TANIS TZAVARAS

I was just thinking that it's now been over 4 months since my last competition and as I look to the 2010 season, I really realize that the contest diet plan is just around the corner.

 

So what do I want to do?

 

This year was a letdown in a couple of areas but also a great setup in others. I wanted to win the ABBA (Alberta Bodybuilding Association) Albertas, and I didn't. I was second to an amazing and inspirational woman, Cindy Jones, in a clean and fair win. That was my peak show for the season and my only Fitness show. I was able to experience competing in Figure for the first time both with ABBA and WBFF (World Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation). It was great to get on stage more than once and I think it definitely made me comfortable in presenting my physique, but I figure I have one more season left before the Tzavaras clan expands, so I want to use 2009 as the ultimate setup for 2010!

 

My number one goal is to get my IFBB Fitness Pro Card. Whether it is next year or 10 years from now. That is the ultimate for me. The IFBB is the overall governing federation for the CBBF and the ABBA. IFBB Pros include the big names you might be familiar with - Arnold Schwarzenegger! Also for the women the stars include Monica Brant, Jen Hendershott, Jenny Lynn... the IFBB is kind of the old school 'original'. And it is really the most desired federation for professional fitness. That said, there are lots of other federations featuring their own professional ranks and perhaps if I were to be pursuing the avenues of Figure or Fitness Model, I might be shopping around more as an amateur to find the federation that would be most suited to my physique.

 

This year, the IFBB is holding a drug-tested event in Montreal on April 3rd that is a National Fitness event. It would be great to compete in Fitness in the Spring and use my 2009 routine one more time before retiring it. I have an important doctor's appointment on Monday for my options with my hernia (yes, I am secretly 80 years old) and unless I will need to be taking significant time off for this I would like to begin dieting for this show right after the new year. A bonus about this show is that for the first time, they will be giving out an IFBB Fitness Pro Card.

 

Next on the agenda should I need to re-qualify to the National level would be the ABBA Fitness Provincials in mid-June - in Calgary! Which is cool... and hopefully my redemption! The Fitness Nationals are in Ontario at the end of August which is where they will be giving away another Pro Card and then LAST CHANCE to go Pro in Fitness will be September 3-5 weekend in Cleveland, Ohio at the North Americans. So three major chances in 2010 for a Pro Card. After next week, I will be solidifying the process to peak for these shows with my trainer, but for now it's fun to just look at the possibilities ahead. It's also fun to be surrounded by a large group of women with similar goals. I am working with quite a few girls working towards their first and second shows this season. I also have the current National Fitness Tall champion - Kira Forrester coming out for my Wednesday Night Adult Gymnastic classes which is fun and also motivating because she is really going for that Pro card in the same category this year and as it stands we will be on stage together several times this year.

 

For fun shows - I am thinking of doing the Calgary WBFF show once again on July 3rd. I did Figure last year and would like to try doing both the Figure and Fitness model categories this year for the different experience. That means I get to do theme wear! Fun!

 

Another event I have been looking into (Seriously, I am not doing 101 shows this season!) is the Women's Tri-Fitness Championships. They hold events usually in Las Vegas and Florida a few times a year and there are 4 categories - a grace and physique (Swimsuit) round, a routine round, a Fitness skills event (box jumps, bench press, shuttle run), and an OBSTACLE COURSE! How fun would that be? They only have there info for their next event which is next week - I somehow don't think I am going to get into shape for that one! But I plan to keep checking back and keeping my options open!

 

Right now though, I have to get the go-ahead for the intensive season - getting this hernia resolved, and my back problems managed. Then it's full out!

 

I am on a really great off-season program right now. Tons of food, lots of variety, dynamic circuit training, no cardio, with my weight holding in the mid 160s and I can still wear size 29 jeans and medium tops on a regular basis. Certainly not the 'lean machine' I would like to be all year round, but not a bad place to be with the amount of freedom and normalcy i feel from day to day.

 

Other exciting things in life right now - Michael is feeling much better, my Mom is taking yoga which is awesome for her, I leave for Vegas in three weeks and got amazing seats to several shows, I am almost done my Christmas shopping, and my Boot Camps are halfway done and already there has been tremendous progress among my ladies.

 

Life is good.   

Ideally, wouldn't we all like to get up early to get a great workout in, start the day with a healthy fulfilling meal, go to work to a job that we love, eat great throughout the rest of the day, have some time touching base with friends and family, have a bit of time for ourselves, and get a good night's sleep - every day? Sounds awesome doesn't it?

 

I really aim for this every day, but when life gets in the way - it really gets in the way! And often it has to take over!

 

Yesterday, I had a great day planned and was going to spend my evening catching up on meal plans and my business month-end. Instead at around 8pm Michael and I were playing around before his bed time and all of a sudden - projectile vomiting - everywhere! Sorry for the visual! I don't do too well with this stuff either and it is heartbreaking to watch your little guy just get so sick so suddenly and not be able to do anything about it.

 

The night turned into a comedy of errors of sorts that I sure wasn't laughing about last night, Michael wasn't done getting sick after the first incident. It continued... as I carried him down the hall... then again in the bathtub. Then after a second bath when we were hanging out in the rocking chair and I thought we were good, so I put him down in his crib. Ten miuntes later I heard a 'splash' - are you kidding me? He had gotten sick in his room! The poor little guy! We did another bath and because I seriously didn't know where to put him as I cleaned up his bedding, crib, and floor, I put him to lay down in our bed.... bad idea!

 

So now it's 3 am. I am onto my third load of laundry, my poor kid has nothing left in his little body and I am scrambling and sweating around the house to clean almost every room. Taso came home after that from work and took over until about 6am. Needless to say, this was my priority last night and my whole family is zombie-eyed today!

 

Michael is just fine today. No fever, good spirits, and he's eating and drinking with no problems. I think he may have eaten something off just by how fast it came on and the fact that there were no other symptoms. With all of the H1N1 hype, you have to keep that in the back of your mind, but I am certain we would have seen more come out of that had it been the concern.

 

My family will be getting vaccinated this week. Every body has to make a decision for themselves and I do not think anyone has the right to push or criticize anyone else for the decision that they make. Be responsible and get your own VALID information regarding your risk and take charge. There are arguments for and against - but what I don't like is the hype and hysteria on either side that use scare tactics. I work with a large group of youth, my husband comes into contact with hundreds of people in a night, and my son is two years old and has activities with many different kids. I have ALWAYS felt that the body is capable of taking amazing care of itself and that it's our first priority to fuel it properly and take care of it so it can be efficient at preventing and recovering from illness. But with the combination of exposures in our family, this vaccination is an extra step that we are choosing for ourselves to reduce our risk and that of those around us.

 

I see the other side too, so please don't hit me up with your messages on why vaccinations are 'bad', vaccinations save lives and are not a single answer but rather a choice to make in your health portfolio. My Dad, for instance, won't be getting vaccinated. And I think this is the best decision for him. He was born before 1957 which greatly reduces his risk, and he comes into contact with a group of less than 10 people on a daily basis due to the nature of his office job. Plus he hates needles, so it's his choice and I see the reasoning for not taking the risk of the vaccination.

 

So that's my vaccination stance! And having people close to me this week who were diagnosed with H1N1 or had family members diagnosed and are in the hospital, my heart goes out to you. Thankfully nothing has become too serious at this time. I also have to really give a great appreciation for the nurses and health care workers who are seeing thousands of people a day. A lot of these workers are putting in crazy amounts of busy overtime and are likely dealing with angry and disgruntled people on the front lines. So please, if you get vaccinated, be nice to your nurse!

 

What else can we extract from the health files??? Well, my own issues will be sorted out this week regarding a hernia and a back problem I have given some extra time to. They both appear to not be healing on their own as I would have liked and both may be potential surgeries, so I am seeing specialists next week and leaving my competitive plans for this year up in the air until I know more about my situation.

 

ANYWAYS - NOW I should try to get some work done! Being behind sucks and I will pull an all-nighter if I have to tonight! I can't stand this feeling of being behind!

A quick update to let anyone who might be waiting on me for meal plans or workout plans know - THEY ARE COMING! I have designated time set out Friday and Saturday where I am hopefully going to be COMPLETELY caught up on life!

 

Right now things are insane! It's awesome and I certainly can't complain, but I hate the feeling of being anything but efficient when it comes to creating my plans, so even though my turn around time is higher than usual, you will still be receiving your plans from me in due time!

 

Is it really Halloween already this weekend? Crazy! Vegas in a month, Christmas in 8 weeks!!! There needs to be more hours in the day!

 

Special mention of this weekend where our Head Coaches at Stampede City Gymnastic Club - Dave and Judy Holmes were awarded the Coach of the Year award by Alberta Gymnastics Federation. Extremely well-deserved, they have done an amazing job with our entire competitive program and Judy is heading to the Pan-American Games tomorrow with one of our club's top athletes Anysia Unick - one of four members of Junior Team Canada for this event. Awesome! The event is in Brazil which will be a great travel experience.

 

Off to bed! I have an early day tomorrow with Boot Camps! All of my ladies are already looking stronger and fitter, and it's only Week 2! I'm excited for what is to come! And it was an awesome night tonight at Adult Gymnastics! First class in my three years of doing it where the boys outnumbered the girls! 8 boys tonight, I believe! I love that it's a completely different dynamic every week depending who makes it out to class!

 

Anyways - my bed is calling my name!

Everybody has to find their way. Through their own experiences, their own mistakes, their own motivations...

 

I'm not here to judge anyone for anything. I know what i know, I know what I have seen and experienced, and I know firsthand that you can't MAKE anybody change. You can inspire, inform, and empower people to various degrees, but to truly make a change one needs to find it within themselves to do what is necessary.

 

I find it interesting to follow what others are doing and seeing how other people find their way and continue their journeys despite setbacks and unexpected turns. The great thing about our journeys in fitness and with our bodies is that - It's not over till it's over - truly. No matter where we are at, we ALWAYS have the power to make decisions for better or for worse. You can be at rock bottom, at your fattest, most unhealthiest place - and you have the power to choose your next meal. Are you going to feed into who you are or are you going to feed who you want to be? On the other hand, you can be on top of the world at your fittest and healthiest and decide that you want to feel 'normal' (ha!) and not have to live your life planning out your meals and workouts. So you create an illusion of achieving balance and instead you create chaos. You lose the control of the one thing most of us need to work to even attain the control of. We only get one body - shouldn't we be placing a higher priority on the time and resources we spend on it? I'll spend an hour a day working out and another hour a day preparing food to eat healthy to save an entire weekend of unproductivity because I am too sick or too tired or too depressed to leave my house. I've been on both sides of that and I prefer the healthier one. Even though it can appear to be more work sometimes.

 

Take a look at your own life and your own choices and embrace the power you have to make good choices. Start with one and work your way up. Don't do nothing and don't think anything is inevitable. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they believe in themselves.

 

Please check out a few people doing some amazing things in their own journeys. Starting with my best friend who is taking on a huge six month challenge and getting others involved to support a larger cause.

 

 

If you are looking for some other good reads about this whole journey, check some of these amazing ladies out whom I am lucky to know:

 

Karma Schopp -  http://wbffshows.com/author/karma-schopp/

Cara Fullerton - www.fitandfierceat40.blogspot.com

Meghan McCurdy - http://fatloss-exercisetips.blogspot.com

 

Bootcamps start Tuesday! Secure your spot! Go to www.tanisfit.com

 

Awesome show yesterday in Calgary, the FAME Alberta Provincials welcomed a fantastic group of men and women and offered an array of categories for all ages and experiences. I love watching shows, because i love seeing people who have travelled their own journeys and accomplsihed their special goals. I've always said that everyone has a story and regardless of placings and judgment, it is fascinating and inspirational to watch Physique athletes take to the stage.

 

My main girl Michelle who I worked with in all aspects - diet, training, and routine took second place in her Fitness category. She looked amazing she dropped 30 something pounds and she showed confidence and preparation on stage. So so proud of her, she really worked hard and I never heard a complaint or an excuse from her. I hope to see her do many more shows!!!

 

I have also mentioned an amazing woman named Gloria, who was self-trained for this show, but whom i had the pleasure of working with for her gymnastics and her routine. Gloria is such a leader and has such a big heart you can't help but smile when she is around. She won her first fitness competition at 43 years old! AND to top that off she also won the other categories she entered for Figure and Muscle Model. And not to mention, a special award at the end given by the judges for 'Most Impressive Physique'. Awesome!

 

It was also great to see and run into lots of familiar faces and names in the audience. I still feel 'new' in some ways in this industry sometimes when I see people who have been around for such a long time. I feel I still have a lot to learn. On the other hand though, I see how many people I have met and worked alongside with over the years and I realize what an amazing group of people are in this city supporting each other and working towards a common goal.

 

 

Tomorrow is a jam-packed day! It's the FAME federation show in Calgary and my training client Michelle, my routine client Gloria, and Lindsay, another lady who has joined us for posing are all competing in FITNESS!!! Yes, the really hard category with the cool routine! They also have a bikini round where they need to look tight and lean which is a fine balancing act to get the diet and training just right!

 

These girls have worked really hard for months and months. Gloria is such an inspiration doing her first Fitness show in her 40s and spending hours at my gymnastic club repeating skills and jumps over and over. She has been a great example and an inspirational leader for my prospective competitive girls. Michelle and Linday are both doing their first shows EVER!!! So exciting and scary all at the same time! I have worked most closely with little Michelle and have seen her body transform dramatically. What i love most about her is her undying commitment to fit EVERYTHING I have asked her to do in between working two full time jobs!

 

Thank-you to everyone who takes part in my classes for your positive energy and encouragement for these girls. It means a lot to have people on your side in this crazy world when your life temporarily becomes all about chicken, asparagus, and one-arm push-ups! Special thanks to Shellene at Bikini Lounge for her awesome contest spray tan services, Candice Ricketson for her make-up artist services, and as always to Stampede City Gymnastic Club for allowing me the use of space to do what I do!

 

Anybody who would like to come watch, the show is in Calgary at the Quality Inn on McKnight and Edmonton Trail. Morning show starts at 10am, Night show starts at 7pm.

 

I hope this is a great experience for all of the athletes involved. The completion of the training process for a show is such an accomplishment and you should all be incredibly proud!