INSPIRE ME #4: Carla Buchanan

This is Carla ~ she is awesome.

Carla is an amazing woman.  I met her at Excel and have worked out with her a lot over the pass year or two.  She is someone who inspires everyone around her to work harder and do better.  I love how she believes in you and pushes you that extra little bit.  Let's just say Carla don't let you slack off if you are working out with her!  I admire her knowledge of fitness and the body (she is a massage therapist! which is wicked!).  I love how balanced she is and how infectious her positive personality is.  She is truly someone I look up too and I am so happy to have met such a beautiful and inspiring person! Thank you Carla for being fabulous!!   

She is one Tough Mudder!

Here is her interview:

1. What is your health/fitness history? 
I have always been very active and involved in Sports. I grew up playing baseball, soccer, volleyball, and basketball (among other things). Eventually I focused on basketball and played 2 years post graduate at University College of the Fraser Valley. Both years I was there we made it the CCAA Basketball National tournament. After basketball was over I was looking for something new, so I joined the Vernon Shotokan Karate-Do club. Jon and I have trained/been involved with the club since 1996 and I have achieved my 3rd Dan (black belt).

HIYAH! Watch out ~ Carla can kick your butt!

2. How long have you been a member at Excel?
I have been a member of Excel since the doors opened! I have trained with Rhonda for almost 10 years now!

3. How often do you exercise?
I would say 5-6 days a week. Between Excel and Karate, I do something just about every day. Not every day is intense though. Sundays are the "recovery" day and Jon & I usually enjoy a nice hike with the dogs. And pretty soon the mountain bikes will come back out for some nice weekend rides.

4. What is a typical set of meals/snacks throughout the day for you?
If I train in the morning, I usually have a yogurt and banana before class. Breakfast after is usually toast and peanut butter, or granola and kefir. Lunches are usually some form of lean protein (chicken breast, etc.) and a big serving of steamed veggies with coconut oil. Dinner is much the same. And a mix of organic whole grains (steel cut oats, brown rice, kamut pasta, etc.) can also be found with some of our meals. I do love eggs, and often make an omelet packed with veggies. I snack on almonds, pecans, walnuts. Every mid morning snack is a Gala apple with either cheese or peanut butter. I always have a protein bar in my bag too. I, like Jon, am a sucka for a glass of red or a nice dark beer, and sea salted Kettle chips! But my kryptonite (as Jon calls it) is cookies!!! Oatmeal chocolate chip, chocolate chip, anything with chocolate chips...you get my drift?! :-) Instead of relying on a bakery, I have now taken to making my own (spelt flour, coconut sugar, some nuts, chocolate chips, oatmeal, sunflower seeds etc.) I certainly enjoy a cookie (or 2) with my morning coffee :-) I love to eat, so, I really believe in "everything in moderation" when it comes to my food!

5. What would you say is your biggest strength in fitness?
I have always had a pretty decent work ethic...when it comes to my fitness! I like to work hard at workouts.

6. What would you say is your biggest weakness in fitness?
AN UNASSISTED PULL-UP!!!! haha....that is a goal of mine....and has eluded me! Jon likes to reassure me that it is due to my long levers :-)

7. Is there anything in particular you are training for? 
The last 8 months or so, a knee injury has kept me from training for big things like Mudder, Beast, etc.  I did do Tough Mudder in 2012! Was a highlight of the last couple of years. Loved the training we did do for that. Currently, I am overdue to test for my 4th Dan level in Karate, and so I am looking at that for a goal in 2014! And I have to say.... I really loved when Rhonda named her program LifeFit many years ago....and that is truly how I feel with my fitness/training, that I am fit for life!

8. What would you say is your favourite work out?
I don't have one particular favorite....I love the variety, and group of people...and the motivation that comes from pushing one another!

9. How do you keep motivated day-to-day?
I think for me that fitness is just part of my day to day routine. A habit (kinda like my cookie/chocolate consumption :-)...and I really enjoy it!  For those days when a little lack of motivation is there I really just try to figure out if that means I need a recovery day (if yes, then I take 1 or 2), and if not, I get my butt to a workout and am always rewarded for that! The people at the workouts ALWAYS help when the motivation level is a little low, and instantly I find my level elevates again! Not to mention how lucky I am to have a partner in life who enjoys fitness as well, that helps with motivation too....always trying to catch Jon! :-)

Powerhouse INSPIRATION couple!

10. What would be your biggest advice to someone just starting out on his/her journey to improved health and fitness?
For me the most important thing is to get out and JUST DO IT (yep, the NIKE slogan, lol)...and not compare yourself to others! Everyone is at different stages in their fitness/health journey, and we need to be there for ourselves and not to make someone else happy! And to remember that it is indeed a journey...not a race.

11. If you could be any superhero you wanted who would you be and why?
hmm....do Jedi's count as superheroes?! haha! May the Force be with you! :-)