That's What's Up Thursday

Now, y'all know how obsessed I am with Dwight Howard's shoulders. 

But if I had to pick a female whose shoulders make me drool, 

I would have to choose this woman!

Check out this video of IFBB Figure Pro Candice Keene -->

 IFBB Figure Pro Candice Keene Trains Delts

She might push Dwight Howard out of the top spot! Now that's what's up! :)

New Release Tuesday

I don't care what anyone says - this song & video are f&*king awesome!! :)

#BlackandYellow #ExcellentAdventure

It's time to fill you in on what the above picture means and explain why the heck I keep using "#BlackandYellow" and "#ExcellentAdventure" on Instagram & Twitter!!

So there you have it! 110 days until the moment of truth!

To see all of Genie's posts about the Excellent Adventure,
check out her blog Genie's Journey.
You can also follow her on Twitter and Instagram!

Letting It Go

The last few weeks have been a bit crazy for me. I have, at times, felt like I couldn't breathe or like I was drowning in all of the stuff I had going on. Last night while I was driving home, my mind was racing as I was thinking about all of the things on my to do list that were not done and my head began to pound.

I kept telling myself to calm down, stop stressing out, and the world would not stop just because I didn't finish everything I felt like I needed to. But you know what, I couldn't calm down. I was freakin' out and the twitching of my right eye was proof I was losin' it.

Just when I wanted to cry, a song started playing on the radio. I remembered loving this particular song and playing it to The Princess when she was still in my belly. I remember telling her that I knew life would be tough for her but this song expressed some of the things I wanted for her. And last night, in that moment as the song was playing, I decided to shut down the stress. I decided to focus on the things that are important and my to do list was not one of them! I decided to take a breath and let it go.

I'm not sure what you have going on in your life but if you're overwhelmed, stressed, or just need to take a minute to get yourself together - stop and listen to the lyrics of the song - I mean really listen.

New Release Tuesday

Can we just talk about the days when MTV used to play music videos? When their name made sense because the station was about the music. Those were the good ol' days....

These days, I have to watch VH1 in the mornings while getting ready for work if I want to see any music videos. For some reason that makes me feel old & a little less cool. Don't ask me why. It just does!

However, there is an upside to watching this particular station. I discovered the "new release" I'm sharing today while painting my face like a clown putting on my eyeshadow last week.

It's one of those songs that gets stuck in your head! Too soon to say if that's a good or bad thing! :)

Pep Talk!

Have you ever had a moment (or day..or week..or month...lol) where you felt like your life was spinning out of control? Where everything you touched turned to dust? Where you felt like you were wondering aimlessly through your life? Where "awesome" would be the last word you would use to describe yourself or anything you're doing ?

I'm pretty certain each of us has felt this way at one time or another. Truth be told, you might be feeling that way right now!

I think I might have what you need to help you put things into perspective and help you shake off the negativity.

Here is your pep talk!

It's Baaaaacccckkkk!!!!

That's What's Up Thursday is back! 

It's been awhile since I've done this type of post but

 my weekly motivation post is making a comeback! :)

photo credit

I have said many prayers to the Gods of Figure

asking them to help me look like this woman

when I grow up. I don't think that's too much to ask for.

I mean look at her quads! Those shoulders! Abs!!

And her face....seriously....gorgeous!

IFBB Figure Pro & Ms. Figure Olympia Erin Stern...now that's what's up!!!

New Release Tuesday

I'm not going to babble on & on about how amazing this group is or how I love their music or how I have a huge crush on the lead singer. I'm not going to do that. ;)

Instead, I'm just going to say that OneRepublic is Talent...notice...with a capital T..and I hope you enjoy the song :)

Build, Build, Build!!

I have made it a habit to ask for feedback after each show that I compete in. Those of you who have been reading for awhile know that in the past, that feedback included the dreaded "p word" ("physique" for you new readers) and leaning out my lower half. 

While the judges at my previous shows did not mention my shoulders, a well-known coach & IFBB pro did! I was at a photo & video shoot last year with Tom and this person started chatting with Tom. My placings, feedback from the judges, and future plans were casually discussed between the two of them. This pro told Tom that there were a couple of things I should focus on to make my physique more streamlined and this included rounding out my shoulders. This is when the mission to acquire Dwight Howard shoulders was born. Training shoulders was (and still is) serious business. You guys might remember my I Wanna Be Like Dwight video post and just one of the many glimpses of my shoulder workouts in my If You Build It post. 

It is hard to see changes when you look at yourself every day in the mirror but changes did take place. Just check out the difference between the 2011 Orange County Muscle Classic (where I won my very first trophy..woo hoo!!) and the 2012 NPC Western Regional (my most recent show)!!

2011 Orange County Muscle Classic

2012 NPC Western Regional

I'm currently in my off-season and still on a mission for those beautiful, rounded shoulders like my inspiration Dwight Howard. I mean, seriously, what figure competitor doesn't want boulder shoulders?!?!

photo credit

While I am sporting some extra fluff, I have noticed that my shoulders are looking a lil bit bigger these days. Since November, I have been trying to hit shoulders twice a week if possible. The workouts have been fun, brutal, and physically demanding. But you know what, I wouldn't have it any other way!! Here's what one of my recent shoulder workouts looked like:

Front plate raises

25 x 15, 35 x 13, 45 x 11, 

drop set 45 x 8-->35 x 8-->25 x 8-->10 x 8

Lateral raises

20 x 10 (2 sets), 25 x 8 (2 sets), 30 x 6 (2 sets)

Quarter lateral raises

45 x 10 (2 sets), 50 x 8 (2 sets), 55 x 6 (2 sets)

Cable upright row

90 x 12, 100 x 12, 110 x 12

Superset:

Barbell shoulder press

45 x 8 (4 sets)

Bent-over lateral raises

25/25 x 8 (4 sets)

Lifefitness rear delt machine

55 x 20 (4 sets)

Changes are taking place...they may not be huge changes...but they're there and I can see them...especially when putting pictures side by side. When I compared the two pictures above, I squealed just a little bit and sent the comparison off to both of The Bosses. I may not be at Dwight Howard's level yet but you betta bet, I'm working hard to get there. Boulder shoulders are going to be needed for my next adventure!!

What will the adventure be?!?!

Jerky Addiction!!

Hey everyone! I wanted to share with you a short review on the jerky I received from the oh so fantastic folks over at Simply Snackin'. Some things I want to tell you that I forgot to include in the video - their jerky is made with 100% natural ingredients and most varieties are lactose & gluten-free! Jerky is made with only whole sirloin and whole chicken breasts when most other dried meats use muscle cuts and poultry parts! This  is some incredibly good stuff - you guys know how serious I am about my food so you know I wouldn't lie!

Connect with Simply Snackin' on their official website, like them on Facebook, follow on Instagram (@simplysnackin) or catch them on Twitter!

New Release Tuesday

In the past, I have not been a fan of Maroon 5. Adam Levine grates my nerves...just a little bit...and I shouldn't probably say it but oh well...I already did!

Moving along.....

Despite not being a fan of the group, I had to stop and watch this video when it came on last week. Then I caught myself humming the melody of the song at random times throughout the remainder of the day. Next, I found myself hoping that the song would come on the radio just so I could hear it.

I guess that means a small part of me might be a fan now ;)

New Year, New Gear!!

Y'all, I will be the first one to admit I have been doing a craptastic job of blogging these days. I swear that I will have something to share, get ready to type something up, have to get up to take care of one of my responsibilities, and then boom - the day is over. It's starting to be a bit ridiculous. I will do a better job starting now - pinky promise! Now let's get to the good stuff!!


Nicole over at Apples and Arteries has come up with "New Year New Gear". She came up with the exchange as a way for people to receive "gear" that will help motivate them and help them achieve their fitness goals. You receive a name and put together a fun package (under $15) for the person you are paired with. Fun, right?!? The person who was tasked with hooking me up with new gear was Nicole from Masters2Marathons. Nicole and I had a great email exchange, not only about what new things I wanted but about our blogs, lives, fitness, and more. I knew that she was going to take great care of me and I couldn't wait to get my care package!

I came home from work and at my spot at the kitchen table was a package! I don't know about you but I love getting mail that isn't bills. Magazines, supplement sample boxes, care packages are all awesome! Electric, gas, or mortgage bill suck ass are not as awesome! 

Inside the white envelope was a cute blue cloth bag! I'm saving the bag to put my accessories in when I have to get ready for work at the gym. Multi-purpose...love it! The bag contained a package of black Danskin leggings and since I forgot to take a picture before wearing them, you'll have to settle for a picture from their website....

photo credit

When Nicole asked me what size I wore in bottoms, I told her that I buy most of my bottoms in medium. She told me that with this particular type of bottom, I might want to consider going with a size small and I'm so glad she did. The size small fits perfectly (with some wiggle room for the days I eat an extra tortilla...or three...). I am taller than the average woman and most pants that are supposed to be ankle length do not quite hit my ankle. These leggings were actually a little long on me! 

A shot of the junk in my trunk...oh...and my new capris ;)

The fabric isn't too thick and heavy. I often worry about wearing full-length leggings because I think I might be too hot in them but that didn't happen with these. It's been warm here (despite the fact that it's supposed to be winter!) and these worked out perfectly.

I'm so in love with these leggings that I've worn them about 5 times since getting them less than 2 weeks ago. And yes, I am washing them each time I wear them...lol!! I wore them this morning for my shoulder workout and I had a couple of errands I had to take care of after my workout. I didn't bring a change of clothes with me but had my yoga "jacket" to throw on. If I hadn't smelled like a locker room, you wouldn't have known I just came from the gym!

A huge thank you to Nicole for sending me some very fabulous and useful gear! If you're interested in seeing what I sent to Sarah, head over to her blog Fit Betty. You can also see what the other participants of the exchange received by heading over to Apples and Arteries to view the links to the different blog posts.  This was a lot of fun and I hope you guys will consider joining in next month!