Today is day 49 of the Transformation Challenge.  I have been busting my butt in the gym..eating clean, following my diet 100%. I am still allowed to have a "bonus meal" one day a week (Sat), so today I made something at home. I had a BBQ chicken breast on a bun with jalapeño monterary jack cheese, avocado spread with mustard, tomato and lettuce.  I had some nachos on the side, chocolate almonds and a bit of ice-cream with some popcorn. I know thats a lot but I didn't feel like I was going to explode or anything.  I did do some extra cardio today and I have been working out 6 days straight.  I usually do 45 mins of fasted cardio but today I did the 45 mins fasted and then 30 mins after my workout today at the gym, and tonight another 1 hr.  So a total of 2hrs 15 mins today.  

My trainer made some minor changes to my diet this week so Im sure by Friday I will see some changes on the scale hopefully. I already see the changes in my body but it would be nice to see the numbers on the scale move a bit to.

Sun and Mon will be a rest day from weights.  Just cardio on those days and i might add in extra as well.  I have to recertify my CPR and first aid on Monday so I wont be able to train. I will however teach my ABS class at night!

Well thats about it. Just going to keep working hard and see how that goes.   

Ok this is me venting about something that happened last night! I usually don't like to make a big deal about things..but Im a little bit pissed. I need to get this out of my head and I probably wont talk to anyone all day, maybe at the gym because I am a stay at home mom who is busy and doesn't get to talk to friends to much, etc, etc.

Anyways last night my husband made these granola bars that looked really yummy.  By the way I bake stuff all the time without temptation to eat it because I am focused on my goal coming up in 13 weeks (Compete in Figure Body Building).  So he says "Want to try a piece, just a little one". I said to him "No thanks".  Then he keeps at it still asking me say just one piece and then I flipped and said "No, I really don't want one, why are you asking me when You know I cant have it, plus I dont want one".  Then I told him I could wait till my cheat meal to try on Sat.  

Anyways Im mad now, because I felt it was rude and he wanted me to explain why I couldn't just spread out little treats here and there instead of one Cheat meal on the same day every week.  Really who cares..Its my goal and my body and don't worry about it.  Ok..thats what happened! Would anyone else be mad?

He can really supportive but sometimes really annoying. You don't ask people who re following a special diet if they want stuff they cant have. Its like saying to an alcoholic "Oh just have one sip, try it out". 

Today I am 14 weeks out from my competition and 3 weeks and 4 days into the body space challenge.  Things have been going pretty well.  The last few days I can feel my energy levels getting a bit low so today I decided to add a fat burner.  The fat burner doesn't have any caffeine but I drink a few coffees a day so that should be ok. I mainly want it so that I am not so hungry in between meals.  

 My diet has been 100% except for my cheat meal that I have on Sat night.  My training has been 100% except the last few days I have felt a little bit low on the energy side.  I am looking forward to changing up my routine soon and I know that my diet will once again change in the next couple of weeks.  

Everything is pretty much the same.  Keeping myself busy helps but I do find that sometimes I need to stop and unwind.  Im a go go go person, so I have to remind myself to take an easy at times.  Next week I will be writing my personal training exam and that will be one less thing off my mind.  

I am hoping to incorporate more spin classes in my training for cardio and just trying to work on my posture.  Well thats about it. Just a little update of whats been going on. 

Today I met with my trainer to practice my posing. Although I need to work on my posture quite a bit I am quite happy with where my posing is coming along.  This will be my 4th show so I am feeling a lot more confident. I am surrounding myself with positive people and I am not giving a **** about what others think. I am trying my best to be the best version of me. I am not perfect but I'm not to bad!

 Ok well that's it.  My posture really bothers me so I have working very hard. Today was a great day because I know I am getting better!

When I am at the gym, I am focused and determined. Before I am ready to perform my set of reps, I stare at the weight, think about what I need to get that weight into position and then I go for it.  I am ready to challenge each set, to perform each rep until I can not do anymore.  If you do not have your head in the game, you are not one with the exercise or your body.  My mind pushes my body even further when it needs to be pushed.  They work together as a team to make things happen.

Well thats how I do it each and every time.  People think I am unapproachable at the gym but I am just focused and determined to get it done. Im not there to socialize I am there to train. 

Today's Workout was a bit challenging due to the fact that I was training quads and my knee still was in a bit of pain.  I managed to still get a great workout in, but I still was a bit on the cautious side when it came to the leg press. Instead of doing the laying leg press I instead did seated.  I really cant wait for this pain to go away so I can go a bit heavier but of course I dont want to injure myself any further.  

I also trained triceps today.  So it took me about an hour to complete my workout.  I didn't do any cardio today as I have already completed 4 sessions of 40 mins this week, which is enough for right now.

Yesterday I saw my trainer and had some adjustments made to my diet. I am so looking forward to the changes in the next few weeks.  I have been following an offseason diet since Oct and now I am starting to cut a few things out.  

Tomorrow I will be training Delts, Calves and some core.  Well that is all for now...almost time to get ready for bed so I can rest up for the gym in the morning. 

Body Space Challenge Day1

Today I registered for the Body Space Challenge. I uploaded some new photos and I am looking forward to journey ahead.  Today was a rest day for me. I just caught on housework, prepping some of my meals and of course rested a little but not as much as I needed. I hurt my knee from the last few sessions of Lower body workouts and HIIT cardio.  

 Well tomorrow is a brand new day. I am teaching 2 30 mins ABS Classes and I will also add in some cardio!

The time is approaching fast, soon I will be hitting the stage for the 2nd time.  This journey has been incredible so far. I have learned so much more about myself.  I know that I have the desire to be the best that I can be and will sacrfice things in order to achieve my goals.  To some these sacrifces may seem alot to handle but to me I enjoy the challenge, to know that I am strong.

I love having goals and completing things. Just like when you use a pen to the end, the shampoo in the bottle is completly done before using another one, or recycle things so that you can use them again. I dont know if that makes sense but I just love finishing things and starting fresh as well.

 I sometimes think in the beginning I am like a catepillar in a cacoon going through stages, and in the end I am a beautiful butterfly.  I am enjoying my diet and training and I love the way I look and feel.  The first time I competed I learned how importatnt support was to have, this time I am learning that I am strong on my own.  Dont get me wrong the support totally helps, but this time I trust that most of my friend support and love me and if they dont thats ok to.  This is my life and I will choose to live it the way that I want to.

Well hopefully I can find the time to blog before. Alot of times I have alot on my mind I want to share, just no time to blog. 

Have a great day...and keep training insane or remain the same!  (love that)

Sometimes I work so hard at reaching my goals that I forget to enjoy the little and even big things in life. I try to be perfect at doing everything. I am stubborn and my pride sometimes gets in the way. I want help but find it hard to receive it. The last few months I have been enjoying life more then I usually do. Now I need to find that balance. I need to get back on track with my goals.
So after taking some time to enjoy life a bit, I am going to start taking those courses I need to finish. I am going to detox my body and be more strict, meaning only 1 treat meal per week while in my offseason. Going to the gym and giving 100% is not a problem but I am going to challenge myself even more by working out with someone to work even harder and to change things up. I did this all of last week and I was amazed on how much my strength has improved and my mind.
There are so many things I want to do that are not fitness related but as long as I have these things in check everything else will follow. Like someone once saiid "positive minds create positive results" this is what I have in my head when I feel a bit on the negative side.
This year is going to the best because I am more focused, dedicated and always striving to keep motivated at reaching my goals.
I am so looking forward to 2012..but until then I angling to enjoy each day until then.

Well today was one of those days that things just kept going wrong, but despite all of those things I still made it through my workout! 

I started the day off positive and excited to hit the gym.  On the way to the gym I almost got into a car accident.  I thought to myself that my guardian angel must of been watching over me and then still just proceeded to the gym.  When I got to the gym I realized that my gym shoes were not in my bag because I took them out this weekend to make room for my hot yoga stuff.  Well I cant workout in winter boots or socks so I packed up my kid and drove back home to get my shoes.

After getting back to the gym a second time around, I realized that I didn't have my water bottle.  That really sucked but at least they had the water fountains.  I realized then that it was going to be one of those days where things went wrong but I wasn't going to stop it from me having a great workout.  I felt sick, and not 100% but overall I had a great workout.

I even got my groceries and home on time to pick my other kid up from school.  I guess it could be worse but working out made it so much better!!

How do you handle criticism without taking it personally?  You listen to what the other person has to say.  Can you disagree with what they say or do you learn from the experience.  Umm that's a hard one, I guess it depends.

I try so hard to be the best that I can be.  Sometimes it is hard to take criticism, especially when you think that you are doing something good.  I always seem to have to try harder then the next person.  I just have to remember that there will always be someone smarter, prettier, and more likeable than me.

On Monday I had an interview for a job to teach a fitness class.  I felt really good after doing my demo class, and felt like I got the job.  Well today I got a call to say that I didn't.  I know that I said I didn't care if I didn't get the job or not, but you know it actually hurt to hear the reason was that I was not the best fit for that position.  They said that in the 20 mins they didn't get to know me and that I should let my passion shine through.  Well who knows anybody in just 20 mins.  I also thought I felt very passionate about teaching that class, so if the didn't see that I guess maybe they are blind.  If they are looking for someone who is bubbly, then I guess that isn't me.  It is just so frusturating because I  can't change who I am.  I know from past experience people love my classes, I even told her that.  It is just hard to please people so instead I am just going to focus on myself. 

So this is what I say to myself when I feel down..."Suck it up Princess" because in the end another door will open and something better will come along.

I almost forgot how much I love to teach fitness classes. I have been teaching for 8years now, and had to give up my classes because I had to be at home for my daughter who just started Kindergarten.  I thought it would be a good change for me, that now I can just focus on my own workouts, but today confirmed that I still have the passion and desire to teach.

I love to to lead, inspire and motivate people to exercise. I love to create workouts and feel the rhythm of the music flow through each muscle of my body.  I love when people are sore and thank me later for a great class. 

Today I had an interview to teach classes again.  It is only 2x a week, but it will fit into my schedule.  I had to do a demo class for 3 people that work there.  Although I use to to work for them in the past and have been teaching for a long time I was still nervous.  I still had that self doubt that I should just not even try.  You know what I did? I said to myself that I am good, and that I should believe in myself. I changed that negative thinking into positive.  After doing my demo class It just confirmed to me that teaching is my passion. I love it!!

Even if I dont get the job, I know that I am a great instructor and that people love my classes.  I gave it my all and that is all I can do.  It feels good to feel like I did today...on top of the world. 

After taking 2 months from doing any ABS exercises because my abs were to thick, I was so excited to go to the gym today to work my ABS and Lower Back. I also added some cardio before and after the workout. 

I like to start off by warming up, get the blood flowing and prepare mentally for my workout by doing some low intensity cardio.  I usually like to use the eliptical because you get a full body workout by using the arms or legs but you can choose any type of cardio you want as long as the intensity is low.

CARDIO CORE

Super Set #1 - Captains Chair Raise 32 REPS- 20 REPS - 18 REPS

                     - Stability Ball Hyperextensions (Body Weight) 20 Reps for 2 Sets

3rd Set I did Hyperextensions off the equipment with 25lb plate - 15 reps

Super Set #2 - Stability Ball Plank Hold- 45 Ses- 2 Sets

                     - Incline Back Bridge 45 Secs - 2 Sets

Super Set #3  Decline Situp - 15 Reps  3 Sets

Barbell Stiff Legged Deadlift 40lbs - 12 Reps- 50 lbs- 10 Reps-

60 Lbs 8 Reps- 2 Sets

Finish off with:

Tummy Tucks - 20 reps - 2 Sets

and 20 Mins of low - moderate intensity Cardio depending on your fitness goals.  I am trying to add muscle so I just did some low intensity 3.5mph walking on the treadmill.

I got most of these exercises out of the November Oxygen issue so if you are unsure what they are pick up a copy.  I changes some of the equipment and reps to fit my needs.

I had an awsome workout today, I am looking forward to doing this workout again and modifying where I feel I need to.

The day is finally here.  Today I compete for Figure for the first time.  I am so excited and trying on just enjoying the day.  I have put in the hard work and commitment so now I ready to walk on stage with pride and just give it all that I have.  What ever the results are I know that I have given it my all. 

The last few days I just can't sleep, although I probably need it.  I am just so happy the day is finally here. I am looking forward to tonight, celebrating what ever may be with friends and family.  Right now what I really want is a glass of ice cold water.  I thought I would really want food ( burger and fries and some chocolate), BUT I really just want to drink water until I am so full of it.  I LOVE H20 and I will never take it for granted ever again if I did. lol

This experience has made me appreciate the small things and know I know that my mind is strong enough to do what I need to do to get to where I want to be.

Well I am just going to have fun...and see whats meant to be.