ABS-olutely

I love working my abs.  Maybe  it’s because they are pretty easy for me to get.  I don’t hold weight in that area…now my love handles are another story hee hee!  This morning I did Cathe’s Cardio and Weights because I like to let Mike sleep in on Saturdays and not wake him up with the treadmill.  Then I dusted this DVD off.  I forgot what a great ab series this is.  Cathe kills you and there are many mini workouts to do.  My weight was 114 this morning so I lost 5 lbs in a month   5 lbs WITHOUT extensive cardio I may add.  Here’s my October tally MOVE IT.

Tony is sending me a new diet to follow next week.  I have a feeling it’s gonna be tough but i’ve only got 2 more weeks to go!

Question for you.  I’m going to buy some King’s Hawaiian Bread because i’m craving it and Angela has never had it.  OMG, if you haven’t been on their website check it out.  LOTS of good recipes on there.  My question is what should I make to go on the side?  We will be traveling a few hours to Louisville so it will have to be something that last and that is good cold.

 

SHOUT OUT!

I just want to give a shout out to my girls!  Luckily they will get to dive into the things we’ve been passing back and forth through email  

 

Becca:  She is gorgeous.  Even in great shape before she started this whole contest journey.

Genie:  She placed 1st at her last competition this past weekend.  Her competition was TOUGH!  She is and should be extremely proud.  There is no doubt in my mind she will take first this weekend as well.  I can actually see her turn Pro one day.  She has a unique beauty and although she hasn’t posted many pictures her body is to DIE for!!

Jessica:  Um…hello!  She went from a cute, chubby redhead to Jessica Rabbit OW OW! (I think her blog may be private) just take my word for it

*apparently Genie has updated and has pics WOO!…stupid google reader*

I already know how Jes and Bec’s road trip is going to go.  They are going to be looking at all the billboards saying they are going to stop there on their way home.  Oh yes, been there done that LOL!  Remember this place?  Now on the way back from Louisville, Angela and I are hitting up the Russel Stover’s outlet.  Only to smell of course

Boomer and I went to PetSmart today.  She just loves that place and it makes me happy to take her.  Too bad the dang food I feed her is so expensive.  I often wonder why I spend so much on that brand but then when I check out she loves those dang cheap Alpo biscuits they give her?

Why kind of food do you by for your pet?  I buy Nutro Senior *sniff sniff* for Boomer now.

 

The Perfect Zone

Now you would think i’m talking about the zone i’m in right now since I have 2 weeks left.  I AM in that zone and it’s great!  I’m actually talking about some complimentary products that  Abbott Nutrition provided me with to sample.

Thank you Nicole!  She also sent a sweet note and realized I won’t actually get to try these just yet but they are packed in my “box o’ goodies” for the show.

I didn’t get them packed before Mike snagged a few items.  He first tried the  Chocolate Peanut Butter Mousse Indulgence bar.  He really liked it.  He said it was like a Reese’s Cup but with that protein taste.  Whatever that means?  After a run yesterday he ate the Dark Chocolate Caramel Pecan bar.  He said the dark chocolate is really good but he’s not real big on caramel or pecans in anything but that didn’t stop him from taking one to work today

 

I had to go to the Vitamin Shoppe to get some secret ingredients today.

Today is ab day but i’m gonna move that to this weekend until I feel a bit better.

 

I have a teeth cleaning at 2:40p and then my mom, sis and I are going to see Paranormal Activity!(speaking of my stomach)

 

Do you like scary movies?  I LOVE them!!!  I can’t wait to see Saw VI.  Mike and I just watched the first 4 again to get caught up

 

Let’s Get Ready To Rumble!

Wow, remember how my stomach was giving me problems the other day?  I thought it was maybe my whey powder but now I think i’ve got a bug.  Luckily it’s only my stomach.  I’m loving the Pepto Bismol right now…it’s like a dessert   I’m sipping on peppermint tea in hopes it helps a bit.

 

I’m even sitting here watching basketball with Mike.  Yep, that’s a true sign that i’m sick!  LOL!  Well, it’s not H1N1 or a cold or flu but it’s just as annoying.  I don’t eat out so I can’t blame anyone but myself. HA!

 

I’ll let you know how i’m feeling tomorrow!

 

Well Hello There!

We had another dog for about 20 mins today.  Mike went out for a run and brought this back:

His name is Sammy and he was a sweet little dog.  Sweet with the exception that he did NOT like Boomer.  I had to hold him the whole time.  Boomer just wanted to play but little Sammy was out for blood.  I called his mommy and she sent her son on his bike to come and get him.  They live a few housing additions down the road. 

 

I made and ate some cookies today.  They were so good and the big T man told me I could enjoy them with some extra oats WOO!  It’s getting down to the wire now!  I just wish I could bust out some good cardio sessions grrrr….Regardless my diet is perfect and i’m getting leaner so I guess I shouldn’t complain.  

 

I got a goody package in the mail today!  Of course I have to wait but Mike tried one after his run.  I’ll write more tomorrow

 

Tip of the Day thank to Rachael Ray:  Put your plastic wrap in the freezer and it won’t get all static clingy.

Quote of the Day:  Put on your PJ’s cause you’re dreamin’….Lisa Turtle, Save By The Bell

 

Moan and Groan

Usually when I read blogs i’m drooling at the food you all are eating.  Yes even the cottage and fruit.  Now all of a sudden i’m so jealous of your cardio sessions!!  This walking thing is for the birds.  Not to mention the side of my right knee is starting to hurt from putting more weight on it.  I’m like an old woman and yes I smell like Tiger Balm 24/7. 

I’ve noticed my legs muscles are HUGE…for me anyway.  I think it is because I can’t run and lean them out so they are just getting bigger.  Oh well, at least they’re not fat anymore.  Weight was still about 115.  It takes me some time to get to 114 and then 112 and then the week of the show I drop like 5 lbs.  So i’m worried but then im not.

 

Yesterday I was so bloated and gassy it was disgusting.  When your own brand makes you gag you know it’s bad.  I think it may be the All The Whey cake batter?  It’s the only thing i’ve changed besides  using some flax meal here and there.  Maybe too much fiber?  Who knows, my body is crazy sometimes.  I was out of chia seeds so I ran out to get them.  I think they help my insides.

 

The weather is so nice here and i’m taking Boomer to Squirrell Park tomorrow hobbling or not.  She deserves it.  I think i’ll take my lunch and sit at a picnic table and enjoy the leaves….ahhhh….the smell of leaves.

 

This never gets old.

What are you guys doing in there?

I could take this picture over and over again all day long.

Oh as if I haven’t complained enough my unemployment ran out today.  I had to file for an extension.  So i’ll be 1 week without my measily pay ugh…

 

Here’s to hoping my legs get this skinny again!

 

What is the one thing you dislike about yourself that no one else notices, but you think sticks out like a sore thumb?  For me it’s my love handles.

 

3 Weeks

I have 3 weeks to go until this:

Bonus:  Food Network is having a chocolate special this morning   I don’t normally watch Nigella but dang she can cook some brownies.  She licks the spoon too!  AWESOME!

 

Bit The Bullet

My Magic Bullet bit the bullet this morning.  I had to make an emergency Target run to get a new one.  I ended up getting a Rocket Blender and I LOVE it!  It’s even less noisy.  Bonus, it’s half the price.

Besides that happening I dropped my euro sealer on my toe this morning   So on top of the groin now I have a freaking blood blister.

I don’t think it’ll need amputated.

 

I made some cake batter oats this morning!  All I can say is another WOW!  Party in my mouth!

 

Despite all these injuries i’m still pushing through!  Without painkillers I may add   I’m one tough stubborn person!

 

Mike and I did our nightly chiropractic visit last night.  This means we walk on each others back.  He told me i’m getting too light.  So I picked up Boomer…another 60 lbs.  We almost broke him

 

W.O.W

I bought All The Whey cake batter protein and it’s knocking my socks off!  I feel like I just ate real cupcakes!

 

Mike and I grilled out for lunch.  It was a nice change since i’ve been eating the exact same thing for the last 8 weeks.  We grilled buffalo burgers and some Applegate Farms Organic Beef Dogs that the company sent me to try.  Of course I can’t try them but I did sneak a taste   Mike really likes them, I thought they tasetd a little salty.  This may be because I typical don’t eat lots of salt?  My buffalo burger rocked my taste buds though.  I’m not a red meat eater but i’m a big fan of buffalo!

 

We went to gpa’s showing tonight.  It was nice catching up with my family.  I wore a dress.

Look at the button on the sleeve below.  Can anyone really button it?  I mean I have some muscle in my arm but not that much.

BEEFCAKE!

 Before Mike got in the house I was in my PJ’s.  Then it was off to the tready to watch ANTM while getting in some cardio.  Mike is becoming concerned that i’m still limping around.  My speeds are improving a bit though so in my mind it means i’m getting better.  Still no jogging or running but i’m pushing through and i’m gonna have great weekend with my friend!!

 

Pancakes and Pictures

I really want to thank each of you for your thoughtful words about my grandpa.  He will be buried in his brand new overalls Thursday.  He was a farmer and ALWAYS wore them so he couldn’t be laid to rest in anything else.  They are going to put some chew in the casket too   Yes, you all know now what side I get my craziness from.

It’s nice to have friends who don’t care if you burp, fart or live in your PJ’s.  You all understand why I won’t eat out,  workouts are top priority, and a ponytail is a hair do.  Oh, so maybe that’s why I don’t have many real friends

 

This morning I fixed Mike and Boomer pancakes!  YUM!  I did all this and no spoon were licked!  YIPPEE!  I love when i’m in this zone.  This state of mind doesn’t last all the time.  Something clicks in my head and it’s focus, focus, focus.  So I don’t have any secrets or magic.

PB and bananas

 

Boomer's

I thought about making pancakes out of my oats and egg whites but there is something about eating the oats slowly that makes me feel more full???  This morning I ground them up first so it was like oat bran.

I also went to Nature’s Pharm.  Mike drove me there and timed me…11 minutes.  He says I spend WAY to much time in there.  Here’s what I bought!

 

• Local bee pollen
• Bragg’s ACV
• Bragg’s seasoning(see what happens when a quality company gives freebs)
• Buffalo meat for burgers tomorrow!
• Flax seed meal(addicted to this now)

Now for some progress pics. ***Disclaimer, this is after 4 meals and 4L of water.  I can’t wait to eat some major carbs so my abs puff out

 

Okay the meal and water are no excuse for the “cheese”.  It’s hereditary what can I say.  It will be gone in 4 weeks

 

Props to Becca for lending me the suit!

 

No More

I don’t have any grandpa’s left   My grandpa Hommel died yesterday.  1 week shy of his 98th birthday.  He is going to be reunited with my grandma now.  They had 11 kids so I have a really big family on my dad’s side.  They are such a care-free and funny family.  I love listening to their stories about growing up.  My sister and I hated having to leave their house on the weekends because we always had so much fun with our cousin’s.  Now I only talk to them at reunions, weddings and funerals.  When we all get together though we pick right up where we left off.

One of my aunts told me yesterday that I was getting too skinny and I didn’t have any woman fat left.  She must be talking about my hips because i’ve never had a chest, Rachel took it all.

I’m sad mostly for my dad.  Even though grandpa was getting older and you know it’s gonna happen i’m sure it’s never easy to lose a parent no matter what age.

I am so happy that until my 28th year on this Earth I had all 4 of my grandparents.  I know many people who lost theirs at younger ages and my husband has only had 1 grandma growing up.  My grandma Bailey is still going.  She is a tough woman.  Although she’s got Alzheimer’s she’s doing really good.  Of course she misses my grandpa like crazy but she’s gonna make it.  We all have to check in on her though because she thinks eating Fruit Loops is a meal

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On a positive note my weight was 115.0 this morning.

 

Choices

I sometimes wonder HOW I gain 10 lbs after my show and can’t seem to get rid of it.  I typically weigh 107-108 day of and then gain 10 lbs and can’t get back below 115.  There should be NO reason for this.  I weighed 115.4 and i’m getting leaner without tons of grueling cardio so it’s possible.

 

Choice A:  Leave alone

Choice B:  Just lick the lid which triggers the sugar junkie and then you lick the entire little tub and head for another one

I chose choice A.  If I didn’t have a competition in 4 weeks I probably would have just “had a little”.

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I was up at 5:40a this morning.

Chocie A:  Just lay there.

Choice B:  Get up and move!

I chose choice B.  I popped in one of Cathe’s step aerobics DVD’s and did it for 50 mins + some ab work.  If I didn’t have a competiton I may have just layed there or got up and ate.

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Mike ordered a pizza and wings last night.

Choice A:  Have just 1 piece

Choice B:  Eat my healthy dinner

Obviously I chose choice B.  Even if I wasn’t competing I would not have had a piece.  Unlike most competitors my cheats only happen on Birthdays and Holidays.  Why, I get heartburn easy plus I just love eating healthy.  Even when I go out to a restaurant I keep it as healthy as possible.  Warm pitas are my cheats

————————————————————–

So after this next show we’ll see what happens.  I’ve been writing everything I eat down per Tony’s request and it’s really helping me.  It’s also helping me get in my water requirements.

We all have choices, will you make the right one or one you will regret?

 

WTF are these?  They are EVERYWHERE!!!  It’s like a big mosquito.

Oh no, not that thing again

Stop it already!

But you're so cute!

 

I’m doing okay without my pumpkin

 

3 sad words

No more pumpkin after Friday.  Okay that’s 5 words-math isn’t my best subject.

So being the disturbed eater that I am I have been eating the remainder that is in the fridge all day.  Funny how Tony told me a bit of pumpkin is okay for now.  Now that I know it’s going away I want to eat it all!  I was okay without it and only started eating it a month ago.  That’s how my stinking mind works.  On a positive note I made a PB&J sanwich for Mike this morning without licking anything!  That’s a HUGE deal for me.

 

He’s in his carb up phase for his marathon Saturday.  Afterwards he wants a large pizza to himself and maybe some hot wings.  I’ll just smell it I guess   Sunday he wants to go to Bob Evans and get the stuffed french toast.  I just looked at the nutritional info and told him he does NOT want that in his body…geesh!  I don’t eat that much sugar or carbs in a stinkin year!  He’s excited yet scared at the same time.  Wondering if his old bones will hold up.  His PR for a 5K is 15:47, 20 years ago LOL!  Now his “old man” PR is 18:38.  He’s hoping to qualify for the Boston during this marathon.  That’s his goal.

 

My goal for this bikini show is to have fun!  It will be much more fun to be on stage and not have to be a robot and worry if my butt is sagging or if my left shoulder is out of whack.  Now it will just be a smiles and prancing around.  The more I look at pictures the more excited I get! 

 

So back to pumpkin. I remember on the cruise this year I had a vegetarian dinner entree one night and it was my fave!  I now remember what it was…pumpkin crepes!  OMG!  It was FAB!  So guess what I made?

Pillow of goodness

2 egg whites
1/8 tbsp stevia
pumpkin pie spice
blend in bullet and fry

pumpkin puree
stevia
pumpkin pie spice
mix together and put in egg

top with sprinkle of cocoa powder

 

Time to work the abzzzzz…..

 

She’s Flaxy

She gets around, she’s flaxy, she’s always down, she’s flaxy, she’s gotta gripe, she’s flaxy, she’s just my type…she’s flaxy.  Old school Beastie Boys anyone?  My walking friend Amy and I used to rock out to them.  I got in her car the other day and she had the CD in LOL!  It was so much fun.  Our lyrics only make sense to us.  I know the word is really crafty but you’ll see why I was singing this song this morning.

Thanks to Carrington Farms for sending some samples of their Flax Paks!

Roasted Flax Seed

Carrington Farms Roasted Flax seeds have a distinctive nutty taste and crunchy texture. It’s ready-to-eat for a healthy tasty snack with no need to grind. Sprinkle it on yogurt, salads, cereal, smoothies, in your favorite recipes or as a fun and easy snack. Carrington Farms Whole Roasted Flax Seeds still contain all the health benefits of milled flax seeds without the hassle of grinding. Our roasted flax seeds provide many of the essential fatty acids that are very important for metabolic, heart and cellular health. We choose only the highest quality flax seeds and put them through our unique, rigorous Micro-cleansing™ purification process that cleans the seeds and reduces microbial activity for maximum freshness.

I can’t get enough of them!

On my salad

 

In my oats

 

 

In my chocolate

On my goats

Okay I really don’t have any goats or chocolate at the moment

 

Wow, I just realized what a production making my breakfast is.  Mike HATES when I leave the cabinets open   He went to his office today so I left them that way.

Things are going great in contest prep life.  I will be taking pictures this weekend.  I sent back the blue zebra suit in exchange for a gold one.  The top of that suit had WAY less coverage than I would feel comfortable wearing.

 

What is your favorite chore?(oxymoron)  I really like doing the dishes.  I’m doing laundry right now only because Mike has his marathon this weekend and I thought I would be nice.  Laundry is his chore.

 

I Can Finally Say….

there is not one vegetable that I do not like.  I can eat asparagus, green beans and broccoli raw so when I tell people to roast them and they will like them i’m really a hypocrite.  I cannot stand brussel sprouts so I decided to try them roasted.  The verdict?  I LOVED them!!!  I used this method and they turned out perfect.  Instead of pepper and salt though I used Stevia and sprinkled over top of them

So now I can say that if you have a problem with veggies just roast them

Mike tried one and still didn’t like it.  He said it wouldn’t even be good with cheese on it which is the way he eats his veggies   His marathon is this weekend so i’ll be making LOTS of yummy carbs!!

 

I managed to get in an hour of cardio this morning.  Nothing to intense 3.7 mph @ 7% incline.  It felt good afterwards though and the heart was happy.

 

Vote

Take 2 seconds and vote for my friend Barbara!!

http://www.exploremodeling.com/Contest/Faceof_ELF_2010/13405/Barbara_Rappaport.aspx

 

FALLing to pieces

My friend Louisa and I went to one of our state parks here today.  It was great girl time and the weather was just beautiful.  We didn’t do any trail walking because of my stupid leg but it was still a nice day.  Before we went I did have a latte.

My eating has been so ON it’s scary.  With the lack of intense cardio there is no other way for me to lose.  Mike was wanting peanut butter since his marathon is this weekend.  That’s a no-no during contest prep in my books.  I cannot keep that in the house.  Well it’s in here.  Not Naturally More because that’s a DEFINITE no-no!  I got him the little individual Jif containers, the 6 pack.  For some reason I am able to have them here.  It must be a jar thing that get me.  Knowing that I can go in there and dip my spoon in the jar, over and over and over….mmmm I love peanut butter.  Almond butter i’m cool with.  There is just something about peanut butter….with jelly….on soft bread….with doritos….i’m really not craving anything though so it’s cool

 

Weight was 115.8 again this morning so I was hoping to get in some cardio to help it along.  My groin said no and just a bit ago I got up to answer my phone and it felt bad so i’m making a smart decision and just staying off of it.  Actually Mike is demanding that I stay off of it.  So i’m bored.  I just want to get on my treadmill ARG!!  Heroes is on in a bit so that should make the time pass.  Plus it’s almost time for my cookie and ice cream

 

Speaking of Necessities

I have been craving a pumpkin spice latte for the longest time.  So I had one!

• 1 instant packet of coffee (taster’s choice)
• 2 T of pumpkin puree
• 8 oz almond milk
• 1/8 tsp stevia
• pumpkin pie spice

Blend all in bullet YUM!  I think I need a double

 

Emergency Kroger Run!

While Mike and I were lounging around last night I realized I was out of pumpkin!!  OMG!!  I MUST have it in my oats in the morning.  So we went and I decided to buy the BIG can.  Some other emergency items that weren’t that important were bought also.

Speaking of lounging there was alot of it yesterday.

Wow you can barely see her   I decided to rest all day and I did.  Only a 20 min dog walk happened.  This morning I started to do step aerobics and got some pain and stopped because guess what I weighed this morning??  115.8  Yippe!  I haven’t weighed that since Oct 10 2008…how weird is that?

 

Today I am going to work my bis/tris and abs.  The best thing about this loss is I haven’t been doing strenuous and TONS of cardio.  It’s almost like pulling my groin has made me see the light.  Don’t get me wrong I do enjoy cardio but in my mind I feel I can’t lose without it.  Now i’m proving myself wrong.  For someone with exercise addiction this is HUGE.

 

TacOctober

I totally stole that from EatLiveRun.  I think she will forgive me when i’m salivating over her tacos tonight.*TWSS*  That was awful but my brain thinks like a man sometimes.  Maybe that’s why I don’t like putting on make up or fixing my hair?  I don’t wear underwear that often either hmmm…So where were we?  Oh yes, tacos.  I had some for lunch yesterday!  Doesn’t it look fabulous   Once i’m done withering away I think I may have some real tacos mmm…I don’t like cruch shells I like soft ones.  BUT, I LOVE chips and salsa!!

Braggs seasoning on the broccoli. I still like it better seasoned with stevia.

 

So cardio is still pretty lame.  After about 20 mins of walking at 3.5 my groin get loose…HA!  My intervals are 3.0/4.0 @ 5-10% incline depending on how much pain I have.  That’s nothing compared to my 4.0/9-10.0 intervals but at least my HR is getting a workout.  I’m thinking of just sitting still all weekend and having a miraculous recovery by Monday. 

 

Weigh in tomorrow for Tony.  I talked with him for a bit yesterday and he says i’m doing great despite my injury and not to push it.  Normally I would LOVE to hear those words but now that I can’t push it I want to.  Diet will be changing next week and then we’re upon the “magical” 4 weeks out.  If you’ve competed you know what i’m talking about.  All of a sudden you have someone elses legs and your pants don’t fit at all.  I’m taking cues from my last show though and NOT bingeing on chocolate before the night show.  No one believes me that my stomach is only flat on competition days.  That is unless I take a teensy sip of water.  Last show I was so thirsty I took more than a sip and this happened.  Check out the stomach.

I spy a water drinker

Okay I know it’s not much but i’ve seen chubby girls with flat stomachs.  My sister being one.  She has a flat stomach and big boobs.  I have a pooch, 12 year old boy chest and bunions.  WTF?

 

Mike is running 15 miles today.  I may follow him on my bike.  Didn’t I say I would be resting??  HA!  NEVER!!

 

Do any of your siblings have something that you wish you had?  Sure my sis has big boobs but I would NOT want them.  Then I would have to wear bras and not the cheap ones either.  My sister is SO talented.  She is awesome at any sport AND she kills in video games and can pick up an instrument and play it.  She could be a pilot or something else that you’re good at under pressure.