Check this out...

I just bought this body spray from Sephora. I am really excited to try it! Comes with great reviews from my favorite makeup review site.

I really like this blog crazyfitnesschick, she is now under my blogs to check out.

truth

What you Focus on Becomes your Reality.

year is winding down

No more posts on cookies and chocolate... I was really off track for a while.

Spending the weekend organizing 2008 goals all around, financially and physically. Presidential Cup 2008 is still my goal. Clicking on Presidential Cup you will see results from last year to get an idea of what I am looking to achieve. My new plan starts in a few days, cliche to begin on the 1st but I am. Not as a "new years resolution" but what my trainer recommended me to do.

How much do I really have to say?

I realize when you enter the gym it's polite to say hello to the person behind the counter. So I do... When I walk in the guy practically screams at me Hi how are you today, HELLO, HELLO over and over again. It's 6 am give me an effing break! I say hello. How much am I suppose to say to him? I am there to workout not make friends. On the way out today he said, have a wonderful day. I said you too. I then heard him say loudly to the person next to him. "I guess she doesn't want to be bothered." I responded each time, friendly enough.

Do I need to make plans to watch his pets and water his plants when he is on vacation? Should I compliment his Gold's Gym attire each time I walk in? I respond to him everyday without an attitude! It's becoming harassing.

Workout
45 minutes of cardio
1 frye in the am. I felt like I wanted to run a marathon ....

Getting back to the point

Went to the gym this AM. 45 minutes combo of both treadmill and elliptical. The treadmill makes my nerve issues the most irritated but I have no other option than to ignore it. Medication isn't an option for me. I suppose at some point I won't even notice it.

I ordered Syntrax Fyre, although I know nothing is magic. I just want something to get me going again in a few days. Sully recommended it so I should receive it today. I will post my opinion on it shortly.

Received the package today. I plan to start taking them tomorrow am. I ran my numbers as I love to obsess and do... I am right on schedule for August show and hitting my all time low in November to compete in the Yorton Cup 2008. It will end a great year and then I plan to go on a vacation in January. Only positive thoughts from here out... It's tough but I work on it all day long. Keeping my eye on my goals. Not marzipan truffles.

EDIT workout
another 45 minutes tonight of cardio

So Richard mentioned to me last night...

that this blog is suppose to be my journey to the stage. Recently it's been filled with a lot of fluff. He's right and the reason is I am waiting another few days before I start my contest diet AGAIN. I figured how many times can I declare today is the day and not start. It's really hard to get the mindset back. But this is what I want to do. I am not being forced... So you will start to see less cookie and more fitness related posts coming shortly. Hanging head in shame...

2007 Christmas

Picture 2 Crab bowl
Picture 3 Randi with Pepper
Picture 4 Dessert Tray
Picture 1 Madison with Pepper

Had my friend and her family over this year since I am still not driving more than a few miles at a time. I made artichoke dip, sausage balls, crab bowls, Caesar salad, and a variety of desserts. I was disappointed in the crab. I bought moderate quality crab and it destroyed the main dish! It looked pretty but tasted terrible.

My dog Pepper had her Santa dress on. It's a difficult dress to put on her since you have to put each arm in and then Velcro the bottom. She went under the couch, banged around for a few minutes and the dress was OFF! WTH! She is like Houdini.

Merry Christmas Bob

Merry Christmas, Bob

By Chris Shugart

Testosterone Magazine

"So, what are you doing for a living these days?" Bob asked me. We're sitting on the couch at one of those tedious holiday get-togethers, you know, the ones where you're supposed to be nice to family members you never see except during major holidays and funerals. I think Bob is my wife's brother-in-law's second cousin or something.

"I'm the assistant editor and a writer for Testosterone magazine," I say. Bob looks at me with a blank expression on his face, as if I'd just told him I sell handmade testicle warmers beside the freeway and was looking to open franchises across the nation.
"It's a bodybuilding magazine," I say.

Blank expression. Deer caught in the headlights. Ronnie Coleman doing trigonometry.

"Oh," Bob finally says, "I heard you were, like, one of those bodybuilder guys or something. So, what's that like, you know, working out every day and stuff? I just don't have time to lift weights all day, but I have been meaning to get rid of this beer belly." He takes another sip of beer. "What do you suggest?" Sip.

At first I was a little offended. I wanted to grab him up and say, "You can't tell I'm a bodybuilder?! Look at my ass! Now, if that's not a nice round squat-built piece of sirloin, I don't know what is! You think that comes naturally? I can crack walnuts with this puppy! Wanna see? Huh, punk? Do ya? Do ya?"

Then I realize this just might cause a scene and could cost me several Christmas presents. I was planning on returning any presents I got and using the money to buy a power rack, so I didn't want to jeopardize this gift getting opportunity. I also realized that old Bob probably had a certain preconceived image of a bodybuilder and I just didn't fit that image. I'm not gorilla huge; I weigh about 205 at 5'11" right now. (When I first started lifting I was a pudgy 159, so that's not too shabby.) Also, I wasn't wearing clown pants, a fluorescent string tank top, a hanky on my head and one of those little fanny packs. And isn't that what real bodybuilders are supposed to wear?

Bob continued to sit there drinking his Natural Light, smoking a cigarette and waiting for an answer, oblivious to the fact that he'd come this close to seeing some serious walnut- crunching ass power. I tried to figure out how I could explain to the average guy what the typical T-Man does and why he does it. How could I get him to understand what it is we do, how we feel, how we live? So I took a deep breath and told him something like this:

"Well, Bob, I guess you could use the term bodybuilder if you really need a label for what it is we do. Most of us actually don't stand on stage and compete, though. We lift weights and manipulate our diets so that we'll look good naked. Sure, it's healthy too, and we'll probably live a longer and more productive life than the average guy, but mostly it's about the naked thing. Truthfully, it goes beyond even that.

"Let's be honest here. We do it because of people like you, Bob. We look at you sitting there with your gut hanging over your belt and we watch you grunt and groan just getting out of a chair. Guys like you are our inspiration, Bob. You're better than Anthony Robbins, Bill Phillips, Deepak Chopra, and Zig fucking Ziglar all wrapped up into one. We love it when guys like you talk about not having time to exercise. Every time we see you munching on a bag of potato chips, you inspire us. You're my shot in the arm, Bob, my living and breathing wake-up call, my own personal success coach.

"You want to know what it is we do? We overcome. We're too busy to train, too, but we overcome. We're too busy to prepare healthy meals and eat them five or six times a day, but we overcome. We can't always afford supplements, our genetics aren't perfect, and we don't always feel like going to the gym. Some of us used to be just like you, Bob, but guess what? We've overcome.

"We like to watch 'normal' people like you tell us about how they can't get in shape. We smile and nod sympathetically like we feel your pain, but actually, we're thinking that you're a pathetic piece of shit that needs to grow a spine and join a gym. You smile sheepishly and say that you just can't stay motivated and just can't stand that feeling of being sore. (For some reason you think that admitting your weaknesses somehow justifies them.) We listen to you bitch and moan. We watch you look for the easy way out. Because of people like you, Bob, we never miss a workout.

"You ask us for advice about diet and training and usually we politely offer some guidance, but deep inside we know you won't take our advice. You know that too. We smile and say, 'Hope that helps. Good luck,' but actually we're thinking, 'Boy, it would suck to be you.' We know that 99% of people won't listen to us. Once they hear that it takes hard work, sacrifice and discipline, they stop listening and tune us out.

"We know they wanted us to say that building a great body is easy, but it just isn't. This did not take five minutes a day on a TorsoTrack. We did not get this way in 12 short weeks using a Bowflex and the Suzanne Somers' 'Get Skinny' diet. A good body does not cost five easy payments of $39.95.

"We like it that while you're eating a candy bar and drinking Mountain Dew, we're sucking down a protein shake. You see, that makes it taste even better to us. While you're asleep we're either getting up early or staying up late, hitting the iron, pushing ourselves, learning, succeeding and failing and rising above the norm with every rep. Can you feel that, Bob? Can you relate? No? Good. This wouldn't be half as fun if you could.

"We do it because we absolutely and totally get off on it. We do it because people like you, Bob, either can't or won't. We do it because what we do in the gym transfers over into the rest of our lives and changes us, physically, mentally, maybe even spiritually. We do it because it beats watching fishing and golf on TV. By the way, do you know what it's like to turn the head of a beautiful woman because of the way you're built? It feels good, Bob. Damned good.

"When we're in the gym, we're in this indescribable euphoria zone. It's a feeling of being on, of being completely alive and aware. If you haven't been there, then it's like trying to describe color to a person who's been blind since birth. Within this haze of pleasure and pain, there's knowledge and power, self-discipline and self-reliance. If you do it long enough, Bob, there's even enlightenment. Sometimes, the answers to questions you didn't even know you had are sitting there on those rubber mats, wrapped up in a neat package of iron plates and bars.

"Want to lose that beer belly, Bob? I have a nutty idea. Put down the fucking beer. I'll tell you what, Bob. Christmas morning I'm getting up real early and hitting the iron. I want to watch my daughter open her presents and spend the whole day with her, so this is the only time I have to train. The gym will be closed, so I'm going out in my garage to workout. You be at my house at six in the morning, okay? I'll be glad to help you get started on a weight training program. It'll be colder than Hillary Clinton's coochie in there, so dress warm.

"But let me tell you something, Bob. If you don't show up, don't bother asking me again. And don't you ever sit there and let me hear you bitch about your beer belly again. This is your chance, your big opportunity to break out of that rut. If you don't show up, Bob, you've learned a very important lesson about yourself, haven't you? You won't like that lesson.

"You won't like that feeling in the pit of your stomach either or that taste in your mouth. It will taste worse than defeat, Bob. Defeat tastes pretty goddamned nasty, but what you'll be experiencing will be much worse. It will be the knowledge that you're weak, mentally and physically. What's worse is that you'll have accepted that feeling. The feeling will always be with you. In the happiest moments of your life, it'll be there, lying under the surface like a malignant tumor. Ignore it at your own peril, Bob.

"Don't look at me like that either. This just may be the best Christmas present you'll get this year. Next Christmas, Bob, when I see you again, I'm going to be a little bigger, a little stronger, and a little leaner. What will you be? Will you still be making excuses? This is a gift, Bob, from me to you. I'm giving you the chance to look fate in those pretty eyes of hers and say, 'Step off, bitch. This is my party and you're not invited.' What do you say, Bob? Monday, Christmas morning, 6am, my house. The ball's in your court."

Okay, so maybe that's not the exact words I used with Bob, but you get the picture. Will Bob show up Monday? I don't know, but I kind of doubt it. In fact, Bob will probably take me off his Christmas card list. He probably thinks I've got "too much Testosterone," like that's a bad thing. I think Bob is just stuck in a rut, and as the saying goes, the only difference between a rut and a grave is depth.

The way out of the rut is to make major changes in your life, most of which won't be too pleasant in the beginning. The opportunity to make those changes seldom comes as bluntly as I put it to Bob. Most of the time, that opportunity knocks very softly. What I did was basically give Bob a verbal slap in the face. You can react two ways to a slap. You can get angry at the person doing the slapping, or you can realize that he was just trying to get you to wake up and focus on what you really want and, more importantly, what it'll take to get it.

If you're a regular T-mag reader, I doubt you need to be called out like Bob. But maybe you've caught yourself slacking a little here lately. Maybe you've missed a few workouts or maybe you started a little too early on the usual holiday feasting, like, say, back in September. Just remember that the time to start working on that summer body is now. The time to get rid of those bad habits that hold you back in the gym is now. You want to look totally different by next Christmas? Start now. This isn't because of the holidays or any corny New Year's resolutions either. The best time is always now.

Christmas day I want you to enjoy being with your family and friends. I want you to open presents, sip a little eggnog and have a good meal. But if your regularly scheduled workout happens to fall on December 25th, what will you be doing at six o'clock that morning?

That's what separates us from guys like Bob.

Taken from my favorite blog

Holiday Cookies/Candy 2007

Recipes by request

Almond iced cookies
Dark Chocolate Whoppie Pies
Dark and Milk Chocolate Turtles

Photos are not the best but I was too lazy to retake.

Sick!

Mystery Meat Macrophotography

Cleanse re-do

M1 BSN chocolate coconut shake/yogurt
M2 egg whites/potato/zuchinni ( picture to follow)
M3 protein shake/vegetables
M4 cottage cheese/tomatoes/pine nuts
M5 chicken/potato/.25 cup corn
M6 protein shake

Full Body circuit and Cardio

Week in Review

Food wise did well but not well enough so I am starting the cleanse over. Sully asked me to do it for a reason so I need to follow it exactly as he asks me. So I went shopping and am ready to begin again tomorrow. Looking forward to the challenge. Actually a friend of mine reminded me. I want to do this, it's my goal, my choice... not something I am being forced to do.

You'll see more recipes in the near future. I plan to make a complilation that will eventually wind up in a cookbook. So I would love any feedback.

My fusion is healing really well, my surgeon said I am several months ahead where I should be. So I am very pleased.

False starts....and the infamous cardio bunny

Bit of a false start yesterday. I went to the gorcery store hungry. I have to remember to never do this. So today the cleanse begins.

Yesterday at the gym I saw my favorite cardio bunny. (fine female specimen found near elliptical, treadmill, stair-stepper, or other calorie burning equipment. usually finely attired in roll-up shorts, sorostitute mixer shirts, and nike shox.)

My bunny, was 5'6" might weigh 110, wears bra top and shorts. Hair down to her waste, huge hair in the old school banana clip, red lipstick and cell phone. She moves from machine to machine to see who is looking at her. She moved right next to me and kept looking at my treadmill to see if I noticed how fabulous she was, LOL. I wouldn't flinch. I didn't even glance over. I am sure she thinks I am jealous of her mushmellow arms and legs, huge hair and hooker lips. Ahh people so amuse me.

Let it snow , let it snow, let it snow....

Well the weather is terrible and I am a prisoner at home again. Could be much worse so no real complaints... Here is my first week with Sully. First I want to do a metabolic adjustment phase. Now this is a mini-clense/fast and is not designed for weight loss. This is to help correct any metabolic and digestive disorders that occurred through poor diet, overtraining and Holiday eating (can you say Christmas party?) I use this plan to come back to clean eating at the start of a growth phase and to start a clean diet. It starts with a 7 day cleanse and moves to the baseline diet I can adjust from there. You may want to start this phase after Christmas because the diet is so regimented. Here is how the first seven days look.

Day #1 - Eat 6 meals of a soft protein with a soft complex carb and cooked veggies. You should be eating white fish, eggs, yogurt or cottage cheese and protein powder (whey). For complex carbs its oats, brown rice or cooked sweet potato. Cooked veggies are green beans, broc., squash, sprouts etc. Eat till slightly full, get all 6 meals in but no complex carbs for meals 5 & 6.

Day #2 - Same as above, but only eggs or whey for protein.

Day #3 - As much fresh fruit and RAW veggies as you can eat. 6-7 whey shakes each day spaced out.

Day #4 - Get the blender out. Have 6 shakes consisting of blended raw fruit, veggies and whey protein.

Day #5 - Same as day 4.

Day #6 - Same as day 3.

Day #7 - Same as day 2

Christmas came early

Sully emailed me my new plan. I had a feeling I would start with his horrible cleanse and it's true. So it begins.... I plan to start on Sunday. I also received 5 full weeks of diet and training instruction. I have to sit down and study it... Yipee... I am really getting my life back

Nothing to do...

It's snowing, my day is not going as planned. I wanted to get groceries and go to the gym and neither will work out. I love that everything I do is within 2 miles... it means I can do it! So I am eating what is around the house...

As strange as it is I can't stop watching this show on the Discovery Channel. The Brookhaven Obesity Clinic. It's amazing really people are up to 700 plus lbs. I know I a lot of people including myself think how can anyone get that fat. Well one woman explained in a way that made sense to me. She gained a lb a week a year for 5 years. A lb a week is not that much food. It make total sense. Not somewhere I dare to go but I am way less judgmental over it.

Start back to work this Friday from home. I am really happy about it!

Shrimp Tacos with Tropical Salsa

This ruled! If you want the recipe let me know I will post it as well. Here are the macros

Cal 238
Protein 20
Carbs 31
Fat 3

new beginnings

I contacted Sully today. I feel I am ready to start with one of his plans and I am ready to renew. I am so excited. I will certainly go at my own pace and do what I can do and NOT push it but I really am desperate for structure. 36 weeks out isn't a ton of time and I know diet is 80% of this so at the very least I can do the best possible diet I can do.