Night One of the Big Weekend

I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed the competition. It has now been exactly a week ago today and it feels like ages. I want to be back up there on stage again soon. It was amazing! The night we arrived at the hotel was kinda nerve racking. I wasn't sure where to go or what to do. My husband and I went all over the building trying to find our room. The way the hotel building was laid out was a bit confusing but we finally found our room and made our way to where the check-in was. The line was short, no waiting. I stepped in and in front of me was Sandy, the owner of Beverly International, my most favorite supplement company. I didn't know what to say. I purchased my National Physique Committee Registration card (had to have it to compete) and Sandy's husband, Roger, measured me for my height class. I told him how much I loved his products. The smell of McDonald's in the room was soooo good! There had to have been fifty bags laying around and all I could smell was the french fries.

We ran out for a little while to grab some plastic bowls and eating utensils for my carb load meal and my husband got Subway. We returned to the room to eat. I didn't have much time because my spray tan appointment was in an hour. I went to look for Deke, who was getting his spray tan, and found his family waiting out in the hallway. I chatted with them while I quickly ate my sweet potato, then ran back to the room to grab my oatmeal.

Luckily, the girls from Liquid SunRayz, called to tell me they would take me early. I only had to go up to the next floor of the hotel. They had spray tents set up and fans to dry you. The appointment didn't last long, 20 minutes maybe and I didn't feel uncomfortable even though I was in my bare essentials. Sharon, the owner, was very nice and did an excellent job. This is what I looked like when I got back to our room.

Crazy Jamaican! I would have fit right in if I was in the Caribbean. The color was awesome, very dark and even. I had to sleep in long pants and long sleeves to keep the paint from rubbing off.

It had been a busy hectic day and I was ready to settle down. I stretched out on the bed, turned on the television, pulled the covers up and I soon fell asleep. I was anxious for show day to arrive. I slept really good that night. The bed was really comfortable, like sleeping on a cloud. Then the lights went out...

Sugar and Spice Sure is Nice!

I've been really busy this week planning my diet, printing and collecting recipes, stocking my pantry and fridge. I am so excited to be able to add variety to my diet now after eating the same food items week after week, month after month. I've been tasting all kinds of good treats this week. I still have lots to talk about the show and post competition and I have new plans to start another blog about my diet and nutrition. I won't compete again for several months. I think I have decided on a show in August. I want to give my self plenty of time to build more muscle and bulk up my quads and round out my calves. I am happy with my upper body, bigger biceps would be nice too. I have put together a new muscle building workout plan and am starting fresh this coming week. My training split will be 2 days on, 1 day off, working all body parts twice per week. I'll catch up later and keep an eye out for my new blog. I'm thinking about posting weekly meal plans and shopping lists to go along. We'll see...it might be more work than I can handle right now. If not now definitely in the near future. Happy blogging!

The Results Are In!

Well, I had an absolute blast as I ventured my way through my first figure competition. I have lots to share but no time right now. I promise to catch up later though with all the details including everything I pigged out on post-show. By the way, I placed 2nd in class B! Here are a couple of pics and I plan on sharing more.

Posing practice before the final evening show:

Holding my 2nd place trophy while watching the show (husband beside me)!

More posing...

Evening finals, doing my presentation poses:

Freakin Awesome Friday!!

The day I have been waiting for is finally here. I started my day by waking up at 6:35, very anxious to get things in motion. First thing I did was take my supplements and get ingredients together for the Sweet Potato Muffins. Have a peak.

Ingredients: 8 0z. mashed sweet potato, 2 cups oats, 6 egg whites (1 cup), 1/2 cup splenda, 1 tbsp. vanilla, 1 tbsp. cinnamon, 1 tbsp. pumpkin spice. Gosh, they smell good and I'm sure they taste good too. Can't wait!

I washed up the dishes and started breakfast: 3 egg whites, 4 oz chicken, 1/2 grapefruit while watching some television news. I have packed a few things but still have to pick out clothing, shoes, get a shower so I can pack toiletries, etc. I ran out to grab stuff for my sugar body scurb I'll need before getting my spray tan tonight. The company sells the product but I thought it would be cheaper to make it myself. I found some recipes and made my own Citrus Brown Sugar Scrub. I'll use it twice today to exfoliate and then a baking soda paste to pH balance my skin. This will help the tanner absorb better and quicker.

Ingredients: 1 cup light brown sugar, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 tsp. vitamin E oil, 1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice.

Lunch today is a turkey patty with zucchini squash, later I'll have a protein shake and for dinner I'll be carbing down by cutting my normal carb load meal in half. I also am slowing sipping on the half gallon of water today to be finished by 6 o'clock. Should be no problem at all.

It's 3:31 nearly finished packing and fixing my carb meal to take with me on the road. I'll heat it up and eat it later this evening. Not much water left, have to save the last 12oz for my protein shake, which I'll probably drink while traveling.

Now 4:00, wrapping things up. I'll be leaving real soon! Wish me luck and all the best. Thanks to everyone who has followed my progress, encouraging me when I was having a bad day, and helped keep me motivated. I am focused and ready! It's crunch time.

Two More Days...

Okay, I finally have a chance to sit down and blog for a few. The cottage looks so much better after a good cleaning even though I'm still not finished, a few minor things to touch up. Laundry's caught up and mostly put away to make packing easier, which I was going to start tonight but now I just might wait until morning since I'll be well rested. I got my Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein granola bars finished and can't wait to make sweet potato muffins tomorrow before heading out around 3 or 4. Oh well, never enough time.

Ingredients: 4 egg whites, 2 cups of oats, 1/2 cup baking splenda, 1/4 cup natural peanut butter, 3 scoops chocolate protein powder. Baked in oven at 350 degrees.

Gosh, I can't believe we have only one day to go. It just doesn't seem real and I feel like I'm cheating or doing something wrong by not training or doing cardio today, but I was told to rest, carb up tonight (which I just finished and it was good), and water deplete. I have only a few sips left of my gallon water and lower that to a half gallon tomorrow. I have to finish the half-gallon by 6 o'clock. Then nothing to drink until Saturday morning and only to sip on a small bottle. I didn't get everything done I had planned, like tanning, posing practice and pictures. This leaves plenty to do tomorrow, it's gonna be a busy hectic day. My mind is whirling!

Seven Days Out

I'm swamped with things to do but I'm anxious and excited too. Planning on making protein bars and pumpkin muffins for post show munchies. Yuuuuummmm! I can't wait. Thanks for all your support. It means the world to me! P.S. This suit makes my rear look wide:(

Hump Day! I'm Over the Top!

Washing dishes, getting ready to cook dinner, mopping floors, cleaning house, blogging...so much to do and never enough time. I get a break tomorrow though, from cardio and working out. Finally, some rest. Ha! Not really. The house needs a major face lift since all this competition prep so tomorrow before packing up and heading out of town my little cottage is going to get some well deserved attention. First thing in the morning I get a pedicure and manicure, then I'll do some errand running, continue housework and finish laundry so that it's easier to pack for the weekend.

I've been drinking water all day and using the bathroom every fifteen minutes. Two gallons is alot to drink. I planned on drinking the first gallon by 2, no later than 3 but I was at work during this time of the day and I was too busy to remember to drink every few minutes. I managed to finish the first one around 4. Now I have alot of gulping to do while I work around the house. My belly is bloated:(

Dinner is grilled chicken, roasted asparagus and steamed broccoli. For lunch I had grouper with a romaine salad and red wine vinegar dressing. It was good while eating on the run waiting tables. I like to sit and enjoy my meals but I was running the show by myself while co-workers took breaks.

I am really excited about this weekend. Several people who work out at the gym are expected to be there. Everyone has been really supportive of the progress Deke and I have made. It's awesome. People keep complimenting on my shoulders and how they pop out, they say I'm going to do really well, that I'll be competitive. Some seen to think I'll win but my head is planted firmly on the ground and I'm in this to win. The way I look at it I am competing against myself and I am happy with all that I have accomplished. I just want to have fun these last few days and enjoy the weekend preparations. I hate to see this journey come to an end but the ending is only the beginning of newly established goals and habitual clean eating. I am excited to try new foods I have read about and new recipes. When I have time I am going to write out a new diet plan to follow (with cheat meals, of course) and collect a variety of recipes and clean eating cookbooks. Eating and staying healthy is a priority, as well as maintaining muscle and staying lean. Maintenance is key to staying happy! I don't want to get off course and take steps backwards. I've worked too hard to get this far.

I've got many things to do! Keep striving to reach your best physique!

The Clock Is Ticking

Yet another Monday gone by. It didn't feel like a Monday, more like mid-week, like a Wednesday. Today was a pretty decent day. I was mello throughout the day, sipped on my water and didn't struggle too much with hunger. It seems though that everywhere I am the smell of food is overwhelming. I am really sensitive to food smells and my senses are heightened at the sight of a cheeseburger or something sweet. I was in the grocery store and found myself gawking over everything. I kept thinking, "that ciabatta roll looks good" or "yum, chocolate cake with vanilla icing." All of it was catching my eye. I was driving past Burger King and the charbroiled smell of the grill hit me like a tidal wave.


I ate a good dinner though, it satisfied me anyway. I grilled turkey breast and asparagus and heated some collard greens because you know I'm a southern gal! My husband enjoyed his with baked beans hot out of the oven. I worked shoulders and abs at the gym today and did 35 minutes of cardio this morning. Only two days left of training and I'm stoked to be getting a break especially since I'm running on low food fuel. Thursday, I'll be carbing up and Friday carbing down. During show day Saturday I'll munch on rice cakes and organic, sodium free peanut butter. I love peanut butter and can't wait.

Today I am excited. This evening I tried on my suit and it still fits perfectly. Actually I have toned down my tush and it looks firm. I was really worried about it being jiggly. I tried on my jewelry and lipstick (the color really brings out the green in my eyes). It is a shade of a dark red, wine. I worried that it would be too dark but I think it'll work. I spent about 30 minutes practicing my poses. I think I'm getting more comfortable at it but it is still hard to hold the poses when your weak and tired by the end of the night.

It's after midnight, gotta catch some zzzzz's.

Day One of Peak Week

I worked a double shift again today. I hate doubles because I feel like the world outside is nonexistence and like my day is wasted. Today certainly was, business was slow and tips were not good. It wasn't worth working all day for, that's certain. I started my water manipulation today by drinking one gallon. I sipped it slowly early in the day and tried to estimate how much I needed to drink every hour for a twelve hour day, about 1 and one-third cups. That really didn't work because from 9 to 12 I really didn't have much time to remember to take sips during the lunch rush. By 3:00 I had about half the gallon left. I drank most of what was left of the gallon during evening shift and saved some for home. It's 11:40 and I have about a cup left to drink. It's harder rationing than I imagined. Before, I could drink as much as I wanted to stay full and curb my appetite but today hunger set in a few times. I am on a low calorie, low carb diet and not having sufficient amounts of water to fill me up is making me think more about food. Especially now since I know my water intake is almost gone for the night. Dry mouth is setting in and I can't look forward to quenching my thirst. Gum is a life savor though, it has helped keep my mouth moist and my stomach less hungry.

I am going to try to make a post each day as peak week progresses and post some new pictures of where I am with my physique. Today, I had to hit the gym when I had my break in between shifts at work. It was imperative to work legs today so that the water I tend to hold will have time to draw out. I did what I could in an hour, went home to relax for a few minutes before heading back to work and finished my leg exercises at home. I have to work the rest of my body parts each before Thursday because Wednesday is my last training day. I am training with weights a little lighter than my current weight to avoid fatigue because I am functioning on such a small amount of calories.

Breakfast went quickly, 3 egg whites, 4 oz. of chicken breast, and 1/2 grapefruit. I hardly remember eating it. For lunch I baked a chicken breast and ate it on top of a fresh romaine salad with red wine vinegar dressing. My late afternoon snack was 2 scoops of chocolate protein shake and for dinner I roasted some tomatoes, mushrooms, garlic and green peppers while still at work. When I got at home I ate a small lemon pepper boneless pork chop.
I will stay on this diet until Thursday evening, then I have my carb load meal.

It's getting late. I have several more things to do before going to bed. Good night!

We all possess the thunder of pure fury and the calm breeze of tranquility. If it wasn't for tomorrow, how much would we get done today? Whatever your purpose... embrace it completely. Get lost in the clouds every now and then so you never lose sight of God's wonder. ~Paul Vitale

I am really wigging out today and feeling overwhelmed. I feel like I have sooooo much to do over the weekend and all of this coming week with peak week. Right now I just finished some of my homework for an education class I'm taking this semester. Not done though. I have to write and type up a lesson plan to teach Tuesday. I have to continue shopping for things for the weekend. I feel like I'll have to start packing the first of the week so as I think of things I may need I can run out and get them. I am all about being prepared and I want to have everything I need to carry with me for the weekend. I am going to an unfamiliar town and don't want to be left in a bind when I get there.

I weighed in yesterday evening at 112lbs. I have dropped two pounds and didn't even know it. I have been weighing each morning before cardio but usually have on 2-3 pounds of clothing so I thought I was still around 114lb, where I plateaued for about three weeks. I finally hammered away that rock. I knew if I didn't worry about losing the last few pounds I might eventually breakthrough. I decided not to worry if I lost anymore because I am fairly lean. I am happy though that I have broken through to the lowest weight I have ever been. I plan on getting my body fat measured this week. I'm curious where I am at now. Two weeks ago I was about 11%.

I'm printing out a log right now to help me organize my things to do and keep me on track with day to day training, diet, water manipulation, etc. I think this will help calm my nerves, getting all my thoughts down on paper. Organization is key this week! Wish me luck.

Peak Week!

Okay, so finally Deke and I had our meeting about peak week preparation and readiness. The meeting lasted about an hour so we were thorough in our discussion. I asked lots of questions and Deke had lots of answers. He REALLY knows what the sport is all about and he continues to impress me with his depth of knowledge about the figure/bodybuilding world. I told him if he didn't have such a positive attitude and such a willingness to help I don't know if I would have even remotely considered stepping into this kind of lifestyle. He is definitely an inspiration to me.

For the next seven days I will be doing several things to get me stage ready. Sunday and Monday I'll do normal weight training, no HITT, just my typical weight for three sets; 30-40 minutes of cardio. My diet will be low calorie and low carbohydrates and I will sip all day only taking in one gallon of water both days. Tuesday and Wednesday, training normal, cardio the same, diet low calorie/low carb and sipping down two gallons on both days. Thursday I will not lift or do cardio, drink one gallon of water and have my carb load meal. Friday, no training or cardio, drink one-half gallon of water by 6:00 and eat half the portion of my carb load meal. Show day I will sip on tiny bits of water and snack on rice cakes and peanut butter before pre-judging. OMG!! I can't believe it's almost showtime. Reality hasn't really sunk in but I'm excited. I am ready and know I have put my whole heart into preparing for this monumental moment. The most important thing now is to focus and take things one day at a time not forgetting to have fun and enjoy the thrill ride. It's like a roller coaster ride, baby!!

Hold Your Head High!

This is my "depressed stance." When you're depressed, it makes a lot of difference how you stand. The worst thing you can do is straighten up and hold your head high because then you'll start to feel better. If you're going to get any joy out of being depressed, you've got to stand like this. ~Charlie Brown

Home from a long day at work. Pulled a double shift today which I was dreading because it's hard working around the food and trying not to be hungry. I ate most of my calories early in the day because my appetite was pretty big and I couldn't eat enough to satisfy myself. I finally got a lunch break around 2 o'clock and chilled out at home for a little while. Thankfully the evening was busy and I didn't have time to think about being hungry. Staying busy is key at this point because I like to eat out of boredom. I sometimes find myself going to the fridge or pantry for a snack but retreat when I realize now's not the time to cheat. I have to stay focused which seems to be getting hard as time grows closer. I am trying to be excited but I am really moody and right now I feel kinda down. What frustrates me is that I can't explain why. Look at how far I've come, look at what I have accomplished. But I am my own worst critique and always see the flaws. Right now, thinking about being up on a stage with girls who could look tens times better than me scares me because I don't want people to think I am vain or that I may think I look stage ready while others are thinking what in the world is she doing up there with that jiggly butt. For some reason I can't get past the point that maybe I don't deserve to be up there with the others. Why am I beating myself up? Why am I thinking that I am less of an individual. Self-esteem is a real joy killer, a downer, a sly worm that crawls in right at the moment when we need the most encouragement and lack motivation to seek it out. Something needs to change, my attitude I suppose....

Hopefully, tomorrow Deke will call and we'll talk about what I'll be doing for peak week. I don't know too much about the plan yet just that whatever we do will be done moderately. He mentioned bits and pieces but I don't really understand the process until I know exactly what I'll be doing. I trust Deke, he knows what he's doing and I know he doesn't want to cause any harm or danger to my physique the way it is now. I don't know if I'll sodium deplete, how low my water intake will go, what my diet will be. I have to wait for him to tell me what to do. I am looking forward to getting ready and doing what I need to do to look my best. I can honestly say I have given it my best effort. I have given 100% of all that I can give. It's up to the judges now to determine if I have worked hard enough. It's funny how I now am focusing on this journey as coming down to being judged. I don't like the thought of it because now I'm not feeling good about where I am at. I need to regroup change gears, change my thinking and get back on course with being happy with my progress. Get behind thee!!

Switching the subject I was shopping the other day and found a cookbook I think I'll go back and purchase. I am excited about trying new foods and recipes when life and diet return to normal. Yet another worry:(

Shopping always makes me happy! Maybe I'll do some tomorrow. Good Night.

Just Another Manic Monday!

Doing the lunch while blogging thing...sauteed chicken strips with zucchini squash. Not bad, but a big 'ol cheeseburger and seasoned french fries sounds really good right now. I am really feeling the food blues but I keep telling my self twelve more days. Hang in there, it's almost here. Just trying to stay busy to keep my mind off of eating bad things and feeling hungry. I'm surviving for now. I had an awesome cardio session this morning, ate breakfast, got ready for class and a big interview today then after lunch it's off to the gym for a shoulder/back and ab workout. I love working shoulders probably my most favorite exercises. One more week of typical training then next week I begin getting peaked for the show. I can't believe it's almost here. I hate to see all the excitement end but I'm ready for life to be somewhat normal again. I think...as long as I keep my training and diet consistent post competition. I worrying about crashing hard...

I really need to do a lot more posing practice. Hopefully, everyday from here on. I haven't assessed my physique in about a week. I don't even know how much I weigh. I think I'm probably still at 114lbs and I don't really know if I've leaned out much more since I haven't been posing this past few days. I've been really busy working this weekend, haven't had time for much of anything. Plus it just made me really cranky working around all that awesome smelling Italian food for three days straight. I'm glad to be off for the next couple of days.

I need to focus on next week and start following up with appointments I've made and need to set other things up too like highlights and nails. I've picked up things I'll need here and there for the weekend of the show. I wanted to get a new carry bag but haven't found anything I like. I would love a Vera Bradley duffle bag but that's too expensive right now. I've already spent a fortune! I'll put that on my wish list for Christmas.

Bye, for now!

T.G.I.F!

Sitting down to lunch-spinach, romaine salad with 93% lean ground turkey and Newman's Own Oil and Vinegar dressing. Yuuuummmm! It is really good. The one thing I'm looking forward to post-competition is being able to try all those new healthy, clean recipes I've been reading on my favorite blogs. One I follow uses natural peanut butter for everything. I love peanut butter! Finally got some new music downloaded onto my Ipod. My playlist: Alice In Chains, Chevelle, Three Days Grace, Cavo, Halestorm, Adelitas Way, all very great rock music. I also had to put some good grooves on for cardio like Beyonce, new Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, and Shakira, for when I need to pick up the pace. Holla, all you ladies!!!

This week has gone by much quicker than I thought it would. At the beginning of the week it felt like it was going to creep by. I stay so busy time doesn't really have time to slow down. Ha!

After lunch, it's gym time. I'm working legs today using the new HITT lifting program. I've been using it all week and I really like it because my energy level doesn't suffer and I lift heavier so I really hit the muscles. It's quick and effective.

It's gym time! Bye.

Motivation is Key!!

Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes. ~Author Unknown

Busy today with cleaning house! I hate cleaning but I love it when the house looks neat and tidy. It's much more comfortable that way and our house is cute when it's all cleaned up. I did 30 minutes of cardio on the stationary bike this morning. Slept in a little later than usual but need my sleep. I'm feeling fatigued and could already take a nap but I have lots of things to do today. Go tanning, grocery shop, pick up a gift item and card, call my hairdresser, pick up things I'll need for show day. Busy Bee, I am! Seems I stay that way but it helps keep my mind off of food and thinking about how hungry I am. Later, I'll go to the gym for a quick chest workout and may do some abs.

I've got to get some new music on my ipod for my cardio sessions, everything is getting old. Time to spark some new interest in new music. I'll search itunes store and limewire for new downloads. Music makes me happy and makes cardio go by alot faster. I listen to different types of music, except country. I am definitely a rocker girl, alternative, classic, southern, pop rock. I like it all. Some new tunes will give me something to look forward to when I get on the elliptical or treadmill. Just some new motivation.

Here's a video of part of my back workout. Probably one of my favorite body parts to work. Front Lateral Pulldowns are great for building and defining the back muscles. I also started out doing assisted chin-ups which really helped make a big difference in my side lats.



Remember find that which motivates you. You'll need it before, during, throughout, and after the long journey. Have an awesome day!!

Update... Two and Half Weeks Out!

I was down at the gym working bi's and tri's. Brad took this quick shot of me in the sunlight, because the gym has no windows. I think I need food, don't you?

Tweaking Side Poses

Alarm clock went off at 6:15 am this morning. I was not ready to get out of bed. Last night I took a natural sleep aid because I have been feeling a little anxiety and nervousness. I wanted to get a good nights sleep. I finally woke up about an hour later, fixed a little bit of coffee to kickstart me, changed into workout clothes to get a good sweat during cardio (sweat pants, t-shirt, hoodie). I headed to the gym and weighed, just slightly under 114lbs. I may break my plateau by the end of the week. We'll see! Not going to let it get me down if I don't lose a couple more pounds, pictures show how lean I am. At the gym I climbed on the elliptical with intentions of staying on for 20 minutes but I just didn't have the energy for it. So I warmed up on it for about 5 minutes and jumped on the treadmill. Set incline really high and speed around 45. After 10-15 minutes at incline, I dropped it down and ran intervals. On days when I'm feeling fatigued, intervals seem to give the best results. I spent about 15 more minutes doing them. Took more photos last night in really good lighting. I am happy with the way I am besides losing 1 or 2 more pounds won't make a lot of difference. Deke changed my training style and I am now using HITT because my strength suffers by the end of my weight lifting routine. I tried it for the first time yesterday on legs. I think it will be very effective as I try to maintain muscle mass the next couple of weeks. I am in maintenance mode now, not worried about gaining muscle size right now due to lack of food and calories. It takes fuel to grow muscles and right now I'm not taking in very much.

The picture above is the new Ms. Olympia 2009 Nicole Wilkins. I think she looks great, very natural, not too put together and looks very relaxed.

I've been on the computer checking out You Tube footage of competitions and posing. I have printed out several pictures of side poses because this is the one that seems to be giving me the most trouble. This I think is my weakest pose so I am going to work hard on correcting it. Wish me luck! Posing is really important. I want the judges to see that I know what I am doing, that I've done my research.

Hanging Out and Hanging On

The follies which a man regrets most in his life are those which he didn't commit when he had the opportunity. ~Helen Rowland

Today has been a pretty good day. My mood has been pretty positive and compliments given to me throughout the day really makes all my hard work and effort worth it. Classmates commented I was "getting ripped", guys at the gym said my arms were getting cut and someone at the grocery store when I was buying my sweet potatoes for carb meal night said, "I don't know how you do it." Opportunities pass us by everyday as we flow through our circles of life. This just happened to be a great time in mine to take hold and achieve a great goal. I haven't very many, finish college, get my education degree, earn my masters, start a family, compete in another show (maybe). Just the typical things everyone does. But this one opportunity to show I can achieve the best physique I have ever had will be one of the ones I am most proud of. It has taken many hours at the gym (when there were days that I really wanted to avoid it) and tons of sacrafice when it comes to food and going out to dinner for social time. It's best to eat at home on the diets we live off of. Too many restaurants don't have healthy menus.

As these next couple of weeks pass by I will be focusing alot on the future, my dieting habits, my workouts. I haven't come up with a plan yet for post-competition, a little too soon for that. I don't want to rush all the excitement I prepared so long for.

Tonight I had my carb load meal. I love eating everything fresh so I make a trip to the grocery store to get sweet potato, asparagus or zucchini and a fresh banana. I douse everything with cinnamon and splenda. It's so good. I look forward to carb load nights on Monday and Thursday. I am really bloated right now though. Feel like my bellies gonna burst.

So, tonight I'm just hanging out. Probably read some other blogs or visit some fitness/figure websites to see what more I can learn. Seriously, there is always something new happening in the figure world and I've found some new websites. Reading helps keep me motivated. I have pictures on my fridge too of figure girls. Gosh, their gorgeous!

Happy Fall! Three Weeks to Go!

There is no question that I am getting excited about the competition being 20 days away! I will be posting some new pictures too in a few days. I've been so busy with work, school, home life, making arrangements for the weekend of the show and all that fun stuff. I made a flyer to hang in the gym with information about tickets and location so our supporters can come. I ordered my track suit and having it embroidered with my name and logo. This will make it easier to meet people while hanging out backstage. I think people are more willing to approach you if they know your name. I reserved the rooms in the hotel we will be staying in and my finished suit came in the mail. It's is totally awesome. I thought it was gorgeous before the stone work was applied but now Holy Cow, it's fantastic! I haven't even had time to try it on yet. And I got my stage lipstick, a dark reddish, purple called Hydrocurrant, a Merle Norman product. Love Merle Norman! Hi, Crystal!

I had a good leg workout at home today. Had to make up for yesterday. I went to the gym with good intentions to work legs but my energy was way down and strength sucked. I felt like I would be wasting my time if I tried so I grabbed my shoes and practiced posing. The gym mirrors and lighting are so much better than homes. My advice is to practice where the lighting makes you look good. It'll make a world of difference. Trust me. I still need to remember to relax and smile. I'm focusing to hard on hitting the poses right. The next three weeks I'm going to really concentrate on enjoying these last moments and smile and relax and hope for the best. I'm getting used to the new diet which changed a couple of weeks ago.

The scale hasn't dropped from 114lbs. but I am still leaning out. Deke says you can only lose so much weight. At least I'm keeping muscle. I added a new supplement to my diet liver tabs, a rich source of protein that comes from beef. It also contains B vitamins and iron which is great for low calories dieting while working out. I seem to like it so far. Today I'm feeling pretty good although I didn't sleep very well last night. Nightmares!

I meet with Deke tomorrow evening to find out if we need to make any changes to diet, training or workout. If anything, probably a little more cardio to burn off the last bit of fat. I nearly skin and water right now. I'm carrying most of the fat in my bottom. Hoping it will go bye, bye!

I have been regularly getting massages about once a week. The benefits are great for muscle recovery and stress. It helps relieve muscle pain, stretches weak muscles, helps recover from workouts, increases joint flexibility, relaxes over used muscles and helps relieve cramps. I love getting them but sometimes working those neck, hip, and back knots out really hurts. The most important thing-take care of your body!