I was "TAGGED"

So, I got tagged and this is what I'm suppose to do. I don't know enough people to tag back, but I thought I'd play along:
Here are 7 random facts about me:

1. I can do a straddle sit on my elbows/triceps. PERFECT for my fitness routine! Pictures coming soon............
2. I have a mild obsession with 94% Fat Free KETTLE KORN popcorn......it's my nemesis come pre-contest diet..........grrrr........so tasty, just try it
3. I dance anytime I can. Even in my car......Yes, I'm that girl, jamming out in my seat.
4. I introduced the wonderful world of Sonic Drive-In to my significant other......really, who HASN'T has Sonic? I practically lived there in high school......we were so cool. :)
5. I have two 10 month old cats, siblings: Sophia & Nash. THEY ROCK!!!
6. Growing up I couldn't tell you if Washington State was above or below Oregon. Now I live here..........:)
7. I'm double-jointed in both hips.......just ask, I'll demonstrate! :)
8. Okay, just one more::: I have to give a shout out. I will be 'AUNTIE EM' in a matter of days, and yes, I am from KANSAS! HOLLA TO GAVIN MICHAEL PEREZ!!!!!!!!

Saturday Shoulders

Alright. So much for time off Memorial Weekend, right?? I worked this morning, and will be working Monday too......Luckily I love my job and it's no biggie.
I trained my shoulders today. It went very well. I'm hoping to develop the "cap" (medial Delt) so I have the nice Round look to the upper body. But, I'm also trying to hit rear delts, too. I make sure and warm up my rotator cuff muscles really well before. The LAST thing I need is a shoulder injury! I'm thinking I'm about due for a massage, myself....my forearms are nasty!
I've only done 35 min. of cardio thus far. But, I intend on hitting my new upright bike downstairs after dinner............
Tomorrow will be LEGS. I'll lift and then heading to CVHS to do some stadium stairs........Geez, I haven't done those since volleyball in '01...........ohhh, bad conditioning memories! :)
Anyway, I hope Memorial Day is enjoyable for everyone!
MUCH LOVE, *EM*

16 DAYS DOWN........122 to GO!!!!!!!!!!

The last physical challenge I accomplished (besides becoming a Group Exercise Instructor & TurboKick instructor) was completing a Half Marathon. I was living in Tempe at the time, and had hit a point where I was only "maintaining" my physical condition......so, the goal to finish the Half really made me focus on a goal. I "upped" my mileage accordingly each week, and finished without walking (that was my mini-goal, run the whole thing!)
ANYWAY, my point to this is: training for a Half is a hell of a lot easier than training for a Fitness Competition. With running, there are basic templete like charts that recommend how much you run each week, distance, intensity, rest day, and so on......Competing, on the other hand, has FAR too many variables to try and chart. It's different for everyone!!!! Like I've said before, trial & error!!! I'm amazed so many women do this while maintaining a full time job and a lot of them are mommies, too........I don't know how they do it..........I feel consumed (don't get me wrong, I FREAKIN' LOVE IT) by the training, diet, motivation required......it's just amazing. There are far too many times when I'd rather stay in bed then get dressed & head for treadmill in the cold basement for cardio on an empty stomach (fasted cardio) BUT, 70% of the time I do it........I need to work on that! :)
You could easily give yourself a year of Prep, but I'm still POSITIVE I'm on track. I'm not afraid to say I'm proud of myself.....I really am progressing nicely, but it surely is a part-time job. I love it and would be blessed if it turns into a career opportunity, not just competing, but helping others Prep............ :-) :-) :-)
On the training side of things.......This morning I did 35 min. fasted cardio @ home, and just finished Back & 2o min. cardio @ gym. I'll head back in a few hours for TURBO, and then we'll do a leisurely bike ride after..........
That's it for now! Thank you all for any comments, they brighten my day & make me laugh! :)

Sunday, a Day of Rest?

Wednesday ended with Turbo. Another great class, my participants really pump me up and push me to take it up another level! So much fun. I've actually encouraged one of my members to get TurboKick certified in June! Yay!
Thursday class went well, as did Gymnastics. My coach took a copy of my routine music and plans to help me with choreography!! I'm so glad I'll have help. She was impressed with how far I've come in just 4 classes! :)
Friday was my "active rest" day. I biked in the morning, and did cross training in the evening (bike & incline walk). Saturday I did Shoulders and HIIT on the stair mill. Today I'll do legs and some incline s.s. cardio. I'm feeling great!! Diet is great, my clothes are already loose! I still need to practice my holds and watch my posing DVD.
I think Monday & Friday will be my "active rest" days. Each week I find something I can tweak when it comes to my training............Oh well, that's part of it~ a willingness to adjust! :)

127 Days to go!!

Just finished Chest at the gym. Short workout since I teach tonight. I have back tomorrow and then Friday is my "active rest" day weightlifting, wise. I don't lift again until late Sat. afternoon. I like to think I'm doing a pretty nice job taking care of myself! I eat my meals every two hours, supplement accordingly, ice if necessary, get a massage (when possible), take Epsom salt bath and go to bed at 10! I'm fully aware that my muscles need rest (that's when they grow, Right!) and over-training is the last thing I want to happen. I'm basically 17 weeks out and ALL IS WELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I'm happy with my progress thus far and will changing my workouts if I feel I'm not recovered from the previous session.

P.S. I LOVE TO LIFT!!! Yeahhhh.

Legs, Legs, Legs

This morning I worked my legs SO hard! It was intense, I'm really happy with how it went! After lifting, I did HIIT on the Stair Mill and just about couldn't walk afterwards- my legs were JELLO!!! :) I gotta say I love that feeling! Come Wednesdays, my week just flies by, and, it's packed with fitness! I have chest & Turbo Kick tomorrow, Core Central/Hi-Lo & Gymnastics on Thursday (oh yeah, and back) and Friday I do a long bike ride, no lifting. I just watched Ms. Fitness World on FSN and it definitely pumps me up and makes me work hard! I know my goal seems "lofty" but I'm confident! It's helpful that so many people believe in me, too! :) :) :)

It's the Weekend.....

Well, almost.....I have 6 appointments this morning, then I'm heading to the gym for shoulders & back...........and over an hour of cardio. Maybe I'll split it up and do a bike ride in the evening. The rest of my week (thurs. fri) went pretty well! I have some mini goals for the next couple days. I need to finish all my water (sounds easy......not so much) practice my straddle holds with the pushup bars, complete all cardio, go to yoga, stretch, stretch, stretch and practice splits. Also, I need to do some hydrotherapy on my sore spots......ouch! And lastly, prep. all my meals for next week........What's 8 times 5? A lot of freakin' meals........:)
Here we go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Next week I'm taking progress pix.....oohhh goodness.....