Sillyvents Journal

[sillyvent]

Okay....I am in the cutting process of my second show....my show is april 2ND. I have been thinking about journaling for awhile....finally decided I should give it a try. A little about me: I have been lifting since I was 14 years old and just kind of decided last spring to compete in figure. Everything was last minute and stressful, but when I got up on that stage *BAM*...I had a blast! I loved every minute of it. Okay where to begin....

MY STATS=
23 year old 5' 110 LBS 14% BF.

TRAINING=
LIFTING ROTATION- 3 WEEKS HEAVY, 1 WEEK LIGHT
MON- LEGS
TUES- 35 MIN CARDIO (ROTATE BETWEEN HIIT AND LO)
WED- CHEST, BIS, TRIS
THURS- 35 MIN CARDIO (ROTATE BETWEEN HIIT AND LO)
FRI- BACK, SHOULDERS, ABS
SAT- 40 MIN CARDIO (ROTATE BETWEEN HIIT AND LO)


DIET=
DAY ONE:
SNACK: Eat 3 strawberries mixed in a serving of protein pudding
MEAL ONE: Eat 6 egg whites with 1/2 cup of oats
MEAL TWO: Eat 6 oz of chicken with 1/2 cup of oats and a Tbs of glutamine
MEAL THREE: Take in a protein shake with 3 more strawberries
MEAL FOUR: Eat 3 oz. of tuna with 1 1/2 cups of broccoli or green beans
MEAL FIVE: Eat 6 egg white omelet with 1/2 cup assorted mixed greens or peppers
MEAL SIX: Eat 6 oz. of chicken with 10 asparagus spears and a Tbs of glutamine
SNACK: Take in a serving of protein pudding if your hungry

DAY TWO:
SNACK: Take in one serving of a protein shake
MEAL ONE: Eat 6 egg whites with 1 cup of broccoli
MEAL TWO: Eat 6 oz of chicken with 1 cup of oats and a Tbs of glutamine
MEAL THREE: Eat 3 oz of tuna with 1 cup of green beans
MEAL FOUR: Take in one serving of a protein shake
MEAL FIVE: Eat 8 egg whites with a Tbs of Molly McButter
MEAL SIX: Eat 1/2 cup of oats with 3 strawberries and a Tbs of glutamine
SNACK: Eat 8 oz of ground turkey or chicken


DAY THREE:
SNACK: Eat 1/2 cup of oats
MEAL ONE: Eat 6 egg whites omelet with 6 asparagus spears diced up in it
MEAL TWO: Drink a protein shake with a Tbs of glutamine and 1/2 cup of oats
MEAL THREE: Eat 6 oz of tuna with a Tbs of balsamic vinegar
MEAL FOUR: Eat 8 egg whites with a Tbs of Molly McButter
MEAL FIVE: Eat 3 oz of tuna with 8 asparagus spears
SNACK: Eat a serving of protein pudding

DAY FOUR:
SNACK: Eat 4 egg whites
MEAL ONE: Take in one serving of a protein shake
MEAL TWO: Eat 1/2 cup of oats with 6 egg whites
MEAL THREE: Eat 6 oz of chicken with 1 cup of green beans
MEAL FOUR: Eat a serving of protein pudding
MEAL FIVE: Eat 3 oz of tuna with 1 Tbs of balsamic vinegar
MEAL SIX: Eat 8 oz of meat your choice
SNACK: Eat 4 egg whites

DAY FIVE:
SNACK: 1 grapefruit
MEAL ONE: Eat 2 pancakes made from 6 eggs, 1 scoop of whey protein (Sci-tech or Optimum protein diet), and 1/4 cup of oats
MEAL TWO: 6 egg whites with 1 cup of steamed broccoli with a 1 Tbs flaxseed oil
MEAL THREE: 1 serving of a protein shake that is equal to 35+ grams of protein
MEAL FOUR: Eat 6 oz of orange roughy and take a Tbs of glutamine
MEAL FIVE: 1 whole grapefruit
MEAL SIX: Eat 6 oz of white fish of your choice…cod, roughy, and tuna
SNACK: Eat 6 egg whites


DAY SIX:
SNACK: 4 egg whites
MEAL ONE: 1/2 cup of oatmeal
MEAL TWO: 6 egg whites with 1 cup of steamed broccoli and a Tbs of flaxseed oil
mEAL THREE: 1 serving of a protein shake that equal to 35+ grams of protein
MEAL FOUR: 6 Egg whites with one Tbs of glutamine
MEAL FIVE: 3 oz of tuna with 10 asparagus spears
MEAL SIX: Eat 6 oz of a white fish


DAY SEVEN:
SNACK: 4 egg whites
MEAL ONE: 6 egg whites with 1 cup of steamed broccoli
MEAL TWO: 4 oz of chicken with 8 asparagus spears with one Tbs of flaxseed oil
MEAL THREE: Drink a protein shake that is equal to 35+ grams of protein
MEAL FOUR: 3 oz of tuna with 6 asparagus spears and a Tbs of glutamine
MEAL FIVE: 3 oz of tuna
MEAL SIX: 6 oz of chicken or 7 egg whites

I take in 2 gallons of water a day, supplement with a multi vit, glucosamine (for my joints), calcium, nrg, guggul, and zma. Hmmmm..... I think that's about it for now.....haha! :) I would love input from you ladies.

[Starzy]

Welcome sillyvent! Great to see another journal!!

[Sistersteel]

Man your diet is awesome. What are your ratio's like, and calories?

I will definetely get alot of great advice from your journal, can't wait!
SS

[sillyvent]

starzy- thanks girl! :)

ss- I will get the ratios and everything from my friend- he specifically made this diet for my body type and height and weight. I just started this diet Sunday...I am getting used to the carb aspect- b/c I love my carbies!!!! This diet isn't based on cals- based on nutritional value. And I am kinda rotating my carbs, which I think will give me great results. I hope you stopped being a cardio bunny- hee hee! I was for my 1st show- but I am telling you DIET is the key. I know it's hard to slow the cardio down- but let me tell you w/o so much cardio you will have more time and be happier....I HATE CARDIO! I'm takign progression pictures this weekend, so hopefully they will look okay and I can post them! How many exercises do you do for each muscle group?

[Sistersteel]

Silly- I hate cardio too, when I am bulking I won't even touch the cardio. I feel like one of those girls who just goes to the gym to do cardio, but I'm not out to impress anyone so, I don't care what people think.

Right now I am keeping things heavy. I do three maybe four exercises per muscle group. I may only do two for biceps.

Do you follow a specific routine when doing HIT?

SS

[Starzy]

I used to love cardio, for the last three months of last year that all I did. Now I am at 1-2 sessions a week and I am loving NOT doing it!!!
Can't wait for the pics.

[sillyvent]

Ss-i Try To Stay With At Least 3/4 Exercises For Each Muscle Group. Why Only 2 For Biceps? My Biceps Are Probably My Worst Feature And My Weakest- They Suck!!! I Can Just Never Seem To Gain Strength In That Area....thank God For My Horseshoe! ;) Haha

When I Do Hiit- Usually I Do The Efx. I Dread Hiit, But If I Change Up My Cardio- One Week Hiit And The Next Light- My Body Will Never Get Used To Any One Cardio Session. Usually 20 Secs Fast 40 Secs Med - I Do This For 20 Mins. Anything Over 20 Mins Is Not Possibly Hiit! Its Kills Me! I Still Stay On The Efx Or Run For 15 Mins After That To Equal My 35 Mins.

Starzy- I Used To Be A Soccer Player, Which Means I Used To Run Miles And Miles Each Day. I Tore My Acl And Cart. And Had To End Up Having 2 Surgeries- Reconstructive And Microscopic!!! So For A Long Time I Wasn't Able To Run And Do Much Cardio- Which Made Me Hate It Even More!!!! My Doc Told Me After I Turned 22 I Was To Never Again Run!! Thank God I Found Glucosamine, Saved My Knee And Gave Me The Ability To Run Again! Don't Know Where I Was Orignally Going With This Thought.....damn Low Carbs! :) Haha Oh Yea...so When I Leaned Out For My 1st Competition My Friend Knew I Needed To Lose More Bf Like 3weeks Out- I Was Doing 1 Hr Of Cardio In The Am, Working, Lifting And Doing Another Hr Of Cardio!!!! :( Needless To Say I Am With You On The Not Doing Much Cardio!

[sillyvent]

Oh I forgot...ratio's are 55-35-10 and go to 90-10-0 for pre-contest, then carb and cell volumize load at 80-20-0.

[Sistersteel]

Thanks for the info on the HIIT. The diet is really low in fat, what are the calories like?

SS

[RxFigure]

Silly-
I've read your journal from the first show...and you looked AMAZING!! I can't wait to follow your cutting phase this time, and it's going to be great to see the improvements that you've made. Good luck! You're going to do great! :-D

~K

[Starzy]

Man, how many eggs do you go through in a week!!!! hehehe Dont you love it!
So when you were cutting how did you cope with the diet, exercise and every day life?

[sillyvent]

ss- cals range- 4 days 55-35-10, 3 days 80-10-10, to 90% of clas. from protein, cycle ratio of macronutrinients and using the zig zag method for calories. Calories range from 1350 to 950. Protein is always at or above my lean mass index-one day I consume around 180-200 grams protein.
Help to keep my lean mass, don't want to loose what I worked so hard to gain. No carbs can make u tired and look flat but also puts body in a very anabolic invirement for a few days, can help u add muscle- so we zig zag.
4 on 3 off, could even do that with starches! If I start to loose mass, fiberious foods 4 days and 3 days starches.

rx- Thank you so much girl! I just got pictures taken last night- I feel like I haven't made much progress- frustrating!!!! I have lost like 5lbs, but I feel like I look the same. I'm trying to not weigh myself as much- I care about bf NOTweight- hahaha! It's hard to do it though! I get my bf checked out this week as well... keep ya posted.

starzy-I go through A LOT of eggs. I take up most of the refridg.in our apartment- my roomates just laugh at me!!!! I am glad it's eggs though....use to be mostly chicken, which was a lot more expensive!!!
I laughed when I read this...."So when you were cutting how do you cope with the diet, exercise and every day life?" Well some weeks are a lot easier than others esp. w/ low carbs....the exercising part is just a routine part of my days....I work mon-thurs 7-6. I go straight to the gym after I work and from there I go home and cook meals and pack them for the next days. The diet is not so bad- becomes a routine. I have been trying to find another job so that is stressful...I hate my job (welfare office), but it gives me a lot of room to work with training. I schedule my clients so I make sure I have time to eat and my unit understands my lifestyle. They even made our holiday lunch at Mongolain Bareque for me! :) I have to think about this as I look for new jobs- will I be able to diet and train working here? Sounds stupid, but I did not diet this far out to quit now!!! :) haha! The money spent on food and supplements and time preparing has to be planned perfectly as well. I am constantly broke, but I am working on the new job thing as we speak.....and then you ask everyday life??? Makes me think my personal life....hahaha what personal life? ;) Well, it is hard- I have seen a lot of "friends" fade away when I stopped drinking. I found out which friends were really friends, but it was hard at first. I still go to the bars sometimes, I'm just the dd and some people give me a hard time about it....eventually you get sick of defending yourself so you quit hanging out with those people. A girl who I used to consider my best friend took me aside a couple weeks ago and said she thought me bringing my food to my boyfriends parents house was weird and that I should just cheat the whole weekend so they will like me and it won't be weird(1st time meeting them). Then asked if he asked me to stop would I do it for him? I laughed I said number 1 his cousin competes and his parents understand number 2 no, if he asked me to quit that would be ridiculous! Some people treat this like it's a bad thing- like I am using herion or something!!! Anyways, me and the boyfriend are on rocky terms- it's hard never seeing him. So I guess this week is one of those bad weeks.....Okay rant over- sorry ladies - didn't mean to go overboard on that one.....:)

lots of love
Dawn

[sillyvent]

ok- got my pictures back. i'll post them tomorrow i guess.....btw they are terrible! i lost 5lbs since my other pictures, but they look worse. ugh! frustration is setting in! i'm at 108lbs- but i look gross in this pictures.....let's hope it's from all the water weight and glutamine! :(

[Nyladigm]

Silly,

Jeez, sounds like a lot is going on in your life right now. Friends come and go...sometimes I laugh b/c my Jack Russel has been around longer than some of my friends ;) And she's smarter than a lot of people I know which is sad. Hehe.

Anyways, its not weird to bring food over to the bf's fam...I'm sure they'll understand if they've been exposed to it before, which it sounds like they have. I also wouldnt worry about what people think...maybe you just look fabulous and they just can take the dedication you put towards your comittments :) I dont know them by any means but if they're your friends, they should be supportive...maybe they havent been informed properly of the benefits and are just making assumptions about your health? It could be any number of reasons.

Good luck with the job search - I definitely think that access to a nearby gym and a good balance between work and quality of life are huge considerations...especially when you live a healthy lifestyle :)

Take care and feel better!

Laura B.

[sillyvent]

The lighting sucks and my posing sucks to.....but this gives you a basic idea. Can't even see my horseshoe, in my side pose beacuse the lighting!!!! :( Don't be afraid of my lil allergy bumps on my shoulders and back.....they will soon disappear...I hope!!!!! I am feeling really, really tired today. This is one of my lower carb days...and it is killing me! I am VERY touchy today- watch out!
So I weighed myself today....107 lbs! I am shedding the lbs very quickly with this new diet. I might have to do an earlier show- there is an npc show in northern kentucky march 18th I think...may possible try that one if I am confident enough. That's about 3 wks earlier than the npc show in cleveland. We will see. :)
So I changed my cardio up- I now will be teaching cardio kickboxing on Fridays at 12 and 5 - 45 min sessions each. I will be using this to sub a normal cardio session. May help my arms cut up faster....who knows!

ny- Thanks! I try not to care about the friends lost and gained- but sometimes a certain person does get under my skin. Right before a show you are pretty flat and skinny and I had to hear- dude you look sick and you have no boobs hahaha! Not exactly what you want to hear when you have NO carbs in you. I am lucky though- all the ladies I work for in my unit are really really supportive of me. I will miss that once I find a better job. After bitching about my pics they laughed and reassured me that it is a process and I looked fine! Sometimes you need that when you are dieting and pushing yourself. But I am addicted- not changing for anyone!!! :)

[Jennifer-Lynn]

I think your PICS show great progress! I remember an earlier pic you had posted somewhere else in the same suit! You can see your body leaning down really well, especially the legs! Your 9 weeks out right? You'll look great at Show time!.

[Starzy]

Your pics are looking good!!

You seem to have a great attitude about it all and seem to detach emotionally when people dont seem to understand this stuff. I am just trying to get an insight about what I could expect if I was to get a little more serious. I am a little stress bug and I dont know how I would handle it! I work fulltime and I will studying part time also - I am starting to freak out now how I am going to fit it all in....eeek! Anyway, reading your journal has helped!

[sillyvent]

Jl- Thanks Girl- I Do See Some Progress- I'm Very Impatient Though!!!

S- I'm A Lil Stress Bug As Well- Having Some Good Friends Has Helped Out A Lot. My Roomies; However Not Too Invovled In Fitness Support Me 100%. I'll Tell Them About A Comment Or The Way Someone Made Me Feel And They Are Like..."dawn- Not Just Anyone Can Do This....you Are Above The Average Person With Your Insane Schedule...and You Stick To It And You Don't Give In...." They Are The 2 Greatest People I Have Ever Met!! Like I Said I Have Lost A Few "friends," But I Still Have A Lot Of Great Supportive Friends- Not To Mention My Family! Like My Mom Says- As Long As I Am Not Stripping Or Hookin' She's 100% Supportive! :) Haha

I Understand The Time Situation- I Work 40 Hrs Mon-thurs And Then Lift, And Fridays I Teach Kickboxing Twice And Will Start Personal Training On The Weekends. Some People Need To Stay Busy- It's Just The Way They Are....i Am One Of Those. Do What Makes You Happy And Won't Stress You Completely Out.

Oh....i Am Feeling Guilty- I Have A Cheat Meal Tonight- Sushi.....however I Ate Some Candy Earlier....shhh! :) :) Everyoen Have A Great Weekend!!

[sillyvent]

ok so i got an early valentines day present- more supplements! haha! i got chromium and creatine- which i wasn't using before. I started using them Sunday- which means I will probably gain some weight from the water in my muscles!!! We'll see how this goes....:)

[Hibiscus09]

Looking great, sv! :) Do you have pics from your first show? I'd love to see them!

[sillyvent]

i sure do have pics from my 1st show- i'll post some tomorrow! :)

[sillyvent]

here's some pics from my 1st show and from the day before- sorry they are so small.......

[sillyvent]

Alright...not so sure about this journal- I almost feel like I am just writing to myself. hee hee Nonetheless- I am still doing it- okay so my diet - starts Day 1 as Sunday- so I'm on Day 5 today- I'm not sure why, but I am having insane cravings on this diet. Could this possibly be b/c my fats are so low? I can't say I have ever had such bad cravings before. Thank god I used the idea of "cheating" with a rice cake, natty, and some sugar free jelly. Any thoughts on this would be really appreicated- I'm starting to think maybe I need to change something b/c I cannot be doing this everyother day...and I'm not sure on my progress b/c I just started taking creatine which has made me gain a little weight.....frustration is coming on!!! ahhh! Having my bf checked Sunday or Monday- I'm scared!!!! Ugh!! Hope all is well with you ladies....I'm going to attempt to not freak out at work b/c for the past week at least 4 people in my unit have called off sick.....*&%*&#@!!!

[Krissypoo]

You look great in those pictures! I look foward to reading your journal whenever you have updates. You are definitely not writing to yourself...

One of these days I will have the nerve to post pictues. Women like you make it hard. GREAT JOB!!! I also look foward to reading your progress on the creatine. :)

[Ivey_Itch]

Yeah, your not wasting your time posting! There are alot of lurkers out there who read all the journals for inspiration/motivation/enjoyment and never say a word :) Your pictures look great!! Awesome work! :D

[Krissypoo]

There are alot of lurkers out there who read all the journals for inspiration/motivation/enjoyment and never say a word :)

People like me! I think you look AMAZING, SV. Don't stop journaling and don't stop working hard!

[*Destiny*]

Yeah, definitely don't stop journaling. I am one of those "lurkers" who reads almost everyones journal but I don't post in them too often. Your comp pics look amazing! I have been considering competing but I am scared that I won't be able to get lean enough. Watching women like you make it happen is HUGE motivation for me. Plus the journalizing of the diet/training is such a hlpful reference. Keep up the good work!!

[Nyladigm]

Bump on the pics Silly, you look fantastic!

And definitely keep writing for us! Keep up the good work :)

[sillyvent]

Thanks so much guys! I really needed that motivation!

Wannabe- Haha Women like me??? You mean tiny lil midgets??? haha :) Don't be shy post your picture!!! :) I'm sure you look lovely!!!

[sillyvent]

Okay so I told my friend about my cravings- we are going to give it a few days and see how my body acts and possibly change up the diet a bit. I am working overtime today- no carb day- and I go to make a meal and notice my chicken and asparagus feels light. Someone stole the chicken out of my meal!!!! I work for the welfare office so when that normally happenes we are like myabe it's a client- but there are no clients today, only co-workers! Oh man, and on my no carb day! Better watch out!!! I could not believe it!!! ugh!! This is not a great week- I am also having too many problems with my boyfriend, I need to break it off and valentine's day is Monday!!!! This should be interesting......I have cardio today- should do some hiit, but I'm not feeling enough energy for it!!! 40 mins of running I think will do. I hope everyone's weekend is going better than mine! I swear I will stop bitchin soon! haha!
Lots of love girls,
Dawn xoxoxo's!!!

[sillyvent]

So yesterday before I lifted I got my posing practice in- I must say I'm not as worried about my body as I am of the posing- I seem to suck at it. hee hee As I was posing one of the girls who is pro decided to pose with me to practice for the Arnold Classic- she gave me some helpful hints and said I looked awesome and that by showtime I'll be right on!! She was at my first show and saw me going through the cutting process of my last month of my 1st show. That gave me a little more confidence- which was much needed!!! :) I cannot wait for the Arnold Classic- gotta say ohio kinda stinks- but at least we have the Arnold Classic!! :)

[Sistersteel]

I also really need to practice my posing, I suck! But I am doing bodybuilding, so it is a little different. I find it really hard to find time to fit in 30minutes, but it definetely needs to become a priority.

Keep up the good work, you look amazing!
SS

[fitnessmiss]

Great journal! Are you still sticking to that diet that you posted? Its working well? Your show is only 2 months away, where are you at bodyweight/bodyfat wise? I know you said you started at 110 and 14% bodyfat...

so how long did you diet for? what is the start date on the journal?

[sillyvent]

Realized I never posted my exercises-

monday I did legs- switched it up a bit- these are heavy sets- 3X8-10 wide legged box squats, 3x8-10 sldl's, 3 x8-10 weighted lunges on a box (make sense????), 3x8-10 leg press- close legged, 3x8-10 calf raises on the leg press, 3x8-10 donkey rasies, 3x8-10 leg extensions, and 3x8-10 leg curls.....phew- tired just from writing it! Remember I have that bad knee- so regular squats and lunges are a big no-no for me!

Fit- Actually when I started cutting I was 16 wks out and I was 117lbs and around 17% bf. I think my diet started dec 12. I get my bodyfat tested Friday morning- I'm a little nervous to find out the results. I have been sticking to the diet- when I feel a craving I have been eating a rice cake with natty and sugar free jelly- or somtimes just the natty and jelly. I went down to 107 for a little then started on creatine so now I am 109-110 now. The weight factor does scare me, but I can tell my clothes are not fitting right...and my boobs are fading away!!!! :(

ss- Man posing is such an important part of the process- start going over your routine for a little bit every week. Want to be confident on stage- I shook so bad last time!!! I go to the gym when I know there will be enough ppl there to make me nervous so I can deal with my shaking. People must really wonder what the hell I am doing!! :) hee hee

Oh yea I totally cheated with chocolate last night- valentine's day- my boyfriend got me chocolate- what was he thinking!!!!!! I cannot resist chocolate when my lil' friend is visiting....evil evil boys. Geez!!!

[sillyvent]

.....well I broke it off with Joe (who by the way lifts at the same gym at the same times as me)....and one of my roomies is currently being a "crazy chick" if you know what I mean....didn't I say some weeks are harder than others....I forgot what a good week is. haha! Tonight is my chest, bi, and tri workout. I am looking forward to getting in there and lifting heavy- always puts me in a great mood!!! The closer the Arnold gets and my show the more excited I get!!! This weekend I hit 6 wks out- ahhhhh!!! Only 2 more cheat meals- man I gotta plan smart on those!!! :)

[Sistersteel]

Oh man, I am glad I am not the only one stressed out! My ex-boyfriend (who I still love) also works out at my gym. It was really hard at first but you get use to it, plus it gives me and excuse to talk to him. I also have a terrible sweet tooth, once sugar gets in my system there is NO STOPPIN ME!

I also feel really weird posing at the gym. No one else there competes so they probably think I am a complete idiot! Oh well, gotta do what you gotta do.

I hope your week gets better, you seem to be a very strong person!

SS

[sillyvent]

Okay So It's Thurs- Yesterday I Felt Like I Was Dying!! Wed I Cut My Carbs In Half So It Kills Me....i Had To Pop 2 Thermos Which I Normally Don't Do. Anyways I Was Pretty Weak And I Didn't Have A Spotter For My Bench, Still Wanted To Post My Work Out Though.
Normally Heavy Weeks I Do 3x8-10

Chest:
Bench 3x10
Cable Cross Over 3x10
Dumbbell Bench Press 3x10
Butterfly 3x8

I Was Not Feeling Enough Energy To Do 4 Exercises For My Tris And Bis....i Rotate Between 3/4 Exercises.

Bis:
Close Grip Ez Curls 3x10
Concentration Curls 3x10
Overhead Cable Curls 3x8

Tris:
Skull Crushers 3x10
Cable Tricep Pushdowns 3x8
Standing Tricep Press 3x8

Ss- Thanks Girl!!! That Sucks About The Gym Thing And The Ex- I'm Joining The Club Now, I Love Him However He Won't Make Me Completely Happy So I Had To Ditch Him. He's A Great Guy- Now I Have To Bother Some Random Person To Spot Me Benching B/c I Want To Distance Myself From Him - Crap! Haha

Trust Me- Pose At The Gym. You Will Be Insanely Nervous And Feel Like A Moron- It Will Get You Confident And Prepared For The Stage. You Don't Have To Wear Your Suit...you Can Wear A Sports Bra And Shorts- I Wear My Suit, But Some People Feel More Comfortable Not Wearing It.

Tonight- Back, Shoulders And Abs...my Fav Workout....yea!!! :) I'm Feeling Good And Tomorrow I Finally Get My Bf Checked. :)

[Sistersteel]

Sillyvent- You are so awesome! You sound like a very confident and focused person, I wish I could just throw someone out of my life like that!
I have decided that I will start practicing my posing at the gym. If I plan on stepping on stage in front of a huge crowd I think I should beable to handle a few stares at the gym! lol.

I hate asking people to spot me at the gym, no one seems to do it properly, I like when the person lets me struggle a little, and not just pull the weight off before I am ready. Plus most of the people in my gym have bad training techniques themselves.

What thermo are you using? I am using one called T2, but it doesn't seem to do much for my energy.

When you did your first competition how far in advance did you order your suits?
Did you order it online or in person? I still am unsure about what weight I will come in at, so I don't know when to send in the measurements?

Thanks for all the great advice! I love your journal.

SS

[sillyvent]

Well ladies my cheat meal this week was vodka....I was in a homemade bikini contest and I needed something to take the edge off so I had a few shots!! Normally I do not mess with alcohol when dieting, however this one time I did. I am hoping that is why when I got my bf checked this morning it was approx. 15.2%!!!! I was so sad to hear that! 15.2% is a lot higher than I thought I was at.....I want to get to 9-8 so I have a lot of work in the next 6 weeks. Hopefully the creatine factor is also adding some onto that number. Anyways, I had such a crappy workout thursday night- no energy. I will be changing my diet up a bit so I don't crash and burn!

ss- I use nrg...I highly suggest it w/ guggl. Stays with you for 8 hrs and doesn't make you jittery. As for my suits- I got them from this chick who makes them in Cleveland...expensive, but they are nice. If you are doing figure I would suggest you decorate the suits yourself so it doesn't cost as much. You can also get used suits...I actually have one I want to sell myslef that I got used. I got mine made right before my show- but I lost so much that a week later they didn't fit!!! I agree with the spotter thing- Joe actually used to let me struggle and encourage to get that last rep up! I hope all is well with your training girl! Lots of love! :)

[aprilai]

hey sillvent! i'm interested in what your leg routine looks like.

[Jennifer-Lynn]

Sillyvent - I have been reading your journal and it is so cool!. I can't wait to hear about your comp in what 6 weeks? or am I wrong? Any ways, keep up the intensity and you'll get there! Don't forget to show us Pics!!!

[Hibiscus09]

here's some pics from my 1st show and from the day before- sorry they are so small.......


Wow! You look beautiful! You legs and shoulders look beautiful and the suit is so pretty! I can't wait to get my suits for my shows but I'm still a ways out. You're going to do great this time also.

Sorry it took me a while to see those. I'm old, busy and alzheimers is starting to get me early I think. LOL I really do like looking at you journal, so definitely keep posting!

[sillyvent]

A- these are heavy sets- 3X8-10 wide legged box squats(toes pointed out), 3x8-10 sldl's, 3 x8-10 weighted lunges on a box (make sense????), 3x8-10 leg press- close legged, 3x8-10 calf raises on the leg press, 3x8-10 donkey rasies, 3x8-10 leg extensions, and 3x8-10 leg curls

JL- yea I am now at 6 wks until showtime....oh boy. I may be having pictures taken tomorrow so I will post them as soon as I get them back. I'm still at 109-108, but my abs are starting to show a little.

H- Thank you so much! That is so nice of you to say....and you aren't old!!! Crap I'm only 23 and I swear I have alzheimers...hmm or maybe that's just the low carbs. haha :)

Had a great leg workout today with my little sister- I am home visiting my family. I doubt either one of us will be able to walk tomorrow! :) I get tomorrow off for the holiday so I will be hitting the cardio hard!!! Keep up the great work ladies cuz without you guys I couldn't possibly be as motivated!!! :)

[*Destiny*]

Your doing great. I love reading your journal! Can't wait to see the updated pics. = D

[sillyvent]

Here ya go ladies.....eat 'em alive!!! haha I am starting to notice my back is getting a lot leaner- which makes me happy. That was by far my worst feature in my first show. I cannot complain too much on these pictures- I think wearing a bikini instead of my suit was a good idea....my ass is not meant to be in those suits until I'm REALLY REALLY lean! :) hee hee

[Sistersteel]

Hey Silly

You look awesome! You have nothing to worry about with 6 weeks left! Hope you are practicing you posing!

SS

[angeleye]

Awesome job! I've been absorping your process from behind the scences as well and publicly wanted to commend you on the mind-boggling dedication that comes from the heart of others like us. Ladies your journals, comments, and kind words encourage and guide us in these waters that sometime seem like the "Abyss". I read your entire journal this am. "Silly", today was the day I needed this the most! The confirmation of my upcoming divorce wont consume my mind and take precedence over my diet and gym time this evening!!!!

[Makeupmonsterdo]

Wow! You look awesome!

[Krissypoo]

Congrats on the progress! You look absolutely wonderful. I'm even a little jealous! You are such an inspiration.Tiny but mighty...damn right!

[Hibiscus09]

Wow, you have awesome shoulders and wide lats! You're doing fantastic.


my ass is not meant to be in those suits until I'm REALLY REALLY lean! :) hee hee

You're lucky you have a 23 year old ass -- you should see what a 43 year old ass looks like! :eek: I'd better not try my suits on at all until I'm a couple of weeks out. LOL

[Ivey_Itch]

your pics look great!

[sillyvent]

I swear...I love you ladies!!! :) Hib. you crack me up! haha

ss- At least twice a week I have been practicing....my posing really messed up my hard work last time. I never knew how nice my lats looked until I figured out the right way to pose!

Ladies- Thanks so much...these are the times I need to remember when I start thinking..."wtf am I doing???" I'm getting so excited and nervous for this show and it's 6 wks away! hee hee

angel- I will be at the arnold(from your pm question). Would u like to know anything about it??
Let me say this...sometimes when your life seems like it is on a downwhirl spiral....there is always something to bring you back up. Lifting and training for a show puts me in my "happy place" and consumes a lot of my time and energy, which lets me forget a lot of what is going on in my life that is negative. Don't let those negative thoughts and situations make you forget what you want or who you are....I have let them bring me down before and I refuse to ever do that again! :) Keep on keepin' on....hee hee!!!

Tonight is chest, bis and tris....I am in such a great mood besides the fact that my bf tested so high! I will be starting to do different exercises each week so my muscles do not get used to one particular exercise. Happy Tuesday to you all!

lots of love
Dawn :)

[sillyvent]

heavy sets 3x8-10

chest:
incline bench
cable crossovers
hammer machine bench press

bis:
hammer curls
cable curls
preacher curls

tris:
overhead pulls
reverse pressdown
dips

[Gabrielle]

Here ya go ladies.....eat 'em alive!!! haha I am starting to notice my back is getting a lot leaner- which makes me happy. That was by far my worst feature in my first show. I cannot complain too much on these pictures- I think wearing a bikini instead of my suit was a good idea....my ass is not meant to be in those suits until I'm REALLY REALLY lean! :) hee hee

You look lovely! Very healthy and strong~great work!

[sillyvent]

Okay so I am changing my diet slightly- I am going to up my carbs b/c I have been getting pretty bad cravings lately. The rice cake and sugar free jelly is working....but I am starting to do this more often that I should be. So basically I am uping the carbs on certain days. The days I have 1 cup of oats and the one day I have no carbs(Sat-Tues)- nothing is changing. However, I am uping the 1/2 cup and 1/4 cup days....1/2 is now 3/4 and 1/4 is now 1/2....make sense?! Also in my protein pancakes- I am now only going to use one full egg and 5 egg whites- I need to use at least one full egg to make the mix work.

Tonight- Posing, back and shoulders....I might strictly use Fridays as my cardio(kickboxing class) and abs. Since we do abs in the class I can just continue with my ab w/o after that. :)

[sillyvent]

Usually today would have been cardio, but I had a bunch of thigns to get done tonight!

Back:
4x8-10
deadlifts
3x8-10
T bar rows
Seated close grip front lat pulldowns
Hyper extensions
Straight arm pulldowns

Shoulders:
Seated dumbbell press
Side lateral raises
Seated bent over rear delt raises
Incline dumbbell raise

I feel good, but I couldn't practice posing b/c there was a cardio class going on.....:)

[Hibiscus09]

Nice job! :) You should have run them all out of there and told them you had important stuff to do! ;)

[sillyvent]

I took a 1/2 day off of work and went to pose and do cardio. I cheated last night- sushi!!!! :) I love sushi if you ladies didn't notice! haha I did 35 mins on the efx and 10 mins on the stepper. I only got to pose for 15 mins, but 15 mins of posing kills me!!
VENT TIME!!! On my way to the gym- I slide right into a parked truck b/c this douche was driving all crazy on my street and it was snowing!! I was so pissed off! I have a dent on the hood of my car to match the dent on my passenger side panel(a hit and run). ahhh!!!!!!!! Let's see how much my insurance goes up now....haha! Well other than the wonderful dents in my car :( everything is going good and I am happy with my progress at the moment. I will end up cheating twice this week- which I normally do not do, but that damn finals for that bikin contest are tonight and I know I will end up doing a few shots to loosen me up. I'm not one to get up in front of a lot of people in a bikini- but for a free vacation and money....hmmmm!! ha ha Almost hitting my 5 wk mark!!!! :)

[Krissypoo]

Sorry to hear about your car. I know the feeling. The first time I drove in snow some idiot was on the freeway blocking traffic and I couldn't see them from my side of the hill. I couldn't get over and had to hit my brakes. I spun around until I crashed into the snow bank. Thank goodness I moved back to Texas...

Good luck with the bikini contest tonight! Those other girls have nothing on you! Try not to drink TOO much and do something goofy! :)

[someday]

great pics! nice shoulders and back....you look like you're right on track for your show.

[Mizfette]

Hey, great progress so far ... I've never seen anyone prepare for a show, so this is awesome! I'm enjoying your journal ... looking forwad to the next 6 weeks!
Keep it up!

L

[sillyvent]

Okay so now I remember why I don't drink much anymore......ugh I feel like crap and I didn't even win anything in that stupid contest!!! It was basically if you knew the dj you won! :(
I had to get up and teach kickboxing and I thought I was going to die!!! Only one person showed up to the class and she was late...oh well! I did that 45 min class and my ab work out this morning. I also posed for about 10 mins. All things considered it wasn't a bad day! :)

[aprilai]

argh, that contest sounds so unfair.
i'm enjoying reading your journal, and it's great to hear that you're still optimistic about things!

[Emma-Leigh]

Wow - Just saw your piccies! Looking Good! I love your suits from your first show too - the two piece if stunning! :D

ps: mmmmm sushi - hope you enjoyed it!!

[sillyvent]

Okay, so I'm working overtime again....and I surely hope when I go to eat my chicken it wasn't stolen again! haha :)
For a no carb day I am feeling decent, although it is only noon!

Today is my off day, and I really needed it. I might give myself 2 off days next week so I don't burn out and b/c the Arnolds in town! I am really excited b/c I sent out my pictures to try and work for someone at the Arnold and one of the promoters wants to meet with me! :) I sent out the pictures too late to work the Arnold, but she wants to get me working for others shows!!!! I finally feel like my bad luck may be changing! :) :) :) Well I should get back to working......hopefully all of you ladies will have a great weekend!

[sillyvent]

Ahhhh another leg day! I feel great today! I stick w/ the same exercises for my leg days. I added an extra set to my sldl's and my calf exercises!!! I felt pretty energized! Added in some kick backs and kick....I want to say kick forwards, but that sounds ridiculous!! Hopefully you ladies will understand what my low carb brain is trying to say!! :) haha I also posed for about 15 mins.....one of the girls who has been competing for years came in and commented on my progress w/ my hammies and offered her advice on my back pose. I swear- I hear roll them forward, then someone tells me to roll my shoulders back, hunch over, don't hunch over.......I am always willing to take advice, but now I just feel confused. Anyone have and thoughts on this or possibly advice???? I think I need it right about now!!! I am substituting shrimp for my egg whites tonight....yum yum!!!

I was wondering, I know a lot of girls at some point take out their rest day....I did about 2 weeks out last time, should I be taking out my rest day sometime soon or stick to having one day off?? Thanks! :)

[Buffycat3]

I love reading your journal and your prep for your contest...My best of luck to you!

My husband and I will be attending the Arnold Expo on the 4th.
With you being from Columbus, what dance club would you recomend for Friday night?

Keep up the hard work!

--Joaniey

[MsJewels]

:) Looks like you're doing great! I'm very impressed by the pics from your first show, and the progress that you've made cutting already. I'm definitely going to read this thread from beginning to end - I'm trying to get myself into shape for a figure competition a year away, and am soaking up the info on this site.

Do you work with a trainer at all? How much cardio did you do in your bulking stage, and how much do you do now?

Good luck!

PS - Vodka is a worthy cheat meal if it's in a martini! lol!

[Logue]

SV...Hey girl, haven't written in a while, but just wanted to let you know that one of the "originals" is still here and reading away! Thanks for posting still, it's so motivating to read your stuff! I am too training for my second show...mine will be in may. When you ask about the back pose, you mean for figure, correct?

[sillyvent]

BC- Hmm well since the Arnold is in town I think every bar will be packed; however Long Street should be pretty cool. It's like 4 bars connected to each other. On the weekends it's pretty fun and I'm sure this weekend it will be full of lots of big muscular guys!!! hee hee :) hmmmmm Maybe I'll go too! haha

MJ- I don't have a trainer- I have a friend that helps me a bit with the diet aspect of my training. Last show I had a trainer for my posing- he actually ended up giving me BAD adivce and it hurt me on stage! In my bulking I don't do any cardio...and btw I love it- felt a little "puffy" but it was a nice break! I hate cardio! Right now I am doing 3 sessions approx. 40/35 mins- I get my bf tested this weekend so depending where I am at I may up that.

L-Thanks girl. Yes I do mean figure. I hear roll your shoulders foward a little, then back......dear god! How does the pose I did in my last pics look as far as my back pose? I was happy with it, but I am not sure on it.

Anyways- 4 wks I don't get anymore cheat meals...I wasn't going to use this last cheat, but I have worked hard and I deserve it! Or so I am telling myself...haha! I can't decide what I should eat tonight- this is a HUGE decision, pasta, steak, sweets....oh man! ha ha! Tonight it my chest, bis and tris. I am sore as hell from my sldl's yesterday! I maxed out at 100lbs and my back is not so happy with me now!!!! I know 100lbs sounds like nothing, but with my bad knee it's an accomplishment for me! Feeling decent today......I'll keep you ladies posted on that cheat meal! :)

[MsJewels]

Hello again,

I was warned against trainers when I started my own journal, so I've let him go now, but have recently had a different guy recommended to me who has taken girls to the nationals in bodybuilding. (Nice to know he has experience.) I don't have a lot of cash for the it, though, but I really want to compete next year and it seems like there is just so much to know, and so many ways to screw it up! lol!

I'm also confused about why the bulking process is needed - Is it unhealthy or impossible to look as great as you would for a show all year round? Maybe it is easier to keep it up once you've bulked for your first show? Hmm... think I might post this in the training or general section.

Again, though, great work - This is a very inspirational thread! :) Can you post your full workout split, including exercises? I'm still trying to fine tune one for myself...

[sillyvent]

mj-The first thing you have to get into your head is your "show time look" is not a normal look. You cannot be a female and be 8-9% bf and be healthy...it's not good for your body for a long period of time. Bulking can be a frustrating process.... you get what I like to call puffy, but it's all a process. You want to gain muscle so that when you cut for your show you have all that hard earned muscle you worked for.

You can search for exercises on this site if you want to make up a split for yourself....maybe you could just hire a trainer for the diet portion of your trianing. I post my exercises after I do them....legs are the same every week for me. I will be post my chest, bi and tri workout tomorrow morning or tonight so you can see what I do...my exercises are rotated biweekly. Trying not to do the same exercises each week so my muscles don't get used to that one exercise. I try to flex as much as possible to make my muscles harder for showtime! :)

[Logue]

SV...Have you looked at any websites or in the magazines to see what the pro's do as far as that goes? I'm trying to remember which way I focused when I did my figure show...seemed like I kept mine back, but tried to flex my lats and arch my back...like stick my butt up and out...I don't know if that makes sense or even helps...but let me know!

[MsJewels]

mj-The first thing you have to get into your head is your "show time look" is not a normal look. You cannot be a female and be 8-9% bf and be healthy...it's not good for your body for a long period of time. Bulking can be a frustrating process.... you get what I like to call puffy, but it's all a process. You want to gain muscle so that when you cut for your show you have all that hard earned muscle you worked for.

How do the fitness pros/models do it? I know some of them comment on how they have on and off seasons, but others claim to stay fit year round so they are called for more shoots...

[Logue]

MJ-
I think that although the pros have off and on seasons, they are still "on season" to what we (as in amateurs) might consider off, know what I mean? They spend their off season time bulking and stuff, from what I understand...but they're consistently bettering their bodies for their next competition.-L

[sillyvent]

I know the butt portion it's just rolling your shoulders forward or not- hard when you don't have someone tellging you whats looks best...and when you have 3 different people giving you opposite advice! ugh!

[Logue]

I think forward...rolling them forward kind of makes you naturally flex your lats, you know?

[sillyvent]

I agree with logue, many figure ladies have to stay pretty lean year round b/c they are constantly doing photo shoots etc.

L- How does my back pose look in my 6 wk pics?? That isn't rolled forward- basically identicial to my front pose....

[fittgrrl]

I think roll them forward to open up and then make sure you are erect. So I roll them forward as much as I can and then bring my whole upper body back up (arching my lower back), keeping my shoulders rolled forward. Does that make any sense? I have been struggeling with this pose too!

[Logue]

SV-I think your 6 weeks pic looks good, but I still think you could really use the roll forward to accentuate the muscle a little more you know? And like put your palms directly facing your sides of your legs and then flex...if that makes sense. My back pose for my figure show was very weak, and I've been playing a lot with this, and I've seemed to notice a big difference...

[someday]

i was taught to roll your shoulders back and pinch them then spread your lats out. i think your back in your six week pic looks good, but i bet you'd see more of your rear delts if you try this way.

[Logue]

someday, was that for figure?

[someday]

someday, was that for figure?

yes, but you'd do a lat sread in bb the same way

[MsJewels]

Wow - I can see where the confusion with posing comes in - I've been reading along and trying them out as best I can - It's an exercise on its own! lol!

[sillyvent]

Thanks ladies- I think you are both right on- a slight roll forward. I was wearing a fleece over my shirt today and I got hot at work so I took it off and my supervisor was like damn girl your arms are leaning down awesome!!! :) I was so happy! Anyways, MJ I just checked out your pictures...nice! I think if you plan on competing next year you have a great base.....now just focus on muscle gain!!! And posing is totally an exercise in itself......kills me! You don't need to lift one muscle group more than once a week...sorry I was reading your journal.....hee hee

[Logue]

SV-Congrats on the compliment! It's always nice to be reassured by comments like that! You are such a motivator anyway...to me at least, I just love to read what you're doing! When is your next show again? And where is it?

[Sistersteel]

Hey Silly- I love bulking, eatting more, NO CARDIO, and I don't even mind getting a little budgy! Sre you doing more then one show this year? I am just concentrating in this one, and then I think I will start bulking again. I would love ot step on stage with I little more mass.

Your doing great, enjoy your cheat!
SS

[MsJewels]

MJ I just checked out your pictures...nice! I think if you plan on competing next year you have a great base.....now just focus on muscle gain!!! And posing is totally an exercise in itself......kills me! You don't need to lift one muscle group more than once a week...sorry I was reading your journal.....hee hee

By all means, read away! It's there because I know that it's public and I'll get feedback. (Best way to learn). Thanks for the compliment! :) I am working hard to build muscle - It's tough to decide on a schedule because I've received so much advise that it so far off from what I've read and been told by local trainers... I'm still trying to find a good balance/mixture of isolation and compounds lifts, and make a final call on the cardio question.

I would love to be complimented by co-workers like that! Or anyone, for that matter. More motivation!

Keep it up!

[sillyvent]

L- My show is April 2nd in Cleveland- sponsored by Dave Liberman.

SS- NO cardio is great....BUT I also love having abs!!! Such choices...hee hee! I also plan on a show in July- I promised my friend I would compete with him this year in Indiana....I would probably do a lot better in that show b/c it is all natural.....not that the one in April isn't, but you can tell a lot of girls used something, whereas that other show they do polygraph testing etc....I think both shows are national qualifiers though. I'm a little nervous about the amount of ladies who will be competing in April....the Oct Liberman show I did was pretty large so I am assuming there will be about 50 girls!!!!

Okay yesterdays workout:

Chest:
4x10
bench press
3x10
push ups
flys
cable cross overs

Tris:
3x8-10
skull crushers
weighted bench dips
tricep pressdowns

Bis:
3x8-10
concentration curls
high pulley double bicep cable curbs
close grip ez bar curls

I am having some problems with my left elbow- last week while working my shoulders it popped and I almost dropped a weight on my foot....well it has hurt ever since...but only when I lift. Next week I need a light week. I might go to the doctor about my elbow just in case....way too close to be messing up now!!

Oh yea here's my cheat meal....went to Firday's and got some shrimp pasta and a piece of cheesecake!!! yum yum!!!! No more cheating for me.....:(

[Ivey_Itch]

Wow! It won't be much longer! :) You'll do great!

[sillyvent]

So I look in the mirror today and I feel like I am gaining weight...wtf! My abs seem to be disappearing...better be the creatine!!!! Friday is my last day on it....hopefully a few days after that I will see some major changes. In about 30 mins I am running to the gym to do back and shoulders. I'm pretty sore- again I think the creatine- but back and shoulders is always my favorite work out!! :) Depending on how I feel I may go back later and do some cardio- I want to look good when I meet the promoter from MMUSA on Friday!!! Haha not that one cardio session will really alter my appearance!

Off to go tanning and then to the gym....

[sillyvent]

Okay ladies....it has been a great day! Of course every back and shoulder day is. ;) hee hee So I decided to pose for a few before lifting and I saw Jen Hartley in there posing as well. If you guys don't know who she is you can check out Flex, I think the last issue. She won overall in Pittsburgh and has her pro card now....anyways she is the pro I always talk about. Cute Asian with long hair- she's getting ready for the Arnold Figure show this Friday! We talked for awhile today, she looks fabulous, but is freaking out because she's a new pro....and she has already had to deal with some pros treating her pretty badly. I felt so bad for her, but ya know girls can be catty! Anyways, just made me think about how nice of a support system I have here...you could tell she was reaching out for some support....I hope I helped a little.

FOR ALL YOU LADIES OUT THERE READING MY JOURNAL AND ATTENDING THE FIGURE SHOW AT THE ARNOLD YOU BETTER CHEER FOR MY GIRL UP THERE!!! :)

Okay so my workout...

Back:
Usually do 5 exercises, but I think I got carried away today....
3x8-10
close gripped pull ups
wide gripped pull ups
weighted hyper extensions
seated cable rows
one armed iso-lateral rows
bent over 2 dumbbell rows- on an incline bench- palms in

Shoulders:
3x8
upright barbell rows
4x10
arnold dumbbell press
2x10
2 dumbbell front rasies
2 dumbbell bent arm side rasies
3x8
machine shoulder military press

I also sat in the suana for 5 mins because I feel a little bug coming on....I hate getting sick!

[MsJewels]

Quick - Take some echinacea! I swear by it. I've already discovered Oil of Oregeano recently (tastes nasty, but seems to speed recovery from sore throat and colds!)

[taifighter]

Hi sillyvent,
I saw your pics from the first contest and went back and basically read your entire journal in one sitting haha...you look terrific, and your training is awesome. Good luck, I'm cheering for you!!!

I was just curious...I'm not quite ready for a competition yet, but my goal is to drop some bf% and get a lot more lean muscle. I know you're cutting now, but I wanted to know if there was a time when you were ever "bulking"?
(haha, anyone that sees a lot of my posts must think I've become obsessed with this). Its just that I don't know if its better to "bulk" and gain muscle and THEN cut...or just start cutting from where I am now.

just wondering what you would recommend for a girl that wants to drop some bf...but isn't prepping for a contest. Thanks!!

[JumpinJill]

Wow you look amazing in your first show pics!!! I'm misting up yet again on this board, because you also looked SOOOO happy :)

Just a quick question do you eat your 3oz of tuna plain? did you always like the taste of tuna or did it have to grow on you? I just ask because I can only handle it if I flavor it with lots of mustard, a little pickle juice and lots of other added stuff like celery and walnuts...

What do you think about the news reports about tuna with mercury and only eating it twice a week? I was eating tuna a lot and looking better because of it I think, and then they had to hit me with that news! Then again if it isn't tuna it's green onions or alf alfa sprouts...I guess I shouldn't worry so much about what might kill me ;)

One thing my grandma swore by for stopping a cold before it goes too far is heat up honey and lemon juice seperatly, and eat a tablespoon each every 30 seconds for about 3 minutes... That has helped me quite a few times, if I catch it soon enough.

[sillyvent]

MJ- Hmm never heard of that. Thanks- also I am sorry I didn't just pm you and not write in your journal to IGOT. I hate when people argue in other peoples journals...sorry girl!

TF- First of all, thank you so much for the compliment! :) Okay I think I am confused at what you want- gain muscle or lean out? Before I cut I bulked for about 2 1/2 months- my last show was Oct 2- after that show I bulked until Dec 12th when I started to cut again. Bulking is the most important process and my favorite since I don't have to do cardio then. ;) If you want more muscle and want to be lean as well....bulk for 2 months - possibly creatine load - then cut....make sense. haha! Sorry low carbs is making me STUPID!

JJ- Thanks, I was SOOOOOOOO happy and excited! :) My tuna I eat plain or put some garlic and pepper on it- the balsamic vinegar makes it taste really good too. I don't really like tuna all that much, but the garlic and pepper helps! Mustard is actually a known fat burner so putting some mustard on your tuna wouldn't be bad nor would the celery.

The mercury thing did scare me at first...I got over it b/c if you buy albacore tuna then it's only tuna!! When there are other added fishes/meats in there that aren't cooked it could be bad. I suggest not eating it out of the can and eating only albacore tuna. :)

[aprilai]

i just checked out Jen Hartley, your friend, and i'm impressed that she received her pro card in less than 1 year, and 3 competitions??? i don't know much about figure and bodybuilding competitions, but that sounds really impressive.

many people are getting sick this year...drink some hot lemon juice! or if you really want to make it quick and easy, just cut up some lemon wedges and suck it up.

sour but works! hope you feel better!

[angeleye]

Hey SV - Jen Hartley, can you stand it! Okay give up the details...Did she look like she could take it? Any cool suggestions you really dont want to share but will consider it?(smile) Im on the edge and CANT WAIT to get there!
Thanks again for the offer. I found out there was a Ballys near my hotel so I wont have any excuses for getting off track. ? - I see quite a few people using the HIIT tech. Do you think its more beneficial than say a standard step class or standard 1hr group class. Not from the science perspective but more so have YOU seen the results(This assuming you have done other types of cardio)

[sillyvent]

Apr- I know- only 3 shows and your pro card...I'm sure that's why people are haters towards her!! :)

Ang- Jen looked great- most of the ladies are a lot bigger than her, but she looks fabulous!! :) Bigger doesn't always mean better! ;) Watch out for Ballys I heard some of the ones in Columbus are dirty- I wouldn't know though. Since I know you will be there YOU BETTER SCREAM FOR JEN.....hee hee!!! Anyways, hiit is awesome in a rotation with moderate cardio as well as a class. Currently I teach a kickboxing class on fridays do hiit once a week and moderate cardio. So my schedule is USUALLY sun- legs mon-hiit on the efx tues- chest bis tris weds- running thurs- back and shoulders fri- kickboxing. In my kickboxing class I try and use a variation of hiit- getting our heart rates up high then back down and up again...I found that hiit really works a lot better with my body. It has me a lot leaner at this point than my last time. Even if you don't want to do hiit- you can make up a lighter version of it-!

[Logue]

Hey SV...getting close...I'm sure you're getting excited and I KNOW you're going to do great! I know the show you're doing...I thought about doing the same one...have all the info, but don't think I'll be ready for that one. So, the one I'm training for is in May...the 21st, in Illinois. Dave is great, talked to him on the phone a few times....anyway, that is great. Do you have any new pictures for us?
Isn't it so exciting to watch a "pro at work?" I know when I lived back in Illinois and worked at the same gym as Adela works at, I was just in awe watching her train. Did you get any tips of posing from her? After all the confusion the other day, I'm sure it'd be nice to have someone tell you that's doing it right! Ha...
I've been kind of half-way training for this show, but still trying to decide if I really want to do it or not. Just lacking a bit of motivation, and I'm not sure why. But, I got my diet now...and my workouts are all written up by my trainer, (who has competed himself, so that helps!), so I guess I'm on the right track. My boyfriend just moved, so I don't know if that has a lot to do with it or what. He was my motivator last show...always there to workout with me or encourage me or snap me back into reality when I thought I was fat and ready to quit. I guess that made more of a difference than I thought it did!
So do you do HIIT all the way through? I'm into serious cardio now...have a couple of buddies at the gym that do it with me every once in a while, so it is nice when you want to quit to have someone there pushing you. But what do you do for your HIIT?
Hope you're having a good day!
L

[sillyvent]

I will have new pictures I think possibly next friday- I stop my creatine on Friday so I want to give myself a week to lose that water weight. Jen is great- very helpful and always giving me great tips. After the Arnold I might have her help me more on my posing if she has the time. Hey tell your b/f to move back and motivate your a**! hee hee j/k Having people around you motivating you I am sure helps a lot...people complimenting my body changes always motivates me!! :)

Always finish up my hiit- 20 mins- 20 secs 90-95% max. heart rate, 40 secs moderate- then moderate cardio afterwards.

This is from an article if anyone is interested:
Benefits Of HIIT

A study at Laval University in Quebec, Canada found that HIIT cardio helped trainees loose nine times more fat than those who trained the traditional way (moderate speed for 20-60 minutes). Combine HIIT with your weight program and you boost your metabolism through the roof!

The reason that HIIT is so successful is this:

When you work at a high intensity, you burn more total calories per pound of body weight.
High Intensity workouts such as weight training and HIIT boost growth hormone levels.
Elevates the body's metabolism throughout the ENTIRE DAY!
What does this mean for you? The more calories that you burn in a day, the more weight you are able to lose. Even if weight loss is not your goal, HIIT is for you. Athletes will see better gains from doing HIIT cardio as opposed to traditional cardio. Unless you are training for a marathon, you do not keep a constant pace during your sport. All sports whether it be soccer or football, even baseball or basketball have a point where you need to change gears and hit a full sprint.

HIIT will not only help your cardiovascular system, but will train the Anaerobic, ATP/CP system as well. Not only will you increase your cardiovascular endurance but improve your raw speed and explosiveness as well!

[Logue]

Wow, SV, thank you for all of the useful information! That is a great article....thanks for posting it. I'll tell my b/f what you said, I'm sure he'll come back from warm FL to cold cold cold VA....no problems! Ha....ya right!

[MsJewels]

Always finish up my hiit- 20 mins- 20 secs 90-95% max. heart rate, 40 secs moderate- then moderate cardio afterwards.

This is from an article if anyone is interested:
Benefits Of HIIT

A study at Laval University in Quebec, Canada found that HIIT cardio helped trainees loose nine times more fat than those who trained the traditional way (moderate speed for 20-60 minutes). Combine HIIT with your weight program and you boost your metabolism through the roof!

The reason that HIIT is so successful is this:

When you work at a high intensity, you burn more total calories per pound of body weight.
High Intensity workouts such as weight training and HIIT boost growth hormone levels.
Elevates the body's metabolism throughout the ENTIRE DAY!
What does this mean for you? The more calories that you burn in a day, the more weight you are able to lose. Even if weight loss is not your goal, HIIT is for you. Athletes will see better gains from doing HIIT cardio as opposed to traditional cardio. Unless you are training for a marathon, you do not keep a constant pace during your sport. All sports whether it be soccer or football, even baseball or basketball have a point where you need to change gears and hit a full sprint.

HIIT will not only help your cardiovascular system, but will train the Anaerobic, ATP/CP system as well. Not only will you increase your cardiovascular endurance but improve your raw speed and explosiveness as well!

Hi Dawn! No worries about the online arguement - Thanks for the advice. :)

How did you figure out what heartrates you have to aim for when doing HIIT?

[sillyvent]

Maximum HR Calculator


To determine your Maximum HR, use the calculators below. The simple formula: Take 220 and minus your age which is accurate to approximately +15 BPM. You then take that number and multiply it by .75 - .85, which will give you your percentages of 75% -- 85% of your Max. HR.

This is the Target Range or Zone that you want to stay in when doing any type of cardiovascular (aerobic) activity. When in this range your body is getting an optimum workout with maximum benefit, and it stays in a Fat Burning mode.

There are two different ways to calculate your maximum heart rate and your target heart rates. The method I just explained is the simple method. Read the full article here.

Simple Target Heart Rate Calculator
Using the 220 - Age formula.


Enter Your Age - Then press Calculate.
Maximum
Heart Rate Target
Heart Rate per minute
(75% - 85% of Max) Target
Heart Rate
15 sec count





The Karvonnen formula is more advanced since it also takes into account your resting heart rate. This is your heart rate at complete rest. To determine this, take your pulse for 60 seconds just before you get out of bed... or take it for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.

Advanced Target Heart Rate Calculator
Using the Karvonen Formula.

For your age, use a whole year. (Between 0 and 100)
Put your Resting Heart Rate in the next box. (Between 30 and 100)
In the % box, use a number between 50 and 85. Do not include the %.
Click on the Calculate button, and it will calculate your target heart rate or that percentage.
Your Age in Years Resting Heart Rate % of Maximum Effort Your Target Heart Rate
%




Recommend this article to a friend by e-mail by clicking here

Back to the Calculators Main Page.


Other Sites For Calculators:
The Javascript Source
Fitness Testing
Road Runner Sports

[Logue]

SV...have you noticed yourself being any different this time around than last time? Like do you think you're at the same point for this contest that you were 4 weeks out from your last contest?

[MsJewels]

Maximum HR Calculator


To determine your Maximum HR, use the calculators below. The simple formula: Take 220 and minus your age which is accurate to approximately +15 BPM. You then take that number and multiply it by .75 - .85, which will give you your percentages of 75% -- 85% of your Max. HR.

This is the Target Range or Zone that you want to stay in when doing any type of cardiovascular (aerobic) activity. When in this range your body is getting an optimum workout with maximum benefit, and it stays in a Fat Burning mode.

There are two different ways to calculate your maximum heart rate and your target heart rates. The method I just explained is the simple method. Read the full article here.

Simple Target Heart Rate Calculator
Using the 220 - Age formula.


Enter Your Age - Then press Calculate.
Maximum
Heart Rate Target
Heart Rate per minute
(75% - 85% of Max) Target
Heart Rate
15 sec count





The Karvonnen formula is more advanced since it also takes into account your resting heart rate. This is your heart rate at complete rest. To determine this, take your pulse for 60 seconds just before you get out of bed... or take it for 30 seconds and multiply by 2.

Advanced Target Heart Rate Calculator
Using the Karvonen Formula.

For your age, use a whole year. (Between 0 and 100)
Put your Resting Heart Rate in the next box. (Between 30 and 100)
In the % box, use a number between 50 and 85. Do not include the %.
Click on the Calculate button, and it will calculate your target heart rate or that percentage.
Your Age in Years Resting Heart Rate % of Maximum Effort Your Target Heart Rate
%




Recommend this article to a friend by e-mail by clicking here

Back to the Calculators Main Page.


Other Sites For Calculators:
The Javascript Source
Fitness Testing
Road Runner Sports

What's the url of the site you got that info from?

[MsJewels]

Can't wait to see your pics! I'm sure you've made amazing progress. I'm also interested to see how your poses are going. :)

[sillyvent]

sorry I should have just pasted the link- easier to figure out that way. sorry!
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/moser9.htm

L- I only dieted 12 weeks last time and I had a completely different diet- a lot more carbs, which means I did a lot more cardio(well only the last 3weeks). In your average day I was consuming 2 cups of oats and a cup of brown rice....that's a huge difference from what I am trying this time around- well I started my diet that way and switched my diet about the time I started this journal. I lost 1/2 lbs a week so I was on target; however wanted to try something new. I think with the current diet I could diet for only 12 wks and only have to do cardio 3/2 tiimes a week- this makes me happy! Anyway to NOT do cardio is good! hee hee! I think I am leaner this time around- although I am still not so sure since the creatine is factoring in some of my weight. I do see my abs a lot sooner and I hold a crap load of water so we will see- keep ya posted on my bf!!! :)

[sillyvent]

..and here she goes again...bitching! So after a nice 40 min jog, decline crunches, kick backs and forwards(what the heck is the name for this- it can't be fowards!!!) I decide to pose for 20 mins. As I am posing this older guy comes in and asks me if I am in the Arnold - I laugh and say, "no way - I do not have my Pro card, my show is in April." He then decides he really needs to make me feel super good and basically not in these words says...oh good, b/c those girls are a lot better than you are! Then tells me good luck! At first I was just annoyed, then I became pissed, now I'm just upset. This guy probably has no idea how much I have put into this and it just made me realize how badly I need to find some sort of support system here in columbus- someone that actually has a clue.

Today has been a terrbile day on a personal level. My work really sucks - and I am getting overly sick of my clients being rude and treating me like dirt....it's a constant cycle of people on welfare that will never ever get off nor try to(not everyone but about 90%). It's starting to tear me down mentally and emotionally- I get emotional sometimes when I am training (like now) and this job does not help a bit!!! For a few minutes I actually cried thinking about my stupid day- the guy from the gym, the bitchy voicemails at work, the constant workload.....sorry be be such a downer....I just really could use some motivation here. Inspirational quotes, a story...anything really...

[JumpinJill]

guys just have noooo clue how to give compliments I think...
Once a guy told me
"You know, all of your features are rather plain, but put together it makes you look pretty somehow"



Work can easily be a downer, but remember it's not your fault the system is so messed up that people can take such advantage of it. and when you get home, as hard as I know it is, leave it all at work. Remember that for everyone leaving nasty emails they might be going through a struggle of their own that is causing them to bitch at people as part of their aggravation. And it's even easier to bitch on a voice mail, it's like they aren't really talking to anyone and they might forget there's a human being with feelings on the other end. If it's your bosses/coworkers being mean I just can't understand that, I hate it so much! DOn't they understand if they made a tranquil /upbeat environment then everyone would more productive! (i quit my last two jobs after breaking down in tears because of mean coworkers/bosses so I can understand how you feel about work sucking)

[Sistersteel]

“If you are wondering whether you can cope with whatever is bothering, or facing you, and you feel afraid, this is when underlying doubts about your ability and your staying power will begin to set in. When this happens, fight the misgiving. When you question yourself, fear wells up and courage flies out the window. Everyone is afraid when they feel endure or incapable. It is the person who acknowledges and that conquers the fear who will have the guts to keep going. And those who conquer the fear are the ones who embrace the potential for true greatness”

Don’t be your own worst enemy; don’t sabotage yourself by putting the most negative and horrible connotation on everything you do. Instead develop dedications to all the tings that represent your world and yourself. Many things will happen in your life that will throw you off balance. So live your life to the fullest, giving yourself the fullest support and encouragement. Life can’t be part-time or half hearted. You have to be ready to act on your own behalf all the time. This is what having deep-seated confidence is all about”

“Turn potential disasters into victory. Thus requires a transformation of the mind, an attitude shift, which enables you to see events as having deeper meaning, however negative or disastrous they may seem at the time. Do not view setbacks as final. See them instead as signs that suggest a change of strategy or a different approach. Then your life and all of your life’s pursuits will be meaningful.”

Hope these help, people at the gym (especially men) can be real pricks. Use your anger to push you harder, I know it seems hard. I went through the same thing when a guy told me it would be too hard for me to get lean enough for bodybuilding, and it made me feel like giving up. But I haven't yet, and I use my anger to motivate my workouts and prove him wrong!

Hope you feel better, think positive!
SS

[sillyvent]

Ladies thank you sooooo much! Really means a lot to me- I know the guy wasn't trying to be a HUGE prick; however he was!!
SS you are right- anger makes you push for what you want. My first show....right before I started training I had broken up with my bf at the time (dated a year and a 1/2) and about a week later I saw him at our friends birthday party and he had the nerve to show up with a girl from his work!!! I swear for the next 4months everytime I thought I couldn't do any more- I pictured them and I did another set!!! haha My co-workers are very supportive- it's just the envirnoment gets to you after awhile!

Today is the day- I meet with MMUSA - maybe she'll really like me and I can help promote!! yea!! I am trying not to get my hopes too high though- I need to cook all my meals for the day, tan, teach kickboxing, get all dolled up for MMUSA, and then watch the finals at the arnold tonight!!!!!!!!!! Wish me luck ladies....I need it!!! ;)

[MsJewels]

I'm so excited for you! :D

Good luck with your meeting, and make sure to post asap what the outcome was! Either way, it's great experience for you to continue to seek interviews with promoters - One day it'll pay off, and with each meeting you'll be more and more comfortable and professional.

As for that loser's comments at the gym, forget about it, and continue to believe in yourself. You're a strong woman, and we all know that you will spin the $%it he said into gold. :) The other gals are right - More motivation! Push hard to prove him wrong! But keep in mind that everyone has to start somewhere, so it's not even fair for him to compare you to women who have probably been training for 10 years!! They themselves improve and learn from every competition. Let's hope he remembers you in a few years... ;)

[sillyvent]

The arnold was great- ladies looked lovely as usual. ;) This however was another bad day for me- meeting with mmusa was okay. Well during the show my eye started to swell up, I have no idea why. Then the other one like 1 hour later!!! So I go home and I have my friend test my bf.....I am at 15%....all I have to say is how the f*** is this possible....on dec 12th I was 17% and in 12 wks I have only lost 2%, I mean I think I look a lot better, but bf is what counts....so now I get to do a lot of cardio- which if you have been reading my journal I HATE!!! My friend thinks I may be fat soluble- which means that when most people cut carbs they lose weight b/c your cholest. will decrease as well- but if I wasn't like most people then it wouldn't change too much. There has to be something going on with my body b/c I was consuming a carp load of carbs last time and I was decreasing my body fat on a decent level. I changed my diet - to an extreme for me and it has not decreased my bf! I was upset as is- then my dad calls and my aunt just passed away.....so as you ladies can see my wekend has turned into the weekend from hell...:(

[Emma-Leigh]

The arnold was great- ladies looked lovely as usual. ;)
You went!! How lucky are you!!! I wish they had something like that over here in Australia!! Grrr...


This however was another bad day for me- meeting with mmusa was okay. Well during the show my eye started to swell up, I have no idea why. Then the other one like 1 hour later!!! So I go home and I have my friend test my bf.....I am at 15%....all I have to say is how the f*** is this possible....on dec 12th I was 17% and in 12 wks I have only lost 2%, I mean I think I look a lot better, but bf is what counts....so now I get to do a lot of cardio- which if you have been reading my journal I HATE!!! My friend thinks I may be fat soluble- which means that when most people cut carbs they lose weight b/c your cholest. will decrease as well- but if I wasn't like most people then it wouldn't change too much. There has to be something going on with my body b/c I was consuming a carp load of carbs last time and I was decreasing my body fat on a decent level. I changed my diet - to an extreme for me and it has not decreased my bf! I was upset as is- then my dad calls and my aunt just passed away.....so as you ladies can see my wekend has turned into the weekend from hell...:(
:( I am sorry to here about your bad day. It sucks when everything seems to go wrong all at once.

Hang in there ok - you have come SO FAR and you are nearly finished!

Have you considered swapping your diet back to what you know works? Or do you think you are too close now and you are just going to stick it out?

[Sistersteel]

Don't give up. It was a bad week for me too! I didn't do cardio for three days in a row. Completely binges on chocolate last night, and feel like giving up. I failed my anylitical chem test, which I can't afford. I found out Colin went on a dad with some girl, when I thought we were going to try and work things out! I just felt like sleeping and eatting chocolate.
But then this morning I went to my old gym and everyone was so supportive, and Dave and Linda say I am looking great and everything will be fine.
It is all part of life, stay strong, and motivated and don't give up!!
You are so close and you have worked so hard, I know you can do it!!!
SS

[JumpinJill]

I just noticed your tip about albacore tuna/not in a can, thanks! I'll look for that as i'm about to go shopping now :)

I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt :( (((huggs!)))

I'm wondering the same thing as emma in regards to your diet/bf%

I hope you are having a better day today :)

[RxFigure]

Silly - Yes, bf% does matter....but it's the way you LOOK (which you're happy with) that REALLY matters...that's what the judges see, not a number! Did you have the same person measure your bodyfat as before? Also, if you were wearing lotion it could affect the results. Besides, just about every bf% method (besides the dunk tank) has a huge error range....so don't sweat the #'s. Keep up the good work...you're doing great!!!

~Kristine

[sillyvent]

So I will be changing my diet and my training.....:( I will not have a rest day, unless my body tells me it is nessary! Since I work 10 hours a day cardio in the morning seriously is not possible mon-thurs, I decided each day to focus on one muscle and approx 40-60 mins of cardio afterwards. Since my aunts funeral is Monday and I'm sure sure how this week will end up I worked my calves and did 1 hour on the efx today. I thought I was going to die!!! No carbs and 1 hour of cardio don't mix...I pushed myself though.

It's been such a rough couple of days....I know I said I broke up with Joe, but he is so supportive - I have been seeing him a lot lately...it's eventually going to mess with both of our heads but for now it seems right and it's comforting. At one point last nigth I said f*** it- why do I have to compete in a stupid contest- then my roomie and Joe both looked at me weird- my roomie walked into our kitchen and brought out a crap load of my supplements and all the whey I had just bought at the Arnold (4 tubs of 5.5 lbs!!!). She honestly sat there for a mintue and said "don't tell me you don't care Dawn, you want this so bad and you have worked hard so I won't let you quit- how about that??? You aren't allowed to!" Joe agreed and I just sat there feeling like a complete ass- who the h*** was I kidding, I knew I wanted this and quitting would just prove to all those haters that I am weak.

I AM SORRY I HAVE BEEN SUCH A DOWNER LADIES - it's not in my nature to give up on a goal- my goal may have to be changed to 10%-12% bf but I will still get up on that stage in 4 wks and shine! :)

SS- I am sorry to hear about Colin- make sure you talk to him about it though. He might have been forcing himself to try and get over you- since you are such a wonderful chick! ;)


RX- They were different people testing, but both times they are people that know what they are doing and my friend tested each spot 3 times last night to be positive. I know there is a -/+ 3 when you are tested, but the number still got to me! I'm not worrying anymore though- I will just push myself that much harder......and of course increase my cardio a crap load! hee hee


Oh yea and btw....god has interesting ways of working...my grandma may have lost her only daugther last night, but she became a greatgrandma last night too- a little boy!!! :)

[aprilai]

I AM SORRY I HAVE BEEN SUCH A DOWNER LADIES - it's not in my nature to give up on a goal- my goal may have to be changed to 10%-12% bf but I will still get up on that stage in 4 wks and shine! :)


you don't have to apologize for anything. we all have our ups and downs. being in a competition is tough, and it's great that you're still determined to accomplish your goals.

[RxFigure]

Dawn - Even if both people know what they are doing, there is larger than a 3% chance of error because one person might pinch harder, or might measure a little more to the right, left, etc....try to have the same person taking it so you've got a little more consistency. I'm so sorry to hear about what your family is going through...sometimes life deals good people a tough hand. Hang in there girlie...WE'RE ALMOST THERE!!!!! I wish I could be at your show...we'll have to take TONS of pics!

~Kristine

[Jennifer-Lynn]

Dawn, Hang in there! Trust me you may have said I should just give up but deep down you DID NOT GIVE UP! Your almost there, changing things up like Emma said may work for you but remember to stop focusing so much on that damn number, I know its important to you but sometimes if you just let go a little of that obsessiveness things miracously go your way :) Hey we are all here for you and don't ever apologize for your behavior. WE have all been there and broken down on these boards..... You Can Do It! you are going to look so beautiful and ripped on that stage

[sillyvent]

Man you ladies are so sweet to me!!! ;) Haha I have been an emotional mess lately- I actually had to stop and laugh at myself....I went to the Arnold expo and bought a crap load of supplements for cheap- nrg, womans vit, glucosamine, flax, creatine, glutamine, taraxatone.... it was like christmas :) - but they don't have guggl there so I went to this place by my house and they were out of it- and out of nowhere I started to cry!! haha Joe was like "I'll find a place that has it okay, stop crying." I have been constantly apologizing to him - hahah poor guy is putting up with a lot and we aren't even together anymore!!! haha

So today I started my new training- woke up and did 10 mins of hiit and 50 mins of cardio. I didn't end up going back to the gym like I had planned- I just did bis at my place. I was going to go back and do legs and more cardio, but I need more energy for legs so I might have to move them back to Mondays...also I walked around the arnold for a few hours so I was dying for some energy and figured I burned a few cals there ;)!! Oh man and I bought cookies n cream whey- I have never seen whey in that flavor before!! It's awesome!!! :) Also makes a godo protein pudding! :)

Bis:
4x8-10
hammer curls
db curls
concentration curls

[sillyvent]

So tuesday I will start on my new diet. I just got back on to say that at the gym this morning one of the really supportive guys who I lift with said something that I loved and wanted to post....my quote for the week...."It's about that time again, get shredded up!" ;)

[Emma-Leigh]

Man you ladies are so sweet to me!!! ;) Haha I have been an emotional mess lately- I actually had to stop and laugh at myself....
LOL - you are preparing for a contest! I would be worried if you WERE NOT an emotional mess!! :D

No carbies + lots of training + low BF% + STRESS = every right on earth to be cranky!

:p

Just keep up the effort. You are doing ever so well and you are SOOOO CLOSE that you can almost taste the dinner after cheesecake! ;)

[MsJewels]

Hi Dawn, I'm so sorry to hear about your aunt - My thoughts will be with you tomorrow.

It's wonderful that you are also celebrating a new baby in the family! God does work in mysterious ways... My friend Cara was very, very close to her grandmother. Before Cara was born, her mother's due date for her was the same day as her grandmother's birthday. Then last fall Cara was pregnant herself for the first time, and her due date was that same day! Stranger yet, Cara gave birth to her son on the anniversary of her grandmother's death.

Stay strong - And don't hestitate to vent online or ask for advice. We're all here for ya. :)

[angeleye]

Hey You - what an amazing time to be you. Although none of us are experiencing your trials, I think we all want to hug you through it! I hate I missed you at the AC. It was by far the one of the most incredible experiences Ive had. You know from being there "THIS AINT THE TIME, TO CHANGE YOUR MIND" Besides we need you. You have become one of my morning inspirations! And if you dont bring the bad/negative we wouldnt know you too were HUMAN.

Did you get a chance to see the prelim's or did you have to leave before?
Were there any products samples there that impressed you more than others or were you focused on the ones you already used? Im sooooo glad I came, if no other reason my company offered all products at half off! I literally had to sit on top of some of it on the way home.

[sillyvent]

EM- haha yea no carbies and a lot of cardio= cranky dawn! I am almost afraid of what this new diet will be...my friend felt so terrible that I hadn't lost much bodyfat that he made it his duty to come up with a diet with different ratios- since my brain isn't functioning all that well I went along with it- crap I don't want to have to come up with the ratios myself now- probably screw it all up! hee hee ;)

MJ- Thanks a lot- it was her time- she was suffering so it sucks, but I am also happy at the same time.

AG- I saw all the female finals- which was AWESOME!!! :) Those fitness ladies put on such a crazy show- Jen H. and her lil car she rolled out on- hahaha! :) Did you see that? I never really use or take the product samples- I like to research what I take. Some of the stuff they snuck in my bags I was like wtf is this- be careful some of that stuff doesn't seem smart to take- like the appetite supressants....I was reading up on the one and it does crazy **** to your body! :( The arnold is a great way to load up on products - I swear I have a whole side of your kitchen cabinets full of supplements and then our pantry...well I bought 4 tubs of protein from Iron Tex!!! I actually only spent about $200, which is good and I got like at least 7 months supply of MOSt of my supplements!! :) I wish I would have went back before Irno Tex sold out of protein- woul dhave bought 4 more, but I couldn't carry 8 out of there- I am only one lil person!!!

[sillyvent]

Okay another leg day complete!!! Since I did calves Sat I didn't have to do those again- thank god...(rasies on leg press 4x10 and seated calf rasie 4x10)
legs: 3X9 wide legged box squats, 4x9 sldl's, 2 x9 weighted lunges on a box , 4x80 leg press- close legged, 3x8 leg extensions, and 3x9 leg curls! Oh but I'm not done yet...hee hee....then I did 10 mins of hiit and 1hour and 5 mins on the efx!!! phew....I decided that everymorning since I don't have much time I am going to get my a** outside and do some hiit for 10/15 everyother morning or every morning depending...I am determined to get my bf as low as possible.

So today I was chatting with one of what I would consider my close friends, anyways, I just needed to vent after the wake and funeral and I was telling her about my lovely Friday night...so I say and then I get my bf tested and she cuts me off and says all rude well unless you are fat like me I don't want to hear it!!! wtf!!! So I politely (:) hee hee) say, "Umm you haven't been dieting for 12wks with a goal in mind- if this was just a normal bf testing I would have been happy." Of course I then told her I had to go....but it actually made me lift and do my cardio harder today. heee heee I need more people to piss me off.....haha! Hope everyone's night goes well- I have a nice bowl of egg whites and molly mcbutter waiting for me along with a new episode of 24!!! :)

[MsJewels]

Okay another leg day complete!!! Since I did calves Sat I didn't have to do those again- thank god...(rasies on leg press 4x10 and seated calf rasie 4x10)
legs: 3X9 wide legged box squats, 4x9 sldl's, 2 x9 weighted lunges on a box , 4x80 leg press- close legged, 3x8 leg extensions, and 3x9 leg curls! Oh but I'm not done yet...hee hee....then I did 10 mins of hiit and 1hour and 5 mins on the efx!!! phew....I decided that everymorning since I don't have much time I am going to get my a** outside and do some hiit for 10/15 everyother morning or every morning depending...I am determined to get my bf as low as possible.

You're a MACHINE! hee hee! ;) So how do you do your HIIT? 10 seconds of full-out-couldn't-go-longer-if-you-tried running, and fifteen seconds hig intensity? I'm trying to learn the best way to do this. Do you use a heartrate monitor when you do HIIT? Does it beep at your to let you know when to start your intervals?

Also, what weights are you pushing for your calves?


... and she cuts me off and says all rude well unless you are fat like me I don't want to hear it!!! wtf!!! So I politely (:) hee hee) say, "Umm you haven't been dieting for 12wks with a goal in mind- if this was just a normal bf testing I would have been happy." ...

You've got the right idea - Use it to your benefit! :) I find it a little strange that some people take things so personally like this. I've had the same reaction in the past - I guess people think that if you're not happy with your body, then you must think their body is even worse. It's a very self-centered attitude, that you shouldn't worry yourself with for a moment.

Good luck with your new diet today.

[sillyvent]

MJ- I doubt you really want to know what I push for my calves- my legs are weak b/c my knee, but I'll tell ya. 2- 45 plates on each side for the leg press and one 45 on the seated calf raises. hee hee I feel like a damn machine I tell ya!!! I have a w/o plan for the mornings when I can't get outside- since I live in cold OHIO! Hiit- I do intervals of 1 min- 20 secs at 90%. I use the efx that tells you your heart rate in the handles, but usually I just push myself as fast as I possibly can go!!!

routine a:
baic 2 ft together, ali shuffle, high knees (1 min each, 3 min sequence + 1 min break)
rounds 1,2: 30 secs of bent knee pushups, 30 secs of dips

1 min rest

routine b:
jumping jacks, burpees, mountain climbers(30 secs each, 3 min sequence + 1 min break)
rounds 1,2: 30 secs of vertical hops(quick pace)
30 secs of slalom hops (quick)

1 min rest

routine c:
basica 2 ft 2gether, ali shuffle, hihg knees(1 min each, 3 min sequence = 1 min break)
rounds 1,2: 30 secs of bent knee pushups + 15 burpees
30 secs of double crunches +15 pop squats

That's when I can't get outside- like this morning when there is SNOW!!! I will attempt to do at least 10 min of hiit a day. With some extra thought have decided not to change my diet- keep it as it is posted on page one. I was told back about 8 months ago I may have broader line IBS- means I need fiber. Last time I had brown rice in my diet, so I got enough fiber for my body. Since I don't now- I think it may be not enough fiber to breakdown my food.....solution....a no carb powder fiber supplement. I am going to take it once a day, lets hope this is a good decision! I will be going to target in a minute to find one!!! Wish me luck on this one....I refuse to give up!!! I might be cranky, bitchy, tired, sleepless, brain dead.....but I'll get where I have to be by showtime....:)
hee hee

[sillyvent]

well they didn't have a no carb- but it's only 4 carbs so no biggie, and note to self do not take without water- ewwwwwwwww.....off to do chest and cardio! :)

[sillyvent]

chest:
decline bench 4x8
db bench press 3x10
cable crossovers 4x9
butterfly machine 3x8

10 mins hiit and 50 mins on efx...then I sat in the suana for 5 mins. :) I felt sleepy at the gym, but after I had a bunch of energy...made weds and thurs meals!!! :) I also decided on another show I will compete in- thinking maybe npc pittsburgh..may 6-7. I figure by that show I will learn more about my body and be closer to my 9% bf goal. :)

[aprilai]

well they didn't have a no carb- but it's only 4 carbs so no biggie, and note to self do not take without water- ewwwwwwwww.....off to do chest and cardio! :)

what kind of fiber supplement are you taking? i know that for physillium husk and metamucil, if you subtract the fiber than it is 0 carb.

[angeleye]

Mornin SV - wondering how ya feel about chest day? Do you find one side to be harder to press than the other on isolation machines? Also, what # are you using?

[sillyvent]

It's called benefiber- basically the same thing. I'm not worried about the carb factor just that my fat starts falling off- hahaha! Okay so I had my friend look up the npc in pittsburgh, think he got the wrong one- on my flex calendar it say PRO FIGURE haha so that's not the right date. :) Last time I checked I wasn't a PRO! hee hee

I did my morning routine today- holy crap....it sounds easy when you write it down, but actually doing it....I thought I was gonna collapse (which would have been easy since I was right next to me bed;)!) Now I feel really energized though! Ready for another fun day working for the welfare office...haha! Tonight is back and of course cardio. Friday morning I get my bf checked again and I think this weekend I'll have some progress pictures taken. HAPPY WEDNESDAY!! :)

[sillyvent]

Ag- Chest day was good- actually I have never done decline bench before, can you believe it?! I liked it a lot better than incline bench....anyways, I used to find that one arm was weaker when I used isolation machines- now I don't notice the difference.

I am assuming this is what you mean by #'s:
Decline 85 lbs
DB bench press- 20 lb DB's
Cable crossovers 30lbs
Butterfly machine 60lbs

[Jennifer-Lynn]

I can't wait to see your progression Pics!

[sillyvent]

okay yesterdays workout....

back:
deadlift- 4x9
wide gripped pullups 3x8
t bar rows 3x8
seated close grip front lat pulldowns 3x10

5 mins on the stepper
55 mins of the efx

3/10/05
I decided to go for a run for my morning cardio- 15min run outside in 17 degree weather!!! OMG I froze my a** off! Totally underestimated how cold it was- I wasn't able to do hiit b/c I have asthma and the cold kills me- I did finish off my run with a min long sprint though. It felt nice to run outside, BUT I better check the weather before I do that again......stupid ohio..... :(

JL- You can't wait for pics....and I can't wait to get my bf checked! hee hee:) I weighed myself this morning...105! I was happy that I finally got over that 109 hump....I believe last show I weighed in around100-98lbs at 11% bf. Now I am wondering if that bf was wrong b/c I am at 105 with 15% bf....hmm makes no sense and I gained muscle!!! In the remaining 23 days I will get down to at least 100lbs....might be rough, but I'll get there.

I have a few questiosn for you ladies....someone please answer. I am taking into consideration everything I am doing different from my last show....I didn't take glutamine last time, does glutamine make any of you hold water?? My body is extra sensitive to everything!!!! Okay and for the ladies who have competed before- what kinda of exfoliante did you use before you put on your fake tan? Thanks a bunch!

[Jennifer-Lynn]

3/10/05
I decided to go for a run for my morning cardio- 15min run outside in 17 degree weather!!! OMG I froze my a** off! Totally underestimated how cold it was- I wasn't able to do hiit b/c I have asthma and the cold kills me- I did finish off my run with a min long sprint though. It felt nice to run outside, BUT I better check the weather before I do that again......stupid ohio..... :(



Oh my God! Its that cold here too! Your nuts girl :) I've ridden in like 20 degree weather and that's it! That's when I'm desperate to get out....You weight # is looking good.....and your BF might surprise you.

[someday]

i took glutamine right up until the end last time, it is supposed to help with recovery. i didn't reatain water at all from it. as long as you are drinking at least a gallon and i'm sure you are, it should be a positive. as far as the exfoliant i use one all the time, i buy whatever is on sale at the store. sounds like you are right on track! can't wait to see your show pics!

[sillyvent]

You guys are so sweet....it's always nice to look at the comments on here. Anyways, I had to tell all of you this story....SS remember how you said I feel like I could punch a wall what's wrong with me?? haha Well the training and dieting does get to you sometimes....today I was being nice and returning a phone call from a child care provider of one of my clients- since she isn't my client I do not have to return her call- I get approx. 30/35 messages a day so usually I return them within 2 days. This lady left me a message tuesday so I call her back- she starts getting rude right away so out of nowhere I told her, "Hey you aren't my client and this isn't speedway lady!" hahaha My co-workers started laughing so loud, by the time I got off the phone with her I was steaming and I turned around to half of my unit is right behind me giggling like crazy! :) I thought that story was pretty funny- I doubt I live this one down!

[MsJewels]

It's so out of my character to say that unless I'm being silly. It's like "Oh no you DIDN'T!!" lol! ;)

Anyway, good for you, putting that snarky lady in her place. I can tell that you're not the type of person who flys off the handle all the time, so you must have really been prevoked.

When do you get your bf tested again? I'm having mine done professional for the first time this Saturday, using the water method. I'm nervous about what it'll say, but want to know where I started at, so I can take pride later in my progress.

Anyway, hope your day's going well!

[sillyvent]

MJ- I find out tomorrow morning. :( ugh...I'm worried. I may have to postpone my competition based on what I come in at- that and I just feel like I look bloated....I'm not so sure what is going on with my body. I'm not worrying about it though....

Shoulders:
arnold db press
1x8
3x10
upright barbell rows
3x9
front 2 db raises
3x10
machine shoulder military press
3x8

1 hr on the efx...no hiit tonight...I could barely force myself to do cardio, let alone do hiit! I am pretty worn out right now...tomorrow is gonna be a long day with am cardio then my kickboxing class at noon!

[MsJewels]

It's all a learning process, so don't get down on yourself if you're not where you think you should be yet. What did you do for your first comp differently than what you're doing now? A too precise or restrictive diet this time around?

I'm mentally passing along energy for your kickboxing class! *whew!* That would be tough on a Friday after training all week. :)

Have a great weekend!

[sillyvent]

Hey I am obviously losing my mind here....I went in the gym to get tested and he was like tomorrow at 9:30 right??? haha I guess I had the day wrong...opps! Anyways, I did a 25 min jog/run on an empty stomach with some coffee w/ a little splenda. OMG I HATE COFFEE! I have no idea how I drank coffee last time I trained......eww! I weighed myself this morning still 105....no problems there.
Today and tomorrow are kinda rough days for me....today is my ex's b-day and tomorrow is the day I saw his ass with this chick he is "friends" with from his work. haha The only reason I know dates is that tomorrow is my friends b-day and my ex brought this "friend" to his party last year....thought I was over it, obviously not. This isn't the recent ex Joe, this is the old ex Joe...yea I know they freakin' have the same name!!!!! I think I may have to number them...heehee :) This might just push me even harder towards my goal though. I gotta get ready for my kickboxing class at noon....:)

[MsJewels]

Is coffee for added energy when training? I can't stand plain coffee. I sometimes like the buzz I get from it, but it gives me headaches and makes me hungry about an hour after eating it. So I'm wondering what the benefit is of you drinking it while cutting?

[sillyvent]

coffee and training- I do it in the am when I want to burn a lot of calories...always on an empty stomach. You burn 200% more cals on an empty stomach in the morning and coffee helps out a little. I did this every morning the last month I trained, adn it was effective for me.

3/11/05
My kickboxing class went great- all the ladies said it was my best class ever and I had NO energy- go figure. I also did my abs w/o.....time to relax and watch season 2 of 24! :) haha

[aprilai]

sounds good that you're up and pushing harder for your competition now!



machine shoulder military press
3x8

why don't you do the regular military press instead? and also be careful with the upright rows... i've heard many injuries from them.

[sillyvent]

A- Those 2 exercises are actually my favorites and have given me my best results!!! I'm careful....don't you worry! :)

Okay ladies so after every one of my friends screaming at me not to do it.....I went ahead and did it.....when have I ever listened to them anyways, right?! hee hee I cut 10 inches off my hair yesterday!!! Was past my umm well my boobs (or lack there of now ;) ), now it's higher than my shoulders!!!! Okay, on to what really matters....

3/12/05 am cardio- 10 mins hiit and 50 mins efx on an empty stomach.
I got to the gym at 9:30 to get my bf tested...umm yea he forgot to show up!!! I had the "hot trainer" at the gym do it, but he was way off, although it did give me a reason to talk to him. hee hee :) Anyways, he came in while I was doing my cardio to apologize- he had a final for his Phd...so we are going to do it tomorrow at 11am. That means no am cardio on an empty stomach though.....oh well! Feeling kinda sick today...I think that flax seed oil doesn't digest well in my body...ughh!

Later today I will do tris and more cardio.....I am a total cardio bunny now! Oh man, don't tell anyone! It's against all my rules!! :)

[Jennifer-Lynn]

Okay ladies so after every one of my friends screaming at me not to do it.....I went ahead and did it.....when have I ever listened to them anyways, right?! hee hee I cut 10 inches off my hair yesterday!!! Was past my umm well my boobs (or lack there of now ;) ), now it's higher than my shoulders!!!! Okay, on to what really matters.... hey that matters! Do you like your new look? Doesn't it make you feel better :)


3/12/05 am cardio- 10 mins hiit and 50 mins efx on an empty stomach.
I got to the gym at 9:30 to get my bf tested...umm yea he forgot to show up!!! I had the "hot trainer" at the gym do it, but he was way off, although it did give me a reason to talk to him. hee hee :) Anyways, he came in while I was doing my cardio to apologize- he had a final for his Phd...so we are going to do it tomorrow at 11am. That means no am cardio on an empty stomach though.....oh well! Feeling kinda sick today...I think that flax seed oil doesn't digest well in my body...ughh!

This is like the ongoing saga of getting your BF% tested LOL...okay we'll wait till tomorrow...have a good night.

[sillyvent]

I love my new look...although now I can't put my hair up when I lift and do cardio- kinda sucks! hee hee Other than that I do love the change. :)

BF saga- I know girl.....I just want to know my freaking bf, is that asking too much?! hee hee Well I will find out tomorrow so that makes me happy and when I was lifting "hot trainer" was also and he was asking me if I got everything worked out and blah blah! haha ;)

3/12/05 pm workout

tris:
4x10 reverse pressdowns
4x9 standing db tris extensions
3x8 overhead pulls

25 mins of the efx and 1 hour of posing!!! My friend helped me with posing- I finally decided on my exact poses and he took pictures so I soon will have some pictures to post. :) It's weird I feel great on my no carb day(today), but on my low carb days I am a mess...weird.....well ladies I am off to go to a bar and drink my wate ron the rocks! :)

[JumpinJill]

oh wow a whole hour! that's some serious stuff! Can't wait to see your pics.
That's so cute about you and the 'hot trainer' :D

I recently cut my hair too, I orig. wanted just 3-4 inches off, but i think she took of 6 or 7 inches! Well its still past my shoulder but some of the layers are above it, I was still really happy even though it was short becuase I finally found a stylist that would actually *layer my hair! goodness! :D

[Sistersteel]

Dawn I am so excited for you, time is flying. Have you noticed changes since you switched diets, and increased cardio?

How are things with Joe? Does he like your hair (not that it really matters what he thinks, lol)

How is work? are you planning on carb depleting the week before the comp? Are you still working right up to your comp?

Sorry for all the questions, I know you will do awesome, can't wait to see pictures!

Jamie

[Hibiscus09]

Hope you're doing great! :) It's getting close to C-day -- I know you're going to do great!

[kkapp]

Sillyvent,
I have a couple of questions for you, so I hope you don't mind me jumping in here to ask them. I was thinking about starting to cut instead of bulk and I am clueless on the facts about it. I was questioning when and how to do it and someone said that I should ask you. So here is my situation:

I have been bulking for a while and I feel that I have a really good muscle foundation. But I have a lot of flab on top of the muscle ( mostly in my thighs and lower abdomen). Arms are shaping up nicely. Anyway, I am getting married in July, and would like to be more cut for the wedding, plus in general I would like to lose about 20 more pounds. I weigh 163, and would like to someday
get to 140-145.

Any way, here are the questions: When should I start cutting? What changes do I make with cutting in regards to diet and exercise? Right now I am eating about 1800 calories at a ratio of 50P/25C/25F. I know with bulking I should be higher in calories, but I used to eat only1200 - 1400 calories (I know, way too low), but I was one of those crazy people who thought less was more, I have since learned. So for me 1800 calories is a lot. I lift in a split of legs...back/bi...chest/tri. I do spin class 2x/week for one hour, and 1 day of HITT. That leaves on day off. What do I do to change into a cutting mode. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I do have a journal under "karla's journal" if you want to see more details. Sorry this was a novel, but I need advice. Thanks!!!
Karla

[sillyvent]

hahaha more like do cardio till you puke!!!! I actually got to do 1 hr of cardio on an empty stomach b/c we switched my bf testing to 9 am. I am at approx. 13.9% bf- I'm not happy, but I am also not unhappy. I am still holding water from my little vistor- damn that freakin' guy always coming around once a month! hee hee I weighed in today at 103lbs!! Plop...Bam....Plop....that's my weight just dropping off! haha :) Sorry, I am an idoit sometimes!

kkapp- Let me get back to you...only have a little bit of time cuz I have to shower up and go to church...actually I'll pm you if that's okay.

JJ- Hahah it is funny about the "hot trainer." Like I am a 15 year old...heehee! I have to say I do love my hair....I'm not very into fashion and being all modern, but my hairstyle now is and I like it. I needed the change badly....my hair has been long for over 4 years!

Jamie- Hey girl! Happy to see you writing on here....makes my day! :) Well I didn't switch my diet around, but I did start supplementing fiber into it so I can breakdown all my food. I am pretty sure this is the reason my bodyfat isn't lower(not enough fiber)- I have noticed major changes. Last week I weighed 109....I'm 103 now...this also has to do with the creatine holding water in my muscles. Let me state again- I hate cardio; however it is what I need to get me at a lower bf by showtime.
Hmmm Joe...things are good. It's weird we aren't together, but he acts like we still are and I do sometimes. I might be using him in my fragile state- I don't mean to, but he is so supportive of me and it helps me through each day. He loves my hair- he was the one person who said no I love your long hair, but he really liked it...or so he said. hee hee
Work sucks as usual, but it pays my bills right?! I could have worked overtime sat ($21/hr holla) but I need to get away from that place! I may start carb depleting earlier than the week before my show depending on how I look. Last show I took 2 days off right b4 my show- this time I won't b/c I don't work fridays to begin with. I have no clients coming on weds night or thursday so I can kinda relax and not bite their heads off! ;)

Hib- I AM DOING GREAT! :)

[sillyvent]

legs today...
I did decline crunches, kick backs and kick forwards(seriously what is the name of this????) Those are to try and get my flexors popping out....

legs:
wide legged box squats 3x8
box lunges 3x8
sldl 3x8
leg extension 3x8
leg curls 3x8
leg press 2x10
calf rasies on leg press 4x10
seated calf raises 3x10

Then 25 mins of the efx...............phew..............I'm beat just typing it! Decided on a game plan...this week I will stick to my diet then starting next sunday I will be using my wed-sat diet days only. So on page one where my diet is- day 1 is sunday day 2 mon.....ect. So next sunday I will only be consuming 1/2 c of oats....basically those diet days are the lowest carb days. Since I am not where I want to be I will be low carbing it a little longer. Then 1 week out no more carbs.....oh man,I don't even want to think about it!!

[Jennifer-Lynn]

hahaha more like do cardio till you puke!!!! I actually got to do 1 hr of cardio on an empty stomach b/c we switched my bf testing to 9 am. I am at approx. 13.9% bf- I'm not happy, but I am also not unhappy. I am still holding water from my little vistor- damn that freakin' guy always coming around once a month! hee hee I weighed in today at 103lbs!!



Would you look at that,,, weight just dropped right off huh :) Good for you...and 13.9% its ok right? Your still working it don't forget. Stay tough!

[sillyvent]

Today I set my alram for 6am, I could not get up to do my morning cardio. My body is fighting this cardio....as well as my mind. I need to push myself to get up in the mornings- even if it is only 15 mins of cardio I need to do it!!!! Feeling quite sick- I think my stomach dislikes the 3 thermos I am popping a day....I take them all in the morning since they stay with you all day...if I take some later I crash pretty badly. I have calculated that I have 15 more days of intense cardio and 19 days until my show.....haha I haven't sent in my entry form yet, I am such a last minute person. Since I am so last minute it is going to cost me $15 extra....heehee I'm such a dumba** sometimes....

[someday]

Today I set my alram for 6am, I could not get up to do my morning cardio. My body is fighting this cardio....as well as my mind. I need to push myself to get up in the mornings- even if it is only 15 mins of cardio I need to do it!!!! Feeling quite sick- I think my stomach dislikes the 3 thermos I am popping a day....I take them all in the morning since they stay with you all day...if I take some later I crash pretty badly. I have calculated that I have 15 more days of intense cardio and 19 days until my show.....haha I haven't sent in my entry form yet, I am such a last minute person. Since I am so last minute it is going to cost me $15 extra....heehee I'm such a dumba** sometimes....

you're right....just get up and do the cardio. you are so close and at this point 15 days is nothing! i take my eca stack in the morning then another in the afternoon. can't split yours up at all? three on an empty stomach must me killing your belly. hey and as far as water weight and your friend, you are ucky...if you just got it now you know you won't have it for your show. :)

[angeleye]

SV - I was at a show this weekend. It was my 3rd learning experience since Ive decided to compete. How are you progressing in your leg area. I was amazed at the levels of fat still showing on the hips/upper thigh area. Outside of knowing how tough this area is for females as well as males(quads) are there exercises that help increase definition or is this mostly cardio?

[MsJewels]

Plop...Bam....Plop....that's my weight just dropping off! haha :)

I love it!

I wanted to quote you in case you were having a low-energy day. You were obviously psyched about the speed of your weight-loss, so keep it in mind and get up to do that cardio, girl!

Post pics of your new do! I'm looking forward to seeing the posing pics, too.

[sillyvent]

sd- I could take one later; however then I will crash and I don't want to crash in the middle of the day. I have dealt with nrg before so I know exactly how my body reacts to them. :)

Ag- My leg area is by far my leanest area- I have been getting compliments on them for over a month, the differences in how ppl lean out is weird. You are amazed at my levels of fat showing or the girls in the show you went to?? I am confused. This can depend on what show you go to - some shows the girls are all out crazy lean, some are not as "serious" - couldn't think of a better way to describe it. So a show that is a national qualifier is going to have girls that are a lot more lean, as opposed to a smaller local show. Increasing definition is everything, diet has a lot to do with it, but so does the training. What does your current leg day look like??? I am assuming you are worried about this area..if I am wrong sorry.

[sillyvent]

yesterday I lifted back:

weighted hyper extensions 4x10
close gripped pullups 4x8
iso-lateral one armed rows 4x8
bented over 2 db rows-on incline bench- palms in 4x10

10 mins hiit 55 mins on the efx and about 15 mins of posing.

This morning I got in that routine I posted- it's still really cold here! :( I swear once my friend sends me those pictures I will post them. Other than that I am pretty sleepy, but I only have 17 more days of cardio!!!! (19 till my show:)!!) BTW....(I know someone will laugh at this) "hot trainer" asked me about how my training was going and told me I looked great! hee hee haha haha :)

[Jennifer-Lynn]

BTW....(I know someone will laugh at this) "hot trainer" asked me about how my training was going and told me I looked great! hee hee haha haha :)

Yep LOL! Okay who didn't see this coming!

[angeleye]

Im sorry, of course not YOU. Yeah, Im nervous, and looking for new ideas. Im so impatient. This junk in the trunk likes its location :>

[sillyvent]

AG- Hey if you meant me- that's okay too! :) Junk in the trunk- hee hee! I bet when you get to 15% bf you will see it disappear...."patience is a virtue." haha Yea, I know it's a load of crap, but it's so true when dieting. I understand the impatience.....like right now.....I want a damn 6 pack! :) hee hee You are looking absolutely fabulous now so in a few weeks you will be even more of a hot momma! ;)

JL- My co-workers are now making bets on when I will eventually REALLY hit on him. heee hee I tend to speak before I think, hence how I met Joe! :) haha

[sillyvent]

........well I was going to post the pictures even though they are kinda blurry and not too close up; HOWEVER even when I crop them to barely seeing all of me they still do not fit the file size!! ahhh! :( I'll figure something out....I'll at least post my before and after hair pictures...haha....I mean this is one of my progress pictures and look how much I had to crop out?! ughhh....


Okay 3/15/05 pm wo
chest:
bench 3x8
cable cross overs 4x10
flys 4x10
iso-lateral chest press machine 3x10

5 mins hiit- I wasn't feeling the energy to do 10/15 of hiit and then keep it up for another hour. 60 mins on the efx..................tomorrow I will be practing my posing again for approx an hour so I plan on waking up earlier to run 30/40 mins outside!!!

So here ya go- one recent chopped hair pic(that sucks) and one of me and my momma!!! I already decided I am getting chunks highlighted on friday....this hairstyle is really killing the tomboy in me! ;) heee hee

[someday]

shoulders and arms arm looking great!...........and the hair too :)

[mommykuce]

You really built up A LOT of definition in your shoulders- your arms look good too, especially the triceps and forearms. Even though the pic is a little blurry you can see cuts and size in your forearms which is very hard to do.

I like the hair a lot! It fits better with your shaped face. I would have my hair shorter if it didn't look like an affro when short. I had my hair like that and even though it looked great, it took way too long to do cause of my hair type. Probably really healthy and soft! Luv the pic of you and mom!

[Sistersteel]

You look great! You can definetely see the definition in your arms. You hair looks much fuller now that it is shorter. LOVE the suit!!!

You are going to do awesome at your competition, only 2.5 weeks left!!!
Can't wait to see more pictures!

Jamie

[sillyvent]

Dragging a** today...I ran outside for 30 mins this morning....it wasn't 17 degress, but it was still FREEZING! I waited 2 hours after I woke up to take my thermos so they won't upset my tummy....today is my first day taking aakg....aka nos! This will hopefully make me more hard and vascular. :) Depending how I feel after a few days I may stop taking it- I was going to start on this supplement after my creatine; however I was not where I wanted to be so I decided against it. I don't think I have said before that I am making sure I take glutamine twice daily- once before my main workout and after- it really have helped with recovery. And of course all my other supplements...womans vit, glusomine, nrg, guggl bolic, flax seed oil, chrome, calcium, ....................umm can we say pill popper or what?! geez ;) hee hee

[Logue]

SV,
Just wanted to tell you that I LOVE YOUR HAIR!!!! It's a difficult thing to go from long hair to short...and you pulled it off wonderfully!!! I think that you look absolutely great...and I also think that your BF is going to be just where you want it when it's all said and done. I'm very anxious to see new pics too!!! Keep up the good work girl, and thanks for all the inspiration to us all. Oh ya, and BTW, a girlfriend of mine met eyes with the "hot trainer" at our gym a couple of years ago, and now they're married!! *wink**wink*

[Jennifer-Lynn]

wow, your so pretty! Not that I doubted that for a second...nice Pics, you and your Mom look so cute together. I can't wait to see more pics TOO! In the one pic with that awesome short hair your BF looks low.

Have a good one.

[MsJewels]

... my thermos ... first day taking aakg....aka nos (make me more hard and vascular) ... creatine... I take glutamine twice daily- once before my main workout and after (helped with recovery) ...And of course all my other supplements...womans vit, glusomine, nrg, guggl bolic, flax seed oil, chrome, calcium, ....................umm can we say pill popper or what?! geez ;) hee hee

Wow, that is a lot of supplements. How did you decide which ones to take? I'm trying to research what I should be using.

Thanks! Keep up the good work - I'm TOTALLY impressed with your arms, girl! Amazing. And your hair looks great - a nice change!

[*Destiny*]

You are looking great! Keep up the awesome work!

[Ivey_Itch]

Great Pics!!

[sillyvent]

Wow ladies...thanks a lot!!! Much needed on such a ****ty day at work and my energy level is VERY VERY low today. Wed and Thurs are always rough on me....tonight I think I'll lift bis and get at least 40 mins of cardio in before I get my hour of posing in. I may just take more pictures tonight to get clearer ones.

L-That might be hard with Joe lifting where I lift- I am pretty sure everyone thinsk we are still together....hmmmmm

MJ- I research....plus I have a few friends who also research and have been invovled in bodybuilding for years. Calcium I decided on b/c I am not getting that much in my diet and I want healthy strong bones, glucosmaine for my bad knee, glutamine so I recover and keep my muscles, nrg taken with guggl has proven to get great results, plus I used them last time and the combo is great.....chrome and aakg- 1st timers for me, they were both gifts-my friend trains his girls with it and has seen great results. I have been researching aakg and it appears to be something that could really get me looking the way I want- only to be taken approx 30 days before a show. :) flax seed and the womans vit are obvious ones....what are you taking currently and what are you thinking about taking?

[JumpinJill]

oh wow I just saw those photos!! You like like a model! And you look so happy with your mom, how cute :)

[sillyvent]

JJ- Oh wow- thanks, my momma is my girl! ;)

I was unable physically to get up this morning to do cardio- my body just completely shut down....ugh....I'm sure it had to do with my wo yesterday..

Bis:
high pulley double bicep cable curbs 4x9
close grip ez bar curls 3x8
wide grip ez bar curls 3x8

1 hr on efx, my friend was running late so I went home and ate and showered then came back to the gym to pose for an hour. The whole argument about rolling your shoulders forward on the back pose- it's not right, well for me at least. Spreading for me looks by far the best- I am getting really excited b/c my poses are starting to really look great and come together. From sunday to weds my legs have leaned down even more and I am starting to see a lot more cuts!!! :)

[JumpinJill]

From sunday to weds my legs have leaned down even more and I am starting to see a lot more cuts!!! :)

That must be so exciting! Man, legs are hardest for me to get to lean down, while still retaining muscle.

[MsJewels]

MJ- I research....plus I have a few friends who also research and have been invovled in bodybuilding for years. Calcium I decided on b/c I am not getting that much in my diet and I want healthy strong bones, glucosmaine for my bad knee, glutamine so I recover and keep my muscles, nrg taken with guggl has proven to get great results, plus I used them last time and the combo is great.....chrome and aakg- 1st timers for me, they were both gifts-my friend trains his girls with it and has seen great results. I have been researching aakg and it appears to be something that could really get me looking the way I want- only to be taken approx 30 days before a show. :) flax seed and the womans vit are obvious ones....what are you taking currently and what are you thinking about taking?

I have lots of research to do. I'm still pretty new, so am really not taking anything yet. Just omegas, and sups like iron/gelatin/vit b & c/folic acid.

Thanks for the info! When I've researched more, I might pop in again to get your thoughts.

[*Destiny*]

Hey SV,

How many inches are your shoes? I am curious because I am planning to do a competition later this year and I found a pair of 6 inch heels that I fell in love with. Is that too high? I am 5'4. Would I be better off with 5 inch?

[mommykuce]

Hey SV,

How many inches are your shoes? I am curious because I am planning to do a competition later this year and I found a pair of 6 inch heels that I fell in love with. Is that too high? I am 5'4. Would I be better off with 5 inch?I used a 6 inch heel when I did a competition. As long as you are steady and confident in it, go for it. I actually got mine from a stripper store!

[*Destiny*]

I used a 6 inch heel when I did a competition. As long as you are steady and confident in it, go for it. I actually got mine from a stripper store!

Hehe! Mine are online and I am pretty sure it is a stripper store too. Thats probably why my boyfriend liked them so much. ;)

I always wear high shoes because I am so short so I think I would be alright in 6 inches. I'll order them super early so I can get lots of practice.

[sillyvent]

heels- mine are 4"...I found anything higher for me was bad on my knee and harder to pose in. I'm only 5' so I understand the heel thing Destiny!!! :) They say the judges like a non platform heel around 5", I hear that if you get a platform shoe they mark it against you; however the chick that won my class last time had platforms!!! Be safe and stick with non platform, don't want to lose points b/c you picked the wrong stripper heels!!! My experience with going into the stripper store to get heels was quite entertaining....I made my friend go with me and lets just say he had a blast, but I wanted to die!!!

OKay my workouts...
3/17/05 pm wo:

shoulders:
barbell upright rows 4x8
db press 4x10
side lateral raises 3x8
50 mins on the efx and 10/15 mins posing

3/18/05 wo:
am cardio- 30 mins onthe efx
then went to teach my kickboxing......none of the b*****(excuse my language) came!!! Thing is I had to do cardio and lift cuz I had already taken my AAKG! So I did another hour on the efx and then abs....and about 10 mins posing.
Abs:
cable crunches 3x10
decline crunches 3x8
weighted exercise ball crunches 3x10
leg raises on parallel bars 3x12
oblique machine crunches 3x8
cross-body crunches 4x8

On a side note- I suggest AAkG to anyone competing. OMG it's great...gives you so much strength and makes you look awesome!!!! I lifted so much more than I usually do this week- I felt liek superwoman! haha :) Hope everyone's weekend is good!!! :)

[someday]

what's aakg?

and as for the 6 inch heels, i bought them, practiced in them and wore them at my first show. after that i bought 4 inch heels and and i will never go back! i might try 5, but not 6. i don't know how strippers dance in them!

[mommykuce]

You can get 5 or 6 inch without platforms. I personally love heels and have worn them with no problem. It also makes a difference with you leg proportion. I have shorter legs and a longer torso, so heels gave me the appearance of longer legs, rather than short stumpy legs. Remember too that the judges don't sit on the same level as the stage- they are lower, thus looking upwards towards you. This makes your body appear different than if they were looking straight ahead at you.

[MsJewels]

Great tips - I'm going to know all the tricks by the time I compete next year!

Speaking of striper shoes - Can you believe I bought my wedding shoes @ a stripper shoe store! :D And, I swear I wore them ALL DAY in hot July weather, walking here and there, and they were the most comfortable shoes I ever wore. I seriously could have worn them the next day (no marks on my foot at all)!!! Weddings are magical - They just turn out amazingly well. :) (Ahh... I'm still a newlywed, so let me gush!)

Check out the shoes!

[mommykuce]

You are too funny! I also had a rather large heel and everyone thought I was nuts, but I was dancing and running around like a lunatic in them. Bye the way, that is a really nice pic! I don't think I have any where you can see my shoes.

And for competitions you should go for the clear stripper shoes!

[aprilai]

heels- mine are 4"...I found anything higher for me was bad on my knee and harder to pose in. I'm only 5' so I understand the heel thing Destiny!!! :) They say the judges like a non platform heel around 5", I hear that if you get a platform shoe they mark it against you; however the chick that won my class last time had platforms!!! Be safe and stick with non platform, don't want to lose points b/c you picked the wrong stripper heels!!! My experience with going into the stripper store to get heels was quite entertaining....I made my friend go with me and lets just say he had a blast, but I wanted to die!!!


Lol ^_^ that is funny!

[sillyvent]

Really quick I wanted to post my 3wk pics- they are blurry, but they give a basic idea. I have no idea why the file size is saying they are so big, but I had to crop them a lot in order to finally get them on here- sorry! hahaha I'll post later- I gg run to the gym! :)

[sillyvent]

SD-aakg- L-Arginine-alpha-ketoglutarante...Gets you looking more vascular and hard and gives you extra strength...those are my simple terms to describe it! hee hee :)

MJ- Congrats and you look fabulous. I didn't crop out my shoes in that one picture so you guys could see what mine look like.

my workouts today:
am cardio 1 hr on efx..blah! I seriously HATE being a cardio bunny!!
pm workout I lifted tris:
skull crushers 3x8
standing db tri extensions 4x8
tri pressdowns 4x10
45 mins on the efx........blah blah blah!!!

There is another npc show in ohio- it's in the Columbus area- Westerville -may 14th. I have decided to also compete in this show. I plan on staying at about 13/14% bf year round so it won't be so difficult to get my bf lower. I think I may have pictures taken tomorrow so you guys can actually see where I am at b/c those other pictures are really terrible!

[Jennifer-Lynn]

Nice Pics - 3 weeks out right?

[Sistersteel]

You look GREAT, keep it up. Love the suit and the shoes, you are going to do so well. I am so excited for you! I wish I could be there to cheer you on, I'll be there is spirit.

I hate being a cardio bunny too, but you gotta do what you gotta do.
Jamie

[mommykuce]

Wow! You look great! Imagine how you are going to look in 3 weeks! You should be soooo proud of yourself! Makesure after the comp you go out and have a HUGE celebretory meal.

I love the suit- great color and style for you.

[sillyvent]

am cardio- 1 hour on the efx....as usual! haha

pm-
legs:
wide legged box squats 4x8
box lunges 2x8
sldl 3x8
leg extension 3x8
leg curls 3x8
leg press 3x8
calf rasies on leg press 4x10
seated calf raises 4x8

cardio-walked on the treadmill for 30mins on an incline, this burns fat and I had no energy to do anything else. My hips are starting to feel the pressure from all this cardio so I needed to lay off tonight. Tonight was my first night staying on the low carb days (not that the whole diet isn't low carb)! From last weds until this Saturday the most I get in one day is a 1/2 cup of oats and a serving of protein pudding!!!!! I feel good actually...probably b/c I am staying low instead of zig zigging from higher to lower. So easter is when I cut my carbs completely.....oh man - I will be surrounded by my little cousins and all their candy no carbing it! hee hee Oh well!

Thanks ladies- however those are just my 3 wk pics- I am really at 2 wks now(13 days)!!!!! I am posing tomorrow with my friend so I'll have him take more progress pictures. :)

[JumpinJill]

You look awesome!

I think you'll manage not eating any candy just fine :)
Doesn't the thought of all that sugar kind of make you sick to your stomach? That's what it does to me, I'll usually nibble a little just for old times sake, thankfully my daughter is taking on my same habit of just nibbling candy :D Now if only I can just get her un-addicted to those huge gumballs at the grocery store...

box lunges and squats, is that where you do it *on a box?

[Buffycat3]

Great tips - I'm going to know all the tricks by the time I compete next year!

Speaking of striper shoes - Can you believe I bought my wedding shoes @ a stripper shoe store! :D And, I swear I wore them ALL DAY in hot July weather, walking here and there, and they were the most comfortable shoes I ever wore. I seriously could have worn them the next day (no marks on my foot at all)!!! Weddings are magical - They just turn out amazingly well. :) (Ahh... I'm still a newlywed, so let me gush!)

Check out the shoes!

I enjoy shoppping at stripper stores...I used to frequent there more a while back then I do now.
I have the same shoes...love em! As a matter of fact, I loved my black ones so much that I went and bought em in white.

You look absolutley stunning in that picture.

[Buffycat3]

SV....the pictures are a little blurry, but I can tell your shoulders are looking mighty good.

I am planning on attending the show...I hope.
Good Luck

[angeleye]

Fabulous SV!
How long are your posing practices now? Are you feeling confident that you have the routine down?

[sillyvent]

Yesterday I also did my exercises for my flexors-decline crunches, kickbacks and forwards(hahaha- come on I know someone knows the name for this!)
Morning cardio- 10 mins of hiit outside sprinting!!! It's still freaking cold here!!! :( I was thinking *&%#$@*@ I have some dedication to being doign this! hee hee Which brings me to my tattoo thought-I have been thinking about getting another tatty for quite some time- but for me I have to know what I want and have the idea in my head for at least 6 months before I put something permanent on my body...anyways, I want to get the word dedication in italian on me- since I am italian....I'm thinking the back of my neck up high enough to hide for work! My mom is gonna kill me...;) hee hee (Okay this is so weird- as I am writing this my supervisor comes in and shows me that she JUST got a tatty on her neck! hahaha)

JJ-Last time since I really didn't give myself cheat meals I went insane on the candy after my show- seriously eating candy WAY 2 much. I mean by the time I took my pictures with my trophy I had eaten a twix and snickers!!! For the next month I ate candy all the time- hence getting myself back to my 17% bf way too fast!!! I never really ate candy that much before, my mom actually got worried! hee hee Okay box lunges- those are where you hold weights in your hand and take your left foot and roll with your heel to toe on a box and lift your right leg up(90 degrees)- repeat switching legs...make sense?? Then box lunges- I point my toes out and wide (almost as wide as the squat rack) and squat but when I hit the box I sit down for a second. I do those exercises to support my bad knee- regular squats and lunges kill me! They have proven to be awesome though- my legs look 8 times more muscular now! :) When I was squating yesterday I was so excited actually- I saw muscles popping out in my inner thighs I haven't seen before!!!! :)

BC- I hope you can make it girl!!! Are you planning on doing the fall show again?

AE-Tonight I will end up posing for about an hour or so- depends on my days. I am confident with my standard poses, but I'm no sure about the poses I will be doing "in the background." I mean you are being judged the whole time you are out there so I want to show off my best features!!!

[JumpinJill]

lol sillyvent, well in that case twix and snickers? hehe, I classify those as chocolates :D Much different than just candy to me ;) to me when I hear candy its like jelly beans, lollipops, lemon drops ...chocolate candy bars are in a class above, the kind I DO like to eat :D I forgot bout those :o I had one bite of ghiradell's carmel filled chocolate this weekend. Yep just one bite and I was set, phew!

box lunges, that sounds familiar now, it's what I've being doing, but called them step ups, only I didn't know about the rolling heel to toe part! I'll pay attention to that next time :)
Oooh I just practiced the box squats you described, feels like if I do those it'd target a different part of my thigh so adding those in next time! Thanks :)

[Krissypoo]

Oooh I just practiced the box squats you described, feels like if I do those it'd target a different part of my thigh so adding those in next time! Thanks :)

I read SV's journal and ran across the box squats. I did some research and started doing them. If that doesn't make your bum high and round, nothing will. Your glutes go to work on those!

SV, how much weight do you use when you do them? I'm nervous that if I add more weight that I will sacrifice form(or get stuck on the box! :)) How much difference in weight are your box squats and normal squats?

[MsJewels]

Sillyvent, you compete in figure, right? What types of poses do you have to do? I went to watch my first fitness/figure/bodybuilding competition this past weekend, and was surprised that the fitness and figure girls really only had to do full quarter turns, with arms at side (somewhat relaxed) - unlike the tough poses required by bodybuilding. Is your association the same, or do you do extra poses?

[MsJewels]

Oh! Just saw your newest pics - You look GREAT! Love the suit (and shoes!!!)

You're going to do so great, Dawn!

[JumpinJill]

If that doesn't make your bum high and round, nothing will.

ohhh say nothing more i'm more than sold now! :D

[sillyvent]

Real quick- these pictures also suck!! I need to stop taking pictures at my gym, the lighting isn't working for me..oh well. I lifted legs yesterday and I had to drink almost all of my water in the later half of the day so my legs are puffy and I am retaining a lot of water, but again it's a basic idea. ;) haha The flash went off on my back shot so the picture sucks even worse than the other sucky pictures! :( I gg get some sleep I just wanted to post these.

[*Destiny*]

You look great. Your triceps are popping out big time. I am so jealous!!

[ms_mac]

You are looking very lean, Sillyvent. Awesome work! Good luck with your comp.

[sillyvent]

Thanks ladies! :) Okay so yesterday I had to take a test to be interviewed for a Sheriff Deputy position(hahaha)...it was 4 hours long and they refused to let me drink any water or go to the bathroom!!! That's why at 5pm I had only had barely 3 liters of water.....I had 5 more to go in just a few hours!! grrr! I took pictures anyways though- you can't see my abs in them, but I have 'em now!!!!!!!!! :) Since I got out earlier than I would at work I did back and bis yesterday.
pm w/o for 3/21/05
Back:
deadlifts 4x8
cable rows 3x10
close gripped pull ups 3x8
bent over 2 db rows-on incline- palms in 3x8
Bis:
hammer curls 3x8
cable curls 3x10
concetration curls 3x10
1 hour on the efx
1 hour of posing
=
dawn cannot move today!!!! :(

Wannabe- I don't do regular squats due to my knee- normally I squat with 45's on each side, but when cutting it's more like 25's on each side now. My legs are not too strong, and I am a little afraid to push too much weight to damage my knee further. Be careful to know what your body can handle with box squats I almost fell over once trying to push major weight- very embarrassing! If you are going to try to push major weight please have a spotter....

Mj- Yea we ONLY get standard poses in figure- it does suck that we don't get more; however you do get a few different poses from the standard when you are in line. Trust me though....it is not easy to pose- the girls just make it look easy. Your poses should not be relaxed at all-I can barely move this morning from posing for an hour last night. Every single muscle should be flexed in every pose you do...you are supposed to make it look easy when you are on stage.

I did NOT do cardio this morning...I can barely walk from my day yesterday and I am beaten! Hope everyoen is well! :)

[MsJewels]

You do look great! Your arms are amazing!

[Jennifer-Lynn]

Wow nice! What's your BF right now? Your arms do look amazing. Your gonna totally rock at the comp!

[someday]

keep up the good work! you are looking great! hey, how do the chunky highlights look in your hair? i thought we may see some pics of the new doo.

[sillyvent]

Man I love you guys(cartman voice...heehehee) :) The highlights look awesome actually, thanks for asking sd. I'll post one of the pictures after work! :)

[aprilai]

Man I love you guys(cartman voice...heehehee) :) The highlights look awesome actually, thanks for asking sd. I'll post one of the pictures after work! :)

yay!! more pictures!

you look great btw! ;p

[MsJewels]

Mj- Yea we ONLY get standard poses in figure- it does suck that we don't get more; however you do get a few different poses from the standard when you are in line. Trust me though....it is not easy to pose- the girls just make it look easy. Your poses should not be relaxed at all-I can barely move this morning from posing for an hour last night. Every single muscle should be flexed in every pose you do...you are supposed to make it look easy when you are on stage.

Are your legs tense, too? Who taught you how to pose? Did you hire someone?

[sillyvent]

SD- Here ya go- I know my hair (or lack there of;)) is up but it gives you the general idea!

JL-I get my bf tested monday...so I'm not sure yet.

MJ- I did hire someone last time; however it was a total failure!!! hahaha Oh yea your legs are tense...legs bent, toes curled down applying pressure as hard as possible...oh man it hurts in those heels!!! My friend who trains ladies for figure has been helping me...I'm learning everyday- not every girl poses the same..whatever looks best for your body.

wo
shoulders:
arnold db press 4x10
machine military press 4x8
front db raises 4x10
tris:
reverse pressdowns 3x10
weighted bench dips 3x10
overhead cable tri extensions 3x8

I was struggling pretty bad today so I worked 2 muscle groups b/c I wasn't going to do cardio....however the aakg kicked in and gave me much needed energy so I didi 45 mins on the efx and sat in the suana for 5 mins.......another day of cardio done! hee hee :)

[mommykuce]

The highlights (or chunks) will look AMAZING on stage!

[Sistersteel]

Your looking great! I love the highlights they will look really good on stage!

What exactly is aakg?
Thanks

Jamie

[sillyvent]

Jamie- aakg- L-Arginine-alpha-ketoglutarante...Gets you looking more vascular and hard and gives you extra strength in your workouts! You can feel it bumping through your body after you take it, it's great! I look better and feel better using it! :) You should research it for your show, and see if it is somethign you may want to take.

I woke up and did my routine this morning....chest, cardio, and posing is tonight! I'm still weighing in at 100lbs....blop bam plop(that's for you mj hahaha;)) I saw one of the girls that lifts at my gym yesterday, we haven't seen each other in about 1 or 2 weeks and she was amazed at the changes I have made in my body over that short period of time! My hard work is coming together. Today is my no carb day :( so hopefully I won't crash today!!!!! Thank you ladies for all the support- it really gets me through some of my BAD days! :)
Lots of Love
Dawn :)

[Sistersteel]

Dawn- Thanks for the info, I will definetely look into it. 100lbs you are soo tiny, you must be so seeing more cuts everyday. Your dedication and determination is a huge inspiration to me. I can't wait to see the pictures of you up on stage. Hang in there!!!

Jamie

[sillyvent]

Jamie- I know 100 lbs, I started at 117lbs...I'm still around 12/11% bf though, can you imagine me at 9%? geeez I am only 5' though.

pm wo
chest:
chest press 2x8
decline bench 3x10
db bench press 4x10
butterfly machine 3x8
did some abs:
decline crunches 3x10
cross body crunches 2x15
parallel bar crunches 2x10

30 mins on efx and 30 mins posing....oddly enough today was a great day even though it was no carbs! My body is insane, I give it carbs I crash I don't give is carbs and I could run a freakin' marathon! haha :) I let today be an easier day b/c tomorrow I am only doing cardio and posing and I have a feeling I'll be in the gym for awhile. I feel good tonight and I look better everyday! :) The plan is saturday I will start on the 4 oz of chicken and 1/2 c of broc 6 times a day until showtime....if I start to crash badly I'll throw in 1/2 c of oats one day. I'm gettign exicted....:)

[Ivey_Itch]

Your pics are GREAT!!!!!! Love the hair! :)

[Paichka]

Those pics are fantastic, Sillyvent! 100 pounds, yeesh, that's like one of my legs I think...but you look so cut, it's incredible.

Your hard work is showing. :-) I too, am jealous of your triceps...;-)

Sunny

[Jennifer-Lynn]

Pics again are awesome...your so ripped! and 100lbs - you go girl....Oh I really like your highlights its so funky and unique :)

[MsJewels]

blop bam plop(that's for you mj hahaha;))

:D I'm using that next year when I'm cutting! It been be all OVER my journal! lol!

You made the right choice with your hair - AWESOME! You look GREAT, Dawn! I wish I could be at your comp to cheer you on!

[sillyvent]

Hahaha you ladies are funny...my supervisor always says that..."100lbs that's my freaking leg." hahaha :)

Anyways, I need to vent....Joe's stupid a** really pissed me off yesterday. I ask him if he can please watch me pose after my workout and tell me what poses look best...not the standard poses the ones I get to choose. So I walk in the cardio room and start taking off my hoodie and pants and he's like don't you have shorts you can put on over that and why don't you take those off in the corner?! wtf! So I pose and he's all preoccupied and not helping and being all whiny so I tell him to leave and I'll finish alone. Of course he doesn't leave and waits for me to finish...anyways I had a chat with him and basically he was pissed b/c guys were looking at me in the cardio room...well what do you expect?! I'm wearing a suit and heels and posing, people are wondering what I am doing. Anyways, it really pissed me off. I needed support and help and all he had to offer was his little jealous tude! grrrrrrrrrrr.....okay venting over. haha

[sillyvent]

1 hr on the efx
kick backs and forwards(still no one chimes in here...:))
45 mins of posing

[JumpinJill]

kick backs and forwards(still no one chimes in here...:))
45 mins of posing

I think that's a good enough name for them :D
And I love your highlights too!

guys will be guys eh? Does he get that way when you go to the beach or pool in a bikini? I'm sure you draw just as much attention there :D

[Jennifer-Lynn]

I can understand that situation some...here you are really freakin FOCUSED on just posing..I mean come on your going to have a much larger audience at comp time so what's the big deal right? Well I think your EX needs to (if I can say this) grow up a little....he was more concerned about what other guys were thinking/saying about you during the time you needed him to focus on you (to help you get better)...Men! Tell him to check the ego at the door the next time. I mean if your not bothered by it then why should he be...he doesn't sound so sure of himself. Oh well I hope I didn't say anything to bad. How old is he again?

[sillyvent]

JJ- I don't actually think we've been to a pool or beach together, we started dating in sept....he has told me before sometimes he can get kind of possessive, but not in any physco way....but come on. I think it's nice when a guy gets a little jealous b/c then you know they care and are into you, but I hate this immature boy crap!
JL- I said the same thing to him, what are you going to do at my show if someone starts saying **** about me? He said well it's expected there...haha (roll of the eyes)....my first show my sister, mom, dad, and brothers sat in front of this older man who my sister said was saying all this sexually **** about me! ahhh- My sister said it looked like my dad was going to die and my brothers started humming! I could only imagine what he would do, he's a quiet, gentle, shy person by nature but I see that jealous side popping out...oh btw he's 27. Of course we know men mature A LOT slower than us. hahaha :) I doubt he's stupid enough to pull that one again...but again he is a male! hee hee

Anyways...wo today...
am cardio 1 hr efx
pm cardio 45 mins of kickboxing
and I worked my abs today....I might pose a little later, but I am feeling really tired and I need to relax a bit. I think I will have to eat fish this week b/c my flax seed oil is starting to give me bad side effects like bloating and cramping.....:( I'll figure something out! :) Hope everyone's weekend is nice!

[sillyvent]

am cardio-30 min run & 30 mins on efx

last legs until my show: 3X10 wide legged box squats, 3x8 sldl's, 2x8 weighted lunges on a box , 3x8 leg press- close legged, 4x8 leg extensions, and 2x8 leg curls, 4x10 calf raise son leg press, and 4x10 seated calf raises.
Practiced posing for an hour...I have a new diet I started today. I decided against what I had orginially thought due to my cramping and bloating...

6 meals:
6 eggs white and 1/2 grapefruit
30/40g protein shake
4oz yams and 4 egg whites
4oz orange roughy 6 asparagus
6oz orange roughy 4 asparagus
4 oz chicken 1/2 c broc
No more supplementing flax seed oil now. Tonight will will probably just walk aroung the block with my mom a few times for a light cardio session! :)

[Jennifer-Lynn]

Okay! - 1 week to go.....oh its so exciting :) I can't wait to see you rock up on stage...well not like I'll be there, but you'll get loads of Pics right? Make this upcoming week really great...and keep the positive vibes going!

[sillyvent]

Happy Easter and God Bless all you lovely ladies!!! :) I have to say the hardest thing I have had to do this close to my show is NOT taking the host at Easter mass this morning. I felt guilty, but I didn't want to put it in my system. God will understand, we are tight! ;) hee hee

JL- I am so excited! I just finished my last main lifting session until I hit my 48 hrs out quick session. Did 2 exercises for bis, tris, shoulders and abs since they recover fast.
tris: overhead extensions 2x9 skull crushers 2x8
bis: curls w/ ez 2x8 concentration curls 2x8
shoulders: shoulder press 2x10 upright rows w/ ez 2x8
abs: alternate heel touches w/ a regular crunch inbetween 2x12
hands and feet in the air crunches2x10

I also jogged for 1 hour this morning! :) Tonight if I get back into Columbus before 8pm I will get a pm cardio session in! :) Again, HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

[Jennifer-Lynn]

Your Awesome....you Go Girl! You Make Us All So Proud.

[*Destiny*]

Happy Easter to you! You are doing so awesome and are such an inspiration. I hope you have an awesome week counting down to the big day. You are definitely gonna rock on stage!!

[sillyvent]

3/27/05 pm cardio 30 mins on efx

3/28/05 am cardio haha this sounds stupid, but it was pouring outside and my roomies had classes today so I didn't want to wake them up so I walked up and down my stairs and around my apartment for 30 mins. hee hee:)

[angeleye]

SV - you are Blessed! Today and 2morrow for your dedication - we say THANK YOU! Hope you had the best Easter ever! Small detailed ?: exactly what is the cut name for your top on your Bikini. The suit catalog is not clear and Im stuck between the triange and swoop top, is your either of those?

[JumpinJill]

3/28/05 am cardio haha this sounds stupid, but it was pouring outside and my roomies had classes today so I didn't want to wake them up so I walked up and down my stairs and around my apartment for 30 mins. hee hee:)

no not stupid at all! Very resourceful :)

[MsJewels]

Great work on your training!!! SO CLOSE NOW!!! :D

It must have been hard not to take the host @ church - My husband would be angry if I did that. His family is much more religious than mine, and I think they might see it as insulting.

Hope you enjoyed the holidays! I can't wait to see your show pics - I know you'll do great. Don't worry about your ex - It's too close to comp time to let him affect your focus, epecially with such immature jealousy issues.

[sillyvent]

I'm just getting everything in place....tanning until weds, exfloaite wed-fri, preparing my food, cardio until weds night(YEA), self tanner bought......checkin off my list...hehehe
I decided on my tatty for sure- appasionato in a half circle with a tiny bull under it- my sign. It means passionate in italian- I'm getting it next monday! :)

AE- Sorry I have no idea- I had mine custom made. I would think triangle....sorry.

MJ- I haven't received the host in 3 wks and honestly it is hard on me, but I know in my heart I am a good person and my faith isn't any less b/c I don't eat the host. I think my mom was kinda weird about it, but she understands. The ex- he's okay, just being a moron for a minute there. He is going to my show and has been very supportive otherwise, so I'm not worrying.

JJ- Man I love that walnut comment...hahaha! :)

[MsJewels]

So you don't tan straight through to comp day because of the chance of streaks? (guessing)

What product are you using? Does it have a smell to it?

[sillyvent]

MJ- Only tanning until weds so my skin doesn't peel and I can exfloiate good for 3 days. I don't apply my fake tan until friday night- I am using pro tan for the first 2 coats then dream tan for the last. Dream tan is the bomb! I don't think it has a smell! I used dream tan last time and I loved it! :)

[sillyvent]

3/28/05 pm cardio - 30 min run & 30 mins on the efx

3/29/05 am cardio I did my 15 min routine....1 and 1/2 days of cardio left. YEA!!!! :) I get my bf tested at 6:30 today so I know approx. where I am for my show in 4 days!!

[JumpinJill]

3/28/05 pm cardio - 30 min run & 30 mins on the efx

3/29/05 am cardio I did my 15 min routine....1 and 1/2 days of cardio left. YEA!!!! :) I get my bf tested at 6:30 today so I know approx. where I am for my show in 4 days!!


oh my gosh it's coming up soooo soon!!! I'm so excited for you :)

And on a side note, where is dream tan sold? I'm tiring of smelling funny when I do fake tan :o

[angeleye]

While I was asking I didnt mention - HOW GREAT THE SUIT LOOKED ON YOU!
Sorry, too excited for you to tell me all your secrets!

[sillyvent]

JJ-DREAM TAN- There is a website; however I only suggest it for shows, it's sparkly. ;) If you want the regular fake tan there's a good brand I use sometimes- neutrogena works good. There is a face fake tan and body fake tan. :) hee hee Dream tan is kinda expensive for such a small container, but you don't need that much.

AE- Hee hee thanks(blushing)....I have fake boobs in though-shhhh- thank god for victoria secret! ;) Start with a C end up with an A! :( haha Why do boobs have to be bf?! hahaha :)

[MsJewels]

Have you ever considered implants? I think I would consider them if my girls start to droop after childbirth or something. I noticed that there were a lot of boob jobs at that last competition that I went to - and it was amateur! I guess that's not against the rules in natural bb? (Mind you, this wasn't a natural contest, as I know some of the guys definitely used steriods.)