New Opportunities

Hi Everyone,
The last couple of weeks have been very busy. That is the first time I have said that and actually meant it. Last weekend was the competition. It was a great time, I took home a second and a fourth place finish, very happy about it. The next one is in just two weeks. That one is going to be a lot of fun because my dad and Karen are coming to see it. It has been a year since I have seen any of my family and I can't wait to have them here. After this show I will be taking a mandatory month off from working out. I have to go through another surgery on Nov. 16th, so that forces me to take time off. In January my training will start up again for the next figure competition. Bikini competitions are fun, but to me the bikini division is kind of a stepping stone to the figure division, that is the division I really want to be in. The first time I was not prepared at all, it is going to take an unbelievable amount of work to get ready for a figure show.
The last two weeks have been filled with great new opportunities. Sonya gave me the opportunity to help out with the biggest loser competition going on at the base gym. They are up to 31 contestants. I have met so many wonderful people, it has been so much fun helping out. After I recover from the surgery I will get to start seeing clients of my own at the gym. Sonya also gave me a job at the smoothie bar at the gym. It is the first time where I enjoy the job I have. It sounds crazy but, I am going to be sad when it comes time for Dave and I to leave here. I am very greatful to Sonya for giving me the opportunity to work as a trainer at such a great facility.

Remember, just have fun!!!!

Hey everyone,
Well, it has been a bad day for football. My Packers and Dave's Bengals lost by a field goal today. In my opinion today's game for the Packers clarifies that they are not that good this year. 3 and 2 is not that good and the games they won were not by much. All the Packer fans out there please, don't be upset with me, that is just my little evaluation of this years team.
There has been good news for me!!!. I got a job as a trainer, well sort of. The gym on base this year is having a biggest loser contest. Shannon and Sonya want me to shadow them during the contest and then I can start training clients on my own. I don't know if they meant on my own by myself or on my own at the gym. I think this is kind of a trial period for me. If they see that I am very involved and enthusiastic they may hire me full-time. I would love, love, love that!!!. It would be so convenient, we live just 1/4 mile away from the gym, I know almost everyone who works there, the facility is awesome, very big. I am keeping my fingers crossed that this works out.
My bikini competition is on Saturday. I am nervous because the bikini walk is a lot like a model on the runway, its all about strutting it, walking with confidence, like you own it, walk in those heels like they are sneakers. That scares me, I am not a pro when it comes to walking in 5 inch heels, even though I practice everyday it still feels like a daunting task. And everyone always says the same thing "Remember just have fun!" No matter how many times I tell myself that it doesn't calm my nerves.
Well, I hope my competition goes well and I hope the Packers and the Bengals can turn around this runaway train.

Baby sister for Mohinder

Hi everyone,
Dave and I are very exited. We have been talking about getting another cat for awhile, but could not decide what kind. He didn't care so much either way, but I wanted a Himalayan cat. That changed earlier this week when we were watching old episodes of the Osbourne's. They had this beautiful exotic looking cat. Dave and I both had never seen that kind of cat before. The beautiful cat was an Abyssinian cat. The Aby cat is gorgeous and it has the same temperament as Mohinder, both very playful and loyal to their owners. This particular cat breed is very hard to come by. There is a breeder in Racine WI who will have one ready in February. I wish I could get her earlier but, it all works out because my dad is getting married in February so Dave and I will be in Wisconsin anyway. Speaking of my dad, he just did another full marathon this morning, it was the Lakefront marathon in Milwaukee WI. I am very proud of him, Great job dad!!!!
Dave and I both had minor injuries this week. He hurt his lower back earlier this week and I pulled a muscle in my obliques during core crunch class. This is the second time I pulled that muscle doing the same type of exercise. The exercise is standing with a weight in one hand and leaning over to the side to work the obliques, my body just does not like that exercise so, I am taking that completely out of my workout regimen. There are many other ways to work your obliques without hurting your back. Luckily my little injury did not sideline me from doing any other exercises. Even if it did I still would probably find ways to work around it because I am stubborn. I believe that all people who love to work out whether it is weight lifting, running, cycling, we are all stubborn.
Dave made his first visit to the Chiropractor and his opinion about them has definitely changed. He used to think that they couldn't help much, but the chiropractor made him feel a whole lot better and explained exactly what was wrong. An inversion table is going to be our next purchase. Many people have said that it works wonders for your back.
I am down to the two week mark again. Starting tomorrow the carb depletion begins, down to 80 grams per day, not to hard to do. Shannon said that the water depletion will not be as severe as it was last time, thank goodness. With Bikini the judges want the girls looking a little softer, so extreme water depletion is not necessary. That is it for right now.
Talk to you soon.