Alis Fun Adventure

2009-11-12T21:24:00.003+10:30

Well I am kind off excited and pissed off at the same time  not really to pissed off as all things happen for a reason, I will explain, as some of you would well know I have had issues with my health since I last competed. Most likely due to under eating, too much animal and whey, over exercising, stress, ect….

So not only was my thyroid not happy, my liver, kidneys white blood cell count, iron levels were not happy either. No Doctor here I saw in ACT and I saw a few and travelled interstate to see one, got to the bottom of it. So I took my health into my own hands, did heaps of research ect and then tried raw vegan and have never looked back and all my bodies aliments have self corrected except for my thyroid because I got no glory with Dr’s and specialists here I went the alternative route, spent a fortune, but none of that helped either.

So I finally go up to Sydney and see a friend’s GP, who is also a raw foodist among some other wonderful things. So she gets to the bottom of it in two bloody consultations. So that’s wonderful! …….. However a little more testing needs to be done, to pin point exactly what’s going on.

The down side is that she reckons had it been treated correctly in the first place I may have been able to save my thyroid altogether, however there is now a strong likelihood it is stuffed, I start some medication tomorrow I should start to feel pretty awesome pretty soon I’m hoping. Ow well better late than never and I look forward to getting on top of it ASAP!!

If any of you get the chance read the China study!! Not a raw food book but a very interesting extended study into human nutrition that is still ongoing.

Love and Light too all!!

2009-11-01T18:58:00.001+10:30

Well almost a week since I blogged, so best blog again if I am to be consistent.
Busy week for me taught three days, went up to Sydney to see a Dr. on Thursday and managed the food co-op on Friday.

Still procrastinating about whether to join the gym down the road, will train at home this week and next with my son early in the morning and see how I/we go. I have been regularly taking the dog out with Jacob riding his bike.

I go back to Sydney Thursday after having a series of bloods taken tomorrow, including a 24 hour urine test LOL I know my humour might be sick, but Shit I find it quite funny I had to fill what looks like a 3 L tub of my urine over a 24 hour period, its full and I’m not sure if I need to still collect the rest of not, as it doesn’t include a first thing wee that’s to be added tomorrow!! LOL!! My kids just think it and I are GROSS!!

On a more serious note I bloody hope she can work out what’s happening with me.

Jacob has been doing yoga for kids for three weeks now, I think this is great and hope he wants to continue it. He also has started a martial art, can’t remember which one it is but he loves that.

Well best get on with domestics before bed, have a wonderful week all.

2009-10-26T21:13:00.003+10:30

Well here I am blogging again, before another week goes by and I haven’t.

I’m going to commit to blogging regularly to keep myself accountable as I have decided to stop going to the gym I have been going to for around 10 months. I am undecided as to wether I will train myself at home or join a gym cheaper and closer to where I live.

So in the meantime (while I am deciding) I am going to train at home.
Been jogging a little as Jacob is riding his bike very regularly now, so that may be good, I’m not that great at jogging so it is a good challenge. At this point I can’t run far, but as we all you know it will increase if I keep it up. :)

As I mentioned although my health is great I still have trouble with tiredness, lethargy, dry hair and skin and weight gain or at least no weight loss. I am seeing a Dr in Sydney on Thursday who is also into alternative therapies and is a raw foodist, so that suits me as quite a few alternative therapists I have seen over the past 2 years have tried to influence my diet, well I am open to considering this, however there argument has never really been good enough, and based on there own preferences really….. umm anyway we will see what she suggests.

I am also going to see a Chinese medical practitioner, they are not sure if their treatment will be of assistance, at least they are honest. But they explained what they felt may be going on with me very well.

Well enough of all that, my work has been great!! Had really good classes all year, not much behaviour management and lots of junior classes, I just love em!!! I love the flexibility of my work, I love the fact if I need time off I can just log off the system and I love the fact I do not have nearly the same work load as full time teachers. I believe I get paid very well for what I do, however I think teachers who have full time contracts or a permanent are under valued often and underpaid. I’ll get off my soap box now..

Another reason I am determined to get to the bottom of my health not one but two innocent young people have recently asked me if I was having a baby!! NOT!!!! LOL gotta love out of the mouths of babes don’t ya!! Also gotta love my English hehe being a teacher and all.

Anyway have a wonderful week all and I look forward to being more active in blog land!!

Pics are of Jacob, where we camped recently, and a painting Wareen did recently:)

2009-10-14T19:16:00.001+10:30

Well it has been so long since I blogged I won’t even try to catch my blog up with what I have been up too LOL

Congratulations to all the girls who competed recently!!

I’ve been plodding along; health is great, thyroid still questionable would you believe!! (I have been to many alternative practitioners in regard to my body just not wanting to let go of the weight I put on when my thyroid, liver and kidneys went haywire, I’ve almost given up in finding a solution…. Ummm well giving up is not in my nature. Jacobs naturopath recently suggested that I take my basal temp for three or four days directly after my period, well it was lower than it should be each reading…. So will see what she suggests and maybe see her myself next time I take him up to Sydney to see her.

I thought I might commit to blogging again as I am in the process of increasing my cardiovascular fitness, due to a 5 week break from the gym!!! Normally I would never have such a long break, was just a combination of things that lead to this. I’m hoping it might trigger some fat loss now that I am back training.
Well lets see if I keep to my commitment and regularly blog again. :)

Pic is off jacob on recent holiday and view from Fitroy Falls

2009-02-10T14:51:00.003+10:30

Well school holidays are over and I am eagerly waiting to get called for relief work, never very busy at the start of a new school year.

Thank you girls for your lovely comments :)

Tech started up last night, so have an assignment already, got to write up a contract for personal training clients.... Must get my head into it, to tell you the truth, I have an outstanding assignment overdue!!! Not like me, however I was really not sure if I was going to be able to go on with the course this semester as of the time commitment and with Jacob starting school. However most of my work load will be blocked into Thursday nights when he is with his dad, so all good, needless to say I had better get the outstanding assignment out of the way as well as the new one hehehe!

Jacob is loving school but not to keen on before care and after care. He needs to go if I am to teach so hopefully he will like it more as he makes friends there. Makes me wish I could work from home actually, if something paid as well as teaching I would seriously consider it...... time will tell ;)

I used to be into gardening heaps but haven’t for years, anyways I am right back into it and just loving it. Next week Jacob, his dad and myself are starting a short permaculture course with the environment centre here, can’t wait!!

Here is a pic of some herbs I’ve got going ion tubs, and one of a raw chocolate cake I made ages ago ;)

Have an absolutely wonderful week guys!!

2009-02-04T20:00:00.002+10:30

Well I just had the urge to blog tonight after reading up on a couple of blogs of mates.
I’m absolutely wonderful health wise, still into raw food, I LOVE IT!!
Actually I had quite a bit of grey hair and it has lessened unbelievably, still a bit there, will be interesting if it all goes :) so that sure is a benefit…. Hehe…. So I’ve stopped coloring my hair, also I had eczema on one leg and it is totally gone!!
Jacob had his first day at school on Monday, so he has had three days and so far he just loves it I am … so pleased. I went back to work today so he had to go to before and after school care, I was a bit anxious for him… however when I picked him up he was obviously having a ball, also thrilled about that.
I’ve joined a different gym to see how I go with it, I love it, you get personal training every time you are there, and I’m getting a lot out of this. There are numerous trainers and they train a few people at once, it works well.
Well I know I have said this before but I will try and blog a little more consistently.
Love and light to you all!!

2008-11-12T20:25:00.001+10:30

I had repeat bloods done to see the state of affairs with the health issues I had after my last comp. The doctor was absolutely amazed and astounded!! My thyroid, which I was told by more than one practitioner, was irreversible,my liver, my iron levels, my kidneys have all normalized, ow and so has my white cell count.

So there you go that’s what raw vegan food can do for you.:)

If you have not watched FOOD MATTERS and get a chance please do yourself a favour and watch it

Ali xxx

2008-11-03T20:44:00.003+10:30

I have two unopened 5 lbs tubs of vanilla ice cream flavored Optimum Nutrition protein powder I am anting to sell, if anyone is interested make me an offer.

Other than being particularly tired, I am going great Had some repeat blood tests still waiting to see the Dr for the results, I go next Tuesday arvo.

Had a full on weekend, did lots of gardening, went to the markets, worked at the food co-op, went out and saw a mates band play, that was a hoot and good to have a dance and caught up with some friends, ow and got a brand new program that I started today, can’t believe the decline in cardiovascular fitness and my strength, it’s always amazing how quick they come back though isn’t it. It is more of a circuit program and a few core weight training exercises to see if it boosts my fat loss. I have entered a competition with family members and I want to win!!!

I have lost 1.8 kgs over the last 2 weeks so pleased about that, obviously my thyroid has settled down :) YIPPY!!! and with no medication!!

Tomorrow is public holiday here!! So I'm up early off to see a mate who lives out of town, back to food shop for the kids, catch up around the house, garden and then back to do something fun with Jacob and his dad :)

Above is a pic of Jacob and his dad (who is dressed up as a clown for Jacobs 5th Birthday Party), ow and that is my 19 year old in the back ground.

2008-10-28T20:47:00.003+10:30

Been such a looonnggg time since I have blogged, and lots has happened.
Firstly congratulations to all the girls who competed, pics look awesome of what I have seen.

Secondly, we moved house. It is great much more room, but much less garden space, so that meant I could join the local organic community garden, alwaysed wanted too however had always had heaps of space to grow veggies. I still have a garden at home but will have more space at the community garden.

Been working flat out lately, both teaching and at the ANU food co-op. CIT is going along doing psychology of nutrition. Been going to Yoga again and loving that. ON the gym front very subdued, well was advised by more than one DR. and therapist to take it easy for a while so I sure have. I have got the go ahead to get back into training by my Dr. though, so by the end of the week I will get my bum into the gym.

Still eating 100% raw and LOVING IT!! Never felt or looked healthier, having repeat bloods done tomorrow so will be interesting in what they show. Now I am wanting to focus on shifting some of the weight gain from all this hassle. I am hoing that once everything normalizes the weight will shift. Got on the scales in Adelaide and had lost 7 kgs over the last 7 months LOL!! At least it hadn’t gone in the opposite direction as it was so dramatically 7 months ago, and must say I have not been focusing on weight loss just health and repairing my thyroid, liver and kidneys, ect.

My gran passed away a couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate to have spent the previous week with her, still hurts like hell, however she is in a better place. My gran, unlike my parents had been my only true care giver growing up, and has alwayesd loved me unconditionally, my childhood was filled with all sorts of abuse and my gran was one person I could depend on. Enough said there. My kids and I will miss her dearly.

Well I had better get on. Will try and make an effort to blog a little more often.

Food Matters

2008-09-14T01:12:00.002+09:30

Hi all,

there are a lot of people I care about here in blog land so ... Please do you self a favor and make sure you see FOOD MATTERS!!

I'm going great, been going to yoga lately, and loving it! I forgot how good it is for me, it helps ground me ;) among other benefits.

Had a wonderful day, dehydrated some marinated eggplant and tomatoes, made onion bread, so YUMMY, onion, ground flax, miso, sea salt usually sunflower seeds ground, had none so used pepitas, think I prefer pepitas they are very high in zinc as well :) and some good raw oil, today I used macadamia. Mix spread on trays and dehydrate.

Went to Farmers Market, worked at the Food co-op and caught up with a mate and brought some supplies off the internet, cant wait for them to arrive.

Well enjoy your week ahead all :)

2008-09-07T23:43:00.000+09:30

2008-09-07T23:34:00.002+09:30

Well I sure haven’t posted for a long time now have I.

So I have been absolutely awesome!! I have now been eating totally raw organic foods now for almost 6 months and at this stage I cannot ever see myself returning to cooked, dairy, meat, fish or chicken ever again, in fact the smell of thee foods makes me feel sick.

I wondered if I would be tempted to eat cooked or other foods I used too well I take each day as it comes but in all honesty I am not tempted at all and in fact the food I east now shits on ANY food I have EVER eaten in taste, quality, vitamins, enzymes goodness, appearance and texture.

My health is still improving by the day and I cannot believe some days how bloody fantastic I feel and how I can just feel better and better every day. I have so much energy hence I've taken to walking the dog at night along with everything else I do just to use up some of the extra energy.

CIT is going well, doing circuit training and nutrition this term (haven't started nutrition yet) and I have also been doing a few massages for people which I haven't done for ages (I was a remedial therapist before studying to be a teacher)

Other great things are happening in my life and synchronicities and possibilities are opening up everywhere. I’ve gone back to yoga and full on meditation and am feeling the benefits from these as well.

Tomorrow night I am off to see Food Matters with quite a few mates, which is a documentary about what is happening to our food I recommend everyone here please go and see it if It is screening in your town or buy the DVD or pay to watch it on line, we all need to be aware of what we are eating, how it efeects us and how we can help ourselves to great health.

do your self a favour and check it out

http://www.foodmatters.tv/
Food Matters is a documentary film informing you on the best choices you can make for you and your family's health. Helping you save time, money and effort.
In this groundbreaking documentary you'll learn how to...
• Conquer Cancer naturally without chemo or radiation
• Overcome Depression and Mental Illness without the nasty side effects
• Prevent & Cure Heart Disease & High Cholesterol no matter what your genes
• Lose Weight Fast in a safe, cheap & effective way and how one man lost over 150 pounds!!!
• Choose the most ideal foods for Optimum Health and Longevity
In this day and age with so many companies interested in profiting from your misfortune and ill health this film will help keep your money in your pocket and your health in your hands.
We all know someone with Cancer, Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, Obesity, Mental Illness, Depression, Asthma, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Chronic Fatigue, Allergies and on and on...
• Knowing what to do and where to turn has become unbelievably complex.
• Find out what really works, what doesn’t and what’s killing you.
Becoming informed about the choices you have for your health and wellbeing can save your life.

WHAT ARE THE WORLD'S LEADERS IN NUTRITION SAYING
• "Food Matters is to getting healthy as The Secret is to becoming wealthy."
- Ed Bauman, Bauman College: Holistic Nutrition and Culinary Arts

• "Thought provoking, informative, and compelling, this film matters."
- Rory Freedman, Coauthor of #1 NY Times Best Seller Skinny Bitch

• “An informative look into what’s wrong with the modern food supply and why we must act now to change it.”
- Linda Page, Ph.D., Traditional Naturopath, author of the bestselling book, Healthy Healing 12th Edition: A Guide to Self-Healing For Everyone

• " Remember when The Secret created a huge online buzz last year? Well, new doco Food Matters looks set to be its successor..."
- Women's Health Magazine, August 2008

• "FOOD MATTERS is invaluable - engaging and inspiring..."
- Nova Magazine, August 2008

WHEN CAN I WATCH IT?

Food Matters is now available on DVD or to watch online in a Pay Per View format. We ship out all of our DVD orders within 24 hours to a global market and offer a 30 Day money back guarantee.

Well I would love to write more, will try and come back and catch up with everyones blog. Must go and mediate before bed.

Ali xxx

MID WEEK

2008-07-29T21:34:00.002+09:30

Today I had the day off and re learnt how to co-ordinate at the food co op where I buy a lot of my organic produce.

I intend to work there on a regular basis. I love the atmosphere there and have not co ordinated since Joshua was around two and Dylan seven months. Quite some time oag!! LOL. Actually Dylan is 18 in just over a month. Jolly Gosh!!

Once I got home I made onion bread using flax seed, sesame seeds, onion, brags amino acid and few other things; kale chips using kale dipped in a dipping sauce with tahini, lemon, garlic coriander and cheese sticks using sesame seeds, brags amino acids, lemon juice and garlic put in a piping bag and piped out, all these items are then dehydrated on a very low temperature until ready. And no I don't eat them all at once!!! They all last very well and are just some of the foods I have been including in my diet. Will post some pics later in the week.

Yesterday I made the above carrot soup for Jacob using carrots, goji berries, lemon and orange juice blended in my high powered blender. It was delicious ;)

Enjoy the rest off your week

The picture at the top is something I drew a couple of years ago. Then I coloured it in with adobe photoshop.

Machu-Picchu

2008-07-26T16:01:00.003+09:30

Well another week gone by. I’m still rocking on and day to day I cannot believe I can feel better and better, some of my close friends and family are so intrigued with my abundance of energy, state of mind general appearance that they are eating more and more raw food as well! My Auntie has gone completely raw as well. Jacobs’s dad left for Peru today, were not long home from taking him to the airport, and when he gets back he is going to include as much raw food to his diet as he can as well.

Ok some people have asked where I get protein from, well greens, such as carrot tops, spinach, kale, wheat grass, rocket… the list is endless have far more protein than people generally think.

Goji berries have all essential amino acids and they are berries!
Spirulina and blue green algae are loaded with protein along with many other foods such as macca, bee pollen, hemp seed and quinoa.

The advantage of these sources of protein is that they are incredibly bio available.

I've been more consistent with my training, still room for improvement though so as of next week I'm thinking of including early morning cardio back in, Tomorrow I will nut out what and when. I've trained for years during ACT morning winters, but this one I've just not been inclined or inspired to at all. However I'll suck it up and get on with it. Think I will decide on some goals and set them out on here.

I've been including green smoothies lately in my diet, enjoying them, but a lot to get through as all the fibre is within them, unlike juice. But they have had a remarkable effect on my energy levels.

Been meditating regularly, anther bonus, and learning EFT.

I have to come to terms with the fact my gran is not going to be here for much longer and this is somewhere I just don't go!! As some of you are aware she is the most important adult in my life and probably been the only adult who has 'always' been there for me growing up. I reckon the EFT will greatly assist in helping me let her go and deal with the grief once she passes. I spoke to her in length the other day. She hasn't been up for a chat for quiet a while previously. For some the chat she was very with it, some parts well lets just say it is great to just hear her voice, she is not going to have and more radiotherapy, the lot she had was just to make her more comfortable.

It was a gorgeous day today!! Went to the Farmers Market early, took Nikita for a good walk, visited my cousin and took Warren to the airport (Jacob is beside his self with grief at present) I've got him to have a sleep, nothing like sleep for soothing the soul, and before he knows it his dad will be back.

Hope you all have an awesome weekend and live each day like there no tomorrow.

2008-07-18T23:13:00.003+09:30

I love the above pic, how cute!!! Jacob and his dog Nikita.

The pie in the picture is a raw chocolate pie that I recently made, well a few weeks ago now for my birthday. It was a raw chocolate, banana pie and it was delicious, all organic and all raw, who says raw vegan food needs to be boring.

So after eating an all organic raw vegan diet for almost 4 months now, I have decided to stay with it. I have never felt better and my health just keeps improving! Initially I wondered how I would get enough protein, could I maintain my weight training and keep my condition, would my energy levels improve or decline. Well all I can say is the proof is in the pudding and I feel better than I have since I can remember, I have also been meditating again which is about time.

So one reason I got ill in the first place was the high level of animal protein in my diet. Interestingly many practitioners I saw over the period of time while I was trying to get to the bottom of what was going on with my health including my Chinese alternative Doctor, the naturopath I saw and the Sandra Cabot Dr. I saw in Sydney suggested I was consuming too much dairy (whey)and animal proteins. That greatly contributed to affecting my liver, then eventually my whole endocrine system, including my adrenals, my thyroid and my kidneys. They eventually all jacked up, causing the symptoms and conditions I had.

Initially when told this I questioned it, I didn’t want to hear that or believe it, as like many of us I believed this was an effective, safe and healthy eating regime.

However after extensive researching I have done for myself, I would have to agree with them, so eliminating all non vegan protein out of my diet is what I have done and will continue to do so. You can get much better sources of protein from vegan sources and they are far more bioavailable to your body.

So I have been having a tremendous amount of fun and pleasure in experimenting with all things raw and vegan!! However now I have set myself a challenge. I initially dropped some weight, however I have stagnated a bit in that department lately due to lack of consistent cardio, I sprained both ankles would you believe and recently managed to hurt my left calf muscle. Along with this I have been consuming to much wonderful raw fat foods that contain fat, and although they are good for my health, like anything they need to be eaten in moderation. LOL

So the challenge over the next three months is to maintain the wonderful health I’m developing and loose the remaining excess fat I put on due to my thyroid and liver and kidneys not functioning properly.

I am committing to regularly blogging my results at least once a week.
Have a great weekend all!!

2008-07-08T22:55:00.001+09:30

I am rocking!!! I can honestly say I have not felt so good for I cannot remember when, every day I am feeling better and better and it starting to physically show as well. I am learning more and more about nutrition and I doubt I will ever return to the way I ate before I started raw. I appreciate everyone is on a different journey, and everyone is on their own path ect…but shit....the crap we are lead to believe about nutrition is astounding. My training is rocking and my energy levels are just sky rocketing, so all is great in my world :)

BEST RAINBOW EVER :)

2008-06-26T23:37:00.002+09:30

Well I’m trucking along ABSOLUTELY WONDERFULLY!, still having my green juice and all raw food every day. I truly believe I may have found the best health option for myself, I have never felt so good!! It’s unbelievable!! At this point in my life I don’t know that I will eat animal protein ever again (or cooked foods). Every day I am feeling healthier and healthier, the foods I am eating are awesome. Over the last few months I have learnt so much about nutrition I DID NOT KNOW(still have heaps too learn). Somethings I have often suspected, but for whatever reason didn’t want to know or pursue the knowledge at the time. Along with this I am learning a whole lot of other incredibly informative and enlightening information. Also trying some super foods I have never had before like raw chocolate and goji berries smoothies, organic young coconut, hemp seed and oil (amazing nutritional properties all these foods have). Been dehydrating sprouted and soaked grains and making raw pizza, sprouted crakers, nut pastes, the list goes on, I think I’ve found my heaven :)I truly feel like I have come home.

I have just completed personal training two people as part of my assessment for my cert 4. One of them was my cousin; she is now going to join my gym which is great. Also we are both going to go on a raw vegan food, spiritual, meditative, yoga, enlightenment retreat in Hawaii at the end of the year. I CAN NOT WAIT!!!!! One of the guys presenting, is so remarkable and knowledgeable about health, raw food, nutrition, alchemy among other things the list goes on and on! and everything he writes and says just seems to resonate with me. He’s on fire! Funny it resonates with Jacobs’s dad as well, which is awesome because although we are not in a relationship we are great mates, I am so very happy as this means that Jacob will be influenced by both of us.

Life is a journey so here I am for the ride!!!
I have even started to mediate more regularly.

Funny how such a negative thing (my health situation recently) has lead to what I believe is the best thing that has happened for me since I can remember. I think it is no coincidence that things like this happen often in people’s lives.

Well have the BEST weekend ever, as I sure plan too!!

Once again long time no post!!

2008-06-20T13:18:00.000+09:30

Well that should end as from now; you see I have made a pact with my good mate Kimmy that we would both post at least once a week.

So what has been happening in my world? My kids are all good. The eldest one going through exams at uni, he seems to have. a handle on it so all good there. My daughter well let’s just say she is 16, and along with that are some challenges for me to face with her and my sons would NEVER speak to me how she does sometimes. The other son I am lucky to see these days, however he has joined my gym and has been going quite regularly, which is great. And my wonderful JACOB is growing up so fast. In just over 7 months he will be in primary school.

My certificate 4 course this semester has been full on!!! We have had so many assignments it’s not funny, I actually had to make a decision a while back as to what keep up, the cert 4 or my masters, well for the present time cert 4 won, as I am much further into it than I am my Masters. One more week and we have a four week break, so I am looking forward to that.

My health feels like it is still improving, although I have had a couple of small bouts of tiredness, but over all good. I have a new program that I am just getting into. I have been slack with cardio and my Boot Camp lately, so that is changing as of now.

With my nutrition I am still having lots and lots of raw organic juices. Lately I have been having salads, nuts, sprouts, avocados, dehydrated biscuits I make out of various sprouted grains mixed with an assortment of herbs & spices. I have also been trying alternative vegetable based protein sources. Actually you get quite a lot of protein from green juice. At this point in time I am not sure if I will return to eating cooked food or animal protein sources at all. The more I research the more unlikely actually.

Well hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

2008-06-04T10:34:00.000+09:30

Well hope you are all having a good week.

Thanks for the welcome back.

I’ve had the week off work, had lots of things to get done, and spring cleaned my whole house, long overdue! I tend to hoard things and decided enough was enough, can’t believe how it feels like a load off, so to speak getting rid of so much clutter and shit. How many pairs of Levis can a girl own hehe, I was quite fond of them when I was younger but for gods sake I haven’t worn some of them for years!!

What I have been doing is not fasting; I have up to 3-4 litres of organic green juice and some fruit juice every day. Recently I have included some raw foods and nuts as well. I am going to go back to just the juices for healing purposes again. Also I wanted to function as per normal, and with fasting sometimes you need rest. I found some great web sites and books about juicing and raw food, so I am learning heaps from them.

I also buy my veggies from a local market, called trash and treasure, I have done for years and a lot of what I buy is grown locally without pesticides and chemicals. They are considerably cheaper than buying organic from the shops over here. I also shop at the ANU food co-op, who sell organic food for non-profit where I have been a member on and off since my late teens.

Although I want to get rid of the weight I have put on from my endocrine system being out of wack, my main concern is to get my thyroid, liver and kidneys healthy again. I think they must be getting there considering I feel so much better. I will eventually go back to Sydney and have further blood tests, but not in the near future. All the tests were doing my head in. Nothing concrete could be discovered, and I worried due to having all these antibodies floating around in my blood.

I also decided not to weigh myself and just get on with getting healthy, well I’ve lost lot of weight and it’s still coming off, this is probably due to my body correcting itself, as well as the Chinese medicine I have been having every day along with acupuncture and massage weekly. I have backed off from exercise, still training but not nearly with the same frequency or intensity. I’ve been thinking it is about time now I get stuck back into it more consistently now.

So what lead me to try juicing initially was as I said both the Naturopath and the Dr I saw in Sydney’s recommendation. Some of my family members have been in to juicing for years. My father actually was a vegetarian when I was young and I was frequently fed juice. However my mum was not that open too it. So it didn’t continue. I experimented with vegetarianism as a teenager as many kids do, however I chose to eat meat but not a lot of it really. I also thought as a woman we need the iron form red meat and I like the taste of meat, although not sure if I still will.

I have always believed though that it was hard work getting complete proteins from non meat forms of proteins, we also call animal protein good quality proteins, well recently I discovered that that is just because the protein make up of flesh protein is so similar to ours as humans and it certainly doesn’t mean that is necessarily good for your health, just because it is called good quality :)

From what I have been reading it is very questionable as to weather we can digest flesh proteins correctly and how much we actually do digest seems to be minimal. I still have lost and lots of reading to do before I completely make up my mind.

I do know though, that I have not felt this good for a long time!! I have also discovered through reading and research that your body can get enough protein from greens, and certain seeds have all essential amino acids and some vegetarian foods have all amino acids within them. So it’s all interesting.

LONG OVERDUE POST

2008-05-30T20:39:00.003+09:30

Well to say I certainly haven’t posted for a while is an understatement!!!

So everyone in blog land is going along wonderfully and accomplishing all their desires and dreams,

Me well I have been on an interesting journey this past couple of months. Funny how good things often come out of unfortunate circumstances. For example, my health issues have prompted me to research nutrition in a very broad way, and some of what I have been discovering certainly questions my beliefs and probably yours as well.

For example the Dr I saw in Sydney asked me some time ago if I would consider including organic juice into my diet, my initial response was well no, she asked why not?? I responded well it’s so bloody nutritionally dense in calories, high in sugar if fruit is included and high in carbs and low in protein. So that was that.

Some time later after researching ect… I thought to myself, why am I paying this Dr good money not to follow her advice, anyway I researched juicing talked to my wonderful Aunt who detoxes regularly with juice. I discovered some interesting facts, I won’t go into them just now though and they certainly contradict what we are led to believe, especially about protein intake and where we get the best quality protein from.

Anyway For a week I had fresh organic juice and honestly I could not believe the improvement in my health, my moods, my energy levels sky rocketed, My weight started to go down a little, the oedema I have had stabilised and disappeared and I started to feel myself again. Then I went on a holiday to Adelaide, went off the juice. Came back and got stuck into it again, I’m still researching. I’m certainly not fasting with juice, but consuming quite a large amount of green juice and some fruit juice, supplemented with a little hemp seed oil, and recently I have been including a little raw food as well.

Not sure where this will all lead, but shit I honestly can not remember feeling so good, other than last week I sprained my ankle which put a bit of a dampener on my training, went back to Boot camp this morning and my ankle was ok, so all good in that department.

All I can say is my liver and kidneys have improved but are still not 1005 However my thyroid hormones have stabilised, so that is GREAT!

I have not gone back to the Dr in Sydney, she was great and I may go back in the future, however I have been to a Chinese medicinal practice here and am getting great results there. Combined with the raw foods and organic juces, I think I will be healthier than I have ever been soon, and don’t get me wrong, I have had good health until recently, but I can’t explain this but I am starting to feel remarkable.

So that’s where I’ve been at.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORTIVE AND KIND COMMENTS I LOVE YOU ALL,

I will endeavor to blog more often once again. And when time permits drop by all your blogs as well,

Have a wonderful weekend all and live life to the fullest xxx

update

2008-04-01T20:42:00.002+10:30

Top pic is Jacob and his cousin Above is my daughter and her youngest brother.

Yesterday I went up to Sydney to see a Dr at the Sandra Cabot clinic. After a long consultation and looking at the blood tests I have already had done the Dr decided I was to have a lot more blood tests for various things. I don’t understand all of these at this stage. I am also to have an extensive food intolerance test, along with an ultrasound on my liver. Due to the fact that although my thyroid obviously isn’t behaving normally she thought it was important to find out what else is going on, Some reading for my liver were considerably elevated, I also have particularly elevated iron levels for no apparent reason. So I’ve booked in to have all these tests and must admit I can’t wait to see the results, and get on with a plan to get over this. After the blood testing I am to go dairy free until I see her again in one month on the Dr’s advice, I may have to go grain free as well! I'm still seeing the TCM practitioner and am sure I'm not quite as tired overall, a good sign. Although yesterday and today was buggered.

So my weight is continuing to go in the upward direction and to date I am close to 20 kgs heavier than before this whole thing started in late October last year. Now that’s progress for you!! Just in the wrong direction. So I sure will have my work cut out for me once we work out what and how to correct what ever it is that is exactly going on. I’m trying to not let it do my head in and remain positive, sometimes this is hard.

On a brighter note my certificate IV is going along well, my beautiful daughter is 16 on Friday and Jacob wrote his name for the first time today.

So take care all I’m off to bed, I taught kindergarten today and tomorrow I have a feisty year 5/6.

catch up

2008-03-21T14:14:00.001+10:30

So long time no post, I have been plodding on. Have had a few assignments to do for CIT and uni, some are completed more to go. The appointment with the Alternative Chinese medical practitioner went well, and was very interesting, no promises that it will cure it though, but it may greatly assist, time will tell. Actually yesterday was the first day in a long time I didn’t feel totally stuffed by 1-2 pm. I good sign I think, I’m wondering what will happen today. For those who know anything about Alternative Chinese medicine, I had no kidney pulse at all. Not good!! I go back on Wednesday.

Training has been quite challenging at times, I have decided to back off a little, the therapist said that it was obvious I was pushing through sickness and tiredness and that this was detrimental to my recovery. It is her opinion pushing myself to much is what triggered the condition in the first place, and I am just self perpetuating the condition by doing so now. So I have not pushed (as much), if I have been feeling horrid I haven’t gone to the gym and I have cut back on my cardio for the time being, we will see how this goes, I will train tomorrow and Sunday, and will continue Boot Camp at this stage, just not push as hard through it if it's too much.

I have lots of domestic stuff to catch up with today; I have been looking forward to the extra days off. I have had plenty of work. When uni gets more full on I may have to cut back a little, we will see.

Anyway have a wonderful Easter everyone

2008-03-10T18:06:00.002+10:30

HURRAY!! I had a mind shift today, not sure what caused it, but I’m more than ever determined to fight this condition I have. As I mentioned in my last post I haven’t been eating that well the last couple of weeks, and training this week was crappy as well. So I thought to myself yesterday, that would be contributing to me feeling so shithouse. DEEEERRRR!! I know from my own experience that when I eat processed carbs and foods with added sugars I tend to feel lethargic and have highs and lows in energy. So although Hashimotos causes this as well, I don’t want to be exacerbating the condition, which I have been. So, as off tomorrow I am back on track, and I see the Dr on Wednesday, so it’s onwards and upwards from now on.

2008-03-09T10:03:00.001+10:30

Thank you so much for all your supportive comments, they are much appreciated.

I am very much looking forward to Wednesday as I see the Alternative Chinese Medicine Practitioner then. I so hope that it is going to be helpful for the hashimotos. My weight has consistently kept going up. I am running out of clothes that I can wear to work LOL not good!! I haven’t helped this the last 10 days or so, as I must admit to thinking what’s the point, and been seeking out foods I know aren’t the best choices once I’ve finished work! However, even when my diet is clean I have put on weight. My energy levels are not at all good either, when I feel very flat and tired it contributes to me making food choices that aren’t productive as well.

I have not trained nearly as much as I normally do this week. However I have decided to just let this slide and make the most of the break. I will start afresh next week.

Funnily enough I have met a few people of the last week two who have hashimotos and one who have an under active thyroid, but no due to hashimotos. I am thankful that my Dr picked it up as one person had to deal with the symptoms for over a year as her Dr had missed the signs; by this time he thought she was going mad.

We have a long weekend her in ACT, I would have liked to have gone away however, I had to attend uni yesterday and today I had arranged to do a CIT assignment with two girls from my class. So it will be good to get them out of the way.

Uni is going to be very interesting and very informative; I had to change subjects due to a conflict with my CIT course. So this particular unit will focus on teaching us about and how to implement a teaching strategy called TeacCH with people on an Autism Spectrum. It includes a full on 4 day workshop in about a month, I am very much looking forward to this and am hoping I feel a lot better energy wise by then.

I ill let you know how my appointment goes later in the week; I have a god feeling about though so we will see!

2008-03-01T18:03:00.000+10:30

Well I saw my own Doctor this week he diagnosed that I have Hashimotos, which is an autoimmune disease of the thyroid. Where antibodies attack the thyroid until eventually it’s stuffed. It’s one of the causes of hypothyroidism, He said it can be hell and don’t expect it to be easy to treat; the tyroid hormones may swing from high to low. I have been referred to one of Australia’s leading endocrinologists in April. I am also going to see a Chinese Herbal Medical practitioner as well in two weeks time. Depending on the outcome, I may or may not go up to Sydney as well.

So I’ve been keeping up my training, some days this has been challenging because I feel so tired at times Not normal tiredness, I get this overwhelming flat lethargic feeling come over me, like you hit a brick wall, I not only get tired, but foggy, forgetful and irritable, and it is not pleasant.

A positive here is that I managed to break all my records in my Boot Camp Fitness Testing on Friday morning; I paid for it though ;) I felt like crap for a lot of the day after. However this is affecting enough of my life I do not want to give up training as well.

This week my food has been good, but not great, so will address this, I can not believe how shit house I feel at times, the doctor said this may get worse as the condition progresses. Overall I have a very healthy diet though, The Thyroid book Sandra Cabot wrote was very informative and there are diet suggestions in it, although she does suggest cutting out certain foods altogether which I am quite fond of such veggies from the cruciferous family so cabbage, brussel sprouts, ect. I will read it again and may put, these suggestions into place, a least until I see the other practitioners.

I worked four days, sometimes it was challenging with feeling so bloody lousy, I had a great week with the classes I taught though. I’ve been dong a lot of work at the same school, helps to build up a relationship with the kids I think.

Well I am off to my aqua assessment, have a great weekend.

Well never got to post this before my practical assessment, I did great so all is good here.

2008-02-22T10:22:00.000+10:30

Okay I won’t go into explaining the results of my tests because I don’t understand then all yet, other than various things were picked up to do with my thyroid, liver and kidneys. I then had to have further blood tests. This picked up thyroid antibodies, but another thyroid result had normalised, so what that means the Dr couldn’t say. I have a referral for an ultrasound of my liver as some things were not right there. My kidney filtration process is not up to scratch either apparently. Along with this my iron levels are actually elevated to high. So what does all this mean… well he couldn’t actually tell me!!! So I have an appointment with and endocrinologist at the end of May. I can not wait that long. So yesterday afternoon, I managed to get on to my own Dr. who I have not seen for 4 years, (haven’t been sick enough too) I will see him on Thursday, he will be able to explain things I hope, and I also made an appointment at a Sandra Cabot clinic in Sydney at the end of March. Have emailed results t naturopath and haven’t heard back there either.

I’ve being feeling very average the last few days, I’m not working today and I am going to take it easy. Fern suggested I get Your Thyroid Problems Explained, by Sandra Cabot and I will read this today.

I will get to the bottom of this ASAP. Interestingly I had a whole lot of blood tests done June last year after my first competition prep, everything was fine then. Then I did my second comp prep and it was during that prep that my body starting jacking up, by not responding to diet measures and cardio. Can’t help but wonder if this contributed, caused, triggered, or exacerbated my current situation. I wonder how many girls who have competed or still do who have developed similar conditions

2008-02-17T13:45:00.002+10:30

Well the results for the blood tests have warranted further testing of my thyroid, seems I have hypothyroidism, don’t know the severity or degree of this or what has caused it at this stage.

My initial reaction was one of a kind of relief and optimism, I know this may be strange but considering I have been eating to plan and training very hard and getting no results what so ever in regard to body fat loss, at least this explains why!! Must say though my cardiovascular fitness is coming along in leaps and bounds, BOOT CAMP ROCKS!!!! Let’s just hope also that I’ve built some good muscle as well over the last 5 months under this insulation . LOL.

I have another Dr's appointment tomorrow after work, so I am very much looking forward to this and finding out more information. At this stage I have no idea what has caused it, apparently there are a few causes, or how severe it is and what the Dr’s suggestion will be. The naturopath has postponed giving me anything else for it until we know more.

LOVELY DAY HERE TODAY

2008-02-09T10:06:00.000+10:30

I have had a pretty good week, did three Boot Camp classes, I could actually feel and see an improvement in my overall performance in these, so that’s good.

I caught up with some mates and will see another one this afternoon, that’s always good.

Started to organise work for next week, don’t find out the year level I am teaching until Monday, I will be on a release role, which means I have a variety of year levels each day I am working. At this stage I’ve got three days next week. Pretty good, because school has only just gone back and we don’t always get work this early in the term :)

I went to see a naturopath last week, due to not understanding why or being able to do something productive about losing the weight I have put on post comp, don’t get me wrong I do not have unrealistic expectations at all in regard to post comp weight gain. I had a break from training at the end of last year, I have consistently been training again, feel good, energy levels are good, sleep is good. But body fat does not want to shift. My normal day to day clothes just don't fit.Not sure as to why this is occurring that annoys me in its self. I like to know why.And when I say I have stuck to my nutrition, I have.

Although her approach and her beliefs towards nutrition differs quite a lot to mine and what I would do and how I would go about trying to get the fat off, my approach hasn’t been working, so I agreed to follow her suggestions for one month. I’ll let you know how it goes.

I also had a blood test done yesterday at the Dr’s, so will wait for these results and hope all tests are good.

I am off to do a spin class and get some shopping, hope you all have a great weekend, it's a lovely day here today

I love this quote

2008-02-05T09:19:00.000+10:30

"One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes. In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility."

- Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady

QUIET SUNDAY

2008-02-03T12:45:00.000+10:30

Yesterday I did a spin class; today I will go and do legs and cardio, quite humid here actually. I’ve been a bit tired for the past few days, not sure why.

I did Boot Camp again on Friday. It is so much harder too run on land compared to the machines at the gym; suppose that is one reason cross training is such a good idea, and doing different types and combinations of cardio can be important depending on your goals. I have BOOT Camp in the morning.

Schools go back tomorrow here in the ACT, so I suppose soon enough they will be in need of relief teaching so my life of leisure will soon be coming to an end, once again.

Found out my dates for uni study during the week, looks like a lot of it will be online combined with whole weekend workshops, will be interesting way to learn, I know myself and therefore I will have to be very disciplined with study, I can procrastinate when it comes to study and assignments, funny I generally never procrastinate when it comes to training. My family tells me I took far too much on last year, so I will think about listening to them this year and make sure not to allow myself to do this again.

Anyway I had better hit the gym, enjoy the rest of your weekend,

Eat well and train hard!!

2008-01-31T09:45:00.000+10:30

Well last night after my Boot Camp class (once I recovered) I was wired!! So I didn’t get to bed until late. I do tend to stay up late to often, just love the solitude of night time. I got a lot of things done though, such as grocery shopping and cleaning, with four kids I seem to spend quite a bit of time shopping for food, all good though, I see there is going to be an enquiry into our food prices, which is good.

As of next week school is back here so I will not be able to stay up so late. I have just been sorting out my study load, seems the face to face teaching for my Masters will be condensed into weekend attendance, the rest will be online learning. My fitness certificate course will be a mostly face to face.

Training is going well my legs are kind off adjusting to full on training twice a week. There are some new exercises in my program which I hadn’t done before, a couple of them I find challenging to say the least. I’m noticing an improvement in my cardiovascular fitness, which would be due to Boot Camp no doubt, honestly they are so bloody hard, and I would not be able to consistently push myself that hard for a full hour.

I really noticed an improvement in my interval training I did on the weekend, I was able to push a lot harder for longer durations, and was recovering quicker than I was a couple of weeks ago. Today I train legs and tonight I do spin. hope everyone is trucking along wonderfully :)

2008-01-24T19:41:00.001+10:30

This is a painting Warren did of Jacob, it's before it was quite finished though, I just love it :)

2008-01-24T18:31:00.000+10:30

So my diet and training is going along well and I have done more Boot Camp classes. I can honestly say that I don’t think I have ever pushed myself quite as hard doing cardio before, I thought I had… but … no…last Wednesday I nearly vomited, must have been a lactic build up. I try not to think about them and just do them to the best of my ability, push and know that in one hour they will be over, and I will feel great for accomplishing them. Got another one at 6.30am in the morning.

Weights are going well and touch wood my shoulder has been holding out very well. If it plays up again I will have acupuncture instead of physio or oesteo.

My spin class has been cancelled for tonight so I will have to amuse myself with cardio after I train chest and tri’s.

I am slowly staring to see some of my muscle definition, or at least a glimmer of it ;) as this lovely layer of padding is beginning to come off….. that’s always motivating.

I have a pair of jeans and once I comfortably fit back into them I will decide where to go comp wise. I have put no pressure on myself at this stage as to what comp, federation, when or where; all depends on how my body responds.

Well I had better get on with it, have a wonderful nights girls!!

2008-01-18T11:01:00.000+10:30

I was clearing up my folders on my computer and I found some illustrations that I did on the computer for a book we had to design and write for uni a couple of years back. This is one of them.

FRIDAY ALREADY.

2008-01-18T08:03:00.000+10:30

Well did another Boot Camp class this morning, so all up I did the three for the week. I am going to try and do all three each week.

Yesterday I did my chest workout, minus one exercise I have to get clarification on and a spin class. I have one leg day to go and will have completed my new program once through then. My abductors have been quite sore, probably due to the running in the Boot Camp classes. Tomorrow I will do spin. On Sunday I usually do legs, however I will probably do back as I will have done legs later today. My new program has legs twice a week.

So tomorrow it is 2 weeks down for sticking to nutrition and training. Been loving bean salad.

I have been sorting out all my relief teaching resources still got a way to go before it is all done, but will be thankful once it is out of the way. I got confirmation that I got into post grad studies for uni yesterday, so I got my enrolment into a masters degree sorted out, 'Inclusive Education in Autism'. Just waiting to find out lecture times, ect so I can work out a schedule. Tech starts back on feb 11 as well, This year tech is just one night a week, Wednesday, instead of three. That was madness last year. Hope it all fits nicely together.

Anyway have a great day everyone!!

BOOT CAMP

2008-01-14T09:56:00.000+10:30

Had a great weekend, went to a mates birthday, hadn't laughed as much for ages, watched American Gangster, don't often rave about movies, however it was very well done I thought, and I really enjoyed it.

Did a spin class on Saturday and Legs yesterday, I got a great new program last week, really looking forward to getting my teeth into all of it. Did one of the leg day yesterday.

Nutrition over the weekend was good, on Saturday at the party I could have taken a bit more food as I stayed a lot longer than expected. I had a few nuts to compensate, but certainly didn't over do it.

This morning I did my first BOOT CAMP class, shit I thought I was fit .......my goodness we honestly worked at our anaerobic threshold for the whole hour (good for your metabolism, fitness and fat burning), gotta be good for ya'!!!...... she says .......now that it's over..... so it's all worth it. they are running three a week so I will hopefully do as many as I can fit in.

2008-01-09T22:57:00.000+10:30

Things are going great here, training and food wise, I just had to share this wonderfully insightful article I found that Cassandra Forsythe wrote, every girl should know about it, I'll never complain or think bad thoughts about my ab training again, I'll just prey the below happens from now on whilst doing them LOL. On that note I best get to bed and prey :) have a great day tomorrow everyone,

http://www.musclewithattitude.com/readArticle.do?id=1538908&cr=mwaTraining

Exercises You Should be Doing: The Coregasm
by "Cassanova"

Men are really at a disadvantage when it comes to ab training.

Despite covering all the Eastern and Western European bases — weighted Swiss ball crunches, Russian twists, and Saxon side bends — the best they can hope for is a 6-pack of washboard abs.

Women, on the other hand, get something much, much better: sexual gratification.

Sexual gratification? Are you kidding me?

Not one bit.

Ladies, I'm going to let you in on something that some of you may already know, but were too embarrassed to tell anyone else about. For those of you who haven't had the pleasure of experiencing this little discussed subject, you're about to be fulfilled.

This secret is called the Coregasm and it's going to revolutionize your desire to exercise your abs.

I mean, what better motivation to work your core than if the end result is an "Oh, oh, Ohhhhh!"?

Yes, it's an orgasm that you can have anywhere, anytime without the use of any tool or any man.

Now don't get me wrong. We women still need our toys and we still love our men, but if we knew we could finish every workout with a smile on our face, wouldn't we start working our core more often?

You better believe we would! So, how do we actually do this and why hasn't someone told us about this before?

The coregasm has probably been around since the advent of abdominal training for women. It's kind of like when you started masturbating when you were 7, but lied about it until you were 16.

It starts with just a little feeling of pleasure between your legs when performing certain core exercises, and then leads to a wonderful euphoria that sweeps over your entire body. Women who experienced this for the first time probably thought it was just a one-time gift, but then soon came to find out that they could reproduce it when they contracted their pelvic floor muscles in just the right way.

Women have likely been hiding this completely enjoyable, satisfying, knee-weakening, jelly-legs-inducing (sorry, I lost control of myself there for a second... ) experience, because they weren't sure that it really was happening, or because they thought someone would say they were sex-crazed or perverted. So, they kept their mouths shut.

Until now.

Just a few weeks ago, Adam Campbell of Men's Health posted about the "coregasm" on his blog. He'd co-authored an article with Alwyn Cosgrove of T-Nation who mentioned that he'd seen some interesting things in the gym through his many years of being a personal trainer. One of his observations was a female adult film star who would have an orgasm whenever she did hanging leg raises. Alwyn didn't think much of it, because, hey, she was an adult film star...

However, since that article, both Adam and Alwyn have received numerous emails from women telling them that they too have had this exact same experience (in his blog, he called it an "issue," but I would never categorize an orgasm — of the core variety or otherwise — as an "issue").

Some women would experience a coregasm when they were doing vertical knee raises, while others would have it while doing supine leg-lowering contractions. Either way, the coregasm was big news and women all over the country wanted to know more.

Fast-forward to today and you'll see that the coregasm is being talked about everywhere, from general gym gab to serious fitness forums (check out one such thread here: http://www.t-nation.com/readTopic.do?id=1457656) Some men are claiming that they too have a coregasm when they train abs, but I'm calling bullshit.

In any event, the coregasm is no longer something you have to hide. Tell all your girlfriends about it, and tease your man about it. No one needs to be left in the dark.

If you're not interested in the Big "O" as a side effect of ab exercises, you can stop reading now. But, if you don't care that your face turns a little red (or redder) while doing leg raises, read on.

Every woman is a little different, but the basics behind the coregasm involve synchronized contractions of the lower abdominal, pelvic, and pubic muscles leading to increasing excitement and then a blasting surge of ecstasy.

One woman described her coregasm like this:

I have to be lying down and usually put a small towel or pillow under my lower back. I get the best "coregasm" when I lower my feet close to the floor. But my real secret, the thing that sends me to the moon and back is when I use my vibrator at the same time. WOW! It totally vamps up the intensity.

Now the additional vibrator probably wouldn't go over too well at your gym, but the basic idea of arching your back while slowly lowering your legs during bench knee raises could help you experience the coregasm.

I first had a coregasm while doing knee raises on the Vertical Leg Raise unit (and what a unit it is... ). Thankfully this apparatus was in the corner of my gym because when it happened, I just stayed hanging in one spot with my knees raised, closed my eyes, and savored every moment.

I don't think anyone caught on to what I was doing, but really, I didn't care. Needless to say, since that experience, the Leg Raise unit is my favorite piece of gym equipment. That experience was the beginning of what would become a meaningful relationship between me and "Vertie the Unit.

For most women, though, the most fruitful coregasm exercises are the ones that target your lower abdominal muscles (a.k.a. your orgasm-getters).

The coregasm doesn't happen right away, though. Almost like during intercourse, it takes a little while to build up. You'll most often get one after about the 15th rep — after a bit of fatigue has set in — of either hanging knee raises, hanging leg raises, or a supine leg-lowering bench exercise.

You don't really have to concentrate on it for it to happen, you just let your body take over and when it does, you'll know.

Long time no post!!

2008-01-08T07:53:00.000+10:30

This is taken on my Aunt and Uncles property who live up in the hills

This is where my other Aunt and Uncle live

We are back from SA, had a good time with mixed emotions. While I was there my gran was diagnosed with oesophagus cancer. I have very mixed feelings and emotions towards this and have kind of just avoided thinking about it too much at this stage.

For those of you that don’t know my grandmother is the most important adult in my life, as my uncle said she has been my rock. She is 97 this May and her quality of life has deteriorated greatly the last couple of years, even so I find it hard to accept her situation and let her go.

So I didn’t get to the gym over there, but did a reasonable amount of cardio.

Went to the gym on Sunday and did back and legs, I now wish I had taken it easy and DOMS is an understatement, *lol* don’t get me wrong I like DOMS, but not when it hurts to even walk, let alone sit and get up. Just goes to show how quickly you can get unconditioned to weight training, I didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. At least your body adjusts quickly. ;)

I’m following a diet around 1500 -1400 cals. With moderate amount of carbs, good fat and protein aiming towards loosing the extra weight I have put on. I tried a high protein moderate to high fat diet for 5 weeks towards the end of last year; it certainly didn’t agree with my waist line, I stupidly stuck to it as I thought I might just need to adjust too it, I stacked on the weight quickly and felt shit for it. Well I’m over feeling shit for it and took my lovely friend Sam’s advice and just got over it let the feelings involved go, forgave myself and am now determined as ever to just getting on with it to correct the damage from post comp and the above approach. I suppose you have to try different approaches to find what works for each individual.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!

HOPE ALL YOUR DREAMS AND GOALS EVENTUATE IN 2008

2007-12-24T14:49:00.001+10:30

This is a picture of y eldest son Josh

2007-12-24T13:37:00.001+10:30

Above is our adorable dog Nikita! I will miss her while in Adelaide, one of my son's who is staying home for Christmas to be with his girlfriend will look after her, the other pic is the view from my Aunts and Uncles place where I am having Christmas, I love it there, it is where the Onkaparinga River meets the Sea.

2007-12-24T11:19:00.000+10:30

I was thinking to myself I may be an all or nothing kind of person, or have become so it seems. As much as this can have advantages (when I’m full on into a program or have definite goals), I don’t believe it to be constructive when in the nothing phase so to speak. I am going to address this, just not sure when and how, so in the mean time, I have set myself goals to achieve. I will finish reading fattitude when away, and see if that sheds any light for me. Maybe I need goals in regard to fitness, health and lifestyle ect continually???

I suppose when I truly think about it I have been following some sort of program for, my goodness I think over two years now, I first did a great program with Sue, from there I wanted to keep going and have tried a few different approaches, ect. I then trained with Sam for my comps.

I have quite a bit of reading in relation to health and fitness, both physical and psychological while away so might find a few gems amongst the reading material, we will see.

So heres to wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and may all your hopes dreams and desires come true in 2008!!

2007-12-21T20:01:00.000+10:30

Well not as great deal to report. Had my last day of work for the year yesterday. Schools here are officially on holidays from today. My daughter has already flown down to Adelaide for Christmas one of my sons and I fly down on Monday night. I’m looking forward to the break and catching up with family. Hopefully while there I will be able to catch up with a dear friend who will be also having Christmas In SA, she sold her home this year and bought a 21 foot motor home and has been travelling ever since, that’s my idea of fun!!

I’ve been doing my own thing at the gym which has included quite a few spin classes, hadn’t done any for some months. So they are challenging as always and I’m slowly building up the kind of cardiovascular fitness they need so to speak. I have had some great workouts, this week including legs and back. I wouldn’t do this all the time but for a change I have worked intuitively, meaning I have a body part in mind that I want to work on but decide what exercises I do once at the gym. I’ve really enjoyed it and worked very hard.

I’m hoping that my weight has stabilised which it appears too, honestly it didn’t seem to matter what I ate, good bad, or indifferent after my last comp, I stacked on weight, I think my body thought I was starving it, which in fact I probably was, ummm it’s all a learning curve. (Still haven’t got on the scales, but my jeans still don’t fit) I intend to try and slowly drop some over the next few months with out to strict a diet as such, we will see, I’ve been wondering if I m an all or nothing kind of person, I may resort to a strict regime if I don’t manage to progress to much over the next few weeks.

We have had some great rain!! It’s been well needed, I hope it continues for some time. I planted a veggie garden a few weeks back, however snails and cabbage moths sure made short work of quite a few things, even though I used a natural spray, I planted to late so they weren’t established enough to withstand the little buggers.

Well Jacob is hassling me to watch a Christmas Pooh Bear DVD with him before bed, so better go and do so, hehe just looked over to him and he is almost asleep the cutie, take care all and enjoy your weekend

2007-12-13T20:13:00.000+10:30

Well two weeks ago my computer, phone and modem blew up in an electrical storm, so I have not had internet access since and have been so busy haven’t had the time or the inclination to log on at uni or the library. Today I had some spare time after my spin class, Jacob is with his dad and my other kids are all out and about, so I thought I would quickly post.

Training is going great, food is good, trying a new approach, not sure yet if my body agrees with it, time will tell. I wonder if I have done damage to my metabolism with the lead up to my last comp, with the extreme measures my mate and I took. I have been eating clean for about 4 weeks now, and don’t see any positive changes a all, but like I said this approach is new to me that I am trying, so will persevere for a little bit longer. Must say I don’t like carrying this extra weight, my jeans don't fit and I have metal plates in one ankle and that ankle is not happy with the extra weight on it. I’m trying to just ignore the fat gain, and just get on with doing something positive towards removing it. If I stress about it, it doesn’t help the situation at all.

I have been teaching a great deal these last few weeks, and tonight I went and enrolled in Post Grad studies, gosh I think I am mad, I am going to do Post Grad studies in inclusive education and teaching strategies and best approaches ect for autistic children. I did want to do this eventually, won’t go into what motivated me to do it now at this time.

My 18 year old is at his formal for year 12 tonight, he got early entry into ANU to do Physics, so he is happy and I am happy for him, as it is one of his passions. He has been going to uni for the past two years, since he was 16 doing a bridging course into the sciences there.

Well I have to get on home, lots to get done for tomorrow, I’ve been with year 5/6 all week. Lets just say some off them are very cheeky and I find that while experience character building, it is very tiring at times. Take care all xxx

2007-11-29T20:21:00.000+10:30

Hi all, so another funny thing I overheard my four year old saying yesterday was when he had gone and hassled his 15 year old sister who was trying to sleep, she obviously told him to go on his way, so he was talking to himself in the lounge room and it went something like this, “ummmm Kyah is not nice, ummmm Kyah has just ruined my life!!!” I didn’t comment, but thought wow that’s a bit dramatic, wonder where he heard that term. Anyway soon after this he comes and asks for a piece of chilli salami, (my older boys love the crap). I suggested no because it would probably be to hot, he insisted so I said okay darling here we go, and as I suggested to him, he found it not to his liking, anyway he proceeded back into the lounge room to comment once again to himself how the salami had now ruined his precious little life!!! My goodness she is four and so bloody dramatic, am I mean? I laughed, but not out loud just to myself.

So today I got my casual teaching card, so from now on, if I chose I can work 5 days instead of three per week and earn the full rate of pay YIPPY!!!!

I also passed my fitness certificate prac with flying colours, (all the past aerobic instructing came in handy ;) I also passed all the theory. So more things to tick off the lists, gotta love lists.

Have a great day tomorrow all, I’m off to read my book and have an early night.

2007-11-24T15:19:00.000+10:30

Okay I was tagged by Sam so here is five things you probably do not know about me.

Before I went to uni I worked in the fitness industry as a instructor, I also worked as a remedial therapist, with kids with disabilities and I ran a cooking course for adults.

I have never been overseas, however this will change next year, my cousin and I are going overseas.

Recently I was taken on a date, where the guy flew me down the coast and back for the afternoon.

I am afraid of mice, but not at all afraid of spiders, in fact have had a couple of huntsmen in my house for extended amounts of time, even cried one day when I realised my spider mate that I had not seen for some time had been squashed in the window fame. That one would even sit on my palm of my hand, to my daughter’s disgust.

I have never taken any of my children to MacDonald’s to eat! The oldest being 18 1/2. In fact once when we were asked by friends if we wanted to go to MacDonald’s for a meal my 18 year old, who was four then commented to my embarrassment, ‘What MacDonald’s!!! We don’t eat that sh*t, anyway they cut down rainforest's to make that food’ LOL gotta love out of the mouths of babies…………. and talking of such things my four year old said o me today ‘You know mum if you say nice things, you meet nice people and get to go to nice places!!! How cute is that. Enjoy the weekend all, I tag Kimmy, Sue, Nic and Charlotte

2007-11-24T09:41:00.000+10:30

We have had some much needed rain over the last few days. I was having trouble sleeping prior tho the rain, so it was a welcomed change for me, not only because we needed it but it helped me get some much needed sleep.

I was stuffed last night, and Jacob got gastro, so he was up and down being sick all night, he still is off colour today. I’m glad it is Saturday and we can take it easy and he can recover. He looses weight very quickly when he is sick. Kids are so resilient though, it amazes me how they bounce back.

My uni results have been finalised and posted, Monday I will submit my transcript to the Education Department, and once processed I will get full rate of pay and can work five days if I choose.

My head has been in a good place training and nutrition wise this week, seems I’m back on track, I’m determined it will stay this way. Christmas always brings challenges for people me included, so I am determined to keep all my nutrition in check and continue with my training. We will be in South Australia this year again; I will hire a car if required so that I can get to a gym.

I was trying to change my profile pic, but I can’t1 will have to wait till my son gets his bum out off bed, he will know. Mind you it is 10:10am, he may not get up for hours yet!! LOL slacker.

changing my profile pic

2007-11-24T08:31:00.000+10:30

2007-11-18T12:43:00.001+10:30

Looking through pics and found these two I adore of Jacob, my how they grew up so fast, below is a more recent one of him and Kyah.

2007-11-18T12:33:00.000+10:30

Tag questions.

Four dishes I like to cook:
1. Green chicken curry
2. Home made ravioli and cannelloni
3. Thai Beef salad
4. Cheese Cake

Four qualities I love in people:
1. Honesty
2. Compassion
3. Passion
4. Optimism

Four Places I have been:
1. Rainbow beach
2. Blue Mountains
3. Recently Dubbo zoo
4. Soon Vietnam

Four things in my bedroom:
1. To many clothes!!!
2. Mess I constantly seem to be cleaning up
3. A beautiful hand made Indian patchwork wall hanging
4. Jacob my youngest son

Four dirty words I like to use:
1.Well when around my kids I try not to use any, however, I’m guilty of using s**t, and f**k at times, never when in the company of those that take offence though. :)
2.
3.
4

I tag anyone reading who hasn’t been tagged yet.

So I have had the biggest break from the gym that I have had in god knows how long. Tomorrow, I am back into it. Last night I went out with a friend for a lovely Thai meal and then we had a few drinks out. Must say I enjoyed that, I don’t generally drink at all really, so I did enjoy the indulgence and feel fine for it today. Thank goodness

I passed all my uni assignments and am just waiting for them to post a final grade and transfer my marks onto my transcript and then I’m done!! Funny feeling to think after studying for so long I don’t have to anymore unless I chose to. CIT study is very different to me then my uni studies. I’m already looking into post grad studies, am I mad!!! Actually two sound very relevant and interesting, Autism and Sustainable environments, ummm we will see later down the track.

Well I have to get back completing an assignment for CIT might go for a bike ride later on when it’s cool, Jacob loves going on bike rides, it’s bloody hot here!! I think my beloved Spring is over for another year. All good, have a great day all!!

2007-11-12T13:37:00.000+10:30

Well we just got back last night from visiting Kimmy and Margie and going to the Dubbo zoo, we had a lovely weekend and my four year old was very taken with Kimmy, so much so he decided to stay on and live with her.

Prior to going to Dubbo I was in South Australia helping care for my granny. I had organised this quite some time ago hoping to give my aunt and uncle a little bit of time to themselves, I was planning to go to the gym and keep on a nutritional plan while there, however it just didn’t happen. I certainly underestimated the time and care involved in helping look after my gran as her health has deteriorated very much since fracturing her pelvis and ribs while in institutional care for a short time while my aunt and uncle attempted to have a short holiday. I had a wonderful time while there and am now trying to get back on track with both training and nutrition. I am annoyed with myself now, as once I decided to just go with the flow over there I certainly enjoyed the food, but now have to get rid of the weight I put on. You think I would have learnt from previous set backs. Don’t think my deprivation diet prior to my comp helped here.

So I am waiting with baited breath to hear that I have passed my last university assignment, and subject. Wish they would hurry and get the results out. Been doing some of my tech assignments, and must say I can’t wait till tech is finished for the year as well now.

Teaching is good, it certainly has its challenges some days though, however I try to look upon it as character building for myself at times when it’s a bit tough, and fast track learning in how to deal with behaviour management issues that suit both students and myself.

Will post some pics from Dubbo visit as soon as I manage to get them of my camera, I think the memory card I used is stuffed, hope everyone here in blog land is doing great, will catch up over the next few days.

2007-10-26T21:58:00.000+09:30

Well Jacob is better, but not before he got the most dreadful gastro, couldn’t even hold down water, he has his dad’s metabolism and lost a lot of weight in a 24 hour period, hehe, while I was putting some on. To be expected I suppose when you resort to the drastic measures I did this comp. Well it’s all a learning curve isn’t it.

Well I have been back at the gym this week and am a bit sore at present. All good though.

I got to work a couple of days this week which was great because I hadn’t been able to at all the week before due to Jacob. Next week I’ve booked to work the four days leading up to me going to spend a week with my gran and family in S.A.

While in SA I will attempt to catch up on the tech classes I have missed, got a nutrition assignment, some programs to write and a few other things. At least it seems they will allow me to catch up rather than re-do all the subjects next year, well as long as I meet the requirements.

Once Thursday night tech is finished I’m going back to sewing classes, I love sewing but neglect it dreadfully when ever life gets busy, good how it is something you can just pick up again when ever.

My main goal after the ACT’s has been to have a week off and then re-establish where I am at and go from there. Well I have done that and although I have goals I striving to achieve at present and in the near and distant future, I am yet to put them in writing and give them the focus they require and deserve. I will give this some more thought once in Adelaide as well. I have had a lot to get out of the way this week and actually submitted my last ever university assignment I have to do, thank bloody god!!! So as long as I pass, I have finished my degree!!!!!!!!! It hasn’t really hit me yet, and don’t get me wrong but I’m not going to my graduation, for me it is over rated, very expensive, boring and too long and drawn out. Also I find sitting for hours while waiting for ones name to be called out to walk on and off stage overrated.

I go to my kids’ graduations however that is different. Some of my uni mates think I’m daft, however I think my time is better spent with family or doing something constructive, each to their own though.

CHEESE CAKE RECIPE

2007-10-19T14:42:00.000+09:30

CHEESE CAKE RECIPE

BASE

150 GMS OF LSA, OR A COMBINATION OF ANY DRY NUTS YOU FANCY, MIXED WITH SOME FLAX SEEDS; I HAVE USED ALMOND MEAL, and HAZELNUT MEAL WITH A LITTLE WALNUT MEAL. WALNUT MEAL IS GENERALLY MOIST THOUGH

50-80 GMS OF MELTED BUTTER

MIX TOGETHER. BAKE IN MODERATE OVEN FOR APPROXIMATELY 20-30 MINS, COOL, this will depend on your oven, mine is crappy ;)

FILLING.

250 GMS LOW FAT COTTAGE CHEESE

125 GMS 80% LOW FAT CREAM CHEESE

125 GMS 70% LOW FAT SOUR CREAM

I LEMON BLENDED, OR 2 TEASPOONS ZEST AND 2 TABLESPOONS JUICE

(I like it lemony, hence the whole lemon)

2 TABLESPOON CORN FLOUR

1/3- 1/2 CUP XYLITOL, OR SWEETENER EQUIVALENT.

Blend all ingredients together. Pour into microwavable dish, Microwave on medium for approximately 10 minutes, whisking well every 1 minute until very think. Pour onto base and refrigerate for about 3 hours. IT IS yummy BE WARNED!!

CAN SPRINKLE TOP WITH NUTMEG OR CINNAMON, OR BOTH

I will get around to working out the macro nutrients, You can use a combination of ricotta and low fat cottage cheese if you want it lower in fat. Sorry it isn't specific, I made it up and had to remember from memory as at the time I didn't take enough notice of quantities, I made it at 11pm the night before comp when I couldn't sleep ;)

2007-10-18T10:59:00.001+09:30

Well I have had very lazy laid back week so far, was planning to have the whole week off training, I think after 12 to 16 weeks solid training your body needs and appreciates a break, so the fact Jacob has chicken pox and I therefore couldn’t work I have just kicked back with him. He is on the mend, just still spotty. Ow and I’ve almost finished my very last assignment for uni, but have missed two weeks of tech, but I’ll catch up.

I have enjoyed some foods I haven’t had for ages, such as porridge and cottage cheese, home made Caesar salad with chicken, Thai beef salad, some German spice biscuits, some good quality low GI bread, and some low carb cheese cake I made, that when I work out exactly the quantities I put in it I will post as it is great if you like cheese cake and certainly much lower in carbs and fat than the usual ones but you would never know!! My weight has rebounded, amazing how quickly that happens, but expected when I was on such a carb restrictive diet, I'm holding fluid and no doubt put on some fat, however I expected this as I was warned and have it in control. And as of this weekend I will be back on my training and eating schedule so all is good.

I finally found out what my shoulder injury is, it seems it is inflammation, over use and scare tissue within the long head of the bicep. My physio appointments have finished and now I am gong too try and find a good massage therapist, to keep up the work removing and correcting the scare tissue. The week off now and I didn’t weight train the week before the comp, have been very beneficial in it’s healing I feel. Although I am sure I will have to b careful as it tends to flare up easily.

Well I had better go and be a bit productive, have a lovely day all, it is wonderful weather here today, might take spotty boy for a bike ride later.

Once again thanks for all your caring supportive comments ;)

2007-10-15T20:13:00.000+09:30

Well finally, I placed fourth; there were five in my class. I enjoyed it however the lead up was quite stressful along with the general things my youngest son got chicken pox and was quite sick and all he wanted was his mum. Also my daughter decided not to help me with the tanning, she had social engagements that were far more important, my cousin would have helped however she has not had chicken pox so didn’t want to be near my son. So I did it myself, some bits are harder to get too!! At the last minute, on the day my best mate helped me out; she was great and learnt very quickly.

Overall I can’t say I was happy with my condition, I was carrying more body fat than Wagga and from the pics any size I had gained appears to be lost due to the extremely strict diet I followed for 5 weeks. My body fought it all the way, I certainly would not suggest nothing but lean protein and fibrous veggies for any length of time for myself again, I think my body thought I was starving, although I was hungry all the time, I thought if you were starving you didn’t get hungry. But I had to give it a go myself to find this out, might work for some but not this guinea pig. Sam suggested not to follow it for more than a week however I panicked and kept on it. I decided to still go through with the comp for the experience. I have learnt a great deal through this whole process and I’ve decided to keep more accurate records of my progress in future. This should help to avoid leaving anything that needs addressing to so late in the process to try to remedy it. I spoke with one of the judges and that was useful and we will take this into consideration.

Actually one very good thing has come out of it. I am more determined than ever to improve especially considering the girls in my age group, they were awesome, great physiques, really good condition, and nice muscle mass and lean!! So before I step back on stage I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me, so bring it on.

Now I have to work out the cardio that works for me to shift body fat, as what I was doing doesn’t seem to be working anymore. I am also going to try some different nutritional approaches as well.

Thank you all very much for your support along the way, I appreciate it greatly.

2007-10-12T15:27:00.000+09:30

Thank you all for your support and comments, much appreciated and as soon as possible I will post after the comp, I know what it feels like waiting. Heheh…..Well two more sleeps. My feelings and attitudes fluctuate throughout the day in regards to how I’m feeling about the whole process. Think it is a bit easier than the first time, just because you kind of know what to expect as far as energy levels, moodiness (well in my case), and what to do.

The day before yesterday had a horrid headache, obviously for me it was from cutting out all caffeine, well coffee in my case I do love a coffee, funny I don’t have sweetener in my coffee, however this past 6 weeks I have been having stevia in it. Will probably stop this and go back to none, although I did get given some flavoured tablets you can add to coffee, I am looking forward to trying these next week.

My prep has started and between Sam and what Nick here in ACT suggested it is all worked out now thank goodness, thankyou Sam!!xx

Well got my nails done this afternoon, I should have written this before, ( I'm not very good at typing with them) ow golly just thought I have one more assignment to do, might bribe my daughter to type it for me, now that’s an idea. :)

I will try to post tomorrow, but if not….. to all those girls competing on the weekend BEST OF LUCK AND ENJOY YOURSELVES!!

LESS THAN A WEEK!@#!!!

2007-10-08T18:51:00.000+09:30

Well I have completed a huge essay I had to write, yippy!!!!!!hope it will do as being carb depleted and writing don’t really mix with me heheh I’m an air head at at the best of times, well if I fail I have an excuse ;) No not really.... anyway it'S done, one to go!!!!!

I decided to not go to tech tonight and do amake up class I have on Friday at uni instead, just can’t see myself at a uni tutorial for 3 hours and drinking copious amounts of water with tan on. Trying to sit still andf be calm ect ect....Sure yiou guys get it...So all is good and I just finished the make up class and catching up with some uni stuff before I go home.

Comp prep is going along, I am a little “VERY’ confused at present as to what to do this week, won’t go into it too much. Will hopefully get it sorted tomorrow. Well hopefully..... as I have dieted differently these last 4 weeks, apparently it can alter how you prep….. personally I wouldn’t have a clue… Not going to say anything more, I get anxious thinking about it!!!!

Just going through the last weeks training, having hair done tomorrow will have nails on Thursday or Friday and somewhere fit everything else in. I have still been sorting out what to do after in regards to nutrition and training and it is progressing. I need an action plan, it will help keep me focussed, been researching when time permits and come up with good ideas and options.

Well I’m off home to see my kids who I bet are looking forward to next week when my comp is over!!!! Some of them are away with mates, because it is school holidays here, I bet they are glad of that ;)

Congratulations to all the girls who competed this past weekend, just INSPIRATIONAL!! All of you and remember you are all winners!!!

Two posts in one ;)

2007-09-30T21:29:00.000+09:30

Sunday 30^th September.

Firstly thank you guys for your ongoing support and uplifting comments, much appreciated!!

Well posing on Friday night was good, I am so thankful my mate found out about these classes and that we have been able to go. Not only is the opportunity to learn a lot from them, but it’s also great to meet others who are competing on the same day as well.

I had a wedding to go to today, it was lovely, fairy tale stuff, my girlfriend always has wanted a fairytale wedding. The ceremony was held in a beautiful chapel, the bride arrived in an old fashioned horse and carriage and the cake was a castle set on cliffs made from white chocolate; and no I didn’t taste any hehe.

Well my weight is dropping and I can see improvements, let’s hope these improvements continue during the next 2 weeks. I have become accustomed to the diet my mate and I are on and my energy levels have improved remarkably since feeling like sh**t the first week then getting sick, thank goodness for that, I hope this continues so it assists in my training, I dare say I will be doing cardio right up to the comp.

Also been thinking about plans for after the comp, so in the process of still researching, but have some goals and plans going into action, all good.

Thursday 27^th September.

Not a great deal to report, plodding on bronchitis clearing up I am still very congested, noticed doing abs on a decline last night… I coughed a lot. It has really made my training suffer, but I’ve been managing, Jacob didn’t appear to get chicken pox, well not yet anyway, he is still not 100% either, but he is back to being his wonderful self. I had to cancel some of my work this week, a bummer, but we were just too ill and even if I was ok, couldn’t get Jacob looked after. Was nice to stay home with him and I managed to complete all the assignments I had for tech and emailed them instead of handing them in.

So last night our tech class was cancelled, didn’t hear me complain and that was the last one for the first half of the semester so as long as I pass everything, that’s another 4 subjects down. 4 more start in one week’s time.

3 weeks 1 day!!

2007-09-22T12:38:00.000+09:30

Well I had better update my blog, haven’t really had the time or the inclination lately.

It is three weeks until the ACT INBA comp, and as expected things are getting challenging.

One main challenge for me is that my body appears to have stopped responding to the dieting. UMM…. Initially we thought I was holding fluid, well I was a bit, so cut out all salt, not a great deal of changes occurred though unfortunately.

So at my posing lesson with a local bodybuilder a week ago, he told me and a mate we were carrying to much fat, and ‘kindly’ suggested we follow a diet he had strong faith would work, along with a very challenging leg program, circuit style that may I add takes almost 2 hours to get through ummmm. I must be slow *lol* Well he suggested we do it three times a week, and yes we have, god forbid!! Must say it is great to have a partner in crime!!

Anyway last night at posing, don’t think he was all that happy with the progress, can’t say I am either and I voiced my concerns about the diet and weather our bodies may think we have gone into starvation mode, he said as long as your hungry, no your body is not thinking it is starving and yes we are eating regularly. Does anyone know about this???

Funny though came home and this morning a drop in scale weight and I’m sure my legs look a little leaner. Will see what Sam thinks. Have no lats at present, they would definitely be glycogen depleted, lets hope the gains I have made in my shoulders and lats, even if small, are not being metabolised away!!!!

Sometimes I little bit or some knowledge can be kind of dangerous, I am reasonably new to preparing for a comp and some of what I am doing goes against what I have read about from reputable recourses, however I do not have the practical experience to really have an educated opinion, and the guy suggesting what we do has a lot of experience, plus I really appreciate the extra time he has given both my mate and I.

I tell you it sure is a learning curve, and one I choose. However to continue on this path (which I probably will because I’m stubborn and don’t like giving up, and parts of me love the personal challenge, and I want to see just how much I can accomplish) I am going to do a lot more research into nutrition and what suits me and my body in the future.

I can say that in all honesty this comp prep I have stuck to my diet over 90% of the time and trained very hard, maybe for too long who know?? Ow well I am charging forward and as Sam says I may have been dieting too long. All food for thought, owww dear please excuse the pun lol .

Actually I kind of feel better emotionally than earlier in the week, I felt shit house, physically and emotionally earlier this week. Body must be adjusting to the diet, however I have dreadful bronchitis, (haven’t had it since I was a kid) which I am now taking antibiotics for, I generally do not take antibiotics at all, however I can not afford for it to linger. I am being careful to get enough rest.

Teaching is interesting, especially when I forgot mid sentence what I was telling the kids the other day, not a good look! LOL well you certainly have to have a sense of humour in life don’t you, fortunately I have one and I find it easy to laugh at myself.

So long drawn out read, hope all have a great weekend, its glorious weather here in ACT, gotta love Spring!!!!! Well I do anyways. ;)

2007-09-06T21:00:00.000+09:30

This is Jacob and my very beloved gran

And here we see Jacob depicting a little of how I am feeling right now:) nothing a good nights sleep won't cure though!!

My second eldest son was 17 yesterday :)

Well I am quite tired, been flat out working, tech and training, find of hit me this week, have been making sure I get to bed at a reasonable time thou, makes all the difference and don’t intent to fall in a heap this time, Actually not sure if I mentioned ages ago, however the tooth I was trying to save that caused me heaps of hassle during and after my last comp prep was pulled out. Hindsight is a great thing isn’t it, I agonised about having it pulled and you could say wasted some $’s trying to save it, and I haven’t looked back since having it out… apparently it was constantly abscessing.

Well like I said this week I have felt a dramatic decline in energy and strength. I have been pleased with my strength gains over the duration of the current program I have been doing; however I don’t expect to make any more strength progress over the next few weeks. All is good though, my upper body is looking leaner all the time, now I need my lower body to get the hint and let go of what it is holding onto, not stressing out about it, well not yet anyway. ;)

I am tired tonight had a big week teaching with some challenging kids and just recently got home from tech, had dinner and am about to eat again and go to bed. I have been having the biggest craving for brussel sprouts, don’t know why, something in them I need, I love them but realise not everyone does!! But not complaining at least it’s not cheese cake cravings *lol* ( I love cheese cake as well)) dream on girl!!! and at least Sam said I could replace another veg for them, thank goodness ;)

Well all is going along as it should, looking forward to the weekend, so I can hopefully get some assignments out of the way, I certainly have learnt not to procrastinate over training, however I am still learning not to procrastinate over assignments ect…. Life is but one big learning journey…. gee think I need my bed I’m getting philosophical, have a great weekend all

2007-08-26T08:43:00.000+09:30

Well I have just been plugging on with comp prep. My body fat readings were generally inspiring last week, all dropped considerably apart from thighs and lower abs, ummm very common for me, it’s the last place to go. Well still got 7 weeks to get it off there. I want to use the results as a gauge for competing in the future. Was a bit tired on and off this week, I will make sure I get enough sleep as we all know this is so very important

Relief teaching is great and fits in with my training, this is a huge bonus!!!! Just have to stick to a very tight schedule, but it is generally doable. CIT (Canberra Institute of Technology) three nights and one day is a little challenging but doable as well, and it is all for a purpose that I choose to pursue so no complaining from me. Anyway the learning at CIT is great as it is generally so practical, can’t say all uni learning is practical!! Actually nearly half way through the first lot of courses… how time goes by. Deb I am competing in INBA ACT. Unfortunately it is the same day as the WNBF Nationals in Sydney.

2007-08-16T22:05:00.000+09:30

Gosh a week has flown by since I last blogged, I have been incredibly busy but all is good and I have been making getting enough sleep a major priority. Generally it is working. I have been training at 6.30 am again for my morning cardio. This week I relief taught for three days and overall I loved it, especially today I had a great year 2 class.

My training and diet are going very well; my mind is in the right spot. I have been doing my current weight program for 7 weeks now and I must say it is a great program and I can even see good results, (often I can’t) let’s just hope enough fat comes off over the next 8 weeks. Speaking of fat I am having my body fat done again this weekend, and I am very interested in seeing how much improvement there has been since the last time. Last comp prep I didn’t get body fat done at all.

Tomorrow I have assignments to get on with along with training and going along with my cousin and aunt for coffee while they have lunch, I’ll take my own lunch of course. My aunt is over from South Australia at present.

Well I had better get to bed, take care all!!

2007-08-09T22:30:00.001+09:30

Well I’m just about to go to bed. Have had a good week so far, can’t believe it is already Friday tomorrow. I just finished a small uni assignment for tomorrow, gosh only two big assignments left for uni altogether. YIPPY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I want to get stuck into the next one as soon as possible, so to get it out of the way so I don’t have to think about it, so will look at it over this coming weekend.

Good news I got my relief card so now I can relief teach, have my first day next Tuesday, Friday and Mondays I am at uni, we are only able to teach up to three days a week at this stage, but that’s fine with me. Between everything else I have going on it will be more than fine ;)

Overall I have been sleeping a lot better, I am fortunate I generally sleep very well, just don’t allow myself to go to bed early for some or many reasons, some to do with peace and quite of the night, I love it. To tell you the truth for the past couple of weeks I have been still going to bed late some nights, but getting up later on some of the mornings for cardio, well as of Monday I am back to doing it early every morning due to other commitments, so I have certainly enjoyed training a little later in the morning when it suited, but will go back to loving the feeling off having it over and done with before half of Australia is out of bed. GOTTA LUV THAT. It will be interesting to see if I can still maintain the intensity of the training, I did notice when I did it a little later I seemed to be able to give it heaps more, probably due to two meals being in my tummy ;)

Well I’m off to bed to read some of my wonderful book I am reading and to look at some cook books, isn’t that a peculiar thing to do when you are getting ready for a comp, read cook books. I find it really relaxes me and for some reason helps keep me on the straight and narrow. …..No…… I’m just sick in the head and like to self torture myself…. LOL….only kidding and it’s not even funny, think my bed is overdue…… Good night all and sweet dreams

2007-08-09T22:28:00.000+09:30

2007-08-05T12:05:00.000+09:30

This is a picture of my son who is 17 in less than one month.

My training and nutrition have been pretty good if I say so myself. Yesterday I had scheduled a rest day, so later today I will train quads and cardio, I like training on Sunday, it is sometimes quiet at the gym then, and it sets me up for a good week.

Uni is in full swing now, and so is tech, I am enjoying most of tech, means I am out three nights a week, which does require a lot of organisation and planning, due to kids ect. I am very thankful for my cousin’s help!!! The day classes for tech start this week as well. Will be good to complete the first course by the end of this year, and then focus on cert 4 next year, they may offer this part time, not sure yet.

I haven’t studied this weekend, just wanted a break. I watched the DVD the Secret last night and got a hell of a lot out of it, think I will get myself a copy and watch it some more, just ordered the book of e-bay, really going to focus and put the principles into practice.

Well I had my interview for teaching on Friday, all went well, they don’t tell you much, and you wait for months to hear a result.

Any day I will get my relief teaching card and will be able to teach and get paid for it. HURRRRAAAYYY!!!

ENJOY THE REST OFF YOUR WEEKEND, TRAIN HARD AND LOVE YOUR LIFE

2007-07-30T21:44:00.000+09:30

29/07/07

I have had a pretty good week, got all my training in, went to all my tech classes, missed one lecture at uni, ow well… but can listen to it on line if I get around to it. Did a couple of my morning cardio sessions at 9am instead of 6.30am, with one of my new cardio programs I find it very challenging and am able to give it a lot more after my second meal for the day. However maybe it is just a mind set, not sure. Once I start relief teaching I will have to do it 6.30 am then anyway. Waiting for my relief card to come in the mail and once I have that I can start relief teaching up to three days a week at a reduced rate of pay, until I graduate.

The bout of horrid cold weather seems to have passed, which I am pleased about. I am still a bit bummed out over losing my thumb drive, tonight I really have to pull my finger out and just start recreating my portfolio, I have really been procrastinating about it, suppose I would just like it to miraculously turn up, heres to still hoping it will.

I wrote this last night and I am finally pleased to say I made a huge start on recreating my portfolio, will do more on it this morning between cooking for the week and cleaning.

30.07.07

I was looking at teas at the supermarket the other day and bought a tea put out by Nerada, an organic green chai, well the first cup I didn’t particularly like, so the next one I had I put a little stevia in it, and I love it!!! It is really spicy and with a dash of sweetness really hits the spot. I’m having one now before I go to bed. Had tech tonight was good, was screening and assessment, two classes down how ever many to go

I did a bit more on my portfolio the plan is to do heaps of it tomorrow in between uni and tech.

I trained chest and did 2 lots of cardio today, I am buggered and off to bed, Jacob is still up because his brother watched him while I was a tech and let him sleep, gruuuuu… He is a night owl at the best of times let alone when he is allowed to sleep before bed. So all lights out and no choice but to sleep mum says LOL )

Have a wonderful day tomorrow all and take care.

2007-07-25T21:06:00.000+09:30

Well I am very pissed off with myself. I have an interview with the Department of Education next week to gain a grading in regard to teaching, I’m not going for permanency next year as I want to relief teach, so that my kids and I still have a life, especially the youngest Jacob as it is his last year next year before he starts school himself. Still have to go through the interview process though... Anyway, I have been working on a portfolio over the last couple of months, which is part of the process… You won’t believe what I have done. I realised the other night that I had misplaced my thumb drive, my portfolio is on it…. I hadn’t backed it up….. How frigging stupid!!!!!!! Anyway it’s gone and I’m a bit pissed and annoyed with myself, worst thing I have been reading a remarkable book that was lent to me about attracting what you want into your life and just the other day I was thinking/daydreaming what a drudge this portfolio was becoming….and if only I could tell the interview panel I had lost mine!!!!!! SO YOU GET WHAT YOU DESERVE gotta laugh or I think I will cry. I have to build a bridge and quickly get over it as my interview is Friday week and the last two days other than training and tech I have been very unproductive and feeling a bit sorry for myself, really how dumb can you be???? Let’s hope I have learnt a very BIG lesson and always remember to back up important documents in future and not to leave my thumb drive at uni!!

Other than that I am great ;). Ow except for my teenagers arguing and fighting, thank god for the gym I can take my frustrations out there… hehe

take care everyone and enjoy the rest of your week :)

2007-07-22T08:55:00.000+09:30

Well time goes by, I have had a very productive week, training, diet were spot on, a bit hungry a couple of days, but nothing unmanageable, all good, I can see a drop in my measurements which of course is encouraging and motivating. I find it hard to see visual progress within my self if the time frame is reasonably close.Sam or my daughter has had to sometimes stick it in my face in the past.

I love the fact that I do not have to regularly weigh myself in comp prep. I get caught up with the numbers and can’t stand it, …. when I was 18 and first started weight training I weighted about 60 kgs … anyway after around 4-5 months of solid weight training and cardio I hopped on the scales and I weighted 65 kgs. I was horrified and didn’t have the knowledge back then to reason with myself, so even though I looked better for the training, was fitter, stronger, and had obviously put on some muscle, as well as my clothes fitting a hell of a lot better… I allowed this all be all overshadowed by me just because my body weight had gone up and it distressed me. Knowledge and education are so important aren’t they, so I try very hard to make sure my own children have the right knowledge.

So it suits me that most of my progress changes are made through visual observations and measurements. However I have made the decision to have my body fat taken regularly from now on, so that I can track the progress for future reference. Then I will have comparisons to refer back on as well. Especially seeing

Well on Friday I did my enrolments for tech, it seems I will be able to complete my level 3 fitness quals by the end of the teaching year. I have decided to go for it. I just have to stay very focused and organised. I should be able to manage the work load as long as my time management is good and I do not allow myself to get tired. I’m still in the process of trying to get verification for prior learning for some of the subjects from last semester. It helps that I do not have a very big load on at uni this semester; I do have to be available for three days relief teaching each week though.

I have been a little slack with my meditation since Melbourne, so must endeavour to remedy that. Think I will go meditate now…before I have to be elsewhere. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!

BLOODY COLD HERE!!! :)

2007-07-17T13:37:00.000+09:30

What a great weekend I had!! Was wonderful to catch up with so many great people and get to spend some quality time with them during the weekend and at the All Females. And to meet some lovely people for the first time as well.

What an exceptional turn out at the All Females, Congratulations to all off you!!!

It is very cold her in ACT at present and it is expected to snow tomorrow and be around 5 degrees all day, ummm this morning was dreadfully cold, I did my cardio later than usual, I just didn’t think I would warm up enough to be able to move properly at 6am hehe my excuse anyway!! Actually by the time I did it the gym was quite warm and I was wishing a window was open, never satisfied....

Yesterday was back at uni, I think I might actually enjoy the subjects I ham doing will keep you posted, tomorrow I have an interview with the CIT fitness qualification convener in regard to my subjects and what I can get recognition for. As my uni workload is not too big at present I may pick up some day subjects as well as night ones, note to self DO NOT OVER DO IT!!! subjects down... god knows how many to go ( the course is quite extensive at CIT here)

I love a new program split I have and present. I worked quads on Sunday and they are very sore, this is great for me, because I often find it very hard to work my legs hard enough so that I regularly get DOMS in them. So far so good.

Tonight I have more cardio and weights.

Jacobs dads computer got a virus over the weekend and it cleaned out his C drive!!! What a shame, he is a good photographer as well as artist and all of the photos he has taken of Jacob over the years were lost, along with his tattoo work history and art work history, ow dear, goes to show the importance of backing up stuff, which I am guilty of not doing myself, umm

Well lots to get on with have an awesome day everyone!!! And train and work hard

2007-07-08T09:43:00.000+09:30

It is going to be a lovely day here today, we have had heaps of rain and think it will clear today and it is not nearly as cold as it has been.

Going to the gym in the dark in the morning is always fun, when it’s freezing Io grin and bare!! No not really, you just do it don’t you because it’s great after your finished and certainly is a wonderful start to the day. And when else would you fit it all in LOL having said that I had yesterday off always do look forward to that as well.

My weight training is going along great, I am going to train ahead of schedule this week so I don’t stress too much in Melbourne trying to get through my workouts at an unfamiliar gym, will still be doing all my cardio over there though, back on Sunday and will train Sunday arvo at home.

Very much looking forward to catching up with everyone who is going, less than a week now!

My doms have settled down.. and am at uni, my computer is still getting fixed, just about to go home eat and then walk around the lake with a friend, then this afternoon, train and cardio.

Still meditaing again, got to love the positive things it adds and brings into your life!!! why I go for periods when I don't bother or don't make the time I've always got to wonder when I get back into it.

Hope you are all having a great weekend, and Sue I am hoping that tape I sent you worked and Kimmy great to talk yesterday, Hope today you are 100% better. I’ll be on your case tomorrow morning hehehe

2007-07-03T10:22:00.000+09:30

This week is going wonderfully for me so far, training has been great!! Diet spot on. sleeping improving all the time, actually got to bed by around 9pm last night, a mate sent me a text that woke me up around 10pm (they would have thought I was still up) to tell me Rod Stewart was on TV, …. I was a fan of his when I was younger, he had some great music that never hits the top 40 so to speak.... Got back to sleep pretty easy though, meditating again is helping... hurrraaay!!!!! then at the gym 6.30 am... BLOODY COLD OVER HERE IN ACT AT PRESENT, MUST BE SNOWING A LOT :)

I have a severe case of DOMS, you know when you find it hard to get on and off the toilet.. LOL !!! Funny but so true, sure you guys know what I mean. Well just a quick post I am supposed to be writing a portfolio so had better get stuck into it

2007-06-29T13:20:00.001+09:30

Thankyou so very much girls, I really appreciate the comments, if these pics help inspire anyone I will be glad I posted them.

All your support here really assists in keeping me focussed and on task, My training is going wonderfully, I feel 100% better now and can really start to push now, when I can train like that it helps me with sticking to my nutritional plan, because I don’t want to upset all the good results at the gym, also I am getting enough sleep which of course we all knows helps immensely, the last few days I have even been meditating, so all is good!!

I can’t tell you how good it is to be feeling back to normal, I am building up my cardio intensity and it is great to not feel fatigued and have nothing in the tank to push with.

Finally got the professional pics from WNBF!! I will post some with this post.

I am enjoying not being at uni, I have to get on with making a portfolio of my teaching ect for interview purposes. Next year I have made the decision to relief teach, due to many commitments one main one, it is Jacobs last year before he goes to school and I want to be able to spend some time with him, also my granny is getting on and very day she is still here is precious, she is 96 now and I want to be able to go over to SA as often as viable and when I can fit it in.

Well here are some pics from my April comp,

take care all and have a wonderful week.

Alixxx

comparisons

2007-06-29T12:58:00.000+09:30

Here goes.....So here is a comparison I mentioned ages ago. I am pretty sure this pic was one taken when I first did a program with Sue.

quick update

2007-06-27T21:52:00.000+09:30

Well the last two days have been great because I can finally push myself while doing cardio!! very pleased with this and hasn't happened to soonnn!!! the above pic is of my daughter on the left and one of her best mates, owww aren't they cute!!

take care and have a great day tomorrow

2007-06-26T14:35:00.000+09:30

Well long time no post, lots to tell

I went to the doctor a couple of weeks ago due to absolute exhaustion, good news blood tests where reasonably good, might look into seeing a good naturopath if I can find one, mine left ACT quite a while ago and I miss her.

So due to exhaustion I had a couple of weeks off training and went over to Adelaide to spend a few days with family and gran. I really wanted to catch up with Jamie Lee, however the time flew and I stayed at my Aunt and uncles who care for my gran and I didn’t really go anywhere, just needed to be there I also needed to rest. So next time I am over Jamie, I will make sure I have transport and arrange to see you.

So I got a virus, and now I have a cold, but I feel okay, went back to the gym after a break for the first time on the weekend, my bum among other body parts are very sore, gotta love that.

I am a bit bummed about letting myself get so rundown, it certainly crept up in me, and Sam warned me, However, I have learnt a lot from the experience. My training and health has suffered from it, but they are getting back to normal, and it really brought home the need for balance and not trying to accomplish too much at once. I might have got it all done, but at a cost and because of it that is why I’m not competing in July, there is always next year!. I am trying to get back into the habit of meditation as this really helps ground me and keep me sane so to speak, also makes me sleep better.

Sue I am looking everywhere for the tape I promised you, I’ve obviously hidden it will send one as soon as I find it.

I got some good marks at both uni and tech, and needed the marks for uni, because I had bump up my overall mark for a particular subject. Application is in to Department of Education. Next year I want to teach relief so I still have some time for my kids especially Jacob as it is his last year before he starts school that will also give me a chance to implement some other things I want to do and have planned.

I have put on quite a bit of fat, (bugger) so I have to get rid of that. If I get tired that is when I look to food sure many can relate to that. I have a couple of comps in mind in the near future, not sure if I will do both, but definitely am aiming for INBA’s in ACT. They are just under 16 weeks away. So waiting to hear back from Sam, in regard to some questions I asked her.

I’m slowly building up my cardio and been back on my diet for a while now.

Kimmy if you read this I can’t get into your blog, hope you are well and I miss you!!

Slowly catching up with blogs, I am going to make an effort to be a bit more consistent in blogging, will help keep me focussed.

Still have not received professional pics from WNBF I am going to email and ring Danny Chou, the photographer just is not getting back to me after about 4 emails.

Train hard eat well and take care all

Alixx

2007-06-12T16:03:00.000+09:30

What a lovely winters day it is here in ACT today!! Both Jacob and I have the flu, I feel not too bad though (lets hope it stays that way) we are at home together, his nose is a running tap, so I kept him home from child care. It is so gooodddd to catch up on domestic jobs I have been putting off due to lack of time to get it all done lately.

Sam has advised me to have a week off cardio, thank goodness because I have been suffering from some kind off exhaustion for a few weeks now and it’s not pretty. Waiting for blood tests the doctor did to come back later in the week. Hoping there s nothing amiss and that it will just pass once I catch up with sleep and rest.

So unfortunately I will not compete at the All Females in July, I’ve lost far too much ground and time now. So I will now concentrate on WNBF and INBA in my own state mid September and October. I was a bummed out about this but as Sam says my health is more important than any comp, so true.

I have got some very good marks for the exams at tech, and one back from uni that was great, and thank goodness as I needed the marks to bump my overall mark up. I have missed quite a few Thursday night First Aid classes so not sure if I will be able to sit for that exam at all, must find out before I go to Adelaide. I have done First Aid to many times to remember but never good if you can’t make the classes, Thursday night was often the night my mentoring teacher wanted to plan for teaching. That had to be my priority at the time.

I have to write a formal job application, shit I have never had to before for any job I have had, so I find it very daunting (more so than an assignment actually)… ow well it will be an accomplishment once I have done it.

2007-06-03T21:32:00.000+09:30

This is going to be short Just haven't posted for quite a while, life is full on, my training and nutrition are right back on track my nutrition, was great all week, weights were great cardio was a bit of a strain. As soon as i finish my internship I am going for a medical checkup as i have been not just getting tired i have been been getting absolutely exhausted and some times being irrational and cranky especially towards my eldest son who lives with me full time, poor guy, he is a pretty good kid really and doesn’t deserve his mum on his case 24/7. Actually he is 18 this Sunday coming. Must say I feel heaps better for having more sleep, but am still getting pretty tired.

I have only 2 days left of my internship left. I finish on Tuesday.I have put a hell of a lot into it and hope to get a great report.

My comp training has suffered quite a bit this last month or so though, However in hindsight I should have just had a week or two off instead of struggling along and letting myself get run down and taking far longer to get back on track in the long run, and I have now realised I had taken on too much. Well life is a journey and a learning one at that. ;)

Will catch up later in the week and respond to being tagged then, until then train hard eat clean, and love your life xx

2007-05-25T07:31:00.000+09:30

Long time no post. I have one school week and two day left of my internship left. It is flying by, I am learning a lot and very much enjoying the experience. I am very tired, someday exhausted actually. Not just to do with the intern work load, it is tech on top of it and my dreadful habit, which is hard to break, of staying up too late. The week before this one I mediated at night it helped a lot, didn’t do much of it this week. I think everything is catching up with me.

So my diet is the thing that has suffered, and that s probably the one thing that I can’t afford to let suffer. (I have PCOS, polycystic ovarian syndrome) no excuse but it does make it harder if my sugar and carb intake goes up. You know I am generally the kind of person that just gets on with it and sticks to my diet, with a very occasional slip up, that I get over and just get on with it. However this last couple of weeks, I have found it very hard to stay focussed and my mind wanders wen I am tired and I start to think of food. Not a good time for it to be doing this, I now have to literally work my ass off again before July, hope that is possible!!

Still waiting for the professional pics from WNBF they seem to be taking for ever! Emailed about them again last week, might have to again.
I had first Aid at tech last night; I am getting recognition of prior learning for a couple of courses, still waiting for my anatomy and physiology mark to be posted.

So over the weekend I am going to rest train and prepare for next week and hopefully sort out my head. :)

Have a wonderful weekend all soon I should be able to blog more regularly once again.

8 weeks 5 days to go

2007-05-14T07:01:00.000+09:30

Well I have spent a lot of my weekend lesson planning for teaching this week. I have soul duty of care of the kids now for two weeks. I am very much looking forward to it, also a little bit nervous. So far it has been going very well. Can’t believe how much planning and work really has to go into preparing for teaching for the week.

I am feeling so much better; my teeth seem to have all settled down, and my flu symptoms have almost gone. So it is time to put bum in the air and get stuck in with ll thing to do with training and diet. Over the last two weeks my training has really suffered due to my heath upsets. When I consistently have crap training, which isn’t very often thank goodness my diet ultimately suffers.

I have just less than 9 weeks now until INBA All Females in Melbourne and my peanut butter cheeses cake thanks to Sam. So there will be no rest for the wicked here. I had quite a bit of self doubt over the weekend, until Sam reassured me. Reason was because of losing so much training over these couple of weeks and not eating 100% to my plan also I was concerned I would not be able to catch up and make improvements within the time frame. Anyways feel much better now!!!

So yesterday I was back at the gym to do legs and cardio. I am not very sore yet, but know by the end of today it will be a very different story. I also had my body fat tested, although I told him to keep the numbers to himself and I will have it redone in a few weeks to see the improvements, that will give me heaps of extra motivation, along with the fact that my family are coming over to Melbourne from Adelaide to watch and support me when I compete. Looking forward to that

Thanks for your lovely comment Sue and funny you should bring up my before pictures. I was just showing my cousin the other day. Sometime ago I lost them on my computer and completely forgot about them until I stumbled across them…… and frightened my self LOL Not funny really. I have also been considering posting them and have decided I will, if they help motivate anyone then that is a great thing. Just will take a bit of guts actually from my part and be prepared readers as they are not to pretty. So stay tuned and when I get a bit more time than I have at this moment I will post them.

Well had better get organised have a great day all.

2007-05-08T12:09:00.000+09:30

Firstly a big THANK YOU TO SAM, KIMMY ND MARGIE AND MY COUSIN KAREN, ALL OF WHOM WITHOUT THEIR HELP AND SUPPORT I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMPETE.

Sam FOR THE AWESOME SUPPORT, TRAINING AND DIET SHE PROVIDES ME, and mostly for your friendship.

Kimmy and Margie FOR BEING THERE TO HELP ME PREPARE ON THE WEEKEND, AND ENCOURAGING ME ALL THE WAY THROUGH, I love you both.

And Karen, WHO WITHOUT YOUR LOVE AND SUPPORT AND BELIEF IN ME. And helping me out with Jacob so I can go to tech at night. AND MOSTLY FOR MAKING ME THAT CHEESECAKE YOU MUST HAVE BEEN SICK OFF HEARING ABOUT during my preparation, I will put an order in for one for July NOW!!!(It was worth it though, wasn’t it???)

And last but not least Thanks again all of you for your support that is ongoing and your most appreciate comments, It means so much too me :)

Well my bloody tooth pain has changed but has progressively got worse since my last post. Went to the Doctor yesterday and they gave me antibiotics as they said it was infected. Going back to the dentist this afternoon, and hopefully it is on the mend.

Had a week off training and diet, well I did enjoy that, although I certainly put a bit of fat/fluid back on, not so good, however I am back on track with diet and although I have been training it isn’t 100% due to tooth and head cold and headaches from tooth pain, my goodness I sound like a winger don’t I LOL..

Can’t wait to feel 100% again and get stuck in full on towards the comp in Melbourne in July. Less than 10 weeks to go now.

I have had to have two days off from my internship due to my health, so hope tomorrow I am well enough to get back into it. The doctor said the antibiotics should kick in after 48 hours.

Anyway have to study for an exam, so at least I’m doing something productive,

Take care all,

Ali

pic finally

2007-05-01T17:22:00.000+09:30

Quick post I' m very tired due to having trouble sleeping, uni work and a dreadful tooth pain, hopefully that s all fixed up went off class today and managed to get into a dentist who hopefully fixed the problem by drilling down to the root and putting an anesthetic dressing on it, the tooth is dead, but I did not want it pulled out, I'm still in pain but nothing like the pain I was in :)

This pic was taken on Kimmy's phone just before we went over to the comp venue. Sorry that it is not the best quality but you get the idea

Don't have a lot of good ones, hopefully the professional ones will be good.

take care everyone, will post more when time permits. Thanks again for all your wonderful support.

2007-04-29T15:49:00.000+09:30

I am very tired, due to staying up far to late, with my cousin after the com, because I drank to much caffeine (two cups) and possibly the sugar in a piece of tiramisu, finished that off today.

FIRSTLY THANKYOU SO MUCH GIRLS, for your support, emails, messages here, phone calls and text messages!!!. it meant the world to me I will pot pics asap. Kimmy was to busy cheering me on and texting my mates that she forgot to take pics, I have to work out how to get a couple of my cousins camera. Okay then…. The comp I LOVED it!!!!!!!! I had a ball; I placed second in novice, two competitors. Third in masters!!!!! Four competitors in the division, first and second awesome physiques. The feed back was great and I could so relate and agree.

I well write more when I am rested and coherent J

2007-04-23T22:25:00.000+09:30

Have finally completed my literacy assignment, UUUHHHH what a sigh or relief, let us hope I pass. LOL

So One good thing about having all these huge assignments I have not really had time to think to hard or deep about the fact that I am competing for the first time this coming weekend
So I am into the last week prep, and so far so good. I think my mates Sam, Kimmy and Margie and my cousin who is coming are more exited then me at this stage, although reading all the blog news about how great the girls did in QLD , CONGRATULATION by the way!!!!! has motivated me no end.

Sam rang me last night to see how I was travelling and if I had any questions. I keep thinking of more questions so I am writing them down and will no doubt send them later.

I am very tired, not just the training but the assignment as well, I am not even excited about finishing yet!! Do not worry I will be in the morning when I get up to go to the gym and it hits me LOL Just need to get it into uni ASAP, was supposed to be in this afternoon and couldn’t get my computer to co-operate so I could put it on disk to print out at uni, ummm at least it is competed and now it is finally on disk and ready for the morning to print off and submit.

I have to spend considerable time between now and Saturday practicing my poses, still needs work, thank goodness for Jo and her help.

Now on to lesson planning for rest of internship, well I am buggered, think I will have a hot drink and go to bed.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN DEB, ALICIA AND TRACEY, YOU ARE ALL SO INSPIRATIONAL.

2007-04-18T18:54:00.000+09:30

Well time is ticking on, I have almost completed one uni assignment, as soon as that is done I have another to tackle, the second one has to be submitted on Monday afternoon, so after that I get on with planning the teaching for when I go back to finish my internship, and study for tafe exams. Yesterday and the day before I felt very tired and a bit flat, was hard to concentrate on my assignment. Had a few issues with my daughter, won’t go into it, just lets say growing up is challenging for all, I remember.

However yesterday I said to myself just get on with your assignment otherwise you will add unneeded stress, so I did. I will finish it by tomorrow afternoon if not before.

My training today was awesome, I didn’t do weights as I am one ahead just 2 bouts of full on cardio, funny how your body clock works, yesterday training was a chore today as I said was great and I had lots of energy.

I practiced my posing today for longer than usual, need to do it as much as possible I feel. Well that’s about it I am quite tired now and think I will go cuddle my little guy. That reminds me yesterday he said to me ‘mum we need to go shopping , we have to buy protein, we have run out’ LOL I had to giggle, they grow up so fast.

Take care all

2007-04-13T19:27:00.000+09:30

Thank you for all your wonderful positive comments guys. However as busy as I am at present I don’t think it is to good as some off my pleasure for things is not optimal at the moment and I just can’t wait to finish uni. I have taken on to much, with tafe, uni and my internship as well. However I am getting by and have two weeks breakfrom my teaching internship as of next Friday. During that time I will complete some big assignments, study for tafe exams and literally work more of my ass off.

I try to be very subjective about myself and this competing thing, because I have never done it before I do not really know what I am in for, or exactly what to expect. I have learnt quite a lot about myself in the process and am still learning, that’s the beauty of life I think. I do not want to get up on stage and make a fool of myself, who does though?

However, I am competing in Wagga more so for the stage experience, however my pride, ego call it what you will certainly still doesn’t want me to look out of place or stand out because I look like I don’t belong up there if you know what I mean.

Because of my age I will compete in my age group, however with the WNBF federation I am going to compete in novice as well for the extra experience, which both Sam and I think will be very beneficial come July and September. So I suppose this comp is a more for the experience than anything else, I must keep reminding myself of this because I get carried away at times with self doubt and think what the hell am I doing and I just am not ready, well I will never be ready if I keep thinking like this????

Any suggestions on how to just relax and get some enjoyment out of the whole experience would be greatly appreciated!!! I best take up meditation again I think.

Well I wrote that last weekend and although it still stands true, my head today is in a bit of a better place, I really have been questioning myself lately as to why I am doing this to my self, I will just plod on because if I backed out now I will never know if I want to continue on this road or not and if I go through with it I can make a decision based on at least being up on a stage once. God I sound so bloody serious!! I can’t wait to eat something off my plan to tell you the truth, don’t know what, probably cheese cake to begin with, I have been reading bloody cook books before bed LOL Actually I find it very relaxing believe it of not and I think they even help me stay on plan, god knows how but they do. Sam is very good at seeing a lot more positive changes in my body than me, I see them over longer periods of time but not so much week to week like she can, I am very thankful for her and that she has come into my life actually she is not only a great trainer but a wonderful human being.

Anyway will try and post again soon, take care everyone and have an awesome weekend,

HAPPY EASTER

2007-04-06T19:18:00.000+09:30

Well I have been pretty full on lately. My internship is going really well. Two weeks down. Easter has come at a great time as I have 2 huge assignments due in the ACT school holidays for university and I am going to have to do at least one of them over Easter, well the ground work anyway as it involves diagnostic interviewing, so if it is right to go as soon as we get back to school on Tuesday I can start the interview process with the chosen child. That’s the easy part then I have to analyse both my interview technique and the child's responses. God give me a break…. Why we have to recreate the wheel who knows….except our lecturer of course, grrrrrr……….enough said…… all is good :)

I am finding my internship, tech studies, university commitments, plus training and my kids quite a full on process at present, however it is not for ever, just got to get through it all and light is at the end of the tunnel. I am certainly not complaining though, because I have chosen to do all this. I am a pretty easy going person I think, however I have been a bit short with my eldest child a bit lately…. Not fair actually……although he probably deserves it …LOL…I think I am a bit irritable, hard for me to be really objective about myself at present though. My 15 year old daughter is pushing the boundaries as you can do at her age as well. Well actually my beloved daughter has been pushing boundaries from the day she was born, very strong determined wilful young woman, she is an Aries after all.

Training is going along well, finding it hard to get my heart rate up during cardio though, not sure what that is about, as I push it believe me, unless I am kidding myself and not working hard at all..hehe. Must say I do not mind cardio but will be glad when I don’t have to do quite as much.

I got my bikini from Jo the other day and I love it, it is absolutely gorgeous a piece of art!! My goodness the bottoms are small though aren’t they, my bum bulges a bit in it and this disturbs me. Ummmmm…….I am waiting to hear back from Sam about this.

Funny how training and strength progress can come in leaps, bounds and troughs as well. This week I have been very tired and felt pretty ordinary at times, only to have had a couple of weight sessions where I’ve upped my weights or reps quite a bit and had great workouts. In contrast to this there are occasions when I think I’m going to blitz it with weights or what ever and feel awesome only to not even be able to meet my last training sessions results.. Go figure???

Well have an awesome Easter everyone!!

weekend over already

2007-03-25T21:24:00.000+09:30

Well maths test over, tech prac exam over and assignment handed in. One subject at tech is over and done with. Not sure about my maths test, I really have no idea how I went. Time will tell, it was not much fun. This weekend I finished the last piece of assessment due before our internships start tomorrow. YIPPY!!!

Thankyou guys for your support and positive comments they mean a lot to me and truly help you get through and stay focussed.

Training is good, had a bit of a disruption, due to peculiar problems with my tummy. It seems to have settled right down at present so all is good, had a great leg workout today. With my tummy problem cardio was there but not optimal, so hope my energy picks up now that my tummy seems good and will get well and truly stuck into it. The clock ticks on :)

I will keep this short I have promised myself to go to bed earlier as much as possible, so I am off to my bed before I get my second wind. Everyone have an awesome week, take care and thanks again

2007-03-20T22:36:00.000+10:30

this is me, I lived with my gran for some time when I was little and here I am in her back yard talking to my mate Swift..

...and here is Jacob and kyah having a cuddle ;) goodnight all xx

my goodness ...

2007-03-20T22:19:00.000+10:30

who is that good looking guy in the corner ;) my back this time last month

flying by the seat of my pants.....

2007-03-20T21:51:00.000+10:30

... is that correct???? LOL

Well life is sure full on at present, I am into the last formal week of uni classes for the semester, they fast tracked our courses this semester due to our internships. S#*T it has been full on. Would not have been so bad except, as I said before Jacob and then I got sick, so I have been chasing my tail trying to catch up because I missed some uni work and classes. Tech is going well, missed one class last week, so more to catch up on there. Have a theory test on Thursday 8.30 am for mathematic education. Then I have a practical assessment for tafe Thursday night and an assignment to hand in for tafe on the same night, and an assignment for language education due at the end of this week. Then YIPPY!! I start my internship on Monday.

Training is going along great at present, when we were sick I missed a couple of cardio sessions and was a bit stressed about that, well it can’t be helped and I just had to build a bridge (with Sam’s help) I am just taking one day at a time and getting on with it, before I know it 6 weeks will be up and my goodness the WNBF comp will be upon me. Posing practice is happening sometimes in weird and wonderful places like the toilet at the gym, or uni LOL I have downloaded the music for my routine onto my phone and my i-pod, so same there when ever I have a spare few minutes I practice. I dedicate chunks of time to practice when ever I can as well.

I have very positive thoughts and sometimes negative ones like ‘ow my god I must be mad!!!!’ ‘Ow s!^t as if I will be ready’, ‘My goodness where are my lats LOL actually....... have I got any at all????...’'Is that fat coming of my bum at all...hehe"........I could go on……but I am sure you get the picture. Really and truly I just do not want to make a fool of myself if you know what I mean. I know Sam would certainly tell me if there is a chance of that :)

Booked our accommodation for July All Females in Melbourne, one less thing to think about. Some added motivation for me, quite a few of my South Aussie relo’s are coming over for that, my goodness certainly will have to be in good nick in front of my family LOL…so that will be awesome!!! PHAT camp finalised ow nearly forgot to mention I went up to Wagga on the weekend and met Danny Chou and Mel Zimmerman, both awesome people, (passionate about what they believe in, friendly and welcoming, full of info they want to share, and very helpful) went through their posing now I am a little more confused than ever!! This will change SOOOONN I hope! ;) As some would be aware WNBF posing differs from INBA posing, some where actually changed at the seminar.

Anyway I have to go study for maths before bed, take care all and train HARD!!! Love Alison

too long between posts

2007-03-09T17:03:00.000+10:30

5/03/07

Well like a lot of people I have been very busy with all that goes on within life. My Grannie and aunt and uncle came over from SA late last week and went home yesterday, it was wonderful to see them as usual. My granny will be 96 in MAY.

So food was 100% on track over the weekend the whole time while family where here, although today it was dreadful!!! Not delving to deep as to why at present as I’ve just got to put it behind me and get on with it, may have something to do with self sabotage, Jacob has a peculiar rash caused by a virus, can’t go to care until it is clear, had a tooth that has been giving me grief drilled out and refilled today.

I have been practising my routine and posing as much as I can fit it in and am pleased that I am progressing with it, still needs lots of work. Was a great opportunity to practice in front of my family, my aunt and uncle are very supportive people which is great!! They are going to come to the All Females in July to cheer me on, so that’s some motivation for me.

9/03/07

Well I wrote the above a few days ago and didn’t get around to posting it. I have the virus Jacob has just got over, I have managed to do my weights this week, but cardio has really suffered the last couple of days. Today has been the worst so far, hoping to feel normal again tomorrow. Went to the Dr’s, my blood pressure was quite low, hoping that is also tied in with the virus. What doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger!!! Other than cardio not being at its best, I have not submitted a posting for maths at uni. Must not stress about it, but not sure what will happen there as it is part of our assessment. Should be okay.

So for my internship which starts in 2 weeks!!! I can’t believe it, it has come around so quick I have Kindergarden!!! I am pleased with that, however will be challenging as well, we have to write and teach a maths unit and a literacy unit, although one could think that would be easy to do for kindy, I sometimes think it is harder because they come to Kindy with such a variety of prior knowledge and experiences.

Hoping I feel better tomorrow so I can get well and truly stuck back into my training, can’t afford this hick up, but such is life….well I’m off to rest up. Have a wonderful weekend everyone

overdue update!

2007-02-23T14:40:00.000+10:30

Well I got back from my weekend in QLD and hit the ground running, well sprinting more like it!!

I had an awesome time at the seminar and learnt so much invaluable information in relation to competing, thank goodness I went!~!!!! Especially with the posing, the lessons I had with Jo before hand were very eye opening to say the least. I learnt a hell of a lot and can even notice the improved difference in my appearance with just a little practice. This alone brought home the need to be able to pose properly so much to me.

So much to learn and then put into practice will keep me busy and out of trouble for ages ;) I realise is so very important to be able to pose correctly. I just can't help but t imagine if I didn't have lessons and thought I could learn from pictures or stuff you find on the net ect!!! My goodness it gave me anxious feelings thinking about it. LOL There is just so much involved, and to remember and I am a very visual, hands on practical person. Thank goodness Sam suggested I go and Jo made it possible!!! THANK YOU TO BOTH OF YOU!!

So life has been very full on this week, new semester at uni, subjects condensed into 5 weeks and then straight into a teaching internship, Two nights a week at tafe to requalify in Fitness, thought that would be a bludge because I've learnt it all before and have in the past worked for years in the fitness industry in many different roles. hahah what a joke, Our teacher certainly knows his stuff and I am impressed with how much I have already learnt and didn't realise how much I had obviously forgotten.

Training is going great. Other than my shoulder injury has decided to flare up and is protesting dreadfully, so as soon as time permits I am arranging to have acupuncture, it can be so effective in helping inflammation and soft tissue injuries, among heaps of other things. Today I am a little tired, but have been getting Jacob to bed earlier so that means I can go to bed earlier, just have to make myself ;)

Well PHAT camp is getting closer and that both excites me and makes me nervous!!! Because Wagga comp is the week after!!! I try not to think too much about it. My plan for the next few weeks is to parent, train, eat, study and sleep. I'm certainly not complaining as I chose to do these things, it's just the way it is, so this is one reason I have not been to attentive with peoples blogs.

I hope you all have an awesome weekend as it is just around the corner once again and I am off to train.

MY ART

2007-02-09T19:28:00.000+10:30

Well everything is going along well, was tired yesterday and this morning, but am planning a very early night tonight. my problem is I get a second wind and then stay up to late, think I will take a cue from what Rae did the other night and have some chamomile tea if needed.

I just love the pic below!!! one of my favorites. I thought I might post a couple of paintings I did a few years back, I really don't get a lot of time to paint these days, one day when uni is over ect I may do a bit more. We will see so here they are

I have now learnt 3/4 of my routine, have to add the last bit then get into perfecting it!!!! I actually have really enjoyed learning it!!!

Have an awesome weekend everyone, by the ways I love Australian birds!!!

Another art pic

2007-02-09T19:21:00.000+10:30

Thursday already

2007-02-08T08:41:00.001+10:30

Well time is ticking on by. Just over a week before uni starts back. I have been training very hard and got my routine on Monday. I just love it!!! I have learnt the intro and part of the next stage of it. Jo Rogers is so very clever. Less than 2 weeks until I go up to Brisbane/gold coast for posing lessons and seminar. I am very much looking forward to that.

Well yes my leg training. My goodness it is quite mentally challenging as well physically, however I am sure it will bring results and that is what we want. To tell you the truth I just try not to think about it at all. I generally do legs on Sunday, I think it is a good way to start the week; I just go and do it. Grunt and groan and pant a bit (or a lot). Eventually it is over. And sh@t I feel good after I have accomplished it and I waddle out of the gym.

Today I managed to increase either reps or weights for quite a few exercises, it always amazes me how for me anyway strength gains often come in leaps and bounds, both forward and sometime backward. I would imagine a lot of things influence these gains as well. I shoulder pressed 10 repsx3 today using 15 kgs dumbbells. Funny because I have a shoulder injury and it is playing up a little with every day activities but didn’t whinge at me today at all at the gym. Maybe only slightly doing upright rows.

My little fella has moved up to the preschool room at day care, my goodness he loves it and what an attitude he has developed over the past week in regard to being big now!!! The pre school room kids are called kangaroos and he was telling me this morning, "how he is such a big kangaroo and because of this he can climb any tree, because that is what big kangaroos do you see" Gotta love em!!!

Anyway very busy day ahead of me, take care and be back as soon as time permits!!

Thursday already

2007-02-08T08:41:00.000+10:30

Well time is ticking on by. Just over a week before uni starts back. I have been training very hard and got my routine on Monday. I just love it!!! I have learnt the intro and part of the next stage of it. Jo Rogers is so very clever. Less than 2 weeks until I go up to Brisbane/gold coast for posing lessons and seminar. I am very much looking forward to that.

Well yes my leg training. My goodness it is quite mentally challenging as well physically, however I am sure it will bring results and that is what we want. To tell you the truth I just try not to think about it at all. I generally do legs on Sunday, I think it is a good way to start the week; I just go and do it. Grunt and groan and pant a bit (or a lot). Eventually it is over. And sh@t I feel good after I have accomplished it and I waddle out of the gym.

Today I managed to increase either reps or weights for quite a few exercises, it always amazes me how for me anyway strength gains often come in leaps and bounds, both forward and sometime backward. I would imagine a lot of things influence these gains as well. I shoulder pressed 10 repsx3 today using 15 kgs dumbbells. Funny because I have a shoulder injury and it is playing up a little with every day activities but didn’t whinge at me today at all at the gym. Maybe only slightly doing upright rows.

My little fella has moved up to the preschool room at day care, my goodness he loves it and what an attitude he has developed over the past week in regard to being big now!!! The pre school room kids are called kangaroos and he was telling me this morning, "how he is such a big kangaroo and because of this he can climb any tree, because that is what big kangaroos do you see" Gotta love em!!!

Anyweay very busy day ahead of me take care and be back as soon as time permits!!

NEW PLAN

2007-02-01T11:50:00.000+10:30

I have my new weight and nutrition program that I started earlier this week.

My cardio has been increased and I am managing with it at present.

My leg program is different to before, lower weights, more reps and slow. S%@T it hurts!!~!!! LOL I must have looked a sight doing it the other day, (grunting and groaning toward the end off each sett) and I only did half because I had already worked hammies earlier in the week. Thanks for that Sam I knew I loved you for a reason. NOT!!!

Only joking…. I really do have to work my lower body as hard as I can if I am to achieve the bum and legs I’m going to have before I am confident to get on a stage. Had a look under the bright lights in the change rooms on the way to the shower yesterday afternoon (don’t usually shower at the gym) let’s just say there is lots of room for improvement still SO BRING IT ON.

What doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger don’t they say. I have to stay focussed take one day at a time and remember no backing out, thankyou very much KIMMY for reminding me off this.

Well hope everyone has had a great week, I’ll be back soon, got to go eat;)

UPDATE

2007-01-29T15:12:00.000+10:30

I am pretty happy at present. The first comp I was contemplating doing was INBA in Wagga Wagga, well it is now being run by …ow dear…. I’ve forgotten the Federation and I am at uni and can’t look it up at present…..so the one that Danny Chau is involved with anyway. So instead of being on in 9 weeks it is on in 13 meaning an extra 4 weeks. GREAT!!! And I can compete across divisions!! The guy who organises the Wagga one rang me this morning. This really pleases me because I will be able to compete in novice and my age group over 40’s, god that makes me feel old!!! ONLY JOKING!! I really do not act my age, maybe I should. :)

So I was a little concerned that my dear friend Kimmy Hamilton and Margie were not going to be able to come along with the new dates, you see a big part of why I am competing has to do with my wonderful friend KIMMY. She is to busy these days to keep her blog for those who have the plesure of knowing her. Anyway she emailed me this morning and they are still coming. Thank god!!! Margie and her have to prepare me for stage, because I have no idea. Well after Jo’s seminar I’m sure to have much more of an idea.

So I still have a hell off a lot of work up till then, so I had better get off this computer and go train HARD!!!

HAPPY AUSSIE DAY WEEKEND!

2007-01-27T10:41:00.000+10:30

Well another week down. I have had a pretty good week. Cardio has been a not quite as good as usual. Did some extra yesterday due to missing a spin class and today’s is not due to the long weekend, ummmm … don’t ask. I will have to motivate myself, which I do 5 mornings a week, so I look forward to doing spin and having someone else kick me up the bum instead.

The other day while training chest I had to do my exercises out off order or I would have been waiting for ever for the weights I use. I have built up to be able to do around 12-14 maybe 16 full push ups. WELL because I did them (superset with another chest exercise) first I managed to do 24 full push ups!!! I was not only surprised but very pleased with myself LOL. I didn’t realise I could do that many caus if I do my chest exercises in order there would be no way I could pump out that many at the end. Something to strife for anyway 20 full push ups at end of training chest, when I get there I will let you know. ;)

Well I just wanted to brag about my push ups so I am off to do some cardio before it is too hot for me hehe

Have an awesome day everyone. HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND!!

UPDATE

2007-01-21T08:52:00.000+10:30

I have four weeks left of holiday from uni. I have picked up a little massage work, which is great because the money is needed ;)

Today I am writing a time table and plan, you see I can not afford to not be extremely organised now and once uni goes back. This semester we have two 15 week subjects condensed into 5 week, Maths Education 2 and Language Education 2. They are theoretical subjects as well not practical.

One reason for the time table now is so I can try and get some of the readings for the subject out of the way prior to commencement, that way when I read them again, they may be a little familiar. Well I’m hoping anyway LOL. Also I can not and will not let uni interfere with my training, so the more organised I am the better.

Yesterday I did a great spin class, probably seemed a little harder than usual because two classes were cancelled last week. I love spin/RPM. It is such an effective workout. Another bonus is you don’t get muscle soreness after the class just during ;). I enjoy them so much I have been tempted to update my outdated qualifications so I can teach it, however enough off that at present as I really do have enough on my plate for a few months.

I am actually going to miss the first day back of uni. I have just as important things to attend too. Thanks to Sam I got offered a great deal in regard to Jo Rogers ‘Get Ready 2007 seminar’. It is a whole package including the seminar and posing lessons, bikini ect. I am stoked!! So I fly up the Brisbane on the Friday the 17^th feb. Have a posing lesson that afternoon. Then make my way down to the Gold Coast by Sunday the 18^th for the seminar. Then fly home the next day, straight into uni. Good timing really, It is lectures I will miss, however they will either be recorded or I will get a mate to get me the notes.

I spoke To Jo Rogers on the phone and sorted out the details mid last week, what an exceptionally lovely lady, lots of people had told me she was lovely so it came as no surprise. This is just what I needed to kick me up the bum, I have been procrastinating about learning to pose, and routine music choice. Well now I have a deadline which is tomorrow to pick a couple of songs. Guess what I have finally picked them and one in particular.

Well I had better get on with the day, going to be another hot one by the feel. Jacob has gone off with his dad, I kind of always feel a bit naked when he has gone. Last weekend was the first weekend he went with his dad for the whole weekend, where I didn’t have to be interstate or anything. My goodness he is growing up. He said to me before he went, ‘don’t worry mum……. I will miss you’….. He appears to have the gift of the gab that boy!!! Knows Just what to say and when to say it, and he is three!! ….My other three I can’t keep up with, especially the younger two, what social lives they live!!! ….Back to school soon enough and they will have to buckle down a little.

Hope you are all having an awesome day!!

MORE ART

2007-01-18T22:55:00.000+10:30

This is one of my favourites. it reminds me of a fairy garden in the moon light. Will catch up soon. good night, sweet dreams!!