Anyway it is the end of my "off season" and the thought of immediately going back onto the same meal plans that I spent a great number of weeks on last year (32 weeks to be exact but who is counting!?) I thought it would be a good time to see how my body responds to such an EXTREME diet!  No better time than now to find out.

I am interested in the diet for a couple of reason:  1.) most obviously the fast fat loss…. don’t we all want that?  2).  The ease (I know… it won’t be easy) of not having to cook and pack all 6 meals every night.  3.)  I have a photoshoot scheduled on the 7th of Feb and my first contest of the year scheduled in March (29th).  So this by my assumption should be a good boost to the shoot date and a nice way to ease into my contest prep meal plans. 

So wish me luck!  I am going to weigh in the morning and take some "Before" photos and measurements.  God.. that does not sound fun at all…. hoping the results will counteract the embarrassment that will accompany actually posting those damned facts! 

See you in the morning!
Sondra

http://worldphysique.com/contests”> src=”

 Seem to be trailing by A LOT!  lol  Help me out?

Thx!  Sondra Hopkins 

Hi Everyone!

Wanted to invite you to my site! On it you will find lots of training information and the ability to log your nutrition! There is a journal section as well as a meal planning feature that not only allows you to download meal plans for up to 90 days at a time but also creates a shopping list for your meal plans as well!

The Meal Planning feature can be easily personalized so that it is specific to your needs! Simple features also allow you to move your meal plans into your food log to show what was actually eaten for the day (in case you ever miss a meal) to give you a true idea of what is being consumed!

Nutrition is 80% (or more) of the game and with this tool you are able to have a very clear and realistic view of what you are ACTUALLY consuming on a daily basis!

Would love to hear your feedback!

This is a limited time offering as in the future we will be offering this for a fee - but sign up now for free! All I ask is that I receive your feedback (good and bad) to help me create the easiest most user friendly site possible!

All I need from you is an email address (you can send this in a private message here on bb.com or to: askpatrick@fitlifestudio.net) I will also need your first and last name - if for any reason you would like to remain anonymous you can simply give me a first and last initial.

 Just wanted to wish you all a very happy and safe New Year’s Eve!  Hope you all have a fun night!  I know many of you will be hitting the gym first thing in the morning (hopefully with no signs of a headache!;) to start your year off on the right foot!  I know I will….

Hope to see some of you there!

I have been so inspired to watch the progress of so many of you here on BodySpace over the year and am excited to see so many of you change your lives and bodies in 09!  Thanks for letting me be there for the ride! 

I have big plans for 09 and I can not wait!  I am working on a podcast (weekly) and new website as well as a few other surprises.  I will post the link as soon as it is up and running! 

Thanks for all your support this last year - you have no idea how much it means to me!

Train Hard Everyone!

XOXO Sondra

————

Sondra Hopkins

www.myspace.com/sondrahopkins

www.fitlifestudio.net

Hit cardio this morning and then back at it a few hours later for back day! 45 min steady state (tread) on empty stomach

Wide Lat pulls - 3 sets of 18 (55-65-75)
Seated Rows (close grip) 3 sets of 12 to 15 (65-85-100)
Stiff Arm Pull Downs - 3 sets of 12 to 18 (40-55-70)
Assisted Chin Ups - 3 sets of 12 to 15
Single Arm Cable Row (off incline) 3 sets (each side) of 12 to 15 (35-45-55)

:)  Felt great and clean eating all the way!!!!

Just found out we are going to be interviewed and featured for an online Fitness Magazine!  

Exciting stuff! 

Thanks for all your support!

Sondra Hopkins

PS… Voting is almost over in the Ironman / BodySpace Spokesmodel Competition!

Your vote means soooo much to me!  Such a dream of mine!

Trying to get dressed for the two big xmas parties were a nightmare this weekend… ending in laughter (at my expense) from my daughter ~ upon getting the real backside view of me trying to squeeze into my already too small pants (bought them right before my last comp) and then of course my tears.  But you know the hard truth is that maybe I needed the slap in the ass to see that I need to get it in gear.

So today I have vowed to nix the wine and stick with only healthy foods and stick to my training! I will allow myself the one cheat meal a week (with some limitations of course) and start this new year with a renewed sense of accomplishment and a great headstart on the competitive season.

;)  I swear I should have had my daughter take a picture of the pants issue… it really was funny now that I think about it!  It would have made a great BEFORE pic! 

Happy Holidays everyone!

Sondra

Fit4Figure
Thanks so much for your vote!  Keep your fingers crossed! 

The new NPC Texas calendar for 2009 came out yesterday and I sat down with my trainer and we came up with a plan!

So excited to have the following competitive goals for next year!

Capital of Texas (Austin) on Aug 1st

Europa Super Show (Dallas) on Aug 15h!!

We are toying with the idea of throwing in the West Texas Classic on March 28th in Lubbock… will decide by Jan 2nd as to allow for a 12 week prep time.

It would be fun to do the WTC show because this was the first show I did last year (ever) and it was such a blast!  Won my Masters class there last year and it was just such a great show… Andrew puts on such a great event and really takes care of his competitors.  Plus I have a client that is going to compete at this show and it would be helpful for her if I were there (backstage) with her.

Decided not to use my Jr National’s Qualification until next year.  Instead I will try my hand at the larger NPC shows (Europa) and see how I do.  I still have another year to use the qualification and this just feels "right".

Beyond that … lots and lots of photo shoots scheduled in the next few weeks to keep me on track (essential during the holidays I am learning).  Should be fun!

Thrilled with the changes that NPC has made  in regards to tossing the one piece round.  Hated spending so much on two suits but hated trying to change from one piece to two piece when I entered both Masters and Open Figure in the same show.  It was tricky for sure.  This should make for a more stream lined experience. 

Curious about the addition of Bikini Model division.  Have no idea what they are looking for but frankly I hope that it will allow for a "softer" look and let us Figure girls work towards a leaner more defined look.  I have always had a hard time understanding why they would mark us down for being too lean when the whole point of competing is to train and diet to show your true dedication and thus the body that it can produce.

I totally understand that there are extremes and that many figure competitors cross the line in regards to appearing too muscular but I think again that comes with the territory.  Especially when at the National and Pro Level the girls are coming in bigger and leaner.

Even with all the confusion I LOVE the competitive season and can’t wait to see what this season will bring!

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

Sondra