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!