Epic.

Hey Guys,
It's been ages, sorry I've been unable to check in sooner. I took a walk this morning to table my thoughts as I have a million and one things I wanted to share, but now as I sit down to write, my mind is drawing a blank. Could be the long hours and all of the socialization that I'm not used to, maybe I am all shared out!

(For those of you who don't know, I am currently on location in Ontario, Canada for the production of a screenplay that I wrote, so I'm veering a bit off the usual course today.)

Where do I even begin? I've been writing for ten years and this is my first feature film to be produced. I guess many things are true here... the first being that all good things come to those who wait and the second... most over-night successes usually take about ten years. It's the theory of the mastery of a task taking ten thousand hours according to author Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers.

Whatever it is, I'm here now and it's been a crazed excursion into a world I've only glimpsed from short indie productions or student films. The hours are long, the personalities are wildly varied, the weather hasn't always been cooperative and the food has been bountiful. That's where one of my challenges lies. On the 21st of September, I crossed the threshold of sixty days being sugar free. It's the only thing that saved me from this the day before...

 

The infamous craft table. This is not a one-off. It's been a daily barrage of the likes of this.

 

Thankfully, there is always a healthy alternative on offer. It seems that all it took was that first day of saying no, sticking to my guns and picking something better and now it's barely a temptation. When it simply isn't an option, you look for something else, in the same way that as a vegetarian I just walk right on by the meat on display. It's pretty cool to finally feel free.

As for workouts, those have been harder to come by. Because most days we have over an hour commute to our various locations, our wake-ups have been as early as 4:30 AM and we don't return until well after dark, I haven't been able to go for a run. I have no idea where I am, so I'd have a hard time finding my way back in the dark. Standing abs have been mandatory in the morning as I brush my teeth and I've managed to sneak in a full 30 minute workout from memory every other day. It's not ideal, but to be honest, I'm not concerned. I'm confident I'll bounce back once I get home.

The crew have been amazing...

The cast brilliant on seemingly every take...

and the Locations are phenomenal...

I've even met my fashion twin, our fantastically amazing Wardrobe wiz, Marie-eve.

I feel truly blessed. 

While it hasn't been all sunshine and roses, last night I was so cold I was bundled into more than 10 layers (that doesn't include what I had on from the waist down) that I could barely bend my arms, I am so grateful to be having this experience.

I can't wait to tell you more, but for now I am going to run off and do a quick bit of mat work and perhaps try and grab some shut-eye before we start all over again.

Big hugs,
Shan

Come Fly Away!

Hello Lovelies,

I fly off to Toronto this afternoon and instead of being super excited and ready to bolt out the door, I was (am) a nervous wreck and didn't even want to get out of bed! I over-share here on the blog so much that it might come as a surprise to learn that I am super shy, always waiting for an invite, wall-flower kinda girl who doesn't want to step on anyone's toes.

 
The first thought that went through my head this morning was "Omigod, what are you doing? They don't need you there, your job is done! You're going to be in the way." Gulp. 

Gentle reminder, no being a hateful meanie. I need to remember that it's just my mind talking. The same mind that tells me I need sugar every five minutes. Or that I could stand to lose five pounds. I know better. This is a perfect exercise for overcoming fear, releasing demons, not letting my silly thoughts control me, and for standing front and center and taking up the space I am in.

We should all do that. We deserve to be here, where ever our here may be.

I've also realized that I need to work on being less neurotic. (You think?) No kidding. So I am leaving Tracy at home. Yep, you read that right. Tracy and Continuity are not coming with me. I already know that there is going to be very little time or space or privacy for getting in a full workout, so if I don't even bring the DVDs, I cannot feel guilty for somehow not fitting it in. On the other hand, I have managed to shove my Ascics into my carry on because there is a greater chance that I can sneak in a run, if only on my one or two days off. (plus could you imagine if I lost the DVD?! Eeep. Yep, still neurotic.)

Also, lovely reader Sophie got me thinking. Like me, she's on location, sharing accom with others, making a film. She was struggling to fit in her workout and asked for thoughts on what to do. I considered the question carefully knowing I'd soon be in her shoes.

The bottom line is this, once you've been at the Method for a period of time, it kind of sinks into your DNA, so for starters, if you miss a month it might suck, but your body bounces back really quickly. Many people have shared that insight with me. But you also know the basics. You can totally pull off standing abs as you're brushing your teeth. Getting in five minutes of standing arms in a pinch is totally doable. And when it comes to legs, if you can't remember an exact sequence of moves or space is limited, think Ballet. You can always do 20 or 30 plies on the spot. So my method over the next three weeks will be just that. Sneak in workouts in increments throughout the day and pull off a run when I can.

As you can imagine, posts may be few and far between, but you know I won't be able to resist touching base to tell y'all what's going on!

So this is me, signing off in Vancouver. Next time you hear from me I'll be on the other side of the country dying to over-share! Please keep the home fires burning.

Loads of love,
Shan

Lights, Camera...

And Action! I am over the moon excited to share that my feature film has officially gone into production.

I cannot tell you how immensely grateful I am for all of the people who have believed in my voice and vision, and have come together to lend their expertise and skill to make this movie. I truly feel as though I am joining a very special group of individuals, the filmmakers who have the privilege of bringing stories to life. 

I am off to Toronto on Wednesday to see it happen first hand and I'll look forward to sharing what will be some undoubtedly memorable experiences as well as the challenges involved in trying to squeeze in a workout on location, eating healthy, and staying off the sugar! Yikes.

Wish me luck!!
xo
Shan

2.2.3 Review & Link to New Photos!!!

There are a couple of different schools of thought when it comes to training your dog. What the heck does this have to do with a review of Continuity 2.2.3 with Maria, you ask? A lot. It's about the attitude you take toward getting the result you want.

Some people believe that when they're training their dog, they have to punish bad behavior. Not me. I am all about rewarding the good behavior. I give my dog constant praise when he's exhibiting the behavior that I want. He gets a happy tone when I talk to him, he gets cuddles and of course healthy treats for exceptional behavior. If you were to be within hearing distance of us on a walk, a phrase you might overhear a lot is "Good job, dog." It might be why people often stop me to ask if my pup is a show dog, because he prances like a show ring poodle. I am not kidding. I tell them that he prances because he's happy. I say "good job" a lot!

And so does Maria on level 3 of Continuity 2.2. She is an absolute joy to listen to while going through this level. Her voice is sweet and encouraging and she is incredibly articulate. She's able to tell you precisely what to do just before you do it and she continues to tell you what a good job and sometimes even great job you're doing. I love that!

As mentioned yesterday, the workout is a shortie, only 23 minutes long. But I can tell you that in the day-after glow, I am really feeling it in my hamstrings. Those of you that are diehard fans of Tracy's Mat DVD (myself included, it's my fave) are going to love this level! Love it I tell you. The entire leg sequence is standing. And no ankle weights! Eeeeeee.

While 23 minutes might not sound like much, Maria has us doing 150 leg lifts per side hitting a variety of different angles and I can assure you that the supporting leg feels this as well.

There is a brief warm up with a few plies and stretches and then she gets right into the arm work, but it relies heavily upon the abs too so your whole upper body is getting a workout while the focus is on the arms, both with and without weights.

Maria is very speedy throughout the floor ab work and I did struggle to keep up this first round, but from experience I know I'll get it by the time the ten days are up. I have to say that I am exceptionally impressed by these first three workouts that Stacey and Maria have guided us through so far on 2.2. I can't wait to see what comes next.

And as promised, I have put together a little post with pictures (bleck, hate taking photos) so you're able to see where I am at today carrying a few extra pounds than I had at the end of Meta. I consider this my maintenance body.

You can check it out here if you're brave!

Big hugs,
Shan 

Committed.

The dictionary defines the word "committed" as:
adjective
feeling dedication and loyalty to a cause, activity, or job; wholeheartedly dedicated: a committed reformer.

verb ( commits, committing , committed )
1) carry out or perpetrate (a mistake, crime, or immoral act): he committed an uncharacteristic error.
2) pledge or bind (a person or an organization) to a certain course or policy: they were reluctant to commit themselves to an opinion 
• pledge or set aside (resources) for future use: manufacturers will have to commit substantial funds to developing new engines.
• (be committed to) be in a long-term emotional relationship with (someone).
• (be committed to) be dedicated to (something): we must be committed to peace.
3) send, entrust, or consign, in particular:
• consign (someone) officially to prison, esp. on remand: he was committed to prison for contempt of court.
• send (a person or case) for trial.
• send (someone) to be confined in a psychiatric hospital: he had been committed for treatment.

I can't quite determine if I am the adjective at the top or if I should be in the very last category of committed the verb.

What started out as an intense 30 day boot-camp back in September 2010 has become a long-term relationship with Tracy Anderson's Method two full years later.

I guess it must have been March or April of 2010 when it all started. We flirted a little in the beginning, her online webisodes led to regular hooks-up with her Mat DVD, but I wanted more. I picked up the dance cardio workouts and the Perfect Design Series, I even went so far as to indulge in her Post-pregnancy video and I don't have children. I mean that's crazy right?

Then she created her book - Tracy Anderson's 30-Day Method and I thought I'd test it out to see if I could actually "commit" to a fitness regime for an entire month and write about it here (hence the creation of Mastering the Method, my last name's Masters in case you were wondering) I might have been able to stop after that, but I actually started to like the results I was seeing and she followed up the book with her 90 day Metamorphosis at home training program and there was no turning back. That was it. I was a goner.

Apart from re-awakening an old neck injury during Metamorphosis level 8 where I was out of the game for 9 days straight, and the five days I was in production on the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards show, I haven't missed more than three days in a row during the last two years. The fact is, I go more than two days without her, I'm craving mat time. Omigod, maybe Tracy and I are in a codependent relationship!

If you stop by here on a semi-regular basis then you know that it's not been without its issues. What relationship isn't though, right? There were certainly a few weeks, even a month or more where Tracy was going through some stuff, so our workouts weren't as chipper as they'd been, but we stuck it out. As she started feeling better, she decided to bring on more of a challenge and she introduced me to her pal, the pink ball. You know that expression "two's company, three's a crowd"... that's kinda what happened with us. The ball and I did not hit it off - so I whipped through those levels double time and things got even more tricky from there. The workouts became overly involved and complicated and I was ready to throw in the towel. I think we might have been going through a little break-up.

I stepped away, for a day or two, and even that was too long. I missed Tracy. She was my constant in an ever-changing sea of life, she'd been there for me. So I went back to Metamorphosis and spent a month revisiting old memories, recovering from old heart-aches and rediscovered my love of Tracy and the Method. There really was no one else for me. While I was ready to move on with our relationship, I had a hard time letting go of the past, so for a while I've been seeing the old Tracy (Meta) and the new Tracy, well actually not Tracy at all - I started hanging with Stacey and Maria. This time was different, three was not a crowd, knowing that Tracy is still there in the background, it's become a party.

I will admit that Stacey is in my bad books at the moment, ten days on level 2.2.2 and I still cannot manage more than 15 reps of each of the plank moves (on some days 12 was literally all I had in me) and that's without any ankle weights never mind two dammit! I am happy to move on to 2.2.3 with the lovely Maria. Ahhhh, Maria. Sweet sweet Maria, my new fave. he he he.

I start that level today so you can expect a review soon, but I'll tell you this. The workout is only 23 minutes long. Do you remember back in the day when Tracy had a 20 minute level and I was initially bummed, but then wound up being grateful it wasn't longer because it was so hard? Yeah, pretty happy about the 23 minute workout after spending ten days with Stacey the task master! The entire leg series on this level is standing and very reminiscent of the original Mat DVD, so I'm very excited to get to it.

And no word of a lie, I was all set to take photos today, in spite of having a raging case of PMS and a huge pasta dinner in my belly from last night... but the darned battery on my camera died! No kidding. So I'll charge those babies up and have something or other for you tomorrow. (I hope)

In any case, look forward to catching up some more. Do let me know how you're all making out. It's been a somewhat quiet summer and I'm ready to get back into sharing this journey together. So whether you're just starting Meta and are terrified or like Nancy P. you've just started 2.0 and the chair made you take a beat before continuing,  or like Jah, you've been eye-ball deep in renovations all summer, or like Natalia, you've had the summer off with your family, I want to know how you're doing and what you're up to. I'd love to help you celebrate your victories, or commiserate over having too much wine, or encourage you to give up that one food addiction that may be holding you back from being your best self. The 21st of this month marks 60 days sugar free for me and my PMS almost screwed it all up! (that's a whole 'nother story!) I'm so glad I didn't indulge and I'd love to help you along the way too, if I can. So check in, touch base, say hey. 

It's September, we've got to start thinking about getting ready for the holidays pretty soon, and you know how hard they can be to get through in one piece. So here's to another year together!

Cheers,
Shan

11 Years Ago.

I can't say why I started this blog on September 11th, but today is my two year anniversary. I have much to say about that among other things, but today's just not the right day for it.

Instead, I want to take a moment to reflect back on the world as we knew it, 11 years ago before today's date became infamous.

New York has always held a special place in my heart. It's magical. Each time I visit, she exceeds my expectations, she feeds the wonder in my soul and inspires the creator in me. What impresses me most about her are her people. There are Americans and then there are New Yorkers. Say what you want, but I love 'em, they're a breed all their own. It was their strength in the face of such horror, their support of one another and their ability to over-come and to rebuild that has made them all the more special.

New York, I heart you.

I know that we in the Western world are far from having the market cornered when it comes to human suffering. There are tragedies and atrocities that have taken place across the globe since the inception of humankind. But for many of us, those towers coming down was a moment that's been burned into our memories, the shock, the loss -- it brought us together as a continent. I'd never felt closer to or more in support of my American neighbors than I did on this day 11 years ago.

I think when something of this magnitude happens so close to home, in a place that you thought previously impenetrable, it scares you. You build up your walls and you peer out at the world with more caution and perhaps a little less optimism. But that doesn't have to be the case.

Today, September 11th I want to share something with you that's changing my life. I'm currently reading a fantastic book called The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer. It was a birthday gift from my girl Yania. Thanks, love. You have no idea how grateful I am for your friendship.

Chapter ten of the above book is entitled Stealing Freedom for your Soul and it it opens like this:

The prerequisite to true freedom is to decide that you do not want to suffer anymore. You must decide that you want to enjoy your life and that there is no reason for stress, inner pain or fear. Every day we bear a burden that we should not be bearing. We fear that we are not good enough or that we will fail. We experience insecurity, anxiety and self-consciousness. We fear that people will turn on us, take advantage of us, or stop loving us. All of these things burden us tremendously. As we try to have open and loving relationships, and as we try to succeed and express ourselves, there is an inner weight that we carry. This weight is the fear of experiencing pain, anguish or sorrow. Every day we are either feeling it, or we are protecting ourselves from feeling it. It is such a core influence that we don't even realize how prevalent it is.

When Buddha said that all of life is suffering, that is what he was referring to. People do not understand how much they are suffering because they have never experienced what it's like not to suffer.

For today, I am asking you to look within and notice the chatter that's going on inside your head. Recognize that constant battle that plays out within you - especially we women who are continually struggling to accept ourselves. 

Hear those voices, acknowledge them and then graciously set them down. Mentally place them in their own memorial landmark to rest. Then look up, look around you and find that one thing that might bring a smile to your heart. Is it as simple as the sun shining down upon you? The way a rain drop sparkles at the end of a soaking leaf? The smell of fresh baked bread? Or that gentle ache in your entire body as you complete that last rep on the mat. Whatever it is, let that replace the fear or anger-filled voice for a moment, and for that moment, experience peace.

Love,
Shan.

PS.
If you're anything like me, greedy for progress reports and proof that this crazy Method we're on does the job it claims to do, then you'll be happy to know that I am going to do my best to get some photos out this week of my "two-year" body. The real thing, how it looks day to day, after love days and hate days, good diet days and bad. The maintenance bod that I am coming to accept here in midlife.
xoxo

Continuity 2.2.2 STACEY!!!

I am going to let you in on a little secret. Before I began Continuity 2.2 with Stacey and Maria, I was initially filled with dread. Then, as I accepted the idea that I was no longer going to be working out with Tracy, I had a sneaking suspicion that I was totally going to favor Stacey. I know! I know, we're taught at a very young age that we're not supposed to pick favorites, but what are you gonna do?

If you're wondering where I'd get this idea, it's partly to do with Tracy's Beginner Cardio DVD and it's partly to do with the Ab workout lead by Stacey on Tracy's site.

You see, Stacey seems really quiet and sort of shy, a lot like the nice girl that you want to be besties with, you know? She's beautiful and fit and strong, yet she comes across as really very humble. I admire that. It's of course a total fabrication of my very rich inner life, I have no idea what Stacey is like in real life. But just look at her!

Is that not an abdomen that you'd want to be showing off all the time? Stacey has my dream tummy, so it sort of makes sense that I'd want to train with her so I can do exactly what she tells me to do in order to get a long lean torso of my very own. Ha!

I watched 2.2.2 first to get an idea of what was in store and I'll admit that I was foolish enough to think "I can do this". PFT, whatever!!!

Stacey has long elegant arms that she moves in a fashion I am able to keep up with. Bonus! Her floor ab work is difficult enough that I feel it, but doesn't leave my neck feeling strained. Awesome. The initial three leg moves are rooted in Ballet - attitudes, plies, and arabesque -- all using the chair for balance, not dissimilar to working with the barre. So far it's love love love. Level 2 is a love level. Or so I thought...

Then she gets into one-legged planks balancing on the chair with double weights on the working leg, and work that leg she does. It was killing me. Literally killing me! I could not manage any more than 15 reps per move, my form was off, my abs where shaking and my wrists felt like they were going to die! There is a reason that she looks the way she does. She's a bloody task master, dominatrix, she devil in a leotard, all sugar coated in this lovely sweet encouraging voice. During these planks, something was running down my face. I couldn't quite tell if it was sweat or tears or both. But I can assure you I was crying uncle and cursing her name.

Good times!

There was no way I could pull this off with a single ankle weight, never mind two. What is she trying to do? Break me? It's working. I was broken near the end and I am afraid to go back. If this is what I am going to have to go through daily to get abs like hers, it'll never happen! Stacey is a mean mean girl. And yeah --- I think secretly --- she's my fave.

xo
Shan
 

Biggie Challenge

Damn fitness is hard and seems it's getting harder every day. The count down to my two year blog-iversary is on and I'm in work mode. Meaning I want to make my lifestyle work as effortlessly and efficiently as possible so I don't have to constantly be thinking about it. Why on earth would I let STACEY beat the living crap out of me on Continuity Level 2.2.2 (review to come), then go and ruin all that hard work with food? The short answer is because Princess wants a treat.

In 17 days I'll have 60 days sugar free under my belt. I'm keeping my eye on the milestones and the long game because if I just look at today I seem to adopt a "fuck it" attitude. I don't care that sugar is bad for me in the short term. I don't care if it's what makes me depressed in the long term. Baby wants a treat and baby's been spoiled for 40 years. 

It's time to step up and tell baby no! You see the thing that happens with a lot of addicts is that they simply substitute their addictions. If you've never been to an AA meeting, lemme fill you in. There are a lot of hard-core smokers in that room who cannot live without their coffee, you feel me? Once I rounded the corner on 30 days without sugar, all the other junk that I'd been using to pacify the cravings like potato chips and French fries had to go.

Now I'm left with wanting to eat my way out of house and home, stuffing my face with all the healthy foods I've stocked the kitchen with, just to deal with my desire for sugar. But that is just as destructive.

I mentioned a while back that I'd gotten a little food journal and I'd been keeping track of everything that I ate. Yeah, it didn't last. Writing it all down, having to look up the number of calories in every item of food and adding it all up... every single day... then being disappointed in the big numbers and glaring failure was more than frustrating.

I was bad at it and it quickly became a game that I didn't want to play anymore. Yet what was my alternative? Being on a strict diet? Um... no thanks. Doing a juice cleanse? Yeah, you can keep that for January 1st.

The alternative is this week's Body Challenge. The alternative is to suck it up, be accountable and start eating like a grown-up instead of a teenager whose parents have left them alone for the weekend.

There are some key elements to doing this.
1) Eat clean, whole foods at every meal.
Don't know what that means? Check out this fab new Cook Book, it'll give you a real place to start.

2) Make sure you're getting enough protein. Were you aware that protein is one of the best sources of nutrition for attacking belly fat? Wouldn't have believed it for realz until I saw it start to work on myself. 
Not sure how much you need? Check out one of the many Protein Calculators online.

3) Find a food and fitness tracker that you like and stick with it. There are a million of these and those of you with an iPhone can take it with you where ever you are, so no excuses.

I was dead set on writing it out by hand, but this takes time and math skills. I have since been converted to an online version of the health journal because it helps you calculate more than calories. Have a look around and find one that's right for you.

You can try Cronometer 
or My Plate at Livestrong. 
The one that I like in spite of all the bloody ads on the page is Fitday because they send me a weekly update showing me how I've done and I can customize all my stuff right down to my mood. 

Since September is one of those months that acts like a do-over or a reset period where we get back to our routines and schedules, it's a terrific time to start really keeping track of what we're eating and getting honest about how healthy we really are. A food journal is eye-opening and sometimes shocking but it does help.

You may think that salad is healthy, may even feel a little deprived because you wanted to eat something else for lunch, but all the nuts, dried fruits, cheese and salad dressing can add up to way more than that veggie burger that you really wanted. Plus the veggie burger my offer up more protein. 

Or what about that low fat dinner you were so proud of? Sure the dinner may have been great for your waistline but the three glasses of wine you drank with it just cancelled out your diligent efforts. 

 
We have to watch that we don't drink up empty calories with alcohol or fruit juices. Not to mention how much sugar is found in all that stuff, right?

It's time for a little tough love if you're serious about your weight loss and maintenance goals. So that's the Challenge if you're up for it, and not just this week, try to stick with it for the month of September and watch what happens. You may finally get those results you've been after.

Good luck.
Shan