Feeling GREAT and realizing that I CAN eat out with my family and stick to my plan at the same time. It's wonderful. My Daily Plate helps so much! Everything is in there! I love it! I am having fun with this process. 8 weeks out! Getting leaner. One week at a time! I feel very vaunerable posting this photo, but this is where I am at. Naturally my physique symmetry is going to be much different than in previous contests since the augmentation and changes in training/ dieting style. I always shed in my legs/ arms first...but my waist is coming along. 50 days to go!

"To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art."
- Anonymous

Tip of the week: TRACK your food and see what you're putting in your body...it's fascinating to see how it adds up and traditional journaling is nothing compared to my new favorite- mydailyplate.com

God bless you!

Angela Sweet

www.angelaksweet.com

Making Steady Progress

I am thrilled right now. I have learned to be patient with my body. I used to expect to see immediate results when I threw myself into a difficult workout or even a week of difficult workouts. What I have found is that success catches up to me NOT when I am intensely physical, but after I rest. All of the caloric "deficits" and muscular tears...the sweat, the hard work and the precise nutrition...it doesn't add up and create change until I rest and my growth hormones go to work. Realizing this is encouraging...

Why? Because when I hit the weights hard I am bloated the next day from the strain on my body...in the past this would discourage me and I would start to feel like it wasn't making a difference. So, when faced with temptation to steer off of my nutrition plan I would succumb because I was so frustrated and felt that I wasn't getting anywhere anyway. I was wrong and have replaced that pattern of sabotage with patience. I now cling to my plan with excitement knowing that the nutrition component is 80% responsible for my results. I've "killed it" during my workouts and now all I have to do is follow it up with the right nutrients and wait. I have a sincere appreciation for delayed gratification since I have seen this happen and watched my composition and shape change this go around.

I am following in the footsteps of Ava Cowan (see picture- won 2009 Universe, also NPC Champion). I am determined to place top 5 at The Fitness Atlantic in the short figure division. I am 55 days away. I dropped two pounds this past week of fat and am starting to see muscle definition. I am not worried. I love my plan. Tracking everything on "My Daily Plate" has been such a great experience and taken a lot of stress out of the process. I am able to go very heavy during the workouts, adhere to my nutrition plan and then just sit back and let it all go while I enjoy my true loves...my Lord, my husband and my family.

Successes this week:
Morning Devotions 3x/ week (improving)
360# Leg Presses
210# Leg Extensions
270# Machine Squats
-Adhered strictly to strategic nutrition plan all week!
-Shifted focus to hitting rear delts consistently (overcoming weaknesses and symmetry issues)
-Read "Suck it Up and Step Out" to develop athlete mindset.

Now, on to the gym and to take my little sweetheart to a birthday party.

God Bless You!

-Anything worth doing is worth doing terrible until you learn to do it TERRIFIC!