Keke’s BodyBlog

I woke up this morning feeling very happy and content. I began to look into the reasons for that, and then stopped myself as I realized I don’t need to question it! I should wake up feeling this way. I have lots to give thanks for, and I need to do more of that each and every day all day! There are soo many out there less fortunate than me, and I really need to appreciate and GIVE THANKS for everything! AMEN!! 

Yesterday was a busy day at work, and I missed one dosage of my Thermos. So, I had the bright idea to take 3 prior to my cardio in the evening …. Strong word of advice… never ever do this!!! Do not try this at home… it is not good, and I felt very very sick. I could barely make it through my 60 mins on the Stairs and had to stop at the 52 minute mark. I could not go a step more…. I actually felt weak, and my head was spinning.  So I tried something different for today. First, I ensured I got 7 hours sleep, and then second, I did my 60 minute session on the stairs this morning without taking my first dosage of Thermos. I took it with my meal after my session. I got through the 60 minutes no problem and really want I felt was simply the lack of carbs in my diet so I really had to focus in order to get myself through. Thinking back now, the 60 minutes actually flew by. 

This evening is leg day with Shaun ‘Muscles’ Campbell. This is the first time he is seeing me since the show on Saturday and I’m pretty sure he is going to be surprised at the transformation. I’m killing it Muscles… I’m proud of myself, so surely so will you be.  Anyhoo… I’ve completed 7 of 20 one hour cardio sessions … only 13 more to go!! The want lean … they’ll get LEAN!!! 

Have a great day and see you back here tomorrow!  Cheers,  Nke

Well, I’m still kicking it on the Stairs twice a day for one hour each time. Only 15 sessions left to go!!!  It’s a great burn and the sweat is unreal!!!! It’s definitely one of the tougher cardio workouts that I’ve done. I just wish I’d kept consistent with it as my cardio the weeks prior to the May 26^th show … anyhoo… no looking back now.

My cheats after the show on Saturday were sooo good! I realize on Monday & Tuesday that I probably still had some carb stores and was able to use that as energy. I’m beginning to feel slightly lethargic today. So, I’m really going to have to focus on getting the sleep I need to combat that. Carbs are very restricted at the moment, and total calories are down.

Last night I only got 6 hours sleep, and I felt it this morning. So, really gotta focus on trying for 8, or at least 7 hours of sleep each night.

I’m feeling good though, and very much looking forward to the Ontario Naturals. Should be fun times!!!

Well my lunch is over, so time to get back to work!

Have a great day!

Cheers,
Nke

With one show done and completed, it’s time to refocus and get prepped for the next one. I’m actually more excited about prepping for this one, because I have good constructive criticism to work with!!! My focus is to lean out some more, and get my legs looking leaner. So, it’s on with a vengeance. 

My cardio session this morning was AMAZING!!! I got to the gym for 5:15 AM, and was on the Stairs by 5:30 AM. My hubby has encouraged me to give it my all for the next 2 weeks, so I pulled 1 hour on those suckers and felt so accomplished when ‘Goal Attained’ scrolled through the LCD!!! Thank you DJ Scott Boogie for that amazing 1hour ol’ school mix. You had a girl grooving on those Stairs. Plus the John Grisham book I was reading is getting really good … so all in all, that 60 minutes flew by quickly. 

The countdown begins again. I’ve got 12 days to go, 19 one hour cardio sessions left, 36 chicken breast and veggies meal to eat, etc. etc. ha-ha!! I’ll continue to work on perfecting my posing and presentation so that it’s that much better at the Ontario Naturals. I’m going to land those poses like it’s nobody’s business! I’m truly pumped and excited about the next show. It’s going to be a tough 12 days, but I’m ready to conquer them .. one day at a time! 

Well, my day is starting later so I’m going to have to sign off now.  I’ll holler back tomorrow. Enjoy your day! 

Cheers,  Nke 

What an amazing day I had yesterday and I would not want to change one moment of it. 

I competed in the tall class for Figure Level I. The height cut off was 5’6”, and I came in slightly taller than that. The final results did not have me in the top 3. There were a total of 13 girls in my class, and I’m thinking I might have placed somewhere in the middle. Say 6^th, 7^th … hopefully not 8^th…They should be posted within the next couple of days or so on the OPA site, so I’ll let you know for sure once I know.  Oddly enough, I was remarkably calm and I think that was primarily because I felt prepared. Jully did my makeup, and can I tell you what a killer job she did. Oh my … oh my … my makeup was UNBELIEVABLE!!! It looked so good and translated real well in photos. You’ll be able to peep it once I post the pictures. Also, I was so happy with my hair… thank you Angela from the Ultimate Look! 

I had my close family and friends out to support, and can I tell you how WELL they supported me. No one will EVER forget number 105. No one … 

I’m okay with my finishing, and will use the critique I received to get ready for the Ontario Naturals. Let’s just say that yesterday was a dress rehearsal. I’m told that my outfits were great and that my posing was on point. I was told it was very smooth and flowing. Thank you Lorraine Chan for that. You were a great posing coach!!  The main critique was that I did not come in lean enough in the legs. So, the next two weeks is about getting leaner. With this critique and knowing I can improve on that, I’m so pumped and ready to go straight through to the Ontario Naturals.  If I’ve never said it before, I have an AWESOME trainer in Shaun ‘Muscles’ Campbell. He is an unbelievable support system. He’s a great trainer, and coach and I’ve been so blessed to have been able to work with him! Go Team Muscles! And .. Thank you Shaun for being you! You’ve kicked my ass, and got me ready for yesterday. I felt awesome on stage, and could feel how good my physique looked. No worries.. We’ll get those legs leaner and meaner!! Ha-ha. 

Before I sign off, I just want to say thanks for EVERYBODY that was there cheering for 105! It’s the number to remember!!! You guys were great and I really appreciate all of your support.  Have a great evening! Cheers,  Nke

As much as I like working out, I can not tell you how happy I was to pull the last rep of the last exercise yesterday! I had to put my hands up in victory and give Shaun ‘Muscles’ Campbell a big HIGH FIVE!!!! It felt so awesome to complete the last workout of this 21 week journey. I know I’ll have to pick it right up next week for the June 9^th show, but something about it being the last workout before the May 26^th show meant something.

So, now it’s all about rest and relaxation as well as getting me all ready for the show from a presentation point of view. All appointments are scheduled and tomorrow I will pack my bag for Saturday. Tonight I’ll prep my Friday and Saturday meals.

I am actually very tired. The low carb diet is beginning to take its toll. However, I get through it by thinking about the WIN I am going to pull this coming weekend.

This morning, when the alarm went off at 4:45 AM – that’s one whole hour later than usual … I had to ask myself how on earth I was doing 3:45 AM. My hubby gave me the best answer ever … ‘you set your alarm for 3:45 AM’. I thought that was cute.

I felt very dizzy this morning. My last meal yesterday was around 7:00 PM, and I’d not had any real carbs since 6:30 AM yesterday morning … so I guess no wonder. I felt much better after meal #1.

The diuretic I am using seems to be working well so I’m excited to see what I’ll look like come Saturday.

I have another one on one this morning with one of my Managers so I better get going and get prepped. Have a great day and see you back here tomorrow for my last blog before my show!

Cheers,
Nke

As much as I like working out, I can not tell you how happy I was to pull the last rep of the last exercise yesterday! I had to put my hands up in victory and give Shaun ‘Muscles’ Campbell a big HIGH FIVE!!!! It felt so awesome to complete the last workout of this 21 week journey. I know I’ll have to pick it right up next week for the June 9^th show, but something about it being the last workout before the May 26^th show meant something.

So, now it’s all about rest and relaxation as well as getting me all ready for the show from a presentation point of view. All appointments are scheduled and tomorrow I will pack my bag for Saturday. Tonight I’ll prep my Friday and Saturday meals.

I am actually very tired. The low carb diet is beginning to take its toll. However, I get through it by thinking about the WIN I am going to pull this coming weekend.

This morning, when the alarm went off at 4:45 AM – that’s one whole hour later than usual … I had to ask myself how on earth I was doing 3:45 AM. My hubby gave me the best answer ever … ‘you set your alarm for 3:45 AM’. I thought that was cute.

I felt very dizzy this morning. My last meal yesterday was around 7:00 PM, and I’d not had any real carbs since 6:30 AM yesterday morning … so I guess no wonder. I felt much better after meal #1.

The diuretic that ‘Muscles’ suggested seems to be working well. It is called ‘Watertight’ and only sold in certain stores. I was initial going to go with just Dandelion Root, but since I wanted to ensure I came in as tight as I could considering what my body had gone through with the pregnancy I opted to give this product a shot and I’m not the least bit disappointed. I feel that it is much more effective. It claims to have 20% more Taraxacum from Dandelion and is used as a natural diuretic. It also contains potassium which helps prevent electrolyte imbalance commonly associated with pharmaceutical diuretics. Which is good for me, because I believe the last time I completed I had issue with my electrolyte balance.

I have another one on one this morning with one of my Managers so I better get going and get prepped. Have a great day and see you back here tomorrow for my last blog before my show!

Cheers,
Nke

Oh my gosh, Saturday is really coming fast…. I can not believe that May 26^th is upon me. 

This morning, my alarm went off at the usual 3:45 AM, I got out of bed and proceeded to prep to get on the treadmill. I’d have to admit I dilly dallied for a little bit and only got on a 4:07 AM. Also, I was feeling quite tired, so I did not work at my normal intensity. I did about 93% of my normal intensity and then did an additional 4 minutes to ensure that I walked the same distance and burned the same calories (per the machine of course). 

The scale was kind and I was down another 2 lbs to 142.5. Seems like we’ll go on stage right on target at 138 or thereabouts. That’s if I continue to drop. In Figure, weight does not matter, but I want to get down there as my suits were made based on the weight of 135-138 being provided. So today’s ‘last’ was my morning workout before my 1^st show! Felt pretty darn good to get off after the 49 minutes were through. My lasts will be this evening … I’m training Chest / Delts / Calves with Shaun this evening. Should be a good session!!! 

I got my final meal plan leading up to Saturday … and boy, I am soooo EXCITED about Friday! I can’t wait to work my way through those meals. Amen, for the little stuff that brings such GREAT joy!  Well off to have a one on one with one of my Managers … have a great day and see you back here tomorrow.  Cheers,  Nke

I completed another ‘last’ yesterday… no more back training days until after the show. Pretty happy about that, coz’ if there is one body part that has been consistently sore through the 21 weeks it would have to be my back. Every week, I seem to discover new back muscles that I never knew I had. 

The one ‘last’ I am looking forward to is my ‘last’ morning cardio session. I will definitely relish the opportunity to sleep in Thursday and Friday!  I’m looking even leaner this morning. My abs are coming in really nice and hopefully will only get better. My legs although they will be the last to come out, are already popping quite nice in the morning when I pose. 

From a mood perspective, I am feeling quite cranky and trying not to let it some out as it is not far to others. So, I try as much as I can to keep to myself and communicate via email if possible. I’m hungry so I try to keep myself busy and not think about food … but then I’m tired so I get fatigue the busier I make myself!!! Not sure if it’s the same for other competitors, but this is the worst part of the journey for me. Come Thursday tho’, I’ll really be excited and anxious so a lot of those feelings will go away.  Anyhoo … I’m off to start my day! Have a great one yourself and see you back here tomorrow. 

Cheers,  Nke

Man … I looked in the mirror this morning, and I was like.. Damn!!! This was at 6 AM in the morning, and before I brushed my teeth.. I could not believe how I looked. My abs were out, my leg muscles were popping. I’d have taken some photos, but the hubby is sleeping … Juls, I need you to show me how to take those body shots by myself!!! LOL! 

Of course now it’s 7:30 AM, and gravity has begun to do its work! So, while I’m still pleased with how I look… its not quite what it was 1 ½ hours ago! Ha-Ha  So, cardio session #1 is done. I’m just finishing up meal #1 and going to head back to bed for about another 2 hours of sleep. Then up for meal #2, and off to gym for my workout and 2^nd cardio session. 

Later today, I’ll try on my posing suits and work my poses for about 30 minutes or so.  Tonight, I’m hitting the sack by 8:30 PM. That’s my plan, and hopefully I stick to it. 

I’m going to sign off now as I really want to get back to sleep. Have a great holiday Monday for those Canada side, and a great day for those elsewhere!  Cheers,  Nke

These next few days are serious … I’ve not had a day off from any type of exercise since last Sunday, and I’m going straight through to Wednesday, inclusive.

I just finished my second cardio session for today. I did 1 hour this morning, and 45 minutes this evening. I really only wanted to do 30 minutes, but the music was kicking and I could not stop. Last night was alright with the exception that I was STARVING and then cheated by having some cashews!! Ugh … I felt bad! I told Shaun and he made it VERY clear that I am not to have even a morsel of anything extra between now and the show. It’s what he tells me, and ‘c’est tout’. Nothing more, and nothing less … I just have to know on days that I’m going to be up longer to really try and stretch my meals through and when that feeling for hunger comes to opt for Green Tea instead of cashews!!! LOL!

Anyway, I’m feeling it best to continue to keep to myself as this is the only sure way to ensure I stay focused on the task at hand. I don’t quite remember it being this hard to get through the last couple of weeks from the last time. I just feel hungry all the time, and it’s to not think about food. Especially when others around you are eating what ever … like now … I’m watching my hubby eat these deliciously looking chicken wings that he made … Ha-ha!!!

Tomorrow is a holiday here in the T.dot, and that means the gym has restricted hours. So, my plan is to wake up around 6 AM and do morning cardio here, eat, go back to bed for a couple of hours, wake, go to the gym and train back, delts, calves and do 2^nd cardio session and then home to relax for the rest of the day.

I’m interested to seeing what I look like tomorrow. I started taking my diuretic. Because I thought dandelion root may not be enough for me, I opted to use a product by PVL called Watertight. So, I am anxious to see how the plan that Shaun has mapped out for me in terms of my water and then subsequent depletion will come together.

Well, I’m off … I hope you enjoy the rest of your blessed evening and see you back here tomorrow.

Cheers, Nke