Friday, January 30, 2009

For a few weeks I've been losing a bit of weight consistently each week, but I wasn't feeling it was enough for all the work I've been doing lately... until today!!! I got on the scale today not expecting anything too different, but I had a 5 pound loss this week (since my weigh-in last Friday)!!! This totally fueled my back, bicep, and cardio workout today! I just have 30 pounds to go now - woo-hoo!

I have so much to write about here, but I'm in such a rush (trying to do 3 things at once before Zak wakes up)! I'll be back to post everything soon.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

OK, so my training and eating is going really well lately. I've been re-inspired because I've roped one of my students into doing the IDFA competition in July with me! I tried to get a group of girls from my studio to do it, but only one was ready for the challenge this time (hopefully next time, the rest of you guys will be with us!)

I'm not working out today for two reasons and they both come from my experience yesterday... I think I'm a little nuts, here's what happened: My baby had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and before that I had a class at the studio. There was a big snow storm and the sidewalk was full of snow. Usually I would put Zak in the carrier and take the TTC in this type of unshovelled snow, but I knew someone was picking me up in a car after the class so I needed the carseat (which fits into the stroller). I can't manage getting the big stroller onto streetcars, so I felt my only option was to walk (even through all that snow)! My stroller doesn't have big snow tires so I felt like I was plowing my way through snow uphill, I felt like a football player ramming into one of those things they use in training. I almost turned back after walking for a few blocks, but then what? Cancel everything for the day? That wasn't an option in my mind! I continued on and it took me double the time that it usually takes (about 2 hours of this plowing walking in the snow!) As I was walking I started thinking what a nut-case I am... who does this type of thing? I usually pride myself on being 'hardcore', but this was just silly - I think I make my life a lot harder than it has to be. So, I've resolved to try to be a bit more reasonable about stuff from now on! So, back to why I'm not working out today... I feel I got enough cardio and strength training in that walk to take care of me for quite some time! I am so so sore all over (mainly my back, shoulders, triceps, and wrists from all that pushing) plus I feel like I might be coming down with a cold so I think I'll just try to relax a bit today before my classes tonight at the studio so I can feel better.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

I'm a little bummed because my condo gym has reeked of paint and chemicals for the past two days so I haven't been able to get my regular workouts in... I personally wouldn't usually worry too much about fumes, but since I bring Zak down with me I don't want to subject him to these bad fumes! I got him all asleep yesterday, got myself together, and got down to the gym yesterday only to smell the gym and have to head right back up to my apartment. I did do a workout at home instead, but I didn't feel the same intensity as if I had been in the gym (being in a gym environment always inspires me!) I did a leg workout using only body weight, had to skip shoulders as I don't have any weights at home, then I did a cardio DVD, but Zak was waking up by then and I didn't make it through the whole thing :< Today the gym still stinks so I think I'll just take the day off from working out today (I'll walk to the studio and teach 4 classes later tonight). It had better be better by tomorrow... if not, I'll have to go into the studio to work-out!

On a nother note, I watched the movie The Wrestler a few days ago. I had heard it was a terrific movie, that MIckey Rourke was awesome in it, plus a while back I thought I wanted to be a professional wrestler (and even started training for it)! Well, what a totally sad and depressing movie it was! Mickey Rourke was truly amazing in his role as Randy "The Ram" Robinson, but I wasn't quite ready for such a deep tear-jerker. And I can't get it out of my mind days later - this movie is one that will stay with me for a long time (much like El Cantante, bio of salsa great, Hector Lavoe, which I LOVED!) I often like the idea of being obsessed about things in life like my dance and fitness, but this movie really shows you what happens if you're too obsessed with something and you lose all balance in life. I used to be very one-tracked about bellydance in my youth and that's how I progressed quickly (I often feel students aren't committed enough - they're not standing in front of their bedroom mirror practising every detail of their undulations for hours on end like I did when I was 15), but they aren't 15... and there is so much more in life to think about - work, kids, family, other passions and hobbies, relaxation, etc. I think you can become an exceptional artist by being so obsessive and having your whole life devoted to one topic, but then when you're old and grey, will that be enough? On that note I've decided I need a bit of relaxation time - maybe tomorrow... shopping, massage, tv? The past week has been so frantic with getting my bellydance magazine (MID-BITS) out, preparing for my studio student showcase, working out and cooking healthy meals, getting computer work done, and of course dealing with my baby, I haven't had a moment to myself to relax!!!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I can't believe how much easier it is to eat clean now that I have a baby to take care of... I know this is the exact opposite of what most new mothers feel, but I feel like as long as I have tons of healthy food choices in my fridge, it's so easy for me to just grab healthy food. I don't have the free time to dream about and eat bad foods recreationally - I feel like I need food for fuel, not fun! I no longer have the problem of eating too much, now I'm trying to find the time to fit in all my meals! Plus, since it's so freezing out we haven't been walking around town so much, so that takes out a whole other temptation factor (I tend to make bad food choices when I'm passing by Baskin Robbins, Harveys, beef patties, etc.)

My workout got cut short a bit this morning (Zak woke up!) I got my chest and triceps done, started running on the treadmill, but only got to 10 minutes on there. So, we went back up to my apartment and I fed him, then I tried to do a Tae Bo DVD, but Zak was really annoyed with me and wouldn't calm down, so I stopped after 20 minutes of that. 30 minutes of cardio isn't bad, but I feel I need to do more like 45 - 60 minutes of hard cardio each day so I can blast this fat fast!

Friday, January 16, 2009

OK, so everything was going great with my training and eating, then yesterday something hit me and I ate almost a whole bag of microwave popcorn in the middle of the day for no good reason!!! It's not a tragedy, I guess I just didn't really see that coming! I'm pretty sure it happened because I missed my workout yesterday... one of my downfalls is I'm a real all-or-nothing type of gal with almost everything I do, so if I work-out like crazy in the morning usually the rest of my day will be pretty healthy or else I feel like I wasted time busting my butt in the gym (I know some people see it a totally different way - that they worked out so they can eat a few more treats and not worry, but not me - I believe and know that food is the most important component to having a fit body - you can work-out till the cows come home, but you won't see real results without changing your diet!)So, when I don't work-out sometimes my mind thinks I'm on holiday in every way that day when really I should eat even cleaner with no work-out! Oh well, I did a bit of extra cardio today to make up for it, I also did my leg and shoulder workout that I should've done yesterday! I was down 2 more pounds this morning so I'm feeling re-inspired and back on track today!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

So, I've ended my detox... now I'm just eating healthy - basically almost the same as the detox except now I can eat my fave breakfast item - oatmeal! I've also managed to eat a few dabs of peanut butter over the past few days of finishing the detox (yum!) I'm feeling strong and not even really craving sweets lately (I think when I get them out of my system for a bit, I tend not to crave them so much which is awesome because sweets are my big downfall usually!)

I just updated the events page on www.meagan.ca and saw there are SO many cool fitness competitions coming up in April, May, and June! I wish I had got my act together a bit sooner so I could have taken part in some of these before my big comp I'm trainign for July 11. In the back of my mind I'm wondering if maybe I could do one before July... normally I would only need about 3 months to prep for a comp, but I'm SO out of shape at this point that I figure I need about double that. I'm going to just continue training and working out seriously and we'll see... usually that attitude doesn't work for me... I need a definite goal, I need to know I've committed to standing up on stage in a bilkini beside tons of beautifully ripped women to really get it together in time.

Lately I've been bugging students from my studio to train with me and do the July 11th fitness comp. Some are contemplating it which is so exciting! But, some say I'll train, but not do the competitiion... now, if you're anything like me, that means you won't get the same results cause in the back of your mind you know you didn't actually commit to getting up on stage in a bikini or doing a crazy fitness routine. I think fitness competitions are agreat way to force you to get in the best shape of your life, but you have to commit to a certain show!

Monday, January 12, 2009

Had a bit of a rough weekend eating-wise... I mean, it wasn't too bad for me, but some cheese and a potato creeped into my detox yesterday (oops!) We did our weekly visit to my husband's family's place and all I could eat detox-wise was hard-boiled eggs, so I ended up having some of my favourite Middle Eastern cheese too cause I was so hungry (I really didn't want to have to explain to them that I was on a detox - they already think I'm picky enough). Then I was starving as we came home and we grabbed Swiss Chalet - not terrible, but I opted for potato instead of a salad (booo!) Anyways, I'm back ON this morning. Eventhough I'm a little exhausted (baby decided to get up at 4am instead of his usual 6am to eat) I got down to the gym and did a hardcore shoulder, legs, and abs workout, and a 30 minute run on the treadmill. I didn't quite reach my goal weight for today, but it was a bit of a lofty dream to lose 5 pounds in a week (I just thought the detox would do that maybe), but I lost 3 pounds and I'm happy with that! I have so much work to take care of with my magazine coming out next week, my house is a mess, I've gotta do groceries TODAY, the studio showcase is coming up, and oh, now my baby's crying - better go!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009!

Got down to the gym again this morning while Zak napped. I was able to fit in a strong shoulder & leg workout, plus 35 minutes cardio. Later I'll be walking to the studio and teaching 2 classes which will hopefully make up for the short cardio session today. Eating is still going well and I haven't felt any temptation yet! I'm just finding that with a baby it's hard to get everything done when you want to workout and eat so regularly! In my new life I haven't managed to get any work done on my websites or mid-bits (my bellydance magazine that comes out in about 2 weeks!) let alone clean the house, etc! And I still haven't gotten to that stretching DVD I wanted to do every second day. I will make it work though - no excuses! I hear so many people make so many excuses for not being fit (and I admit I've made a few myself over the past year), but I really feel that the only person to blame for not being the best you is YOU! Fitness isn't a priority to many people, and that's cool, but it's a huge priority in my life - right up there with being a great mother, wife, daughter, and friend, because if you don't feel good physically, you can't feel confident to do all those other things! So, I will keep on trucking and keep you all posted as I go! Hope everyone else is having a healthy 2009 with me!

Feeling Awesome!

I feel like wonder woman today! After eating way too much junk over the holidays, I thought I would start the new year by doing a short detox. It's not a strict crazy type of detox or anything - it's basically lots of fresh veggies, brown rice, white meat, and some other stuff (no wheat, no dairy, no fruit) - I've done it a few times before - check out Dr. Joshi's Holistic Detox for more info and inspiration. He also has a holistic living book for maintenance after the detox. His books are so beautiful and make me want to be a healthier person when I flip through them - I highly recommend them (and often give them as gifts!) So, I started the detox on Saturday and feel awesome today because of it!

I also got down to my condo gym this morning with Zak (my baby) and he slept long enough to allow me to do my pre-planned tricep, chest, ab workout, plus 40 minutes intense cardio - YAY! Then I went walking around downtown all day with my mom getting errands done so that was an extra work-out (although I hardly ever feel like walking is much of a workout for me personally because I do it so much without thinking. Now I am home trying to get a bit of computer work done and maybe when Zak gets to sleep I might do a stretch DVD (as I really need to work on my flexibiliy if I want to do the fitness competition in July (and I do!)

HAPPY 2009!

I've got TONS of goals for 2009! My main fitness goals are to lose approximately 40 pounds of fat, re-gain some of the muscle I lost while pregnant, and compete in IDFA's Toronto Classic on July 11 with my best body yet! I've lost about 35 pounds since I had my baby at the end of August without really trying (a mixture of not having time to eat all day because I'm so busy with him, breastfeeding, and not hanging out at restaurants so much), I've been teaching my dance and exercise classes, walking a lot (it's too hard to get on streetcars with a big stroller), and getting down to the gym a bit, but thus far my fitness efforts have been pretty sporadic and lazy in my mind... which is fine - I don't mind that I gave myself a few months to re-adjust my new life as a mom without throwing myself right back into super- workout-girl-mode as soon as I got home from the hospital. But, now It think it's time to get crazy!!! I've set a very reasonable goal of competing in July, so I have 7 months to get ripped! I'm so excited about getting more serious about my training (and less excited about super clean eating). Now I just have to decide if I'm going to compete in fitness or figure... Getting a fitness routine together now that I've been out of the scene for so long may be challenging, but I might try! I'll keep you posted! HAPPY NEW YEAR!