Is anything worse than cardio?

Okay gang, I am trying to make it through the 40 mins of (intense) cardio I promised myself. So far I am at twenty mins and took a break to write this. I hate cardio, it is so mind-numbingly boring. Maybe I'll do my sculpting now and come back to cardio.

Okay, so what is Bikini Jam?

I have had a few people email me and ask, so I am going to answer as best as someone how has not been (yet!).

Bikini Jam is a fantastic and fun opportunity in the sun. It gives models and photographers a chance to get together and hopefully make some magic on film. The photogs book appointments with the models and then both get copies of the prints, so they both get to build their portfolios. At the same time, you are competing for a bunch of prizes, including Miss Ujena (can you still be a Miss if you are married?). There is the photo contest, interview, 5Km run and a few other activities. It's all very fun and busy and it happens in a beautiful, amazing location.

Next year is Cabo San Lucas. I can't wait. If you want more info go to www.ujena.com or www.bikinijam.com

Maybe I'll see you there!

What's your dream, beach baby?

Have you ever had a dream? When I was in grade seven I remember doing an assignment about what I wanted to be when I grew up. When I opened up my imagination I realized my dream was to be a model. This was a strange choice; I was a shy, awkward twelve-year-old. I had braces and barely ever even said Boo during class. My teacher smiled kindly at me and said, “I think you are pretty enough if you want to.”

I did want to, but didn’t know how.

Following that school year I was “scouted” by an “agency”. My parents would not come with me for the interview, so I went on my own. I was the only girl there without a parent. I went in front of the camera and smiled as I was told. When I phoned back, they offered me “discount” classes because they could see my “potential”. I realized this was a scam and once again, put the dream away. I focused on acting. I decided someone with a strange face like mine would need to have more talent than just taking a good picture. At least I thought my face was strange. I couldn’t see the bone structure and the even noble looking features. I wanted the button nose and blue eyes that I saw in the magazines.

When I was a teenager I thought I would get a nose job and boob job and head off to be discovered. The braces came off and left beautiful straight teeth (thank you Mom and Dad), reminiscent of Julia Roberts with a big, bright smile. I grew to a height of 5’9” and was naturally thin. It would’ve been the perfect time to try again. When I was 19 I suffered a huge blow. A close friend was hit and killed by a drag-racing car. The thing was we were crossing the street together at the time. It took me years to come back from that accident and when I did, I thought I was too old to pursue dreams of modeling or acting. I needed to “get real”

I got a diploma in communications, got married and had a baby. I have had responsible jobs, and done what I was “supposed to”.

Now I am going to do what I dreamed of. I am going to be a model.

I am down eight pounds. It’s been tough some days, but I will keep going. I hope some of you will come with me.

What’s your dream?

Is it too hot to exercise? Or trying to sweat the pounds off

So here it is day one, about two in the afternoon and I am already procrastinating on the working out. I will have to visit the Ujena website for some inspiration. Maybe if I think about coming in dead last on the 5 K run, yup, feeling a little more like getting moving now. I even dragged one of my buddies over to go for a bike ride with me. Misery loves company.
Okay, it is now almost 9 PM and I went for a short bike ride. I know it doesn't in any way count as cardio for today. Sigh. I am just not used to this heat! I am getting my workout plan from Meaghan tomorrow. YIKES. No excuses then. I also spoke to and emailed some photogs today. Two got back to me and they were super nice. One was from the Ujenatalent site - Ken Levine - what a sweetie! the other was local Bruce from Impact Photography. Now I really have to bust my butt to make sure that I am photo ready in time.

It all starts tomorrow.

The First Steps

Well guys and gals I am pretty sad that I am not going to be there in Puerto Vallarta this year. On the one hand, I can't afford it and I am really not "bikini ready" but at the same time it looks like so much fun. Ahh well, more time to get ready I guess. Please think of me back here in Winnipeg while you are sipping margaritas by the pool.

I'll be the one sitting in the kiddie pool with a slurpee. Somehow, not the same.

At this point it's time to get really serious about getting into shape. I have been putting it off and putting it off, but I can use the girls of Ujena to inspire me. God, you all look amazing! I really sympathize with the judges, how can you possibly pick a winner?

No one wants to see my big butt in a bikini right now, but I can get there. It's just a little harder for a thirty year old mama to do it then a nineteen year old college student. I can certainly say that chasing my three year old around all day, while sometimes a workout is not going to get these twenty five pounds - thirty pounds off.

The plan - get supa-fly bikini ready ASAP. I know that I could wait around since I have some time, but CARPE DIEM. Time to get moving. I hope some other moms join me and maybe find some inspiration. I promise to keep with you every step of my way, my highs, my lows, my fun, my torture. I'll try to be funny sometimes, sometimes I may be sad or angry, but I promise I will always be honest. I find it easier to work out when I have a goal - my goal is to have a strong portfolio in time for next year.

Current weight: 165 lbs (I can try and blame the baby weight but she is three)
Goal: 135-140 (I am a sort of hourglass shape anyway, so I'm never going to be a stick)
Okay, Let the journey begin.