The History of Quirky

[quirkysmilin]

TweetOk all....Ive had a lot of changes in my life in the last 2 years and have decided to focus on some new goals. Basically I'm saying, I need some kudos and support. I would like to compete on some level some day, i'm thinking 2010. I have found a true love for fitness and healthy eating and would like to expand on it.
Here is me in July 2007:



Here is me in August 2008.

Since then I have lost around 8 more lbs and 4 inches off my waist, 2 inches off each leg and added more muscle tone to my arms.

Any advice from anyone?

[Waterboy]

TweetLooks as though you're off to a good start.
Kudos and support will be plentiful form your family here.
Just take it a step at the time. My biggest thinfrom training people was they wanted to
go to fast and see results to quickly. They became very discouraged when it didn't happen soon enough for them.
Set an overall goal, but break it down into smaller, easier to reach goals. It will make the process so much easier.
Congrats io the progress you have made so far, I don't think you'll have any trouble in reaching your goal.

[FUZO]

Tweetjust keep working out and eating healthy and having a healthy life style.with hard work you can acomplish your goals

[BABY1]

TweetWow, quirky, you have really worked hard. Definite props to you! The big key here is your diet. Try to eat as clean as you can and get enough protein in. It is okay to have a cheat meal here and there. Keep lifting the weights and don't be afraid to go heavy. I would stick to more compound exercises instead of isolation exercises. I am sure you have limited time and doing compounds will work more than one muscle at a time. Don't forget cardio as it will help burn fat. Try doing a couple of HIIT sessions a week along with a maybe one session of steady paced cardio.

I am no competitor, but these are just some things I have learned and continue to do. Good luck!! You can do it!

[LilFella]

TweetDamn you must be doing something right, your pics show results! Keep dedicated and stick around FG the people here are great and knowledgable, they'll steer ya right!

[BigDawg]

Tweetyou look incredible hun. awesome work. you will do well competing.

[BIGMOFO]

Tweetgreat job, keep up the good work!

[dixiechick]

TweetQuirky, I was 32 when I decided to do my first competition. It's never too late to start. You just need to pick a show date and go for it. You have made some great progress and you should show it off! Have you been to any competition? Start by going to one. This will give you a feel for how a competition works and extra motivation. Then I would recommend finding someone to help you with the training and diet.

Keep up the good work

[quirkysmilin]

TweetThanks for all the kind words and advice. I really appreciate it. Right now my routine is the gym M-F (some Saturdays) with legs, arms, chest then I start all over again. I do cardio for 30-40 minutes starting with cardio first on arms and chest days. I really push myself hard and can feel it (especially the chest) so I know im not just treading. My diet yo-yos, I have been going through a messy divorce for the last year and a half so stress wreaks havoc on my diet. I do smoke.....I know - I know - I am quitting on my birthday. That again is a go to stress reliever. It was hard to post those pics and I really appreciate all the acknowledgment and advice. I would like to maybe compete in some sort of fitness competition and am trying to get into the personal training world. I have had a few folks ask me to train them and I have done it a few times. Dzone has been a tremendous help - he told me about a competition in PA in July which I plan in attending. I guess what I really need is what Dixie recommended. Again, thanks you guys!

[jamescb77]

TweetWow there quirk i tihnk you have made some awesome progress and if i didn't know your man was on this site i would probably insert a rude and crude comment in here. Keep it up it seems like you know what you are doing and it's working pretty well. Lock your diet down. I have foudn that in extreme times of stress and turmoil your diet is one thing that you can control and controlling it and having it as a constant in your life will actually help with stress. Also make your eating time for you. I eat at work as im dieting myself right now and i don't worry about anything else going on in the office for the 10 or so min i am eating. It's a great stress relief time. On another note you are way to pretty to have such a filthy habit as smoking. Lets kick that on to the curb sooner rather than latter. I wish you all the best and im on here pretty often through the day. if you ever need any help or encouragement or just someone to vent to feel free to hit me up.

[dixiechick]

TweetYour training sounds good. You'll want to add some more muscle as much as you can between now and your competition. You will need to add more protein to your diet. If you train with heavy weights / lower reps (in the 6 to 8 range) then that will help you build more muscle.

[quirkysmilin]

Tweet^will do! Someone recommended running too, im not much of a runner - I like the eliptical and the treadmill - I walk at a pace that gets my heart rate up and I always walk on an incline.

[quirkysmilin]

TweetPlease remember too - Ive had 4 kids - my body is a lil out of whack.

[jamescb77]

Tweetsprints will shed that fat off so quick as soon as it warms up here i will be sprinting my ass off

[quirkysmilin]

TweetI do sprinting intervals on the treadmill....wow - I didnt realize that would help.