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Strike A Pose

I had my first session of posing with Darryl this evening. I am just so thankful he was able to fit me in his busy schedule. I was quite nervous as to what to expect. I slipped on my clear heels and into my shorts/workout top. Darryl turned up the music. He told me to have a beat or song in my head. I immediately thought "Sexy Bitch" by David Guetta and Akon. That's MY jam. So when I did my first walk, I had a lot of mistakes. Now let's list them off: not smiling, always looked down at the ground when making a turn or pivoting, my chin down and a bit of my stance was off. So we went over my walk and posing over and over and over again until I got it down. Darryl said my walk was way better at the end of the session then it was at the beginning, which I am so ecstatic about. All I need to do now is work on my breathing techniques to push my core out instead of what I am normally used to (sucking it in/vacuuming). I meet with Darryl again on Thursday. Until then, practice...practice...practice. I can do this. Easy. No problem.

I got my bikini in the mail the other day but it definitely needs work. Because of my low body fat percentage, I lost all my chest. Not fun at all. But Sam and I went to Fabric Land the other day and I found padding inserts to fix that little problem. Hallelujah! So now I am getting a friend's mother to take a look to do some adjustments to it. Cross your fingers that it'll be done by this week. I really want a chance to practice in it.

I really think I got a great chance in being in the top 5 for my medium class. Only 12 days away. Let's do this!!!

Awesomeness in a Blog

So my good buddy Eldon and I came up with THE most brilliant idea this morning while on the topic of blogs: to create the ultimate blog for food lovers in Winnipeg. The basis would be for us to review/photog all the places we would dine at and gain popularity & traffic that way.

Awesome or what? I know...just GENIUS! But this will only start when I finish my competition, which is just creeping up around the corner (18 days eek!). I absolutely cannot wait. My mouth is salivating already for all the scrumptious goodies that will be chewed up in my happy, smiling mouth :D I better get my fat pants on. This is going to be one ride of a lifetime, or until my heart stops beating due to a heart attack from the greasy food. COMING SOON...

On another note: I was just tallying up all my clients today and WOW we at the 12 person mark. That to me is just insane. I LOVE LOVE LOVE what I do. It is by far the best job/career I have ever had. I am so very passionate about their journey to achieve their goals when it comes to total body wellness. The gratification on their faces makes me want MORE MORE MORE.

If you are one of "my girls", please do tell your friends and family members about Sam & I. We are glad to take on new clients at any time.

"Free" - Nelly Furtado

I adore the word "FREE". My eyes just light up with joy. Now this blog may be boring to anyone who doesn't tan, but for those who do, ONWARD WITH YOU....

Recently, I saw an advertisement for a week's work of complimentary tanning at Lava Sun Tan Studios. Before this week, I have never heard of it this place. So, I grabbed my friend Joe and we went together to check, check, check it out.

We got a tour of the place and all 3 beds available to clients: level 1 bed, level 2 bed, and a level 3 bed. Now the complimentary tanning only came with the level 1 bed but Morgan, the manager, had mentioned for an extra $3 you can upgrade to the level 2 bed OR for an extra $6 you can get the level 3 bed. I automatically opted for the highest level due to my upcoming competition and my need to get dark as I can.

Visually, the bed looks l like a spacecraft, which is completely opposite of what I am used to at Fabutan and TanFX. When I got in the tanning bed, I felt like I was in the spaceship. The bed heated up right away. The bulbs were amazing hot, which I love. I love to have that little pool of sweat under me. They have a great facial tanner and many different adjustments for cooling fans at different points on your body. Only 9 minutes had gone by and by that time I was done. I jumped out of the bed and noticed a trail of sweat following. I know gross....shh u. I said to myself "damn that's a good bed". I wiped down everything and yep there was a lot of wipe up.

I exited my room and talked to the owner a bit longer. Cross your fingers ladies and gents, as you could be looking at the new Lava Sun Tan Studios girl. Woot woot! Just casual for now as my schedule as a personal trainer is all over the place and never constant anyways, so It would fit quite nicely. Plus I would adore the free tanning the company would offer as a benefit (YES!!!). I highly recommend this studio to everyone I know. I feel in love after only 1 session. It is well worth the drive for this amazing studio. Check it out for yourself while this promotion still lasts. GO NOW!!!

7 Random Facts Award

Hey all,

Thanks to Krista for putting me up for this award on her blog at Awake & Dreaming. Read her blog its a goodie!!!


1. When I was 6 years old or so I almost drowned in a hotel pool in South Dakota. Luckily, a young boy saved me before it was too late. Thank you whoever you are.

2. When I lived in Calgary, I had a guy follow/stalk me all the way from downtown to my area in Somerset. It was so scary. I sped up my pace and so did he until I was almost jogging. He came up to my condo door and peered in to see if I was there. He then proceded to peep through all the main floor windows (peeping Tom). At this time, we called the police. Unfortunately, the police did not catch him.

3. I am a self taught HTML graphic designer/web coder since I was in grade 7. I designed web pages for friends on Asianavenue.com. I even designed a successful Backstreet Boys fan webpage. Silly I know, but I got a ton of hits. Good times for sure.

4. I can make 3 folds on my tongue. Not sure how I figured this out. So random I know...haha

5. I am double jointed in both my hands and my toes. My favourite past time is freaking people out with this weird abnormality.

6. I didn't get my ears pierced until I was 18 years old at Claire's Accessories. The reason I got them pierced was my mom & dad got myself an earring/necklace set to wear for graduation.

7. I could've been a lifeguard since I finished my certification but I didn't want that liability in my hands. I still swim to this day but not as often as I would like. It's great exercise and tons of fun.

____________________________________________________________________

I am sure there are more interesting facts but these were the only ones I could think of at the top of my head.

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to their blog.
2. Post seven random facts about yourself.
3. Pass on the award along to 15 other worthy bloggers. Since I do not have that many blogger friends, I'll link to the ones I got.

1. Eldon at Blogworld in my eyes
2. Chamy (Chase & Amy) at Chamy
3. Crystal at Crystal Clear
4. Leslie at Embrace The Journey
5. Destini at Running Down The Aisle

____________________________________________________________________

Documenter-ME: Part Deux

So the manager at the YMCA didn't get back to me about filming in the gym area. I had previously talked to Manny, a fella who works in the main gym area and he said it would be okay with him to film. So Mirah and I went down to the gym thinking we got the A-OK. I just wanted to double check at the desk again and low and behold...they said we couldn't film. Sadness. So we will attempt again. Stay tuned.

Documenter-ME

"Mirah Mirah on the wall, who is the greatest of them all?"

I always wanted to do that. Mirah is a buddy of mine who graciously decided to document my every move today as well as leading up to the Novice competition a month from now. She has this spectacular D-SLR camera that takes wicked photos as well as commercial grade videos. It still amazes me the great quality that comes out of one of these suckers.

I do not have any scripts. No crazy edits are needed. It is just going to be raw footage at Sam's, the gym, maybe the grocery store and god knows where else. I'm ready for my close-up Mrs.Camerawoman :D

So many things...so little time

So I've decided instead of jotting things down on a post-it, Blogger is going to be my reference point for my to-do list. Reason being is because I usually throw out the post-it by accident a couple of days later. Here are some but certainly not all of the things I need to do to prep myself before the competition (minus nutrition & exercise):

• "Dark as night" - Tan for 20 mins a day or every 2nd day)
  
• "Smile...you're being judged" - Start whitening my pearly whites that I'll be shooting over to just the male judges....ya you heard me :D
  
• "I need a lift" - Get "BareLifts" from Showcase at Polo Park Shopping Centre. These babies will make me perky. Damn you small boobies & low body fat
  
• "Make me BEE-utiful" - Look for a professional makeup artist
  
• "Extra volume and va-va-voom" - Possibly get a hair stylist
  
• "Look into my eyes" - Possibly get some coloured contacts. I want to be unique and stand out. Kinda extreme...Yes..but my choice
  
• "Scrub a dub dub" - Exfoliate all over every couple of days and proper facial care
  
• "Bling Bling" - Go to Michael's to find unique jewels to add to my suit
  
• "Strike a pose" - Practice my posing, flexing and breathing techniques with Darryl a couple times a week

To Be Continued....

Missing....reminiscing?

Listening to "Back To The Way" by London in my big comfy red chair. What a song. The message is something I would not want for myself NOW, but I most definitely could of seen my sad self "back" then with my heart on my chest in pain.

The Cycle: People meet. People create relationships. People have fun with one another. People fight. People make up. Some break up and go their separate ways. Some create lasting relationships.

"It wasn't in the stars" or "it wasn't meant to be". I can now say "I believe you". It so hard to believe people when they say things are only going to get better from here when your heart is just in such pain. But it's true. The worst (or what we hope) is over. Try seeing the positive in any situation. You could even see it as a learning experience. People grow to be stronger individuals by going through such turmoil and drama.

Living in the past is not the way to live as I know some do. "WHEN I was such and such I DID such and such." But it's okay to reminisce sometimes. Sure go ahead...just think about all the great memories. It makes your heart weak...doesn't it? It would be incredible to relive CERTAIN moments.


Side Note Question: When is someone going to make a time machine? :D


But getting back on track...It is called the past for a reason. All you have are sweet & some sour memories. Realistically, for all the good times...there are just as many bad times.

So now all we can do is move forward. With each passing day, things will get better. The pain will subside. Just go along for the ride...your life

TRX Training.....who and the what now???

When I found out my old trainer Amy from Shapes was having a special at the company she is currently working for at Everest Training Centres, I had to jump on the chance. I wanted some insight to see if the way I have been training myself has been effective, what I would need work on, and how to achieve the desired criteria to prep myself for the competition in less than 2 months time.

I had briefly sent her an message earlier on in the week stating I was just coming off of the flu and she should take it easy on me.

What I was in for was definitely a treat....a bitter but good one :D
TRX Suspension Training is something I have always wanted to try. Some of the celebrities use this type of training to tone their amazing physiques. TRX stands for Total Resistance eXercise. What it is, is a cable-like system designed for you to workout anywhere you are.....a revolutionary method of leveraged bodyweight exercise. It may look easy but I can tell you right now IT IS NOT!!!

She explained we were going to use the TRX system for the majority of the workout. This is what the program looked like:

• 15 pushups
  
• 20 dual legged squats
  
• 20 leaning back rows
  
• 15 v-situps in air
  
• 20 one-legged squats
  
• 20 side leg swings (glutes, hip flexors)
  
• 15 leaning tricep rows
  
• 15 leg pull-ins
  
• 15 one-legged squat jumps
  
• 15 lat pulldowns on the machine.
  

Everything was done on the TRX system except the pull downs. Total body workout indeed!!! When I attempted to get started with the push-ups, my body did not know what to do. My limbs were whaling around everywhere. Not too pretty. I got into the swing of things around the fourth rep of the first exercise. I kept on saying to Amy "this is so weird" or "wow". I was most definitely put to the test. There are just so many factors involved. You are fighting with gravity, using your body weight for resistance and engaging that core strength to stabilize yourself. I have to say I was sweating so much afterward with a small side of an urge to hurl. I highly recommend this type of training. But trainee beware, I would only recommend this to someone who is at an intermediate level of fitness as this is quite strenuous and demanding on the body. I, myself, absolutely love it and will be doing it again sometime soon. A+++. Go check the Everest Training Centre website or kijij.ca for TRX suspension training near you. It is truly an experience worth trying...at least once. C'mon...don't be scarrrred.

Busy as a Bee

It is only January and I can honestly say this is going to be the best year yet!!! Just this month alone, Sam & I, have seen an increase of clients which to me is just a true blessing. Each and every one of you who have decide to jump on board with us...I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. It makes me truly happy to help others for total wellness. After all, we are not just personal trainers but "coaches in wellness."

What touches my heart the most is when someone is inspired by my own trials and tribulations. I told one of my clients to read my blog from start to finish. I wanted her to read within my own words the slow and gradual gaining of inner strength after what I have to say was the hardest breakup in my life thus far. After reading some of my posts, she had expressed a great motivational drive for her to achieve some of the things I have accomplished as well. WOW. Little did I know my little blog would be such a inspirational tool. Even reading some random posts before...I was one weak and sad girl. But I can proudly say now that "THAT GIRL IS LONG GONE".

At the gym today while walking around the track with my good buddy Joe, he started to film a video on his iPhone. We made this short 1 min video of my brief journey and my goals. I got to see it a couple of hours later on Facebook. *ding Lightbulb. Let's make a documentary for the journey to the MABBA competition which is less than 8 weeks away. This project starts tomorrow *cross my fingers. Just like these blogs posts, it is really nice to have something to look back on. Because once a moment goes by you can't get it back. So why not capture it or "document" it instead...right?

Speaking of the Novice competition, Sam says I have to start practicing my walk and posing this week. "And I do my little turn on the catwalk". I have to strut my stuff down the centre stage, do a front pose, turn around for a back pose, and frontal pose again with a walk to the back of the stage. Shouldn't be too hard right? Let's just hope I do not fall on my face considering the high heeled stripper shoes I will need to wear. Eek! I also have to get a bikini but not just any bikini. The bikini has to have a v shape at the back aka "let's see your bum". Kinda revealing but its a mandatory. I have seen a few I like..so really it is just a matter of picking one. Decisions... decisions.

Well it's late. Time for beddy bye. Thanks for reading!!!


ps. note to self: don't fall behind in blog posts...people read them...geeez.



-kim-

You Are The Weakest Link....Goodbye!

So Sam told me this story about Arnold Swarchenegger when he first started training. The weakest point on his body were his calves, therefore he wore shorts to show the whole world that they needed work. I am adopting this method to my own personal growth.

My weakest point right now has got to be my core/midsection. My solution: do as Arnold would do and wear a pair of shorts and a sports bra....yep...that's it that's all. Sure I feel a little uncomfortable at times but I have to get to the point where I am comfortable in my own skin. Makes sense now doesn't it? So while my wobbly bits are flying around...sure...you people who stare can make fun of me now. Just do it while you can. It'll be short-lived. It won't be that way for much longer. Hasta la vista, baby!!!

With the new year comes new resolutions. With that, brand spanking new members at the YMCA Downtown...yippee. While I applaud some of the new members of the gym when they work up a sweat, there are always others who just come for a water cooler conversation telling you how they used to look like and what they USED to bench. We are all here for a reason: to workout. So less talking and more sweating.

Only 2 months away from competition time and let me tell you now....time is definitely flying. I cannot even believe it. I am still having doubts as to if I will be ready. Will I have to wait another year perhaps? I hope not. It is one of my goals to be on that stage and from there on out tell people "I AM A BODYBUILDER." To utter those words would be just amazing.

One day....one day