Pampering yourself

The meeting topic today deserved a post of its own. It was about rewards and pampering. In groups, we had to each come up with three things we like to pamper ourselves with. That was a lot of fun. Being good to yourself is so worthwhile and creates lasting rewards. Like the circle I mentioned in my previous post, making yourself feel worthwhile makes you feel like someone who's worth taking care of.

If you don't normally pamper yourself or haven't for awhile, I challenge you this week to do one thing just for you. Tiny Trim is giving you permission. You deserve it and you're worth it.

Stuck for ideas? Here's a few that came out of the meeting and some of my own, too:

• Books: buy a new one or pick up an old favourite, sit in the sun (or shade) and read.
• Get outdoors: go for a walk in a favourite place like the beach, a park, or even the mall.
• Bubble bath: it's cliche but don't under-estimate the power of a long hot sudsy soak. Trashy romance optional.
• Spa: you don't have to go the whole day; even one service is enough to make you feel good.
• Retail therapy: buy a new summer accessory (a beach tote, necklace, sunglasses) or just go window shopping
• Gardening: dig around in a garden store or in your own garden
• Home spa evening: lots of inexpensive pampering can be found at the drugstore. Look for facial masks, cleansers, foot pampering tools (scrubs, brushes, cremes), deep hair conditioners, scented bath salts, hand lotion, nail polish, etc. Buy two or three new products and make an evening of it. Drink Perrier in a wine glass and pretend you're at a posh spa.
• Try a new recipe: I know food isn't supposed to be a reward but sometimes it's fun to get out of the rut and try a new healthy recipe.

Goal and beyond: the reward

It's time to start seriously thinking about goal and life beyond goal. I'm in the last stretch. The home plate is only a powerslide away.

In the first part of what's likely to become a series of me talking to myself, I'd like to talk about a physical reward of getting to goal. Though I want to lose a bit more weight (that's another blog post in itself), I can't let the momentous accomplishment go by without something equally momentous to celebrate it.

Clothes shopping, spa, that sort of thing goes without saying. I plan on treating myself like a queen. But what I really want is something more personal and lasting: professional photos of my husband and myself.

You see, when we were married, I was overweight. I had to live with a dress I didn't really like because it was the only one that fit me in the shop. The photos of our wedding weren't very good to begin with and me stuffed in a dress only made the whole thing that much more embarrassing.

I really want to have lovely photos of my sweetie and I. Ones that I can be proud of and actually put on the wall and not hide in a box. So that's what I'm going to do. Hire a professional and get some candid portrait shots of my hunny and me. This time I'll look slim and hot and he won't be wearing a leg cast. And yes, that's a whole other story in itself ;)

Lunch Joy

My 60 lbs lost reward came in the mail! It's an L.L. Bean tote and it's the cutest thing in the world. I had it embroidered with my middle name. It seemed fitting for a lunch bag. After all, eating food is a joyous occasion ;)

Also pictured are some of my favourite lunch snacks:

• Activia Fat-Free Peach Yogurt
• BC Gala Apple
• Baby Carrots (usually with hummus)
• Kashi Dark Chocolate Cherry bar.

I brought it to work today and it's sitting on my desk looking adorabubble. It's made out of stiff canvas so it holds its shape well. So pleased, so cute!

Running through some quick updates

There's been so much I've been wanting to talk about lately that I might as well point-form it.

• Thanks so much for your kind comments on my most recent progress pics. I feel all warm and fuzzy inside :)
• Also, thanks to everyone and their comments/suggestions about the Mysteries of Makeup. PM, since you and Pegger are all suggesting Clinique, that'll be my next purchase.
• We did a 10k trial run last night, following the same route as the upcoming race. It went very well and we're in good form for race day. That's me in my running gear by the way. Mr. Trim says I look "fast." I love Mr. Trim :)
• I tried a WATP exercise video for the first time in months. Where before I was puffing and wheezing through it, it was ridiculously easy. Never under-estimate the power of Bootcamp!
• I ordered a cute little tote from L.L Bean as my 60 lbs lost reward. I'm hoping it'll help me bring a lunch to work more often instead of going to Subway so much. Not that there's anything wrong with Subway. It just gets expensive if you go there five days a week.
  

There's more that I've been thinking about, but I'll leave those for other posts. Specifically, I'm starting to put a great deal of thought into goal and beyond. And what I'm going to do to celebrate reaching it. There's lots to think about!

Twenty-ninth Weigh-in

Another weigh-in under my belt and yet another .8 lbs lost. That's three weeks in a row! I'd say it was a trend, but the last time I said that, the trend changed completely. Regardless, this means I've lost another five pounds AND I've met my mini-goal of reducing my BMI to 29.9! Officially, I am no longer obese. I'm now just "overweight." Hehe, it's funny that I'm so excited about that! This also means it's charm time. I've already ordered one for this latest 5lbs and another for achieving my mini-goal.

The meeting itself was good. We did a little exercise by closing our eyes and imagining a time in our lives that required patience and persistence to overcome. We then imagined the feelings from that time applying to our weight loss efforts. Finally, we replaced the image by seeing ourselves at goal. Like the goofy girl I am, I started smiling at that point :)

After the meeting, I was approached by another member who asked how much I had lost as she didn't quite catch it when I received my star. She then congratulated me on my loss and said that she had been keeping an eye on me and watching me get thinner and thinner. That was super duper awesome. So much so, I really must approach someone else at the meeting and compliment them, too. I'm shy in real life, but this feeling deserves passing along to someone else despite my wallflower-ness!

I'll close with a great quote our leader gave us. It really is true. The great mountain that's ahead of us can be crossed one pebble at a time.

Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain.” – Unknown

Charms: 25lb and 30lb

My 25 lb charm finally arrived in the mail today. I also received a very special charm from my husband which has become my 30 lb charm. I've already added them to my milestone bracelet and my husband was kind enough to take a photo:


As with my other charms, these have meanings, too:

• Starfish (25 lbs): The starfish is a symbol of rebirth and regeneration. We can regrow what was once missing, make new what was once incomplete. Starfish are also said to be reflections of the stars in the sky. By our actions today, we reflect what we are becoming. Stronger, prouder, and healthier. A true rebirth.
  
• Heart (30 lbs): A special charm that reminds me that though I have fought hard, I still wouldn't be where I am today without the love and support of my husband. He has been with me every step of the way. Who praises me, loves me, and supports me without complaint or condition? That would be my very dear husband. Thank you, my love. You truly are my strength.

I have an idea of what my next charm will be, but first I've got to lose that next 5 lbs!

Finally got to Curves

Boy have I been slacking lately. I haven't been to Curves in over two weeks! But I got my bum in gear last night and finally went. I didn't want to go; I was in that its-been-so-long-why-bother? funk. As always, I'm glad I showed up. There had been some minor changes to the circuit which made it a refreshing go 'round. They were also playing music I hadn't heard before which is always a plus. And lastly, the good employee was there. She's the one that's genuinely friendly, but not pushy or condescending. The bad employee was there, too, but she was cleaning so I managed to avoid her.

This week I've again pledged to get to Curves three times. I know there's at least one busy night this week so I'm planning around it by going again tonight. Although they say you should wait a day between strength training, I've used that excuse too much to avoid going. Better to go than not go, right? I've got my gym stuff laid out so I can nip out the door with little fuss when I get home.

As finances are a little tight these days, my reward will require no money - I'll take an afternoon for myself this weekend so that I can work on some needlework.

Twenty-first Weigh-in

Today's weigh-in is also known as "what. the. heck." Can you believe this? Not only am I down despite my sinful weekend, I'm down by 2.4 lbs. What the hay? I can't say that I understand it but boy will I take it! Likely I'll either stay the same or lose just a tich next week (or even gain a tich). That's what my body tends to do after a big loss. So maybe the piper will be paid next week?

Regardless, I'm happy with today's loss. Even though I'm not proud of myself for my indulgent vacation, I am proud of myself for getting right back on track and eating well this week. What's more important? That I slipped? Or that I slipped and picked myself up again?

I've finally put my 5 lb star on my bookmark and it looks good! I also received a special Weight Watchers reward for reaching the 25 lb mark. They've switched from giving out fridge magnets (thank goodness) and opted for...well...a washer? I guess? Take a gander and decide for yourself:

(it's hard to make out, but it says "25 lb")

My husband thinks it's a weight from a dumbbell but I'm not so sure. I'm still proud of it and have already put it on my Weight Watchers keychain.

And I guess this means it's officially charm shopping now! Yay! Oooh, what to get, what to get?

Go girl!

Well, well, look at what came in the mail today! My Italian charm bracelet! The charms are even prettier than I could have hoped for. I'm so happy!



From left to right, here's a list of the charms and their meanings:

• Blue star (5 lbs): For the first star on my bookmark.
  
• Train (10 lbs): I'm the little engine that could...and did!
• Bike (15 lbs): What's loss without sweating to an exercise video, working the machines at Curves, or pushing the pedals on my exercise bike?
  
• Emerald flower (20 lbs): Celebrating my birth month and being alive to appreciate the here and now.
• Go Girl! (10%): A special charm to commemorate losing 10% of my starting weight. Look at me go!

I haven't decided on the next charm yet; I'll cross that bridge when the scales say I can cross. In the meantime, I'm wearing my new bracelet with pride. Woot!

I ordered it

Just so this day didn't go completely in the toilet, I wound up ordering a starter Italian charm bracelet and five charms. Four charms for each five pounds I've lost, and one charm for my 10% goal. It just didn't seem right to order the charm for the next five pounds until I'd truly lost it. As I'll be away on vacation towards the end of this week, it may not be for a few weeks until I've officially broken the 25 lb mark.

And now, I'm taking myself to the bathroom for some pampering. I have some new products to try out - a swanky razor and sassy shaving lotion for my legs, a tube of Olay Thermal Pedicure for my feet, scrubby gloves for my skin, and some Dove's ultra-moisturizing body wash. I also found my Weight Watchers magazine from last month so I'll actually get to finish reading it. Pampering is so very nice!

Nineteenth Weigh-in

I'm down another 1.2 lbs which means I'm in a whole new set of numbers. Bye-bye 180s, hello 170s! This also means I now weigh the same as I did when I got married seven years ago. Woot! The receptionist who weighed me in was super nice, too. She complimented me on the colour of my shirt and was genuinely happy for me on how well I'm doing. Most receptionists are great, but this lady was super great.

At the meeting itself, a lady mentioned she has a charm bracelet that she adds a charm to for every 10 lbs she loses. It reminded me of the last time I lost weight and how I kept a charm bracelet, too. Unfortunately, I hadn't been able to find my bracelet since we moved two years ago but I was inspired to look for it again. And you know what, I found it! It had fallen behind one of the drawers in my jewelery box.

It was nice to see the bracelet again. Firstly because it's a family heirloom; it was my mother's charm bracelet. And secondly because I could see how far I had gotten last time - 20 lbs altogether with one charm for every 5 lbs. It reminded me that I have lost weight before and I'm doing it again with ease and more success.

I'm going to start up a new charm bracelet, but this time it'll be an Italian charm bracelet. I've always wanted one and it'll fit my active lifestyle better than a traditional charm bracelet. For every 5 lbs lost, I'll get a new charm. I'll also get a new charm for milestones and other momentous achievements. I may wait until I get to 25 lbs lost before ordering the first batch, but we'll see :)

Tags-b-gone

As I laid there on the torture clinic chair, the smell of my burning skin wafting through the air, one thought kept going through my mind...I actually volunteered myself for this procedure. And I paid for it, too. I actually paid money to have what felt like a hot needle jab into my skin and burn off cauterize my skin tags.

OWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Remember Ralph's younger brother in A Christmas Story? I'm him. I can't put my arms down.

But, it's did now. And my armpits have little black spots where my skin buddies used to be. The technician called it "crusting" which, in of itself is never a pretty word, but I suppose it's better than describing it as "the blackened and curled edges of your cauterized skin."

I have some topical cream to apply and plan on spending the night on the couch, reflecting on the nice gift of pain I gave myself for my 10% reward. Never say I am not good to myself. Once the discomfort dies down, the redness dissipates and the blackened bits disappear, I'm sure I will look back on this and laugh. In the meantime, pass me the Tylenol >_<

Best intentions

Whoops. Seems like I didn't really think things through. My plan of getting to Curves three times this week isn't going to work out. Guess what I forgot? That's right, my 10% reward is tonight! I won't have time to get to Curves beforehand and then afterwards, I'm not supposed to exercise for 48 hours afterwards. That leaves no time this week to get in the other two workouts.

Ah well, there's always next week, right?

100 km!

I reached the 100 km mark this morning on my exercise bike. That didn't take long at all! It's amazing how far you can go in 45 minutes. I clocked 14.65 km this morning alone.

I've decided my reward will be....more activity points! I ordered a 10 Minute Solution: Blast Off Belly Fat DVD from Amazon. Although I know that you can't spot reduce specific areas, I ordered it because I really haven't been exercising the ol' abdominal muscles. I figured 10 minutes of ab work after every exercise bike workout will be the perfect combination. My muscles will be warmed up from biking and then I can hit the mat and start strengthening that stomach of mine!

My next goal on the bike will be to reach 1000 kilometres. As a reward, I'll get a pedicure since my feet will have done most of the work.

10% Reward Update

In the midst of the birthday frivolity yesterday, I went to my skin tag consultation appointment at the clinic. The technician explained the process (basically zapping them with a current so they fall off) and said it would only be $75 to remove all of them. They can even do the one on my eyelid. I would need to go in for two sessions (included in the price) in case there's strays after the first session.

Although I thought I had a lot of skin tags, I don't have many compared to other people the technician has treated. It was a nice reminder that there's always someone who is worse off and that you're not the only one.

At the end of the consultation, I booked an appointment for the 14th of June. That should give me enough time to lose these last few pounds. Here's hoping I don't run into a weight loss plateau along the way!

Decision on 10% reward

I've finally decided what I'm going to do for my 10% reward. This may be bordering on too much information, so be warned before reading on.

Over the last few years I've developed a number of skin tags in one of my underarms. I also have a small one on my eyelid that I'd dearly love to part ways with. It's really embarrassing and ugly. I don't want to go swimming because of it. Well that, and I look like a blobule. But it's mostly because of the skin tags.

I used to say that I'd get them removed when I got to my goal weight but now I'm thinking "Why not now?" I hate them, I'm sure they don't like me much, and it'd do wonders for my self-esteem. Maybe I might even get into that bathing suit again.

I'm going to book a consultation at a local clinic to see what's involved. It looks relatively inexpensive but I just want to make sure that the price quoted isn't per skin tag. And if all is as it appears, I'm booking an appointment when I reach my 10% goal. Exciting!

UPDATE
I was a little nervous but I did it. I booked a consultation appointment for tomorrow evening!

Things what come in the mail = awesome

My new workout clothes from See Jane Run finally arrived! And not a moment too soon. The 2X gym pants that I've been wearing were seriously making me look like MC Hammer.

Of what I ordered I don't know what I like best. The shirt is so soft and pretty. It's nice to have a woman's fit shirt instead of the man's shirt I've been wearing. The capris I ordered (in 1X!) also fit perfectly and are so comfortable. Everything looks and feels great and it's making me feel great, too!

Ahhh...MUCH better!

The last few times I went to Curves, the harpy woman who gave me so much grief earlier in the week was nowhere to be found. Instead, there's been a really great lady who would work on the machines with us, adjust the music volume, the fans, and was just generally friendly and great.

Unfortunately, I heard her talking with some of the other members and she's just filling in. Apparently, my Curves is short-staffed at the moment and they've been getting employees from other Curves around town to fill in. I'm hoping this means the sourpuss woman was just filling in, too.

At any rate, I gave myself a goal of getting 12 workouts in within a month's time period. I actually met that goal on Thursday night but today was the first day I could follow through on my reward. I ordered a pair of Gym Capris and an Aqua-coloured Synergy shirt from See Jane Run.

I can hardly wait!

Two months and a reward

It's been just over a week since my two-month anniversary of starting Weight Watchers. I decided to celebrate by getting a manicure at our local Aveda salon. I also booked my husband in for a facial because he needs pampering, too! He's been such an angel and is as much a part of my success as Weight Watchers.

So, tonight, I dropped him off for his facial while I went to Curves. I finished my workout and came back to Aveda for my turn at pampering. We both enjoyed it immensely. His face looks very good and my hands are all pretty with their pink sparkle polish.

Yes, I think I could get used to rewards like this! ^_^

Inexpensive mini-rewards

After the reality of budget set in, I realized I needed to find some ways to reward myself without spending a lot of money. I did some brain-storming and here's what I've come up with:

• Fun socks. I love pretty and patterned socks but never buy them because they're more expensive than plain old socks. But, they're not too expensive for mini-rewards!
• Flowers. A single carnation, rose, or dahlia would be inexpensive and a luxury at the same time. (I never buy flowers either.)
• Lip gloss. Something fun and fruity from the Body Shop or Fruits & Passion.
• A trashy romance. Guilty pleasure yet I don't buy them anymore. A cheesy Harlequin romance and a bubble bath would be right up my alley.
• A pretty (cheap) bracelet. I like browsing in places like Claire's and sifting through the cheap costume jewelery at the Bay. I ought to quit browsing and buy something pretty!

Can you tell yet that I'm pretty frugal when it comes to frivolities? That's the beauty of my list. I can "splurge" on the things my sensible brain won't usually let me buy.

Now all I have to do is earn some of these things. Where's that celery stick?