Fitness or Health

Over the last few weeks I've been back to the place where my fitness career began. It's only the coffee and the wonderful owners of Pump cafe that have me driving back to mooroolbark. The shocking thing to me is that I see the same faces that were there when I was, not trainers but members and PT clients. Normally I would think "great! Dedicated, fit people. Great job!" But I am completely baffled by the fact these people pay so much money and....their bodies just haven't changed. In fact, some of the trainers have gained weight! Normally you can blame this lack of change on a number factors, the client doesn't do homework, eats like crap, the trainer has no idea how to program for the client or is too caught up selling bullshit products to make a quick buck or too busy staring at their reflection to actually train the client, the member doesn't get PT because they can't afford it (cigarettes and Maccas are more important) and so not one of the trainers cares about the member....BUT....why on earth would you STAY if you aren't getting RESULTS?! Two years? Come ON...who has two years to waste?! YES waste!!!!! 

This is why the fitness industry is not about health, it's about numbers, it's about selling people a false hope and cashing in. 

Let me be frank (because I clearly am not) a globo gym does not give a shit about you, they give a shit about your bank account. Boob jobs and eating disorders SELL. Being a "power lifter" is the new thing for male PTs and allows them to be overweight.

This is why I never fit in at the gym. I tried...I tried shakes that bloated me and I got right in deep with my eating issues, I  lifted tiny dumbells and did back to back classes, at my (previous) fittest I was my unhealthiest...I had an image to maintain so through my frustrations at not being good with business I partied my cares away on the weekends, I let people walk all over me and I gave them good reason to. It wasn't until I was pregnant that I started to let it go. Started to treat my body like a temple, listen to it and block out the hurtful words that scared me. It took an amazing trainer to push my body after baby, to show me what I was capable of. It took support.

The way I would feel when getting a movement down pat started to replace the obsession I had with being thinner. Before this I always felt like a fraud, I felt like I wasn't good enough. Through my second pregnancy I learnt how to build a real business but my confidence was once more shattered by some spiteful people, it's taken a year to get my confidence back. Now I get told everyday that I'm helping someone, my clients and members seek me out and tell me I've helped change their life. I don't take on people that aren't ready for that change. And that's why our members look different to 5 months ago, that's why my clients have changed. That's why every mum that comes to train with us leaves feeling amazing. Because while a degree and certifications can provide foundations for coaching, it takes a different kind of person to change another's life. While money can buy you a state of the art facility, it takes blood sweat and tears to build a community.

This is why CrossFit is successful. This is why our current box is different to the last one. This is why I'm not worried any more about my ability to help make the world a healthier place. Ask yourself if you received no money, would you still get up and go to work? My answer...heck yes!

Baby bums

Hello again lovelies!

Topic of the day; what treatment our kids bums receive! 

Always, I knew I would cloth nappy. My mum had for us and as we avoid plastic it seemed the logical choice. I also go whole heartedly with my environmentalist parenting; it's not just about my kids cute butt, but about the fact that nappies don't break down....and I don't know many parents that flush poo down the toilet when they use disposable nappies (the correct way to use them) so that means that there is human feacal matter in land fill along with all of the other trash...something that makes my skin crawl. 

This post may be very "tree-hugger" but I'm not one to skirt around an issue. Stop being irresponsible with your waste. Until recently I assumed everyone recycled correctly...and was really sad to realize that it's not true, people are lazy. I think we're well educated enough to know that the way humanity is consuming HAS to STOP. It simply CANNOT continue. And I want my grandchildren to know peace, freedom and fresh air.

So I researched and got a mix of cloth nappies from cheapies to expensive ones. And the only ones that I have truly LOVED are Green Kids & Baby Bee-Hinds. They last and they are absorbent. The drying time sucks though so I fell into Elimination Communication or EC.

The times I have used disposables I spent around $30 on a biodegradable, chemical free pack from the health food store...this was for holidays etc and worth the cost for peace of mind. So STOP buying shitty plastic CRAP from Aldi or Coles because it's cheap, nasty and bad for Mother Earth. You'll save funds in the long run. Cloth nappies combined with exclusive breastfeeding will mean you can use the Baby Bonus to buy organic food and help make up for any wage loss. So you can be a tight ass without purchasing crappy nappies, I am and I'm proud! ;)

The first time I read about EC, I read a story about parents who did it full time from birth and they could tell you the "cues" and would carry newspaper around EVEN at the SHOPS. My first reaction was HELL NO. Haha ;) Then I found out you can do it "part time" and don't have to make it a big deal...you don't even have to be able to read the "cues"! So we made up a little word to say each time Riv peed on the potty and always made sure the second he pooed we took his nappy off. He sat on the potty after meals and before bedtime but we never "forced" it or rewarded it...we cheered when we "caught" a wee/poo and ignored any "miss". He was going pretty much on command by a year, and by 16months completely nappy free. Raine is nappy free at night time doing a huge wee on the potty each morning. This morning was a breakthrough when at 6am she woke up saying "pothy" "pothy" "pott-ew" asking for the potty! 

That's our story anyway. As usual it's not the easiest way to raise babies. But I'm very glad my kids were easily nappy free and we didn't have to make a big deal about transitioning to underwear. 

In other news...finally hit me...I am free!!! Thanks to yoga, the amazing Eric (business partner & boyfriend extradinaire), my best friends (Nick, Will, May and my extra special CrossFit babes), everyone of our CrossFit members and my SISTERS...I actually no longer care about the people that hurt me last year. I feel amazing and confident again. I know I'm a great coach and trainer, I know I'm strong and fit as I've ever been, I'm happy with the journey I'm on...most importantly I'm SO PUMPED that I'm not an asshole. 

So here's to being fabulous, talented and unique. Don't let any asshole make you doubt yourself!

Xxx