sparkie's blog

MY TRANSFORMATION

sparkie — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:47:20 +0000

Here is what I wrote for my bio(transformation of the week) Let me know what you think. I hope that maybe it can inspire people. This site is bringing me so much and I love to share back! StatsBefore:
Age: 35
Weight: 185 lbs
Body Fat: 31%
Measurements: 37.5 – 35 - 45

After:
Age: 37 (after 2 years of bb)
Weight: 160 lbs (lost total 25 lbs)
Body Fat: 16% (lost total 15%)
Measurements: 35.5 – 29.5 – 41.5 (lost total 12 inches)

Why I Got Started

I’ve always been active and somewhat into healthy living. I was the cardio queen who lived in the aerobic room of the gym countless hours a week. I ran 2 marathons a year, took swimming and spinning classes and martial arts. My diet was healthy-ISH, or so I thought. I enjoyed salads and wholesome foods, but huge quantities of it. And I had a love relationship with carbs and sugar, not to mention SALT. I always thought if you do 2-3 hours of cardio a day, what harm is a piece of cake?
You’ve heard of SKINNY-fat. I was what you call a FIT-fat. I had always dreamed of shedding the extra fat layer I was carrying, but after 15 years of rigorous daily exercise, I had accepted the fact that this was the way body had to be and it just does not want to change. Plus, I just adored my eating parties where I just went crazy with food after a long cardio session! So I lived with it. I wasn’t unhappy, but I always secretly wished for a hard body.

How I Did It

The first session with the trainer was really a wake-up call. I had though of myself as being in good shape, but this was embarrassing! I remember going on the chin-up machine, at the easiest level, trying to pull my weight, and for the life of me, could not pull myself up, not even once! After ONE WEEK of proper dieting (eating 6 clean and balanced meals a day), I was SHOCKED when I actually pulled myself up 10 times!! Right then, I had a WOW moment and realized the power that diet has on my body and my muscles. My trainer always said diet is 80% of the work and training is 20%, now I realized just how true that was.
I decided to completely change my life and break away from all bad habits. To do this, I would have to make drastic changes. I stopped going out. Going out led to drinking, late-night binging, and oversleeping. I quit drinking completely. Next, I eliminated all refined sugar. It took about 2-3 weeks for this junkie to be off it! I was shocked how quickly I adapted. The next challenge was incorporating my new lifestyle and eating plan to my career, which involves work meals and lots of travelling. Let me tell you, where there’s a will, there’s a way. The hardest thing is probably having to argue with co-workers who want to “push” you to over-indulge, because it will make THEM feel better about doing it. My next test was to not listen to that voice in my head that would tell me: ‘don’t train today, take the day off, stay in bed!!’

I wanted EXTREME results and I knew that to achieve this, I would have to do EXTREME actions. My plan was simple: 6 meals a day, 6 workouts a week, one day off a week, one (and only one) cheat meal a week. I saw results almost right away. This kept me challenged and very motivated. After one year of living the lifestyle, I discovered bodybuilding.com. This was incredible for me because I had no one around me up to that point who understood the sacrifices and demands of bb…and all of a sudden, I have thousands of friends to share with. Anytime I felt unmotivated to go train, I would log on and somehow, found the strength to go and kick it at the gym.

Supplements

I experimented with many to see how my body reacts. I do not react to caffeine at all, so any energy supplements to not work on me. I use Optimum protein, Creatine post-workout, Glutamine after workouts, and multi-vitamins. Fat burners are great for appetite control. My all-time best supplement is my own personal adrenaline!

Diet

My diet is 1500-1800cals a day, balanced and very clean. My proteins include whey, chicken, and fish. Carbs: oats, vegetables, fruit, bread on occasion. Fats: peanut or almond butter, measured dressing for the salads. I train in the morning, so I eat my carbs earlier in the day. I’m very strict and do not allow any food not on my diet to enter my mouth! (except for cheat meal, once a week) Oh, and NO alcohol at all. I drink 4-5 litres of water a day and, yes, TONS of coffee! Love my java! (with milk only) I do not snack at all between meals. If I have cravings, I control with sugar-free drinks.

Training

I train like a dog!! Hardcore!! I train with weights and do cardio 6 TIMES A WEEK. Whatever I’m doing, I make sure it hurts! I only rest 30 seconds between reps which keeps me going aerobic for my whole workout. After my weights (45 minutes), I immediately jump on the stairclimber, spinning bike or elliptical and DESTROY whatever I have left! I bring it! I do HIIT or just stay HIGH for the whole time. I judge the quality of the workout by the size of the sweat puddle I’ve left on the floor! Many people don’t believe in weights and cardio daily, but I’ve found that it works best for me, my metabolism and my body.

Suggestions for Others

It’s human nature to be envious and jealous of other’s successes, and so people will continuously try to sabotage your efforts, especially if they are you old eating buddies, or worse, your spouse. You can attempt to explain how important this lifestyle is to you, but in the end, you may have to severe ties with people who can negatively influence you.

There are NO good or valid reasons to fall off the wagon. If you’re sad; go workout, you will feel better. If you’re happy, have a nice healthy meal, you’ll feel even greater. Had a fight with your child or boss? Go sweat it out at the gym. After an hour of spinning, you’ll forget ‘what’s his name’! DON’T MAKE EXCUSES.
Set realistic goals and visualize them. Making a goal like “I want a 6-pack by Christmas” or ‘I want to lose 20lbs this month” may not be realistic and could set you up for self-sabotage. However, picturing yourself on a beach, looking fit and hot and feeling great could be just what you need to get yourself off the couch tonight and off to the gym!!

I hope this inspired you

thanks to my bb friends! You inspire ME!!

I think I can, I think I can, …I KNOW I CAN!!!!!

sparkie — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 05:28:34 +0000

Can’t believe it, but it will be soon 2 years since I met(and fell in love with) ..weights!! My aniversary coming up, I thought I would do something special, so instead of signing up to do a comp, I booked a photo shoot and began the ‘cutting’ process 6 weeks ago. 4 more to go, and I’ll submit my photos to the transformation of the week. It’s really unreal how a little dumbell and teeny scoop of milkshake can transform your mind, body and soul, isn’t it??

Why am I asking you, you already KNOW, that’s why you’re here!! Thanks to my amazing supporting friends on here and some determination, I’m doing great(melting actually) and just can’t wait to see the before and after results side by side!

please stay tuned!!!!!!

SEXUAL harassment and the gym

sparkie — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 23:39:53 +0000

So this old man who comes to the gym every morning and loves to flirt and chit-chat rubs his hands on me the other day. I complained to management and just ignored him whenever I saw him, but let me tell you I was on my guard.

Then, yesterday, he walks by me, looks me up and down and wispers: mmmm lookin good…! Later, I see him copping a feel on this woman while she’s on the stairmaster. "you don’t have to put up with this!" I tell her. She tells me that it’s the 2nd time he feels her up and she’s had it. I again complained to management. Nothing. So, I walk up to him, low-carb RAGE and all, and told him that then next time he lays his dirty old pervert hands on a woman here, I’m calling the cops and they’ll take you away. See you in 3 months! He looked at me like I’m seriously nuts and deranged.

Men from this generation (50s) believe that if you’re a woman(especially in revealing clothing), well I can touch you, why not, I’m a man! Gross! I’ll tell you what bothers me the most about this; management at the gym has yet to offer him a warning. That is so macho. I would love to be part of a gym that both celebrates the beauty and strength of a female BB, but also stands behind them when they are assaulted.

Men, Women….what do you think????

Cut-Cut-Cut!!! You “cutters”…I wanna hear from you!!!

sparkie — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:22:15 +0000

Step one was to get me out of that aerobic room and into the iron “other side” of the gym. Done.

Step two was to stop having my 2-3 huge-carb and huge-cal meals with nothing at all in between. Done.

Step 3: Consistency, Consistency, Consistency. Done

Now I’ve lost a lot of the fat and most of the cellulite(yes!) and build quality muscle. I’ve found that in the last few months, I’ve gotten larger. (bulkier) So I’ve increased cardio and reduced the amount of weight I lift(slower, more controlled reps, less rest) It sure isn’t easy! Oh, and I do this while maintaining a good diet, which can be hard when you do all this cardio(6Xwk)

Have you cut/slimmed down and most importantly MAINTAINED IT?? I’ll take ALL the advice you can give me that has worked for you. (PLEASE!!!!!)

The quest for the teeny bikini continues!!!

to anyone who’s ever been a “victim”(or has known one)

sparkie — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:57:44 +0000

I was a victim of horrible crimes many years ago. After 4 long, painful years of the not-so-great Canadian justice system, I can finally close this chapter and proudly say that the criminal is locked up, and boy does justice taste sweet. This is not a blog to solicit pity in any way.

I’m just hoping to maybe give some hope or courage to victims out there, that there IS justice, you just have to STAND UP AND FIGHT.

Also, I need to tell you the importance of bodybuilding in this process. You have no idea of the not only physical, but mental empowering that bb brings you. I mean, if you can be strict and disciplined with diet, training, supplements, you can go to the gym and lift HEAVY METAL right over your head!, than facing a bully becomes just a little easier.

hope to give you some hope, strength, courage

lift hard, be strong!!(and don’t ever let ANYONE TELL YOU “YOU CAN’T…)

be well

BIGGEST loser…

sparkie — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:11:23 +0000

Last night I watch the finale of this show. (I don’t usually watch) Am I the only one who became SO affected by this?? Well, I cried my eyes out. I became very emotional at seing these people who were literally DEAD MEN WALKING and who now actually were given a 2nd chance at life and look so healthy and happy. Most lost 100-200lbs!! With all the negativity in the world and in the media, seing positive success stories like these inspired and touched me so much. Think of them next time you don’t want to train or you have 10lbs to lose, most of them could barely WALK when they started…Wow!! Now, gotta go buy some kleenex!!

Were you moved by this?

These are a few of my favorite things…

sparkie — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:47:05 +0000

Just love it when this happens! Makes my bb challenge just a little easier!!

1. Every machine I jump on is free just when I need it.

2. An incredible song comes on my mp3 just when I thought I had no more energy left in me to push

3. Albacore tuna on sale!!

4. My BF surprises me at gym when I wasn’t expecting it.

5. Successfully mixed and drank shake, while driving, WITHOUT any spills!

6. Fitting into an outfit I was gonna write off, only to discover that it now looks GREAT!

7. Made it through a cocktail party without cheating on diet

8. Received amazing positive comments from my friends on bb!!

What are some of YOUR favorite(bb) things??

Why I HAVE to train….

sparkie — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:29:50 +0000

It’s not always easy and many people will ask me how I stay dedicated to the training and the diet when I have sooooo many reasons to give myself a pass. Well, that’s EXACTLY why I do it. I have no choice. Yes, it’s very hard, but I have yet not found ONE SINGLE better stress reliever. Drugs: not my thing; junk food: tastes great, but leaves you feeling yuk and alcohol: don’t get me started.

Last Friday night, I was driving back from a 3 hour work-trip after being away on and off for the last few weeks. I was tired, hungry, and had to work the next day(yep, Saturday!), and I knew I wouldn’t make it to the gym before 10pm, which meant going to sleep past 12. My phone rings, a friend of mine’s 15 year old daughter PASSED AWAY tragically. I was devastated.

I came home, brought my luggage up and sat on my bed and held my face with my hands. “I CAN’T do this- Not tonight” And if there was a night I could have allowed myself to do it, that would have been it. …But I didn’t. It was very hard to haul myself to the gym, train hard, come home at midnight and have tuna and unpack my suitcase to be ready for work in the morning.

I have to say, I felt much better for doing it. Yes, I could have used this excuse to not train+diet, but where do you draw the line of what’s an acceptable excuse?? Plus, the benefits of standing up when you wanna just quit are HUGE.

The funeral is Wednesday and will be very tough. I will make sure to have good workouts-diet this week. Need the strength!!

Travelling’s a real challenge to the bodybuilder…

sparkie — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 18:53:00 +0000

Getting ready for another work trip. Will be gone about a week. I’ve already done all the necessary: found a gym nearby the hotel(It’s a Golds, yeah!!), packed all my shakes in pre-package servings(Ziploc snack bags are great), packaged oatmeal, pb(travels great), tuna pouches are amazing. My work agenda is pretty much set and my colleagues do REALLY ENJOY those free meals, if you wanna call them free. The restaurant ones are always a challenge. A few of our meals will be had at a president’s home, so that is even more of a challenge(kind of hard to mix your protein shake at the buffet table..!) The best thing that I can do is these situations is come as prepared as can be. Since some of the restaurant work meals are already set, I can go online check out the menus(and call ahead to make sure they handle special requests of course!), always have meals-to-go in my purse, and of course, bring enough workout wear for each day I’ll be there(heck, I may bring a few extra in case I get the urge to go more than once/day). Hopefully, I’ve given a few of you business travellers some tips and if you have any to share with me, please do so(I leave in 2 days) One thing I just won’t do is to say:”oh, just this once.., I really have no choice…”, because just this once X 100 equals disaster. Oh, and for sure, I need some good reading material (fitness mag)for the plane!!(10 hour travel!!)

happy travels

12 months of hard work…changed my life!!

sparkie — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 22:54:06 +0000

I can’t beleive that it’s been one year already since I saw the light(!) and started bodybuilding. After so many years of running, cardio, and eating what I THOUGHT was a healthy diet, I figured that is how far my body will go. I sure wasn’t going to starve it , and there was NO WAY I could spend any more time in the gym(10-20hrs a week!).

Bodybuilding defintely changed my life(body and spirit) I feel great +young, but also find that the discipline and dedication help me in my professional and personal life. You are more patient and much more tolerant.

My biggest challenges are to haul myself in the gym after a 14hour day+homework with my son, etc, fatigue sets in, sometimes, you just wanna say:ok, I won’t go to the gym JUST THIS ONCE.(But I never did) Also, I get invited to many black tie galas and events where I have to attend as part of my job, and turning down a free $500 plate to go eat PB and a shake in the bathroom sometimes can break your heart!(but you have to do it) My trainer always says: if someone offered you cocaine, would you take it, just because it’s free?

Finally, travelling, which I do a lot for work can be a real challenge. It requires a HUGE amount of planning(hotel gym is to standards, if not, have to find one, where are the grocery stores, is there a mini-fridge, etc) Also, those “free” work suppers in fancy restaurants can be tricky…

Well, I’ve managed to find a solution to these problems, which lead me to this success so far(and I’m just beginning!). THANK YOU so much for supporting me, sending me words of wisdom and encouragement, and more. You’re a BIG KEY to my success!

It’s really not easy and so challenging, but I can’t think of anything more rewarding. You are all here because you also have seen the light about bodybuilding. WOW and I feel SOOO proud to consider myself a bodybuilder!!!