RUNNING TOWN

Things done yesterday
Cardio interval training on stairmaster and abs 6am to 7am
Biceps/Triceps and Shoulders 5.30pm to 7pm

Things done today
5km jog 6.15am to 6.50am

I know I've said it before but the lights at my gym are amazing. When I'm resting between sets you'll find me under the lights practicing my chest and bicep poses. If I could rehearse my routine I would, but it's impossible to find the space. So last night I'm staring at my delts. Wow, they're popping tonight ... me like! My chest ain't too bad either (though I wasn't training them). Can't wait to see the whole package, starting with abs! I'd kill to get have abs like Penny's.
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It's morning and I've got major DOMS of the legs. It came on last night (great, the night before my run). Trips to the little girl's room last night didn't help. Was I wearing a suit of armour instead of pyjamas? Agony!

6am! Get up, get out. Yoooowwww! ... my calves! Did I grow a pair of bowling balls last night? Ooooooouuch, easy, easy ... keep walking Maraina. We're gotta run remember?!

I can't tell you how nice it was to jog this morning. The sky's clear, road's misty, the air brisk, the street's tranquil. You know, there's a lot of tradesmen who sit on the road (waiting for their rides) this morning. Bet I gave them something to look at ;-) then again, may be not :-(

Yeah, it was perfect morning. Excellent run! Back home now and can feel the legs again. That's ok, it's all good. Me happy!

GET BACK TO BUSINESS

It's been tough to find some quality time to write about the busy events that have happened over the last week. If I'm not working, training, at pose classes, cooking or updating my goal book (see story about Di below) I'm waiting my turn to jump on the pc after Perry.

So! What's been happening in the World of Maraina? Hey, I like the sound of that? Mental note ... make that the new title of next blog. Cool.

After my temporary melt down last week (thanks to all who posted, called and even text their concerns, I am good now) I've been consumed with the next phase of my competition prep. That being my new diet and my quest to lose at least 6 kilos by comp day. Yes! 6 kilos (perhaps more pending on our how quickly I shape up). To put it plainly ... I must reduce my body fat without losing muscle (the muscle I've trained so hard to build over the past few months, though it's known that some muscle loss will occur).

Am I anxious? You bet! What am I worried about? Deprivation of tasty foods, anticipated mood swings, hunger pains, fear of looking flat, lack of energy and the inability to train well. Most of all the fear of failing. That's the warts and all tale of it! That's the honest truth.

Sounds like hard work? Absolutely. So what am I doing about it? I had to seek professional help and do it quickly. So my new mentor and diet expert is Di Carr.

Now Di and I have met three times this past week. Already she's constructed my first week diet (I have 6 meals a day as opposed to 5). She purchased my own log book where I'm to write daily goals, diarise my foods for the day and write how I've been feeling (good, bad or indifferent). I have a list of inspirational books to read, starting with Lance Armstrong's It's not about the bike which I began reading this morning. I've got a Kosta Tszyu book ordered at the library on the way too. She revised my training, increased my supplements and came last Sunday to pose class to assess how well I am doing in posing. Every time we meet our discussions are always positive and encouraging. I don't know where she finds the energy. What a trooper!

Uno momento people - I'm off to the gym ... will be back shortly.

Wow, I think today was one of the best leg sessions I've ever had with Matt. Legs are my favourite or to be more precise, squats. I love 'em. So I'm on a high when I successfully complete my heaviest set ever ... 70kgs. Oooohhhh yeah ... nnniccccee! Now it's drop down to 40kgs and superset. Whooah, it's burning! Excellent. I move onto an awesome set of deadlifts, then after that single leg deadlifts, and leg curls (on ball), then 3 set of barbell walking lunges finishing with calf raises. Me happy :) PS. The sprinkler was a riot!
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Before I forget, a big thanks to Lorraine and her excellent pose class last Sunday. I don't believe my back and arms ached so much and so quickly at class. Lorraine was on the hunt for perfect posers and I believe we delivered. Still there's so much for us to practice! I take my hat off to all competitors, you make it look so easy!

By the way, Lorraine and Neme placed fourth in their division in Melbourne. Congratulations and well done girls!

GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS

Hello! I'm bbbaaaacccckkk! Where have I been? Nowhere really, just incredibly pre-occupied.

My week has pretty much been as the title says. Same old stuff ... eat, sleep, train, eat, sleep, train and so on and so on. I'm now complacent and training on empty (mind). I'm losing sight of the big picture fast. What a bloody awful time to do that?!

Financial and work issues have arisen. Sort of a mini-crisis. My comp prep has taken backstage, I'm now overwhelmed with other matters.

I don't know it but I'm losing the plot. It came to a head when I got home from training this morning. I'm ready to shower but I don't quite make it. I step back from the bathroom, sink my body on the bed and weep uncontrollably. This has Perry concerned and flustered. I feel incredibly hopeless. Wiping tears from face I could feel a bunch of spots (acne) come up on my face. Boy, I'm a right mess now.

I'm at work and for most of the day I get by. I feel defeated and deflated. And no, it's not that time of the month.

Desperate to stay on track I arranged a meeting with Di for tomrrow night. We met quickly this evening, and our get-together was extremely positive and motivational. She's a great communicator.
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Onto other things ... congratulations to all who competed in Melbourne last weekend. Big congratulations to Sue. Well done! You look amazing.

I haven't read my favourite blogs for awhile so I'm looking forward to catching up with everyone over the next day or so.

I hope to feel better tomorrow, of course I will. Stay happy everyone. Goodnight.

GET OFF THE FLOOR

Things done Sunday
Cardio jog/run around Coolum 12pm to 1pm

Things done yesterday
Biceps/Triceps and Chests 5.40am to 7.15am
Pose and dance 5.45pm to 6.30pm

Things done today
Cardio stairmaster/bike and abs 6am to 7am
Pose and dance 5.30pm to 6.30pm

Thanks for the interest about Neme's health. I don't know her condition and probably won't know 'til I see Lorraine this Friday. I hope her health improves.
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I've begun posing and dancing for an hour everyday now. After work I'd come home, feed the cats, change into my battle gear (bikinis and shoes) and warm up (with the help of my 6 dollar resistance band)!

I begin my entrance ... boobs to the sky! Thanks Michelle, I'm never going to forget that! Walky, walky Maraina, think ... glide, smile, glide, smile, glide ... aaannnnddddd ... rest (rest pose). Whew, I'm looking good, looking strong ... yeah everything's good! Ok here we go ...

• front pose ... good
• front double bicep ... good
• quarter turn right ... good
• side chest pose ... good
• tricep ... wobbly, need work
• quarter turn to the back ... good
• back double bicep with calf ... good
• quarter turn right ... good
• side chest pose ... great (right hand side my favourite)
• tricep ... still wobbly, need work
• quarter turn to the front ... good
• abdominal and frong leg ... ok, need more work

Exit strong and by all means ... don't forget to smile!

I'm posing for a half hour. I switch my poses from in front of the mirror to no mirror, then in front of the mirror, to no mirror and so on and so on. It's by far more difficult to pose without a mirror but you try, try, try your best.

I finish the last half hour rehearsing my dance. It's coming along really well and tonight ... success! I can get down and back up from the floor! Yippee! I'm glad. It's slowly coming together.

It's time to hit the sack folks, I've got legs early tomorrow ... oh yeah ... I love it! Goodnight everyone.

UNDER THREE MONTHS AND COUNTING!

Me training today ... ha, ha ... just kidding! I wish!

Things done yesterday
45 min cardio on stairmaster and abs 5.15pm to 6.15pm

Things done today
Chests and back 8.30am to 10.30am

Dum, dee, dum, dum ... ddddaaahhh! That's the sound of suspense folks. It's how I'm feeling at the moment ... tense, nervous, anxious, bothered, edgy and so on and so on.

It's less than 3 months to comp day. To be more precise ... 2 months, 4 weeks and 1 day ... but whose counting? Me! Urggh! God the knots in my stomach are aching. I'll get over it, yeah? Maraina, stay focussed ... it'll all be worth it.
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Today Lorraine dropped in to say gidday. God she's so lean. Her muscles are rippling and her legs ... fantastic. She's going to pop into my work this Friday before flying to Melbourne for the comp next weekend. I can't wait to see her.

She had disastrous news about Neme (see my post Tuesday 4 July 2006). She injured her neck in an accident this week (less than a week before the Comp)! She's absolutely distraught. She can't move her upper body (the lower body is ok) . Lorraine has confidence Neme can still make the comp. Lorraine, a professional masseuse, will begin treatment on her, working on the problem right up to comp day. Wow Lorraine, I don't know how you do it. What a trooper!

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Hope tomorrow is another gorgeous day like today. Beautiful and warm (I think 23 degrees? ... ooooh, nice!) I'm walking around Coolum tomorrow. I love walking. I'll check the beach and surfers. Yeah, that'll be nice. Walk on the beach! I'll hit the sack now.

Goodnight everyone. Sweet dreams.

THE WEEK'S OVER

Things done on Tuesday
Pose training 5.15pm to 6.30pm

Things done on Wednesday
Biceps/Tris and Shoulders 5.30pm to 7.15pm

Things done yesterday
Legs 5.15pm to 6.35pm

Wow, where's the week gone? A lot of it to training. That's ok, I love it. So, what did I do? In brief:

• Practiced posing Tues night. Sub-standard. Can't balance when flexing. Need more work on calf stances and tricep poses (stepping forward then shifting weight to the back). Will practice on the weekend.
• Dance routine ok. Need to tidy up middle section. Question? How does one gracefully get down on one knee? It's hard on my poor knee (aawwhh) ... any suggestions?
• Keep a log of my foods (actually started 13 days ago)
• Spotters of the Week - Len, Dave and Greg. Thanks guys and great work.

Weekends here, terrific! I'm on the stairmaster tonight. Big session of chests and back tomorrow. Can't wait. Have a good weekend!

RESISTANCE BANDS

I went shopping a couple of weeks ago and found my Priceline Store selling resistance bands for $6! Bargin!

I put my band to the test the other night and it's quite effective. To increase intensity simply lenghten your stance when standing on the band or tie a knot at one of the ends.

These bands may not be as durable as the bands from Rebel Sports. Their bands are priced around $24 but for competition day I think they're ideal. Plus! If you lose your band or someone accidently picks them up, you've lost 6 bucks.

Check it out!

BODY CHANGES

Fellow competitior Neme from pose class. Competing in Melbourne in two weeks. Good luck!

Things done yesterday
45 min cardio and abs 6am to 7am
Chests and back 5.45pm to 7.35pm

Last night I got a few nice compliments about my upper body. My shoulders are definitely broader, I can't really say by how much but the changes are happening. I'm happy to patiently wait 'til my body shape clicks in. When? Next week, next month, September or on comp day! Who knows? I just gotta stick to the plan.

A person who is noticeably bulking is Penny! Her shape is simply fabulous. She's incredibly cut (lean) that her programme consists of weights only. No cardio, not at this stage. And her diet? She'll start 6 weeks out.

Penny and I have plans to train (pose) at our gym on Sat pms or at her house. We both need to get serious about it. I can't wait.

I'M RELIEVED

Friends and fellow competitors.
LtoR Cheryl (Novice Masters Figure) and Kylie (Intermediate Physique}.

Things done today
3 hour competition nutritional prep seminar 9.45am to 12.30pm
1 1/2 pose training 1.30pm to 3pm

Since my return from New Zealand I've been somewhat anxious about how I would appear at Lorraine's training session. I hadn't pose trained for 5 weeks and for awhile I've conjured negative thoughts about my appearance. I was adamant I was going to look like last year's Christmas Pudding in the line up. It's so ridiculous I can't explain. Perhaps someone out there knows? Anyway, after today I realised all is good. I'm good. The girls are good. We're all good!
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It's an early start this morning and Lorraine's arranged a nutritionist and body building winner and competitor, Jason Clark from Brisbane to speak about nutrition and how to best prepare a diet for competition. I was taken back at seeing men attend the seminar. Yes, even male competitors need nutritional guidance!

The informative presentation lasted a couple of hours with another hour for questions. I was happy Jason bought handouts for everyone as there was so much information to absorb, especially his guide to the final week preparation (guide only) ...

• 6 days out - consume 6 litres of water, carb depletion, sodium chloride (salt) load etc
• 5 days out - consume 7 litres of water, carb depletion, salt load etc
• 4 days out - consume 8 litres of water, carb depletion, salt load etc
• 3 days out - consume 9 litres of water, salt depletion etc
• 2 days out - consume 10 litres of water, salt depletion, carb load, no cardio or resistance training from now on etc
• 1 day out - consume enough water up to 30 hours prior to competition then stop water, slightly reduce carb, continue salt depletion etc
• Comp Day - no water, no salt, meal 1 is 100g steak and 1 Tbsp natural unsalted peanut butter etc.
• 45 minutes before contest consume a handful of raw almonds and 1 Tbsp honey or Glucodin tablet

Thanks Lorraine for organising the seminar (you're so good to us!) and thanks to Jason for your expert help and advice. The girls and I look forward to travelling to Brisbane for a consultation with you soon.

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It's time for pose class and though my poses are satisfactory (I wish they were great), I'm still wobbling in my shoes. Why? Because I haven't practiced! Lorraine picks up on it straight away ... "There's no excuses girls ... from here now on you must practice, practice, practice. I wanna see everyone glide in 3 weeeks!" Yikes!

It was an awesome class today. I will re-read the notes on dieting and practice my glides!

Good night everyone I'm stuffed. Have a great week.

FUN PICS NO 2

Gerard and I side chest posing

I'm incredibly humble to receive enormous support, from all the girls who contribute to this blog, my family, friends, trainers and the guys and gals from the gym.

Special thanks to Gerard who, whenever we meet, takes the time to offer me warm words of encouragement and advice. Thanks Gerard, you're tops!

Good luck with your wedding. I hope your prep for October goes well too. See you in the gym!

FUN PICS NO 1

Gerard and I double bicep posing (awesome!)

A NEW MONTH!

Things done today
Legs 8.40am to 10.30am

It's Sat am and the weather's mild and the skies blue. Wow, it's a beautiful day.

I rocked up at the gym late this morning, much to the surprise of some people ... hey you're late! Yeah I am and it's great.

The gym is a buzz with the usual regulars. After my customary greeting ... hello, hello, hello, hello, hello, I quickly begin. This morning ... legs!

Thanks to Aldeen for spotting me maximum on the squats. And big thanks to Greg for warning me if I needed to throw up now I should do it outstide! You crack me up! I hope I never have to throw up on the carpet! Excellent workout. My legs are looking rreeaallllyyy good!
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I am off to Maroochydore this afternoon because my card reader's kaput! And I have a fantastic pic of me and Gerard (Di's fiance) taken after our workout. Hope the Camera House people can fix my reader or I'll be fixing them! Gotta run, lunch is on. Have a good weekend everyone!

PS. 3 months, 6 days til comp! But whose counting?