2011 is Right Around the Corner!

As 2010 draws to an end, we find ourselves thinking of those New Year's resolutions - well, at least I do. :) I stopped the "I'm going to get in shape this year" resolutions years ago. I'm in great shape now so don't need to make a resolution, but also, it always ended up not working out. Years later, I realize that being fit and choosing to be healthy is a lifestyle. It's not a short term diet, or "this year" type of thing - it's a lifelong commitment made to yourself, to take care of yourself and put your health on the priority list.
So, what would my resolution be then? I was thinking of it today as I was driving home from work. It's simple. I promise to take better care of my skin. :) I'm going to make an appointment with a dermatologist for the beginning of the year, and develop a good skin regimen to keep my skin young and healthy looking. That's it! Haha - hope you weren't waiting for something really inspiring! :)
There are some other big things coming up in 2011, but they are not resolutions - some honors, some committments, and some just "plans".
For starters, I'm going to be in a national magazine!! I'm going to keep the anticipation high, so I won't tell you which one just yet. :) I haven't officially announced it since I'm not 100% sure it's going to happen. It's a 99% thing at the moment. It will be a small feature on my "story" from losing weight after having Kira to competing. I'm overwhelmed with excitement over it, so be looking for that in the early months of 2011. :)
I also decided to move my next competition back a month. I was planning to compete in the WBFF Fitness Atlantic in Connecticut this coming April. That would mean prep would have to begin mid-to-late-January, and be in full swing in February. No big deal, however, that's when Enrique comes home. I'd really like to be able to spend time with him and really be able to enjoy each other without having competition prep to worry about. So, I started checking the other competitions with WBFF that are pro-qualifiers, and guess what I found?? May 21st in KANSAS CITY! That's right! I almost fell out of my seat! :) That gives me an extra month of "off season" so I can spend time with my honey, and it's in KC so I don't have to worry about hotel, and the best part is I'll have my family and friends there to support me. That's my show!
My training will also be changing a little in the new year, but I'll get into that more later. :)
That's it so far! A big year coming up and I'm very excited!
Over the next two weeks though, I'm going to enjoy some quality time with family and friends, embrace the holidays, and have a couple reward meals! :)) Have a Merry Merry Christmas! Until next year...

Surviving Turkey Day!

Here are just a few tips to help you get through the holidays without ruining all your hard work:

- Eat your regular meals all day until the "big one". This will keep you from being too hungry when it's time to indulge. I do this, and I find that I'm satisfied with much smaller portions than what I used to have in the past.

-Get in a good, sweaty workout the morning of the big feast. When I have a good workout, I'm always more likely to make smart choices. Who wants to go load up on junk when you just worked so hard? Even if you only have a short period of time, get in some sweat - you will feel good, make smarter choices, and not feel bad for indulging a little.

-Don't hover around the food table. At many events, there is a table set up with snacks - don't hang around it! Sometimes this is hard since most people hang around the snack table, but try to get away, or stick to the veggies.

-Keep your hands busy! Constantly keep water on hand, help out with the cooking, play with the kids, take pictures - keep your hands busy and they will less likely be caught in the snack bowl. :)

-Alternate your drinks. If you're going to have a drink or two, alternate them with a glass of water. Make it a rule to not have a second drink until you've had a glass of water. You will consume less calories, and hydrate! :)

-If you are cooking, see if there are ways to lighten up your recipes. Use Splenda, or whole wheat flour. There are many things you can do to lighten up a recipe without taking anything away from it.

-Get right back to your plan the next day! Allow yourself to enjoy the holiday meals, but just get back to your plan the next day. A day off is perfectly fine, and necessary - just don't let it turn in to a week or more off. :)

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! Enjoy the food and the tradition, but most importantly, enjoy the time you get to spend with loved ones, and take a minute to think about all the things you are truly thankful for. :)

Pumpkin Pancakes - YUM!

I was really in the mood for pumpkin pie today, so decided to try out a recipe for pumpkin pancakes so I could just count it towards my carbs. I got a recipe from my Savage coaches and made some adjustments. They turned out SO good!

PUMPKIN PANCAKES

1 can (15oz) of pumpkin puree - NOT pumpkin pie filling

2/3c oatmeal - I put mine in my food processor and grinded them up so it was like flour, but regular oats will work the same

2/3c whole wheat flour

1-2 scoops of vanilla whey protien powder - I used one since I counted this as a carb and not a "meal"

8 egg whites or 1c liquid egg whites

2tsp baking powder

2tsp vanilla

2tsp pumpkin pie seasoning

1tsp cinnamon - or more to taste

I also added 2 packets of stevia (you can use splenda too), and a small squirt (abt 1tbsp) of sugar free maple syrup since I didn't plan to top them with syrup.

Mix all ingredients well, use 1/4c measuring cup to measure out portions and pour onto skillet. Top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar free syrup. Makes 8 1/4c servings.

I ate one, and threw a few in the fridge and the rest in the freezer. I'll just pull them out when I need a quick carb and they are ready to eat. Great for on the go, and SO yummy! Perfect treat for this time of year! I am going to make a batch sometime in the future for breakfast, I can't wait!! :) Enjoy.

(the picture isn't of mine, but they looked just like it! photo from wholelifenutrition)

Happy Halloween!

I don't know about you, but this is the cutest little fairy I've ever seen!

Kira and I went trick-or-treating last night. Fayetteville celebrated on Saturday this year, so we went around our block and filled her little bucket with all kinds of goodies. Her and I both had some chocolate together and then threw the rest into our bowl and handed it out to trick-or-treaters as they came to our house. Ghetto? Smart maybe. :) I can't have chocolate laying around my house! Lol.

Friday night we went to a Halloween party at a friend's. I decided to opt out of the Rainbow Bright costume I had originally planned to wear, and bought some wings and a tutu so I could match my little date. :) She had a lot of fun at the party eating cookies and playing with the balloons.

Hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween!

Competition Photos

Photos by Bersano Photography of Chicago, IL

A Week of Recovery - For the Body and Mind

I took this past week off from training. I promised myself during my final week of competition training, that I would give it to myself - I've worked hard, and I deserved it. :) Sunday after the competition, I ate so many sweets that I literally made myself sick! Monday morning I had a not-so-clean breakfast, and when I felt like poo all over again, I realized that my body has adapted to this whole process, and I actually craved real, clean food. So the diet has been back on track ever since (I hate to call it a diet since diets always fail - it's a lifestyle). I've had more carbs than I would normally have, but everything has been healthy options, so no sweat.

Not going to the gym has been a challenge for me, however! I can't wait to get back into the gym on Monday morning! Lol. I know that I needed the break, and I think it was a smart decision, and my body will probably thank me later - but boy is it hard!!

I've had some extra time to myself since I wasn't going to the gym, and it gave me time to think and reflect, and really focus on where I am going with all of this. I trained so hard for that competition, and counted down the weeks until it finally got here, then it's all over...so then what? I suppose it's normal to feel a bit let down after a competition - you're so used to having something to look forward to, then all of the sudden, life is back to normal. Well, I spent a lot more time this week playing with Kira. She sort of got thrown on the back-burner the last couple of weeks, and I really wanted to spend some time just playing and spending time with her and showing her all of my love. It's really been a great week with her. She amazes me so much, and she's literally growing up right before my eyes.

I also re-evauluated my plan for the future. I have been planning to start my own small online training business, but kept going back and forth with it. It won't bring in a lot of income - but I don't need that. I really want to help people. I've realized since this whole journey started that I've inspired A LOT of people. I get emails daily on training and diet advice. I want people to reach their goals just like I did. So, my online business is a go. I'm going to go for it. It may turn out to be a huge flub, but I'm going to give it a whirl. I feel like it's the direction God is pulling my heart in, so I'm going with it. So keep a lookout for that! I'm studying for my Nutrition certification, and once I take that test, I hope to launch the website. So pray for me, that this is God's will, and that things fall into place as I begin to work on this over the next couple of months. Of course, I'll still be training downtown. I love my job, and wouldn't miss that one-on-one training for anything!

Lastly, I started a Dave Ramsey financial course at my church. I'm so excited to pay off debt, save money for retirement, and be able to pay for my kids to go to college in the future. What a blessing this class will be!

So, my competition is over. There will be more, but not until after the holidays. Now I have more goals to accomplish, and other things to look forward to. It's all about enjoying the moment. Enjoy everyday like it's your last day on Earth. :)

Clean Eating - Easier Than It Seems

If you're like me, you've probably picked up one of the many diet and/or cookbooks that advertise clean eating - and then sat it right back on the shelf after looking at some of the ingredients listed in there. Sucanat? Agave Nectar? Flax seed? Wheat germ? What the heck is that and where on Earth do you buy it from?? That was my delimma before I jumped on the clean eating bandwagon. I didn't know what this stuff was, and I wasn't willing to go outside of the comfort of my local grocery store or Walmart to find it.

Well, there is good news: You don't HAVE to buy those things. I survived many months on basic clean food that even a college student could handle in a studio apartment. Fresh veggies: I would just eat them fresh or steam them with salt and pepper. Fresh fruit: can be found in every grocery store. Lean protiens: I ate chicken breast, ground turkey, egg whites, fish, and protien shakes - usually on the grill or on the skillet, nothing fancy. Starches: Minute brown rice and oatmeal were staples for me, followed by the easiest of all - baked potatoes. :) This is all fine, and trust me - you will see results. I did.

But then I got bored. I got tired of eating a lot of the same foods and I became a little jealous of my non-clean-eating friends who got to enjoy yummy meals and sweet desserts. So I started to do my research. I started with dessert since I have a huge sweet tooth. I looked up numerous recipes - most of which had either sucanat or agave nectar in it. I found some other recipes that sounded good, but that had ingredients that I'd never heard of or had seen in the grocery store. So I made a list, and took it down to the local whole foods market here in town. I asked the lady working there what in the heck all these things were, and she helped me find everything I needed, AND explained what they were! (Sucanat is non-refined cane sugar, and agave nectar is a sweetner produced from several species of agave.) I loaded up on these "weird" ingredients, spent about $50, and went home and made some really delicious treats! I just made no-bake cookies this past weekend that taste just like the real thing! But they are good for me!

So, clean eating is easy. There are some daunting ingredients out there, but if you make one trip a month (or less) to the organic section of your grocer or your local whole foods market, you will find everything that you need - and the rest can be found where you usually shop! Don't be scared to try something new - you may be surprised with how good it tastes!

**If you live in Fayetteville, check out The Apple Crate on Reaford Rd. or in Hope Mills. The Food Lion at the Westwood Shopping Center also has a great organic/whole foods section that has all your clean eating needs. :)

Enjoy!

I Did It!

Well I did it!!!!! One of my life long dreams has come true. I competed in my first fitness competition! Woohoo!
I had a blast this past weekend in Chicago. The show ended up being much smaller than the previous years which was kind of a bummer, but it wasn't so small that everyone got trophies. There were 12 girls in the Bikini division, and 7 in the tall class. I placed 4th in my division. I was a little disappointed after the show because I thought I should have been 2nd, 3rd or even 1st. But that's the thing with these competitions. There's a lot of politics, and it's very subjective judging. You never know who is going to win. I'm very happy that I did it. And I got a trophy!!
Now I am back to reality. Will I do it again? More than likely. My coaches just put me on a building plan to build more muscle and add a little size. I'd like to be able to cross over into Figure in the future. I like how fun the Bikini division is, but Figure is judged more scientifically, and I like that. So for now, weightlifting and eating will be the name of the game!! My goal is to compete again in the late spring/early summer.
After the show, I enjoyed some Chicago-style pizza with my friends. It was SO yummy! That many carbs all at once, made me SO sleepy though, and we went home and went to bed. So much for a celebration! :) Sunday, I ate a good breakfast then treated myself to a yummy cupcake and had some chocolate at the airport on the way home. All those sweets made for a bad tummy ache that night though! So today I am back on track with my clean eating. It feels good. My body is used to good food, and I'm glad for that. So that's it!
I will post some photos of the actual show when I get the CD from the photographer.
Thanks to everyone for the support throughout this journey. I've been truly blessed to have such a strong supportive network around me.

The Final Countdown

Well this is it! 4 more days to go and I'm competing! I can't believe it's here already. I am ready and I can't wait!!! These last few days are the hardest by far. My diet is super restricted - basically protien and veggies, very limited carbs, and no fruit. :( I will probably literally feel the sugar I eat after this run through my veins! So where do I stand now? Well, tomorrow I'm meeting with one of my teammates for my final posing/choreography practice. I've done most of the choreography myself, but she is awesome and will tweak it to make it perfect. I've been practicing my T-walk everyday...it's like muscle memory at this point. I feel very confident when I practice. I just pray that I have that same confidence on Saturday when I step on stage. My final workout is tomorrow too. My workouts on Sunday, Monday and today were pretty brutal. I'm amazed at how much I've been able to push myself physically these last few days. Today alone I ran the stadium for 20min (lap around the track, run the stadium stairs), then I ran a pretty tough 3 mile run with Kira, then headed straight to the gym for a killer leg workout followed by posing for 30min. Crazy huh? :) I just want no regrets. I want to know that I really did do my best. Tomorrow's workout will be a full-body sweaty beast followed by 20min on the stair climber and 30 on the elliplicle. Then I rest until Saturday and let my body do the rest! Tomorrow I'm picking up my suit (I had some padding put in), and buying all the last minute things - decorations for my pickaxe, jewelry, etc. Then on Thursday I go get my nails and toes done, wax - everything, tan again, and get some more rest! So there is a LOT to be done between now and Friday, but I feel good. I'm physically exhausted, but I'm pushing through. I keep picturing myself on stage doing really well, standing tall, looking great, smiling at the judges, being bubbly, winning (hey, you have to think positive). It's all helping me to not be nervous. I read somewhere that picturing in your mind how you want it to go makes you less nervous, more confident, and most of the time it goes that way! I honestly don't care if I win. Sure, it would be freaking AWESOME, but just to do this is a huge accomplishment for me already. I'm just glad I'm really doing something I've dreamed of doing for a long time. :) SO - I will be back with all the results/details after the weekend!

Patience - Enjoy the Moment

Do you ever want something so bad...and you know you can have it....but you want it right now? I'm in this situation. I know where I want to be in life. I have some goals lined up, but all of my goals are things that take time and persistance. I want to have a very small, successful business. I want to model. I want to compete at a national competition. I want to have 1 or 2 more kids. I want to get out of Fayetteville and support my husband in his career journey. So many things - and none of them are that far out of reach....they just take time. My struggle right now is with patience. I know that God is in control of my life, and I feel like right now He is letting me know that I need to work on my patience. I'm so used to wanting something, and doing it or getting it right then. I've been a bit spoiled. But this time, the things I want are things I have to work hard for, and things that will take some time to accomplish. I can't have them right now. So for now, I will try to enjoy the moment that I'm in. Enjoy the life that I have right now, enjoy the fact that I'm 25 and just beginning, that I can't have loads of success in a career that I've just started, that I can't compete at a national event witout starting at a regional one, and that we have two more years here in Fayetteville one way or the other - so enjoy it. Enjoy my daughter, enjoy my husband, enjoy being young, and to be thankful for the things that I do have right now. If I'm constantly looking towards what I want, how can I ever really appreciate what I have? I'm searching for that balance - to live in this moment that I'm given. To embrace today, because tomorrow might not ever come, and to also stay persistant in my work towards the future. Keep studying, keep training, keep working....and some day, when God has decided I'm ready, it will all pay off...and how much more sweeter will it be?

ABS

Ok, I've literally had tons of emails since I posted my "ab update" photo on facebook. I, by no means, have perfect abs. I think the big response from my friends is simply because, I've NEVER had abs like this in my life, and I have a little kiddo. I still have plenty of work to do on my midsection. Besides my thighs, it's the one other place on my body that is the quickest to show me when my diet isn't up to par. :) And I'm still trying to figure out my own tricks to getting the "perfect set of abs". Here is what has worked so far for me:

1. Drink TONS of water. I drink at least a gallon a day, usually more. If you have stretch marks, this makes them less noticable too. I can tell when I'm low on water because my "stretchies" look extra stretchy. :)

2. Just say no to sugar - and probably alcohol while you're at it. I've cut sugar completely out of my diet. I rely on fruits as my source of sweetness for the most part. I do use stevia (a natural sweetner - like splenda, but natural) to sweeten my coffee and oatmeal, but that's about it. If you need syrup for pancakes - get sugar free...it only tatses weird the first few times, then you get used to it! As for alcohol....kind of a given. Sure, have your glass of wine once a week, but if you're drinking Long Island Iced Teas every weekend, it's not going to help you out on that six pack. And let's not even go to beer.

3. Choose your carbs wisely! If it's white - just put it away! If it says "made with whole grains" it's still not that good. Go for 100% whole grain carbs. Sure, I eat pasta - but I make sure it's 100% whole wheat. Not sure? Check the ingredients...if it has a million things listed, don't get it. The pasta I buy has one ingredient: 100% whole grain wheat. Seriously. This also goes for bread. I like eziekel bread/wraps/englis muffins, etc. They are in the freezer department. So good for you, and not too bad tasting either! Also go for brown rice instead of white - being married to a puertorican, this will be a tough one for me when Enrique gets home! :) Potatoes are a great option...just don't smother them with butter and salt! Cereal...my favorite food in the world. I stick with Kashi brand. They are usually pretty healthy. Just check the sugar - I try to stay with anything under 9g. I could go on and on about carbs...just don't be fooled by all the "healthy" options out there...if it's super convienent, it's probably packed with sugar. Carbs are not bad, they are very essential - you just have to choose them very wisely!!!

4. LEAN protien!! This ones pretty easy...don't go buy 85/15 hamburger! Stick with chicken/turkey breast, fish, lean red meat, eggs. I also eat a lot of greek yogurt, cottage cheese and protien shakes.

5. Think FRESH when it comes to produce! I don't even go down the aisle filled with canned fruits and veggies at the grocery store. If that stuff can sit on a shelf for years, just imagine what's in there! No thanks. Go for the fresh stuff. The produce section has so many foods that are FILLED with nutrients! It sometimes amazes me, and I'm reminded of how awesome our God is. Everything we need for optimal nutrition comes straight from the earth. Some of the most nutrient-rich foods come straight from the ground, to the store. So awesome. Maybe I'm a nerd, but I think that's pretty cool. :)

6. Good fats, good fats, good fats. You don't want a fat-free diet. No bueno. BUT you do want to incorporate good fats into your diet. What are these? I call them polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. These fats are good for you. Unlike saturated and trans fats that sit in your gut and turn your six pack into a keg and raise your cholesterol, these two actually lower cholesterol. Monounsaturated fats, in particular, help with weight loss - especially in the midsection. These fats are found in nuts, avocados, olive oil, and canola oil. This includes peanut butter!! I put a tablespoon in my protien smoothies everytime!

7. Doing 100 crunches a night will NOT give you a six pack stomach. The old saying goes "Good abs are made in the kitchen." This is so true!! Honestly, I used to do abs everyday in my previous workouts. What a drag to do all that work and still have a spare tire around my waist. It's 80% diet. You have to feed your body the right foods to shed the excess fat around your waist. Everyone has a FABULOUS set of abs waiting under there to be revealed by a good diet. Consistant, clean eating will lead to great abs. Now, I did read somewhere that whether or not you have a 2, 4, or 6 pack is all dependent on your genetics. I'm not sure of this, but I've seen some very ripped people with only 4...so be happy with what you were blessed with.

That's my main advice. Keep in mind, these are the things I've done that have worked for me...everyone is different, some people need more or less carbs, some people have to cut down on fruit to get their abs showing...but this is a good starting point for most. I'm still trying to figure out my perfect ab equation. :) Good luck!

Chocolate Banana Bread

This stuff is SO good!!! And it's good for you! LOVE it!

2 ripe bananas
1c. old-fashioned oats
2 scoops chocolate protien powder
3/4c egg whites
1tsp. vanilla extract
splash of almond milk (optional)
1tbsp cocoa powder (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In medium bowl, mash bananas, add in all other ingredients and mix well. Spray casserole dish with Pam, pour batter into dish and bake for 30 minutes or until done. That's it!!
I add a splash of almond milk to keep the bread nice and moist.
You can also add some cocoa powder to really give it a yummy chocolate taste. I didn't this time and mine tastes wonderful, so I'm sure the cocoa makes it even better! :) Enjoy!

What I Ate Today

Today was about a 95% day, diet-wise. I always seem to fall off the 100% bandwagon on leg days! :)

6am

Omelette with 4 egg whites and
1/2c spinach and mushrooms

1/4c oatmeal with

1/4c blueberries and cinnamon

coffee

8:30 - pre-workout

Oatmeal Energy Bar - I think I've posted the recipe (if not, I will). I took out the chocolate chips.

1c. zucchini

1/4c grapefruit

12pm - post-workout

Protien shake with 1 scoop vanilla protien and

1/4c. mango

Another oatmeal energy bar (the plan was to have a sweet potato, but I needed something quick, so went for this).

1/2c zucchini

3:30pm

4oz chicken breast on

1 slice of eziekel bread with

1/2c romaine lettuce

and a little bit of natural mustard

6pm

40z tilapia

1c steamed brocolli (Kira had this for dinner too!)

8:45pm

Protien shake with 1 scoop chocolate protien

1tbsp nonfat greek yogurt

1tbsp ground flax seed

1/2c kale chips

I say it was a 95% day because I snuck a bite of Kira's Banana Cheerios - just to see what they tasted like. :) No one is perfect! Anyways, that was it. I usually try not to have two shakes in a day, but I didn't feel like having egg whites like usual, so I switched it up.

Tomorrow I will have 2 1/2 weeks until the competition. I practiced tonight with Katie for about an hour, and I just wasn't into it. I have my T-walk down to a T (hehe!), but I need to practice more with my pickaxe. I also want to practice with my suit on!!! It should be here any day now...I'm SO ready for it to get here, and praying really hard that it is perfect and doesn't need any adjustments.

I can't even describe my emotions at this point. I'm not doing a huge competition, but this is my first, and it's something I've wanted to do for a long time, set my mind to, and am now going to do it. I'm nervous, excited, terrified, proud, amazed, confident, scared...you name it! I'm so thankful to have such a stong web of support behind me. From my family and friends to my co-workers, I have a lot of people cheering me on, and that really means a lot. Now, it's time for me to get some rest. :)

Hungry!

How come when someone tells you that you can't have something - it becomes that much more irrisistable? I'm 3 1/2 weeks out from the competition. No peanut butter, no more cheat meals, and I'm down to 3 servings of fruit. That's not so terrible. But my MIND is working against me! I'm not supposed to have carbs after a certian time, and my mind always wants carbs right after I'm cut off for the day! It really is mind over matter with this whole thing. My mind won today. I didn't crash my diet or anything...just had carbs at 6pm. :) Here is what I had to eat today:

6am
4 egg whites
1/4c oatmeal with 1/4c banana
1/2c sauteed veggies

9am - pre workout
4 egg whites on an eziekel wrap
1c spinach salad with 1/4c strawberries and 1tbsp evoo raspberry dressing

12 - post workout
Protien shake with 1 scoop protien and 1 tbsp greek yogurt
10 Rice Works chips
1c steamed brocolli

2:30pm
1c lettuce with
4oz chicken breast
1/4c black beans and 1tbsp homeade salsa
1/4c banana

5:30pm
4oz spanikopita chicken meatballs
1c zucchini
"some" Kashi Go Lean Crunch cereal - "some" as in I just ate some out of the bag - probably a handful or two. No one is perfect! :(

8:30 - as soon as I go downstairs after this :)
Protien shake with 1 scoop protien and 1tbsp greek yogurt

I also drank a gallon of water today. Not really a terrible day. I'm going to make 100% tomorrow...especially since the Kashi cereal is gone now. :)

Bought plane tickets for Chicago last night - so that's it. We're ready to go! Suits are in the mail, and now all I have to do is practice practice practice walking! I have 4 workouts a week that are fairly short and 2 that are pretty long. My goal for the next couple of weeks is to practice for at least 20-30min on 3 out of my 4 short days. If I can get in 4 practices, even better. That's all there is left to this. This is something I've wanted to do my whole life and never thought I could do it...and here I am, 3 1/2 weeks away. I'm doing it. I'm proving to myself that I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to. Ok, this lady is having a shake, and taking her butt to bed! My body needs some rest!

My 100% Day!

Today was one of few 100% days for me. I had an excellent workout and followed my diet to a T! Here is what I ate today:

Breakfast: 6am
4 egg whites
1c. zucchini
1/4c oatmeal with 1/4c blueberries
coffee :)

Preworkout Snack: 9am
Banana Bread Protien Bar (see recipe in a recent blog)
2oz 1% cottage cheese

Post workout Snack: 12pm
Protien Shake with 1 scoop protien
1/4c banana
1tbsp. natural peanut butter and
1/4c shredded wheat
1c. brocolli with 1tbsp. natural hummus

Lunch/Snack: 3pm
4 1oz chicken meatballs with greek yogurt dip (see recipe below)
1/4c baked potato
1c. zucchini

Dinner: 6pm
4oz turkey burger
1/2c lettuce - made into a bunless burger!

Bedtime snack: 8pm
4 egg whites
1tbsp olive oil
1c lettuce
made yummy little lettuce wraps.

Today I also made some kale chips. I got the recipe from a friend, Leslie and tried them out. I had a few and they are delicious! They are on the menu for tomorrow! :) Basically you get fresh kale, tear it into bite size pieces, place on a baking sheet, spray with olive oil and vinegar and sprinkle with a little sea salt. Bake until crispy - viola! A yummy crunchy snack...and a super nutrient-rich food. Be careful to use only a little sea salt. I sprinkled some on mine and they are a bit salty, so I will just do a dash or so next batch. Try them out!

On competition notes: I'm 4 weeks out from the big day. I'm not eating any more cheat meals at this point, and no nuts...I don't really know how life is going to be without peanut butter, but I'm about to find out. Four weeks...I can do anything for four weeks! My game face is on! My goal for tomorrow is at least a 90% day!

An Appreciation for Working Moms

What a hectic week!! Between errands, appointments, work, taking Kira to the babysitters, and training, I barely had a second to myself this past week. It really opened my eyes to a few things:
First - I have a brand new appreciation for working moms. Especially working moms who manage to squeeze in exercise and good nutrition (which can be a full-time job all in itself). I've realized that just to get yourself ready, your child ready, drop them off where they need to go, and make it to work on time, you have to start your day 3hours earlier than normal! I had to leave my house an hour before work...and I live 10 miles from work! There is a lot of work and planning that goes into everything, and I appreciate the ladies out there who have it all together and are doing it.
Second - I have a new appreciation for stay at home moms! I thought I wanted to be stay at home mom. I really did, but unfortunately, I need to work. I like buying things, and I am the only one who can support that habit. :) This week, Kira transitioned from an infant to a toddler. It was practically overnight. One day she just started getting into EVERYTHING! If I open the fridge, she's in there, a cabinet - she's in there too, under my feet constantly. I tried the pack-n-play a few times, which is great when I'm cooking or trying to get ready. But I felt bad sticking her in there for more than 20 min at a time. I feel like that's a prison. I realize that children need boundaries, and it's not healthy to let her roam around as she pleases..but the pack-n-play just bothered me...probably because I've seen a lot of mothers abuse this. Anyways, mid-week, Kira was following me everywhere, getting into everything and I'd just had enough, so I put her in her room and shut the door (don't worry, it's completely child-proof). Well, I checked in on her about 5 min later, and there she was, toybox open, toys everywhere, playing contently. Mission accomplished!! I got a baby gate set up the next day so I can keep the door open, and now when I need to do things without Kira's "help", I can put her in her room, and know that she is having fun playing, and not stuck in a little cage...just a bigger, much more exciting one. :) So my appreciation is for mom's out there who stay home, and play with their children all day, and keep them entertained. It's a very hard job, and for those out there who do it, I admire them.
Lastly, I especially admire military wives/moms. I am new to this one, and it is tough. It's one thing to be a stay at home mom, or working mom, and have a husband to help out at the end of the day...so you can relax, or go get some things done that you couldn't do with the kids. Military wives/moms don't get this luxury during a deployment. And most of the time, the military takes people away from their extended families, so it's just them...no close family to help out. There have been so many times since Enrique left where I just want to pack my bags and go home until he comes back. It's hard to not have a break from work and children. If you stay at home, you crave that adult conversation, and that chance to let your husband play with the kids for awhile at the end of the day. If you work, you want to be able to rely on your husband to pick up the kids if you're running late, or watch the kids while you go to an appointment after work or need to grab some groceries. It's very hard, and this is the first time I've had to experience it. There are a lot of women out there who have been doing this for years, and I truly, truly admire their strength, perserverence, and grace. I hate to sound cliche, but it really does take a strong woman to be a military wife...it's a tough job.
My goals over the next few weeks, are to adjust to my new life. Enjoy going to work and having a break from being "mom", appreciate the fact that Kira is playing and socializing with peers while I am gone, plan my days so that I have plenty of time to get ready and out of the door without the added stress of rushing, continue training and eating healthy, and to just take it all in stride! I know this will take some adjusting and fine tuning. Kira is growing up, and therefore, so am I.

Feeling a little out of it this week...

Today is "Hump Day". Meaning, if the week were a hill, this would be the peak, and the rest of the week is a downhill slope. I sure hope that's the case. I'm one of those people who need to have a good Monday in order to have a good Tuesday, and a good Tuesday to have a good Wednesday, and so on. Well, Monday was off, therefore so was Tuesday and now today. By the looks of my schedule for the rest of the week, it's not going to get much better until this weekend. I'm just in a slump again. I had one of these about 5 weeks ago too. Just sort of out of it, not as focused as I should be, feeling overwhelmed with the competition. I know it will pass...I just wish it would pass now!!
Anyways, other than that, training is going ok. That's the one part of my day that is usually on point. My diet this week is only about 75-80% though. I started the week off low on my water, and I can really tell. I get really bogged down if I'm not hydrated. So I've been chugging the water today in hopes of being refreshed.
On a positive note, I'm getting my hair done tomorrow. That is always fun for me because I usually never stick with the same hair-do too long. I will be saying goodbye to the summer honey locks and going back to my roots - brown. This is a good change I think with fall right around the corner. Plus, I'm a brunette - I'm not fooling anyone with this hair. :) I'm telling my stylist the key is "rich, chocolate" and letting her do her thing! As far as the style - I'm telling her to leave it long - but change it up, and make it different! We will see what she comes up with. :)
Ok, that's all from me today - no inspiring thoughts, just updates. My brain is fried at this point, and I need my rest!! Let's hope for an energized remainder of the week, and a rockin new do tomorrow!

Another Great Recipe

Here is a great Greek-style Chicken Meatball recipe:

1lb lean ground chicken breast

2 "handfulls" of frozen chopped spinach, thawed

2 tbsp parmasean cheese

or

1/4c feta cheese

2 tbsp minced garlic

1tbsp grill seasoning - I used McCormicks Montreal Steak seasoning

1tbsp olive oil

Dip:

1c greek yogurt

1/4 cucumber, peeled and chopped

1-2 tbsp fresh dill

1/2 lemon, juiced

1tsp each of coriander and cumin

salt to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine chicken, garlic, seasoning, and half of cheese in bowl. Wring water out of spinach and add to meat. Mix well with hands. Form into meatballs and place on baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle remaining cheese on top. Cook for 15-20 minutes until done. Combine all the dip ingredients into a bowl and serve with meatballs.

I made these on Sunday, and they are FABULOUS! I got the recipe from a google search, and made some minor adjustments to it, and they turned out great. I measured all the meatballs into 1oz portions, so I can just grab out 3 or 4 and that counts as my protien. I love that they are packed with spinach too, so I get some of my veggies in there. A very yummy, convienient protien option. Enjoy!

Source: www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachel-ray

She's a Gold Digger!!

I ordered the last piece of my Gold Digger-themed outfit for my competition...the pickaxe! I'm so excited that everything is coming together. My suits will be here sometime next week - I will check fitting, send back for any adjustments, and that's it! Ready to rock and roll! As for the pickaxe, I'm going to use my creative/crafty side and do something cute with the handle...maybe line it with gold fabric, and deck it out with some bling. I will leave the two axe points dark and maybe dip them in a glittery gold paint on the ends. I already got my hard hat in the mail. I'm so excited! Can't wait for my suits to get here!!

As for my training, I'm pretty lean according to my coach, so I am really focusing on the weights at this point. I'm lifting 6 days a week and started doing legs and shoulders two times a week - these are the two places that need the most work. I feel like I should do more abs, but they are there - I can feel them! They will show up the last couple of weeks when my diet is tweaked. I only do 30 minutes of cardio 5 times a week, but I try to make at least 4 out of 5 high intensity...no walking for me! I've been doing the stairmaster a lot to work on my stubborn thighs! I'm also getting in lots of posing practice. At minimum, I do 15 minutes 6 days a week. When I have some extra time I squeeze in an hour of practice - usually 2 times a week. I practiced yesterday in a room without mirrors...very different, but I need to get used to "feeling" what I'm doing rather than seeing it. Once my pickaxe gets here, I'm amping up the posing practice another notch. I need to get my props and attitude involved. It's time to make it fun! :)

Diet-wise, not a lot has changed. I'm eating a variety of clean foods everyday. I try to get in a gallon of water everday - this is a constant struggle for me! I'm also eating only one reward meal a week now...which is fine. I've been eating clean for so long now, that I don't really even crave junk food. I bought a little frozen yogurt parfait with strawberries for my reward this week...funny because 2 months ago I would have went for a DQ Blizzard or something! Lol.

On a side note - just for fun, I'm trying to train myself to like peppers. I'm starting with red peppers. I know they are loaded with nutrients. One of the best veggies you can eat! Problem is, I've always hated them! So, I'm trying. I've been chopping them into teeny tiny pieces and "hiding" them in my omelets in the morning. :) Today the pieces got a little bigger, and I think I'm getting used to them. It really is all mental. I decided to do this, not only because I know how good they are, but because I want to prove to people that you CAN eat healthy. I hear SO MANY people say, "Oh, I can't eat like that. I just don't like that kind of food." It's all in your head...our minds are so much stronger than our bodies, and they need to be trained too! Just a little tid bit. :)

So, I challenge you to try something you "don't like". As we grow up, our taste prefrences change - you might be surprised what you end up liking! Enjoy your day!

Savage Strut!

Well - at this point in competition prep, I'm pretty much ready to go. I am pretty confident that my body will look great for the show - my biggest concern at this point is getting my walk and posing down. This may seem small, but this is what counts when it all comes down to it. I have to walk with confidence, talk without saying a word, be cute-sexy and not sexy-sexy, and have fun - all within a 60 second time-frame. :) I've been practicing nearly everyday, and am starting to squeeze in 1-3 hour-long practices per week. I have it down - but I want it to be muscle memory (Army talk, lol) by the time October 2nd rolls around. I don't want to worry about anything on stage except my smile. I have about 6 1/2 weeks to go!!

On another note:
My girlfriends and I went and watched a small show this past weekend and decided we want a little bigger than Atlanta. So...we're going to Chicago!!! Same date, same federation, just a little bit bigger and another state. :) It is the Fitness America Midwest Show. I'm super excited and ready to rock and roll!!

8 Weeks to Competition!

Well, the countdown begins! This is the point where most competitors start cutting back on a lot of foods, and kick up the cardio. I've been doing really well on my dieting, so my coach is keeping my diet the same for a few more weeks. (Yay!) A few weeks from now, we'll be cutting back on carbs, and cutting out sugars (aka fruit). I'm feeling very fit and healthy. This is the best shape I've ever been in, and I'm really glad I've made it this far. I finally just gave in 100% to eating clean - and my body can tell! I don't crave junk anymore, and if I do get a sweet tooth every once in awhile, I have fun making clean treats for myself rather than indulging in something I'll regret later. As for the other components of the competition, I'm practicing my walking and posing for 15 minutes a day, and this week will be starting to add in an hour practice once or twice a week...you can look like a rockstar the day of the competition...but your stage presence is what will get you that win! I've got it down, but now I'm trying to make it better, add a little bit of "me" to it where I can. :) I've also ordered both my suit, and my themed outfit. (Yay!). I'll be buying my tanning supplies next, and doing a practice tan within the next couple of weeks...that could be amusing!

Well, that's all for now - hope everyone has a great day!

New Recipe!!!

I am SO happy about this one! I've been trying to find a healthy way to use up my ripe bananas and I finally did it! I got this recipe from a friend of mine who used apples instead of bananas.

Clean Eating Banana Bread:

1-1/2 to 2 ripe bananas (depending on your needs)
1c. Oatmeal - I used quick oats this time, but old-fashioned work too
2 scoops vanilla protien powder
3/4c. egg whites
1tsp. cinnamon
1tsp. pure vanilla extract

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mash bananas in a bowl, add other indredients, mix well. Spray casserole dish with Pam. Spread mixture into casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes. Let cool. Serves 4.

Like I said above, you can sub out the bananas for apples. That is good too. You could probably throw any fruit in here and it would be great. Next time I make these, I'm going to use chocolate protien to make it taste like dessert! :)

Enjoy!

Recipes I Can't Wait To Try!!

Here are a couple of recipes I'm going to try this weekend! Clean and delicious!

Chocolate Frozen Greek Yogurt:

1/2c plain 0% greek yogurt

1 scoop chocolate iso-whey protien

1tbsp agave nectar

1tbsp unsweetened cocoa

1/8c chopped pecans

Mix all ingredients and freeze. Makes 3 servings. A friend of mine recommended microwaving the ice cream for 10sec before serving to give it a nice soft creamy texture.

Dark Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Protien Bars

2 1/2c quaker old fashioned oats

1/3c flax meal

1/3c wheat germ

5 scoops iso-whey protien (it doesn't say a flavor - but I'm going to try with chocolate)

2 packets Stevia Plus sweetner

1/2c special dark chocolate chips

2c egg whites

1/2c. unsweetened applesauce

1c Fiber One cereal

Line cake pan with parchment paper. Mix all ingredients. Pour into pan. Bake at 375 for 15 min. Makes 12 servings. These bars are perfect macronutrient-wise if you are competing and/or into the whole macro thing. :)

Enjoy!

Source: www.livestrong.com/recipes

I Found My Suit!

Well, I've officially decided on a bikini for the competition!!! Not going to spoil all the details....you'll just have to wait for pictures, but it's 100% me! :) I just want to say too, that I have the best husband a girl could ever ask for. He is so supportive of everything, and he's been so selfless through this whole process. I'm so thankful that I have such and amazing husband. :)

One Day At A Time

Last week was a rough week for me. I've been having many doubts about the competition. I know that it's just a phase, and I'm sure MANY first time competitors go through it. I went to my first posing practice...yikes! I realized that my arms need some serious muscle! And not to mention I have LOTS of practice to come in those 5 inch heels! Since practice - I've been trying to take everything day by day. I've realized the more I focus on the upcoming competition, the cost, the posing, how will I look, etc...it's just adding too much stress to my daily life and it's really wearing me down physically. My focus this week, is "one day at a time". Each day, I will focus on eating clean, drinking plenty of water, focusing on my training, posing, and enjoying my family. I've been praying A LOT for God to get the negative attitude out of me. There are so many times in my past, where I've let great opportunities pass me by, because I've let doubt talk me out of it. Not this time. I've wanted to compete for years! And I'm going to do it. For me - to prove to myself that I can do ANYTHING when I put my mind to it and believe in myself. I think this will be a great thing for me - I think I'm going to tear down a lot of walls that I've built up over the years. So here we are. Tuesday. Let's make it count. :) I posted a photo of my current status. 10 weeks out from show!

Working Mom

Well, the day has finally come...I have a job. I am going to be working as a personal trainer on post in the mornings/early afternoons. I'm very excited, since training is more of a hobby than a job for me, but I'm also a little sad. I've been home with little Kira since she was born, and have been lucky enough to be around for a lot of "firsts". It will be hard for me to leave her for half of the day. They say it takes 14 days for you to adjust to a new habit - so I'm praying that the first two weeks will go by smoothly and quickly! My sister in-law will be watching her too, which is a huge relief. I know that she will be getting all the love and attention that she needs...and learning spanish too! :) I am very fortunate - the fact that I don't HAVE to work is a comforting thought. If I hate it, I can go back to being a full time mom. And I'm not working a full-time 9-5 job either. I'll be starting my work day hours before she even wakes up, and I'll be home in time to lay her down for a nap, get some things done around the house, and then spend the whole afternoon with her - so really I'm only missing about 3 hours of her that I would see in a normal day. Training is a fabulous job! I get to do what I love, I am able to make my own schedule, and I don't have to put in a ton of hours to make some extra money. So I am thankful for that. I'm trying to focus on the positive and pray that I will enjoy every minute of work, and enjoy all my time I get at home with family. :) Wish me luck! Also, I'll be opening my own online training business very soon so stay tuned for that!! :)

Best Clean Snack EVER

So I was reading a thread on M&F Hers and came across this super simple, easy recipe:

Oatmeal Pancakes:

1/4c dried oats
3 egg whites
Cinnamon
1 splenda packet (optional)


Mix all ingredients well, pour into pan like pancakes, brown on each side...and tadaa!! Top with 1/4c of your favorite fruit. Makes 2 pancakes. You can make more with 4 egg whites and 1/2c oatmeal, depending on your diet.

These are DELICIOUS! I plan to cook these in advance and have them on hand as quick snacks. They taste a lot like french toast to me...either way...they are delish and super healthy!! Enjoy. :)

Goodbye for Now

Enrique left today. :( I'm never sad until he's actually gone and I realize how long it's going to be until I see him again. Military relationships are hard. They take two very strong individuals to make it work. To not see your spouse for 6 months to a year is extremely difficult. I miss him already, for myself and more for Kira. Luckily she is young enough that she doesn't get it, but someday she will, and that makes me sad. I'm happy to be my husbands number one fan. I'm very proud of him and wouldn't change this life for anything. Deployments are tough, but they make our marriage stronger. We learn to have patience, cherish the time we have together and conversations we get to have. We learn to take it day by day and not to sweat the small stuff. I pray for his safety, I pray for the time to go by quickly for both of us, and I thank God for giving me such a strong husband. God bless America. :)

The Bug

I'm posting a lot tonight! But there's a lot going on out here!

Well, Kira (aka The Bug) is turning 1 on the 11th. I can't believe it's almost here! Time has literally flown by! It's amazing to watch a baby grow their first year (and I'm sure the years to come are just as amazing!). She has changed so much in such a short time and is growing into a little person. Here are some of my favorite things from this year:

-When she was a tiny baby, she rarely cried - instead she made this little "meh" sound. It was so cute (ok, not at the time, but now that I look back!).

-I actually put her on a "diet" when she was 4 months old. She got soo fat when she was 3 months because I was feeding her rice cereal in her bottles. I had to cut out the cereal and concentrated on giving her lots of veggies when she started on solid foods...it happens when your mom's a health nut! :)

-We got her to crawl by putting her bottle all the way across the room on the floor...she cried (and crawled) the whole way to it. :)

-We tried sleeping with her a few months ago: IMPOSSIBLE! That little tiny person took half the bed, leaving us with 1/4 each!

-She has the cutest little pouty face on the planet! If you give her a mean face, the boo boo lips come out, and then the tears. She's so sensitive!

-When I say "Ah ah ah!" as in "don't do that" she says "Ah ah ah!!" right back to me!

-I tell her "No"...her response is A) boo boo lips and cry, or B) yell "Ah!" to me with a look that says "What did you say to me?" on her face.

-The dancing has already begun! And not the bouncing-baby-dance...she shakes her little booty!!

-I taught her how to give kisses, but it back-fired at my brothers wedding when two little boys were giving her kissy faces and she kissed them back!!!

This little girl has stolen my heart over the last year. Her smile can instantly brighten my day. Her innocence leaves me in awe, and I can't wait to continue to watch her grow. :)

Restless

So, as the title of this post says, I'm feeling quite restless right now. Are you ever so close to where you want to be, but yet still so far?? That's where I am. I see so many people where I want to be: competing, modeling, training others, working in the fitness industry. I want to be there too...badly. I know I will get there, but patience is the key to this game. Nothing happens overnight, and hard work and persistance are what pays off in the long haul. I'm doing the right things to get where I want to be - taking my exam, studying, learning, training hard, etc. It's not my turn yet, but it's coming. :) I've got my eye on the prize and I'm more than focused right now!

What I Ate Today

I'm a little more than 13 weeks away from my first competition. Here is what my diet was today:

Breakfast: 8am
3 egg whites
1/2c sauteed zucchini
1/4c oatmeal with 1/4c mixed berries and cinnamon - yum!

Post-workout snack: 11:30am
3oz plain greek yogurt on a rice cake topped with 1/2c sliced cucumber
1/2 of a banana

Lunch: 2pm
3oz turkey burger on 1 slice of eziekel bread topped with 1tbsp olive oil and 1/2 c fresh spinach
1/4c strawberries

Snack: 4pm
1scoop of whey protien
1tbsp. of peanut butter
1/2 of a banana...best protien shake ever!
also 1/4c brown rice with 1/2c steamed brocolli.

Dinner: 7pm
3oz grilled chicken breast
1/2c sauteed zucchini

Bedtime snack:
shake with 1scoop casein protien
1o almonds

I love this "diet". I get to eat so much food all day! Lot's of variety and I'm never hungry. I'm enjoying it now, it will get less and less exciting as my competition gets closer.

Today IS the Day!!

Well, I FINALLY registered for my ACE exam. I take it on July 19th. I'll be using the next few weeks to finalize my studying, then I'll be a personal trainer once again!! :)

My plan is to start slow: I'll get a position at a gym or two here in town (depending on how many clients I get).

Then, I'll get my small business running - more to come on that when the time comes. :) I'll have my own website and everything!! Very excited!

Once that is under way, I'll be getting back into school so I can finish my degree. I've decided I'd like to finish with Mizzou, so will have to settle for General Education with an emphasis in Nutrition and Fitness. I have to go with Gen. Ed. since I'll be doing the Distance Study program, and they only offer Gen. Ed. since I can't be there to do my internship with another program. I'm okay with this. I'd rather finish at the school I started, and it will only take one more year. If I transfer, it will take much longer since alot of courses don't transfer.

SO...today's the day! The ball is rolling! I'm ready to see where all this goes! :))

A Year Ago Today

On this day last year, I lost a very dear friend of mine to cancer. Angela was an amazing young lady. She had the best family, and a great life while she was here. Sometimes I think it's unfair that God took her away so soon, but His plan is far greater than our minds can ever understand. I miss her everyday and think about her always. Today, I'm praying for comfort for her family. We love you Ang.

Before and After Photos 8 Week Transformation

8 Week Transformation Challenge

I just finished an 8 week challenge for Muscle and Fitness Hers. This is what ultimately led me to decide to do a competition. I just happened to be browsing through the magazine and saw the contest and decided to give it a try. A lady I know at the gym who competes often looked at the diet I was doing and said it was like her competition diet....woohoo! That was all I needed to hear! So, I did it. My 8 weeks just ended this past week and I treated myself to Cold Stone and cake at my brother's wedding! :)

To prep for my competition, I joined cathysavagefitnessonline.com. It's an online training program/team that prepares you for a show. I've been doing the program for 2 weeks now, and it is tough! I love it! So many girls on the team have gone on to become very successful in the fitness industry. I hope to follow in their shoes.

Anyways, I'll get into this stuff more as the weeks go by. I don't want to bore anyone yet!

In the next post are my before and after photos from the 8 week transformation challenge. I'm sure I didn't have the biggest transformation out of over 300 ladies, but I'm very proud of myself. I'm in the best shape of my life right now and focusing more than ever on my goals!

Let's give this a try

Well, I decided to start a blog! Here is what is going on in my life right now:

-Kira is about to turn 1. She just started walking this past week, and keeps me on my toes!

-Enrique will be leaving for his 4th deployment (our 2nd as a couple). I'm praying for his safety and a speedy return.

-I'm training for my first physique competition. I'm going to compete in Fitness Universe's Dixie competition in Atlanta this October. I'll be competing in the Tall Bikini Class. Very excited and focused for this!

-I'm a few weeks away from beginning work again. I'll be training at a gym here in Fayetteville, and hopefully starting my own small online-based business soon as well.

-I'm going to go back to school!! MU sent me their distant education brochure and it was the last straw to motivate me to finish. I've been debating on whether or not to finish, and decided I have nothing to lose. :)

That's about it!