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So I attempted to get back on here last night to go over my thoughts about the USAs, but I was soooo dang hot!! My computer is up in my bedroom and I swear it was like 100 degrees in my room.  I got on the computer to start writing my blog and I couldn’t focus because all I could think about was how hot I was. I love hot weather and the sunshine, but oh boy…It sure does make it difficult to fall asleep. I even had cold and wet towels covering me and I still couldn’t sleep.  I think I got about 2 hours of solid sleep…not good. Anyways…The USAs!!

So I have to say that I’m very impressed! The overall Bikini winner, Kristal Marshall, looked GREAT!! I can’t wait for the day when I have a body like that…I’ll just keep plugging along till I get there. I think she had an excellent balance of muscle and femininity for the bikini look. Her abs were BY FAR my favorite!!  I also really liked Jamie Baird…Her overall look was great and I loved the suit color on her.  Those were two of my favorites who received their Pro Cards.

Another gal that caught my attention was Mary Jamalowich.  Her front poses were awesome.  She truly looked beautiful.  I think if she did a different back pose, her booty would have looked a little better.  Posing makes such a HUGE difference.  That’s something I’ve learned from Tanji and from looking at countless pictures.  You can have an EXCELLENT body, but if you aren’t posing just right for the shape of your body, it can make your shape look completely different.  I noticed this with myself at Vancouver and Emerald Cup.  My back posing at Vancouver was not that great…It really made my butt look flat.  After Vancouver, Tanji helped me come up with another back pose and my butt looked a lot better at Emerald Cup.  It is crazy how one little tweak in how you’re standing can completely change your look.

Lastly, another gal that caught my attention was Diana Dalghren.  I think she had an excellent “look” as well.  Her hair, tan and suit color looked great.  Although it’s crucial to train hard and diet 100%, I think it’s also crucial to pay attention to all the minor details like hair, jewelry, suit choice, make-up etc…It all has to come together for a win.

Well, I could go on FOREVER about things I noticed in pictures/videos from the USAs.  Overall, I think the bikini division is doing great so far! Class winners are bringing in toned, lean and muscular bodies. Of course this is less muscular than bodybuilding/figure/fitness, but it’s still enough muscle to show that many of these girls worked hard to get on stage in Vegas. I’m happy to say that the Bikini Division seems to be off to a great start.

So yesterday was legs! Let’s just say it was A LOT of work. Our whole workout consisted of walking lunges, Smith Machine squats, walking double lunges, Romanians, leg extension, close stance bench squats etc…We did supersets and kept our heart rates up.  Let’s just say that Adrienne and I were SWEATY!!!  I was basically soaked head to toe! But it was great!! I love squeezing every bit of juice out of my legs.  That way I can go to bed that night knowing I did everything that I could to make the improvements that I need to make.

Today is my second day of hardly any carbs.  So far, I’m still feeling great.  I’m able to handle such low carbs because I know it brings results.  If it brings results, why complain? So yeah.  I’ve been drinking tons of water, eating lots of chicken and I’ve been keeping up with a good amount of carb-free protein shakes. I’ve got a lot to do today…I leave for vacation on Thursday! I cannot wait!! It’s the only time that I take off all year long, so I’m very excited to spend time with my amazing family and my hunny without work or school to worry about.  I’ll still be training hard down there, but with the beach in our front yard, this won’t be difficult.

Off I go to work. It’s going to be a busy day! Yesterday we were swamped with this hot weather.  As soon as the sun comes out, everyone wants smoothies.  I have to agree that Emerald City Smoothie is the place to be with the sun shining (well, year-round in my opinionJ ).

**Plan your progress carefully; hour-by hour, day-by-day, month-by-month.
**Organized activity and maintained enthusiasm are the wellsprings of your power.
       -Paul J. Meyer

Stay Strong. Stay Focused. Let the Lord’s Light SHINE!

Diane

Tags: USAs | training legs | Posing | Bikini | review | Vancouver | 2009 Emerald Cup

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It’s been 2 1/2 weeks since the Emerald Cup weekend! What an AWESOME weekend it was!! With 262 athletes and over 6,000 people in the audience it proved to be a red carpet weekend! To me the Emerald Cup is like the Academay Awards of Physique! There are so many fun aspects to the Emerald Cup. Even though I was working hard I got to visit with so many old friends and I got to make so many new ones!

Mark Mason just emailed me with the link for the post show writeup he did on bodybuilding.com To re-live the show, the link is http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/mason_2009_emerald_cup_review.htm

Get Big photographer Ron Avidan has posted over 300 pictures of the behind the scenes and expo booths. Check out the link at http://contest.bodybuilding.com/gallery/contest/7672/tag/5/

I can’t believe we are planning the 2010 Emerald Cup now! It’s always sad to say good-bye to a show but it is always exciting to plan for the next one! If you didn’t make it to this years show you missed the Physique event of the year. Don’t make that mistake again…be there for 2010!!! Okay, I didn’t plan for the rhyme but you must admit it works!

Tags: Emerald Cup | photos | review

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