I knew I had to answer to my train wreck of a thought pattern, change the cycle, change the negative self doubt, change the expectations, change the way of looking at it!! That's it... change the way of looking at it!! Ok so lets see... i ate right all week, counted my carbs, didn't miss one Proellixe day or any of my Eurowave, and best of all I did overcome lots of hurdles... so why why is this one moment in two weeks defining my entire success?? Cause I'm an overweight person and that's what we do!! LOL..... anyway here is what I did to slowly start to get over it., I txt a friend who agreed to come out last night and do the promontory stairs with me, I thought what the heck it will probably kill me but at least I won't be inside my own head! I climbed those 228 stairs 3 times and I can honestly say that and the great company of Christine, i felt victorious and I felt proud by the end of the day that all my hard work had amounted to feeling better, getting active again, and in two short weeks I've lost 8.4 pounds! Now back to putting one foot in front of the other and taking day by day and keep it real!

Nordina

I'm going to whine about wine...

It always starts like every other day, I get up feel optimistic that it is going to be a great day filled with successful choices.  I have my breakfast, water, vitamins and hit the shower.  I look closely for changes in my lumpy physique, hey my lumpy belly seems to be changing shape! It always makes me feel better if I can at least see some changes, even if the back boobs are still hanging in there!  I move forward with my day planning out my meals, adding up my carbs and feel in control.
Then in an instant... life happens... invitations to bbq's, a dinner invite out, the plague of summer time, everyone being care free and enjoying life's great things, wine and food!  This week has been a bit harder for me, for those who are reading this and don't know me I LOVE my wine! I easily could sit and drink a bottle and love every sip! Well it's been 2 weeks without one drop hitting my lips, this in itself hits miracle status LOL...

We went to a friends moving away BBQ, it went as planned, I took my flavoured soda water and ate the burger without sauces and no bun. I kinda laughed (actually slightly embarrassed if truth be told) when the hostess saw me walking away from the table and exclaimed " didn't I put the buns on the table?" I replied " they are there but I have a Gluten sensitivity"  ya I've found telling people about what I'm actually doing always results in the huge lie "you don't need to loose weight" OMG, I do own a scale and a mirror! Then the wine was poured and I drank my soda, huge huge big victory for me!
The past couple days I've been starting to bargain in my head " one glass won't kill me, will it?" Then I think of all I have invested in this, the time, trying to change my mindset and most of all how much happier I have been since day 1! Tomorrow is my 2nd weigh in, I doubt I will loose the 6.2 pounds I lost first week, but the real success this week has been fighting all the challenges thrown at me. It's been tough but I slugged it through! Day by day, inch by inch, pound by pound I am fighting to be healthier and happier.  I have to say going to Gente Bella each morning adds to my super powers to fight off evil!! I've met some really nice ladies there and always feel great when I walk out the door, having the well thought out plan has been the biggest strength in all of this, food, vitamins, exercise and of course the odd pampering here and there doesn't hurt either.  I am excited to start week 3 tomorrow!

Oh the games we play!

When someone asks me "how did you gain all that weight" if only I could answer it with a simple answer... "oh I just felt like getting heavy", or.... "I like the clothes in the big girl store"... no its not that simple, infact its very emotional and very complex, but I wanted to shed light on one of my big issues.....this blog post isn't about what I did today but more about the mind games that happen when you are over weight . For those of you reading this that are over weight you may play these games.. I know I do all the time, some days are worse than others... here they are.......

1. I don't look too bad in that?
ok this game is when you are gaining weight and you are still trying to fit into your clothes you shouldn't be wearing.. this is a tough game to play cause in essence it is hard reality that you need to take action cause this train is off the rails!
2. Ok I know I'm heavy, but I'm not that heavy....
This is one that I also call the compare game, where you look for heavy people then compare yourself to them, kinda like talking to someone who is having a worse day than you and suddenly your day isn't so bad... ya kinda like that! The compare game makes you feel better until #1 game hits you again.
3. It's ok i weigh ______ I just can't go over _____!
This one is also known to me as the creeper .... you step on the scale and you are lets say 185, although its 5 pounds heavier than you were last week, its all good, I just can't let it go over 189! Then suddenly you are 224.2 and feel like you are in a pond of quick sand... yep I know it well.
4. I need to change my hair....
Ok as I am writing this it is funny and sad at the same time cause it was the stage I was at when I started my program 10 days ago, I think for me its when alarm bells go off. The focus goes onto the one thing on my body that can't get fat.... my hair! Followed by the second thing that can't gain weight... my nails!! Classic deflection for me anyway.

I could go on and on but its all true and I have fallen into all of these mind games over and over and over again. Lets face it weight loss is more than the cabbage soup diet, you need to retrain the brain, surround yourself with people who understand but still call you on your bullshit. You need structure and support, retrain the mind and body for your new life as a healthy slim person.   I am releasing my self of the games by talking about it, I hope it sparks some conversations and insight....

I am enjoying the support and daily routine I have going to Gente Bella health and wellness, it has really made me look at things in a new light, we don't need to be perfect, we just need to be aware of ourselves! Check them out on my faves list!

One week weigh in

July 15th - Day 7!

Well so far feeling great and have experienced some cool stuff, nothing like being at a weight loss place that offers so many things, I never thought about it until now, relaxing weightloss... hmm we could market this!

Anyway i'm feeling a bit nervous but more excited, i know regardless of what the scale says I've done well this week!  Ok here it is..... BOOM down 6.2 pounds.. so let's summarize 

week one,

12.5 inches lost overall with contour wrap

2.6 inches lost with first Eurowave treatment

6.2 pounds down!

Ok I think my skepticism and worry if this will work is all but gone!! I know my goal to get back to onderland (out of the 200's and into 100's again) in 6 weeks should be doable!  My daughter is getting married in Toronto in October and I want to look and feel amazing!!

Tomorrow second Eurowave, and of course I am doing the 10 min Proellixe 6 days a week on the slimming program, with all of that you guys are going to need a microscope to see me LOL... 

onward and down ward!

N.

The wave... Eurowave!

I have to say going on this plan with Gente Bella health and wellness has been a pleasant surprise. I kinda thought it might be me slugging it out on my own but it's been almost a week and i've had constant support.  Now let me be clear, when I say support I don't mean "coddling" I mean the chat at my daily Proellixe sessions and the positive attitude daily along with encouragement, it's been great! Mainly I have been working with Carmen, but Rachelle has been helping me out too. All my questions have been answered when I ask, always very nice and patient.  I have also met a few really nice ladies also on the pro-energy plan, some did their first weigh-in and got amazing results... excited!  I can't forget about Lesley, the great lady who is doing this along side the group of us, as an owner of such a first class establishment, she too is first class, very real and very outspoken.  If there is one thing Lesley will do is get to the root of the matter, but in a nice way, seeing how everyone is doing or if they have something they are struggling with she is on it! We are lucky to be going through this journey along side her thats or sure!

One of the other treatments I get while on Pro-energy is Eurowave.  I have to say I am a bit frightened at the thought of electrode type things being put on my chubby belly, but hey if it will take some inches off what the heck, besides I signed up for this why not just dive in and experience it.  Well although different, it wasn't scary and I have 9 more sessions, hopefully a dress size LOL... I will keep you posted..

I'm feeling great, lots of energy, day 6 of great eating and the only drinks i've been indulging in have been non alcoholic!  I'm looking forward to my weigh in tomorrow, but so far relatively easy.

N.

Company's coming.....

Well one of my weakest points has to be socializing, eating, drinking having fun. Well today I have my brother and sister in law with my nephews coming from Ottawa. I haven't seen them for a couple years and they haven't been to BC for about 6 years.. so I'm looking forward to it!
The one thing I'm scared of is the other stuff, you know the stuff we like to make excuses for, "I can have just one glass" or "just one burger" etc...  but NO I don't want to blow this... so I make a plan! I went to the grocery store and made sure I had some no sugar no carb soda waters with mango and lemon flavour, it will get me through the drinking part!!

It went well, I remained on my plan and didn't even want a glass of wine or fatty food... whew the first test and I feel great I passed with flying colours! I know there will be some of you that may think this is drastic? But until you've been 100 pounds over weight, feeling depressed, feeling totally lost in this, you really won't get it.  I hope you never get there, but if you have been you know how this victory was huge for me!

I had a great time and the first glimmer of being able to maintain a normal life and do this is now there for me, hopeful and happy, thats how I feel today! I am excited now to see how my weigh in goes next Tuesday!

for more info visit the Gente Bella website

It's a wrap!

Well today is day three and I am doing the regular Proellixe treatments (which I am loving) each morning for 10 minutes, today I am also going to experience a Contour body wrap.  I can't say I am much of believer in this type of thing, trust me I've been approached to go to "wrap parties" and try out wraps on my body. The theory is you will detoxify, (god knows I could use that) and you will be loosing at least 6 inches overall on your body.  Ok, well although skeptical I said I am in this till the end of my 6 weeks and going to do all that is put in front of me.  So with that I go into my appointment.  Now I have been told this will take 2 1/2 to 3 hours to do and today I am feeling tired, headachy and not sure I want to do this, I go in and meet with Carmen who will be doing my wrap.

Ok I decide how much worse can it be i'm feeling tired and achy maybe this will help the detox process?? I'm not sure still kinda skeptical but with that I get ready for the wrap.  Ok now I have to say Carmen is a sweetie, she is very good at what she does (which is pretty much everything around the spa and health centre) and today is no different.  She goes right to work and makes marks while measuring me before, to be sure the after measurements are precise. After the measure we begin the process of making me a clay mummy LOL.. Actually the more of the tensors with clay I had put on me the more relaxed and at ease I became. All done, then put on the high tech "sweat suit", now I look like I am ready to go to outer space! One hour to relax, I opt to lay and sleep.  One hour ticks by, I get my nap and Carmen returns to unravel me.  Now I have to say that laying for an hour with clay from the dead sea on me was very therapeutic, felt great the rest of the day!  The tensors fell off and I was amazed at how much my tummy had gone down, I literally had dips on my sides... let the measuring begin! Whoa!! 12.5 inches gone!! Ok I'm no longer skeptical, I have to say I wouldn't have believed it until I actually had it happen to me, my pants are looser and my clothes fit better overall! Can't wait for my next experience, this is great!  Whats a great experience without a selfie?? Here I am just before my nap in my space suit!
If you want to find out more go to: http://www.gentebella.ca 

First steps....

    
Ok I am now on my journey... the one where I get back in the driver's seat of my life! I now have a number of people who stand behind me to say "you can do this!", it feels great!  I know it is going to be tough at times, but I'm in 110%!

The Plan:
The plan is an easy one if it is followed right... Pro Energy system. Count my carbs, follow the plan and come daily to enjoy 10 min. of Proellixe Vibration at Gente Bella.  Yes Pro Energy is something that is available at other outlets, but here I am getting the royal treatment having Proellixe available to me prior to getting active again.  It is overwhelming having a mind that wants to go on a run, then having a body that feels like lead!

I spent some time with Sherry choosing the foods from the plan that would take me through the next week, I selected some I knew I'd like....
1. Maple and brown sugar oatmeal
2. Veggie Chili
3. Peanut butter and jelly bars
4. Mango tango shakes
along with my own foods of meats, veggies, fruits.. off I go!
I also picked up the supplements, multi vitamin, calcium and potassium.

Still feeling great, now comes the measurements. This process I really don't mind, now I am sure this is the last time I will be this large so measure all you want! I know in 3 weeks when I get measured again this will be a thing of the past!!

Now onto the scale.... ya 224.4 wasn't the weight I wanted to see, but again this will be the last time I will see this, I'm determined.

ok follow the plan.... follow the plan.... follow the plan...... YES! It still feels a bit surreal to have this opportunity, feels amazing to not feel dread and hopelessness this has been replaced with happiness and hope!

It all began with a little faith....

           I am a daily facebook follower and watch some of my favorite business's online as well. When I saw a post Gente Bella had put up about a new weight-loss program I was excited! What made it even more exciting they were looking for 3 people to start the journey for FREE! I have really been feeling lost when it comes to my weight, and although I felt hopeful that maybe I could get selected, I didn't want to get too hopeful.
I quickly sent them a personal message letting them know I was interested, I didn't get an immediate response so I felt like my opportunity was lost.  I did give thought on how I could pay to do the program, but having our budget tight at the moment, I didn't feel right taking money out of our budget for my weight loss, my shame was already at an all time high... how on earth did I get back here after being so successful loosing 85 pounds a couple years ago?
       Well it really didn't matter how I got here, I was here and felt like it was never going to end! Then I received my first glimmer of hope, I got invited to an information night. At this point I didn't really even know what the program was, but knowing how Gente Bella did things, it was going to be good! I did go to the info night and it sounded great, but still not in the cards for me unless I could be one of the three lucky participants.
      Well someone must have been listening to my wishes, I was chosen to go on the journey along with 5 other ladies!! Yes I said 5! The owner of Gente Bella, Lesley Reid, had such a hard time choosing just 3 ladies that she doubled the numbers of lucky ladies, I was blown away!! I am not sure if she really understands how much this is a life changing moment... for me anyway!

July 6, 2014

So here I sit, not wanting to disappoint myself and those who put faith in me to be successful in this journey. Feeling blessed I was handed a 6 week kick start on my weight loss journey along side 5 other ladies whom I sure feel the same way! I am going to blog the entire adventure so I can reflect on how hard I am going to fight to get back my healthy body and soul. So here comes the reality...

Day 1 - July 8 2014
Weight... 224.4 pounds and so it begins...