See you soon!

Photo taken by me in Vietnam earlier this year.

I'll be back soon.

I'm not MIA - just on holidays in Bali for two weeks! If I can post while I'm away I will...

On my return I can't wait to share my travel stories with you, share my four week out comp prep and more!

See you soon. xo

Staying accountable while on holidays

So I'm headed to Bali for two weeks tomorrow - and only have 6 weeks left of my comp prep. I've spent the last month or so concentrating on building as much muscle as I can - going to crossfit 4-5 times a week, and adding in 2-3 shoulder workouts each week.

I'm feeling stronger, but also fuller as I've been eating more protein too! 

My last posing session with Marnie, she told me I'll have to start cutting when I get back from Bali, and cut back on carbs too. I'm not entirely sure what's involved (in the minute detail) as yet...

So... in preparation for that cut - I've been adding in a couple of HIIT sessions a week. While I'm active at CrossFit, and do aerobic basic cardio, since my 1/2 marathon I haven't had the desire to run on top of my crossfit training.

So my HIIT workouts are usually around 20-30 minutes on the treadmill after a shoulder workout. Those 20mins are tough!

HIIT workout

2-5mins warm up - speed 6, incline 10

Intervals x6-10 times: 30 sec - speed 12, incline 10 / 2mins - speed 6, incline 10

2-5mins cool down - speed 6, incline 10

While I'm on holidays...

I plan on going for runs when I can, and if there's a gym in my resort - going to that and doing some free weights.

I also plan on doing compound movements and plyometric movements such as squats, pushups, planks, squat jumps, burpees, speed skaters and more. Workouts such as m100s would be perfect! (Thanks Byron!)

I know I'm going to be active while I'm on holidays as Brad and I tend to move around, do looks of walking etc. We plan on trying out some yoga in Ubud, some pushbike riding and hiking.

On the food/drink side of things. I'm going to continue to avoid softdrink (just soda water for me). On occassion I'll have a cocktail - or a beer.

For food, I'm aiming to eat a lot of protein (egg white omlettes) for breakfast, and snack of fruit and nuts through the day. For lunches and dinner I'll eat as clean as I can - fish and vegetables, chicken dishes and try to avoid heavier sauces etc.

Here's hoping I can both enjoy my holiday and treats as well as continue to keep fit and maintain the hard work I've been doing!

Scrapbook inspiration from instagram

The other week whilst browsing instagram (as you do) - I came across a gorgeous scrapbook layout by the wonderful Janna Werner.

It was stunning, and really inspired me... I knew instantly i had to do a scrapbook layout of it! So I did!

 

I used Janna's layout as inspiration and rummaged through my scrapbook stash to find a piece of grey paper. I pulled out some Kaisercraft number stamps and white embossing powder and... my toaster (I don't have a heat tool) to create the background. I added some stuff from recent A Piece of Cake Designs kits I had.

I love this photo of my friend Emma and I at her wedding last year. Gee I miss that girl!

Learning to prioritise your tasks

This post is pretty much a brain dump. I feel scattered, unmotivated and stressed at the moment. I'm super busy at work organizing a HUGE conference, marketing campaigns and much more; I've got my in-laws visiting and a bit of sight-seeing has been done.

I went to the Darwin Cup, I've been trying to go to crossFit at least 4 times a week, and train extra for my comp. I've been trying to eat as clean as I can, and worrying about eating out.

I want to scrapbook and blog more, but all that other stuff is just happening and I can't find enough time to do what I want! Anyone else have this issue? The last month or so has really made me focus on what's important and what needs to be let go in order to get the majority of things done I need to.

Here's what I've been doing to prioritize my tasks:
- make a list and section it off into 'areas' or 'groups'
- prioritize tasks in order of importance - do the most important ones first
- set alarms or reminders in your phone/work email
- write daily task lists and long term lists at work to prioritize projects
- stay focused with music and lots of tea and water
- rest

I've been planning a holiday to Bali and booking accommodation. And because of all the above, I'm so looking forward to Bali. It's now only 4 days till I go and I'm so bloody excited!

Srapbooking boys - "Grown Up" layout

Wow. Have I been slack with blogging lately or what? I've had lots of blog ideas running through my head, scrapbook layouts photographed and ready to blog - but hey life got in the way! ;)

This photo I'd been wanting to scrap for a while. It's a picture of Brad and his nephew from the start of the year - just before we moved up to Darwin. His nephew looks so grown up here!

Materials: My minds eye patterned paper, title die cut, heidi swapp ticket, my mind eye brads, tattered angles glimmer mist.

And a couple of close ups:

 

Stay tuned for more blog posts this week!

 

INBA Fitness Model Comp - 9 weeks out

So I've had about three posing sessions with my friend Marnie and one with Kay Wiseman up here since I decided to enter in the Northern Territory & Combined Services INBA's Natural Physique Titles.

It's now about 8 weeks out and things are starting to get serious! Marnie has got me working on my shoulders three times a week on top of my usual 4-5 crossfit sessions. I know I need to add in a bit of HIIT cardio too!

I'm eating a lot cleaner than I have been and am feeling great! I have a few weeks left (2.5) before i head to Bali until the start of September. It will be once I return that I'll start to drop some of my calorie intake and closer to the comp, possibly drop carbs. :(

I took this last week after my posing session with Marnie. Feeling good and strong. I know I still have areas to work on...

As for other comp prep, I've ordered my shoes (white runners) - they arrive next week! My fitness outfit has arrived and I LOVE it! :) I'm ordering my tan tomorrow, and organising hair extensions and other bits and pieces! :)

Talk soon!