fitdiva83's BodyBlog

Capricornication

fitdiva83 — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 07:25:41 +0000

So January has come and will be gone by the end of today . I am one year older, as a result, and hopefully wiser . If you’re like me right now, you may be looking at your tax returns and may be wondering how on earth do you earn that much a year, but can’t account for most of it? Hellooooo, living in New York City. This is where the Capricorn in me starts panicking and tries to get things in order, pulling out old bills, bank statements, etc, etc. Because eventually, I will have to answer to the accountant who does my taxes, who happens to be my father. Where did I spend the bulk of my money in ’08? Um, ski trip to Montreal, food and supplements , gym clothes and kicks. Lol. That is so sad. My Aquarian side says phuck it….let’s get ready for V-Day.

But aside from my minor finance woes, the month has been quite fulfilling. I truly enjoyed celebrating the fifth anniversary of my 21^st b-day and I didn’t even eat cake or make champagne toasts. I’m roughly two to three weeks behind on my prep because training just wasn’t happening as consistently as I’d planned it. Nonetheless, one can only look to the future and put his or her best foot forward. And despite these setbacks, I am not disappointed in myself at all. I think I needed the break from all the training and dieting that I had been doing this past fall and into the early winter. And I am happy I did so. I’m feeling more content than I have in a while . Sometimes, the responsibilities and commitments in our lives cry out for a re-prioritization. And alas, that is what I did.

Serious Inquiries……

fitdiva83 — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:58:33 +0000

For those of you who have asked about my back/ my back workouts, I’ll post a sample workout soon when I get the chance. To be honest, I do change my back workout every week, but my staples are pull-ups (assisted of course), close-grip pull-downs and rows of various sorts. I love training back, therefore I really push myself during these workouts. I like to skip rope between sets, experimenting with various footwork. Combine the lifting and the rope for a superior strength building and heart pumping session.

Brooklyn, We Go Hard ;-)

fitdiva83 — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 08:01:50 +0000

This morning commenced the first day of my prep….yup. I woke up, had my egg whites and oatmeal then headed out to the gym to hit back and abs (my favorite split) and jump-roping in between sets. Yes, it was a hell of a workout, but what a better way to start off 16 weeks of competition preparation? Hence, the theme song of my prep season– Brooklyn Go Hard featuring Jay-Z and Santogold. I’m in love with the song and had it on repeat during the vast majority of my workout.

I’m back to my diet, except I don’t have to eat fish 3x a day if I don’t want to. My protein choices are still varied, though my complex carbs are still limited. I can also have two servings of any fruit I want, for now. The same applies for veggies. So for now, I am focusing on maintaining my upper body mass (I don’t have to build, yes!) and leaning out my lower half. I have a day where I train my glutes and hamstrings and then a day where I’m doing plyometrics (jump squats, walking lunges, bench jumps, jump lunges, squat thrusts)…you know the workout that makes you want to vomit afterwards. Every other night, I’m doing an old stretching routine that I used when I danced to help with my flexibility in the hips and glutes. My quads are pretty overpowering. Therefore, I’m leaving them alone until I diet down some more to see how they’re looking. Shoulders and rear delts; back and abs; light chest and arms (every other week) are the remaining splits. And of course, cardio, cardio, cardio, 6x a week, 45 mins in duration. Two of those sessions have to be interval training in nature, the other three moderate intensity and one steady-state. So that is the plan for now. Time to go hard.

besos,

LolaJ

Home for the Holidays

fitdiva83 — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 10:50:28 +0000

There is nothing like being home for the holidays, especially if you’ve been in hiatus from the family for an extended period of time. I must say, that this season has brought with it a bagful of unexpected surprises. So I left the Big Apple for little old Beantown. And as boring as my sleepy neighborhood has been, I’ve actually been enjoying joking around with my siblings, cooking with my Dad and watching youtube videos, yes youtube, with my mom. I took the entire week off from training and dieting, something that I haven’t done since early September. For once, I don’t feel one ounce of guilt. As I prepared my breakfast off egg whites this morning, I discussed with my mom some of the details of figure competition prep as she scolded me for wasting the vital nutrients of egg yolks. For some reason, she isn’t too keen on the next to nothing two-piece suits figure competitors have to wear. I am working on warming her up to the idea of actually coming to see a show. "Will you come to a show, if I’m competing?" I asked her. "Will I come see you swing from a pole?" she retorted, sarcastically. I then tried to explain that it wasn’t a bikini contest, but a physique competition. Fortunately, my dad was a little more understanding and hopefully, can help soften my mother’s notions about figure and bodybuilding. In the meanwhile, I will continue to bask in the few days I have left before crunch time begins.

Quickie

fitdiva83 — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:44:37 +0000

It’s been a hectic week or so as I get my dancers in shape and ready for their winter performance. So I’ve been choreographing and dancing my booty off every day during lunch and after-school and am very tired. I’ve been able to squeeze in my own training in the mornings, but cannot wait for my two week winter vacation coming up. I’ve been working on a new leg routine..and it involves pop, lockin’ and droppin’ (lol), and it seems to work! I feel everything getting tighter…just waiting for them to start shrinking. My latest progress pics are up…a new set will follow @ the end of the month, just in time for the new year.

Blessed

fitdiva83 — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:55:16 +0000

After a phenomenal week spent with my friends and family, I find myself reflecting on how truly blessed I am or in other words…the laundry list of things that I am thankful for. I thought that I really had the fall from hell until a week or two ago, when life began to truly regain normalcy, the number one thing that I am thankful for. I’ve experienced how acts of true kindness and generosity are returned when one least expects it and create endless opportunities. And yes, things have an odd way of working themselves out. Perhaps not in the way that you want them to, but in a manner that allows equilibrium to ensue. Though it is hard to exhibit kindness all the time or to forgive those who least deserve empathy, the holidays have a special way of illuminating what really matters. I had been so consumed in my own training, dieting, self-obsession with my physique and personal disappointments that I had lost sight of the elements that were crucial to my even being here. My body began to reveal the tremendous stress that I had been under and the physical stress that I had subjected it to. So, instead of getting caught up in the frenzy of Christmas shopping or even working out, I stayed in, relaxed, entertained friends, listened to some music, worked on my poetry anthology, and re-organized my space to reflect my new state of mind. Tomorrow we begin anew.

Better In Time

fitdiva83 — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 01:06:53 +0000

I did say that I would post more frequently. Training and dieting, however, have taken priority, in addition, to my job and getting in my LSAT prep time. I’ve been pretty diligent with the workouts– a special shout-out to my incredible training partner who suffers through the cardio with me. Lol.

So I’ve grown accustomed to the fact that fish will be a regular staple in my diet and I can only consume limited amounts of cottage cheese (slightly allergic to dairy, who knew?) A cheat meal for me would be sushi or whole wheat pasta with ground turkey. Yup, so I’m eating 90% clean even in the off-season. Well, I’m throwing down for Thanksgiving. Sorry. The amazinig thing is that I see the difference in my physique usually on weekly basis. Sometimes the difference can vary day to day, depending on my choice of food consumption. With patience and consistency, it all gets better in time. A person’s physique, that is.

So now that I am pretty much in control of my nutrition and training is going well, I am starting to set mini-goals for myself. I’ve been running a lot for my cardio–very therapeutic. Nonetheless, I hate endurance running! Can’t you tell that I was a sprinter? Lol. So I will be working on my slow-twitch muscles and building stamina. Thus, November’s goal for cardio is to be able to run 4 continuous miles outside. Right now, I jump-rope for about 15 mins to warm up my knees, then head outside to jog/run for 25-30 mins (2 and a half to 3 miles). I will slowly increase the time to 40 mins. My goal for training is to gain more definition in my triceps. So I am working them twice a week…once with shoulders and biceps and then again with chest. In four weeks time, I should be seeing the change. Right?

Dating and Dieting

fitdiva83 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:00:19 +0000

This weekend was probably one of the most productive that I have had in a long time. I trained 2x a day, plus managed to stick to my diet with minimal cheats and prepared most of my meals for the week. I also cleaned house, did some reading and soul searching and healing (no, not the Marvin Gaye kind). And somewhere in the midst of all that, I managed to go out on three dates. Now, while all three men go to the gym and may indulge in healthy cuisine from time to time, none of them could understand my eating habits–dressing on the side, tell the chef no salt, hold the rice, please! I suppose they assumed that it was typical female coy behavior. One seemed quite annoyed. Another found it quite amusing. I don’t know why guys insist on eating all the time! What can you do in the city that does not culminate in some type of palatory experience? I thought I could juggle the dieting and the dates, until last night at the movies. The movie commenced at eight, my last meal of the night was at nine. And it was tilapia and broccoli. When I removed my container of fish and greens from my purse, my date looked horrified…even in the dark. "You’re not going to eat that here," he told me. "Why can’t you just eat some popcorn?" Now, it was my turn to gasp. "I was planning on going out of the theater with this. I have to eat." He simply shook his head. So I stayed put, despite the fact the grumbling of my stomach was loud enough to overpower the sound of gunshots and screaming on the silver screen. I glanced longingly at my Ziploc container and caught a glimpse of my date who mouthed, "it smells like fish." Thus, how could I put up a fight when he suggested a trip to Cold Stone Creamery? How was I to get out of that one? To be continued……….

When is Enough, Too Much?

fitdiva83 — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 22:43:44 +0000

It’s funny how when you acquire an unexpected amount of money, you discover a plethora of needs and purchases to spend it on. While running errands all around the city yesterday, I had to exhibit an enormous amount of self-control as I was tempted to buy new gym clothes, stilettos, eye cream amongst other things. I ended up purchasing an inexpensive new gym outfit (I think I deserve it) and a load of vitamins and supplements. It didn’t help that the cashier at Vitamin Shoppe was a certified hottie; and when he suggested some new items, I could not turn them down. For someone who can be excessive in her habits, is it possible too consume too many supplements? Here’s a sampling of what I purchased:

multi-mineral/multi-vitamin, evening primose oil, super fish oil, CLA, calcium, glucosamine and chondroitin, a variety of green teas, powdered greens, and I will stop there.

So I am wondering, is the intake of all these supplements really necessary? And if not, what drives the regular fitness enthusiast to their regular consumption?

Check-In

fitdiva83 — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:09:43 +0000

It’s funny how things drastically turn for the better. I am paid, finally! Trip to Europe for the holidays, gratis! And my friends, colleagues and students are all phenomenal and I am BLESSED to have them in my life. Yesterday, between training and completing a three hour diagnostic test for the LSAT, I was feeling a bit exhausted. I am actually enjoying this academic year, surprisingly. After an hour long convo with my coach late last night, I managed to drag myself out of bed for a morning of sprints and the elliptical. She had reminded me of how pleased she was with my check-in pics and urged me to remain consistent. Before heading to the gym at 5 am, I wrote down my list of daily goals and to-do’s, which included no cheat snacks, an after-school meeting with the Robotics club, two 45 min cardio sessions. And still I had to include two hours of LSAT prep. And someone actually told me that I didn’t have the motivation and drive to succeed. I suppose graduating from Harvard and earning a master’s degree two years later while teaching full-time is a clear indicator of a lack of drive. Then again, everyone is entitled to their delusions. Kinda amusing to be insulted by people whose academic credentials pale in comparison to mine. Sorry, won’t feign humility on this one.
I do miss blogging and will try to post a couple times a week in order to stay on track with all aspects of my life. Now to the gym for some boxing, jump-roping, shoulders and abs. Some interesting stats to note: This porker right here is down 5lbs from last week and is boasting a waist that is just shy of 27 inches…now if that is not motivation, I don’t know what else is . Time for some rounds. Let’s get it. In the words of Jay, I’m focused, man!

Until next time, train hard. Muchos besos.