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! :)