Carla's Online Web Journal

I have been trying to blog since last weekend from Teen/Masters Nats but it kept getting kicked out??? I guess it is working now however I lost tons of material.

Just a quick recap: Congrats to my boy Alberto taking a 3rd in his first National level show and to Shelly (4th) and Debbie (1st). They all are champions and looked fantastic!! E had a blast hanign out together in Pittsburg; training with BOUNCE and hanging out with Big bill, Jennifer, Krissy Murrell, GeneX among others. Met new people from Mayehm; Gerry T, Meredith, AJ Simms and Chris Rice (colliegent champ. Visited with Dena Westerfield, Colette Nelson and Dave Palumbo. It exciting to see the girls getting ready for Europa and then we will all be on stage together. Lots of fun in Pitts..looking forward to Vegas and my birhtday!

Which leads me into....I leave tomorrow for Vegas for the USA's. Nicki will be driving in with Dave andmeetingme there. She has been gone since the 19th and is loving AZ!!! So happy for her. I have a feeling it will be a whirlwind of excitement there. We work our regualr Protan gig and will be trying to party a bit as it is OUR birthday! We are going to see "O" by Cirque Deli Solie on Sunday night. Hoepflly get some pool time in on Sunday and Monday. Lana gets in on Friday and will hang with us the rest of the time. It should be a blast.I am really looking forward to it. I will see Tim and Brandie as she is ocmpeting but it will be great to see them in person!! I always love to see them. Of course all this will go down with me still doing my cardios, training an ddieting (unless I get a cheat!!).
I will be 8 weeks out for Atlantic City! I am really starting to get excited. I am glad I am not doing the Europa..too much pressure with all the travel and I want it to be fun. My heart was into debuting in Atlantic City!! so I followed my heart! I have gotten such a good reception form the other female pros so far. Probably cuz I am so small I am not a threat. They are really welcoming and cool. Joanna Thomas emailed me today and said that I need to keep myself looking jus tlike I do. She thinks it's the perfect look for FBB. She is bringing her look down to match! She said she would love to stand on the ARnold stage with me...THE ARNOLD STAGE!!!! That is just a crazy thought! She is so cool to say that to me!
I was training legs today and in between sets of squats, my heart was racing. I could feel it pounding in my chest and my muscles all felt tight. I said to myself: "I feel like I am getting ready for a BB show!"> WOW!!!!! Feeling good!
I may have an opportunity to go to the North Americans but I am not sure I want to travel a week out. I won't have to work so it would be an easytrip. My girl Shelly is doing it among others. I guess I will have to see how I feel. God only knows I worked a protan gig one weekout from Masters Nats and won the whole thing.
Anyway..maynot check in until I get home...have a great weekend everyone!! Holla on the 31st!!!!!
Ciao
c

Carla's Online Web Journal
test

Carla's Online Web Journal

OK...one more day to go and it's off to Pitts for Teens/Masters Nats!!! My boy, Alberto is looking awesome! He will definately do some damage although there will be lots of competition at this show! He is on target and Trop is doing an awesome job drying him out and keepinghim full!!! I am very excited to see him up onstage with AJ Simms and others!!!!

I tried to log on last night but couldn't...I had just finished making Shelly's granola and my kitchen was blazing hot!! Of course the temp yesterday didn't help...it must have been over 100 degrees up here in the northeast. It is a much nicer day today, sunny,hot,not as humid. Perfect summer weather!!!

My girl, Nicki, leaves today for 3 weeks in Tucson...the first leg of her move out there to be with her man, Dave Henry!! God, will I miss her!!! I sent out a care package of granola for Dave too! I pray she has good weather as they have had bad storms out there. I will seen her in aweek and a day in Vegas so not too bad!! She is embarking on a whole new life...always my dream...I can at least sit back and live vicariously through her...how scary and exciting!!!
I can't wait to see how this chapter unfolds!!!!

Life is like a novel sometimes...while you are going thorugh it it seems so painful or joyful and then when you look back at it it sometimes just seems sur-real?? It's a wonder that is for sure...living in the moment, enjoying the JOURNEY...taking happiness where you can...not being afraid to take risks...all things I remind myself of daily!!!

Training -wise I am hitting shoulders, hams and quads as PRIORITIES per order of Tim. I have gotten in all my cardios..things are rolling along. There are some moments when I am STARVING and others when I could care less about eating. I went home form work yesterday and laid down to rest and woke up 2 hours later!!!! My body just needs the rest, even more withlow calories...Steve Wennerstrom called my the energizer bunny...NOT!!!!!! Gosh, if I could stay in my bed for a couple days it would feel great!!!

OK - I will check in over weekend as Alberto will have his laptop!!!
Enjoy the sun!
C

Carla's Online Web Journal

Home Crap Home!!!!

Here we are again...MONDAY!!!!! It's a hot, humid, bright summer day in the northeast! The only place to be today is at the BEACH!!!!!!...but I am here at work! Anyway...it was a busy work weekend in NYC at the TEAM UNIVERSE! We worked our butts off (not quite but getting there), had a couple late nights, did cardio and dieted all in between!!
We arrived in NYC on Thursday just in time to check in, do cardio and get to weigh-ins at the host hotel (Millinieum). The beauty of staying at the Embassy Suites is that it is right on Battery Park and a great place for cardio, beautiful gardens, clean walk ways, great scenery, cool breeze off the Hudson and the Lady Liberty watching over!! It really made early morning cardio a lot more pleasant especially after wroking so hard and being so tired!!

Of course we met up with our backstage crew at the host hotel...set things up and hung out selling product. Steve Weinberger and Bev Francis seemed to be somewhat entertained by us and our high energy levels!! They are actually quite funny as well...nice peeps!! The whole NY crew was there which is awesome..Steve Stone and wife Andrea, Yvonne, Arnie, Rob and Kim Klien, Matt and Mark...this stuff definately wouldn't be as much fun without this crew!! So weigh-ins went off without a hitch.
Nicki and I were able to get out to see Rob Lopez Thursday night at his job and enjoy a few laughs!! He's awesome!! Friday found more time at weigh-ins and a little relaxing in the afternoon...nap on a great park bench in the sun and a little sushi lunch before we had to get to work. Friday night was men bodybuilding and womens' pro figure. The pros are awesome...many remembering me from when they were amatuers or the other pro shows I've done Jen Searles and Tara Scotti led the pack. Tara hosted the after party and she called me "Salotti" all weeeknd so I called her "Scotti"! From one goombah to another!!! Jessica Paxon won the show. Michelle Flake, God Bless her, was in a bit of a panic as she wasn't dark enough but we got her all fixed up!!! The men...they were great quality..lots of muscle and great conditioning all around! However there wer only 47 of them.. numbers were low there! Friday night was much more relaxing than Saturday as there were a lot less people to work on!!!

Saturday however was a different story. After my 5:30 am cardio we headed off to the venue to deal with the 147 figure girls, 37 fitness and several female BB. The lines of bedazzeled beauties seemed unending!!!! As NIcki said..."they seem to be multiplying!" WE didn't get out of there until 3 pm. I couldn't wait to hit the bed for an hour rest...need less to say there was no second cardio that day!!! We had to return to the venue for the night show by 6 and ALL the figure girls were brought out at the beginning of the show!! That meant they were ALL in OUR oiling area AT ONCE!!! It was a bit overwhelming for sure!! ALL the girls went first so the poor male BB didn't have us at our freshest!!! Our helpers left after the women were done...thank God they were there for them at least.
I tripped over a backstage light behind the curtain in attempt to make sure all the figure pros had bikini bite...of course there was a huge noise, expediters came running, I burnt my finger holding onto the hot lamp because I didn't want it to drop and break..the girls were hysterical!!!! Oh well...all in a days work, right!?
All this on a couple oz. of chicken every couple hours and 50 grams of carbs all day!!! To be honest, I was so busy and tired I almost didn't even want to eat! But I would be lying if I said I wasn't starving most of the time!!!!! All the Ephedra in the world didn't curb the appetite!
Anyway, after a successful show we headed off to Tara Scotti's after party...DJ Rob Lopez was spinning so we had to go to support eventhough I could have hit the bed and been just fine!!!! I don't think there were as many people there as last year but we eneded up having a great time anyway. JM was on a mission to get as many incriminating pictures as possible so God only knows where those will surface!! We had fun baiting him though!! Besides Jm, Gene was there among a few others snapping pics of the crowd. Some friends from home showed up; Muscle mania pro, Morris Mendez and his friends Junior and Darvon. Angela & Grace who had competed were there as well as numerous other competitors. Wendell Flyodd was there but he left his beautiful sister, Cassandra home. They both had competed and placed third in their classes!! The music was banging and the crowd was happy!!

Sunday saw another beautiful weather day! My cardio was a little slower paced I am afaid, as my feet and legs ached sooo bad and I was still so tired!!!! I did manage to get both my cardios in on Sunday but I hit the bed at home by 8:30 pm!!!
So now back to a 3 day work week to get ready to go to Teen/Masters nats on Thursday!!!'
Hopefully I will be re-rested by then!!
Peace out
C

Carla's Online Web Journal

Happy HUMP day!!!

Yesterday was an overwhleming day for me..I had so much to do at my day job it was ridiculous, train the people after work and train myself, do double cardios and make sure I had all my DIET food for the day. I never got home till after 8:30. The biggest stress was that I had to take mom to the drs. I guess the stress of wondering what he was going to say really was wearing on me! I almost was having anxiety attacks as the day progressed, shortness of breath, couldn't stand being in my own skin...I didn't realize that I was really just scared. Scared that he would say she was worse than she was. It isn't easy seeing your mother deteriorate before your eyes, lose weight, have no energy, become a shell of her previous fiesty self...but after the appointment I felt sooo much better (and so did she). Apparently she has a touch of penumonia. That could be a huge reason why she has been having such difficulty lately but the symptoms weren't the normal ones that we are used to treating on our own! She also admitted to being very depressed and has agreed to go on an antidepressant. Between the O2 medicine (steroids) and the prozac hopefully her appetite will increase and we can get some weight back on her or at least get her strength up!!! I got into the gym after the appointment and trained super intense (hams and bis) for 30 minutes. Ifelt so much better after!!!! I feel like I can go to Team U this weekend and not worry so much!
Today is huid and cloudy..it's supposed to be floodingtype rains today! I have another full day at work and after work an then willb e getting ready to leave for NYC tmorrow. At least this is the last of 3 terribly busy days!!!!! I wihsed I didn't have to work my day job! It would take so much stress off me...besides just the owrk itself , the head trip that goes along with it is too draining. I definately ahv COMPASSION FATIGUE!!!! When it comes to hear everyone's tragedy and excuses it really drags me down. I try very hard to be positive and light but it's full time struggle to do so when you are around people who always feel hopeless..it's almost like a contagious disease that spreads fromthem if you sta;y around them too long!!! Anyway, today is the last of that and then the rest of the week can be POSITIVE AND LGIHT!!!!!!!!

In case I don't get back on a computer while I am gone..have agreat weekend everyone...FIND SOME SUN!
C

Carla's Online Web Journal

Hey all!!

I can't believe it's been a whole week since I blogged!! I have been really busy!!! Mom has been sick and so between the double cardios, full time job and low calories I have beenover to her house daily with treats trying to get her to eat. We celebrated her birthday early last night and I cooked a feast for her...she ate it all. It' s pretty scary seeing your mom deteriorate before your eyes and not have enough energy to care about it! It really has been wearing on me. I just hope she can recover enough to get to Atlantic City to see me compete?

The good news this weekend was that I have finally broken the plateau and have dropped 4 lbs. Weighing in at 118 and feeling sooo much better about how I look!!! By 115 I should be photo shoot ready. I'll tell ya what...it really is motivating to keep it up when you see the results!!

Me and & Nicki traveled to Staten Island on Saturday to work the Kim Klien Empire State BB, Fitness and Figure show. It was a small show but so well run! It's always great to spend time with our friends; Steve, Andrea, Kim, Rob, their parents, Yvonne, Matt, etc.....the whole crew! Rob and Kim are very generous with the staff and get a nice suite where we can relax and have nibbles and drinks in between shows!! The ride home was a bit long and very tiring but I really wanted to get home so I could spend Sunday with my mom!!!

So..this is a short work week but super busy. I work my day job, have two clients on Tuesday and WEd, bring my mom to the dr. and train myself as well as prepare (pack, cook, etc..) for traveling to Team U this weekend to work for Protan. It's gonna fly!
in the meantime...it's beuatiful summer weather...weather that makes you want to be at a beach house , chilling in the sun with a nice tall Mojito~~~~someday!
Ciao
C

Carla's Online Web Journal

It's a beautiful MONDAY!! Totally summertime weather here in the northesast!!! I really wished it could be like this ALL the time! Maybe I wouldn't appreciate it so much if it were?? Everyone I know is at teh beach or "OFF" for the summer!
I have worked all weekend doing demos for Vyotech at area malls, doing house chores, double cardios and dieting my butt off!!! Working today all day at my day job in the office and finally a day off tomorrow!
I am starting to notice a difference in my physique. The doubles and strict diet are paying off. I am glad cuz I would rather coast in than suffer the WHOLE time. I will keep this up in hopes of having a SPLURGE in VEGAS for my birthday weekend! If I am not ready to compete at the Europa I am feeling like I should at least go to support the other women and the show!! One thing at a time....
Not a lot of exciting things going on as I am home but A LOT of domestic settling & organizing and ALONE time. Everything I have been doing this weekend has been alone 9for the most part). After 3 weekends home in a row things should be in order at home so I can take off for 3 weekends in a row and leave a mess in between!! Sometimes I think this life is CRAZY but what else would I be doing, right? Lounging around getting chubby with my friends and family, making excuses for not being in shape, "settling" for a mundance existance? Who knows, for now, this is what I choose to do...stay busy....keep in shape....travel as much as I can!
I am a bit worried though, mom is not feeling well at all. It is difficult for her to walk from one room to the next without feeling faint and having a hard time breathing. The doctor told her that this is the natural progression of her emyphazema. This was a surprise to her eventhough she has already been told this. I hate to see her feel defeated about "fighting" to enjoy life. I am not sure how to make things more interesting for her besides just lounging around the house with her. I feel like it is my responsibility to 'entertain" her. I know that I need to cherish all the time we have left but I also hate to dwell on the outcome!! I want to just help her enjoy life! What life lessons we have to learn along the way...
Hope your life lessons today are light hearted!!
Peace
C