"Gemma are you doing Crossfit now?? "   I LOVE this question because I’m really unsure how to answer. ‘I guess so….’ Normally comes out. Pretty much after the first session I was hooked. There's also another thing - if someone you know does Crossfit, you'll know coz 'THATS ALL WE TALK ABOUT!' :) I'm new at it so Im all excited about all the PB's Im hitting so leave me alone or join me ha. I'm happy!   Yes, I did a course where I learnt the basics or ‘fundamentals’ in Feb/March. Yes, I joined a ‘box’ a month ago. I just love training and really whatever keeps me happy is what I’ll do. I still train like I always have I’m just having a little fun. Read previous blogs for more details on my training.    Bit of a background on my GYM experience that I havent shared - years ago (2005) I started my fitness by walking on the beach (cool story bro but true). Then started running. I was an office worker straight o ...

Ok so I have been dabbling in a little bit of education and fun training the last month and can assure you I used to think I was FIT. I have definitely increased my strength, stamina and improved my mindset the last month or so by being in an environment that has pushed some of my limits. I am just seeing my potential again and as time is of the essence – I would like to keep this motivation and share a structure that I feel will really get me seeing results personally over the next FOUR weeks. I have also changed my mindset in terms of what I like and get out of training. Typically a solo trainer, I have now seen the benefits of having people supporting you through the sessions, cheering you on to finish ever rep with perfect form, to dig deeper than you ever imagined. This is why I have joined a Crossfit gym to do a few of the session there and really challenge myself but support everyone at the same time. That’s not what happens in a regular gym, you put your headphones in and get the job don ...

Amelia and I held our second workshop together on Sunday 3rd February in Adelaide - our next one will be November 2013 and if you are interested, please contact me at  gemmalivingbeauty@gmail.com To get an insight on Living Beauty, please head to the website and read Amelias blogs:  http://www.livingbeauty.com.au/blog/     Amelia and I have trained together to start the week off and can tell you Living Beauty mindset and method is really tailored to YOU! We really keep it simple and work hard and smart. Our clients testimonials are listed on the website and they are all their words. So lovely to see people progress and come away with life skills to get and stay lean for life! On the competition side- I HAVE REGISTERED FOR JUNE ANB ASIA PAC 2013!!! Gold Coast baby! Nice little holiday June weekend and can not wait to see everyone. www.anbasiapacific.com TRAINING MOVE IM IN LOVE WITH ATM - DEADLIFTS. Get a trainer to show you how to do them. I use an Olympic b ...

WORK 830- 5PM WEEKDAYS TRAINING MONDAY - FRIDAY 7-8AM LEG (SQUATS/LUNGES/DEADLIFTS) SESSION CHEST/TRICEP SESSION BACK SESSION AB/SHOULDERS ONE FULL BODY CIRCUIT (ANYTHING FROM CHINS, ROWER, PUSH UPS, BENCH HOPS, LEG RAISES, BOX JUMPS....) *45MINS +15MINS STRETCH WEEKEND: 1-2 YOGA CLASSES PM - BEACH/WALK WITH CHANCE (PUPPY PRIORITIES) SLEEP - 6-8HRS *I ALWAYS NEED 8HRS OR IM A ZOMBIE BUT SOMETIMES I JUST DONT GET IT. DAMN TV SERIES ADDICTIONS. ONCE IM ASLEEP, I DONT WAKE UP UNTIL THAT ALARM GOES OFF. FOOD/SUPPS MONDAY - SUNDAY MY GOAL IS JUST TO DROP SOME BODYFAT ATM (like 2kgs)AND TO MAINTAIN MY LEAN MUSCLE I HAVE BUILD. I WILL REVIEW IN 2 -3 WEEKS TO SEE HOW I LOOK/FEEL/PERFORM AND WHERE TO GO FROM THERE. I DO NOT BELIEVE ANYTHING IS SET IN STONE OR IN 'DIETS'- YOU NEED TO TRY SOMETHING FOR A LONG TIME AND SEE WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. LIVE AND ENJOY. AVG- 1600 CALS (NEVER UNDER AND NOTE THIS IS A GUIDE ONLY - I JUST MAKE SURE I EAT ENOUGH AS I GET BUSY WITH WORK, CATC ...

No doubt at some stage or another you have heard one or more of these: ‘He’s always at the gym’ (or she) ‘Ew, muscles!’ ‘I don’t want to get bulky’ ‘Bodybuilders are all meatheads’ ‘Crossfit is for ____’  ‘Is that another protein shake??’ ‘Do you even lift?’ Random comments everyday with opinions flying back and forth. They really do not serve any purpose but to bring a negative energy to what is actually quite a positive lifestyle choice – TO BE FIT (and even look good in your eyes). People have said I’m always at the gym, when I may on go for 30mins to a max of 1hr of any day. How about the 8hrs I’m at work, the 8hrs I’m sleeping or the 2hrs I travel each day. I think the time I spend in spandex is quite small compared to the others things on my ‘must do’ list. Something to think about. When setting your own ...

27 wks until my next bodybuilding show!  In terms of my whole year, the show day and time on stage is really a few moments.  I like to set a goal, know my reasons and get in a head space. Earlier rather than later is best. If you are serious anyway.  For my first competition in September 2010, I didn't just decide a few weeks before the show to do it.   I thought about competing in 2009 I met bodybuilders early 2010 I watched my first show and realised I needed to aim for the 'model' category.  Being a model was not my goal. My goal was to be able to step on stage and get my butt in a bikini. I loved to train at the gym and wanted to see if I could do it. I was willing to give 100% and did. And I won! (To my surprise... I really just listened to my coach Amelia www.livingbeauty.com.au) So I've enjoyed realising that comp preps -even if 'a lifestyle'- by having the strict mentality, energy day in and day out, the constant feedback to a coach ov ...

Some foods I love, I keep buying and that have remained close to my shopping trolley. Not to say there are other foods that I don’t eat, or these are all I eat, I just have never got sick of them and can always come up with ways to make them amazing. Thanks www.livingbeauty.com.au, also Facebook and Instagram food porn for some hot tips!!! Eating REAL food, not food substitutes, keeps me happy, builds a great base & most of all, I feel better eating them. Even if there are other choices, I tend to be too lazy and fall into my boring habits Protein: Chicken – staple staple stable. Always have it cooked, portioned, ready to roll. Steak – enough said! Turkey – my favourite over chicken ha! Eggs – little nutrient bombs. I love to just hard boil a bunch and keep in the fridge for days I have to run out at the speed of light. Contains 73% water, 6g protein, 5.7g fat, 0.4 carbs. People say that eggs are bad, that they are the reason for people cholesterol problems ...

This blog will be about my training… if only I had little minions to film me, cut a sick training video  with pump up tracks and post it up I wouldn't have to write it. One day... MY TRAINING: So what does my training split look like at the moment?? Do you even care?? Apparently people do that don’t see me in the gym. Monday – Hammies + full body circuit Tuesday – Chest/Abs Wednesday – Shoulders + circuit Thursday – Legs/Calves Friday – Back + circuit Saturday – Arms/Abs (or do these Friday and have weekends off, or use weekends if my training was thrown off in the week) TYPICAL DAY - MONDAY 19 November Walk or Run from car to gym – 15 mins (carrying food/water and work gear) Stairs to weights room – 4 flights ( I count this - stairs are an effort!) Deadlifts – 2 warm up set 20reps (Olympic Bar + 25kg each side), 5 working sets - increasing weights, feeling it in my hammies each ...

How many people say they would do something – from getting the body they always wanted, job they dream about, the life they always believe they deserved; if they had that amazing thing called TIME (and even money but that’s different kettle of fish). You hear the ‘NO TIME’ excuse every day. Probably multiple times. You probably are even guilty of it yourself?? The truth is that being successful sometimes means getting busy. But getting in tip top shape is really achievable despite running a business, a household, being an employee, taking care of family, having a girlfriend/boyfriend, social events to attend and many other obligations you may have going on. Most are guilty of that little chestnut called OVERTHINKING! It’s really not a good thing at all. It can burn you out and exhaust you. You can give up before you’ve even started. You can get emotionally drained when all that energy from just thinking can be used for the action to get to your goals. You hear the say ...

The joy of having my forum to connect with others!   My blog is BACK. Thank you to the ANB, and everyone working behind the scenes, for keeping it open for me.   Now why has there been a break? Many reasons. The main one being is that I gave up posting because of negative messages via social media and let it affect me (they didn’t know me personally and I was being a girl). You can’t be strong, resilient and positive all the time, and that’s ok. Changed my mindset to 'HUG A HATER' - made me smile  and they do probably need it. I also am old enough to know that not everyone will like you.   I also was in a period that I needed to get my priorities straight. With a new addition to my home, my puppy Chance, I really needed to find my flow so she can get my time and I can teach her how to be the best dog and we can enjoy life together. We are also going through a transition period in my work.   So I haven’t stopped my training, I still prep my meal ...