The final stretch!!!

Sixteen Days Left...

In the last two weeks I went harder than I ever have before at the gym! I invested in a weighted vest and wore it for all my cardio for about 6 days...treadmill and Jacob's Ladder. I also hit the ladder with intensity and increased my distance every day....my personal best was 705 feet (with resting intervals) after this I did treadmill as well.

Then I hurt myself. I pulled several things in my right hip/buttock area, I didn't feel its full effect for a few days and continued with the intensity. I had to eventually take a couple of days off, ice my side daily and take a few muscle relaxers. It's frustrating. The competition is coming to a close and I can't go 110%!

I will have to focus a little more on my diet. I need to keep faith that I will recover, and soon.

I plan on a trip to the chiropractor and a massage and more ice.

I have no real idea how I am doing since the mid point I am almost afraid to step on the gym scale!

Here's to determination in the last two weeks!

Six Weeks To Go

here i go again!

I took the weekend off from the gym, Saturday and Sunday. Cleared my head and rested. Ate too much and drank too much.

Now...

It's monday and I did a great cardio session, followed by a beginner belly dance class. Tomorrow I walk through my new workout with Brett. 4 days, 3 of weights and one circuit day...I am excited. I feel the fierceness coming back...I was disappointed with my last weigh in and the only thing to do is to double my efforts. I am tracking my calories and making a weekly plan. This week I will work out 6 times.

It's go time!

Hey, free workout!!!

Checkin' Email can be awesome for your physique!!!

Brett (trainer from "Pure Strength Fitness") put out an offer for a workout session, 1 on 1, for free if you called soon enough....well I did. A free workout with the buffest lady at the gym seemed like a great idea. I was nervous the whole night....

We worked back an biceps...she is seriously awesome!

We started with seated rows 65lbs(8,9) 75lbs(8,8)

she likes lower reps with heavier weight

I pulled more than I ever had before on that machine

then we did this:

bent over 1 arm db rows : 25lbs (10,10) then 30lbs(8,9)

pull ups with spotter assist (4,4,4,4) -I NEVER DREAMED I COULD

super setted with:

barbell bicep curls 20lbs(16,12,12,12)

then: bent over barbell rows 65lbs(8,8,9,9)

super setted with:

single arm seated bicep curls 5lbs (20,20,20,20)

then: 21's curling the blue band

stretch, then cardio 25 min

This is to the best of my recollection, it was truly a great workout that pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me feel so proud!

Tomorrow is Friday the 18th of March and I am going to weigh in to see if I am still making progress. I am also attempting to chug 3+ litres of water a day...a job in itself.

Gearing back up!!!

Since the mid-point weigh in I was almost a little lost...I did extremely well, I am more than half way to my goal of 20lbs lost...but I got a little lost mentally.

I was so focused for the weigh in, it was a goal in itself. After a rather stumbly week, not eating poorly or anything, but losing my "jam", I feel much better. I took a break from Craig's circuit workout and did a lifting week instead. I wanted to feel SORE again, and boy did I! I blasted each muscle group and was mega-sore. I am now back to the circuit and I have noticed my cardio fitness is pretty amazing. The interval training on the treadmill is working as well! I am fitting into more of my clothes more comfortably as well!

I have added a beginner belly dance class on mondays and a friend found me a belly dance outfit at an outrageously decent price...I was kind of sad thugh that I didn't feel that good in it...now this is the mental part of weight issues... I felt kind of unattractive and chubby!!! There are still mental and emotional battles to be fought!

Here's to strength and fitness and pride!

WOWEEEWOWOW!

Mid-Point Weigh In

I was weighed and measured and I ended up in second place...I was stunned!!! I could not believe after what seemed like a slow start and considering myself the "turtle" of this competition I had amazing half way results...

I am down 11 pounds and 8 inches off my bust, waist and hips!!! 6.6% of my bodyweight!

I was surprised because this is only a weight loss of aprox. 1.5 pounds a week....I was sure someone else would blow that away...

This is just proof that real weight loss, fat loss is a slow steady process and takes a hell of a lot of work and a real commitment, I had a slow start and really didn't get my eating in hand until week 3 and I had quite a few treats along the way.

I have learned to relax on the scale and be happy with looser clothes and visual evidence not scale numbers, I have also kept my meals quite clean consistently, although I do have a treat now and then I no longer allow that to dictate a pattern for the whole day or weekend

I have also completely changed my mental environment surrounding myself with influences from all kinds of fitness professionals and I have a clear vision of the physique I want to have by summer

I was just thrilled to place in the top five as this locks me in the competition for three more months, this is a 5 month commitment and after 7 weeks the change is phenomenal so I am excited to imagine what 23 weeks will bring!!!

yeah me!!! I have been working hard and it is paying off!

Up, Down, and Up again...

This week took me places. There were some emotional ups and downs! There was too much negativity! I know that only I can control that.

I am experimenting as well. I am working out at a new time to change my sleep and eating patterns. Working out later in the day seems to boost my energy a bit more for the evening, then I don't feel like a slug by 8pm. I have also tried a new recipe from Larissa Reis IFBB figure pro.

http://www.larissareis.net/index.php

I find her physique inspiring and the recipe was quite good.

x lean ground turkey, applesauce, egg whites, Mr. Dash ;) , and flax seed sprinkled on top.

Bake 350, 20-25 min

Viola Turkey Cake!!!

I find it very motivating to watch footage of strong women working out or read their blogs or facebook posts. I need all the little motivations I can get. I plan to finish this contest STRONG!!!

I am about a week away from the 1/2 way weigh in. I have no idea what the scale at the gym will say. I have hopes as to what it will say. Every week I have cleaned up my eating a bit more and I think this has become possible because of my taste changing, less cravings for carbs, and I get fuller on less.

I also find I am worrying a bit about post-contest. What will motivate me then? I will need new goals and I will continue to improve my physique over the summer. I will not invest 4 months and then quit!!!

Nearly Half Way!!!

Today, Feb. 18 is about 2 1/2 weeks from the midpoint weigh in and measure. I feel really good about it. Starting a new program 5 weeks in was a great wake up! As I see more results in changes in my physique and the fit of my clothes I am more motivated. I stumble off of my eating plan less as well. I am going to get weighed in a few days to see where I am as the 1/2 way point approaches and set a goal for that weigh in.