SOCHI

Well hello there!


The olympics are starting tomorrow! Who is excited? I know I am ! It's going to be amazing!
I can't wait!

Do you know which event you will be watching??

Alpine skiing!!!
Skeleton!!
Luge!
Bobsleigh!
Freestyle skiing!
Speed skating!
Hockey finals!

CANNOT WAIT!

Shout out to Marie-Pier Préfontaine, Brittany Phelan and Marie-Michèle Gagnon who will be competing in the alpine events! Can't wait to watch you go fast as I know you can!

Also, congratulations to all the Canadian athletes who will be taking part in this amazing event. Just being at the olympics is such an amazing accomplishment! BRAVO

It's all about the spirit of the games I find. People are just so happy to be there! These athletes have worked so hard to get to the olympics, I think it's absolutely incredible!

And plus, you get to watch sports they never show on TV, such as skeleton and luge... Do you know how insane those sports are? Wow. Impressive... To throw yourself down an icy hill head first on a "crazy carpet", that sounds fun!

So yeah, I'll be watching the olympics for the next 2 weeks.

Oh yeah and training... weightlifting, so that maybe one day, I could be part of the olympic games, just maybe.

Enjoy the Olympic games, get inspired, feel the spirit and love sport!

Spread the love, #LiftLikeKate

KagZter
xoxo

Wealth in Health

Hello !

I don't know why I became a nurse, I couldn't tell you exactly why I chose the profession.

What I do know though, is that, after spending multiple hours a day with people who are sick and people who are unable to do the things they love the most in life, makes me a very thankful person.

I am a healthy girl, and I live a healthy lifestyle. My parents are healthy, my brother is healthy and most of my friends are healthy. Am I ever grateful for that. But, sadly,  I do know too many people who suffer from sickness.

Being able to wake up every morning and putting my shoes on and just walking is a real gift you know. Too many people are sick and it saddens me quite a lot. Maybe that's why I became a nurse... to save the world! Who knows.

Sports, as most os you know it are a great way of staying healthy and prolonging your own life.
But with sports comes injuries. And that is valuable in every single sport, either skiing, ping pong, skating, soccer, hockey, weightlifting, crossfit, walking, running, tennis, you name the sport and you will hear about injuries!

And I guess it's normal to get injured. When you push hard in your sport, you repeat movements all the time, you use your body all the time, you push harder then if you didn't use your body.

As I'm here to tell you about weightlifting, well you guessed it, there are many injuries that can happen in the sport. They aren't always big injuries, but they can be very uncomfortable, to the point where doing movements hurt and you can't do them.

Now if you are clever, you might have guessed that I've felt this uncomfortableness. (yes that is a word)

Where? What? When?

Being uncomfortable is "normal" I don't think theres a day where I'm comfortable throwing weights over my head... That could end very badly.

But here is the thing... My shoulders. Ouch. I've been struggling and struggling with my jerks for a couple of months until the day it was too painful to jerk anymore. Even the empty bar. So I listened to my body and stopped jerking for a good 2 weeks. And decided it was time to get some professional help. I'm not saying I wasn't stretching and I wasn't taking care of my body. What I am saying, is that maybe I waited to long to consult.

So I met up with Peter, an athletic therapist (pretty awesome). This guy can talk in one hour, but not only can he talk, but he can tell you exactly what on earth is wrong with you AND how to fix it!

So he gave me a bunch of exercises, a bunch of stretches and my future is in my hands now. It's now up to me to stretch, do the exercises and work hard on it.

So I did them.  I did them at home, I did them at work, I did them everywhere.

The day came where I needed to jerk. And as scary as it sounded, because having pain is no fun, I jerked away one bar at a time pain free. Now THAT my friends is something incredible. The smile came back to my face. Having no pain is important. And very important for me.

Pain can be so tricky. You can be so afraid of doing one movement that you never do it right because of the pain. Now that I am pain free, there's a lot less thinking going on in my head. And I plan on keeping it that way!

So what I'm trying to say is, listen to your body, get help, stretch and roll. As much as it's difficult, try in the possible measures to lift pain free, it's so much more affective and so much more fun ! Stay healthy, it really is worth it!

I'm buying a car tomorrow, now THAT is exciting!

Peace out

Spread the love and #LIFTLIKEKATE

KagZter
xoxo

complaints

Working nights suck!

I swear, this colleague of mine asked me why I was so pale... I don't know maybe the fact that I have been sleeping only 5 hours a "day" and being up all night and working out before work has been making me look sick!

My body feels tired and it's telling me to slow down! Everything hurts, everything!

My shoulders are screwed up, my back is tight, my ass is on fire, my abs hurt when I bend over, my calves are sore, my neck is always cracking, my hands are cut, my feet hurt. Everything.

I don't like to complain, but working nights suck. I feel like my body isn't recuperating as much as it used to. I've been more sick this year then I have in the past few years. It's cray cray!

Anywho, I'm done with complaining now. Please forgive me!

The weather is really shitty these days, maybe that's why I'm complaining. Ok really done now!

Weightlifting has been hard this past week. But when was it ever easy? I don't think it ever will be easy.

I always write the bars I fail in my little log book. I should do some statistics to see. I'm sure we would all be surprised!

Did I ever tell you how much I love to snatch? I don't know why, but I freaking love it so damm much! It's that feeling I get when I hear it tick off my hips and it lands hard right above my head and it doesn't shake anymore! I freaking love it!

Ah it makes me so happy!

I'm so comfy at this moment... maybe it's because I'm wearing my #liftlikekate hoodie! What? #Benyag

So, I was thinking, since my resolution is to put less pressure on myself, I was thinking about how I could help myself. On my Facebook page, I'll be posting videos and pictures about OTHERS! whhhaatttt! So smart! I love it when I see my friends and training partners kill it! It's so great to see what they are able to do in so little time! It inspires me ! So you will be seeing more about other people!

Okay, I'm out.

Spread the love and #liftlikekate

KagZter
xoxo

New year, new perspective!

Happy new year!

It's been two weeks without a blog post! I can explain! The holidays (for some) were insane! I was working the week of christmas and I also ended up sick like a dog. Poor me! I was throwing up everything! It was great! Sorry for maybe too many details, but hey, it's the truth. Spending christmas in the hospital sucks, I wish it to no one! Then New years came around the corner! Oh good times with friends! The celebration was quite fun! Good times!
And then, Shit happens and spending the new year in the hospital is no fun at all! I wish it to no one!

How about you want to read about my competition... I know I have to talk about it, I didn't want to talk about it the week after, but now I do! The dust fell. I needed to think about what happened and deal with it on my own, without the eyes of the internet.

I scored a total of zero.

Yes, zero.

I dropped my two first snatches and my third attempt was refused by the judges because of an elbow.

Shit happens.

That was it for me. My heart was out of the competition and I didn't want to try my clean and jerks.

I was out. My heart wasn't there anymore.

Lesson learned. Always follow the plan! Always.

So I have done a lot of thinking, I relived every single lift multiple times in my head and I spoke with my coaches. I will never be able to explain exactly what happened that day, but it happened and I need to move forward and go on with my life. And my weightlifting. One competition doesn't define who I am as an athlete. Instead, this failure helped me grow as an athlete, and it might even made me a stronger one.

The coaches have yet to let me down in this process. They have been more then supportive. And they have helped tremendously with my "struggles". They made me realize a lot of things and I am so grateful to be under their wings. They are ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!! I can't thank them enough!

My heart is back on track! I'm here to stay and keep fighting to reach my goals I set myself at the beginning of this adventure.

I took almost 1 week and a half off of lifting. It helped me clear my mind and think of other nice things for a change.  I'm back though. And I'm happy to be back in training and lifting. I missed it! Now my heart is in the right place!

REACT

Remember that word. It's an important one, especially for me.

Anywho,  I made a resolution this year.... To put less pressure on myself. It's working already!

Amazing!

2014: less stress, less pressure, more fun, more heavy weight over my head, more heart!

It's going to be a freeking awesome year. I feel it. REACT!

I hope everyone get's to hit some HUGE PR'S !!!

PS: #LIFTLIKEKATE website soon to hit your internet! Be ready ladies and gents!!!!

Peace out

Spread the love and #liftlikekate


KagZter
xoxo

Pre comp week!

Hey hey hey!

Let's just say, you have to read my entire blog before getting to THE BIG NEWS!

No choice!


What is my prep before competition?

Step one: Have faith.

You can't go into competition without believing in yourself! The work is done. The worst part is over and you just got to believe that the lifts your going to make will happen!

Head first. Just go!

Step 2: Smile

Lately, not going to lie, I was not happy with how things were going in weightlifting. I was unable to jerk over a certain number. And that made me very mad and extremely sad to see that I was mad. I wasn't smiling at my bar... and the bar wasn't going up. So, one day, I decided being serious wasn't my thing... So I put on a good song and laughed and danced on my bench... Guess what happened next? The bar went up !

Step 3: Get tanned

I got my first spray tan yesterday! It was awesome! Oh and I look tanned!  I look good! I mean, I haven't seen the sun in a couple of weeks... I've been working nights and sleeping during the days... I was missing out on some serious vitamin D! Now that I look good, I feel good, and when you feel good, everything else (lifting) comes together!

Step 4 : Smell the food, but don't eat it!

Discipline was never my thing when it came to food. I love food, and I love eating it! Oh yeah and it's christmas time, which means it's baking food time. My house smells so damm good! I've been making some miniature tourtières, we have cake, chocolate, candy canes lying around the house... Well I'm not aloud to eat it because I need to cut weight for competition. Did I taste? Nop! Whatttt? Yeah, trust me it's hard, but I'm pretending to be enjoying my can of tuna and greens everyday!
I can't wait after weigh in! I'm eating a shit load of bad stuff over the holidays... maybe not so much bad stuff, but I'm eating a lot. That's the plan.

Step 5: Have a plan

I'm making a plan in my head for how it's going down saturday. I know the bars I want to hit and I keep running and visualizing my bars in my head. Positive thinking. It helps.

Step 6: Have fun

My father always said to me when I was competing to have fun. Because if your not having fun, then I should switch sports. So I'm going to Drummonville to have fun and enjoy my experience in the weightlifting world, and see what 6 months of weightlifting has done to me!

Okay, I think your ready for the BIG NEWS!

Remember these?

Well, 2014 is just around the corner, and It's time for me to launch my #liftlikekate website!!!!

Remember those sweet hoodies? Well They will be on sale on a website as of january first 2014!!!!

And every week, twice a week, before january, I will be posting sweet ass apparel on my Facebook page so you know what's waiting for you! And yes, You will be able to order before january! Tis the season!

I'm really excited about this, this is huge for me!!

Now remember, it's cold outside and I have warm hoodies for you, long sleeve shirts for your workout sessions and even tank tops when you feel sweaty!!

Here is a little preview of what's coming up!

Ladies and Gents, here is a preview of the original hoodie in two different colours! You get to choose what colour you want! Make it your own!!!

PINK #LIFTLIKEKATE

YELLOW #LIFTLIKEKATE

I'm sooooooooooooo excited about this !!!! Let me know what you think on my Facebook page when I post the items up there! Any kind of critique would be very much appreciated! Thanks for being so cool!!!

Have an awesome day!!!

Spread the love, share this post and #liftlikekate

KagZter
xoxo

Titles are hard to find

I hate Christmas shopping.


Actually, this whole gift idea freaks me out. Why can't we just have a nice family dinner, no gifts, spend some quality time together and have fun? This shit is stressful! Like it's awful. So dumb.


On to weightlifting.

I failed this snatch as I was standing up... But it felt so GOOD

The other day I was wearing my #liftlikekate hoodie and some doctor at work asked me who Kate was. So I go "Me!" And then he asked :"why do you have a shirt with your name on it?"

This guy has no idea what crossfit or weightlifting is... Anyways, I'm pretty sure he doesn't. And I couldn't explain to him what my shirt meant. And I thought that sucked! What exactly does #liftlikekate mean?!

It's really a shame I couldn't even answer that question. I mean, who wants to lift like kate now?

I thought about it very hard.

And I came up with this.

It's not about lifting heavy shit. It's about lifting, yes, but it's doing it with passion. A passion that's hidden deep down inside that makes you want more. Always more. Because your 100% isn't your 100%. You can always do better. I believe that you can always do more. Perfection doesn't exist. You can always push harder, lift heavier, lift better. I love weightlifting. And I get truly emotional when I lift, because I love it so much and because I want to succeed! (Especially the last couple of weeks)

I think that's what #liftlikekate stands for. And I hope that whoever does #liftlikekate feels the same way that I do when I lift. After every session, I always reflect on my day. And every time I focus more on the positive then the negative. Because yes, theres a lot of negative that comes out of it... like my stupid jerks, I can't seem to figure them out, but then, there's always the positive, the snatching and the cleans felt awesome. And that's what I'm aiming for! Some days I focus a lot on the negative to try and figure out what went wrong, but I always end up happy with the outcome of the day. And the next time I come in the gym, I come in with a smile and think about the positive.

So next time someone asks you what #liftlikekate stands for, you have an answer. If you have anything else to add, please let me know, so I can go tell that doctor what #liftlikekate stands for!

Spread the love, Share this post and #LIFTLIKEKATE


KagZter
xoxo

Mental

I started watching videos of some super awesome strong chics I look up to in weightlifting.

Lidia Valentin, Olga Zubova and Sveltana Podobedova.

If you a minute I suggest you check them out. They lift extremely well and they show a lot of passion when they compete.

Not only do they lift well and they are passionate about what they do, but they lift a shit load of weight. When I look at them, I realize they lift more then a lot of guys I know... or the same weight. These three ladies are in the -75kg category.

Snatching 130 kg is absolutely crazy. The boyfriend snatches that. And I mean he's pretty good, like really good.

It almost seems impossible.

But I know it isn't if some girls are doing it... right ?

I also thought snatching 70 was never going to happen in the first year of my weightlifting journey. But guess what... I'm 6 months in and I'm hoping to do more then 70kg at the next competion. I'm really happy about that, but I also know that I worked hard. The coaches worked hard as well. There are so many details in weightlifting that nothing is ever perfect. But the more you work, the better the outcome.

As the competition is coming closer and closer, I'm obviously getting nervous and at this point in time, I feel like it's all mental.

I've had a lot of bad days at the gym recently. I was tired, I was/am sick, my knee hurt, my wrist hurt, my back hurt, I had a headache, I was blacking out, I was working nights and not getting enough sleep. I had all the best excuses in the world and a lack of motivation, but I still ended up going to the gym.

It's now, that I have to take a step back, look where I came from, realize that I haven't been weightlifting for 6 years like some athletes I'm competing against. I also have to realize that where I'm at now is okay, it's normal. And the fact that my body is tired, is normal, I've been doing the same thing over and over again for the last 6 months.

90% of weightlifting is all mental. If I just imagine not being able to lift or jerk that bar... it's not going up. It just isn't going up. It is absolutely all mental.

And it's in times like this right now, that I have to calm down, train hard and trust in the programming.

I'm hungry for some better lifting, but I'm also hungry, like actually hungry... you know I'm trying to cut weight... It's so damm hard. arg. I wish this to no one! I can't wait after competition.

anywho

Spread the love, share this post and #liftlikekate

KagZter
xoxo