[caption id="attachment_21506" align="alignleft" width="116"]Grade 6 graduation Grade 6 graduation[/caption] I have a beautiful, intelligent, caring, sensitive, perceptive 13 year old daughter. She just finished her first year of high school and thriving.  She loves acting, singing and playing waterpolo.  As her mom I have taught her a lot over the last thirteen years; how to cross the street,  how to ride her bike, how to tie her shoes, table manners, conversation skills...the list goes on and as she continues to grow as she still has a lot to learn.

UnknownI have been known to be somewhat stubborn about accepting that sometimes as much as I want it to my body just can’t do certain things. If I am injured and it's keeping me out of the gym or on the sidelines of a game, it is very hard for me to do.

I grew up thinking that pushing through the pain was the way to overcome it.

When I was younger and depending on the injury sometimes it worked but sadly as I’ve gotten older it just isn’t the case.  And now that I know more I don’t even want to try that, because I know you can do more harm than good by not taking the appropriate measures to heal when you are injured and that your brain sends warning signs to your body giving signals that you’ve had enough, that you should slow down or stop.

Got GlutesIt was 1992 when Sir Mix A Lot  spoke out first when he announced that he liked big butts and that was no lie.  It came as a refreshing change considering the “skinny-obsession” in early 90’s.  Fast forward to today when every other song on the radio has at least some reference to the female behind. It’s become very in to have a larger derriere to the extent that a ‘booty complex’ is starting to emerge and women are seeking butt implants more and more.   They actually sell a contraption similar to a  push up bra for the booty, it lifts the booty up without the need of padded underwear, silicon inserts, or booty enhancing pants. 

[caption id="attachment_21058" align="alignleft" width="240"]Abandoned heels at a party Abandoned heels at a party[/caption] I really love this time of year, the lights, the picturesque snow covered trees..and the holiday parties!! Year round I can get away wearing ballet flats or a small pump when I’m dressed up for a party but there are two occasions that I feel a have to take it up a notch,  by taking it up I mean the height of my heels.  Weddings and holiday parties for me are really the only time I’ll wear a heel. The heel height I consider big to most of you might not seem very high at all.  An inch and a half to two inches is really my maximum, and even at that I struggle to look ladylike as I walk (let alone try to dance) with these things on my feet.  I am without a doubt more graceful with my hockey skates on then I am in a two inch heel.  But on these special occasions fashion trumps comfort.  I have yet to keep my heels on for an entire event, I bring backups and part way through the evening have changed into a more comfortable shoe, not as pretty but not as painful either.

Some say music makes the world go round.  For me, music gets me through hours of exercise and training every week.  It can get me across the finish line of a 10 km run, other days it pushes me to lift more, to do one more push-up or the last 5 squats.
For me training and music go hand and hand. I don’t remember a single workout when I didn’t have my music pumping.

[caption id="attachment_19746" align="alignleft" width="255"]I'm getting my nerve up to dive into my not so warm pool. I'm getting my nerve up to dive into my not so warm pool.[/caption] I’ve had days that I’d rather go for a bikini wax than actually put on a bikini or bathing suit - but I’ve put my bathing suit induced anxiety aside to hit the pool for a swimming workout.

In a few weeks I will be celebrating a birthday,  a big one!! I’m not gonna lie… I’m dreading it!!! I know it’s just a number.  I know it shouldn’t define me.  No I don’t feel older, as a matter of fact most of the time I feel like I’m nineteen years old and that’s part of the problem… Where did the last twenty years go?
In a blink of an eye I went from adolescent to middle aged!!! Somewhere along the way I picked up a husband, two kids, a mortgage etc… What freaks me out is what if the next twenty years go by just as quickly???

Happy New Year!! 2014 has arrived and there is no better time to start something new than right now.
You're probably ready to settle back into a routine and reevaluate your health and fitness priorities.  I’m certain most of you have resolved to work out more, eat better and be a healthier you.

There are several reasons why I love being a personal trainer:
#1- I am able to earn my living doing what I love #2- I get to help others reach their goals and live healthy lifestyles #3- I am active all day while working #4- I get to work with great people everyday

While there is something about the atmosphere of a gym that I love, I haven’t trained in a gym in several years.  These days, I choose to work out at home. Amongst many other reasons, it just works best with my schedule.  I don’t need to get a babysitter, I don’t need to waste precious time driving to and from, and I don’t have to worry if I’m not wearing my best sports bra :).  But I am also disciplined enough to do my workouts at home.

By the end of the day, when I get into bed I am truly TIRED!!  My body is exhausted, my nerves are spent and emotionally I am pooped! I try to live each day to its fullest  and I definitely try to accomplish as must as I physically and emotionally can - but I am guilty, like many other busy women, of putting my needs at the bottom of the to-do-list.

Who has time? If I were to offer you a free one-hour spa treatment of your choice everyday for a week, would you accept it? Could you find the time?  If not everyday, surely you could do it every other day? Would you be able to...

Welcome to my new blog! When the lovely ladies who started this site asked if I would be interested in contributing to the fitness section by blogging, I was so excited to be part of it!! I am not great with words or expressing my thoughts on paper, but I have so much to share when it comes to fitness and living a healthy lifestyle that I said “YES” right away.