The finish line is in sight!

Its getting tense as it's only 2 days to go till show time and the nerves are setting in now

I said that this week would go by in a blur and boy has it just. Work has been good, busy but everyone has been amazing and asking me how I am. Good job they didn't say "break a leg" or something! So what else has happened this week? Well I've had to have my waxing done-which for anyone who says it's not painful is a liar and is now walking round with a Pinocchio nose!! It's only a quick pain but emphasis on the word pain!

I can remember when this said 30 days.. how time flies.

I've had to add the final touches to my bikini and start putting stuff together that's going into my suitcase. I must have printed off 4 different check lists with all the things that you should take with you on comp day. The lists are so long your think I was moving house! Haha. My nails are done too (hands and feet), the only big thing left is yes of course my tan.

Training has been difficult to fit in this week but somehow I've managed it. The ELB familio has kept me motivated and determined to fit sessions in. It's the last push so I've got to make it count. However being the clumsy blonde that I am, whilst doing box jumps on Wednesday night, I had reached fatigued and on my last jump my left leg didn't want to jump and I scrapped my shin down the side of the box. Of all my luck-hopefully you can't see it when I've got my tan on! We'll have to wait and see, it's not as bad now but it's still red.

Just my luck getting this before the show.....

On top of all this I've had to put some much needed practise into my poses and walking. Yesterday was comical at the gym; the yoga studio that I wanted to use was busy so I had to go into the main studio where a couple of people were training some form of martial arts...I didn't ask which one though! I thought there's no point being shy practising infront of them, I'm going to have to do it infront hundreds of strangers on Saturday so what's 2 people?! So I managed to pull off my theme wear and bikini routines and then dash off to work.

I feel a little more settled in my routines now but that doesn't escape the fact that on Saturday I'm going to be shitting a brick! 

I will be posting on social media throughout the day and putting pictures up so stay tuned..and then once it's all over I get a cheat day! Oh my god I've been waiting for this day for months. I think I may cry with joy! Ha 

Wish me luck! Till next time;

Little miss fitness 

Xx

Final Bootcamp; the Run-Through

Time to get our game faces on

Wow what a weekend! It's the final one before show day and it has gone by in a blur (more than usual). Yesterday morning - you guessed it I was awake at silly o'clock. I think I'm starting to run on the adrenaline.. So I have no doubt that I'll come crashing down at some point after the comp! Not looking forward to that moment.

If you read my last blog you may remember that this Saturday was hockey trials for the start of the season. I haven't picked up a stick in about 5 months, so I was a little worried as to whether I'd remember how to play!haha 

It was lovely to get to Tring school and see all the youngsters. I was worried whether id be able to keep up with them. We started with a little warm up and then got straight into some drills. It felt really good to pick up a stick and hit a ball again; I can't wait to get this season started. Hopefully my energy levels will be able to sustain in matches as I will still be training for miss galaxy! Oh yes Musclemania is not the only show I'm doing! So the discipline and training still continues for some time yet. Sorry folks - your going to have to put up with my blogs, diet and whinging for a little while yet! lol

By far the best tasting drink ive ever had!

After we did a couple of drills it was straight into a game, using the whole pitch, which was good. I was quite shocked that I managed to keep up with some of the youngsters. Clearly the training Emma has put me through is working and my fitness levels have increased. Thanks Em...

Once trials had finished it was straight over to mums to raid her fridge!! Only joking, I went round to spend some time with her before she goes on holiday - and use her expert sewing skills of course! I think she's done such an amazing job on my bikini and all I had to do for payment was pick home grown raspberries! Not exactly a punishment... so win win for me.

I stopped off at Superdrug to get a couple of bits for the show on saturday before heading to mums, as i needed to practise my make up; which turned into an interesting and bloody frustrating effort. My fake eyelashes just wouldn't go on right - why is it always just one eye, they come in pairs!! This then made me late to my boyfriends - which i have to say i'm becoming re-knowned for. Oops! Women have the excuse of being fashionable late though!!

On Sunday morning, he gave me a nice prep talk to get me psyched up for the final bootcamp! Yes I may sound a little soppy here but I am a lucky girl to have someone who has supported me to the degree he has. He is truly amazing!

It's getting there...

So it was off to Studio ELB for the final bootcamp for Musclemania and a mock run through of the show. Once everyone had got there we all sat down and Emma, Ty-Og and ELB's nutritionist coach Simon Roshdy told us how things were going to go that day. We were going to run through our walks in front of all 3 of them and we would be judged as if it was comp day. Afterwards we would all get feedback, both positive and constructive so that we could improve.

The gorgeous Emma, strong Ty-Og and genius Simon Rhoshdy...

I think the whole bootcamp went really well and I just want to say a huge thank you to Emma and Ty for organising them. They have helped calm my nerves and learn a lot more about what goes into the preparation for the shows. I have also made some lovely friends, and it was nice to see the girls again. From today we have got a little support group going, which will definitely help next saturday and for this coming week - where i have no doubt it will be tough. So we will help each other through it - we are all part of the ELB and Ty-Og family now so we get through the struggles together. 

Anyway enough of me rambling on - onto this week, which no doubt will go in a blur. I still have to do a full time job, train hard, practise posing and get my body prepped for show day. Oh yes people, this is the week when I will be tangoed! Take a look at the before pictures now....

The lovely ELB beauties in full glory

Have a fantastic week people and achieve your goals - whatever they are, whether big or small. Achieve something for yourself that you hadn't achieved last week.

Till next time

Little miss fitness

Xx

We're now in single digits

It's officially countdown time!

So we have 8 days to go until I have to register, dress and walk onto the stage infront of possibly hundreds of people.. I am going through mixed emotions right now. Excitement..nerves..adrenaline all in one. I think this next week is just going to go by in a blur!

Its the final countdown!!

My posing session with Emma on Wednesday went really well-I just have to practise practise practise till it becomes 2nd nature. I think I'll be dreaming about my routine soon.lol 

But TGI Friday!! I had a good session in the gym this morning even though I felt hungry and tired from training last night too. But I managed to bench press (on my own) 15 reps at half my body weight (aka: 30KG) and then managed 2 full reps at 40kg! A small victory but so satisfactory. One weird thing that happened in the gym this morning is that some people don't really recognise me now. They say I have lost quite a bit of weight, and am looking good...but I guess when you look at yourself every day you don't see the same changes that other people do!

Skipping to my agenda this weekend; it's going to be a busy one. I just pray I'm not awake at stupid o'clock again with things ticking over in my head. I've been keeping a to do list, which is the only way I can keep sane right now! Hockey trials are tomorrow, which i cannot wait for. It's been so long since I picked up a stick. I hope I haven't forgotten how to play?!! I can't wait to see the girls at Tring and catch up. Then training starts properly next week..

Sunday is the final bootcamp of Musclemania and we are going to be doing a mock run through of the show! Emma, Ty and Simon (ELB's nutrition coach) are going to be the judges. Yikes..I've got my theme wear and bikini done now, so all that's left is to practise my posing and walking (doesn't sound much but oh boy does practise makes perfect!)

Then in-between all of this I have to grab a last few bits and pieces for competition day. I still can't get over how much stuff I'm going to need to take with me. Oh well I best get cracking, got to make sure I sleep and get plenty of rest for the weekend ahead.

Just an little inspirational quote to leave you with; "the only limitations we have are the ones we put on ourselves".

Till next time - let's do this!!

Little Miss Fitness

Xx

Preparation Is The Key To Success!

Things still to do...

So last week I was panicking slightly about stuff I hadn't done or stuff I still needed to do. It was not good; which is probably why I was wide awake at 7am on Saturday, making a to do list! It was only in the afternoon that i suddenly realised i had turned into my mother! Yikes

But i managed to get through a lot of my list at the weekend (very productive) which even included an ice bucket challenge! I now feel a little more prepared for Musclemania - which is in only 11 days people! Oh my god we are nearly getting into single digits. I can remember when it was like a month away-time is flying by!

So my tanning and wax are now booked for next week - with Tanning station in Enfield. I have to go and get my base layer of tan done the day before the competition, then wash that off and have my competition layer(s) done on the day. So guess whose got an early start on saturday? 7:30am appointment baby, Wohoo..

I also had to buy more gems for my bikini, i clearly underestimated how many i would need. So this weekend I am having to use my mums expert sewing skills to bling up my bikini and work on the bottoms. That should be interesting! Thanks mummy..love you! This is all after my hockey trials for the coming season. I cant wait for the hockey season to start, its been ages since i picked up a stick but i cant wait to get back into the swing of matches and training. Tring Ladies are going to rule this season!

Sparkle, Sparkle and more sparkle..

Gym training this week so far has been good - yesterday was abs, so I felt the burn and then i think tomorrow is going to be back and arms. Ive still got to keep working on my weaknesses for Miss Galaxy even though Musclemania is the first show. 

Another couple of bits i've been up to since the weekend is doing some research on the things that I'm going to need to take for competition day. Oh my goodness the list seemed to go on forever! It certainly kicked my butt into thinking about extra bits I need to take;  Sellotape, scissors, baggy clothes, music..oh and let's not even go down the road about a cup and funnel for when nature calls. I apologise for the graphic detail but for anyone who has had spray tans or done competitions before, the tan leaves a nice orange mark on the toilet seat. That may not be good for when I'm on stage-I don't really want a toilet seat mark when posing!! 

So the next few posts you read from me won't be about the training but more about prep and how I'm feeling - so apologise in advance for the roller coaster that you may be taken on. Tomorrow night is my last posing session 1-on-1 with Emma so lets hope i can smash it - then on Sunday we have the final bootcamp for Musclemania where we are going to have a mock run through of the show - yikes!! And Emma and Ty are going to judge us as if its the real thing. Best bring my A-Game...

Till next time - it will be single digits till the show!! Yikes 

Little miss fitness

Xx

Low energy is a new one!

2 weeks and counting....

So as you know my diet has changed this week; its the last 2 weeks before Musclemania Britain and it's about shredding shredding shredding. Emma has taken my carbs down in my diet and the energy levels have felt if!! Oh boy have they felt it.. I think moody and irritable come to mind - not to mention ridiculously tired. Mum has given me so many cuddles and pep talks that I've lost count. My boyfriend and the girls at work must think im on permanent PMS! Oh the joys of being a woman and hormonal....

The change in diet has made it difficult to push hard on training this week, not going to lie. But I did hit a PB on Thursday night in the gym - when I managed to get a couple of reps on bench press at 40kg! This was good - I felt progress being made. It's amazing what the body will do..however I did feel absolutely shattered walking to the station and at home. It's getting an effort to even walk around the office!! The next 2 weeks are going to be all about mental strength and attitude. Ive realised i need to stop worrying about how many times I workout in the week - just as long as each session i push hard and work my body.

This was my nemesis on Thursday night..

So in store for me today was a gruelling ELB session with Em, followed by walking and posing practise. Stupidly I was awake at 7am this morning with my head buzzing of all the jobs i needed to do today and over the weekend. I still have to buy my fake tan, my bikini bite (aka: hairspray for my bikini bottoms), bling up my bikini, buy fake eyelashes and most importantly sort out a playlist for competition day to get my psyched up! The list goes and my hands are furiously trying to type this out; i even think theres steam starting to appear....

Friday's lunch...Salmon is quickly becoming my favourite fish of all time

Emma's session with me today was really good; I loaded up with porridge for breakfast as i had a sneaky suspicion that I would either be doing a lot of conditioning work or running. However she didn't do the usual run through of fitness tests with me - we did circuits of multiple exercises, which definitely worked on my glutes, legs and shoulders. Oh and not to forget the Tabata session right at the end... thanks Em!!

I think i spent most of the session today low to the ground today, crawling like a crab in one exercise in order to open up my hip flexers but then Em got me jogging outside with 2 x 8kg kettle-bells and trying to catch me. This is all good prep for the hockey season as well Musclemania. I have my hockey trials coming up next weekend (6th Sept) so hopefully I wont feel too low on energy to smash it and get into the team for this year.

T-minus days till the big showdown!! Wohoo

Till next time - "Theres no change without pain!!"

Little Miss Fitness
Xx

Turn your weaknesses into strengths

Things to work on:

Following on from my fitness test run through on Saturday, this weeks motivation and discipline is to work on my weaknesses. It's not something that we are adverse to as humans, admitting we have weaknesses; but once you do accept it - it can open your eyes. You'll soon surprise yourself what you can do once you learn and work on your weaknesses. I know I've surprised myself over the last 2 months. Wow has it really been 2 months? Time is flying...

I know my weaknesses that I need to work on are; Sit-ups, Triceps, Pull-ups and Bench press. So let's get cracking and push hard at every gym session. 

Starting with sit-ups last night. Not going to lie I pushed my abs to the limits. The grunting and gritting of teeth were out again. But I seemed to find something deep down to push through and really go for it. Don't know if it's coz I know we only have 17 days left but I had determination on my face and in my body.

First exercise was starting with lowering my legs on a bench - working on lowering my legs slowly; it'scalled  working on the negative. The burning sensation is a good thing it means it's working!lol Then after this was a mixture of more lower abs; scissor kicks, crunches with a sandbag..the list could go on so I won't bore you!

Tonight? I have triceps a go... I must have been slightly deluded before starting training, because as time has gone on, I've noticed that my triceps weren't strong at all. They are a difficult part to train but the exercises that Emma has given me are helping grow and strengthen mine. 

I started with overhead triceps - working with a 6kg dumbbell then moving up to 8kg. Working with a heavier weight should help develop the muscle. In between sets I jumped on a box step and did tricep dips to fatigue. I need to work on endurance as well as strength so the dips, with legs out straight helps with my endurance during the fitness tests.

Ready, steady, cook!! Chicken stir fry..mmmm

So far so good this week - but I've still got a way to go. Things are going to get tough in the next week or 2 as its crunch time in shredding and prepping for Musclemania Britain on Saturday 13th September. Not much time to go and still a fair few bits to do.

Motto to ponder for this week - make your strengths stronger and your weaknesses even stronger! That way you know you can tackle anything life throws at you.

Till next time;

Little Miss Fitness

Xx

Success at last!!

Hallelujah.. I managed to find a red bikini!! 

What a successful weekend. The aim was to find a bikini and after traipsing round Brent cross for a good couple of hours on Saturday afternoon (with screaming children everywhere) - I stumbled upon Calzedonia the swimwear and lingerie shop. 

Oh my the choices were endless. They had so many different colours and styles, it was like a gift from heaven. I hadn't been able to find anything like this on the internet. The lovely shop assistant probably saw my excitement as she pretty much pounced on me whilst I was looking. Anyway I told her what I was looking for; the emphasis being on that the bikini bottom couldn't be a full brief-it had to be half (like a Brazilian cut). She got it straight away and started pulling out all manner of colours (blue,green, red and a pastel blue). With my arms full of bikinis, I went to try them on...I could see this taking a while. The pastel blue did not suit me so this went straight into the no bin. 

The only thing I found slightly perplexing whilst trying the bikinis on was that the shop assistants continually asked me how everything was going - I hadn't even got the first bikini off (give me chance)! Trying bikinis on is not new feat for many women but it's bloody fiddly in a small changing room when you have to do the straps up to the right tightness.

Sorry I digress - after trying all the bikinis I went for the red. I thought it suits me And could stand out on stage. So I left the shop a very happy customer; with a red bikini in toe and a new found determination to jazz/ bling it up 'Amy style' for Musclemania. Just to let you know we only have 19 days people till ill be up on stage! Thats 19 days till I'll be sticking Bikini bite (similar to tit tape) and spraying fake tan all over my body for the stage!! Nerves are kicking in now.

Musclemania poster!

The rest of the weekend was quite chilled. I spent some quality time with my boyfriend, most of it looking at the food I couldn't eat in the supermarket! Lol I have to admit (and might be a bit mushy) but he has been amazing whilst I've been training. It's not easy continually saying "no I can't eat that" and for someone to not roll their eyes or tempt you. I did have a little blip yesterday and yes the waterworks came...staying mentally strong all the time is really hard but after having a little cry I felt fine. So moral - crying is a way to release pent up emotions! 

And as its raining today - I'm going to do a bit of internet hunting to find some jewels/rhinestones to stick onto my bikini. The more bling I can put on it the better. I think a bit of fashion DIY is coming... Anyone got any top tips on what to do or not to do when blinging up a bikini?? 

Diamonds are a girls best friend...

This could go horribly wrong or surprisingly well, stay tuned for the after picture...

My monday thought - "Keep shining from the inside and people will see you sparkle on the outside"

Little Miss Fitness
Xx