Some questions

I have neglected my formspring inbox and decided it was time to answer a few questions! I will be more on top of it going forward:-) Here are a few in no particular order. And please keep in mind that these are my questions, so it's my opinions/views on the topics. If you feel differently, that's cool, but use your own place to talk about it;-)

1. Do you use a trainer?

Nope. I have in the past and think they're worth every penny (any investment in yourself is worth it!). I reached a point where I wanted to have the know how for myself and received my certificates as a personal trainer and nutrition coach. I think trainers are a great tool to help anyone reach their fitness goals though!

2. What is your diet like?

Well, it has changed a bit during this contest prep. I have needed different things at different points, hence the change up's. I am eating moderate/lower carbs right now, when I feel I am getting too depleted I will add some extra carb kcals for the day. Contest dieting and everyday dieting are two very different things. I believe any diet that restricts you from one or more certain types of foods is not good. You usually end up craving those things, cave in, then binge and later feel guilty. I know that when I am getting ready for a show I only have to stick to what I'm doing for X amount of weeks. Off-season I allow myself everything.......in moderation. I try to keep it as clean as possible too.

3. How much cardio do you do?

Right now I am up to an hour a day 6 days a week. Some people do more, and if it works for them then I think that's great. I believe during contest prep, however, that more should be done through diet. You still need to do your cardio, just not hours upon hours a day. I break it up as well. I get too bored on just one machine. I like using the stair stepper, elliptical, and treadmill (inclined). I usually do 20 min on each. Sometimes I'll throw some plyo's and sprints in there too. I go out back behind my gym to do the sprints. I don't do long distance running. I feel that it spends too much muscle, and I need to hang on to all I have in the leg department!

4. How do you get your shoulders?

I think a big part of that one is genetics. Even when I was younger you could see the roundness to my shoulders. I was a sprinter in high school so my focus during workouts was not so much upper body but it was just there. I do like to do lateral raises though. I sit during them to cut down on the amount of momentum used. Try it some time, I'll bet you use a lighter weight than usual! Also, I tell everyone who asks me about my shoulders, work your rear delts! That's what rounds them out! You can work the medial (side) delts all you want, but if you really want that roundness put some focus on the back. I hardly ever see women training their rear delts in the gym. There's 3 muscle's there that all need to be worked there!

Thanks for the questions.......and keep'em coming! I promise to answer them quickly (even if it's one question it will get it's own little post!). 2 weeks until Jr. Nationals! Woo hoo! I am so super excited for it to be here! I can honestly say that I'm not too nervous at this point. I don't know if that's good or bad? I'm sure I will get nervous/anxious when I get there, but right now I'm just pumped up about it! I didn't finish my suit yet. Yikes! But there really isn't much left to do. I was supposed to go through a make-up dress rehearsal, but my make up artist is sick:( I never texted her back to reschedule.....I will do it right after this. Other than that everything is on track!

Happy Friday!!!