Too many carbs + too little water consumption= a very bloated Tami:) Hello from the incredible swelling woman! I am now one week post diet.....and I feel like a total mess! After dieting for the last 5 months.......my body is basically saying: "what in the hell are you doing?" I know this is all temporary while my body readjusts to "real" food.....but I really can't wait until it is over! My hubby assures me that this is all in my head, but it's hard to convince myself of that...... The hardest part, is that I can actually feel the water retention weighing me down....I can feel it move as I walk.....I have a lovely little back fat look going on:)

Anyway, enough about my back fat! I want to tell you more about the Oregon Ironman last weekend! It was a great show.....so much fun! I guest posed on Friday and Saturday nights....Friday night was a great routine....killer energy- clean routine. Saturday was another story.....after I performed on Friday (adrenaline is usually pumping hard) I don't realize how hard I throw my routine until the next morning....when I am stove up and can hardly move....lol Then, I had to throw it again Saturday night- while my body still felt like I had been hit by a mac truck! It was a clean routine...but I wouldn't classify it as "high energy" in my book:) A few of my girls competed...and did a fabulous job! There were some really stellar physiques at this contest.

Ron and Susan Smith are such incredible promoters....and their backstage crew are always right there when you need them. They took great care of me! Especially my friend Vicki-- who I have to give a HUGE thank you to.....she actually rubbed my knotted up calf right before I stepped on stage to do my routine! Now that's a true friend....lol

After the performance...we left to celebrate Trent's birthday. We went to Red Lobster...and had an incredible dinner (just the 4 of us:) This weekend was the first time my kids have seen me perform since 2003! They were so excited....and I was SO proud to have them there! Kim Farrison actually called them up on stage to come and get pictures with me! My daughter was totally petrified...but my son was a total ham. He was just eatin it up!

So, now my plans are to try to put as much muscle on in the next 8 weeks as possible. I am about 16 weeks out from the Europa. I want to diet down gradually, so I can maintain as much muscle as possible. I am using my same routines, so my training won't be as stressful this time around. Well, I must go to bed! I have to work at the hospital the next 2 days.....talk about stressful! :) Goodnight my friends, train hard- no excuses! (not even water retention and back fat!) ha ha ha