Lucky '13 - A New Year & New Goals!

Hey Everyone!!! Cheers to 2013!! Hope ya'll had an amazing holiday season with your family and friends! Celebrating the holidays for us this year was great! We truly enjoyed being around family and friends! Now 2013 is here, and I am ready to ROCK!!

I know I talk about goal setting a lot, but I truly believe in it~ Its the only way to get from where you are, to where you want to be.
My goals for 2013 are as follows:

• Develop plans for our business.
• Compete at least 3x this year
• Place top 5 in each competition
• Do at least 2 fitness photo shoots
• Build a bigger clientele base
• Help others reach their goals
• Create a Brand
• Get certified as a nutritionist
• Get at least B's in school
• Make 45k
• Be more POSITIVE to myself and others :)
• Inspire others

Every year, I create new goals for myself, and I hang them up somewhere that I can see them EVERYDAY! Its a nice reminder to know what I am working so hard to achieve, when I have them there to remind me every morning. Last year, I completed 4 out of 6 of my goals! Sometimes you cant always get what you want, or life may take you in a whole new direction! What's nice is to reflect on what you have accomplished, and where you are going! Don't dwell on what you didn't do- that wont get you anywhere but into a downward spiral of self pity. No one wants to be around people who are always whining- so get over it- and decide the next steps to where you want to be!!

Constantly work on being a BETTER YOU! You are the only person who can change your attitude! Instead of wallowing in a bed of tears, pick yourself up and Every morning tell yourself your beautiful, or say something good about yourself every morning! This is something I will defiantly be working on this year, I am consistently looking at how to improve or what I am unhappy with... I know I need to just look into the mirror sometimes and just say, "Damn, I am sexy!" no matter if I feel like I am or not. The point is to indulge in MYSELF! Too often I feel unworthy, or not good enough- and for NO GOOD REASON! This is why I am sharing this with you all, because I need to work on being a confident woman. I want everyone else to do this too- work on truly loving yourself. Work on truly appreciating yourself. Work on becoming kinder and more positive to yourself! This will not be an easy challenge, humans by nature are negative. It will take a lot of discipline and energy to be positive all the time! When someone says something bad about something or something else, I challenge you to turn that conversation into a positive one! :) Together, we can all be happier, kinder, sexier people in 2013!! :)

So, there are my goals for 2013, its one of the longest lists I have ever made for myself in 1 year, but I am confident in all of my goals for this year! :)

I have my first competition set; I will be competing in the 2013, NPC Grand Prix Natural, in Rockford, IL on May 18th! That puts me at currently 19weeks out! I have a lot of work to do, but I cannot wait to see how much I have improved from last July's show:) This year is all about improving, and although I am in it to win it, as long as I have improved - I am satisfied!

So CHEERS to a Lucky '13 type of YEAR~!!

LETS ROCK IT!

XO- Nina

The Battle never Ceases / A HOLIDAY WEEK!

Hey ya'll! I am currently in my week 3 of my new training program, and for some reason wks 3 and usually 4 always seem to be the hardest for me.

Last week was insane! I was so busy! I bought a new car last tuesday! My very first nearly new car! Sold my old car, gained a new client, went to class school where I had to give a presentation on selling, worked late, cleaned, grocery shopped, and cooked! It was a crazy week for me, but a great one!

My new car is a 2011, white, Kia Forte-SX 5door hatchback- and I am in <3 with it! This is my very first nearly new car-and I am very proud of it!

Today began wk 3 of my improvement season and it was rough. First off, I must admit: I have gotten a little off key with my November goals as well...Waking up is getting harder and harder, with the late nights I have been putting in with work and school, getting to bed on time just hasnt been happening, and that makes me a late riser.... So I am disappointed to say, I have not been consistant with my 6am wake up time. I still usually wake by 7:30 am at the Latest! I will not give up on this goal, I have just had some minor set backs.... life happens, and I need to pick myself back up and get back on track! Today I awoke at 6:30am, close to my goal time, but no cigar! Tomorrow and the rest of this week, will hopefully be better with my early rising.

Anyhow- It's THANKGIVING week! I couldn't be more excited to have some time off work to spend with my family!

I am truely thankful for all I have, my friends, my health, my oppurtunities, my fitness, my fiance, my little brother, my job, my clients, my new car, and so much more!

I hope you all take this week to really enjoy all that we are blessed with and be truely Thankful for the ones around you.

Although Thankgiving is formed around a Feast, please do not let the Feast take away from the quality time you can spend with the ones you love! Play games, get active, do a Turkey day Trott, get to the gym early(Yes, they are Open!! Usually till Noon, unless your at a 24hr place) Set a new HEALTHY & FIT tradition with the family!


 Please tell me about how you made this holiday a Healthy one!

Talk to ya'll soon!!! Xo

Change is in the Air!!

Hey all! It's Wednesday, and I am feeling pretty darn good!! I can already see the CHANGES in my body from my new program, and I am loving it! Pic's will come soon!

Today's cardio was a little rough, I had a sharp shooting pain through my Left knee during my first set, and I had to modify the rest of my session...a little disheartening for me, but I would rather Train Smart, than acquire an injury! The important part is that I finished:)

Some of my goals for November are: Wake at 6am every morning! Give 110% to my new program! Push past my LIMITS everyday-so next time will be easier~!

So far, and I know it is only the 7th, but I am holding TRUE and STRONG to my goals! I have actually been a slight over achiever too;) I woke up at 5:30am Sun-today! So proud of myself! This is soooooo HUGE for me, because I am NOT nor have I ever been a morning person! I am really trying to force my body into making this my new routine! So far I love it! Last night was a little rough though. I began taking a night class from 6pm-9:30pm at school (in Kenosha, a 45min drive)! Since I have been going to bed at 9:30pm, it was really hard for me to stay awake so late last night... and a Full 8hrs of sleep is SO very important to my progress and health! But I need this course, and its advanced...just 6more classes to get through. I just hope this doesn't alter my morning routine for Wednesdays! It didn't today- but like I said- I am so not a morning person, so I will try not to slip up! :)

I hope you all Exercised your right to VOTE yesterday! I did:)


As far as pushing my limits and giving 110% That is going perfectly as well-besides my knee situation today.

Here is what my hands look like after just 3 days of training! 

Some people may think calluses are gross- I think they are just proof of how hard your willing to work!   Besides, no one sees the inside or your hands anyhow, especially when the rest of you looks so good! ;)

Hope Everyone is Training Hard!
xo-
Nina

A New Beginning-Day 1

Today 11/5/12 is the Day I begin embarking on a new fitness journey! I am so excited to train with a new coach and be apart of one of the best training Teams within the Fitness industry!

As I embark on this new Journey, I hope to keep this blog alive with all my UPS and downs during my new journey!

Today began Day 1, and I must say I am FULL of energy and excitement even though my workouts this morning nearly made me pass out! I have not sweated so much during my own workout! It was insane, but I felt so accomplished once I completed everything day 1 had for me!!

Yesterday, I began my food prep- Cooked all my food, so I am prepared for the week ahead! This is KEY if you want to succeed with ANY fitness goals- You MUST be prepared, if your not, your setting yourself up for failure! Be prepared my friends, and My meals are so delicious- and let me tell ya, I am eating WELL! ;) Steak and eggs for breakfast! hheeeyyoo! lol

I'll try and keep everyone posted especially with the holidays coming up, and progress pics!

:) Follow me on Facebook as well!

Temptation

Temptation-noun

1.

the act of tempting; enticement or allurement.

2.

something that tempts, entices, or allures.

3.

the fact or state of being tempted, especially to evil.

4.

an instance of this.

5.

( initial capital letter ) the temptation of Christ by Satan. Matt. 4.

 

Temptations happen to everyone, all the time! But the difference is how we overcome our temptations. I love this verse about temptation:

 

1 Cor 10:13 (TEB) Every temptation that has come your way is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist; at the time you are tempted he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

 

Whenever I am faced with temptation I have a choice, and although I ocassionally I fall to that treat, I know God is there to pick me back up. Or he keeps me strong with will power to stay away from that treat. Another verse comes to mind, and happens to be one of my favorite verses of all time. 

 

¹³ I can do all things through Christ^[a] who strengthens me. Phillipians 4:13 (NKJV)

 

Whenever I find that chocolate craving creeping up, or that thought of giving up, or that feeling of complete exhaustion. I repeat that verse in my head, and it reminds me that Christ wouldn't give me anything I couldnt handle, and I know I am strong enough to make it through anything placed along my path. 

 

Sometimes, when accomplishing your fitness goals, you dont just do that, you find yourself. You learn what you are truely capable of. You earn a sense of confidence that no one else could ever give or buy you. You earned a sense of self-discipline that is irreplaceable. You have grown into a stronger person overall! 

 

During my journey, I have been in the ups and downs, and everytime I make that smart descision over that guilty pleasure I grow. 

 

I hope you find your strong hold to get you through any situation you face! Just remember that if it were easy everyone would do it! 

 

Stay strong & Get FIT!

 

xo

Nina 

Loving Life

I cannot believe summer is coming to an END!! It's so sad how quickly this summer has flown past! So much has happened- let's do a little recap, then we can talk about where I am now, and plans for this fall!
Things Accomplished this Summer:

• Competed in my first Figure Competition!
• Went to Ann Arbor, Michigan
• Dieted for 6 weeks!
• Got down to a competition weight of 114.7#
• Had 2 Fitness Photo Shoots!
• Went to the dells!
• Was a part of one of my Best friends weddings!
• Worked Full time

I'd say I had a successful summer! :) Hope you all did too!


So now I am back in school, still working 45hrs a week, and enjoying my first official "off season!"

So far I am off to a decent start... getting everything ready for school was a bit stressful, but I am in classes now- and going to work hard this semester! I am currently studying business this semester, I have two classes for a total of 6 credits, classes are Leadership development, which so far is pretty interesting- and selling principles, this is an advanced course I'll be taking Nov-December- so if I don't blog then, I am drowning in homework! :) Still at Gateway Tech, but working on my transfer to MATC for spring semester- where I plan to graduate with a Business Management & Physical Therapy Assistant Degree's.

Training has been up and down lately. After competition prep- I just wanted to fall back in love with working out, and I kinda did what I felt like doing in the gym for 2 weeks... Then I had a minor strain in my Right groin&hamstring! You see, I LOVE-- I mean LOOOVVEEE doing leg days, and I was still training really hard, because now I was able to have more carbs in my diet. More carbs=more energy= Nina Overtraining! Whooopppss! This resulted in me needing at least 1 week of NO training. My body desperately needed this break, but it wasn't easy to not workout for an entire week(especially when you work in a gym!)- But I did it, 1 week off! Hamstring & groin recovered and so did my entire body.
*Rest is extremely vital process and sometimes it can be hard for fitness gurus to take it, but it is important to give your nervous system, and muscles the proper time to recover. Your body will thank you!
Then we decided to take a random trip to Wisconsin Dells for Labor day weekend! Nate and I hadn't gotten away in awhile and it seemed like a great adventure! We stayed at the Pink Flamingo, right next to Noah's Arc, convenience is key! hahaaa--We had a blast and I discovered I really do not like water coasters anymore! lol - Only went for 2 days, Sunday and Monday. Sunday Nate and I drove separately because we needed to get our workout in before leaving! (no excuses- we always make time) Sunday we spent all day at Noah's, then checked out the night life that evening(we never go out or drink- so this was way out of our norm). Monday we all went out to breakfast, then Nate and I went to Mt. Olympus for the day! We had a fantastic trip!

Come back to a short work week, and for me, time to get ready for one of my best friends wedding! My bridesmaid dress was a size 2- and I needed to fit in it- and I never recommend this, but after our adventurous weekend (I cheated a lot on my diet) I needed to really monitor my calories for a few days. I basically did a crash diet, but the dress fit perfectly- and Melissa had a beautiful wedding!

Anyhow- now that life is back into a regular schedule, I have been asked a lot about how much I workout, what supplements I recommend, what do I eat, and where to buy clothes... I would like to touch a little bit on each of these topics- so more too come!

Stay Fit!

xo

Catching Up

Hey there everyone! I am sorry I haven't been able to blog in awhile, after my photo shoot(which I have pictures for you today!!) I have been so busy!!

First lets catch up about the photo shoot!! I was so much fun, and so professional! My shoot was done outdoors at the Racine Lighthouse- it was such a beautiful day out as well. These photos were  taken 2 weeks post competition- So after my competition I enjoyed some cheat meals, but come Monday I was right back on track maintaining my lean physique.

After the photo shoot was over it was time to figure out my "off season" diet and training routine, all of which I wrote myself. I am happy to report I have put on about 4# in the last 4 1/2 weeks. It is time to GROW and couldn't be more excited to improve on my physique for next year. I plan to really work on my shoulder, arm, and glute development, while, of course still improving everything else. I am currently looking to compete again in the spring of 2013, with my fiance-but I will decide once the 2013 schedule has been posted, and will determine what I will do according to my schedule then. For now, I will enjoy my off season training plan.

Alright enough about Plans! Here is why I have been able to Blog lately~

As you know I am engaged to be married- and during my contest prep I didn't have time to put any focus on planning a wedding. Well I am not happy to report we have begun!! We are currently thinking of spring/summer of 2014, and may have even found the venue! I am so excited to really begin the planning now! We still have yet to "Set the Date," but I am sure will we have the figured out within the next few weeks.

I have also been really busy at work, back to training clients & managing both gyms has been quite crazy these past few weeks...We are currently planning a member appreciation party for our members and also doing a food drive to donate to the Hunger Task Force! I hope to have a nice turn out & our goal is to donate at least 250# of food to the task force(donations can be dropped off at either of the Nova Gyms locations)!!! The party will be on August 25th from 10:30-1:30 pm at the Nova Gyms New Berlin locations. We have lots of prizes, food, and group fitness classes planned!

Along with all this I being school again in a few weeks, so registering, getting books, and making sure all my financial aid is in place has been quite the process as well!! They don't make it very easy - and on top of that I am in the process of attempting to transfer college's so I can begin my spring semester in Milwaukee, again not a fun/easy process...but I will obtain my degree, no matter how long it takes me! :)

So with everything I have going on, you can understand why I haven't been able to blog in a bit, and I apologize. I hope to continue to post more often to keep you update and motivated! 

Next posts will contain training & nutrition tips!!

Remember its a lifestyle- not a Fad! Eat clean & live lean, or eat crap & get fat! You choose!

xo-
Nina