Today was a busy day! All of the tasks that I would normally do the day/night before we leave for the show I had to do today instead because I am working tomorrow night. I won't be there all night, but it's better to be safe than sorry at this point! Today consisted of eating, Gym (for last chance workout), Steam (in full sweats...oh yah!), eating, Tan, Nails (with my little lady, she LOVES her manis and pedis), shopping for some xmas crafts, Playing at the indoor playground, shopping for some last minute essentials (Lipgloss, eyelashes, shoe inserts, RED WINE), eating, treadmill, crafting, and now some packing.
I reintroduced carbs into my diet (other than my morning oats i was having), today after my "Last chance workout", and am slowly loading with each meal. I had a great night at work last night, which is great as i am usually very irritable and absentminded during the last shift of depletion!
So, from here on in, it is what it is. There is nothing i can do to change, it is all left in the hands of my body and how it reacts to the food i am giving it. Friday night after my athletes meeting i am dining on steak, potatoes and redwine. My body loves steak and usually responds very well to its nutritional content!! I am going to attempt to add pictures to the blog as the weekend progresses, in an attempt to make up for my lack of blogging over the last few weeks, but again, not sure if i can figure out how, so we will see how it goes.
The president of the OPA, which is the organization i will be competing with this weekend, sent out an email today with the schedule for Saturday. There are over 200 entries!! A majority being bodybuilders, but still...a HUGE show. The venue is beautiful, a very big hall, a bonus for all competitors that have been cramped backstage at events before. The organization is very well run, and although they tend to favour size in their winners, i plan to come in hard, tight and as big as i have been thus far. Today I sit at 106.5lbs, and am hoping to step on stage over 100lbs. As my water depletes I always lose about 5lbs, and have always competed JUST under 100lbs. We will see how I fair this time around!
Well i'm off to pack the suitcase, and then maybe relax for a little bit before I have to get up, steam, pose with my coach, then head to work! I need a nap already!
**Being fearless isn't about being 100% unafraid, it's about being terrified and jumping anyways**
A NEW SEASON HAS BEGUN! FOLLOW MY UPS AND DOWNS AS I START COMPETITION PREP UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF A NEW COACH AS A MEMBER OF TEAM GREEN. WATCH MY TRANSFORMATION AS I PREPARE FROM 12 WEEKS OUT
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
4 days!!
Wow!! The end of the season is near!! I am very excited and anxious, but at the same time nervous. Not for the show, but for the aftermath. I know of so many competitors that rebound after a show, or take a wrong approach to "off season muscle building", and I really want to tackle this with a game plan. I shake my head at those who enter off season with the 'eat to grow' mentality. Sorry, those who think that eat to grow means eat anything and everything in sight, hoping that if they gain fat during their off season, it will somehow magically turn into muscle when they start training again! NEWSFLASH people you don't turn fat into muscle, you burn fat and gain muscle!! Two entirely different processes. On that note, today is NOT the day to attempt to make any sort of legit gameplan! lol! With restricted carbs, high rep workouts, CARDIO and an anticipated crazy night ahead at work, this brain is in low function mode! I am trying to map out all that needs to be done in the next few days and have lost my list twice! lol Luckily for me I repacked the majority of my bag after the last show, so i am pretty much ready to go on that front, i'll just pull out my list 'o show gear on Thursday night to be safe. And I already have post show snacks packed, Reese's pieces, swedish berries and red big feet!! todays diet of tilapia, chicken, eggs and asparagus, though less than appetizing, is all prepared and ready to accompany me to work. I did my morning workout, heading to the treadmill now, then off to work, and back at the gym around midnight. Tomorrow is my 'day off' which will be spent running around doing last minute tasks such as nails, tan, grocery shopping etc. I should likely make a stop at the liquor store....for saturday night...
**Behind every success is effort, behind every effort is a person with passion, behind every passion is someone with the courage to try**
**Behind every success is effort, behind every effort is a person with passion, behind every passion is someone with the courage to try**
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
**10 dAyS**
So it's been quite awhile since i have had a chance to update! My first show has come and gone, with a 6th place finish out of 11 girls. I am happy with my placing, as the other girls looked amazing! They had alot of size on me, and 2 of the girls were just SHREDDED!! So it's been 'game on' since, after having a 24 hour span of enjoying food again lol, I know what i need to change and do in order to improve. Since I won't be able to gain any size in the small timeframe between shows, my goal is to rip it up and come in leaner and more defined. I have to get my cardio finished now, but will attemp to update tonight with pictures from the show!
**Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us**
**Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate, our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that frightens us**
Sunday, October 31, 2010
1 WeEk OuT!!!
I have to make it quick as I need to get to bed for 3 1/2 hours before I get back up to hit the gym for my first workout. Feeling good, really good, almost too good?? Carbs were reintroduced into my diet on Friday and I am enjoying my sweet potatoes and white potatoes while i can because they are gone again on mon-wed, until I start loading again on Wed...I think.
anyways, here is a little something that is so very true, fellow competitors enjoy...
You know you're a figure competitor when...
anyways, here is a little something that is so very true, fellow competitors enjoy...
You know you're a figure competitor when...
- For a few days each year your toilet seat is brown and this time it aint the husbands fault.
- You can honestly say you have spent more on a bathing suit than your wedding dress.
- Six inch clear hooker heels is your footwear of choice in your own home (and not just in the bedroom).
- Someone asks about the man in your life and you tell that Gym is fine!
- You have two sections in your wardrobe. Contest and Offseason. And they arent mix and match. .
- You can name any pro figure competitor by seeing her butt alone.
- When someone wants to take your picture, you immediately spread your lats, tighten every muscle in your body, point your fingers and SMILE!
- You take more pills daily than your 80 year old grandmother.
- Your idea of dressing up is taking your hair out of the pony tail its been in for a week.
- If you have had someone close to you, hide food from you in your own house.
- An easy day is lifting and only 1 cardio session.
- Instead of carrying a Gucci pursue you accessorize with a Coleman cooler.
- Waking up so sore you can barely move puts a smile on your face.
- You cant do any work because you are to busy counting down the seconds until your next meal!!!!!!!!!
- The faint smell of Pro Tan gets your heart pumping faster than your man’s cologne.
- You leave a little trail of Splenda packets, tupperware, and empty water bottles everywhere you go.
- Your hubby makes you pee in the guest bathroom because every meal includes asparagus.
- You consider Beano an essential part of your supplement regimen.
- Your jaws are sore because you can’t stop chewing sugar free gum!
- You spend at least 5 minutes grilling your server at arestaurant, and another five minutes re-writing the menu until you’ve got a meal that meets your diet’s specifications…and then you devour it in less than 60 seconds flat!!
- You consider a day when you only have to make ONE trip to the gym a luxury!
- You think about having “relaxed hands” and sticking your butt out while standing in line at the grocery store. (Hey, a girl’s gotta practice her posing!!!)
- You consider condiments and diet coke taboo!!!
- And…your neighbors start gossiping that you’ve had lipo cause there is no way a girl could get that fit in 12 weeks
- Your top three priorities on any given day: A. Workout. B. Eat. Clean. C. Check the fitness forum board. Not necessarily in that order
Friday, October 29, 2010
MiSsIoN(s) AcCoMpLiShEd!!
FYI I finished my entire list, plus 9 additional tasks that were added as I was in task mode! All of this was done by 2am, followed by a cinnamon tea and bubble bath! Now to rest this body up for the torture it has in store at the gym tomorrow!!
night all!
night all!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
9 DaYs/30 dAys!!!
Scatterbrained. That's the only way i can describe how I feel today lol. I had a great posing session with coach this morning, followed by a great workout. Came home, ate, napped. And now, with a long to do list sitting in front of me, I just don't know where to start. I start with one task and veer off to another. I prepared a meal, and then forgot to eat it, as it sat on the counter, until i went to make my next meal lol. I am organizing, though it seems to be taking longer than usual.
Last night was our staff party, I attended but did not indulge in the food or alcohol that was offered. I was late to the party because I had to wait for the power to come on at the gym so I could fit my workout in beforehand. I left the party early so I could make it home to do my pm cardio session. I had a good time while I was there, to a point. Being the only sober one at a party like this isn't a big deal, but after 5 hours of it I had had enough and left to come home. Do I wish i could have had a glass or two of wine, perhaps, do I want to look my best on stage next week, even moreso!! I am sure people thought that i was being a stick in the mud as "why can't you just have one glass of wine" was uttered my more than one co worker. C'est la vie. Everyone has something that they are passionate about, and this is it for me. Actually I guess not everyone has a passion, and I feel sorry for them. To not have something that pushes you, motivates you, engulfs you. Those are the people that are missing out, not me, the poor girl that couldn't drink at the party :P
The new diet has been in full force, lots of chicken, tilapia asparagus and egg whites. But the bane of my existance, usually i would insert 'jump squats' here, the bane of my existance this week is the dry oats I am eating twice a day!! The morning it's not as bad paired up with blueberries and cinnamon, but in the afternoon all by itself...yuckers!! But i eat it, with a smile on my face. A totally forced and insincere smile, but a smile nonetheless :)
For now i will attempt to trek through the 16 things on my to do list. Which in theory shouldn't take me very long, but while on the low carb train who knows how long it will take!! I definately will be taking a few GNC Sliced pills, lovingly referred to as my 'focus pills'.
***When momentum is on your side, use it. When you are going strong keep going and become even stronger***
Last night was our staff party, I attended but did not indulge in the food or alcohol that was offered. I was late to the party because I had to wait for the power to come on at the gym so I could fit my workout in beforehand. I left the party early so I could make it home to do my pm cardio session. I had a good time while I was there, to a point. Being the only sober one at a party like this isn't a big deal, but after 5 hours of it I had had enough and left to come home. Do I wish i could have had a glass or two of wine, perhaps, do I want to look my best on stage next week, even moreso!! I am sure people thought that i was being a stick in the mud as "why can't you just have one glass of wine" was uttered my more than one co worker. C'est la vie. Everyone has something that they are passionate about, and this is it for me. Actually I guess not everyone has a passion, and I feel sorry for them. To not have something that pushes you, motivates you, engulfs you. Those are the people that are missing out, not me, the poor girl that couldn't drink at the party :P
The new diet has been in full force, lots of chicken, tilapia asparagus and egg whites. But the bane of my existance, usually i would insert 'jump squats' here, the bane of my existance this week is the dry oats I am eating twice a day!! The morning it's not as bad paired up with blueberries and cinnamon, but in the afternoon all by itself...yuckers!! But i eat it, with a smile on my face. A totally forced and insincere smile, but a smile nonetheless :)
For now i will attempt to trek through the 16 things on my to do list. Which in theory shouldn't take me very long, but while on the low carb train who knows how long it will take!! I definately will be taking a few GNC Sliced pills, lovingly referred to as my 'focus pills'.
***When momentum is on your side, use it. When you are going strong keep going and become even stronger***
Saturday, October 23, 2010
14 DaYs/35 dAyS!!!
So here I sit, two weeks away from the IDFA show, with so much going through my head. Tomorrow my diet will change for the next week, followed by another change one week out. This is usually the point in the game where so many questions (aka insecurities) arise. However this time I will not let them cloud my focus! How will my body respond to the new diet (*perfectly*), am I lean enough (*yes*), am I big enough (*yes*), will the judges notice the changes i have made over the past couple of months since the last show (*yes*). It is always such a mind game as the big day arrives, and this time I am taking charge and not letting any of this stress me out!! I know i have worked my butt off (literally) to get to this point, I am much leaner two weeks out than i was last time, I have managed to maintain much more size at two weeks out than last time, and the changes i have made in my physique since July 17 are quite noticeable. When I walked into the gym today I saw a member that I haven't seen since before my show in the summer, and when he saw me, not even knowing that i had another show coming up, he looked at me and said "WOW!! The show must be close, you look awesome!" Sometimes that's all it takes. Someone to reaffirm what you already know. Now don't get me wrong, i'm not there looking for compliments, but it's nice to hear from someone who doesn't see you everyday that the changes that you see in the mirror are obvious to others as well.
Workouts have been incredible, although the exhaustion that has been following has been hard to muster through, especially when throwing 1.5 hours of cardio and a full time job on top of it. I know that for the next two weeks it will only increase, as my carbs decrease, but it's all about finding balance. Resting when i have an extra 20 minutes, and taking it easy during the day, spending time with my family and fitting the cardio in at night. The hardest part comes after tonight, when i bid farewell to my beloved protein shake for the next few weeks. A drink not only of convenience, but one that I look forward to everyday.
Well there you have it, please stick with me over the next few weeks, which tend to be an emotional rollercoaster once depletion hits. When sweet Presley wakes up she is in charge of taking pics to send off to coach, which will dictate exactly what changes will be made in my nutrition plan. Fingers crossed!!
And good luck to all of those competing this weekend at UFE Halloween Mayhem!!!
***Champions aren't made in the gym. Champions are made from something they have deep inside of them, a desire, a dream, a vision***
Workouts have been incredible, although the exhaustion that has been following has been hard to muster through, especially when throwing 1.5 hours of cardio and a full time job on top of it. I know that for the next two weeks it will only increase, as my carbs decrease, but it's all about finding balance. Resting when i have an extra 20 minutes, and taking it easy during the day, spending time with my family and fitting the cardio in at night. The hardest part comes after tonight, when i bid farewell to my beloved protein shake for the next few weeks. A drink not only of convenience, but one that I look forward to everyday.
Well there you have it, please stick with me over the next few weeks, which tend to be an emotional rollercoaster once depletion hits. When sweet Presley wakes up she is in charge of taking pics to send off to coach, which will dictate exactly what changes will be made in my nutrition plan. Fingers crossed!!
And good luck to all of those competing this weekend at UFE Halloween Mayhem!!!
***Champions aren't made in the gym. Champions are made from something they have deep inside of them, a desire, a dream, a vision***
Thursday, October 14, 2010
23 DaYs/44 DaYs
Just finished reading another article online that I can totally relate to. I need to get off the computer and onto my treadmill to finish my cardio so this may be the extent of my post today, or I may be superpumped and back online following the session, let's hope it's the latter :)
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/cda4fe6a?page=66&p4052=6448#/cda4fe6a/152
**The positive thinker sees the invisible and achieves the impossible**
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/cda4fe6a?page=66&p4052=6448#/cda4fe6a/152
**The positive thinker sees the invisible and achieves the impossible**
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
24 DaYs/45 dAyS
As far as days off go, today was a jam packed day ON!! Starting with my workout this morning, and finishing now with my pm cardio, it was non stop all day! I am pleased to say that I accomplished everything on my to do list, which is a feat rarely accomplished in this household, as I am constantly adding to said list as I am crossing items off!! What a wonderful feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction!! I am already looking forward to my day tomorrow, as all meals are prepped and portioned, gym back is packed and ready to go, and I get to strut my stuff at posing practise with my wonderful coach and good friend Judy Doughty. As I am still new to the world of blogging I am not sure as to what topics to address, and am open to any suggestions.
As far as training goes I am still feeling strong, stronger than I have been in the past at the 3 1/2 week out mark. I am very happy where i stand physically, even more so when i was surprised by my coach at the gym today, when I was met with squeals of praise and approval.
Mentally I am very focused, very ready. Nervous? Nope. Excited? Very!! I love competing. Period. As much grief as i get from friends and family that don't understand this lifestyle, it is something that I choose to do because I love it. I love the discipline of it, the structure that it provides me with, and the amazing way one is able to manipulate your body with a little change here, and a few tweaks here. I love all of it. Sure it isn't ideal, especially working in a bar, to have to give up wine for weeks before shows, or have to skip out on functions because I have to get my second round of cardio in, but I do it. It's called sacrifice. We all make sacrifices for those we love and the things we love. This just happens to be my "thing". When it starts to become a hassle, something i don't look forward to or I start resenting it, then maybe it will time for me to stop. The way I look at it now with each show comes another opportunity to learn, to grow, and to succeed. Bring it on!
I'll leave you now with this excerpt that I stumbled upon months ago that i love
You are a bodybuilder, the Hardest Working Athlete in the World
“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak”
Bodybuilders are the hardest working athletes in the world. Point blank. No athletic pursuit in this world requires a comparable sort of single-minded focus. Bodybuilding is not a mere physical past time. It is a way of life. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, the bodybuilder pursues excellence. The day of the contest is nearly a competitive afterthought for the bodybuilder. Every meal and every training session is a battle of will, an all out struggle for supremacy against the most daunting of all foes. ; Yourself.
Sure, greatness in any physical arena necessitates dedication and practice. The extra hours spent on the field or the court can cumulatively make up the difference between bench warmer and All-American. To be great in anything, you need to want it more than the next guy. Say goodbye to regular eating and casual trips to the gym. Day in and day out the bodybuilder must stalk improvement. There will be no repose and no sabbatical. There truly is no rest for the weak, and even less for the strong.
Even in a bodybuilder's off-season he busts his ass; the weights get heavier and the meals get bigger. Compare that to a spring spent playing golf and sipping cocktails at the country club. You sure you don't want to consider strapping that helmet back on? Not everyone is cut out for this. If you're still with me, chances are you have already made your choice. You are one of the few, the dedicated, and the demented. Those sick enough in the dome to devote their lives to a brutal, regimented lifestyle with very little potential for personal accolades or the accumulation of financial wealth. For this you deserve to be revered, or at the very least observed for science.
Every day is game day for the bodybuilder. The gym is your field of play and you lay it all on the line every time, as if today may be your last. Driven by the desire to present the best physique possible, you view each training session as a challenge, time spent as an investment in a bigger, better version of yourself. The dues must be paid day in and day out and you are more than happy to ante up. Ask any champion and he’ll give you the 411: The big contest is not won on the stage; it is won in small increments every time you murder yourself in the gym, months out from the show.
If you train five days a week, in a year that totals 260 gym sessions, not even counting pre-contest cardio which could also be thrown in the mix for in excess of two hours daily. Compare that to a pro baseball player and his 162-game season, which is no doubt tough when you consider all the travel involved. But let’s get real. They get paid millions, never have to play on no carbs and the only time they squat is in the bathroom. Truth be told, most athletes of all varieties spend some time in the weight room. What was once frowned upon as fare for muscle-bound meatheads is now an essential element of success on any athlete's chosen field of play.
What really separates bodybuilding from every other sporting event known to man is diet. Check out Sports center some night and you're sure to see some sign of lacking physical fitness. Imagine an elite athlete with narrow shoulders or a belly that hangs over his belt, faux pas in the bodybuilding world and veritable impossibilities considering the regimented diet that is at the heart of the lifestyle. Only bodybuilders weigh their food, tally their protein and calories, travel with a cooler full of apportioned meals and drink nutrients almost as often as they eat them.
This is the stuff that separates the men from the boys: eating not when you want to, but when you have to; eating not what you like to but what you must. ; All in the name of progress. Getting closer and closer to the freak you need to be- one dry ass chicken breast at a time. This is a mind state that most folks can’t quite grasp and to which very few can truly relate.
Don't think that effort goes unnoticed, animal. Where the average hockey player can blend into the rest of society when out among the public, the bodybuilder wears his uniform out into the world every single day. Beyond the sneers of the jealous and the misinformed, above the drug accusers and the naysayers, the bodybuilder stands proud for he knows how few could ever walk in his shoes.
The rest of the athletic culture has come to appreciate the sacrifice and dedication of the bodybuilder and has come to value the benefits of conditioned muscularity and explosive strength. The physiques of the Olympic sprinter or the NFL linebacker are testaments to the influence of the bodybuilding aesthetic and the new standard that is being set in athletic culture. A standard chiselled into place by the elite fraternity of which you and I are both members.
It is we, the select few, the Brotherhood of Iron, who have placed the bar for athletic discipline and effort so high. Each time you squat 'til you puke, pop the Tupperware on your chicken and rice, blend a shake or can’t get out of bed because you are so sore from deads… every time you chalk up the bar or wrap your knees, know that you are the one willing to do what it takes, to leave it all on the table, to go the extra mile. ; The one who could care less about a blurb in the sports page or the admiration of onlookers. You are the one; an animal. You are a bodybuilder; the hardest working athlete in the world.
***Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you and you will soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life and you will find that you have more of it***
As far as training goes I am still feeling strong, stronger than I have been in the past at the 3 1/2 week out mark. I am very happy where i stand physically, even more so when i was surprised by my coach at the gym today, when I was met with squeals of praise and approval.
Mentally I am very focused, very ready. Nervous? Nope. Excited? Very!! I love competing. Period. As much grief as i get from friends and family that don't understand this lifestyle, it is something that I choose to do because I love it. I love the discipline of it, the structure that it provides me with, and the amazing way one is able to manipulate your body with a little change here, and a few tweaks here. I love all of it. Sure it isn't ideal, especially working in a bar, to have to give up wine for weeks before shows, or have to skip out on functions because I have to get my second round of cardio in, but I do it. It's called sacrifice. We all make sacrifices for those we love and the things we love. This just happens to be my "thing". When it starts to become a hassle, something i don't look forward to or I start resenting it, then maybe it will time for me to stop. The way I look at it now with each show comes another opportunity to learn, to grow, and to succeed. Bring it on!
I'll leave you now with this excerpt that I stumbled upon months ago that i love
You are a bodybuilder, the Hardest Working Athlete in the World
“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak”
Bodybuilders are the hardest working athletes in the world. Point blank. No athletic pursuit in this world requires a comparable sort of single-minded focus. Bodybuilding is not a mere physical past time. It is a way of life. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, the bodybuilder pursues excellence. The day of the contest is nearly a competitive afterthought for the bodybuilder. Every meal and every training session is a battle of will, an all out struggle for supremacy against the most daunting of all foes. ; Yourself.
Sure, greatness in any physical arena necessitates dedication and practice. The extra hours spent on the field or the court can cumulatively make up the difference between bench warmer and All-American. To be great in anything, you need to want it more than the next guy. Say goodbye to regular eating and casual trips to the gym. Day in and day out the bodybuilder must stalk improvement. There will be no repose and no sabbatical. There truly is no rest for the weak, and even less for the strong.
Even in a bodybuilder's off-season he busts his ass; the weights get heavier and the meals get bigger. Compare that to a spring spent playing golf and sipping cocktails at the country club. You sure you don't want to consider strapping that helmet back on? Not everyone is cut out for this. If you're still with me, chances are you have already made your choice. You are one of the few, the dedicated, and the demented. Those sick enough in the dome to devote their lives to a brutal, regimented lifestyle with very little potential for personal accolades or the accumulation of financial wealth. For this you deserve to be revered, or at the very least observed for science.
Every day is game day for the bodybuilder. The gym is your field of play and you lay it all on the line every time, as if today may be your last. Driven by the desire to present the best physique possible, you view each training session as a challenge, time spent as an investment in a bigger, better version of yourself. The dues must be paid day in and day out and you are more than happy to ante up. Ask any champion and he’ll give you the 411: The big contest is not won on the stage; it is won in small increments every time you murder yourself in the gym, months out from the show.
If you train five days a week, in a year that totals 260 gym sessions, not even counting pre-contest cardio which could also be thrown in the mix for in excess of two hours daily. Compare that to a pro baseball player and his 162-game season, which is no doubt tough when you consider all the travel involved. But let’s get real. They get paid millions, never have to play on no carbs and the only time they squat is in the bathroom. Truth be told, most athletes of all varieties spend some time in the weight room. What was once frowned upon as fare for muscle-bound meatheads is now an essential element of success on any athlete's chosen field of play.
What really separates bodybuilding from every other sporting event known to man is diet. Check out Sports center some night and you're sure to see some sign of lacking physical fitness. Imagine an elite athlete with narrow shoulders or a belly that hangs over his belt, faux pas in the bodybuilding world and veritable impossibilities considering the regimented diet that is at the heart of the lifestyle. Only bodybuilders weigh their food, tally their protein and calories, travel with a cooler full of apportioned meals and drink nutrients almost as often as they eat them.
This is the stuff that separates the men from the boys: eating not when you want to, but when you have to; eating not what you like to but what you must. ; All in the name of progress. Getting closer and closer to the freak you need to be- one dry ass chicken breast at a time. This is a mind state that most folks can’t quite grasp and to which very few can truly relate.
Don't think that effort goes unnoticed, animal. Where the average hockey player can blend into the rest of society when out among the public, the bodybuilder wears his uniform out into the world every single day. Beyond the sneers of the jealous and the misinformed, above the drug accusers and the naysayers, the bodybuilder stands proud for he knows how few could ever walk in his shoes.
The rest of the athletic culture has come to appreciate the sacrifice and dedication of the bodybuilder and has come to value the benefits of conditioned muscularity and explosive strength. The physiques of the Olympic sprinter or the NFL linebacker are testaments to the influence of the bodybuilding aesthetic and the new standard that is being set in athletic culture. A standard chiselled into place by the elite fraternity of which you and I are both members.
It is we, the select few, the Brotherhood of Iron, who have placed the bar for athletic discipline and effort so high. Each time you squat 'til you puke, pop the Tupperware on your chicken and rice, blend a shake or can’t get out of bed because you are so sore from deads… every time you chalk up the bar or wrap your knees, know that you are the one willing to do what it takes, to leave it all on the table, to go the extra mile. ; The one who could care less about a blurb in the sports page or the admiration of onlookers. You are the one; an animal. You are a bodybuilder; the hardest working athlete in the world.
***Make it a habit to tell people thank you. To express your appreciation, sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you and you will soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life and you will find that you have more of it***
Sunday, October 10, 2010
A day of Thanks... 27 days/48 days
Happy Thanksgiving! Today when so many people are focused on their thanksgiving feast, have you taken time to think of what you are thankful for in your life? Since my mind is NOT focused on a big thanksgiving meal today I will make a short list of the many things in my life that i have to be thankful for
1)My family
-my wonderful husband is so supportive of me and my decisions, patient with me at times when others would not be, and so helpful when it comes to every aspect of my life. He is my best friend and the love of my life
-my beautiful and amazing daughter. She makes my day, every day, and is the smartest, most thoughtful, caring little girl that you could ever meet. Her hugs make everything right in the world
-the rest of my huge family. We are a very close group and are always there for each other, in good times and bad. I am proud to say i have such a relationship with my family, when there are so many out there that don't.
2) My friends
-I am lucky enough to have a wide group of friends. Some of which I don't get to see nearly as often as i would like, but when we do talk or see each other we take off right where we left off. I am extremely thankful to have friends that will listen to me when i need an ear, hold me when i need a hug, share with me when they need an outlet, and love me unconditionally.
3) My health
-With so many younger people experiencing health problems these days I am thankful that i am in optimum health. I take care of my body so my body will take care of me. I nourish myself with foods that will in turn contribute to my health, exercise so that my body will stay strong and healthy, and in doing so hope to pass this lifestyle onto my daughter.
Okay, so now back to the Iron!! lol
Yesterday was day one taking my Jack3d supplement. Our power was out, so we got ready, drove to the gym, only to see a big sign out front....GYM CLOSED!! NOOOO!! The power was apprently out there too!! So we headed back home, only to walk in the door to the power coming back on!! Called the gym, it was on there too and they were open! So back to the car we go!! It was PUSH day at the gym, and i am pleased to report back that I was indeed able to lift more than in previous training sessions, didn't experience fatigue at the end of my workout, and did not at any point of the day 'crash'. I did not however, feel the intense drive and focus that I have felt in the past when having taken NO Explode or when i took Superpump250. I attributed this to the fact that i took the minimum dosage,as recommended, to assess my tolerance. Well, tolerance assessed and I now know I may need to up my dosage. My meals were all on track and when i got home from the gym i prepped my food for Sunday and did 30 minutes of cardio on the treadmill. Went to work at 11pm-close (bartending), and was home by 4am.
Up today at 10:30, and hope to be at the gym by 11. Miss Presley is off to the fair with her little *boyfriend*, so it's just hubby and I to get organized and out the door, so much easier to do with the two of us, than with a 3 year old in tow!! So today i increased my dosage of Jack3d by 50%, hoping that would give me the results i was looking for. I have come to realize that I have a pretty high tolerance for stimulants, and will likely need 2 scoops of this stuff to get the results that everyone raves about. I was again much stronger than before with all of my PULL exercises, focus was increased from yesterday, and i felt like I could just keep exercises for hours! But I will try for 2 scoops tomorrow, fingers crossed that's what i need!
So I am about to jump on the treadmill for 45 minutes of intervals, then pack my cooler and get ready for work.
Tomorrow we are making the 2 1/2 hour drive to Stoney Creek to have dinner with the family. I had to make a phonecall and warn the hosts not to take offence to the fact that i wont be eating any of their food, other than turkey, as i will be bringing my own. I have found that warning them beforehand prevents the excessive..."you need to eat more" (I eat 8-10 times a day thank you)..."You already look great" (fair enough, but looking great is different than looking like you belong up on stage in a bikini and stripper shoes with 10 jacked girls)..."it's not bad for you, it's healthy" (I find this one to be particularly amusing, as most people have a very jaded idea of what is health and what is not, as well as the fact that it may actually be healthy, but it is not on my meal plan). Thankfully the phone call went well and they are prepared for me to show up with my cooler in tow. The game plan is for me to get up early and either hit the gym solo, or jump on the treadmill at home, as we need to be ready and on the road by 11am. Can't wait to see the family, I miss them everyday as we are so far away, but it makes these family gatherings all that more special!
**When asked if my cup is half full or half empty, my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup***
1)My family
-my wonderful husband is so supportive of me and my decisions, patient with me at times when others would not be, and so helpful when it comes to every aspect of my life. He is my best friend and the love of my life
-my beautiful and amazing daughter. She makes my day, every day, and is the smartest, most thoughtful, caring little girl that you could ever meet. Her hugs make everything right in the world
-the rest of my huge family. We are a very close group and are always there for each other, in good times and bad. I am proud to say i have such a relationship with my family, when there are so many out there that don't.
2) My friends
-I am lucky enough to have a wide group of friends. Some of which I don't get to see nearly as often as i would like, but when we do talk or see each other we take off right where we left off. I am extremely thankful to have friends that will listen to me when i need an ear, hold me when i need a hug, share with me when they need an outlet, and love me unconditionally.
3) My health
-With so many younger people experiencing health problems these days I am thankful that i am in optimum health. I take care of my body so my body will take care of me. I nourish myself with foods that will in turn contribute to my health, exercise so that my body will stay strong and healthy, and in doing so hope to pass this lifestyle onto my daughter.
Okay, so now back to the Iron!! lol
Yesterday was day one taking my Jack3d supplement. Our power was out, so we got ready, drove to the gym, only to see a big sign out front....GYM CLOSED!! NOOOO!! The power was apprently out there too!! So we headed back home, only to walk in the door to the power coming back on!! Called the gym, it was on there too and they were open! So back to the car we go!! It was PUSH day at the gym, and i am pleased to report back that I was indeed able to lift more than in previous training sessions, didn't experience fatigue at the end of my workout, and did not at any point of the day 'crash'. I did not however, feel the intense drive and focus that I have felt in the past when having taken NO Explode or when i took Superpump250. I attributed this to the fact that i took the minimum dosage,as recommended, to assess my tolerance. Well, tolerance assessed and I now know I may need to up my dosage. My meals were all on track and when i got home from the gym i prepped my food for Sunday and did 30 minutes of cardio on the treadmill. Went to work at 11pm-close (bartending), and was home by 4am.
Up today at 10:30, and hope to be at the gym by 11. Miss Presley is off to the fair with her little *boyfriend*, so it's just hubby and I to get organized and out the door, so much easier to do with the two of us, than with a 3 year old in tow!! So today i increased my dosage of Jack3d by 50%, hoping that would give me the results i was looking for. I have come to realize that I have a pretty high tolerance for stimulants, and will likely need 2 scoops of this stuff to get the results that everyone raves about. I was again much stronger than before with all of my PULL exercises, focus was increased from yesterday, and i felt like I could just keep exercises for hours! But I will try for 2 scoops tomorrow, fingers crossed that's what i need!
So I am about to jump on the treadmill for 45 minutes of intervals, then pack my cooler and get ready for work.
Tomorrow we are making the 2 1/2 hour drive to Stoney Creek to have dinner with the family. I had to make a phonecall and warn the hosts not to take offence to the fact that i wont be eating any of their food, other than turkey, as i will be bringing my own. I have found that warning them beforehand prevents the excessive..."you need to eat more" (I eat 8-10 times a day thank you)..."You already look great" (fair enough, but looking great is different than looking like you belong up on stage in a bikini and stripper shoes with 10 jacked girls)..."it's not bad for you, it's healthy" (I find this one to be particularly amusing, as most people have a very jaded idea of what is health and what is not, as well as the fact that it may actually be healthy, but it is not on my meal plan). Thankfully the phone call went well and they are prepared for me to show up with my cooler in tow. The game plan is for me to get up early and either hit the gym solo, or jump on the treadmill at home, as we need to be ready and on the road by 11am. Can't wait to see the family, I miss them everyday as we are so far away, but it makes these family gatherings all that more special!
**When asked if my cup is half full or half empty, my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup***
Saturday, October 9, 2010
29 days/50 days
With 5 weeks quickly turning into 4, it's go time!!
Today i tried Gaspari's Superpump 250, wowzers!! I have tried plenty of other pre workout supplements in the past, all which resulted in a very jittery feeling, followed by a crash. With this product i did not experience either side effect. I was very focused during my workout, was able to lift heavier than usual, and did not experience fatigue!! I went to purchase this product, only to discover the supplement Jack3d that I have heard rave reviews on, was finally available at this store. And so, without trying it out, i bought it. So tomorrows workout will be brought to you by Jack3d, manufactured by USP labs. http://www.usplabsdirect.com/
My meals are all cooked and portioned for tomorrow, I have just finished tonights cardio session and am heading to bed as tomorrow is a busy and LONG day!
**To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan but also believe**
Today i tried Gaspari's Superpump 250, wowzers!! I have tried plenty of other pre workout supplements in the past, all which resulted in a very jittery feeling, followed by a crash. With this product i did not experience either side effect. I was very focused during my workout, was able to lift heavier than usual, and did not experience fatigue!! I went to purchase this product, only to discover the supplement Jack3d that I have heard rave reviews on, was finally available at this store. And so, without trying it out, i bought it. So tomorrows workout will be brought to you by Jack3d, manufactured by USP labs. http://www.usplabsdirect.com/
My meals are all cooked and portioned for tomorrow, I have just finished tonights cardio session and am heading to bed as tomorrow is a busy and LONG day!
**To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan but also believe**
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