The Arnold Classic 2007 - Figure International Line Up

Sonia Adcock
Gina Aliotti
Jane Awad
Zena Collins
Mary Elizabeth Lado
Deborah Leung
Corry Matthews
Inga Neverauskaite
Amanda Savell
Chastity Slone
Briana Tindall
Julie Wallis
Christine Wan
Valerie Waugaman
Latisha Wilder

Figure International Championship 2006

Mary Elizabeth Lado - 1st
Monica Brant-Peckham - 2nd
Amanda Savell- 3rd
Chastity Slone - 4th
Jane Awad - 5th
Christine Pomponio-Pate - 6th

Poster of the Day

Quote for the Day

"Do or do not. There is no try."

-- Yoda

Look what I found!

http://ginews.blogspot.com/

Christine Pomponio-Pate IFBB Pro Figure

Poster of the Day

Do it anyway...

Achievement most often takes place under conditions that are less than ideal. Just because there is some problem or difficulty or shortcoming in your life at the moment, it does not prevent you from moving forward.

Focus not on what is missing or what is wrong. Focus on doing your very best within the circumstances as they are.

Seek not to find an excuse. Instead, do what you have chosen to do, create what you have chosen to create, live as you have chosen to live, no matter what.

If you wait until conditions are perfect, you'll spend most of your time waiting. You'll be far better off when you go ahead and put that time to effective and productive use.

There may be plenty of reasonable excuses for not moving forward. Go ahead and do it anyway.

Sure, it would be great if some things were a little different, yet the reality is that conditions are as they are. Do it anyway, for that is the way it will get done.

-- Ralph Marston

I'm all organised again....

Like the title says I'm organised and ready to get stuck back into it. :o)

Dad's well.....it's looking like he'll be discharged next week, fingers crossed. He's had all the drips, drains and catheters removed so he's much more comfortable now. The kidney's conintuing to function on it's own and for the first time in a couple of years he's able to go to the toilet for a number one. He'll move in with us whilst he's required to have daily bloods done at the hospital. So I'll get him settled in and drive him in for the first week so that he takes it easy. He's a typical old school male in that he's proud and stubborn, very stubborn. He could quite happily drive himself in and did that last time but not if I have anything to say about it that's for sure. He's under my roof now and the tables are turned. LOL!!


I also wanted to say a very special thank you to all of you who left a comment, sent me a message, rang me and bought me flowers (Miss Katie). Your over whelming love and support has helped me through a very challenging week and I honestly can say that you made it easier for me. So thank you from the bottom of my heart and I only hope that I can one day return you the favour. :o)

There's no more mister nice guy folks the gloves are off and it's all systems go! I've had absolutely no problems with any of my weight training to date so I'll be returning back to my original weights and working up from there. *yipee*


As for my nutrition, I've made some changes to co-incide with my short-term goal. I've decided that I'm going to use the Phat Camp as a short-term goal so that I can tidy up my condition after having an entire month off whilst I was recovering from surgery. I'm now eating every two and a half hours and have had to add in an extra meal. *hmmm*
I'm going to have my cake and eat it too. Not technically I'm not but literally I am. LOL!! After much discussion with my wonderfully wise husband we've come to the decision that I'm going to have to step outside my comfort zone in the name of my sport. You see, I'm a routine girl and I love to live my life by an organised routine but that's not to be the case anymore. Well I do but I don't if that makes sense. I'll get to get up at a respectable hour of 0600hrs every morning and get to bed at 2200hrs with a good eight hours rest and recovery. But as for my working day well that's all determined by the programmed lessons. I'll simply have to set up my schedule in accordance with my work's program one week at a time and sort my training and nutrition timings from there. So it's not all so bad, it'll take a little getting used to but I know that in the long run it's what has to be done. Looking at the glass half full is that my metabolism will constantly be second guessing itself due to the constant daily change of timing for training and nutrition. This will also mean that I'm less than likely to suffer plataue's. It's a small price to pay for long term benefits. So I'll get to get up at a reasonable hour and still have enough time of an evening to get everything done over at Physique Essentials. :o)


Well I'm going to get back to listening to Triple J Hottest 100. Happy Australia Day Everyone! :o)

Happy Australia Day 2007

Australia Day, January 26, is the biggest day of celebration in the country and is observed as a public holiday in all states and territories.

On Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation.

It's the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future.

Jenny Lynn IFBB Pro Figure

Quote of the Day

"Your attitudes and the choices you make today

will be your life tomorrow, build it wisely."

-- Author Unknown

Poster of the Day

I've just registered! *yipee*

20th - 22nd April Melbourne, Australia

27th - 29th April Gold Coast, Australia

4th - 6th May Sydney, Australia

Click Here To Sign-up

Oxgyen On Sale Now!

Burn Fat Faster!
We reveal the secrets of high-intesity interval training.

10 Minutes to Better Health?
Yes, it is possible!

Star Jumps? Bring 'em On!
An old school move perfect for full body training.

Discover Your Inner Quite
Unwind and relax in just 13 minutes a day.

You are Beautiful
Learn to love your looks for a healthier, happier you!

New Look
This issue Oxygen has undergone some exciting new changes resulting in a brighter and lighter new look. Tell us what you think by emailing editor@oxygenmag.com.au

Good News

Dad's kidney has just kicked in so it looks like we're out of the woods for the time being so here's hoping that this is a sign of things to come. :o)

Poster of the Day

Thankful for it all

Gratitude is like putting money in the bank. Practice it every chance you get.

Every day is filled with opportunities to be thankful. You can be thankful for your blessings, for your problems, for the things you know, for the things you've yet to learn, and for everything in between.

When you sincerely enjoy and appreciate life's small, simple treasures, the big, impressive achievements will soon be headed your way. Demonstrate, with joy and enthusiasm, your appreciation for something, and you're likely to get much more of it.

Choose to be gloriously thankful simply for the fact that you're alive and aware. You will notice an immediate and profound improvement in your day.

Every thankful thought you think connects you more solidly to life's magnificent abundance. The more you appreciate something, the more real value it takes on.

So challenge yourself to be truly thankful for all that is around you, for all that is in you, and for all that happens to you and through you. By so doing, you give richness and value to everything you touch.

-- Ralph Marston

I'm on an emotional roller coaster ride

You would think that I would be on top of the world right now..........don't get me wrong I am..........but I'm also experiencing a lot of very mixed emotions. It's difficult to even put into exact words and I have to admit my nutrition and training has suffered this week becuase of it through no fault of my own. I'm just thankful that I'm not competing this year so that I can afford to be more flexible and concentrate on the important things in life like family. This whole experience has test the very essence of me and it's far from over yet. :o)

When Dad finally gets discharged from the hospital he'll be staying with us for at least a month and possibly even longer. You see he's still required to go back to hospital everyday for blood tests so it makes sense considering he lives two and a half hours drive away. He did that with the first kidney transplant as he had no other choice where as now he does have the choice. After all, it's why I moved over here so that I could support him. :o)

I guess I just need to take things one day at a time and try to deal with everything the best I possibly can. Dad doesn't see it and nor do I let him, when I'm in at the hospital I'm positive and bright and bubbly and that's the way that it should be. I'll deal with my emotions on my time, not his. I mean I have nothing to complain about in the big scheme of things and often feel selfish even feeling like this when he's going through what he's going through. Like I said it's an emotional roller coaster ride and I can not wait to get off it! :o)

I'm thankful for all that I am and all that I have and may I continue to find my inner strength to ensure that I get through each and every day to the best of my abilities. :o)

Poster of the Day

Quote of the Day

"You are never a loser until you quit trying. "

-- Mike Ditka

Me & Dad

Slow and steady wins the race......

Well folks, it's been one whirlwind of a weekend and I'm happy to report that it's so far so good. We're far from out of the woods yet but it's only a matter of time now. Everything went well and we're just waiting for the donor kidney to actually kick in and start working. :o)

I'm sorry that this is going to be short and sweet but I really must get back to the hospital. I'm currently on compassionate leave from work for the week so that I have the flexibility to do what's required. But I did want to thank you all again for your sincere well wishes, you're all an incredible support network of which you possibly don't realise the effect it really does have on me. I don't know what I'd do without you all so on that note I really must go before I start to cry. :o)

xo

Celebrate

Make today a celebration of the good fortune you have to be alive and aware and able to make a difference in your world. You will pass through this day only once, so fill it with joy while you're here.

Imagine traveling for hundreds of years through darkness and silence, and then suddenly arriving at where you are right now. Get out and explore the magnificent landscape that's filled to the brim with possibilities.

See the colors, taste the flavors, feel the warmth and texture of it all. And delight in the truly awesome ability that you possess to make it even better.

Every important occasion calls for a joyous celebration. And what could be a more important occasion than life itself on this very day?

Make every moment, every thought, every action into a celebration. Whatever you find yourself doing, do it with a joyful heart.

And see how many others you can infect with your joy. For the more you think about it, the more you know that this is truly a day to celebrate.

-- Ralph Marston

Poster of the Day

Dad's got a kidney!

I've literally just got of the phone from speaking to my Dad. The Australian Organ Donor Register has just found him a compatible kidney and they're operating tonight! I'm about to throw some things together and head into St. Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne so that I can be there with him again. After all, that's what I moved here for. :o)

I'll be in touch. xo

Quote of the Day

"Champions aren't made in the gyms.

Champions are made from something they have deep inside them

-- a desire, a dream, a vision."

-- Muhammad Ali

Poster of the Day

Can you believe it!

Monica Brandt has left a comment in the post titled "Ladies you'll love this". I emailed her about her t-shirts and not only did she reply the very next day but she also left a comment. Well you know what, her promptness and effort has really impressed me so now she's won my vote! Again nothing's impossible and nothing's unachievable if you simply try! :o)

I'm ordering "Chicken or Chocolate. The Choice is Yours" next week and as soon as I get it I'll get a picture taken and post it here. Does anyone care to join me? ;o)

P.S. Considering the great response from you lovely ladies who also want a chocolate t-shirt, as suggested it makes more sense to put together the one order. So here are all the details:

Cost: $25.00 AUD + P&H (you need to source the postage from me to you and include in price)
Sizes: Small (Size 8-10), Medium (Size 12), Large (Size 16) & Extra Large (Size 18)
Front: Chicken or Chocolate. The Choice is Yours.
Back: www.monicabrant.com

For those seriously interested email me and I'll reply with my banking details for an electronic transfer of funds. Once I have all the orders and funds then I'll place the order in, all the time keeping you in the loop. I'd like to place the order in for next week. :o)

Work, work and more work

Well it’s my first week back at work and gym and boy has it been busy. DOMS have set it, especially after leg day. LOL!! Would you believe it, I’ve never been so happy to be in this much pain again. I must be crazy! ;o)

Now for those that don’t know already it’s to be my last year here in location and at the end of this year we’re on the move again. East Sale is to be our next home. That’s one of the great things about being in the Air Force, we get to travel this beautiful country of ours and experience some of the great things it has to offer. I know I don’t really talk that much about work, there’s very good reason why I don’t and it’s not because I don’t want to it’s because I can’t. So I hope you all understand. I can talk about general information but that’s about it. It’s a small price to pay in the big scheme of things. :o)

But I can say that I’m going to be getting paid more for doing the job of a higher rank than I currently am so I’m pretty happy with that. I already know where the money is going, it’ll go towards setting up my website so it’ll be money well spent in my opinion. :o)

This year’s current program at work is looking to have a huge impact on my personal time management and this is where being flexible comes in. I’m going to have to make some sacrifices of my own time which is totally okay and completely re-write my spreadsheet which lays out my time management. It’s a constant work in progress anyway and I really don’t mind that much. You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do sometimes. :o)

So I’m definitely going to by typing up my blog at work on a word document, then sending it home, copy and pasting it, then posting it up once I’m online at home of an evening. So the only thing I miss out doing is visiting everyone’s blogs and leaving comments on a more regular basis but I will try. :o)

Well folks…..that’ll do for now. I hope you’re all having a great day and I’ll be back very soon. xo

Poster of the Day

Leg Day

Legs
2x15 @ 50kg Leg Extensions
3x15 @ 20kg Sumo Squats
1x10 @ 23kg & 1x10 @ 28kg Seated Hamstring Curl
2x10 @ 30lb Dumbbell Stiffleg
2x15 @ 15kg Seated Calf
2x15 @ 40kg Calf Press

Cardio
2 x 5km Bike Ride

Weight: 59.7kg

Ladies you'll love this.... :o)

Monica Brant

Pathway to achievement...

The best way to figure out how to do something is to do it. Make the commitment to make it happen, and you'll start working your way through the details.

Don't get bogged down speculating on how something will come about. Instead, get started on the best approach you have, and follow the path wherever it may lead.

When traveling along a road, you can never see the entire road at once, but that doesn't really matter. What does matter is successfully making your way through the portion of the road that is right in front of you.

Work through the things that are to be done right now, and you'll put yourself in position to handle the things that come along later. Travel down this section of the road, and you'll then be able to travel the next section, and the next.

If you put all your energy into worrying about every little detail of how to reach your goal, you won't ever get started. Instead, put your energy into reminding yourself why you have chosen to go there, and then do whatever it takes along the way.

You'll never know precisely how something is to be done until you actually do it. So go ahead, get started, and discover your own unique pathway to achievement.

-- Ralph Marston