Archive for the 'photos' Category

Page 2 of 4

Look at my little bubba!

Published on May 28, 2010 in Affirmations, photos and Pregnancy. 5 Comments

Well I’m nearly half way – I can barely believe I am pregnant let alone half way through!   Here is my bubba, looking very peaceful just lying there.  However, he/she has been pretty active in my tummy.

So, apparently all is good!  All it’s bits and pieces are there and working ok as far as anyone can tell.  I had my OB appointment yesterday.  My blood pressure was 90/60 and last time was 100/55 – pretty nuts.  My weight according to them, with clothes and shoes on is 60kg.  I’ve never in my life seen 60kg on the scale before :)   I did my skin folds the other day out of interest, and I came up with 18.2%.  So, I figure being 41 and half way pregnant, that’s pretty reasonable.

Today I have to book into the hospital – now that makes it all rather real.  I still wake up in the mornings and feel my tummy and think ‘wow, I’m having a baby’.

On Monday I’m off to the Gold Coast for a week.  I see they haven’t bothered turning on the weather for me again.  Never mind.  I still can’t wait to catch up with Kristin, and everyone else.   Today I have to do the rest of my washing. 

I haven’t been to the gym all week!  I have though, done some cardio everyday but one.  This morning (in the cold and dark) Nadia and I did an hour of walking/jogging and stairs.  I’m still managing to jog a bit which is good.

I’ll leave you with some self reflection and healthy diet and exercise affirmations.

I am firmly committed to staying active and healthy.

I remain active and fit because I am dedicated to me.

Being dedicated and committed to my health assures me that I will remain healthy and active throughout my life.

I appreciate and enjoy the conviction to eat healthy foods and exercise my body and mind. I also make sure I relax and de-stress. These are all measures I take to ensure I stay active, healthy and happy.

I have a set schedule that includes an exercise regimen and proper foods to give me plenty of energy. I feel stronger when I exercise and I feel better when I have a balance of nutrients in my body. I enjoy feeling good and I deserve to be healthy.

Sometimes it is difficult for me to go to the gym when I really would rather stay home, but I let go of these feelings because I am committed to myself. It is through this commitment that I ensure a better me.

Today I choose to remain committed to myself and to my regimen of exercise and nutrition. I let go of the urge to skip my schedule. I let go of my urge to eat unhealthy foods. When I dedicate myself to my commitments, I know that I will enjoy a healthy and active body for a long time.

Self-Reflection Questions:

  1. Have I allowed negative thinking to get in my way of my commitment?
  2. Have I dedicated myself to daily exercise?
  3. Am I committed to eating healthy foods?

18 week belly pic

Published on May 21, 2010 in photos and Pregnancy. 7 Comments

Interestingly enough, it doesn’t look as big as the one I took at 16 weeks (which I didn’t post).  I still can’t believe I’m pregnant let alone being nearly half way.  I have started to feel bubba move around now which is pretty cool.

Couple of quick updates – check out Monica Jessop, just named Body Blitz winner for the month of July – that’s 3 IBO Body Blitz winners in 6 months – ie HALF of the winners this year!  We also have quite a few others just finished who have got to be in the running too!

Lean Body Gourmet Cookbook shall be ready within the next week.

Finally, if anyone is up for a body transformation challenge with a trip to Maui as a prize (yep even for Aussies), check out the Burn The Fat Big Burn Challenge.

14 week scan

Published on April 23, 2010 in photos, Pregnancy and Uncategorized. 5 Comments

Hey everyone, well it’s been a little while between postings hasn’t it!  I’ve certainly been up and down still, but think I MAY just be feeling a bit better overall.  For instance, on Monday I felt so good I was able to train, and go for not one, but TWO walks!  Tuesday I didn’t feel as good but managed a short game of tennis, yesterday was ok but I woke at 3.30am and didn’t nap during the day so was quite tired most of the day, having appointments and no time to go to the gym.  Today I didn’t feel so good – I was asleep by 8.30pm last night, and up at 3.30am again.  I did go back to sleep at 6.30am until 8am however.  Still wasn’t feeling great but did go to the gym and did an ok workout.  Tired again by midday and slept for 2 hours!!  Woke up feeling crappy again and in bed again by 8.30pm!  So each day is different.  Certainly helps me feel better if I can sleep until a more normal hour though like I did last night.  Well, if you call 5am normal.  I guess when you go to bed at 8.30am that’s a nice sleep :)

I had my 14 week scan yesterday.  It’s just incredible to see that little baby on the monitor, and to think it’s just there, sitting in my tummy!  Bubba is getting bigger now, a little over 7cm.   I just have to hope I don’t get a call from the doc’s in the next week to say I need to come in and consider having an amnio because my scan results revealed I was high risk.

I bought some maternity jeans!  They are a little big at the moment but they will be great when I get a bit larger.  So here’s my little one, and here’s my 14 week belly – still not much of a belly, but plenty of hip, butt and thigh.

Have put on about 3.5kg already, eeek.  I told the midwife I was a bit concerned about it (because it’s all happened in the last couple of weeks) and she looked at me like I was an idiot :)   I’m having trouble concealing that I’m getting fat now.  I hate wearing anything tight fitting as it just feels uncomfortable.

She told me next time I came in she would book me into the hospital.  Wow, that all makes it sound very real!

Heading off to the Barossa Valley today, staying with friends tonight, then on to Adelaide tomorrow.  We’re taking 2 big esky’s and going to the Farmer’s market and Central market in Adelaide, to stock up on some good food.  I have a business meeting on Monday morning before we drive home.  I’m not sure if I’m going to go to the INBA Adelaide Classic (the one I competed at last year) or not – depends how I feel.  I might choose to go shopping for my pregnant body instead.  I would love to go and see Jan B (past client) compete in her first show though.  Good luck Jan, you were looking great in the pic I saw a while ago, so I’m sure you will do well!

My motto for the day (week..year..eternity) – if you want something done or done properly, do it yourself.  I have had a project on the go for awhile now and getting anywhere with it is like pulling hen’s teeth because I am relying on other people who obviously aren’t as organized, reliable, enthusiastic and ambitious as I am.  It sucks.  So moving on to my next project.  Something good has come out of it though, and that is that by the end of the month I will have a snazzy in house exercise database on my site.

Finally, if you haven’t claimed your free 27 fat loss report that I’ve emailed to my database, click here now as it comes down at 2pm Vic time today.

http://www.idealbodiesonline.com/xtremefatloss

Have a great weekend everyone.  I plan to, a nice long weekend in Adelaide.

Hello 2010

Published on January 1, 2010 in photos. 7 Comments

Well I had a lovely new year’s eve – shared lots of laughs with good friends. Didn’t go overboard on food or alcohol, and thus feeling quite reasonable today. Here are a few snaps from last night. The rain stayed away until about 12.10 am so it was great timing as we were on the way home by then. It was really hot, but very pleasant outside at night. I hope everyone had a great night. I’m looking forward to a big year in all aspects.

I thought you might like this quote:

“Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.”

Earl Nightingale

Damien and I

Jen and I

Nadia and I 2

Nadia and I

Pete and Nadia

Trav and Renee

The group

Just random stuff

Published on December 28, 2009 in photos. 1 Comment

Thanks for all the Christmas messages everyone, it’s lovely to hear from you as always.

You know we have had nearly 1 million visitors to our web site?!

Hey, something I have been meaning to ask – has anyone out there ever used one of those house swap websites? Where you swap houses with someone else for holidays? I’ve heard some awesome stories about these arrangements.

I found another Christmas pic of my nephews and me, 5 years ago! Oh how they have grown!

Christmas 2004 Me and the kids

Training is back in full swing. Nadia and I went for our Sunday cardio together – must say I am really enjoying it. We yabber all the way so barely even know we are working out. Except for the sand sprints! We ride down to the sand bar (about 10-15 min ride) then put our markers out and do some short sprints. Then ride back to the stairs (tough going after sand sprinting), do some of these, then ride home.

Today I trained – was supposed to be legs but I changed my mind at the last minute as I felt like deadlifting! So, my aim today was to increase by 5kg, to 85kg – which I did. 5 sets of 5 (well 1 set of 4 actually, I lost my grip). Next week I plan to go up to 90kg and aim for sets of 3 reps. The weight is getting pretty heavy now, so it’s tough going. I can already feel my lower back is going to be very sore in a couple of days. Next time I deadlift I will try to remember to take my camera and try and get someone to video me. I wouldn’t mind seeing my own form actually.

As is normally the case, busting my butt in the gym like that has made me a bit sleepy so it is now time for a nana nap!

Tomorrow I have a scan at the hospital which I am kind of excited about for some weird reason. I’m interested in how my follicles are growing!

Christmas pics

Published on December 25, 2009 in photos. 4 Comments

Xmas 2009

To follow my previous post.

This is my mum, my sis, and my 5 beautiful nephews.

So I’ve eaten what feels like a truckload, and its nearly time for dinner again. All went according to plan and we had a lovely lunch for 14 people. Followed by a nice nap afterwards!

Rene, thank you for the lovely Christmas message, I didn’t think anyone would be reading! Yours sounds very relaxing, enjoy!

What is wrong with this picture?

Published on December 5, 2009 in inspiration, motivation, photos and Transformation. 5 Comments

Welcome party Sapphire Princess

Not this one, the one below. There is NOTHING wrong with this picture!

It’s been a little while since I wrote, AGAIN! Thanks lovely people for the comments on my off season pics. Maybe I will consider pre comping soon for an early show again – it was around this time last year – well, after Christmas, that I began my last one. After our Mexico trip my state was a little worse for wear than it is currently. So, yes, this time last year Damien and I were onboard the Sapphire Princess, celebrating his birthday (pic attached for reminiscing purposes).

I’m left without a car this weekend, so was dropped at the gym this morning and walked home afterwards – which was pretty tough after a hard deadlifting session. I sumo deadlifted 75gk for sets of 5 which I thought was pretty good. Slowly building up. Deadlifting is king, I wish everyone knew how to deadlift.

I received this in my inbox the other day and just shook my head. Can anyone tell me what is wrong with this picture??

thirddayfitness_02

The Club 100 winners were announced recently, and, very proud to say that the female winner was one of ours. Nicole Yardley lost 15kg in 100 days and totally transformed her body. Lucky Nicole has won a great cash prize, just for losing some extra baggage and getting healthy. Club 100 will will going again I imagine, so keep in touch about that.

Nicole Yardley - before front

Nicole Yardley - after front outdoors

Congratulations Nicole, you look amazing! Congratulations too, to all the others who entered and managed to finish the 100 day challenge – while you may not have won the competition, I’m sure you got some great results.

I’m off to enjoy some sun. Sorry about the lack of resizing of photos, I don’t have time for that :)

Has it been that long!

Published on July 29, 2009 in photos. 4 Comments

kristin-and-i-july-2009-2.jpg

Time flies when you’re having fun!  Well, I’ve had my head down and bum up writing my submission for the Telstra Business Women’s Awards.  It’s been quite time consuming, but has definitely been an interesting exercise.  I’m almost finished, just have to tidy up some documents tomorrow and give it the once over before sending.

Today’s pic is of my girl Kristin and I on the Gold Coast very recently.  She’s my girl because I don’t know what I would do without her!

Club 100 has been packing the clients in, what a great competition it is.  I wish I could enter :)   The good news too is that it has been extended from August 7 to August 18 – so you have a little more time to get organised to enter!

I just had the most divine dinner – and oh so simple!  Call me a cheapskate, but I never buy fish at $40 kilo.  That’s just way over the top in my book.  But today they had some Orange Roughey reduced to clear at half price so I snapped it up because I have not had fresh fish for ages (apart from salmon).  Another reason I don’t buy fish here is because it’s usually pretty crap – we don’t get Orange Roughey very often.  I just lightly dusted it in flour, and pan fried it in a little olive oil.  It was just awesome.  I wish I had bought the rest of what they had!  Oh well next time.

My training has been going great – I’m so sore – new program will do it every time.  I hadn’t trained legs for 2 weeks and OMG, yesterday it hurt to move.  Quads were sore to touch!  Hammies always get sore but quads take a bit. 

My workout was:

BB Squat 15, 12, 10, 8, 10, 15

Stiff Leg Deadlift 4 x 10

Lumberjack squat 4 x 8, supersetted with

Knee extension 4 x 12

Hamstring Curls 4 x 8

Doesn’t seem anything out of the ordinary I know, just goes to show how soft I’ve become :)   I hadn’t back squated in a while.

Day after (yesterday) I trained back and started with bodyweight chin ups.

11, 8, 7, 6 reps – on the 2nd last set I felt something not quite right in my shoulder, and sure enough, now it hurts to turn my head.  My neck and upper back are really sore and I have a bit of a headache going on.  Trying to hold off going to the chiro, since I just went the other day!  It should have settled down by tomorrow I think.  Will put some Ice Gel on in a minute, before I hit the sack.

After those I supersetted Lat Pulls and seated rows, 4 x 10 each.

Then BB Bent Rows 4 x 10.  Followed with abs.  No training tomorrow, just cardio.  I might even do a step class perhaps.

I’ve approved the design of my new site – it looks great!  I can’t wait to get that up and running, the guys are doing a super job with it, very impressed.

Something else I’m looking forward to receiving tomorrow is a draft of some advertising by the Almond Board of Australia, featuring Liz Bickerton and Ideal Bodies Online!  I’m so excited by this partnership and can’t wait to see what they come up with.  I will talk more about our involvement with them at a later date, but now, it’s time for bed!

Sunny but rather chilly!

Published on July 18, 2009 in photos. 5 Comments

Ideal Bodies Online girls

Well here I am on the sunny Gold Coast.  And it IS sunny, but it’s bloody cold!  I took my coat off in this photo just to make it look like I wasn’t at the snow!!  I have had the heaters cranked up the whole time!  The Meriton at Broadbeach is great, nice spot here, I’m almost becoming a local.  Right at this moment it’s 7.24am on Saturday and I’m sitting here having an awesome coffee at the 3 Bean Cafe on Surf Parade.  Alas, their heater is not working! 

I need to go back and wash my hair and get ready as Kristin and I are off to meet Hils for another coffee at 10am.  I think we will be doing a bit of shopping too.  I haven’t done much yet – well just one pair of Rusty pants thus far. 

I had the BEST massage ever last night.  Anyone on the Goldy, Calmer Therapies at the Savannah Resort (right next to the Meriton).  A guy called Raymond – hehe, no not really, Eleni you are probably the only one who might get that joke.  His name is Chris, and he was excellent.

Speaking of Eleni, Kristin and I caught up with her and Kerry on Thursday and had a good old chat.  Picture above.  I plan to come back often so we can keep doing this!   Eleni has invited me to her place which is lovely, and I am definitely going to take her up on the offer!  A special hi to Ashleigh G who we met while at the Coffee Club.  I was chuffed to be recognized as “Sue from Ideal Bodies Online” on the street of Broadbeach!  Ashleigh, if the photo is any good, send it through to me.

I have only trained once since I’ve been here as I had the worst sleep the 2nd night, I was still awake at 5am!!!  But, I have done quite a bit of walking, on the beach and so forth, and yesterday I did have a great back and arm session – already feeling some DOMS.  Later today I plan to do another beach walk, and tomorrow Kristin and I are training together after a morning coffee.  We do love our coffee.

Now, Lisa, here is the curry recipe you asked for.

Sue’s Secret Curry

It’s a little bit difficult because we used a jar of stuff we purchased at the Noosa Farmers Market, but here goes:

900g lean lamb, cubed

3 tablespoons from above jar of secret spices!

1 onion, chopped

mushrooms, sliced – as many as you want

can of tomatoes with Indian Spices (not sure of brand) 

baby spinach leaves - 1/2 bag

1tsp of coconut oil (optional)

Natural yoghurt

Cook onion and mushrooms in coconut oil (couple of minutes).  Set aside.  Add lamb and secret spices, cook to brown.  Turn down heat, add cooked onion and mushrooms to pan, along with the can of tomatoes.  Top with spinach leaves.  Stir to mix through.  Simmer with lid on, for about 10 mins until lamb is cooked.  After removing from heat, stir through a couple of tablespoons of natural yoghurt (for each serving) for a creamier curry.  Serve with rice if desired.

Kristin’s lovely partner Eric managed to upload Nadia’s and my tv interview to You Tube.  If you want to have a look, check it out here.  There is some competition footage as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c_Bk7pm5v4

Speaking of competitions, check out our home page – www.idealbodiesonline.com – we have a super competition going on at the moment where you can win up to $5000 cash just for losing weight and getting fit!  What better incentive than that!   Check it out – the competition closes August 7th so you still have some time to get organized.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Choc Raspberry Crunch recipe

Published on June 20, 2009 in food and photos. 3 Comments

5038-65.jpg5038-49.jpg5038-41.jpg

I’m glad you are liking my food pics!  I took another today but will leave that for another time, as you can see I decided to plaster my own pics over this blog instead.  These are pretty much all that is left from my shoot, maybe another few here and there.

A couple of people asked exactly what’s in the Choc Raspberry Crunch recipe that I blogged about last.  So here goes:

1 heaped scoop of MRM Low Carb choc protein, mixed with water to a smooth thick paste

1/2 cup frozen raspberries

1/4 cup natural yoghurt

5 dry roasted almonds, crushed

1 or 2 heaped teaspoons of LSA mix

Handful of bran cereal

Squirt of sugar free maple syrup

The bran cereal can be found in the supermarket health section, it’s just long bits of crunchy bran.  You can choose oat bran if you prefer it to wheat bran.  Gives it a nice crunch, and some added fibre.

Well, I haven’t trained since Tuesday!  I have been in Melbourne, not that that is any excuse, but the training just didn’t happen.  I had some rotten night’s sleeps, just after bragging about how well I was sleeping – so typical.  So I just returned from the gym, a 2 in 1 session – chest/back/tris and rear delts.  I finished off with just a few short sprints on the bike and I am horrified at my current fitness level!  My heart rate was soaring and was having trouble coming back down even after tiny 15 seconds sprints!  Right, more cardio here I come.

Half rep Harry was at the gym today.  That’s my little nickname for this guy who lifts mammoth weights, but only does half (maybe even quarter!) reps.  It’s quite amusing.  He never warms up, just walks in, picks up some 20 or 30kg db’s and starts doing (half) front raises.  Today he was doing legs.  I’ve never seen him train legs before.  Squat rack stacked to the hilt, and these pissy little knee bends like you would see in a Pump class, maybe not even that deep!  I felt embarrassed for him. 

So this weekend I will be working on our June newsletter.  We have a couple of specials on at the moment, one is $100 off our Personal Success Mentor programs, and the other, is 10% off our entire range of products in our Ideal Supplements store.  I don’t think my store manager has put the specials up yet, think it’s going up tonight (Saturday).  I’m actually really excited about the possibilities in store for Ideal Bodies Online heading into the near future.  I have some things lined up that are going to be sensational!

My next food pic and recipe will be of my current fave breakfast – Creamy Blueberry Crunch.  Don’t forget to sign up to have it delivered via email (top left corner of blog).

Have a great weekend folks.