fa la la la!

T-minus seven days until Christmas. I can't help but have the holiday excitement running through my veins. I feel like a giddy kid...I want Christmas to hurry up and come. It's not the gifts...its just the overall exciting feeling of the holiday.
It sure is going to be a busy week. I hope the school days go by fast and the gym sessions continue to be good leading up to the holiday. We recently took three whole days off from the gym. Completely unlike us to do, but boy it really made a difference. I have renewed strength and spirit. My past two gym sessions were fabulous. I wanted to be there. I wasn't simply going through the motions. I guess listening to my body for once, paid off. I am looking forward to school vacation to be able to lift during the day-it should make for some strong workouts. I am not looking forward to the January first resolutioners to start packing up the gym..grrr!
Our days are numbered, really we have now and January until it's go time. My feelings are mixed. I have days where I just can't wait, but then I have days that I can't wrap my  mind around the do or die attitude that comes with contest prep. I guess I'll just have to really enjoy myself up until then.
I will admit, with the holidays here, I have been thinking about treats an awful lot. I am going to stay clean up until the weekend. Hopefully, I will control myself this weekend. I hate feeling lousy...we haven't been out to eat in a month so its been a little tough. I attribute that reason for my daydreaming of cookies and chocolates. I sure am looking forward to a Flatbreads date night over vacation and satisfying my sushi cravings.

The end of the year is here, it's time to think about some resolutions and things to look forward to...
2012 is gonna be a great year!

Hello Holiday Spirit!

Today is my first official day of feeling the holiday spirit. With report card conferences done and out of the way, from here until Christmas it's good times. Katie's holiday party kicked off my holiday season last night. As expected I overdid the snackies, not like my worst, but def. overboard. I have a weakness for pickies. I made sure I ate a solid dinner plate of food, but it didn't keep my from picking. However, I am not going to dwell on it. Now is the time to do it, because in just about  6 weeks it's all over until June! I don't want waste time over thinking it and beating myself up, rather I am just going to get back on track until Dec. 23rd. Last night was probably as bad as its going to get. The rest of the holiday festivities will be a lot easier to control due to the fact that the food choices will be limited and I don't like to eat my face off in front of my own family. They eat like birds! Moving on!
This weekend was great. I got my hair colored for the first time and I like it. It's a chocolate brown, just a tad bit darker than my natural hair color. I waited thirty whole years until I changed my virgin hair. Its a good look, makes it shine more and hides the gray patch that I am starting to get!
Today  Brendan and I slept in for a change. We were out way later than normal, so it was nice to not jump out of bed and get into the normal Sunday routine. We took our time, ate breakfast and watched the movie Friends with Benefits. Very predictable, but good! We also, accomplished a lot of our holiday shopping which I think is half of the reason I got the spirit running through me! We wrapped and everything! Our tree has presents underneath it. I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner. I am excited - I love waking up with Brendan on Christmas morning! Looking forward to some quality time together over school break too.
We hit legs today-hamstring day. I am wiped out and my butt spot is feeling a little rough. It was a decent workout. My lunges are not steady because of my injury, so I did body weight hooked foot squats. My deads sucked because my grip gave out first. On a positive note, my hacks were great! We mixed up our shoulder workout this week too and that was a good change. Over break we will have the freedom and time to play around with some new exercises.
I made delicious turkey meatloaf for dinner. We just finished up. Brendan is busy prepping our meals for tomorrow- he is kind enough to let me do this quick blog! We are about to watch our second movie of the day-I love relax time! I promise to blog more this week!

Looking forward to getting clean this week-hitting numbers and the gym hard!
Personal day on Wednesday to finish my holiday shopping
Christmas show at school
School holiday party!

It's going to be a great week!

What drives drives YOU?

Its that dreadful time of year at school...report cards!

 Today as I worked away on prepping my report cards for tomorrow's conferences I thought about motivation. Tomorrow countless amount of times that word will pass through my lips, whether it be for positive reasons or negative reasons.

It got me thinking,  where does motivation come from? You certainly can't buy motivation or will power. If that were the case we would have a beautiful, powerful, superior world. I got to thinking about my own motivation.
My motivation comes from the desire to feel good inside and out.
 In my career my motivation comes from seeing my students actually understand a concept and then apply it in their work or to hear them say "this is fun." Teaching is a stressful job with a lot of pressure, however, on those days where everything clicks there is no better feeling.
In the gym my obvious motivation is conditioning myself to be my very best self. I have been there...so I know it feels damn good and is worth all the hard work it takes to get there.
In all honesty I really enjoy the journey getting there, it makes the pay off feel that much better. Don't get me wrong- the days of cardio and low cals are killer, but in the end, the feeling of accomplishment trumps those rough days.
I love to workout, always have and surmise I always will. It's who I am. I look forward to going to the gym, pushing myself and I love the feeling of exhaustion after a great workout. There are days when I don't feel like working out, but those days are few and far between. Mentally I need to workout...the physical benefits are just a bonus.

Tonight was leg night. Quad split to be specific. I wasn't all that pleased with my attitude going into the workout. I am battling mother nature and waiting for my dearest Aunt Flow to strike. Needless to say, I have a very short fuse and am slightly on the moody side. I had to do lighter weight becuase my butt spot injury. It has flared up over the past month and is hindering my intensity. I am doing my best not to get annoyed. So light weight it was.  All and all I got a decent workout. It def. helped to curb my crankus mood. Case in point...mentally I need to workout. I always feel better after.
Tomorrow morning is my normal cardio day, but I have decided I am going to take  a full day to rest and recover because of my sore spot. Hopefully, the stretching, icing and taking it a bit easier will help to alleviate the tenderness.

Eighteen days until Christmas! I put in for a personal day for next Wednesday, to finish up some shopping!
Time sure does pass by quick!

LIVE IS SHORT LIVE IT UP!

One week down!

It's been awhile...

So far it's been one week since we have decided to clean it up a bit pre contest. Starting Monday, it has been nothing but clean, strict eating. The good efforts have paid off a bit too. The official bloat has gone down. I am no where near satisfied, but I def. feel less puffy. I hope that its a step in the right direction, I know it is.

This weekend we didn't dine out, instead we made delicious turkey meatloaf and kept to our cals. Honestly, it wasn't difficult-mind over matter I think. I miss the act of going out to dinner, but I am willing to keep to the sacrifice and do this thing right! I keep telling myself -nothing tastes as good as lean feels! Plus, it is no fun when date night involves big baggy sweats and sweatshirt because you feel too shitty to get yourself ready to go out. Instead you hide behind the big clothes and continue to make it worse. It's a viscous cycle. Feel bad, eat more, feel worse.

 We packed our meals all weekend and did great. I'll be honest, today was the toughest day. We had a fabulous opportunity to go to the Pats game today-club seats and all! It was so great, but it raised temptation for sure. Pulling into the lot seeing all the tailgators munching on Doritos, M&M's and swigging on cold beer as early as nine in the morning made my taste buds water. It looked like a fun time too. Instead Brendan and I noshed on Greek Yogurt and PB...and laughed at ourselves all the while. There is no denying eating is social and when you take it out of the equation in life...it makes things a little bit harder. Let's just say its a blessing that Brendan and I are in this whole lifestyle together! I wouldn't change my lifestyle of eating healthy for anything...

My workouts have been good-very focused. I feel like I got my swagger & intensity back at the gym. I am determined to never get this unhappy about my body image again- it's not worth it. We have another clean week in store for us this week. We have our first cheat meal of this pre contest clean up plan this Saturday. It's my friend Katie's holiday party. There is sure to be lots of food and drink. Part of me doesn't even want to cheat, but the other half of me is looking forward to a treat. Hopefully, I can keep myself in check and only eat what I truly think is worth it. I know Brendan will not let us fail! First thing Sunday morning we are back on track until Christmas. I will enjoy myself guiltless on this day.....pretty much knowing the real end of treats and cheats is nearing very soon after.

I have to get back to blogging on a regular basis...I miss the way it makes me feel. So I promise to get back on track.

Things I am loving...

• Seeing houses with holiday lights and decorated tress in the windows
• The idea of celebrating my first Christmas as husband and wife
• The love an support of Brendan
• Report card cconferences being OVER on Friday!
• My new North Face bag-love it! Compliments of my husband

Shredding time!

Happy 3 years-Here we come 2012 competition season! We got our swagger back & it's shedding time!

It's been awhile..too long. I am back and better than ever. Today is the first official day of deflating my body and pre-prepping for my contest prep that starts nice and early-Jan 30th. I have got my head on straight and my motivation back. I enjoyed my Thanksgiving holiday treats and all. I have a lot to be thankful for this year and always. Top of my thankful list is my husband! Today is actually our three year anniversary of being a couple. Even though we now have a wedding anniversary, it's nice to take a moment and reflect on the early days when we first started. It's been great ever since day one!
This thanksgiving break put me over the edge a bit. Brendan and I decided now is the time to shed some unwanted body fat. I personally have been a miserable beast since returning from my honeymoon. I haven't loved putting on some lbs., even though to some degree they were necessary. I know I can't be low body fat all year long, but this puffy, bloatedness is officially over!! I am going down from here. Being a figure athlete, I know I tend to have a tad bit of body dis morphia and think I am way bigger than I probably look in other peoples eyes. The thing that gets me the most is my confidence has been nonexistent for some time now. I want to feel like a figure athlete and get that look back. Today was the first step in the right direction! Woot Woot! June 23rd here I come. It's hard to think that far in advance but I am ready.

I started day one of pre prep by rising early for my morning cardio session. I wasn't a happy camper to have to get back in the groove of things, but cardio helped wake me up and get my mood turned around. Good ol cardio. Twenty five minutes on the elliptical machine flew by. It was nice to wake up in the mild air-today was in the 60's again. Craziness!
As far as my diet goes, I will be carb cycling from now until two weeks before the end of Jan. when the real prep starts. Today was a low carb day..so far not bad. I think my mental bliss has taken over. Mind over matter right Bren?! We have exactly six cheat meals left before our go time of Jan. 30th. That's nuts-I am so beyond ready for it. I think this contest prep is going to be diff. from last time because we didn't know any better. This time around I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel as far as dieting goes and this time around we are going to come off the diet way better, without any evil influences of binging friends. We are all good this time around. I am hoping the 2012 season is a good one for us both. I have two shows in mind. One June 23rd, then since I am staying lean all summer going to end the season with the Cape show.

Enough contest talk...sorry can't help it. I got my drive back. I am feeling like my old figure self again. Determined, motivated and fierce! We are approaching the holidays...I am getting excited. We put our tree up as we have done the past couple of years the day after Thanksgiving. It looks as lovely as ever. I am most excited to share the holiday with Brendan in our bubble. I have got to get my shop on soon. My wheels have been turning for some ideas...can't wait to wrap up some gifts for under the tree. I am loving seeing the lights on houses already...I think people took advantage of the mild weather and put lights up early. Yay! It's way more festive driving around now. Speaking of festive...are you loving my new background!? Bring on Christmas!!

I like this a lot....

Up and at it early this morning for my cardio. Everyday that I have gotten up for my cardio session has been easy and time has flown...not today. I am not sure why it is but, I felt like I was there forever. It's all good though- I got it done and that is all that counts.
 The beautiful weather of this past weekend has passed. We have been snapped back to what November should really feel like. I don't mind it. The chilly air makes it feel like the holidays. Can you believe Thanksgiving is Thursday? I know right...where does time go.

I was famished when I got home from my whopping 25 minute cardio session-like really hungry. I had wardrobe drama this morning which is never a good way to start the week. I ironed and planned an outfit for today, but I looked like a hot mess. I was bloated, pale and had dark, tired circles-grrr. Not a pretty day that's for sure. I handled it with a last minute change...I opted for a cozy frock like sweater to hide my weekend damage.
I think I am being extra negative and down about my body because its my time of the month. Which means I feel like a stuff sausage  for about 7-10 days. The timing of it sucks too! On the way to the gym Brendan and I talked briefly about prepping for an earlier show in April. very tempting, very very tempting. However, I do think it is best to hold out for our original plan to compete in June, making prep start in Feb. The idea of getting on contest diet in just a few short weeks is delightful, but we have made it this far - we might as well be patient and stick it out. The timing of prep and the show is just right. I don't want to mess with it. We'll have a great summer after. Its crazy to think how much thought and planning go into these contests preps. Its def. not a sport for the weak minded. I prob. should not be involved...doing my best. I swear each off season must get better, at least I am hoping so. As much as I want to throw in the towel with this sport because I am a mental weenie- I can't. I am wired to work for something and challenge myself. With that said I will eventually turn this piss poor attitude around and get my tunnel vision back.

Tomorrow is a new day-clean slate.

Good gym night-we hit hamstrings hard. Still sticking with volume workouts. Monday night is special people night at the gym...and I don't mean special in a good way. I was in one of the state of minds where I was ripping everyone to shreds in my mind, especially the idiot girls with back fat, in sports bras, squatting like a bunch of pansies. Honestly, their form was the worst ever.  They're lucky they didn't hurt themselves. They looked cool though in there PINK yoga pants and sport bras-I guess that's all that matters right...(can you hear my sarcastic tone)

Gotta get my beauty rest...I feel the onset of the sniffles..(wink wink Bren)

Long time, no blog

Been feeling a lot like this guy lately...
I have been Mrs. Hangry Pants lately. (Hangry Pants = hungry pants...but angry about being hungry) Luckily tomorrow is Monday, automatic get back on track physically and mentally focused.
 I looked forward to this weekend all week and it was everything I thought it was going to be. Date night was fabulous, the movie was so great and I was relaxed all weekend UNTIL tonight...typical Sunday blues struck hard. I get so annoyed how crazy I get...I indulged a little more than normal this weekend and of course its mentally  mind fucking me now! I am afraid for the holiday weekend ahead. When I am a mental mess I give up and give in...I can't afford to let that happen. Its a vicious circle and it goes nowhere. I get down and depressed then I say what the heck have at the snacks and in the end I am miserable!! I am going to try my best not to let that happen. Hopefully my rock of a husband can help me. After this week, I am starting a hardcore cut until Dec. 10th, then again until Xmas. I don't have too much time left until I start my real prep and cut, I just got to get through the holidays ...and enjoy them too (that's the hard part).
Anyway, tomorrow is a new day! Clean clean clean until Thurs- turkey day!  I have also been crazy cravy too because I am nearing my time of the month. Who knows when exactly, but its def. soon. I can feel my mental and physical state shift..I know my body and mind. I become short fused, emotional and super cravy. The past few days I have been all of the above!

I got some flashy new kicks this weekend...they weren't exactly planned, I had to get rid of the transformer sneakers that were putting my feet to sleep. They are fabulous. Maybe a picture in the near future.

Breaking Dawn gets two thumbs up-so good! A little slow at parts, but gotta love a vampire love story!

Flatbreads-delicious as always. We got Gregory's after, but they were out of moose tracks yogurt- wicked bummer. We ended up getting Oreo yog. instead..still good.

I had a massage on Thurs night- it was different from Ivonne's, still good, but diff. I actually have an Ivonne massage on Friday. I must say my neck pains have lessened. Bren was showing me some stretches Saturday at the gym that were good. I should really get into a better stretching habit. Maybe a new years resolution...hmm

Speaking of holidays- I got some xmas shopping done today.Nothing crazy, and its not that cool that Brendan knows three of his gifts..but oh well.  Its tough to buy clothes for him...our off season bodies are so diff.
This week good stuff:
Turkey day, Christmas tree goes up Friday, days off from school & time with my Budbud - Can't wait. The only naggy thing is report cards-grrrr!!!
I promise to have some good positive thoughts for the week-starting tomorrow!
Peace out!