Latissimus dorsi

I have lats! Two of them on either side of my future six pack! This is so cool. I just can't wait to see what the next two weeks bring, with clean eating and hard training.
As for that six pack, I still have just two.
I'll keep you posted.

No excuses!

Today as I was giving my trainer the last of 300 various crunch moves...I couldn't help think that it was just to darned much to ask a 54 year old person to do this.
I was going to say something but thought better of it.

That's why I have a trainer now. She knows when to push me and when to let me catch my breath.
While I go just once a week...having her for that workout has propelled me to a higher level in my own workouts the rest of the week.

For years I put off hiring a trainer. My initial training (which was amazing!) came from EAS Energy Camp and the BODY FOR Life book. These tools were essential in helping me drop 50 pounds and learning how to care for my mind, body and spirit!

Now--three years into it, my body had become complacent. It had hit a plateau and I gladly allowed me to stay there. Hey--I was still 50 pounds lighter...and gosh I thought...I'm going to be 54!
But...I will always remember a talk at energy camp about "reaching higher."
And that is exactly what I decided to do and will do for as long as I can.

When you think you have given your all. Think real hard, be honest with yourself and if you have reached as high as you can...congratulate yourself. But, if you find like I did that you were not reaching for the stars, take a new look at your goals...add one or two...and make that self promise to push yourself to the max. Believe me you will catapult off that plateau in a hurry.

If you can't afford a trainer, find an exercise buddy. It's hard to miss a workout date that is already planned and written into your daily schedule and marked urgent.

If your Doctor has put you on bedrest and demands no activity...that's a pass for the day. If you are injured and the Doctor has cleared you to work around that particular injury...look in the book for a exercise to train your healthy parts. If you are depressed...a work out might cure those blues....if you can't afford to go to the gym, walk around the block...jump rope...lift a gallon jug of water...please figure out a way to do something!!!
Once you engage your body---the mind will follow.

Glutes and hamstrings...

Worked out with my trainer today. We focused on glutes and hamstrings. Squats, lunges...the works. Tonight I am feeling it! But that didn't stop me from getting onto the treadmill and tackling my cardio.
Somewhere in between I did 500 crunches and got some time in the tanning bed.
Oh...and I also went to work today.

Never in my wildest imagination did I ever consider the possibility that I would be so determined to get fit! And...follow thru.

Tommorrow will be another day with the trainer. I will be meeting her twice a week between now and my June 10th show. The rest of the week I work out at my gym...hitting various body parts.

Today I learned a new way to do walking lunges with dumbells. I pushed them above my head as I made my lunge. Wow! My arms got some pump going too.

My diet will be crucial in the days to come. I am measuring and noting down everthing that I am eating to ensure I am getting the exact amounts of proteins and carbs required.
Water...water...water....green tea too.

My this is fun!

Battle heats up...

Saturday I found myself at the local supermarket...looking for something to eat. Wow...I tried to fight the urge to get in the car and go to town. I held back for about two hours. The urge to get something sweet with fat was overpowering. I walked around the house with car keys in hand. No I told myself...I am too close to my contest. Soon that no became maybe.

Finally I got into the car and drove to the store.
First I picked up some bananas.
Before I knew it...I was standing in front of the freezer wall in the ice cream section.
I stood there for five minutes looking,looking...and looking.
I'm sure the other shoppers thought I was nuts.
Just couldn't make up my mind.

Then I walked away and found myself in the bakery section looking at the cookies.
Same thing happened. I just couldn't decide.
Then I found myself in the candy section....staring at all the goodies.
Still couldn't decide what to buy.

Finally I came to my senses...grabbed the bananas tightly and went to the check out.

When I got home I had a tablespoon of peanut butter and a rice cake.
I calmed down...and felt so much better.

Guess I dodged a big bullet.
Maybe this is a sign of growth in the BFL program?

Next time though I plan to hide the car keys...and eat the peanut butter as soon as the urge hits. No need to tempt fate.

A new week is here, I am closer to my June 10th competition and I feel as if I'll have to keep my guard up as my body fights to come into its own.

PS I didn't eat the bananas either. Bought them for my husband.