MY GIRLS!!!

If you are checking my blog for more info, I wanted to post pics from some of my clients over the last couple years. I love "transforming" people thru training AND DIET. If you would like to get started, pls email me at: shellyhoward31@hotmail.com and I'll give you more details. Thank you!

We are back in PA!

Whew! What a whirlwind the last 3 months have been. I competed in the Pacific Muscle Classic, in the fitness division. I was the only one, but it was a great way to end our 4 years in Okinawa. We miss it!

We've almost unpacked every box, and are now living in Mechanicsburg PA. The boys have a GREAT school, we have fabulous neighbors, and i'm on the hunt for a JOB. I've found a small gym on the navy base here, and it's free, so that's my workout space for now.

I have my eye on a show later this year, but still working out the details. Not fitness, just figure. My fitness skills are not good enough to compete in the states.... but I can do 1/4 turns, lol!

8 weeks till SHOW~

This Friday marks 8 weeks out.... and I'M.ON.FIRE! Feeling really good. My diet is so nice. I'm doing Waaaaay more fats AND carbs than I ever have, and am losing each week, with energy to push thru my workouts. It's just the wine I miss.....

The workouts ARE hard. Training for fitness is like no other training I've ever done. It' combines, weight training, plyos, gymnastics, cardio, and balance in a psychotic, fast pace intensity. It takes me 30 min to warm up and prepare to practice my routine. Then, I usually spend 20-30 more minutes, actually going thru the moves. Those 30 min literally kill me. Can barely catch my breath. Have yet to get thru my entire routine all together, pretty :/ But that day will come. The adrenaline you have, onstage, as the music starts, help to carry you thru.

I usually do a second workout on many days, mostly more cardio just to bring myself down overall. And I've had to cut back on my lifting. I do maybe 20 min 4x a week. Mostly back, arms, legs, and some shoulders. My body is sore 24/7 but it definitely gets results.

We will be leaving Okinawa shortly after the show. Just a couple weeks later. I will miss it here. I'm trying to do and see everything we know we'll miss, while training for this show. For some reason, I think it's helping me get thru the tiredness and soreness. Hopefully will post pics this week :)

Photo shoot - Okinawa 2011

My last two shows: 2010 North American fitness, and 2011 USAs in Vegas, Physique

12 weeks out!

12 weeks out from the PACIFIC MUSCLE CLASSIC. there will be a fitness division this year, so I will be one of the wild ones up there, doing a fast paced, strength filled, FUN routine! I competed in fitness at the NOrth Americans 2 years ago, and just didn't feel like I fit. The girls at that level are TOUGH. They can split, flip and jump to places I'll only dream of. But here, I feel I fit. Plus, this is my last show on Okinawa. i want to be up there with my girls!

10 years ago when my husband and I were stationed here the first time, I did fitness at Fosters show. My friend Corry Matthews and I helped MCCS put a fitness division together, to go along with their bodybuilding show. There were only 5 of us, but we had a great time. I ended up taking the show, very exciting!

So 10 years later, I'm going to do it again. At the ripe old age of 42, I'll be back up there "trying" to split, flip and jump higher than ever. I'm ahead of my prep this time, only 7 lbs to go. Training for fitness takes about 3 hours a day: warm up, routine practice, cardio or weights, and stretching after. The shape it gives your body is like nothing else I've ever done. it's exhausting, but worth every drop of sweat.

If you are in Okinawa, mark your calendars for June 3rd!

still here!

Hello my loves! I have been a BAD BAD BLOGGER, huh? It is the end of jan 2012. I am now on a mission..... secretive mission. I have a plan for myself and it wont be easy or pretty.... but i have a new goal for the summer! Physique just put the nail in my NPC career. I was too hard and lean for them, and I refuse to put on more muscle for a bunch of judges. I like the amount of muscle I carry. I am DONE with the NPC but have another interesting organization I like. Please stay tuned and I will promise to keep up with my blogging.

Right now, I'm really having a hard time staying motivated. it's hard to admit this. I dont like telling people about my bad days because I'm the trainer, right? Well, even we have roadbumps and get down on ourselves. I might even call it downright DEPRESSION some days?! Mine started right after my show last summer, when I got home. I have a wonderful group of neighbors who love to drink and be social. So I got caught up with these fantastic women, and started making some bad habits.

Also had an "injury". My elbow was really hurting me all thru my training last summer. So for about 4 months I babied my elbow, but it got really bad about November. I couldn't even brush my teeth or pick up a cup... so after trying all kinds of things... I sucked it up and got a steroid injection in my "tennis" elbow. NOW, seems like the other elbow is starting to hurt, so i'm icing and babying that one. We'll see what happens, but i'm pushing thru.

Feb 1st will be a BIG day for me! I'm committed to drinking only on the weekends, and pushing hard thru my training. Getting back on a scheduled eating program and not missing a workout. My husband left for 3 weeks, but i think it might help me stay tighter to schedules, etc. I'll be hiring a neighbor to babysit 3 evenings a week so I can go to the gym. By the middle of Feb, my head will be RIGHT!

Thanks if you are still out there, lurking at my sorry blogging skills. Hope you are in a good, healthy routine for yourself. it's not easy, but every new morning is a new opportunity to MAKE IT A GREAT DAY and get back to healthy habits!