I’ve Got My New Computer

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Mama Cormier

… but now I have to figure out how to use it!

I thought I knew how to navigate around Apple computers but this new MacPro is giving me some challenges. I have an appointment on Friday at the Genius Bar. I was hoping to have my photos ready to go but I can’t transfer my data from my external hard drive into this new laptop. So unfortunately today’s post will be sans pictures.

This time of year all my non teacher friends and the parents at school ask if I’m ‘winding down’. I know that there are only 3 weeks of school left but I can’t even allow myself to think about that. I have report cards to write, report cards to proofread, correct and print, costumes to cut and sew for the year end production, Girls on the Run to train for, soccer practices, soccer tournament, grade 5 visit to next year’s middle school, biography and social studies projects to finish and mark and the year end activities to organize. I’m tired just thinking about it.

On a personal note I’m continuing to have success on the scale. I’m down 15 1/2 pounds and I’m finding that making good food choices is becoming second nature to me. I’ve had a few challenges, such as attending a retirement party, preparing snack day for the staff and buying $50. worth of chocolate for 20 gift bags that I made up as thank-you gifts for the staff. I can honestly say that I don’t feel deprived. My reward is the large number of compliments that I’ve been getting on my ‘noticeable’ weight loss.

The weather has not been great and I haven’t been as successful with getting out for my walks/runs. I’ve been wearing a pedometer and I’m only tracking 4000 to 5000 steps a day. My goal is at least 10 000.

Anyway I have to ‘run’ and proofread about 25 more report cards.

Cheers

Sorry for Not Responding

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. looks like I’m going to have to bite the bullet and buy a new computer

The thing I miss most about not having a fully functioning computer is replying to emails and thanking people when they ‘like’ one of my posts. I am able to read everyone’s comments (with some difficulty) but I can’t even push the like button or make comments when I see things I like.

At the moment I’m working on my husband’s computer. I can’t always depend on using it though because he needs his for his business. Today is not a good day for him. The side effects of his last chemo session are hitting him hard this time around. Thank goodness it’s the last time (for now) that he has to endure this dreadful nausea.

I also miss posting pictures on my blog. I don’t feel I can download my photos on other people’s computers so at the moment all my pictures are sitting in my camera waiting for that new computer.

On the weight loss front, the scale had been up and down or static this week …. except today, it finally showed a significant loss. I am now down 14 1/2 pounds. Hooray!!! I’m almost hesitant to share this with you because of the fluctuations on the scale but on the other hand it keeps me motivated to keep going.

I’m going to try to keep my activity level up for the next two weeks because the Girls on the Run 5 km is two weeks today. It won’t be easy because it’s also report card time. Enough said.

For those of you who are following my blog, don’t give up on me. I read yours everyday and hopefully I can be up to full speed again in the next few days.

Cheers

Time to Celebrate

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. so many things to be thankful for, but the best is that “there are no more cancer cells to kill” according to K’s doctor.

The day started off with a 1/2 pound weight loss on the scale and I can now say I’m officially down 13 pounds. Not as much as I had hoped for but I’ll take it.

I took the day off work to be with K for his first day of chemo in this last round. He rode his bike to the hospital and I drove to school to drop off a few things that needed to be dealt with today. When I got to the hospital my husband had already had his blood work done and the doctor decided to wait for me before she shared the good news.

All K’s organs are normal again, the lymph nodes have shrunk significantly and there are only a few small nodules here and there that don’t seem be a concern. We couldn’t believe it when she told us that this would be the last round because there were no more cancer cells to kill.

Apparently there is no permanent cure for CLL but K’s quality of life should be significantly better for some time to come. After this round it will take him about 2 1/2 to 3 weeks to feel better. We are over the moon with joy. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

I didn’t get out for a walk this morning with Frances but I did go for a long one after dinner tonight. I love the route we take and I brought my camera to share with you what we see on our walks. These are 2 more things that I’m thankful for: being able to walk 5 to 6 km and love it and for living in one of the most beautiful areas in Toronto.

Life is good! Enjoy every minute of it.

Plateauing

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Mama Cormier

… is there such a word?

I’ve been up and down all week and I’m feeling like I’ve hit a plateau. I’m sure that a lot of it has to do with that “stress” thing I’ve written about in the past but I’m not going to let it get me down.

Tomorrow I’ll be doing a lot of sitting as I keep K company during his final chemo round. I’ll probably read and maybe even mark school assignments when he sleeps. When we get home I’ll make sure that I take Frances out for an extra long walk and maybe if I get up early enough I can take her out in the morning as well.

Yesterday I made a wonderful low GI chicken bake with salsa. I regret that I didn’t take pictures of it before we consumed it but I have leftovers and I’ll be sure to post pictures and the recipe sometime this week. I served it with a dhal that I made from scratch and it was delicious as well. I’m wondering if the legumes played havoc with my weight loss totals this week. Beans don’t always fit into the low GI category. Oh well, no point in crying over spilt milk. What’s done is done. Moving on……

Cheers

Making a Splash!

Posted on May 26, 2012 by Mama Cormier

….. yes I went to the Fun Fair!

All week my weight has slowly been creeping up but today it all came off again. I know when I lose a large amount of weight quickly it’s not always my true weight. A little too much salt, and pork products tend to make me retain water. Anyway I’m going in the right direction again and hopefully I can add another pound to my total for the week.

Early this morning I decided to attend the Fun Fair at school and I told Coach P that I was going to post pictures of her going into the dunk tank. Here they are. Enjoy!!

How important is it?

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Mama Cormier

…. I just can’t do it!

Disclosing my starting weight doesn’t sit right with me. I’ve never shared the number on the scale with anyone, other than my doctors. Not even my husband knows how much I weigh.

Why is that? Probably because I don’t want to be judged and the number itself embarrasses me. Every doctor and nurse who have ever weighed me are always shocked by the number they see. I’ve often moved the weights up on the scale when I’ve been weighed on the old fashion scales because the person weighing me always starts too low.

Years ago when I had lost a lot of weight and I was no longer obese a nurse didn’t believe me when I told her I weighed 138 pounds. She thought that number was too high and she kept pinching my arms and asking me where all that weight was hiding.

I finally asked my doctor why people thought that I weighed considerably less. Her answer was that I had “heavy bones”. I always thought that was a myth but I have scored above average on my bone density scans. Maybe there’s something to that theory after all.

I read a lot of blogs where people are very open about their starting weight and where they eventually want to be. I’m just not there yet. Do people judge me negatively because I don’t share that information? Does it make my blog less credible? I’m interested in hearing what people have to say on the subject.

I’m happy to share my weight loss and my short-term goals. I know that eventually I will share where I am on the scale but probably not for another 30 pounds. My only regret is that I didn’t take a before picture but I’m sure I can find a photo from my collection that shows me 12 pounds heavier than I am today.

I am starting to notice that my clothes are looser and I even had to tighten the belt on my pants today. Food at the moment isn’t an issue for me, however, I still have to push myself to find time to exercise. I’m still feeling the effects of yesterday’s walk and hours of gardening. I’ve convinced myself that I need a day off. My husband is convinced that weight loss is 80% food and 20% exercise. From my own personal experiences I’d have to agree.

Cheers!

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!