Monday Morning Motivation

"Life has no limitations, except the ones you make."

Les Brown

"Life is just a blank slate, what matters most is what you write on it."

Christine Frankland

"Light tomorrow with today."

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment."

Jim Rohn

“None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson 

“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly. ”

Robert F. Kennedy 

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." 

Thomas Jefferson

"There is only one success--to be able to spend your life in your own way."

Christopher MorleyThomas Jefferson

"Life begets life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich."

Sarah Bernhardt

My Show

It's almost midnight and I wanted to make sure you all knew what the results were! I was in two categories, "open" which is anyone of a certain height range (mine was over 5' 2" and up to and including 5' 4"); and then masters 50 and over.


There are five trophies awarded in each category.  I did not place in the open category. I must say it was disappointing, but then I realized that I have a lot of balls to think at the age of 51 I can strut out there and beat those younger gals. And I still think I can, and I will, but it all depends on who shows up and what they are looking for. I have not given up at all.


Several women thought I was in the Women's Physique category and not Figure, so this is encouraging to me, that's the division I wanted to move to.  I didn't think I was ready  yet, but apparently everyone else does! This is making me think about the possibilities, which I am really too tired to write about tonight, I still have to shower and get all this make up off my face and body.


The open category had 14 women in it, a big class. 


In the Master's 50 and over I came in 1st place! I was a little unsure at first, there was one other woman who could have taken it, I think my glutes were better, and the delts of course. This was a smaller class, only four of us.


For most of the day and evening I had a great time, I met some fun and interesting women and gave a lot of advise about diet and what I ate through this all. I think I came in looking better than I ever have, honestly. More muscle, a bit more bodyfat, face wasn't drawn, and everything looked tight.


I could not have done this without the fantastic training from Roy Ganju, of BodyComp Personal Training Gym, without whom I wouldn't look the way I do today, and I am more pleased with my physique than I have ever been, ever! He was able to add size to my frame, especially my quads and I know he is as excited about changing my physique to be what I want it to be also, its like Michelangelo and one of his sculptures. He works on my physique until he feels it is perfect- I like that. Have you ever been to the Louvre and seen the Statue of David? I think I stood and stared for an hour, it is a true work of art. And the time and advise that I received from Monique Varela was priceless. These are two people you want on your team, the winning team.


Of course, I cannot neglect the two people who have endured my diet and funky road trip- constant bathroom-pit stop schedule, and all the other fun things that go along with my hobby; David and Cooper. They put up with a lot, you would not believe how much they do. 


Thank you all (and David- thank you for the flowers).


I am looking forward to plotting out my next escapade! I am thinking, maybe just practice a routine for Physique, and see how that plays out this summer. This might be where I fit now, the judges are now leaning towards a Figure look as opposed to the Bodybuilder look. I understand that they seem to be awarding a softer look in Figure, and I don't want a softer look. I like looking hard and ripped, so, maybe. Maybe Physique!


Sometimes disappointment opens your eyes to other opportunities that have been staring you in the face for the longest time. Now I am excited!

My Day!

I changed my plans, cancelled my hotel and decided to come home after registration. After all, my tan was super late- 5:00 pm and then registration at 6:30 pm and I wouldn't have to be back until 10:00 am the following day.

I thought I could eat hot food, sleep in my own comfy bed and not haul so much stuff to the theatre. Turns out they told us later we had to be back by 9:00bam for another athlete briefing...Oh well, I was up early and had time for this!

I kept my hair simple, as you age I think simpler is more attractive, too much spray and fussiness makes you look like "mutton dressed as lamb" as my mother in law would have said!

Actually I was aiming for a look I saw on Larissa Reis, I love her look, and decided if it worked for her, it could work for me! I am liking the way it flows and moves.

 I've had my breakfast of champions: Steak, one and a half baked potatoes with lemon and cheesecake. Only enough water to take a fish tab and a caffeine pill to ward of the lack of caffeine headache. Can't wait for a hot cup of coffee tomorrow when I wake up!

I'm off! Lunch will be Fuddruckers for a burger with Roy and a friend of his, I might sneak a sip of iced tea in there!

Future Plans

My competition is in a few days, I have worked very, very hard to get where I am today. Most people will never understand exactly what that work was though.


I train every day, year round. It's not a "once in a while" hobby for me, or some event on my social calendar. It's me. It's a big part of what makes Kristy, "Kristy".


The prospect of spending the day without any type of weight training is not something I would look forward to, ever. To me, training is not only essential to maintain my lean and muscular physique year round, it guarantees that I will think clearer and avoid unnecessary stress, and it assures that I will age comfortably and shouldn't suffer many age related diseases and ailments that most folks have.


It's really a non-negotiable and necessary if I am to thrive.


When I start prepping for a competition the intensity is kicked up a notch. The training might become a bit more strict, I incorporate regular cardio even when I may not want to and I adhere to a very strict diet.


People ask "Are you in training now?" or "How is your training going?" I know they are trying to be supportive and show interest, and maybe just start up a conversation.  I am always (I think)  polite, but you see, the training never stops! And it always goes well, so this is nothing new. I am always in training, always.


The competition brings a whole new twist to it all though, it's all in my head. It's like a little jack hammer running day and night, a constant nagging in the back on my head. I am thinking about my diet, thinking about every single thing I put in my mouth, thinking about the amount of cardio, thinking about the grip of my lift. 


So when it's over I look forward to the hammering stopping, I look forward to some idle time in my head, time to lift just for the fun of it. And eat too, for the sheer enjoyment of it instead of the nutritional aspect, to enjoy being with other people and laughing and sharing food and drink together.


Tuesday I was walking across campus to pick up my produce, and since I work in Housing, there are always lots of students sitting around outside our buildings. As I walked toward my office, bag of produce in hand a student calls over to me "Excuse me! Excuse me!?" and I stopped and turned towards her. She was sitting with another woman and a male, they all looked at me. I was dressed in loose, baggy, army pants, black tennis shoes and a bright gold tank top, I didn't dress for anyone today. She asked:


"Do you do special training? I mean a special program? To look like that"



I walked over and smiled and explained what I do, that I had a competition in a few days and I lift weights, a lot of lifting. And run stairs. They sat there looking up at me.


"It's looks good" she said. And the other two nodded their heads in agreement.

I am taking a few days off to prep. I have nails to get done, hair to get cut, food to cook and a tan to get applied. I have to pack up and stay in a hotel and won't have my computer. I probably won't be writing again until Sunday morning to give you the results....


I say "probably" because I never say never.

Stairmills

Wednesday I climbed up on the stairmill at Gold's Gym, it would be my last workout of the week. I chose the one on the end next to a guy who looks exactly like Georges St. Pierrre, a mixed martial artist and welterweight champion. A man who epitomizes the male physique in my opinion. Here is a picture for you!

This guy looks exactly like him, and even has an accent. I think the only difference is my guy is slightly shorter.


Although there are 13 stairmills, and he is the only one there, I always get on the one next to him. Not just because he is stunning looking, but because he climbs off after a few minutes, takes of his sweatshirt, walks over to the huge fans and flips them on, then he walks back. I like to watch him, and I like the fans, our stairmills are smack dab in front of them.


As I climbed up he glanced over and said "morning". I responded with a good morning and started walking. I then started up a conversation, I was curious. You don't see many males on stairmills, and he was there on the same schedule as me, something was not typical about this guy. 


Kristy: "Are you training for something in particular or do you just enjoy the stairmill?"


Guy: "I have a shoot coming up."


Kristy: "A photo shoot? I see!"


Guy: "I was gonna do the Contra Costa, but I was ready three weeks early. I thought I would do Taos but I have to leave for Europe."


Kristy: "I am doing the Contra Costa."


Guy: "Your'e a bodybuilder."


Kristy: "No, Figure. I wanted to move to Physique but I couldn't get big enough."


Guy: "Your'e hard for Figure."


Kristy: "Yes, but that's what I like and I always place."


Guy: "Well I will be at judging. Good luck."


We both finished up our walking, he lasted longer than me, I only went 30 minutes. It helps to hear form others in the same arena as me, someone who can look at me and tell me I am "too hard". 


The goal in Figure is not to be ripped and "hard" but at 5% bodyfat, I think I would be considered just that no matter who is looking at me. And I have always come in at that low of bodyfat or lower, so that seems to be where I look the best. 


I am looking harder and harder everyday as I start to dry out (reduce my water intake). I am getting excited about Saturday.

Nutella

We all know that nut butters are good for you, at least in moderation. They are calorie dense, so you need to be careful of the amount you eat unless you are a young active kid or trying to pack on weight.


Peanut butter provides a feeling of fullness, so when dieting a small amount on a rice cake can help you feel satisfied for a while.  It has fiber (about 8%); protein (about 24%); vitamins E and B3; copper, iron, calcium and potassium. Peanut butter contains monounsaturated fats, these are "good fats" that help to lower your LDL (bad cholesterol).


Almond butter has higher concentrations of vitamin E and antioxidants.


Both butters are best if freshly ground as studies have shown that nut (and legume) butters lose their vitamins in processing.


Your butters should never have added sugar or partially hydrogenated oil! Honey would be fine if you want it sweet, and there really is no need for any added oils, but some oils would be better than others.




Do you like Nutella? I can take it or leave it, it has always been too sweet for me. My son though, he loves it. Do you think Nutella is good for you?


Well apparently the maker of Nutella, Italy's Ferrero Group used to claim it was good for you. Now I would never fall for that, who on earth would? I mean taste the stuff it's sweet, sticky, rich, creamy, need I go on?  


Ferraro U.S.A. has just lost a class action suit for their marketing, labeling and advertising of the product, claiming it was healthy.


Just what is in Nutella? If you go online to their site they hide the ingredients, telling you that it is made from hazelnuts and cocoa. In fact, I couldn't even find the ingredients on their site. But I did find them elsewhere:

Sugar, vegetable oil, hazelnuts (13%), cocoa powder (7.4%), non-fat milk solids, emulsifier (soy lecithin), flavour (vanillin).

So actually Nutella is 55% sugar and although they state there are over 50 hazelnuts in each jar, the hazelnuts only account for 13% of the ingredients. 

Nutella is a smooth and creamy chocolate bar, nothing more.

What's the deal with the class action suit? They have to pay out $3.05 million dollars. To be eligible you must have purchased Nutella between August 1, 2009 and January 23, 2012. The lawsuit is valid in the U.S. only.

You will receive $4.00 for each jar purchased, up to 5 jars, no receipts necessary. That's $20.00. I filled out my claim and timed how long it took me. One minute. 

Although I always knew Nutella was not a healthy choice, shame on them for marketing to fools like that. I guess people will believe whatever they want to believe.

Me? I am waiting for my $20.00 in the mail!

File a claim here

1 Week to Competition (week 9 of diet)

It's Sunday, I have 6 days to go, 6. I am ready, I am finished, I am where I need to be. Friday I got to Gold's and the scale said 120. That means I lost a pound. Now, some of this is water weight due to stopping creatine and foods high in sodium such as egg whites and shrimp. But, I haven't even started to cut water yet and have been maintaining the correct intake so I shouldn't be dropping yet.

Saturday the scale said 119. I panicked a bit, at this rate I would weigh even leas than last time and I am probably dipping into muscle.  I skipped cardio and had a rice cake and peanut butter, that's an extra 165 calories, 8 grams fat and 14 grams carbs.

I woke up to go to the gym Sunday and had my steak, sweet potato and another rice cake with peanut butter. The scale was back at 120 when I got to Gold's.

Front looks good, I look full and not skinny, bodyfat is still low though. I think after dropping my water the abs will be more defined.

Back is looking great, well defined, nice taper, waist looks small and the "smileys" are almost gone again!

Practicing the side pose so the serratus muscle is clearly visible. Delts look good and when I am tanned and glazed they will really pop. 

This side needs a bit more practice posing. 

I am eyeing the food on the counter! ha ha  The ribs are showing, I need to remember to lift up my rib cage.

I look good, ready to go!

And did you notice the quads? Still looking full and bigger as I had planned!