Falling in L.O.V.E. ... Again!

If you think I'm going to spill the beans about my love life ... You're right! But wait! I'm talking about my first and only true love ... I'm falling in L.O.V.E. with ME!

I never stopped loving ME. But to be honest, I was having a difficult time liking ME. Well the physical ME I'd see in the mirror every day. You see, it's been well over 3 months since I competed in my 7th figure competition. And it's only been about a month since I started loving how my body looks. That's the thing about physique competitions. My body doesn't stay that lean, ripped and stage-ready all the time. Post-comp I don't do nearly as much cardio, I have "dirty" food whenever, and if I want to skip a day in the gym ... I do it.

However, after 5 years of being in this lifestyle, each year I've adopted more and more healthy habits in my EVERY DAY life. And it has paid off. I may have my curves back but they're sexy, not sloppy. I may not always have a "leg day" or "back day" every week but I'm active at least 4 days a week. I may not pound out a solid 60 minutes of cardio daily but I'm teaching several fitness classes a week ... working up a sweat with my class participants. And sometimes as I'm calling out the next move, I catch a glimpse in the mirror and there's still some definition in my arms and shoulders. There's still some strength in my legs as I put my class through dozens and dozens of squats.

But what's best of all, after every workout, I feel good. And isn't that what it's all about? L.O.V.E.!

I've Come a Long Way

It was the winter of 2006 when I started to train for my very first physique competition. It was the fitness model category. Hahaha! Wow! I've come a long way since then. After that first show I did 6 more in the figure category. Some were not great experiences. Most were pretty awesome! Through it all, I developed my passion for all things fitness and health. I wanted more of it. I wanted to challenge myself to see how much farther I could go. I wanted to hang out with people who lived the fitness lifestyle. I wanted to live that uber healthy lifestyle too. I wanted to share with everybody how good it feels being fit! So I got certified as a group fitness instructor. I started out doing the odd class here and there. Now I'm a regular at "the largest multi-sport complex of its kind in Canada"... the Talisman Centre in Calgary. It's an awesome way to motivate a large group of people and have fun at the same time!



So why stop there ... right? Right! I've mentioned this in a previous blog entry ... I'm actually going to take a personal training course. In fact, it starts next week. I was on the fence about actually getting certified as a personal trainer. I had all kinds of excuses. "Everybody's a personal trainer." "I'm too old." "I've got way too much to learn." "There's no way I could make a decent living." Then I recognized those excuses for what they really are .... FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real.

I'm inundated with positive quotes and messages from Twitter and Facebook friends about living my best life and following my passion ... and that the only thing holding me back is myself. So I'm doing my best to get out of my way and I'm going for it!



So even though if feels like my journey has just begun, I know I've come a long way and I'm stoked about the journey ahead!

Butterflies in my stomach!

It was sort of like a first date with that someone special. Every time I thought about it, I got butterflies in my stomach. Today I had my "first date" with teaching a Get RIPPED class! Some of you may know that I am in the process of getting certified to teach these classes. But I never thought I'd be in front of a room full of people taking them through a leg workout so soon! Jari Love herself ... the creator of the Get RIPPED workouts ... was the one who basically said let's get you teaching sooner, rather than later! So we had a very short practice on Tuesday and she invited me to teach a portion of the class Thursday. Of course I'm not going to say no. If she offered this opportunity, she must think I can do it. I can't tell you how much it meant to me to have Jari take me under her wing, so to speak, and encourage me to just go for it. She believes in my abilities and knows I'm passionate about spreading the gospel of fitness and a healthy lifestyle. Talk about a major confidence boost for me! So Thursday came and so did the butterflies.The butterflies were accompanied by internal smiles and feelings of excitement. Yes, I was totally nervous ... nervous because I wanted to do a great job. Yes, I was extremely excited ... excited because I knew I would rock it! Despite being very nervous, I knew deep down inside I was going to do well. And Jari was right beside me just in case I needed her help. A couple times I forgot what count I was on, but she got me back on track. I forgot to switch feet on another exercise, but I realized half way through and was able to joke about it and continue on. I felt natural up there doing my thing. And with more practice I know I'll develop my OWN style. The best part of the whole thing (besides wearing the Janet Jackson microphone!) I was smiling most of the way through. I was having FUN! And I really hope the rest of the class was too. Big THANKS to the people who came up to me after the class to say I did a good job. And the BIGGEST thanks goes to Jari for believing in me ... and inviting me back on another "date" in her Get RIPPED classes this weekend! Looks like Cara the caterpillar is slowly, but surely evolving into a beautiful butterfly.