Think outside the square, Train inside The Cube.

They say a change is as good as a holiday and in this case, I have to agree.
One week ago I had my final day Personal Training under the Fitness First brand and felt that it was time for me to try new things, in a new environment, with new and old clients and make 2014 that little bit happier.

Tapping my fingers on the counter, trying to figure out the next move, I was unsure whether to just move on or to search for a space that was a positive environment, friendly, accessible and offered the type of training and lifestyle that I so enjoy.

Enter Lewis McLean, Hayden Quinn and Sam Whittaker who i’ve known since school.
The Boys, along with their close group of friends had been running Backyard Fit for the last few years and decided to take it indoors and make the sessions open to everyone.
With handy-man-friends, they have created an indoor space that is built for
functionality, health and fitness.

THE CUBE:
The Cube is, like I have mentioned, a functional space that encourages the use of your own body weight, accompanied with kettle bells, barbells, chin up bars, squat racks and olympic rings, tyres, prowlers and ropes, oh my!
Each day, there is a strength and conditioning session that will be written up on the board that can be completed during opening hours, during the “daily program session” or under the supervision of a Trainer during a “fundamentals” session.
Fundamentals has been designed to go back to basics and make sure that you are in fact, doing the exercises properly, also for initial introduction for new members/ casual entry visitors.
This is not just for beginners as we all need a little bit of a check up every now and then.

Ranging from Green/Blue and Black, each session has ways to digress and progress each exercise to best suit your training ability.

Along with One on One PT, run my myself, there are group classes every day that are available for you to take part in, as well as a session for mums to attend and bring their bubs!

These sessions are not overcrowded with 50 men and women, seeking “their spot” in Studio one and their ‘don’t you touch my step block or ill knock your block off attitude’.

From the first session this morning, I was lucky to kick off with 8 lovely ladies, some who were so keen to get inside they beat me to the door. We had an intense 1hr boxing and cardio session which resembled “bikram boxing” a goooood stretch and off the totted to work.
Keen again for tomorrow mornings weight based session.

For only $20 a session or $40 a week (unlimited sessions) what better way to finish off summer, take yourself into the dregs of winter in a solid routine and making The Cube your fitness hub for year round challenges.
Hope to see you soon!

It’s Time To Sweat; But first – Set your Goal

It’s been a while since I felt inspired. From where I was back in my athletic days to where I was 2 months ago, I really felt lost.

Sure I trained, but never “FOR” a reason. I have to say the hardest part about doing a sport competitively is stopping.

Going from structure and goals to not having a deadline for being at your physical peak becomes monotonous.

It did not happen over night but with time I had to figure out what I wanted to do next.

The biggest and best about my job is watching people transform, give them the tools, implement, give it some time and **heyblammo….. #New and Improved human being.

Well its not always that easy, but one can hope for the perfect student. (I know at times that this “perfect student” is not me)

But Stronger in mind body and spirit, give someone the information and with that, the way that they feel with what comes next, will hopefully transfer into new habits for life.

I have made my decision.
What: I am entering a Figure competition

Goal: Having a goal to reach makes all the difference, it doesn’t matter if you are someone looking to enter a fun run, complete a 30 day yoga challenge, drop 10kg by May next year… its all related. And nothing comes easy. You need to work for it.

March 2013 is MY goal date, and I need to be ready.

Not only is it one Long Term Goal (being the end date) but its made up of multiple short term goals in the process to get me there. How do you know if your getting there unless you reach certain points along the way?

Whats got to be done:

• Train up a storm; build and define muscles
• Eat like a saint (throw in a few structured cheat meals to avoid me having a mental breakdown)
• Closer to comp date; get super lean
• Get my bronze on, hair did, perspex heels on, bikini glued to my tush and finally…..
• Strike a pose or 10 (I need to find me some serious confidence in the process of this too).
  **heyblammo #New and Improved human being

I AM: EXCITED.NERVOUS. INTERESTED+INTRIGUED..all in one.
With Help, I have started my training, and first steps of nutrition all in prep for the goal date of; March 2013

So. WATCH THIS SPACE. 🙂

Don’t Matter if its Gold, Silver or Bronze.

Unless you have been living under a rock you’d be well aware that the olympics is in full swing and unfortunately australia aren’t going as well as they were expected to.

I think we as regular humans forget that this is the world stage!
These are the best of the best. I can’t get over how as a country we can’t be happy with a silver medal or even a bronze. If I won a silver medal in the Olympics it would be a key accessory whenever I left the house, for the rest of my life, and then to my grave.

Then again, if I made an Olympic team I would still be admiring the uniform.

Expectations to perform are so high and as the general public we can’t even begin to understand the pressures these athletes are going through, we can only “guess”.

When Emily Seebom started to cry with disappointment that she had let down her parents and coach when she “only won silver” it left me completely gobsmacked..

It is rare that I am lost for words, but I really was, for what kind of pressure do we place on our athletes when a young girl, competing against the best athletes in the world is unhappy with being number two. Sure.. you don’t train to come second but you never know what will happen on the day.

Just touching briefly on my other pet hate is that people aren’t sure why there is Equestrian, Table tennis, Archery etc represented as Olympic Sports?
**NEWS FLASH** These aren’t new sports people. They’ve always been there, we have some amazing athletes representing Australia in them and they require the same amount of support as anything else. Get behind them in their Olympic Pursuit.

For me, the Olympics is about celebrating phenomenal people. Commitment, dedication, middle of the night/morning starts, putting your social life on hold, spending hours training, nutrition, illness, injury, making a come back, rivals, world records, sports I wouldn’t normally see, triumph, loss, reward, gold, silver, bronze, and everything that comes in-between.

Of course I barrack for my Country, but if it comes down to it I can appreciate the push to win.

I will cheer my lungs out for someone who is in front, whether they be from the AUS, USA, ESP, JAP, CHINA, COL…etc..

I will not put someone down for not winning Gold, nor will I find their efforts disappointing.

For to be an athlete is to take the good with the bad, to accept a loss, to put on a brave face in the face of personal or team disappointment – even if your dying on the inside, to learn from mistakes, to stand by your team and not point blame or duck behind them to avoid questioning and finally to stand proud and focus on whats next.

For if you cant do this, you shouldn’t be doing the sport and you sure as hell shouldn’t be representing Australia.

To be a spectator, is to cheer for your countrymen and women or if things don’t pan out for them, appreciate those who are their successors, be proud of whatever they achieve.

Cause at the end of the day, your on your couch, unless you’ve been there, you have no idea what they are going through and If you feel like you have the right to put down a silver or bronze athlete, then I guess ill be looking for you in the gold medal position in Brazil in 4 years time.

Take this message into your training this week, If you have a crappy session, don’t put yourself down, refocus and make it better next time. And do not  give up on your goals.

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Yoga in the Sky

‘Emy, would you like to go and try antigravity yoga?’
‘YES!’

I love to try new things and especially when I can then share it with the experience with YOU. (photos taken on the day)

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On Saturday I headed out to Redfern with two friends Rikai and Cassie to experience this form of yoga that has been brought to Australia from NYC.
The aim is to experience all their is to offer from yoga, and then take it off the floor.
I must say I was not sure what to expect, was there going to be crash mats? what if I was that one person who fell flat on their head? and was I going to look like P!nk suspended mid air doing circus like moves??? ooooooo…not quite but here’s a little bit about it.

We were guided to the studio with three other regulars where there were around 16 slings that hung from the ceiling, my nerves were laid to rest when the instructor advised us that the ropes holding the slings could hold around 1000 pounds, so even thought I had had a big breakfast I felt safe.
The class lasted 1.5hours and consisted of mainly stretching of the spine, hips, lower back and legs. Some of the moves were yoga poses taken directly off the floor and others were a whole new experience.
The instructor Evangeline wanted us to have fun, interact, laugh and let go!  Evangeline – I like the way you think!

A lot of core and upper body strength was involved to get you into the positions and a little faith didn’t go a stray, the sling was a little uncomfortable in a few poses but we were told not to think of it as pain rather a “deep stretch”…bloody ouch! (I voiced the intensity of this so called deep stretch and when I thought I had felt it at its best, there was more to come. For those with high Blood pressure I would advise against this form of yoga as a lot of it is done upside down.

The first position was somewhat cocoon like and I could of stayed there all day given the opportunity.

We stretched, swung around like little kids, giggled, relaxed, challenged ourselves and from all the time hanging upside down I felt like all the blood in my body had done the rounds, head to toe and back again, giving me a royal glow.

Shavasana at the end was amazing, lying straight out suspended in the air and once I got settled and stopped swinging I was at peace.
We were advised that we would leave the class a few cm taller as your spine has the ability to really stretch out which made me excited, but then this joy came crashing down to earth when daily activities compressed the spine back to normal. damn.

Verdict: we loved it
Returning: yes! though will have to be a planned trip as its a little out of the way
How do you get involved: visit http://www.houseofyoga.com or find them on Facebook.
Level 1, 245 Chalmers Street, Suite 15 Redfern, NSW 2016
Its best to pre book your spot, arrive 5 minutes early, wear long pants and a top with sleeves and go be happy!

Lingerie Football

There has been a lot of hype in the last few weeks about the American Allstars Lingerie Football Team Arriving in Australia to showcase the growing sport. The aim of the visit was to promote awareness about the sport and ultimately, pick a squad from each State to create the Australian League.

I had watched a few of the games of Lingerie Football (LFL) on Foxtel and flirted with the idea of trying out for the Sydney team when it was announced. The flirting lasted about 1 minute and I was already deciding what I was going to wear to trial.

I figured it was worth a go, as I am fit enough, strong enough and can certainly muster up enough anger to charge at someone. (thank you ex boyfriends/ friends)

The tryouts:
I rocked up to All Phones Arena at Homebush with my reference photo in hand (mine was tame compared to a few I got a glimpse at), shorts, sports bra and smile and hit the field with around 80 other girls from all over Sydney.

Run by one of the US Quarterback’s Liz Gorman, and LFL Chairman Mitchell Mortaza we were to run though a number of drills; quarter back, wide receiver (which I felt I felt I had in the bag), offensive and defensive drills and the best were chosen from each area.
From the girls who were chosen…If you could throw or you were apart of the Ladies Gridiron League you were pretty much a shoe in.

 

The trials lasted around 3 hours and from the 80 girls, 25 were chosen to progress to the next round. Unfortunately, not me. I was disappointed however there are to be more tryouts later in the year and with that in mind I left positive that next time would be my “in”.

The All Stars Game: That following Saturday, my mum dad and I headed back out to Homebush where we would see the two US teams battle it out, one team representing NSW and the other QLD.

I attended this game excited to see what the future could bring but was disappointed.
To say I was naive in thinking that the game would be about the sport and the players was true, however from what I had seen on the TV, thats what it was, strong, fit, professional athletes who wanted to play ball, forget the damn outfit, it is what it is and no one is forcing them to wear it. You get over the outfit after 3 or 4 plays.
But the real disappointment was the crowd, advertising and the disrespect that was a result of this.
Majority of the men in the crowd – or should I say circus were alcohol fueled pigs, yelling out offensive comments, passing around blow up dolls, asking any woman in the crowd if they were a lesbian; cause why else would they be there?, throwing beer cans at unsuspecting onlookers and  trying to grope the players over the barricade. SHOW SOME DAMN RESPECT.

To have seen this on the TV where it was all about the game, to be subjected to such poor male behaviour once the crowd was involved was the biggest let down of all.
The game was sponsored by a chat line, the half time entertainment was a male crowd member being able to tackle one of the girls (who then proceeded to grope her) and to tell you the truth, the way the game came out in the flesh was not desirable.

I left deflated, let down that the sport and the girls had been made such a mockery of by not only Australian men, but by those from the US in charge of it.
I was never one to say it was inappropriate because I saw past all the bullshit that had been spoken of in the news, in regards to womens rights etc etc. Their right is to be able to do what they do best, regardless of what they are wearing; volley ball players, touch football, triathlon, swimmers, lifesavers…Don’t get me started.
The inappropriateness was anyone who had anything to do with the way the night went down.

When the Sydney team was introduced I was glad it wasn’t me, so I came home and enjoyed a game on FOX, from the comfort of my own couch where all you could see was the actual game and left anything I had witnessed back out at All Phones Arena.

You can train for the big event but sometimes  it might not be what you expect. This doesn’t mean you stop, you keep heading forward, cause if another opportunity arises you’ll be ready. Train for you…nobody else.

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Lost and Found

WOW I haven’t been on here in a while, apologies for that one, anyway I’m back and ready to share, in more ways that one.

The last few weeks have been a bit of health and fitness roller coaster for me…A few weeks back I headed into the Health and Fitness Expo to check out the latest and greatest equipment, supplements, clothing, and apparently……fitness models!
THEY WERE EVERYWHERE and well..Talk about feeling out of your depth. I actually started to tell myself that I didn’t belong there..

Without realising it I think that this little weekend visit into the “intimidating” realm of the fitness industry really got to me, and not in a good way, because I expected to come out inspired and ready to do good. I can’t tell you what it was exactly but I lost all motivation and drive in regards to my own health and wellbeing. I totally fell off the eating bandwagon, made friends with bread again…we got a little too cosy there and my training became almost obsolete.

I found myself getting dressed to train, hovering around other people, chatting as much as I could (you can just imagine how long I was gas-bagging for) and  when I finally set myself up to go, I would exit the building. YEP.. ‘bye bye’. UNTIL… a fellow trainer from the gym caught me and said ’15 minutes and I’ll train you, get warmed up’. So being obedient, I did just that, and he managed to officially pull me out of the rut. I still can’t move today (2 days later), however it made me remember how powerful the help of another can be, and why a lot of my clients do come to see me, it’s not that they aren’t capable of doing it on their own, but its the support system and the appointment that you keep.

Good news is, I’m back on track trying to find myself again, but I just wanted to thank that trainer for the leg up and back into the saddle.
If your feeling unmotivated and need that helping hand, you know where to find me!  🙂 have a wonderful rest of your week and weekend. x

 < thanks S.K for the inspirational photo to go with this!

 

 

Hey Everyone!!! Come and see how good I look!

Have you ever wished that you would have a complete body, mind and spirit overhaul?
I bet each and every one of us have, either the whole package or individual aspects. After all, is anyone completely content?

The last two nights on the Biggest Loser (Emy’s favourite show) was the chance for the contestants to have a makeover.
Not only was there a bit of  wardrobe revamping for the evening, but two of the contestants lost their safety blankets.
Alex: a beard that he has been hiding under for 20 odd years and …
Michelle: the longest. most luscious. silky hair.

The reason for singling out these two contestants, is to show that even though back at the start of the competition they were unhappy with themselves with their physical appearance, broken on the inside and completely ready to give up hope, they both shared a common factor. They had something that they loved about themselves. For Alex it was the “tough guy” beard and moustache he was rocking and for Michelle, it was the hair. What is the significance?? Well it was something to hide behind.

To see these contestants transform both physically and mentally over the last few months has been enlightening, they have made breakthroughs that they never thought possible, they have triumphed with their weight loss and food management and have made life long friends. After this makeover segment we can now see that they have not only shed weight on the scales, but have shed weight off their shoulders, their safety blankets, ready to face the world as new people. It’s big step to admit self-love and actually mean it.
To see each and every person strut their way down the catwalk in front of hundreds of people was truly inspiring, and it makes you realise that it is worth it, the hard work and dedication is worth the effort. They are not even at the end yet, but they have overcome the hardest part. Change.

Whether they are eliminated this week or last till the end, when you can see people finally accept themselves and learn to love themselves, there is no stopping them and what they can achieve.

Can you relate to this? What are you hiding behind? There is a world of opportunities out there waiting for you to jump at them.
So what are you waiting for?

See the Transformations here…

Tough and Tougher

Questions:
Why are you training?
What do you want to achieve from your training?
Do you arrive at your sessions and think “I’m here because I want to (insert goal here) and the way I’m going to do this is absolutely slog it out. 
Do you know when you actually get there? 

Answer 1:
No, I just go to the gym cause its cool to have a membership and be seen bouncing away in a class
or..
No, I just go to the gym to chin wag with all my other weight lifting mates, I occasionally do some bicep curls using the squat rack and hang around in there for 2 or 3 hours cause I’m awesome.

or…
Answer 2: I have a goal! I come in to the gym every day, I sweat like a mofo and I give it my all.
Why? Because I want to achieve something out of my training.

For those of you who know me at all, it won’t be breaking news that I was involved in many sports growing up, and being in training for a State or Nationals had me focussed and on target..

Since then, my training has some what lacked purpose, apart from physical goals.
So im 95% sure that I am going to lock in and train for the “Tough Mudder” (eeeeek).

What is this? The Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. With the most innovative courses, half a million inspiring participants, and more than $2 million dollars raised for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder is the premier adventure challenge series in the world.

 I will attach the video below, but something about this event got me super excited…??

Last year, a couple of the trainers from the gym and I took part in the Warrior Dash up at Glenworth Valley which was a lot of fun, super muddy and cold. Sounds unappealing I know, but I guess we just let ourselves blend into the atmosphere.

Now the comparison, the Warrior Dash was only about 5-6km worth of running and obstacles and you could complete the course without the help of another. There were a few sticky points, where we found ourselves sinking into a mud pit or having to swing across a river holding a rope, trying not to land on someone.
OOOOohh!!!! and you got to wear viking hat!!….highlight of my day right there. 🙂

The Tough Mudder…slightly tougher!!! 16-20 kilometers, 25 obstacles, team challenge (if you watch the video you’ll see why you need a helping hand) and the possibility of being electrocuted if you don’t move fast enough through one of the obstacles..I’m planning to power through this part, the idea of being shocked is not sitting well.

Although this might sound extreme, it’s a huge challenge to take part in, think of doing the City2Surf and then some. I’m still in decision mode about whether I have it in me, but I figure, I’ve been in some pretty damn scary situations in the ocean in my life time, whats a few volts of electricity, mud and some giant walls in comparison.

As the date approaches (not till September) it will be time to get out the kettle bells, sled pushes, perfect or at least complete a few more chin ups and get my run on.

If anyones interested in the challenge, there are a few people who I know of already who are daring to give it a go, we can build some teams, and all be punished together!

 

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Just quietly – I just regretted this whole post after searching for these photos!!

If it’s not your cup of tea, find yourself something to work towards, (City2Surf, Pub to Pub, Blackmores Running Festival to name a few running ones) you will find your training then has a purpose rather than slogging away at it for hours and then going and doing it all over again, never knowing if you’ve quite made it.

I know first hand just how Monotonous that can be.

For more information: http://toughmudder.com.au/

Feed your Inner Naughty

As mentioned in my last post, myself, a few other trainers and a small group of members from the gym are currently doing a 12 week body transformation. Why? um… because we want to look AWESOME.

My main reasons are to get rid of some post holiday baggage, and trim up for a wedding that I am a part of in April. (the brides getting involved too)

After the first two weeks (hardest part if you ask me) I am feeling pretty damn good. I have been really strict with the eating which is all clean eating, lots of water and no alcohol, no fun really, (social situations are mean) and on Sunday I was allowed my first cheat or free meal of the transformation.

You can imagine my disappointment when I thought it was last Tuesday and had anticipated drowning myself in chocolate only to realise it was another 5 days away!!! Sunday could not come soon enough.

What did we have? two of the trainers from the gym, a client and I headed down to Manly skiff club for an amazing seafood platter which was just the perfect thing for the beautiful day that it was, then we walked over to Max Brenner for the chocolate brownie we had been discussing all week, but I got overwhelmed and flustered at the counter by all of the choices that I looked left and ended up with a white, milk and dark chocolate tiramisu which was just the best tasting thing ever… don’t worry, the brownie is still to come, I have 10 more cheat meals coming my way, not that i’m counting…

Apparently the look of euphoria on my face was priceless…note. never take a client to your cheat meal .. he thought I was a mad woman, and compared me to his 9 year old niece eating treats. Honestly, I was too into my dessert to care, there was chocolate everywhere (Joe was quit the grub!!)

Afterwards I felt a little bloated and regretted my eating binge (that was short lived thou) and have had the last two days feeling a little flat but this is expected and i’m sure ill be back in full force tomorrow.

Even after this I lost .7% body fat and gained equal lean muscle mass which I thought wasn’t too shabby.

So whats the point of a cheat or free meal you might wonder?

Not only do you get to embrace a little bit of your inner naughty and make sure you do not fall off the band wagon entirely but you give your blood sugar levels a serious insulin spike, and your body a good kick up the bum in its efforts to burn this energy.

Like with anything, if you keep going at the same tempo consistently you will eventually plateau out and stop seeing results.

These days are strategically planned, so every Sunday i’ll be off indulging in something amazing.. What would your favourite meal be? Cause i’m SO open to ideas…oh and dates 🙂 !!

10 weeks to go – not that i’m counting!

Go Valentine Yourself.

Elle Woods: (Legally Blonde):
I just don’t think that Brooke could’ve done this. Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands, they just don’t.

 Note: I am not encouraging you to eat four pink cupcakes

So tomorrow is Valentines day, most people’s days will go about as per usual, some will be swept off their feet and some will get all sad and self loathing.

Valentines day to me is a massive crock, this could be because I haven’t had a ‘said valentine’ in a number of years and dad bringing home an extra bunch of flowers, although thoughtful, never really worked for me.

Not specific to this day, but why must we define our happiness by what other people think about us, shouldn’t it be about you?

I know society places pressures on each and every person in some way shape or form but it’s just a perception of how things should be.

I always thought growing up that in order to be beautiful you had to be tall, skinny and have totally un proportioned legs.

HOWEVER… my perception has changed.

To me, I can see beauty for what it really is..confidence. confidence within yourself.

Shoulders back, chest out, head tall.. show us what your made of…confidence.

For most people it takes a number of years, to accept who they are, where they come from and how to be happy within themselves. And for a small number of people, they never really find their way. I urge you to look at what it is that makes you happy. Don’t put all of your hopes on one person to totally fulfil you, find a hobby, find some time for you, get out there and get active.. reward yourself.

I have found in the last year, that exercise, although often challenging, often painful (at the time) is the source of happiness for most people. Many people I have come across use exercise to vent, to think, to escape, to understand themselves better, but also to tap in to their mind and body.

I know when I train, I am happy, I feel confident, I feel motivated, I feel like the hard work I’m putting in is not because I hate my body, It’s because deep down I love it..I want to put in as much as I can in order to treat my body right.

No one can love you until you love yourself, so this Valentines day, I want you to make a pact, not to me but to yourself.

That no matter what happens over this next year, when your happy, sad or lonely, when times get tough, when you feel like you’ve got nothing, remember to be yourself and treat yourself right. Cause you’re the only you. So own it.