Still on the brain topic

Today I had further (unexpected) insights into where I need to go this year. Thank goodness I didn't set any concrete goals - looks like a path is being laid out for me as we speak.

Right now, I'm immersed in school holiday activities. Today I saw "Alvin and the Chipmunks - The Squeakwel" with the girls after doing a Bodystep fill at Jinders this morning. I seem to be doing quite a few fill ins at the moment - I'm sure the reason for that is that I'm being given the opportunity to practice my teaching more often as LMI auditions are on again in May and I'm going to have another tilt at it, all things being good on the injury front.

My shoulder has settled down nicely and I'm hoping to test it with some weights next week. I can't see my way clear this week with another 7 classes to go before the end of the week. I'm sure my big quads have grown even more massive with some decent load being applied in RPM.

Tomorrow's goal involves doing another menu plan up - last week's effort was really successful and being prepared felt pretty good.

Not the Expected Outcome..

I rang Les Mills this morning to enquire about the outcome of my application. Unfortunately, I am not going to get an audition spot but it seems they liked my DVD presentation and would I be interested in presenting another program (as well as RPM)? This would mean that I would have to submit a Bodystep DVD as well - either next week (I have to hear back from them on that first) or for the next round of auditions. I was told that they wanted presenters that could teach multiple programs.

So it seems that even though the outcome isn't what I wanted, I don't feel it's a negative thing - my assessment was very, very positive - maybe it's now a push to make my Step classes as banging as my RPMs! Obviously there is a new challenge to rise to! I am going to be having more coaching with Maka on the RPM and a formal assessment done in November and in the meantime, I'm going to start focusing on Step a bit more now. Never thought I'd "need" it, but maybe I just do!

I'm really proud that I put myself out there and went for it, had the initial assessment from Maka etc because I'm sure that it has helped me buckets - not to toot my horn too loudly but I've have spoken to a number of people lately who have told me that I've really taken my RPM coaching to the next level, something that I am really thrilled about. I think it's a long, long journey to become an exceptional group fitness instructor and when I hear these positive comments it really makes all the unpaid hours of choreo learning, DVD watching, practice and coaching etc worth it. I'm never going to make any real money out of teaching classes but what I have learned about myself, other people and relationships is priceless.

Had a great run this morning and am about to head off to work. Onwards and upwards!

Moo-hoo...

All has been a bit quiet over here in Liz-Land (hey that has a good ring to it!) on the blogging front, only because I've been pretty busy in real life. Yesterday I taught RPM and Bodystep and then picked up Maka's magical DVD (he worked wonders!), had a quick look at myself teaching RPM and then got the DVD off to Les Mills lickety split! It was weird looking at myself teach but compared to the last one I did, I think I have really improved. There's always stuff to work on of course, but it was quite encouraging! Hopefully Les Mills will think it's good enough to call me up for an audition. Just have to cross my fingers and hope for the best.

I've had a day at home after getting migraine like symptoms this morning. Luckily by lunchtime, it had begun to clear and I've been feeling better and better as the day has gone on. I am teaching RPM tomorrow and catching up with Kirstie (sorry Kirst, I can't find the link to your blog right now) which should be great fun.

Saturday Catch Up

A blog for today as I'm going to head off the computer this weekend to spend time with family and cover the dreaded school books, so if anyone is wondering what my workout of the day is, shall we say it will involve sticky plastic and a deft hand with the scissors, Nikko pens and DYMO labeller!

I've just come back from teaching RPM this morning - bit of a pain as the receptionist who was meant to open the gym did not show up, we managed to get a key from another guy which snapped when we tried to get the door open...anyway we got in and got busy. It wasn't the greatest class I have ever taught and even though it may sound weird, I find myself learning so much from the "stinkers" because I really really want to be a superb instructor and coach. That is the beauty of group fitness, you never stop learning how to become a better instructor. Felt a bit lacklustre as TOM decided to turn up again after 2 weeks' break - I had decided to try the Pill again as a means of keeping my period pain under control but it didn't really do that much, so rather than go for a stronger Pill, I'm happily hormone free again. However I wasn't expecting to be rolling around with period pain again so soon...bugger.

Despite feeling like a bloated cow this morning, a few members asked me if I was competing again. I do have a little goal coming up and that is to become a Les Mills Presenter in RPM. Naturally I want to look really good and a bit leaner. Les Mills are looking for Brisbane presenters so I am putting my portfolio together in the hope of being asked for an audition. For me, this goal is getting over my shyness when it comes to things like auditions and instructor feedback. My steps that I have undertaken so far have been to work on the five elements of coaching as per Les Mills and I've been slowly working on different aspects of my class when I teach. The next big step I have taken is asking Ruthie T to evaluate my class. Any Les Mills instructor would know that Ruthie has played an integral role in developing Les Mills programs and just what an amazing mentor she is. Unfortunately when I've met Ruthie before, I've been so tongue tied ( kinda like meeting someone famous) and nervous that I haven't relaxed and enjoyed myself. So class is booked for a few weeks time and this is my next big test - to overcome my fear of looking silly in front of Ruthie. However, it's time for me to step up to the plate and push myself and let the cards fall where they may from there.

I must say that Shar, if you've been reading lately, I have been thinking about you and how fantastic you are to have been asked to become a presenter...awesome.

RPM Hotties Having Fun!

From Left to Right: Shelley, Me, Lisa and Dori

It was our RPM launch this morning - can't believe it's RPM 41 already! Our theme was "Bollywood" and it looks like after a good hard RPM class that I have lost my bindii! I did have a beautiful Indian Skirt that I wore, but it was too long to wear comfortably on the bike so I stuck to my traditional black clobber.

It was a full class and it was great to catch up and find out what everyone has been doing. Everyone put in a huge effort and the high you get after a tough class is amazing...except for the fact that I had to turn around and do the 9.30am class as Leesa, one of the other Group Fitness Instructors wasn't well. So I had to pretend that my 8.10am class was just a figment of my imagination - got out there and hit it hard again. I have to say that my Vietnamese Rice Paper Rolls after class and they were pretty awesome.

I love our Launch weekends - so much fun and it's going to a party and being paid for it!

Training Update

Today I had the opportunity of participating in Ruthie T's RPM class. Amongst us Les Mills afficiondos, Ruthie T has legendary status, being the head choreographer for Bodystep until Release 55 (I think) and featuring in numerous Bodypump, RPM and Bodystep DVDs. I think Ruthie's gift lies in her ability to be "at ease" with herself and her participants. I worked hard and felt a zen like calm wash over me as I rode. I had my 10 minute obligatory warm up run beforehand and had an abbreviated chest and bicep workout.

I also got up with the sun and had a nice hour long walk to get the daily newspaper. I don't count this as working out, I call this early morning time to myself. I listen to my IPOD and enjoy some early morning quiet time because when I get home it certainly is anything but quiet.

I've enjoyed a little more scale loss this week and am edging closer to that 60kg mark. Nutrition has been good but not perfect. Tonight, I had Thai left overs with plenty of steamed veggies. In my old life I would have freaked out - "coconut cream---oooh how fattening - this meal isn't clean". In my new life I now know coconut cream contains good saturated fats and that it's not a reasonable portion of red curry of chicken, beans and eggplant with steamed rice (who can resist that) that will derail me, it's mindless eating and bad habits.

Heck, I even had Mexican the other night (which is a carb and fat fest) and rather than beating myself up for having such an offplan meal, said "oh well" and just got on with it, realizing that I haven't eaten a Mexican meal for well over a year. It's not the rare off plan meals that ruin a transformation, it's every day bad habits. (did I just say that - heck I must have wanted to make a point!).