I Heart My Trainer

Meet Ana.

She's amazing.

I have sweat bucket and buckets of sweat because of Ana.

Remember in last week's Warrior Dash recap  when I mentioned that I "mentally thanked every boot camp class, every workout...I've ever been on for making me strong enough to keep going"?

That was Ana. Ana made me strong enough to keep going.

My gym is a Curves. The standard Curves workout is circuit training with a coach on hand to supervise everyone on the circuit and correct form if needed.

It works.

But Ana takes this a hundred steps further.

Ana leads a great cardio workout on the recovery stations on the circuit - and watches like a hawk to make sure that we don't skimp out on the strength-training on the machines.

Ana dances us into the ground on Zumba nights - and her energy's just as high after teaching back-to-back classes as it was before. You should see that girl shake her hips!

Ana teaches one heck of a mean boot camp - and you neeeeed to feel the burn of her abs class.

Ana pushes us to work to our potential each and every workout - and then pushes us a bit further the next time.

She skillfully uses a fabulous blend of humour, encouragement, wit, sarcasm and motivation on us - with just the right amount of intimidation - and it works. I always have a great time while getting a challenging workout, which pretty much guarantees that I go regularly.

Speaking of which - and you'll hear about it if you DON'T go regularly!

Ana pays attention to what's coming up on my race calendar and makes sure that I work all the right muscle groups. CN Tower Climb. Ride for Heart. 5Ks. Warrior Dash. I'm smashing my personal records each and every time I cross a finish line because of this lady.

Ana - thank you.

Live in Toronto and looking for a gym? Come to mine. You won't regret it!

PS - Can't make it in during Ana's shifts? No worries - her mom works there full-time too. And just who do you think Ana learned to be so fabulous from?

Here's this week's recap:

Saturday - Warrior Dash, shower at my mom's, drive to my SIL's cottage and hit the beach for a nap. Later took the kids and cousins to a nearby pool for a late evening swim + whirlpool (lovely!) before hitting the highway to come home. 
  

Dirt left over after doing my Warrior Dash laundry. This was after I was washed down with high pressure fire hoses.

Sunday - Laaaazzzzzy morning. Took the kids swimming in the afternoon.

Monday - Curves after dinner.

Tuesday - Took the kids swimming after dinner.

Wednesday - Zumba after dinner.

Thursday - Zumba and an abs class after dinner.

Friday - Stunningly beautiful summer evening. Took the kids to High Park for dinner, batting practice and the playground.



Flopped down on a picnic blanket at the park - a great end to the week!


The Week 6 'Queen of the Circuit' Challenges:
Work out 3 x - check
Thanks to the Warrior Dash, Ana gave me a free pass on the rest of this week's activities :-)

What I'm reading this week - Buying on Time by Antanas Sileika

Cause and Effect (AKA When Will I Learn?)

Over the weekend, I make the mistake of having a few chips.

Which over the following days turned into more chips, then chocolate, pizza, Diet Coke and ice cream. I think there was a cookie or two in there as well.

Which had me feeling lousy for making so many slipups, and also low on energy from not fuelling myself properly.

Being low on energy made it very tempting to skip the gym...but thanks to the Last Queen Standing challenge, I went.

And now that I've been to the gym, I feel much better. More in control. Over the hump.

I've heard a quote from David Kessler to the effect that certain foods prime us for overeating. Clearly chips are the one for me.

So. When will I learn? I'm not entirely sure that I've beaten this one yet.

What do you struggle with?

Here's this week's recap:



Aaaand we're off! Running past Ben as he tries to take a pic of the group - that's me in red; my husband is in the right corner.

Saturday - After the Toronto Do Life 5K, we hit the highway. Went out of town for a BBQ with my husband's family. Lovely time, including wading in a beautiful creek, playing catch, and general hanging with the family. Later, headed a few blocks over to my cousin's house for a sleepover.
 

Seriously wishing that this was in my backyard


Sunday - Rest day. Splashed around in the pool with kids and cousin, brunched and relaxed before hitting the highway to come back home.

Monday - Curves after dinner.

Tuesday - Ice cream. 'Nuff said.

Wednesday - Zumba AND an abs class after dinner. Ow.

Thursday - Zumba and once around the circuit after dinner

Friday - Packed up and hit the highway after work. The Warrior Dash is in the morning!! Have to admit that I'm panicking a bit...!

The Week 5 'Queen of the Circuit' Challenges:
Drink more water - check
Workout 3 times - check
Do three extra reps on each station - check
Do an abs class - check
Play a game - Warrior Dash counts for this :-)
Bring in a healthy recipe - check

What I'm reading this week - Sookie Stackhouse stories by Charlaine Harris

Next Time, Check a Map First

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I live near a trail that follows the route of an old railway line. The trail stops after a couple of kilometres, but I know that it picks up again...somewhere...then runs quite far east.

I set out on my bike on Saturday to check it out.

Without first looking at a map.

I was SURE that I could find it!

I went from here:

...to here, shortly before the trail ends:

...then tried to pick the trail up again. I went through a number of nice parks, over this bridge:

...past some really nice houses - including a few that are growing edibles in raised beds on the city-owned part of their lots (strawberries, dill, tomatoes and watermelon in this one!):

...and finally stopped here:

...which was 8.75 KM from my house...

...and never did find that trail again. Turned around and rode back home.

Even though I didn't find the trail, it was a pretty great ride - 17.5KM round trip and rode on a number of nice streets that I'd never been down before.

Still.

Next time? I check a map first before I head out.

Here's this week's recap: 

On Sunday, we rode our bikes over this bridge...

...along this trail...

Sunday - Family bike ride day! Took the kids to a park by the lake and spent a great afternoon exploring the bike trails around the waterfront. Found one that connects to the river where my son and I went kayaking last week. Was amazed to check a map later and realize that we rode about 7KM - which is by far a record for my 7-year-old! Later - kids and I went swimming at our local outdoor pool with our neighbour and her daughter. It was opening weekend - which meant that the pool was not crowded, and definitely not warm either!

...stopped for a drink...

Monday - Curves after dinner.

...went through this archway...

Tuesday - rest day.

...skipped stones in the lake...

Wednesday - Zumba AND an ab class after dinner, then home to play catch for a while.

...over to this trail...

Thursday - Curves in the afternoon; hit a few balls around at a park while my husband went for a run, then hit the playground.



...back to the bridge and over to a playground to hit the swings and climbers. Great ride!

 

Friday - Happy Canada Day! Lazy day today - tomorrow is the Do Life 5K!

Willows are her favourite!

Week 4 'Queen of the Circuit' challenges:

Drink more water - check
Workout 3x - check
Bring in a healthy recipe - check
Check body mass - check. Ugh. It's not moving.
Do an ab class - check
Do 3 extra reps on each station during every workout - check
Participate in a game - my trainer says that the Do Life 5K will do :-)

Here's what I've been reading: Bullfighting by Roddy Doyle, Best Laid Plans by Terry Fallis (very good!), Irma Voth by Miriam Toews.

Who Inspires You?

I'm happy to find myself wanting to explore a wider variety of challenges. Partly because I'm growing progressively stronger, and partly because I'm drawing inspiration from other people.

In particular, there are a few people with achievements under their belts far greater than mine whose accomplishments have been inspiring me to expand my thinking about just what I may be capable of. This is what prompted me to sign up for the 25K Ride for Heart and the upcoming Warrior Dash, has got me putting a try a tri and the 50K version of the Ride for Heart on my wish list for 2012, and has me wondering about what else I'd be up for. I'm even tossing around the idea of something like this for 2013. Which is seriously amazing. I used to hear about events like these and automatically dismiss then as being for other people. Now I'm chomping at the bit to do them? That's a NSV!

I'm lucky to be able to draw inspiration from so many active people. A few examples -  

My friend Bruce took up running in his 50s and has since completed marathons on all seven continents. I'm impressed and inspired daily by his dedication to setting goals, planning and training in all areas of his life, not just running. Bruce definitely leads by example.

Lynda was walking with canes following multiple knee surgeries (including a knee replacement!) when I met her a couple of years ago, but has since conquered physio and gone on to powerwalk a marathon, a half marathon and countless 5-10K+ distances. Did I tell you that she called me a wuss earlier this year for thinking that I needed a year to train for the Warrior Dash? She was so emphatic about it that we both signed up for 2011 right then and there. Lynda - who has just celebrated her 60th birthday - leads her life anything but quietly!

Deb over at Deb Tris, is training hard for the multiple triathalons on her 2011 race calendar. Wind? Wild weather? Mountains? No matter - she keeps on track with her training! Deb also has two active young children and frequently writes interesting, thought-provoking posts. Her example shows me that it's possible to balance a busy training schedule and family. She recently sent me a comment reminding me that no matter how long or short, respect the distance - a great reminder that has helped keep me on track when I'm tempted to skimp on training. Go read her!

Julie over at You Just Have to Tri sent me congrats on my most recent 5K just hours after she finished a metric century ride, and again for finishing the Ride for Heart shortly after conquering yet another triathalon.  Julie oozes energy, has multiple long distance races and rides under her belt, and finds the time to cook amazing from-scratch dinners. Seriously - how fabulous is she?! I take a lot of inspiration from Julie, and laugh every time I see the 't-shirt wisdom' quote at the top of her blog. She's kind enough to post recipes, too -  although how she finds the time given that she's training for a half Ironman (!) I do not know! Go read her!

I've mentioned before that on a daily basis, I receive a tremendous amount of support from my family, my friends, my Curves trainer. I thank each and every one of you for - you help to keep me in motion every day! Here's where I thank the three most important to me:

My husband is on a mission of his own to keep moving. He recently finished his first 10K, walks 10K home from work several times a week, and is training for a half-marathon. He is as supportive as heck - making sure that he's home on time for me to get to the gym, clearing his calendar on my race days, and plain old assuming that I can accomplish whatever thing I've signed up for next. The level of confidence that he has in me raises my own. 

My children - my biggest cheerleaders - also assume that I can reach the finish line successfully on everything that I sign up for. These kids remember how very large and sedentary I was just a couple of years ago, yet they have that unwavering confidence in my abilities today - which in turns makes me think about reaching beyond what I've achieved so far.

So - what am I doing to pay it forward? I've turned into one of those 'go, go, you can do it' people :-) Tell me that you're thinking of trying something - going to a gym? Signing up for a class? Trying a distance? - and  I'll cheer you on. 'Fantastic! Go go - you can do it! What are you waiting for?'

Thanks for sticking with me during this long post. Who inspires you?

Here's this week's recap:

After a long winter and rainy spring, I forgot the first rule of summer biking:
When you park in the sun, your seat gets really hot. OW!!

Saturday - Feeling great after yesterday's kayaking. Rode my bike to the gym (6K round trip) and worked out, including 20 pushups. OK - maybe my shoulders ARE a bit tired.

Raspberries were on major sale today - time for the kids to make freezer jam!
They are masters at this and took this job over a couple of summers ago - all I do is clean up afterwards :-)

Sunday - Father's Day! Took my daughter swimming while the boys went for a bike/run. Played mermaids and dolphins for an hour, then I hit the deep end for a few quick lengths while she dried off. Realized how woeful my form is - swim classes are definitely in order! Played catch with my son - great work for my pitching arm!

Monday - 1K walk at lunch, Curves after dinner.

Slow ball? Fast ball? Wonder what she's got up her sleeve...

Tuesday - 1K walk at lunch. Made Julie's Lasanga Cupcakes for dinner (YUM), then played catch with my daughter. Lots of bending and running and stretching to get the ball - she's still working on her aim :-)

Wednesday - Zumba AND Bootcamp. Having a hard time lifting my arms this evening!

Thursday - Rest day. 

Speaking of insprations - I'm really looking forward to meeting the Davis Boys!



Friday - Curves after dinner, including some pretty great cardio! Hey - the Do Life tour hits Toronto in a week!



Finally - here are the Week 3 'Queen of the Circuit' challenges:

Drink more water this week - Check - I'm noticing a trend here...
Avoid one carb this week - Check -  I gave up pasta. Those lasanga cupcakes were made with wonton wrappers!
Get out for a walk - Check.
Play one weekly game - Check
Do one Boot Camp - Check
Set a Goal this Week - Check -
Check Body Mass - Check - BMI sitting at 32.5
Workout three times - Check

Trying Something New - Kayaking!

I can't think of a nicer way to spend a beautiful early summer evening. How fabulous!

I saw a deal on Groupon a while back for a kayak lesson and guided tour along the Humber River, and snapped it up for my son and myself. I've never been kayaking before and was eager to give it a try!

Setting out - my son's a natural!

We had a brief lesson in paddle theory and then hit the water. We found this fairly easy to learn and had fun practising steering, going backwards, turning around, speeding up, stopping quickly - and managed not to tip over! We then paddled along a very peaceful route out and back, about 5K in total.

Think my son found this a bit tricky, simply because he was using adult-sized equipment. Once he grows a bit taller, this will be no sweat for him. Still - my buddy paddled 5K after a busy day at school and didn't complain once. Well done!

I had a great time...and...well...couldn't stop admiring my rippling arm muscles. OK, maybe not rippling, but all of the hours that I've put in at the gym made this tour a breeze. But then, I guess that's really the point of the gym - to make people strong enough to Do Life. I don't think that I genuinely understood that until now.

An aside - I've lived in Toronto for over 20 years and had never been to the Humber River area before this. Why, I do not know, especially since it's a reasonably fast drive from my house. After tonight, we'll certainly be back - this is a beautiful spot in the heart of the city, yet the only sounds we could hear were water, ducks, geese and cormorants. Can't wait to check out the bike trails in the region.

Interested in trying this yourself? Check out our guides at http://www.torontoadventures.ca/.

Here's this week's recap -

Pit stop during Saturday's ride. Hard to tell, but that's my bike helmet on the left side of the table.

Saturday - Stiff as heck after yesterday's boot camp. Tried to loosen up with 5K on my bike to the Farmer's Market, Starbucks and home again. Later - did about an hour of cleanup in the garden and went on a 3K stroll with the kids and neighbours. Love being outside so many hours in one day!

Sunday - Celebrated a wedding for my husband's cousin. Beautiful ceremony for a very lovely couple! Very little moving and very much nibbling.

Monday - Stairs to 7 in AM, Curves + 27 pushups after dinner. My abs are STILL tender after last week's boot camp!

Tuesday - Stairs to 7 in AM, 1.1K power walk at lunch.

Wednesday - Stairs to 7 + 1.5K power walk at lunch; Zumba AND boot camp after dinner.

Beautiful evening at the park

Thursday - Stairs to 7 + 1K walk at lunch; stroll down to the park & wiffle ball after dinner.

See that smile? I'm loving this!

Friday - Kayaking. So lovely. At the end of the tour, our guides gave us passes for half-price canoeing lessons...can't wait to give that a try!

Finally, Here are the Week 2 'Queen of the Circuit' challenges -

Drink more water - Check

Give up a sweet - Check - gave up my after-lunch piece of chocolate. Grrrrr.

Try a new healthy recipe - Check - found a low-fat banana bread recipe, made it with my son

Bring in a picture of yourself - Check

Workout 3x - This will be a check after tomorrow's workout.

Attend a boot camp class - Check

Check body mass - Check - dropped from 38.0 (gulp) to 37.6

Last Queen Standing: Week 1 of 10

So - my Curves has started a new contest: Queen of the Circuit. This is the start of 10 weeks of challenges to support an ultimate goal of losing 10% of body fat.

Did I sign up? You know I did!

Turns out that I am fiercely competitive - especially against myself - and I want to see if I can commit to this.

This competition is coming just in time to get me back on track. I have noticed that my portion sizes are starting to become a bit more...generous...and my habit of reaching for treats is starting to become a bit more...frequent. Not good!

Ready...set...go...

Week 1 Challenges:

Inital Weigh in - Check

Drink More Water -  Check - easy, I love water

Give up one bad food  - Check - harder to do - I stopped picking up tasty tasty Pizzaiolo for lunch!
Call a Friend - Check - went out for dinner with friends from the neighbourhood

Book a Retraining Session - Check

Workout 3x - Check

Take one Boot Camp Class - Check - and it kicked my butt!

Here's this week's recap:

Carb loading - my favourite!
While wheat pasta with pomodoro sauce, roaster red peppers and spinach. YUM!

Saturday - Took the kids to my SIL's for a birthday party for our nephew, then left our kids there for a sleepover - today is our wedding anniversary! Went out to dinner (see above carb loading) and a movie (X-Men First Class - excellent prequel), then home early to be ready for tomorrow's race!

Hamming it up with my nephew on Sunday afternoon

Sunday - The Becel Ride for Heart, home for a shower, then out to pick up the kids. We met everyone at a park, played with the cousins and went on a nature walk before heading home. Took a lovely nap in the hammock with my daughter when we got home.

Monday - Stairs from 7 to 9 and back again about 8 times, racing back and forth from the office to a meeting. Curves after dinner.

Tuesday - Rest day.

Wednesday - Crazy heat wave day! Zumba + 39 pushups after dinner.

Walking past the Courthouse - can't  help but dip my hand when I pass a fountain

 Thursday - 2.5 walk in the morning, 1.8K round trip walk in the evening to go out for dinner.

Boot Camp did me in!

Friday - 1.5K walk at lunch, Boot Camp class (including 56 pushups) and Curves after dinner. OMG that was intense.

What I'm reading this week - Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese