Wha'd up?

We are in the process of getting ready for Xmas as tomorrow its Christmas EVE!!!

It was haircut day this past Saturday. 

Here is Twin 1's hair before and after pic.  She was going to grow it with Twin 2 but it became too much for her to deal with so she chopped it again.

And on the way home we treated ourselves to these.

Ashburn is now open to take the pups so this is the view every night.  We made it through the longest day of the year and now it is on its way to getting lighter every day earlier now.

Wiww took some Xmas pictures of her little ones.  Shatner wasn't into the Tree pictures but Mooney was.

And here are the two.

 

 

ITS CHRISTMAS WITH G TONIGHT!!!

Tip Tuesday

Ditch your working lunch

Munching on your lunch while at the computer could lead to mindless grazing, according to a study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. People who ate their midday meals while playing a computer game ended up eating more cookies 30 minutes later than those who hadn't been gaming. So carve out 20 minutes a day (we know, you've got a million things to do, but … ), and eat in your conference room (or outdoors!). Your whittled waistline will thank you.

Motivational Monday

We want to wish CF some big CONGRATS who won the women's portion of the weight loss challenge that her and Twin 2 were involved in.  Along with a weight loss of 6.26% she scored herself $160!  New challenge starts in January!

Friday Funny

Wha'd Up?

Less than two weeks until Christmas!!! We got our gifts bought, trees are up and we are ready for the big day and to spend time with the fam.

Twin 2's bus driver is in the Christmas spirit.  When she got on the bus yesterday morning Christmas decorations and an elf bus driver greeted.  Can't beat that service.  

This past Saturday Twin 2 had her annual Christmas party.  It was a quiet one but it was nice for everyone to get together.  It usually happens twice a year, one during the birthday bbq in July and the other at Christmas.  We planned on having a fire because it was such a beautiful night but the wood was too wet so that plan failed.

This past Sunday Twin 1 and her hubby took a trip to Truro to meet a friends baby boy for the first time and watched some football while there.  Meanwhile Twin 2 went to a co-workers Christmas open house.  

Neither of us socialize much throughout the year but it seems like we make up for it the month of December.  That's enough.

Christmas haircut this weekend!! Still not sure if we'll continue trying to grow out the hair or chop er all off again.  We also have Christmas with Greg this weekend.  Whoot!!

Tip Tuesday

Turn your cheat day around

Feeling guilty about that giant ice cream sundae you enjoyed on the weekend? Don't beat yourself up! It takes a lot of calories—3,500—to gain a pound of body fat. "So really, that one off day doesn't usually result in any significant weight gain," says Newgent. It's about what you do the next day and the day after that's really important—so don't stay off-track. So be sure to whittle away at those extra calories over the next day or two, preferably by boosting exercise rather than eating too little. Starvation is not the healthy answer!

Motivational Monday

Friday Funny

Fitness Survey

So we found a fitness survey online and thought it would be fun to fill it out.  We'll each fill it out and it will be interesting to see how similar our answers are.

1. What do you eat for breakfast?
Twin 1: On workdays usually oatmeal and banana.  On the weekends usually shreddies and banana.

Twin 2: On workdays usually a banana and either yogurt or oatmeal.  On the weekends it's always toast with pb and banana.
2. How much water do you drink a day?
Twin 1: I drink about 3 water bottles a day.  Weekends usually only a few glasses if any at all.

Twin 2:  I usually drink 2 Costco water bottles at work and try to drink one full one in the evening...the weekends are a different story.  I could go all weekend without taking a sip of water.
3. What is your current favorite workout?
Twin 1: I would have to say Jillian Michaels videos as they are only 1/2 hour...and of course walking the dogs at Ashburn now that its open for dogs.  I did community Bootcamps on November which were enjoyable but I'm being cheap this month. (They weren't expensive to begin with)

Twin 2: I do enjoy the JM workouts because they are only 30 minutes but I also enjoy anything Chalene Johnson because she's fun but currently I enjoy the bike because there isn't much to it and you can read or listen to podcasts or watch Netflix.
4. How many calories do you eat a day?
Twin 1: I would estimate between 1200-1500 during the week. maybe about 4000 on the weekend HA!

Twin 2:  More than I should.
5. What are your favorite healthy snacks?

Twin 1: Apple & peanut butter

Twin 2: Cucumber and hummus
6. What do you usually eat for lunch?
Twin 1: At the moment I rotate between two eggs and a can of tuna with baby carrots.

Twin 2: Something mixed with tuna or egg.  Twin 1 got me onto Tuna 
7. What is your favorite body part to strength train?
Twin 1: Biceps

Twin 2: Arms or abs
8. What is your least favorite body part to strength train?
Twin 1: Legs

Twin 2: Legs
9. What are your "bad" food cravings?
Twin 1: Chocolate!!

Twin 2: Chocolate/baked goods
10. Do you take vitamins or supplements?
Twin 1: Nothing regular at the moment but some protein powder at times and Greens.

Twin 2: Not on a regular basis.  Sometimes protein powder or greens that Twin 1 got from her neighbour. 
11. Do you eat fast food?
Twin 1: No usually.  Once or twice a year me and the Twin go to A&W for the Teen Burger Combo!!

Twin 2: No.  Most fast food does not agree with the belly.  However if I had to pick it would be A&W Teen Burger Combo all the way.
12. Who is you biggest supporter?
Twin 1: My Sista's

Twin 2:  Twin 1 of course
13. How often do you eat out?
Twin 1: Maybe once every couple of months.  I'm too cheap. 

Twin 2:  Not too often.  The husband and I rarely do (sometimes we will get pizza on Friday evenings but that's it) and some days at work if there is something to celebrate but that's not too often.
14. Do you have a gym membership?
Twin 1: No but I might start going to Twin 2's gym depending on price.

Twin 2:  I have a membership to my home gym which rarely gets used.  Anyone wanna join?
15. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
Twin 1: 7-8...unless I stay up late watching Netflixs or whatever is on the PVR.

Twin 2:  Roughly 7.
16. Do you have a cheat day?
Twin 1: Not really....but Saturday and Sunday I basically eat whatever whenever as I'm not on the same routine as Monday - Friday

Twin 2:  Everyday is a cheat day.
17. Do you drink alcohol?

 Twin 1: No

Twin 2:  Nope

18. Do you have a workout buddy?

Twin 1: My sista's

Twin 2:  Twin 1, CF at work (whenever we can get it together...we do talk about it a lot though) and Sista Wi.
19. What is the best thing that has changed in your life since adapting to a healthy lifestyle?
Twin 1: No much but since I started taking Onyx out on some run/walks she cuddles with me.

Twin 2: Not a whole lot but I guess meeting new people and feeling like you belong in the running community (when I ran lol)
20. What is the last healthy thing you did?

Twin 1: Ate lunch

Twin 2: Didn't eat dessert last night lol

What'd up

Dr visits! 

Does anyone else have to wait a loooooooooooong time to get into the Dr even though you have an appointment?  Do they overbook or show up to work an hour late?  That was Twin 1's question while waiting over an hour to see her Dr yesterday.  Her appointment was for 10:30 and she didn't get in until 11:30. 

 
It was just a yearly check up with the family Dr but seriously why not just do walk in's as it would go much faster. 

We googled reasons why Dr's are late and this is what we found:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-living-pictures/9-real-reasons-your-doctors-running-late.aspx#01

Is your Dr late on a regular basis?  Or do you have a Dr?  They are definitely hard to come by.

Twin 2 decorated her tree this weekend.  It took all Saturday morning because after the lights were on the free toppled over all on its own and there was a mess to clean up.  It's tied to the wall now so all's well.

If you are wondering how the Advent calander is going...it's going.  Twin 1 is doing a whole lot better than Twin 2.  We're thinking we may go back to the chocolate calanders next year.  We, so far, have gotten a mix of hot chocolates/tea/biscuits and a chocolate but it's not really wowing us.  The tea so far has been the only disappointing thing but we do like our chocolate.

Twin 2 had a little former co-worker get together on Sunday (thanks to Twin 1 for assisting in the preparations.  She was rewarded with leftover desserts).  Twin 2 searched 'the Google' for some snack ideas and found these which were very easy to make and festive:

There was also a few more munchies and some desserts.  It went over quite well and it was great catching up with everyone.  Some haven't seen each other for about 3 years.  

And we'll leave you with Pearl relaxing by the tree.

Tip Tuesday

It's a common mistake with a heartbreaking result.  The starting gun sounds and you take off - fast.  Inevitably, the swift start takes its toll, and you slow down and miss your goal.  Oops! A more effective way to nail a time is to run a negative split - that is, starting conservatively so that you run the second half of the race faster than the first.

Motivational Monday

Friday Funny

Wha'd up?

ITS CHRISTMAS!!!!

and

ADVENT TIME!

So Twin 1 comes up with the GREAT idea that we can not open up our daily window for our treat until we do our workout for the day.  This makes Twin 1 get up and get her workouts done but not Twin 2...but it's only Day 2...maybe she'll learn to.

Twin 1's Day Tree

Night Tree

Twin 2's tree...we put it up last night and will let it fall and decorate later in the week.  We're going to see how Gil gets along with it as well.

He's curious.

Over the weekend Twin 1 dog sat Susie for her Sister in Law

Her and Pearl played the whole weekend!  It rained all Saturday so therefore Pearly was a mess along with the floors.

Tip Tuesday

To build up for longer runs, start by extending your longest run of the week by two to three miles.  If you normally run seven to nine miles every Sunday, work up to nine to 12.  And do a medium-long run during the middle of the week every other week

Motivational Monday

Black Friday

Wha'd up?

Wednesday came and went without notice.  So we have a blog post for you for today.

Today is the beginning of the Holiday Season with a day of Football and Festive Specials from Swiss Chalet.   YUM YUM

Two weeks ago now Twin 1 got her furnace cleaned and the gentleman noticed that the pipes from the furnace to the in floor heating were leaking so her hubby and his friend fixed them.  With that being said, their furnace is way back in the laundry room with no easy access to the side of it so they had to cut the wall out to reach it.  As you will notice in the picture this is not the first time they have had to reach the side of the furnace.  This time Twin 1's husband said he would put a little door in there but she has yet to see that door.  She predicts it will still look like the below picture come the new year.  The one that is temporary is usually lined up with the wall but Aunt Bib came over and Pearl was so excited that she pushed her into the wall.

And she sleeps with one eye open to make sure she misses nothing.

We saw these in Lee Valley catalog which are good to have for running in early mornings or after 5pm.  We have yet to purchase any.

We thought this was a treat of the past as we had only ever seen them at Target but HERE THEY ARE AT WALMART or SUPERSTORE (forget which flyer)!!

Speaking of runs Twin 1 did a run Tuesday morning with a neighbor friend. And we are walk/running with our Wittle Sister Wiwwia.  More on that on another blog post.

Also Twin 1's neighbours keep trying to get her to buy products they are selling and she keeps caving because she has a soft heart :-)

I believe we showed you the IT works Global stuff she got from the neighbor across the street and this time its the neighbours behind them.  The coffee is good but she has since tried the Lattes and really likes them (or did the one cup she had so far).

Tip Tuesday

Motivational Monday

Friday Funny

Wha'd Up?

Seems like forever since we had a Wha'd Up post.  Last Wednesday was Remembrance Day and hence forward it's been everything Christmas.  Three things that signal the start of the Christmas season for us is: 

1.  Peppermint Marshmallow candle and Peppermint Mocha

2.  Candy Cane Donuts

3.  Peanut Butter Cups

We have 4 batches made so far....only about 4 or 5 more to go.  We're hoping to be done by the end of November.  I don't think we've gotten so many done this early.  That means we can enjoy December.

So Twin 2 turned her tablet on the other day to play Candy Crush as she had a few spare moments and hadn't played it in a while.  Looks like she won't be playing it again anytime soon.  It will be approximately 231 years until her next life becomes available.

So we're not going to say Lou and Gill are friends but they now kinda tolerate each other...this doesn't happen often and when it does it's not for long.

So both of us are attempting to grow our hair...not long mind you but just grow it a little.  It's not going the greatest at the moment.  We'll stick with it at least until our next appt on December 19th.  Then we will decide if we chop it all off again before Christmas.  So we had our appt this past Saturday and we got no length taken off only thinned. Again, only thinned and look at the pile of hair on the floor.  That was just from 1 of us and not both.  It's crazy!

Tip Tuesday

To keep feet healthy (and odor free) dry them, taking care to get between the toes.  This removes the moist environment where smell-producing bacteria thrive

Motivational Monday

Friday Funny

Remembrance

Tip Tuesday

Rather than running the same pace, add bursts of faster running that last for 60 to 90 seconds.  The added intensity will increase your caloric after-burn during the 24 hours after your workout as your body recovers from the added physical stress and restores muscle glycogen and protein.

Motivational Monday

Friday Funny

Wha'd Up?

The BLT race was back on October 24th.  It went off without a hitch.  Everyone completed it at their own pace and we all did better than expected (which wasn't much lol).  This year the race was timed so it was nice to see the clock as we were running in.  Next year we all need to practice more though instead of waiting until September or October to do a few runs lol.  After the run we all went to Twin 2's for some homemade icecream cake and coffee.  We made plans for brunch at her place next year.

Missing from photo is CF and her daughter S.

Halloween was this past Saturday.  Not too many kids out compared to last year so there has been alot of leftover candy eaten in the past few days.  The time has changed as well.  We gained an hour on Sunday but that means it gets dark around 5 or 5:30 pm now.  That's not fun.  Shortly it will be dark in the mornings and dark in the evenings.  We just need to make it to December 21 (shortest day of the year) and then our year will be a little brighter.  

Can you believe it's November 4th already.  Remembrance Day is next Wednesday then Christmas will be in full swing.  The Parade of Lights is November 21 so we're looking forward to that.

AND guess what else November means....YUMMY!!

Speaking of Starbucks and Christmas, Twin 2 has joined a weight loss challenge with her co-workers.  It started last Monday and runs until December 18th.  Week #1 has passed and she lost 2 lbs so far...just think what could happen if she actually started working out and after the Halloween treats are gone...SHOW ME THE MONEY!

Tip Tuesday

Embrace your inner early bird.  Your core body temperature is lower in the morning, so it takes longer to overheat from exercise performed in warm conditions.  Plus, levels of cortisol (a hormone that helps break down fat for fuel) are higher at daybreak.

Motivational Monday