Can You Believe It?

WOW, Can you believe it? I'm posting again so soon! Sorry to say it's not good news...

Tuesday May 1, I was training legs.. I had been suffering from increasing bouts of sciatica and back pain, but that's been going on for around 15 years--far before I started bodybuilding. Anyhow, that day I had warmed up with 20 minutes of cardio, light stretching, then proceeded to do squats.. the plan being not to lift too heavy that day due to my increasing back/sciatic pain. First set only 70lbs+bar, second set 90lbs+bar, third set 80lbs+bar---on the second rep I felt a twinge in my quadricep & a failure of power to my legs to get back up... I thought perhaps my form was off or I had gotten sloppy & my old issues were flaring up acutely. I carefully assessed & lightly stretched everything again and returned to the rack with only 60lbs+bar, and didn't it happen again! 

I really didn't think this was a serious injury at this point, I proceeded to take some naproxen and went grocery shopping.. I often suffer inflammation/pain/sciatica after a leg or back workout, especially if I go to heavy. After grocery shopping I came home and felt my leg swelling up, heating up.. I put ice on it and elevated it.

A few hours later my quad all the way down to my knee was horribly swollen and so sore from the pressure of the swelling that I felt sick. I decided to go to ER so that I could get some answers & action happening right away to save compounding any injury. A referral through my GP would take atleast 6 months due to long waiting lists.. I need it imaged & seen right away, I'M SUPPOSED TO COMPETE IN A MONTH!!

It was a 7 hour wait at ER but the doc told me I either badly tore my quad or/and I had a massive bleed. She got me and emergency referral to an orthopedic surgeon & an appointment for diagnostic imaging Monday May 7th.. I'm instructed to keep it elevated and use crutches to keep from putting weight on it when I walk. I haven't mastered crutches, I kinda hobble instead. It IS painful enough that I'm lying with it elevated most of the time. Pain has a way of getting your attention! I'm not allowed to take any NSAIDs as it might re-bleed & make the situation worse.

The picture below was taken May 2nd.. May 3 it was the worst of all... The swelling is so bad you wouldn't know that I am super shredded.. it looks like a fat lady leg. lol

So it's uncertain if I'll be able to compete at the Toronto Pro Supershow. It's too early to tell how bad the damage is so I'm continuing to diet just in case. The limited range of motion I'm suffering from is obviously due to swelling & I am hopeful that if I'm prudent to rest & rehab properly I might be able to pull it off. My legs are genetically advantaged so I'm not to worried about muscular atrophy. I'm worried about bruising and swelling & whether I'll have full flexibility so soon after injury. 

I'll keep you posted. Even if I'm not able to compete I'm going to follow through with my whole prep.. I'm hopeful that I'll be working on projects in the next couple months--projects I'm very excited about. Well, that's another entry..

Goodnight Friends xo

5 Weeks Out AGAIN

Well, here I am 5 weeks out from my next show The Provincials at the "Toronto Pro Supershow".. I've gained a considerable amount of mass since the last show. Last November my stage weight was 139.7lbs. At 5 weeks out I'm weighing 161.5lbs. I'm on target, but holding water naturally... hoping my stage weight will be atleast 155lbs.

I need to take some updated progress pics, but here is a photo from 9 days ago (April 19, 2012 - 44 days out - 160lbs)

I'm excited about the Toronto Pro Supershow. I attended last year to work the "Muscle Insider Magazine" booth at the Expo. This year I'll be taking this stage for the first time.. It will be a big show & the expo will be worth checking out.. The Organizers & Promoters have gone out of their way to make this an exciting attraction. Many Pro Athletes (not just bodybuilders), Sports Demos, Articles/Products for sale (and samples!).

This year I am attending with my best friend & my stylist, Sheri of "Hair by Sher". Sheri was key to my winning look last November. I am grateful for their help, love & support. I couldn't consider doing this show without them. The amount of work it takes to prepare for stage is unbelievable.. I have to say I'd also be lost without the friendship, love, support & help from my sister Karen also.

My diet has been going well, but I really need to buckle down these next 4 weeks.. I want to exceed my conditioning last season & that means lower bodyfat stores. Training has been going well with only occasional setbacks (minor injuries). I am training 5-6 days a week & 2-4 hours a day depending on which bodyparts I'm training. That includes atleast an hour of cardio per workout. I've tried hard to make big improvements this season. Dieting is like opening a "present".. I can't really see the extent of the improvements made through my training all season until I lose the bodyfat. LOL I am still working with Noel Fuller as my coach.. he promises he can bring me in tighter & drier this season. :)

Pretty boring life but I like it--it keeps me out of trouble LOL. I will try to post more often--but there's really not anything new & exciting happening most of the time. Usually it's the same old routine, just a different day. Well that's the scoop for now.. Peace, OUT! xo

What's on the horizon for 2012?

Well, I'm officially off-season now..

2011 was both a frustrating & game changing year for me.. I prepped for a show in November but was unable to take the stage. That was a bit disappointing but I knew that my heart was really set on the competitions in 2012.

I started working with a coach in 2011 (Noel Fuller). I have to say that prepping with him was the most pleasant experience I've had since starting to compete in 2006. I had coaches from 2006 until 2008. From 2009 to 2010 I entered competitions without a coach, doing all my own prep, but Noel was able to bring me to a higher level of conditioning.. exactly what I've been after the past couple years. I still manage my weight training, but Noel over-sees my diet & is my Guru for problem solving and being blatantly honest I appreciate his critique or opinion.

Here's some photos of my conditioning under Noel: November 26, 2011 (This is before I was to take the stage so I'm not pumped up yet, but you can see the striations ready to pop)

 

 

Although I couldn't take the stage I feel that I'm finally at the point where I'll be confident on the Provincial & National stage.. I have applied to be considered for sponsorship with fusion bodybuilding in 2012 as well. It's my hope everything will come together for me.. I know I have the potential to be a top champion.. the only thing holding me back is finances. A sponsorship would certainly make a big difference for me.

So the plan is to do the Toronto Pro Supershow June 1, in Toronto. Then to do the CBBF Nationals in the fall (this show will be the more expensive due to location). 

I'm excited about the new season. In 1 week I start my heavy training again... I have a couple months to really put on some decent mass before I start dieting again (February 1st). I'm confident I can make some big changes in my physique.. 

My big dream (like many) is to win my pro card in 2012... :) Stay tuned!

Peace Out!

Change of Plans for the Competitive Season

I'm sad to report I am unable to follow through with the Lady OM MMXI show this December 1st for several reasons (financial included). All shows are expensive, but this one would have been terribly stressful on me financially & even with fund-raising I wouldn't be sure I would have enough money to do the event (and I really didn't want to cancel at the last minute, so I withdrew early). It's my hope I might be able to do this event next year...

Since I was already 2 months into my contest prep (financially especially), I have decided to do a local show in Ontario on November 26th 2011. I'm about 9.5 weeks out right now.. I have made major improvements to weak areas of my physique & i continue to do so. I am ecstatic to be working with Noel Fuller as a coach this season. Most of the excitement for me is seeing my conditioning brought to a higher level than I've reached before. I'm feeling great considering my training sessions have increased to 5-6 days a week. This is possible with a high quality diet & supplements (I spend a small fortune every month in the supplement store), but it's showing. I am ahead of schedule with fat-loss, but am dealing with water retention. This isn't an issue yet except aesthetically.. near the show this is where Noel's expertise will come into play.

I'm excited to be doing this local show with friends and fellow-competitors. I don't believe competitors should be cut-throat. There is enough room for all of us on stage, and honestly my heart is more determined to achieve personal goals in my conditioning than to "win". I have to adopt this attitude as I cherish the camaraderie amongst my fellow athletes.

Here are some quick progress pictures of me at 10 weeks out & 148lbs:

I will post the show details shortly.. Still waiting for the event details on the website to be made available.

I'm a little rushed for time today (it's leg training day)--so i'll cut this update short.. I'll post soon. Stay healthy and happy... Remember, nothing worthwhile is instant, it requires determination, commitment, consistency and passion.... Whatever you do, do with your whole heart. Have a wonderful, productive day! :)

Invitation :))

It's been quite a while since I've posted.. I supposed I've been trying to find direction.

My last competition was the CBBF Nationals last August 2010. I didn't have plans to compete this year but was offered an amazing opportunity to do a "new" kind of show pioneered by an Italian photographer I really want to work with (Oberdan Mancini). The following is the event description:

Teatro "Benedetto XIII" - Università degli Studi di Camerino
1th december 2011, Camerino (MC).




Lady OM MMXI is the first Body-building competition where the spectator will express an opinion and the athlete's audience will be as great as the whole world.

 Female bodybuilding athletes from all around the world will defy each other to conquer the Lady OM MMXI title.

12 athletes frOM 12 different nations, in Representative of all the continents.



Thanks to live web broadcast and HD technology, the viewer will enjoy an outstanding video quality, an interactive direction and the unique chance to follow his favorite athlete in the backstage too. The viewer is always seeking the best one.

 The athlete knows that there is no victory if the audience is not conquered.

The bodybuilder will finally do her months of hard preparation justice. 

The first contest in the world conceived in HD, spread via web and personally edited by Mister OM.

At last bodybuilding becomes 2.0


Come and be part of the jury yourself!!!

12 Female bodybuilding athletes from all around the world will defy each other to conquer the Lady OM MMXI title.

LADY OM MMXI is not simply a contest. It's an exciting show that wants to share with the world the love for bodybuilding.

Lady OM MMXI is the first bodybuilding event where the spectator (from every corner of the planet) becomes main character, sitting in the panel!
It' s not a competition, but an enthralling show based on a thrilling action.
An entertaining schedule that allow the viewer to play a role himself and keep the athletes fighting for the victory till the end!

...If the world wants its CHAMPION, it has to be the WORLD to elect it! Come and be part of the jury yourself.

It will be an amazing event!!! More details will be released shortly including the other participants.

Sign up to see the event LIVE December 1st & be eligible to participating in choosing the winner of the "Lady OM MMXI" title

Join the "Lady OM MMXI" group on facebook

I'm very excited about this show.. I'm training harder than ever to make sure I'm at my all-time best seeing I'm the only Canadian contender. I've hired an amazing coach (Noel Fuller of Portland Oregon) to help me with my prep and make sure i'm dialed in perfectly.

Feel free to follow my show prep & progress here & on my facebook fanpage. I really appreciate the encouragement of family, friends & fans.. and I don't want to disappoint!!

I will post more soon. Peace!

once again...i'm 6 days out from competition

Well, i'm 6 days out from the 2010 CBBF Nationals in toronto (CNE grounds). I don't think i've ever trained or prepped so hard for a show.. mind u i haven't really stopped dieting or training since the provincial show last June 19th--but i'm much more depleted in fat stores this time & have made some minor changes to my prep to come in drier & tighter.

I'm looking forward to this show--i've determined that i am really going to enjoy the whole experience (i want to enjoy the whole weekend in toronto, including the after-party). I believe this is going to be a fantastic show over-all. I'm entering in the heavyweight-masters--should weigh in around atleast 145lbs. Should be an interesting week, but grocery shopping is done, all reservations are made & i've started packing. Hope to take alot of photos: if you get a chance to attend this show i'm sure it will be an experience to remember! :))

9 Days out from competition!!

I'm only 9 days out from my next show... how can time be flying by SO fast???

Well, I've left nothing to chance this year. This will be my third time doing the Ontario (National Qualfiers).. and I want first place. I dieted down really early so I wouldn't be stressed out physically or emotionally.. I am very pleased with the results.

My training sessions have been brutal, really pushed myself to correct my weaknesses. All that's left now is my final week of dietary prep & intense/long posing sessions to give me my polish. I don't believe I've ever looked this good, this big and this cut.

I weighed in at 150.5lbs two days ago at the gym, but haven't taken recent measurements, but as of mid May, my measurements (taken unflexed/unpumped) were as follows:

40.00" Chest
28.00" Waist
36.00" Hips
24.00" Thighs
14.25" Biceps
14.75" Calves

It's possible that I've increased in size since mid-may.. I did add an extra 4-5lbs of muscle mass since then so I will have to do measurements again soon.

I've had very little problem dieting. I did improve the quality of my diet this year (uggghhh sooo expensive to eat very well). & I also changed my training regimine. Due to my health issues & the inevitable stress caused from overtraining I found that training 3-4 days a week worked best for ne. Although those training sessions are hard and long.. my body type (muscular/endurance athlete) tends to cope well with this type of training. I would train whole body each session, but specialize in one or two bodyparts that day...giving them my best energy & hitting them hard. I stopped doing cardio about a month out from the show but will add that back in the last week as a "shock" to help me super shred.. the body seems to adapt to anything you do routinely, so it's always good to save some shock tactics just in case.

When Paul Luis first took me under his wing to help me prep for my first show he had always said "work smarter, not harder..." I hear ya Paul. The body can't achieve the optimum results while under stress.. I let my diet do a good portion of the work so I don't have to train 5-7 days a week. Mind you, on days off the gym, I still do some training at home, especially posing practice which I have to say is extremely important. It doesn't matter how awesum your body is at a show if you can't properly present it...

Here are a couple photos from posing practice (taken about 3 weeks out)


These photos are NOTHING compared to what I will look like on stage!! I'm very excited. Feel I have my peak plan perfected this year.

I will have tons of photos & videos from the show.. hope to be shooting the whole weekend of the show (Milky Whey Classic Ontario {Bodybuilding, Figure & Fitness} Championships, June 19th, 2010 --550 Wellington St. London, Ontario CANADA). This is a National Qualifier for the CBBF Nationals in Toronto on August 28th 2010. Both should be amazing shows if you can make it out.

I hope to post more updates as the show approaches & even the weekend of the show from my hotel room. Hope to have the website up and running shortly after the show also.. so far finally have a main page up (http://www.hardcorebody.ca/About.html). Check back often.. I will be posting the best of my photos & videos on the site...I'm finding that the videos I post to youtube are being ripped and uploaded to other websites without my permission (for someone else's profit or advantage)..It's simply not fair seeing they are my property & I labor hours to make them and upload them free of charge. So I apologize to fans/friends who can't access my newer media because of a handful of manipulative thieves.

Well gotta cut this short.. have posing practice to do this morning :) Have a great day!

Peace - Out