WATER: PURE & SIMPLE

Drinking water is key to any fitness program, but it’s especially crucial to strength training. I recommend all my clients drink 1 gallon of water each day.

Almost two-thirds of the human body is made up of water. Drinking 1 gallon of water a day offers softer, clearer skin, healthier hair and nails, and clearer thinking. Water also acts as a natural appetite suppressant and aids in metabolism. When you are dehydrated, your body often confuses dehydration as cravings for sugar. So, drinking water throughout the day will keep your body optimally hydrated, cravings for unhealthy foods at bay, and your goals in clear vision.

Drinking 1 gallon can seem like a lot if you are accustomed to drinking far less. So, here are a few tips that might help you:

  • Carry water with you wherever you go

  • If you don’t care for the flavor of tap water, invest in bottled or filtered water

  • Drink chilled water or ice water

  • Add a little flavor, like fresh-squeezed lemon

  • Always have water accessible and convenient

  • Act each time you think I should get a drink

  • Drink from a 32 oz container rather than an 8 oz glass

  • Just like planning your nutrition, pacing yourself throughout the day makes hydrating more simple:

    • Drink 16-20oz of water first thing in the morning

    • Drink 1-liter water during your workout

    • Drink 1 liter every 3-4 hours

    • Drink 1 glass of water each time you crave sweets

    • Drink another 2-3 glasses during down time such as watching TV, surfing the internet, or taking a bubble bath

Water is the only drink for a wise man.
~Henry David Thoreau


GREATER GULF STATES AND MASTER NATIONALS

To date, I have entered and competed in three NPC Figure Competitions. Since blogging about the 2012 Emerald Cup, which I placed 2nd over 50, I have competed in the two others. Greater Gulf States was held in June and I felt my physique looked better than at the Emerald Cup. I worked hard to get my body fat down lower and I did manage to reach 10.4%. My backside looked much better at this lower body fat percentage and I must say, I literally worked my butt off during this time. I enjoyed seeing many of my fellow “Oddo Angels” and enjoyed the two days of competition and friends. I placed 4th in over 45, 6th in over 35, and 6th in the Open Class.
In June, I competed at Master’s Nationals. Since I didn’t know for sure if I would compete again after this show, I truly tried to enjoy every bit of my journey. To prepare, I worked my butt off in the gym doing cardio every day and extra leg training to make my glutes look their best. Sometimes being 50 can literally be a pain in the butt!! It was such a joy to be around my team of friends at Master’s Nationals. They are such beautiful, kind, giving ladies. I feel my physique looked it’s best and was happy with how hard I worked and knew I did all I could do to be ready. I placed 7th out of 19 in over 45. I truly enjoyed this journey and I’m so blessed to be able to do what I love.
I would like to thank my makeup artist Elaine Goodlad for making me look beautiful on stage. I would also like to thank my coach Kim Oddo for all his support and the Oddo Angels for making it so much fun backstage.


LEGS, CHEST & CALVES WORKOUT

Today is my favorite day of the week…Monday! I love Monday’s because I’m more focused during the week and I enjoy how my body responds to the structure. I also train legs on Monday’s which is my favorite body part to train. Today I decided to throw in some chest movements to mix things up a bit.

Take a look at my leg, chest, and calf workout:

Machine leg press 5 x 20,15,10,8,8, superset with

Machine Incline Chest press 3 x 15,12,12

Leg extensions 4 x 15,12,10,8, superset with

Weighted walking lunges with pushups using 22 lb d-bells. 10 walking lunges, stop 10 push-up with hands on d-bells on floor. 10 more walking lunges, finishing off with 10 more push-ups.

Giant set:

Leg curls 3 x 15,12,12

Machine flies 3 x 15,12,12

Weighted straight leg dead lifts with 22.5 lbs. d-bells 3 x 15

Sitting calf raises 3 x 15 with 10 bounces on top of last rep

Incline calf raises 3 x 15 with 10 bounces on top of last rep

For beginners only do 1-2 sets of each exercise, intermediate do 2-3 sets and advanced do 3-4 sets of each exercise. If you are a beginner always check with your doctor before starting any new training program.


EMERALD CUP 2010

I can’t express enough how excited I am to have finally competed again after 6 years. I decided to compete in the Emerald Cup since that was the show I wanted to compete in 2005 but never made it. I truly enjoyed this journey of learning and experiencing some new concepts with training and nutrition. My boyfriend Jeff was the best training partner and support for me. He always encouraged me and was so excited for me to get on stage again.

When I arrived in Seattle, WA I felt so excited and ready. I tried some new things with my new nutritionist John Kreklo. He watched over my physique the last three weeks pre-show and dialed me in to peak on show day. I can’t thank him enough for his guidance and encouragement.

My heart was pumping so fast as I entered the stage and walked on for prejudging. I tried to breathe deep to slow my heartbeat but it didn’t work, I was a little shaky but did the best I could. It was a good thing I did a lot of practicing because if I didn’t I would have really fell apart. I was so relieved and excited when I made the first callouts.

I felt so much more relaxed for the evening show and really enjoyed walking the stage. After we all did our walk and comparisons we filed off stage to learn who was top five. As we waited I was praying they would call my number and after calling the first three numbers they called mine and I almost starting crying with excitement. The top five girls walked back on stage for trophy awards. They announced the placing for 5th place, it was someone else, then 4th place they called my name, I was so excited! They brought my trophy and a tiara which all the top 5 girls received. I got my first tiara at 48 years old and I can’t express how great it made me feel. It may sound silly but I think I might sleep with it on my head for the next three months.