Christina's Fitness Journey: Can-do Candace!!!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Can-do Candace!!!

I would like to thank Chick Fil A for putting something of value in their kids meal. I stumbled across a book about a girl named "Can-do Candace" who, despite being "handicap," decided that she was going to run a race! And she did!!!! It wasn't about winning for her. Just doing her best and finishing was all that mattered to her, and because of that, she and everyone around her realized that she is in fact a WINNER.

Anyway....I needed to read that today. For one thing, I am going to use it in my classroom whenever I have a kiddo tell me music is hard, or they can't play that instrument. (WE'll have to come up with a masculine form of it so the boys don't look at me like I'm crazy...Can-do Carl!? hehe)

But for another thing....I have managed to cut out one of my HUGE vices as far as my drinking habits go during this contest prep...everyone has that ONE thing they "can't give up." Mine was just two. Diet drinks and coffee. Earlier in the summer I gave up the diet drinks. I went through withdrawals for about 3 days, but I felt so much....'lighter' after that. The coffee is not bad for me...it's the stuff I put IN the coffee that is. The fake stuff.

Why? Well, besides the fact that it's basically poisoning our bodies (I mean, why else do people experience headaches when they stop drinking diet drinks all of a sudden?), it is sweet and it tricks our body in to thinking that it's sweet, just minus the calories. Why does that matter, you might ask? When that happens, it can trigger an insulin release inside our body, which actually slows down fat loss. So besides the fact that the diet drinks make us feel bloated, they are also highly confusing our bodies and messing with our fat metabolism. So. I am on a quest for the last 8 weeks of my contest prep. A quest to be Can-do Chris(tina) and officially give up ALL artificial sweetener. Not gonna lie. Coffee tastes BAD without it. But I think I will get used to it! Or maybe I will end up switching to tea. OR, I will add more milk and just count that in with my daily calorie intake. I'm interested to see how this will change things!!!

Here's a couple articles about it, too...
http://aspartame.mercola.com/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2000/12/03/sucralose-dangers.aspx

It's worth thinking about, for sure. Be a Can-Do Candace today and get rid of poisonous habits or thoughts in your life!!!!

1 comment:

Denise CulbrethAugust 15, 2011 at 6:19 AM
I agree girl, it is hard to give up those drinks...I love my Coke Zero, but I am trying to limit mine to 1 a day...they are so YUMMY :) Love you, like this post!
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The divisions I compete in...

Figure competitions in the WNBF (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation) are judged based on one round of prejudging, where competitors will be compared while wearing a two-piece swimsuit and high-heel shoes. Comparisons will be made in the standard quarter-turns of the competitors. Judging will reward toned muscularity, relative leanness, overall symmetry, facial beauty (makeup, hair, etc.), stage presence, poise, elegance and an overall fit look. There is no fitness demonstration, and this is not a bodybuilding competition (there are no mandatory "poses" other than the quarter-turns).
The Ms. Fit Body judges the competitors based on their physical symmetry (in the quarter-turns), facial beauty, grooming (makeup, hair), costume, stage presence, muscle tone and shape (in the five poses) and overall fit look.
This is not a hardcore bodybuilding competition, but it is also not a swimwear contest. The desired look is for muscletone, symmetrical shape, beauty and the appearance ofhealth and fitness.Suit and heels are also worn for this category.

Personal Records So Far=)

3/8 Lying Leg Curls 3 sets of 90lbs
8 reps

3/15 100lbs on leg extension 12/11/10

6/30: 85 lbs Flat Bench Press (laughable, I know. My chest is so weak, but it's getting there!!!)

6/15: 3 sets of wide grip pull ups: 15/12/8 FINALLY!!!!

5/27: 3 sets of wide grip pull-ups: 14/11/9

5/5: 155 lb Deadlifts 3 sets of 10

4/24: 505 lb Leg Press 8 reps

4/3: Free weight squats- 175 lbs 10 reps

3/12: 495 lb Leg press 8 reps

3/8: 165 lb free weight squats--8 reps

2/19: Deadlifts 135 lbs 15/13/12/10/10

2/19: 75 lbs Flat Bench Press 15/14/10

2/10: Straight Leg Barbell Deadlift 155 lbs 8 reps

2/6: Lying Leg curl 80 lbs 2 sets of 8

2/6: Lunges with 90lb barbell (30)

2/6: 155 lb free weight squats--8 reps (end of the workout! =) )

2/4: Weighted dips (20lbs) 3 sets of 8, 1 set of 12 with 10 lbs

2/4: 40 lb db rows--end of workout, too! =)

2/2: 50 lb straight bar curls

1/30: 450 lbs Leg Press

1/12: 3 sets of wide grip pull-ups

1/14: 135 lb squats

1/30: Lunges with 40lb db's

Some inspiration to get me through the hard days.....

For every disciplined effort, there is a multiple reward!

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Obsessed is what the lazy called the determined.

The more I am told NO, the harder I go! ~Ava Cowan (and now it's true for me, too!)

Train hard. Expect results. (not sure who said it but I stole it from my friend, Chris)

“Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragement, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak”

“There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, [no person] that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.”

What it's all about!

This blog initially started out as a way for me to record my journey towards a figure competition. Since then, however, my whole lifestyle has changed. Therefore, my blog is taking a different approach. I will share about my journey towards HEALTH. That will include competitions, yes, but it's so much more. Varied workouts, a well balanced diet, mental health, etc. A lot of what I post on here will be wisdom I have gleamed from others, so I will always be sure to give credit where credit is due and point you towards those who have made this journey possible for me.