Side, Back and Front poses - pictures taken March 25th, 2013Slightly different from the first pictures I posted. What a change!!
Friday, 29 March 2013
Posing pictures
Side, Back and Front poses - pictures taken March 25th, 2013Slightly different from the first pictures I posted. What a change!!
Enjoying the journey...
I have to start by saying that my computer had to go to the computer doctor to be fixed and thats' why I have been negligent in blogging weekly as was my original goal.
Epiphany's are happening and coming to me more frequently as I am in the final run before the show. I believe we are now at about 7 weeks away? I'm feeling good. My body seems to be responding. So much so that Blake gave me a weekend off last week. I was a little concerned, but as he said, I have become very lean; my body needed the rest. So, instead of cardio and weights it was yoga, hot tub and deep tissue massage. I've had the odd day of self doubt but having the caliper test and finding out I had lost 10 ml of fat in a week helped along with the posing class I did on Sunday. Posing class has been so beneficial and is so important. I wanted to know that I was practicing the right way, not the wrong way. Posing is all about showing off the hard work that you have done, but making it look as natural as possible while having everything flexed. My posing coach Terri is very encouraging as well.
My food and diet have not changed as of yet. I keep anticipating a change, but as long as my body keeps responding to everything than it will remain the way it is. Am I hungry? Yes, some days more than others, but I am definitely NOT starving.
I'm now finding that people who have not seen me in a while are a little shocked or comment on how skinny I am. I still find it odd, as I don't see that in myself. I do now that there is a definite change in my body - another epiphany, as I realize out of the blue, there is no roll of fat at my belly button. It seems to have just disappeared Believe me, I am glad to see it leave!
Blake is always telling me that I have to appreciate how far I have come, and the milestones that I have accomplished during this journey towards the show. I completed a half marathon. WTF!! Who would have thought?? I am appreciative; but it does boggle my mind to think where my mindset was before. I have been very lucky to have a trainer like Blake. A no nonsense type of guy that tells it like it is, and there is no sugar coating anything. He holds you accountable and lays it all on the line. I've gained a great friendship out of all this - another epiphany. To think I once told my son, that Personal Training wasn't a real job. I am definitely eating crow on that one and actually have apologized to my friend for ever having had a thought like that.
My attitude has changed once again after re-evaluating how far I have come, what I am doing and the direction I am going. I'm enjoying the process. I love going to the gym, each time I'm there I am trying to visualize what muscles I am working and training. My personal training sessions now are all about shaping, defining, and toning the muscles.
In between gym time now, I now need to think about the *presentation* of being on stage. This is everything to makeup, suit, and all the necessities that we need to have with us backstage. Terri of course has given me a list, but I have been researching on the internet as well. We have also decided I will need hair extensions. (not cheap) Some more research and a trip to the states will probably be in order as they are much cheaper down there. Keeping in mind there is not alot of time either.
I have been asked if I have thought about what *post-show Annette* will do. I haven't thought it thru very much yet. I still feel it will be a big discussion with my trainer and myself. All this work, just to do one show? Hmmm....what's next? It will have to be another goal of some kind. Get my 2nd degree in Shotokan. Possibly, Continue training - absolutely!! Keeping healthy and fit? That's a no-brainer!!
Epiphany's are happening and coming to me more frequently as I am in the final run before the show. I believe we are now at about 7 weeks away? I'm feeling good. My body seems to be responding. So much so that Blake gave me a weekend off last week. I was a little concerned, but as he said, I have become very lean; my body needed the rest. So, instead of cardio and weights it was yoga, hot tub and deep tissue massage. I've had the odd day of self doubt but having the caliper test and finding out I had lost 10 ml of fat in a week helped along with the posing class I did on Sunday. Posing class has been so beneficial and is so important. I wanted to know that I was practicing the right way, not the wrong way. Posing is all about showing off the hard work that you have done, but making it look as natural as possible while having everything flexed. My posing coach Terri is very encouraging as well.
My food and diet have not changed as of yet. I keep anticipating a change, but as long as my body keeps responding to everything than it will remain the way it is. Am I hungry? Yes, some days more than others, but I am definitely NOT starving.
I'm now finding that people who have not seen me in a while are a little shocked or comment on how skinny I am. I still find it odd, as I don't see that in myself. I do now that there is a definite change in my body - another epiphany, as I realize out of the blue, there is no roll of fat at my belly button. It seems to have just disappeared Believe me, I am glad to see it leave!
Blake is always telling me that I have to appreciate how far I have come, and the milestones that I have accomplished during this journey towards the show. I completed a half marathon. WTF!! Who would have thought?? I am appreciative; but it does boggle my mind to think where my mindset was before. I have been very lucky to have a trainer like Blake. A no nonsense type of guy that tells it like it is, and there is no sugar coating anything. He holds you accountable and lays it all on the line. I've gained a great friendship out of all this - another epiphany. To think I once told my son, that Personal Training wasn't a real job. I am definitely eating crow on that one and actually have apologized to my friend for ever having had a thought like that.
My attitude has changed once again after re-evaluating how far I have come, what I am doing and the direction I am going. I'm enjoying the process. I love going to the gym, each time I'm there I am trying to visualize what muscles I am working and training. My personal training sessions now are all about shaping, defining, and toning the muscles.
In between gym time now, I now need to think about the *presentation* of being on stage. This is everything to makeup, suit, and all the necessities that we need to have with us backstage. Terri of course has given me a list, but I have been researching on the internet as well. We have also decided I will need hair extensions. (not cheap) Some more research and a trip to the states will probably be in order as they are much cheaper down there. Keeping in mind there is not alot of time either.
I have been asked if I have thought about what *post-show Annette* will do. I haven't thought it thru very much yet. I still feel it will be a big discussion with my trainer and myself. All this work, just to do one show? Hmmm....what's next? It will have to be another goal of some kind. Get my 2nd degree in Shotokan. Possibly, Continue training - absolutely!! Keeping healthy and fit? That's a no-brainer!!
Thursday, 14 March 2013
So little time ~
I realized the date today - and time seems to be flying by. I live in *weeks*; not months, or a year from now, or even just three months from now, but weeks. 10 weeks away from the Western Canadian Bodybuilding show! Wow!! 10 weeks to some might seem like forever, if you are leaving on a much anticipated trip - to me - 10 weeks; really? That's all I have to get my body in the shape it needs to be in for this competition? I don't plan on stopping once this competition is complete, but one step at a time.
I realized that I had not kept up on my current plan of weekly reports, as I had originally planned. So, let's see what I can recap for not only myself but for anyone else who may be reading this or interested.
Yesterday - I had my caliper test done as I think we may be doing this more frequently as the show comes closer. Again, results showed that I am where I should be. I don't know if you would call it fear, or concern, but there is always the nagging question at the back of your head will I be ready? Am I doing what I should be doing? I just need to trust my trainer - which I do. I have been told that right up to the day of, it is normal to question and think that way with your first show.
I am back to doing the double cardio now and my diet has not changed as of yet. I am waiting as I know it will be coming shortly. My energy is good still - some days depending on the workout day from the day before I can be a little tired, but overall I would say that my body has adapted well, or I am just in denial. lol...with exception of sitting down at the end of the night - not too long and my bed definitely looks better than the couch!
I have been practicing my posing everyday and walking around in the *glass slippers* on the weekends. I find during the week by the time I get home, I have run out of time. I will be getting together with my coach for posing on Sunday and am looking forward to her seeing what I have done so far, so that she can adjust and correct what needs to be worked on. Nothing is worse than practicing something the wrong way.
Peoples' comments have been all over the place - either telling me they have lost weight to get me to say that I have, to people just asking what I do for fitness, to people coming back into my business to ask me if I have lost weight. Is it more noticeable over the last two weeks since I have started back to the double cardio? My husband thinks I am too skinny - but remember that I am doing this the healthy way, I am eating lots and exercising. This will not be a maintainable weight for me by the time I am stepping on the stage. The goal is to be as lean as possible but still show the muscles and not be skin and bones.
My son gave me two great compliments - which out of everything meant the world to me. He saw me one day, commented on my arms and then told me he was proud of me. Wow!! Just what I wanted!! Today he sent me a text about a picture my trainer had posted on Facebook showing my back, telling me to keep up the good work! No better feeling than to have your kids say they are proud of you!
I paid my monies for hair/makeup/tanning for the show - NOT CHEAP!! But a better price than some. I also will need to alot monies for photos, and other incidentals. Competing is not cheap....but I had budgeted for this. Thank God I don't have to pay for the posing classes, that some do.
My posing coach will be in touch with the suit lady when we are 6 weeks away from the show to go for a fitting. That will be another cost just to finish paying for the suit and shoes.
Is this exciting? At times, yes, at other times....yikes - what did I get myself into? Am I enjoying it? You better believe it!!
I realized that I had not kept up on my current plan of weekly reports, as I had originally planned. So, let's see what I can recap for not only myself but for anyone else who may be reading this or interested.
Yesterday - I had my caliper test done as I think we may be doing this more frequently as the show comes closer. Again, results showed that I am where I should be. I don't know if you would call it fear, or concern, but there is always the nagging question at the back of your head will I be ready? Am I doing what I should be doing? I just need to trust my trainer - which I do. I have been told that right up to the day of, it is normal to question and think that way with your first show.
I am back to doing the double cardio now and my diet has not changed as of yet. I am waiting as I know it will be coming shortly. My energy is good still - some days depending on the workout day from the day before I can be a little tired, but overall I would say that my body has adapted well, or I am just in denial. lol...with exception of sitting down at the end of the night - not too long and my bed definitely looks better than the couch!
I have been practicing my posing everyday and walking around in the *glass slippers* on the weekends. I find during the week by the time I get home, I have run out of time. I will be getting together with my coach for posing on Sunday and am looking forward to her seeing what I have done so far, so that she can adjust and correct what needs to be worked on. Nothing is worse than practicing something the wrong way.
Peoples' comments have been all over the place - either telling me they have lost weight to get me to say that I have, to people just asking what I do for fitness, to people coming back into my business to ask me if I have lost weight. Is it more noticeable over the last two weeks since I have started back to the double cardio? My husband thinks I am too skinny - but remember that I am doing this the healthy way, I am eating lots and exercising. This will not be a maintainable weight for me by the time I am stepping on the stage. The goal is to be as lean as possible but still show the muscles and not be skin and bones.
My son gave me two great compliments - which out of everything meant the world to me. He saw me one day, commented on my arms and then told me he was proud of me. Wow!! Just what I wanted!! Today he sent me a text about a picture my trainer had posted on Facebook showing my back, telling me to keep up the good work! No better feeling than to have your kids say they are proud of you!
I paid my monies for hair/makeup/tanning for the show - NOT CHEAP!! But a better price than some. I also will need to alot monies for photos, and other incidentals. Competing is not cheap....but I had budgeted for this. Thank God I don't have to pay for the posing classes, that some do.
My posing coach will be in touch with the suit lady when we are 6 weeks away from the show to go for a fitting. That will be another cost just to finish paying for the suit and shoes.
Is this exciting? At times, yes, at other times....yikes - what did I get myself into? Am I enjoying it? You better believe it!!
Sunday, 3 March 2013
Obsessed...
In the last two weeks I have become obsessed with You Tube. I will "You Tube" anything I can on posing for the figure competition. Any spare time I get, I find that I am searching and looking for whatever tips, secrets, presentation the judges may be looking for. I have already learned that there seems to be a big difference in presenting in Canada and the States, different ways to stand, and even walk.
I am practicing the posing positions, everyday, multiple times during the day. When I have time in the evening ~ I squeeze my feet into my glitter topped plastic shoes, and prance around the house trying to find *my swagger*. Trying to get the comfort feeling of walking in these shoes and *make it look natural*. I LOVE heels and love to dress up, this is a little different - I will be clad in ONLY the figure bikini and heels, like every other person that is competing. My personality is the type of *go big or go home*. I want to get it right, and present well. Which explains part of my addiction with You Tube. Confidence has to be projected, and also made to look natural, as if you do this every day. Walking in the shoes, needs to be as normal as possible and made not to look like you are playing *dress-up*.
There are Front and Back poses, three 1/4 turn poses, and the walk to the back of the stage and forward. The poses are done single and then grouped with the women in the competition in the particular category.
I have had one posing session, as mentioned previously, but I don't know if this *You Tube* is a good or bad thing. I am an over thinker. I need to know *why* things are done a certain way, *analyze* how they are done, and be able to *understand* the concept. The quarter turns, do I move my foot in the front, and stick the hip out, or do I take a chance and put my foot behind me to turn - and hope I don't fall on stage or lose my balance. Watching *You Tube* I have seen some girls lose their balance. You also want to add a *little flair* to make yourself *stand out* in a good way!
I have found with watching these videos as well as practicing that I am anxious to do another posing session , to make sure that I am practicing as I should - so that *posing* is natural. Just like learning a kata in karate or a certain technique. You want to practice it the *right way* not the *wrong way*.
You can have the best physique but poor presentation will not get you anywhere. I guess that's very similar to applying for a job, or meeting someone new, or just life in general....
Presentation is everything! :)
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I am practicing the posing positions, everyday, multiple times during the day. When I have time in the evening ~ I squeeze my feet into my glitter topped plastic shoes, and prance around the house trying to find *my swagger*. Trying to get the comfort feeling of walking in these shoes and *make it look natural*. I LOVE heels and love to dress up, this is a little different - I will be clad in ONLY the figure bikini and heels, like every other person that is competing. My personality is the type of *go big or go home*. I want to get it right, and present well. Which explains part of my addiction with You Tube. Confidence has to be projected, and also made to look natural, as if you do this every day. Walking in the shoes, needs to be as normal as possible and made not to look like you are playing *dress-up*.
There are Front and Back poses, three 1/4 turn poses, and the walk to the back of the stage and forward. The poses are done single and then grouped with the women in the competition in the particular category.
I have had one posing session, as mentioned previously, but I don't know if this *You Tube* is a good or bad thing. I am an over thinker. I need to know *why* things are done a certain way, *analyze* how they are done, and be able to *understand* the concept. The quarter turns, do I move my foot in the front, and stick the hip out, or do I take a chance and put my foot behind me to turn - and hope I don't fall on stage or lose my balance. Watching *You Tube* I have seen some girls lose their balance. You also want to add a *little flair* to make yourself *stand out* in a good way!
I have found with watching these videos as well as practicing that I am anxious to do another posing session , to make sure that I am practicing as I should - so that *posing* is natural. Just like learning a kata in karate or a certain technique. You want to practice it the *right way* not the *wrong way*.
You can have the best physique but poor presentation will not get you anywhere. I guess that's very similar to applying for a job, or meeting someone new, or just life in general....
Presentation is everything! :)
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