Keeping my fingers crossed!

What an awful way to wake up... It was 2:30 am and I woke up coughing with a stuffy nose and an aching in my chest. I still had an hour to sleep so I dozed off before being rudely awakened by my alarm. Man do I hate that sound! Usually I am up and at em, buzzing around the house before getting my a.m. cardio in but today was NOT one of those days. It took me 5 times of hitting snooze and then proceeding to chuck the alarm across my room before peeling myself out of bed. I felt/feel like poo. I popped a couple Advil along with my pre-cardio vitamins and hit the elliptical. Now by no means was it the best workout BUT I did not talk myself out of it nor did I allow myself to snuggle in my bed and go back to sleep for an hour. I can not be sick. There is no if's, and's, or but's about it! End of story! Sooo packed some extra vitamin C and stopped off for cough drops and the day must go on.

I was trying to solve all the worlds problems the other day when I was running on the treadmill and this thought crossed my mind. Beyond the finish line there is always a new race, so never stop running. (Originally this is a quote I had heard but I applied it to this journey). I will make it to the stage in 7 weeks then again a couple weeks later but then what? What comes next? Do I stop training and dieting or do I switch gears to something else? For those of you who wonder what the answer is.... it is N-O. This is not an easy sport that I have committed too but I will tell you that I am addicted to the lifting, to the amazing self-discovery, to the mental toughness that I have developed, to the voice in my head whispering "just one more, one more minute, one more repetition, one more mile, one more percent...." For me, there is always going to be that 'One More' factor that will push me until my good is better and my better is best.

Almost 7 weeks out... Keep training :)

Ciao for now,  J

From the Heart

I recently heard a quote from a man that said, "The fear of not being enough is paralyzing." Through this journey to the figure stage, I have had twists and turns, ups and downs, and full on grab the Oh crap handle, brakes skidding to a halt one-inch from the car in front of me experiences. This quote really resonated with me because when I compare myself to other figure competitors and gym-goers, I feel less than adequate sometimes and fear that I will never be good enough or "big enough" to hit the stage. This is a constant battle I deal with and I have to keep telling myself that I am my own worst critic and I am also my own worst enemy. I know how hard I have worked and it all lies in ME what will or will not be accomplished through training, dieting, posing along with all the details in between. Coming from an individual who is Type-A and also has anxiety about pretty much everything, these thoughts are paralyzing...

How am I making it through those mind-stalling traffic jams that leaves me feeling like I am piggy backing an elephant around? There are many inspirational and heart-warming people as well as experiences that have helped yank Dumbo off my back. A recent encounter that occurred yesterday while at the gym was when a gentleman approached me, Batman and Robin at a row machine. He was disabled but had such a bright personality and told us that Jesus was the sun in the sky and that he also could do the machine we were on. He then proceeded to joke around with us and asked me if I was a cop because of my muscles and if I used them to rough people up. His whole demeanor really made me stop and think that there will always be things in life that will drag you down but there is also soooo much more worth living for and to never ever stop loving life! Another occurrence that truly took me back was when talking with a team member during cardio one day. She and I were discussing all the things that had to be done in the next 7 (yes 7!!) weeks before the first show. I was complimenting her on her physique and all the hard work that she has put in when she stopped and said, "you know you are going to rock it right?" I looked at her all cock-eyed and sideways before she continued on. I got all teary-eyed before half tripping off the treadmill to give her a gigantic sweaty hug. Sometimes you just need to hear those things to turn your day around. A little compliment, a smile, a friendly gesture can really make someones day and I challenge you do just that!

Ciao for now,  J

Jogging in Stilettos

And I survived... Back from Vegas and for the most part I am in one piece. I made it through security with my cooler, although the main security guy got a kick outta the fact that I also had a pair of heels in my cooler (not enough room in my suitcase) and made a few wise cracks that I had cold feet (even though it wasn't my bachelorette party and I was not the one getting married). The trip was a success and I followed my diet/exercise plan for the most part, getting up Saturday am with my sister and hitting the gym first thing for cardio then walking the Vegas strip about a million and a half times. No, its not the same as getting in some sprint work but walking (and at times running) in Stilettos is a killer calf workout so I am going to count it! I am not happy about how the diet went while away for the fact I missed a couple meals and I ended up getting sick from my cheat meal (total bummer)! The girls who I was with are such an amazing group of women and they had my back to say the least! Even when the group of creepy Australians tried to pet me, they were ready to throw some bows...

One of the conversations from the weekend that really hit home was with my sister. She told me that she was proud of me and what I was doing and also said that she can't believe the amount of self control I have. I have to admit, it does amaze me the lengths we will go to in order to achieve what we want. I don't see these little instances, or events in which I am dieting as a restriction to what I do. Sure the event might be a bit nicer if I could share in a drink, or even just a hamburger (without getting sick). I know that this whole process is worth the hard work and effort, and anyone who has been around me, and has shared a 'cheat' meal knows that I can chow down like the best of them.

In Vegas with my Sister

J

Catch ya up to speed....Lightning fast!

I have been thinking about how to get the last couple months wrapped up into one post to catch you up to speed on all the W's.. Ya know... What I am doing, why I am doing what I am doing, where I am doing it, with who I am doing what I am doing, when I am doing it. Lets call this round 1.

Round 1 in a nutshell is as follows: I decided I was going to compete in my first figure competition in November when a good friend suggested I join her fitness team. She told me that she had tremendous love and support, training partners, diet advice, and had developed amazing friendships by being a member of Tanji Johnson's SaveFitness Team. The next step was to attend a workshop to learn about the team in addition to the nitty gritty of becoming a competitor in Bikini, Figure, and Fitness. I signed up that day! Hands down, this was an opportunity I did not want to miss out on! Ding Ding Ding.... Round 2

Round 2 begins the week of Thanksgiving... Oh yea, I know what you are thinking... Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy oozing down the sides and a big ol' piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream for days. HA fat chance! I met with Pete this week. Pete is da man, he designs my diet to a 'T'... I am accountable to him more than I am my own parents sometimes (sorry ma). Who has two thumbs and starts a diet the week of Thanksgiving? THIS GIRL! Next step...Training. Out with the old (power lifting) and in with the new (isolating muscle groups). 6 days a week in the gym and here I am now... Stronger, healthier, and more determined than ever to get to the stage in April.

Ding ding ding... Round 3 (What? did ya think I would only make it 2 rounds? Guess you don't know who you are messing with) :)

Ciao for now, J

Me and my sis on Thanksgiving... The most random individuals you will meet especially when together.