Eight Weeks Out – MuscleContest.com show in Torrance, CA ~ Quest to Bring Home an Excalibur Sword

What an interesting week it’s been. For the most part it has been absolutely wonderful. My creative juices are starting to flow again. My writing is coming back to me. And because of this long awaited return, I realized a dream by having my blog posted on the Muscle & Fitness Hers website http://www.muscleandfitnesshers.com/blogs/karma-schopp/my-faithful-friend#.Tw9foX4M9b4.facebook . In addition to that excitement, I continued to train twice a day for the California NPC MuscleContest.com show – in which I’m now 8 weeks out.

Training for the show is going really well. I’m especially enjoying my morning conditioning workouts. Sometimes, it’s a bit of a struggle to drag myself to the gym. But, once I get there, plug in the iPod and crank up the tunes, I get right into it. The intensity is definitely there. The sweat that ends up all over the place is proof that I’m pushing myself. The one place though that I’ve struggled this week is with my nutrition and meal plan. I’m attributing that to the fact that it’s that time of the month. Cravings have increased this week and energy has decreased. I know within a day or so, I’ll be back to my normal self and not wanting to eat everything in site. The good news is that I dropped 2lbs this week – currently sitting at 138lbs and approx. 14-15% bodyfat. I’ve got 8 weeks to go to shed weight and that last bit of fat. What that equals to is about 10-15lbs including water depletion. I’m not so much worried about the exact numbers – but more so with how conditioned my body is the day I step on stage. I want to bring home an Excalibur sword!

At the beginning of this week, I changed the inspiration pics I have on my fridge. I find that if I keep looking at the same images all of the time, they tend to not have the same effect after a while. The new photos keep me on my toes when I open the fridge doors. They also serve as strong reminders of the competition I have out there waiting for me.

The goals I have for this upcoming week is to make it to the gym 6 days in the week, twice a day, stick to the Meal Plan, drop 1-2lbs and write another kick ass blog for Muscle & Fitness Hers. I’m sure there will be other awesome things that get accomplished....but that’s just what comes to mind right now.

I hope all of my fine, fit friends have a fun weekend. Use the time to rest and reset so that you can make the new week a wicked one!

Yours in health, fitness and fun,
Karma Schopp
NPC Figure Athlete, Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach and Freelance Writer
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karmas-Korner/172220196993
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheKarmaKorner
Website: http://www.befitwithkarmaskorner.com/
Email: karmaskorner@yahoo.com

6 Weeks Out and Getting My Groove Back

Sometimes when you’re getting ready for a competition there comes a point when it just clicks. It’s at that moment that you know you’re either in it to win it, time to get out or refocus the direction of your goals.

This week had its ups and downs. But overall, I was extremely happy with how everything turned out. I had my “Ah ha” moment. And when I visualize the Fitness America California Championships – I see no other option than to take home the gold! I think it really started to become more real and tangible for me when my Theme Wear was delivered. I tried it on and love the colors, the fit and how it looks. Soon my bikini for the Bikini Model category will arrive. And, shortly after that my blinged out Figure Posing suit from Vizion Wear will follow.

I also did my Friday measurements. It felt good to see the numbers on the scale move – lost 3lbs this week. I had gained the previous week and was ill. Getting my health back and getting rid of some pounds felt like redemption to me. I also looked back at my numbers from when I started – I’ve lost a half inch off my thighs and a full inch off my hips. Those are the 2 most challenging areas for me to see any sort of significant difference.

The day of the Show, I want my hips to be approximately 34 inches. As of today, they’re 36.5 inches. I’ve noticed that with every 5lbs I lose, it amounts to around one inch off my butt. Today’s weight was 141lbs. Doing the math and knowing how my body works, I figure I’ll step on stage at 128lbs – give or take a couple of pounds. That means I have 10-13lbs to lose in the next 6 weeks – which equals a consistent loss of 1.5-2lbs each week going forward including water depletion. I’m not stuck on specific numbers – rather a look that shows off the hard work that I do.

I’m going to use this weekend to create my Final Week’s Meal Plan, Water Depletion Program and Training Program. I know I need to make adjustments to my nutrition and my cardio plan. The key with the food is to maintain energy levels, fullness in the muscle bellies as well as get the results I aim to achieve. Starting Monday, I’ll be adding a second cardio session each day. It’s only going to be 20 minutes for now. That will give me almost 2 extra hours of burning calories for the week. I’d much rather be ahead of the game then hit the panic button near the end and end up having to do something drastic. Losing the weight won’t be an issue. The goal is to look well conditioned, tight and athletic....not skinny fat or over-dieted.

The excitement for this show is building for me. It feels great to have the competitive spirit fired up again. I hope that you’ll share my enthusiasm, create your own awesomeness and inspire others to do the same.

Yours in Health, Fitness & Fun,

Karma Schopp

Personal Trainer & Nutrition Consultant, Pro Figure Athlete,

Freelance Writer & Marketer, Fitness Model

Email: karmaskorner@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.befitwithkarmaskorner.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheKarmaKorner

Friday Feedback – Friday August 12 – 8 weeks Out And Positive Progress Is Happening!

Thank goodness – the move is done and over with! It feels so good to be back home, in a familiar environment and getting back to a more sane schedule.

The beginning of the week was hectic with packing up my apartment and car to head over a couple of states to California. But thanks to the hot sun and having to lug around a ton of luggage, I was able to lose a pound and a half this week along with seeing some of my other numbers drop. The combination of the stress of moving and it finally being over helped my body to let go of any toxins and negativity I was holding onto – which in turn allowed me to see some measurement numbers fall where I previously hadn’t. Stress management is so important for both your physical health and your mental well being.

The day that I got back, James took me to the new Golds Gym. The old one had switched locations. And, thankfully the new place is closer to home. In addition to unpacking, I also had a bunch of food prep to get done for the week, laundry and emails to respond to. All in a day’s work! By the end of Monday, I was completely exhausted.

After 3 full days of unpacking, cleaning, cooking/food prep and trying to get organized, I felt like I got my new groove happening. Each morning consists of the usual Facebooking, coffee and breakfast followed by cardio time. Then later in the afternoon, James and I go to the gym together to do weight training.

One thing I forgot about that is going to work to my advantage is the stairs in the house. Running up and down the stairs to get various things done actually helps a bit with the cardio. I’ll test myself and try to run up 2-3 stairs at a time. In the picture, you see an archway at the top of the left side of the stairs – that’s where the master bedroom and bathroom are. When I get home from the gym, I go up there change and then run down the stairs again over to the wing on the right side of the stairs where the laundry room is. Do that several times throughout the day and the calorie burning adds up!

It’s been a good week. And, I look forward to seeing what next week holds in store.

Yours in Health, Fitness & Fun,

Karma Schopp

Personal Trainer & Nutrition Consultant, Pro Figure Athlete,

Freelance Writer & Marketer, Fitness Model

Email: karmaskorner@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.befitwithkarmaskorner.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheKarmaKorner

Friday Feedback – 9 Weeks Out From The Fitness America California Championships

Oy vey! Life has been both a Gong Show and great all at the same time. Today as soon as I finish this Blog entry, I have to pack up my cable and internet equipment and take it back to Comcast. This is just one of many tasks that need to be taken care of before I head out on the road to move back to California.

My week consisted of the usual moving stresses and frustrations. I am more than ready to get going. However, up until yesterday I was playing the hurry up and wait game with several important details that were crucial to ensuring I have everything taken care of before I go. Throw in triple split shifts at work, changing schedules, Show Prep & Training and trying to finalize plans – and you could say that I’m more than ready to hit the re-set button!

While all of that may sound negative or draining, it’s not as bad as it may seem. The biggest saving grace of my week has been my morning cardio. I actually looked forward each morning to getting to the gym for my own training. I used that time to zone out, focus on what’s really important and create an exercise induced type of meditation. It helped me tremendously! I also had a killer shoulder and back workout. After that workout, I bumped into a fellow Figure Pro who had competed with me at the 2009 WBFF Worlds. She told me I look better now than I did backstage at the show. Wow! Talk about motivation to keep on rolling!

The other awesome aspect of my week is the people I surround myself with. It’s going to be so nice to be back at home with James. However, I’m really going to miss seeing and hanging out with my Colorado friends. Even though, I spent a short period of time here, the relationships I developed helped me to feel like I truly belong.

In terms of the specific I numbers I accomplished – I was very happy with my cardio workouts. Weight training was strong. And the scale and mirror were nice to me this week. I lost a half pound and 1% bodyfat from last week. My measurements were essentially the same. But, I do feel like I look a bit tighter in some areas.

As long as long you’re organized, have faith, stay positive and make fitness your faithful companion – you can get through anything. Exercise does so much more for you than just create a better body!

Yours in Health, Fitness & Fun,

Karma Schopp

Personal Trainer & Nutrition Consultant, Pro Figure Athlete,

Freelance Writer & Marketer, Fitness Model

Email: karmaskorner@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.befitwithkarmaskorner.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheKarmaKorner

But Eating Healthy Is Expensive And It Take So Much Time....Bullsh*t!

As a Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, I quite often hear various "reasons" why eating clean or healthy is so costly. One popular excuse is that it takes so much time to prepare everything. Another myth is that it costs alot to eat like an Athlete. I'm here to tell you that's all a load of crap!

Take a look at the photo above. It's what sparked the idea for this Blog entry. I'm moving back to California this coming weekend and wanted to get all my meals portioned out, packed and in the freezer so I have nothing to worry about when I have to leave. In the picture, you see 8 Meals as well as one grapefruit - which I cut in half (each half for 2 nights worth of bedtime snacks) oatmeal, egg whites and 2 apples (one for each day). The veggies you see in the meals are frozen and cooked in the microwave. I had them cooking while I was weighing and cutting my portions of chicken. The chicken was baked in the oven. I set the timer on the oven and while it was baking, I replied to Client emails and Program questions. Same scenario goes for the baked sweet potatoes. To get all 8 meals packed and ready took me about 15-20 mins = 7.5-10 mins for one complete day of food.

Here is a cost breakdown for 2 Full days worth of Meals::

Oatmeal - $3.49 for entire canister (which will last over a month)

Liquid Egg Whites - $3.47 for 1 litre carton (lasts approx. 5 days)

Chicken - approx. $16.00 for 2 days' portions

Stir Fry veggies - 2 bags X $1.00 each = $2.00

Green and yellow squash - 2 bags x $2.19 each = $4.38

Sweet Potatoes - approx $2.00 for both days' portions

Apples - approx. $1.00 for both

Grapefruit - $1.19 for one

Total cost for 2 full days worth of food = $33.53 which comes to $16.77/day

As you can see, it's not expensive at all nor does it take forever to prepare. So for the same amount of time (or less!) than it takes to get in your car and drive to your favorite take out place and for less money - you can have great tasting food that is good for you!

And the next time you're in the grocery store, don't get the overly processed "treats" in a box, grab some fresh chicken instead. Both options probably take the same amount of time to cook in the oven. Plus, when you add your favorite spices to chicken (or your protein choice), you can customize the flavor to exactly what you like!

Eat good, look better, feel great!

Yours in Health, Fitness & Fun,

Karma Schopp

Personal Trainer & Nutrition Consultant, Pro Figure Athlete,

Freelance Writer & Marketer, Fitness Model

Email: karmaskorner@yahoo.com

Website: http://www.befitwithkarmaskorner.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/TheKarmaKorner