I Feel Great About 2011!

Happy New Year! Year 2010 was a wonderful year for me!

I remained blessed, healthy, and joyful with family, friends and lots of love!

I enjoyed a great career that continues to challenge me everyday as I endeavor into 2011!

Tennis was a huge success with 2 City Championships (Women's and Mixed), 1 State Championship (Women's), 1 Flex League City Final (Mixed), and several division wins at various levels.

Yes, 2010 was great to me!

I'm looking forward to 2011. New challenges in all aspects of my life are ahead (relevant to this blog is the continuing journey toward being in the best shape I am capable of being). I welcome them!

I am made for them.

I am Shay Shay!

I Have the Genes!

For the Christmas holiday, my family (parents and maternal grandparents--see November 29th post for a picture of them) journeyed from Virginia to ATL. While there was plenty of delicious food to be had (and I did indulge but with some discipline so that I would not blow up) and of course lots of memories that I will cherish forever, I was also able to get some inspiration for my health and fitness journey.

Everyday, even in the cold and with flurries falling, my 86 years young grandfather (who broke his ribs from a freak tub fall just 8 weeks ago) made sure he got outside and walked the neighborhood. He didn't just meander along. He walked with a pretty swift pace. On top of that, on the one really warm day we had (I could go on about the cold, but I won't), he got out on the tennis court with me. I hate that I didn't get pictures (I know Jon--not good) or video! Granddad chased balls and was eager to get tips on improving his serve (which he hadn't practiced in probably 20 years!). After a few minutes of refreshing, he had some really nice serves! It was AMAZING!

Then there is my 80 years young grandmother. Now Grandma's pace is a little slower than Granddad's due to years of battling near death pneumonia almost every year around Christmastime for 5 years in her late 60s. NOTE: she hasn't been in the hospital in 10 years, which is when she decided to get a job in the fast food industry to give her something else to do (on top of her tailoring and custom sewing business). She still works at the joint at least 4 days a week, 5 hours a day. Yet, she has no problem parking a little farther away from the store front (no need to take up handicap spaces when there are folks who really need them, right?) and professes that it is good for her to trek up the stairs in my house. She also still cuts her own grass at home and is an avid gardener. Grandma also made sure that she didn't overeat (she's lost 50 lbs and is determined NOT to gain any back) and took in lots of veggies.

So, as you can see--I have the genes; I have role models for health and fitness. I have no excuses. If my grandparents in their 80s can still focus on being fit, then I certainly can!
This is why I got up this morning to meet G for training (it was a tough session for me, but I feel great-now that it's over. smiles) despite being a little tired from all the work it takes to be the super holiday hostess I am.

I love you Granddad and Grandma. Thank you for being my inspirations in so many ways!

The Gift of Fitness!

With just a couple days away from Christmas Day, I gave myself a gift. My wonderful trainer and friend Anna Mae was blessed to get a job in her primary field, so that means I lost my trainer. This actually happened a while ago, and I definitely feel the absence of someone who pushes me in the gym,

Oh, I wish I was at the point where I can push myself really hard in the gym, but I'm not there yet. I can admit this. I know I will get there, but until then I need help.

So, I engaged a new trainer. G trained the Fit Club at work. One day I was in the company gym and G was there. He's been there before while I worked out, but this day I looked in the mirror and wasn't pleased. Year 2010 was almost over, and I still hadn't reached my physique goals. I've been close, and I'm not too far now (although with the holidays, I am a tad bit farther).

Then and there I called G over; I enlisted his services, and gave myself the gift of even better fitness.

This morning was our first session. It was tough, but it I feel great. I'm looking forward to getting back to training full time again. I'm looking forward to reach my goals for real this time--not getting close, but actually meeting them! Again, I am proud of myself and what I have achieved so far, but I know I have more focus and disciplined in me to meet my goals.

I am Shay Shay. I am Ready!

Way to Go McGhee!

The McGhee USTA 7.0 Mixed Doubles Team are City Champions! What a feeling?!?!?! Last season we fell short in the Finals, but this season was OURS! We'll journey back to Augusta in August and this time, I KNOW we'll be READY!

I am honored to be on such an awesome team with such wonderful, skilled, and seasoned players. I've learned quite a bit about the game from my teammates. I look forward to next season with them--in better physical shape and as a even better player!

Now, I can focus on my 3.5 Women's season! We're 3-0 so far!

Go McGhee!

One Day to USTA Mixed City Finals: My 5 Point Focus!

My USTA Mixed Doubles team is headed back to the City Finals again! Tomorrow we hit the courts with the goal of taking the WHOLE thing this time!

We had a great, but cold practice last night. I was a little rusty at first as I hadn't been on the courts in---10 Days! NOT GOOD! The weather and my wardrobe proved a bit of a challenge But, I'm ready now. Planning to get on the courts again tonight.

My game plan (I doubt my opponents read my blog): 1. Serve to the Middle; 2. COME IN! 3. Turn, Bend, Lift, and FOLLOW-THROUGH; 4. STAY CALM; and 5. HAVE FUN!

I have an awesome partner who reads the court well and is great at talking through points. With the line-up our fearless captain V put together, I know VICTORY is OURS!

GO MCGHEE!!!

This Weather Will NOT Get Me Down!

While Thanksgiving in Virginia displayed beautiful, sunny, and not too chilly weather (I could go to the track without bundling up!), I came back to HOTLANTA and found dark, chilly/cold, and wet! This could be enough to get me down and off plan. Who wants to wake up and work out in this weather when your bed is so warm and cozy?

But, I'm on a mission! I can't afford to let the winter weather blues get to me! Hibernation is NOT an option! I started 2010 20 lbs heavier because I let the 2009 winter weather and holiday eating take over me. NOT THIS YEAR!

So, while I may not WANT to get out of my warm, soft t-shirt sheet covered bed, I MUST! Thank goodness for old school Tae Bo tapes. At least I don't have to leave the house every morning! Hmmm, I need to upgrade to DVDs and get a little more variety.

I will have to get out some mornings because I need strength training in my world. I'll just have to suck it up and remember the rewards! I have too many cute dresses I just got from Rose Couture NOT to get my full fitness on!

Let's Go Shay Shay!

A Great Virginia Holiday and It Really Doesn't Have to be Either/Or!

There really isn't a place like home! I spent Thanksgiving in my little rural, one traffic light county--Surry. With my mother and grandmother, great food at the house is just standard and a major temptation! But I prevailed!

I exercised what I thought was amazing discipline. I indulged but didn't over indulge. I worked out almost everyday. The pay off was great! I came back home with my jeans fitting looser than they did when I left (I wasn't so disciplined during my birthday week, so they were definitely fitting a tad snug! LOL!). It really was not a case of EITHER blow my entire program OR avoid all the tasty delights. Moderation combined with exercise really did work for me. I'm pleased!

Anyhoo, I really did have a wonderful time. I got a chance to see some of my good friends, caught up with some of my high school mates (I even cheered/strutted my stuff at a charity alumni basketball game-- I STILL HAVE IT! Check us out!), and fellowshipped with about 80 family members for Grandma Omia's 80th birthday celebration (see my parents, grandparents and me with the family paparazzi!).

I'm back in ATL. While being in VA was awesome, I'm glad to be back in my adopted hometown.

Count down to Christmas! I'll be getting my major fat burn on as from now until New Years there will be social gatherings galore!