Falling Back Into Fall

Nope it's not fall  yet, but it's coming!  I know this means that summer is winding down and the happy season of vacations, children riding bikes all day, sun and white fluffy clouds, and sweet, beautiful, wonderful heat is almost at it's end, BUT.. no reason to dismay - fall has it's own glories.  Routine starts up, kids trot off to school, we reunite with people we haven't seen for a couple of months. Fall foods start to show on market shelves - squash, fresh apples, pumpkin and much more.  Fairs and fall markets pop up, showing us "city" folk much of what the surrounding countryside has to offer.  Corn mazes and straw pyramids are great ways to play an afternoon away. A day's entertainment can be found in a lawn full of fallen orange leaves. Apple pie replaces ice cream as dessert of choice, and fresh apple cider is warmed and seasoned with cinammon.

Both my children are in school full time this year - and this has made me realize a few things. Despite years of counting down to this day, it is actually bittersweet. Just as my children become real human beings, we have to ship them off so that someone else enjoys those wonderful moments of discovery and wonder so beautiful to behold. Fall means something different to me this year (apart from FREEDOM!! Hahaha!). It's a time to make the promises of summer the reality of your life. Take the things that you have evaluated/experienced over the beautiful months and carry on these new habits, viewpoints, joys, and moments lived when the sun is not shining as brightly, the weather is not as ideal and time feels not quite as idyllic. Make each day unique and beautiful. And take some time to jump in a big pile of leaves!!

Playlist for Fall 2011 - Wednesday night!

Hola!  Here is the playlist for Wednesday night CORE ZUMBA class! Muy Caliente!!  Get ready to party and sweat for the health of it!
Warm Up: Turbina
Warm Up: Edge Of Glory (Lady Gaga)
Cumbia : Cumbia Lunera
Merengue/Reggaeton: El Amor, El Amor
Calypso/Salso:  La Mazucamba
Reggaeton: En Sus Marcas, Listos, Fuero
Bhangra/Punjabi: Tunak, Tunak, Tun
Pop/Hip Hop: Shake Senora (Pit Bull featuring T-Pain)
Samba: Xi Bom BomBom
Swing/ Salsa/ Reggaeton: La Perla
Cumbia: La Gota Fria
Merengue/ Bachata: Bimbola
Quebradita: La Nina Fresa
Greek/ Bachata/ Belly Dance: Yassou Ellada (DJ Andy Hughes and Aspacia feat. Lou Fatimus)
Flamenco: Flamenka (by Didulya)

Check out the link on our facebook page to the basic steps for ZUMBA Merengue and Salsa. I will be posting more basic steps videos as I find them. I have listed the above by original artists where possible, and many are available on ITunes by original artists. 
As usual, ZUMBA has provided us with amazing original songs and hot cover songs. I am SO excited to bring this to you!!  It's coming soon!!  Wepa!

The "Movement Movement"

  What an exciting weekend at CAN FIT Pro - Canada's leading fitness certification and educational company put on a weekend full of inspirational and informative sessions, starting with a great KeyNote Speaker, comedienne Meg Soper.  Meg spoke frankly and with great humour about life, love and laughter, the theme of the weekend. Richard Simmons, Patrick House (from the Biggest Loser), Silken Laumann (Olympic rower), Trish Stratus (WWE wrestler) and Tosca Reno were all present at the conference and trade show as well - lots of fun!
It is the biggest conference of it's kind - attended by 10,000 fitness professionals from all over Canada, making Canada the leader in fitness worldwide.
 "One in four Canadian adults is clinically obese, compared with one in three in the United States, suggests a new study that experts describe as a grim depiction of the state of public health on both sides of the border.The study — a collaboration between Statistics Canada and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conducted between 2007 and 2009 — concluded that 24 per cent of Canadians were obese, compared with nearly 34 per cent of Americans." (Globe and Mail, May 2011).
With an estimated population of 34 million people, that means that approximately 8.5 million people in Canada are at risk (or already suffering) of heart attack, diabetes, joint problems, emotional issues and much more. And this number is steadily rising. This is a devastating set of statistics, and one that we have the power to change.  Consider that there were approx. 10,000 fitness professionals at Conference on the weekend.  And each one of them wants to help - and has chosen a career specifically to make people healthier. I know that most people in the fitness industry work there not because they want to be fit, but because they want YOU to be.

Now hold on here, cause I'm not very good at math. 8.5 million obese Canadians + 10,000 fitness professionals + countless friends and family + dieticians and others in the wellness industry + Health Care/Doctors, oh you get the point.  It all adds up to the BEST chance for a healthy country in the world. Canada has a chance to be the healthiest country in the world. The passion demonstrated at conference this weekend proved that to me beyond a doubt.  All the people I know in the industry who constantly educate themselves and others, sharing their knowledge and passion with those who need inspiration, love and support. We are in the fitness business for you - to help make your life better, one squat at a time.  To make sure that you have every opportunity to live a long, healthy and pain free life.  To LIVE, LAUGH and LOVE to your fullest.

So I propose that no matter where you are in your own personal fitness journey, you take steps to improve your health and those around you. I'm calling it, the "Movement Movement"  and I want you and everyone you know, and everyone they know, and on and on to join it. Get moving. For health. For our children. For Life.

Playlist For Fall 2011- Monday Class

Warm Up: Born This Way (Lady Gaga)
Warm Up: Jamaican Cumbia (by Bachaco)
Merengue/ Flamenco: La Noche
Salsa/ Reggaeton: Rumba
Reggaeton: Shake it Up (by Mara)
Merengue/Pop: Mueve La Colita
Axe/Belly Dance: Ali Baba
Samba Pop: Para No Verte Mas
Swing: Zoot Suit Riot
Soca: Banana
Quebradita: Baila Menea y Goza
Cumbia: Luna Nueva
Reggaeton/Batucada: Boom Boom Mama
Salsa: La Vida Es Un Carnaval
Merengue: Sazon (hot tune alert!)
Bachata: Stand By Me
Cool Down.

There it is!  Many of these songs are available on ITunes via original artists (which I will always name where possible)  Wednesday and Saturday playlists to come!!  Woot!!

Wingardium Leviosa!

Often when I run, a specific song, or line of poetry or sometimes even a specific phrase (usually involving a curse word) comes into my head and becomes the mantra of my run.  This off course occurs AFTER the opening thoughts of every run which go something like this: "OhcrapwhyamIdoingthistomyselfmylegstheyburnouchcrapsavemefrommyselfturnbacknowohhowIhaterunning".
Yes, I really am that dramatic.  I went for a run today and had a specific planned route of over 10K. Now let me explain - I have been planning on doing this run for a long time, but have had various things get in the way - some valid and others, I admit, have been excuses. It is a challenging route, riddled with steep inclines, but is mostly all in the country with lots of shade and beautiful scenery. I was hoping this would make the journey worthwhile.
Today for some strange reason, the words "Wingardium Leviosa" were playing in my head - a sure sign that I have either (a) completely lost it, or (b) have to see Harry Potter 7.2 right away. Either way, a Harry Potter levitation spell seemed like the least likely inspirational mantra ever.  When I reached the top of an incredibly leg burning hill, I looked to the right and saw what had to be the most incredibly idyllic view ever of my beautiful hometown of Brooklin. Wingardium Leviosa, indeed!  Who needs a wand to create magic like this? I can create my own form of (albeit painful and torturous) levitation!
As I was running along, I kept hitting roadblocks. My tummy was crampy, the sun was hot. One of the roads has a blockage which I had to stop and climb over. I decided to change my route and head straight home, again not finishing the route I have been striving to complete. Oh well, tomorrow is another day, I thought - I'll try again. But then another spell crossed my mind.
Expecto Patronum: described as an incarnation of the caster's innermost positive feelings, such as joy or hope, known as a Patronus. A Patronus is conjured as a protector, and is a weapon rather than a predator of souls.  Hmmm. A protector, made from my most positive feelings?  Heck yeah!  I cast my own Patronus charm (which for me I am positive would take the form of a horse) and chased those positive thoughts every step of the way, along the original route, and even was able to up the pace the last couple of kilometres.   When I was almost home there was no need for spells. I was levitating all on my own.  
So next time you face an obstacle too great, a class too tough, an unreachable goal, dig  deep and cast your own Patronus spell. Simply take all of that potential and positive energy you have inside you and send it out to help you conquer the world, one step at a time.
Now Muggles, RICTUSEMPRA!  You can't resist my tickling spell, can you! I hope each of your days is filled with magic and laughter this August.

Don't Spend Time, Invest It.

Those were the words on a sign I drove by last week. Hmmm, I thought. How does one invest time? 
I often read articles about small business, marketing, customer service etc... in order to help me serve my clients needs to the best of my ability. I was reading one such column this morning. It stated that it is more important to be the best person you can be, rather than being the absolute best at what you do.  To spend the time to know the people who work for you, or who hire you for a service. Finding out things about their lives, personalities, remembering when they are recovering from an illness, calling them when they are missed, celebrating milestones with them.  Taking each opportunity to make a relationship farther than "Hello" and "Goodbye" with a few pleasantries in between.
So time is an investment. A non-fail investment when you invest it in someone. It is so true that each interaction with a fellow human being can change your day, can start an amazing relationship, can help you understand them better, and through this understand yourself a little more.
So don't spend time. Use it wisely! To make your world, and someone else's a better place.

These Are A Few of My Favourite Things!

Oprah can do it, so why can't I? In fact, if any wants to help me start an "Annie taking over for Oprah" as world guru, trusted girlfriend and queen of all media, please let me know. I'm looking for a campaign manager!
A quick review, though, before I start the first annual "Favourite Things" episode of this blog.  My goals - you remember them, I'm sure, although I try daily to forget them! I am still working hard to find balance between work, home, family and friends. it's not perfect,but I'm doing my best to be present in whatever I am doing - and to give my best to the people to love me and need me the most.  I have had a massage with Pierre :) Instead of 3 riding tours, I have done 2 run races and a duathlon - and will be riding behind Sean in the 160K Ride4United Way in August.  Most of all - I haven't had a Diet Soda (or any aspartame) in over 6 weeks!  Woooohooooo! I never ever thought I could do it, and although I would charge like an angry rhinocerous to get one if given the chance, I am still steadfast in my goal - no going back! Thanks to you all for all your support  - it takes a village to raise an Annie! 
Back to my favourite things. I was thinking the other day of the many amazing things that I love about life, and in honour of the beautiful sunshine I think I shall share! All these things are free - so enjoy!
Clouds- I think their only function is to amuse and inspire creativity. What's better than laying on your back, sun beating down on your face, eyes squinting, and watching a scene take place in the sky above?
Gummi Worms- I'm not sure whether these are actually food, but am willing to take the chance for an occasional treat!
Singing into a Fan- Go ahead, try it, I dare you!
The First Bite of an Apple- Always a surprise, and the sound is incomparable.
Pool Noodles- Hmm, strange, squishy synthetic material, amazing bouyancy. Who knew!
Opening the First Page of a Book. It's like opening a door to a new realm, and if you listen closely you can hear the voices of all who have opened it before you.
Marshmallows- Like the Gummi Worms, the jury is still out on whether this is actually a food, but boy is it convincing when stuck with a tree branch and toasted to a delicious golden brown over a glowing fire.
Weather Reporters-  Love how saying exactly the same thing over and over can be made exciting and new every fifteen minutes. Also, kudos to all who risk life and limb clinging to a swaying telephone pole while reporting from the centre of a category 5 hurricane, simply so that I (sitting safely on my couch 100's of miles away) can understand the full impact of the "weather event".  Plus - how can people that are wrong so often, smile so sublimely all the time!  Highest. Self. Esteem.Ever. Weather reporters rock!

Canada-  Best country ever!  Thankful every day for waking up (and being a citizen, yay!) of this awesome and beautiful land. We really need to stop complaining about the little inconveniences that come with being Canadian and put things into perspective. To say we are lucky is an understatement. No one has what we has  - let's work hard to keep it this way!
Horses- You can see heaven in their eyes.
Coffee- need I explain?  Didn't think so.
Musicals- Movie or theatre - no difference I love it all!  I often imagine my own life as a musical, and it's not unusual for a conversation in the Tiffin home to turn into a full song and dance number.
Six degrees of seperation- Nothing cooler than meeting someone and then finding out you share mutual connections/friends/DNA. it's a small world, after all!
Flying- Strange, because I am terrified to fly. I do, however marvel over our ability to do so. As a child (and actually, I still do)believe that God Himself lifts each and every plane up, then gently blows them on their way. Miraculous!
Lists- I love order and accountability, and lists are nice, neat and tidy ways to keep everything as it should be!  I would have a list for my lists if Sean hadn't vetoed it.

There are so many things that I think are amazing!  If you have any favourite things,  please share. Also, we look forward to hearing about any goals or personal bests you have reached, either health/fitness or otherwise. Stay cool, drink lots and lots, and enjoy this glorious weather, friends!