Jumping into the Weekend!

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Mama Cormier

Attempting to skip “double Dutch”. Not a very pretty sight. Made me laugh when I saw it.

We set record temperatures today in Toronto. It went up to 30 degrees celcius. It was also our Jump Rope for Heart day. The entire school went outside and skipped for an hour to music. As you can see from the picture I attempted to relive my youth and tried to skip some double Dutch.

For the last few years I haven’t even attempted skipping. At one of these events about 5 or 6 years ago I ran and skipped with the kids but I wasn’t wearing proper shoes and I paid for it all summer with an injured foot. Even though my participation was short lived I think I’ll try it again sometime. The feet and the knees don’t seem to be bothered.

Despite the hot weather the kids enjoyed themselves and we’ve raised awareness and money for the Heart and Stroke Association in the process. Hopefully next week the rest of the pledges will come in and I can check off one more thing that needs to be done before the end of the year.

Tomorrow is the Fun Fair at school. I usually go but this year I was going to give it a pass but a certain somebody is trying to make me feel guilty. If I go she’s going to have to let me post pictures of her going into the Dunk Tank.

Stay tuned…… do I go or not!

Feeling Better About Myself

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Mama Cormier

….. all the compliments don’t hurt either!

Today was photo day for the grade five students that will be leaving us at the end of June. Traditionally the girls get all dressed up and the boys not so much (but there’s always one or two who wear a suit). This year I decided to wear a dress that I had bought at the end of last summer. I don’t very often wear dresses but I thought I should go the extra mile this year.

When I got to school I had a lot of compliments about how good I looked and some of my friends even noticed that the dress was a little bit too big. I’ve only worn it one other time. I think I’ll invest in getting it altered but I’m going to wait until I lose some more weight.

It’s interesting that I didn’t say “if I lose some more weight”. The difference on this weight loss journey is that there’s no question in my mind about my success. I am going to lose more weight.

After school the girls in Girls on the Run had their first 5 km run. I was worried about the heat today but everyone of them did it. As a coach I can’t always run with the girls because one of us has to stay behind and make sure all the girls drink their water and keep moving. Today we took turns running with the girls. I’m pleased to announce that I actually ran today and walked/ran at least 2 km.

I know that I can walk 5 km pretty easily. My goal is to run a little farther everyday until I’m running 50% of the time. I have 3 weeks and 3 days before our 5 km race to reach my goal, barring any more injuries.

Cheers!

No Pain Today

Posted on May 23, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. first day without pain and only 6 days before the next round of chemo.

When I came home tonight I knew something was different about my husband. He had a glass of wine in his hand and he was actually in a good mood. He was celebrating the fact that he felt no pain today.

We had a very pleasant conversation at dinner and he wanted to come for a walk with Frances and me. We didn’t go as far as I would normally but 2 km is better than none.

Tomorrow, at school, The Girls on the Run are going to do their first 5 km without stopping. I’m not sure if I’ll do the whole thing but I think I’m ready to start running for part of it. Wish me luck. I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

Beginning of Week 5

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Mama Cormier

… 4 weeks down

I can’t believe that I’ve been doing this for 4 solid weeks. When I weighed myself this morning I was down another 2 1/2 pounds since yesterday. That makes a total of 12 1/2 pounds. My goal was to lose 20 pounds before the 5 km race on Father’s Day. That leaves me 4 more weeks. I think it’s very possible.

Today I spent hours in the garden, weeding and planting. My husband managed to start his vegetable garden but his energy levels are very low these days. When he says “he’s done”, he means it. I’ll be glad when his last round of chemo is done at the end of the month. I’m not sure when he’ll start feeling better. Each round has been different but it has taken him longer each time before he feels somewhat normal again. When K doesn’t have the energy to take Frances for a walk you know he’s not feeling well.

It looks like it’s just you and me again, tonight, Frances!

Raised vegetable bed, ready for planting

Vegetable plants waiting to be planted.

Trying something new, celeriac.

A little colour in the front yard!

More colour!

: One of the air-plants that I bought on Saturday.

4.6 km Walk

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. Frances wouldn’t go any farther

I shouldn’t blame the dog for not wanting to carry on but she was pulling in the wrong direction and frequently put on the brakes.

It felt good to get in a long walk today. So far the knee feels good. I really thought I had done at least 5 km but according to gmap-pedometer it was only 4.6 km. I’ve posted the map.

gmap-pedometer.com

10 Pounds Down!!

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Mama Cormier

….. hooray!!!!!!

After my last post I did go for a nap and slept for 2 1/2 hours. I guess I was really tired.

On Saturday I got out for a walk with the dog. It was shorter than normal because they’re doing work on the rugby pitch and two laps of that is at least 1 km. I’ll have to find a new route for awhile.

I also got to the farmers’ market at the Brick Works and I was really looking forward to taking some great shots of fresh produce and anything else that might present itself. It was very busy but there was very little there in the way of produce. I really wanted to buy some rhubarb but there was none to be found. There were vendors there selling baked goods, gardening supplies, juices, honey, sausages and prepared foods but very little in the way of greens. I guess it’s still a little early in the season in Ontario.

My daughter and I also stopped at a cute little flower shop on Dundas St. West, near Trinity Bellwoods, called Sweet Woodruff. She had great “air-plants” that don’t need soil or water to survive. Well actually you do have to soak them about once a week but you can put them anywhere. I bought 3 and gave one away to my oldest daughter because she has always wanted one.

Sweet Woodruff

Air-plants

When I got back home I also got some gardening done but I have a lot left to do and when I finish here I’ll be out there pulling more weeds and planting a few flowers.

So everything that I set out to do on Saturday happened, plus I got some more school work done.

I haven’t shared the readings on my scale with you in almost a week. I knew that being away for 3 days would have a somewhat negative effect on my weight, even though I was incredibly active and I avoided all the desserts, bread, and fries. Thursday morning I was up 1/2 a pound and on Friday, another 1/2 pound. Today I lost that weight plus an additional 1/2 so that my total loss to date is an even 10 pounds.

This morning, my husband and I met up with two of our life long friends at the AGO and saw the Picasso show. If you’re in Toronto you should really check it out. It’s quite amazing and awe inspiring. Afterwards we went to the member’s lounge, had a nice lunch and then went our separate ways.

Picasso at the AGO

TTFN

The Long Weekend is Finally Here

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. but I’m too tired to enjoy it.

What a crazy week! Three days at Mono Cliffs with 56 grade 5 students, an all day soccer tournament (the girls won), Girls on the Run, and an all day library/computer workshop. I’m falling asleep over my laptop again.

I never get home before 6:00 from work but today, because my workshop was only 5 minutes from my house I was home before 4:30. I avoided all the sweets and crackers that were being offered during our breaks but when I got home I was famished. Luckily there was some homemade leftover vegetable soup in the fridge and I warmed up a cup to tide me over till dinner.

I should get out and go for a walk before dinner but I think I need a nap.

I don’t have any big plans for the weekend other than going to the AGO on Sunday and seeing the Picasso show. It looks like it’s going to be a good weekend to get some gardening done and I think a trip to the Farmers’ Market is in order as well.

I seem to be avoiding the topic of walking/running. Maybe I’ll be in a better state of mind after I take that nap.

Sweet Dreams!

Can Barely Keep My Eyes Open

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Mama Cormier

When I got home today from Mono Cliffs I set up my laptop and checked my emails. I was literally falling asleep over my keyboard. If it wasn’t so early I would have gone to bed but I hate that feeling of waking up at 8:00 or 9:00 pm and not knowing where you are.

I’m pretty proud of myself and even if I don’t lose any weight I feel I have conquered a major hurdle in the last 3 days. I passed on dessert, the homemade bread and fries for 6 meals in a row and for snack instead of the homemade cookies I ate vegetables and salad that I brought from home.

The other thing I noticed on this trip is that I purposely took longer routes for my walks and didn’t look for short cuts when travelling from activity to another. The one thing I haven’t been too successful with, though is getting to bed earlier. Part of the problem is that I’m sitting at this computer longer because I’m writing this blog. So tonight I’m going to keep this post short so that I can get at least 6 hours sleep.

Installation art using objects from nature.

Sweet Dreams, everyone.

Doing the Best I Can Under the Circumstances

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. scorching sun, rough terrain and hills

Today I had a choice of doing a long all day hike with the kids and eating lunch during the hike or doing activities closer to the centre with some hiking during the day. I opted for the first.

The weather was fantastic and while hiking through the woods the sun didn’t bother me but when we were in the open the scorching rays were almost too much to bare. Thank goodness for sun screen and a goofy cap I borrowed from the centre.

The day started with a hardy breakfast of oatmeal and yogurt but I passed on the French toast. For lunch we made our own wraps. I loaded mine with meat and cheese and lots of lettuce and tomato and topped it off with mustard. Again I passed on the cookies but I did eat half an apple. Dinner consisted of spaghetti and meat sauce and a salad. I loaded half my plate with salad and took about a half serving of pasta. I passed on the banana cake.

The hike itself was beautiful. We went along the edge of the cliffs, around a lake, through forests, across board walks over swampy areas and explored the contents of a pond. In total we walked about 7 km, although it seemed much further. We were outside for about 6 hours.

I loved being one with nature but I could have done without the the final climb back up the cliffs. It is incredibly steep and even the stairs are difficult to ascend. I spoke to one of the teachers who regularly runs the course we took today and she admitted that sometimes she will run an additional 3 km just to avoid the climb.

I’ve posted some of the many pictures I took of today’s hike. Enjoy!

I’m a Happy Mom

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. to all the moms out there, “Happy Mother’s Day”

What a great weekend!

On Saturday I got out for my first long walk in over a week. K and I woke up early and took Frances for our usual walk around the neighbourhood, about 3 km. Then we picked up some champagne and drove to our daughter’s and son-in-law’s apartment, where my other daughter and her partner joined us for a special Mother’s Day brunch.

I was a little worried about what might be on the menu but my children are such good cooks that I knew I would have to try a little bit of everything. We started with half a glass of champagne topped with orange juice. There were lots of things to choose from and I certainly didn’t feel pressured into having to try everything. I started with fruit salad, topped with yogurt and a little bit of granola. Daughter G made a wonderful egg strata and served it with bacon. A cup of good coffee and I was a happy mom. I passed on the homemade muffins.

For the rest of the day my other daughter and I did a little bit of shopping for the gardens, after dropping K off at the house. It took us longer than planned so I ended up picking up ready made chicken and salad for dinner.

…. more success on the scale

This morning I had a pleasant surprise when I weighed myself. I thought I might be up slightly after Saturday’s brunch or at least be the same. I am actually down another 1/2 pound for a grand total of 9 pounds in just under 3 weeks. Hooray!

This morning, K and I and Frances went for another walk but we went further today, 5.8 km. I haven’t started to add any running yet to my walks. So far my knee hasn’t given me any more grief.

… a new challenge!

Tomorrow, I leave for 3 days with 56 grade 5 students for Mono Cliffs, an outdoor education centre. I’m not worried about getting enough exercise because we’re outside for about 6 to 8 hours (rain or shine) everyday. The food there is amazing but it is somewhat geared for kids. The good thing is you can take as little or as much as you want and there are always lots of choices.

The evenings are a little worrisome for me because I won’t be eating the snack they provide. The cook there makes the most amazing cookies and muffins and I know they will be hard to resist. I think I’ll have to pack some veggies and dip to take with me.

Wish me luck!