My little guy getting his Christmas wish - a recycling truck.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
I have been looking forward to this time of year since the end of Thanksgiving. Our Thanksgiving in Canada is in October. With no snow basically up to the day before Christmas, I have been loving the weather, and my training has been going really well. I am not freezing all the time due to the warmer temperatures, which makes going outside more pleasurable than previous years.
Biking, hockey, and even soccer outside mid-winter is a welcome surprise for any Canadian. Usually we can do all these activities with snow, but somehow doing them in December seems like we are getting away with something.
Snow has arrived, and apparently there is a storm on the horizon, so perhaps winter will be upon us in no time.
Great news to share – I have been invited to the 2012 Arnold Classic for the Fitness International.
Click Here for the full listing of IFBB Pros Invited to the event this year. The Arnold is one of the most pretigious events of the IFBB professional events, and I am very proud to be attending. This will be my 3rd consecutive year!
I was a little concerned about getting in this year, as there are very good fitness girls in the industry. I don’t personally believe that fitness is dead, just having a bit of a lull moment. I am sure the pendulum will swing back the other way as the numbers in the other divisions start to even out.
This week, I managed to get in 3 trainings, and 2 routine practices. My fourth training was today – Sunday – yes, I trained on Christmas. I was able to get into my gym as I work there, so many of those who work there are gym rats (like myself) 5-7 days per week, so not even Christmas warrants a holiday from the gym.
Next week (or this week I should say), I am trying to fit in 3 trainings, and 2 routine practices. Building up the stamina for the routine is always painful. Who knew breathing could be so hard!
Other than this great news – the holidays were spent with friends and family (and my lucky blue cooler), even in the mist of my mother-in-law’s amazing baking, and drinks flowing. Yes, I said no. They knew. Everyone knew that I was dieting. Usually I feel left out. But this year, I am feeling in control, and not really tempted by what is going on around me. When you want something, a goal to achieve, these moments of small sacrifice don’t seem so overwhelming, and you are able to see the bigger picture. This is all just temporary. Any sinful food is always available at my disposal. I don’t have to eat it today, or tomorrow, or 6 weeks from now. The moments I spend with my friends and family as just as rewarding, fun, and enjoyable if I eat chicken and broccoli or whatever else is being served.
This week’s pictures:
Changes are happening. Dieting is always such a slow process. I could take pictures tomorrow, with slightly altered lighting, and look completely different. They are just one point of reference, as my eyes always see something different than what the camera says. I think the camera is a better set of ‘eyes’.
Till next Sunday,
A.
