2008 Transformation Contest

The last week was rough.

You already heard about my diet problem, and I am now almost entirely sure it is the wheat oats I ate all the past week. My weight was not moving at all, just stood there at the same spot. I also experienced energy drop. It was hard for me to get up in the 05:30AM and do the morning workout. I was already afraid I was going to stop progressing, that I have reached some sort of plateau. I have experienced such things before and it takes some time to break out of it.

Today I feel much better. I got up and finished my workout as usual and doing just fine. I know I have lost a week and I will compensate for it this week. Now I understand much more was affecting my condition last week. Major factor is the stress. I am starting my own business venture. I will start my own on-line supplement store and I have so much to do about it. Yesterday I reached one milestone by actually registering my business and getting all the papers required for the business start. I can relax for a moment, but not for long. This week I have to work on my web site and scripts for on-line sales, plus I have to make contact with all the distributors in my country. I am very excited about this and I have such a positive vibrations I just know I will succeed!

Now I am still running on empty here, no supplements are used, but I feel strong and energized. I will double the boxing intensity for this week and lower the calories and hope for the best

That’s it from me for this call, keep your intensity high!

malibuilder

I’m BACK YO! Last week was rough. I hadn’t been that sick in years. The flu straight knocked me the F’ out. That said it is a busy week in Liftland. I was scheduled to fly to Omaha, see family, attend an event for art students, give a talk at my old art college but I had to cancel. I was looking forward to the trip but I gots to be 100% for this week’s IRONMAN Pro. I fly out to LA on Thursday and will be there until the following Monday. It’s the kick off to the 2008 bodybuilding year and always one of my favorite events.

Last night I chilled out and watched the Grammys. There were a number of awesome performances and this was one of the top. The song "stronger" is one that has grown on me and ya can’t help but get into it. I think Kayne West is a whiny bitch when it comes to the whole scene and there is always something to complain about with this cat when it comes to award ceremonies. Despite my dislike for his constant complaining, I am a fan of his creativity and continual evolution. As you can see his performance last night was certainly something different and creative.

I’ll be announcing a little project that shows my creativity in a different way, later today. It’s been two years in the works and it will change the bodybuilding world. I’ve also become a bit more creative in my workouts and eating. Creativity can be shown in many ways… we all have it and express it differently. Are you stuck in a rut? Do something different, GET LOST TONIGHT.

Heya,

I just woke up. Last night I went bowling with my friends, quite a fun. Relaxing too. This was my firs night out in the town, for…well last six months. Nothing but work, work and more work.

Anyways, some big time mobster was shot in my building last night. The police was all over the place and got us residents all locked down in our apartments. Yeah, talking about some stress. I mean who are the to stop me from going out after six months.

Nevertheless, this morning I woke up, took the measuring tape and I saw progress. I lost two pounds. and lowered my body fat percent down 23% and I feel great.

And another thing. I got me self a kick box instructor! Well, actually it’s an old friend who asked me if I would like to punch some bags with him, so I guess it will accelerate my progress a bit. This means I have a workout every day in the week, no rest for me

Next week I plan to up the intensity for a notch so I suggest you people do the same. Don’t go thinking I will go easy on you

malibuilder

I’ve been in a Mary J Blige mode the past couple days. This woman has been through some shit in her life and it comes through in her music. She’s another signer I enjoy listening to because of the passion in her voice. This song has a great vibe to it and one I enjoy cranking up while I work. Yesterday was a stressful day of work and this song’s title reminds me to shut up and stop crying.

"It’s time to say bye bye bye it’s time to do something for me"

I’m saying bye bye for now and doing something for me this weekend. I’m heading back to the plains of South Dakota to go snowmobiling with a crew of college friends. We’ll be staying at a large cabin in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Tomorrow night we’ll watch the UFC fight and Sunday is the Super Bowl. I’ll be back in Denver on Monday afternoon. I already know I won’t be eating 100% healthy and that’s okay. I’ve gone weeks with eating chicken, rice, eggwhites and protein shakes. I’ll still watch my nutrition and I’ll plan accordingly. Like a squirrel I’ll pack some nuts and drink plenty of water. Sunday I will enjoy a beer or three because I need a break from work and from the diet. I’ll come back recharged and ready to rock. This month is very, very busy for me and I am on the road more than I am home. It will be a great challenge to eating healthy while traveling. Have a great weekend everyone and DO SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF this weekend.

This morning I woke up feeling great. I’ve noticed that if I have a shake before bed I have a ton of energy in the morning. I’ve implemented SciFit Chocolate protein - 2 scoops of chocolate. This protein mixes better for me in a simple shaker and no nasty after-taste. I also use MuscleTech Nitro-Tech Hardcode Chocolate Protein which also mixes well.

I normally head to the gym on an empty stomach and have been taking MuscleTech Gakic an hour before my workout as well as MuscleTech Nano Vapor about 15-20 minutes before my workouts. I will write more on these two products later but this morning I decided to mix things up a bit. I used to take Yoga 3-4x a week but I haven’t done it in about 2.5 years. I decided to take a yoga class this morning at Greenwood Athletic and Tennis Club. The room was heated and after getting used to the temp it was so relaxing. You’ve heard me babble about my friend Sara before and usually it is her kicking my ass in the weight room, but today it was in yoga. It was the first time I’d taken her class and certainly won’t be the last. It was humbling being in class and realizing I’m not quite as flexible and limber as I once was. So I’ve added a new goal within the next 6-8 weeks I will get more flexible and I will be able to do the yoga poses I did with ease a couple years ago.

Implementing yoga into my routines is not only physically beneficial but mentally as well. It teaches me to focus on me and block out distractions. It was an awesome class and I sweated my arse off. I probably lost a good 3lbs in water just from the class.

After class I downed some water and hammered out legs with Hurrle. We did a new, well new for me, excerscise at the end. Find a flight of stairs and do calf raises. Each stair you do the number you are on. So one calf raise for the first stair, two for the second and so on. It seemed pretty easy until about stair number 15 when you’re doing 15 reps and your calves are bellowing out STOOOOOOP MO FRO STOPPPP. It was good.

I’m off to check out a Sportsman’s Expo and Outdoor show which is fun to see the hunting crew and sea of camo. I attend these to check out the new spices and rubs along with jerky or various wild game meat. I’ll let ya know how it goes later tonight.

ohhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmm OUT!

Guess who’s back?! That’s right, me! Albeit with a slightly altered user-name granted to me during the Epic BB.com CSR thread of January 24th, 2008.

Aside from some sore neck issues (which have been very prevalent lately) I’m back to full health and ready to rock things out in the gym. This morning will be lower body + cardio and tomorrow will  be an hour of cardio before work. I am going to be upping both the intensity and duration of my cardio effective immediately, as well as adding in a few new goodies to the plan.

After seeing the results both of our female competitors have made in the first month, I am more determined than ever to kick the men (myself included) into gear. We gotta represent yo! As such I have loaded all of the Rocky movies onto my video I-pod, so nothing can stop me now.

Changes To Soon Be Implemented:
- Avant Research Napalm (Topical Fat Burner) to be added (which means I gotta shave my tummy, hahaha, that’ll make for some interesting progress pics)
- Caloric levels will be dropped by 250 a week until I hit my sweet spot
- Cardio will now be a mix of interval training, endurance training, and some lower intensity during active recovery.
- Every upper body lifting day will also include some bag work (speed bag, heavy bag) if I can get into the aerobics room (sometimes there are classes going on and they won’t let me use it)

Are you ready?

All good plays start with a good plan.  I whipped out my play book and began planning my strategic offense this weekend.  It takes me quite a bit of time but the outcome is worth the effort. I must say that this week isn’t as creative as my past four weeks and I know it will get less as the finish line approaches.  I will be cutting more calories and carbs from the diet as the weeks go by.  Just a little warning: this could make me crabby.  I know you have seen those t-shirt “Warning: Bodybuilder on a Diet.”  LOL  Here is  sample of my diet for this week.

Monday January 21, 2008

5:00 cardio cruise 48 minutes
6:15 meal 1: ½ cup yogurt, ½ cup blackberries (I picked these this summer),  ¼ cup Almonds, and a protein shake made with one scoop IntraPro (Cal 443, Protein 36, Fat 18.25, Carbs 38.5)
9:00 meal 2: Protein shake (2scoops) ( cal 276, pro 48, fat 5, carbs 9)
12:00 meal 3: 2 cups mixed greens, 3oz turkey, ½ apple, 1 TBSP chopped pecans, 1 ½ TBSP craisins, 1Tbsp feta cheese, and 1 cup tomato soup (Cal 385, Prot 18, fat 10, Carb 9)
2:30 meal 4: Protein shake (2 scoops) ( cal 276, pro 48, fat 5, carbs 9)
3:30 Weight training Legs, back, and calves (note: I posted my new program a few days ago)
6:30 meal 5: Grilled chicken breast and 1 cup broccoli (cal 172, pro 31.7, fat 1.7, carb 9.8)

Totals for Monday are Cal 1587  Protein 181.7, Fat 40, Carb 124.8  

Tuesday, January 22

5:00 cardio 52 minutes
6:15 meal 1: 1 cup oatmeal, 1 scoop protein, ¼ cup raisins (Cal 348, Protein 30.6, Fat 4.8, Carbs 44.8)
9:00 meal 2: Protein shake with banana (2scoops) ( cal 386, pro 49, fat 5, carbs 38)
12:00 meal 3: Grilled chicken breast, 1 cups mixed greens, 1.4 cup chopped tomato, ¼ cup cucumber, (Cal 140.5, Prot 27.3, fat 1.7, Carb 4)
2:30 meal 4: Protein shake (2 scoops) ( cal 276, pro 48, fat 5, carbs 9)
3:30 Weight training Chest, Shoulders, Arms, and Abs.  I will also do 20 minutes HIIT
6:30 meal 5: Grilled turkey breast and 1 cup peppers and onions (cal 155, pro 17.87, fat 4.2, carb 11.9)

Totals for Tuesday: 1305.5 calories, 172.7 protein, 20.7 fat, 103.7 carbs

Wednesday, January 23
5:00 52 minutes of peak push cardio
6:15 meal 1: Protein shake (2scoops) ( cal 276, pro 48, fat 4.5, carbs 9)
9:00 meal 2: 3oz turkey, 1oz cheddar(low fat), and a pear ( cal 263, pro 19.2, fat 9.2, carbs 28.1)
12:00 meal 3: Grilled chicken breast and 2 cups mixed greens, 1.4 cup chopped tomato, ¼ cup cucumber, (Cal 287, Prot 22.9, fat 4.3, Carb 5.3)
2:30 meal 4: Protein shake (2 scoops) ( cal 276, pro 48, fat 5, carbs 9)
3:30 HIIT cardio 30 minutes
6:30 meal 5: Grilled turkey breast and 1 cup peppers and onions (cal 155, pro 17.87, fat 4.2, carb 11.9)

Total for Wednesday: 1292 calories, 155.9 protein, 27.7 fat, 63.3 carbs

Thursday January 24
5:00 50 minutes of steady moderate cardio
6:15 meal 1: 1 cup oatmeal, 1 scoop protein, ¼ cup diced peach (cal 327, pro 28.5 fat 4.3 carbs 39.5)
9:00 meal 2: : Protein shake (2scoops) ( cal 276, pro 48, fat 4.5, carbs 9)
12:00 meal 3: Tropical tuna  (Cal 190, Prot 19, fat 2.5, Carb 24)
2:30 meal 4: Protein shake (2 scoops) ( cal 276, pro 48, fat 5, carbs 9)
3:30 Legs, back, and calves
6:30 meal 5: Lemon pepper salmon with 1 cup broccoli (cal 236, pro 30, fat 9.2, carb 4)

Totals for Thursday: 1340 calories, 173.5 protein, 26 fat, 85.5 carbs

Friday January 25
5:00 25 minutes of sprints
6:15 meal 1: 1 cup oatmeal, 1 scoop protein, 1/3 cup craisins (cal 327, pro 28.5 fat 4.3 carbs 39.5)
9:00 meal 2: : Protein shake + pear (2scoops) ( cal 386, pro 49, fat 5, carbs 58)
12:00 meal 3: Salmon and 1 cup broccoli  (Cal 236, Prot 30, fat 9.2, Carb 4)
2:30 meal 4: Protein shake (2 scoops) ( cal 276, pro 48, fat 5, carbs 9)
3:30 Chest, Shoulders, Arms, and abs and 20 minutes of HIIT
6:30 meal 5: grilled burgers (93/7 ground beef) and 1 cup salad

Totals for Friday: 1461 calories, 167.50 protein, 32.7 fat, 149.5 carbs

Saturday January 26
6:30 45 minutes of Yoga, bellydancing, or bootcamp
7:30 meal 1: 1 cup oatmeal, 1 scoop protein (cal 268, pro 27 fat 4 carbs 33.5)
10:30 meal 2: 1 cup cottage cheese ¼ cup pineapple ( cal 250, pro 26, fat 10, carbs 15)
1:30 meal 3: Homemade beef barley soup  (Cal 138, Prot 8.80, fat .72, Carb 22.5)
4:30 meal 4: Italian Tilipia and 1 cup broccoli ( cal 186, pro 24.9, fat 2.8, carbs 14.5)
7:30 meal 5: protein shake (138 cal, 24 pro, 2.5 fat, 4.5 carbs)

Totals for Saturday: 980 calories, 110.70 protein, 20.02 fat, 90 carbs)
Note: depending on how I feel, I may add an extra protein shake today.

Overall it doesn’t seem like a lot of food but I haven’t been hungry yet. I think the Cytolean helps a lot with that.  Feel free to state your opinion on the diet.  Oh and you may noticed that I have a lot of chicken in the beginning of the week. That’s because I have it on hand and refuse to go shopping again until Wednesday.  LOL   Beginning next week I will be adding more salads to help increase the fiber content without adding a lot of calories, carbs, and fats.  I am also working on increasing my water consumption.  Dean at Muscletech says I need more.  On another note I have not drank a soda since the start of this contest and I don’t miss them. Plus I don’t spend any money during the day now.  I save it to buy more Intrapro protein.  I seem to be going through a lot of it.  I am almost through the supply that Gaspari sent.  

As we near the 1/3rd mark for the contest, I’m having to make some plan adjustments due to going back to my old job (for financial reasons). Part of this means that I will again be working 10-12 hour days, so my plan needed to be cut back to a 4 day lifting split. I’ve opted to go with a Upper/Lower split due to this.

New plan (version 1.0, subject to change)

Monday - Upper
Incline DB Bench Press - 4×6
Single DB Row - 4×6
Machine Bench Press - 1×12, 1×10, 1×8
Lat Pulldown - 4×8
Military Press - 4×6
DB Lateral Raises - 2×15
Rear Delt Raises - 2×15
Total Sets: 23 sets
30 minutes Cardio (Cycling)

Tuesday - Lower
Leg Extensions - 2×15
Barbell Squat - 4×6
SLDL - 4×6
Hack Squat - 2×10 (A2G)
Hack Squat - 2×6 (Parallel)
Seated Curls - 2×15
Seated Calf Raises - 2×15, 1×12, 1×8
Total Sets: 20 sets
30 minutes Cardio (Elliptical)

Wednesday - Cardio
1 hour Cardio (Swimming, Cycling, Running)

Thursday - Upper
Barbell Bench Press - 4×6
Seated Row - 4×6
Decline Bench Press - 3×8
Wide Grip Lat Pulldown - 4×10
Dumbbell Military Press - 4×6
DB Front Raises - 2×15
Rear Delt Raises - 2×15
Total Sets: 23 sets
30 minutes Cardio (Skips Superset with Laps)

Friday - Lower
Leg Extensions - 2×15
Front Squat - 4×6
SLDL - 4×6
Leg Press - 1×12, 1×10, 1×8, 1×6, 1×4
Seated Curls - 2×15
Standing Calf Raises - 3×20
Total Sets: 20 sets
30 minutes Cardio (Incline Walking)

Saturday - Optional Cardio
Basketball, Swimming, or Jogging

Sunday - Full Rest

Thoughts: I had originally added direct tricep/bicep work, but with the total volume of the program being higher I want to figure out where I can trim before I add those in. Likely after a couple of weeks I can determine the best place to insert that accessory work. Overall I’m not too worried about them though.

I welcome input/thoughts/criticism/etc. This program was designed off of what has worked well for my body in the past as well as time constraints.

SCT

I feel great.  Extremely sore but great.  The new routine has the DOMS kicking my hinny.  I need a body message.  Despite being sore as hell, I wouldnt change a thing.  I know I am making progress and doing my body good.  I am transforming it one day at a time.  I will keep pushing.  Progress is happening and I am loving it.  Bring on the burn baby!!!

Todays plan:
6:00am  Yep slept in! LOL  cytolean

6:30 Meal1:  4 strips of turkey bacon, 1 slice cheddar cheese, and 2 slices of whole grain bread with animal pak and flex.

8:00 Meal 2: 1 scoop instapro, 10 oz milk, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup raisen, 12 almonds, 1 tbsp peanut butter.  Mix together and enjoy the protein pudding.

By the way did I tell you gaspari’s protein is absolute fabulous.  I open the chocolate and want to dive right in.  Strawberry made my mouth water and the vanilla–all I can say is real french vanilla ice cream.  Dreamy.

11:00 Cardio  multimachines 45 minutes
0-5   EFX level 2 rpe 3
5-15 EFX level 6 RPE 5
15-30 bike RPM 80  RPE 5
30-40 treadmill 3% incline RPE 5
40-45 treadmill flat RPE 3

12:00 cytolean

12:30  meal 3: 4oz grilled salmon, 1 cup each squash and zucchini

3:00 meal 4: 1 scoop instapro with 1 cup yogart

5:30 Meal 5:  1 cup cottage cheese and 1/2 cup pineapple.

Thats right burn baby burn!  I previously posted my experience with a man in uniform, now I want to tell you about my experience with one of the gifts he brought me-Cytolean.  Now you may not know this but I dont use a lot of sups because quite frankly, most fat burners dont seem to do squat for me.  I think growing up with asthma and lots of albuterol has my system jacked.  To get back to the story.  I took my first two cytoleans this morning at 4am and wow.  By the time I started my cardio, I could feel that my body was all revved up.  That right the heat was on.  Cardio was fabulous.  

Before cardio, I usually stop by and check out some posts here at bb.com.  This morning I received a wake up call from my "Mickey".  That’s right Ninjabill sent me the Eye of the Tiger Rocky video.  Got me all pumped up and ready to rumble.  That treadmill had it coming.  We were going to play rough now.  GRRR.  Thanks Mickey.  I know you got my back.

Here is todays plan.

4:00  2 cytoleans with 12 oz water

5:00 Cardio 52 minutes of cruising treadmill fun.  Oh let me get all hot and sweaty.  Went 2.83 miles and burned 366 calories

6:15  Meal 1: 1 cup Kashi cereal with 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup strawberries.  Animal pak and flex

9:00  Meal 2  Intrapro protein with a small banana.  Cant wait to taste the Intrapro.  I got in three fabulous flavors.  MMMM…. Gaspari is so good to us.

11:20  Cytolean - 2 capsules

12:00  Meal 3: 4 turkey meatballs with 1/2 cup marinara sauce and 2 TBSP Parmesan, 2 cups steamed vegs, and 1 scoop shredded mass creatine

2:30  Meal 4  Instapro protein and superpump 250 (1 scoop each)

3:30  Weight Training - Legs, Calves, and abs
squats  15,12,10, 8
lunges 12,10,10
leg extensions 15, 12. 10  Last two sets are drop sets
deadlifts 12,10,10
Leg curls 12,10  partial reps
calf raises 15,15,15
Decline weighted crunch 10,10
Straight leg crunch 15,15
Hanging oblique knee raises 12,12

5:30  Meal 5: 3oz sirloin, 2 cups grilled bell pepper and zucchini

Gonna be a great day.  Started off good.  
Oh and heres to Day 3 of no diet mt dew.  Woohoo. I so got this.  Team c.w. all the way.  Catch us if you can.

This is my workout plan for the next 4 weeks.  it will be performed every other day with swimming taking place on the off days.   Due to my weight I will be wrapping my knees and might even use some heat prior to the workout.  You can’t get fit if you are injured.

As I approach the 8 year mark since my first transformation, I am stoked to be participating in another transformation challenge. I’ve gone from over-weight to ripped and competing in two bodybuilding shows over the last 8 years. The past year I’ve traveled nearly every weekend photographing and reporting on bodybuilding/fitness/figure shows. I’ve gone from having abs like those on stage to looking like a walking cheese ball. Airport food, not eating enough to eating too much. Poor eating habits and not hitting the weights have been my downfall. Traveling and being "too busy" is no excuse for letting my physique slide to what it is now.

While I am not competing for prizes or against the 5 competitors, it doesn’t mean I won’t approach the next 13 weeks with any less intensity. I started my transformation challenge last Monday - December 17, 2007 weighing 219lbs. Today 9 days, later I am at 213.5lbs. I cleaned up my diet and drinking more water. This has made a HUGE difference in my energy levels over the week. Hitting the weights again has been a challenge - I’ve lost a good deal of strength and I’m walking like an 80 year old man with a walker. I over did it a couple days and reminded myself to not over due the weights and I’m not out to set any lifting records. Aight - enough babbling. Here are my "Before" photos and as soon as my camera is returned from SONY - be on the look out for some training videos, visits with some of the pro bodybuilders, top trainers, various classes and more. I’ll also be using my network of contacts in the industry to provide insight into products, training and more. I’m here to show that you can accomplish anything when you put your mind to it. Join me in not only watching the five competitors transform here but also set your own goals and do it with them. My goal - drop 30lbs in 14 weeks and see the six pack again.

BEFORE PHOTOS - December 17, 2007 - 219.3lbs

9 DAYS into it - December 26, 2007 - 213.5lbs

The Ab Hunt Begins!

Simplicity does not precede complexity, but follows it.
Alan Perlis

After much thought, I have come up with the following plan for my 3 month transformation.  As I was thinking over all of the many different options, going through a crazy little loop-di-loop in my brain, the same inner words came back to me time and time again.

"KEEP IT SIMPLE."

This is what I intend to do.

Day 1 & Day 2- Low Carb.  5-6 meals.  Consisting of meats, fish, eggs, whey, and lots of green leafy salads.  Copious amounts of olive oil and red wine vinegar.  Whatever spices I choose.  1800 calories or less per day.

Day 3- Carb up.  Same basic meal plan.  Only carbing up on 3-5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables.  2200 calories or less per day.

This is my plan for month one.  I will evaluate my progress at the end of January and decide if I need to cut back calories further.

Weight training will stay the same, 5 days per week.  I will be lifting heavier, with more intensity, and attempting to cut sets from approx 23 per workout, down to approx 16.  

Cardio will remain 6 days per week.  I will be upping for the first month from 30 minutes per day, to 1 hour per day.   I plan on doing HIIT on the treadmill for one of my two daily cardios.

Month two I will increase cardio again.

Today I fasted, drinking only water, iced tea, apple cider vinegar lemonade with honey, and 1 low carb monster drink.

Thats right. Today is the big day.  Day 1 of the transformation contest.  I am so ready.  Yesterday I felt like a caged animal ready to be released.  Over the long weekend, I wrapped up the final phase of my stategy for the competition.  It just built up the excitement for me.  I would have been in the gym yesterday if it wasnt for other things going on and if my gym was opened.  Ninjabills home gym was a little far to travel for an hours workout. I did donate my fee to the little red kettle though.  LOL

Todays plan of action:

4:30  12 ozs of water with D4 (my cytolean has not arrived yet)  Really missing that morning Mt Dew also

5:00  Cardio hills on the treadmill (More information on next post)

6:15  meal 1: 1 cup oatmeal, 1 scoop protein powder, 1/4 cup dried fruit, 1 tbsp walnuts mixed with water.  

9:00 meal 2: protein shake with 1 small banana and 12 oz water

11:30  12oz water with D4:  Take before pictures

12:00 Meal 3: 4oz grilled chicken, 1 small sweet potato, 1 cup broccoli.  1 scoop shredded mass creatine and 12 oz of water

2:30  Meal 4:  Protein shake and water

3:30 Weight training (Chest, back, Abs) and Garbage
Bench press                15,12,8,8 (last two sets are forced reps)
Incline DB press           12,8,8
Pec Dec Fly                12,12
bent over rows            12,10,8,8
Seated Cable Row        8,8  (dropsets)
Back Extensions           20,20
Pullups                       3 sets to failure (wont take much LOL)
Hanging Leg raises        15,15
crunches                    20,20
Decline Russian twists   15,15
Note: I will fill

5:30 Meal 5:  Baked salmon with large spinach salad (spinach, tomato, mushrooms, and cucumbers spritzed with vigarette)

My official weigh in video.  Weight is up slightly because of the holidays but that just made me more determined to kick butt in this contest. 

I will be posting pics later today. Until then have a great day. TEAM C.W. RULES!!!!

I have been stumbling and tripping around, trying to find a nutrition program -ok, who am I fooling- DIET,that I can live and thrive on for the next 13 weeks.

I am a food addict.

I have food issues.

For some of us, food is sustenance and we can keep a clear line divided.  But for others (most of us), there is this big, fuzzy grey area where food meets pleasure, meets unmet needs.

Ever since I became aware that this contest might be a possibility for me, I  began to eat more.  Not because I wanted to.  Not because I wanted to gain back even one iota of the weight which I have fought tooth and nail to lose.  But because psychologically something took over.

RESTRICTIONS, RESTRAINT.  

THE LAW.

"Thou shall not eat this.  Thou shall not eat that."

I haven’t eaten things like Taco Bell for 3 &1/2 years.  I found myself pulling through their drive-through.

I hadn’t had pizza for a year and a half.  I’ve eaten it twice now in 6 weeks.

"Thou shalt not taste.  Thou shalt not touch."

It’s been driving me crazy.

The mental game for me in the following 13 weeks is going to be living by the following;

"All things are permissable to me, but not all things are beneficial."

MAY GRACE ABOUND.