I'M A GROWING GIRL YOU KNOW!!

And just lovin' me veges. And can't get enough of them. All colours, tastes and textures and filled with vitamins and nutrients. I'm a bit of a cheater though and buy the fresh stir-fry vege bags these days but last night added extras that are still in the fridge since I'm the only one here and no-one else is gonna eat em. Prawn and vege stir-fry with fresh garlic slices and sweet chilli sauce. May have overdone the garlic a bit but I'll find out today if Liz tells me I stink (lol). We got another date with the powerbands, just in time to get sore again, after being relieved by a massage yesterday afternoon. Ah, the joys of training, recovering then training again. It's RADICAL man!!

WHAT DOES ONE DO?

When the rest of the family go away for holidays and you're staying at home by yourself for 5 days?

WORK

REST

TRAIN

and PLAY

Rest of the family left this morning at 5 am driving (10 hours) down to our hometown to visits grandparents, uncles/auntys, and cousins. I opted to stay home for the week by myself and work as I'm taking next week off to go on holidays with Katie which was planned back in May long before hubby decided to take holidays and go away with the kids. I am however, flying (my kind of travel) down early Saturday morning to spend a few days with them before flying to Cairns. It'll be a quiet week without them but at least I'll have a tidy house (lol).

A HELPFUL QUESTION

Last night whilst getting ready to go out to a homemade Indian curry night hubby was in the shower and I was standing naked in front of the mirror looking at myself waiting for him to finish so I could get in. He asked me "what do you see?" I said this - rubbing my fingers up my thighs and this - grabbing my belly. He then said "now you've told me what you don't like what do you like?" I thought about it briefly and told him the parts I did like which turned out to be a few more than the ones I didn't. It was a really helpful question as we tend to focus on the areas we're not so happy with rather than being thankful for other parts that are more pleasing to the eye. So, next time you start dwelling on your body areas you aren't completely over the moon about ask yourself the same question and see that there is more to be happy about than not.

HERE'S MY POSITIVITY BACK!!

Liz and I friggin' smashed it today at Back and Triceps training. YEEEAAAAHHHHH!! Woo-Hoo!! Unreal!! Awesome!! People in the place - If you wanna get down - Put your hands in the air - Well I am - Drop the beat now. I got that Boom Boom Boom!! Let the beat rock!!

We're a real spectical I'm telling you - Barking Orders, Screaming C'Mon, Yelling Strongwoman, Grunting Arrgghhhh, Saying Fuck when finished, then pissing ourselves laughing. We got a nice compliment from one of the FF Trainers today asking "Were we competing?". I responded with "Do we look like we are?" to which he replied "Yes" so we must still have it. Yeah baby - we got it all going on!!

The way I feel today, from the moment I woke up, I'm freaking unstoppable, invincible, I've got it, It's come to me, the sun is shining and I'm SOOOOOO happy, I could live like this forever.

A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

Valley Girl left a comment the other day asking "Do I ever have down days?" You know what? The past few days haven't been very pleasant for me at all and ones I would not like to repeat and although I may appear on the surface to always be positive - yes I do have not so good days sometimes. I thought about not posting this but wanted to keep a record for myself and also to let others know that you can get through these bumps in the road, that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that you can turn a blue day or three into a bright red one if you choose to make it happen.

Negative and unhelpful thoughts had been invading me and my personal space and as the scales were heading downwards I was eating more than I would like to choose to so the cycle could begin again. So, Wednesday afternoon I freed myself from this negative behaviour based on scale weight by smashing them, breaking them and throwing them in the bin and now feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I don't need the scales to determine whether I look how I want. I can see each morning by looking in the mirror at my abs and legs and trying on my jeans. Don't get me wrong. Scales can be an important tool but now my focus is on maintenance, not losing, and being the leanness I am I'm able to determine my course of action visually with my eyes and internally with my feelings.

I had to question my beliefs about myself. Can I do this? Am I worthy of it? What is perfect? And now each day I will challenge those core beliefs until they are integrated as an appropriate, helpful and balanced new core belief.

Yesterday, I did exactly that - a million times over. I thought about what the scales would be saying and had to remind myself that the number is not important anymore. What is more important to me is that I've checked off my list with ticks - trained or rested, supplements, ate well and mindfully, felt calm and in control.

I will remember that each new day is exactly that, a new day. A new opportunity to live the life I want. It doesn't require strength to let go of old beliefs and thoughts. All it requires is awareness and understanding.

SPEAKING OF GETTING HUGE!!

Look what Liz bought me for my birthday:



Or I could be talking about getting massive by what the kids bought me:

And from Dave some gorgeous ones from here:

Do you think there's a secret message or a common theme here?

I got lots of other great loot also.

Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes.

I GOTTA FEELING!!!

The way I'm training now that I'm gonna get me some BIG mus-cles (LOL). See Liz' post on yesterday's very verbal session and today I trained back and triceps with my friend Kylie. What does it mean when you start seeing stars at the 5th rep of a powerband chinup? And how magical is it when you are pushed to your limits and conquer what you didn't believe you could do on your own? Never before had Kylie done unassisted tricep dips and today she did 2 at the beginning of each set before I whacked the powerband under her knee. I'm really loving feeling strong in the gym again and loving the "Surge" just as much, not to mention the good old oats and powder post workout no matter what time of day it is. I'm so thankful that I again have training buddies and don't have to train on my own at some ungodly hour.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

CLARIFYING GOALS

MAGIC WAND

I wave this magic wand and you have the total approval of everyone - no matter what you do, they love, respect and admire you - whether you become a policewoman or a serial killer. What would you then do with your life?

NOTHING! I love my life exactly how it is now. I am a successful businesswoman, I love my work, I love helping others, I don't have financial worries, I have a very happy marriage and beautiful children, I have a loving, caring family and friends, and I actually like who and what I am. I am a good person and I can't remember ever being fitter, healthier, happier and loving who I am and what I've become.

Hubby asked me last night when was the best time in my life? I answered the best is yet to come!

TRAINING!!

For a while now I've been just cruising along with my training, getting it done each day but without the passion and enthusiasm I once had for it. Although I do love training first thing in the morning the 3 or 3.30 am starts have been starting to take their toll and I've felt like I've just been going through the motions training wise. Yesterday, Liz and I teed up a session together which was exactly what I needed and I walked away with sense of accomplishment and achievement once again and a commitment to "bring back the Surge". So, I'm restructuring and rescheduling my training times so one I'll have a spotter and two someone to give me that push and encouragement that I long for. I can see my pissy biceps growing already (LOL).

I no longer have a competition, a date, a deadline but what I do have is a goal. A lifelong goal! I have the desire, the want, the need to combine my learnings and experiences from the past together with the habits I have created for the future into a life with meaning and purpose. To make a difference each and every day to both my life and the lives of others around me. To make every day matter for how long I am here is unknown. To live with honesty, integrity, strength, respect and passion. To fulfill my dreams, experience the wonders of the world, to love and be loved.

MMMMMMMMMM YUMMY!!

For Valley Girl:

I love food, all kinds and lots of it.

Yesterday I had a hankering for prawns and lots of veges but couldn't be arsed chopping up a shitload so I trotted off to Woolies and bought:

A packet of frozen whiting fillets
A packet of frozen green prawns
A packet of Primo 97% fat free bacon
A 420 gram packet of one minute stir-fry veges
A 400 gram packet of traditional stir-fry veges

Threw it all in the electric wok, cooked, poured over some balsamic vinegar and voila - lunch and afternoon tea - delicious!!

PS Sorry no pic - in the guts now!

WHAT MATTERS?

Have you ever sat down and thought about it and asked yourself these questions:

• What do you really want deep down inside?


• What matters to you, in the big picture?


• What do you want to stand for?


• What do you want to do with your brief time on this planet?


• Who do you look up to?


• Who inspires you?


• What personal strengths or qualities do they have that you admire?


• If you achieved your goal, then what would you do?


• How would your life be different as a result?


• How would you change?


• What would you do differently from there onwards?

PAIN AND GAIN!!

"No pain, no gain" - Let's break it down some more.

Pain is opportunity but whether it's good pain or bad pain is what we need to understand.

Some pain I love, some pain I hate. As a trainer is would say "muscle burn is good, joint pain is bad."

When you hit the wall and don't know if you have what it takes, how you move forward makes the difference. Those of us who put our heads down and drive through that pain will be met with success. I imagine pain as a dark tunnel with a light at the end.

The glory and success will only come to those who make their way through the tunnel.

Those who stop in the middle and ponder or turn around and head back to their comfort zone will never know the thrill, excitement and fulfillment that those who have had the balls to keep moving towards the light and see what they were made of encounter. Sure, it can be hard and uncomfortable but it's a golden opportunity to endure only temporary pain.

Forward movement gathers momentum and moving forward when others don't is a magical opportunity to achieve everything you want and reach your full potential.

Next time you encounter pain, stop and ask yourself if the pain you are facing is an opportunity to grow beyond your wildest dreams.

MY AWESOME TATTOO UPGRADE!!

From this:
To this:

AND, I couldn't help myself:

Sorry bout the poor quality photos. Had to take them on my phone as hubby has the camera in China. He's gonna kill me!! (LOL)

COME OUT AND PLAY!!

Wanna Play? Word of the Day

"AWESOME"

You must use it at least once today in your blog or speech.

Let's get a different kind of 'party in our mouths' happening!

Spread the word.

CATCH THIS!!

Why I LOVE training early, first thing in the morning.

Because I feel FUCKING FABULOUS.

A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING

I felt so special and beautiful:
Sexy hubby and mwah:

Releasing the butterflies was a truly beautiful touch:

Nicole was a gorgeous bride, simply stunning:

Let's be silly:

Nicole's friends wouldn't leave her:

The top of the wedding cake. Check out the dumbbells and Huxley:

MINI GETAWAY FROM BLOGGING!

Tonight = Pink Concert

Tomorrow = Bridesmaid Duties

Sunday = Scott and Nicole's Wedding

Monday = Hubby flies to China for work for a week

With this in mind, on top of organising husband and kids, I suspect there will be little to no training being done and I'll be a busy beaver so I'll catch up next week. Chow!

EATING MINDFULLY

Training = 4.45 am Back/Triceps + 15 mins elliptical, 10 mins bike, 5 mins tready

Feeling = There's been times in all our lives where, without realising it, we've eaten way too much and felt stuffed to the hilt. It hasn't been a conscious decision to consume so much, it just happened. Maybe it was the voice inside your head telling you to keep going, eat more or maybe it just tasted so damn good that you didn't want it to end. This is called mindless eating and we do it for the wrong reasons, with no sense of control and with little consciousness or thorough enjoyment.

The aim to getting to or staying in your ideal body shape is to eat mindfully. Be present and in the moment. Ask yourself "where am I?" The answer - here. Then "what time is it?" The answer - now. Involve your devoted attention to what you are choosing to eat, how much you are eating, and noticing all the details of the food; the appearance, the taste, the texture, the smell. Use all of your senses to savour the food.

Take your time. There's no rush. We live in a country where food is plentiful, where that trigger/special/treat food will still be there tomorrow and the next day. Chew the food, put your knife and fork down between bites, drink water after each mouthful, engage in conversation if you are in company. And remember it can take 20 minutes for your brain to register that you are full, so if you think you are still hungry wait before consciously deciding to eat more.

When it's meal time do nothing else but eat. No TV, no computer, no reading, no work, no kids (unless of course they are the company).

Food does not have feelings. What you are eating is neither good nor bad so stop psychologising food. What we should consider is whether eating a particular food is helpful or unhelpful in terms of our goals. Once you have made the decision to eat x,y,z, accept that you have chosen to eat it, enjoy it and do so mindfully.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Training = 4.45 am 20 mins elliptical, KB circuit with Nicole + 20 mins bike

Feeling = At first I was afraid, I was petrified. I kept thinking I would never live without you by my side. I spent oh so many nights thinking how you did me wrong then I grew strong, I learned how to carry on. But now you're back, from outer space. I just walked in to find you here with that look upon your face. I should have changed that fucking lock, I should have made you leave your key, if I had known for just one second you'd be back to bother me.

Go on now go, walk out the door, just turn around now, cause you're not welcome anymore. Weren't you the one who tried to hurt me with your lies. You thought I'd crumble. You thought I'd lay down and die. Oh no, not I, I will survive. As long as I know how to love. I know I'll stay alive. I've got all my life to live. I've got all my love to give and I'll survive. I will survive.

It took all the strength I had not to fall apart. I keep trying hard to hold together the pieces of my beating heart. I've spent one too many nights feeling your presence here with me. I used to sigh. Now I hold my head up high and you'll see me, somebody new, I'm not that chained up little person still listening to you and so you felt like dropping in and just expect me to be the old me. Now I'm saving all my loving for someone who's loving me.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Training = 5 am Chest/Biceps + 30 mins elliptical, 15 mins tready walk


Feeling = I've been revising my psyche stuff. Yep, I fucked up on the weekend eating and drinking way too much. In hindsight I became complacent, scared, and allowed my emotions to take over. I've never said I was perfect although I do try my hardest to fill my expectations in this regard. I've had to work hard these past couple of days to reframe my negative thoughts with regards to my body image. For example, on Monday morning I thought "you look like a fat cow" and reframed this with "you're a lean, mean, metabolic machine". With clouded thoughts I was disillusional in thinking I had legs like tree trunks, an arse like an elephants and abs that had been banished forever but of course it was only fluid with maybe a little fat but I know how to get rid of fat. I've been practising for years (lol). Yesterday I became much happier to see the lines reappearing and today they're looking even finer and abs are back baby. I commented last week that "this maintenance shit is hard". I'm still trying to work out my calorie level with regards to intake and expenditure and I'm determined to keep pushing forward. This is what makes my journey exciting - always having something to work on and work out. It's the name of the game - continuous improvement. If is was all black and white I think I'd be bored shitless!

SHOW ME SOME LOVIN'

Training = 4.30 am Quads/Hamstrings + "Give Me Glutes" cardio program

Feeling = My body is cranky with me for disrespecting it. In particular, my left shoulder. I agreed I would be kinder in the future and assured it this morning by not training triceps and shoulders as per my training schedule but undertaking leg training instead. In return for my kindness my body will heal and like me once again.

The wings of my personality blend and are influenced by the positive side of being "Three - The Achiever".

This is what I like about being a "Three - The Achiever".

• Being optimistic, friendly, and upbeat
• Being able to recover quickly from setbacks and charge ahead to the next challenge
• Being competent and able to get things to work efficiently
• Being hardworking, goal oriented, organised and decisive.
• Being able to motivate people

MAN OVERBOARD!!

Training = 5.30 am 15 mins elliptical then AWESOME Kettlebell workout with Nicole + 15 mins tready walk

Feeling = The weekend's festivities have caught up with me. When I looked in the mirror this morning I didn't like what I saw. Chalked up on the blackboard as experience. On the plus side I had energy to burn this morning and it was great to once again train with Nicole who put me through my paces by devising a KB workout which had me sweating, swearing, breathing heavy and grunting, all of which I thoroughly enjoyed. The flippers are on and I'm swimming to her wedding this coming Sunday. A few days and this body will be back where I want it to be.

This is what I like about being a "One - The Perfectionist".

• I am self-disciplined and able to accomplish a great deal
• I have high standards and ethics
• I am reasonable, responsible, and dedicated in what I do
• I put facts together, come to good understandings, and figure out wise solutions
• I am being the best I can be and bring out the best in other people too

SHE'S GOT THE LOOK!!

Training = 5.15 am 25 mins "Indian Fuelled" circuit + threw a few weights around for shoulders, biceps & triceps, no cardio other than walking to/from gym 20 mins.

Feeling = Last night we had our delayed St Patrick's Day bash. I was planning a rest day today thinking I may be hungover but 1/2 a dozen vodies pulled me up and when I woke at 4.15 am this morning feeling fabulous I thought what the hell am I gonna do till the rest of the gang wake up? So, the obvious answer was to go and have a smashing carbed up session after last nights awesome Indian feed. I couldn't bear to let all those luscious carbs go to waste and nothing feels better than having the energy to crank out a fantastic workout. Pump's turned up to train just at the right time so got her to snap off a few pics. This certainly is the life I've been looking forward to, nice and tight during the week, and loosey goosey socialising on the weekends with energy and enthusiasm to train hard and heavy leaving me with a sense of satisfaction, fulfillment and achievement and looking forward to each and every day and whatever they may bring.