2008 Iron Man Blog

Placing in the top five at the Iron Man 2008 was one of the most honorable and for filling experiences of my life!  To add to the excitement of my placing was meeting all the wonderful people during the show in which I can proudly say that I have become great friends with.

I have been training actually all year since my first show with the NPC at the Iron Man last year. For I have competed in several shows during the year in which I had to continue to watch my nutrition and exercise pretty much non stop - though of course after each show I had my cheat days. 

My training has fluctuated through the year as I have learned different things from so many people. However if I could sum it up (which is quite hard to do) I would say that in the end I have learned for my body that high intensity intervals and heavy weights is the best way to achieve the best look for my body.

I rollerblade all over NYC streets as my transportation which is great for the glutes… though I stop two weeks before a show just in case of an accident also to make sure my legs are not puffy!

Nutrition for me is basically of the normal foods that one would eat to stay healthy. However again as I strongly believe that everyone’s body is different! For me, I have been on different food plans and tried different ways to achieve the ultimate figure for myself. In the long run I do know that what might seem ideal for someone else, or the “norm” of a bodybuilder, is not right for me.

As I was told, and quite true indeed, that I did appear a bit too skinny. This I know mainly had to do what I ate prior to the show! I know that because after the show when I do eat - that is when I should compete because my body fills out. It is trial and error, and following my gut instinct.

So even if I were to explain in detail what I ate, I feel that it would be inappropriate. For I do not want to write something that someone else might take as the right thing to do for them! To reiterate we are all the same in a sense, just have different body chemistry. And what might work for me will not work for someone else and visa-versa!

I hope that I can show this as I compete at the Arnold next week. Which is not much time, however being that I was a competitive gymnast and cheerleader at a young age, and continued to work out ever since, I have conditioned my body so that it actually does not take long for me to react and change!

I do take the supplements Gakic, Leukic, and two weeks before a show stopping Creakic (Creakic on cycles). But I never take the recommended dose. I take much less, I am only five feet and 104lbs so I don’t think it would be great if I did. I do love the product and find it works great with my body chemistry!

I adore BodySpace… it was the best site I have ever joined and I am proud to be part of it!! It is so amazing! The people here are great, kind, wonderful, gosh I could go on however I think I would run out of room! 

The support and inspiration I have received from other people here has been quite incredible. I just wish I had enough time to get back to everyone. I am not the person that sits by the computer much, although I have found myself doing so for hours here conversing with everyone!! I love answering anyone’s questions hoping that they help - which I have been told they do. 

As a personal trainer and life coach I love what I do and could not imagine doing anything else. I thank God that I have been given the ability to help others. In reality isn’t that what we are all here for, is to help each other and find love and live a healthy life?!

I send many smiles to everyone in hoping they will help them smile… Smiles are contagious! As well as smiling and laughing helps lead a healthier life!  I want to thank Bodybuilding.com and everyone that works here… you are all so very awesome!

I am looking forward to continuing my relationship with all of you guys and the members, and getting you all to keep SMILING! 

Debbie Bell
http://contest.bodybuilding.com/bio/3739/
Change Your Body - Change your life!!!
I live and breath by that and always - always keep smiling

Looking to examine the actual scorecards from the Iron Man Pro judging panel?

Well, look no further!  Here they are…

Click for larger version.

Click for larger version.

I don’t pretend to understand scoring, but if you do - well, then, here ya go!  LOL

1) Phil Heath
2) Gustavo Badell
3) Moe El Moussawi
4) Silvio Samuel
5) Johnnie O. Jackson

Congrats to everyone!

1st - Phil Heath
2nd - Gustavo Badell
3rd - Mo El Mosuai
4th - Silvio Samuel
5th - Johnnie Jackson

In no particular order:

1. Eddie Abbew
2. Troy Alves
3. Gustavo Badell
4. Mo El Mosuai
5. Toney Freeman
6. Phil Heath
7. Johnnie Jackson
8. King Kamali
9. Desmond Miller
10. Silvio Samuel

I think you are right! Judging by the comparisons, Gustavo has it over Slivio. I personally wouldve liked to see it the other way around due the the water left in Badells legs.

Heath has it by a country mile and has the sharpest hams and glutes I have ever seen on a competitor. The added size went on all the right places and could be enough to take out the Arnold next week.

Mo was probably N# 3 on the shredded scale and will get a top 5 which will be great to see considering he has tried so many times in the past and failed.

So many guys were way off the mark - Toney Freeman, Henry and Harris are all people that will need to put some miles out on the treadmill prior to their next showing.

Watch out fro my report on BB.com in the next few mins

Hey Guys,
Backstage photos are up from Ron Avidan. Check ‘em out right here.

Moe, Phil, Silvio, Gustavo. Some surprises!

Preliminary photos from the Iron Man Pro Prejudging round are already online here at Bodybuilding.com.

Check ‘em out here:

http://contest.bodybuilding.com/gallery/contest/2812/site/1/

http://contest.bodybuilding.com/gallery/contest/2812/site/1/

Not bad. Not sure if he will win though. Depends on how the others come in.

Hey guys,

Here’s the link for the FREE Iron Man 2008 webcast player going on right now. Watch it LIVE!

http://webcast.bodybuilding.com/fitshow/2008im/webcast/2008ironman.html

It’s been an eventful day 1 of the IRONMAN / FIT EXPO. Ron Avidan and I started the day off by visiting GOLD’s GYM VENICE where Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler was putting on a camp and sporting his MUSCLE TECH apparel. Jay was looking huge and lean. We did a video with Gold’s gym that you’ll see here later featuring them as the GYM OF THE MONTH. Lots of other industry people were seen in the gym before heading to the FIREHOUSE. We made the short walk over to the famous eatery and joined a number of people for lunch. The weather is absolutely perfect with temperatures in the upper-60s. Dining at the firehouse was Ron Avidan, Kris Gethin, Kevin Horton, Bob Chic, Lee Thompson, Dan Solomon, Larry Pepe and myself. A few people dined on the "Bob Bowl" but I opted for the bodybuilder’s breakfast which was 8 eggwhites, 3 whole grain pancakes and a buffalo patty. DELICIOUS! If you’re in Venice, definitely check out GOLD’s GYM and stop by the firehouse. Check out some of the video footage from the meal later here on bodybuilding.com.

Ron and I then made our way to the LA convention center to pick up Big Will from Bodybuilding.com. The traffic in LA blows goat balls to say the least. I could never live in LA but must admit the sunshine is nice. We picked up Will and headed to the host hotel where we saw a number of industry people checking in and heading over to the venue. The rooms are spacious and the internet speeds seem to be pretty decent. When you travel to a number of shows there are a few things that are important… A good internet connection, good water pressure in the shower and a comfortable bed. Everything else is pretty much eh, whatever. We grabbed our camera and video gear and headed over to the venue. The walk is only a couple of blocks from the hotel which is awesome.

The hall in which the EXPO is in is MASSIVE. There is an octagon set up, tons of booths, a stage where performances will be taking place and lots to do. There were tons of people through the halls and many booths said they already had to get more samples and supplies sent in for the rest of the weekend. The show venue for the IRONMAN looks like it will be pretty sweet with it’s signature stage lighting looking great. The show will be webcasted here on bodybuilding.com at 10 a.m.

The athlete weigh-in went pretty smoothly with Lonnie "the swami" Teper at the mic. Swami’s best line of the day came when Dave Palumbo chimed in from the audience and asked him, "What did I miss"? Lonnie responded with, "Your pro card." OUCH! The Swami showing no love to Jumbo Palumbo. A couple competitors rolled in late… Desmond Miller and Silvio Samuel. Silvio was sporting all white attire and looked like he had just gotten in from the Bahamas. Sil looked great from the preview he showed the crowd. Toney Freeman weighed in at the heaviest weight of 290lbs. Toney hasn’t shown anyone what he’s looking like and he could be dangerous. Phil Heath seemed tired and out of it, which means he’s ready to rumble and is in great condition. Ron, Kris, Will and I made our way around the expo and did a few interviews and took a number of photos.

When the day’s events were over we headed back to the hotel which was jam packed with people. Siren and Wolf from American Gladiators where in the hotel lobby. We had a WOLF OFF to see who had the best wolf cry and Valerie "siren" Waugaman had the best. Check out some of the videos we got from the hotel. Ron and I also learned that "The Experts" are HUGE in Japan. A big shout out to all our Japan fans! Lonnie, Ron and I made our way down to a dive restaurant called, "The Pantry" which had some awesome food. We interviewed a few guys from "MAX REP" who were delusional and picked King Kamali as their favorite to win the show. I’m not sure what these guys are smoking but holy smokes no chance. We did a few more video interviews in the restaurant and then proceeded back to the hotel. We managed to do an interview with a homeless man pushing a wheel-chair and when LT asked him who he had winning the IRONMAN he responded with, KING KAMALI. What the hell is going on with all the Kamali love? We ran into Dennis James who was comedic as always and a group of Japanese women thought LT was stalking them. Again more amusing videos will be posted.

I grabbed a drink with Bodybuilding.com’s man in the Advertising department, Paul and we chatted a little biz. It’s now 1:30am LA time and I need to hit the hay. It’s a big morning tomorrow and lots more to come here on bodybuilding.com. Thanks for checking out the site and check back for continual updates throughout the weekend.

Hi everybody!

The Iron Man in LA is here and I have the honor to be a guest speaker at The FitExpo at PROPTA’s seminar: "Women Only."  The seminar is going to include myself (Marika Johansson), Adela Garcia, Tanji Johnson and Sherry Goggin. Women will be able to ask questions and get info about different levels of training and diet.

I will be at PROPTA’s booth and from time to time at Bodybuilding.com’s booth also during the weekend, signing and selling pictures and my DVD "Cinderella Story."  Check out PROPTA at www.propta.com.

This is going to be a great event with one of the toughest fields we have seen in many years in the IFBB Men’s Pro division.

So welcome to the 2008 FITEXPO AND THE IRONMAN PRO IN LOS ANGELES, ALL THIS WEEKEND!

Hey guys,
We’ve currently got 711 photos from the Weigh In/Press Conference, Venice Beach, and The FitExpo from Ron Avidan, Isaac Hinds, Kris Gethin, and Merv from Iron Man Magazine. Check them out here. Here’s a couple of Silvio Samuel, Troy Alves, and Johnny Jackson.

Check them out here:

http://contest.bodybuilding.com/gallery/contest/2812/

Sergey - 278Ibs

Dragan - 240Ibs

Silvio Samuel - 222Ibs - Looked in very good shape, back looks thicker, maybe not as sharp

Armin Shultz - 279Ibs - I saw him in the posing room in Golds Gym earlier - looks very ripped and dry

Nathan Woolsley - 225Ibs

Memet - 238Ibs