No pain, No gain

(Don't worry Egoscue, I'm talkin work pain, muscle pain.. not that pain pain ;)

Working hard here... training is going ok, but I think I am being super hard on myself. Friends are saying to take it easy... as they know how I can burn out fast- and when I crash, I fall hard sometimes.

It's frustrating when you expect so much from yourself. When you work really hard and don't see the pay off. It's funny- I see this and hear this from my clients all the time and I always tell them - it will come, be patient, keep working, eat clean, stay focused- and you will see results. I'm feeling like I need to listen to my own advice.

I am constantly training- for work- and after... and am feeling the burn. I'm almost getting to that point where I am burning too much, yet not burning the right thing. I'm nervous I am constantly building muscle and burning it at the same time. So frustrating... and no time to eat.

Blehhhh.. no excuses. I just thought I'd write- to let it out- to share my frustration- because we're all in this together. It's a mind game. All I can say is... stay focused. So.. STAY FOCUSED!

Today my body is sore... and I love that feeling. I'm pretty pumped for this week's training. My sister has agreed to train with me, which is great. It is always easier to work out with a buddy. She's got some massive muscle too... Once she's back into the swing of things, she is going to be rock solid. Feel the pain, sister! This is going to be a great.

Crossfit Segment up!

Dusty, Rob and I shot this segment last week and it's up on the LA Muscle TV site. Check it out here!


Reality check...

I really want to go to Vancouver on April 18th for a show- even if it's just for bikini. So, kicking it into high gear next 6.5 weeks so I can get out there and rock a bikini on a stage.

Waiting to hear back from TC, but I may be at the Fit Expo in Anaheim first weekend in March at the TC booth. Will keep you posted.

Also, my dear friend Lauri Ashworth opened up her beautiful yoga studio called THE HUB in West LA. Please check it out, take a class and support her. Classes begin on tues... I'll be taking class as well. See you there!!

More competition dates...

Might as well, right...

ORANGE COUNTY
May 2
Brea, CA
Curtis Theater
Fitness, Ms. Bikini

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
August 1
Hermosa Beach, CA
Hermosa Beach Playhouse
Fitness, Ms. Bikini

FITNESS AMERICA
MODEL AMERICA
MS. BIKINI AMERICA
AMERICA & WORLD
November 19-21
Las Vegas, NV

The girls have talked me into it. It's interesting how SMALL the "fitness industry" really is. The same people are at the same competitions, in the same magazines, have the same pictures... kind of funny- but in no way am I complaining- I mean, hey.. I want to be a part of the fun, too! But, hopefully, I won't be put in the "same" category. Sometimes these comps need a little spice... a little brunette...a little chicken "wing". Ha! Inside joke. But, I'm definitely not hoping to be just another fitness/bikini girl.

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As I post all these competitions and tell more people about it... they always end the conversation with... "please don't get any bigger". What? I'm so small right now! I struggle with image. As much as I would love to win competitions in fitness, I am finding I'd much rather keep a feminine frame. Sometimes I even question why I'd even think twice about adding more muscle. Is it ego? The only reason why I'd want more is because my competitors have more. Let's be honest... ego get's in the way sometimes, but the reality is... I'd much rather stand out by being natural- if you know what I mean- in all aspects :)

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Aside from the upcoming competitions, I've got a few other things lined up. Saturday I'll be hosting another episode for LA Muscle TV. I can't wait!

I'll also be doing a second test screen shot for Lifetime. They are in the works of producing a "make-over" type tv series and I am a candidate to be the trainer on the show :) We shall see.

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That's all for now- thank you for all the emails and comments- I appreciate all the support you all are giving me :) Rock on and LIVE FIT friends!!

Tight Curves

I'm officially the newest member of TEAM TIGHT CURVES. A little about Tight Curves products:


"BodyWell Nutrition is committed to developing the most innovative sports nutrition products on the market. Formulated by world renowned sports scientists and developed in the top nutrition labs in our country, BodyWell's products are based on the latest scientific research in exercise physiology, nutrition and sports medicine. In addition, we've taken the time to ensure that every ingredient we use is the best quality available on the market today. Every supplement we create is subjected to rigorous taste, solubility and sensory testing and approved for sale when all quality measures are reached. Our line includes supplements for increasing athletic performance, building muscle, managing weight, improving skin tone and overall appearance, increasing energy and more. At BodyWell we believe that your overall health and quality of life is just as important as pushing past your athletic limits and achieving your physique and performance goals. We are committed to helping you achieve peak performance and good health."

It is an honor for me to be a part of this team- especially because this division of BodyWell Nutrition is specifically designed for a woman. I get to represent a company who not only provides the best quality ingredients, but supports and promotes a healthy active lifestyle.

Contributing with Tight Curves not only involves representing the company at different fitness events, but something very dear and close to my heart- giving back to the community- starting with reaching out to our youth.

As some of you may know, I was involved with Kaiser Educational Theatre Programs directly out of college. I was so fortunate to travel around California to different middle schools, educating kids on a living a healthy lifestyle- one of the best job's ever. With Team Tight Curves, I get to continue that route. As part of my position, I will be able to travel across the nation to different children's hospitals and schools, promoting fitness and diet. It is a fresh of breathe air when companies have programs like this. I am just happy to be a part of it :)

Looking forward to many endless opportunities here- check out the website for more information on some of the products.

www.tightcurves.net

Reality Magazine February Issue

I finally saw a copy of Reality Magazine!! I was picked to be in the magazine featured as a Fitness Model/Competitor- interview style along with one of my pictures by Sami Vaskola. Pretty awesome considering I've never had a whole page to myself ;) They even titled me as "LIL MISS FIT". It's official... the name stuck after hosting an episode on LA Muscle TV.

Speaking of LA Muscle- We are going to re-shoot the CROSSFIT training episode. It will include a bit of Crossfit, gymnastics, boxing, krav maga and maybe a bit of acro... we shall see how it goes. I will also be hosting a few segments on breakdancing. These probably won't take place for another few months, but I'll keep you posted once we tape.

Feeling photoshoot withdrawls. LOL. In need of updated photos... I predict sometime this year... very soon. Probably April once my figure is in competition status ;) Yay!

Thanks for everyone's support... don't forget to check out Reality Mag... !!!

Inspired!

Today I made a visit to The Los Angeles Fitness Expo at the Convention Center. I ran into a ton of friends in the industry and everyone there was so positive and encouraging... the season is about to start in the spring and everyone is pumped. Inspired... yes... the ball is rolling and the fire is there!

I have been getting a ton of feedback this year about what direction I should head in. At first, I was so focused on Fitness and getting bigger bigger bigger in size. The reality is... I'm tiny... and even if I gained a ton of muscle and lost more body fat, I am still going to look petite on stage. The great thing is, I am OK with that. I never wanted to become a figure competitor or have too much muscle. I like being proportionate and I like looking au natural.

I was chatting with show producers and fellow fitness competitors at the expo today about how the woman competitors in certain divisions keep getting larger and muscular every year. The bikini girls are looking like fitness girls, the fitness girls are looking like figure girls and the figure girls are looking like body builders. BODY BUILDERS...?? oh my! Well, it turns out NPC and a few other shows are going to add a Bikini division. It is the first year and the rules are set. The goal is to keep fit and toned but stay feminine ladies!

It is exciting to hear news like this. I was planning on doing FAP bikini and fitness this year as well as Ms. Fitness USA of course, but I am going to participate in the new bikini round at Muscle Beach, WBFF and NPC. Some girls say it is disrespectful to jump from one organization to another, but let's be honest- I like competing and I really want to represent fit femininity in the industry. I want to go for more titles this year too! My big goal is to inspire woman to get fit... lead by example... live healthy without having to look like a bodybuilder! The best part of having a Bikini round in a Muscle competition- you are still PROMOTING FITNESS AND A HEALTHY ACTIVE LIFESTYLE... Feminine and Fit... I may be LIL MISS FIT, but I have a BIG statement I want to get across this year.

Here is a tentative competition schedule.

April 4 Ms. Fitness, Inland Empire
April 18 WBFF B.C Championships, Vancouver (Fitness Model & Bikini)
May 9 Ms. Fitness, Vista
May 23 NPC, Culver City (Bikini)
May 25 Muscle Beach International Classic (Bikini)
June 27 Ms. Fitness, Los Angeles
July 18 Ms. Fitness Legacy, Los Angeles
Aug 21 Ms. Fitness USA, Reno-Nevada
Sep 19 Ms. Fitness Team USA, Venice
Oct 17 Natural O, Queensland-Australia

Come out and support if you're near a competition!

LIVE FIT!

eat, work, tape, train, rehearse and repeat.

Wow. It's been 2 weeks since the new year. It seems the year is already going by so fast. I made it a personal goal to start training and dieting for the competition season Jan 1, and it has been a struggle. A new job, a new apartment and not a whole lot working out and dieting is happening! I'm starting to feel a little bit more focused as the apartment feels more like a home. I hate to make excuses, but as soon as my kitchen is organized, my diet will be too.

The good news is that I've reached my goal weight of 115 lbs. This is the heaviest I've ever been and I'm really excited about it LOL. Right now, I am at 17% body fat and would like to get it down to 12%... by August :) Plenty of time...

Here is a rough outline of my diet... courtesy of my body builder older brother (in-law) .. check him out www.bigsherwin.com

Diet:

Meal#1 10 eggs white 2 yolks / 1 cup oatmeal / 1 banana.

Meal#2 8 oz. chicken / 2 cups rice / 1 cup broccoli.

Meal#3 2 scoops whey protein( 50grams) / 10 oz. potato.

Meal#4 8 oz. chicken / 2 cups rice / 1 cup broccoli.

Meal#5 8 oz. Flank steak / 10 oz. potato / large salad.

Meal#6 2 scoops whey protein / half cup fat free cottage cheese / half cup oatmeal.

24 oz. water with each meal.


I have to eat a lot more than expected because of my high metabolism and what I do for a living. I do have a 9a-5p job, but it's not your typical. As a trainer in a live in fitness facility, I have the BLESSING of working out everyday. A pro and a con... My typical work day will include a 2 hour bike ride, 1.5 hour hike and 1 hour of swimming or water aerobics. Very cool... considering this is my "job". Absolutely a fitness enthusiast's ideal job. The thing is, as a fitness competitor, I burn too much, too fast. I have to make sure my eating is right on schedule and that I am eating enough. Sometimes, I'm so exhausted from my day job, it's hard to stay focused and go to the gym and lift heavy. But, everyday, I am inspired by my clients and will often think of them if I even think about slacking off. If they can do it, I can do it.

Other updates:

The next few weeks I have to be very strict on myself. I will be working with LAMUSCLE TV again as they will be documenting my journey with Kujo for my big return to the stage.... Feb. 21st... Taping is tentatively this weekend and will definitely showcase the creative process combined with the insight of our personalities. Krazy Kujo and lil miSsfit... anything is possible when you put us together...stay tuned!! There is also the Fitness Expo at the end of the month that I will be attending. Hopefully I can stay super clean on diet so i can look somewhat defined :) In Feb, I'll be shooting another segment for Jamo Nezzar with My Fit Tribe. Right now my Pre-Workout Exercises are on the homepage with Ozzie Jacobs. I'll be teaming up with Ms. Jacobs again and we will be demonstrating different ways of stretching. Lot's of good stuff happening! Check back for more updates and hopefully I can say I've stayed on track with dieting and training!!! Argg, sometimes it so hard... but if you think you can, YOU CAN AND WILL!!!

Stay focused....

-lil miSsfit