Changes... keep 'em coming!!!

Hello All :)

Told you I wasn't done blogging ;) lol

So in the spirit of transformations... (not to mention a full blown campain from Sam and Jenna ;) I took the gigantic leap and...... CUT MY HAIR!!!! Aaaahhhhhhh!!!! ;)

Here is me... faded colour :( and long, thin, lifeless hair that has lived in a ponytail for much of the last 12 weeks!



And now.... PA POWWWW!!!!!!



This seriously had me freaked out! hehehe But, one of my Bff's Vicki (www.teeze.ca) always has my back! Love my fresh colour and the cut is awesome!!! ( I totally got an "I told you so" from Jenna lol, Sam was just proud that I took the leap, with a small nudge!)

Change is always scary... but for me, at this point, it's just another step towards finding out who I am. Without change, we all stay the same. That's cool for some... but not for me... anymore ;)

New "do" hugs... Crystal :) xo

12 week final results! :)

Hi All :)

It truly is amazing how time flies...I really can't believe that 12 weeks have passed already!

I'd like to first tell you all that have messaged me with supportive words and kindness...thank you all so very much!!! I'd also like to let you all know that this is not the end of my blog! You can't get rid of me that easily! lol I am nowhere finished with my transformation!

With that being said... here we go!

It's one thing to just show up at the gym for my weigh in and measurements, it's another kind of torture to do an entire training session with Lisa first! lol
You will see (once I can get the photo to load properly) just how awesome I look after an hour with Lisa :P

So without making you wait any longer... here are the results of 12 weeks of hard work and listening to my coaches :)

(I will be adding pics asap, unfortunately they would only load upside down lol please refer to my "Shopping with Sam 101" post for my most recent photo!)

Ok, ok.... here they are.... the numbers!!!


Start 186lbs Now 165.2lbs Total -20.8lbs

BF% Start 40.6 Now 36.6% Total -4%

chest 44" 41.5" -3.5"
waist 37" 33.5" -3.5"
hips 45" 39" -6" (holy jeebus!)
mid thigh 26" 25" -1"
mid calf 17" 16" -1"
bicep 14" 13" -1"

For a grand total of 16" lost overall :)

I'm not going to lie, I was a total mess after my weigh in. Not because I was unhappy with my results, the opposite actually! The past 12 weeks have been a huge challenge not only physically but mentally also! I have pushed, pulled, sweat, cried, laughed and celebrated with the most amazing group of women! From Sam and Lisa with my training, Jenna as my partner in crime, Amanda and the countless boot camp ladies that always have time for motivating words and of course my closest friends and family... I have been completely blessed!
The idea that this particular chapter has ended is bitter sweet. My training with Lisa is finished (for now, I'll be back though lol)and now all my choices are mine alone.

I still have BeautyFit boot camp (thank goodness) and the information and tools I have been given over the last 3 months. I am now completely in charge of what happens next... I smell a whole new challenge happening! lol
What I do from this point on really is the true test to what I have learned and actually implemented.

Sam asked me later that day what I ate after I left the gym, not cause she wanted to scold me or anything, she was curious. I replied, the same things I always eat!
I though about the idea that "all bets were off" and "I have no restrictions anymore" and then I felt like that person would be a quitter... what would that say about me if the first thing I did after weigh in was to go eat junk?! That's not why I did all this!

Am I going to have a "cheat" meal... of course! lol (stay tuned for the blog) I still love food, but I love me more :)

165.2lb hugs... Crystal :) xo

Shopping with Sam 101 :)

Shopping!!! The mere thought of it puts a smile on the face of millions of women... not this one lol Unless it's shoes, purses or something that doesn't discriminate with size ;).

Clothes shopping is still a huge issue with me, most of it boils down to fear. Will things fit? Will I look stupid? What the hell do I even like? and What size am I?!
Ugh! lol
So what happens when a particular thing causes me fear and anxiety? I get called out on it and face it head on! lol

So with fear of the unknown, I venture out to stores I've only been in for friends...
Good thing Sam is with me :P

First on the list GUESS... no, don't guess! The store GUESS! lol



One of my besties is a big Guess fan, I always told her that I wanted to be small enough to fit into a Lg Tshirt there.... well..... after going straight to the shoe section out of habit, then being piled up with clothes (Sam was having WAY too much fun lol) and heading into the dressing room, not only did a lg Tshirt fit but so did jeans!!! WTH?! Needless to say Sam and I ended up in tears in the change room :P Never would I imagined that I could walk into Guess, pick up a shirt or heaven forbid, pants of all things, and actually have them FIT!!! There is a serious disturbance in the force! lmao Who is this person? Is it really me? Holy Crap!

So off to the next place (I bought the Tshirt btw)... LeChateau...
Dresses proved to be a little more challenging... to my utter surprise, a lg fit there too, however, being large chested has its own set of problems lol.
Trying to find the right "cut" or fit for a dress can be pretty tricky. Yes I have lost a large amount of weight, I have done weight training, cardio and much more... the reality is that some areas,coming from such a large size, are going to take a little longer to "respond" lets say. I'm good with it... I've made my peace with this ongoing battle and it will not get me down! lol

In the meantime, A-line dresses are the cut for me :)
Once again, a huge pile of dresses accumulated and one after another, I tried them on! The a-line was the most flattering for me and I really like the style.
Sam and I talked about something I never had thought of before, building a wardrobe!
I was used to getting a pair of dress pants and two shirts that were "ok" and switching back and forth for work. When choices are limited and you don't feel like yourself in the things you can fit into... this is the best I could do.
Now, with a brighter insight, I can shop around with much more choice and find "pieces" that I like and make a statement about who I am.... this will take some time for me but I feel so much better prepared and for once, optimistic about clothes shopping!



This dress was my (and Sams') favorite... she put this "before and after" together for me to remind me how far I've come :) We all need a little reminder now and then!
I didn't end up buying it, I might go back for it lol but with so many choices.... a girl has to keep her options open ;) lol

Guess T-Shirt hugs... Crystal :) xo

Training... it's not supposed to be pretty :P

Hi All :)

So I've been putting off doing this blog... why? Cause I'm silly! lol

It's about time you all see what it looks like when I train :P I warn you, it is NOT pretty... it isn't supposed to be! I make the most bizzare faces and am generally a sweaty mess. This is what 100% looks like...
BTW... thanks Lisa (my trainer @ World Gym Kitchener) for taking these pics on a Fun Friday no less lol... enjoy!!!






Jimmy once told me that if I ever popped a blood vessel from lifting weights then I would officially become part of "Team Mentis"... goes to show how sick I've become that it's now on my goal list AND I want a Team Mentis Tshirt!!! ;)



Notice how blurry some of the photos are? That's an action shot of my lightening quick ninja moves hehehe...



Seriously...Look at the size of those weights!!! If someone would've tried to tell me a year ago that I would be doing this stuff, I would have passed out laughing at them! :P



This roller thing made me feel like I was doing an infomercial lol Then I almost face planted (a couple times) and decided to focus!!! hehehe

Honestly, for those reading this, thinking "that can't be me, I could never do that" etc. It CAN be you!!! WHY NOT YOU?!?! You deserve it and are worth the effort and investment in yourself! That was one of the hardest things for me to come to grips with... it still is sometimes. But look at what can happen when you take just one step at a time! Baby steps work for a reason... keep taking them, then before you know it you're running 5K and actually liking the feeling of sweat in your eyes!... ok, I might have gone too far with the sweat in your eye thing ;) lol It stings like a B#*?@!!! lol

Till next time...

Pumping Iron hugs... Crystal :) xo

How's this for motivation?! ;)

Hi All :)

While there are many reasons to choose a healthy lifestyle, lose weight and get in shape... I thought I'd share with you some new reasons that you may not have thought of! :)

First, as an short obese person, I always had to use those HUGE bath towels after my shower... and there was not a bunch of extra left over either! Now I can easily wrap up in a regular towel! Seems like a small victory? Well $20 vs. $6 for each towel adds up to a new pair of shoes pretty darn quick!!! ;)

Next.... PANTIES!!!! Holy Moly thin people!!! You have been buying your skivvies for ridiculous deals like 10 for $25 WTHeck?!?! lol I'm gonna have gitch coming out my wazoo at prices like these!

And while I'm on the subject of clothing... REALLY?! Sales are everywhere! Tanktops 5 for $20, $15 jeans... no wonder all my friends have such huge wardrobes! lol

Groceries... while many will argue that buying fresh produce and veggies is expensive, I would counter with... try cutting out all prepackaged convenience food. It's difficult at first but like all difficult things, it's totally worth the effort. Your waistline, wallet and sodium levels will thank you! :)

Now on a bittersweet note ;) An unexpected side effect to losing weight for me is that most of my heels are too big.... meaning..... NEW SHOES!!!! lol

Hopefully this little list gives you some low cal food for thought ;) I'm sure I'll be adding more as the epiphanies come to me! lol

Cheap undies and little towel hugs... Crystal :) xo

Finally... a 5K!

Hi Everyone!

So as the title of my blog says... I FINALLY did a full 5K on the treadmill! WooooHoooo!!! :D
This was a pretty big challange for me, I've had a really big mental struggle with learning how to run and pushing (and finally pulling) myself through to finish it.

As you can see below, I made it in under 50min which was awesome. Totally stoked about that! :)
At one point I remember thinking, "I don't give a sh#% if you're tired, you're not getting off till you've done 5K" lol I think that what Jimmy means when he says I'll start pulling myself...hmmmm I may have just gotten "it".

And the whole experience would not be complete without a pic of how I looked afterwards lol
Just FYI, I was still seeing spots at this point :P hehehe My daughter asked if I put BeautyBum on my face by accident! lmao

While I know this was my challange to meet and conquor, there are many people that have helped me sooo much with just not giving up on myself. Obviously Sam and by fellow BeautyFit partner Jenna, my trainer Lisa and the beautiful and inspirational Sheryl from World Gym in Kitchener! Thank you guys so much for all your words of encouragement and knowing this was a tough one for me but kicking my ass to keep going! :)

Sweaty and Stoked hugs... Crystal :) xo

The Hardest Place to Eat Healthy!!!

Hi All! :)

I'm sure we've all been there... doing our very best to eat clean and healthy, staying focused and making the best choices possible in every situation.
Let me help you by warning you of one of the places you are just better off being prepared with your own snacks...

The Movie Theater!!! :( lol

My daughter and I (and some great girlfriends of mine) are all huge Harry Potter fans! So when we got the opportunity to be able to see ALL the Harry Potter movies on the big screen, we jumped at the chance :) Don't judge people... I love these characters and cry at the movies too lol ;)

So for 7 Mondays straight we have been seeing the entire series...



I had already begun my 12 week transformation when we started going so I was prepared to pack (and sneak in) my own snacks! lol
It wasn't until Sidney and I sat down to our first movie that I realized how horrible the movie theater food really is!!!
Even Sidney commented that there was a serious lack of healthy options lol



Poutine....really, someone sat in front of us with one and the smell nearly drove me mad! I'm not gonna lie... it smelled amazing but really look at it, it looks pretty damn gross! The smell of the salt was overwhelming and made me thirsty lol.



Popcorn with "butter", chocolate (I still love chocolate lol), candy, soda AND to make matters worse... nachos and cheese, greasy pizza and chili fries too! Your best possible hope is the fat free frozen yogurt....unless....



You're pro active and bring some goodies :)
Yep! This is what was stashed in my purse... not just my snacks, but Sidneys too... after all what kind of example is it to eat healthy but let your kids eat crap?! Don't get me wrong, treats in moderation are fine... but junk is junk! Her treat is the frozen yogurt:) We bring our own bottled water because $3/bottle is just ridiculous... and if the reason of health doesn't speak to you, think of your wallet lol. Imagine the cost of theater food... save yourself some cash AND calories... pack some goodies (I've even brought cottage cheese with berries and an ice pack lol).

If people are cool with eating poutine right beside me... they can deal with the crunch of my sugar snap peas! ;)

Expecto Patronum hugs.... Crystal :) xo (yep, told you... BIG Potter fan;) lol

Family Trip to Whole Foods :)

Hi All! :)

This past Sunday Ian (hubby), Sidney (kidlet) and I headed to Whole Foods Market in Oakville.
I was first introduced to Whole Foods by Sam when she brought me there in the spring as part of my "50lbs lost" Lulu Lemon reward road trip! (Still adore my scuba hoodie that I got that day... thought lately it's been a little warm for it ).

I was so excited to be heading there with my family because I knew they'd love it there too...



The first thing you notice when you walk in is how bright and colourful it is! Everything is so neatly stacked and arranged beautifully... it really is like edible art! :)
With all of these pre prepped foods, it's difficult to make an excuse about not being able to eat healthier, Whole Foods isn't the only place that makes healthy options like these readily available...:)



I'm a sucker for herbs and spices lol and they even have edible flowers which Sidney thought was pretty cool!



I couldn't resist taking this picture... the colours were so awesome and peppers are one of my faves!!!



This is the bath and body section, I knew Sidney would love this isle! She is obsessed with hand made soaps and scrubs lol She makes them for me all the time and is always looking for new inspiration! :)



Now on to the "main event" lol. I raved about the cafe area of the market and Ian and Sidney were both eager to check it out and get some lunch... oops I chopped Ian in half lol
The thing to remember about all this wonderful variety of food is that a)moderation is key AND b)they charge by the pound lmao Ian will never forget that now ;)



This is Sidney and her carb laden lunch! Btw... there's rice under her salad hahaha
I didn't even look at what Ian had in his container... it was just better that way! :P



This is my delicious, well balanced and portion controlled lunch ;) Mmmmmmmm.....



And finally, Sidney and I... I had to get in at least one pic ;) lol
I absolutely recommend a trip to Whole Foods market with the family... it's a great eye opener to the variety and possibilities that are out there. A healthier lifestyle doesn't have to be bland, boring and tasteless... Life is what YOU make it!!! :)




Until next time... check out the Whole Foods website www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Whole Foods Hugs... Crystal :)xo

My BeautyFit Transformation and the products I LOVE... BeautyFuel'd!!!

Hey All! :)

I hope all of you had an awesome Canada Day!!! I did!!! :)
My Canada Day began with an 8am session that I thought was going to consist of me tackling my good ole pal... the treadmill, for some improvement on my running lol
I feel very patriotic as I bust open my BeautyFuel in its red and white bottle ;)
BeautyFuel'd and trucking it to World Gym Kitchener (listening to some Pitbull, ya not Canadian but totally gets me moving!!! ;).

So, anyhoo, I get to the gym and walk in to see Sam checking in for cardio as well... I feel a challenge coming on... the price to pay by running into Sam at the gym is a trip out of your comfort zone! LOL BTW... that is NOT a bad thing :D

Instead of my date with the treadmill I end up in a twisted cardio adventure that begins with 20min of sexy Mr.Stairmill and ends with.... *insert drumroll* ...



YEP! That's me on a spin bike!!! :P hehehe

At this point I am thanking the universe for my BeautyFuel cause that is the difference between a "meh" cardio session and an "I've been ambushed by Sammi and kicked ass" cardio session!!!
True to form, not only did I keep up with 20min of steps BUT also killed it with 20min of Spin Class 101 Compton style ;) (bless her for motivating me with Pitbull lol).

Honestly ladies, if any of you have been following my blog (thank you sooo very much btw xoxo) and have not yet tried the BeautyFit products... TRY THEM! :) There is a reason that I am doing a "BeautyFit" 12 week challenge!!! This company and its philosophy have been a part of my entire weight loss journey, not just the last 8 weeks.
At my 239lb beginning, BeautyFit has been the ONLY product and training regime that I have trusted because they are REAL! They believed in me when I didn't and the products supported each step and stage as I came to it, and still are!
A big part of the BeautyFit philosophy is to pay it forward, because to change one woman is to help change a family and communities. I feel like the least I can do is pass my experiences along to hopefully help others!:)Seriously, take the time to read all the info on the beautyfit.com page... there are no BS promises, just reality and the willingness and expertise to help those that are truly wanting to make a change and help themselves!

What began as a regular trip to the gym became another barrier that has been busted! :)
What better way to start the day on our countries birthday?! I left the gym feeling accomplished and actually really liking he spin bike!!!

Happy and safe Canada Day long weekend to you all...(and Happy 4th of July to all my US friends)...

Spinning, spinning, spinning hugs... Crystal :)xo