Staying True

This week has been hard...I moved my original plan on having no carbs about 4 weeks early, and I'm dying inside.  I changed it because I read all these articles and most of the time I get scared I won't be able to look as good as the girls in the article.  I've re-thought this, and I'm going to back to my meal plan I originally had and cut back a lil at a time. I have 6 1/2 weeks left, I can't go at this level, because my exercise sessions will be useless, and my mood will get worse from here. 

High on Life

Today's workout was amazing!!! I just went into that Gym and OWNED IT! It felt great.  I think it was because I used my new workout clothes (had to get smaller ones..hehehe) and it showed my improvements...seeing your improvements while you workout is the best motivation ever!

The closer I get to competition time, the more questions/tasks I have...

-Finding a Make-Up Artist: I think I found one :)
-Tanning: I starting fake n baking..I know to get spray tanned the day before and day of, however, the tanning salon I go to will only charge me $15 (member rate) to get spray tanned versus $100 for the day of, and it's on site.  Which one? Would I be ok if I got spray tanned the night before?? or do I need to do both?
-Cutting Water: Drink lots of water 3-4 weeks before, then cut water AND/OR water pills?
-The information on the NPC website is half finished, so I don't even know what time the Bikini Pre-judging is :(...emailed the coordinator, hopefully I'll hear something soon

** You will never know your limits until you push yourself to them** 

7 More Weeks

3 Words: 

No More Carbs 

....and I have lost one inch in the following areas in ONE week...

-Widest part of my waist aka Kangaroo Pouch ... Boom Baby

-Narrowest part of my waist...oh YEA ! 

-and-

My thighs....HEY!!! 

Gotta Love Change

As you can tell this past week I have had to deal with a lot of stress.  It's amazing how my new adventure of FITNESS is helping me through this path in life.

I'm a Christian woman and I have dedicated my life to God.  I listen to him when he guides me in the direction he intends my life to go in because I believe he has drawn my life out already for me.  This week, I've had a struggle with my goals I was setting for myself.  My main goals go in this order: 1- Be the best Mom I can be to Jaedon and Omarion 2-Give my school my all, because the better I do, the better J-O-B I get to support my family...aka MoJO (MO-Jaedon-Omarion) and 3- transform my body into the best it can be and challenge myself to compete in a Bikini Competition :)...A Lot, huh? yep I know.

Every night I go to bed, and I ask God, is this where you want me to be? I was thinking of a certain someone that was in my life for about 8 months and helped me see that I CAN be Monique, and that I CAN think for myself, and I asked God, why am I thinking of him all of sudden? (well maybe not 'all of a sudden', because I did love him, so I think of him often)

It all came together today.  I was talking to my biggest cheerleader, my safe haven, my sister today and let me just tell you, I love that girl, she just lets me talk and talk, and she asks all the right questions to really get what is on my mind out in the open-with no judgement, and that's the best!!! Well, she started asking all the right questions, and all the pieces I was receiving this week from God were coming together and after having the revelation I felt free of my stress, I felt free of worry, it was A-MAZING.

...and then to top if off, my devotional that I read last night, read this on the last line: "Are you holding on to something God has intended for someone else ( a possession, an opportunity, a dream, a role, a calling, or a title)? Release it, and see what cup full of love he has in store for you." and recalling that line from the devotional was the cherry on top :D

I know you're probably saying, well what is it?  It's actually in the works, and I don't want to spoil the news, so I'll wait until it's the right time...I needed to write this out, and tell the world how awesome it feels to really listen to your heart and listen to what God has in store for you, because he will take you to places you never knew you could go.

Much Love and Happier ~  MO 

Week 7....in a nut shell....well kind of....

End of Week 7...the ending was not like the beginning.  In the beginning I was happy, excited about my adventure, and taking a double look at my life saying, 'wow, I'm doing it, raising my two energized boys, going to school-full time and to top it off training for my bikini competition with no trainer.'  I had it all figured out, and then out of blue, God wanted to teach me a lesson that he's been trying to teach me, 'Slow down and read what's in front of you.'  How did he do that? We'll let me break it down for you.  On Friday, I'm looking at my grades for my Visual Basic class (class is on-line) and noticed that the past 4 weeks I've received ZERO points.  I looked at my professors comments (side note: since it's online I rarely look at my grades) and he stated I was doing the wrong assignment.  I all of a sudden go into panick mode, 'What I'm i going to do? will I pass this class...AHHHH'.  I emailed my professor, and he's letting me do half of the assignments that I did wrong.  And all I need to say is, 'Thank You God, Lesson Learned!'   

Number 2 stressor (yes there is a number 2), I'm trying to find an internship for my last semester in College and I'm having a hard time finding one, that worry turned into, what if I can't find a fiull-time job come December when I graduate, what will I do???..then it occurred to me, I don't have control over this, God does, and I put it in his hands, because I know he has my best interest at heart.

Wow! That was a lot in my week 7....I'm learning to control my stressors, because it does no good for my body, especially my body fat.!!! 

Look at my side view comparison for week 7...not bad eh? 

Looking ahead at week 8, there are a lot of changes this week:

-2 NO CARB days

-4 days of Cardio 

-Start tanning :) 

-Practicing my Walk and Posing...which I did today. and two words .... Oh YEAH :) 

***When You Feel Like Qutting, Think About Why You Started*** 

I like big butts!!

First...I have decided to delay doing two-a-days until after finals (May 12th), for two big reasons: my first workout would be early in the morning anywhere between 4:30 and 5:30 in the AM, I'm not a morning person and two, with getting up early, I'll need to go to bed early, that can't happen while I'm going to school, I won't have any time to study :(..I figure that's two week pre-competition, perfect timing to shed the last of the 'unwanted' fat.

Second, I looked at myself in the mirror after getting ready this morning, like most women, and found that my butt is getting to be BJO (Before Jaedon & Omarion).  I took a pic, and originally sent it to my sister to share with her, but I thought, nope I'm posting this on my blog, I'm proud of it!!! 

YES!!!

End of Week 6, and I've seen results in my kangaroo pouch!!!! It feels great!!! Lost 1.4 lbs this week...I feel wonderful and motivated! 

This week I have also started doing 2 a Day Cardio sessions. I've read several articles that say for women the 2-a-days help women with their trouble spots (stomach and thighs-hello that's me!!)  My second cardio session will be low-intensity for 30 min....let's see what the results will be at the end of the week :) I love experimenting :) 

**if it's important to you, you'll find a way, if not, you'll find an excuse ** 

WoW-that was exciting!!

Today, marks the end of week 5 and the numbers for my weight and body fat stayed pretty much the same.  My Week 5 pictures have improved, my weights in the weight room have increased as well.

I have started to take fat burners, not hydroxycut or anything like that, it's called Shred.  I'm hoping my problem area will start going down (my kangaroo pouch), we shall see at end of week 6.

Today, Benjie (my cousin) and I went to my first NPC competition, the NPC Denver Open.  There were a lot of thoughts that went through my head, mostly anxious thoughts...some included:

'Well I think I'm ready to workout again'
'Omgosh! My Bikini is not Bling-ish enough, I need to talk to Mom'
'where's my Lufa?' - if you don't know what I mean by that, just ask. :)
'Suck it in Monique'

After my adventitious day, I was tired and a little un-motivated, Benjie showed me a lot of inspiring pictures of fitness models and where they started versus to where they are now.  It really motivated me and picked up my spirits....check out my two favorite:

http://liftmeupfitness.com/2013/09/30/my-fitness-secret/

http://www.trimmedandtoned.com/top-fitness-model-nifma-champion-jill-mcconkey-talks-with-tt

Quotes to Live By

It's just another day, another week in the life of becoming a Bikini Boss...lol...I heard that term this week, and I know I use it every time I reference the Bikini Competition :)

I scheduled my photo shoot with Brett Seeley Photography.  Check out his work, it's amazing and I can't wait until May 24th (my photo shoot date)  (http://brettseeleyphoto.com/)

Everyday I get more and more motivated to work out, yesterday was my off day, and today I can't wait to get off of work and WORKOUT my arms :D

I've been doing this for about 35 days or so, and I'm SOOOO addicted, the quotes are true:

- Once you see results, it becomes an addition
- It takes 21 days for something to become a habit
-"Life may knock the wind out of you, but never let it knock the WIN out of you" - Stephen Price

Week 4 Down...11 More Weeks to GO!!

Week 4 is done, and I'm seeing LOTS AND LOTS of progress...let's analyze the ups and down....

Ups: my backside is making a lot of progress...you'll see soon enough!

Ups: My Bikini came in....whoop, whoop!!

Ups: I'm down to 124.4, that's a total of 3.8 lbs lost, and 9 more to go.

The ONE and ONLY down:
MY body fat when up by .6%, I'm assuming it's a combination of the two: emotional eating last weekend, and stress/worry when it comes to my Lolo Bobo...RIP my Lolo Bobo :D


**I exercise because somehow completely exhausting myself is the most relaxing part of my day **
On that note, I'm off to the gym, it's leg day and CARDIO :D

HAPPY SATURDAY :D 

Bouncing BACK!

Well, I'm bouncing back from my weekend of eating foods I shouldn't have eaten.  I weight myself everyday and I have finally passed the weight that I was at, at the end of Week 3!...Everyday I feel better and better about working out, I'm seeing results and having to go up in weight while I'm weight lifting puts a HUGE smile on my face.  Tomorrow will mark the end of Week 4.  I can't wait to take my Week 4 photos and to get my body fat %!! :D 

Stronger than....

As stated earlier, I am an emotional eater...and that's exactly what I did this weekend, I ATE!!! I did exactly what I wasn't supposed to do.  :( I think of it this way though... I'm 13 Weeks out from the competition, and ideally you would start training 12 Weeks out.  Sooo, that's how I justified that to myself :) and best believe as soon as I got home last night, I made sure to make all my meals for today!! ... however on a positive note, my week 3 pics look good!! Improving a lot!! and I lost 2 PERCENT BODY FAT! Yea Boi !!!

****BE STRONGER THAN YOU EXCUSES****

Adjustments...

This week has been a tough week to be motivated :(

However, I did alter my diet....I have incorporated high and low carb days, and used iiyfm.com to determine my calorie intake.  I need to have 1477 calories a day, and I was getting 1300.  That's why this week has been a tough week to be motivated because my calorie intake was lower then it needs to be, therefore I had no energy.

And, I have also altered my workout plan.  I rotate my days every three days between the three: legs, arms, cardio, and every week I will do that rotation two times, making it 6 days a week I'm working out.  On day 2 and day 4, I'm adding 15 minutes of HITT training on the treadmill or the stair master.  Starting 8 weeks out from the competition, I'm going to add a day to do an additional 15 min of HITT, do that two weeks, and then add another day, until week 15, and I'm doing HITT every day.  That way I'll work my way up to cutting weight as I get closer to competition.  The same thing with my carb intake, as I get closer to my competition, I'm going cut my carbs.

Tomorrow I'm going to get my body fat and my weight update, but like I said last week, I'm not anticipating great numbers...boohooo!!  and we are also leaving for St. Louis for my Lolo Bobo's funeral, all the kids are going to support Tom and Mom and it makes my heart smile that we all be there for him :)

We are staying at a hotel, and I called to request a fridge and microwave, and they said YES! See, it never hurts to ask :)...and they have a fitness center at the hotel, double YES! I'm mainly going to pack my snacks, and cranberries (to add to chicken salad I'll order when we eat out)

This is how I felt this week...

I never regret when I do it, I always regret when I don't!!!! 

End of Week 2!!! Good News...Bad News...

Good News: Down 1.6 lbs, brings my total weight loss to 3.2 lbs...I started at 128.2, I need to be between 110-115...I'm at 125...going to measure my Body Fat % next week, excited to see that number :D!!! The area that I've noticed the most progress is my BOOTY!! Yes!! I like big butts, and mine is getting a LIFT!! :D

Over the weekend I was blessed enough to accompany my sister and her friends to a Women's Conference.  One of my sister's friend, Jen is a Fitness Competitor and I was able to pick her brain about my routine and if there is anything she would do differently.  One thing I took away from it was to eat a little more carbs (complex ones) so I've added Ezekiel bread (1 slice) and brown rice (1/2 cup) to my diet.  The reason she suggested I eat more so that when I get closer to the competition I'll have carbs to take off my diet, and so that I'll have more energy.  We will see how that goes.

Bads News:  I'm presumming that my numbers won't be as good as they have been for Week 3.  My Lolo Bobo (Grandfather on my StepDad's side) has passed away last night.  I'm an emotional eater, and I'm doing good not eating outside of my diet plan, but I have NO ENERGY to workout :(  We don't know when the funeral is and I'm going to go, with that I'll need to find a gym and pack my food.  All of those items equal up to stress, and stress adds body fat to one-selves.  I'm trying really hard to stay relaxed and know that my Lolo Bobo has started his eternity in heaven and is having a blast up there telling his stories to all his new friends....I love you Lolo Bobo and you will always be in my heart and I'll see you again <3 <3 <3 

Bowling and LEG day...OCH!!!

OMGosh...I had the worst craving for soda today.  I haven't had a soda for awhile.  My consumption of fluids includes 120 oz of water and at most, 2 cups of black coffee.  You know what that tells me??? I'm going to have soda as part of my cheat meal on Sunday, my mouth is watering just thinking about it :)...OK SNAP OUT OF IT!

Last night's workout was the HARDEST I've ever had to encounter!!! Working out after bowling THREE games...and to top it off, it was a LEG day, and if you know how I bowl, I get LOW...but guess what I did it...why...because......

-Summer & Bikini Competition is coming.  Whether you get your ass in shape or not!!!

Healthy and Happy....

~MO 

Worth It!

Yesterday, I was having coffee with a new friend I met at the Gym over the weekend and her husband competed in Fitness competitions as well.  She was telling me all of these fun tips to be aware of.  Well, her and her husband are good friends with the owners of Armburst Gym, it is my dream to workout there (when I'm in primo shape), and I'm super excited to go with them, in the near future (hopefully in like 2 months, near future)...and to top it off, they know Mr. Olympia, Phillip Heath, too bad I had to kick a bad habit to the curb cause that's his idol.

Speaking of the bad habit, I was asked why I decided to do this...and in all honestly it was because of my breakup with the bad habit.  I wanted to do something for myself and not do something for someone who didn't care, and this was perfect!  My sister said I would be perfect for it, so that pushed me towards the YES line :D, and she keeps me there, sometimes I feel like she's my answer book to my questions... :p So I thank you 'bad habit' and Michelle :D

Today was a perfect day to describe the downer I sometimes feel after a day in the life of Monique.  Work wasn't straining at all, but as soon as 5:00 rolled around, I was T-I-R-E-D.  I knew what I had to do, W-O-R-K-O-U-T.  When I got home, I turned on my Kruger and brewed myself my drink that gives me life, coffee :D, and 15 minutes later, I'm at the gym getting my cardio on!.  Figured this quote was perfect for today....

-It will hurt.  It will take time.  It will require dedication.  It will require willpower.  You will need to make healthy decisions.  It requires sacrifice.  You will need to push your body to its war.  There will be temptation.  But, I promise you, when you reach your goal, it's WORTH it!

Stay Happy 'N Healthy....MO 

End of WEEK 1!!! 14 TO go! (I LA-LA-LA Love Countdowns)

Saturday marked the end of week 1, and I lost 1.6 lbs!! I gave myself a schedule of losing 1 lb a week and I'm ahead of schedule!

I took a my week 1 pics of myself and noticed that I've made some progress on my arms...see pic below :D

Saturday was my cheat meal and I ate Mexican Food with Margaritas :D yum yum!!!! Next week's cheat meal is Sunday for my Mom's birthday celebration

Well I'm about to embark on my first CHALLENGE :(...I'm going to a Conference this weekend, with my sister, and we are staying on-site...HOW AM I going to EAT my foods???? :(

LEG Day!!

This is my meal plan....there is one thing that I do switch up and that's my Brown Rice.  I know my body, and it doesn't like rice, well my body likes it...I just don't like how my body holds on to it..lol...well most days I replace it with potatoes (baked, no seasoning).

Today was my leg day, my FAVORITE part of my body to work on.  Believe it or not, I've never done plie squats, until today..and WOW, I've been missing something because that's was probably one of the best workouts my butt has gotten! 

Day 2

Today ends day 2....I feel great and believe it or not, I'm already seeing improvements, especially my 'kangaroo pouch' (thats what I call my belly ...hehe).  I've had to alter my diet a little bit because I was eating 5oz of salmon twice a day, but it was TOO much, so tomorrow I've lowered those amounts to 3oz. :) .... And I've made the conscious decision not to post any before pictures, your welcome.... :) but I'll probably start posting progressive pics after a month or so :) 

Delay a DAY :(

Today was supposed to be day 1 of my adventure into transforming my body into a Bikini Competitor, HOWEVER, my body has been taken over by this virus that took my voice :(....But, READY or NOT we are starting tomorrow.  

I'm excited to see my body transform and see how I overcome the obstacles I'm about to face :)