"Then We Shall Fight in the Shade"

I thought of you Frankie when I chose this picture of Gerard Butler, aka, 'Leonidis' - fearless Greek King of the Spartans, from the movie "300". Knowing our mutual admiration for such that is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and which warrants significant anatomical discussion...lol...I thought Gerard would be a good candidate for your 'hot files'.

Anthony had already seen the movie and said that there were alot of fighting, ripped men who went through a gruelling training program to achieve these amazing bodies with washboard abs. I had been thinking of hiring out the DVD for some time, and after this critique, I thought "hell yeah!...abs...ripped men...fighting...I'm in!" Oh...and honour, loyalty, bravery and all that too of course. :)

Anyway...I've decided this is my latest 'favourite movie'. It's not just about the bodies, though that's definitely a big attraction. It's different - It's artistic...brutal...surreal.

It's about the ideals...bravery, loyalty, absolute single-mindedness in the pursuit of superior physical and mental prowess...a way of life where fighting for, and defending your ideals, even if it means losing your life, is the ultimate honour and sacrifice.

I know that today of course, in this time and country anyway, that is not a reality, but hey...I'm an idealist (and a realist where it counts). This is the stuff dreams are made of, and I'm not ashamed to say that this sought of stuff IS the stuff of my dreams and I really get off on it (metaphorically speaking). These sought of ideals are what motivates me to train harder, do better and to persist, even when the normal person out there on the street thinks I'm crazy and maybe a little too fanatical.

Hey...I'm not even halfway there yet (on the road to fanatical). Now if I lost my husband, friends, family, all in the name of my dreams, then that would make me fanatical, and I'm not about to do that. I do believe in achieving balance, which includes happiness and harmony and being at peace with the world, while still pursuing the best me I can be.

Talking about Spartans and Leonidis, I found this essay, and stumbled across this part of the essay which I think says alot about us humans. And that is, in spite of our foibles, we still have this amazing ability to overcome.

"Perhaps one of the most inspiring accounts of the fearlessness of the Spartans was when they were threatened with Persian arrows so numerous as to "blot out the sun", one among their number replied simply, "Then we shall fight in the shade." Spartan bravery is almost self-evident, and their wit commendable, but there is a very deep, philosophical element to this retort. Popular knowledge has it that when asked the secret to success, billionaire Howard Hughes replied cryptically, "Inch toward daylight". Upon first hearing this, I scoffed and shook my head, but now I realise that perseverance and dedication are the core of success, and who better an example of this than the Spartans?

And as I keep those words in mind, "Inch towards daylight," I realise that fighting in the shade is exactly what this implies - that even in the darkest of moments, one must fight and struggle towards the light, because when you stop fighting, the battle is lost, but never before."

- Mike Sowell

Tabata Anything - Four Minutes of Pain to Gain

I found a link to an article website, which explains more about 'Tabata Training'. Petah, you might get a little more out of this, and take it from there.

"The Tabata protocol is a high-intensity training regimen that produces remarkable results. A Tabata workout (also called a Tabata sequence) is an interval training cycle of 20 seconds of maximum intensity exercise, followed by 10 seconds of rest, repeated without pause 8 times for a total of four minutes. In a group context, you can keep score by counting how many lifts/jumps/whatever you do in each of the 20 second rounds. The round with the smallest number is your score.

Credit for this simple and powerful training method belongs to its namesake, Dr. Izumi Tabata and a team of researchers from the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Tokyo, Japan. Their groundbreaking 1996 study, published in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports & Exercise, provided documented evidence concerning the dramatic physiological benefits of high-intensity intermittent training. After just 6 weeks of testing, Dr. Tabata noted a 28% increase in anaerobic capacity in his subjects, along with a 14% increase in their ability to consume oxygen (V02Max). These results were witnessed in already physically fit athletes. The conclusion was that just four minutes of Tabata interval training could do more to boost aerobic and anaerobic capacity than an hour of endurance exercise.

Although Dr. Tabata used a mechanically braked exercise cycle machine, you can apply this protocol to almost any exercise. For example, a basic Tabata workout can be performed with sit-ups. The more muscles used the better, so use full knees-bent sit-ups. Sit-up non-stop..."

Click here for the rest of the article by John Harker.

Tabata...You Rock!

Well tonight I am just jumping out of my skin again!

I haven't felt this pumped for awhile. There's even a hint of that original, psycho, bull-dog, flesh ripping tenacity of old. And I'm not even taking any fat loss supplements! So of course, I'm sooo excited, I hope I can get to sleep.

Tried my first Tabata training session tonight. I asked for a taste of it, after reading about Sue and Kristin's experiences. I'd recommend it to anyone - IT ROCKS! Got my heart rate up to 182 BPM, which is around the 95% of maximum heart rate for me. A first...woohoo! Was just a little shagged afterwards, but it felt great to be in the zone.

The most relishing part is that I will only get fitter from here, and that's what makes this whole journey so exciting. To know that you'll only get better, stronger, fitter and that there are so many ways to achieve the fitness you want - it's so awe-inspiring.

I just love the programs Kristin writes. She continually surprises and delights me with what she comes up with. I get alot of comments at the gym about the different stuff I do, cause everybody else just does the same old things, day-in-day-out. They're always trying to figure out what the hell I'm doing - it's great to keep people guessing - I love that!

Have a great week! :)

Friendship

I thought I'd do something a little different today, and post something a little less heavy or less contemplative. But of course, being who I am, I can't ignore the fact that I do love reading and pondering on stuff in general.

So here's a couple of my favourite Friendship quotes...

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but reveal to him his own" - Benjamin Disraeli

"Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being" - Goethe

"Too late we learn, a man must hold his friend. Unjudged, accepted, trusted to the end"

- John Boyle O'Reilly

"There comes that mysterious meeting in life when someone acknowledges who we are and what we can be, igniting the circuits of our highest potential." - Rusty Berkus

Have a nice day. :)

Change of Seasons

"To Everything there is a season, and a time

to every purpose under the heavens"
Ecclesiastes 3

Have you noticed how the temperature has changed lately, with the awakening of Autumn?

Every year I dread the coming of winter, though I know that we don't really have a winter here in Brisbane. However, I love the seasons in-between - Autumn and Spring. They are quite different too, and it's amazing how much of a difference they make to our feelings.

What do I love about Autumn? It's surreal.

It really does have a magical quality to it, don't you think? Not only do the colours change, but the smells too, and the air feels like a light blanket - enveloping you with just a touch of warmth...comfort...serenity.

My favourite autumn past-time, especiallly on a rainy day, is to sit inside with my legs curled up on the couch, hugging with my hands a nice, soothing cuppa, and staring out through large glass windows at the world. I love watching big, beautiful trees, with all their strength and majesty, swaying gently and rhythmically - listening to the rustling of their leaves, watching the rain-drops glistening, and then dropping so gently to the ground.

Ahhhh...the bliss of gratitude and contemplation!

Program 3, Week 6 Results

Surprises all round today.

My 3rd program has been less-than-perfect, though I am training just as hard. It's those little extras on top of my nutrition program that have been on my mind. I've been having more fat allowances than allocated, and even though I've been given more carbs on this program, I'm still finding I want to eat more. I haven't had any binges or anything, thank goodness. I've realised that I'm not as mentally focused as I have been for the last 8 months, and need to find more of that again. I'm not being too hard on myself though. I am determined to increase my focus for the remaining six weeks, yet still maintain a flexible approach to my training (don't need that for my nutrition of course). I'll receive an update to my program this week, so we'll see what comes of it, and I think that will help give me the focus I need.

I'm somewhat confused, as my bodyfat% is the same as end of depletion week (which was 8 weeks ago now), and overall, my weight since week 1 of the program has increased by 750g. So I've lost bodyfat, yet my measurements have increased. I think I've put on muscle. That's the only logical thing I can come up with. I'm confused because I haven't followed my plan to the T, but I've still lost bodyfat.

Confused, yet somewhat bemused but happy...Kerry :)

Your Competitor

"An enemy I had, whose face I stoutly strove to know,
For hard he dogged my steps unseen, wherever I did go.
My plans he balked, my aims he foiled, he blocked my
onward way.
When for some lofty goal I toiled, he grimly said to me,
Nay.
One night I seized him and held him fast, from him the
veil did draw,
I looked upon his face at last and lo...myself I saw."

'Developing the Leader within You' - John C Maxwell

Are you as Happy as your Dog?

First of all, I wanted to thank everyone for reminding me that I'm human after all (not a machine...thanks Frankie :)), and am apt to failure occasionally. Actually, I've experienced failure quite a bit - or should I say - I have failed quite a bit, as opposed to being a failure (which I am not).

The last week I've read alot about everyone's difficulties they're experiencing, and the complexity of it all. Reading Magda's last post, really got me thinking about how we can complicate our lives, when in fact we should be trying to simplify it. It also brings to mind a post, not so long ago, by Raechelle where she quoted some statistics about people from different cultures who lived longer because their lives were simple, unfettered, and stress-free.

And then thinking about my own feelings the last few days, and the realisation that regardless of how simple we make our lives, that all of a sudden, stuff can become complicated (not necessarily as a result of your own doing). It then becomes about our whole outlook and philosophy, and what we do in response to what happens when challenges put us to the test.

Anyway...enough rambling...what has this to do with your dog?

I got thinking about this book I had read ages ago, and I really loved the simplicity and the whole philosophy about how we look at the world, and how we experience it, as...you guessed it...if you were a dog.

So here it is, and I'm taking a leaf out the book...I hope you enjoy reading and applying it!

"Are you as Happy as your Dog?" by Alan Cohen

A fellow at one of my workshops confessed, "For years I was so miserable that I prayed to God daily to let me wake up as happy as my dog!"

I went home and thought about it. Am I as happy as my dog? Hmmmm. I began to observe my dog Munchie, who is happy all the time. This seven-pound furball is the most joyful creature I have ever seen, living constantly in a state of continuous delight and discovery. It became clear to me that this tiny fuzzy creature knew something I didn't know (or at least didn't remember). I decided to study Munchie's attitude to see what he was doing that I was missing.

Here are the keys to happiness that I discovered from my pet:

1. Be here now. Munchie is fully present with whatever is happening. He has no sense of the past or future. You will not find Munchie at the local bar nursing a beer over lost love. He has no lost love. He loves whatever is in front of him. Munchie greets me enthusiastically whenever I come home. As soon as he hears my car pull up to the garage, he drops whatever he is doing and runs to meet me. He is so delighted to see me that he barks and cries simultaneously, wags his tail so hard that he wipes up the garage floor with his fuzzy butt, and he pees. (Munchie taught me the meaning of the phrase, "I could hardly contain myself!") This dog lives the attitude of gratitude! Munchie offers me the same whole hearted greeting no matter how long I have been away. Whether I have been on the road for an afternoon or a month, he gives me the full red carpet welcome. When I come home after a long time he doesn't sit on his haunches with his arms folded and soberly announce, "I think it's time we discussed your commitment to our relationship." No, he is just happy to see me, and he lets me know it.

2. Think possibility. Every few months Munchie disappears for a few days. I once went searching for him and found him trying to mount one of the German Shepherds next door. The little guy reached no higher than the big lady's knee, but that didn't stop him. He thought big!

3. Seize the Day. Munchie regularly shows up at my front door asking to come in and play with me. Depending on what I am doing and how muddy his feet are, sometimes I let him in. The moment I open the door, he charges in. He doesn't give me a moment to change my mind. He knows what he wants, asks for it, and seizes the opportunity the moment it is offered. Munchie is a master of Carpe Diem.

4. Take care of yourself. Once Munchie had his tail run over by a car he was chasing. To facilitate his healing process, he found himself a quiet spot under a bush, and simply rested. Whenever I passed his little nook, there was the Munchster, quietly resting with his chin on his paws, just allowing nature to take care of him. After a few days he was back in action, barking, peeing upon my arrival, and hoping the German Shepherd would kneel just a little more. I thought about what some of us humans might do if we were injured. We might just keep chasing cars; work harder; or blame someone and spend time complaining. But Munchie let all of that go in favor of his natural wisdom. He loved himself enough to rest when he needed it.

5. Entertain yourself. When I am not home Munchie finds plenty of other amusements. He chases cats, sniffs dead critters, naps, and visits neighbors. He is not codependent. The world, through his eyes, is a big playground. There is always someone or something to entertain him.

6. Be unlimited. Munchie has no self-concept that he is small, and so acts big. When I take him on walks through the country, he slips under fences and chases cows and horses. I think they are more surprised than intimidated to be corralled by a barking tumbleweed. But it works. Munch usually gets the critters to move at least a little bit, and he comes back with a triumphant smile.

7. Protect your space. My dog has no questions about his function: he is here to protect me and my grounds from anything that moves. He is like a living announcement machine. The moment any foreign object with wheels or legs comes near the house, his hair-trigger bark alarm goes off. Night or day, he's there to announce potential intruders. (If they don't run away when he approaches, he changes his tactic and starts kissing them -- we're working on that one.) Munchie's intention is so strong that he actually does intimidate other animals (not including humans). There was a Doberman that used to come around, and she always yielded to the Munchie Sentinel Service.

8. Let yourself be loved. When Munchie looks tired during long walks with me, sometimes I pick him up and carry him for a while (probably more for myself than him.) The moment he's in my arms, he rolls over and lets me carry him like the King of the Canines. Harboring no sense of guilt or unworthiness, he does not protest, "Oh, you really don't need to do this." or "I will carry you tomorrow." He just lays there and soaks it in. He knows he is worth it, and he receives it with a full heart and body.

9. Relax. Munchie is not a slave to the Puritan Work Ethic. He is closer to the Pure Tan Play Ethic. He doesn't have a job, doesn't lay awake at night wondering if God exists, and doesn't try to hide his little dogie erections when they spontaneously arise. He knows that he deserves love without having to earn it. Munchie is clear that his purpose in life is to enjoy every new day, and he is happy to have the Universe continually take care of him.

As far as I can tell, Munchie is an enlightened being. He doesn't read a lot of books, has never gone to a seminar, and has no problem balancing his checkbook. Perhaps, if I play my cards right, one day I will indeed wake up as happy as him.

Ciao for now...Kerry :)

Lady Sings the Blues...

It's not often I feel 'melancholy', but today is one of those days.

It feels strange, considering I'm pretty happy most of the time, and it takes alot for me to get down. Luckily, I bounce back pretty quickly. No doubt by the finish of tonight's workout, all should be well in the world.

I know the reason...suffice to say that AW has been in his 'cave' for over a month now, and has poked his head out on the odd occasion to flash a (fleeting) smile. Just enough to give me a glimmer of hope.

The thing is, when I'm a little melancholy I've discovered that 'emotional eating' seems to rear it's ugly head. Not that it's really been an issue while on these programs...it hasn't...until now. No...I haven't had a binge or anything - just a few little morsels here and there - though deep down I know it's the start to a very slippery slope. Since I've done so much reading...forums, blogs, articles, etc I am quite aware of what's happening and my thought processes.


Understanding the 'why' can help to stave off what you know you really want to do, i.e. BINGE! So even though the thoughts are there, I don't think I'm doing too badly on that front. I even considered buying one of those fundraiser chocolates today. Luckily I had to take them back, and resisted any temptations until they were off my hands...phew!! I never bought even one...yay to me!

So anyway...when I'm melancholy I think (o..oh!...lol...). It occurred to me that unless you've got all your emotional stuff, and your life pretty balanced without too many negative influences, that it's much easier to remain strong and positive! So to all those who have a lot of SHIT going on in their lives, and you're still persisting...I commend you! And I really hope you work out your shit real soon - because it's so energy-draining!

Ciao for now...Kerry :/

P.S. I love listening to Nina Simone when I have the 'blues' - I liken it to listening to country-and-western...you feel like slitting your wrist because it's so tragic (sorry if you like C&W). Though I don't have the same suicidal tendencies after listening to Nina...lol...

More Professional Pics

Now that my before and afters have been posted on IBO, I've decided to post some more professional pics. These still aren't the rest of them, but I think I'll reveal them as time goes on. I really love the top pic, because the photographer has really captured me 'a-la-naturale' ( in the sense of expression). I'm hoping one day to be sporting a 'six-pack', which is my ultimate dream. Once I get into the army reserves (fingers crossed), and this year has seen me achieve my goals, then I can concentrate on this goal maybe. Actually...I'd really love to have a six-pack by summer, come the end of the year...that would be nice!

Lorna Jane wear...to Sell or Not to Sell?

Yesterday, I had all but decided to sell my Lorna Jane wear. I only have 3 (gym wear) pieces, and I bought them specifically for my photo shoot back in January. So they're only a couple of months old.

So why did I want to sell them? Well...to be honest, probably the main reason I wanted to sell them is because I feel a little self-conscious in them, especially wearing them in the gym... which I've only done once BTW. Self-conscious in the sense that I might look good in them. Sounds strange doesn't it? You dream of being able to wear this gear and flaunt the fact that you can wear it, and then when the day finally arrives, you feel uncomfortable because people are staring at you (especially the guys), and they're not necessarily staring at your muscles I don't think (picture doing tricep kickbacks, bent over on the bench...get my drift?).

In the context of things, it's no big deal, so why do I make such a big deal out of it? I've seen alot of women wearing alot less (in the way of material), and showing alot more (in the way of flesh), and they didn't necessarily have Elle Macpherson's body type...ya know?...muffin tops, cellulite city wearing white lycra tights with g-strings and sporting legs like tree trunks (not being horrible or anything, but it's true!), etc...ya know?...stuff you see and you just shake your head and ask yourself "why?".

So there...that's how I feel about it.

Anyway...asked my hubby to take pics this morning so I could post my LJ gear up on the blog and forum to see if I could sell them, as I didn't think I'd have any trouble selling them. When I told him why I wanted the pics taken he asked why was I selling them. I told him, and you know what he said (to my surprise)..."Kerry, why don't you wear it to the gym? I've seen other women in worse gear (he has a hard time sometimes speaking in the positive). What are you worried about?" To which I replied, "Doesn't it worry you that I could be wearing this stuff and the guys are looking at my butt?". To which he replied, "No...I'm not at the gym while you're training. And besides, you wear short skirts out in public and I don't worry about that, do I?" (he personally likes seeing me in my short denim skirt).

So...I've decided NOT TO SELL (sorry, anybody who was ringing their hands in anticipation, cause I was going to sell them at 50% off!). So inspired was I by hubby's comments (he added some more positive comments which I can't repeat), that I've decided to wear my LJ gear tonight! Not such a sweaty session - upper body and a little cardio.

Ciao for now...Kerry :)

P.S. I won't be the wearing the crop top to the gym, unless it's under a shirt.

Bullet-Proof!

This is how I'm feeling today...

Even though the caption is referring to an event we don't like to think about here in Australia, I'm inspired by what it is alluding to...the frailty of the human body, yet the fortitude of the human spirit that helps us triumph over our demons...real or imagined.

Much to Do About Nothing

There is nothing profound I have to say. Not alot going through my head actually, apart from my workouts, and working out how to fit in all my weights and cardio sessions, as well as extra stuff for army reserve (physical) preparation, which is proving very tricky (fitting in the extra stuff, that is).

I had a fantastic full body workout last night, finished off with a 30min interval session on the bike. It was fantastic, because I was tired and overall, my entire body was fatigued, and I still challenged myself every exercise. I felt it, as soon as I started. You know...that heavy, depleted feeling? But especially so when I did my first round of push-ups. Arghhh...find these quite tough doing them correctly, but I do love that feeling of pushing until your arms just can't get you off the floor!

I'm just a huge red, hot, bag of sweat by the end. I grunt and groan during my workouts, my hair is tousled, I have wet patches under my arms and groin, and my shirt is soaked. No doubt, I probably smell a little 'sweaty' too.

I watch other women in the gym do their workouts, and by the end, they all seem to maintain their cool, keep-it-all-together appearance, and what I find amazing is that their hair is still neat and tidy, they're still the same colour (as opposed to having a red face), and there's not a bead of sweat gracing their bodies! Well...not all women. I know the ones that are serious about their training, because I can hear them grunt and groan too, and they are usually lathered in sweat, AND...they're always at the gym when I am (which is quite often).

Anyway...I'm getting off track (as I do). So why did I post? Oh...yeah...that's right. I'M STILL BLOODY TIRED! Not fatigued, smashed or legless...just...tired. Not even sore really. So I've decided to rest tonight. Sunday was supposed to be my rest day, and I did that run, so I didn't really get a rest. Hence, my body was tired before I even began last night. It's all the leg work I'm doing mostly. Tonight I'm supposed to do a cardio session, which is neither here nor there, but this week is my 'heavy leg' week, and tomorrow is 'the heavy leg' session, and I think if I do my planned cardio tonight, I don't think I'll get through tomorrow night's session.

And you know...I'm not even feeling the slightest remorse, because I've finally got my head around the rest/recovery thing and the importance of it. Anyway, it's not that I'm 'not' going to do tonight's cardio. It's just that I'm re-arranging my workout schedule - I'm now listening to my body and being a little smarter about how and when I workout.

It used to freak me out when I didn't follow my planned schedule to the letter. But now, it's no big deal any longer because I'm learning to be more flexible. Because in the end, it's not about 'having to do that particular workout right now or else the sky will fall down'.

It's more about whether an alteration is going to seriously jeopardise your goals in the medium to long term. So I ask myself this question when faced with these siutations..."What am I trying to achieve in this specific time/program range, and by changing my schedule, will I be compromising my goals and adversely affecting the outcome?" If the answer is 'yes', then I re-think it and ask myself what is really going on - am I just trying to find excuses 'not to train'? And if the answer is 'no'...well, that's pretty obvious...make the necessary program adjustment, adjust your headspace at the same time, and move onward and upward, confident in the knowledge that you're still on track to achieve your goals.

Ciao for now...Kerry :)

Great to be Alive!

Well what a busy week! I've actually achieved quite a bit this week, both on the exercise front and personally, getting some things accomplished.

So today, I'm officially KNACKERED!

Physically, it's been a very big week. Not just in relation to my workouts, but in addition, with all the extra walking and activity I do as part of my normal routine. And I'm happy to say (even though bleary-eyed at present), that I've weathered it quite well, and am happy with how my body is recovering. I am sore and tired, but very, very happy and content.

You see, I went to training this morning feeling smashed and tossing up on whether to do my beep test. Once I started my weights session, I felt much better and thought..."what the hey?"...and realised that this happened the last time I did the test - feeling smashed before starting.

Anyways...I threw myself into it, and not only did I reach level 7.5 without so much as a sweat, but decided to keep going and reached level 10! Of course, by then I was raising quite a sweat, and was happy to find that my BPM at about 90% of my maximum heart rate. Last time, I swear it got to this by level 7.5 (I didn't use my HR monitor the first time). So today I am definitely one happy camper!

Hope you had a great weekend and ciao for now...Kerry :)

Be, Do, Have...

I've heard many versions of 'Be, Do, Have'. It's very difficult 'being' when you don't have the belief yet. But it's amazing when you do start to believe. From the outside, things probably don't appear to have changed much, but on the inside when they have, it's amazing what you believe is possible. Anyway...just wanted to pass on some interesting stuff from the 'Combat Sports Psychology' blog I read. You might just get something out of it. This is just an excerpt, but just click on the link above for the entire version.

"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do." – Epictetus

Stoics were big into logic, reason, and planning. This quote is only one of many references to the importance of setting goals and moving purposefully toward them. The assertion to “do what you have to do” reflects their “no whining” orientation. Keeping your goals in mind will motivate you to push through adversity. Complaining when things get tough will not help your training. You must take responsibility for your goals and for doing what you have to do to attain them.

"Your life is what your thoughts make it." -Marcus Aurelius

Thoughts control the climate of the mind. They also affect how we feel emotionally and physically. We can choose which thoughts will populate our minds. We should choose thoughts that are positive and that facilitate our best performance. If you occupy your mind with doubts, limitations and physical discomfort, you give those thoughts power and make them stronger. Unless you are being proactive and directing your thinking, your brain will likely default to something negative. Focusing on negative thoughts, feelings, and sensations makes them worse. Confident thougths and fortitude can help give you a much needed boost.

And as the picture above says..."everything you need is already inside". You just have to believe!

Goals Revisited

I've just had a look at my Goals & Aspirations for 2009 to remind myself of what I want to achieve this year. As I said in my earlier post, sometimes we lose sight of what why we start things, when momentum starts to carry us along a little too quickly and suddenly find ourselves getting caught in the cogs of our aspiration wheel.

I realised when I re-read the goals, that I didn't have down that I wanted 'legs' like Valerie Vaughan (whose picture is above and is also my 'Total Package' inspiration). I want my quads to flare out just like hers.




(Don't mind these quads either)


Recently, I was talking to CarolynG (thanks for answering my questions!), and she talked about what it is like when you've successfully completed a few (or more) programs, and you've lost the weight, you've done comp and been the leanest you've ever been...you've done this and that...where do you go from there? And as I've been talking about, you get a little lost along the way.

So what do you do to take control again - to regain your focus?...YOU CREATE ANOTHER GOAL TO STRIVE FOR...YOU RE-FOCUS...YOU RE-MOTIVATE (if that's a word). Or in my case...you re-visit your goals, but maybe see them in a different light - put another slant on it. A slant that is profound and deeply resonates within you, in such a way that it permeates your whole being and carries you forward with a new passion and determination.

And I'm going to leave you with this quote from Craig Harper's recent post, which I think I'm going to add as a permanent quote...

"If you wanna play like a freak, train like a freak."

Ciao for now...Kerry :)