So it's been a couple days since I had the hypnotherapy.
You're probably wondering how it's going.
First of all, I haven't made a conscious effort to eat healthy ... I've been allowing myself whatever I want.
One of Barb's re-enforcements was that I want to eat healthy foods and not put junk into my body. I still think about having a treat ... the M&Ms I have in my desk at work or an ice cream here at home. But then the thought disappears instantly and I don't want 'em. I don't have to talk myself out of them and agonize over it.
Another positive re-enforcement was that I would stop eating when I'd had enough. Sometimes I continue to eat even after I feel full ... remember your mother made you eat everything off your plate before you could leave the table?! I had lunch out today (curried chicken and rice) and when I finished, I was finished thinking about food. And I could have gone without supper tonight as I was still full. I had a bit of fish and rice (but not the amount I usually have) because (1) I made supper for Gord and (2) we were trying a new fish rub. It's been three hours since supper and I'm still really full and have no urge to eat. I feel too full actually.
And I'm noticing I'm drinking a lot more water than I have been lately (and so peeing more).
All good things!
Barb sent me home with a CD that I have to listen to once a day. I listened to the healthy eating re-enforcements last night before I went to bed and the weight loss re-enforcement this evening before supper.
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Hypnotherapy update
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Book ~ "Red Hot Lies" (2009) Laura Caldwell
From Amazon ~ Former trial lawyer Caldwell launches a mystery series that weaves the emotional appeal of her chick lit titles with the blinding speed of her thrillers. Young, sassy Izzy McNeil, lead entertainment lawyer at Pickett Enterprises, has earned envy for her success (much of which she owes to the patronage of CEO Forester Pickett) and cheeky manner, but she's starting to panic about her upcoming wedding to charming Sam Hollings. Then Pickett is killed and Sam vanishes, as do $30 million worth of Panamanian real estate bonds. Suspecting Sam, Izzy and the FBI promptly take up parallel and sometimes contradictory investigations. The somber ending is something of a letdown after the headlong chase, but readers will be left looking forward to another heart-pounding ride on Izzy's silver Vespa.
This book started off slowly, picked up and got exciting and then yes, the ending was a letdown. Plus there were people and actions that seemed to have been forgotten ... why even include them? Perhaps because they'll be back for the next book in the series?
But I enjoyed the writing style enough to check out her other books, including those in this series.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Hypnotherapy
I've been trying to get back on track with losing weight and getting to the gym for a while ... but I've had a block.
I knew I needed to do something about it to be able to move on.
So this evening I saw a hypnotherapist in my 'hood.
We talked first about why I was there. Intellectually I know what to do and how to do it ... I just couldn't.
Barb hypnotized me (that's freaky!) and then went after my block right away. She took me to my happy place (for me, it's the ocean) and then had me look at my block. She said I could either tell her what it was or nod if I didn't want to talk about it. But I couldn't see it. And then I felt tears coming to my eyes. She asked me if I could see my block and I said no, but that I was starting to cry.
She spent what seemed like a long time giving me positive re-enforcement ... I'll want to eat healthy, I'll want to go to the gym and be active, I'll want to get back into boxing classes, I'll want to stay away from pizza and chicken wings, etc. During all this, tears are pouring down my cheeks. It was weird! Her re-enforcement talks about getting away from "dieting" and more into "healthy eating" because diets have a start and end period whereas healthy eating is forever.
Then she counted me back out of it. She said that the fact that I had cried meant that I had touched whatever my block was and fought it, it was so strong and had such a hold on me, whatever it was.
She gave me a CD to every day (20 minutes). She said that sometimes people just need one visit ... others need more later on.
Interesting experience ... I hope it works!
iPod envy!
I bought my iPod classic in July 2008.
I love it and use it a lot!
Gord hasn't been interested in getting one so I was surprised (but happy) that he mentioned over the weekend perhaps getting one. He's got some fencing tournaments coming up that he has to drive a long way to get to.
So I bought him one today. I got him a nano ... man, am I jealous!
Basically mine can play songs or podcasts.
His can do that too but his has a camera, video cam, pedometer, FM radio, etc.
They can both hold about 2000 songs and his was $30 cheaper and lighter!
Technology is crazy, eh?
Monday, November 02, 2009
Burrito and a movie
I met my pal, Trish, for supper and a movie tonight.
We met at Burrito Boys. I love love love their burritos. Trish had never been there before. I was hungry and practically inhaled my chicken burrito (it was delicious!) while Trish waited for her veggie burrito.
Here she is!
Then we saw The Invention of Lying.
Mark Bellison (Ricky Gervais) lives in a world just like our own but no one lies there. Everyone is completely honest all the time. The first half of the movie shows Mark's sad life a struggling loser and how he is insulted by his completely honest coworkers, his mom, and Anna (Jennifer Garner), his date. His mom gets sick and he makes up a story about an afterlife to help comfort his mom on her deathbed. Doctors and nurses overhear him and soon Mark becomes an international authority on the afterlife. People camp on his lawn to learn more. Mark develops a story about the "Man in the Sky," who functions like God, and he pastes his theology on two pizza boxes like Moses and the ten commandments. Mark learns to lie to help his friends, get money at the bank, cheat at the casino, and eventually to win the affection of Anna.
The first part of the movie is funnier before Mark discovers he can lie. There are some funny bits and some great cameos like Tina Fey, Ed Norton and Justin Bateman.
All in all, it was so-so and I'd wait to rent it if I were you.
It was fun to see Trish!
Welcome distraction
I was in an admin lunch 'n learn at work today.
It was a two hour meeting in a hot stuffy board room with 14 others ... and nasty sandwiches. To me, admin isn't one of the most exciting topics to spend that much time on. Plus I don't have to worry about the forms that were discussed in great detail. Needless to say, I was bored.
All of a sudden there was a big bang outside and we all rushed to the window to see what happened.
It appears that a streetcar struck a car ... or vice versa. The car got the worse of it. There was quite a commotion ... four firetrucks, two police cars, an ambulance and transit authority. The three passengers in the car seemed to be unhurt.
I took a walk after the meeting to get some air and the two vehicles were still side-by-side on the street.
Five minutes later when I came back, the streetcar was gone and a tow truck was about to take the car away.
Manic Monday
Click here to play!
Most of the U.S. observed Daylight Savings Time yesterday. Is it easy or difficult for you to switch your body clock? Do you suffer from jet lag when traveling?
Here in Ontario, we observe DST too. I find it's a lot easier to "fall back" than to "spring ahead" ... I miss that hour in the spring. I don't usually suffer from jet lag.
If you had to pick one place in your town to bring a tourist, where would you go?
CN Tower ... you can see so much of Toronto from there.
When you travel away from home, do you miss it?
I love Toronto but don't miss it when I travel cuz I know I'm coming back.
Mellow Yellow Mondays
Did you play?
The leaves are turning colours and falling ... this is in our 'hood.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Yardwork
It's that time of year again!
When the leaves fall off this tree ...
and land on our steps and terrace.
I swept 'em this morning.
I know I'll have to do it another couple of times in the next month but at least we're not dragging them into our condo.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Mill Street Brewery
Gord and I headed to Mill Street Brewery in the Distillery District for supper. He loves beer (and their beer) and has been wanting to check it out.
Here he is at the entrance.
All the servers dressed up for Halloween ... here's ours (she was a "party animal"):
For supper, I had curried chicken and rice. Gord had corned beef sliders and onion rings.
The curry was really good!
They make their beer onsite ...
It's delicious beer!
Before we left, Gord bought a six-pack of pilsner (it's only sold in their store).
Happy Halloween!
Gord and I don't "do" Halloween.
Yes, we are the ones who turn off all the lights and don't stay home.
So don't bring your rugrats kids around for candy ... we won't be here.
Saturday Photo Hunt
Did you play?
The theme this week is bag.
I bought this purse (aka handbag) a couple weeks ago at Aldo ... it's purple and is like an old doctor's bag.
Black would have more professional but I love love purple!
Camera Critters
Last Saturday afternoon, I was watching Con Air. I scooped KC up and she laid with/on me for a while.
She isn't a cuddly dog so it was nice while it lasted.
Friday, October 30, 2009
H1N1 - To Get a Flu Shot or Not
I'm not rushing to get the H1N1 flu shot. Are you?
I feel healthy enough to hopefully fight it. Instead I'm going to wait to talk to my doctor about it next month and see what she suggests.
From guest blogger, Gord ...
I work in an office up on the 14th floor overlooking Metro Hall and had an opportunity to observe the growing line-up for the H1N1 Flu shot clinic below me.
The clinic put on by Toronto Public Health opened at 10AM but the lineup started forming at around 6AM. Seems people are worried and have great faith in the shot protecting them, even saving their lives. They are also worried as, at the moment, reports say there is not enough to go around.
The clinics opened four days ahead of schedule after a 13 year old hockey player came down with the flu last weekend and died. This stepped up the worry and many people are becoming slightly panicked
The line-up kept growing as the early morning wore on. At first it came up John Street and snaked around the courtyard (pictured left) four or five times. Then it came out onto the King Street W sidewalk and along to a large area between the buildings, where again security had it looping back and forth. By 10:00, the line-up grew and spilled out behind the building that I worked in. 
It started to rain but, when I walked by taking pictures shortly after 10, everyone seemed in good spirits, although some who didn't quite dress right for a damp cool rainy morning seemed chilled right through but had no intention of leaving.
Of course, the news vans were there, with reporters and camera people milling about. I asked one cameraman if it was the same at the other clinics. He said this was small and tame compared to the others, especially the day before at East York Civic Centre, where according to CTV News, "By 2 p.m., organizers ended the line-up to newcomers, causing some tempers to heat up. People were still waiting to get shots by the early evening."
Over the day on Friday, Metro Hall gave out more than a thousand vaccinations.
I am not getting a flu shot. Why? I'm not cocky, feeling that I am healthy enough not to come down with this new flu. After all, I came down with the Norwalk flu a few years ago, and in the giving spirit of the Christmas season, passed it on to my friends. I am quite aware that anyone of us could come down with this.
My fear is that I have felt all along that this vaccine was rushed in its development, may not be affective and could possibly do me more harm than good. Interestingly, I read an article in today's Star by Thomas Walkom who says just that. Apparently the Federal Government admitted that it approved the vaccine before the manufacturer finished conducting any clinical trials on it. Not news that I want to hear. 
To get a flu shot is a huge decision to make. As it is only been given to "priority groups" at the moment gives us more time to consider the pros and cons. For me, I hope my body builds a strong enough natural immunity. So I wash more regularly than before and keep using the antibacterial gel than is not available everywhere.
Hopefully this flu strain pandemic does not hit as hard as many are suggesting it will or we will be seeing panic.
Wanna see where I live?
The first part shows my 'hood:
Wanna experience the CN Tower? Check this out:
Click here to see more videos of Toronto including Casa Loma, the Entertainment District and Kensington Market.
