Happy 3 Year Gym Anniversary

3 Year Anniversary in the Gym.

They say that it takes consistency for 21 days to form a habit.  Doing something for 21 days straight makes it an ingrained habit.  That was my thinking on November 18, 2011 when I joined the gym.  Goal 1 was 30 lbs by New Year’s Eve, to accomplish that goal, I would spend a minimum of 1 hour a day at the gym working out, I also changed my diet drastically.  And January 1, 2012.  I hit my goal.

No, I have not worked out 7 days a week for the past 3 years.  There are times I am there 5 times a week, and others seven.  There have been whole months where I let it slide and just quit going.  However I always go back and I have to say I am very consistent.  I know that my well-being is much better when I spend time on me, and my “me” time involved some serious heavy metal.

That being said, I am into “B-O-D-Y-B-U-I-L-D-I-N-G” and that means the longer, more often and heavier you lift consistently the more you can change your body.

The picture on the left is November 18 2011, as you can see I won’t even look in the mirror, looking back I wish I’d taken one head on so you could really see what I was dealing with.

Second picture was a year later.  As you can see a lot had changed.  I was beginning to get ready for the first competition I would do in April 2012.

Third Picture was 2 years in the gym November 18, 2013.  2 years of lifting, clean eating, and having competed in 2 bodybuilding competitions.

Today’s photo.  Well 3 years later.  All of that hard work has definitely made a difference in this Mama.  It’s never too late to change your life

 

To every one of my readers, friends, and especially my family that have supported me through this crazy journey, both the ups and the downs I want to say THANK YOU.  There have been days I just want to say enough is enough, I’m going to eat the cheesecake like everybody else.  And there are days when I have.  But those days are the exception, or a planned treat.  I wake up every morning and lift, I am proud of my strength, proud of my accomplishments and very happy with the way life has turned out.  I couldn’t of done it without you.

Moms Blabber, Food Prep, Life Update…

I give so much thanks to all of the friends and like minded friends I have made through this blog.  Some have sincerely become people I consider friends. Even if we have never met face to face.  I am just two days out from my 3 year anniversary in the gym.  That post I have written and re-written multiple times  Who knows what form it will take, however there are alot of things I have learned over the last three years.  Most of which is, you don’t know everything ever… just keep trying.

 

So, this is just a blabber post about life in general, because well… that’s how the blog started.  One post about why I wanted to blog that basically said, put it out there and maybe my mom or then bf would read my drivvel.

 

So, this week’s tip.  Food Prep.

Ya, sucks.  But honestly for me, if I don’t do it I am far more apt to fail.  I generally prep my food in the morning for the day, alongside making breakfast and a whack load of sandwiches and things I cannot eat for the boys who are bottomless pits (all 3)  and can eat whatever they want with no consequence.  I booked a photo-shoot for 2 weeks from now with Dana Brushette which I have wanted to do for close to a year.  She does boudoir and pin up shoots.  This one is at a retro style house and I can’t wait.  And while I am nowhere near competition shape, I need a goal and a motivation right now, cause I am 19 weeks from my next competition and I’m kinda in a rut.  No goal, great program, not so sure about my diet (following coaches plan please don’t tell him)    So cue goal, two weeks out and I spent most of the day cleaning, laundry and cooking for the week.  But not just for me, for the kids too.  (sorry coach, I’m on my plan for the next two weeks)

So, my food for at least the next few weeks.  Egg whites, green beans and spinach twice a day, extra lean ground turkey with green beans, onions, asparagus and a lil salsa and Italian seasoning twice a day, whey protein, peanut butter and tuna steaks.  Two weeks to rip it into shape.

 

I also made 8 cheese bagels with cream cheese, 8 sandwiches with different meat, condiments and ingredients, packaged muffins (the big costco ones in half per bag), cookies, carrots, separated yogurt containers and loaded up on bananas and apples for the boys.  Should make lunch making easy in the mornings, I hope.  Cause stead rate is going out the window for full blown fat burning HIIT.

 

Two weeks to stunning 50’s pin up.  GO

One Fit Mama #mystrongmoment

The November / December issue of Strong Magazine has One Fit Mama.

Strong magazine contacted me after I tagged #mystrongmoment on Instagram.  Make sure you follow me @onefitmamacanada 

The picture on the left is from about 2007, and that’s baby boo.  Right was about July of 2014.  What’s you’re strong moment?

 

#MyStrongMoment

Things I have learned about being a Mom

1.  You can teach your children to Load and Unload the dishwasher

However do not expect that when they load it they will do it properly… this is apparently rocket science to anybody but Mom.  If they unload it and the sink is full of dishes, unless expressly told to do so, they will not put their dirty dishes in the dishwasher.

2.  Socks will be everywhere

In the couches, under the kitchen table, between mattresses.

3.  They will never use the last of anything

This would require going to the effort of replacing or throwing it out.  In the case of cookies, they will leave one in the bottom.  In the case of milk there will be a swallow.  Water bottles will be drank 3/4 of the way and left wherever.

4.  If something is lost… You will have to find it.

My children have complete melt downs if after 30 seconds of looking they cannot find; something.  This immediately results in “Mom… where’s my…. !”.  Trying to get them to look harder is an argument you probably will not win.  Pick your battles.

5. Until they hit puberty, bathtime, hair brushing and general hygeine will be a war on germs. 

6.  Your house will not be clean ever again!

possibly for an hour if nobody but you is home, but that’s about it.

But most of all I have learned to choose my battles, enjoy the hugs and kisses and fun moments and that time outs were not created for children… they were created for parents.

Dear stay-at-home-mama

Dear stay-at-home Mama,

 

How are you?  What have you been up to?  Did Timmy win his soccer game yesterday?

Little update on my life.   Boo just finished his baseball season, unfortunately he didn’t make the end of the year tournament but the coach is trying to put together a parent and kid game for fun.  Hoping it’s a day that I can be there, am not working and do not have to drive him 180 km’s to meet his dad for the weekend.  Big kid passed his summer school course with great grades.  He wants to try out for the football team again this year, so if you know anyone doing after school daycare for Boo please forward them onto me.  I’m still training hard.  I get up around 5 every morning to go to the gym and am really lucky my office has a gym at it so I use half my lunch hour to work out too!  I became an elite athlete this year and “can” go for my pro card in November if I choose to.  However I will probably plan to compete again at showdown next year, it’s in my home town and it’s just too difficult to make arrangements to be away for a weekend.   As you know we have the girls on the weekends that the boys go to their dads.  Unfortunately neither of their other parents wants to switch with us so it’s always a bit of a juggling act.  Would be amazing to have them all at the same time since they get along great together however we don’t want to disrupt everyone else’s schedule.  The kids went on vacation with their dads a couple of weeks ago and honey and I went away for the weekend.  Unfortunately I was out of cell service area and big kids dads got pretty upset.  Guess we should not have done that however it was wonderful to have some quiet time with honey and some friends.

In your last letter you asked a couple of questions.  Thought I would take some time to answer them for you.

As for how I keep my house so clean, everybody pitches in.  You would be amazed how quickly you can clean a house when you have all hands on deck, and considering that we have four children if everyone cleans for 30 minutes it’s about the same as spending two hours doing it myself.  Boo knows how to fold towels, hang up his laundry and run the Swiffer and vacuum around, big kid is great for cutting the grass and all of the kids help unload the dishwasher.  I have to admit that some things you just gotta do yourself, like cleaning the kitchen sink and scrubbing the bathroom, but it’s just part of doing everyone’s part to keep the house clean.

In response to where do I find the time for the gym, just wanted to assure you that my kids are just as important to me as yours are to you.  I love my “me” time at the gym, probably as much as you like your ladies coffee dates after school bus drop off.  Personally during the work week I get up at 5am, I belong to Anytime Fitness and it has 24/7 access, that time of day it’s like having a gym all to myself.  I get home just in time to get everybody else going on their day before heading off to work.  I am also super lucky cause my work has a gym at it.  It’s quite small but works great when I am getting ready for a show or a photo-shoot.  When Boo was little I went to a gym with a daycare.  It was great!  For $5 I got an hour of me time and he got to play with kids his age talk about win-win.

You’re right that I sometimes miss “those moments” with the kids.  I can’t always make it to the school assembly where he gets his award for being the most “courageous” in his class at least not when I only find out about it that morning, but I can usually be there if I know in advance.  I don’t volunteer to help during the day because I am working but I generally volunteer to organize some sort of activity with whatever they are involved in at the moment.

No, we do not have a house keeper or cleaning lady, we do not have a gardener and unfortunately the only tutors our kids have are me, honey and their respective other parents.  School day evenings can definitely be hectic, Boo’s still young enough to need a babysitter, and they all have homework and activities.  Yes, occasionally something slips through the cracks… a project not done on time, a teacher website not checked daily or a kid who misplaces the note from the teacher reminding you that your I mean their project is past due.  I am sure none of that ever happens to you since after all your “kids come first”.

Being a mom is definitely hard work!  But it’s also incredibly rewarding.  I will admit that it took a long time to really get the hang of it all.  It’s easy to fall into the pattern of feeling sorry for yourself or not feeling appreciated for everything you do.  For me it was learning to make myself a priority.  As soon as I began to do that everything else got so much easier.  It’s also when the right things came into my life, and my children became happier too.  You know that saying about if mama isn’t happy nobody is.  Well it works in reverse.  When Mama is happy everyone is… or at least usually is.   We do have teen agers in the house after-all

Just wanted to say thank you for volunteering at the school.  I really do appreciate that there are moms out there that are able to do that and enjoy it.  It’s amazing that you pick your kids up from school or meet them at the bus every day, I certainly wish it was a choice I could make.  Thank you for organizing the fundraiser sales for the scouts last season, all of my colleagues loved those cookies and I ran out of room on the order form.

I know that it’s really tough for you to get time to yourself, so let me know if you want to bring the kids over for a sleep over on the weekend, just please remind them that the rules are sometimes different and we do have things like bed times and they will have to clean up after themselves.  I know that the rules are different at our house and yours but I also don’t like being the bad guy because of it.  My kids don’t seem to mind and we do lots of fun things together.   Thinking about a back yard fire and a trip to the water park this weekend and Timmy is more than welcome to come along.

 

Yours Truly,

 

One Fit Mama

 

 

 

 

Outgrew the nickname… not the reason for it.

When I was in my teens I belonged to a youth group.  I was aptly nicknamed “gimpy” after participating in the “Olympics” weekend.  That weekend I managed to accumulate more bruises than most people get in a week.  I also may have tripped over my own two feet more than once.

Just once I would like to go through a prep period without a sickness or an injury!

My original show I wanted to do was in November 2012.  I started prepping for it the spring before.  And… then I was diagnosed, had surgery and had to take a month out of the gym.

Spring Bash 2013 about 3 weeks out I got the flu.  Not like a mild cold, like a downright nasty, cannot move, nothing tastes good (especially not healthy stuff) type flu.

Showdown 2013 My ex left and came back about 5 times in the 3 months leading up to it, and I managed to pull a muscle in my leg rather badly about 2 weeks out.

Yesterday morning at the gym, just as I was about to celebrate my ability to squat more than my bodyweight without the help of the smith machine… BAM!  Pain.  Originally I thought I had torn something in my chest, as that is where I am feeling it the most.  However, a friend and fellow B-Builder pointed out its likely my lat, as that’s where the pressure of the Barbell sits during squats… I can barely move, hurts to breath, and dearie me, I don’t care if snot runs down my face you cannot pay me enough to blow my nose ever again.

I am just under 4 weeks from my show, just under 3 weeks from the relay for life.

Right now my plan is to take it easy for a couple of days and see how I feel and if it heals.  I tried doing cardio this morning at the gym, it hurt so bad it actually made me sick to my stomach… AHHHHHH

If anyone knows of some magic cure or fix for this one, please share!

A post from my better half….

My guy sent this to me unasked for.  He’s such a sweety.

 

 

Hello all, I’m not a regular blogger, nor scholar. I am a mechanic by trade, and own a small but busy auto repair shop. I bet your wondering why I wrote this for my loving girlfriend. Well, it is to give you perspective, from the other half looking on. Kelly always writes, on achievements, and losses in her blog. So, I will try to do the same for her. As most of you know, she is focused on competing this summer, and I could not be more proud. Here’s why.

I used to a heavy gym rat, and have lost my way. I peaked at 196 lbs. and was extremely cut. Being I was always a small framed guy, hitting 180 was tough, let alone 196. I will not lie, vanity quickly became an issue, as did paranoia of losing the shape I had pushed myself to. But as with many along the way, I succumbed to pressures of life. Not going regularly, and diet slipping. Even though my diet was odd… I ate everything to keep the levels up. I do not retain fat easily, and many would be jealous of that. But once I quit a regular regimen, i shrunk gradually back to mid 170s, and that’s where I am now.

I eat like a spoiled heavy southener, seriously if it has sprinkles on it, chocolate icing, or a fat content above 3%… I’m attracted to it like a moth to flames.

I still to this day have not routinely returned to the gym. This is something I need to change. I have loads of bodily injuries, from racing cars, and creaks/groans from my body that make old schooner ships sound brand new. This was the main reason I started going to work out.

So now that I have pointed these things out, it must be hard to my pretty lady not to be tempted. I have all the symptoms of lazy written everywhere, and she still persists at the gym. I get tired just watching her, at the gym. I’m proud of her drive, and hope some of it will finally rub off on me. I have taken measures to hide my odd food addiction, and occasionally hit the gym, with her. But really, you have to admire a person, who perseveres with it. It shows her drive, which is obviously higher than mine. You can be sure, when she makes it to the stage, her family will probably be one of the louder ones there.

Thanks for reading, and have a good day!  Dougy

Why I Relay

Its that time of year again.  Canadian Cancer Societies –  The Relay for Life.

This is again one week out from my competition in June but I would not miss it for the world!  Please consider donating.  This walk is 12 hours over night to raise money for cancer research and care.  You can donate HERE.  Every penny helps.

Over the years I have lost many important people to Cancer.  My Uncle Tom was taken far too young.  My son’s grandfather again lost his battle and last year my son Jacob walked with me.  Robin, Lissa, Kelly, Pam, the list goes on and on.  All of these people have battled, some survived, some lost that battle.

This year will mark my 4th year walking with the Freedom Fighters Team.  two years ago mere weeks before the fundraiser I received the news that I had a malignant tumor in my right breast.  The walk took on new meaning.  Over the previous year I had lost close over 30lbs and many inches when I had enough of being over weight and decided to get fit.  I took on bodybuilding, lifting weights..  Despite a return of this dreaded disease I am and remain cancer free.  I will compete in my 3rd bodybuilding competition the week after the relay.  I would not miss this event for the world.  Weather it be a donation, joining us during the survivors lap and opening ceremonies or the purchase of a luminary on your loved ones behalf.  This cause is one worth supporting.

  I will run for my health and the hope that everyone’s fight will someday end with the same outcome.

This year we lost one of our captains. A truly amazing and inspirational lady that I came to love and admire.  Two years ago she arrived at the relay mere hours after getting “new legs” having had hers amputated.  During the survivors lap she walked! |It was amazing! unfortunately the organizers had not seen her still making her way around the track. As a team, The freedom fighters screamed her on.  She was so strong, so amazing and so inspirational, not just in her fight but in her heartfelt love of life.  She did not die directly from cancer, she was strong, a teacher and back at work.  Liss taught at my son’s school.  Her deteriorated immune system around so many kids had a deterimental effect on her health.  She ended up with complications from pneumonia and a stroke.  She was so young.  It was the worst blow I can imagine.  This year we walk in her memory.  We walk in her love.  And I can almost garuntee there are going to be butterflies and warm weather courtesy of our beautiful angel.

Please join me in supporting this amazing cause.  I will walk for 12 hours and remember, believe and know that no matter what I will fight and so will the doctors, nurses, patients, volunteers, caretakers, family and friends of everyone who has been affected by Cancer.

Help us reach our goal

You can be part of a community that takes up the fight. Please make a donation to myself or my team in support of the Canadian Cancer Society Relay For Life- with your donation, you can help us make cancer history.

Online pledging is secure and it saves the Canadian Cancer Society money by reducing administrative costs.

Read more about how your donation helps

Thanks for your support!

Food for thought

Transformation Tuesday My Bum

Here’s my tuesday brain fart…..

1.  If you lift….just lift

nobody gets it.  The ones that do have no say in your life though they should.  The ones that make life difficult or think they have a say don’t get it

2. You will never be happy with how you look if you have competed

Once you have gone through weeks if not months of dieting hard and working out and look you’re best.  Unless you are about to go through “it” again you will never look like that…. Thus you’re best becomes unattainable in daily life.  Be prepared to not be happy looking in the mirror

3.  Men and ex’s don’t get it.

He will think you did what you did to spite / get him back / make him jealous.

He will never understand it was for you and you did it cause you could.  Regardless, be prepared for backlash of going from fat to fit after.  It pisses them off.

4.  Children are a result of both parents

No matter what you do, how you do it or you’re best intentions….. the other parent can screw up you’re kid no matter what.  Seek help.  Now.

5. You’re not super mom

you are’nt.  You may have the cape and the heels but really.  Do the best you can with what you have and hope for the best.  Its all anyone can do.  Love you’re children. Make the best choices you can and everyone elses’ comments and opinions be damned.

 

Proclaiming this WTF almost Wednesday

Five things friday

1.  New Job = New Workout schedule

Only day 2 of new job, and have’nt been to the gym.  Feeling ok about it because really I was due for some rest… case in point, my body is still screaming at me for the last few workouts.

2.  Water consumption is easier while working

Yes, I drink it right outta the tap

When you sit at a desk, drinking water is easy an I easily put down 6 1.6 litre bottles today. Could be why I am sore, lil too much water!

 

3.  FREAKIN Cold

Toque Weather

It is -21 Celsius or -5.8 Fahrenheit with the windchill right now, its actually warm compared to this morning when it was -31.  The wind is soooo cold, and the snow is blowing.  My boss apologized for me not having a space heater today.

 

4.  5 Kids = Sound Barrier breaking Loud

Put 5 kids between the ages of 6 and 14 in a room and they will break the sound barrier

5.  Cheese Ball Bucket does’tn tempt me at all

Ewwww… bf bought these for the kids and is hiding them till after dinner.  You could’nt pay me to eat even one of these – yuck!

yuck!