Linda Cusmano ‘OUT FOR BLOOD 2011′

well I sucked………….was sick and off for a week!  I had gained back 10 lbs in by nov 15th, not sure at this point and don’t care, I know my 6 pack is not as intense and I am not as cut but I am still under 18%, probably at around 12-14 at this point.  I would like to sit at this for the next year but I guess that is another goal or challenge…….teehee
I have small bloat belly under belly button but that is from the carbs…………but is still in great shape and legs too, just softer.
I finally worked out today and will be posting all this in my journal but anyway, I am back on track, but still enjoying some rich foods, been pigging out on tuna casserole today….I use cream mushroom soup, cheeses, butter, bread crumbs, elbow pasta……..I put some green beans in there though and sometimes I add dry cottage cheese to up the protein, but did not today, none in the house……..yesterday I had a new risotto recipe from jamie olivers book 2, sweet garlic and thyme risotto which has a ton of celery too and topped with nuts n bread crumps……..it was rich and yummy and had parm and butter……………..but you know what, overall, my crap has been whole crap……..butter, creams……..and otherwise healthy - oh except some of the choices, like those volcano cakes but again, I normally would have been going overboard more and have not so that is good, the rebound has been moderate.
I also had some neat suggestions to my  new training/diet plan which I may incorporate……..will see.

I am so happy, I won first in the Fitness and the overall for Fitness.  I was 6th in Figure, but I somehow ended up on med. class 5′4" and up, I am 5′3".  The women were much taller and larger muscled but had I been in short I doubt I would have hit top 3 cuz again the gals had fuller and bigger muscles.  I felt too lean for either class but they seem to like that but I came in at 110, to light.  I need to work on more muscle so that I am fuller and larger when leaner, sitting at a higher body weight when lean as well.  I hit 7% bf avg.

well onto the next level……….

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So I went to the meeting and was lucky to find out there are only 3 gals in fitness which means I automatically qualify for the BC’s next spring/summer.
This means no bulking phase yet.  I will have to do maintenance phase with diet and training until them, it could be May or it could be Aug or in between, so we will see but I am happy!!
Figure Masters had like 20 women, then the tall, med and short classes all had like 12 to 16 women or so.  Somehow they logged me in medium class, according to measure I would fall in short but they used a wall with some colored paper and some gals had shoes on, some off……..whatever, I really don’t mind and think I prefer it as med class was not bigger, but one of the smaller classes comared to the other divisions of figure.  I could have also entered Masters but I am glad I did not with all those women in there it would all just be too tiring.  Med class had 12 women including me.
I came home and did some practice posing so I quickly snapped the last of the comparisons!  I am not colored here yet but when you see my stage shots you will see the finished product, although the photos can take over a month.
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[IMG]http://www.members.shaw.ca/Italianangel/11907bf.JPG[/IMG]

I made sure on my stage sheet to thank EF for all the support, the members and mods here are the best and you all have been such a strength for me, something I am not used to and have never felt in my contest career until now!
Linda

I am feeling good, ready, solid, happy with my results and excited yet relaxed.

Now I am going to have fun and enjoy the process, I have done all I can and the best I can, all considering so now it is all up to the judges decision on what I bring to the stage.

I am sitting at 7%bf, but very sad about how light I am, I wanted to be competing at 10 lbs heavier than I am now, in muscle of course so I have some work to do over the next year or 2 toward muscle building and as a natural is a slow process but I am dedicated.  I think I look fine for this show though, muscle and lean are bang on.

Routine is solid, but I have not practiced since last time which was Tuesday I think?  It was good, felt good, strong and I felt confident as well as had fun doing it so that should make for some good scoring I hope.

Meeting is tonight and then tomorrow its time!

Linda

I feel great today, I taped more for the pre contest, last week ofr…… for the series I am doing for bb.com and I practiced my routine.
My right hams were sooooo tight but I did 30 mins cardio and then stretched long and hard…………..I did 3 runs through and they were solid, perfect, right on time, strong and confident! I feel great considering the lack of practice this past month due to injury. I am so glad I listened to my body and rested, all the previous practice really got me to where I sit now!
I did a handful of cross fit exercises, a set of each.
My joints ache here and there, uncommon aches in uncommon areas but that is because I am drying out. I drink water, lots but I am drying right now, diuretics although herbal, really do the trick.
I am in the home stretch and above all, pms, bloat, injury or whatever I FEEL GOOD!
Thank you all for your support cuz it really does help!! Having to be accountable and having to set an example……..having something to prove to myself………..it all helps especially with you guys cheering me on! Up to now I have never had that and it really helped me excel and get by this year of prep.

I was so tempted to cheat last night and I did not, its so hard at this point.
I did have 2, I repeat, 2 hershey kisses today though!!!

It was nice not having to have fish this morning for breaky………just a shake now, and same again 3 hours later.

My next plan will be for the post contest maintenance, joint conditioning and just easy work for the next few weeks until the New Year.

Friday Nov. 2.07 - I did cardio today for an hour, but don’t think I did weights…….

Saturday Nov. 3.07 - 30 mins brisk walk on tread, 2% incline, 3mph.

Sunday Nov. 4.07 - 30 mins on recumbent bike, 3 twists on intensity knob, mod pace. Then did 6 various leg exercises with body weight for a set of 45 each with last few exercises at reps of 25.

So today  had a shoot, a few hours between lighting and changes so I had a coffee, that is it!
Now I am home, did some vid and comparisons but they were done in a bad spot, bad light but whatever I will post them later - I am eating a halloween bag of cheezits, and diet dr. pepper, but will have my last meal in a bit, my usual tilapia and green beans.
had a few rice cakes again yesterday with pb.
My body is not liking the low carbs and asking for more so I try to balance it and so far I don’t think these cheat have affected my look and the shots from the shoot look fabulous!!
I do feel a tad flat, lack of carbs and pms but its minor.
I did some bicep work, drop sets, shoulders and chest for a video today and may do some treadmill jogging but not to the point of the amonia sweat smell……..man am I walking a fine line.
Linda