Makeover Diary - How it all began

June 2002
My teaching was winding down, but student assessments, record keeping and program development for the next school year were keeping me busy outside of school hours. KidSport's plans for their annual general meeting were in full gear and plans for our next year were high on the priority list. The Olympians Canada dinner went off well and the YES program was petering out as school graduations came and went. Life was getting more sane -- I was now working about 50 hours a week and felt like I had a lot more time. Of course I chose to spend it with the kids and try and right the house a bit. I didn't spend any time on my self at all. I did get to meet Mary-Ann Owens, my life coach, and knew right away that this gentle relaxed woman could help bring some sanity into my life.

As the weather in Calgary finally warmed up, I started to get my spring/summer clothes out of the box in my closet. Nothing fit. I was nearly 20 lbs heavier than last summer and nothing would fit me. I'd purchased two pairs of shorts for Mexico and these became my summer mainstays. For work I just wore dresses that had no waist. I felt completely down -- physically and emotionally.

July 2002
Summer came and I was just working on KidSport 25 hours a week, which meant I could work in the mornings and spend the rest of the days with the kids. This was more like it! I was more relaxed and less stressed out. I was busy with the kids but I also started to do some basic fitness, walking or running 3-4 times a week.

Then a three-week vacation camping with my husband's family in BC was next on the agenda. We are all very close but every female is very skinny. I outweigh them all by 50 lbs or more. I am the tallest but I can't really justify it as an excuse. So while all the skinnies were on the beach in their itsy bitsy teeny weenies I just hung out in my voluminous shorts and baggy shirt. We had fun but I was so self-conscious. Food wise, what can I say? I was on vacation and, remember, I had no will power. So the food and exercise cancelled each other out and my body remained a constant 175 pounds.

August 2002
Vacation was over and the kids and I got back into our little routine, with me working in the mornings and spending the rest of the day with them. I kept up with my occasional exercise regime and was getting ready because the Canadian Living project was starting in September. Things were great for the first three weeks, then everything got into the mix.

The photo shoots were being organized and I was actually getting pretty busy with that and then school was starting again -- the teacher organization week at the end of the month. For KidSport we had just received news of funding and we had hired another staff person and were getting ready to hire another. I was to work 10 hours a week for KidSport and four full days a week as a teacher. Mentally I was feeling refreshed and was looking forward to my new schedule. We had lucked out and our neighbour across the street was going to take care of the boys three afternoons a week -- they were now going to French kindergarten. Tim was to be home Thursday afternoons with them and I had all day Tuesday off. The plan was for me to work for four to five hours on Tuesday morning and then be with the boys in the afternoon. I was to do my other five hours for KidSport spread out during the evenings and weekends.