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My 2nd Skin Fold Measurements

Quick announcement as I have to eat breakfast and head of to the gym for my morning training session. I've posted up my second skin fold measurements this morning here for those that are insterested in following my progression. And then this afternoon I'll have my weight and all my symmetry and compulsory photos posted up also.

But in the mean time ladies have a fabulous day, I know I will! :o)

Poster of the Day

On The Road Again - Part II

I'm sitting in the passenger seat of my car on my way back from Echuca to Sale. This is time management at it's best ladies. LOL!! Waste not want not. I have six hours to fill so what better way to spend it than typing a blog on my smart phone.

It was up bright and early this morning for breakfast then cardio at the local gym. Mum's home is bodybuilding user friendly so it's always stoked with our nutritional requirements and paraphernalia which obviously makes travelling back home a whole lot easier. The gym I use isn't to bad until my friends gym is up running. Jim is the current NABBA/WFF Mr Universe Superbody Over 30 and is in the process of setting up a brand new bodybuilding gym in conjunction with his business partner Graeme Lancefield NABBA/WFF National & Victorian President. So next trip home I'll have the pleasure of training in it, can't wait.

15 weeks out today, can you believe it! Time is flying by this time around for comp prep, but then again my personal circumstances are also very different. Due to my not being where I should be deciding to do weekly photos, skin folds and weigh-in was a good idea. It keeps just enough pressure on me to prevent any unnecessary lapses. So for me and my prep it's a good thing. If you're interested in seeing the photo's and reading the results you'll find them posted up there every Sunday.

Everything's 100% on track and I'm training like a tired woman possessed. I had my annual physical fitness test last week which of course I passed. That's done and out of the way for another year. So again, there are also my work requirements to maintain peak health and fitness of which I take very seriously. I certainty don't lack personal or professional motivation when it comes to figure competing. But just like everyone else I have my fair share of good and bad days where I struggle with being inspired and continually staying motivated. Here's a little something to remind us all that no matter how hard we think our life is, there's always someone out there who's got it a whole bunch worse. I've been thinking of this post often lately and it inspires me to carry on and do whatever it takes!

Lindy Olsen.com Forum is growing quickly. There are familiar faces in there already and some new ones which is really great to see. Already we have some great information posted up so be sure to check it our for yourself if you haven't already taken advantage of the free offer of membership. I've written yet another article titled "Personal Trainers & Goal Setting". It'll be posted up in our Article Database for members to read very soon. I'm interested in what you think of it, good, bad or otherwise. After all, you guys are my target market and I have to ensure what I write about is relevant and useful.

You would've noticed more changes to my blog. Blogging for Dummies has been a great resource book and it's only just the beginning. There's more changes yet to come and once I'm happy with how it looks and works then I'll move over to my next project, my website. I already own my domain name www.LiaHalsall.com so I'm part way there. As for my blog, it'll be incorporated into my website for ease of navigation. But like most athletes starting out I'll start small but will have it set up so that is has the flexibility for growth as myself and my future projects grow. I've already started the ball rolling with regards to my own logo. Thanks Di for the great referral. Over all it's a pretty big project I'm working on so I'm happy to take my time and do it in stages. But from now on I'll keep you up to date with what is happening as it actually eventuates. The plan is to have it completed by the second half of the year.

Well I'm only an hour from home now. As soon as we get home we have to unpack the car so that I can head straight out to the gym for my second cardio session. It's raining so I have to head indoors unfortunately so I will use this time to catch up on my reading. Once again, time management is imperative at times like this. It's amazing how much more there is to blog about when you have the time to do so and the fact that I enjoy it makes it all worth while. I hope you all had a great day and an even better one tomorrow. Until next time remember, do whatever it takes! :-)

Photo of the Day

On The Road Again - Part I

Well ladies, I'm back in Echuca. Daniel and I drove three hours this morning from Sale to Melbourne to pick Mum up from Peter MacCallum Cancer Clinic. Then we drove another three hours this afternoon from Melbourne to Echuca to bring Mum home. Mum has now had her first lot of chemotherapy treatment and it all went pretty well, no nausea or vomiting. *touch wood* The original plan changed and now she's having three days of chemotherapy followed by three weeks at home for a period of three months.

Mum also picked up some appropriate head wear on the way out of the hospital for when her hair starts falling out. This got to her, the realisation is well and truly setting in and losing her hair upsets her a lot. Once it actually starts falling out we're going to shave it off. That way, Mum can control what happens to her hair and when instead of waiting and watching it fall out over an extended period of time. It's been a really big week for her and she's suffering from information overload. Don't get me wrong, the hospital, the staff and their many services they offer their patients are second to none but with the multitude of specialists she has spoken to and the information they have provided her with it's just been a little overwhelming to say the least.

So tomorrow we're packing her up and taking her home with us to Sale. Mum lives by herself you see and the doctors won't allow her to be left alone without help so I happily stepped in and offered her my services and home. So much so we've moved out of our master bedroom (with ensuite and walk-in-wardrobe) just so she could be comfortable, that way she can still have her privacy. Mum didn't want us to make such a fuss but in all honesty it's a much better arrangement for everyone. We're down one end of the house and she's up the other so it's all good. We'll have her staying with us for at least the three months whilst she's having treatment, maybe longer.

So once again I've been travelling all over Victoria. The good thing about this time is that I didn't sabotage my diet or training like I have in the past. I was a lot more organised and with the help of my wonderful husband he ensured I did whatever it took! Life has become so incredibly busy these days I try my best to squeeze as much as I can into my 24 hours. Unfortunately a lot of things have had to take a back seat, like reading and commenting on blogs. I know that you lovely ladies take time out of your very busy days to post a comment on mine but unfortunately until things settle down and we have ourselves a new routine there just isn't enough time in my day for it. I know you understand considering my current circumstances so for that I thank you.

Well there's a whole bunch more I want to blog about but it's past my bed time. I've been a little bit run down this week so I have to ensure I get adequate rest and sleep. So on that note, I bid you all good night. xx

Oxygen On Sale Now!

Here is the link!

Quote of the Day

"It is a rough road that leads to
the heights of greatness."

-- Seneca

Squats & Skins

Lisa I never thought I'd see the day that I would hear the words "you're squatting to low". I mean, are you kidding me? I was a absolute squatting disaster before and now this. LOL!! I was not only surpassing my parallel level (which was okay in my mind after not squatting deep enough) but at the bottom of the squat I was placing my spine in a not so safe position which could result in an injury. That my friends is not a desirable outcome. So Daniel sat in front of and to the side of me to watch my form and technique. With a little tweaking here and there and adjustments of the safety bars I think we've found a happy medium for me to work in effectively and when I say effectively I mean ensuring I get everything I possibly can out of this exercise. If I put 100% into something then I sure as hell want to get 100% out of it.


I've also started wearing my brand new Skins. Here's a little information from the skins website:

"Skins™ BioAcceleration Technology™ has been developed over years of scientific research. Ongoing testing of elite athletes have proven that Skins™ BioAcceleration Technology™ creates marked improvements in reducing the build-up of lactic acid immediately after periods of sustained exercise (2hrs and 15 mins up to 37% ), and allows for more rapid return to normal levels (up to 38% at 20 minutes). You experience less fatigue, minimise soreness and recover faster.

Skins™ is body-moulded compression performance equipment manufactured from the finest Lycra and Meryl Microfibre, scientifically engineered to provide support and muscle alignment to the smart-fabric covered area of your body. Skins™ will definitely change the way that you train and play as well as speed your recovery. You will feel fresher after heavy bouts of exercise and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) will be minimised."

I believe in them so much so that not only do I wear them when I'm training but also for the remainder of the day to help with my recovery. Anything to ensure I can walk for the remainder of the week. LOL!! I've also been getting up super early to train because I'm starting work at 0630h this week. This morning I was up at 0330h so I could train at 0430h. After a terrible night's sleep of having a full bladder that needed emptying twice and the constant waking up worried I would sleep in and miss my training session I simply got up and did whatever it takes. It's plain and simple, do what I have to do because I alone chose it.

As for the rest of my comp prep things are traveling along nicely at the moment. Actually since I made the decision to not eat off-plan for the remaining 16 weeks I don't feel I'm anywhere near as food focused as I was before. Instead of transfixing on what I will eat for my one off-plan meal for the week day in day out I now just concentrate on one meal at a time one day at a time and just getting on with the job. It was actually an evil distraction in retrospect due to my relationship with food and my potential bad choices and/or binging. Slowly but surely I'll get there, I honestly believe that now and it's only a matter of time before it becomes habit.

JD rang me today and we talked about my commitment. He agreed no more eating off-plan for this figure chicky. It's head down and bum up from now on with no what if buts or maybes. It's ALL or NOTHING.

Mum was admitted into hospital today and we now have a confirmed diagnosis of small cell lung cancer. It's quite a rapid growing cancer which is why they're starting her chemotherapy treatment either today or tomorrow. So what's going to happen is she' ll have 3-4 days of treatment then 3-4 days recovery. What we're going to do is pick her up and take her back home to Echuca. That way we can take care of what we need to take care of and bring her back home with us to Sale. Her treatment will be over a period of six weeks so we'll be taking care of her in-between her visits to hospital. It will also mean a lot of traveling as it's a three hour drive from Sale into Melbourne. So now we know what we have to do we can plan ahead so that my comp prep's all taken care of.

Well folks, it's time to go. I'm ahead of schedule shock horror today so I'm off to do my cardio. Enjoy the rest of your day and remember, do whatever it takes! :o)

Poster of the Day

Did you know that....

just one Krispy Kreme Original Glazed contains the following breakdown:

Calories: 201
Protein: 2.4g
Cabohydrates: 21.8g
Sugar: 10.4g
Total Fat: 12.0g
Saturated Fat: 3.0g

It's something to think about before we open our mouths and indulge in just one doghnut isn't it. :o)

My 1st Skin Fold Measurements

*crack…..ouch*

That's the sound of the slap in the face I just visualized for myself. Today was my very first time of taking skin fold measurements and to say that the results were disappointing was a complete understatement. Not that I was surprised because I knew I was behind in my preparation but I didn't expect them to be that bad. Before you say anything, no I'm not just being melodramatic about it either I'm way off the mark. As I've mentioned before I have no-one to blame but myself, that's the worst part to accept.

For some unknown reason this year's competition preparation has been a whole lot more challenging than it was in 2006. I have struggled with every aspect of it at one time or another which isn't normal for me either. I guess it's just one of those things that you can't explain and just have to live with not matter what the cost.

After I had a couple of hours of my results doing my head in and looking back over old photos confirming how behind I really was I have pulled my head out of the sand and come up with a plan. Once again, it was back to the proverbial drawing board. Some of you may read this post thinking to yourself "you've done this to yourself and you've started from scratch time and time again" so what's going to be different this time? Well you know what, you can think that, you can even say that to me as it's rightly deserved but at the end of the day this is me and my life and what I do to myself effects me and me only. So I'm just going to get on with it.

I've had to take the gloves off on myself this time and this is what I'm doing to ensure that's there no more self-inflicted sabotage:

Promissory contract ensuring/enforcing I do whatever it takes
No more off-plan eating until after I compete
Eating all my meals and snacks at the kitchen table at home and work, everywhere else is off-limits
Daily goals set and followed up at end of day
Daily time management matrix set and followed up at end of day
Take weekly symmetry and compulsory photos to apply more pressure to stay on track
Take weekly skin fold measurements to apply more pressure to stay on track
Blogging and being even more open and honest about what's really going on in my head
Take things one day at a time
Practice what I preach!

I think that about covers it all for today, don't you? LOL!! If there's anything else you think I missed please feel free to share your ideas with me. A problem shared is a problem halved. And for those of you that are interested in knowing what my skin fold measurements are you can find them over at Lindy Olsen.com in the Members Forum. But for now it's time for me to get organised for the working week ahead which starts tomorrow to ensure that I reach my daily and weekly goals.

Happy Easter. :o)

Photo of the Day

How do I change?

"If I feel depressed I will sing.
If I feel sad I will laugh.
If I feel ill I will double my labour.
If I feel fear I will plunge ahead.
If I feel inferior I will wear new garments.
If I feel uncertain I will raise my voice.
If I feel poverty I will think of wealth to come.
If I feel incompetent I will think of past success.
If I feel insignificant I will remember my goals.
Today I will be the master of my emotions."

-- Og Mandino

I'm finally back home in Sale

In this last month I've clocked up a lot of extra kms in my car so I know I don't have to worry about achieving my yearly kms. The drive from here to Melbourne is 3hrs. The drive from here to Echuca is 6hrs. So the constant tooing and throwing has certainly added up and I'm glad to be finally back home. For the time being anyway but I'm just not sure for how long at this stage.

Mum's being admitted into Peter Mac next week , more than likely for the entire week. They need to conduct another biopsy as the first one didn't collect enough cells to correctly diagnose whether or not it's the primary cancer and then what type it is. As soon as they get a confirmed diagnosis her treatment will begin which at this stage looks to be chemotherapy. That's about all that we know at this stage so I'll keep you up to date as we progress along.

So I guess there's been a lot going on in my life of late hasn't there. Some good, some not so good. It's taken it's toll on me both psychologically and physically. And yes, I'm behind the eight ball when it comes to my competition preparation. But so be it, nothing I can do about what's behind me only what's in front of me. I'm 16 weeks out today and it's 4 weeks until FILEX 2008 where I'll be standing in front of my personal trainer Jon Davie. *insert scary music here*

To say that I'm not concerned is an understatement but I'm not giving up and quitting due to my circumstances. I know that it can be done and it can be done well, history has proven itself with a couple of past competitors I know. So what is it going to take to catch up? Well I've decided that I'm not having any off-plan meals between now and when I see Jon Davie. He will decide whether or not I can afford to have them or not for the remaining 12 weeks of my competition preparation. Either way, it just has to be done whether I like it or not. I'm done the crime, so now I have to pay the time.


My appointment with my sports psychologist Jacqui Louder last week went well. As usual she's great! I left there feeling so much better within myself and with a whole bunch of new tools for my toolbox. So now I'm much better prepared to tackle the remaining competition preparation that I have left, although it's not going to be easy but it's what I want so onwards and upward from here on. I've decided due to the sensitivity of our monthly appointments that I'm not going to reveal all the details or share the information that she gives me here on my public blog anymore. I will however be creating a private folder over at Lindy Olsen.com in the Members Forum which will be for approved members only to read about. So if you want to follow my progression and learn about how I cope and manage with varying emotional issues during my competition preparation come on over and register to find out. Oh and by the way in case you hadn't noticed already the forum is temporarily down. We're experiencing some glitches so have had to change from the existing forum to a new one which is much better for all to use and navigate. Once it's up and running I'd love to hear about what you think about it, after all it's for not only us to use but mostly the members.

So I have my work cut out for me over the next 4 and 16 weeks haven't I. Speaking of which I'm going to type up a contract of which both myself and my wonderful husband will sign. It's basically giving him permission to do whatever it takes to get me to do what is required on those times when I'm feeling some what less than inspired and motivated. It probably sounds silly to you all but I have to do whatever I can to ensure that I don't have any more hiccups along the way. I have to do whatever it takes no matter what the circumstance. So on that note I best get that done before I have to head out and do my afternoon cardio.

I hope you all have an excellent easter. And remember, chicken or chocolate the choice is yours! :o)

Happy Birthday Rae

Photo of the Day

Hope

I wish I knew what words to write, but I don't. I wish I knew what words to say, but I don't. I wish I knew what feelings to feel, but I don't. I wish I knew what the answers where, but I don't. Life at the moment is challenging me in every aspect of the word and I just don't know. I don't know how I got here and I don't know my way home. I am just lost.

Mum and I are heading back down to Melbourne tomorrow morning to the Peter MacCallum Cancer Clinic. So yet another challenging day ahead of us but hopefully there'll be further clarification. There's a possibility it's more widely spread than originally thought so x-rays and a bone scan will determine that outcome. Chemotherapy is the course of treatment that has been recommended. It won't reverse or even cure the cancer, but it will slow it down a little buying us more time with her. Anything past 12 months will be a bonus and that's what we're hoping for. Fingers, toes, arms, legs all crossed.

Whilst we're down there I've also managad to squeeze in an appointment with my sports psychologist, it'll be the first one for this year and boy do I need it. I want to address some issues with the athlete component of my brain and get all that stuff squared away. At nearly 16 weeks out I can't afford to screw up my competition preparation. I know to some this may sound really selfish and it is but I need this for myself. Mum may be dying but I am not and I have to try and live somewhat of a normal life. I don't even know if that is possible at the moment but I have to try at least. I owe it to myself.

Enough said for today. But I do want to thank all of you who have left me comments, sent me emails and text messages. Your thoughts and well wishes bring a glimmer of hope and happiness into my days so THANK YOU!! xx

She's baaaaack!

Erica's back and with a vengance this year. Check out her blog. ;o) xx

Quote of the Day

"You cannot make yourself feel
something you do not feel,
but you can make yourself
do right in spite of your feelings."

-- Pearl Buck

What can I say....

Today wasn't a good day at the hospital. :o(

Photo of the Day

Bookings are going fast

Dallas Olsen our resident sports photographer has been taking bookings like there's no tomorrow for this years season. Figure girls from around the world are getting in early this year so that they don't miss out, myself included. LOL!!

So for those girls that will be competing in the INBA All Female Classic there are five spaces left to be booked. It's not to late, if you are interested email me to secure your spot. Here's my previous post for those that would like some more information. :o)

Valarie Waugaman Retires!

Photo of the Day

This is me at the moment LOL!!

This is going to be a looong post

What a whirlwind of a week it's been. *phew*

Mum is still working so I've been helping her out by doing all the physical labour for her. She gave notice and next week will be her last week as she physically can't do it anymore. So thankfully I'm here until she finishes work which will make things that little bit easier.

Yesterday was an enormous day for us in every sense of the word. We were both up at 0530h to start the day, the early bird catches the worm. Mum's a courier driver so we had her morning deliveries to do. All her work's done before the business even open here and being in the military I'm accustomed to the early mornings. Then it was straight back home so I could take my supplements before heading to the gym for weight training. With no time to waste I came straight back home so we could head to Melbourne. It's a three hour drive from Echuca to Melbourne. Mum had her appointment for an ultrasound guided biopsy of her lung and to have the fluid drained off it. All went well so we were back in the car to drive the three hours home. Home safe and sound, it was time for my dinner before I headed out again for my evening cardio session. By the end of our evening we were both exhausted.

Now I could've made all the excuses in the world as to why it's to hard to eat clean nutrition and why I didn't have time to train but excuses are not an option for me. I prepared all my snacks and meals the evening before so that they were ready and on hand when I needed them. I packed my food and water into my cooler bag so there was absolutely no excuse to eat off plan of which I didn't. Actually it was quite funny because I was sitting in the waiting room eating my chicken salad yesterday thinking to myself that this is whatever it takes. Yes I was rushed and tired but I had to go the extra mile. When you see a loved one who was every reason to complain due to their health it pretty much bought me back to reality. I have nothing to complain about all things considered. So in saying that, no matter what you face in life there is no excuse to not eat clean and train, I've now learnt my lesson and won't be slipping up ever again.

JD also rang yesterday. *insert scary music here* The verdict of my recent photos is that I have gone backwards. Surprise surprise.....with every crime there is a penalty that has to be paid so I graciously accepted mine as it was self-inflicted after all. He was straight up with me (of which I appreciate) and although he is empathetic to my circumstances he questioned me again as to am I in the right place to commit 100% to my preparation. Of course I said yes and now it really it 2008 Whatever It Takes! So things have ramped up and in all honesty I'm loving it, I'm tired but I'm loving it.

Nutrition 100%
Supplements 100%
Water 100%
Weight 100%
Cardio 100%

I'm on fire ladies. LOL!! Already I can feel that my cortisol levels have dropped because I've dropped fluid and my clothes are feeling looser. I may be a little behind at this stage but it's nothing I can't make up. So all in all everything's travelling along nicely for my competition preparation.

On another note I've taken a picture of my saffron rice I made this week. I eat basmati rice of which I was growing very tired off so for a change I made saffron rice. It's a simple change that is visually appealing with no added calories, big bonus. But there a trick to achieving a good saffron rice. If you'd like to know email me and I'll share my kitchen secret with you.


I've also been shopping online again, surprise surprise. LOL!! I bought a couple of books from http://www.amazon.com/ They are:



You're going to be seeing more changes here on my blog in the near and distant future in preparation for my website launch. So I'm doing a lot of background research on top of everything else I'm doing. LOL!! Nothing like having a full plate, I can't help myself. I don't know when this will all come to fruition but it will happen hopefully later this year, well that's the plan.

I also have