|
|
 |
| |
| From Karen |
| |
Muscle into Every Moment!
I'm not one much for Resolutions, but this year was different. After break-neck speed for the last 5 years, I've endeavouring to slow it down. To solidify the lesson, I put all my clients on a nice week-long Body / Mind Cleanse (they always say that teachers often teach what they most need to learn! True!) 
A big part of the Cleanse was a daily meditation (after our liver cleaner that we did every am). The response from the gals was great (I was a little leery...all that woo woo stuff and all!)
What we realized as a group is the ability to stand on the edge of things and look at ourselves objectively is a skill that needs to be taught. Only in doing so can we act rather than react. A gift in itself. When you can do this, you can pause, reflect, and move through with action. And you learn to live differently - to muscle into every moment, be present, do more with less effort, no matter how busy you are!
So this year, make a commitment to stand back, take a deep breath, wait, peruse the situation and then proceed with calm, focused intention. The results will amaze you! Promise!
|
|
|
Training Tip: the gym rocks! |
|
|
|
Did you know that the best bodies were created in a gym?
Yep. It's true. I always get tarred and feathered for this, but it's true: no great physique was ever created at home.
Now there are exceptions to this rule, for sure: if you've got a fully-functioning gym, for one! But if your goal is maximize shape and tone, you simply need enough weight, and from a variety of sources (free, weights, body) to do the trick.
Having said this, there are times when getting to the gym is just not possible, but this should be the exception, not the norm. So that's why in our January HLP, we as a group opted to do some at-home stuff, just to bridge us between the hectic December (the gym workout that most of us didn't get to!) and the oh so busy January.
But it's back to business as usual in February, ok gals?? So unfold your workout stuff, head to your favourite gym (I have several that I train in, depending on where I am), grab your HLP workout card and let's get back at it. The carb-laden filled holiday season is behind us (boy, is it!). Now....let's start carving, shall we?
|
|
|
|
spiritual - visualize
your workout! |
| |
Did you know that training acutally starts the minute you wake up?
Yep. It's true. And I teach this to all my gals (my last group of Graduated Advanced Challengers, below!). Sports Science has long shown that when you start to envision your training, your nerves and neurotransmitters in your brain actually start firing up. So on leg day, your brain is actually starting to send blood and nutrients to your legs to ready themselves fort eh task at hand.
Amazing, isn't it? Just more proof that all this woo-woo talk of envisioning your success really is physical in nature. I learned this little tidbit many years ago, and it still runs my world. In fact, we can use it for all things...love, finances, career. What you think about something dictates your level of success in it. 
The best athletes always envision moving through their race / program / workout before they perform. I learned this a long time ago with my time spent at the Canmore Nordic Centre, venue for the 1988 Winter Olympics, and home to tons of training athletes. It was there, as a working observer, I watched and learned what they were doing. And I saw them add this unusual component into their daily training.
They were training, eating, living, and walking as if, overseen by coaches at the highest level. It's a powerful training tool - and life tool - that is available to use all! I urge you to try it.
|
|
|
| she's Doing It - Jen's competing! |
| |
|
It all started a few years back, when Jen Lastiwka signed up to do some training with me.
All went well, she lost a bunch of weight, tightened up and looked pretty darn good! Then she decided to take it a step further and she did the 10 Week Challenge. Even more results!
Then she joined my 12-Week Advanced Challenge...and she just kept getting better. Man, were we impressed!
Now Jen is on my Fit & Fab Contest-Ready Program with me and IFBB Pro Michelle Krack who is busy readying her for her first Figure Competition in May - the Western Canadians.
"I am excited as I embark on my new journey into competition. A few years ago I would have never thought it would be possible to 'bare' my soul and body on the competition stage. I am proud of my hard work and look foward to seeing my body transform even more! This type of training brings a whole new meaning to the phrase 'dig deep'!" - Jen
How cool is that??
Little did I know that when I started these Challenges, I would be helping budding competitors. So far, Chelsea Comber, Deanne Pfeifer, and Leanne La Prairie, all Challenger winners, have headed for the competition stage. And now Jen. And we're off to compete together at the Western Canadians...together! I LOVE my job!!
|
|
|
|
Never, Ever stop
g-r-o-w-i-n-g-!! |
|
|
I'm often asked at what point do we get to stop working hard in the gym and be able to coast thru middle age ang beyond.
Never, really, if we want to keep striving for excellence. But the difference is this: the longer you've been at this fitness game, the eaiser it becomes. Sure, the hard work is still needed, but you mature with it: you don't fall off the wagon as much, you learn how to eat clean with more ease (and you love it!), and you have different habits and rituals that just become a part of everyday life.
Live is meant to be lived and enjoyed, and for me and my clients, it's about always expanding into our greatest and grandest versoin of ourselves, no matter what our age or the obstacles. We can always do more.
Like I always say, you gotta dig deep to soar high! And we're all soaring higher than before...right ladies?
(Me and fellow 10-Week Challenger-turned-competitor Deanne Pfeifer, who won the Overall Bodybuilding at the Sandra Wickham in November!). Glad to have shared it with you!!
|
|
|
| top 10 Tips for Cleansing! |
| |
When we talk cleansing, we often think of a radical departure from everyday life and rituals.
But you can adopt some simply daily cleansing tips to keep you healthy all year long, without going crazy!
This month, rather than the usual recipe, I decided to share my Top 10 Tips for Daily Detoxification that I handed out to my HLP clients, as part of our 7-Day Body / MInd Cleanse we just finished.
|
| Book corner |
| - Sam Graci |
|
The Path to Phenomenal Health
Sam Graci, creator of Greens +, is a well-established author in his own right. Many of us know of this local celebrity (he lives on Salt Spring Island) through his tireless lectures and guest spots, and of course, his multitude of books. He definately walks the walk and lives the life (he has no computer, TV or cell phone and pens all hsi books by hand). 
So when it came to drawing inspiration for my January Body / Mind Cleanse for my HLP clients, this book - that I've read countless times - came to mind. A simple read with basic earth-honouring practices that you can easliy adopt into your lifestlye. Clean eating, meditation, recipes, and rules for living a phenomenal life! Thanks Sam! |
|
New: The Fit, Fab & Contest - Ready program! |
|
My new Fit, Fab and Contest Ready Competitor's Program was created for women wanting to go the full mile into competition. All my programs have been based on supply and demand, and more and more women are daring to take that extra step toward competition, and wow! Why not! (And yes, most of them are 40+). 
I'm working in conjunctin with IFBB Pro Michelle Krack (right) who led me through my return to stage (after a 20-year hiatus) and helped get me in awesome shape! She too walks the walk and lives the life.
Out of all the coaches out there, I hand picked her, due to her work ethic, her perspectives and her values. Because as you know, it's not just about creating the perfect bicep, it's also about living a full, healthy life! And I, like you, want a techer who leads and inspires me!
Thanks Michelle...onward to the Westerns stage in May!
|
Go to top | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
