Please join me at my new blog!

I have a new goal...so I have a new blog...please follow me at: http://jennrunsforfun.blogspot.com/

Hope to see you there!

~Jenn

Well, Looks Like We're Starting Over...Reflections from the past week...

Why does a snow day always seem like the best excuse to sit in your house all day and do nothing but sleep, watch movies, and wear PJs??? I think it was probably ingrained in our brains when we were children...I was even shut in the house with a treadmill and a few pair of dumb bells and sat on my hiney all day....oh and this was on Wednesday...here is a quick recap of how and when it all went wrong:

Week One was great...drank all my water, got my workouts in, ate my meals as planned. Then the weekend came...and we had a family party...and I had some wine...ok maybe alot of wine...and instead of being down 3lbs in a week...it was only 1.5lbs in a week...

Here comes Week Two...started off strong on Monday & Tuesday....with the anticipation of another HUGE snow storm I had already planned in my head Tuesday afternoon I was going to be working from home on Wednesday.

Wednesday morning comes and I sleep in...no morning cardio...and the rest went down hill. Since Wednesday there were little to no workouts, definitely no gallon of water drank per day...and a complete MESS with the meal plan...SIGH...

The thoughts in my head weren't so much "Screw this, I'm giving up" it was more like "Holy sh*t, working a full time job, training clients, and prepping my own food, workouts, and keeping my house clean is almost impossible...I better rethink my plan, and reset my goals."

So, instead of stressing myself out to get ready for a show in 13 weeks...it might take me longer because I don't have as much time to spend on my workouts like I did a year and a half ago...and that's ok. I think slow and steady wins the race, right? Besides, my goal was to compete at least once this year to get my national qualification back...not necessarily to compete nationals...so maybe I won't be ready for April...maybe I will have to look at June...I may need the extra 7-8 weeks.

So, I enter into week 3 as a "Do Over." I am wiping the slate clean and starting over...Here we go for WEEK ONE...AGAIN.

Oh, and please do yourself a favor and DON'T BUY the Jennie-O Turkey Tenderloin.

It's not good. I bought it thinking it would be an easy way to get alot of meals prepped in one shot and it's gross. I can't really put my finger on it...maybe it's too salty...or processed? I don't know but save yourself time and money get something else!

Here we go again...

Day Two of Week Two Recap

Good Morning Blogger friends! Here I am...Day Two of Week Two in this competition prep. I just thought I would recap how the last week went...what I learned...and my next set of small goals going forward.

Last time around doing this I had all the time in the world to workout because I was basically in the gym all the time personal training full time. Now that I am back to work in the corporate world...it's alot harder to get those workouts in. Last week I planned out my workouts...and I only completed 4 of them...instead of getting frustrated and upset and giving the whole thing up my goal for this week is to get 5 workouts in. For me, diet is always the hardest part of my competition prep mentally...so right now I am focusing on hitting that 100%...I know my intensity will always be there for my workouts...no matter if I get them in 4 days a week or 7 days. The only thing I am nervous about with my training this time is that my fitness routine is pretty hard and I will need ALOT of cardio and muscle endurance to get through it...so I need to get in those type of workouts to prepare my body for 2 minutes of intense non stop movement. I suppose it's only the beginning of week two so I have time.

I also have not taken beginning pics to track my progress...I guess that antother goal for this week.

I hurt my elbow a little in Jiu Jitsu last night so that might set me back a few days because really any movement where I have to bend it I feel it. It's not BAD but I know if I put too much weight it may not heal as quickly...so that means no shoulders, chest, or tris...I may be able to still do back and bis...but maybe for the next few days I just hit cardio, legs, and plyos pretty hard. I may have to stop going "Live" at jiu jitsu if I feel there is too much risk in getting injured. But, no sense jumping the gun right now...I'll just take it day by day and week by week.

What I have always known but am finally accepting is that this process is more like a marathon than a sprint...and if I can just keep that in my head and continue to be patient everything will fall into place just the way it's supposed to.

Have a great week! Stay tuned for next week's update!

New Year...Can we try this again?

Dusting off the old blog to update. I forgot how much I miss posting and meeting new friends on here!

So, after a year and a half I FINALLY have my mind right. In the past 18 months I must have tried to get back on the competition diet wagon 4-5 times with no success. I'm not going to make excuses because I don't have any...other than I wasn't ready to commit.

I started taking kickboxing and jiu jitsu and met some new gal pals. We all have been talking health and fitness for a few weeks now, and right after Christmas I felt like I was ready to start again. My last weekend of eats and drinks was 1/1/11-1/2/11. Monday 1/3/11 was Day 1 and I have not looked back...

A few things I noticed about myself this time around. I didn't freak out when I ran out of the protein shake I wrote into my diet...instead I just subbed in another one. When I slept through my alarm today (Day 4) and missed AM cardio I did not let the rest of my day go to shit. I still packed my meals...and drank my water...in fact it's 5pm and I only have 20oz to go to reach my gallon.

I did experience some "detox" type symptoms...like feeling yucky and having headaches in the morning...but I know it's my body telling me I should eat sugar...I just ignored it and kept it movin'. Today (Day 4) was the first day I did not have the headaches....so I think the worst (for now) is over. I'm sure some day soon in the future will be a craving for something, but right now I'm going strong.

I hope you peeps continue to follow my journey to the competition stage this year. I love the comments and support. Have a healthy day!

xo- Jenn - xo

Sunday Funday, but where is the Sun???

A bit over cast here in NJ....stinks because Ryan and I did all of our Sunday chores on Saturday with hopes to go to his sister's beach house today...BLAH...I think we are still going to go...but it probably won't be as much fun with out the beach and sun! Oh well!

24 day challenge is going good...except I think I noticed something about me (that I can't believe took this long to figure out...) but...I think I have a serious Dairy issue...without giving you TMI...I don't really get stomach cramps or pains...but I think I do feel puffy and bloated alot after I have it...AND everyone around me (including me) need to invest in a pair of nose plugs...if you get what I'm sayin!!!

So....I'm going to do an experiment...NO DAIRY for today...and maybe even the next 2 or 3 days to see if my "problems" go away. This is going to be hard...no eggs, cheese, yogurt, milk, whey protein (which is 95% of my protein powder stash....thank God for those Tight Curves SOY protein packets I still have!) I don't mean hard as in I can't live without them (ok I love dairy) BUT I'm really going to have to THINK before I put something in my mouth to make sure it's not a dairy product or made with dairy.

I hope after the next few days I get my answer...it is the only think that seems to make sense to me...and actually...I think my mom told me when I was a baby she had to give me soy formula because I couldn't take the milk based ones...I guess I should give her a call too...I just figured 28 years later I would have grown out of that (unless the problem went away and came back?!?)

Anyway...............Spent LOTS of money yesterday on food shopping and got tons of great healthy foods...so now I just have to figure out this week's menu...should be fun!

Goal for this week:
Write 2-3 blog posts to get myself back into it...I do enjoy it...just have to MAKE the time!

Have a great Sunday! Until next time!

After a 3 month break I'm back!

Hello followers! It's been an eventful 3 months (some ups and some downs) but I'm back and ready to blog again!



It's been over a year since I've trained and prepped for a show...(not that I didn't try to start a prep 3 or 4 times in the last year!!!) and I miss it, but right now I have different responsibilities to take care of that require alot of time and attention.



I haven't been in a gym in over a month...but I have been training kickboxing and jiujitsu with Ryan 2-3 times per week. We also just bought bikes and have been riding them and also kayaking too. I miss weight training alot...I feel so soft!!!



I have been enjoying my summer eating and drinking like a "normal" person...but today I began a "24 day challenge" with my new company, Advocare. (It's not well known in NJ but I know it is pretty popular in Florida and Texas.)



Day One I weighed in at 131. After my 10 day herbal cleanse and the full 24 day challenge I hope to be down 5lbs. Let's see! Today was successful! Be sure to check my YouTube channel for video updates during the challenge...

Off to bed...until next time!!!

Miami Trip Photos

Our Hotel View From the Room

Our First Day there...YIKES!

I said PLEEEEASE let there be SUN tomorrow!!!

Hotel Bar - The Girls

Hotel Bar - The Boys

Hotel Lobby

Kardashian Store...Nope, didn't buy anything!!!

Funny Manequin with big boobs LOL

Pool Side...YAY...Sun!!

Another View

Lil John the rapper was in that black truck and nasty girls were running over and jumping in...and if they weren't nasty before..they were definitely NASTY after they got out...EWW!

Our Private Cabana that we had all day on the best/nicest day we were there.

The girls at the awards dinner for the hard working men who brought us there!!!

THE END!

Sign the petition if you haven't yet!!! And PASS IT ON!!!

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution (<---click to go right to the site)

Ms. Crankypants is gone...at least for the next month!!!

Well...here I am MUCH better than earlier in the week. Glad I didn't post then because I was a ball of negative energy. I didn't want to spread that to you all...I know this is supposed to be a place where I can be me and be honest...but I know how negative energy is contagious and it wouldn't be fair to knock anyone else down in my misery!

With that being said there are a few changes going on for me.

1) I have decided to forgo the Half Marathon in May. I have not trained for it like I should have been...early on I did, but then as life happens I was running less and less...and my hip flexor has been acting up (the one I injured last year during prep) and after reading Tinamarie's blog over at Fit GreenGoddess and her experience with her half and her hip flexor it mad me think. Do I want to get injured and not be able to compete in fitness? I'm a little bummed but I think it's the best decision right now.

2) I'm taking training day by day because my hip flexor has been hurting after gymnastics and other "hard" workouts...so I have to find other cardio to do besides running because I think that's what's hurts it the most...but that also is what burns the most calories...running...I guess if I'm just meticulous with my diet any cardio will be good...

Well, I leave for Miami on Sunday! Can't believe how fast this year is FLYING BY. Kinda scary...I just told my mom today..."Can you believe I've been out of college for SIX YEARS!??!" I swear it feels like I JUST graduated. Time flies when you get older...remember when you were a kid and 5 minutes felt like a year! HAHA

OK better get my butt moving for work...have to see a potentially new client at 8:30.

Mom always said...

If you have nothing nice to say then don't say anything at all....so I won't. TOM is coming and I'm TIRED and UNMOTIVATED and I don't want to say anything I"m going to regret in a few days...so when my pissy mood is over I'll be back with something nice to say!

H2O and...what just ran by?

Some days I feel like I need 2 gallons of water...sometimes I feel like I just NEED MORE! Does that ever happen to you?
So, I go out for my run tonight...(BTW it was like 90 degrees in NJ today...OH YEAH!) So I'm running my 30 minutes around my mom's development...I have about 10 minutes to go and I'm running past the club house and pool...approaching the dumpster, when...WHAT THE? HOLY CRAP...a RACCOON freaking DARTS out in front of me HAULING ASS across the parking lot...I was FREAKED OUT HAHA! I definitely PICKED UP THE PACE...I was picturing punting the little sucker if it came after me...LMAO...just like a foot ball...OMG so crazy!
Oh, and a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MARY!!!!!!!

My body is tired from the inside out...does that make sense?

Ok...so I started the "new" old job yesterday and I still feel just as happy and excited as I did when the position was offered back to me. I'm just waiting to be hooked up with the computer log in and email and I'm all set!

A bit of news: This Saturday is the NPC Suburban and I have 2 clients competing. I am SO EXCITED for both of them! They both followed their workouts plans and meal plans and now they get to show EVERYONE their HARD WORK! I'm going to be like a proud mom HAHA!

My workouts have been PRETTY intense the last 2 days...and I mean INTENSE. I no longer have 2-3 hours in the gym anymore like last prep to get it done so I have to GET IN AND GET OUT...my workouts have been SUPER efficient and I like it that way...60 minutes...DONE (both cardio AND weights.) The last 2 nights after the gym I was STILL feeling the complete ASS KICKING I gave myself for hours after coming home...have you ever felt like that? I take NO breaks between my triple sets AT ALL...I just go, go, go, go and get done in 30 minutes...then I go RIGHT to the treadmill and run for 30 minutes. It's seriously almost like 60 minutes of cardio since I am movin' from one thing to the next and even have plyos added in the mix.

Monday was Hamstrings/Glutes/Calfs/Plyos + 30 min run (I also did 30 min run in the morning outside)

Today was Chest/Plyos + 30 min run (and I also did a 20 minute yoga "On Demand" this morning, which SUCKED BTW...I'll have to do a different one next time...so glad that have like a million to choose from!)

Tomorrow is Bis/Tris/Shoulders (I'm sure I worked plyos in there somewhere) + 30 min run.

Thursday is 45 min Run + Gymnastics

I'm guessing Friday is Back/Abs but I don't have my workout schedule in front of me.

Started taking the Con-Cret creatine and it's only been 2 days so I don't want to say anything just yet. I'll give you a report after about a week of taking it.

This past Sat we went to watch the IFBB Pro Fitness/NPC Mets. There were actually 4 amature fitness girls...WTF!?! Why can't there be that many when I compete! Geesh...I want to compete against more than 1 or 2 people! And I'm going to be perfectly honest their routines were not impressive...but that is JUST MY OPINION! I am a bit of a SNOB when it comes to routines. I know my strength is my routine and my physique is my challenge. I was like...DAMN I should have been up there...but shoulda, coulda, woulda, I wasn't...BUT it AMPED me up for staying STRONG on my prep and working really hard in the gym and on my routine.

How was everyone's Easter? Mine was great! Well...sleep is calling and I must answer!

GOOD NIGHT!

Beautiful House for Sale/Rent! Fully Furnished!

Do you know of anyone looking for a vacation rental, summer home, or to move to the Nags Head area of the Outer Banks? My friend Tara's parents want to move back to NJ and are looking for motivated buyers/renters. Here’s the link to their listing:

http://www.realestateouterbanks.org/idx/residential/65805/details.html

They are selling it fully furnished, so you could rent it out / move in the next day! Photos of the inside of the house are on the listing.

I actually did this in Yoga class today!!! Just had to share!

And the big news is.....

Remember a few post back I wrote that I had some really big events planned in just about every month up until July of 2010 except March? Well...let's just say I thought I was going to go through March without a big event until Tuesday, March 30th...

So, I wake up on Tuesday and make my way over to an expo put on by my old company...(quick recap from 2006-2008 I worked as a radio sales person...I LOVED THE JOB...but, when my "big boss" left our market and went to a different market and a new manager stepped in all HELL broke loose! At that time I decided it was time for me to move on to other things...) no back to Tuesday...I walk in to the expo and see lots of people I used to work with...all smiles and hellos...and then my old "big boss" (who now is back in the same market I used to work in) turns around and sees me for the first time in probably 2 years...and with the biggest smile on his face exclaims "Irish!" (that's what he called me...) and gave me a big hug...So...long story short he asks me what I'm doing now and I tell him (actually I flash my business card...I was a sales rep for a pest control company...ohhhh exciting...) He sees the card and laughs and says..."Pest control...come on...why don't you come back to us...I have some openings and if you want your job back just say the word and it's yours"

HALLELUJAH!!!! (Hear the angles singing???)

This brings me to the new and exciting news...I ACCEPTED THE OFFER...and I'm going back to my old job at the radio station!!!

So, I know this might not sound very "Health and Fitness" related...and my blog is usually all about that...but it is...and I'll tell you why:

At one point in my life I was VERY passionate about communications and advertising and marketing (hello...that's what my college degree is in) and then later in life my passion became health and fitness...and I wanted to be a business owner SO BAD...that all of 2009 I ran my own business...and IT WAS HARD...who just decides to QUIT her job with regular pay and benefits to start a business with what's in her bank account...ME! Why? Because I had PASSION, DRIVE, and DETERMINATION to do it...and do it well.

As everyone knows the economy hasn't been the best in the last few years so I was forced to pick up full time work again when my training business slowed down...so when I sent out resumes and interviewed and got the "bug job" I was excited because it was good pay and benefits...but what I didn't realize until 3 months in was that I REALLY HATED IT...I thought I liked selling...and I do...but if I am not PASSIONATE about the product or service I CAN'T sell it...if I don't care about it...if it doesn't EXCITE me I can't do it...I get EXCITED about marketing and I get EXCITED about health and fitness...sooooo

Now I can fuse the two together...I can work on projects and campaigns that focus on health and fitness in my COMMUNITY and get other trainers, and doctors, and "pro-health" professionals involved and utilize the radio station and all of its resources (events, websites, multi media, etc) to help me SPREAD THE WORD.

I know this is a bit long, but I think it needed some explanation...if you've read this far, congrats! and thanks!

I start Monday, and I couldn't be HAPPIER...now maybe my contest prep will go better because I don't have the STRESS of HATING MY JOB sitting in the back of my mind!

Everyone have a HAPPY EASTER! Off to NPC Mets/PRO Fitness tomorrow in NYC...SO EXCITED! I'll be back with a full report!

xoxo

Hot Stone Massage....

OMG...did you ever have one!??! If not you DEFINITELY SHOULD! I have gotten many massages but this was a first today...and let me tell you it was LOVELY! (And I'm getting another one tomorrow...but for 90 minutes!!!!!!! Today was only 50min...HEAVEN!) Next time you need to reward yourself do this...and don't feel bad about it! Just remember "Jenn said to do it!"

It was part in celebration (of the news I still won't share until Friday! LOL) and part for recovery from working out.

K-I-L-L-E-D it in the gym tonight...maybe it was my music...maybe it was the Tight Curves Top Secret I took before I started...or maybe it was just my natural HIGH from all this good stuff going on around me? Probably a little of everything.

Here's my workout...

30 min run on treadmill = 3 miles

Back/Abs/Plyos

Triple Set 1: Assisted wide grip Pull Ups 10x + Op Arm/Op Leg Lift (over exercise ball) holding 2.5lbs in each hand 10x + Leg lifts for lower abs holding 10lb DB in feet 10x (Did this triple set 3 times)

Triple Set 2: Behind neck pull downs 15x + Sgl Arm DB Row 10x + Burpees holding 10lb dbs 10x (Did 3 times around)

Triple Set 3: Cable rows 10x + Renegade Row 10x + High Knee Running in place :30 sec (Did this 3 times around)

I was in and out in 60 minutes! I took NO BREAKS during my lifting and lucky for me I didn't have to wait for equipment. One thing I noticed about myself this time was I didn't put too much pressure on myself to lift so much...I mean I did try to lift heavy...but instead of getting in over my head I just moved down a plate or weight and kept it moving without feeling like a LOSER. I know I'll get my strength back up to where it was last time mid prep...it's just going to take TIME...and when I get my Con-Cret creatine product that should help with my rest, recovery, and strength in the gym.

Tomorrow I plan to run 45 mins and have gymnastics for a hour at night....whew! I am SPENT...off to sweet dreams for me...until tomorrow!!!

Inspiration for all Fitness/Figure Competitors and Hopefuls

View My friend Jen's latest video blog: Made Fit TV - Episode 91

So excited...

In celebration I had some chocolate...I'm sorry! News coming Friday...

Waiting to Exhale...

I think I'm almost ready (to exhale)...a portion of my anxiety from the last few weeks will be coming to a close...and as soon as I have official word...I WILL EXHALE...and keep moving forward.



That's all I'm going to say for now...

108 Sun Salutations - And More Entertaining Yoga Stories

I've been doing ALOT of yoga lately...and WHO KNEW it could be SO HARD!?! I originally started going a few years back to get in some light stretching and to get rid of stress...and it was always great for that...but ever since I signed up for unlimited classes at the studio near me I've been trying all different kinds...

So, Saturday they had a 2 hour class which started with 108 Sun Salutations followed up with a gentle class after...if you are not familiar with yoga or sun salutations I'll explain to you the version we did (since there are many) You start standing...reach your arms above your head and bend back into a slight back bend then hinging from the hips swan dive down to a standing forward fold...come up half way...back down into the full froward fold...then hop feet back into a push up position...then lower down to the floor by doing a tricep push up (elbows tucked in close to body) then up into a cobra stretch...push back into a downward facing dog and hop feet back in to a standing forward fold then come up slow to standing with arms stretched above head returning hands to heat in prayer position... (whew!) and then go again...and again...and again until you complete 108 of them...in a row...(in simple terms...almost like doing a combo squat thrust with a tricep push up over and over again.)

Now, in yoga you are "not in competition" and can stop and rest at anytime or do only as many as you can...HAHA YEAH RIGHT..."F" THAT! I was going to do all freakin 108 of them if it KILLED ME! I am HAPPY to say it DID NOT KILL ME and I was one of two who kept up with the instructor and did ALL 108!!! I was SWEATING MY ASS OFF...and I was seriously sore in the morning...actually it's Monday and my hammies are STILL just as sore (maybe more) than any leg workout I've done!!!

I decide to return to yoga with a client/friend the next night for a easy class. Well, it was PACKED...and we were all sitting very close to one another...the lady in front of me, no lie, had her big NASTY THONG sticking out of her pants THE WHOLE CLASS and her ASS was like in my face the whole time since I was behind her!!!


THEN...the women sitting next to Krystal starts to FART in the middle of class...I swear like 3 or 4 times...I couldn't even look over at Krystal or I would LOSE IT and we would NEVER STOP LAUGHING...they probably would have kicked us out!!!

OMG...so THAT was my yoga weekend! HAHA!

15 week to TEAM U!!!