Slow & Steady

As some of you many know, last year I participated in my first fitness/figure competition, but following, I had a hard time adjusting to the realities of post-competition. Particularly I had severe stomach issues and weight gain. Mostly, I battled with myself of really wanting to do it again. That and the constant questions from people about when my next competition would be.

After much thought, I decided to retire the bikini (for now), but not my love for fitness and health. I’ve decided to challenge myself with something else that pushes my personal boundaries. I’ve decided to run the Toronto Waterfront Half Marathon. For those of you who don’t know the distance its 21.5 km.

Source: My Shoes for the Race - Mizuno Wave

Now, I may be fit and healthy, but nothing has prepared me for the beating my body is taking since taking up my newest challenge less than three weeks ago. Note: I do not advocate this crash course program for anyone and the views expressed are from my experiences alone.

As someone who almost always finished last in track and field in middle school and found every excuse to not have to run, I know this challenge is going to be more than just about running a race, but something to help me over my personal traumas from eons past.   

As they say…slow and steady wins the race.

What are you doing to challenge yourself this season?

Can I Kick it?

As most of you know, I decided not to compete this summer. A part of me is ready to retire my bejewelled suit like Donloree, a fellow former competitor (she has an amazing blog Bikini or Bust). For the time being, (I’m using your phrase D) it’s a bust! That isn’t to say I won’t ever dawn the itsy bitsy bikini again, I’m just not ready to wreak havoc on my psyche, my health, my body or those close to me so soon. Last year, while I was prepping for my competitions, I went through many highs and lows, I had major tummy troubles, not to mention the post-competition blues. Though this time around has been different and I have been working with a great Team, a larger part of me just doesn’t want to compete.

I enjoyed the experience and I accomplished a personal goal and dream of getting on stage and competing. While I may not be dawning my figure suit anytime soon, Nini’s got a brand new pair of pumped up kicks just itching to be put on for my new challenge – getting ready for a 10 KM run. This challenge is by far more difficult for me as I hate running.  I mean truly hate the very idea of it. But, with one goal accomplished it’s time to set another. Hope you all will follow me for my new adventures and journey!

Asics - Love these shoes!

Who wouldn't love a yellow sole! (Google Images)

 Have you changed a goal recently?

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Blue Bird

I've been slacking lately. I know. Apologies for not responding to your lovely comments or posting on your blogs! I have every intention of catching up and getting back into the swing of things. I've been feeling very uninspired by my closet lately. I have things to pull together outfits no doubt. But….my biggest deterrent to finding things that are "Wearable" is that the closet is in utter chaos these days. Must go though it all reorganise ASAP.

On top of the closet confessions, I've had some pretty tough days with tummy troubles back in full swing. This time around we are cutting out veggies/fibre from my diet because it seems to irritate me more than give me the nutrients I need. Talk about bummer because A) I love veggies and B) I hate the toll its taking on my body and the pleasure I get from eating broccoli. Yes I know I am slightly different ;). Looking forward to my Doctors appt in one month to figure out if this is still a bad case of IBS, Crohn's, Colitis, potential stomach ulcers? or some other Gastro-intestinal related issue. I want answers!

On the bright side - Starting a new workout schedule on Monday with a 4 day cycle! Time to gain more muscle, get toned and stop getting through half-a$$ed workouts. Most of all, get back to my early am routines! I have the rest of this week to take it easier. But, no nonsense Monday's are beginning. Who's in with me :)

Summer seems to be coming to an end too, so the next few posts will be the last of the outfits worn on warmer days. Kat took these photos of me and we played around with the setting and some of the photos had a blue tinge. Loved the effect, though we're not exactly sure how or why it happened!

What I am Wearing:
Dress: Target
Blazer: Zara
Shoes: Nine West (these are one of the pairs I purchased in Miami - love the silver flats!)
Necklace: Gifted

Purely Simple

So its been a few weeks since I met with TRAINER and let me tell you the work out was great the conversation was great and I am so torn! I don't know what to do. I could continue to kill myself a work as much as I do. Or, I could step up, be a woman and recognize that there are other resources available to me and that I will have to make more of a concerted effort in my workouts. The answer seems purely simple right?

No its not! I sort have been gauging myself and my workouts and well they're no where near as much as I can do when someone is watching.

Ugh….I hate making decisions.

What I am Wearing
Blazer - Zara (I spent al ittle more than I normally do but I always buy classic pieces that I know I will have forever. I kid you not)
Jeggings - Seven Jeans
Shoes - The Bay (Expressions)
Watch - Coach 
Rings - F21
Lace Tank  - Aritzia  

What do you do when you're faced with a "simple" decision? Because let's face it, they tend to be more complicated than we think!

Back to Black

Sometimes, nothing makes me feel better than wearing black.

I mean it. You can do so much with it and I feel you can never go wrong with something classic. This dress reminds me a little of the Mad Men era - like my post on Full Skirts.

As you know I started a new nutrition plan on Monday and Its now day three and already I'm off. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? I thought I was pretty good with my macros (i.e. my food intake), but clearly I have some work to do.  And making me accountable for what I put in my body and consume and more aware. Before I just guestimated my intake - now I realise much I UNDERestimated haha.

I have been thinking as well about what would make me less stressed and right now I am worried about the financial constraints of continuing my training with TRAINER. I have a few sessions left and then I will have to reasses. I would love to continue but I have had to take on a second job and so I don’t have my weekends or nights. It would be nice to have those back! But the workouts with my trainer have been and is such an important component of my life. At the same time I've been thinking about joining with Perfect Peaking and doing the whole package nutrition and workout plans which I KNOW will work, but I am worried about not having someone physically there to push me. A lot of things to think about and decisions to be made in the next little while. Yikes!

What I am wearing:
Dress: Zara (I bought this in Dubai in 2006)
Necklace: (I bought two of the same necklace in Kensington Market in Toronto and linked them together for a whopping total of $10 dollars)
Watch: Coach
Ring: Borrowed
Shoes: Expressions the Bay


Do you have a go-to colour that makes you feel fabulous? How do you cope with stress?

Blue Beginnings and Perfect Peaking

It was C. O. L. D. this morning

It was a brisk walk to the bus and then another few minus of hanging out doing the "Warm up" dance  you know what I mean..the shuffling of feet the little bit of pacing and the crossing of your arms again your chest to keep the cold air from making you shiver.

I had something to keep me company, - the New Jay Z and Kanye West CD Watch the Throne - So far AMAZING! I was willing to be outside a little bit longer if only I could listen to one more track! It’s a really great collaboration.

With the air changing so has my attitude on how I am going to tackle the next year of my life, do another competition and maintain some sort of semblance to eating and maintaining a healthy balance. In comes the dream team I have been DYING to work with! After hearing the great successes of my friends BikiniorBust and Ihearteggs, it was a no brainier! I wanted, no I NEEDED to be apart of this. After being fairly lax with my diet, I've started a new program that lets me be the master of what I eat. I.e. Clean eating but I wont have to eat a lot of fish or for every meal. It just means I need to staying within my macros.

So PERFECT PEAKING is now apart of my daily interactions - I have a feeling I am going to get to know Dr. Joe, Sean and Kori very intimately over the next year and I can't tell you how excited I am to work with them. We already have a goal in mind and a plan in place! I am so impressed with their professionalism but also the way that they maintain constant contact with you. I mean my emails are answered almost immediately! Not only that their enthusiasm is contagious. I am so happy with this.

The hardest part will be to track my food DAILY but I am already doing well for day one…Can't wait to keep you posted on my progress!

And yes some of these pictures may look ridiculous but I Was feeling giddy and the Yellow door made me happy.

This is my ridiculous picture of the day ;)

What I am Wearing
Dress: Banana Republic (bought in Miami)
Blazer: Zara (this season - I spent a bit more on this blazer bt I love the structure and its a classic piece I will have forever)
Shoes: The Bay Expressions (these are by far my favourite heels. Wish I had bought them in every colour)
Jewellery: Necklace - Coach
                  Rings - Coach
                  Bangles - Borrowed


Je t'aime mes amis…a bientot - Here's to blue beginnings and perfect peaking :)

Post Competition Blues

As most of you know, one month ago I competed in my first figure competition and had an amazing experience. I met other competitors from the blog world, and was able to get my body in the best shape I have been in EVER.

However, I am not experiencing what some competitors call the Post Competition Blues. For one, when you're used to living at the gym and nnowo suddenly have free time on your hands, it can be difficult to not want to let your body rest and recuperate.

Food has become a love hate relationship. I still eat like I am in competition mode for the most part but then see something i must eat and I have to be careful not to binge. For me, I eat cereal like I've never seen it before. I kid you not. My sister saw me mix about 3 cereals into my bowl because I didn't want to miss out on any of them...and well she thought I was absolutely off my rocker and for me...its scary! Watching my body become a bit soft again is hard. as is not being too critical.

But what's most disconcerting is the weight gain....it happened quickly for me. I am ten pounds heavier at the moment and while that may not seem like much, it shows on my frame. My skirts are a bit snug, and I gym shorts don't fit like they used to.

What's been helping me with the post Competition Blues is knowing I am not alone. I have been keeping up with other bloggers who have been just great resources! I have even had personal email to help me stay on point with grocery lists!

Chantelle  recently did a guest post which I felt was taken straight from my inner depths and discusses my fears and worries about post competition.

Then there is Figure Girl World, another amazing woman who gets it! their stories with the post competition blues were mirrors of my own worries and slumps. But at the same time I just found it so INTUITIVE that this is what they are writing about when I am feeling this way.

Currently I am working on the love hate relationship I am having with my body. I love how its filling out but I do miss being in the "peak" phase

courtesy of Pinterest

You can read about a few different stories Here, Here and here.

If any of you have your personal stories you can share with me I would love to hear from you. What do you when you're feeling blue?

South Beach Bum

Hello all!

I've missed you all and when it was possible I tried to sneak on the internet when wifi was available. I am so happy to be back, i feel like I've missed many things in the world of blogging and my new friends. As Miami comes to a close, I am excited for some new opportunities that will be coming my way.

I don't want to say anything just yet but I have some interesting opportunities presenting themselves to me. I am really looking forward to pursuing them. Something that is completely out of my element. I also am not sure if I am allowed to say anything just Yet but I am so thrilled!

Miami was a much needed vaycay from everything. While away, I did try to go to the gym. But this is what I had to work with....

This was pitiful....

Not sure if you can see the rust....

On top of it, the gym was located outdoors. And I almost passed out from the thick humid air and heat. I did manage to get one run on the beach in. I huffed and puffed and every few minutes alternated between pushups and sit-ups. I definitely feel soft. Ready to get back to eating clean and in some sort of normal eating habits. That's the one thing i hate about traveling, the comforts of home I.e.  My food, hair products and all the others all things are unavailable to me.

I do have to say I was pretty awful at taking pictures. It was too hot! And I felt lazy. But I do have some that I will share for sure!

Does walking for hours on end count as a bit of exercise? :) what do you do to get in a work out when on the road?

Black and Gold

So This is another scheduled post and we will be back to regular programming shortly.

I miss you guys! If any of you remember this outfit was from the days I was having some tummy troubles with too much tilapia. Thought it was about time to actually show you what I was wearing!

This is when my feet shrank...now my feet look swollen....

What I am wearing:
Skirt: SmartSet
Top:  Borrowed from Auntie R
Bangle: Gifted from Auntie R (F21)
Belt: BCBG
Shoes: DKNYC

To all my competition ladies, did you feel "weird" after competition. I swear my skin feels tight and I feel like I am retaining water....is that possible?

Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter

O. M. G.

So as you know I have been eating. All the things I have wanted to since the competition ended. One of my favourites is this high protein Peanut Butter with Dark Chocolate mixed in. IT IS LOVELY.

I have to say it was so good to eat right out of the jar Yummo! 

One thing I have noticed post competition is my tummy is upset ALL THE TIME. I am eating clean for the most part but even cereal and almond milk are making it unhappy. Did any of you feel this way?

Also As an FYI, I am heading out for a week and a bit for a wedding and a trip to Miami so apologies in advance I won't be able to comment much or respond to comments. I promise once I am back though that I will reply! :) 

I heart this PB do you have any yummy treats that you could share with me?