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So I'm all pumped up! I'm actually surprised at how much energy I have right now! I've been working my butt off and blasting through depletion workouts, yet I'm still feeling energized. I think it is MENTAL energy more than anything...The excitement and joy that I'm feeling about the ECUP is helping my body push through my workouts. And OF COURSE the Lord is helping me! I've been blasting my Worship music as I train and do cardio and it is helping me stay strong! There's nothing like Point of Grace, Big Daddy Weave, Third Day, Casting Crowns and Mandisa to get me through my workouts! I see my workouts and cardio as my way to Praise Him and Thank Him for ALL that He has blessed me with, so my Worship music seems to be the perfect fit! So that's where I'm at as far as energy goes! Of course I still hit my "walls" throughout the day when I feel tired and weak, but I remind myself of my goal. Overall - I'm feeling great!

I thought I'd share with all of you a thought/moment I had today as I was driving into work. I started to drift into my world of worry...Wondering how I would look, how my competition would look, what the judges would think etc etc etc...You know the drill. Well I stopped and pushed those thoughts out. BE GONE DOUBT AND NEGATIVITY! I recognized that thinking like that would not get me anywhere...So I instead brought in encouraging and positive thoughts. I began to go through my last year...I took note of all the changes and improvements that I have made since the 2009 WA Emerald Cup! Pictures alone will show you the difference in both my physique and my spirit! Not only do I have more muscle and am leaner than I was at the ECUP last year, but I am filled with more confidence, joy and LIGHT than I was a year ago AND THAT is truly such an amazing thing...That is what counts.

Yes - I want to win. I want to win REAL bad! BUT I'm also SOOOO very proud of myself and thankful for all the progress that I have made over the past 12 months. I've stayed zoned in on the BIGGER picture for my life and have sculpted and built a stronger and healthier body/mindset along the way! So honestly...This is what it is all about. It is about pushing yourself to become the BEST you - Inside and Out! It's about looking back and thinking WOW! I really did it...I really put in the effort and made the changes that I wanted to make for myself. The competition itself is simply my chance (and yours of course!) to show case all of your hard work..all your sweat and tears along the way! It's your chance to really "test out" all the effort you've put in and show people what you are really made of! So that's that! I'm feeling healthier and stronger than I ever have before and I have NEVER EVER been so filled with Joy from our AMAZING creator - I have never felt so close to the Lord and have never felt so thankful for all that He has done in my life and in the lives around me and THIS is exactly why I feel so darn excited and energized!

All I have to say is that it has been an AMAZING journey and I'm SOOO thankful for everything...Every little thing along the way!

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

Diane

Tags: 2009 Emerald Cup | Mindset | Thoughts | Journey | Emerald Cup

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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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