Trying to get healthy in Canada
 

Hi there. I'm new to the site, living in Ontario, Canada. I'm 28 years old and my long-term goal is to turn 30 fit and healthy.
I'm starting WW for the second time. I'm 5'6" and at an all-time high of 218lbs.
I'm looking for buddies who don't take things too seriously and share my irreverant sense of humour. I've realized that I could live a normal, happy life at my current weight... I've got a great boyfriend who loves me and I feel happy most of the time, but I know I could be so much happier and healthier if I lost the weight, so I'm really going to work hard. Last time on WW I lost about 20lbs pretty quickly, so I know it can work if I stick with it! I just need support to keep motivated and stay away from the dreaded fast food. I also can not live without cheese, so that's going to be a challenge.
Hope to find buddies in Canada and beyond. I'm online often.

I too am in Ontario Canada
 

I too am in Ontario Canada and would love a buddy to go through this experience with me. I am not doing WW but I don't think it should matter waht plan one is on, because they are all hard and you need alot of motivation to stay on it.

I am also at my all time high if 187.0 (I weighed myself at night after a huge meal so I hoping to show a loss next time hehe) I want to start exercising as well but the only thing I know how do is walk and since your in Canada you know what the weather has been like lately. I must really try something new though.

A buddy would help me alot in staying motivated. I am pretty much giving up Carbs (bad ones that is) and no alcohal. Trying to stay away from to much fat as well. Hope to hear from you again.

Hi from another Ontario buddy
 

Hey Trixie and Cookie!

I'm just starting over again too. I'm only 5 lbs away from my highest. :( I'm nearly 40 (in April) and want to give myself the gift of good health. I have about 35-40 lbs of fat I'd like to lose, or be in a comfortable size 12. I think having buddies for modivation will help me a lot.

I agree we don't all have to be doing the same diet/way of eating; everyone is different and we have to find a program that will work for us.

I too am trying to give up the bad carbs. I feel so much better when I do. I have purchased some protein shake mix from a Canadian company called Kinetix (I saw them on W5). I find it difficult to get in breakfast, so I thought the shakes would help me out. I am wanting to follow the program that Kinetix has (www.kcount.com) and I want to enter their challenge (although I'm still waiting for more info to be emailed to me).

TRIXI--I like walking too, but no way with this weather. Have you tried "Walk away the pounds" by Leslie Sansone? Maybe you could try to borrow the tapes from your library to see if you like them. She just guides you thru a "walk" in front of your TV.

COOKIE--Good for you for wanting better health. I think that all together we can make it to our goals.

Thanks for the the tip about the book I will definately look into more. I also have a hard time getting in breakfast. Either I dont feel like I could eat without feeling sick or there is just no time. My first meal of the deal is sometimes at 3:00 pm and I know thats not good. One of the things I am working on still ;) I have heard of Kinetix as well. Actually I was going to DR. Bernstein for awhile but became very expensive so I had to stop. Let me know how the shake taste. I do not have a sweet tooth but crave greasy food all the time.

TRIXI---Walk away the Pounds is a video/DVD. Sorry, I forgot to say that before. The shakes are actually quite good. I have vanilla and chocolate. I'm not much of a chocolate person (except once a month :dunno: ) but this is not too sweet for me. I've had protein shakes before and they were yucky. The Kinetix ones are very good. I'm sure you know it's really bad to NOT eat. Please try to eat breakfast of some sort. And lunch! It will take time for us to change our bad habits into good ones.

Good Morning!
 

How are you ladies surviving the deep freeze? It's a cold one out there. You know it's really cold when your eyelashes freeze! :D

I'm doing really good with drinking lots of water. My kidneys/bladder are finally getting used to the water--not so many trips to the little girls room :o

I did not too bad with the eating, except I REALLY wanted a hot dog late last night, so I had one. Now that craving is over and done with and the thought of a hot dog is not very appetizing just now.

I walked my son to school this morning. That's gotta count as a workout--trudging thru the snow all bundled up! It was just easier to walk than to clean off and warm up the car.

How's everyone else's day going?

hello Ladies,

I'm new to the site as well and in need of a little support. I'm not in Ontario, but I'm sure its just as cold here in Nova Scotia.

I am 22, and at my all time high of 230 (with a recent 6lb loss!!) I'm in the WW program at work and really enjoying it. I'm also doing pilates (sp?)

Would love to join in with the three of you if yo don't mind.

Cheers,

M.

Welcome MeRoMo,

As I sit here eating a meatball sub (fottlong even) I have to say that one hotdog doesn't seem so bad to me! I had a huge episode with my 12 year old cat today and couldn't fix my lunch or even have breakfast. He had to be rushed to the vet and finally when I got to work I was starving from the stress of worrying about him. Got some meds for him and have to save 900 Bucks!!!! to really see what is wrong. But he is worth it.

How is Pilates? I heard it was really hard but a great weight to trim and lengthen your body. I am going to look for the walking video this weekend. Zanne, I think you did mentioned it was a video but I sometimes not very good an intake of information when I have not intaked any food!

Hope every had a great day and stays warm!!!

Thanks for the welcome Trixi. Pilates is hard at times, but the burn you feel the next day is amazing! The first time I tried it, the next morning I felt like I did about 200 pushups.

Someone had mentioned the walking video at one of our WW meetings, and she said that she really enjoyed it....let me know how that works out, maybe I'll pick one up too.

Welcome MeRoMo! Congrats on the loss! Great start!

TRIXI--sorry to hear about your cat. Hope he's feeling better soon and that whatever's wrong isn't too serious. Now, I'm gonna be blunt--I don't think your quote at the end of your posts is very positive. Do you watch Dr. Phil? He's been telling his weight loss people that they have to change the NEGATIVE dialog that they're having with themselves. If you keep telling yourself you're that big girl in the window, you're going to be/stay that big girl. We have to have POSITIVE thoughts to help us along this journey. That's just my opinion.

I know your right Zanne...When I wrote that I was in a different frame of mind and very depressed. Unfortunately I do not know how to change it. I have turned it off for now. Thanks for the support and honesty. I think my next signature will be something more positive or I might even still yours :) cause I think it's cute.

Hello everyone!

Today really didn't start off very good....It was so cold that my car wouldn't start this morning (I knew I should have plugged it in last night....) BUT I did resist the urge to stop at Tim Hortons and get an extra larg hot chocolate :) I'm finding it really hard to drink my water today, I think its probably because I can't get warm...but I'll force it down if I have to! How is everyone else doing this lovely COLD day?

Cheers,

M.

Hi Everyone!
 

Another cold one, eh? Oh well. At least in this neck of the woods we were spoiled with such nice weather around Christmas. I guess this is Mother Nature's way of "payback". I walked DS to school again this morning, we just bundled up. At least my eyelashes didn't freeze this morning.

I'm not doing too bad with food. My meals have been good. It's just that I get the munchies late at night and choose the WRONG thing (darned chips).

My water intake is really good. I've gotten back to at least 2 litres a day.

I haven't done any extra exercise--just walking to and from school and running up and down stairs doing chores.

If anyone is interested, Kinetix is having an 8 week challenge. You can go into their site (k-count.com) and get all the info. I've printed out the challenge booklet and will be planning meals this weekend. I think I need something like that to get me to focus more.

TRIXI--I'm glad you're now in a better frame of mind. I just want you to get healthy, so try not to have the negative thoughts :nono: I went into the User CP at the top of the page to change my sig. You can choose little things like the silly guy to go in your sig from there too.

MEROMO--Way to go in driving past Tim's! Do you not like coffee or tea? Those could be an alternative if you REALLY need something warm. With just milk and or sweetener if you use it, or a wee bit of sugar if you don't. I hope you get warm!

Back to my chores. I'm doing a really huge cleaning out of all the crap I've accumulated over the years. So far I've gotten rid of about 400lbs of stuff!

Normally I'm a tea drinker, but I could have used a nice cup of hot chocolate to warm me up this morning!

There is a Tim's on my way to work, and I use to stop there every morning to get a cup of tea, but not going and getting it everyday was my way to pay for WW, so now at work I just drink water, and have my tea before I leave in the morning.

I saw and interesting idea in the sig. line of one of the other members...for every pound I loose I'm going to put the same away in money. Like this week I lost 6.2 lbs, so I put $6.20 away! I think I'll put it toward my vacation fund...

Cheers,

M.

Cool idea about putting the money away. Maybe on these really cold mornings you could make your tea at home and put it in a travel mug. I do that sometimes before taking my son to school.

Global warming my fanny!!! It was so cold this morning I didn't want my daughter to have to walk the six blocks so I kept her home. My walk to the bus stop was horrible and I missed the bus and had to stand the whole way downtown. Thank god it's Friday.

This morning I finally fugured out my cat thinks he's smarter than me. The vet told me he had a spine desease (sp) We had took him in because he was not moving his back leg at all but he was not in any pain. Any he looked like he was about to die. When we were at the vet he looked better and even walked around some (at home he was just rolling). Well, this morning I gave him his medicine and took him to his food (in the kitchen) I was still there when he finished eating and he lifted his leg and hopped back out of the kitchen. I decided to peak around the corner to make sure he made it okay and the little bugger was walking perfectly. I called his name and he started to limp again. Talk about a suck!!!! I thought it was pretty cute though.

Today I am behaving myself with food. I actually had breakfast. It is already 2:00 and no lunch in site but I hope to eat something soon. Well ladies, have a great day and try to stay warm.

Hi everyone,

Fellow Ontarian here. Nice to see familar names. I have been MIA for a week just a million things going on and no time to get to the computer.

Can I join your group?? Nice to be able to talk to fellow losers and share ideas and products we can find it Canada. The US seems to have access to stuff we can't get here :(

I am back on track and have gotten hubby to start with me. He turned 41 yesterday and although he doesn't need to lose weight he needs to get fit.

Zanne hi. How are you liking kinetex??? I am going to the site right after I finish this email. I am also heading to Newmarket to check and see if they have the shakes. How are you liking the workouts??

Well gotta go, daughter has a hockey game tonight so got a million things to do first. Have a great weekend everyone and keep warm :D

Happy Saturday!
 

Kinda overcast today, but at least it's not so freezing cold today.

My eating is getting a bit better. I grabbed an apple for a snack last night while DH was snoozing on the couch. When he woke up, he got some chips, so of course I had to have some :o I had just a wee bowl and know what??? I really did NOT enjoy them--so that's a good thing! :D I much more enjoyed the apple.

WELCOME HOCKEYCHIC!-- Glad to see you! I think that other thread kinda fell thru the cracks when the site crashed. I still haven't completely started Kinetix program yet. I downloaded the challenge, workouts, sample menus and some recipes--I'm making up my own Kinetix binder of stuff. I haven't started the workouts, but I have been on my elliptical a few times this past week. :bravo: I think I'll be starting "officially" on Monday if I can get some menus planned and my "before" pics done.

TRIXI--how awful for you waiting for and then having to stand in the bus. When I travelled TTC, I hated winter cause everyone was bundled up and crowded. Your cat sounds just like a kid! Too Funny! (I guess not for you and the expense if he's just a hypochondriac). Keep up the good work on the food. Every little change helps.

Have a good day everyone!

:wave: i' m glad i found so many canuck on board. i am single and need to lose 140 lbs.
i am gong to ww and i lost 8.6 today. i finfd it hard to shop for small portions of veggies.
any ideas.
:) glen

I just registered and came across this thread. I am in Ontario as well. It's so nice to see so many people so close by...sharing a time zone! :)

I love the idea of putting the money away....very clever, will enjoy that for sure!

mmmmmmmmmmm, a question....what is "kinetex"

This Thread's busy!
 

How wonderful!

WELCOME HEFTY and RASPBERRY!

HEFTY--Way to go in losing!!!! you're doing something right. Keep it up. I've gotta ask--are you a guy? Under HEFTY is "Mr. Ken" but that doesn't have to mean you're a guy. I just don't want to come on and address ladies only if we have a gent on board too! What kind of veggies do you like and maybe we can give you suggestions on what/where to buy small portions. Are you talking about frozen stuff? Fresh produce can be bought in small portions.

RASPBERRY--Kinetix is a Canadian company that has put out meal replacement products (shakes and bars). Their website (kcount.com) has loads of info. They have just started up a challenge for people to enter (info for this also on the website). W5 had a show about the couple who head the company and I like that they're Canadian. The shakes interested me because I rarely manage to get breakfast, so I thought I could have a protein shake instead. I think the shakes taste good.

Its only -2 today!! How exciting is that!! :) How is everyone's weekend going?

:wave:
zane: yes i am a male. i meant fresh veggies (lettuce,celery and carrots). the mr ken is
a nickname from another thread.
:) glen

Good Sunny Sunday Ladies and Gent!
 

I am looking forward to getting outside today. Looks like it will be nice.

I've decided to start the Kinetix challenge tomorrow. :eek: It's only 8 weeks long--that doesn't sound too intimidating to me. I just have to plan some menus and I'm all set.

I've realised that once I get into the habit of drinking my water, my body craves it. I just seem to know when I want water now. I find I'm drinking water instead of eating something BAD. So this is a good thing :D

I'm dealing with a bout of plantar faciaitis (ok, I know the spelling is totally wrong). Haven't had it for about 10 years. Really annoying pain around where the arch of the my foot comes to the heel. Good thing I kept my orthotics! I haven't needed them for a long time, but I think because my boots are totally flat with no arch support, that's what's aggrevating my foot. I'll just have to work thru it and do my exercising! :tread: :strong:

HEFTY/GLEN--I see you're in Toronto, so you are not too far away from a grocery store (maybe you are and don't have a car to get around-set me straight). How about the one pound bag of baby carrots? The will actually last a couple weeks in the fridge, so you could even get the 2 lb size. One bunch of celery should be good for a week if it's wrapped in a bag. If it happens to go limp, you can cut it into pieces and soak them in cold water. My mother actually keeps cut up celery and some carrots in a bowl in the fridge so a snack is easily accessible. Lettuce--an iceberg/head lettuce should last a week if well wrapped. For loose leaf lettuces, I wash them and tear them up, put them in the salad spinner and then in a zippy bag. It'll last a few days. If you don't have a salad spinner, loosely wrap the lettuce in a towel to take out excess water.

Most veggies should last about a week in the fridge. If you only use a half a green pepper, just wrap the other half and that should keep it a bit better. You and use just a bit of cucumber at a time, etc.

Does that help at all?

Maybe if you give us sample menu of what you like to eat for a day, we can help you out a little more.

:wave:
zanne thanks for the help. i live at dvp and the 401. there is a food basis across the street. i don't eat alot salads. i could buy the salad in a bag. i make chili, speghetti sauce
chicken and pork chops
:) glen

Hi everyone
Boy it is a sunny morning here in York Region. The pound I found last week was gone this morning so I am a happy girl....lol I am also starting Kinetex tomorrow I have to do alot more reading I don't quite understand how you come up with a K number but I will work on it.

Zanne I did get your email and will send you a reply.

How are you all doing???? Maybe we can incorporate a little exercise challenge for the week?? What do you all think?? Come on I know we can do it.

HEFTY---Small world. I used to live at Vic Park and Sheppard! So if you're making pasta sauce and use the whole tin/jar (I also add things like onions, canned tomatoes, peppers, black olives) and you have way too much for one meal, just divide it up into containers and freeze. Same with chili. Then you can just take out one of those containers in the morning and it will be defrosted for your dinner.

I usually buy in bulk and when I come home I repackage everything. There are 3 of us, so I'll put 3 chicken breasts or 3 chops in a small zippy bag. Then I'll put a bunch of those filled bags into a large freezer zippy bag and put it in the freezer. You could even wrap individual portions in saran wrap. Make sure to label the big bag cause once the stuff is frozen, it's sometimes hard to tell what's what. Sometimes the smaller baggies get frozen together, so I just drop the bag full on the floor :yikes: to separate the portions.

Is this the kind of help you were looking for?

Another hint--if you like marinade, add some to the wee baggy before freezing. Then when defrosted, your meat will already be marinated!

HOCKEYCHIC--Hooray for losing that pound! Don't go looking for it again. :nono: I like your idea for an exercise challenge. I'm gonna need all the help I can get this week!

wow....lots of traffic here sine I post!!! thats great
 

I am thrilled to see so many of us here. Hefty: I live at vp and st.clair thats not far at all.

I am so glad this cold snap has finally broken and I can go outside without thinking about frost bite in ten minutes. Man its been cold!. I am up for the exercise challenge as well as the water challenge...anybdy in for drinking at least 8 glasses a day for this week? I know what you mean Zanne about your body starting to crave it. I am also officially starting tomorrow. (Was bad this weekend) I will weigh in in the moring and have vowed not to weigh myself again until the next Monday. (too depressing seeing it go up and down).

Since the thread is getting long I thought maybe it might be a good idea to start posting our group in maybe alterachicks or support groups (anyone agree?)

Zanne thanks for the warm thoughts about my cat (Bear) hes doing much better now...The meds are kicking in so I think it will be just the dental surgery for him...(500 Bucks).

I gotta tell you having all you guys so close and going through the same things makes me want to try harder and stick to the plan of getting healthier and thinner!Keep up the good work everyone and hopefully we will see more fellow Canadians here soon.

The US does seem to have more access to more products and programs but we have each other right?

I'm up for a water challenge, i must say I was pretty bad with the H2O intake this weekend. Its so much easier when I'm at work - its on my desk...I drink it :)

Official weigh in is Wed, but I think so far I'm looking towards a loss (I hope :) ) I'm hoping to add a few more dollars to my vacation (outfit...) fund!

Hi there :wave:

I've been lurking for a few days and keeping up with your posts and i wondered if i could join in too :^: i've also looked at the kinetix website and it looks very motivational :D i like the exercise part..how they show you how to do it ;) thats important to me..making sure that i'm doing the exercise right :) I'm not following any particular plan..just counting cals. I'm really bad for not drinking water so i'd like to take part in that challenge too.

Let me know if you want the thread moved into the Support Group Forum and it shall be done.
:wave: at my Canadian buds!

welcome cathy more thee merrier.
ruth: belated :hb:
glen :)

I think moving the thread is a good idea since we seem to be growing...isnt it great that there is so many of us!...Welcome Cat and RuthXXX thanks for the help!!.

Hello Cathy!

Welcome aboard :)

Where are we being moved to?

Cheers,

M.

Lets have a vote...who wants to go to support forum? or Alternachicks...or even move at all?

My vote is for Support groups easier for eveyone to find...even though I am a fan of alternachicks......

Hey cat...I know what you mean about the water...its hard for me...but take it from Zanne do it for a week and you will crave it...put lemon or lime it and not only does it taste better but you have less a chance of retaining it of you miss a glass or two.

Hefti...how are the veggies..I hate raw veggies so I cook mine I figure if I eat it that way its better than none at all. I steam them so I do not lose much of the vitamins. Is anyone talking a multi vitamin? I do. (well most days anyway). I am really starting everything tomorrow I have been getting my motivation to start from you guys and I am thankful and even looking forward to it. I am going to post my progress as well as my slips...Lets all make a commitment to be honest and we can help each other through the cravings and get back on track if we need to!

In the last few years I went from having a huge amount of friends to down to very few, if any at all. I dont know what happened but I think its because I started to focus on work and family that I seemed to let people go and now I realize that I need friends in my life. What also happened was the people I considered friends were really only there when I wanted to party and now I am in a different place and need someone to talk to instead of drink with and they didnt like that too much...made them look at themselves. This is the reason I am greatful for this site. Everyone is different but going through the same thing. I feel like I have another family...okay enough being corny I got water to drink!

Hi Everyone,
I am one Day 4 of Atkins and am starting to settle in to the program.
I have met several people recently who have lost so much weight you have to ask and it seems they all are on Atkins.
Even my sister who has lost a ton of weight this year finally atmitted it was the Atkins WOE that did it.
I also really enjoy pilates and my elliptical trainer.
I lost some on WW and gained a bit back onmy vacation but need to lose another 35 pounds.Its a rainy but warm day here on the island but I feel for you Gals back East.
Bundle Up!
Brenda

Moving thread to Support Groups leaving a redirect in Buddy Up this time. Sorry!

New home for us!
 

I hope everyone finds their way back..

Its day one for me and this morning I weighed in at a whopping 181lbs! And hopefully it will be the last time I am at that weight. I was good and brought my lunch and have dinner planned out already. My biggest challenge today will be drinking all the water. I have 3 meetings and do not want to have to run out every five minutes. But I will if I have to. MUST DRINK MY WATER!

Its a cold morning again but not as bad a last week. My TTC adventure this morning was not as bad as usual and I even arrived 30 minutes early. Well its time to start my day at work. I shall post this evening to see how are all doing.

Have a great day!!!