8 weeks until showtime!

I am officially signed up for the Fitness Universe Foxwoods show! I am registered to compete in the bikini and figure divisions! Ohhh myyyy gawwwwd is about all I can say right now! I can't believe I am really doing this. Suits are ordered, theme wear is being designed, and shoes are bought! The countdown is on...8 weeks baby! I am really hoping to blog my way through the time right up to the competition....partly to document this experience for myself and partly to keep my hands and mind busy for a little while so I'm not thinking about food! haha just kidding about this second part....kind of. So right now my starches and fruits have been cut back a little bit. I still get them, but just in smaller amounts! I'm feeling good and still satisfied so far. 
My biggest hurdle to overcome is my confidence and posing. I know that anyone can get a killer body but its that stage presence that will truly make you shine! I have been attending Sunday Savage Sessions every week! I get to train with Cathy, my amazing coach Jules, and an inspiring group of Savage girls! My walk and posing are getting there, I have a ways to go, but will be practicing consistently over the next 8 weeks. 
There are so many times during this journey I have questioned myself. Why I want to do this? Will I be ready? Who will support me? Is it worth giving up the yummy foods? It's funny because when I relax and go back and think about those questions I can easily answer all of them! This is what I want, I have set a goal and I will achieve it. It doesn't matter what people think, it matters what I think. 
I still get two cheat meals per week which is an amazing motivator. It keeps me on track 100% for all my other meals knowing that I can have two meals of whatever my body is craving.  Heres a photo of my recent cheat meal. Crunchy peanut butter french toast. I will leave you all with this picture. Holy cow, it was one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten.  Alright, I guess I can leave you with a recipe as well....Although I don't know if I recommend keeping this handy! It was so hard not to make numerous servings of this! I found this on Pinterest! I did switch the bread for whole grain, the milk for almond milk, and threw the banana slices on top. Enjoy! 
I also still get one rest day every week which is a great day to mentally and physically gather myself. 
I have been trying be sure to make time for yoga at least once a week. My body craves that deep stretch. Speaking of cravings, I am completely obsessed with Salmon! I can't seem to get enough of it. So delicious! I just bake it in the oven at 425 degrees for 15 minutes with some pepper and it is perfect! Paired with asparagus is my ultimate dinner. I never thought in a million years I would crave things like vegetables and fish! 
I am off to shower...yes its 3:30 in the afternoon....and then cookup some chicken stir fry for dinner. For those that are still following along on my blog thanks for the support! Countdown to get on stage is on.
Oh and I suppose I will start tracking my weekly pictures on here....so here I am 8 weeks out from show! 

8 weeks out

xoxox

The Value of You!

Today in my daily message from CSF She wrote about the Value of Yourself. Being treated with the love and respect you deserve. "Check your price tag and get off the clearance rack and get behind the glass case where you belong." This message really made me think. The biggest lesson I am getting out of this whole experience is making time for myself. I am always making sure everyone else is happy and I am realizing its ok to make time for me and make myself happy as well. This whole journey is so much more than looking good, its about getting up on that stage and being proud of myself for all that I've done.  Its something I have for me. I am a mother, a wife, a taxi car driver, a waitress, a housekeeper, and I love every second of it, but at times I know I need something just for myself! 
Today I was up at 4:30 to get to the gym by 5 so I could make a 6:30 yoga class. Well, I made it to the gym right on time, had a killer chest and arm workout and did my 20 minutes of HIIT cardio. I quickly realized yoga wasn't going to happen today. It was already 6:20 and I was still at the gym with shaky arms. I don't think downward dog was in the cards for today! I decided to head home and be there before my little love woke up so her Daddy could sleep in a bit. With a quick stop at Starbucks for my morning java I made it home just as her little bedroom door was creaking open! Now we are snuggled on the couch watching some early morning cartoons to start off the day! It's still dark out....as you can see in the picture! Oh how I wish my little love learned to sleep in a little bit. Like mother, like daughter I guess! 
Have a good Tuesday friends, and remember to value YOU! You totally rock so I know I don't have to tell you that twice! 

December 1

Happy December! Wow, can't believe it is already December! The amazing weather we have been having is really playing tricks on my mind. 70 degree weather at the end of November is a serious treat in New England. I started the month of December with a 4:30am alarm clock, a chest and shoulder workout, followed by a 6:30 am Yoga class at my favorite yoga studio, The Yoga Tree. I've been trying to go at least one time per week but am thinking of aiming for twice a week during the holidays to keep my stress at a minimum! After Yoga I stopped at Wicked Big Cafe to get myself caffeinated up for the day with a 2 year old and an almost 1 year old! Those two really make me smile and laugh everyday but they sure are exhausting and I always need one or two coffees to get me through the whole day! haha
We spent the day baking, playing, and delivering our letters to Santa at the The Macy's Santa Mailbox. Its a really awesome program they have. At every Macy's across the country, there is a letterbox to collect letters for Santa. You just bring in a stamped letter to Santa Clause and Macy's will count every letter they receive and donate $1 for each letter to the Make a Wish Foundation! Pretty cool! 
Tonight I finally did something I have been wanting to. I registered for the Cathy Savage Camp! It is January 27th, 28th, and 29th. I've been putting off registering for a while because I was nervous, and kept making up excuses as to why I couldn't go. When Adam told me he would take the days off from work I knew I had to just sign up! I am so excited to meet some other Savage girls, see the studio, meet Cathy, my coach Jules and Lori Harder! I am so glad I finally did it! I know I am going to get so much out of it! 
Whelp, its 8:30 and after waking up at 4:30 I'm about ready to hit the sack! Off to lunge on the couch for a bit and catch up on some tv and enjoy my gorgeous Christmas Tree! 
Goodnight friends! 

xox

Getting back into blogging!

I seem to have lost my blogging mojo but am really hoping to have found it again! I would love to document this amazing journey I am on and have something to look back at! So lets see, competition prep is going wonderfully! I'm feeling strong, satisfied, and still continuing to lose weight! My coach Jules said everything is working like a well oiled machine at this point and she hasn't needed to make any changes to the diet yet including my very generous TWO cheat meals! I know I am still a ways out from my show...(april) but so far things are going smooth! When I started with CSF I weighed 158 pounds which was pretty good for me! Today when I stepped on the scale I was 142.2. I can't remember a time in my life I have been this low and can't believe I could possibly be in the 130's within a couple of weeks. However, one of Cathy's biggest pet peeve is the scale, so I am trying by best to only weigh in once a week at most! My shoulders and back are starting to really develop, my legs have been a bit harder for me to see changes in so we have added an extra leg day into my workouts. My biggest motivation is people at my gym have started to ask me if I was training for a competition. Just knowing that they could see the changes in my body was very encouraging. It's nice to see those same familiar faces at 5am everyday and know that you have become a regular part of the morning gym crowd since they recognize me now! 

Thanksgiving this year started early...6:30 am with the Feaster Five. A 5k and 5 mile race in Andover Massachusetts. I chose to run the 5 miles race with my sister and a couple of her friends! This was there first 5 mile race and they did amazing! This race was such a fun way to start Thanksgiving and so family orientated. Every runner.....all 10,000 plus...received an apple pie for finishing! They also had tons of water, fruit, and carby snack at the finish! It was a great race.Heres a video at the start line! After the run I rushed home...after sitting in traffic for over an hour to get out of the parking lot. Then we headed over to my grandfathers for meal #1. Olivia had so much fun playing with her second cousins, and getting a hayride behind Grandpas four wheeler. After dessert we headed over for Thanksgiving number two with Adams side of the family. Just as delicious the second time around! I made sure to load up my plate with turkey and tons of veggies. Just a taste of stuffing and mashed potatoes and one dessert at each location! It was perfect. For the first time ever I left feeling satisfied and not sick. 

I am so incredibly grateful for my beautiful daughter who shows me how to look at this world in a whole new way, my amazing husband who shares in my goals, dreams, and outlook on life. I would be lost without his guidance and support. My parents who taught me what family is all about and my sister who is more like a best friend. I am also grateful for each and everyone of my friends, near and far, who I know will support me through anything. Feeling very blessed and thankful this year during the holidays!  

Sick, 10 hours of sleep, and getting right back into it!

Thursday night I woke up in the middle of the night with some serious stomach issues. I'll leave it at that. Anyways it had me up all night so I knew my 4:30am alarm clock for Fridays workout needed to be shut off! Friday was a rough day. I stuck to my diet for the most part but knew I had to make today a rest day as far as my workouts went. I went to bed at 7pm last night.....woke up at 6:30am as good as new!! Yay! I was so happy to only miss the one gym day. I gathered my things had a little dry cereal and half a banana and off I went! Right back on track! Today I had also planned a cheat meal with Adam and Olivia so I was so excited to be hungry and feeling better. We headed to Jimmy K's for breakfast before Adam had to head to work! I got the m&m stuffed pancakes, Olivia got the Mickey Mouse pancakes, and Adam got the Irish Breakfast! Yum, yum, yum! My pancake totally satisfied my serious chocolate and carb craving I was having. 
This morning I stepped on the scale and was pleasantly surprised with the number I saw! 146.8! I'm not sure if it was because of my sickness yesterday or all my hard work...but I'm going to go with the later! I can't remember the last time I have weighed under 149! 
After breakfast Adam headed to work and Olivia and I headed up North to the Kancamagus for a little hike. We met my parents, my sister, nephew, and brother in law. It was gorgeous! The sudden downpour of rain cut our hike short but it was great seeing all the fall colors and getting outside for a bit! 
Tomorrow I have a 5k Charity run in Swampscott, MA Miles for Kyle. I'm hoping its cool and sunny with no sudden rain showers!! 
I'm off to get Miss Olivia bathed and ready for bed then we have a date on the couch with "It's a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" movie with her then "Bad Bosses for the adults! I am also cooking up some Tuna steaks and asparagus for dinner tonight. Saturday nights are really hoppin around here! 

Run Baby Run!

On the schedule today was 40 minutes of cardio! A Quick easy workout was on the agenda. I decided the night before I would use today to get a run in, since I really miss all the running I had gotten used to during my training for the half marathon. The weather called for rain all day, so I knew I either was going to be running in the rain or had to get up before it started. I set the alarm for 6 am.....woke up to pitch black, rolled back over since it of course wouldn't be safe to run in the dark, and went back to bed. Then my 2 year old alarm clock named Olivia woke me up at 7:15, but when she crawled into bed with us I decided again to roll over and go back to bed. It was perfect sleeping in, cuddle weather. Finally at 8 Olivia had enough and forced me to get up. When I looked out the window I saw it still hadn't started to rain so I laced up my sneakers and off I went for my run! It was perfect....my legs were a little stiff from the workout I had the day before but they quickly loosened up and my run felt effortless and calming. The weather was absolutely perfect for a run, cold and cloudy! 
When I got home I made a quick run to Starbucks for my coffee before Adam headed out to get his workout in. There's something about drinking coffee and eating oatmeal and eggs in a quiet place before the craziness of my day starts that makes me feel like I can handle anything. Adam always lets me have my breakfast in peace by entertaining Liv and I am so grateful for that! 
It rained today, all day, and I had two kids stuck inside. I spent most the day wrapped in a snuggie since it was so cold. The kids spent a lot of the day having a dance party in Olivia's room, coloring,painting, and a little bit of TV time. It's hard work entertaining kids stuck inside all day!

It's 9pm and Im sipping on some green tea to curb the sweet cravings I am having. I will in bed very shortly for a 4:30 alarm clock that is set for tomorrow! Chest, shoulder and tri is on the workout plan for tomorrow! 
Goodnight xox

Officially the worst blogger ever!!

OK, its been over a month since I last posted on the blog. Its probably a good thing not many people follow this and its mostly for myself to hold myself accountable! Let's see.....what has been going on in the last month? I completed my first half marathon in 1:56! Results can be found here! There I am, number 512!! I was really happy with my results and the whole race overall. I woke up to rain, wind, and cold and got a bit discouraged. My husband Adam told me some encouraging words....part of it being "do you know how badass it is to run 13 miles in the rain?" haha so with that I ran my heart out and felt amazing the entire time! I ran an 8:58 pace which I don't think I have ever run on any of my practice runs. It must have been the excitement and adrenaline. I crossed the finish line smiling and am so happy I signed up for this! 

Last 1/4 mile from the finish line! 

The weather in New England has quickly turned into fall. Its cool, crisp, and perfect! My favorite time of year! I even seem to be liking the cold rainy days as it gives me a reason to stop, take a breath, and just enjoy hanging out with my 2 year old instead of dragging her on 100 errands everyday! 
Now as you already know I have signed up with Cathy Savage Fitness to train for my first figure competition in April. Its been about 2 months on the program and I love it! I love waking up in the morning for my workouts, I love Sunday check-ins with my coach Jules, and I love my meal planning. I am so excited to be on this journey and see my body changing on a weekly basis. Its a fun and motivating experience!
I am hoping over the next 6 months or so to blog more regularly so I can have this experience written down to look back on. 
My meals are pretty boring since they have to be pretty plain but every now and then you may get a picture of one of my cheat meals! 
Breakfast today was 1/2 Eziekel English muffin with banana slices on top and an egg white omelet with peppers, onions, low fat cottage cheese and salsa. Basically my breakfast every single day! Good thing I really enjoy it! 
Tonight i am hoping to go to Yoga! I am really looking forward to it, the last time I went Caroline my favorite instructor told me that my back was very tight. It's the first time she's ever told me that and I think it has something to do with the lack of yoga and added lifting! Theres nothing like finishing a long day with a candlelight flow. 
Happy Tuesday everyone!