Making your 'Skinny' jeans become your 'fat' jeans!

Hey All,

I know it's been a while but I hope to get back on here regularly again as I am in full stream training for my next shows...yes, I said shows, plural!  I am completely crazy and am going to train to do 3 shows in the States this coming summer!  The first one is in May in NM and then two simultaneous ones June 9 in San Diego.  But, before we get into me and my new training etc, I want to share some things that have helped me to make my Skinny Jeans become my Fat Jeans....yes, we all have that double closet - the things we fit into now, and the things we really would prefer to fit into - our Skinny Jeans.

In the past year, my Fat jeans were donated or sold off - I did not want to keep them in my closet any longer!  I made this commitment to change my life and have promised myself to not get there again...what better way than to get rid of them!  So, my Skinny Jeans from last year are now my Fat Jeans - Jeans that I am OK in but know that I am (for myself) a little heavy.  And my Skinny Jeans you ask then...they are only one size smaller than my fat jeans and then I have my competition clothes...the items that I fit into when I am just a few weeks around my competition weight - as that is even smaller (and not a healthy to maintain weight!) 

So, what did I do?  Here are a few things, and they are in no particular order, but they all compile to add up to where I am now, and how I can maintain a good healthy weight for me - try them yourself, make the commitment and see the change!!

1. Eat at home (easy enough)
2. If you go out to eat, choose the healthy or lighter side menu - if you order a salad, ask for the dressing on the side and use minimal amount...even better use only red wine vinegar!!
3. Cut out the pasta
4. Buy Fitness magazines, READ THEM, and try the exercises and ideas they have in them
5. Go to Zumba (or any class you like - it you enjoy your workout you will be more likely to stick with it!)
6. Start a blog, tell your friends what you are doing  (ACCOUNTABILITY)
7. Surround yourself with people who have the same goal (we as humans are a jealous bunch - we love to see people succeed but hate to see ourselves left behind and will unconsciously try to sabotage the other - not to be malicious but because we ourselves are afraid to change)
8.  Switch to diet soda (only one or two MAX a day - fewer is even better)
9.  Buy a food scale
10.  Use said food scale!!
11.  Try a Boot camp style group - learn to incorporate weights into your workouts)
12.  Start taking a daily vitamin and Fish oil
13.  Rinse all canned food before using - take out all the extra sodium!!
14.  Remove salt from your home and table - switch it to Mrs. Dash seasonings
15.  Park further away from the entrance
16.  Hire a personal trainer - this is great as they can show you proper form, see how your body is working and suggest changes to your diet if not completely write up a great program for you
17.  Work out with a friend (accountability again!)
18.  Remove sugar and creamer from your coffee - use splenda, stevia or sugar free syrups to add flavor...protein powder is great too!
19.  Stop using sugar - substitute splenda, Natural applesauce or any other sugar free flavoring.  There is so much sugar in many items already  and when you can cut this out and realize the natural taste of items it is amazing!
20.  Learn the importance of Protein in your diet!
21.  Drink NO LESS THAN a gallon of water a day!
22.  I bought a water cooler with 5 gallon refillable jug - convenience of cold or hot water at my finger tips!!
23.  Buy a scale - but only weigh yourself one a week in the morning!!  Remember the scale is only a number and you will get a better idea of how your body is changing by your clothing
24.  Take before pictures - this will help to remind you where you were and how far you have come.
25.  Buy an outfit in the size you would like to be - hang it where you will see it everyday and set a reasonable date to when you will fit into it!
26.  enjoy your workouts - you will feel better after it I promise
27.  Even when you aren't feeling up to it, go to the gym to start your workout - you most likely will complete it once you get there.
28.  Carry your food with you - If you know you are going to be out for a while, don't fall into temptation eat the food you know will help you achieve your goal
29.  Don't drink your calories - you'd be amazed at how many calories you could use up just by what  you are drinking! 
30.  Find a Whey Protein that you like - be creative with it (my favorite is Optimum nutrition cake batter...you can mix in so many things to this YUM!)
31.  Find healthy recipes try them
32.  Read Healthy/Fitness minded blogs and use what you can from them (a great one for recipe ideas is The world according to egg face
33.  Write down a plan and follow it!
34.  Make it a family effort - while the kids still need some extra carbs and fat in their diets, they can still learn the importance of healthy eating and living which will last them a lifetime!

36.  Get new gym clothes - don't work out in sweats and a baggy shirt
37. Watch yourself in the mirror when working out - nothing is more exhilarating then seeing how much you can lift, watching the muscles move and knowing that you are making yourself stronger!
38.  Carry water with you everywhere
39.  Chew Sugar free gum
40.  Break out of your shell and try new things! 

None of it is easy, you have to work at it EVERYDAY!  But, have that will and determination and reward yourself when you hit a certain goal....it can't be done at once but it can be done when you realize that you are the one in control...you have the self confidence to make the changes for you, not for anyone else...if you aren't doing it for yourself, for your own well being and health then you aren't going to succeed - when you realize that you are the only person holding yourself back, then and only then can you make the change.  Be confident in yourself, I am!

Today's Quote of the Post:
More of a mantra today from an unknown source "Far from what I once was, but not yet what I'm going to be!"

Go and make yourself strong - you'll feel better!

Hugs,
Crystal

A little behind...sorry

Time flies when you are off season......so here's a quick update

Wow, kids back to school, competition over, and boot camp has started again....the time has gotten away from me!  I just realized that I never did post about the show!  Well, for those of you who are friends with me on FB know, I did win!  Yes, I was given the title - Ms. Figure Okinawa!!  It was super exciting since I really was only doing this show for the stage presence and practice.  But here I am on stage with the Local Okinawa Bodybuilders.  It was another great experience, and I was way more nervous this time around then I was my first time out! 

You had this may want to ask why so nervous?  You knew you had this in the bag after the competitor meeting....yes, that was when I found out I was my only competition....so again why so nervous? 

#1 - Language barrier....I couldn't even understand them call my my number much less any of the instructions back stage...thank goodness this wasn't my first show...yes, there was some English and my very skoshi Japanese plus arm movements and gestures to get us through.

#2 - No one else is on stage with me, no other women to walk out with me, no one to be compared to

#3 - I wasn't 100% happy with how I looked, I hadn't practiced my posing as much as I should have and my suit broke!  Yes, the jewels that hold the back and front part of my bottoms together broke!  All I can say is thank goodness for Bikini Bite!!

So, I am back in my normal every day routine...or trying to get there anyway.  I have come one full year since I started this journey into a healthier me and I feel great.  Boot camp started back this month and I am leaps and bounds from where I was last year that is true.  I have also taken the initial steps to get myself certified as a personal trainer....knowing first hand what it takes and being able to relate to the women and men out there in the weight struggle I can't wait to help them achieve their fitness goals too!

Today's quote of the post:

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.—Seneca

Dare yourself to do something difficult....stay on your fitness goals - remember we are human and make mistakes forgive yourself and keep at it!

Hugs!  

Tomorrow's the day

Wow, what a fast 5 weeks....yes, it was 5 weeks ago that I had said I would be doing this Okinawa show...on the condition that I looked OK when my trainer had returned from her own show...I then just bit the bullet one week later and filled out the registration form and paid my fee to be a competitor (YIKES) was I going to be able to drop the weight like I would like to???  I was on track and it seems like yes, things were going to be great...then the typhoon hit - and put me back UGH!  My saving grace??? getting my suit in and trying it on!  What an eye opener that was...OMG, do I really look like that?! I was a bit discouraged but not wiling to give up....a week later, I looked much better in it!  I haven't put it back on yet to see the difference now a few days later but I feel much better! 

I was this same time last competition 123.6 pounds...this morning I was 133.6 pounds so by scale standards 10 pounds heavier...but take into consideration the added assets and so that is less approx 5 pounds so technically I am only 5 pounds heavier...with me only deciding to have done this show for sure 4 weeks ago, I think that is pretty darn good!  Putting my shoes on and posing in the mirror, my body looks (I think) pretty good....could it be better?  of course it can! But, for what I have been able to do in the time that I have done it - I am happy...now just to make the judges happy :D

I'm resting now, feet are up and movies are rented, I will have my next meal here in a bit and maybe take a nap - it's all out of my hands now.  All I can do is stick to the diet for the next 25 hours and that should be a piece of cake...afterwards I'll be able to actually have that cake too ;)

I was thinking the other day how far I have come in the past few years...it is amazing....I plan on posting soon a timeline with photos of my progression starting 5 years ago when I really had looked at pictures of my family at Christmas, it was horrid - I knew we had to start making changes but wasn't too sure just what those changes were; I will then progress through the years up to my most amazing transformation this past year - it really is amazing, and the best part?  knowing that my children now have a better understanding of  just how much their food plays in their lives.  I can't wait to share my journey with you...I'm hoping that if you all see the difference you will be even more inspired to stick with or make your change!

Today's Quote of the Post:
"No citizen has a right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training… what a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable." - Socrates

It truly is a disgrace not to see this....transformation of the body through physical training no matter how big or small is an amazing and beautiful thing!  You can't get to the leaps and bounds until you can master the baby steps (my own little two cents **smiles**)

Hugs,
Crystal

Only a few more days!

Wow, I can't believe that I haven't blogged for more than two weeks!

Things have been a bit crazy though...we had a huge Typhoon come through the island and it had us locked in for 3 days!!!  Let me tell you, three days with three kids, three dogs, two cats, a bird (a typhoon refugee) and a husband added to a dieting and training Mom/Wife is NOT a good combination!  SO needless to say, the stress got on me and while I did prep a ton of food, it was hard to not fall into temptation with the kids and hubby around snacking and well really not much else to do but eat, sit around and watch movies or play games....I gained 7 pounds in those three days!!!  ACK!  But, I was determined once we received the all clear on Sunday to get rid of the typhoon yuck and by Wednesday was back down to what I started at on Thursday!! YAY ME!!

But, that still put me back in my plan of attack for this competition....so I kicked up the diet and cardio ALOT!  I am still a bit over what I would like to be but I think with the dehydration over the next few days, I may just be alright.  I do know that from when I received my suit initially to how I look in it now a few days later is a BIG! difference so that makes me feel really good.  I LOVE my new suit too!!  I ordered this time around from Vizion Wear turns out this guy is from my home town of Albuquerque, NM AND has an amazing turn around time!!  I was stoked.  So, I have the new suit, I have my tanner, and I have my head in the game....the show is on Sunday and we had the competitor meeting last night. 

Now, I know I told you all that I was doing the show out in town....I did not realize or even think that there really would not be many Americans, I mean look at all the competitors we just had at the last two shows here on Kadena and Foster; surely many of them would cross over and do a show in our host country even if it is just for the experience and stage time (which is what I am chalking this up to....just some more on stage practice in a novice competitive arena)  well, that was not the case....there were two of us Americans there last night.  And of course, we were totally lost - we were told that the meeting started at 7 to find out that in all actuality it didn't start till 7:30 so we're wandering the halls of this place trying to make sure that we are in the right location (which we were)/  The lady that was doing the meeting spoke 'skoshi' English (little) and of course we spoke even less Japanese....like SKOSHI, SKOSHI!  So a bit of a barrier but the other guy had brought a friend who was Japanese so we were able to get through most of the obstacles but there were still plenty of barriers in the language and understanding.  All in all though, we know where we have to be and what time so we should be set!

I left from the competitor meeting pretty confidant of this show - though I have to admit, I am a little worried about understanding on stage when they ask for me to make my quarter turn and such...but we'll just tackle that beast on Sunday and it'll be what it is....adjust, adapt and overcome right?! 

So, just today and tomorrow to finish working out (I already went to spin bright and early this morning) then it's onto primping!  I have my hair and makeup lady all set, my hair/brow wax appointment is on Friday, my Manicure is on Saturday and I just need to find a place to get my Pedi done....so far everyone is booked...worse case, I will polish them myself and glue the stones on to the tips of the nails to make them look pretty ;)

I will let you know how it goes once it's all done....the other big difference in this show is that the Finals are right away after pre-judging...so I'll be DONE by about 3pm and then I can EAT!!   Thinking my first cheat is going to be one of those super sugary monster cookies from the commissary that they have here...two cookies with icing sandwiched in between them and a monster face made with even more icing....YES, I have missed sugar most I think this time around :D  But, we'll see...I do know for sure that I will have a huge bottle of water waiting for me this time around and not have to stop to get that ;)


Today's Quote of the Post:
"The true measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience but how he stands at times of controversy and challenges." - Martin Luther King Jr.

So this competition really isn't a controversy but it surely is a challenge for me....I am planning on going out and standing tall, making it look like I understand it all and just go for it....grab life with all it's got and give it all you've got! 

Hugs!

t minus 3 weeks

Yes, yesterday was the 3 week mark for the Okinawa Show! 

What did my first week of hard training accomplish for me?  Down 4 pounds!!  WOO HOO!!!  Went last night to the Foster Far East Bodybuilding competition and let me tell you, it was bittersweet being in the stands...sweet because I got to cheer on my gal pals but bitter because I really missed being up there!  But sweet too because I got to see some of the little things in posing and thank yous that the other gals did and I am going to practice and tweak some of my stuff now too.  There was some great looking gals up there and the competition in the short class was tense!  Those girls looked rock solid...the winner, a local looked like she had just been chiseled or photo shopped on that stage, she was RIPPED!  Everyone looked great and you could see the dedication and discipline it took them to reach their goals last night! 

Talk about a major boost to get my butt in gear even more!  Trained 5 days of weights last week and all 7 days cardio (some of those days twice! - it's takes a lot to get those pounds off!)  But, I am ready, I am officially registered to compete and I can't wait.  My suit is ordered, I have talked with my make-up lady, bikini bite and tanner are ordered and I've been practicing posing and walking again in my 5 inch hooker heels ;) 

I tell you even just those 4 pounds that I shed last week have made a huge difference, I am ready and I am determined!  20 days to go...that means 18 days to train!  No cheating, sticking hard to the diet and never giving up...as my own personal motivational poster says below - I have a fixed purpose and I have the drive!  How is your goal going?  Are you determined?

Today's Quote of the Post:

“I believe in blood, sweat and tears.” ~Jillian Michaels

I believe that we all can attain our dreams if we have the guts to take the leap to attain them....get your blood, sweat and tears on - take the leap and believe in yourself...you are the only thing holding you back!

 

hugs!

Goals/Weight

Hi all!

OK so it's crunch time....T minus 12 pounds in 4 weeks - yes,that is what I have gained back since my last show and need to drop PRONTO!  3 pounds a week....it is doable!  And to ensure that I am going to meet this goal, I have ordered my new suit and am praying that it makes it on time!  I am super stoked it is absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to get it! 

So, I have my nose to the grind stone, my diet is hardcore and I am hitting the gym (and cardio) hot and heavy....my trainer (Shelly) gets back from her show on the 8th and we will make the decision then as to me being able to do the Local Okinawa show.....6 pounds two weeks....I CAN DO IT!!  I saw this comic recently and thought how fitting:

How true is it?  it does take weeks to lose the weight and then just a few wrong decisions on what you intake and it all comes back in no time....that is why this really is a lifelong change that you have to make.  You have to decide what is healthy looking for you and make sure that you stick with it....my off season weight should and will be about 130/132 my show weight 122/125.  I've got my plan and it is in play...I can't wait to see how this all comes about this time around.  I have those same feelings going through me once again nervous, excited....but also a new sense of confidence that I know I can do this...I did it before and I am and will do this again.  I am taking what i learned from the last show and incorporating it into this show....I am going to be a competitor this time around more so than I was last time....And I will take with me the new lessons from this show as I continue to grow in this new exciting hobby of mine and will flourish - I can feel, I can see it and I am going to live it!  Are you living your dream?  I sure hope so! 

Today's quote of the post:
DON'T QUIT! Every difficulty is an opportunity in disguise - unknown

DO IT!!!  don't let it get the better of you....you get the better of it! 

Hugs!

Next Show/Competition?

Hi All!

Wow, I can't believe that I am 5 weeks post surgery...I am finally starting to feel mostly normal, my gym routine is getting to be almost back to what it was pre-surgery and I am excited about my next potential show! 

Yes, my trainer (Shelly) and I are going to see how I look when she gets back from her latest competition (she's competing for the first time in Physique at the 2011 USA in Las Vegas, NV...I will be cheering her on from Japan and while I may not be there in person, I hope that she will feel me there in spirit as she ROCKS that show!  Depending on what she thinks (and how hard I give my workout and diet over the next couple of weeks) will decide on my entering into the local Okinawa Ms. Figure (their 37th annual!)  I am excited and nervous all the same....oh my goodness, I am really thinking of doing another show? Don't I remember how tired and carb deprived I was?  How cranky and miserable I felt on certain days - most of the days?   I do BUT...I also remember how great I felt when I stepped out onto that stage!  It was all suddenly worth it and I felt amazing!  I want that again...but I want to make sure that I am also competitive with it and while i have for the most part taken off the past 7 weeks from my last show, I am a little worried that I may not be able to be competitive....can I really drop 10 pounds in 5 weeks, can I get that bit of fat back off my booty and belly that have suddenly reappeared?  That I am worried about....so, we will see when Shelly returns, after she kicks but in her competition and see where it leads me.  If I'm not ready for this one in August, there's always one in Anchorage Alaska early October.....

Yes, I do think I have the bug ;)  Do you have it too?  any exercise or commitment bug?  I sure hope so! 

Today's Quote of the Post:
"Training is what strengthens you, but it's what you eat that changes you" - unknown

No truer words!!

Hugs!