Comeback Kid

"Don't be discouraged by setbacks. A set-back is a set-up for a come-back."

Getting sick right now (Less than 7 weeks out from Vancouver) has taken its toll and I am trying not to panic. A couple of my team mates and I got together last night to practice our posing and presentation routine fully clad (or lack there of) in bikinis and heels at my training gym. The high school boys made quite the audience mixed in with the two girls practicing their break dancing to Katy Perry's 'California Girls' (stage left) and the MMA fighter taking flying leaps and jabs at the punching bag (stage right). Pretty awesome if you were walking by and peeked in the windows to the group exercise room. Think three girls in bikinis and heels wedged between two girls spinning around on their backs and a sweaty grappler attacking the punching bag. Yep awesome! It was very successful, each one of us posing individually for the others and we ended up taking pictures to document our progress and physiques. Following this pose off, two of us walked next door for our Sunday night cheat meal. Earlier during the day, I received a text from my mom that read "buy your friends their cheat meal on me :) " immediately followed by another text from her that said "is that like offering to feed a football team???$$$" ooooh mom, do I love you!

Today is a new day and the beginning to a new week of training and like the quote above says, I am setting myself up for a come-back. I have been slightly (ok those of you who know me, know that slightly and panic are never side by side. It is more like I am very, very) panicked about losing muscle, lacking in progress, and not meeting my goal for the week. The one thing I have been practicing and really focusing on is keeping all self-talk positive. I know that my body needs time to heal and recover and I also know that I have made huge gains since day one and I should be proud of myself. Don't get me wrong, I am proud of myself but I also am very competitive and instead of seeing the positive progress I sometimes spend too much time focusing on what still needs work. Since love is in the air and I am pretty sure Cupid shot me in the bum (or maybe that is still from last weeks heavy leg press) I want to say that I love myself, I love my body, and I am dang proud of where I am and this week is going to be filled with health, happiness and love.

    Left: Day one                             Right: 9 Weeks out

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

Do work!

Wow what a whirlwind 2 weeks it has been. Some good and some well, not soo good but I am back and ready to attack! I have a great story to share from Sunday and I know yall will appreciate this especially those who have been on low to no carbohydrates.

Sunday was crazy busy. Started at 7 am with dragging Stella around my apartment complex (no I was not literally dragging her but her max amount of cardio is about 500 feet there and back) and a scoop of protein powder in the shaker with pre-cardio vitamins. 8:15 at the gym for 45mins of cardio before sprinting out the door, still sweating to pick up a girlfriend and her daughter to sign them up for the gym! Yay, she just had twins and is all signed up to get back into shape, very proud of her! Next, drop them off and race home to quickly shower and pack meals for the day before jetting out the door to Costco. I felt like a New York Taxi driver at Costco weaving in and out of carts and people standing in line for cookies and bagel bites while I had salmon and asparagus on the brain. Completed the Costco run in about 20 minutes, loaded up my car and hit the road for Save Fitness Practice. Practice was awesome! Our team Image Consultant presented about quick and easy hairstyles you can pull off after gym sessions... Let me tell you, Dry shampoo and headbands have become my best friend! After posing practice, I skated back home to start food prep for the week and with a friends help we did better than Rachel Ray in the kitchen and I will show Emeril BAAMM. I had the oven and George Foreman going while she had the stove top and several batches of Broccoli steaming. Hey, we only set the smoke alarm off 3x in the matter of 45 minutes, not half bad! Throw all the food in the fridge or freezer and head to the gym for round 2. 30 minutes of Cardio, attempt to not look like a hurried gym rat and back in the car I go to meet a team mate for a cheat meal! This is where it gets good...



Stella after her walk.. Yep, sleeping while sitting up



We both had cheat meals, mine at 6pm and hers at 7:30pm so we compromised and met at 6:45pm. On my way there, she called to check my status and I kindly asked her to have an appetizer ready. Both of us had been depleted on carbs and lets just say our "sweet" side was starting to show. We ordered mozzarella sticks and asked the waiter to put a rush order on them in addition to her chocolate milkshake. Mouth's full of cheese sticks, we ordered a black and blue steak sandwich (with fries of course!) and a mushroom/swiss burger. The food came, we devoured like it was going out of style and the waiter just looked at us. Not sure what his thoughts were at this point but we decided to split a piece of peanut butter ice cream pie. The ooey gooey goodness was fantastic and the waiter's true thoughts were finally revealed. Just before placing the bill in front of us he asked, "Is there anything else I can get for you chubsters?" Bahaha we looked at him and my team mate offered him tickets to her gun show (she had a short sleeved shirt on). He said he was impressed to say the least and wondered how he could gain muscle himself. Nothing beats a big ol' cheat meal and a couple compliments from a gentleman.

Almost 9 weeks...

Met with Pete da Man yesterday and received the new diet plan... Umm salmon and asparagus at 7am!! My stomach is doing more flips than an Olympic gymnast already! Not to mention double cardios which means I am getting up at 3:30am...Wait, is this even considered morning or is it still night time? Yep, its all worth it BECAUSE he still gave me a cheat meal! Woot Woot, Holla at cha girl! (Pretty excited if ya wouldn't tell).



Almost 9 weeks Out

Ciao for now,   J