Hi everyone!!!! I survived Thanksgiving.....barely. I have not eaten that much food in ages. It is really hard on my body...mentally and physically. I always get post contest depression which is always a joy.......Your body wants real food so badly, but you have programmed your brain for months that you must lose fat and get smaller. So it is really difficult to change gears, so to speak. I am trying very hard to eat clean and keep my "splurges" in check. It just seems like one family event after the other keeps coming up. I find myself not wanting to look at my body in the mirror each day. You get an image of yourself ingrained in your mind, and that image is usually how you look on contest day. That is not healthy or maintainable......so now is the time where I have to reprogram my brain and what it feels is a "healthy" maintainable weight for me. Working out everyday helps ease the transition into "normal" life again.

Unfortunately, my workouts have suffered because I am now on day 3 of my Neupogen injections for the bone marrow harvest. I hurt everywhere.......my back, my ribs, and my head especially. It zaps me of my energy....I am totally crabby. (my poor husband and children can attest to that) The injections hurt like hell to get- liquid fire going into my arms. I have two more days of injections to go....the collection process starts on Tuesday in Portland (about 3 hours away from my home) I have to be away from my kids for another 2 days....more motherly guilt! Hopefully, they will appreciate why mom is doing this.....someday. I am hoping to feel well enough to do some Christmas shopping for them while in Portland, a couple of Vicodin and I will be good to go!

I ate 2 pieces of pecan pie on Thanksgiving.....oh my God it was good! I never allow myself things like that, so it tasted so yummy. I have decided that my goals for the next year are to put on 5 to 6# of muscle on my upper body, tighten the hell out of my glutes and hams, and to stay at about 10% or less body fat. I would like to compete in the Sacramento Pro in October of next year as my first Pro contest. We'll see how it goes. I would like to make appearances at the Emerald Cup and the Or Ironman also. Having to go to those shows will keep me in good shape and give me lots of motivation. I also plan to start work on my new routine soon. I need to strike while the iron is hot, I have so many ideas.

I am going to go take a nap now- my back is aching terribly with sitting up for so long. Take care everyone, keep training hard! I'll be right there with you before too long!

Tami