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Current Muscle & Fitness Hers cover girl Justine Munro updates us one last time before the Bikini International. She’s been camping out in Florida for a few days. Read why she’s migrated south for the winter.

The countdown is on and the Arnold Classic is just days away. I can’t believe that I will be in Ohio within 72 hours!!! There is a part of me that is a little nervous, but deep inside I am so excited!

The last two weeks have been absolutely amazing! The past ten days I have spent in Florida with my team ” Team Bombshell”. It was the best decision I have ever made, as it has brought me closer to my dream.

I read this statement, “coaching with a professional coach, is the practice of supporting an individual through the process of achieving a specific personal or professional result”. My coaches Shannon and Rob have been amazing and have provided me with unconditional support. They pushed me to step up when I needed to step up and they encouraged me the entire way. Working with my entire Bombshell sista’s has motivated me as well and made me even more proud of being on such a great team of amazing individuals. This past week I had the chance of getting to know Jessica Jesse—She is a great person. We did everything together; cardio, training and even shopping! She is truly my partner in crime! (Love you girl xo)

I never realized how important it is to be part of a team. We go through good and bad times, happy and sad times, but always pulling together and staying strong. I have learned a great deal about myself; my strengths, my weaknesses and at times pushing me to my limit. But, what makes me feel good inside is knowing that no matter what, they accept me for who I am, understand the journey that I have chosen and continue to support me along the way. Thank you to Team Bombshell for everything! Love you lots!

Finally, I am honored to be on the front cover of Muscle Fitness and Hers Magazine for the March/April. Thank you to everyone for believing in me and allowing me to represent such a great magazine. I am truly honored and will make you proud!

Along every journey you meet a number of amazing people and at times must face a number of difficult situations and/or decisions that one must make. But I must say, my journey has been truly a great experience and I owe this to everyone who has traveled along with me. Thank you!

If I don’t get the chance to write again before the Arnold, “Good luck everyone! Thanks for a great journey!”

Justine
xo

“Success is a journey, not a destination”- Ben Sweetland

Become a fan of Justine on her Facebook page and tell her hello from Hardbody!

Canada’s lone representative in the Bikini International shares a bit more about herself and what her day is like. She offers some tips to parents and how to make things work in a busy schedule. Check out what Justine Munro has to say.

Hello Again!

I wanted to start off by thanking Hardbody.com for selecting me along with the other beautiful ladies to participate in writing weekly blogs for this website! Taking the time to put my thoughts on paper has been a great experience.

The Arnold is is less than four weeks away…I am getting more excited, a bit anxious and yes… NERVOUS too!

Often I get asked, “Do you get nervous before a show?” Like anyone else…absolutely I do!

One thing about myself I have learned over the years is that, I am “worry wart”! I like to plan everything in advance, making sure I have everything prepared right down to the very little detail. I drive myself insane at times, but it’s just the way I am I guess. Once I have all my travel plans ready, my suits determined, my schedule figured out and my personal effects in place…I feel much better and worry less and can keep my FULL focus on my training/diet.

For many of you who don’t know me very well, this is a little about me:

I am passionate about the development of children and have been in childcare for the past 5 years. I live in Oakville, Ontario, Canada. I work with children mainly from infant up until 13 years of age. I truly believe that it is important that children grow up feeling good about who they are and have the confidence in themselves to do whatever they inspire to become. Self-esteem is what makes the world go around and its starts from within one-self. I take what I do very seriously and know that I am making a difference with the children I work with, not only their social skills and in their intellectual abilities, but in their physical development and their personal values. I love what I do. I don’t look at it as a job, but an opportunity to make a difference in someone else’s life. The most fascinating discovery for me is that working with children has made me a better person. I learn from them all the time.

I have been blessed to work with a number of great families. Although they are all different in their own way, this has made it a more exciting journey for me. Often I am considered “a big sister” which I like, as I am the baby in my own family. There is nothing more satisfying than assisting a child develop and then watch them grow and develop and become a good person.It makes me proud!

My day starts at 5:45AM every day and I typically get home around 7-8PM. In between these hours I never stop. I am always planning and organizing events, preparing meals and providing a lot of TLC! (tender loving care) to others but that’s what I do! 🙂 I give a great deal of credit to parents—how do they find time to plan their day and then plan for the children etc?

One comment I often hear from parents is how they struggle to find time for themselves. By the time they get home from working all day, they feel guilty to take some time for themselves, whether it is go to a gym and/or setting a routine around eating healthy by making specific meals, the reality is they are tired by the time they get home from work and feel guilty if they don’t give the children the attention they need.

Having the opportunity to observe a number of families and talk with many mothers…(and fathers too), here are a few suggestions that may help:

1. Put “YOU” higher on the list of things to do! Call it a little ‘ME TIME’ but you need to give yourself some time each day. Whether it be first thing in the morning or later in the evening….make a promise to yourself to put YOU AS #1. It could be just taking a bath, reading a book, doing your nails or even maybe even your hair…whatever it is, it’s only about YOU. You will feel better inside, but outside too.

2. Make a commitment to yourself that you want to eat better! Feeling better about yourself starts by eating healthy foods. You have full control over the food you eat. Eating healthy doesn’t mean starving yourself. It actually means eating more food, more often through out the day—but the right foods! Planning your food meals every day will result in your entire family eating healthier as well. This is a good thing! I bought a crock pot! It is one of my best friends now. When I leave in the morning, I prepare my meal (it takes only minutes) and when I get home, it’s sitting there waiting for me fully cooked and it smells so good too! All left over food becomes my meals for the next day. Just an idea. 🙂

3. If you don’t have time for the gym, that’s okay! Don’t feel guilty! There are many activities that you can do with the kids that will give you the physical exercise that you need. Take the kids to the park, for a walk, play a ball game, go tobogganing —kids have a ton of energy and it needs to be released, so go crazy with your kids, make exercising fun and part of your daily routine without realizing it. You could even buy a DVD on exercising and have the kids do it with you. Be crazy together. They would have a ton of fun and more importantly, they would be doing it with you.

4. Spend time with those that matter most in your life. Sometimes we all get so caught up in our lives with our busy routines, scheduled activities that we forget about spending some down time together just doing nothing. When I take the time with the kids I care for, I am always amazed about what they have to say. We sometimes share stories, but often they express themselves about how they feel about something. These moments are precious and need to captured. As I said at the beginning, I am learning all the time from those around me.

These are only a few suggestions for you to consider. I salute all of you parents out there…I really do! You are always thinking of everyone else around you, but yourself. But you need to put yourself higher on the list and if you do so, you will find that you will feel better and perform better too!

I can only hope that when I am a parent I could be half as good as you are! There is no written rule book on being a parent—but if there were, I would highly recommend that putting “ME TIME” is part of it. You deserve it! Have a great one!

Justine Munro

Become a fan of Justine on her Facebook page and tell her hello from Hardbody!

You’ll be seeing and hearing a lot more of IFBB Bikini Pro Justine Munro this year. She achieved IFBB Pro Status last year, has already qualified for the 2011 Bikini Olympia and is on the fast track to getting noticed by the fitness magazines. She checks in with us again as she attempts to stay warm in Canada and shared, “Life is good!”

I never realized how important routine is for me. Recovering from this nasty cold and flu has been a difficult one. I am now back to my fitness routine; back to the gym, eating regularly, and having fun while I’m doing it all. I feel awesome!

It is a great feeling to belong to a purpose, a cause, and to feel good about it. Whether it is for your professional life or for your personal life…life is about feeling good about who you are, what you do and what you stand for. The world is built around self-esteem and the lack of could be devastating.

The self satisfaction of making a difference each day for oneself and for others around you makes me say, “Life is good!”

I’m on a roll right now and guess I will leave you with this quote;

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world”
Harriet Tubman

Become a fan of Justine on her Facebook page and tell her hello from Hardbody!

Canadian Blonde Bikini Bombshell, Justine Munro checks in again. She’s been battling a cold during her Arnold prep and has some advice for others.

When the body talks -  you better listen.

Houston, we got a problem… I can’t eat! When do I ever not want to eat?

As my Arnold prep was taking its course, I suddenly came to a stop! Staying in shape, eating smart, working out, working my routine has always proven itself to be the best way to stay healthy… as I haven’t been sick for the longest time, except for this past week!

I couldn’t do anything, nor could I speak. (now that’s a problem!) A combination of cold and flu has turned my life upside down. I never realized how much I enjoy my routine of going to the gym, eating regularly and sleeping well…until now. I feel like I’ve lost my best friend and then believe it or not, you start questioning yourself about all your priorities and life in general. I miss putting on my fanny pack on and going to the gym. I miss eating on schedule and the right foods, but when the body talks, you better listen.

Rest! Sleep! Drink lots of fluids until your body says, okay, it’s time to get back to work.

Well on my way back to recovery. Back at the gym….I won’t give up that easy!

Let me leave you with this,

“When your mind, body and spirit are balanced and healthy, you find happiness.” 🙂

Did she say fanny pack? Yup, you read it right. Justine is back on track and rock’n but reminds us all that sometimes you need to put the ego aside and listen to your body. Become a fan of Justine on her Facebook page and give her Hardbody hello.

Canadian cutie Justine Munro joins us in our continued series of Arnold Sports Festival Blogs. Justine made a name for herself right out of the gates when she placed second in her IFBB Bikini debut. You’ll be seeing a lot more of her in the magazines this year, mark my words. She shares a bit more about herself and what her goals are for the new year.

Hello! My name is Justine Munro and I am a Canadian IFBB Bikini Pro on my way for the first time to the Arnold Classic. I am so excited and can’t wait to experience such an event.

Over the holidays I enjoyed some down time with my family and good friends enjoying some great food and having some awesome moments. We welcomed the New Year quietly, but with enthusiasm. These special moments and spending it with the people you care most about make it all that much better. I wish everyone a healthy and happy New Year!

I started my fitness journey a couple of years ago and have met number of experienced and great people who have encouraged me to believe in myself and to keep focused on the next level of the fitness world.

In August 2010, I won the CBBF CANADIAN NATIONALS held in Toronto which was where I received my pro card. It was a dream come true and one that I will cherish for years to come.

The Arnold’s is right around the corner and I have a great deal of work to do to prepare and to be at my best. I am so excited that I will have the opportunity to participate in such an event. The best Christmas gift I received this year was seeing my name on the list amongst a number of other beautiful ladies. I feel honored that I am the only Canadian Model in my class. (Did I tell you that Canadian girls can kick butt too? :))

2011 is going to be a year where I push myself harder in every way, I have a lot of goals in mind.

Saying that, these are my top goals for 2011
1.  Train, Train and did I say, Train! (both in Weight lifting and Cardio)
2. Brand myself within the IFBB.
3. Network within the industry. (I really want to learn more.)
4. Maintain a healthy and active lifestyle (balancing my on & off season eating, etc)
5. Give back! Help as many people as I can along the way.
6. Complete my firefighting courses and becoming a firefighter.
7. Have fun!

Get to know Justine more by “liking” her Facebook Fan Page.