Hi all! Wow, this week flew by for me. The last couple days have been super busy.. but all good stuff!
FITNESS
First an update.. yesterday was weekly Check-In day with my trainer.. and.. finally my weight dropped a couple pounds, and my body fat % when down too 
It’s so crazy, right now I’m only a little over a percent above what I competed at last time (which I can definitely lose in the next 3.5 weeks), but my weight is so much higher. I’ll really be cutting it close if I’m ready to compete August 28th.. but no stress.. if I don’t feel ready, I’ll just hold off till the October 2nd NPC Show, which is the federation I’m more serious about and it has fitness!
Cardio: Just a whole lot of Steady State :/ .. but it’s all good.. I’ve come peace with it, and we’ve agreed to have a cordial relationship for the time being. Today I split it into two 30 min. sessions.. it’s just so much easier to convince myself of just a quick 30 minutes, then convince myself again later that day. Plus multiple cardio sessions is a great distraction when I otherwise might want to eat things I shouldn’t haha
Weight: Yesterday was Shoulders & Back, today was Arms.. both good workout. Overall I’ve feeling pretty good strength-wise, and have only noticed a bit of a drop of with my endurance.
Beloved Support
Today I met up for coffee (though I never actually ended up getting coffee, whoops), with a friend who also competes in Figure. Having a strong support system of a training team &/or friends who have competed is a must, in my opinion, when pursuing this crazy sport. It’s just one of those experiences, that unless you’ve done it, you really can’t completely understand. I’m super thankful that most of my family & friends have been very supportive, and I value that SO much, but I know they get tired of my training & dieting rants.. or simply complaining about being hungry &/or tired (no matter how much I try to keep it at a minimum, sometimes you just have to vent!). Any who, just having people who can completely understand is so helpful, and therapeutic in getting through prep.. most recently Julie, June and Chrissy deserve a shot out for listening to me … and of course to ALL of you who are so sweet, and motivate me everyday with your encouraging comments. THANK YOU!!
NUTRITION
I love coffee, iced, hot, you name it. Since I live in pretty much the hottest place in the country, lately I’ve favored the iced version, so when I saw this at the store, I had to give it a try..
To be honest, as much as I love Starbucks Lattes and Frappuccinos, I don’t really like their drip coffee, in store or at home. I tried the Natural flavor line recently, and didn’t like that either. But I have to say, this was my favorite so far.. especially with a little Unsweetened Almond Milk, Vanilla Stevia and Sugar-Free Syrup And it will be perfect for one of my Ice Blended Fit-uccinos!
A Few of the Usuals
It’s pretty much been the usuals the last couple days, but here are the pretty highlights..
Snickerdoodle Tofu Pudding with Almonds..
A plain & simple Protein Pancake with Almond Butter and WF 0-cal Maple Syrup..
Lemon Blender Protein Ice Cream with Sugar-Free Strawberry Syrup..
Come to think of it, I’m not sure I’ve ever listed the specific blender protein ice cream recipe.. so for reference purposes
Blender Protein Ice Cream
1 scoop Protein Powder (my favorite is MGN Ice Cream Sandwich Whey Isolate)
1 c Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze
1/4 tsp Xantham Gum
1/2 tsp Guar Gum
Stevia Extract to taste
2 tbsp Sugar-Free Syrup (optional)
10 drops Capella Flavor (optional)
Ice
Toppings: Puffed Millet, High Fiber Natural Cereal, Walden Farms Syrups, Berries, etc (optional)
Mix all ingredients, except Ice, in a blender on low speed. Add a handful of Ice and blend on high/ice crush. Top with favorite ingredients.
And continuing on
Tilapia x 2.. one with Yellow Curry and the other with Salsa..
Shirataki Noodles + Smoked Salmon + Imitation Cheesy Sauce + a dash of Mrs. Dash..
And of course Protein Almond Milk Ice Cream! This was a Caramel version (by adding 2 tbsp Walden Farms o-calorie Caramel Dip), with a Protein Cookie crumbled on top..
FUN
Ok, no lies.. I’m totally jealous of all of the people currently at BlogHer and going to the Healthy Living Summit next week.. jealousy is bad.. but wow, it looks like so much fun! Maybe next year
Before I forget, OpenSky, the host of My Shop, made big changes this last week, and it seems many products I had before have disappeared, while others I never requested have suddenly appeared. hmm, I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a chance to sort it out, so I apologize for that.. but on a positive note, there’s currently free shipping!
Movie Time
Currently watching one of my favorite childhood movies, Labyrinth.. the song ‘Dance Magic Dance’ still always makes me smile..
What were your favorite movies growing up? Besides Labyrinth I also loved ’101 Dalmations’ (the cartoon version) and the first Star Wars movie.
Any fun weekend plans? Saturday I’m planning to do a Boot Camp class, followed by Figure posing practice, then hopefully will make it to a handstand workshop & fundraiser at my Yoga studio!
Fun Links
You can't NOT do the OCB show!! I'm getting up there no matter what, and I'll be lucky to hit 11%…but, I'm celebrating the fact that I went from 30.5% to 11% in 10 months and created an upper body where there was none. People keep telling me that my legs will come in these last few weeks…I'll believe it when I see it. I hope you join me!!
Stephanie
Oohh…The Labyrinth is one of my faves too! Also She-devil, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Popeye
After doing hours of cardio before I agree, breaking it up can be a good thing. Good luck to you with both shows!! I like the OCB only because it's not as "faved" or biased as the NPC. Seems team Bombshell wins no matter what.
I am not a fan of Starbucks coffees either. In the stores OR at home. I just think someting about it is not quite right. 10 yrs ago, fine. Now…with the uber-mass production of it, not so much a fan. That said, I do enjoy their Sumatra, tons. But it's $11 for a little bag…I can get Sumatra for a couple oz more at TJs and it's $5 for the can. I get the TJs and can hardly tell the diff.
Congrats on your progress AND your meetup. Fun and good that you have the support!
oh my gosh I LOVE LABYRINTH!! Brings back such great memories. Good luck at the end of this month. YOu are gonna rock it!
Labyrinth is the BEST MOVIE ever!! U just brought back so many memories to me when I saw this! It seriously is my favorite, my sisters and I loved it and love david bowie in it!!!
I love your protein icecream creations, I need to get the caramel syrup by walden farms, I cant find it, but I see you got the caramel dip and it looks like it works great!
Have a great day girl! xoxo
" Having a strong support system of a training team &/or friends who have competed is a must, in my opinion, when pursuing this crazy sport. It’s just one of those experiences, that unless you’ve done it, you really can’t completely understand."
I couldn't have said that better myself. And, your blog and others like it serve as a great support system as well. It really helps being able to read your words and daily thoughts and know that there are other people out there going through the same highs and lows, and putting in the same insane amount of hard work. So thank you!!!
Oh I used to love snickerdoodle cookies so that pudding sounds awesome. LOL – I used to watch The Labyrinth all the time! It's interesting that your % is so low but weight is higher – could it be that in part it's b/c you're more muscular now that previously and have continued to build? I bet you're going to be rock solid girl!
hey gal!! so glad to hear your progress!! I need to get some gums to make those protein shakes and protein ice creams, I know it adds so much creaminess to them!!! where do you get them??
I totally agree with you about the support system, which is why I am so excited to be with CSF, I already get a pouring in of emails and facebook friends of girls I dont even know but just welcoming me to the whole program. It is a great feeling to know that I will be doing with others!
weekend plans?? its supposed to be beautiful! probably workout and ride the motorcycle with the BF!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Yeah they are really wonderful. Everyone was so amazing to help me when I did my first show, and I wasn't even on the team! I got the gums at Whole Foods and Sprouts. They're fantastic and makes shakes so much more fun & filling too
Have a wonderful weekend!
Congrats on your progress
I have never seen Labyrinth but I am fan of all of the Star Wars movies! Thanks for the ice cream recipe, going to try to make it hope it comes out creamy *fingers crossed*
Have a great weekend!
O I loved Labyrinth! I was also really into "Splash" if anybody remembers that! It IS good to have the support, know that I'm always right behind ya.
I loved 'Splash' , I probably watched it way too much as a kid, it made me wish I could be a mermaid!
I think that's so neat that your body fat is lower, but your weight is higher- that means more muscle on you right?
Oh, and I would love to meet up with you!! I'll be down there the 14-18th.. that would be awesome to see you!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Yeah I definitely have more muscle, but a little other stuff too, haha … and perfect, I'll be in town!
I love your attitude.. if it is not right, I will just do the next show! You seem to be on track & great mental too! It is important to have people we can just let loose with! I know I need it!
I am so happy for you – re your stats. I know how hard you are working. And hte support system – ummm- well – that's what you are too me:) You are such an inspiration. I am really thinking of signing up for CSF…let's talk more.
xoxo
Omg love love looooove Labyrinth!!!
Hey! I made your spinach bars tonight–in a little bit of a variation–I added "sweet" spices to it: cinnamon, allspice, cloves and ginger! It was really good!! Don't knock it til ya try it
Congrats on your stats!! Keep up your hard work.
I love magic dance too! I listen to the long version of the song on playlist.com (great site!) and especially when I am studying it is a great song to listen to, people think I am weird for liking it though. Im glad I am not alone! I love(d) the little mermaid because I am a swimmer and used to want to be a memaid too (and still do hehe). But who doesnt want to be a disney princess c'mon!
Congratulations on the BF%! That is a huge accomplishment! I can appreciate the network/support system so much! It really can 'make or break' you! Nothing is worse than feeling isolated and alone! I've been on such an ice cream kick lately- and apparently it's in excess (given some of the comments I've had! lol). But honestly- they are so so amazingly yummy and guilt free! Plus it's summer- so why not!
Have a great weekend!
Barbara
I've never seen that movie! What's is about?! I loved anything wth Kevin Costner – major crush
@ that time, not gonna lie. Dances With Wolves, The BodyGuard…sigh…