Progress Update

Well, I've got about 10 1/2 weeks to go, but I feel like I need more time!  I feel like I'm behind.  I've really been struggling.  I've never had a problem in the past, jumping right back on the diet band wagon after my cheat meals.  This time, however, is a different story!  I decided that I would allow myself to enjoy Christmas day with my family.....food and all, but after that...NO MORE CHEAT MEALS for a while.  If I can't cheat and get right back to the diet, then I probably shouldn't allow myself to cheat.  
My body is still hanging out around 13% body fat, which I'm not too happy about(but it's my own fault.)  I'm sticking to double duty in the cardio dept. though.  Hopefully, that will help.  I finally got someone to get back to me about making some music! Yay!!  So, once I have music, I can start choreographing and practicing, which will also help me drop some fat:)  I'm excited to get busy on that!!  That is, after all, my favorite part of competing!!  I did PROMISE my mother and a few others that I would be doing NO tumbling this time around. Tumbling is how I hurt my knees, and they are finally at a point that the pain is manageable. So, no tumbling for this chick any more:(  Maybe I can sneak in something that's "tumble-ish?" haha We'll see.  I will definitely keep my "signature" moves in my routine though, one of which I haven't practiced in a long time!  It's like riding a bike though, I hope:)  It should all come right back to me.  
Anyway, that's my progress...or lack of progress update for now.  I plan to have better news for ya next time!!! 
I hope y'all had a nice Christmas!  Have a Happy New Year!  Be safe! 2012 is going to be awesome! Let's rock it!  

Egg Whites on Sale

FYI, I still sell the Egg Whites, Int, and they are on sale NOW until the end of Dec. 2011.  The link is posted on the right hand side of my blog page, and the sale codes you'll need are listed below:

** 2 Gallons normally $70.00. Now in Dec with code only $56.00 (includes shipping)
CODE: SNOLLAG

** 4 Gallons - normally $132.00. Now in Dec with code only $112.00 (includes shipping)
CODE: ESACLAG

** 6 Pack of half gallons - normally $116.00. Now in Dec with code only $96.00 (includes shipping)
CODE: ESACFLAH

Dressing - It Can Be A Workout Too

Another question I get asked A LOT is,"How do you get dressed?"  Things that you take for granted or are just simple tasks for you can definitely be a chore for me sometimes.  Dressing myself is often one of those things that I really wish I just didn't have to do!  Being a nudist would just be so much easier!  Honestly, if it was acceptable, I'd be naked all the time, mainly to save myself the frustration of getting those darn clothes on!!
It did take me a long time to master the task of dressing.  Thank God for creative thinking therapists and ingenuity! Thank God for parents who MADE me do it instead of just doing it for me.  Sometimes I still have to be creative when figuring out how to do things.  It's a good thing I was blessed with the ability to think outside the box!
For starters, flexibility is a key factor.  If I didn't keep myself flexible and "bendy," I wouldn't be able to do half of the things I'm able to do.  I do sit in the floor for much of my dressing.  I have to say, not having those pesky arms in the way makes some things easier. For instance....bras!  I hook the bra before I put it on and just put it on over my head, pull it down where it needs to be, and DONE!  I tend to wear strapless bras most of the time because I don't have much of a nub on my left side to keep the strap up.  If I'm not wearing a strapless bra, I'm wearing a sports bra, which is about 99% of the time these days.  I'm becoming more and more anti-bra all the time. Sports bras are just more comfy:)  Another example of something that's easier without those things called arms in the way is shirts/dresses with zippers or buttons in the back.  I can slip them over my head (on backwards) zip it up or button it or whatever and just turn it back around. You can't do that with arms! lol
Speaking of buttons, I usually button as many as I can before I put things on. Then, once it's on I use my toes and my mouth to button the rest. It is a pain is the ass, which is why I usually buy clothes without buttons.  The older I get, the more I look for clothes that are easier to put on! 
I used to wear jeans ALL the time. Now, I only wear them once in a while. Those things are a real pain!  At least now, many jeans are stretchy, and that definitely does help.  I do have some special tools I use, mainly for bottoms.  I have "dressing stick," which is a long metal stick with a hook on one end (to hook onto pants/shorts/panties, etc) and a soft coated mouthpiece on the other end. So, I hook the clothing on the hook, and use my mouth to pull up.  I also have a suction cup that sticks to smooth surfaces, and it has a knobby thing on the end. I've been using this way more lately than my dressing stick.  This thing came about because when I was little, I would use my dresser drawer knobs. I can hook my clothes on there, and move my body up or down to get the clothes where I need them. I broke so many drawer knobs, that someone finally came up with this for me. I always have one of these in my purse too so I can take myself to the restroom when I'm not at home. Public restrooms can be a real pain too.....I will NOT sit on the floor, and I don't want my tools touching the floor. So, I have to be creative.  Honestly, if I have a good friend or my mother with me, they will usually just help me get my pants up and down.  It's a heck of a lot quicker too.  I am also very thankful for family restrooms.  There have been many times that I've had on difficult clothing, and I need my husband to go in and help me. Otherwise, I could be in there forever just fussing with my clothes. Getting some things, like leggings, on is a total body workout!! haha
OK, back to jeans..... I also have a smaller and much skinnier "dressing stick" that fits into the hole in the end of a zipper. I call it a "zipper pull." The little hook fits into the zipper hole, and I use my mouth to pull it up.  I also have a "button holer," which is a wire hanger that is bent up all funky.  I use my right foot for this. i hold onto one end of it, and the other end I put through the button hole, hook the button, and pull it back through the hole. Sometimes, this is tricky. Sometimes, I get it stuck.  I have actually had to call a neighbor friend before to come get me unstuck from this thing!!  I tell ya, if I didn't have a good sense of humor about myself, I'd probably be in the nut house by now. haha  Belts...ah those pain in the ass things.  I rarely wear them any more. When I do though, I put the belt on first, and use my long dressing stick to fasten it once everything else is on. Since I'm usually in gym clothes or something simple to get on these days, my life is a little easier. When I wear more difficult things, I feel like I'm getting a workout, and I'm a sweaty mess by the time I'm done!
Oh yes, I almost forgot...because i almost never do this anymore, but tucking in shirts....this one actually isn't too hard.  If I'm going to tuck in a shirt, the only way I've found to do it is to use my dressing stick to tuck it into my underwear. I know, it sounds silly, but it works.
The older I get, the more I'm concerned with ease. Ya, jeans are cool, but they are a real pain in the butt. So, I stick to wearing easier things.  Dresses are something else I don't wear a lot. If I wear a dress, I have to wear shorts underneath so I don't give the world a peep show every time I put my leg up to do something. Trying to hold up a dress to get shorts up and down to use the potty...not easy. Therefore, dress wearing is limited. I'm just too impatient to worry about all these things that are a hassle any more!
I guess what goes on my feet is a part of dressing too. So, I'll address that too for you:) I love boots, but the ONLY time I wear them is if I'm going somewhere like dancing, my husband or someone is with me to do EVERYTHING for me, and I won't need to use my feet.  The same goes for any type of shoes that require buckling buckles. As you can imagine, I just don't wear these types of shoes or boots often. It's rare actually. I usually just wear sandals or flip flops. They are easy:)  My sneakers are the only thing I wear that have closures. I have to take my sneakers/gym shoes to a shoe repair place and have them put velcro straps on them. Again, not exactly cool, but it works. So, I use my right foot to velcro shut the left shoe, and my mouth to close the right shoe. I only wear these when I'm at the gym or doing anything workout related.
Coats and jackets are another thing I don't like. That's one of the main reasons I will only live where it's warm. Here in Arizona, the most I ever need is a sweatshirt, and those I can just put on over my head.
I hope this answered the whole dressing question.  I'm sure it's hard to visualize how I do this, but at least you get the idea now. Keep your questions coming, and I'll do my best to answer them! As you can tell, I am a very open book, and I totally don't mind satisfying your curiosity!! 

Mom's Advice

When I was a teenager, like most teenagers I didn't think my parents knew diddly squat about anything.  My response to just about anything they tried to tell me was, "Whatever."  BTW, I still say that sometimes, not usually to my parents though.   However, my mom gave me a piece of advice that for some reason stuck with me. Although, it didn't hit me until I was in college, and I realized she was right.  That's a humbling experience...realizing your mother was right!! haha  Anyway, I used to not understand (in high school, jr. high) why the boys didn't ever want to date me.  OK, NOW looking back, I understand that it had a lot to do with them not being sure what their friends would think.  In college, the boys did a complete 180* turn around, and it didn't seem to matter to them that I didn't have arms.  When I realized that boys actually DID like me now, it also occurred to me that something else had changed within myself......I had learned to love and accept myself the way I am.  The advice my mother had given me a few years earlier was: YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF BEFORE YOU CAN EVER EXPECT THAT ANYONE ELSE WILL.  HOW CAN ANYONE ELSE LOVE YOU IF YOU DON'T EVEN LOVE YOURSELF?  After all, I am ALWAYS going to be like this.  I guess I just finally learned to accept that.  I also learned that I am a pretty cool chick!!  Why WOULDN'T anyone like/love me??  lol   So, to anyone else who is struggling with the same thing, or is in a similar situation, I am telling you....I guarantee that if your attitude about yourself and your situation changes, so with others' attitudes change!!  Attitude really does make a HUGE difference!!  I know you've heard this before as well, but CONFIDENCE (not to the point of cockiness) is BEAUTIFUL, even sexy at times!!  
So, adjust that attitude, love yourself, believe in yourself, and let your confidence shine through!!  Trust me, people will notice, but beyond that YOU will be so much better off and SO much happier!
Now, I would just like to say, "THANKS MOM!!!  YOU WERE RIGHT...AGAIN!"  

More Answers

I am glad that my readers, fans, and friends still have questions for me because it's giving me material to blog about!!  Here is another one that I will do my best to answer:  "ur married and have kids, how did you approach potential relationships etc and bringing that new person into your 'world'? and did you find ur sex life complicated at all by others perceptions or ur own perceptions? u seem very confident and un phased at all by what other people think, i just wondered if that also translated into ur personal world? "
I believe I approached relationships just like anyone else would.  If a man wanted to get to know me and date me, then I would assume he had already noticed that I am missing a few limbs!  So, if he had a problem with that, then he probably would not be dating me in the first place.  In the past, there have been the occasional men who wouldn't date me because they "didn't know how to talk to me" or didn't know how to handle my situation.  I was even with one man who insisted that I didn't wear sleeveless tops because people would stare at me!  I told him that people are going to look and stare at me no matter what i wear!  i could wear a long sleeve turtle neck, a strapless top, tank top, short sleeve t-shirt, or a freakin' tent.....it's not going to stop people from staring!!  If you know me at all, then you've probably already guessed what I did.....YEP!  I wore a strapless top out that night anyway!!  He was obviously a jerk, and I did NOT stay with him.  I told him that not EVERYONE stares just because I don't have arms and think I'm a freak!  Some people like to watch simple because they are amazed.  Most people are just curious.  Wouldn't you be??  After all, it's not every day you see someone eating with their feet in a restaurant.  i told him, for all we know they could be staring at him and wondering what the hell I was doing with him??  haha
With anyone who is new to my world, my reality, I try to make them feel more comfortable by letting them know that if I need help, I will ask.  I don't make them feel bad for watching me do things.  i usually try to inject some humor into things too....it helps:)
I have to say though, being armless is sometimes a great way to weed out the jerks!!!  I have found that MOST people don't care that I'm using my feet, and they eventually "forget" that I don't have hands.  Most of my friends, family, etc eventually become unaware of the looks and whispers of others.  They aren't quite as unaware as I am, but oh well.  The ones who DO care about that and can't handle it obviously need to be weeded out anyway.
I guess I realize that people are just curious, amazed,etc, and I don't care if they look.  I'm so used to it that most times, I don't even notice....unless they're being downright rude.  I have my ways of dealing with them too:)  I figure if someone doesn't like the way I look, or they don't like to see me using my feet, they don't have to look!  Ya, I'm wearing a tank top, and my shoulders/nubs are showing! You don't like that??  OH FREAKIN" WELL...then don't look!! So ya, I'm pretty unphased by what people think. Why should I care what they think? They sure don't care what I think!!  Hey, I can't please everybody!  I am just me....take me or leave me. lol
OK, to answer the question about sex: doesn't sex always complicate relationships?? lol  Honestly, I've never had a problem in this department.  On more than one occasion I've been asked HOW I have sex. My response is always, "Very well!!!! You don't need arms for that, and I have everything else!"  That usually shuts them up.  If they decide to just be raunchy, I'll answer their questions with a smug, "That's something you will never be lucky enough to find out."
IF being with me sexually and my not having arms/hands has ever been an issue for someone, I have never been told about it.  I could certainly understand how it could be a concern though, and I wouldn't hold it against anyone for feeling that way.  In fact I think it would hurt my feelings more if someone told me I was bad in bad than 
if they said they had a hard time dealing with me not having hands!
I hope this answered those questions to your satisfaction:)  Keep your questions coming people!!!

Korea Trip

I just got the news that our trip to Korea has been postponed. They couldn't get us a flight because it's the peak time of the year...the holidays.  They still want me to go in January though. However, I asked if we could please go sometime after March because I'm in the midst of contest prep. Hopefully, that will be acceptable to them.  I'm actually a little relieved, just because I'm already a little behind in my progress.  I was afraid this might put me further behind.  Everything happens for a reason, right?!!

Motivation

Today, someone asked me a question....a question that I get asked A LOT! So, I decided I should just write a short blog about it. Here's my chance to answer the question (well, one of them) that everyone asks me: HOW DO I GET MOTIVATED AND STAY MOTIVATED TO KEEP GOING TO THE GYM, KEEP TRAINING, AND KEEP MYSELF FIT????? 
The answer is a multi-part answer yet quite simple really.  First of all, if I don't keep myself in decent shape, it's difficult for me to function and just do daily tasks. When I slack on training, I tend to let my healthy eating habits fly right out the window, too.  When I don't train and don't eat well, I gain weight, retain a lot of water, my back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees swell, and it becomes difficult....even painful at times to use my legs and feet the way I need to.  Plain and simple....by staying in shape, I feel better, look better, and I can function much easier.
The second part of my answer is: goal setting.  I am always setting new goals for myself. Some are long term goals and some are just small short term goals, but there is ALWAYS  a goal I am setting out to achieve.  Sometimes, my goals are as simple as just keeping my eating in check or stretching for 5 extra minutes a day.  Other times, like now, I'm aiming to lose 10% body fat by March 10.  I rarely do ab exercises. So, sometimes I shoot to do abs at least once per week.  Recently, my goal (which I have achieved) was to be able to go for an entire hour on the stepmill.  If there isn't a goal in sight, you really don't know what you're working toward!! You've got to know know where you're going in order to figure out how to get there, so to speak. 
Rewards are also a good thing.  Reaching any goal, big or small, is something to celebrate!  I might reward myself with a cheat food, a new pair of shoes, a night off from cardio, new make-up....or whatever it is that floats my boat at the time.
Last, but not least: I HATE when I can't fit into my favorite clothes!  So, fitting into my clothes is definitely a motivator for me as well!
I hope this answers the questions about my motivation!!  If there are more questions, PLEASE feel free to ask me, and I will do my best to answer them!

Progress Update

Before Thanksgiving, I was doing great and making progress.  I somehow allowed myself to get derailed though.  I planned on Thanksgiving dinner being my first cheat MEAL.  However, my cheat meal turned into a cheat DAY, and my cheat day turned into four cheat days.  Yes, I did some damage.  My weight was right back up to where it was when I began.  Luckily, it was mostly water weight, and I'm now back to where I was before Thanksgiving.  This did put me behind though. So, now I'm busting my ass even harder.  I was doing 45 minutes of cardio twice per day.  I'm now doing an hour twice per day.  
I decided that I'd better just live on the stepmill for the next 15 weeks.  However, my soleus in my right leg is apparently pissed about all that stepping up.  I'm not sure if it's tendonitis or what, but I'm taking it slower on the stepmill and using the treadmill instead when I need to.  
I've also been making a conscious effort to do more stretching, and my flexibility is already back to where it needs to be!!!
Q and I are taking a very short trip to South Korea in a few days because I was asked to be on a talk show there!!!  I'm going to do my best not to fall off the diet wagon while we're away.  I'm not at all excited about the long flight, but I can't wait to see Korea!  I couldn't pass up this opportunity, even though the timing is horrible.  When I return, I'm sure I'll have a few stories to share with you!!  
BTW, 2012 is right around the corner! Have you decided on any resolutions? Fitness resolutions and goals??  You MUST have goals to achieve success!!!

Contest Prep. Has Begun

I am officially out of "retirement!!"  The last time I competed was March 2009, and I decided to retire from competing after that show.  However, competition is in my blood!  I want to be on that stage again!  The show I have decided to be in is on March 10, 2012.  Right now, I am 16 weeks and 5 days from competition day, and I have begun my prep/diet!  Of course, FITNESS is the category I will be competing in!  Fitness is my favorite! I will keep y'all posted on my progress:)
     This time, I am not hiring a coach, trainer, or dietician.  I figure that I've done this so many times, I should be able to get through it on my own.  I am following Dave's meal plan again though, with a few minor adjustments of my own.  Down the road, if I feel like I need help, I will get help:)  For now, wish me luck!

Dolphin Tale

Today, my mom and brother and I went to see the movie, 'Dolphin Tale."  I absolutely loved it!  It was one of the best movies I've seen, and it's a true story!!  I've always loved dolphins, and I wish I could have one for myself. :)  This is quite a heart warming story.  If you are going to the movies anytime soon, I recommend seeing this one for sure!!  Now I want to fly down to Florida to meet this wonderful creature...a dolphin named Winter. 

Family Photo

A few weeks ago, my family took a vacation to Turks & Caicos Island...Provo!!  While we were there, we had some family photos taken, and I want to share them with y'all!!!  My mom went with us as well. So, she's in some of our pics:)

They See ME

There have been several instances where photographers approach me to shoot with them, and when I mention that I have no arms, they say they didn't even notice.  At first I was wondering what is wrong with these people??  They see my photos, comment on them, approach me, but didn't even notice that there are two arms missing??  Aren't photographers supposed to see things like this?  Seriously, they'll see if there is a teeny tiny tag showing, but they don't see that two arms are completely missing??  haha  Then,  I thought, "Wow!  I guess my photos really speak for themselves!"  I told one of the photographers that I was glad he didn't notice, and when he asked why, I said,"Because that means you noticed ME, not my arms(or lack thereof.)"  It's nice to know that some people just see ME!!  I guess I still assume that my "arms" is what people notice first.  I need to quit assuming!!!  After all, there is much more to a person than just their arms! 

Photo Shoot with Rob Sims

I posted some of my pics from the shoot I did with Rob Sims in Sept.  They turned out pretty good!  I can't wait to shoot with him again in Feb. when I'm in shape!!!  Click on this link to see the photos: 
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150368198988836.367734.684543835&type=3

Different Things

     Well, we now have a new family member!  She is a short haired hamster, and her name is Oreo.  Jared is SURE his one is going to live a long time.  However, if this one doesn't live, he wants a dwarf hamster to name Midget. haha  Cute, huh!!
     Jared's football team is in the playoffs now, and they won the first game.  If they go all the way, we'll be going to Florida in December.  Oh the joys of football! 
     Jordan's football season is over, thank God.  It's been a terrible season for him.  Before they even played their first game, he got a concussion, which kept him from playing for several weeks.  Then, he came down sick, which kept him out a few more weeks.  He only played in two games this season.  Next year will be much better, hopefully!!  He has decided he is going to try out for the basketball team now!  Yay!!  I'm glad my boys like to stay active!
     Zoe is finally over being mad at me for leaving. haha  She was MAD at me for going on vacation!!  Thank goodness she's over it:)
     Monday is Halloween!!  Guess what I'm gonna be??!!!  An armless girl!!  I'm going to be in a friend's haunted house.  I'm going to wear a sleeveless shirt and have fake blood running down my shoulders like someone just chopped off my arms.  i know, I know...I have a sick sense of humor.  Get over it. lol

Feb. Photo Shoot

     Some time(I'm not sure of the exact dates yet) in Feb, Mr. Rob Sims...THE fitness photographer, will be coming for a visit!  My goal is to line up as many girls as possible to shoot with him.  So, if you are a fitness, figure, bikini, body builder, or physique competitor and would like to shoot with him here in beautiful Phoenix, AZ, contact me!  If you're not a competitor, that's ok too...the price is just a little different.  Also, if you know anyone who may be interested, please pass this info along to them!
     Rob is charging a small fee for the shoots.  You get to keep all of the pics, and this cost is whether you shoot for one day or several days.  He's only asking $600 for competitors and $800 for non-competitors.  Your money will be well spent.  You won't regret it!  Start planning NOW!!
     I will also have spray tanning available for anyone who needs or wants it.  The cost for that is $45-$55, depending on if you travel to them or they come to you.  They also have a special that's $40/person if you and a friend do it together.
     As if that wasn't all awesome enough, I'm also going to have a hair and make-up person available!  Her cost is $45 for make-up only and $55 for make-up and hair!!
     This is such an amazing opportunity that you don't want to pass up!!!

Time to Update

     I just noticed that I haven't posted in like 10 months!!  HOLY COW!!  I knew it had been a while, but I didn't realize it had been that long!!!  
     So, last time I posted, I had hit a plateau, which is where I'm at again!  I did reach my goal of 62lbs lost, but I've rebounded just a little.  I am happy where I'm at right now though.  I have decided to come out of retirement, so to speak, and get back on the fitness stage!!  It's in my blood, and I guess I'm just not quite ready to give it up.  I am aiming to compete on March 10, here in AZ! 
     My hubby and I just celebrated our 2 year anniversary!!  Time sure flies!!  We were planning on going to Las Vegas during Olympia time to celebrate, since we got married there 2 years ago, but life happened:(  We ended up spending a few days at The Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, AZ.  It was very nice!!  I still think I'll keep him! haha  
     Next week, we will be taking family photos. So, today, I've been shopping the clearance racks with my boys!!  We've decided to wear all white!  We've had a successful day! I love clearances!!
     Speaking of photos, I went to Salt Lake City, Utah last week and shot with the amazing fitness photographer, Rob Sims, for 3 days!!  I had a blast with everyone there!!  I was T-totally wiped out when I got home though!!!  I will use those photos to update my web site as soon as I get them from Rob.   So, keep your eyes peeled for that!!   I plan on shooting with him again in Feb, when I'm in better shape.  I can't wait!!!  I'll expand on that a little more in my next blog:)
     Other than that, not much has happened!  Right now, it's football season.  With two boys playing, we keep very busy!!  My older boy plays for his high school freshman team, which is kinda nice!!  My little guy has had an awesome season, too.  They've won every game but one!!  I love watching my boys play, but I will be glad when the season is over. 
     Last week, we had a death in the family.  My son Jared got a cute little teddy bear hamster for his 11th birthday, and he named her Sally.  Sadly, Sally only lived about a month.  We had to put her in the ground this past weekend.  She is missed.  We will be getting another one soon.  He wants to find a black and white one to name Oreo...how cute.