Saying Good-Bye to Amor Fitness & Nutrition

This week Amor Fitness & Nutrition has officially closed its doors. I have so many fond memories working with Adele and the entire Team Amor Family.

I began my journey with Adele about 4 years ago. I finally took the leap to compete in my 1st bodybuilding competition and Adele was taking the leap to competition prep coach. She was the 1st female bodybuilder I had met and she helped guide my nutrition and posing for my 1st competition. I placed 1st in my class and won best poser in my 1st show. It was so much fun and I totally had the competition bug! She helped me prep for my next 2 shows where I placed 2nd.

Through being part of Team Amor I met so many amazing people! I found a family among bikini, figure, physique, and bodybuilders.

I took a break from the stage and started training at the Garage. This gave me a chance to get to know all the members of our growing team and to work one-on-one with my fellow competitors. I had the opportunity to help our competitors and our clients meet their fitness goals. It was pretty amazing to be part of the process and watch these women and men meet their goals.

I loved working with a local small business. When you work at a local gym it is more like being part of a family than just an employee with an employer.

The business may have closed, but I take with me years of memories, great friendships, and great resources. I know the whole Amor Fitness Family will go on to do great things. I look forward to seeing what the New Year brings for all of us.

Health and Happiness,

Larissa

12 Weeks!

April 7th was my 2nd competition. It went great I placed 2nd in Open Women's bodybuilding!

I spoke with the judges and they told me to work on developing my back, my quads, and eat a whole lot of protein.

So for the past 13 weeks that's what I did. I went heavy in the gym, ate more protein than ever with the help of my coach Adele of @amorfitnut.  So now we are 12 weeks out from my next competition!

Sunday was my last cheat meal. I had a craving for fried buffalo chicken tofu from whole foods and mac and cheese, so I hit the buffet! I got the tofu, curried beef, mac and cheese, collards, squash, and pound cake. Whole foods makes the best pound cake! Nothing better than to read the ingredients list on a dessert and recognize all of them.

Oh yes, and a glass or 2 of Savida Sangria, I tasted this for the 1st time at the Friends of Dogwood Pavillion at the Dogwood Festival.  I have been hooked ever since.

Monday was the 1st day of the meal plan.  It actually has been a really great start so far. I was eating clean during the week and only engaging in cheat meals on the weekends. So getting back on the meal plan was not as huge a leap as last competition.

There are a few new items on the list.  Including Egg Beaters egg whites.  I usually just buy the bulk eggs at Kroger, but it does seem wasteful to toss out so many egg yolks.  So when I purchased what I though were just eggwhites I was surprised to see a list of at least 5 other ingredients including Xanthium Gum.  All I wanted were egg whites! Went back to the store today and got the 100% Egg Whites.

Other than that lil hiccup pretty much the usual as far as meal plan and grocery list.  Oh oh and I get grapefruit this year! 

This week at the SCW conference will be the real test of my will power.  I will be in workshops all weekend long, thankfully I have my 6-Pack system to keep me on track.

Really looking forward to the conference.  This will be my 3rd year attending, 2nd year as a staff assitant.    SCW is a great way to get ideas for fitness classes and training techniques and an incredible chance to meet other fitness professionals from the south east. Also, super affordable way to get your CEU's for most fitness agencies.

My husband plans to kidnap my laptop during the convention. But, I will have my Windows Phone for twitter updates throughout the conference. Be on the lookout for twitter updates!

Time to prep some food and hangout with the husband.

Health and Happiness,

L

SNBF July 16th FINALE!

5:30AM - Wake up and pack my show bag, breakfast with coach and Team AMOR .  Quick poses in the mirror, my arms look really tiny.
We had to eat sooo much food. It was kinda overwhelming, but i got it all in and held it down.

7:30AM - Meet at Brenau University for pre-show breifing. 

Not really nervous yet, just anxious to get on stage.  Backstage I run into Catrice of Catrice Catsuits and show off my new body in her suit.  The ladies arent talking a whole lot backstage, except with their teammates, I think its just nerves.  Me and my teammates talk a bit, we are soooooo thirsty, they are competing in novice Figure Tall and Novice Figure Short.  I will be going on  2nd to last for pre-show.  I am dressed tanned and ready to do this!

9:00AM - Show is starting. Backstage scarfing down some snack foods and doing a few strength moves while I wait for my coach to take me through my circuits.
My mind is swirling what is my best side chest? what is my best triceps side? Are my quads popping enough? where are my abdominals I know i have them? have my arms pumped up enough? they were sooo big a week ago!

Number 2 to the stage!
Not nervous. Still just anxious and excited.  Just got touched up, oiled up, and pumped up, nothing else I can do now but show it off!
Phew! That was absolutely exhilirating.  The lights were soooo bright.  I could kind of see the audience but mostly can see the face of the judges.  I was smiling so big I could feel my face twitching!  I couldn't help it, it was just sooo exciting.  Then I got to meet with the professional photographer for individual photos I hope these came out really good.

11:00AM - 4:00 PM

Back to the Hilton.
Not much going on during this time. My family goes to grab lunch and fiance goes to run some errands.  I get left in the hotel by myself to eat my preshow meal and snacks.  Tried to nap but my head is just swirling and I am soooo thirsty, I only get about 30minutes of sleep, the rest of the time is spent just relaxing trying to calm my mind.  I go through my routine about 10 times just to get it cemented in my head.

4:30 PM
Check-In for evening show at Brenau University.  This is the big show, we find out who won what and I get to go through my routine in the evening show.  I will be the 2nd person to go on stage. 
It all just seemed to go by sooo fast...but...I did it...I competed in my 1st Bodybuilding competition, and I won, 1st place! 

Intermission

I meet 8 time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney, he stops by to tell me I did a really good job on stage.  Highlight of the evening!

Part 2 of Show:

I get to enjoy lovely wonderful waterrrrrrrr. The figure girls step up on stage. They look soooo good up there!  They both make top 5, names are called for 5th, 4th, 3rd, and thier names have not been called. Holy crap! Both ladies WIN 1st place in their division! They then battle it out for the overall winner

I went backstage so that we could all celebrate!

Then I start seeing the stage director waving me over...apparently they called my name for another award.

SNBF Best Female Poser!!! All those posing classes with SNBF and Amor Fitness & Nutrition paid off!

Post Show
TIME TO EAT!
1st post show meal, 2slices of mellow mushroom pizza. 1 slice grilled chicken and 1 slice spinach, and a glass of wine.  OMG it tasted soooooooo good.

Food then sleep and a lot more water. 
I am exhausted by nights end but what an amaaaazing weekend.
All the dieting, all the hours in the gym, it was all completely worth it!
I will definately do it again.  Back in April! I do have a marathon to get through in November ;-)

Thank You!
Thanks to everyone who supported me through this processs:
Trainer-Brad Lokey, Posing & Nutrition-Amor Fitness and Nutrition:Adele & Travis, My Fiance, Tashawn & Jovi for showing up at the show and cheering for me, I definately heard them up in the stands, My Mom and Sister for being there for the AM and PM shows and keeping me company durin the day ,  and everyone else for putting up with my mood swings, dietary restrictions, and time restraints.

All your love and support was very much appreciated!

Health and Happiness

-L-