Lurker Alive!

[blonde_diva]

hi everyone! I've been lurking around her forever!

I have learned a lot by reading everything in this forum as well as the main site. I have to say that all the ladies are such an inspiration.

I just recently bought MsFit's ebook as well. I got some great insight on nutrition. One thing I've always been very wishy-washy with is my eating.

In the beginning my main goal was to make sure I got to the gym 3 days a week and I set small goals and took babysteps to where I'm at now. Taking out really bad food like fried stuff (which I don't even care if I ever have now), chips, pastries, candies. Your regular junk LOL. I didn't let go of the alcohol right away though. There's nothing like having a few drinks on the weekends. But I've been slowly losing that habit as well. Now it's a couple of drinks maybe once a month or if that. I found that my fitness goals started taking priority. Not sure if it's an obsession or if I actually consider it a sport! LOL

Anyway, I won't get into my life story in what snapped in me and whatnot because it truly is a long story and I'm sure a lot of women experience similar emotions. Marriage, children, depression, low self esteem...just falling into the whole "married woman" syndrome trap. I'm sure you know what I mean. We lose ourselves in what we think is doing the right thing.

I'm going to be 32 in a few months...married for almost 11 yrs and have a beautiful 9 yr old daughter.

I would like to share with you my collage of before and afters (I am make up less in the most recent one...I'll be sure to post a "normal" face picture in the near future lol)

Well, I came out of lurking mode to mostly say thanks for being part of my transformation without even knowing it! I'm hoping to take part a little more and also get to my most recent goals. For now this is my introduction.

edit: seems I can't upload my image here even though it's under the allowed size hmm.

[blonde_diva]

try the first collage

[blonde_diva]

2nd collage

[blonde_diva]

and just incase the pictures of my face frightened you LOL...here's what my face looks like cleaned up.

[bufchk]

you're transforamtion is awesome! I am proud of anyone who does a 180 in changing their body and lifestyle. Welcome aboard and I hope to hear more of your progress!!

[blonde_diva]

Thanks bufchk!! It's actually my two year anniversary today. The day I took that before picture and stayed consistent with working out.

Yes, I admire anyone that can make the change and stick with it. The first year was so hard but I believe setting daily, weekly, monthly, long term goals was part of retraining those neuropathways to eventually make the lifestyle become a habit.

[Viola]

Looking good! Keep up the good work. Look forward to some more pics.

Viola

[TrishB]

Blonde...
Congrats on a great transformation. It looks like you have made some positive lifestyle changes that have made quite a difference.
Keep up the great work. :)


Hope to see more of you here too!

[blonde_diva]

Thanks for the friendly welcome ladies! :)

I just checked on you two in 35+ and your transformation pictures are awesome as well! WOW! Great work!

[Mike_Canuck]

I hope I'm not intruding.

Wow, that's some excellent work, blonde_diva! You look great!

..now where did they put the cat-call smiley button thing...

;)

[blonde_diva]

Thank you Mike! :D

[sks_5]

How on earth did you go from march2002 to april2002?!! My legs look like the before pic and you look great in the after. I'm just now starting to really get into working out and could definitely use some help since I'm getting married in 5 mo.

Thanks!

[blonde_diva]

That says April 2003 :D

Took me one year to get those legs.

[sks_5]

I realized that after I posted it, but I would still like to know what your workout is. My body responds really well to exercise, I'm just not very consistent.

[blonde_diva]

I think you have the answer in what you posted :).

Consistency does play a major part. I just did your basic 3 day split, 3 days of cardio (moderate days and higher intensity days).

I normally switch it up quite a bit by doing high reps (15-20) for 4-6 weeks and then 8-10 weeks of a lower rep (10-6) type workout. Different exercises ofcourse. When I did high reps I concentrated on keeping my heart rate up more by hopping on a bike every few exercises and with low rep I took more rest in between sets and really focussed on slow and controlled movements.

You just have to figure out what works for you. Each of us is so different where one thing might work for me and not for another. So just have fun with it! Having fun makes you continue on.

[Mike_Canuck]

Originally posted by blonde_diva
Thank you Mike! :D

You are quite welcome, blonde_diva :)

[Big_USAF_Guy]

Great work blonde-diva!! What a beautiful body and face!! Keep it up girl!

[blonde_diva]

Thank you Big_USAF_Guy!! :D

[TwoWalks]

Originally posted by blonde_diva

I'm going to be 32 in a few months...married for almost 11 yrs and have a beautiful 9 yr old daughter.


Blonde Diva: holy cow, fantastic transformation and you look great and then some.

Seeing a combo of things here: Reply to Trish and Viola, you have been over to the Over 35 area. Second, you are 32 so here is the deal, We would love to have you join in at the 35 club house, if you can take a bunch of older guys swooning over you.

[E-Mann]

Blonde Diva

Great job with your transformation!!!

Just Wonder - What changes in your physique were you proud of the most?

Thanks!!

[blonde_diva]

Thank YOU :D

Hmm...I think my arms. When I started seeing definition in my arms I just kept going! It was what kept me motivated and determined to develop and see all the other muscles hehe.

Great Question!

[blonde_diva]

Originally posted by TwoWalks
Blonde Diva: holy cow, fantastic transformation and you look great and then some.

Seeing a combo of things here: Reply to Trish and Viola, you have been over to the Over 35 area. Second, you are 32 so here is the deal, We would love to have you join in at the 35 club house, if you can take a bunch of older guys swooning over you.

Whoops! Missed your post!

Thank you for the compliments :)

Thanks for inviting me over to the 35 club :D. I peek around those parts as well and there sure is a lot of inspiration in there!

[TrishB]

The girls are outnumbered by about 1000 to 1 on the over 35 board.
Not that I am complaining. :)
It is always a good place to come and get swooned over...lol.

[E-Mann]

Blonde Diva

Thanks for appreciating my question!!!

Now this is not a demand but just whenever you get the chance....since your proud of your arms - could you also include picture showing your biceps from the back view??

Thanks. Keep the great training going girl !!!!

You and Trish B. are definately 2 Goddesses to look out for!!!

Later.

[TwoWalks]

Originally posted by blonde_diva
Thanks for inviting me over to the 35 club :D. I peek around those parts as well and there sure is a lot of inspiration in there!

Don't just peek, join in the fun. I know the ladies would love to share training advice with you and learn from you as well. And I know the men would really appreciate you :D

[ShaneG85]

I think you look awesome blonde_diva. I would like to see some photos from the back view though, lol:)

Shane

[jake24]

looking good

[blonde_diva]

Thanks for all the kind words and compliments.

Trish...to be honest...that's pretty much why I don't post over there ;). I have learned a lot by lurking though :D

[bbloni]

Just wondering what kind of workout you did on your arms to get that definition....
BTW you look great !
Thanks!

[blonde_diva]

Originally posted by bbloni
Just wondering what kind of workout you did on your arms to get that definition....
BTW you look great !
Thanks!

For biceps I did drop sets. 10/8/6 reps with weights getting heavier with each set then I'd do a 4th set at whatever weight I did 10 reps for and do as many reps as it takes to failure. Barbell curls, incline dumbell curls, hammer curls (rope and dumbell) and concentration curls.

For shoulders I stayed light, kept the reps high (I have a slight issue with my right shoulder...it pinches on the down movement so it forces me to stay light but I was still able to build). I did side raises, front raises, bent over raises and overhead press w/ dumbells.

I lag in the triceps area but I like a lot of skull crushers, kickbacks and pressdowns in all variations (rope, straight bar)

I also feel that different variations of pushups and pullups helped a lot with arm definition as well.

Thanks for the compliment! :)

[E-Mann]

Blond Diva

Was Curious,

What are the main exercies you do for your abs and back?

Thanks. Stay Sweet!!

[blonde_diva]

For abs I honestly do whatever I'm in the mood for. I have this great "ab training" issue of Muscle and Fitness and use most of the exercises. I don't do them with weights....however.....

I like this lying crunch machine we have in the gym (it's considered weighted without putting weights on it and I add 5 pounds to it doing it only twice/week for 2 sets). You lie in it and your feet hooks on to these round padded things and you put your hands on these two bars by your head so you are pulling your legs and head towards eachother. This one really builds abs!

My main ab workouts are at home non-weighted whatever I'm in the mood for exercises :)

For back I do:

All variations of Pullups (assisted machine) and also Chinups
High Rows (hammer strength)
Seated Cable Rows
1 Arm Dumbell Rows
Pulldowns (wide grip)
Back extensions
Straight Back Deadlifts (this one's more for my hams but I know it works a lot of the lower back too)

I don't necessarily do all of those exercises in a workout but those are my favourite back exercises.

[E-Mann]

Wow Diva

You sure take advantage of variety in exercises!!

So just wonder one more thing,

Which would you say is more special for a woman to achieve....

Losing dress and pants sizes?

Or gaining cuts and definition in their abs?

Later.

[New York]

saw your pics
great job!!! keep up the hard work
did you change your diet alot ?

i like you read read read on this board & love it
when i get a little close to my goals i also will post what I hope is am amazing transformation

[Gator]

BD..
Great transformation..
Your well on yer way..
You look great..

Train safe and good luck !!!

Gator

[callmecheezcube]

you look positively beautiful. You transformation is inpiration for me to continue. A lot of times I lose my will to keep going, espeically with diet, you know? Like you said, "wishy-washy", mine is the same way.

Also, I know this is going to sound reeeeeally weird, but I was glancing at your pictures, I remembered your face. You don't happen to be on livejournal, do you? Somehow I came across your journal one day, i think, because your face looks really familiar. Just a question.

have a wonderful day!

[Semper Fi350]

EXCELLENT!

I can't believe you have CAME that far! I need to get more motivated. I have been more concentrated on losing the fat before I start working out really hard like I used to.

I want to get to my goal weight, then start working out harder.

GREAT job, you look incredible!