Everybody Claims They Want A Fit Body..But Few Are Willing To Do The Work

This is a pattern I have noticed lately. Everyone talking a lot about working out, eating healthy, starting a new workout regimen but few have the follow through. And even a smaller percentage have the dedication. And because of that nobody is really seeing results and achieving goals. I tell everyone I speak with about this the same thing!!! It takes two components to become more fit: CONSISTENCY and CORRECTNESS! I can't say it enough.Sometimes I feel like I am talking to a wall. But honestly if you are not willing to do the work, what makes you think you deserve the reward of the results? Think about it. Don't just talk about it!!! Be about it!

Phase Two Of Competition Prep

Sooo I recently just met with my coach to re-evaluate my diet, my workouts, and to critique my body. Mind you this all happened three days after Thanksgiving. Not fair! However, she did feel despite the holiday I am on track for a spring show!!! Good news. Then we discussed all of my workouts and diet. I am beyond bored with all of it. So a change in the diet dido happen, my cardio was bumped up, and all of my workouts were redesigned. I must say that before the changes I progressed with all of my lifting, actually enjoy my cardio now, and I was never hungry. Now today was the first day of the new program... Workout went well, I am excited about the new exercises and the new format, the cardio was challenging but doable and the diet was a bit rocky today. I am still never really hungry which is weird for me and is definitely something I need to discuss next time we meet. I will start my serious diet and posing in about a month and all I can say is that I am terrified of the stage but know once I hit January there is no going back!

Taking Things To New Heights...Literally

For my 33rd birthday this year I decided I wanted to try new things, accomplish new goals, and face my fears. I did all those things in one day and decided that that mindset would set the tone for the 33rd chapter of my life. The first activity I did was rock wall climbing. I hate heights, but I wanted the challenge of getting to the top. I also faced this challenge with my mom hoping it would also be a bonding experience. When we first got there my mom took one look at the wall and said, "No way". I of course talked her into it and off we went. It truly was a process and an experience. Three and a half hours later I had been to the top multiple times and my mom had made it almost to the top several times. It was a workout, a challenge and exhausting on several levels. As we gathered our things to leave my mom looked defeated and mentioned she felt that she had failed both of us. I took one look at her and told her she was missing the big picture. Her whole mindset had changed from what she walked in thinking to what actually happened. She went from refusing to do it, to scaling the wall multiple times and becoming comfortable with the free fall. And truth be told had she not spent hours climbing almost to the top, there is not a doubt in my mind that she would have been to the top. I honestly can't wait to do it again, with her. It brought us even closer and was a memory I will never forget. My point in this whole story is take chances, face fears, overcome obstacles, an never lose sight of the BIG PICTURE.

Goodbye 32....Hello 33

When it comes to health and fitness I feel much better at 32, ALMOST 33 then I did in my 20's. I am in much better shape, I take care of myself and I truly understand the value of good health and fitness. My hope and wish for 33 is that I continue on this path and even take it to the next level and get in the best shape of my life so I can proudly walk on a stage and finally compete in a figure show. I also want to continue to be an advocated for fitness and pay it forward. I know it is my duty to use the platform I have been given to help others and that is what I love doing. Getting older is a struggle for all, I def have issues with it but then I think I truly am getting better in all areas...with age...and that is what its all about... So goodbye 32...and HELLO 33!!!

Three Weeks Into OFF Season Training

Well I have officially been following an off season training for about three weeks. The first few days were the WORST!! I had non-stop headaches and was always starving.. Then the headaches subsided and the crabbiness set in. Add to that cardio that I am not used to doing at an intensity I could barely handle and I was on the brink of giving up. I even broke down crying and thought if this is day two, how will I ever make it almost SIX MONTHS?! Then something amazing happened.. My body started adjusting. Headaches gone. Crabbiness minimal. Energy up. And cardio was finally doable. Not enjoyable but I could do it! Now here I am on my new phase...different diet choices and I can't wait to see what progress and changes my body makes. The first two weeks were a strict diet to shock my body. I half joked and said IT SHOCKED MY LIFE!! It truly did both. But when it shocked my body it jump started my metabolism and prepped it for the journey it is about to experience. I am so focused now. Do I have moments of weakness? Yes! And now my biggest complaint is boredom in my diet. But hopefully that will come in waves. I will say I am learning a lot and really excited to see what my body can do!

The Journey Starts Here

Well it is official!! After talking about it and talking myself out of it for quite some time now, I am finally ready to do a show. My friend said it best (he has done several shows) when he said, "it is as much mental/emotional as it is physical. You must be MENTALLY ready." I feel like I am finally at a place where I am mentally ready. Am I scared? Heck yes! But I am ready to face my fears, put in the hard work, and take my place on that stage to display what months of discipline and focus can do. I need this experience. I want to feel accomplished and I need the structure in my life that training for this will require. I am ready to take my personal fitness to the next level and watch my body transform and to grow as a person through this experience. This is gonna be a huge commitment and a test of my ability to commit. The next six months or so will be about me being committed to competition prep. I have already warned some people close to me that I will be eating, sleeping, and breathing this competition until stage time. I have attempted the initial stages of setting up some sort of support system. Although I am a highly motivated individual, I know I will need the people around me to understand that my lifestyle will change and be restricted for a while and I need their support for these changes. Finally today I met with my posing coach, who will also be doing my diet. I know if I'm gonna do this, I want to do it the right way and not go into blindly. This was a scary move and when I agreed to work with her that is when it became REAL. I'm doing a show...Wow..I can't really describe how I feel right now besides nervous, excited, scared, and a little intimidated. I feel it is an attainable goal but there is definitely work to be done!

Lift, lift, LIFT!!!!

Sometimes I feel like a broken record, but in all honesty I can not say it enough nor stress the importance of lifting weights. All too often women associate weights with men. Like only guys should lift, or if you lift over 5lbs you will turn into this muscle bound person that is depicted in comic books. I realize that I have talked about this before, but after seeing a picture on a certain social network (which I will include in this entry), I felt the need to discuss it again! So beyond the health benefits of lifting (as if thats not reason enough), maybe this will appeal to women. Muscle will appear more compact in appearance versus fat. Meaning even though an individual may weigh more as far as the scale is concerned when it comes to muscle, they will visually appear more compact, tighter because of the structure of muscle versus fat. This could mean smaller dress sizes ladies!! So if the health benefits are not inspiring you to grab some dumbbells, just think about the possibility of shopping for smaller sizes!!! Happy lifting!