Was It You??

It's time to announce the winners of my Designer Whey Sustained Energy giveaway! 

Designer Whey is being incredibly generous and allowing me to 

select 6 winner so...

get ready....

The winners are.....

LPM

Liz

Nikki

Georgiana

Tracy

Ray

I will be emailing each of you for your mailing address so you can receive your goodies!

Thanks everyone for reading my review and participating in the giveaway. 

Also, check out FitFluential Finds for deals on this particular product

and others that might be of interest to you!

#DesignerWhey Sustained Energy Review & Giveaway!

Disclaimer:  I was provided with products from Designer Whey to review as part of my affiliation with FitFluential.  
As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

Off-season aka improvement season is in full effect!! You guys, this is the first "real" off-season I've had since I started competing three years ago! I know I haven't officially shared what's next on my competition agenda but here's what you should know, my clear 5 inch heels will be resting comfortably for at least the next 7-8 months.

During these next few months, I have certain goals I am working towards which include adding muscle to my upper body. Yes, you read that right - I am working on adding muscle! The feedback I received after Junior Nationals included a portion about adding mass to my upper body and you know I had to make sure I was reading the email correctly!!

 The past several years I have focused on decreasing size and now I was being told I needed to add some. I am also still focused on Operation Build-a-Back and gettin' that booty like Serena! This means a change in training and slight changes in my diet which is why the opportunity to try the new Sustained Energy protein powder from Designer Whey® was perfect!

From the Designer Whey® website:

"Designer Whey® Sustained Energy™ is specifically formulated with our proprietary Endurance Blend™. Designed to give you balanced, stimulant-free, sustained energy through fast absorbing whey protein and slower absorbing soy and casein proteins, giving you a steady supply of essential amino acids while helping you control hunger with fiber.  Packed with 16 grams of protein, 5 grams of fiber and 19 Essential Vitamins & Minerals and naturally flavored and sweetened – all for only 100-good-for-you calories!"

When prepping for shows, I normally use a whey isolate protein powder for any shakes that I may have. Whey isolates are generally lower in taste calories, fat, sugar, and carb grams. Since I don't have to keep as close of an eye on these numbers (improvement season equals a small amount of wiggle room), I decided that I would replace my whey isolate with the Sustained Energy powders I had received.

Post-cardio deliciousness!

The first shake I made was a fairly simple one. I'm always scared of getting fancy with new ingredients so I tend to stick with what I know...lol! I decided to treat myself by drinking my shake out of my Wonder Woman glass instead of a plastic shaker. It's amazing how awesome you feel having a healthy meal out of a real cup :)
Ingredients:  water, 1/2 cup of raspberries, 1/4 cup of chia seeds, Vanilla Bean Sustained Energy

In addition to confessing my fear of fancy protein shakes, I will also admit that I rock bandannas while drinking my protein shakes in the kitchen! I will also admit that I drink Metamucil to help me stay regular. Metamucil is not the easiest thing to drink so I will mix it into other things if I can (remember my Power Slushie?).

This shake was really a spur of the moment idea but it came out perfectly, not too thick or chalky!! As I was making it with the ingredients I listed in the shake above, I remember that I hadn't taken my Metamucil so I added a scoop to the Nutribullet and threw in a banana since it was obvious things were gettin' cray cray up in my kitchen :)
Ingredients:  water, 1/2 cup of raspberries, 1/4 cup of chia seeds, 1 banana, 1 scoop orange flavor Metamucil, Vanilla Bean Sustained Energy

If you have not had the chance to enjoy the yumminess that calls itself "Cream of Wheat Instant - Chocolate", you must to do so immediately. I am obsessed with mixing my cream of wheat with protein powder and so I had to try the Designer Whey® with it. The Chocolate Velvet flavor is quite strong so you know what that means? I did my happy wiggle while enjoying my pre-workout carb meal. It pains me to think about giving up this meal when prep starts but that's so far away, I'm blocking it out :)

Designer Whey® has a pretty great product on their hands. I like the idea of a protein powder giving you long-lasting stimulant free energy! What a simple yet amazing concept! I will admit that I am a bit disappointed by the nutritional facts but only because this is a product I personally would not be able to use during competition season due to the number of protein grams (too low) and carb grams (too high) per serving. But again, it's not competition season so I'm enjoying my two new protein powders!

Guess what?? You can enjoy them too! Designer Whey® has generously offered 6 of my readers the chance to win their own canister of Designer Whey® Sustained Energy!  To enter, you just need to comment below with which flavor you would choose if you won.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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! :)

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

The Prep 4-1-1 and a Winner!

Last week was filled with random awesomeness and a side of "ain't that some shit!"...let's recap what took place but only the good stuff, shall we??

The Princess enjoying an Eegee's!

The Princess was due for her annual appointment with her pediatric neurologist so last Monday she & I trekked to the northside of town, met with her doctor, endured some medical tests, and then heard the words that we long to hear "She looks great and we'll see you guys in 6 months". There was a visit to the Pima County Health Department's shot clinic for immunizations and three shots later, we were ready to have some real fun! DSW, here we come! I didn't find any shoes but The Princess spotted some neon blue Nikes that she just had to have. Since I'm a softie and I felt guilty about the fact that she got 3 shots instead of the ONE shot I told her she needed, I bought her the shoes. Hey, don't judge me! :)

Nerd alert!! The Endeavor flew over Tucson this past Thursday and I swear, everything in the city stood still as it passed over our city. It was the most amazing thing, I kid you not. There are a ton of amazing pictures of the shuttle as it flew over Tucson but the above picture was taken my one of my amazing co-workers from the balcony of our library. #sofrickingcool If you're interested in seeing some of the pictures that were featured in our local newspaper, the Arizona Daily Star, check out their "Endeavor flies over Tucson" gallery.

Prep is moving along...slowly...but it's moving. Saturday marked 7 weeks out and there were no jumps for joy when I saw my progress pictures. TOM was making its presence known and I felt large & in charge! :) Feedback from The Boss #1 was not what I was expecting given how I felt - she told me that I look "itty bitty" - score! I have also been practicing my posing and tweaking a few things here & there. No workout or diet changes so I'm going to keep doin' what I'm doin' :)

And now for the real fun - announcing the winner of the giveaway! Rafflecopter had the honor of selecting the name and it was.....

SHEA! 

Congrats, Shea! Please email me (teneciap at gmail dot com) your mailing address by Wednesday, September 26 so I can get your supplements goodies to you!

Thank you everyone who entered the giveaway! I will be holding another giveaway in the next few weeks!