Words from Shannon

Well my very first competition has come and gone, and it's hard to believe the journey is over! What a first time experience it was! There was super-fit people swarming all over the Hilton in Hollywood! We even had two busloads of Japanese tourists empty out into Universal Studios just as we were preparing for our group bikini shoot. Needless to say, the security guards were chasing a lot of people with snapping cameras out of the area! The weather was warm and perfect for an outside stage, although many complained how the sunlight would take away from their physiques! Anyway, all I cared about was stepping onto that stage and not freaking out or tripping. Well, I did it. (Got up there without tripping, I mean!) I wasn't as suave as most of those girls but then again many had competed for 10 + years. After I was done, I felt like a million bucks. I was proud of myself for getting up there and doing my best against some really high calibre competitors. The high lasted for a whole day, until... the results went up. Let's just say I was devastated. But then after I cried a few tears, and went back to my hotel room to find the biggest, most amazing bouquet of flowers from my husband saying "Congratulations!" (they beat any anniversary bouquet, any day!) I thought about this experience. I had two very different ways of looking at what I had accomplished. I could remember the way I felt after doing the show, or I could focus on a list of numbers that were given to me by 5 Hollywood judges that knew nothing about me, and think, Should I have ever done this? Sure, I have tons of room for improvement. But I learned so much from this experience, especially in the months leading up to the show, that a few numbers no longer mean much to me, except that I need to "show them!" So I'll try it again for sure. It was fun, exciting, and I got to dress up and play prima donna for a day. Most of all, I've met amazing people, and have a husband who think I'm a winner despite the numbers! Take it from shy old me, if I can jump onto a Hollywood stage, anyone can! See me in the Pink bikini second row from the back, 3rd girl in starting on the right Well my very first competition has come and gone, and it's hard to believe the journey is over! What a first time experience it was! There was super-fit people swarming all over the Hilton in Hollywood! We even had two busloads of japanese tourists empty out into Universal Studios just as we were preparing for our group bikini shoot. Needless to say, the security guards were chasing a lot of people with snapping cameras out of the area! The weather was warm and perfect for an outside stage, although many complained how the sunlight would take away from their physiques! Anyway, all I cared about was stepping onto that stage and not freaking out or tripping. Well, I did it. (Got up there without tripping, I mean!) I wasn't as suave as most of those girls but then again many had competed for 10 + years. After I was done, I felt like a million bucks. I was proud of myself for getting up there and doing my best against some really high calibre competitors. The high lasted for a whole day, until... the results went up. Let's just say I was devastated. But then after I cried a few tears, and went back to my hotel room to find the biggest, most amazing bouquet of flowers from my husband saying "Congratulations!" (they beat any anniversary bouquet, any day!) I thought about this experience. I had two very different ways of looking at what I had accomplished. I could remember the way I felt after doing the show, or I could focus on a list of numbers that were given to me by 5 Hollywood judges that knew nothing about me, and think, Should I have ever done this? Sure, I have tons of room for improvement. But I learned so much from this experience, especially in the months leading up to the show, that a few numbers no longer mean much to me, except that I need to "show them!" So I'll try it again for sure. It was fun, exciting, and I got to dress up and play prima donna for a day. Most of all, I've met amazing people, and have a husband who think I'm a winner despite the numbers! Take it from shy old me, if I can jump onto a Hollywood stage, anyone can!Well my very first competition has come and gone, and it's hard to believe the journey is over! What a first time experience it was! There was super-fit people swarming all over the Hilton in Hollywood! We even had two busloads of japanese tourists empty out into Universal Studios just as we were preparing for our group bikini shoot. Needless to say, the security guards were chasing a lot of people with snapping cameras out of the area! The weather was warm and perfect for an outside stage, although many complained how the sunlight would take away from their physiques! Anyway, all I cared about was stepping onto that stage and not freaking out or tripping. Well, I did it. (Got up there without tripping, I mean!) I wasn't as suave as most of those girls but then again many had competed for 10 + years. After I was done, I felt like a million bucks. I was proud of myself for getting up there and doing my best against some really high calibre competitors. The high lasted for a whole day, until... the results went up. Let's just say I was devastated. But then after I cried a few tears, and went back to my hotel room to find the biggest, most amazing bouquet of flowers from my husband saying "Congratulations!" (they beat any anniversary bouquet, any day!) I thought about this experience. I had two very different ways of looking at what I had accomplished. I could remember the way I felt after doing the show, or I could focus on a list of numbers that were given to me by 5 Hollywood judges that knew nothing about me, and think, Should I have ever done this? Sure, I have tons of room for improvement. But I learned so much from this experience, especially in the months leading up to the show, that a few numbers no longer mean much to me, except that I need to "show them!" So I'll try it again for sure. It was fun, exciting, and I got to dress up and play prima donna for a day. Most of all, I've met amazing people, and have a husband who think I'm a winner despite the numbers! Take it from shy old me, if I can jump onto a Hollywood stage, anyone can! See me in the Pink Bikini second row from the back, 3rd girl in starting on the right http://www.fitnessamerica.com/

Shannon is Back and ready to act

Our famous, Miss Shannon, is back from Hollywood and ready to train for her next show! The first week back she had initially requested for it to be a week off to spend time with her 4 kids and husband. Monday, the day after she returned, she was calling asking for a training time for Tuesday! Little miss eager was back at the gym training harder then ever 3 days after her show. Now that's pride and a dedicated athlete.
I asked how she felt about the show experience....'It was an experience for sure!' Please check back regularly to see what Shannon has to say about getting ready and competing in Miss Bikini. I do know that she looks fantastic in her fancy Stage Bikini. Great work Shannon - you are a champion.

Shannon is off to Hollywood!

Spirit Fitness Client Shannon Sauer is off to Hollywood this week to compete in her first Bikini Contest. Here is some of what she had to say...

"My name is Shannon Sauer and I am a mother of four energetic, spunky little kids, ages 6-9 years old. I have three daughters and a boy. I have been a stay-at-home mom since my first child was born, and have always used exercise as my outlet for releasing stress and fatigue.

I have always been athletic, playing soccer as a teenager and then later attending a gym on regular basis. I found out quickly after my babies were born that there was nothing like a good workout to help me handle children. It gives me the energy to keep up with them, and the "happy" endorphins to deal with their antics!

I had always looked at fitness competitors with admiration, and had always wanted to do it myself. But I honestly never saw myself as "one of those types." I thought I would never have the discipline or the time to take on such a feat. But I had grown weary of the same repetitive days at the gym and longed to achieve a goal that would make me feel good about myself. I started hunting for a trainer that knew all about competing, and when a stranger directed me to Brenda, I looked her up on her website.
When I saw her photos and inspirational words, I knew I had found my trainer. I met with Bren and found that she was ready to jump on my bandwagon! If I ever thought at one time I couldn't do it, she never let me continue to feel that way. I started training with her around 20 weeks out from a show. We decided on a show in Hollywood (she said, "go big or go home") and she helped me with a nutrition and training program that not only started showing results within a couple of weeks, it made me feel amazing inside.
I feel like I can do anything now. Training for a fitness competition has been hard but very rewarding. I've learned that eating clean is a way of life, not just something we do to look good for a show. But most importantly, if there is one thing I have learned from Brenda and Rod, it's that we must surround ourselves, in every aspect of our lives, with people and thoughts that lift us higher each day.
To me, the last 20 weeks have been life-altering and most definitely for the better! The whole experience was something I needed and I will never look back!"

We are wishing Shannon all the best luck, and She has already won before she even gets there, great job girl!!

Solutions to Sore Back

We are here to constantly empty our cup and learn!

This past few weeks I had a nice reminder of how important it is to stay on track and when you get off-Get back on. I truly believe, I was brought here to help others through my experiences and lessons. I love it and take on the assignment....

'Hey Rod, my back is really tight on the traps but only on the right side from here to here...can you massage it?'

Two days later....

'Hi Dr. Bob! (our chiropractor and friend) I brought all my current vitamins for you to do BodyTalk and see if I am taking what my body likes and needs. Is that ok?'
So, I find out my body likes them all except for the 14 complex Mushrooms...body doesn't need them.
'Bren, your body is showing a depletion in Calcium and magnesium', says Dr Bob
'Ya? I usually take these Nikken ones but I just ran out and am waiting for my order. Does my body like these ones?
'Don't know as the bottle is empty, so the testing isnt responding' says Dr Bob
'Ok, well I will get my order in, in a few days from Nikken and I will continue taking since my body needs Cal/Mag'

Rod goes through the same process of tests and he doesn't need any of them except 14 Mushroom Complex by Nikken!

Sure enough my Nikken order arrives and ...... 'Oh Rod they sent the wrong order!'

Actually, I changed the wrong order and the Cal/Mag will be in after Nov 7th.....I will wait to get more because it's in my next order and that's only a few more days.

Now it's been 1.5 weeks with no Cal/mag.

Monday at a nice early hour of 3am I wake to pain in my Thoracic (mid back) right around where the muscle pain was days ago. I didn't do anything new, have been deep stretching, doing my walks, haven't been training Martial Arts..what is this caused from? Doesn't matter; I call Dr Bob.

'Hi Amy, can I see Dr Bob by any chance today?'

'Sorry Bren, he is booked. I can get you in Tuesday.'
'ok, great! Rod too please.'

Monday I was working like a person in traction. Stiff and so sore I couldn't reach forward to point at a coffee cup. I will keep working through it. Stretch. More stretching. Get a quick massage in the areas-AAAAwwwweee! I start to sweat.

'HI Bren. You ok?' asks Jay
' I am super but my back in the thoracic area is so tight and the muscles feel like they are freaking out!' I am off to see Dr Bob.
'Ya, as soon as I came in I felt your energy was off, in pain. Plus your face is off color and your eyes show pain.' says Jay
We talk for some little time and he suggests it's low Cal/Mag in my body. When was your last cycle?' 'oh, just a week ago'
'Yup, your body is very depleted in Cal/mag and that is why your muscles are freaking out' says Jay

Off to Dr Bob I happily go with Rod driving cause shifting gear is not easy.
Sure enough, there are adjustments made in my thoracic, but the main issue was my body was depleted in Cal/mag so my muscles tighten right up and pulled and are stressed out. I purchase Cal/mag from Dr Bob and don't wait for my Nikken order to arrive!

Lesson-Our Bodies are our Temples. They talk to us. Listen and act. Respect the body.

Share your stories...

Life around us

Have you ever noticed when you put your focus on something, it appears or happens? For example; I think deeply about how I want a particular person and I to be. I really feel how it would feel. I see it in my third eye and enjoy the experience. Next time I associate with this person...We are as I saw it and dream it in my mind. Coincidence? There is no such thing as coincidences, as we create our reality.
Life will go through ups and downs, as we all experience, and know very well. When things are great we think we have a super doper amazing life. When things are not going so well, we think, why me?
If we visualize and want happiness and serenity, then we will get it. If we focus on disease, we will get it. What ever your focus is, you shall receive it. It is the Law.
The Law of Attraction. Whatever you set your focus on you shall receive. As http://www.tut.com says: 'Be careful what you ask for and what you truly want, because you shall get it, if you put deep passion into that thought and wish'
I know from personal experiences that this Law is the Law. I have 'played' with it to see and 'test' it out. Rod used it to get his dream wife!! hehe lucky me.
We can use this Law in all aspects of our lives for further ones good, but never in deceptive ways are we to use this.
A great way to practice is upon waking each morning. Watch the video clip
http://thesecret.tv/secret-to-you">
every single morning for one month and feel how you want your day to truly be...and you will see how powerful the Law of Attraction is. It's fun and may the rest of your life be the BEST of your life!
Make it a great day, enjoy!
~BrenC

Nutrition Tips

Nutrition Advice for the week of November 6, 2006

Everyone asks...Can you help me with my diet?

My idea of the word diet is like the devil word. Diet is known to all as restrictions, feeling tired, limited time, being told what to eat, wanting to cheat and binge and again-restrictions. Body and life Balance is the key to life and success in the area of nutritional eating for each individual. The way one eats and needs to eat is different then the person next to them or the one they are married to or gave birth to. The way I need to eat to feel Balanced is, night and day, different from the way my Husband is to eat for health. There is also the want and the desire. Everyone wants to be fit and healthy and look fantastic, but who has the desire to truly be what they want. First we need to want something, then have the desire and then acquire the results. If we want something and don't follow through then our desire isn't truly there. So, we shall not acquire those results. This is true for all areas of our lives, especially our bodies. The best choice each of us can make is to figure out what our body needs and what it works best off of and be in-tune to how we accept we look in relation to how we want to eat. Some people need to eat complex carbs every meal and others respond better off little carbs and more essential fats. However your body responds is your nutritional needs and I guess is your 'diet'. Let's learn to use the word nutritional plan instead of diet and this way we don't confuse our inner self about what our plan is. This nutritional plan needs to be a life style, not a diet we follow for 2 months and then fall off and go back to our old habits that don't work. Or, something we start and get all that 'bad' food in before we begin this new program and think 'I don't get those foods anymore'. I like to recommend everyone has a treat meal once a week and then this way we get to have those special treats and don't feel so restricted. Life is about Balance so let's Balance our regular healthy eating with having a fulfilled life of meeting friends for an ice cream in the Hot summer sun. Balance is the key word, one ice cream not a 4 scooper 4 times a week. Have a piece of anti-oxidant dark chocolate daily, not a whole bar. Take 15 nuts not one cup. Everyone can have the desired feeling and look of a healthy body and mind. We just need to fulfill that desire and dedicate some time to figuring out what our individual body needs.

Eat 5-8 meals every day and keep that metabolism burning, just like a fire. Feed the machine if you want it to work top notch. Choose foods that are close to mother earth; vegetables, fruits, grains, protein. Stay away from refined sugars, fried foods, boxed foods, deli foods, etc.
Daily, have clean Nikken water, 2-4 liters everyday to help with energy, filtration and digestion. If you feel thirsty, you have waited too long to drink and your body is already dehydrated.
Make it simple and enjoy what you eat and you won't feel the need to cheat.
If you have questions and need help, please feel free to contact us via email from our site www.spiritfitness.ca
Thanks for reading to learn!
Bren