The I Love Carbs Blog

The 5 Week Count Down!

ilovecarbs — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 21:33:44 +0000

Yesterday was a high carb day for me. Hubby and I went to the gym and I hit arms and cardio. It felt good to feel good, and not tired and drained from having low carbs in my system. Arms were feeling pumped!

We went home and got ready for a night out. We were going to go to a BB show in town, but went and enjoyed a nice dinner together (our cheat meal!) and spent some quality time chatting and stuff. It’s been so crazy busy in our house with the girls having practices almost everyday, and throw in school, church, and training…not to mention baking So, it was nice to just have a relaxing night. My cheat meal was uneventful. I splurged on the appetizers. We went to an italian restaurant and of course they bring you some fresh-out-of-the-oven white italian bread with seasoned olive oil to dip it in. MMmm! And we ordered calamari (for me) and hot spinach dip. I had a little of both with a small glass of white wine. My dinner was actually pretty light. I thought I’d balance off the appetizers with something healthier. Plus, I was thinking ahead and I knew I would have a cupcake later on. My dinner was a 4oz. grilled salmon, with grilled asparagus and grilled broccoli. The best part of my cheat meal came later. I was able to experiment on different cupcake recipes and flavors and actually got to eat it!

Today I’m up a couple pounds. No big deal. But I am so bloated from eating that food last night. My body just doesn’t like it. My tastebuds definitely enjoys it though. Got to get back on track now. I’m 5 weeks out, and feeling really good about leaning out this time! I have to start practicing my posing and routine. I meet with my trainer every week now for fine tuning. Here we go again folks!!!

Updates on Leaning Out….

ilovecarbs — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:21:29 +0000

It’s been awhile since I last wrote anything. My training has been good. My strength is up and down, depending on high/low carb days. Yesterday was a low day. Usually I end up revising my training to higher reps, lower weights. But, since I traied a bit earlier, I was feeling pretty good. I lifted heavy for chest and abs day. I did 45 minutes of low intensity cardio. By the time the evening rolled around, my blood sugar dropped, I was feeling tired and weak. I laid there in bed thinking about the morning’s bowl of oatmeal.

Today I revised my back training as well. I super setted and kept a slightly lower weight, and also did 45 minutes of cardio. My weight is dropping better this time around than last time. I think I’ll come in maybe around 115lbs for this show. Hopefully much leaner in my lower half. I’m feeling pretty good about it right now. I’m not stressing out as much since I know what to expect. I’m starting to feel crampy, and so I’ve started with my Multi-Minerals and extra water. This Saturday I will be 5 weeks out, and I get to have my first, and only cheat meal! YAY!!! Last time, I craved so many things, and wanted to eat everything! This time around, I do “want” things, but not as bad. So, I don’t know what to have for my meal. Whatever it is, I will definately throw in a cupcake.

That brings me to another topic…cupcakes. I have started a small business. I’m hoping to open up a shop, but for now, I’m doing wholesale/retail/catering. I bake cupcakes, and baked goods. Mainly delicious cupcakes. This past weekend I had an order and they turned out beautiful! I just love the way it makes a person smile when they get their hands on a cupcake. There are so many exciting things happening all at the same time. It’s a blessing!

Don’t worry about me though…I am completly focused on the diet, even with all these yummy, delectable cupcakes baking in the oven waiting to be frosted! Here’s a picture of part of the order….try not to drool

Red Velvet Cuppy with Cream Cheese Frosting and Chocolate Crowns.

Dark Chocolate Cuppy with Marshmallow Meringue.

Progress Shots- THEN & NOW

ilovecarbs — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:22:34 +0000

I finally took some progress shots and compared them to my last show when I was 9 weeks out. I’ve been slacking this time around and I got to keep on top of it. It’s helpful to look back and evaluate your body to see what needs work and see what has progressed. Although I’m pretty much the same weight as the last time I was 9 weeks out, I look different…a bit leaner, put on some muscle, and my posing has improved. lol.

This week has been brutal. My workouts have been great, even though a couple of the days I really wasn’t feeling up to it (lack of sleep) I got my butt in there. I got a personal best yesterday on my DB Shoulder Presses…35lb DB. I got a spotter to help me lift it, and got 6 reps. Today, even though I wanted to but didn’t, go heavier on my squats. I saved it for my leg presses super setted with walking lunges holding quarter plates. I haven’t done walking lunges in awhile, and wanted to sock my legs. So, with my squats I maxed the 3rd and 4th set at 135lbs. For my leg presses, (also not a heavy as usual because of the lunges) I maxed it at 360lbs. with super setting walking lunges. Then without resting, I did the Leg Extensions, Calf Presses on the leg press, and walking lunges without weights. I did 4 sets of Leg Curls, and then 4 sets of Stiff Leg Dead Lifts using 175lbs. I finished with Seated Calf Raises super setted with some weighted situps. THEN…I did 55 minutes of cardio. I was wiped out. I went home, showered, took a 2 hour nap, then just woke up to eat some fish.

I catered a party today and had an order to bake 3 dozen cupcakes. I made a jumbo cupcake along with the order. They looked SO tasty…THE TORTURE! It’s a chocolate cupcake, with vanilla/chocolate swirled frosting, Oreo crumbles on the rim, and an Oreo to top it off. I’ve been baking so much, and can’t stand them in the house, so I had them out to friends. See the picture below, but DON’T drool onto your keyboard

The first set of pictures are from April 26, 2008, 9 weeks out The second set of pictures were taken September 6, 2008 (last Saturday) 9 weeks out.

All Pictures Taken Approx. 4-1/2 months apart.

Jumbo Chocolate Oreo Cupcake

Clean Recipes- My Food Staples.

ilovecarbs — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 07:12:30 +0000

In a recent blog I read from wendym1979, she mentioned recipes that are interesting in flavor, so it’s not so boring to eat clean. I have some that I’ll share. Now mind you…these are for when you’re dieting down, and anything with spices and splenda will taste like heaven! lol.

French Toast.

3 pcs. Ezekiel bread (plain if you have to knock out your sugars), but Raisin tastes better.

6 egg whites, beaten well.

cinnamon, splenda, and sugar free syrup to top it off

Place these into a tupperware, the bread should lay flat. Let the bread soak up the eggwhites. It takes a while since the bread is pretty dense.

Once the bread has soaked up the eggehites, turn your frying pan on low/med heat. Spray the pan lightly with Smart Balance cooking spray. Place your bread in and sprinkle it with cinnamon. Let it brown on one side, and flip to brown the other side.

Place them onto your plate, and sprinkle splenda on them, and use sugar free syrup.

45g carbs- 36g protein-1.5g fat (I eat this for my first meal since it’s high in carbs)

Egg White Omelet:

6 egg whites, well beaten

veggies- I like zuchinni, onions, and broccoli

2oz. cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced.

Saute the veggies in a skillet with cookling spray until partially cooked. Add the chicken. Cook 1 minute. Season these with salt and pepper. Add the egg whites. I like mine scrambled, or you can flip this in half for an omelet style.

34g protein-9g carbs

Sweet Potato Bake:

4 baked (medium) sweet potatoes, mashed

3 egg whites, beaten very well; fluffy

3 packets splenda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

I place all these into a mixing bowl, and use an electric mixer, whip them together. Spray a baking pan ( a loaf pan works well). Pour the mixture into it and bake at 350 for about 15 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

per serving: 26g carbs-28g protein

Pan Seared Chicken Breasts:

Tyson Frozen 100% Natural Chicken Breasts

Italian seasoning: garlic powder, salt, pepper, red ppper flakes, dried oregano, rosemary, and basil.

Sprinkle your chicken generously with the seasoning. Heat your skillet to a medium heat and spray with cooking spray. Add your chicken and sear one side. About 7 minutes. Turn the chicken to sear the other side.

This is great eaten alone, cut up on a salad, or use the left-overs for your egg white omelet.

5 oz. serving: 30g protein-insignificant amount of carbs

Potato Fries:

1 medium Baking Potato

Spices: I like to use my home made Italian Spice mix.

Wash the potato and dry. Cut it into 1 cm think slices. ( I like to leave the skin on) Place onto a cooking sheet in an even layer. Spray one side with cooking spray and then sprinkle the spices on them. Turn them over and do the same to the other side. Place them under the broiler. Stay close by so you don’t burn them. It takes about 5 minutes (or less) to brown. Once they’re browned, take them out and flip them over to brown the other side as well.

Obviousely you can broil more than one medium potato, but I wrote it out this way for 1 serving. I end up making this with 3-4 potatoes because my daughters think they’re french fries

1 serving: 39g. carbs-4g.protein

Broiled Tilapia:

4- 5 oz. Tilapia fillets

Old Bay spice

Pat dry the tilapia, sprinkle on the Old Bay, both sides. Spray both sides with cooking spray and place onto a baking dish. Put it under (but not directly) the broiler. It cooks quickly. Once it flakes, the fish is ready to eat.

35g protein-5g fat-0g carbs

ENJOY!

Updates…9 weeks out.

ilovecarbs — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:02:51 +0000

Well ladies and gents…things have been SUPER busy and training has been awesome! Aside from school starting again for my girls, new business prospects, and dodging hurricanes, training has been terrific. I have kept my same training routine since the end of June, and I’m still sore from it. Usually I like to change things up after a few weeks, but why change a good thing? My cardio is now up to 5 days a week, 35 minutes. I do admit…I’m back to my old habits. I add in an extra 5-10 minutes on a couple of those days. I’ll get together with my trainer this coming Tuesday to tweak my diet again. Last time I told him to bring my carbs down lower, and he did. It was taken down 150g lower per week, plus he added in the 5th cardio day. My BF% is lower, finally! I’m 9 weeks out today. I hope he takes my carbs down even lower…don’t get me wrong. I love me some carbs…but my boot-ay loves it even more.

I trained back the other day and got a new PR! I got up to 185lbs on my Dead Lifts. I probably will up the weight to 195lb next week since I could get 6 reps from it. I’m just sore all over. I went into the gym today planning on hitting legs since it’s my medium carbs day, but the area was taken up by the special olympics training. So, I did shoulders, traps, calves and cardio instead. My traps feel like someone has the Mr. Spock hold on them. I can’t wait to hit legs tomorrow. I’m going to try to hit 155lbs on my squats. Last week I did 135lbs for 8 reps.

My photographer friend will be shooting the show I’m competing in. He said after the pre judging we could head to the beach for some shots. I’m a bit weary about this. Last show, I was so dead tired I just wanted a nap. This means I’ll have to go back to the hotel, do my hair and touch up my make up. But…it would be nice to get some nice shots. I’ve got to figure out what clothes to buy for the photos. Hmmm.

My coach did the North Americans last weekend and placed 1st in the Masters Middle Weight. These are some pics of him a couple days before the show.

A Work Out Partner for A Day

ilovecarbs — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:18:29 +0000

One of the female competitors that I had the pleasure of sharing the stage with is coming over to my gym to work out with me. I’m scheduled to train my back tomorrow…which is one of my favorite days But she’s scheduled to do arms. Hmmm…I like training arms too. So, we’ll see how it all plays out. I’m excited because we haven’t seen each other since the show over 2 months ago! We were supposed to meet up and go to the Bodybuuilding show this past Saturday. She ended up at the Pre-Judging and I went to the night show. The show was awesome by the way! The super heavy weight will surely get his pro-card soon enough. His routine was so put together, and entertaining, it was better than te guest poser. I’m meeting some pretty cool folks. I met one of the judges that judged my show. Nice guy. And it turns out, the photographer that asked if I wanted to do the photo shoot is a photographer for a magazine called Southern Muscle. He said he’ll be the video tech for my show in November.

I also meet with my trainer tomorrow to update my diet. I’m now 11 weeks out and the scale seems to be going down. What I’m worried about is that my lower half is very stubborn and wants to hold onto the fat. WHY?!!! *shakes fists in the air!* So, I’m going to ask him to bring my carbs down. I have a feeling my upper body will look lean early, but, that’s okay. It will give me time to focus on the lower half and do what I must. Hopefully that doesn’t mean 2 hours of cardio a day…but you gotta do what ya gotta do!

I did chest, abs, and cardio tonight. I felt pretty good. I kept being interrupted by folks I know in the gym, and it got me out of the groove. I drove on and even though it wasn’t intense as I would have liked it to be, (due to long "talking" rests in between sets) it was good. I pushed heavy weights and knocked out 20 sets for abs, and 35 minutes of cardio.

A Little ol’ Tropical Storm Won’t Stop Me!

ilovecarbs — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:15:10 +0000

Okay…so this Tropical Storm Fay is REALLY starting to become annoying! It’s been none stop torrential down pours for the past 3 days. Streets are becoming flooded, and the winds are running about 25mph to 50mph. Luckily, we don’t live in a flood zone.

I did make it to the gym…a little rain won’t keep me at home. I had awesome workouts this week. I started with chest/ abs/ and cardio on Tuesday…still sore from it. And then yesterday I trained back and calves. Both are sore, which is great because it takes a lot for my calves to feel it. What I’ve been doing differently with it is I hold it in the contracted position for a few seconds each time I do a rep. Instead of pushing it through quickly. I got to 135lbs on my Cable Lat Pull downs for 5 reps. I think that’s a new PR, I can’t remember. Today I worked out shoulders/traps/and cardio. I have a bad habit of wanting to do extra cardio, not because I enjoy it, but in fear of not coming in lean enough for the show. But, my coach ended up doing his cardio on the machine right next to me…so, no extra cardio today. lol. My weight is dropping and I’m 11 weeks out this Saturday. I got myself up to 143lbs this time around, and now I’m down to 136. I’m wanting to come in at 115lbs for this show since they have 3 weight classes. I want to make the light weights.

I have some cool news to share. A few of my girlfriends are thinking about opening up a business together. The business is something that’s right up my alley, and I’m quite talented and passionate about it. *patting myself on the back* Each one of us brings a talent to the table and I think this could really go far. Right now we’re just brainstorming and collecting ideas and researching small business licenses, and loans. Realistically, this will take some time to bring it all together, but I’m so extremely excited about it. (I know…I’m being very aloof about the information)The other news is I was contacted yesterday by a photographer about a photo shoot this weekend. There’s a BB show this Saturday, (which I’ll be going to see…yay!) and this photographer took some photos of me at my last show asked if I wanted to do a shoot at a hotel. I unfortunately had to decline. I’m not at all close to contest form. I’m flattered for the invitation. I do have a shoot lined up for the November show. It’ll be on the beach. That will be interesting.

Well, to all of you guys who live on the southern east coast, stay safe from the storm! Until later…keep training hard, and lift heavy!

Hooked: Muscle Women

ilovecarbs — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:23:55 +0000

Last night my hubby and I watched a show on MSNBC called, Hooked: Muscle Women. It was very interesting listening to the Pro FBB talk about how they got into body building. What an inspiration! But, listening to MSNBC portray these hard working athletes as having a control problem, or an obsession was infuriating! I copied the link to a short video from the web site. Listen to Dr. Harrison…or I call him, Dr. Douchebag, talk about how these athletes have “an illness, a disorder; if it seriously impairs social occupational functions, he calls this “Muscle Dysmorphia”. He defines Muscle Dysmorphia as a syndrome in which individuals develope an unrealistic occupation with their muscularity or fitness. He also says in the program that these women have an obsession with muscles, that he described them as psychotic behavior, and that they’ve learned to channel it into bodybuilding. This is considered an illness to him because they will pass up an invitation with friends to go out to dinner for their obsession of dieting. Hmmmm…now, to me that’s silly! What about all these Olympic athletes that have waited for 4 years to compete! I’m sure with their set goals, they didn’t go out partying with friends every time they were invited out. They trained SO hard to reach their goals. Would this Dr. Douchebag consider them obsessive? with psychotic behavior? Or take him for example. How many years did it take him to become a Harvard doctor? I’m sure many years of studying for his set goal to become a doctor. Would he consider that obsessive behavior? Now, I’m particularly frustrated with this program because it paints a negative picture of what I’m passionate about. But it would equally frustrate me if they talked about other athletes this way. Anyone with a goal to set, whether it’s for competing or just a personal goal, should be praised for their accomplishments. The female body builders that were interviewed were wonderful spokes persons for this program. Unfortunately, they weren’t given the props they deserve.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/26075262#26075262

Big Wheels!

ilovecarbs — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:12:25 +0000

Leg day…gotta love it. Got to get those wheels growing! I went to bed late last night and woke up feeling the lazy Sunday afternoon. My daughter and hubby got home from Jr. Cycling Nat’s late last night and we stayed up and watched some of the Olympic coverage. Plus, they’re still on California time Anyhoo, hubby and I made it to the gym. He’s a great motivator. I started with a couple warm up squat sets with the bar. I did 4 sets of close squats, final 2 sets at 125lbs, 8 reps. I don’t usually do close squats and it felt really good on my knees, no pressure at all. I moved onto the leg press. I did a PR of 450lbs. After 4 sets of close stance leg press, I quickly moved to 2 sets of wide leg presses, high reps using 180lbs. By this time, my quads are burning. Next was high reps with the leg extensions. I keep a lighter weight and really get a good pump going. After that I did 4 sets of Stiff Legged Dead Lifts to give the hammies some love. I kept it at 135lbs, 8 reps each. My legs were shacking so bad, I hobbled over to leg press to work my calves. I ended the training with seated calf raises. I had to, but did not to do cardio. I ended up doing 45 minutes on the elliptical.

My awesome daughter raced this past week and got 7th in the Time Trial, 6th in the Criterium, and 5th in the Road Race. She’s the top 15 year old in the Nation racing up against the Nation’s best 15-16 year old girls. I’m very proud of her. Instead of taking an off season, she’ll be keeping the race mode and do some fall races. Next season we plan on traveling more around the country for her races.

Train Hard, and Lift Heavy! Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

Super Sets are Super Duper!

ilovecarbs — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:05:00 +0000

This week I’ve been on a time limit. Hubby and teen daughter are at Jr. Cycling Nat’s and me and my youngest daughter are at home. She’s a gymnast and trains 3 days a week, 2-1/2 hours a time. It’s pretty impressive watching those girls train. It’s mostly body weight. How can that be difficult when the girls weigh about 50-60lbs you ask? They’ll do super sets of V-ups and sit ups. They do pull ups and these things where they hang from the bar like doing bent arm hangs but they lift their legs almost entirely over the bar. Right before they go completely over, they stop and then go back to the starting position. Hardcore indeed! They also climb a rope from the floor up to ceiling height, about 30-35 feet high. Anyways, I digress. Since I have my youngest and no hubby to tag team babysit, I go to the gym while she’s at her gym. Since time is limited, I’ve super setted my workouts this week. Back day was yesterday and I was so sore, I had to take some Advil because I just couldn’t get comfortable enough to fall asleep. Today was shoulders/traps/cardio. I felt a bit off at first, but once I got warmed up, whoa baby! On my Cable Up-Right Rows, I finished at 130lbs for 6 reps. I ended shoulders with doing the Reverse Pec Dec. My shoulders were fried! This actually works out great because I’m having to go during peak hours *YUCK* so getting my workouts over with is good. I like my space in the gym and I can’t stand having to wait for equipment! I’m officially leaning out now. (I’m 13 weeks out!) I’ve reached a peak of 143lbs, 19% BF and starting last Saturday, my carbs are cycled with 2 High carb days, 2 Medium carb days, and 1 low carb day. Since then my weight has dropped to 139lbs in a week. Not bad. If history repeats itself, I’ll drop the first 10-14lbs quickly, and the rest is SLOW stubborn weight. I talked to my coach about the crazy cardio I did to lean out before, and I don’t want to visit that place again! I’m going to have him adjust my carbs lower, earlier this time around because I just hold onto it in in my lower body. My upper body came in very conditioned, and lean. Now if I can have my lower half match it. I’ll get some progress shots up once my hubby gets back to take photos.

I’m still working on gaining size in the quads, hammies, calves, abs, and a thicker lower back. I’m pretty happy with my back and arms right now and want to make sure the lower half catches up to give me a more symmetrical shape. Oh, and my chest could be thicker Aren’t we all our own worst enemies?! lol.