Weighing In

When I read the latest post from 'The Help' over at  A Slice Of Deep Fried Awesome the first thing I thought was that I could have written that post. I have been a fat girl for most of my adult life and even though I know I should have made the changes years ago, I think I've always been in denial. I always joke that I have a reverse eating disorder: People with anorexia look in the mirror and see a themselves as fat when they are way too skinny. I look in the mirror and think it's not that bad when clearly, it's bad. It's mostly when I look at pictures of myself that I really understand what I've become. And when I walk up the stairs, when I bend over, when I feel my gut sitting on my legs when I sit down....

The last couple of months before I went on vacation in July I had started going to the gym and spending some quality time with the treadmill. I dutifully brought my gym clothes to New Brunswick saying that I would continue but of course, I didn't. I was very busy and active however so I managed not to gain any weight even though I was eating like I was on vacation. I kept telling myself that when I got back I would finally make a change. I just couldn't be in denial any longer. Luckily, Nick also made the same decision for himself, without my saying anything. I am pleased to announce that we are both on day two of our respective diets. The day two update is: I'm starving. But I'm committed so I'm going to suffer through. Maybe I'll go and eat a big bag of mini carrots to get me through to supper.

The irony of dieting for me is that these healthy changes means plan, plan, plan. All that planning means that I'm constantly thinking about food. How many points are in that? What foods can I eat the most of for the least amount of damage? What am I going to make Nick for dinner? Since he's doing a different plan we are eating completely opposite things. And then what do I feed the kids? Isaac is still eating baby style foods so there is alot of preparation required for him too. There is also the added difficulty of living in the north were fresh meat and veggies are sometimes hard to come by.

All of this are just excuses in the end because if I really want it, I'll make it happen. I have set a not so lofty goal of losing 5% of my total weight to start out but haven't set a time frame for it to happen. Once I get there, I'll work on another 5%. My ultimate goal is somewhere in the ballpark of 70 pounds but that number is just too daunting at the moment. Smaller goals mean more successes (hopefully) and success means staying motivated.

Just like The Help, I'm not going to make the blog a platform for my diet. I am however choosing to make a public announcement about my intentions in the hope that you all might keep me accountable. Even if it's only in head. Weight loss for me is mostly a mental game and I can use all the help I can get.

Summer Highlights

We are back in Nunavut after a wonderful 6 weeks down south. I have to be honest, I didn't want to come back to a world without my family and friends close by but I am glad to be back in this beautiful place and our family's familiar routine. Lots happened up here while we were away and it seems most of it sad. There was a drowning here a few weeks ago, a suicide of a prominent member of our hamlet and the First Air crash in Resolute Bay. The crash was particularly disturbing for me since we rely so much on air travel up here. I joked with the flight attendant this time that Oliver has been on more planes in his short life than the average adult (38 flights if I have it right). I felt like it just hit way too close to home, I'm sure most Nunavummiut felt that way and mourn for the losses.

On a lighter note... the boys have changed alot since we left in July. Isaac is on the move graduating from pulling himself along his belly to all out speed crawling. He's developed quite a temper if he doesn't get what he wants, he's said his first word. "HI", strangely that was O's first word too. Oliver has changed too but not all for the better. My quiet, passive, laid back toddler has turned into whiny, temper tantrum throwing, never shuts up KID. For the positive he's learned to stand up for himself, is talking in crazy full thoughts and has developed a vivid imagination. It's crazy what they can learn in short time when they are around other kids 24/7.

As usual the best part about being down south is getting kid free time and Nick and I did get to enjoy some. We got away for a couple of nights and laughed ourselves silly with friends. Nick also started doing some research and made some contacts in preparation for our upcoming transfer back down south. There is no news on that front because we are just in the beginning stages of deciding on what we want and where we want to be. He spoke to people in a different types of policing and different provinces and will take that information under advisement.

All in all, it was a fantastic vacation. Probably the best one we've ever had. So without further ado, here is a glimpse of some of it. Enjoy!

Junior Jay

Eating a hot dog at the ball park...

We head back to Nunavut tomorrow. Once I get my suitcases unpacked and the sealift open and put away I'll return to the blogging world. Talk soon!

This one is for you Clare

I'm not a birder by any means but I couldn't help but be captivated by this majestic eagle. He (She?) lives somewhere on the cliff that my parents house sits on and we often see him flying around. The other day he perched himself on one of their trees and sat there for quite a while. I waited patiently to get a shot of him flying away but of course I wasn't quick enough when it finally happened.
 

Child labour

Nick did some training with the kids when we were up at the cottage. Erik took the bottle out of the box...

Then he gave it to Oliver...

Then O put it in the fridge...

Isaac will be was training as Erik's understudy so he can take over once he's old enough.

SJ Ink

When I was little my mom would buy me lick on tattoos because I always said I wanted a real one. I think she knew that I would eventually want to get one and was trying to delay the inevitable. I got my first one at 19 and I knew for sure I was a tattoo person. I have never posted pictures of my tattoos before because I feel they are pretty personal and didn't really want to put them out for criticism. Having said that, I'm feeling pretty stoked about this one so I thought I'd put it out there for the world to see.

If I was on one of those shows on TLC I would be explaining to Kat Von D or to Ami James that this piece is meant to be a tribute to the woman who have made me who I am today. From top to bottom: the daisy is my mom's favorite flower. The carnation is for Grandma (Dad's mom). The tulip is for my sister and the lily for my Oma. The gerbera is for me. It's my favorite flower and that one was done to copy of the flowers I carried at our wedding.

It was a tough sitting and was very painful. My leg is swollen and there are lots of bloody spots that need to heal but hey...It's kind of like childbirth, you really do forget how it actually feels. Otherwise nobody would ever do it twice. It must be true because this one brings my total up to 7. I have one more planned and then I think I'm done. But there is a fever that goes along with getting tattoos so I will never say never. Thank you very much to Mark Jeffry at High Tides Tattoo who designed it from the pictures I have him and did a great job of bringing it to life. It's better than what I had in my head sure. The shop has a great atmosphere too. A great experience over all.

Breaking all the rules.

Just one of the fantastic activities we've done with the kids here in the land of warm weather.

There was only one negative on the fun scale for this one. They are too young to understand that painting the car is pretty high on the list of things I would normally kill them for. I can't wait to do this again when they can appreciate it. 

In case you are wondering... It's Crayola Kids Paint. I mixed it with some dish detergent and let them go to it. It was quite a masterpiece when it was done. Afterwards we used sponges and a hose and washed the van. And the driveway, and the garage, and the patio, and the kids....  It came off easily and everyone had a soapy good time.