Envy2428’s BodyBlog

Okay, so back in January I wrote something about wanting to possibly enter a transformation contest….Well after a few months of working on it, it kind of slipped away in March.  I lost 18 lbs and danced a lot in those 3 months.  Then all of a sudden, I forgot about my goal.  I became busy with other things in my life, stopped dancing, and started eating more than I should have been   But, now I feel like I’m getting back on track with things   Thanks to an e-mail from my friend, Tamar, she reminded me that I did have a goal back in January and I did want to enter some type of contest.  After receiving this wonderful e-mail that made my day, I talked about it with my amazing boyfriend and he said he would support me through any contest I chose to enter.  With his encouragement I decided to try Body for Life.  I was kinda skeptical about it, until I took the time to find out what it was all about.  It’s basically the principles of a bodybuilding diet.  ….clean eating, 6 meals a day, lots of water, and workouts split into upper and lower and bouts of cardio in between….

I realize that the split could get even more technical, but this is perfect for me in order to work my way back to where I was.  So, this challenge is 12 weeks/84 days and I will do my best.  Day 1 is complete and I have to say that I did pretty good   I drank more water than I have been recently and had smaller portions and more frequent meals.  My attitude is pretty good I think, I didn’t feel upset that I couldn’t eat as much.  I felt happy, and content with the fact that I didn’t feel like I would burst out of my jeans….LOL  My goal for the next 2 days is to get some grocery shopping done, some meal planning done, and get my pics taken for the contest.  After day 1, I already lost 1.6lbs…I realize that it’s all water weight, but who cares!!!  I’m happy about it and at least the weight is down and not up!!!  So, I will continue to blog throughout my 84 day journey to track my progress and stay motivated.  WOOHOO!!  Go Body for Life!!

It’s been a loooooong time since I’ve written, and a long time since hitting the gym for that matter.  I’ve been doing a lot of thinking…..about my goals, dreams, about where I could have been now had I stuck with things this past year.  But I don’t have regrets.  The things I went through were learning experiences and have only made me stronger.  I always psych myself up with the awesome goals that I want to accomplish, yet somehow I always break myself down and seem to fail.  It’s not because I can’t do it because I know I can.  I just am darn good and talking myself out of things!!  So I wonder a lot if I quit or give up because of fear of failing after trying so hard…..OR….is it because I’m scared of what it would be like if I actually succeeded???  Anyways, after all this thinking I finally got my but off the couch and lifted some weights at home!!  Yay me!  So because I’m on Xmas break at my parents house out of town, I lifted weights in preparation for my return to the gym on Monday.  I’m ready, but I’m also really nervous.  I hope I’m able to get into that zone where I see no one around me and focus only myself and the improvements I’m making with my body.  I have a workout thanks to a wonderful person and in the next couple days I’m going to start compiling a list of clean eating meals.  I’ve also been thinking about these Transformation contests on Bodybuilding.com and sometimes wonder if I can do it or If I’m just fooling myself.  I need a goal…..and I thought this might be a good way to start, But we’ll see.  Of course I’d post it on my page if I decide to actually take part in one of them   So it’s Jan. 2, 2009 and I’m on my way to a new me. At this time next year I don’t want to be the same person I am now…..I want to Better, Healthier and Happier!!!

Ok….Here goes….I need to get this out of my system because not 1 person around me could possibly understand my goals at the moment.  When I first started to lift weights competing was only a distant thought.  But now, I’m hooked….Yeah my workout slacks a little and my diet slacks a little here and there….but I’ve been thinking about competing more and more lately.  I haven’t exactly made up my mind for sure yet….But I WANT to train like a figure competitor…..All I keep thinking in my mind is "I WANT THIS, I WANT THIS, I WANT THIS".  I WANT to work towards healthy goals and challenge myself daily.  I love lifting weights and I feel like the only way I can really stick to it is if I set some realistic goals for myself and push myself towards accomplishing them.

Here’s the thing though….I read daily and constantly….and I MEAN CONSTANTLY.  I have learned so much about bodybuilding, figure competitions, nutrition and exercises…but I still can’t seem to put it all together.  It seems that with the knowledge I’ve gained I should be able to easily come up with my own plan and get excellent results….I don’t know why…but it’s just not happening.  I would really enjoy having a real person to talk to about bodybuilding….you know, someone that I can relate to and has similar goals and interests as myself.  I’m wondering if the problem is the fact that I don’t have the proper support system I need to be successful.  It’s really hard when not 1 person I know can understand what I want to achieve……I can’t even have a verbal conversation with anyone with the same interests.  It really sucks   I REALLY WANT THIS…..BUT I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE…..I’ve worked with a trainer, but I just didn’t get the individual attention and planning that I needed….I keep looking, but unfortunately it’s been extremely difficult to find someone.  I’m not sure what else to say…..I’m at a loss…..BUT….that doesn’t mean I’m going to stop what I’m doing currently….I will work at perfecting my nutrition and workouts and hope to find friends interested in bodybuilding and maybe one day….a trainer…..

I didn’t know Amanda but I knew who she was…….

I just found out yesterday what happened…I don’t understand how I couldn’t have known…..

Although I didn’t know her personally, this situation/incident has extremely affected me.  I don’t know why, but I was crying all morning yesterday and I was crying at night about this.  I’ve been glued to my computer reading every story, listening to every radio interview/news show, and watching every TV news clip I could find related to this.  I’m just so upset….Even when I think about it for a sec, I get teary eyed.  Is it strange that I’m crying over this?  Maybe it’s because we were about the same age….she had achieved what I want to achieve….From videos I’ve seen and things I’ve read, she had a great sense of humor, a big heart, was close to her family, was fit, healthy and had goals and aspirations to accomplish in her lifetime.  I think I just feel like I can relate because it seems I have a lot in common with her.  Unfortunately, now she will not be here to continue to strive for achievement of her goals, but she will be in our hearts and minds as an inspiration always.  She has accomplished so many great things….It’s so sad to know she’s gone.  My prayers go out to her family and friends…..Rest in Peace, Amanda

Alright….I don’t have some amazing, interesting thing to write about….but…..

I had an awesome workout today!!  I worked out for 1 hr 45 mins!!!  I felt so re-energized following this   I focused on my chest, tri’s and abs.  When I finally hit my tri’s I was a little ticked because they’re so weak and I can barely lift anything….but as someone at the gym said, "baby steps, baby steps".  I felt a little better knowing that something is better than nothing. I also did 36 mins on the elliptical!!  I know, you might say 36 mins??  That’s nothing…well, not for me.  I have struck a new record on elliptical mins!!  I’m so proud of myself!  I don’t think I could have done it without the bodybuilding.com videos I was able to upload into my iPod.  I’m addicted to them!! So, with that being said, I’m pumped for my workout this afternoon!!  Back and Bi’s baby!!!  I love training these   I’m on a bodybuilding high!!! WOOOHOOO!!

First of all, I just want to say thank you to those who read my last blog post and offered such wonderful comments and suggestions   I truly appreciate it.  You don’t know how much it really helped me

Now as I’m eating my yummy protein pancake and drinking a HUGE thirst quenching glass of H2O I’m thinking about my plan to become a healthier and stronger individual…..  I finally have a plan of action!!!  Yeah me!!  I have come up with a workout schedule consisting of a split routine along with cardio 6 days a week.  I know I can do this!!  I have tons of music and videos to get me through my workouts!!  I have also started compiling a list of ‘figure-friendly’ ‘clean-eating’ meals that I can reference throughout my day as well as help me prepare ahead of time…..which is really what I need to stay consistent on! So, once again, thank you so much for your comments and taking the time to read!!

I have lost my motivation   I have lost my focus   I no longer know what to do to achieve my goals.

I don’t know where to re-start.  I’m full of confusion…..There are so many tips, routines, when to eat, when not to eat, what to eat.  It’s just too much and I’m not sure I’ll be able to straighten it all out.  I wish I had someone to just tell me exactly what to do.  Too bad I can’t find a trainer who works specifically with my health concerns and training goals in mind.  I’m sick of those who train with a generalized program and feed the same workout to every individual without considering the person as a unique one with goals and needs different from every other person.  I hope I will eventually get a better grasp on things.  I guess I just have to give it time….. But I want to achieve my goals!!!  I don’t have time to give it time!!  I guess all I can say is if you read this, Pray and Hope that I get some sort of plan in action for myself.  I want to get healthier and become more fit….I don’t want to just wait until I realize a great idea on how to do things   I need to act and I need to act now.  Maybe writing this will give me some sort of drive in order to get things done.

Well after a looooong tiring day, I finally sat down to organize my new training and nutrition plan of action.  I will be eating 6 times per day with about 1-2 whey protein shakes per day and glutamine supplementation for pre and post workout as well as a multivitamin with breakfast.  As tired as I was this evening, I ended up getting a second wind and cooked 3 dishes that I can combine for meals throughout the upcoming week.  There is currently a blizzard warning here and using what I had in house kept me creative with my meals:)  I have chicken, asparagus and sweet potatoes, yogurt, berries and cheeses to make it through:)

My workout will be the following:

A 3-day split for muscle definition and conditioning

3 sets/10-15 reps (15, 12, 10) followed by 30 mins. of cardio (steady state or interval)

Day 1 - Chest/Shoulders/Triceps

Day 2 - Back/Biceps/Abs

Day 3 - Legs

Day 4 - off or Cardio

Day 5 - Chest/Shoulders/Triceps

Day 6 - Back/Biceps/Abs

Day 7(Sunday) - Off

The cycle repeats with Sundays always being totally off.

Leg routine: Alternating Lunges; Dumbbell Plie Squats; Stiff-Legged Deadlift; Leg Press/Sled

Chest/Shoulders/Triceps: Incline dumbbell Press; Incline Dumbbell Flye; Dumbbell Press; Side Lateral Raise; Bench Rear Delt Flye; Overhead EZ-Curl Press; Dumbbell Kickback

Back/Biceps/Abs: Assisted Pull-Up Machine; One-Arm Dumbbell Row; Dumbbell Bench Row; Dumbbell Pullover; Seated Alternating Dumbbell Curl; Hammer Curl; Side Oblique Crunch; Alternating Straight Leg Raises; Hip Thrust on Bench

I’ll do these exercises with minimal rest between sets alternating between exercises for the 1 particular muscle group and then moving on to the next muscle group and doing the same, etc.,

Well, I think I covered it all!!!  Hopefully tomorrow afternoon I can get to the gym if the blizzard didn’t hit too hard and I can begin this wonderful journey to health, fitness, and hapiness!!!

Ciao:)

I’m really sleepy right now…I’ll do my best to get my thoughts onto paper:)  As I sit here drinking my morning coffee and hoping for a school delay (I’m a teacher)….I’m also thinking about my new my plan of fitness and nutrition that I will put into effect as soon as I can keep my eyes open long enough.  I have not been eating well at all lately..more like the past 2 weeks…I’m so exhausted from work and not getting enough sleep that I don’t even have enough energy to prepare my meals ahead of time….AND…the things I did have time to make weren’t even that good so that turned my taste buds off.  I have to stop this NOW!!!  I am 100% aware of the damaging effects all of this crap food is doing to me because I’ve done enough research on the negative health aspects (besides gaining weight).

I am going to revamp my program.  I went to the Arnold Classic over the past weekend and I was just blown away!!!  It really pumped me up!!!  There are so many beautiful and fit people around (on the inside and outside).  It really made me re-evaluate my current training and nutrition situation.  I’ve completely stopped going to a personal trainer; Mainly because of financial reasons and because I think I just wanted more specific and individualized training and I’m a little picky about exercises and routines that I like or don’t like.  I’ve decided that I’m knowledgeable enough to develop my own program due to the fact that I have been doing so much reading and research in the past years.  This way I can do what I want when I want and in the order that I want.  I met Monica Brant over the weekend (more on that later), and bought her book (she autographed it for me:)).  Although it’s geared toward all people with all types of fitness goals, it does discuss some tips on training for muscle definition and conditioning.  I will follow one of those programs and eat 6 meals per day.  I won’t hire a nutritionist because I know what I’m supposed to eat and will only change things if I’m not making the progress I’m hoping for.  For motivation, I am beginning to find pictures of fitness and figure competitors I admire and will put them on display so I do not veer away from my goals….They will be in view so I see them when I wake up in the morning I will not talk myself out of going to the gym.  I look up to Monica Brant and she is an inspiration to me.  She has accomplished so much in her life and is a fitness icon.  I want to have a list of accomplishments and hopefully become an inspiration to someone else.  If this is truly what I want to achieve in my life, then I must work for it without fail until I reach my goal.  Wish me luck!!!!  (I will keep up with my progress and post pics as well)

Balanced Determination…

"Balanced determination, as generated by strength of

character, is calm, reasoned, patient and persistent.

It drives toward a goal, but the drive is steady and

consistent, and at the beginning foresees delays, long

or short, along the way."

- J. A. Rosenkranz