Figure Bodybuilding 2008

Time To Move On....

2009-01-01T20:18:00.000-08:00

To my 2009 blog!! Click HERE

Happy New Year

2008-12-29T19:17:00.000-08:00

I wanted to wish everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year for 2009, I hope we all achieve all our goals for the year.

My goals for the new year are to continue to focus on my new career as a Personal Trainer and to find time for my own training and preparation for my next competition end of May. This in itself will be a challenge on it's own as I am getting very busy, I have picked up more clients and January is set to explode. I'm stoked at having a good clientele base already but I get a little overwhelmed with trying to stay in control of time, it seems like there just aren't enough hours in the day. I will work around this, i'm still settling in.

Next year is going to be a trying year for me for personal reasons, I will be going through some very rough patches early in the year, i'm hoping I can get through my comp prep at the same time, if not, I will have to leave it until October when everything in my life has settled, but at this stage I am willing to give it a go for May.

I guess this is the last post for 2008, so I will be starting a new blog for 2009 and will post the link in a day or so.

I really look forward to our continued support and friendship here in blog world, I know it's one of the best places to come for moral support, laughs, helpful information, advice and pretty much anything else. And it just continues to grow from year to year which is wonderful to see :-)

All the best,

Deb xxx

On New Years Day

2008-12-27T22:39:00.000-08:00

I need to detox - enough said!!! :-)

Just a quick update

2008-12-22T21:23:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the rush!

Just wanted to update you on my skin folds, my weight is the same 63kgs and I lost 1ml. This is over a four week period.

As I mentioned in Lindy's forum i'm not phased by this as I know I have dropped more then that, it's visible and i'm happy i'm going in the right direction. It is TTOTM also.

I will post again soon, just wanted to let you know what the results were.

Hugs,

Deb xxx

Silly me

2008-12-17T20:44:00.001-08:00

I have been mentioning how busy I am lately and that I have cut back on my cardio to twice a week, well I called JD yesterday to re-schedule our time for Monday's appointment for my skin folds and whilst I had him on the phone I told him about the two day cardio situation. From the sound of his voice I knew I had to ask him if that was a problem? He said "it's just that your calories are structured with the cardio prescribed".

Oh shoot, my heart sank for a minute, but then I thought i'm not going to worry until I see him as I am pretty sure I have dropped a little, I will weigh myself on Monday also. I know he wanted me at 70mls by then and I hope it doesn't throw things out to much with his plans and the way he does this.

I can only blame myself, I should have contacted him 3 weeks ago and told him, he may have made some adjustments to my daily meal plan. Silly me! I won't make that mistake again especially coming closer to the 20 week out mark. He is my trainer and I need to tell him this stuff, it's important, lesson learnt and better now then later :-).

Anyway, i'm just to busy to worry about it which is good. I'm staying positive because I have been so good with nutrition and weight training (5 day split). Plus I am moving around more then what I used to now that I am at Goodlife so i'm sure that accounts for something ;-) here's hoping and grasping at straws!

Gosh I love my Iphone!!!! I have started using Ical (calendar) and it's so amazing, I feel so organized lol. I don't know why I never used it before, I do like to take my time with things sometimes.

I've read blogs but not commented so I am up to date, will comment soon.

Deb x

Alcohol

2008-12-10T22:00:00.001-08:00

When you drink alcohol, your liver breaks it down into certain compounds, one of these is acetaldehyde, which makes you feel rubbish. Other compounds known as congeners also contribute to your hangover. These compounds give alcohol its colour, flavour and smell, and are more abundant in dark-coloured alcohol such as red wine, brandy and rum.

Sleep deprivation is another hangover factor; not just the late night, but also because alcohol impairs your ability to get a good night's sleep. So you might pass out easily, but you are not getting the REM (rapid eye movement) sleep you need to feel rested.
Prevention is the best cure

If you want to avoid a hangover then don't get dehydrated in the first place – this means drinking plenty of water before you head out and drinking water or other non-alcoholic drinks throughout the night. You should also have more water before bed and again when you wake up.

However, drinking bucket loads of water will not inoculate you against a hangover if you go on a drinking binge as you 'poison' yourself when you consume too much alcohol, warns Allsop.

You can lessen your chances of a hangover, if you:

* Don't drink on an empty stomach
* Eat throughout the night
* Dilute your drinks or chose low alcohol alternatives
* Enjoy your alcoholic drinks – slowly
* Avoid dark coloured drinks – red wine, brandy etc...
* Limit the number of drinks you have

But once the damage is done there is no quick fix. All you can do is:

* Rehydrate yourself – drink water, juice, etc.. but steer clear of tea, coffee and other caffeinated drinks as they will dehydrate you more.
* Eat small amounts and go for something healthy and easy to digest rather than the big, fatty fry up – especially if you're already feeling nauseous.
* Rest – take it easy, you are not going to be at your best so you should avoid doing anything that requires intense concentration – driving, operating heavy machinery etc...

There is considerable debate on what is a safe amount of alcohol to drink but the National Health and Medical Research Council has guidelines on alcohol consumption, which are under review. Based on the existing guidelines, men should drink no more than four standard drinks a day on average and no more than six on any one day, while women should drink no more than two standard drinks a day on average and no more than four on any single day.

We all know the best cure for a hangover is not to drink too much in the first place, so take it easy when you head out and you won't feel like death the next day.

Professor Steve Allsop is the director of the National Drug and Research Institute at Curtin University of Technology, he spoke to Claudine Ryan.

4am is not right!

2008-12-09T19:40:00.001-08:00

Three days straight of 4am wake up's, it's not right at all lol. The days are so much more longer that's for sure. I'm getting used to it though, I never was an early morning person in the past, in fact nobody could even talk to me until 10am, boy how things change! The only times I saw 4am in the past was when i was going to bed after a great night out ;-) that was long ago now.

Works going well as I mentioned in my previous posts. A couple of my clients think i'm a nutter due to my utter excitement when they went up in weights today and hit all targets I gave them. I don't know what came over me but it is so exciting seeing them reach levels they have never been to before. They are new to weight training so it's nothing major for the advanced but it's HUGE for them :-) But they did appreciate my excitement as it got them all excited too lol. Encouragement, support, motivation, care and supervision are all important traits to take on when becoming a personal trainer.

But other things need to be put in place too in regards to the business end of things. Working smart and bringing a plan into place to avoid no shows or last minute cancellations. I have seen this happen to many of the PT's at work and I figured I better put something together so I can avoid it or minimize it as much as possible. So I think I have it under control, see how it goes, so far so good :-)

I'm really missing not being about to do cardio :-(, i'm so hoping that it's not going to be an issue. My five day weight training split along with my nutrition should be enough to keep my body fat levels dropping slowly, fingers crossed.

My back is still bad, so my leg days have been light weight for a couple of months now, not how i'm used to training my legs but I have no choice. I do go a little heavier on lunges as it doesn't hurt my back as much. Front squats are not as heavy as before but good enough. I have to say that I have noticed the definition in my quads coming through already and they don't look to bad, so a note to myself, don't stress about not being about to go heavy on legs. I can't see my back getting better before my comp so it will be interesting to see how my legs look on stage this time.

Take care everyone :-)

Deb xxx

Iphone Apps

2008-12-08T22:04:00.000-08:00

For those who have an Iphone I found a great application called "Around Me" (read about it below). The great thing about it is it works perfectly here in Australia unlike many other US based apps, and it's free :-)

Around Me:

If you have ever found yourself looking for a cafe, ATM or bookstore nearby, you might consider this app a godsend. AroundMe 1.0, a new iPhone app by TweakerSoft, makes it easy to figure what’s nearby. By leveraging the iPhone’s unique abilities, AroundMe quickly acquires the users location and allows them to choose the nearest bank, bar, gas station, hospital, hotel, movie theatre, restaurant, supermarket, theatre and taxi.

Choose a category, then browse the listings, which includes the distance from where you are. Select a listing, and this hand app displays a map and plots the route for you. You caneven save the information in your contact list or even email it to a friend.

Another application worth using is Facebook, it makes it easier to use on your iphone.

Hi Guys!

2008-12-07T22:33:00.001-08:00

Life has never been this busy and hectic before, I am trying desperately to keep on top of things and so far so good :-)

I'm really enjoying life as a personal trainer and I have been picking up some pretty special clients. I'm really enjoying taking on the responsibility of helping them reach their goals (in due time) and getting to know them with each session we get together.

It's also a learning curve for me as most of my clients have never lifted weights before so I need to start from scratch with them and ease them into it slowly, but it's all going well.

I'm still managing to fit in my training 5 days per week, but i'm only doing cardio 2 days per week so i'm hoping it's not going to be an issue, I haven't spoken to JD about it yet as I was thinking of just plodding along until my next appointment at the end of the month and discussing it from there as I would have known from the skins that he will take if it's a bad thing or not.

The 5am starts are a killer on Tue, Wed, and Thursday's but i'm getting used to it a bit. At least it's sunny here a 4.30am!

This year is coming to an end so I guess it's time to think of putting together a new blog for next year.

Deb xxx

Where Am I???

2008-12-01T20:25:00.000-08:00

It's just so hard to keep up with myself these days, i'm just so busy. Work is going great, I am already starting to build up a good clientele base which is great especially for this time of the year.

My training has been squeezed into available times and it has been intensive as I have taken on JD's program now. I love it as it is very effective and since starting it last week I have had DOMS all week. It's a 5 day split, that's how I like to train but maybe I should look at a 4 day split due to time management.

Cardio, what's that??? I have had no time for cardio, only training. So instead of 5 cardio sessions, i'm only getting in two on the weekends. I'm hoping this won't be a problem but time will tell. I see JD on the 22nd Dec for skinfolds.

Nutrition, with preparation I have been on top of it 100%. If I didn't prepare my food it would be a disaster. So important to stay on top of this.

I had a lovely off plan meal Saturday night, garlic bread and pasta, I haven't had either in over a year I think. It was completely guilt free, I felt awesome. I washed it down with some red wine. I was instructed to have my off plan meals once a week and I "had" to have it so i'm following orders to see what happens lol.

I've been reading blogs so I know what everyone is up to, just haven't had time to leave comments, I will be around soon.

Deb xxx

Induction

2008-11-26T02:59:00.000-08:00

I am still on this earth ;-) Just super busy right now. I had my first day of induction today and have another full day of it tomorrow, my eyes are popping out of my head!

So i'm just touching base and letting you all know i'm well.

I'm so looking forward to Friday morning, I have my first PT session booked in! I now have three lovely ladies as my clients :-)

It's 9pm and i'm so tired so i'm off to bed now. I will visit blogs later in the week as I am missing you guys already!

Deb xxx

First Day On The Job

2008-11-23T19:28:00.000-08:00

Today was my first day working at the gym. I did the morning shift and met up with one of the trainers so he could go over the million and one things I need to know lol, talk about information overload! I think it will take a little while to learn where everything is and how everything works. It's a huge gym with so many things going on all the time e.g. fast tracking, 12 week challenges etc, so lots to learn :-)

The great thing is I picked up two clients today :-) I start my PT sessions with them next week.

I saw JD last Friday for my skin folds and I have dropped a little more body fat and am on target. We are ramping it up a little more this month to try and bring me down to a good mark before Xmas. Just hope I can find time around my work to train, where there's a will, there's a way!

D xxx

2008-11-20T23:20:00.000-08:00

A Massive Congratulations To Vicky Thomas

2008-11-16T22:24:00.000-08:00

Vicky Thomas just arrived back from New York after winning the WNBF World Miss Fitbody Title. (Miss Fitbody in this federation is equal to Miss Figure in ANB etc).

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Vicky throughout this year and she is a sweet and down to earth person who is in complete disbelief of her amazingly successful first year of competition.

Vicky deserves her big win and I hope to travel with her to the World's next year if all goes well from my end!

The photo's above are not from the World's, they are from Qld Championships etc. And the stunning bikini's she wears is from none other then Jo Rogers! I love the green one ;-)

I just so proud of vicky :-)

Why Are Changes Scary?

2008-11-09T22:04:00.000-08:00

I haven't updated much as I have so many things going on with the preparation for my new career in two weeks time. The paper work is freaking slow and so much had to be put in place before starting.

I have the contract and will be handing it in this week, just need to organize my insurance/cover and that's it.

As excited as I am to start, I am just as scared at the same time. I have no idea how much my routine is going to change and what my life is going to be like. I keep telling myself I just need to be organized to make everything else easier to deal with. Be confident Deb, hang in there!

My training is good, don't know what I would do without it, I need to be able to structure my own sessions in around my clients, that's a must.

Nutrition is on track, still it could be better if I didn't drink alcohol but it is the silly season and that too has to come to an end, bring on January.

I'm not due to see JD for skin folds for another two weeks so I don't know how i'm trekking and I won't weigh in until then either. But I have been wearing clothes that I couldn't wear prior to starting with JD so I think i'm still dropping BF slowly, very slowly and i'm happy.

I'm excited about Diva Consignments, what a fabulous idea, I just sent my bikini to Jo to add to the site in hope to put the money towards a new bikini for next year.

I notices alot of the comp dates have come up already. The ANB Asia-Pacific is on May 30th and the WNBF the day after, not sure how i'm going to do the shows back to back but I will talk to the big feller about that.

Who's competing early in 2009?

Oh I ran into Ursula at my gym this morning, this was the first time we met :-) Kinda funny running into a blogger like that lol.

Take care,

Deb xx

Congratulations Harry!!

2008-11-02T19:03:00.000-08:00

The INBA will induct its first Hall of Fame recipients at a sit-down Gala Dinner at the Marriot Hotel following the Natural Olympia in San Francisco on November 8. 
Australia has received notice that Harry Haureliuk will be the first Australian honoured in the INBA Hall of Fame. 2008 represents Harry’s 10th consecutive Natural Olympia event and he has won Gold four times, in Melbourne (2000), Phoenix (2002), Las Vegas (2004), and Greece (2007).
 Harry will be attempting to win his first back-to-back Gold medal this year in San Francisco. No other INBA athlete in the world has competed at this Pinnacle International event 10 times, let alone been able to do so in consecutive years. An amazing achievement. Notwithstanding competing at the highest level, Harry has been strong ambassador for the INBA every day of the year, encouraging and assisting all levels of competitors and helping to promote contests in his home city of Canberra. 
The honoured place in bodybuilding‘s Hall of Fame is a fitting tribute to the Canberra Legend, Harry Haureliuk.
Harry is a very good friend of my Father's, he has known me since I was about 5 years old.  I have seen Harry compete many times over the years and recently at the INBA Nationals up here on the Gold Coast.  I truly wish him well as he travels to the USA this week to compete in both the Universe and the Olympia.
Good Luck Harry :-)
Deb xxx

The results are in.....

2008-10-27T22:25:00.001-07:00

I saw JD this morning and am so happy to say the results were great, much better then I expected.

Since starting with him 6 weeks ago my scale weight has dropped 1.5kgs and my skin folds have dropped a staggering 28.5mls!!!

This has been such an easy drop, easy in the sense that I have not been hungry, I have not craved foods, I have not done excessive cardio etc. I am even maintaining/preserving/building muscle.

It's very different to what i'm used too, all my life when I would want to lose weight I would go on a diet, this would mean starving my poor body, so I always associated hunger with weight loss. If i'm feeling hungry I am losing weight - this is the message my brain was trained to think and for so many years, I couldn't just undo that over night!

So now I eat, and i'm satisfied, so I don't think that i'm losing weight. Days and weeks go by and I don't notice the body fat melting away due to the lack of that hunger=weight loss feeling, so I go for my appointment and get shocked with the results but i am slowly catching on.

My previous skin folds showed a good drop around my abdominal area, today it was in my legs, funny how it works. I think with my back injury my leg session has changed from heavy low reps, to light high reps, this may have had something to do with the drop in the quad area.

I still have a fair way to go and that's okay because i'm walking in the right direction, what more could I ask for?? Nothing :-)

2008-10-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

I'm so slack for not blogging about passing my last practical exam even though I was bouncing of the walls with excitement when I got the letter.

I have now completed both Certificate III and IV, I am now qualified and still can't believe it.

I should receive my certificates today or tomorrow (hopefully) then all that's left is to register with Fitness Australia and organise my insurances.

I spoke briefly to the Fitness Director of Goodlife gym yesterday just to keep him up to date as to where i'm at and it looks like I will be ready to start working in 2 -3 weeks time, so exciting!

My lower body training has taken a backward step due to a lower back sprain, I will be taken it easy until I recover completely. I did this doing deadlifts a few weeks ago but I re-injured it recently and now I have to take it easy. I'm not in too much pain, only when I bend down. It feels like it's getting better but I will take the rest of this year easy to make sure.

Other then that my training is great guns! I have really been hammering my upper body I guess that's because there is no pain in my lower back when doing upper body exercises, so I have seen strength increase and some minor gains.

Nutrition is good, but i'm feeling hungry at 2.15pm each day lol, it's a 45 minute wait until my next meal at 3pm. So I end up increasing my water intake even more during this time to keep on top of the hunger. I can't believe that after the amount of food I eat that I get hungry, my metabolism is revving up which is great.

I'm not feeling any body fat loss at the moment due to the onset of TTOTM, so I am holding water and feeling fat (as we do). I'm okay with it because I know I will be feeling great in a few more days, I know this pattern and I will not let it get to me, it's temporary :-)

I see JD next Thursday, I have to say i'm so curious to see how i'm going with the skin folds and also when I weight myself that morning before seeing him. All my results get posted in Lindy's forum :-)

The WNBF has a team of 22 Aussie athletes going to New York for the Worlds in little over a weeks time. This all seems so exciting and my dream is to be apart of this team next year, to stand on an International stage in New York, wow!

I have automatically qualified for the WNBF Nationals 2009 due to my placing 2nd last year at the Nationals but I really need stage experience so I will compete in May and Oct next year. It will be a big prep year and with the new career starting soon I hope I can do this.

Also the WNBF is working on bringing comps to Perth so stay tuned for that.

Eat, Train and Laugh Alot!!

Deb

It's All In Your Head - Natural Process

2008-10-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

Below is a post I blogged about in August 2006 when I was about 6-8 weeks out from my first comp. I just read it now because I decided to take a trip down memory lane and as I read it I thought about how much I still believe it. I actually wanted Steph to read it since she is moving into her first comp too :-)

August 23rd 2006
I have been learning so much through my journey to becoming a competitive figure bodybuilder. One of the most important things that comes to my mind when I think about the whole experience so far are "mind games".

But I think that there is a reason for this. I was just commenting in Liz's blog about how one day we are happy with weight training but then we stress big time about posing. The next thing you know you are unhappy with weight training and your stressing about not making it in time for the comp, but posing is great! This just goes on and on all the time. It stops and changes then reverses, then goes back to it again and ahhhhhh.
Today after coming out from that dreaded black cloud that us poor girls go through once a month, I think I realize why this happens. It's a natural process that actually helps us to stay on our toes. My thoughts are this, if we went through this entire comp without any doubts or worries, what would then make us push harder to overcome that fear? You would just keep moving along without any concerns, so the result of that would be, "it's all cool I don't need to push myself because I have no challenges".
or
You go through with doubt/fears/concerns (call it what you will) and this will encourage you to push through, motivate you to do that extra rep on the bench press because one of your concerns is your chest isn't big enough. Or you will do extra posing practise because you think you haven't got it right etc, etc.
So I just realized that my fears are actually my friend, those fears are what is pushing me to becoming the best I can ever be. Without them I would not push this hard, I wouldn't feel the need too.
Stress can be used as a positive but you have to stay on top of it. Dont' let it consume you, thats when it becomes a problem.
Have a great day everyone!

All is well

2008-10-13T23:24:00.000-07:00

Not sure what to blog about lol but had the urge to do so anyway :-)

I'm feeling pretty good about everything and i'm stoked at my on going progress with my aim to drop my body fat back down to 70mls.
Despite the fact I put away LOADS of alcohol between Friday night at the ball and especially Saturday at the 40th birthday party at the races, I feel like i'm still going really well. Although I drank heaps of champagne I still ate really well, didn't go off plan food wise.

The ball was fabulous and John and I danced the night away with many others. That was after Allan Jones (Guest speaker) speech, it went on forever lol. We were served delicious food from a top chef and there was free flowing french champagne. The music was a mix of the 80's through to the latest hits so everyone was hitting the dance floor.
We left after midnight.

So I wake up the next morning to have breakfast and get tarted up again for a day at the races! We had a private marquee right by the track, it was catered and there was free flowing champagne and wine. It was a ladies day out for my friend Melissa on her 40th birthday and we had a blast. I even put on some bets, it was fun.
I was lucky it was a buffet and I was able to eat most of the green salad (the dressing was on the side) and some seafood, to easy!!

So no more big piss up's until Melbourne Cup lol. Then NO MORE. The new year is around the corner and I will be right into prep before I know it, can't wait.

Looks like I found something to blog about after all ;-)
And before you ask, I will get the pictures up soon, i'm so slack at times, it means I have to plug my camera into the usb and transfer it into my computer, this takes work you know ;-)

Talk to you soon.

Debs

My Skin Folds

2008-10-08T22:32:00.001-07:00

Since starting my new meal plan with Jon Davie 4 weeks ago I have been eating lots and lots of good food and haven't weighed in or taken my skin folds until today.
I have posted my results on Lindy's site so some of you already know:-)
I have lost 1 kilo off the scales and 17.5mls of body fat!! This is a fantastic result for me and I am stoked!! So the plan now is to increase my food intake a little more so that I can drop another 5-7mls within 3 weeks when I go see him again.

I'm happy because the biggest drop was around my abdominal area, and I have noticed my clothes are loose but I keep thinking they had stretched lol. My reasoning behind this is because my brain is to programmed in thinking less food in means weight loss, and more food in means fat gain.
So when i eat more then I ever have before with each meal the last thing on my mind is "i'm losing weight"! But lucky my body is on the ball with this and i'm getting results.
JD adjusted my meal plan by adding more to it as I am getting hungry again now that my body is used to the amount of food i'm eating.

My cardio has been structured and it is still a walk in the park or a treadmill lol. Just keeping a steady pace, nothing crazy, I have actually learnt to like this over the last couple of weeks, i'm adjusting to it all. But it just means I smash myself when it comes to the weights ;-)

So with these results you can tell i'm pretty bloody happy right now, how can I not be now that it had confirmed to me that I am on the right path to a healthy, lean body!

I have been doing a lot of research on cardio and weight loss lately and all I can say is that cardio is not the key to losing weight, resistance training and nutrition are. If you can get your calorie intake right in the off season (having a higher intake), this will give you so much more room to move for prepping and you would come in with more muscles!!

Debs xxx

Busy, Busy, Busy

2008-10-06T19:09:00.000-07:00

Things are getting to the finalization process in regards to my studies and working as a PT. I have completed my Cert IV practical exam and module 5 and submitted them for marking, I have my fingers crossed that I passed.
Last Saturday I completed my senior first aid course and will get my certificate no later then next week.
Tomorrow I see a JP to sign my business registration forms so I can submit it then open up a business bank account.
I still have many other little things to do such as register with Fitness Australia and organize my insurances.

I picked up the Goodlife Gym contract last Friday and providing I get all of the above done I will be starting in November. I am really excited and nervous about this. Starting a new career is a little daunting but i believe that it will be okay :-)

This Friday night John and I are attending a ball, I am looking forward to it! Then the following day I am going to a 40th birthday party, it will be a day at the races with champagne and seafood and ladies only! Should fun lol.

My new food plan has been so good for me, for the first time ever I had a cycle (TTOTM) without any symptoms in the lead up to it. I think all this really good healthy, nutritional food is what my body needs. I now eat alot more raw foods in the form of veggies. I also eat a little natural yoghurt which I haven't had in years. Basically it's a really good balance of macronutrients and it's doing me wonders!

I'm not sure if I have dropped much body fat as I was unable to make my appointment with JD and we are still yet to reschedule. And I haven't weighed myself since I last saw him but I think i may have lost a tiny bit, I know i'm on the right track, that I definitely know :-)

I will be attending the INBA Nationals and I can't wait to catch up with everyone, I will be coming on my own so expect me to latch onto some of you lol.

Debs

ACA - The Water Detox Diet Story

2008-10-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

Did anyone see A Current Affair last night? If you didn't there was a story on a lady in the UK, see was placed on a water detox diet - the long and short of it is she consumed what they consider a high amount of water and reduced her salt intake and within 1 week she ended up with brain damage.
She was drinking 3.5 liters per day, most of us drink more then that right?
She cut out salt, sound familiar fellow competitors?
So they are saying that with all the water consumption and the reduced salt her brain swelled up and caused a seizer.

I feel terribly sorry for her to be suffering brain injury just because she wanted to lose some weight, seems very unfortunate and sad. But I have to say I believe she really is an "extreme" case.
When this story started my initial reaction was to freak out because I know that prior to comp I was drinking up to 7-8 liters of water per day and I removed salt completely from my diet. But then I thought about the fact that I had done it 5 times for each comp and I know so many other competitors have aswell and I have never heard of anyone getting brain damage from it!

Now the sad part is is that everyone watching will cut back on their water intake not realizing that most of the average Australian's already live in a state of dehydration and don't even know it!

I think the story really shouldn't have come across as it can happen to anyone at anytime, like a scare tactic, they should research more into it to see how extreme her case might be.

QLD - ANB Competition this weekend

2008-09-22T18:07:00.001-07:00

This weekend the ANB Comp is on and I am looking forward to another day of being around awesome athlete's and watching them show off there incredible bods on stage.
This is my first time attending an ANB show so i'm really looking forward to it. I will be there in the morning and the evening show, you will find me at my sponsor's table "International Protein" so please make sure you come over and try it, everyone and anyone is welcome :-)

International Protein as just released it's new line - check it out!

Good luck to all the competitor's competing on the day and I can't wait to cheer you on.

Deb xxx

Water!

2008-09-17T23:44:00.001-07:00

The More You Drink, The More You Shrink!!

I'm drowning in it!!!!!!!!

Physical Evolution

2008-09-15T19:56:00.001-07:00

www.physical-evolution.com.au

Physical Evolution has dropped there prices and have a great range of products.

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iphone

2008-09-15T00:25:00.001-07:00

Last Friday when I got home from work I saw an Apple iphone sitting on the dining table, my wonderful hubby went out and bought it for me!! I'm so lucky to have the iphone and to have a wonderful hubby (not in that order lol).

It's fantastic.

Who has one? Who is getting one???

It does everything, John bought it for me for when I start working as a PT. My hubby's initials are JD so I won't use that as it will be very confusing, I seem to be surrounded by JD's!!

I just love gadgets especially the MAC ones :-)

So I am learning more and more about it and loving all the new stuff I can do with it, sometimes I forget it's a phone!

The other good news is that JD sent me an email today with my nutrition attached, it is amazing how he has set it all out, I can't do anything wrong he has done all the work for me I just have to follow it :-) This is exactly what I needed as i'm hopeless otherwise.
He is so great that I after speaking to him today via the phone he is taking things at such a great pace, slow and steady so I take everything in one step at a time. I get my program in a week, he just wants me to get used to eating all the food he prescribed first and there is a lot of food then move onto his training program etc.

I'm pretty excited aren't I? lol

I need to be as I have been feeling down about my weight gain, I couldn't believe how much I had blown out on my skinfolds when i saw him, I knew I put on weight I could see it but that confirmed it. So I now have a target to move down to and I will reach it, I know I will and when I do I will let you know all the details :-)

So here's to a new beginning in a great direction!

Deb xxx

8 Months Out LOL

2008-09-10T19:35:00.000-07:00

I had a consultation with Jon Davie this morning and am so happy to announce that he will be taking me on for next years competition and we start now!
What I mean by starting now is getting my skin fold down to a maintainable level first even if we have 8 months until the show he wants to start now, slowly.

This is exactly what I need right now, someone to write up my nutrition (I have been in struggle town with that), I just can't be left to do this myself and I have proven that time and time again so now I will be on track again and I won't need to keep guessing as to whether i'm eating to much or to little right through til comp day! Looks like I have to get use to eating more!

I believe I will learn so much from JD and hope that in time I will learn to follow my own daily food intake with confidence, this is my future plan.

So with a whopping 8 months until I compete I will have mini goals to achieve and that will be reaching benchmarks in reducing mls with my skin folds.

Speaking of skins, I bought my Skins on the weekend :-) I got the long black with blue pants. I trained in them yesterday and couldn't believe the difference, i'm in love!!! I think I need a skins top now hee hee.

Deb x

Followers Widget

2008-09-08T20:20:00.000-07:00

Katie P got me onto "followers", it's so easy to add to your blog and here is the scoop:

Do you want to know who regularly reads your blog and develop a public fan base for your blog? Well now you can do that and more with the Blogger Following feature! In Blogger, users can publicly Follow any URL to tell the blog's author and the world they are a fan. With the Followers gadget, you can display your blog's Followers on your blog to show your blog's popularity and encourage more readers to stay updated with your posts.

Have A Great Day!!

Time sure does fly!

2008-09-03T18:39:00.003-07:00

It just dawned on me why I am feeling so tired and emotional, next week is TTOTM again!! Already!! What the?? It all makes sense now, one week before my hormones are all over the place.

I thought it was all alcohol related (although that didn't help), I just didn't think I was due again already, time is really getting away from me, I must be to bloody busy :-)

I haven't had a drop of alcohol since Sunday night and have no desire to have any, and now i'm in a bit of a cutting phase of my training I feel focused again and looking forward to seeing some changes in my physique.
I've upped my reps big time and i'm doing some more cardio and loving that, god I missed the endorphine rush.

This weekend i'm going to buy "skins", I really could benefit from training in compression garments especially for
leg training.
One of the trainers at the gym has two pairs, she trains in the Body Science compression pants as they are thinker, and does cardio in the Skins compression pants. I think I will stick to the skins at this stage :-)

See you soon.

I passed!

2008-09-01T23:45:00.001-07:00

I just got confirmation that I passed my Cert III Practical exam, i'm happy about this :-)
Currently I am about to finish an assignment in cert IV then I have another Practical assessment to do, then one last module and that's it! My first aid course is booked in for Oct 5th.

Today i'm just chipping away at the assignment most of it is done, it's case studies on older adults and children and I am up to the children, my head is not completely with it today so it is slowing me down, but i'm getting there, baby steps!

I can't believe i'm almost there.

Gosh i've been blogging alot this week lol

Chest & Back

2008-09-01T17:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks for leaving me comments on last nights post, it really meant alot :-)

I'm not actually feeling very purky today, in fact i'm feeling the opposite, down and out. Maybe I just need another day to find my bubbly self again.

Today's session at the gym:

Flat Bench Press
1 x 12 reps @ 35kgs
1 x 8 reps @ 40kgs
1 x 8 reps @ 45kgs
1 x 6 reps @ 55kgs (spotter)

Incline Bench Press
1 x 12 reps @ 35kgs
1 x 8 reps @ 35kgs
1 x 8 reps @ 35kgs
1 x 6 reps @ 40kgs

Power Presses
1 x 8 reps @ 40kgs
1 x 8 reps @ 40kgs
1 x 8 reps @ 40kgs
1 x 8 reps @ 40kgs

Static Hold
1 x 60kgs @ 10 seconds
1 x 60kgs @ 12 seconds
1 x 60kgs @ 15 seconds
1 x 60kgs @ 15 seconds

Chins
1 x 8 reps
1 x 8 reps
1 x 8 reps

Bent Over Rows
1 x 8 reps @ 35kgs
1 x 8 reps @ 35kgs
1 x 8 reps @ 40kgs

Seated Cable Rows
1 x 8 reps@ 35kgs
1 x 8 reps@ 35kgs
1 x 8 reps@ 40kgs

Power Pulls
1 x 8 reps each arm @ 65kgs
1 x 8 reps each arm @ 70kgs
1 x 8 reps each arm @ 75kgs

This is followed by 30 minutes easy paced walk.

At this stage my training program will change as of next week so this is my last week of strength training and after 8 weeks of it I am ready for a change :-)

I know I have never posted my training program up in detail before but so many of you have emailed me and have been asking more about my training so I will post this weeks progress up for you.

Not Always Rosey

2008-09-01T04:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys!
Sometimes I wonder how I come across to the people that read my blog and have done for a while now. I am a very private person and I hope nobody takes me the wrong way.

I have huge self esteem and self confidence issues and have done all my life, I know this is nothing new and i'm not the only one in this situation. So I find it hard to write what I am really feeling, I usually only touch the surface because I never want to offend anyone in any way accidentally.

One thing I do is blog the truth about my progress or how i'm feeling, generally it's good and i'm progressing well and that is mainly what you read but that doesn't mean that I am doing it easy, i'm not super human, it means that I don't blog when i'm down or struggling anywhere near as much as when I do when i'm happy and flowing along.
So 'i'm sorry if I may have come across that way, it seems kind of pig headed of me to think I am so good and I have no issues! This is not the case.

I blog about training more then anything else and that's because I love it and I really don't have issue there, but I am having continuous issues with my nutrition. I can go weeks will no problems and then I start doubting myself, that's when it gets messy for me and I get completely lost and feel the need to get help.
Lucky for me I spoke up a little in Lindy's forum and I was heard and now I am trying to get back on track again one day at a time.

Drinking is getting to much for me, I clearly can't go on drinking as many nights a week as I have been as it is depressing me during the day so this is my first priority, I must cut it down to once a week and thats final. I am not addicted to it I can go without but I have not been trying and that's the problem.

After a few posts at Lindy's forum I have learnt alot about myself and it made me realize that this is what my blog is for, to blog about things and get it out in the open, then read it and see it from another point of view, It's like analyzing yourself.
I have learnt that through my lack of confidence I lose trust in myself when it come to feeding my body, I need to trust myself more as I know what to do, I just need to believe it and stop freaking out by cutting my portion sizes down every time I feel self doubt about the meal, it is like a safety net, not sure so eat less, how am I to build muscle this way?? I train so freakin hard, so hard that I walk out of the gym each session knowing I couldn't have done more so I shouldn't be eating like a sparrow when i'm training like a lion.

Tonight's a good start, I have had no wine, just tea, and this will be the case right through till the weekend, I hope I only have a glass or two on Saturday night, and not Friday or Sunday as well, but i'm pretty angry with myself right now so I think I will stay on track.

I know I will feel better tomorrow, so I will post again soon.

Finding That Inner Confidence

2008-08-28T17:42:00.000-07:00

I don't know where to start, this may be a long one. I shall stat from the beginning I guess :-)

As I have been progressing through my studies I have been focused on obtaining Cert III & IV in order to start work as a PT in a gym, well that still is a focus and part of the plan. But I found another avenue that I really want to go into and it didn't even occur to me until I progressed through my studies to "Specialty Training for Older Adults and Children".

I started thinking more so about the older adults and so I started to look deeply into it to find that over 200,000 Australian's suffer from Dementia and this number is set to double in 20 years.
So I then take my research even further and have the urge to learn more about the disease as possible which I have been doing and I have found that I am so drawn to learning even more. Now my focus has also turned to the carers. These carers are locked in there homes caring for there loved ones who are slowly deteriorating and do not like to be left with anyone else. These carers have no outlet, they feel so alone. They have no time to take care of themselves as they are constantly caring for someone else. They become unhappy with how they look and then struggle to find any motivation to go out at all. It's very sad.

So with extensive search on the web I decided to go one step further and make some calls etc. Long story short I managed to get myself to sit in on a dementia class which is put together by the government for carers of dementia. This was the most incredible day and I am so thankful for being allowed to attend. It went for 5 hours but only felt like it went for an hour, I didn't want it to end.
I meet 15 carers that day, I heard there stories, I saw them cry, I fought back my own tears, these were real people talking about real situations that they were living.
The training class was to teach the carers about the disease and how it effects the brain and behavior's of there loved one's. To understand more about what the sufferer is going through and feeling and how they can make it easier on them. But it also focused on what they need to do for themselves, they need time out in order to not become overwhelmed with pressure and stress of caring for their loved ones 24/7. These people are truly incredible.
After the class the speaker told me I mended in really well with the carers.

I have been offered an opportunity to be a speaker next year when they hold another carers class. I wasn't expecting this, hoping for it but not expecting it, and now I find half of me saying "but your biggest fear is public speaking and you are not confident enough", and the other half says "you can't let this opportunity slip through your fingers, you know how you can help and you can do this"!

I feel as though I got my foot well and truly through the door and there are so many avenues I would like to take in relation to this. It's the tip of the ice burg and I will share it with you as it gets closer to it as I was advised not to say anything yet, but it's all very promising and will be very rewarding in so many ways.

To tell you the truth I still can't believe this path has opened up to me, and how fast it is all happening it's blown me away. You just never know what's ahead of you.

Some Changes For Moi

2008-08-26T19:49:00.000-07:00

Today's session with Michael was nothing short of a killer, he smashed my shoulders big time, I love these sessions with him as he knows what i'm capable of better then what I do.

I'm in week 7 of strength training so that leaves me with next week and then after a discussion today we are going to make changes!
I have a formal function to attend on the 10th Oct so I asked Michael if it was okay to cut down a little for this function and to see how i'm looking, he agreed. It will only be a small cut back, nothing major but I dare say the change in training will be a killer to start with, I won't know for a couple of weeks he never tells me until we are ready to start.

I have recently bought a Trelise Cooper dress for the evening and I don't really want to look bulky in it so I am happy to cut down just a touch to look more defined or less bulky!

I'm currently in the middle of an assignment for cert IV and through my studies I have decided on an area I would like to move into when i become a qualified PT. I even managed to worm my way into a government organized training session tomorrow in relation to the direction I am looking at taking. I can't say to much right now as it is in it's infancy but as soon as I know if this is definitely the avenue I "can" take then I will spread the news :-) So i'm looking forward to tomorrow as it is the first step in a new direction.

Speaking of new directions, why does that scare me???? I get excited and afraid all at the same time. I really need to find my inner confidence and really embrace the things I want to do so that I don't let it slip through my fingers and have regrets later.
Just knowing that by the end of this year I am going to be in such a different place with the change of career and working at Goodlife as well as this new area I hadn't even considered before is very exciting and I hope this big step i'm taking is the right one :-)

Better get my head back in the books I guess but before I go I wanted to say how proud I am of my little guy, he plays in a strings band (violin) and was performing at the eisteddfod and they came first! He was so excited and I am so proud of him, I just love to watch him play he is so handsome.

Lindy's Bodytune Workshop

2008-08-24T22:02:00.001-07:00

Hi Guys!
Just wanted to let you all know how awesome Lindy's Workshops are!!
I arrived to Graceville on Saturday and was so stoked to have seen Lia, it had been almost two years since we last saw each other for the Nationals in Melbourne, big hugs were shared :-)

Lindy looks as stunning as ever and really provides an informative workshop, I took so much away with me from that day. We had JD as a guest speaker, it was an awesome surprise as he is the man to ask anything about nutrition and training - amazing guy!!

I saw Liz and shelly and met Steph for the first time it was fun and I wish we had more time afterwards to chat.

So this was the start of a very good weekend for me :-)

The Things You Find through Facebook LOL

2008-08-21T18:32:00.003-07:00

I cannot believe I stumbled on this photo. It was my class at Primary School. I am the one standing next to that really funky, trendy, cool teacher LMAO!!
I think it was year 6.
It's funny because I haven't seen these pictures in so many years and now they are on the www, life is so different now to how it was back then.

One more sleep to go until Lindy's Workshop WooHoo!!!

My Progress Update

2008-08-17T17:40:00.001-07:00

Yesterday was my weigh in day ( I weigh in once a month) and I have put on half a kilo.
Since I started strength training my weigh in's are as follows:

June 20th (day before I started strength training): 60kgs
July 20th:63kgs
August 17th: 63.5kgs

So the first month was a rapid increase in weight and last month things have settled and I am moving along at a much preferred rate, that is preferred by me :-).

I believe that all I need to do is stick with the plan and go from day to day. I am finding it mentally challenging being heavier and I continue to question my weight gains regularly as to whether it's mostly fat or mostly muscle. But at the end of the day I want to increase muscle mass and I have to stick to the plan and not jeopardize my hard earned muscles by reducing calories or hammering the cardio equipment which I am so tempted to do. But that day will come, prep will start early next year so I have to wait until then :-)

I am getting so strong, i never thought I would get that bloody strong but it happens if you persist :-), I am really enjoying the power presses and static holds on chest days, they have really helped with my strength on the bench press.
I have also been focusing on my weak body part, my shoulders, trying to get them to grow, I am having little success but still have a long way to go, some of you ladies are just so blessed to have big beautiful shoulders :-)

Finally did what I have been putting off doing for months and that is my practical exam for cert III (even though I am almost through cert IV), I arranged for the exam on Saturday, I am so glad that one is over and done with, I think I have to do one more for Cert IV though.
I also need to start looking into doing a first aid course, I can't believe how close I am getting now to being a PT!! So excited.

Hop everyone is well, I will pop in soon to say hi.

Debs xxx

Glutamine

2008-08-14T22:10:00.001-07:00

I love using International Protein's Glutamine as it is 100% pure and is made from rice, no chemicals! I am truly thankful to be sponsored by such a great company :-)

International Protein Glutamine
100% Pure Natural Fermented L-Glutamine
May improve recovery after training / exercise
Decreases muscle protein breakdown
Increases muscle protein synthesis and cell volume
Supports immune system function
Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in skeletal muscle tissue, making up about 60% of its total content, and is the predominant amino acid used during exercise. Although glutamine can be obtained from the diet, supplementation is often required to replace losses incurred during exercise / training.

Studies show that supplementing your diet and training with glutamine may improve recovery by decreasing muscle protein breakdown, increasing muscle protein synthesis and cell volume and by supporting immune system function.

International Protein's "Natural Fermented L-Glutamine" is manufactured using an exclusive natural fermentation process, followed by gentle extraction and purification to produce the purest form of L-Glutamine available.

No chemicals are used to make International Protein's Glutamine so it does not contain potentially harmful compounds like ammonia and methanol.

Because it's made naturally, International Protein's L-Glutamine has a lighter odour, cleaner flavour and a less metallic after-taste that synthetic L-Glutamine.

International Protein's Glutamine is made from rice, making it hypoallergenic (low allergy). It is also free from gluten and animal products.

Ingredients:
100% Pure Fermented L-Glutamine

Directions for Use:
Take 1.9g (1/2 tsp) immediately after training.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Serving Size: 1.9g
Servings per Container: 263

Qty Per 1.9g Serve:
Energy - 32 kj / 8 Cal
Protein - 1.9g
Fat (total) - 0g
Fat (saturated) - 0g
Carbohydrate (total) - 0g
Carbohydrate (sugars) - 0g
Sodium - 0mg
Potassium - 0mg

Lia & Rae

2008-08-11T20:59:00.000-07:00

Thinking of my two beautiful friends who are going through such a sad and sorrowful time in there lives. You have both been so supportive to me over the years and I want you to know how much you mean to me and how sorry I am that you are going through this.
You are both in my thoughts daily!
Love,
Deb xxx

From Strength To Strength

2008-08-10T18:41:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how i'm doing it but I seem to be getting stronger each week and performing more PB's! Today I beat last week's PB on the bench press.
My DOMS feel different training this way too, it feels deeper in the muscle then where I would usually feel it when performing higher reps.
So the bottom line is I am enjoying the challenge of strength training but gosh it's really hard work, not just physically but mentally too. You really have to have your mind in the right place for a heavy lift.

I am really nervous about having to perform my practical exams this Saturday for my PT course. I think i'm nervous about not being able to get the words out right lol. I need to just rehearse it over and over again until it feels right. I have been putting this off for a while so it's time to bite the bullet and get it done.

My plans are to start working in the industry by the end of this year or maybe first thing next year, it will depend on how much longer it takes me to complete the rest of my studies and do a first aid course etc and I need to take in other considerations but hopefully sooner rather then later. I have already registered a business name and am awaiting my ABN number.

Did anyone watch the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony? It was incredible but unfortunately I fell asleep half way though :-(

Deb xxx

2008 WNBF Canberra Championships (For Jane B)

2008-08-06T20:29:00.001-07:00

2008 WNBF Queensland Championships

2008-08-06T20:22:00.000-07:00

A Sorrowful Day For a Dear Friend

2008-08-05T16:58:00.000-07:00

RIP

I'm back online - Finally!

2008-08-04T20:56:00.000-07:00

I'm back online which is great as I have so many things to catch up on.

My training has been going really well, it's been really hard work and I have been tired. My strength is increasing and I have been hitting Pb's.
I feel like I am still gaining weight, I feel heavy. I am never sure if the weight is good or not but I will continue through it regardless and not let it play head games with me.
I will take pictures, weigh in and do my girths around the 20th of each month to compare from month to month.

I will see you guys soon.

Deb

Limited Internet Access

2008-07-29T02:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry if i'm quiet at the moment as I have limited time on the internet due to some changes.
I should be back to normal soon, I have enough time to check on Lia (first preference), and my emails etc.
Soon as it's fixed I will visit!
Deb

Overwhelmed!

2008-07-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone who left comments for me :-) It is so touching to have such a wonderful support group that I consider my friends and who I can count on.
It's all good as I have come out of this on top and happy with my direction and progress. This really isn't just about my weigh in on Sunday, it's about my self-esteem and my perception of myself that stems back most of my life which i know many of us understand.

Looking in the mirror now I think I am finally seeing the real image and not the exaggerated, imagined fat areas that continuously haunt me. I have also been getting better at not comparing myself to comp condition too. Comp condition is exactly that "Comp Condition"!

I have no excuse anymore for seeing myself as "fat" as it dawned on me after seeing my progress pictures (real eye-opener) that I eat good, healthy, nutritious, muscle growing food 24/7. I just don't eat junk, I don't care for it anymore and haven't for quite some time now since becoming a competitor. I do indulge a little on the weekends and have wine and nuts but this is earned by a great week of eating and training!
So how can I be fat if I live on veges, lean meats, fish, grains, nuts etc? I am know longer limiting my body of the nutrition it needs to gain lean muscle, and no longer doing loads of cardio to try and stay lean. I am now force feeding my muscles good food to help them grow and not doing any cardio and boy am I getting a response! The first month was rapid and should now taper down a little.

I am in my second week of strength training and it is fantastic. I love being trained and pushed to my limits. Michael's new program is very challenging but it is exactly what I need. He really knows how to mentally prepare me for the big lifts, getting my head around being able to lift the weight and not be afraid of it.
We are also working on my weak areas, i really want to bring up my shoulders, I want big shoulder boulders lol. I always thought my shoulders would never improve but they have a little so it gives me hope that if I continue to slam them then they will grow.
Not doing cardio is getting easier as I am completely smashed after a training session now. All I do now is finish my training, throw down a protein shake with add carbs then walk on the tready (slow pace) for around 15 minutes, just to walk it out a bit, and that's it!! Hard to believe.
What motivates me now is that I feel i'm prepping for the comp next year, only in a different phase of the prep. I don't lose focus of what I want to look like when I stand on stage again, it's exciting. The best thing I could have done was to have this year off, it just feels so right for me now!

Thanks again sooooooo much for the comments, it really put me on a high reading everyone of them :-)

Deb xxx

A momentary lapse of reason

2008-07-20T20:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a huge learning curve for me. I completely let my emotions take over and I over re-acted to something that I thought I had control of - the scales!

As you must know by now I was always one not to weigh myself unless i was prepping as i found i could handle it due to the reduction in weight from weigh in to weigh in.

I stood on the scales yesterday in order to see where i'm at in relation to my nutrition intake which has been improved and because I have started some freaky strength training and my goal is to get big.
So when i saw that I had gained 3kgs in 4 weeks I freaked out, even knowing that that is my goal!

What went through my mind was "this is fast", the weight gain is really fast in just four weeks. Then I thought about the last time I weighed that much and it was two years ago just before my first comp prep (my before photos) and I thought I looked like that because the scales told me so.

Anyway, after speaking with Michael and Lisa they both set me straight. I have been eating a low caloric diet for a long time and doing loads of cardio so a month ago when I corrected all this my body was very much in need of all this extra nutrition and was taking it all in. It should actually slow right down now as I continue on the same path.

I have decided to turn this into a positive, it is a positive as I want to grow. So I started today at the gym by telling everyone I had gained the 3kgs in 4 weeks and that I was proud of it lol. If I feel good about it, it will work in my favor.

Lia hit the nail on the head by saying i let my emotions take over my brain! To true and I now need to take charge of that!

The good news is my measurements (I took them later that day) were good and showed an improvement.

I have added comparison pictures, they are two years apart and it is of me at the same weight, the difference blew me away and it is proof again that the scales measure more then fat!!!

A Couple Of Pictures Of Me

2008-07-15T20:01:00.000-07:00

These pictures were taken this morning, my Mac was the photographer! Better then nothing as I always promise pictures and never deliver, until today anyway :-)

I took them this week because it is the beginning of my strength training with Michael and I hope to have comparisons in a few weeks time to see how much I grow.

I have had two sessions with him, yesterday and today and I am very sore but happy and loving the challenge even though it's early days.

Also spare a thought for my poor Hubby, last night when he was cooking he cut his little finger as severed his tendons - Ouch! He has to have surgery this Friday.
This has thrown our world out of sync now and we just have to work around this somehow. Life goes on regardless :-(

Deb xxx

Well Done Ladies - All females

2008-07-13T22:20:00.000-07:00

Congrats to everyone that competed on the weekend, you all did so well with your improvements and I can't wait to see more pictures.

Tomorrow I officially start strength training with my coach, i'm looking forward to this, having him train me at the gym and push me to my limits will be exciting.

I have been on Lisa's nutrition guidance now for 3 weeks and am happy with the way everything is going. I am so relaxed about eating now and it is a stress free environment in that regard. I don't question everything I put into my mouth anymore. I know exactly what I am doing and have an understanding of how to eat, when, what and how much.

Lisa has also put me onto a tonic that has been priceless for me, I call it "happy juice" lol, it makes me energetic and very happy!! hee hee.

I have decided I would weigh myself once a month just as a guide to see what is happening with the added food intake and the strength training. I will also take measurements for the same reasons. So this Sunday will be the day for that, I will keep you posted.

I feel bigger, I know I have put on some weight but i'm not phased by it at all. It's mostly fluid at the moment (TTOTM), but the carbs have filled out my muscles more and that makes me feel heavier too.

I also know my metabolism as cranked up and it feels amazing as I thought it wasn't possible for that to happen to me, but it has and I am going to bed with a noisy gut and that's after eating dinner a few hours earlier and a protein shake - what the? How can it be growling lol.

So Lisa has helped me in many ways but the most important way she helped me was mentally! I was stressed and lost and not coping at all, I was pretty much trying to live off a comp diet and regime. Silly! I am trying to get big here and thanks to Lisa and Michael, I will grow! :-)

Picasso and His Collections

2008-07-13T22:12:00.001-07:00

I am a lucky gal!! I saw Picasso and his collection exhibition and loved it. They had many great artists painting there , those who he influenced and vice versa including some of his own paintings and collections.
It's amazing to have stood right in front of this great artists paintings, he is one of my favorite artists as I love surrealism so it was a real treat.
A few of Renoir's painting were there (another favorite), it was a huge exhibition and it runs through till Sept in Brisbane.

Friday was a great day.

Giselle

2008-07-13T21:59:00.000-07:00

Last Friday night I went to the theatre to see the Giselle. What a completely magical experience that was. I felt like I was dreaming watching these beautiful, elegant, graceful ballerina's on stage in a superb tragic love story.

I have such an appreciation for how much work these dancers have to put in to be so flexible, balanced and just naturally gifted!

If you have a chance, go and see Giselle, you won't be disappointed at all :-)

All Females

2008-07-06T17:47:00.000-07:00

With only days to go I know all the girls competing at the All Females this weekend would be feeling excited! I really wish I could be there to cheer you all on but there is no way I can get away. I guess not all is lost as many of you will be coming up to the Gold Coast for the Nationals and I can see you then woohoo!!

International Protein is one of the sponsors of the All Females and will have a stall set up on the day so be sure to go up and say hi to Christine Enval and Troy as they would love to hear from you!

Deb xxx

Patience Is A Virtue

2008-07-02T20:45:00.000-07:00

My coach has gone away on a well deserved holiday with his lovely partner today for 10 days. This means I don't start strength training until he returns so I must continue to do my own thing until then.
I am counting down the days to start the program with him because he is going to smash me in the gym with training techniques I have never done before.

In the mean time I have implemented Lisa's nutrition plan and am in the second week of it already. Lisa is wonderful and caring and I am glad to be on board with her.
My daily nutrition is easy to follow and implement and I am enjoying it. I really need to get my carb timing right, now that it's right I can already see the difference it's making to my muscles :-)

So once I have the two going together (Lisa's Nutrition and Michael's hardcore training program) I think I will be well on the way to making some gains!

Also with Michael physically training me at the gym I will be able to get some pictures taken so I can update throughout the coming months of my bulking season.

Deb x

P.s. Don't forget the WNBF Bodybuilding Academy is on this Saturday from 12pm 2.30pm at the Southport Beachhouse (Shark's Club). Hope to see some of you there!

My Denial With Artificial Sugar Consumption

2008-06-29T18:01:00.000-07:00

My overdue update is finally here, I have been going through some pretty crazy experiences last week and would love to share it with you now that I have my senses back!

Last Sunday I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa to get my measurements taken and give her all the details she required in order to put my report together. My goals are to add size this year so that is the focus for me when it comes to eating the right foods at the right times it's important I know what i'm doing with Lisa's guidance.

Prior to receiving my report from Lisa I promised myself i would take on board everything she suggested no matter how big or small those changes may be. So when she told me how important it was to remove the artificial sugar from my diet I really didn't think much about it but made a promise to myself to follow everything she suggested so I knew what I had to do, stop using them!

My consumption of these lab made sugars were high and I really didn't notice that until I had to write down everything I put in my mouth for three days.
The funny thing is I don't have a sweet tooth and I didn't consume Extra Drops for the sweetness, but rather I think I just needed something for my mouth to do, like a nervous energy or something along that line. If it wasn't a sugar free drop it would be sugar free gum. It became very habitual and that is where it became a problem but I wasn't aware of it until now.

I have read about the dangers associated with the consumption of artificial sugars but never let it worry me because I was using it and I had no side effects, I ignored it because i was the exception, so I thought.

Day 1: I stopped adding equal to my oats, stopped buying Extra drops and went through my day without any artificial sugars without a problem. It was easy and I couldn't understand why I was consuming so much of it in the first place. It was not for the sweetness, it was just a habit and I could tell by how easy it was not to have them.

Day 2: Still cruising nicely and have no desire to have the sugars. Once I knew it was just habitual I knew it wasn't going to be a problem to change that habit. All was good.

Day 3: This day started bringing me some weird headachy feeling on and off throughout the day, it wasn't really painful but enough to make me notice they were there.
Starting to feel very emotional, very sad and I didn't know why I was feeling so down.

Day 4: Lisa emails to see how i'm doing, I tell her i'm feeling down and emotional (this was in the morning). Things go worse through the day. I'm now feeling so down, so sad, so alone and in a very dark place I didn't like being in because I had no reason to be in such a miserable place. Headaches are still coming and going.
That night my sadness turned to anxiety, anger and tension. It was like a volcano inside of me ready to erupt at the slightest tap. I had a very difficult night trying not to erupt at my innocent Hubby and son, I had to go to my room to be alone before I erupted. (This was not PMT as I had just finished TTOTM a day before seeing Lisa)

Day 5: I went to the gym in the morning still feeling that anger, I trained like a crazy mad man and throw my weights to the ground when i finished each set with anger. This is so out of character for me as I hate bringing attention to myself. I finish my training, get in my car and then started balling my eyes out, it was Niagra Falls for a good hour on and off. The tears poured out of me and if you asked me why I was crying, I couldn't have given you an answer.
Today I am extremely sensitive to sugars. What I mean by this is when i have my protein shake (same brand, flavour, amount etc) it tasted sickly sweet to me, even a carrot tasted so very sweet, I am highly sensitive to anything with the slightest sweetness.
I spoke with Lisa and she told me this was the effects of detoxing from the artificial sugars.
Later that day I started feeling better. I think after the big cry it felt like I cried out the evil that was within me and now I feel relieved and better. Sounds crazy I know but i'm trying to express how I felt.

So today is Day 8 and I am not longer emotional and my sensitivity to sweetness has returned to normal. I know for a fact that the only changes i made to my daily food intake last week was the removal of these chemicals known as sugar. I wanted to implement Lisa's report on my nutrition slowly, one thing at a time so that I could make sure I got everything right.

Basically I am only having one can of Pepsi-max a day (if that) and that is it. I used to go through a packet of Extra Drops a day, plus two packets of equal added to tea or oats, at least 4 pieces of sugar free gum and an Eclipse mint (1-3), and this was in just one day! Add that up over a week, a month, a year, no thanks I don't want to think about it.

It's funny how we think that these things aren't effecting you just because you have no symptoms of it while you taking it. And because I started on them at a small amount per day and gradually increased my intake (blindly) over the months I didn't notice it doing anything to me until i stopped.

The Bodybuilding Academy

2008-06-22T23:19:00.001-07:00

This will take place throughout the year at various venues (to be advised).

The next day for the Academy is: Saturday July 5th, 2008

Venue: BeachHouse Southport (at the Southport Sharks)

Address: Cnr. Musgrave & Olsen Avenues, Southport QLD 4215

Time: 12pm - 2:30pm

Cost: FREE :)

Please register your details by sending an email to: info@wnbf.net.au

The aim : To help athletes achieve a World level quality physique.

Why not learn from the BEST? What are the PRO NATURAL athletes doing that YOU are not?

What are your strong points, weak points & what to do to make sure you present your best package onstage.

Don't just guess what the judges are looking for, know for sure BEFORE you step on stage.

Have all your questions answered BEFORE you step onstage.

Trainers & their athletes are welcome.

For more info, please email info@wnbf.net.au

I'm going for sure!! If anyone else is interested please let me know so we can catch up :-)
I really think this is a great way to find out exactly what this federation is looking for when you stand on stage. Also to get much needed and wanted feedback. It's all free for now and I feel it is priceless for the information that you will get from attending.
Hope to see you guys there!

Debs

My New Journey Starts Soon

2008-06-15T23:05:00.000-07:00

As most of you know I have been so completely lost in relation to my nutrition since making the decision not to compete this year.
I have been suffering mentally and it has been really stressing me out which is the last thing I need right now.

Well I now have two people who are going to help me achieve my goals for the off season and I am so lucky and happy to have them both as they understand me and they know what I need to achieve my goals.

Lisa is taking care of my nutrition and Michael Landy (he prepped me for the Asia-Pacific Championships) will train me.

Between these two amazing people i now feel so much better already and I haven't even started with them yet lol. Just knowing that I will be under the guidance of two very knowledgable poeple is so reassuring to me :-)

I am seeing Lisa this Sunday. Seeing Lisa will give me crucial and important information to then give to Michael. I hope to start training with Michael next week or the week after depending on time.

Michael and I discussed my goals and he asked me some important questions about those goals. Obviously I want to add size, he mentioned that I need to be prepared mentally for that transformation. He "really" wants me to understand this. I will get bigger and poeple will comment on that, my jeans will feel tighter and the scales will go up as that will be the plan.

I guess I will really need to blog alot over this period as I feel this is going to be the biggest challenge I have taken on. But I really want this in order to cut for my next show and have a noticable improvment on my physique.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Lisa on Sunday and starting up a daily nutrition that I know I won't second guess, or if I do she can set me straight!

It's also time for me to start recording my progress as of Sunday. I will start weighing myself, measuring and use skinfolds as I really don't use any of them. If I want to see progress then I will need to document my hard work.

It will be nice to have something to blog about again in the coming months as I start my new off season phase.

See you soon,

Debs

Eat, Train, Eat, Work, Eat, Sleep, Repeat!

2008-06-09T17:57:00.000-07:00

Since I increased my food intake I noticed I feel heavier! Weight is going on good and bad I think, not sure.
I'm training really hard and really heavy in hope to use up the extra calories i'm consuming these days.
Last week was hard as I felt full all the time and had to force myself to eat each meal that comes around so quickly.
This week I am finding it a little easier as I think my metabolism is starting to adjust a little more.

I can't get over how different and challenging the off season is, but it's exciting too and I feel just as motivated as the prep season.
It's a really big learning curve for me and I am going to learn so much about myself and my body by trying out different things that will help me to gain lean muscle mass.
My aim is to compete next year with a bigger, fuller physique. I just need to stay focused on this goal from now until stage time :-)

Attempted Self Portrait LOL

2008-06-04T18:01:00.000-07:00

Okay laugh your allowed too :-)
I had to take these pictures with my mobile whilst nobody was watching lol, I had to be quick or people would think I was really vain taking pictures of myself hee hee.
They aren't the best but I will try to muster up the courage to ask someone to take a few pictures of me while i'm training. There is no shortage of people who would do it, it's just kinda weird and i'm shy ;-)

I really do want to try and take regular pictures even if it kills me as I put on weight for the bulking season! No bikini shots off season, that would be way to scarey.

Those pictures were taken on Monday, it was cold that day. Today the weather is glorious as the sun is shining. I am nursing really sore legs and glutes from yesterday's big lower body workout.

See you soon,

Deb xx

The Year Ahead

2008-06-02T18:32:00.000-07:00

Today was like Christmas when i received a huge box containing 2 x 3kgs of protein and a tub of glutamine from my new sponsor International Protein. The protein tastes insanely delicious LOL.

Anyway, training is great and I have my full motivation back. You know when it's back after you finish a session and can't wait for tomorrow so you can come back and train again.

I have cut back on cardio and increased my food intake in particular my protein intake to help gain lean body mass. Carbs are also important right now so I have added in some wholemeal bread, fruit and good fats in addition to my lean meats and vegetable meals.

On Sunday I did more work placement hours at Goodlife gym, I can't tell you how much I love being there, the hands on experience is wonderful and I really love talking to the members.
I am really taking my time in getting my qualifications due to just not having enough time to fit everything in at the moment. I am hoping to complete Cert IV by this year and start working in the industry my early 2009. I have a job waiting for me already :-)

This year is so busy and I have so much restructuring to do, so many things happening, some very stressful but I am trying to take things one day at a time and that's something that I learnt from prepping, just take it one day at a time.

Deb

Liz Nelson Announcement!

2008-05-29T13:24:00.000-07:00

Just letting you know that Liz wanted you guys to know that her computer has gone kaput and will be back asap!

:-)

International Protein - Food For Growth

2008-05-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

I am so happy to announce that I have just landed an amazing sponsorship with International Protein. It couldn't have come at a better time for me and I am stoked to be able to use these fantastic products to help me bulk up in the off season, and then help me cut for my next competition next year.

I will be sending my pictures and competition history to Troy and Christine so I can be added to the website soon.

This has really made my day and I know I will make some great gains over the coming months now that I have this amazing support and fabulous products!

Over the coming weeks I will endeavour to have pictures taken of myself and post them here with updates to show my improvements and also let you know what supplements I am taking and what my favorite flavours are ;-)

Deb

WNBF Gold Coast Classic 2008

2008-05-25T17:56:00.000-07:00

I had the best time at the show yesterday! I got to catch up with people I hadn't seen in a while and also meet new people.
I was invited to sit in at the judges table and I learnt so much, it was priceless. My highlight was being invited to present trophy's to the Miss Fit Body division's (you would know this as "figure", it's called Fit Body with this Fed). And I also presented the trophy to the over all Miss Fit Body Winner.

Seeing Liz was another highlight of my day :-), she looks incredible and she was so proud of Shelley and for good reason as she looked stunning! I love your shape Shelley and I want that awesome t-shirt you were wearing that said "buff mother" :-)

As I was driving to the show I had this feeling that I would get there, watch the show and then want to leave and start prepping for Oct as I have quailifed for the Asia-Pacific Championships already. But the funny thing is, I realized that I really did need a year off for adding size, for resting (from dieting), and for learning more about being in the off season. I had a chat with the lovely Nancy Waites who really helped put things into perspective aswell, she is an amazing athlete who really knows what she is doing and I would like to follow her good example.

I know if I prep now I will stand on stage in Sydney with pretty much the same condition as last year, that's not good enough for me, it has to better then last year and for this I need to change the way I think and do things. I still feel like such a novice at the moment, it really takes time to get this right.

The competitor's looked great and posed beautifully, you could tell thay had been to see Jo Rogers :-) Jo brings elegance out of the figure girls and it really makes a difference when they are on stage.

So I guess i'm in higher spirits now that I have a goal to work towards and have a direction. I will keep you posted as to how I go but one's things for sure I need to start eating more and doing alot less cardio, I AM NOT PREPPING so stop eating and training as if I am!!!
Time to add some good weight to this bod :-)

I'm 98% Sure I'm Doing The Right Thing

2008-05-22T18:12:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone's amazing advice here and on Lindy's forum I have made a decision and that is not to compete this year :-)

I can't thank you guys enough for your love and support and I have to admit it really was the deciding factor in all this. I was able to see things in perspective as my judgement has been very clouded.

Knowing what I have to do now for the off season will be exciting once I look more into how I will go about nutrition and training for growth etc as this is a new learning experience for me so it should be exciting. This will be the longest I have gone without prepping and it will be good for me to learn more about myself and how my body works.

So what about the 2% doubt? I can't tell you why, perhaps fear of regreting not competing this year, perhaps fear of not knowing how to train for the off season, maybe a bit of both. This 2% I can handle :-)

I have to admit I am feeling better now (your right Shar) as I can move in a direction now, it is frustrating being stuck at the crossroads and not knowing which path to take. This post is my first step down my chosen path and boy it feels pretty good to be moving again.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help with this. It just amazes me how much support we have been giving one other of the years, it is something to treasure as it is priceless.

Luv,

Deb xxx

Undecided

2008-05-21T18:33:00.001-07:00

Since posting about going ahead and competing in September I have been in two minds and struggling to make a decision wheather to do so or not. I have been discussing this in Lindy's forum so some of you know about this already and have been supporting me through it.

I am trying to weigh up the pros and cons and will "need" to make my final decision by the end of this week. I am leaning towards having this year off and focusing on building more quality muscle for the early comps in 2009. I have always wanted to compete in Canberra (my old home town) so I might look at doing this.

With a very busy year ahead of me I do think it's best to focus on the home front, finish my PT course and gain muscle, and before I know it, it will be Jan and time to start prepping.

I'm finding it so hard to actually say that I won't compete this year and I can't understand why and until I do make it concrete I am tearing myself apart and wasting all this energy doing so. As I type this I realize I need to make up my mind so I can use this energy as a positive and work towards early 2009 instead.

What I need to do is post my decision by next week and move on! I don't know why I am buying myself a few more days, i'm so confused, it's crazy.

Got The Go Ahead!

2008-05-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

I saw Dr. Layt this morning and everything went really well. My healing is great and I have the go ahead to start training and competing is up to me!

This year is a very busy year for me in so many aspects of my life and I was seriously thinking about taking the year off because of all the time and pressures that are around me at the moment and throughout the year.
I was kind of hoping Dr. Layt would say "no competing for you this year", that would have made it easier for me to take this year off.

But I can't help myself lol, I have decided to work towards it and if it all gets to much for me to handle the prep and my busy life I will postone it to next year. I think I should at least give it a try this way I will have no regrets and if it doesn't work it is so easy to stop.

My only concern for the prep is if I can build up enough muscle tone for the show in around 18 weeks time. I will have to easy back into my chest workouts I would imagaine and I do feel a little flat but I know once I start training hard again I should be okay, need to talk to trainer about this.

Sorry I can't be at the INBA tomorrow to support the lovely ladies, my son plays his first soccor match tomorrow :-)

I will be at the WNBF the following week, I will be helping out so I hope to see some of you there. I know Alicia will be there :-)

I will keep you up to date!

Debs xxx

WNBF Gold Coast

2008-05-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

Time For A Post

2008-05-06T18:30:00.000-07:00

I don't seem to blog as much these days and I guess it's due to not having much direction at the moment in relation to my training, and i'm not big on blogging about my life lol, not worth reading anyway ;-)

I have been training again which has been good. I am training pretty much everything except chest at this stage. I'm just doing light stuff and listening to my body, seems to be working well.

Is anyone competing in the WNBF show on the Gold Coast this month? Please let me know as I have lost track of who's competing at which comp. I will be at the show so if anyone needs help with anything just let me know.

Debs xxx

First Day Back AT The Gym

2008-04-30T20:47:00.000-07:00

Walked into the gym today after a full month off and since many of the members of my gym know me really well they also knew why I was away so I wore a baggy t-shirt in this morning as not to attract to much attention lol.

Anyway it was funny the guys were being polite by trying not to look at my chest and the girls were wanting me to show them in the ladies changerooms, to funny on both parts.

I managed to do legs today. I started with some light smith machine squats then moved onto leg ext's, standing leg curls, calf raises.
All sets were really light as an introduction back into things.
I then cross trained for half an hour trying desperately not to bounce as I was moving to the music on my ipod. Then I finished with a half hour easy paced walk.

I've noticed that I have lost weight and look a little skinny in the arms and legs so I hope to change this slowly but surely.

Tomorrow I will see how I go with some upper body being sure to avoid anything that has me putting my hands stretched out over my head such as chins or lat pulldowns.

Walking outside on a daily basis over the last month was so great, I had no idea how good it was going to be for me. I managed to keep my weight down, in fact I lost weight judging by my clothes. The fresh air was good for my mind and I got so much thinking done. Now I find myself debating wheather to go to the gym or go walking! Obviously I LOVE weight training so that won hands down ;-)
I will add my walks to my week as I believe it would be an advantage to my training. My mindset was always "go fast, go hard" for results I could never allow myself to slow down even though I know that this is the best method for reducing bodyfat and maintaining muscle mass. This surgery was a good thing because I got more then just a great boob job out of it :-)

Debs

1 Year Has Passed Already??

2008-04-23T21:27:00.000-07:00

It's been a year since I won my division in the WNBF Female Fusion, I can't believe how fast time goes.

Anyway, i'm only a week away from going back to the gym woohoo!! I am feeling so much better and have noticed my "girls" looking more "relaxed" and not so firm which makes them look so much nicer :-) The swelling is reduced but they are still a little tender.

I will ease my way back into weights, I shall start with some light leg work and take it from there.

I heard from Liz this morning and she will hopefully be home by the weekend :-) Great news for her, she can focus on the healing process.

Congrats to Sam on her beautiful baby boy, he is so adorable!!

Deb

Thinking Of Liz

2008-04-20T19:16:00.000-07:00

Liz went in for her operation last Friday and I can't stop thinking about her! I know she is still in hospital and can't wait to find out how everything went, I know she will be stoked with her new girls as she would have seen her new cleavage as soon as she woke up from surgery. I dare say her tummy will be very sore and wish Liz a fast recovery :-)

I'm feeling so much better myself and am managing to keep sane with my hourly walk everyday. I will be going back to the gym on the 1st of May (9 days to go) but i'm not touching the weights until i see Dr.Layt and get the okay first.

Competing this year? I want to so much and can't stop thinking about it and planning for it. I know I shouldn't in case it's to soon and I don't want to be disappointed but the fact is i will be if I can't :-(
I know it won't be the end of the world and I will compete 2009 but it will be a difficult year for me as spectator instead of a competitor.

Question:
When is it okay to start using the bio oil on the scars? Tomorrow is 3 weeks since surgery.

Deb xoxox

Goodlife Fitness Centre

2008-04-15T19:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I did a shift at Goodlife to start my 20 hour work placement for my course. I had the best day ever and can't wait to do it again soon.
It was such a great atmosphere and I felt right at home being there.
I followed around with a couple of personal trainers and sat in on client screening and many other interesting things. It was great being included in conversation with the clients and even being asked my point of view!

I miss training and exercising and can't wait until May 16th to see my surgeon so he can let me know exactly what I can and can't do.
I will go back into the gym 1st of May but only for light cardio.

The weather has been gorgeous so I have been walking daily for and 45 minutes. It makes me feel so good, must be the fresh air.

See you soon.

Deb

Getting Better

2008-04-09T22:33:00.001-07:00

I have to say this has proven to be much more challenging for me then I imagined. When I say this I don't mean because of the pain factor, I mean more so because of the restrictions I have now.
Not being able to exercise (except walking) is killing me. For someone who exercised almost daily it is difficult to do nothing. My mind and body are suffering. My legs build up a weird frustrated type of feeling that sends me around the bend, it's hard to explain the built up feeling. I feel as though I need to move, it's like excess energy that's building up inside me with no release and makes me feel irritable, it's painful.
The weather isn't helping, I can't go for walks outside so I get my ipod and walk around the house is circles for 35 minutes a day. This helps a little to ease my mind but I am in need of more.

I understand how important it is to take it easy but trust me this is taking it easy :-)

My girls look incredible so it's well worth this challenge.

In six weeks time I have another appointment to see Dr. Layt, I will be able to discuss with him if I am okay to compete this year. It will be left up to his professional judgement. I would need to start the prep not long after his appointment (approx 4 weeks later) so it may be too soon.

For now I need to be patient with everything and just heal completely.

For those girls that have been asking me about my breast augmentation here is the details:
Placement was over the muscles.
Incision was below or under the breast in the crease.
Implants: FX 360cc, pear shaped.

I am currently a full D cup with all the swelling but should drop to a full C cup. Before the operation I was a B cup with no firmness what so ever. I had a lot of loose skin due to the fact I was a natural C/D cup years ago so it was a matter of filling out the skin again.

Take care and I will be around to visit soon!

Post Op

2008-04-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

Hi!
Thank you so much for your messages and sorry I haven't been able to update until now.
Everything went well but I am still feeling a little drowsy from the pain killers.
My boobs look amazing lol, I wasn't quite expecting them to be this good :-)

I promise to give you more details soon but just needed to let you all know i'm fine and on the road to recovery.

Deb xxx

Update time

2008-03-24T20:01:00.000-07:00

Not a whole lot to report. I'm in my last week of training prior to the operation next Tuesday.
Training is still full on and I love it so very much :-)
I have steeped up on cardio a little more in order increase my fitness levels for the op as it helps with recovery.

For the first time ever i am suspending my gym membership lol. I won't be going in for the month of April. Not my gym anyway ;-)

I have arranged to do my prac work at another gym to complete my certificate, figured I needed something to do!!

I'm happy with my off season weight (what ever that is) and hope i don't pile on the fat when i'm recovering, should be okay as I eat well but i won't be moving around as much and that's the part that worries me. I will cross that bridge when i come to it :-)

I am still very focused on competing this year, just not sure which event right now but will know soon enough.

Hope everyone is well and I will visit soon.

Debs

Happy Easter

2008-03-19T23:44:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone has a happy, relaxing and safe Easter.

Deb xxx

P.s. Lia you are in my thoughts :-)

Two Weeks To Go woohoo

2008-03-17T20:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my pre-op visit with the surgeon (Dr Craig Layt). We simply went over what was to be done and confirmed everything. It was also a time for me to ask any questions i needed to ask, I did and I feel so ready and excited about the procedure.

Dr. Layt is incredible and I trust him 100 percent, if I didn't i wouldn't be going through with it. I feel it is extremely important to have confidence and trust in your surgeon, if you don't then it's best to look around a little more.

So exactly two weeks today it will be done and I can start healing!!! I really want to compete this year in case you didn't get the message in my previous post lol.

He feels that I will recover quickly, but I didn't discuss the fact that I wanted to go into comp prep a couple of months post surgery, I will talk to him about this later.

My training is getting a beating as I know I only have days to go before I have to rest up. Rest? Oh my god, how will a do this??? I so afraid of going mad after a few days of no exercise and i'm not joking when i say this. I will go mad i just know it!!

Hope everyone is happy and well.

Debs

April Fools Day

2008-03-10T20:21:00.000-07:00

Since I haven't blogged much lately I haven't had a chance to let you all that I am booked in for my breast augmentation on the 1st of April, three weeks to go!!
I'm so very excited about it and counting down the days.
Next Monday I go and see the surgeon for a pre-op appointment so I can pick his brains a little more while I have the chance (poor guy). It seems that I tend to forget to ask him things when I see him so I will hit him with it on Monday.

I'm also looking forward to having two weeks off and spending it with the boys, I planned it to be over the school holidays so it will be lovely. And the weekend before my operation is our anniversary, we are celebrating 12 years this year, I can't believe it. We will go out for a lovely dinner to celebrate.

All i'm hoping for right now is that my recovery all goes well and that I'm able to compete this year. I would really need to wait and see how it all goes.

I am trying to be realistic about it and understand that I might not be able to compete this year but there is always a chance. If not, next year will have to be it, don't know how i will handle that but i will wait until I cross that bridge.

See you soon.

Hugs,

Deb xxx

A blink Of An Eye

2008-03-04T21:00:00.000-08:00

I'm so sorry I haven't blogged in such a long time. Things have been busy i my life and I have become a facebook addict which I hate to admit lol.

My little one went away on camp today, can you believe it's been a year since his first one? Where has the year gone? Surely you guys remember how completely stressed i was when he went last year, I was a mess lol.
I'm happy to say I am handling it much better this time around :-)

I'm training like a freak in the off season, heavy weights, lower reps and pushing some amazing PB's. I love weight training and would be lost without it.
My body is responding well to the training and my nutrition is going really well. The great thing about off season is Saturday nights, I get to let go and eat what I want without it stressing me out. It's nice to let go a little every now and again but I think once your an athlete you tend to change your lifestyle and eat clean all year round. I never really thought I would get to this point, but i have and its hard work.
Even now, i'm not perfect, I have my "loss of control" days but i move on from it and that's the key :-)

I am still learning so much about my mind and body and how they work or don't work together. Being a female means changes through the month, that bloated feeling we get prior to TTOTM play's on our minds, we all know this already. But apart from that I think that when your happy and you look in the mirror, you see a great body, but when your down and out and you look in the mirror, you see fat and lumpy! All a state of mind really. So who do you believe? I believe in what my clothes are telling me as a backup plan lol. If they are tight and it's not TTOTM, then it's time to review my daily nutrition etc.
I haven't used the scales since my last comp and have no intensions of doing so as you all know until my next prep.
I know i'm in great shape for the off season right now but it hasn't been a walk in the park. I have been training four times a week consistently without fail, and exercising most days of the week. It is my first official "off season" and I think i'm trekking really well.

I have been looking at comp date for later in the year and trying to decide exactly which one to compete in and many other details that I need to look into aswell.

I will blog again soon because I have more news to tell :-)

Love you guys, thanks for all your wonderful email and texts.

Deb xxxx

Pumpkin Seeds

2008-02-05T17:44:00.000-08:00

These are such a great idea for a snack. I have been weaning myself of nuts for a little while and started eating natural pumpkin seeds instead. It's nice to mix things up a little and add some variety to one's diet.

Pumpkin seeds, like the majority of nuts and seeds, are exceptionally good for you.

They are nature's own little multi-supplement containing a wide variety of nutrients.

Pumpkin seeds are full of iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium, arguably the four most important minerals our bodies need.

Iron is essential for the generation of new blood cells, zinc is needed for the formation of protein, calcium is vital for strong bones and magnesium is used in nerve and muscle function.

However pumpkin seeds don't stop there - the tasty little superstars are also a terrific source of protein and the essential fatty acid omega-3.

A handful of pumpkin seeds a day can really make a difference to your entire body, inside and out.

Writer's block

2008-02-03T22:45:00.000-08:00

I really have been feeling kind of bad for not blogging and keeping in touch as much as I always have. So I sit here thinking about what to write about and I don't know where to go with this.

Actually I do have something to say :-) I popped into Lia's blog yesterday and saw her "before" photo's. Now I have seen these a few times but whenever I see them it really takes me back to the beginning of my journey where I too have "before" photo's and wanted so badly to compete for the first time and thought it would never happen.

Lia and her photo's completely inspired me back then, and still do today!

I can't believe how much I have learnt about myself on this roller coaster ride, it has been so worth it. I have never been this happy being in my own skin, not in my whole life. I feel like I have more control now, what a gift that is.

I'm still working on situations beyond my control right now to try and time things so I can compete again in Sept. I really want to get on stage this year.

Boob job is on hold as well, so need to time everything, it's a juggling act. I saw the Surgeon last Friday regardless as I had the appointment booked in from last year. It went really well. Turns out I don't need a lift, I can just get the shaped implants put in.
I told the surgeon I would get back to him with a date soon. Fingers crossed.

Training is awesome, i'm training heavy, doing powerlifting exercises, love it.

I'm really not sure how consistent I will be with blogging, I will try to blog more :-)

Deb xxx

Time out from blogging

2008-01-22T18:54:00.000-08:00

Sorry guys, just need some time out for a while, hope you understand :-)

Never, never, never give up

2008-01-09T23:37:00.000-08:00

I bought a singlet top from Lorna Jane (pink) with the words "Never, never, never give up" the other day. I wondering if i'm trying to tell myself something? I think it stands for all aspects of your life.

Anyway....I haven't blogged much about my training etc so I will update a little now :-)

As you know post comp I had my ups and downs (just like everyone else), will i'm happy to say i'm past all that now. I have been maintaining a weight i'm happy with it now and will continue to do so. I haven't used the scales since the day before my comp and I don't intend to use them until I start comp prep whenever that might be, I don't find it necessary to use them as I know they will screw with my head as they are not an accurate way of knowing how fat or lean I am.
Instead I can look in the mirror and see for myself :-) Also knowing I only went up one dress size since the comp is a good indication.

I have been training or exercising almost daily as really need it, it keeps me sane (I think lol). My training is going well, getting stronger and adding a little more size through different training programs and mix ups. Cardio has got my fitness levels up a little more too, so all good there.
Food has been easy to deal with lately, but I have had to remind myself to eat and not go over that 4 hour limit without eating, big no no.
Since New Year's eve where i got so completely plastered and suffered severely the following day I have vowed to cut back on the grog. So I will try, no promises though ;-)
No point in drinking other then it makes me feel really good and relaxed for a little while, but the side effects just aren't worth it. The side effects being added calories (no thanks), feeling ill and guilty in the morning (no thanks)!

But don't freak, I don't have a drinking problem, but if anything in my diet needed polishing up this would be it!!

Blogging today made me realize how much I missed it :-)

Thank You

2008-01-08T17:34:00.000-08:00

I guess when things are at a low point all you need to do is have friends around for support, but I also feel the need to be alone and not talk about things, sort them out without anyone knowing.
The comments, texts and calls have meant so very much to me. My mind is completely confused right now so i'm sorry if this doesn't make sense right now.

Competing this year is on hold now officially. Until I can get things sorted out I really won't know for sure. Things are about to get rough and I need to stay strong to get through it. Just for the record my health is good, i'm not ill.

I am still visiting blogs when I have a chance but i'm not really commenting much, sorry :-(

You guys mean the world to me and I hope i don't push any of you away, it is not my intension at all.

See you soon,

Deb xxx

First Post For 2008

2008-01-06T21:31:00.000-08:00

At this stage I have no idea what my direction is for this year in relation to competing. Once I have my life in order I will know more.
I would really like to compete in September so I will still aim for this comp and hope it all works out.

I will try to update more soon.

Miss you guys!

Deb