What Keeps me Motivated?

That is a question I have been asked a lot lately...the answer I give is simple. I have figured out what it takes for me to look the way I want and now that I know what it takes I can't help but stick with it. That is half of it, the other part is that I have a big goal as well as smaller sub goals to get me to the big goal. I know that in order to make it to that goal I need to stay on track with each goal. Also, I really do love what I am doing, the diet, the exercises, the feelings I get when I invest in myself and see positive changes, the way my husband looks at me and how it makes him happy....I love it all!

The next step toward the big goal of making fitness my life's work is earning my Pro Card at my next competition July 16, 2011.

8 weeks to go and as far as I can tell, I am right on track! I am about half way through my new workouts targeting my glutes & abs and staying lean with a super clean diet. Here are a some pictures taken today while I was practicing my posing.

Lean Legs, Strong Glutes & Tight Abs!

That is the theme of my new workouts. Week one and I really felt it! This is the second week and I feel much stronger and not nearly as sore. Next week reps increase and rest decreases so that will be a fun challenge.

I love my workouts, not only because they are help me achieve the body I feel so great in but also because they give me time to focus and not stress about the world around me which can be frustrating sometimes.

I have also begun my "in season" diet program for this year, changing things only right before my contests or hopefully photo shoots!

I am going to make today a great day and I hope you will too!

Presenting - My First Interview as a Figure Competitor

It is with great pride and overwhelming joy that I share my first interview as a Figure Competitor! Hello world, here I come!

http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2011/04/leah-graham-interview.html

Busy Week!

Lots to do this week including (of course training), 3 new classes to start teaching, a trip to the chiropractor and a facial too! Taking care of my body is a full time job but the way I see it, my body is the only thing in life I know will be with me forever!

In my own training I am working with weights 6 days a week, getting in cardio while teaching classes and in the sauna :)

Since the show I have secured 2 new teaching jobs that I am excited about. Tonight I started teaching a new aqua class and have 2 more later in the week. I teach from the pool deck, leading and motivating participants through warm up, cardio and strength. It really is a lot of fun and I am working hard to show that aqua is not just for grannies, at least not in my class :)

I am feeling on fire with a passion for my purpose in life, to compete, to teach and to motivate!

Getting Back to Blogging with some Big News!

I can't believe it was at 7 weeks out that I made my last post! It is actually now almost 2 weeks after my show and I am just now getting an update going! So time to catch up!

My contest prep went very well and kept me very busy, at the gym, in the kitchen and practicing my posing! As the weeks went by I saw my body getting leaner and taking on the shape I was hoping for. My suit had to be made a little smaller and once the stones were put on it looked absolutely beautiful. The result, which I know you have been waiting for....I won!!

Yes, I took first place in Novice Figure Short at my very first figure competition on April 9th 2011 at the SNBF Georgia Championships. For complete video of my performances both at pre-judging and the finals I have put together a playlist on my youtube channel.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=8DB759CF41464026

Since the contest I was able to have some cheat meals but have been mostly sticking to a very basic clean eating regimen prescribed to me by my coach. As far as workouts, the first week I took it easy, doing some fun cardio classes and enjoying the sauna. This week I got back to the weights which I am enjoying, not going all out heavy yet but still seeing my body improve.

The next show I do will be on July 16th. I will compete in the open class and will be training hard to prepare myself for another win and an SNBF pro card!

7 Weeks to Go!

My first week of pre-contest prep is now complete and I am feeling a bit sore but right on target. The food tastes good and there is plenty to eat each meal, as long as I don't wait too long between meals I feel just fine. Lots of protein and green veggies, lots to prep ahead of time so it is ready. My husband calls it the great chicken bake, today we baked three rounds of chicken and a big pot of sweet potatoes to be ready for the next few days.

For the last 2 Saturdays I have been attending posing workshops and feel I finally understand the lat spread and can actually do it! I also met some folks who do myfascial release therapy which can help my development, going to check into that.

I have 4 days of strength and 3 days of cardio workouts and of course the 5 classes I teach on a regular basis. I did sprints on Wednesday in Vibram 5 fingers and found that my calves were sore the rest of the week :)

Tried on my suit Friday and will be finalizing the design this Friday!

So much to do, so much to be excited about!!!

Next Phase - Pre-Contest Prep!!

The time is coming very close now....next week marks 8 weeks until my show and I will begin the pre-contest diet and workout!! I am excited!

I received my plan from my coach today and am working on understanding it and making the schedule work around life. Diet will be very simple, that is the easy part...to prepare anyway! The workouts are fast paced which I like, as long as I can get to what I need in the gym quickly. I will likely meet with my coach to go over the finer points and I will be off and running or sprinting as the case will be :)

Friday I will have a final cheat meal and Valentines dinner with my husband and then it will be all business after that.