STEPH9282'S DORM ROOM

As a competitor- I believe I do things a little different then others when it comes to my diet. I'm not only a competitor- like most I have to work to take part in my expensive hobby... however, as a health care administrator I feel that it is up to me to live by example. It's funny... during my masters program so many students were overweight... guzzling down their Mountain Dews and candy bars... and I always thought to myself-- how can you be training to enter the public health/ health care world but take advantage of your own health? And even now, in my position, I see those who are executives of our facility who are not 'healthly'... and several actually obese, not just overweight. It's really pathetic (not to sound harsh)!
When it comes to my diet... I go 100% organic, gluten-free. I only supplement with non-processed vitamins and protein (hence the reasoning for the soy protein). No articifical anything... after study upon study upon study, I personally feel that this is what is best for me overall and what really makes me physically feel wonderful! :)
So-- I e-mail my pictures to my dietician every week and along the way we make changes based on my progress. My last show in '07 was in August... from mid August until October I hung around in the middle of the road w/o a specific plan and struggled with some personal battles physically and mentally. (In Sept I actually got the Mumps! Who gets the mumps in 2007?) Since my 'plan' started in October I have really made some significant changes... my shoulders are getting rounder, my abdominals are growing, quads are rounding out too... and my rear is growing! I think I'm the only girl in the world that wants her booty to grow! :) So, as of this week- my cardio has increased 10 minutes a day-- so going from 20min 6 days a week to 30 and my whole meat portions have decreased an ounce. So, more cardio- less food. I'm staying pretty lean (which is mentally good for me!)while managing to gain muscle in those 'specific' areas. In 2008 I hope to be more 'competitive' vs. just competing and I hope to do more national shows vs. regional. Here's hoping all works through!