6 weeks to go.......

Having a bit of a fit of the panics this afternoon.... will I be lean enough, will I pick my routine up quickly, ........ will I.... will I.......... 

Really should not be doing this to myself, but the harder I try not to think about it the more I do. I need to go and do something that occupies my mind so I don't let it wander.

Had a free meal today - enjoyed some cruskits with jam and 2 Anzac biscuits - Yum. Ready for what I call normal eating again now - oats for breakfast and then protein and vegetables. 

My husband has just left for Perth again for the weekend, and the nanny is also away so I am flying solo with my three year old - I sure hope he is on his best behaviour. Mike gets back on Sunday and then goes again next Sunday for another 4 days. Its a good thing I have my treadmill at home so my cardio is not compromised. 

Have to decide which tan I am going to use and book a hair appointment for colour and new foils before comp. Most other things are sorted now.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Maryanne xxx

Email from Adela Garcia

Today I received this email from Adela Garcia:

Hi Maryanne

thank you so much for the e mail and sorry for the delay in emailing you back. I had my surgery two weeks ago and things were a bit hard at the beginning and finally I am feeling better. I did not think it was going to be so bad :( but thank god I am doing so well having my boyfriend and mother helping so much. Please stay in touch and God Bless. 

Have to say i was pretty excited, and yes will be staying in touch. xxx

6 weeks and 5 days to go.........

........ and counting. Feeling pretty good - would have to say a bit tired, and at times not the nicest person to be around! I am writing everything down because memory at times is like a bucket with holes in the bottom, in the top and straight out the bottom!!!!!!!

Training is going really well - had plyo's in my leg training today - knee was great! Mind you took it pretty steady as it is not the time to be hurting myself again. Doing two cardio sessions a day now 6 days a week - don't mind the cardio as long as I have my ipod on listening to my music. 

Eating is good too - am really into the swing of it now....... avoid using the word diet as I feel it implies a short term fix...... never again will I weigh 95 kg!!!!!!! have had a little hurdel to get over though as our cooking gas suddenly ran out last night. Cooking today has taken on a whole new meaning.

My whole life at the moment revolves around sleep, eating, training, cardio and rest. So if Tucker is invited for a play date at a friends house it is planned around these things. My friends are been really supportive of this which is great...... thank you. 

Visited Craig Harpers site today - very bog light bulb moment. The biggest thing that really hit home was 

"we know what to do, but we don't do what we know"

This really got me thinking......... maybe it will get you thinking too. xxx

My return to weight training........

Today was D day - or should I say w day - return to weights day! I have been suffering for a week with a chest and throat infection and tonsillitis. Woke up feeling like I was back to normal so in I went.

I had an awesome workout. It was worth waiting for. I trained arms and legs together as I have a three day split for my training this week - normally do 5 day split but just needed to give my body a little rest. 

By the time I had finished my legs were on fire. I think DOMS is really going to come out to play!!!!!! Arms too for that matter. My workout was full of triple sets - so no time for rest..... by the time I was finished my clothes were drenched - a good indicator that I had worked really hard. 

Feel quite happy with were I am at 7 weeks and 2 days out from competition. Just need to keep this intensity up and I am sure I will do just fine.

Maryanne xxx

Time for me......

I am here sitting in my study on the computer and suddenly thought "oh no it's 2 pm and what have I done today". When I actually thought about it I realised I had done many things, and most of them were for me........ 

Treadmill workout at 6.30 am

Cooked meals for the day

Watched some of the Olympic coverage

Had a sleep

Flipped through a magazine

Time cruising around the internet

Spent time with Tucker

This is a little unusual for me - I am usually rushing through all my own things so I have enough time for everyone else. Well I have just realised at nearly 2 o'clock that I have not done that today. 

I actually feel really good. Must try this approach more often. 

Maryanne xxx

New tank is here

Postman has just been and my new Tank from the Fitness Factory has arrived. Guess what I will be wearing to the gym tonight. 

My head says......

This morning my head was saying I am sure you could return to the gym and train weights but my body said no way!!!! My chest and throat are still pretty sore, and am still coughing heaps.

I am doing my best at listening to my body, but boy oh boy it is really frustrating. I find it really hard when I can not get in there and have a really good workout.

Went for a power walk at 7 am this morning. I am really fortunate that my nearly 4 year old will still sit in a pram. It allows me to sleep till 6.30 am and then go once my husband has gone to work. I am not sure what I would do if my little TJ was not so compliant. We actually have a great time together - singing songs, playing I spy, and generally looking about - there is so much construction going on here at the moment there is never a shortage of things for him to look at.

Posted my competition entry forms yesterday - so it really is happening now. Sent a selection of different music to Jo Rogers for my routine. I really love the one she has chosen. 

The new trampoline is proving to be very popular. He plays out there on it for hours at a time. I am sure his legs must be feeling it. 

Have a great day 

Maryanne xxx

Listening to my body.........

Thank you to the wonderful advice from Lia Halsall  for the first time in a long time I am actually listening to my body....... and it is working wonders.

I got up and did cardio this morning, Treadmill intervals for 50 minutes, and managed fine - coughed a bit but not too bad. As i am listening to my body, I did not want to overdo it and try and go in and do a weight session too, so instead came home after dropping Tucker to occasional care and fell asleep - I could not believe it when I woke that I had slept for 2 hours. Obviously my body needed it. 

On Saturday my new program came through with new meal plan. It has the most delicious snack I wait for that meal to come around every day.

Here it is:

1 TBS almond spread (like peanut butter but made with almonds only)

1 scoop low fat/low Carb protein powder

1 small apple grated

Combine all three items with a small amount of water and either chill or heat...... YUM!

I have a three day split workout this week so plan on doing day one tomorrow - if I don't feel like i can give 100% i will wait a couple more days. In the past I would have stressed if I had not got in to do weights every day (5 days per wk), but am trying really hard to not live with my mind in a highly strung position. This is hard work for me - one to own up to it but 2 to actually acknowledge it and do something about it. 

In my bid to get better as soon as I can I am going to do more body listening and hit the couch with a book - the washing, folding, ironing and house work can just wait today.

Maryanne xxx

On the mend

Rest, Rest and more rest is what I have had this weekend. Knew if i did not stop and listen to my body, things were going to continue on a out of control downward spiral. Obviously I listened well because it is late Sunday afternoon and I am feeling much better. 

I have not trained all weekend which I have really missed - and I mean really missed, but from the rest I have had I am going to resume training tomorrow, but in a careful manner.

Mike and I bought Tucker a trampoline - he has had so much fun on it in just 2 days - well worth the investment. I even had a jump today - brings back childhood memories.

Mike arrived home from Japan on Friday - he had a great trip - covered lots of ground in a just a few days, but got everything done that he needed to. He bought back the most beautiful hand painted ornamental fan, some perfume, a T-shirt and wall hanging for Tucker. We missed him a lot, so we are loving having him home. 

It's meal time again for me and I have a rather tired three year old (all that jumping has worn him out) wanting my attention.

Maryanne xxx

"high expectations are the key to everything" Sam Walton

Black cat or broken mirror...........

Just a quick post........

Thought my knee surgery and gastro was enough to deal with.............. Now I am wondering when I broke the mirror or ran over a black cat............

I have a Chest infection, throat infection and tonsillitis............. antibiotics, and a little bit of rest and I should be up and running in no time......... Feel pretty rotten, but don't like to complain too much because in the scheme of things this is nothing compared to what other people have to deal with. 

This comp. prep. chick is hoping this is the last hurdle......... 

Maryanne xxx (or should i sign out as..... "the frustrated one"). xx

Feeling much better...

I am feeling much better now I have got over my bout of gastro. It really took the stuffing out of me.... almost literally. Muscles looked flat, and energy levels were pretty low.... not helped by the fact my husband is on a business trip overseas this week.

Anyway, Tucker has been really good for me - like most kids he does try and turn it on when dad is away. I can only assume Mike's trip is going okay, he called on Monday night from Tokyo. He felt such a long way away.

My boss who has not seen me for 5 weeks could not get over the changes that I had made to my physique in that time...... great feedback. I was pretty excited. I am about to head in to the gym - she is going to help me train back. 

Will blog again later and let you know how it went.

Maryanne xxx

Had a great workout - ended up training on my own, but all was good. Put my ipod on, head down butt up so to speak and hit my back hard. Then finished with 30 minutes on the step mill. Since Monday when I added weights to legs and increased levels in cardio my butt has been burning bad baby - love it though because it can only mean good things. Am off to bed for an early night. xxx

Not in the plan #2...............

Think someone is working hard to challenge me in this competition preparation...... had a dose of gastro for 12 hours from yesterday afternoon. Like my knee .... not really in the plan!

Felt bit flat, but still went in and trained legs this morning (see below), and did cardio at 7 am. Muscles looked bit flat, but since mid morning have had two good protein meals that have stayed in, and already look a bit better...... was a bit concerned there for a couple of hours this morning.

Mike called from Singapore last night at around 9 pm. he had had a good flight and was waiting for his connecting flight to Tokyo. Normally when he is away he talks to me every day, but on this trip because they are squeezing so much into a short period of time, he is not sure when we will be able to chat - I miss him heaps. 

This morning when I trained legs I added weight - just light. I could feel my knee working and by the time i had done the 4 sets, it was fatigued but not painful. Ran for 15 minutes on the treadmill in cardio at 7 am at 10 km/h - felt great.

Tucker has been at occasional care this morning for 4 hours - he always has such a great time. Today he did the most beautiful painting. I think we might have it framed and put it up on the wall.

House work is done, ironing at the ironing ladies, meals prepared...... I think this means I can go and sit down and relax.

Maryanne xxx

My week ahead......

Have just dropped my husband at the airport - he is on his way to Japan for a business trip. he arrives home on Friday 15th August - so just a quick trip!

Yesterday once my program for the week arrived I e-mailed my nanny and have booked her for all my training. She will come in the mornings at 6.45 am, and then again in the evenings so I can go back in for second session. It is great that everywhere in Karratha is only 5 - 10 minutes away otherwise she may as well live here. She is so flexible it's fantastic. She has a full time day job and then just works for me when I need her. Some weeks we see Tamarra every day - other weeks only once or twice. It is also a bit dependent if Mike is her or away! I am not sure what I would do without her.

I am taking Tucker to the motor cross track today - he adores motor bikes - he does not race but loves to watch. He is quite excited by the fact that dad might bring a Nintendo DS home! Mum will be monitoring usage... there is no way my child will become a overweight, couch clad kid!

Went out last night to a great lounge bar for dinner - so much on the menu to choose from and what did I have ....... chicken....... I eat it all day every day and still pick it when I have a free meal.

Got up and walked early this morning - now rest for the rest of the day, ready to hit training super hard for the next 9 weeks. 

Tried a couple of standing attacks in spin yesterday morning - was a bit apprehensive but knee felt great - will check with physio by phone this week if I can be adding this now. 

To the motor cross track we head...........

Maryanne x

Knee progress..........

The 080808 is a day of good luck for the Chinese and it is a day of good luck for me too.

Had another visit to my physiotherapist today and she has given me the go ahead to start to add weight to my leg training sessions, I can start to do Plyo work cautiously, and there are only very minimal restrictions to my cardio plan. Swelling and pain are my two biggest indicators if i am doing too much when I add this extra work in - but if this week is anything to go by it should be just fine! 

This is great news considering I am coming into the business end of the deal to be ready and be "the best that I can be for the IFBB and INBA state titles" in 9 weeks time.

Am off to the "Style on Stage" web site now to choose the colour of my suit. Have been walking around the house today in my shoes - everything has a whole new perspective at that height including dreaded DUST! But must say the walking at that height is getting easier!

The owner of Life and Soul in both Karratha and Broome, Cindy Kempton,  is coming down to Karratha next week, she has offered to train me according to my program from www.getphatonline.com while she is here - I have taken her up on the offer, so looking forward to it..... we all know the difference it makes when someone is there to assist.

Maryanne x

The art of creativity!

As most of you realise I am preparing for the WA  INBA and IFBB state titles, however 15 weeks out, after many physiotherapy sessions, my physio and I realised that surgery was going to be the only answer for my knee. So 14 1/2 weeks out from competition I took the chance that the competitions were still going to be in arms reach and had the key hole surgery. I resumed upper body weight sessions 3 days after surgery and returned to the bike 7 days post op. I am now 5 weeks post op. and can walk, run, ride, cross train, all with a reasonable degree of speed/ resistance. 

I am now operating at around 98% of my max. speeds and levels, but I wanted to make sure that even though I was not quite up to 100% speed / level on the cardio, that I was burning as much as I could so I invested in a X-VEST to add an indirect level of resistance to my training sessions. At the time when I made the order I wondered if it might be a waste of money but was willing to give it a go.

What's an X-VEST you may ask......... 

Its a padded vest that has 16 pockets which each take a 1/2 kilogram plate. The vest comes with 8 1/2 kilo plates and these are currently all in my vest. the vest itself weighs 1 kg so all together when I put it on I have an additional 5 kg. 

On Tuesday night I had a little test run - walked for 10 minutes on the treadmill - legs really felt it - I thought wow - 10 minutes is good what is a whole workout going to be like. By the way - knee was cool with the extra weight!

Yesterday morning I wore it for my entire 50 minute cardio session - I'm glad I just wore a crop underneath because by the time I was finished I was drenched. While I have it on I don't really seem to feel the weight as such but I do really notice that I am working at a much higher intensity. 

I really feel like this has enabled me to progress my training intensity while not over stressing a knee which was only operated on 5 weeks ago.

5 weeks ago I really thought my chances of stepping on stage were over for 2008! But look out I am firing on all cylinders and am ready to blast away the last 9 weeks before competition. Thanks to my sheer determination, a positive never say die attitude,  and a bit of creative thinking about my training sessions I am ready to bring out the best and show people just what MA is made of!!!!!! 

Big thanks go to Latisha Wilder, Jen Hendershott, Lishia Dean and all the gang at www.getphatonline.com

Better go - got to cook food, organise Tucker, feed dogs, have shower and be at work ready to smash my PT clients in 1 hour!!!! PS hope their ready for big workouts tonight!!!!

Maryanne xxx

Knee after leg training - read on it's all good news!!!!

After returning to leg training yesterday morning, my knee was a little sore in the afternoon - little been the key word - no swelling, just aching a bit. Initially it concerned me that I might have over done it....... but then after some reasoning I realised that if I had over cooked it - it would be swollen, really aching (like in need of pain killer aching) and my range of motion would be restricted. 

Well none of these things happened and I woke this morning to a fantastic feeling knee, but sore butt, quads, hamstrings, and calves from the training!!!!

Most "normal" people would have not enjoyed this pain but as a serious trainer / athlete I was excited. It meant that what I did yesterday, even though it felt like only a light workout, must have worked in all the right places.

Cardio this morning was the cross trainer - 5 minutes forward 5 minutes backwards - made the time pass really quickly. Normally when I get in from the gym in the mornings my husband is usually waiting and runs out to go to work as i run in, but this morning he had a later start so we were able to spend some quality time all together - it was really nice and enjoyed by all including Tucker!

I have not made a big deal about the fact that I am competing at the gym where I train - but I think people are starting to put 2 and 2 together. Some guys in the gym this morning made comment about how I was looking (one said it in front of his girlfriend - not sure how impressed she was). Not that i like to gloat but nice to know people are seeing changes!!!!!

Maryanne x

PS thanks to all for your support surrounding my return to leg training - it means the world to me.

LEG TRAINING

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!

I have just got home from training legs - it was the best feeling! My knee felt fantastic and I had really good control. 

It is really hard for me to believe what I have just done considering less than 5 weeks ago I had surgery on my knee and thought my competition hopes were over.

I feel on top of the world right now.

Maryanne. xxx

Training legs tomorrow..........

You would think I was getting ready for a $10,000.00 shopping trip with the amount of preparing I have done for tomorrow. I have my favourite shoes, training pants and top out, I have written all my exercises in my training diary ready to record reps and weights, I have packed my gym bag (even though that's the only place I have to go tomorrow) and I am about to have an early night ready to:

TRAIN LEGS 

(YES, I WILL BE CAREFUL)

Will blog again after training and let you know how it goes.

Maryanne x

"it is by tiny steps that we ascend to the stars" jack leedstrom

(tomorrow I am taking tiny careful steps)

A day at the beach

Tucker and I have just got in from a couple of hours at the Beach. I don't want you to be all jealous but it is a beautiful 31 degrees here today - made the most of it and spent some time working on my tan.

Last summer Tucker was not too keen on the beach and told everyone he did not want to be there...... this summer coming I think we might be spending lots of time there. Today I could not get him out of the water - he had the best time. I wish I had taken the camera - next time.

Off to do my weeks grocery shopping now.

Maryanne x

My Little man......

Today was what we call Fenacl in Karratha (the letters are the chemical symbols for iron ore, salt and gas - all the things mined and shipped from this town in WA). It is equal to the Royal show - just on small town scale.

Tucker is a little reserved when it comes to rides - even the children's ones so a trip to the show is often and cheap outing at the moment (not that i would mind if he did want to have a ride on something). Added to the no expense of rides, he is not keen on doughnuts, hot chips, dagwood dogs, fairy floss or any of the other high calorie, fat and sugar laden snacks sold at places like that. he must be following in mums foot steps with the food and the rides - I hated them when I was little too (not even keen on them now). 

He had the most enjoyment from sitting on the little motor bikes, and quad bikes - I can see down the track that one of these might be parked in our garage with his name on it! I love the expressions on his face. 

Looking at these pictures I can not believe my baby will be 4 in October. Both my husband and I are tall but wow - Tucker seems to be having some huge growth spurts at the moment - The flip flops he has on in the picture are size 13 - 1 - yes he has rather big feet and long legs because size 4 jeans are nearly too short! 

He is the joy of both my husbands and my life! We love you lots and lots Tucker.

Maryanne X

Physio on Thursday........

Had physiotherapy appointment again on Thursday........ well i walked into my appointment and danced out!!!!! Why did I dance out ......... because............

I can train legs

In case you did  not realise this is a favourite body part and due to knee surgery four weeks ago (15 weeks out from competition) I have had to lay off the leg training. After the physiotherapist looked at my knee and looked at my flexion and extension she said there is no reason why I can not start to add in light resistance leg exercises. I cant wait for Monday to come around now so I can do a leg session - of course i am going to need to cautious and not go gun hoe into the workout and then damage something. Plyo moves need to wait a few more weeks but as for the rest - look out here i come. 

I did a spin class on Friday morning and in 5 out of the 7 tracks i reached 84% max heart rate - it goes to show that even with limited dial but good speed with control that you can still work really hard. The spinning has really helped my knee. I am going to continue to try and do one class a week.

Clothes are starting to feel a little baggy - especially around my bum - bring it on. Some things have had to be put away as they just look far too big.

Diet (in my opinion the most important bit) is coming together really well. Water intake is up around the 5 litre a day mark so yes lots of toilet stops, but it does mean I don't feel empty or hungry. 

Entry forms for the comp. arrived this week - I was planning on only doing IFBB, but have now decided I will be there and ready I might as well do the INBA show in the morning as well. I am actually starting to feel really excited about the whole thing approaching. 

From the 1o th August for 5 days may be my most challenging period coming up. Mike my husband has to travel to Japan for work for 5 days - so no ability to go to the gym for am cardio - Treadmill at home will get a good workout that week. I am going to do lots of preparation so I avoid the.......

If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail

I better go and peg some more washing on the line - it is a shame daily tasks don't take care of themselves when you are preparing for comp. - wish we had the house like on the RAC insurance add where everything gets done on its own....... no magic fairies in my house unfortunately. The magic fairy is ME!

Maryanne x