You can tell in her face that Anita is serious about being taken seriously.



After last weeks contest in the Figure section of the Welsh Champs where she placed second, Anita went over her options with
serious thought and made the decision to go to Physique for the Northern Champs. That was a decision which
was firmly agreed on by those of us who are close to her and was something Anita also discussed with the judges.
She has a physique, with amazing shape to her quads and whole body that any physique girl would die for. So once Anita accepted the fact that she was physique through and through, the transition was easy.

As these pictures of Anita show, she has adjusted her posing to physique and you can see in the following pictures that she has no way come across as anything less than totally feminine.
She is gorgeous, has a fantastic personality and the body to go with it, and she just so happens to have fantastic full muscles.

Note: Today Anita took out the Physique Class of 4 girls beating the English Open x3 Champion.
She called me when she came off stage and she was absolutely blown away - she was screaming with excitment and I could hear Trudy and Annie yelling and laughing in the background. What a team... thank you guys for seeing Anita through to the end....

Anyway getting back to Anita, she was initially terrified as she felt that she wasnt as cut as last weeks competition but I would
say she came in fuller. Trudy said her condition got better and better throughout the day so Anita was able to look at herself and decide how to monitor her carbs for the day.. Good thinking Anita.
I am looking very forward to getting the latest pics from her - wow, how exciting.

Anita also once again won the best presentation award.. Way to go Anita - we luf you.....
XX  

Thanks for your belief in me Jo - it really helped me make that decision to change to physique and feel incredibly confident about it.  And its now the class that I hope to compete in Internationally one day.  That's the next goal - once the British Finals are over!



8 July - ITS CONTEST DAY!  THE DAY OF THE WELSH CHAMPS, MY FIRST FIGURE CONTEST:

   
The many faces of Anita - curling the hair, going retro with the curls, getting the fluro tan on and the  'orange' stage makeup sorted then pinning the hair up.  Its all part of the process of getting ready to try and look gorgeous on stage under the bright lights!

MY YOUTUBE VIDEO CLIP OF MY LAST MEAL AND HOW I WAS FEELING THE NIGHT BEFORE THE WELSH CHAMPS - CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN7MybiFOMQ

Well I didn't get much sleep the night before the contest.  Apart from the fact that I was so incredibly hungry and the tummy was grumbling for more carbs, Trudy and I nattered like little old ladies until about 4 in the morning!  It had been a while since I had seen her so there was a lot to catch up on and a good old gossip is certainly a damn good way to calm the nerves.  I woke up feeling good though if not a little tired.

We got to the venue and it began to be a lot more real than I imagined.  All the months of training and dieting have lead up to this inevitable day and now there was no turning back.  To think that I even got close to pulling out is quite freaky really as I would be so so sad if I was at home missing all that I have worked so hard towards.  That's the amazing thing about bodybuilding.  You can diet and train for months, get so close to stepping on stage and the challenge alone can be enough without external stressors or last minute catastrophes so you really have to tap into those deep seated resources of inner strength to keep on truckin'.  Thanks to having so many wonderful people who care, I got given so much encouragement and support and it was just the thing I needed to help keep me going when I was at the lowest of my low points.  You know who you are and what was going on - and to all of you, thank you so very much for helping me find that 'Nita Rita' spark again.


Backstage with Alex Fowler and Wendy Newman

So I got stuck in and I registered to compete in the figure class, handed in my CD and registration money, and suddenly started ot see some familiar faces in person that I recognised from various wesites and forums on the internet.  And to make my day even more special, my long time darling Kiwi mate Anna Gavin travelled all the way from Ireland to come and watch me and my mate Allyson Vowelles who I hadn't seen for ages also showed up with a group of people to cheer me on.  It was neat to give them both a great big hug and catch up on far too much time that we had missed out on together.  And Anna took some superb photos and video clips too and gave me a good luck charm which will be treasured for a long time to come.  Thank you so much Anna Spanner!  I felt so lucky to have so many people coming along especially to give me some support.  It really gives a first time figure competitor a real boost!


Anita with super special Anna Gavin - my loyal mate for years!


Me with Allyson Vowelles - so neat to see you Al.


Anita meets pro bodybuilder 'Big Chris' Nsubuga!

Lots of introductions were flying around, my head was buzzing, my heart was pumping with adrenaline and excitement and before you know it, it was time to head back stage to get ready!


 

Some snaps from the morning pre judging

The pre judging went well.  I had heard that there was supposed to be four of us but rumour was that one girl pulled out last minute.  In the BNBF figure class, the girls don't wear heels until the evening show.  So, the 3 of us stepped on stage in our bikinis and posed our wee hearts out!  And it was nice to share the backstage with my two competitors too.  No rivalry at all - in fact we all helped each other in true team mate fashion and gave each other plenty of laughs and moral support.  And once you're on stage its time to give it all you've got!  Pose, squeeze, clench, smile, point........aaah bloody cramp!  He he..this may look easy but its not and I got some terrible cramps!  Glam it isn't.  You sweat like a pig, you have to make sure you hold each and ever pose properly and carry yourself well so as not to look like a complete spaz, and show off your physique as best as you can to highlight its best features and minimise the areas needed for improvement. 

I knew I was a little soft still in the glutes and hammies but its an area I am determined to bring in a lot leaner and harder for my next competition.  I have also learned that its not a good idea travelling for 17 hours and trying to compete a day and a half later as the body is bound to hold water from all that travelling!  So next time, I am going to catch an earlier flight as well so that my body has more time to recover from the inevitable water retention.

 
Some poses from the evening show....








The verdict is announced!  I placed second, Alex first and Wendy third.

So after the pre judging in the morning, the evening show and doing our routines the judges awarded me second place but I also won 'Best Presentation'!  Yay!  And all 3 of us qualified to compete at the British Finals - and naturally this is why I flew to the UK for two competitions in the first place as I really wanted to increase my chances of qualifying for the Brits.  I was utterly stoked.

TO SEE MY ROUTINE THAT HELPED ME WIN THE BEST PRESENTATION AWARD AT THE WELSH CHAMPS ON YOUTUBE CLICK THE LINK BELOW:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Whp6ueACZlg

I spoke to the judges after the competition too and found out some really interesting stuff.  They were very positive and very honest with plenty of constructive and helpful comments.  They said that I actually tied in points with Alex (the winner) but decided to award first place to her given that she is more of a 'classic' figure girl with the longer limbs, less muscle density and longer lines and that due to me being 'vertically challenged' and having a lot of muscle density (being only 4 feet 11 and a half!) that I would be incredibly suitable for physique instead of figure.  Funnily enough I wasn't surprised to hear them say that as my trainer and super dooper bodybuilding expert Jo has said all along that I would be a great physique girl. 

THE DILEMMA - DO I STICK WITH FIGURE OR CHANGE TO PHYSIQUE?

The BNBF judges said I could go either way as my body is so borderline physique/figure and kindly gave me the choice to do either class at the British finals.  Given that I am competing again next weekend at the Northern Champs I took it upon myself to sleep on the idea of doing physique as a 'trial' at the Northerns to see how I liked it.  This would mean that everything I have worked towards would suddenly have to be 'tweaked' from my posing right down to changing my routine, but now would be the time to make these changes and give it a go.  This is serious food for thought.  Do I stick with figure and do what I've always wanted to do and where I feel my heart is really at or do I give physique a go and make the most of my genetics and have the chance of doing really well and possibly discover that I actually prefer this class??  Nick and I are going to be staying in Wales until Friday then we are driving to Manchester so the gym I have been training in is just on my doorstep so I am going to go for it and train my heart out and think about the plan of attack.  I have two days to make up my mind then I have to ring Vicky from the BNBF and let her know my decision............oh, what is a girl to do??!!!

FOR THE OFFICIAL BNBF WELSH SHOW REPORT AND PICS VISIT THEIR WEBSITE:

http://www.bnbf.co.uk/2006%20Welsh%20report.htm




7 July - The Day Before:

A pretty relaxed day really.  I got to see my cousins Bryn and Nerys and I got to see my gorgeous god daughter Mair who I miss so much and her new little sister Malin.  This name seems to be a little too much for Mair to say so she calls her little sister 'Lemon'!  God these two are so cute.  Check out my little munchkin in my arms and her giving little Lemon a big kiss better - totally adorable!  And it was just the thing that a girl needs to calm her nerves and pre contest jitters - giving her little girl a big Nita Rita cuddle!


Mair and her GodMummy - Nita Rita


Mair - giving 'Lemon' a big kiss! 

I am feeling so much better now I have some carbs in my system!  My god, what a difference.  It is so strange how strong the desire is for certain foods at this point and your fantasies are only about one thing.......no, not sex, FOOD!  This is what I was allowed to eat carbing up:

Meal 1 - 150g sweet potato, 2 diuretics

Meal 2 - 100g sweet potato, 2 diuretics

Meal 3 - 150g sweet potato, 100g chicken breast, veggies if desired, 2 diuretics

Meal 4 - 100g sweet potato, 2 diuretics

Meal 5 - 1 average sized steak or 200g salmon steak, 1 baked potato (approx 200g) and 2 diuretics

Meal 6 - 1 glass of red wine and a high carb/low fat protein bar, 2 diuretics

Middle of the night - 1 small banana (only if you wake) and 2 more diuretics

So, this is it!  I am relaxed, ready for tomorrow, Trudy arrived to stay the night with me and I've done I can to prepare.  It's showtime!


6 July - THE DAY I FLEW OUT!

After the cooking fiasco from last night I arrived at the airport a little worse for wear.  I had to get a taxi to the airport, an airport bus, a plane to London then pick up a hire car and drive all the way to Wales.  After a few minor delays and a lot of travelling and waiting time we arrived at the apartment in Wales to find that the booking had been ballsed up by the company and they had not allocated us a car park nor an apartment with internet access - both of which had been pre paid for!  Grrrrrrr!  After 17 hours travelling I was about to spit the dummy and have a right good old 2 year old tantrum but the tiredness was a blessing and caused quite a numbing effect. 

I also knew that if i got stressed out about it all it wouldn't be worth my while as stress often causes the body to hold water and that not something a bodybuilder needs or wants when they are about to step on stage.  Getting over the long haul and travelling was certainly going to be hard enough. Once I got into the apartment it was pretty late so I had to RACE to the supermarket for some much needed supplies and then it was shower, eat and some much needed sleep!  And thank goodness for carbs - I was allowed to finally begin the carb up tonight!


4July - 4 days out - last weight training session!


Anita with Liezel Elz - my good friend and the Gym Co-Ordinator and PT at the Intercontinental Doha

Hey, this is a good feeling..........I fly out in two days!  I had my last training session at the Intercon tonight.  This week the gym workouts have all been about supersetting, high reps, little rest and really getting the heart rate elevated.  Its about bringing it all together; a tighter package, perfecting the posing, polishing the routine and my onstage presentation.  And its about checking lists and starting the packing process!  Shoes - check.  Two bikinis - check.  Training gear, makeup, hair accessories, tanning products, sheets for the apartment (so I dont put my own tanning stains on the ones there!) - check.  And then there's the food. 

The night before the flight I had to cook everything I needed to eat in advance before the flight as I was not be able to touch a single morsel on board.  So, I stayed up until 1am packing and cooking only to find out after dishing it all into little numbered plastic containers that I cooked all of the wrong food!  I was almost about to start my carb up a day early by mistake!  I looked at my plan and had realised that Jo had written the plan thinking I was competing on a Saturday but I am actually competing on a Sunday.  I didn't click at all!  So, I rang her in a total last minute panic but she sorted my head out and I managed to not bugger things up too much.  Phew!  I had to be up at 04:30 to catch the flight but because I had read Jo's final plan wrong at 1:30am in the morning we had to once again dig out the pots and pans from the cupboard, defrost some chicken and fish for another delightful day of decarbing!  Not the sort of thing you need when you know you are barely going to get an hours sleep!  It was just so unfortunate.  Oh well, can't be helped.  And if I started carbing up a day early it could be disastrous.

The tummy is appearing with some funny lumps!

5 July - Last Progress pics!

So I am right into the last stages of my decarbing now and have just taken and emailed the last pics to Jo for her to check that I am on track.  Its all go from here onwards!  She has emailed me back with a few suggestions on my posing, she seems pretty happy with my whole 'near to stepping on stage' package and now I just have to make sure that I keep following the diet right down to a T to ensure I have done all that I can possibly do to look my best.  Tomorrow is my last workout before the Welsh Champs.  My god, I am so excited now.  The day is almost here!

2 July - THE DECARBING BEGINS!!!!!!

I have a lot of food to organise for the flight at the end of the week as I am decarbing at the moment.  And decarbing is utterly horrible!  The workout plan is different, I am taking diuretics and the food I am eating tastes pretty bland!  I have been having to water load, and then slowly deplete each day.  On the first day of water loading I had to drink 5 litres of water, the second 4 litres, and so on and so on until I reach the day before contest.  The day before I compete I am only allowed a quarter of a litre of water to drink for the entire day and then the day of the show I am only allowed 'sips' of water.  The body in order to get as 'lean and mean' as possible needs to be quite dehydrated by the time it hits the stage and the water loading then slow depletion helps this process.  And at this point the diet is even harder and more depriving as well as physically and mentally challenging.....if that is possible!  This is what my decarbing diet is like for a week......NOTE:  I am actually allowed to substitute the chicken breast for fish, or 8-10 hard boiled egg whites at my main meals and 6 at my snack meals.

Meal 1 - 200g of chicken or fresh fish and salad

Meal 2 - 150g chicken (and optional salad)

Meal 3 - 200g chicken (and optional salad)

Meal 4 - 100g chicken (and optional salad)

Meal 5 - 200g chicken or fresh fish (and optional salad)

Meal 6 - 100g chicken (and optional salad)

Meal 7 - 100g chicken




24th June - 2 weeks out.......the diet and hard training are showing results!

So I'm now really counting down the days!  I am really pleased with the changes that have occurred in my body in just the last week as a result in my change of diet.  Look at the difference in these pictures compared with the ones from just a week ago.  Jo Stewart - you're amazing.  You've got everything spot on for me!  At this point its these sorts of changes that keep you on track when youare feeling like utter crap.  More pics to come.....

 


16th June - 3 WEEKS TO GO!!!!!!!!

I arrived back in Qatar from my trip to the UK, tired and weary but full of information and armed with a fresh new approach to my training for the last few weeks leading up to the comps.  The thing I am finding really hard though is the heat - its now over 40 degrees celsius in Doha!  The heat is making everybody over here tired and sluggish and it makes training just that little bit harder too as all the body wants to do is shut down for a siesta..........not train with 110% more intensity than before!  Things at home have been pretty stressful which is making life extra super tough (and to be honest, things are so tough I am even considered the idea of pulling out.......but then quickly came to my senses!) and I miss the bodybuilding environment in the UK and the immense amount of personal help at my fingertips too.  Its back to being solo for me training at a hotel gym with far less advanced equipment but I am determined to make these last few weeks count and make the most of what i do have!

So I am still training with a 5 day split, doing cardio daily but this is stepping up a bit more too to get some more fat burned and get that little bit leaner.  I am still slightly concerned about my 'bottom half' as it has always been my problem area but luckily gaining quality muscle hasn't.  I am concerned though that I will have too much size on my legs for the figure class.......we shall see! 

Jo has now changed my diet a lot at this point to get me leaner, reduce my body fat and my legs that little bit more.  This is what my daily diet is like at the 3 week out mark. 

NOTE: PLEASE DO NOT COPY THIS DIET AS EVERY BODY IS DIFFERENT, HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS AND GOALS AND EVERY PHYSIQUE VARIES IN WEIGHT, HEIGHT, MUSCLE TO FAT RATIO AND BODY FAT PERCENTAGES - ALWAYS CONSULT AN EXPERT FOR YOUR OWN INDIVIDUAL GOALS AND TO ENSURE YOU GET THE RIGHT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE):

Meal 1 - 1/4 cup oats, 5 egg whites and 1 scoop whey protein powder

Meal 2 - 6 egg whites, fresh tomato and cucumber

Meal 3 - 100g fresh white fish, 100g sweet potato, 5ml flax oil, green salad

Meal 4 - 6 egg whites, fresh tomato and cucumber OR 100g fish and salad

Meal 5 - 100g fresh fish OR 6 egg whites and salad, 5 ml flax oil

Meals 6 and 7 (before bed or when hungry) - 6 egg whites

TOTALS:  Carbs=42, Protein= 173, Calories= 1110-1400, Fat 14g (plus extra in food)


My grilled fresh fish, boiled sweet potato and salad:

So as you can see I have a diet full of delicious treats, variety and culinary delights - NOT!  Hey, as a bodybuilder you eat to compete - not for pleasure in contest season, especially in the last few weeks.  And the best is yet to come too!  De carbing and carbing up is just around the corner.  YUK!



7 - 16th June: SCOTLAND AND LONDON!  The BNBF Scottish Champs and training in London:

Well its been AGES since I updated this - far too long!  I feel sometimes as though all I do at the moment is diet and train, live on aeroplanes, am behind in copious amounts of emails and correspondence and just try to sleep when I can find the time!  Anyway, another adventure began though as I flew out on the 7th of June to Manchester and stayed with Trudy for a couple of nights (and got far too little sleep!) before embarking on a hilarious road trip to Scotland.

Trudy and I were the first to arrive at our 'pad' in Scotland - she had organised a fantastic apartment for us to stay in and share with 3 other bodybuilders and enthusiasts.  I got to meet the famous Annie and Will Uelese (Kiwi darlings and tanner extraordinaires!) and I also finally got to meet Mr U - Peter Chown who I had been writing to for quite some time.  We all shared an apartment together, gave Trudy plenty of moral support, swapped posing and bodybuilding hints and tips, cooked our 'diet food' together and also enjoyed being a bunch of big kids!  They are all such neat people and really genuine too.  Many a laugh was had.  And talk about playing silly buggers - we are all experts at that!  I think that is evident by the photos below:

Thursday 7 June:

Boy oh boy.......I just haven't even had the chance to sit down and update this!  And I fly out to Manchester today too to stay with Trudy and travel with her to Scotland to go and watch her and the rest of the competitors at the BNBF Scottish, cheer her on, do her hair, makeup and tanning for her and learn all that I can before I fly over again in July to compete myself.  I am so excited!  I will be staying on in the UK afterwards too to take a bit of time out to focus completely on my own, train, go and check out some bodybuilding gyms and train with some new friends and some bodybuilders.  Should be a lot of fun but a very busy trip.

I will have to write about everything else that's been going on the last couple of weeks on my return.  Training and dieting is still going really well as always though and I am now 53.5 kilos of mostly muscle mass with not too much fat left to lose over the next 4 weeks and I am FINALLY losing those centimeters I have been busting my guts to lose off my stocky thighs and hips!  Thank goodness as I was really beginning to wonder there for a while if it was just my upper body that was getting leaner and that the legs wouldn't catch up.  Well, finally they are.  Yippee!

One thing I have to say though is that another one of my star BFL clients Sue Vickerage has managed to lose a total of 7 inches and 4% bodyfat in just 4 weeks.........you go girl!  She is such a pleasure to train and is doing so incredibly well.  Watch this space for her fabulous 12 week results!  I am so proud of you Sue.

Black and White - and in a different light....

I've had taken two lots of shots in the last two weeks too.  Some will be similar to what you guys have already seen so I haven't posted those ones but this time I have decided to share a couple of different ones with you.  To be honest, I was a little nervous posting these ones but then I thought, to heck with it, I am proud of my hard work!  They are much more sensual than any of the bodybuilding ones you have seen so far......they're girly and feminine and the person taking them really wanted to capture both muscle and femininity in black and white form.  There are loads of pictures he took but here's just three from the selection!  I hope you like them.  Doing these was quite theatrical, fun and will be a nice thing to have to look back on before I get old and wrinkly with boobs down to my knees!  Given how unhealthy I used to be and how bad I used to look (see the picture of what I used to look like further down on this page) it was nice to be able to capture my changing physique in this way.  And I hope you appreciate these too.  :o)

The villa floor was a lot colder than she thought - ha ha!!

One of the reasons I posted these pictures is because I recently found a picture of me at my worst......back in November of 1999, living in NZ, on antidepressants and suffering with really bad health.  It just goes to show doesn't it?  Anything is possible!  We all have a before and an after inside us and a happier and healthier person crying to get out.  And its not just a physical journey too - it is a mental and spiritual one and one worth travelling.  I can't believe this photo below is me.  Yuk!

November of 1999 - not a happy girl

Until I return from the UK, be good to yourselves and to those you love, stay positive and always strive to do better and be happier.  Life is so short - don't have any regrets and be the best you can be.  Become who you really are!  You'll never regret that.

Anita.x

Thursday 24 May:

Today is a very special day for someone I know.  Someone who is not only a client, but has become a friend, a huge inspiration to me and someone that continually suprises me with her will to succeed.  That person is Nisha Varman.

The very gorgeous Nisha Varman

Nisha and I met at the Intercontinental.  She now sees two Personal Trainers - the fabulous Liezel Els from the Intercon and has now been training with me for 4 weeks doing her own Body-for-LIFE transformation.  Why does she see two PT's you ask?  Because she wants results and she wants them bad and this girl gets bored sitting still.  She wants variety!  Nisha said to me she had been watching me train and couldn't believe how hard I trained and wanted to train the way I do and she literally bugged me until I took her on!  This lady is a salesperson and doesn't take no for an answer.  My kind of girl.  I wasn't sure if I could at the time as I was almost fully booked with clients but we made sure that once I got the OK from Liezel for her to see both of us for training, we scheduled her in and created some time slots for sessions straight away!

This lady is incredible.  She works damn hard........almost as hard as me!  he he........and the first time we trained legs together, she cried.  I felt terrible!  But you know what?  She said it was because she was giving it her all, she didn't want to disappoint me and she had never ever trained like that before in her life and couldn't believe how good it felt.  I give Nisha some pretty challenging stuff and some extremely hard programs to work with.  They are not the conventional BFL program.......oh no, and there is a good reason for that.  This lady said to me that when she wanted me to take her on she wanted me to torture her and make her work her arse off.  Literally.  Man, she did not know what she was in for when she asked me that!

She sees both Liezel and I three times a week each.  By the end of each and every session she's dripping in sweat and utterly exhausted.  She follows my advice and for the first time in her life she is eating PROPERLY.  This has been a huge difference maker for the girl that used to love KFC!!!  She doesn't grumble when I ask for her weekly food diaries but she does give me a funny face or two when I torture her in the gym.  I love it.  She has such an an expressive face!  But she also has an amazing spirit and hilarious personality and now that inner beauty is really beginning to shine on the outside which is why today was so special.  Let me explain..........

All my clients get a follow up to monitor their progress individual to their needs and goals.  And Nisha had her stats, weigh in, bodyfat and measurements done today since I took her on 4 weeks ago.  This lady is phenomenal.  She's lost a total of almost 7 inches from all over her body (2 of them alone off her hips!) she's gone down in bodyfat by 2.6%, she's lost almost 6lbs of fat and gained muscle and her whole shape is beginning to change.  The look of delight on her face was truly priceless.  I will be sharing her incredible story and before and after pics when she reaches the 12 week mark but until then, her fabulous new self is still in the making!  Nisha has always struggled with her bottom half of her body and now she can see the light at the end of the tunnel and she now knows that she CAN have the healthy and sexy body and shape she's always wanted.  Genetics are merely our physical challenge.  They are not our excuse for what we can't achieve.  They are our foundation to build from.  And Nisha is a perfect example.

Nisha - you could see today how proud I am of you.  You've been through some tough stuff.........be the lady to always remind yourself of what you tell others - that tough times don't last; tough women do.

Keep up the amazing work Nisha.  I can't wait to see you at the 12 week mark.  You are truly incredible.xx

The last few days................up until Wednesday 23 May:

I am SO sore!  Training is now like military punishment........but I love it!  Hey, could someone come and send the men in white coats to examine me?!!  Ha ha......seriously, it can not be normal enjoying this type of torture!  But strangely, it is.  When you love your sport so much like I do and are passionate about sharing it and giving it 110% to be the best you can possibly be and see such challenges as a way of achieving in life, it truly is the most bizarre yet pleasureable torture to go through.  Each day I am beginning to see changes; both mental as well as physical and I am even getting comments from strangers and am taking pleasure in spreading the news about health, bodybuilding and fitness.  And I'm loving the new me, inside and out! 

Strangely, if it makes sense, as much as I am exhausted I still have that nutcase 'buzz' and bounceability that keeps me going and keeps the spirits of others around me up as well!  And you know what else keeps me going?  The desire to really and truly want to inspire others.  That has always been a dream of mine.  When someone is kind enough to make an encouraging comment it fuels my fire and I see in them what I felt before I really began this journey.  The excitement that they too can be their very best..........if they choose to.  And being your best really is a choice.  I want everyone to experience what I have had a taster of!  My journey allows me to find the energy and time to encourage others..............be it my clients, my friends, my family or a stranger.  I just love my clients too.  They drive me more than they will ever know.  Their determination to be their best inspires me!  Sue Vickerage, Greg Turnbull and Nisha Varman in particular.........you three are an absolute joy to train and really enforce why I do the job I do and why I have a passion for bodybuilding.  You don't need to be a 'bodybuilder' or a competitor to get the inner and outer benefits of weight training and cardiovascular exercise.  You don't have to get into a bikini or posing trunks to feel your best.  You've just got to do what's right for you.  And that's what I love about bodybuilding............it is a flexible and pliable way of life as well as a sport and is totally universal.  Its for EVERYONE and benefits everybody! 

These three clients I have mentioned are just people like you and me wanting the best from themselves and to get the best out of their lives through leading a healthy and fitter lifestyle.  Thank you to all my clients who not only make my job a pleasure - you never cease to amaze me with your own inner strength.  Currently for me though, the tiredness has really set in and the muscles are being absolutely 'caned' with each training session.  I am striving to lift heavier, harder and go further than I ever have and the results are really beginning to show.  Big time.  Woo-hoo!  I got the thumbs up and a 'looking hot' comment from Jo too - WOW - knowing that Jo Stewart has even given you a top compliment like that was enough to make me grin from ear to ear and well up with tears of pride!  If you are slack or need to work harder she will say it straight off.........I love that about her.  She's honest, straight up and doesn't muck around.  But, if she is pleased and says so, you know she really means it.  So, without futher mucking around and procrastination, here are the latest progress pics taken 20 May '07..........at 7 weeks out.  I am starting to feel really proud and am beginning to feel like a figure girl in the making! 

My darling Mum freaked out a little bit though.  I am sending the progress pics as they are taken to her, Dad and the family as well as some friends on a semi regular basis (just so they can keep up to date and still recognise me!) and she cracked me right up with her motherly reaction.  I got this text saying "It scares me to see your back so muscly.  I'm sorry I worry about the loss of fat as its not healthy..........you do look good and I know you have the best advice but I'm just being a Mum who adores my darling daughter.  Take care, all my love always, Mum.xx".  Bless her heart!  That's the difficult thing for many people to understand - this sport is all about taking it to the extreme.........not being obsessive but certainly bordering on the obsessive.  I think the only thing that is keeping her at ease is knowing that I am in Jo's professional and more than capable hands!  I am healthy though.  My skin and hair has never looked better, I eat such clean wholesome foods and I still have a 'normal' cycle so don't you worry Mum.  It must be weird for her and others though.  With Mum having been used to seeing a daughter that's always been on the slightly 'heavy' side and one that got really overweight for a while, it must be so strange to see her now 24lbs less in weight and having converted a whole lot of her bodyfat into a whole lot of muscle!  Sorry Mum, I love that you care but this is what you have to do to be at your very best.  I know you understand that and you also know that I won't be lean forever.  Bodybuilders have a contest weight and an off season weight so it would only be unhealthy if I stayed at contest weight all year.  You'll get used to it...........thanks for caring though!

Speaking of tired, I actually had a full day off.  It is very rare that I have a day off but Monday my body was crying out for one.  So, I actually had a WHOLE DAY OFF!  Normally a day off for me still means a light or shorter cardio session but I just had to rest.  Sometimes you need to do that to recharge the batteries and get raring to go again!  I've had a sore throat hanging around for the last 4-5 days and felt a lot more tired than normal, but by having that day off it really perked me up for the week.  Tuesday I hit the gym for a shoulder and abs workout followed by cardio, did more cardio in the evening and today I hammered my back and biceps followed by more and more cardio.  I have heard from so many people how hard it can get and that it will only get harder.  I suppose then that this tiredness will only get 100 times worse!  Hey, like I said, I love a challenge and I have come too far now to give up.  I can only keep going..........and dammit, I WILL!  See you all next week.xx

Sunday 20 May:

TRUDY GOT SECOND AT THE YORKSHIRE NPA!!!!!!  Congratulations on a great achievement and on qualifying for the NPA Finals.  You did so well Truds - you've got fabulous back development, amazing delts, the new 'chest' really suits you.......he he!!  ;o).........the suit choices were faultless, you looked gorgeous on stage and are 110% improved all round since last time.  Bring on the finals - you are going to knock 'em dead.  Here are a couple of pics of my special mate in action.  How fab does she look?!!!!!  WOW!

Thursday 17 May:

I really would like to say GOOD LUCK to my dear friend Trudy Wood who is competing in the NPA Yorkshire Championships this Sunday.  The Yorkshire Champs are being held in the Holmfirth Civic Hall in Huddersfield Road, Holmfirth West Yorkshire and will be a great show to go along and watch.  You go girl - so many of us are rooting for you!  And if there are any Kiwis nearby?  Go along and support her!!!!!  All the best mate.xx

Wednesday 9 May to Wednesday the 16th May:

Does dieting really have an effect on our brains??  What does this picture tell you?!!

Don't worry - its just my darling friends and cardio buddies Avril Laura and I being silly!  Ah, laughter is good medicine when you are dieting.  :o)

Its been an interesting week!  The emotions are still all over the place, I had a top night out with the girls on Thursday night (I don't get out socially much at all but when I do, I am now designated taxi driver given that I am not allowed to drink at the moment!) and training has really stepped up a notch.  My dear friends and cardio buddies Avril and Laura decided that for the last few months we had talked for far too long about going out for a bit of a girl's night out in addition to our regular meet ups for training.  Well, we had a blast!  The 3 of us went to a restaurant at the Rydges Hotel - they have a restaurant in there that I can trust to give strict instructions to give me nothing other than grilled fish or chicken and steamed veggies.  The staff there are great!  I haven't been there for a very long time though as you have to be SO careful if you eat out during dieting (normally a total no no!) but Avril and Laura will both vouch that I stuck to my plan.  I had water, grilled kingfish with prawns and steamed spinach with mixed grilled vegetables.  After that it was time to hit the dance floor at The Pearl nightclub and burn some calories!

See - we aren't like that all the time!  He he.....

A good support network when you are in pre contest is vital and these two are no exception.  Thank you both so much for keeping me sane and helping me to laugh when all I want to do is cry.  And Avril - I don't know what I would have done without you these last two weeks.  You have a heavenly spirit, an angelic aura and a kindness and understanding towards your friends that blows me away.  Thank you for listening to me, for encouraging me, for not judging me and passing me plenty of Kleenex...........I love you my friend and am so grateful for your support in all that is going on in my life at the moment.  On top of that you are one of the funniest people I have ever met - thank you for helping me to find my sense of humour again! 

Honestly people, whether its a friend or a family member, your partner or a shrink, you need support as the stress and tension of it all gets enough on its own without other things in life compounding it all.  I am lucky to have so many people that I love and care for treat me the same in return, but being overseas here in Qatar, so many of them are so far away..........so Avril for that reason and for being nearby at the drop of a hat, once again, thank you.  For everything.xx

Anita with Avril the Angel!

I have some new pics to share.........told you I'd keep my promise and show you the changes week to week!  Before I do, I have a story about yoghurt and lunch making.  Each and every day a competitor has to be organised and keep their diary spick and span and make sure no slip ups are on the cards.  In addition to preparing my own food, every morning I make Nick's lunch.  Its kind of a 'Wifey' thing I like to do - it ensures he gets all he needs (I started doing it for him when he did Body-for-LIFE last year and the tradition has continued!) but he is starting to suffer a little!  I always try to provide healthy, high protein/complex carb lunches with fruit and veggies, and one thing he usually gets is a pot of fat free yoghurt..........something that I am not currently allowed to indulge in!  Anyway, whether it is my subconscious getting p*ssed off because I am not allowed dairy products at the moment or whether the dieting really IS frying my brain, two days ago he got a teaspoon to eat his yoghurt with but I forgot to put the yoghurt in; the second day, I remembered to put the yoghurt in his cooler bag but didn't give him a teaspoon to eat it with.  Go figure that one out?!!  Who knows.  At least he was able to laugh about it and so did I.  Talk about stupid.  It doesn't seem to matter that I've got a double major degree in Philosophy and Education and am a private Personal Trainer; somehow the ability to put a yoghurt AND a teaspoon in my husband's cooler pack is proving to be far too challenging at the moment!  Ha ha!  Someone please........help me find my brain cells again!

So, the photos.  Last Sunday (the 13thof May) marked the 8 week out point.  Nick took some pics for Jo, for my site etc so we can all see how things are moving along.  And my bodyfat%, weight and measurements were done as well.  When I was 11 weeks out my weight was 56.25kilos (124lbs), bodyfat was 11.41%, lean mass was 109lbs with fat mass sitting at 14lbs.  At the 8 week mark I came in 54.5kilos (120lbs), 9.78% bodyfat, lean mass at 108lbs and fat mass sitting at 11lbs.  Thighs went down 3mm on the callipers and 2cm each on the tape measure and the waist has gone in over an inch in the last 3 weeks - its now 25 inches!!!!!!  I am over the moon.  I know that my glutes and thighs still need to come in A LOT smaller and tighter, and I still have a lot of hard work ahead, but a little separation is beginning to take place and the measurements are all dropping which is great.  More to come in the next couple of weeks but for now, here's a few random pics:

Yay - the abs are coming through too!

Training has really been cranking too!  And the diet is totally on track.  I don't miss a meal or a training session and am going harder than ever.  All of my weights are up in every area and I am giving each and every session all I've got.  I remember my old trainer Sean Tomes saying that as you get closer to a contest you'll feel weaker but you'll have to train even harder than before to retain that muscle and get really hard lean muscles.  And Pete Chown has been giving me constant good advice as well.........to step it up double, never be satisfied with how you look or to take good comments from those not involved in the sport as gospel (as not many people understand how lean and hard you have to get) and to stay totally focused and positive no matter what else is going on in your life; and to train hard with a vision so that you'll hit that stage and win.  And right now, I am hungry for winning.  I am a real softie at heart but my want to succeed and hunger to win is really beginning to bring out the competitive streak in me!  Thanks again for all your encouragement and strength Peter.  You've been brilliant. 

So, as much as the weights are going up, it probably hasn't been the most pleasant atmosphere for my fellow gym mates at the Intercontinental!  The grunts and groans were already loud enough but now it sounds like an animal farm when I'm in there!  I am coming home totally and utterly shattered.  He he.......hey, I'm in the gym to do hard work and get results not to look like a 'floozie' and merely break a little perspiration on my powdered nose.  I am in there to sweat baby - YEAH!  Being a lady and looking nice and feminine and all of the glitz and glam is for the stage.  To be honest, I am a bit of a bloke in the gym.  Speaking of glitz and glam - my new evening posing suit from Lidia Conti has just arrived and it is AMAZING!!!!!!!  I will not be sharing description or pics of that one though - some special things like that will have to be saved for later on.  You guys won't get to see that until contest time I'm afraid.  You've got to save some things as a surprise don't you??!! 

Until later peeps, thank you to so many of you for all your support and encouragement.  You don't know how much it means to me.  And as always Jo Stewart - thanks for your emails, ongoing advice and for your constant support and feedback.  You are such a gem of a lady.  And to all of you, keep training hard yourselves...your dreams and goals are yours if you are hungry enough for them...and I don't mean that in the food sense!  Anita.xx

Training at the Intercon - crikey, what a face!  Tired but working hard:

Thursday 3 May to Tuesday 8 May:

Man, the weeks are flying by now!  Each day is packed with training, cooking, encouraging, supporting and helping lead my clients to achieve their goals and dreams while trying to stay focused and keep on top of my own normal day to day duties.  Inspiration and knowing you are not alone in your feat is also all important I have found.  I love catching up on Jo's site each day too as the NZ competitors that took the Aussies by storm reel out their experiences of competing in an international competition.......and as for that Amanda Foubister - WOW!  Her abs, her sultry look, fantastic muscles, tight glutes and ability to shine in front of the lens - Amanda you are a credit to the aerobic fitness stage.  I know you have also done figure before and I hope I can be half as successful as you one day.  World class and enough to take anyone's breath away and a real inspiration!  And that photo shoot is something else.

So the last I wrote, I was off to some bodybuilding comps wasn't I?!!  And they were fantastic!  Thursday 3 May saw competitors hit the stage for the second Al Fereej Bodybuilding Champs and on Saturday the 5th of May the same venue at the Sheraton Doha held the Gulf Bodybuilding Championships.  Naturally it was male competitors only.  And these two comps brought about a BIG drawcard as IFBB Pro Darrem Charles flew over from Florida to guest pose at the event!  Let me tell you about this guy and how I met him.....

Darrem Charles and I at the pre judging

Picture this - you walk into a venue, this time being the Sheraton Doha's Majlis Hall and you are in a male dominated country where only men are allowed to compete in bodybuilding.  In you walk.........as you do, you realise you are the only female there in the whole place!  As you continue to scurry and find a seat to politely plonk into whilst endeavouring to remain as invisible as possible, you realise that a few people suddenly stop to stare at your blonde hair.....as they tend to in the Middle East.  M'kay, feeling a little self conscious now!  You sit through the first and second classes to be brought on stage and click away at your camera flashing like a little paparazzi freak trying to convince the suspicious testosterone around you that you actually like bodybuilding and know what it's all about, are about to compete in a comp yourself in 9 weeks and are not a female muscle pervert!  In walks a guy who competes at around 230lbs is rock hard and bursting with muscles out of his shirt (literally!) and lights up the place with his charming smile and bright yellow tight long sleeved t-shirt.  I suddenly click - its Darrem, and he is alone!  He takes a seat, quietly keeps to himself and gently glides his forefinger importantly across his lips contemplating and sizing up the bodybuilders under scrutiny under the bright lights on stage.  I notice, yet again, he sits alone.  Here's my chance. 

Some of the competition from the Gulf Champs, 5 May 2007:

Sorry - don't have the guy's names as the program and all of their names were written or called out in Arabic!

So, I took a deep breath, pushed the nervousness and all possible fears down to the base of my stomach, stood up like the sore thumb-of-a-blonde-and-the-only-woman-there that I was, shuffled through my aisle and walked straight up to him and introduced myself.  And little did 'Little Anita' ever dream what was ahead for those next three days...........he was amazing.  Top class, passionate about his sport in a way that a pro should be, down to earth and such a laugh!    From the moment I introduced myself with a nervy shaking hand and voice he made me comfortable and totally inspired me.  He gave me so much advice about my plans for competing, we spoke for over an hour and swapped stories on bodybuilding, life and the interesting Middle Eastern customs and culture.  And then he invited me to sit with him at the night show!  So along we went in the evening and sat with him and swapped comments and had a bet on the competitors and who might win each class.

At the evening show - my arms wouldn't reach around his HUGE chest!

But then it hit - the organisers had changed Darrem's guest posing spot from the Thursday evening show to the Saturday night show and I couldn't make it as I had plans I couldn't get out of!  Darrem by this stage felt he knew us enough to give us plenty of grief that we weren't going to be able to make it, so I promised to take him out and show him around Doha a little and get a bodybuilding bite to eat.  On the Saturday, I hooked up with him at the pre judging and watched him rehearse for his evening guest spot which was hilarious.  And a big thanks to Abdullah and Justin and the guys at Al Fereej Sports for allowing me to watch his rehearsals seeing as I couldn't make the evening show!  You guys are great.  Darrem also visited our home as he needed some resistance bands for pumping up before his guest spot and I had some he could borrow so on our way out to lunch we popped into the villa, had a cold drink and picked them up.  And like a pro does, he gave me some posing tips - anyone would have been able to see how incredibly blown away I was.  Getting even a teeny bit of posing practice and instruction from someone like Darrem is pretty special for any competitor.  So from there, we raced out for a bite to eat just him and I; ate clean and then I dropped him back at the Sheraton.  Off he went on his merry way - and from what I hear, his guest posing spot brought the house down BIG time!  Wished I could have been there, but I couldn't. 

Its been a good week for training and dieting for me and I have been getting a lot of support of recent too which has made such a difference.  From people at the gym (thanks Narges and Luca - and yes, I am SO coming round to yours after comps for dinner!) my clients, especially Greg, Nisha and Sue.........you are all so sweet and make my job a real pleasure.  I have also made lots of new contacts and  friends on the UK bodybuilding forums; had messages from them saying they are checking up on my progress on this blog as well as various people making contact via email and my close friends have been great and really encouraging as well.  My darling 'sista' Truds, Peter Chown, Tim Sharp, Flick, Tony Montalbano just to name a few.  Thanks guys for everything.  Even my Mum and Dad have been supportive of their ever growing muscly daughter and have said the most encouraging words and aren't too frightened about my changing physique.  Cheers Mum and Dad!  Our darling Filipino lady May in our local supermarket that we see always cracks up at us too and asked Nick the other day if he was scared of me because I have big muscles!  That lady almost knows off by heart now I'm sure what will be in that supermarket trolley each visit.  Mountains of water, egg whites, chicken, fresh fish, veggies, veggies and more veggies!  And Nick never stops to notice a new ab coming through, a leaner area or if something is looking better and points out my changes with positive words.  These comments all really help.  You guys have all made a difference to my day more than you'll know and I can't wait to meet those of you that I haven't met in person yet!

I've had a few things on my mind; actually a lot on my mind recently but I think the dieting and training and tiredness is now beginning to play with the old emotions big time.  Apparently this is common?!!  I am noticing that I am really starting to lose a few marbles though.  You know how I said the other day that I had been walking into things?  Well, here's some new ones for you!  I tried to put my tub of protein powder into the fridge (DOH!) I poured a bath but didn't put the plug in and didn't realise this for almost 10 minutes (!!!!!)and I am getting really forgetful.  I must be losing bodyfat - YAY!  Not yay for the absent-mindedness though.

Me and Bernard at 'The Bay Club' Intercontinental - who's got the biggest guns?!!

Another person who has been so helpful of recent is Bernard - one of the gym co-ordinators and the PT's at the Intercontinental where I do the majority of my training sessions.  He is new on the team there and is always racing over to help out with spotting, ask questions and generally be a gem!  Thanks Bernard.  Seeing your face each morning and being surrounded by your positive attitude and care for the club's members really helps out - and so does your fabulous range of i-Pod tunes too!

So until next time peeps, all is well with me.  Strength is up, definitely getting leaner and more and more excited as the next few weeks whittle away before me.  And don't forget too - Pro bodybuilder and Mr Natural Universe himself Peter Chown is guest posing at my contest debut - the Welsh BNBF Champs.  I am yet to meet this hunky legend but apparently he is amazing on stage and shouldn't be missed!  I can't believe I'm about to do my debut where the biggest of big Natural Pro Bodybuilding Champions is guest posing.  Looking forward to meeting you Peter!  And thanks for all your help and advice recently too.  Now I know I have to give it 110% and won't get my tanning wrong because I've been given tips by the best.  :o)

Mr Natural Universe and Pro Bodybuilder, Peter Chown

Tuesday 24 April to Wednesday 2 May:

My goodness, this past week has flown by!  I had all the best intentions in the world to update my diary blog for you guys 2-3 times a week, but realistically I just don't think I'm going to have the time to do that.  Once a week will have to suffice I'm afraid, otherwise anything other than that will be a bonus.  Sorry people!

So, last week was a super dooper week if not really hectic.  Lots of clients getting slave driven into shape by me (ha ha!), I've been training with all my heart and soul and and dieting hard and Nick was racing around in London like a mad fly on a business trip.  It was probably just as well too as he may not have seen much of me.  Thank goodness he was in London too.........talk about a supplement crisis in Doha at the moment!  We have just two GNC stores in the whole of Qatar and when they run out of supplies, they are pretty hard to get hold of in a hurry.  I was on my last tub of Whey Protein Powder, I had totally run out of fatburners, I hadn't been able to get hold of any CLA for over 2 months and when I asked about all of these things, the person instore said it could take up to another 1-2 months before they received store replenishment of these things!  As you can imagine, i was in a bit of a 'ka-fuffle' (yes, I LOVE Little Britain!) so Nick took an extra large suitcase and came back with a very full one.  He bought back all of the necessary goodies, so now I should JUST have enough until I fly to Scotland myself.  Man, I need a sponsor - please! 

A lot of people wonder what I take each day.  Well, this is what I have each and pretty much every day.  I have 3-4 servings of my whey protein powder, 2-3 servings of fatburners (depending on which ones I am using), 3 servings of CLA, 1 serving of Muscle Armor, 1 Multivitamin, 2 servings of echinacea and lots of flax oil!  My favourite brands of low/no carb/high protein whey (and more importantly, two of the only brands I can SOMETIMES find over here) are MuscleTech's Nitro Tech Whey protein (their chocolate flavour is unbeatable for late night sweet cravings) and the EAS 100% Whey; I love either the GNC or the EAS CLA caps, my favourite fatburners to date are 'Lipo 6' (but even the central London GNC store had run out of these!) so when I can't get hold of Lipo 6's, I use either Xenadrine NRG fatburners or Xenadrine EFX and currently I am giving Hydroxycut another go.  Our house is like a freakin' pharmacy!

The daily supplements!

Is it all necessary?  For a bodybuilder or a pre contest dieter, yes.  When you are wanting to make sure the body retains and gains hard earned muscle and keeps burning fat along with products to keep the system running nice and healthy and in good working order, under the stress of training over 20 hours a week and trying to recover, it would be almost impossible for food alone to do the trick.  Man, what a sport huh?  Yep, part and parcel of this bizarre sport is the supplement side of things, and I want to get up on stage in the best condition I can both inside and out, so I am trying not to take any shortcuts!  It can be expensive though, my goodness.

And to try and make food taste nicer and be easier and quicker to prepare when you are short of time, protein powder is a godsend and so are these pure egg whites in a carton.  Nothing added, nothing less, just pure 100% egg whites!  I make my protein pancakes with them, omellettes and scrambled eggs.  I don't know about you lot but I am USELESS when it comes to cracking eggs.  I can separate the yolks no problem, but I always end up with bits of annoying shell in the mixture!  So, this is how I get my egg white source every day.  From these little fullas:

My quick and easy egg whites

Protein pancakes you ask?  Yes, you heard me right and I know some of you might just want the recipe too, so here you go.  :o)  You'll need:

3-5 egg whites (depending on how big or small YOU are, or are trying to be!  I use three egg whites)
1 scoop of whey protein powder (I use vanilla but some people like using chocolate)
1/4 cup oats (or 1/2 to 3/4 cup if you are a big boy!)
Approx 150ml water
Ground cinammon to taste
Splenda or granulated Canderel if you have a sweet tooth
Tsp flax oil

Blend the lot up in a blender, and gently heat a non-stick pan while the mixture is whizzing its way around in your machine.  Put a SMALL amount of fat free cooking spray in the pan.  Pour half of the mixture in a medium to large sized non stick fry pan and wait until the mixture on the top has gone solid enough before you flip it.  It should be brown on the underside of the pancake and just 'soft' but not runny on the top.  Flip it and cook the other side until golden brown.  I find the trick to make these pancakes really turn out well is to make sure they are not too thick otherwise they can be a little uncooked in the centre.  There you go!  Voila.  A high protein and low GI tasty brunch or breakfast meal that feels like a treat for a hungry bodybuilder!  And for off season, you could add a small dessertspoon of nutella to the blended mixture too as well as some organic sugar free maple syrup for topping.  Yum.  But remember, I did say that those last two things are for off season.  I hope yours turn out ok!  This is what they should look like:

Diet :  Yep, the pre-contest dieting is going GREAT!  Period.  I kept that short and sweet didn't I?!!  Basically I also thought that if I wrote down every morsel I shove in my mouth then this blog will get incredibly dull to read as well as very long in length.  So, to sum up, as per usual, I was a good girl this week.  :o)  I was looking for a halo to put on here but couldn't find one so the 'smiley' will have to do for now.  Hah!  One thing pre contest kids find though is that there are always ways to sabotage that diet or paths that can lead you astray.  You have to resist!  I had a real challenge on my hands too as the 29th of April I had an event I went out to dinner for.  I'm sorry if you are reading this my darling Jo Stewart, but I'd rather be honest about that little glass of tipple and I thought that this day deserved a little glass of red wine - you know what it was all about. ;o)

Anyway, like the star he is, Nick was happy to go to a place that served an option fully within the confines of my high protein diet so we chose an amazing place called 'The Fish Market' to go for dinner.  Its incredible.  It has indoor and outdoor seating and is situated right on the waterfront at the Intercontinental.  You go in there and a lady helps you select the exact piece(s) of weighed fresh fish you want and you can have loads of different options of how you choose to have it cooked.  Poor Nick doesn't eat freshly cooked fish, but he does eat prawns, calamari, crayfish and shrimp but being the top husband he is, he was more than happy to enjoy our celebratory meal here.  He had pan fried calamari for his starter, I had grilled king prawns with fresh herbs; he had the king prawns for his main and I chose the steamed hammour for my main and we shared the most gorgeous plate of steamed veggies.  The dinner was faultless and the food tasted utterly gorgeous.  A huge plate of fries was also placed in front of us to accompany the meal - but no, they were not mine for the taking so don't you worry.  I didn't have a THING to feel guilty about!

My gorgeous steamed hammour with fresh ginger, soy and veggies:

Dinner at 'The Fish Market'

Training:  Training is also going great guns.  Although I had to have Wednesday off last week.  I'll spare you guys the details, but let's just say that I was dizzy as hell, my stomach wasn't too sound and our bathroom was pretty busy that day!  ahem...........anyway, the good thing is, is that my weights were all up this week.  Except for my chest training.  I find it really hard to increase my weights on chest day without the help of a spotter but everything else has increased which is a really good sign.  The members and staff at the Intercon have been so brilliant too.  I've been really touched with everyone's recent support and comments.  I really enjoy training there and the people I see there every day make the atmosphere really special and it feels like a real community.  A lot of physical changes have happened to me in the last two weeks, particularly getting leaner and some members I have not even spoken to before have had enough kindness to come up to me to make conversation and mention my changes and ask me what I am training for.  That was a total buzz!  It also indicated to me that things are really beginning to take off visually which is just what I am hoping for.  Hopefully when I take the next progress pics this weekend, you too will be able to see a difference compared with the ones in my red posing suit below.  The training is getting exhausting but I am still absolutely and 100% loving every minute of it.

At the moment, this is what the training schedule is like:

Mondays - Cardio (2x 30 min sessions or sometimes I go for a long run with my darling friend Avril or I do extra sprint work/stair climbing and some running/powerwalking at 'Aspire' with Avril on either a Monday night or another weekday night)
Tuesdays - Shoulders and Abs, 2x 30 min cardio sessions
Wednesdays - Back and Biceps, 2x 30 min cardio sessions
Thursdays - Quads and Calves, 2x 30 min cardio sessions
Fridays - Mornings: early morning sprint training, stadium climbing, shuttle running and sideways running, followed by either an ashtanga yoga class (which I have not had much time for recently as the PT business has been busy) then another short evening cardio session if possible
Saturdays - Chest and Triceps, 2 cardio sessions again
Sundays - Hamstrings, extra Quads and Abs, cardio

Basically I follow Jo's program to a 'T' and I also listen to my body.  I used to do up to an hours cardio straight after weight training, but the morning sessions were ending up about 3 hours long and I think that may have something to do with the recent 1 pound loss of muscle.  The body stats/muscle mass and body fat testing is being done again this weekend along with more progress pics, so we shall see if I have managed to gain some muscle, or at least prevent further losses.  Also, the long weight training in the mornings followed by long cardio sessions straight afterwards meant that I was having to go too long without food and my energy was suffering as well as the risk of losing more muscle which I just can't afford to do.  So, the cardio has been now split into two sessions a day.  So I tend to get up early and try and train first thing, then I PT clients until late afternoon and then train again in the evenings.  And on top of that, its all about cooking food, computer work/designing programs for clients, catching up on emails if I have time and constantly visiting the supermarket for extra food supplies and trying to spend a little time with Nick!  Phew.  I don't have a chance to see my friends at all, but the good ones are beginning to understand that this is just how it is.

As you can see from the training schedule above I do a 5-day split with the weights and I do cardio daily, but if I am utterly totally shattered, then I will take a day off.  Like I did on Wednesday!  But then again, I had to.......

It's getting pretty hot to train outside too.  The temperatures in Qatar at the moment are reaching the 40+ degree mark so outdoor training has to be done either first thing in the morning or last thing at night.  I am getting very clumsy too!  Perhaps the dieting is really starting to take effect?  Who knows.  I am a right nutter and clumsy clot at the best of times but some very funny things have happened of recent.  I hopped out of the car the other day to walk towards the entrance to the gym and walked straight into a bloody tree!  Ha ha!  Seriously, twigs and bits of foliage prevented me from getting free in a hurry and I looked as though I had literally been dragged.......through a bush!  I keep tripping over things, I am getting a little forgetful and twice in the last week I have walked into walls in my own villa!  Ah, someone send the men in white coats to pick me up!  Bruises are one thing but I think I am losing my mind.  HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  ha ha.........ah, the joys of dieting.  Stay tuned for more idiotic adventures.  Until later guys, stay safe and I have to say, the NZ Bodybuilding team that went with Jo and Mark Stewart to Sydney and competed at the Australasian Champs - you guys rock!  Congratulations on some really amazing results.  You deserve the rewards for your hard work guys! 

Speaking of comps, I am off to see one here tomorrow morning.  And keeping visiting back to 'The Blog' too because the guys about to compete over here are apparently HUGE and they have also managed to get a very big IFBB Pro who has competed at the Olympia and is a worldwide name to come over to guest pose for this event.  I am taking my camera man and am going to snap away like a crazy little paparazzi freak!  Watch out for those pics.........and I shall soon reveal the name of this huge Pro that is gracing these Middle Eastern shores.  Woo-hoo!

Monday 23 April:

Ok, physically I feel as though I have been hit by a bus today!  But mentally, I feel pretty good after seeing my progress pics.  I know I still have a long way to go (particularly in the bum and thigh region!) but now that I am 11 weeks out and having had my measurements and bodyfat checked yesterday, I know I am on target if not ahead of schedule which is great news!  Jo emailed me back in response to my email saying that we just have to keep an eye on things in case I lose any more muscle, but apart from that she is really happy with my progress, that she loves my precontest bikini and thinks I am coming down well.  So, without further ado, here are some of the progress pics...........these pics were taken in my official 'posing' shoes and pre contest bikini which I will be wearing on stage:

More progress pics will become available as they are taken.  Here's hoping that the next 11 weeks will run nice and smooth!  Just waiting for my evening bikini to arrive from the States now.  It's being custom made to fit me and has crystals all over it, its a stunning teal blue colour and has cutaway bottoms.  Oh, its going to be gorgeous!

I went to the local park on Friday morning called Dahl Alhamam Family Park.  It is popular for kids and families alike as its a great place for picnics, games and fun.  But for us, its a perfect place for doing some sprint training and stadium climbing which I had seen on Jenny Lynn's DVD.  It has an outdoor amphitheatre, a mini football pitch and loads of grass areas and places for doing some challenging cardio.  I've done this routine of hers twice now over the last couple of weeks in addition to my 5 day weight training split and daily cardio and I don't know whether or not is is a coincidence, but the lower half of me in a bikini certainly looks a lot better and is a lot firmer.  Give it a go!  I tell you though, you'll be pretty sore the next day.

I got some video clips of it too!  Check them out by clicking on the following links:


Sprints:  http://youtube.com/watch?v=Vip-3uR0EEQ&mode=related&search=

Stadium Climbing/Running:  http://youtube.com/watch?v=GH40oB3CnS8&mode=related&search=

So, in full detail, this is what our training session entailed.  To start with we:

- Jogged back and forth on the pitch to warm up the muscles, followed by a really good stretch

- Jogged half the pitch, sprinted the other half and did the same returning (repeated 8 times)

- Shuttle runs........used the markers on the sideline to sprint to and then jogged back to the startline. You start with the closest one, sprint to it, jog back, then sprint to the next furthest marker, jog back, and so on. Repeat until you've done sprints and jogs back and forth for the length of the whole pitch.

- Sideways running. Get down low to target those glutes and legs! Do this for half the pitch, turn forwards then sprint to the end. Repeated 6 times. This is what it looks like:

Running to the top of the stadium stairs:

So, think you might want to try it out?  Just find a stadium or somewhere with a great set of stairs, preferably with a decent distance between each step.  The outdoor amphitheatre at my local park has small steps and larger ones.  Each set I did consisted of running fast up to the top on the smaller steps then coming back down straight away followed by going up the bigger steps which really forces you to push off the glutes then back down again.  I repeated this pattern until 8 sets were done. Sweat, puff puff, grunt, groan, moan, stretch.......then we were finally finished!

All in all it took me about 40-45 mins to complete.  Like I said, it was about 32 degrees celsius (at 9am in the morning!) so as you can imagine, I was totally b*ggered by the end as it was so incredibly hot let alone so challenging doing this type of cardio!  Make sure you have plenty of water, even some electrolyte drink (I am currently trying out 'Propel Fitness Water') and take a towel to mop up your brow and back coz it'll get soaked through!  It's all well worth it though; a good hard cardio session and a great option for your outdoor training.  If you do it, let me know what you think!  Enjoy.

Friday night was a big challenge too.  I had guests over for dinner, so I had to cook separate meals.  They all had some lovely fresh breads (walnut bread, foccacia and herb bread) with red pepper olive oil, basil pesto and balsamic vinegar for starters and plenty of wine.  Then Nick kindly help me make a gorgeous big salad to go with the main, so I made it as interesting as possible as I knew I could eat that part of the meal!  They all had a lovely penne pasta dish - made with baby spinach and basil with lobster meat tossed through which had been panfried lightly with chilli, garlic and white wine.  Ooooh, my tummy is grumbling majorly as I am writing this!  I had a grilled piece of delicious salmon instead done with dill and a little all-purpose seasoning.  To be honest, it was gorgeous.  I love my salmon but am only allowed to have it 1-2 times a week and then spend the rest of my protein allowance on chicken breast, white fish, egg whites and turkey.  And the salad was just as tasty too!  It had fetta cheese through it which I had to pick off but I allowed myself a little tiny bit of avocado to ensure I got my EFA's!  Check out my salad.  Delicious or what?!!

They all enjoyed a gorgeous dessert of butter pecan ice-cream with fresh raspberries and blackberries for dessert too.  I had....a tiny amount of fresh berries.  Ah, it was good to be good!

Saturday - Trained Chest and Triceps followed by 30 mins on the recumbent bike.  Went to a BBQ in the evening, drank water and had one Diet Pepsi and took all my own food!  Got a few strange stares and questions about my food and why I was eating it, but got a few nice compliments too from some friends I haven't seen for a while.  The thing is, when you are in off season, naturally you hold more bodyfat and you generally look pretty normal in clothes.  In pre-contest as you shrink, you have to buy new clothes.  Like I am complaining - NOT!  So, I have had to go out recently and buy some new pants (you people in the UK call them trousers; they are not underwear I am talking about!) as the other ones are all falling off me.  Woo-hoo!  I got two really nice pairs exactly the same but just different colours as it is so hard to find some that are not too long in the leg.  I got a white pair and a khaki coloured pair of cotton pants - cut sort of like jeans but a lovely light cotton material for the hot Middle Eastern summer.  And they are both a size 8 and still have room in the waist!  Crikey.  Who would have thought eating 6 meals a day and working out would have me in that size with room to move??!!  See you don't have to starve yourself to get into a pair of pants a size or two smaller! 

Sunday - Trained Hamstrings, and this is the day that I do extra quads and abs and did 45 mins cardio at the end.  Quads and abs are the only two body parts that get hit twice in my 5 day split.  I tell you, I was pretty low on energy today.  My legs were aching from Friday morning, I felt so tired and could have slept all day!  I actually felt quite scratchy to be honest.  Some days you feel as though all you want to do is recover by sleeping.  I am so overdue a sports massage too and my muscles are crying out for one.  I will see if I can book in to see Stefan some time this week to try and loosen them up again and make them feel normal.  Nick did my measurements and body fat % and stats today too.  I have unfortunately lost 1 pound of muscle in the last 3 weeks and I wonder if it happened due to being sick a couple of weeks ago?  So, I have to make sure I really work hard and count every ounce of protein and make sure that my cardio isn't too high intensity as catabolism has to be avoided at all costs!  Good news though - I have lost another 2% bodyfat since the 31st of March and some really good shape is starting to appear, I have lost lots of cm's everywhere and he took some progress pics which I am sure will show what is really happening.  I promise to post them up as soon as they are uploaded and compressed.  See, I keep my promises.

Hope this finds you all well and happy people.  Anita.  :o)

Thursday 19th April:

Today was a Quads and Calves day.  My workout for these two body parts is a real killer.  Smith squats, leg press, reverse lunges, hack squats, leg extensions, walking lunges, calf raises (seated and standing), drop sets, rest/pause sets, and 10/5's.  What's a 10/5 you ask?  Well, its basically this.  You perform your normal 2-3 sets beforehand of either 8-10 reps or 12-15 reps then you drop the weight by half and perform the following set with a combination of 1/2 reps and full reps -  you'd do 10 full reps, then 10 half reps from the bottom then 10 full reps followed by 10 half reps from the top.......it's a KILLER!  I have to do this with my leg presses and quite a few other exercises for chest, biceps and back.  But boy, it gets results!

I followed this killer leg workout with an hour's cardio - half on the recumbent bike and half on the X-Trainer.  Must have been a pretty funny sight having walked out of the Intercon today.  I wasn't really walking........I was kind of shuffling awkwardly like I had some sort of rash on my bottom as my legs were so tired!  Enough said.  Ha ha!  Diet was clean and good as always today - not much else to report.  Except that I slept very well!!!!!!!!

Wednesday 18th April:

Ah, food, food glorious food!  Its funny you know, when you are pre-contest dieting, you feel as though all you think about is when you are next going to eat, what you are going to have to eat and when you are going to be cooking your next damn meal!  For a sport that deprives you of your favourite foods, there is a lot of thinking about, preparing and eating of it in general........but of course only the stuff you are allowed to!

And my meals I try to make as interesting as possible through using plenty of colour and arranging it as nicely as possible.  I look at the amounts of protein and carbs I am allowed per meal each day and I try to work around that to create tasty yet 'Jo Approved' meals!  Food in conjunction with exercise is about 70% (some argue 80%) of your total success when you are talking about your complete physical package!  Yes, that's right you can exercise all your treats off to a certain degree, you can increase your cardio, but what about how the body REPAIRS itself?  Are you going to look 'hard' on stage and free yourself of that cellulite and extra bodyfat?  How are you going to sleep?  Is it getting all the nutrients it needs and is keeping the blood, heart and organs nice and healthy?  Are you going to feel energetic?  I tell you, with all of the intense training I am doing, I choose to do it right by eating as many natural foods as possible.  The only thing I eat that isn't back to nature is my protein powder.  By eating natural foods it means that my body is getting everything it needs to fun