I rolled myself into the gym today.....ok, I waddled into the gym today:) I promised you all a blow by blow of my eating adventure this weekend, so here it is....It started out on Saturday afternoon with homemade chocolate chip cookies (I just ate the dough). At 3:00, I ate lasagna and garlic bread at my in-laws house (I only ate one serving!!!!) Then it was back to our house for a Christmas eve party.....and of course, there were plates and plates of goodies, crackers, deli trays, etc.......yes, I did eat a little bit of everything. The next day, I cooked Christmas dinner....I ate so much, it was hard to breathe!!!! Then decided to top it all off with a piece of pecan pie (oh my God, it was heavenly), with homemade whipping cream! I fell into a coma in the recliner and missed most of my family leaving....then woke up and had a few more bites of pecan pie and then went to bed:) The moral of this story: it only happens once a year, it's ok to splurge!!!

Today, I have eaten really clean, and so far don't appear to have gained much weight....I did an hour of cardio this morning and then lifted heavy tonight. I still feel like I have a "food hangover". My body doesn't do well with calorie dense foods anymore. I am proud to say that I am typing this while eating a big salad with turkey breast and balsalmic vinegar dressing:) I had a smart idea today....I took most of the leftovers to my grandparents' house. They couldn't come to dinner due to health issues, so they were happy to see all of that food. Out of sight, out of mind!

You should have seen my gym today!!! Post holiday guilt.....everyone felt the same as me:) Just about every cardio machine was being used when I walked in. Now we just have to make it through new years! The gym is always packed after all the new years resolutions...then about mid February it dies off again.

Well, off to bed I go. Take care everyone. Love ya,

Tami

I did lots of cardio today..........to offset the amount of calories that I plan on consuming in the next 2 days:) I made a pecan pie yesterday, today I made fudge, pumpkin pie, and chocolate chip cookies. Yes, I did lick the bowl(s)...hee hee hee. Hey, I'm in the off season! I have been doing really well with my eating, so days like this don't cause me much anxiety right now. I plan on hitting my training SO hard after the new year.

I just want to say Merry Christmas to all my friends in the fitness world!!! I miss you guys! I only get to see you all at contests, so I really miss you! My warmest wishes go out to my girls Karen Patten from Alaska, and Michelle Mayberry from Washington. They truly are the greatest women I have ever met! I am so excited to see them become pros next year!

My personal training business is growing.....I have a few new clients due to the newspaper exposure I received after nationals. (And I must say, they are the loveliest ladies too!) I am so impressed with them already.

My strength is finally back! I am having so much fun lifting heavy again, I forgot how good it feels. I walked out of the gym last night like an ape, I couldn't even lift my arms. I love that feeling! (sick, isn't it?) I am working daily on strength moves for future routines, and I seem to be making good progress.

Ok everbody, on Sunday night I will try to write in my journal, and I will tell all of you everything I ate that day. That way, you will all feel good about yourselves:) Enjoy your holidays everyone!!!!! God bless each and every one of you! May Santa bring you all that you hoped for. Take care, and be safe. Love always,

Tami

I am really ready for Christmas!!! I am at the point where I have gotten something for everyone....but then I start second guessing myself and thinking I should buy more for them:) I need to just chill out and quit thinking about it! My kids are getting SO excited, I have more fun watching them count down the days (and hours). I am finally back to training super hard!!! I am so sore today from my back and leg workout yesterday......and I love it! I am taking supplements to help me put on more muscle (creatine, musclemilk, etc....) So I am puffy and bloated feeling...I keep telling myself, "There is a purpose behind this weight! Just hang in there!" I wish I could be one of those fitness competitors who just stays beautifully lean year round, but alas, I am not one of them...... I need more muscle and they don't! (not to mention that I have a booty- not some tiny little "boy" butt!) I am naturally a pear shape, and honey, you just can't fight mother nature. (I am doing my best to fight her, but I have to be realistic:) So my message of inspiration to everyone tonight is this:

Work out hard, eat right, and love your body for it's uniqueness! So what if you aren't perfect, nobody is! Always strive to better yourself, but be proud of what you have accomplished.

Don't I just sound philosophical tonight? It was a hard day at work, roads were very icy coming home, so I had a lot of time to just sit and think:) I hope everyone is having a great week. Keep up the posts to my journal, I love reading them! But just remember......others can read them too. So if you want to mail something to me that only I can read, make sure you go to the e-mail contact on my website. Good night all, remember to train hard, and only "sample" the Christmas goodies:) Bye for now,

Tami

I thought I lived in Oregon, not the Antarctic!!! It is So cold here this winter. The last 2 winters have been so mild, and this one came early, and I am sure will stay late. I don't have enough long pants to wear to the gym, oh well, guess I have to go shopping....:) I am finally getting my strength back, I can actually use my right bicep now. The bruises are starting to fade somewhat. I started all my supplements today. (Animal pack, glutamine, muscle milk, and tons of vitamins) Time to build some muscle! I am trying not to do too much cardio- old habits die hard. Lifting is my priority now. Not much to report today, have to go to bed early because I work the next 2 days.......I am trying to get at least 8 hrs of sleep per night (gotta sleep to build muscle:) Merry Christmas everybody- I would love to hear from those of you that read my journal. Feel free to post comments anytime you would like! Train hard,

Tami

I have had a busy week!!!!! Shopping for Christmas, working, getting some workouts in, and somewhere in there trying to get some housework done:) My right arm is still really sore from the bone marrow procedure....I told you last week that my arms looked like a junkie's.....they look even worse now! I have been wearing long sleeve shirts so people don't have to stare:) The bruises are turning all shades of green and purple...and seem to be sliding down my arm. The pain is getting better every day. I still can't lift as heavy as I am used to, which is frustrating to say the least. I have to take advantage of my newly stored fat to make some good muscle.....(ha ha ha). Speaking of fat....have I told you how much I feel like I've put on? My husband keeps telling me it's all in my head, but aren't they supposed to say that? I know I have been partaking in a few too many carbs this week:) I told myself that as soon as Christmas is over- game on- time to train hard!!!

Today, a wonderful article about me was published in the Bend Bulletin. It was written by Bill Bigelow, the sports editor. He is the nicest guy, and a great writer. We spent a lot of time talking about the article- he really felt this story was important, and that came across in his writing. Bill, if you are reading this.....Thank you so much! I have included the link below for anyone who wants to read the article.

http://bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051211/SPORTS05/512110311/1013&nav_category=#

I'm sure all of my bodybuilding friends saw the picture and said "Tami sure did puff up after nationals." (When your buddies see you at your competition best, they know first hand how swollen you get after a contest.) I still look thin and fit to most people, but to me.....I look like a marshmallow:) All part of the post contest "rebound". When I can settle into a good workout routine again, I will level out just fine. I am so excited for the future...I have so many plans and opportunities. Life is good. Till next time my friends, all my love.

Tami

I am officially on the road to recovery! I was released from the hospital on Wednesday November 30th. The bone marrow collection went very well, no complications- except for my forearms looking like I am a junkie:) I have bruises and needle holes up and down my arms. It was a very bitter sweet day on Wednesday.....I had this huge build up to Nationals, and then I told myself "Just get through the bone marrow transplant", so when all of it was over- I just felt empty. (I was elated that what I had just done was going to save someone's life, but it was the end of a very long road). I started crying as I got dressed at the hospital.....it just really hit me what I had just done.
I cannot begin to tell you how scary it is after a contest.....you work so hard to get lean and cut- so watching all that in reverse is concerning to say the least. So far, I am doing really well with my weight gain. I am at 125# right now, I can't work out yet......which is SO frustrating! The Dr's told me I have very low platelets, so any trauma to my body will cause more bleeding than normal. I am pretty tired, but my workouts are my therapy for after a contest....they keep me sane:) I may try to do an aerobics class this week. I can't wait to lift HEAVY! I have so many ideas swirling in my brain for my next routine- I am thinking up some interesting strength moves. It's going to be a FUN routine above all else!

I am starting to work on sponsorship in my first year as a pro. Contacting a few supplement companies that I actually use their products.....If I endorse a product, I have to believe in it, and acutally use it.

I am going to work for the next 2 days. So I will try to write soon. I am excited to keep everyone posted on my progress in the next few months. Train hard everyone!

Tami