Weight loss update

Just a quick note to update you on my weight loss plan.  So far so good.  I'm not loosing as much as I had wanted to but I'm still on track to meet my goals.  It's been about 7 weeks and so far I'm down about 17 1/2 lbs with only 12 to go before the end of Aug to meet my first goal (loose 30 lbs or drop below 220).  I have about 5 weeks left to meet this target, which averages out to about 2.5 lbs per week.

The unfortunate part is that I have several obstacles in the way to overcome in order to do this.  #1)  I just injured my left calf muscle.  *sigh*  Yup, I have a partially torn muscle.  So no strenuous leg exercises for about 3 weeks and because it's my calf muscle it also means I won't be able to do any cardio either.  It's amazing how many exercises depend on the legs for balance or support.  I will have to get really creative I guess.  I think I might dabble a bit with Kettle Bells at home to see if I can use those to get in some exercise.  Onto obstacle #2) In just 1 week, I will be up in McMurray helping my mom pack up and move all her stuff down to St. Albert.  So that means I have to be creative with my diet while I'm up there.  I'm not saying it can't be done but I suspect my mom will be cleaning out her fridge and there will be a lot of eating out going on.  That week will really test my discipline and creativity.  Truthfully my biggest worry is that my leg won't be strong enough to be of use to help her while I'm there.

If I fall off the wagon I'm hoping my friends and family will stand by me in support and encourage me to get back on that horse and keep going.  I need to be strong enough mentally to see it as just a minor set back and just start back up again.  So encouragement from friends and family is really going to help me.  Hopefully it doesn't get to that point though.

I do like the results so far.  It's been 2 years since I've been down below 235 and my clothes are starting to fit better again.  I've already dropped a pant size and I'm hoping that by the time I reach 220 I'll have dropped another pant size. I can't wait till I'm below 200 and comfortably into a 33/34 again.  I'm going to have to find a really good way to reward myself for hitting that goal.  I'm not even sure what to do for my first goal reward.  I'm open to ideas if you have any though!!

July 29 2011

More Kayaking - Showing off my new toy!

FeelFree Moken-12

Last weekend was filled with a bunch of activities, and one of the most fun was taking my new Kayak out for a spin on the Bow River.  You might remember that I previously owned an older Sit Inside Kayak (SIK for short) that I had rigged up for fishing.  http://bitgeek.blogspot.com/2010/10/kayaking-on-bow.html I've owned that one for almost 2 years and had a great time taking it out on the water.  I had purchased the green one for about $400 and then added about $100 worth of fishing rigging to it.  On the old Kayak I had installed 3 fishing rod holders (2 for behind me and one in front with a Scotty rod holder attachment).  I had also configured it with an anchor system (and anchor of course), as well as some additional webbing, and cleats for line tie offs.  The last thing I had added to the old one was a set of clips to hold my paddle to the side of my Kayak.

Francie, Perry, Darren on the Zebec

Now the new Kayak is a completely different beast.  It is a FeelFree Moken-12 (12 footer).  As you can see from the picture above, it is a nice bright yellow Sit On Top (SOT for short) which came with a few fishing items already installed.  It has a couple of rod holders behind the seat and places to mount a couple more in front of the paddler.  The open storage area in the back has plenty of room to carry gear and even has pre-molded framework for crates to fit in that storage area too!  The front storage area is currently open but it has the option for a soft cover or a hard cover.  I'm not sure that the hard cover would provide dry storage but would definitely keep your items secure if the Yak happened to tip over.  On the sides of the Kayak are slings to hold a paddle when not in use.  There aren't too many down sides so far.  No drink holder.  Not a lot of places to tether things to (like a rod leash or paddle leash).  So I think I'll have to obtain some extra rigging for this Kayak to round it out a bit.

One of the big advantages of a SOT versus the SIK is the stability that a wider bottom and dual channel keel offer.  The Moken-12 is stable enough to fish off the side with your legs dangling in water or to even stand up on and cast from if you're in relatively calm water.  It is a bit heavier than the old green Kayak I had though.  So that means I will have to be more careful when transporting it on my roof rack on my truck.  Luckily I still have the extended hitch so that makes transportation a heck of a lot easier.  I am really looking forward to the next time I get to take it out for a run down the Bow again.

Lori on her Vapour 10

What happened to my old green Kayak you ask? Well, a good friend of mine has been interested in getting a Kayak for himself.  So I offered him a deal he couldn't refuse!  He ended up taking my SIK for $250 (plus an un-used shower rod bar worth $100).  I even delivered the darn thing right to his door! ;o)  We haven't had a chance to put them both in the water together but you can bet that is on the list of things to do.

A lovely self portrait!

In the meant time I did manage to take my new Moken-12 out for a float on the Bow this past weekend with a few other friends.  Darren brought out his Zebec and floated down the Bow in his raft with his sister and brother-in-law, while his wife Lori, floated in her own Kayak.  What a fantastic day for a trip down the river!

Maybe we'll see you on the river or even out on Glenmore Reservoir one of these nights! Don't be shy and be sure to say hello. :o) Oh! and here's a link to the YouTube video I put together that has more pics from our float! :o)

Boom - More bad news for the Family

Well, the wind was taken out of my sails this weekend.  I feel like I was kicked in the guts.  Another cousin of mine has been diagnosed with Cancer.  Initially it was believed they were just pre-cancerous nodes that could be removed from the intestines, but later it was discovered that she had cancer of the ovaries, as well the lymph nodes, spine and various places on the back.  From what I've been told (and I haven't been told much really), it sounds like the Doctors don't believe there is anything they can do for her at this point.  I'm devastated.

I'm frustrated that I can't do anything to help, and crushed that it could happen to someone so young and vibrant.  I can't imagine what is going through the minds of her family now.  Her and her husband have 2 boys and a little girl and I just can't imagine how they will share the news with them.  What do you say?  What can you say?  It's just heart wrenching.

I don't know how to console her without depressing her even further.  I also don't want to be intrusive either and I really do want to offer my support.  I'm not really sure how to be there for her either when she's thousands of Km's away too.

I think I'm just going to reach out to her and offer whatever support I can.  I have to believe there is answer out there somewhere.  There has to be a way for her to win.

Damn it.  This sucks.

Fuck Cancer.

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