The Other End of 2021

 Hey Friends,

It's November! I just checked and my last post was in January.
Funny to think I didn't have a clue what might occur.

I was working as a Lifeguard at the new Rec Centre, that much is true.
I remembered the things I hadn't been keen on last time I did that job, 20+yrs ago!

We were advised the Fitness Centre (gym) needed 'Assistant Floor Staff', so I and a couple of other lifeguards volunteered.

I soon remembered what I loved about fitness; the supervisor of the fitness centre is European and could envision me teaching classes again etc. It was so uplifting!

When we closed again in March, I used the time to study for my Personal Trainer Specialist certification and started training a couple of friends for practice. When we returned to the Rec Centre in July, I was on personal trainer rate instead of AFF. I have covered a HIIT class when someone was unwell, which was fun! I have also taught 2 of 4 of my practice classes for my current course and am already being lined up for future classes.

Sadly, my lovely, supportive German supervisor isn't staying (we are having to be vaccinated against Covid and it isn't in her beliefs), but I intend to keep her as my mentor. Her replacement, Thomas, is someone I have enjoyed working evenings with and will do a most excellent job.

I also started a 6 months Fitness & Nutrition Expert Certification(s) course.
My deadline is January, but I would love to have it done by Christmas!

At the same time as starting the course, I started the Fit Chicks Transformation Challenge!
28 days - although we went away on the 26th day so wasn't as rigid, but didn't have treats until the challenge was officially over!  This has helped me find a routine and better understanding of working out. Also learning and working with experienced PTs is the best thing ever!!  I am feeling good and getting stronger!

We had a fantastic holiday road trip up to Wawa and back to Manitoulin Island, our magical happy place! 

Floor Staff

  

In other news, we acquired a kitty - one I had spotted in someone's back garden; I knocked on the front door and the man handed me a wee Pud'n. So that's her name.

Midnight was living in the scrapyard of our upstairs neighbour a month or so after Pud'n arrived. He is still quite skittish but soooo affectionate! He had parasites from eating the crap from the garbage.

All three cats have had a fair share of meds recently! Pud'n had her kitty hysterectomy on Monday. They have become such fantastic friends!
Poor Puss is just grumbled by their presence!

  

 

It has been 3yrs since I had chemotherapy!
My hair is doing well; nice and curly with bouce.
The chemo curl ringlets are slowly getting the snip!

Pud'n 

Jumping for Joy!

OK, my course is awaiting me. I will try to write again before 2022 is upon us!

But no promises! TTFN 

PS We also got a new car in May :) and my lil whip went to someone who loves her!

Covid - Wave II (actually nothing about C-19).

It's October in 2 days. 

The munchkin I look after turns 4yrs on 1st October. I wonder what her world will look like in 20, 30, 40yrs time.... I hope to know her for many of them.

 

Here is a leaf I caught, Katy Bowman stylie!
https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/

So the past week or so has been peppered with periods of training; some full days - on Zoom (the new normal way of the world - no time travelling movie predicted this.... or did they?), then at the weekend we were in the new pool/s.

I love the physical training; I was so fkn tired by Saturday night! We practiced rescues, situations, swam 400m in 10mins (7.39), retrieved bricks/mannikins from bottom of pool (13.5ft) and lots lots more.

That evening,HG and I walked and picked up Mexican Food. HG played Pokemon on the way home. We watched some telly and played a game of Magic the Gathering. Then I worked on my lesson plan for Sunday, which probably could've taken me 15mins but I procrastinate, dawdle and send people things they need to complete theirs!

My garden is doing well. I kinda ignore it this time of year; just water it if it doesn't rain for a few days. 
The Morning Glories are in full swing. But I'm bringing my marijuana plant in each night.

I am enjoying one day a week with the girly I nanny/care for. Her Mum was devastated when I said I wanted to cut down hours and focus on something else - lifeguarding/swim instruction, but she gets it and she loves me and I get to spend her birthday with girly this week so I'm excited about that!

I love to teach her (A) about life and nature and the world. I know she would/will be fine without my input; her family are so articulate and balanced with minumal screentime (like almost zero until Covid/Zoom school). But I love watching her grow & being a part of it (without full responsibility of another being).


I took her to a corn field recently, to show her how corn grows. I told her about how as children, on family walks, I would run with my cousins through the corn fields (alongside a path/trail) and my Uncle would sometimes shout, pretending to be a farmer telling us off. 😂 My younger cousins would be screaming and crying. 😆

I take her to the woods and the beach. 

We look around at bugs and leaves.
She's still annoyingly scared of spider webs though!

I gave her a t-shirt about a year & a half ago, which says

I Love Nature. 

And she does. It's getting tight on her but it's still true! 💚

   

I haven't been working out AS much, with 12hr shifts and whatevs but I'm not beating myself up about it! Fitting it in where I can. 

Even managed a wee lake swim (20℃ in the water).

The air was 7℃. It was deliciously therapeutic.

   



Autumn is upon us and I want to envelop all the sights, smells and feels 🍁🍂🍃

 

Our final Tuesday evening (Triathlon Club) bike ride. 

 

  

Until next time,
Be kind to each other ❤

👩

My Body Is My Temple

Fitness is my friend. It always has been.
I'm happiest when I'm active; I grew up swimming, building sandcastles and climbing trees.

This time last year (August 2014), I was the thinnest I had been in a long while. Seemingly, simply by eating a (home made) salad at work during my swing shifts (3pm-11pm), I lost weight (there were no extra food options once at work). Tom and I were also short of options at the time (financial & living with parents) and the Canadian weather was so cold that announcements had suggested one avoid going outside where possible. So we spent a few weeks before the thaw doing Gillian Michael's 20min Shred; firstly in my Dad & Step-Mum's lounge (which had tenants living below), and then in the basement (shared) laundry/storage room, where Tom would smack/bump things above and around him; very confined, the floor was concrete and he couldn't stand up in some areas.
Fun Times :-D We love doing stuff together.
[We express love and gratitude at how lucky we are every day; it's puke-worthy but pretty amazeballs.]

I lost more weight and toned up when I changed jobs to one in a more manually-demanding (aluminium) factory and required my bike to get home a few days a week. I hadn't realised how much cycling worked the lower abs! We also moved into a place that had a pool so I swam/dipped most days; also in the lake if I could. I enjoyed being slim while it lasted, as I know my lifestyle changes affect my fitness levels/shape etc.

So I digress...


I always remember my Gran talking about being 'on a diet' and Mum also saying she should 'diet'. As my Mum realised she was gaining weight, she asked me (aged 18yrs) to join her in attending some fitness classes. I discovered that I could do aerobics and also that I loved it. I already knew I loved dance (which makes me miss it - especially Jive). I got more into aerobics/classes, swam and also cycled home from work during my gap year after College, working through Camp America and before University. I was super fit this year (aged 19yrs) and then tanned, following a week in Greece - ready for Uni!

My weight increased at University, due to an increase in drinking (and catered halls of residence - cooked breakfast every morning?!) and a 45min bus ride (with a chilly wait in the wind and rain either side) to get to the pool, my levels of activity reduced. We did yoga/aerobics classes and cycled/jogged/bladed occasionally. I'd signed up with the swimming club and surf club and later joined the gym (but felt guilty for attending and not writing my dissertation!).

I got back into aerobics, discovered yoga and later became an Exercise to Music Instructor (a qualification that I achieved in a speedy 2 weeks and used for a 6-week period only - so far!). After University, I moved to London with friends and eventually found work in Essex, so I drove back and forth for four months before moving closer to work. Despite living in London, I would use the gym (still under student price) and do my food shopping in Essex. My housemate complained that I was rarely home.

Once I'd moved to Essex, I often swam before work; going home for breakfast when I lived close enough or eating at work. I'd also do one or two classes/jog/workout at the gym most days during the working week and later dropped wheat and dairy from my diet, which meant I lost weight and was fit again :0) The best classes I have ever partaken in were step/aerobics at Fitness First in Basildon, Essex! Possibly because it was close enough to recruit London trainers. I ate well and visited friends in other parts of the country on weekends.

Christmas 2005 in Oz

Sydney, Aus.

From Essex, I travelled Thailand and Australia; where my fitness components mainly consisted of jogging, swimming, press-ups and push-ups. Ocassionally we'd get into a gym free or pay for a one-off session; my travel buddy Joe gave me a couple of boxing practice sessions and I participated in a class or joint session from time to time. I got into Dragon Boating for a few weeks, with a family friend of the family I resided with in Engadine (near Sydney).





I tend to get fidgety and feel blobby if 2-3 days pass and I haven't exercised. This summer I have researched and learned about weight lifting - particularly women lifting weights. I'm feeling it; love the buzz and heavier weight = quicker changes. HG & the guy who lives above us, have been playing frizbee frequently and we've gotten quite into Volleyball! It's been a lovely, active summer in the sun. I almost competed in a try-a-tri but it was not to be.

  

  

My point is that I keep seeing people selling/promoting wraps, pills, juices, shakes, tablets... and I just want to promote good old exercise and nutrition! It's the harder option which is why fewer people achieve their goals using this method. I know it's not best for everyone but being active is sooo good for you and it feels so nice!!

Sporting equipment by the door!

  

Some guy in Oz!