Sunday, June 7, 2009

Body For Life

I know I have posted on BFL before but I am re-reading it again this time for my BFL Fitness Challenge that I'm doing for the wives in our squadron!!! As I was re-reading it last night, I realized that I didn't do a great Book Review or "Cliffs Notes" post (as my BFF calls my book posts) so I thought I would b/c there are some GREAT "cliffs notes" pages in his book that give an idea of what you'll get if you buy this book. I plan to get used copies for each girl who participates in the BFL Challenge...they're as low as $4 online at Amazon.com!!! You can't beat that!

Life I said before about BFL, it has all you need! It gives you the motivation to do it through the stories and before and after pics, then it teaches you a bit about how to get your head in the game. Next, you learn the tools of nutrition and exercise! It's so easy and it is for beginners and experienced athletes. This book is fantastic....and you can even do the workouts from home if you have some dumbbells and a treadmill or can run outside. The cardio is only TWENTY MINUTES!

This book is how I started my LOVE for fitness, nutrition and health and I hope that it can give others the tools they need to start on the path to a healthy and fit BODY FOR LIFE!!!

Preface: Real-World Proof
"Don't let anybody tell you that you can't do it. You can. It's up to you. Decide to do it and follow through."

Forward: The Promise
No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change.

Part I: The Breakthrough
This section is great because it shares stories that you can relate to that will motivate you to begin the work it takes. I just picked one at random....

You can see hundreds of BFL Before and Afters here...
http://bodyforlife.com/success/beforeAfterAfters.asp

Part II: Crossing the Abyss
This is the section that mentally prepares you for the challenge. In sports psychology (I know very little) I learned that there are stages we go through when deciding to start a fitness regime. One of those phases is preparing yourself mentally that you can and will do this! Bill Phillips is a straight shooter and I think all of us need that when it comes to getting real with ourselves about what we're doing and what we are capable of doing!

There is a world of difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it.
  • Make the decison to change.
  • Identify your reasons to change and write them down.
  • Focus on your future vision.
  • Dream of what you would like to achieve within 12 weeks.
  • Transform five of those dreams into goals by giving them a deadline, a way to measure them, and writing them down.
  • Identify three unauthorized patterns of action that may hold you back and write them down.
  • Identify three new patterns of action that will help you reach your goals and write them down.
  • Read what you've writen first thing in the morning and again at night each and every day during your 12-week Program.
Part III: Separating Myth From Fact
He goes into enough detail in the book to give you a great deal of info on each of the following....
  • Myth: Aerobics is better for shaping up than weight training.
  • Fact: To transform your physique, you must train with weights.
  • Myth: If you exercise, it doesn't matter what you eat.
  • Fact: If you exercise, it matters even more what you eat.
  • Myth: If women lift weights, they'll get "bulky."
  • Fact: Resistence exercise helps women create lean, toned bodies.
  • Myth: Weight training is only for young athletes.
  • Fact: People of all ages should be weight training.
  • Myth: Muscles grow while you're working out.
  • Fact: Muscles grow whiel you're resting and recuperating.
  • Myth: A certain number of sets and reps gets the job done.
  • Fact: High-intensity effort produces the best results.
  • Myth: Eating right means three "square meals: a day.
  • Fact: Eating six nutritious meals a day is the right way!
  • Myth: People who overeat lack willpower.
  • Fact: Overeating is a natural instinct.
  • Myth: High-carbohydrate, low-fat diets work best.
  • Fact: People are becoming fat from a "carb overdose"
  • Myth: You have to count every calorie you eat.
  • Fact: You should count "portions," not calories.
  • Myth: If you "eat right," you don't need to take supplements.
  • Fact: Studies show many of us do need to take supplements.
  • Myth: You need to drink water only when you are thirsty.
  • Fact: Your body needs more water than it's telling you.
  • Myth: You have to eat "perfectly" all the time.
  • Fact: There's no such thing as eating "perfectly."
Part IV: The Training-for-LIFE Experience
The following tracking forms can be found on the body for life website.
  • Weight train, intensely, for no more than 46 minutes, three times per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Perform 20 minutes of aerobic exercise, first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (I don't think that's absolutely necessary -FITori), three times per week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Take Sunday off - it's your free day.
  • Alternate training the major muscles of the upper body and lower body. For example, the first week, train upper body on Monday, lower body on Wednesday, and upper body on Friday. The second week, train lower body on Monday, upper body on Wednesday, and lower body on Friday. (See chart above).
  • Perform two exercises for each major muscle group of the upper body, which includes: chest, shoulders, back, triceps, and biceps; and for the lower body: quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. Train the abdominal muscles after lower body.
  • Select one exercise for each muscle group and conduct five sets, starting with a set of 12 reps, then increasing the weight and doing 10 reps, adding more weight and doing eight reps, adding more weight for six reps. Then reduce the weight, do 12 more reps, and immediately go to another set of 12 reps of another exercise for that muscle group.
  • On all lifts, use a cadence of two seconds (say "I am building my Body-for-LIFE") to lower the weight and one second (say "Body-for-LIFE") to lift it, and "hold" in the top and bottom positions for a count of "one."
  • For each muscle group, rest for one minute between the first four sets. Then complete the final two sets with no rest in between. Wait two minutes before moving on to your next muscle group. Complete this pattern five times for the upper body training experience and four times for the lower body training experience.
  • Follow the Intensity Index pattern and push yourself to reach higher every week.
  • Always plan your training beforehand. Plan what time you're going to exerices, which particular exercises youl'l be doing, how much weight youll be lifting, and how long it will take you to complete the session. Also, keep accurate records using the Training-for-LIFE Experience Daily Progress Reports (as shown above and found on the link above as well).
Part V: The Eating-for-LIFE Method
When you nourish your body with pure energy, you transfor from the inside out.
  • Eat six small meals a day, one every two to three hours.
  • Eat a portion of protein and carbohydrates with each meal.
  • Add a portion of vegetables to a t least two meals daily.
  • A portion is the amount of an authorized food approximately the size of the palm of your hand or your clenched fist.
  • Consume one tablespoon of unsaturated oil daily or three portions of salmon per week.
  • Drink at least 10 cups of water a day.
  • Use performance-nutrition shakes if necessary to mkae sure you're consuming optimal levels of required nutrients.
  • Plan your meals in advance, adn record what you eat, using the Eating-for-LIFE Method Daily Progress Reports (shown above and available at the link provided above).
  • Plan your grocery list.
  • Once a week, on your free day, eat whatever you want.
Part VI: Staying on Course
Life, the ultimate challenge, is not a race to the finish but rather a process of continual growth.
  • Expect adversity and be prepared to transform obstacles into energy.
  • Honor self-promises by finishing what you start.
  • Harness the power of positive pressure by embracing challenges.
  • Focus on progress, not perfection in order to build confidence.
  • Practice the Universal Law of Reciprocation by giving unselfishly.
  • Let our Body-for-LIFE Support Team help you succeed.
Afteword: The Gateway
The Dream: Change the world...one life at a time.
The Goal: Transform one million Bodies-for-LIFE by 12/31/01.


Appendix A: Questions and Answers

Appendix B: Terms and Jargon

Appendix C: Exercise Guide

This is an exceptional guide to exercises. You can get an exercise ball and a set of dumbbells and do this workout completely at home, with a few occasional gym visits to change it up if needed. This book gives you ALL of the info you need!!!

Appendix D: Daily Progress Reports

Appendix E: Real-Life Success Stories

Friday, June 5, 2009

Dad surprises daughter with return from iraq


You all may know that my husband is in the Air Force....I saw this and just LOVED IT!!! And, had to share.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

PROGRESS PICS - Another 2 weeks

Excuse the red tummy on my pic on the right from today...I took it right after I got out of bed, hence not showing my face!! :) I do see a wee bit of a difference in my stomache looking a bit flatter! Only time will tell.....keeping it up!!!

Photos on the LEFT were taken 2 weeks ago, today, on 5.21.09 and the ones on the RIGHT were taken today 6.4.09

This has been a crazy week so I apologize for my photos this week sucking!! My BFF suggested that i get a camera tripod...it's on my list of things to go get but haven't done it yet. So, like the past few weeks I have been stacking up books on a dresser and making it work. So, I apologize for the pics being a bit of different sizes this week and my side shot was a different stance also - leg out vs in! Sorry! You can see that there was a bit of a difference though. I had an extra cheat meal last week due to circumstance (those of you who know me personally know what was going on...but not internet-worthy info). And, this week LBC changed up my workouts and diet and "kicked it up a notch" which is awesome! I know I will see even better results coming up!!! I'm excited! The numbers on the scale and the measurements are not that drastic, but I feel and look better. I'm still gaining muscle mass and getting stronger while I am also cutting...so it is the best of both worlds!!!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Courage

Enough said....This was out of the June 2009 Oxygen Magazine

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!!!!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Naturally Thin

I have mixed emotions about this book, like many other friends and bloggers. But, like ANY how-to book or political book, for example....I don't think we have to agree with every word in the book in order to pull something from it to apply to our lives or to learn something. So, my opinion on this book is that it is well worth the read, but you have to look past some things in the book to get to the part that is relevant and applicable to your life.


To be honest, also, I did not read the second half of the book, which is the first week's plan on her "diet" because I am working with a trainer and can't apply this diet to my life yet anyway. I AM trying to apply some of Bethenny's principles to my life as I am working on "healthy eating habits." I am working on a healthy relationship with food and some of the items in this book have helped give me a great perspective on some aspects of food and eating.

I think some of the aspects of this book are a bit obsessive and I've heard that the last half of the book has Bethenny eating so little that it's almost sickening. I also do NOT envy her physique. As you have all seen on my blog, the ideal body type that I envy and am striving for is muscular, strong and lean, not skinny fat! BUT, that doesn't mean that she doesn't have some principles that apply to my life and my relationship with food.

She has some great "Heavy Habits" and "Naturally Thin Thoughts" that are neat and though provoking. She also has some great recipes in her book that I have yet to try but will blog about them after I try them!

As you can see on Amazon under the Table of Contents, the Rules are as follows:
1. Your Diet Is a Bank Account
2. You Can Have It All, Just Not All at Once
3. Taste Everything, Eat Nothing
4. Pay Attention
5. Downsize Now!
6. Cancel Your Membership in the Clean Plate Club
7. Check Yourself before You Wreck Yourself
8. Know Thyself
9. Get Real
10. Good For You

Some great quotes from the book that I have highlighted for myself...

* "I don't believe in eating mediocre food just because it will supposedly make you thinner. It won't. We should all aknow that by now" (p. 4)
I apply this to my cheat days when I don't waste my cheat meals on anything I'm not truly craving.

* "They [Europeans] value food more than Americans do, but obsess about it less." (p. 11)
I find this interesting because I find that those of us who try to stray from the American way of eating are looked at like we're crazy though other countries have discovered that there is a better way to eat and a healthier relationship with food exists.

*I LOVE her "Point of Diminishing Returns" (p. 28) "The point of diniminshing is what I call that point when a bite you take isn't quite as good as the bite before it." I am really working hard on apply this and I have been successful with some things....but not my trigger foods (more on that in a later blog entry on food addiction).

* "Pick what you want, what you really want most, and enjoy it." (p. 35)

* "If I can't stop thinking about it, I probably want it, so I decide to have a small portion. The key is that I decide to have it. I'm in control...If you decide you really want somethikng, then indulge. Otherwise, you will eventually rebel against the unfair restrictions you are putting on yourself, and you'll end up eating twice the calories you would have eaten otherwise. But (here's the key), when you do indulge, really enjoy yourself....And if you don't stop? Give yourself a break. Shrug it off. Chalk it up to experience, and move on." (p. 36-7)

* She spends a lot of time in chapter 3 talking about Italy and their eating habits. It is so interesting! Americans use fat-free and sugar substitutes, while Italians use real sugar and full fat millk but they don't eat the quantities that we do! And, the idea that I don't have to finish everything shouldn't be that hard for me to grasp but IT IS!!! I have to work very hard at this one!

* It's a give and take...I have often said that I don't choose to drink because I'd rather have dessert and it's the same principle applied in her book.

* "(Celebrity Secrets) To me, it makes a whole lot more sense (and costs a whole lot less money) to eat right every day. Then you never need to go to such extremes." (p. 46) It's true that it'd be WAY better to maintain your weight rather than splurge and gain 10 pounds and hate yourself and then diet that 10 pounds off, be happy with reaching your goal and then going back to eating everything in sight and gaining weight again. This is a goal for me to work on...maintenance!

* Conscious Eating....spend time preparing beautiful food, take time to take your food and enjoy it, chew your food, be ok with being a food snob, sit down and enjoy your food.

* Downsizing your food says it all....I have to work on this when it comes to filling a plate or bowl with more food than I need because I'm starving or it looks good. "There is never any reason to eat a huge oversized portion of anything. There is never any reason to stuff yourself until you feel sick." (p. 65)

* A great point that she made is how you disrespect your dinner guests (meaning ME) when the food comes and I am so obsessed with the food! "If you focus on your friends and having a good time, you'll focus less on the food." (p. 67) It's a great point!!! "HEAVY HABIT: Are you a person who stops everything the second the food arrives and focuses entirely on eating? Well, stop it. It's just rude, for one thing. And think about it: is food really that important? You can relish and enjoy every bite of your food without acting as if you are having hte last meal of your life. If you focus on the company, the conversation, the environment, the atmosphere, and having a calm and relaxing time, you will have a much better experience, and enjoy your food even more. Balance your dining experience. It's not all about the food." (p. 80) [bold/underline added by FItori].

* My favorite chapter, I think, is the one on binge eating. I have recently realized that I have a "food addiction" towards certain foods and "binge" on those particular, favorite foods. I plan to blog on that later.

* "improve your relationship with food, so you never have to waste another day immersed in negative thoughts. I want you to be able to enjoy food and not be chained to it like a prisoner. It is posible to get there. I know, becuase I did it." (p. 92)

* "I was also obsessed with food. I used it for comfort and to dull strong emotions. It took me a long time to realize that food was not my friend or my enemy...It's also not your girlfriend who will always be there for you when you are feeling stressed out, depressed, or emotional. It doesn't love you and it doesn't hate you. It's food...I always know I can stop, and I always know tehre will be plenty of other chances to eat french fries again. I quit my bad habit by recognizing that it's OK to eat, but it's not OK to hurt myself with food. Binging is self-lothing, anxiety producting, and bloating, with no upside." (p. 93-5)

* "It's a great feeling when you first learn how to stop binging, especially when you recognize that you are in the situation where you might have binged, but didn't. When you can taste something good and stop, or when you decide not to eat at a certain moment because you are particularly anxious, or when you learn to fill up on healthful food first and they calmly and happily enjoy something that once would have triggered a binge, you'll know you've made a huge step in the right direction." (p. 96)

* "Obsess about more important things--cleaning your house, wearing a great outfit,...long-distance running,...or whatever it is." (p. 96) This is so true! I'm learning to put the focus on things that are SO much more important! It has been freeing to me to have a plan written by LBC so that I just follow it and quit obsessing over what to eat, when, how much, etc!

* "It's time for you to make your own peace with food. The journey toward a healthy relationship with food can start today, but it won't end today. Be kind to yourself, and if you slip up and wreck yourself with a binge, forgive yourself so that you don't make it any worse. Step back and look at where you are going and what role you want food to play in your life, and then gently return to thep ath." (p. 97)

* "You can't be a size zero when you are six feet tall." (p. 101) Hello! Why don't tall girls realize this??!! We will never be 100 pounds!!! Our 145 pounds is shorter girls' 125 or whatever!

* KNOWING YOUR TRIGGERS!!! This is a huge one for me. I'm learning I have a few dessert triggers that I simply cannot control myself around! I tried on one of my cheat meals to see if I could handle it b/c I have done really well with a lot of items during my cheat meals, but I'm learning that there are some that I cannot control myself around. I did not beat myself up!!! I learned this lesson about myself and may try again later down the road.

* "One person might not be able to keep chocolate in the house because she knows she can't possibly control how much chocolate she eats. Another might be able to keep it in the house with no problem because the simple recognition that chocolate is OK is enough to put the brakes on. Which one are you?" (p. 103)

* I get made fun of for this all the time.....I have portion-controled baggies of foods in my pantry. It's a great way to watch your portions!

* "If you follow the ten rules, you'll be able to participate in anything life thows at you without fear that you are breaking your diet." (p. 137)

Order Naturally Thin from Amazon.com

Friday, May 29, 2009

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!!!!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Boden



I started getting these catalogs and I like the clothing...it's kind of like J Crew. I wasn't sure if you all had started receiving these catalogs yet. They're a bit pricey, but like everything....they do go on sale.

Believe in yourself and all that you are

Last page of the May 2009 issue of Oxygen Magazine

Monday, May 25, 2009

A smaller you. In a much bigger world.

Forget that it's a Hydroxycut ad and read the text...think it at the gym and BE THE PERSON YOU IMAGINE YOURSELF TO BE.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

My new iPhone background

Sent from my iPhone

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Progress Update - 4 Weeks with LBC

Far Left is Just before my injury (I gained a bit more weight...5 lbs probably after that before starting with Erik 4 weeks ago)
Middle picture is 2 weeks ago and FAR RIGHT is today (after 4 weeks with LBC) 5/21/09

Call me crazy, but I see the transformation after in the last 2 weeks above.
The pic on the left is from less than 2 weeks ago and the one on the right is from today 5/21/09.

I promised progress pics a month ago!!! So, here are some of them. It's been four weeks with LBC and I've lost about 10 pounds since my highest weight this year in 2009. I just updating my second bi-weekly and sent it to my coach, Erik.

If you don't remember, I started bulking mid-January and I tried it on my own, gaining too much fat for the amount of muscle I put on. I then, decided to work with LBC and I got injured. I took almost 2 months to get my writes to where I could get back in the gym and now I'm still almost healed again. I still have limited strength in my right wrist which limits me in the gym but I'm doing the best I can!

I am losing at a pretty slow rate of about a pound a week with LBC but I am also gaining strength while cutting!! It's amazing! I'm increasing my weights on a lot of exercises while I'm cutting. I'm not ridiculously exhausted...in fact a feel pretty good most days, even though I'm "dieting" or "cutting." I'm trying to remind myself that the slower the better to maintain my muscle mass that I've worked SO hard to gain!

Stay tuned for more great cutting!!! (Then back to bulking!)

Plans are still to compete in 2010. And, my plan to get my priorities in order have worked well!!! I think I'm getting a B in this current masters class...no more 4.0 GPA which was part of my plan for backing off that and realizing that I don't have to have a 4.0 in order to get my masters. I want to get my masters while having a life and still giving to my husband, my job, my fitness and myself and rathan fully cutting one out...I realized that there was another way to balance. I don't have to be perfect at everything!!! So, I spent a bit less time, energy and stress on my masters and it was much more manageable!! Can you believe it? I can let go and not worry about being perfect!!! I'm working on adding that into all aspects of my life! It's coming along! Thanks al for your support!

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Twitter link at the bottom of my blog


Thanks to my BFF.....it's been a year since all this began. First, I started this blog with no idea what I was doing. Then, I joined Facebook (true, way better than Myspace) and now I'm on twitter! Can you believe it?? And, even worse, I have now added twitter to my blog!! It's at the bottom of my blog down there and you can read my last 5 tweets and "follow me" into tweetland. I'm a sellout...and I'm more connected!!! Thanks BFF

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Live the life you imagined.....

My new iPhone background

Monday, May 4, 2009

Testing my new blog signature

Testing that my new blog signature works below.....

Friday, May 1, 2009

HYDROXYCUT RECALL!!!!


I stopped taking it for my new diet, but I know a lot of you use it and love it...please stop taking it and read below by the FDA....

FDA News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2009
Media Inquiries:
Susan Cruzan, 301-796-4540
Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA

FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Hydroxycut Products
Dietary Supplements Linked to One Death; Pose Risk of Liver Injury
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to immediately stop using Hydroxycut products by Iovate Health Sciences Inc., of Oakville, Ontario and distributed by Iovate Health Sciences USA Inc. of Blasdell, N.Y. Some Hydroxycut products are associated with a number of serious liver injuries. Iovate has agreed to recall Hydroxycut products from the market.

The FDA has received 23 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury, to liver damage requiring liver transplant. One death due to liver failure has been reported to the FDA. Other health problems reported include seizures; cardiovascular disorders; and rhabdomyolysis, a type of muscle damage that can lead to other serious health problems such as kidney failure.

Liver injury, although rare, was reported by patients at the doses of Hydroxycut recommended on the bottle. Symptoms of liver injury include jaundice (yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes) and brown urine. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, light-colored stools, excessive fatigue, weakness, stomach or abdominal pain, itching, and loss of appetite.

“The FDA urges consumers to discontinue use of Hydroxycut products in order to avoid any undue risk. Adverse events are rare, but exist. Consumers should consult a physician or other health care professional if they are experiencing symptoms possibly associated with these products,” said Linda Katz, M.D., interim chief medical officer of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

Hydroxycut products are dietary supplements that are marketed for weight-loss, as fat burners, as energy-enhancers, as low carb diet aids, and for water loss under the Iovate and MuscleTech brand names. The list of products being recalled by Iovate currently includes:

Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
Hydroxycut 24
Hydroxycut Carb Control
Hydroxycut Natural

Although the FDA has not received reports of serious liver-related adverse reactions for all Hydroxycut products, Iovate has agreed to recall all the products listed above. Hydroxycut Cleanse and Hoodia products are not affected by the recall. Consumers who have any of the products involved in the recall are advised to stop using them and to return them to the place of purchase. The agency has not yet determined which ingredients, dosages, or other health-related factors may be associated with risks related to these Hydroxycut products. The products contain a variety of ingredients and herbal extracts.

Health care professionals and consumers are encouraged to report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems with the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online, by regular mail, fax or phone.

–Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm
–Regular Mail: Use FDA postage paid form 3500 found at: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/getforms.htm and mail to MedWatch, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20852-9787
–Fax: 800-FDA-0178
–Phone: 800-FDA-1088

The FDA continues to investigate the potential relationship between Hydroxycut dietary supplements and liver injury or other potentially serious side effects.
Link to the info on FDA.GOV...

Thursday, April 30, 2009

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...

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Priorities

I have been thinking a while about priorities. I feel like some days there isn't any time to relax, unwind and recover so that I can start all over the next day and do it again. I was trying to decide what to give up! I had a few choices:

  • Work - NO!
  • Masters - Maybe, but I really don't want to be a quitter
  • Workouts - Maybe, but I feel horrible when I put that off b/c I'm too busy
  • Diet - Same as workouts
  • Housework -Maybe, but I can't live and work in a home that is filthy!
I don't want to be a quitter. I want to finish what I started w/ my fitness goals of competing next year as well as my masters. They are both goals that I have started and want to finish...and not too late either because I want to finish my masters and complete my first competition before we have children. The masters is what I was thinking of giving up to pursue my fitness goals, but I just can't stand the thought of starting something and not finishing it. So, then I realized....it's not all black and white!
  • I don't have to work 60 hours a week. In fact, they'd probably rather I not!!! It's hard though b/c I really love what I do and want to keep it up and get ahead of my work rather than be behind
  • I don't have to get a 4.0 GPA on my Masters Program (though I have that now and that's a hard one to let go)
I can find a balance with it all I think if I give up my perfectionism to do everything perfectly! I want a Masters and I'd love to put a 4.0 GPA on there also, but realistically, does that matter? Does it matter if I'm fat and unhappy in the process?

I'm learning to let some things go and try to find more of a balance so that I can "have it all" without having to give anything up at this point in my life. Any advice would be great!!!

Also, I have to say that working w/ Erik (Lean Bodies Consulting) really has freed up my time. My workouts are 30-45 minutes each, some days 2 a day, but not bad! And, my meals are so planned that it's easy. I'm sure it'll only get easier to plan my meals the more I get used to these measurements and how much to cook on the weekends to be prepared. Sticking to the plan is the hard part, but being on a plan does allow some brain power to go to other things. There's nothing to think about except what time the next meal is and whether it's already cooked!

Sunday, April 26, 2009

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!

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Lean Bodies Consulting


Well, I said " stay tuned" to my blog for an update on whether or not I chose to hire a trainer, but then I got injured. Actually, just after I signed up with him, I got my diagnosis and we decided it was best to wait until I was healed. Now, I am not 100% better, but almost there and READY READY READY to get back into "training." Since my own "bulking" attempts caused me to gain more fat than muscle, I believe, we are cutting now until I am at a better place and then will start to bulk again. I still plan to compete next year in 2010....so hope that no injuries occur between now and then!! I plan to work with Erik, though life evolves and you never know what will happen in the future. At this point, I trust his plan, knowledge and philosophies more than other trainers I have spoken with thus far (and I've listed those below)....no offense to anyone!

Check out Erik and Noel here:
Lean Bodies Consulting

There are some fantastic blogs on his site. Erik and Noel both have great blogs! I am extremely impressed so far with Erik and his plan! His workouts are kicking my ass!!! I made a bit of an ass out of myself at first telling him I didn't think I needed any training assistance because "there's only so much you can do with training"....turns out I was wrong! I'm learning every day from his plan! Also, his diet is great! It's so simple and makes so much sense AND is really easy to follow.....willpower, as always, is the hardest part!

Things I like most about Erik's plan and "philosophy" and trust him over other trainers because:
  • His plans do not include 2 hours of cardio a day to cut. His training is concise and compact and works. Look at Allison Ethier who uses his training.
  • He doesn't think that a client has to gain a ton of fat in order to bulk and in fact sets a "high" end and once that is reached, cutting begins because, after all, we all have a life to live even if we want to bulk at the same time.
  • He doesn't plan on a "show" date until he's worked with you enough to see how your body will respond. Makes sense, right? I love the idea of cutting, until you reach see your body responding and THEN setting a date. I think it's the fear of every new competitor to not be ready to get on stage and face the dilema of 1. quitting 2. getting on stage and not being ready.
  • Also, check out his CLIENT PICTURES (Before & After) which sold me on him totally!!!
Long story long....I am very excited about this new "chapter" of my life and am really excited about cutting back to my normal size and eventually into better "shape" than I've been in a while or ever. I can already see during week one that I am a bit out of shape and looking forward to seeing progress!!!

Also, I'll start posting progress pics in a couple of weeks. I'll be sending him biweekly progress pics (I think) and I'll start posting them. You've already seen my "before" as the last pic I took after bulking.

Followers

FITori

FITori

About This Blog

I am Tori (FITori) and welcome to my blog!!!

I created this blog from the encouragement of my best friend who pushed me to start a blog about my passion, which I am always talking about! It started as a way to inspire others the way I have been inspired and to share what inspires me. I also want to share with you what I have learned through my years of research on health and fitness.

For me, this blog is a great place for me to document my fitness journey. I decided to compete this year, but have transferred that goal to next year so that I can bulk and compete in Figure. This blog is my accountability and hopefully I can get some advice and tips along the way. I am hoping that I can learn from you all also as I post what I am learning along the way. If I am wrong or there is advice for me, I want it! I want your theories. What are you doing differently?

I'm also looking for accountability to keep this up and inspiration from you all. I read your blogs and get inspired and knowing you're reading mine keeps me going!

Thank you for your support!!! Let me know if you have any special requests for blog posts!

Twitter

    follow me on Twitter

      © Free Blogger Templates 'Photoblog II' by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

    Back to TOP