EM'S "GET BUFF" PURSUIT NPC Fitness Competitor

YOU'RE ALL INVITED!!!!!!!

2008-06-17T20:31:00.000-07:00

If you wish to continue following my fitness journey, particularly "GETTIN' BUFF" again, then head to my new blog. Round 2 baby, let's DO THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) Thanks for all your support!
MUCH LOVE~
EM

EM'S GET BUFF PURSUIT: TAKE 2!

Wedding PIX!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-13T21:05:00.000-07:00

WELL HELLO THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so thrilled to be back to the U.S. and soooo excited to start sorting thru all our wedding pix and Greece pix!
It's awesome, not only do we have over 700 ceremony & dance pix, but there are plenty of other shutterfly albums from everyone elses' camera.
Again, I don't have a chance right now to re-cap the wedding or the honeymoon (still have to upload those pix!) BUT......I didn't want to leave you hanging: so here are a bunch of pix for ya!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll update Hopefully tmrw or sunday! GOOD TO BE BACK~!~ I miss my blog buddies! :) :)
LOVE YA ALL!!
Rehersal Dinner. Mom, Dad, Sis, B-in-Law

Church pic

Love him!

My Nephew Gavin (just turned ONE!!)

My husband

My Mom & Dad! Aren't they goodlookin'???

my G.o.R.g.E.o.U.S. BRIDESMAIDS!!!!!!!! LOVE THEM!!!

Something blue...

The big exit

Hummer limo

Bussle it

Seesters! :) :)

Wedding

2008-05-26T21:19:00.000-07:00

I can't possibly take enough time right now to tell you how absolutely fabulous May 24th 2008 was. Simply everything I could have asked for and more!!!!!!
I had so many family members that were able to make it in from out of town (kansas & AZ in particular!!!!) and they made my day even that much more incredible!
I didn't get any good pix on my camera, so those will have to wait, but I do have a few sneak peaks of my hair....which I loved...perfect!!!!!!
I'll upload and have links to our photographer when we get back.......but until then...it's my bedtime. We head to the airport at 4am.....yikes.
GREECE HERE WE COME!!!!!!!!!!! I'll be on blog hiatus until June 14th. LOVE YA'LL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Huh-larry-us

2008-05-17T22:30:00.000-07:00

HI GUYS!!!!!!!!
Well, you can imagine how fun it was sorting thru SIX camera's worth of photos from my bach. party!!! :) Too funny re-capping everything! :)
Here's one the first night. I thought it was a perfect time to show off my flexibility, and you can allllmost see the effle (spelling??) tower at our hotel Paris. haa haa
I can't believe this time next week I'll be a MARRIED WOMAN!!!!!!! And a week from this Tuesday we'll be in GREECE for 2 weeks!!!!!!!!!! HOLY COW!!!!!!!!!!

Love you all, and fellow bloggers, I'm still checkin' on ya! :)
EM :)

UPDATE, FINALLY!!!!!!!!

2008-05-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

HEY ALL!!!!!!!! Here's a quick update with some pix from Vegas, too! (which, by the way, was A.W.E.S.O.M.E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So much fun!)
Wedding, work, workouts: Everything is going GREAT! I can't believe that I started this blog ONE-YEAR-AGO!!!!!!!!!!!! Holy cow! The year not only has FLOWN by, but it's been pretty dang wonderful! :) :)
Here's ya go:

HEY-O!!!!!!!!

2008-04-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

I swear the days are just flyyyying by.
Here's a glance at my next 36 days:
20th:
Bridal Shower this weekend (and the last dress fitting???)
26th:
MY 24th!!!! :) :)
May 2nd:
Las Veeeegas w/ my favorite girls
May 10th:
Final Meetings w/ vendors
May 18th:
Family in town!!!!!!!!!
May 24th:
MRS. ARGER!!!!!!!! :) :)

Holy cow. I really ought to keep a journal (or blog more) because the next 5 weeks will be a whirlwind, I just know it!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, apparently my updating here is getting thrown on the backburner so I can focus on other stuff. Just FYI! :)
I'm still working moderately on fitness & diet. I feel really good, that's all that matters right now!! :)
I taught Turbo last night and we had a record 30-some people. Sooooo amazing. Loved it. I wish I could VLOG that. I think you'd be impressed at my class participants. They rock! :)
Much love to all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VLOG #5

2008-04-10T21:20:00.000-07:00

HELLOOOO!!!!!!!!!! HOPE EVERYONE IS WELL!!!!!!!!!!! HERE'S MY FIFTH VLOG. Today was wonderfully sunny & I just LOVED it!! :)
HAVE A FAB. FRIDAY!!
MUCH LOVE~
EM

Add this to your favorites list..........

2008-04-10T15:29:00.000-07:00

If you have 10 seconds a day, you should really add this site to your list: http://greatday.com/

Here's a snippet of todays motivation:

Have a goal

When you're not headed in any particular direction, that's where you'll end up arriving -- nowhere. When you have no specific goal in mind, that's what you'll end up accomplishing -- not much.

Pretty good, huh?!? Read the rest HERE

Are you bummed???

2008-04-08T17:04:00.000-07:00

HI GUYS!!!!!!! As you may know, I have many blogs that I 'frequent.' And I have to tell you, I get really bummed when they don't update their blogs!!!!!!! So, I'm sorry if you get bummed about my page.......i've been slacking! But I tell ya, once I started VLOGGING, I found my normal posts were kinda boring. That's no excuse, though, so I'm working on it!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
All is swell in sunny spokane. However, check back in 10 mins. and it could be raining. Or snowing. or windy........................
Yah, not kidding. Sucky weather, but exercise totally helps that!!!!!!!
I have a cardio challenge against my fiance. I have a habit of doing my cardio at the gym because I really love the stairs, BUT we have nice equipment at home that I need to be utilizing!!!!!!!!! So, the challenge has begun. One checkmark/slash for each 20 mins. So far I'm winning! :) :) I'll keep you posted!
This Saturday we are 6 weeks out from the wedding!!!!!! Really Getting EXCITED!!!!!!!
That's all I've got for now. Do check back for a vlog tomorrow or Thursday! Yahh!!!
MUCH LOVE~
EM
SONG OF THE DAY: Mary J. Blige: JUST FINE

Perhaps my calling?!?!

2008-04-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!! She makes everything look soooooo easy! This is 'sport aerobics' and I think it's way more prevalent in Europe. Anyway, she rocks!
I want my routine to look this flawless & efforless!!!!!!!

I have a trainer!!!!!

2008-04-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

YEAH YEAH YEAH! I'm sooooo pumped I've been working with a trainer the past two weeks and she's kicking my booty! We are just doing weekly core-strength/full-body work until the wedding & then she's gonna train me all the way up to my next comp!!! (end of sept./early oct.) I'm still using Mike Davies (Fitness Factory) for diet, but Fiona will train me! This is such a good thing! The last time I did all the training myself, and I just really prefer having someone do a program for me!
Fiona just competed in Figure this past weekend at Tanji's show & WON her class. Next up for her is the E-cup. She's a really great trainer. Here's a pic from her show.

Tonight I taught Turbokick. It was an excellent class, again, just rockin the house!!!!!! Soooooooo fun!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Everything on the fitness front is going really well! Diet, for the most part......is going well, too!!!!!!!!
MUCH LOVE~
EM
SONG OF THE DAY: Destinys' Child: NO NO NO!
P.S. Thanks for all the nice comments after each VLOG! I really appreciate it! I sure get a kick out of doing those! They're sooooooo much fun! :) I really try and make them interesting! But, I'd love any ideas!!!!!!!
GOOD NIGHT!

Vlog #3 & #4

2008-03-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

EAT, PRAY, LOVE

2008-03-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

By Elizabeth Gilbert.
Really great book. Highly insightful & thoroughly entertaining & comedic!! :)

Anyway, here's a GREAT GREAT excerpt from "Book II; India" (pg. 178)

"Learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select what clothes you're gonna wear every day. This is a power you CAN cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the MIND. That's the only thing you should be trying to control. Drop everything else but that. Because if you can't learn to master your thinking, you're in deep trouble forever."

"...Admit to the existence of negative thoughts, understanding where they came from and why they arrived, and then -- with great forgiveness & fortitude--dismiss them."

Again, this book is so interesting. An easy read & very thought provoking!
Let me know if you've read it and what your thoughts are!
MUCH LOVE~
EM

Funny conclusion

2008-03-23T16:05:00.000-07:00

I stole this off of Debbie's blog (Jessica's trainer I think!)
Anyway, I totally got a kick out of it!!!

THE FINAL WORD ON NUTRITION
After an exhaustive review of the research literature, here's the final word on nutrition and health:
1. Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
2. Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
3. Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
4. Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
5. Germans drink beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.

CONCLUSION:
Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

***I'm sorry, but isn't that FUNNY????*** We are such an over indulgent nation. Which is okay in moderation, but we don't know TRUE moderation, really, do we????

Oh, and thanks so much for the awesome comments on my VLOG! It's really fun and I plan on doing many more, so stay tuned!!! But, just like Krissa said, the Handstands aren't as hard as they look. Try them!! I think the key is keeping your core "zipped up", use your feet to find balance, and then DRIVE through your shoulders not your forearms or wrist! Let me know if you have success!!!
MUCH LOVE~
EM
SONG OF THE DAY: THIS IS HOW WE DO IT, montell Jordan :) :)

VLOG #1 & #2: Finally!

2008-03-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

Okay, here you have it! I did this last week & I'm working on another one, so have fun watching! :) Oh, and I'm uploading the handstand vlog as we speak, so hold on!!!! Vlog #2 features a cameo by my kitty, Nash. :)
MUCH LOVE~
EM

PIX!!!

2008-03-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

HELLO!! No time to write, just wanted to post some pix!! I'm having a blast & will be back to a regular schedule in a couple days!
MUCH LOVE~!
EM
______________________
My Mom & Dad! :)

My Maid of Honor, KOKS!!

My seester & Matron of Honor! :)

Gavin Michael!!!

9 months!!

Sister in Law to be: Stephi

M.O.H. Koks

Well, DANG

2008-03-11T20:14:00.001-07:00

That's it, guys, I'm sooo sad, like I said, I have TWO quick clips to upload and it will NOT let me!!!!!! i'm going to have to try it on the actual video camera instead of my digital camera w/ video mode. So sorry!
Still hitting the workouts & tonight I taught. Great class, bunch of fuN!
I'm heading home in TWO days for my bridal shower!!!!!!! WHOOOO HOOOO, so pumped! SOOOOOOOOOOOOO pumped! :)
Hope you're all well! I'll keep ya posted on the video. It was really good, too...... :( :(
MUCH LOVE~
EM

Success

2008-03-08T09:03:00.000-08:00

Well, I tried my sprint/interval/incline workout (at the gym) AGAIN and stepped it up a notch. THIS time: I did both a 1-minute walk (4.0) AND a 1-minute sprint/run (6.0) at each incline and there are 15 total inclines. And I did the same on the way down. So, basically I DOUBLED the workout. Heckkk yeah. It was awesome. It's def. not a cardio workout I can do more than a couple times a week because it is TOUGH. C- is probably right, it's the increased carbs now that I'm not in contest prep :). I'm a carby, what can I say. I really thrive on them! :) :) Who doesn't? I'm sure it's the popcorn before I go to bed...........

So, I finished my morning cardio (downstairs). Did 50 min. of the ellip. while watching What A Girl Wants. Just finished Devil Wears Prada yesterday. I love watching movies while doing cardio. Makes it go super fast.

Song of the Day (yestrday) PRETTY YOUNG THING (P.Y.T.) Michael Jackson
MUCH LOVE! Have a AWESOME weekend, I'm trying to vlog (video blog) this weekend. We'll see how that goes............
EM

KILLER SPRINT/INTERVAL

2008-03-06T20:13:00.000-08:00

So, day before yesterday (same day I announced my retirement! haa) I had TONS of morning energy, so I wanted to 'test' myself. Here was my workout. I'm attempting to do it again tomorrow. Again, I don't know what got into me, but I felt extra energetic. I'll let ya know if I make it thru again, tomorrow morn! :)
(Not much of a warm-up. So don't pay attention to that. I was just ready to go!!!)
Incline Speed
1% 4.0mph
2% 6.0mph
3% 4.0mph
4% 6.0mph
5% 4.0mph
6% 6.0mph
7% 4.0mph
8% 6.0mph
9% 4.0mph
10% 5.8mph
11% 4.0mph (once I get to where I can't keep up, don't worry, I hold on!)
12% 5.6mph
13% 4.0mph
14% 5.0mph
15% 4.0mph
Each of those were one minute interval. Then.....i worked my way back down, same way I worked my way up. I was drenched, I was huffing and puffing, but DANG it felt good! if I couldn't make it a full minute sprinting, I'd just go 40-45 sec. and walk the extra 15 sec.

Does this workout make sense the way I wrote it out?
It was a doozy!!!
Much love~
EM

Pulled a Val

2008-03-04T12:41:00.000-08:00

Well.......here's the news.
I'm retiring. As Em Reed, that is.

Yup, you read correctly, I've chosen to hold off on competing until after the wedding!
My 2nd competition (this fall) will also be my debut as Em Arger, so that's pretty cool!

Anyway, I honestly am great with the decision! My workouts will still be fun & intense! I will keep my blog updated, so don't think I'm pressing pause on this!

I will let everyone know my plans for fall when they happen! Heck, maybe I'll just show my face on a national stage; I did qualify by getting 2nd last Oct.....

Thanks for all your support and don't think this is the last of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MUCH LOVE~
EM

Excitement & Cardio Ala carte

2008-02-28T09:59:00.000-08:00

The last couple nights I've had a little bit of trouble falling asleep. Okay, so I know I'm kinda craazzy, but right before I'm falling asleep I get excited about what cardio I'm gonna do in the morning. :) Is that funnY?? I'm serious, though. I thnk of all of these fun combos I can do, and it's affecting my sleep. :) Wow. Issues. ha ha
Anyway, this morning for my cardio I did what I call Ala Carte (i'm pretty sure I'm not spelling that correctly.) So, I did ten minutes on 6 diffent machines (I'm like a kid in a candy store with so much equipment to choose from!)
I did the treadmill, Full Body Elliptical, Stairmill/Gauntlet, Natural Runner (like an elliptical, but more of a running motion) Stair-stepper, & ended with the regular elliptical.
Yeahhh, awesome workout. I'm eating breakfast right now, then I'll head back for Shoulders around noon. I don't work until 2pm so I'll get everything done before that!
Song of the Morning: SONIQUE-It Feels So Good
MUCH LOVE~ ENJOY YOUR DAY!!!!!!!!!!!
EM

Friends in Cyber

2008-02-26T21:23:00.000-08:00

So, I know this sounds odd, but it really means sooooooo much to me to get comments, even from those of you I've yet to 'officially mean'. C & Jess you guys rock. I obviously read your blogs & get plenty of tips & inspiration from them. Meg, you're my fellow phat camper and I'm so happy you're following this fun journey. To my family and almost family (Robin) thank YOU guys so much for commenting. You guys HAVE to know that sometimes those words drive me to kick a little harder! :) Since I've changed my options so that I have to view comments before I post them, it's been like christmas, every time I sign in, I have new comments to moderate! So, I can't thank you enough, but do know that it's taken to heart.
LASTLY, both of my grandma's read it and since they don't know how to post, I'm going to put a snipet of their comments to me. :)
From G'ma Diana in Kansas: Em, we read your blog every other day and it's just AWESOME. We have so much fun & it really keeps us posted on all you're doing! (P.S. She just had knee replacement surgery & is doing very well!!!)
From Mimi in Arizona: I just finished looking at your blogs and enjoyed the pictures of Schwetty's. What a great place to exercise if you feel so inclined (which I seldom do) but might if I had a great place like that. I also still think it is strange for anyone to enjoy all of those torturous things when they could be curled up on the couch reading a good book! But I do say "You go girl!". (hee hee, too cute!)

Well, enough about how much I love comments. Just thought you all needed to know!
ALL IS WELL ON THE TRAINING FRONT. KICKING BUTT, TAKING NAMES! :)
Song of the Day: Rihanna: Breaking Dishes (Meg, her whole CD rocks!) :)
MUCH LOVE~~
EM

212

2008-02-22T20:54:00.001-08:00

PB

2008-02-22T15:58:00.000-08:00

No........get your mind out of the gutter that's not Peanut Butter. :) ha ha ha ha
It stands for personal best. Although I don't think it's REALLY my personal best, because it wasn't a one rep max, but ANYWAY: I single-arm pressed a 40 lb. dumbbell during my shoulder workout last night and I was pretty psyched!!! :) I do them single arm (while standing & holding on to an upright seat for balance) because I like the isolation. I got nice and warm, esp. thru the rotator cuff muscles, and then started with 30's, felt strong, moved it up, and moved it up again. I'm thinking I could do more but would certainly need a spot! :) I use different gloves when I do shoulder work. I use the ones that wrap around your wrist, too, keeping it in neutral position which is a big saver! Anyway, I felt really good and after that I did a handstand against the wall (belly facing the fall) and alternated hands--I brought one arm up to the quad, held it, switched, and then did just quick hand lifts. Reallllllly killed the shoulders. Yup, finished the work with 5 lb. plates doing front/lat. lifts and could barely lift my arms. SUCCESS!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)
So, I know that weight to some may be easy & to some it may be hard, that's why it's called MY PERSONAL best! :) :)
Off to the gym for some stairs & boot camp. Yeahhh, great way to end your week!
Much Love~
EM
Yesterdays' song of the day: Janet Jackson Feedback. Oh please, have you seen this video? I LOVE her dance skills. Seriously, you-tube it! :)

Turbo Wednesdays

2008-02-20T21:04:00.000-08:00

I know in the past I've always raved about my Turbokick class. Well today we broke an attendance record: there were over 30 people there. It was frickin' AWESOME! Just an amazing workout and so much fun. I hope the class likes it as much as I do. Dang, it felt great!
This morning we were at the gym by 6:45. Did my hour of cardio while Gene lifted, oh and by the way, my IPOD is all charged up again. Yesterday during my morning session it pooped out about 5 mins into my hour on the stairmill. Shoot me now (then) I almost cried! I have a back-up walkman radio just in case, and it breaks into fuzz every other min. NOT AWESOME. so Today I was glad to redeem myself and get in a killer workout, because you know I can't effeciently workout without my IPOD!!
I'm feeling really great. Just hoping day by day to see new muscles *POP*! Yeahhhh! :)
SONG OF THE DAY: Dr. Feelgood by Motley Crue :)
MUCH LOVE!!!!!

BEAUTIFUL WEBSITE/MOVIE

2008-02-19T09:14:00.000-08:00

Thank you Mom, for sending me this AWESOME link. Please check it out if you have a few minutes. I'm a sucker for motivational/inspirational quotes & the like, and this just moved me. I loved it, and I hope you will, too!

***************NO GLASS CEILING****************

Much love~
EM

Song of the Day

2008-02-17T15:43:00.000-08:00

Hi guys!!! Hope your Sunday is/was enjoyable!
I did 65 min. cardio this morning, have Legs this afternoon, then cardio wihle watching the GLADIATOR finale tonight! Yeah!!! :)
Almost everytime I'm doing cardio, there's a song that I keep repeating because for some reason, during that session, it pumped me up. It may not be a favorite song, but it kept me going when I needed it! What I'm going to do is list a song for the day so you can know what I'm jamming out to! I swear people probably think I'm crazy, bopping around on the stairmill or ellip. ha ha, hopefully I make them laugh! :)
60 days to go! Like C said, "SHOW ME WHAT A BODY CAN DO IN 60 DAYS." That sounds like a challenge. BRING IT ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
MUCH LOVE~
EM
SONG OF THE DAY: Do Somethin' Britney Spears (I know...but listen to this song and try and sit still!)

:)

2008-02-16T12:12:00.000-08:00

I love both Jess & C's funny stories. It's funny because my carbs aren't technically that LOW, but after any workout, I sure focus in on getting food in my body as soon as possible!!! And yes, Jess, I'm moderating comments just so no more "randoms" post. How lame, huh??
Anyway. Today I did 60 min. on the stairmill/guantlet at the gym. Fasted. Yikes, that is TOUGH! I do 30 min. on the Fat Burner level 8. Then I do 3 seperate 10 minute programs. TOday it was sprint intervals for 10, then aerobic training, then Fat burner II. I like the shorter 10 minute ones because then each level or bar is like 7 seconds long. I can handle that at high level. It's trying to do like 30-40 seconds continually at level 8 that really gets me........ Who knows...... :) I guess I like variety.
Went home to eat & shower, had three appt. this morning, then head back to the gym for shoulders and guess what, more cardio! :)
I'm like 63 or 62 days out, which basically means I have over 110 cardio sessions left. That puts it into perspective. But, other way to look at it, is, being 9 weeks out, I really only have 8 more Leg workouts, 8 more Back, 8 more Shoulders, 8 more Chest workouts, and PLENTY of routine/gymnastics practice. WOW. Enough ramblings for today.
Hey, Did I mention, I'm loving every minute of this???? :) :) :)
Much love!~

LOW CARBS?? Or just an airhead for the day??

2008-02-14T10:54:00.000-08:00

Alright. I've heard some funny pre contest prep stories from fellow competitiors. Like, dropping things (keys, EGGS) locking yourself out of the house/car....funny.
Had my own day before yesterday.
I'd just finished a BOMB leg workout with cardio and had to hit the grocery store before I went home to get Eggs, water & green beans (sound inticing??)
Well, I didn't want to bring my purse in so I just grabbed my little black pouch (koks) that holds my Id, debit cards, business cards. Simple, right?
Well, I buy eggs in a huge cardboard box (like 60 eggs I think) and had 2 gallon sized water jugs, and plus the green beans (STAY WITH ME, AM I LOSING YOU, YET?)

Long story short, I payed, threw the wallet in the bag (with the greenbeans) because my hands were full & headed out.

The next day, I'm on bodybuilding.com to order supps and I, for the life of me, COULD NOT FIND MY WALLET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh. Freakin out. Dumped my purse out. Looked thru my car, did it fall between the seats? I almost called the grocery store.

Then........I Remember......My damn wallet is with the green beans, which I haphazardly chucked into the freezer right when I got home. Obviously, All I was worried about when I got home was EATING!!!!!! :o)

ANYWAY, I REALLY got a kick out of myself. I thought, wow, that's pretty funny! :)

So, there you have it, I hope you made it to the end of the story. And I hope to you it's as funny as it was for me. :)

HAPPY Valentine's DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MUCH LOVE~
EM

A DOUBLE POST: Part II

2008-02-08T17:58:00.000-08:00

SCHWETTY'S (Also known as the Hawks' Nest......it's decorated with SEAHAWK gear!!)
I absolutely LOVE this space. It's amazing! Three pieces (well, four if you add the trampoline) of cardio, weights, ball, decline bench.....music, TV, my VISION PAGES! :) Just LOVE IT!!!!!!!

DOUBLE POST: PART I

2008-02-08T17:47:00.000-08:00

This is a pic update (10 WEEKS OUT TODAY!)

P.S. To fellow bloggers......how do I disable clicking on the pix (to make them GIANT size? yikes....) Let me know! THANKS!

My 100th post!

2008-02-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Wow, this is the 'hundreth' time I've posted since May 6th 2007. Such a journey....and so much ahead of me! :) EXCITMENT!!
All is well on the training front. Diet has been close to perfect....gotta work on that! I can train my rear off all day, I love that aspect of it. I just always fall a little short in the diet. BUT, that gives me something to work on. It's a challenge everyday!!!
I did my 60 min. fasted cardio this morning at the gym (because we're still getting carpet laid down in Schwetty's. By THURSDAY it should be up and ROCKIN!)
I'm heading back this morning to lift and finish up cardio. THEN, I have 5 appt. in a row. It's gonna be a busy day! I've already finished laundry, food prep and random chores. YEAH!!!!!!!!
Anyway, MAKE IT A 212 DEGREE DAY! (google it)
MUCH LOVE~
EM
Ohhh, Claudine, thanks for the comment, PIX this thursday, 10 weeks! YEP!!!

Schwetty's is BLUE!!!

2008-01-31T11:38:00.000-08:00

Like I last reported, our basement gym is almost finished. The snow here (it's out of control) kept the guys from working a few days.........BUT, the paint is on the walls and they're doing the trim today. It is beautiful. I just love the color, it's a GREAT BLUE! Walls, ceiling, everything! We picked out an industrial grade carpet that is very similar to the kind my Mom & Dad have in their gym. It's gonna be so nice!
We braved the elements this morning and I had an AWESOME cardio session. 15 min. stairs and then 45 min. treadmill, hoping off every 2 minutes for quick bi's/tri's/pop squats. Lots of fun; I was drenched! :)
Today my boss closed the office, but I still have a few appointments for those patients that are able to make it in. We had another snow day today. Seriously, this is goin on my 3rd winter here, and.........this has been the worst!!!!! :(
Anyway, nothing like cardio & lifting to boost that MOOD! :) I don't need no stinkin sun! I've got edorphines!

11 WEEKS OUT!!!!!!!! YA YA YA!!!
MUCH LOVE & STAY WARM~
EM

NEW LIFTING SCHEDULE...Yea! :)

2008-01-26T22:48:00.001-08:00

My new lifting schedule looks like this:
Sat. *****SHOULDERS
Sun. *****LEGS
Mon. *****CHEST
Tues. REST
Wed. *****BACK
Thur. *****ARMS/Light Legs possibly
Fri: REST

So, my "week" begins on saturdays and I do a three day on, one day off, two on, one off. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!! :)
I must say, I don't personally understand why people don't lift on the weekends. I find it gives me WAY more time to focus. I only lift 3 days during the week and feel much less stressed trying to get everything it. Just personal preferance I'm sure! :)
MUCH LOVE!!!!!!!!!!

S.E.T. Master Class

2008-01-26T22:33:00.000-08:00

Today was great, I woke up early, got in an AWESOME Jen Hendershott shoulder workout, worked 3 hours, got my hair cut (FINALLY!) and have been home ever since. Oh, and in that time it snowed about 5-6 inches. They were huge flakes just coming down! Snow is all well and good in December when it's festive, but now, ALMOST Feb. it's just annoying! :(
Tomorrow I have my instructor Master class and this month it's Strength & Endurance training. Lots of fun, this is what the class is comprised of:
Warm-up
Testing. 1 min. each: Push ups/sit-ups/quick feet step ups.
Lift: 3 min.
Cardio: 3 min.

Alternate lift & cardio.
Typical lifts go: Squat, chest, back, lunges, bi's, tri's, abs. Goal is to be 6-7 R.P.E. (Rate of Perceived Exertion out of 10)

Cardio: interval drills possibly incorporating light weights. R.P.E. 7-8

This class is a ball, it's actually one I subbed last monday. Usually a HUGE class at my club, members love it.

I'm also doing a killer leg workout tomorrow. Yeah, I'll let you know if I can't walk in a couple days. That's the goal. Sick huh? :) ha ha

Ohhh, by the way, did I mention I'm less than FOUR MONTHS AWAY FROM MY WEDDING?!?!?!?!?! Talk about a busy time! Life issss goooooood! :)
***MUCH LOVE***

A home gym called......................

2008-01-24T20:47:00.000-08:00

Schwetty's
Yup, you read correctly, our newly finished basement (okay, ALMOST) has and will always be called Schwetty's (think sweaty, with a "sshh")
:) I just love the name......although I think it came from an inappropriate SNL skit.....anyway, I like it and OH MY GOSH, it's almost done!
We've used it as our cardio/storage room for the last 17 months but just this past Monday the guys started finishing it. We (I) picked an awesome blue paint. I just imagine "air/breath/water". Perfect for my new workout room. We're also getting mirrors, so that'll be great for posing practice.
When it's all finished, we'll have our Treadmill, Full body-elliptial and upright (slightly ghetto) bike. Plus our 'perfect pushup' handles (awesome) fitness ball, random weights/barbells. So, we're ready to rock it!
And Schwetty's will live up to its name.....................

p.s. Training is fantastic! We started our early morning sessions, so it's awesome to have 1/2 your workout done by 8am!!!!
Much LOVE!!!!!!! HAPPY FRIDAY!!!!!

SORRY---More Pix

2008-01-20T19:50:00.000-08:00

Per request: Melissa. In the middle. Bridesmaid & the Hostess with the most-est!

Zoolander

Pix

2008-01-19T17:49:00.000-08:00

Training is going VERY WELL!!!!!!!! I'm happy with my progress this past week and I am determined to keep it up!!!!!!!
Here are some pix for ya:
My sister & I at Z-Tejas in Scottsdale: An action shot: I was dancing, flippin the hair :)
Jen & Heather Bear
Lynn, my fellow Washingtonian!

PHAT CAMP

2008-01-17T16:03:00.000-08:00

A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Really, the BEST fitness weekend you could ask for. Jen Hendershott & Heather Bear just rocked the ENTIRE weekend. I highly recommend this experience for anyone, competitor or not; it'll get you on track for SURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday night we did an seminar & boot camp; saturday we did cardio, seminar, shoulder, seminar, then chest; sunday was a sprint workout, back, seminar, finished with legs. Then I sat on a plane for over 3 hours.......ohhhh my. I still have DOMS! :) BUT I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)
I'm 13 weeks out today and I'm feeling great! I'll upload pix this weekend.
So, I've kept the momentum since Friday night. Monday I did 45 min. cardio intervals, Tuesday I traveled back home and RESTED! :) Wed. I did 1.45 min cardio and a shoulder workout, then today I've done 1 hour cardio, thus far!
Tomorrow is cardio & Legs. Time to bust ass and get stage ready; I keep telling myself that! YOU ONLY GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MUCH LOVE!!!!!
P.S. I spend about 5 days with family in Phoenix before camp. I love to go hiking, and so I volunteered to take Gavin in the front pack so we could all go. He's 22 pounds........that's a LOT of baby to carry up a mountain. :) :) But I love him!!!!

Down to Double Digits Days

2008-01-09T16:36:00.000-08:00

Okay, I'm officially under the 100 day mark and I'm FREAKIN OUT!!!!!!!! :)
Just kidding, I just noticed before I signed in that yep, I'm 99 days out!
I'm enjoying sunny Phoenix and can't hardly WAIT for PHAT CAMP on Friday. I got a pass for 24 hour Fitness ($10 a day!) and did an awesome upper body routine, then, the next day (still within the 24 hour time limit) I went to Turbokick and did a quick leg routine. Other than that, we did a great hike and that's about it on the fitness front. Nutrition has been spotty. However, I have been eating my oats, ground flax, psyllium and protein powder for breakfast!

I'm ready to be back on a set schedule. I thrive on a set schedule, don't we all??!
I'm been awful at checking everyone's blog so when I get home I have a LOT of catching up to do!

Much love from Sunny PHX!

Got it!

2008-01-02T15:31:00.001-08:00

YAY! I got my diet on the 31st. I really tried to follow the plan, but I wasn't totally on.....New Years Eve was my last cheat meal, it was great, had an amazing lobster dinner.
So, that leads us to Jan. 1st. I think I joined millions of others who "resolute" (is that a word???) to stay on track with diet and extercise.
Okay, back to the diet. It's great, I'm loving it for sure. I stay with this for 3-4 weeks and then we tweek it as needed. Since I am (obviously) holding on to some precious fluff, I'm actually doing 2- 45 minute cardios almost daily (I do have my rest day) That's no problem because I got an ELLIPTICAL for Xmas!!!!!!!!!! It's so badass I love it, it's full body and is sturdy as the gyms'.
Tonight I'm off to teach Turbokick and I'm doing either Chest or Back before....haven't decided.
Anyway, to everyone attempting a new plan: DOMINATE IN 08. Why not! Make it happen!
My motto for the next 100+ days is: TIME TO BUST ASS AND GET STAGE READY!!!
Much love~
Em

Still waiting!!!!!!!!

2007-12-30T00:03:00.000-08:00

So, I'm still waiting for my first diet (16 weeks out)
It should be here by tomorrow! Yaya! We went to the store today and STOCKED up. And I must say, the cost of bulk eggs has gone up like $1.25! WTF?!?! :)
Anyway, tomorrow is LEG day (ham dominant).
In T-minus 5 days I'm heading to PHX for 9 days of *hopefully* AWESOME WEATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also..............
I'm DOING JEN HENDERSHOTT'S P.H.A.T. CAMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Holy smokes. I'm so excited. I decided that I'm going to work for Jen one day. She just doesn't know it yet! Okay, seriously, I would LOVE to help out with these camps, and I haven't even ATTENDED one yet; that's just how awesome I've heard they. Oh, and she And Lishia Dean helped me with my routine choreography, so I love them for that! :)
Alright, here's a glimpse at 16 weeks out. LOTTA FLUFF TO SHED!!!!!!! BUT I'LL DO IT.

Gavin Pictures

2007-12-22T17:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some pix from my trip to Kansas. Gavin is 6 months. And completely adorable. :)
Seester/mom, Gavin & Em

Ho HO HO!!!!

my Beautiful Mom. She totally doesn't look like a Grandma! :)

HEY HEY HEY!

2007-12-20T20:06:00.000-08:00

Alright, I'm back from hiding! :)
Life has finally settled down.
Here's a recap:
Klamath Falls----------check
Euguene----------------check
Girls weekend----------check
Suprise Kansas visit---check

Every trip went as planned. Soooo amazing!!! :) I already re-capped my PHX trip, which, as I said, ROCKED!!

My suprise visit to Kansas was very well received. Jaws were literally on the floor! :) I'm soooooooooo happy I was able to go. We had a GREAT family Christmas party/gift exchange and it was a blast.

Soooooo, I'm ONE WEEK OUT from starting my PRE-CONTEST DIET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YA YA YAHHHHH, I'm soooo ready, so excited, so pumped. This 16 or 17 weeks (need to figure it out exactly) will be SOOOO AWESOME!!! I know I can do sooo much better than my first time around. I actually know what all goes into preparation and can now plan accordingly~!

Workouts have been sporatic. Here and there. Same with the diet. Why must every client bring in cookies and truffles and all that other nonsense?? :) :) Gotta love them.

Well, that's the update. I likely won't post until next Thursday. Sooo, until then: HAPPIEST HOLIDAYS, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!! Enjoy the time with your loved ones!
Lots of love and more~
EM

Well, not a fitness post

2007-12-10T21:44:00.000-08:00

This is not a fitness post because things are slacking on that front.
However, I had sooooooooooo much fun in Phoenix with two of my bridesmaids this weekend. Well, I guess dancing can count towards my cardio, and boy did we do some dancing!!! :)
Tomorrow I head out of town YET AGAIN! I'll be in Oregon until Friday. Then things slow down for a while. I'm intending on hitting the gym for leg work tomorrow before I go to the airport. Hopefully that works out!!!!!!!!
I won't be updating my blog until this weekend. Just FYI! :)
LOVE TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Here are some pix:

Heading Out!

2007-12-04T20:50:00.000-08:00

So, tomorrow begins my crazy travel excursion for the next 10 days.
I'm in south central Oregon for a couple days, then in SUNNY Phoenix, then back home, then to Eugene for three days...........
Holy cow, I'm SOOOOO excited! I've never had to fit in workouts when I'm out of town and unaware of my possible accommodations (do I have a gym? can I run outside??)
So, this will be interesting! I've already packed my oats, ground flax seeds, almonds, tuna packets, protein powder, almond butter, rice cakes. That should cover breakfast & snacks (possibly lunch one day)
It'll be a very interesting time because I don't KNOW how time consuming each trip will be.

The last couple days have been FAB!!! I did shoulders, bi's/tri's on Sunday, Cardio only monday, then today I did a killer leg workout and cardio. Good good good!

Here's an adorable pix of my Nephew, Gavin. He's a doll, can't wait to see hiM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes you can do it!

2007-12-02T18:53:00.000-08:00

I love this site. It has the best motivating and inspirational quotes ever!!!
*****AWESOME SITE!!!*****

Yes, you can do it. And you can begin right now.
Sure, you've run into problems in the past. Yet there is a way to get past every one of them.

When it is important enough to you and meaningful enough for you, you will find a way. There is a positive, effective step that you can take this very moment.

It will require effort on your part, as well as commitment and persistence. Fortunately, you are fully capable of all those things.

Yes, you can do it, and in the process you will more fully become the beautiful, unique person you are meant to be. You will grow more capable, more confident, more knowledgeable and experienced.

When your objective is connected with the purpose that drives every other purpose, there is no doubt that you can do it. Begin now to work your way there.

-- Ralph Marston

NOT AWESOME...AWESOME!!!

2007-11-30T19:37:00.000-08:00

Here are some random thoughts for the week!

NOT AWESOME: My cats chew through my phone charger last night while I slept. :(
AWESOME: It'll end up saving me minutes, I only have one battery charge until I get a new phone in Feb. just kidding, I'm getting a new charger tomorrow. Little rascals....

NOT AWESOME: The sun sets anywhere between 4:15pm - 4:30pm here now. And it's been in the 20's.
AWESOME: I fly to Phoenix for a "girls" weekend in T minus 6 days!! :)

NOT AWESOME: I have only lifted three times in the last six days.
AWESOME: I taught Turbo on Wednesday, Core-Central Thursday, and went to Bootcamp tonight. So Cardio is fine, I just need to pick it up in the weights department. (no pun intended).

NOT AWESOME: Todays the last day of Nov. I only posted a handful of times this month.
AWESOME: Tomorrow is DECEMBER. A month FULL of excitement for me!!!! :)

AWESOME: Courtesy April...a super cute Holiday tribute. Try it with your family/friends. Too much FUN! :) Please try and watch it without laughing.....I dare you! :) :) :)
Em & Gene. :)

MUCH LOVE!!!!!!!! HAPPY WEEKEND!

HaPpY Belated THANKGIVING!!!!!!!

2007-11-26T20:27:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful break. By the time Sunday afternoon rolled around, I was bored and ready to go back to work! Okay, not ENTIRELY true, but wow, I was off from Wedn. afternoon until 2pm today!!!!!!!!
We had a lovely break. Lots of family time, plenty of food, a few workouts here and there.
Life is going to get SUPER busy come December. I'm just hoping to get some serious workouts in before Dec. 28th when I start cutting. I'm really looking forward to this upcoming contest prep. It'll be great, I just know it!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, not much else to report!
Keep lifting hard!
MUCH LOVE~
EM

She's GOT Leggssssss

2007-11-20T13:11:00.000-08:00

Okay, as I sit here eating my protein pancakes (YUUUUMM!) my legs are still quivering from my workout just a while ago. It was one of the best workouts I've had in a lonnng while! I borrowed it from Betsy Harris one of Jen Hendershott's Phat Camp gals. It looks like this. Try it if you dare.
4 passes of walking lunges superset with 4 sets of 20 pop (jump squats)
4 sets of 15 stiff legged deadlifts superset with 4 sets of 20 jump lunges
4 sets of 10 weighted plie squats triple set with 4 sets 10 step ups
4 sets of 15 lying leg curls superset with 4 sets of 15 light leg extensions
Oh my gosh, and just to think, this is a modification of the one she listed. If I were to do it all, I would have been wheeled outta there in a stinking wheelchair! Holy cow, if you want a great Leg workout, ADD PLYOMETRICS! No doubt about it, this session only had Jump Squats and Jump lunges, but it totally keeps your heartrate going.
I can't say enough about this workout. Love love loved it
Well, I may not be saying that in the morning.......
Thank you for all the comments on our pictures!!!!
I'll post again tomorrow and let ya know how I feel. Epsom salt bath tonight, massage tomorrow!
MUCH LOVE!

Update & Pictures!!!!!!!!

2007-11-14T16:17:00.000-08:00

Here's the 2nd picture, cropped. I still like the 1st one better, I think!:)

This week has been a successful one. Isn't that how they should always be!?!? I've done everything I'd set out to do, fitness wise, thus far. 3 more days of lifting then I'll rest on Sunday. Today i finished a workout this afternoon, and head back in little less then an hour to teach Turbokick!
Here are two of the pix from our little photo shoot 2 weeks ago. Trying to decide between the two. Feel free to comment!
Much LoVe!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't say you weren't warned...........

2007-11-08T20:23:00.000-08:00

Here's some food for thought...if that's how the saying goes....
I cannot believe this......okay, I guess I can, but WOW, please note it says EVERYDAY, not weekly or monthly......the average calorie increase in ONE DAY:
Check it out and you'll see what I mean......wow....

"Nutrition between Thanksgiving and Christmas and probably until the new year when people attempt to make "goals"

SORE....and P.H.A.T!!!!!!!!!

2007-11-08T08:31:00.000-08:00

Nothing like feeling sore AND fat........okay, I'm just kidding, I don't feel fat......I feel....Fluffy. :) That sounds nicer. Oh, and yes, I'm extremely sore. Last night I taught Turbokick and had a WONDERFUL class. We had 18 people and we rocked the house! :) SO much fun!!!!!!! I'm always sore the next day, no matter what. It's all the kicks I think.
Soooo, back to being PHAT. I'm going to Jenny Hendershott's PHAT CAMP in Phoenix in January!! I'm trying to convince my girlfriend Melissa to go with me.....Mel......YAY YAY YAY!!! Jenny got 3rd at the Fitness Olympia this year, and she's basically one of the greatest. I've heard awesome things about her camp and I'm super pumped. One of her staff members, Lishia Dean is my choreographer and she sent Jen the pix from my competition. I got a couple really nice emails from Jen.... Wow, I was so thrilled.
On the training front, I hit back and bi's today and teach core central/hi-lo. That's all for now........
MUCH LOVE!!!!!!!!

PUMP PUMP

2007-11-06T11:17:00.000-08:00

I like to try and save my posts for the days I actually have something interesting to blog about...... :) Not much to report, although all is VERY well! :)
Lifting like crazy, a little bit of cardio here and there, staying busy at work, planning a wedding. LIFE IS GOOD!!!
Well, I guess I do have a contest change of plan. I will ABSOULTELY do the Emerald Cup in Seattle the 18th and 19th of April. THEN, the following weekend, my birthday, actually, I will do the local show here, the Empire Classic. So, two shows, back to back and then I'll be done until fall.
I'm continuing what I'm doing until December 28th, and then I begin my 16 week cut for the E-Cup (New Years will be a cheat meal. Gotta celebrate!)
So, since I wasn't as lean as I'd like my first go round, taking a slow and steady 16 week cut should put me exactly where I'd like to be. I'm still working with Mike Davies for my nutritional needs, but training is all me.

Off to the Gym, have a great day everyone!!
MUCH LOVE!!

NEW MONTH, SAME GOALS

2007-11-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

Wow, November is here. I swear I was just making a blog entry for the first of Oct. It's almost been a month since I competed. Thank goodness I've never been one to fret over "numbers" (my weight) because I'm sure there's a significant difference from a month ago. But that's expected. It wouldn't be healthy to keep a "stage weight" year round, but, it's tough to be there and then so quickly "not there" if ya know what I mean.........
BUT, November will continue to be a building month. I feel G.R.E.A.T!!!!!!!!! Lifting heavier than I ever have. If you lift heavy and haven't tried Glutamine or BCAA's, I HIGHLY recommend them. Seriously, they help you recover fantastically!!!!
I taught Turbo last night, in my flashdance get-up, and handed out candy to my class and other employees. I know, I know, a fitness instructor should NOT condone candy, but heck, it WAS halloween! :)
I taught Core-Central & Hi-Lo this evening and even did a little extra cardio. (Extra candy = Extra work)
Tomorrow I hit Legs (Quad Dominant) and that's about all!
We have our engagement pictures this weekend and I'm really hoping a double chin isn't visible.........:(
Have a fab Friday!!!!!
MUCH LOVE~~~~

Is it bad.............

2007-10-30T21:55:00.000-07:00

Wednesday = Turbokick Class AND Halloween
Halloween = Costumes
Costumes = Denise Austins/Jane Fonda

YEAHH!!!!!! Here's my costume. I'm TOTALLY wearing it to teach in. :)
And I'm bringing Candy. Is that bad? Yes, that's really bad, I know. I guess I'll them it's optional.

Top FIVE things to do this week:

2007-10-28T19:19:00.000-07:00

1) MORNING CARDIO. I Love how I feel after a morning cardio session. Why don't I do it?? Because I "THINK" that extra 40 minutes of sleep will feel great, too. :) DO THE CARDIO!!!!!!!!!!!!
2) STICK TO MY EATING PLAN. Still slightly above maintainance because I'm lifting like I'm a frickin' bodybuilder (okay, not really) to put on some size. Keep it in check, though. Building does not give me the right to binge. (Repeat after me)
3) RECHECK MEASURMENTS ON FRIDAY. I took them about 10 days ago, so 2 weeks might be interesting, or it may show very little.
4) GET OVER THE FACT THAT I AM IN A BUILDING STAGE. Okay. I have a love-hate relationship with allowing my body to break-down the muscle fibers (through INTENSE lifting) and GROW (through proper nutritional support) I know I'll love the outcome, BUT.....I hate feeling "THICK"er than normal. Grrrrr. Today my church pants that almost slid off my hips 6 weeks ago fit almost normally.......
5) BREAK LIFTING RECORDS. Everyday. I should be able to lift more EACH session even if it's only a 2.5lb plate. Progress, progress, progress!!
And lastly,
(6) GET OVER THE FACT THAT I AM IN A BUILDING STAGE............ :) :) :)

I'm Building.

2007-10-24T21:25:00.000-07:00

I'm in a "bulk/building" phase right now and I'm really enjoying it! :) It's nice to be able to eat slightly over maintanence. I've decided I will compete again in both March and April!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sooo so excited! Tanji Johnson (IFBB Fitness Pro) puts on a Figure & Fitness show in Vancouver Washington the 3rd or 4th week of March (Not sure yet) and then.....my lofty goal.....is the Emerald Cup in Seattle April 18th. This show is HUGE!!!!! It brings out the best and I "VOW TO WOW" at that show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will be in my building stage until Thursday January 3rd. From there, I will begin a slow and steady cut. I'll be 15 weeks out from the EMERALD CUP and 11 or 12 weeks out from the Vancouver show, I need to find out if they've set the date yet!!!!
I want to come in a lot tighter than last time & I know I'll accomplish a decent build/bulk over the next couple months.
My legs are soooooo sore right now. I successfully ripped up every single muscle fiber that makes up my Quads. And I'm really happy about it. No matter now much I whine and cringe when I walk up OR down stairs........I LOVE IT. One other thing I will be perfecting in the next months is my posing. Posing is incredibly easy when you have your mirrors situated just right and you can see what you're doing. It's a lot different when you take that away, so I will really work hard on that.
I plan on bringing the same routine to both shows.......but I'll be adding some more gymnastics and a few more "tricks"! I had so much fun with that routine!!! :)
Alright, I'm off to bed. I have a self-imposed 10pm bedtime, Cynthia!
MUCH LOVE!!!!!!!!

SHOUT OUT!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-10-22T21:51:00.000-07:00

I'd like to take a minute to give a HUGE shout-out. This past weekend in Kansas City, my Mom ran a half marathon & my Dad ran the FULL Marathon!!!!!!!!!! WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT!!!!!!! I so thrilled they did it!!!! SO WONDERFUL!!!!!! I'm thankful my parents are in great shape & live healthy, physically active livestyles! I bet they have a couple more races in 'em!!!!!!!
Here are some great pix from after the event. Luckily, they had wonderful weather, too!
*Mom & Dad, I love you sooooo much. I'm soo proud to be your daughter! :-) *

Mom & Dad after the big race
Running towards the finish line. Ya don't look tired at ALL!!

Mimi & Gavin, waiting on Grandpa to finish

Gotta love this little man (4 1/2 months old)

A.W.E.S.O.M.E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well said.......

2007-10-21T15:02:00.000-07:00

"This time of year it is more apparent than ever that people fail to reach their goals from lack of consistency. This lack of consistency is usually due to disrupted or inconsistent thought patterns. This can happen for several reasons but is usually from an undisciplined mind set. Being disciplined in behaviour is one thing and if it is based on will power or motivation, then it is a transitory thing at best and therein lays the problem."

I recommend you bookmark this page and read it when you REALLY have a chance to "comprehend" it. I've read some of his previous posts a few times each. I really like the points he makes. He sure knows his Sports Psychology.

I have a new plan. My post tomorrow will describe it...It's a good one!!!!!! :)

I'm waiting for pix from my sister to make a shout out to my folks.....I'll post them when I get them!!!

***MUCH LOVE***

A New Plan....

2007-10-17T17:06:00.000-07:00

Is in the works. I just got home from vacation (AWESOME TIME) and really need to re-focus on work & fitness. :0) I hate to throw out the word "Gluttony"............
.....but........what's vacation without it???? :(
I intend on setting new goals tonight & tomorrow so my next post should give you an idea what's next for me!!!!!!!!
I really hate being off of a program. I know it's not necessary to stay on a strict pre-contest diet, but I sure do better when I have attainable goals & structure. And knowing that I have progress pix every 2 weeks or so is motivation, too!
Well, I can't express my thanks enough for all the support this "thread" has offered me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Off to teach Turbokick!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MUCH LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ROUTINE PIX

2007-10-08T21:56:00.000-07:00

Here are pix of my routine. It's fun to look through, because it's just about a frame-by-frame account of my routine! :-)
If the link doesn't work, please leave me a comment so I can fix it:

HERE YA GO!!

**it should pull up 25 pix on Shutterfly...**

2nd PLACE

2007-10-07T10:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I got 2nd place! We're heading to lunch (yum) so I'll upload pix later, but wow, what an ammmaaazing weekend. INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I promise pix, soon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PRE-JUDGING

2007-10-06T14:46:00.000-07:00

What a production. I'm pretty much in awe of how smoothly pre-judging went! Fitness routines went first, I was the third (of three) to preform. It went pretty well! 2 hours later we had finished both the one & two-piece judging and I was on my way back to Seattle to rest. I took about an hour long nap, and then I was bored, so I put my two piece back on and had Gene take pix. So, here they are. I'll take a LOT more tonight now that I know how everything goes, and will post them tomorrow! Since there are only three girls in my category, I get 1st, 2nd, or 3rd........ :)
It's really a bummer more girls don't try fitness!!!!!!!!!!! IT's soooo fun!
LOVE TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
***PICTURES SOON***

FRIDAY NIGHT

2007-10-05T20:13:00.000-07:00

Ohhhh my gosh. I am pooped. I've put in a full day and am ready to relax the rest of the evening. I got Jan Tana spray tanned at 1 & 5. Went shopping in between. Checked in after. Doesn't sound like a lot, but I'm soooooooo drained right now!!
Here's a pix after my first tanning. You can tell how white my face is and how dark my chest is. Well, I am even darker now! CRAZY! I'll update you after pre-judging since I'll come back and relax before the finals!
Much love to all. Thank you for following me in this "get buff" pursuit! I love keeping you updated & involved and thank you for your supportive words and encouragement!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a FUN Pursuit!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

2007-10-02T20:34:00.000-07:00

I'm going to post my before pictures to give you an idea of my progress. I say progress, and not "end result" because this absolutely is a work in progress and quite possibly always will be. I'm having sooooo much fun doing my own training, figuring out what works, what doesn't, true "trial & error" in the flesh, so to speak! :) So, here's the pix when I had this brilliant idea after watching Ms. Fitness USA in January, that, "hey, I could do that............."

And thus the journey began, well, not until May 6th. I'm not perfect. I've dealt with a chronic ankle injury that took me out of training two different times, I went on vacations, I indulged during weekends at the Lake, my inner thighs still touch, I have extra jiggle that won't budge off my triceps, and I'm still boxy through the waist, BUT MAN AM I HAVING FUN!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

ONE WEEK

2007-09-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

Just waiting for my one week out nutritional plan............time for cardio! :)
HAPPY FRIDAY, LOVE TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT's THAA FINAL COUNTDOWN........

2007-09-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

Can you hear the Rocky soundtrack in your head? :) HA HA
Soooo, my routine is continuing to come together quite nicely. I still have bruises all over, but they're fading. :)
It's goin to come down to the wire, but IT'S ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
I've decided on my outfit and it's SO CUTE and will hopefully get the crowd going (GO 'HAWKS!) :-)
Tomorrow I'll take pix early and send them off to my nutritionist and will just keep counting down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm staying positive and just Cannoooootttt WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alright, cardio time!
MUCH LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Routine

2007-09-23T18:36:00.001-07:00

IS SoOoOoOo F.A.S.T. :-)
I barely get thru one 8 count when I should be half way thru the next....
Yep, I have my work cut out for me. I'm going to gymnastics Tuesday & Thursday to practice on a softer floor. I'm bruising myself all over the place rolling on the gym floor (doesn't help when I'm flopping around trying to do a modified windmill in 2 counts........quite amusing!) Bruised hip bones, knees, shoulder.......it's really hot! :) Good thing my tan will cover it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cardio---Nutrition---Routine ........those are my goals for the next 12 days, I think I can handle that!!! :) So far so good. Keep the comments coming, they're very encouraging!!!!!!!!!!!
MUCHHHHH LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PS-My seester is the BEST!!!!! She tried her HARDEST to come to Seattle and suprise me, but it didn't work out.....Er, I love you and am SOO honored and touched that you tried!!!! THANK YOU!!! I'll see you 5 days after, though, so it's alllllll good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE! :) :) :)

2 Countdowns!!!!!

2007-09-20T15:01:00.000-07:00

As excited as I am for my countdown to Bellvue, I have another countdown 4 days after I get home! We're flying to Kansas for 6 days to see my family!!!!!!! How lucky to have not one, but TWO amazing events to look forward to?? I added new pix of my nephew and if I can get away with it, I'm bringing him home with me.....sorry Er & Jas......I can't help it, he's soooo precious!! :-)
Training is going well!!!!!! Still loving it! I teach this afternoon and then I'll stay for some more cardio. Thank goodness Koksal added hundreds of songs to my IPOD when she was here!!!
All is well in Spokane, except the weather is still fairly crappy.....in the 50's low 60's and rainy today........ :(
MUCH LOVE TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Summer is over.......

2007-09-18T08:54:00.001-07:00

So sad, I think Summer is officially over in the Inland Northwest......today I woke up to a chilly temp of 56 degrees.....really??? I don't think I'm ready for fall/winter.......:(
ANYWAY: Just finished an hour of cardio and I'm feeling GREAT!!! Yesterday was tons of cardio & a fairly short chest workout. Mondays are always crzy busy, so if I don't lift in the morning, I'm stuck lifting with a huge afternoon/evening bunch. Oh well, it was still effective.
We got the tickets in the mail for my comp. There will be 10 people in my cheering section, how amazing is that?????!!!?? :) I'm so thrilled they all want to come watch! I told them to be prepared, because these productions can be long; you've got Bodybuilding (men & women) Figure & Fitness. Should be an awesome time!!!!!
Off to get my 'hair did'. I'm going a little darker on the highlights (except for the lighter face framing pieces) and just a trim, nothing drastic (Koksal.......)
Have a wonderful day!!!!!!!!!!!!
MUCH LOVE~!!!!!
P.S. to my seester: Thanks for the comment, I love you and I need some more photos of my precious little Nephew. thanks you, see you in 24 days!!!!!!! :-)

21 Days & COUNTING!!!!!!!!!!

2007-09-14T10:38:00.000-07:00

So I clicked on "2007" (under Blog Archive, right under all the pix on the right side) which shows EVERY post I've done since May 5th. It's amazing. I've really had some High & low points (what journey doesn't...) but there's been a couple things I haven't even remembered. I'm really happy I decided to keep this blog, and I intend on using if for a LONG time! Thank you to everyone who has written a comment, and thanks, also to those who are just keeping tabs on me! I really do appreciate it! :-)
Well, as the title shows........ I'm TWENTY ONE DAYS OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't believe it. I was easily in the 100's when I first started "123 days to go..." Gosh, it's finally coming. My goal for the next 21 days is to stay consistent with the nutrition and keep pumping out the cardio. Surprisingly, I'm not sick of ANY aspect of contest prep. I actually love it. It's my hobby and it keeps me busy.
I'm off to the gym to lift & do some cardio and then I'll head back at 5:30 for bootcamp.
MUCH LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY FRIDAY

Active Rest

2007-09-11T20:39:00.000-07:00

My parents are training for a 1/2 (my mom) and Full (my dad) Marathon in October. (HOW COOL IS THAT???) They have days in their training regiment that allows for REST days. My dad tells me that rest means REST, no ifs, ands or buts.
Well, that doesn't work in my case. I can't NOT do anything. I have to at least do something active everyday. Today my muscles rested but I did a little cardio. My new nutrition is awesome and I'd like to think I'm still leaning up. No, I know I am. I'm really happy with how my back is coming along. I feel so strong, it rocks. Tomorrow is leg work and........YA YA YA, I'm FINALLY teaching again this week!! I teach TurboKick tomorrow and my core central class thursday. I'm so exciting to be back, I know my ankle is still healing, but it's doing great. I'll make sure and brace it and ice it after.
Also, I'm planning on practicing my routine this week...........HOLLLLAAAHHHH!!!
MUCH LOVE~
EM

Pic

2007-09-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

Well, not a progress pic, but a pic of Gene & I at Renae & Brett's Wedding- August 18th. Beautiful day, SO MUCH FUN! :)
This was post engagement (Aug. 15th!) and Pre ankle re-injury (Aug. 20th)

Stronger & Stronger!

2007-09-06T21:45:00.000-07:00

That's how I'm feeling everyday. Technically, I guess it can be applied both literally & figuratively. The literaly part is obvious, and the figurative part comes in to play with the diet & my mentality facing the next four weeks. I'm so excited about the next 29 days. I'm excited because I know I'm taking my figure to a place it's never been. I've gotta get rid of the layer of adipose that is hiding my beautiful mus-kles :) :) :)
I am seeing new muscles everday, and I think I'm getting tighter, slowly....
Sept. 17th I start a new job, so life has been a little crazier. But crazy is good, and crazy keeps me busy! :) ha ha
Anyway, I take photos tomorrow night or sat. morning, start my new nutrition, and keep pumping it out!!!!!!!!!!!!! The ankle is doing well! (Yes, I should enter myself in some research efforts on Glutamine, because I swear it's helped me heal a lot faster than normal....each of the....THREE times.......I've hurt my ankle this year.) Maybe the company of my ankle brace would be interested in sponsoring me!?!?! :)
MUCH LOVE~!!!

4 & 1/2 Weeks ta gooooo

2007-09-03T17:06:00.000-07:00

Happy labor day!!!!! I think today can be filed away as A GOOD DAY, because I was able to shift my cardio from the upright bike to the stair-stepper!!! YAY!!!! Not the stairmill (gauntlet) but the one you don't literally step. It's GREAT to be able to do something else, FINALLY. The ankle is feeling okay, I'm icing right now. I did a killer back workout and am feeling great overall!! This friday I take 4 week out pix for my nutritionist, and keep going from there!
ALL IS WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MUCH LOVE! XOXO

Fitness or figure......Fitness or figure....Fit....

2007-08-30T14:09:00.000-07:00

Ohhhkay, basically that's all I've been thinking about the last couple of days. To explain my point, Lishia Dean choreographed an AWESOME routine for me that I just recieved in the mail on monday. Now I'm super bummed that I might not be able to do it until next year.....Sooo, I'm takin things day by day and I'm not going to count myself out of fitness. HEAL, ANKLE, HEAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's hard to explain to people what I'm doing. I try and explain that there is Bodybuilding....Figure...& Fitness. Figure & Fitness are looking for the same thing (feminine look, no muscle striations, proportioned upper & lower body. Ya know, buff, but still girlie) AND, fitness is the addition of the 2 minute routine to showcase strength, flexibility & the five mandatory moves: one-handed push up, straddle hold, pike hold, both side & middle splits & high kicks.
I think I could explain the whole thing in my sleep. I don't know how many people have asked....."What's a fitness competition....." :) :) :) I love to talk about it, so it doesn't bother me!!!!
Alright, I gotta go bust a workout
MUCH LOVE. Sorry my last post was Sunday......... :) :)

LESS THAN 6 WEEKS!

2007-08-26T14:32:00.001-07:00

The weekend has been great thus far. I still have a back & cardio workout this afternoon. I've been restricted to just the upright bike for my cardio. I'm REALLY not thrilled about that because then it means my cardio sessions are even LONGER now. Oh well, I have plenty of magazines and books and DVRed shows to watch. JUST 40 MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then ankle is doing better. Still slightly swollen and tender. I've been ice-massaging and using the ice pack A LOT! I have my classes subbed out again this week in hopes the I'll be okay the following. The diet is going well! 2 more weeks, progress pix, then I'll get a new one for three weeks. The last week is entirely different (so I've been told).
Anyway, Life is good, and I'm trying to stay as positive as I can with this ankle injury............
By the way......How is August almost over?!?!? WHOA!!!!!!!!!!
MUCH LOVE!!!

I AM AN ATHLETE...............

2007-08-22T09:16:00.000-07:00

And all athletes have their fair share of injuries. It's quite disheartening. I can't lie. There was def. a part of me that wanted to cry and give up. BUT, ALAS, that's not my character, and I WILL COMPETE OCTOBER 6th. However, once again my plans seem to change. I will enter only the Figure category. This makes me very sad because I think Figure is missing the Fun, performance aspect of the fitness routine. That, and I just paid to have my routine choreographed. It's all good, though, because I'll just bring a killer routine to the Emerald Cup and the Empire Classic next spring in Seattle & Spokane!!! That's all I can do. No reason to risk further injury. Today my ankle is still nasty and tender and bruised and sore. :(
I'm guessing I partially tore some of my ligaments, namely, these two (sorry if that was disturbing...) I'm going to see my PT the beginning of next week once he's home from vacation. In the meantime, I'm trying to get my two classes subbed out for a while. I think my main problem is that I never REALLY allowed my two previous sprains to heal (as much as I hate to admit it.) It's the whole lack of patience combined with a high pain tolerance.
This time though, I'm taking a different approach.
In a few more days I'll start back up with the upright bike for my cardio. I'm doing an upperbody workout today, and my diet will be ON POINT!
That's all for now. Wish me luck!!!!

NO COMMENT

2007-08-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

Right ankle. Suck.
Kinda bad, but N.O.T. bad enough to take me out. NO WAY NO HOW NOT EVEN!
Bruised a little bit, especially below my ankle bone (lateral malleolus).
I did it jumping...on my mini-tramp...doing plyometrics.... :(
Must I hypelink my old post?
This too shall pass, this too shall heal............................

SEATTLE OR BUST!!!!

2007-08-18T09:26:00.001-07:00

I'm getting soooo excited for my competition. I've been pretty excited this whole time training, but I'm really seeing changes now. A LOT can happen in 49 days. That's a good thing, because as great as it is that I'm seeing changes......my suits are still T.I.G.H.T. It gives me fat rolls I thought I'd gotten rid of! :) ha ha

So, yesterday was wonderful. AM cardio, shoulders/cardio in the afternoon and PM cardio while we watched 300. It's pretty cool, on the DVD extra's, it shows a short clip about the training of the actors/athletes. If you haven't seen the movie, these guys are freakin' RIPPED!!! Anyway, the training was all very functional and looked like fun! Train like a SPARTAN!! :) My other motto........... =)

Today I just finished my morning cardio. Short & sweet because I'm heading to the gym for LEGS! Friday is normally my leg day, but I just wasn't feeling it yesterday, so I swapped my Fri/Sat. schedule.

Tomorrow will be a short session of Bi/Tri. I think I'm getting them good enough with my chest day & back day, but, a little extra work will be fine!

My goal is still to post ALMOST everyday, so they may start to get a little shorter, but I sure do appreciate everyone's support & comments & encouragment! I'm having so much fun with this!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE X10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

50 Days to go............

2007-08-16T14:54:00.001-07:00

Well, back at it today. I didn't have morning cardio (only 5 AM cardios for now) so that was nice to sleep in a little! :) I'm still pretty much in awe of the fact that I'm going to get married. We've been together over 2 1/2 years and I've know for a LONG time this is who I'm spending my life with, but I'll tell you what, making it OFFICIAL, is pretty special (and surreal!) Now, I need to shift my focus back to Oct. 6th!!! :)

I teach in about an hour, and then more cardio in the PM. I did a couple holds last night to send to my choreography, so here they are. I'm pretty proud I can do these, because it took me a long time to master!! :)
MUCH LOVE~~~~~~~~~~~~EM

I AM...............................

2007-08-15T20:45:00.000-07:00

ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

W.O.W. WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) :)

OTC

2007-08-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Off The Charts
Yesterdays workout'S *plural* were somethum else!!!!!!!!!!! :) I kicked it into high gear. Started with fasted cardio, worked five hours, then went to gym for LEGS & 30 min. ellip. THEN, biked another 40 minutes during the Hell'S Kitchen finale
I feel great today, I got to sleep in until about 9 so I got PLENTY of rest while my body was recovering.
Today I did about 30 minutes before breakfast, and will go to the gym around 6 for Chest & cardio. I plan on doing 45 on the bike tonight around 8:30
ALL IS WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Positive feedback, (i think...) from my nutritionist. He said:
"Better, but still work to do."
:) I like that, good news, but something to work for, too!!!!!!! :) :) :)
HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOTS OF LOVE~

ohh, and how stinkin' cute is my nephew?? LOVE the new pix!!!!!!!!!!! :)

A Day @ Coeur D'Alene

2007-08-11T20:25:00.000-07:00

Had a fabulous time at the lake. Lots of people out there today. Gotta take advantage of the few weekends we have left!!! No wakeboarding this time.....I'm too scaried to get hurt AND it was super choppy.
I did very well today. One day down, 54 to go! It was tough being around any junk food and resisting, but, alas, I DID RESIST!!! Cookies, chips, candy, you name it................Seriously, I'm pretty happy I stayed on the program!

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!! I FORGOT TO MENTION:
*****I HAVE A CHOREOGRAPHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!******************
I really thought I'd be able to put a routine together myself.....but that didn't work, so I am working with Lishia Dean (http://www.lishiadean.com/) I sent her my music and will get the routine via DVD as soon as she can finish it!!!!!!!!!!
What a relief!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow is Back & of course, more cardio!

I TOOK PROGRESS PIX...............

2007-08-10T22:40:00.000-07:00

and then I indulged in Dairy Queen.............. :S
But I feel great. I think it's easy to "mentally" beat yourself up when you cheat, but I think it's a necessary evil. It gives me reason to work hard this next 8 weeks. I expect my new diet as early as tomorrow, as late as MAYBE tuesday. Until then I'm sticking to what I have, and "up"ing intensity........as if it wasn't intense already! =)
I am confident I'm in good/great shape.........BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not in STAGE SHAPE. I WILL be in 8 weeks, though. It's clicked that I'm doing this and I'm doing it FULL-FORCE. Why can't I bust my ass just like the Pro's?
My motto for the next 56 DAYS::::::::::

**********"PREPARE LIKE A PRO"********** WHY NOT?!?!?!?!?!

BACK TO BUSINESS

2007-08-09T19:26:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I take pix for my 8 week out diet. I'm sooo excited to really buckle down and hit it hard this next 2 months. Yesterday was Turbokick & a combined Chest/back workout. Today was AM cardio, class this evening & LEGS!!!!!
Friday is shoulders & more cardio. Lots and lots of cardio & diet right ON!!!!!!!! OH MY GOODNESS! I got my one piece suit this week and should get my 2 piece next week! Yeah, talk about motivation. It fits, it's just seriously SNUGGGG................. =)
I'm trying to post EVERYDAY, even if it's short. Posting really helps me see my progress, obviously, and it's fun to look back a few weeks & see what worked, and what didn't.
ALL IS WELL!!!!!!!!!!! TO FELLOW COMPETITIORS: KEEP TRAINING HARD, & PREPARE TO ROCK THAT STAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LAKE CHELAN HIKING

2007-08-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

We had an AWESOME time in Lake Chelan! I'll update my blog tomorrow, but since I'm uploading pix to shutterfly, I figured I'd add one here! This is my folks, gene & me at the top of Pot Peak. 10 miles round trip, with some SERIOUS incline!!!!

More Great News!!!!!!!!!!

2007-08-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

Make sure and read my first entry today so we're all on the same page. October 6th it is, and for some reason, I'm even MORE pumped. The Ironman was my ultimate goal anyway, and I think I was afraid my body wouldn't "rebound/recover" correctly after cutting and whatnot for the first show. I want to bring my BEST to Bellvue!!!
So, my Mom, Dad, Grandma & Granddad are ON THEIR WAY!!!!!! I pick them up tonight! Yeah yeah yeah!!!!!!!!!! :) Happy times with the fam! :-)
Second, my suits are are their way, toO!!!!!!!!!!!! :) That'll be interesting....trying my suits on when I'm still 9 weeks out. Motivation or WHAT!!!
THIRD:::
MY BEST FRIEND, who just visited, IS FLYING INTO SEATTLE FOR THE WEEKEND TO SEE ME COMPETE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOW FREAKIN' COOL/AWESOME/SWEET IS THAT????? Best Friends ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's my news. Now I'm going to workout. What a great day!!! :)
LOVE X10
my bestie:

NEW MONTH, NEW GOAL

2007-08-01T07:08:00.000-07:00

Alright. I have a change of plans............. :) Here it is:
Instead of focusing on two shows (Sept. 22nd/Oct. 6th) I've decided to just focus on the Washington Ironman Championship Oct. 6th in Bellvue, Washington (outside seattle).
I've thought about the pro's & con's of trying to do both. I would love to have a "trial run" with everything at the first comp, but it's making more sense to just focus on the one show. And I do belive the Ironman is the bigger one, anyway! :)
So, that's my news. New month, new schedule, new goal. I'm now 9 weeks and a couple days out. Everything is going so well!!!!!
Once again, I get to play hostess today. My folks & grandparents will be here this evening! YIPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
I'll try and keep ya updated, but we may be super busy!
Have a wonderful day & rest of the week!
MUCH LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8 Week Out Weekend

2007-07-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

WAS A SUCCESS! :) I got up way too early Friday morning. Thursday night I psyched myself up about the fact that I'm 8 weeks out, and just really wanted to pump out a hard AM cardio. Which I did.....but I sure needed a nap after work! :)
That afternoon I did LEGS. Wonderful. Most women have dominant Quads, and I like to think my quads are pretty strong, BUT, my hamstrings almost felt stronger & def. had more endurance. We'll see how the next Leg workout goes. I may need to focus some extra work on the front.
Yesterday I didn't do AM cardio..........so sleepy. But I worked until noon, hit the gym for Shoulders & cardio, then came home relaxed, & did about another hour on the bike, watching Princess Diaries 2. :) ha ha. I really like Anne Hathaway (devil wears prada? Anyone??)
Today I just finished another AWESOME fasted cardio. Today my goal is to work long & hard on my routine. It's nice that I'm an instructor, because I have access to the aerobics room & the sound system. I'll work on that (no lift today) and hopefully stay for Yoga @ 4pm.
Gotta keep the intensity up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH FOR EVERYONE IN CONTEST PREP MODE! LETS KEEP THE MOTIVATION! ANY TIPS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME, TOO! :)
MUCHO AMORE!!!!

Early Morning!

2007-07-27T06:12:00.000-07:00

HAPPY FRIDAY! I'm 8 WEEKS OUT..........YAAHOOOOO!!!!!!!! My comp. is on a Saturday, but my countdown is to that Friday, because that's when we head out of town! :-)
It's been almost a week since my last post......i know, I know
I had the most WONDERFUL time with my best friend here. I tried to show her everything the Inland Northwest has to offer. Basically, anyone who comes to visit me, I try and get them to relocate :) ha ha
We stayed pretty active the entire time. I missed one lifting session (got in all my cardio, though) but just added it to my next one. We did some serious boating, bike riding, walking/running. TONS OF FUN.
Now, my next visitors will be here on Wednesday night. I'm the hostess with the most-ess, what can I say!!!!!! :) My Mom, Dad, G'ma & G'dad will all be here for over a week!
Awesomely enough, my Mom is training for a half marathon & my Dad is training for a full marathon, so they'll both need to stay on track (so to speak) with their training. I can't say it enough how lucky I am to have such an active family!!!
Today is LEGS. Oh yeah! I'm focusing on the glute-ham tie in, still, and I think I'll end my session this afternoon with about 15 mins. of HIIT on the Stairmill.
I'm upping my cardio a little bit, and this weekend I'm measuring & ordering my SUITS!!!!!!!!!!!
The countdown is ON!! (As if it weren't, already.......)
HAVE A LOVELY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a VISITOR!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-07-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

Yay!! Today I pick my best friend up from the airport! She gets to stay with me until Wednesday morning. I asked her what all she wants to do and she said, "I want to live the life of Em." or something to that regard.....soooo, that's awesome, because I'll be able to stay right on track, esp. considering i'm NINE WEEKS OUT......YO.
I need to get her a guest pass when I work out this afternoon, and then we'll be good to go! We'll be at the lake all day tomorrow, she'll show off her bad ass wakeboarding skills, I, on the other hand, will go NOWHERE outside the wake :-)
This Monday & Tuesday we'll go biking, running, lifting, I'll give her a fabulous hot-rock massage......we're gonna have a BLAST! I'll be fun to show her my routine, and subject her to my habits!
I'll try & blog, but, ya know, girl time can take up a majority of a day! :)
LOVE TO ALL, HAPPY SATURDAY!
p.s. BABY GAVIN is GREAT!!!!!!!!!! Seester, can he PLEEZZZ come visit Auntie EM??? :(

Lifting in the AM

2007-07-19T14:22:00.000-07:00

Morning Cardio: Check!
Morning Lift Session (back): Check!
Happy about it?: NOPE (the lifting, that is)
I Love love love my morning cardio sessions. I feel tired and half asleep ALL morning if I don't do it. It's totally worth getting up early for! :)
As far as lifting in the morning, before work........TOTALLY not a fan. I haven't done it before, so I thought I'd give it a try since I didn't work until 10 today. I am pooped. I simply cannot lift heavy and then go to work (my work is physical, mind you). I thought it'd be nice to have cardio & lifting finished, so after work I would be done. I take that back, I MUCH prefer cardio, work, THEN lifting in the afternoons. I like maxing out my muscles, then coming home and being lazy the rest of the evening......not today, I still have class & gymnastics ahead of me......not cool.
Anyway, that's just my personal opinion on lifting. Thought I'd give it a go, and now I know why I save it for later. Luckily today was a shorter work day! :)
Off to nap!!!

The Goodness that is TURBO

2007-07-18T21:16:00.000-07:00

I can't say it enough. I just REALLY love this format. It never bores me, and as far as I know, it never bores my participants, either! :-) What a Win=Win situation!
I got my Shoulder workout in after work this afternoon (feeling strong. Military pressed 30 lb. dumbbells each hand.) Then rested until class. Even if I'm a "little" tired, Turbokick pumps me up big time! The hour goes by like THAT!!
Anyway, tomorrow I'm going to do Back in the morning, then teach in the afternoon & go to gymnastics to work on my choreography......it's coming along....it's just stalled at the moment..........:S
Ohh, I need to order my suits soon, too! Any suggestions, lemme know!! Thank you!
MUCH LOVE~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~XOXO

Another Blog I read....

2007-07-16T13:51:00.000-07:00

Among the many I check frequently, here's this one: GREAT POST today
http://www.nutritionhelp.blogspot.com/

Making Cardio NOT feel like CARDIO

2007-07-16T13:17:00.001-07:00

Is there a secret to making cardio NOT as daunting a task as we think it is???? In my opinion, YES!!!!!!!! To get my cardio in each day, I have to: MAKE IT FUN, KEEP IT INTERESTING, CHALLENGE MYSELF and most importantly, I cannot have a clock to look it.......that makes it feel like it's never going to end........
So, I hide the clock, and just go for it. Each day I try and run SLIGHTLY faster, walk at maximum incline for a FEW more seconds, pedal at the harderst resistance 30 seconds more than yesterday. The workouts also SEEM to go faster when you break it into minute or 2 min. intervals. Basically it comes down to CONTINUALLY Challenging myself. I think, WOW, I can do a little bit more.....watch this, there I go..... Before I know it, I've finished my workout, surpassed my previous goals & am drenched in sweat (the ultimate goal) :)
That's my answer to making it through the sometimes TOUGH cardio sessions. Tell yourself you love it.......eventually you'll believe it!
****
Now..........on the days that none of the above works, I just think about the tiny suit I have to rock on stage in less than 10 weeks.....that's some motivation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ha ha ha
****
MONDAY=LEGS
Off to train!!!!!!

p.s. OH MY: The other way I get through my cardio?? MUSIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My current FAV: Rhianna's new CD tracks 1-5 gets me about half way thru. (the whole CD rocks, the first 5 are more dancy, though)
I can't believe I almost forgot to mention music as my motivator. Geezzzzzzzzz

Friday-Active Rest/Sat.-Back

2007-07-14T12:45:00.000-07:00

I started Friday with almost an hour of cardio downstairs. After work I did 20 minutes on the Stairmill & 20 more min. of Incline Treadmill work. It was my active rest day and I enjoyed it! Except it's weird being at the gym and not busting out a hard lifting session........But rest is essential! :)
Today I did 1/2 hour of cardio before breakfast, and I head to the gym this afternoon for a back workout & more cardio!
That's my update! :)

“If you believe in what you are doing, then let nothing hold you up in your work. Much of the best work of the world has been done against seeming impossibilities. The thing is to get the work done." -- Dale Carnegie

Countdown!

2007-07-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

Myspace Countdown or Myspace Layouts

GNO! Hollaaaahh

2007-07-12T07:11:00.000-07:00

Girls Night Out @ TURBO last night! I usually have one guy, sometimes two, who join us for Turbokick on Wednesday night. Not last night, it was ladies only and we rocked it out. I really needed it to, because up until class, I was having a blahhhhhh day. I was sore, my cardio didn't seem up to par, arms were just mediocre..........Turbo redeemed me :)
Morning cardio today was wonderful. I do 2 minutes forward/one minute backwards, and up the incline 2% after those three minutes..........until I hit peak incline. Helllloooo, legs. Then I finished with almost a mile run. As much as my legs could carry me. :)
Off to work, 5 appointments, then Shoulders: Teach Core-Central/hi-lo: Gymnastics tonight. BUSY DAY!
Gotta go make eggs......yummmy
MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!