Spaceship Belinda

During my teens I spent a lot of time in hospital with asthma, even once in intensive care. Anyway, during the many torturous drips, needles to veins and arteries etc. etc. the doctors always encouraged me to say "ouch" - to verbalize the pain. Well today I just realized I still do that - but in the gym LOL! Instead of grunting and groaning, or slamming the stack down and so on, I just sweetly say "ouch". And ya know, IT WORKS!   If I can do this, anyone can!

I have set myself a new goal - to start boxing again and train to a level where I could fight if I want to.  I have a long way to go.  First learning how to skip properly - it’s a lot harder than it looks!  Also boxing is so dynamic & fast - requiring power, agility, speed and endurance.   Every Wednesday I get to train at a hard core centre alongside street kids, beginners, a few kuna indian girls and world champions - Panama has 28 world boxing champions!  All the people are so humble and kind and make me feel so welcome. I train along side teenage boys for 2 hours, sweating, giving it 200% and putting our hearts into every punch!  I feel very priviledged to be able to have this experience.  My little boxing adventure has begun.  And of course I hope the training helps to develop my upper body, especially my delts! Nice round freakin delicious delts!  Bring it on! 

I have so much respect for everyone here who trains, diets, holds down a job, is a spouse, parent, student or whatever - because it takes so much discipline and hard work!  Everytime my body doesn’t feel like working out, everytime I can’t seem to find the energy for that last set, everytime I feel like chocolate and eat fruit instead - I ask myself "how badly do I want it" - "it" being, to achieve my goals, be successful at what I am doing, to make progress - and everytime my answer is, "I want it badly enough to push that little bit harder, make the sacrifces, overcome the challenges, go through the pain".  Just wanted to share that thought and say thank you to my friends here for your continued inspiration - I really admire very much your hard work and dedication!

We all have days that challenge us physically, mentally, emotionally!  Especially when we are training hard, following a strict diet and lifestyle - sometimes it just feels SO HARD!  Today is one of those days for me and I am digging deep.  Remembering my goals, remembering all the sacrifices, remembering if it is to be, it’s up to me!  These are the days that make the difference between average and outstanding.  Doubt, insecurity, self criticism will always knock at our door from time to time.  Remember to dig deep, stay strong and focused and don’t let the negatives in! 

Developing a fit body is hard work.  Improvements are gradual and incremental.  Sometimes you feel you are getting no where but I found keeping my eye on the big picture goals helps a lot.  I have been training hard for the last 6 months to build a stronger physique.  Lots of burn, lots of very healthy food, lots of perserverance while seeing nothing. Now I have started leaning out to see the results. Yesterday was a little test.  A photographer was visiting Panama for the PGA golf tour and we met to take some shots in the gym.  I can see the progress - thank goodness!  I can’t tell you how many times I thought to myself, this burn better be worth it! Well it was.  Anyway, I still have a lot of work ahead but my eyes will remain firmly focused on the big picture!

From January to June this year I swam 1km 6 days a week.  Then I stopped because I had to reduce my cardio to help build up some muscle size.  Back then I could swim 50 metres in 45 seconds, on my best days.  Today I jumped in the pool and just for fun timed myself - even though I hadn’t swum for over 6 weeks.  I came up with 40 seconds.  I couldn’t believe my eyes so timed myself again, 40 seconds.  Bottom line, the extra body strength has significantly increased my performance despite no training and no cardio.  Now if that isn’t a testament to weight training I don’t know what is.

Thank you to everyone who has voted for me in the Flex competition. I have been overwhelmed by your support and generosity of time.  Thank you also for your emails of encouragement.  I wanted to reply to you all individually but tonight as I was doing that I accidently deleted all the emails from my inbox, stupid!  I tried to recover them but they were lost into the black hole of cyberspace.  So, here I am saying a huge "thank you" for everything! It has been a great source of motivation to keep training hard. Belinda 

I had a big session with Mr.Smith today.  Sets of 12, 10, 8 with increasing weight, squatting just beyond the 90% point.  Incredible.  It was a new training technique for me focusing on using power.  The feeling was amazing. I could feel the strength surging through my whole body.  All the muscles working together.  Wow, I guess this is what it’s all about. Rest day tomorrow, Pilates, oh yeah. Belinda

After a little rest I have started a new program to put on some size.  We have been working at it now for about 2 weeks.  More rest, more food, more intense sessions.  I have learnt so much.  We start with abs!!! Killer ab workout.  Then we train either upper or lower body but very specific on the muscles targeted.  There is very little rest between sets, only enough to catch my breath and let the pain subside a little.  But we are getting results, 1 inch bigger in my thighs, hips and waist, and 1/2inch in my calves and arms. No I dont think it is all fat! And the back of my legs and gluts are developing nicely.

 It takes a lot of mental discipline, I admire all of you who train so hard every week all year around, you guys are such an inspiration to keep training hard.  Anyway, I just also wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has emailed and messaged me with encouragement and thank you for all your votes for the Flex Comp.  Just that makes all the sweat worth it!!! Thank you so much!! Belinda

 http://www.flexonline.com/2008bikiniModelSearch/images/august/benn.htm

I have entered the Flex Online Bikini competition, voting goes to the 15th of August 2008. It would be really appreciated if you took a moment to very kindly vote for me.  I am 13 rows down, the last one on the right - the girl with the speargun!!! 

www.flexonline.com/flexmodelsearch/august

 You can vote as many times as you like, it all goes towards the total.

Thank you so much for your support - you may like to check out the new photos I have uploaded to my gallery too…….

 Thank you! Belinda