Habits and Update

Today, August 23, 2009 about 8 p.m.

I have been lazy lately with blogging....I'm sorry!!! I took this photo an hour or so ago and thought I'd at least give you a bit of an update. I have been wondering lately if what I'm doing now is becoming a habit or if I'll be so sick of it next year after my comp that I'll rebel and go back to my old ways...say it ain't so! I really hope this is becoming a habit for me.

I can see me later in life with kids, packing up my lunch and snacks and packing up lunches and snacks for my toddler(s) to go out on the town for the day. We'll see. I hope that I don't make my kids crazy with all of my obsessions and preoccupations about weight. That's a topic for another day...moms who have any advice about this....please share!!!

Still truckin' along on my plan with cutting. I'm seeing changes, slowly but surely. Erik has me with no cheat meals for 2 weeks to try to see more results. I really think my cheats were affecting my results. I decided to change my mental theory on them. Rather than planning for them all week and really feeling like I deserved everything I'd craved ALL week in one sitting, I'm not planning a cheat at all, but rather waiting until I truly crave something and if on a training day (a day I can have carbs) and it's been at least a week....if I truly cannot live w/o it...I'll have a CONTROLLED cheat....really truly controlled!!! This is a work in progress for me! But, I'm doing better and as I always say...life is a journey!

Those of us who do this are crazy, yes, but motivated and we keep our routine day in day out, week in week out, month after month, some year after year. I think that exercise is a part of my life now that I could not live without...well, I should say lifting....I can probably live without cardio. Though I think I will get a bike during or after this comp and may enjoy road biking...we'll see. I hope that this diet will also be part of my life after this comp. It is quite easy to keep it up...maybe with a little bit more relaxation and some family dinners that aren't on my "plan."

MY BACK - It's getting better though it's not totally better yet. I had an xray and found out it's musculature, so glad to know there's nothing wrong with my spine or discs!!! But, as you all know, sports injuries take time to heal and I'm working on healing right now. It just takes time and Erik has been great about adjusting my workouts to do what doesn't hurt for the time being....don't get me wrong....my new workouts are kicking my BUTT!!! WOOHOO!!! LOVE IT!!!

Keep up your routines and make them habit!!!

Little Black Dress

Oxygen Magazine

I love this idea!!! I have my brother's wedding as my short term goal in Sept but of course my comp next year is the long term goal for me in general. It's nice to have a short term goal or a realistic goal of a moment that you want to look excellent to keep you on track when you want to fall off!!!

It's Never Too Late

I like this quote because I often look back and wonder what life would be like if I would have started this process earlier towards competition. But, that's the wrong attitude. The point is that I've started now! The point is that life is a journey and the tools that I'm learning daily will help me with the rest of my life. The point is that our lives are a plan and each day builds on the next and each part of life is an important part that prepares you for the next.

It's never too late to do what you've always dreamed of and be who you've always known yourself to be!!!!!

Standing Still

I got an email this morning from SparkPeople and loved this quote. I love this saying because I think there's even more meaning with weight loss and fitness goals. Sometimes even standing still is better than quitting or going backward and gaining weight back. Sometimes standing still, maintaining weight loss and fitness goals, is tough!!!! It appears that is where America fails....we can ALL lose weight but can we keep it off? Can we stand still and maintain our weight loss? That still takes a lot of work and effort (and self control)! That still takes exercise and a maintanence level of calories.

For me, I'm struggling with how slowly the progress is happening but that's what happens when you lose it for good! When you lose it the right way it takes time. When you lose fat and not muscle it's a slow process! I'm working hard and succeeding at enjoying the process....I hope you can too!!!

Inspiration.....Me???

June 18, 2009 ~ in a hotel for work....excuse the background!
Please also forgive the morning hair and no makeup ~ it was 6 am and this is right after getting out of bed at my hotel (I was traveling for work)!

I was at the gym the other day and a man asked me a question about working out....this happens now and then. I usually refer people to the BFL book or answer their questions about what I do, if it relates or if I can give a short answer. This time, though, he said to me that he works out harder when I am in the gym because he always sees me busting my a$$!!!

Me??? Inspiring others to work harder in the gym??!!! That is the coolest thing!!!! So, think of that while you're in the gym ladies, even if others don't say it....they may be thinking it! It's nice to know that not only am I doing a great thing for myself by being at the gym, but to know that I may be motivating others while there is just icing on the cake...no, no icing at the gym :(.

I'm pretty happy with my results so far with Lean Bodies Consulting. I wish they had come faster, of course. And, I feel like had I worked harder or been stricter with my diet or cheats that it would have come faster. Regardless, I'm looking forward to the next few weeks of continued results during this cut. Thanks so much for all of your support! I truly appreciate it.

And, the BFL Challenge that I organized for the wives is starting on Monday!!!! If anyone wants to join with us for the fun of doing a challenge, it starts Monday, June 22, 2009!!!

Preparing mentally for the work out

I love this image and think it's a great idea for a pic of me at some point....but I think it shows in one image what she is thinking, mentally preparing for her next lift. To me, she is "talking" to herself saying something like... "You rock!" "You're a beast!" "Light weight" "This is easy" "You can do it" She is getting mentally prepared to lift more than she ever has before.

Take the time to spend 10 seconds before your next set to get mentally prepared and syked up for the next lift!!

YOU ROCK!!!!

New Monica Brant Photo Shoot

As you all know, Monica Brant placed a whopping 6th at the Arnold!! But, these are some of the amazing photos she took around that same time. Talk about inspiration!!!!

Live the life you imagined.....

My new iPhone background

Triathalon Motivation

I found this on Jensjourney.com - a great blog that's not about Figure or Bodybuilding but I think all athletes need to stick together....learn from each other, motivate each other and gain strength from each other...

Smashfit.com & Heather Frey

I thought I would introduce you all to Heather Frey and Smashfit if you are not already familiar. You can add her and her Smashfit group on Facebook. The reason I suggest this is that she sends GREAT Facebook messages. They are not about training and that if you do 25 crunches a day you'll have abs of steel by June....instead they are mental and pscyhological messages about how to stay focused and keep on the right track, which is what we all need now and then, right?

I attached a sample of one of those messages above. Also, her site has some really great articles also.

My favorite so far....

http://www.smashfit.com/article.php?aid=7

She also has a new shirt that she's selling once you're fan of yours like I am....

Thanks, Heather for being an inspiration!

P.S. I tried to link you to her Facebook pages if you click on the links on my first sentence but I'm not sure if that worked!!! Also, check her out on Twitter!

67 Year Old Holds Bench Press World Record

What great motivation for the rest of us!!!
(Thank you Marc C. David of NoBull Bodybuilding)

Self-discipline

"Liberty is the luxury of self-discipline. Historically, those people that did not discipline themselves had discipline thrust upon them from the outside."
~ Alistair Cooke ~


I ordered one of those bracelets above for $4.00 plus $1.50 shipping and handling from the website listed above. My husband has a tattoo that says "discipline" as a reminder and I do not have any tattoos...but I like the idea of this bracelet when I'm having a weak day :)
We'll see how it looks when I get it. I found this site when I was looking for an image to go with the quote I posted above.

MOTIVATION: IN MY ABSENCE

I need to remind myself this more....and I really need to hang this up on my vision board. I do not think I am that important but the fact that I feel so compelled to be by my laptop and phone from 8-5 is silly, really. Do I really think I'm that important? really? Can the world not revolve without me available? Can I not take a break for myself so that when I come back I am better prepared to handle those issues?

Something to think about!

Are your friends making you fat? DIETTRIBE

So, I was watching DietTribe the other day. I tend to tivo weight loss, health and nutrition shows and see if they are any good. This one was about these 5 friends who were all losing weight together and were so glad they were supporting each other through this. It was a great positive message but also got me thinking about what they were like as freinds before and how often does this happen to people?

I have talked about it a lot on here....what is normalcy? Do we choose to go out with friends for drinks and dinner more often than we choose the right patch becuase we don't want to be the crazy fitness, nutrition freaks? Or do we choose to surround ourselves with people who "get" us and our interest in fitness and our intensity for nutrition and health?

I have also found that being a thin person in a relationship with someone heavier can sometimes be a bad thing for the skinnier person. There are studies and I don't know them well enough to site them. I did see on Oprah that if your three best friends are overweight there is a 50% better chance you will also be overweight (I saw this on the Oprah that had Dr. Oz on discussing Longevity.)

I often talk about how I want to surround myself with people who make me want to be better. It's not that I don't like heavier people, it's that I don't want anyone in my life who weighs me down and nags on me for not being lazy like them. I want people in my life who are better than me or better in different ways and push me to be better.

So, are your friends making you fat? Do you need to cut some of the fat out of your life?

Take a look at some of these before and afters from the show DietTribe I showed above. Keep in mind that the show is only 6 weeks, so not quite as crazy of results as the Biggest Loser....

MUST HAVE: Vision Board

I got the idea to blog about my vision board from Girl With No Name on her blog. Great idea!!! Thanks!

I put together my vision board when I redesigned my office last Spring. I did not know that this year I'd be working from home and staring at it every day. Back then, I was using it only in the evenings after my long days at work when I wrote my masters papers. I'm now in here all day for work and then to write my papers at night, so my board is really important.

I also blogged about my calender and you can see that blog post here to see how and why I made this calendar:

http://fitori.blogspot.com/2009/01/inspiration-calendar-2009.html

I change the pictures periodically. I have a pyrografie of me that was done on my trip to Germany last summer. I have some quotes:

Become the woman you admire

Be happy for this moment, This moment is your life

The longest journey is the journey inward - Dag Hammarskjold

We do not remember days, We remember moments - Casare Pavese

Your work is to discover your work and then give yourself to it - Buddha

Be a Fitness Leader

I also have the meaning of my name: Victoria is Latin for Conqueror

her provocative and engaging smile will win you over
she commands attention wherever she goes
she will acheive great progress with little effort
others blossom under her influence
(I LOVE LOVE LOVE THAT!)

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone else who will never be able to repay you.
- John Wooden, former UCLA basketball coach

There are no shortcuts to any place worth going

Stay Fit, Love Life! (Monica Brant's slogan)

Real Women: fit bodies "She even makes grocery shopping look good..."

I went to Hobby Lobby (with a coupon, of course) and purchased 2 cork boards. I also then purchased khaki colored linen and I stretched it and stapled it over the sides. I also got picture frame hardware for the back so that I could hang it and I used outdoor double-sided tape at the bottom to stick it to the walls. I am still looking for thick enough curtains to match this khaki linen to cover the window in my office.

I challenge you to make one. Don't be afraid to be made fun of...especially if you're on the beginning of your challenge. You will soon be able to say...see, I can do it! I did it! Keep reminders around you of what you want and what you are working towards. It will inspire you and keep your mind in a positive place and it will make you feel as though you are not along in this journey. I think often we feel like we are the only ones and like we are freaks when we get out and socialize with people who are not like us with fitness. It's nice to have a safe place where this is not crazy! In my office, I am me. I am working towards my goal and my fitness "friends" and inspiration are all around me supporting me and pushing me.

Are you a gymaholic? - Nikewomen.com

This is another great ad I found from the folks at nikewomen.com. I just love motivational ads...if you've read my blog for long you know that!

Nike Butt ads - Nikewomen.com

I love this series of ads that came out in 2005, I think. When I found them there were women who commented about how they are "real women" ads, but I don't think so...I think they are real HARDWORKING ATHLETIC women ads. The women in these ads work hard to look the way they do. Which one suits you the best...the butt ad is definitely my ad :) I dig the Thunder Thighs ad except for the running...I've never enjoyed running. The shoulders reminds me of Shawna b/c she's a swimmer and now totally into yoga and the buffest pregnant chica I know!!!

I Can't

I found this on Erik's Blog on Lean Bodies Consulting, but it was originally written by Leigh Peele on her blog. I feel like I should give them both credit here for both writing it and for me finding it. I love love love it!! It's fantastic!!!

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I CAN'T.....

I can’t hit my diet today because I didn’t get a chance to get to the store.
I can’t do my workout today because it is cold outside.
I can’t get up right now and do my stretching because my neck hurts.
I can’t stick to this diet plan because it just asks too much of me.
I can’t stick to my diet today because I just need to get the job done.
I can’t stick to my diet today because I am tired and stressed and just need a break.
I can’t do this because I just want to live my life.
I can’t go out because I am too fat for life.
I can’t not eat when I go out with friends, it’s rude.
I can’t tell my spouse that I wish they would stop tempting me with fast food they bring home.
I can’t say out loud that this is the 2nd 3rd 4th 5th year in a row that I made a diet resolution.
I can’t tell my family that I need their help this time.
I can’t tell my friends that this time I want it to be for real.
I can’t take off my shirt and not cringe.
I can’t get it out of my head how good my life would be if I could just do this.
I can’t figure out what it is I am doing wrong.

I can’t be the person that says can’t anymore.

INSPIRATION: I push myself....

I liked this ad and thought I'd share it. I know some of you can relate to being treated like a freak for your fitness and nutrition dedication. It's always nice to have a reminder that there are other freaks out there pushing themselves daily as well. This is a neat statement. I dig it.

Inspiration

We all need inspiration to start something and when our emotions that are pushing us are lacking, when we have a tough day, when we are too busy, a lot of times we need inspiration in life. For me, I need inspiration to push me to compete. I am scared to death. I am scared to death that I will fail or that I just don't have the genes to do it. I'm scared that my full-time job, which is definitely the time priority will take over and cause me to quit. I'm scared of a lot but I have needed and used an inspiration to push me and that is Kim Mitchell.

We all have challenges. Kim has children and her husband deploys like mine does. She also has a job and is very busy but she has made this a priority for her to do this for HER. She is doing it for her husband and kids, I'm sure too, because by doing this for herself, she is becoming better and getting to know herself better and becoming a better wife and mother.

Life is a journey. I say it all the time. This is part of her journey and I hope that I can commit to making it part of mine. I have wanted to do this for four years, since I opened up my first Oxygen Magazine. I now have a job that allows me to have the freedom to train whenever I want, except when I travel and then I am at a disadvantage. I will have to work around a lot of obstacles. Travel will be a huge obstacle for me to plan around and overcome.

Some of Kim's comments have hit "home" with me about wasting too many years hiding behind the fat. Her journey has been just that, it was not overnight, it was a lifestyle change and if anyone is reading this and looking for inspiration on a lifestyle change, look no further for that inspiration...


My fitness, nutrition and health journey has also been just that and has taken some time to learn and live my new goals. I hope that someone is reading this and decides now to change their life and make a new life for themselves that includes feeling better, including both energy and feeling confident about the way you look. Thanks, Kim, for helping to push me without even knowing it!!!

http://figurecompetition.blogspot.com/