CRAIG PRODUCTIONS LLC

Hi Everyone,  and welcome to da House o' Kiminator. First I want to thank the Lord for all my blessings and opportunities in Brad and Elaine offering me the chance to share my thoughts regarding my preperation for the upcoming Emerald Cup. Thanks Brad and Elaine! Big shout outs to Tanji Johnson and Holly Petersen and all my friends and family for all their love and support and of course my fantastic hubby Joshua who also acts as my coach/trainer/nutritionist/oil man and best friend. Thanks honey!

The Ironman was an incredible experience as I had always wanted to compete but just never had the time, etc. Being a busy mom of 2 young daughters, and helping with the family businesses etc., my life is pretty hectic as is, but after turning 35 Josh encouraged me to just go for it and offered to help out a little more with family responsibilities to cover for me in my training etc.  Sooo....I went for it and praise God I PLACED SECOND IN MY FIRST SHOW!! Whoo-hoo!

I got so much feeback before and after the show from a ton of moms (no pun intended) that wanted to compete but never could find the time or motivation that I asked Elaine if I could blog here to try to help them take the plunge. If I can do it, especially after being in a car accident three weeks out from the show (more on that later)...than anyone can! The rewards of finally fufilling a longtime dream is beyond any trophy. Just stepping on that stage was the greatest victory in and of itself and having my two little girls just be so proud of me is priceless. I give all honor and glory to the Lord for letting me set an example to my children and when they bragged to their friends about me and showed them my trophy it just about melted my heart. How's that for motivation all you ladies out there who are thinking about doing this but just aren't sure? C'mon, get up there and join us. I read Diane's blog and look at where she and I started from and I just hear so many stories from women who have just gone for it and how much their self esteem and relationships blossom as a result that I just want to encourage everyone to try it at least once. Write me for advice or encouragement and we'll do it together (OK, starting to sound like Richard Simmons here so I'll get on with it).

I'm going to be posting my routines and diets as I go in preperation for my assault on the cup. I simply cannot recomend going to Tanji Johnson for help and advice. Tanji is one of my heros and a woman of Christ who I first met in Bible study at the beautiful Christina Dugdale's home (wife of superchamp Mark Dugdale and a champion in her own right and one of my inspirations as a Christian mother who really showed us how to do it). Anway you can go to her site at: www.tanjijohnson.com and sign up for any of her posing classes/seminars and I can't reccomend her or them enough.

Quick training update and then I'll Osta for now and I'll be gettin' back all hardcore on trainin' and stuff next time. Training log stardate 12/30/09. Finally deadlifted 225 today. Yay! I'm really trying to focus on my glutes and lower back and tie-ins for this show so heavy deadlifts at this building phase are a must! I do them as part of my back workout usually towards the end to be totally warmed up for them and oh my how they hurt so good. I train on a 5 day split hitting a different bodypart each time for approx 20 sets each. Lower reps for upper bod and higher for lower. I try to do abs and cardio daily and eat clean year round slowly cutting out carbs as I get closer to the competition while keeping my protein intake high with salads and good oils mixed in. My downfalls are a glass of good merlot, rembrandt gouda and wheat crackers and the pure evil that is the one and only pink frosted cookies at Peet's coffee in Redmond. They call to me and I cannot resist their siren call...... Ok, better stop there, Peet's here I come!  Oh wait....Josh has just locked all the doors and hid the keys.  Good trainer.  

Until next time o' faithful reader and new friend.  God bless and go heavy or go home! Train like you mean it and challenge yourself just a little more each day. Surround yourself with positive people and get on stage. Brad and Elaine have provided a home for athletes in Washington state that few others have and we should all show our gratitude and support by coming to the shows and yes gettin' on the stage. C'mon now, somebody try to take my tiara. I double dog dare ya!

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