BOO-YAH!

Effin A dudes! Effin A! I'm so stoked. I benched 15 pounds more than my bodyweight yesterday -- talk about a great workout session! It wasn't a PR in either weight or reps, but I was surprised to be able to push it out this late in prep on uber-low calories while still recouperating from a cold. It really set the tone for an amazing workout. Sometimes I think it would be so much fun to just eat and eat to see how strong I could get.

At the end of a good round of dieting I always feel like I am starting over. At least this time I haven't lost nearly as much strength as I did when I prepped for Bikini last year. Thank goodness. It was depressing watching the weights plummet.

I spent some time checking out other feds yesterday. I have competed once in FAP Bikini, and now I am going to compete in NPC Figure. I LOVE the style and look of NPC Figure. I love that it doesn't have a T-walk, that it's very regimented... I love the leanness and hardness, the amount of muscle that graces the stage, but in reality I'm not very big, nor am I very muscular. I am also not very familiar with most organizations. Sure, I've heard of them, but I want to learn more about them. For now the plan is to compete in a couple shows this year, and then let my voracious appetite aid me in my muscle building quest during the off season... I guess those are the random tidbits floating around in my head today...

HAPPY HUMP DAY FOLKS! Less than TWO WEEKS to the Arnold! *happy dance*

Trouble Spots

Now, we all have our trouble spots. The typical female tends to hold weight in her lower body, hips and thighs... makes sense with childbirth and all. I, on the other hand, do not have this problem. Unlike most females, I hold my weight in my upper body. My abs stay warm under a layer of flab. I feel like I hold weight like a beer-guzzling 40-year-old man. Sexay! LMAO!

Since I'm not comfortable posting full body shots on this blog quite just yet, here's a sneak preview of the quad action. At least part of me can get lean. I'm still waiting on the rest. :)

Click Click Boom

Come on! Come on!

Okay, I have no idea why that song is in my head, but it is, and those are the only words I know.

My weekend was an absolute mess. I'm still fighting off this wretched cold or whatever it is I have. I was in bed all weekend. Diet remained clean and pretty much on point. One day was a little too high because I had planned on lifting, but I could barely sit up, so I decided against it. Another day was too low because I could only stomach protein shakes. I guess it balances out in the end, right? ;-)

I am still sick, but at least I made it to work. I have less than a week to send in my registration and entry fee. At this point I am still undecided. Even though my weight has dropped quite a bit (10 pounds total since the beginning of prep), I still feel fluffy. Perhaps it is water weight due to illness. I am hopeful for some sort of ab unveiling by the week's end.

The diet is going surprisingly well. I rarely want for anything. I am not going to lie, some chocolate and wine would be fabulous, but when wouldn't it?

Egg Whites, Oats, and Apples -- Again!

If you liked the easy peasy apple loaf recipe I posted earlier, here's a pancake-ish variation. It's quite delicious, if I do say so myself. :-)

Ingredients:

4 egg whites
35g old-fashioned oats
1 small apple
Splenda (or other calorie-free sweetener) to taste
Cinnamon

Directions:

1. Spray small or medium frying pan with non-stick cooking spray. Heat at Medium to Medium High, depending on your stove. I find it easier to cook these correctly on the lower heat, BUT, let's face it, sometimes I'm too hungry to wait!
   
2. Blend egg whites and oats. This is the pancake 'batter'. Pour into frying pan.
3. Chop apples over the pancake so that the pieces just fall onto the batter. I prefer to do it this way because it uses less dishes. You may rather chop the apple on a cutting board and then spread it over the batter.
   
   
   
4. Once the middle has solidified a bit, carefully flip the pancake over. This is the most difficult part as the apples add quite a bit of weight to the pancake. Don't worry, if you make a mess, it still tastes the same.
   
5. Sprinkle to taste w/ cinnamon and Splenda. I use a ton. I am a little piggie. :o)
   
   
   
6. Let it cook a little longer, until the eggs are done. It usually doesn't take very long. Then just flip it onto your plate and sprinkle with more cinnamon and Splenda.
   
   
   

Nutrition Facts:
Calories: 260
Fat: 2g
Carbs: 38g
Fiber: 7g
Protein: 21g
**nutritional value for Splenda is not included in these macros.