My journey from that to THIS!: Do Not Give Up.

My journey from that to THIS!: Do Not Give Up.: Each day you will be asked to make a multitude of choices. Handle each choice as it arises. Choose carefully. Choose wisely. Keep your ultim...

My journey from that to THIS!: The Warrior's Creed...

My journey from that to THIS!: The Warrior's Creed...: The Warrior's Creed: (I just found this on a website I stumbled on..it’s from a book called The Underground Guide to Warrior Fitness by Ros...

My journey from that to THIS!: New Years Eve....

My journey from that to THIS!: New Years Eve....: So, another year ends as another year begins. I am a constant work in progress thus the new year does not compel me to make a list of crap I...

My journey from that to THIS!: Straight talk....

My journey from that to THIS!: Straight talk....: I have lived this process. It all starts upstairs. Trust me. If you don't change your thoughts your actions will never evolve. Once you fix...

Straight talk....

I have lived this process. It all starts upstairs. Trust me. If you don't change your thoughts your actions will never evolve. Once you fix your head...you will KILL your goal!! 

Same line of thought....Fix it!!! Stop making every little misstep into a mountain of failures. Everyone makes a wrong choice every now and again....MOVE ON!! You are worth it!!
And stop saying you CAN'T. You absolutely CAN. Perhaps you just chose not too. <3

New Years Eve....

So, another year ends as another year begins. I am a constant work in progress thus the new year does not compel me to make a list of crap I need to fix or change about myself. For me, that is an ongoing process. But it is an opportunity for reflection and introspection. It has been a great year! But then again, I can't remember the last time it wasn't. There have been some rough moments, but never a time I can recall saying "That year sucked." Is it because I am just drowning in greatness over here? Highly unlikely. It's all about perspective. I try not to dwell on the negative moments, the rough spots, and I am not big on self pity or playing the victim. Let's be real...sh*t happens to everybody. I cry, I complain, I lock myself in the bathroom....but I always move on!! That's my motivational speech for the new year. :)

Happy "make it happen" Moment!!! Make a goal, make a plan, then start to work your plan. Before you know it you will have accomplished your goal. :)

The Warrior's Creed...

The Warrior's Creed: (I just found this on a website I stumbled on..it’s from a book called The Underground Guide to Warrior Fitness by Ross Enamait).♥

I will train with the utmost intensity, dedication and desire.
I will turn obstacles into opportunities to demonstrate my power and strength.
No feat is beyond my reach, I will write my own destiny. 
The hell with genetics, I will determine my physical prowess and strength.
I am an action taker not an action faker.
I am a leader not a follower. 
There are no magic pills. 
My strength and power originate from my intensity and devotion. 
There are no shortcuts to the top. 
The warrior’s journey is never ending.
I will surge forward, improving myself each day.
I will rise to the top, overcome all obstacles, and destroy my enemies.
Excuses are weak, warriors are strong. I am a warrior.

I AM A WARRIOR.

How true is this?

Do Not Give Up.

Each day you will be asked to make a multitude of choices. Handle each choice as it arises. Choose carefully. Choose wisely. Keep your ultimate goal in mind. Each little choice leads to great success. It is a journey. It can not be conquered in a day  nor can it be destroyed by one choice. If you make a less than healthy choice, leave it behind you and move forward. Do not allow yourself to quit or give up. It is NOT an option.

Thought for today....

Dear Tabitha, Bodybuilding.com would like to feature you....WHAT?!?!?

Yes that was an email I received from bodybuilding.com this year along with some paperwork I had to fill out and submit to be considered for their Over 40 (gulp!) Transformation of the Week. So I filled it out and submitted it and that was that. For those of you not in the know, bodybuilding.com is quite the online community for the fitness elite and the fitness elite wanna-be's (that's me). I was simply thrilled just to receive the email.

Fast forward to November.....and TA-DA!  http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/body-transformation-tabitha-trained-for-the-stage.html#.TsW-Y_XWaOw.facebook 

Not going to lie, THIS was awesome! **insert happy dancing here**

I posted it on facebook and shared with others. Apparently not everyone shares my excitement. I submit the following comment in regards to my feature:

"It is NOT what is on our outside that pleases God, but what is on the inside. a WEIGHTLIFTERS for God program may better suit you."

Hmmm...where does one begin?  This was not a random stranger, this was indeed someone I know very well. I chose to ignore the post because I knew the poster was trying to elicit a response and I wasn't going to play. But it is there, in my mind. If I was a better person anytime this is brought to my mind I would perhaps pray for this person. I generally just refile it, in the junk drawer of my mind. 

But I saw something today that made me think of it again:

 
Some of us have it. Some of us don't.

Auld Lang Syne.....

Like an old friend this blog is still here. Holding memories and secrets, reminding me of things accomplished and things to come. One of my New Years goals will be to return to blogging. As I moved from my goals of 2011 into just doing life there seemed to be less to blog about, everything so mundane. Who wants to read that? Thus, I have come to realize this blog isn't for 'them'. It is for me. So I will make it a priority; no deadlines, no must do's, just an old friend, here when needed. I enjoy this.

2011 was an incredible year for me and I am looking forward to 2012 with New Ambitions and Great Expectations.  Maybe I should change the name to that....

With the New year comes talk of resolutions. I don't make resolutions anymore. Why should I ? I never kept them when I did make them. I make goals now. And along with my goals I make plans. You know the saying: A goal without a plan is simply a wish. In the past 5 years I have learned to distinguish between the two and I like goals much better!

So you are welcome to come along with me on this journey...it won't always be exciting, but then again the calm, still moments are some of my most favorite. Please remember, although something in this blog may touch you or motivate you, inspire you or even annoy you , I do this for me.

So let's see what 2012 brings us. What we can learn. How we can grow. What we can move and what we can be moved by....life is continuous and so should our pursuit of it be.

Little things....

Nearly 3 months post competition and my body is more like it should be. We call this the maintenance phase. It means I have put about 10-15 pounds back on. So I went to purchase a pair of shorts yesterday and found the ones I wanted, but they were out of size 6. I debated with myself for a solid 15 minutes before purchasing the size 4 over the size 8 and telling myself, you can return them tomorrow.

Took them home, decided to try them on and 'get it over with' and then...they fit. Not going to lie, I was happy dancing. Totally unexpected!! Totally shallow!! Totally thrilled.

We all know we need spotters in the squat rack, but guess what...we need them in life too!

Reflections....

Yesterday Taylor and I visited Augustana College. We met with the admissions counselor, the volleyball coach, and toured the campus. This was our second college visit and I am really enjoying the time spent with her and watching her go through this decision process.

I was reflecting upon how different her life experiences have been compared with mine at the same age and how proud I am of her and all of her accomplishments.On the ride home she told me that the admissions counselor asked her about her support system and she told him that it was me that influenced her and inspired her. Can I just say, what an incredible honor?!?!?

Then it reminded me of an essay I had to write last year when I was applying for a scholarship. It was a scholarship offered through the IHSA (Illinois Head Start Association) and the requirements were that you had to be a Head Start employee, parent, or former student and a current full time student. Judges would select a winner, one winner in the state of Illinois, from the essays received from qualified recipients. Another one of those 'what have I got to lose' moments in my life. Here is the essay I submitted and that was chosen making me the winner of the Mary Alice Buchanan Scholarship Award.

 

As I sit down to write this essay, I am struck by how difficult it is to write about myself. I should be telling everyone my story, sharing with the world, not just my failures, but my successes. It has been a long road from there to here and I have accomplished much.

Growing up in Michigan, I was the oldest child of an alcoholic father and co-dependent mother. I went to Head Start as a child. We lived in public housing, received food stamps, benefitted from a medical card and to this day I can’t stand to see a block of cheese, dried milk, or tuna casserole. I was the peacemaker among my siblings, the responsible one in my family, the good student in school; your typical oldest child. But certain things were just a given. I would hopefully graduate from high school, get a job, and move out when I was 18. So I did.

I have lived on my own since I was 18 years old and worked since I was 16. When I was 22 I started working at a sales company and worked for that company for 10 years. This was my first long term job, the beginning of my understanding of what a career could be. The company closed after 10 years and I was unemployed for the first time ever. As I stood in the unemployment office, I saw a sign that would, again, change my world. It was a program for dislocated workers and I qualified. Essentially, they told me I could go to school for two years and they would pay for it. I chose to get my Associates in Child Development and returned to school full-time. At this time I was married with 3 children. Soon after starting school I began working full time in a day care. At the age of 36, I graduated with my AAS in Child Development, a 3.8 GPA, and High Honors. I am the first child in my family to graduate from college.

I knew, from doing my observations for school, that I wanted to come and teach at Head Start and ‘pay it forward’ as they say. I had been blessed by this program that had given me the means to return to school and I wanted to pass that on to others.

Soon after starting at Head Start as an Assistant Teacher I decided to return to school and complete my Bachelor’s Degree. I have been attending Kendall College full time for two years now. I am completing my Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and already thinking about what I might pursue my Masters in.

It has been demanding of my time and my energy but every time I look into the eyes of my 3 daughters I know I am doing the right thing for all of us. And even if I am not comfortable talking about my accomplishments with others, I am proud of myself and where I have been and what I have become.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! Own it in style!!

Back in the saddle....

So I took 2 months off after the competition, went to California and then Florida, spent some amazing time with Mike and my mom, and am currently enjoying the remainder of my summer vacation with the girls. Life is good.

Today, July 7, 2011, I begin my new meal plan and my new journey. I intend to compete again next Summer and therefore will spend the next 9 months building up my muscle, staying lean, and eating well! I will keep track of my journey here, along with other ramblings and glimpses into my world.

Two days ago a young woman named Casey Anthony was found not guilty of killing her 2 year old daughter Caylee. While this doesn't pertain to me personally, as a mother, teacher, and member of the community as a whole it sickens me. But then I pause to think and realize that regardless of what a jury may determine, not convicted does not equal innocence and whomever is guilty of this horrible crime will undoubtedly suffer. No person can commit such a crime without being haunted for the rest of whatever their life may be. And it strikes me that this situation is like so many others in our daily lives: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Those are the things I desire in my life; serenity, courage, and wisdom.   

On a brighter note, I was recently chosen to be a member of the Big Ten Fan Council. As an avid, passionate, die hard, some may say crazy, college football fan this is so EXCITING for me.  I will be attending the Kickoff Luncheon on July 29th in Chicago where I will meet all of the media people from the Big Ten Network, and all of the Head Coaches from the conference and a select group of players. How did I stumble upon this opportunity? I saw a posting from the Big Ten Network saying they were accepting applications. I thought,  "why not???" But then I heard that voice in my head saying...why? what will you say? you don't know enough about football. you will feel uncomfortable. you will be a nervous wreck. don't be silly. AH-HA moment....nothing ventured, nothing gained. I filled out the application and submitted it. I had NOTHING to lose. And then I was chosen. :) Lesson here: Stop living in your comfort zone, challenge yourself to step outside of it. You are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for!

Feels good to be back.....

   

That's a wrap....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbrX8gT-Ef0

And so it ends. This video is of my routine last night. The evening performance. The finale. My exhale moment.

The morning started with coffee...and then I was in the high school auditorium, surrounded by 170 strangers all chasing the same dream as I; this moment, this competition. Some newbies much like myself, others exuding experience and calm confidence. I had a plan for the day provided by my trainer and I focused on it and followed it. Warm up at this time, eat at this time, pump up at this time....and then the call. "Women's Masters Bodybuilding line up."

So there we were, 8 competitors in a line, sizing each other up, but trying to look like we weren't sizing each other up. I wasn't the biggest or the smallest, the shortest or the tallest, and with one glance I knew I was definitely not going to win. We were led out the door and up to the stage where we waited our turn. As we walked out into the lights, I took a very deep breath. As I left the safety of the curtains and saw the judges, the crowd, the X marked where we all would stand, I knew fear. A fleeting thought...I could just turn around right now and walk right out. Yet my feet proceeded, I took my spot in line, and began to hit the poses I had practiced for months, albeit along side 7 strangers this time rather than the comfort of my teammates. It was all a blur, went quick, my mind raced but my heart raced faster. And I knew that I was not as tight as I should be, my legs were not as wide as I wanted them to be, my arms, my abs, my calves. Overwhelming would not do it justice. I tried to smile and my mouth shook more than my muscles straining to flex. Then we were done....A video would later let me know that this entire process took all of 4 minutes. Somehow it seemed much longer and shorter all at the same time.

But I was done and there I was in the lobby, facing my biggest fan and safe again. And I was proud of myself and what I had done. I shed tears of relief...but the satisfaction of what I had accomplished moved me as well. And his smile spoke more than any words. We had worked very hard, together, on this goal and we had done well!

The competition is divided into a morning session, where the judging takes place and an evening session, which is geared toward entertaining. In between contestants go home or back to their hotels to eat, sleep, whatever they choose to pass this time. I ate a small portion of chicken and some brown rice, tried to sleep, and then began to practice my routine.

THIS routine?!?!?!? Performing a routine set to music very nearly was a deal breaker for me. And I had still not convinced myself I could do it. I certainly knew, and so did everyone involved with this endeavor, that I despised the very idea of having to do it. But when the question became compete or not...the answer was always the same; compete. So that was all that was left of my journey...the routine. I practiced it alone, over and over. Listening to the words, connecting the movements and poses with each word that led to a transition, yet again. "60 seconds of music" I told myself. "It's one minute out of your life" I repeated like a mantra. And I practiced as I had for the last 10 weeks.

And again I found myself in the auditorium with those same strangers. Many more relaxed now. The judging was over, this was all for fun, no more stress. Little did they know. Now I would have to take that stage alone and perform. Perform?!?!? I was not a performer, much less on a stage alone in front of a panel of judges and an audience. I stood in front of the mirror and went through each motion, repeating the lyrics from the song with each movement, each transition. I didn't dare visualize it because all of my visuals leading up to this were of a variety of disasters. So I practiced...until again I was called.

Up to the stage we went again. Same path, same 8, same destination. This time we went out one by one. Then my name was called....and again my feet went even though I didn't want them to go. Right to the X, and I took my spot...and I heard the cheers from the friends and family who had come to support me and then I heard my music. And my body began to perform the routine it had practiced and then I was smiling. Smiling and performing, as if it was indeed my destiny. 60 seconds later I walked off the stage exuding the confidence of a person who had just chased down their dream and made it a reality, carried through on the cheers of family and friends both near and far who had showered me with support.

I smiled all the way off that stage, all the way down to that auditorium, barely noticing the strangers, all the way to the locker room, and then up to the lobby...where the first face I saw was again my biggest fan. And again I shed tears of relief and accomplishment and again I saw a look of pride on his face that matched the feeling inside of me beat for beat.

And then the rest of my family, my girls!!, my friends and coworkers! My girls bearing handmade signs and wearing t-shirts: Strong is the New Beautiful, Doing It!, and a custom made tshirt with the name of this blog and "Thats My Mom" carefully ironed on! Surrounded by all of these people who had seen me through this journey, each struggle, each triumph...my journey was complete.

No more waiting to exhale...

Reflections of a journey well traveled...

Yep. I am wide awake at 5:00 am and smiling. Today has arrived in full fashion. Had to enjoy some quiet time before the natives wake. Nothing like relishing in my thoughts, listening to some music, and sipping just a bit of coffee.

Today is the day. I have spent 2 years in a gym transforming my body for this very moment. I didn't know it then, but it was the plan. I spent two years proving to myself that I was strong and capable. I spent two years learning that the word 'no' was not empowering but to throw on the weights and TRY until one day it moved!!!

I spent the last 17 weeks nourishing my body with clean, whole, healthy foods so that my muscles could grow and the body fat would shed away and I could get to this moment. I
said 'no' to candy, cakes, breads, pastas, dairy, sugar free gum, any garbage that would not fuel my body. I followed a strict nutrition plan without fail to get to this moment.

Not once did I think about quitting. Some days I had to give more than I thought I could to make this happen. For the last three weeks my family has sacrificed so that I could get here.

And here I am. Deep breaths and big smiles. I want to radiate the confidence I feel when I take that stage today! I want the hard work and dedication to be on display for all to see... I want to savor it all and then walk away saying "BOOM! That just happened!" :)

No matter what the paper results say from this competition, this I know: As I sit here this morning, drinking a few sips of coffee and listening to some great music, I know in my heart, in my very soul, that I have already WON! Once again I beat the odds, knocked down the obstacles that were in front of me, spread my wings and FLEW!   

"Shame when the ones who have wings don't use them to fly!"

The Meal Plan from Hell.....

Well I am 10 days out! 10 days from taking the stage! 10 days from performing that routine! 10 days from finishing what I started! i have never felt stronger, more resilient, so unstoppable and capable of achieving anything! I now know that I can ABSOLUTELY do anything I set my mind to!

I have been traveling for over a week now and I have followed every detail of my meal plan and workouts. I have not once strayed from the path. There are no circumstances which could provoke me to risk what I have worked so hard to achieve. I am 100% completely proud of myself! I don't think I have ever felt this way before.  It is a feeling that I want to experience completely. And cherish.

Now for that meal plan! I have my eats for SHOW WEEK! Here goes:
Monday - Wednesday
Breakfast: 1/3 c steel oats/3 oz white fish
Snack: 3 oz white fish/1c brussel sprouts
Lunch: 3 oz white fish/1c asparagus
Snack: 2 egg whites (1/3c quinoa on Wed.)
Dinner: 3 oz white fish/1c asparagus

Thursday:
Breakfast: 1/3c steel oats/3 oz white fish
Snack: 3oz white fish/1c asparagus
*after 1:00 only 8 oz of water rest of day
Lunch: 3 oz white fish
Snack: 1/3 potato
Dinner: 3 oz white fish/1/3 sweet potato

Friday:
Breakfast: 1/3c steel oats/3 oz white fish
Snack: 1/3 potato
Lunch: 3 oz white fish/1/4c quinoa
Snack: 1/3 potato
Dinner: 1/3 potato 1/3 sweet potato
*8 oz water for entire day drank before dinner. No water after dinner.

Saturday: ((SHOW DAY))

Breakfast:
1/3 HOT steel oats/ 1/2 BANANA

20 min before prejudging:
1/2 sweet potato
Pump up 10 min after eating

Before evening show:
1 glass water
4 oz chicken breast
1/3c brown rice

Compete

Can you say: BUFFALO WILD WINGS!!!!

So...there we have it. I drink at LEAST a gallon of water every day! The no water will be the hardest part! But it is all temporary and I cannot wait to see the changes my body will make when I go through this week. I am surprised how much of this is about nutrition. It is easily 90% of the equation! And I hope that by reading this blog you can see that this lifestyle is far from glamorous...it is all about sacrifice, hard work, commitment.

10 days!!! Time to finish!!

The blog I didn't wanna write, but knew I needed to...

Okay so as my weight drops and my body fat drops and I get closer to goal there is a down side. I have been trying to ignore it but today I heard two of the 'you are too skinny' comments and I know there will be more to come.

Last March, March 16 2010, my father passed away after a long term illness. Long story short he was hospitalized and after surgeries that were unsuccessful, we had to consent for them to take him off of oxygen and wait for him to stop breathing. When he passed away he was completely emaciated. He lived the last couple of years of his life nothing but skin and bones.

There have been a couple of times when I have caught a glimpse of myself and it was like being kicked in the stomach. I could see so much of him in me. I literally had to stop and regroup. The leaner I get the more it happens.

This journey of mine has everything to do with him. Watching someone you love so much waste away to nothing over years is beyond words. I channel the inner strength he gave me to build a strong healthy body, to say "F YOU!" to the disease and side effects that took him from me.

This entire journey is dedicated to my daddy. He taught me how to conquer my demons, to fight for a better life, to never give up on yourself.

One year and two months after losing him I will stand on a stage in a high school auditorium a warrior. A winner. A daughter.

Posing practice pics.... 3 weeks to go

Eyes on the Finish Line....

Body weight this morning...127.2 :) Bodyfat yesterday 16.4% :) I am definitely on track with those measurements to be where I wanted: 125 pounds and at or under 15% bodyfat. That feels good! It is 'easy' to stay focused when you are constantly seeing the results of your hard work.

These next two weeks are going to be crazy, even without the competition. This week my daughter has a vball tourney in Louisville, KY. We leave Thursday for that trip and return sometime Sunday. I will pack my foods, so that is easy. The room has a refrigerator and microwave. All I need! ;) The gym only has cardio from what I could see so I will have to bring some DB's, kettlebells, bands with me so I still get in my workouts. And I try to stay as close to my schedule as I can, but it gets hard with the tournament. On the plus side....I get to 'meet' Anita!! :) YAY!!!! My spark/FB/Ruben buddy!! :) And I really hope the weather is warm!

So we return from Louisville on Sunday and Monday I leave for a 4 day conference for work in Springfield. No refrigerator or microwave in the room. UGH!! So I will buy both and take them with me. The people from work are going to love me. On the plus side the gym has free weights! On the down side...these conferences are always full of really bad food. 2 weeks out I think my focus will power me through all of that. And 3 nights alone in a hotel will definitely give me some down time that may be MUCH needed at that point.

By the time I get home on Friday I will have just ONE WEEK!! Don't blink.....

Hold on tight.....here we go!!

A day in the life of ME...

Wake up call @ 4:30 am. Oh joy! Roll out of bed, get dressed, pack my gym bag with work clothes, PM work out clothes, and all the necessities for showering at the gym. Upstairs to the kitchen where I heat up 3 spoons of steel cut oats and toss in a spoon of whey, then sprinkle with cinnamon. This is just a couple bites of food for morning cardio. 
Then I pack the cooler with my eats for the day and fill my two 72 oz water bottles for the day. Sit down and eat and then off to the gym. The girls know I leave at 5:30 sharp. If they are not in the car they do not go to school, period. So far, they have been up and ready on time, everyday. :)
Drop them off at their dads and get to the gym by 6. Then 45 minutes of some mix of cardio because I suffer from cardio ADD. :) Shower at the gym, get ready for work, then heat up my breakfast (1/3 c steel cut oats and 3 egg whites w/ cinnamon) and eat. Call the girls at their dads to make sure they are awake and then off to work I go.
At 8:20 I have a scoop of whey and WATER. The kids come at 8:30, and so the morning begins. Before lunch I drink my first 72 oz bottle of water. Noon is lunch! I heat up my 4 oz of chicken, 3 oz of brown rice, and 1/2 c of low glycemic veggies and eat. Usually I will also drink some green tea at this point.
1:00 the afternoon class comes and so it begins, again! :) 4:30 is my snack time and usually I am starving!! At this point I have consumed most of my second 72 oz bottle of water. Snack is 1/3c  sweet potato and 3 egg whites with more cinnamon! 5:00 and I am off to the gym!

Lifting is first and then cardio again! My goal is to be out of the gym by 7:15. On the way to pick up the girls I have another scoop of whey. We usually get home by 7:45. Then begins the unpacking of everything, starting of laundry, homework checks, etc. By 8:30 I am eating dinner: 1/4c quinoa, 3 oz protein, 1/2 c low glycemic veggie. I usually drink another 32 oz of water after the gym too. If I am lucky I will spend a half hour watching tv or doing something mindless before falling into bed. Then shower and bed by 9 something. All of my school work has to be done on the weekends or I am toast. So far, I have been able to keep my Deans List status and GPA up.  

4:30 wake up call and I do it all again! :) 4 more weeks!

4 weeks....

Weighed in at 128.6 this morning. :) That is a good feeling after a week wrought with hormones, weight gain, and overall crappiness. Even though I know it is all temporary it still makes me crazy every month.

Along with hormones came a week filled with "What the h-e-double-hockey sticks-are -you-thinking thoughts! Ugh. Now that I am over that nonsense I have a plan....

For the next 4 weeks I will not worry about what my competition MIGHT look like. I will not think about what travesties MIGHT happen on stage. I will concentrate on enjoying every moment, working hard, and having fun! This is a new experience and I will keep it in perspective and NOT ruin it with fearful thoughts that are only going to sabotage myself.

Sooo....positive thoughts, positive self talk, and savoring every moment! Garbage out..... It's not easy for me, but I will work on it! And then I will ROCK that stage and be proud of myself, not criticize a thing or make any I should have comments.

Power focus. 

Pics from the vault...

In April of 2009 I started lifting. I lifted 5 days a week, without fail. I loved lifting and I was a total gym rat from the word go. In May of 2010 I started eating clean. I worked with Ruben for 3 months, took a break from his meal plans but continued to eat well on my own and then in January of 2011 I set my sights on competing and really reigned in my diet  with the help of my Coach/trainer.

The difference a clean diet makes is obvious. I stumbled upon these before pics today...they just happen to be exactly a year ago. Wow! What a difference a year makes. It is true...are bodies are made BOTH in the kitchen and the gym!! Never again will I waste my efforts in the gym by choosing not to eat a clean diet!  The title is wrong...my typo and I don't intend to fix it but the pics are exactly one year apart. April 3 2010 - April 3, 2011.

Size 6 Jeans??? Yeah that just happened!

So today I bought a new pair of jeans...size 6! Can't remember the last time that happened. How much fun is it to love going into the dressing room?!?! And I bought an awesome dress for vacation!! I can't wait to get more vacation clothes and summer clothes! Shopping is fun again!!

5 more weeks and I know it will get harder before it is over, but I am determined to stay focused and get through these weeks like a pro. I am surrounded by people that support my goals and I am blessed!! That stage/competition part will be for all of them! My part ends Friday May 6th...at that point my goal is complete. I have done my part. I am excited to finish this in a big way!!

I am just along for the ride....

Okay, so had the dreaded cheeseburger and the next morning the scale said 131.0. The day before it had been at 130.6. Pfft....silliness. I guess my body really does have this.

Yesterday was a day of driving. Taylor and I went to UW Platteville for her first college visit. They had contacted her about playing volleyball and so we went. We really enjoyed the day! Had a tour, she had lunch with three girls from the volleyball team, then we met the coaches and chatted with them for a bit. We had no expectations going in and were very pleased with the results. I stayed on task with my eating but did add in 2 Clif Builder Bars during the tour/lunch/visit etc. I also went to the gym at 6 am before we left and then went again at 6 pm, so both rounds of cardio were accomplished yesterday! Scale this morning....129.8. Kind of freaky how fast the weight is falling off of me right now.

On another note....the brand new jeans I bought 3 weeks ago and set aside for summer, don't fit. They were falling off of me with the belt on the last hole. This weekend I am getting another new pair. I have to have at least one pair of jeans that fits! I know my body is going to change again after the show, but I want to be able to wear clothes that fit me in the meantime too. Looks like I will be trying size 6?!?!

Just about at the 5 week mark and I think I have figured out that I am just along for the ride. As long as I do exactly what I am supposed to per Niki....this is all going to fall right into place. I just get to be a witness to the path my body is taking right now. Crazy. Fun. Exciting.

And....posing practice every night after cardio start today. I have to nail down these poses in the next 5 weeks and it is VERY difficult to do. But with practice I know I will....no shaky body on stage for me.

have a beautiful day!!!      

Spring Break week...

This has been a wonderful, restful week. I really needed this. I feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for the next 5 weeks until my competition. I am ready to amp up the intensity and tackle this goal!!

I have added a second cardio session and it feels good to be on task. This will continue until my competition. I can get up at 5 am for 5 weeks. Stretch and grow, stretch and grow!

Weighed in this morning at 130.6! Craziness. :) Every baby step leads to positive results. This is continually confirmed as I watch my body change.

Orders for a cheat meal tonight. I am actually not excited about  it but I will do as told. So I will be eating a cheddar cheese burger after a HEAVY HEAVY leg workout today. This will act as a shock to my system and rev up my metabolism.  Keep ya posted on how this goes...

Now off to tackle a day of rest before lifting like a maniac!

Spring Break!!

Just in the nick of time. I have been running on all cylinders for a long time and was getting exhausted. Now I have a week off of work, and three weeks off of school. Whew....

This week my plan is to get some two a days in! Early morning gym visits, switch up my lifting workouts to morning to shock my body a bit, plus do my morning cardio at the gym. I will have to be doing this for the next 6 weeks anyway so might as well start now! Then go back in the evening for another round of cardio. Should help jump start my metabolism up to the next level, for the final PUSH!!

From now until 3 weeks I am on task. At the 3 week mark things switch again. New meals, new rules. I will be limited to brussel sprouts and asparagus. Luckily I like both.  I will have to layer up to do my cardio. Hello sweat it out time! I look forward to my changes. Every change brings me closer to my goal. 

Also on the agenda this week, a college visit with Taylor and prom dress shopping.  Ahh yes...a welcome break from the regularly sheduled programming!

40 days...

That's it. 40 days. 25 workouts. 5 Thursdays.... Crunch time!!

Side note...

I realized today that I am down a total of 55 pounds from my original starting weight of 187. Wow! That feels so good! Not to mention I have turned a body of mush into a body of muscle!!

6 weeks to go....

Okay so my new focus is cardio, posing, and routine! For the next 6 weeks I need to eat, sleep, and breathe these things! I always struggle with motivation when doing things at home but no more of that. I am not going to train my ass off only to get up on stage and not be practiced in my posing and routine. I have 6 weeks to nail these down and I must do it!

On a bright note...bodyfat is down to 17.5%! BOOM! Yay!! WOO-HOO!! My personal goal is 15% by show. That will happen!

Off to get my routine practice done!! Time to rock this nonsense!

All that whining....

My last post was a little whiny! Here I am sweating calories and carbs being cut...but LOOK, the scale says 132.2 this morning! And the last time I saw that number???? No idea.... :) 7 more to go....6 weeks to do it in! Pfft....I got this. Who cares if I am licking the last grain of rice out of the bottom of the bowl?

Changes....

New meal plans this week and I am feeling it. No more fruit, my brown rice went from 6 oz to 3 oz at lunch, quinoa cut from 1/2 cup at dinner to 1/4 cup, protein at dinner from 4 oz to 3 oz, and sweet potato pre workout snack cut from 1/2 cup to 1/3 cup. May not sound like much but I am tired and have a headache from the cut in complex carbs. I know my body will adjust within a week, i just have to be patient through this time. Push through......

The Posing Suit! 7 weeks out...

Need to amp up the cardio to cut the fat from my hips/thighs/tummy still, but I expected to put this thing on and CRINGE! Ummm...not so much! Guess I need to realize all that training is indeed paying off! 

my story in pics

These pics start in March of 2010 thorugh August of 2010. A year of lifting and 4 months of clean eating at this point.

My 'before' pics...2008-ish at anywhere from 185-190 pounds. At this point I had avoided the scale completely, denial was my coping mechanism, and I usually avoided the camera so someone snuck these in as you can tell by the look on my face in the first picture. Wow...this

was just NOT me, in so many ways. 

This is me....inside and out. Getting there, loving the journey, feeling wonderful, challenging my mind and body. This is me.  

  

Mixing up the workouts.....

Last night was chest and biceps and Mike had a new plan of action for our workout! I love when we mix it up unexpectedly...shocks the mind and the body and this is the benefit of having outside input on your workouts.

He had a routine set up where we would superset everything, definitely not the usual. So here is how it went....

Bench Press 10 sets of 10 at 70 pounds, supersetted with BB Curls at 30 pounds, also 10 sets of 10 ((1 minute rest period))

DB Incline Press 10 of 10 using 20 pound DB's and Hammer Curls 10 of 10 using 10 pound DB's (( 1 minute rest))

Pec Deck 10 of 10 at 30 pounds and Cable Curls 10 of 10 at 30 pounds ((45 second rest max))

Then I wanted to try high cable curls so I did 4 sets of those at 20 pounds...

Then we did an ab twist with weighted ball, 3 sets and finished with 25 minutes of cardio. All of this in 90 minutes!

GREAT workout!!! Thanks Mike :) Wouldn't want to do this without you....

Eating clean...

Went to a presentation by Dr Jack Barnathan last night. Always an eye opener to hear people in the medical field talk about the benefits of eating clean over filling your body with crap supplements!

Why DO we take fish oil from capsules that have been packaged God knows where, God knows how long ago, sitting on God knows what shelf for how long, travelling across what continent to get to the that shelf WHEN we can just eat some trout or salmon or char????? We have let the marketing geniuses warp our minds. We have sold out to convenience and packaging....

YUCK!!

I feel so much better eating clean.  I know this is a lifestyle change not a temporary training diet. VOILA!

Yes!

135 pounds! Yes! :) Enough said!

THIS is why I teach at Head Start, of all places.

This is a letter a family from last year brought to me this week. This family was struggling so much last year, grandma was really having a hard time and we went to great lengths to support them and give them all the help we possibly could. This is WHY I teach at Head Start...of all places! It is not glamorous but the children and families are owrth every minute of my time and I really do love when they let me know how we helped.  

Hello, my name is ____. My grandson completed two years of Head Start at the Orton Keyes site. I am proud to say that he is now in Kindergarten. He has been on the Honor Roll since he started Kindergarten and his behavior has been great. He's a role model for the other students in his class and is one of 6 children in accelerated learning.

I believe that without the teachers and staff at Orton Keyes James would not be where he is today in his schooling. He enjoys school and excitedly talks about his day when he comes home from school.

I would like to thank the teachers and staff at Head Start for giving James the opportunity to excel in school and his personal life. We're looking forward to the opportunity for his brother, who is two years of age, to begin the learning process at Orton Keyes Head Start.

Once again, thank you so much for being there for us.

http://www.supportheadstart.org/  Please be a voice for the children and families that NEED this program.

My newest AH-HA moment!

So yesterday and today the weather has been crappy, my sinuses have been aggravating me, my energy level has been zero...blah. It's this time of year, it just happens. But this year I am training for a competition and can't afford to give in to the feeling. So last night I did a quick shoulder/tricep/cardio workout....in and out in an hour. 
Tonight was HEAVY LEG DAY....really? How do you swing heavy legs when you only feel like going to bed?? I got off owrk at 5 and went through the drive thru for a medium black coffee. Drank it on my way to the gym. Praying please help me get energy...please. lol Got to the gym and decided to go ahead and start with my BB Squats! It's my favorite exercise and it would be a good warm up. I also decided to do them barefoot (translation, in socks no shoes). I haven't done this in a while and I really like them this way! I feel like I have a very sturdy foundation!
So...off to the Squat Rack. 2 sets with the bar, then a 35 on each side. 10 reps. Move it up to 45's. 10 reps. Move it up 155. 8 reps. Feeling good. One more ten on each side...175. And 8 reps. Still good. Mike came over and put my next weights on for me while I rested. Move me up to 195 and said get 5. So I did. Then he put more weight on. I did 4. 205. Then rested and he threw on more weights. 215 for 3. Hey....that is my best. :) Now I am thinking I got in a good squat workout and he throws on more weights. 225?!?! He says one strong one. Let's go! So I do. One squat at 225 pounds. Wow!! That's 90- pounds more than I weigh! I'll take it.
  I finish with leg press and front squats....nothing heavy just good weights and good form. Then calf raises and I am done. 
And I feel like I conquered the world. Not necessarily because I squatted 225 but because I didn't go home. I didn't quit AND I didn't half ass my workout!! 

9 weeks.....yikes!

Only 9 weeks to go until Show! Everything is coming together. Went out of town this weekend and packed every meal...did not cheat once! Just ate my meals like I do at home! Did not get any weight training in on Friday or Saturday but did get my cardio in. Tried on bathing suits and had to have a size small top and medium bottom....and I was completely thrilled with what I saw in the mirror!! This summer is going to be ROCKIN!

Bodyfat is down to 19.8%...HELLO teens!!! :) That is really a great feeling! My boobs have disappeared...if anyone finds them tell them hello for me! :)

I still doubt that I will be muscular enough to compete in my bodybuilding category...but I know I will be in THE BEST shape of my life!! 

9 weeks baby......9 weeks!

Week 6 is on the books AND........

Bodyfat down from 24% to 20%.

Weight down from 147.6 to 137.6.

Measurements are still holding steady but those biceps grew .75 :) Small drops in the waist, chest, hips. Good results!

AND...the first pictures where I said, "Hey, I look a bit muscular."

Gloomy...

The one word to describe this week. All these grey skies make me want to crawl into bed. I really hate it. grumble, grumble. 

Have not been getting my cardio in this week....not good. But what is done is done and changing that starting tomorrow. No more misses on the dreaded "C" until May 7th!! Good grief...be silly to knock everything else out of the park and screw it up with this. Plus I would probably be less gloomy if I was getting up and doing cardio!! Don't ya love how I lecture myself. ;)

On another note...after my shoulder workout Tuesday I was posing in my bathroom mirror and I could literally follow my veins from my chest out through my arms. They were clearly visible and I could see them filling up while I held the pose. Oh the little things!! :) Whoeve thought seeing my veins would have me happy dancing!!! Progress baby!!! An obvious indicator that I am getting lean! 

Went heavy on leg press last night....5 sets of 10. Started with 250 and ended with 520. :) Love it!!

Enjoy your day.....be thankful for the opportunity!!

Week 6

Yesterday started week 6. The scale says 138.4. Just a pound away from 10 pounds lost! I'd say thus far I am kicking butt and taking names!! :)

Shout Out....

to my cousin, Trevor Bayne, who won the Daytona 500 yesterday!! Achieving your dreams must run in the family!

Revelations...

Looked in the mirror today and I liked what I saw! Really. :)

Minor Victories...

My days are full of them. Everytime I walk past the goodies at work, I have succeeded. Everytime I drive past the fast food restaurants, I have succeeded. Every morning at McDonalds when I order my medium black coffee and NOTHING else, I have succeeded. Sticking to my meal plan every day-success! Not missing any workouts-success! Practicing posing-success!

A goal with a plan=success!! The following people have made this journey easier for me by offering their knowledge and support. Thanks Mike, aka LF! :) And my trainer/nutritionist Niki Bryant. My choices of who to surround myself with were wise and I am destined to succeed!!    

drum roll please................

139.6...Oh Yeah!!! That just happened!!! laughing hysterically!! I told that scale it didn't stand a chance. :)

ahhh....

Thursday = day of rest. Love my days off!! I realize my body needs them and so does my mind. Three day weekend coming up...all good!!

Umm...did that just happen?

So this morning I woke up and weighed in and yes it said 140.0, of course. :) It is more comical each and every day. Then I randomly struck a double front bicep in the mirror ((the things I do these days)) AND there were two chunks of muscle popping up on my shoulders. And they weren't there yesterday!! I checked again...and yep!

Went to work and on my break checked again in the bathroom mirror...still there. So I am not hallucinating but is that possible?? Overnight these things just POP!??!

Seriously loving that little discovery and a big pfft! to the scale as well.  

Shoulder Blast...

5 sets of 10 BB Upright Rows (20, 30, 40)
10 sets of 10 Lat Raises (10)
3 sets of 15 front plate raises (10)
3 sets of 10 Presses (10, 15)
Tricep Pushdowns (pyramid up 50, 60, 70, 80, 90) then drop set from 90
Then 10 minutes on the step up on calves and 20 minutes on the elliptical!

12 weeks to GOAL!

I am not sure how but I was totally off on my weeks til countdown. Somehow I thought there were nine weeks until the Show Date....then yesterday, with a calendar in hand, I counted! 12 weeks!! Wow..I feel like I just discovered gold! 3 entire months to continue to build!!

******Happy Dancing******

Added in a 20 minute cardio session last night. We are up to 2 a days! :) Scale said 140.8 ((LOLZ))  It must be PMS week....water retention. Pfft.

Practicing my TBA's twice a day now too! I have to get this core STRONG so that I can hold in my abs and support my body through the routines and poses on stage! How much can a body change in 12 weeks anyway???

This was my back in October 2010.

This is now. Significantly leaner, v taper coming in. Shoulds and lats showing a bit. The leaner I get the more it will show. And the arms are quite a bit leaner too. L-O-N-G, S-L-O-W process!

Week 5 begins!

The scale says 140.4. Still. I love it. Seriously. It makes me laugh. I know for sure that by the time I actually do hit the 130 mark it will be for real since I have been stuck at 140.something for two weeks now.  Too funny.... It's like the scale and I are at a standoff, only the scale doesn't realize I will win. 

2nd posing practice yesterday....much better! And started learning my routine. Yes, that word makes me break out in hives...just sayin! The good news is we are not judged on our routines. The bad news is if you don't have your toes in exactly the right place while you are posing you will get disqualified. Now, THAT would suck...so lots of posing practice in my future.

New diet plan next week and rumor has it I will be kissing my beloved fruit goodbye for a while. This week I will savor every bite....I know that I will most miss my blueberries in my oatmeal.

So let's see what week 5 has in store for me! Or should I say, Let's see what I have in store for it!!!

Checking in....

Week 4 is on the books. A GREAT week!! Lost another pound, bodyfat dropped some, workouts were great! I am just going to keep going forward each and every day! I don't see what I want to see anywhere on my body, no muscles like I should have, more fat than I should have, but I know that this is a process and I am committed to my training and diet 100%! Whatever the end result is I have given it my all thus far and will continue to do so!!

Dedication....

Things that make you go hmmmmm......

So this week was week 4 of my nutrition. Tuesday I noticed I was full of energy, and my workout was rock solid. I even did extra work because I had so much energy. And I spent the entire day in a very good mood. Then comes Wednesday and same thing! Great mood, tons of energy, feeling the workout!! Then Thursday...the dreaded low carb day. I felt fabulous all day. No workout on Thursday but here I sit, 8:20, and I just finished some yoga and I had to make myself not do cardio after. The only other time I felt like this was when I used Jack3d as a preworkout drink! But this time it is all natural and coming from my nutrition! And my body feels different. I can feel my muscles and I am more conscious of everything from how I stand to how I sit. Mind you I work full time, go to school full time, have 3 kids, and lift weights after work 5 times a week. I fully accepted being dead dog tired most of the time....but not anymore. If this is what a GREAT meal plan does for you then sign me up!!

Posing Practice

Today we had our first posing practice and I was a nervous wreck!! I always get nervous before doing something new, that whole unchartered territory thing!

But having completed the first session I am so glad that its done and that I now know EXACTLY what to practice for the next 11 weeks! My coach had all of my mandatory poses ready for me and gave me a printout to take with me. SHE ROCKS!!! That was the best decision I ever made going into this...the experience she has and support she gives is incredible and I am so grateful!!!!

And I feel so much better now!! Time to step up my workouts and PUSH!!!!

Temptations and Will Power.....

 

 

 

 I hate that phrase...will power. It implies that somehow a person who says 'No" to the things that tempt them is somehow super strong and has super powers. Yeah, not so much.

As most of you know I am 3 weeks into my training for a bodybuilding competition. First timer, amateur, just a goal! So obviously I have to eat CLEAN! And yes, eating clean translates into mostly bland and boring. Chicken, broccoli, brown rice, oatmeal, a serving of fruit, AND lots of whey. I pack my lunches every day. I follow a schedule for my food. I eat high carbs on leg workout days and low carbs on days off. I get up and do cardio 5 out of 7 mornings at 5 am. I lift weights 5 nights a week after work. And so on....

Last night my daughter had a sleep over for her volleyball team at our house. I told her to tell the girls to bring treats and we ordered pizzas and had the pop. When I got home fromt he gym last night there were 10 extra girls and TONS of JUNK FOOD!! Puppy chow, cookies, Doritos, tortilla chips and queso, pizza rolls, pizza, fruit salad with cool whip, ice cream....

So I made my post workout shake and talked with the girls while ignoring the food spread out all over the kitchen. An hour later I ate some ground turky patties with mustard and brussel sprouts and then proceeded to go to the lower level of the house and put myself on lockdown. I watched Inception and went to bed. Why??? Because I am NOT super human and I do NOT have super powers and I wanted at least one piece of that pizza and a handful of puppy chow and, oh yes, some chips and queso would have been good for sure!!! I hoped they would eat all of the pizza so it wouldn't tempt me from the fridge today and made plans to send them home with all of the leftovers.

I didn't have the willpower to keep myself in front of those temptations for hours on end. No way. So I removed myself from the situation. Just like I won't be attending any Super Bowl gatherings this year. I am nothing special and I know my limitations....It is NOT easy. It is a ton of hardwork and constant decision making...should I? Could I? Will I? For the last three weeks the answers have been "no". No I won't. No I can't. No I shouldn't. My goal is to keep saying 'No' when I need to for the next 11 weeks. But i have to take it one step at a time, one decision at a time.

First Posing Class tomorrow....

Oh lord.

Updates......

So I have started looking at posing suits! Hard to make a decision when I seriously cannot visualize myself in one. But I am going to ask for fabric samples....choosing between blue and purple in some sort of velvet. I know, glamorous. LOL :)

The scale is stuck at 141 all week. My body seriously protests when I get close to getting into the 130 range. No lies...it pisses me off. But I know the scale is not a good measure so forward march!

Sunday is my first posing class...and I am complete nervous wreck about it. This is the part that is a challenge for me. Talk about stepping out of my comfort zone.....

thoughts....

temptations.....

Two weeks in and I have not veered from my meal plan...not once. I was thinking about this today because I can't recall even the slightest temptation in the last two weeks. No cravings. No wishing I could eat something. Is it the nutrition is satisfying me so I am not missing the junk or what?

As a teacher I have to sit twice a day every day with the kids through a family style meal service. That means I have a plate, in front of me, at the table, full of food that I cannot eat, twice a day. And in two weeks I have not once taken a bite of anything, not one bite. And mind you, I have to pick up my fork and move the food around so the children think I am eating. When I thought about this today I realized a few things. I have conquered the whole eating whatever just because it is there phenomenon. Gone are the days of sitting at the table shoveling in a plate full of food just because it was available to me. And, finally, food has become purposeful for me. I am eating to train my body for these 12 weeks. The eating is part of my training and just as I follow a routine in the gym, I now follow a routine when I eat. For me, it simplifies the process. The guess work is gone.

I don't know how I am able to compartmentalize it and get it done, but for two weeks I have done just that. Apparently i am training not only my body, but also my mind.

    

Apple Cider Vinegar....

Add this to the list of things I thought I would never do. After hearing that apple cider vinegar would help with cleansing (and as a side benefit burning body fat) I tried a shot of this before bed last night. wow. That's about all I can say. Wow. But if it works for me I will keep doing it. Consider this a two week trial.

As for the rest of me, the scale keeps going down. 140.6 this morning. The elusive 130's beckon again. Tomorrow perhaps?? We shall see.

Gym time....

Not quite two weeks complete...

And I am already seeing things I haven't seen before. Like my quads are poppin, right up at the top and my inner thighs are thinner, getting leaned out. It's always nice to see progress!

Working toward the Goal...one day at a time!

Eating a regimented meal plan day in and day out is not easy. People at work see me eating egg whites, broccoli, brown rice, chicken, day in and day out and they don't know what to make of me or look at me as if I am super human. I am neither weird nor extraordinary. I have a dream. It is a desire to see what I can do mentally and physically if I PUSH MYSELF to a level I have never seen before.

A DREAM WITHOUT A GOAL IS A WISH!

I don't want to sit here and wish I had done this. I want to do it. So I have a plan and that plan includes some serious rules about my eating and workouts for the next 11 weeks. I simply break that down and take it one day at a time....or one meal at a time and one workout at a time. I push myself to make the right choices as they arise. I don't think about dinner when it is 7 am and I don't think about my shoulder workout when it is leg day. It is no different then what everyone else does when they choose what to eat for dinner each night. It is a series of small choices that will get me to my goal. And I am in control of those choices. It's mine to achieve.

May 7th, 2011 ... Team Xtreme ... Goal met!

Good things come to those who wait....

...but only what's left from those who hustle.


12 weeks of hustling to get to the goal!

Week 2 Begins....a step closer to the GOAL

Week one is in the books and it was very successful! All my workouts in, got the cardio in, and no cheats. :) I jut try to take it one day at a time. I think about getting through each task as it comes up.

Looking forward to a GREAT back workout tonight! Getting used to alternating these high rep, light weights with my heavy workouts! It's nice to switch it up! Lots of cables tonight....

Happy Monday!!!!

Week one complete!

Wowzers!

After I typed 'week one complete' I went and counted how many weeks until the competition...and the answer is: 12!! 12 short weeks....I better step it up!! Need to bring some more intensity to those workouts, no doubt!!

Weight is down three pounds after this week. 143.8. Weight isn't so much the goal as is body fat. Guess we will see as we go....

Let's talk workouts!

Week 1 and this is what it looks like:


Mondays Back
Heavy Back week
Hammer Row
Hammer Pulldowns
Hammer Low Row

Tuesdays Shoulders and Triceps
Light Shoulders
BB Upright Row
Bent Over DB Fly
Lever Raise Machine
DB Front Raises

Triceps Heavy
Tricep Machine
Pulldowns

Wednesday Heavy Legs
BB Squats
Single Leg Press
Leg Press
Seated Calves

Thursday Day off

Friday Chest and Bicep
Heavy Chest
Bench Press
DB Incline
Hammer Incline
Smith Close Grip
Angled Push Ups

Light Biceps

BB Curl
Rope Curls

Saturday (today) will be Hammies and Calves

104 Days....

thought for the day...

"Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”

106 days until goal...

Low carb day and I have enough energy to go to bed. Funny how I can feel the difference so distinctly. Tired, small headache...going to enjoy relaxing at home tonight. Back to normal tomorrow :)

3 days until my first week is complete. Taking it one day at a time, prepping/packing my meals ahead of time, just one long list of things to do and I am getting them done.

  

Squats....they do a body good!

Workout last night: Single Leg Press, Squats, Leg Press, Seated Calves....exhausted. Went heavy on both my squats and Leg press; 210 on the squats and 505 on the leg press. Need to cut my sets down though on squats. An hour and a half of lifting is too much. Have to adjust to the longer rest periods....

Make adjustments for next time....

High Carb Day...like manna from heaven!

I love high carb day!! Whats not to love about eating squash, sweet potatoes, carrots....

High carb = leg day. heavy leg day! Also one of my favorite things! I know I am female but I  LOVE putting more than my bodyweight on a barbell and squatting it! Strong is the new beautiful...and I AM buying the hype!! :)

107 days until I take the stage...

1900 calories...YIKES!

So today was day two of my eating plan. My first three meals are smaller portions, easy to manage. My lunch consists of chicken, rice, and broccoli and LOTS of it. In the container it feels like a brick. One of these days I will weight the full container on my food scale. It takes me 40 minutes to eat it all and I am definitely shoving it in, so to speak, towards the end. After I finished it all today I felt stuffed, over stuffed, I thought. Good grief how I am going to eat again in 3 hours???

Off I went to my meeting...sometime later I feel that 'feed me' message coming from my body. I look at my watch. 3 hours. Almost exactly 3 hours later, on demand. I called Mike..."Ummm, I am hungry again. How is that possible?" He laughed. "It works Tab. Feed your body fuel and it uses it the way it is designed to. Go eat your next meal."
I figured I would learn a few lessons along the way. I just didn't expect it to be on day two. :) 

108 days...

and I will leave you with this thought:

Life is, indeed, good!

Goodbye dairy, goodbye bread...I'm gonna miss you!

Meal plan in hand for the first four weeks. I will now be consuming 1900 calories a day. Thats an increase of about 900. :) Lots of chicken, lots of brown rice, lots of veggies, fruits, the usual. No surprises on the nutrition end. Except the dairy thing...I will live.

Workouts laid out. Again not much different from what I have been doing, 2 days off a week is nice. Adding the 20 minutes of cardio first thing in the morning will be the big challenge. 

Curious to see how my measurements change after a month. Even though I will miss some things, like the occasional sweets, I know that I can commit myself to making this happen. And I am on an adrenaline high just thinking about it right now!!

109 days....Training begins TODAY! BB Competition May 7th, 2011

Up this morning and eating my regular breakfast, steel cut oats and raisins. In one hour I will meet with my coach for this bodybuilding competition. I am a nervous wreck, but a combination of adrenaline and the unknown. No dread, No WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING????

Blog more when I know more.

In the beginning....110 days to go.

The date of the bodybuilding show is May 7th, 2011. 110 days to go...

Training officially begins tomorrow! Am I nervous?? Excessively. Do I doubt my ability to OWN the next 110 days and make this happen? Not at all. Will it be hard? Hell yes. I am excited to see what will happen when I push my body to the next level.

Tomorrow I meet with my coach/trainer and pick up my nutrition plan for the first month and my workouts...

Let's do this....

Phase one is complete.