A....TEN.....TION!!!

Training = 6 am Chest/Biceps + 30 mins elliptical

Feeling = At Ease. What is your name solider? Private ss2306 sir. That's Sir Positive to you. Did I tell you to hit the deck? No Sir Positive. Then get your boney arse up. Now, drop and give me 20. Where did your attitude, energy and enthusiasm from last week go? It went to battle sir. And did it win? No sir. Wrong, yes it did. Are you a strong warrior woman or are you a quitter? A strong warrior woman sir. Then describe yourself to me. I am focussed, confident, strong, positive and balanced and one who loves being lean, ripped and goddamn hot in spite of what normal people think of me. Correct! When dirt gets kicked in your face you don't kick dirt back, you pick up rocks and hurl them. I have a special mission for you this week soldier. Are you up for it? Of course sir. Your number one priority is to "trust your instincts". Understood? Yes sir. Now, go and get sexy and have an awesome day. Thank you sir.

THE GYM FUNKY MANNEQUIN EXPERIENCE!!

A big "congratulations" to Chris and Fee and the team at Gym Funky on the opening of their new store in Westfield Chermside. We had a lot of fun posing as live mannequins in the shop front window last night. Lots of lookers walking by doing double takes, a pose down with a young guy, some singing, some dancing, some jokes. And of course all whilst wearing the hottest gym and casual wear around. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of the grand opening. The search for Brisbane's next top model is over - you found them (LOL). For hiring and pricing details please leave me comment (hehehe). Thank you also to hot chicks Nicole, Marie and Melinda for an awesome job and for being you - sexy, hot, confident, fit, healthy and happy. You are all perfect examples of how training hard and eating in moderation allows you to live lean, look hot and love life. I am proud to call you my friends. Afterwards we all enjoyed a Sumo spicy prawn salad before heading home and hitting the hay.

THE MASK!!

Scale weight = 61.7 kg

Training = 4 am Back/Rear Delts + 15 mins incline tready walking + 15 mins bike seated/standing intervals

Feeling = "Somebody stop me!" (said in Jim Carrey voice). I can't begin to tell you how much my life has changed for the better and most days I feel like I'm gonna explode with excitement, confidence and positivity. Loving myself sick. Loving my life. Loving my clients. Loving my work. Loving my family and friends. Loving and living - what life is all about! I keep pinching myself so that I know that I'm real and not "walking on a dream". Post after breaky with pics from "The Gym Funky Mannequin Experience".

YOU MUST BELIEVE!!

Scale weight = 61.6 kg

Training = 4 am "Stay Lean" circuit + cardio mix - 1 hr 15 mins

Feeling = Think you "can't"? It's because you don't believe you can. Think you can't get up early to train cause you're not a morning person? It's because you don't believe you can. Think you can't survive on lower calories? It's because you don't believe you can. Think you don't do well consuming carbohydrates? It's because you don't believe you can. Think you can't have just one? It's because you don't believe you can. Think you can't get to a certain weight? It's because you don't believe you can. Think you can't maintain a certain weight? It's because you don't believe you can. Heard the saying "whatever you believe, you can achieve"? It's true, believe it and start believing in yourself. I urge and encourage you to reframe your disbeliefs with beliefs. Write them down and read them out loud EVERY single day and eventually your mind has no choice but to believe them. I'm not saying it's easy, far from it. It takes time, patience, persistence and practice but what in this world doesn't? And besides, what have you got to lose? Nothing, but you have everything to gain. Open your arms, open your heart, open your mind. And BELIEVE!!

Before you start wondering if this is aimed/directed at you - it's not. Just me reflecting on when I changed my beliefs I changed my life.

SPORTING A SLIGHTLY NEW DO

AS TIME GOES BY!!

Scale weight = 61.5 kg

Training = 4 am Quads + 20 mins elliptical, 5.30 am Hamstrings + 20 mins tready walking

Feeling = Looking back I realise the importance of "the journey is as or more important than the destination". Through competing, well not actually competing but the process it takes to get there, I've learnt so much about myself. That I am stronger than I ever believed possible. That I can take my body to places many dare not to go. How it works, how it functions. What it works best on and what it needs just to survive. I've delved to places I didn't think I could ever go. Enduring hunger which doesn't kill you as I once thought. No-one has ever died of hunger, they've died of starvation and I certainly wasn't starving. On my lowest of calorie days probably still consuming more than most. I know what to do when I've overstepped the mark of carbohydrate/fat/sugar consumption. I know when the engine is getting drained of fuel. The revelation is "I now know me". Such an empowering feeling!

GYM FUNKY GETS EVEN FUNKYER!!

Come and see me and my friends Nicole, Marie and Melinda when we pose as live mannequins at the grand opening of Gym Funky's new store at Westfield Chermside this coming Thursday, 28 May 2009.

THE SMART GET SHARPER!!

Scale weight = 61.9 kg

Training = 4 am Shoulders/Triceps + 40 mins jogetty jog

Feeling = At times I may seem full of myself, somewhat stuck up and perhaps even arrogant and cocky? I've come a long way, learning and growing from past experiences, failures and successes. I feel fear and allow this fear to drive me. I try and not let negativity enter my mind and when/if it does I reframe with positive self talk and images. Negativity serves no purpose and I don't have time for it. I know what I want and what I don't want and do what has to be done to keep it this way. I think and dream big. I set myself goals both big and small. I don't suffer paralysis by analysis. When I make an informed decision I'll do whatever I can in order to achieve it. I'm somewhat selfish by putting myself first at times. I'm far from perfect but aim to get as close as possible to my ideal. All of this in turn creates a huge boost of self confidence. A winning formula really.

"With knowledge comes confidence and with confidence comes success"- Anthony Fernando

FEELING HOT HOT HOT!!

Scale weight = not bothering until the fluid disappears

Training = Cardio Circuit #2 - mixture of resistance intervals and steady state 1 hr

Feeling = Hot, hot, hot. Had a great nights sleeping waking naturally at 3.06 am before the alarm which was set for 3.30 am. Awesome training session (watch out clients!) and as I was checking myself out in the mirror wearing my long bootleg pants, even with a bloated jelly belly every other part of me is looking schmick. Of course being carb loaded, muscles nice and full and veins popping is reward in itself. I love Monday's. The start of the working week. I have a short-term incentive to work towards this week which I'll post about when I get all the details. Another exciting venture. I'm going places. Thinking and dreaming big!

ALL WENT TO PLAN

What a fabulous day and night!! Mission accomplished! I wanted Nicole to have the best Hen's Night ever and one to remember and I'm sure she won't forget it in a hurry. Got her trashed! I'll leave it up to her to tell all the details in a post when she gets her seedy arse out of bed later on today.

Me, on the other hand, is all soft and squishy today after this body not being used to consuming sooo many carbs (of the not so good kind) but yummy kind. Am I worried? Not at all. I'm living, I'm loving and enjoying the fun times life has to offer. Was it worth it? Hell yeah! I've learned to secret. Don't beat yourself up. Don't exercise crazily. Don't ponder. Just go back to "your normal". It's when you continue on that things get messy.

TIME FOR LIVING, LAUGHING & PARTYING!!

Scale weight = 61.8 kg

Training = 5.45 am Chest & Biceps + 15 mins bike, 15 mins elliptical

Feeling = What a fabulous start to the weekend which is going to be full of fun. We had a family dvd night last night complete with a candy bar. It was so great to actually stay up with the family on a Friday night rather than going to bed with Big Dog. Just listening to the kids laugh and sharing a cuddle on the lounge with all of them was worth the scale rise this morning.

Today/tonight is Nicole's Hen's event. I can't divulge too much info (as she may read this) but there's plenty of fun and laughter going to be happening. Of course she knows about Wild Boys Afloat tonight being the highlight with some hot bods hopefully. I'll take pics and post tomorrow.

And, finally I want to say "thank you, thank you, thank you" to my gorgeous friend KatieP who created my new blog header. This more reflects me and my life as of now.

LIBERATED FROM FEAR!!

Scale weight = 61.2 kg

Training = 4 am Legs + 15 mins elliptical and 15 mins tready walking

Feeling = Powerful beyond measure. Intrinsic motivation built in, extrinsic no longer required. Having awesome training sessions, feeling fabulous throughout the day, sleeping like a baby again, and generally just loving everyone and everything. I had some "special" time with hubby yesterday which made me realise how much I love him and how beautiful he is. Teaching daughter how to cook dinner and having more mummy/daughter time and as for little boy, he's just a nutcase who goes along with the flow. I'm in the process of changing my blog header since the current one is no longer applicable in my life - stay tuned!

COCKTAIL OF CONFIDENCE!!

The above picture was inspired by Katie who just called me "Milo Girl" cause I had a warmed caramel crunch protein bar with ice-cream and milo for morning tea.

Scale weight = 60.8 kg

Training = 1 hour cardio mix involving skipping, squats, lunges, bulgarians, elliptical, bike & tready jogging and incline walking

Feeling = Gee, I'm so happy!! I have no carrot dangling in front of me other than simply wanting to look and feel great. Of course I do have important events and functions coming up but each day brings a new sense of achievement of just how far I've come. I feel like the last little goal I set for myself with regards to competing has already come to fruition. I wanted to do better on the "other side". I'm feeling really strong now mentally knowing that I can do anything I set my mind to but also now I feel like there's no "other side" cause I've been doing it all along. Practising moderation that is. No blow outs and no MM. I've formulated a plan. I love plans. A plan for my training and a plan for my nutrition and I'm thrilled that I'm executing it with ease. The energy inside me is electric. Although it seems I've been flat out and haven't stopped all day some really positive stuff is happening. Broken bridges and being rebuilt, inspiration wall getting revamped, helping others find the way, witnessing improvements in clients performance, and spending more quality time with children and husband. What else could a girl ask for?

PISS OFF RAIN!!

Scale weight = 61.6 kg

Training = 5.30 am Back & Rear Delts + 25 mins cardio (jogging, incline walking with deep bodyweight squats every few minutes)

Feeling = Firstly, Nicole and I had a great night at the concert last night. The voices, the dancing, the costumes, the bodies were all fantastic. Late night and early morning again so a wee bit tired but nothing an arvo nap won't fix. I actually had time to reflect yesterday on my competition experience and also spoke to Jason (INBA president) on the phone which helped me put things into perspective. A couple of things he said which are still clear in my mind are 1) my strengths were my legs and abs. This was really nice to hear since these were and always are my biggest concerns and were what I made sure I improved on from last year. 2) He would have had me a couple of kilos leaner. This one really threw me. 3 weeks ago I had asked someone who is very experienced in the industry if she thought I needed to get leaner. She said no. And I was always worried about sacrificing upper body muscle if I did this as I don't have enough to begin with. For a brief moment I thought about competing again but then slapped myself and said it's time to give a little back to my husband, children and friends and reminded myself that what's important to me now is to maintain a body I'm proud of and to enjoy more of a social life. I don't need to get on a stage and have others scrutinise every inch of my body for me to feel good about how I look. I can do that everyday by simply looking in the mirror, giving myself a nod and a wink, and displaying and expressing my passion for living, learning and loving.

HUSH HUSH

Scale Weight = 61.5 kg

Training = 4 am Chest/Biceps + 20 mins elliptical - 15:45 intervals x 10, 10 mins steady state

Feeling = Argh gee it was great to get back to training today after having most of last week off. I had, in anticipation, written a new training program to start this week and thoroughly enjoyed it. Don't know if I'll be saying that in the next couple of days when the doms set in though. I was asked this morning by a couple of members if I would "stop" now that the comp was over? Stop what? Training - never! Improving - never! Feeling great about how I look - never! Sure my nutrition will change slightly as in increased cals and carbs but I'll still be eating what I was eating leading up to comp just bigger volume. All of my favourites - protein pancakes, oats & powder, protein bars, chocolate, lollies, icecream, peanut butter. The list is endless.

Tonight I'm off to the PussyCat Dolls & Lady Ga-Ga concert with Nicole - can't wait! When I grow up I wanna be famous, wanna be a star, wanna be in movies. When I grow up I wanna see the world, drive nice cars, I wanna have boobies - oops got them already (hehehe).

CONGRATULATIONS MELINDA & MARIE

Congratulations Melinda and Marie on such an awesome job. You look absolutely amazing and should be very very proud of what you have achieved. I am extremely honoured to have helped you along your journey to the stage and to be the very best you can be. Dream clients with big futures. Cheers to you to both.

POST COMP RECOLLECTIONS & PICS

I'd love to sit here and write what a fantastic time and amazing experience it was standing on that stage but in all honesty I hated it! I couldn't wait to get off. What the fuck was I thinking entering the Open category? The other girls were HUGE. And although I never did it to place it would have been the icing on the cake for all my effort. I must remember why I did it. Firstly, to prove to myself that I could and I did. Secondly, to look better than I did last year and I did. I made the improvements from the judges feedback last year. I got in the best shape I've ever been in again. Only this time I intend to keep it. I've learnt the skills along the way in order for me to live the life I've always imagined and enjoy my body and life to it's fullest. Where to from here? Well, I'm never competing again. Consider me officially retired and if I ever say I'm gonna do it again someone shoot me. I just want to get back to training hard in the gym, training and coaching others and teaching them how to get what they want, living and laughing with my family and friends, but most of all LOVE me every single day.

0 SLEEPS - IT'S SHOWTIME!!

WOW!! I'm here, I did it, I made it. Congratulations Shelley on an awesome job. You should be very proud of yourself and what you have achieved. But, it doesn't stop here. The only thing you know for certain is what you don't want. This will be enough to go on, to continue walking the path of life, your journey through it. Learning as if you were to live forever, living as if you were to die tomorrow.

How am I feeling? Eeeeeekk! Nervous yet excited. Up at 4.30 am. Although not true a manipulated scale weight reading slightly under what I had planned to come in at. Still haven't quite peaked. Got a bit more water to drop and carbs to ingest but should be there by 1.30 pm when I hit the stage. Final coat of tan shortly then hair and make-up before final top coat of grease. I know the euphoric feeling will really embrace me when I put on my gorgeous bikini and bling! See you there.

1 SLEEP TO GO - WOOHOO!!

What a different day yesterday was. I felt sooooo much better after the introduction of carbs again and didn't I enjoy every single mouthful. First stop was registration where I received my contest number "108" in Figure Open category. There's a total of 8 Open competitors in classes 1, 2 & 3 so we've been grouped together and will be judged as one class with a pretty spectaular line up too I might add, however with only 3 of us being tall we automatically qualify to do Olympia. Not how I wanted to get through and not sure yet if I will do it at all but I'll have the option to consider down the track.

1st coat of tan was rolled on yesterday and Katie and I were both very excited seeing our veins and muscles popping and posing in the mirror. I also applied both Marie and Melinda's first coat so they knew what to do from here on in. I tell ya I've never been so close to so many clackers in the space of 6 hours before (LOL).

Today 3 more coats of tan (breaky, lunch, dinner) and getting nails done. Hubby and kids have been kicked out of the house for the weekend so we can walk around starkers whilst our tan dries.

Really looking forward to tonight's dinner of a big fat steak and wedges. I can't believe it's tomorrow - OMG! Fingers crossed everything works as it should and I come "in" right on target.

2 SLEEPS TO GO!!

Carb depletion - a form of torture! Yesterday I felt like shit and looked like shit and questioned whether it is all worth it? But I know it's like having a baby - the labour sucks and then the minute that beautiful baby is born you forget it all. No doubt when I step on that stage on Sunday I will forget how painful the past couple of days have been. And I will only remember the hard work and dedication I have put in to produce my best body to date. I will stand tall and proud knowing I have done my best, faced and overcome challenges along the way, battled head fucks sometimes losing but mostly winning, pushed my body to the extreme cause that is what competing is. Doing what many dare not to do. Achieving a level of leanness that is not only unhealthy longterm and hard to get but both mentally and physically draining also.

Today should be a whole lot better with lots of delicious, gorgeous carbs gettin' in meh bellie. We're off to register this morning, then I'll de-hair for the last time till after comp (and yep the floss is done) and apply first coat of tan. Hopefully then it'll seem like it is real and finally all happening.

3 SLEEPS TO GO!!

Thank God today is the last day of depletion. I'm sure I long ago emptied any gylcogen left in my muscles. By lunchtime yesterday I was completed shagged and if I wasn't competing on Sunday would have devoured a huge bowl of oats which is just what my body is needing right now. I'll hold out knowing that today is a very easy day with just a massage and afternoon sleep booked in and also knowing how many carbs the next couple of days are delivering.

4 SLEEPS TO GO!!

She's here - finally! (claps hands) Picked up the girl last night - the amazing and gorgeous KatieP.

We've slept in a wee bit, trained (in my garage with me in pj pants and ugg boots) and heading to see Jo later this morning for a final posing session. Day 2 of depletion and more chicken mince which I actually love especially the ones with salt and soy sauce. Treats have been omitted till after comp but I don't feel deprived at all. I'm doing this for a purpose and know that they'll be back on the menu next Monday and Tuesday and EVERYDAY after that. And not forgetting Sunday's AFTERPARTY although what I'm mostly looking forward to there is a vodka, lime and soda or two and a good laugh and recollection of events and celebrating with the rest of the girls.

Feeling really good about how my body is "coming in" this week and really enjoyed posing, walking and chatting with the girls last night.

On a negative note not real happy Jan about the running order on Sunday which was emailed out last night. Figure Novice on 20 minutes before Figure Open - Big FUCK!

ME AND MY GIRLS

Melinda, Marie and I after posing practice tonight. These girls already look a million bucks so come Sunday they're gonna look a gazillion! Love your work girls - Mwah xxxx

5 SLEEPS TO GO!!

We're coming to the business end of the deal. Today the real fun begins! I start depleting today, not that I'm probably already half way there or maybe it's just tiredness? And get this for a laugh. I was having trouble getting to sleep last night and when hubby came to bed I said to him "I can't get to sleep, maybe we should have sex" (as it always sends me to sleep afterwards). He was too tired! What? Who's heard of a man knocking it back? Anyway, he'll have to wait till next week now cause I'm busy (hehehe). Thankfully it was only cardio today as after only less than 5 hours sleep any form of training was bound to be hard but I did it. We do what we gotta do. After 1 more client this morning I'm finished work till next Tuesday which will make life easier being able to sleep in later and train later. KatieP arrives late tonight - woohoo! And this arvo I'm meeting Melinda for firstly some posing practice at my old stomping ground (Genesis) if they'll let me in then we'll head out for a stroll and chat - fun fun fun. Other than that I'll be eating my chicken mince and sleeping if you're looking for me.

6 SLEEPS TO GO!!

I decided to get a head start on the de-hairing yesterday but got a bit carried away so now I'm really really cold with not much hair anywhere but my head (lol).

Again, I'm tired today. Training was hard this morning but I managed to get through it. The next couple of days are gonna drag out until Katie arrives tomorrow night then it'll be fun, fun, fun.

On the other hand I'm relieved I've got relatively easy days ahead of me with lots of time to just play on the puter, dream and imagine what Sunday will bring.

I'm very organised and feeling very together so basically I'll just be eating, sleeping and foncing about and counting down the days.

I've been working on a post-comp plan, logging my food, writing a new training program (in order to get f#@kin HUGE - with MUSCLE of course) and working it all around the busy social life I have already planned including PussyCat Dolls concert, Nicole's Hen's Night, weekend at the Gold Coast ANB Titles, delayed St Patrick's Day bash, Pink concert, Nicole's Wedding, My Birthday, and wrapping up with a few days in my home town (Singleton) before heading to Melbourne for the All Females in July. It's gonna be a busy calendar of events so I'll need to keep things in check during the week to allow some flexibility on the weekends. I'm confident I can maintain a relatively lean body since I now have learnt the skills to do so. No doubt there'll be challenges along the way but with this will also bring more personal strength and growth.

DOESN'T SLEEP MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

I finally got more than 5 hours sleep - yay. Only 7 1/2 but still. Told hubby last night that I'd get up, have my cuppa, but may go back to bed and train after breaky. 3.30 am wakeup, cuppa, but it got the better of me and off I trotted. The thing I noticed and that surprised me most this morning was I actually had energy to train. My legs felt good not heavy like lead weights, I was a tad stronger than previous sessions and when the 30 minute mark came round on the cardio I felt I could have kept going. I didn't though as I could smell the pancakes I was having for breaky in the air.

1 week out - Fffffaaaarrrrkkkk! 1 week, 1 week, 1 week - OMG! It's now close. When it's weeks away it seems surreal and you long to get closer and start the single digit countdown then when that arrives you start to poo your pants, get nervous, think have I done it the way I wanted, am I lean enough, have I lost muscle, hope the depletion/load works perfectly, hope I don't forget to squeeze my butt on stage, hope I don't fall over but most of all HOPE I HAVE SO MUCH FUN not only on stage but with MY FRIENDS before, during and afterwards.

Happy BuffMother's Day!!

THE GLAMING BEGINS

I'm off to the hairdressers shortly to have my colour freshened, waxing done and a light trim. Hubby was out (again) last night so I had a lovely evening by myself (kids upstairs watching dvd's). I was able to pretty much get my week ahead planned and sorted. Not sure what to do about the nails yet. Thought they'd be long enough on their own but a couple have broken so I'll probably end up going bugger it and get acrylics. Got tanning, a massage, one last posing session, and of course training and eating to take care of. The only thing I'm concerned about is that I'll forget to wax my floss. Can someone please remind towards the end of the week.

TRUST IN THE STARS!

It's not always sugar and spice.

Yesterday, I seen something that I didn't need to see and it got me really down and asking myself "why?"

The answer = "Remember why you are doing this!" I've already achieved my set goals so anything else from here on in is a bonus.

Funnily enough my horoscope for the day read:

Your own expectations may be working against you. Try to open your mind and be more accepting of the things that you cannot control.

I'm still not sleeping much which isn't helping either. I was up at 2.10 am this morning, training at 3.30 am. I was able to have a 2 hour snooze today, after a fabulous massage in which I think I nodded off a couple of times. I woke up to the guy next door singing "I believe I can fly" and now I can't get it out of my head so fly I shall. "If I can see it, then I can do it. If I just believe it, there's nothing to it. I believe I can fly, I believe I can touch the sky". A shower, a yummy sausage roll (Shelley version) for lunch and I'm feeling a shitload better and excited again.

CRACKED/SMASHED IT!!

I did a PB yesterday. New LWE (lowest weight ever). Told you they were delirious dickheads the other day.

I'm off to see Jo again today. I'm secretly hoping she tells me I'm "good to go" and to stop here cause I want more food (lol).

As a result of increased carbs yesterday I smashed my training this morning - yahoo! And more carbs again today. I'm pushing the boundaries to see if I end up soft, smooth and bloated or PEELED as Steph says.

As my good friend Shannon says "the end is near, FINISH STRONG!"

SLOW MOVEMENT GATHERS PACE

Today I'm thankful for:

• Client Cancellation
• Carbohydrates
• Ipod with Awesome Music
• Training Program
• Biotest Surge
• Steady State Cardio
• Higher Calories
• Nanna Naps
• Sleeping Tablets

In more exciting news read below:

WHEN THE RED RED ROBIN COMES BOB BOB BOBBING ALONG

Gooooood Moooorrrrning Australia!

Wake up, wake up, you sleepy head

Get up, get up, get out of bed

Cheer up, cheer up

The sun is red

Live, love, laugh and be happy

All through the day

As usual you wake before the alarm, it's cold even though you've already resorted to wearing flanelette winter pj's, the blankets try to take hold but you remember the feeling you get from doing it. It's not strenuous training now, just enough to keep everything ticking over. You let your legs do the talking and follow them to the gym, you train, you talk, you flex, you pose and when you're done you walk home in the crisp fresh air seeing that rainbow above you follow your every footstep with the above song ringing in your head from childhood years. It's then a breakfast for champions - pancakes topped with peanut butter, maple syrup and cheesecake yoghurt. Ahhhh - that's better! Cuppa tea now love?