My first speaking gig :)

Well yesterday was my first speaking gig with the Prescott Women's Institute. It was held at the Nation Golf Course...which is almost around the corner from my house...located in Curran...didn't even know it existed and it's quite the nice place. I was to talk about how I cope with living with diabetes type 2 and how now I am off the meds and with lifestyle change and exercise I am able to "reverse" my diagnosis. It was a lot of fun. I was nervous..and bounced a bit allover the place so note to self lol...cue cards! just to jot down the topics i should cover in chronological order.

They were really interested about how Dr Oz was! lol I think they enjoyed my talk. I was nervous and with mention of my father I nearly chocked up..almost cried because it's just so sad that he can't golf anymore....that was his passion....it saddens me so much....he called me yesterday and wanted to know about my speaking engagement and also wanted to give me his golf clubs!! that's huge...so for him i will take up golf :) If i could give him my legs and arms I would so he could enjoy golf again...

I did it!! Summited Mt Mansfield! Thank you Annie!!

Well...months and months of walking and perseverance paid off! :D I was able to summit Mt Mansfield in Vermont on Sunday! 7hr hike...4hr to summit including a couple of stops for water break and lunch and then a 3hr descent to the base of the mountain. What an incredible feeling it was!!!! I'm still in shock and awe lol Proper equipment helps big time. Thank goodness I had my walking poles..they were instrumental in my success. As Annie and Janice told me the poles easily distribute 30% of my body weight off my knees making it possible for me to summit! :)

I am so blessed to have Annie as a mentor and best friend :) She is so supportive and loves to share her special places with others and we so appreciate it. We had such a great time! trolls and all lol :)

Today is two days after the hike and I can clearly affirm that it is true...your muscles really hurt more the second day!! but all is good and it just keeps on remind me of the wonder day I had with Annie, Janice, Sharlos and Jeremy!

Today I will be speaking to the Women's Institute :) hopefully I won't freeze haha! they are interested in where i got the willpower to change and reverse diabetes...(I always add in for now....maybe i'm in denial...but it's hereditary...hopefully I will not see it again but knowing that i could keeps me focused on eating right and exercising). They are also all excited to hear all about Dr. Oz!

New hiking boots are so in order! My winter boots are okay but i so need better fitting boots...so off to Bushtuka or Mec! yahoo!! I love shopping there :D who would of known!?

Love life!!

Spring is in the air......getting ready for hiking.....ouch my knee lol

Oops....it's been a while since I've updated my blog - here's a quick synopsis: I decided to finally join a gym for 4 months in hopes to start toning. It seems to be working. This very nice older man (over 70yrs old) has decided to become my trainer lol....it's quite funny and cute. If I slow down he reminds me to pick up the pace - one needs to get in shape! LOL but he is telling me when I do the machine wrong and shows me the correct way - so I'm quite happy with all this attention! :)

The first week at the gym I ended up really hurting my left knee which is supposed to be my good knee - yikes! I was operated on my right knee when I was 16 -I had a tendon transplant and I still have issues with it so now that both knees are sore.....well - I'm trying to stay positive lol...at least I can still walk! for now....

So basically it seems to be the meniscus that I've damaged and I am waiting to see an orthopedic surgeon...

meanwhile....that won't stop me....I still walk everyday and am still going to the gym working my abs, arms, and back and whatever else I can work without causing further damage to my knee.

Hiking season is coming up!!!!!! YAHOO!!!!!! I am so buying new hiking boots at Bushtukah
http://bushtukah.com/ this time my shoes will have ankle supports...so it will be more boot like as compared to shoe like. I will also need a knapsack but other than that I'm so thrilled about it all!

I'm still so surprised and humbled that my journey has touched so many people:)
Again yesterday I ran into a friend, Valerie who told me she watched me on Dr. Oz and that I am her motivator to get healthy... I was so touched by that! I am so happy to know that my struggle/journey with health issues and weight issues and my success at curbing Diabetes type 2 has given people the courage and the strength to wage their own fight...It's so doable!!

I am hoping for a beautiful summer......but rain or shine I'll be out there...walking and hiking!

My mom called me last night. She's been walking now and walks about 1hr per day with a friend. She told me that she has never felt better in her life than now! she no longer has low blood pressure - she used to feel like fainting and she her arthritis was killing her and now according to research the doctors are saying that if you have arthritis you must keep on moving!

Gotta love it! :)

My first Yoga Class :)

Yesterday was my first yoga class with the cadets. It was great! I was quite apprehensive about teaching the class and for one, I'm not a certified teacher....I'm not even a teacher! lol so I called my yoga teacher Hannah and talked to her about this....I personally would of felt much more comfortable having her teach the class but the scheduling conflicted with her own class. So she gave me great tips to do and not to do and I basically wrote up a class plan and it worked like a charm. It was so interesting to see how they first laughed about it but then really enjoyed it - I heard "M'am you make it look so easy" and " This is harder that I thought" throughout the evening and I knew then I had peaked their interest! You could have heard a pin drop during the relaxation part. I was so happy that I was able to share my love of yoga with them and even happier to find out that they want me to return to teach them yoga again!

Life is good!

I've been threatening to up my exercising and now it's serious...I need to get my act in gear and really get out of my comfort zone....who would of known that a year later walking 5-10k was going to be normal for me! So now I really have to get uncomfortable and sweat it out. I'm so worth it!

February.......and still walking :)

Well so it's been one year and a month...and I'm still walking....
I'm in a bit of a down after my high of December...going on the Dr. Oz show and the anticipation of seeing the show and how my friends and family would react and now that it's over I'm feeling all alone...but I know I'm not...It's just the low after the high and as Jan puts it, "there's always the down after the high. I find that when I come home from a really great vacation but if we didn't come down, we would never appreciate the next high." so true! Thanks Jan!! So now I'm walking again until I get my new running shoes - I'm not going to risk injuring my achilles tendon again....OUCH that hurt :(

As any of my friends will tell you, January to the end of March I have this major need to get away to the Caribbean! Cuba being the most affordable...the main issue babysitter and money lol...well for me alone it's doable - it's just really the baby sitter.....but come to think of it..I don't have a bathing suit or any summer clothing as nothing fits anymore! YEAH! I'm becoming the incredibly shrinking woman...but soon it's time to really tone and step it up again. It will be walking and Zumba time tomorrow.

My blood sugar is perfect :) feels great! I'm really happy that this lifestyle change and changing my eating habits and embracing exercise has really made incredibly positive changes in my life.....I'm just dying to sink my toes in hot sand!! LOL

Bare with me...it won't last too much longer.....i'll get over it.

From the Dr. Oz Website: '.htmlentities($node->title).'

Oh What a feeling!! :)

Well tonight was my big premiere on the Dr. Oz show and it was great!! It was quite something else to watch myself on TV. What's with my eyes? lol...guess you can tell I'm french as I'm so expressive with my eyes! It was so much fun to see how they were able to use the 15 minutes plus of material and cut it down to 10 minutes and do a great job...it all jived together very well! And the make up job was top notch!! It was absolutely incredible...I felt like a Queen for 3 days!!

I was so very humbled to have all my family and friends call me today and tonight to congratulate me.....I don't know what to say other than THANK YOU!!! thank you for all of your support!! it was so welcomed and so needed often :)

Now to get my achilles tendons looked into...ouch!!

<img src="http://www.doctoroz.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/300x200/media/image_thumb/1_080_03_RecipeSTILL.jpg" alt="" title="" class="imagecache imagecache-300x200" />

Running with snowshoes....walking with deer!

On Sunday I went to Anne's house where Dora was there aswell and we all went snowshoeing. We went to Cap St. Jacques, which has a nice beach on Lake of Two Mountains. Great snowshoe and cross country skiing trails. Well Anne had the work out all lined up for us. We were to RUN with snowshoes!!! WOW talking about stepping up my exercise regime! That was something else...really got me out of my comfort zone! This is something that I could see myself getting interested in :D

Yesterday, Tracy and I went for a walk in the bog...a good 8k easily. It was beautiful as always...we watched at least 6 deer crossing the paths as well as two chipmunks. I love the bog. It's just so alive and so peaceful. I really enjoying sharing the views of the bog with anyone interested.

With all these clinics I've been doing for the Health Unit, I come into contact with many many people, some very healthy and some not. I've again picked up a head cold I believe - no matter how much Purrell I'll rub on my hands before I rub them raw I still managed to get it. Bummer....I guess it's to be expected when you're with the public. I am really enjoying working for the Health Unit, they are all very professional and friendly and kind. Great gang of people.
4 more clinics left and that's it.

So today I may walk....I may not.....I'm really feeling like I have a bowling ball instead of a head! LOL but as my Frank always says, allez dehors les erables coule! which loosely translates to the maples run outside....in other words - best way to get the phlem moving out of my sinuses is to go outside with lots of tissues! lol

Can't wait until next Tuesday!!!!! My segment on Doctor Oz airs on the 26th!!!!!! panic! lol

Life is good!!

My father and snowshoeing for the first time in YEARS!!

Well today I'll be visiting my father who is living the bachelor life since my mother is on a well deserved vacay in Florida for two weeks. My two sisters are carrying the brunt of the work, I'm just the occasional relief since I live the furthest. Nevertheless, he's been one of my biggest supporters. All last year he would call me everyday asking me if I had gone for my walk....if I would answer yes he'd congratulate me and ask me how it was....if I answered no not yet he would say don't give up...you need to do this.....don't stop walking! lol....he kept me on the straight and narrow lol....he kept me accountable. That's really was so important to me and still is. He doesn't call daily anymore but he still calls at least 3 times a week. Everyone needs someone to keep them accountable...especially when you start an exercise program. It's a huge commitment!.

I just found out on Friday afternoon via email from Michele from Dr. Oz's office that my segment will be aired on January 26!!! I can't wait....for my friends who are not able to view it then my brother will be taping it and I believe you can see any missed episode on youtube or on Dr. Oz's site. I'm all excited.....I wonder it's its as weird seeing yourself on tv as it is listening to your voice lol!

Today I'm off to Anne's for a snowshoeing....I can't remember the day I've ever strapped on a pair of snowshoes!! lol should be quite interesting to say the least!

Yesterday frank and I walked 5k together. He really needs a new pair of sneakers and I'll be needing a new pair of hiking shoes soon...they're quite worn out...I love my Merrells!! but I will try the ones with ankle support this time.

So I just bought my 2nd layer required in either walking hiking or running. I had my first which is my compression lycra longsleeved undershirt and I have my running wind repelent jacket. I was missing a microsfleece layer - a form fitting one. I have it now :) got it on sale actually half price at Intersport. It's a Columbia microfleece jacket with some quilting on the arms and back. Now I'm just missing running pants. They are tight with fleece in the front and a layer of wind resistant material in the front. Then I should be set!

The biggest issue I've had all winter is keeping my hands warm. I finally found these mitts and they do more than keep my hands warm lol...i need to dry them out everday because the mitts end up wet inside. I love gloves but I freeze in them..I've bought two pairs and neither work at all. I've seen some pretty technical ones and I've seen the one at the Running Room but $80.00 YIKES.....Frank said get them in the Spring for next year.... I might just do that. I hate buying anything full price!

Now to start getting ready for my day :)

A new year of Yoga!

Tonight was our first yoga class of the new year! I love yoga! I love yoga with Hannah! :)
What a wonderful way to spend an evening...taking care of yourself...

The class and Hannah welcomed me back as "the Celebrity"! lol...it was fun...I got to do a little synopsis of my 3 days in New York City and on the Dr. Oz Show. They're all proud of me...I feel like a million bucks! It was a drastic change and a drastic decision I made...I now understand that but it was also a decision I had to make if i wanted to continue live...and live a much better and healthier life.

Tonight's class we worked harder....harder on our poses...and boy do I feel the difference!

I actually fell asleep for the first time! I think I snored because Hannah came and tapped me on the shoulder. lol

I feel like everything is just falling into place. Once I've finally gotten control of my physical body... the mental and emotional fall right in line. I'm starting to finally feel content. Something I haven't felt for years. I like the feeling :D

Tomorrow morning I'll put Zacy on the bus and go for a walk before going to my next clinic which is in Morrisburg...a lot farther than I thought! YIKES LOL

I won't be able to attend next Tuesday evening's Yoga class but I will go to the Monday Morning Yoga class! can't wait! Maybe I'll go to two classes a week! That' would be really cool.

I love Yoga!

Bought my crampons for my one year anniversary!!!

WOW!!!! what can I say....I've passed the one year mark and I'm still running strong!
Funny....the new me feels like the old me...or the me that was always there somewhere...when I see the pictures of me - just one year ago I just don't see myself in that person..and to think that that was me for most of my adult life. Wild... Anywho this is the me of the now :)

Reading labels, calculating the sugar amount of anything I'm about to buy and usually putting it back in the shelves lol. Raw veggies, raw fruits and lots of nuts is a big part of my eating now. Feathers and fins as well lol...Fish and chicken and shrimps. Olive oil with garlic replaces garlic butter anytime! and so much healthier. As Annie says, "Olive Oil is KING!" I eat beef - in my spaghetti sauce and my chili and in a homemade hamburger.

For my one year anniversary Frank and I went to the Running Room to buy crampons as I took one too many near spills this week that I really don't want to sprain or break anything so off we went to the Orleans Running Room where lo and behold there was a wall full of them. I chose the Due North ones - rubber slip ons http://duenorthproducts.com/files/SUR066033.jpg that's a link to what they look like. They are fabulous! I just ran a quick 1.6k with them and they were still on and I didn't feel like I was slipping or anything :)

So now I'm going to seriously look into going to a gym...there are two in my area and I'm really going to work out so I need the best for my buck. One looks a little dodgy but looks can be deceiving. I'll have to check them both out.

I can't wait to hear from Dr. Oz's producer Stacy or Michele. Such nice ladies....they really made Christiane and I feel right at home...like old friends...professional all the way :)

I was so happy that my Doctor - Dr. Chagnon had come out to see me before I left for New York. He's been an amazing support....he's so proud of me and it shows every time I meet him. He wishes his other patients would take their health as seriously as I did. It takes getting the "crap" being scared out of you to really get "There" i guess.

What I've always loved about Dr. Chagnon is that he would rather we let our immune system fight a cold etc instead of prescribing antibiotics...as he says one day we may need to be on antibiotics and he wants to make sure our body does not get immune to it because of over use.

So when he had to prescribe medications to me it was because I REALLY needed to be on them to live a better life....as he always said though, the ultimate goal is to be medication free if possible!

He's a regular Patch Adams and that's hard to find in a doctor now a days....

Obviously, I am seeing less and less of him lately lol....but I will continue to go for a yearly check up.

Also got an Under Armour Compression Cold gear long sleeve very tight fitting sweater lol...Mens small...the women's one were goofy looking. I love Sport Chex! lol... so i think though i'll have to knuckle down and get the Under Armour micro sweater and a pair of half decent mitts...my fingers are still freezing...Anne gave me a pair but I think they're too small...they keep rising up lol Sheesh!! Im such a diva lol...

Tomorrow I'm walking in the morning with Tracy in Hawkesbury...Hopefully we can get a good amount of k's in! I need to boost my kilometers to prepare for our hypothermic half marathon walk.

I'm loving my winter walks!

being a creature of habit...

Well it's now January 5, 2010 and so far I have 20k in two days of walking :)
Monday was out of the extraordinary but it was great! firstly I walked 15ks with Vee and her dog Hailey we went to the bog...walked up the farmer's road and back down again...it was great...my snow pants are Eric's old pair when he was 14 lol and yes they are tight so now I am going to buckle down and by a pair of snow pants. Then Tracy came over in the afternoon and we went basically the same way towards the bog and back home for a nice 5k walk. We stretched for a good 10 minutes after walking and I practiced yoga last night.

While watching Dr. Oz it was so amazing to see that I'm so on the right track! grazing all day long, eating small meals...smart food - the least processed foods as possible.

I was also happy to find out that my habit of eating the same breakfast and lunch was a great way to be successful in weight loss! Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen both concur.

I do play around with supper. Nothing rich but sometimes fancy :P
Shrimps, spaghetti, lasagnas, chicken pesto, chicken ceasar etc... Now I'm going to find new recipes...especially Mediterranean style food.

So basically...walking every day and eating my oatmeal and natural peanut butter and nuts and fruits and veggies everyday is a great way to take the weight off and keep it off.....

gotta love that!!