Tonight could not have come soon enough.
It's almost 9:00 and I just sat down for dinner...I am exhausted. This week was just one thing to the next, and its a good thing I wasn't working near any sharp objects. So dramatic, but you get the point. This morning I threw on my clothes and realized I hadn't shaved in about 3 days. So I took a razor to my dry, bare legs. Not my brightest idea at 4:30 in the morning. My legs were on fire and by 2pm I was scratching like a burn victim. Next time I will just say to heck with it and be hairy.
But despite the tiring week, there were some high points. One of the highlights of my week was catching an old man doing a pretty intense air-guitar while running on the treadmill....it was hilarious and honestly so dramatic that I thought he was gonna hit a 3 minute guitar solo and just ride off the back. Sure I would have helped him up...after I stopped laughing. It was great.
Changing up my workout routine this week was awesome. I wasn't too sore from my power days, so hitting muscle groups twice has been very doable and felt great. Today I had back and shoulders...reps of 12 for each set. Shoulders were extremely tough after back, but went well. I will definitely be interested to see how my body responds. The plan is to stick with this routine for about 6 weeks.
Workout:
Lat pull-down 3 x 12
Seated cable row 3 x 12
BB row 3 x 12
Seated DB shoulder press 3 x 12
DB lateral raises 3 x 12
Front DB raises 3 x 12
Cardio 45 minutes
So the plan tomorrow is to speak as little as possible and sit in a lounge chair until the plastic strap things are practically ingrained in my rear. I will clean, workout, then head to the pool. I am beyond pale, and for the sake of everyone, need to get some serious vitamin D. I think my butt glows in the dark right now...no need for a black light in the Falcon house...I'll just drop my pants.
Completely out of control.
Getting up at 4am to catch the Royal Wedding? Ha...NOPE. Don't even get me started on that....although, it did make me wonder for a second,...what if I'd married royalty? Can you imagine?! I'd set the record for most people offended in one public appearance in the shortest amount of time. But I'd smile and wave like a champ...
Alright, time for bed....Friday awaits...
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
31 Flavors
The universe was against me from 4:30 this morning. Actually, from about 2:46...which, was when I woke up and checked the clock...and then continued to wake up and check the clock about every 15 minutes until 4:30. It was like I was waiting for an evacuation call...I was wide awake and full steam ahead. Ever have those days when you get to work and it feels like you were just there about an hour ago? Yeah, today was one of those days. I had about 45 minutes to write up 12 workout plans so my morning would go smoothly. By the 8th one I was tempted to just write "squat til you bleed...then squat some more." My brain was on overload from little rest and not enough caffeine in the system just yet. But the day rolls on...
In general, my body feels less tense since the show. My strength has recovered quite a bit,...with help from the gradual 7 day carb load I did last week. Ha....that's the nice way of saying I ate some sugar-coated-crap along the way. But after 16 weeks of hard dieting, its amazing I didn't go straight to Baskin Robbins and stick my head in one of those ice cream buckets. Don't tempt me...cookies-n-creme is sweet sweet tub-o-love.
Workout today was good. I started with legs...lighter weight, less rest time, and not to failure. I actually wouldn't mind losing a little bit of muscle in my quads. Proportionally, they are big...a little too big. I'd rather dial them in a bit. But not going to lie, doing light weight is a struggle for me. I don't like it....but I gotta do what I gotta do right now. Next, I hit chest pretty heavy. Reps of 6-7 on all my lifts...felt great. Ended the day with some cardio...let's not even talk about it.
Workout:
Walking lunges 3 x 30 yards
Squat jumps 4 x 15, 30 seconds rest between sets
Hamstring curls 3 x 15
Leg extensions 3 x 15
Lunge jumps 4 x 20, 30 seconds rest between sets
Flat DB bench press 4 x 6-7 (*all 4 sets with 50's..PR!)
DB flys 4 x 6-7
Incline DB press 4 x 6
Cardio 45 minutes
So tomorrow is looking like cardio/sprints/core. Not too shabby...
Had a 72 year old woman want me to help her get a "nice shapely booty" as she put it. Ha...I hope I still desire a nice ass at that age. Heck, I hope my ass can still move at that point. I'll probably be the old bitter woman in the corner complaining about the weather, family members, my teeth falling out, etc... Either that, or entertaining everyone with crude comments. Gotta love older folk who have no filter...just saying whatever they want. And who is going to be the one to call them out on it? No one wants to offend the only person in the group who is one step away from a busted hip and meeting Jesus. Let them live their dream...talk on my dear old friend, talk on...
Well, I've got to cook some veggies, measure out some fish, and then hit the bed. In 9 hours I will be back at work...there's no telling what form I'll be in tomorrow...here we go...
In general, my body feels less tense since the show. My strength has recovered quite a bit,...with help from the gradual 7 day carb load I did last week. Ha....that's the nice way of saying I ate some sugar-coated-crap along the way. But after 16 weeks of hard dieting, its amazing I didn't go straight to Baskin Robbins and stick my head in one of those ice cream buckets. Don't tempt me...cookies-n-creme is sweet sweet tub-o-love.
Workout today was good. I started with legs...lighter weight, less rest time, and not to failure. I actually wouldn't mind losing a little bit of muscle in my quads. Proportionally, they are big...a little too big. I'd rather dial them in a bit. But not going to lie, doing light weight is a struggle for me. I don't like it....but I gotta do what I gotta do right now. Next, I hit chest pretty heavy. Reps of 6-7 on all my lifts...felt great. Ended the day with some cardio...let's not even talk about it.
Workout:
Walking lunges 3 x 30 yards
Squat jumps 4 x 15, 30 seconds rest between sets
Hamstring curls 3 x 15
Leg extensions 3 x 15
Lunge jumps 4 x 20, 30 seconds rest between sets
Flat DB bench press 4 x 6-7 (*all 4 sets with 50's..PR!)
DB flys 4 x 6-7
Incline DB press 4 x 6
Cardio 45 minutes
So tomorrow is looking like cardio/sprints/core. Not too shabby...
Had a 72 year old woman want me to help her get a "nice shapely booty" as she put it. Ha...I hope I still desire a nice ass at that age. Heck, I hope my ass can still move at that point. I'll probably be the old bitter woman in the corner complaining about the weather, family members, my teeth falling out, etc... Either that, or entertaining everyone with crude comments. Gotta love older folk who have no filter...just saying whatever they want. And who is going to be the one to call them out on it? No one wants to offend the only person in the group who is one step away from a busted hip and meeting Jesus. Let them live their dream...talk on my dear old friend, talk on...
Well, I've got to cook some veggies, measure out some fish, and then hit the bed. In 9 hours I will be back at work...there's no telling what form I'll be in tomorrow...here we go...
Monday, April 25, 2011
It was only just a dreeaaammm!!
Dear Lord, did anyone else come down off an extreme Easter-induced-sugar-high that left you wanting to bang your head against the wall by 7am? Just me? Awesome...
It was a rough start to the day. I didn't get enough sleep last night...as I unfortunately got hooked on an episode of the Real Housewives of Orange County. Yes, I watch that crap. You're never smarter after watching that show...only keenly aware of just how small your breasts are. Thank you ladies, because I needed to be reminded that C is the new B, D is the new C, and A cups are for an 8 year old with a dream. Your twins are huge, we get it...
SO anyway, after little sleep, and indulging in some Easter candy this weekend, today was a loonnngg day. I was pretty pumped about changing my lifting routine though. Today I did back, biceps, and shoulders...very heavy, for reps of 6-8. I want to try to hit almost every muscle group twice a week, one heavy/power day, and one lighter day....by lighter I mean reps of 12ish. However, I will still only have 1 day of leg training since I am still sprinting. I loved lifting heavy today, and 6 reps is great for my ADD...by rep 6 I am bored and ready to move on. Ha. So it worked out great. Oh, and I was also able to go harder on my sprints today. My left leg is still hurting a little, but not nearly as bad as last week. Onward I roll...
Workout:
Wide grip pull-up 4 x 6
Seated cable row 4 x 6-8
Single arm lat pull-down 4 x 6 each
Seated BB shoulder press 4 x 6
Bent arm lateral raises 4 x 6-8
Standing EZ bar curls 4 x 6-8
Alternating DB curls 4 x 6 each
Sprints
Awesome workout, very spent by the end. Tomorrow will be legs and core...can't wait.
Getting back in gear this past week was tough....there's always sort of a "let down" after a big event...tired, mentally and physically, and just this sense of "ok, now what?" By Friday of last week I was ready for some rest and refocus. This week will be better.
Not much to elaborate on today...its late and I need to get in bed asap. If I have another morning like this morning I might have even less sympathy in the gym than I already do....very sobering thought for a lot of people...
Night!
It was a rough start to the day. I didn't get enough sleep last night...as I unfortunately got hooked on an episode of the Real Housewives of Orange County. Yes, I watch that crap. You're never smarter after watching that show...only keenly aware of just how small your breasts are. Thank you ladies, because I needed to be reminded that C is the new B, D is the new C, and A cups are for an 8 year old with a dream. Your twins are huge, we get it...
SO anyway, after little sleep, and indulging in some Easter candy this weekend, today was a loonnngg day. I was pretty pumped about changing my lifting routine though. Today I did back, biceps, and shoulders...very heavy, for reps of 6-8. I want to try to hit almost every muscle group twice a week, one heavy/power day, and one lighter day....by lighter I mean reps of 12ish. However, I will still only have 1 day of leg training since I am still sprinting. I loved lifting heavy today, and 6 reps is great for my ADD...by rep 6 I am bored and ready to move on. Ha. So it worked out great. Oh, and I was also able to go harder on my sprints today. My left leg is still hurting a little, but not nearly as bad as last week. Onward I roll...
Workout:
Wide grip pull-up 4 x 6
Seated cable row 4 x 6-8
Single arm lat pull-down 4 x 6 each
Seated BB shoulder press 4 x 6
Bent arm lateral raises 4 x 6-8
Standing EZ bar curls 4 x 6-8
Alternating DB curls 4 x 6 each
Sprints
Awesome workout, very spent by the end. Tomorrow will be legs and core...can't wait.
Getting back in gear this past week was tough....there's always sort of a "let down" after a big event...tired, mentally and physically, and just this sense of "ok, now what?" By Friday of last week I was ready for some rest and refocus. This week will be better.
Not much to elaborate on today...its late and I need to get in bed asap. If I have another morning like this morning I might have even less sympathy in the gym than I already do....very sobering thought for a lot of people...
Night!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Dying eggs and Diabetes...Happy Easter..???
Its Friday morning and I just finished a little bit of breakfast and cleaning...2 of my favorite things. I was completely drained last night, and once the Office came on blogging just simply was not going to happen. By Thursday night I've usually met my word limit and can hardly find a dose of sanity to continue brain activity beyond 7pm. Sounds worthless doesn't it? Ha...
Workout yesterday was good...tough, but good. I got Brian to look at my leg before I started, and basically make sure I wasn't about to die or have to amputate the dern thing. Its my IT band...tight, pulling, and just painful right now. He said I could push through what I could handle as far as running...so I wanted to try sprinting again. I am so hard headed. I remember when I went to get both big-toe toenails cut out a few years ago and they said "no running for about 2 weeks". OOKKKK....so I got up the next morning and got on the treadmill. I had to throw away the shoes because they were covered in blood by the time I was done. I don't listen very well...BUT, truthfully, if I knew it would seriously injure me, I wouldn't do it. I don't think it was about being a "Billy-badass" or anything, just basic instinct to do something you've been told not to do. Like standing too close when you're brother is swinging a croquet mallet....took one to the jaw and learned the hard way...thank you David...
Anyway, I had back and sprints yesterday. Lifted heavy on back,...reps 8-10 and today my traps are screaming. I am working on getting my back width in proportion with how thick my back is. So, yesterday was more emphasis on my upper back, mainly lats. Sprints went ok, I didn't go faster than 11mph because my leg would start throbbing too bad....so I had to keep my rest time short to keep my heart rate up. I did 20 minutes worth and then did 20 minutes lighter cardio. Overall, it was a solid workout.
(Thurs) Workout:
Wide grip pull-ups 4 x 8
Close grip pull-backs 3 x 10
Single arm DB row 3 x 8 each
Bent over rows 3 x 10
Rear flys 3 x 10
Sprints 20 min, incline walk 20 min
Today I will do shoulders and chest...sort of a reverse-workout from Monday. And then I am going to head out for some last minute Easter-basket shopping. I'm doing one for my niece...I spoil her like its my job...it is my job. I adore that child. She adds some "fresh water" to the polluted gene pool we all swim in. And I can say that because I came from it....yours is polluted too....I promise....
Well, its been a great work week....long, but good. Not sure if I'll get around to blogging tonight or tomorrow, so if I don't I hope you all have a fabulous Easter weekend! And if I wake up to find an Easter basket full of airplane bottles and chocolate, don't judge me...I live in Mebane...that's how we roll around here...
Workout yesterday was good...tough, but good. I got Brian to look at my leg before I started, and basically make sure I wasn't about to die or have to amputate the dern thing. Its my IT band...tight, pulling, and just painful right now. He said I could push through what I could handle as far as running...so I wanted to try sprinting again. I am so hard headed. I remember when I went to get both big-toe toenails cut out a few years ago and they said "no running for about 2 weeks". OOKKKK....so I got up the next morning and got on the treadmill. I had to throw away the shoes because they were covered in blood by the time I was done. I don't listen very well...BUT, truthfully, if I knew it would seriously injure me, I wouldn't do it. I don't think it was about being a "Billy-badass" or anything, just basic instinct to do something you've been told not to do. Like standing too close when you're brother is swinging a croquet mallet....took one to the jaw and learned the hard way...thank you David...
Anyway, I had back and sprints yesterday. Lifted heavy on back,...reps 8-10 and today my traps are screaming. I am working on getting my back width in proportion with how thick my back is. So, yesterday was more emphasis on my upper back, mainly lats. Sprints went ok, I didn't go faster than 11mph because my leg would start throbbing too bad....so I had to keep my rest time short to keep my heart rate up. I did 20 minutes worth and then did 20 minutes lighter cardio. Overall, it was a solid workout.
(Thurs) Workout:
Wide grip pull-ups 4 x 8
Close grip pull-backs 3 x 10
Single arm DB row 3 x 8 each
Bent over rows 3 x 10
Rear flys 3 x 10
Sprints 20 min, incline walk 20 min
Today I will do shoulders and chest...sort of a reverse-workout from Monday. And then I am going to head out for some last minute Easter-basket shopping. I'm doing one for my niece...I spoil her like its my job...it is my job. I adore that child. She adds some "fresh water" to the polluted gene pool we all swim in. And I can say that because I came from it....yours is polluted too....I promise....
Well, its been a great work week....long, but good. Not sure if I'll get around to blogging tonight or tomorrow, so if I don't I hope you all have a fabulous Easter weekend! And if I wake up to find an Easter basket full of airplane bottles and chocolate, don't judge me...I live in Mebane...that's how we roll around here...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Get BIG
Ever since last Monday I feel like I've been on the go, with little time to relax and just chill for a bit. My body is still very tired, sore, and still trying to figure out what the heck happened last weekend. I swear I think I've drank more water in the past 5 days than I do in a 2 week span. I'm gradually getting back to par.
Right now I'm dealing with horrible pain on the outside of my left knee. I started feeling it Sunday morning and honestly think its from those stripper heels. Nature's way of saying no one should ever wear those things...ever...for any reason. Sprinting today was almost unbearable, and I had to stop 5 minutes early because I could no longer pound that hard on it. If I were a horse they would have already taken me out back and shot me...stupid knee. I'm hoping it just wears off in the next few days. I don't have time for bum knees, ankles, or boobs for that matter (not sure how you could have a "bum-breast" but you get the idea). Gotta roll on...
Biceps and triceps today.
My arms are one area I want to increase size a little bit, so for the next few weeks I'll focus a bit more on strength. Proportionally, my arms are not too bad, although my biceps could stand some more size in comparison to my triceps. Awesome...by July I'll be cleaning out my closet again because I'm busting out of everything...and not in the chest region. Overall, it was a great workout (besides the sprints). I was barely able to run hard enough to get my heart rate to 180...not cool.
Workout:
BW dips 3 x 15-20
Reverse grip tricep extension 3 x 12
Rope press-down 3 x 12
Lying lat bar curls 4 x 10
Seated alternating DB curls 3 x 8 each
EZ bar close grip curls 3 x 8
Sprints 20 minutes
No huge food splurge today. I'm gradually getting my calories back up, and hope to be at maintenance within a few weeks...the Easter candy will help. I remember when I was little and my mom would have our baskets out and filled before church...and there I was stuffing my face with robin eggs at 7am. I'd walk into church on one heck of a sugar high, and then pass out mid-sermon. I'll have to answer for that one day I'm sure. Add it to the list...
Well, I've got to make some dinner for the hubby and then get in bed before I just pass out downstairs on the couch. I am pretty much worthless after 7:30...and sometimes before that depending on the day...
Night folks!!
Right now I'm dealing with horrible pain on the outside of my left knee. I started feeling it Sunday morning and honestly think its from those stripper heels. Nature's way of saying no one should ever wear those things...ever...for any reason. Sprinting today was almost unbearable, and I had to stop 5 minutes early because I could no longer pound that hard on it. If I were a horse they would have already taken me out back and shot me...stupid knee. I'm hoping it just wears off in the next few days. I don't have time for bum knees, ankles, or boobs for that matter (not sure how you could have a "bum-breast" but you get the idea). Gotta roll on...
Biceps and triceps today.
My arms are one area I want to increase size a little bit, so for the next few weeks I'll focus a bit more on strength. Proportionally, my arms are not too bad, although my biceps could stand some more size in comparison to my triceps. Awesome...by July I'll be cleaning out my closet again because I'm busting out of everything...and not in the chest region. Overall, it was a great workout (besides the sprints). I was barely able to run hard enough to get my heart rate to 180...not cool.
Workout:
BW dips 3 x 15-20
Reverse grip tricep extension 3 x 12
Rope press-down 3 x 12
Lying lat bar curls 4 x 10
Seated alternating DB curls 3 x 8 each
EZ bar close grip curls 3 x 8
Sprints 20 minutes
No huge food splurge today. I'm gradually getting my calories back up, and hope to be at maintenance within a few weeks...the Easter candy will help. I remember when I was little and my mom would have our baskets out and filled before church...and there I was stuffing my face with robin eggs at 7am. I'd walk into church on one heck of a sugar high, and then pass out mid-sermon. I'll have to answer for that one day I'm sure. Add it to the list...
Well, I've got to make some dinner for the hubby and then get in bed before I just pass out downstairs on the couch. I am pretty much worthless after 7:30...and sometimes before that depending on the day...
Night folks!!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Easy as PIIIEEEEE!!!
A client brought me a peanut butter pie today....back to my sugar coma. That thing was unbelievable. A little bloated at the moment, but completely worth it Peanut butter is ridiculously high on my list of love...a few steps above plenty of people...
Well, I hit legs pretty hard today...they are already sore and going to the bathroom is more painful than it should ever be at 27 years old. But seriously, it felt great to leg press to the point I was certain my quads would explode. Ah yes, gotta love leg day. I was spent by the end, got in some core work, and then some cardio.
Workout:
Squats 4 x 10
Leg press 3 x 12
Hamstring curls on machine 3 x 12, drop set on set 3
Leg extensions 3 x 12, drop set on set 3
Rear glute raise/pulse on ball 3 x 60
Lunge jumps 3 x 20
BOSU sit-ups 3 x 15
Decline crunch/oblique crunch 3 x 20
Leg lifts 3 x 15
I'll do some sprints tomorrow...assuming my legs are functioning. One week off from sprints and I'm pretty sure I will feel it in the first 5 minutes. Can't wait.
Soooo, my Target story.
I met my mom at Target during my break yesterday, so I had about 45 minutes to knock around, catch up, and challenge myself to see how much I could buy in 45 minutes...I like that game...I win every time. Anyway, I was already pretty riled up (doesn't take much), and going on about it with my mom with all the appropriate foul language and dramatic hand gestures interspersed where necessary. (She's not a fan of this...she's a happy person...still not sure how she's my mom, but whatever). So there we were, and all of a sudden every screaming child within a 5 mile radius entered the store. I swear I was a magnet for every baby who was hungry, tired, or sitting in a crap filled diaper that needed to be changed. I nearly lost my mind. At one point a kid started crying in a very un-rhythmic, hysterical yelp that sent my anxiety through the roof. I cocked my head back and just shouted "For the love of God!!"....to which my mom simply replied, "well, looks like you're not ready for kids yet". Good call mom. And thank you to the mothers who decided to bring their children to Target yesterday....I will probably sleep alone for the next 4 weeks...
Well, I've got to cook some fish, clean dishes, and then figure out which spandex pants to wear tomorrow...decisions decisions...
Well, I hit legs pretty hard today...they are already sore and going to the bathroom is more painful than it should ever be at 27 years old. But seriously, it felt great to leg press to the point I was certain my quads would explode. Ah yes, gotta love leg day. I was spent by the end, got in some core work, and then some cardio.
Workout:
Squats 4 x 10
Leg press 3 x 12
Hamstring curls on machine 3 x 12, drop set on set 3
Leg extensions 3 x 12, drop set on set 3
Rear glute raise/pulse on ball 3 x 60
Lunge jumps 3 x 20
BOSU sit-ups 3 x 15
Decline crunch/oblique crunch 3 x 20
Leg lifts 3 x 15
I'll do some sprints tomorrow...assuming my legs are functioning. One week off from sprints and I'm pretty sure I will feel it in the first 5 minutes. Can't wait.
Soooo, my Target story.
I met my mom at Target during my break yesterday, so I had about 45 minutes to knock around, catch up, and challenge myself to see how much I could buy in 45 minutes...I like that game...I win every time. Anyway, I was already pretty riled up (doesn't take much), and going on about it with my mom with all the appropriate foul language and dramatic hand gestures interspersed where necessary. (She's not a fan of this...she's a happy person...still not sure how she's my mom, but whatever). So there we were, and all of a sudden every screaming child within a 5 mile radius entered the store. I swear I was a magnet for every baby who was hungry, tired, or sitting in a crap filled diaper that needed to be changed. I nearly lost my mind. At one point a kid started crying in a very un-rhythmic, hysterical yelp that sent my anxiety through the roof. I cocked my head back and just shouted "For the love of God!!"....to which my mom simply replied, "well, looks like you're not ready for kids yet". Good call mom. And thank you to the mothers who decided to bring their children to Target yesterday....I will probably sleep alone for the next 4 weeks...
Well, I've got to cook some fish, clean dishes, and then figure out which spandex pants to wear tomorrow...decisions decisions...
Monday, April 18, 2011
#134 Class C
What a weekend.
I feel like I have a hangover and I haven't even drank...yet...keyword yet. I woke up Saturday morning feeling great. I wasn't stiff, sore, bloated, tired, pissed off (it was early, give it time), or remotely apprehensive about the day. I enjoyed about 3 oz. of coffee as I put on my fake lashes and thick coats of makeup. I was going for the prostitute-look. Check. I woke Ryan up at 5:45 to put one last coat of tanner on my back...he was thrilled. Actually, he never complained...probably because I was naked, I get it. Anyway, I was out the door by 7:15 and on my way to check-in. Walking into the theater was truly exciting, and it honestly felt like 5 years flew by. Months of work for just one day. We had our athlete meeting, got our numbers, and then headed to dressing rooms to get ready and wait until it was our turn for pre-judging. Waiting around is tough because you have to time your food correctly. You're hardly eating anything that day, and the carbs that you are eating need to be just enough to give you a slight pump without "spilling over" and looking flat. I'm pretty sure Quaker's stock went up with all the rice cakes that were eaten that day backstage.
By 10:15 they call us upstairs to start pumping up and to get oiled down. I can already tell at this point that I should have packed some potassium pills. I was cramping like hell. I pushed through about 15 minutes of weights backstage (already sweating like a dog), and headed over to get oiled up. I don't care who you are, having PAM rubbed on your inner thigh is a little awkward....so what do I do? I make inappropriate comments to keep the guy laughing so its not so weird. Looking back, I may not have helped the situation. O-well, I tried...
So it wasn't until that point that you all line up backstage that you're able to get a good look at the ladies in your height class. I got in my numerical position, looked down the line, and laughed. In all the competitions I've been in at the state level, this was by far the most competitive group of women. Every single person was stage-ready. This would be tough. Very tough. I was amazed at how "hard" the women were though...very vascular, striated shoulders, and pretty darn big....and yet, at the pro-level the look is getting a little softer with smooth lines/shape. So it just boiled down to what the judges were looking for that day.
They filed us out there in a single line across the stage and we went straight into quarter turns. I flexed a little too hard the first 2 and shook a little bit. Back on target for the rest. I honestly was not sure how the judging would fall. But I did know that if they did not lean more towards a smoother look, I would not do well.
After prejudging, I had about 4 hours to kill before meeting back for the night show....so Ryan and I went to a couple of local stores to knock around for a bit. I smelled horrible. Between the paint, PAM, and not showering in over a day, I could clear a room in a heartbeat. I was highly flammable as well. I'm sure people were wondering where in the world Ryan found a hooker on a Saturday afternoon. Not busting on hookers that work afternoons...happy hour has to start at some point. I was exhausted...dehydrated, hungry, and in much need of a shower. BUT, the show rolls on. I was back at the theater by 4:30 and gearing up for the show at 6pm.
For the record, these shows are EXTREMELY long, so again, timing my food and what not was very hard. Long story short, I didn't actually go on stage until around 10:15 or so. Talk about a long day. From about 8:00 Friday night until 11:00 Saturday night I had about 10 oz. of water and 700 calories. By that point I was beyond hungry and just wanted to chug water like it was my job...didn't need that over-priced Fiji crap, it could be bath water, I didn't care...
So that was my day in a nutshell...now down to business. I can say with confidence that I felt great going into Saturday and I would not change a thing about my preparation up until that point. The only thing I expected was to bring my best that day, and I did. It was an incredibly competitive group, and I did not place. At the moment I was bummed, but I was not disappointed in myself. I did everything I'd expected of myself, and that's all you can do in a subjective sport. The judges clearly wanted a harder look. That was not me. To give you an idea, I took the stage at a solid 130 pounds (not exactly tiny for someone barely over 5'4"), and the winner was 5'5" and pushing 145. First time I've looked small in awhile. Ironically, the photographers and a few other promoters there loved what I brought to the stage and advised me not to change. So that certainly leaves me with a few choices to make before the next show. Oh the dilemma...
I felt good on the way home that night. I was ready to sleep, eat some m&m's, and then hit the weights hard today. I think my perspective on the entire day was a world of difference from 5 years ago, and I am pleased with my own work and strides along the way. No time for disappointment and what ifs,...pick up and move on. I still plan to do another show in the fall. I want to put on a little more muscle in my shoulders and arms, and then be a tad more conditioned. BUT, I also want to enjoy my summer and have beer with friends...or a beer with my one friend...and act like I have somewhat of a normal social life...
I was so blown away by the number of texts, emails, and facebook messages I received Saturday. You people rock my world. There I was exhausted, alone in a sea of Protan and PAM, eating rice cakes like it was manna, and one after another you contacted me to wish me luck and say you were thinking of me. I was beyond touched. I tried to respond as promptly as possible...even though a couple of times my fingers stuck to my phone because I was in the process of gluing my suit down with bikini-bite. Its a glue stick for your ass. I had glue in places one should never have glue....but those places already had paint, so what was a little glue to top it off? Anyway, I am truly grateful...thank you...dearly...
So I'm sure you're wondering what I ate yesterday. Ha, I knew it. I honestly wasn't too hungry, but if I wanted something, anything, I ate it. I had some honey roasted peanuts, a tortilla soft shell with peanut butter (its called a sex wrap), m &m's, and about 3 bowls of cereal for dinner. I was sugar drunk. It was great.
Holy crap, have a written a book yet?! Pretty soon Blogger is going to throw out a pop-up that says "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STOP TYPING"...stupid computer. On that note, let's talk about today. HA. I was absolutely THRILLED to get back in the gym. My chest is going to be so sore tomorrow...I can't wait. I want every inch of these A-cups to be in pain baby. I hit chest and shoulders hard...sets of 8, very heavy. Then, I did cardio...and actually didn't mind it. I must still be sugar drunk. Kidding...I was just eager to get moving again...
Well, I think that is all for now. I am tired. Legs tomorrow boys and girls...going heavy...can't take it anymore. And I have a good Target story coming as well....that store will most likely be the death of me...
I feel like I have a hangover and I haven't even drank...yet...keyword yet. I woke up Saturday morning feeling great. I wasn't stiff, sore, bloated, tired, pissed off (it was early, give it time), or remotely apprehensive about the day. I enjoyed about 3 oz. of coffee as I put on my fake lashes and thick coats of makeup. I was going for the prostitute-look. Check. I woke Ryan up at 5:45 to put one last coat of tanner on my back...he was thrilled. Actually, he never complained...probably because I was naked, I get it. Anyway, I was out the door by 7:15 and on my way to check-in. Walking into the theater was truly exciting, and it honestly felt like 5 years flew by. Months of work for just one day. We had our athlete meeting, got our numbers, and then headed to dressing rooms to get ready and wait until it was our turn for pre-judging. Waiting around is tough because you have to time your food correctly. You're hardly eating anything that day, and the carbs that you are eating need to be just enough to give you a slight pump without "spilling over" and looking flat. I'm pretty sure Quaker's stock went up with all the rice cakes that were eaten that day backstage.
By 10:15 they call us upstairs to start pumping up and to get oiled down. I can already tell at this point that I should have packed some potassium pills. I was cramping like hell. I pushed through about 15 minutes of weights backstage (already sweating like a dog), and headed over to get oiled up. I don't care who you are, having PAM rubbed on your inner thigh is a little awkward....so what do I do? I make inappropriate comments to keep the guy laughing so its not so weird. Looking back, I may not have helped the situation. O-well, I tried...
So it wasn't until that point that you all line up backstage that you're able to get a good look at the ladies in your height class. I got in my numerical position, looked down the line, and laughed. In all the competitions I've been in at the state level, this was by far the most competitive group of women. Every single person was stage-ready. This would be tough. Very tough. I was amazed at how "hard" the women were though...very vascular, striated shoulders, and pretty darn big....and yet, at the pro-level the look is getting a little softer with smooth lines/shape. So it just boiled down to what the judges were looking for that day.
They filed us out there in a single line across the stage and we went straight into quarter turns. I flexed a little too hard the first 2 and shook a little bit. Back on target for the rest. I honestly was not sure how the judging would fall. But I did know that if they did not lean more towards a smoother look, I would not do well.
After prejudging, I had about 4 hours to kill before meeting back for the night show....so Ryan and I went to a couple of local stores to knock around for a bit. I smelled horrible. Between the paint, PAM, and not showering in over a day, I could clear a room in a heartbeat. I was highly flammable as well. I'm sure people were wondering where in the world Ryan found a hooker on a Saturday afternoon. Not busting on hookers that work afternoons...happy hour has to start at some point. I was exhausted...dehydrated, hungry, and in much need of a shower. BUT, the show rolls on. I was back at the theater by 4:30 and gearing up for the show at 6pm.
For the record, these shows are EXTREMELY long, so again, timing my food and what not was very hard. Long story short, I didn't actually go on stage until around 10:15 or so. Talk about a long day. From about 8:00 Friday night until 11:00 Saturday night I had about 10 oz. of water and 700 calories. By that point I was beyond hungry and just wanted to chug water like it was my job...didn't need that over-priced Fiji crap, it could be bath water, I didn't care...
So that was my day in a nutshell...now down to business. I can say with confidence that I felt great going into Saturday and I would not change a thing about my preparation up until that point. The only thing I expected was to bring my best that day, and I did. It was an incredibly competitive group, and I did not place. At the moment I was bummed, but I was not disappointed in myself. I did everything I'd expected of myself, and that's all you can do in a subjective sport. The judges clearly wanted a harder look. That was not me. To give you an idea, I took the stage at a solid 130 pounds (not exactly tiny for someone barely over 5'4"), and the winner was 5'5" and pushing 145. First time I've looked small in awhile. Ironically, the photographers and a few other promoters there loved what I brought to the stage and advised me not to change. So that certainly leaves me with a few choices to make before the next show. Oh the dilemma...
I felt good on the way home that night. I was ready to sleep, eat some m&m's, and then hit the weights hard today. I think my perspective on the entire day was a world of difference from 5 years ago, and I am pleased with my own work and strides along the way. No time for disappointment and what ifs,...pick up and move on. I still plan to do another show in the fall. I want to put on a little more muscle in my shoulders and arms, and then be a tad more conditioned. BUT, I also want to enjoy my summer and have beer with friends...or a beer with my one friend...and act like I have somewhat of a normal social life...
I was so blown away by the number of texts, emails, and facebook messages I received Saturday. You people rock my world. There I was exhausted, alone in a sea of Protan and PAM, eating rice cakes like it was manna, and one after another you contacted me to wish me luck and say you were thinking of me. I was beyond touched. I tried to respond as promptly as possible...even though a couple of times my fingers stuck to my phone because I was in the process of gluing my suit down with bikini-bite. Its a glue stick for your ass. I had glue in places one should never have glue....but those places already had paint, so what was a little glue to top it off? Anyway, I am truly grateful...thank you...dearly...
So I'm sure you're wondering what I ate yesterday. Ha, I knew it. I honestly wasn't too hungry, but if I wanted something, anything, I ate it. I had some honey roasted peanuts, a tortilla soft shell with peanut butter (its called a sex wrap), m &m's, and about 3 bowls of cereal for dinner. I was sugar drunk. It was great.
Holy crap, have a written a book yet?! Pretty soon Blogger is going to throw out a pop-up that says "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, STOP TYPING"...stupid computer. On that note, let's talk about today. HA. I was absolutely THRILLED to get back in the gym. My chest is going to be so sore tomorrow...I can't wait. I want every inch of these A-cups to be in pain baby. I hit chest and shoulders hard...sets of 8, very heavy. Then, I did cardio...and actually didn't mind it. I must still be sugar drunk. Kidding...I was just eager to get moving again...
Well, I think that is all for now. I am tired. Legs tomorrow boys and girls...going heavy...can't take it anymore. And I have a good Target story coming as well....that store will most likely be the death of me...
Friday, April 15, 2011
This is it...
I smell horrible.
I've got 7 coats of Protan on and haven't worn deodorant in 2 days...for the record, I'm a sweater, so this is not an optimal situation for me, or anyone around me. I seriously felt bad for the couple standing behind me in Sam's Club today. For starters, they were probably wondering why my face was about 10 shades whiter than the rest of my body. Then once they gave up trying to figure that out, they were curious as to why I smelled like a combination of rubbing alcohol and a locker room. I just turned and smiled....they hated me...and since they were buying a 5 gallon tub of mayo that will contribute to the triple bypass surgery my tax dollars will pay for, the feeling was mutual...
I swear I spent at least 3 hours in the car today. I didn't plan my day very well, (I left the paint at my parents house), and decided I needed to throw on 2 extra coats at 8:30 this morning. I don't do "spontaneous" too well, so at that point I was not only freaking out that I would need more paint than expected, but on the verge of an anxiety attack simply because it threw me off schedule. I'm beyond irrational right now...story of my life. Ryan hasn't been around the house too much, which is completely understandable. I'm moments away from going nuts on him, and just one shade away from being charged for it under a different ethnicity.
On another note, the past 2 days have brought such a wide range of emotion. One really threw me for a loop yesterday though. I was driving down the highway and I started tearing up...which usually only happens if someone passes gas with the heat on. But there I was, alone, (no gas...shocking), and fighting back these random tears. But I soon discovered where they came from. So here goes...
The significance of this weekend finally hit me. When I "left the stage" 5 years ago, I was a mess...I was depressed and dealing with some very serious and overwhelming issues that I assumed were fueled by the competing itself. It wasn't, and I was wrong, but I never addressed those things before diving head first into something so consuming, subjective, and mentally hard as figure competitions. I was angry with myself and just wanted OUT. I honestly thought that getting out of that world would solve my problems. HA. I threw away all my trophies and truly thought I would never return. The truth was that once I forced myself to confront some deep seeded struggles and self-perceptions that were in fact false, I could look at competing in a whole new light. I could compete from a very honest place, and not hide behind someone who was just trying to run from everything.
So for me to step back on the very stage I left 5 years ago is huge in itself. It means that struggles are real, but so is healing. And it means that who you were in the past does not have to hinder or determine who you are today. I do believe everything works together...and I think that the events of 5 years ago were a catalyst. Sure it forced me into some dark days, but those eventually faded and now I stand a much different woman. So perhaps my tears in the car yesterday were more so for myself...for the old me, who thought she'd always struggle...and for the new me, who proved otherwise.
With all that said, I am going into show day with a good peace of mind. Whether or not I'm what the judges are looking for, we'll find out. I've done the work, so all I have left is presentation.
And I do want to say thank you. So many of you have faithfully encouraged me along the way...I sincerely appreciate every word...every thought. Next time I post I hope to have great news and perhaps a beer in hand. What? Its been 7 months and 3 major holidays (which means family events) and I have yet to drink...I'm due...well overdue.
Alright folks...game time...
I've got 7 coats of Protan on and haven't worn deodorant in 2 days...for the record, I'm a sweater, so this is not an optimal situation for me, or anyone around me. I seriously felt bad for the couple standing behind me in Sam's Club today. For starters, they were probably wondering why my face was about 10 shades whiter than the rest of my body. Then once they gave up trying to figure that out, they were curious as to why I smelled like a combination of rubbing alcohol and a locker room. I just turned and smiled....they hated me...and since they were buying a 5 gallon tub of mayo that will contribute to the triple bypass surgery my tax dollars will pay for, the feeling was mutual...
I swear I spent at least 3 hours in the car today. I didn't plan my day very well, (I left the paint at my parents house), and decided I needed to throw on 2 extra coats at 8:30 this morning. I don't do "spontaneous" too well, so at that point I was not only freaking out that I would need more paint than expected, but on the verge of an anxiety attack simply because it threw me off schedule. I'm beyond irrational right now...story of my life. Ryan hasn't been around the house too much, which is completely understandable. I'm moments away from going nuts on him, and just one shade away from being charged for it under a different ethnicity.
On another note, the past 2 days have brought such a wide range of emotion. One really threw me for a loop yesterday though. I was driving down the highway and I started tearing up...which usually only happens if someone passes gas with the heat on. But there I was, alone, (no gas...shocking), and fighting back these random tears. But I soon discovered where they came from. So here goes...
The significance of this weekend finally hit me. When I "left the stage" 5 years ago, I was a mess...I was depressed and dealing with some very serious and overwhelming issues that I assumed were fueled by the competing itself. It wasn't, and I was wrong, but I never addressed those things before diving head first into something so consuming, subjective, and mentally hard as figure competitions. I was angry with myself and just wanted OUT. I honestly thought that getting out of that world would solve my problems. HA. I threw away all my trophies and truly thought I would never return. The truth was that once I forced myself to confront some deep seeded struggles and self-perceptions that were in fact false, I could look at competing in a whole new light. I could compete from a very honest place, and not hide behind someone who was just trying to run from everything.
So for me to step back on the very stage I left 5 years ago is huge in itself. It means that struggles are real, but so is healing. And it means that who you were in the past does not have to hinder or determine who you are today. I do believe everything works together...and I think that the events of 5 years ago were a catalyst. Sure it forced me into some dark days, but those eventually faded and now I stand a much different woman. So perhaps my tears in the car yesterday were more so for myself...for the old me, who thought she'd always struggle...and for the new me, who proved otherwise.
With all that said, I am going into show day with a good peace of mind. Whether or not I'm what the judges are looking for, we'll find out. I've done the work, so all I have left is presentation.
And I do want to say thank you. So many of you have faithfully encouraged me along the way...I sincerely appreciate every word...every thought. Next time I post I hope to have great news and perhaps a beer in hand. What? Its been 7 months and 3 major holidays (which means family events) and I have yet to drink...I'm due...well overdue.
Alright folks...game time...
Thursday, April 14, 2011
24 to go
Sleeping in this morning was basically a joke. Awake at 4am and finally out of bed by 5:45. By 6:30 I was out of the shower, had my iPod strapped to my head with pre-wrap, and I was slapping on brown paint like I was on a mission. I have to have my iPod on for everything...so finding a way to keep it on my body while applying body paint/stain was quite interesting. But I figured if someone was genius enough to construct a hands-free beer helmet, I was fully capable of solving the iPod dilemma. I knew that college degree would come in handy someday.
Today's been a quiet day. I didn't work, but went in for a quick circuit workout. No one was there...just me, my music, and any ounce of anxiety I felt regarding the show. I honestly found it difficult to take it easy in the gym. I wanted to go heavier and harder, but I knew I couldn't...I just kept reminding myself that this was necessary for now. It helped, but I can't deny my frustration with the notion of going "light" in the gym. What an oxymoron. I hit chest, shoulders, and a little bit of triceps...2-3 exercises per body part, 15 reps but never to failure...weight around 40% lighter than usual. No cardio. That was the highlight of my day. Well that and yelling at my mom for leaving a streak of brown paint on my breast...ok, I didn't really yell, I just assertively pointed out that it looked like someone used the bathroom on my chest...what? It did...I just chose a few different words... My mom should get mother of the year award for all of this.
Mentally, I've been in a really good place all day. I've been alone most of the day, which has been great. I needed some downtime, and tomorrow will be much of the same. I've had so many random thoughts that I'll probably go into greater detail tomorrow...pretty emotional day.
The plan for tomorrow is to sleep in as much as possible...clean (because my OCD needs a fix)...run a few errands...and then back to the rents to finish up some painting. Running errands will be entertaining...as people look at me trying to figure out why I appear to have been molested by the sun...
Ok, its almost 10:00 and I'm beat...just one more day to go...
Today's been a quiet day. I didn't work, but went in for a quick circuit workout. No one was there...just me, my music, and any ounce of anxiety I felt regarding the show. I honestly found it difficult to take it easy in the gym. I wanted to go heavier and harder, but I knew I couldn't...I just kept reminding myself that this was necessary for now. It helped, but I can't deny my frustration with the notion of going "light" in the gym. What an oxymoron. I hit chest, shoulders, and a little bit of triceps...2-3 exercises per body part, 15 reps but never to failure...weight around 40% lighter than usual. No cardio. That was the highlight of my day. Well that and yelling at my mom for leaving a streak of brown paint on my breast...ok, I didn't really yell, I just assertively pointed out that it looked like someone used the bathroom on my chest...what? It did...I just chose a few different words... My mom should get mother of the year award for all of this.
Mentally, I've been in a really good place all day. I've been alone most of the day, which has been great. I needed some downtime, and tomorrow will be much of the same. I've had so many random thoughts that I'll probably go into greater detail tomorrow...pretty emotional day.
The plan for tomorrow is to sleep in as much as possible...clean (because my OCD needs a fix)...run a few errands...and then back to the rents to finish up some painting. Running errands will be entertaining...as people look at me trying to figure out why I appear to have been molested by the sun...
Ok, its almost 10:00 and I'm beat...just one more day to go...
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Man down...
I honestly do not know where to begin...I am pretty amazed that its only a couple of days away from show time. My brain is on overload and my body is practically breathing a sigh of relief. After my workout this morning I laid down on the floor and just recapped the last 4 months...every workout, every God awful sprint, every moment I wanted to scream, cry, curse, or all of the above. Amidst all the random thoughts, I was able to lay there confident in my training/preparation...and that was enough. My sprints were hard today...very hard. My legs are exhausted and ready for a few days break. I've sprinted for 6 weeks straight...something I honestly haven't done since high school. And then it was for doing something stupid like mooning people on the bus....this time around I haven't even dropped my pants and I'm running like I'm in trouble with the law. Wrong on so many levels...
Workout:
Wide grip pull-up 3 x 10-12
Seated cable row 3 x 12
Single arm lat pull-down 3 x 10 each
BB row 3 x 12
Rear flys 3 x 15
EZ bar curls 4 x 10-12
Alternating DB curls 3 x 10 each
Bicep pull-down with lat bar 3 x 10-12
Sprints 25 minutes
Overall my day was pretty long...cramming clients in so I could take tomorrow off. I thought I would start painting tonight, however its after 9 and I'm tired and haven't done any of the pre-paint preparations...so it looks like I will be up painting my ass at 6am tomorrow morning...literally. I can do pretty much anything with a few cups of coffee under my belt. My prime is from 7 to 8:30 in the morning...after that, its all downhill...which explains so much.
My upper right trap is killing me. I have to complain about it right now because its been throbbing since 6am and pulling so hard through my neck that I've had a headache off and on all day. Stupid traps...between that and my post-waxing-trama, my body is cursing me. Thankfully tomorrow will only be a light circuit workout. Light workout? What the heck is that?...
Well, I am drained. I will have more to write tomorrow I'm sure. After a nail appointment and being naked with my mom and a paint brush, I'm sure I'll have stories. 2 days out...here we go...
Workout:
Wide grip pull-up 3 x 10-12
Seated cable row 3 x 12
Single arm lat pull-down 3 x 10 each
BB row 3 x 12
Rear flys 3 x 15
EZ bar curls 4 x 10-12
Alternating DB curls 3 x 10 each
Bicep pull-down with lat bar 3 x 10-12
Sprints 25 minutes
Overall my day was pretty long...cramming clients in so I could take tomorrow off. I thought I would start painting tonight, however its after 9 and I'm tired and haven't done any of the pre-paint preparations...so it looks like I will be up painting my ass at 6am tomorrow morning...literally. I can do pretty much anything with a few cups of coffee under my belt. My prime is from 7 to 8:30 in the morning...after that, its all downhill...which explains so much.
My upper right trap is killing me. I have to complain about it right now because its been throbbing since 6am and pulling so hard through my neck that I've had a headache off and on all day. Stupid traps...between that and my post-waxing-trama, my body is cursing me. Thankfully tomorrow will only be a light circuit workout. Light workout? What the heck is that?...
Well, I am drained. I will have more to write tomorrow I'm sure. After a nail appointment and being naked with my mom and a paint brush, I'm sure I'll have stories. 2 days out...here we go...
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Death by wax...
What a day. I fell asleep later than I'd hoped last night and got to work not really remembering much of the drive. I've got the coffee mug to my face and the music blasting to keep me awake. Ever pull up next someone at a stoplight really really early in the morning and hear their bass thumping and wonder who the heck could be rocking out to Eminem before sunrise? Yup, its me. I little ridiculous, but getting up at 4:30 is ridiculous so I have to manage somehow...
Today was my last official "leg day" before the show. Again, I kept the rep range around 15, and just focused on the squeeze of every movement. Not gonna lie, I kind of miss lifting super-heavy on my legs...which is a statement I might take back the first time I return to squatting an obscene amount of weight for 8 reps and convinced that my pancreas might fall out, simply because that's how dramatic I am. I'm probably going to receive an email from someone all freaked out about their pancreas falling out while squatting. Sorry folks, won't happen...so keep lifting heavy...your more likely to throw up or pee yourself. Not exactly pleasant, but quicker clean up.
I had a great core workout today. Abs look decent. Lower abdominal muscles and obliques are out of control, and given my tendency to put on good muscle mass from the waist-down, I'm about 2 crunches and 5 squats away from shopping at Lane Bryant...
Workout:
Leg press 4 x 15
Walking lunges 3 x 25 yards
Leg extension 3 x 15
Hamstring curls on machine 3 x 15
Lunge jumps 4 x 20
Reverse glute raise/flutter on ball 3 x 60
BOSU full sit-ups 3 x 15
Heel touch/pilates leg-lower 3 x 20 each
Bike ab on bench 3 x 30 seconds
Cardio 45 minutes
Tomorrow will be my last "heavy" workout of the week, with just 2 days of light circuit training on Thursday and Friday. My body is used to a certain routine so I need to keep it there as much as possible, without being sore near the show. Oh, and last day of sprints tomorrow...hallelujah. I'll get a few days break and won't know what to do with myself...eh, I have a few ideas...
Soooo....I went for my waxing appointment today. First time. Let's just put it this way, I'm pretty sure that just before you enter hell, you are waxed. My pain threshold is pretty high, but today was absurd. Halfway through I wanted to hit the poor woman in the face...first time I've wanted to hit a stranger. Ok, that's a lie, but you get the idea. After it was over she advised me to wear lose clothing for awhile...uhhh...lose pants? What are those? Clearly she had no clue who she was talking to. Spandex is my life...I'm fairly certain I came from my mom's womb doing push-ups in a pair of biker shorts...so this was not an option. I threw on my skin-tight pants and headed back to work...more eager to sit on an ice pack than yell at people. Needless to say, it was a long afternoon...
9:04 and I need to head to bed. Tomorrow is my last day of work for this week so its a packed day. Back and biceps on tap for tomorrow's workout, some sprints, and then gear up for the rest of my week. Lots to do...paint, pack, nail appointment, paint some more, question my sanity a few times, paint once again,...here we go...
Goodnight to all!!
Today was my last official "leg day" before the show. Again, I kept the rep range around 15, and just focused on the squeeze of every movement. Not gonna lie, I kind of miss lifting super-heavy on my legs...which is a statement I might take back the first time I return to squatting an obscene amount of weight for 8 reps and convinced that my pancreas might fall out, simply because that's how dramatic I am. I'm probably going to receive an email from someone all freaked out about their pancreas falling out while squatting. Sorry folks, won't happen...so keep lifting heavy...your more likely to throw up or pee yourself. Not exactly pleasant, but quicker clean up.
I had a great core workout today. Abs look decent. Lower abdominal muscles and obliques are out of control, and given my tendency to put on good muscle mass from the waist-down, I'm about 2 crunches and 5 squats away from shopping at Lane Bryant...
Workout:
Leg press 4 x 15
Walking lunges 3 x 25 yards
Leg extension 3 x 15
Hamstring curls on machine 3 x 15
Lunge jumps 4 x 20
Reverse glute raise/flutter on ball 3 x 60
BOSU full sit-ups 3 x 15
Heel touch/pilates leg-lower 3 x 20 each
Bike ab on bench 3 x 30 seconds
Cardio 45 minutes
Tomorrow will be my last "heavy" workout of the week, with just 2 days of light circuit training on Thursday and Friday. My body is used to a certain routine so I need to keep it there as much as possible, without being sore near the show. Oh, and last day of sprints tomorrow...hallelujah. I'll get a few days break and won't know what to do with myself...eh, I have a few ideas...
Soooo....I went for my waxing appointment today. First time. Let's just put it this way, I'm pretty sure that just before you enter hell, you are waxed. My pain threshold is pretty high, but today was absurd. Halfway through I wanted to hit the poor woman in the face...first time I've wanted to hit a stranger. Ok, that's a lie, but you get the idea. After it was over she advised me to wear lose clothing for awhile...uhhh...lose pants? What are those? Clearly she had no clue who she was talking to. Spandex is my life...I'm fairly certain I came from my mom's womb doing push-ups in a pair of biker shorts...so this was not an option. I threw on my skin-tight pants and headed back to work...more eager to sit on an ice pack than yell at people. Needless to say, it was a long afternoon...
9:04 and I need to head to bed. Tomorrow is my last day of work for this week so its a packed day. Back and biceps on tap for tomorrow's workout, some sprints, and then gear up for the rest of my week. Lots to do...paint, pack, nail appointment, paint some more, question my sanity a few times, paint once again,...here we go...
Goodnight to all!!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Scrambled please...
I'm about 1 egg white away from going to the bathroom and laying my own...
12 egg whites today, some tilapia, chicken, and an ungodly amount of asparagus and spinach...welcome to peak week. I feel pretty weak, but mentally on point. Getting through today's workout was tougher than I expected because 20 pounds felt like 30, and 30 felt like 50, and the 35's felt like Aunt Bertha was sitting on my chest. Honestly, the entire experience was not very pleasant, but it is what it is.
I've had many clients/friends ask me how I'm doing today...let's "go there" shall we...
I'm nervous, excited, extremely tired, eager, focused, and dealing with all sorts of thoughts that I haven't quite sorted out just yet. Its been 5 years since I've stood on that particular stage, and I can vividly remember looking at the pictures afterward and being disappointed. I didn't work hard enough...I didn't want it bad enough. I was one place away from qualifying for nationals, and I knew that I didn't deserve that spot. I am bombarded with images from that last show...like it was my moment of "falling off the bike"...and now sometimes I fear going on stage and looking the exact same...not prepared...not to my potential...simply mediocre. Its not logical, I know, because I look so different, and so I acknowledge them and then move on. Because its not about being fearless, but how you respond to that fear that matters. It moves you in one direction or another...towards a greater sense of self and success or towards complacency and the mind-numbing thought of "what if". I saw this quote the other day and it really stuck with me, it said "Whatever you fear, go there." Here I go...
Chest/shoulders/sprints today....this will be my 6th week of sprint work...amazing my knee caps are still intact. Despite the fact that everything felt much heavier than I'd like, it was a good workout. Right now it is maintenance...just getting to Saturday feeling confident, hard, and ready.
Workout:
Incline DB press 4 x 10, drop set on 4th
Flat DB bench 3 x 10
DB flys 4 x 12, drop set on 4th
Push-ups to failure 2x
Seated BB shoulder press/ss lateral raises 4 x 12/15
Seated Arnold press/ss front raise partials 3 x 10/15
Sprints 25 minutes
The latest question in the Falcon house is when to start painting. Originally, I was thinking Thursday night...now I'm thinking Wednesday. I'm extremely pale right now, (I'm pretty sure I glow in the dark when I'm naked),...and so I'm thinking I might need at least 5 coats of paint...which takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R. Hell, we might as well start right now.
Alright, I've gotta cook dinner for the hubby....he's getting velveeta shells and cheese with ground turkey...that dish is like fatty-sex-goodness in your mouth. Why do I let him eat that? Because if he had to eat the eggs and asparagus that I just ate, the fine line of domestic violence might be crossed.
Have a wonderful night!! Moving forward....always moving forward...
12 egg whites today, some tilapia, chicken, and an ungodly amount of asparagus and spinach...welcome to peak week. I feel pretty weak, but mentally on point. Getting through today's workout was tougher than I expected because 20 pounds felt like 30, and 30 felt like 50, and the 35's felt like Aunt Bertha was sitting on my chest. Honestly, the entire experience was not very pleasant, but it is what it is.
I've had many clients/friends ask me how I'm doing today...let's "go there" shall we...
I'm nervous, excited, extremely tired, eager, focused, and dealing with all sorts of thoughts that I haven't quite sorted out just yet. Its been 5 years since I've stood on that particular stage, and I can vividly remember looking at the pictures afterward and being disappointed. I didn't work hard enough...I didn't want it bad enough. I was one place away from qualifying for nationals, and I knew that I didn't deserve that spot. I am bombarded with images from that last show...like it was my moment of "falling off the bike"...and now sometimes I fear going on stage and looking the exact same...not prepared...not to my potential...simply mediocre. Its not logical, I know, because I look so different, and so I acknowledge them and then move on. Because its not about being fearless, but how you respond to that fear that matters. It moves you in one direction or another...towards a greater sense of self and success or towards complacency and the mind-numbing thought of "what if". I saw this quote the other day and it really stuck with me, it said "Whatever you fear, go there." Here I go...
Chest/shoulders/sprints today....this will be my 6th week of sprint work...amazing my knee caps are still intact. Despite the fact that everything felt much heavier than I'd like, it was a good workout. Right now it is maintenance...just getting to Saturday feeling confident, hard, and ready.
Workout:
Incline DB press 4 x 10, drop set on 4th
Flat DB bench 3 x 10
DB flys 4 x 12, drop set on 4th
Push-ups to failure 2x
Seated BB shoulder press/ss lateral raises 4 x 12/15
Seated Arnold press/ss front raise partials 3 x 10/15
Sprints 25 minutes
The latest question in the Falcon house is when to start painting. Originally, I was thinking Thursday night...now I'm thinking Wednesday. I'm extremely pale right now, (I'm pretty sure I glow in the dark when I'm naked),...and so I'm thinking I might need at least 5 coats of paint...which takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R. Hell, we might as well start right now.
Alright, I've gotta cook dinner for the hubby....he's getting velveeta shells and cheese with ground turkey...that dish is like fatty-sex-goodness in your mouth. Why do I let him eat that? Because if he had to eat the eggs and asparagus that I just ate, the fine line of domestic violence might be crossed.
Have a wonderful night!! Moving forward....always moving forward...
Friday, April 8, 2011
Finding strength in pain
Finally Friday...
I thought for sure I'd crash last night and sleep straight through until 6am...yeah, not so much. Wide awake at 2am. I kept going over poses in my head...quarter turn to your right...quarter turn to your right...by 4am I was ready to quarter turn to my right and bang my head against the wall. Up by 5:50 and chugging freshly ground Costa Rica coffee by 6:02.....the only good beverage we've managed to make here in the U.S. is Tennessee whiskey...not that I'm complaining...
Surprisingly, I felt pretty good going into my workout. At this point I think I'm running on adrenaline and excitement. I had shoulders, core, and sprints at the end. Delts are tired at this point, but maintaining decent strength considering. The main thing bothering me at this point is that my right arm is more defined than my left....details...ah the details. But, I've tweeked my poses a little bit to focus more attention on my strengths. Presentation is everything.
Workout:
Seated shoulder press 4 x 10
Close grip BB press/ss seated lateral raises (12/15) 4 sets
Front DB raise 4 x 15
BOSU sit-ups 3 x 15
Reverse crunches 3 x 15
Oblique crunches on decline 3 x 20
Sprints 25 minutes
I finished my day with a couple of clients and a massage. My eyes watered a few times on that massage table. My back is one giant knot...and my traps hate me right now....they look like they're trying to make out with my ears. I'm extremely sore...from working out, as well as the massage. Tomorrow will just be cardio, and then perhaps cardio on Sunday.
Coming up to just 1 week before my show. I feel good...I feel ready.....I am so close, and yet everyday and every workout feels like an eternity. I am tired, but focused, and ready to walk under the lights...
I thought for sure I'd crash last night and sleep straight through until 6am...yeah, not so much. Wide awake at 2am. I kept going over poses in my head...quarter turn to your right...quarter turn to your right...by 4am I was ready to quarter turn to my right and bang my head against the wall. Up by 5:50 and chugging freshly ground Costa Rica coffee by 6:02.....the only good beverage we've managed to make here in the U.S. is Tennessee whiskey...not that I'm complaining...
Surprisingly, I felt pretty good going into my workout. At this point I think I'm running on adrenaline and excitement. I had shoulders, core, and sprints at the end. Delts are tired at this point, but maintaining decent strength considering. The main thing bothering me at this point is that my right arm is more defined than my left....details...ah the details. But, I've tweeked my poses a little bit to focus more attention on my strengths. Presentation is everything.
Workout:
Seated shoulder press 4 x 10
Close grip BB press/ss seated lateral raises (12/15) 4 sets
Front DB raise 4 x 15
BOSU sit-ups 3 x 15
Reverse crunches 3 x 15
Oblique crunches on decline 3 x 20
Sprints 25 minutes
I finished my day with a couple of clients and a massage. My eyes watered a few times on that massage table. My back is one giant knot...and my traps hate me right now....they look like they're trying to make out with my ears. I'm extremely sore...from working out, as well as the massage. Tomorrow will just be cardio, and then perhaps cardio on Sunday.
Coming up to just 1 week before my show. I feel good...I feel ready.....I am so close, and yet everyday and every workout feels like an eternity. I am tired, but focused, and ready to walk under the lights...
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
I dare you...
I think I met my word limit today by about 4pm. There's honestly no telling how much oxygen I use talking to people on any given day....which is probably why I leave work and truly want QUIET for a little while. Its a good thing I don't have kids...I'd be slipping those jokers Nyquil after lunch...
I honestly wasn't sure how my workout would go, or my sprints actually, because my hamstrings are one giant knot at the moment. Seriously, its like a small gerbil is hiding under the skin right behind my knees. When I bent over to demonstrate a deadlift this morning, I was pretty certain they would either snap or I would curse so loud I'd lose my hearing. Sometimes I want to fake being deaf...mainly around holiday events though...
So I made it through my workout...biceps/triceps, and then some sprints. It really wasn't horrible, just tired from 3 days of lifting and being on my feet. My arms are looking pretty good I think...definitely bigger than before, and shoulders are rounding out nicely. Rear delts are in full force (one thing the judges look for right off the bat when it comes to muscularity). I'm still not working my triceps too hard...they are out of control as it is...an ego all their own. Sprints went well...this white girl has gotten faster...watch out. I find it hard sometimes getting the perfect balance of blasting my legs without sucking wind to the point I can't recover fast enough to then do my next sprint in time...and vice versa. So today I got my heartrate up pretty quickly at about 75% speed with little rest time between sprints. Then, once I got my heartrate to 192-198 I cranked up the speed and increased my rest time. I was exhausted after 25 minutes. All in all, good workout day.
Workout:
Lying lat bar curls 3 x 10-12
EZ bar curls 3 x 10
Alternating incline curls 3 x 8 each
Single arm horizontal cable curl 2 x failure each arm
Tricep press-down on dip machine 3 x 12-15
Rope press-down 3 x 12-15
Single arm tricep extension 3 x 12 each
Sprints 25 minutes
Switching gears here for a minute...
My day started off with a truly empowering conversation with one of my clients...it was about inspiration/motivation. Ironically, it is the very topic I've been thinking about a lot lately and woke up a couple of weeks ago in the middle of the night to jot down random thoughts/ideas. We went back and forth about how important it is to be more aware of ourselves...our goals...our potential...and our own desire to be "great" in whatever capacity that entails(since we are all given different gifts and abilities). Its so true...we often fall victim to meeting the expectations of others, society, and/or the mediocre and "safe" expectations we place on ourselves....as if to dream bigger than where we are is a crime. I've wrestled with this very subject for a few weeks now, and here's a glimpse into my mind for a second...yeah, brace yourself...
I started thinking about how we idolize so many other people...famous people, parents, coaches, athletes...and we even come to the point where we are emotionally dependent on their success/achievements, as if it directly affects our loyalty to them and our barometer of inspiration we receive from them. We forget they are, in fact, human, and thus struggle in their own form and fashion as well. (Its easier for me to think of all of this from an athletic/fitness standpoint simply because of my career and athletic background.) So all of this led me to a deeper thought....why is motivation and inspiration a mere FEELING to us? Why do we often say "I feel motivated" or "I don't feel motivated"?? If its such a powerful driving force, to the point that we emotionally invest part of ourselves into the life of another in search of something greater than ourselves, why is it confined to something as wavering as a feeling? Should it not be a mindset...a choice...to daily pursue the things that will take us one step closer to a goal? Here's what I think...the will to pursue greatness (in whatever capacity) breeds the work necessary to get there, which breeds small successes along the way, which breeds motivation to keep going, which breeds the will to continue when its tough...and the cycle continues on and on. But you say, "what if I don't have a goal?" or "I don't think I can do_______ or achieve _______." So here's the kicker...and perhaps the greatest challenge some of us will ever face...
WHAT IF, instead of always looking to and depending on another flawed human being for some sort of "jump start" to inspire us, we dared to consider our own potential....dared to think beyond our parents' expectations, our coaches/boss' expectations, and for a moment fearlessly glimpse at who we could be with the talents and abilities given us. Now why can't THAT person be our inspiration and motivation to move forward?! Why can't we wake up each morning with a distinct picture of where we're headed and maintain focus? How much more confident and driven we'd be if we truly believed with all our being that we are more capable. The truth is 97% of us are scared....we're scared because to imagine that person is to confront who we are in this moment...
Well folks, to walk on water your first step has to be out of the boat...
I honestly wasn't sure how my workout would go, or my sprints actually, because my hamstrings are one giant knot at the moment. Seriously, its like a small gerbil is hiding under the skin right behind my knees. When I bent over to demonstrate a deadlift this morning, I was pretty certain they would either snap or I would curse so loud I'd lose my hearing. Sometimes I want to fake being deaf...mainly around holiday events though...
So I made it through my workout...biceps/triceps, and then some sprints. It really wasn't horrible, just tired from 3 days of lifting and being on my feet. My arms are looking pretty good I think...definitely bigger than before, and shoulders are rounding out nicely. Rear delts are in full force (one thing the judges look for right off the bat when it comes to muscularity). I'm still not working my triceps too hard...they are out of control as it is...an ego all their own. Sprints went well...this white girl has gotten faster...watch out. I find it hard sometimes getting the perfect balance of blasting my legs without sucking wind to the point I can't recover fast enough to then do my next sprint in time...and vice versa. So today I got my heartrate up pretty quickly at about 75% speed with little rest time between sprints. Then, once I got my heartrate to 192-198 I cranked up the speed and increased my rest time. I was exhausted after 25 minutes. All in all, good workout day.
Workout:
Lying lat bar curls 3 x 10-12
EZ bar curls 3 x 10
Alternating incline curls 3 x 8 each
Single arm horizontal cable curl 2 x failure each arm
Tricep press-down on dip machine 3 x 12-15
Rope press-down 3 x 12-15
Single arm tricep extension 3 x 12 each
Sprints 25 minutes
Switching gears here for a minute...
My day started off with a truly empowering conversation with one of my clients...it was about inspiration/motivation. Ironically, it is the very topic I've been thinking about a lot lately and woke up a couple of weeks ago in the middle of the night to jot down random thoughts/ideas. We went back and forth about how important it is to be more aware of ourselves...our goals...our potential...and our own desire to be "great" in whatever capacity that entails(since we are all given different gifts and abilities). Its so true...we often fall victim to meeting the expectations of others, society, and/or the mediocre and "safe" expectations we place on ourselves....as if to dream bigger than where we are is a crime. I've wrestled with this very subject for a few weeks now, and here's a glimpse into my mind for a second...yeah, brace yourself...
I started thinking about how we idolize so many other people...famous people, parents, coaches, athletes...and we even come to the point where we are emotionally dependent on their success/achievements, as if it directly affects our loyalty to them and our barometer of inspiration we receive from them. We forget they are, in fact, human, and thus struggle in their own form and fashion as well. (Its easier for me to think of all of this from an athletic/fitness standpoint simply because of my career and athletic background.) So all of this led me to a deeper thought....why is motivation and inspiration a mere FEELING to us? Why do we often say "I feel motivated" or "I don't feel motivated"?? If its such a powerful driving force, to the point that we emotionally invest part of ourselves into the life of another in search of something greater than ourselves, why is it confined to something as wavering as a feeling? Should it not be a mindset...a choice...to daily pursue the things that will take us one step closer to a goal? Here's what I think...the will to pursue greatness (in whatever capacity) breeds the work necessary to get there, which breeds small successes along the way, which breeds motivation to keep going, which breeds the will to continue when its tough...and the cycle continues on and on. But you say, "what if I don't have a goal?" or "I don't think I can do_______ or achieve _______." So here's the kicker...and perhaps the greatest challenge some of us will ever face...
WHAT IF, instead of always looking to and depending on another flawed human being for some sort of "jump start" to inspire us, we dared to consider our own potential....dared to think beyond our parents' expectations, our coaches/boss' expectations, and for a moment fearlessly glimpse at who we could be with the talents and abilities given us. Now why can't THAT person be our inspiration and motivation to move forward?! Why can't we wake up each morning with a distinct picture of where we're headed and maintain focus? How much more confident and driven we'd be if we truly believed with all our being that we are more capable. The truth is 97% of us are scared....we're scared because to imagine that person is to confront who we are in this moment...
Well folks, to walk on water your first step has to be out of the boat...
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
In the storm
Tuesday morning started at 3am...I woke up in a near freak-out when our house started shaking from a huge storm outside. Been awake ever since. Ridiculous. I don't have a child nor insomnia...there's no reason I should be awake at 3am. Needless to say, it was a long day.
Today was the first day in awhile that I was actually hungry. Cutting 75-100 calories makes a big difference toward the end of dieting when 4oz feels like 2 and you are literally counting the minutes until your next meal. My favorite meal of the day is my oatmeal. That mess tastes likes cake right now...add some egg whites and I'm a happy camper. I almost want to curse when the bowl is empty. Depending on the day, I do.
Workout today was legs and core. I kept the rep range around 15 for my leg exercises and avoided going to absolute failure...but I came close. My legs are pretty tired right now in general from the sprints, incline walking, and simply from being on my feet from 5:30 to 7:00 most days. Strength was down a little, not surprising, and my cardio afterward was a battle. Cardio is miserable to begin with...but after a leg workout it should be considered self-destructive-behavior.
Workout:
Squats 3 x 15
Walking lunges 3 x 25 yards
Hamstring curls on machine 4 x 15
Leg extensions 3 x 15
SLDL 3 x 15
Lunge jumps 3 x 20
Decline weighted sit-ups 3 x 20
Full sit-ups on BOSU 3 x 15
Leg raises 3 x 15
Cardio 45 minutes
Watching baseball and about to hit the sac. I need to wash my hair, but a shower is way too much effort at this point. I normally just put my head under the faucet like a 5 year old...I do what I can.
Tomorrow is bicep/tricep/sprints....whew, I swear it feels like I was just on that dern treadmill. I am tired and moody...shocker. A little Tosh.O and then bed...another day down...one more on its way...
Today was the first day in awhile that I was actually hungry. Cutting 75-100 calories makes a big difference toward the end of dieting when 4oz feels like 2 and you are literally counting the minutes until your next meal. My favorite meal of the day is my oatmeal. That mess tastes likes cake right now...add some egg whites and I'm a happy camper. I almost want to curse when the bowl is empty. Depending on the day, I do.
Workout today was legs and core. I kept the rep range around 15 for my leg exercises and avoided going to absolute failure...but I came close. My legs are pretty tired right now in general from the sprints, incline walking, and simply from being on my feet from 5:30 to 7:00 most days. Strength was down a little, not surprising, and my cardio afterward was a battle. Cardio is miserable to begin with...but after a leg workout it should be considered self-destructive-behavior.
Workout:
Squats 3 x 15
Walking lunges 3 x 25 yards
Hamstring curls on machine 4 x 15
Leg extensions 3 x 15
SLDL 3 x 15
Lunge jumps 3 x 20
Decline weighted sit-ups 3 x 20
Full sit-ups on BOSU 3 x 15
Leg raises 3 x 15
Cardio 45 minutes
Watching baseball and about to hit the sac. I need to wash my hair, but a shower is way too much effort at this point. I normally just put my head under the faucet like a 5 year old...I do what I can.
Tomorrow is bicep/tricep/sprints....whew, I swear it feels like I was just on that dern treadmill. I am tired and moody...shocker. A little Tosh.O and then bed...another day down...one more on its way...
Monday, April 4, 2011
Because duct tape is not clear...
Monday night already...wow. I honestly have more energy tonight than I normally do on a Monday evening. Part of it is because I made myself go to bed before 11 from Thursday night on...like I have anything going on after 11:00 anyway. I don't....and haven't for about 5 years now. Sad, but at 27 years old, I'm totally ok with that.
I went to a local competition this weekend to "get my mind right" if you will. The second I walked in I could smell the ProTan...ah yes, it was awesome. The lights, the stage, painted muscle-heads everywhere...like some freaky Avatar spin-off...it was great. At that moment I got chills...this is really it...I'm headed back to the stage. I sat off to the side by myself to take it all in and look at every competitor up and down like I was running my own security measure or something. There were some decent physiques there, but again, it was a small local show so it wasn't too competitive. One thing I kept noticing was lack of stage presence. Dear Lord, I know its nerve-racking, but there was this one chic who looked like she'd just witnessed murder...I honestly thought she was either going to have a heart attack or cry...or both. Hell, I almost cried...
I think for a lot of women who compete its simply about getting to the stage. Just to say they did it is a success in their mind. That's all well and good, but I'm just tad bit more competitive than that. Ha. Just a tad. Getting to the stage is good. Winning is better. I think I'm just wired that way. It always used to trip me out in high school when we would have team meetings for volleyball or softball, and there were always those few girls who would speak up and say "let's just all focus on having fun and enjoying the game". Blahhh...And its always the same people who bark about equal playing time. They sat the bench for a reason...and hopefully they "enjoyed the game" from there. Here's a thought...if we're winning while you're not playing, and the goal is to win, then let's not screw this up by putting you in the game. I'm a little harsh, I know....perhaps I'm not ready to coach little league just yet. Give me 5 minutes and I'll have a 7 year old crying and a pissed off mom yelling obscenities from the stands...
Down to business...
I was pumped for today. I was ready to hit the weights hard. I dropped my reps to lift for more strength today since I still have 2 weeks to go and my strength has been lacking....and it will help preserve muscle as I do one last calorie drop. My chest is going to be raw tomorrow. I was truly thrilled with how my weights went today and then it was time for sprints. I wanted to hit my legs pretty hard, so I warmed up for a few minutes and the went 15 seconds on, and 45 seconds off for 20 minutes...incline 7, then 8, then 9, and ending at 10 for the last 3. My heartrate stayed a little lower than normal, but my legs were taxed. I'll take it.
Workout:
Flat DB bench press 4 x 8
Inlcine DB press 3 x 8
Cable flys 3 x 8
Declined push-ups 2 x failure
Seated BB shoulder press (8x)/ss lateral raises (8x) 4 sets
Bent arm raises (10x)/front raises (10x) 3 sets
Sprints 25 minutes
I worked on my posing for about 15 minutes after sprints...trying to hold a good quad flex after that was a joke. I started cramping like a mad woman. Couple that with the callus' on my feet being squeezed into those shoes, and I was a mess. Just know that when you see me on stage, my feet are screaming, and I've got more glue holding that top to my breasts than you could imagine. Don't light a match within 10 feet of me...more specifically, my chest. Who knew A-cups could be a fire hazard??...
Its 9:00 and I need to be in bed ASAP. Leg day tomorrow....and I'm gonna go a little heavier...woohoo!! Get pumped. I'm more excited than I should be right now...I need a life.
And a quick note...I've been receiving the BEST emails, texts, and facebook messages from some of you about my show. Your encouragement means more than you know, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude! Training and contest prep gets lonely, exhausting, and beyond frustrating at times...and there have been numerous occasions when your words are in the back of my mind keeping me going. Thank you...I am blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people :)
Have a lovely night....onward to Tuesday we roll...
I went to a local competition this weekend to "get my mind right" if you will. The second I walked in I could smell the ProTan...ah yes, it was awesome. The lights, the stage, painted muscle-heads everywhere...like some freaky Avatar spin-off...it was great. At that moment I got chills...this is really it...I'm headed back to the stage. I sat off to the side by myself to take it all in and look at every competitor up and down like I was running my own security measure or something. There were some decent physiques there, but again, it was a small local show so it wasn't too competitive. One thing I kept noticing was lack of stage presence. Dear Lord, I know its nerve-racking, but there was this one chic who looked like she'd just witnessed murder...I honestly thought she was either going to have a heart attack or cry...or both. Hell, I almost cried...
I think for a lot of women who compete its simply about getting to the stage. Just to say they did it is a success in their mind. That's all well and good, but I'm just tad bit more competitive than that. Ha. Just a tad. Getting to the stage is good. Winning is better. I think I'm just wired that way. It always used to trip me out in high school when we would have team meetings for volleyball or softball, and there were always those few girls who would speak up and say "let's just all focus on having fun and enjoying the game". Blahhh...And its always the same people who bark about equal playing time. They sat the bench for a reason...and hopefully they "enjoyed the game" from there. Here's a thought...if we're winning while you're not playing, and the goal is to win, then let's not screw this up by putting you in the game. I'm a little harsh, I know....perhaps I'm not ready to coach little league just yet. Give me 5 minutes and I'll have a 7 year old crying and a pissed off mom yelling obscenities from the stands...
Down to business...
I was pumped for today. I was ready to hit the weights hard. I dropped my reps to lift for more strength today since I still have 2 weeks to go and my strength has been lacking....and it will help preserve muscle as I do one last calorie drop. My chest is going to be raw tomorrow. I was truly thrilled with how my weights went today and then it was time for sprints. I wanted to hit my legs pretty hard, so I warmed up for a few minutes and the went 15 seconds on, and 45 seconds off for 20 minutes...incline 7, then 8, then 9, and ending at 10 for the last 3. My heartrate stayed a little lower than normal, but my legs were taxed. I'll take it.
Workout:
Flat DB bench press 4 x 8
Inlcine DB press 3 x 8
Cable flys 3 x 8
Declined push-ups 2 x failure
Seated BB shoulder press (8x)/ss lateral raises (8x) 4 sets
Bent arm raises (10x)/front raises (10x) 3 sets
Sprints 25 minutes
I worked on my posing for about 15 minutes after sprints...trying to hold a good quad flex after that was a joke. I started cramping like a mad woman. Couple that with the callus' on my feet being squeezed into those shoes, and I was a mess. Just know that when you see me on stage, my feet are screaming, and I've got more glue holding that top to my breasts than you could imagine. Don't light a match within 10 feet of me...more specifically, my chest. Who knew A-cups could be a fire hazard??...
Its 9:00 and I need to be in bed ASAP. Leg day tomorrow....and I'm gonna go a little heavier...woohoo!! Get pumped. I'm more excited than I should be right now...I need a life.
And a quick note...I've been receiving the BEST emails, texts, and facebook messages from some of you about my show. Your encouragement means more than you know, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude! Training and contest prep gets lonely, exhausting, and beyond frustrating at times...and there have been numerous occasions when your words are in the back of my mind keeping me going. Thank you...I am blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people :)
Have a lovely night....onward to Tuesday we roll...
Friday, April 1, 2011
Streaking...
3am and you would've thought an internal siren went off. I was wide awake and seriously about to get up and just start cleaning something...because what else is there to do at 3am? My mind was racing, and it truly had to do with the competition. Its literally JUST around the corner, but there I was having a mental freak-out too early to even justify getting up to do anything about it!...What a nut job. I eventually fell back asleep and got up at 5:50...way to sleep in Mer. At that point I had to get up and start sucking down coffee like it was my job. Because it is.
I was pretty pumped for my workout today. I had shoulders, core, and sprints. My legs felt pretty good so I wasn't necessarily dreading the sprints as much as usual. I started with shoulders, and discovered that my "pump" will last about 30-35 minutes and then start to fade. And its definitely more obvious in my shoulders than anywhere else. Here's why this is important info....before you go onstage, you actually "pump up". There are weights backstage and you literally stand back there in your ridiculous heels and nearly-thong and lift weights to get the blood flowing to your muscles so that you look "full" on stage. But the thing is that the pump will only last so long...so its beneficial for me to know about how long I have so I'm not wasting time before I go on. You learn something new everyday...there ya go.
Since my legs were feeling pretty good, I went for harder sprints on the legs. I allowed a little more rest time between runs,...15 seconds on, 30 seconds rest, incline at 5, speed 11...20 minutes worth after a 5 minute warm-up. Legs were spent and I was sucking wind by the end. The last 4 minutes were probably some of the toughest I've had during any sprint workout.
Workout:
Seated DB shoulder press 4 x 10
Seated lateral raise (drop set 8/8) 4 sets
Front raise (drop set 8/8) 4 sets
Sit-ups, legs over bench 2 x 15
Sit-ups on BOSU 2 x 15
Reverse crunches 3 x 30 seconds
Oblique crunches on decline 2 x 20
Sprints 25 minutes
It was so nice to be done with today's workout. I get 2 days to "breathe" if you will. Tomorrow is cardio, rest on Sunday, back to the grind on Monday.
It was April Fool's Day today and yet I did not do ANYTHING. What is wrong with me?! The best one was in college when I got a guy to call my parents at midnight saying he was the campus police and I just got arrested for streaking. Of course my parents immediately believed it. I was always the naked kid of the group. My mom was in tears and my dad was ready to ring my neck. It was awesome. I was not the favorite child for awhile after that one...oh but it was worth the laughs. Today I just didn't have the motivation to put together a good scheme. And you can't even joke about the whole pregnant thing...that will bite you in the rear every time. Lie about it on April 1st,...find out you're the next Oct-o-mom 3 weeks later...
So, I'm going to a competition tomorrow morning to kind of "get in the mood"...its a smaller show that's actually being held at my old high school. Nothing like starting off your Saturday with some half-naked strangers... That will be me in 2 weeks...yikes...
Alright peeps, time for bed....have a great weekend and we'll be back on go in 2 days...
I was pretty pumped for my workout today. I had shoulders, core, and sprints. My legs felt pretty good so I wasn't necessarily dreading the sprints as much as usual. I started with shoulders, and discovered that my "pump" will last about 30-35 minutes and then start to fade. And its definitely more obvious in my shoulders than anywhere else. Here's why this is important info....before you go onstage, you actually "pump up". There are weights backstage and you literally stand back there in your ridiculous heels and nearly-thong and lift weights to get the blood flowing to your muscles so that you look "full" on stage. But the thing is that the pump will only last so long...so its beneficial for me to know about how long I have so I'm not wasting time before I go on. You learn something new everyday...there ya go.
Since my legs were feeling pretty good, I went for harder sprints on the legs. I allowed a little more rest time between runs,...15 seconds on, 30 seconds rest, incline at 5, speed 11...20 minutes worth after a 5 minute warm-up. Legs were spent and I was sucking wind by the end. The last 4 minutes were probably some of the toughest I've had during any sprint workout.
Workout:
Seated DB shoulder press 4 x 10
Seated lateral raise (drop set 8/8) 4 sets
Front raise (drop set 8/8) 4 sets
Sit-ups, legs over bench 2 x 15
Sit-ups on BOSU 2 x 15
Reverse crunches 3 x 30 seconds
Oblique crunches on decline 2 x 20
Sprints 25 minutes
It was so nice to be done with today's workout. I get 2 days to "breathe" if you will. Tomorrow is cardio, rest on Sunday, back to the grind on Monday.
It was April Fool's Day today and yet I did not do ANYTHING. What is wrong with me?! The best one was in college when I got a guy to call my parents at midnight saying he was the campus police and I just got arrested for streaking. Of course my parents immediately believed it. I was always the naked kid of the group. My mom was in tears and my dad was ready to ring my neck. It was awesome. I was not the favorite child for awhile after that one...oh but it was worth the laughs. Today I just didn't have the motivation to put together a good scheme. And you can't even joke about the whole pregnant thing...that will bite you in the rear every time. Lie about it on April 1st,...find out you're the next Oct-o-mom 3 weeks later...
So, I'm going to a competition tomorrow morning to kind of "get in the mood"...its a smaller show that's actually being held at my old high school. Nothing like starting off your Saturday with some half-naked strangers... That will be me in 2 weeks...yikes...
Alright peeps, time for bed....have a great weekend and we'll be back on go in 2 days...
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