I just had one of those wake up sweating nightmares - and it was about competition day - its 2:47am but this is has soo many lessons I just have to write it down! ok so comp day starts out fine - my bag is packed I've checked it at least 1000 times, my hair and makeup lady turns up on time, my trainer (NOT Aiden!!??) arrives on time, we all pile into the car and head off to Flemington - (? minor detail! I like Flemington :-)) anyway we get to the venue and Nik Kershaw (yes the... Go to BodyBlog

I think I've finally figured out what my body is trying to say to me! each time a new tweak to the diet or to the cardio happens it puts my body into shock for a few days - when it complains to me. Its during this transition to the new level that I get the emotional swings and roundabouts happening, and then it all settles down and runs along smoothly until the next tweak and shock for example last week I lost nothing, not even a teeny % of body fat but this week I did because we... Go to BodyBlog

Friday 8:15am Why is it that I seem to write my best posts when I'm in a highly emotional state? maybe because its raw and its real and I just need to get it out of my system who knows, but right now I'm see-sawing between utter disappointment and complete anger. I had a shit training session because I on the verge of tears half of the time and just couldn't be bothered the rest of the time, a complete downer after what has been an amazing week - as a laugh, at Aiden's suggestion I... Go to BodyBlog

what a fickle ethereal thing sleep is...2 weeks ago I was desperate for ANY kind of sleep, lack of it was really affecting me in every way and now..well, if it was an Olympic sport, I'd be a gold medal contender thats for sure..and I still want MORE! On Sunday I went to bed at 5pm cos I was so tired, then I woke up 2 hours later just to eat, then straight back to bed and I slept right through until my alarm woke me at 5:15 - I NEVER sleep until my alarm wakes me! what gives? whats... Go to BodyBlog

I had a trial today of doing my all over tan.... hahahahaha!!! firstly I need to be a contortionist  to do my back, secondly I'm so uncoordinated holding the sponge with my non writing hand and then trying to look in the mirror to work out which way to move my hand but its backwards so I kept going the wrong way! thirdly how do you blend a dribble from a new bit into the bit thats already dried? I think bits of me have 12 coats on and bits only have 1/2 a coat! I think I did a pretty good... Go to BodyBlog

Saturday 20th August - Morning After 2 very competitive rounds of tanning we are down to 2 contenders - the JanTana, preferred choice of the IFBB and the Contest Colour preferred choice of...well, I'm not sure really! And the tans will be judged by the one and only, the inimitable.... MATT NICHOLSON! woohoo!! yeah...and the crowd goes wild!!! phew...tough critic, they'd better be at their best! so the format of the final is simple and quick - 2 coats applied after shower dried for 3 hours then... Go to BodyBlog

its stunning sunny day, spring warmth is beginning to creep back into the sun, you're all exfoliated, dipliated, tanned all over, you've done the weeks shopping, your favourite tuna and salmon are on special and you've cooked your brekky and lunch for the next 5 days.... and its not even 9am yet :-) time for a cuppa and chill out with the papers... Happy Sunday! :-) Go to BodyBlog

Wednesday 17th August Evening So the contestants for round 2 are JanTana - the preferred choice of the IFBB and ProTan, but as of yet the ProTan is a no show! could this be a strategic tactic to pysch out the opposition??? only application will tell... Contestant number 1 please step up to the plate: Included in the JanTana pack we have the Skin Preparation body scrub to balance skin pH with application mitt, Hi Definition Colour and application sponge. Into the bath for a good scrub - the scrub... Go to BodyBlog

If you're sick of poached, grilled or baked fish then you must try Ceviche - I LOVE ceviche! I could eat it for breakfast, lunch  AND dinner in fact last time I was in Tahiti I think I did! :-) If you've never eaten it then you're missing out  - IMHO of course :-p and even better - it's totally comp prep friendly - its just raw fish, lime juice, a bit of salt, coriander (cilantro) and Chillies (optional) so how do you make it? even easier! Get a nice big chunk of sashimi grade raw fish... Go to BodyBlog

ok EVERYTHING is annoying me today I have sore throat - hope I'm not coming down with one the many ailments that doing the rounds at work Why do I suddenly have a blister from my posing shoes - I've been wearing them for weeks now and have walked into town on them several times with not a blister in sight! At the gym why can't people put their weights away? why should I spend time putting YOUR weights away before I can set it up to do MY training? inconsiderate bastards. what did your last slave... Go to BodyBlog

Saturday 13th August Here are the contenders for round 1... Contest Colour Acetone Solvent Free is similar in strength to ORIGINAL CONTEST COLOUR but without the acetone solvent. It is much gentler to your skin. Based on lsopropanol (rubbing alcohol) it has a slightly slower drying time than the ORIGINAL CONTEST COLOUR and appears slightly lighter.  However it is still a very strong colour. CONTEST COLOUR Acetone Solvent Free is our most popular product. It is designed for the... Go to BodyBlog

Why is important to be so dark for a show?  The lights used for stage lighting are so bright that without a tan you'd look so washed out and white that it would be next to impossible to see any muscle definition - which of course is the point of being there in the first place! Being very dark accentuates muscle development and conditioning and allows the judges to see just why you deserve to be there :-) How do you chose which tan to use? theres so many out there and everybody has their... Go to BodyBlog

So what does it take to be a figure competitor? You can talk to many people about what it takes to be a success at something and all self help ‘guru’s will have an opinion about what character traits you need to stick at something until it works and actually most of them tend to agree on what they are. For me it boils down to these: Determination If you’re not determined enough, when the going gets tough, you will quit and I think it comes down to attitude really, those with a ‘can do’ attitude... Go to BodyBlog

I 'graduated' from 'Posing Kindy' today! :-) Melody was so pleased with how I've progressed in the last 4 weeks that she says she doesn't need to see me again and she suggested I also enter the Figure International category as well as novice because my symmetry was so good - somehow I must have remembered all the tips Melita and Matt have given me and applied them all at the same time - even managed to suck my stomach in :-) so do I stop there?  no no no...I said kindy for a reason...more... Go to BodyBlog

Just had a wonderful massage - sooo relaxed now! what a difference a decent nights sleep, good meditation and a massage makes - turns out I was taken up by aliens and am back to feeling...well...human today! I feel a million times better than on Tuesday when I was overtired, overwrought and just over it - running on empty and completely strung out! not fun at all. my energy levels are back, I'm in a really positive frame of mind  - I cannot overstate the benefits of meditation!... Go to BodyBlog