TANIS TZAVARAS

Trying to be as productive as possible right now! Getting as much done as I can before our short Vegas vacation tomorrow. It's going to fly by, we leave tomorrow morning meeting up with Taso's brother who lives in Vegas, going shopping, going for dinner and then going to a comedy show. Thursday is walking the strip, checking out the indoor pool, dinner at the fancy Wynn steakhouse and then Cirque Du Soleil's 'O'. Friday will be more shopping, dinner, and Peepshow at Planet Hollywoond... and possibly a nightclub. Very possibly! Saturday we take off back to Calgary and get in early evening. It will be fun, I have my Vegas outfits ready to go and I have windows of time in the afternoon to do my high maintenance hair! Little man is settled into his bedroom at my parents' house and happy as can be getting ready to be spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa. Off to bed now! See you later Calgary!

Yikes! i just realized it's been three weeks since my last entry! Guess I have been busier than I thought!

 

A good busy! I just wrapped up another 6 week session of my Ladies Boot Camps and it was awesome! Each session that passes ends up being the best session to date! I am lucky to have a great group of women who see the value in putting in that hour twice a week for themselves and step outside their comfort zone. Being only two hours a week, there are lots of things you can do in every day life to screw up that number on the scale, but I was super impressed with not only the changes in some of these womens' numbers (one woman dropped over 15 lbs!) but the changes in FITNESS levels were astounding! I start each session taking weight, measurements, and callipers and I also test for power, endurance, and strength. I think it's important to evaluate your progress and it gives me a chance to evaluate my programs as well. I am always looking for new exercises and circuits to challenge these ladies and I love when a program can really offer something different for someone and produce amazing results!

 

The next session will be running from January 5 - February 11. Tuesday And Thursday mornings. I will be posting my registration up online before Wednesday.

 

So many things to do before Wednesday! My husband and I are heading to Vegas once again that morning for a short 3 night trip. I'm super excited for it! We'll be doing lots of shopping, dining, and shows! I can't wait to get dressed up and have fun for a few days before i go hard for 16 weeks starting December 12. Michael is excited to hang with Grandma and Grandpa for the week and we are so lucky to have them nearby for our little man.

 

A couple of shout outs to friends and clients of mine - the first one is one of those random 'feel good' stories for me. A few months ago I was contacted by a friend of a friend who wanted a meal plan to lose baby weight. Very typical scenario, I worked with her and sent her off a plan that was customized for her but I never did hear from her again. I don't chase people down and i certainly understand that sometimes it can be tough to follow up or even follow the plan at all. I am always here for people and I love follow up, but life happens and it can't always be a perfect scenario. Anyways - I got an email last week from this girl asking for another plan. To my pleasant surprise, it was because she has been following the plan I had originally given her for the past few months, she has dropped over 25 lbs and now she figures she is at a plateau and has a new goal to reach. Awesome!!! I love hearing stuff like that!

 

Another journey I want to point you towards once again is my friend Heather's cause. Heather is currently 21 weeks away from her first Figure show and is tracking her progress and her story on her blog http://www.heathershealthypromise.blogspot.com There is a greater purpose to her journey as she is asking for weekly donations that she will match to an prganization she works very closely with - Hands at Work. Heather travelled and worked abroad in Africa last year and is encouraging all of us to not only take care of ourselves but also to contribute to the well-being of others who are less fortunate than us. Please contact her to be a donor.

 

And less than a month until Christmas! Woo Hoo!

 

 

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