A Couple Candids!

Keep On Working...

The long weekend has come and gone and I am sad to see it go! On Friday, we had a great lift at the gym and before it started pouring rain, we got some much needed cardio in. We even talked about changing up our schedule a bit so it was different every week, which will be good for all of us. This weekend I killed the cardio. Each and every session felt awesome and I was pain free in my IT bands and calves (areas I have been having problems with). I changed it up and did HIIT on the Stair climber, treadmill, and a lot of sprint work in all directions (forward, backwards, and sides). Each end every session was at least 45 minutes and by the time I was done, I was bouncing with energy. There was a lot of stuff going on this weekend including posing practice, much needed time with my girls, cheat meals like you wouldn't believe, relaxation, and all the food prep you can imagine. I was able to visit with some team mates this weekend and it was just what I needed. Sweet cheeks came and spent the day with me and she is such a beautiful person on the inside as well as the out. We had great conversations and spent a lot of time laughing and talking about all our worries, fears, hopes, dreams, ect. It was perfect. I got a bunch, I mean a BUNCH, of photos back from one of my photo shoots and they are awesome!! I am excited to print and frame some of the latest work but more excited for other photo shoot opportunities!

I flew solo yesterday in the gym and ended up meeting up with a couple guys to lift back. It was a lot of fun changing up the scenery as well as jumping into someone elses workout. One of the guys I lifted with was only 18 but he is a giant! He is big into powerlifting and soon to be bodybuilding and I told him yesterday, in the next couple years with muscle maturity, he is going to destroy it! He has such a big heart, you can tell in the way he trains and it got me thinking. When you are passionate about what you do, you are unstoppable. If you put all your heart into something, there is no way you will stop short and you will get to where you want and need to be. He was such a sweet kid and as I listened to him talk about graduation and his prom, I began to feel really old! LOL

Here is to a new week of training!

Ciao for now,   J

Unrelenting Pursuit...

"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal- a commitment to excellence- that will enable you to attain the success you seek."

 -Mario Andretti



Unrelenting pursuit. Unrelenting according to Webster dictionary means not yielding or swerving in determination or maintaining speed, effort, vigor, intensity, rate of advance, ect. Pursuit is defined as an effort to secure or attain; quest. I was thinking about my journey and where I started compared to where I am now and how I have grown not just physically but as a woman. I know I have said several times that I have learned a lot about myself as well as feel better than before with who I am and what I stand for, but yesterday I proved to myself that although I am tired, sore, emotional or whatever it may be that I am feeling, I will not give up. I will fight for what I want and what I believe in. Although there are times when I stop believing in myself or think that I will not be where I need to be, I know deep deep down that I will keep pursuing what I put my mind too. Yesterday I was talking with Robin and explaining how I feel physically and he said something that really stuck. He said "You look better than before J. You looked good and shredded when you were in the middle of competing but now you look awesome! You look better than before." It is nice to hear things like this especially when you feel otherwise. We are our own worst critic and I am pretty dang hard on myself. This is something I have to continuously work on and remind myself that I am in fact, worth loving. Self love is hard to attain for me.

We worked shoulders in the gym yesterday and it was tough for me because I have a HUGE ol' knot in my muscle that is pinching on a nerve somewhere and it hurts. I am scared to push it too far because I do not want to cause more harm and be out for a long period or injure myself. Cardio was miserable because thanks to Pete, my shins hurt soooooo bad. You know that feeling when your legs buckle because you are soo sore, well that happened to me when I was walking down the stairs to my car this morning. My shins felt like they were gonna give out and I pictured myself eating it, spilling my protein shake in the process and then just laying there unable to get up. I need one of those things you see on TV that you wear around your neck in case you fall and cant get back up. I think it is called a life alert. Yep, I'm gonna have to go to the 'As seen on TV' store today just in case.

Ciao for now,     J

Leg Day at it's Finest...

Happy hump day! Its Wednesday and that means halfway done with the week and a three day weekend ahead! Holla! Yesterday was a Pete day and it was a good one. I came in and have put on 6 pounds of lean body mass aka muscle in the past two weeks all the while losing body fat. This is what we want to happen however I was complaining to Pete that my skin hurts! It feels like my muscles are going to explode right through my skin and he just chuckled and said "that's the pump the bodybuilders always get and it is supposed to feel that way". Well, I want to know how to make it go away because it feels as good as walking on hot coals AND glass mixed together (not that I have experienced that either but that's the pain level). I had been talking with Sweet Cheeks and I knew that she was also stopping in to see Pete and to work legs, which happened to be what I needed to do so I jumped in with her. Yea so pretty much I am waddling today...enough said. It was a tough leg workout (and I thought our leg days were hard) and at one point I contemplated throwing up. I have never been at this point before but man, I was sweating more doing legs than I was with cardio. During the workout, Sweet Cheeks and I were leg pressing and Pete stood on the leg press as our weight. It is the funniest thing to watch because you see him swinging through the air with his sunglasses on as we are pressing him. I wish I would have taken a video of this because it is RAD. After two sets of pressing Pete, he called Big Poppin' over (mind you, he is a 260lb body builder) and we pressed him for two sets. You see this big ol' body builder swinging through the air but you hear me squealing with agony as he shifts his weight back which feels like another 260 has been added! Oh baby was it a workout! I have to say though, it was a lot of fun and after it was all said and done, Sweet Cheeks and I took a walk around the gym and caught up about some of life's dilemmas. It was just what I needed. Here is what Sweet Cheeks had to say after on her FB... "What a glorious day! I just got done with a killer leg workout with Jamey P. I may have or not whimpered, saw stars, and wanted to shed a tear but it was AWESOME!! Thanks Pete and Randy for being fabulous counterweights on the leg press...whimper...whimper... :) "   I heart training!

What it feels like to press Pete and Big Poppin'

Today is another day of training, dieting, and preparing myself for the stage. Over this past weekend, Mr. Olympia told me that a girl was chasing after me and would be my competition for a show in the future. Let me tell you (well those of you who know me already know this) but I am competitive. If someone challenges me to something, I am game and I will accept. I have a hard time not looking at this gal and feeling the fire explode within me. It only has re-instated my desire to hit the gym hard each and every time I step foot in to train. I know that everyone is their own individual, and when it comes down to it, it is the judges decision who will take the top but I will not quit. I will not stop and smell the roses for I know my competitors are out training their behinds off and I will come in the best possible. So get out there and train like it matters.

Ciao for now,     J

Roping and Riding...

Goat Tying at College Rodeo

It's Monday already?! Where did my weekend go and how can I get it back? Saturday was a super long day (or felt like it anyways). I worked all morning into the afternoon, got some cardio and a hammy workout in then went home and attempted to motivate myself to get dressed for a cheat meal with some friends. If a cheat meal doesn't motivate you, nothing will! lol So I met a beautiful team mate of mine and ran into Mr. Olympia, so we all sat down to a big ol' feast. The highlight of the night was when my team mate (I'll call her Sweet Cheeks) was talking smack to a woman by the bar at the first place we tried to eat. We went into the bar, a first come first serve area by the way, and looked for a table. As we were walking away, a woman approached us and yelled at us saying there was a line and SHE was first. Well Sweet Cheeks wasn't having it and I am pretty sure the heavier woman was about to throw some bows after what was said. I can not repeat it here but I was not only LMAO but I was pulling my team mate out of the restaurant before a cat fight broke out. The next place we went to had plenty of tables open and we got a great waitress. We let her know we were having a cheat meal and explained what we did as competitors and she giggled and said "Good job on your commitment, me and sit ups don't get along!" It was pretty darn cute!

 

A video of what goat-tying looks like

Sunday was busy busy. AM cardio, posing practice and a team BBQ with veteran as well as new Save Fitness team members. It was great to see all the ladies faces and catch up with most on what they have been doing since competition, what shows they were doing next, and all of life's fun adventures. As an introduction/name learning game, we were to introduce ourselves and say something that made us stand out so the new members could remember all the names. The fact that I told about myself was that I know how to rope and tie goats and did for years in college. I was also the Goat-Tying Director for NIRA all through college. Everyone was laughing about me tying up goats and did not believe me but its the truth! I am country girl at heart and always will be. I like to get dirty, work outside and can handle my fair share of cleaning stalls and hauling hay but I can also clean up nicely (if I have too). I am known as a "clicker" in my family because when I wear heels, I click click click around. My mom and sister call me clicker all the time! I have to say, owning horses my entire life plays a huge role into my work ethic and why I do things the way I do. I have had to be responsible for a horse, which is much harder than a goldfish! I had horses all through college along with a dog all the while taking 20 credits, working part-time, and maintaining my grades. That is one full plate but I say bring it. AJ, Sweet cheeks and I were talking about how busy we are but how if we have any spare time, we seem to seek out things to fill it because we get bored easily and although we do more in a day than most people, we are still bored. Goodness ya just cant win can ya?



Roping at a Rodeo

Ciao for now,       J

R & R...

Holla! Its Friday, the day I wait for all week long because I have two whole days off (well from work) and I am free to move about the country! I have been so dang sore from lifting heavy and trying to put some size back on that I took yesterday off from lifting and just did my cardio. As I was heading towards the Stepmill, I glanced towards the front and saw the greatest surprise! B.C. was standing there fully dressed in a fleece hoody and beanie (it was 70 degrees out!) and I went running over and gave him the biggest hug. He has been in South Africa the past 15ish days and we all started to wonder if he was ever going to return. He sent out an email before he left that was a picture of his plane ticket that said "One minute you are in the US, 14 hours later you are in South Africa. I will send as many pictures of my face as you need until I get back." I didn't even know he was leaving! Needless to say, cardio flew by as I learned about his trip and I filled him in on all the happenings at the gym including my swollen skin feeling in which he just laughed his a** off at me. He tried to get me to lift with him BUT I had a massage! Oh yes yes I did! I went and got a deep tissue massage and let me say one thing... Why haven't I been doing this all along? It hurt like heck but it was a good hurt. I have too many knots to count and the guy couldn't believe that I was just now getting worked on. I am still extremely sore but I feel soo much better! Its amazing how my body feels loose and my muscles feel somewhat supple. I was talking with the therapist as he was finishing my massage and of course I was asking him about the people he has worked on and if he had ever had someone that was super hairy. He told me that that doesn't bother him and if they are super hairy, he can write notes on them through the lotion. I was laughing so hard I was crying.

It was soo beautiful out yesterday (and will be today) and I took Stella for a walk and then hung out in my place with the slider open and no where to go (Batman recommended doing this). It was really nice to just relax and be lazy and as my mom would say "Sometimes doing nothing is doing something." Typical for me to run myself into the ground and then crash and burn but with a little extra time to veg out, I feel like I mentally got a break and can unwind a little bit. This weekend is pretty busy for I have posing practice, a team BBQ,  applications to fill out, training to get done, and time with friends and family. Another week down and a few more out from showtime. Time to stay focused and get to work! Have a wonderful weekend!

Ciao for now,     J

Pardon Me?

One more day and its Friday! I can not wait for the weekend to be here so I can sleep in and really do whatever it is I am going to do. Yesterday was a very productive day in the gym and when I say I have gotten stronger, I mean I have gotten stronger! I was benching more weight than I ever have and I almost feel kinda freakish because everyone keeps commenting on how big I look. The classic story is as follows "Wow! You are looking huge...But huge in a good way like your muscles have gotten so much bigger...Not huge in a bad way...You look good but bigger...But it is a good bigger..." Oh boy, ya better just stop why you are ahead because telling a girl she looks bigger or huge is not always taken the right way. I heard this four times yesterday by different individuals at the gym and I really can not explain how it makes me feel. I guess I could however it is better to just leave it alone. After it was all said and done and I was finishing up my cardio, Batman was chatting with me before he split for the day when a dude grabbed the machine next to me. Now normally this is ain't no thing but today it made me kinda mad. There were several other machines open but he chose the one directly on my left. He started his cardio and within a couple seconds I looked at Batman and gave him the "You have got to be kidding me" look. The man smelled of garlic, B.O., and mildew mixed in his own concoction and I was having a hard time stomaching it. With only a few minutes left, the guy then preceded to race me! I couldn't believe it (ok maybe he had it planned to do what he was doing but in my mind, he wanted to race) so I went for it but the second I was done, I split so fast before I lost it.

On the way home, I had to stop at the store to grab a couple things and when I was walking through the produce isle an older gentleman in front of me stopped and said "Whoa a bodybuilder! You can tell, look at your physique." Ok ok I get it... I am looking big and muscular but when you hear that many comments in one day, it makes me feel a little self conscious about it! Today I am contemplating what to do in the gym. I am soooo sore and everything hurts so it may be a light workout with my cardio or I may just do cardio and get out to enjoy the sun and some spare time. Have a great Thursday!

Ciao for now,    J

Take Life With a Pinch of Salt...

"Take life with a pinch of salt... A wedge of lime, and a shot of tequila."

I love the sunshine. Just saying! It is truly amazing how the sunshine can affect everyone and put them in a bright cheerful mood. Was yesterday crazy or what?! I did not get home from the gym until 8:15pm which needless to say is my BEDTIME! I played the whole 'ping-pong' game with myself about the gym. The 'ping-pong' game is where I debate with myself whether or not to go to the gym because it is way later than I had anticipated and then it throws my whole routine off! I must say I am a girl of routine (I know I have mentioned this before but gotta say it again) and I get weird/anxious when I cant stick to my schedule during the week. It stresses me out and this is something that will have to stop. end of story. Stress adds fat and fat is not my friend. I was battling traffic on the way home and as I got off the exit, I turned towards the gym versus home. I had a decent workout and it was quite fun because I experienced a different crowd than normal. Lots of new boys lifting and guess what?! They lifted next too me! Woot woot, a step up in this world. Hehe

Yes, yes, yes! Yesterday was a Pete day and it went good. He was happy with the results from the previous week even though I am having a hard time with it but a gain is a gain and a gain in the right direction is great! There is this guy that trains with Pete that was also in Vancouver and I will call him Big Poppin'. Big Poppin' was at the gym yesterday and he is quite the guy. He is mammoth (in a good way) and will be competing in a few weeks, so me being my feisty self, challenged him to a bodyfat/weight race and told him I will go head to head with him anytime on anything with one exception! I WILL NOT have an eating contest with him. I do not stand a chance since one of his meals equals about four of mine! I wrote on his wall this morning to see if he was scared about my challenge and this is what he replied, "Girl I am not only ready but looking forward to crushing your enthusiasm! lol." Its on like Donkey Kong Mr. Poppin' :) It was fun to B.S. with the boys at CZ and I look forward to doing some of that this weekend. The quote above is a small shout out to CZ since if you know me, you know what tequila will do...Big Poppin' and Pete both witnessed it in Vancouver for the first time and since then, it has been a running joke that I need to take a shot before hitting the stage.

Today will be a great day not only in the gym but out of it as well. The sun is shining, there was a beautiful full moon driving in to work today, and we are one day closer to Friday! My body is super sore from the week and I am pretty sure a loooong deep tissue massage is in order.

Ciao for now,     J

Feeling Strong...

Ok so I survived Funday Monday and now that that is behind me, it's time to stay focused on the week ahead but I will start with focusing on today! "Going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have time." (-Old School) I have a busy busy Tuesday to say the least. Cardio is halfway complete, work, Pete, Rosaline, gym for quads and glutes (oh baby) then round 2 cardio followed by laundry, food prep, Stella snuggle session and hopefully to bed by a reasonable hour. Yesterday was a great day in the gym and I felt stronger than I have in a long time. Batman and I were the only ones there from the crew (until later) so we decided to do heavy shoulders. To start, I did a seated press with a plate on each side for a set of 4 (ok 6 but Batman did the last 2 for me) then hammered out a few other shoulder exercises and ended with shrugs in which I did two plates on each side. I feel bigger and fuller but it is also a mind trip because I am not used to feeling this way. I honestly forgot what it felt like and I got used to the feeling of being "dieted down". I know a lot of this is mental and it is something I will have to deal with and overcome because if I keep competing, I will go through this time and time again. Another battle I will have to face and I will try my damndest to make sure it does not get the best of me! It is a "Mind over Matter" kind of deal.

Batman and I were talking yesterday and a few things were brought up that made me wonder about myself. The sport I chose to compete in is a very individual sport and it can be quite selfish for the fact that I will not miss a gym session unless I absolutely have to and I will put off plans until I get things done in the gym. Now does this hurt me in the social aspect? Possibly. The individuals who are also competitors understand and they have ways of making me feel like a normal person, even though I think I need to set up a cot in the gym since I am there more than their own employees. I recently had a bodybuilder remind me of some very important things and goodness did it make me feel special. He told me to take each day as it comes and since I know what I am capable of, there is no reason to stress. Also, Pete knows exactly what/how to get me where I need to be, so just believe in myself. Since I have spent some serious time gaining my independence and standing up for ME, competing only reinforces my decision to fight for my independence. Yet, I think this is hurting me in some areas too. I may be TOO independent which in turn pushes people away. I don't mean to push people away but yes it takes me time to allow individuals into my life and past the brick wall. Once past that wall however, they stay forever. Trying to figure out the 'happy medium' is what I will continue to do and I think that with each day and experience, this will work itself out. I need to remember... One day at a time. Take it one day at a time and really live each and every day for what it is, with those around me, and in the best possible way!

Ciao for now,      J

Another Week Ahead...

It is officially GO TIME! Less than 10 weeks until the big goal and I feel like the time is going to fly by and leave me behind. Last week was a good one and the workouts left me super sore from head to toe (literally my toes were cramping) and the diet went well for the most part until Saturday when I couldn't help but eat a chocolate peanut butter cupcake as part of my cheat meal! Delish but makes me wonder how much cardio to do to burn it off. I missed the boys on Friday, everyone was gone, so I flew solo for the first time in a while and managed to get the work done I needed and get out in less than an hour and a half (this is un heard of when we are all there). However, it just wasn't the same and trying to keep yourself entertained is not as easy to do when you don't have Batman doing the Beyonce booty shake and Robin rolling his shirt up to look like a Valley Girl!

This week is gonna be busy with training and dieting, visiting Pete, practicing and preparing for the next few weeks. So far it started out on a weird foot because I had the worst dream last night and woke up feeling like it is still a reality (I'm hoping it is not). When something like that happens and it feels soo real, it is hard to shake the feeling and get it off the brain...at least for me it is! I am looking forward to the week ahead and I hope it goes by quickly so I can mark one more off and be one closer to the goal! On another note, I am excited to see Pete this week because I look bigger and fuller than I have and I hope that he agrees and tells me we are on target. I looked at myself in the mirror yesterday and saw these muscular shoulders that I hadn't seen for a while. I think my muscle mass is coming back!

Ciao for now,     J

Oh The Things People Say...

I left my house this morning and all I heard was birds chirping and I thought to myself...It is going to be sunny and a great day! In the gym yesterday, we lifted legs and shoulders which was the first time I have lifted these two muscle groups together and sure made for a long gym session. We had a couple new people join in our workout and I will call one of them Tattoo boy. Tattoo boy has joined us before on leg day and said he enjoyed the lift, felt like he was productive (well duh, you are lifting with US) but he couldn't walk right for a week! On Tuesday, I told him we were doing legs and threw out the invite to join. While we were talking he said "J.. You know what, I know guys who will not lift next to you in the gym because you are lifting more than they can!" I laughed but then got to thinking.. Really am I that intimidating in the gym? So I had to ask Batman and Robin to clarify and they both agreed that I can appear that way when I am lifting. It took me by surprise because if I were a boy and saw a girl lifting more than me, I would push myself harder (I guess that's the competitive side in me coming out!) This is just one of the things that has been said that makes me giggle.

One time in the gym, this young kid (ok well he's 18) approached me and said "Dang your back is shredded! Do you diet?" Haha I wanted to say back "Yea I eat McDonald's everyday. You should try the Fish Fillet, its excellent!" This kid...I will call him Bighead, has become a friend and I love to give him a hard time. He just recently asked me what I weighed and I told him that he should never ask a female this question but asked why he wanted to know. He says "I want to know where my girlfriend fits in on the 'in shape' scale." I told him he couldn't compare the two of us, especially since we are very different individuals. This past weekend I was out to eat with my sister and L.Bug and the waiter says "Girl you got some guns". I say thank you and continue looking at the menu before he says "Do you do yoga? Is that how you get your arms that buff?" I wanted to sweetly say, "No I got them from the shake weight. I use it everyday for 20 minutes" but I decided not to be a smart ass. I love some of the things people say to me but sometimes I think that I am unapproachable and apparently intimidating. Not the way to make friends!

Ciao for now,    J

Pretty Pretty Pictures!

I have them!!! These pictures (as well as some I will keep posting over time) are from a photo shoot I did right after Emerald Cup. I love them and had a blast at the shoot!

Feeling Productive...

Wow a lot of time has passed since I last updated this. There has been a lot going on both mentally and physically and it is time to get back in the habit of drinking my morning coffee and writing to yall (not that you want me too but I want too). Last week was the first week back to lifting and I felt like I had been hit by a Greyhound bus because I was sore for days upon days. The weekend was super busy with celebrations from Mother's day to a baby shower and little surprises in between. Overall, it was a good weekend and this week has been more productive than the last two weeks. I feel strong, I feel motivated, and most of all, I feel that I am back to my spunky self again.

I met with Pete yesterday and we did some research into the new journey along with details of training/dieting and everyday issues. It was exactly what I needed because when I left, I had my "training brain" turned back on and a fire lit deep inside me that has been MIA for the past couple weeks. The sunshine no doubt, helps keep me active and busy all day long with a huge smile on my face. I called my mom several times just to tell her I loved her and see how her day was going. When I got to the gym, I hit up my cardio and blasted through it while cracking up over a team mate's text messages about water weight gain. One I have to share because I was laughing soo hard on the step mill was "My belly ring went into hiding...Belly ring! Get in my Belly! Oh look... its a piece of fried chicken." I was seriously laughing soo hard reading this that the guy next to me on the stairs thought I was on something...or at least from the way he was looking at me. B.C. has been MIA all week for we found out he is in South Africa!! One minute in the US and 14 hours later..South Africa (quoted by B.C. himself) so Batman, Robin and I have been getting through some good stuff in the gym. Yesterday we lifted back and tri's and hammered through several exercises. It felt great and I feel strong. The boys even commented on my spunkiness and how I seem feisty as all get out compared to what I was. Yep that's right! I'm Back (and growing a bigger back!)

Ciao for now,    J

Pretty Cool

This video was shared on Facebook and I think it is pretty cool... Makes me get goose bumps and think about whats too come! :)

So What Now...

I have been MIA for the past few days and I apologize...Haha not that you missed me BUT I have been going through some highs and lows and trying to feel life out without competition mode in tow. I have spent the past however many months training and dieting that when I was given the week off, I had no idea what to do with myself and the "free-for-all" mood of eating and I DO NOT get along. As yall know, I am a type-A girl and I love structure. Life with no structure is very very hard for me and it threw me all out of whack this past week. I spent the majority of Saturday with my sister and that was a huge help. We laughed and did the random things that we do such as break out in song and dance in the middle of Marshalls or she even threatened two girls in the dressing room next to us with our biceps. She did find some amazing (insert the most sarcastic face here) pants that she claimed "even my grandma wouldn't wear this." Ahh I love her and thank you sister for making me feel better. I FINALLY got to see Pete yesterday! I know what you are thinking... She freaks out every Tuesday about seeing him but now she is excited about seeing him and actually couldn't wait? WTH?! Haha I couldn't stand waiting another day of the unknown with diet, competition, and training. Little does he know, Pete is stuck with me :)

We chatted it up for an hour and a half and we have decided on several things...Are you ready for this?? First and foremost...The next goal has been set and I started the new program today bright and early! This is going to be an exciting yet challenging trail on my journey and it will be interesting to see where it takes me. I have no idea what will happen, but all I know is I am excited to finally have something to work towards. I am excited to get back into the game and mentally as well as physically challenge myself. I want to push myself, I want to be better than before and this is the time to start. I am excited to see my boys...Batman, Robin, and BC... I did not forget about you and I hope you did not forget about me! I can not wait to see you and catch up on life and basically do what we do! Holla at cha. So cheers to a new goal, a new day, and a new attitude about my body and all the weirdness I am experiencing!

Ciao for now,    J