Family makeover diary: Month 10

George
It finally happened; I broke through my weight plateau! It is incredible how difficult it is to just progress to one less pound. I had worked diligently at attempting to continue the weight loss, but the last several weeks, I had not lost even one pound.

Besides the food journals that I continued to keep, I took Despina's lead and started to measure my food, ensuring that I kept to 4 oz of meat at lunch and 8oz for dinner. I changed my fruit intake from 3 cups of fruit in the morning to one fruit per meal, including only half a banana. It is difficult to measure the amount of fruit, because in my mind just eating fruit is a good thing, right? Well as I discovered, it's not just the kind of fruit, but also the portions! Can you imagine eating only two slices of pineapple with 2 teaspoons of juice, a couple of strawberries and 15 grapes? It was huge to make these changes… and to adjust to this kind of eating and thinking.

My consistent training at the gym really paid off with my skiing. The strength in my legs, my mobility and confidence has provided a truly enjoyable ski season to date. I am looking forward to cycling in couple of months to realize my full potential and push my physical abilities to new levels. It's incredible when the diet, exercise and support from a life coach all combine to give me a level of confidence that is sometimes difficult to describe.

We are nearing the end of our Family Wellness makeover and progressing to a lifelong change of diet and exercise . . . what an adventure!

Ria
I started a new semester at school this month. I have 4 new subjects that I am taking now and I am trying to organize myself so that I can work on my assignments and not do them last minute. Cassie has been great helping me organize myself. She talked to me about priorities and making decisions about what is important and needs to be done first.

My Dad bought me a big plastic calendar that I can write on. We posted it on the wall and I use it to note when my tests are and when my assignments are due. This helps me because I can look at the calendar and see what I have to do that month. I think it will really help me.

I am having so much fun snowboarding. I have been taking lessons at Oshawa Ski Club and we have gone a few weekends to Mount St. Louis. I like snowboarding there! Next month we are going to Mont Ste Anne during March Break. We were there last year and I loved it. It will be fun!

Stefi
February was a fun month for me. I get to ski and do gymnastics all the time. I am skiing every weekend and learning how much fun it is. I went night skiing with my Mom and Dad and Ria. That was so much fun. It is different to ski at night.

I have to work hard with gymnastics now. My competitions start next month. I go to gymnastics 3 times a week and then I practice my conditioning the nights I don't go. I am a little nervous about the competition. It is my first one.

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