Carla's Online Web Journal

It's another beautiful spring day!

I am off to S.Carolina today to work the Jr. USA's. I expect to get there by 10:30 tonight. Hopefully there will be no delays!

I had a good shoulder workout yesterday. Saw a competitor in the gym who is getting ready to compete in 2 weeks. It's getting exciting seeing all these people getting ready, looking hard and all buffed!! It's making me want to get started too! I need it! I think the New Englands is really gonna be a good show! Dave Follensbee is really doing his share to bring BB/Fitness back to the New England area. We have some great athletes but there hasn't been a lot of competitions. He is really trying to change that. He is hosting a new show on 5/13 in New Hampshire. I was sad to hear, however, that many female BB are saying they won't compete because it is an NPC show and the girls are "too big". I hate that defeatist attitude, although I can somewhat understand (being that I will be on the pro stage this year with the big girls) but it bothers me that these women underestimate themselves. If they are too scared to show up because they think they will be outmuscled and then no one shows up...what's the point? I guess I just have to keep myself out there to prove to these people that you don't have to be huge to win in the NPC! Unfortunately I won't be able to be at the new show because I will be in Colorado that weekend!

I am excited to see how the competitors look in S.Carolina. It's like the kick off to the national events! Tres Bennet puts on a great show too!

So I went to the club last night,yes that right! On a Wednesday night, my room mate, Damaris got me out. We went to club 960 in Hartford. It has a loungy vibe and DJ Craig G spun some great old mixes! Nice place, real glasses,not thugged out...but I am tired today...too old!!! Wouldn't you know it...my trainer texts me to ask me (at 1) pm) what I was eating????What do you suppose he is up to??? I am afraid he is gonna slm me with cardio ...SOON!!!

OK all...I gotta fly.. literally!!!!! My web master has promised new pictures so please keep checking back!!!!
have a great weekend, relax and count your blessings!
C

Carla's Online Web Journal

Well it's TUESDAY!
For some reason my blog from yesterday is not posted???? I can't figure out this technology! A lot of blah, blah, blah that I am not going to repeat!!

Today it is beautiful , spring is here again...the weather is so schizophrenic here in the northeast!!! Better enjoy today before winter is here again!!!!!
Last night I met up with my client who is 2 weeks from a show...I have to say, she looks great. You can tell she is doing her homework ...the biggest thing is that she is a mother, wife and full time nurse. She doesn't complain and gets it done. It is inspirational to see! I really hopes she places well, she should be very proud of herself! She looked great to start so she was an easy client for me! It is rewarding though!

I have had to make a decision to deal with my personal training clients instead of going to kickboxing...at least for now. I was stressing over trying to fit everything in and it was exhausting me! While I have these PT clients I will make them the priority until I have no choice due to my own competitions! I feel a sense of relief today!

I had continuous dreams last night of loved ones who I don't see anymore. I couldn't get them out of my mind. Sometimes I feel like I will forever be missing people? Weird, huh?

Anyway all - have a great rest of the week. I get ready to go to Jr. USA's in Charleston, S.Carolina on Thursday night!!!
Will check in soon
C

Carla's Online Web Journal

Hey all! Happy Monday!

HOpe you all had a productive weekend...or at least relaxing!!! I spent a lot of time doing nothing! I guess I needed it and it felt good but I also feel like I wasted my only weekend home in a month by not getting things done!!! That sounds crazy, right? Well, I did train a couple client, did cardio myself and trained on Saturday (after a 3 hour nap). I wanted to get to a Martial arts tournament where many of the people from my dojo were competing but....I never got there?!
I did spend time with family so that is always good....got my laundry done but not much cleaning!! I guess the dirty house will still be there when I get a chance, right!
The weather didn't help it went from 80 degrees on Thursday to 30 degrees and rainy ALL weekend. Good for nothing but sleeping....and eating!
But...it was my last weekend home till Memorial day weekend. I will be heading out to S. Carolina for Jr. USA's this weekend. Tres Bennet puts on a great show, he treats the athletes awesome and the venue is beautiful. Maybe we will get to see some of Charleston this time!!
So tonight it's off to take a look at a client who is competing in 2 weeks, train and then get to the dojo to do some kickboxing...hopefully!!!!
have a great night all...get in the gym!
C

Carla's Online Web Journal

TGIF!!!

Well here it is, Friday night and I am working on the computer and getting ready to go to bed!! Guess I am showing my age, huh???? Actually I just feel a bit tired. Got into the work week, trained and did a Vyotech demo on Wednesday night. Then yesterday I took the day off but it was so I could drive into NYC, Laguardia Airport, to pick up NIcki. She had been in Florida with Dave this past week. She landed on time but her luggage didn't. We had to wait about an hour and a half for that before getting on the road and into rush hour traffic!!! Noramlly - no biggie but we had to meet our mom's in Hartford to go see the Lion King. We had bought them tickets for a girls night out for Christmas. So the trek was on. We made it with 20 mnutes to spare! By the time I hit the show I needed a cosmo!!!! It was a long day/night!!! It was nice to spend the evening with our moms though!! So today...I guess I was still feeling the travel yesterday. I felt low motivation even with a beautiful sunny spring day!!! I did get to the gym after work but no cardio today.
The big news is that a Starbucks has opened downt he street from me. At last, Springfield is rising above the "home crap home" status!! Walking intot he Starbucks doesn't even feel like you are in Springfield. I am not sure where the people came from but...imagine something like that being a highlight of my day? Good Lord!?

I made a few more reservations for trips for protan and contest prep. I reserved the room for the Colorado show and also for the USA's. I figured I better reserve them so we aren't staying down teh strip or not at the host! So that is a done deal and now I just have to get my airfare to Vegas and I am set for that. Me and NIcki are trying to decide if we should stay a few days in Vegas to celebrate our birthday together this year! Dave is all for it! I would love to see one of the Cirque de Soliel shows like "O". By then Nicki will have been gone a few weeks form here and I will be missing her so...maybe it will be fun. I, however, will be dieting. Anyway...we have time to figure that out!

So i guess that is it around here, tonight! I have to organize around here, get to the store and train some clients this weekend. After this weekend I am not home for a weekend until Memorial Day!!!! The busier the better I guess. It sure beats the "lonlies"!!! (They were here this week!)
Sweet dreams all
Ciao
C

Carla's Online Web Journal

Happy Patriots Day all!!

There is nothing better than a Monday holiday!! I love not having to be at the day job. For some reason last week every little thing annoyed me at the 9-5 so this day off after a working weekend is nice!!

I got back yesterday from NYC> Nicki and I had gone in to work the NY Metropolitan. I think it was a nice success for the show and Protan.
It's always nice to work with, see, hang out with our Steve Stone Expeditor crew frineds. Kim Klien did not defend her title as she and her hubby decided that since she is already qualified she should make way for more people to get a chance. She looked great non-the-less and had things under control backstage.
We got the pro masters men and pro fitness ready for prejudge and then the rest of the amatuers.
Bob Chiccerello won the masters wth Johnny Stewart in second, Pavol third, Claude Groulx in fourth and Stan Curly top Mcrary in 5th. Oiling up the pros is fun and a trip. To see their different personalities come out if really interesting! I gotta say that Bob Chic was hilarious and really fun to be around back there. There was a live web cast on bodybuiling.com so the cameras were following him around. He graciously put Nicki and I on the camera giving us and Protan props for all the hard work we do backstage! The biggest thing noticed as always is that most of these guys are really down to earth and nice guys!
The pro women are great too. Many of them stayed in the dressing rooms provided for them but there were some that came down to get oiled and tied into their suits. These were the girls that know us from the national level shows. It is amazing seeing the progression from amatuer to pro. What fun! Julia Childs won, Heidi Fletcher came in second (go gurl) and Amy (sorry don't know the last name) came in third. Those women qualify for the O. I was a bit surprised that some of the pro girls who have been around did not place; like Angie Smesch and Mindy OBrien. I thought they looked great. The problem is that I don't see anyting fromt he front and never get to see the routines since I am in back working.

It was a pretty low key weekend as we did't stay at the host hotel (found cheaper accomodations elsewhere) so I felt a bit out of the loop. I did get together with friends after the show but it was low key. Nicki and I did go out for a great dinner at Megu (contemporary JApanese). Of course, true to "our" style (champagne taste and a beer pocketbook) it was a FABULOUS place. The sushi was great and the atmosphere unbelievable! It was a big treat to say the least but it's OK since we very rarely get to even get out of the venue at the othr shows! NIcki went off to see her man, Dave, in Florida for her school vacation (lucky her laying on a beach!!!) Can you tell I am jealous, it's all good. At least she is living out MY DREAM!!! If some else has to at least it's my girl, Nick. She is like my sister and I wouldn't want anything but the best for her.

So Sunday was a low key Easter. I had a real nice dinner with my parents and just relaxed and napped once I got home. My mom made a excellant springy dinner with a lemony dessert and they gave me a very needed Easter "prize". The only thing missing was that I didn't get to church.

Off today to get some stuff done, work out, breakfast with my room mate (who just got back from Miami, another one!!), train some clients...and life goes on!

Have a good one all
Ciao
C

Carla's Online Web Journal

Hey everone!!!
So sorry I haven't blogged sooner this week? I had a bit of a busy and trying weekend last weekend.

The good news is that I started off this month doing 3 demos for Vyotech at local GNC stores. I am happy to announce that I have been hired as a "Vyotech Athlete" and will be working monthly to get the word ont he street about their awesome products. Since this is a part time gig for me it took up most of my weekend time last weekend. I will be appearing for a demo on 4/19 at the Super Workout Plus in Springfield in conjunction with the Suppliment Zone!! There will be free samples and discussions going on that evening at the gym.

The bad news was that I had my back car window smashed in my driveway. Nothing was stolen but it just added stress to my day!!! I don't think it was a personal attack on me but rather a malicious act done by ignorant people who had nothing better to do with their time ...such as life! The worse part of that day was that I had gotten a text from a friend who was questioning my character based on somethign he "heard". I know that people talk shit in this industry and taht doens't usually bother me but in this case it did. Maybe because I felt bad that My Friend was questioning me. He should have known better and hopefully he does. I guess that I just have to have a tougher skin and not care. This is the stupid stuff that goes along with being in the public eye (and I am not even really in it so imagine....?). I guess the lessons for me is to continue to surround myself with posiitve people and always be careful what I say about anyone else. Only lesson to learn, right?

So the rest of my week has been uneventful. I did take time off of the gym last week to try to get over the muscle soreness issue I was having. I have been pounding my vitamins, glutamine and BCAA's and Bob from the Suppliment Zone told me I should take adrenal gland support suppliments so I started that too. I think I do feel overall better this week. I have had some great workouts and went to kick boxing last night where Sensi G-Man kick our butts (again!) I am glad I listened to my body and took the rest so I didn't miss out on valuable workouts this week!!!

This weekend, NIcki and I are off to NYC for teh NY Metroploitan. There will be Pro Fitness women nd Masters pro men as well as amateurs. It is a pretty big one day show so we have our work cut out for us. Good friend and Fitness Pro, Kim Klien will be defending her title there. GO KIMMIE!!!!!
I am hoping to be able to do a little socializing. My man Jay Hammet will be in town and Maggie Blanchard and Dave Follensbee will be around too. Then, of course, DJ Lopez may come in on Saturday...so there should be some fun to be had!!

Big shout out to Big Bill Wilmore down in Hollywood, FLORIDA!!!! He is getting down to it for his pro debut. I know he is working hard and will be big and bad in DENVER!! Go BILL!!

So all
That is it for now
have a great weekend and I will check in when I can
Ciao
C

Carla's Online Web Journal
Good FRIDAY all!

It's a gray, rainy Friday here in the Northest...but at least it's FRIDAY!!!!!!

I have had a VERY SORE week!!! I amnot sure why but my muscle's are really rebelling against my hard training this week. I managed to squeak out a quad workout yesterday but in all honesty I had to go a little easy. I did smith machine squates with only 140 at teh most, 5 sets of extentions and 3 sets of walking lunges. I was lucky I got that done, I was so sore from the rest of the week! I had gone to kickboxing and Sensi Black Tiger kicked my butt on Wed!!! I am not sure what's up but my body is telling me to rest...now the question is...Do I listen to it?
I started taking my vitamin pak daily so maybe that will help with the recovery?




This weekend I am off to worksome demos at area GNC's for Vyotech!! I am excited to be representing this company and look forward to getting these demos off the ground!!

So other than all this B______ things are good and busy!!! The April newsletter should be out soon so if you haven't signed up for it, please do...if you have signed up for it and aren't getting it please let me know so my Web guy can fix that!!!


Have some down time for me this weekend guys!
Ciao
C

Carla's Online Web Journal

HAPPY MONDAY!

I can't believe a whole week has passed since I last blogged! Last week just blurred by. I had a friend visiting which was different but nice and I worked pretty hard in between the visiting!

I just got back from my "girl's reunion" weekend. 9 of us from college get together once a year in a different location and "catch up"! This year we met in Mystic, CT for the weekend. We got spa treatments at "Relax" in downtown Mystic, shopped in the little Main St. area and the Old Mystik Village during the day. Our evening was spent at the Mohegan Sun Casino. I had never been there but it was definately like being in Vegas! The casino itself was beautiful and deinatley fitted the American Indian theme. We shopped (using our "coupons"), drank, gambled (no one won more than $10!), etc.. We saw David Cassidy performing at the Wolf Den (imagine that, right out of the Partridge family, how age appropriate!). He looked better now than he did then (he had gotten rid of the bad shag haircut from the 70's!). We also ate a wonderful dinner at Tuscany and drinks at the martini bar int he sky!! It was really pretty cool. There was a shop that was in a salt water aquarium. We had a good time. Several"cosmos" later we took the shuttle bus back to our hotel and it was after 1 am! (These girls never stay up past 11pm!) Since we stayed out late and lost an hour to daylight savings time we were pretty tired yesterday! I was fortunate enough to have ridden with Lizzi(my roomate from all 4 years of college). It was great visiting with her in the car. It's hard to believe her oldest is graduating from high school and going off to college (there is no way I am that old, really!!!!)
What's weird about these weekends is seeing how life has changed for me and them. I am the only one who isn't married with kids. This used to bother me but this year I felt OK with that. I feel like I am missing out not having children but this year I feel like (finally!) maybe I have a different calling? Who knows? It's hard to hear about the different life turns that some are going through. It just reminds me of one thing....life is totally unexpected, we can only 'control' so much and "make things happen" so much and then we have to just be cognizant of what LIFE presents to us and "roll with it!".

so this week, hitting the training hard, back to kick boxing and back with the "structured eating". I had sent pictures off to Tim last week and he just wants me to hit shoulders hard and isolate them to cap them more. he was happy with my balance and suggested I just get back to the sturctured eating (stop skipping meals).
I have to meet with the photographer from the paper today. I was interviewed last week and the reported actually called Tim as well? I wonder if the story will actually get in the paper? There is another reporter that wants to interview me too!?

This weekend I start my demo work for Vyotech! I set up 3 demos and look forward to working some more into the schedule. I'll be in Auburn, Enfield and Holyoke this weekend!

I need to gt my newsletter out this week as well!!
So all in all, that is it guys!

Hope everyone has had a relaxing wekeend full of sunshine!!

Ciao
C