I have neglected you all SO much!!!! Well, lots to tell you about. I have officially hit my fat limit!!! I cannot take it any more.....I have to start getting lean. This whole "gainer" phase is pushing me over the edge! I am happy to report that I have increased my upper body considerably....but unfortunately the lower body has decided to tag along too:( Nothing fits, and if it does fit- it looks hideous on me (it's my opinion and you can't make me change it!) I was sick last week, but do you think I would actually be lucky enough to lose my gigantic appetite......of course not. (But of course I felt like crap and didn't want to workout!) I have started am cardio on an empty stomach this week. I am starting to clean up my diet a little too. Next week is official "go" time for leaning out for the spring shows. Ok, enough ranting.

I have picked up a couple of clients that are getting ready for contests this spring. I am having so much fun! I love passing along all my wisdom:) These girls are so motivated, and I am excited to see how they do. I am also going to be hosting posing classes locally for all of the girls that are going to compete this spring.

Lifting is awesome! I am still making steady gains in my weight and reps. So much fun!!! I actually started going to a chiropractor last week. It was an interesting experience to say the least:) I was not prepared for how "violent" it feels to be adjusted. Basically, he bent me into a pretzel and gave me a bear hug and then told me to relax....yeah right. I snapped and popped like it was 4th of July! He told me he had never felt joints as tight as mine in my neck. (Good? Bad?) He is starting to work on the constant popping in my shoulders- which he tells me is due to gigantic golf ball size knots in my rear deltoids......gee, lucky me. I never knew someone could make my arm go completely numb just by pushing on the afore mentioned knot. It sounds funny now, but it was definitely not funny at the time. They now know they must put me in the far treatment room, since I screamed "holy shit" loud enough for the whole building to hear it when he triggered the golf ball knot:) I am what I am....and what I am is a potty mouth:) Well everyone, I am going to bed. Where I might add, I have been having the strangest dreams lately. Evidently, I subconsciously want to be pregnant.....3 nights in a row I dreamt of being in labor! Somebody tell me what that means? Take care everyone, train hard- no excuses! Love ya,

Tami

I went to a posing class in Bend today......it was taught by Tanji Johnson. It was awesome!!! I went to help Tanji, and to learn how to teach posing myself. I know how to pose well, but I find it very difficult to teach posing to others. It's very hard to describe to people how to flare their lats.... All of the girls at the class seemed so motivated and excited to be there. I love teaching people about what I do, and especially when they are so eager to learn:) I felt like a chubby butt next to Tanji (who is 3 weeks out from the Arnold). But overall I feel good about how I look. I lifted shoulders tonight, which is my favorite workout. I can barely lift my arms right now....it's taking a lot of effort to just type:) I love the feeling...yes I know I am a sicko:) (Right D?????)

Well, I took my ACE certification test yesterday.....it was horrible. It was actually harder than my RN boards!!! And I have to wait for results for 4 weeks! I looked online, and the test only has a 66% pass rate.....I really don't feel like I did well. My husband says, "that's what you always say, and then you ace it." But I swear....I will not be surprised if I did not pass it. Oh well, what's done is done. I'll let you all know how I did when I get the results...or maybe I just won't say anything if I don't pass:) I must cut my writing short... I am watching the Olympics. I love everything about the olympics- I think it is because I am such a competitor! I have to go put my feet up....they are sore after all the walking in heels today:) Take care everyone, train hard- no excuses!!!! Love ya,

Tami

I am going "redneck" again this weekend....We have been invited to an Ultimate Fighting party at a friends house. The plan is that we are going to play Texas Hold em, and watch the ultimate fights on pay per view. Last weekend, we went to that same friends house for a poker tournament. Me, being the sheltered girl that I am, had never played poker before (hard to believe but true:) I had a total blast!!! I am totally hooked now. My only problem was that I didn't realize how long poker tournaments last.....so I brought no food to eat. The only thing that everybody brought was chips, cookies, and nasty ol' dip. I went 5 hours without eating, and for those of you that know me......that is a very bad thing! Trent was laughing at me as I roamed the kitchen trying to find something with protein in it.....to no avail. They all just sat there drinking their beer and eating doritos with shit eating grins on their faces! (All of our friends love to make fun of my "diet" food) I ate a big old egg white and salsa wrap when I got home- I didn't care that it was 2:00 in the morning....I was starving! My husband was feelin pretty good, which is always so fun to see- he's a very happy drunk!

My training is going great! I am lifting more than I ever have. Each week my lifts are going up by 5 to 10 lbs. I have found my joy in lifting again:) I have the appetite of a 16 year old boy though....I am constantly trying to make good choices in my eating. I think my heavy lifting is taking its toll on my joints. My right shoulder keeps making mysterious popping noises that weren't there before- it doesn't hurt (yet), it just feels weird. I am so sore today- I did back and biceps yesterday. I was able to do 140lb reverse grip pull downs for 8 reps! My lifting partner keeps teasing me that she won't be able to spot me soon....but she really isn't all that far behind me:)

In April, Tanji Johnson is co-sponsoring a fitness competition in Vancouver, WA. She plans on introducing me on stage as the newest IFBB Fitness Pro....hopefully, I can get my name and face out there enough that I can get some sponsorship. Tanji has been great in helping me jump start my fitness career. Well, I must go friends. I am going to take a nap! My son is sick, and I love nothing more than snuggling up with him on the couch and going to sleep. (You have to get lots of rest to grow muscle right???? hee hee hee) Train hard everyone....no excuses. Love ya,

Tami