IFBB Bikini Pro and covermodel Amanda Latona checks in with her latest update en route to the Bikini International. Amanda shares five things she’s learned during her contest preparation as an IFBB Pro. The more amusing one being, “My butt has a way of making bikini bottoms look like thongs”. Check out what La La Tona has is up to.
Whats up guys! I am once again writing to let you know how my prep for the Arnold is going. Ahhhhhhhh the Arnold. Still soo excited. I’m very excited for several reasons.
First, hi, it’s the Arnold! I’ve been watching “Pumping Iron” for years!!! Wow that just sounded like a dude… all good… It’s the first ever Bikini International, It’s the first show of the year, it forces us to test our bodies and get into the absolute best shape, It’s right before my birthday,…translation…I can’t EAT on my birthday, it’s a huge weekend that allows us all to come together and the energy is off the hook, (did I just say off the hook?) I swear I’ve NEVER said that in my real life, obviously it comes out in my blog life, which leads to another point of why I am excited, because doing this, especially at this level, it really allows you to learn about your body.
During this prep, and actually my prep as a Pro, I have definitely learned several things about me and my body. Here they are…
1) I love zucchini (so random I know, but I LOVE random things).
2) My butt has a way of making bikini bottoms look like thongs
3) You can get so moody that you may almost cause a breakup in your relationship (and trust me this could be coming from a non-selfish place like…”look, if I were you, I wouldn’t want to be around me right now”) not like I know that or anything…. just ya know I’ve heard.
4) If your body needs a rest day, listen to it and rest, its ok to rest.
5) Balance. Balance is key in sooo many ways. Balance during prep, and balance during the off season as well. (Something I am still trying to master).ok so there are a few things.
I’d just like to say that everythings right on track. I started this journey at 133lbs. That was 3 lbs of reeses obviously. That’s when I took that extra week off to see just how many restaurants I could visit, kinda like Guy on Diners, Drive -Ins and Dives, or at least that’s what I felt like. That was just what I needed to kick me into high gear as I mentioned before that was my 3rd week off, so I needed the week. Needed the week, needed the IHOP, you get the point. Anyway, So here I am at 133, and that’s when I jumped to Kim Oddo, my trainer, my guru, my friend and said ok, I’m ready! I didn’t ease into my diet and training, I dove in! In a week I was at 130lbs. I sat there for I’d say a good week. Ok, I’m not complaining my cardio was super easy, 25 min. 5 days a week, so very easy. I was eating, I was breezy, but I was still 130lbs. I’m saying this because I compete at 124lbs. So, talking to Kim again the next week, we upped my cardio, dropped some carbs and added some moodiness. hahahaha just kidding…or am I? Anyway in 2 days I was at 128, now a week later I’m sitting at 127. So with 6 weeks, I couldn’t be happier with where I am. I like to compete at 123/124. For me that’s where I am lean but still full, as 125 is a little to full and 122 is a little too lean. Yes 1 to 3 lbs. makes a huge difference on me.
I’ve been weight training for years, I adore it, I physically love to lift, so I’ve put on some good muscle throughout the years, so I can look to muscular if I’m to low in my weight. This is something we monitor closely. My training this time around is more about conditioning the lower body and continuing to balance everything out. I absolutely adore my weight training. It’s new and fun and completely different than anything I’ve done before. Its high endurance, very athletic training and forces me to push at every workout which is what I love most. To push myself. So thats whats up with me! =)
I’d just like to say that I love doing this. I love every training session. I love every shoot. I love inspiring others. I love this industry, I love this field. I am amazed by the body, what it does, and how it adapts. I remember starting my Dallas prep and doing cardio on a treadmill at 9.0 incline at 3.0 mph. Now I’m at 15 incline and 3.6 mph. I love that! It excites me to see what the body does. Amazing. I love the people. I love the discipline, I love the goal setting. I love that when the rest of the world is looking for the closest medicine to take to get rid of the slightest pain, our medicine is reaching for the closest weight to cause the soreness that we carry with us pretty much every day. So if your a Professional competitor or your just starting your journey with a goal of competing in your first show, celebrate that your in such a small percentage that has chosen to do what the rest of the world says ” I could never do that, I don’t know how you do it”.
I would also like to say how much I have enjoyed reading the other competitors blogs. I read them all and I love them. I read them here and on Muscleandfitnesshers.com. So if you haven’t yet, go check out the girls blogs there. They’re awesome as well. So thank you ladies! Your blogs are fun, informative and inspirational. Thanks for listening!
Amanda
Follow Amanda on Twitter @AmandaLatona and check out her Facebook page for more on her world.
