November 2009

I was scanning through my google reader account and found this post to be of interest, especially at this time of year. The thing that jumped out at me was this one particular sentence:

Do absolutely, positively, whatever it takes to break your routine for one week.

Now there’s a thought! How many of you out there actually apply this to your life? My guess is that most of you don’t for one reason or another instead you’re always too busy to take time out for yourself. Or are you a product of your own environment always coming up with excuses why you can’t do this or can’t do that? When someone says “I can’t” to me what I’m hearing them say is “I don’t want too”. I should know, I used to be one of those people.

Through tragedy comes triumphs. The lessons are always there it’s just a matter of time that will determine when we want/need to hear them and then when we’re ready to apply them. Last year, through the loss of my parents I learnt many many of life’s valuable lessons. It took me a very long time to hear some of these lessons and even longer to apply them. But little by little I’m making positive changes to my life to ensure it’s a more well rounded and happy and healthy maintainable lifestyle.

“If we always do what we’ve always done, we’ll always get what we’ve always got”. That says it all doesn’t it. It’s nothing you haven’t heard before and you all know it, but the question is why aren’t you hearing your lessons and if you are why aren’t you applying them. What’s stopping you from achieving your goals and your dreams? The answer’s quite simple really, you do. So maybe it’s time to take time out and break from your daily routine so that you can be all that you can be. What have you got to lose by trying?

I’m going to break my routine by taking two weeks holidays up on the Sunshine Coast. Just to get away, recharge my inner batteries and give myself that much needed time out from life. I just know it’ll pay me threefold return. Who knows what other health and lifestyle benefits it’ll bring. But I know one thing for sure and that is I’m willing to try and find out, nothing ventured nothing gained right!

So the question is, what are you going to do to break your routine?

I don’t drink vodka but I’ll willing to make an exception this one time, who’s joining me? Frankie?

It’s that time of year again where time just keeps getting away from us in anticipation for the festive season. For me, it’s still moving fast but at the same time I’m slowing down to a nice and steady pace. In fact this week I changed my leave and extended it to six weeks over the xmas new year break, got to be happy with that I know I am. I plan on taking time out in every aspect of the word and doing all the things I need to do as well as want to do. It’ll be my time to reflect on the year behind me and seek some closure to some aspects of my life. When one door closes in your life another one opens.

2010 is going to be a big year for us, by us I mean Team Halsall. We have some really big plans in store both personally and professionally. We’ve already worked out next years health and fitness goals and have organised our periodisation training into three different stages. As always we’ll have short and long term goals using the S.M.A.R.T Model to keep us both inspired and motivated, it’s something I’ve always done and I find it works for me. I’ll be blogging my entire journey including my training, nutrition and supplementation because it’s all of my work.

Today’s one of those days I’m hoping is over before it begins. I’m having to drive four hours just so I can attend court with a magistrate’s view to determine if an inquest should be held in the death of Dad. Sixteen months has passed and still no death certificate, his estate still frozen, no answers let alone any closure and don’t even get me started on his so called partner not placing a plaque on his grave site after all this time. Instead we visit an unmarked grave, there just aren’t words. It’s nothing short of heart breaking and makes me sick to the stomach when I go there. Like we haven’t suffered enough losing both our parents. I’m just thankful they never married or had any children. I’d hate to be related to such an individual who shows no respect to her partners own flesh and blood. I guess that’s what happens when you leave your wife who was dying of cancer at the time and two young children to be with your daughters so called best friend who was twenty years his junior and legally off limits. Through everything, even her beating me and getting charged for it I’ve remained completely loyal to him even though my family and friends told me that he wasn’t deserving of it. Dad was my everything and I couldn’t not love him for who he was before her. So yes, yes I still have my issues and many of them that have gone to the grave with him. Well that’s my vent out of the way, so moving right along shall we.

So because today isn’t going to be a very good day I’ve organised something positive for tomorrow to help pick my spirits up. I have gold class tickets for New Moon!! I’m a huge fan of the twilight saga and like everyone else have been anxiously awaiting it’s release. I bought the tickets when they first came on sale and new that this would cheer me up no matter how doom and gloom I was feeling. Here’s hoping it works.

Oh and one last thing before I go ladies. Donna emailed me again, this time with locations and dates for Jen Hendershott’s Phat Camp 2010. Here’s what she wrote:

Hi Ladies,

Well – good news to start your day – Jen is definitely coming back to Australia in 2010, and there are 2 camps:

1. Phat Camp Gold Coast: 5-7th November 2010
2. Phat Camp Melbourne: 12-14th November 2010

The dates are due to go on-line at www.getphatwithjen.com, so when they do, register your place. For those who don’t have a deposit from 2009, Jen is offering an early bird special of $250 US instead of $300US, or 2 for $500US, if paid for before March 1st, 2010. So, let everyone you know, know about Phat Camp, but don’t wait too long – places will be filling fast!!

Oh, and guys, this would make a fantastic xmas present – only 6 weeks til xmas.

Hope to see you all there

Donna Jones
Phat Camp Australia
www.donnaj.com.au
www.getphatwithjen.com

I should’ve posted this last week when I got it but unfortunately I didn’t so my apologies but better late than never. Is anyone thinking of going and if so which location?

So here it is, the finished product folks! But first things first, I must say a very big thank you to my web designer Jamie Varon from Shatterboxx Media. She is wholly and solely responsible for my new template which was custom designed for little ole me. She’s done a fabulous job wouldn’t you agree?

I’m still getting a feel for the new look and it’s functions so bare with me whilst I settle in. In the meantime I’d love to get some feedback of what you think of it and of course if you run into any problems please let me know.

Enjoy!