Monday, April 2, 2007 by Michelle
I turned 40 on Saturday, March 31st. It's hard to believe that two years ago I was more than 55 lbs heavier and wondering what had happened to my 30s. I sure made up for that with a vengeance these past two years! Turns out, the later part of my 30s was the time where I became more fit than I've ever been. I look forward to an even fitter 4th decade.
During the weekend I was loved, loved, loved by my family, friends, co-workers and neighbours; it's wonderful to have the people in life intersect like that. I'm very thankful to have a husband who spent the time to organize such a memorable day. And it's pretty heady stuff finding out that the hard work I've done in these past two years has inspired family and friends to make healthy changes in their own lives.
So here I am, 40 years old and more fit than I ever thought possible, and getting moreso every day (especially the days I decide the weather or the stuff going on in life don't dictate whether or not I make healthy choices - I just do because it needs to be done). So thank you, my friends, family and everyone who has encouraged me along. It has made a big difference having a group of people cheering me on.
Posted in Uncategorized
Saturday, March 3, 2007 by Michelle
Walking down the street yesterday, I picked up a copy of the March 2007 Shared Vision magazine (a local free alternative magazine, with a new age flare) and who should adorn the cover but Janice Abbott, the Executive Director & CEO of the two Atiras. It was weird - wherever I looked there was Janice! Anyway, I have seen first-hand how hard she works to ensure Atira provides barrier-free innovative services to women in the community. And she has grown the organization from six of us in 1992 to 120 now between our not-for-profit society and for-profit business venture. With a dynamic board and staff, she continues to ensure programs for women, and their children, are created in the community despite government cutbacks and a lack of funding. Her passion for the work is inspiring.
Click here to read the article.
Posted in Uncategorized
Thursday, February 22, 2007 by Michelle
When? Thursday, March 8th, 2007
7p.m. - 10 p.m.
Ironworks Studios
235 Alexander Street
Vancouver
"Six of the Westcoast’s most prominent women musicians perform March 8 in a benefit to raise money for Atira, B.C.’s largest provider of housing for women in need. The March 8th concert features six of Vancouver’s leading women musicians in a celebration of International Women’s Day. Westcoast leaders Karin Plato, Laura Crema, and Jennifer Scott, will head a band featuring Sharon Minemoto on piano, Wendy Solloway on bass and Shadikka on drums."
Tickets are $30 and limited so please contact me if you want tickets, or go straight to the source: Caithlin at 604-531-9143.
Posted in Uncategorized
Friday, February 9, 2007 by Michelle
Ted Loo, the owner of Ted Loo Fitness, had an appreciation party the other evening for clients and others in his life. It was a lot of fun to be able to talk with other people who completely understood the whole workout thing; Topher was amused to hear others say the same kinds of things I say about it. I work out with Ted’s colleague Warren and the words “Warren” and “damn treadmill” were used in the same sentence more than once let me tell you. And I found out I’m not the only person who detests burpies, but I caused a bit of a stir when I said Warren had me do them with a barbell once; I think I scared the hell out of more than one person with that piece of information. Oops! We also all agreed we keep coming back for more because we reach our goals; there's nothing like the thrill of success in my fitness journey after what feels like a lifetime of defeats.
Anyway, in my enthusiasm for my new-found fitness, it appears I inspired others. Read Ted’s blog entry at www.tedloo.com to find out more. I’m not used to being the subject of someone else's blog entry! Oh, and for the record, I’ve lost just over 50 lbs not 60; BUT, one day soon though I’ll be able to say I’m over 60 lbs lighter than when I started!!
I'm now going to be working out with Warren once every two weeks instead of once every week, with the idea that I'll keep up with the workouts on non-Warren weeks. It's a bit daunting thinking about doing this all on my own, but Warren did indeed point out today that I started and continue to run on my own. I hadn't actually thought of that.
Posted in Uncategorized
I turned 40 on Saturday, March 31st. It's hard to believe that two years ago I was more than 55 lbs heavier and wondering what had happened to my 30s. I sure made up for that with a vengeance these past two years! Turns out, the later part of my 30s was the time where I became more fit than I've ever been. I look forward to an even fitter 4th decade.