Mind Sweat

Where to find me!

2011-04-14T08:24:00.002+08:00

I am here! http://mindsweat.com.au/articles/ Subscribe and join the forum, we learn and grow from others!

2nd Place - IFBB/NPC All States O'Mara Classic

2011-03-22T09:09:00.003+08:00

And the tears come...

2011-03-17T11:39:00.003+08:00

Before I start this post, I want to quickly thank everyone who posted on my comp pics! One lady was given a pro-card (it wasn't me) but I was very happy with my condition and will be hitting the stage again this weekend.... more on all this later when my comps are all done, I just want to share other things today....

I posted about 'Going my own way'. Well, back on this topic. Wednesday morning I put my I-pod on and on my run, I ran past the venue of my dads wake (or Celebration of Life) as we called it. With the song playing I was overwhelmed and in the dark sobbed like a baby unable to see where I was stepping. I wont say sobbed, I howled. I have been feeling very vulnerable this week (as we all do sometimes) and remembering driving into the venue with my dads ashes on the seat next to me, which I had brought almost 3000 miles all the way from Singapore, combined with a song that reminded me of him and we used to sign off with at his Celebration, brough the raw emotion I thought I had lost back. I recalled speaking in front of a couple hundred people at the Celebration, what I had to say about him, being in Singapore, finding him in bed, seeing him go into the infernery, being handed his bones (not his ashes) and not knowing what to do. I recalled his laugh, his hug (or more his grip as I fondly remember it as because it was more like a headlock or a tackle around the shoulders) and his smile (which I defientely inherited). And whilst going through a vulnerable week, I try and think what he would tell me.

He will always be my strength and I need him right now. Today I am sourcing it and I will find it.

FitX - Pro Qualifier Pictures backstage

2011-03-13T13:01:00.000+08:00

Mind Sweat @ FitX

2011-03-04T15:43:00.002+08:00

Come and visit Nicky and I at the Mind Sweat stand at FitX.

Saturday 12th March to Sunday 13th March
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
STAND F05

Mind Sweat is an online publication and forum designed to entertain and inspire. We explore genres including: fitness, nutrition, travel, politics, fashion, lifestyle, finance, current affairs, motivation, business; the list limited only by what we believe will evoke your opinion. Mind Sweat will encourage you to evolve and challenge your thoughts.

Come and register to subscibe for FREE to Australia's newest online resource for women for your chance to win a gorgeous gift pack. :)

We hope to see you there! x

STAND: FO5

Come and support me competing!!! Show starts at 10.00am on Saturday, I am in Figure Open which is the 4th line up!

M/Y "Sam"

2011-03-01T08:56:00.005+08:00

From one of my favourite lyricists.

And it can get rough out there I know,
But a woman is a sail that remains unfurled,
So stay ahead of the wind man, or you won't catch her.
Josh Pyke - Lines on Palms -

Mind Sweat is coming!

You Can Go Your Own Way

2011-02-24T08:12:00.004+08:00

This Fleetwood Mac song we played at the end of my dad’s Wake. Ordinarily, any of the songs we choose bring tears, but last week I stepped outside at 4.50am, put my iPod on and choose this song to start my 1hr run, I wanted to feel that raw emotion that comes over me when I think of dad as 'gone'. As I ran down the first street in complete darkness, I was expecting to be struggling to see through the usual tears and squinting while I watched the pavement. Instead, I was thinking of fond memories of the man I view as symbolising ultimate strength and self belief. My memories taking me to a time when I would have been somewhere around 8 years old.

At first I felt cold as ice because no tears came, had I really lost all emotion over loosing dad? Until I realised that it wasn’t that. You Can Go Your Own Way was chosen because dad always did what he wanted to or believed he could do. I realise these last 6 months have taken me on a journey to following my own dreams. I feel like I am finally 'going my own way'. Instead of feeling sad, I was thinking how happy I was that I was becoming that vision of ultimate strength and self belief that I respect and dad is actually in me.

This morning I again played this song as my first, second and third tracks to start my run. I feel strong. I am going my own way, big changes have been made and my future is positively exciting.

You have to watch this!

2011-02-14T12:54:00.003+08:00

Christopher McDougall: Are we born to run?

For the past 8 weeks I have averaged 60 to 70kms a week, I am injury free... oh and can I add, on a calorie restricted diet and low body fat? Yep! We are born to move. I find distance running quiet primal, I also find it is mentally challenging, its not usually the body that wants to give up, its the mind, lucky I live by MindSweat, makes it so much easier!

My fav quotes from this video:
'imagine a world where everybody could engage in exercise'
'restore our natural ability'
'whole lotta fun'

Trust me, it is fun. We are born to do it, so why wouldn't you?

Thanks so much to fellow B Attack instructor Heath for sending me this video :)

Invictus

2011-02-10T15:19:00.003+08:00

I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley

Info for those asking......

2011-02-04T12:38:00.002+08:00

I will be in the Amateur show starting 10.30am on Saturday 12th. I am not sure what time my division will be on, but will be finished before 1pm as the Pro's come on then.

See you there!

In a whirlwind!

2011-01-27T15:17:00.003+08:00

Realising I have a lot to do and little time to do it in! 6 weeks from today I will have arrived in Melbourne for FitX www.fitx.com.au to not only compete, but to launch Mind Sweat. The following week I will be in Perth for the NPC-IFBB 2011 O'Mara Classic. The week after that in Sydney for the IFBB Australasians. March will be amazing! From there? Who knows.

Right now, I eat, sleep, train, work, cook, parent, cardio and when I can, lye in the sun :)

Had a great shoot on Tuesday with Marc Thyssen www.marcthyssen.com , and had a ball doing it with Chrissy from www.alterreal.com.au. Lots of laughs, Chrissy you are a funny gal! and there where some awesome pics taken :)

Gotta go, train hard!

Why do people not care?

2011-01-20T14:42:00.002+08:00

The way you present yourself affects the way you feel about yourself and the initial impression people will have of you. I can not believe what I see in a professional environment sometimes. Sloppy shirts, inappropriate footware, ill-fitting pants... I could go on. Today, its someone young that is irritating me, especially, why they would not care about at least looking like they are young and confident. Call me superficial if you want, but presenting a confident, respectable looking self, will attract like minded people into your life.

All it does for me is make me think 'well if you dont give a damn about yourself, I can't be bothered with you either'.

Beautiful weather

2011-01-17T14:12:00.003+08:00

Love summer :)

Are You Magnetic?

2011-01-14T10:34:00.003+08:00

Apart from this being a great song by Faker, the chorus has been buzzing around my head:

And you check your phone 'cause you're looking for an escape,
sometimes when we fall we just land in the right place,
'cause we're magnetic and we land in the right place,
are you magnetic do you land in the right place?

Sometimes it is easy not to make a decision because the consequences can seem quiet overwhelming. Although this song has a completely different meaning than what I am taking from it, imagine if, everytime you made a major decision you went into it with only possitivity. I like the idea of feeling 'magnetic' and feeling at the end of the day you will land in the 'right place'.

Let yourself fall and try feeling magnetic today, it is quiet empowering!

New Years Day Rant!

2011-01-01T08:04:00.004+08:00

Yeah yeah Happy New Year blah blah blah.

I mightn't sound it, but trust me I am my 'usual' self full of enthusiasm, it's just another day thats all.

Don't be suprised that at some point last night I may have been over enthused and pushed my views upon unsuspecting guests at my house, now, don't think he reads this (but should my guest be reading this) don't take it the wrong way. As I said, awesome work, he has lost 10kg! Ok, but, here's where I started to preach.... If you loose weight through cardio alone, at some point, your body will start to break down muscle (if it thinks you are not using it) as an energy source to fuel you while you are in calorie deficit and preserve a little fat. So, perhaps not all 10kg is fat. If you have broken down muscle you will have reduced your metabolism (in simple terms you need less energy and therefore less food to function for the day).

Now, my second point was that to combat it you need to weight train PROPERLY! Stuffing around and moving some weights here and there on an inconsistant basis will not necessarily make your body believe it NEEDS that muscle and must keep it. You need to make your body feel the pressure, that functioning daily without that muscle will be hard... Body, don't even think about breaking that muscle down or it will hurt next week! CONSISTANT training, combined with CHALLENGING workouts will ensure you set your body up to not only hold your muscle but gain some, with that, an increase in your metabolism and therefore, you require more fuel (food). If you are not lifting heavier on at MOST a monthly basis, you are doing something wrong, ie, not eating properly for your training, or simply just not trying hard enough.

Now this is where it gets scary, I talk about this all the time with people, it scares the crap out of me, but apparently for most people, spiders, heights and snakes are more scary......

IF YOU DO NOT RESISTANCE TRAIN .... PROPERLY ( see my description of properly above :) ) you will loose about 0.5% of lean muscle mass every year from the age of 24!!!

What does that mean??? Well lets use me as an example. My lean body mass or LBM (ie my organs, bones and muscle) weight is around 48kg on a dexta scan. So should I decide today never to resistance train, new years day 2012 my LBM will decrease by about 240gm (48 x 0.5%) so with the reduced LBM, a reduced metabolism, and well, then accordingly I should reduce my food consumption on a yearly basis to match this so I don't put on weight with age.

If I decide not to train for the next 5 years, I weight 60kg today, and in 5 years time I weigh myself, and I weigh 60kg ........ how good am I? at 37 I weigh the same I did at 32!! (hope my sarcasim came through) but why does my body seem a little 'flabbier' must be age.....in reality oh crap! I have gained about 1.2kg of fat! (240gm over 5year) and lost 1.2kg of muscle! Trust me muscle feels better than fat so you will feel 'flabbier' even though you weigh the same.

Scared yet? because you should be.

Don't blame your age, you CAN combat this muscle breakdown. You just gotta use it! Not only can you combat it, you can make it go the other way, you can add LBM by building muscle (therefore increasing your metabolism)..... that means you can eat more, not less with age. Don't 'fluff' around.... Your body is MADE to move and lift things! Go heavier, go faster, do more reps, I don't care, just don't lift the same amount of weight for the same amount of reps week in week out. Get stronger.

New years day 2012, ask yourself, did I CONSISTENTLY train? did I CHALLENGE myself? am I in fact stronger and can lift heavier? If your answer is NO...... make sure you eat less in 2012, because your body will require less energy. Ask yourself today, do I need to eat less everyday in 2011 to ensure I don't put on weight because I lost muscle over 2010?

HAPPY NEW YEAR

oh and sorry if you have a hangover and feel sorry for yourself and this post just made you feel even sorrier for yourself...... :) haha

I'm just not one of those people....

2010-12-28T14:18:00.004+08:00

... that knows how to do nothing! This is the first time I have had holidays and stayed home, but I am still doing 'stuff'. I've accepted thats the type of person I am, and even lying by the spa is not 'relaxing' its a tanning mission! I seem to have purpose to everything :)

I have tried now for 5 days straight to sleep in, but have woken every morning between 5 and 6am. At first frustrated, now I am embracing the fact my body clock ticks to its own beat and best I just go with it. So even on holidays I have run, showered and eaten breakfast before 8am. I am really happy about this actually, better than grumbling about getting out of bed. So much of this beautiful weather to enjoy and I have the passion to savour every minute of this beautiful life :) you only get one chance right?

Merry Christmas.....

2010-12-25T09:07:00.002+08:00

Can't half tell he's my son hey?

Lot's of fun to be had today.

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A FANTASTIC DAY! xx

One of the many reasons I love where I live.

2010-12-20T12:48:00.001+08:00

Summer sunsets. Yesterdays stormy sky revealled a perfect 15minutes before the sun disappeared.

Just in the mood to....

2010-12-17T10:06:00.003+08:00

..... post this again!

People who are successful don't always tick all the boxes and certainly others don't necessarily believe in them, but that doesn't matter and they don't care! Instead they will push on and ignore those who don't want to come along for the ride. The power and control is within them.

http://mindsweat-samd-m.blogspot.com/2010/10/once-in-lifetime.html

Sam

My Piston Cup

2010-12-15T07:47:00.004+08:00

Anyone with little boys will most certainly know the movie 'Cars', Jethro loves it. The cars race for the 'Piston Cup'. Jethro goes into my gym and calls the trophy above 'mummy's Piston Cup'! So funny. He likes to mention that mummy won the Piston Cup :) It does have a likeness to the real Piston Cup!

Arn't I every little boys dream mother? I mean how cool am I? Winning the Piston Cup and all.....

Last week he built a Duplo house, when he was showing me he points to an area and says 'this is mummy's gym'....hahaha glad his priorities are right, the most important room in the home is my gym (officially on the plans a theatre room) but I like to use my 5 x 6m space for much better purposes, whose got time to watch movies?

Mind Sweat

2010-12-13T08:16:00.003+08:00

I am constantly thinking and will often describe myself as 'multi-tasking' most of the day. I believe that the hard work is done controlling your thoughts and beliefs. Most of the time the easy option is not necessarily easier on the body, just easier on the mind. Our mind most definetely gives up before our body.

When I talk about Mind Sweat I am talking about controlling all aspects of my life, I am a business woman, a mother, a wife, and of course, I am Sam. As an individual I have my own dreams, goals and asperations. I juggle these among the other areas of my life.

I am constantly changing, my thoughts are far from static, they evolve with my age, experience and environment.

I can be working on a number of areas of my life at a time, or I can be devoting my thoughts to something in particular. NEVER would I describe myself as NOT having to work at it. I will work at it until I loose it (my mind that is!).

For the last few weeks my mind has been sweating away convincing myself I am a winner :) Not competitive by nature (except at competing against myself and being better that I can be) I am at a point where I have to start believing I am not only better that I was before, but better than the rest. Not something I personally find easy by nature, thankfully, Michelle Nazaroff is awesome at this. Onward and upward my minds hard work is paying off!

So sick of the media passing the blame

2010-12-12T10:33:00.004+08:00

Come on, who cares if KFC are giving away gift vouchers? Oh yeah, and they are responsible (with all the other fast food chains) for obesity in Australia. WTF, come on, do they hold you down and shove food in the mouths of our population? How come they haven't got me yet?

People know it is no good for them, but they cotinue to ignore it. We are educated enough on what is good/not good for us, its just that the people dont care enough about their health or the heath of their children (which are the innocent victims being fed crap by uncaring parents). Apparently it tastes so good that you can't resist it..... well that kind of weak thinking wont get you anywhere.

KFC, try something other than a gift voucher to win my business, I DARE YOU, come on try!

http://www.news.com.au/business/fury-over-500-kfc-gift-cards-as-nation-battle-obesity-crisis/story-e6frfm1i-1225969592492

Come on people take some responsibility, blame yourself, not others.

'Why don't you just make the meat ok?'

2010-12-10T06:52:00.004+08:00

Picture that in an awesome Rocky Balboa voice :)

I flew into Singapore last night for a meeting today, and my movie of choice for the plane was Rocky (I just love Sly, so much so that is what I wanted to name our son but Damo wouldnt have a bar of it). It got me thinking, he is so focused and lives, dreams and trains for his big fight, was something I could relate to entirely at the moment and how I am feeling leading up to this comp. I was like 'Sly are you the only one who understands me right now?' :)

He says to his girlfriend Adrian (when she is seeking a little attention ;) ).... 'Why don't you just make the meat ok?'....... was wondering if I would get away asking my hubby to make my meat like that? and does it work with other forms of protein like, 'Why don't you just make the egg whites ok?'.

Alter Real

2010-12-07T12:31:00.003+08:00

I have gotten to know a gorgeous lady with a brilliant fashion business!

http://www.alterreal.com.au/

Sometimes we have to jump and take a chance. Chrissy has done just that, spending years getting her business off the ground.

Whats your goal, and whats stopping you?

Where Have I Been?

2010-12-03T12:51:00.003+08:00

Since my last post, I turned 32 and although not expecting much (Damo being away and all), was spoilt by the important people in my life and enjoyed the fact it was my birthday :)

I have been OS again, I have been training hard, working and planning big.

Tomorrow marks 14weeks to my next competition - FitX in Melbourne, http://www.fitx.com.au/ where I will also be exhibiting and launching a big personal project. Setting the date has left me with an enormous amount of things to do, however nervous I may be, I am glad that I have set the date because I have wanted to do this for years.

I posted late last year about my comp plans and that I was going to be coached by Michelle Nazaroff www.michellenazaroff.com , heres what I wrote:

decided that I needed to take the decision making out of my own hands, I have prepped myself before and found I am just not objective, I am a little hard on myself, I think that there are a number of competitors that I have spoken to who are like this. It is to the point that I make counterproductive decisions, against my better judgement. I really struggle to view myself objectively. So I knew I had to be coached.

I have been seeing Michelle for the last 4weeks as a client, and alls good, these comps feel so right!... I did say comps, well because I will back it up with the next weekend in IFBBs Perth, followed by the Australasians in Sydney mid April.

Hope I can keep up on the blogging, poke me if I am slack again. But give me a break next week because I have to go OS again!

Dad

2010-11-17T07:09:00.003+08:00

It's your birthday. I know you would say 'is it, your only as old as you feel'. But I would still tell you every year. Miss you so much.

This post hurts, and posting it probably makes me feel worse. But while I am alive I will push my memories of him upon everyone I meet, thats how I keep him alive. Most the time I am laughing when I think of him, today I am just said because I can't have our yearly birthday joke.

"Mirror Song"

I know that I should think about giving
And think about
Helping out
And think about
Think about living
But I can't seem to rescue myself

What about my bank account
And my holy desert shield
That keep me dry under the arms?
Flags and mental jewelry's all I know
And they keep my happy and warm inside

So I said unto this man
"Who are you and where do you come from?"
And he proceeded to tell me many things

But I said nothing at all

For the flowers in the corner, by the room,
In the window, and the sun
Said it all

At least they said they would
Said they could
Mama said they would
Do me good

In 18 weeks...

2010-11-13T15:06:00.003+08:00

...... I will be hanging around backstage waiting patiently for my turn to step on it. I can't guarantee I can be patient for the next 18 weeks, but on that day, I can.

Been planning it for a couple of years now, I am most definetely ready.

Growing Veggies

2010-11-07T14:30:00.005+08:00

Jethro loves tormenting slaters.

For someone who dislikes gardening, I have learnt to love it. Making the decision to start an organic veggie garden was easy (because I got someone else to do it) now I look after it myself and I am enjoying it. Jethro loves to be outside so Sunday mornings are a regular tending to 'Jethro's veggie garden' as he calls it.

Summer planting has been done and we have; Strawberries, Beetroot, Cos Lettuce, Buttercrunch Lettuce, Mignonette Lettuce, Spinach, Rocket, Spring Onion, Capsicum, Roma Tomatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, Eggplant, Zuchini, Pak Choi, Wong Bok, Corn, Squash, Pumpkin, Rockmelon. Plus my Grapefruit tree is flowering and going to be producing heaps this season, and a mango tree. We also have a constant supply of herbs, chillis, garlic and spring onion.

A great book I have is Organic Vegetable Gardening by Annette McFarlane. It also covers pest control with some DIY sprays and those organically registered off the shelf. I have had whiteflies and caterpillars. Lots of slaters too, but they don't cause any damage.

FitX 2011 Sports and Fitness Expo

2010-11-05T09:32:00.002+08:00

Thought I would bring this up, Tony Doherty was promoting it at the IFBB Aussies, the website is still being finished, so worth checking back.

http://www.fitx.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=101&Itemid=172

The exciting part is the possibility of a Pro IFBB Figure comp. Definetely love to see one.

Great concept, might be saving this date, who wants to come :)?

Anticipation

2010-11-01T08:35:00.003+08:00

Can be all consuming. That 'thing' you anticipate can control your thoughts every waking moment. You function, but in a multi-tasking manner. You are thinking about it, yet somehow work and live. It feels so far away that you sometimes wonder how you are going to make it. The desire to be there gives you butterflies in your tummy.

Its the first thing you think of in the morning, and the last thing before bed. You think no-one else would ever understand. Your decision to persue it effects other people in your life.

For years you have pretended that 'it' is not important and is not 'real'. You sweep it under the rug and keep going. Finally, you make the decision to pursue it, the weight is lifted from your shoulders....

And yet the anticipation of it, continues to consume you.

Am I alone? Because sometimes it feels like it.

Its Not About Hour Many Hours You Train

2010-10-21T09:21:00.002+08:00

Its about how you spend your time:

Commitment - Commit to the workout. Commit to give it all you can, that day.

Consistency - A runner doesnt get faster running one week but not the next, or you don't get stronger pushing weights one week but not the next!

Challenge - Don't do the same as last week, challenge yourself with a new milestone - jump higher, run faster, lift heavier - shake it up.

4 quality hours are better than 10 mediocre.

YOUR HAVE TO TAKE CHANCES TO MAKE CHANGES

Once in a Lifetime

2010-10-20T08:50:00.002+08:00

You will meet someone with the courage to back their convictions no matter what. They will posses a convidence in themself that you can only dream of.

You can tick all the right boxes to guarantee success, everyone around you can believe in you, but if your mind is not on the same page, if you let doubt sneak in, it doesn't matter if everything around you is in the right place, you will jeopodise that chance at success.

People who are successful don't always tick all the boxes and certainly others don't necessarily believe in them, but that doesn't matter and they don't care! Instead they will push on and ignore those who don't want to come along for the ride. The power and control is within them.

Although I have met that person, I myself don't posses that courage naturally. I need to work at it. I need to believe, I need to back my convictions, and I need to finish what I start.

WIP

2010-10-19T12:19:00.002+08:00

Have had a project I've wanted to get underway for some time, I am glad to finally say it IS underway.

Yes I am going to continue to blog here, like I have always been here and didn't go AWOL. No explainations, straight into it.

I am heading to Sydney on Friday for the IFBB Australian Titles. Looking forward to seeing it.

Still here

2010-07-14T12:50:00.001+08:00

Trying to get organised. Travelling heaps and just a matter of getting into routine.

Spewing my thoughts....

2010-04-08T13:48:00.002+08:00

Photo from The Cell www.thecellfitness.com.au.

An all or nothing attitude. To what degree? Previously, I would do what it takes, to the detriment of my prinicpals. I have changed.

I am not defined as a Figure Competitor, sure, that attitude may not make me the best, but in who's eyes? It may not get me first place, it may not make me the best onstage, but it will sure as hell make me the best I can be.

What am I talking about? Well, in past years getting ready for a comp ment that it was placed first above everything else in my life. I eat and train to have a healthy lifestyle, my plan is to slip into a competition without jeapodising my principals. A clear cut example of this was when I was purchasing my free range eggs and the thought crossed my mind just to get whites (as I am consuming a little more than normal at the moment) as it would probably be cheaper (as I am throwing away the yoke or giving it to the dog). But where are my principals? I eat free range because the health of the chicken is important, I beleive, it is integral to the quality of the egg. Why did my thinking revert? I will not negotiate my principals for this comp.

Yes, as I get closer to my comp there will be certain things that may be questionable. But there are some things I will just not do this time around! This may not make me the best on stage, but it will make me the best I can be without compromising on my principals.

I am in this world for the long haul, I am a figure competitor for 10minutes onstage. The rest of the time I am just doing my best to be fit and healthy.

I will train different, I will think different.

Cardio Culled!

2010-03-26T12:50:00.004+08:00

Long time no post! Busy of course. Been contemplating lots of things. Seeings no bloggers could help me with my last post, I have been doing some hard thinking.

I have been watching some videos on Chastity Slone, if you don't know her here she is.

Seriously impressed right? It got me thinking about what makes a Pro a Pro. I supose my exposure is limited to the Amature ranks. Yes I have done Phat Camp with Jen H and read numerous articles by the pros. The resounding common denominator I have found is that the pros are in awesome nick all year round. Oh and I am mainly hearing the whole '6 week' diet thrown around (as does Chastity Slone in a video I watched of her preping comp food for her 6week diet). Is that what makes a pro? Their ability to stay lean and diet 6 weeks out?.... part of it of course!

So this brings me to something I have been blogging about for a while. Commonly I have been exposed to 12weeks or 16weeks, this leaves the thought of a shorter time frame quiet scarey! But for no other reason then the thought of not knowing if I could make it. Drawing from all this and my experience, I don't need 12weeks for this coming comp. It is time to delete this number from my head. It is time to have faith. The hard work I do and the commitment to a steardy diet for LIFE has ensured I have remained pretty tight.

The decision I have made is to attack this comp from 10weeks. Yes right now I have moved my 80% clean guideline up to about 90%, but I have also inserted a cardio ban! This is a ban on runs, I am only allowed to teach my 1 attack class a week. I will re-introduce my distance work when and if needed in the 10week comp prep. As I have mentioned before, I prefer to know I am in control without cardio, for me in normal life it is a tool, not a reliance! I can control my physique through weight training, diet and minor cardio once or twice a week.

In saying all this I have AIM training this Saturday for Body Attack (its an advanced instructor module) 9.30am to 7pm. Hard yakka, so looking forward to it though.

On another note, Chastity is a Crossfitter, so got some good info there too.

Unfinished Business

2010-03-11T20:01:00.005+08:00

My little big boy is turning 2 soon.

My last comp ..... 2006!

in. I feel my last comp I wasn't as good as I could be. I trained for years with an injury, and by the end my heart wasn't in it.

But how do you guage if you can be better than your last time? All I can say is that I am so much stronger, in all measures I am lifting more than ever. I have trained hard for last 2 years - yep my son turns 2 next month! Getting big isn't he? but doI have more muscle? I believe so, but only getting in comp shape will give me this answer.

In the end, you only compete against yourself becuase you can't control who will be next to you on the day, or what the judges are looking for. We are not measured on physical ability. You can't consider it a sport, but neither is golf really!

Strength of the mind is underated. Most people put to much liability on the physical and neglect the possibility that what is stopping you from achieving what you want is your mind. I love training, I will train forever, but dieting is damn hard! Sometimes I think it would be bloody easy to just join the biggest looser house for 3 months, the hardest part of dieting is living a normal life at the same time, those people in the biggest looser don't have societal pressure or their husband eating Thai in front of them :) Yep Damo likes to think that he just makes me stronger!

I need to do a call out though... some help maybe. Has anyone trained Crossfit throughout their comp prep? Really interested to know as I am enjoying it and want to keep going as long as possible. As I have posted before this is where I am training www.thecellfitness.com.au and Jason is kindly sending me some info to have a look at. I am a big believer in TRAINING FOR LIFE so enjoying the Crossfit concept.

I just killed a fly with my hand..... awsome Mr Miyagi would be proud! haha

My Last post was Very Timely!

2010-03-11T12:58:00.002+08:00

A day or two after it Jethro got the flu.... so after 3 sleepless nights I had to prioritise my training, I chose weights over cardio... if your asking! Anyway thats over a week ago now, and last week I was back to normal.

So much to talk about, not enough time. Perhaps the weekend will bring on some discussion.

Sam D-M

What is Best?

2010-02-26T09:27:00.003+08:00

I am a mum and I run a business. My plans don't always come to fruition. I have to balance sometimes.

So what do I choose to do if I have just 4 hours to train a week? I do 2 weight sessions and 2 cardio. You don't need to do a lot of cardio to loose or maintain your weight. You would be suprised how controlling your diet and weight training is as much a powerful tool.

After I had Jethro I was only able to exercise 3 to 4 times a week. Through diet, and the 3 to 4 sessions (made up 2weight 2 cardio), oh and lets not forget the calories I expended breastfeeding, I was able to get back to where I wanted to be.

Let me just add that you can expend up to 500 calories a day breastfeeding, thats like going for a run without running! Lets be realistic here, I was eating a clean diet, so I was expending more calories than eating (the simple math we all know right??) just pointing out that breastfeeding is not a miracle weight loss tool, it is simply extra calories that your body requires to produce the milk and support a life, I wasn't eating crap and loosing weight, I was eating well and loosing weight.

I suppose I am trying to say that if you are time limited, make smart exercise choices. One to two intense cardio sessions and 1 to 2 low rep heavy weight sessions, a healthy diet and you will be back on track in no time!

This weeks training and I got inked again!

2010-02-21T15:48:00.005+08:00

Anyone want to guess what it means? I think I might have given it away in a previous post. It is nautical flags (as is the one on my wrist) but the letters of this one are ....... JETHRO. I decided not to get them coloured at this stage, I am not sure I want them coloured, I like the colour on my wrist, but not sure here.

When Jethro was shown he looked over his own shoulder puts his hands out and says "gone"..... hehe I am sure this is an argument we will have when he is in his teens. I tell everyone that you shouldnt get tatoos until you are 30. I think that if I had of gone through with the ones I wanted when I was 20 I would be full of regret! I actually cringe at the thought of them. Life has given me some experiences which I wanted to permanently mark my body with, they have meaning, not just some picture that I liked.

Anyway, so thought I would blog what my training has been for the past few weeks, actually make that months with a few little changes the last few weeks!

Sunday: AM Back and rear delts

Monday: AM Yoga PM Teach Body Attack

Tuesday: AM 6km run in 30mins good day to 32mins PM Crossfit

Wednesday: AM Stretching PM Chest & Shoulders

Thursday: AM 6km run in 30 to 32mins PM Crossfit

Friday: AM Yoga

Saturday: AM 10km run 50mins on good day 52.50 on bad (ie with DOMS)

As you can see I have let go of a couple of weight sessions, not training legs at the moment cause they seem to get a hammering at Crossfit and not doing bis and tris, the other obvious choice to drop because they are small muscle groups.

Gees it is getting dark! All my AM training during the week is done at 5.30am as Jethro is in bed and this means I can train, shower and eat breakfast before he wakes. Dreading the return of winter hope I can try keep those 2 6km runs in.

When you find the right 'spot'

2010-02-14T14:32:00.002+08:00

Mid December I had hurt myself so bad that I could hardly walk. Standing was ok, sitting was terrible. For two days I worked on my knees at my desk even. I hobbled around the block and did pissy little upper body weights. Of course, although feeling the pain in my left lower back it was the result of tightness in a series of muscle groups, one causing another ones problems etc. Oh AND I do know why, in fact I knew what I was doing was wrong. I always carry Jethro on my right side and kick my hip up, just the more I do it one side, the harder it is to change it, as much as I try, I will never give up!

Anyway, had a massage a few weeks back (not because I was in particular need of one, just because I felt like it) didn't really have pain to speak of. But the masseuse went into great detail of some imbalances I had. In all this he showed me the above stretch (nothing out of the ordinary right!) but then tweaked it a little by moving the back leg.

So I try this at home on my good side, no problems. I switch legs and OH MY GOD I thought I was going to vomit, their is the spot!!! Anyway, weeks on I STILL feel like vomiting when I stretch my left side.

Although I am not in any pain at the moment, I now know just how bad this area is and how much of a ticking time bomb it is. It has been a continual focus for me for weeks, not only after a run, I also stretch it in the mornings. It still makes me feel sick, but eventually I will win it over :)

My Training Buddy

2010-02-09T15:17:00.002+08:00

This is my training buddy Kellie. But we are more than just 'training buddies', we are lovers hahaha just kidding, it's just that it sounded like that's the way the sentence was going, how it was really going is that we are real life buddies.

I met this lady over a year ago, I brought her into the 'weights room' and she took me back to the real world - enjoying the mornings in the great outdoors. As she has gotten stronger, I have gotten quicker.

I learn from this woman. I laugh with this woman (although apparently not so much when I almost started a comp diet) though she never told me that at the time, because instead she chooses to support and encourage me to do it.

What a body hey? I get to perve on this body between sets. She deserves this body. She eats a clean diet and like me 20% of the time allows leeway. Neither of us can be or would want to be perfect (we both like a glass of champas too much and enjoy real living). We understand our 30+yo bodies and know how to treat them. She trains hard - its not the quantity its the quality, she is an awesome runner. She TRAINS FOR LIFE. That is what she will tell you if you ask her and hence sho I stole the line from.

I have great respect for her as a person I am very lucky to have my buddy. She was there for me throughout the hardest part of my life, and although at that time I didn't know her well, she understood me and was probably the only person who didnt think that I needed 'help' just because I was having a hard day.

No bullshit, zero tolerance, honesty. What more can one look for in a friend. She gets my RESPECT.

Why I wouldnt want to be 20 again....

2010-02-05T08:30:00.003+08:00

1. I believed a step class would be more beneficial than weight training. Oh, and didnt really believe I needed to weight train.
2. I would eat a muesli bar for breakfast.
3. I actually believed a muesli bar was healthy.
4. I was vegetarian for 6 years. Not saying its not healthy, just that it resulted in eating a lot of refined products because I didnt know better. I ate low fat, no other nutrients where taken into account.
5. Then I was an avid Atkins follower - yes after 6years of vegetarianism I decided to eat animals again.
6. I binge drank on weekends and believed that it did no harm (oh and yes its probably something you just have to do), then did step Sunday morning pretty hung over.
7. I believed in the quantity of cardio, not the quality.
8. I didnt like wearing a bikini.
9. I believed in skipping meals or eating fruit for lunch to try and loose weight. Scale weight of course!
10. I never lost weight.
11. I drunk diet sodas.
12. I used artificial sweetners.
13. I didnt like myself.
14. I was always looking forward to something in the future, especially when I would finally be skinny!
15. I vommited, and not because I was sick.

Any wonder I was always trying to loose weight!

When I see young girls, I never wish to be there again. For me, here is much better.

Sam

I Fail to Understand

2010-02-01T13:06:00.002+08:00

Why anyone would want to have a less than fit and healthy lifestyle?

When having a fit healthy lifestyle will enhance your lifestyle into old age.
When I will chase my grandchildren.
When I will get out of a chair without complaining.
When I wake up and LIKE what I see.
When I walk along the beach in a bikini because I feel good.
When young men hit on me thinking I am in my 20's ;)
When I run through the house with Jethro on my back and he says 'more' and yes I can physically give him more!
When I bench press my bodyweight and the endorphines last for hours.
When I run early morning and the streets are empty and my body buzzes and I feel like I have achieved so much and the day hasn't even started.
When girls up to 10 years my junior ask old me what they can do to look like me.
When people tell me I inspire them.
When my body suprises me on a daily basis by getting older, yet stronger and fitter.
When my body produced life and remained physically cable of exercise even past the due date!
When the food on my plate looks like it did when nature produced it and eating it gives me nourishment and a sence of wellbeing.
Enjoying the natural vibe the above food sends me.
When everyday brings me something to look forward to instead of looking forward to a certain day.
When it is yoga morning and I know my body needs different attention that morning.
When I do it and know my body is made to do it!
Because I feel 'it'. And 'it' is like watching a cheetah pouncing in slow motion. You can visualise and connect with your body, understand what it is doing, that the function requires action from many different elements of your body.... and you get it!

And yes I get it, and it will never leave me because it feels bloody good!

Don't ever do it because you have to, do it because you where made to. Do it to improve it.

You only get one life, there is nothing later, why wouldnt you want to make the most of it?

Balance, don't be hard on yourself, we are not perfect, don't ever try to be, trust me I am certainly not! Pull down the boundry fence and make the choice not the rules. Breaking a rule feels bad, making a choice feels good.

Continue to build your lean body mass and you will defeat the slowing metabolism that comes with growing older.

Thats all I have to say today.

Quoting other people here.......

2010-01-27T10:03:00.002+08:00

Increasingly disappointed at the lack of possitive response to weight training from people who ask me what to do. Asside from feeling like I am banging my head against a brick wall, I am biting my tongue in a bid not to respond to this:
"I can't lift weights I will get too big"
WITH
"Well if you wont try it just keep doing what your doing if that is working for you"
OUCH!

Disscuss please! I have been drawing inspiration for some new responses.

"Everybody who lifts weights much stretch, and EVERYBODY must lift weights" - Pavel Tsatsouline (I certainly would do what this man tells me ;))

"When you are sitting around your fat does nothing, but your muscles need energy" - K.F. (my training buddy helping me connect ;))

" Well if you can get that big you should write a book, you will make millions!" - John (a fellow gym member).

Come on people give me your favourites!

F.I.R.E. training at The Cell on Saturday

2010-01-21T20:16:00.004+08:00

As all you PTers and GFIs know, to get Insurance you need to be a registered professional. Well when my registration was due for renewal I renewed through F.I.R.E.Fitness Industry Registration and Education www.firefit.com.au. I have the pleasure of knowing the lady behind this registration board personally and I can recommend you consider registering with them when your accreditation is due. I am happy to talk to anyone who might be interested, the service is much better than that of 'better known' registration boards.

Anyway F.I.R.E. ran a members challenge on Saturday at The Cell www.thecellfitness.com.au and challenged I certainly was! Looking forward to some more training sessions down there, the challenge is something I really look forward to, especially since I changed my mind about competing again. I like exploring new things, something I dont always do when in comp mode.

Sam

Well, I am not competing!

2010-01-12T12:38:00.002+08:00

Was due to start comp prep next week, but have decided I don't want it anymore! Do you blame me after seeing the above pictures?

I blogged about this a long long time ago, but during comp prep I always feel like my life is 'on hold'. I am waiting for something. Normally I live for everyday, not living for a day in the future. As the time to prep came closer I felt the shift in my emotion, the longing for a future day/event. Not the normal longing for the day that I had woken in. I didnt want to be like this for the next 3months.

This is not the end, it is just not the right time! plenty more comps in the future.

So where does this leave my blog? I was suppose to just use it to record my comp prep..... what now? Perhaps a random weekly blog about something?? not sure. So, in the words of my training buddy:

'I am training for life' - K.F.

The next time I am asked (and there will be a next time cause someone is always asking me) 'what are you training for?'...... I will repeat the above, because that is the truth!

On another note, we are getting the most awesome veggies in our garden. Last night we did beetroot on the bbq with out steak.... who would have thought?? didnt know how it would trun out but it was just awesome :)

Sam

Beautiful Blogger

2010-01-08T13:11:00.003+08:00

Thanks Jeh! oh and congrats on teaming with Michelle!
It seems everyone has done this one, except me hahahahah!

7 Random Facts:
1. I love my group fitness classes so much I would teach them for free! sshhhh dont tell the clubs!
2. I have 2 birth marks. One on my arm/wrist the other on my elbow.
3. I have Raynauds disease which means I avoid the cold. I tried being medicated for it but as my blood pressure is already low the medication almost made me faint when I stood up. So I just deal with it and avoid the cold as much as possible, no winter ski trips for me! It is actually very painful, its kinda like your hands start dieing, it is technically what starts to happen when your hands become frost bitten.
4. I have been pierced 17 times! yes you read right. Currently I have just 3 in though.
5. I got my first tattoo last August ( a tribute to my dad) and am planning another but it is summer and I dont like the thought of not swimming for 2 weeks after so will wait for winter.
6. Speaking of swimming, I love the ocean and LOVE being under it. I have been diving for over 15 years. My dad taught me to freedive when I was a kid.
7. oh its getting hard now.... I am currently constructing a new lego project. It is a carousel, before you think I am childish, it is aimed at 16years+!!! hahaha. I really loved lego as a child, now that I have Jethro I had a great excuse to buy the carousel (although he wont be permitted to go near it until he is 16;)).

Wow, I am sure there was more interesting things I could have talked about.

I Tag:
Pocket Rocket Rene
Alicia and bump
Shar and bump
Friday

Hasnt everyone else done it???? :)

Veggies

2010-01-02T09:24:00.006+08:00

I trust everyone had a great New Years. I always find celebrating the end of a year a little depressing, it means their is one less year left of my life... odd maybe but I am not one to wish time away. I enjoyed mine in great company and had a really awesome night!

Shar-d-o I am so upset! You are most important :) I didnt really 'tell' anyone I was back, just came back. You know I love you and I love that cute belly of yours. Lately I have been questioning whether to keep blogging until I read comments from Bec and Nicole on my last post. I realise even if I am inconsistent, it is worth it, thanks ladies I really appreciate it :)

So the veggie patch is doing great, yes Odi is having a pee in the first photo - woops, and no havent done anuthing else with my garden. We have zuccini, cucumber, morrow, cherry tomatoes, beetroot, 2 x asian veg, butternut pumpkin, corn, carrots... and more stuff still coming. The taste of these veg are amazing and the size of the zuccini is crazy!!!

Okay guys gotta go training not been to plan today due to a sleepless little man and got a busy day ahead!

Late Weekly Photos - Of a different kind!

2009-12-26T16:09:00.007+08:00

Been in Malaysia, so here are some pics! Isnt my boy cute :) Went diving a couple times, parasailing, Damo golfing, ate some amazing food and generally had an awesome time.

Glad to be back into it though, miss training hard. But the rest was good considering I will start comp prep in about 4 weeks.

Hope everyones having a good boxing day!

Weekends Training Pictures and More Time than I Thought!

2009-12-16T13:07:00.003+08:00

Ok, so comp is in mid April (Jethros birthday to be exact), heaps of time! I wont start comp diet til end of Jan now. I was actually looking forward to getting stuck into a comp diet, don't know why :)?? hhaha, suppose I am a pretty committed eater already, I plan it and then I eat it, I eat my proteins/fats/ carbs the best way for me, the way my body likes it. Suppose the thought of a comp diet doesnt scare me anymore, why should it? You only feel deprived if you let yourself feel deprived.

A few obsticales this week, but you know what? I would rather hobble around the block injured at 5.30am and enjoy the beautiful summer morning (as much as I would prefer to be running), than be some lazy f**k in bed sleeping their life away. All is better now, I did my exercises and kept moving! Injuries are always used as an excuse to do nothing, when sometimes movement will aid recovery. I could have easily made excuses this week, but thats just not me.

You want this?

2009-12-11T12:39:00.002+08:00

Well then you better start being consistent. You better stop making excuses. Continually disheartened by people making excuses that just don't sit in my book!

You want to know what I do, I spend MY time telling you, I do it because I am passionate. Why do you tell me you can't?

I ask questions DAILY, hourly even, I believe it is the best way to learn. I don't write something off until I try it. Ok, I challenge any Sandgroper who believes they can't, to spend a week with me.

Ok, I am finished with that rant!

I had an apiphany courtisy of my belovered training partner. Whom I also have the occasional strangest dejavu with, but anyway, because of this apiphany I may be using this blog solely for recording my comp progress on a weekly basis, I can give you nothing else! I have so much to give, I just can't share it in this type of media form.

So, the comp is either the 27th March or 3rd April (still not confirmed)... Still planning comp prep 12 weeks out which is early next year. I will be updating my blog weekly, I will start this weekend (although not in comp prep yet) with pictures (remember your camera training buddy:) hha) and general weekly stuff eg. how I'm feeling (yes I have feelings!) etc etc. Hoping you guys will follow me there :)

On another note, I got stung by my first bee on Wednesday night riding to the gym.... I got stung in the chest on chest night!! Didnt hinder my training cause I didnt let it.

Self Motivate or Self Detinate - D.M.

Everyday is Great!

2009-11-24T14:22:00.002+08:00

Have been in my own little world haven’t I? For no particular reason, just working, training, eating, sleeping and being a mum really.

It is now less than 4months to my comp. I have stayed pretty lean for a year now, so I am starting comp prep 12weeks out, which is the start of next year. I am stronger than I have ever been, leaner off season than I have ever been. I am also doing only 2 hours of cardio which is when I teach RPM and Attack. So if I can stay this lean on such little cardio, then I am going to respond superbly when I add it in. The main reason I have been doing so little, is I place my weight training above cardio, so I suppose I think it is more important. The 2 classes I teach out of joy and also to maintain my cardio fitness. But certainly it is mainly a lifestyle choice for me at the moment, oh and that I am lean without doing it! This week I have added half hour in the mornings. I have an awesome weight training partner she is just great! And is a good runner too! Yep we see a lot of each other :)

Since my last post my dad had a birthday. I thought I would be ok, but I wasn’t it hurt. It was thinking of our conversation for that day, I would tell him it was his birthday, and he would tell me he never remembers because it is all about how old you feel! It would also serve to remind him that it is my birthday the following day, still he would usually forget! LOL

So, yes I turned 31, caught up with my friends and had a great day.

Everything is quiet different for me at the moment. I feel strong and I am more excited than ever. My focus is powerful. It is the perfect time, I am ready. I am completely in control. Everything is in the mind.

I am off for a quick 5day scuba dive trip in Malaysia at the end of December (I will still train of course!!). Then come first week of Jan, I will be comp prepping. I remember when I was young and my dad was teaching me to free dive (diving without air) he would tell me that I only ‘thought’ I was going to run out of breath, that I really had lots more oxygen available. He would say ‘it was all in the mind chick’… It was only this week (when booking my dive trip) that I recalled him telling me this, I realise now that something he told me when I was young has been the catalyst for my outlook on life. I have just applied it to other things. Really though, the more I think of it, the more I recall times when he has used this phrase.

I decided to compete again about September, when I made that decision I also decided that I needed to take the decision making out of my own hands, I have prepped myself before and found I am just not objective, I am a little hard on myself, I think that there are a number of competitors that I have spoken to who are like this. It is to the point that I make counterproductive decisions, against my better judgement. I really struggle to view myself objectively. So I knew I had to be coached for diet. When I made this decision I started talking to Michelle Nazaroff. I watched a few DVDs of us together and thought ‘gee, she has changed sooo much!?’. Isn’t it important to choose someone who has impressed you? The changes she has made since 2006 til now are phenomenal. So, anyway, we started talking and I am really excited, Michelle’s going to take me to my next comp! I will start working weekly with Michelle in January. Relieved she agrees I am in good condition and can start prep in Jan.

Ok well, this is it for me for now, got lots of Les Mills choreography to learn so better focus!

Self Motivate or Self Detonate (long story)

Sam

Hippy in Heels

2009-10-30T12:37:00.002+08:00

We moved house in September to a fantastic area. Walking distance to cafes, boutique shops, the beach and across the road from the biggest Organic shop SOR. Its a well established area and due to its location it is a mecca for hippies!

The following is common:

1. Bright coloured clothing

2. Dreadlocks

3. Canvas bags

4. Terry towelling clothing

5. Shoes are optional

6. Having a dog and not owning a lead! ... must be part of letting animals be free??

7. Having 2 dogs

8. Having 3 dogs

9. Doing f**k all on a weekday

10. Buying Organic produce!

So anyway, I like where we live but.....

1. I like colour, but not that much

2. Dreadlocks - eww they are dirty looking

3. Yay go the canvas bags!

4. I wont even comment on this!

5. I LOVE shoes, the higher the better!

6.This is quiet annoying as Odi wants to rip the head off anything that comes near him.

7. the more the merrier

8. ok, now its a monagery

9. I struggle to be this lazy

10. I LOVE this!

Ok, so perhaps I am semi hippy....... well, do you like my new ORGANIC VEGGIE PATCH??? The seeds are organic and no pesticides are used, summer planting is done and should be ready to pic in a month. I have ALL sorts of things in there!

As you can see our NEW retaining wall looks very strange in front of the rustic back fence...... thats Freo for ya! We have heritage houses on both sides of us.... its nice, adds to the feel, I really like our back fence :) You can also see we have lots of landscaping to do... had a Landscaper in this morning (yes I am NOT duing it myslef) gardening is not something I enjoy.

I think that its important that Jethro grows up understanding where his food comes from. I think being semi self suffient is good for the environment. And I will definetely save money because organic produce is expensive!

Sam I Am semi-hippy.

Be Decisive

2009-10-28T10:20:00.002+08:00

Every day, every hour, every minute, you will make a decision. Some simple, some not. What is important is that you actually MAKE one.

Deciding what is right for you needs to be backed by commitment, small things will stand in your way, its important to push them aside because if you fall to pieces at the smallest obstical you loose your power.

Having the power to control your mind will make you happy and successful. Remember, there is never usually anything else stopping you. If you are physically capable you are more than capable!

Prioritise your goals and make a commitment. You can.

Do you really need THAT much variety?

2009-10-23T08:31:00.003+08:00

I do need to discuss this, my thoughts trailed to it after a conversation with one of my best mates. My suggestion to her was to cook extra at dinner so when she works back late on a Thursday night she has dinner ready and no excuse not to eat well. Anyway, she said 'I cant do what you do, I need variety every night'.

To me, eating something two nights in a row is not a big deal, in fact I eat the same every week night, except I change the protein. Why? well, firstly, I am a mum, secondly, I run a business and thirdly, I have to fit my training in everyday. All this takes precident over variety! If I don't have to cook when I get home I am bloody happy!

This aside, my CONSISTENCY with my nutrition means that I am pretty LEAN all the time! The apparent 'lack of variety' means that the consistencey of my nutrition works so my macro-nutrients are on target everyday. If I was to eat different everyday I would have to spend time working out if tomorrows planned food fits into all my ratios (I say MY ratios because MY ratios work for me and it is come through simple trial and error and reading and questions that I know what my body wants).

To be honest, I dont really go a day and think 'shit I want to do something different'. When I do, I overhaul my plan and do another one for a few weeks. Saturday nights we go out for dinner and Sunday nights I cook something special (healthy of course :)). I dont have time during the week to think about variety and until this was brought to my attention, I didnt really think about it. NO I dont think I need variety. Should we be eating for our wellbeing? - YES! sometimes you need to back away from the selfish attachment of getting 'whatever you want' to eat. I feed my dog almost the same thing every night and he is always excited! hahhhaa. If you had less choices you would be happy to eat what is in front of you. We are lucky we even have variety, but think, do you really NEED it or is your mind telling you you do?

Us humans think too much.

I enjoy my meals, in fact, I look forward to them. This week I have a total of 8 meals a day, everyone I am hanging for by the time it is due. My mind is satisfied with the taste and my body is cherished and fufilled by its nutrients. I am LUCKY I live in a country where I have the choice to eat what I want, however, I prioritise, daily variety doesnt sit above the importance of looking after myself and eating well. I am not saying that you cant eat well with variety, I am just saying that it is a lot of work to make sure it is what your body needs everyday, especially if you are trying to loose weight.

You dont NEED variety you WANT variety. If you lead a busy life, I just dont see why it has to be everyday and that you can choose a bad option just cause you dont want to warm up last nights dinner, all it does is jeopodise your goals. Prioritise.

My Tribute

2009-10-21T10:12:00.003+08:00

After all the inking in blogland, I felt it is time to post mine. I had this tattoo done in August. So what does it mean? I really do hear you asking that because thats what everyone asks!

This is a nautical flag, it represents the letter 'D'. I also had the letter D put in the middle of the flag. D = Dad, D = Don, D = Dunbar. D just is my dad, and boats where my dads life, thats where the nautical flag comes in.

This way I have my dad with me everyday, personally, the tattoo is more than a tribute, it is my way of showing RESPECT. I loved and respected him enough that I would mark my body for life (crap I am crying - AGAIN!) 2nd time today. But thats ok :)

Dad had his full name tattooed on the inside of his forearm. He did it when he was 11 with a needle and ink. Consequently he hated tattoos. He always told me not to get a tattoo, its funny, he would kill me but be totally chuffed by it (although never show it). He would simply smile and say 'ooohhhhh chicken, why did you do that?'..... in a scalding appreciative way. Kinda like when I brought Odi home as a puppy, he really wanted him and couldnt hide his happiness beneath his scalding of me. He just gave up and said 'give him here' and smothered him with cuddles. Thats probably what he would do to me, give up trying to scald and cuddle me because he would really be chuffed.

Why?

2009-10-19T12:17:00.003+08:00

Such a simple question really. When I was a child I would ask dad 'why?' he would always say 'because Y is a crooked letter and can not be straightened'. Does that suffice??? :)

Ok, before I start, was great to see some awesome pics from the Olympia, looked like a fantastic weekend and congrats to all the competitors! It was on my mind all weekend, really wanted to be there.

Back to Why? Well, I decided a while ago that I would compete next year. I will always love the sport, so it made sence to stop 'fighting' the urge and just do it. The main reason I have tried to fight it is that I am at peace with all things nutrition and body. Without sounding 'up myself' I like what I see! Damian laughs at my morning ritual which involves some ab poses and a booty look.... I like it! hell, why shouldnt I, I eat clean and train hard, I DONT make EXCUSES and I deserve to like what I see!

It hasnt always been that way and thats what scares me. I sit a few kg above my comp weight now, but when I was competing I was 10kg above comp weight off-season. SO have I perfected things??? well, perhaps. So why am I competing again? Because I love the sport! Great answer Sam! If I had of said 'to motivate me to loose a few kg' 'or retain my training motivation'.... then my reasons would not be right. Not right for me anyway.

Everything is different (and has been for the past year+) I eat different, I think different, I train different to I ever have! Once I look control of my mind, I took control of my body.

On a different topic, I am waiting for my summer planting to be done in my veggie patch. I put in an organic veggie patch a month ago when we moved house. I will have to take photos! Hoping to be mainly self suffiicient when this next planting sprouts. We missed winter planting (have just a few veggies at the moment).

I teach Body Attack on Monday nights and I have the worst hami DOMS from training saturday, tongiht is gonna hurt especially when doing the kicks!

Sam

I Am An Artist

2009-10-16T12:07:00.005+08:00

One of my favourite parts in the Pumping Iron DVD is when Arnie describes himself as an artist. He describes his body as 'his work' and that his work has taken him years. The body is the hardest material to work with.

The past few weeks have repeated Arnies motto as I have entered the gym for my training. I AM AN ARTIST. I see the beautiful muscle I have created (nature creates the most beautiful things, what is more natural than muscle?). I see the areas that require a little more muscle. I see the areas with 'the right amount' of muscle. My sculpture requires continual improvement and maintenance. Arnie, I am an artist too!

I am at the highest of highs with my trainng at the moment, just thought I would share how I was feeling :)

Been a little sleep deprived :( which wouldnt be helping this artist deal with her material! (muscle needs sleep right). Jethro's been ill, unfortunately if I am up all night its just too bad! gotta go to work the next day! I have my fingers crossed tonight I will be able to sleep, tomorrow (Saturday) is 7.30am start for leg training!

Speaking of my little rascal, take a look at how big he is now! I think I last posted a pick about 6 months ago, thats probably about how long I have been gone. I moved house while I was away, gotta show some pictures soon, I love my house :)

Odi is ok...

2009-10-14T10:12:00.002+08:00

Well, to cut a long story short, Odi had Onion Toxicity. I had no idea that onions can kill dogs. His daddy cooked up a heap on the new BBQ then put them in his food all week. The onions made him anemic (dropped his red blood count). Getting to the bottom of what was making him anemic was the problem. If it had of been his heart medication we would have had issues. Anyway, Odi may forgive his dad for trying to kill him, but he is definetely on the mend!

Interesting Read

2009-10-09T11:39:00.002+08:00

Last night before I taught RPM, my training partner had been for a run and brought up an article she had sent to me a few months back. This prompted me to re-read it. Have a look it is quiet interesting.

How Your Menstrual Cycle Affects Performance

With all the changes in hormone levels that occur during your menstrual cycle, you'd expect speed workouts to suffer during your period, right? Wrong. Surprisingly, near the end of your period, your body is actually geared to pegging track workouts and tempo runs. However, your long, slow runs will suffer. Read on to learn how your training and racing is affected by your menstrual cycle. Read it here: http://www.runtheplanet.com/trainingracing/training/women/menstruation.asp

Odi's sick....

2009-10-08T15:53:00.002+08:00

..... and I am scared. Will be at Cardiology unit tomorrow at Murdoch Uni Vet Hospital. Odi is strong. He is already medicated up to the eyeballs poor boy :(

I am so glad......

2009-10-06T13:50:00.003+08:00

…. that weight training is a part of my life. Sometimes I look at people doing endless cardio sessions (with no change) and feel sorry for them. Don’t get me wrong, I love hard core cardio! But 2 or 3 times a week, is good for me. I am an Attacker through and through. But I consider myself one of the lucky gals who discovered weight training and understand the benefits it has for keeping lean and building LBM.

Almost weekly I am asked ‘what I do to stay lean’ and for most girls, they do not understand that I can stay in shape with just 2 to 3 cardio sessions. Consistently the response to adding weight training to your program is not positive. This is why I consider myself ‘lucky’, I found weights, took a chance, and gave them a go. I hope in the future, I am not one of the lucky few, but one of the lucky many.

Move some weights girls :)

Sam

I'm Back!

2009-10-02T11:53:00.003+08:00

You all know why I disappeared for a while. My grief was personal, but I am sure that in future posts I will touch on this part of my life.

I am here, I am fit and I am healthy and back to discuss it!

The competition season is in full swing. Wishing all the competitors the best and looking forward to INBA WA's State Titles tomorrow. I do have the best seat in the house (the judges table).

Sam