Progression, exhaustion, and new goals

Exhaustion defined by Mr. Webster: the act or process of exhausting : the state of being exhausted

Exhausted defined:

1. a : to consume entirely : use up <exhausted our funds in a week> b : to tire extremely or completely <exhausted by overwork> c : to deprive of a valuable quality or constituent <exhaust a photographic developer> <exhaust a soil of fertility>

2. a : to draw off or let out completely b : to empty by drawing off the contents; specifically : to create a vacuum in

3 a : to consider or discuss (a subject) thoroughly or completely

I am at the state of being exhausted this week, meaning I am consumed entirely by the workouts; I am tired completely and extremely...basically this week was hard on me - I think last week running around on Spring Break, no naps and minimal carbs have taken their toll (not to mention that oh so wonderful (BLAH) time of the month)  I had a difficult time, completing my reps - I was playing a very stong mental game with myself to get those sets completed this week.  My new best friend in the afternoons has become Diet Mt Dew (thank you Holly for hooking me up on that..or I should say Derek ;) ) That iced with a bit of Raspberry flavored Sugar Free syrup is  'DA BOMB!  Just enough of a pick me up to get me through the afternoon with my kiddos...then tucked in bed by 8 (yes, 8 o'clock I have been in bed and very nearly dead asleep!)  But, I am hoping that I have been able to catch up on my rest this week some with that extra sleep - and tomorrow being Easter, I plan on just resting even more...no Easter Dinner in this house this year...kids won't miss it and with Andy flying back he won't miss anything either. 

So this week was tough, but all is looking well for me according to my wonderful Trainer - we had an extra posing class this morning at which we took new pictures and videos of our progress - this is what I got for my pics (posted below too)

Back pose:
Great thing is how in shape your glutes and hammies look. Very nice. BUT your lats are not fully opened here. Back pose is when you really have to round your shoulders forward. Not bad, just could be better.

Front:
Pretty good overall. Nice abs :) Just would like your arms a little more relaxed, fingers too. Keep arms more straight, no points on the elbows.

Side:
Almost every single one of you need to TWIST MORE. We need to be able to see the back shoulder MORE. Your hands are placed perfectly, that wont change by twisting more. Glutes look good too.

As you can see there is progression from before but a still a road ahead of me; going to take the critiques and work it to be the best that I can be I have 6 weeks plenty of time right?! I sure hope so!!  :)  I do know that that Shelly has the confidence in me though as she has once again changed my goals...I was to be 125/13...Now I am working toward 121/12!! She wouldn't have done that if she didn't think I could get there right?!

Today for weigh in and pinching I was 130/17.9 so the body fat has continued to go down and unfortunately, the weight up a couple pounds but we all fluctuate so no big deal...or so I keep telling myself anyway ;)

So, that is me today - one last week in April before a change up again in May then we are on the home stretch for sure!  YAY!!!

Today's Quote of the Post: (a few of them actually)

Ninety percent of the game is half mental. ~ Yogi Berra

You have to train you mind like you train your body. ~ Bruce Jenner

The mind messes up more shots than the body. ~ Tommy Bolt

The mind is a powerful thing and most people don't use it properly. ~ Mark McGwire

I do believe that I am getting to a point where it really is more mental...I am working hard at keeping not only my body strong now, but my mind as well - not only in the gym but at home, on my diet and with my family.  Hope you have a strong mental game too!

Hugs!

7 weeks out

Yes, 7 weeks, that's 49 days,  only 1,176 hours!!!  Scared? Excited?  Anxious? All those feelings and more are going through me now...more so than ever and I know they are just going to get worse....BUT, I know that my trainer is AMAZING and will get me where I need to me - I mean look how far I've come already!  Today I am 128.8 pounds, that's not too far from my goal weight of 125...last time I was pinched I was 19% body fat but that was 3 weeks ago - I can't wait to see what I am this week (I'll be sure to post)

This week was spring break - yes, hubby and kids were off and we went visiting the island, did some fun things and I still got my workouts in!  The hard part?  Sticking to the diet on the road...but I did it (otherwise I would not be the 128.8!)  The kids though were very sick of smelling Tuna in the car - my lunch; it never failed we seemed to pull up to each location just about the time it was for me to eat, so there I would be making my salad and wolf down the yumminess prior to us going into whatever park we happened to be at that day.  Now, Okinawa is not as hot as it will be just yet, but it's getting warm, put that together with the tuna 5 people in a car and even with the vents on, it's not very pleasant....by the last day my youngest was like 'Mom do you really have to eat that stuff everyday when we go somewhere?'  Yes, I do....I would get up hit the gym, come back, shower, make and pack the food for the day and then use all my will power and then some to not give into the snacks that everyone else was eating all day long...I do have to admit though that I tried a few things - and I can't wait to go back and actually have some of my own. Example - Mango swirl ice cream at Okinawa World - YUM! the one bite/lick I had made my taste buds crave more.  Pineapple Park - well, this place is so not the place for anyone on a diet - all you can try samples of almost all their items...pineapple chocolate, cake, cookies, wine, juice, vinegar, and that is just a few of the things..they also had, pies, pancakes the list goes on...so I tried only what the kids said they liked which thankfully wasn't much and then bought a few items to have for after the competition....I'm pretty sure with all the stuff I want to have after the competition I'm gong to gain back 15 pounds in just one day ;)

But really, I know that this month's diet is harder than last months....and next months will be even more difficult then this one...that's the nature of the beast as I am figuring out.  Is it hard?  YES!  Am I benefiting from it though?  YES!  Am I going to be proud on that stage and confident that I did everything I could to get me there? DAMN RIGHT I AM!!!    And, I will be sure to post lots of pictures! 

I do have progression pictures to post but my computer is being funky and not allowing me to get them on here..in the meantime though here is some exciting news!  I was one of four chosen to be on the cover of Venture Magazine for the May issue.  Venture is the Magazine put out by the Air force here on Okinawa, it is distributed free of charge on all the bases and this is the center spread that will be the feature of the magazine next month.  Fit Mom Transformation....The four of us will also be presented with a prize on the local Military Channel - not sure yet what exactly it is but they said they were coordinating with YYY to set the date for the presentation...YYY is the Club Med of Okinawa so I can't wait to see what it is!  They have assured me that I will receive a disk with all the pictures they took so once I get it I will post some.  If you would like to have a copy of the magazine, let me know. 

Here are some pics of Spring Break - Hope that you all have a great one too!

Today's Quote of the Post:
Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. ~Vince Lombardi

Don't let it become a habit - Change now and feel better about yourself for it!  I believe in you!  You can do it!!

Hugs!

Less than 9 weeks out!

AGH!!!  That is scary!  Yesterday was the mark - 9 weeks to date of show.....Will I be ready, can I really stick to the diet, can I keep up the workout schedule my trainer gave me, can I still be a mom, wife and good friend and not be  snappy, short or agitated in a snap?  I have these and a million other questions floating through my mind right now. 

I just filled out the entry form and am planning on taking it in today, paying my registration fee and buying some spectator tickets - THAT will hold me accountable right?!  YIKES!  What was I thinking when I said I wanted to do this?  I am pushing myself further than I thought I can go and I still have the road ahead for a few more weeks....then to maintain and decide if I possibly want to do one of the other shows this summer...I can't answer that question now - it'll have to just stray to the back and try to float itself up later.  But really - 9 weeks, 9 Weeks....AGH 9 WEEKS!!!!  OK, breathe, focus and just continue to take one day at a time right?  One meal, one weight training session, one cardio session.....and stock up on some sugar free caffeine drink that will keep me alert when I try to crash for that afternoon round of whatever it may be; another cardio session, homework with the kids, soccer practice, cooking dinner, cleaning house...no scratch that I don't think I can keep the house clean on top of everything else....thank goodness for that every two week Mammisan - boy if I could I would bring her in a heck of a lot more often! But I just can't this competition has been eating it way through my pocket book....I really did not realize the amount of money I was going to put into this....my research was not thorough enough but I'm almost there!  I will (probably at the end of this) ass up all my expenses and cost of this show and post here for you so that anyone who may be thinking they want to take this road (and really it has been a great one!) will know a bit more about the amount of money they need to set aside to do this.  My extra expenses that are getting ready to come up as we get ready for this show.....

Bikini Bite - $9 - $15 plus shipping
Hair and make up artist - $100.00
Spray tanning session for show - $80.00
Replacement shoes (Mine have been a bit stretched from the posing classes) - $50.00 plus shipping

Plus I still have my AWESOME trainer for the next month and groceries and supplements - just put a bodybuilding.com order in last night $125.00.....I'm sure I'm missing something else, but it all comes down to this -
The price we have to pay to have a ROCKIN' Body......PRICELESS (but I would still be excited if anyone else wanted to pitch in and sponsor me ;) )

It really has been all worth it - I feel the best I have ever felt, youthful even (not that I consider myself old by any means but I am closer to 40 than 30 these days), and I know that once I get some carbs back I will have more energy too :D  9 weeks and counting...I will make it!

I will forge ahead, taking each day as it comes and do as I tell my kids and is the motto of the cub scouts "DO YOUR BEST" - I am doing my best and trying to push even more ;)  Hope you are too!

Today's Quote of the Post:
"You are the handicap you must face. You are the one who must choose your place."
~ James Lane Allen 

Hugs!