Photo shoot time!

Hey everyone! I am now 1 1/2 weeks post my first figure show!

Currently, I am prepping for a fitness photo shoot!!!! I have been  staying on track with diet& exercise to maintain my stage physique for this shoot!! I am so excited to work with my friend and I hope to get some great shots- she does great work, and I cant wait to share them with you!

I went for another spray tan last night, just did a mystic tan at L.A. Tan in Oak Creek. So it isn't nearly as nice as the spray that Bella did for me at New Image, but I just don't have the time to get down to Racine before the photo shoot:( Any one else love spray tans? I just love them and wish they lasted longer! I am naturally just so pale :/... I still haven't decided exactly what I am going to wear for this shoot, but she told me to bring at least a few different outfits! I will have to plan those out this evening once I get home from work! I will be doing my own hair and make-up as well- I am confident in my skills, although I wish my friend & stylist Joe was available. Cant wait to share them with you, and add them to my portfolio! :)

Life post competition has been pretty nice! Its not nearly as strict, & I am back to my intense/heavy lifting workouts! I still enjoy eating clean, and plan to maintain a lean body style during my "off season", but I still need to pack on a lot more muscle before the next show! Cant wait too see my progress from this show to the next! I will defiantly be putting in the work~follow my journey to see my progress!!!

Tonight I will enjoy a little carb loading and then some nice R&R, then its up early and off to the shoot, and back to work in the afternoon!! :)

Remember - set goals, aim high, and always hit the bulls eye! You are worth it!

Have a fit day!
xo

1rst Place and Overall!

My very first competition went great, with winning 1rst place and Overall!

Let me tell ya~ this has been quiet the Journey, and it all paid off this weekend, when they called out my name for the WIN! How fantastic! I have never felt so accomplished, and this is only the beginning!

It was so nice to have my Coach, and friend Melissa with me the entire weekend as well! She deserves just as much credit for this win! I couldn't have done it without her! She has taught me so much about the sport and has made me into the athlete I now am!

The past 12 weeks has taught me so much about myself and what I am able to accomplish as long as I stick to my goals, I can do anything! I defiantly plan to compete again, and continue this lifestyle! Nate and I are currently looking into competing together next spring! So stay tuned for that adventure!!!

This past weekend was quiet the event: Friday, I was on my last day of cutting water, and to my surprise it wasn't that bad! I went and got my spray tan from Bella at New Image in Racine, WI. She did an absolute fantastic job! Then needed to grab some makeup from Boston Store (I was able to get samples:) which was so nice, because competing is very expensive), and then we were off to Ann Arbor, MI!

The trip there took about 6+ total hours, we stopped and got me a Burger from Culver's! It was SO delicious:) Then ran into some car trouble, which delayed us along with Chicago traffic! (that city is such a mess to drive through)... We finally arrived at our destination around 10pm! What a long day, I immediately went to bed, after eating my last meal!

Saturday morning arrives, and its off to Drug Testing for me, that took place at 9am. After that I returned to the hotel to begin getting ready for pre judging. Joe Szozda did my hair and eyelashes! I did my own makeup, and Melissa helped with tan touch ups! I looked and felt amazing!

After the athletes meeting, it was on to the show! back stage wasn't too crazy, and I had Melissa with me to help me prep for the stage! Prejudging went really fast, and it was super stressful! Then came the break from prejudging to the night show....it felt like FOREVER! We just relaxed at the hotel, then did hair and make up touch ups, and returned for the night show. I had a ot more time to get pumped up backstage for the night show, but it still felt like it went by so quickly! My T walk was a bit shaky from my nervousness...so defiantly will be putting more work into that for the future shows! But when they called us out for our awards, and be called last(meaning I took 1rst place) was the greatest feeling EVER!~ I couldn't believe it! All my hard work paid off in that 1 moment! There aren't words to explain that feeling, I just know I will be pushing harder and continue to fight for my place on many stages to come!

So now it is back to the drawing board! My plan is to maintain where I am right now until after one of my best friends weddings this September, I need to look good for her wedding! :) Then I will enjoy a full off season, try and put on more muscle, and look into competing again in the spring of 2013! I enjoy my lifestyle as an athlete, and although it is challenging to accommodate friends and family, with training and diet, its something I truly love and look forward to a future in the world of Figure!

Stay Fit!

xoxo

** h yeah, I won SWORDS- How cool is that! **

1 1/2 days OUT!

Its THURSDAY before my show! So excited, its finally here!!!

I have been cutting water all week, and I expected it to be worse, this isn't bad at all! Maybe its all my excitement:) I have had some cramping in my legs, but it's nothing compared to the pain they were in when I began this whole process!

This week has been fantastic, I took 1/2 days Monday-Wednesday, and off work today& Saturday! (I usually have Fridays off already)

All my meals this week are pretty bland, but still delicious, mostly chicken, and sweet potatoes:) which I love eating raw! Yumm! ~

 being lean is such a fantastic feeling and I finally truly understand the meaning of the fabulous quote, "Nothing will ever taste as good as being lean feels."

This has been such a fantastic and relaxing week for me, yes, I still had to get in some serious workouts earlier in the week, but today I get to just RELAX, Pack, and relax some more!!! Went to get my nails done this morning! Ahh, I love a good mani/pedi! :)

Now I just need to pack!! Tomorrow I will be getting my spray tan at New Image Spa in Racine, can't wait~ Then we will be on our way too Ann Arbor, Michigan!

The show is Saturday, Prejudging begins at 12:30pm and the Finals begin at 6:30pm! So excited to share this milestone with my friends and future family(nate parents, grandparents, brother, and cousin are all coming to support me! How sweet!) I cant wait to share my results and pictures with you all next week!

Have a fun n fit weekend all!
xo

Only 4 days Left!!

So I am late posting this because I was trying to attach pictures with it...for some reason I cannot get my pictures on here! Ughh... sorry~no pics for this one
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Oh My God!!!! Only FOUR days left! I am so freakin excited!!!!!!

I got my hair done on saturday, by the fabulous Joe Szozda! It looks amazing!

I have my suit, my jewelry, spray tan is scheduled, getting nails done on thursday, posing is right on, physique is right on, I honestly can not be more over the moon excited than I currently am!! I only have 1 more workout left, and I already began cutting water!

Best Shape Of My Life~2wks Out

This Journey has challenged me MENTALLY and PHYSICALLY!

I have worked harder than I have ever worked in my life, and I could not be happier with the package I am bringing to the stage in just 2 short weeks!!!!!!

Ahhh, I cannot believe than in just 2 weeks I will offically be known as a Figure Athlete- that is a HUGE milestone for me, and my fitness! I absolutely LOVE working out, and love the gym, love the challenges, and love learning how to live a healthier lifestyle. Most of all I LOVE living by example!!
Here are some photos too show my progress! The first 3 photos are from June 2011!!!!!

These 2 photos are from the photo shoot we recently had a few weeks ago!!

I have been working towards my goals, and I never give up! I cant wait to share my photos from the competition, and show you my best package yet!!! No matter what happens at my competition, I know I have given this everything I have!! ~2 weeks left~

xo

3 Weeks Out!

OMG! Only 3 weeks left! I am soooo excited to step on stage!

Posing is getting better and I am feeling more comfortable in heels! This is taken a lot of practice because I am always in running shoes, we hardly ever get dressed up, so I have no reason to wear heels! To get myself comfortable in them, I obviously practice in them, but also when doing house chores and cleaning- I wear them....with doing so, my walk has improved greatly! :)

No major diet changes have happened, but I did get a cheat meal yesterday!! My coach handed me a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup! OMG- I was in heaven, I haven't had chocolate in 9+ weeks!!!!!! (And I am a serious chocolate lover!) When all you pretty much eat is eggs, chicken, and fish- you can imagine how divine eating candy was for me! hahaa It was a fantastic surprise though, and I am happy my hard work is paying off in her eyes as well!

I have also picked up a cold-defiantly not something you want to catch when your so close to competition. I woke up Friday morning with a terrible sore throat and a runny nose. I had to train legs+cardio+posing practice that day, and although I felt ill, I was able to get enough strength to get through it all, there is nothing stopping me from training as hard as I can, especially so close to stage time!

Everything is slowly falling into place, I am so happy with my physique, our hotel is booked, my entry form has been sent in, only a few more things before we are completely ready. I am still eagerly awaiting for my figure suit to arrive though, I am hoping it will be here this week! I picked a aqua blue suit, with a gorgeous rhinestone design, I just cant wait too see it!~ 

More updates to come soon! Along with our photo shoot pictures! :)

Make the Time

Everyone is always too busy to workout, or eat healthy. Its the BIGGEST and WORST excuse I hear!

We all have the TIME to make this work, its about becoming a PLANNER!
You need to have a plan and put it into action, that's all it takes! Way too often I hear, after working, or the kids, or class, or whatever- there just isn't time to workout or eat clean... There is time you just need to make the time and stop being lazy. Yes, I said it, LAZY!
With the convinces of today's world, IPhone, TV, Computers, Jobs, School, Kids, Drive-through's, carryouts, and delivery. Its so easy to just call your pizza place, watch TV, and sit after a long day and stuff your face. But that will fill you up with more that just pizza- how about regret, disgust, and unhappiness with yourself when you try and fit into that dress! We all have those moments of temptation and exhaustion, but it shouldn't be a regular activity. If this is you, look at your lifestyle, what is stalling you from being the person you picture yourself being?? Take a real good look, you can change it! You can be whatever you want!

We Only Get 1 Body, why not make it the Best Body?

I am not saying you need to give up everything you "love" I am just saying you need to change. Change is good, and with change may come sacrifices. In the end you will be a stronger individual. Making changes has helped me develop a stronger relationship with my fiance, god, school, and even with work! I am an overall a better and harder working individual!

So are you ready to look at your lifestyle and see what should change?

• Maybe your job is too stressful, stress levels can increase cortisol release in the brain which makes us want to replace energy(eat) and may be attributing to that extra 10#- If you aren't happy with your work, figure out what does make you happy, maybe rewrite that resume and do what you love!
• Are you physically active? How often do you workout? What are your workouts? Are you only doing cardio? Maybe its time to pick up an Oxygen Magazine instead of Cosmo, and start learning new ways to become more active and inspired! Or you can meet with me and I can get you started on a plan that will work for you and your schedule!
• Join a Gym
• Sign up for a Boot camp or Personal Training
• Try Bodyrock.tv for at home FREE workouts
• What are your goals? Are they obtainable? Have you put them into action? You need to have a plan of attack before beginning any battle! Write down or make a vision board of what your goals are, then start planning out when you will reach those goals by. I like setting an overall goal for the year, then go in months by 3, then I also have smaller goals to get me through the week, and sometimes even daily goals! Do what works for you!

Start with these 3 bullet points and get on track now! :)

Make your BODY, your TROPHY!

:)