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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 ...

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

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

... 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

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!

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

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

a

Thursday already

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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!!