Shit happens...

Well some sad news to share.  I was dropped from Xcel Sports Nutrition for a silly post on facebook.  A year and a half with the company promoting them left and right and one post gets me dropped.  I was sad and angry and hurt BUT then I remembered that God always has a plan and this just wasn't in his plan for me anymore and wouldn't ya know it, I was picked up by a new company the NEXT day!!!  So I guess I need to say thank you to them for dropping me because I wouldn't have been able to accept this new offer if I was still under them.

So, my new sponsor will be announced within the next couple of days and I'm VERY excited about the opportunity. This is going to be a great step forward for me and I'm looking forward to the lasting friendships I make along the way.

Have a great 4th everyone.  GOD BLESS THE USA!!!

MuffinCup, Inc. Protein Muffins!!!!

For those of you who don't know, I run a small business called MuffinCup, Inc.  I hand make protein muffin/cupcakes.  They are all high in protein (10g or more) and low to no sugar, carbs or fat and gluten free!  They are for the sweet lovers who don't want the guilt afterwards.  Please visit my website www.muffincup.biz for more information.  Thank you

Bigger Better for Dallas

I have been so bad at updating this and I promise to take a few minutes out of my night to update you all.  I did Jr. Nationals 2 weeks ago.  Not my best showing.  My tan was bad and that really hurt me.  I ended up placing 11th (not bad but not good).  I was happy with my body, just not my tan ;)  So, I will never use them again and do better and look better in Dallas in 7 weeks.  I also learned that my body needs food.  I was a little flat and didn't look my best but put a burger fries and a salad in me and I look MUCH harder and MUCH better.  I do not do well on starvation diets.  Low Low calorie doesn't work for me.  My body likes the food.  I looked better on Sunday than I even did on Sat the day after the show.  2 days post show is when I should have been on stage.  So, this time we have a new game plan, eating more and staying lean but full.  7 weeks and it's show time in Dallas!!  Here we come Xcel Nation!!!

Monday Monday.......

Back at it today hard and heavy.  No time to rest.  I sent my contract in for Jr. Nats so I'm alllll set to go.  Hotel booked, tan booked, hair and makeup booked!  Woooooot.  I'm ready to kill it the next 5 weeks before I hit the stage again.  I'm so excited to be taking this ride with Xcel Sports Nutrition by my side for my fuel and Krusht Gear to keep me wearin the best workout clothes.  As of this morning I was 132.5.  Gonna try and keep that weight until showtime, while working out hard and squeezing alllll muscles possible.  Want to round out my shoulders a bit more and try and bring up my quads a bit with more tightness/hardness to them.  That's the plan at least.  I am working with a new trainer/friend and I'm hoping he can bring out the best in me in the next 5 weeks.  Between him and my coach Fak I think the changes will be significant.  Here's to the next 5 weeks!!

OFFICIALLY HANGING UP THE HEELS!!!

Ok, I set out to do what I wanted to do.  I re-qualified for Nationals!!  I took 3rd last night in womens physique!!!  I did both figure classes as well (masters 40+ and open) and didn't take top 5 in either one of them which just shows me I'm meant to be in physique.  I ended up 6th in the open class so missing top 5 by 1 and 10th in the masters class (which is a TOTAL joke!) but it's ok.  I don't wanna be in figure anymore anyway.  Not my thing.  So I'm officially hanging up the heels for good!  Good riddens!  Flat is where it's at ;)

4 days!!

OMG  4 days til I step on stage again.  Ahhhhh  I've waited for this moment!  I can't wait!!!  I've never been so ready to do a show in my life.  I have worked SOOOOO hard this year and I'm ready to show it off to the judges!  I'm still holding steady at 134.  Not really worried about it cuz I hold it well.  I am guessing about 130 on stage which is about 3 lbs heavier than last year.  Not bad.  I wanted a little more size this year and I think I achieved that.  I still have work to do (always) but I'm happy with this first package and by the time my last show rolls around I will be a BEAST!!! ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Thank you to Don and Becky from Xcel Sports Nutrition for havin my back!  I couldn't have done this without them!!!  I appreciate them more than anyone knows!  Here's to ya!!

1 week out!! Holy smokes!!

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww yeah!  1 week baby!!!  I am SO ready for this!  I can not wait to get on stage and represent Xcel Sports Nutrition, Fakhri Mubarak and myself.  I have never been so ready to get on the stage before.  Routine is set, ready to rock!!  I am so thankful to have Xcel behind me.  They have been the best ever and I'm very blessed.  I hope to make them proud.  Pics go to coach again tomorrow so we know what to do for the next couple days.  Very exciting!!  First of 4 shows this season.  Get the jitters outa the way and then be ready to win that CARD!!!!!

A little Rant....

So I read a post the other day that really struck a nerve with me.  It said (roughly) that the "life" we lead is not glamorous and we are sad in the off season, we only post pictures of ourselves and our food during prep and then we re-post them months later because we are unhappy with how we look when not on stage.  I mean really.  The person that wrote that is obviously in this for the wrong reason.  I post pics all the time of my prep and off season. I am NOT sad in my off season, I am strong as FUCK and I love it. Do I have extra pounds on me YES but I use those pounds to my advantage.  Are there times when I can't fit into pants sure, but I'm not ready to slit my wrists because of it.  I am in this to be the best me I can be.  I am a wife and a mom of 4 kids.  I am in this for me as well as them.  I want them to see that if you work for something and are dedicated to yourself, anything is possible.  I started bodybuilding late in life.  I started in 2008 and I was 36.  I am now 40 and in the best shape of my life!  I feel sorry for the person who wrote the original post because she obviously is the one feeling that way.  I am not.  I wish it wasn't directed at us in general as women in the sport because we are all not the same.

Getting Closer

Well peeps, I went to the Orlando Europa last week/weekend and had a blast.  I went with one of my best friends Jillian Reville who was competing in WPD and was so happy to be there with her.  She did great and she took 5th place.  1 pt closer to the Olympia :)  It really was exciting to be back in the thick of the action, it's where I love to be.  I saw another friend Courtney King win her bikini class and take a spot at the Olympia.  It made me REALLY READY to get back on that stage and rock it out!  I have check in's tomorrow with coach and I'm hoping he likes what I've done in the last week.  I'm down to 133.5 and maybe even less tomorrow.  My body has completely changed.  I had 4 people say something to me at the gym yesterday.  One said "wow, you've really leaned down, like even in the past 2 weeks".  One said "this is the best you've ever looked"  One said, "wow, her back is huge" and the other one said "you look ready!"  So, needless to say after being at the Europa AND the compliments I am READY TO XCEL!!!

2 WEEKS AND 3 DAYS PEOPLE... OMG!!!!  WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Managing my emotions....

Well, it happened.  I must admit it took longer this time to happen BUT it did!!  Today was not a good day for me.  I had a breakdown BIG TIME.  I am overwhelmed with everything I have on my plate right now and I just broke.  You can only stretch a rubber-band so far before it snaps!  I had a huge fight with a terriffic friend and ended up screaming and storming out.  I did go back and we both cried and hugged and we're ok now but the pressure of all I have to do go the better of me and I REALLY over stepped my bounds today.  I HATE feeling that way!!!  HATE IT.  Being a Mom trying to compete for reasons more than just competing, I want this to be my career, my life, my thing.  I have a husband 4 kids, 3 dogs, a house, cars a friend living with me in my basement, my prep which consists of double cardio and lifting (and I only get 2 hrs in the child center for my kids so I have to split it up), my son as Asperger's and we struggle daily, he's in Tae Kwon Do 3 times a week, my daughter is in gymnastics, my oldest daughter is going thru emotional issues and is seeing a therapist, my father in law passed away in Dec. and now my husband has no parents (his Mom passed in 2006), we have to empty his home that he lived in for 38 years and it's tough emotionally on my husband, my Aunt had breast cancer and had a mastectomy (she got her 5yr all clear thank God) but lost her job and now broke her ankle and has 8 pins in it, my mom is obese and so is my father, my mom has raging type 2 diabetes and had a lap band procedure but can't keep anything down and therefore isn't losing any weight.

Someone please...... help.......  I am losing my mind!!!!!!!!  4 weeks and I have to be on stage..

Check in time..... 5.5 wks out

Ok so pics went to Coach this morning and I feel good about them.  I'm currently 146, lost 4 lbs last week which is great.  I had 2 great weeks in a row, then the week before last I didn't lose anything so I was glad to see a 4lb loss this week.  5.5 weeks to go.  I'm getting excited.  Sent in my NPC Registration card and printed out my entry form.  Once I send that in it'll become REAL.

I can honestly say that this is the easiest prep ever.  My Coach Fakhri Mubarak has fed me so well that I have had minimal cravings nor the feeling that I want to cheat.  I love it.  I really can't believe I have NO cravings.  I mean ok, would I like some peanut butter, sure ;)  That being said, I'm hoping the next 5.5 weeks is as easy as the past 12 weeks.

In other news my son Ben is in his first ever Tae Kwon Do Tournament this weekend and we're so very proud of him.  He has Asperger's Syndrome so for him to get out there this weekend is a great accomplishment for him.  Please support Autism awareness this month.  Light it up BLUE :)

6 weeks out

Now here this...... I finally broke 150!!  Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I am now 148.5.  Soooo happy.  My body is responding and I'm loving it.  Check in with Coach on Wed so we'll see what he says.  Last week he said I look good, my body is changing and we're just gonna keep improving.

I went to a local bodybuilding show yesterday in Ottawa IL.  Saw some friends compete, hung with some friends and met a lot of new people.  Up and coming Figure girls, a Women's bodybuilder who won her class AND took the overall at her FIRST show ever!!!  Had a great time.  Did a video interview with Christian Duque of Strenthaddicts.com and figurebikini.com.  Check him out!!  He's a close personal friend of mine and he has helped countless women and men in the industry get their names out there.

Easter Sunday was great.  I went to church with my family, had a nice brunch and just hung out.  I love spending that quality time just doing nothing but being with each other.  Much needed break.

Tomorrow starts a new week and a new chance to make it great!  I hope everyone takes the opportunity to do something great for you or for someone else.  

Time to Xcel yourself.

                                                   Me and Mel Chancey from Rx Muscle

7.5 wks out...

I am in SHOCK.  My body is FINALLY responding the way it should.  I lost 7.5 lbs last week and am THRILLED with that.  My week was good, my food was on point, my lifts were great and I just am super happy it's starting to fall off.  Can't wait to see what my Coach says tonight and if there will be any food changes this week.  We carb cycled last week and that seemed to work really well ;)

I'm getting very excited now.  It'll be here before I know it.  Bring is 2013!!

Life put into perspective

I have some sad news.  A gym friend of ours was killed in a tragic car accident on Saturday.  It makes you think WOW life is really short.

I made sure to thank God that I am healthy and happy and asked him to watch over us.

I hope you all do not take your life for granted.  Take each day and make it the best you can. Be kind to one another, hold doors open, pay for someones meal, help an elderly person across the street.  Just be KIND because you never know.

HOLY WEIGHT LOSS!!! 8 weeks to go.

Ok so, I check in with my Coach on Wednesday's... This is how the last half of the week went for me weight wise.

Wed  158
Thurs  156
Fri  155.5
Sat 153.5

Yep, you read it right...  4.5 lbs!!!  Crazy!!!!!!!!  Sooooooooooooooooooo excited to see what the next 8 weeks is gonna bring.   IL State, here I come!!!   Good food will fuel your weight loss.  Yes, you read that right.  The right food will HELP you lose weight and tighten up.  I am proof!

A day in the life.....

Many people have asked me how I do it.  I am a wife a mom to 4 kids and 3 dogs ;)  It's tough some days prepping for a show I'm not gonna lie.  I get frustrated and crabby but I try real hard not to take it out on the family (although sometimes I do).  Here's my routine:

7am wake up
7:15 get kids up for school
7:30 make breakfast
7:45 pack lunches and put stuff together in backpacks, get coats and shoes ready
8am make sure dogs are fed, kids are ready
8:15 bus comes for Abby
8:30 bus comes for Ben
9am cardio
10am shower and change
10:30 eat
1:30 eat
4:30 eat
4:45 meet Mike at the gym
7pm come home, make dinner for the family
7:30 eat
8pm clean up from the night
8:30 get kids teeth brushed and ready for bed.
8:45 prayers said and lights out for the kids
9pm eat my last meal in bed
9:30 update my blog, facebook, get everything set for the next day
10pm sleep if I'm lucky.. it's usually around 12 I finally fall asleep

Then add in Ben's Tae Kwondo classes 3 times a week and Abby's gymnastics and Mike's band schedule and I'm FRIED by the weekend.. It's hectic but it's worth it.  I'm proud that I do it.  My kids are proud of me and that keeps me going.

Leg day...... almost barfed ;)

Holy smokes.. What a day!

Woke up, did fasted cardio came home and ate.  Went and did some shoelace shopping, came home, ate.. rested...ate...  see a pattern here?  :)  Then, it was leg time!!  I kicked my own ass that's for sure.  I shocked the crap outa my muscles by doing massive drop sets.  I got on the extensions to get my blood pumpin.  Did doubles then single leg 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 which equals 55 per leg.  I did 3 sets of those so if my math serves me correctly, that's 165 reps per leg.  Phew....  Did that for extensions and hamstrings.  Went and did deadlifts, waking lunges and weighted bridges.  Needless to say I almost puked!! It was AWESOME!!!  I came home, ate, now typing this as I eat my 6 egg whites ;)

Tomorrow is delt day :)  Let's see what I can do to myself tomorrow :)

Time to XCEL myself!!!
www.xcelsportsnutrition.com
www.krushthgear.com

Sunday Sunday Sunday

Hello all.  Hope you all had a good week, I did.  Trained hard ate great and rested today.  I am having a great prep so far, not really craving anything like I have in the past which is nice.  I think my mind has finally caught up to my body and I'm focused and ready to get that W.  No cookie or cake or reeses is worth a L. ;)

Nothing really new to report, which I suppose is a good thing.

On a side note I just would like to say that when people take advantage of friends it really pisses me off.  I don't know what they are trying to do but seriously.  This is enough already and I'm getting fed up!  I'm about to start my own "contest coverage" site and do it all myself.

Rant over

Xcel Question of the Day with Danae

New week...

Well hello all.  It's a new week for me.  Wed-Wed

After my check in with Coach, I get a little different food this week.  I can't tell you how excited I am to get avocado!  Woooooo  I'm so happy.  I lost 6 lbs last week and I'm thrilled with that.  I'm sitting now at 158.5.  I have cardio 6 days a week @50 min a session (stairs or incline tread).  Fun Fun.  BUT, that's what's gonna get rid of the excess fat.  As I type this I just finished my M2 and loved it.

Things are going really well so far in this prep.  I haven't really had any massive cravings (YET).  I feel good, I'm lifting good and killin the cardio.  I hope this lasts and I can just cruise this prep.  I have a feeling it'll get harder, it always does, but I'm ok with that.  I'm ready to be the BEST me this year and whatever it takes, I'll do.

Leg Day Routine

Killed my legs tonight.  Below you will see my routine for today.

2 sets of smith squats (no weight) to warm up my legs
4 sets of 15 smith squats
4 sets of sled leg press
4 sets of 15 single leg lunges
4 sets of 15 leg extensions
4 sets of 12 hamstring curls and seated curls
5 sets of straight leg deadlifts
5 sets of calves standing and seated
4 sets of plie squats (body weight)

Phew......  I WILL need a wheelchair tomorrow :)
www.xcelsportsnutrition.com

The 7 day difference

It's amazing what 7 days can do!  Today is on the left, last wed is on the right.

I'm super excited to see my body changing.  I only dropped .5 lb last week but as you can see my body TOTALLY changed!  We are not weighed in so weight doesn't matter.  I can't wait to see what the next 10.5 wks brings.  With Xcel Sports Nutrition behind me I'm sure it's gonna be the best me yet!!

1,000 lbs

Woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

PR. 185 baby!!

Thanks to Xcel Sports Nutrition and they're awesome pre workouts and supplements I have gotten a PR of 185 on bench.  Before you know it I'll be at 205 :)  Thank you XCEL!!

Tried 205..

No can do on 205 on bench :(  I thought that after my massage I would be able to do it but nope..stuck at 185.  I did it more times today so I'm happy about that and I'm ok with not getting 205.  There's always next week ;)  I'm seein changes in my body and I'm excited.  Leaning down without too much cardio makes me a happy girl.  I can't stand cardio!!

Monday BIG BACK day!

It's Monday, the sun is shining, the tank is clean (Nemo reference), its 43 degrees and I'm in a GREAT mood!  I went out on Sat night and actually had regular clothes on AND makeup ;)  It felt good to be out.  I went to see my husband play with my bestie Keri.  Modern Day Romeos put on a great show.

I feel good today, my DOMS are subsiding.  It makes me think though, it's as though I've never lifted before.  I get really sore these days.  I've been having hamstring cramping but it doesn't stop me.  I stretch it out and keep going. :)  Tonight's lift should be good.  I'm in a great mood and ready to kill my back and bi's.  I have been working real hard to bring my back up (judges and pro friends advice).  I have a naturally rectangle frame so I needed to widen my back to give my waist the "illusion" of being small ;)  I will never have a small waist so I just build my back instead. Let's hope the judges like what they see in 11 short weeks.

On a good note, I just got word that some customers of Xcel Sports Nutrition have been asking about me, how cool is that!  I am in talks with them about adding a show to my fall schedule because of the inquiries, stay tuned for more details with that.

Went to the grocery store this morning to prep my food for the week.  I took a pic of it cuz doesn't everyone buy 15dz eggs at a time ;)  The people behind me in line looked at me like I had lobsters crawling out of my ears.  If I only knew what they were thinking, but guess what, I don't really care.  I do what I do for ME, not anyone else.  This is a huge lesson I had to learn along my journey.  Do it for ME!  Friends will come and friends will go because of this sport but I will always be ME.

So, on that note.  Go out and be the BEST YOU CAN BE!  Take time for yourself, do something that makes YOU happy!!  Go XCEL yourself!!

Have a great Monday!
D-

11 weeks out

I am now 11 wks out and seeing little changes happening and I like it.  Knowing I have my coach and my sponsors behind me 100% is so awesome!  I wanna push it to the limit!!  Little changes in my diet this week as well as a little bit more cardio.  We shall see what happens with pics this coming wed.

More and more people are asking me about Xcel Sports Nutrition and I'm super glad.  They have amazing products that yield great results.  My husband Mike has been on the Retaliation and has seen tremendous gains on it.  Loving it!!

Muscles are aching which means I'm continuing to work hard.  I'm going to try and keep my strength this prep (if my body will let me).  For now, it's day by day, meal by meal.  My bench has gone up and I'm thrilled about that.  I got 185 6 times!!  I have been stuck at 135 forever it seems but now, I'm up.  I'm gonna try for 205 on Tues?  Can I do it??  Stay tuned!!  Videos will be coming soon of my lifts.  I have been loving my preworkout SILVER BULLET from Xcel Sports Nutrition.  It makes me crazy in the gym and I love it!!  People stare when I bench ;)  I know I know, I'm such a meathead ;)

I still worry, I think we all do, that I won't be ready in time.  It's such a mind game this sport especially for us women.  We're insecure as it is, let alone half naked up on stage having strangers judge us.  Isn't that what we've tried to avoid our whole life :)  It's hard but if I work to be the best ME I can be and be an inspiration so someone, then it's all worth it to me.  My kids are proud of me and that makes me happy.  My oldest daughter shares my videos with kids at her high school and they're all like "dude, I'm scared of your Mom".  She gets a kick out of it.  My twins know my routine and when I do cardio :)  My daughter is my food nazzi. She'll tell me "Mom, that's not on your diet".  So I have tons of people on my side which makes me happy and as long as I give it my all, that's all I can do.

I'm focused and ready to rock 2013!

Sunday Sunday Sunday

Sunday is my cooking day.  I cook all my protein for the week so it's all measured out and bagged and ready to eat at a moments notice.  The greens and carbs I cook as I go, unless I'm going to be out, then I'll make it ahead of time.  I really think it works best for me this way.  I prepare all my weeks worth of supplements in my pill boxes and I'm ready to hit the week at full speed.  In speaking with Don from Xcel Sports Nutrition the other day I am gearing up for another added show to my roster.  Hope my body can handle it.  Looking forward to it though and with them behind me supplying me with the correct supplements I should do just fine.

Have an awesome week everyone!  Check in later

www.xcelsportsnutrition.com
www.krustgear.com

12 weeks and counting.,

Well, it's that time again, prep season.  12 wks til the first show of the year and things are really kickin up a notch.  I have hired a new prep coach the one and only Fakhri Mubarak and am thrilled with my decision.  I also have been picked up as a sponsored athlete with Xcel Sports Nutrition (www.xcelsportsnutrition.com)  as well as KrushT Gear clothing (www.krushtgear.com)  I'm thrilled beyond words about it all and am looking forward to 2013.  I have my sights set on my Pro Card and I will stop at nothing to get it.

Come with me on this ride the next 12 weeks.  I do have to warn you though, it WILL get bumpy, so you'd better wear your seat belt :)