2009 Update & New Goal For 2010

Hey there! So, I didn't follow up from my last competition and photo shoot very well, I apologive. I was exhausted. I have included a few photos. It was a great year and I accomplished a lot considering I was so new to the sport.
-7th place in the Washington DC Bikini America Tournament of Champions
-20th in the Universe Weekend Bikini Competition held in Miami
(learned that I shoul never do two competitions within a 6 week period- was too much!)
-Transoformation story published in Oxygen Fitness Magazine Feb 2010 issue
-My Transformation Story listed on Cathy Savage Fitness website
-Modeling/Fitness website started, will be complete very soon
www.angelaksweet.com


Now, it's 2010 now and I am back to blogging for my new goal! I have a HUGE opportunity coming up!


I am going to be doing a photo shoot for Topher DePres of Wilhelmina Modeling in April of this year...only 11 1/2 weeks away! And, I will be competing in the figure division of The Fitness Atlantic show that same weekend in Connecticut.

Wilhelmina Fitness

Fitness Atlantic

Both goals require me to be very lean. So, after a wonderfully indulgent off-season we are back to the drawing board. I am sending check-in photos to Cathy Savage Fitness and Andi Martin at PBO each week. I'm eliminating all processed food and refined sugars from my diet again and hitting the weights very hard. Figure is based on muscle symmetry and leanness...and less like a beauty pageant. I will not be bulky, just symmetrical and very lean.

My transformation story on Cathy Savage Fitness Website (diff. before photo!)

The hardest part so far has been not diving into the pantry as soon as I get home at night...that is usually the hardest time for me. I've just worked out and had my post-workout meal so my metabolism is sky-rocketing, the kids are coming at me 90 miles an hour, I'm realizing that I have 100 tasks to do at home and I am running on "E." So, my new strategy is to get dinner started, get out of my gym clothes, take a shower and re-group by making a list of what really needs to be done. That way I am clearly switching roles and implementing a relaxing activity. We will see if it works!

Shawn is on board with this goal and very supportive, so that helps...and I've cut my training hours back a little so I will be able to get 7-8 hours of rest each night. Hey, all the little things add up!

Major accomplishment this week:
Leg Pressed 370lbs for 10 reps and did cardio at home when we were snow/iced in...almost used it as an excuse! LOL

Tip: The song "Crash" from Decyfer Down is an AMAZING leg day song!

Quote: "The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it."

Thank you for listening! This blog is such a supportive outlet for me!

Angela

DC Completed...now on to Universe!

Whew! It's been a busy couple of weeks! The Washington DC Bikini Universe Capitol show went very well. I didn't get last place and I didn't fall down on stage...actually, I placed 7th/12 in my height division. For being my very first competition I am very pleased.

The show was actually fun after I had a bit of an emotional melt-down right after my first walk on stage. It was as though all of what I had practiced was there but the overwhelm of the lights, audience, action and chaos made me a bit shaky. Then, I listened to some worship music and my second walk was a lot better! In the end it was a great release and a very fun experience...the Savage team is amazing and so REAL!

LOVED going to the Cheesecake Factory that night! Nachos, chips, chips, more chips, crispy crab wontons and some outrageous dessert. Thought I would be sick but I wasn't. I felt fabulous and my abs actually "popped" while we were standing outside the restaurant afterward waiting for the valet parking guy...go figure!

Next, we (myself, Shawn, Aiden and Alynn) took an awesome mini-vacation to the beach to catch up on some much needed focused family bonding time...it was amazing. Turned the cell phone off and put the fun hat on! I walked on the beach alone right after the sun came up each day and had long talks with God. I've been walking through a lot of temptation...experiencing some tests that determine which roads I am going to take with my fitness modeling career. Undeniably, his voice is heard and I know that I am meant to stay all natural and use my testimony to help other women...especially young women. It was so nice to take a break and I would really be suffering right now if we had not.

It's a push right now as Universe is 24 days away and I have a photo shoot with Lisa Brewer next Monday. But... my priorities are in a great place. I feel very grounded as a few of the other competitors and I have been doing a weekly bible study to keep our hearts and minds focused on God through this process. Because, in the end...

1 Peter 1:24-25
"All flesh is like grass, And all of man's glory like the flower in the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls; But the Lord's word endures forever." This is the word of good news which was preached to you.

God Bless you and have a fabulous day!
Angela Sweet

Salad and a Straw- Hell Week Day #1

I am not calling it Hell week anymore because I am convinced that it will produce HEAVENLY results...so let's call it..."THE TEST." And, I am passing. I'm hungry. Down to the wire...

I am sodium loading, water loading and carb depleting this week...which means that for three days I do two/day workouts on only vegetables and heavily salted proteins. They taste great- with salty rubs/ marinades and I top it all of by drinking at least 1.5 gallons of water each day. Today it was over two!

I am incredibly blessed because I am being assisted in my workouts every day this week by different friends. This is a great time to call for help because I feel like I am running on fumes during my workouts and it's a mental battle. The social pressure and support is priceless.

A great friend of mine also had a terrible thing happen to her little girl this past week...the kind of health crisis that opens your eyes and helps to put things in perspective. My heart has gone out to her this week and it's been a constant reminder to stay grounded, and appreciative of every single moment I am given.

So, I may be drinking the left over balsamic vinegar at the bottom of my salad bowl trying to satisfy my appetite, but inside my heart is content with all that God has given me.

Angela Sweet

READY FOR "HELL" Week

Next week is the pre-show hell-week. I'm actually excited for it. I tend to hold a lot of water...so this is the time that I start seeing major muscle separations. I'll post pictures. Let's get this show on the road already! Cooked for four hours today and am prepped for the next week and show. Ahh, feels good.

"Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." Walter Elliott

God Bless You!
Ang

Balancing Act

It's 8 days before the show and I am feeling very emotional. One moment I am excited...prepared, and proud of this journey. Other times I feel very sad, sluggish and frustrated. This is known to happen during this week due to the increase in training an decrease in carbs. I'm just figuring out how to "deal" with it. It would be so much easier to eat and be merry...but I know that's not the right choice.

I feel sorry for Shawn because I am "wasted" as he calls it...at the end of the day I have nothing left. I am glad this is almost over and I can have some energy to love him more. I can't help but feel like I have failed him. I just can't be 100% for everyone all the time. I think I have PMS right now.

Ugh. I am tired of listening to myself. Going to bed.

Ang

MAKING PROGRESS! Yes!

It was one of the worst days ever! I actually cried right before my second workout today. This has been a tough, TOUGH starch rotation.

But, after taking my check-in photos tonight I am pleased. Every time I push through a hard day like this my body changes in a positive way.

I'm still pushing! I will finish strong!
Angela

"First we form habits, then they form us. Conquer your bad habits or they will conquer you."
Rob Gilbert

19 Days until DC show

It's getting closer and I am actually excited. I am working hard but not stressing out. My workouts have changed dramatically and now I am doing cardio sometimes twice/ day in preparation for the show. The last month of this process is the hardest and I am hanging in there. The most difficult part is pushing through challenging workouts with no starchy carbohydrates. I am on a 2/0/1/0 starch rotation right now...meaning one day I can have two starches and the rest is one fruit and all proteins/ vegetables. The next day zero starches, 1 fruit and proteins/ veggies...and so on. I feel like I have eaten a forest full of peppers, broccoli, onions, mushrooms, asparagus and celery...oh, all main veggies have to be green right now.

At times I am elated- feeling pleased with the progress I have made and excited about the future days to come. This process has helped me become more focused and better at managing my time.

But, other times I want to scream, divorce the gym and all of it's natural partners- including sports bras, running shoes, ipods and workout clothes...and throw my face into my husband's yellow cake with chocolate frosting birthday cake that I had someone make at Walmart so that I didn't have to.

I told myself that I would be honest in this blog. so I am going to honor that promise. I am fighting my flesh daily right now and it is hard. But, I know without a shadow of a doubt this is exactly where I am supposed to be right now and I see the trickle effect it is having within the studio.

It is OKAY to reach! To push beyond your percieved limitations. To stop making excuses, get up and move on. It hurts. At time it makes me angry when my body "doesn't want to" do what I need it to do...but the more times I take just one more step during those moments of physical resistance and mental struggle- the HIGHER the threshold becomes! God is so great. SO much greater than our minds can perceive and when he gives you a dream and a vision it's so easy to "do it later..." and stay complacent in your comfortable place...waiting for the planets to align first before making a step. I've been in that place. I've planted a garden, and built a fence around that place as though I were going to stay in it forever.

The calling to lead has been a scary road. But, I love people and I feel an indescribable amount of joy when I see someone dare to leave their comfort zone, reach and evolve into a stronger, more balanced, empowered stuard of the beautiful body God gave them.

There are times when I see my team training people, but not just training...teaching- offering their whole hearts and the love of the Lord to thier clients and I am completely awstruck...humbled, without words by the amazing privelage I have been given...that the Lord has chosen me to be a connecting part in this beautiful community of positive change. I am such a sinner, broken but redeemed by the blood of Christ and used despite of my imperfections.

I started this process whining, but have come to realize how blessed I really am. The only way to lead, is by example. I am grateful.

Angela Sweet