Season 2 - Journey to Sandra 2011

Well, it's Season 2 of my journey which is slowly turning into a lifestyle. I have a little bit of an a competitive personality and I like to challenge myself and I really enjoying training and eating clean. The most important thing almost my journey is challenging and motivating others. I have received so many amazing letters about people that have read my blog and decided to take a boot camp or walk at lunch or even pack snacks instead of hitting the vending machine. For all of you who have made changes and decided to lead a healthier lifestyle I applaud you.

I'd really like to take the opportunity to say how proud I am of my parents. I use to bug my parents, especially my dad, about being healthier and not eating certain things but when work got busy and I wasn't home as much I eventually realized that I had no control over their actions. My nagging also started to put a little tension on our relationship as I would get so frustrated in their unhealthy ways but realized that I could shake my finger at them all I wanted but in the end they would be the ones who would have to make the change.

Since January, my parents have joined the gym and attend boot camp and spin classes 4 times a week. In addition, they go to nutritional seminars and bought an elliptical. There is no junk food in the house and my dad is even ready books on nutrition! I am so proud of them and I realized that it all started when I left them alone. This just goes to show that if people are willing and have the determination they will make strides to their own goals in their own time. They have both started to loose weight and its great to see them more active! Way to go P-Units!

Yesterday I had a BBQ at my house and it was so nice to spend some QT (quality time) with my gf's. When I only have a few days back it's very important that I slip in some girl time amongst the million things I have on my to-do list. I realized how fast my friends and I are growing up and that we are seriously adults. Age has never been something I paid attention to or put my life on a timeline, but I can't help but think about meeting a nice boy and maybe going out...With all the travelling I do, it makes it hard to date never mind meeting people. I know that everything happens for a reason but sometimes I do think about it even though I want a lot of other things as well which require a lot of my time and effort but its about priority and time management and when it's meant to be, I don't think I'll have any excuses.

In addition to a great BBQ, I met my trainer Leigh today and she is super nice! I can't wait to start training and meal plan for my upcoming competitions. I'm feeling really good about everything and know what I need to do. I also went on a cleaning spree today and vacuumed my car and apartment which was long overdue. The aphids are gone Ali-M, just in case you were wondering. I got a lot accomplished yesterday but I hardly put a dent in my to-do list. Today is going to be a long day so I packed it in at 10 last night so I could be well rested and up early to tackle the rest of my to do list which includes work orders, expenses, food prep, packing, laundry...yada yada yada *(Senfield reference) I'm also going to be starting a video blog on my own YouTube channel so stay tuned for that and lots of other exciting things in the next few months!

 Here's to a productive Tuesday before I'm back on the road Jack!

What are you TT (Training Tuesday)?

Yours in health and fitness,

Nic xoxo

It feels like the first day of school...

I have weird butteries in my stomach about tomorrow. It seriously feels like the first day of school. Tomorrow I’m meeting Leigh and Dean, my new trainers, for the first time. They are going to be my trainers for my upcoming competitions in November. I’d say 50% are excited nerves and 50% are nervous nerves. I don’t know why I’m so nervous but a part of me feels that I’ve put on a little too much weight and they’ll see me as too much work. It sounds even worst writing my thoughts sometimes because it makes me sounds like I have less confidence in myself but the truth of the matter is, I’m not perfect and I have doubts but I know once I meet them and have a plan, I’ll be find. I’m not perfect and I think it’s natural that I’m a little nervous. I still can’t believe what I’ve accomplished this year. Getting on stage, training as hard as I did and eating clean took a lot so at least I know that anything’s possible.

This is my second season this year and I will be competing in the Sandra Wickham Fall Classic here in New Westminster and Fitness Universe in Las Vegas. I’ll be honest with you, I was supposed to maintain a weight of 130 but I’ve gone a little above that. Even though I’m not starting at point A like I was in January, I am starting at a new point A as I have maintained quite a bit of the muscle I developed.  I have twelve weeks to get my butt into gear and I know myself well enough to know that when I put my mind to something I am very determined to work as hard as I need to in order to reach my goal. It’s GO TIME baby!

Since January, I’ve learned a few things about myself as an aspiring fitness model. The most important thing for me because I’m a little type A is that I need to have a solid game plan or I feel lost and when that happens I get very discouraged and can easy get thrown off course. It is also very important to be committed to your goal because if you aren’t, you’ll never get there. Bruce Jenner spoke at one of my sales conferences in LA with Skechers back in January, a week before I was about to start my training for the WBFF competition and he talked about the importance of asking yourself and being honest with yourself if you are committed to achieving the goal you have set out for yourself.  He said you have to ask yourself, do you want to do this, do you have the time to do this, are your prepared to make sacrifices and challenge yourself to obtain whatever it is that you desire. It was probably one of the most inspiring speeches I have ever seen and I have it on DVD and watch it when I need a little inspiration.

So am I determined and committed and ready for the next set of competitions. Heck ya! Tomorrow is a big day so I plan on going to bed early so I can get ready and be 100% prepared. It’s also nice to be home. I got home yesterday and I got to hang out with my family tonight and watch a movie and have a home cooked meal. It was such a great night especially after spending my whole day in a first aid class. Everything happens for a reason though and some things have definitely started to fall into place so I’m going to stay positive and keep rolling with the punches because we have to take things one day at a time.

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Yours in health and fitness,

Nic xox

Don't be so shy!

Today I got up early and went to the gym in my hotel to do a quick cardio session before I hit the road to Lethbridge. It’s around a 2 and a half hour drive and I don’t know what to expect the hotel gym to look like there so I figure I should just get r’ done. I also felt like getting up and doing cardio.

Anyways, my point was that when I got to the gym there was another person on the other treadmill but there was no acknowledgment by either of us that the other was present. For the first five minutes I thought about why we act this way instead of just making eye contact and saying “hello.” I tried to make eye contact but I kept thinking about what would happen when I did and all I wanted to get out of the conversation was a good morning to be returned. Gym etiquette is very different for people because some are in the zone and some don’t mind socializing but I don’t think a simple hello is really going to throw you off your workout.  But saying a basic hello to someone is life etiquette.

I don’t know why people are so hesitant to walk down the street with their head up instead of pretending to memorize every crack and rock on the sidewalk. The same thing goes with elevators. No one talks; everyone just stares everywhere but at the other person so they won’t have to talk to them and it fascinates me. I will admit that at first it took me a lot to start saying hit to people but after a while it becomes second nature. Now that I travel so much for work I’ve really enjoyed making conversation with people because it can get lonely on the road. I do find that some places are friendlier than others. The ones that top my list are Victoria, Red Deer and Kelowna. I didn’t want to sound completely bias by listing Vancouver but I find it to be a fairly friendly city. The next time you are in the gym or walking down the street, make eye contact with them and say hello. I promise it won’t kill you and it might make someone’s day.

Last night I went for a walk after dinner, which I picked up from Safeway, from my hotel to the Tim Hortons. When I arrived, I tugged on the door but it was locked. I peered inside and a guy looked at me and pointed to the drive-thru window. I proceeded to walk through the drive-thru to the window where he was standing. He opened the window and welcomed me to Tim Hortons. I hunched down and asked why the door was locked and he said that the area was a little “sketchy.” I quickly ordered my tea and decided I better walk quickly back to my hotel before it got dark or “sketchy.” I was actually really enjoying my walk up until my experience at the walk-thru. No phone, no wallet, just me and the pavement and my head held high in case I made eye contact with anyone I could say hello.

I was so tired last night that I opted to go to Safeway instead of going out to eat. After the summit yesterday, I needed to find a UPS store and ship a bunch of samples to the Montreal Show Room and what should have taken me 10 minutes according to my GPS took me 35 minutes due to being in the wrong lane or missing an exit. I saw a lot of Calgary yesterday and managed to make it to UPS at 5:55. Five minutes before they close and the owner gave me a talk about he was done his cash out for the day and because of me would have to redo the entire thing. What the heck! I am just as tired as you buddy.

At Safeway I knew I wanted one of the oven cooked chickens and a salad and I could hardy wait to get back to my hotel and get into my pyjamas and eat dinner. Of course I put clothes on to go for my walk. I wouldn’t dare ware my Barbie pink pyjamas in public except when I was forced out of a hotel in Red Deer at 2 am in the morning because of a false fire alarm. I wasn’t too concerned about my pyjamas due to my fabulous hair that looked like I had woken up and had Kevin Paves (Jessica Simpsons stylist) had styled it which I’m convinced is the reason I was getting lots of look and had nothing to do with my pink PJ bottoms.... My second concern was that me and 3 other guests were taking the elevator to the lobby, with the fire alarm going. I was thinking of saying that we should take the stairs, but they were 3 burly truck drivers and wasn’t about to try and tell them what to do. My last concern was that it was below forty outside not including wind chill so we were all hanging out in the lobby with the fire alarm going.  I called my dad and his response is that it was a good lesson to know where the fire exits were and to always have a jacket and shoes prepared in case of an emergency. With my dad being retired, he’s definitely my go to guy.

Anyways, today has been a productive start to the day. I got up went to the gym and did a little cardio session and having a little breakfast before hitting the road in my sweet ass Challenger! It’s suppose to take 2 and a half hours to get there but I have a feeling i’ll be arriving a little early. Sorry dad...

Have a great day and weekend everyone!

Yours in health and fitness,

Nic

Save the Date - November 12th 2011

It was just a month ago that I was in Calgary for the Stampede and now I’m back for a few days to do some training with the Bay and next week ill be in Saskatchewan and Toronto. Over the past few weeks I’ve travelled just about everywhere on the west coast for work and can’t wait for October to come so that I can have some well deserved down time. Life on the road is a little tiring but I am meeting a lot of great people and trying to stay positive.

The next few weeks are going to be challenging as I will begin training for my next competition along with being on the road. There have been a few changes over the last month which involves me no longer training with David. David was a big part of my life and it’s going to be weird doing this next competition without him but I have joined a team, Body By Brandt. Body By Brandt is lead by Leigh and Dean Brandt who are heavily involved in the BB industry and will be the ones designing my weight and nutrition programs, leading posing practice and be a great form of support. The best part is that it’s a team of girls training together and I am really looking forward to it. My friend Natalie is a great person for support and a great friend to have as well.

The thing I am looking forward to the most is getting back into a routine. I couldn’t have said that a few weeks ago as I needed the break from my meal plan and training. I love the lifestyle but it’s important to take a break and I’ve done that and taken the time that I needed and can actually get excited and ready to compete again. My next competition is 12 weeks from now in New Westminster on November 12^th so mark it on your calendar peeps. In addition to the Sandra Wickham I will be flying to Vegas November 18^th for the Fitness Universe competition.

On Monday, I will be meeting Leigh for the first time and I have nervous butterflies in my stomach because it’s all new. The butterflies are a good exciting kind and I’m just anxious to start my program. I’m also a little nervous in a bad way because with all the time I’ve spent on the road it’s been hard to find time to be in the gym when I am spending so much of the time driving in the car. I was supposed to be maintaining a weight of 130 and I’m a little over that right now which just means I’ll really have to be on my A game over the next 12 weeks which I know I can do. I’m not worried because I know what I need to do to get my body to where I want it to be.  I definitely trust my coaches and I know that they will get me ready for competition.

Next week I’ll be flying to Regina to open a new Skechers store and then to Toronto for the weekend for the Canfitpro Show which is really exciting because that is the organization that I am doing my personal training certification with and I’m going to get to meet Tosca Reno! Amazing!!! I can hardly wait and you can expect a long blog about that. She is so inspiring and that will definitely be a great kick off to my fall season of training. I’m going to take a picture with her and post it on my new motivational wall that I will be working on. My last wall included photos of people I look up to like Jennifer Andrews, Heather Robertson, Natalie Waples, Tosca Reno and motivational quotes. It really helped keep me on track for my last competition along with my count down board. Just talking about it is pumping me up!

Even though being on the road is a little tough after a few weeks, I am really happy doing what i’m doing and couldn’t picture myself being anywhere else or doing anything else at this point in my life. I truly believe that even in the darkest times, everything happens for a reason.

I am excited to be making it home for my sisters 24^th birthday on Saturday and I’ll be in a first aid class all day on Sunday which puts me one step closer to reaching my goal of becoming a personal trainer in addition to my current role with Skechers. My goal was to have everything wrapped up by the end of July but life happens sometimes and things change. This doesn’t mean I’ve stopped working at it, I’ve just had to adjust my GP (game plan) a little bit. I’m hopefully going to be doing small group sessions starting at the end of September and if you think you’d like towards a goal and want my help, send me an email miss.nicole.wilson@gmail .com or a Facebook message. If you have a goal or a question, I’d love to help you achieve it!

Also, I promise to get back to writing at least 5 times a week. Now you have it in writing. Even if it’s only a few paragraphs...I’ll make sure to blog something.

That’s all for now! Yours in health and fitness,

Nic