What a Year!

It was a great one in many different areas :)

In January I set the following:

Professional:

To take the studios to a new level. TICK

To cut back my hours – realistically I cannot work 14hour days forever. TICK!

To take more time out. TICK as above.

To implement some different training sessions I’ve been working on. TICK!

Personal:

Smash my running PB'S. TICK

To do my first triathlon!! TICK

To get my shoulder sorted out for good. TICK

To respect my body, feed it nutritious fuel, and it will perform better and stronger TICK

What an awesome year!!! That would have to be the first time I have ever achieved all my goals that I set to do!

So for 2009....

Professional - few things on the agenda; including cutting back training hours to concentrate more in the managing of the business! It's currently 2 full-time jobs. Having a business is a never-ending responsibility, and one can only hope for continual growth as well, so that's the goal!

Personal

About 6 months ago I set the goal for my first marathon in July 2009. It's still in my head but I'm not quite sure if I will go through with it... (don't tell my training partners!). I had a massive year of running last year, full-on training and competing, so I'm keen to take it a bit easier, like halves instead of full marathons will be fine thanks ;) That goal is pending - watch this space ;)

Triathlon - I do not want to embarass myself with my lack of swimming skills again! But I will promise myself right here and now, when an event is announced in memory of Laura, I will definitely be in that one. (as long as the swim is not in the ocean!). I did get all excited seeing all the events Liz is planning to do in 2009 though. That competitive spark in me is still firing!

To drop more body fat so I can see my muscles - and keep them growing :)

To live life like its your last day - deep and meaningful explanation coming up -

One of the most tragic things that I experienced this year was Laura's death. I have been fortunate in my life that, apart from when my grandpa died when I was 14, no one extremely close has passed away. I've been touched by friends and other people's sadness and been to many funerals when their loved ones have died, so I can only imagine the pain they're going through. I've never had to say good-bye to someone so like myself - age, interests, personality. It hit so bloody hard. After going back to work after Laura's memorial service I thought "what the hell am I doing here". The little office tasks that were so important before felt so insignificant. In the overall scheme of things, it means nothing. If I was the one taken what would those tasks matter now? And I could be taken the same way next time I go cycling. Who knows? Why do I stress over what at the end of the day, is unimportant? My whole view felt like it shifted. Of course this stuff still needs attention, but ALL of it?

So much to the disgust of everyone around me ;), my excuse for everything is "you only live once!". I'm not planning on throwing myself out of a plane just yet, but trying to LIVE more!! My sis and I and our other halves were planning a weekend away at the reef, which happened to be only 2 weeks after I returned from the Gold Coast. The little voice said "but you've just gotten back, you can't go away again!!". Who bloody says!??!?! "You should really be saving money". It's only money and one weekend, who cares!! YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE!!

Jeh's mentioned The Bucket List movie before - that's a classic example, why wait till you're dying to start to LIVE and do the things you've always wanted? Within reason of course - I'm not flying first class around the world but we all work bloody hard for our money, we should take more time out to enjoy it (where and when possible).

So that's my 2008 done - and didn't it go soooo damn fast.

Here's to 2009 - and at the risk of sounding like a broken record:

YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE, SO DO IT WITH FEELING!!!

Gorgeous picture courtesy of my sis' honeymoon photos in Tahiti.

It's All over for 2008 :(

We had an awesome Christmas. Ate well, and drank well. I was at mum's house all day so no harm was done. I started with my traditional early morning run, it always sets me up well for the day. Came across a little snake all curled up - that was a nice 'surprise'. It is the season for them too though! We spent time in the pool, had various visitors, it was a great day :)



Some of the things I scored:
Shoes
Blingy earrings
Blingy watch - I picked all those things out. A girl needs her bling! ;)
$$$ for my many trips this year!
LJ Gym Bag
Myer gift voucher for when I'm on hols
Clutch bag
Kate Moss perfume
A lamp!



I did good :)

Round the pool :)

Only a few hours later - my sis and I crashed while watching a DVD. Can't have been too good ;)

Boxing day I went to my grandparents beach house - it's always relaxing down there.

Gym Saturday in attempt to make a dent in the damage I caused!


Saturday night I had to take my cousin and his gf from Brisbane out. We did dinner (which conveniently had happy hour cocktails...) and I don't think I need to say anymore. Nothing that a stint in rehab won't fix.


So I'm feeling like the michelin man, but nothing that cleaning up my act won't fix so no point wallowing.


I'd like to see that nice number on the scales again before I go away in 14 more sleeps to the Gold Coast :) I'm heading up to Brisbane on the Wednesday for a session with the boss lady, Liz. I'm a little scared :)


My best friend is bringing her three kidlets over for a swim now, so I'm off to play godmother!!!

SANTA VISITS TONITE!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so spoilt - I got sooo many more pressies from clients today, and they weren't all food!! A bottle of wine ;) , a beauty/body pack, a smelly candle along with more chocolates and rum balls. These ones are going to be given away - that's not rude is it?!

I also received a lovely card that gave me an "awwwww" moment. I don't mention work too much (other than to whinge LOL!) but it was so nice:

"My turn to tell you how fabulous you are. Thank-you for all you have done for me. You have changed my life as others have not achieved. I have re-discovered the athlete in myself - a little older but still more 'me' than the non-athlete."

We finished with bookings at midday and I did all the closing down stuff and was gone by 12.30pm :) YAY!! And did I mention - for ELEVEN days, and so not counting! ;)

Scooted to the gym for my last workout - I can tell Santa will be leaving me some severe DOMS tomorrow! :)

I'm off to mass tonite with the family, then to nan's house for her traditional Christmas Eve party :) First thing tomorrow morning will be a run (it's my tradition, I do it EVERY year) or if dad's keen for a cycle I'll do that :)

All the best to everyone for a very very happy and healthy Christmas. Stay safe and enjoy being surrounded by your loved ones. I hope Santa visits - if you've deserved it this year ;)

Three Sleeps to go...

Can't ruin the pattern and not blog tonite! Only three more sleeps till Santa's here :) I survived my mega day - which didn't end up being that bad after all. Or maybe it was just the Christmas shirt, earrings and reindeer antlers I had on all day. Much to the other trainer's disgust. He wouldn't even wear his Santa hat. What a grinch ;)

Thanks guys for the nice comments on my pics, if I had taken it seriously maybe there'd be some really good ones :) And errr hello to anyone who may have come via the link on Liz's blog ;)

I'm outtie, early to bed, early to rise!

FOUR more sleeps :)

I've been receiving gifts from clients, and they all happen to be food gifts. And I happen to eat them all ;) Home made banana bread, rum balls, mini fruit mince pies, and all that other stuff, I've received it. Shame is, I love that stuff, of course I want it! I just don't like what it does to me :P Scales were a bit wobbly - Friday's weight stayed the same, Saturday dropped .2. I'm only .6 above the lowest I hit last week, but I don't care! I'm certainly not depriving myself, quite the opposite ;), but still training hard to minimise the damage!

My boy and I took some fun training pics on Saturday morning! I had another spray tan (yes tanorexic I've become!) and thought we'd have a play around - inspired by the other hot training pics some of the girls have done recently.

My very minimal make-up was done in 5 mins, if that, zero effort was made with the hair; and I'd had a day full of the aforementioned food the day prior. Yes I'm trying to pose, yes I'm trying to look 'sexy' but natural (lol), and YES I look like an idiot!!!!!!!!!!! You can look, but can't laugh!! Miss Lyndsay has explained to me how to pose, but I can't get it. Figure girl I am NOT!! hee hee

And that's with the darkest spray tan...

Still waking up maybe?! LoL!

And gee didn't we do well with the lighting round the pool!

But anyway, that's the current ME :) I've got heaps I want to improve, especially getting the body fat down - my legs and butt lag a bit... :) (notice there's no back shots!! hee hee, actually we didn't even take any!)

And for good measure... here's my big chunk of a boy ;)

And I thought I needed a tan!! LOL!!! He looks good (well maybe I'm biased!!!!) considering he was only playing photographer till I said he had to have a go too! He's never posed before but he looks way more of a 'natural' than me!! :P

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I finally finished my Christmas shopping!! It wasn't fun being one of the last minute people, but you gotta do what you gotta do! I have no chance of getting near a shopping centre this week, so it's a relief to be done.

Usually I have an easy run into Christmas with work; start getting into holiday mode early. Not this week, the next three days my other trainer and I are getting SMASHED! The third one has the week off - so taking her clients as well as fitting 5 days into 3 means I've got a MASSIVE day tomorrow, I'm scared! :P At least all the clients know that consistency is the key - just because it's holidays doesn't mean your fitness and health need a holiday :) It's the best Christmas present you can give yourself.

So only three more working days for me, then 10 days off. I will totally need it by then! The other trainer is back and she's keen to cover the following week. We're a good team. I left them Christmas pressies on Friday and I got the nicest text - "Did I ever tell you you're the most awesome boss. Thanks for the card and the gift, Merry Christmas to you and your family". Awww I felt special :)

Anywho, I'm tired, gotta be mentally prepared for the onslaught, so to dreamland I go!!

Have a very special week!!

A Nice Little Surprise...

Earlier today I was concentrating on training a client when the normally quiet lady shrieks "Oh My God, THERE'S A SNAKE". Her reaction made me scream! My back was towards it but as I whipped around I just saw a brown slithery thing in the reception area slide off. Oh.My.God. I've come across snakes before but not ones that ME and ME only have to deal with!!!

I just panicked and said to her "What do I do?!?!" Of course this poor girl's hugest fear in life is - snakes. Enough said. Now there's no men in this building so I went next door and they just laughed at me.
"Oh is it about this big" (demonstrates with hands). Yep, that's him. "Oh, it was in here yesterday and we chased it away". WHY THANK YOU BOYS, you chased it right into my studio!! "It didn't look like a good (ie - less deadly) one. Ring RSPCA" was all the help they could offer....

So my poor client had one eye on the sucker to ensure it didn't slide away, and I called a snake-handler. I sat on a box, keeping an eye on the fridge it decided to hide under. Phone was ringing, but I couldn't get up to answer it - couldn't take my eye off the fridge, plus the closest phone was also close to the snake. But what if it was the snake-handler and they couldn't find the building? I had to be brave and answer it.

He got here half hour later (which is quite good really!) but do you think he could find the sucker. And there was no bloody way I would have been able to work knowing that somewhere was a little slithery animal. After almost destroying the place, he found it. All curled up sleepy. What the hell is a snake doing in the CBD anyway?! He's now gone to some bush.

I am SO glad she saw it; imagine if I unknowingly went to the back area and it appeared.

We worked it up to be some deadly animal, but for all the efforts, it was only a snarky little tree snake.

But they can still bite!

ONE WEEK LEFT!

Now the countdown's getting little :P

Weight: up .8 - we're playing see-saw are we?!

Managed to get everything done yesterday including RPM and chest/shoulder training. I even had a unplanned last minute chat with a trainer who's looking for work - all very exciting, she's keen as, and we're really needing a 4th team member.

Mum's b'day yesterday so dinner last night was Thai - unplanned but I chose the bestest stuff and it was gooood. No doubt the evil scales will be right back where they belong tomorrow...

Hanging for the weekend - was even contemplating chucking a sickie tomorrow, but conscience has already got the better of me! Can't wait to relax with my boy; we hardly see each other anymore as he works out of town. We're planning a date night - the movies and much to his disgust, I want to do a drive-by of some of the houses with Christmas lights on display. (I really am a big kid when it comes to Christmas). That's the plan anyway... usually we both fall in a head and are in bed by 9pm on Fridays! Old codgers aren't we :P

Wednesday 17th December 2008

Weight - back down .8.

Got my first Christmas pressie this morning from a company I do corporate training for. Gifts are never expected but it feels good to be appreciated!

Got stacks on today, I'll be happy simply to survive :)

Tuesday.......

Scale weight - up 1kg from Friday.

Care factor - zero.

Had a massively busy weekend - my boy had his cousin up from Brisvegas and I'd never met her before so it was a BBQ Friday night. I did the Christmas shopping thang with my sis (and NO dammit, I'm still not finished), then I had an 11.30am appointment for a 'make-up lesson'. I've never had my make-up professionally done (except for when I've been a bridesmaid), and never had colours matched properly. The colours she mixed and matched looked hot! (in my eyes anyway) ;) The cost was fully redeemable for products, so spend up I did. Now to see if I can re-create the look on myself...

Saturday nite was our 'unofficial' staff party - we took out my boy's cousin and her friend, so I told my 2 staff to come along for a few drinks. They also happened to ask every client they came into contact with after we arranged it! It was fun having a few drinkies with them, and letting them see us as humans! Late night that one ended up.

Sunday I had our annual Christmas lunch with my 2 best friends - without their kids - much to their delight. Sunday nite was a BBQ at mum's for her birthday!

So it was a big weekend of stuff on for me. I ate well, I drank well, I had a ball, and I'll get that scale back down in no time :)

Only 6 more work days till a 10 day break. I so so sooooooo need it.

And only 9 more sleeps till Santa's here!!!

It's Friday!

The week has whooshed!!!

Scales today read down another 200g. I'm just waiting for the spike upward, I can't have this much luck in a week! ;)

Just returned from gym from a leg smashing - did a PB to boot! Go Super-Legs! ;) Last time I was sore for days, so I may not be walking tomorrow... but I have to suck it up, I'm planning a 5am run! It will be fun in my heels tomorrow nite - I won't be walking all that sexy ;P

Enjoy the weekend peoples!

Two weeks to go

Two weeks to go, hey ho the dairy-o, two weeks to go.

I bet you can't guess till what?! :P

Little Miss Anally Organised is disgusted at this year's efforts - I've done no Christmas shopping. None. NADDA. I keep putting it off now coz I know how busy the shopping centres are... but silly girl, they're only going to get busier. I have crowd-phobia. I hate crowds. I hate heaps of people. Especially ones that stop their trolley in the middle of a jam-packed aisle just to have a chat. GRR. But more annoying are the ones that walk so bloody slow. I'm on a mission alright?! M-O-V-E! (....Well that little sentence just took on a life of it's own didn't it! :P)

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Laura's memorial service was held yesterday. It was incredibly sad. A memorial bike ride was held before it which ended at the church service. Laura's mum and her younger brother rode in it on her bikes. I thought that was so so so special, and incredibly courageous of them. It would have been so challenging. She was only living here for 2 years, but the church was packed to capacity and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. The cyclist she did her final ride with last Saturday (and also performed CPR until the ambulance arrived) paid tribute to her at the service. She was in hardcore training for the Hawaii ironman, and he said her final ascent up that mountain (in which the tragedy happened on, on Saturday) was incredible - she was visibly stoked with her effort and he was in awe as well. Her training was paying off. He finished with, "I did my best Laura". That set me off. There were many, many more tributes to her. It's such a terrible, terrible tragedy; it's just not fair for someone so full of life to be taken so young. Sleep well Laura, I'll miss seeing the back of you getting further and further away from me in every race. (I never did beat you like I said I one day would) xx

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I'm feeling 'healthy' with the spray tan I got last night. Although it was just a little intimidating having 2 people seeing all my bits. Ah well, the girl has to practise on someone, I don't mind donating my body. The first thing she said was "Ok, so you won't have to lift up your boobs for us". LoL. I was stunned - people have to lift up their boobies?!?! To get underneath in the crease of course. Silly me :P

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Looking forward to the weekend - got a few social events, but don't tell the boss. I expect that the scales will NOT be in my favour early next week, but whateverrrrrrrrrr. Tis the season :P

PS: I saw a 4 on the silver devils again this morning :P 49.8, to be exact ;)

Down Down Down Down....

I'm on my pre-Christmas blitz. Since I pulled my finger out a few months back my weight has dropped from 53.8kgs over winter - might I add a very uncomfortable 53.8kgs. Remember I'm vertically challenged. That's with all the half marathon training - hey if I worked it off it meant I could eat more right...? Not quite...

The day before I left for my boy's Christmas Party I acheived my goal of sub 50 - sneaking in at 49.8kgs. YEEEHA! Since then it's crept back up with the indulgences as well as going 10 straight days of no cardio. Isn't that disgusting. I was busy, OK?! :P

Back to scheduled programming this week and this is what's happened:
Monday weight: 50.8kgs
Tuesday weight: 50.4kgs
Today: 50.0kgs.

Bring on the naughty forties again!!!!!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEHA! I'll be logging daily to keep myself accountable... if I slip up you all have permission for a virtual butt-kicking :P

I know there's some good muscle happening in there as well. I was a smarty pants last week and just 'had' to test myself with chin-ups. I really had no idea of how many I could do. There was 2 other people in the gym - enough to try hard so I don't look like a sook, but not too many to look like a doofus in front of if I fail miserably!!! LOL! See I had it all planned ;)

Started, pumped them out, got to 10! YEEHA!
Had a rest did another set of 8. Had a rest did another set of 6.

I was so excited! I never knew if I could properly do any, let alone many. My god I knew about it the next day, especially in my abba dabbas :)

Stronger, yet smaller than I've ever been! YAY! I would never have achieved so many of these good things without my boss. I need the accountability just as much as my clients need it. I'm training with purpose and to not let someone else down. And look what it's done for me!!! :)))

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Reading Jeh's post about the compliments she's been receiving lately, and rightly so, reminded me of a few things that have been said to me lately. Call me a boast but more than anything I'm stoked that others can see the result of my bloody hard work.

I have a gorgeous little client who trains 4x per week - he's a machine - once a chubba now a buffster. His friends are jealous of his chest (and he loves to take his shirt off, rightly so!). I was in a singlet, as opposed to polo and pants, and he was chatting to me as I was tying my hair back. (Has anyone seen how good your biceps look as you're tying back your hair? lol) He wasn't talking to me... he was talking to my arms. hee hee. "Some big guns you got there! You can't tell under your uniform." I told him I was trying to keep up with him ;) He proceeded with "you don't want to get any bigger though, that's just right for a girl...". Why thanks for your concern Jayden!!! LoL

I trained 3 ladies in the park so again had my casual uniform on. I was told a few days later that one of them wanted my arms, the other wanted my legs. LOL. My legs that I've always disliked for being too chunky; someone likes them! My golly gosh. Maybe they aren't that bad after all :P

Although I've always trained, I know I'm looking like it now :) Just to work on that tan... ;)

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And speaking of tans, I'm donating my body tonight for a spray tan! My IPL chick also does spray tanning and she's training her staff and needs bodies to colour in. Pick me pick me!!! I have some good friends :)

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Today is a memorial service for Laura. A LOT of people are going to be there, it's going to be extremely sad, but a great celebration of her life and the zest she had for it.

Enjoy hump day peoples.

ONLY 15 more sleeps till Santa's here!!!!!!!!!!

Star Mackay Athlete Killed in Cycling Accident

Newspaper report is here.

Still a little shocked at what's happened this weekend. It's another sad wake-up call to live each day like it's your last, because you just never know what's around the corner. My prayers and thoughts are with her family as they travel home. No parent should have to go through a tradegy like that. A memorial event in her name will be the best way to honour her memory.

RIP Mate

Our small yet very close-knit communities of the Road Runners, Cycling and Triathlon clubs are in a state of shock and disbelief this weekend. One of our most talented girls was killed yesterday in a cycling accident. I found out this morning and after getting over my initial state of shock, burst into tears. We weren't training partners - she was way too good for me - but we always had time for each other and had a chat at races.

When I found out she was in my age group my initial thought, all in fun. was "oh crap, why do I have to be against HER!" She wooped my butt in every race, but still always encouraged me... She got second to me at the Road Runners Presentation Dinner for our age group 18-34, but by default - she flogged me, but I did more races than her therefore accrued more points! Her triathlon committments didn't allow her to race every road run.

There was one road race a few months back on the same day as a triathlon. Our race course had us running past the marshalling area for the triathlon at the beach. I was struggling and tried to sneak past the tri guys (with a sudden burst of speed I might add) until she yelled out "GO SELINA" as she saw me struggling, and therefore drew the attention of all the competitors to me!

She did the King of the Mountain race for the first time this year and won the female division, wiping out the previous multiple winner. It was just another training run for her.

She was overall female duathlon champion. She was in training for her first Ironman next April. One extremely talented and dedicated girl. Nothing got in the way of her training.

She's from NSW and her parents are here to take her home for her funeral. The triathlon club is hoping to hold a memorial service, which will be a very sad event. So young - early twenties, so dedicated and taken way way way too soon.

RIP mate. We won't ever forget you or your dedication to this sport.

You Know You're Tired when...

1. You have to give your work phone number and you cannot remember it. I thought it sounded right, till I came back and checked. Oops.

2. You lock yourself out of your workplace. Keys inside a locked studio are no good.

3. You go straight instead of turning right at a major intersection and have to travel way up the road to the next major intersection to turn back around to go right. What was I thinking!

GAH GAH GAH!

Tired - or maybe just going INSANE! ;)

If it comes in threes, my three stoopid things are done for today! :)

Today did have a few emo moments... Which ended up in frustrated tears.

But nothing that pumping some weights didn't fix. Why didn't I do that 6 hours earlier?! :P

GAH!

That's how I feel. I'm so tired of being tired and busy. I need to curl up in a corner and hibernate for a few weeks.

Had stupidly late nights last week getting some things done for Christmas that myself and a friend who has her own business are doing as Chrissy gifts. I have wrapped over 500 gifts up; and that is by no means an exaggeration, it's probably closer to 700. I had to have them all done by last weekend as I was away all weekend so no chance to catch up. I.am.never.wrapping.another.gift.again.EVER. GAH.

My boy and I both worked stupid hours last week and we were buggered, BUT we went out on Friday night (stoooooooopid idea). Ministry of Sound DJ was in town and we really wanted to go. 1pm was the curfew so we would have been OK for a 7am wake-up. Yea, right - got home at 3am, it was really good, we didn't want to leave. Woke up at 8am thanks to his mate calling us.

Drove up to Airlie, jumped on the boat and we were on the island :) It was overcast and not the best day. Drinks were on the company; I only had 2 cocktails and that was enough for then. Had a few more drinkies at dinner that night and we were in bed by 11.30am. Exhausted. Up early again Sunday, so unfortunately it wasn't a weekend of relaxation, we were on the go the whole time.

On the upside, the silver devils (aka scales) are in my favour, I came in yesterday at only .2 above my lowest weight which I hit last week. YAY! Still doing my best to power through training although my head isn't totally there, the muscles sure are. My back is sooooooore today.
Onward and upward. 2 more early starts then a sleep-in. Zzzzzzzzz

And then there were FOUR!

Weeks till Christmas :) I cannot wait.

Been flipping busy, so exhausted, but pushing hard for THREE more weeks then things will ease off in the Christmas week. I may even have a few days off - we'll all have our turn but we don't close through the Christmas period other than the public holidays.

Mid January I'm off to the Gold Coast and Brisbane for a week, that's my real break. I can't wait to just do nothing. Then four weeks after that it's Bali baby :) Until then though, heads down bums up!

Had a MAJOR break-thru with the silver devils this morning - I saw a number I've been aiming for, for a very veeerrryy long time! My goal was by this weekend, AND I DID IT! I really didn't think I would as I've been floating for about a month... not today - it was ALL MINE BABY!! Just in time for my boy's Christmas Party at one of the islands!!!! WHOOO HOO!! GOAL ACCOMPLISHED. The next one is my Christmas goal, I'm sure the silver devils and I will have many more battles before then ;)

Have fun all, be good, work hard and play hard!

In Case You Weren't Aware...

There's FIVE weeks till Christmas today!

Good Stuff :)

Things are going really really well in my world. After my last deep thoughted post of wondering, I got over it. I was tired... And that says it all.

I'm feeling FABULOUS - other than the fact I'm in a a bit of pain in both upper and lower body from SuperDOMS! But its allllllllll good. My boy thinks its great as he only has to poke me to annoy me and it hurts! And unfortunately for me, I get it a hell of alot worse than him. I just tell him he's wussing it and needs to train harder.

All my clothes are looser; I had an "Oh My God" moment last night - when you catch a glimpse of yourself and do the double take - Holy crap, I think I've lost weight. AND, I can see muscles, lots of them! :) Takes a while for the old brain to catch up to what's been changing in the last few months. It's all happening, so I'm happy!

Work is just AWESOME too!! Just like personal goals, I've had business ones as well and just recently we achieved a goal we've been striving for for 2 years. I was one happy little chappy. All the staff got bonuses. If I wasn't me, I'd love to work for me. LOL!! ;)

And as a fantastical end to the week, I paid off my business loan. Wasn't due to be repaid for another year, but it was such a piddly amount, and I had enough sitting there, so I did it! A few people said "but it's all tax deductible" - whatever, would it really have made that much difference in the end - the amount paid in interest was stoopid!

So I'm debt free! For now anyway. ;)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!!!!!!!!! I certainly am! :))

One for the Girls!

I'd Love to be 8 Again

A man asked his wife what she'd like for her birthday.

“I'd love to be eight again" she replied.

On the morning of her birthday, he arose early and made her a bowl of Coco Pops and jammy toasties! He took her to Alton Towers and put her on every ride in the park:
* The Death Slide
* The Wall of Fear
* The Screaming Monster Roller Coaster
Five hours later she staggered out of the theme park. Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down.

Right away they went to a McDonalds where her loving husband ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a refreshing chocolate milkshake.

Then it was off to the movies: the latest Kiddies three hour epic cartoon, a hot dog, popcorn, all the Coke she could drink, her favourite lolly and M&Ms! What a fabulous adventure!

Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed onto the bed exhausted. He leaned over his precious wife with a big smile and lovingly asked
'Well dear, what was it like being eight again?'

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression changed to one of total realisation...
"I meant my dress size, you f***ing idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

(The moral of this story: Even when a man is listening, he's still gonna get it wrong.....)

And the Most Asked Question of the Month is...

"So are you still going to Bali"??

Struggle City

Is where I have been. Not sure why. I've been training my ass off, and for the most part, loving it. After registering the lowest reading in over TWO years on the richter scale last week, I had a weekend of sabotage. Not just a Dirty Diana, but what is now called a Filty Freida. ;) Why do I do this to me?? Is it feeling that I'm not worth the success I strive SO hard to achieve? Is it just complacency at once I'm getting there I can relax and let it all go? Is it constantly NEEDING to bugger it all up just so I can achieve it once again to feel good again? Is it because I don't know HOW to do anything but yo-yo after the past 10 years of 'dieting'? Is it because I can't be happy and content, and need to be unhappy constantly do to something productive about it?

That's alot of questions... I didn't know I had so many! But it's something for me to think about...

In training news I've been going AWESOME! I've changed the some of the times I go to the gym and now go when it's peak hour traffic with all the footy boys. Stoopid when I'm used to hogging the gym to myself, but I get to go with my boy and he pushes me way out of my limits. I remember again how beneficial it is to have a trainer! I'm Lat-Pulldowning more than I ever have... And although it's not in my current program, I've been doing barbell bench press when he can spot me. I haven't done that in 2 years since my shoulder started being naughty, but when strapped up, and with a spot, I went straight back to the weight I did all that time ago. :) ROM isn't perfect but... I still did it! YAY!

Remembering that does make me feel a bit better about things. One filthy day isn't going to undo all that hard work. I forced myself to the gym today for cardio, hated it, didn't want to be there. And that lasted all of 5 minutes until the blood was flowing. Then I fell in love all over again.

Work has been busy, life has been busy - but that's normal, and everyone else is in the same boat, so I've just gotta suck it up and get on with it. I've slipped back into old habits of not sleeping well, but my poor lil brother is dealing with some crap, and I know I've taken on all his emotions. I'll get back up and be on top of the world again. I'm halfway there already :) There's many people out there dealing with major issues, if this is all I'm dealing with I'm doing well.

I'm leaving Struggle City and heading straight to... somewhere cool :)

The Weekend in Paradise...

We had an awesome time up at Airlie Beach on Friday night. It was fun to just get away for a night :) After work, I trained legs (not a good idea... read on), and we took off. Our motel was gorgeous right up on top of the hill with beautiful views.

It was steep enough driving up the hill to the motel, but once you get there, the driveway to our room, which happened to be the last one on the end, was even worse!! My sis and I kindly sent the boys off to get dinner for us. :) hee hee. They came back puffing and sweaty!! That night it wasn't a good look having to walk up and down the steep thing all dressed up!! Heels had to come off or a nasty accident would occur!! The way back up was torture for already sore legs and butt!!! Go those buns!!! :)

Here's mwa doing my best Posh Spice impersonation before we left... You kinda get a glimpse of the dress I'm so in love with... But definitely not the most flattering angle ;/

My sis and I doing the traditional 'in-front' shot!

The Awesome Foursome (yea I just made that up) on our way back home. We were back by about 1am, so an early night by partying standards! The Potbelleez concert wasn't too bad, I only knew a few songs though, and I didn't dance, preferring to 'take in the atmosphere' ;) Lots of people were dressed up for Halloween, I contributed by wearing black.

The next day we hung out at the lagoon and had lunch before driving home. Look at the 2 ghosts in there - can you tell we're very sun safe!!! LoL

And if those pics excited the pants off you - the rest are on facebook ;)

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I did nothing for Melbourne Cup today. Nadda. In fact at 2.05pm race time, I sent an email off and the response was... "What are you doing emailing me at that time, are you not watching THE RACE?" LoL

There's no TV at work, I got the result immediately on the internet and I'm sure I'll see a replay or five tonight! I still put money on a horsey that did a great lot of NOTHING for me.

Hope everyone had a nice day! And there's no sore heads tomorrow...

Happy Halloween!

Just like a kid, I love Christmas (only 7 weeks and 6 days to go you know!), and of course I love Halloween :) I arrived in Canada on 31st October 2002, so our first night there was heaps of fun. They go all out. I had another Canadian halloween in 2003, complete with carving the pumpkins, kiddies trick-or-treating and attending a massive Halloween bash that evening. I just LOVE it!

So in 2004, in an attempt to bring the spirit back home, I had a Halloween party. The house was covered in cob webs, spiders and skeletons. I was dressed up, as were about errr... 5 others - one being my 2 year old goddaughter! It seems dressing up wasn't cool enough for the majority of the party. Didn't matter, I had heaps of fun anyway.

So again today, I'm dressed in all black, complete with cape and witches hat. I've made the other trainer wear a headband with spiders attached on wires - complete with tinsel. He's resisted all morning - I told him its non-negotiable. The client's are getting a kick out of giving him heaps for it. LOL.

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I've finished with clients half-way through today, and I'm outta here! My boy and I and my sis and her hubby are heading up to Airlie Beach for the night. The Potbelleez are doing a gig up there so we thought it was a great excuse to go on a mini road-trip! (They play here tomorrow nite, but the venue isn't too good...) Tomorrow will be spent at the lagoon. :) Can't wait!

Have a scary day :P

My Award

This is how I was rewarded for all the hard-core, almost-throwing-up training sessions in the off-season this time last year:


The nice little plaque I received at our Road Runners Presentation Dinner on Saturday night!! :) Scuse my obvious lack of photographic skills... I have no idea where the light should be situated to not reflect!

For those who are even slightly interested it reads:

2008 Club Championship

1st Female 18 - 34

(My Name)

Total 18 Points

5k Queens Park 22.58 (2nd)

9k Cape Hillsborough 45.19 (1st)

10k Queens Park 47.53 (3rd)

28k Sarina to Salonika 2.38.27 (1st)

21.1k Harbour 1.53.11 (1st)

16k Slade Point 1.24.11 (1st)

3k Queens Park 13.39 (3rd)

1.6k Magic Mile 6.39 (2nd)

Makes the hard work alllll worth it :)

Perfect End to the Weekend

As much as I didn't really want to - it's off-season after all! - I drove myself to where our informal, social, off-season training session was being held. It was a 10km full of hills. These suckers were huge, but I didn't stop once to walk as much as my legs were screaming at me to.(although I told myself that was acceptable, after all, it is off season... noticing a theme here?!). I haven't done hills for months, but all those spin sessions on the bike have definitely helped keep them tough ;)

We stopped at a park complete with park-style gym equipment, for a drink break, and the boys threw a challenge - no one was allowed to continue until we'd completed three chin-ups. I wasn't going to do it, gawd, I had no idea how many unassisted chins I could do, but almost everyone else did so I kinda had to. I stopped at six - and they were still feeling good, but I really didn't want to look like a show-pony :) So yay for me, I had no idea how many I could do! Nothing like a bit of a challenge to get the competitive side out!!

Big week coming up, I'm flat-stick with appointments tomorrow, but that's cool. I've scheduled time to do my own training... I've got a fight on with the scales this week, I'm going to show them who's boss :)

Have a good week all :)

But wait, there's more!

I did a quick squizz round a few shops today - the few that open here on Sundays - yes we're in the dark ages still up here, there's no Sunday trading for shopping centres! Aaanyway... after the 3ish hours yesterday coming up with nothing, I found it within 30mins today.

The Perfect Dress.

I tried on a kazillion, mostly with the same result as yesterday. You know the one you see on the rack and think "nah, not what I'm after, but I'll try it just in case"? Yes, well that one, the second last of about nine of them, was THE one. I found my partner in crime. So much so that the assistant said in true Paris Hilton style, "That's HOT", and had the customers she was serving nodding their heads with approval! Hallelujah! They were probably just as relieved as me! After all, they had seen enough of them!

I was in a bit of a stinker mood this morning, nothing like a little bit of retail therapy to shift the mood.

AND

I also got a pair of denim shorts - another item I've been after - that don't make my legs look too chunky! 2nd big win!!!

AND

At the same time my sister called me.... We're seeing P!nk again in Brisvegas next year!!! YEEEEEEEHA!! She got the tix today, all bought and paid for.

Gosh I've spent a hell of a lot of money this weekend. I think the fact it was my anniversary is good enough - can't have all work and no play - do you think?! ;)

Happy Anniversay to meeee!

Yesterday, 25th October was 4 years since I took over ownership of my business. Four years of hard slog, stress, tears as well as pride, satisfaction, great friendships and successes. No matter what career you have, there will always be something to test you, and you always come out stronger the other side. I wouldn't have it any other way :)

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My shopping expedition with my sis was extremely unproductive. How hard is it to want a wardrobe stable - the Little Back Dress. I found dresses I liked, many of them, but did they fit me right or have my size? Of.Course.Not. Some size eights swam on me- of course there were no sixes in that particular style, then some eights in other styles wouldn't fit round my butt but the tens were like a bag! Consistency would be nice! ;) Lack of boobage is one of the major dramas - some dresses slipped straight down to my waist. Real attractive look! Anywho, it was a rushed trip as I had a hair appointment at midday.

I did walk out with a sexy pair of shoes - yes! I found some that fit!! - as well as P!nk's new CD, so all wasn't wasted!

And after going dark again, and getting some style happening, my hair is looking super-hot (at least until I wash it tonite! lol), if I say so myself ;)

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Last nite was my annual Road Runners Presentation Dinner. It's fun to dress up and see everyone in 'real' clothes! I walked away with some bling - Club Championship 1st Female in 18-34 year age group :)

Just, Stuff

I was given free tix to a movie premier on Monday nite - that's the upside of advertising, you also get the suck-up stuff the firms you advertise with offer! I took my sister with me to "The Women". I don't think my boy would have appreciated that one. There is not one male in it, anywhere. Not even in crowd scenes. And you don't even miss them :P If you're up for a girlie movie, this is it!

I'm totally addicted to Katy Perry's CD at the moment. It's one of the best cd's I've had in ages! I bought it about 6 weeks ago, and it plays non-stop in my car, and I still haven't gotten to the point there I'm over it, which is saying something - I have a short attention span with anything.

I love it! I haven't loaded it on my i-pod yet, but the tunes will be good for cardio! Some of the attitude in her songs reminds me of Pink. And speaking of, Pink's new album is out on Saturday. My obsessive sister has pre-ordered her copy so she doesn't miss out, so god help our credit cards, we're doing the shopping thing together again this weekend!! :)

Enjoy hump day!

DONE

I think I just burnt off the calories from the weekend drinks, and hopefully some of the stored ones from the butt region! Had a good session on my spin bike; it's sooo hot, I was sweating bucketloads.

I rarely consume alcohol (serious!), but mark my words, there will be not one alcoholic bevvy pass my lips - I'm on a mission now, I've got 6 weeks until my OH's all-expenses-paid work Christmas Party at one of the Islands. I just want to feel comfortable, anything more than that is a bonus ;)

Here's a close-up of the sexy shoes I wore. I LOVE these shoes, and they suited the top perfectly, and you can't see it, but the skirt is 2 layers - the black slinky underpart, and lace over the top to give it the floaty look. Match made in heaven ;)

Hee hee

My sis just sent this pic through...

Check out the attempted pose!

Been looking at one too many figure competitors pics me thinks ;)

FUN FUN FUN!!

We had the bestest fun yesterday at the races. It's so much fun getting all glammed up! I had a few drinkies, had no bets, and can't even say I saw any horses race ;) It was just heaps of fun socialising and seeing people I hadn't seen for a long time.

My sis took heaps of pics which I haven't yet seen, but here's a pic before we left. Aren't we just gorgeous ;)

Yours truly, my sis, her friend and my bro's girlfriend.

Me and my boy.
That black and white thing on my head is a fascinator... although it looks a little like a magpie in the pics!!!!

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And from Friday night at my brother's birthday dinner in my other purchase. Can't see it real well but it's the first time I've ever bought an item of clothing that doesn't need to be taken in, out or up!!!

Happy Birthday :)

It's my little brother's birthday today. A big 22. He's not so little anymore! His girlfriend has arranged a surprise dinner at a swish restaurant tonite with cake and sparklers and all the fancy stuff. I'm going to be strong and say NO to the cake.

It's going to be a challenging weekend; I'm off to the races tomorrow. The whole of the town is going. I only decided on Wednesday... If I found something to wear, I'd go; if I didn't, I'd sit at home (which is in the same suburb - literally 200m from the race track) and sulk.

I found THE.MOST.GORGEOUS outfit. I'm sooo excited. I acutally found three, nearly bought two of them, then sensible Selina kicked in and I bought the one. I really wouldn't get the wear out of two.

Last night I went shopping with my sister as she had the same drama. As we left her hubby said "Spend what you want hun". I looked at him; he innocently said "what?"... He has no idea what us to can get up to when we shop. She tried on three gorgeous dresses, couldn't decide, so bought them all! Oh I love shopping with her :) I walked away with another one too... it was a HUGE bargain I couldn't say no to.

So it's going to be a fun weekend of glamming it up. I'm going to behave as best I can... the scales are doing nice things to me lately. I'm seeing numbers that I haven't seen for a very long time. My comparison progress pics aren't all that exciting, but I've had 3 different people tell me over the last week that I've trimmed up; so I'm taking that and running. Fast.

And as a side note - the outfit I bought, and all the dresses I tried on were... size 6!
(I'm positive sizes really are getting bigger, but it still feels good just to say that) ;)

"Success comes the those who fight for it"

- Sir James Hardy

So When's it Your Turn??

Last nite my boy's younger brother and his girlfriend announced their engagement. They're 22 and they've been together for nearly 5 years, just after school finished for them. So it was all very exciting and I broke my alcohol fast for a celebratory bubbly last nite!

Of course, as my boy is older than his brother, the questions came to us. Straight up his grandmother came out with:
"So is there anything you'd like to announce too?"
"errr... no. I wouldn't want to take the shine away from them anyway"
(Like how DO you answer that question when put on the spot?!)
"ahhh but you've gotta remember the clocks ticking"
"!#$%^&*()!#$%^&*()!#$%^&*!#$^^&" was all I could manage...

(Are you saying I'm OLD!!!!!) I laughed politely and walked away.

I'm older than my boy (yes, I have a toy-boy), but that made me feel ancient.

Tick tick tick tick.....

For Doris...

Best pic I could find! I think I said they were Golden Edge brand. Not quite... they're produced by Golden Egg Farms; called Cutting Edge Egg Whites. I've also used the Ready Whites in the green box that you mentioned, but they've disappeared off the shelves as well.

Good luck on your egg hunt! ;)

It's the weekend!

I was so saddened this morning to read the news that missing backpacker Britt has been confirmed dead. I got goosebumps and felt ill reading about it. Can't imagine what her family and friends are going through.

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Did groceries this morning and nearly danced in the aisles at Woolworths - Frozen EGG WHITES ARE BACK!!!!!!!!!!! YEEEEEEEEEEEEHA!!!

They stocked them a few years ago, then they disappeared. I was sure back then I was the only one buying them. Every time I got to any supermarket, I just had a look. So you can just imagine how exciting it was today :) Let's hope they keep them now!!

(I have no problems separating eggs, but when your stomache is eating itself, that simple step seems to take forever!! I'm all for convenience!)

And in other News...

I'm going to BALI in February!!!!!!!

My best friend asked me in August if I wanted to go with her and 2 chickies she works with. February is the busiest month of the year with work, with school back in, and everyone back from Christmas holidays, it just goes bananas. So I said no straight up. No further thought.

After my few weeks from hell a few weeks back, she text me and said, 'I've just booked my flights are you sure you don't want to come'. From somewhere inside this procrastinator's over-analyser's, play-it-safe body, I replied 'yes I do, will call you tomorrow'.

Within 12 hours I had booked and paid. YEAAA BABY!!!!!!!!!

I had the arguments with myself, as you do. But came to the conclusion that I work to live, not live to work! Dammit, I'M GOING OVERSEAS!!! It's 2 weeks of 52 in the year. The world won't fall down in 2 weeks.

My boy gave me his blessing. Not that that would hold me back anyway ;) with the amount of boys weekends he goes on, he has zero reason to complain...

All booked and paid for, flights, accommodation the whole thing. The great thing is, my best friend is a travel agent, and the two other chicks are as well. So I've had to do nothing, just cough up the dosh! I'm in good hands ;)

Oh I can't wait, last time I went was by myself so it'll be fun to have a girlie trip!

And the bestest part - Indonesians have small feet... I'm gonna get adult shoes that FIT!!!!!!!!

Time Out

Well my intentions which I mentioned a few weeks ago to leave work by 3pm on the days I don't do split shifts hasn't exactly gone to plan lately. More like 5pm and 6pm. Ick!

Yesterday was a 'downer' day when (to steal Doris' line) there was just too much mist. I got upset over small things. It was raining so I cancelled my outdoor group session (ironically it did fine up not long after). My day also turned to poop with one-on-one cancellations... and there were so many things I could have done, but no point starting when I had to pack it up for the next client. Just one of those GRRR days.

So I left at 12.30pm. And never returned. Smashed myself stupid on the spin bike - that felt good, then got all dolled up to head back into town for an appointment. Feeling so 'blue' I felt like getting all prettied up. I had my 6th IPL appointment - I'm so close to being hair-free forever!!!! I can't recommend IPL highly enough, it's sooo much better than the usual hair maintenance :) After that I just felt like going shopping. And spending money :) The one time I'm in the mood, of course I find nothing. Nadda. My bank account wasn't complaining though!

I felt de-misted by the time I got home. It was such a nice feeling. So again I must remember that it is a priority to take time out!!!!!!! Even just a few hours here and there.

HOT TIP

Do not rub sports gel - the type that heats up - into a sore bit on your body right before doing cardio.

My butt got so hot, I expected there to be a puddle of butt that had melted off onto the treadmill.

Goal Review

These are the goals I posted up my this blog way back in January. Since we have less than three months left in the year, thought I'd better check out my progress! ;)

The red writing was my first quarter update in March, I mustn't have been feeling very enthused about the whole goal thing in June as I didn't bother, and in green is this 3rd quarter...

Professional:

To take the studios to a new level
Working on it... baby steps. Unfortunately the floods slowed things down in many businesses considered 'luxury' - beauty, hair, fitness, but we're getting there!!
Yea baby, things are going really really well :) It is that time of year after all when the panic sets in!!

To cut back my hours – realistically I cannot work 14hour days forever.
And I have!! However now I feel like I'm not busy enough!!!! Of course.
Err yes, that did work pretty well for a little while. Still working on that ;)

To take more time out.
Yep... as per above.
Well not really... except with I had bloody hives!!!!!! Forced time out ;) My BIG time-out adventure is coming soon, more about that another time!

To implement some different training sessions I’ve been working on.
YUP!! A few different processes are going through right now :)
YES YES YES!!! Finally got council approval for outdoor sessions in the park AND doing corporate training at their premises which is heaps of fun. Definitely an avenue I want to continue to pursue :)

Personal:

See all those run times to the right, they’re all gonna get smashed!!! ;) I’m working with a trainer who is KILLING me in training. My times aren’t breaking any records at the moment, but consistency and the WANT will get me there. Realistically – the longer distance times can improve, but the shorter ones may just hold their place on the blog board for a little longer!
Well I was right with the consistency and the WANT will get me there comment! I've blown myself away with results! My 5km PB still stands, but surprisingly I gave it a thorough shake-up a few weeks ago! A second-fastest PB can count ;) Some course PBs have been broken though! Yay to me!!
Better results than expected for that!! Smashed my 10km, 3km, half marathon times, all sunstantially! No more races this year, so the rest will stick on the board till next year :)

To do my first triathlon!! It’s coming, in March!
DONE!!! And loved it!!!
Done no more since, and haven't planned to. Not till this sinker can learn to swim anyway!! Next March when the same weeny one is on again and I'll give it another go :)

To get my shoulder sorted out for good.
Currently in progress! Yea.. sorta happening. I'm sick of babying it...
Yes, except it can't really get all that 'sorted' without surgery. Will be a loooong process and lots of kilometres of strapping tape but beats surgery in my books :P It doesn't prevent me from doing much so it's not too much of a hindrance.

To respect my body, feed it nutritious fuel, and it will perform better and stronger.
Yes, I'm feeding it LOTS of fuel... does sugar count ;)
Definitely doing better with food. I love it, I just know when to stop now. Most of the time ;)
I've smashed some PBs with the weights lately, so optimum fuel is doing me gooood :)

Gotta be happy with my efforts for 3/4 of a year!!

Crap I can't believe it's only eleven weeks till Christmas on Thursday! It's going tooo fast! So much to do, so little time!! Including organising my wish list of course ;)

Happy Anniversary!!!

Today is 6 years since my best friend was married. It really doesn't seem that long ago! It was my first time in a bridal party and we had the time of our lives lives at the wedding!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY GUYS!!! :)

A Sign?!

I had a dream last nite that I got a boob job. I was stoked!! Then I woke up.

I went shopping with my mummy today and tried on a pretty dress. She said there was no way I could get it as it made me look too flat. Look too flat?? I AM too flat!! There are some things that even push-up bras and water bras can't fix. But for everything else.... well to quote the ad, I do have a credit card ;)

Maybe one day..............!

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On the flip side, I did buy a new pair of summer shorts and two pretty girly shirts. I'm usually dressed in "sporty chic" as I prefer to call it. I have a kazillion more LJ items than 'normal' clothes. I'm doing my best to fix that! ;)

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My boy's away on the Gold Coast for a long weekend. End of season footy trip. No need for further explanation. So it's all about me this weekend.

I planned to get up early and ride my road bike into work for a workout. Of course, first ride in months (I'm a sooky la-la riding in winter, too damn cold!), and it rained. On the upside, I slept in till 6am then drove there. Trained legs, then as it was overcast and I was all gee'd up, I went for a short 30min road run. Rudely, the path I intended taking was closed to do a festival tomorrow. Security wouldn't let me run about 50m from the road block to the running track. The male guard was going to let me until the woman stopped him like I was a serial pest - "We CAN'T let ANYONE through AT ALL". Ooooooooook, coz I look all scary and stuff don't I. What was I going to do, run rank on the ferris wheel? Escort me the 50m! Nevermind, I had to take the boring track.

Done and dusted all the same :) Bestest way to start the day!!

GOOOOOOOOOOO KERRYN!!!!!!!!!

All the best for your comps on the weekend!! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

I'll be thinking of you!

Hope you don't mind I stole your pic of your super biceps ;)

Why Thank you Mr Canada!!!

I finally bought it - I'm king of my castle sitting here typing away on my new notebook!!!! I bought my new toy on Tuesday. I went armed with my list of specifications and questions, no salesman was going to persuade me otherwise!!!

I got a pretty good deal - he knocked $200 off the price. Well, the price it was listed as... I didn't even have to haggle, "today I'll do it for ummmmm *thinking hard* $200 less". I felt special but I'm sure they knock that much off it for everyone to make them feel they're getting a good deal! Sold me! I had to get a few other bits and bobs to link it to my work computer so he did good out of me anyway!

It was only as we sat down to seal the deal that he noticed my shirt. "Ahhhh so you're a Personal Trainer?" This is when we became best friends. Turns out he is a former competitive body builder previously from Canada - he won Mr Western Canada and his training partner was Mr Canada. I can tell you everything, as he told me everything! He showed me pics he had on his computer and it was quite impressive!! So we were talking for a very long time about training, fitness, food etc. I was his bestestest customer ever - he was very excited to have someone to talk to about something he was so passionate about - other than his job selling computers of course :P!! I was in there for almost 2 hours :)

I also got all excited as I used to live in Canada too - I told him exactly where and he knew, and I knew his hometown. It was quite an exciting little shopping excursion.

AND after all that, he threw in at no cost a wireless mouse (I'm h-o-p-e-l-e-s-s on this touchpad thingy), AND another thingy worth $200. I was waiting for the steak-knives ;) But now I've got so many features and thingys that I don't know what to do with them all! :P

But I'm such a smarty-bum, I set the whole network up myself, and it works!! Hey, that's an achievement for me, I didn't even know what to ask for, hence the list assembled my computer know-all relative! :)

De-Hived :)

I'm no longer a spotty, red, itchy, freak :) I'm all good again. The medication kicked in within a day, which was a great relief.

I went back to work on Wednesday to 'light duties'. LoL. I spent the day playing catch-up on all the admin that was neglected from having the 2 days prior off.

Having the allergic reaction (to what? I still don't know) was actually a blessing in disguise. I was not coping at work, and maybe that's one way my stress bubbled over... But being forced to have rest, gave me time to clear my head, watch a bit of TV, and do some catch-up around the house. I also brought paperwork home to do, wrote an article which was way overdue, and just got a whole lot of stuff done. And doing it in my home environment was heaps more relaxing - no phones ringing off the hook, not having to meet and greet multiple clients as they come through to train (not that that's a bad thing, but it's still an interruption of your concentration). I just felt relaaaaxed.

I went back to training clients on Thursday, heaps more happy, un-jumbled, motivated and felt like I delivered better sessions than possibly was before, due to simply having a load off my shoulders. So if I learnt anything, it's to take time out when I feel it needs to be done, not for my sake, but the sake of my clients.

Another step on the path to a less stressful existence starts today. I am buying a lap-top so I can actually leave the office and get things done outside of the studio environment. I do all the morning shifts so a typical day at work starts at 5.30am/6am and I train clients through till about 2pmish - depending on bookings, no day is ever the same. On Monday and Thursdays, I do a split so train people into the evening as well.

Being the big bad boss, I run everything so after my appointments have finished I then usually hang around till about 4-5pm doing everything else - returning emails, phone calls, doing admin, payroll, accounting stuff, cleaning, you know, everything! My days are long - usually in between I will fit in some training - but from start to finish it's easily 9-12 hours every day, Mondays are 14 hours :)

This week I made sure I left work by 3.00pm, if something didn't get done, it just didn't. I'm anal when I have my list, if it's on there, it HAS to be done, even if it's a minor, unimportant rask. Not anymore.

I'm still learning to not feel guilty if I'm not at work - I've always had that niggle, if the studio is open, I should be there. I have fully capable staff, the world isn't going to crash down if I'm not there to oversee everything! We had a big staff meeting yesterday in which all staff are to take on just a little more responsibility, things that I've been doing can easily be done by them, and it will make us more all more productive and efficient.

We have roughly 70-80 clients doing 130 sessions per week; as summer is here it's growing weekly... one person is never going to be able to do all that work! It's time for Miss Control Freak ME, to let gooooo....

Let's see how that one pans out :)

On another note - BEST wishes to TARA and any other competitors out there today!!! GO GIRLS!!!!!!!!

The Drugs are Good! :)

I'm no longer swollen, fiercly dotty or crazily itchy; I'm now a subtler shade of red and the itching is controllable, except for 3am-ish, of course. So smarty pants thought she should do some training. Err, not a good idea. I looked like a monkey with fleas. So that's what the doctor meant when she said "Don't get too hot or sweaty". Right, got it. Now.

My wonderful boy commented when I was at my worst; that as my face was so swollen, it looked like it did in the photo from when I came home from my round-the-world overseas trip in 2003. I had to think what photo he meant, as we weren't together back then...

Yaaha.. that's me. A very many few kgs heavier. The shirt says it all... "Party All Day" and that's why I came back looking like that!!

The pic's taken in Bali, in front of the rice patties. It's a great pic, except for the girl in the way ;)

But hey, look, I HAD BOOBIES!!!!!!!!

On the 'Roids Baby!!!

It's official, I've got hives. I look like a 12 year old with acne all over. Doc's given me a five day course of steroids, so that should knock it on the head. She's also given me time off work :) Not that I'd go anywhere looking like this!

So if I do weight training while on these steroids, does that mean I'll get super duper strong ;)

And why is it when your face and body is swollen, red and lumpy and you can't wear make up -you only need to go 20square metres, from surgery to chemist, you see not one, but three people you know?!?!

Pretty as a Picture

NOT!!!!!! I so wish I was kidding but I've had an allergic reaction to something and I've broken out in hive-like lumps all over my body. I will not go out in public without paper bagging my head!!

I was cranky all week, my face broke out majorly, my eyes were swollen and weepy. (Probably just a coincidence though). Friday nite I started getting itchy. Saturday I woke up with flu-like symptoms and scratching the first layer of skin off my body, then my face and all my joints swelled up. Took an antihistamine and cold and flu tabs, slept the afternoon away. Didn't feel too bad last nite until the itching started again. Woke up and scared the bejeesus out of me - my face, neck and arms especially are red, fat, lumpy and burning, along with my back, stomache and legs. I look just gorgeous.

I visited the chemist, and was given stronger antihistamines. I'm told it's an allergic reaction to something, but I have no idea what. As far as I knew I was allergic to nothing?! To Spring maybe?! Took the powerful tablet and it knocked me out all morning - I hate sleeping weekends away. I'm irritable!!!!!!!! I need to cardio today, I WANT to cardio, but I think my face will burn off if I get sweaty!!

I've arranged for my double shift to be covered at work tomorrow. I did hope for a bit of a break, but this is just going a bit too far. ;)

As the PussyCat Dolls say "Be Careful what you Wish for coz You Just Might Get It"...

I'm still waiting for the boobies.

Why Hello There

I can't believe it's been so long. My longest break ever in my blogging career. I'm alive, I'm not in a sugar-induced coma, I'm all good!

I've been F-L-A-T out - but who isn't busy these days. At the end of the day after everything else, sitting at the computer for more waffling isn't very appealing! So I've been training, training, training and eating GOOD! I feel awesome :)

Training stuff
I'm in love with weight training again; the two of us have always had a love-hate relationship. My shoulder is improving I think - I'm not allowed to train without having it strapped, but this week my 2 strappers were out of town - how inconsiderate - and I wasn't skipping training for that minor problem, so I went naked. And it felt OK :) I'm getting and feeling strong!

I've been doing some awesome evil little cardio sessions too - I'm in love with my Spin Bike, and of course still loving my once-a-week hit of RPM. Nothing like "Psycho Bike", "Evil Knieval" and "Le Tour De Liz" named workouts to get me all excited about training.

Run stuff
Season is almost over, and all the Club Championship races are over now. Phew!

24th August - 3km Club Championship Run - 13.39. Bit disappointed as my last time trial was 13.20, and all by myself! I thought in a race I would have gone better, but it just didn't feel 'right' on the day. It was my second fastest time though so gotta be happy with that! Liz planted the seed of a 12.45 3km, so you can guess what my future goal is now! ;)

7th September - Magic Mile (1.6km) Club Championship race - 6.39. Stoked with that, as that got me third place in female division! Yeeha!! The place-getters photo was in 2 newspapers that week, so I had clients asking if I could sign their shirts ;) LoL

Other stuff
My best friend came up from the Gold Coast a few weeks ago and we had good time catching up. We made the newspaper in the Social (ie party!) Section, which was the week prior to the run picture, so I've been scattered all over the newspaper lately!

Another best friend had her third bubby - a little boy about 4 weeks ago. Our lives are worlds apart! :)

Like a few other blogger buddies, I've been having a bit of a rough time balancing everything lately... I know I'm not coping when my staff innoncently comment "Gee you've been cranky the last few weeks". I don't mean to be Miss Bitchy Pants! I only did a half day Monday by rescheduling all my evening appointments, I just needed a break. Half a day off was only a band-aid though. Got some thinking and re-structuring to do. :) I can't complain that I'm busy though - I stress when things are slow, I stress when things are crazy-busy!

I re-joined my old gym last week which was the best thing I could have done for my body and head! Between working and training, I was in the studio 9-13hours every day -although I worked as hard as I could, my head wasn't fully in it - the phone would be ringing, staff going in and out. I find at the gym I just zone out and all the time is mine. And I just tend to go harder. Little Miss Show-Off coming out to play maybe?

That's it in a nutshell! I've seen everyone's getting those fancy-schmancy blog applications... might have to have a looksy at that! :)

Locals Doing us Proud :)

Ooooh how I love the Olympics!! My favouritestestest event ever is the swimming, (yea work that out, I can't swim to save myself but love to watch!) so I've been having a great week this week and as expected, not quite enough sleep. I've teared up over every gold medal the gals have won. I can feel their pride. I'm sad huh :)

I've also developed a very adolescent-type crush on Eamon Sullivan. He's always been nice to look at, but there's just something else about him that gets my ticker going. LoL ;)

Great day today - local gal Linda Mackenzie won a gold medal in her final Olympics in the 4x200m relay!! Her bro is good mates with my sis, so we've met at parties and stuff. Being a swimmer-stalker-fan, that's exciting for me! ;) The paper will go rank tomorrow, and so it should. She's been a quiet achiever in the Aussie team for a long time now!

Nick Ffrost, another local, will be bringing home a bronze from the men's 4x200m relay. Can't say I've met him... yet ;P

Then we've got Benita Johnson in the marathon on Sunday, that will be an event worth watching. Another claim to fame - I used to work with her brother! LOL!! Of course this isn't a small town :)

Then there's a boy in the hockey team who I went to school with - not that he'd know me from a bar... :)

I'm so inspired by all the results, just being there; to achieving a PB is a massive thing, and to do it on the greatest stage - just imagine how good that must feel!! Winning something to wear on your neck must be unbelievable!!

So on that note, I'm gonna go dream about it, coz that's the closest I'll ever get :)

Found!

I found some pics from the King of the Mountain run I did a few months ago :) Here's some evidence for your viewing pleasure :P

It's been a bit of a bumming weekend, which is just how I like when the Games are on! Yesterday I did an 18km run early again - my golly gosh it was cold yesterday. 9 degrees when we started at 5.30am. Of course I don't have any cold weather running gear so I suffered in a singlet and compression tights. At least my legs were warm. And because we were running so fast the wind chill factor was quite chilly ;) The further we got the warmer my body was, but my hands just froze with the achey painful cold. I couldn't get my key in my car and manage to unlock it at the end; someone had to do it for me they were so frozen. That'll learn me! I've made a mental note to at least wear my weight training gloves next time :)

I organised a had a social ten-pin bowling day yesterday with clients. It was so much fun. I had a great game my first one - 66 :P My second game wasn't so good... In fact I only missed out on the Winner's trophy for the lowest score (without trying of course!) by THREE points. That was close ;) I was second-last last year as well... I have a problem with getting the ball to not go in the gutter. Of course my smart-ass boy whose never bowled before came second overall.

Anyway, it's time to go back to the TV! Swimming's about to start :)

Why thank you... NOT!

I had a trip to the physio on Wednesday which was an experience. I got my shoulder seen to by the only health professional who hasn't had a look, feel, squeeze and guess. After having the general chit chat "So what do you do? Ohhh, so where do you do that" rah rah rah and going through my history "Are you of good health", err, well I bloody should be, we got to the fun stuff.

I had to strip my shirt off (thank god I wore a padded LJ crop top - for concealing everything people, not for other reasons). It was a little uncomfortable I guess standing there half naked while I was eyed up and down "turn this way, now the other way, lift you arm up etc etc etc ". (On that note - thank god for having done 4 IPL sessions, I only need to shave 1-2 times every 6 weeks and no, I hadn't thought to before the appointment!!)

So he asked what weight I'm lifting for shoulders. I jumped in first and said,
"well not much because I'm not sure what's going on with it", like I had to justify myself or something. But I didn't, so I don't know why I did.
He replied "yea, that's not much". Compliment number #1.

Then while playing and poking my arms, he goes,
"you've got really small arms for someone who trains a lot". Hmmm me not getting happy now. "That's because I'm so inconsistent with this stupid injury". Justification #2 that wasn't required. And not quite true... I think I train hard and quite regularly considering; and I thought my arms were looking OK thank you. Definitely not skinny :P I nearly said yea, but you should see my legs buster ;)

Then he's playing with the arm again and goes "Nice ring". I'm like huh? I didn't have any rings on and he saw me look at my fingers and says... "nooo you're belly ring thing"
Get your eyes off my belly and onto my shoulder!!!!!!
Couldn't wait to get my shirt back on! LOL.

Anyway the outcome was all good. He gave me what he thought was the issue and taped me up to see how things are affected. I feel real tough like a footy player now with my shoulder all strapped :P I have to go back on Tuesday for a re-strapping and more poking and prodding, but the good thing is he wants me to continue as normal, and wants me to do weight training to see how the strapping affects things.

Works for me!!

Except on Tuesday I think I'll wear a singlet top that I won't need to strip off :P

Getting Olympified

Not long to go now!!! I'm such an Olympic Games nerd, any games nerd for that matter :) As a 10 year old I collected every single clipping from the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland and that's when the addiction started. ;) My adolescent crushes were on sports stars not movie stars (oh, except for that one lad named Brad Pitt) :P

At work, we're getting everyone fired up to "Embrace Your Inner Athlete" - all our motivational posters are up in Green and Gold with quotes from athletes and generally any success quotes. We've set up an optional Olympic Event - a fun cardio-based session racing the clock. Clients are able to do it as many times as they want and beat their previous time within the 8-24th August. The three trainers are yet to set the standard (ah-hem) and do our time-trial... maybe tomorrow?! ;) We've also set additional weekly challenges for the clients to do at home - nothing like a change of focus to bring out the competitive streak in everyone!

Last Olympics in 2004 I had just started working again after living overseas and travelling for a year. I was an employee and the business was new therefore slow as it was still building. I did my few clients a day and was glued to the TV the rest of the day. And night. This time round, yea right :P So instead, I'm bringing the TV into work! ;) Hey, the clients would like to know what's going on too!!!

Seeing all those fit, athletic bods only fires me up to train harder!! I'm quite certain I'll be getting very little sleep! ;)

Personally, I reckon the two weeks should be a Public Holiday :)

SWEAT

+

SACRIFICE

=

RESULTS

That's it for today folks. :)

18 Before Breakfast!

I fought with myself all day yesterday as to whether I was going to get out of bed at 4.45am to go for a run. It's been effing freezing here the last few mornings (yes Kek - FREEZING! Single digits even!!) ;) but I knew if I didn't do the run with the usual gang, I'd probably not go at all.

My mind was made up though about 6.00pm when my boy called and said he was heading out for drinks. Last Monday evening, one of his friends from work was killed in a car accident - 19 years old with the world at his feet. Was a very sad event, and so unfortunate - he was the passenger in the back left hand side of the car and killed instantly. The other three young lads walked away without a scratch. It was a sombre week, as in a smaller town someone is linked to him, his family or his mates who were in the car. So the funeral was yesterday and the boys kept going till late in the night. (anyway I got off track there...). Oh yea, because he was out he asked for a lift home, but I hate doing it at the best of times, let alone in the freeeezing weather, so I said no, I had to get up early for a run. ;)

So that sealed the deal, I had to run this morning to get out of the pick-up!! I had no idea what distance or length of time was on the agenda, but 18kms later we were finished.

We're smart now, and start in the City Heart (so are lucky enought to witness the sorry state of the stragglers still out from the nite before!), and when we're finished the coffee shops are just starting to open up.... ah ha! Smart thinking huh ;)

Enjoyed a nice filling pancake breakfast when I got home. It went down soooo good :)

Gotta run, I'm catching up with a friend tonite who's in town for the weekend :) Yeeeha, I get to dress up and pretend I have a social life! :)