Should old acquaintance be forgot....

In my preparation for my 2012 goals, I've decided on a new program.  Zach is going to be training for a powerlifting competition, and while I was tempted to do it after seeing how well I compare to very competitive women in my bracket, I need to stay focused on my goals - I'm already quite strong, but ultimately it's time for me to focus on the aesthetics and finally look the way that I feel inside.  Strong, lean, happy and healthy.

With that, my plan is to follow Jamie Eason's 12 week live fit trainer, starting on my 28th birthday - January 1st.

Me - November 26th, 2011

I've got a group of 15 girls (and it's still growing) who plan to do the same, and we're going to support one another through the next 3 months.  You can join our group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/315893648432195/?notif_t=group_activity

I'm really excited, and have seen others make fantastic progress with the program.  While I hate to say that I've been "lifting like a man", my training hasn't been lined up with my goals.  Yes, I've made some MAJOR changes in my body, even with a program that was focused more on strength, but I'm excited to see what will happen with a program more in tune with my new goals!

Here's to a healthy and happy new year!
xo
Mandy

December 1st - looking back

So often I get on a roll in the social media world; I set lofty goals for posting, and ultimately get bored/frustrated or just plain uninspired.  Ultimately, what I'm most passionate about is health - both my own and that of those who I care about.

In the past 11 months, my life has changed quite dramatically; sure I started a new job a year ago, bought a house 3 years ago, new boyfriend somewhere in between...the biggest, and most important change in my life has really been in my commitment to my health.  Since January of 2011, I have lost 11% body fat, 3 inches off of my waist, 2 inches off of each thigh, 1/2 an inch off of my right bicep (they're even now!)...my diet is FAR better - my apologies to the Thai food delivery guy! - I am dedicated to my workouts, more knowledgeable about my body and how it works, and ultimately a much better version of myself.  I would be remiss if I didn't give at least half of the credit for this change to my boyfriend, Zach.  Having someone who is as much a part of this lifestyle as he is as a supporter has been SO very key to my successes.

As 2011 very quickly winds down, I've already started thinking about my goals, hopes and dreams for 2012, the majority of which are health focused.  I've decided to put my short list out there in cyberspace, in hopes that their public announcement will keep me motivated, and maybe even inspire anyone that might happen upon them!

2012 GOALS

• really commit to the 1 cheat MEAL per week rule.  MEAL, NOT DAY!  Yes, that ONE LITTLE COOKIE counts!
• maintain a minimum of 3 workouts per week
• drop my body fat percentage another 6%
• take a fitness model competition training course...lay the foundation for:
• FITNESS MODEL COMPETITION
• get certifications: renew first aid/cpr, personal trainer (for personal interest)

Now to make it all happen!  I look forward to reaching my goals!
xo
Mandy

...is this thing on?

Wow...another week of non-posting, but this time it wasn't entirely my fault.  I don't know what was going on last week, but I couldn't get my posts to save or publish...so I suppose they're lost in limbo until the end of time!

I'm back at 133.2 pounds, still having tummy aches and dizziness, and finally going to cave and make an appointment with my doctor.

I'd like to get up on my soapbox this morning, for something (almost) completely unrelated to diet, nutrition or fitness.

To the girl on the bus this morning:  CLEARLY you are having a rough start to your day.  And I apologize for whatever made you SO upset that you had to take it out first on an unsuspecting bus driver, and then on the rest of the bus.  HOWEVER...whatever it is that is bothering you today, is ABSOLUTELY NOT a free pass for you to take it out of everyone around you, and potentially put an innocent person's livelihood at risk.

The bus driver didn't see you coming to catch the bus, so he closed his doors.  When he saw you, he opened them again.  There was really no reason for you to start yelling at him.  And when he pointed his finger to indicate that there was a mirror right there in which he hadn't seen you, and you shoved your way past him and inadvertently into said finger, you in no way, shape, or form needed to call the police to report an assault.  NOT EVEN A LITTLE.

Thank you for forcing the bus to go out of service.  Thank you for forcing an entire bus full of people to wait, and then crowd onto the next (already full) bus.  Thank you for shouting obscenities while we waited.  And thank you for making RIDICULOUS comments like "If I'd said that he raped me, you'd tell me that I'd jumped on his d!#k" - because being accidentally hit with a pointed finger while causing a scene is TOTALLY comparable to that scenario...  Thank you for getting on the next bus, so that the cops really didn't NEED to come.  Thank you for letting me make a statement to the police, and delaying my morning. 

I hope you have a better day now that you've made others around you late and grumpy.  It certainly must have helped whatever was upsetting you.

xo Mandy

Your day will be what you make of it.  If you hold onto things that are upsetting you, it will only bring more irritation, frustration and upset to you throughout the day.

Toonie-Tuesday

Hmmm....Is it strange that the first thing that comes to mind when I say "Toonie-Tuesday" is deep fried chicken?

I managed to remember to get my lemon water and supps in, followed by a bowl of my favourite cereal, same as (almost) always:




Since my mom brought the world's biggest bag of Honeycrisp apples from Smith's Apple farm back home (www.smithsapples.com), there will be a shift from grapefruit in the mornings for a little while.  There are actually SO MANY that my boyfriend, of all people, suggested that we make PIES and freeze them.  PIES!  So my morning snack was an apple, followed by none other than plain 0% greek yogourt.







By the time lunch rolled around, I was having MAJOR sweet cravings, but lucky for me, my boyfriend made me a special salad, filled with peaches and pecans...mmmmm.  Oh, and there was some steak and potato in there too!

Lunch #2 was a little later in the day (about 4:45, on my way to the baseball game) but was just steak and potatoes, as once again I'd eaten the WHOLE salad with Lunch #1.  Maybe I need to start packing two?

Our ball game was the third in the first playoff round, and though we battled hard, and once again made a big comeback from behind, the game ended in a loss, with a score of 12-9.  Better luck next season!

After the game, I had a can of Coors Light.  I decided that the last game of the season was reason enough to justify ONE.