FiftyFierce

'You get strong in the gym-you get lean in the kitchen.' After reading a popular bodybuilding magazine yesterday, this was the only gem I came away with. Part of this is that I didn't read anything new, nothing that hasn't been said before, many times, many ways. With my 40th-year-in-the-gym celebration coming up, I've learned a thing or two along the way (actually, pretty much seen it all in the gym) and until we start harnessing bionic parts or some such embellishment, the

I know I said I didn't reach my goal (refresher: to enter a Natural Body-Building Competition) - but, I never said "I give up" and I never will! Now that you can see for yourself, what do you think of my progress towards that goal? I wanted to keep, and hopefully put on, some additional size (biceps, triceps, chest - more please! Butt, thighs - take a hike!) and that caused me to go lighter on cardio, keep my calorie intake on the high side and my reps low with heavy weight

Before the leash is let go, let's get the statistics out of the way first so we can move on to the results! Start Date: 10/10/2015 Weight: 154 lbs. Measurements: Chest - 39 1/2" Right Arm - 12 3/4" Left Arm - 12 7/8" Right Thigh - 23 3/4" Right Calf - 14 1/8" Left Thigh - 23 1/2" Left Calf - 14 1/4" Waist (over navel) - 32" Hips - 39 3/4" Beast-Release Date: 3/16/2016 Weight: 137 lbs. (on gym scale at 9:45 am) AND 132 lbs. (on a different scale at 1:45 pm) Hmmmm, still don't

If blushing can make a whore appear virtuous, however momentarily, could not knowing the reality of my measurements make me feel thinner? Today is the big unveiling and as promised, my weight and measurements will be posted along with the photos (on 3/17/2016). I was so excited this morning and jumped out of bed, ready to face the music! I thought I would be hearing the strains of We Are The Champions but no, instead - it was a soulful refrain from Is That All There Is? when

Oh yes, there will be a butt (wait for it...)! Doesn't my body understand that I'm on a schedule?! As the date for my AFTER photos rapidly approaches (3/16/2016), I have been scrutinizing my results as I practice pose (this still feels weird). I am proud of the progress I have made (here it comes...) BUT - it will not be exactly what I was hoping for. Did I do everything right? Out of 159 days, I've had 3 cheat episodes totaling about 7,000 calories (or 2 pounds worth of ener

I thought I understood guys and that only women confuse me with their covert pecking-orders and constantly altering relationships. But now, having had 2 stalker incidents in the past week, I'm wondering if men understand women. Let me re-phrase: Not every woman is an easy target and I'm issuing a big BEWARE. Ever had (or heard stories of) a pet dog that turned and attacked? Well, welcome to PitBullTown - Population: ME! I'm already feeling a bit Linda Hamilton (think The Term

I mean, this woman sleeps with them and look at the effect it has had on her! And I thought I loved weight training - this is real commitment to training. You've heard of sleepwalking? Welcome to sleep training: Training so amazing, you'll swear it was a dream! I joke because when it comes to women and weight training, myths abound! If this has kept you from incorporating weights into your routine, you have been missing out BIG TIME! Check out the facts: Myth: Weight li

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Wowsa! Well, what do you think of physical transformation now?! Okay, let me first say that this is NOT a preview of my After photo (duh! But if you thought for a moment that maybe it was - thanks for believing in me!). It is a photo of Rachel McLish, whose legs (well, her whole body, actually) inspired me to venture into the weight room. Of course, I found out that it takes a LOT more than pushing a few pieces of iron around to get into that kind of shape. It's also this

And now, it's time for another episode of 'Tales From The Gym.' I put myself through a grueling workout tonight, finally feeling the effects of the creatine I started taking 10 days ago and Shazaam! I feel as though I've been transported to a parallel universe where I have a ridiculous amount of untapped potential that I'm suddenly able to access and I go berserk! It's a true love affair; I can get carried away. Case in point: I was super-setting 5 exercises, trying for a