The positive fitness can have on the C-word, Cancer that is.

Last week I got an email from a man by the name of David Haas. He was very interested in writing an article to talk about the affects that fitness can have on cancer. This year has been an interesting year where both my sister (who found a lump - at the age of 24) and my dad (skin) had cancer scares. Both were fortunate to come with postivie results but so many people these days aren't as lucky. I really agreed with what David had to say and appreciate his efforts to talking about cancer and getting others comfortable with the C-word. We need to talk about it because if we don't, it negativity behind such a scary way will never change. Take it away David...

According to the Cancer Fitness Institute, fitness proves to provide a variety of cancer survivors, including those going through a rare, painful and difficult tratment regiment such as mesothelima treatment, with farpreaching benefits. Although exercise and exertion were frowned upon int he past, physcians and reseachers alike now know that participating in an exercise program is beneficial to cancer patients and survivors. If you are currently undergoing a treathment regiment for any type of cancer, a fitness program that best suits your lifestyle needs can improve your quality of life and help you in many other ways such as the following:

Improve Muscle Strength
As you exercise and improve the strength of your muscles, you enable your body to better support you through out the day. Stronger muscles do more than help lift heavy objects; they also provide your body with energy for simple tasks too.

Reduce Stress
Some days are more stressful than others. During exercise your breathe in and out, releasing stress and pent-up frustration. Whether you practice yoga or ride a stationary bike, moving your body gets endorphins moving, leading to reduction of stress and feelings of calm.

Impact Day-to-Day Duties
Participating in regualr physical fitness can help you be providing you with the energy you need to tackle daily duties. Although some believe exercise wears you out, it actually increases your energy over the long-run. The little activities that tire you over the course of the day can feel a lot less strenuous as you build your muscles and cardiovascular health.

Reduce Fatigue - listen up people. This is a big one for everyone!
Fatigue can be frustrating when there's so much to do. Aerobic exercise, such as walking or riding a bike can boost your energy and help you fight fatigue. Since an increase in energy can greatly impact your quality of life but more importantly, an exercise can help you feel more energenic.

Increase Cardiovascular Endurance
The strength of your cardiovascular system impacts the rest of your health. Participating in aerobic exercise that's comfortable for you will increase your stamina and endurance. AS you battle tiredness and not feeling well, both of these factors can provide you with much needed energy during and after your treatment.

Shift your FOCUS
Doing something good for your body helps you shift your focus from illness to feeling well. Since your emotional state is an important part of your program, you can use exercise to feel better physically and emotionall through the relief of endorphins.

In closing, by using physical fitness and exercise as tools in your fight against cancer you are empowered to work toward the achievement of wellness. Exercise at your own pace and with the guidance of your doctor. When you create an exercise plan that suits you as an individual you take part in improving your physical fitness and redirecting your focus to wellness.

Thanks so much for this awesome article David!

Have a great week everyone and don't forget to step out of your comfort zone.

Yours in health and fitness,

Nicole

New city, New pad, New job, New gym...NEW! Eeek.

So the last few weeks/months have been hectic to say the least and my gym schedule went completely out the window for the last month and it showed. Not just in how I looked, but more concerning how I felt. I tried to give myself a break and try to relax but after a month it hit me that I was feeling a little down on the inside and the solution was easy. Hit the GYM!
In the last month, I quit my job, started a new job, moved out of my parents house and in with my boyfriend and did I mention, I moved to Vancouver island and that all this took place over the Christmas break?Needless to say, the transition has been busy but I couldn't be happier. So far 2012 is the best year yet!
To explain how it all started, I got offered an amazing opportunity to work for Molson Coors in Sales on Vancouver Island and I couldn't pass it up! I am so blessed to have gotten the job and everyone is AMAZING. The job is going to be challenging but you know me, I'm always up for a challenge and it's exactly what I wanted.
In addition to switching jobs, which was on Vancouver island and therefore I made the big move out of my childhood home (I was living in my parents basement and paying them "rent") and in with my man to a place I hadn't even seen in Victoria. The place is amazing though and for now I'm solo until Brett moves over with TD. I really like Victoria so far and at this point in my life I feel that it is where I need to be. I am in LOVE with our place because it really feels like home. Lots of space in the kitchen which I am cooking dinner in as I type this. I just got back from an AWESOME workout! My first in a while...which led me to the first mini melt down of 2012.
Last week I was in Vancouver for training and decided to stay for the weekend to see friends, family and Brett but the poor guy ended up dealing with a very emotional Nicole. I had been doing really well but had been putting everything and everyone else first and on Saturday I had a mini meltdown. When I don't feelsettled or don't have time for a workout I start to feel lost and kind of bad. I'm sure lots of you can relate. This is combination with coming off of Christmas, living out of a suit case, being on the road and trying to eat well can be hard. I'm not going to lie to you. You can "eat well" but it is very hard to be in your regular routine. Which is what I was missing.
Today was a new day though and after a day of training with Danna (my awesome coworker) I was driving home and decided to visit my new gym and scope it out. It is pretty sweet! Small, and nothing compared to the Oval but it has everything I need and exactly was the doctor ordered to cure my rut. I picked up my membership card and drove home to grab my gym bag so I could get a workout in before dinner. For now on, I am keeping a stocked gym bag in my car at all times. I'm also keeping track of my workouts on my calendar (which is posted on my fridge so it is visible whenever I'm craving something) as a reminder to stay on track.
So here is to a new year and new opportunities! What is your new challenge for 2012?

Eat. Train. Sleep. Repeat!

Nic out!

I said I wanted a trophy, and I did it!

This weekend was nothing short of a roller coaster. Friday was the athletes meeting and I had already spent the day tanning with my mom but I was still no dark enough. Carb and water depleted, I drove home frustrated that I had to apply two more coats before bed. I called my mom and warned her that I was a little on edge but I knew that I needed to get it done. She was very understanding and stayed up with my until I had on 6 coats.

I set my alarm for 5 am and it really started to feel like a dream that in less that 12 hours the whole day would be starting and I would be going through the motions of competition day. I shut my eyes and the next thing I knew it was 4:36 and I was up and turning on my hot rollers. After packing my suitcase, I started putting the rollers in because Jordan would be arriving shortly to start makeup at 6. Time was just starting to fly but and the next thing I knew, my makeup was done and I was getting ready to head to the theater. I got there early because I wanted to get a good spot and I ended up getting a spot with a wonderful group in a small dressing room. Everything happens for a reason and I definitely ended up in theirs for a reason. Kennedy, who I had met the week before, and her mom (who was also competing) were in the dressing room and the positive energy amongst the ladies was awesome and definitely made the day!

It was only 8:30 when I arrived and I still had to finish my hair and put on some final tanning touches before all I could do, was wait. At 12:45 they finally started calling for the Bikini Tall girls and Kennedy (164) and I headed up stairs to wait backstage before it was our turn to make an appearance and rock it! It wasn't until 1:30 that I went on stage and I felt like it was all a dream. All my posing definitely paid off because I didn't even think about it. It was like my golf swing, natural. I walked out, rocked my front pose, back pose and then waited at the back of the stage for call outs.

As the last girl came on stage, we got brought to the front in two groups to get judged some more before we were told to return to the back of the stage. Now, was it for the call outs. How call outs work is you want to get called out first because that usually means you are top five. I am pretty sure I was holding my breath and smiling really hard at the judges and then finally, number 165....(my number) came over the head judges mic. I got first call out!!!! This was a good sign. They called up 4 other girls and started shuffling them around to do comparisons and then we were to return to the back of the stage.  I was beaming through my teeth and couldn't believe it.

As I walked off the stage I almost wanted to pee my pants I was so excited. I decided to head home and have a little rest before the evening show in a few short hours where I would find out my destiny. After returning home. I was bouncing off the walls and was chatting a million miles a minute. After blabbing about the morning to my family, I took a little nap and then got up and had to get ready all over again as I wanted to get back to the theater early to ensure I got the same space as the morning. I had all the same ladies in my room for the evening show and it was time to find out if I was in fact a winner.

On my way back to the theater I started down playing the fact that I might have actually been top 5 even though I did get first call out. What if I didn't win or get top 3?! I didn't want to get too excited before I actually had that trophy in my hands. After waiting 4 and half hours to go back on stage, it was my time. They lined us up and Kennedy and I said a little prayer and they called her number and I was next. I marched out on stage did my front pose, back pose and returned to the back of the stage. After all the girls were called out, they asked us to leave the stage and then they would call back out the top 5. I was the third girl called out and all I could do was wait. First they announced 5th, then 4th and I couldn't believe it, I was top 3!!! Already an accomplishment, they called out 3rd and I realized I was top 2! At this point I was praying for them not to call my number and it almost happened in slow motion...no....1....6......5. I was 2nd!!! Oh, my god! I won and was now a qualifier for the BC's in June next year. I left the stage and was jumping up and down! It sure felt like first place but it also still felt like a dream. I had accomplished my goal and in a big way.

After the show, my family awaited for me in the lobby and I couldn't wait to see them! After Brett and I went to Cactus to celebrate with the rest of the BBB girls and it was a lot of fun. It was 1 am and I had been up since 4:30 and was wiped to say the least but it was all worth it! At Cactus, just in case you were curious, I didn't go crazy. I had calamari and Brett and I split the J.D bbq burger and I was content. I didn't wanted to eat too much because I was having brunch at my house on Sunday to celebrate my birthday and post competition.

Anyways, this post has been a novel and I didn't even tough on Sunday....This whole journey has been amazing and now I will enjoy a little down time and eat clean, continue training and focus my energy on some other things right now but BC's next June, here I come! I think I just committed to another show :S maybe I'll sleep on it...

Thank you to all my friends that came and supported me during the morning show, my family who has tolerated a lot and supported me and provided lots of hugs when I needed them, to my Oval family who always had a positive outlook, my boyfriend who is excited to see me eat real food and gave me all the space I needed to reach my goal and everyone for reading about my journey. You were all there on stage with me and I really appreciate all the letters and notes from all of you!

Love you all!!!!

Nic out

xoxo

It's TANNING TIME!!! 1 more sleep people!!!!

I had a great sleep last night and a final "pose off", as my boyfriend calls it, last night at l'Oval. Today I got up and felt great minus the fact that my mouth is now drier than the Sahara. So I guess that is the answer to my question. My mouth is drier that the Sahara dessert. Anyways, my mom got up with me this morning and helped me get my first two cost of ProTan on and the color is looking good. I had a lot to prep last night because with a tan it makes it hard to touch things so I did my laundry and put old sheets on my bed for tonight and tomorrow so I wouldn't get tan on my bed.

People don't realize how much prep work goes into today and tomorrow in order to get ready. You have to make sure you pack all your food for the competition along with a survival kit, heels, suit, cushion, book, things to do in between shows, an extra pair of heels...etc. This all has to get packed into a rollie and cooler because you don't want any bags with straps as it can rub on your tan which takes time to apply in the first place.  ahhhhh...

It's almost time for me to leave for the athletes meeting and I get to start carbing up on CHOCOLATE CARMEL RICE CAKES to help me fill out a little because I'm looking a little skinny. You have no idea how excited I am about this or maybe the all caps gave it away...Anyways after the athletes meeting I plan on going to bed early so I can be Fresh, my new favorite word, for tomorrow. Jordan is coming at 6 am to do my makeup which is one thing I don't ever worry about because she is AMAZING also well deserving of all caps. Tomorrow will start at 5 am with a small cup of black coffee and hot rollers. I have to be ready and in New West by 8:30 to get a good spot back stage. This is crucial because there are a lot of competitors and you want to have a good set up because you are there all day.

There isn't much to do today except rest, relax and Remember! Enjoy your Friday people!

Snooki is in da house and I just "did" my nails and gurllll, they be lookin' pretty :)

Nic out!