Sylvo’s BodyBlog

I was getting ready for an alleged show that was going to occur over here in the desert before I left, but alas no show so I’m just trying to maintain before I begin contest prep for a couple of shows when I get home.  I leave here around the middle of April.  One year gone from home now.. it has been something for sure.  Anyway, so as far as my training goes, well it has been INSANE!  My strength seems to really be going up.  Tomorrow I am entering a Powerlifting competition.  I figure I might as well since I do those exercises anyway.  It should be fun, but I do feel a little nervous about what weight to use starting out.  For my bench press, I usually throw on a 2, 15Ks (33.3pds) plates and go up from there topping out at around 135 for 8 -10 reps…whatever I can muster out without a spot.  I CANNOT wait to get home to be able to put on a 45lb plate on each side.  OMG so exciting!  Squats I’ve gone up to 180 for 8-10 as well.  Deadlifts are a little different.  I really need a better critique on my form.  I question it.  They just seem so easy to me, but one guy who is a powerlifter says my form is excellent and that it probably seems so easy because I’m so flexible.  I need to up the weight.  So for tomorrow I really don’t know what I’ll start at.  Maybe just under 200 is what I’m thinking.  Still not sure on the rules (straps, gloves, etc).   

Ok so onto more training talk.  I have been lifting EVERYDAY, heavy and hard.  Not smart, I know, but it’s what I have to do to get through this desert life and the drama of Army life.  So for biceps I’ll usually do 3-4 sets.  Ez Bar Curls, I’ll start at 60lbs for 10-12 and last set do 70lbs for 8-10.  Form is good and I concentrate on those eccentric moves with solid squeezing for those yummy peaks!  I’ll do DB curls 30lbs, 10-12 and also occasionally throw in some preacher curls with varying weight.  For triceps, I’ll do every extension known to man.  DB Xtension, I’ll use a 50lb/10-12 and Straight Bar Press Down/Rope, I’ll do around 90-100lbs.  My back is really coming along.  Lat P/D’s wide grip (my fave exercise ever!) I’ll do 120lbs for 10-12 and it’s time to go up on those.  Row machine, I’ll do the same.  Lots of squeezing to get the most out of it as well.  I’ll throw in some DB Rows using 40’s.  Ok for legs, of course I do squats as stated above and then I’ll do Leg Press (legs shoulder width – middle of board) with about 32lbs.  Then onto calves which are standing calf raises 3×20 at 140-160lbs.   Then for Hammies and Glutes I’ll do Lying Curl 10-12 at around 100lbs.  I’ll also do Lunges on a step with a 9-12pd medicine ball.  Abs I’m sure I’m overdoing as I do them sometimes twice a day and nearly everyday.  I’ll do all sorts of things for them.   Rock hard underneath, I just have too much skin :p on top of them.  Should be interesting when they really start showing.  Hmm.   Decline weighted, yoga ball, Captain Chair, hanging leg.  You name it, I do it.  Additionally in all of that, I’ll do push-ups (closehand knuckles) about 150 every few days and superset with crunches of some sort.  Good stuff!  I’ve also been doing a lot more pull-ups.  Love to see those lats flare!  Who knew?!?  I also do this Plate Toss exercise.  3 Plates (15KG-10KG-5KG), 3 sets on each plate.  The 15KG is 12 reps, 10KG is 15 and the 5KG is 25-30.  Hold out in front and raise overhead.  Feel the burrrrn!! 

Cardio has really varied lately.  On Valentine’s Day, I ran 7 MILES!  Woohoo… personal best. I could have run more as well.  Not a bb training thing, just an Army thing I guess.  I had no idea I was capable of that.  Other than that a couple of times a week I’ll get on the elliptical/stair climber for 20-30 min.  and whatever we do for organized PT (group run for a couple miles) or a run with my CMG. 

That should do it for now.  I hope to get another update on here pretty soon.  Hopefully I’ll have an update from tomorrow’s competition as to how I won 3 gold medals.  Now that would be AWESOME!! 

with the Army Reserves atleast.  Yep, we’ve just reached the halfway mark and I’m ready for the end.  I can’t believe I haven’t posted in here sooner than June.  Ahh well.  So what is new?  Well, a couple of weeks ago I returned from R&R with the hubby.  We met in the Canary Islands and it was just wonderful.  I think maybe the first several hours were a little bit of getting to know each other again, but things quickly became more comfortable.  What a terrific time we had!  I was not at all pleased with how I looked while there, but I felt really good.  I think that has been kind of the theme recently.  Though I don’t look really good due to this layer of fat on me, I feel good.  And I’m strong.  Very strong.  I’ve put on quite a bit of muscle.  It should be interesting to see what I’ve done since I’ve been gone.  Anyway, of course as I look in the months ahead, I really do want to lean out some.  PT test is in December and I’d love to not get taped.  I’m not but a few pounds away from that.  I want to be able to see all of this muscle I’ve gained.  My workouts are brutal and have been since I’ve come over here.  My diet is really good, too.  It’s always clean and maybe I’ll have a cheat meal a week.  The problem is the amount of food.  For the past couple of weeks now though I’ve started monitoring it very closely and am keeping to about 1500-1700 calories.  I’ve also upped my cardio to about 4x a week for 20-30 minutes as well as adding lunges several times a week.  I friggin’ hate the backs of my thighs.  Yuck.  I was hoping to write more, but have to go now.  Duty calls.  ho hum

Well, I’ve been in Kuwait now for a couple of days and have spent a lot of time in the gym.  The gyms here at Camp Arifjan are squared away.  There is definitely plenty to do and lots of classes of all t ypes to take from Cardo Kickboxing to Boxing to Spinning, etc etc. so no excuse not for anyone to get off their asses and do something.  Anyway, I feel great.  I’m going to estimate that I’m right around 20% so I really need to lean out some.  I’m so curious what kind of mass I’ve put on.  Hmmm….   Today at the PX I got some NOXPLOD and yesterday got some Cell Mass to start another cycle of.  I’m continuously using Aminos, Glutamine, Pyruvate, Chromium and of course a Multi.  I feel good though it’s hot as hell I can handle this heat a lot better than a lot of people.  It feels so good to be in the kind of shape I’m in.  Last PT test was 70 pushups in 2 minutes, about the same in situps but I need some improvement on my run.  I did it in about 18:20 (2mi).  I’d like to knock that down to 17.  That’d be awesome.  This Sunday there is a "Best of Biceps" competition and though I’m not going to enter I’m definitely going to check it out.  Maybe next time I’ll check it out.  I saw the weight categories for females are under 140 and over 140.   I am probably at about 150 right now.  My diet is real good.  Mornings I’ll have 4 hard boiled eggs (whites only) and some oatmeal with a lil fruit and coffess.  I haven’t quite figured out meals 2 and 4, but 3 and 5 are a salad with tuna or turkey/chicken (about 4-5oz).   I need to get in contact with my Nutritionist to see what I can do about those in between meals.  ardio several times a week for 12-15 minutes as well as split routine and then additionally we are starting back to group PT tomorrow.  Hopefully I’m not overdoing it.  I’m getting plenty of rest.  I haven’t had trouble adjusting to the new time zone or even had jet lag.  Lucky me!  I think that’ll do it for now.  Oh I’m also doing Hydroxycut again and thinking of switching to something else. 

Well I have been mobilized and am currently at Camp Shelby Mississippi.  I was sent with a unit from Alabama and that’s a whole other story.  We did training in California, Alabama and now here.  Next stop is Afghanistan.  We’ll leave here in about a month or so.  So diet wise this plce sucks though I’m not too worried about it because the training is intense.  There’s just not much to eat and there really are no choices.  Luckily I am keeping up with my supplements though, Amino Acids of course, multi, Pyruvate and Chromium.  I’ve also started Hydroxycut b/c I’d like to lean out a bit more.  Workut regiment outside of training is minimal.  There is a gym here, but no time to use it.  I have been dying to lift actual weights and not just by 80+ pounds of sweat soaked gear.  I can’t wait to get to Afghanistan already.  I need a solid scheduleso I can make up a plan.  I don’t have much time to get on here… in fact I’ve got to go.  I’m trying my damndest to hang on to my muscle and not put on weight-actually that won’t be an issue for sure.  My husband has sent me tuna, protein powder and stuff like that.  Ok until next time.  When you’re in the gym, think about how jealous of you that I am… BASTARDS!    Take care. 

Well, I’ve been training consistently and loving the body that I’m building.  Though it is hard to adjust in the off season to that extra weight that comes with building muscle.  I have definitely increased lean mass.  I am trying my darndest to only stick to one cheat meal a week.  Typically, that is Friday night.  As far as the training goes I have been doing 3/1 split.  Chest/Shoulders, Legs/Abs, Arms/Back then an off day with only cardio.  I do cardio about 3x/wk at no more than 25-30minutes.  Lifting heavy and getting stronger is the greatest feeling!

Since leaving the Lone Star Convention/Expo Center (LSCC)I’ve been thinking about how to talk about my first competition yesterday.  Really though words cannot describe very easily what it was like for me.  You’ll have to keep in mind that I’ve never even seen a show in person let alone competed in one.  I will try not to get sidetracked while writing this.

The venue was an excellent choice.  Now considering the sheer size of this show it may not be able to be at the LSCC again.  I don’t think I was the only one that was surprised at the turnout.  There were about 80 competitors in all (figure, fitness, BB male&female) in total.  Actually I think I was the last number of all the competitors and that was number 76.  There was a 77, but I think she was a no show.  So anyway, for it being the first ever Branch Warren I think it was a huge success.  I heard there were over 1000 people in the audience.  Great turnout it seems to me.  There were some great booths.  Bodybuilding.com was there with a plethera of freebies(everything from BB.com air fresheners to ipod covers and supps of course).  Guest posers were Odis McCullough, Dexter Jackson and of course Branch Warren himself.  All excellent performances filled with lots of loud music, awesome vascularity, mass and a lot of testosterone.

So to the point b/c it’s getting late!  I placed 8th out of 13.  Not great, but I feel very satisfied in my "performance" and how I appeared.  I had a renewed self confidence that I haven’t felt in a long time.  I was one of maybe two competitors that didn’t have implants.  That kinda bothered me considering there were a total of about 20 of us.  And we’re talking some big ‘ol tah tahs nothing real natural looking.  Anyway…
http://www.musculardevelopment.com/browse/index.php?mode=contest&eventcode=1130 (me in Class B- Sylvie Acklin)

Oh look at the time!  Ok so overall I am pretty proud.  I’ll blog some more tomorrow about it if I get a chance!

Yesterday my husband called me at work to tell me my suits were finally in.  You know up until last night(3 days out), I didn’t even know what color they were!  But they’re here and they are quite stunning.  Vandella did an incredible job on them.  The one piece is black velvet with purple/turquoise kind of glittery effect.  There are tons of crystals all around the border and across the straps in the back.  One problem though is that the bust padding comes down very low (like underneath my breasts) which is kind of annoying, but the hubby says worst case it’s an easy fix.  The two piece is a kind of wet look turquoise with tons of crystals again and a pretty crystal piece on the string between the tah tahs.  Willie was absolutely in awe we I had them on.  I was scared to death.  Very tiny pieces covering me lol  It’s hard to think about allllll of those people looking at me wearing those little garments.  It makes me *so* thankful and proud of myself that I kept to my discipline no matter how difficult it got.  I would like to go into this contest with more muscle, but when I think that I technically haven’t had an "offseason" I am pretty darn pleased.  I actually have some vascularity in my abs and arms.  Pretty exciting!  Today I have really got to practice posing.  I’ve also decided to just have the tan done by a pro.  That way it’s one less thing I have to worry about.  Definitely worth the $75 and I’ll get to meet Mary Hobbs!   So I also have to think about the jewelry and the make-up.  I will just do it myself.  I can’t quite make sense of paying $75 min for makeup.  No way.  I just hope I can do a good job!  Today I’ll make my "things to bring" list.  I am also thinking a pedicure.  Yeah, for sure.  If for nothing else to treat myself.  I think I deserve it.  Actually, I think I deserve much more, but a pedicure is a good start!

Meals Sat-Wednesday every 2 hrs
Meal 1.         4oz. 99% lean turkey breast meat
1 oz. Cream of rice

Meal 2.         3 oz. 99% lean turkey
3/4 cup brown rice
1 cup broccoli

Meal 3.        3 oz. 99% lean turkey
2 corn tortillas

Meal 4.       3 oz. 99% lean turkey
1/2 cup brown rice
1 cup broccoli

Meal 5.        3 oz. 99% lean turkey
2 corn tortillas

Meal 6.       2oz. 99% lean turkey
2 cups of Watermelon

On Thursday & Friday
M1 :above +  1 oz cream of rice
M2: above
M3: above + 1 corn tortilla
M4: above (but replace rice w/ sweet potato)
M5: above + 1 corn tortilla
M6: above

On Saturday:
M6 @ 3a.m.!
continue M1, M2 and have M3 20 minutes prior to prejudge

WATER INTAKE: (distilled only)
140 OZ. THROUGH TUESDAY
80 OZ. WEDNESDAY
60 OZ. THURSDAY
30 OZ. FRIDAY
30 OZ. SATURDAY

So let’s talk stress.  Less than a week and a half out from first comp.  Suits= not yet arrived.  Lots of training, little to eat.  Working with sexually abused children day in and day out.  Finding out you’ve just randomly been reassigned to another Reserve unit– in another state–that is getting mobilized –and probably deployed–in August.  30th birthday in August was going to be the big one, missing Thanksgiving, Christmas, yada yada.  Was going to do another contest in August, now probably not.  Civilian job asking questions constantly about possible deployment.  No vacation this year again (since Honeymoon in 2004).  WILL SOMEBODY PLEASE GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!!!

So every Monday a.m. I get on the scale.  Yesterday it said 123.  It’s really quite amazing.  I remember for years and years fascinating about the scale reading 125 and it’s there now.  Even less.  I’m hoping that I’m not losing too much muscle though.  My upper body is looking pretty good.  Abs are coming in nice as well as back and shoulders.  My lats are non-existent so that will be something I need to focus on in the future.  My thighs are looking so much better, but still have a ways to go.

Now for the bad:  For the past several days I have had this overwhelming constant salty taste in my mouth.  It’s very annoying.  My coffee tastes horrible, my apple and oatmeal tastes salty–everything.  It’s always there, but at different parts of the day it’s stronger than others.  I’ve done some looking around and I found two things that could be the cause.  One is dehydration.  Now that is interesting since I do ingest at least a gallon to a gallon and a half a day.  I do sweat profusely though.  Perhaps my drinking isn’t consistent enough.  The other possibility is a problem with the thyroid.  Dear God I hope it is not that.  I have always been in perfect health and I know that people with a thyroid problem find it difficult to lose weight at times.  It’s important to point out that I have no other symptoms and am in otherwise perfect health.  So I wonder what it is.  It’s very annoying I know that much.  The only good thing about it is that if there was a food I was really craving it wouldn’t matter b/c it wouldn’t taste like it normally would.