[NorthernChick13]

Hey everyone,

My name's Sarah and I am a teacher in Canada's Arctic. We have snow 10 months of the year, and are insanely isolated. When I moved here in August 2011, I weighed 155 lbs. Today, I weigh 202 lbs! While I am disappointed that I got here, I am happy that I've decided to do something about it. I CAN eat healthy and be fit here; it is just a lot more difficult to do here!

For example, there are wolves here. EVERYWHERE. I run into them on the walk to the school. As a result, I can no longer run outside. I CAN also get fresh fruits and veggies, but they are often half rotten already as a result of being left out on the gravel runway!

Ultimately, I love it here. I really do! I'd say my biggest obstacle is alcohol, to be honest. We teachers don't have a lot to do so we often have Tuesday, Friday, and even Saturday cocktails! It adds up!

I have access to well.ca, which graciously sends me my quionoa and flax seed, so I am slowly looking to find creative ways to stay fit. I started working out with free weights everyday in my classroom at lunch and I am currently following Jillian Michael's Biggest Loser Workout in the mornings instead. 4 lbs down, at least 52 to go. LET'S DO IT!

Looking forward to sharing our successes together and supporting each other through the tough times!

-Sarah

PS- Another poster wrote this in the successes section today and it really inspired me: One year from now, you will be happy you started today. Cheers to January 6, 2014, everyone!

[Cattails]

[Kristi K]

Welcome Sarah! Wolves!!! Are you kidding me?!? I am a newbie also (and also a teacher who loves my dinner cocktails with friends as well). I'm adding you to my contacts. We can do this!

[ladyfyre]

Hi Sarah,
I wish you the best of luck on your weight loss jouney. I used to live in Northern Ontario- above lake Superior. Obviously not as far North as you are. My biggest obstacle in the winter was light. By the time I got home from work it was dark and since I lived in the country, there was no chance of going out for a walk. I encountered both wolves and bear while walking before.
Get some good videos and a variety of them and you won't get a s bored. If the school has a gym, you can also do some really great exercises with just what you can find in the storage room.

Stacie

[NorthernChick13]

Thanks for the support, everyone! Stacie, I hear ya about the light! Right now, we have sunrise at noon and sunset at 2:30. It's gradually getting lighter but still! Good call on the dvd's. I have never actually made it to week 2 on the current dvd (that I did this morning!!!) and I am determined to finish it. I imagine I'd be hella bored by the end of it, though!

Our school does have a small gym. Our school is open concept, however, and it's glass everywhere. Whenever I work out, flocks of children run up to the glass and watch me and it's super awkward. lol maybe a few more dress sizes and I won't feel so awkward?!

[ladyfyre]

I used to teach on a northern reserve and the kids followed me everwhere, so I totally understand! LOL

[EagleRiverDee]

I live in Alaska. I absolutely believe you can be fit and live in the Arctic. In the summer I hike, backpack, and ride ATV's. In the winter I keep hiking, some snow shoeing, I ride snowmobiles (deep powder back country riding) and I'm planning to take up cross country skiing this winter also. Wolves and bears are a concern here as well. My personal choice is to carry a firearm- they are common here and no one thinks twice about them. Not sure about your area. My second choice would be to carry bear spray, but we had a couple ladies walking their dogs here get into an encounter with a wolf pack and they had bear spray and it didn't really deter the wolves, so for me a firearm seems to be a better option.

If outdoor activities simply are not an option, then what about doing some fun indoor activities? Zumba or other dance exercise, Insanity, P90X, Supreme 90 Day, and many other programs abound. They are perfect for when it's cold and dark.

[Mozzy]

Welcome and good luck on your journey!

[penmage]