My legs have swollen up again, they feel terrible. My calves are just full, it's so uncomfortable.

I am taking Taraxatone to try to settle them down.

I played my video for 5 of the guys from work, it was quite amusing, you can imagine some of the crap they were going on with. I warned them to start with no laughing and no smart comments but they said they couldn't promise :) They were good actually I think they were too afraid to say too much!
posted by Sue Gilman at 11:24 PM

I need to be on a constant "diet" it seems. So this is my plan. I think it needs to be similar to my contest diet so that my body doesn't shock when it changes
:
Meal 1: Myoplex Lite or 1 egg & 3 whites, mushrooms and 2tbsp rice
Meal 2: 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 scoop whey protein, butterbuds and cinnamon
Meal 3: tuna/salmon (can be flavoured), 4 tbsp rice, salad
Meal 4: protein bar/MRP/Protein shake/"protein pudding" - choose 1
Meal 5: Chicken/steak/eggs/salmon/fish, baked potato/sweet potato, vegetables, small amount of sauce or marinade, preferably low carb, glass of wine with dinner if desired

NOTHING AFTER DINNER. Coffee, diet sodas allowed.
Free meal once per week preferably pasta.

Cottage cheese, my favourite food, is OUT. I just can't control my intake of it!!

Training:
4 x week, however I will split this into 1 bodypart per day in the off season. I will train in the mornings, and walk in the evenings.
i.e.
Monday: Hamstrings, extras
Tuesday: Back
Wednesday: Legs/calves, extras
Thursday: Triceps/Biceps
Friday: Chest, extras
Saturday:
Sunday: Shoulders, extras

Walk 45 mins every night.

Gotta keep remembering my goal to place in the Australian Titles!!!!!!!!
posted by Sue Gilman at 4:29 AM

Goals are:
To not let my weight increase over 110lbs
To keep my body fat % at 15 or under
Build more muscle by sticking to a PLANNED diet
And one that has been letting me down of late:
NO SNACKING BETWEEN PLANNED MEALS

Then following this 12 week stint will be my 12 weeks of dieting to the Australian Titles at the end of October.

posted by Sue Gilman at 11:07 PM

I took the afternoon off today as I didn't have a lot of work on, so I came home and actually slept for a couple of hours! Then I went out to the cemetery to visit my Dad's grave. I don't often go out there (it's an avoidance thing) and for some reason something made me go today. Tomorrow is the 14th anniversary of his death. I took some flowers out, and I sat down and I made a promise to him. I promised him that I was going to give 200% to placing in the Open division at the Australian titles so that I could qualify to compete in Arizona. My dad always wanted to go to the US and he never ever did. Life is too short. I want to do this for him. So, I wrote my promise down on a notepad and signed it while sitting by his side. Then I took a photo of the headstone and my promise. I will keep that on the fridge at home to remind me of my goal. Zach if you read this, I'd like to put the picture up on this site so everytime I log in to write, I will see my Dad :)

posted by Sue Gilman at 2:21 AM

I called George today and spoke to him for the first time since the comp - he's been on holidays. I told him I had gone a bit overboard with the eaing...his first reaction was "Shit! We talked about what to do..etc etc" but then he said "oh don't worry too much about it, we still have lots of time, just eat good food, avoid the fried food, and you can have a small piece of cake every now and then." I said I want to compete in August, he said "WHY?!!" I said "because it was fun!". He laughed and then said that he thinks I should save myself for October as he doesn't want me dieting and being too hard on my body, he wants to put some muscle on me prior to then - he even told me I don't have to do ANY walking!!! Wow, what will i do with all my spare time!! I'll be able to have a life :) No, actually, I have really been missing my training over the past week. I discovered that I will be competing in the Open division - I actually thought I would be competing in Novice but since I actually won the event, it means I am qualifed for the Open. Which is good, because, if I place 1, 2 or 3, I qualify to compete in the Olympia, in Arizona in November!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not banking on it, but how nice would that be! My buddy Steve told me to "bust my ass" to get to Arizona because he will come and watch me :)

I received my first issue of the subscription I won to Ironman magazine tonight. I flicked through to check out the monthly tranformation winner and guess what? It was ME again! They ran the same story and pic from the Women's Fitness! Cool, Ironman is the "BIG TIME"!! It is actually a bodybuilding mag whereas the other one is a womens health/fitness mag.

I also had Sandra Jose from AWMA (Australian Women with Muscle Assoc) suggest I catch up with her over coffee next time I am in Melbourne and tell her all about my pre comp preparation for an article in Ironman!! (She writes a monthly article for the mag). I wrote her a number of times prior to finding a trainer and also during my prep and she was very helpful. I emailed her and told her I'd won my event and she was thrilled for me! She was there for the prejudging but said she didn't even recognise me! This is an excerpt from her email to me:

Yes I do remember actually it was pretty straight forward that you were going to win, none of the others had much muscle development and you had better shape.

So that was nice to hear.

I actually have caught up on most of my email now, wow, I must have written 200 emails over the weekend!

Oh, my mum washed my posing suits to try to get the tan out of them - they are ruined :( She only washed them by hand but she must have scrubbed too hard because all the shiny stuff has become really dull. She felt so bad about it. It's ok, means I get to have NEW ones next time :) Only $200 down the toilet!!

George also told me that I will need to come down more often this time - at least every three weeks! Yikes. How expensive and time consuming is that gonna be! I need to find a friend in Melbourne who will put me up!

Ok I am off to read fellow dream teams blogs.

posted by Sue Gilman at 4:45 AM

posted by Sue Gilman at 7:40 PM

posted by Sue Gilman at 3:19 AM

I saw Wayne today and he said I looked "sensational - your arms look great!" He said I didn't even look drawn. He said "I can't believe how fantastic you look, everything, you look great! You've really peaked!" So that was another nice compliment :)

This morning I trained at 10, walked around the town a bit before that. George felt my abs again, said they were beautiful. I said to him "check out my veins!" cause they were popping out everywhere after training biceps, and he said "I have done a good job on you!". After I finished I ran and grabbed my digital camera and got Karen to take a couple of shots of me with George. They turned out pretty good too.
Now I am waiting for my full body scrub in an hour or so, that will be nice!! Tomorrow I am having a massage after my last training session. I am pampering myself :) Will worry about the credit card later!
Tonight I have routine again with Tondra, I will get some more pics if I think of it.
I think they are going to use me as a guinea pig for applying the tan on Friday, since I don't have anyone here to do it for me.
Ok, time to go.
posted by Sue Gilman at 6:25 PM

She got me to do a 30 sec posedown too. I have two more hour sessions with her so should be fine. Then we all individually went into this room where they had stage lights set up and a table to stand on. Wayne was there, Deborah, and Sue Stanley (she's "famous" in aussie aerobics and is now one of George's converts) and of course George. Wayne put me through the symmetry poses, and told me instead of facing front on, a little to the side was better for me. Also, the back one, he said that when I spread my back one side spreads more than t he other so better off just to stand relaxed for the symmetry. Then went through the poses, he loved my side chest, and said all the others were fine. He corrected my arms on my front db bicep (lowered them a bit) and my back pose. He said "beautiful" but I just don't know if people are trying to make me feel good! I am a bit paranoid I guess. George never said anything at all, it was all up to Wayne. We had to wait for everyone to go through individually so in the meantime it was good chatting to all the other girls. One lady came out with a few tears - she was told to change her bikini from a g-string to a full bottom apparently because her butt isnt so good which surprises me because she looks hard as a rock! She's an older woman but looks great. Another girl was told she may be too vascular - she is lean as hell and has veins galore in her arms.

Then I had to wait around and buy a couple of tickets off Wayne for the show - he gave me 3 rows back, centre :)

Then I had to wait for George to see if he wanted to make any changes to my diet. He didn't, just took a couple of tbsp rice away, but said I would be too skinny if I was depleted any more. Thank god!! He said my face looked really drawn on "stage" and so did Tondra.

I want to get a massage this week, but have to be careful not to bruise. I was also thinking of getting full body exfoliation today or tomorrow. As well as my finger and toe nails. Love all this pampering!!

Oh you should see the room I am in at the hotel!! It is awesome. I was upgraded due to that mix up a while back. I have this huge room (big enough to practise my routine in!) and it is just beautiful. Much better than the pokey little rooms I have been using.

I weighed in at 97.4lbs this morning. I feel so small!! Tondra said when I was doing my routine i looked like a "little angel". I said I don't want to look like a little angel!!! She said when I was up on stage that I looked really muscular, so that is good.

I also had a guy come up to me in the gym and ask if I was competing on Saturday. It used to be like "are you competing in April" now it's "Saturday"...yikes, it's here!! Anyway he said I looked great :) Tondra also said "and you are going to be in Ironman!!" She said that Jonathan the editor said so, but I haven't heard anything. He also trains at Georges.

I put a pair of jeans on the other day that I used to wear when i was 19. Levis. Over the years I have used them as my weight guage...sometimes I couldn't get into them, sometimes they would look good, and now - there is no way i could wear them, they are like BAGS!!!

I had Tondra take a few digital pics of me doing some of my posing routine too. I will have stacks of pics after this weekend!

posted by Sue Gilman at 5:03 PM

Yesterday I walked to the gym in the morning, trained chest, Vince spotted me for all my exercises so it was good. In the evening I walked again to the gym and trained biceps. I couldn't go heavy as usual as I am having real problems with my left forearm. It started off hurting during bicep curls, weeks ago, maybe even more, and now, with almost every upper body exercise it is hurting me. So I did George's "special treatment" for injuries last night. Run hot water over it then rub olive oil into it and cover it right away to keep the heat in. It actually feels better, and I will continue to do it each night I think.
Oh good news - was talking to my sister on the phone, and she is considering joining a gym! She has been on Weight Watchers :( for awhile, and I suggested to her she try the Body For Life program. I said "let me train you, let me train you!!!" She sounded keen so I hope it eventuates. My sis has 5 kids, and has never been very active. Apart from running around stupid after them :)

Mum was real proud of seeing me in the magazine :) It's funny you know, even looking at the pictures in that article, I feel that I was so much bigger then!! I said to Mike this morning, "I feel little". He keeps telling me I have no butt left. I practised my routine in front of Vince this morning, first time in front of anyone, and he was pretty impressed. He told me on the way home that "my legs were coming up. I could tell even under your baggy pants your butt looks rounder."
I got a really nice email from a lady from the L&S Board who has competed. She gave me lots of moral support and some tips. Even her phone number if I want to chat. So nice of her.

101.3lbs my scale told me this morning, although they have been playing up. I do feel like it's starting to happen though :) Oh, I went off the pill too. So it will be interesting to see what effect that has on me - bodywise and mentally!!
posted by Sue Gilman at 8:16 PM

posted by Sue Gilman at 8:49 PM

Today I have a big day ahead. I have walked in to the city from the hotel, and want to go to a really cool shop to buy a couple more jackets, but it doesn't open until 11am. I also would love to put my photos in to be printed - I'm so impatient. Then I have to walk back, cook some lunch, then get to the gym by 2pm to go through my routine with Tondra. Then training at 3pm, then posing at 6pm. Big day. Mike wants to see a movie tonight, I'd like to but i have a feeling I will be a vegetable by night time :)
I am still having fears about not making it. Particulary when I get really tired and drained I feel like I'm just not going to get there as I have too much to accomplish and the time is just flying by. I feel great in the mornings, but by the time my energy is all used up I'm pretty useless :)
posted by Sue Gilman at 3:46 PM

I got some of the sandills photos back, there were only about 5 that were good. But the best ones will come later, they had to be sent away. One day i will scan them....yeah...one day when I get a spare 10 mins!
I started tanning in the solarium last week too, will do that a couple of times per week up until the show.
Oh, I broke 104lbs on the scale this morning!! 103.8lb :)
I got the fabric samples yesterday in the mail - I really liked one of the red ones. It's red on black, shiny stretch lycra, in crocodile skin. The blue ones weren't what I wanted.

posted by Sue Gilman at 8:18 PM

My response back to him was this:
Originally the competition was dated 13 April, so there would have been no real problem. Ideally competitors take up to a month off prior to a competition, however, two weeks is the minimum my trainer would like. I explained to him (as I knew there is a billing run close to it) that I would only be able to come down a week prior. He agreed that would be ok. Now, they have put the competition back 1 week, of course to my dismay. It is almost impossible for me to not have this week off. It is only because of this that I am asking for it. I feel guilty as hell having to ask for this week off.

I am sure nobody knows what goes into preparation for such a competition. At present this is my day:

5am Get up, walk to the gym (50 mins)
6am Train in the gym, home by 7.15, have breakfast, make sure i have all my food prepared for the day. Try to get to work by 8.

8-5 work
5.30pm Walk to the gym
6.15pm- 7.30pm Train
8pm Prepare dinner, all my meals for the next day, grocery shop, clean, look after my cat and my husband, etc etc.
9.30pm Dead tired, go to bed.

Now, in addition to this, I have to practice posing, and my routine up to an hour each day.

I am dieting at present, so my energy levels aren't great, and it takes it's toll. That is the reason, and the fact that I have to fit so much into a day, that I requested shortening my hours.

In the final weeks before a comp, I have to dehydrate my body (which can be dangerous if not supervised), apply about 5 coats of instant tan over 2 days, have fittings for costumes, etc etc, and still train, walk and pose. This is why I say it is near impossible and I would not ask if there were an alternative.

Can you please reconsider my request, and please advise why there is now a problem, yet before there wasn't.

Thanks
Sue

I went into his office after lunch and he thanked me for letting him know the details. He then had no problem with me taking the time off and commented "Gee, you are putting yourself through a lot of trouble!". He also asked me if my co-workers knew about it, and how much effort I was putting in. I said probably not, and that I really like to keep it to myself, I don't mind if they ask, but I'd rather not be subjected to the "smart-ass" comments and negativity that no doubt some would feel the need to contribute. All in fun of course, but I just rather not have to deal with that - to me this is serious, and I really need to be focussed. He understood.

I had a great leg workout last night, even though my energy levels were almost zero after work, I still pushed hard.

posted by Sue Gilman at 5:01 PM

Ok, time for some more sleep.
posted by Sue Gilman at 7:15 PM

I rang the posing suit lady today, she is going to send me some fabric samples in the colours I asked for. Ice blue, and deep ruby red. 2 different suits that is.

Well the war on L&S has kept up - boy, I got so many emails about my photos - all good ones. Now I have to find a spare hour or two to write back and thank everyone for their support :)

I went to the chiropractor - he told me I had strained my infraspinatus muscle (which does actually mean something to me since I'm a trained massage therapist from way back!). Can't do anything though, he just advised me to avoid upright rows for the next week. I am still hoping to get in for a massage tonight.

I did my posing in my shoes this morning, there was only one other lady in the women's gym so it didn't bother me. I will keep doing that.
posted by Sue Gilman at 7:25 PM

My Durathon sales have really been taking off, it's great! Wayne sent me some of the competition posters (the comp I am entering) with my last order of Durathon - I took one to the gym this morning, for them to display, along with 2 Durathon promotional posters with my details on them :) Maybe it will drum up some business with the locals too.

I found out I won't be getting my routine video until after next weekend :( They can't video it until Sunday. Bummer. Will only have 4 weeks left then. Tondra says it will only take a week to perfect. Glad she has confidence in me!

I have been holding off calling George...I might call him later in the week and tell him how I am doing - HUNGRY after dinner!!

I had lots of people say they liked my snappy snaps from the sandhills. I am hoping to get some proper ones back today.

posted by Sue Gilman at 5:38 PM

On a brighter note...my buddy Steve plugged in my skin folds and I am down to 12.8% now!! It's starting to happen!! I feel kind of yuk and bloated this morning though, and my weight was up over 105 again.

About to change and walk to the gym, feel pretty much like I haven't had enough sleep, since I woke at 4am! It's now 5.
posted by Sue Gilman at 10:08 AM

I really liked the way Amanda did my hair - it was sleek looking and straight. I'm not sure whether to go straight, or still a bit wild for my routine hair now.

I trained this morning with renewed vigour - a rest day helps! Hamstrings and shoulders, and extras. I haven't walked yet, but am going with Mum in 20 mins for my first one. Mike is in Adelaide today with his RC boats, so I will be able to walk again later around 8pm.

Starting to see more cuts coming through. Was 104.6lb on the scale this morning - broke the 105lb barrier! Although, a bit of dehydration I'm sure.

We went out for dinner after the shoot, to the Pizza Cafe at the Grand Hotel where I had a glass of wine and I had very healthy chicken shaslicks with green salad and dressing on the side. Mike sat there and ate a large Italian pizza all by himself :(
posted by Sue Gilman at 9:11 PM

I trained chest last night, and boy, I was so drained. I literally had to drag my ass out the door last night to walk to the gym. I was very slow, due to lead legs from the workout the day prior! Still I had it in my mind that today I had off so I was determined to give it everything and not wuss out. So, I trained with Vince, who pushed me harder than I'd normally train. When I was doing pullovers, his buddy Michael said to me, "Gee, if you keep up that walking you are gonna have better abs than me!" (He doesn't have abs, he was joking.) Then he asked what size my waist was, and I said I didn't know, maybe 25inches. He was like "OMG! One of Vince's liegs measures more than that!" Vince said it was true, his thigh measures 27 inches!! Yes, he has huge legs, he's a powerlifter. Anyway, I measured this morning and it's 24 inches!! All my measurements have come down, including my shoulders which is a bummer.

Then I came home, ate dinner, and had a sweet tooth nagging me. What I did was this - it sounds gross but it worked. I ate a half package of sugar free/fat free jello pudding powder mixed with s/f f/f caramel topping!! It cured my craving and for not that many calories :)

Then I just died at about 9pm so went to bed before 10, and slept through until 7.30am. Felt great when I woke up, it's amazing what some good quality sleep can do for you.

Oh, all the shops are having summer sales...I went to Cue, and guess what? Usually I take an 8 or a 10, but even their size 6 pants were too big!! (Their sizing must be bigger than normal though). That is the smallest size they make. Size 8 is normally the smallest size over here in Oz, some companies make 6's, not many though. I am not sure what that would be equivalent to in the US.
Ok time to sign off and do some stuff :)
Hope the Dream Team have a lovely weekend :)
posted by Sue Gilman at 7:19 PM

Joe was asking me about the testimonials I have received from people about Durathon. Here is an excerpt from one:

I am so happy this morning....My skirt is getting quite loose. I took a durathon in the afternoon yesterday and it was great for my weights session last night. I had really good energy. Jonas commented last night that I am really losing weight. I am sooo stoked that it is beginning to happen and I think the Durathon went a long way to help.....thanks a heap,....
Anne (Sydney)

posted by Sue Gilman at 1:59 PM

I was pretty tired last night, since I woke up at 4.30am that morning, so by 8.30pm I was ready for bed! I didn't go to bed until 9.30pm though, and slept pretty much right through to 5.30am when I got up to walk to the gym. Worked tris this morning - my upper body is really looking good, lower body is slowly getting there!
105.2lbs on the scale this morning!!!
That's 10 lbs or so down since I started this Challenge. Happy with that!
Think I found a hair-do that I like for my pre-judging too. It's all up, smooth at the front but then piled up messy on top and pinned. Then I want to have it long and sexy for my American Woman routine :)

I am going to do a bit of a dehydrate over the next couple of days, for the photo shoot on Saturday evening. We are going to the Sandhills for some workout gear shots for the Kelmix catalogue. I will also get some others done but haven't thought about what I want yet. No time to think!!
Mike is coming with me, I don't feel like being out in the middle of nowhere with a stranger taking photos of me.

I had my hair done last night - the works - coloured, highlighted and trimmed! Feel like a new person now.

posted by Sue Gilman at 2:55 PM

I then walked all the way back to the gym, had a coffee on the way, then checked email for an hour while I waited for the cab. Was SO good to fly back rather than drive!! When I got home I walked to my gym, and did my extras that I didn't do in the morning. I must have walked 25 miles that day!!

So yesterday and today have been walking only days. I was very strict on my diet yesterday, decided to cut all carbs apart from veggies/salad for the day. Doing same today, although I did eat a small apple this morning. Tomorrow will go back to having some carbs as I start training again.

I might be doing a photo shoot on Saturday evening, at the Sandhills. Waiting for Michael to let me know for sure. I booked in to have my hair done just in case.

I have been getting some great feedback from my Durathon "clients" too, which is wonderful!

I did some posing practice in the gym this morning, Vince caught me practising then wanted me to go through them for him.
posted by Sue Gilman at 5:50 PM

I found out there is no actual posing class this weekend, but it doesn't really matter because I have organized to meet with Deborah before her training session to go through the poses with her. So one on one will be much better than 2 on 14 or 15, anyway!

I slept right through last night, good sleep, feeling good now. Just walking tonight (did this morning too), it almost feels like a night off!

My scales have been giving me 3 and 4 different readings in the mornings! I always take the heaviest one. Today was 106.8lb.
posted by Sue Gilman at 6:28 PM

I have to call Tondra tonight and see what she's up to with my routine. Got a text message from her today to say she has started the routine with the flag and the chair, and that its very sexy!

I just did a load of laundry - workout gear, so I have enough to take away with me. I really need to wash my car, but I can't be bothered!!! It is filthy too. Have been meaning to wash it for ages but it just hasn't happened!

Ok I have answered all my email, time to veg out :)
posted by Sue Gilman at 1:20 AM

You know, it is amazing how different I can look from first thing in the morning (when dehydrated) to before I go to bed. I can see all kinds of definition in the mornings, even in my quads :) That all changes when I drink fluids. On a similar note, it was suggested to me that I consider going off the contraceptive pill prior to the comp...am still finding out (asking around) about this. The pill makes you retain fluid, although I am on a very low dose one so not sure if it is worth playing around with.

My buddy Steve made a web page for me www.2-fit.com/suegilman especially for my article for the Women's Fitness & Sport magazine. Take a look, he has done an amazing job. Thanks Steve :)

posted by Sue Gilman at 2:52 PM

I just posted a message to the Lean & Strong board, which has been a favorite message board of mine through my last Challenge and prior. They are great people and very helpful. I haven't had a lot of time to post lately but I dropped in and told them about my upcoming magazine article. I can't believe how many congratulatory replies I received, and lots of people asked if they could buy it over in the US :) Some want autographed copies...hahaha, that is too funny :) Very flattered though!

I have been for one walk today, walked around the block and to the grocery store. I am going for my next walk with my mum, at 5pm. It's such an awful day again, really windy and quite cold. For those that don't know, it is mid-summer here and we live in the "desert" where it is usually over 100 degrees at this time of year. We have had the strangest summer this year, if you can call it summer.

Another thing I have to do today is watch the bodybuilding comp video that Tondra gave me last weekend. It goes for 5 hours, so haven't had that many spare hours to play with during the week!

Oh, and another confession from last night. I stayed up late and by midnight I was starving...I actually ate some things that are NOT part of my diet. :( I ate an Aussie Bodies slice (like a kind of fruit cake thing) and ate a small chicken breast and 2 little rice cakes. I actually put Butterbuds on my rice cakes!! I must have been craving salt. Then I went to bed! I am saying to myself to treat it like it was a free meal (only I'm not allowed free meals!!), and that it won't hurt me. I really don't think it will anyway, i've been training so damn much!

Good news is I managed to sleep in until 10am today!! Feel much better for it too.

While on my walk i booked in for our Valentine's Day dinner, at the Stonegrill restaurant. I will be able to get something to fit my diet there. More later.
posted by Sue Gilman at 7:53 PM

I had a call from Tondra, the girl who is choreographing my routine, and she said she was working on it at that minute. She asked me what I thought about using a chair as a prop, in my routine. I like the idea of a chair, I've seen one used once before and I thought it was effective. She can't figure out exactly what to do with the flag, so she's now considering the chair instead. I suggested perhaps we drape the flag over the chair. Anyway, we will see what she comes up with. She should have a video of the routine by the end of the week. George also wanted to speak to me so he came on the line and says "Sue baby!! How are you? I hear they put you in the magazine?! Jonathon (editor) tell me a couple days ago they were going to interview you. You say good things about George?!" He asked how my diet was going, and I said it was going great and that I'd lost another kilo. He said that was excellent. I told him I was feeling a bit tired (last few days) and he said if you are really bad, you eat an apple or something like that. So that was all I needed, I immediately went to the fridge and ate some strawberries :)

I got an email from Deborah Zalewski (INBA Ms Figure Australia - Masters) and she is going to help me with my posing this weekend. We have arranged a time to meet on the Saturday. She also said that if I am coming down anytime when the posing training is not on, to let her know and she will work something out with me, maybe even video me so I can take it home. She also congratulated me on my Ironman interview.

So, nothing much else today, except I had a great training session today. I was going to skip the extras but I decided I may as well get it all out of the way so tomorrow I don't have to go to the gym at all.
posted by Sue Gilman at 12:00 AM

Weight is creeping down...106.6lb this morning.

I see Zach has put my ugly photos up :( Oh well a reminder every time I log in as to what my goals are!! I am definitely seeing changes every day, my upper body is really quite lean and my lower...well, it's starting to get there. It's so frustrating, because I can think that I look great in the mirror, then I take a photo and it just doesn't look the same!!!

I have sold almost all my original Durathon stock already, having some more shipped to me. I've already had one girl say she definitely feels more alert during the day while using it and it has only been about 5 days since she started. I started up a new email address just for my Durathon sales...it is durathon@yahoo.com.au I figure it will be easier to track that way.

Well, time to get dressed and hit the gym. I have chest and biceps today. I might skip the extras, and go in tomorrow just to do them.

Oh we didn't end up going out for dinner last night, I remembered it is Valentine's Day next Thursday and that happens to be the day before I go to Melbourne and also a day off from training so we are going to go out for that :) Maybe go to the Stonegrill and have one of their 4inch high steaks :))

posted by Sue Gilman at 1:34 PM

Last night I worked back, and this morning I walked to the gym, worked triceps and had Vince drive me home. He said on the way home that I had "lost a lot of weight" and that it was "falling off me". Hoping he meant this in a positive way. I think he did.

I have been trying to buy a pair of shoes for my comp, but everyone seems to have sold out of the ones I want :( I may end up having to buy them from the US, although I don't have much of a time frame left. I really need to get wearing them in! Most likely I will have to buy the ones in Melbourne for $220 :( I was hoping I could avoid paying that much - the ones I want are $145 or $50 US!!

posted by Sue Gilman at 5:52 PM

Things are SO full on right now, it is great! There is one problem though and that is I never get to see my husband :( We have to make a date with each other just to catch up! Serious, I decided we should go out for dinner tomorrow night, because he is leaving early Sat a.m. to go away for a ski tournament and he won't be back until Sunday night. Then the following weekend I will be going to Melbourne again for 4 days. Trouble is going out for dinner...I get to eat boring old fish and veg/salad and no wine. Oh well the company will make up for it!

I have lost almost a lb on the scales in the last 2 days - this is good because it stopped after my initial loss. Not that I want to lose a lot of scale weight, but that will happen as I lose body fat.

I have my interview in 2 hours, I haven't even really thought about it much!!

I am training back tonight, my first training since coming back from Melbourne (other than my 2 hours of walking per day!). It's funny, I count walking days as days off, but it's still 2 hours of exercise!

posted by Sue Gilman at 7:40 PM

With the monthly win, I get a free 12 month subscription (hopefully to Ironman rather than Women's Fitness!) and books/videos to the value of $150. Plus the feature in the mag.

More later.
posted by Sue Gilman at 6:42 PM

I just finished lunch and it is just after 12! My hunger is starting to kick in now it seems. This morning I woke at 2 something, my cat jumped on the bed with me and I didn't get back to sleep so I got up at 3am!! I think I am becoming nocturnal!! I walked at 5am. I just have to last out the rest of the day now!! Might take a little snooze when i get home from work.

I have booked in for a massage tomorrow night - that will be heaven!!

9.30pm Well the walk at 7pm was difficult, I should not have come home and settled down, just gone right out after work. However, I did it, and it actually got easier the longer I was out.

I am so tired now, just about to hit the sack. Didn't even have my diet jelly tonight :) Feel like a big piece of chicken right now!
posted by Sue Gilman at 5:18 PM

I I walked all around the city yesterday, shopping and what-not...by the time I got back to the hotel it was 3pm. So, from 9 until 3 I was walking around, apart from the hour I spent on the internet. I drove to the gym, and was feeling so tired and hungry, that I walked up to the grocery store and bought a punnet of strawberries to eat prior to training. I trained, chest/biceps, very hard. Right after the workout I had to get changed and "parade" for George on a little table, with my gstring and bra, and high heels! Anyway, his comments were (nodding his head) "Coming down", meaning the weight off my hips and butt. The result was I have to stay doing exactly what I have been doing, so no oatmeal :( And still walking 2 x day. Bummer. Then we went straight into posing training. There were about 12 women in there, some competing in April, some not. All shapes and sizes. Deborah (current Ms Figure Australia) talked about the competition and about music, presentation etc. Then we all lined up, while George went through a little speech to tell us how he treats all of "his girls" the same, he gives all of us his heart, his spirit, etc. He went on for awhile about diet abd how not to tell anyone what we are eating and not to ask anyone else what they are eating. He said that now we will start to look good, people will want to know what we are doing and will give all kinds of advice - don't listen to them!

Then we went throught the 1/4 turns, and the 5 mandatory poses - front double bicep, side chest, back double bicep, tricep, and thighs and abs. I actually see a bit of a six pack happening tonight! My back is very lean now too, just have to wait for the butt to catch up :( We went through all the poses about 4 times, and then he called us out one by one to go through on our own in front of everyone. Good experience.

I started training at 4.30pm. and didn't get out of there until after 8pm. I was SO tired when I got back to the hotel, and I had to fix my chicken breasts for dinner and the next day for travelling home. I dragged myself to take a shower after dinner, then went to bed really early. Got up today at 6am, packed up my stuff, loaded the car, had breakfast and coffee, then drove to the gym. Trained at 8am. Today was shoulders and hammies. When I woke up my entire body was aching, I had to stretch for quite a while to get rid of the aches. I really was not looking forward to training shoulders as I trained chest the previous day and triceps the day before that! And they were all sore. I am really pleased at how hard I have to train with George. It is torture at the time but afterwards you really know you have worked. With a lot of the exercises, the last few reps are impossible to lift, and along with that, Geoge pushes again me pushing, so the weight just doesn't go anywhere. I push with every damn muscle I have in my body (ie. think I pulled a calf muscle while doing preacher curls!!) but that weight just doesn't move!!

I was SO hungry on the drive home today, mostly exhaustion I think. I ate my egg whites and 2tbsp rice before training, then my apple after training, then my tuna about an hour after that. At 11.30am I started eating my lunch! Chicken, 3tbsp rice and salad. I had made 2 chicken breasts and I ate them both!!! But man, I felt SO much better after that. I just munched on veggies for the rest of the way home.

Time for bed. I feel really hungry tonight, I guess that means I should be losing some fat :) It's good to be home again. I am going back in 2 weeks. Oh yeah, instead of 4 days training per week, we now have to train 5 days per week :( Getting harder all the time.

posted by Sue Gilman at 2:20 AM

My session yesterday was tough! More so triceps than legs if you can believe that! My triceps fatigue extremely easily and I really struggled to lift anything after doing pushdowns, bench dips and kneeling tri push. I still had to do supersets of french presses, and close grip presses, followed by overhead DB extensions. I was pleased with my leg workout, I need to work that hard on squats all the time, but it's impossible without a spotter. I plan to change that. George gave me another exercise to do too, supersetting the forward facing hack squats with backward facing ones. If that makes sense - I don't know what else you would call them!

After my workout yesterday I spent a bit of time with Tondra - she showed me a routine she had choreographed for a lady in NSW. She also put me through the 5 mandatory poses, and was really pleased with how I did them. She said I would have no problems. The worst thing is, doing them in those damn shoes!! That will be the big test.

I then rushed home, eating my chicken in the car on the way, showered, and met Wayne at the foyer of the hotel. He took me to a cafe and we ordered coffees and chatted about the Durathon, among other things. He is a very funny guy, he told so many great stories about how he got into the bodybuilding industry. As I mentioned previously, he is the Australian president, and world vice-president of the INBA (International Natural Body Building Association). He would only be in his late 30's I would guess. I didn't know this, but he once worked in LA for Muscle & Fitness magazine, interviewed heaps of famous bodybuilders and even went to a party thrown by Arnold. What an eye-opener that was, he said. Movie stars and bodybuilders everywhere.

He told me all about the research that has been done on Durathon, and how the herb ciwujia has been used by the Chinese for thousands of years. There has recently been a lot of research to show that it also lowers the heart rate and so is useful in healthy heart protection. Along with that, it boosts the immune system tremendously, and is excellent for colds etc (like Vit C). If you feel a cold coming on - up the dose and watch the symptoms disappear!

He said he could almost market the product in 4 different boxes, there are so many benefits of it. He won't market everything together (i.e. as it is now, they do not mention the heart benefits or immune system benefits on the box) as he says that then it would appear that it is some kind of magic "snake-oil" or something, but it does have a lot of varying benefits. It is particularly effective as a stress-response herb...so anyone under any form of stress will benefit, be it mental or physical. This is where I have definitely felt the benefits. Dieting is EASY!!!! Hunger curbed, energy increased, stress free!!

Ok time to go shopping. It is freezing here!!!
posted by Sue Gilman at 4:03 PM

I just got a call from Wayne, the Durathon man...he is meeting me at my hotel at 5pm to discuss it.

I saw Tondra yesterday too, who is choreographing my routine for me. I will chat to her in more detail today. She said George wants lots of back poses because I have an "awesome" back :))) She was saying that because I am so small that I will make the comp with no problem. She said she did it in 6 weeks!!! (she is tinier than me). She said that I was in "perfect" condition for at this stage of preparation. She said that some of the girls are ready now, but she said there is no point in that, to be dieting for so long.

There was a hail storm last night while I was training, it stopped by the time I was finished, but when I went to check in at the hotel I had to park a long way away, and carry all my crap with me while using an umbrella. I had 2 trips before I got all my stuff up there. All my food and stuff :) It was 9pm by this stage and I just took a shower, and vegged out in front of the cricket on tv. I had a great night's sleep, waking up at 6am. It's so weird getting up so early on weekends! I went for a walk at 6.30am, and walked around the Shrine of Remembrance. Never been there in all the times I've been to Melbourne. It was kind of eerie so early in the morning, it is a huge park, with a hugh path and stairs leading to this huge stone building. Kind of like walking up to the Taj Mahal while nobody was there?? :) The park has lots of trees, all with a memorial underneath, each for something different, for events that happened during the wars.

I then had a coffee when I got back to the hotel, then cooked my eggs in the guest kitchen which is just outside my room - very convenient. Then I drove into Richmond, where George's gym is...but decided I would go have a look at a workout wear store. Nothing opened until 10am so I had to go to a cafe and have another coffee and made a call to Mike, and also my mum. Then I tried on some clothes, and I bought some 3/4 length yellow/black/white pants and a light blue singlet (tank top for you guys in the US!). Then on the way back to the car, I stumbled over one of my favorite stores...an outlet store. I once bought a groovy top there for just $5. This time I came out with 4 tops for $5 (2 for my friend Shazza that I will send to her), and a little skirt for $20, another off the shoulder black evening top, for $20. I am definitely losing weight, as all these clothes fit me perfectly! Actually, even one of the size 8's was too big! (Size 8 in AUS is the smallest size they make, some company's make 6's but not many). Here I was thinking I had done so well with all these bargains...I got out to the car and I had a parking ticket!!! :(( $50!!! Not such good bargains after all.

Ok well think I've covered most things, talk about a long entry today :)

I read through all the others too...Joe, keep your chin up buddy. You did well to get through and keep going. That is what brings success. Things do sound very stressful for you right now. I don't have your email addy with me right now, otherwise I would reply personally :)

posted by Sue Gilman at 5:47 PM

My weight hasn't really gone down any (well .4lb if that) since the start of the week, I guess I just have to be patient. I am starting to "feel" it though, and see it.

I am starting to panic though when I think of the time frame. It is coming up so fast, and I still have so much to learn and do before then!

Anyway, I am working this morning, and will leave for Melbourne at lunchtime, training with George at 7pm. Will be interesting to hear what he has to say about me this time! Not sure if I want to hear it or not! I will get online in Melbourne and catch up on all my email and so forth. I am meeting with the Durathon man, Wayne McDonald, who is going to run through the product with me so i can start distributing it. It's still doing wonderful things for me. He also happens to be the Australian president of the bodybuilding association I am competing in (INBA) so it will be good to meet him.
posted by Sue Gilman at 3:08 PM

I just realized that I have made a mistake calculating the weeks to my comp and the end of my Challenge! I don't finish the Challenge on the date of my comp I finish the weekend before! Which is a bummer, because it is Easter!
posted by Sue Gilman at 9:15 PM

I got the remainder of my professional photos back finally, will try to scan them later.

posted by Sue Gilman at 12:24 AM

Very productive day at work, both work-wise and answering email! I actually have another little project on the go at the moment - I am seriously considering becoming a distributor for the supplement Durathon. It has done such good things for me I want to tell everybody about it! You remember how skeptical i was about it to begin with, well, I am sure that is what is making me feel so energetic, stress free, etc. I felt like a wreck when I tried this exact same diet and training regime about 2 months ago. Now there is no stopping me!

I am quite sore today in the biceps and chest, which makes me happy. Who says I don't train hard enough when I train alone?? (VInce does).

I got the catalogue for competition shoes in the mail today - OMG how big are these damn shoes?? I am sure I will have trouble walking in them!! They might look ridiculous seeing I am so small. I won't buy them yet, but I will take the catalogue with me to Melbourne and see what is down there.

Tonight i have promised myself to have only a small serve of protein for dinner seeing as I was Miss Piggy last night. So, I ate another veal steak - just one this time. And spinach and brussels sprouts. I love brussels sprouts, is that weird or what? I just have my diet jello to eat later.

Sounds like you are training like a madman Joe, and seeing great results!! Keep it up.

I
posted by Sue Gilman at 12:56 AM

My energy (and stress) levels are still great...I am so so excited about that.

I was pretty hungry when I got home...we had a barbie. We cooked some veal steaks and they were awesome, except I think I ate too much! I ate 3 steaks (thin ones) but I checked the pack and it would have weighed around 300g raw :) BIG protein meal. Guess I made up for lunch time when I only had a half chicken breast. George hasn't actually told me an amount in grams to eat, he's funny with measurements like that. He said 1.5 chicken breasts and 2 pieces (how big??) fish. His explanation for how much oatmeal to eat was a plastic coffee cup, 3/4 filled!!! What's wrong with a regular measuring cup!!!

I did at least sleep in until 7.15am this morning. Hard to believe that counts as a sleep in these days!! I remember when I used to go to school (way back then!!), on weekends I would sleep until 2 in the afternoon sometimes!! My record was 4pm!!!
I
I will have a busy week at work this week, trying to finish off my project before I go to Melbourne. Short week for me, holiday today and half day off Friday.

Might go take a bath, soothe my aching body :)
posted by Sue Gilman at 1:47 AM

My quads are sore already!!! This is great because even last week when I trained with George, they didn't get sore! It was the extensions first up I think, I really pushed it yesterday.

I feel so tired now. I am going to be Guest "speaker" on the Yahoo BFL Armed Forces Club in a half hour so will have another coffee to keep me going :)

I have been trying to figure out what kind of suit I want to wear for my comp. I need two, one for the morning, one for the evening (routine round). Might do some surfing...

8pm Starting to feel tired, and very stiff and sore! I just came back from a shortened walk due to having really bad pains in the stomach. I was doubled over with pain at one point. They have subsided now. It is probably a touch of the flu bug that my husband has. I just hope I don't get sick, that would NOT be good at this point.

I have lost 2kg (4.4lb) this week!! I went out and bought some new scales today (digital) as my old ones were the pits. And totally inaccurate. So, I weighed tonight before dinner and I was 49.8 kg. I will weigh every morning and night from now on and write it down.

I called George tonight and told him I was feeling really good and had lost 2 kg. He was happy, and said to keep up the same routine until he takes a look at me this Friday. I am really looking foward to starting posing. As a sidenote, I really have trouble flexing my left bicep correctly. In all my photos you can see that it is nowhere near as flexed as my right one. I don't know why.

I found out from the President of the INBA that at the show, the 3 rounds (prejudging) are done in the morning - posing, symmetry and routine, but (and I've never heard of this) only the best 60 seconds of the routine, and WITHOUT music!!! How weird is that? In the evening, the routines will be done fully, and to music.

Think I will be in bed early tonight. We didn't make the movies last night, got there half hour too early and couldn't be bothered waiting....we were both pretty tired by then and Mike wasn't feeling good either.

We have a public holiday tomorrow :) Nice long weekend. It is Australia Day. Well, it was AD yesterday but the holiday is tomorrow :) Training chest and biceps tomorrow, but the gym doesn't open until 4pm.
posted by Sue Gilman at 1:30 PM

And I just realized that I forgot to do my last tricep exercise of Overhead DB Extensions!!! Anyway, then I went on to my ab work, which is now taking quite awhile because I have so many reps to do (50 reps x 4 of 2 exercises). I was SO glad when it was all done! I really went hard too. I increased my weight on the leg extension and still used 330lbs on leg press (after extensions, squats and alternate leg press I am pretty pleased with that weight! 3 x my body weight :) )

I am planning on taking a nap soon, not that I feel too tired yet, but I think I need it.

Zach, are you crazy?? Your favorite exercise is squatting??? :)) Congrats on getting up there in the weights again, you are really smokin'!!! It seems like we all did squats today!

Oh Zach - I have already started my Official BFL Challenge - its started 7.1.02 (thought that was when you started too) and will end on the exact date of my comp!!! Originally the comp was a week later, but now seeing they brought it forward, it is the same day!! I might get my After pics done the day before in Melbourne. Will have to find another photographer too. BUT I think it is a fabulous idea of yours! Joe, did you officially enter yet?

I tried to take a nap before...I couldn't sleep. I am so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed (Aussie expression??) I can't believe it! Even looking forward to my second walk of the day, in about 10 mins.

We are going to the movies tonight, I hope I don't crash during it!

posted by Sue Gilman at 7:20 PM

I did upright rows and shrugs this morning along with my extras. Tonight was as follows:

Lat Pulldown to back
Lat Pulldown to front
Close Grip Pulldown
Seated Row
T-Bar Row 1
T-Bar Row 2 (2 different grips)

I had more correspondence with Michael from Kelmix Corp today. We are looking at the end of February to do a photo shoot :)

Sanieh, glad to hear you eat diet jelly too :) It can't be all bad then. By the way, your photo looks great.

Well that's about it from me, really tired now, ready for my back rub.

posted by Sue Gilman at 3:12 AM

II emailed Michael (the guy from Kelmix Corp) regarding their line of clothing, and he asked if I'd be interested in having some photos done for their catalogue. He said he really would love to do some sunrise/sunset photos in the outback, as in Australia this year it has been named the Year of the Outback :) So, we are still working on it.

ITomorrow I am walking to the gym once again (this is about a 50 minute walk) and training back/traps. I will probably walk there after work also. I am considering changing around the days that I train so that I can train legs during the week so Vince can push me. It's difficult to work hard enough with squats without a spotter. Although he doesn't spot like George does for squats! George has his arms under my armpits and stands right behind me and goes up and down with me!! I do absolute full squats with him, bouncing off my calves. I stand on a piece of board which apparently places the emphasis more on your quads than your glutes. Somebody please correct me if I am wrong!

Anyway, that's about all for now, I think I best get to bed early tonight as I've had late ones the last couple.
posted by Sue Gilman at 1:47 AM

Also, JT from www.truebodies.com asked me if I would like to feature on his new "fitness women" site.

AND, I received an encouraging email from Terri Roberts, who is the current Ms Australia and Ms World Figure for the NABBA association. I have cut and pasted it below:

Sue
There is absolutely no reason whatsoever why you cant make it. You look
great!!! 10 weeks is plenty of time, you need to keep your protein up and I
suggest you definitely need some carbs in the morning (oatmeal), your
muscles look flat, you can keep getting leaner whilst growing muscle and
with 2 hours cardio a day you definitely need carbs. I am judging this on
these photos - how recent are they. You have a lovely shape and are in
very good condition for 10 weeks out.

Don't worry about anything, things should just get better from here in.
Posing needs a little work, don't forget on stage you must create an
illusion - only let the judges see you in the best shape possible, and
posing is the way to do this.

Regards
Terri

So, there you go, it has been a GOOD day!

9.05pm Tonight I walked to the gym again, then trained shoulders and did my "extras":

I was really hungry when I got home, wolfed down my chicken and green veg, now I have just finished my lemon flavored diet jello. It didn't taste too good actually :( Might have a decaf coffee now to finish off.

So, my day has been a good one - I got a lot of work done, amidst trying to catch up on all my email :)
posted by Sue Gilman at 9:46 PM

I don't get a lot of time to do much else but train these days :( I am hoping it won't be like this the whole entire time, hopefully if I can start shedding a bit more quickly I can go back to one walk per day. And some oatmeal!!

I got a couple of really nice emails from my Dream Team buddies....thanks for keeping my spirits up guys :)

Tomorrow I am walking to the gym at 5.30am, then will train hamstrings. I will get a ride home with Vince, the guy who trained me through my first Challenge. He is one of Australia's top powerlifters and has competed in bodybuilding before also, so he knows a lot and I respect his opinions and advice. He has offered to let me train with him and his buddy as they train exactly the same days as I do. That will be good, because he will definitely make sure i am not slacking off! Oh, and he told me today that he had a girl come to him last night while he was training and I was walking on the treadmill, and she wanted to know if he trained me. She then asked him to do a program and diet for her :)

Well that's about it, I am going to try uploading some holiday pics now after reading my fellow Dream Team journals :)

posted by Sue Gilman at 2:06 AM

I trained with George on Saturday - back/traps. Sunday I trained at 11am, this time legs/triceps. I have a few photos of me squatting, but they didn't turn out too well. After the workout (legs didn't seem as tough as usual, but triceps killed me, I had George yelling at me "C'mon, show the Melbourne girls you Mildura girls are stronger!". He told while I was doing some leg exercises that I looked great and to keep up the diet and we would get there, no problem. However, he changed his mind when I got up on the table in my g-string and bra. He always gets us to "parade" for him so he can check out how we are coming up. Anyway, he said I'd put on weight since I last saw him, which isn't true (November). He now has me cutting out my oatmeal and walking for 2 hours per day again :( Back to the diet from hell :( Thing is, I have a week less than I thought too, because they have brought the competition forward a week :(
Deborah came into the room while I paraded for George. She must have felt really bad for me because she said to me after he left, "When I first started, every time I came in here I nearly ended up in tears after hearing what George had to say."

So on the way out George came to the counter to speak to me and said "Don't hate me!! I have to tell you when you don't look good, I have to be honest.

He also sold me a new supplement called Durathon. It's meant to change your metabolism somehow so you burn fat rather than carbohydrates. Meant to be good for fatigue also. It is an herb, called Ciwujia. I have never heard of it. Thing is, George normally hates supplements! He believes it is just a money-making game. He doesn't have his clients use any protein supps, or creatine, glutamine or anything else.

Another reason that the date being moved sucks is that the week prior is one that I really am not supposed to take off work...one of our bills is due and I hate not pulling my weight when we are busy.

So, there is my gripe for the day. I was pretty depressed on the way home last night (6 hour drive). However, I have decided not to let it get me down, I will try my hardest to get there, and if it happens that I don't, I will go for the next comp in August.

posted by Sue Gilman at 8:46 PM

I ate a whole pack of diet jello tonight.

No training today, just walked today and yesterday. Oh, I had a massage while in Hobart...it was great, just what I needed at the time. Tonight is our last night here - I think the guys have gone out to get a video. We leave at lunchtime and I go training at 4pm.

Joe - I am fine, thanks for asking :)
posted by Sue Gilman at 2:40 AM

We went to the Roman Baths last night which was pretty cool. Nice and relaxing, felt dead afterwards. Had a great night's sleep last night.

Ok, well not much more happening, no training for today or tomorrow, so time to rest up before another tough session with George on Saturday. Back home on Sunday after a 6 hour drive. Time to go pack a suitcase (and an esky - cooler to you Yanks) for our overnight stay.
posted by Sue Gilman at 3:20 PM

Today we trained again, hamstrings and shoulders this time. We went back to the no-gstrings/no posing/no mirrors gym this time. After this we had to drop off our hire car and bus it back to Sharon and Dave's. We had to walk a bit of the way - this, plus the walk to the casino in the afternoon and back, counted as my powerwalking. Tonight Shazza and I are going to the Aquarius Roman Baths...we couldn't get in for a massage right after which was a real bummer, so we are just doing the baths thing. This will still be nice.

I am feeling hungry right now...and I just ate my tuna and the other half of my oatmeal. Shazza is cooking a roast for dinner - I was originally going to have that, but I ate my red meat last night, so will cook my own fish instead I think (or chicken). Tomorrow we are driving to Hobart for a night, it might be difficult getting my food together for 2 days seeing as there won't be a microwave. I have decided that my treat at the Chocolate Factory will be - a Musashi Choc Hazelnut protein bar. I figure that way it is something to look forward to, and I won't feel deprived while the others are scoffing all the free chocolates during the tour. What do you think? :) I won't tell George :)

Zach tells me he got a call from EAS...how awesome is that? I wish you luck Zach :) It would be cool to have someone I "know" as an EAS Champ.

Well, I will be home in about 5 days. It is so cold here considering it is mid-summer! Give me some heat anyday.

Oh yeah! I weighed myself again at the gym today, and I have lost almost half a kilo in 4 days. Not bad, pretty happy with that, considering Mike has put on 1.6kg!! That's all Shazza's good cooking.

I have two days off from training now, and will train again in Melbourne on Saturday/Sunday.
posted by Sue Gilman at 9:55 PM

We didn't end up going to the Gorge, but will today.

Today I train chest and biceps. Didn't get sore in the quads from my leg workout the other day, but my butt has been sore.

Saw a couple of dead Tasmanian Devils on the road :(

posted by Sue Gilman at 1:39 PM

I There were a couple of girls (one in particular) that George pointed out to me that were going to be competing in April. This one had the 6 pack going already...she looked in awesome shape...she will be in the Tall division so I guess that's good for me!

I asked him about posing and he said next time I go in to make an appointment and he will go through all the compulsory poses with me. I asked about my routine and he said I could speak to Tondra (who is a judge, and also a PT at George's gym) who co-ordinates routines for some of the girls. I need to get going on this side of things as 12 weeks isn't far away! George doesn't seem to be in a rush though.

Ok well that's my update. I'm sure I've missed a heap of things, but can't think of them right now. It's great to see all the other Bloggers doing well and writing some great entries. Keep it up guys.

posted by Sue Gilman at 2:29 PM

9.30pm We still don't have everything even close to done, still have to pack and take my kitty around to Mum's house. She's looking after him while we are away.

This afternoon I walked, lacked a bit of energy but not too bad. My eating has been great.

The agenda for tomorrow is, driving to Melbourne (which is a 6 hour drive from Mildura) - we are leaving at 9, and so should get there by 3. I have a training session with George at 6pm, and will be training chest & biceps. This is the first time Mike has been with me when I've trained with him. Then the next morning I train at 7am and by lunchtime we will be flying to Launceston (Tasmania). Not sure what our friends have in store for us while we are there but they know I will be training and dieting.
posted by Sue Gilman at 4:43 PM