Finito Completo!

The Yorton project is complete! I can't begin to tell you how relieved we are - 8 months and two expansions, time to focus on the show...for real.   Legend Fitness I can't say enough about the company, what a great process from beginning to end. The bottle of champagne supplied by Frank and Nancy Sharp, that was emptied on Saturday evening, was well worth the wait (thank you Frank and Nancy!). Our week of celebrating will come to a close tomorrow evening as I check off one more year...I've never felt better physically with the exception of my eye site, hello forties!

4 weeks out and roughly 3 weeks left of training (final week will be light, mostly posing), this brings solace to my hubby.  The butterflies in my tummy start now and flutter until he's done competing on 10/27, the excitement builds daily, and  sleeping will be nonexistent as his body readies for the show. Carbs will be cut a little bit lower this week along with posing time increasing...hopefully he decides on his music soon!

Now we just have family weekend at JMU and the Baltimore Marathon before Phoenix!

Refridgerator Challenges

Less than 5 weeks now.......this is where the fun begins.  It was a big sign that Hubby was getting leaner when I found the opened jar of grape jam in the pantry (yes refrigerate after opening) ...no biggee just odd since he is so detailed oriented and through all the show diets I have never seen him do this.  He was down to 153 last week, me I'm up 1.5!  Our fridge is empty, which I blame on Tess for going off to college.....there are no fun foods to even stare at.  So that means more food shows.

Arlington Gold's should pay Bill a salary because when he is dieting clutter bothers him more. It starts subtly, I was getting ready to mount 60lb dumbbells (which he had to hand to me) on a flat bench when he decided to re-align the bench, then he'll put random attachments away, unload plates, and on occasion will straighten large pieces of equipment i.e. leg extension machine.  Training sessions have gotten longer as he fights to remain focused, it's always best if I don't sing!

Yorton project is almost done!  Ceiling fan up, rubber mats have been delivered, mirrors to arrive on 9/29, and we got word last week that the equipment is nearing the end of production.  This week we will go another year of non-cake birthday's/wedding anniversary, although champagne is always worked into the diet!  Happy Birthday and Anniversary to Us!!

Really only 7 more weeks......

A lesson in patience.  Growing up I used to help my daddio with his other job of custom decks/fences, my brother and he would build and I would clean up and seal them.  Last weekend was just such, cleaning up and sealing.  Hubby shows such calm as he methodically seals our deck with a sprayer, I on the other hand, hand paint for what is to total 15 hours over the course of three days.   It's like a bad scene in Karate Kid......  This is all good for Hubby's mind to remove him from the angst of dieting along with a marathon of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives  wtf I'm starving and I'm not dieting (He becomes obsessed with the food network at this point up till show time.....I should start gaining weight any day now)!

7 weeks means adding another day of training.....and just one more to go before posing begins and the late nights run into one another.  Staying focused within the workouts starts to get tough for both of us - I get more excited as the show approaches as he can think of nothing but the muscle contraction within each rep and how it will transpire to the stage. Bill's diet has seen another calorie cut, although minor but important, instead of an ounce of 2% cheese in his morning egg whites, he gets 1/2 ounce and his pure protein bars have been cut in half.....literally!

Keep up the positive thoughts for Bill, this is where the separation between wanting to be number one and training to be number one reigns.

Working through the pain 9 weeks out...

The dorm paraphernalia has been moved to JMU and we're trying to fill the void in our empty house......Saturday brought a long time coming project, painting the garage a calming shade of french gray (now the floor needs to be done, maybe in the winter!). I find solace in painting as where my calorie depleted hubby would say anything but! It was also my way of getting some cardio in for him, nothing like 7 hours of rolling a two car garage ceiling and walls!

His body is transforming almost daily at this point, new cuts and vascularity becomes more evident.  Glycomaize was cut from post-workout shake this week, just a small change to keep his metabolism in check.  Training.....that's another story.  We have been frequenting several gyms in the area to keep focus up and have some variety.  Old injuries can make the workouts incredibly challenging, it never ceases to amaze me how Bill works through an enormous amount of joint pain while still pushing pre-show diet strength.  His strength should start to decrease within the next 3-4 weeks, and where I begin pushing drop sets and negatives to really ramp up the intensity for the remainder of show prep.

Our Yorton project is at a standstill for the moment, thanks to Legend Fitness!  The new equipment is being manufactured and should arrive late September/early October.  We also marked a landmark anniversary, the studio turned 5 on August 27th! A huge thanks to our dedicated clients who continue to spread the word!

12 weeks - ready, set, begin

The beer fridge is empty, I'm ready for this - Bill let's do it! There was a party in our garage Saturday night, which involved a great merlot accompanied by several cookies.   Pre-show diet always seems to add a good 3lbs, sorta like when a man puts on pregnancy weight, preparing myself for the show prep.  His starting weight 166.5, mine....137!

Today marks 12 weeks to Yorton 2012, all flight/hotel arrangements are done so it's time to get back to the bodybuilding workout today and where I will switch to "Coach" mode.  Training has been challenging the past couple of months, training heavy sure does bring the weaknesses to the surface.....

Olympic junkies, no sleep, addicted to the television.  Pairs diving, syncro swimming, medley's, I understand these things and gives a visual to how Hubby and I work together, seamlessly, especially in the bodybuilding arena - seeing him on stage is the byproduct of many years of "putting it together".  Push each other, sacrifice and then sacrifice some more.

The studio expansion, or Yorton project, is coming along nicely...now if only we can find the equipment, who knew Life Fitness doesn't sell a few pieces at a time rather than a whole line - if anyone has a connection please call!

Weber Genesis and Phoenix flight arrangements!

Can I get an "Amen" or thanks to Buddha for yet another lesson in patience?!  After two months of research there is a brand new Weber sitting on our now completed deck (which passed final inspection on 7/6).  You know you've married the most talented and determined man when for approximately additional 40+ hours that it took him to reconstruct our 14 violation deck in 105 degree weather, I can honestly say I have never seen him sweat like that.  He also re-landscaped to make me happy (+3 hours).......oh and he got me a fancy umbrella!

Flights and most hotel arrangements have been made for Phoenix, check.  Now to get his mind set. Diet will begin August 6th.....where I will lose him until December.  It amazes me how he keeps the bill's paid and keep up his tireless efforts for his clients through the "show diet".  Through this month we will set a plan in place for our 2nd expansion of the studio, to begin within the next two weeks.  Heads up for an "Open House" celebration at the studio late September!!

Who uses the side-burner anyways?

Who knew it would take 5 hours to dig 3 post holes in 90 degree weather and what felt like 110% humidity.......after months of planning our deck is nearly complete, check. One of the keys to Bill's competitive season is "projects".  We will begin the 2nd expansion to the studio as his diet ramps up for Yorton. Our second child has graduated, we will have two in college in the fall......with a 10 year break for the final bear to leave the den.

Bill has been in search of the perfect grill to don the deck, which brings the question "who uses the side-burner"..... I will keep you posted as to the final outcome.

Comment of the week "what off day", the hobby takes the forefront as training became more challenging due to the deck building recovery process.....sore joints and the grip began to give.  Next week will certainly be better as the push for the big weights starts!