betseydoodle

Last night while I was power ploughing through the dirty dishes, laundry, and general tidying….I was thinking about clutter, and how it really does impact on weightloss and general well-being.

I remember watching those ‘cleaning house’ shows and feeling liberated – like being given a free pass to throw things out!

So, in the last year or so, I’ve been able to purge quite alot of stuff from the house (taking it either to the Value Village, garbage, or general donations to friends). Aside from realizing how much crap we’ve been holding in our small home – it’s amazing just how much crap you retain from those “university days” when you might need something – so you kept it. It was like hoarding – only “I might need it eventually” hoarding.

I’ll be 43 soon – I think it’s OK to get rid of the student furniture….it’s also OK to get rid of those extra pounds that I’ve been hoarding.

Devoid of “worry about the messy house” – what is left is the time required to exercise, prepare items for the freezer for quick meals – or just to relax and enjoy the sun shining through my kitchen window.

And when I’m done my breakfast, and my dishes are put away – it’s off to pack up some more stuff for the Value Village, and to take a bunch of stuff to the Shredder. Then my afternoon will be free for exercise, and food planning.

Go Team Angie!

Teams are now distributed on the Biggest Loser Blog Edition – and I’m on Team Angie! This is awesome!

I’ve just added to my feeds all my team members so that I can learn about my other team members before the official start date of Jan 11th. They are an amazing group of individuals! I can’t wait to read more of their blogs!

Food has been on track. I’ve been pre-packaging freezer portions of cooked barley, brown rice, and various proteins (sweet & sour pork, chicken – and this weekend I’m making some more turkey, lamb and beef “patties”.) What I’ve been doing is mixing & mingling with some frozen veg – making a balanced meal for me to microwave for lunch – or to take to my evening classes for a proper meal beforehand. I’ve been “on point”, and I even budgeted a special treat for myself tonight, a small piece of home made brownie . Exercise continues to be at minimum 30 minutes a day (Treadmill, or “My Fitness Coach” on the Wii.).

Moving forward – one step at a time.

…note to my knitting friends – I’ll be using Ravelry exclusively (betseydoodle) to document my knitting projects for the next while. Although there might be the occasional crap-tastic blocking photo interspersed within my posts over the next 16 weeks…

I’ve agonized over this decision for two weeks now.

Not the decision to make this year the last year that I’ll be this weight. Because it is, and that is that. Those that know me “know” that I’m a very stubborn & independent sort of person.

What I’ve been agonizing over is the decision on “where” to blog about it. This blog – or create a different “private” one.

I can tell you that I have had a private blog for a while now – and – well – lets just say that there were several pathetic half-hearted attempts to lose the weight. Failure was guaranteed without support.

Since you’re reading this – your seeing that I recognize that support is necessary for success – I’m hoping I can lean on you all for that little nudge, ass whoop, kick in the pants, whatever. Please indulge me as I include a few “healthy” related posts in and amongst the knitting. I’m letting my guard down now, and I’m admitting that I do need help. If this isn’t your cup of tea – please feel free to unsubscribe – I’m OK just knowing that “it is out there”.

I’ve sent a request to be part of the “Biggest Loser Blog Edition (Season 2)”

I’ve been reading Angie’s blog for a while now. When she began the first season of Biggest Loser Blog Edition, I *thought* about joining, but ultimately decided that it would be very difficult due to the two trips for work I had to do in October / November. (While I was indeed right – I did manage to lose out on some very valuable time). The group lost 170.1 pounds! That’s support!

I’m really looking forward to this decision to get rid of the extra weight now. I really feel like I’ve been getting my ducks in a row. Especially since I’ll be doing two evening courses over this time frame. Normally I’d use this as an excuse to eat crap food – but I’ve spent some time over our staycation sorting out “freezer dinner” ideas so I can take them with me to the School in order to have a proper supper.

You’ll see from my Healthy 2009 page, that I’ve set the first goal of simply 10%, (although I’m rounding up a couple of pounds to 20), in a maximum of 20 weeks. This will make a significant difference in my overall health, and is both reasonable and doable.

Thanks for indulging me.

I’m off to do some more housework before my treadmill walk tonight.

I had the greatest of plans….

The husband and I have been on a “staycation” since the 24th. I had great visions of house cleaning / purging of household items, painting, general updating, knitting & sewing. We’re both back to work on the 5th.

Aside from an Xmas eve over-nighter at my brothers…(and again tonight) I haven’t been seriously out of the house.

Even though I don’t have to use public transportation to get to work – I’ve been feeling really trapped at home without the “option” of taking a bus somewhere. Please – oh please Rona – put both the union and city hall over your knee and give them a right some good spanking! Someone please make public transportation an essential service!

I also have done *nothing* of substance on the housework front, other than some laundry. So much for painting… which has now been postponed until the chairs get re-upholstered. Anyone know a good upholsterer in Ottawa?

I did finally complete my fish & insect museum on Animal Crossing – and have not got sucked into purchasing City Folk in order to play online with the husband’s nieces in Calgary. I’m such a 10 year old child inside.

We’ve watched several episodes of Prime Suspect, and Top Gear (the Vietnam finale was awesome!)

On the knitting front – Although not formally participating – I am planning to knit only from the stash for 2009. It isn’t the beast that most people I know have (Hi Deb & Daisy!). There are some weird and exotic fibres in there (Matrix!) and yet it is time to tidy it up.

I did finish a very last minute knitted item for my Dad’s missus, and the big pink cotton monster for my niece, small mercies indeed. Both Stash items!

Husband helped me update my beloved wordpress with a new template which was widget ready, and I took massive amounts of photos to update both the blog and Ravelry….and now…neither of us can find the blasted transfer cable for the camera. See my new template! It’s Grey!

So – suffice to to say I have been doing some knitting. I just can’t prove it yet.

Got tagged from knitacious….

Here are my 7 random facts (not so random for those who know me).

1. I can’t believe I responded to a meme. I think I did just so I can say that I finally updated my blog. She’s been neglected lately.
2. On a lark, my husband became sommeliers. My mission is to get everyone to drink Non-Oaked Chardonnay, and Rose (not that blush crap from America – *that is not a proper rose*)
3. I’m a sucker for a foreign accent. This accounts for my love of foreign films, movies, TV, travel, FIFA, Formula 1, and of course….wine and food !
4. I can read / order food of a menu in many different languages. I once successfully arranged three nights accommodation in a German Bed and Breakfast using only restaurant italian.
5. I was crowned “miss groundhog” 1988. Most people I tell this to think it’s an officially sanctioned event (hey – I am from the Maritimes – we are quirkie!) I certainly wouldn’t tell them otherwise.
6. The only foods I won’t eat are Turnips, parsnips, chicken feet (I know where they’ve been), and any product that comes in a container – where when reading the ingredients list – you cannot tell whether they are listing the ingredients in the container – or the container itself.
7. I have “magpie” tendencies …. anything sparklie – I’m all over it! And yes, I will be knitting something out of my 11 skeins of Glitterspun – and it will be FABU!

I will not tag anyone – as I believe in “free will”. If you’re feeling so inclined to update your blog (Leanne), please feel free to play along.

I really do have some finished objects.

P.S. Nekkid Angus says hello to all the girlies out there …… his photoshoot is forthcoming.