We're getting down to the wire baby!!! So much happens in the last 3 weeks before competition. Frequent diet changes, endless routine run throughs, tanning, posing practice, the list goes on and on:) Christine has my suits done and should be mailing them either today or tomorrow......then the fun begins- I love to jewel them! I have been waiting for my cat suit for 7 weeks now.....they finally tell me today that they haven't been able to get the wet look black fabric to make it- but promise me that it will be mailed tomorrow......I'm a little concerned- but I also know that I could probably borrow one from Tanji if I need to.

My cheat meal on Sunday was at my favorite place on earth.......Olive Garden!!! It was heavenly. I ate 2 servings of Tiramisu- oh my God....words cannot express how good it was:) Sherry (my cousin who is competing in Vancouver) and I went to Portland to get some special stage makeup, then a quick workout at 24 hr fitness in Clackamas, then went right next door to Olive Garden......how convenient:)

I am maintaining all of my muscle (per the body comp results weekly), and losing fat (so it says), but as always- all I ever see is how far I have to go:) I hate my little bit of lower back fat, and butt crack fat......I don't know if I will ever have a visible glute-ham tie in! Maybe at 2% bodyfat! Oh well, we have to work WITH our genetics.....everyone has their pros and cons about their body. I was blessed with good symmetry but small shoulders and crack fat:) ha ha ha

At the moment, I am watching American Idol.....can I just say that I LOVE Blake from Seattle! He is just SO different, and very talented! I am a reality TV junkie. I love American Idol, Survivor, The Girls Next Door (so hilarious!), Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars.......the list goes on and on. TIVO is a god send:) It allows me to watch them while I do my cardio.

OH, I almost forgot to mention that I might be working the Labrada Booth at Emerald Cup on Saturday April 21st. I will let you all know when I find out for sure. It should be a ton of fun!Come by and say Hi! Maybe I will have lots of samples to give out:)

Well everyone, time to prepare my meals for tomorrow. Train hard, no excuses! Love ya,

Tami

I ate a cheat meal tonight!!!!! Why is it thatI always seem to write in my journal after cheat meals????? Is it because I am SO happy and want to share it with you all? Or because I am on a sugar high- and I like to write before I crash into a sugar coma? Either way.....here I am! Tonight was a more "subdued" cheat meal. Pete calls it a "controlled cheat meal". I had steak, baked potato, and cheesecake..............mmmmmmmm. The cheesecake was a "snickers" cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory (bought frozen from Costco). OH MY GOD- it was so good! I read the calorie panel.....37 grams of fat in ONE PIECE!!!! Isn't that insane? It was totally sinful......Now I am so thirsty, I could drink a gallon of water. On cheat meal days, I eat no carbohydrates all day, then do a high intensity cardio session right before the meal.....It totally kicks my butt! My weight was down to 125 this morning. I am finally starting to see daily changes in my body.....this is when the whole process becomes fun. Every morning you wake up to a new body.

I finally found out where the host hotel is going to be in NY....unfortunately, all the discounted rooms are taken, and their "normal" priced rooms are $300 a night!!!! Holy crap! So, I made reservations at the Marriott Financial Center- which is where I have always stayed for my NY contests. Unfortunately......they cost $250 per night! Oh well, no turning back now....hahaha

Christine e-mailed me to tell me she is working on my suits......hopefully I will have them in hand very soon!

I must go to bed.....I have another busy day tomorrow. Take care everyone.....train hard, no excuses! Love ya,

Tami

Congratulations to my friend Tanji Johnson for her 4th place finish at the Arnold!! She rocked the house (as always). I am just happy to see her getting the recognition she deserves. I send out a big hug and a get well soon wish to my friend Heidi Fletcher, who had to pull out of the Arnold due to a horrible flu bug. She made it through the physique rounds, but had nothing left for her routines. (Her physique was totally spot on by the way!) It must have totally killed her to make that decision, especially after all those months of training......Heidi is an incredible person- and competitor! I can't wait to compete with her at the NY Pro......she is such a little spit fire!

I started the new diet on Monday.....so far, I've lost another 2lbs on it......wooooohoooo! I literally got asked about 20 times today if I was getting ready for one of my "fitness things".....(I live in a very small town- where most people really have no clue of what I do:) I wanted to say to them, "I've been dieting for the last 10 weeks- but thanks for noticing".....lol. The changes are so dramatic in the last 4 weeks for me, but I have found that I can't enjoy it too much- because it is just temporary:) If I get too attached to my lean body- I experience a lot of depression when the weight comes back after contest. My husband and I joke that his other "girlfriend" is coming soon.....but she only stays for a little while, and she's kinda crabby when she's here....hee hee hee.

My big girl turns 9 tomorrow.....she is so ecstatic about her birthday party- we are having a skating party at the local skating rink. (The same skating rink that I "lived" at from 5th to 8th grade......talk about deja vu). I had a cheat meal tonight, so what a coincidence......I had to make cupcakes for her birthday at school tomorrow:) I only ate some of the batter- well, maybe a lot of the batter:) wink wink

I am totally going into a carbohydrate coma as we speak- it's time for me to go to bed! I will try to keep you posted on my progress more frequently now that I am getting closer. Take care everybody, train hard- no excuses! Love ya,

Tami

Progress Report Time!!!!! I am doing well in my training.....I feel like I have stalled out a little- so Pete is putting together a new diet for me as we speak:) I am maintaining my shoulders and back really well.....but I am also retaining a big fat ass too:) Just kidding, I am always my worst critic. I am carrying a lot of fat and water on my thighs and lower butt. The biggest reason I need to lean out quick is because it is really hard to throw my routine with this extra 5 lbs on my lower body. I just feel like I am weighted to the ground some days:)

I want to take this moment to wish Tanji a HUGE good luck hug for this weekend!!!! She is competing at the Arnold tomorrow....and I hope she kicks butt! She is finally starting to get her due rewards after many of years of hard work! Pray hard and work harder.....that is Tanji's way of thinking:) You go girl!!!!

Well, I am 6 weeks out from the NY Pro tomorrow!!!! I will be guest posing at the Vancouver Natural in 4 weeks......I get to hang out with my buddies Michelle Mayberry, Michelle Anderson, and Allison Malone! Michelle M is judging the contest, and Michelle A and I are helping back stage- we always have a total blast! (Oh, and I can't forget my adorable little friend Trish- I think she will be there???:) Allison is one of my former clients who moved to Vancouver- so she is working with Michelle Anderson now... I will be rooting for her to win her class!:) My cousin, Sherry will be in the 5'7" height class- she is freakin ripped up already! She is smokin hot at 42, mother of 5, and grandmother of 2!!!!! I am so proud of her! We have been working on posing together every Sunday:)

I am awaiting my new suits from Christine Marsh any day now....she is super busy this week with the Arnold- I will probably get them early next week. They are going to be gorgeous!!! I have all my jewels ready to put on as soon as I get them.

Well, I must go to bed.....I have not slept well the last few nights. My jack russell "child" Tobi had puppies a week ago today. They are the most beautiful puppies that I have ever seen- anyhow, they have been kinda vocal the last few nights. So, I haven't had any really "sound" sleep. I am wiped out tonight. Take care everybody.......train hard- no excuses!!! Love ya,

Tami