CTBBFit

  So I have to admit that I cannot believe I am actually writing this blog post. I have been so skeptical of any ab products on the market because as you know, abs are revealed through hard work in the gym and nutrition that is on point. End of story. Right? Not so fast. I have really struggled with abs since I began in the fitness industry. I hate even using the term abs because we all have abs so let’s talk about shredded, visible abs. I have never had them. Never even seen a two pack. I am not genetically gifted in the ab department and my bodyfat stays between 15-19% typically in the off season so while I maintain a flat stomach, my baby abs never poke through. To add to that, after having a baby, I suffered from the dreaded lower abdominal pooch. Ok, so let’s not blame it on having a baby. What it really is, is extra body fat that I just haven’t gotten off and I tend to store more there as well as in my legs (but that is another post for another day). I started a phot...

    I get asked to describe how competition training differs from a general fitness and nutrition plan. Some clients come to me after seeing their friends or family members take the stage and they decide for some reason or another that they too want to compete. Now, let me go ahead and tell you that I am a competition coach and competitor myself so I am by no means attempting to thwart anyone’s goal or dream of stepping on stage, however I think that a detailed, brutally honest check list has been needed for some time.  So many clients start competition prep only to quit in the middle, falling short of their goal. It is my job as a coach to education on the reality of competing and the fact that it isn’t for everyone.  Finding time to train is hard enough with our busy schedules but training for a competition requires even more time and effort than that.  So  if you are considering taking the plunge into the competition world, please take some ...

(Complete transparency in one little post) It may not be a big deal to you but it is to me because for years I have coached women and men not to worry about the number on the scale. I preach it day in and day out. The scale is merely a tool. This is why we use body fat, measurements, and progress pictures as an indication of success. Well, I lied. Sort of. The truth is the scale is a tool that CAN determine your progress, but wreck your mental progress. For the past few months I kept telling myself I was ok with gaining for my offseason. In order for me to gain enough muscle to stand on the WBFF stage and look like I belong, I have some serious work to do. However, as I have reversed dieted and fluctuated and see development, I also see that number on the scale creeping up. My size 2 jeans are fitting a little more snug than they did before. My abs-gone. It hit me that I am letting that little electronic device do what I tell all of my clients not to do- let it define my...

  A new year always brings new goals and new resolutions. 2016 was very good to me  but 2017 is going to blow this year out of the water. In 2016, I competed twice after having a baby and learned some big lessons about taking time to grow. I was also blessed to join the Nspire Sports League (NSL) team as a judge. Taking on this responsibility was an amazing experience and to be honest, it has changed my focus and my life. I have watched this league has gain steam so quickly due to the caliber  of athletes they attract. The founders, Lee Thompson and Jen Thompson, are dedicated to transparency in bodybuilding and are committed to the athlete’s  experience. Richard Basantes and Jeff Belles, owners of NSL Atlanta, made theAtlanta show nothing short of the most professional show I had ever seen as an  athlete myself. Everything from the venue, down to the details of the post show experience (hello donuts for everyone) made me want to throw on a bikini an...

Did you know that the average person gains 5-10 pounds over the course of the holidays? The biggest problem with this is that most of those who gain, won't lose a pound per week once they have gained it. Most people will make a New Year's resolution to hit the gym or to eat healthier once January 1st hits. It takes some of my clients six months to work off holiday pounds. That is because you can't simply slash calories after the holidays once you have gained weight. Well you can, but you shouldn't. If you go on a fad diet come January 1st, or drastically restrict your calories, you are actually hurting your metabolism even more. Have you ever went on a diet and lost a few pounds but couldn't shake the last couple of pounds? That is what I am talking about! You are setting yourself up for disaster. Most of the "how to stay fit over the holidays," ( including a previous one written by myself- oopsie) will give you a laundry list of tips to have you...

If you have been following me even for a week, you know my obsession with almond butter. Well, recently that obsession had gotten me into even more trouble. I originally tried Fluffbutter about a year ago and quickly realized that I should never buy it again. The reason was simple. It was so freaking good that I ate both jars in a week. Fast forward to a much more disciplined girl and an increased ability to track macros like a boss and I am no longer afraid to venture outside of fish and asparagus. I started with the two almond butter flavors originally- Vanilla Maple and Brownie Batter. These are hands down my favorites. The vanilla maple flavor tastes like a cupcake. The consistency isn't runny like most flavored almond butter that I have had. The brownie batter is very chocolatey and doesn't disappoint as a touted brownie batter. And then there's the peanut butter. I have to admit that I gave up peanut butter a long time ago in favor of almond butter. However, w...