The 2012 Arnold Fitness International has come and gone. This has been one of the best experiences I have had at the Arnold to date.

I shot some video on Thursday and Friday however, after the show – I stopped shooting as I was quite tired, and worked the rest of the weekend.

Friday I was able to sleep in a bit until 7am. I got up, ate, and went 2 doors down to get my makeup done by Elaine Goodlad. Oxygen magazine happened to be there to videotape the process. They were doing some video footage for “how to” for competition/stage makeup on the day of the show. Elaine has a long history of doing makeup for shoots, and stage, and knows how the lighting plays on the face. She is able to create effects so that the parts of the face are highlighted, and will not get shadowed out of the photos. The lighting of the stage however is another story.

Here is a quick picture Diane took of me getting dolled up for the day -

Then, I was off to the Expo for the physique round on the main expo stage.

I did not feel nervous before going onstage, however, when I finally stepped onstage, the nerves kicked in. The amount of people watching the event was much larger than in year’s past. It just seemed like a sea of people, that stretched out for hallway through the main part of the expo.

I was in third callout. AKA – ‘the rest’.

With that many very good competitors and bodies, bringing you’re A game is a must.

I was happy with what I had presented.

The round did not last very long – maybe 8-10 minutes and we were done. I decided to walk around the expo but soon, felt that it was time to rest, and headed back to the hotel room to relax for the night show.
Having not slept the night before, a nap was on the horizon.

I started over to the Veterans Memorial around 5:30. To my surprise there was carpet on the stage, and I was glad. I had like the carpet they put on the stage at the Flex Pro, and felt comforted when I was able to practice on the carpeted floor. Usually it is a plastic stage, and since the female bodybuilders were going first, I was more relaxed about doing my routine after them since we had the carpet. It can be a bit slippery after the bodybuilders due to the oil, however, this year, no worries.
All the girls were amazing at their routines. I think the key is the carpet to help pad the flips and tricks we have so we are able to ‘give’ more during the routine.

I was #14 so had a bit of time to wait. I always have a go to song – a song that gives me energy and keeps my spirits high – I listened to that repetitively. When it was my time to go, I felt relaxed, and not scared to be onstage, but inspired and motivated to show the crowd (of which most of them I considered my friends and family) what I can do. I felt the warmth of the crowd as they were already ‘warmed up’ from the previous 13 competitors – they were in it, and so was I. I managed a perfect performance.

I love performing my routine. I am ‘in it’. And it feels really good to be in that space.
I have always feared being great. My goal now when I compete, is to be my best self; the self that I am capable of being. I believe that I self sabotage at times, and don’t always believe that I am worthy of what might be on the other side of being good. Although I have placed much better in the past, I was not consistent in my performances. I am striving for consistency right now.

Here is a replay of the fitness routines – They will be available for about 2 weeks.

The results of the show placed me 14th. Not super sure of my routine placing but it was low. I cannot explain why. Sometimes it is just like that. I am sure where I performed my routine (the order of performance) plays a role, but regardless of the outcome/final result I was a good that day. I was as great as I was supposed to be in that moment. I would not change anything. I liked what I did and I am proud of what I did. I am still on one of the biggest stage’s in the world for fitness, and there are times when the judges get you and others when they don’t.

After the show the only thing I wanted to do was the #1 thing on any competitors mind post show = eating. Tamee Marie (suit designer and sponsor) and I were out quite late, and luckily many of the restaurants are open later during the Arnold weekend. After a large salad, some bread, and water, I was officially in a food coma. Saturday I would find out I forgot my wallet at the restaurant, but I recovered, and did retrieve the wallet after trying to buy coffee with no money.

Saturday came way too early – and I was up and off to get makeup done by J Zubire. She is super gentle with my eyes, and since I had many applications of makeup over the last 3 weeks, this was the girl for me.

Overall Thoughts:

I am very happy with my body onstage and in the off-season. I compete about 3-4 days out of the year, and the other 361 days I am not competing, I love being in my body. Sure, there are moments when I would like to be in first callout, but the trade offs might be a little high for what I want for my family or myself.

Just because I don’t have the genetics, that does not stop me from trying to change my physique. I like trying to find a balance between what I like (which matters most), and what the judges like. I always welcome feedback post show.

I love performing this routine. The shoes – ah, some people don’t get the shoes, but I tried bare feet, and it hurts like hell. My feet are not rough enough to be performing in bare feet. If there was always carpet it is possible to do on carpet in bare feet, however, there is one problem – there is not always carpet on the stage. The shoes don’t exactly go with my costume, but they allow me to do the routine without being too heavy, or killing my feet. They will stay. And I always get questions about the shoes –they are a dance boot by Brian Freidman. They are very hard to find as they are not produced anymore however, I believe many sites from England sell them.

Next up: St. Louis Pro – March 17 in St. Louis.  
I will try to add some more strength to my routine, and work on my posing a bit more. Yes, I do read all the blogs/message boards, and know what is out there. 

I really am enjoying competing this year, even though my placings are just maeeh. It makes me work harder, and try to be better.

I am half Irish so maybe I will get ‘lucky’ on St. Paddies Day and get a better placing.

9 days and counting….

Hi Everyone-

As the Flex Pro and Arnold Classic draw closer, I find myself reminincing more everyday. When I started this whole fitness thing, and really just wanted people to ‘notice me‘. Although I had very little resources in the beginning, (the Internet was just developing 14 years ago), I have come along way not only in my training style/preparation, but my nutrition as well.

I thought I would go over my schedule for the week. I do work like most individuals and for years was a high school math teacher and had a ‘normal’ job and did fitness as my hobby.

My schedule as a teacher looked like this:

Up: 5:45am
Train: 6-7:15am
Prep for school: 7:30-8am
At School: 8:15am to 4:30pm
Back to gym: 5-6pm
Homework: 7-9pm
Prep meals: 7-8pm
Bed: 9pm

Then my schedule looked like this after I had my son and was still a teacher:

Up 4:30am
Train: 5-6:15am
Prep son for daycare, off to school: 7:45am
School: 8am to 4:30pm
Pick up son at daycare: 5pm
Motherly/wife duties: 5:30-7:30pm
Prep schoolwork for next day: 8pm-9pm
Bed: 9:30pm

Now this week I wanted to give you a glipmse into what my schedule looks like now that I am full time trainer.

Up: 5am
With Clients: 6am to 5pm
Pick up son: 5pm

*Train during the day when I can. But it is scheduled in there – I am my own ‘client’.

Food prep became easier as I over the tears you learn more and are smarter about it. I just don’t even think about what I am going to eat, as I prepare it and just eat it. There is no deviating from the plan.

I always felt that being a trainer would make it easier to get ‘to the gym’ as I was already there, however, like most things, if you do not schedule them and stick to them – the workouts – can get pushed aside. I promised myself I would never put myself last on my ‘to list’. There are things that are non negotiable in my schedule and one of them is making my workout appt and keeping it. Call it a mental health hour, therapy, or stress relief, either way if I don’t ‘move’ for X number of hours per week, I am a beast. I feel out of sorts, antsy, and slightly moody. My addiction is to movement.

Here is what I did this week, and how everything is laid out. It all is planned around my training schedule and food schedule.

Monday:

Full day of clients -

5am – Up

6am – First client, back to back until 5pm. I had one client cancel so I had a window of opportunity to train. I would have taken the day as a rest day, however, since the opportunity presented itself. I jumped at it. Meals are quick, 5-10 mins at the most, usually standing, and then move on to the next client. I love it that way, back to back clients. Makes the day fly and I feel really productive.

5pm – pick up son, wifely and motherly duties, bed by 8pm.

Tuesday:

Up at 6:30am. Usually up around 5am. Today I was tired. Must be the diet/training etc. Sometimes you just need more rest.

7-8:30 : son up, dressed, breakfast, ready for school, other housework that I can get done with 5-10mins here or there.

9am at work – Clients, and then off to my Bootcamp at another facility.

I train one bootcamp class, and the girls hockey team for the University. Love it. So much fun.

Would have trained my routine after the class however, 1. the aerobic room was booked, and 2. I had to take my son to the dentist. That took around 2hours.

Did not train today.

Wednesday:

Up at 6:15am

7-8:30 : son up, dressed, breakfast, ready for school, lunches, my lunch, and snacks, other housework that I can get done with 5-10mins here or there. Usually is laudry and dishes. I don’t have a cleaning lady or a cook. I do all that myself.

9am – at gym. Training clients till 5pm. Lighter day today, however, wanted to train routine at 10am but a group class was in the aerobic room at my gym.

Trained from 10:30am to 11:30. Late meal #2. Timing is off but got back on track by lunch.

PM wanted to bust out my routine, but after legs there is not way I have any gas in the tank for that. Worked sections of my routine.

Supper 6:30, Snack, 8am, Bed by 8:30.

Thursday:

Woke up at 4:30am (must be getting good sleep), got up starting working.

Housework, until my son got out of bed. Prepped him for school, his lunch, homework (and he is in kindergarden), and prepped my food for the day, and at the gym by 9am.

Only one client today – so I got in early to practice the routine at my gym on the good floor. It is slightly sprung – compared to concrete, and is actually quite nice to practice on.

Started warming up and felt like my legs were bricks. Again, I always know that I can do legs after a routine day, or even the same day, but not before. I am not sure why I even try to do routine after legs – it just does not lend itself to an effectively routine practice. Got through a very shitty practice that day. Felt very discouraged, and beat up. There are days when I come in, usually after a day of full rest, and my legs are like springs. But today was not that day. It happens sometimes. Also I find that when I practice facing the big mirror and then switch it up to NOT face the mirror I get confused. This never used to happen to me but I never used to practice in front of a mirror for many, many years.

Bootcamp today. Love my bootcamp class. Clients come in work hard, sweat hard, and leave refreshed, and slightly sore. Nice.

Spend the rest of the day catching up on computer work.

Picked up my son around 4pm, supper at 5:30 for him, 6:30pm for me, and then the usual routine in the evenings. Homework, prepping bookbag, cuddle time, bed.

Went to bed a bit later today as I had to catch up on my housewives – I think I am a season behind.

Friday:

Love Fridays! Up at 5am, spend the time reading. I enjoy spending those quiet moments reading early in the day before the sun is up. Feels like I get so much more accomplished, when the house is sleeping.

At the gym by 9am, and rocked my back and shoulders workout today. I thoroughly enjoy training. I feel strong, and motivated. All good signs when prepping for a show.

Today I will spend the day working, and finishing up items for next week.

This week’s schedule has been light compared to most. Keeping a balance between work, my training, and the food is always a challenge but I do take it day, by day and adjust accordingly.

This week I did add some cardio at the end of my routine practice, and one other day. The back end needs to tighten up more.

I have 20 days until the Flex Pro, and the Arnold is just around the corner. Starting to get excited.

This weekend, I will get in one other day of training, and a routine practice again.

I have no one home to take pics of me, so here are a few quick pics.

When your legs start to get lean you are very proud to “drop your pants”. I see why bodybuilders do this frequently.

Until next week,

As my body progresses thing are starting to get really hard. I was uber cranky today. During my workout head down, wanting even for a moment for it all to be over. I just pushed through it and was patient with every single rep.

 

I woke up today with a headache, and trained through hunger to get to my lunch.

 

It is hard to diet for a show. I don’t think even after all these years you get used to it. You just develop better strategies over the year to keep focus and at times just cope to the next meal. You realize that the diet does work, but you have to keep at it even when it can feel like a very slow process.

 

I would not say that I sm hungry but the lower energy levels can make you think you are hungry or bring on cravings that would not normally be there.

 

I have to say that I am really happy iny body right now. But things are going to get hard, and harder.

 

A.

 

 

 

Hello Everyone-

This blog has a few items – back training video, hockey, and well a written blog update.

It is now 34 days until the Flex Pro in California. Up to this point things have been moving along nicely, and I have been having a good time with this prep.
It was earlier in the week, when I finalize realized that things are going to get a bit tougher.

I was reading my son a book –

And then we got to this page.

It was the first time I thought ‘other’ foods.  Can you guess what in this picture made me realize that I am dieting?

You guessed correctly – the chocolate.

For the first time in weeks, I said to myself – hmm I really want a piece of chocolate. I never would eat it normally but when you are in the throws of competition prep many things you would not normally eat look appetizing. Like when I am sitting at the hair dressers, and the magazine I am reading has a review on cereals – all I keep thinking is, “Mmmm that looks good”.

This week’s training – 2 upper, 2 lower, and 2 routine practices. The first routine practice was a great – I felt strong, and surprisingly this early in the prep not tired when doing it. However, yesterday I did my routine, and it was killer. I am humbled every time I return to these routine practices on how hard they are. No matter what other training you do to compliment the preparation of the routine, doing the routine is THE most difficult. I managed to run it full out twice, but wow, I could feel the blood pumping through my entire body afterwards. I considered an extra workout that day in order to spend more time with the family this weekend, but it just was not in me.

My regular training days always go well. Pushing hard and getting great lifts. My focus this time is to keep as much muscle as I can. I am trying something new. Dieting for longer this time. I tend to just do ‘short and sweet’ and be done with it. I am always on some sort of maintenance or below maintenance diet during the year as my body is my advertising for my job and it does matter (IMO). What I look like tells my clients and future clients that hey, I do care about what I look like, how I feel day to day, and can help guide you to achieve that as well.

My nutrition part has been what it is. I prep my food, and eat it. I don’t really worry much about variety; just eat what has been prepared. Yes, I do weigh my food. I have been doing this for so long that in the early stages of prep, I don’t weigh my food, but if things are not progressing, I go back to the scale to verify. I have encountered clients who don’t want to weigh their food. This is not just for those who prep for shows, but for everyone who does not seem to realize HOW MUCH they are eating. It matters.

 

Right now I am not hungry, but I can sense that it is coming. My mind has not been wandering too much about food, but it will come. Luckily over the next few weeks, I will be adding more work to my day, which will keep me uber busy.

Prep, work, blogging, videos, and home life – oh and my new hobby couponing, I really don’t have much time leftover. I don’t watch TV. I had a conversation with another competitor the other day, and her life is quite full like mine – except she has 5 kids, and I only have one. When you decide you want to do something you put yourself into it 100%. I have found that there are many individuals like this in the industry. We are very intense at times, and goal oriented people. When you are prepping for a show, or just dieting to get that look you really have to commit at that level.

I get up around 4 am (sometimes earlier) and got to bed around 8pm. I will have to stop doing this, and train myself to stay up later. A show in LA (west coast time) me on EST, and the Arnold event being at 7pm, I cannot have my internal clock tell me it is time to wind down for the day, when I have to be pumped and full of energy. I have to say though, that I am not tired during the day. Perhaps I am just excited to be in my life right now, and want to keep working. I love going to work everyday.

 

Hi Everyone-

Training is going really well. I am taking the time this year to really focus on every exercise, every movement, every rep, rather than being done with my training so that I can hurry up and move on to the next moment. I tend to rush things rather than living in the moment. Take some time for myself, and really just ‘be’.

Last week I got in all my trainings, 4 days, plus 2 routine practices. The second routine practice was not great but sometimes you go in and just have to punch the clock. I wanted to go to the gym earlier in the day, however, errands, and the holiday spirit kept me from doing that. By the time I got there in the late afternoon – the gym was not even open. Found out there was a campus wide blackout for the day. I practice my routine at one facility (the university in my town) and do my weight training at the gym in which I work. So I had to come to my gym for the routine practice. It had a great aerobic room, however, it is not very private. It can be difficult at times to ignore what is going on around you in order to be in touch with your creativity. I was not have a super creative day on Sunday, and felt as though my time was wasted. I was very frustrated at myself as I left, as I mull over the little details of my routine. That is just me. I will spent 20-30 mins just finding the right moves for a 4-count. To say exactly what I think the routine should say.

Eventually when I let go, and just let the routine come to me, it appears. I love when this happens. To allow myself to let go in order for the information to be received is the toughest part. I am learning to access this quicker as I practice that side of my creativity. Forcing the routine never goes well for me. The result is never genuine. And usually the judges can see right though that and score accordingly.

Diet has been surprisingly good. I am not having any cravings. I eat, I wait, I eat. Not much else. On the weekends, I usually go a bit crazy and just tell myself, “it will be ok”. Well you know what? It is never ok, and when you are preparing for a show the mental part is the biggest obstacle. I want to be a contender not just a participant in these events.

Here are this week pictures. Significant differences can be seen once you change into a regular stage suit – vs a regular bikini or just a sports bra and shorts.

 

  

 

I still have work to do, but things are moving.

Routine is about 90% done. This week I plan again to get in 4 trainings and hopefully one solid routine practice. My gym has some limited hours, but I will be in on Christmas.  Yes –Christmas.

If you read last weeks blog – click here – wearing a suit when doing your pictures gives a visual image of what the judges will be seeing on the day of the show.  The suit that I am wearing is from Tamee Marie. Choosing the right suit to fit your body is key.  The choice of cut/style of suit for your body is essential, with color following right behind.

So how do you find a suit?  Perhaps a video might help.  What is the process?  How much should I be spending?

Until next week,

A.