Linda Cusmano ‘OUT FOR BLOOD 2011′

So I am officially now a member of the CBBF and will be competing under them as they are the next level up from out Provincial body, BCABBA.

I have come full circle since 1996. I began my competition career in 1996 after first getting serious into weights in 1994, previous to that I had only dabbled and was more into gymnastics, breakdance/jazz/ballet/hiphop and was chunky!
I was 25 my first time, white, no coloring, had no idea, no posing, stood there like I was the grocery store and stared out into the audience like a deer in headlights! I made 3rd place out of 3 girls my first show!

At that time Fitness was very raw, had come out in the late 80s and got bigger in the early 90s. It was still very new when I began.
I qualified for the BCs that year and competed in 1996 or 1997 for the BCS, cannot recall off hand, and qualfied for the BC national team, again near the end of the placings. Was among 10 girls. I was prepping for this National show, no clue what I was in store for, same nationals I am doing in 3 weeks…..BUT…

3 weeks out from nationals, I tore my ACL completely. Was unable to go, was blacklisted for canceling out and then when I went back in 1999 to try again, I was blacklisted and placed last at every show, then told I was blacklisted AFTER I had paid, entered and showed up.
I went on to cross compete and test all federations, classes and shows.
In this process I attained several natural pro cards in Fitness, Figure, Obstacle and Fitness Model category as well as trying out some strength/fitness contests and doing well.

I have spent an avg accumulation of $50,000 in the past 12 years competing.
I have won an avg of $2000 competing, plus some prizes.
I was sponsored a few times and am presently a PVL sponsored athlete.

There are all new people now running the show and new sets of politics but happily I am now at the next level with more new politics and happy to be there and moving forward.

So my competition career has come full circle and here I go off to Nationals years later…….ironic? Destiny! This is the last pro card I need for my collection and I am going to enjoy my journey attaining and not rush it, I want to earn this but do it FAIR and as a natural.

I nailed my routine in the prejudge so check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZd2IbAxnm0

So I am officially now a member of the CBBF and will be competing under them as they are the next level up from out Provincial body, BCABBA.

I have come full circle since 1996. I began my competition career in 1996 after first getting serious into weights in 1994, previous to that I had only dabbled and was more into gymnastics, breakdance/jazz/ballet/hiphop and was chunky!
I was 25 my first time, white, no coloring, had no idea, no posing, stood there like I was the grocery store and stared out into the audience like a deer in headlights! I made 3rd place out of 3 girls my first show!

At that time Fitness was very raw, had come out in the late 80s and got bigger in the early 90s. It was still very new when I began.
I qualified for the BCs that year and competed in 1996 or 1997 for the BCS, cannot recall off hand, and qualfied for the BC national team, again near the end of the placings. Was among 10 girls. I was prepping for this National show, no clue what I was in store for, same nationals I am doing in 3 weeks…..BUT…

3 weeks out from nationals, I tore my ACL completely. Was unable to go, was blacklisted for canceling out and then when I went back in 1999 to try again, I was blacklisted and placed last at every show, then told I was blacklisted AFTER I had paid, entered and showed up.
I went on to cross compete and test all federations, classes and shows.
In this process I attained several natural pro cards in Fitness, Figure, Obstacle and Fitness Model category as well as trying out some strength/fitness contests and doing well.

I have spent an avg accumulation of $50,000 in the past 12 years competing.
I have won an avg of $2000 competing, plus some prizes.
I was sponsored a few times and am presently a PVL sponsored athlete.

There are all new people now running the show and new sets of politics but happily I am now at the next level with more new politics and happy to be there and moving forward.

So my competition career has come full circle and here I go off to Nationals years later…….ironic? Destiny! This is the last pro card I need for my collection and I am going to enjoy my journey attaining and not rush it, I want to earn this but do it FAIR and as a natural.

I nailed my routine in the prejudge so check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZd2IbAxnm0

So I am officially now a member of the CBBF and will be competing under them as they are the next level up from out Provincial body, BCABBA.

I have come full circle since 1996. I began my competition career in 1996 after first getting serious into weights in 1994, previous to that I had only dabbled and was more into gymnastics, breakdance/jazz/ballet/hiphop and was chunky!
I was 25 my first time, white, no coloring, had no idea, no posing, stood there like I was the grocery store and stared out into the audience like a deer in headlights! I made 3rd place out of 3 girls my first show!

At that time Fitness was very raw, had come out in the late 80s and got bigger in the early 90s. It was still very new when I began.
I qualified for the BCs that year and competed in 1996 or 1997 for the BCS, cannot recall off hand, and qualfied for the BC national team, again near the end of the placings. Was among 10 girls. I was prepping for this National show, no clue what I was in store for, same nationals I am doing in 3 weeks…..BUT…

3 weeks out from nationals, I tore my ACL completely. Was unable to go, was blacklisted for canceling out and then when I went back in 1999 to try again, I was blacklisted and placed last at every show, then told I was blacklisted AFTER I had paid, entered and showed up.
I went on to cross compete and test all federations, classes and shows.
In this process I attained several natural pro cards in Fitness, Figure, Obstacle and Fitness Model category as well as trying out some strength/fitness contests and doing well.

I have spent an avg accumulation of $50,000 in the past 12 years competing.
I have won an avg of $2000 competing, plus some prizes.
I was sponsored a few times and am presently a PVL sponsored athlete.

There are all new people now running the show and new sets of politics but happily I am now at the next level with more new politics and happy to be there and moving forward.

So my competition career has come full circle and here I go off to Nationals years later…….ironic? Destiny! This is the last pro card I need for my collection and I am going to enjoy my journey attaining and not rush it, I want to earn this but do it FAIR and as a natural.

I nailed my routine in the prejudge so check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZd2IbAxnm0

So I am officially now a member of the CBBF and will be competing under them as they are the next level up from out Provincial body, BCABBA.

I have come full circle since 1996. I began my competition career in 1996 after first getting serious into weights in 1994, previous to that I had only dabbled and was more into gymnastics, breakdance/jazz/ballet/hiphop and was chunky!
I was 25 my first time, white, no coloring, had no idea, no posing, stood there like I was the grocery store and stared out into the audience like a deer in headlights! I made 3rd place out of 3 girls my first show!

At that time Fitness was very raw, had come out in the late 80s and got bigger in the early 90s. It was still very new when I began.
I qualified for the BCs that year and competed in 1996 or 1997 for the BCS, cannot recall off hand, and qualfied for the BC national team, again near the end of the placings. Was among 10 girls. I was prepping for this National show, no clue what I was in store for, same nationals I am doing in 3 weeks…..BUT…

3 weeks out from nationals, I tore my ACL completely. Was unable to go, was blacklisted for canceling out and then when I went back in 1999 to try again, I was blacklisted and placed last at every show, then told I was blacklisted AFTER I had paid, entered and showed up.
I went on to cross compete and test all federations, classes and shows.
In this process I attained several natural pro cards in Fitness, Figure, Obstacle and Fitness Model category as well as trying out some strength/fitness contests and doing well.

I have spent an avg accumulation of $50,000 in the past 12 years competing.
I have won an avg of $2000 competing, plus some prizes.
I was sponsored a few times and am presently a PVL sponsored athlete.

There are all new people now running the show and new sets of politics but happily I am now at the next level with more new politics and happy to be there and moving forward.

So my competition career has come full circle and here I go off to Nationals years later…….ironic? Destiny! This is the last pro card I need for my collection and I am going to enjoy my journey attaining and not rush it, I want to earn this but do it FAIR and as a natural.

I nailed my routine in the prejudge so check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZd2IbAxnm0

So I am officially now a member of the CBBF and will be competing under them as they are the next level up from out Provincial body, BCABBA.

I have come full circle since 1996. I began my competition career in 1996 after first getting serious into weights in 1994, previous to that I had only dabbled and was more into gymnastics, breakdance/jazz/ballet/hiphop and was chunky!
I was 25 my first time, white, no coloring, had no idea, no posing, stood there like I was the grocery store and stared out into the audience like a deer in headlights! I made 3rd place out of 3 girls my first show!

At that time Fitness was very raw, had come out in the late 80s and got bigger in the early 90s. It was still very new when I began.
I qualified for the BCs that year and competed in 1996 or 1997 for the BCS, cannot recall off hand, and qualfied for the BC national team, again near the end of the placings. Was among 10 girls. I was prepping for this National show, no clue what I was in store for, same nationals I am doing in 3 weeks…..BUT…

3 weeks out from nationals, I tore my ACL completely. Was unable to go, was blacklisted for canceling out and then when I went back in 1999 to try again, I was blacklisted and placed last at every show, then told I was blacklisted AFTER I had paid, entered and showed up.
I went on to cross compete and test all federations, classes and shows.
In this process I attained several natural pro cards in Fitness, Figure, Obstacle and Fitness Model category as well as trying out some strength/fitness contests and doing well.

I have spent an avg accumulation of $50,000 in the past 12 years competing.
I have won an avg of $2000 competing, plus some prizes.
I was sponsored a few times and am presently a PVL sponsored athlete.

There are all new people now running the show and new sets of politics but happily I am now at the next level with more new politics and happy to be there and moving forward.

So my competition career has come full circle and here I go off to Nationals years later…….ironic? Destiny! This is the last pro card I need for my collection and I am going to enjoy my journey attaining and not rush it, I want to earn this but do it FAIR and as a natural.

I nailed my routine in the prejudge so check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZd2IbAxnm0

well I made 4th, not sure why since even flat or water I was leaner than some of those in top 3.
I felt I was in top 3 for sure, but I do know a few politics that prob affected me so now I am happy to be free of this arena and into Nationals.
I am a newbie again going into nats, this federation nationals I have never done so I will have to climb the ranks and learn the politics for this but although there are heavy politics in non tested shows at least now I am at a level where I am new and fresh on stage and can learn as I go if at that level I am not suitable in size.
I think size was a bit of a factor the 2 top girls were the 2 I know are larger than I, the girl who got 3rd was a surprise, but she was lean and her posing was better I guess, i had probs setting my shoulders and hers looked fine.

I was going to ask the head judge but a this point I just wanted to get to nats, and I am!!!!   so screw the rest of it, I am moving on!!!!

Unfortunately there are always athletes mixed in to cheating, sleeping with judges, related to those running the show or coached by them and i was the only gal who has real boobs which may be one of the marks against me but since when does that have to do with how fit you are, but again, that is part of politics.
Pretty sure these 2 girls are not natty and know one if them was not in her past although not sure she still uses.

Whatever, I can go back to nats yearly until I get my pro card but I have 3 weeks to get my feet wet and am going to come in even more ripped since this time I will be between pms cycles without water or flat issues…….flat seems to be what my biggest issue was, being smaller already compared to most of these gals who are muscled larger and are doing things to get that way which I do not…….i looked then even smaller when flat.

Funny thing is, many people looked at me as I was leaving stage and said they were “not surprised” at the way it turned out considering “who was in my class”….."ahem ahem” meaning people know people and such and the choices were not all about how you looked or performed, so I take it my ideas may not be so far off considering a few factors and to be honest I am not surprised and have already mentioned the politics in this show many times….. except for the 3rd place which threw me for a loop…..but I heard she was now also being coached by someone who has pull so there you go.

I refuse to go kiss up, sleep with or hire people in order to place well…………placing well should reflect our hard work not our social skills but that is how it goes and I would sooner take steriods than do these social options and at this point it may be the only way to my pro card…..but I don’t want it that bad I don’t think so will keep training and get bigger naturally and not get hung up in the politics…….as hard as that is.
Linda

quick update, feeling great, routine solid, bodyfat low, have to do a 7-9 site skinfold and have not had anyone to help with that when I am free to do it so will do it sometime this week but from what I can tell, I sit around 7% or so although holding a tad water, I know it but you prob cannot tell.
I am very full, the cheats were a wonder for this round so I look nice and full, cut but not too striated.
Tan is great, maybe better than last year so when i dream tan it will look even better.
This is going to be unusuall since I am used to doing more than one class at a show so I only have the 2 rounds to do……and at this show, once your rounds are done they let you leave, then I am only a 10 min or so drive home….awesome.
Karma, energy, chi, qi, universe….GOD, however you want to word it, has been so very good to me lately.  Even my back as been on the better side!
There is much to be said for positive and present thought.
Regardless of the outcome, because we all know that politics exists, I am very happy where I stand and with confidence I go in to win first, overall and then do Canadians Aug 9th, win first and get overall there too and get a pro card!!!!!!  Big Visions, very doable.
I feel good!
now as for pics, I am behind about 3-5 photos shoots………getting some new stuff up soon in my gallery!
Keep sending me all that positive energy, I can feel it!!!
Linda

So a few odd days off since last post, the first week since last post was bad, I had a lot of pain after that Thursday I did routine practice.
Very consistent after that and feeling better, then had a bad day this week, tummy fell ill, had a couple more cheat refeeds as I was getting blk spots alot and headaches, too low in carb so I just refeed it and then its good for a few more days.
Routine is SOLID, strong with strength, holds and flexibility with a bit of light gymnastics which are also very strong since they are not ballistic aerials, boring for me but my back insists so as is, its very strong and solid and I know it very well, like in my sleep!  I can really ham it up with facial and little ad lib moves too since it seems when we get on stage its always a bit slower than the stereos we use for practice!
Keeping up pullups and body strength stuff which I just love and do very well.  Light conditioning too but I missed Yoga for 2 weeks but I think I needed a break cuz I feel better in the back this week and I think its because of the hyper back poses in yoga which I am supposed to back off on but usually push because they are moves I used to do as a kid and loved, I was able to touch my head to my feet so like a moron I forget my back and start to push……..well, will have to work on that.
Cardio is great, have had very light to moderate cardio, some days 90 mins on the bike and other days only 30-60 mins cardio and not 5 days per week each week….so that is a lot less than usual but I don’t want to eat muscle if I don’t need and then get too lanky, hate that look.  Want to look full even so I aim for lean and cut.  Balance grasshopper……….

Otherwise, 2 weeks left and counting, I am not as dark as I should be by now, been lazy about tanning and even so I color up, I need a good base tan, may have to go a bit more often the next week to get darker.
Suit has been tweaked and I am ready to rock.

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