Its fun to stay at the.. YMCA

I hope you're doing the motions to that lovely song right now, either in your head or right out in the open. That would be great.
Random? No.
Today, I got to work from the comfort of the DuBois YMCA's conference room.. Not from the office, because we have no internet - and not from my house, because we have no power. My only other option? The Y.  Which is very fitting, seeing as I practically live there anyway.. It is, however, very difficult to concentrate on the computer for 8 hours when all I can hear are the weights upstairs.. And all I want to do is throw them around a little...

Anyway, today is a much needed Shoulders & Abs day, after a long 2 day break from the gym due to the immense pain in my legs. I couldn't even walk yesterday, and Leg Day was Saturday.  Needless to say, Rob is a very good trainer :-)

This Friday is 12 weeks out. That means Clean Diet (no more random Peanut Butter binging) and Progress Pictures taken weekly. I'm super excited for this next contest season, I think its going to go very well.  Three shows over the span of a month.. September 2, 10, and October 8. Let's see what this girl can do!

Oh AND I found an amazing PB Oatmeal Cookie Recipe that may be my newest addiction (especially in dough form - who doesn't love cookie dough?!)
Enjoy!

Protein PB Cookies

1 Egg White (preferably from a real egg)

1/8 to 1/4 Cup Pumpkin (see note below)

1/4 Cup Oatmeal (not instant)

1 Scoop Protein Powder

1 Tablespoon Natural Peanut Butter (or any nut butter)

4 drops French Vanilla Stevia (or vanilla extract & sweetener of choice)

1/4 Cup Bob's Red Mill Low-Carb Baking Mix (If you don't have this, you NEED to look into it - amazing Product)

*Note: IF you use Bob's, use 1/4 cup pumpkin, if you don't have Bob's (shame on you!) use 1/2 cup oatmeal & 1/8 cup pumpkin.

Combine all ingredients and eat raw (yum) or bake as one lage cookie, or small cookies, or (as I chose) in little muffins.

Bake at 350 10-25 minutes, depending on the size of your cookie(s). Check frequently.

They make a lovely mid-day snack, and have killer macros for pre-workout:

380 Calories

11.25G Fat, 27.5G Carbs, 8G Fiber, 45G Protein, 485 Sodium

*I used Bob's, and VPX Zero Carb SRO in Graham Cracker.. Stats may very.

And thats my day in a nutshell.
Time to go move so serious weight!!
:-)

TGIF

Happy Friday!
..And happy Memorial Day Weekend (in case I don't make it online in the meantime)!

Want a killer brownie recipe to take to all of the wonderful Memorial day cookouts?
Shhhh.. Make sure you don't "spill the beans" on the ingredients until AFTER everyone has tasted (and fallen in love) with these little darlings!

Super Low-Fat Protein Brownies

1 Package Lite Silken Tofu

4 T Chocolate Powder

1 Cup Black Beans (I use dry, not canned, but canned can be used instead if necessary).

1/4 tsp Baking Powder

5 Scoops Protein Powder (I use 3 different kinds to get the right Macros, you can use as many as you please)

1/2 Cup Egg Whites

1/2 Cup Pumpkin Puree

Sweetener if desired (I use Stevia)

Prepare black beans as directed on package.

Soak overnight, drain, rinse, simmer on low heat uncovered for 2 hours. Drain, rinse, let cool.

Preheat oven to 350.

Line 9X13 cake pan with parchment paper (or Pam); you can also use muffin liners for little brownie cookie creations.

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth.  I use the Ninja, hands down most wonderful creation ever.

Bake 20-30 minutes, checking fairly often.  They are done when a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean.

Variations?

Chop up some Bakers Chocolate (I swear by unsweetened, just because I am a dark chocolate fanatic), Add a few tablespoons of PB2 (if you haven't ordered some yet, do it!), or a few drops (by a few I mean 1/2 teaspoon at MOST) of mint extract. Or any combination (Dark chocolate & PB2 is always a hit). Play with the flavors of protein too! Add some nuts if you like, go wild!

I'll put up pictures when I get a chance!!

And in the world of weights..

Today is Chest Day! Ok, so I'm not THAT excited.. Chest is my weakest (and therefore least favorite) body part..

But nonetheless, the show goes on. I am officially at 114 lb! And right around 12% bodyfat! Not bad for the offseason..

Enjoy the holiday!

I'm hoping to take progress pictures this weekend, so check back!!

Post-Show Blues

Yes, I have them..
And it has taken me THIS long to admit it.
Boo.


How do I fix this?
I train, hard and long, and start planning my comeback. (I say that like I've actually placed top 5, EVER).
My goal: the new NPC Women's Physique Division. Exclusive to Pro shows in 2011, BUT because its brand-spankin' new you don't have to pre-qualify! Its like an open division, just at a Pro level show, which is insanely exciting.
The coveted first show is this weekend at JR USA's in South Carolina; I really wanted to go watch, but sadly I'm not going to make it..


Therefore today marks the start of gaining some serious weight (and trying not to think I'm fat everytime I jump on a scale) and putting that weight straight into my muscle.
What does that mean for you?
Experimenting with sweet new recipes, of course!


I have a new favorite snack recently:
1/2 Cup Egg Whites
2 T Powdered PB2
1 T Cocoa Powder
1 Scoop Protein Powder (I use Myofusion Chocolate PB, yummmm..)
Mix very well, cook in a skillet (like a pancake, or an omelet I guess).

I added a square of Baker's Chocolate to this one, and it didn't exactly flip well.. But still delicious!
:-)

Oh, and I taught Molly how to drive..

Love her.

Have a wonderful Wednesday (to anyone that actually reads this)..
Do me a favor, if you stumble upon this thing, let me know, seriously.. It might inspire me to get a little more creative with the damn thing.


Check back..
I may start putting some progress pictures up for My Journey to the NPC Women's Physique Division.
:-)

Some more fun pictures from the show..

Happy Wednesday!

I think today is a good day to lift chest, seeing as the rest of my body is dying from yesterday's leg day/dead lift extravaganza.

I have a killer recipe for homemade nut butter, that is not anywhere near as fattening as the norm (p.s. I AM ADDICTED. Gimme the jar and a spoon and back away).

..Using my new obsession, PB2 powdered Peanut Butter (http:\\www.bellplantation.com)

12 almonds
2 T Dry PB2
1 T Flax Meal
1/4 Cup Egg Whites
Salt/Sweetener to taste.

-Grind almonds (I use a coffee grinder)
-Combine all ingredients.
-Let sit 30-45 minutes to firm up a bit.
-Enjoy!

Makes 1 serving, stats are amazing!
180 calories
11.25g fat, 10.5g carbs, 5.5g fiber, 15.5g protein.

And some pictures..

My dad, me, and the gun show.

My wonderful mom.

Babe's sleepy, and I'm SUPER tan.

My least favorite part about competing?
The loss of strength.. I am desperately trying to gain some strength/weight after months of dieting, only to find out I have to do a photoshoot on Friday.
Time to drop some water (again), hit the tanning bed, and jump right back on the elliptical.


Fun?
That's what I keep telling myself.
=)

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Figure Competition Photos..

Photos from the NPC Natural Ohio..