Finding That Inner Confidence

I don't know where to start, this may be a long one. I shall stat from the beginning I guess :-)

As I have been progressing through my studies I have been focused on obtaining Cert III & IV in order to start work as a PT in a gym, well that still is a focus and part of the plan. But I found another avenue that I really want to go into and it didn't even occur to me until I progressed through my studies to "Specialty Training for Older Adults and Children".

I started thinking more so about the older adults and so I started to look deeply into it to find that over 200,000 Australian's suffer from Dementia and this number is set to double in 20 years.
So I then take my research even further and have the urge to learn more about the disease as possible which I have been doing and I have found that I am so drawn to learning even more. Now my focus has also turned to the carers. These carers are locked in there homes caring for there loved ones who are slowly deteriorating and do not like to be left with anyone else. These carers have no outlet, they feel so alone. They have no time to take care of themselves as they are constantly caring for someone else. They become unhappy with how they look and then struggle to find any motivation to go out at all. It's very sad.

So with extensive search on the web I decided to go one step further and make some calls etc. Long story short I managed to get myself to sit in on a dementia class which is put together by the government for carers of dementia. This was the most incredible day and I am so thankful for being allowed to attend. It went for 5 hours but only felt like it went for an hour, I didn't want it to end.
I meet 15 carers that day, I heard there stories, I saw them cry, I fought back my own tears, these were real people talking about real situations that they were living.
The training class was to teach the carers about the disease and how it effects the brain and behavior's of there loved one's. To understand more about what the sufferer is going through and feeling and how they can make it easier on them. But it also focused on what they need to do for themselves, they need time out in order to not become overwhelmed with pressure and stress of caring for their loved ones 24/7. These people are truly incredible.
After the class the speaker told me I mended in really well with the carers.

I have been offered an opportunity to be a speaker next year when they hold another carers class. I wasn't expecting this, hoping for it but not expecting it, and now I find half of me saying "but your biggest fear is public speaking and you are not confident enough", and the other half says "you can't let this opportunity slip through your fingers, you know how you can help and you can do this"!

I feel as though I got my foot well and truly through the door and there are so many avenues I would like to take in relation to this. It's the tip of the ice burg and I will share it with you as it gets closer to it as I was advised not to say anything yet, but it's all very promising and will be very rewarding in so many ways.

To tell you the truth I still can't believe this path has opened up to me, and how fast it is all happening it's blown me away. You just never know what's ahead of you.

Some Changes For Moi

Today's session with Michael was nothing short of a killer, he smashed my shoulders big time, I love these sessions with him as he knows what i'm capable of better then what I do.

I'm in week 7 of strength training so that leaves me with next week and then after a discussion today we are going to make changes!
I have a formal function to attend on the 10th Oct so I asked Michael if it was okay to cut down a little for this function and to see how i'm looking, he agreed. It will only be a small cut back, nothing major but I dare say the change in training will be a killer to start with, I won't know for a couple of weeks he never tells me until we are ready to start.

I have recently bought a Trelise Cooper dress for the evening and I don't really want to look bulky in it so I am happy to cut down just a touch to look more defined or less bulky!

I'm currently in the middle of an assignment for cert IV and through my studies I have decided on an area I would like to move into when i become a qualified PT. I even managed to worm my way into a government organized training session tomorrow in relation to the direction I am looking at taking. I can't say to much right now as it is in it's infancy but as soon as I know if this is definitely the avenue I "can" take then I will spread the news :-) So i'm looking forward to tomorrow as it is the first step in a new direction.

Speaking of new directions, why does that scare me???? I get excited and afraid all at the same time. I really need to find my inner confidence and really embrace the things I want to do so that I don't let it slip through my fingers and have regrets later.
Just knowing that by the end of this year I am going to be in such a different place with the change of career and working at Goodlife as well as this new area I hadn't even considered before is very exciting and I hope this big step i'm taking is the right one :-)

Better get my head back in the books I guess but before I go I wanted to say how proud I am of my little guy, he plays in a strings band (violin) and was performing at the eisteddfod and they came first! He was so excited and I am so proud of him, I just love to watch him play he is so handsome.

Lindy's Bodytune Workshop

Hi Guys!
Just wanted to let you all know how awesome Lindy's Workshops are!!
I arrived to Graceville on Saturday and was so stoked to have seen Lia, it had been almost two years since we last saw each other for the Nationals in Melbourne, big hugs were shared :-)

Lindy looks as stunning as ever and really provides an informative workshop, I took so much away with me from that day. We had JD as a guest speaker, it was an awesome surprise as he is the man to ask anything about nutrition and training - amazing guy!!

I saw Liz and shelly and met Steph for the first time it was fun and I wish we had more time afterwards to chat.

So this was the start of a very good weekend for me :-)

The Things You Find through Facebook LOL

I cannot believe I stumbled on this photo. It was my class at Primary School. I am the one standing next to that really funky, trendy, cool teacher LMAO!!
I think it was year 6.
It's funny because I haven't seen these pictures in so many years and now they are on the www, life is so different now to how it was back then.

One more sleep to go until Lindy's Workshop WooHoo!!!

My Progress Update

Yesterday was my weigh in day ( I weigh in once a month) and I have put on half a kilo.
Since I started strength training my weigh in's are as follows:

June 20th (day before I started strength training): 60kgs
July 20th:63kgs
August 17th: 63.5kgs

So the first month was a rapid increase in weight and last month things have settled and I am moving along at a much preferred rate, that is preferred by me :-).

I believe that all I need to do is stick with the plan and go from day to day. I am finding it mentally challenging being heavier and I continue to question my weight gains regularly as to whether it's mostly fat or mostly muscle. But at the end of the day I want to increase muscle mass and I have to stick to the plan and not jeopardize my hard earned muscles by reducing calories or hammering the cardio equipment which I am so tempted to do. But that day will come, prep will start early next year so I have to wait until then :-)

I am getting so strong, i never thought I would get that bloody strong but it happens if you persist :-), I am really enjoying the power presses and static holds on chest days, they have really helped with my strength on the bench press.
I have also been focusing on my weak body part, my shoulders, trying to get them to grow, I am having little success but still have a long way to go, some of you ladies are just so blessed to have big beautiful shoulders :-)

Finally did what I have been putting off doing for months and that is my practical exam for cert III (even though I am almost through cert IV), I arranged for the exam on Saturday, I am so glad that one is over and done with, I think I have to do one more for Cert IV though.
I also need to start looking into doing a first aid course, I can't believe how close I am getting now to being a PT!! So excited.

Hop everyone is well, I will pop in soon to say hi.

Debs xxx

Glutamine

I love using International Protein's Glutamine as it is 100% pure and is made from rice, no chemicals! I am truly thankful to be sponsored by such a great company :-)

International Protein Glutamine
100% Pure Natural Fermented L-Glutamine
May improve recovery after training / exercise
Decreases muscle protein breakdown
Increases muscle protein synthesis and cell volume
Supports immune system function
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in skeletal muscle tissue, making up about 60% of its total content, and is the predominant amino acid used during exercise. Although glutamine can be obtained from the diet, supplementation is often required to replace losses incurred during exercise / training.

Studies show that supplementing your diet and training with glutamine may improve recovery by decreasing muscle protein breakdown, increasing muscle protein synthesis and cell volume and by supporting immune system function.

International Protein's "Natural Fermented L-Glutamine" is manufactured using an exclusive natural fermentation process, followed by gentle extraction and purification to produce the purest form of L-Glutamine available.

No chemicals are used to make International Protein's Glutamine so it does not contain potentially harmful compounds like ammonia and methanol.

Because it's made naturally, International Protein's L-Glutamine has a lighter odour, cleaner flavour and a less metallic after-taste that synthetic L-Glutamine.

International Protein's Glutamine is made from rice, making it hypoallergenic (low allergy). It is also free from gluten and animal products.

Ingredients:
100% Pure Fermented L-Glutamine

Directions for Use:
Take 1.9g (1/2 tsp) immediately after training.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Serving Size: 1.9g
Servings per Container: 263

Qty Per 1.9g Serve:
Energy - 32 kj / 8 Cal
Protein - 1.9g
Fat (total) - 0g
Fat (saturated) - 0g
Carbohydrate (total) - 0g
Carbohydrate (sugars) - 0g
Sodium - 0mg
Potassium - 0mg

Lia & Rae

Thinking of my two beautiful friends who are going through such a sad and sorrowful time in there lives. You have both been so supportive to me over the years and I want you to know how much you mean to me and how sorry I am that you are going through this.
You are both in my thoughts daily!
Love,
Deb xxx

From Strength To Strength

I'm not sure how i'm doing it but I seem to be getting stronger each week and performing more PB's! Today I beat last week's PB on the bench press.
My DOMS feel different training this way too, it feels deeper in the muscle then where I would usually feel it when performing higher reps.
So the bottom line is I am enjoying the challenge of strength training but gosh it's really hard work, not just physically but mentally too. You really have to have your mind in the right place for a heavy lift.

I am really nervous about having to perform my practical exams this Saturday for my PT course. I think i'm nervous about not being able to get the words out right lol. I need to just rehearse it over and over again until it feels right. I have been putting this off for a while so it's time to bite the bullet and get it done.

My plans are to start working in the industry by the end of this year or maybe first thing next year, it will depend on how much longer it takes me to complete the rest of my studies and do a first aid course etc and I need to take in other considerations but hopefully sooner rather then later. I have already registered a business name and am awaiting my ABN number.

Did anyone watch the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony? It was incredible but unfortunately I fell asleep half way though :-(

Deb xxx

2008 WNBF Canberra Championships (For Jane B)

2008 WNBF Queensland Championships

A Sorrowful Day For a Dear Friend

RIP

I'm back online - Finally!

I'm back online which is great as I have so many things to catch up on.

My training has been going really well, it's been really hard work and I have been tired. My strength is increasing and I have been hitting Pb's.
I feel like I am still gaining weight, I feel heavy. I am never sure if the weight is good or not but I will continue through it regardless and not let it play head games with me.
I will take pictures, weigh in and do my girths around the 20th of each month to compare from month to month.

I will see you guys soon.

Deb