I was just pondering the idea of figure competing just to get my mind set on something to accomplish maybe this year or better yet next year. Why put it off until next year? There may be a possibility that I may be able to come back home and quit my full-time them. So, there will not be an excuse for anything. But I was thinking to myself where in the world or how do I get started? Should I hire a personal trainer, get on a meal plan or what? I was browsing bodybuilding.com and came across this
Video: DVD: The Fiqure Competition Training Guide, 2-DVD Set

Some of the reviews from amazon were good, but doesn’t make me confident enough to purchase. Here is one of the reviews I found:

The DVD goes through all the basics of contest preparation - the four mandatory poses, hair, makeup, accessories, what to expect on competition day, tanning, how to find the right posing suit, training, and nutrition. It does an okay job touching on all the major highlights giving you a decent run-through of what to expect and how to properly prep for it.

My biggest con is with the overall production with the DVD - it is beyond terrible and makes watching certain parts just down right unbearable. Many of the hosts or “figure coaches” as they are referred to in the dvd seem robotic, disengaged, and at times rather ditzy. You would think they would at least edit out the parts where they spend several moments bumbling through lines and forgetting parts but they didn’t - its all on there for you to suffer through. It gets really distracting following along when the figure coach can’t get through their particular part or (like in one scene) totally forgot what they were going to say…pause…look off camera…pause…then recall what they were supposed to say. Again, not horrendous overall, but i wish i would’ve spent my money on a posing-specific DVD.

Anyone of you out there have any thoughts on this one or do you have another guides out there you would suggest? Please let me know because I am totally new at this and want to get off to a great start.

Tags: the figure competition training guide, bodybuilding, figure competition, fitness, health

Well, all thank you so much for all of you support regarding my dad. He is recovering from surgery now and doing well. Thank you so much!!

What’s new? Last week I had my physical and my results came in this week regarding my lab work. My doctor told me that that my blood work is showing me slightly anemic, so as a result, they are running more test to see if I have an iron deficiency or what? In the meantime we were discussing my diet and I told her about this plan I am on now. She told me that the plan sound healthy, but she would rather me go back to a more balance diet like zone, or nutrisystem similar diet right now until we figure out what’s wrong with me which means I temporarily have to stop. I am not too upset, because I have been wondering why I have been feeling so darn tired lately. So, ladies and gents make sure you see your doctor yearly on these types of health issues. You never know.

To top that off, last Friday I was at work setting up visuals for sephora and got box fibers on my face which caused an allergic reaction for real!! My entire face was rashed and my neck line too. So my doctor prescribed prednisone which is known to make you retain water and gain wait. Needless to say my scale is up to 169. Damn!!

But you know what I will not be negative about that. I will focus on a solution and work it. I know how to eat healthy with a balanced diet so I will just get back to the basics and if it takes a bit longer to lose the weigh oh well. At least I will be losing! Right?

Anyway, I am off to take some meds and get some sleep. I have been tired due to lack of sleep since my little one is sick too. He is getting more adult teeth in for 4 & 1/2 years of age, so he is getting a fever along with that and season allergies too. Poor kiddo. I just pray this will past fast. I love my energetic child.

tags: 8 week slimdown, weight loss, bodybuilding, diet, health, fitness, nutrisystem

Well, It has been a week on this program and so far I am seeing GREAT results!! So, far my stats are:

• Starting week: 172lbs
• Week 1: 167lbs (-5lb loss)

This program is pretty good and I am very satisfied with the results that i am having. The food is great and easy to prepare. I can tolerated the exercise which is easy to follow as well. Next I am hoping to see some more awesome results next week. If I experience the same amount of weight loss GREAT!! But any loss is welcomed. With starting this program I am feeling more strength and fat loss with the body. Now, one thing that I need to learn how to do is measure the body fat. I there something that I can purchase to help measure it? If any one of my figure competition friends know, please share.

Anyway, I just got home from work and I had to share my results with you all today! Right now, i have to get my kiddo ready for bed and then I will be getting ready to workout my upper body and hang out with the hubby for the rest of the evening. Until next time have a great even.

Natasha~

I think I am ready for a challenge now. I was thinking to myself today, that I need something new to try. A different workout plan, meal plan, and mind set to follow. I feel like I am doing the same thing with eating and workouts and I am boring myself to death. So I decided to hop on my favorite site which is bodybuilding.com and believe me it has been a long time since I have visited this site.

However, I came across this 8 week summer slimdown plan to follow in order for me to reach my goal and not lose focus. I like that it maps out a eating plan and workout to following which I feel I need right now. Something to follow and say hey Natasha do this today or cook this today to get me going. The article is by Myron Miekle a bodybuilder himself check out his site.

Now, I am contemplating should I start this plan effective tomorrow? Or wait until the 4th of July celebrating is over? I am thinking, I am not going to over eat anyway, because I do not want to screw up my week. So I guess why not start tomorrow? Check this out and if you are up for a challenge join me and we can do it together. Well I better get my grocery list together so that I can have everything ready to get started.

Tags: healthy living, bodybuilding, fitness, nutrition, weightloss, nutrisystem

Hey you all. I was just reading on the net today and came across this interesting information that is really making me want to purchase the Wii fit system NOW!. Majesco announced on June 12th the launch of the Fitness Ultimatum 2009 with Julian Michaels as the fitness coach for this holiday 2008. Do you all not how fierce her workouts are? Oh my gosh!! check out this site called Gamasutra.com for more info regarding this new info. I am totally talking to DH to purchase the Wii Fit system this month!!

We have the Nintendo Wii Console and it is loads of fun. So far we have the wii spots which is filled with interactive games like bowling, golf, tennis, and many more and the Guitar hero III. The other day my son and I was at the mall and they had a Wii fit section displayed with experts to show you how to use the system and you can actually play on the equipment too. Man did I get a workout. I think this will help with that workout boredom that I get from doing the same thing most of the time. Anyone of you have this system yet? How would you rate it?

Tags: Jullian Michaels, Jullian Michaels’ Fitness Ultimatum, Wii Fit, Nintendo Wii, fitness, nutrisystem, video games

This post is for all of my friends that are getting ready for their next figure or fitness competitions this summer. I was catching up on my reading of my Oxygen magazine which is a awesome resource for womens fitness. Let me tell you I am so behind in my readings. I have already received my August issue and I am currently on June and July’s. Wow!

Anyway on page 28 of the July issue they talked about oral contraceptives and weight gain. What the article talked is as follows:

Studies on physically active women have found that oral contraceptives, when taken as a single fixed dose of estrogen or as multiple does over the entire menstrual cycle, increase body mass and body fat percentage. One study, published in American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, found that women gain almost 4.5 pounds within six month of going on the pill.

I was like what? Now, take it I have been on the pill since I will 16 years of age and after starting the pill I did notice a increase of weight gain over the years the first fews years. Keep in mind I was an active cheerleader, in track and played volleyball for fun over the summer months to keep in shape. I remember going up a dress size going into to my Junior year in high school. Sucks! Anyway the article continues:

They say that the weight gain did not seem to be permanent; once you stop taking the pill the weight appears to drop within a month. So, if you are preparing for a fitness or figure competition maybe consider stopping the pill at least a month prior to going on stage. (Just don’t have sex)

Oxygen Magazine, July issue, page 28

I tend to agree with that part. To this day I am a current pill user and let me tell during the week when I am just taking the placebo pill which is during the time of the month my weight drops big time. I mean like 3-4 pounds in a week with exercise and healthy clean eating. Then when I start popping those pills again the weight begins to creep a bit, but with diet and exercise I can keep it under control. Oh well, I can’t stop having sex and my DH and I are happy with our one child so far, lol.

Tags: nutrisystem, weight loss, weigh gain, bodybuilding, fitness, healthy living

With dedication I am seeing some awesome results!!

1. Monday: elliptical for 30 minutes on resist of 3. Then abs for 10 minutes
2. Tuesday: cathe friedrich cardio fusion DVD for 30 minutes
3. Wednesday: elliptical 30 minutes with abs
4. Thursday: Tae bo amped for 30 minutes and 5 minutes on elliptical
5. Friday: bike ride for 20-30 minutes
6. Saturday: Just finished step aerobics with cathe for 30 minutes

I am eating much better and drink plenty of water without the crystal light. I feel like drinking too much of the crystal light are making me crave more sugar, so I stopped that for now. I feel the slimming and I now for a fact that I will make it into the 160’s by the end of this month! I am from 175 to floating around 170-171 which is great!! Well I am off to shower and get ready for work. I will chat later

Tags: nutrisystem, weight loss, fitness, bodybuilding, nutrition, healthy living

I am so glad my cardio is done for today!! I feel great and accomplished. What did I do? I am step diva so Cathe Fredrich was my friend tonight for 30 minutes and then I did 14 minute ab workout on the exercise channel on cable. So what were my eats?

1. Meal 1: Protein Shake and banana
2. Meal 2: large leafy salad with feta cheese, grilled shrimp and veggies
3. Meal 3: 5 crackers with laughing cow cheese, and strawberries
4. Meal 4: chicken & green beans
5. Meal 5: skinny cow ice cream sandwich

I feel good and I am ready for tomorrow. I think my workout will be a blast from the past which is the biggest loser workout with Bob! When I do that DVD I feel like Bob is right in my living room. Don’t be jealous, lol..

Well, I am off to get some rest. Good night

Tags: weight loss, nutrisystem, diet, fitness, weight loss