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Hey everyone!

Last day of August and it was a HOT one!!! Where did the summer go??? Seems it was just a few short weeks ago I was saying how far ahead of schedule I was in prep for the IDFA Eastern Canada Classic in Montreal on October 9, and now here we are just under 6 weeks to go!!! Not that I'm in panic mode, but instead of using the time to get a little more ahead of schedule, I've basically been treading water as far as leaning out goes. Haven't missed a beat in the gym, training has been as intense as ever . . . but, admittedly, the diet has been a tad suspect. Not a complete wreck by any means, just a little loose while enjoying this beautiful summer where I live in the Thousand Islands. So, as sad as I am to see summer draw to a close, it is good timing for me to GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!!! Tonight I cleaned out the fridge and organized the cupboards (bye-bye peanut butter!!!!), cooked up a big batch of steak and chicken, enough for the next few days and freezing some for later, and gave my husband the "I'm 6 weeks out, please don't ask what I want for dinner anymore" speech. So basically, everything is under control!

We are in the train right now heading to our final destination: Lecce. This is situated south east East of Italy, "in the heel of the boot." It is known to be the best place for seafood in all of Italy (so I read).

Last week we stayed in Napoli. We stayed in a very nice hotel by the Gulf of Napoli with an amazing view of the sea. Up till now, last week was the most relaxing one, as we stayed in the same hotel for a longer period of time. There was a rooftop pool and a gym! I was finaly able to do a real workout. During the rest of our stay we would take the fairy in the mornings to one of the beautiful cities by the coast (Amalfi, Capri, Postanio, Sorrento...) to visit for the day, and then go back to Napoli for supper. It's been an amazing honeymoon.

But that's not only why I'm writing . . .

After a much needed month-long hiatus in South Beach (Miami) with the family, we are heading back to the colder climates with mixed emotions and a reinvigorated approach to training. South Beach is an amazing place – it’s a place where fitness is a fundamental part of the lifestyle, not something to be scheduled and worked around. Whether it’s the  consistently beautiful weather or the desire to look hot on the beach, SoBe is a different game and it makes everyone want to play! Paddle surfing, rollerblading, soccer, yoga in the park, pick-up basketball, there’s always something athletic going on and it’s always competitive and fun!

To keep up with my training this year, my husband, Darren, and I joined the Miami Beach Police Association League (P.A.L.) Gym to supplement our daily dose of outdoor exercise. The P.A.L. Gym was fantastic and the perfect antidote to the typical high-end SoBe, and many Canadian gyms where the mirrors get the biggest workout! The P.A.L. gym was a no-nonsense, heavy-lifting gym filled with rock-hard women and big dudes getting it done. No messing around here . . . just intense training and lots of sweat. I loved every minute of it and can’t wait to be back!