Palmetto Cup 2012

 Hi Ya'll! We are back from a great time in Columbia where I competed in the Palmetto Cup. It was the same show that I competed in last year as my first show. This year my only goal was to do better than last year and I certainly did that. Of course I hoped to win my class but that just wasn't in the cards for me. I placed 4th among 8 other amazing women. Each one of us brought a different package to the stage I was pleased with my placing. I have a lot to work on this week going into my next competition in Charleston at the Jr. USA's however I have a game plan and some serious motivation to help push me into achieving that leaner look that I need to place higher.

Me and my Love Bug heading to finals ;-)

              My Cheering Squad!

Sweet Paige and I (my coaches Fiance) before finals.

 My new friend Laurie! She reads my blog and we instantly became friends! She is such a sweetie and this was her first competition. She did all the hard work on her own with her husband. How awesome is that!

 4th Place ;-)

Definitely some improvement from last year! However this week I'll be really focusing on dialing in on my diet and adding some serious cardio in. Competing is such a humbling experience. Just when you think you look your best you, you stand on stage next to other women who also bringing their best package and you soon realize there's more work to be done. This sport always keeps me on my toes and shows me what hard work and dedication really means. Congratulations to all the winners this weekend no matter where you competed! I plan on keeping you all posted this week on my progress and changes ;-)

Sleep tight! 

The Melt Down

Howdy folks! I bet ya'll have been wondering where I have been the past month, lol. Well I'm deeep in contest prep and work! I'm less than 4 weeks away from the Palmetto Cup and getting more and more excited by the day. Saturday we saw the boss man and he gave me the green light. He told me to just keeping pushing and as the weeks go on I'll just keep getting tighter. I loved hearing that. The only thing he did change is that I must do cardio everyday at this point. I have been real slack about getting it in but now I need to push myself just a little harder. Speaking of pushing hard. Sunday was our shoulder day which is probably my favorite day however we were about half way through our workout and it started to happen. The dreaded breakdown. If you have ever competed or trained for some kind of event you know what I mean. I could just feel the tears starting to overwhelm me while doing super sets..... I kept pushing but man did I want to just let it flow. It seems like this might have happened to me around this time last year during prep. All the weeks of dieting and training just sort of catch up to you and the thought of adding more work in, i.e. cardio, just pushes you over the edge.

It happens. You just gotta dust your shoulders off and keep pushing. 4 weeks ain't nothing compared to 23 weeks! Joshua was feeling my pain so after our workout he took me to Lowe's so I could get some flowers and dirt. We have two huge clay pots that I try to fill up every year. This year they turned out pretty well.

I also planted some other flowers that I had seeds for and some veggies. We shall see what happens with these bad boys. I'm just trying to get them to start growing at this point then Ill transfer them somewhere else.

This is my first time planting anything from seed so I'm praying I have a green thumb somewhere!!

Have a GREAT Monday Friends!

Pity Party

This pretty much sums up how I've been feeling all week. Yes that means Im burning fat and the scale will be moving but do you think that takes away the fact that my stomach is BURNING with hunger pains?

Ok so Im being a little dramatic but if you've competed before or even attempted to compete you know my pain.... the pain in my stomach.

sad face, sad face, sad face....

5 more weeks friends.....

7 Weeks Out

Today Im 7 Weeks out! I feel pretty good about where I am can't wait for these weeks to be OVER lol. This contest prep has been a long one. I still have more work to be done, pounds to be lost but overall I feel good about how Im looking. Today my weight was 139. Im having such a hard time getting it to move down. Kind of frustrating. However my body continues to change and more and more definition starts showing. Like veins in my abs and calves lol. 

Also here is my new suit! Look at how bling it is! I ordered it from Saleyla. I have had the best experience with her. From the suit choices (there are so many styles to pick from), the prices (some of the best I have found), shipping (I received my suit 7 days after I ordered it), the fit (as soon as I tried it on it fit like a glove!), and the customer service (I wrote on her Facebook Page about how much I loved my suit and she thanked me for my order). I plan on continuing to get my suit from Saleyla! 

 We went up stairs for better lighting but you still cant see all the definition...... 

 Have a fit Saturday!

Cookies and Cream

Happy Friday! So yesterday was very busy for me. I had apts from 9am till 7:30pm. Whew...Thank goodness I got my errands done on Wednesday! One of the errands on the list: Pick up protein powder. Right now Im still getting 2 protein shakes a day but as it gets closer Im sure those will be phased out. But for now Im enjoying them. We usually use Twinlab Lean Muscle in Vanilla, but last month Complete Nutrition had their Grand Opening here in town so we checked it out. The sale was buy one get one, we bought the Pro Complete Titian and have been really enjoying it. It has flax in it so that makes it very filling, which I like because I get so hungry between meal. However, the only draw back is the price. It's one of the more expensive proteins that we have tried. Wednesday, while perusing the protein offerings at our local Vitamin Shoppe I talked Joshua into getting Syntrax Matrix Cookies and Cream. It has the same nutritional value of our Titan and the Twinlab so no issues there. When we got home we just had to dig in and try it. I used it in place of my last meal. Luckily for me I hadn't had a protein shake all day so this was a definite treat.

Joshua made his first and as soon I heard MMMM and then "Baby! Your gonna love this stuff" I knew it was going to be GOOD! And it was. It had these little bits of what are supposed to be cookie pieces but I don't think they are. Very yum. I also added 3 egg whites to it because that makes it creamy like a milkshake. I know raw eggs right? But don't knock it till you try it. I always thought it would be slimy but it's not at all!

After the Cookies and Cream shake I decided it was time for me to try to make a batch of the famous Kale Chips that everyone raves about. Yea just not my thing... They just tasted like burnt veggies.. I don't know. Maybe I didn't do it right. We have another whole bag of them so Ill practice over the weekend.

Tomorrow morning marks 7 weeks out so you know what that means..... Progress pics! In my new SUIT! Exciting stuff ;-)


See yall in the AM!

Wednesdays Workout

So yesterday was so beautiful. And word on the street is that is was the first day of Spring!!! Im loving it. Yes because of all the pretty flowers but mostly because as the weather warms so does our bodies and you know what means? FAT STARTS MELTING OFF!!!  Well not if your eating moose tracks in the ac while watching Days of our lives. Is that even still on?

Instead of doing my normal cardio on the StairMonster and catching up on the 130 blog post ive missed I headed home from the gym, took Mister AJ for a walk, and then jogged outside. It was so nice out but h.o.t.t...

This sign made me think of a new workout!

After AJ was all taken care of I ran around the neighborhood for 30 mins. My shins were killing me or I could have done more. I'm just not a runner. So instead of quitting.. I did something crazy....

YUP. I ran sprints for 10 mins up and down my neighbors driveway. KILLER. I bet you I burned more calories doing that than I did during my whole jog. 

Moral of the story: 

Take advantage of what you have in front of you and don't do what's easy. Do whats HARD.

Have a fit Wednesday! 

Kettle Bell Workout

Who am I this morning... Very on top of my blog game. Ive been wanting to share this workout with you guys for quite some time. Man is it a doosie!! If you decide to try it out make sure to pace yourself. Dont go passing out on me or nothing. I mean it is 80 degrees in March and all.. Geezzz...

Here is the link FitSugar Kettle Bell Workout

 

Have a fit Tuesday!

Update

Wow.. I have been completely neglecting you guys for the past few weeks... My time management skills or rather blog management skills are something to be desired, lol. While I had a quick min I thought I would update you guys on contest prep and life in general. Ill keep it short and as sweet as possible.

Saturday marked 8 weeks out from the Palmetto Cup and 9 from Jr. USA. My body is just responding so well to my diet and training that I really havent been killing myself like last year. I did start 23 weeks out and boy am I glad I did because the slower you can take it the better off you are. I haven't had to be a cardio bunny either. Really I would say the past two weeks I've stepped it up from 30-45 mins every few days to 45-60 mins almost everyday. I just have a little bit of body fat that im holding around my belly button, thighs and on my back but other than that I'm solid! I never would have thought I would be this pleased with my progress so far out from my show. Alot can happen in 8 weeks my friends.  We have the BEST coach and I'm blessed to have the most supportive husband. Those two have truly made life alot easier for me. Granted im doing the work but they push me 110%.

I failed to take pictures on Saturday. I dont know what I was thinking.... Oh I know, that I would do it Sunday and then didnt, lol. Sa la vie.

This Saturday for sure though. Oh and I got my brand new blinging suit to show off as well. Ill tell you guys all about it on Saturday, where I got it from and all. Your gonna LOVE IT!!!

Well im off to do meal plans and workouts for some clients!!! And if you have emailed me recently I promise im working on yours as well ;-)

Have a fit Monday!!

Motivational Monday

Good Morning! I hope you all slept well last night. Beauty sleep is just as important as eating clean and working out ya know. SO last week was a crazy busy for me. Starting a new job and trying to juggle all my other responsibilities turned out to be big challenge. In fact so big that I let some things fall by the way side. For instance my cardio schedule. Right now I am to do 45mins to 60mins each day and I've been doing this consistently for the past few weeks until recently. For some stupid reason I didn't think it was that important so I didn't do it for about 4 days. What does that mean? The scale barley budged. I know I know it's not all about the scale but what it is about is results. A contest prep is all about seeing significant results week after week, then day after day. By skipping cardio I slow the results down. That's definitely NOT the goal here. So how did I get myself back on track? I listened to my coach, focused, and got my ass back on that StairMonster..... 

If you found yourself in same predicament as myself, don't worry. This is a brand spankin' new week. FOCUS. Remember what your overall goal is and PUSH yourself out of that comfort zone. Make a promise to yourself that this week will not be a repeat of last week!

Have a fit day!!!!

Personal Training

Good Afternoon All! Wow what a week this has been already. Yesterday was EXTREMELY crazy. We had so much going on that I didn't even have a chance to post a Motivational Monday! So I hope you found some kind of motivation via the web, friends, family or whatever to help get your week started.

Yesterday was my first day of work. WHATTT did I say work? Why yes, I did. You are now following an official Gold's Gym Personal Trainer! HA! It happened so fast. As some of you that follow me may know that I have been very interested in getting into personal training but just haven't had the right opportunity yet. So last week when we were at the gym my awesome, very forward husband just brought the topic up to one of the staff at our gym, we had a meeting Friday and BOOM. Monday was my first day and it was great. I met everyone, got 3 clients and started learning the ropes. I can tell this is going to be a great fit for me because both Joshua and I can train clients (he will be doing this on a part time basis seeing as how he plays a huge role in his job now and that will take most of his attention), we take on as many clients as we can handle, we come up with our own training as we see fit for each client and really have great open communication with the Personal Training director. He's a really nice, easy going guy that just expects us to do our very best to give clients a great experience and help them meet their goals. Tomorrow is my first client and I'm just so excited to get going!

As far as mine and Joshua's training, this is the last week of our current routine. We have followed our current plan for about 6 weeks now so it time to change up the exercises but still following the FST-7 program. I love this program and again just have seen so much change in my body since starting it. The next 6 weeks however I definitely need to put a little more emphasis on my glutes and shoulders. Just rounding both out more and bring definition to my shoulders.


Ill keep you guys posted on how the training is going both with Joshua and I and now my new JOB!!! 

Have a fit day!

11 Weeks Out!!!

Holla! It's Saturday and I am now 11 weeks out from the Palmetto Cup. Wow, these week's are really starting to fly by now and the changes are really starting to show as well. It's really hard to tell in these pics but my abdominal's are really coming through. I'm also starting to see some great striations in my shoulders. This week I dropped 4lbs so that means maybe about 6-10 more pounds. But we'll see as the weeks start closing in what my final weight will be. Originally we thought I needed to hit my stage weight last year which was 128 but now we're thinking 135 seeing as how much muscle I have added on. Ya'll let me just tell you that as I start seeing more and more results it makes me want to WIN that much more. My motivation level is through the roof!!!! I cant wait to see what next weeks pictures are going to look like! 

Have a fit day!

Pic of the Day

Fanta, fanta, dont cha wanna! I needed this today inbetween meals....

Wednesday Circuit

Good morning! Well it's hump day and we are half way through this sunless week. I don't know what the weather is like where you are but here in SC it's so dreary! Like no sun at all. I'm very ready for some Spring weather.
I have been seeing lots of little butter cups blooming all over the place so that helps make me smile! Speaking of smiling let's get your endorphin's going! Who needs sunshine when we have exercise!!!



For today's cardio circuit I hit the StairMaster. Most days I consider it the "StairMonster" but today it was calling my name. I used IFBB Pro Nicole Wilkin's Stair Stepper Routine I found somewhere online. I think Tenecia over at Boobs, Barbells & Broccoli posted it.... I figured if Nicole can do it so can I!!! lol I'm just a little obsessed with her ;-)

Ne who this is how it goes:

5 min warm up at level 5

3 min at 8

2 min at 10

2 min at 6

1 min at 14

3 min at 5

1 min at 12

2 min at 6

30 sec at 15

2.5 min at 6

30 sec at 16

2.5 min at 6

1 min at 4

1 min at 2

1 min at 14

30 sec at 10

2 min at 6

1 min at 4

1 min at 14

2 min at 4

Total Time: about 35 mins

This workout was definitely challenging but wasn't to hard for me. The first 10mins i was sweating bullets but by the end I was feeling good and strong, not to tired at all. I even managed to jump on the stationary bike for 15mins and finish up the workout. Great burn and butt builder! Let me know how it goes for you!

Have a fit day ;-)

Motivational Monday

On a Tuesday? Yea I know I missed yesterday but hey what does it matter what day it is as long as we stay MOTIVATED and STRONG right? RIGHT!

I came across this quote on Pinterest  Sunday and vowed it would be my mantra for the next 12 weeks. And yes I had to ask Joshua what mantra meant lol. Don't judge....

Source

Don't let food cravings, family, friends, laziness or any other distraction set you back from meeting your goals! Stay focused and push through on those days when it just seems impossible! YOU GOT THIS! 

Pinterest of the Week

I wish people would stop using my picture on Pinterest...... JK!!!!!

Wednesday's Circuit

Here's a circuit I made up on the fly. You can make this workout as hard as want! We don't do easy round here ;-)

10 Lunge to a push up
*last set of push ups transition to:
20 (10 each leg) Knee to chest
10 Burpee's
Repeat for 20 Mins

15 Dumbbell Flys
20 DB Squat
25 Jumping Jacks
Repeat for 15 Mins

25 Air Bike
20 Hip Raises (squeeze glutes)
Repeat for 10 Mins

Again, send me some of  your own circuits!!!!

Stability Ball

Some of you may already know this but I have so much love for Nicole Wilkins. She is like my FAVORITE Figure athlete. I mean her face might be all over my house.... might be.... NE who she has been doing a series on FitnessRX for Women called The Fit Life with Nicole Wilkins. I'm loving these videos! The one I want to share with you all today is so great because you can do this at home with just a stability ball! Easy enough right? Think again, lol. Check out the video here!

Source

Motivational Monday

Listen to your body.

Saturday I posted progress pictures. Although, I didn't see to much progress from the last pics.... Uh.

Am I a little tighter? Yeah.
Are my shoulders coming in better than last year? Yeah.
Did the scale go down? one pound....
Is that discouraging? Yes and no.

When I first started my prep the scale was moving just like I wanted but then it slowed down & I got greedy for the numbers so I pushed my low carb days a little to far which in turn made my workouts suffer. In my progress pics I look so flat. I had just woke up (5am), no food and I was depleted. No wonder I was displeased with how I looked.
However, I still sent the pics, updated the coach on what I did and waited for the response.... And like always, he was positive and said we can fix this! His initial response was "look tighter which is good but what's your weight?" I hate only saying a pound. I wanna say 5 lbs or whatever but that just wasn't the case. His advise was let this is just be fuel for my fire. I need to learn to listen to my body. Know when to push and when to refuel. Don't let one bad set of pictures tear you down. Find out what you did wrong, correct the behavior and get busy making the necessary modifications.

Source

Remember that getting that ideal body of your dreams is a marathon not a race so pace yourself!!!

Source

Have a fit day!

14 Weeks Out

I am not pleased with this weeks progress pics but here they are in all there glory.......

Good Eatin' Friday- Better for You BBQ Chx Sandwhich

Joshua and I are some BBQ lovin' fools! OMG!!! and Joshua can make some of the BEST BBQ you have ever put in your mouth.... Every 4th of July he fires up the smoker and we have one heck of a feast. The other day, we were passing by one of our fav BBQ spots and with watering mouths, we just kept going.....

The Smoking Pig, Pendelton SC

However this did inspire me. Joshua has now started his own contest prep but he's about 25 weeks out and has about double the amount of time that I have. Two of his 8 meals are boring chicken and he's been having a hard time choking it down, so I got creative with the crockpot and doctored his chicken up a bit. He loves it now of course!!!!

 Below I've added a few things for you guys that we can't have right now but trust me, are so good. Again modify this recipe to your diet and taste but try to keep it clean and with-in your calorie/carb/protein range.

Better for You BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Crockpot BBQ Chx

*a 4oz serving of the BBQ Chx is 153 cal/ 22g protein/ 6g carbs

Kraft Light Original BBQ Sauce

*or your own choice

Ezekiel Sprouted Grain Buns 

*you can find these at Publix in the freezer section

This Clean Coleslaw by Dani Spies

How to make the chicken: Place 3 large boneless skinless chicken breast in a crockpot. Pour a bottle of Kraft Light BBQ Sauce all over the top. Turn on HIGH and set a timer for 3.5 hours. Once 3.5 hours have passed take the chicken out and shred it with two forks. Place all the chicken back in the crockpot with a little more BBQ sauce if you wish and cook on low for another 10 mins or so. You want the chx to soak up all that yummy BBQ flavor.

Toast your buns, build your sandwich & enjoy!!!

Some other ideas for your Crockpot BBQ Chicken:

• On a whole grain pizza with veggies, low fat mozzarella and jalapeno's 
• In a whole grain wrap
• On romaine lettuce
• On Arnold Multi Grain 100 calories thins

The possibilities are endless....

Have a Clean Eating weekend!