It's amazing how fast this challenge is actually flying by. It has almost been a full week! It has just reminded me how important it is to live in the NOW.
DAILY PRACTICE REPORT
20mins Scales & Technique Practice
40mins Song Practice
Songs Practiced; I'm Kissing You, Set Fire To The Rain, Ordinary People, Aint No Sushine, I Touch Myself
HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #8
Breakfast; 1/2 cup of Oats mixed with Water, 1/2tbsp Flax Oil, 1 Cup of Strawberries and 2 drops of Vanilla Essence + 4 Boiled Egg Whites
HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #9
Snack; 1 Navel Orange + 6 Raw Almonds
HEALTH CONSCIOUS MEAL #10
Lunch; Small tin of Tomato & Basil Salmon w/ 2 cups of Mixed Salad Greens
PROFESSIONAL VOCAL LESSON #1
This evening I had my first lesson back with my vocal coach since being back in Singapore... The incredible Amanda Colliver. Not only is she a fabulous educator, but I also consider her to be a mentor. My lesson this evening ended up going for just over 2.5hours, as Amanda and I seem to never be able to stop talking about what she is teaching me. But tonight she had me belting to a high D, which is a first for me so I am super excited! She explained so many things to me about my voice and it always blows me away when she finds new ways to smash every belief I have that is limiting me. We don't often realise how much your mind and your attitude influences the sound that comes out of your mouth. I could listen to Amanda talk for hours on end and I am so grateful to have her as my vocal coach!
DAILY VOCAL REPORT
30mins Song Practice (On top of my vocal lesson) Songs Practiced: You Oughta Know, Set Fire To The Rain
CHARITABLE DEED #1
$100 Donation to St Vincent de Paul in VIC I decided that I wanted my first charitable deed to be a donation to St Vincent de Paul. My donation is inspired by my Grandfather, Francis Xavier Pattison, who has been a volunteer for the foundation for over 30 years. I find his work to be so selfless and so admirable, and it is an honour to be able to send a little support of my own. Love you Pa!
...DAILY INSPIRATION...
It is easy to stay motivated over the first few days but once the initial whim of motivation wears off, you need to find inspiration from any source possible to keep you motivated. This challenge is about change and growth and I constantly need to remind myself of the benefits coming my way in order to stay committed to the 'health' side of the challenge. Every day is a learning experience. Organisation is key to success.
Today was a very restful day for me. A very unplanned, wonderful day at the pool and going out for dinner with friends, and still managing to get in a workout and do my singing practice. I am finding it so enjoyable to be so dedicated to this challenge... Singing is my not only my work, but my passion and I don't find that this is at all like a chore as I am enjoying every second of the rehearsing and I am already seeing the benefits not only in my voice but also in my body! Which brings me to...
WEIGHT LOSS SINCE STARTING THE CHALLENGE....
1.1kg in 4 days. What a great 'kick start' to my weight loss plan! I know the first week of any new fitness plan usually has the largest number drop, but it is wonderful to finally be heading in the right direction! :)
DAILY PRACTICE REPORT
30mins Scales & Technique Practice
35mins Song Practice Songs Practiced: I Was Here, Ordinary People, Someone Like You, Set Fire To The Rain, Buses & Trains, Aint No Sunshine
BODY SCULPTING / FITNESS SESSION #3
45mins Cardio @ My Condo Gym I was so tempted to skip my workout tonight after having such a relaxing day and having just had dinner out with friends, but one of my friends agreed to join me and it was the extra push I needed to commit to still going. I did 30 mins on the treadmill with a 10 minute warm up of 4mins walking then 6mins running on 9.5 - 10.0, followed by 20 mins of sprints ranging between 11.5 - 12.5 for between 1:00 to 1:30 with 1:00 breaks walking on 6.5. Then I finished up with 15mins of cycling doing intervals between 7 and 10 and trying my best to keep it above 100rpm. My personal training sessions have made me realise how 'comfortable' i was in my cardio workouts. I would work hard but I would never PUSH myself or really challenge myself. So tonight I was pushing the speed button faster, pedalling faster and pressing the resistance higher because now I want to improve and push myself beyond my limits. I want to constantly be moving forward instead of letting myself get stagnant. A great cardio workout for someone who was feeling 'too tired' to go... :P
I proved to myself today my dedication to this challenge... My instant reaction to going to a dance class is always "I can't be bothered. It's too much effort." and I was so tempted to not go to dance class and say "I will just go another night" like I always do. I forced myself to go and afterwards, I was SO glad I went. The class was amazing, and I felt exhilarated and hungry for more. I can't believe I had allowed myself to forget how much I love dancing and how much I enjoy going to classes just because I was too lazy to make the effort to go there! And THEN I further proved my commitment because I stopped by a friend's place when I reached home. I was only planning to stay for half an hour and was then to head home to do my singing practice. I ended up having such a great time with my friends that I didn't get home until 2:30AM! But guess what!? I STILL DID MY PRACTICE! I would not allow myself to go to bed without doing my day's practice, so I was up until 3:30am doing my singing practice!!! Now THAT's dedication...
DAILY VOCAL PRACTICE REPORT 1hr of Song Practice & Learning
Songs Practiced; I Was Here (Beyonce) & Kissing You (Des'ree)
HEALTHY MEAL #6
Today's Breakfast; Protein Smoothie - 1 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder, 1 cup Frozen Berries, 1tbsp Natural Peanut Butter + 1 banana
HEALTHY MEAL #7
Lunch; was just the usual mixed salad with tomato and cheese (No dressing). I am actually enjoying it a lot more than I expected to.
DANCE CLASS #1 (BROADWAY)
1hr 30min Broadway Style Dance Class @ OSchool It has been almost 2 years since I have participated in a dance class of which I am not the teacher. I really struggled to push myself to actually go to the class after a full day of work. I think it was the fear of looking stupid, but I am so glad I went. I had an absolute ball and the routine was HOT!! I left feeling so inspired and revitalized and definitely motivated to do more classes! I don't know why I had put it off for so long. Click play on the video below to check out the routine, and here's a couple of photos of my friend Leyla & I with the teacher/choreographer Bryan! :)
Today was an extremely productive day! My eating was flawless, I had an awesome workout with my Personal Trainer, I finally compiled my song list and keys for my covers gigs and I lined up a live audition for February 10th! The future is looking very bright and I am so grateful for the opportunities that have been coming my way! Today, I also started my new Personal Training course by distance education. I am feeling happy, healthy and still very motivated. I hope that over these next 30 days I can establish some good habits that will stay with me for long after this challenge is over. Time to keep moving!
DAILY VOCAL PRACTICE REPORT 1hr 15mins Scales & Technique Practice Brett Manning's 'Mastering Mix' - Discs 1 & 2 - Chest & Head Voice Exercises 45mins Song Practice Songs Practiced: Set Fire To The Rain, Ordinary People, A Thousand Years, The Only Exception, Aint No Sunshine, Kissing You)
HEALTHY MEAL #4
Today's Breakfast; 4 Boiled Egg Whites, Oatmeal w/ Flax Oil & Cinnamon, Orange & Cup of French Earl Grey Tea! Breakfast is fast becoming my favourite meal of the day...
HEALTHY MEAL #5
My Dinner; Steamed Atlantic Salmon w/ Lemon & Garlic, Mixed Salad w/ Tomato & Cheese (No dressing) and a cup of Silver Moon Tea (Green Tea w/Strawberry)
BODY SCULPTING / FITNESS SESSION #2
1hr 30min Strength Training Session w/ my Personal Trainer Amir! He absolutely kicked my butt but it was awesome :) Doing things I have never done before and discovering my limits are much greater than I had thought they were... I'm finding it very motivating...
...DAILY INSPIRATION...
For an extra dose of inspiration today, I watched Beyonce's documentary called 'Year of 4'. She is such a strong, talented and humble woman. I have watched it a million times over, but I always walk away from it inspired to make the most of my day.
The first day for me has been fantastic. I feel inspired and motivated and I am so excited to see what the next 30 days will bring! I am also excited by others who have made the brave decision to join me in this challenge! It will be so nice to have others to turn to for motivation when I am feeling lazy or unmotivated.
DAILY VOCAL PRACTICE REPORT
45mins Scales & Technique Practice
1hr Song Practice Songs Practiced: Superbass, I Will Survive, Proud Mary, You Oughta Know, Set Fire To The Rain, Someone Like You, Harder To Breathe & Sunday Morning.
HEALTHY MEAL #1
Breakfast consisted of; 4 Boiled Egg Whites, Oatmeal w/ Strawberries & Flax Oil, Cup of Green Tea .... Delicious!!
