Training goes well, diet goes well, even almost getting a full 2 gallon water in per day which has had amazing effects on my health........tweaky back but tolerable. it has healed a bit from that drug, it actually reversed a bit of damage and rebuilt the area a bit. at the least I know I can do some cycles of this to help rebuild it as it degenerates over time, which it will not just due to the nature of the disease but also because of the constant use of the cortocosteroids. I am about 16% according to my umbilicus accumeasurement, 120-124lb is my bounce of weight and I feel good, I look pre season, not off season...........I like that. Well actually for a natural show I am closer to on season look.....the look for my goal card is actually pretty extreme hence taking to me to new heights. Training under an hour for weights then under an hour for cardio 1, and my night cardio is only 3 days per week for 30 mins but not super passive mind you and I am pushing myself on everything but not weight wise....just endurance wise even muscle endurance wise. Yesterday I got super pissed off............I went to pick up my 45s for a set of chest press and could not get them f#@$^%ers in the air!!!!!!!!!!! I swore a blue streak and hate that I am not able to. I was able to at one point lift 52.5 lb DBs for my presses..........but this is something I can achieve again......its not back related. I just will possibley never hit my 205 for squat and deads again, the 2 plate per side lifts........but with the training I am on, weights can be heavier on some but most reps for 15 or more are light or body weight.......I did 400 mt climbers one day!!!!!! I just hope I don't get stringy looking! Well today is a cheat so I start my day with a coffee - and tons of cream!!!!!!!!!!!! Picked up some organic Italian wine to try with dinner, a white............but next time we go to the BIG liquor store where they have everything............I wanted a non suflite organic wine from bc or italy or france.......but incase I don't like it, we have sake which I know I like and regardless how well it fits into the menu, I can use it before or after dinner and the wine can be demoted for cooking if it sucks! Next year though, I want to try cooking some of the Thanksgiving meals/treats/sides I saw on martha sterwarts site. its nice with the pics to see how it looks and she has uber choices....... Next week I may go watch a local novice show as a few ladies and a trainer from the gym are going to be there as well as a lady I had helped out a bit......we will see how I feel. I have also been prompted to look ahead at my business, been in talks with my rmt and acu/yogi and for years we have been saying, 'we need to open a clinic together' and well, the time is coming with changes in all our lives leading and pointing us in this direction! We want to keep on the market we all attract and its a wellness/holistic/spiritual types we attract and I can do my competitive training for myself and for competitor clients, like a competitor training clinic too! I am so excited. I have known my mt since 2000, I know her integrity so its a safe and right...feeling, the venture is clear, I can see and taste the end result! Of course this is talking and early planning stages, this would all occur around 2012 for actually opening etc. Unfortunately I have been burned by too many fitness professionals to trust anyone in MY field...........sadly. If I ever do get a trainer under me there will have to be some ultimate trust there........and years of knowing the person. THANKS GG FOR THE AWESOME AVY!!!!!!!!! this year I am also giong to be setting up more shoots for my site, and get memberships up and running again, and will set up shoots with local babes too...........so gg, when you come out here, we have to shoot!