Howdy...it has been awhile

Oh hello Blog!

It has been a number of months since I posted on my blog. How I've missed you!!!

My first fitness show went relatively well. I changed my physique and was really really grateful for the opportunity and education that I learned during this time. I met a bunch of wonderful ladies who had the same goals as me. There were a few things that I did not like about the whole "show" but this will not stop me from being better, for me and my own goals. In the end, it's ME that matters and not what the judges look for. The great outcome of this show was increased in confidence! Can you imagine parading in your bikini in front of hundreds of people while the judges look on and "critique" you for what you have done to your body and overall presentation? But this is what the show is all about. Lots of good and bad.

Here are a few pics of me on stage:


I will be updating my blog once again on my second fitness show. I have not decided on which organization to do this yet, but I will be soon. Of course, I have not been slacking at all and have been preparing mentally and physically for the next show.

My preparation in the last few months have been focused on targeting my weakness areas in order that I can better lift for the next phase of my workout regimen. I need some areas strengthened, like knees, shoulders and forearms. I continue to work on my core so I can continue to lift smarter =)

I want to better my physique for the next show, but I don't want to be broken either.

I cannot imagine having an amazing physique now and in 5 years, can hardly do anything because of immense pain, numbness and other injuries that could slow me down or worse, stop me from being active?! That would be HORRIBLE.

So if you are training for weight loss, to tone up or get ready for a fitness show, prepare smarter and think of ways to help your body by strengthening the weak parts first. When in doubt, seek a qualified Personal Trainer to help assess your posture and help with your fitness program. If you have been plagued by back pain, knee pain, shoulder, etc., consult a Sport Medicine Doctor or a Physical Therapist to help you become pain free!

Until next time.

3 weeks out

It's almost show time! I just got email confirmation about the show and its format, and its going to be a long and exciting day. I'm a little nervous but my family and friends are coming to see me, so I think I'd be okay!

I'm also trying to keep my stress level at the lowest point. I have noticed how my body responds to stress since I started preparing for the show. I noticed that Stress is bad for my stomach. I also noticed decreased in mental focus so it was harder to say "no" to foods I can't eat.

And now, its home stretch and I'm very happy with my progress thus far.

8 Weeks Out

Wow, I cannot believe I only have two months left to prepare until the UFE show in London, Ontario! I'm truly excited and have started planning out the "frilly" details for the show such as hair makeover (badly needed), hair, nails and make up.

My diet and training regimen remains strict and I could have never been proud of myself =) I must say though that I thought Easter would be a challenge to stay on track but I did not stray and stayed within my plan. I had some raisins which curbed a little bit of my sweet cravings, and oh boy, were they ever good!

Here's a photo of me at 8 weeks before competition. There's still lots of work to do but I feel pretty good!

10 weeks out

Hello everyone,

I had been under the weather and sick in the last week or so fighting symptoms of cold, flu and allergies. I made sure that I drank a lot of clear liquids, ColdFX, Neocitran and took some much needed rest.

Now that I am only a few months before the June 5th show, I can only be thankful that I got sick in the early stages of my preparation so I can get on (with no more interruptions, hopefully) with my training and eating regimen.

Dieting and preparations to me is something I did not enjoy in the past. I often struggled with "being good" during preparations because I definitely deprived myself of vices like wine, cheese and pasta - Yummm! But I'm having an easier time and better transition this time around. It could be my motivation or it could be that I've changed the way I look at food, but whatever it is, it is working and I'm planning to stick with it until I reach my ultimate goal!

During the next 10 weeks, my diet will consist of lean protein, loads of greens and veggies, dietary fats and a slight amount of carbohydrates. On weekend(s), I cycle carbohydrates which means I eat more of it for a day or so depending on how my body is reacting to it. I often feel great during the day and after a workout which surprised me at the beginning of my preparations because I always thought I needed a lot more carbohydrates to have more energy and strength.

This is how my body reacts and everyone is different.

My meal plan for today consist of 7 meals which are spaced out every 2 to 3 hours. This is what it looks like:

6:00 - A glass of water, Protein Shake in water
9:00 - 2 whole eggs, 2 strips of Turkey Bacon, a sprinkle of low fat cheese, half grapefruit, water
12:30 - Lean 4 oz red meat, loads of salad, greens, veggies, my homemade balsamic vinegar, water
4:00 - Power smoothie
6:00 - 1 whole egg, 1/2 cup egg whites and 2 strip of Turkey Bacon, water
8:30 - Fish or lean chicken with loads of salad, greens and veggies, water
11:30 - Protein shake

Having a consistent timing and schedule works for me. I often make some of my meals ahead of time when I know my schedule will not permit me to do so. I also substitute or switch my protein all the time so I don't get sick of eating the same thing over again. On a weekend, I will have oats, brown rice, a small bagel, a small serving of pasta and starchy carbs like beans, lentils and chick peas.

I also make sure I know my servings well and add them up. It's a bit of work but it's all worth the effort.

I will be posting more updates to my blog regarding my training regimen. So until my next blog.

12 weeks out

I am very excited about this last 12 weeks of preparation for UFE fitness competition scheduled for June 5th. I changed my meal plan and workout regimen to reflect what I need to do - cut out and define my body =)

I will be working out 6 days a week and adding a bit more cardio to my workout. There is definitely going to be trial and error while I drop body fat, but I'm not too worried... I have to make sure I do not stress out while preparing since stress will cause me to lose focus and increase awful cravings!

Did I tell you how excited I am?

So, here's a picture at 12 weeks out. Of course, I still need to learn how to pose which I will learn through a workshop in March!

My own Gold Medal

I want to start off by acknowledging our Olympic Athletes. They had done a wonderful job of representing our country! I really loved the mini-biography about the athletes at the beginning of their events. It highlighted their bright careers but it also told of their failures, injuries and heartaches. Maelle Ricker, a snowboarder had eight knee surgeries before the Olympics, and of course, Joannie Rochette, a figure skater whose mother passed away a few days before her event. But I realized a common theme for these athletes… they were fuelled by their desire to succeed. They had their eyes on the prize!

Perhaps everyone can take something away from these athletes to increase our drive to be successful on anything we put our minds to. I felt their passion and desire to succeed and do well, not only for their country, but for themselves. Their intensive training at the highest level made me admire them, but their mental focus, patience and consistency made me have respect for them. I was so inspired by the Olympics that I decided me to take my own fitness training to another level. I have been preparing to do a fitness competition scheduled in June. One thing is for sure: I need to be consistent, continue to work hard and stay dedicated to achieve my goal. I will truly get out of my comfort zone.

Perhaps you have been thinking about getting back into fitness or to some lose weight. I hope the Olympics have inspired you as well to take your own challenge to achieve your own gold medal.

You can follow my competition progress, before and after pictures, training and diet preparations through this blog. I will be posting my first competition blog next week so stay tuned and keep checking this blog site for updates!

FREE Saturday Boot Camp (January)

Did you make a New Year's Resolution to get back into shape this year, and that resolution is still a lingering thought?

The PerFit U Studio is offering FREE Semi-Private Boot Camps on Saturday, January 16th , 23rd and 30th at 10:00 a.m.

Reservation is required and limited up to 4 people per group. Please call Maria Dy at 519.830.0172 or send an email to maria@theperfitu.com to reserve your spot today. Beginners are welcome. Be prepared to sweat and have fun!

To find out about group classes times and availablity, refer to www.theperfitu.com/schedule.html