Believe in your heart......

Believe in your heart that something wonderful is about to happen.
Love your life.
Believe in your own powers, and your own potential, and in your own innate goodness.
Wake every morning with the awe of just being alive.
Discover each day the magnificent, awesome beauty in the world.
Explore and embrace life in yourself and in everyone you see each day.
Reach within to find your own specialness.
Amaze yourself and rouse those around you to the potential of each new day.
Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect; this is the essence of your humanity.
Let those who love you help you.
Trust enough to be able to take.
Look with hope to the horizon of today, for today is all we truly have.
Live this day well.
Let a little sun out as well as in.
Create your own rainbows.
Be open to all your possibilities; all possibilities and Miracles.
Always believe in Miracles.

A thoughtful evening...

Thanks Mumma,
Love you.

"Under all that we think,
lives all we believe,
like the ultimate veil of our spirits."
Antonio Machado

Change our old, outdated, destructive beliefs
and we can change our thoughts!!

Have a great week everyone.
Shar x

Honesty, Ear Bashing and Re-focusing.......

Honesty - always said I would be honest with my journey so here it is.

Saturday saw me start strong and was feeling better after just one day of totally clean eating, then comes Sunday, eat clean all day until evening and then starts the little voice, lets call her BB = binging bitch! 'oh go on have some tea with the kids, eat some peanut butter and cheese and crackers, you've still got 9 weeks 6 days left'

So I go have a sit down, tell BB to piss off, she comes back at me telling me she knows I'm gonna give in etc etc, and guess what - I bloody do.

So then I get into the guilt thing but re-assure myself that tomorrows a new day and all will be well. Except Monday night comes and I decide to make double choc fudge brownies with the kids, I mean as if choc fudge brownies aren't enough, lets do the freaking double choc ones.

Anyway say no more, another round with BB and I have a few brownies.

Ear bashing (probably the wrong word - STRONG ENCOURAGEMENT? )

I text Di today, racked with guilt that I haven't told her, feeling bloaty and fat and she says to call her after my class. I do so and the conversation was very encouraging and I start to feel positive, she then asks me how long until my Les Mills presentation, I state 2 and a half weeks but I'm thinking I may not pursue the whole thing...........................well, I will leave the response I got to your imagination, Di having been in regular contact with me now since April knows how much I want to do this and how much my teaching means to me. To say the least I was told there is no way I was giving that up just because of a few days of BB fights.

So after some 'strong encouragement' Di also told to revisit my NLP that I had been through earlier in the year, this was so important to be reminded of. I also got a super duper text from Di, I felt my energy rise and desire to succeed return.

My issue is NOT about food it is about belief in myself and re-programming old habits/issues and beliefs I have about myself and my self worth. Been back through this a little already and feel much more in control, will also do some of the visualization and light trance work before bed.

Re-Focusing

A positive to be found in this is I have consistently trained so therefore have made great leaps and not gone to my all or nothing with food and training having to be 100% or not at all.

Will be focusing in on my NLP and visualization.

Focusing on the belief in me and not associating this as an issue with food and after comp issues.

I am worth it and I can continue my journey, especially my Les Mills journey :)

Must try and log daily stuff here, said I would and didn't get around to it.

Back soon

Shar x

Di - luv ya and Thanks again.

Back to it - WA States here I come!

Thank you to everyone who has commented on my pics, the common theme coming out was that most thought my legs looked good!!!!! Talk about a distorted vision of oneself, I was so worried about my legs, but having looked at the pictures now I do agree there is a good amount of muscle there and the shape didn't turn out to bad. Just need to keep gaining a little more on all upper areas and lean the legs out a tad more. I have received my pictures now and here's one of my fav's......

So with 3 weeks of indulgence under my belt, literally!, since I competed at the All Females,

I am back on the prep train - 10 Weeks / 70 days out from the INBA WA State Titles, October 11th.

I have consistently trained since comp, both cardio and weights, Paul and I even went to the gym, Fitness First - South Yarra, on the Tuesday morning at 6am after comp before we flew back to Perth.

Food has been a little loose, Paul and I had a good two days in Melbourne after comp, we have had my in-laws here until last night, went away for a week etc so have been having a little of whatever I fancied, some days alot of what I fancied! :)

Sharing a platter with Paul at Koko Black, Melbourne.


So I plan on logging my days on here as I want his blog to be more about my Figure journey, Training and Nutrition and my mindset, that is what I started it for back in Dec 2005!
So apart from logging my daily bits and bobs thats about it, no doubt there will be more pics over the next week or so :)
Shar x

____________________________________

Day 1 of 70

Training
Cardio - Bodyattack

Nutrition
Meals 1 – 6 eaten on plan
Water – 3 litres
Supplements and Vitamins taken
Herbal tea throughout the day

Recovery / Relaxation
Spent most of the afternoon dozing on the sofa, lucky me, I never do this and it has done me the world of good. I did this because I felt a bit weird today, not ill but generally a bit zapped. THANKS PAUL!

Sleep last night
7 Hours

Mindset
Not bad today considering I find the first day of tightening the reigns a bit tough, but I am really happy with how I have been mentally since comp in comparison to last year. Bring it on I say. I really want to walk the talk, be a role model to my kids and my members and eventually find my 'happy' place, this will obviously be the test after next comp when there isn't another one to focus on straight away.

All Females 2008

Dallas Olsen Photography

Thank You!

Another quick one.........Just a few Thank You's.

Thank You to all that commented on my last post, all my prep posts etc, your support, encouragement and best wishes are more than I thought blogging would bring.

Di - I have to Thank you now for your support, belief and professionalism. I have alot more to say so that will be a whole other post.

The Girls and Guys - Hilds and Cam, Gerard, Christy & Partner, Cheryl, Jenny (& Mum), Vicki, Thanks for the few days we spent together, I had a ball (as some of the photos will show)

Hilds and Cam - Thanks for being so generous with your car! and being such a calming influence you two are a perfect couple. Christy - for being so much like Hammie the squirrel from Over the hedge, you crack me up :) Vicki - for being up super early! and poofing the hair when needed and Di & Gerard - Di, you also crack me up with the 'Gordon' habit! :) and Gerard for just saying it as it is.

CG - Thanks so much for texting back and forth, calling and meeting up! Great to meet you, speak soon!

All the bloggers - that came and introduced themselves to me either in the break or afterwards, great to put in person faces to pics on blogs etc. I want to name you all but am worried I will forget someone, wasn't really with it until the end.

Lia & Irene - Thank you for the photos you have sent through, much appreciated.

Paul - Thanks for the weekend it was amazing and your continued love and support.

I had the best Comp experience, the best time away, the best time with my hubby, spent time with some amazing people and met lots of new faces, what more could you want?

Shar x

Just a quick one

INBA All Females Classic 2008

2nd Place Figure - Intermediate

Our pics arn't great, will sort some better pictures soon, will also
write a post once home and settled back in Perth.

Shar x

Arrived in Melbourne / 2 days out

WOW, where did the week go! We arrived in Melbourne at noon today, got a taxi to the apartments by 1.15pm and unpacked.

Had to have a bit of a rest as I only got 3 hours sleep last night, what with staying up packing and organizing all the info needed to give grandparents re: the kids, I was a little wiped out.

Then we decided to take a walk to the nearest Coles and pick up my remaining water, bits and pieces for Paul to eat etc for tonight and tomorrow. BAD IDEA!!! The closest was on Chapel Street and I am in love with it down there, so much bustle, cafe's (was eyeing them all up for Sunday and Monday!), gorgeous shoes, Nike shop (remember I’m a group fitness instructor!) etc etc.

Started to feel a bit wiped out so we headed back slowly, got into comfies and have just been chillin out in a nice warm apartment with Paul………BLISS.

Have had a few texts from Di and also Hilds has arrived in Melbourne but has had to stay somewhere else tonight. ALSO Theo rang me!!!! I text her and she called me back, how nice is that, great to put a voice to a picture and finally meet her on Saturday.

For anyone from Melbourne – We are staying in Windsor/Prahan and I have to get to
Hoppers crossing on Sunday for the photo shoot with Dallas, is this far away i.e for a taxi ride? Or on a Sunday Morning is it doable by public transport, perhaps into the city then back out? Any advice would be appreciated. THANK YOU

Feeling a bit like I’m in a bubble re: the comp. A little worried about my routine as I left it very late this year! A little worried about my bikini fitting but all in all happy that I’m here.

I have really done it hard with the amount of training I had over the last 14 weeks, but yet again I have learnt a lot about myself and my journey is far from over, this time I am aware of the post comp issues I had and am very focused on making improvements to this process this year.

I am definitely not as lean this year, this was the aim and a good thing, I do think I have a bit more size on my upper body, not lots just a bit, when I met Sam about 3 weeks ago that was one of the first things she said when I started posing so that’s great.

I will hold my final judgement as to whether I will present a enhanced package/bettered my condition on my last comp until I see some pictures on Saturday.

I can’t wait to see Di tomorrow in the ‘flesh’, weeks and weeks of e mails, texts and phone calls has been great but I really want to see her now, I wouldn’t be here now without her…… THANKS DI!!! See you soon!!!

And on that note I must also comment on my husbands support, encouragement and love again. THANKS PAULIE, I love you and couldn't have done this without you.

Anyway, better wrap it up there, could ramble on for ages!!
May get a chance to blog tomorrow, if not I will post some pics as soon as I can after comp.

Shar x

PS - you can tell I'm not at home working, kids, moving etc, what a longs post coz I'm just chillin!!

3 days out!

Yes I am up late which officially it means its 3 days out from comp!!

So I've gone from thinking I have lots of time and the days are dragging until we have to leave to Panic stations as I only have Wednesday left!!

Waxing was done today, I am so sore.

My 2nd bikini arrived yesterday and I love it sooooooo much, the colour is amazing and will go with my hair really well.

Taught my last class this evening, rather bizarre feeling, I felt as though I was there but I was dazey and it felt like I was watching myself. ???

Tomorrow - Nails, hair cut, last food bits for cool bag over on the plane to get, Bryce to an orthodontist appt, packing, try and stay sane for one more day then I can chill out as I will be on my way at 5am on Thursday morning.

Got some more Les Mills news today - I will be presenting at the next Quarterly workshop at end of august!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!

Anyway, must go to bed, I'll try and post tomorrow
Shar xx

Claudine - You look awesome, I can't translate your blog anymore? so am just popping in to check out your visual bits and pieces.

Back online & 7 days out

At last we have sorted out the 'issues' we had with Telstra and bigpond. What a polava, putting it nicely! I don't think I have ever spoken to so many different people to try and get all of this sorted.
Anyway, Wednesday was a new day and I called through to try again and got a 'Gem' of a customer service representative, absolutely bloody amazing. I spoke with her manager to pass on our feedback on how professional she was and that she delivered great customer service.

So whats been happening, list form is probably best :)

• Dad leaves the country and is now settling back into the hustle and bustle in the south of England.
• Got sick, very sick on Sunday/Monday, not great with the last 2 weeks of prep happening but better than next week!, did as Di ordered and started to feel better on Thursday.
• We move house - ARGGHHHH!! BUT my hubby is a absolute champion and has pretty much done it himself. Although me dealing with the phone and broadband is my bit!! :) and I have to clean it all this weekend.
• Kids finish school, reports come home and I am so proud, they are both very ahead of their year group. Bryce's report show all above average grades and Maddi's portfolio is amazing, made me cry.
• I finish my Group Fitness Manager position for some annual leave! (still teaching all my classes though) had half this week off, all next week off, back for 4 days after comp and then another week after that to go down south to Dunsborough.
• My In-Laws are flying in on Monday from the UK. They are having the Kids whilst Paul and I have a fab getaway in Melbourne together.
• Comp Prep - Great results both this week, (considering I pulled back on the training to rest) and last week, just the last few yards to travel now.
• I heard back from Les Mills after being asked to send in my audition dvd of my classes, they want to take me on as a Trainee Presenter/Trainer, I cannot believe this, how awesome, I get to spread my passion even further than the members. Very scary though.

So that was last week Friday to Friday, a busy week, this week I get to chill a little, nails to be done, hair cut, get my waxing done etc which will be good seeing as the depletion week will more than likely drag any energy I have left out of me.

Have a few jobs / must do things, so have to sit and plan when and where i'll get those things crossed off the list.

I am very excited about the weekend, can't wait for Di to fly in on Friday and see her in person again, I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone else that is coming along to the comp and hopefully the Sunday get together.

Ok must go and get some more jobs/unpacking done!

Hope you are all well, I'm slowly doing my rounds to catch up on everyone's blogs.

Shar x

update from hubbys phone!

so u prob guessed, we have no internet since we are moving. Weekly stats r down, weight took a little drop, skinfolds down and measurements down. I did end up sick, trying to carry on but di has ordered rest. Getting excited now, very focussed on pushing to the end. Hope to be back online soon. Shar x

This ships sinking.....

....... or it was until two minutes ago!! I just need to Focus the mind the body will follow!! (this is a line I use in my classes when I can see my members ready to give it up)

I had just written a long post about how I feel a little overwhelmed by everything I have happening for me right now (on top of prep that is) but I just re-read it and you know what I hit DELETE and wiped the post.

Who wants to read a winging, moaning post?? no-one. In fact who cares??

Am I healthy? YES. Are my family healthy and safe and with me? YES.

Then I can just toughen the ^*#k up and get on with it.
Nothing is that bad that I can't just keep on keeping on.
I am worth more than giving up, crumbling etc, I will just have to step over the potholes in my path this week and I'll get to the newly laid path soon enough.

So on that note - PLEASE HAVE A FAB WEEKEND, TIME IS PRECIOUS SO ENJOY EVERY MINUTE.

Keep on Keeping on,
Shar x

PS's
1) May be offline til Tuesday, see you then if not before.

2) CLAUDINE - GOOD LUCK HONEY!!!! I have lost the link to translate your blog so just keep checking and try and guess what your saying!! Post pics asap and enjoy your Snickers :)

3) Paul - I love you and I couldn't do any of this without you, Thank you for your unconditional love and support.

Stats Updated

Weekly Stats -
So as I thought a good week this week! Stats have been updated on the right.
A combination of the 'new plan' and the come down of period stuff
has seen big drops across all measures this week.

My pictures are starting to show it as well which is good. I must stay focused on the job at hand though as the legs still have some to give up and I'll be damned if I'm not getting on that stage after all this hard work and commitment, I'll push it to the wire and then what will be will be.

One thing is for sure I will never be doing it this long and hard again! Lesson learnt, I am totally aware of the feelings and behaviours that got me into trouble after my first comp and Paul and I have been chatting and making plans for afterwards, call it damage limitation.

After Comp -
A weight gain is expected and accepted but there will be a ceiling as to where I sit out of comp.
I love the way I feel, look and how my body functions whilst eating clean food and drinking water, (my Pepsi Max addiction under control at last!) I am a role model to so many, firstly my kids, secondly a ton of members that attend my classes, I have the focus now of truly being that role model and walking the walk, long term not just for 10 weeks a year!

Disappointment
I had my eye on the WNBF comp that was to be in Perth for the first time this year, 27th September, went to the website last night and it had disappeared off the competition calender, e mail WNBF, Danny got back to me and it has been postponed...................... until next year! I am so disappointed as I wanted to try a different federation and the date sat perfect for me.

I have a few other things I want to blog about but I really just have to stop now and head to bed, its geting late and sleep is priority.

I'll be back in the next few days.
Have a great week
Shar x