This was me yesterday. I find by the time I get to Saturday I have nothing left. I went to yoga at 10am, and then drove all over the city dropping off and picking up my family. I then feel asleep at about 7.30pm with a headache and sore joints and muscles.

I have my last "free meal" on Friday night - 8 weeks out from the States. We went to the Bali Grill which specialises in healthy food, so I ate well - just more than what I would normally do.

I was about to go out for walk this morning - but it is raining, so I will just walk over to the cafe and get a long black and a newspaper. Might do something later - or not.

Lisa

I am loving my week. Work has slowed to a reasonable pace, I am back training hard, and I went back to yoga yesterday. I have really missed the physical challenge of Bikram, not to mention the balance it brings to my life.

I have also had a weight drop, and in fact I am the lowest I have been (dehydrated for a comp weigh-in aside) for over 12 months. This is great given the muscle gain as well. So 4kgs to make my weight category - I am so happy.

I am absolutely enjoying this feeling of calm and peace, as it is sure to pass soon enough and the reality of heavy weights and making weight will pound my body and mind. But today that doesn't matter as it is a great day.

Lisa

I AM BACK!!

I am incredibly happy that at training this morning I was back squatting well, and I have officially started preparation for the State titles. I was doing 6-8 reps at 65/70kgs and all was good. There has been no apparent loss of strength with my time off, and it felt sensational. I will deadlift heavy as well, however my bench will need to lag behind until I am fully recovered.

I thought very hard about my food and diet and I am approaching it with renewed vigour and am totally confident i will make the lower weight category. I am also about to buy a new deadlift suit which is very exciting - should give me another 5kgs

Lisa

Well I think it is time to serve up the truth to myself (thanks Andj) on my quest to qualify for world titles. I need to drop a weight class and to lift a total of 320 kgs. My lifts are improving, and I have States and Nationals to lift the qualifying totals. I can make time in my work schedule to train so I am confident that I will have the best attempts possible.

Dropping the 5kgs is another matter. When I was bodybuilding I would drop 10kgs over the prep time, however since powerlifting that has changed. I have gained significant muscle, so I am heavier making my goal more difficult. I am unable to do extensive cardio to drop weight as I need to lift well, and I need to eat well to perform as well. I also sit at a very tidy 58kgs and am very happy with my physical appearance - so maybe the desire is not there anymore.

I eat clean all the time, so I just need to reduce calories - but which ones do I choose? I refuse to go back to those feelings of hunger, self doubt and body image self loathing when I was doing figure (not that it was always bad). I am an athlete and I need to eat to perform and appearance is irelevant - ironically I am in the best shape of my life!

However I need to sacrifice to reach my goal - is contentment slowing me down? I'd love some help.

Lisa

I was asked yesterday what "work" I have had done lately, as my skin has been radiant in the past couple of months. I have been doing everything the same - weekly sauana's, acupuncture, massage, clean food, green tea, occassional facials and the usual training. However after I thought about it I have changed my skin care to Kosmea, which is all based on organic rose hip oil. I noticed the difference myself, but to have a work colleague describe me as glowing was a real boost. I turn 40 this year, and I am so please that all this clean living a devotion to wellness is paying off.

The best thing about this range of skincare is that it is Aust owned and very well priced!

Lisa

Well I don't really feel like I have super strength right now, but I figure if I tell myself I do than I am sure to believe it! Busy week from all aspects of my life. Work is just consistantly out of control - hmm.

Training is coming along nicely and I did some upper body stuff this week, as well as my first spin class in a while. I am still sore of course, but I am hoping to be back in full training in 2 weeks or so. It is 9 weeks tomorrow to States, so I do need to start getting into "the zone".

I had a very relaxing and enjoyable Valentine's dinner with my husband, and decided before hand that would be my last treat meal until States. I need to focus on making my weight category, as it it won't really matter how well I lift if I don't make weight!

Off to get coffee and then training.

Lisa

I am sure we have all been here before. DOMS after the return to training! Just 2 weeks with no real training and a few sets of light squats, lunges and sumo deadlift and I can barely walk.

I go back tomorrow for some more too!

Last saturday I watched a powerlifting competition at Qld Uni. It was great to be watching and not lifting. Although I am really looking forward to the States in April I realise it is such a taxing sport both physically and mentally that a few comps a year is more than enough. My coach was lifting and he is not in top form yet, however he squatted 215kg, and did a 230kg dead. Not bad for a 72kg guy!

My weight has dropped a little (including my recent enhancement), so I am only 4.5kgs from my weight category goal for states in 9/1 weeks time.

Lisa

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Have fun and get HOT.

Lisa

I am very pleased to say that I am having a very speeding recovery. Thanks to all who have asked how it is going. I had my stiches out 8 days after my operation, and I have been cleared to wear a bra (non underwire), and am permitted to go back to limited training.

I am a very happy girl! I have been on the recline bike at the gym, but today I am back with my coach training! OBVIOUSLY I need to take it easy and will be doing light work, and will be tightly strapped - but it was a huge physcological lift for me. I didn't even have to ask when I could go back to training, it was offered under strict conditions!

Lisa

I am off to Sydney for 3 days today. I have quite a few crucial meetings and presentations,and I am really looking forward to it. I am staying at the Marriott, which is great as the gym is good and they have a "healthy options" menu. Tofu for dinner and egg whites for breakfast!

I am feeling better again today and my recovery is going according to plan. I decided to get on the scales this morning, and was very pleased to see that 4 days after my augementation and still holding fluid I am only 1kg heavier. What a relief that my body is stable!

Off to the airport.

Lisa

I am now in day 3 of my recovery from a breast augementation operation. I feel a lot better that what I had expected. There is very little pain, and swelling, and while I am taking it easy I feel incredible.

Obvioulsy I will be off training for a while, however I will get back to doing some leg work, mainly isometrics, next week to keep my leg strength up. I also will do light cardio soon and increase it as I recover. I am hoping to be able to do light bench by 4 week, and my deadlift will need to wait until then too due to the pull by the arms. I am planning on making the State tiltes in April, but if I need to wait till Nationals in July to compete I will.

A quick thanks to Lia, http://liahalsall.blogspot.com/, who has recently had the same procedure and has been a wonderful source of information and support.

My Mum is visiting me, and is waiting for me to take her out for a short walk and a coffee.

See you soon

Lisa

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My family is super hero mad! Comics, books, DVDs, PS2 games, t-shirts. I can't believe the number of superheros living in my house!

I am a lot more relaxed today, as Sunday and Monday I was able resolve a number of the issus on my work project. There are still a few outstanding issues, but nothing that should encroach on the rest of my holiday.

I am training with Nic thismorning for the first time in about 10 days, and I am not sure I can remember how to lift properly. I am really into this holiday mode! Then I have my 51/2 hour spa session - yeah!!!!

Lisa

This is on the way home from the airport. The kids were very impressed that the car company sent a stretch limo, rather than the usual sedan.

Melbourne was fun. I did Bikram yoga 3 times, went to the sauna twice, 5 walks and only went to the gym once. To be honest I wouldn't have been concerned if I didn't go to the gym at all. We caught up with family and friends, did some shopping and ate lots of Japanese food. I am not sure why that happened - but I love Japanese food. I was an exchange student their when i was 16 for 12 months, and studied Japanese at Uni - shame I don't do anything with that knowledge now. Oh well - that is life.

Back to the gym tomorrow, and thenTuesday is my last session for a couple of weeks as I am having a minor operation on Wed.

I am feeling a little stressed as work encroached on my holiday. It seems that the boys don't want to play nicely while I am away, and my boss has left - and I am sad about that . I will sort out what I can today and tomorrow morning - then the phone is off, and no e-mail until I go back to work on Monday week. I need to rest and recouperate after my op.

On Tuesday I am going to the spa for 51/2 hours. I was given a very gennerous gift voucher for Xmas for a full day's pampering at the Dome retreat in Brisbane. I have a salt scrub, vishy shower, massage, pedi, mani - and a few other things too. I will be in heaven!!!!!

Oh well rightnow I need to go and deal with some work issues - BREATHE

lisa

We are off to Melbourne this morning in about 2 hours. I didn't realise until yesterday how much I need a break - from training, work and even Brisbane. We have a number of very close friends and family there, and I am really excited about spending time with them.

My training finished on a high, although my weight stablised, jumped up a little and refused to lower. This is a recurrent theme since I have been power lifting, and when i get into heavy lifting i immediately get 1kg heavier. All this is understandable - yet very frustrating when dropping weight for comp.

Work has been super stressful, and I may have to do a bit from time to time from Melbourne - thank goodness for wireless laptop technology. I am sure I can cope with opening the laptop in a cafe somewhere over a quite drink!

Happy Holidays

Lisa

It was the last day of powerlifting training today for a few weeks and it was a ripper! I am going to Melbourne for a week, and then when I get back I have a small operation so I won't be PL training until late Feb when I start my sequence running up tp the State titles in April.

Today was deadlift, and after the disappointment of not adapting to Sumo's Nic changed me back to conventionals. I did 115kgs for 3 reps today with no suit. It was tough but strong and a 140kg lift at the States' is real possibility. I was pumped and what a great way to go on holidays. I finished off the session with a routine called "the bear" ( clean, push press, squat, push press) and then light squats. I finised on 6 reps @ 55kgs all held at the bottom. My squat technique has improved dramtically over the past 6 weeks of intense work. As they say; you put the work in you reap the rewards.

My body is going to love the rest over the next few weeks. I will continue to do yoga, cardio and isometric weights. This tme will also give my shoulder time to recoup and I will do rehab exercises everyday. I will be rested and keen, very keen, for when the States come around.

I just have to get through one more stair running session tomorow before I go to Melbourne and play with family and friends and go shopping - oh yes and meet Lia.

Did I mention I love holidays?????

Yeah! I am on leave from work until 5th February. 2 1/2 weeks with no stress! We go to Melbourne on saturday for one week, then I have another week at home. I am so pleased.

The past week......

training..
A return to good form. Low powerful squatting, stronger bench, and good consistant deads. Yoga was sensational, and my stair session was extremely difficult, but I pushed my heart rate up to max each set. I am pleased with this week.

nutrition..
I kept on plan, and didn't feel any loss of strength in my training. Although I think my stair running session was made a lttle more challenging due to the slight lower cals. My weight returned to the pre Xmas level early in the week, and I should see a drop of a few hundred grams this week - as planned. 2 glasses of wine, and some raw nuts as a treat - all good.

Family Stuff

My sister Helen spent 2 years living it the UK, and travelled extensively while she was over there. I love this pic, 'cause the that little impish grin she has on her face reminds me of when she was a little kid, and she would always smile like this when she was excited!

This is Michael and I last year in Margaret River. We had a holiday there after the Nationals, and I love that look of total relaxation that comes with the end of a competition - or maybe it was all the fantastic food and wine we had been eating. Yummy!!

My sister and my step dad. It was Rog's 65th birthday on Friday, so we all went out for a Thai meal. Although I made the mistake of not checking the chilli content of my meal. I really don't like chilli at all, so I went home hungry and had a protein shake before I went to bed.

This is my coach helping me get ready for a lift at my last comp. Nic was sick this morning, so I was unable to train. I don't think I realised how much I love my power lifitng training, and how much I look forward to training with Nic. I was really disappointed (although I got over it), and I am sure I was never this excited about training when I was bodybuilding.

I went for a walk instead and then a yoga class this afternoon. Both sessions were fantastic, and I am so energised!