QPSmalls’s BodyBlog

My back is finally better.  Turns out it was inflammation of the Sacroiliac Joint.  One cortisone shot and 4 weeks with a chiropractor really helped and I’m feeling top notch again!  I’ve noticed a huge change recently.  My weight has dropped dramatically in the past few months yet I am getting stronger and stronger.  I’ve been Zumba-ing my heart out, got certified and now teaching 4 classes a week.

Teaching Zumba was just one dream I’ve accomplished, now I’m ready to accomplish the next one by entering my first figure competition.  I’ve decided to compete at the 2010 INBF Northeast Region Show in Buffalo, NY.  I’ve chosen that specific show because I’m from Buffalo, have family there, and ironically enough the facility that is hosting the show is the same place I did my last beauty pageant 10 years ago.  I’m very excited and already starting to prep for this show.  I think the most intimidating part of the whole process will be the polygraph.  I have nothing to worry about but I hate to think about being in an interrogation type situation.  I’m sure it will be alright.

So if any ladies out there have competed and willing to offer some advice for a first timer, I’d love to hear them.  I can use all the info/advice I can get.  I’m in the process of trying to find a coach/trainer but I haven’t found anyone in my area.  I’m still going to keep looking…

About 2 weeks ago I was doing the low row exercise.  I wasn’t watching my posture as well as I should have.  I noticed I leaned forward as I was releasing the weights and that’s when my lower right side of my back started to hurt.  So now it’s been hurting on and off for two weeks.  Some days it’s not too bad but today it’s pretty bad.  Simple things like bending down really hurt.  I’d really hate to go to the doctor but I’m getting worried as icing the injury, using naproxen, and taking it easy isn’t helping.  Was wondering if anyone has had a similar injury and could offer any advice on what to do?

Well it’s been a tumultuous month or so.  Between having bronchitis and then visiting family in Western NY I feel like I haven’t been sticking to my routine as well.  My body weight is down but after uploading some new photos on here tonight I don’t feel like I’ve made as much progress as I had hoped. I still have a little belly bulge and it still jiggles!  Yuck!  I’m happy with how my legs and upper body are coming along but my midsection is awful!  I know it’s probably due to the inconsitencies lately but I just feel out of control.  My midsection has always been an issue.  Even when I was in my eating disorder and 92lbs I still had belly bulge/jiggle.  I know I got to clean up my diet again and TONS of cardio, I just wonder if this is EVER going to be possible for me???!!!

Ok, I’m done venting now!

Hello all!  I have a question.  I have been working at an attempt to get six pack abs.  Granted I’ve only been seriously training since March and I know it takes A LOT of hard work, dedication, time, etc.  I am just confused as to how to obtain that.

I was talking to a trainer/group exercise instructor at my gym a few weeks ago.  She’s got killer abs.  She had told me that I should start doing at least 200 crunches every night.  So I figure, hey, no problem, I can definitely handle that.  Then I read a couple articles in different fitness magazines that doing more than 3 sets of 15 crunches is a waste of time because your abs need to recover just like any other muscle in the body.  So now I am seriously confused.  I also had a trainer last year who told me abs is one of the few muscles you can train every day.  So what am I to believe?  Am I spinning my wheels and wasting time doing hundreds of crunches a day?  Or are they effective?  Obviously it has worked for my instructor.

Also does anyone have any suggestions on lower abdominal exercises?  I do the leg raises at the gym(the vertical ones where your legs are hanging down and your hold yourself up on that ab thingy.  Sorry don’t know the name of that piece of equipment) and reverse crunches, but they get pretty monotanous and was looking for something different.

The good news is I’m already seeing significant changes in my mid section.  I am more sleek and if I flex really hard I can sort of see 4 of my abdominal muscles.

So, if anyone has any advice, would LOVE to hear it!  Thanks and have a great weekend everyone!!!!!

Last July I was invited to attend a "meeting" regarding nutrition and business opportunities.   Because the person hosting this was a friend I decided to go.  Plus to hear there was something out there that could help me lose weight was enticing because at this point I could NOT lose weight not matter what I did(the birth control hormones were inhibiting this but I was not aware at the time).  So at this meeting they built up all this hype about their product…it would cleanse and detox your body which would result is HUGE weight loss.  We’re talking anywhere between 5-25lbs in just 9 days.  Sounds too good to be true, right?  Anyways at the end of this seminar they wanted people to get on this scale to get their weight and body fat %.  At the time I was stuck between 137-140lbs, as seen on my progress pics.  So I get on the scale and they wrote down my body fat was 47%.  I was so devastated!  Naturally, they tried to sell me their product at that point in time but 400 bucks was not worth it.  Instead I went to the Dr’s the next day who confirmed that was not my body fat, and then for half the cost of weight loss system, I hired a personal trainer until we made our move to PA.

So now I ended up getting my sister’s boyfriend into this.  I never used the product myself but did hear wonderful things about it.  It’s called Isagenix.  And again, after I had told everyone I was not interested in the product, I feel like people are trying to push me into it again.  I’ve heard all these "miracles" being performed by this product…people being "cured" from chronic illnesses, MAJOR weight loss with no excess skin in a matter of weeks, etc.  It’s tempting in a way to "try" it and see what happens but I keep hearing a voice in my head saying "buyer beware".  Plus I’ve already seen excellent results just through a disciplined diet and exercise.

Was wondering if anyone has ever tried this product and what their take is on it?  I doubt I will ever purchase it since 300-400 bucks a month is waaaay too much than I am ever willing to spend.  I’m just curious.  My sister is on it now and she claims she’s lost 12lbs and she just started last Wednesday(April  29).  12lbs in 8 days, is that even healthy???

Would love some opinions.

A few weeks ago I posted a blog venting about how frustrated I was that I was not seeing results on the scale.  I did notice a positive change in the way clothes fit, but the scale was not budging.  Well, I believe I’ve manage to get over my plateau!  In the past few days I’ve dropped almost a pound!  I’m noticing a lot more definition in my upper body, better stamina, and my size 4 jeans are barely hanging on me!  So…THANK YOU to everyone who’s been encouraging me and telling me not to give up!  This is the first time I have ever experience weight loss doing things the right way, as opposed to my ED.  Gosh it feels so much better losing weight this way than starving myself or purging!  Never ever again!!!!!!

I’m setting a long term goal to compete in the Miss Fitness competition in 2010.  They are holding a pageant here in Pittsburgh in a few weeks, so maybe I’ll attend to see what its like.  Even if I don’t compete next year, I want to train like I am.  It will at the very least give me motivation!

I have gotten so hooked on Zumba fitness I decided to take the plunge and sign up for a workshop to get my certification!!!  It’s not until June 28th, so I have 2 months to go, but I am super excited!!  Dancing was a HUGE part of my life during my childhood and teen years, and after 10 years, it has found me again!  I am so excited because this involves 2 things I am so very passionate about, dancing and fitness!  So after June 28th I will officially be able to teach Zumba!  Now I just have to find a place to teach….but will worry about that when the time comes.  If anything, I’m just glad I can attend the workshop.  Nothing but dancing for 8 hours is like heaven to me!!!

Although I haven’t seen much progress on the scale I can definitely see some drastic changes in myself.  For one, I actually have definition in my upper body!  During my Zumba class I was looking in the mirrors thinking "wow, are these arms attached to me really mine??!!"  My problem area is still my midsection.  It was prior to the birth of my son and continues to be.  Fortunately it’s no worse than before pregnancy.  I know I have a "genetic predisposition" to store fat right below my navel.  I call it my belly pooch!  Even my 3 year old son has it!  I wonder if it will EVER go away??  My previous  trainer had suggested using CLA but I’ve heard mixed things about it.

On the flip side, I’ve not only posted my pics on body space but on Facebook as well.  A lot of my friends on there have responded with such amazement that it has also motivated them to hit the weights!  So I guess while I feel like I’m progressing at a snail’s pace, others are seeing it differently.

I am feeling great! The responses, support, feedback, and suggestions I get on this website is amazing!  When I feel unmotivated all I have to do is log onto this website and within 10 minutes I am fired up for the gym!!  I love it!!!!

Maybe I’m being a little impatient BUT I have not seen ANY progress as far as the scale is concerned.  It seems I have been stuck at 126-127lbs since January.  Maybe this is the infamous "plateau" people complain about?!  That is why I initially joined bodybuilding.com.  I knew I had to increase my intensity, clean up my diet, and still…NOTHING!!!  Granted I did just start this intense training program 2 weeks ago, but with the amount of working I am doing surely I would see some progress.  I know things take time, and if weren’t hard everyone would look fabulous.  I guess I just expected fast results because I am busting my ass!  I’m starting to get discouraged, but I’m still going to keep at it.  After all, it is something I do enjoy.

It’s been a few days since joining bodybuilding.com and being very serious about my fitness.  I’m very motivated yet right now incredibly sore from doing squats and lunges yesterday!  I did a yoga class today to stretch out the muscles but still very sore!  I still need to get back to the gym tonight for my cardio session.  I hope my legs don’t fall off because they sure feel like it!  I guess what won’t kill me will make me stronger!!