Time For Some Appreciation.

Woohoo - off to Darwin for the weekend. Now for most Katherine residents, this isn't much of a big deal and I happen to know quite a few people that trek up there weekly. It's only about 3hrs north (2.5 for speeders!) and the road is pretty darn good most of the time. But this year has started off with such a roar that I haven't had the time to escape home life at all.

But it's not a drama! I'm loving 2012!!! I get busy and frazzled and a wee bit tired - but I wouldn't want it any other way. So here's why;

I have the most amazing group of Personal Training clients and I've had the priviledge of being able to call most of them 'friends' rather than clients as we progress together. They keep my mind ticking and my own enthusiasm is sparked by their efforts. 

Our little Bootcamp constantly humbles me due to the huge efforts put in by 'my' team. Sometimes I'm overwhelmed by the courage and determination showed by all fitness ranges and I simply love my Bootcamp nights - simple as that. 

Training for this comp is giving me that physical challenge that I crave, and even the stinky old nutrition aspect is something to conquer. Without a challenge to focus on, I swear I'd suffer too deeply from exercise envy when I have all of these people around me smashing their own personal goals. 

And then tonight I'm starting my very first 10 Week Challenge with five hand-picked people whom I happen to think are just perfect for what I have in mind.

So that's why I'm loving life! What's not to love?

I should also mention that I have the most supportive husband ever, and he not only puts up with all of my crazy ideas, but does anything and everythign he can to help me achieve my goals. He is fantastic and completely self-less and I really don't say it enough.

My kids.....what can I say....they are a huge motivator in my life....even though they probably don't feel very special when I'm in the middle of a bad 'food mood'. They keep me grounded and, just when I think nothing else matters except increasing the weight of a chest press, a question about improper fractions, or a request to watch 'an ollie' on the skateboard, or, my firm favourite, having to enter the bathroom to wipe a bottom after being loudly summonsed from a little king on his throne, reminds me that it takes a whole lot of things to keep life on an even keel.

I couldn't possibly go down the 'appreciation' road without mentioning my Katherine friends. I've been here such a short amount of time and yet I've met some of the best people ever! From my nearest and dearest who I rely on quite heavily for honesty, enthusiasm and fun, to my wonderful PT clients who listen to my endless ramblings and offer me encouragement, to the smiles from my bootcamp team who I know are behind me all of the way. I feel honoured and somehow very lucky to have met you all. Without friends, the world can be a lonely place.

And to think that, only 16 months ago we found out we were moving to the NT and our posting was Katherine. Our first response "Woohoo - wonderful - can't wait!!!! Now. Where the heck is Katherine?????" A quick visit to Mr Google and we were enlightened. 3 months later we arrived in Darwin on a dark and balmy night, and a few days later we drove a very crappy old hire car down to Katherine where Rob left the kids and I for 12 weeks before joining us here. A bit lonely - yes. A bit overwhelming - yes. But for me, this place is just perfect.

So it's now April 2012 and Michelle and I are off to Darwin for a good girly weekend. And we've already booked in for a Bootcamp on Saturday morning - can't WAIT to be bossed around by someone else!!! And then we have runs already planned with some shopping fitted in between (new diet regime has made this a necessity..damn it!). The final mission for me is a posing session on Sunday with my trainer, Sammy. This is my worst fear. Still today the thought of getting into a bikini and high heels and strutting my stuff is horrifying!!!! In preparation for this awful thought, I'm getting a snappy spray tan because my practice-run the other night highlighted the fact that, with only a bikini on, it really looks like I'm wearing about 3 sets of clothing already! Tan lines are a real issue in a climate where the sun never stops!!

So a humble little trip is proving to be very exciting. Maybe it's all of the above along with the thought of not being woken up early that appeals? Just perhaps? Or maybe it's the fact that I can workout as much as I want without feeling guilty because my munchkins haven't eaten dinner and it's 7pm!! Perhaps a combination of all of these. Definitely the fantastic company.

Whatever the case, I'll report back when we return with the low-down on posing and the other things we get up to.

So here's a quick snippet of one of my best ab exercises. If you have a swissball, give it a go. It's a little hard in the beginning due to the balance issues, but it's worth perservering! Superset this with the barbell rollout. 3-4 sets of 15-20 each and you'll feel it the next day.