Sacrificing More

7 Comments

In October when I started my training, I firmly decided that Sunday would be my rest day.  A career, B’Dazzle’s football and basketball schedules, football camp combined with a house, wife duties and… oh yeah, me time has me rising early six days a week. One day of rest isn’t asking for too much.

Today that changed. Why? Because it is time for me to step up my game; I need to get in as much gym time as humanly possible.

Just because I have already made sacrifices, does not mean that, more sacrifices cannot be made.

How badly do you want this?  I asked myself.  Really bad! What are you willing to give up?  Umm…  Sundays and then some!

And so at 7 o’clock this morning, I tip toed out of the house and I strolled into the gym.  Bright eyed and bushy-tailed?  Not exactly.  But alert, coherent, and determined.

Day Light Savings Time stole an hour from me this morning.  I didn’t appreciate it, but got over it.

The workout started with posing practice in the fitness room.  Hard wood floors and wall-to-wall mirrors help me to get acclimated with 5-inch heels and to get acquainted with popping muscles.

Posing is exhausting.  For me to look like a natural on stage, I must practice… A LOT!     Pose in the morning, pose in the kitchen, pose in the bathroom, pose EVERYWHERE!

Last week while buzzing around the kitchen before work, I slipped on my 5-inch stilettos.

My competition shoe

My competition shoe

My thinking is, if I walk in the shoes enough at home and at the gym, by show time, they should feel like slippers and I ought to be quite comfortable. I wear heels, but never this high.

Today was leg day and I worked hard at dead lifts, squats, lunges, and more.  Three sets of sitting leg presses at 420 pounds has my legs feeling dogged tired.

I’m off to bed now so that tomorrow I awake feeling refreshed and rested. After work, it’s straight to the gym for another day of exceeding my expectations.

“Bodybuilding is much like any other sport.  To be successful, you must dedicate yourself 100% to your training, diet, and mental approach.”

-Arnold Schwarzenegger

Sweet dreams!

Kickin It Up A Notch

2 Comments

I’m three months into my training, which puts me half way to the ANBF New Jersey Natural Pro-Am Classic VIII.

What has surprised me the most?  Don’t laugh but…  I’ve hung out with my crew of 10 several times since the New Year and effortlessly declined a glass or two of Cabernet Sauvignon and a few other tempting liquid deserts. The hot wings, seafood pasta salad, and few other delicious and high calorie foods didn’t tempt me, but the wine did!

Tis the season for a sizzling fireplace as the backdrop for an oversized ruby stained goblet.  During the blazin heat, the pool keeps me smiling. Throughout the brutally cold winter, every evening possible, I snuggle up closely to the fireplace with a glass of my favorite wine and enjoy some quiet time.

To show my absolute best for the competition, I knew that at some point in my training, that I would need to temporarily break away from my favorite treat.  I thought it would be hard, but it hasn’t been. Why? Because I am focused.   When I commit to anything, I set aside my doubts and ride it out. I am willing to do whatever is necessary to put out my best.

I don’t want to look back after the event and emotionally or mentally have to deal with “I wish I had… blah…blah…blah…”  I have excellent help in preparing for the competition, so I have no excuse.  No excuses!

After a couple of months of grinding it out at the gym, it’s time to kick things up a notch.  I need to elevate my glove game.

Now that I’m lifting heavier, when I’m doing shoulders, back, and a few other exercises, I lose grip.  Either I’m slipping or I can feel the bar slipping from my hands.  Not good!

These gloves aren't holding up for heavier weights. I've had them for at least 15 years. Lol!

These gloves aren’t holding up for heavier weights. I’ve had them for at least 15 years. Lol!

The scientology of the hands in weight lifting is more intricate than I realized.  Look at this:

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc via Versa Gripps

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc via Versa Gripps

The bones, tendons, and arteries that compromise the hands are fragile.  Good support can prevent injuries, but also improve focus and performance.  Check out The Science Behind Versa Gripps.

Anyways, I am excited because yesterday my new Versa Gripps Pro weight lifting gloves arrived!!  Check them out!

New Versa Gripps

Yay!!!  I am so excited and can’t wait to use them this week.  Yesterday was also leg day.  Through years of running and a good six months of CrossFit has made my legs rather strong.  Further strengthening these muscles means greater intensity.

Well…. this morning I am feeling it!!   My gluts (a**) and hamstrings are so sore and tight, I feel like somebody’s grand momma!  Lol!    When I go to stand, it’s not happening as quickly as I think it should.  I’m movin’ in super sloooow motion!   But, that’s what we want…  progress baby!!!

Image courtesy of sixpackfactory

Image courtesy of sixpackfactory

My schedule this week may only get me to the gym one day for weight training, which means, I’ll be doing CrossFit for at least two days. I’m cool with that… actually I’m happy because I like to get at least one day of CF in.   I’ll be sure to post the WOD’s.

Curiosity has me wondering if or how my CF performance will be affected this week.  Time will tell.

Okay; it’s food prep time.  Until later! Happy Sunday and make it a great day!

Image courtesy of fitfabcities

Image courtesy of fitfabcities

What Sacrifices Are You Willing To Make?

4 Comments

My older brother and I are blessed with my dad’s DNA.  With absolutely no effort, and for most of our lives, we remained long and lean.   Daddy’s DNA was also passed along to my 30 something year old nephew.

Put us in a line up wearing only undergarments and the similarities, including our veiny arms, big ears, lean legs, and long bony, funny toes, and you know we are family.  LOL!

Great DNA combined with 30+ years of running has kept me lean.

For most of my life, the implication has been that my physique was only attributed to DNA, which is false.  The results are from consistent running, martial arts, gym work,  and a well-balanced diet.

In my early twenties when I enjoyed washing down cheddar cheese Combo’s with an Orange Slice soda, I still ate my fruits and veges.  Oh wow!  I wanna puke just thinking about what’s in that stuff.  Yuck!  Nasty!

When age 40 rolled around, my highly active metabolism slowed its roll.  I could do something that I could never do before, even when pregnant with my 24-year old…. GAIN weight and inches.

These days, I’ve taken my diet to a complete new level.  I am not perfect, but most days, I eat clean, avoiding processed and sugary foods.

I spent about four hours in the kitchen today.  Cooked my butt off, but that is what I have to do to remain committed to my fitness goals.  Four adults live in our home.  Me, hubby, our son (10) and my mom (80).  I cook for the family and I cook for myself, which means more time in the kitchen.  By the way, the zucchini cakes were delicious!!  I found the recipe on Pinterest from A Teaspoon and A Pinch.  Kudos girl, the recipe is easy and worth the time!

Here’s what I either prepared or cooked this afternoon or before Tailor’s football game yesterday.

This is why I could not run today. My new sneakers did not come in yet, and these babies are too worn.
Lean ground turkey for my own version of a cabbage leaf wrap.
Prepping to cook the turkey patty wrapped in a cabbage leaf
Just one of 10 huge leafs from cabbage
They aren’t pretty, but taste pretty good.
Pre-cooked zucchini cakes
Cooked zucchini cakes. OMG!! I found this recipe on Pinterest. If you like zucchini, check me out on Pinterest for the pin. DELICIOUS!!!
Kale/Collard green combo soaking in water
Yes, over 7lbs of boneless chicken breast!
All cleaned up. Getting ready to season…
Seasoned and bagged. Tomorrow I’ll toss them on the grill.
Boneless pork loin. Occasionally this is the ONLY pork you’ll see me eat. I cut all the fat off too.
Seasoned and bagged. They’ll go on the grill tomorrow too.
Quick and tasty meat marinades. Sadly, I am going to stop using these… I carefully looked at the label… Not too good!
Yesterday’s dinner. I also cooked the brown rice and green beans yesterday. Leftovers!

Do you want to improve your overall health?  Do you want to fit into those old jeans tucked away in your coset?  Well what are you willing to do?

  1. How committed are you?
  2. Are you willing to spend extra money for fresh produce?
  3. Will you make time to pack your lunch for work every day?
  4. What favorite foods are you willing to give up or modify?
  5. Are you willing to wake up with sore achey muscles from a challenging work out?
  6. Are you willing to read the labels on the food you buy?
  7. Most importantly, are you ready to give up all the quick fixes that promises to do what your will power cannot?

If so, then you are probably ready for a lifestyle change because that is truly the answer.  When you take better care of your body, you feel better from the inside out, not the opposite.  Your mind becomes more fit and you’re able to see life clearer and often make better choices.

Today and yesterday, I sacrificed a great deal of time preparing for the week because I plan to succeed at my fitness goals.  With the exception of  tossing meat that is already marinating, on the grill tomorrow, my cooking is done for the week!   I have all that I need for eating balanced meals throughout this week.  Like everything else in life, preparation is everything.    Heeeey!

Yáll please keep it moving!

TTYL