That's What's Up Thursday

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I have been a fan of this particular competitor for quite some time!!
Remember when I first featured her on "That's What's Up Thursday"?
Or when I shared with you how I met her backstage at the Border States show?

Show after show, she was overlooked and 

critiqued by the judges for her physique.

Show after show, she brought an incredible package to the stage 

and refused to be defeated.

Last weekend, she finally received a win that was long overdue.

Last week, she qualified to step on the Olympia stage later this year.

Last weekend, she proved that determination and 

perseverance will pay off in the end.

Last week, she proved all the haters wrong.

IFBB Figure Pro Rosalind Vanterpool - now that's what's up!!!

Signs of the Times

When I prep for a show, I usually say that the sh!t starts to feel real when the countdown of weeks changes to single digits. In addition to the countdown, there are other signs that tell me that show time is thisclose to being here!

Oops..should have taken the picture before tearing open the envelope :)

Receiving your new suit in the mail is a clear indication that your show is right around the corner. Trying on said suit and feeling like a sausage in it is also a sign that you need to kick it into high gear so you don't look like a hot mess while on stage!

I'm pretty certain that our mailman hates us but...that's not what we're talking about right now! Another sign is packages of peak week and show day items you need arriving at your doorstep. I love receiving mail that isn't a bill (who doesn't!??!) and I also love adding all of my necessities to the shelf in the hall closet we've designated at the "Show Zone"

Tickets to the "gun show"!

Tickets!! The theatre where the NPC Terminator is being held is actually right down the street from my library branch. Last week during my lunch break I took a stroll to the box office and purchased tickets for Tom and The Princess. The Princess decided that she would like to attend the evening show because "I need to see you get your trophy, Mom"...from her lips to God's ears :)

Last sign that I'll share today is the number of meals eaten post-workout in the gym parking lot increases exponentially! I honestly don't know what it means to enjoy a meal at my kitchen table, on a plate, eaten with a fork as my show draws nearer. I think I should probably add this to the "You Know You're A Figure Competitor When..." list, shouldn't I?

The signs are all around me!!! It's almost here!!! Eeek!!! I'm scared and nervous....more than I've been for any of my past shows. I'm not sure why this is but I keep looking at the picture below to help me keep my fear in check.....

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New Release Tuesday

I remember the first time I heard my baby brother playing Linkin Park. I thought he was having an identity crisis - I teased him that he was forgetting that he was half Black...I'm a mean big sister...I know...lol!! I told him it wasn't music, it was just some guy screaming.

Fast forward a few years and now we both love Linkin Park! My brother made me sit in his room and actually listen to the cd he was playing and I had to admit, it was really really good! Since then, I've been a fan.

This is a great song and a beautiful video (even if I don't completely understand it!)

Enjoy!

Sweat to Street Sunday #13

Welcome to Sweat to Street Sunday!

Each week my fabulously fit co-hosts and I will link up with one everyday outfit AND one fitness outfit that we love!

Meet Your Hosts!

Family and Life in Las Vegas (Emily)

Wild Things RUN Free (Charlotte)

Running and Cupcakes (Samantha)

MCM Mama (Erika)

Boobs, Barbells, and Broccoli (Tenecia)

***IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW SWEAT TO STREET ON TWITTER OR PLAN ON TWEETING YOUR POST, PLEASE USE THE HASHTAG #SweatToStreet***

Sweat to Street has been created as a place to link up your favorite outfits of the week as a new Sunday blog feature. The idea is to have some fun and change it up! Each week we encourage you to post one workout outfit and one outfit you wore that isn’t fitness related.

Every week we spotlight one awesome blogger who links up with us in the previous week! Our way of thanking you for sharing your fabulous/fun/fitness style!

 

This week's featured blogger: Casey at CSWFit Yoga

 

SWEAT!!!

I have no sweat picture from this week...boo! Honestly, I completely

forgot about taking pictures. 

I've been a tad forgetful lately but that's another

post for another time..lol! 

STREET!!!

It's summer in Tucson...not officially...

but when it's 107 degrees on any given day,
I think it's safe to say it's summer! 

To me, that means more sleeveless shirts and skirts. 

That also means having to shave my legs consistently...ugh...but

let's not talk about that right now ;)

Shirt: Merono ($5 on Target clearance rack last summer!!)

Skirt: H & M (purchased from Buffalo Exchange)

Shoes: Jessica Simpson

Accessories: earrings from Charlotte Russe,
cuff from Creations (local boutique), 

Fossil watch, Coach bracelets

 

Link-up Suggestions:

• follow the hosts on twitter: @FamilyNLifeLV, @Char__Latte, @MrsFitLibrarian, @MCMmama, @RunCupcake
• Feel free to follow us all via RSS as well so you never miss a Sweat to Street post!
• Snag a button and share the fun!!
• Sharing is caring! Be sure to visit pages participating in the link up!
• Feel free to share this link up on your own blog by grabbing the code here! get the InLinkz code
• HAVE FUN!

Remember if you don't link up, we can't choose you to be next week's featured blogger! We are so excited to see all the fashions that are shared each week!

May Foodie Penpals Reveal!!!

April was the first month that I participated in the Foodie Penpals. If you interested in reading about what I received in my first box, you can check out my post here.  I had so much fun the first month, I definitely had to sign up for May!!

For an official description of the Foodie Penpals program and sign up for the upcoming month, head over to the  Foodie Penpals page!

I had the awesome pleasure of receiving a box from Denise at We Love to Cook! Now I have to tell you that her blog is nothing short of amazing! Denise features delicious recipes as well as information about different cooking techniques (check out her post on slicing - very informative!).

wax seal not shown..he he :)

The first thing I noticed when I opened my box was this beautiful envelope with a wax seal! I love wax seals - I insisted on having them on my wedding invitations! Inside the envelope was lovely card written in the most gorgeous handwriting...I'm so envious of anyone who can write in cursive that doesn't look like chicken scratch! :)

Who doesn't take their gifts to work to open?!? ;)

While looking through the box, I found a small item delicately wrapped in tissue paper. My first thought was, "I wonder what food item can you wrap in tissue paper...??" Well it turns out it wasn't a food item, it was.....

A bracelet!!! The bracelet is make of wine corks and some of them are painted in a lovely purple/wine color. I was not expecting any accessories but I'm so happy Denise included it - I love it!

There was a treat that I found in the box that when I saw it, I began jumping up & down (no joke!) and screaming "shut up! shut up!". It was a Chick-O-Stick! Now Denise had absolutely NO way of knowing this but this was one of my favorite candies when I was younger. I don't like coconut but for some reason, I don't mind it when it's on a Chick-O-Stick! The candy is made of peanut butter and rolled in coconut. If you've never had it, you're missing out. I can't eat it right now due to prepping for my shows but it's been placed in my post-show treat bag. I'm so excited about gobbling it down - lol!

Other items in the box included Godiva coffee, pecan smoked sea salt, Ballpark Nacho sauce with cheddar & jalapenos (I can't wait to open that!), pasta de harina (wheat pellets), and sesame snaps! Do you see why I'm in love with this box?!?!

Thank you so much Denise for sending me such an incredible gift! I really appreciate it and will enjoy every last item in the box!

If you're interested in seeing what type of box I sent to Karin at Savor the World, head over to her blog and read her "Treats from Arizona" post.

Something Strange Happened...

There was a moment over the weekend when I thought my countdown to the NPC Terminator was off by a week. I felt sad because that meant more dieting but strangely happy because that meant I had more time to make changes! Well, it turns out that I was off by a week but only because I was counting from the wrong date on the calendar...lol...ridiculous!

I think I might see a shoulder vein...eek!!

For the first time in this prep, I felt positive about my progress pictures when I saw them. Usually my first response when Tom shows them to me is, "I hate them." and "I still look fat". I will sit at the computer and scrutinize the pictures. I will pick myself apart and then I will stomp out of the room declaring that I'm not doing the show. Yes, I have a flair for the dramatics - I own it :)

This week was COMPLETELY different! I looked at my pictures and felt pretty dang good about what I saw! My physique is definitely changing and I can see a visible difference from last week to this week! I'm still concerned about if I'll come in "too muscular" but it is what is :)

I had to come clean to The Boss last Thursday! The family went out to lunch to celebrate the fact that The Princess was promoted to the 6th grade and is now officially a middle schooler (excuse me while I go throw up!). I ate something that was completely off plan and I paid for it dearly! My tummy was gurgling the rest of the day and that's all I'm going to say about that...lol! When I told The Boss what happened, she laughed and basically told me that's what I get for cheating! I love that woman :)

We are keeping things the same for now which means no added cardio (woo hoo) and no diet changes! I received an email question about what meal of the day I'm not tired of eating yet and I have to say it's my salmon + brussel sprouts (or asparagus) meal. I can't have my hot sauce with it right now but the meal still makes me do my happy wiggle :)

I was trying to wait until Tuesday to share this song but I can't!! I heard this song and instantly feel in love!! I think I'm going to have to designate this as this prep's second theme song...oh...wait...maybe it can be the song playing when the credits are playing! It speaks to me because I feel like I've been fighting to carve out a place for myself my whole life, especially now that I'm competing. I've always felt like the underdog and I've had to work extra extra hard at proving myself. That's ok with me - I'm going to do what the songs says and give them hell!

P.S. I'm totally not ashamed to admit that this video makes me teary! :)

Sweat to Street Sundays...#12??

Welcome to Sweat to Street Sunday's!

Each week my fabulously fit co-hosts and I will link up with one everyday outfit AND one fitness outfit that we love!

Meet Your Hosts!

Family and Life in Las Vegas (Emily) 

Wild Things RUN Free (Charlotte) 

Running and Cupcakes (Samantha)

 MCM Mama (Erika) 

Boobs, Barbells, and Broccoli (Tenecia)

***IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW SWEAT TO STREET ON TWITTER OR PLAN ON TWEETING YOUR POST, PLEASE USE THE HASHTAG #SweatToStreet***

Sweat to Street has been created as a place to link up your favorite outfits of the week as a new Sunday blog feature. The idea is to have some fun and change it up! Each week we encourage you to post one workout outfit and one outfit you wore that isn’t fitness related.

Every week we spotlight one awesome blogger who links up with us in the previous week! Our way of thanking you for sharing your fabulous/fun/fitness style! 

  This week's featured blogger: Carly from Rock the Dogs

SWEAT!!! 


This outfit is from ONE of the three times
I hit the gym last week. That's right...I'm only
hitting the weights three times a week...it makes
me want to shed a tear or punch someone in their
throat...I'll settle for either one ;)

Shirt: Forever 21
Shorts: Champion USA (I really really love the fit
of these shorts!!!)
Shoes: Nike
Accessories: Livestrong bracelet, earrings from H & M


STREET!!!

The Princess is officially done with elementary school!
Her 5th grade promotion was last week and I was a big, teary mess!
Anyway, I'm not talking about it right now or
I'll start crying again! lol!!

Here's the outfit that I wore for the ceremony...

Dress: Daisy Fuentes (Kohls)
Shoes: Gianni Biani
Accessories: earrings from McGuires Jewelers, Livestrong bracelet,
cuff from Tiffany & Co, Coach bracelets

 Link-up Suggestions:

• follow the hosts on twitter: @FamilyNLifeLV, @Char__Latte, @MrsFitLibrarian, @MCMmama, @RunCupcake
• Feel free to follow us all via RSS as well so you never miss a Sweat to Street post!
• Snag a button and share the fun!!
• Sharing is caring! Be sure to visit pages participating in the link up!
• Feel free to share this link up on your own blog by grabbing the code here! get the InLinkz code
• HAVE FUN!

Remember if you don't link up, we can't choose you to be next week's featured blogger! We are so excited to see all the fashions that are shared each week!