Where Did I Finish On My 2012 Goals

Here were my 2012 goals:  How I finished is in red

Drop and keep weight at or below 145lbs   No, in fact I am about 10lbs heavier than that, but I am good with it as I know I have added alot more muscle this year.

Pull ups unassisted for 8  No, not there yet either.  I can do 3-4 unassisted, still working on this one. 

Bench press 100lbs for 5 Finally a Yes, I can bench 100 for reps.

Consistent diet, allowing cheats that are either planned or holidays Yes, I have had times off my diet, but this year has been pretty consistently healthy even with no show prep or other pending deadlines.  Can always be better though.

Increase cardio Yea.....No.  This has not been a cardio year for me.  Seriously fell off this wagon and honestly don't see me jumping back on any time soon.

Yoga at least 1 day a week It did not happen till December, but hey it still counts.  I have set up a "Hot Date" with Harley for Sunday mornings to do a yoga session.  We both really need this.

Spin at least 1 day a week Guys, I even own a spin bike......no excuses, well other than I get "monkey butt" every time I use it and walk funny for a day or two afterwards.  :)  The bike is going to Harley's this very weekend!

Crossfit at least 1 day a week Yes ma'am!  I am playing with this again and love/hating it all over!

Olympic style lifts (incorporate at least one in every weight training workout) Isn't that what they do in Crossfit!?  Heehe, so Yep an big ole check mark here too.

Run a 5K and a 10K  Last but not least, WT HECK was I thinking!  I AM NOT A RUNNER, will run for food, but not much else. 

6 out of 10!  Not to shabby........

Now here is where you expect me to make a new goal list for 2013......yea, your gonna have to wait.  I am going to give it more thought.  The easy answer is I want to be in the BEST shape of my life, but the question is how do I define that.  I will get back to you.....

All of you have a GREAT NEW YEAR!  I believe all of us can make this a year of positive change and should. 

This is the Week

With all good intentions, I started this week off thinking "this is the week".  You know that week we all think about, the week we are going to be SuperMom to our kids, WonderWoman in the gym, and Betty Crocker in the kitchen.  All great intention...Then LIFE rears it's sometimes ugly  challenging head.  I thought about discussing my week form Hades, then thought better of it and decided it would be best to share something I found.....I will tell you this, this week got so bad and I hit a bottom that I was looking for "self help", "motivation", ANYTHING to help me turn it all around.  I am not there yet, but maybe someone out there needs to read some of these things that struck a cord for me.

I am not going to list the entire quote, but just the few that strikes close to home for me:

What I've Learned
(Author Unknown)

I've learned that no matter how hard you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process.

I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there better be something else to take its place.

I've learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I've learned that maturity has more to do with what type of experiences you have had and what you have learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others.  Sometimes you are to learn to forgive yourself.

I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I've learned that just because two people argue, it does not mean they don't love each other AND just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.


Here's for a restart button!  That is what makes the human race so special, we can choose to change.  We can fall and choose to get back up and begin again.  We CAN!

Just for my records

Have a great weekend!

Please help!

Guys, I don't ask for help very often, but I need you now.  Please tell me what you are taking to help your body recover as quickly as possible.  My split right now is 4 on, 1 off.  I know this is a tough split, I expect to be sore, just want to find something to help me through it.  Really only interested if you have used it and if it helped you, as I don't want to waste my money on a BUNCH of hypotheticals.

Thank you! 

Some of Me in Pics

Pardon, some of these have language.........

As the lottery approached 500 Million, these sort of thoughts entered my head.....

Yep, yep, I have had to check on a few instances......

Sometimes, they can push me to a point, then.....

I only laughed for a while over this.....it got me through a rough day

So true.....esp. during the holiday weeks.....

Or just out period!

And AMEN!!  Don't get me to preaching!  Some people...just because your rear touches a church pew......

Aside from the jokes, all is well.  Slipped a bit after Thanksgiving and last week, but right back on track.  Working on a new split, all workouts designed for the next month, meals planned, supplements going down no matter how much they are starting to wear on me.  I must say again, life has been so much better in my 30's dear Lord I can not wait for my 40's!

Take care and Enjoy!

  

Test and Legs

I just downloaded the blogger app on my phone and wanted to try out a post. 
Also, just to journal my leg development I am posting pics so in a year I can look back and hopefully see how far I have come.
Aaaannnnnddd to document yesterday was the day I started taking creatine after several years of debating it. 
I know I am slow to decide on things like supplements.  My rule is if I haven't fully researched it all pros and cons weighed and feel 100% sure about it, I don't take it.
In case I don't post before, you guys have a wonderful Thanksgiving and be careful if out shopping.
On that note I am going to post what my pastor asked me to do.....a card with all the things I am thankful for.  I am a very thankful woman!

2 Year Birthday

It's my Dreamingofarnold's 2nd Birthday!  Here is a look back at the last year with clips from different posts....

I have been cruising on for some time now with no clear goals or direction as to what I want to accomplish.  So many times I have said I want to do that or try that.  Only to get caught up in my usual routine and not get them done or even tried.  I don't want to be that person.  So, I have come up with a bucket list of sorts for me to reach in 2012. 

• Drop and keep weight at or below 145lbs  
• Pullups unassisted for 8
• Bench press 100lbs for 5
• Consistent diet, allowing cheats that are either planned or holidays
• Increase cardio
• Yoga at least 1 day a week
• Spin at least 1 day a week
• Crossfit at least 1 day a week
• Olympic style lifts (incorporate at least one in every weight training workout)
• Run a 5K and a 10K

What do you eat when you can not eat another piece of chicken? What is your go to food, your off chicken for a week food, your I can not stand another piece of chicken food?

Female Version of GSP

Is your butt your 2nd face?

Change is coming!

Just feel it in my bones.  Life is good! 

 see ladies you can start anytime like a Thursday night it doesn't have to be Monday morning!

Thank you Harley for doing my very 1st interview and especially for making my 300th post the best yet!  I love you and am so proud of all you have done.  (And I truly appreciate each and every workout you do to make that gorgeous bod)   :)

Latest back

Thomas Edison quote~

"Genius is one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.  I never did anything worth doing by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident; they came by hard work."

My babies are soon to pass me up.....or so they think  ;)

 

As I am sure you have heard here in Louisiana we have been dealing with Hurricane Isaac all week. 

 (Seriously think of George Straight looking at you and telling you that as he pulls his jeans tight over his calves to prove the point, wearing boots and all) 

Big boobs aren't so great.  -I was wearing a 40DD, each time I moved my arms, my inner arm would rub against the side of my pretend boobs, it was driving me nuts!  Definitely would not want a pair 40 DD's. 

If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people. - Thich Nhat Hanh


Another year come and gone.  Where am I another year later?  I am much stronger, more muscular, more informed/educated, and much more willing to do what it takes to succeed.  It is truly a journey and one in which I know I will never reach the destination as I do not foresee me ever not having "something" to work on.  I love you guys here who blog with me, who offer support, kind words of encouragement, and a way for me to see into your own struggles therefore helping me through mine.  This blog has meant more to me than I can express in mere words, but know I do put alot out there for you guys to see in hopes it will help you in your journey for a healthier you.  I can definitely attest to slow gains.  No one would ever accuse me of being genetically gifted or naturally muscular.  Each part of my body has been worked on and some much more than others.  Thanks for taking this walk down memory lane.
 

Loss~

For anyone who has lost a loved one, I share...

If you look deeply into the palm of your hand, you will see your parents and all generations of your ancestors. All of them are alive in this moment. Each is present in your body. You are the continuation of each of these people. - Thich Nhat Hanh

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.  ~Kahlil Gibran

Sorrow you can hold, however desolating, if nobody speaks to you.  If they speak, you break down.  ~Bede Jarrett

While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil.  ~John Taylor

I love you pawpaw~

Check out my Instagram

www.instagram.com/dreamingofarnold

What Have You Done For Me Lately?

My new love affair for arms is tripping to crazy heights.  I read a blog the other day that the author stated she NEVER works arms (nor abs).  She feels these body parts get worked enough in conjunction with other parts and therefore need not be worked solely.  Guys, I almost went in to unfriend/unrequest/ whatever access to her blog.  I am glad I can not remember who it was.  :)  Granted she may be one of the Gifted Godesses that does not really need to ever work that (those) body part(s), but for me, myself, and I will continue on working away.  I LOVE a set of strong arms on a woman.  (Keeping in mind the rest of the body matches- we don't want well defined arms and a muffin top-well you get the picture)  Each body part stands on its on and as a whole for me.  I grade each one separately and then as a group.  For me upper body does come MUCH EASIER than my lower body.  I struggle to keep my lower body even worth mentioning and will continue on with my struggle to the very end.  :)  Lord how I am soooo jealous of you with beautiful legs and glutes! 
So the long and short of my rant today is this:  Ladies, work your arms, do not leave them as an afterthought of some other body part.  Work all your parts, yes some may have to be worked harder than others, but until you achieve perfection (which none of us will ever,as there is no such thing) continue to blast those parts.
Here are some update shots from this morning-My tribute to ladies' arms!

Ignore the kinky hair, I was feeling lazy this morn....

What I learned last weekend...

Harley's mom has started having a Halloween party each year.  This was last Saturday night.  Harley and I dressed up as Richard Simmons and his trainee.  Not sure how much you can tell by the picture, but I had added a few pounds.  I was wearing a 40DD bra that had at least a 1/2 roll of toilet paper stuffed in each side, a towel duct taped to my rear, one rolled and taped under my boobs, and a bigger one rolled and taped below that, another towel rolled and taped to my lower back, plus multiple layers of sweats.  The pink top I was wearing was a 2X to give you an idea of what size I was.  There were quite a few people there, probably 95% were dressed up, so it was lots of fun.

What I am about to write may offend some, but I really hope it does not, these are my thoughts and realizations after the fact, but none meant to insult, hurt, or in any way act like I am a voice for women everywhere.  These are my thoughts.........

What I learned this weekend:

• Big boobs aren't so great.  -I was wearing a 40DD, each time I moved my arms, my inner arm would rub against the side of my pretend boobs, it was driving me nuts!  Definitely would not want a pair 40 DD's.  
• Having "rolls" around my waist limited my range of motion. -Harley had to adjust my inner pants leg and tie my tennis shoes for me because I could not bend over to do it.
• Having a roll on my back prevented me from sitting in the truck comfortably.  -In fact because of how I had to sit it caused me to have car sickness and develop a slight headache.  (All I can figure here is the angle I was sitting at because of my back roll caused my neck to be a a funny angle)
• My tummy became a prop.  -Several times during the evening whether sitting or standing I found myself crossing my arms over my tummy.  I am not sure if it was just comfortable or because I was slightly insecure about it.
• My face became more animated or more important. - I normally smile a bland smile when I take pictures, but I found myself really amping up my smile and facial features all evening.  Because I was acting out a part of the 80's, I had dolled up the makeup very bright, and I found myself noticing how others had a very good knack for makeup, really bringing out their faces.
• And to top it off, I was COMPLETELY aware of all the "smaller" women in the room.  - My attention was drawn to the smaller, cuter, women.  I felt a little ill at ease around them. 

On a slightly different note, I decided to make my re feed day Saturday instead of Sunday, needless to say that will not happen again because I learned I can not control myself after a cheat on Saturday I want it to continue it on Sunday.....not good!

While walking in Wal-Mart (past a rose display), I realized that LOVE that is expressed differently than the traditional way (ie. buying roses, etc...) is very endearing to me.  Harley rarely buys me flowers, etc...., but the things he says and does mean the world to me.  He has shown me a whole new side of what it means to truly love someone and for it to be something you both have to work at.  Over and over this weekend, he showed me he does love me and I realize I prefer his version to any other's version (ie. buying a woman roses because it requires no effort.)

At the end of the weekend I knew a few more things about myself than when the weekend started. 
One, I do not want to ever let myself get "bigger".  I was uncomfortable in my "skin", self conscious, and very glad at the end of the night I could easily "shed" my pounds.  It really makes me want to do even more for any who wants help losing their weight.  I will not say I understand where they are coming from, because I am quite positive I do not, but I would love to see them "shed" their unwanted weight if that is their true desire. 
Two, I do not have as much control as I like to think I do.  Yes, I can maintain a strict diet as long as everything is planned out, but if I change up my "days" without fully thinking it through, I WILL mess it up.
Three, Harley is so dear to me.  He completes a part of me on a very deep level.  And for all that I think I teach him, he teaches me right back. 

Have a great week guys!

Body Parts

I took these this morning after waking up.  I have a question for you.....is that part between your peck and delt that is below but to the front of your armpit considered your front delt or part of your peck???  I know I should know this and will look it up later if no one answers me, but it is just an "overlooked" body part, IMO.

Many times I get on here to fuss about what I am NOT seeing or NOT happy with on my body, I thought I would share a couple of areas I am seeing improvement and getting happy with.....

Do you see the part I am asking about???  Wish I had a pointer.

The line down my back is getting better, hopefully as I lean out a little more it will become more prominent. 

Have a great weekend you guys!

And Its Time To Make Yet Another Change

Yep, No, let me rephrase, Wow, I have been carb cycling for 7 full weeks now.  It really does not feel like it has been that long.  As you guys know I am not a weigh-er....meaning I do not obsessively weigh myself each and every day; I am a measure-er.  I measure myself every Thursday morning to see what improvements or not I have made, not made.  For the last couple of weeks, I have known I need to pull the trigger and do something different (meaning I was not dropping in inches like I wanted to see), but wasn't quite ready to do it yet.  To keep this short and more to the point here is my split:
             workout      carb cycle
Mon      Shoulders    Low
Tues      Legs            Low
Wed      Chest/Back Mid
Thurs     Arms          Mid
Fri         Off              Low  
Sat        My cardio     Mid
Sun     Run/walk cardio Refeed

Sometimes I change up my split, or my carb days, or sometimes I may take Sunday off.  Just depends on what all is going on schedule wise, etc...But the workouts always get in and the # of low, mid, and refeed days stay the same.

So, where am I going from here?  As you can see I have avoided cardio as much as I possibly can, as I am no fan.  Well, those days are over.......but still true to myself I am going to add it in on a very limited basis in hopes of making the most gain possible with the least amount of cardio.

I will add in 10 min of cardio (HIIT style) after each weight session, that will give me 40 extra minutes of cardio a week.  Of course after a week, if that is still not enough I will add more.  :(  Boo Hoo...

Yea, yea, I know the rules...........

1. Workout regularly
2. Clean up your diet
3. Add cardio

If results are not where you want them, start over at #1 and work down the list again (wash, rinse, and repeat, you know the drill).  This cycle can take a couple/few times to get right.  Once all is as tight as you can make it and you still want to lose more inches add in a thermo, I only suggest a thermo once ALL of the above can not be perfected anymore.  (I am not there yet- and I probably will not- just my personal choice)

I really want a shirt that says this!  heehe

Shoulders

Tuesday I, being a day behind, did shoulders.  Since my shoulder workout "looked light" I decided to add a smidgen of chest to it.  Yea, I know generally you would do chest before shoulders, but I care more about getting the most workout I can for my shoulders vs chest right now, so shoulders were trained 1st.

Up & Overs 5 X 10
Ultra Wide Grip SM Shoulder Press 4 X 10
BB Shoulder Press 4 X 10
(Looks painless enough, right?)
Peck Deck 4 X 10
Inc. BB Press 3 X 8
(See smidgen of chest)

Should have been no problems!  Yep, that's what I thought too.  Looked perfectly harmless enough. 
YEA RIGHT!!!!!
My "freaking" shoulders have NEVER been this sore!  WT!!!!  Mountain DOG is a cruel-cruel lil man!

Let me whine a bit......it hurts to cross my arms in front of my chest, because this feels like the back of my shoulders are about to split in to, it hurts to even think about raising my arms above my head, yea picture how do you blow dry fairly long hair without raising your arms, it hurts to put on or take off a shirt!  Geez, this workout looked like a cake walk!!!  Guys I normally do a minimum of 15 sets for shoulders!  This was a measly 13 sets!!

OK I will quit crying now....or at least that is what I will tell you! 

Sincerely in pain,

Crystal

Where My Head At

This will be easier to show you in pics........

You guys know my family is always 1st for me.  It is very rare, if ever, I take time away from them for me.  The last two Saturdays have been totally devoted to my girls Homecomings.  Hannah's 1st and Cierra's last.  Both of my girls were absolutely stunning to me and well worth all that was given up to make it happen.  Harley is my rock.  He is there a lot of the time to catch the "crap" and listen when I need him.  These 3 are my world, none of the rest of this would matter if not for them and their support.

So, I will be 3 weeks on a tight carb cycle as of this Thursday.  This pic was taken last Saturday morning.  I was FLAT!!!!  And not a happy camper.  Yes, I know why I was flat, 2 days of zero to low carbs will do that to your muscles, but I wanted a better (fuller) pic to post, but this is what you get.  My diet is going very well.  The cycle is just what my body responds well to.  It has been tougher this time around as I have been hungrier than normal, but I am so happy to say, I have not cheated.  On Sundays, I have a refeed day.  For those of you who may not be familiar, that is where (according to Jamie Eason), I get to increase my food intake for the day, I guess you could keep your diet in mind, but I do as I please.  My 1st refeed day was on pure simple carbs, this last refeed day was simple carbs with a little more fat.  I am using it to 1.)  Keep my sanity.  2.)  Keep my metabolism from shutting down.  This morning I tried on a skirt I had been refusing to wear because it had been a little too tight snug and I slipped it right on and it was even loose.  Yay!!!

My workouts are beast right now.  I am LOVING all of them!  And ya know how that is not always the case.  This was taken yesterday at the beginning of my chest/shoulders workout, which was a direct pull from www.mountaindogdiet.com .  Absolute great site I have been using to design my workouts lately and they have delivered well!!!  I am no fan of chest workouts, really do not like them, but last week I benched 45's for 8 and I was quite tickled.  Last time I tried to increase my bench was in July and I had done 40's for 6, so it was an improvement, and I will take all I can get.  50's here I come, as soon as I can find a trustworthy spot.  (Hard to come by in my gym)

Geez, I know I don't have to tell you guys how bad the food porn gets when you are on a strict diet, but it consumes me most days.  Since I love to bake that is what I gravitate towards.  Ummm, umm these just might be on Sunday's menu.  :0)

I am soooo wanting to do a Tough Mudder, not sure what that is check out www.toughmudder.com .  Recently, I found someone who has done one and has agreed to let me join in with them the next time they play.  Well that was until they said they want to do a COLD one!  I mean, WTH, does that not look hard enough for ya even in warm weather, that you need to make it more challenging with COLD weather???  Whatever, I am game no matter what the darn weather.  :)  Get you some!

Laters baby!  (That should tell you what books I am just finishing) 

Friday Fotos

This was on my mind this morning........

Family.....

We all face issues each day, learn and grow from them....

A steal from Pfitblog.com.....thanks!

And To Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street

Sunday morning I woke up with a twinkle in my eye, that day I have waited for had finally come.  (Cheat/Carb up/momma gonna eat it all day)  The day was planned, the goodies bought, all to do was to get it done.  1st, I wanted to go for a stroll as the weather here is quite nice and it was just 7:30am.  I get dressed, get out the door, a little skip in my step because today is going to be a good day!

As I near the half way point of my walk the strangest sight appears, a man astride a horse on the sidewalk of a very busy subdivision.  I quickly pull out my phone to snap a shot of such a sight, but fear I only got his A$$.

My joy only peaking as my phone starts playing Santana "Smooth".  How does the cars passing expect my hips not to move like I am a professional salsa dancer while that song is playing?  I don't know either, but somehow I managed to get down the sidewalk without embarrassing myself to badly.  Again near the end of my walk look who is coming towards me on my sidewalk..........

This time I had to ask for a picture, just couldn't resist.  It's not every day you see such as sight so far from the greenville pastures.  Needless to say, this set me up for a wonderful day!

Upon returning home, my mind quickly settles on my newest goodie.  You guys do not, or maybe you do, know just how hard it is for me to give up cereal and milk in my diet.  I could eat a HUGE Jethro bowl of cereal every morning!  It never gets old!  So look what I had 2 bowls of on my favorite day of the week:

Was not as good as I had hoped, but definately got the job done.  Later after making Hannah and Harley their favorite lunch I talked Harley into taking me and our lil puppy for a hike on one of my favorite trails. 

Have I told you his nickname is WCP- "World's Cutest Puppy", and I will have no arguements as to how cute your puppies are, I don't care, mine is the cutest!  :)

"Don't get it twisted"

And

The "Tree of Life"

I love those trees......

Back home my day continued as planned even better, as I had everything I wanted and did not even fall into a coma afterwards.

Must have helped my metabolism kick back in overdrive because I woke up at 3:00am with horrible hunger pains.  Now back to life as normal.  Workouts, diet, and cardio.

Thanks for taking the time to go down my Mulberry Street!

Conversation with George Straight

Yesterday I had a wonderful conversation with a very unexpected gentleman.  This is someone I have known on a professional basis for several years.  He stops by my office occasionally as he needs our services and chats.  He is very George Straight-ish, for those of you who don't know who George Straight is, well to me he is a very classic good looking cowboy who happens to be a country music singer.  This guy is almost a ringer for George.  Tall, classic, simple good looks, very country boyish, perfect gentleman, and to get more to the point slender build-one of those who has never had a weight problem or ever worked out a day in his life.  Hard work is his workout.  Well he is getting very close to 50 and wants to keep up his body and get leaner (his words).  So here I am in my office talking to him about all sorts of exercises he can add to what he has already started doing at home and the importance of working opposing muscles and making sure not to leave out a muscle group for overall symmetry.  We talk about mostly upper body and I look at him and ask what are you doing for your legs, fully expecting him to say nothing.....well surprise, surprise, he is doing lunges and squats already.  So to take it one step further I asked about his calf work- he was very quick to tell me his calves are rather large for his body frame and he doesn't need any calf work because he already thinks they are too big for his body.  (Seriously think of George Straight looking at you and telling you that as he pulls his jeans tight over his calves to prove the point, wearing boots and all)  :)-  Wow!  Never saw that one coming, I tell you the whole conversation was a HUGE pleasant surprise and one I greatly enjoyed.  It is so nice to see people you would never expect get their fitness on and ask for advice.  It is a true joy of mine to help in any way I can. 

Unexpected makes for the best surprises!

Just a brief update

Lately, I have been having a hard time wanting to blog.  It is still very addictive to keep up with you guys, as I read your blogs and comment where I can.  You all really inspire me to keep pushing and I am so thankful for all of those I follow posting their real life struggles with this lifestyle.  As you all know, it is pretty normal to look in the magazines and think how easy it is for those ladies to look like that year round, but only those who really try that lifestyle knows it is anything but easy. 

Life comes at all of us, our schedules are forced to change, our kids have certain needs, our job provides added stress, those around us are negative nellies, some days it is very tough, to say the least.  As I whinned   gave Harley my update last night over the phone of my full 1st week of carb cycling, he simply told me to keep going.  That's it!  It's just that simple.  My legs may never "come in" as I would like to see.   Therefore having my lower body and upper body look like they are on the same body, but I have no choice but to simply keep going.  I can feel a change, strange how you "feel" it, but don't necessarily "see" it.  Well actually that parts sucks, but again, you keep going.  We all keep going, hoping knowing the change will happen.  It has to.

So for the around the world of what's going on in my life I am back to carb cycling.  Not eating healthy/clean or preparing meals that look delicious, but healthy.  Pure 100% carb cycle no cheats what so ever.  It has been a rough week, today starts day 8.  I have yet to have a high carb day as I started on a Thursday and will only do my high carb day on Sunday and did not want to have a high carb day for that 1st week.  So needless to say, I am soooooo looooooking forward to it.

On a positive note, I also told Harley I didn't remember the cycle being this hard the last time I did it this strict, that I am literally starving round the clock.  I can eat and 15-30 minutes later I am starving!  It wasn't that bad the last time, I got at least an hour or so before I felt like gnawing my arm off.  Harley told me it is because I have alot more muscle this time around than I did then (1 year and 5 months ago).  This is what is keeping me going!  :)

Here is a steal from pfitblog.com.  I only recently started following her. 

So again, thank you all who have posted your struggles over the last couple of weeks.  It does help to hear how you are dealing with it.

I leave you guys with words of wisdom from our reigning Mr. O as Harley talked with him at the Louisiana State Show........

"Winners do what losers won't"

Forgive the poor picture quality.  It's the only one the guys got for me.

 

It's Time!

• I do too much already to not have the results I want! 
• I spend way too much time in the gym to not see ALL the cuts I want to see. 
• I work way to hard to not have every single person I come in contact with not know I workout as hard as I do. 

As of today.......my diet will be at 100%, not 95, not 85!!  I will schedule set cardio sessions and they WILL get done. 

Here is my mantra:

How can I motivate anyone else with my half hearted attempts?