Thanks for the support, all of you guys. It really means alot. I hope I can make you all proud in a few weeks.
Hey girl - Every week you are looking better and better! How exciting!!! I hate to make excuses, but I think the sunlight really washed out your lines in your legs....bad angle... Speaking of, we know the legs are the last to come in but I'll bet you we will see a difference next week with them!! Maybe you can get a couple of triple cardios in this week? 
If not, how does Carla feel about one of your cardio sessions being a short burst (30 -40 mins) of interval training?
Geezus...your upper body is looking absolutely UNREAL.... I love you in pink too 
Stay focused this week - you are so close!!!!
xoxo
Michele W.P.
LOL YES, the lighting...bad lighting!!
Thanks so much Michele!
Actually, sunlight is tough for seeing lines and muscle separation, it totally washes you out, esp when it's really direct like that. Oh well. I always say if you can take a good pic like that in sunlight, then you can take a good pic anywhere!
The legs are always the last thing to come in, for sure! I think that I am forgetting how HARD this is and how long it takes to get in contest shape, and am just being impatient lol. I actually think I may be ahead of where I was last year. My back says that I am ahead for sure! So I just have to keep at it, and the legs have to follow. The only thing that worries me is that as my legs tighten up and get smaller, I could compromise some muscle in my upper body, which I don't want to do. But we're just going to keep on pressing on!!
I did talk to Carla yesterday about all of it. I'm at two cardios, 50-60 mins each, and a third cardio any time there is an opportunity (ie never
). The third cardio will be intervals/sprints and a shorter duration, as you suggested Michele, or else I will do more sprints/running for my morning cardio. I'm actually scheduled for a spin class tomorrow at noon with my boss - he's been asking me to go with him for a while during our lunch hour, and it's only Wedsnesdays - so I am going to get the triple in tomorrow, and I may do it next Weds too.
And while it has become clear that I am extremely carb-sensitive, insulin-sensitive, and terribly stimulant-sensitive, we have decided to leave carbs in my diet so that I can get through the adjustment and shed the water I am retaining, and so that we can fill me out a little at the end if necessary. This week, it's only 1/2 cup of brown rice at breakfast and some veggies during the day, but that's better than nothing!
