New Release Tuesday

It seems like everyone is in a group these days, doesn't it?

I'm not a huge fan of girl groups or boy bands

(with the exception of Boyz II Men and Backstreet Boys --

do I really need to explain myself?!!?)

but I do like this particular song. 

Has anyone seen this group perform?

I'm intrigued to see how they sound live....hmm....

Remember That One Time..?

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". 

* if you missed the post, you can read here--> It Was For Charity

Well, I have another nugget of information to share with you.....

THE CALENDAR IS HERE!

I have been impatiently 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!

My sister-in-law's reaction to my calendar picture :)

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 :)

Last week, I had the opportunity to promote the calendar on a local radio station with Justin (founder of Firefighters vs. Autism) 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!

Yes...he was just as gorgeous in person... *drool*

Being involved in this project from the photo shoot to now promoting the finished product has been amazing and incredibly humbling. This organization 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!

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 donation!

And you don't even have to ask....yes....I'm willing to sign your calendars..... ;)

New Release Tuesday

I remember the first time I saw Gwen Stefani.

It was in the "I'm Just A Girl" video and instantly,

I was in love.

I still love Gwen but I have to be honest, 

I didn't love this song the first time I heard it.

BBBBBUUUUUTTTTT,

it's grown on me.

I even do a little wiggle when I hear it!

Enjoy!

Final Decision....

Things have been a bit crazy (to put it simply) since my last show in July. Cliff Note's version  - I lost my coach (what is it with me & coaches this year!?!!?). I ate too much. Work became chaotic. My stress levels were ridiculously high and so I ate more. I may have even drank...a lot....! I hired a new coach. I picked a show date. I started prep. My body was not really feelin' it.

You might be asking what I mean by "not really feelin' it". Well when I received my diet from my coach and started following it, I promptly saw a double digit increase in my weight. I may have screamed "are you f@$king kidding me?" the first time I stepped on the scale & saw the new number and gotten teary. Pictures were sent to coach followed by a telephone call. The decision was made to make a few specific food item substitutions and see how my body responded. If my body didn't drop any weight, we would stop prepping for the show and start focusing on my off-season.

Can you guess what happened?

Coach pressed the stop button.

When we came to the final decision that I wouldn't compete, I did my best to be positive about it. I told myself that I had been dieting all year....that I had a winning season....that I needed time off to grow & make changes....and while all of that sounded great, it still didn't take away the feeling I had that I had failed. That for the first time since I started competing, I was unable to finish a prep and step on stage. I had started something that I couldn't finish.

It's been a few weeks since I've officially been in "off-season" or as I like to call it "Operation Physique Overhaul" and I'm adjusting. I'm learning to enjoy the flexibility that I now have with my meals. I'm learning how to acknowledge that the work & effort I put in right now while directly affect what happens next season. I'm learning how to give the power & decision making over to someone else. And thanks to recent #jesussmacks (or truth texts from certain friends) - I'm learning to stop comparing myself to others and focus on myself & my journey. I'm also learning that it's okay to acknowledge that I have the potential to be successful & do some really awesome things in this sport.

Some days are better than others but it's a process, a lesson, a marathon....I just have to keep moving forward...

Show or no show...still taking ridiculous flexing selfies ;)

New Release Tuesday

Hi! My name is Tenecia and I am a terrible blogger.

Please know that I'm very sorry and I promise to do better.

Please accept this #earcandy as a token of my appreciation 

for your patience and tolerance of my ridiculousness!

Ramblings....

There is one thing I don't really have to worry about when I'm prepping for a show....and that is TRAINING!

I love to train. I love that clang the plates make when they hit one another. I love my home away from home aka my gym. I have fallen in love with my early morning workouts. I love walking out of the gym and thinking "I just killed that workout!".

That post-workout "glow" :)

There are times when I'm certain my head is going to explode if I don't get a weight in my hand right that instant. I'm serious. I've actually said those words...out loud....if that doesn't make me a gym rat, I'm not sure what does...lol!

My "I Think My Coach is Trying to Kill Me" face!

The idea of being the only female on the free weight floor used to scare the shit outta me. If Tom wasn't at the gym with me, I wouldn't go "over there" aka where the weights & scary beefy guys were. I was scared that they would make fun of me for doing exercises wrong, lifting too light, being a female, etc. But as time went on and I became more comfortable with lifting, I couldn't care less if I am the only female in the free weight area. Do some of the male gym members still give me the "what are you doing here?" look? Yes, they do but I just give them my "watch what I can do" look back :)

posted on my Instagram

There are times when I want to give up because I'm not sure I am mentally/physically/emotionally strong enough to continue competing. There are times when I question if this is the sport for me. There are also times when I wonder if I have what it takes to go the distance, to keep pushing forward.

The answer may vary from day to day but here's what I do know, I won't know what I'm capable of it if I don't at least try!

Any Plans?

Folks have been asking me if I'm going to compete in another show before the year ends and the answer to that question is "I don't know". That might sound ridiculous and kind of dumb to you when you read it but it's the truth!

Towards the end of last year, I began planning my 2014 "competition season". I had recently found out that there would be a new NPC show in Arizona (the NPC Dennis James Classic) so that show immediately went on my calendar. At the time, I was working with Randy from BYB Fitness and we discussed the possibility of me stepping on stage at Jr USA's in Charleston so that went on my calendar as well. I also wrote in USAs in July which, if I had to pick, was the one show I really really wanted to do! Plans were made....training schedules were put into place...

Then life happened.

Life happened and all my plans went to shit.

My old plan was no longer workable so I created a new plan. This new plan consisted of new show dates - the NPC Dennis James Classic and the NPC Terminator. The new plan consisted of shaking off my anger and hurt feelings and focusing on preparing myself for my first show of the year. The new plan consisted of me finding self-confidence and determination to prove that I could step on stage and be a force to be reckoned with.

The NPC Dennis James Classic came and went. I placed 3rd and given the road I had taken to get to the show, I was slightly disappointed but relieved that I had placed. Then I made a change to my new plan. I started working with a new coach and started considering the possibility of stepping on the national stage before the year ended. It would not be the national show my heart was set on but it would still be a national show.

Then life happened.

Life happened and the new plan went to shit.

I was confused. I was lost. I was angry. I was sad. I was angry. I was scared. But you know one thing I wasn't?

A quitter.

So, another new plan was put into place and right now I'm working that plan. That plan consists of a new training schedule, a new nutrition plan, and another competition way off in the distance. So when folks ask me if I'm doing another show before the end of the year and I tell them "I don't know", I'm not being secretive or coy or a jerk. At this point, I really don't know.

What I know is that when it's time, I'll be ready...bedazzled suit, stripper heels, and all!.

New Release Tuesday

I don't remember where I heard this song 

but I heard it last week, and 

it's been living in my head ever since!

My ears are so happy with all of the 

new music I've been discovering lately.

I hope your ears are enjoying it as well!

Life. Plain & Simple.

I can't get a blogging schedule in place. I just can't do it. I have no idea what is wrong with me but I will start the day with every intention on blogging and then next thing I know, the day is over! What the shit as my mother-in-law would say :)

*you can always keep up with me over on Instagram! Follow me if you're not already -- MrsFitLibrarian

Hangin' out with my girl Lo on my birthday

The Princess and I enjoying a giggle at our birthday dinner!

13!?!? Where did the time go!?!?

Birthdays have been taking place. Not only mine but The Princess as well! It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that I have a teenager now...especially a teenager who is, eerily at times, very similar to me. She is a great kid and thankfully, she is a lot like her father as well (whew!). 

My sister with our parents on her birthday

My sister will be having her second baby in the next couple of months. Action Jaxon is getting bigger every day and he is a ridiculous amount of fun.

I love Reese's Oreos!

So does Jaxon!

He loves his Aunt T and Uncle Tommy. It could be the marshmallows and other treats we bribe him with but who cares. We taught him how to "make a muscle" - it's the cutest thing ever - I need to get a picture of him doing it! 

I'm trying not to die and Tom needs to turn the moment into a photoshoot :)

Sometimes I just need to lay down...catch my breath...and snap a photo :)

Baby boulders!

4 am and the gym is empty. #happymeathead

Training has been going well! I have been focusing on some of my weaker areas (cough cough...legs & glutes...cough cough) and these workouts are BRUTAL!!!! I love that I'm having to push myself in a way I haven't before - it keeps things fun & interesting.

New pre-workout from Eat the Bear

Love this tank! You can get one from Iron Bros Health.

yyyyeeeeaaahhh buddy!
Samples from the Ronnie Coleman Signature Series!

A sample of one of the GAT products Iron Bros Health carries.
This stuff is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! 

The guys always have the best care packages put together for me!

#supplementswag  :)

I'm extremely lucky to have to such a great sponsor in Iron Bros Health! They always take such great care of me and make sure I have the supplements I need to support my training and keep me healthy. This is especially important since it looks like I will be competing again this year. 

Yes. You read that right. Another show.

If all goes well and the body holds up, I will be stepping on stage on October 25th & 26th! The goal is to present a tighter, lean, more polished package than I have the last two times I've stepped on stage this year. 

Cross your fingers. 

It's definitely going to be an interesting ride!!

Delirious (Boneless) ft. Kid Ink - Steve Aoki, Chris Lake, Tujamo

When this songs come on and I'm on the StairMonster,

I own those steps like a muthaf@*%king boss!!

I'm not kidding.

I do the pucker my lips, shoulder shrug, nodding of the head thing.

I can't help it. This is some good stuff!!!

Another recent discovery thanks to iTunes Radio!

New Release Tuesday

Y'all know I'm doing my own

"I'm All About That Bass" dance, don't you??

Diggin' the message of the song and

let's be real, we've all wanted

to bump a skinny bitch with our juicy booty ;)

Enjoy!

I Did It!!!

Remember in my Shame On Me!! post when I said

 "I've also handed the reins over to someone else in order to be

 more competitive (would love to win an overall title one day!), 

make the necessary changes to my physique, 

and get my nutrition on point."? 

Well, it happened!!! 

photo credit

Last Saturday I won Figure Class A and the Overall Figure title at the NPC Terminator! I was honestly in shock! After prejudging, I thought that I had placed second in the class and I was perfectly ok with that. But in the end, it was my number and name that they called when they announced first place & the overall winner. I can't describe to you what it felt like to be standing in the middle of that line, tiara on my head, 1st place trophy at my feet, hearing my friends and family cheer for me. It was an amazing feeling and I will never forget it!

I know a recap (not only for this show but the Dennis James Classic) is necessary but I don't want to do that in this post. Right now I would like to take the time to thank a few folks!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!

• Thank you to Tom aka The Boss #2 - my unofficial coach & trainer, "It's Crunch Time" reminder, and partner in crime. I know prep is hard, not only for me but you as well. I know that the last few months have been crazy with all of the changes but you stuck it out with me and even made me grilled cheese sandwiches! Thank you for supporting and sometimes carrying me on your shoulders (even if I'm a walrus)! 
• Thank you to my incredible family (Mom, Dad, Reecie, Jonathan, Uncle James, Aunt Margaret, Little James, Clarisse, Josh, Josue, Pam, Jack, Crissy) for putting up with my "I can't have that" on Family Day, listening to my boring prep talk, and coming to my show! I love you guys and know that I couldn't have accomplished so many of the things that I have without you guys!
• Thank you to my #IronFamily! Nate, Jimmy, Pancho, Philip, and Brandy! You guys are so amazing. The encouragement, support, love, and positive energy you provide is more than a meathead could ever ask for! :)
• Thank you to my gym Desert Sports & Fitness, specifically Joella and Steve! I appreciate you guys making sure that not only I, but all of the other DSF members have a top notch gym to get gains in :)       Joella - thank you again for all of the times you've been my post office box and let me sneak my meals into the refrigerator. I'm pretty sure I owe you more Starbucks, yogurt parfaits, and chocolate than I can keep track of. Steve - I know I'm you're favorite. That's why you give me so much shit, right?? :) Thanks for keeping things interesting!
• Thank you to my amazing friends (Lo, KC, Marissa, Chelsea, Savannah, Jenny, and everyone else I forgot to name)! I have never been that girl who had a large group of friends but the friends I did have were/are QUALITY. You have no idea what your texts, lunches, video messages, shopping dates, dinner dates, etc mean to me. You help me keep my sanity. You remind me that despite my craziness & my tendency to close myself off - there are still people who want to be a part of my life and care for me. I don't deserve you but am so thankful for you. 
• Thank you to Mason for helping me prepare for this show. I know we didn't have a lot of time to work together but I'm definitely happy with what we were able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. P.S. Dafuq is "carb sensitive"?? ;)
• Thank you to those of you reading this! I know I haven't been as consistent with this thing as I have been in the past but I appreciate you still being here and following me on this wacky journey. You guys rock my world!

Now....where did I put my tiara?? :)

New Release Tuesday

Love.

Love.

And love some more.

That.is.all.

New Release Tuesday

Do you ever think that some of the people in your life 

should have their own theme song? You know...

like in a movie or tv show...

when certain characters enter and a particular song plays....

Yeah....

This could totally be a perfect theme song.

So in love with this song right now 

that I know it's borderline outta control!

Shame on Me!!

It's been over a month since the last time I posted something! That's a damn shame. I offer no excuses. I go from feeling like I don't have much to say to feeling like I have so much to share but can't manage to form a coherent sentence.

What can I say?? I'm a hot damn mess :)

Let's talk competitions! I promise at some point to provide a proper recap post but right now, I'll just give you the Cliff's Notes version. I competed in Figure at the Dennis James Classic in Phoenix on May 31st. While my prep for the show was full of craziness, I arrived in Phoenix feeling pretty solid about the physique I would be presenting. In the end, I walked away with 3rd place. As I always do after each show, I emailed the head judge for feedback so I'm intrigued to find out what he has to say.

Here are some pictures to hold you over until I get an actual recap done!

Brandi (fellow #IronGal) and I met Dennis James after athlete check-ins!

Officially checked in - Figure Class D! 

Originally I had planned to do two July competitions following the Dennis James Classic but that plan has been completely revamped :)

My next show will be the NPC Terminator and it's in a little less than 3 weeks! The really awesome thing about this show is that it's here in Tucson! The Princess will be able to attend the show (I've been instructed that "you better win it, Mom!") as well as other family members, some of my friends, and my #IronFamily. It will also be fun to hang out with everyone after the show - bring on the food, booze, and shenanigans!

I've also handed the reins over to someone else in order to be more competitive (would love to win an overall title one day!), make the necessary changes to my physique, and get my nutrition on point. Past coach/athlete relationships did not work out as well as I had anticipated so I was hesitant to hire a new coach. I really figured Tom & I could continue to do this competition thing on our own for the remainder of this year and then when it was time, we would have a serious conversation about whether or not I should continue to compete.

While at the Dennis James Classic, I ran into a coach/trainer that I've come to know over the past few years. His fiancee and I have competed together at some of the same shows and as recently as a month ago, one of his clients rented one of my competition suits for her national debut. He and I politely chit-chatted like we usually do and then I heard myself saying something about me feeling like it was time for us to talk seriously about becoming one of his athletes. About a week after the show, I called him and we had a great conversation (complete with "AHA" moments for me) about my goals, my training, nutrition, etc. I didn't want to make any decisions without Tom's input so he & Tom spoke to one another the next night. In the end, Tom told me the decision was mine to make and he would support me no matter what I chose to do. He added that he appreciated that this particular coach was willing to not only answer questions from me but my husband as well. Tom told me he liked what he heard and thought it would be smart of me to work with him. What could I say after that!?! :)

Two weeks ago, I officially hired Mason of Team MFit AZ as my coach/trainer and from the moment I put myself in his hands, he has been whoopin' my ass!

The last couple of weeks have been an adjustment, not only because of my new training & meal plans but work as well. Mason asked me how I was feeling during my check in over the weekend and I told him, "Like shit" (I was being slightly dramatic) but he explained to me what changes he saw taking place and then  sent me this photo:

Of course I could pick this apart but bottom line, I look better 2 weeks out than I did one day out from my last show. It's been tough and I've felt weak at times but I know, to my core, that there's some good stuff on the other side (maybe a set of Dwight Howard shoulders??!?! lol). Both Mason & I have high expectations (no pressure!) and I don't want to let my new coach & team down - so I will do what needs to be done, even if that means wanting to knock over a StairMill!!

New Release Tuesday

I know I'm a little...ok...a lot...late

with sharing a song today but hey,

it's still technically Tuesday here in AZ! :)

I don't really know what to say about this song

except that from the first time I heard it,

it wormed its way into my mind & heart

and I couldn't shake it.

It's that good.

Trust me. 

You need this song in your life.

It Was For Charity!

A few months ago my friend Susie posted on my Facebook timeline that a particular charity was looking for firefighter wives to pose for a 2015 calendar. Before I could really think things through, I contacted the person who put out the call for models and told him that I would like to be considered if they still needed models. A short time later, he emailed me back and said they would love for me to be a part of the calendar.

WHAT THE...!?!?!

Pose for a calendar?!?! What was I thinking??!?!

I received a message from the photographer and we set up a time to meet & go over the "logistics".  Jason (the photographer) was super cool and we both seemed to have the same idea about the type of shoot we would do. It's funny to answer questions like "How much skin are you comfortable showing?"  and "Is this pose sexy or slutty to you?" but Jason wanted to ensure that I would be comfortable with every aspect of the shoot. We made a decision about the date of the shoot and off I went. I would be a liar if I said that I didn't second guess my decision every day occasionally but I kept telling myself "It's for charity!".

I've never shot for a calendar before so I wasn't really sure what to buy so I went on "shopping sprees" at H & M, Target, and Frederick's.

Posted this on Instagram and asked for opinions

COVER YOUR EYES!!!
I had to apologize to Crissy & buy her eyedrops after sending her pictures like this one!

My poor sister-in-law. I was constantly blowing up her phone with pictures of me trying on possible outfits (I use that term loosely! lol!). I am so not the "sexy" type so I definitely needed someone else's opinion about what a model would wear!

I also sent my purchases with Jason and he replied back with "You must love to shop!" to which I replied
"....umm...mmmayyyybbbeee....don't judge me!" He told me which outfit he liked the best but also told me to bring a couple of my favorites as well.

The day before the shoot, I was ridiculously nervous. What if I looked like a hot mess? What if all of my pictures looked like a pile of poo? What if? What if? What if? But I knew there was really nothing I could do at this point except park myself in the bed, rest, and get ready to get nekked in public!

We (Tom, my sister-in-law Crissy, and I) headed over to Jason's tattoo shop early Saturday morning so I could meet his wife Lexy, who would be doing my makeup. Jason also wanted to see my outfits in person and make any last changes to wardrobe, locations, etc.

Lexy was super friendly and cool and she made it easy for me to relax & let her do her thing (or was that the moonshine??). Before I knew it she was done and it was time to head downtown and start shooting.

Time to get naked!
*love Tom's face...lol...*

Not going to lie - my butt looks pretty awesome in this shot!
Yay squats & deadlifts! 

Reppin' my Iron Gals gear! 

Getting posing directions - I needed ALL the help I could get!

This may not make it into the calendar but
it's definitely one of my favorites!

I'm not going to go into every small detail about what happened during the shoot but there are a few things I would like to share:

• You still get hot & a little sweaty even when you're wearing a lace bra and thong
• Bicycle riders may have difficulty focusing on the road and may come close to crashing their bikes if they see a half-naked women laying on some rocks
• When the photographer tells you that you're shooting in a "low traffic area", double check that there isn't a Blues Festival taking place adjacent to said low traffic area
• Jan Tana Hi-Def Glaze isn't only for figure competitions
• Showin' your ass in public is always more fun when you have your crazy sister-in-law and husband with you
• Photo shoots can be summed up using two phrases and they are "I woke up like this!" and "Get naked! Remember, it's for charity!"

After the photo shoot, the three us of grabbed something to eat and then headed to my in-laws house. Of course, we toasted to the shoot - waking up like this - my upcoming competition - the sun shining - and anything else you can think of. It's how we do!

Once I have been given the word that the calendars are for sale, I will definitely share that information you guys. Please save your allowance so you can buy one - it's for a great cause!

Thank you to Justin for feeling like I was worthy, not only of being in the calendar but part of this incredible project. Thank you to Jason for dealing with all of my ridiculousness, making me feel like I could actually take a great picture, and just being an awesome guy. Thank you to Susie for thinking of me when you saw the call for models (even if I still think you're crazy...lol!). A H-U-G-E thank you to Crissy for dealing with my texts, helping me keep my sanity, and supporting me like you always do. Thank you to my family for not judging me for being naked...AGAIN :)

And last but not least, much love & thanks to my mister for last minute snack shopping, slapping on my glaze, helping me put on the turnouts, and making me feel like I was going to be the hottest wife in the calendar!

And I'll leave you with a photo that is more my style....more the every day Tenecia if you will....just a nerdy, goofy, muscley librarian ;)