Do you remember me?

Again, another very long time in between posts…I wonder if I will ever get into the habit of writing regularly. I guess it depends how many out there are actually reading? I haven’t posted not because I don’t have anything to write but in fact have just had no time. Being back at work full time, a very busy toddler, and trying to keep up with the house and everything else that life entails is not an easy feat!

August and September are a very busy time at my work. I would get to work, look up and it was lunch, have lunch then look up and it was time to go home. The days went by very fast, which to be honest, I love when that happens. But on the flip side to that it also made it very tiring.

I will give you a few updates about life but first I will start with my weight loss since it is after all the reason for my blog. I did end up reaching my weight loss goal to hit 190lbs. I did not do it in the time frame that I gave myself since I had some unexpected things deter me slightly, but the important part is I did reach it! I was very pleased with myself when I stepped on the scale to see that I had hit that goal. My hard work and day to day efforts have been paying off. 

Sometimes it feels like my weight loss is going very slow but if I stop to look back at how much I have accomplished in the last 19 months it is actually quite amazing. Since having Rylee I have lost 86 pounds (that number DOES include baby + fluid) and that would average a loss of 4.5 pounds a month. If you also take into consideration that I had a very hard time losing weight while breastfeeding and didn’t start to really be able to take it off until I started weaning Rylee then that is actually quite impressive (in my opinion anyways).

I think that so many times people want it to come off very fast, and get quickly discouraged if it doesn’t. They try fad diets and cleanses that don’t work, or work for the very short term before they put the weight back on. If you want to look at the simple solution you need to eat healthy and exercise. I do believe that you can use some products in conjunction with healthy eating and exercise but bottom line it boils down to those two things. I have been there and tried many things. I got tired of the yo-yo dieting and finally just admitted to what I didn’t want to hear. It was going to take work (lots of work), dedication, and commitment, but in the end IT IS worth it. I don’t lose 5 pounds a week as I know that is not realistic, but when I do lose 5 pounds, it stays off. Long term. I make daily changes that are attainable and I feel great about them. I still eat unhealthy food often but I incorporate it into my daily food and I move on. I don’t stress about it or feel guilty over it. I enjoy every bite, and if something is not good I throw it away! I don’t finish it just because I feel I have to!

Now that being said, it took me a long time to get here. It took me a long time to learn my body and how it works. But I have also not binged on food because I haven’t been depriving myself of anything. I eat very healthy most of the time but still make room for pizza, cake, and chocolate because let’s be honest I don’t want to live without those things (and you shouldn’t either). 

I look back at where I was this time last year and I can see how far I have come! Where were you this time last year? Have you made the progress you wanted to make? Okay let me rephrase that, are you making the progress that is realistic for you to make? Not everyone has weight to lose; you may have other goals you are working towards but have you made the progress that is realistic? If not, sit down and really evaluate why. If this is important to you, you will do what it takes to get it done. If they result of reaching your goal is not worth the effort you need to put in the you will forever be spinning your tires on wet ground.

My next goal is a small one (last time was 10 pounds). This time my goal is to get to 185. I am not setting a deadline for myself because I know that this is a daily process and I am going to keep plugging away at it, one small change at a time. I don’t know yet what my reward will be for it but I am going to think of something good (maybe along the lines of some new make up). 5 pounds off is a lot to celebrate – it really is the small things!

A few other updates happening in the McNamara house: 

We are currently fully renovating our upstairs bathroom! I mean a complete gut. I can’t wait to be able to have a nice bath in my brand new soaker tub! 

Before demo

Mostly demo'd

When we bought our house in 2013 we knew that eventually the kitchen and the bathroom would need to be renovated since they were both really outdated. We had the roof replaced right when we moved in and we also did the downstairs bathroom as well by putting in a heated floor, new vanity, and new toilet along with a fresh coat of paint. Last year we did a major kitchen reno by painting the cupboards and adding hardware, putting up a backsplash, tearing down a wall, new countertop, new island, new ceiling fan, and of course a fresh coat of paint. So in terms of indoor renovations the bathroom is the last major renovation we have to complete. Of course there are little things as there always is in a house but all of the big things will be done.

Next year we will try to focus a bit on the backyard. We are hoping to be able to refinish our main deck and the pool deck, as well as put in a new pool liner. I know that the jobs will never be finished but I feel quite pleased that in terms of large jobs we should be done (knock on wood that we don’t have some disaster!).  Well for now anyways, until a few years down the road we decide we want to change things haha. I plan on doing a garden again next year but will do things a bit differently than this year. My first year with a garden was definitely a successful one.

If you read our camping review you may have noted that we enjoy camping, quite a bit actually. I prefer camping in a tent over a trailer although there are definitely perks to a trailer! Sean and I knew that our current tent would not be big enough next year so at the end of the season clearance we bought a new tent that is really big (I mean REALLY big). We set it up to make sure it worked but we did not take a picture, so next year I will take a picture and show you the new beauty!

This weekend we had our first toddler flu experience. Poor Rylee was really sick on Saturday night but I was very thankful that it wasn’t a work night! I am glad to have that experience over and now I know what to expect next time. It is SO heartbreaking as a parent to see your child going through that. You just want to take it from them and be the one going through it. It was really hard to watch because she is just so little – but that being said she fully bounced back the very next day and was fine so I am glad that is over!


Christmas is coming up quickly (yes I am totally one of those people) and my gift idea list is getting really good. I have a lot of people figured out what I am going to get them which makes the holidays a lot less stressful for me being the planner that I am. 

Physical activity and the holiday season

Did you know that the average person gains between 5-8 pounds every Christmas? That is a crazy amount of extra calories consumed, but let's face it, we all know it is easy to do.

So now that you know this, are you going to be one of those people that gains 5-8lbs, stays the same, or loses weight even though it's a holiday?

If you really look at it Christmas is just one day. For most people Christmas is a SEASON. They turn it into a whole month event. Read: There is NOTHING wrong with that, as long as you are not using it as an excuse to eat what ever you want for that whole season. You can still celebrate Christmas for a whole month if you want, just don't do it with food! Sure, it is tempting, I'm not pretending for a second it's not -- but are you going to have a game plan for how to handle certain social events in regards to what you put in your mouth? Are you going to enjoy the season any less if you are mindful of what you eat and DON'T put on those extra 5-8 pounds? HECK NO! I'm proof of that. This is my favourite holiday and I LOVE all parts of Christmas, yes even the food, but I enjoy it in moderation. Instead of eating ALL of the Christmas cookies I bake, I will have one, maybe two and give the rest away.

The holidays can be a very stressful time for many people, and today I was on the borderline of a melt down. I was at my limit. We have been working really hard to finish our kitchen renovation, and the dryer broke down, and the baby has been clingy, and so many more reasons that I had just had enough.

My trainer encouraged me to get out and go for a walk. BUT I had SO much to do, when was I going to fit it in? But, I said I would go, so I did. When Rylee woke up we both bundled up and headed off. By the way -- pushing a stroller through slushy snow is quite the work out.

Within 5 minutes of starting the walk I became SO thankful that I had taken the time to go. The fresh air did a world of good and really gave me a chance to step back and think about what was stressing me out, break it down, and focus on what was important. As I was walking I was remembering that during the holidays exercise is usually the FIRST thing to go when people get too busy or stressed. They say (much like I thought today) I don't have time for that. BUT, you need to MAKE the time. Even if it is just 30 minutes a day or 3 times a week, you need to still incorporate it into your schedule through out the WHOLE holiday. 

Even if you can't make it to the gym, spend time outside with your family, take them sledding and walk up the hill, or go for a family walk, or pop in a work out DVD after the kids go to bed. And learn to say "no" sometimes. You can't do everything so maybe you will have to pick and choose what events you attend.

I am SO thankful my trainer cares about my well being and that I did take the hour to go out for a walk today because I was able to step back so I can now move forward and be far more effective than if I had kept running around on auto pilot like a chicken with my head cut off crying because...oh I don't even remember why that is how small and insignificant it was. I was able to remember what my goals are and remind myself that by keep up with my physical activity this Christmas season, not only will I be taking care of myself, but I will be better able to take care of my family. 

On a very similar note tomorrow I am taking a partial me day. Sean and I agreed that I would take one this week and he would take one next week since we have been working so hard on the kitchen and everything else going on.

I am going to sleep in (well as much as I can since I'm pretty sure I lost the ability to sleep in haha). I plan on painting my nails and having a nice long hot shower. I am also going to get my hair cut. A perfect way to spend the day (well the most of the day since I will have to take Rylee when Sean goes to work). 

SO -- to sum up what I have said, take care of yourself this season, don't become a zombie. Take that walk to clear your head, say no to a few parties to give yourself some extra time to get things done, and ENJOY the holidays.

Of course, if you are still too busy during the normal hours of a day, Anytime Fitness in London is literally open 24/7, with crazy good membership deals right now -- so what is the excuse now?! 

Have a safe and healthy holiday season!

Pity party for 1

I was going to write a post last night but I was too busy holding a pity party for 1.

I have been working on my sleep hygiene and it is actually really tough to get into a sleep pattern. I am still really really tired and hoping that I start to feel the benefits soon (Google says it's about two weeks before you notice a difference). I've been having a very hard time saying awake during the day, and especially in the evening. My sleep time is 10 pm so it is very tough to stay away that long especially when I am SO tired. I have been waking up with headaches everyday too, that go away shortly after having a shower and eating.

So after work yesterday I met Sean at the gym and we got changed to do our workout. Then we sat there for 5 minutes and complained that we were both so tired and just wanted to go home. We contemplated leaving before working out but I was like that would be SO lazy and lame to get dressed then just change again and go home when we were already there. So we pursued our workout. I started my warm up walking on the treadmill and then went to the mats to do a good stretch. When I was stretching there were three females that were working out in the area that were super fit and it made me feel really crummy. I know you shouldn't compare yourself to others but I was down on the fact that I had let myself get like this (put some weight back on). I ended up doing a half an hour cardio workout then we went home.

I am feeling a bit better today, although still down, but I am trying to focus on the positive. The good thing is that I did NOT go home and eat my feelings! I made dinner, ate good portions, then had a portioned snack. Previously I would have just said "forget this" and eaten what ever I wanted. I am still determined to lose 8 pounds this month - and I am going to do it!

Today I am going to try a new idea - right as I am leaving work I am going to have a lift off to help power me through my workout. I have a really good workout plan for this week so I just have to stay focused on it.

Monday - gym
Tuesday - Lee
Wednesday - soccer
Thursday - gym
Friday - Lee
Saturday - gym
Sunday - hiking with Sean and Levi

I am going to finish this Debbie Downer post with three things that I am grateful for right now:

1. My back is no longer hurting me (for the most part)
2. I have a lot of exciting trips to looks forward to
3. I am starting to feel like my old self, little bit by little bit - but I notice them more obviously when they happen little bits at a time.
　
　
　
　

HBL challenge update...

I am half way done my HBL challenge today. I have been taking my vitamins every day 3 times a day, having my shakes and my tea as promised - but I have not been doing so well in the evening regarding my food intake.

That being said I am still not noticing any difference in my energy or body. My back is feeling much better but that is because of my physio exercises. I am still feeling extremely lethargic and tired all of the time. I still feel really sluggish too. My joints aren't feeling any better and my over all health is not feeling much better too. The only thing that gives me an energy boost is the LiftOff - which is still my favourite product.

When I started taking HBL the first time I did notice a difference but not one that was massively impressive. I did try the La Bamba diet but did not succeed at that (see post about my attempts).

My doctor has made a referral for me to go see a sleep doctor but I am going to see what I can try to figure out what I can do for myself first (the first apppointment isn't until the end of Aug and that is a LONG time away when I am practically falling asleep at my desk).

I'm not going to lie I was really hoping for better results in my energy with my HBL product challenge, but I will continue as planned and stick it out to see the end results.

I am trying to summon up the energy to go back to the gym too - right now it takes all my energy to finish the stuff around the house and then haul myself to bed. Right now I am so tired that my eyes are watering heavily and it looks as if I am crying.

Tonight Sean and I are going to go to the movies, which we haven't done in a really long time, so hopefully that will be relaxing (even though I am kind wishing we could just stay home and sleep, I know that won't help me). Wednesday night I am babysitting, so weather permitting I will go for a walk with Sammy, Thursday night is soccer practice, and I am planning on the gym for Friday. Working back into it slowly of course.

I think when I get home I will take a shower, shave my legs, and get into comfy clothes for the movie.

Let's drop the T's

I’m back! I’m sorry for the temporary LOA but I have returned!

I’ve been spending a lot of me time lately and doing lots of thinking, and reflecting. I’ve been working on making small but positive changes in my life, both at home and at work, you and happen to have caught me on a good day!

I want to share with you something that I’ve been working on lately, and that is dropping the T’s. Okay, so what does that mean? Let’s turn can’t into can, won’t into will, shouldn’t into should and so forth. So much of our lives are spent thinking about the things we “can’t, won’t shouldn’t” do. For example, I can’t accomplish this goal, I won’t make it, I shouldn’t try. So, let’s drop the T’s and move forward.

Now you’re asking…what does that look like? Well, I’m not an expert by any means, but here is what I have come up with (I will do 1 example of the few plans that I have come up with for myself and then you can fill your own goals and make your own plan!)

My plan

What do I want to accomplish? Getting back to my goal weight

Why this is important to me? So that I can live a healthy life, fit back into my clothing, so getting older isn’t as hard on my body, to be able to be an example and to show to everyone that it can be done a healthy way!

How am I going to do this? I am going to make a commitment to myself to loose 1 pound, one day at a time and not look at how much I have to loose total.

I will make my weekly meal plan, and stick to it.

I will get to the gym at least twice a week to start, and build up again from there.

I will see my trainer at least once a week, preferably twice.

I will treat myself once a day, or a minimum of every other day.

I will track everything I eat.

Now it might look like I have put a lot down for how am I going to do this, and yes I started it all at once, but for me these are small changes that I can make to sustain my weight loss/maintenance long term – which is very important to me.

I have made some other goals in terms of finances, my emotional/mental health, and house work. I used a plan for each one and made sure that I started out SMALL. I did not throw out everything in my kitchen and promise never to eat junk food again, because let’s be honest, I’d fail after a few days. I did however look at the small steps that I could take that would get me there. It might take longer than I want, but I will get there. I have also been sending a list of everything I eat to my mom, it will help to keep me accountable.

On a different topic, I have some very exciting things coming up in my near future!

Next weekend: something huge is happening (I can’t post more details right now since it is a surprise for someone, but the wait will be worth it).

May: Going to Chicago with my parents and husband for the long weekend. We are going to a business conference, but it will still be exciting. Plus it’s the same weekend as our two year anniversary!

July: I am going to BC again to see my family <3. This time my parents will be there at the same time as me so it will be extra exciting.

August: Camping!

September: Women’s retreat

Food for thought: When you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything you want

I workout...

Who doesn’t love the song by LMFAO “I’m Sexy and I know it”??? Such a good song that just makes you want to…ummm…wiggle?!

I have played soccer for many years now. I have been an assistant coach, a head coach, but more than anything a player. I did stop for a few years near the end of highschool because I was working at camp and there would have been no way I could make it to practices/games. Plus that was when I was my heaviest as well and moving a 274 pound body around a field is not easy.

When I started losing weight with weight watchers I joined back up with soccer and couldn’t get enough of it. I was playing at least two games a week and practicing when I could. I am no super star but I’m not awful. Since most of my younger years in soccer was playing goalie my footwork needs some help, but for the most part I do alright.

Two summers ago I switched clubs that I play with and have been with them ever since. I did change teams due to time commitment and personal reasons. Last year I had a blast with our team – and we did alright. We travel to places around London and overall had a great time. I am going to be going back again this year to the same team. I did want to move up a level this year, but with my time commitments it’s just not possible.

As I was losing weight I spent a lot of time at the gym. Now before I continue I want to add that I truly believe that you do not need a gym membership to lose weight. Get creative and find ways to move and you don’t need to spend the money for the membership. Sign up for classes in your spectrum (often costing a great deal less than the gym).

BUT for some people, the gym is great. I happen to be one of those people. Although I have not been as much as I should lately, I really do enjoy the gym. I used to hate the fact that the gym had mirrors everywhere, forcing myself to see what I didn’t want to see. Now when I am there I spend most of my time starring in the mirror! Checking my form, of course.

I don’t go to the gym that much in the summer because there are so many ways to be active outside, and in the winter it can be hard to stay motivated, so here are a few tips I found to keep me going:

1. My iPod. As you read in my previous post, music is very important to me. I love going to the gym when I have added new songs to my playlist to workout to. This is even great for warm up and cool down – change the pace of the songs and try to match your breathing to them.

2.  Classes. The classes at your gym are a great way to keep yourself motivated and give you new workout ideas. One of my favourite classes is Zumba. Not only do you get a good work out, you have SO much fun doing it! Go at your own pace and don’t care what others around you are doing.

3. Have a workout partner. This is something that I don’t have, but I do know that when I have worked out with people before, time goes by MUCH faster.

4. Don’t be afraid to try new machines. The big thing here though is to make sure that you learn how to use them properly. The staff at your gym should be willing to show you how to use the machine so you don’t get hurt. Most of the machines also come with written instructions and pictures on them. I cringe when I see people using the machines wrong because a) they could get really hurt and b) they are being completely ineffective.

5. Youtube. Youtube is not just for music! There are thousands of videos showing you different workouts/ activities you can do. Don’t know how to do a proper bicep curl? Look it up on youtube. That is why the mirrors are there, so you can check your form and do it right.

6. Personal trainer. I know that personal trainers at the gym are really expensive (at least at my gym), but they usually offer one session for free. Using the session will give you some ideas of workouts you can do. Another thing you can do if you have the money, is to find a PT that is not affiliated with a gym. They usually offer much cheaper rates and you get the same benefit. I had to go to a few different ones before I found the right fit – but I will talk about him more in a minute.

7. Start slow! When I was first starting my gym sessions were like 15 minutes. I did a 5 minute stretch and 10 minute cardio. Then I left. I SLOWLY built up from there. If you are starting any kind of new exercise program, talk to your doctor first. Take baby steps. Your weight did not go on in one night and it sure as heck will not come off in one night!

8. Food/drink. Make sure you drink plenty of water during your workout to stay hydrated. If you are doing a hard workout you can drink h3o to stay hydrated and replace your electrolytes without all of the additives that come in sports drinks. LiftOff, is a great way to give yourself the energy boost you need to help you reach your personal records. Eatting something small before you work out is a good idea to give you energy but be cautious to not eat too much. Your body needs the energy to be working out, not trying to digest your food. *Remember I am NOT a doctor, or dietitian, this is just what I have learned over the past few years of becoming healthy.

So that is a few of my tips for now – I’m sure I’ll have more at another time.

I’ll share a little bit about my trainer. He was training my soccer team once a week when I first met him. This was around the time that I was trying to find a personal trainer and I had some bad experiences. I found out that he also did one on one sessions, so I gave him a call to set up a first session. Ever since then I have been going there.

He does it two different places. If it’s nice (summer), we workout outside at a track, and if it’s crappy (winter) we workout inside. When I did my first session I told him that I couldn’t do push ups – literally, not even one.  So, one of the first things he makes me to…push ups! Way to open my mouth. I had to do 5 – and it took me forever to do them. I figured that when he saw that I couldn’t do them, he wouldn’t make me finish. Mistake number two. You ALWAYS have to finish, no matter what. Not even crying will get you out of finishing something; it just makes him push you harder – which is what he is paid for after all.

So I managed to do 5 extremely pathetic push ups, and we moved on with the rest of the workout. A lot of the things that we work on are quick feet and our starts. So for example – when you go to sprint in soccer, how fast you can get going. Since I have been working with him, my coaches have commented how much they notice a difference.

I do complain a lot during our sessions, which are often held in small groups, but I always feel better after the workout (even if my legs are quivering so much I can barely walk/drive). I try hard not to mention drills that I really hate because then we just do them even more. I secretly think he finds joy in making us hurt. But seriously, he pushes us all really hard, he knows when we can give more, and even when we can’t he still pushes us. He cares about each one of us and how we are doing/progressing. It would be really easy for him to just show up, run the session, and leave having no contact in between sessions, nothing – but he’s not like that. Anytime you have a question he answers it, if you’re struggling, he’s there to tell you to smarten up.

 And he’s tough, very tough, but would you want your trainer any other way?

My weight loss journey...

I thought I should write a post showing my journey for those of you who don't know me.

My name is Kelly and I am 23 years old. I started my weight loss journey when I was 19. I have been heavy all of my life and have tried many many ways to lose weight.

I got a gym membership in November of 2007 and was working out very slowly (as I couldn't move very much). I was trying to eat right but didn't understand why I wasn't loosing weight.

One night at the gym as I was about to leave I saw a weight watchers meeting and decided to get some more information. My aunt had great success on weight watchers so I wanted to find out what it was all about.

I ended up joining that night at a starting weight of 274.4 (the heaviest I had ever been - and ever will be). I went home that night and read through all of the material and got started right away. I decided that I was going to give this my best shot for a month and see where it got me (assuming I would fail). So I followed the plan, and low and behold my first week I lost 4.4 pounds! I was very pleased with this and kept working hard and the weight kept coming off. When you are larger the weight comes off easier at the beginning, but you don't really notice this.

When I got to about 40 pounds lost I was looking in the mirror and still did not see a difference, so I took a picture of myself and compared it to my starting picture and then I saw the difference.

Starting weight:

20 pounds gone:

40 pounds gone:

80 pounds gone:

115 pounds gone:

So many thoughts and memories are going through my head right now. It felt so great to hear from everyone how great I looked! The whole process took me just over two years from start to "finish". I say finish like that because it is never really over.

I do know that there are so many things that I enjoy doing now that I never could have dreamed of doing before - but I'll save that for another entry.

The whole time I was losing weight everyone asked me "what is your secret". My favourite thing to do was look around to make sure no one was listening, lean in towards them, and whisper "diet and exercise". Everyone thinks that there is some magic formula to losing weight and their kind of is, but it's not a secret. Calories in vs. calories out. However, that being said losing weight is NOT easy. If it was then no one would have a weight problem. It takes A LOT of hard work and dedication to get to your goal, but hey, nothing ever worth doing was easy right?

And as hard as losing the weight was it was the best possible thing I could do for myself. I know that I am not at my goal weight now but I am still far healthier than I was and can do far more things then I could ever dream of!

I am VERY open about my weight loss and have nothing to hide. The pictures of me before are reminders of what I was and what I will never be again. The pictures of me after are there for me to be proud and remind me of what I can accomplish if I put my mind to it (which, btw, is anything!)

Another thing that makes me proud is all of the people that I have inspired to lose weight. One of the greatest feelings is hearing how something I have said or done has helped someone else.

I will write a post sometime soon of what my "tips" are, so keep an eye out for it!

Until next time...