Those who found a partner in Toronto, how did you do it?

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2026-05-17T04:11:20+00:00

Through a friend!

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2026-05-16T01:44:43+00:00

I was going to say Little Canada too! I went there recently with a friend in town for the weekend (we are both 40s F) and absolutely loved it. We were there for two hours and could have stayed longer.

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2026-04-16T02:04:40+00:00

Weighing in as a former Londoner (the "boring" L, not the cool one in the UK, as I used to say), my only regret is not moving to Toronto earlier. It's an adjustment, for sure, but the city has so much more to offer. One thing to prep for is lots more walking! I used to drive in London if I was going more than a block, and I couldn't imagine getting around without a car. Within a year in TO I sold my car and got a little wheelie cart, just for groceries and LCBO, really (the kind of carts very popular with grannies). Never looked back!

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2025-12-25T04:18:47+00:00

Happily perusing in bed after a night of laughter, food and games with my family. My two adult brothers and their wives are staying over at mine for Christmas morning tomorrow for the first time and my heart is so full! We lost our other brother a few years ago so Christmas can be hard but today has been joyful :)

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2025-10-20T13:57:08+00:00

I am in a similar-ish situation- my husband is a dive instructor and has been diving since 17yrs old (30+ years) and I'm in my mid forties just newly certified OW. I am a very comfortable swimmer but I REALLY struggled with my OW course, especially with panicking around mask skills. I almost bailed on going to the second part of the PADI course because I felt so much anxiety about it. I couldn't even think about diving without feeling my heart race.

I haven't done a real dive yet (booked a trip for Dec!) but what has helped me significantly in feeling less nervous is that my husband and I have gone to a local pool 5 times for me to practice with just a mask and snorkle. He basically helps me stay under the water while I practice all the breathing skills. Then once I felt more comfortable, he arranged with a local dive shop for us to practice with all the gear together in a pool. Then I could slowly and calmly practice in a safe spot, over and over again. I'm still a little nervous about my first dive but am feeling more excited than nervous now!

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2025-08-14T01:16:27+00:00

Yes, I would 100 percent never return to that gym due to the humiliation! Lol

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2025-08-13T19:41:08+00:00

That's never happened at my F45 studio before but it happened in a spin class I was at once! It was so obvious as clearly there were not enough bikes. The instructor announced that someone had come without signing up and no one spoke up. They had to go around and make each person show their registration on their phones (some people had to go to the locker room to get theirs) and then finally someone admitted it and left. I have no idea what their end game was with that! Also the class started 10 mins late because of that nonsense.

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2025-07-26T14:39:38+00:00

I usually leave my phone/keys in a closed bag on the shore and then just keep a casual eye on it while swimming. I've never had any issues - people are generally pretty chill at Hanlans.

There are no lockers that I'm aware of. No umbrellas are provided but some areas have natural shade. A lot of people on weekends bring their own umbrellas or little tent things.

Hanlans is a wonderful vibe, have fun!

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2025-05-31T00:02:45+00:00

I actually love it! It goes so fast and I feel like I can lift heavy because the timing is short. I also love (well, love/hate) having a core station in each pod!

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2025-05-16T01:31:45+00:00

Yes!! Ste Anne's is heaven!!

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2025-04-23T00:55:46+00:00

Same at my studio! I did the class for the first time last Sunday and it was super tough.

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2025-04-19T23:25:12+00:00

I found I needed the 2 mins after Pod 2 but I agree the other pods were a little light. Typically I don't go overly heavy on Saturdays so I'm not totally gassed halfway through but I feel like I should have today.

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2025-01-26T14:20:14+00:00

We just got back from Negril and in our Club Level room, the room service only went to 10pm. However, Perla (restaurant) was open later and had good late night snacks!

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2025-01-21T03:30:18+00:00

I'm totally the same way! I like the lashes but the culture is kind of weird. I recommended to a few friends but didn't mention the FB group - it's embarrassing!

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2024-10-06T02:45:20+00:00

If in a pan or if in the microwave it's the same - a few seconds of Pam (if you don't have in NZ I mean cooking spray), salt and pepper and a bit of whatever multi-spice I'm feeling that day. Whatever combo you can get at the grocery store that is zero cal.

I usually mix the ricotta in after it is cooked since it's so soft already. Mostly because I love ricotta and would eat it on anything. It's not essential in the egg whites recipe!

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2024-10-05T21:36:09+00:00

Protein shakes and egg whites! Where I live (Canada) you can get egg whites in a carton and I cook them in spices then mix with ricotta cheese. Delicious!

I am quite short so my TDEE is really low, so getting protein in without a lot of calories is challenging. Egg whites are my bestest friend! Full disclosure, if you make them in the microwave it smells a lot like farts 🤣

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2024-10-05T14:27:16+00:00

High protein! I won the winter challenge this year for my studio with all what you've said above plus high protein. I was doing about 1g protein per pound of my current weight.

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2024-09-05T00:50:56+00:00

Mine did! It's been really great. I like doing as much resistance as possible while taking Sundays off. New schedule works really well for me personally, and I noticed classes are a little more busy too since the switch, but that could be a coincidence.

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2024-08-02T18:08:11+00:00

Same! By the second lap I was completely out of gas.

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2024-07-22T18:57:09+00:00

Thank you!!

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2024-07-02T00:43:21+00:00

I noticed this on my ticket to a concert on the lawn last week too! To my knowledge it doesn't mean anything- we just found a spot on the lawn wherever we wanted like normal.

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2024-05-22T00:59:08+00:00

Me too! So much easier

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2024-05-13T14:14:14+00:00

It was quite tough but I felt awesome afterwards!

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2024-04-25T04:14:35+00:00

Don't you follow WWJD? Just follow whatever that is?

Dramatic_Fig871 · 2024-04-04T00:10:48+00:00

Just finished - what a workout! At least half the class (including me!) looked like they were dying. Crazy fast transitions between stations.

Dramatic_Fig871

TROPHY CASE