30-sumthin' Mama bringing SEXY back... it tends to get lost when you've had 4 babies in 6 years!!!!

Well... I couldn't drive to my gym... And the treadmill? Well, it's ALL the way downstairs....!!!!

2012-01-23T13:55:00.000-08:00

So, what had happened was....

We had UNPRECEDENTED snow fall here in the Great Northwest this past week. I was literally TRAPPED in the house with my 4 kids for the entire week - ALL of us going a little (or a LOT) bonkers!! The snow was fun for the first 2 days to play in... then we were pretty much over it!!! And WE were blessed - Over 150,000 people around us had no power - some for over 5 days!! Our power stayed on... which is probably why we are all still alive & no one got mauled to death!

So here's what I'm thinking... I'm thinking that when it gets REALLY cold our bodies CRAVE really FATTENING foods so that we will be properly insulated in order to survive the cold... what do y'all think? ;-) HaHaHaHaHa! That's my story & I'm stickin' to it!! So I couldn't make it to the gym... we were buried under 10+ inches of snow & live on a huge hill... And then my treadmill... Well, it was ALL the way downstairs... so THAT wasn't really convenient either... especially since the kitchen was UPSTAIRS & that was were toasted cheese sandwiches, nachos... & handful upon handful of Cinnamon cereal... were being consumed... BY ME!! And then I made my good 'ol chicken Alfredo... whole milk, cheddar cheese, cream cheese... I might of even thrown in some cheese sticks... why not?!? Does it count that it was WHOLE WHEAT pasta I drowned with the cheese sauce?!? Any points for that?

I WAS doing fine - Eating good all week... And then Friday came... and I was OVER it all... I just didn't care... OH! And guess what was coming in 2 days? Yea... WHERE IS THE CHOCOLATE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD DAG-FREAKIN'-NABIT?!?!?!?!?!? Luka sent us all a "Bodyweight Citcuit" but you know... my body weight had probably risen MORE then he realized & I didn't want to HURT myself... You know, you don't want to lift TOO heavy without your trainer their to spot you....... riiiiiiiiiight? Safety first! (HaHaHaHa...!)

So yea, Friday was a wrap. I went into a coma & then wok up Saturday... missed morning boot camp... felt like CRAP... was TOTALLY having a sugar/carb/cheese hangover. THIS was the day I knew I had to make a choice. Yesterday could either detour me for the next 2 weeks if I kept it up... OR I could buckle down & get back on track. I chose #2... I drug my puffy/water retaining/bloated behind ALL THE WAY down stairs, set up my treadmill - Found a funny TV show to take my mind off what I was doing & (how I was feeling!!) & I got to work.

Janet giving me some MOTIVATION!

Because I was feeling so gross & sluggish I decided to go slower but at a higher incline & for longer. I did a 30/30 split run/rest. Speed on 6 (10min mile) Incline at 12 (highest it can go) - And I kept at it for 40 minutes!! Can I just say I REALLY wanted to quit after just 10 minutes? No, FOR REAL. My belly was LITERALLY bouncing with each stride & WHO put 100lb weights on my legs? But that was why I totally rested - feet on the sides for those 30sec - It mattered more for me to be able to keep going & so I did what I needed to do to still get a great workout but not kill myself & quit, discouraged & frustrated! I also decided to only drink - TONS of water & I had 4 protein shakes - Luka had been talking to me about the benefits of weekly fasts or at least monthly fasts & I thought THIS might be a really good time to do one!

Sunday morning I woke up & felt SO much better! Because I'd done a slower HIIT the day before I decided to step it up - I upped the speed to 8.5 & lowered the incline just a bit to 10.0 - I did 20sec on 20sec off - That speed w/ that incline WORE MY BUTT OUT!! I did 42 rounds & finished at 15 minutes - SUCKING WIND & drenched in sweat!! I ate lots of lean protein/healthy fats that day & was VERY excited the snow had finally melted so I could train Monday!!

THIS was pretty much how I was feeling!!

So this morning I got up - Got the kids to school - Slid down our still frozen hill & got my butt to the gym!! I had an awesome workout where I hit my PR on sumo dead lifts!!

Warm Up: 2 rounds of 10 at 135

Working sets:

1) 185lbs for 3

2) 205lbs for 3

3 & 4) 225lbs for 3

5 & 6) 245lbs for 3

The first 4 sets were each triple set with 4 box jumps & 25 swings w/45lb KB.

Rounds 5 & 6 were just super set with the box jumps.

And this was before the weighted goblet lunges/glute bridges/lateral slides/jumping squats... GROW BOOTY GROOOOWWWWWWWWW!!!

Some SELF motivation!! :-)

I have cramps & all that loveliness - BUT I really feel so much better MENTALLY!! I have my energy back again... The funny thing about Friday was how I felt SO horrible - I was eating some of my "favorites" & I realized that it's become less about how I look from consuming those foods & more about how I FEEL!! I HATE that bloated, swollen, puffy, slow & sluggish feeling those high sugar carbs/unhealthy fats give me!

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So I hope you had a great week last week, eating clean & working out... BUT if you didn't... IT'S OKAY!!! Can't change the past, but you CAN change how much it impacts your future if you make a choice to exercise & eat clean TODAY!!! And then tomorrow - The same choice awaits you! It's not about never failing... it's about getting up, dusting yourself off & forging ahead AFTER you fail. Because I will fail, you will fail... we ALL will fail. I say I have no regrets, because if I learn from my mistakes then they are worth it. But I DO make mistakes & fail & make bad choices... we all do. It's what we do NEXT that matters!!

God Bless & Much Love!!!Bekah

I've brought my sexy back... Now where the heck did my peace go?!?!?

2012-01-10T16:00:00.000-08:00

It's a new year so I'm doing something new!

I copied my FB posts over the past 24hrs to blog about it. The posts speak for themselves & I added most of my FB friends/family's comments because they show the truth which is WE'RE ALL IN THIS THING CALLED LIFE TOGETHER!!! Where I am strong you may struggle & where you may knock it out the park I just might not have a stinkin' clue!! My big bad dark not-so-secret, secret? My cluttered, chaotic, messy, good possiblity that it might have been ransacked by burglars... HOUSE. I've brought my sexy back... NOW I need to bring my PEACE back... Jesus take the wheel....! ;0)

POST 1

Have sent out emails to a few home organizers!! I'm feeling less stress ALREADY! I am joyful, spontaneous, confident, focused, hard-working, determined, bargain hunter, fashionista, creative, & oh so very sexy... but I am NOT organized!! Living in mess drains SO much energy & I've made a few attempts at getting help but didn't really follow through - Not this time... I need PEACE in my home & the freedom to have folks over without a 3-day notice! LOL! (but for real....!) It's okay to not be great or even really SUCK at some things... just find people who are & get them to help you! No shame in my game... 1-800-help-me-get-it-together!!

Comments:

Kimberly Joy Morgan

Wish I was there to help you!

Bekah Baker

Ooooo... girl me too! :0) I've changed so many things in my life for the better this past year but this is one thing I've realized - I need HELP! My brain just doesn't work right in this dept!

.Kecia KSquare

Don't feel bad. I am organized in many things, including work, but for some reason when it comes to my house, I always hear crickets chirping in my brain. LOL

Briana N Harris Green

Outsourcing = key to success

Gabrielle Rosenthal

Professional organizers.....I know someone who is great!

Kimberly Joy Morgan

Once u get someone to help u get it together let me know and I can talk u through some maintenance things! Wish u were around as a workout buddy! Man!

Tameka Tyler Coleman

I feel the same way and think I may have passed this on to my daughter. Sometimes I get overwhelmed not knowing where to start. A problem I have is getting rid of stuff. But right before the new year I tackled my closet. Started donate bag, trash bag, and laundry bag. I got it done in a day. I took a picture of the before and will take one of the after and share it. Now I am working to help my daughter get her room cleaned and work very hard to keep it that way. Rule number one. Have a place for everything and when done with it, put it up. My problem is I will put something on the bed, chair or in the corner and say I will get back to it later and never put it up... then I can't find it... my husband is very neat, so it has caused some stress. I am making an effort to get the clutter out and keep it out. We need to encourage each other.
You sound just like me. Seldom do I entertain at my house unless there is a lot of notice. I went to a christmas party and the older lady's house was so neat. She kept her bedroom doors ajar, something I can't think of doing. But soon I will be there! Kimberly, I can use some tips!

Bekah Baker

Thank you Kimberly Joy Morgan!
Tameka Tyler Coleman - Girl, yes... My mom is very organized & clean & it was ALWAYS a fight with me growing up - Why make up a bed I was just going to get back into? Just didn't make sense to me!Of course I married a first-born-type-A military man... so it drives him crazy! My nightmare is when I have people over & they want a TOUR... are you CRAZY?!? Where do you think I threw all the stuff that was everywhere?!?! The DOORS are closed for a REASON! LOL!

Rahlita Ross

I'm on that kick today. It can be a challenge...

Judy Lash

Amen, girl!!! YOU GO!!!

Kara Fossett-Brown

Girl please...you could've paid me to do that! Oh and my airfare...and my meals of course oh and materials but I still would probably save you some money!:)

Sue Miller

I TOTALLY relate! Les, thankfully, is better than I am in this area and he's helping me.... We're doing it one box, drawer and room at a time. We started in the kitchen, since we use it most...:)

Tameka Tyler Coleman

I don't feel alone anymore!

Heather Carlin Kensinger

you can do it...I'll try to send some organizing vibes your way to help :-)

POST 2

Have a professional home organizer coming tomorrow morning!! And she's ALSO a professional counselor who does interventions... which is JUST what me & my house need! LOL! She told me NOT to clean up... HOW RUDE! ;0) But she did okay me putting all the Christmas stuff away, so that's my project for this afternoon/evening!

Thank you EVERYONE who has offered to help - I think my pride will only allow me to pay a stranger to come up in here & see the real deal! I know HOW to clean up... it's how to KEEP it that way where I have issues & this lady has been doing it for years & "Is SO excited" to help me - Here's to hoping some of my VERY organized mother's DNA kicks in quick fast & in a hurry!

Comments:

Sara Fisher

I love you but am very skeptical that an organizing system will change the baker drop your stuff and go routine!.... :)

Bekah Baker

ROTFL!! I know Sara - As am I... But I'm giving it a legit try. If someone with a DEGREE in organizing can't help me then I'll just invite you over more often!! ;0)

Sara Fisher

MMHMM, So did you hire her to get you organized or for her intervention skills! Because I don't think I'd count on that DNA leaking through! If it works though, I'll have entered the twilight zone when I set foot in a CLEAN and ORGANIZED baker house!

Julie Este-Mcdonald

How cool! Wish we had that here!

Joyce VanSeters

I need one of those! let me know how it goes:)

Bekah Baker

PREPARE TO ENTER THE TWILIGHT ZONE Sarita!!! ;0)
Will do Joyce! I decided to stop being miserable about it & get someone who knows how help people like me - She said her focus would be on setting up ways to KEEP my place organized. So we'll see!

Yulia Boltach

Could it be the four young kids you have? Cause I have the same problem, and a feeling that If I sent them all to boarding school my house would be much cleaner!
But yes tell us how it goes. I need one of those for sure, or maybe we should start a small group for "messy anonymous" its a real organization. :0)

Bekah Baker ‎

Yulia Boltach - I'd like to blame them but I was messy always! They don't make it any EASIER on me however since I've created mini-me's running around. Although I must say the 4 days my parents took the kids & KB & I hung out at the house it DID stay pretty clean! LOL!

Deborah Thompson-Fossett

The answer to keeping a place clean is to move! We have very little "extra stuff" and between the 3 moves in 11 months, I have all the girls down to a crate each of "special items" and 1 box total of keepsake type of things.
Plus having people over all the time, spending the night, cooking for a crowd and feeling stress if there is a mess helps! Also a minimalist for a husband, not liking things stored on top of the fridge, chair, counter, etc...and the fact I bathe the dog once a week...maybe I need an intervention for being the opposite of you! I say it is our parents fault!!!

Tell you what. You take some of my over the top keep it looking company ready 24/7 and you give me some of your relaxed, live in the moment attitude and we both would be set! Good luck tomorrow!!! ♥

Bekah Baker

OMG! I love it Deborah Thompson-Fossett!! Sounds like the perfect plan! And yes, for SURE all our parent's fault! :0) I'll let you know how it goes... She says she's seen it all... And she specializes in prepping homes for moving - so that will be perfect since that's what we'd like to do in the next 6 months! She also said after we set things up she'll come by every couple weeks to see how it's really working & make changes to the areas that are still getting cluttered. I'm really excited/embarrassed/freaked out/relieved to have her arrive tomorrow!

Sacha Bryan Whitmore

Please pass the reference this way if it works out... Thanks! lol

Bekah Baker

I will Sacha Bryan Whitmore! We're going to REALLY do it this time!!! LOL! Last time kinda' fizzled out before it even began! Oops...! ;0)

Brandi Krystal Miles

Hmmm, I did not know people actually did this for a living! Maybe I can put my OCD to good use and make a career out of it lol. People come to my house and they think I am crazy. Every clothing closet in my house (yes even Trin's and the coat closet) are organized by color, all of my hangers must match and they must be spaced a finger tip away from one another. That is just a little of my OCD. You should see my pantry, each food group has a shelf smh.

Bekah Baker

Yes you should Brandi Krystal Miles! The going rate around here is $40-$50hr!! You could make a lot of money girl doing what you love to do anyway!!

Deborah Thompson-Fossett

Oh, I like Brandi Krystal Miles and it sounds like Sara Fisher would be in that mix as well! I bet your towels are all folded the same way (I do mine in thirds, facing the same direction, tag tucked in, edges neat), stacked by color and size. And the glasses, wine glasses (different types for different wines), silverware (my middle daughter (13) was unloading the dishwasher before school this morning and had the spoons, forks all nestled nicely together, with half facing one direction and the other half facing opposite, when I asked her why she said it looks cleaner and fits better! - sigh, I have done my job well!). We should start a group for those like us!!! And post pictures of "encouragement". What do you think Bekah Baker??? ♥ (btw, how did it go today??)

Brandi Krystal Miles

am seriously going to look into it! When I visit my friends I always catch myself cleaning up their homes, they just sit back and laugh at me. Dont let me go shopping and see a shirt/jean table out of order and unfolded. Many people have mistaken me for an employee because I will go through and start folding their tables when I'm out shopping lol. Yep people think I am crazy lol. Oh I just organized my dvd/blueray collection by genre and in alphabetical order. My next mission is the garage. My hubby came home and said "really babe, you know they make medication for this" lol

Bekah Baker

OMG You guys are CRACKING me up!! Yes, Deborah Thompson-Fossett, Sara Fisher is the Queen of Clean... when they arrived to our house before we got home from church we walked into a kitchen totally cleaned up, all the 6 boxes of Costco stuff put away & organized, dishwasher loaded & running & the counters cleared. I've offered have them just move in... but I'd have to hire Sara full-time to keep the house clean enough for her to live in it! LOL!!! :0)
Brandi Krystal Miles, you need to join the support group with my sisters Deborah & Sara... THAT is hilarious folding up clothes while you're shopping!! I can just imagine!! "Uh, no I don't work here. Are you suggesting a shopper organizing the store isn't normal behavior...?" ROTFL!! NO Brandi!! It's NOT normal!! Like your hubby said they make medication for that kind of craziness!! HaHaHaHaHa

POST 3

Okay - Daniele Ott owner of "Ott to get Organized" will be here in about an hour... Panic mode has set in because I'm now seeing my house through how a stranger would see it... YIKES. (http://otttogetorganized.com/ email: daniele@otttogetorganized.com
please let her know I sent you... she's amazing!)

I'm TRYING to convince myself this is JUST like when you take that "Before" picture & have to really SEE how far you've let yourself go because the reality is, you've gotten used to it. It can be SO humiliating at the time, yet you're SO happy when you start hitting your weight loss goals to look back at that picture & see how far you've come!

If these things were easy everyone would do it - Everyone would be fit & eat clean. Everyone would have clean organized homes. Everyone would communicate clearly & with love. Everyone would fashionable & put-together. The list goes on & on... We wouldn't need trainers, coaches, professional home "harmonizers," counselors, nor professional stylists/shoppers. But it's not easy & we do need help in different areas & that is why there are professionals to guide us along our way!

(have I convinced you? because I'm still freaking out....! but that all sounded REALLY good!) ;0)See More

COMMENTS:

Lea Edwards:

I admire ur honesty. You seem to have it all together. Four beautiful children, a happy marriage. Not many people would or will post about where they are falling short. I'm OCD about my home n cars but I've gained FIFTY lbs in 18 mths. When I look at scale.. I clean n organize more. My children are little neat freaks too. But they drink hella soda like mommy. Don't worry those people are used to much worse, just like trainers are used to much worse than my situation. You are still an inspiration to many of us certified fat chicks. My house is always spotless but my ass ain't lifted a finger to do nothing about my weight. At least your doing something about it. It's when the hoarders people start taping u.. N I ain't there yet.

Holly Cervantes:

Send her my way when she's finished at your place Bekah ..just like exercising is more fun with a friend, I will feel the pain with you...lol. xo

Tami Wilkerson Dunning:

I was just going to say do you feel better now LOL .. You are going to be fine... Just let her do what she does.. learning something new is always good! By the way could you have Baker plant one of them money trees in my back yard sorry had too LOL

Hilary Hoover:

Good luck! Feel free to share any tips you learn. And yes, please before and after pictures!! So exciting.

Joe B Manvdadhood:

WOW... This would have made a really good blog post. ;-). Twitter was created with you in mind.

POST 4

I have to thank all you guys for your encouragement & support - You have made me laugh, cut myself some slack, & realize we're all in this thing called life, together... there's always SOMETHING that we have to work harder at to arrive to the ideal!

So Daniele arrived. With her camera... *sigh* ... But I LOVED her... she was SO understanding & excited to NOT help me clean up, but to put functional systems in place to KEEP each room clean & organized BASED on how our family lives in each room.

She loved my home's style, colors & flare & thought my shoe collection was FABULOUS howbeit ALL over my floor... And she told me it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was. "It's all just clutter. LOTS of clutter, but it's just surface STUFF. We will have this all good in no time!" I think she really BELIEVED what she was saying, so I have some hope! I get "A" for effort - "F" for function & she explained why all my attempts to organize failed. Like buckets & boxes are great for dumping stuff but BAD for organizing... a "cleaning style" my mom said I totally got from her! :0)

She said she understood how emotionally draining it is to try so hard & clean all the time but never have it done. Never actually arriving to your goal. And the guilt from the naturally organized people in your life who (intentionally or through no fault of their own) give you this feeling like something MUST be wrong with you. Maybe you're just lazy or don't care enough because it's just NOT THAT HARD to keep your house clean. (Kinda' like those people who LOVE to work out or are naturally thin..... hmmmm...!)

Not to be deep - But it's true - The scripture that says "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." When you try & try & try & fail & fail & fail... it really DOES make your heart sick! Just because a "sick heart" is your normal & you're used to it, doesn't make it okay! Get the help you need! And don't EVER judge. We ALL got our ISSUE(S.) So let's help each other out... life is WAY more fun that way anyway!

I will keep you posted on my new journey to keeping my sexy while bringing my peace back!! I love you all & thank you for loving me flaws & all!

Much Love!

Bekah

And We're Off...!!!!

2011-12-07T04:43:00.001-08:00

Yikes! It was October 31st last time I blogged & BOY has a LOT happened since!!

I will be doing an update on my latest show - I did the NPC Nationals in Miami the 2nd weekend in November... Let's just say it was an INTERESTING trip... hint - The 24hr stomach flu picked the WRONG 24hrs to hit!!
But like ALWAYS there were so many great lessons to be learned that I have no regrets!

Another thing that's been keeping me busy in the promo video I did for Gamma Labs for their PTF (Pre Training Formula) workout drink - LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

You can check out the video here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF1GxstxnwM

Then it would mean the WORLD to me if you'd take the time to vote for my video on the GammaLabs FB page here (Click the "View/Vote" link on the left side of page):

http://www.facebook.com/GammaLabs?sk=app_208195102528120.

The COOLEST thing about being asked to try GammaLabs PTF & shoot this video is that I ACTUALLY REALLY LIKE IT!! :0) It is an AWESOME product!! Instead of being packed full of caffeine it is packed with anti-oxidants that help pump oxygen into your blood giving you an AMAZING STEADY boost of energy throughout your workout & NO CRASH or JITTER!! Every friend I've given a sample to LOVES it!

Now for the BEST news?!?!?! Keith & I have launched our own online supplement company called

Pro Body Supplements!

"Like" our page on FB https://www.facebook.com/?ref=hp#!/pages/PRO-BODY-SUPPLEMENTS/185646414851100 & get FREE SHIPPING!! We're also selling the Gamma Labs PTF for an amazing price PLUS FREE SHIPPING!!!

Normally $55.99 we have it for $29.99!

You've GOT to try it out & let me know how you like it!! You can buy it here: http://www.probodysupplements.com/p-2542-gamma-labs-pre-training-formula.aspx. Or through our FB page. Please also check out the almost 5000 other supplement & health & wellness products we carry!! I'll be telling you more about it all soon!

OH! And how can I forget?

I've also launched my OWN website!

http://www.bekahbaker.com/!

It's a LOT easier to remember than my lovely VERY LONG blog name & will link you to my blog, gallery, weekly health tips, Pro Body Supplements & SO much more!! It's still a work in progress & I'd LOVE to hear you feedback & suggestions!!

I'll be back SOON!!!
Much Love,
Bekah

I FINALLY did it!!!

2011-10-31T20:06:00.000-07:00

With my trophy & tiara!

Yes! Yes!!!! I finally did it... I stepped on the stage the end of last month as a NPC Bikini competitor! And guess what? I had the TIME of my LIFE!

Why? Because I had the BEST package I'd ever had - My favorite by FAR... I was lean, long, tone, muscular but with a softer edge.

Lovin' EVERY second on that stage!!
Rockin' my VizionWear suit!

My dieting was WAY easier then it was when I was trying to do Figure. This is what I discovered in Chicago just a few months ago - When you work your butt off, eat EXACTLY what you are told (even when it's over 100oz of Tilapia in ONE week) Add EXTRA cardio for not a few weeks... no EIGHT weeks & then look like a bloated WHALE when you FIRST step onto the national stage... Well, IT SUCKS LEMMMMMONS!

BUT I wouldn't change a thing... because it made the NEXT show... about 1000x's sweeter....

The transformation my body made from the bloated mess that I was in Chicago in June to the SIXTEEN pounds lighter fit & fabulous body I brought THREE months later was remarkable & the ONLY reason I will continue to compete.

Uhhhhh.... yea.... Can I just say KB is LOVIN'
the booty (& the swag) on the RIGHT side! ;0)

After Chicago it was no longer fun. The nutritionist I hired kept telling me to just keep with the program & it would all work out... uh... yea... I'm no longer using him...

3rd call out line up in Chicago on top far right
(How much fun am I having....?)
1st call out line up 3 months later in Seattle
on the bottom.... pictures don't lie!

Pictures don't lie & my body was PISSED off at me - Swollen, bloated for NO reason other than my diet... I had never done MORE cardio... Never eaten lower fat... which... DING! DING! DING! Was ONE of the problems! My body needs fat in order to be lean if I feed it little fat & little carbs it holds onto the fat & burns the muscle like nobodies business!!

The funny thing about the pic on the left - I saw the show pics & KNEW I looked bad... so I ate a HUGE cheeseburger & fries & decided to just ROCK it!
I actually looked better than pre-judging because I had eaten some FAT!!!
But I FEEL much better in the physique I brought to Bikini 3 months later.

So I went onto a new diet with Luka & had my dear friend & coach Tami helping me with that final prep week. It was funny since I have such naturally muscular ab muscles that pop out like crazy when I eat clean carbs, I actually did NOT carb load this time so I could keep my body softer.

Tami & I after the show!
I LOVE her!!

Here is a shot of me before - then literally 5 minutes after eating ONE rice cake! Yep... KINDA' carb sensitive! LOL! Tami had me take pics so we could see the changes!

Anyway, the Saturday morning of the show I felt GREAT!! I was hydrated & was eating! I did cut back my portions & dropped my water that last day. I weighed in at 140.8lbs - I dropped about 6lbs during peak week.

My Sister Pam & I representing for Vigor Ground

Another reason this day was so fun was because I was competing with my "sister" & one of my very best friends Pam Johnson who I trained with at Vigor Ground. Also my "brother" Jacob aka: JJBear was ALSO competing in his FIRST show in Men's Physique. He is a trainer & also works out at 24hr where KB trains & they became friends there. SO I truly love both these people & it was SO much fun getting to compete & hang out backstage with them!

Love competing with my family!!

Of course my Sissy Paula Hannah in Ohio was texting us backstage checking in on all 3 of us & giving us lots of long distance love & support like ONLY she can!!

I knew I was muscular still for a local Bikini show but I was in LOVE with my body & WORKED that stage like I owned that baby!! I practiced a LOT so I had a little routine that didn't LOOK like a routine but gave me movements to do when my brain turned off - Something that's VERY common once you hit the stage & those bright lights hit your face!

Pam & I educating the people at what a
booty is SUPPOSED to look like!! :0)

They called us in numerical order & I was in first call out! I was VERY happy! We went through our turns & then they had us all go back & called back out 3 that were in our group... so I knew I wasn't in the top 3 but I was thrilled anyway! You see, I've learned you don't have ANY control over what the judges might reward on any given day - BUT as long as you bring YOUR best to each show... then THAT is where the glory is! THAT is what's worth celebrating!!

TOP 5: 4th, 3rd, 1st, 2nd & 5th

I placed 5th - There was only ONE point between myself & the 4th place girl & only 2 points between 1st & 2nd so it was a very tight competition. My girl Pam took 7th & I was SO proud of her!

Pam & I goofin' off & showin' our "too muscular"
bodies off after the show!!

The one thing that made me the happiest was the head judge looked at me & said "I like her" the other judge said "But she's too muscular" & he said "Not for nationals!" Yay!!! Nationals is where I'm headed & since I placed top 5 I can compete in national shows all next year!

KB & I are BOTH competing in 3 weeks in Miami at the last national show of the year. I hope to get some great feedback as far as my physique goes & what tweaks they suggest - But bottom line is I'm SO happy with my body. It's been a YEAR LONG up & down process... but the joy is in the journey & I wouldn't change any of it. Even those low points, well, they just make the high points even higher & mean even more!

After the show KILLIN' some delicious
food & having a drink or 4 with KB!

I'm back on the wagon - I'll be blogging at least once a week to keep everyone up to date & my upcoming show & then giving some tips on maneuvering through the holiday's successfully & with minimal damage!

OH! And I have a NEW fat burning addiction... And it's making my body sexier than EVER... Next blog will be all about it!!

Thank you all for coming along with me & I strive to get & then KEEP my sexy! LOL!

Much Love,

Bekah

The Journey Continues....

2011-09-07T22:13:00.001-07:00

Hey Everyone!

I'm just gonna' be honest... The one & only reason I'm sitting in my bed (I was at 5:45am Bootcamp this morning) blogging right now is because my little Sis Meisha said SHE needed to write a new blog (http://runningwithmesha.blogspot.com/) so then I said I did too & then suggested we should both get one done by tonight... Me & my great ideas! :0)

So my last entry brought you all up to date on my competitions this year... Last month I was focused on trying to figure out how to get lean again. Realizing that when you take your eyes off your OWN purpose & start trying to live out other people's ideal or vision for you... It doesn't work out so well! In 2 weeks I will be stepping back onto the stage where it all began for me. So much has happened. I've had many ups & downs on this journey these 12 months. But the one thing that makes it ALL worth while is my own mom being inspired by my commitment to health & fitness & losing over 60lbs herself during this past year! Check out the story of her amazing journey here: http://babyboomergrandmagettinfitandhealthy.blogspot.com/

So I have 16 days left before I don the infomous pieces of spandex again... The good news is that Luka put me on a fantastic new (for me) diet that helped me drop 10lbs over the past month while keeping my muscles intact! Yay! I'm finally feeling like ME again!

Some of you might remember my quandary in doing figure again or trying bikini... It was obvious to me I was WAY to muscular to do bikini... Until I went to the National shows in Chicago & Las Vegas... The national level bikini girls' muscularity would put most of our local FIGURE girls to shame!! And the national figure girls? Massive muscularity... At least compared to how I'd want to look! Oh right, about that... wasn't this always supposed to be achieving the body I wanted? Problem is I'm so competitive I made the choice to make it my mission to build a figure body... Forgetting that wasn't what I really wanted in "real life" & real life is where I spend the MAJORITY of my time! Oops...! ;0)

So for THIS 2011 Ironman Bodybuilding, Figure & Bikini competition I am offically registered as a Class C - BIKINI competitor!! :0) You wanna' know what the BEST part is? I'm SO excited! I love how my body is looking... Much leaner in general, butt rounder & higher, curves more fluid (less BAMB!) & I get to wear the FUN suit & walk the FUN sexy strut & show my FUN personality!! FUN! FUN! FUN!

I am WELL aware that I might be deemed overly muscular for this local show... We'll see. The beauty of it all is that either way I LOVE how I feel & I love how I look! Trophies are SO fun to get... Don't get me wrong! But if I don't get one in my hand yet my body looks like a replica... What exactly did I lose?!?!?!? ;0)

Much Love, Bekah

I'M BACK!!! (I think....)

2011-07-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

It's been a sec - Okay more like 2 months, but who's counting? ;0) Where have I been? I have been.... getting lots of practice on letting go. Yep, in a nutshell that's what these past couple of months have been.

Letting go of:

The satisfaction I had in making everyone around me happy
That people will be inspired by my journey instead of jealous
The hope that certain people in my church community would be supportive instead of judgmental, accusatory & mean-spirited towards me
The hope that certain family members would be supportive because they love me regardless of their personal opinions about my decision to compete
The need to make sure people knew my intentions are always good & my heart is in the right place
Thinking people wouldn't judge the WHOLE of my life solely off facebook posts (I mean... REALLY?!?!?!?)
Hoping that totally changing my diet would transform my body into the fittest it had ever been!!

1st Show - The Ironman
October 2010

HaHaHa! Okay - The last one was probably one of the toughest on the list because the others aren't anything I have any control over - But my diet & my training are choices I make! SO some of you read a couple blogs back about my Figure show in April.

2nd Show in Vancouver, WA
April 2011

It was in Vancouver, I was lean but had over depleted & was flat so my skin looked squishy & my muscles weren't full. I placed (a very generous, I think) 4th place. It was really frustrating because I did the SAME thing as I did to prepare for my 1st show but it just didn't work this time!

3rd Show - The E-Cup
April 2011 (2 weeks later)

Next show was 2 weeks later at the E-Cup - I hired a nutritionist after Vancouver & it seemed to work great - While I placed 5th it was the biggest amateur show in the US & most importantly my physique was looking better.

Then I took 8 weeks to prepare for Jr. Nationals. It was in Chicago & it was a show where the best athletes get their Pro Cards & get to start competing in Pro Shows! During those 8 weeks I ate more tilapia then ANY human being should EVERY consume! LOL! I stuck to my nutrition plan to the teeniest tiniest detail! I upped my cardio - I was on a mission & when I get on a mission stopping me is like stopping the Bullet Train - Good luck with that!

Week before: Had put on lots of
muscle but was still lean - This was
BEFORE I dropped my water!

The week BEFORE the show I was feeling & looking GREAT - Muscles filled out, abs looking good, legs bigger (something the judges told me to do) - My nutritionist checked my BF% & it was coming in between 6-7%!! Can you just imagine how I'll look when I drop the water?!?!? I was thinking I was going to show up & rock that stage. After all, I put in the work & I followed the plan - 1+1=2 last time I checked so I was ALL set!

HaHaHaHa! If you've ever competed your laughing now because there is NO guaranteed formula when it comes to your body. There are things that generally work but it takes TIME to figure out what EXACTLY works for you AND what worked last time might not work this time! I know... NO unfair!

4th Show - June 2011
Jr. Nationals in Chicago

SOoooooo... Long story short: This is how I looked. Hmmmm... Suit was ROCKIN' thanks to Les Welton of VizionWear - Based of a picture of Storm I sent him. Loved the curly big hair. Makeup was on point. Color was good - could have been a tad darker.... The body? Oh, the body... the thing that is kinda' the WHOLE FREAKIN' POINT? Yep... Well, compared to how it COULD look? EPIC FAIL.

I trained WAY to hard to look like this!
Bun in the oven? How about a LOAF?

I don't look like I depleted a THING, matter fact... I looked like I JUST finished off a 10lb bag of potatoes & gallon of water! NOT the look I had busted my butt for THAT'S for sure. Can I just say "THANK YOU" to all of you who were SO encouraging - Y'all knew what I could look like & that THIS was not my best, but you kept my head up with your messages of love & support! I truly appreciate it!

BEST part of my trip was meeting
my big Sis Paula Hanna in person!

This one was emotionally HARD. Not only had I been dealing with all the emotional pain of the personal challenges I referred to earlier but when I wanted MOST to step out on that stage & SHOW 'em ALL... I instead looked about 4 month pregnant! LOL! Oops...! I hope humble pie isn't high in calories!! So after the show I ate like crazy - ALL those foods I wanted & those I didn't too, just 'cause. Below you can see what my feet looked like 3 days post comp heading back to Seattle! Not-so-sexy!

My feet hurt SO bad! The pressure was horrible -
This was BEFORE the 4 1/2hr flight home too! :0(

I wouldn't weigh myself but I know my body & how my clothes fit & I was well over 160 - With the water weight 165 is being conservative. For perspective I was 140 at my first competition last October 2010 & 146 at my first competition in April this year. Where I usually hang out when hydrated & training between shows is 147-150. So it was ALL bad!

I got home on a Tuesday & promptly Wednesday morning I went BACK to my good 'ol Green Faces diet created by my incredible wonderful fabulous trainer, Luka Hocevar - You can see more about it here: http://amamabringingsexyback.blogspot.com/search?q=green+faces

I learned a lot from my nutritionist. So much about supplements, truly getting enough water, true serving sizes & what does not work for my body. This is ALL a journey of discovery. There will be a LOT of "wrong for me personally" ideas that I won't know are until I try them! I've learned my body NEEDS lots of fat every day. As soon as I start cutting back the fat it starts holding on to EVERYTHING! My belly does NOT like dairy - Oh my taste buds do, but the BLOAT? OMG - Never experienced anything like that! No more cheesecake for me as a 'carb load' from here on out! I'm much more sensitive to sugar than salt - Sugar will have me holding water MUCH more than sodium. So bit by bit I'm figuring what makes this thirty-something body tick & I know it will all change & adjust as I get older, but as long as I'm learning... that's what matters!

Still had a great time in Chicago w/ KB!
(He placed 10th & I placed 11th)

So now that my focus is about getting as lean, tone & tight as possible it seems I probably won't be competitive on the national stage AND have the body I ACTUALLY want to have. See, it's easy to get so caught up in the competition of it all to forget the point. My bottom line is I want to be healthy, feel great, look long & lean with feminine muscle tone. I didn't feel great doing the Figure prep diet & didn't look long or lean... So what to do? What to do?

I've got some ideas... Sometimes you gotta' take a detour because of the lessons there on your way back to the path you were meant to always be....! ;0)

Much Love,

Bekah

My first guest blog!

2011-05-26T19:03:00.000-07:00

Michelle Fox
www.michellefox.com

So my beautiful, smart, strong, thoughtful & courageous cousin Michelle recently asked me to guest blog on her blog site. She is currently in a major transition in her life & is chronicling the lessons of her journey which she has titled "The Graceful Divorce" - I was honored to be a voice on her page & share lessons I've learned along my own personal journey in health & fitness! I think doing life together is the only way to REALLY do it fully! Happy reading! :0)

Kids – Four. Mom – One. Sexy – Lost!
May 25, 2011

As I have healed through many parts of my divorce, my attention has largely been on transitions in various aspects of our lives. Many of us are transitioning careers, homes, and/or relationships among other things.

One transition that I have been particularly curious about is my cousin Rebekah Baker’s journey to Ironman Figure Champion. I should probably mention that she birthed four children before winning this prize.

Here is her story. I find it healing (and motivating) for my own life path.

Kids – Four. Mom – One. Sexy – Lost!
By Rebekah Baker

So this question was recently posed to me: “What made you decide to transition from a mama of 4 to a super-hot, super-fit, super-sexy mama of 4?”

Some seasons are thrust upon us & some seasons we choose on our own to transition into because the desire for something better surpasses the solace of our present comfort, normalcy & routine.
I am a thirty-three year old mother of four amazing kids. They are ten, nine, six & four years old. I’ve also been married to my one & only love for almost thirteen years. After spending a year getting my Associates Degree, I spent the next 6 years getting pregnant, delivering, nursing & getting pregnant over & over again until I was suddenly in my mid-twenties with a newborn, two, four & five year old! It was most definitely my “Mommy Season!”

But soon I realized my identity was being tied too tightly to my mothering ability & not to who God created me as a woman. Yes, motherhood enhanced me more than any other experience in my life. It brought a beautiful mix of overwhelming love, utter frustration & sheer wonder to my existence. It revealed a level of strength, love & devotion I didn’t know I possessed. But we must be careful that none of the roles we operate in put us into some predetermined box instead of adding another incredibly exquisite layer to who we already are as women! The reality is when you have very young children they MUST be the priority of every moment of every day. There is no other choice. But as they get older & are taught independence, other priorities are able to re-enter the scene if Supermom allows them admittance!

Last summer I was tired. I was tired of how I looked. I was tired of how I felt. I was tired of hearing I should just be happy with my body which was good “for having had 4 kids”. I was tired of having very few adult conversations. I was simply tired of being tired. I had been in survival mode as a necessity & God in His grace, helped me pause long enough to see it was time to jump off that survival train & onto a thriving one. Preferably a sexier, happier & more-rounded one!

I quickly figured out there are many things I could not control. So why bemoan & whine about THAT endless list? What could I actually do something about? I’d already been to doctors who had told me the body I had was the best I could get after 4 kids, so I had a chance to prove the “experts” wrong. I knew that wishing & hoping wouldn’t get it done. I had to take ACTION. I started by finding a trainer that was 5 minutes from my Mom’s house so she could watch my youngest while he required me to train at a level I didn’t know existed. I then found a local figure competition & signed up for it so I’d have a goal to feed my competitive nature. Knowing I’d be in a VERY small bikini in front of hundreds of people was quite motivating to say the least. I even TOLD people about it so I’d be held accountable & even started blogging about my journey naming it A Mama Bringing SEXY back. That’s right, I said it. I’m a mid-thirties Mom & I want my sexy BACK!

I was blessed to learn a lesson early in life. It’s a very simple lesson. Obvious, really. Yet easy to forget. That lesson is that life has many seasons. The beauty of that cycle is we can take with us the love, joy, growth & lessons learned from the last season into the new season. If we’re SMART, we ALSO get to leave the heartaches, offenses & pain behind. But of course that’s optional – Those negative emotions & the destructive energy that comes with them WILL transition right along with us into the next season if we let them. They’re like cars on a train with names like bitterness, resentment, self-pity & anger. My favorite part is that WE get to make the choice & no one else! We have the power to make each season beautiful & acquire insight, strength & wisdom from the experiences we encounter. Never give that power away to others.

“What made you decide to transition from a mom of 4 to a super-hot, super-fit, super-sexy mom of 4?” Because it was time. Time for a season of acknowledging, celebrating & releasing ALL the elements God purposely crafted specifically in me. And when it’s time again, I plan on taking so much from this season into the next one. I’m definitely keeping the cars on this particular train – joy, peace, confidence, assurance, growth & strength just to name a few! All attributes of which, a very sexy mama make! :0)

Much Love,
Bekah

If at first you don't succeed...!

2011-04-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter weekend! Folks can keep their "religion"... How thankful am I to have a personal relationship with my risen Savior! :0)

Vancouver Show 2011

So last post I was recovering from a less than stellar showing at the Vancouver show. I placed 4th. It took me a good week to get over the helpless feeling of watching my body go "flat" & all my hard work go down the drain! Many of you commented on how great I still looked - The truth is I DID look a bit better by the evening show - which most all of the pictures are showing, because my over depleted body got a BIG 'OL cheeseburger, cheesecake, french fries & wine among other things between the prejudging (when the decisions are made) & the final show - My muscles were SO happy to get some much needed nourishment & filled out quite a bit! Of course I was over-the-moon excited for Keith & his Overall win in his FIRST competition! That made the whole weekend worth it!

KB capturing the Overall win!

So then I had 2 weeks to prepare for the Emerald Cup - This is the BIGGEST show in the NATION. It is such a big show there are actually THREE shows over the weekend! I was Friday night & KB was Saturday afternoon. THIS time I had my nutritionist helping me along the way... I was doing great & everything was falling into place when... BAMB... guess what decided to start a WEEK early?!?!? Yep, my cycle! And the bloat came right along with it!! Tuesday... & my show was Friday... you do the math! LOL! :0) But what could I do? NOTHING... so I chose to not stress about it & just stick to the plan & hope for the best!

E-Cup Winner's Circle! 5th Place!

Still have work to do but feeling MUCH better!

With KB after the show!

I had a MUCH better experience this time - I felt great (besides the bloated crampy part of course) & it was very nice have help backstage from the CZ Fitness team. At the last minute I tried to adjust my posing... Uhhh... yea, not such a great idea! It didn't translate the best on stage, BUT I learned how to adjust it & am now practicing & it's looking great. Anyway, I placed 5th! And I was very happy - The caliber of athletes was HIGH & I tied with 4th place. 2nd & 3rd also tied so it was a VERY close & competitive division! The highlight was my friend Juliana WON OVERALL!!! She has done EIGHT competitions over the past year & it was finally her turn... I was SO proud & excited for her!

4th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd & 5th - Tall Class Winner's Circle

Those who really know me were concerned about how I'd take my placing... but I was TRULY happy!! Being able to make the winner's circle (top 5) in all 3 of my competitions is a great accomplishment that I'm so proud of!

KB with his 3rd place trophy! I was so proud!

The next day KB took the stage & ROCKED IT! He had 14 guys in his division & he placed THIRD!! I was rockin' the "trophy wife" role & we were having a blast! :0) He looked amazing & is on his way to shaking up the Men's Physique world! Here is an interview he did after his Vancouver Overall win! http://rxmuscle.com/articles-a-interviews/2897-meet-keith-baker-winner-of-the-mens-physique-division.html

So now I'm training hard, lifting heavy & pushing through personal records in preparation for the Jr. National Show in Chicago in June!

Makeup by Rosaline Hampton

I've also had the chance to be on the cover of a local lifestyle newspaper "The Bellevue Scene" with the esteemed Rosaline Hampton doing makeup/hair/styling & the amazing Chad Coleman doing the photography - I had a blast rockin' the runway/high fashion look & Chad captured some incredible shots! Check out the behind the scenes blog they posted about the shoot http://thebellevuescene.com/blog-post-behind-the-scene/3587/ & the "Spring Beauty Trends for 2011" article my pictures accompanied! http://thebellevuescene.com/spring-beauty-trends-2011/3780/ - I had so much fun & was reminded once again how much I LOVE being in front of the camera!!

Photo by Chad Coleman

Right now I'm all about my preparation meeting the opportunities God has for me! I had a week off from eating clean - I feel like crap, my face broke out & my wedding ring cut off the circulation on my finger! NOT so fun! :0) My nutritionist now has me on a 2 meal a week cheat plan that my body will THANK me for! Once you go clean, it's REALLY hard to go back. Feeling good is a very addictive feeling!

Thank you again, all of you have been SO supportive & encouraging on my journey! I can't wait to share all the new things coming my way!

Much Love,
Bekah

Rebekah Baker does NOT lose!

2011-04-12T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

I've had a busy couple of weeks. I competed in my first competition last weekend (April 2nd, 2011) since winning the Ironman in October 2010.
This was how it was SUPPOSED to go:
I was going to train like a beast for 6 months (which I did)
Do the same nutrition I did last time (which I did)
Where a fabulous new suit (which I wore... thank you VizionWear)
Get a fabulous tan (which I did NOT get... more on that later)
Rock a perfectly filled out muscular body (which instead went flat)
Win my division (I placed 4th)
Then win the OVERALL (see previous comment... the "placed 4th" one...)

SO WHAT HAPPENED?!?!? :0(

Well in a nutshell, I found out too late that I had over-depleted. I felt SO helpless as I watched my hard-earned muscles get flatter & flatter the closer we got to pre-judging! Muscles are like balloons & carbohydrates are like air. If you don't get enough there is no "air" to fill out your muscles & you appear "soft". That is what happened to me. I was also over dehydrated. My muscularity demands a LOT of carbs & my version of a serving was actually more like 1/4 of a serving - So when I THOUGHT I was "carb loading" I really wasn't because I just wasn't consuming enough.

How have I become SO smart? Well, I hired a former bodybuilder & nutritionist (Pete Grubbs - www.constructionzn.com) as soon as drove back home so that what happened to me THIS show would be a ONE time experience! So what happened 6 months ago when I won? We got lucky! Luka was sweet enough to do some research on contest diets for me & since I was only 10weeks out from being totally out of shape so everything we did brought drastic results. THIS time I was 6 months lean & strong so I needed a perfect balance of water/carbs to get my body to respond.

To make a bad situation even WORSE the tanning company who did my perfectly beautiful tan last competition got a bad batch of color & I was covered in a splotchy mess of color. Anytime I touched ANYTHING color would come OFF - They tried to fix it but it just got worse. Instead of resting I waited in a line for TWO hours trying to get re-sprayed so I would look a LITTLE better. All the competitors who got this tan were freaking out - it's the worse thing that can happen when you've worked so hard to look good & then look like a mess of smeared & splotched color when you step out on stage. It was just ALL bad!

And we all know things come in 3's right... SO to top it all off this small bump I've always had on the left side of my lip BLEW UP! I looked like someone punched me in the lip! It made my whole lower lip swollen & it hurt to smile, eat, talk or move my mouth in any way. My hot-pink lipstick covered it somewhat on stage but upclose it looked like I was on the wrong end of a bad fight! LOL! When it rains... it POURS!

If you've been following my blog you know by now I don't do things I don't think I'll be not just good, but GREAT at! I like to win. I am very competitive. I train hard. I don't like or use excuses. I'm not a sore loser because I don't lose. Oops... SOMEBODY didn't get THAT memo last weekend!
"Rebekah Baker DOES NOT LOSE!" (is anyone writing this down?!?) ;0)

So what have I learned? I've learned that the THOUGHT of losing is FAR worse than the actual event. So, I lost. And... guess what? Wait for it.... NOBODY DIED! :0) I learned. I grew. I got a massive dose of motivation for the next show. I realized I needed to hire a nutritionist & did. (Now I have a team with Luka & Pete bringing their specific expertise to my training & eating) I resisted the urge to NOT got back to the final show & get the awards knowing I didn't win. I found my true character to be gracious in a frustrating circumstance ~ It's one thing to THINK how I'll react to a "what if" scenario & quite another to look back on how I ACTUALLY did react or (if my attitude was right) RESPONDED - to a tough circumstance. I responded like a child of God & I know He was proud!

I truly believe my future success will be in direct response to all these things I learned from this loss... And if THAT is true... what truly, was lost? Well... the 1st place trophy - But there's PLENTY more from where that came from!

Actually, there will be one at my next competition - The Emerald Cup - THIS Friday, yes a mere 13 days since my less than stellar performance... I'm getting my butt right back up on the BIGGEST stage in Washington State & going for it again! Only THIS time I'll be STRONGER, WISER & a wee bit SASSIER because I've made the CHOICE to let my valleys propel me to new mountain tops. (I'm also on a 7 day does of antibiotics for my lip & it's gone back down again!)

You don't hop mountain top to mountain top... It's in the valley where you get your running start!

Much Love,
Bekah

Sooooo what had happened was....!

2011-03-29T14:43:00.000-07:00

Oh the joys of blogging & FB posts!

When I made the decision to switch from Figure to Bikini I shouted it from the rooftops!! I think the blog name was "Decisions, Decisions, DECIDED!" If you missed it you should go back & read it... It was SO good! LOL! It's under my January blogs - January 26th to be exact! I said I knew I was probably too muscular BUT those girls looked like they were having SO MUCH FUN & don't EVEN get me started on the suits... You know the ones that are actually FLATTERING & don't go up to you're ARMPITS on the sides?!?!? ;0) *sigh* I blogged a the perfect argument talking about what did I have to lose & if I totally failed I'd just got back to figure... blah... blah... blah... It all sounded SO good & I ALMOST convinced myself!

So what happened? Well see... what had happened was... a few things!

Per my desire Luka started training me to "lean out" which included hardly any back or shoulder work. I ordered my INSANE suit from Les at VizionWear in New Mexico - It is HOT - Double chains on the sides, chains around the neck, baby chains hanging from the bra top & the fabric was this SUPER cool black leathery looking fabric that turned purple in the light... SO FREAKIN' AMAZING!! I was getting set to hit that stage & shake a tail feather! One thing I was NOT counting on was the diet stays the SAME for either one. The ONLY difference is that you don't cut your water in bikini to look softer... So the hope that the diet would be easier kinda' went out the window.

I always had my big sis Tami in my ear about how I was INSANE to switch divisions but she totally supported me to go ahead & "do bikini & get it out of your system crazy girl!" :0) I also had my other big sis Paula from Ohio encouraging me to do whatever it was that I wanted & make it mine. KB the hubby, was TRYING to stay neutral but not really... Then he decided to compete in the men's new NPC division Men's Physique (a WHOLE OTHER story I need to tell!!!) & hired a nutritionist who happened to see me compete last October. KB came home & said: "So I told Pete about your switching to Bikini.... He thinks you're NUTS! He said your body was CREATED for figure, what the heck are you thinking?!?" I'm like "HELLO PEOPLE!!! I'm THINKING the bikini suits are WAY cuter & those girls get to shimmy & sway & flip their HAIR.... THAT'S what I'm THINKING!!!" ;0)

The next day I was training with some other trainers at Luka's gym since he was out of town. One said "WOW, Bekah - LOOK at you girl! You're muscle mass is AWESOME!" I was like "NO! NO! NO! Don't tell me that! Tell me I'm lean & long & soft!" He started crackin' up "So let me get this right... you bust your BUTT so that you can look LESS fit?!? WHY would you do that?!? It takes girls YEARS to build the kind of mass you have & you have it & are trying to HIDE it?!?!?" Obviously HE didn't get the memo about the cute suits with the scrunch butts & the hair flipping & sway... *sigh*

So then I decided to go to a large posing class. I knew it would give me an opportunity to see both bikini & figure girls... I started over at the bikini side & it went something like this: tall naturally skinny chick, short super curvy chick, just got out of high school & maybe does cardio & abs chick, another one of those, another one of those, SHREDDED AMAZON BEAST (that would be yours truly!) You know the song: "One of these things is NOT like the other...!" Uh... ya THINK?!? I mean talk about "The writings on the wall" This writing was on the MIRROR in front of my face! They were helping me to "pose down" & not move my hair when I turn since my back was so cut & try to hold my abs WITHOUT the 6-pack showing... It was PRETTY hilarious! So I walked my beastly self on over to the figure side & with every pose I hit I knew THIS was where I belonged!!

Like Paula told me when I told her about the switch back - "Funny sometimes when you seek to find where you belong... you find you ARE where you belong!" So of course I COULD still have chosen to do Bikini this weekend just for the fun of it & then start training for Figure for the E-cup in 2 1/2 weeks - But I'm a fierce competitor & I will NOT lose one more day of building my shoulders/delts/back to be the BEST figure chick I can be! Luka of course has been totally supportive of WHATEVER I wanted to do & will train me perfectly to get me ready for future competitions. MY plan is to get my Pro card. Period. I'm VERY excited for Jr. Nationals in June where I'll have the chance to earn it & start doing Pro Level shows. There I will be unveiling what I call "Doing Figure, but doing it MY way" suit & alter-ego - It's going to be out of this world!

So I am thankful that I went through my journey & switched back all BEFORE I started competing again. I want to be firm & unwavering in what my pursuits are... And I'm going to rock with pride this muscular body God has blessed me to discover in my time in the gym. Thanks for coming along my ups & downs & cheering me on all the way!

Much Love,
Bekah

My FIRST official radio interview!!

2011-03-24T15:14:00.000-07:00

Hey Everybody!!

Today was a GREAT day! I was asked by Netherland Washington - The Founder & President of The National Association of Working Mothers. She resides in Washington DC & contacted me through facebook & I'll be honest... my very first reaction was "Uh no way... I'm not ready! Radio is live! What if I mess up?" But then I was reminded of my quest to have MY preparation meet GOD'S opportunities, I knew I had to do it! This was one of them I needed to go for!

Yes, I was nervous because I'd never done anything like this before BUT I chose to take that nervous energy & have it fuel me to just do my best! I learned so much! I realized I laugh a lot in general... even MORE when I'm nervous... which I didn't think I was after the first 5 minutes, but I'll be more aware next time! I talk higher & faster too! It is SO odd hearing yourself recorded! I thought I sounded SO young! Next time I'll remember to bring it down an octave or 10! ;0) But all in all.... it was FANTASTIC! I'm very proud of myself for not taking the easy "I'm not ready yet" road out! Yay Bekah! LOL!

(If you'd like to hear it follow this link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/todaysworkingmother/2011/03/24/meet-a-mother-of-4-leads-the-way-in-fitness-and-nutrition-for-her-family )

So in the spirit of the show being about leading our families to health & fitness I wanted to give a few practical tips you can use at home!

1) Have you kids practice their math facts jumping rope or bouncing a ball - This works for spelling tests too!

2) Kids will eat what is convenient - Cutting up fruit or veggies might not be convenient for you to PREPARE but it will be for them to EAT it! When my kids come home I have celery or apples w/ peanut butter or grapes, & oranges laying on the table. They will start eating them because that's what's there & it's easy.

3) You kids LOVE video games? Mine do too! We have the Kinect so that helps a LOT - It's an active game... but STILL, they only need SO much time in front of a screen! Your kids can earn time to play the video games doing something physically active. Jump rope for 15minutes to earn 30min of video game time. Or play 4-Square or tag for 30min to earn time. All of this is for WEEKEND use at our home. TV & video games are a weekend thing. (I also use book reading & Bible memorizing time to earn video game time... ALL are great options!)

4) Lessons/teams are another great way for kids to get exercise - My little ones take gymnastics - Swimming lessons are important for safety & is a great exercise! My older kids play basketball, football & run track. Get them involved in organized sports - It's a great thing for their bodies & for working with others!

5) Our family's all time favorite? DANCE!! We'll put on Gospel or The Jackson 5 & just dance! Kids LOVE to dance & I bet if more parents started dancing too, they would realize just how joyful it makes your spirit!

The bottom line is that it is RARELY convenient to be a great parent & kids do what you DO not what you SAY - You are the example they will follow! You can do it! You can make a choice to make ALL your lives better... but it's up to YOU to start! It's not about being a certain size, it's about being healthy & living long, productive, healthy & happy lives!

Much Love,

Bekah

IT'S MY 33rd BIRTHDAY!!!

2011-03-22T16:28:00.000-07:00

Guess what today is? IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!! Yes, after saying I'm almost 33 for 6 months... I really AM! :0) I can honestly say things are VERY different from where they were last year but a million times better! Why? Because I have been on a journey that I THOUGHT was to get in shape & "get my sexy back" but it turned into MUCH more than that. It turned into me learning how to let go of relationships that were draining my spirit. To care MORE about what God thought than what others thought about me. To live each day FULLY & with JOY because joy is a choice & tomorrow is not promised. There have been many trials along the way but those trials have made the triumphs so much sweeter. A visiting Pastor said at our church the other day "Many times people want your "right now" because it looks so glamorous & wonderful. But they would NOT want the journey it took you to get there!" The tears, the pain, the heartache, the loss... no thank you!

I am happy to say during these past 9 months or so I have no regrets. Yes, there have been tears & sadness & phone calls apologizing & loss of certain relationships, but as the Bible says "What sown in sorrow will be reaped in joy!" My relationship with God & Keith has NEVER been stronger or sweeter & the 100's of emails, messages & posts I have received thanking me & encouraging me to continue on in the sharing of my journey have made it ALL worth it! I was talking to someone the other day about my excitement in truly finding my passion in the fitness/figure/blog world & the future endeavors opening for me. And I felt God speak to me: "See Baby Girl?" He whispered... "Those days in your 20's when you were frustrated, out of shape, pregnant with 3 still in diapers, stress from extended family drama & Keith going through multiple jobs... Those tears you'd cry wondering 'Is this IT? Is THIS going to be my life?' As you were nursing one & the another was chasing the other with a sippy-cup poised to clunk the other on the head.... I was preparing you for THIS season! If you hadn't gone through that then, you'd have no testimony NOW!"

2 Corinthians 4:16 says "That's why we are not discouraged. No, even if outwardly we are wearing out, inwardly we are being renewed each and every day." Today, can I please encourage you? Whatever season you are in... Hang in there! Better yet THRIVE. Because a new season is just around the corner & the lessons you're learning in this one will give you a platform in the next & make your bright light shine EVEN brighter! "He who began a good work in you will carry it on until it's complete!" Don't wish away the hurtful, sad & lonely times because in sharing your journey out of that place others will find THEIR hope & encouragement that they too can find a way out!

Let YOUR light shine & don't let anyone tell you to put it under a bushel! I've been told I should only post things that no one could be offended by. I was told "Encouraging mamas to be sexy & not use their kids as an excuse but as motivation instead, makes those who choose not to do that feel bad about themselves!" or "How do you think it makes me feel when you post about getting a flat stomach when I'm as overweight as I am?" or "You are just TOO much - tone done the muscles & big earrings & high heels & trendy clothes... You look like you're showing off!" Well, the beautiful thing I have learned is I am NOT responsible for how others choose to filter what I say. (Praise the Lord!) What I AM responsible for is sharing my story & letting the joy of the Lord shine through my daily triumphs & trials because He is SO good & has been SO faithful.

I have made the most incredible friends in these 8 months. God has been SO perfect in His timing of bringing just the right person to say just the right thing at just the right time. There will ALWAY be critics. My Pastor says "If EVERYONE agrees with you, you're doing SOMETHING wrong!!" The question to ask is: "Does GOD agree?" THEN you're gettin' somewhere!

The joy of the Lord is my strength & with HIS joy on the inside of me coupled with the outward strength my crazy training sessions at www.hocevarperformance.com have given me - The strength THIS sexy mama is possessing... is basically OUTTA' control!! You see, God already told me - He knows the plans He has for me! And guess what they are? They are plans for peace... plans to give ME a future FILLED with hope! (Jeremiah 29:11)

These are just a few notes I've received today that represent 100's of messages I've received & have renewed my commitment & CHOICE to focus on ALL the love, support, goodness & joy in my life! Thank you to EVERYONE who has reached out & let me know how my story has impacted you!

I just read your blog post about what you REALLY look like, and I am in TEARS. I feel like you were speaking RIGHT to me! I struggle with this on the daily-finding a balance and being happy with where I am and the body I am blessed to have. I competed in figure a few years ago, and I feel like I've been chasing that day-of-competition body ever since, which is TOTALLY unrealistic for everyday, and I rationally know that. But it doesn't stop me from driving myself crazy, LOL. Anyway, I am truly inspired by you and your amazing physique and even more so now! Thank you for writing that; I SO needed to read it today!

You are an amazing woman, you have inspired me to work out more, to love life and to enjoy being me. I love your freedom, your wisdom, and of course your super gorgeous!

You're amazing and such an inspiration to all of us mommas:) Continue to walk in the path God has laid out for you....it's workin'!

You go 'head with ya bad, sexy, inspirational, supportive, encouraging self!!!! Love ya and I'm glad to be in your world!!!! XOXOXOXOXOXOX!!!

I pulled up your pic and immediately sent you a friend request. My trainer has been trying to get me to find a picture that will motivate me to stay on task. Well I am elated to let you know that I have found one. It's of you, Rebekah. Thank you so much for the courage to get your sexy back. Thanks for sharing your success. I want you to know I appreciate it. I am at the 164 lbs side of my journey but seeing you encourages me to know that I can reach my goal of 145 lbs! You are amazing woman and I want you to know that I am grateful to God for you.

I can't count how many times you've lightened the mood & lifted my spirit just by being your warm, accepting, wonderful self. You never judge, which is the most amazing things! It is so great to have someone so positive, caring & genuine in my life. You are truly beautiful both inside & out. Thank you!

I am truly inspired my someone who's story is somewhat parallel to mines. I have that lower mommy kangaroo pouch that I think is impossible to get of. My husband begs to differ, he thinks that if I go hard I can get abs like yours. I showed him your pic and he said "See there I told you!"

Just wanted to let you know how AMAZING you are! You have really motivated me to stick with my routine and go all the way! I live a "healthy" lifestyle but sometimes I slip up and not work out for a week or so. I showed my husband your profile pic (the modeling one you had up last week) then I clicked on your husband's page and showed him, his pic. I told my husband "uh babe, we have some work to do, I have more work than you but we need to get on it! No excuses, they have FOUR kids!" all my husband could say was "well damn" then he disappeared. I went to look for him and he was in our bedroom on the floor doing sit ups! lol!

This is one sexy mama with a heart filled with happiness, peace & love! God Bless each & every one of you!

Much Love,
Bekah

But what do you REALLY look like?!?

2011-03-01T19:11:00.000-08:00

I've been going through my photo shoot pics taken by the amazing David Aboody from last October 2010. He took them the day after the show - I was super lean & cut.

Photo by David Aboody

I got VERY motivated looking at them! I set a high standard & I want to keep it where it's at or even raise it those are my only 2 options. But then I had a convo with a FB friend that got me thinking. He was saying how pictures of SUPER fit & lean women CAN be actually UNmotivating to some ladies because it just seems SO unattainable. There is something to be said for how you look the OTHER 364 days of the year when you're not competing. When you haven't dehydrated your body & been sprayed a deep sexy bronze shade to get all the muscles & striations showing under the bright lights! What do you look like when you've eaten some carbs & are hydrated & living a normal life!!

Photo by David Aboody

So here it is folks! Here I am - GROSSLY pale, but having a blast with my family at the Great Wolf Lodge this past weekend!

I'm rockin' an amazing scrunch-butt bikini from Les Welton's VizionWear suit line (http://www.facebook.com/#!/vizionwear) (He does all my competition suits & he's THE BEST And I've not wearing ANY makeup, it's late in the day... this is the real deal!

No beautiful bronze tanner, no dehydration, no make-up... LOTS OF HAPPY!

And guess what? I'm (learning to be) VERY happy with it! I'm TOTALLY diggin' my new round "Track Booty" as Keith calls it & my shoulder & back are bangin' - But the abs will always be something I'm working on!

With my youngest two - AJ 4yrs & Kya 6yrs

Photo shoots & shows are manipulated to bring out your VERY VERY best! It's fun & I love every second of it... but it's NOT real life & it's NOT an attainable look 24/7/365! My goal is to be within 5-8lbs of show ready.

Playing with my one & only princess & feeling beautiful, lean & strong!

I've chosen not to get a tummy-tuck so guess what? There's gonna be a LITTLE extra skin there when I'm not leaned all the way out! Now I'm thrilled to report the hanging pooch I used to have is gone! Yay! But when I sit some skin will still fold over... And that's okay!

AJ had just gone & was cheering for me "You can do it Mommy!"
As you can see there's extra skin & folds - It's not perfect but I'll take it!

I love my life & I love my family & I'm learning to love my body - That's why I put so much time into eating clean & why I choose to not buy certain things so I can afford the BEST trainer EVER. (www.hocevarperfomance.com) It's ALL about choices.

Suit by Les Welton / Booty by Luka

Another choice is to be HAPPY not being (my version of) "perfect" all the time & THIS one is harder... I want to always be 100% but that's just not humanly possible ALL the time. So what do I do? Do I just say "Screw it!" & eat a brownie or 5 or 10? OR do I bust my butt & pull a 85-90% look that is fit, healthy, sexy & close enough to 100% that I can get there in less than a week if I have a shoot or show?

I'm an all or nothing kinda' chick so this will probably be something I'm challenged on often. But I'm learning! I'm going to do my part... 'cause guess what? That's the ONLY part I have any control over! Those of you who know me well would be happy to hear I haven't weighed myself in almost a MONTH!! When you've got full length mirrors scales aren't that important! LOL! I'm truly trying to focus on how I FEEL & how I LOOK - You drag your booty around not a scale... THAT is what counts! :0)

They say success happens when opportunity meets preparation. Well I'm responsible for the preparation part - God will bring the opportunities & success! Find a place physically where you FEEL FABULOUS!!! It won't be the same for us all - And it's NOT a size or weight based on some model or movie star.

Be in tune with your body - Set a weight or size goal & maybe you'll realize you've found your place BEFORE you reach that goal! That's okay!! Switch up your goals to reps or heaviness of weights your lifting or miles you're running or adding one more rep. Just keep on challenging yourself against your goals... not some one else! We're all in this together! We've all got our own journey's to health & wellness... Just keep putting one foot in front of the other... Let your good choices outnumber your bad until good becomes the norm! You've got this!

Much Love,
Bekah

You know what they say when you assume...!

2011-02-16T10:26:00.000-08:00

This particular blog is not about training or my upcoming competition...

There has been a LOT going on in my life. I have been constantly reminded of what really matters in life & that life truly is precious & as the Bible says like a vapor... A dear friend of our family, Aaron Haskins JR - passed away in his sleep last Saturday on his 29th birthday. He was a healthy & active guy... full of life & had a smile that took over his entire face! His exact cause of death is not known, but they did see he had an enlarged heart . The irony is that Aaron truly did have one of the biggest hearts of anyone I knew. He was all about relationships. He was engaged to a woman he loved to the deepest depths of his soul & his life was JUST getting started. Please keep his mother Cheryl, sister Tasha, brother Andrew, fiancee Katy & the entire Haskins family in your thoughts & prayers.

Aaron's passing has just reaffirmed my drive & desire to be AUTHENTICALLY who GOD made me to be. To not waste ONE moment trying to be what others want or waste one piece of brain space worrying about how others are perceiving, judging, accusing or talking about. The thing is about 90% of those in my life are supportive of me - ALL of me... my training, my competitions, my teaching at church, my participation on the worship team, my mothering... the list goes on & on. But what I've discovered is the 10% who are not... are VERY noisy!!! And if I'm not careful, I'll start feeling like EVERYONE is a hater - And that's just not true!!

I received three very different & unique emails this week. One started out: "I wasnt going to bother talking to you because i have noticed anyone who does have an opinion is just chalked up as insecure and jealous..."!!! Keith said "And you KEPT READING?!?!?!?" HELLO! I'm a girl! Of course I did & you'll be SHOCKED to find out it wasn't the kindest letter I've ever received! So many assumptions, accusations & judgements! "I think you're wonderful, BUT... I might be wrong, BUT..." It's amazing what folks will fire off from behind a computer screen that they would NEVER say to your face! Boy oh BOY did I want to defend myself! But God, being the ALL KNOWING ONE that He is, already had me prepared for this attack - He clearly gave me a scripture the week before: Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest." He also told me "If I Am the Only One who knows the truth, it that enough?" I decided it was! I've also had a conversation with someone who stated "It's just that you're TOO MUCH - When you put ALL the pieces together - (Height, color, fashion sense, hair styles, muscles...) It's distracting!" Uhhhhhh... Let's just clear something up right now... There is no CHANCE I MIGHT be distracting... It's an 100% money back guarantee!!!! And y'all need to take that up with God because I won't wear flats, bleach my skin, wear mom jeans, cut my hair in a bob or gain weight to fade myself into the background & make OTHERS feel more comfortable. Just sayin'...

So continuing my story...

A few days later I received ANOTHER email. This one started out: "I must first apologize and admit my wrong. I realize I was being judgmental and I sincerely apologize for the snap judgment I made about you. It was easy to get over once I stepped out of my own way and held a conversation with you. It took all of 5 minutes to know that you are as beautiful inside as you are out. I am very thankful that you have the confidence and swag that you do have because it is nothing but that giving me the courage to step way outside of my comfort zone. You are a great person and I am blessed to know you. You keep being you (fit and bad as hell) and though many will hate on it , many others, such as myself will get past themselves and realize that you are amazing just the way God made you."

Then I received ANOTHER email: "I just wanted to send you a quick note of encouragement and to say thank you. You have made a real difference in my life in several ways just in the past month and a half. The first time I saw you on stage at church I told my husband, "I gotta meet that girl, she is fit and full of energy and I would love to workout with her! Stay true to the journey you are on and who you are. You are a beautiful gal on the inside and out. You are making a tremendous impact in the lives of many people, inspiring them to better their "temple". When the critics come knocking, just keep a vertical vision and focus on the Lord. He is your defense and He knows the truth. If God has something to say to you about your character He will speak to you through the authority He has placed in your life."

The reality is I've received hundreds of supportive emails... the beauty of this journey however, is slowly getting to the place where even if I don't get another one... It's STILL okay! I'm not living my life for others to give me accolades & to make them feel comfortable. I'm living MY life the way God is showing ME to live it! If it encourages some... that's FANTASTIC! If it annoys you then be around people that live lives that DO encourage you! The choices I make in my life don't have ANYTHING to do with other people's opinions! How many things have you NOT done because it just wasn't worth the drama of those around you who weren't going to like it? WHOSE opinion really matters? For me it has shrunk to God & my husband. Period. There are 2 or 3 other people (parents & pastors) who have authority in my life that I would listen to their counsel & pray about what they had to say. But at the end of it all? KB & God.

So I ask you all today. Are you being the person GOD created you to be? Or are you trying desperately to be some "ideal" that was placed on you as a child or maybe is placed on you now from those around you? Some may even mean well, but it doesn't matter! Life is TOO short to try to live someone else's life! We are ALL different! God made us different for a REASON! Just because I would never do what you might be doing doesn't mean it's not what God called YOU to do!!! Your success should only encourage me to experience my OWN success in whatever it is God has for ME! It's not about "Be like me!" But be like YOU - The real, true, authentic, beautiful (or handsome), strong, joyful, passionate, driven, loving... CHILD OF GOD that He destined you to be!!!!!

Much Love,

Bekah

Bikini or Figure?!? Decisions.... Decisions.... DECIDED! :0)

2011-01-26T10:36:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!

First of all, thank you so much for all your support over the past few months since I've started blogging my journey back to finding my lost sexy! LOL! :0) I've had over 4,500 hit from 10+ countries... The world wide web is simply amazing!

So I have VERY exciting news!!! As you know (or can go back & read about) I competed & won my division in the Washington State Ironman Bodybuilding Championships back in October. I broke my toe right before the Olympia Washington Championships I was going to do 6 weeks later so I didn't compete there & I've just been focused on training. One thing the judges said was that although they loved my physique there was some missing development simply from me only training for 10 weeks. So my focus has been to develop, develop & develop those muscle as much as possible.

In that quest I've discovered is instead of doing Figure again.... what I REALLY want to do is go for the BIKINI division!!

NPC JR USA Bikini Class Winners

NPC JR USA Figure Class Winners

Here is great post about the difference. http://www.hardbody.com/news/2009/05/27/npc-bikini-thoughts-comparisons/

Here are some other observations from the Ms Bikini & Ms Figure Universe website:

"There's one major difference between Ms. Bikini and Figure competitors - body condition. While Ms. Bikini competitors must have an athletic, shapely and sexy appearance, Figure may be slightly muscular, have low body fat but still present a shapely look. Ladies who have a more natural muscular body would best compete in Figure while those with a softer but still toned body best compete in Ms. Bikini. Figure will be judged by bodybuilding trainers, coaches and professional bodybuilders. Ms. Bikini judges are fitness coaches and trainers, talent agents, photographers and others representing mainstream sport disciplines. Prospective competitors contemplating which event to select should consider that the perspective of each set of judges will reflect their experiences and expertise."

When I thought about dieting for figure & the subsequent crazy weight gains that happen after... my stress level shot through the roof!! But when I thought about trying bikini I got really excited - For those who say bikini isn't a "real sport" (which, by the way is stupid... getting THAT body is NOT easy!) I feel like I've already proven I CAN be a sculpted figure girl. So now I want to see how I'd do in the softer bikini division which is the look I really like much more 24/7 in my life. So no more shoulder presses for me! :0)

I'm well aware my shoulders might stay too capped & my back too cut... But I'm GUARANTEED to fail & EVERY single thing I DON'T try! I'm excited! :0) I think I could go pro with bikini where in figure I'd have to go to a WHOLE other level that I don't really want to go in order to compete in the pro level! And even if I didn't place because of my muscularity I really wouldn't care & it wouldn't take away my figure win... Again, what's to lose? So on April 2nd there are the Vancouver Nationals. I'm going in to get judge's feedback & based on that & my placing try it at The Emerald Cup 2 weeks later!

So why not try & if when I go up the judges all fall over laughing I'll just pop into my figure poses!! LOL! ;0)

So with the world's most supportive husband by my side & the world's BEST trainer Luka (www.hocevarperformance.com) kicking my butt & guiding my diet... I'll be ready to get on stage & strut like a hot mama who has found her sexy & is NOT afraid to share her discovery with the world!!

Much Love!
Bekah

Happy New Year!!!!

2011-01-18T10:17:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!!

I guess you know it's been awhile since you posted when last post you're wishing everyone a 'Merry Christmas' & then you look up & realize Valentine's Day is just around the corner! LOL! Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful Holiday season & a very Happy New Year!

Keith & I went out for New Years this year for the first time in over 10 years... pretty much since I gave birth to our first-born Isaiah! Usually we'd all watch the ball drop at 9pm - Celebrating with the East Coast & then put the kids to bed while Keith & I fell asleep on the couch only to wake up & see it was like 12:20am... Oops - "Happy New Year Baby...!" But THIS year we had a blast with our friends - rented a limo & did a nice dinner & kicked it at a karaoke bar... great memories & good times had by all!

So last post I talked about the INCREDIBLE opportunity I was waiting to hear about with DTE... Well, I finally got a call December 31st & it was NOT what I wanted to hear! I was told they really struggled over me because they really did like me... blah, blah, blah....! Boooooooooo!!!! LOL! The funny thing is though, I truly felt at peace about it! I told him "I've always said, if this was for me I'd have it! Yes, I'm disappointed but know things will work out! Just keep me in mind as your company grows & I wish you guys the very best...!" And guess what? I MEANT it! And he was a bit surprised I think at my positive attitude! He thanked me for it & for "just being who you are... You're amazing!" Yes, I was REALLY disappointed. I really thought THIS WAS IT! And I allowed myself to be totally bummed about it for that night. I totally pouted & told God it wasn't fair. I put on my sweats, wrapped up in my blanket & probably had my lower lip sticking out most of the night! ;0)

Then in the morning I woke up with this thought straight from my heavenly father:

"When I am frustrated I'm probably living in the future.
When I am depressed I'm probably living in the past.
When I am at peace I know it is because
I am living in the present.
Not looking forward in impatience or backward in anger,

but around in awareness & thankfulness

for the chance to live THIS DAY fully & with purpose.
My best days were ahead of me yesterday -
I'm living one of them TODAY!"

It's so easy to believe & have faith when things are working according to the plan... but TRUE faith is the substance of things HOPED for the evidence of things NOT SEEN. I was truly encouraged by many friends & the word that kept coming up was "timing" I still feel STRONGLY that I will work with DTE - And have even heard from them that they are hoping to work with me very soon - things are taking off & they think they might need more models sooner then later!! My response?: "And I'm truly looking forward to working with DTE soon too... God's timing is perfect & I'm staying prepared so I can rock it for y'all when the opportunity comes my way!" ;0) They said "YES! Yer are a freakin' powerhouse... in more than on way...!" How THANKFUL am I that I was able to respond to the initial disappointment with grace & maturity in-turn keeping that door open for future possibilities!

Now for the continuation of the "25 Random Things" about me list I started last post:

8) I was accepted to the Tap Root Theater Troop but declined the job because I was getting married

9) After being a very chunky kid/teen I got my body fat was 13% & I could leg press 600lbs when I reached 19 years old - I was terrified that Keith would see me naked on our honeymoon & had to be READY! LOL!

10) I thought I was pregnant once when I was 12 because at a sleepover I slept on a bed while a friend slept on the floor - I thought being in the same room with a boy at night made me pregnant - I was terrified but NEVER told anyone... I was VERY relieved after 9 months passed!

11) The highlight of my teenage life was getting to go to a public school for driver's ed

12) My Mom became one of my very best friends

after I got married

13) I was taught at home all the way through High school & received my GED at 16

14) When Keith gave me a check for $1500 to help with the wedding it was the biggest check I'd ever seen

15) I would really like us to adopt 2 little brothers one day - I see them in my mind all the time

16) I have a very quick wit & tongue & I am VERY sarcastic (SHOCKING... I know...) ;0)

I have to give a special shout out to my sister AJ Williams who lit a fire under my butt asking when my next post was coming!! Thanks girl! I needed that! I have SO much more to tell you all so I'll have a few posts back to back just to catch up! I'm on a new eating plan that I'd love to share also...

We all JUST recovered from ALL six of us getting hit with the stomach flu within 12 hours of each other! It was TOTAL CRAAAAAAAAAAZINESSSS!!!! But we're all feeling much better - I was on the floor for 10 hours straight & I just MIGHT have asked God to PLEASE take me to heaven I was so totally miserable & wreaked with pain... It's not the first prayer I've prayed that I'm glad He didn't pay any attention too! LOL! :0)

Talk to you soon!
Much Love,

Bekah

Our BEST years are ahead....!

2010-12-22T13:41:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone!

So have I even mentioned that I'm NOT really good at being patient & waiting?!? Yea, well... now you know... I'm NOT! :0)

I ended my last blog with a little mention about a big modeling opportunity I had coming up. Well I interviewed for it last Monday - December 13th. I was a finalist in the DTE Model Search. DTE stands for Do The Extraordinary ( http://www.dotheextraordinary.com/ ) They are "A street athletic apparel company, created to identify with the style and heart of OUR generation, a generation of world changers. At our core, we are SO much more than just a athletic apparel line, we have created a brand dedicated to encourage, inform, inspire, unite, and invest in the Extraordinary causes of so-called ordinary people." DTE did a search for 12 passionate individuals to represent DTE, and do the national launch of DTE apparel. Those selected would have the opportunity to gain exposure through everything from print to runway to commercials to online advertising! DTE is a stylish, urban athletic apparel line, with designs by Blayne Walsh (Project Runway), and co-founded by Shaun Alexander (2005 NFL MVP). You can check out their page on face book under "Do The Extraordinary" & "DTE Model Search" on face book.

Anyway, the interview went great... we laughed - A LOT & it was one of those experiences where you're just in "the zone" & everything you're saying it right on. At one point one of them stopped & said "You are saying everything we've been saying to the models we've been seeing... how could you know?" It was VERY cool. It's funny when you take some time to talk about & think about your life... Mine has actually been pretty interesting! So yes.... STILL waiting to hear the results - The one thing I am VERY happy about is the fact that I truly know I did my very best. I left that interview knowing I said everything I needed to say & realizing that if this is for me... it's MINE. I can't "mess it up" What God has for me is for me.... I just need to wait & see if THIS is what He has in mind.....! The last time I felt this way was when I competed in October. I knew I could NOT have done any better, trained any harder, practiced any longer... I did my best & although winning was FUN, I would have been able to be proud of myself either way because I knew deep down I'd given my all!

So speaking about my interesting life.... I played that "25 Things" game a couple years ago... I'll add 6 at a time over my next 3 posts - Just some fun little insights into my life! :0)

1) When I was 6 I was asked by a friend of a family member when my mom "got" me. She assumed because my mom is white that I was adopted - I said "she HAD me! With my Papa...over there!" The woman went into shock when she saw my chocolate daddy! LOL!

2) My older sister Deborah told me I was supposed to be a boy & our Papa was so disappointed when I wasn't. I found the scripture Gen 37:8 which says "Now Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died and was buried under the oak below Bethel" That was my ammunition throughout childhood - the Word of God... a two edged sword! :-)

3) I can't see my hand in front of my face without contacts or glasses

4) Keith was the first guy I ever kissed (say it all together now: "Awwwwww.....!")

5) My big toe is WAY bigger than all my other toes - even though Keith's teases me & calls them my "Fred Flintstones toes" - I think they're cute because I totally have my Papa's feet & I love everything about me that reminds me of him!

6) It was really important for me to please other people until I had kids. This was currently amended to until I competed in my first figure show... my preparation for an extreme sport revealed the straight ugly in some of my "friends" & I was heart broken. I still cared after all. But NOW after coming through THAT experience I can TRULY say - It is NO longer important to me AT ALL to please ANYBODY except God & my husband!

7) I always wanted 26 kids - one for each letter of the alphabet!

Thank you all for your support & prayers... I've had so much going on & I can't even begin to tell you how much it means to me all the messages I've been getting from people saying they are inspired & motivated & encouraged by my journey & thanking me for telling it! I am certain for each of us - Our BEST years are ahead of us! Let's GO!

A special heart-felt thanks to my new friend Kim DeCuire who posted this song (see link below) on my FB wall with the message: "I met a beautiful woman last night named Rebekah Thompson Baker at boot camp. Not only was she beautiful, but she had a beautiful spirit and her body was rocking. I just wanted to dedicate this song to you. Keep inspiring. God has big plans for you."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtXOVKNazYUDo ~ You have no idea how much you encouraged my heart!

Have a VERY Merry CHRISTmas!!
Much Love,
Bekah

I'm Baaaaaaaaaack! ;0)

2010-12-07T14:32:00.000-08:00

Hey Y'all!!

Is it December already?!? I can't believe my last post was November 11th - BOY has a LOT been going on!! See, what had happened was...

Two weeks before my October 2nd competition I blew my back out dead lifting - It felt like a lightening bolt hit my lower back as I shrugged my shoulders to get the weight up (instead of using my glutes & hamstrings) I yelped & tipped forward onto the floor while my back & legs burned & tingled... Of course we all know by now I have the BEST trainer in the world & he knew EXACTLY what I'd done & what to do to help me. I started seeing an amazing chiropractor & two weeks later I won my division at my first figure competition! Yay! I'm on my way!

One week later... still hyped from my win, I'm at home trying out my new 12lb ball & decide to make up an interval of sprints on the treadmill w/ overhead ball slams... problem is you see, I've only used 18-20lb balls in my gym & didn't think through how much HIGHER that 12lb ball would rebound. So I slammed that sucker down with all my might & was greeted with stars as it slammed up my jaw! Oops...! I shook my head & blinked trying to get the cobwebs out - "You're okay. You're okay. Shake it off..." Since it was my 1st set of course I HAD to finish & if I called anyone I knew they'd tell me I couldn't... SO I finished my 20 minutes then decided I MIGHT need to see the dentist since my teeth felt all shifted. But it was actually my new found chiropractor who discovered I'd given myself WHIPLASH!! Who does that? Who has the ability to knock their OWN selves OUT?!?!? Are you KIDDING me? So 4 times a week I started going to get my jaw shifted back where God intended it to be!

Two weeks later & I'm helping my hubby with the IKEA wardrobe we've bought since we've outgrown my closet (and for the record HE has WAY more clothes than I do!) And as he tips it up & I brace to keep it straight the 8ft x 3ft wardrobe collapses & lands RIGHT on my big toe! It turns purple RIGHT AWAY! I'm withering in pain on the floor, trying not to scream since all the kids are asleep. It feels like someone jammed my foot into a fire & I can't pull it out! Keith tells me I should go to the Dr. but I decide to see how it feels in the morning... It's feeling okay, so I go to my 5:45am boot camp & learn quickly learned how to do one-legged Burpees, planks & push-ups! Two days later the toe is looking a bit GREEN so I figure I might wanna get that checked out... Yep! It's broken, dang it! They tell me to stay out of the gym & I laugh. Then I negotiate - How about I don't run for 2 weeks? They tell me that would be a good idea & I decide that means I can go to the gym I just can't run. Fair enough since I couldn't physically run... I know... because I tried! ;0)

Oh it's not over yet... Two weeks later my toe is feeling a LITTLE better. I was fortunate it was my right toe that was broken so I was using my weaker left leg/foot for everything & it was getting stronger by the day. Then two people randomly ask me if I'm okay because my eyes are so red it looks like I've been crying. Then I notice my cheek starts itching & I there is this funky little rash on my face. It's getting bigger by the next day but it's my 10 year old son's championship football game so I just put my hair in a cute side bun to cover it, throw on a scarf & head out to the game. (Which they won!! GO EAGLES!)

The next morning the rash was blistering & had spread down my neck & behind my ear. They are burning like crazy. So I head to urgent care. They take one look at me & say "Oh honey, you've got shingles!" WHAT HAPPENED? I've got WHAT? Yep, shingles... a viral infection of the nerve roots. It's left over from having chickenpox as a child. Lowered immune system & stress can cause flar ups. It's incredibly painful & the lesions & rashes spread all over the right side of my cheek, my neck, the back of my scalp up into my hairline. They put me on an anti-viral medication 5 times a day & Hydrocodone for the pain.

I was EXHAUSTED. Because the nerves were infected I was getting these shooting electrical-shock type surges down the whole right side of my body. After it was over I felt like I'd ran a 20 minute interval. I would sleep & sleep & wake up MORE tired. I was PISSED! "ARE YOU SERIOUS?" Then I thought - You know what? Something BIG is coming my way... I don't EVER get sick... I've never broken a bone... I'm always healthy & it felt like hell was on a mission to BREAK ME DOWN. And I saw it for what it was & although it SUCKED going through it, I didn't lose the perspective that the best was yet to come & if I stayed strong & FOUGHT through... I WOULD win! I am SO thankful for the prayers of my family & friends during this time. They really sustained me. I went on to gain SIXTEEN pounds of water weight from the meds taking me in THREE days from 146 to 162lbs! My hands looked like baseball mitts they were so swollen, my belly like I was 5 months pregnant & my cheeks were so big my eyes were slits. This mama had OFFICIALLY lost her sexy! LOL!

It was NOT fun! But guess what? They picked the WRONG chick to mess with! And I'm not only BACK... I'm back STRONGER than ever! What doesn't kill you truly WILL make you stronger! My first couple of days back I felt like my lungs were on fire but I trusted Luka to push me JUST enough to get stronger without going so far I regressed in my healing. I'm SO thankful to have someone who can contain my crazy-balls-out self in the gym... He's probably the ONLY one on the face of the earth that can! I'm happy to see my abs again & was REALLY proud yesterday to break my previous high sumo dead lift weight of 185lbs to lift 215 for 4 reps! I believe there is a great BIG God & itty-bitty Devil... And I'm a child of God... the Devil can throw all he's got my way but like MaryMary say - it's the GOD in me that sustains, strengthens & gives me the fight to keep pressing on to my destiny!

There are GREAT & very exciting things coming my way. I'm going in for an interview for an amazing opportunity in the modeling industry - which is my WHOLE purpose for the figure shows. I'll let you know more about it later. Just please pray for favor on my behalf! And can I just say, I'm incredibly thankful that they called me 3 weeks later than I thought they would seeing all that was going on in my life! God's timing is perfect.

Now I'm all about my preparation meeting all the opportunities out there for me. I can't control what all will come my way but I CAN have control over how prepared I am by the daily choices I make in my eating, training & perspective! I'm living extraordinary thus the bulls eye on my forehead - But I'm not trippin'. Like I said on my model search application "Life is too short to not live every day fully & with purpose. I want to stand before God empty having used everything He gave me & having done everything He had for me to do."

Much love,
Bekah

How to get through these Holiday Months!

2010-11-11T14:03:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

I've had a lot of people talk to me about their concerns with the holiday season & being able to enjoy themselves & some of that special holiday food BUT also not be that annoying person who won't eat ANYTHING & drives everyone else crazy! :0)

I want to give you a few ideas that have helped me & I hope will help you navigate this season with little or no impact to your waistline... A lifestyle of healthy eating INCLUDES November & December! You'll be SO happy you did come January! Promise!

1: Water Up! As soon as you arrive to the party get a glass/cup & fill it with water. If you're holding a glass in your hand you won't constantly get asked if you want a drink & you can do mindless drinking with that. If you really want alcohol then choose a glass of red wine - let me rephrase that - a 5oz SERVING of red wine - which is about 120 calories - After a few refills of water nurse that wine & truly enjoy it during the evening!

2: Choose Wisely! Take inventory of the spread. Choose only ONE OR TWO things to splurge on. Be aware of what you're eating & enjoy every bite! Eat them AFTER you've filled up on protein, veggies & water.

3: Make sure you EAT! Don't "save" up space in the morning or days leading up to your holiday events by drastically cutting back on calories. Worst thing you could do! This ALWAYS backfires & leads to overeating. The last thing you want to do is send your body into starvation mode right before you put higher fat & higher sugar filled foods into it!

4: Eat BEFORE you go! If you're going to a party - eat a clean meal & have a protein shake BEFORE you go. Don't arrive somewhere HUNGRY where you're options are unknown & most likely will be unhealthy.

5: Indulge on PURPOSE. When you DO indulge on that slice of Grandma's pie or whatever.... know it's okay. Consider it what it is - A calculated indulgence & move on. Eat it slowly & enjoy every bite (I know I said this before but I'm sayin' it AGAIN!) Don't start randomly popping all kinds of cakes & cookies into your mouth since you "already fell off the wagon" For the following days limit the amount of starchy carbs & up your cardio & water to help lose that bloat that extra sugar has given you.

6: You Cook! If it's a pot-luck then bring what you can eat! I almost ALWAYS bring a big garden salad with tons of veggies, chicken & hard boiled eggs - then I know if everything else there isn't what I want to put in my body I have a healthy option. And people often tell me they appreciate having some salad to go with all that other fried, breaded & sauced food.

I hope these tips help you manuver through this season with great success & that you'll start 2011 feeling the BEST you've ever felt!

Much Love,
Bekah

Keepin' it REAL...!

2010-10-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

And wishing the truth didn't hurt so much!! So... here's the deal. I get it. I get that this is a process... this whole weight loss, staying lean, maintaining my body & fueling it properly... blah, blah, FREAKIN' BLAH. See, I was doing to be DIFFERENT! I was going drop down to 140 for "game day" and I was NOT going to be like ALL the OTHER girls & gain it all back... Okay MAYBE a LITTLE but not ALL of it. And guess what? I ALMOST thought I'd done it!! My weight stayed at 142 for TWO weeks post comp! I was SO FREAKIN' happy!! Then that ANNOYING little lady with the darn box & the red bow who shows up in commercials when you're like kayaking down the rapids? Yea, HER? Well SHE showed up & ******BAMB!******** Just like that right back up to 148.... WHAT?!?!WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?!?!?

Does it help that Luka (my trainer) reminds me that all I ever wanted in July was to get under 150? And that 3 months ago this time of the month I was 162?!? NOPE! Doesn't help at ALL! My dear friend Tami who competed before WARNED me... she said "Remember Bekah, that water weight you lose the last week before competing is FAKE weight loss! It WILL come back...!" But see, what SHE didn't know I was SPECIAL! I was going to be the EXCEPTION to the rule!! My tummy AND the scale did NOT get the "I'm special" memo OBVIOUSLY!!! So honestly I haven't weighed myself in the past couple days... I'm probably now back down around 146 which has become my new normal not-on-cycle (148-149lbs)& not-about-to-compete weight (140lbs) I can totally tell by how my clothes fit... but here's the thing... I really LIKED how I looked at 140 & I MAN what a difference 5lbs makes!! So I'm remembering as Luka is CONSTANTLY reminding me... it will take TIME to get my base weight down to 140... it CAN & WILL happen but WHEN is what we don't know for sure. Grrrrrrr.... I not only SAW the promised land, I got to LIVE there for a couple weeks & NOW I've gotta go BACK out to the wilderness?!?!? Okay... so I'm being a teeny-tiny bit dramatic, but STILL! That's what it looks like from where I'm pouting right now!!

Oh & DID I HAPPEN to mention... My baby daddy has lost 20lbs over the summer... well the weight just keeps MAGICALLY falling OFF him! But THAT'S not irritating AT ALL!! OH NO! I mean this dude is down to 176 & eating sweets on PURPOSE to get his weight back up to 180 where he wants to stay... HOW IS THAT FAIR?!?!?!?!? Just wanted to throw out that observation....! ;0)

So THIS is where I have to once again TRUST THE PROCESS... And realize how far I've come & that this is for life. Ups & downs will come but if I take the right steps. Eat the right foods. Exercise the right way... my goals will come to pass! I just have to be patient! To be a fitness model I can't have any extra stuff around my middle... So I can focus on the fact that I know how great those abs CAN look or be mad they don't quite THAT good at this moment!! I'm going to choose door #1 & let the pictures of MYSELF motivate me along with all the other ladies who've written to me saying how those pictures motivate them. We're ALL in this together & sexy won't be brought back THAT easy! You gotta' work for it! Enjoy the highs & fight through the lows but no matter what just keep putting one foot in front of the other & keep moving!!

Much love,
Bekah

HIIT - It really WILL make you wanna SLAP somebody...!

2010-10-13T11:46:00.000-07:00

... But HIIT actually stands for High Intensity Interval Training! ;0) Aside from my clean eating... THIS has made the biggest impact on me shedding the weight - It especially targets those abs. The high/low is the whole point so don't let your low be too fast. You WANT your heart rate to slow down so it can shoot back up again once you start the intense part again.

The part I LOVE the most about it though? YOU NEVER GO OVER 24 minutes!!! HELLO! I've got 4 kids... I don't HAVE the time to jog along for 60 minutes!! So this is what I do on Tue/Thur/Sat when I don't train with Luka. I have a treadmill at home & I've worked up to my work speed being 10.5 & my active rest 4.0 OR I'll leave the treadmill running & my active rest will be jumping jacks or they could be push-up, burpees, V-ups... whatever!! If you don't have a treadmill & need to stay in the house get a weighted jump rope from Target! Go all out speed both feet jumping up together for your work then slow down & alternate your feet during your active rest until it's time to go again!

HOCEVAR INTERVAL TRAINING:

http://www.hocevarperformance.com/

Begin each day with 5 minutes of warm up & end with 5 minutes of cool down.
You can perform these intervals on a treadmill, elliptical, bike, running, or performing any number of body weight or resistance exercises.
A few very effective choices are sprinting, jogging, walking, biking, burpees, mountain climbers, body weight squats, jump squats, kettle bell swings, step ups, jump rope, medicine ball work, and running stairs.

Week One
Day One- 30 seconds of work, 60 seconds of active recovery for 10 rounds or 15 minutes.
Day Two- 60 seconds of work, 120 seconds of active recovery for 5 rounds or 15 minutes.
Day Three- 20 seconds of work, 40 seconds of active recovery for 15 rounds or 15 minutes.
Week Two
Day One- 30 seconds of work, 60 seconds of active recovery for 12 rounds or 18 minutes.
Day Two- 60 seconds of work, 120 seconds of active recovery for 6 rounds or 18 minutes.
Day Three- 20 seconds of work, 40 seconds of active recovery for 18 rounds or 18 minutes.
Week Three
Day One- 30 seconds of work, 60 seconds of active recovery for 14 rounds or 21 minutes.
Day Two- 60 seconds of work, 120 seconds of active recovery for 7 rounds or 21 minutes.
Day Three- 20 seconds of work, 40 seconds of active recovery for 20 rounds or 20 minutes
Week Four
Day One- 30 seconds of work, 60 seconds of active recovery for 16 rounds or 24 minutes.
Day Two- 60 seconds of work, 120 seconds of active recovery for 8 rounds or 24 minutes.
Day Three- 20 seconds of work, 40 seconds of active recovery for 24 rounds or 24 minutes.

After I completed the first 4 weeks we didn't add more time - We just took 5 seconds away from the active recovery & added it to the work time. Now we even do even sets 30 seconds work, 30 seconds active recovery... Now THAT'LL kick your behind!! :0) The beauty of this kind of workout is how FAST it is - I NEVER did more cardio than this those 10 weeks I prepared for the show & y'all SAW the results I got... so it works!

Just make sure when you work... You REALLY work - It's for a short time... PUSH YOURSELF! You should feel like I look here when you're done!! LOL! ;0)

I hope this gives y'all something new to try instead of clogging along

on the treadmill/Step Machine/Elliptical for a hour or two & not seeing any results!!

Much Love!!

Bekah

But I LIKE to eat....!

2010-10-08T08:42:00.001-07:00

Okay?!? You & me both!! And we need to eat... Starting early in the day & often. BUT it's WHAT you eat that makes ALL the difference in the world! And can I just say - You can NOT work out enough to give you the ability to eat "whatever you want" unless maybe you're an 18 year old high school athlete... I'm SO sorry to crush that dream, but it's just not true! I spent 18 months training almost 2 hrs a day SO FRUSTRATED that I couldn't budge past the mid - 150's. The biggest change when I started with Luka was my eating. A lot of you have been asking about how I eat & so here's a snapshot of a day of eating in my life.

It changes when I'm competing of course - I didn't eat ANY carbs for 3 days then carb LOADED for 3 days - But this is about what I did to initially get lean & what I go back to when I start to platue again. My weight this morning was 142.1 - Only 2lbs heavier than when I competed last week totally depleted of water. Which means my body has turned into a FIRE PIT for food & is burning through everything right now because my fat/muscle ratio has gotten to the point where I'm literally burning fuel 24/7!

The beauty of this is that if you stick to it for the 21 days it WILL help you bust through that spot where you're just STUCK...

So the diet Luka created & gave me is called Green Faces - For 21 days (And ANYONE can do ANYTHING for 21 days) This is NOT a lifestyle diet. This is a "Get you out of the rut you in" diet. ONLY do it for 21 days then you MUST start adding low complex carbs for long term weight loss success!

For 21 days you only eat things Green or used to have a Face.

This is phase 1:

GREEN veggies:

(various squash, eggplant, tomatoes, onions & mushrooms are the only none green veggies that also make the cut)
Lean meats:

Steaks, center cut bacon, all fish/tuna, sirloin beef patties, chicken, spare rib, veal, turkey...
Eggs
Healthy fats:

Sesame, olive, coconut, almond, flax, sunflower oils - add to every meal
Protein powder to make shakes:

1 serving powder w/ water & ice - blend & enjoy!:0)
LOTS OF WATER!!!
Supplements:

Omega 3 Fish Oil, Multi-Vitamin, Iron, Vitamin D

You NEVER eat a veggie without a protein - EVER.

This is what is NOT on the list:
NO:
Dairy - None, no milk, cheese, yogurt
Nuts - Including organic almond or peanut butter - NO NUTS
Avocado - Yes it's a healthy fat - but NOT for 21 days
Fruits or Fruit Juices
Alcohol (even wine)
Grain carbs of any kind
Yams/Potatoes

What I'm NOT saying is these foods aren't healthy - They are & an important part of a balanced diet - I've added back cashews, almond butter, rice cakes, yams, steel cut oats/oatmeal, Ezekiel 4:9 bread, berries among other complex carbs into my diet - I eat MORE carbs on my heavy training days & less on my lighter training days. These are all a part of phase 2. Now Dairy... my beloved dairy... THAT I have decided to NOT make part of my lifestyle... Maybe a once a month cheat meal of nachos... (my FAV) but I feel so "cloggy" & gross after eating dairy... THAT was a big key for me personally in getting down 20lbs over the past 3 months.

This is what will happen if you don't prepare ahead of time - You just won't eat. You'll look around & there won't be anything you can grab so you don't eat at all. And THAT is the WORST thing you can do - You might as well just eat some ice cream & cookies then sabotage your body by starving it! Cook up a big thing of eggs & veggies & broiled chicken thighs that are easy to grab & make a salad. YOU MUST EAT EVERY THREE HOURS! This is where the protein drinks help too - I did 3 food meals & 3 protein drinks in a day.

When I started Green Faces I was 162 lbs - When I ended 21 days later I was about 156... And NOT so happy about it! I was busting my butt in the gym & wanted to lose MORE... But I trusted the process, and started adding yams to my breakfast or steel cut oats... than a banana AFTER I trained... suddenly I was down to 149!!! I couldn't believe it! I hung out there for a couple weeks then slowly leveled out around 147. So then the week before I competed I went back to phase one. The day after I competed I had a total cheat day. Then I went back to phase 2 with at least 2 carb servings on Training days & 1 on my off days... Since I was re-hydrating from the show my weight shot back up to 144.5 but then has consistently dropped each day to where I am now - FULLY hydrated & eating carbs I'm 142 lbs! It's AMAZING the difference a few pounds of REAL FAT LOSS make! Even on my 5' 10" frame!

Green Faces Day:
2 low fat sausage, 2 eggs, sliced tomato & onion with sauteed zucchini in coconut oil all wrapped in lettuce leaves for a breakfast sandwich (Also used bacon a lot with this one)

Protein shake

Grilled a sirloin beef patty with sugarless seasoning (check the label) Topped with mustard (again find one with no sugar) Tomato, Onion, bacon again wrapped in the big romaine lettuce leaves you can get at Costco

Protein shake

Seasoned Salmon with TONS of all sorts of veggies sauteed in coconut oil (just my favorite oil) Sliced the orange squash, topped coconut oil & cinnamon on it then broiled it in the oven

Protein shake about 1 1/2 hrs before I went to bed

(I also grilled a bunch of chicken thighs that I just kept handy to microwave when I was in a hurry, I'd throw in some cucumber I'd dip in a oil/vinegar/seasoning dressing... also did LOTS of salads always with chicken, steak &/or eggs for the protein.)

Well, I hope this gives you some ideas - I've been told to do a recipe book & maybe I will! In the meantime I'll try to add more food ideas to my blog.

Much love!
Bekah

WHEN PREPARATION MEETS OPPORTUNITY!!!

2010-10-04T15:52:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!!!!

Thank you all SO much for ALL THE LOVE!!! It's been overwhelming!!!! So as you all know I competed in my FIRST Figure competition this past Saturday October 2nd. And guess what I did? I WON!! It was an AMAZING experience!! There were 15 beautiful competitors I was up against - But I knew that NO MATTER the outcome I would be happy because I had without a doubt done my absolute BEST - I could not have trained harder or eaten cleaner - THIS body was the BEST body I had to present & I was VERY proud of what I had accomplished! That being said... it SURE feels GREAT to have all that hard word rewarded with a WIN!!! I have the entire album on FB of the whole day - There were some really nice girls I met... and some REALLY NOT nice ones too! But I had already decided I was just gonna be & do me - So I was friendly to all - Helped a girl with a strap hanging out her suit... she walked past TONS of girls & NO ONE said anything to her!! Shaking my head!! She was SO thankful & appreciative of me helping her out! Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you... AND God don't like ugly! My amazing suit was custom made by Les Welton of Vizion Wear - Look him up on FB & tell him I sent you - BEST quality & INCREDIBLE prices!!!!

So once all the girls were lined up we did our quarter turns - Then we waited while they tallied the scores from all the judges to decide who they wanted to call out front to see first. "NUMBER 49!" was the first number called!! Wait! THAT'S MY NUMBER!!! I went & took my place where the floor had a #1 taped onto it! They were gonna have to move me if they wanted me somewhere else! LOL! But they didn't - Many times they'll have girls move from one end to another & switch places so all the judges get a good view of everyone... but for our group only, they left us EXACTLY as we were called. Then they had us do the quarter turns about 6 times! It was exhausting! Sucking, flexing, smiling, relaxing fingers, squeezing quads... It's a for REAL workout to do Figure Poses!!!

Anyway, 3 of us they sent back in line then they called out others. At first I thought that was bad that they didn't want to see me anymore, but then my girlfriend Tami (who competed a year ago) told me that was a GREAT thing - Usually they send back the top 3 & keep the others to compare with more competitors for lower rankings. So I stood to the side trying to catch every single one of the judges eyes & smiling while they went through the quarter turns with ALL the other girls!! Finally it was over & we all exited. We had about a 3 hour break until the evening show so I went home & attempted to take a nap... that didn't happen at ALL! I was too amped up!!

We got back to the Casino & I prepped for the evening show. They had us all come out & introduced us. "Here is Rebekah Baker. She's been married 12 years & has 4 kids! Her desire is to motivate mothers of all ages & races to 'Bring their sexy back'!" It was great! Then I got back in line & waited for the introduction of the other 14 girls. As SOON as we went back stage they called out 5 number "49!" They called it out first again! I was in the top 5! Then we waited for the other divisions to hand out their awards before we all walked out. They started calling names so fast my head was just spinning & I kept thinking "Please don't call my name... please!" Then it was down to the final 2 - Myself & last year's Division D & OVERALL Champion.... He called out a name... IT WASN'T MINE!!! OMG! Yay! "So that makes THIS year's Division D Champion Rebeeeeeekah Baaaaaaker! She done brought sexy back!" I just burst out laughing!! I couldn't believe it!!! BEST feeling EVER!!! I have now qualified for the JR Nationals in Chicago June 2011 where I'll have the chance to earn my pro card & compete in the IBFF Pro Federation!!

I have so much more to share but I'll stop here for now... One SUPER cool thing is I was approached by an amazing photographer to do a photo shoot the next day! Before I even won he scheduled a time to shoot me - Here are 4 of the shots of the 100's he took. I can't wait to see the rest!

Thank you again to all of you who have supported me & encouraged me in this journey! I've only just begun!

Much Love,
Bekah

Can I TOTALLY freak out now?!?!?

2010-09-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

I was just wondering... because I'm REALLLLLLLLY close to losing it!! OMG! WHAT was I THINKING?!?!?!? "What ifs" are going boinging around my head like an out of control pin ball!

What if I don't lose the water weight?
What if that skin doesn't tighten aroudn my abs?
What if my suit doesn't arrive in time?
What if the tanning makes me look like an orange OompaLoompa?
What if I forget which hand goes forward & which hand goes back?
What if I have to pee once I get on stage?
What if... what if... what if....!!!!!!! *EXHALE*

Then I start thinking "okay, WHAT IF?" Sometime you have to think it all the way through to take away "What ifs" power:

WHAT IF:
I don't lose the water weight - Then I don't lose the water weight... but I'll still look great
My skin doesn't tighten - Well, I had 4 kids... They're worth a little skin!
My suit doesn't arrive in time - Then I'll wear my backup suit
The tanning makes me orange - I'll use a different tanning service next time
Forget which hand goes forward - I'll just stay confident & poised in WHATEVER pose I DO remember & no matter what keep a big SMILE on my face
I have to pee - Well, I'll be SURE to go potty before hand & I've held it before so I'll hold it again if all else fails.

Now I'll do a new list of "What Ifs":

What if I totally rock it & place in the top 2 of my division?
What if I win?
What if I network & make great connections?
What if I have the TIME of my life?
What if I make some fabulous new friends?
What if I figure out I already won the moment I step onto that stage BECAUSE I stepped onto that stage?
What then? :0)

Okay, see there? I feel better already! LOL! :0) The bottom line is "You'll ALWAYS miss 100% of the shots you don't take" (Wayne Gretzky) Another one I love "Take risks. If you win you'll be happy. If you lose you'll be wise!" Happy or Wise... I'll take either one of those! The reality is we fail MORE by timidity than by over-daring... So I'm going for it! There is no "next time around" in life... What I have is today! So I'm making the most of it & I'm going to risk... Well, what AM I REALLY risking? My pride? Okay, well the possible benefits are SO numerous to that ONE risk - And pride is ALWAYS a good thing to risk I think - builds character & helps one to not take life so seriously!

Thank you all for your support - I only have 10 days left - October 2nd here I come!

Much Love!
Bekah

TOTALLY fell off the wagon...!

2010-09-16T14:43:00.000-07:00

... BUT I got RIGHT back on the next day! And THAT, my friends... is what you do when you change your LIFESTYLE & you're not just on a "diet!" Let me tell you, last weekend I had a rough night - I've eaten VERY clean since I started training with Luka July 9th & come hell or high water I've been sticking to fueling my body & keeping it running the way God intended it to run!!! But then what had happened was... I got into it with my dear husband & proceeded to ingesting: Kettle corn, animal crackers, all the caramel/chocolate chunks out of the ice cream, a couple bites of Keith's birthday apple crisp... OH! And a half a bar of 85% dark chocolate, you know, just the cherry on top! And ALL of THIS mess was AFTER I had whole wheat spaghetti w/chicken & spinach as my "carb up" meal AND a protein shake...!

So, actually I didn't FALL off the wagon. Honestly, it more like I took a leaping JUMP & hit EACH & EVERY rock rolling DOWN the hill until the wagon caught up with me & knocked me clean out!!! LOL! The good thing about this experience was 1: I realized HOW horrible my body feels when I fill it with sugar - the next morning I felt like crap & was living in the bathroom the first 2 hrs of my morning! I promptly sent a confession to Luka - But NOT until AFTER I did the HARDEST workout at home I've EVER done:

10 Jumping Squats with 12lb ball at my chest
10 Back Lunges rotating 12lb ball from side to side with each lunge
10 Push ups
10 V-Ups
10 Burpees with 12lb ball - Brought it into my chest & jumped up then down, kept hands on ball & leaped back into plank then back up to start
Treadmill Run: Leave treadmill on 10.0 speed & 10.0 incline - Jump on & sprint for 15 seconds

THIS is ONE round. I did TEN rounds for a total of 29 minutes!

I drank LOTS & LOTS of water & just started eating clean again. I didn't beat myself up & say what the heck I might as well KEEP eating crap since I "ruined" it! NO! NO! NO! This is my new LIFESTYLE! And I'm human. So I'll emotionally eat sometimes... that's OKAY. What I do AFTER I make that choice is what matters! Get back on it & just keep going!

So the next day Keith & I went out to our church's "Vision Banquet" where our entire church meets for a fabulous dinner & to look over the past year & hear from our pastors the new vision for our church in the coming year. (We're pictured here with our AMAZING pastor's Judah & Chelsea Smith of The City Church) I wore a backless dress & I felt GREAT!

I felt strong & I felt re-focused! I was ready to hit it BIG time with Luka come Monday! I try not to weigh myself to often but I did Monday morning & I was down to an ALL TIME adult low weight for me: 145.8!! Now I was REALLY motivated! Then during the 4th & final set & the 5th & final rep of 185lb dead lifts - I compromised my form & blew my back out!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! It felt like a lightening bolt hit my tailbone & I just dropped the weight & tipped forward onto my forearms - my back was on FIRE! Thank God I have a QUALIFIED & genius trainer who got me into his chiropractor/physical therapist THAT afternoon. That with LOTS & LOTS of prayer had me back doing kettle bell swings just 2 days later!!! LIGHT kettle bell swings but I'm just SO happy I'm feeling SO much better!

I've officially announced that I'll be competing in the NPC Max Muscle Ironman Bodybuilding, Figure, Fitness & Bikini Championships! The top three in each category with qualify for any national level NPC show! I'm SO excited. I'm SO freaked out too!! I will NOT be wasting folks money so I HAVE to do it now!! It's only 2 weeks away, but I'm enjoying the process & the show will give me the exposure I want to become a successful Fitness Model!! Strong is the new Skinny Baby!

Thank you... ALL of you who have been so supportive of me during this journey! I LOVE YOU!!!
God bless you all!

Much love,
Bekah

Reaping the Rewards!

2010-09-04T14:41:00.001-07:00

Hey!

It's been a CRAZY busy couple of weeks!

I've had a lot going on but the BEST thing out of it all is the most recent development in my quest for superior fitness & lifelong health - My fabulous amazing beautiful Mom, Susan (who turns 64 this month) ~ has not only JOINED me at Hocevar Performance Gym doing the boot camp... BUT, she has joined Luka's TRANSFORMATION CHALLENGE!!!! She's getting her "before" picture taken & everything!!! I didn't invite her. I didn't tell her she should come. I knew she had to be ready on her own! SHE called ME. Can I just tell y'all... if NOTHING else came out of this, having my mom renew her commitment to health, strength & becoming physically fit just makes my heart want to burst out of my chest!!! It makes "all" the people talking about me bad worth it, it makes all the drama & 'who you think you are' WORTH IT. Because someone I love so deeply & dearly has been motivated by my posts, blogs & new lifestyle to change her own!! YAY Mom!! I love you!!

So THAT is the biggest reward I've reaped... the other one that is kinda' a big deal too is I'm officially under 150lbs!! Last weigh-in I was 147.4 & even when my cycle came I never went over 149.9... LAST MONTH? I was at 160!!! I feel strong, I look lean & my size 7jr jeans are TOO big in the waist! I have never in my adult life looked the way I do right now. Even when I was 20 & my body fat was 13.4% I still had a 'baby fat' face! LOL! Now I have this sculpted jaw line & cheekbones that I'm pretty excited about! My eating has been consistent & healthy - One the days I train with Luka I eat 2 carb servings - usually oatmeal or steel cut oats with protein powder & cinnamon (along with eggs, bacon, spinach etc) and then after our sessions I have nuts & a banana - tastes like heaven! :0) The rest of the time I'm eating lots of cucumber, green beans & salad with t-bone steaks, salmon, grilled chicken thighs & sirloin burgers with everything but the bun & cheese! :0) I also have 2-3 protein shakes a day & I've discovered a brand they sell at The Vitamin Shoppe from BSN call Syntha-6 - Mix 6 ice cubes, 1-2 cups of water & a serving of their Chocolate protein & it REALLY does taste like a delicious dessert treat! I love it! If you want to try it be SURE to ask for the internet price! It's a LOT cheaper then the listed price at the store!

In a bit of disappointing news I was contacted this week that the LA Valor Figure show I was going to do in California on the 18th was cancelled. I really couldn't get that upset though... I've lived long enough to know... what's meant to be will be! God is in control & many times we don't know why, but He does & He's the one writing my life's story... so how can I complain? So my first show will be HERE October 2nd at the Snoqualmie Casino! I'll keep everyone posted & yes... YOU are invited!! It will be a great ALL NATURAL show!

I also had an AMAZING weekend last week walking in the runway show for Sisters Against Lupus - Shine a Light on Lupus Fashion Show! I had a BLAST... sometime you forget how much you LOVE something until you get to do it again! The runway is totally my element & it made me even THAT much more excited to do the show in October! It was also very encouraging & fun to be the "thickest" girl there & hear the reaction & responses from the crowd "Now THAT'S a real woman!" I was tone, muscular & strong... it truly was a defining moment of affirmation for me & for that moment to come while supporting such an great cause & my friend Kawanna who is WINNING against this dreadful disease - made it even better!

Thank you again, to you all who have just flooded me with your support & love. I am thankful for the opportunity to inspire & motivate mommies especially - who have been convinced by others that an out-of-shape unhealthy body are just the cards dealt to those who become mothers! It's NOT true & it's NEVER too late!

Much Love!
Bekah

I'm Baaaaack! ;0)

2010-08-17T22:20:00.001-07:00

(So this was a pic my trainer Luka took of me after boot camp this past Saturday... this is just what my body did after that final plank... all we needed was a chalk outline! LOL!)

August 6th? Really? That was my last post? What's up with THAT? Okay, I'mma get it together!! So much has been going on! My competition is exactly 4 weeks away tomorrow!! Yikes! And so of course, what happens? Oh... what I THOUGHT was my nicely stacked little support system... implodes! I'm not going to give it much space to the drama because that would give validity to the people who want to make me feel guilty for making THEM feel guilty by the way I live my life. Like crabs in a pot baby... crabs in a pot! So I was accused of being self-centered & uncaring towards others feelings. The truth is I will put others before me to a fault... but the "other's feelings" part is tricky. Yes, I do care about the feelings people have but I don't take any responsibility for the way people choose to read my personal documentation of this journey I've been on. Some days I'm feeling feisty & I'll throw out a quote that really motivated me like "Obsession is what lazy people use to describe dedication" all of the sudden I'm accused of calling fat people lazy... just off THAT post! I was so confused. Then I saw the light! It's not about me. It's about them. So WooooSawwwwww...! (I don't think I spelled it right but you get the idea!)

Now the good stuff! Training as been going great! Did I mention I'm finally under 150? OMG - SUCH a happy day for me!! I've been working really hard & if you've read some previous posts I stopped weighing myself because I was going crazy about the weight I kept gaining. But I'm sticking with the process & not jumping ship when it looks like it's not working & guess what happens? It's starts working! Go figure! I'm getting there little by little. Which includes EATING regularly. This isn't about starving. This isn't about stuffing. This is about fueling. This is about balance. Now I'm under NO illusions that my preparation for competition is a "lifestyle of balance" But I AM attempting to do this sport successfully without the gain & drop of 15 - 20lbs many competitors have. I don't know if it will work but that's my goal. To be a healthy fit weight most of the time & just water down no more than 5lbs for competition day. Watering down truly is the one extreme thing about this sport of figure... (although I don't think it's nearly as out there as what wrestlers do to lose weight, again personal opinion) It's basically drinking LOTS of water & more salt for a few days & then limiting the water & salt over the next 4 days so that the muscles & veins fill out & show in the best way possible. We'll see how it works for me.

As far as how I'm specifically training I meet with Luka twice a week to do a specific work out he has to hit the parts of my body I need to hit. I do his boot camp - which is just overall training - two other days a week. On my two days at home I interval train. Someone was asking me about that today. It's really simple but HIGHLY effective cardio. Stop. Stop. PLEASE stop running for a hour!! Do cycles: High intensity for 20 seconds / active rest for 40 or double whatever your high intensity time was. ie: 30/60 or 60/120 or 40/80 whatever... switch it up! Keeps your body guessing. Aside from my diet, interval training has been a huge part of my fitness improving so much these past 6 weeks! And that's what it's been... only 6 weeks! I hadn't picked up a weight in 18 months before that. Thank God for muscle memory!

Oh... SO excited... I bought my tickets to LA for my show today!! And last week they were up to $270 because I wanted to leave on Sunday night. So I prayed for them to go lower & guess what? They did! God likes me like that! :0) $188 ($207 with tax)!! And leaving on Sunday night - both flights direct... just perfect. I felt God wink & say "I've GOT you... go show 'em what you're made of!" I'm really excited...

Another thing I'm really excited about is a charity fashion show I'll be a part of in support of LUPUS research. Lupus is an autoimmune disease that my doctor actually thought I had. When I upped my vitamin D all my symptoms went away, but it is a debilitating & devastating disease that is sweeping through the black & Hispanic communities hitting young women the hardest. So I'm very proud to be a part of this event. I'd love to see you there! www.sistersagainstlupus.blogspot.com

I'll be off to 6am boot camp & I'm SO excited to see my girl Peaches... she's coming to work out with me! All y'all are invited! Let me know if you're interested.

Much love!
Bekah

Why am I always in the 1%?!

2010-08-06T11:16:00.000-07:00

(Kya 6 months old - Summer of 2007 - I think she has a future in Fitness Modeling too, just like her Mommy!!:)

Okay - so it's been a week since I've slowly re-added healthy carbs to my diet. Energy was up & so was my weight! I had promised not to weigh myself until I finished my Green Faces Diet - WHO doesn't lose ANY weight when they eat ONLY veggies, lean meat, protein powder & drink only water for TWENTY-ONE DAYS??? Who? ME! That's who!! If 99% of the world it works for I'll be the ONE to fall into that 1%!!! ALTHOUGH, I must say - this time I knew I really was transferring fat for muscle & my skinny jeans fit again & I see my body transforming. Literally in 4 weeks I'm in better shape then it took me a whole YEAR to get into before! I'm ALMOST over the whole "what do I weigh" issue which I think is a big deal for most ladies. My trainer Luka told me a REALLY good story that helped me put it into perspective... he told me about this 8 week transformation where ladies brought in jeans that were 2 sizes too SMALL - they had to leave the jeans at the gym & at the end of the 8 weeks try them on & see how they fit. In one particular group, after the 8 week program EVERY woman fit into her 'skinny jeans' that had been TWO sizes TOO small before. Guess what the actual average weight loss was? FOUR POUNDS! FOUR! How is that even possible? Because these women had lost (for example) 10lbs of fat & ADDED 6lbs of muscle which equals a smaller, leaner, fitter woman even though the scale hardly moved! So on Monday I was 155.6 by yesterday I was 150.6 but I think I'll go back to no weighing for a couple weeks - it just messes with my head & my motivation even though I try to not let it! I just need to stay focused on how my body is transforming & not the numbers on the scale. (Duh! ... I know! I know! :0)

On Monday I also had my first Figure posing & walking session! It was a blast... and slightly terrifying too. It is a LOT of work - walking in 5" heels & posing with every muscle tensed, taking a long deep breath to fill out the upper body & the ribcage & lats up & out... all while keeping my hands relaxed, keeping a big smile on my face & a twinkle in my eye!! A 30 min session left me exhausted but looking forward to implementing all the pointers I learned. But something I have to keep reminding myself is to not only trust the process but ENJOY THE PROCESS! Enjoy the journey... I've heard a LOT that the actual competitions are very political & frankly based on judges personal opinion... So I have to be about transforming my body into the best shape I possibly can & then compete against MYSELF to get just a little better each & every event. If I win that's great, but do you really ever lose if you're in the best physical shape of your life? I'm deciding... no, not really... I can live with that! So the pressure is off & I'm going to have fun! (That's what I keep telling myself anyway! :0)

We've had a LOT going on in our family lately... a LOT. One thing I'm thankful for & that I think is so important for everyone is having SOMETHING that you can do that is just about you. That's what training to become a Figure Competitor is to me. I can take off my mommy & wife hats for an hour four times a week & 30min at home 3 times a week & it's just all about Bekah - the woman who is seeing just how strong she can be physically & mentally. This is my choice... maybe yours is golf, or scrap booking or bike riding or reading... whatever it is, take the time to do it! It will help you be a better version of yourself as a Mom or Dad, or employee, or friend, or spouse... or any other hat you may wear!

Much Love,
Bekah

DAY 21... I made it!!! :0)

2010-07-28T15:36:00.000-07:00

Hey! Long time no blog! :0)

This picture is the reason WHY you should NOT weigh yourself when you are A. On your cycle, B. Lifting weights for the first time in 18 months, C. Trying to not totally LOSE your mind! This was 3 weeks ago... A few days before I started the "Green Faces" diet. And yes I hit the roof. Oh & it gets BETTER... I was 162.5 on my trainer's scale! Yay me! I'll talk about this more later...

So... I've been experiencing the phenomenon called "brain mush" that happens when you drastically reduce your carb intake! I think KB is blaming WAY to much on this phenomenon & will be VERY disappointed when I start eating carbs & he remembers... "Oh, that's right... that IS her normal...!" ;0) The last time I blogged I was on day 6... I'm happy to say it did get easier as I went along. By the day 14 my body was used to not having carbs & I totally didn't crave them anymore. But like my trainer Luka was reminding me today, this type of diet I can ONLY do for a max of 21 days to not mess up my metabolism. What it has done is in a sense, re-set my body by flushing it totally of all sugar & the energy source of grains - forcing my body to use my FAT to get it's energy from! Of course I had to be very good about eating OFTEN & using lots of GOOD OILS. Otherwise my body would go into starvation mode & HOLD ON to all the fat & burn my muscle for energy! NOT what I'm trying to do!

As far as exercise goes I've been training with Luka twice a week & doing his boot camp twice a week - which leaves 2 days that I do interval running at home & one day of rest.

The result? Well, back to the picture... What I decided is that I'll be weighing myself on Monday & let you know! But just simply SIZE wise? I've lost a lot of inches. A wonderful new friend of mine who is in the figure competition world told me for the LOVE OF MY SANITY... STOP weighing myself!! I know, I know... I don't carry around the scale, I carry around my butt, so who CARES what the scale says? Uh... I DO!! As I posted before my weight DID go back to 153 but it had STAYED there even while I was on this diet & had NOT budged by day 14!! That is why promise to wait. Like I said before, I weighed myself at my gym when I started... which will be exactly 3 weeks this coming Monday so we'll see what it what is says then.

In OTHER great news... I've decided on my FIRST competition!! It will be in LA & I will be competing with my BFF#2 Michelle. I am BEYOND excited! I will keep you all posted as the date draws nearer - It will be September 18th... OMG... SEPTEMBER 18TH!! That's like... almost here! Yikes! But I'm going to believe in the process & believe I will be READY.

I ordered my suits! A one & two piece - found them for a great deal online & went to the fabric store to buy my own $10 bag of bling to put the FABULOSITY in them! THAT has been an interesting process... I've got the bottoms done on the 2 piece I think... I don't know... I just keep adding just a FEW more... more... more!! But it looks really pretty. I would LOVE to just buy one of the incredible suits available online but since I don't have $500 -$1,000 laying around at the moment to spend on a suit... I decided to enact my creative juices & see what I can do! I found the 2-piece for $100 & the 1-piece for $40 on clearance! I'll post pics of before & after soon.

I promise I'll be back on Monday with the lowdown on my weight/body fat % & my goals before I leave on my trip... With the suits arriving & my $29 clear 'hooker' shoes... it's setting in... I'm really going to do this!! It's keeping me motivated for SURE!

Thanks for sharing in my journey...

Much love!
Bekah

DAY 6!

2010-07-14T07:38:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I THOUGHT I started the Green Faces diet last Wednesday BUT I put almond milk into my shake (which is a no-no) AND I ate avocado... ANOTHER no-no! So I started last Thursday. This diet is just for 3 weeks & I think the hardest part is behind me. It's a funny feeling... being tired from the lack of carbs & dairy yet feeling very clear & "unclogged"! The MOST important thing is having food prepared ahead of time because when you can't eat any fruit, dairy, carbs, nuts or processed food... it's hard to have things to grab & snack on! Cherry tomatoes are saving me right now... they're my new grapes! :0)

So last week I was back again where I started... well even worse... 159.5... yes my monthly weight gain of 5lbs (or 8.5lbs this month!) I was SO discouraged! By Friday I was down to 155 & this morning I'm at 153... my hope is that doing this diet will get my "low" weight down to 145 or so with the expectation that I will go back up to 152-154 next cycle. I want to just slowing keep moving my low weight lower & lower until I get to 135. We shall see! :0)

I realize what I'm trying to do is a little ridiculous... I'm trying to get to the lowest weight & body fat percentage I've EVER been in my adult life, AFTER having 4 kids & being in my mid-thirties! But hey, I've never claimed using logic in this whole journey to superior fitness! :0) I have come to terms with the fact that I cannot eat "kinda" clean "most" of the time AND have an awe inspiring, mind boggling physique! It's going to take sacrifice, time, energy, commitment & above all mental strength beyond what I've ever needed before.

Fortunately, my fabulous baby daddy Keith has totally jumped onto this bandwagon with me! Of course he stops eating a huge bowl of ice cream or granola at night & in 8 weeks loses TEN pounds! Oh well, I can't be THAT mad at him for being a dude... that's just how it works for them. He's also eating MUCH cleaner during the day having much smaller portions & has pretty much cut ALL sugar out of his diet. His abs are looking CRAZY good! Go Baby! :0)

My training has been AMAZING! Luka gets me & how my brain works when I train & he has been THOROUGHLY kicking my butt every session! Here is a snap shot of my workout with him on Monday at 12:30:
Power thrust squats 25sec straight to TRX strap push ups 25sec repeat 4 times.
Rest 60sec.
Overhead lunge with 25lb kettle bell over head for 25sec straight to TRX strap lat spread for 25 seconds. Repeat 4 times.
Rest 3min.
Farmer walk 4 lengths of gym with 50-something-pound kettle bell in one hand using abs to stay upright, switch hands & go 4 more lengths, straight to suicide sprints 4 lengths of the gym straight to 30lb ball thrust over head again wall 6 times straight to 10 bridge pike pulls on sliders REPEAT...
REPEAT AGAIN.
REPEAT a 4th time! (try not to throw up)
Finish off with 30-something-pound kettle bell swings with hip thrust straight to V -ups... REPEAT FOUR TIMES!
OH! And all this was AFTER I did interval sprint/walk training for 20min that morning!!

Honestly, THIS kind of workout would be IMPOSSIBLE for me to do without someone keeping me going & the BIGGEST thing? Always adjusting my form! I will automatically cheat by using another muscle when the one I'm SUPPOSED to be using gets tired. I am really starting to see changes in my body... of course I lose weight in my face & upper body first while my lower abs, but & thighs hold onto it for DEAR LIFE! But even those areas are looking leaner.

I really feel like this time will be different! I think the way I'm eating will finally break me through this plateau I've been stuck at for... well, 18 years! :0) I was hoping the journey would be easier... but exceptional things NEVER come easily... otherwise everyone would accomplish it. If I want to look above & beyond I have to live above & beyond. There are no short-cuts... dang it! ;0)

Much love,
Bekah

Day ONE...

2010-07-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

So I feel like I'm starting brand new again... which is GOOD since my weight is right BACK to where it was this time LAST month... with an ex ta 1/2 pound for laughs! Ha.. Ha.. FREAKIN' HA! ;0) I understand that each & every month my weight will go up 4-5lbs. I'm okay with that... REALLY! But what I NEED is for that fluctuation to happen about 15lbs LOWER than it's happening now. Is that too much to ask? (Shut up! NO IT'S NOT! That was a rhetorical question people!! )

So like I said before I'm starting my official training with my new trainer Luka Hocevar. We're doing twice a week semi-private sessions & at least one boot camp group session a week. He has me on a 21 day diet called "Green Faces" ~ I can eat anything that had a face & anything that grew green from the ground! I also have protein shakes - which exist of protein powder & water & ice... yummy! (THAT was sarcastic BTW) Oh! And Mushrooms! How lucky am I!! It's a 3 week phase to get my body burning more fat, clean up my nutrition & help cut any cravings I may have... I've already realized I eat a BOATLOAD of nuts! I eat healthy but I'm eating TOO much healthy I think! There's a "Eat this ONLY" food chart & a "Don't even THINK about putting this CRAP in your body" food chart... that is where the FUN food is... well it's fun until I swallow it & then have to loosed the strings on my bikini or put on my new jeans & thank the Lord that "baby doll" flowy style tops are still in!

So my weight is back at 158.0 and for the next 21 days I am EXCITED to be proved WRONG & see my weight go under the 150's... I already know I'll drop 4-5lbs of water weight like I do every month... in the next 2 days so THOSE pounds won't really count. It's what I can drop PAST the 151.0 that will see if this will really work!

Today I did my interval training set out by Luka - It's a 4 week/3days a week interval workout. I did Day 2 on Week 2 - One minute work then two minutes active recovery. This translates to two minutes walking fast at 4.8 & one minute sprinting at 10.0. My butt was OFFICIALLY kicked!

I'm NOT going to cheat. I'm WANT this to work!! I want a new baseline & I'll do what I'm told to get there! I'm on a 3 month plan to get into the BEST shape of my life

Much Love!

Preperation meeting Opportunity!!

2010-07-05T19:15:00.000-07:00

So a realize it's been a sec since I posted!!

I've had a super busy, crazy week and a half!! So last Saturday June 26th I did a photo shoot with AJ Williams ~ She's getting pictures together for her website as she launches into a career in photography & was gracious enough to ask me if I wanted to shoot with her! I was honored & was working out like crazy... well, we all know how THAT ping-pong ying-yang boomerang craziness was going!! :0) But in spite of the scale ~ the shoot was a GREAT success - we got quite a few different looks & had such a fun time & what I was happiest about was being reminded just HOW much a truly LOVE to model & that it's something I'm good at! So it's with renewed motivation I'm focused on getting this body right.

There is a Sports Agency in Portland that specializes in Athletic Modeling... which honestly I want to do more that compete. HOWEVER, I think competing will be a great asset & give me fantastic exposure that wouldn't come from simply being in an agency - I think the 2 together will be the perfect combo. It also puts competing into perspective for me... it won't be about winning. Winning would be a nice perk. But it will TRULY be about exposure & letting my body, personality, stage presence, facial features & style... speak for itself. By next post I'll have the place & date of my 1st competition. I start on Friday with my new trainer Luka & I'm excited to track the changes in diet & exercise he does to transform my shape into a sleek, strong & lean modeling machine!! :0)

After the shoot we spent a week in Eastern Washington ~ The weather didn't really cooperate, but having all that Daddy time was SO much fun for the kids AND for me! :0) We'll all be sad to see him go back to work tomorrow. But after last year we're VERY thankful he has a job to go back too!!

I can't wait to see what the future holds when my preparation meets opportunity! I love how full of possibility life can be if you don't box yourself into what OTHERS say you can or can't do or be!

Much Love!

SO then is the fatest fat is before the fittest fit?!?!?

2010-06-25T12:25:00.000-07:00

Okay, y'all let me just be honest... I've just really got started on this journey & I've hit frustration like once or ten times already!! I really do see why people give up & go back to what's comfortable. The truth is however that doing what I've always done but expecting different results than I had before? Well, that would be call INSANITY! They say the darkest dark is before the break of day... Yada, yada, yada... so is the fatest fat before the fittest fit?!? Hello!

So I've had a photo shoot coming up... it's actually tomorrow. Fortunately no bikinis will be involved! Here's the thing, I've been BUSTING my butt this month & this past week especially - boot camps, interval training, ab ripper x, protein powder drinks - the just powder & water kind! I mean eating REALLLLLY clean AND (drum roll please) I've gained another 2lbs!! Back to 153.6 Grrrrrrrrrr...... Lifestyle, Lifestyle, right I know... THIS IS A LIFESTYLE!! But I'm still HIGHLY annoyed & just SLIGHTLY pissed off about the whole DARN thing. See, it's not just the scale... I can TELL when I've got a lil' extra puffiness going on in the gut (my NEW place for holding fat - thanks to my precious children!) I'm pretty sure when I get back from vacation & start training on July 5th my trainer will BAN me from weighing myself... we'll see!

OH! My new trainer - LOVE HIM! Luka Hocevar - he's a personal trainer with his own gym who also runs a boot camp http://rentonresultsbootcamp.com/ it is AWESOME! Mon/Wed/Fri 6am or 6pm & Saturday are charity day. Check out the website! I needed someone within 20min of my house, can handle my quick wit (ie: sarcasm), has had past experience AND success with mamas trying to put their bodies back together AND the fact he's closer to my mom's house rather than mine is PERFECT since she is the BESTEST babysitter in the WHOLE world!! :0)

The family & I are going to Eastern Washington for a little SUNSHINE next week! Found a great little 2 bedroom townhouse with a pool, basketball courts, parks all within a few feet of the house. It's a "we've got 4 kids" kinda vacation but I'm SO excited to just have uninterrupted family time & did I mention... SUNSHINE!!!!!!!

Next blog I'll be telling all about our workout plan, which will all be starting Monday July 5th. And the eating plan & the plan of action to attack my thighs & lower abs!!! :0)

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend - I'll be back later next week - I can't wait to spend some quality time with my baby Daddy & my babies! :0)

Much Love!

12 Years & it just keeps getting better...! ;0)

2010-06-22T07:19:00.000-07:00

What a busy weekend!! It started out Friday with a couple hours in the sun at the lake house in Maple Valley - LOVE that place! :0) It's my sister-in-law Sara's parent's house & they have this huge deck & grassy yard that leads down to a pea-gravel beach & into the lake which stays kid friendly out a good 100ft!! Anyway, I got into last year's bikini & laid out in the "partly cloudy sunshine!" It was fantastic!

Then on Saturday KB & I went to a local Bodybuilding/Fitness/Figure competition... it was the first one being put on by a local Figure competitor Pro & it was VERY interesting to say the least! There was only one athlete in some of the divisions so... THEY WON! Surprise! We met some great people though & KB saw an old high school buddy whom he hadn't seen in 25 years! He was selling an all Matcha Green Tea natural protein powder called "Willies Tri-Pro" - Of course we bought a bag - The fact it was all natural was a BIG plus for me... so many protein powders have 5,000 ingredients most of which I can't even pronounce! It's supposed to promote lean muscle mass, promotes mental clarity, reduce body fat, mix & taste great, enhance energy & contain immune-boosting catechins (Catechins are a type of antioxidant found in the leaves of the tea plant Camellia sinensis. In laboratory tests, the catechins present in tea leaves have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. In addition to this, they are able to prevent the activity of free radicals, the molecules which cause cellular damage that can lead to cancer. The health benefits of tea catechins have been under close examination since the 1990s, due to the strong association of tea with long life and health in many ancient cultures.) I am LOVING it - helping me get more "meals" in thus keeping my metabolism going steady throughout the day. I think KB has his fingers crossed that the claim to "Promote metal clarity" will kick in soon for me! :0)

The next day June 20th was not only Father's Day but our 12th wedding anniversary! I can't believe it's been that long!! We have been married 11 years & 364 days LONGER than a whole lot of folks gave us!! LOL! It has been QUITE the adventure to say the least... the good news is I've never loved him more than I do now. I would NEVER want to repeat those first few... okay 10 years! Yet, I'd never want to give up what I learned during those years either! Let's just say we're having our "honeymoon" period NOW! Praise the Lord! ;0)

Okay, so now onto Monday - had my first workout with a trainer I'm thinking about using on my quest for Figure/Bikini competition glory. He is not a specific competition coach... but he DOES specialize in training athletes & the workout we did was unlike ANYTHING I've ever done before... & I've done a LOT! I'm going to his boot camp at 6am in the morning tomorrow... & I can't wait. Because of our work out yesterday I can't hardly lift my arms this morning... but I love it!

I have a lot to think about - Bottom line is, what do I want the MOST? Honestly the FIRST thing I want is to lose 10-15lbs and be lean & tone with a tight tummy. The 2nd thing is to compete... this impacts what kind of trainer I get... Because if the 1st goal can't happen for me to successfully do the 2nd goal.... Let's just say I have a lot to think about! I will be sure to let you all know what I decide. I really think I can shape this body into what I like AND what the judges will like. It's just going to take a LOT of work!

Much Love!!

Decisions... decisions...!

2010-06-16T14:31:00.000-07:00

(Ahhhh... WHERE is our SUMMER? You see that picture on the right? Left? THAT is my God-given color!! But I need a LITTLE help from the God-given sun to re-discover it!! For the love...!)

Okay - so the at home workouts have been going really well. My weight has been 151.5 the last 2 days. Last Tuesday I weighed in at 157.5 so I'm happy with the progress. Then again as I predicted based on the last 15 years... this is where my weight tends to hang out until it bounces back up again. But I'm going to cut the grain carbs from my diet for the next couple weeks in hopes of breaking through that block. But don't worry - I'm still eating! Lots of lean meat & veggies & eggs - as much as I want, taking my supplements & drinking LOTS of water. My workout today was great. I did speed walking at 5.0 for 90 seconds then sprinted at 10.0 for 30 seconds for a total of 32 minutes. I want to mix up my interval training so my body is always guessing... another thing that is helpful in pushing past weight plateaus. I also did AbRipperX - keeping that up every other day no matter what!

Yesterday I went on an interview for a trainer. It really goes both ways - I'm interviewing them & they're interviewing me. I know if I really want to be serious and compete then I'm going to need some help. This just isn't about getting lean & fit but getting the shape & size that the judges find the most appealing. I'm SO excited! I need these upcoming shows to help me stay focused on my goals. The trainer I met with was AMAZING! I loved him & what he had to say - but I'm not sure if I'll be able to focus on competing like I want to with him since that's not really his thing. I'm confident he'll get me SUPER fit, but I want MORE then that... I want a Pro card & supplement sponsorship & to become a spokes model & be on magazine covers AND inside! (I've mentioned before I'm an all or nothing kinda girl right?! ;0)

So I'm keeping my options open. I'm not deciding yet - I'm making more calls & setting up more appointments. I know this decision will be HUGE in what level of success I accomplish in upcoming shows. I'm even going to interview a female trainer... I haven't ever trained with one but I'm thinking I need to be open to all my options.

I'll keep you posted when I make my final decision & mark my calendar for my first competition - I think I might be marking it sooner than I thought!

One of my all time favorite quotes is from Maya Angelou "Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better!" So I'm going to keep doing my interval training, AbRipperX & switch up my eating to carb from veggies only & see how my body responds. And until I find a trainer who tells me something else - based on their OWN proved results - I'll keep doing what I know to do! Don't let the fear of maybe doing it wrong keep you from doing ANYTHING at all! I am BEYOND excited to be on this journey & am so thankful that you are all here with me!

Much Love!

Does your scale tell the REAL story?!

2010-06-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we all know by now I'm just BIT obsessed with getting my weight UNDER 150lbs! Well the pic on the left was me in the Bahamas last summer about 10 months ago. (Notice the SLIGHT color difference?) I actually had momentarily went down below 150 when this pic was taken because I wasn't eating... HELLO! I was going to be wearing bikinis. That didn't really fit with eating! I was 148lbs. I looked fine "for having 4 kids" but my abs weren't showing. The one on the right Kya took of me today. I weigh 152.4. Now let me just put it out there that when I sit up my lower stomach still rolls a bit... so I've still got a ways to go... But STILL. I'm starting to get happy! Why do I look better in the heavier picture? Well, first of all AbRipperX - Uh... well, I think it just MIGHT have something to do with it...! And also the interval training. I've been reading about about getting my Abs out from under the fluff! But guess what the MOST important thing is?

#1) DIET - Yes, honey... so sad, but true - NUMBER ONE - What you're PUTTING into your stomach has the GREATEST impact on how it looks! These items banned from my mouth -white flour/rice/pasta, sugar, packaged foods, processed foods, junk food, soda, or juice. Also, try to stay away from artificial sugar as this may cause bloating. Think about it, if the "Original" Sexy Mama - EVE, didn't eat it, WE probably shouldn't either! Now, I DO allow myself a cheat meal & drink. ONE MEAL & ONE DRINK a week! A cheat day was too much... I spent the other 6 days undoing the damage I'd done in that 24hr period!

#2) High/Low Cardio or "Interval Training." Science proves that high intensity interval training is more effective than traditional cardio, such as jogging or walking. In fact, this method is extremely efficient at maintaining muscles mass, building muscle mass, and burning fat. This intense, short cardio session helps boost metabolism by building muscle. Today I speed walked at 5.0 for 2min then ran at 8.0 for 1min for a full 60min & 6+ miles with the last 8.0 run coming at minute 59... Yes, I was yelling at myself by about minute 47!! Then I did AbRipperX as the cherry on top! I'm doing that every other day.

#3) Specific Ab workouts - like AbRipperX. (notice THIS one is last!) For someone like me who has insanely stretched out my stomach 4 times, building the muscle back up is crucial! When I used to lie flat my stomach would literally concave - totally hallow! When I sat up it was flabby & rolly-polly. I truly believe that the combo of interval training & AbRibberX have really helped rebuild the muscles. NOW, when I lie flat my stomach is flat with muscles I can see supporting my core!

What a difference a week makes, huh?!? ;0) What makes me happy about the picture taken today on the right is that I have been EATING!!! This pic is not from me doing an extreme water loss diet eating boiled chicken breast & broccoli & not drinking ANYTHING - BUT I have been eating much LESS thanks to the PGX & CLA supplements. And I know starting my day with my greens drink before I work out has really helped with my energy level while I'm on the treadmill. Helping me push through that wall of exhaustion & finishing out my full 60 minutes!

I'm going to be honest. I REALLY wanted to be able to just walk for 30min each day & get the body I wanted... but I tried that & well, I guess when you want your 30 something year old body to forget it birthed 4 babies you've gotta do a lil' extra!! So I'll keep sticking to the 60min of cardio (just like you told me KB :0) And I'll keep on keepin' you posted on the outcome - I'm looking forward to adding weight lifting back into the mix. I haven't lifted in over a year & I miss it. I'm even thinking about upping my competition date... instead of waiting until next year... I just might do one coming up in 4 months!! We'll see...! Thanks for sharing in my journey with me!

Much Love!

PUSH PUSH PUSHING THROUGH!!!

2010-06-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

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Today was a good day! Now, I'll be honest... the fact the scale had my weight back down to 153.5 didn't hurt - exactly 4lbs less than Tuesday... HELLO water weight! But like I've said before... my goal is to push through into the 140's and STAY there come hell or high water or anything else (like genetics or monthly cycles) standing in my way!! :0)

Yesterday I had a good workout - I ran at 6.0 for 2 1/2 minutes & then sprinted at 8.0 for 30 seconds. Trying to keep my body guessing. I lasted all of 20 minutes before I looked at the treadmill clock & thought "Oh CRAP!! I can't breathe & I've got FORTY minutes to GO!" So I pushed through for 20 more minutes then decided to rope the last 20. Did I mention AJ was upstairs SCREAMING "I'm DONE!!!!!!" on the toilet? Doesn't he know? There is NO boo-booin' when Mama is working out!!! I had told Kya to get him toilet paper... but there was toilet paper in there she said... it wasn't close enough for him to reach it... but THAT is another story! So I run upstairs to take care of my lil' man & back down to rope. That dang rope must have hit my shoes a gazillion times! I was SO tired - but I made it (kinda off & on) for 15 minutes! And then I did my AbRipperX - every other day no matter what! Can I just tell you... I couldn't WAIT to run upstairs and eat my steel cut oats & hard boiled eggs!!

So then today I overslept - AGAIN. Going to bed after 11:30 MIGHT have something to do with that... but anyway, when I sleep until 7am I can't get my workout in BEFORE I need to help the boys get ready for school. It's on me to get my butt to bed earlier if I want to get up before 6am! So I got on the treadmill and did 3 minutes at 5.0 and 1 min at 8.0 - boy oh boy did I hit a wall FAST! KB is taking a pre-workout supplement that is supposed to help you get through these intense workouts & I think I might need to start trying it! I'll let y'all know how it works.

So let me tell you, I had a breakthrough. I've ALWAYS loved modeling but my muscular body hasn't really cooperated with that love. Now I realize I can have BOTH my loves - working out & modeling - by becoming a fitness model! (Duh!) And competing in Figure competitions will be FABULOUS exposure to agencies & clients who would want me to represent their products! THIS has me SO motivated! I mean just the thought of competing was exciting... but adding modeling into the mix without having to worry about fitting my thighs into size 4 or size 26 jeans is quite exhilarating! The beauty about fitness modeling is that the "clothes" are all stretchy! VERY small... but stretchy nonetheless! :0)

So now I'm on the prowl for a trainer who has specifically trained figure competitors & knows how to define my muscles to be exactly what the judges are looking for. I'll need a nutritionist to teach me exactly how to diet & a coach to help me with posing. I'm SO excited to get this going. Short-term I have a photo-shoot coming up in TWO weeks.... life is getting busy but I'm all about adventure in this short lifespan we're given & I'm thankful for the chance to see what I can do!!

After all, this journey is all about this mama bringing my sexy back!!

Much Love!

But what does work without results equal?!?

2010-06-09T10:50:00.000-07:00

(This is STORM. She's a character from X-Men. She kicks butt. She's strong & she's an African princess from a tribe with blue eyes & white hair - fitting for my heritage - SHE is my inspiration!)

We all know the scripture "Faith without works it dead!" It's one of my favorites - you can believe with ALL your heart that your abs, butt & legs will get leaner & your body fat lower, but if you don't actually WORK OUT and change your eating habits all your faith is for NOTHING - as good as dead!

But what happens when you work out - HARD. And eat - CLEAN & HEALTHY. And... (drum roll please) the scale jumps up 7lbs?!?! What do you call works without results? What do you do with that?!? Well, this is what I did. I totally pouted. I totally got pissed. I decided I was NEVER working out again & it was ALL stupid. I totally had a temper tantrum on my little digital scale. I don't CARE what time of the month it is. I don't CARE that it's probably water weight. I DON'T CARE. I'm tired of gaining & losing the SAME 5-7lbs of "water weight" every month! HELLO!? So THAT was Monday - and I didn't work out AT ALL.

My poor hubby was trying to be encouraging but I had some COMEBACKS for him baby, let me tell you. He even tried the "Babe, you can't compare yourself to those skinny white girls!" "Oh REALLY? My MOTHER was a skinny white girl when she was MY age... so WHY can't I have SOME of that in my genes, huh?" He gave up... but tried again when he got home to get me to do AbRipperX with him AFTER he totally cleaned the kitchen & scrubbed the floor (did I mention he's the BEST husband EVER?) Anyway, I cut him a look so cold... "I'm NOT working out! I'm just going to be FAT!" I said as he tried to convince me not to give up while unsucessfully trying to hide the fact he was laughing at me!

So then it's Tuesday - Okay, vanity has kicked back in. I'm ready to work out! I'm feeling thiner & looking tighter. THEN I weighted myself -up another pound! Oh yay! Lucky me! 157.5 now! Yippie! THIS is the point every time where it's easy to give up & it's USUALLY the place where, if you'll just PUSH through (regardless of what the scale says) you'll push past that sticking point & start making strides towards that healthier, leaner, stronger place we all want to be in.

So I drug my FAT behind downstairs & got on the treadmill. Even though I had comebacks for all Keith's texts the day before I WAS listening to him (shhhhhh.... don't tell him!) He reminded me about those FOUR kids he impregnated me with (uh, YEA... I remember) & said I was going to HAVE to up my cardio. UGH. WHATEVER. Okay... why not try. He HAS been right a time or two over the course of our 12 years of marriage! Maybe this was his thrid time being right! :0) So I set the treadmill to 5.0 & I walk (really, really fast) for 2min then jogged for 2min at the same speed. I watched it pass 30min (where I'd usually get off) I watched it pass 40min. Good thing I found the R&B video station on TV... all that booty shakin' was SO keeping me motivated. Then we got to 50min & I got mad.... I put that treadmill on 7.5 & I RAN... I'll SHOW you... you bouncin' belly! I'll show you who's the boss!!! LOL! I then went back to 5.0 & jogged out the last hour. I DID IT!! And BOY did I feel proud of myself!

So now today I decide I'm on a roll. My weight is back down a pound to 156. 5 but I'm seeing striations in my legs & ab muscles in my upper abs... maybe I don't need to weigh myself for a few days & just SEE what happens - I don't carry around my scale after all... I carry around my BUTT! So I decided the whole jog/walk thing was a good start yesterday but TODAY I'mma up my game. So I get on that treadmill set it to 5.0 & start walking. After 2min I hit 8.0 & sprint (for me anyway, it's a sprint) for 1 min. Then back to 5.0 for 2min. Then back to 8.0 for another minute. I pushed myself for 47 minutes!! The last sprint was HIGHLY impacted by D'Angelo lookin' at me lookin' just as FINE as he wanna be from the TV! Hey, whatever works! Since I'm aiming for 60min of cardio I jumped off then roped for 10 more min. I was DONE - 55min was good enough for today!

I'm feeling great & knowing that I have to just keep on keepin' on! I will be SO happy I did when I'm on stage next year in a little sparkly bikini with big hair, under hot lights & showing off the work that started THIS day when I not only didn't give up... but pushed HARDER instead!

Much love!

My muffin top has grown into a freakin' MOUNTAIN!!

2010-06-07T15:04:00.001-07:00

So here's the deal...

I've been doing my supplements - my high fiber & healthy fats & greens. Eating clean & not eating late... oh, AND working out consistently every day. I lost 7lbs. I'm feeling fabulous... it's been about 3 weeks now. Then "BAMB!" my cycle comes... did I mention FOUR days early (oh & it was 2 days early last month - so REALLY it's 6 days early....grrrrr....) ANYWAY, guess what happens? See, I'm feeling kinda bloated & blah... but I weigh myself anyway because I'm trying to find the pattern in my weight gain & eating/workouts... When I see 156.6 pop up on the scale a yelp comes out of my gut that wasn't even on purpose!! I was JUST 150.5 LAST WEEK..!

Can I be honest? I'm trying to not be discouraged & THIS is probably why "they" tell you not to weigh yourself more than once a week... but still... 2 steps forward 10 steps back is getting old. I KNOW I'm retaining water yada, yada, yada, yada. But can my "water retention" weight be like 10lbs LESS please?!? So I just felt REALLY bummed out. When I get dressed my little muffin top of a belly suddenly looks like the mountain top... AFTER 10 feet of FLUFFY snow fall on it!

But then I remind myself... this is a LIFESTYLE so monthly set-backs shouldn't ruin my day or my workout - The race is not given to the swift or the strong but to the one who endures until the end... my end is still 15... okay well NOW 21 lbs away! And when I get there I'll STILL have to work hard to stay there... that's just the way it is! But it will all be worth it & I'll look back & be thankful I didn't give up! As long as I'm breathing I'm still in the race so I need to keep running. I can't be like my 5 year old Kya who stopped running and walked off the track when she saw kids passing her! Nope! I have to keep running... just like I taught her to do. No matter WHAT anyone else is doing! I'm winning a litle bit every time I put one foot in front of the other... every time I make a healthy food choice... every time I push my self 5 more reps!

Much love!

But I'm HUNGRY!!!!!! Are you REALLY?!?!?!?

2010-06-04T16:44:00.001-07:00

I know... I was looking pretty hot 2 years ago when this picture was taken... so what's the problem? I had been working out over 2hrs a day for months, and only eaten boiled chicken for 2 weeks, had not eaten ANYTHING in 48hrs nor drank even water in 24hrs to look like that. Fine maybe for ONE photo shoot. NOT fine for a healthy lifestyle. I can see the fatigue in my eyes. I want to get this body as my "normal" - Because guess what? By the evening of this day I'd gained 2 or 3lbs just in water & then was back to my "pudgy" self within 2 more days (about 5lbs) So now to today's blog...

"But I'm HUNGRY!" THIS is my problem... I LOVE to eat! I love to eat GOOD food with lots of flavor. I SAY I eat because I'm hungry... but I'm pretty sure I keep eating WAY past the satisfied... past full... & many times before I know it I've settled into stuffed - ESPECIALLY if it's my mom's homemade Jamaican food of rice & peas, codfish & ackee, bamie, breadfruit, fried plantine.... OMG, see? I JUST ate but I'm suddenly "hungry" again just thinking about my favorite foods. So what to do? Life is to short to feel cheated every day trying eat healthy ie: CRAPPY TASTING food!

I talked yesterday about CLA. The 2nd supplement I take with it is called PGX. You can get it at Super Supplements - $50 for 240. It's also at Costco for $35 but there's only 180 in that bottle. PGX is a newly discovered blend of highly viscous soluble fibre known as PolyGlycopleX. Used with or before each meal it claims to suppress the appetite and promote the feeling of fullness in an individual. PGX fiber is also said to slow the rate of carbohydrate absorption, which prevents the post-meal blood sugar spikes that are primarily responsible for hunger pangs between meals and late-night snack cravings. The key aid to lose weight safely, effectively, and permanently is to greatly increase the consumption of dietary fibre. Unfortunately, to achieve appetite stabilizing effects very large quantities of fibre must be consumed – more than most people would ever eat. However a small, five gram serving of PGX produces a volume and viscosity that would equal as much as 4 bowls of oat bran!

I LOVE THIS PRODUCT! I'm just gonna put it out there! It's not for everyone... some people say they don't think it works & it's just an expensive fiber supplement. The gel pills are pretty big & a serving is 3-5 per meal. (I've found 3 is fine for me) But I've taken fiber supplements before & they don't even come CLOSE to comparing to PGX. What PGX claims makes them different is that their product has a time-release ability which keeps you fuller longer... I don't know if that's true or not but what I DO know is that I'm fuller longer... faster & I have NO desire to snack between meals anymore. And I am a grazer... Let me tell you, I tried to label it "eating mini meals" but no, I was just snacking, let's keep it real! And my waistline was telling the truth!

Since I've been taking the PGX & CLA over 3 weeks I've lost 7lbs & my waist has shrunk a LOT. Now, I've also been working out 30min a day & included AbRibberX from the P90X series about a week ago. These are not magic pills. They don't have caffeine or ephedrine or any kind of stimulant that makes you feel like you have hummingbird heart! They're basically fiber & healthy fat - and they've made all the difference for me! I think I'm the fittest I've been while still feeling strong - not just LOOKING fit but in reality feel week becuase I haven't eaten in forever kind of thing.

I have one more supplement I take that I'll talk about next week. It's greens - basically I needed energy with my much lower calorie consumption but I didn't want to get it from caffeine or some other stimulant. So it was suggested I add this greens powder to water - taking it like a shot - yes, it's nasty but I got used to it quick - you can add it to juice if you want. Anyway, I down it first thing in the morning before I work out. I feel MUCH better energy wise & I'm happy knowing my body is getting all the green foods it needs to run like the well oiled machine I'm trying to create it to be!

Have a great weekend - Have a healthy weekend... treat your body well, it's the only one you've got! :0)

Much Love!

What's REALLY making you fat?!?!

2010-06-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

(This is one of my favorite pics of AJ from last summer... looking JUST like his Grandpa! AJ saw it & asked me "Is there a BABY in my belly?!?" LOL!)

So here I am... still in recovery mode from my weekend of living foot-loose & fancy-free with my hubby & my eating! :0) As I went to get dinner leftovers to eat for breakfast (one of my favorite things to do) I discovered they must have taken flight with KB for his lunch. Ugh... don't you hate it when you have your taste buds ALL ready for something & then you can't have it? Anyway, I decided to make a salad... (did I mention we're out of eggs too... I really need to go grocery shopping!) But anyway, not any 'ol kind of salad - I piled on chicken breast, chopped up mango, apples, cashew nuts then topped with my favorite salad dressing (low sugar/low sodium/HIGH flavor!) Before I ate though I took my two favorite supplements - PGX & CLA. I'll talk more about PGX another time - but today I'll cover the basics of CLA - a HEALTHY fatty acid that will help you lose weight - especially around the belly! Did you know healthy fat in your diet helps you LOSE the yucky fat squishing under you skin? GUESS what is REALLY causing all that extra padding?

If you look at how many grams of sugar are in what you're eating (on the nutritional label). Now divide that number by 4. That's how many teaspoons of pure sugar you're consuming. Kinda scary, huh? SUGAR makes you fat and fat-free food isn't really free of fat. Anytime you have filled your body with more fuel than it actually needs (and this is very easy to do when eating foods with high sugar content), your liver's sugar storage capacity is exceeded. When the liver is maximally full, the excess sugar is converted by the liver into... (drum roll please) FAT!!!! And that fat is returned to the bloodstream, where it is taken throughout your body and stored wherever you tend to store adipose fat cells, including, but not limited to, the popular regions of the stomach, hips, butt, and breasts... okay I'm all about the first 3 but WHO, pray tell, only grows bigger BOOBS when they gain weight?!?!? I wish.... Oh! And don't get me started on "sugar free" THAT is for a WHOLE other blog... So NOT good for your body... we'll get more into that another time.

So this brings us back to healthy fat: CLA stands for “conjugated linoleic acid”. It is a fatty acid known for promoting good health. This was first identified by Dr. Michael Pariza in 1978 while he was studying beef extract as a cancer prevention. What he found instead provoked a surge of research and scientific studies into the benefits of CLA as a fat reducer. After looking at decades of research scientists have found that CLA may in fact help the body to deposit less fat, build more muscle and may even help prevent fat cells from refilling. It also increases metabolic rate -- This would obviously be a positive benefit for thyroid patients, as hypothyroidism -- even when treated -- can reduce the metabolic rate in some people.

Here are some other specific benefits of CLA:

Decreases abdominal fat -- Adrenal imbalances and hormonal shifts that are common in thyroid patients frequently cause rapid accumulation of abdominal fat, so this benefit could be quite helpful.

Enhances muscle growth -- Muscle burns fat, which also contributes to increased metabolism, which is useful in weight loss and management.

Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides -- Since many thyroid patients have elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, even with treatment, this benefit can have an impact on a thyroid patients health.

Lowers insulin resistance -- Insulin resistance is a risk for some hypothyroid patients, and lowering it can also help prevent adult-onset diabetes and make it easier to control weight.

Reduces food-induced allergic reactions -- Since food allergies can be at play when weight loss becomes difficult, this can be of help to thyroid patients.

Enhances immune system -- Since most cases of thyroid disease are autoimmune in nature, enhancing the immune system's ability to function properly is a positive benefit.

If you're interested in taking CLA to help with weight loss, keep in mind that it's not a magic pill, and you will need to start a program of diet and exercise in order to successfully lose weight and keep it off. Make sure the CLA you purchase has at least 1000mg per serving. I take 2 with each meal 3 times a day. Do some research & find a brand that works for you.

Have a great day - not becuase everything goes the way you planned... but becuase you planned your response to matter how the day actually plays out! Be in charge of your own day by being in charge of your reactions... we've all got choices... make some good ones today & when you do throw yourself a little party... when you don't, learn from it & make a better choice next time!

Much love!

Good for the belly - not so much the waistline?!?

2010-06-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE long weekends! KB & I just had a FABULOUS one in Portland Or. Met some wonderful people... the kind you know will be lifetime friends. AND we went shopping - honestly my FAVORITE past-time. What wife wouldn't love being AT the cash register & have their husband said "Wait! I found something else really cute you should try on...!" And this was THREE hours into shopping!! Hello! I am one blessed chick!!!

So I was doing really well with me eating - keeping it clean, lots of water, not eating late... THEN we went out to celebrate a birthday party - at 11PM! I really was planning on just ONE glass of red wine & that was it! But what had happened was... I heard this reseraunt had AMAZING sushi... uh-oh... okay, so I think that's okay! It's SUSHI! Healthy, green stuff & fish (I've only had in once but LOVED it) So I ask my new friend & Sarah the Sushi Connoisseur what she recommends. It's called Las Vagas & it looks DIVINE - did I mention it had CREAM CHEESE in the middle of the little rolls? Yes, I was in heaven when I took a bite & then I realized WHY it was SO crazy-died-&-gone-to-heaven good - it was DEEP FRIED sushi - and by now it's MIDNIGHT!! I usually don't eat after 7pm... this was going to be interesting!

Yes, I realized it was deep fried on the first bite... And no, I didn't stop eating it, even though I KNEW I'd be mad in the morning!! Oh, well... I'm learning it's all about balance! I truly enjoyed & savored each & every bite. And the next morning instead of thinking "Well, I ruined my diet so pass the french fries..." I chose to just eat a healthy high protein breakfast & keep on with my healthy LIFESTYLE... not DIET!

When you're doing something that is for the rest of your life it changes your perspective. Don't let one meal or even one day of eating crap cause you to fall off the "healthy lifestyle" bandwagon! It's okay! Just start back again the next meal, or the next day & keep on the road to long-term health & the ability to wear a bikini in July!!

This morning... I got up walked 4min/Ran 1min for 30min total. Then I did AbRibberX - and guess what I didn't do? I didn't weigh myself! Why be depressed? I had a great weekend & I'll weigh myself on Friday morning. But I've already decided no matter what the scale says... This Mama bringing sexy back is bringin it back for life!

Listen to rebekahbaker@comcast.nets Playlist

2010-05-28T18:38:00.001-07:00

I'm Bringin' Sexy Back...! ;0)

2010-05-28T15:28:00.000-07:00

Hey there!

So the nutshell version...

I was born Rebekah Michelle Thompson on March 22nd, 1978. I have one sister 4 years older & the most amazing parents a kid could ever hope for. They'll be celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary in a couple days! I'm a preacher's kid - one of the few who didn't totally lose my mind & go BUCK-WILD during my teen years. My life was motivated by my desire to make my Papa proud (what I call my Dad) and THAT desire kept me out of a WHOLE lot of... STUFF! Now, my motivation in life is to show the love of Jesus - not by what I say but by how I allow Him to love others through me. It's a happy way to live!

So, I was a chunky Pre-teen & teenager. I will NEVER forget getting on the scale when I was 13 years old & seeing 184. I was devestated. Of course I had a SKINNY older sister... that was fun! Oh, and a Papa who told me I was perfect just the way I was... He's Jamaican... 'nuf said! So I got into working out when I turned 17 years old. My weight situation was also greatly helped when I grew 6" right after I turned 16! I loved training with a local power lifting team I met in the gym... which resulted in the massive quads I'm STILL trying to slim to this VERY day!

I met my husband Keith right before I turned 19 and married him right after I turned 20. From the ages of 21 to 28 he kept me pregnant, nursing or getting pregnant one more again! I mean it WAS mutual... but the whole destruction of my body? Not so much! Isaiah was born in 2000, Justin in 2002, Kya in 2004 & AJ in 2006! I had AJ a month before Isaiah turned 6 years old. It was a CRAZY & busy season of my life (to say the least) Let's just say I'd NEVER want to re-live my 20's again! Thankful for all the lessons learned & the strong woman those lessons helped me become... but O-M-G... thank Jesus for His grace!!

Now that my "baby" AJ (aka: Bubbas or Bubbalicious/Actual: Anthony James) is turning 4 in a couple months, using the "I just had a baby" excuse as the reason I have a muffin top squishing out of my jeans just doesn't have the same effect anymore! Who am I kidding? He's about to start preschool!!

So I've had lots of friends ask me to do a daily blog - I'm always on facebook with workout tips, my meals or mommy moments every day anyway. So here it goes! I've decided that I want my body back... I want my sexy back... BETTER than it ever was before! I'm also in LOVE with fashion - I've been a stylist for a few of my closest & bestest friends... but have been asked to start doing it for some others... so that's on the short list too... hmmm...

I'd love to hear from you! Ask me any questions or suggest things you'd like me to blog about. I'm kinda an all or nothing chick - either be fat or walk the stage in a bikini & be judged! So I'm training for a figure/binkini competition. If nothing else it's sure to be an adventure... Oh! And yes Mommy-ing my 4 kiddos & ready to shake a tailfeather for my hot hubby too... Boy oh boy, this is going to be fun...!