Thursday, April 26, 2007

End of Day Zero - Here comes Day1!

So after landing last night, I got back to the hotel and grabbed a bite to eat, because I had missed the rest of the folks who had headed out to a class (which apparently was absolutely amazing and wore them out!)

I got to meet a couple of the other folks (Annette and Judy) for the first time and got to see my friends Ali and Heidi, and Christine again! I also got to meet Julie Voris in person for the first time (we've emailed and chatted on the phone but never met). She is so nice, and what a physical specimen! Girl is in SHAPE!

Anyways, we chatted and hung out for a few hours (we were almost all still on Eastern Time, so it did feel pretty darn late by the time we finally got to sleep).

I got back to my room (I do have a roomate, but Mike is driving in from San Diego, so last night I was solo) and there was a message on my phone. I called to check it and it was the front desk tell me that I had a gift basket.

So I went and got it, and I could FIT in this basket!! All the snacks, and goodies we'll need all week is in here, along with our detailed itineraries! I got a workout just carrying it up to the room! I talked to the girls and everyone got theirs at pretty much the same time! I still haven't opened mine yet because I want Mike to be able to share the fun of ripping it open! :)

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Landed

What's one of the last things you want to see on your plane before departure? Well a team of four airplane mechanics walking up and down the aisles, in and out of the several exits of the plane, all the while carrying these tractor trailer sized rolls of duct tape ranks right up there!

After a very quiet an uneventful time in Denver airport that basically consisted of sending the emails I wrote while ON the last flight, eating some lunch and chatting with a couple friends who were excited about my trip and some former APD Campers who were offering me oodles of amazing insight and advice I'm off to the OC!!

We were boarded about 30minutes prior to our departure time and then for the next half hour the mechanics kept showing up, and at one point the pilot actually left the plane WITH a mechanic as if the mechanic had said, "Oh dude you HAVE to check out the duct tape job I did on your landing gear!"

It ended up that it was something to do with leaking brake lines...I can't believe that the captain actually came on the loud speaker and told us that the leaking brake fluid issue was being worked on and should only take 15 or so minutes...As it turned out they replaced some entire brake mechanism (the pilot told us that they swapped it with another plane LOL!)

Anyways we landed about an hour late and once the baggage came out I had missed my chance to hang with some of the other Presenter Applicants and do my friend Monica's Hip Hop Aerobic class which from what I've heard is absolutely insane! I don't think I'll get the opportunity to do it again this week so I'll have to make sure I do next time I'm in town!! :)

Since I've missed everyone, I think I'll have a quiet night and watch some TV and have some dinner!

Leaving on a Jet Plane...again! :)

Well its been a pretty insane few weeks here in Robbie-Land and I have lots of new stuff going on that I wanted to get up here today.

A few posts ago I showed the video portion of my application to be accepted into the Turbo Kick™ Area Promotions Director (APD) training to be held in Orange County. Well on April 10th I got the call and was asked to be a part of the training program! I am so blown away! This REALLY is only the beginning though. Lots of practicing, reading, training and planning is coming (and has been since I received the call).

I am sitting in the departure lounge at the Toronto airport right now waiting for my flight to Orange County (via Denver) to arrive.

As per my usual nervous self, I slept less than 4hours last night, and as per my normal unorganized self, Heather did the majority of my packing for me as I scrambled around trying to figure out what the heck I was doing! To be honest, I was mostly just sitting on the couch looking bewildered, while Heather flashed pieces of clothing to get my travel approval. Man, I am lucky to have her!

I am not sure what is on tap for tonight, but I do know that if my flight arrives on time and all the stars align, I will HOPEFULLY be at my hotel before 530pm. If I make it on time I get to take a HIP HOP Dance/Aerobics class from my friend, Monica! I REALLY hope I can make it, but that is totally out of my hands at this point, so we'll see where the sky takes me! If anyone has seen me dance, then you'll know that this will be quite the sight if I do the class. Thank goodness nobody is bringing a video camera (I hope!) ;)

- - - - -

Right about the same time I found out about the APD Training, I also found out that a promotion I had been working very hard for and interviewing pretty frequently for came through! I have been given the opportunity to work in our newest Corporate Travel Division of our Company (Called FCM Travel). Its going to be quite a different pace and environment than what I am used to. From what I've observed and heard, the learning curve is pretty steep but since getting the call at the beginning of the month I have been working VERY hard and doing everything I can to try and minimize that so that when I start the new position (THE DAY AFTER I GET HOME FROM MY TRIP TO ORANGE COUNTY) I won't be too over my head. I am SO sad to be leaving my current team at the Agency I am currently situated in. The team is one of the best groups of people I've ever worked with in any situation. We get along and work so great together, which is one of the big reasons I was chosen to receive this promotion. Without the guidance, help and teamwork that my team provided me, there is no way I would be close to ready to take this leap (most consultants who move to corporate have had 5-10years experience in the company, I had 9months). So although this position is a dream job for me, the actual move is somewhat bitter sweet. The cool thing is that the new team I am going to is very cool too. Its a small team (just three of us currently) but I think we're going to work really well together! I'm excited!!

- - - - - -

During all of the running around, preparing for the APD Training, working for the new position, tying up as many loose ends at my current position as I can, I am still teaching as much as possible! I actually picked up a few classes as a sub in addition to my 5classes during this month. This has basically led to a month of 15+ hours out of the house EVERY day teaching, running, working, training etc. I had my first real DAY OFF this past Saturday (well I still had a class to teach but after that it was all mine) and I didn't know what to do with myself!

In hind-sight, perhaps a little too much on the plate, but what can ya do!?

It's actually kind of cool to be so overwhelmed, but having EVERYTHING on my plate being something I WANT to be doing, and HAVE to be doing its amazing how the time management kicks in. I am a firm believer that if there is something you REALLY want to do, you will find a way to do it. Sometimes you have to make sacrifices, and this month sleep has been a small sacrifice, but I know I'll sleep well after my next few days in California! I am anticipating a BUSY week!
- - - - - - -

I guess its just a matter of what you perceive as important. For example: keeping in touch with my friends (especially the long distance ones since I don't see them) is EXTREMELY important to me. So I will call, email regularly. In fact, much of the time, I feel like some of these friendships wouldn't exist if it weren't for the effort I put in to keep in touch. Some friends don't put the same emphasis on that kind of thing (or perhaps because they know me, they know that they don't have to), but my biggest pet peeve is when someone tells me that they were too busy to keep in touch. Busy job? Busy Family? Teach/Take Classes? Working 15hours a day? It takes 5minutes to make a phone call or to write an email if that sort of thing is important to you. If that sort of thing is not a priority that's cool, but I get annoyed at the folks who pretend that it IS a priority, but then don't make an effort because no matter how busy someone is, if they want something bad enough, they make time for it. Too busy to sit down and have a good dinner? What do you do? Do you grab something on the run? You still eat though right? You found a way to make it happen because its necessary.

My friends who put in the effort or who I perceive put the same kind of priority on relationships are the ones I cherish most because its something in common that we share that is at the core of who I am. It doesn't mean I love my friends who have other priorities any less, but I do share a different bond with those whom I have more in common with in general and this is a big thing to have in common for me.
- - - - - - - -

Ok sorry about that side-note mini-rant. Just airport boredom setting in!
I am literally bouncing off the walls in here I am so excited! In about 9 hours I should be landing in Orange County, California and starting the next chapter in my fitness career! Just being able to share the next few days with the all-star instructors, presenters, and fitness professionals I am going to meet, and re-meet is going to help me evolve as an instructor and person! I really feel blessed to have everything happening at once!
- - - - - - -

Monday, April 09, 2007

30 in 30! Day8

Food Hangover?
I heard rumours about this sort of thing, but I don't think I ever recall feeling this crappy before!
We enjoyed Easter foods yesterday and took it as an OFF day...What a mistake. In the past, I liked to enjoy "cheat" days or "treat" days...but I think my body has decided that those days are done. I feel like I have one of the worst hangovers ever (and I didn't drink!)

Back to reality and back to the 30in30...Today is day30 and I am ready to focus!

Food
Meal1: Cereal with Skim Milk (5points)
Meal2: String Cheese (2points)
Meal3: Whole Wheat Chickpea Pita (7points)
Meal4: String cheese (2points)
Meal5: Whole Wheat Chickpea Pita (7points)

Working on getting RE-HYDRATED too. I've downed 2 litres this morning (its 7am right now)...gotta feeling that the bathroom is going to be my friend today!

Workout: Turbo Kick Class - 730pm!

Saturday, April 07, 2007

30 in 30! Day6

Yesterday I ended up eating a little extra when my parents came to town and took me to the Mongolian Grill for dinner! We came home and watched STIR OF ECHOS...If you've never seen it, you should! It's kinda like 6th Sense but not really..scarier though. I hadn't watched it in a long time, but LOVE it!

Todays food

Meal1: Cereal with Skim Milk (5points)
Meal2: String Cheese (2points)
Meal3: Chili with Rice (8points)
Meal4: String Cheese (2points)
Meal5: Low Fat Grilled Cheese Sandwiches x2 (4points)

Workout
Turbo Kick Class 930am!

Friday, April 06, 2007

30 in 30! Day5 - Good Friday!

Today is going to be a Great day. Relaxing, productive and Quiet! Heather is heading out to her parents house for the day, and I since I have to teach and work tomorrow, I am going to stay home. I'm going to do some spring cleaning, re-arranging and relaxing.

I have a few errands to run, but other than that I really don't have a lot on tap today. My challenge today is to not fall into "boredom eating". All my meals are planned for the day, I just need to stick to it all!

Meal1: Fibre One Honey Clusters (5points)
Meal2: String Cheese (2points)
Meal3: Chili and Rice (8points)
Meal4: String Cheese (2points)
Meal5: Pasta and Sauce (8points)

Workout: Cathe Core Max. I have never done this workout, so this will be my first time checking out the DVD. I'm a little scared, but excited!! :)

Thursday, April 05, 2007

30 in 30! Day4

So far so good! 1 week is over half-way done and I'm still feeling great! Today is another busy one. I have an appointment at 830am this morning, then off to work at 9am. I have an early class to teach tonight (I'm subbing) at 630pm and t hen I have a work function to attend. I am supposed to be at the work function by 7pm, but with the class to do, I won't make it until closer to 745pm. Either way, I won't be making it home until closer to 10pm tonight.

Today is the most important day of the day to have my meals all planned out!

Meal1: Fibre One Cereal with Skim Milk (5points)
Meal2: String Cheese (2points)
Meal3: Chili and Brown Rice (8points)
Meal4: String Cheese (2points)
Meal5: Chickpea Pita with veggies (7points)
Meal6: Pasta and Sauce (8points)

A little more food than I planned, but I was hungry so I added on some extra food today.

Workout
Turbo Kick Class: Class was OFF THE HOOK! About 35 of my ladies came out to class and I got a few new ladies out (who usually come to the class I was subbing). We had a blast! I pushed hard today and was WIPED after class!

Wednesday, April 04, 2007

30 in 30! Day3

I have caught myself trying to weigh myself like 10 times in 3 days!! what a weird habit I've got. It's almost, ok it IS compulsive! I SHOULD just put the scale away somewhere for the month!

The event planning is going pretty well. As per usual, I've had a bunch of folks who have said they will come from out of town, and as per usual half of them will likely not come. It's just the way it goes. There is only one person who finds this event EXTREMELY important and that's me. For anyone else, its extracurricular and something cool to attend, but for me, its an event, a job, a commitment and part of my life...So the one constant I can definitely count on, is that I WILL be there :)

I know on one of the message boards I'm on, a few people have bailed and those who are still planning on coming are a little bummed, but I think thats a "glass half empty" kind of feeling. I am WAY more excited about who is coming, than I am upset about who isn't.

I love all my friends but those who ARE coming are the friends I'm excited about. There's no point getting upset about things we can't control so I'm just focussed on my 30in30 and will be excited to see whoever ends up making it on May5!


I've got my meals Planned out again today. I added one extra meal to account for the one extra Turbo Kick class today!

Meal1: 2Grilled Cheese Sandwichs (2 pieces of Whole Weight Weight Watchers Bread, Fat Free Pam, and 1Slice of Fat free cheese) (4points)
Meal2: Fibre One Honey Cluster Cereal with Skim Milk (5points)
Meal3: String Cheese (2points)
Meal4: Pasta and Tomato Sauce (8points)
Meal5: String Cheese (2points)
Meal6: Whole Wheat Pita with Chickpeas and Veggies (7points)


Workouts:
Turbo Kick 630am - 738cals burnt
Turbo Kick 730pm - I forgot my Heart Rate Monitor at home so I don't know how many calories I burned, but I do know that I was jumping and sweating like I came from a swimming pool! I feel REALLY great today!

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

30 in 30! Day2

Here we go! I nearly stepped on the scale twice this morning already. I have a meeting early this morning, so I need to get moving pretty soon, but before that I had to get all my meals ready for today!

Meal1: Fibre One Honey Clusters Cereal with Skim Milk (5points)
Meal2: String Cheese (2points)
Meal3: Chili with Wild Brown Rice (8points)
Meal4: String Cheese (2points)
Meal5: Whole Wheat, Chick Pea Pita with Veggies (7points)

Workout: After work...I got a massive headache at work, but didn't want to slack off, so instead of doing anything too intense so I did a nice 1hour walk after work then walked home.

Monday, April 02, 2007

30 in 30! Day1

30 days of being extra strict with myself...workouts and food. This is something I really need to keep myself motivated and get myself ready for the 10km race on May6!

For the first time in YEARS I have also vowed NOT to weigh myself until the final DAY (May5). I am an EVERY DAY weigher....So THAT will be the toughest part of this whole process for me!


My Food for today:

Meal1: Fibre One Cereal with SkiM Milk (5points)
Meal2: String Cheese (2points)
Meal3: Chili and Rice (8points)
Meal4: String Cheese (2points)
Meal5: Whole Wheat Pita with Hummous, and Veggies (7points)

My Workout for today:
Turbo Kick Class! My right leg is a little sore from pulling my hamstring, but I felt GREAT and had a terrific class! I burned 775calories in class today, a little less than I have before, butit was still great and Heather and I walked home afterwards!

I drank 3 Litres of water at work and am now half way through another 3 litres! I'm DYING to weigh myself....thats the TOUGHEST part of this...It's almost compulsive for me! Not until the 5th of May!

I will be back to post about how today went...everything is planned out though...so its all about execution now!