What an experience this has been! I would first like to thank Dymatize and Bodybuilding.com for giving me this opportunity to challenge myself and take my experience in the weight room and the kitchen to the next level. It is so inspiring to be a part of a group that works together to achieve similar goals and aspirations. I would also like to thank my husband who has stuck by my side since I decided to take on this 12 week challenge. I can't count how many times he delayed his workouts to help me because he wanted me to succeed. I would also like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to be able to do the things I love like running and lifting. Every day I am grateful that I have been blessed with the ability to wake up and workout!

After my volleyball career and during my Master's Exercise Science program at the University of South Dakota, I came across bodybuilding.com and was hooked right away. During volleyball I did not have to worry about coming up with my own workouts so after four years it was challenging for me to come up with my own workout routine, diet plan and supplementation plan. One day I googled workout plans and found bodybuilding.com, which had tons of information on nutrition, workouts, blogs, recipes, etc., I was hooked! Since that day I have always used bodybuilding.com and absolutely love it! One day while I was on the site, I clicked on challenges and came across the Dymatize 12 week challenge. There was no debate whether or not I was going to do this challenge so I signed up right away!

As a group fitness instructor, I always encourage my clients to set goals. One of the greatest feelings as a trainer is watching a client reach a goal they once thought was impossible to reach. After seeing this for so many years, I decided that it was time for me to set some goals for myself, so I signed up for this challenge. Signing up was one of the best decisions of my life! All the early mornings, hard workouts and choosing chicken over pizza paid off as I began to see changes in my body and the final outcome was even greater  than I imagined. I never thought I would have the courage to step on a stage in a tiny bikini, with insane lighting, in front of hundreds of people to show off my body and hard work, but I did. This challenge by Dymatize gave me the confidence I needed to compete! It was such an amazing, uplifting experience and I cannot wait to do it again.

My confidence, energy levels, happiness and knowledge have improved from this challenge. I no longer have to look at women in fitness magazines and wish I could look like them. I now look in magazines to see what the next step is to become a fitness model to inspire others and help them overcome the fear of failure. I did not let the fear of failure stop me from this challenge or stepping on stage and I do not plan on letting it stop me from other goals I have set for myself!

"The greatest barrier to success is the fear of failure." ~ Sven Eriksson

Diet/Nutrition:

Meal 1: 1/2c. oatmeal

            3 egg whites 1 full egg

Meal 2: 1 turkey burger

            1 c. green veggies

Meal 3: Protein shake

Meal 4: 6 oz grilled chicken

            4 oz sweet potato

Meal 5: 6 oz lean meat or fish

           1 c. green veggies

Meal 6: Protein shake or eggs

Supplements:

CLA's, multivitamin, OxyElite, Dymatize protein, Chromium Picolinate, BCAA's

Workout Plan:

I followed Lee Labarada's workout plan from bodybuilding for 6 weeks and loved it but needed more leg days added! After the 6 weeks I decided to switch it up to a workout progam I made myself. The workout program I made focused on specific muscle groups 6 times per week. I also needed to add more HIIT in my workouts so this helped burn more fat.

Day 1: Legs (Quad focus) -- 30 min steady state cardio (running)

Day 2: Chest and ABS

Day 3: Back-- HIIT 20 minutes

Day 4: Shoulders and ABS

Day 5: Legs (Hamstring focus)-- 30 min stairmaster

Day 6: Arms-- HIIT 20 minutes

Day 7: OFF

Hiiiiiiii,

I can't believe that I am this far into the competition, feels like I just signed up yesterday!!!! So far I feel good about my progress and hope to continue seeing results week to week. I need to get a little stricter with my diet. My husband and I have a bust summer schedule with weddings so my diet needs to be right on to have success for this challenge! I am excited to see how my body is next week. Progress pictures are so motivating and help me stay accountable! Have a great week!

Weekends always seem to be tough when it comes to dieting! This weekend I am going to make sure I stick to my diet and exericise! Week one has already gone by so fast, there is not time to waste! Want to be down 2 pounds by Monday morning, leggo!

Happy Friday everyone!!!!!!

Bring on leg day ! Need to get better at writing stuff down! I am hoping to start a carb cycle next week to see how my body reacts!!!!

Before I started this challenge I was unmotivated and was really hard on myself when it came to working out. I would print a plan, miss one day of lifting or eat bad, then quit. It is so important for people to be determined to finish what they start. Just because you fail one day does not mean it is over, it just means you have to work harder the next day!!! This nike quote is true when it comes to who you think you are. Push through and the end results will be amazing, thats what I plan to do!

Today I signed up for the Dymatize 10K Body Transformation and I am so motivated to win! In the past I was not motivated to succeed and often times my goals failed. I am at a stage in my life where I have nothing to lose and everything to gain so failing is not an option. I am excited to see how my body changes over these next 12 weeks and where this transformation will lead me!

I have decided to do Lee's 12 week program. After doing research I believe this one suits me and that Lee is a great person to take advice from! Tonight I will be posting before pics, my body fat percentage and my weight! Goals will be made from those numbers! Stay tuned for more blogs throughout the week!

Take care!