It sure has been a while since I've posted on here. (Note to self: I need to update my journal more).
Thomas and I have had an eventful beginning of 2010. Thomas has had his arm surgery and much to our disappointment it wasn't as successful as we had hoped...partial paralysis and permanent nerve damage is the diagnosis.
It actually put him in quite the rut. He spent the first month after his surgery medicated and very bummed out!!! But shortly there after we attended a MonaVie convention in Las Vegas he turned it all around. I hold credit to MonaVie 100%. The convention was unbelievable! And on top of it all we began to (kind of) know and get inspired from some mentors in the business that drove us into the direction we needed by following their lead. We started reading positive books, going to church, we sought counselling....I will be honest it was a trying time, the past year with the anticipation of his surgery and the results of it. Our marriage suffered without a doubt. But those positive influences helped us to turn it around and we are back on the path we love and honour with eachother.
We have motivation in our life and we both hold the same hopes and dreams and are working together to acheive them. We also have God in our life which is a very calming experience.
These events have resulted in our MonaVie business growing, my website biz taking off, Thomas being in the best place he EVER has been, our marriage being strong and we have ultimate happiness. On top of that we are getting closer to being debtfree and we are definitely on the right "path" in our lives and plan to stay here!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
An article I found about losing weight....
Lose weight after 30
Provided by Rhea Seymour
Two years after giving birth to her daughter, Nora, Patricia Gautreau was still struggling to shed 20 extra pounds of baby weight. "I breastfed and thought the weight would just fall off," recalls the now 39-year-old Brampton, Ont., native. "It didn't, and that made me feel depressed, so I ate far too many high-carb and comfort foods."
Too many munchies probably wasn't the only reason Patricia couldn't lose the extra weight. Our bodies tend to cling to fat at certain points in our lives: after age 30, post-pregnancy, at times of extreme stress and during perimenopause, says Dr. Arya Sharma, director of the Canadian Obesity Network and a professor of medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont. While there's no denying that some weight gain is simply in the genes, says Dr. Sharma, pesky pounds may also pile on because of hormonal changes and lifestyle.
If you're stuck in an extra-pounds rut, don't despair. We talked to weight-loss experts for the secrets to lose weight. (Get this: hitting the snooze button may stave off pounds!) Read on to find out why weight is tough to lose at your stage in life and what you can do today to start your weight-loss engine.
Passing the big 3-0
In her early 30s, Patty Provost found her clothes felt snug even though her diet and exercise habits hadn't changed since her 20s. "I really started noticing the weight gain around 33," says the 37-year-old Ottawa native. "I very seldom weighed myself, so it had gradually crept up by 40 or 50 pounds and it wasn't stopping."
Why it's tough to lose now
During your 30s, there's usually a gradual decline in your calorie-burning ability. Experts estimate that your metabolism slows by about 10 per cent per decade. So if you can eat roughly 2,000 calories a day at age 30, that number might be 1,800 by 40. What gives? "It depends on the individual, but it's normal for your metabolism to slow down," says Dr. Sheila Laredo, an assistant professor of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of Toronto. "Your muscle mass declines as your fat mass increases. Muscles are primarily responsible for your resting-energy expenditure - if you have less muscle, it's hard to burn extra calories."
As we age, time - or lack of it - can also contribute to weight gain, explains Dr. Laredo. Whether you're busy carpooling kids or slogging away at work, if you don't make exercise a priority, it naturally falls off your to-do list.
Start your engine!
• Pump some iron "Resistance training is especially important for women over 30," says Jennifer McConnery, an exercise specialist at The Weight Management Clinic in Ottawa. "With more muscle, you're more of a fat-burning machine." She suggests lifting heavy weights with few repetitions - rather than light weights with many reps - three times a week. "Start with three- to five-pound free weights for your upper body and eight- to 10-pound weights for your lower body, and increase the amount of weight every second or third week." While you should be working intensely, McConnery says you shouldn't feel pain. It has worked for Patty. She now lifts 15-pound weights, in addition to watching portion size and walking or going to the gym regularly, and has lost 60 pounds. Not interested in lifting weights? Try yoga or Pilates, which both use your body weight as resistance.
• Pass the chicken Load up on protein-rich foods that are essential for building muscle, says McConnery. Also, a recent study at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, revealed that people who ate twice as much protein (30 per cent of their total calories, up from 15 per cent), while consuming an average amount of carbs (50 per cent) and less fat (20 per cent), felt satiated earlier, ate fewer calories and still lost weight.
• Make workouts a priority "We say we want to be healthy, but we work long hours, and we don't think about exercising," says Dr. Laredo. "Put exercise at the top of your priority list every day, along with brushing your teeth. Say 'I'm going to find 30 minutes for a walk or bike ride,' then set aside a time to exercise. It doesn't happen without scheduling.
Serious stress
Three years ago, 36-year-old Erin Scannell gained 25 pounds while caring for her terminally ill mother. "When Mom got sick, I completely stopped going to the gym," recalls the Milton, Ont., teacher. "We were taking care of her at home, and people were bringing us casseroles and desserts. We ate non-stop for comfort and because there wasn't much else to do."
Why it's tough to lose now
"Increased stress levels can lead to hormonal changes that promote weight gain," says Dr. Sharma. "The hormone cortisol is released during stress and it increases appetite and promotes the formation of fat cells. People who are stressed out might find they have less control over what they eat, feel hungrier and are more likely to put on weight." While some people can't stomach food during stressful times, Dr. Sharma says overeating is more common. Double whammy: if stress is keeping you up at night, you may also experience a reduction in the appetite-controlling hormone leptin.
Start your engine!
• Get physical Exercise helps break the stress response in your body, and it's a useful way to gain perspective and clear your mind, says Beverly Beuermann-King, a stress and wellness specialist in Little Britain, Ont. While all exercise relieves stress, more intense activities, such as running, trigger a feel-good endorphin rush. It worked for Erin. She lost her stress weight after hitting the gym three mornings a week. "It kick-starts my metabolism for the day," she says.
• Spend time with friends A Finnish study reported that women were most likely to eat under stress when they lacked emotional support. "Having support helps us problem-solve the sources of our stress, keep things in perspective and maintain hope," explains Beuermann-King. Support can also minimize the effects of stress hormones, she says.
• Don't drive-thru Resisting burgers or fries during stressful times could stave off weight gain. According to a U.S. study, adults who consumed fast food more than twice a week gained an extra 4 kilograms (10 pounds) over 15 years compared to those who ate it less than once a week. If you're turning to food for comfort, look for alternatives that can be done on the spur of the moment, says Beuermann-King. "Go outside for a breath of air, grab a glass of water or try taking some deep breaths," she says.
• Catch some zzzs Ensure you're getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night, says Beuermann-King. "When we are sleeping, the mind and body are repaired." So focus on getting to bed early during stressful times. If stress is keeping you awake, Beuermann-King suggests getting your mind off your worries before you hit the sheets by making a to-do or pros-and-cons list, or listening to relaxing music.
Perimenopause
For most of her adult life, Judy Jones* was naturally slim. Even after having two children, the weight just melted away. But since the Toronto teacher hit age 45, she's packed on 20 pounds around her midsection in just five years, and they won't budge. "It's so frustrating," she says. "Even if I walk every day and cut back on what I eat, I just can't seem to get the weight off. "
Why it's tough to lose now
Women like Judy, who have never had trouble shedding pounds, may be in for a rude awakening when they hit perimenopause, which may begin between 35 and 50. "On average, estrogen is 30 per cent higher, which results in food being packed away as fat," says Dr. Jerilynn Prior, scientific director of the Vancouver Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (cemcor) and author of Estrogen's Storm Season: Stories of Perimenopause (cemcor). "I think of it as insulin resistance. The insulin increases because it becomes less effective. Because you have higher amounts of insulin, you get hungrier."
Stress may also make perimenopausal women more prone to extra pounds. For many, night sweats and mood changes can be distressing. And, because of higher estrogen levels during times of stress, the hormone cortisol is higher, which leads to belly fat. "That's why women get a thicker waist," says Dr. Prior. Aside from making it harder to find jeans that fit, belly fat has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. But don't despair! Perimenopausal weight gain is not inevitable.
Start your engine!
• Intensify your exercise program "The extreme hunger of perimenopause is hard to describe," says Dr. Prior. "Try decreasing portion sizes and increasing the intensity and duration of exercise by at least 20 per cent." Exercise specialist Jenni- fer McConnery says to increase the frequency, length or intensity of your routine every few weeks so it doesn't get stale and easy.
• Get out your measuring tape During perimenopause, some women see an incredible gain in waist circumference, which is a predictor of insulin resistance or diabetes risk if it exceeds 88 centimetres (35 inches). If you're trying to lose weight, use your waist as a yardstick of how you're doing, says Dr. Prior. "Often waist size goes down before weight changes, because you put on muscle and muscle weighs more."
• Eat at regular intervals "Don't get hungry," says Dr. Prior. If you delay meals, you could end up choosing something unhealthy. "Avoid simple sugars, which make insulin go up and make you feel hungry again," she says. "Fill up on healthy veggies and increase protein."
*Name has been changed.
First published in Chatelaine's February 2006 issue.
Provided by Rhea Seymour
Two years after giving birth to her daughter, Nora, Patricia Gautreau was still struggling to shed 20 extra pounds of baby weight. "I breastfed and thought the weight would just fall off," recalls the now 39-year-old Brampton, Ont., native. "It didn't, and that made me feel depressed, so I ate far too many high-carb and comfort foods."
Too many munchies probably wasn't the only reason Patricia couldn't lose the extra weight. Our bodies tend to cling to fat at certain points in our lives: after age 30, post-pregnancy, at times of extreme stress and during perimenopause, says Dr. Arya Sharma, director of the Canadian Obesity Network and a professor of medicine at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ont. While there's no denying that some weight gain is simply in the genes, says Dr. Sharma, pesky pounds may also pile on because of hormonal changes and lifestyle.
If you're stuck in an extra-pounds rut, don't despair. We talked to weight-loss experts for the secrets to lose weight. (Get this: hitting the snooze button may stave off pounds!) Read on to find out why weight is tough to lose at your stage in life and what you can do today to start your weight-loss engine.
Passing the big 3-0
In her early 30s, Patty Provost found her clothes felt snug even though her diet and exercise habits hadn't changed since her 20s. "I really started noticing the weight gain around 33," says the 37-year-old Ottawa native. "I very seldom weighed myself, so it had gradually crept up by 40 or 50 pounds and it wasn't stopping."
Why it's tough to lose now
During your 30s, there's usually a gradual decline in your calorie-burning ability. Experts estimate that your metabolism slows by about 10 per cent per decade. So if you can eat roughly 2,000 calories a day at age 30, that number might be 1,800 by 40. What gives? "It depends on the individual, but it's normal for your metabolism to slow down," says Dr. Sheila Laredo, an assistant professor of endocrinology and metabolism at the University of Toronto. "Your muscle mass declines as your fat mass increases. Muscles are primarily responsible for your resting-energy expenditure - if you have less muscle, it's hard to burn extra calories."
As we age, time - or lack of it - can also contribute to weight gain, explains Dr. Laredo. Whether you're busy carpooling kids or slogging away at work, if you don't make exercise a priority, it naturally falls off your to-do list.
Start your engine!
• Pump some iron "Resistance training is especially important for women over 30," says Jennifer McConnery, an exercise specialist at The Weight Management Clinic in Ottawa. "With more muscle, you're more of a fat-burning machine." She suggests lifting heavy weights with few repetitions - rather than light weights with many reps - three times a week. "Start with three- to five-pound free weights for your upper body and eight- to 10-pound weights for your lower body, and increase the amount of weight every second or third week." While you should be working intensely, McConnery says you shouldn't feel pain. It has worked for Patty. She now lifts 15-pound weights, in addition to watching portion size and walking or going to the gym regularly, and has lost 60 pounds. Not interested in lifting weights? Try yoga or Pilates, which both use your body weight as resistance.
• Pass the chicken Load up on protein-rich foods that are essential for building muscle, says McConnery. Also, a recent study at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, revealed that people who ate twice as much protein (30 per cent of their total calories, up from 15 per cent), while consuming an average amount of carbs (50 per cent) and less fat (20 per cent), felt satiated earlier, ate fewer calories and still lost weight.
• Make workouts a priority "We say we want to be healthy, but we work long hours, and we don't think about exercising," says Dr. Laredo. "Put exercise at the top of your priority list every day, along with brushing your teeth. Say 'I'm going to find 30 minutes for a walk or bike ride,' then set aside a time to exercise. It doesn't happen without scheduling.
Serious stress
Three years ago, 36-year-old Erin Scannell gained 25 pounds while caring for her terminally ill mother. "When Mom got sick, I completely stopped going to the gym," recalls the Milton, Ont., teacher. "We were taking care of her at home, and people were bringing us casseroles and desserts. We ate non-stop for comfort and because there wasn't much else to do."
Why it's tough to lose now
"Increased stress levels can lead to hormonal changes that promote weight gain," says Dr. Sharma. "The hormone cortisol is released during stress and it increases appetite and promotes the formation of fat cells. People who are stressed out might find they have less control over what they eat, feel hungrier and are more likely to put on weight." While some people can't stomach food during stressful times, Dr. Sharma says overeating is more common. Double whammy: if stress is keeping you up at night, you may also experience a reduction in the appetite-controlling hormone leptin.
Start your engine!
• Get physical Exercise helps break the stress response in your body, and it's a useful way to gain perspective and clear your mind, says Beverly Beuermann-King, a stress and wellness specialist in Little Britain, Ont. While all exercise relieves stress, more intense activities, such as running, trigger a feel-good endorphin rush. It worked for Erin. She lost her stress weight after hitting the gym three mornings a week. "It kick-starts my metabolism for the day," she says.
• Spend time with friends A Finnish study reported that women were most likely to eat under stress when they lacked emotional support. "Having support helps us problem-solve the sources of our stress, keep things in perspective and maintain hope," explains Beuermann-King. Support can also minimize the effects of stress hormones, she says.
• Don't drive-thru Resisting burgers or fries during stressful times could stave off weight gain. According to a U.S. study, adults who consumed fast food more than twice a week gained an extra 4 kilograms (10 pounds) over 15 years compared to those who ate it less than once a week. If you're turning to food for comfort, look for alternatives that can be done on the spur of the moment, says Beuermann-King. "Go outside for a breath of air, grab a glass of water or try taking some deep breaths," she says.
• Catch some zzzs Ensure you're getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night, says Beuermann-King. "When we are sleeping, the mind and body are repaired." So focus on getting to bed early during stressful times. If stress is keeping you awake, Beuermann-King suggests getting your mind off your worries before you hit the sheets by making a to-do or pros-and-cons list, or listening to relaxing music.
Perimenopause
For most of her adult life, Judy Jones* was naturally slim. Even after having two children, the weight just melted away. But since the Toronto teacher hit age 45, she's packed on 20 pounds around her midsection in just five years, and they won't budge. "It's so frustrating," she says. "Even if I walk every day and cut back on what I eat, I just can't seem to get the weight off. "
Why it's tough to lose now
Women like Judy, who have never had trouble shedding pounds, may be in for a rude awakening when they hit perimenopause, which may begin between 35 and 50. "On average, estrogen is 30 per cent higher, which results in food being packed away as fat," says Dr. Jerilynn Prior, scientific director of the Vancouver Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research (cemcor) and author of Estrogen's Storm Season: Stories of Perimenopause (cemcor). "I think of it as insulin resistance. The insulin increases because it becomes less effective. Because you have higher amounts of insulin, you get hungrier."
Stress may also make perimenopausal women more prone to extra pounds. For many, night sweats and mood changes can be distressing. And, because of higher estrogen levels during times of stress, the hormone cortisol is higher, which leads to belly fat. "That's why women get a thicker waist," says Dr. Prior. Aside from making it harder to find jeans that fit, belly fat has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. But don't despair! Perimenopausal weight gain is not inevitable.
Start your engine!
• Intensify your exercise program "The extreme hunger of perimenopause is hard to describe," says Dr. Prior. "Try decreasing portion sizes and increasing the intensity and duration of exercise by at least 20 per cent." Exercise specialist Jenni- fer McConnery says to increase the frequency, length or intensity of your routine every few weeks so it doesn't get stale and easy.
• Get out your measuring tape During perimenopause, some women see an incredible gain in waist circumference, which is a predictor of insulin resistance or diabetes risk if it exceeds 88 centimetres (35 inches). If you're trying to lose weight, use your waist as a yardstick of how you're doing, says Dr. Prior. "Often waist size goes down before weight changes, because you put on muscle and muscle weighs more."
• Eat at regular intervals "Don't get hungry," says Dr. Prior. If you delay meals, you could end up choosing something unhealthy. "Avoid simple sugars, which make insulin go up and make you feel hungry again," she says. "Fill up on healthy veggies and increase protein."
*Name has been changed.
First published in Chatelaine's February 2006 issue.
I have some news....
but I'm not quite sure how I feel about it yet....so I'm going to keep it to myself for now......
Monday, January 4, 2010
Sunday, January 3, 2010
POTD Jan 2nd 2010
Featuring Hayley and Bailey....
this is after finding out that Bailey "conned" Hayley out of her gummies!
She had asked him to be on his best behaviour for us and she would give him her Gummies.
Little did she know that prior to her doing this Bay and I had already had a "talk" and he had already promised me the same thing! lol!
This pic is classic!
POTD Jan 1st 2010
Happy New Year!!!
This is Thomas' best friend (Dave) and his wife (Carla) that hosted an amazing New Years event/40th birthday party for Dave.
So this post is in honour of them! Two of the best friends a couple like us could ask for!
It's been almost a year since I was on here!
I guess I have alot of catching up to do....so what happened in 2009 that I need to update on:
In a nutshell......
What other "major" news?
OH...we have a little "side" business now!
I stumbled upon a antioxident product that a friend recommended to me. It has a $35 price tag on the bottle but we thought if it actually works we have spent $35 on more foolish things in life (example - I am an ex-smoker...cigarettes are a total waist of $10.... or Tim Hortons coffee...or beer for that matter - this is how I justified it to myself).
I had been looking for something at the Nutrition House and GNC...all these products were pricey too...so we gave this one a shot just to support my friend's new business.
Surprisingly we did feel a difference within a month and we are hooked on the product. We started feeling rejuvenated, we started sleeping better at night, my hair and skin started looking better...Thomas' aches and pains from work were subsiding....
So I spoke to the girl that sold it to me to see how we could get to the point where we wouldn't have to pay for the juice (as this was mentioned when we started drinking it) and she showed us how the "business" end of it worked.
Within a couple months we acheived our "initial goal" and now it has become a nice, steady, 3rd income. It really surprised us!! ....and it really helped us out to have that extra money through 2009 when our hours were cut at work.
So...I like to think someone is watching over us when opportunity comes out of no where! ;-)
The way it works is we get paid for recommending the juice to others. And when those people refer it to others we get paid for that as well....typical multi-level marketing...and something I NEVER would have bothered with in the past (which is why I became my own scrapbook store owner rather than being a Creative Memories Consultant)...
I was skeptical but you can't knock it til you try it! Sometimes it's better to think out of the norm and this is one of those times!
~Lastly...2009 proved to be a trying year for our new and fresh marriage and it sure was a year to test the "for better or worse" in our vows.
We struggled through a bad economy and financial stress that comes with that, stress moving into a new home, stress with family (blended families are NOT easy), death and stress at work (Thomas has to have surgery in Feb 2010 for a work related injury)....but we managed to get through it all.
So I think it's safe to say that when I started this blog and was hesitant about whether or not starting a life with Thomas was the right thing to do??
I'm going to say now that it definitely was the right thing to do!!!
Have a fantastic 2010!!! Happy New Year!
In a nutshell......
~The latest news is my grandfather died 2 days before Christmas 2009. I always knew Grandpa's death would be hard to deal with but through Christmas made it even harder.
What an amazing man and his funeral service was a wonderful tribute to his acheivements in life.
RIP Grampa! I love you!!
Well....what else....
~the bad economy and recession hit our home with us being both being in the automotive sector. It wasn't excruciating but we did have to cut back on trips and spending money on extras... through 2009 (no Disney trip or Vegas trip this year). We had to make our own fun by going to beaches or hanging out in the backyard through the summer.
We bought the kids a trampoline so that kept them occupied! lol!
And we did have one really fun weekend excursion to Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky Ohio for one of Hayley's cheer competitions. This was alot of fun! We plan to go back next summer!
~Next news! We moved!
It's taking some getting used to (I never do well with change) but I think I am finally starting to feel like it is home now.
There is a basement apartment that we have rented out to Thomas' mom so it worked out well for all of us.
This is Hayley posing in front of the house. Since this photo Thomas has redone the landscaping and it looks amazing.
What other "major" news?
OH...we have a little "side" business now!
I stumbled upon a antioxident product that a friend recommended to me. It has a $35 price tag on the bottle but we thought if it actually works we have spent $35 on more foolish things in life (example - I am an ex-smoker...cigarettes are a total waist of $10.... or Tim Hortons coffee...or beer for that matter - this is how I justified it to myself).
I had been looking for something at the Nutrition House and GNC...all these products were pricey too...so we gave this one a shot just to support my friend's new business.
Surprisingly we did feel a difference within a month and we are hooked on the product. We started feeling rejuvenated, we started sleeping better at night, my hair and skin started looking better...Thomas' aches and pains from work were subsiding....
So I spoke to the girl that sold it to me to see how we could get to the point where we wouldn't have to pay for the juice (as this was mentioned when we started drinking it) and she showed us how the "business" end of it worked.
Within a couple months we acheived our "initial goal" and now it has become a nice, steady, 3rd income. It really surprised us!! ....and it really helped us out to have that extra money through 2009 when our hours were cut at work.
So...I like to think someone is watching over us when opportunity comes out of no where! ;-)
The way it works is we get paid for recommending the juice to others. And when those people refer it to others we get paid for that as well....typical multi-level marketing...and something I NEVER would have bothered with in the past (which is why I became my own scrapbook store owner rather than being a Creative Memories Consultant)...
I was skeptical but you can't knock it til you try it! Sometimes it's better to think out of the norm and this is one of those times!
~Lastly...2009 proved to be a trying year for our new and fresh marriage and it sure was a year to test the "for better or worse" in our vows.
We struggled through a bad economy and financial stress that comes with that, stress moving into a new home, stress with family (blended families are NOT easy), death and stress at work (Thomas has to have surgery in Feb 2010 for a work related injury)....but we managed to get through it all.
So I think it's safe to say that when I started this blog and was hesitant about whether or not starting a life with Thomas was the right thing to do??
I'm going to say now that it definitely was the right thing to do!!!
Have a fantastic 2010!!! Happy New Year!
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