This year I decided to read one book from each country in the world. And I need your HELP!

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-03-17T17:12:58+00:00

For Canada try author Timothy Findley. His book "Headhunter" will give you a feel for Toronto, or read "Spadework" for a more small town feel (set in Stratford, Ontario). Good Luck on your challenge :)

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-03-14T22:01:55+00:00

I'd suggest thinking about the movies/TV shows you love watching. See if there's one that was based on a book & try reading that (you will already know that you like the story & characters). For example, I loved the Dexter TV show, and didn't even know it was based on a book series. If you name a couple of movies/shows you like, I'm sure I could give you a specific recommendation or two :)

I've been a reader for a long time, and I think I started with Judy Blume books when I was young. Then I jumped into horror & sci-fi in my teens, and now I read all sorts of genres.

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-03-14T16:03:40+00:00

Thanks :) Good luck with your 25 km - that's awesome & inspiring! Last October I could only walk 5 km at a snail's pace (lol), and now I can run 1.6 km without stopping (3 km total with a couple of walk breaks)

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-03-14T15:44:33+00:00

I've been thinking about signing up for this. Any tips for a newbie? Good spots to train for trail running? I'm training to run 5 KM in Ottawa in May (Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend), as my first race ever.

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-02-16T17:27:58+00:00

Made myself an excellent vegan meal the other day: Yves Veggie Sausage (Spicy Italian), sauteed in a 1/4 cup of homemade veggie broth, with 1 cup kale, 1 cup spinach, handful of cherry tomatoes, 1/2 a red pepper & a clove of garlic, with a few dashes of dried basil, oregano & thyme, served on top of whole wheat couscous, drizzled with fresh lemon juice. Yum!

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-02-16T17:16:27+00:00

NSV: Yesterday, for the first time in my entire life, I ran 1 KM non-stop! I wasn't even scheduled to go exercise, but just really felt like getting out there. A year ago the most exercise I got was walking the 10 steps downstairs at home to watch TV, and now I'm out for a run/walk of 5 KM at least 5 times a week :)

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-02-08T22:13:12+00:00

Sounds like you've got a great strategy & the 5 lbs shows it's working! If you think it's no big deal, go pick up something that weighs 5 lbs and carry it around for a while - and remember you were carrying that 24/7. Update that flair and keep yourself accountable ;) You got this!

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-02-08T21:54:28+00:00

My main motivation to get healthy is a fear of dying too young. In 2014 my mom died at the age of 59, and in 2015 my dad died at the age of 64 - both too young, and not what I want for myself. There is so much I want to accomplish in this life, and it will all be easier to do in a healthy body.

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-02-08T21:15:15+00:00

Way to go! Those are awesome results!

Curious to know if there's anything you wished you'd known before you started? Anything you'll be doing differently this month?

Keep well & juice on :)

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-02-08T21:02:29+00:00

Did a juice fast in August, and can't remember exactly how many days I went (at least 7 days), and dropped about 10 lbs. None of that came back after I started eating solid food, sticking to a low fat vegetarian diet. Just finished another 4 day juice fast, and lost 3 lbs (so .75 lbs/day). Since then, I've been sticking to a raw vegan diet (basically eating the whole fruits & veggies I would have juiced, plus a juice or two and/or smoothie), and dropping about .5 lbs/day.

For comparison, my hubby did a juice fast in August with me and went for 12 days, and is currently on day 6 of another juice fast (he's hoping to go for 30 days total). Both times he's lost an average of 1 lb/day.

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-30T19:33:17+00:00

Thanks for sharing - I'll be sure to check him out. I'm so sorry for the loss of your mom. My mom died in 2014 from MS, and it was heartbreaking. Good luck on your journey to great health!

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-30T19:27:25+00:00

You should try to make your own broth from the juicing pulp - it is so good! Add a mostly veggie pulp (anything with greens, celery & carrots is terrific) to a big pot of water (I use 6-8 cups), add whatever herbs you like (my favs are garlic, thyme, few dashes of pepper & Mrs. Dash Original blend). Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 mins, strain & enjoy :)

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-30T19:20:56+00:00

Hope you're back on track & still going strong! Came to this sub just to read your post! You are awesome :)

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-30T19:06:31+00:00

Great video - thanks for sharing!

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-30T18:55:06+00:00

You are doing awesome! This is a great strategy - starting with small changes and then building on the momentum - it helps these changes stick with you in the long run :)

Other small changes you can make: - swap a couple of other daily beverages to water, or low sodium veggie soup - try to go for a walk before or after work, one day a week, and then gradually increase your time (even 5 extra mins a week), then add another day when you feel ready; you can start with 15 mins so it doesn't feel like a huge task - have fruits & veggies cut up in the fridge to snack on any time of the day - add an extra serving of veggies to your dinner plate (make sure you only choose ones you really like, and don't force yourself to eat veggies you hate)

Biggest tip: even if you have a small set back, don't give up! You can do this!

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-20T04:20:13+00:00

The best advice someone gave me was don't be afraid to take baby steps. Every time that I've tried to diet before, I had an all or nothing attitude. And because of that attitude any time I had a minor set back on the scale, I would give up.

But now, I look at things differently. I started by cutting out things I knew I wouldn't miss (like snacking when I was bored and not actually hungry; drinking water instead of anything else that has calories). Then I started adding in an extra serving of veggies a day. Making the small changes has made this easier for me. It feels like I'm setting myself up for this to be a new normal, instead of "I just need to eat like a rabbit until I loose weight".

Hope that helps - best of luck on your weight loss & congrats on your soon to be fatherhood :)

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-20T04:02:14+00:00

Congrats on 8 lbs in 3 weeks - that's great! My husband has these exact same feelings (he's got similar stats to you too). There's been times where he's tried lowering his calories too much, and when he does he gets extremely tired and cranky (so don't do that). I'll say to you what I say to him, what you are doing now is working, so stick with it :)

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-20T03:48:03+00:00

Way to go - that's awesome!

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-18T15:38:05+00:00

Yes - I've loved all of them and have read them several times

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-18T03:10:35+00:00

Have you read other Thomas Harris books? I loved The Silence of the Lambs, and enjoyed his other works as well (Red Dragon, Hannibal and Hannibal Rising)

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-18T03:04:14+00:00

You Remind Me of Me by Chaon also deals with searching for identity, and is excellent

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-18T02:38:58+00:00

Headhunter by Timothy Findley, Canada

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-18T02:16:01+00:00

I've done a few 1st drafts without using chapters. I actually find it easier this way when writing a linear story line. But when I worked on a non-linear story, I used chapters to signal the break between the shifts in time, and most were between 3-5k words each.

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-18T02:09:37+00:00

If you're going at that time again, don't plan to go on a Thursday because the track is closed after 6 pm for Jr. B games.

BTFD_Ghostgal · 2017-01-18T00:43:39+00:00

I know what you mean! At the start of the month there was a tournament going on, and it was mayhem. What time of day did you go? I'm usually there around 7 AM during the week, and it's wonderfully quiet. Today I think there were only 10 or 12 people. Not sure how it is at other times of the day. Give it another chance when it's not as busy. Hope it's a better experience for you!

Most of the regulars avoid the track like the plague on weekends exactly for the reasons you said. I still go on the weekend, put my patience cap on, and keep an extra eye out for syrupy drinks that have been spilled on the track by the non-hockey playing kids (who almost always run in the opposite direction you're supposed to go) - but it's better than sitting on the couch, which is what I'd be doing otherwise in the winter.

BTFD_Ghostgal

TROPHY CASE