On Hold...

And once again, my goals are on hold. We were informed last week that Mike is being reassigned to another duty station mid April. This means I cannot compete in the Naples Bodybuilding Competition next month. At first when I heard the news I was extremely disappointed, not only because I cannot compete (all that dieting, training, and focused energy) but also because we are leaving this wonderful home we have made here in Italy. My immediate thought was to my neighbors who have become our second family here. They have been such an amazing part of our lives and to them we owe so much gratitude. I truly believe if we hadn't been friends we would not have enjoyed our lives here nearly to this degree. We will miss them, along with all the other wonderful friends we've met here in Sigonella. And of course, to bring all my contest preparation to a screeching halt is never good. The day after we found out the news I was completely lost. Lost because I didn't know what to eat. Lost because I didn't know what to train. Lost because all my decisions are based around the competition and now that competition doesn't exist. I was also very upset because I believe this would be the best package I've ever brought to the figure stage. My body responded so well to training and diet this time, I must admit, I'm looking the best ever. I'm trying to stay positive and enjoy this time period I'm in now. I'm back to 4 workouts a week and I've reincorporated some food back into my diet (hello dairy and bread). For now, everything is still so uncertain so I cannot set another competition date. Do I compete in Utah for the 2 months I'm living with my parents? Do I compete in Septmember after Mike returns and we settle into our next home? And so, because I can't answer that question, I resolve to train hard and eat clean. Because that's always a good idea.

Dark Chocolate Madnes Cookies

These are super tasty and perfect for the contest prep diet. They are sugar free, fat free, gluten free. They can also be dairy free depending on the protein powder you use. Did I also mention they have veggies and beans in them!? Ingredients: 1 can black beans rinsed very well. 1 large zucchini. 4 tbs Hershey's Dark Cocoa Powder. 3 egg whites. 3 scoops Chocolate Protein Powder. 4 packets Truvia (this I would change if I wasn't dieting using dates as the sweetener). 1 tsp vanilla. Pinch salt. In a food processor blend black beans and zucchini untill smooth, about 5 minutes). Transfer to large bowl and mix remaining ingredients. Depending on the protein used, you may need to add water to the mixture. I had to add approx. 2 tbs of water but this may differ for you. Drop the mixture onto a Pam sprayed cookie sheet. Bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes. Let cool on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to cooling rack. If you love your cookies very sweet, add more Truvia packets. Makes 24 cookies. Nutrition each cookie: 33 calories, 4.3 grams carb, 0 grams fat, 4.6 grams protein.

My Turn

So I've faithfully and unselfishly given up my body to the art of baby makin for 3 years now. How you ask? Well, after my last competition I had to hang up the posing suit and put on the lbs. My body didn't want to get pregnant because of the PCOS & it definitely couldn't support a baby if my bodyfat was low. Also, I had to change the way I trained. That meant less intensity, less cardio, more food, and not as many days in the gym. Believe it or not, this was hard for me. I love training, so to tell me not to train was like telling a fish not to swim. The food part wasn't hard, I love food. But dialing down the intensity was a huge sacrifice for me. After years of trying, I finally got pregnant! Hallelujah! Pregnancy was not good for me though. I had horrible morning sickness and ended up losing weight because I couldn't keep down food for the first six months. No food meant no energy and no energy meant little exercise. After I gave birth I made a goal to lose all my baby weight within the year. Accomplished. I also made a goal to breastfeed my son for the first year of his life. Kellen is only 1 1/2 months from turning 1 year old. I'm super close to that goal too. So now I feel it's my turn to have my body back. So I've decided to do another competition. The goal has been set and April 14 I will be walking back on stage strutting in those clear stripper heals, covered in Jan Tana, posing oil, and a pound of jewelry and makeup. Can't wait, IT'S MY TURN!