Wow, two posts in two days...?

Yep - you are seeing right. Two days in a row. I must be going for Blogger Of The Year award...

I am posting mostly about my dumbfoundedness (did I just invent a word?) over some ongoings in the fitness industry. Normally when I go to the gym (to train, not work), I get in a zone. I appear to be of sound mind and alert but really I am in my own little bubble, and don't really care much for what is going on around me. I just do what I gotta do, and get out. Anyway back to the story. So the last week or so I have been a little more aware of things happening around me.

Now, I have recently become a member of a chain of gyms, which allows me to train basically in any of their clubs. And the stuff I have observed of late just astounds me. I would say the ratio in this chain of personal trainers to attending members (I say 'attending members' as it's a well known fact that the majority of people who pay for gym memberships don't actually ever use them on a regular basis) is roughly 1:2. Yep, one PT for every 2 people in the gym. Maybe that's an overestimate but at the times of the day I train (early morning then right after work) it's about that high. So the place is SWARMING with personal trainers, along with other assorted gym staff. Many of whom I assume would at least have their Cert III in Fitness.

So last week I notice this lady, who I would guess is in her late 50's / early 60's, doing single arm dumbbell rows. Awesome. I love that ladies of that age know the benefits of weight training. BUT while observing her last week, I noticed that her posture while doing said exercise was terrible. The curve in her back kind of resembled the Golden Arches. So here she is, performing the exercise with abismal form (I am not here having a dig at her - my thought is that she was never shown this exercise properly), and about 15 personal trainers walking around. Do you think any of them corrected her form? I didn't observe one trainer say anything to her. Clearly my observations were pretty accurate, as this morning, I saw the same lady, doing the same exercise, with the same arched back. Not good form at all - but even poorer form of the gym staff - THREE of which I saw watching her - not saying anything.

Likewise, this morning I am doing my thing, and the dude on the incline bench next to me, doing incline DB chest press, wearing THONGS (to any international readers, by 'thongs', I don't mean underwear thongs. That would be kind of weird if I knew that's what this dude was wearing, and even weirder that he had more than one on! By 'thongs' I mean what you may refer to as 'flip flops' or 'jandals' if you are a Kiwi). Yeah, that's right - thongs on a gym floor. WTF??? I know I have only just moved states, but I am pretty sure it's not just New South Wales OH&S rules that stipulate anyone on the gym floor MUST BE WEARING TRAINERS?!?! Again - not ONE person said a word to him. Just my personal experience, but my thoughts were - no trainers, no entry. At least that's how it has been in every gym I have ever worked in?

And then there was the PT, who was doing a session with his female client right next to me, talking about bodybuilding and figure comps. He points out a chick on an elliptical trainer, who happened to be lean - but reed thin - and gave his spiel about why she would be the perfect figure competitor, and how it's harder for anyone who has any kind of shape apart from being naturally lean to do well in bodybuilding. On the contrary - I would argue that most people who are naturally lean find it very hard to develop the shape to do well. That's not to say it's IMPOSSIBLE, but speaking from someone who fights tooth and nail to get lean for comp, I wouldn't have it the other way round for anything - as I know so many girls who can't put on muscle - an area I don't seem to struggle in. BUT what do I know?

Anyway I know, pick, pick, pick. But hey, it's my blog and if I can't vent here, where can I???

Hmm...so onto a happier note. My tattoo is healing up nicely already! I didnt post a pic yesterday so here is one -

This was taken the day I got it so it's still a bit red in the pic...but all getting better now. It's not even itchy, which is weird - normally the healing bit is torture cos of the itching!! lol

Hmm nor really much else to report so on that note, it's pretty well bed time for me. Til next time...over and out :)

I'm still alive

Yeah I know, I know, I suck at this consistency thing!! I am hereby making a hand-on-my-heart vow....I will be blogging at least weekly from now. I need to get the accountability up and also just get shit off my chest every once in a while!

So I'm in Bris Vegas, been here for 3 weeks now. Slowly settling in and getting used to the place. I started my new job a couple of weeks ago and it's going awesome. I really missed this kind of work a lot and it didn't take much to get back in the swing of it. My boss has told me she is really happy with the work I am doing already so that is always awesome feedback :)

I have spent every weekend down the Gold Coast (at some point anyway) so far. The first weekend was the Asia Pacifics comp where I got to watch the likes of Fern, Raechelle, Selina, Shannon (and obviously many others) do their thing on stage - and do it FABULOUSLY!

The second weekend I went to the NABBA/WFF Southern Hemispheres, where I got to see Tara, Jeh, Michelle N, Di etc on stage....it was my first time watching a NABBA/WFF comp and the standard just blew me away! It was insane, and so awesome and inspirational to watch.

Then there was last weekend - the long weekend. God bless the Queen. I love that we celebrate her birthday with a long weekend when the Poms don't even get a public holiday for the event - that's true Aussie spirit for ya!! :)
SO my weekend was spent on the Goldie again - for the whole weekend. My bestie, Meegan, flew up on Friday night from Sydney and stayed til Monday night. We stayed at a friend's apartment in Burleigh Heads which is currently vacant, and had a ball. Friday night we didn't get there til about 8pm so headed straight for dinner to a Thai restaurant, it was lovely and we washed it down with a really nice drop of red. Saturday we headed into Surfers and got some pampering done, then caught up with one of our old schoolmates who has moved to the Gold Coast. He had some friends from Noosa down for the weekend too so we all caught up for a bite to eat and a few bevvies at Titanium bar, which overlooks the water in Surfers. It is such an awesome spot! That night we headed back in and had a pub dinner then met up with an old friend of mine, Nick, who also moved up to Surfers a few years back. A great night it was and was so good to catch up with everyone on Saturday.
Sunday was spent shopping, we went to Robina Town Centre and shopped, shopped, shopped. We had dinner at the Hard Rock and then went into Broadbeach for coffee after dinner. Up early on Monday morning (well I was anyway) to watch the Socceroos get annihilated by Germany :( and then a run along the beach. I ran from Burleigh all the way to Nobby's beach and back, which included 2 big hill sprints and stair runs (down then up 100 stairs or so). Monday we went into Surfers for me to get my new ink done...I got a cross on the back of my neck. I LOVE IT!! Then we went for more retail therapy at Pacific Fair, and then back to Burleigh for Cold Rock on the beach. It was such an awesome weekend - am so grateful to have a bestie who came up to keep me company over the long weekend.

SO...what else...OH...comp prep starts again next week. Prepping for the IFBB's - Aussie titles and undecided about the QLD titles which is the week earlier. I have a new coach and am stoked to say that I will be training under the FABULOUS Dianne Hunt - I can't wait to get cracking!

So I think that brings me up to date in posts...lol...and I SWEAR I will post more often!!

So til next time...train hard, play hard, and be good xx

Misc.

So, thank you to the fucktards who clearly deliberately posted massive comments in some Asian script. I have now turned comment moderation on, so basically - in a nutshell you won't be making any special guest appearances on here anytime soon. Thanks for dropping by though.

So things are falling into place even moreso now. I was trying to work out storing all my gear etc (furniture and stuff) and dad came up with the idea to sell it...cos, well, storage costs a fortune. And if I decide to get my own place after a while, well moving all my stuff up there is also going to cost a fortune. So enter Facebook. God bless. I advertise on there and BAMN! Within like an hour I am getting emails and phone calls. So this dude came to look at it all yesterday morning and is taking more than half my stuff. Which makes my life so much easier. Was thinking of having a garage sale this weekend but would prefer not to have to, so fingers crossed I won't.

Packing is well..yeah it's packing. The thing with this move that sets it apart from other moves is that I can't take much with me. SO I am literally going through every SINGLE piece of paper in my house to see what is important, what can get chucked, and what can stay in Sydney, stored at my parents place. Anyway so I come across a letter for an old Super fund, saying that they were cancelling part of my policy due to no contributions for a certain period of time. Now, I was still employed by this former employer (not mentioning any names here but let's just say that it was NOT the bank i used to work for and it's NOT my current employer) for about 9 months after the date the letter stated the last contribution was made. So I spent some quality time on the phone with this Super fund this morning, confirming the last date of contribution by this particular employer. And it was as the letter stated. I then spent some more quality time on the phone with the Tax Office making a complaint and launching an investigation into this matter. Now I might add that there are several of my former colleagues in the same boat as me, most of which have complained about this and have also walked out because said employer has not followed through on promises to rectify the situation. Anyway - lesson learnt from this...READ YOUR MAIL VIC!

Um not much else going on aside from that. I taught my last spin class tonight...was a good one too. Some stuff happening on the boy front, wouldnt you know it, just as I am leaving a whole bloody wad of opportunities have opened!! Oh well. Maybe a sign of things to come up North? hehe

Anyway that's about it from me for now. My life is boring and filled with boxes and papers right now. Hopefully this time next week it will be filled with vodka and lemonade.

x

Hmm

Morning all. Wow, I just read last night's post. Clearly someone shouldn't be blogging on no sleep!! I would apologise for it but in all honesty, it's just the non sugar coated version of how I feel about people leaving comments in a language that I can't even phonetically (spelling?) read let alone understand. I have noticed it happening randomly here and there on my posts and if I could be assed to check the comment moderation thing then I would be filtering them, believe me.

OK so rant over.

Everything has been going swimmingly for me. The expo (Filex) was awesome fun, I caught up with so many friends, both old and new. That's the thing with Filex, you literally take 2 steps and bump into someone you know. Anyway I had a ball and got loaded up with lots of supps and some new pretty cool training gear from Black & Blue - what an awesome brand. I love their gear - it's sooo comfy.

So things are falling into place with my move. I handed in my notice on Monday and finish up one week from today. I then have about a week and a half in Sydney before driving up to Brissy, where I have about 5 days to chill and get my bearings before starting work.

I had the real estate come past yesterday to discuss prices for renting my place out etc. One of my mates since emailed me saying him and his gf might be interested in renting it out which will save a lot of headaches (will still go through the agent though, never mix friends/family and business I say without safeguards in place). The other thing is that sadly I have to leave Felix and Trixie (the pups) behind. I just can't get them up there. But my friends who have 2 little boys have so kindly offered to "adopt" them, sending me weekly pics and updates. I am sad to have to leave them here but glad to know they will be loved and will remain together. I won't go into more detail at the moment cos I am a little emotional about it but I know it's best. They will be around people all the time and get more attention than I am able to give them at the moment. Things with work have been crazy for months, and I have been working ridiculous hours, accepting any shifts I can just to get by, leaving me little time to focus on them. Anyway...I know they will be happy in their new home.

Um not much else to write at this stage, except the obvious, being that PACKING SUCKS MAN!!!

So on that note, will love you and leave you. Vic x

WTF?? (**rant and language warning**)

Ok, seriously, I am over this shit.

WHAT THE FUCK IS WITH PEOPLE LEAVING BULLSHIT COMMENTS IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE ON MY FUCKING BLOG

Seriously. Write in fucking english or don't write at all. I am over rubbish comments being left and you are half the reason I can't be assed to blog most of the time.

The end.

Big news

So...I have some news.

I went to a job interview on Tuesday morning. Not your regular job interview, I might add. A video link interview. Meaning I was interviewed over a TV screen. Was the funniest thing ever - thought it would be very nerve wrecking but was actually pretty cool. Me in one room, looking at a massive TV screen, where on the other side sat my 3 interviewers. Anyway interview went really really well, I walked out feeling pretty confident.

I will cut a long story short and just say that yesterday I got a call to offer me the job.

So I am leaving the fitness industry (well full time in any case - will keep PT'ing on the side) and going back to what I used to do. Only I'm doing it up north.

In Bris Vegas.

I'm moving baby!!! Come 3 weeks time I will be packing my little green machine, Harry, and we will be taking an adventure. I am so excited (but very nervous!!), it's gonna be a massive change...new job, new home, NEW STATE!! BUT I have some fabulous friends up in QLD so that should make things a little easier :)

I haven't told work yet as the bosses were at Filex yesterday (and even though I was too I didn't think it was an appropriate time or place to make such an announcement) so have had to keep quiet on FB. So Monday will be putting in my notice, will work for 2 weeks then take 2 weeks leave to move and get settled before starting the new job on 31 May. It will be very hectic cos in that time I have some of my girls competing in the upcoming comps - the INBA Sydneys will be on the 16th May and the ANB Sydneys on the 23rd...and my plan is to leave Sydney either the 24th or 25th...so will be cramming! In that time I also have a house to pack and try and get some tenants in to rent etc...

HECTIC but EXCITING!

OK change of subject. FILEX weekend...ooohhh how I love it.

I went yesterday for the industry-only day and saw lots of fabbo people and things...and brought home lots of goodies (some paid for, but mostly samples - I think I have enough protein samples to get me through about 6 weeks on a comp-prep style diet!! and pre-workout - I scored big on those too!!)

I am heading back there tomorrow as I am working at the MAX'S stand from 12pm - so if you are around be sure to come and say hi and maybe try out the new Cookies'n'Cream flavoured Muscle Meal Cookies...OMG they are DEVINE!!

I will be heading into Filex earlier than that though to pick up some last minute things (thinking a set of the BSC Compression pants, they are dirt cheap!!) and stock up on some more goodies, God knows I could use them in my drive up North. It's all about forward thinking! hehe

Speaking of which...my move means 2 things:

1. I can now make it to the ASIA PACS!!!

2. I can now make it to the SOUTHERN HEMISPHERES!!

SO...I will be there to cheer you chickies who are competing on!! WOOT Can't wait. Bringing my pom poms with me.

So I think that is all my news for now. Til next time...stay cool and be good xx

WOW - it's been like FOREVER

Feels like it's been forever since last post. Probably cos it has. I have been a bad, bad blogger. Soz.
So where to begin. I suppose the best thing to do is prolly start again.
So long weekend has now come and gone - who knows where to, I basically spent the entire weekend procrastinating about doing my uni assignment, which was due today. Yeah I know - which smartass decided that the Monday of a long weekend was ideal for a due date for an essay? Hmm same smarty who made the last assignment due on Easter Monday public holiday would be my guess. So a whole long weekend down the tube cos I couldnt be bothered to pull my finger out for long enough to write 2,500 words of dribble and get it out of the way earlier in life, allowing me to enjoy 3 whole days off work.
Anyway. Nuff bout that.
So - not much happened this weekend. On an upside, I ate ice cream for dinner on Saturday night, and finished off the last of the easter eggs in the house yesterday. So now that the only chocolate I have lying around consists of 2 Freddo Frogs and 2 Blinky Bill chocolates (they are the cheap version of Freddo's really) I don't really have an excuse to eat too much shit through the week.
I have decided to buckle down hard as of today. And today went well.
I have just finished up from having 2 weeks off weight training, and feel awesome for it. Normally I would be going insane, scratching at the walls from the first day of not training. But I definitely needed the rest - it's been a good 5 months or something ridiculous like that since I took a break from training. It actually helped having this time off this time round - believe it or not I actually enjoyed doing cardio most days? Go figure. I am usually trying to make up any excuse to avoid it!!
So I hit the weights today for first day back - and hit them hard. Legs day, straight off the bat. I did lots too - and am already in agony. My legs feel so swollen that my skin feels like it's gonna split open! Good feeling though.
Tomorrow is back day and I can't wait!
So comps are coming up in the next few weeks. Had the first taster of the season last weekend, with the IFBB Australasians, and my first official crack at judging. It was awesome - you really start to see the competitors in a different light when you have to judge. It's very different from being an 'armchair judge' in the crowd, where you normally find a very impressive bodypart on a competitor on stage and find it hard to see past it. Anyway I loved it (although it is very tough!) and hope to have the chance to do more of it soon enough.
SO in 3 weeks there is the INBA Sydneys, one of my girls that I am training is doing that one and also 2 of the girls coming to my posing class will be competing too. Will be great to see them up on stage after all their hard work and watching them through all their changes. I will be working backstage at that comp too though so won't get to see a lot of it from the front view - only from the side of the stage. ANB Sydneys are the week after and I will get to enjoy that one from the crowd. Nothing like comp season to boost the motivation!
Anyway gotta jet - I have a big day tomorrow so need to get myself prepared. It's been lovely and promise not to leave it so long.
xx