Category: Weight Loss

5 Year Anniversary!

Published on by Christine6 Comments

Today marks 5 years of being at my goal weight!  I am so thankful and happy that I’m still there!

It seems fitting today, that I recount some important life lessons I have learned over these past 5 years.

I have learned…

I COULD do it!  What a revelation after years of being stuck at a place I didn’t want to be.

I was waaaaay stronger than I realized.  I had no idea I could exercise with results and actually learn to love it.  I finally found the courage to challenge myself, and soak up the benefits.

I am not defined by being the fat girl.  What I portrayed on the outside did not match what I felt on the inside.  It’s not about what I weigh now or then, it’s about taking control, loving who I am/was, and taking the steps to being the person I wanted to be.

The biggest obstacle I had to overcome was my negativity and the way I used to cast blame on others.   It’s all on me.  There will always be a reason not to do something that is difficult.  Life is busy.  So what. I had to put my big girl panties on and just deal with it.  Ha ha! There will never be a “right” time.  The right time is now.

I am weak, and I am strong….It’s OK to be weak because on the flip side of the coin, I am strong.  Yin/Yang.

Judging others based on how they look, what they wear, how they chose to live their lives is just plain ridiculous and takes away from the only thing I should worry about…and that’s my own choices.

This is me now….a girl that still sports tummy rolls and stretch marks.  They are a story of where I have come from.  I earned them.

There will always be some people who don’t support your goals and dreams…but there are many people who do.  Value the ones who do, and don’t worry about the ones who don’t.  You have no idea where they are coming from and what they have been through in their lives. Most of the time it isn’t even personal.

Positive OUT…Positive IN.  The best things in life have come when I put the positive out first.

It’s not about losing weight.  Losing the weight is a result of taking control back.   I prefer to think of it as a bonus.

I am thankful for the place I’ve come from….

And for the place I’m at now…a place where I get to support others in their goals and dreams while I continue to pursue my own.

Thank you to everyone that had a part in supporting me.  I appreciate you and your giving hearts.

From my heart to yours,

Christine

Struggling

Published on by Christine7 Comments

Happy Monday!  How are you? 

I went to the gym this morning and it felt awesome to go.  I spent the entire hour thinking.  I’m struggling. 

I’m either in control of the food part, or I’m in control of the exercise part.  But both exercise and eating healthy combined, is my struggle.  I’m not sure why.

I need to figure this out!  I’m great in the morning and through out the day.  My resolve is strong.  I make healthy food choices, and most days have lots of energy to stay active. 

Then night comes, and after I put my kids to bed, I fight with the internal dialogue to say screw it, and eat.  It’s so frustrating because each morning I wake up wondering why I can’t just figure out my night-time eating struggles.  It’s so easy when I wake up to a fresh new day.  But, by the evening I don’t want to deal with anything.  I just want to turn my mind off.

I feel like a fraud most of the time.  I don’t have it all together.  But the truth be told, this blog is just like a journal and it’s important to get it out there. To stay positive, and remind myself what my goals are.

I have been thinking about starting a facebook group, where anyone can join that needs support.  We can share successes, and support one another during struggles.  We can post weight or fat loss (you wouldn’t have to post your weight…just weight or percentage of weight lost), workout times, what we are eating, etc.  Are you interested in joining?  I think it’s so important to join together and support one another.  A huge step in the right direction is to find a circle of support that will lift you up when you are down.  Another important part of finding a support network is finding like-minded people to be accountable to. 

If you’re interested, let me know! 

Have a fabulous Monday.

Christine

Finding YOU again

Published on by Christine4 Comments

As a busy Mom, I often lose who I am.  I know I’ve talked about his before, but it’s an issue that I struggle with on a daily basis.  When I don’t feel in control of my activity and what I chose to eat, it really does translate into all areas of my life.  I think the biggest blessing that has come from taking better care of myself, is the feeling of being in control and there is great pride that accompanies that.  That feeling transfers down into all areas of everyday life. 

I have chosen a different way to view life than what comes naturally to me.   For example, every day mundane tasks have to power to annoy the life out of me!  Making several trips walking the kids to school every day, having to park far away in a busy parking lot, getting groceries at night when I would rather be vegging on my couch, all annoy me if the truth be told.  All I have to do is tell myself that each of these little tasks, are just another way to stay active!  So I chose to park farther away in an empty parking lot, take the longest possible route to get bread at the grocery store, and walk instead of drive to the school.  Because every extra step matters.  It makes me want to do more!  It keeps me from the comfort of my couch.   It makes me want to break out into spontaneous dance when I’m down. I have no rhythm so it’s more awkward flailing than actual dancing.

When I think back to the most depressing part of being stuck at a weight I wasn’t happy with, it was that I felt so bad about myself. I felt trapped, lethargic, and every day tasks overwhelmed me. I felt like life was passing me by and I had a hard time getting out of bed in the morning knowing that those feelings were on the top of my mind. 

I wasn’t eating healthy. I was eating a lot of fried foods with no nutritional value.  I had no energy.  I remember coming home from work during the lunch hour and just wanting to sleep for the hour.  I had a hard time climbing the stairs at work. By the top, I was out of breath and ready to sit down!   Eating a diet rich in nutrients and vitamins not only keeps you healthy and gives you natural antibodies to fight off sickness, but it gives you so much energy.  It fills you up in a way that doesn’t weigh you down.

Making positive little choices in your day, leads to more positive choices.  The best part about it is YOU get to make those choices for yourself.  You are in control of what you chose to eat, and how much activity you add into your day.

If you feel lost or out of control, look inside and make that choices needed to treat yourself well.  Your body was designed to be fueled with natural foods.   There is a reason processed food doesn’t grow on trees. 

You will find YOU again if you’ve lost your way.   Positivity, pride and strength open the mind up and you can’t help but transfer those blessings into other areas of your life.  

I’m going to also put this out there.  I’m not always sure if what I share here are too broad of ideas! Are they tangible?  If you ever have any questions that you think I may help you with, please e-mail me at cjhop (at) telus (dot) net or leave me a comment.  If I can help in any way by lending advice on what to eat, exercising, or if you need someone to talk to I’m here for you.  

I remember a time when I was driving home from work, thinking I wish there was someone out there that understood how I was feeling and could help in some small way.  I felt so stuck and totally at a loss as to how to move forward.  I’m here for you if you are in that same space.  I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I do know what has worked for me.  Most of it starts in your mind and heart, so any program such as weight watchers can work.  You are more powerful than you may know.

From my heart to yours,

Christine

The Power of the Mind

Published on by Christine5 Comments

I am guilty of wanting to be in a place other than where I am right now.  I fall into the trap both in my personal life and in my professional life.  Before a photography session, I will sometimes surf blogs for inspiration, but what often happens is I’m left feeling like my work is “crap” and I have so far to go.  This is also true when it comes to body image.  I can’t help but surf the magazines when waiting in line at Safeway (I manage to always find the slowest line in Safeway, even if I lane-hop…I always lose that game).  On the cover of most magazines is a perfectly airbrushed model with a million dollar smile, and promises of quick fixes if only you drink shakes for 2 out of 3 meals. 

When you are always looking ahead to where you wish you could be, it’s pretty hard to live in the moment.   At the beginning of this journey, the realization that I should probably lose around 100 pounds was daunting and totally overwhelming.  It was tough not to want to resign myself that being unhappy with my weight was something I would always be.  It’s enough to make you want to throw in the towel before you’ve even started.  That’s where self-sabotage comes in. If you really don’t believe it’s a manageable goal, than you start putting obstacles in your way and convince yourself it just isn’t meant to be. 

 If you could look at it as a journey and enjoy the process without constantly wishing you were at the proverbial “end” you would begin to be proud of little changes.  Because it’s through a series of little changes that lead to big changes.  Set out manageable small goals, and be proud when you reach them.  I remember feeling so down on myself when I would only lose one little itty bitty pound.  Now, if I gained a pound, it was crushing.   Why is it that the feeling of pride isn’t matched to the feeling of defeat?  It’s the same pound we are talking about here, but this pound really only feels huge when it’s gained.

Here’s the difference:

I go to the running track and run 2 laps, walk 1 lap.  

Rather than: I wish I could run more than 2 laps.

I prefer to think of it like this: I ran 2 laps! There was a time when I couldn’t run 1/2 a lap.  Each time I challenge myself I can only get better.

I try on a pair of once-loose jeans that I now struggle to pour myself into.

Rather than:  Forget it! Where’s that bag of Doritos? It’s so depressing trying on clothes that don’t fit!

I prefer to think of it like this:  Dear too tight jeans, I am going to eat healthier & exercise and will try you on again in a month. You are merely a bench marker for the work I’m going to put in.

I often dream of where I want to go in my photography, and get lost in where I am right at this moment.  It’s always good to dream, but sometimes you have to step back and take a look if it’s something that is preventing you from moving forward because the end goal is too big.  Strip it back to little goals, and never forget to feel the sense of pride and accomplishment when you reach each little step along the journey.  

The greatest thing about chosing a healthier lifestyle is the feeling that comes along with it.  When you are treating yourself well, the feeling that comes along with it is so good.

You bring in what you give out.  Do you agree with this theory?  I believe this is true with your thoughts. 

Negative in, negative out. 

Positive in, positive out. 

It really does start a cycle of either positivity or negativity depending on what you are bringing in.  The GREAT part about it is that you have the power to create exactly who you want to be. One little itty bitty step at a time.  Do not give in to the feeling of defeat before you’ve even started!  Move forward and celebrate your successes, however small they may be. 

When you decide to start on your path, it should be exciting! There is so much to learn about yourself and life.  Live in that excitement.  Put out exactly what you wish to take in.  Sometimes we aren’t even aware of the negativity we are putting out there.  Sometimes it’s the mind that needs to be changed first.

Cookie Cutter Body

Published on by Christine20 Comments

Yesterday on my facebook status, I asked people if they were either happy or unhappy with their body image.  I wasn’t sure what the results would be.  Of the 38 women that responded, the results were this…

66% unhappy

18% happy

16% on their way to being happy

I didn’t count my vote, which would probably be with the 16% which are on their way to being happy with their body image.  Even after years of working on it, it’s an issue I continue to struggle with.  Progress…not perfection (as my friend Ginette used to tell me).

Why aren’t we happy with ourselves?

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Is it pressure from society to be a certain size and weight?  The elusive cookie cutter woman…

In my humble opinion, the only way we can move away from this is to worry less about what everyone else thinks we should be, and look within ourselves.  Which is funny, because as the results show, most people aren’t happy with their body image. So the girl beside you who looks like she has a body you would kill for probably isn’t happy with her body either.

What is your goal? One of my friends said she was happy with how she looks, but unhappy with her current fitness level.  So her goal is to run and bike easily.  I think that’s awesome!  That’s a goal that she is able to achieve.  It’s not about being a size ___.

I thought about what I don’t like about my own body yesterday.  I don’t like my tummy rolls, and although I can certainly work on that, I got this tummy from having three kids.  My tummy rolls are totally worth it.  Guess what? Most women that have children have the same tummy I do.

Life should be lived with pride.  Throughout my life, I have always looked ahead to the next stop rather than living in the moment. I can’t wait until I fit into that pair of jeans that have sat lonely on my closet shelf.  I can’t wait to tone my arms so I can wear a strapless dress that hangs in my closet.   Guess what, that strapless dress fits me now..toned arms or not.  I’m going to wear it.

The goal to be fit and healthy has nothing to do with being a certain size.   If you aren’t happy with your body image, I believe the solution is to be good to you.  If only we could see ourselves through the eyes of those who love us most, we would treat ourselves with the respect we deserve.  Really look within and ask yourself what part of it is something you can do something about, and what part of it is because you are looking to the outside world to dictate what you should be.  What parts of your behavior is destructive, and what parts will bring growth into your life.

I can switch my body image issue in one day.  One day I can feel horrible about myself because of the food choices I made, or because I’m a lump on the couch still in my pj’s sporting yesterday’s hair do.  The next day I can feel like a million bucks because I’ve taken great care of myself.   For me, this is what living a healthy lifestyle has brought to my life.  It’s given me my self-respect back and the willingness to keep going, to treat myself well.  To be proud of what I can do, and to stop living life on the side-lines.

I’m really curious what your take on this issue is.  Share your comments, stories, and thoughts here.

One thing that struck me from the results of the little poll, was how many of us deal with this issue…no matter what size you are.  So there are a lot of us in the same boat.  Don’t you just wish we could all just be honest with one another and let go of that cookie cutter mold many of us are striving for?  There is something so beautifully freeing in that.  It actually makes me feel giddy inside.

Share, talk, look within, and live your life with your head held high. You are beautiful, loved, and so worth it.

Christine

Starting Fresh

Published on by Christine4 Comments

I’m in a funk.  It happens sometimes, but this summer, I over indulged on over indulging.  We went camping a few times, and I had my fill of smokies and blender drinks.   

My pants are too tight.

That’s ridiculously discouraging.

The kids have started a fresh new year of school, so I’m getting back into my routine as well.  I can not believe how much better I feel drinking lots of water, eating healthy, exercising…it’s ridiculously encouraging.

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I was yet again reminded the power of routine and habits. I read somewhere it takes a month to establish a habit.  So I encourage you, along with me, to get back into a healthy routine.  Or, start fresh, everyday is a brand new day. 

  • Drinks lots of water daily
  • Exercise! Get that heart rate up for at least 10 minutes at some point in your day.  30 minutes of exercise would be even better. Continue to challenge yourself and do more and more as you build strength and endurance.
  • Eat your fruits and veggies!  Our society is built on convenience.  What’s more convenient than grabbing fruits or veggies for a snack.  If you don’t like fruits and veggies, keep eating them.  As your body adjusts to natural flavours and sugars, your tastes will change too. 
  • Limit your sugar intake. If you eat alot of sugar, you probably crave a lot of sugar. I was just thinking about this the other day. My son woke up early in the morning and while still wiping the sleep from his eyes, asked for McDonald’s for breakfast.   I told him No, and he told me he was “craving” it.  That really stuck with me. 

My 7 year old craves McDonald’s. 

Crap…on…a…stick.

It’s no wonder, McDonald’s food is loaded with sugar, fat, and salt.  All of those elements combined have your blood sugar on a sugary roller coaster.  Do you notice that those types of food have you hungry and craving more not long after you eat them?  They don’t fill you up the same way that natural healthy foods do. 

I’m not saying I’ll never let my kids eat McDonald’s, but I guess I better be watching how often I take them there.  It freaked me out that he craved McDonald’s.

That’s my thoughts for the day.   I’m decided to recommit to committing to one day making a commitment to healthy living.  Just joking.  That day is now!  Who’s with me?! 

If you hate exercising, crank up the music and dance it out for a song or two everyday.  It’s OK if your dancing happens to bring on blank stares and eye-rolling.  It’s all part of a day 🙂    

Have a great active day!  It’s so good for the soul ❤

Christine

Tapping into your Potential

Published on by Christine2 Comments

How many times have you shot down a goal or dream because you thought you couldn’t do it?  What if you told yourself you could do it?  What if you truly believed it?!  So often we fail to tap into our true potential because we’ve trained ourselves to believe that we CAN’T do it, or we give a mediocre effort and then tell ourselves it’s all we’ve got.

This is especially true in the area of weight loss.  Sometimes looking at the big picture is so overwhelming we give up before we even start.  If I would have thought in my mind that I had almost 100 pounds to lose, I would have thrown in the towel and dove into a bag of Doritos (the cool ranch kind).

Could it be, that you have no idea what your true potential is?  Maybe just maybe you are strong enough to conquer your fears and go for it! 

Try this:  Strap on your running shoes and go for a walk/jog…even if you are not a jogger.  When I first started jogging, I couldn’t jog anymore than 30 seconds before I wanted to puke in my mouth a little (sorry, descriptive I know).   

Warm up 5 minutes walking, now start jogging; even if it’s barely a jog.  When your breathing gets laboured and your legs start to burn and your mind starts screaming “holy Hanna Montana you have got to STOP!!!”…Don’t do it! Keep going!  Tell yourself, you will jog another 15 seconds.   Go again the next day.  This time go for an extra 3o seconds, or an extra 5 minutes…depending on the level you are at.  The point is, you CAN push through it. 

Don’t let yourself believe that you aren’t strong.  You are only limited by your mind.

My sister Janice has MS.   Before she got sick, she was the most active & vivacious woman I have ever met.  She loved to go for speed walks and being active was just part of who she was.  She now walks short distances with the aide of a walker. When I first started exercising, my little sister and I went for a walk/jog while on our family vacation.  I could not for the life of me keep up to her!  It was like chasing Forest Gump.  I returned back to the cabin a good 10 minutes behind her so I was feel discouraged about my slow pace.  Janice was in the cabin when I returned and I told her how bummed I was because I couldn’t run very fast.  She looked at me and said “I wish I could run again.”  I had to duck into another room because I was so overwhelmed by her statement and realization of how spoiled I was complaining about how difficult exercising is when I CAN exercise. 

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My sisters and me Christmas 02 (my little sister is missing from this shot as she was basking in tropical son).  Me, Roxy, Sharon, Janice, and Darlene.

So I run because I CAN run.

This is the song I play on my Ipod when I don’t want to run anymore (I apologize for the crude Madonna photos that accompany this song.  It was the only one I could find on the net that I could embed.  Just listen to the words!).  The words of this song remind me of my sister and I refuse to quit when I hear it.

Push yourself and tap into your potential.  You won’t believe how strong you actually are.

The Secret to Happiness!

Published on by Christine35 Comments

The secret to happiness is…..

….to LIVE life with purpose and gratitude.

When I think back to life a few years ago, I never really understood how to live life with gratitude or with purpose.  I took for granted that I had my health and forgot how to have joy in the little things.

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I remember this moment.  I wanted to disappear into the crowd and I definitely did NOT want my picture taken. You can see it in my face.  PUT THE CAMERA DOWN…

This probably sounds corny or cliche, but we owe it to our kids, our partners, to our loved ones, and most importantly to ourselves to take care of our bodies.  By taking care of our bodies, in turn we are taking care of our mind too!  There is nothing better for your mind, body, and soul than to exercise and be proud of yourself for your accomplishments.  I was once a hater of all things active, so it’s definitely a learned behaviour.

What happens when I say the word “DIET”.  What do you think of?  The word “Diet” has horrible connotations attached to it.  To me diets are about will power, restriction, self-control, deprivation, etc.

Living a HEALTHY lifestyle is NOT a diet.   It’s a way of life that celebrates living the best life possible.

It’s about balance, being proud of your accomplishments, pushing yourself forward, celebrating your healthy body and all it can do, enjoying whole food packed with vitamins and nutrients and feeling the boundless amounts of energy that comes from eating that type of food.  It’s about feeling in control (this one is HUGE for me) and most importantly, feeling gratitude for your life.   LIFE IS GOOD.

When people ask me how I lost the weight, I often get the same reaction after I tell them it was through healthy eating and exercise.  Groans and eye-rolls…because we are trained to believe that it can’t be done or sustained because it’s a diet.  We are so used to hopping on the diet bandwagon and giving it all we got for a bit, only to realize that we can’t sustain it and then feel like a failure when the weight comes back on.  It’s a terrible cycle and it leaves a person feeling defeated.  I’ve been there, and it sucks!

I’m here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way.  It really doesn’t!  If you think you can’t do it…you are absolutely wrong.   There is such freedom when you find a lifestyle that works for you and it can be sustained.

So where does one start?!

Start with little manageable changes and keep going!  Cut out processed, high-fat, high-sodium foods.  Eat the way nature intended…foods as close to their natural state as possible: whole grains, lean protein, veggies & fruits. ALWAYS eat breakfast.  Pack small healthy snacks (around 100 calories) so you never go hungry.  Eat smaller meals.  Plan your meals ahead. Walk instead of ride.  Take the stairs.  Dance, move, run, swim, cycle, jump, LIVE!

Read this: Dr. Phil’s “The Ultimate Weight Solution”

Even if you’re not a Dr. Phil fan, this book is great because it touches on all the elements that go hand in hand with losing the weight and keeping it off.  It’s not about the food.  It really isn’t.  There are many reasons for obesity, but for me it was so much more than just the food.

Find support!  I found a great group of women all going through the same trials I was (thank you “Living FIT/JTTH” girls! I love you & I’m so thankful for you)

I’ll support you! Leave me a comment or e-mail me at hopaluk (at) shaw (dot) ca

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I remember this wonderful moment too:  I received my goal weight key-chain from my weight loss support group!

By living a healthy lifestyle, you will tap into a side of you that you may not have known existed.  I can’t begin to tell you the freedom and zest for life I found when I realized that I didn’t have to be “the big girl” for the rest of my life; however, it’s not about the size you are or how much you weigh. It’s about honouring yourself and living the best life possible.

Christine

Self Acceptance

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“Accept everything about yourself–I mean everything, You are you and that is the beginning and the end–no apologies, no regrets.”
– Clark Moustakas

I’ve decided that I am the size and weight I’m supposed to be.  This weight loss journey has been a long one, but yesterday as I was beating myself up for fluctuating within the same 5 to 10 pounds, I realized that I’m the weight and size I’m meant to be. 

That doesn’t mean I will quit exercising.  Quite the opposite.  I enjoy exercising, but I also enjoy good food, and yummy drinks as well!  As long as I don’t abuse these yummy foods and drinks, I’ll be OK. 

So this is it.  I’m happy.  It takes the guilt out of enjoying rich foods from time to time. As I’ve said over and over, this is a lifestyle and not a diet.  I will always be active as it’s part of who I am now…it’s part of life.  I will continue to eat consciously…which is Key. 

Life is too short to be filled with guilt associated with food.  It’s time to move past that and embrace my life and who I am now.  Active, healthy, and full of respect for the whole process!

I’ve Lost Myself Again

Published on by Christine2 Comments

I haven’t been in control of my eating lately, and I feel terrible about it.  I haven’t been eating consciously this past few weeks (although a trip to Vegas is never helpful in the eating department) and I need to stop and pull it back together. 

I’ve been struggling with where I’m going with my photography as a business, and who I am as a photographer (among other things) so rather than think about it, I’ve been eating my way through the emotions.  Not healthy at all!  It’s only now that I’ve realized why I’ve been struggling lately. 

So often when we struggle, we are just going through the motions.  Every day: putting one foot in front of the other.  Refusing to focus, feel, or think…and then looking for something to make us feel better just for a bit. 

I just had to get it out there so I can start over.  The best part is that every day is a new day.  It’s natural to struggle and lose  focus, but I’m back on track today. 

Another facet of this issue is that I didn’t realize that my friends count on me to motivate them.  After a long conversation with a friend this week, I realized that she looked up to me.  What?  It blew me away that someone would think I had my “stuff” together enough to look up to. 

So…. Breathe….because I’ve lost myself again.

Today is a new day full of possibilities.

I’m going to be conscious of what I eat.

I’m going to be active today.

I feel my best when I’m in control of what I eat and when I stay active.

The only person that is holding me back from my goals is ME. 

I’m going to allow myself to feel today.