tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25308990031930273402024-03-13T22:28:53.708-07:00Boobs, Barbells, and BroccoliTeneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.comBlogger589125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-82377693102906228922016-06-14T17:42:00.001-07:002016-06-14T17:42:50.446-07:00New Release Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;">I posted shared this on my Facebook page<br /><br />
and wanted to share it here.<br /><br />
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No matter what we may be going through, personally and as a nation,<br /><br />
please remember a verse from this song....<br /><br />
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"All we need is hope and for that we have each other" <3 <3<br /><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lwgr_IMeEgA" width="450"></iframe></div>Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-60194559800753882012016-06-12T17:19:00.000-07:002016-06-12T17:19:07.447-07:00I'm Back! For Real This Time!!!<div style="text-align: left;">
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I could go into a long detailed explanation about why it's been almost a year since the last time I posted but I'm not going to do that. Let's just say, life happened and I pushed blogging to the bottom of my priority list. But I've missed it and I've missed you, my readers, and so I am vowing to make a conscious effort to blog more frequently.</div>
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So what's happening competition-wise? Well, my initial plan was to step on stage in July at Team Universe and win my pro card. If I was unable to win my card at Team Universe, I planned to hit the Masters Nationals stage two weeks later and win it there. These two shows were my finish line. Every workout, every meal, every thing I did during the off-season was for these two shows. I was determined to do the work so that when the time came, I would be victorious.</div>
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Prep started and things were moving along, slowly, but they were moving. Then there was a shift. Shit started happening. I couldn't control everything like I had previously been able to. I wasn't sleeping well. I was stressed. I was emotional. I was dealing with so many things all at once and guess what? I started to crack. Small cracks at first but they were there.</div>
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I checked in with my coach when scheduled and my thoughts gradually changed from being confident about being ready for Team U to concerned thoughts of having a physique that would be competitive for the national stage. I shared these thoughts with my two best friends and no one else. I strongly believe in the power of "speaking on it" so I was worried that if I kept saying that I wouldn't be ready, then that is what would happen.</div>
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Last Saturday marked 4 weeks out from Team Universe and I sent my progress pictures into the Boss Lady. However, this check in was different. I included a video message to her in which I said I didn't want to do Team U or Masters Nationals. I was open and honest about my feelings and my fears. I didn't sugar coat anything which I realized I had been doing in most of my check ins. Since she was out of town with clients that were competing, we agreed to talk when she returned home. </div>
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We talked last Monday and agreed that I am not ready to compete at the national level next month. The Boss Lady told me to focus on the other aspects of my life, do what I needed to make training fun again, and to keep in mind that the stage will always be there whether it's in a few months or next year.</div>
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It was after that conversation that I decided I would <b><u>not</u></b> be competing in 2016. My heart and mind were just not in it. I just couldn't give prep & competing the attention and dedication it required. There would be no bedazzled suits or 5 inch clear heels for me this year. There would be no pro card. It broke my heart but I also felt extremely relieved, like a huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders.</div>
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I took all of last week off from the gym. I didn't lift or do cardio. I happily drove past my gym without stopping and didn't feel one ounce of guilt about it.</div>
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Today was my first day back to the gym and during my workout I heard something that made me stop, put down the dumbbell that was in my hand, sit, and cry.</div>
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"You've gotten this far.</div>
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If you were going to quit, </div>
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you shoulda quit a long time ago.</div>
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You've come too far to quit now.</div>
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Show me that nothing is impossible."</div>
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*<a href="http://etinspires.com/">Eric Thomas</a>*</div>
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I texted my best friend Lo and sent her what I had heard. Her response was "That's true...u didn't come this far to quit...it's not what we do. So what r u going to do about it?" </div>
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I don't know exactly what I'm going to do but I do know this, I'm not hanging up my clear heels just yet. It doesn't feel right. </div>
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Nothing is impossible so I will figure this shit out and make something happen.</div>
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I hope you'll join me for the ride. </div>
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Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-52710540461910557632015-06-30T18:47:00.001-07:002015-06-30T18:47:54.911-07:00New Release Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's breathe some life into this blog, shall we?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This song is perfect for how I feel right now....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't like life.....I love it.... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's all grab an ice cream cone, </div><div style="text-align: center;">sit back,</div><div style="text-align: center;">relax,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and enjoy the moment! :)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tw8mpgccugc" width="350"></iframe></div>Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-46868401777130106922015-04-28T13:22:00.001-07:002015-04-28T13:22:09.858-07:00New Release Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;">Did any of you watch the show "Empire"?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't but had been hearing about how great the </div><div style="text-align: center;">music from the show was. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I liked what I heard so much that I </div><div style="text-align: center;">ended up buying the soundtrack!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Right now, this is my favorite song and </div><div style="text-align: center;">it's currently on repeat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let me know what you think!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t-WWU696CYE" width="350"></iframe></div>Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-17473509933755171622015-04-14T19:11:00.001-07:002015-04-14T19:11:28.436-07:00New Release Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;">This isn't a new release but in case you forgot about it,</div><div style="text-align: center;">let me reintroduce you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This song came on last week during one of my</div><div style="text-align: center;">workouts and I almost lost my mind. #realtalk</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, I stopped what I was doing so I could </div><div style="text-align: center;">do a booty shake.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">To my fellow gym members that witnessed it....you're welcome.</div><div style="text-align: center;">To those of you who missed it....sucks to be you.... ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GDtn_FtU614" width="350"></iframe></div>Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-25707034564943355122015-03-26T16:17:00.000-07:002015-03-26T16:17:48.477-07:00Cuz I'm Happy...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*actually please don't because that song grates on my nerves now - thanks local radio stations for overplaying it!</span></div>
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Did y'all know that last Friday was <a href="http://www.dayofhappiness.net/#happiness" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: #741b47;">International Day of Happiness</span></a>? There was a Do Happy Today event on the plaza that is front of the library that I work at. The coordinator of the event asked for volunteers to help "sprinkle happiness" before and during the event. What is "sprinkling happiness"? It was as simple as this!<br />
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I have to be honest when I say there have been times in my life recently where I may not have been consciously taking the time to be happy, be present in the moment, be calm, etc. I have been on auto-pilot and that is not good!<br />
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When I volunteered to do the sprinkling, I began looking at the Day of Happiness website and realized I was doing some of the things mentioned in the picture above....I just need to do them more often! What about you? Which of the "Ten Keys to Happier Living" do you need to practice more often?<br />
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I am going to diligently work on having more moments like these.<br />
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Here's to being carefree - present - grateful - happy!Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-69406449385997078502015-03-24T18:47:00.001-07:002015-03-24T18:47:08.962-07:00New Release Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Shaggy is back! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Wait...was he ever really gone? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know the answer to that question but</div><div style="text-align: center;">I do know that when this song came on iTunes Radio,</div><div style="text-align: center;">(yes, I'm obsessed with iTunes Radio!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I started shaking my ass...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">After hearing that song, I wanted </div><div style="text-align: center;">to go to the reggae bar that's here in town,</div><div style="text-align: center;">dance, drink, and eat some jerk chicken in the parking lot.</div><div style="text-align: center;">*sigh*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy the song and as always,</div><div style="text-align: center;">if you have any recommendations please send them to me!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Z2ZqNckxHE" width="350"></iframe></div>Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-36969311630552851242015-03-10T19:27:00.001-07:002015-03-10T19:27:06.202-07:00New Release Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;">I decided that I would research</div><div style="text-align: center;">the artist I was introducing y'all to today</div><div style="text-align: center;">but guess what? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">There is pretty much no information</div><div style="text-align: center;">about "Fancy"!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Apparently, that's his thing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Remaining anonymous, that is.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Doesn't matter....</div><div style="text-align: center;">The song is still great!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tCcglvwitUA" width="350"></iframe></div>Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-37733187818898358042015-03-09T19:25:00.002-07:002015-03-09T19:25:11.971-07:00Be Nice!!A couple of weeks ago I stumbled upon a blog post that, for lack of a better description, punched me in the face.<br />
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I feel like the post was waiting for me and when I clicked the title, it did this......<br />
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The post is from <a href="http://www.croptopsandkale.com/"><span style="color: #741b47;">Crop Tops and Kale</span></a> (ummm...best name ever!) and is entitled "<a href="http://www.croptopsandkale.com/calling-ugly/"><span style="color: #741b47;">On Calling Ourselves Ugly</span></a>". I'm not going to give a book report on the post because you <b>NEED</b> (see what I did there? I used capitalization and the bold option. That means it's very very very important) to read it for yourself. The title pretty much sums it up.<br />
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I am very careful about saying that I'm fat or that I need to lose weight in front of The Princess. I have made a conscious effort, especially these last few years, to limit the amount of self negative talk that I engage in when she is around. I want her to love her body and be proud of the skin she is in but how can she do that if her mother doesn't teach her how to?<br />
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Want to know what I'm not careful about? In the words of D-Money, the post's author, talking shit about my looks. I am guilty of saying not so nice things about the way I look.Why? I don't really know. I've always done it. Truthfully, I always felt like I was the ugly duckling in the family. I mean...I think any female would have a complex growing up with a sister and mom who look like this!<br />
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There's a joke in my family about a time when a boy I liked said to me "I think your sister's pretty" and with that line, he crushed my dreams of calling him my boyfriend. And while I can chuckle about it now, it still stings a little bit. This was not the first, nor would it be the last, time someone made a comment about my sister, co-worker, friend, being more attractive than me.<br />
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I have a five, not fore, head. I constantly scrutinize my pictures. I don't like the way I look when I laugh. My nose looks like a bell pepper. I have chipmunk cheeks. I look like a boy. I need more eyebrows. My lips could be plumper. My face is shaped weird. What's up with the bags under my eyes? Why isn't my face "softer"? I wish I had that good hair. Damn, I look like a dude.<br />
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I should have put quotation marks before and after each of those sentences because those are things that I say to or about myself. How nice of me, right?<br />
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Now, let me be clear on something. I'm not writing this post so people will feel sorry for me or tell me how pretty they think I am. I'm writing this post because I'm a grown ass woman who needs to let those ridiculous comments go and focus on learning to love myself.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://christinacollins08.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/865/2015/01/jen-sincero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://christinacollins08.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/865/2015/01/jen-sincero.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://christinacollins08.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/865/2015/01/jen-sincero.jpg">photo credit</a></td></tr>
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D-Money wrote "When we continuously think and say mean things to ourselves, we eventually start to believe them." and it makes no sense to be so mean and cruel to ourselves.<br />
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I may not be a Beyonce or Gabrielle Union but you know what?<br />
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I'm me...gloriously ridiculous, goofy, awkward, smartass, klutzy, intelligent, nerdy, slightly attractive (hey...it's the best I can do right now...don't judge me...I'm working on it...lol) me.<br />
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I can live with that!<br />
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<br />Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-7361145350739265932015-02-24T17:17:00.001-08:002015-02-24T17:17:17.493-08:00New Release Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;">Here's a "poppy" feel-good song to add</div><div style="text-align: center;">to your music library.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And how cute is Olly Murs? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/niLMQsD9ZG4" width="350"></iframe></div>Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-2903462111080122512015-02-17T18:26:00.002-08:002015-02-18T08:11:17.190-08:00It's Officially #FlatoutLoveY'all know that I love food and that I am basically a fat kid at heart, right??<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/03/e5/32/03e532fb1f4300a26b677ab7b0efd7bc.jpg" style="display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: 300px;" /><br />
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#LaOffseasonLoca has been really awesome in that I have been able to try different foods and work at being more creative with my meals. This is why I was incredibly excited to have the opportunity to review a new <a href="https://tracking.tapinfluence.com/trk/pN1qV/Dbxdj/c?p=S6F0S&i=2MKq2&r=5Lly54zOVVewucIDnb3fzK10MpqLfguR13XnatcrngY%3D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Flatout</a> product that hasn't even hit shelves yet!*<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*keep reading for a coupon to purchase Flatouts wraps and pizza crust!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/83CF812F-AC72-4089-A4F6-2027A6B47AFD_zpstzpsyyvv.jpg" style="display: block; height: auto; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: 300px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goodies!</td></tr>
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Right before I headed to L.A. for TheFitExpo, a package of goodies arrived at my door from Flatout. I was so excited to see what they had sent, I took the box with me to work so I could open it there :) What I had received was packages of Flatout's new line of high protein, low carb flatbread wraps. They generously sent me two packages of each of three new flavors they will be launching. The three flavors are:<br />
<ul>
<li>Core 12 - this is their original wrap recipe made with chickpeas</li>
<li>Red Pepper Hummus - also powered by chickpeas</li>
<li>Sea Salt & Crushed Black Pepper - brought to you by navy beans</li>
<li><br /></li>
</ul>
<img alt="" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/F84F1846-A7AF-4EA1-AF67-F1E533386704_zpsp7wcinmv.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" title="" /><br />
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I left early Thursday morning and since I knew I had a long day of driving ahead of me, I wanted to make sure that I ate something tasty & filling. Perfect time to try out the Sea Salt & Crushed Black Pepper wrap!<br />
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<img alt="" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/9D234D41-1C56-4FA3-9436-CCD43C9DD259_zpsjysyoxss.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" title="" /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't bother me - I'm eating :)</td></tr>
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I do not love eggs or egg whites but I am adding them to the "meal rotation" about 2-3 times a week. For this particular wrap, I used 4 medium egg whites. Combining the egg whites with a chicken sausage, a handful of spinach, some goat cheese, and Sriracha made me a do my happy wiggle!<br />
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<img alt="" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/1864F428-A522-4D98-8CFA-F21893A38DDB_zps6upydsfa.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" title="" /><br />
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Sunday morning before heading back to the expo, several FitFluential Ambassadors and I were invited to a "First Taste Breakfast" with the amazing folks of <a href="https://tracking.tapinfluence.com/trk/pN1qV/Dbxdj/c?p=S6F0S&i=2MKq2&r=5Lly54zOVVewucIDnb3fzK10MpqLfguR13XnatcrngY%3D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Flatout</a>. We were able to see the packaging ideas, try out recipes using the wraps, in addition to learning more about the product we were sent.<br />
Interesting pieces of information that I took away from the breakfast:<br />
<ul>
<li>Beans are high in protein and complex carbs so they can provide you with long-lasting energy.</li>
<li>Beans have more antioxidant potential than blueberries.</li>
<li>Eating beans has been shown to reduce hunger and overall calorie intake throughout the day.</li>
<li><br /></li>
</ul>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Flatout table at the #LAFitExpo</td></tr>
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When I got back from L.A. and saw The Mister, he asked me about the "tortilla things" on the counter. I explained to him that they were not tortillas but were flatbread wraps and told him I wanted him to try them.<br />
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<img alt="" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/515493A5-9361-4377-9E8F-625F7B74F30C_zpsz22cmpbe.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" title="" /><br />
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<img alt="" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/13EB639A-E129-4416-B6E6-941BD770E8D9_zpshlkcfxxj.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" title="" /><br />
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He wasn't feeling extra adventurous that morning so he just used the wrap for one of his favorites, runny icky eggs :) The Sea Salt & Crushed Black Pepper was not his favorite so I told him he <strong>had</strong> to try the Red Pepper Hummus (which is my personal favorite!). <br />
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<img alt="" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/4C77A6A2-C490-4A91-9CD3-DE661AB42A20_zps725dpeci.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" title="" /><br />
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<img alt="" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/A50CA7C5-4413-41B2-A758-73C2BDB35DDE_zpsokyhdeg4.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" title="" /><br />
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The Mister opted for carne asada, goat cheese, and Sriracha while The Princess and I had a shrimp-lentil-brown rice-olive oil concoction I threw together. Y'all know I'm not one for b.s. so when I say that my family is a big fan of these wraps, it's the truth!<br />
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<img alt="" src="https://platform-remix-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/e797ff36-a8bb-11e4-be10-22000afd2dc7/1ce82084-ac96-11e4-88f1-22000af93a2d.jpeg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; width: auto;" title="" /><br />
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Here are some recipe ideas for you to keep in mind when you buy your first set of wraps ;) and while ProteinUp won't hit the shelves for another few weeks, you can still experiment with the Flatout wraps and pizza crusts. Here's a coupon to use when you go shopping! <a href="https://tracking.tapinfluence.com/trk/pN1qV/zln3B/c?p=S6F0S&i=2MKq2&r=ESyPsB05mlH1%2BMvaMe9EntzG0XGqnJQiiFSsMROvzTrHS5NY3dx60o2LgVDCjENbOuCJyoaJEJ4%3D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.hopster.com/offeres/flatout/13072852/1</a><br />
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I still have more wraps to use so....here's my question for you....what recipes should I try next??<br />
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This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Flatout.<br />
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but I am totally diggin' this song and her voice!<br /><br />
<br /><br />
I have some research to do because I want<br /><br />
to learn more about her & her music!<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MJBzDY93aDw" width="350"></iframe></div>Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-72237032153438034672015-02-13T07:35:00.001-08:002015-02-13T07:35:47.983-08:00Sights & Sounds - Day 1Y'all.....Los Angeles was frickin' A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!! What an amazing city!! I had so much fun and I can't wait to tell you all about it! I'll save my adventures with my brother for its own blog post so let's start with Day 1 of TheFitExpo!<br />
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TheFitExpo was being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center and lucky for me, this was about a 10-15 minute walk from my brother's apartment. Friday night, Jonathan showed me where the Convention Center was in proximity to the restaurant we ate at and his apartment. It was an easy route and I wasn't worried about finding my way the next morning. Umm....ya....except we didn't know they were going to close that particular route because the Grammy's were going to be taking place on Sunday. So, I had to take the "long" route and after a lenghtier power walk than I anticipated, I made it to the Convention Center and headed upstairs to meet the rest of the group.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7:45 am and even though the expo didn't open until 10,<br />
people were already in line and waiting to buy tickets!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/E802298D-80B6-41CB-AFC7-507B5DBEDCB9_zpsnjo3fu8q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/E802298D-80B6-41CB-AFC7-507B5DBEDCB9_zpsnjo3fu8q.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our room for the weekend - this was where we could refuel,<br />charge our phones, blog, tweet, etc in "peace &quiet" :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I finally met Jody!!!<br />
From my <a href="http://instagram.com/mrsfitlibrarian"><span style="color: #741b47;">Instagram</span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://melissarunningit.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/FFA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://melissarunningit.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/FFA.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jody, Melissa, and I!<br />
photo courtesy of <a href="http://melissarunningit.com/"><span style="color: #741b47;">Melissa Running It</span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/89159DD4-C189-45CE-B553-6CF71F6B5655_zpsytr8q8rg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/89159DD4-C189-45CE-B553-6CF71F6B5655_zpsytr8q8rg.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my <a href="http://twitter.com/mrsfitlibrarian"><span style="color: #741b47;">Twitter </span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After going over some of the logistics of the day, we were able to introduce ourselves to one another and chat it up. The first person I <b>HAD </b>to meet was Jody from <a href="http://truth2beingfit.com/"><span style="color: #741b47;">Truth2BeingFit</span></a>. I'm not quite sure how I "discovered" her blog but from the moment I started reading, I was a fan! Jody is 57 and still throwin' around heavy weight almost every day (she has been lifting weights for over 30 years!). I love that her blog is a mix of workouts, reviews, glimpses into her personal life, and lessons about learning the lesson that "I Am Enough". The second she & I saw each other. there was squealing and hugging (which you know is a big deal because I don't hug...lol). Then we spotted Melissa from <a href="http://melissarunningit.com/"><span style="color: #741b47;">Melissa Running It</span></a>. Cue more squealing and hugging! The funny thing is, it felt like we had met before and had known each other for years. <a href="http://fitfluential.com/"><span style="color: #741b47;">FitFluential</span></a> is not only about blogging or having a presence on social media. It is about connecting with others, finding inspiration from others, and forming bonds and friendships.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The calm before the storm :)</td></tr>
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I and the other Ambassadors were then escorted downstairs to where the expo would be taking place and told that we could walk the floor. I'm not saying it was like telling a group of small children that they had Disneyland all to themselves....bbbbuuutttt......it could have been :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/CB1FFCFB-8DEB-4BC2-8C61-BFD78B77B9EE_zpsqcinga4f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/CB1FFCFB-8DEB-4BC2-8C61-BFD78B77B9EE_zpsqcinga4f.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted these leggings from <a href="http://www.jfitactivewear.com/"><span style="color: #741b47;">J Fitness Wear</span></a>!<br />Went back and bought them once their booth was officially opened!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/998587BA-519E-4D61-8B13-012AEABD5BA3_zpskkbo1klb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/998587BA-519E-4D61-8B13-012AEABD5BA3_zpskkbo1klb.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/81259406-9A8C-4D35-8A07-E1BF19C009A5_zpsbpvkom2t.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/81259406-9A8C-4D35-8A07-E1BF19C009A5_zpsbpvkom2t.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my <a href="http://instagram.com/mrsfitlibrarian"><span style="color: #741b47;">Instagram</span></a></td></tr>
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There were certain brands/companies I was looking for including <a href="http://www.rspnutrition.com/"><span style="color: #741b47;">RSP Nutrition</span></a>, <a href="http://www.sixpackbags.com/"><span style="color: #741b47;">6 Pack Bags</span></a>, <a href="http://www.smartshake.com/"><span style="color: #741b47;">Smart Shake</span></a>, and of course, <a href="http://www.nubreednutrition.com/"><span style="color: #741b47;">Nubreed Nutrition</span></a>. I found almost all of them (except RSP) but Nubreed is the only booth whose table I jumped on for a picture :)<br />
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Before we knew it, it was time for the doors to open to the public. There was a rush, literally, of bodies through the doors. I could hear people talking about who they wanted to see, what workouts they wanted to do, what they wanted to buy, and more. There was this excitement in the air that I can't quite describe. It almost felt as electric as the Olympia Expo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/6AF8B04F-9FD5-4D9B-ACAF-7BFDB7A10A81_zpsmcffjuba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/6AF8B04F-9FD5-4D9B-ACAF-7BFDB7A10A81_zpsmcffjuba.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my <a href="http://instagram.com/mrsfitlibrarian"><span style="color: #741b47;">Instagram</span></a></td></tr>
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As I made my way over to the stage where the Ironman Naturally competition was being held, I walked past the Met-Rx booth. I glanced at the booth, glanced away, and then glanced back again. It took me a minute but my brain finally processed that I was staring directly at the current Ms. Figure Olympia Nicole Wilkins! I pulled out my phone and tried to be as sneaky as possible while lifting it up to take her picture. She looked right at me, laughed a little bit, then asked "Do you want to take a selfie??" DO I WANT TO TAKE A SELFIE?!?!?! While I wanted to jump up and down like a crazed fan, I calmly told her that I would love to take a selfie. Priceless moment!<br />
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<a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/DE8D17FF-B100-48C6-9C30-48B1E0F4DDFC_zpsgytasef1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/DE8D17FF-B100-48C6-9C30-48B1E0F4DDFC_zpsgytasef1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/946D90E7-F1EB-422D-9CE7-B91E7AD60AB8_zpsxnv9yapq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/946D90E7-F1EB-422D-9CE7-B91E7AD60AB8_zpsxnv9yapq.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pro-Tan was right behind the seating area for the competition -<br />
perfect location :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/78A10AAB-9739-4E9E-B78A-CFD983ED6169_zps8d7febhq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/78A10AAB-9739-4E9E-B78A-CFD983ED6169_zps8d7febhq.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The competition color/tanner I use.<br />
Yes...I use tanner....lol...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/BAC3CAE3-0C26-40E9-BE68-30E898B821D7_zpsthlzpb1k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/BAC3CAE3-0C26-40E9-BE68-30E898B821D7_zpsthlzpb1k.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When you get up to walk the expo, you lose your<br />seat in the front for the Bodyspace Spokesmodel finals :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bodybuilding.com/contest_media/32852/0/d/img_12331423687351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.bodybuilding.com/contest_media/32852/0/d/img_12331423687351.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winners of the Bodybuilding.com Bodyspace Spokesmodel Search<br /><a href="http://bodybuilding.com/"><span style="color: #741b47;">photo credit</span></a></td></tr>
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Over the course of the day, I watched the prejuding and finals portions of the Ironman Naturally competition. I also had the opportunity to watch the Bodybuilding.com Bodyspace Spokesmodel finals. Both competitions made me itch for the stage. The music, the Pro-Tan, the glaze, the posing. I missed it all as I sat in the crowd.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/F98AD9E7-E542-4663-B1E1-4C084A8AA8C8_zpsjq5776k8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/F98AD9E7-E542-4663-B1E1-4C084A8AA8C8_zpsjq5776k8.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have no idea what I was saying....<br />but I'm obviously I'm excited...lol</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/2C6AB946-11F9-4538-BB2A-F3957FE2FECB_zpskzhxrnbo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/2C6AB946-11F9-4538-BB2A-F3957FE2FECB_zpskzhxrnbo.jpg" height="400" style="cursor: move;" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMG! Krissy Chin!</td></tr>
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In between competitions, I did a few more laps around the expo. I made my way back to the Nubreed booth because I needed to stock up and guess what?? As I'm walking by, I hear a voice yell "MrsFitLibrarian!" I turned and recognized one of the Nubreed guys that I met at Europa. We started chatted and while I was paying attention to what he was saying, I could see that Krissy Chin was working the booth! I made a comment about Nubreed being smart to make her one of their sponsored athletes and next thing I know, I'm standing next to Krissy Chin - chatting with her - and posing for a picture!<br />
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<a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/7535E3F2-EE58-4099-9ECC-A61CAC1F6717_zpsh6r6j0gu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/7535E3F2-EE58-4099-9ECC-A61CAC1F6717_zpsh6r6j0gu.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/D4588395-6ACB-429E-8CB9-077E32B65EED_zpspz1wohc6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/D4588395-6ACB-429E-8CB9-077E32B65EED_zpspz1wohc6.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my <a href="http://twitter.com/mrsfitlibrarian"><span style="color: #741b47;">Twitter</span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/F74F844E-C2C1-47FC-85CE-7BDC805FE169_zpsmf1qyv33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/F74F844E-C2C1-47FC-85CE-7BDC805FE169_zpsmf1qyv33.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><a href="http://truth2beingfit.com/"><span style="color: #741b47;">Jody</span></a> </span>showing them what a beast looks like!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/816916B8-927C-4968-B82A-D5D4F8A6D9E6_zps0rxvlbqf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/816916B8-927C-4968-B82A-D5D4F8A6D9E6_zps0rxvlbqf.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasty samples!</td></tr>
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The expo also had a "Healthy Living Pavilion" where various presenters had food demonstrations. I've never taken the time to attend a food demo so I decided that I would definitely do it this time around. Jody and I attended a demo by Dymatize and they started the demo by asking who wanted to be in a "flex off". Jody walked up with no fear, busted out her guns, and walked away with a box of Supreme Protein Bars! #winning<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/65194FB8-C7BD-4796-BD5A-9C40A0087EE6_zpsifw4hyrd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/65194FB8-C7BD-4796-BD5A-9C40A0087EE6_zpsifw4hyrd.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The expo in full swing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/959838E1-4725-44C6-9C8B-DBEC52B12039_zpsjcl2cw9c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/959838E1-4725-44C6-9C8B-DBEC52B12039_zpsjcl2cw9c.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ms. Bikini Olympia Ashley Kaltwasser<br />
*she told me to make sure to use flash for all of my pics! :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/69B7773C-3267-4036-AF1A-46C10206FD1A_zpso0kicdxk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/69B7773C-3267-4036-AF1A-46C10206FD1A_zpso0kicdxk.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CT Fletcher!! ISYMFS!</td></tr>
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By 6:00 pm, I was still very excited but exhausted! I decided that it was probably a great time to head out. I knew that Sunday would also be a full day and I wanted to make sure I had enough energy to make it through it. :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/A0B581BB-1DD3-47AB-A2B5-9C8386BC6C49_zpsxbcwtt5h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/A0B581BB-1DD3-47AB-A2B5-9C8386BC6C49_zpsxbcwtt5h.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking home...</td></tr>
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I'm pretty sure that as I walked back to Jonathan's apartment, I had a giant grin on my face. I would have never imagined that I would be doing this. This being driving to L.A. by myself....attending an expo on behalf of a large influential company...meeting people that I look up to and admire...exploring downtown L.A. on my own....<br />
<br />
What an adventure.<br />
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And this was only day 1!<br />
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<br />Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-48724547474856135292015-02-10T17:16:00.000-08:002015-02-10T17:16:17.486-08:00New Release Tuesday - Theme Song EditionA couple of years ago, I started picking a theme song for my year. I felt like I should have a song that represented my goals for the year and so I began choosing a song that "spoke to me". I would then proceed to play the hell outta the song for the year at any given moment :)<br />
<br />
Last year's theme song comes from the same artist as the song I have chosen for this year. My 2014 theme song was "Good Life". Whenever I was feeling pouty about the direction my life was going, I would play the song. Whenever I needed a reminder about why I was making certain decisions, I would play the song. When I won my show in July, I played the song. You get the idea.<br />
<br />
This year, my theme song is "I Lived" by OneRepublic. The first time I heard the song, I stopped everything that I was doing at the time to listen to it. And then I started crying.<br />
<br />
I'm serious.<br />
<br />
I started to do the ugly cry, especially when the chorus came on.<br />
<br />
Finding this song came at the perfect time. I had just discovered a quote by Henry David Thoreau that reads "Oh, God, to reach the point of death only to realize you have never lived."<br />
<br />
My goal this year is to live.<br />
<br />
I will do things I have only talked about doing.<br />
<br />
I will bend, possibly break, the rules.<br />
<br />
I will set lofty goals for myself.<br />
<br />
I will break out of my comfort zone.<br />
<br />
I will take chances.<br />
<br />
I.<br />
<br />
WILL.<br />
<br />
LIVE.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-91027012014671575812015-02-06T10:55:00.000-08:002015-02-06T10:55:16.563-08:00City of AngelsA couple of days ago, I wrote my<span style="color: #a64d79;"> <a href="http://boobsbarbellsandbroccoli.blogspot.com/2015/02/la-here-i-come.html"><span style="color: #a64d79;">LA, Here I Come</span></a></span> post and shared that I would be traveling to Los Angeles to cover <a href="http://thefitexpo.com/la.asp"><span style="color: #a64d79;">TheFitExpo</span></a> for <a href="http://www.fitfluential.com/"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Fitfluential</span></a>. As I hit publish on the post, I knew that there was a possibility that I might not actually make it to the City of Angels. Issues/hiccups/speed bumps were appearing out of nowhere and I started to stress....BIG TIME! For days my stomach hurt, there was a pounding in the center of my forehead, and I wanted to cry. #idontdocrying<br />
<br />
At the eleventh hour (Wednesday evening), everything fell into place and there was nothing left to stress/worry/cry about!<br />
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After sending the Princess off to school and doing a few chores Thursday morning, I hit the road. The drive from Tucson to Los Angeles is about 7 hours and while I have driven to California before, this was the first time I would be doing the drive by myself. I had my snacks and fruit punch HelixBCAAs handy, music and book to listen to, and I made sure to pee! :)<br />
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After 1 stop to fill up the gas tank and take a potty break and almost 7 hours later, I arrived. I may or may not thrown my arm in the air and screamed "yes" when I saw downtown...lol...I had survived the drive (which really wasn't that horrific) and rush hour traffic.<br />
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I will be staying with my brother Jonathan while I'm in town and I have to say, the man knows how to introduce you to his city! He took me to Katusya, which is owned by the company he works for, and is right by Staples Center. The food was perfection. The service was impeccable.<br />
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It was a really proud moment for me to see the managers of the restaurant come over to talk to my brother and to watch how professional he is and how well he carries himself. The kid (technically he's not a kid...but he will always be a kid to me! #bigsister) is definitely going places. Don't believe me? Check out this film project he and his friends created in less than 48 hours. They are currently one of the top 5 projects in the nation and are 1st in the online voting for People's Choice!<br />
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I'm off to see more of the city and enjoy some good eats. Tomorrow is the first day of the expo so stay tuned - follow me on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/mrsfitlibrarian"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Instagram</span></a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teneciap"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Facebook</span></a>, and/or <a href="http://www.twitter.com/mrsfitlibrarian"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Twitter</span></a> for updates!Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-30717838030293422772015-02-04T13:51:00.000-08:002015-02-04T13:51:22.321-08:00LA, Here I Come!!Happy February! How fast did January go?!?! I swear Christmas was just here and I was enjoying opening presents & chomping on candy canes!<br />
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I'm extremely excited to share with you guy that I will attending the TheFitExpo in Los Angeles this weekend! I, along with several other FitFluential Ambassadors, have been chosen to be a part of the Social Media team covering the event! </div>
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Now, y'all know I love when fitness-minded individuals converge and take over a city. I mean...do I need to remind you of Olympia weekend and all of the shenanigans, supplements samples, and celebrity sightings that took place??</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my fb page -<br />
Steve "The King Snake" Kuclo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my fb page -<br />
IFBB Figure Pro Kim Jones</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Ramy and Dennis James made me feel super small!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found my favorite BCAAs!<br />
<a href="http://nubreednutrition.com/index.php/products/helix-bcaa"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Helix BCAAs</span></a> from<br />
<a href="http://nubreednutrition.com/"><span style="color: #a64d79;">NuBreed Nutrition</span></a> for the win!!! #ffobsession</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my <a href="http://instagram.com/mrsfitlibrarian"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Instagram</span></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Nate, the Official Cookie Monster! The man is supa' gorgeous in person!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chad, owner and creator of <span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://thedriveclothing.com/"><span style="color: #a64d79;">The Drive Clothing</span></a></span><br />
That beard tho! #yummy<br />
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There are so many things that I am looking forward to seeing at TheFitExpo. I have actually started planning out my days hour by hour. There is going to be so much to see and I don't want to miss any of it!<br />
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Saturday's agenda includes the Strongman Competition, Elspeth Dana & David Morin "Cooking with Protein" which will be presented by Team Dymatize, "My Favorite Protein Shake" with Lita Lewis, the Iron Man NATURALLY Bodybuilding, Physique. Figure, and Bikini competition, and the Bodyspace Spokesmodel Awards.<br />
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Sunday I am going to to try and attend the seminars with Dexter Jackson, Dennis Wolf, and of course....the love of my life...Phil Heath! I would also like to make time for the USPA American Cup Powerlifting Championship.<br />
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The tentative schedule that I've made for myself can definitely change because each time I look at the <span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://thefitexpo.com/TFELA_schedule.asp"><span style="color: #a64d79;">Schedule of Events</span></a> </span>I find other interesting seminars, competitions, demonstrations that I want to attend!<br />
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Who else will be there?? Who is trying to decide if they're going?? You know you want to go! A weekend pass for the expo is only $40 and can still be purchased <span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="http://thefitexpo.com/TFELA_tickets.asp"><span style="color: #a64d79;">online</span></a>.</span> </span><br />
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I would love to meet up with any folks going. Maybe we can <strike>stalk</strike> look for Phil....or treat-or-trick at the expo booths (Nubreed, MuscleEgg, and others are calling my name!)...or just people watch!</div>
Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-78668283268960411422015-02-03T11:55:00.001-08:002015-02-03T11:55:23.971-08:00New Release Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;">I will be the first to say that I have no intention</div><div style="text-align: center;">of going to watch Fifty Shades of Grey when it comes out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, I read the books. </div><div style="text-align: center;">No, I did not fall in love with them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">No, it did not make me want to start biting my lower lip.</div><div style="text-align: center;">No to any other question you might want to ask....lol...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">With that said, I am in L-O-V-E</div><div style="text-align: center;">with this song by Ellie Goulding and </div><div style="text-align: center;">if I had been living in a cave, I would want to </div><div style="text-align: center;">watch the movie after watching this video!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Definitely adding this to my playlist!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AJtDXIazrMo" width="350"></iframe></div>Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-48905036471091354772015-01-26T18:59:00.000-08:002015-01-26T18:59:23.114-08:00Mind Games...I have always been hard on myself. I have, for the most part, felt like I was "average" when it came to certain things. One of these being competing.<br />
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I am making the following statement without a shred of cockiness (I am merely stating facts) - I have done very well during my last 3 years on stage. I have won my class twice, one overall win, and seven top five placings. However, I still feel like an underdog. Like I'm not quite at the level I need to be in order to be a contender. Like I'm average. Like I have more weaknesses versus strengths in terms of my physique.<br />
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In my "<a href="http://boobsbarbellsandbroccoli.blogspot.com/2015/01/more-than-month.html"><span style="color: #351c75;">More Than A Month!?!?</span></a>" post I mentioned that during this off-season, I am working on, not only my physical well-being, but my mental well-being as well. During one of my earlier text exchanges with the Boss Lady, she told me "A healthy mind leads the way". She and I have discussed on numerous occasions how I tend to let my negative, self-deprecating thoughts take over and cloud my vision. The Boss Lady explained to me that in order to be my best self, I had to start working on changing my mindset and clear my head of negative thoughts.<br />
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I decided that I wanted to read a book that could help me figure out why I tend to be so critical of myself. Why to I get in my own way when it comes to making goals and pursuing them.<br />
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I found this book while searching my library's catalog and at first I was going to pass on it because it was only available in audiobook format. Then I decided that I would check it out and I would listen to it to and from the gym. It turned out to be a great decision.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/bellissimo76/truth/"><span style="color: purple;">photo credit</span></a></td></tr>
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One it helped me wake up and get ready for my workout. Two it helped me really think about what was going on in my life, the decisions I've made, the chances I have & haven't taken, etc. I now joke that I worship at the Church of Jen Sincero. She has really changed my life. This book is definitely librarian approved - read/listen to it if you can!!<br />
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Awhile back, Tom found this incredible video on youtube and played it for me. I instantly fell in love with it and told him I wanted to figure out a way to put it on my workout playlist. The man worked his magic and converted it, along with a couple of other videos, into mp3 files that I could add to my playlists.<br />
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And one of my all-time favorites:</div>
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One of the men that you hear speaking in the first two videos is <a href="http://etinspires.com/"><span style="color: purple;">Eric Thomas</span></a> aka ET. The man is incredible. I feel like every time I listen to him, I can conquer the world. I downloaded his app and listen to him constantly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://etinspires.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Screen-Shot-2014-06-25-at-11.15.43-AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://etinspires.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Screen-Shot-2014-06-25-at-11.15.43-AM.png" height="400" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://etinspires.com/">photo credit</a></td></tr>
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He really makes me want to do better - train harder - fight for more - aspire to be greater. His words breathe life into me every time I hear them.<br />
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I am learning how important it is to fill my heart and my mind with positive thoughts and people. While it may seem weird to others, this is what is working for me. This is what is helping me realize, like Jen says, that I am the only Tenecia there will ever be....and that I'm kind of a big deal. I get to perceive my reality so why would I choose to perceive myself as anything other than a super huge rock star of a person?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://properlyridiculous.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/thoughtswordsbeliefsactionshabits.jpg?w=604" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://properlyridiculous.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/thoughtswordsbeliefsactionshabits.jpg?w=604" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://properlyridiculous.com/tag/ignorance/">photo credit</a></td></tr>
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<br />Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-8700603209041639262015-01-16T10:48:00.000-08:002015-01-16T10:48:37.836-08:00Getting Things Done...In my "<a href="http://boobsbarbellsandbroccoli.blogspot.com/2014/11/final-decision.html"><span style="color: #351c75;">Final Decision</span></a>" post, I shared with you some of my last season <strike>shit show</strike> <strike>drama</strike> events. I let y'all know that while I had started prepping for a fall show, a decision was made to end my prep and focus on an off-season.<br />
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My bedazzled suit and 5 inch clear heels were packed away and my focus shifted from getting show lean to other things.<br />
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I am now about three months into "Operation Physique Overhaul" and I have to tell you, off-season is not as horrible & squishy as I thought it would be! :)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My off-season body....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my coach's <span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyEstesJones">Facebook page</a></span></td></tr>
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At the beginning of my off-season, my coach explained to me what some of my goals were going to be. Some of these goals were about physical improvements like adding width to my back, working on my glute & hamstring tie-in, building my chicken legs (my words...not her's! lol). Others were focused on working on my mindset and helping me stop comparing myself to others & recognize my potential/strengths.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/95C3DF96-CFDB-40C8-BB82-0019B6F541B2_zpslxixiy0s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/95C3DF96-CFDB-40C8-BB82-0019B6F541B2_zpslxixiy0s.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How I felt after my first official workout with my coach -<br />
whose idea was this?!?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/2E396EE7-60E5-4245-9DDC-CB2E31F62709_zpsjywcxg76.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/2E396EE7-60E5-4245-9DDC-CB2E31F62709_zpsjywcxg76.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checkin' on my booty gains.... #cakecakecakecake</td></tr>
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Working on improving my physique has been fun, challenging, and at times brutal. I love the workouts that I'm receiving. I love that I can drive up to Phoenix to train in person with my coach (even though I'm pretty sure she's trying to make me throw up, cry, die, or all of the above...lol). The in person training is a great time for me to ask questions, have my form corrected, learn about my body and what things I should be looking for/feeling as I'm doing a particular exercise, and more.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Am I growing??? :)</td></tr>
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At the start of all of this, my metabolism was a bit sluggish so my body was not responding to the work I was putting in. I will be honest when I say I was feeling frustration about things not happening the way I felt they should be or as quickly as I wanted to. I was told to be patient and give my body time to get itself back in order. I made a conscious decision to throw out my timetable, focus on working my plan day in & day out, and let my body do the rest. I am very happy to say that I have received very positive feedback from my coach about the progress I'm making (a compliment or two may have been given....score!) - #happymeathead<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mister caught me taking a selfie :)<br />Check out my cool lifting belt that he made me for Christmas!!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What I looked like after my first 2 hour spin & battle ropes class!</td></tr>
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My daily schedule hasn't changed just because I'm not in contest prep. Most days I wake up between 3:45 - 4:00am and will be in the car heading to the gym no later than 4:15am. I work out until about 6:00 am, head back, put my mom & wife hats, and then head to work. In addition to my weekly lifting & cardio sessions, I have started attending a Saturday morning spin class at my local YMCA! It's from 8:15 am - 10:15 am and we do battle ropes at the end of class! I know the instructor from the library and he had been <strike>challenging</strike> <strike>taunting</strike> encouraging me to attend his class for quite some time. When I was told I needed to start spinning, his class was the first one I thought of and now, I can't live without it!<br />
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This has been an incredibly interesting time for me - signing with a new coach, officially being in off-season, setting lofty goals for 2015, trying new things, etc. I am thankful that my body continues to put up with my rigorous training and that I have remained healthy & injury-free. I am excited about the journey I am on and what is to come.<br />
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2015 is going to be the year of badass - I just know it!<br />
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<br />Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-41177401276978616132015-01-13T13:29:00.001-08:002015-01-13T13:29:03.917-08:00New Release Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;">Damn you, Nick Jonas!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Damn you and your delicious vocals,</div><div style="text-align: center;">your mesmerizing beats,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and your drool worthy too young for me body!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">DAMN YOU!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KHree3Ld5KY" width="350"></iframe></div>Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-62478290282983081042015-01-07T18:36:00.000-08:002015-01-07T18:36:20.816-08:00Playlist of PowerIf you have been reading my blog for awhile you know that I absolutely L-O-V-E music...especially new music! In 2013, I stumbled upon a new blog (thanks <a href="http://www.fitfluential.com/">FitFluential</a>!) called <a href="http://pavementrunner.com/">Pavement Runner</a>. The writer of this blog would do a weekly post called "Playlist Thursday".<br />
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Playlist Thursday would feature a theme (example - Radio Jams) and three songs would be shared. However, there were some rules. The rules were one song had to be "Something Old" (songs that are at least 5 years old), one song had to be "Something Current" (songs that have been released within the past year) and one song had to be "Something to Consider" (this was the wild card category. Could be current, guilty pleasure, underground, really anything). I loved this weekly post and while it's not happening as frequently as it had been, you can still see the various posts by visiting the <a href="http://pavementrunner.com/category/music-3/">Music</a> page of the <a href="http://pavementrunner.com/">Pavement Runner</a> website!<br />
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Since getting an iPhone last April (yes...I took that long to get with times...lol!), I have been listening to the various stations on iTunes Radio which is a great way to discover new songs. I've even created personal radio stations like Iggy Radio, Sam Smith Radio, and Slow Jams Radio and I always love when I hear something that makes me say "OOOOHHHHH!!! What's this?!? I need to add this to my iTunes!".<br />
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Anyway, there are a few songs that I just had to have on my Playlist of Power aka my cardio/lifting playlist. They are......<br />
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Two songs from Jessie J's new album.<br />
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Masterpiece</div>
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Burnin' Up featuring 2 Chainz<br />
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Bounce by Iggy Azalea</div>
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Real Love by Clean Bandit</div>
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Centuries by Fall Out Boy</div>
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Can't Stop Dancing by Becky G</div>
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Flawless Remix - Beyonce feat. Nicki Minaj<br />
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Touchin', Lovin' - Trey Songz feat. Nicki Minaj<br />
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I Don't F@&k With You - Big Sean</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*lots of profanity in this one so you might want to </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">skip it if you have sensitive ears</span></div>
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What songs have you recently added to your cardio/lifting playlist? </div>
Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-23769049980827314072015-01-05T16:59:00.000-08:002015-01-06T19:27:05.956-08:00More Than A Month!?!?My last post was on November 25th!! How did I let so much time go by before doing a post?!? I have no excuses to give...but I do have pictures....so how 'bout I share those in a minute?!?<br />
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Life has been good to me. I am a happy healthy girl. I really have no complaints.<br />
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I plan to share with you some of the new songs on my Playlist of Power aka my workout playlist. And later in the week, I want to talk about my off-season and how I'm working on, not only my physical, but also my mental well-being.<br />
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Until then, here are some pictures to, in a way, update you on what's been going on in my life!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*you can also stay updated with my almost daily shenanigans on Instagram --> <a href="http://instagram.com/mrsfitlibrarian">MrsFitLibrarian</a></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Savannah and I attended a local powerlifting competition</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can still purchase calendars from <span style="color: #351c75;"><a href="http://www.firefightersvsautism.org/">Firefighters vs Autisum</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporting my brother-in-law Josue aka Honey as he rode in the<br />
107 mile El Tour de Tucson</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s526x395/10401412_10205407000440266_1042710119787473290_n.jpg?oh=c075f078875603943568c6e7b7846766&oe=5542D2FE&__gda__=1429158213_658793a6b627dd28b3b6d1737010de4f" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/s526x395/10401412_10205407000440266_1042710119787473290_n.jpg?oh=c075f078875603943568c6e7b7846766&oe=5542D2FE&__gda__=1429158213_658793a6b627dd28b3b6d1737010de4f" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mister was home for Thanksgiving! Last Thanksgiving<br />
we spent together was almost 3 years ago!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/EAF41F61-4401-4C08-BCF2-666F8E034EEC_zpsidyrpgcd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/EAF41F61-4401-4C08-BCF2-666F8E034EEC_zpsidyrpgcd.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty sure my niece Nya's leg warmers are the cutest thing ever!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/99993E4A-C1F2-432A-B81E-0132B0D224A9_zpscm558aih.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/99993E4A-C1F2-432A-B81E-0132B0D224A9_zpscm558aih.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nya and I enjoying a pedicure during our Girls' Day Out :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/C7BCBAA3-C939-4890-BF78-8B4ECA9809A8_zpsvttdvc7j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/C7BCBAA3-C939-4890-BF78-8B4ECA9809A8_zpsvttdvc7j.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A night out with one of my best friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/24EA0F23-1F29-4CDB-92E4-DC5312E43E28_zps2asxagsb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/24EA0F23-1F29-4CDB-92E4-DC5312E43E28_zps2asxagsb.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lolo's Chicken & Waffles always makes me do my happy wiggle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/752D5213-49D9-420A-A6DB-2FA6E1D1887A_zps04wqh2zy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/752D5213-49D9-420A-A6DB-2FA6E1D1887A_zps04wqh2zy.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know I love my Peeps <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/4FCB9DD4-FC5A-4E15-98B5-1A0F95473829_zps1kktsox4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/4FCB9DD4-FC5A-4E15-98B5-1A0F95473829_zps1kktsox4.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep. I wore this. To work. On Christmas Eve.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/06EABF66-0673-40E3-8F9B-AC8CD07774A3_zps0wxykzhg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/06EABF66-0673-40E3-8F9B-AC8CD07774A3_zps0wxykzhg.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Tommy & Jaxon having fun on Family Picture Day :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10404208_10205659064701715_2495358731663447822_n.jpg?oh=395f64dfec425ad3e4ae196e556eb06e&oe=5542BDC6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10404208_10205659064701715_2495358731663447822_n.jpg?oh=395f64dfec425ad3e4ae196e556eb06e&oe=5542BDC6" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Princess is growing up too fast! I can't stand it! </td></tr>
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Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-73534788975828043082014-11-25T17:17:00.001-08:002014-11-25T17:17:35.756-08:00New Release Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;">It seems like everyone is in a group these days, doesn't it?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not a huge fan of girl groups or boy bands</div><div style="text-align: center;">(with the exception of Boyz II Men and Backstreet Boys --</div><div style="text-align: center;">do I really need to explain myself?!!?)</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I do like this particular song. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Has anyone seen this group perform?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm intrigued to see how they sound live....hmm....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aiLjNCmOqLM" width="350"></iframe></div>Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-49608652859640171702014-11-09T14:37:00.000-08:002014-11-09T14:37:07.701-08:00Remember That One Time..?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in May, I posted about a photo shoot for a Firefighters Wives calendar that I had recently participated in. I shared with you some of the "behind-the-scenes" pictures that my sister-in-law had taken as well as sharing some "nuggets" of information that I had learned from the shoot like "Jan Tana Hi-Def Glaze isn't only for figure competitions" and "Showin' your ass in public is always more fun when you have your crazy sister-in-law and husband with you". </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">* if you missed the post, you can read here--> <a href="http://boobsbarbellsandbroccoli.blogspot.com/2014/05/it-was-for-charity.html">It Was For Charity</a></span></b></div>
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Well, I have another nugget of information to share with you.....</div>
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THE CALENDAR IS HERE!</div>
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<a href="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/B814956D-CDB8-48FC-A1B9-C4380CE50216_zpstgsukwa7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p176/raptor660fam/B814956D-CDB8-48FC-A1B9-C4380CE50216_zpstgsukwa7.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have been <strike>impatiently</strike> patiently waiting to see which of my photos was selected for the calendar, which month I am, and how everyone else's photos came out! When I saw on Facebook that pre-orders were officially being taken, I submitted mine....and waited....! Last week, I came home from work and there it sat. The envelope containing my calendar order!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister-in-law's reaction to my calendar picture :)</td></tr>
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I'm very happy to announce that I am Mrs. July 2015...lol...and the picture that was chosen didn't make my parents cringe too much :)<br />
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Last week, I had the opportunity to promote the calendar on a local radio station with Justin (founder of <a href="http://www.firefightersvsautism.org/" style="color: #351c75;">Firefighters vs. Autism</a>) and one of the firefighters that posed for the men's calendar. It was a lot of fun and of course, I was asked about working out and if I was flexing in my calendar picture. I made some remark about how hard it was to suck in my stomach, flex, take shallow breaths, and attempt to give the camera "the eye". The radio interview was a lot of fun and I'm really happy that my work schedule allowed me to participate!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes...he was just as gorgeous in person... *drool*</td></tr>
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Being involved in this project from the photo shoot to now promoting the finished product has been amazing and incredibly humbling. <a href="http://www.firefightersvsautism.org/"><span style="color: #351c75;">This organization</span></a> is made up of firefighters and families who have made it their mission to do what they can to educate others about the dangers of wandering & drowning that are highly common among those within the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The fact that Justin and Jason (photographer) felt that I could contribute in some way to this project & mission is still astounding to me!<br />
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I would love it if each of you considered purchasing a calendar, whether it's the Firefighters or the Firefighters' Wives version (but let's be honest....this is really the one you want...lol) or if the calendars aren't really your thing, you can always send in a <a href="http://www.firefightersvsautism.org/Donate"><span style="color: #351c75;">donation</span></a>!<br />
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And you don't even have to ask....yes....I'm willing to sign your calendars..... ;)</div>
Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2530899003193027340.post-83871243283174461612014-11-04T15:02:00.001-08:002014-11-04T15:02:41.342-08:00New Release Tuesday<div style="text-align: center;">I remember the first time I saw Gwen Stefani.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was in the "I'm Just A Girl" video and instantly,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was in love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I still love Gwen but I have to be honest, </div><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't love this song the first time I heard it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">BBBBBUUUUUTTTTT,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's grown on me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I even do a little wiggle when I hear it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9uo9oy-Eqo4" width="350"></iframe></div>Teneciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15924418144554833788noreply@blogger.com1