Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Speak It Into Existence!!

I love when I read a blog post that just inspires me to do more, be more, desire more. Do you know what I mean?

I read a post on Monday that I instantly connected to and has stayed in the front of my brain since then :) The post is from Renewed Fitness and is entitled The Power of "I Am". In the post, Renisha talks about how we are powerful beings and how strongly using certain words & phrases can affect you. It was like the following two sentences smacked me in the forehead - Renisha writes "When I speak, my ears hear those words and the more I hear it, the more I believe it. And in turn, I will become what I believe."

THINK ABOUT IT!!!! How often have you said "I'm (I am) ___" (fill in the blank) and become what you have spoken? Self-fulfilling prophecy, anyone???

In following Renisha's lead and thinking about the days ahead of me, here are my "I Am" statements:

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I am invincible.


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I am strong enough.




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I am capable.


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I am a force to be reckoned with.


Almost there!!!

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

New Release Tuesday

This is the "softer" side of Flo Rida....yep...I think I'm a fan :)

Enjoy!


Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Was It You?!?!?

Thank you so much to everyone who entered
 the "Better than Halloween Treats"supplement sample box giveaway!
 If your name is not the one announced, don't cry & dry your eye. 
I promise to have another giveaway soon!




Kristen Perillo!!

Kristen, send me an email at teneciap at gmail dot com
with your mailing address so I can send you your winnings! :)

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

New Release Tuesday

I have a crush on The Script.

There, I said it.

I don't care if you judge me. I love them and I don't care who knows it!


Sunday, October 21, 2012

Keepin' It Real

I have never been one to sugar coat or bullshit on this blog and I'm not about to start now. I'm going to keep it real during this update about my prep.

Truth is, prep is not going as well as I would like. There is a strong possibility that I will not be stepping on stage in 3 weeks if I can't get things to come together. The thought of preparing for a show and not making it to the finish line is disheartening. However, I'm a realist. I know I should not step on stage if I'm not ready. I refuse to be that competitor. If you've ever been to a competition, you know who I'm talking about. I'm talking about the competitor that obviously is not ready...the one who should have said "This show is not the show for me to compete in"...the one who should have stayed home or sat in the audience.


The picture above is from yesterday morning's check-in with The Boss #1. While I know that I look pretty good (let's say for the average person), I don't look like I should for 3 weeks out & that's the honest truth.

The plan is to hit it hard up until the deadline to send in my entry form. If The Bosses say I'm ready to rock the stage, then that's what I'll do. If they say I'm not ready, then I will officially start my off-season.

The race is on! I'm going to be playing this song all day....err day....beast mode, baby!!

*if you don't like profanity, you might want to skip this one :)





Thursday, October 18, 2012

Make Time Stop!!!


AHHHHHHHHH!!!! On Wednesday, that was the number of days, hours, and minutes I had left to get ready for the NPC Western Regional. I know I say this every prep but I really really really mean it this time - I NEED MORE TIME!!! Progress has been minimal, at best, and so every night I say a prayer to the Prep Gods asking them to stop the countdown. My prayers haven't been answered yet but I will continue to say my prayers! #ihavefaith

What I saw when I first walked into the Olympia Expo!

The Supplement Gods aka Muscle and Fitness have been really awesome in helping me keep my supplement cabinet fully stocked! Y'all might remember my Muscle and Fitness Goodies post a few weeks back where I shared my review on the supplement sample box I received. Guess what?? I received another box to review! #winning

A quick overview of the program --> You may sign up to receive 5-7 samples of different products each month. The cost of the membership is $15 a month or $11.25 with an annual membership. Shipping is free and members receive $15 off any $75+ order from the Muscle & Fitness store when they join. If this sounds like something you might be interested, you can find additional information about the program at the Muscle & Fitness Store.


October's sample box was packed full of some incredible stuff! It made me giddy to see samples of supplements I've been reading about but haven't committed to buying just yet. *thus the reason this program is GENIUS!* Tom & I were really excited to see the Carnivor samples from MuscleMeds. This is the protein powder that Kai Greene promotes. They were not handing out samples of this particular product at their Olympia Expo booth so we both squealed said, "awesome!" when we saw the red packets in the box. The serving has more carbs than I'm currently allowed for a given meal (thank you, contest prep...and yes, that was sarcasm! lol!) so I'm waiting to try it out after my show.

front!
back!
Can I just say what I thought was an improvement from the last sample box I received? The description card! This month's card had a workout and exercise tip on the back complete with a picture (for those of us who are visual learners). I don't know about you but I'm always looking for new ways to tweak/modify/improve my workouts and this is a handy tool to assist me with that.


The first product that I tested from this month's box was the Monster Pump from Cytosport. The sample packet was one serving so there was no need for measuring or weighing. I dumped the entire contents of the packet in my Wonder Woman glass and drank it while I drove to the gym. The product description states that Monster Pump "generates mental focus & acuity, energy, enhanced Nitric Oxide levels, and explosive muscle power". Picture me vigorously nodding my head (kind of like a bobble head!) at this statement. My shoulder workout was one of the better ones I've had. I had incredible focus and while I didn't experience She-Hulk strength, I did feel like I could increase the weight I have been consistently using with several of the exercises I did. The taste was not super sweet but the product did not seem to mix completely in water and was a bit gritty when I drank it. You will experience some tingling of the skin and possibly your lips so don't freak out! :)



Is anyone else besides me obsessed with amino acids right now? I tried the Monster Amino sample that I received at the Olympia Expo and stubbornly patiently waited to try the Aminolast sample that was calling my name. Gaspari puts out a significant amount of publicity about their products and this particular one is no exception. Unlike pre-workout products, it's hard to pinpoint the physical effects of amino acids. I enjoyed the taste (which is always important) and am considering purchasing a tub for every day use in my off-season.


The last product I want to talk about is the multivitamin supplement Anavite which is also from Gaspari. This "high potency" multivitamin is said to be especially beneficial for athletes. The product description states that Anavite is "A high potency athlete's multivitamin/mineral formula with optimal, clinically validated doses of Beta-Alanine and Carnipure™ (L-Carnitine L-Tartrate) for vastly increasing endurance and nitric oxide levels while reducing recovery time, thus optimally increasing aerobic and anaerobic athletic performance." I'm not certain if all of that is true because I only took one serving but I can tell you a couple of things.


The first thing I can tell you is that the smell of the vitamins when I opened the packet was borderline atrocious. I can guarantee I made a face that was similar to the bitter beer face when the smell hit my nose. The second thing I can tell you is the pills are not the prettiest color. Again, I'm a visual person so if something looks icky....well...I don't want a damn thing to do with it! I expected the taste of the pills to be as nasty as the smell but I was surprised to find that it wasn't. The pills are rather large so if you have issues with  the size of your pills being bigger than a mustard seed, you may want to reconsider this one! :)

Backstage at the AZ Open
For me, being successful as a figure competitor is improving each time that I step on stage. It's about my current "better" being a step up than my past "better". I was incredibly proud of the physique that I presented at the AZ Open but I knew that there was still room for improvement. I have been able to make those improvements with incredible products like the ones I talked about in the post so huge "THANK YOU!!!" to Muscle and Fitness!!!


The folks over at Muscle and Fitness want to hook you up as well! I have a box of samples to giveaway so who wants one?!?! I'll also throw in some of the great goodies I picked up while I was at the Olympia Expo!!

To enter, you must leave a comment letting me know what your current favorite supplement! Additional entries can be earned by:

  • Tweeting about the giveaway - I want to win a "Better Than Halloween Treats" sample box from @MrsFitLibrarian & @muscle_fitness! #FitFluential
  • Following me on Twitter! @MrsFitLibrarian
  • Following me on Instagram! @mrsfitlibrarian


The contest will end at 12:00 am EST on Tuesday, October 23rd & 
the winner will be announced Wednesday, October 24th! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, October 15, 2012

To My Mister...


Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be.
 ~Robert Browning~ 




All love that has not friendship for its base, 
is like a mansion built upon the sand. 
~Ella Wheeler Wilcox~


What greater thing is there for two human souls 
than to feel that they are joined…
to strengthen one another…
to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories. 
~George Eliot~



In the arithmetic of love, one plus one equals everything, 
two minus one equals nothing. 
~Mignon McLaughlin~




Love doesn’t make the world go round. 
Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.
 ~Franklin Jones~




I have found the one whom my soul loves. 
~Song of Solomon 3:4~








Last year's anniversary post

Saturday, October 13, 2012

My Week in Zapatos

A few weeks ago, one of my co-workers made the comment that she has never seen me wear the same pair of shoes more than once in a given week. I just chuckled and told her that I have a deep passionate love affair with shoes. A new pair of shoes can change not only an outfit, but your attitude and how you carry yourself. With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to do a review of my week...in zapatos!


Monday!

I had Monday off so I only got dressed to
go the gym and I decided to go with these Nikes.
Tuesday!!

I scored these lovely Jessica Simpsons from DSW on sale!
What librarian doesn't want to save the world,
one information need at a time,
in snakeskin stilettos?!?!

Tuesday was leg day at the gym so I busted
out my Bikilas!


Wednesday!

I don't normally wear or buy flats but
when I found these Dollhouse zebra flats last year,
I had to have them!!

Thursday!

I had the day off from work but not the gym! You
can't tell in this photo but these shoes are really
really really bright and I love them!
I wore these not only to the gym that day but also to the movies :)

Friday!!

I love Coach!! I own Coach purses, Coach shoes,
Coach bracelets, Coach sunglasses but one of my
favorite purchases from Coach has to be these wedges.
There's something about them that makes me feel
soft & girly when I put them on!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

That's What's Up Thursday

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I would kill for my glutes to look like her's. I would
definitely hit the gym all day err day to hit my back pose
and it look like this.

Basically what I'm saying is when I (as a figure competitor) grow up - 
I want to be the Tootsie Roll colored version of this!!!

IFBB Figure Pro & 2012 Ms. Figure Olympia Erin Stern - 
now that's what's up!!

Monday, October 8, 2012

Battle of the Whey!

When you're a girl that's getting ready for a figure competition, your food choices are non-existent limited. You cannot walk up the refrigerator, open it, and just pick out anything to eat. Some days that really really sucks! Some days it's nice to not have to think about what you're going to eat and just pull a Ziploc container out of the refrigerator and know that it's prep-approved!

Protein is a definite must-have, not only for those preparing for a competition but for the "average" person as well. According to Harvard School of Public Health's article "Protein: Moving Closer to Center Stage", lack of protein can lead to loss of muscle mass, decreased immunity, and weakening of the heart and respiratory system. In other words, protein is a MUST-HAVE!

Currently, my protein sources are consistent but boring :) My daily meals usually have a serving (4-5 oz) of chicken, white fish, sirloin, or protein powder (1-2 scoops) in them. I do my best to keep my food tasty while still staying within the parameters of the my diet. Food items that are multi-purpose make my heart & tummy happy in addition to keeping things interesting!

One such multi-purpose item is whey isolate protein powder! Let's be honest, drinking a shake can get boring really quickly! Drinking a shake made from the same protein powder you use day in & day out can push you to the brink of insanity. On the border between "I Can Do This" and "I'm About to Lose My Damn Mind" is where I was when I was presented with the opportunity to try out a new protein powder.  
*cue the choir of angels*


New versus old ;)
I was thisclose to finishing my current container of chocolate whey isolate from Body Fortress when I received a package from Muscle Gauge Nutrition. The package contained a tub of their Pure Isolate Whey Protein in Vanilla. I couldn't wait to use this powder, not only because I was growing weary of my current flavor, but because I was truly intrigued by some of the information the company provided about this particular powder. This isolate powder, according to their website, has been filtered twice through the most advanced micro-filters separating/isolating it from its impurities. In one scoop (30g), there are 25g of protein and only 110 calories! It is also lactose-free, fat free, and sugar free. Can you see why I was excited about it??

In the past 3-4 weeks since I've received the powder, I have used it in various ways. I decided to use it for protein pancakes for The Princess. The recipe is one I'm sure you've seen before --> 3 egg whites, 1/2 cup of oats, 1 scoop of protein powder, dash of cinnamon (optional).





Protein pancake topped with some cinnamon sugar and a side of turkey bacon
Gobblin' up her protein-packed breakfast!
She approved! I asked her what she thought of the taste and her reply was "I like these better than the other ones, Mom". The other ones were made with another vanilla protein powder...cough cough...Dymatize..cough cough... ;)


Simple but filling meal #1
My first meal of the day (on my low carb days) has been 1/4 cup of cream of rice and 1 scoop of protein powder. I like my cream of rice with extra water and I was initially concerned that the Muscle Gauge protein powder may not mix well in the hot excess water. That was a silly thing to worry about because there were very few clumps when I added the protein powder after cooking the cream of rice. There is an element of sweetness to this protein powder that worked perfectly with my cream of rice and oats (on my high carb days).

Declumpers (?)
I also used the powder for the standard protein shake made with 1 scoop of powder and 10 oz of cold water. A few times, I forgot my "declumper" (that's my name for it..lol) and I had some small clumps of powder in my shaker bottle. It wasn't a huge deal on the days I had a spoon with me but on the days that I didn't, I did make an "eww" face when I tasted the powdery clumps.




All in all, I have to give this powder two thumbs up. The Princess liked it, I was able to use it successfully in a variety of ways, and it made me do my "this is tasty" wiggle - what more do you need?? :) Definitely consider Muscle Gauge Nutrition the next time you need to restock your supply of protein powder!!



Disclaimer:
This product was provided to me for review purposes.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

It Finally Happened!!

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For the past 5 plus years, Tom and I have talked about going to Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas, NV. Each year it seems that is doesn't work out for us to attend for any number of reasons and each year we look at each other and say "Next year we'll be there!"

This year, Tom turned 30 (I know...his expiration date is fast approaching...I kid..I kid..I'm two years older than him so I can't really say anything...lol) and I planned to give him a trip to Olympia as a gift. Accommodations were taken care of, the sitter for The Princess was handled, and all the other little things were falling into place...right up until the moment he decided that I should compete in a November show! I was adamant that I did not want to be prepping while in Vegas for Olympia weekend. We both know how we like to do Vegas and I can tell you it is NOT conducive to prep! With heavy hearts we decided to scrap the plans to attend this year's Olympia and focus on getting me ready for my last show of the year.

Eeeekkk!! I'm going to Olympia!!!
Our plans changed, however, when we ran into the owner of our gym and he gave us two free tickets to the Olympia. We knew it would be a scramble to make it work but we said it was obvious that the powers that be wanted us to attend! Expedia hooked it up with a reasonable room rate at the Riviera, Budget practically gave us our rental car for free (being a Costco member has some definite perks), and pay day just happened to fall on the day we were leaving :)

We made it!!

I have a crap ton of pictures from the weekend and so many things I want to tell you guys about! But, it's late and I have to get up at 4:45 am to own my morning cardio session so I'll have to wait to tell you about the incredible experience I had.




Before I go, let me tell you this. I have never been so overwhelmed, giddy, in awe, and motivated in my life. It was quite the experience to see so many competitors that I look up to in person versus in a magazine or on a computer screen!

Taking a breather at the Expo!
This past weekend was a once in a lifetime experience and I am so thankful to everyone (my husband, Frank, my in-laws) who made it happen.

Wow!! What else can I say besides that?!?

New Release Tuesday

The first time I heard this song was in the Beats headphones commercial. I really liked it but didn't catch the end of the commercial where they showed what song it was. The next time I heard it, I was in the car and luckily I was able to hear the deejay introduce the song.

Her voice reminds me a bit of Robyn whom I love!!

Enjoy!