Talentfreeflow

Breaking the cycle

2010-06-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

I talk about breaking things...because sometimes I like to think that we have to force change...although not underestimating the course of nature...change is inevitable. I like to have the sense that Im above the change...somehow demanding it...somehow driving it.

What I realized is that when you start an exercise programme, your body requires an adjustment...At first the feeling of working it out is uncomfortable, people start off grumbling and convincing themselves to do the workout...at the end of it their so glad because of the sense of achievement. The body is not used to handling the extra calorie burn so it immediately demands more sustenance in the form of chowing...on anything at hand.

Later on...at stage two...you are no longer trying to motivate yourself to work out...the tables have turned...you actually feel like crap if you haven't worked out, and the motivation not to work out and to relax becomes more of a focal point. :) Funny. Your body is also now stabilized and used to the increased demands...it no longer demands more sustenance. In fact its happy burning the fat that it doesn't require. The intensity for liquid replenishment becomes intensified. Your body now appears to be working on par.

Lesson learnt: don't reject the initial changes when you start to work out...like all things the start is hard...but it becomes easier and easier, and the reverse starts to materialize...before you know it...your a fitness junky...in love with the taste of health and reaching new heights.

Enjoy the workout!

Breaking into New Frontiers

2010-02-01T12:00:00.000-08:00

I've got to be completely truthful here...after all this is an account...this is my blog (its my party and I can cry if I want to...) Week 2 of the fitness program. Im working towards the IDFA in July 17th 2010. Im motivated!!! I've reached so many new heights for myself. 22 km run...that was a limit breaker. And now...since I slightly sprained my calf tendon, I've picked up cycling. Oph! that demands some new set of skills in endurance! I've got to a good level on the gym bike and today broke into an intensive 30 minute cycle...legs burning. Im trying to put my heals down to feel the heat in the back of my legs. My hamstrings need a good workout.

The view of BALANCE...has reorganized my practice in workout to a level that is so much more effective. I understand that if I build the front...I need just as much training on the back...so I watch my posture in the mirror regularly and can immediately spot my weak areas by the angles of my posture.

So I've been meeting my objective this week...to break into new frontiers...or lets call it breaking into new hemispheres...arenas where my body has not been before...I've upted the level of what i can endure. And that is my ongoing goal for every week.
This has not come without pain and struggle...while other people are eating, sleeping, complaining...Im just working on it...

Last weekend drowning in some of my own weaknesses and pigging out on chocolate cake...yummy pizza nachos...and DQ Icecream Sandwich! What can I say!!! Do I deserve it all! Well yeah! Duh! I enjoyed every second of it...guiltily hiding in the kitchen while I munched on these. My fork in the fridge...my bum in the air ;))

Still goes to show...that its not all easy going...but I can localize these things and over time minimize with more healthy habit building...practice overtime becomes habit in action.

Keep on keeping on...

All is sunshine and dandy in nutrition world...

2010-01-24T21:18:00.000-08:00

Setting a framework:

First...water. The body sometimes does not know the difference between hunger and thirst. Solution: Drink water before eating to gauge the body's hunger...

In calorie loss... trick is create a deficit. Less calorie intake more calorie burning through exercise = loss of fat. To gain muscle visibility minimize salt and sugar intake. Fitness program to increase strength and fitness requires high-moderate intensity exercise - cardio, resistance and flexibility...ideally everyday of the week.

Ground Rules:
5 portions of fruits and veg.
5 pm curfew of Carbs.
5 meals a day. 3 main and 2 snacks in small portion
8 glasses of water at least.
One day of Detox (ie: Veggies, Fruits and Teas only)

My experience so far:
22 KM run was a huge advantage for weight loss. I ate like a bird in portions, making sure I got my vitamins and minerals from Veggies. I lost almost 2 kg in two days. A little steep.

The result:

3rd and 4th day...I gorged on chocolate and orange cake. I could not help it!!! they were there infront of me for 2 days...I kept saying no and then was at them like a wild animal. Ah! the feeling after so many hours of self restraint!! One can't describe the feeling of being deprived and then enriched with the desire of his/her craving!! It makes it that much better and that much more desirable. Dangerous! and In the case of nutrition...its far from a good story!

Possible Conclusions:
- Balance must be determined. I was eating too light the 2 days before. so I can up my portion size a little.
- Get Creative: Diversity is key to satisfaction. Although I know what is right to eat...I need to diversify so that I don't get bored. New veggies, a new home made dish, a smoothie made up of oats, dates, honey and milk...and other creative tasty and good for you mixes.
-Consistency...by keeping to a good a. balance with b. diversity I can be consistent and then be the head-master of sporadic indulgences once in a while.

More to come from the bar...stay tuned.

International Drug Free Atheletics

2010-01-23T13:49:00.000-08:00

I've registered for the IDFA Womens' Fitness Model competition on 17th July 2010 in Toronto. Im waiting for my confirmation and then that's that! I know that I do what I put my mind to. No miracles here...just pure determination to push my own limits outwards. Why? Simply...because I can. :)

I know I won't be ripped/built like the other women out there. I don't really have that in mind. What i do have in mind is something more like Lisa Lyon (pictured here). First place in IFBB Women’s World Pro Bodybuilding Championships in Los Angeles...June 16, 1979. You can read up on her in the IFBB hall of fame: http://www.ifbb.com/halloffame/2000/lyon.htm (her figure is so balanced and perfectly toned...without the buldge and scraps that are aesthetically less than pleasing).

I just want to know that a. I can do it. b. That I can achieve body balance. Health wise its the best solution. Aesthetically it is the most pleasing. Functionally it is the most efficient. Ah! Next I'll be breeding horses!!

Happy New Year!!!! (Ready for some Torso Stabilization?! :)

2010-01-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

I've picked up my nutrition and fitness in a new way...how?? Based on Knowledge. Learning from a few great books I found here in Bahrain...believe it or not. Book suggestion: BE your own Personal Trainer by Tanya Wyatt. (Goes with my philosophy of: well if you can't find anyone to help you...then do it yourself!) And I've learnt the most important piece of advice from this: Its about Assessing yourself. Understanding your Muscle and skeleton balance before you begin working out. Why? Because its important to observe where the weak areas are on your body, which cause other areas to sag or fall short of a strongly aligned and balanced frame. Without observing and then working out those areas...any form of physical activity could worsen your weak areas and leave you physically impaired. It doesn't matter if you can run a marathon...but your body is not a. Balanced, b. Nutrionally healthy.(I'll come to nutrition some other time - Im learning on that too!)

So how do you find your weak spots? Answer: Torso Stabilization. What is it? Training that deals with the trunk stability. First you'd require a postural assessment. For example, I observe that my shoulders droop forward when I stand relaxed and straight. The muscles I need to work out are my back muscles (serratus anterior).

I ran 22 KM this Friday (22nd Jan. 2010) and observed where my muscles are already overdeveloped. Namely my Quadriceps (ooof...those babies bulge out like a sore thumb!) My weak areas...the back of my legs (Hamstrings) my Gluteus maximus (you know where that is!) And my inner thighs (Adductors). Those are the areas I need to focus on to achieve Torso Stability.

Why? A balanced strong torso can result in a more powerful, effective movement. Ie: I can develop my running ability, as opposed to overdeveloping areas that could distort my posture further. IMPORTANT!!!

New Year Running

2010-01-10T13:55:00.000-08:00

Don't know what is up. I ran 13 k today...went to bed at 10:30 pm. Woke up at 12 am famished. Downed a plate of pasta and tomato sauce.!!! The nutrition part ain't working out right now. So Im going to have find out what the deal is soon. Mike help me out...

I want to share this poem

2009-11-29T05:39:00.000-08:00

Lion in a Desert
The desert does different things to different people. Some fear the emptiness, some dread the loneliness, while others find happiness and serenity.

This is an oasis... there is something about the desert that is so relaxing…

It is serenity, calmness and paradise right in the middle of nowhere.

I’m glad I was able to live my life to the fullest... I have a state of mind that is higher than happiness. I have Serenity in a pure…empty desert.

All the mistakes I made [in the past], I like. I love them. Because I learned from them. I learnt my lessons. I was in some difficult situations, it was not easy. I learned the hard way, so I made my mistakes. They were not destructive and I promised myself I would not do them again."

I’m now tough like a lion…

Diet plan from www.bodybuilding.com

2009-11-14T02:29:00.000-08:00

Recommended 1,600 calories per day.
1. Write down everything that you put into your mouth.
2. Eat every three hours and have a cheat snack once a week to stay sane

Meal 1:
• Oatmeal
• Applesauce
• 1/2 cup of egg whites
• Feta cheese
• Vegetables
Meal 2:
• 1/2 cup of cottage cheese
• Vegetables
Meal 3:
• 6 lean turkey meatballs
• Yogurt
Meal 4:
• Rice cakes
• Peanut butter
Meal 5:
• Salad
• Vegetables
• Chicken breast

Problem foot

2009-11-14T01:27:00.000-08:00

This foot is making it incredibly hard to work out without some pain. Im off to the shops to buy a more comfortable shoe to run with. Its November 14th ... I've reached a sort of plateau with my workout and Im in need of some hard core revision to up the pressure and get my fitness to the next level. Some progress is made ... but I'm no where close to the definition that I need for the IDFA. I'm strong on cardio, but I have laxed on the weight training and my eating habits. So there are two things that Im going to do in the next two months before January hits: 1. dedicate two hours a week for weight training and 2. find a hard core diet plan that will help me get the pounds off.

8th September 2009

2009-09-08T00:15:00.001-07:00

My detox diet is still going strong. Im eating small quantities as well which is helping.
I haven't gone to the gym yesterday, nor will I be going today, which is a bummer...
but instead I've got an aquarium dive at Dubai Mall! at 8pm, which is real exciting!
The best I can do for now is eat real tight...drink two liters of water at break fast (iftar) time,
and do some stretches and AB workouts. Im still in the negotiating phase with a few gyms
and there is nothing that I can do until I decide where it is Im going to be...Dubai, Bahrain etc...
Tomorrow, I've got to get some major Cardio in though (60 mins) NO EXCUSES!!

Once I get some physical changes in my body more apparent, and have proper gym membership,
Ill get some other people involvedin training with me.

Feeling Awesome!! - In dedication to Meagan

2009-09-06T04:01:00.000-07:00

I did what I planned today. 60 minutes of Cardio. Legs, ABS and shoulders.
I'm still fasting so I haven't eaten anything yet. Its the water that I need badly.
I'll make sure to drink two liters this evening!! Its a bad habit of mine not to!

Day One of following Mr. Joshi's Detox...Ill be eating White Meat, Brown Rice,
Low fat cheeses / Live yoghurt, lots of green veggies (no avocados), Salads (without
my fav....tomatos or peppers :( :( )...but to compensate I get to eat lentils, chickpeas (hummus) and soya / olive oil...

No oatmeal or nuts for the next 21 days!!!
No coffee or teas except for herbals...hmmmm can I cut this?

Anyway, the question came up, Why am I doing all this?
Well apart from the destination...IDFA (International Drug Free Athletics),
And from the inspiration I got from Meagan www.meagan.ca (if she can do it, so can I)
I simply DO what I love...I think that sums it up.

Body Shape...here I come!

2009-09-06T00:22:00.000-07:00

Yes...Im following. I have to admit, that I need a total make-over...and in the process I found the love of my life (Fitness and Body Building) being performed perfectly by Meagan http://www.meagan.ca/. Her blogspot http://meaganmayada.blogspot.com is getting me going day by day on a total fitness work out. I've been going around to all the gyms in Dubai. I found Fitness First to be the best. Well...of what I have seen so far. But they are horrendously expensive! I've got to spend something like AED 4,000 for the yearly membership and another AED 4,000 for a personal trainer. (The above AED 4,000 is factoring in the discounts that I plan to get on top of the quoted prices). So NO!!! I don't think Ill be doing that. Although there are alot of benefits to joining Fitness First...like the yoga and tai chi classes...also meeting alot of guys and girls. I've got to find a less expensive way to do it, until I work out a full time job (working on it)...Irony is: Once I get a full time job, will I have the hours to commit to my work out? You know? America and Canada are way ahead of us in freelancing culture. Its still kind of considered out of the norm here. But I did the whole starting my own company thing...Im on the move to get there. Talentfreeflow is waiting for registration!!! Any investors out there? 6 month plan is to get to the fitness level that I need to join into an IDFA competition. I'm starting with Detox now (Dr. Joshi's Detox)...just as Meagan did, way back in January 2009.

Yesterday (Day 1): 40 minutes intense cardio, then triceps, ABS, Chest
(Day 2) Planned: 60 minutes intense cardio, heavy shoulders and legs workout.

Starting my diet today.

Oh! Also booked for a Aquarium Dive at Dubai Mall (8th September / 8pm) Come Check Me Out!!

Coaching, Me?

2008-04-13T13:49:00.000-07:00

Adrian Hayes life corporate coach and speaker. He came down from the summits of Mt. Everest to speak to us about his experiences. Some people fly really high, some people dig really deep and some live in danger to bring us a new perspective of our otherwise mundane worlds. The honor was mine! :)

2010

2008-04-07T06:52:00.000-07:00

Pavlova on her bicycle with her dog Sushi in September 2012 during a petrol shortage, photographed by her husband Olian.

HeWOOD

2008-03-16T12:57:00.000-07:00

THE QUESTION I ASKED: "WOOD I?" The PR that was done for HeWOOD went straight to the heart. Dean and Dan Canten really gave it their all with a presence in Dubai, UAE, to launch their first fragrance HeWOOD. Inspired by the wood from their home town Canada, the bottles are made of real wood. But wait...before you environmentalists complain...for every tree that is cut down to make these bottles, three trees are planted to replace it. What's more, every bottle has its own unique patterns from the original tree. Only the thing that sold me was Dean and Dan Canten's advice that you should be the one to walk into a room before your fragrance does. I completely agree.

Friends by Adrian Steyn

2008-01-27T11:12:00.000-08:00

Talentfreeflow

2008-01-27T09:42:00.001-08:00

The Hollywood model® - talented people and very small firms come together for a particular, finite project. When they complete the job, they disband, each participant benefits from a. having learned new skills, b. forging new connections, c. deepening existing relationships, d. enhancing their reputation, e. earning credits to their résumé. As a consequence some people may gather again - along with a new crop of people - for another project. When that project wraps up the free agents will again head their separate ways.

- Exert from "Free Agent Nation" by Daniel Pink

Over and over it goes. The idea is that talents assemble in a specific place for a specific purpose.

What's Your Talent?

2008-01-23T09:38:00.000-08:00

What's Your Talent?

2008-01-23T09:30:00.000-08:00

For my Birthday I invited all my Fav. talents and friends to a party at Golden Tulip Al Jazira Hotel and Resort.

My Birthday ticket asked: What's your talent? I was looking for everyone's uncensored expression of talent - including a live demonstration of their skills.

What I learnt is that not many people like being put on the spot. Especially not at a party. I remember the effort my parents and their friends put into their parties. They really new how to do it back then. I think we are less self-indulgent these days.

Two of my friends did get dressed up though. Fay and Panos cheers to you both!

What I did discover is that hidden talents take some digging in to and that everyone of my friends has something really special that shines through when their having fun! Bassel your Mojitos were not comparable.

First Contributors to talentfreeflow:

Adrian Steyn

Adrian is a freelance photographer I met at 50 Cent's concert in Dubai. Glad we met!

If anyone needs his services let me know.

Talented Friends

All my gratitude to you guys for sharing my Birthday with me, for driving all the way out

Elia (Punk Greek Restaurant) at Majestic Hotel

To the Economides family for providing the food from Elia (Majestic Hotel in Bur Dubai) - A real taste of authentic Greece.

See the pictures taken by Adrian Steyn of my friends.