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Archives for January 2013

Coach Alba Helps Motivate via Text Messenging

January 31, 2013 by

Coach Alba Launches Smart Texting Platform Targeting Dieters’ Crucial Moments of Weakness. The program focuses on helping users survive the temptations they often face with a weight-loss plan. Vincent Han is founder and CEO of Coach Alba LLC, a behavioral change company founded in 2010 that builds innovative Web and mobile technologies to help people achieve life-changing goals. He was recently named one of Utah Business magazine’s top 40 business leaders under 40 and is an avid runner.

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PROVO, Utah (January 29, 2013) – Coach Alba, a self-improvement company that specializes in using technology to influence behavior, today announced the public launch of an adaptive and personalized weight loss text message engine.

Through this smart text service, Coach Alba users receive custom messages to help identify and overcome individual “crucial moments” when they are likely to give in to temptation. Powered by a team of behavior modification experts, Coach Alba’s platform uses adaptive texting to learn more about users with every text message, offer increasingly personalized strategy and support, and celebrate users’ progress to help them stick to any weight loss plan they choose to follow.

By focusing on the moments when dieters falter, Coach Alba addresses the reality that four in five diets don’t succeed over the long term, a problem that is largely overlooked by the $20 billion diet industry.

“There are more than 100 million dieters in the U.S., but the lion’s share ultimately fail because they don’t recognize the simple, subtle things that derail them,” said Vincent Han, CEO of Coach Alba. “With Coach Alba, we help users stick with their goals by texting them ideas and words of encouragement before and during crucial moments of temptation or weakness. As we help our users recognize and overcome these moments, they develop greater confidence and get the momentum they absolutely need to achieve longer-lasting results.”

As a text-based service, Coach Alba is available to any cell phone user with SMS capabilities — making it accessible to many more dieters than a mobile app that requires a smartphone and data plan — and the smart text platform is more effective at reaching users during quiet moments of vulnerability. Coach Alba also offers users a more private alternative to virtual weight-loss services that push information to online social networks.

“The decision to use a smart text platform is rooted in our research on affecting lasting change in behavior, and one of our findings is that purely open group dynamics can actually be counterproductive,” added Han. “It’s important to balance getting group support with strictly private interactions that will carry people through the crucial moments that often occur when nobody is around.”

Coach Alba has already had a positive impact on thousands of beta users looking for a way to make sustainable changes in their lives.

“Coach Alba is so simple yet extremely effective,” said platform user Kim René Chinery. “It has taught me to recognize my weak times and is always there to provide a reminder when I need it most. My success has been encouraging and has made me feel so good about myself. How can I fail with such a great team behind me?”

Coach Alba has a free 14-day trial, after which the service costs $5 a month. For more information about Coach Alba and to sign up, visit www.coachalba.com.

Coach Alba is also available to employers with wellness programs.

About Coach Alba
Founded in 2010, Coach Alba is a behavioral change company that builds innovative Web and mobile technologies to help people achieve life-changing goals. Headquartered in Provo, Utah, Coach Alba leverages powerful proprietary research and an adaptive, personalized SMS messaging platform to help users recognize and overcome the day-to-day challenges that keep them from attaining sustainable, positive change in their lives. For more information, visit www.coachalba.com.

About Vincent Han
Vincent Han is founder and CEO of Coach Alba LLC, a behavioral change company founded in 2010 that builds innovative Web and mobile technologies to help people achieve life-changing goals.

Vincent has spent his career successfully starting and building innovative online media-based startups.  Vincent earned his MBA at the MIT Sloan School of Management. During his time at MIT, Vincent was also an Entrepreneur-In-Residence (EIR) at Battery Ventures, one of the premier Venture Capital firms. As an EIR, he co-founded Ruckus Networks, the largest provider of digital media serving the U.S. college market, which served more than 1 billion downloads per month at its peak. Ruckus.com was later acquired by Total Music, a joint venture between Sony Music and Universal.

Following Ruckus, Vincent founded Aha.tv, a company that developed an automated content programming engine millions of online videos. He also served as president of Adswizz, the fastest-growing streaming media ad insertion company in Europe.

Vincent was recently named one of Utah Business magazine’s top 40 business leaders under 40 and is an avid runner.

Filed Under: News & Features Tagged With: , ,

Snow Accelerated Sales in Late December

January 30, 2013 by

Snow Accelerated Sales in Late December
More than 30 supplier brands begin three days of manufacturer meetings adjacent to the 2013 SIA Snow Show

WASHINGTON, DC (January 30, 2013) – SIA Sourcing Snow, a new member-owned trade show dedicated to the supply side of the snow sports industry, began Wednesday at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colo. and will continue until 3 p.m. on Friday, February 1. Sourcing Snow is held concurrently with the 2013 SIA Snow Show (Jan. 31-Feb. 3).

The day started with a luncheon for exhibiting brands, their clients and partner companies and excitement for the three days of business ahead. Sourcing Snow also hosted a group of top journalists for a party before the SIA Pre-Show Snow Fashion & Trends Show held next door.

“I do think the mechanics and set up of the room and the booth are very good­­. It is a great location,” said David Parkes, CEO and president of Concept III. “This is an important way for us to get closer to these people in a different environment than their own showroom and a great opportunity to meet people we may not already know.”

The cost-effective structure of the show and simple set up was a draw for exhibiting suppliers.

“SIA made it easy for us,” said Mary Smith, Duraflex account manager for the eastern United States. “We left the last show we were at and came here, literally bringing our backpack and roller boards- that was it.”

Duraflex wanted to participate in the first year of Sourcing Snow because of the access to manufacturers exhibiting at the 2013 SIA Snow Show.

Smith said, “We wanted to have access to all the companies, especially the new and upcoming companies that we don’t see at the other shows that may only be here. We have had about five different companies that have stopped in to talk and are looking for specific things.”

Conversations about creating a dedicated SIA textile and sourcing show, that is exhibitor owned and operated, began in June of 2012 with the SIA Supplier Task Force.

“Since the beginning, we have been focused on developing a sustainable model for a show that makes sense for sourcing companies and their customers, especially since it is such a busy show season,” said David Ingemie, SIA president. “I think that Sourcing Snow’s first day indicates that we have a successful model with a lot of opportunities for expansion.”

Stay connected to 2013 SIA Snow Show news with the SIA Social Dashboard, with feeds from the SIA Facebook page, SIA’s Latest and @siasnowsports on Twitter. Use #SIA13 to join the Twitter and Instagram dialogues with thousands of industry professionals preparing to converge on Denver, Winter Park Resort and Devil’s Thumb Ranch, Colo., January 31 – February 5 for the Snow Show and On-Snow Demo.

– SIA –

SnowSports Industries America (SIA) is the national not-for-profit, North American member-owned, trade association representing suppliers and service providers of snow sports products with constituents in the retailer, rep and resort communities. Annually producing the SIA Snow Show, the largest snow sports industry trade show, on-snow demo and networking environment globally, SIA delivers invaluable data/research reports including the Snow Sports Market Intelligence Reports, SnowSports RetailTRAKâ„¢ and Executive Market Summary. SIA also produces the Supplier Show, Sourcing Snow, at the SIA Snow Show; learn more at siasnowshow.com/sourcing. SIA is dedicated to growing the industry through consumer initiatives and websites, snowlink.com and wintertrails.org, marketing resources, services and collaborative programs to increase participation and move product. Ford is the official partner of the 2013 SIA Snow Show. For more information, visit snowsports.org. SnowSports Industries America, 8377-B Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102-3587 (Washington, DC Area). Phone: 703-556-9020, Fax: 703-821-8276, Email: SIAmail@snowsports.org.

Filed Under: News & Features, Snow Tagged With: ,

NPC Announce October Athletes of The Month

January 30, 2013 by

Each month, NPC President Jim Manion selects the Athletes of the Month in each of the organization’s seven divisions – Men’s and Women’s Bodybuilding, Figure, Bikini, Fitness and Men’s and Women’s Physique – based on in-person analysis and on the information provided by contest promoters across the country and featured in the NPC News Online Contest Roundups.

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NATIONAL PHYSIQUE COMMITTEE AND GASPARI NUTRITION ANNOUNCE OCTOBER ATHLETES OF THE MONTH

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA (January 30, 2013) – The National Physique Committee and Gaspari Nutrition have named Michael VanLeeuwen, Rene Marven, Corinna Booth, Maura Bouchard, Gerald Pressley, Ginger Martin and Kristine Duba Athletes of the Month for the month of October.

Each month, NPC President Jim Manion selects the Athletes of the Month in each of the organization’s seven divisions – Men’s and Women’s Bodybuilding, Figure, Bikini, Fitness and Men’s and Women’s Physique – based on in-person analysis and on the information provided by contest promoters across the country and featured in the NPC News Online Contest Roundups.

For complete profiles and galleries of the October NPC Athletes of the month, go to www.npcnewsonline.com.

About the October Athletes of the Month:

– Men’s Bodybuilding: Michael VanLeeuwen, 32, competed in his first NPC contest as a teenager in 1999. After a 10-year break, VanLeeuwen returned to the stage this year and won two Overall titles in October at the Dexter Jackson Memphis Classic and the Music City Championships.

– Women’s Bodybuilding: Rene Marven, 26, won the Middleweight division and Overall at the New York Grand Prix, giving her three straight class wins in her first three NPC contests dating back to 2011. In November, Marven kept that streak alive by winning her class and a pro card at the NPC Nationals.

– Figure: Former military police officer Corinna Booth won her class and the Overall at the Ft. Lauderdale Championships. Booth, a single mother and full-time nursing student, also won her pro card this past November at the NPC Nationals.

– Bikini: Brazilian-born Maura Bouchard won her class and the Overall at the Ft. Lauderdale Championships. Bouchard, 25, won Overall titles in four of her six NPC contests since she started competing in 2011.

– Men’s Physique: Gerald Pressley, 32, ran track and field at the University of South Carolina and was an All-American on the Gamecocks 4×400 meter relay team in 2001. Pressley won his class and the Overall at the Texas State Championships in his second Men’s Physique competition.

– Women’s Physique: Ginger Martin’s NPC career started in 2004, and the 43-year-old mother of three competed in both Figure and Women’s Bodybuilding before finally finding a home in the Women’s Physique division last year. In October, Martin won her class and the Overall at the Texas State Championships.

– Fitness: Kristine Duba, 26, took a four-year break from fitness competitions, but returned with a vengeance this year by winning three Overall tittles in two contests, including the Fitness and Figure Overall at the Washington State Championships in October.

Filed Under: NPC Athletes of The Month Tagged With: , ,

“Big Game” Eating Extravaganza with Exercise Equivalents

January 29, 2013 by

Did you know that this weekend’s “Big Game” is the second biggest day of food consumption in the United States? Second only to Thanksgiving. Charles Platkin, PhD, MPH, a professor at the CUNY School of Public Health at Hunter College in New York City and editor of DietDetective.com demonstrates how much you would need to do to burn off typical “Big Game” snacks. For instance, you would have to run 49 football fields to burn off just two handfuls of potato chips or do “the wave” 6480 times to burn off 6 Buffalo Wild Wings Dipped In Ranch.

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“Big Game” Calorie Costs in Exercise
City University of New York School of Public Health at HUNTER College Professor Shows Big Game Activities to Burn off Foods You Just Ate

The Annual 2013 DietDetective.com “Big Game” Eating Extravaganza with Exercise Equivalents

New York, NY (January 29, 2013) – The “Big Game” has become much more than a football game: It’s the second biggest day for food consumption in the United States after Thanksgiving. So, to choose the most splurgeworthy foods, here are the exercise equivalents* for some of your favorite football snacks from Charles Platkin, PhD, MPH, public health advocate, editor of DietDetective.com and Distinguished Lecturer (professor) at the CUNY School of Public Health at HUNTER College. The idea is to use exercise equivalents to provide a reference for calories.

HANDFUL OF PITA CHIPS, EACH WITH ARTICHOKE DIP = RUNNING 141 FOOTBALL FIELDS
Each chip is 13 calories, plus just 1 tablespoon, probably just about a chips worth, of dip is 80 calories.

Diet Pro: Make your own 100 percent whole-wheat pita chips, and use salsa instead of the artichoke dip. There are many different kinds of salsa. They’re good, and they’re only 15 calories per tablespoon.

FOUR (4) DOMINOS STUFFED CHEESY BACON & JALAPENO BREADSTICKS = 193 TOUCHDOWN DANCES IN THE END ZONE
While the stuffed cheese bread is probably very tasty, with all that fat it’s also a calorie killer at 160 calories per piece, or 640 calories for four.

Diet Pro: You can toast 100 percent whole-wheat pita bread with butter spray and Parmesan cheese.

TWO (2) SLICES OF DOMINOS BACON CHEESEBURGER FEAST HAND-TOSSED SPECIALTY PIZZA (16 inches) = 209 MINUTES PERFORMING IN A MARCHING BAND
Pizza AND a cheeseburger what will they think of next? Each slice is 490 calories, but it is hand tossed.

Diet Pro: Try thin-crust pizza, and if you really want to be super healthy, how about getting pizza without the cheese just add your own Parmesan.

HALF (1/2) OF A WHITE CASTLE CRAVE CASE WITH CHEESE = FACE PAINTING 111 WILD FANS
These are sliders with cheese. Each slider is 170 calories. That’s 2,550 calories for 15, but they’re not very large, and there are 30 in a case.

Diet Pro: How about having just one or two? Make your own burgers white meat turkey burgers if you really want to be super healthy, or at the very least very lean ground meat.

THREE (3) SIERRA NEVADA BIGFOOT BEERS = 211 MINUTES OF COACHING FOOTBALL
There are some high-calorie beers out there, and this is one of the highest.

Diet Pro: Unless you love Sierra Nevada and realize the calories, your best bet is a regular beer OR, even better, one of those micro-light beers. The best would be Beck’s Premier Light at only 64 calories per 12-ounce bottle or MGD Light, also 64 calories. Michelob Ultra and Natural Light have 95, or you can go very low with Budweiser Select for 55. Sample a few light beers before the game to see which ones you prefer.

ONE (1) SLOPPY JOE = 59 MINUTES OF CLIMBING THE STADIUM STAIRS
This is a Tex-Mex creation that includes fatty ground beef, sugar, ketchup and even flour. Sloppy Joes have more than 500 calories with the bun (about 150 calories).

Diet Pro: Use lean ground beef and try a low-calorie sauce (without sugar). It will still taste great. Also, add veggies (onions, peppers, broccoli all chopped up) to the meat to lower overall calories and increase health benefits.

SIX (6) TRADITIONAL HAND-SPUN BUFFALO WILD WINGS DIPPED IN RANCH DRESSING = DOING “THE WAVE” 6,480 TIMES
Stand up, wave your hand and be counted 6,480 times. Six wings from Buffalo Wild Wings have 990 calories. Then add about two servings of ranch dressing at 170 calories each for a total of 340 calories. That’s 1,330 calories if you have only a small dip of dressing per wing.

Diet Pro: You can certainly make your own chicken wings. Go skinless and bake instead of deep frying them.

TWO (2) HANDFULS OF CHEETOS JUMBO PUFFS = 30 MINUTES OF PLAYING PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
The only problem is that, according to The Wall Street Journal, there are only about 11 minutes of actual ball playing in a football game. That means you need to play almost three games of professional football to burn off two handfuls of Cheetos. Keep in mind, that’s 320 calories for about 2 ounces yes, only 2 ounces.

Diet Pro: How about making your own popcorn? Sprinkle it with Parmesan cheese and spray it with butter spray.

ONE (1) HANDFUL OF TRAIL MIX = 49 TOUCHDOWN DANCES IN THE END ZONE
Keep in mind, nuts and chocolate have about 160 calories per ounce, which is not bad if you don’t take five handfuls before you’ve even noticed.

Diet Pro: Try having ONLY nuts. Nuts are healthy, but they’re very high in calories, so don’t keep a huge bowl in front of you. And try to eat them one at a time meaning don’t shove an entire handful into your mouth all at once.

BUBBA GUMP JAMBALAYA = 375 MINUTES OF PREPARING, COOKING, SERVING AND CLEANING UP AFTER THE SUPER BOWL PARTY
That’s more than six hours of cooking, preparing and cleaning. Yes, Bubba Gump is a chain, and the Jambalaya has 1,100 calories. Jambalaya is typically made with chicken, shrimp and andouille sausage sauté with peppers, onions, rice and spicy sauce.

Diet Pro: Make a healthy jambalaya with boneless chicken breast and brown rice. Thats the way to go.

OUTBACK BABY BACK RIBS, FULL ORDER = 123 MINUTES OF TEAM PRACTICE AND CONDITIONING
Ribs are fatty, and the sauce is sugary. For the record, Outback Baby Back ribs are 1,156 calories.

Diet Pro: Try making them yourself, and trim all visible fat before and after cooking. Also, instead of coating your ribs with an excessive amount of sauce beforehand, partially cook them loaded with seasonings, brush them lightly with the sauce, and then finish cooking.

FOUR (4) BACON-WRAPPED SMOKIES = 156 MINUTES BEING THE TEAM MASCOT
Little sausages wrapped in bacon popping just four of those in your mouth will cost you 156 minutes of jumping around and acting a bit foolish (the good news is you’ll be wearing a costume). The bacon alone, (without the sausage and brown sugar) is more than 80 calories, for a total of more than 160 calories per appetizer. Four of them go down easy for 640 calories.

Diet Pro: If you need to eat some type of bacon-wrapped hors doeuvres, go with Applegate Farms Organic Hickory Smoked Uncured Turkey Bacon. Its only 35 calories per slice. Hebrew National Beef Franks in a Blanket are 60 calories each.

THREE (3) PEPSIS = 57 MINUTES OF DANCING TO BEYONCE DURING THE SUPER BOWL HALFTIME PERFORMANCE
Each 12-ounce can is 100 calories. So to burn off just three Pepsis you need to dance for more than an hour to a Beyoncé song. Have you heard her music? Have you danced for an hour straight?

Diet Pro: Water, flavored seltzer, unsweetened ice tea there are so many low- or no-calorie drinks.

 

Filed Under: News & Features Tagged With: , , ,

The Incredible Egg Yolk Separator: The Yolkr

January 29, 2013 by

There’s always some “must have” gadget out on the market. Many times these new gizmos are shown on late night infomercials and attempt to convince you that your life will be better with it. More often than not they break or sit in the closet or drawer never being used more than once or twice. We were recently introduced to “The Yolkr”. At first glance it may seem like another infomercial gadgets but after reading their information and watching the video it might make life much easier for a hardbody, especially if you’re like us and eat eggs every day.

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Yolkr: The incredible egg yolk separator.
January 22, 2013 (Auckland, New Zealand)– If you have tried to separate the egg yolk from the egg white you know it can turn out to be a complicated task that will leave you with broken yolks and floating eggshells. But finally, there is a kitchen gadget that will make this process simple and clean. The Yolkrâ„¢ is the next must-have kitchen gadget on the market: it’s an easy, efficient, mess-free way to separate the whites and the yolks.

New Zealand entrepreneur Hamish Dobbie has come up with a simple, novel and incredibly good-looking kitchen accessory for separating egg yolks from egg whites. Made from long lasting non-toxic and free of BPA, PVC and phthalate materials, the Yolkrâ„¢ is aesthetically pleasing without compromising functionality. It’s easy to disassemble and dishwasher safe. The Yolkrâ„¢ is ergonomically designed so that anyone can use the product easily.

Whether you use the Yolkrâ„¢ for baking or to make healthier recipes the Yolkrâ„¢ will definitely change the way you cook. The Yolkrâ„¢ designed with both the occasional cook and seasoned chef in mind is strong enough to stand the strenuous use of a commercial kitchen yet beautifully designed to stand on your counter top.

Yolkr™ is live on  Kickstarter and reached its goal within 5 days. It will be live until March 10 and you can still become a backer and get their exclusive rewards on Kickstarter. For £18 you can be one of the first to own a Yolkr™ in your choice of red, black, white, blue, or black before it hits retail. With its estimated delivery for the end of March you wonít have to wait long to start cooking or baking and enjoying your Yolkr™.

About Yolkrâ„¢:
Hamish Dobbie is an entrepreneurial mechanical engineer with a passion for innovation and efficiency. He has experience in product development, project management, manufacturing and food industry plants and processes. He loves innovating and developing ideas.

Darin Bogardus is an industrial designer with 4.5 years experience in; component detail design, 3D modeling, graphic design and print. He is focused on aesthetics, ergonomics and usability.

Visit www.yolkr.com for more information.

Filed Under: News & Features Tagged With: , , , ,

Inspiring Photos: Top 10 Reasons to Get Outside

January 29, 2013 by

The gyms are full with newbies this time of year. If you’re a veteran to the pump house you’ve likely found yourself complaining about one thing or another related to the gym. We offer you ten reasons to stop complaining about your gym problems and get outside. Below are 10 inspiring outdoor images to encourage you to “GET OUT”.

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Feel free to download and share these on facebook, twitter, pinterest and instagram. Use the hashtag #getout when you do and feel free to share your own sayings in the comments below. No excuses, GET OUT!

Filed Under: News & Features, PHOTOS & VIDEOS Tagged With: , , , ,

Soft Tissue Therapy & Active Stretching a Staple for Fitness Pro Bethany Cisternino

January 29, 2013 by

One of the leading ladies in the IFBB Pro Fitness divisions, Bethany Cisternino checks in with and update on how she trains and what she implements to avoid pain. She says, “there is no secret or magic diet that works for everyone” and no we couldn’t agree more. Bethany is under 5 weeks out from the Fitness International in Columbus, Ohio.

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Bethany Cisternino – 2013 Fitness International Contender
What’s up hardbodies?! I hope you had a productive week. I am within 5 weeks of Fitness International and it’s time to step it up a notch. Weight training and routine training definitely get more intense and there is no room for self – doubt or excuses.

There is no secret or magic diet that works for everyone. After years of competing and manipulating my diet and training regimen I believe I have a good grip on what works and does not work for me. What works for me might not work for anyone else. I do a 12 week prep slowly incorporating cardio, then I add in routine training 6 weeks out, and I weight train hard and heavy all the way through my diet up until the week of my show.

After 18 years of gymnastics, and in my 7th year of fitness, my body cannot handle too much routine training. As I get older my muscles get sore faster, my joints ache more, so I cannot train like I used to. At most I practice my routine 3-4 times a week, most of my conditioning comes from weight training and traditional cardio. While I have learned to train “smarter”, I have also learned there are people that specialize in muscle and joint management who can also help me. I want to be able to walk when I’m 50!

Soft tissue therapy and active stretching have become a staple in my training. Soft tissue therapy is considered a neuromuscular therapy. Soft tissue therapy (STM) techniques are designed to influence musculature, connective tissues, and the nervous system. STM has many benefits (relaxation is one) but for athletes who are constantly stressing their tissues, muscles, and metabolism, STM could be a great path for your body. STM can help muscle function and balance by releasing tension allowing the muscles to relax and regain their strength so muscle pairs work in harmony. STM can also increase blood flow to an area which increases the rate of supply of nutrients and removal of waste and possibly the substances that cause pain.

If you have any questions about soft tissue manipulation, tweet or direct message @Meridian_sports or @Shulim25. David at Meridian Sports has been a huge part of my training and every day health!

Have a “hardbody” week! Message me on twitter @Bfitness80 and help me decide what body part to talk about next week!
For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.

Filed Under: Arnold Classic, Road to The Arnold Tagged With: , , , ,

Fitness Pro Ryall Vasani Road to The Arnold

January 28, 2013 by

Ryall Vasani was born and raised in Canada but now calls Barbados home. She’s working on a new fitness routine for her first trip to the Arnold. Ryall shares how she went from placing last to becoming a top contender in every show she enters. Find out more about hardbody fitness pro, Ryall Vasani.

 

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Ryall Vasani – 2013 Fitness International Contender

Hi Hardbody! It’s Ryall Vasani here bringing you my news as I prep for my first-ever Arnold Classic.

A Little Bit about Me:
I was born and raised in Alberta, Canada but now, this transplanted Canadian girl, call the sandy beaches of Barbados home. In 2007, I competed in my first fitness competition (I was living in Bermuda at the time working as a Dental Hygienist) and won both the Bermuda National Championships and the Central America and Caribbean Championships to qualify for my pro status that same year. And so the dream began!

Reflecting on my 2011 Season:
I had just come off my most exciting season to date. I took 10 months off after 2010 to rest and put on some muscle. My season started in Sept 2011 and I competed in five competitions between that time and December. My results were greater than I had ever imagined…I had finally found the right team of coaches and found my own balance with training to make a difference in where I had been placing in previous years. The highlight was indeed finishing 7th at the 2012 Olympia. It was magic. It was my first competition that I truly soaked up every moment (I am typically a bundle of nerves!) and enjoyed the actual experience of performing. My last competition in Miami ended on a high note with a win in the physique round and an overall 3rd place finish.

My 2011 season was the first season I realized that I’m not just competing to win, I’m competing because it’s a huge part of the person that I’ve become. The other realization I had last season was how powerful our minds are in helping us to achieve our goals. This was the first year I believed, in my mind, that I could be a champion. Having faith in myself, working harder than I’ve ever worked before and keeping a positive attitude every day (not just at competitions) were key factors for me being the best ‘me’ ever. Win, lose or draw – I showed up with a positive attitude and brought my best. You can’t quit if you lose (I placed last in a competition in 2010) – you’ve got to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and set a plan for the next event.

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My Prep for the 2013 Arnold:
I am beyond excited, honored and so thankful to be competing in the 25th Anniversary Arnold Classic. My preparation is in full swing as I’ve just returned from a productive weekend training session in Miami with my choreographer Renzo. I’m working very hard on a shiny, new routine with improved skills and a lot of energy. I also spent a week in November in Spokane, WA training hand balancing with Steve Atlas. This year I’ve restructured my training to include more skill, endurance and routine work, as this was my weaker area last year. I want people to remember my routines, to see how much fun I’m having up there and for my performance to leave them smiling and saying WOW!

As for my physique, my coach Tad Inoue has my body on track and I’m feeling really well at this time (on days when I get enough sleep!). I was delighted to receive some positive feedback about my physique last season, so now I’m working on fine tuning some areas and bringing an improved package to the stage. This is a really nice change from always needing more muscle and spending 5 days/week on heavy lifting sessions!

My greatest challenge right now is trying to balance my nutrition and fitness consulting business with a full time competition schedule. Some days I feel like a hamster on a wheel and it’s all I can do to hold on. I really love my clients and my work as helping others achieve success has been the greatest part of my success. I never want to give this up, so I’ve had to slow down a bit – I’m not really Wonder Woman! I’m learning what I can handle as I go. I’m also realizing that the illusive word ‘balance’ is very difficult to achieve in this sport. I know my challenges are small compared to many and I keep this in mind every day when I wake up. Attitude is everything!

With less than 5 weeks to go until the big show I couldn’t be more excited. I love to compete and I love pushing myself to be the best I can be every day. I am living my dream. For me I’ve already won!

Thank you so much for reading and for all of your support.

With love AND lunges,
Ryall

Check out Ryall’s website and give her facebook page a “like”. You can see her competition photos on bodybuilding.com. For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.

Photo courtesy of Ryall Vasani.

 

Filed Under: Arnold Classic, Road to The Arnold Tagged With: , , , , ,

Protein Powders Decoded

January 25, 2013 by

If you’ve ever bought a protein powder you’ve probably scratched your head at some point wondering, what the heck is that? When protein powder first hit the market there were few choices and fewer flavors. Now there are a million and one flavor profiles and various types of protein. Men’s Health recently compiled a list of various protein types and broke down what each means.

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This should help you better understand what each protein is and how to read the labels. Visit Bodybuilding.com for more information on what the best protein powder for you.

PROTEIN POWDERS:
Whey: A type of protein in milk. Considered a “fast” protein because it’s quickly broken down into amino acids and absorbed into your bloodstream.

Casein: Another type of milk protein. Because this type is digested more slowly, it’s ideal for providing your body with smaller amounts of protein for a longer period or time—such as between meals or while you sleep.

Soy: If a soy protein is listed as the first or second ingredient, choose another product. Isoflavones, the active compounds in soy, have been shown to raise estrogen levels in men.

Concentrate: Contains slightly more carbohydrates and fat than purer forms, but also contains more health-promoting components. Can be clumpy.

Isolate: A purer form of protein, so it contains less fat and carbohydrate.

Hydrosylate, or hydrolyzed protein: Protein broken down into smaller fractions, so it’s absorbed into your body faster than a concentrate or isolate.

Micellar casein, or isolated casein peptides: Almost pure casein protein. Absorbs slowly into the bloodstream. Can be pricey.

Caseinate: A type of casein protein that is less expensive than micellar casein, but isn’t as pure of a protein.

Milk protein: An ingredient that mirrors milk’s protein composition—80 percent casein, 20 percent whey.

Egg-white protein, or instantized egg albumin: A high-quality protein made from eggs. Good for cooking.

Read more at Men’s Health.

Note, this was published on MEN’s HEALTH some info may not be applicable to women.

 

Filed Under: Supplements, TIPS Tagged With: , ,

Tawna Eubanks vs The Scale: One Day At A Time

January 25, 2013 by

Tawna Eubanks is preparing for her first trip to the Arnold and she’s facing the roller coaster of emotions that often come with preparing for a show. In her latest Hardbody Road to The Arnold, she shares her recent freak out with her scale weight and how it helped her take a second look at everything in her diet. Find out how obsessing with the scale helped Tawna make a needed adjustment to her nutrition plan.

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Tawna Eubanks – 2013 Bikini International Contender
So, this week has been battle of the scales. When I started my prep for the Arnold I was dropping pounds like nobody’s business! Nothing like waking up to a nice low number on that S.O.B… I think most of you would agree with me calling it that. Then out of nowhere, BOOM, up 4 pounds. What the hell?! No matter how many times I’ve done this, how much I know my weight is going to fluctuate. It pisses me off beyond belief! What a let down, I feel so discouraged and frustrated. I have been sticking to my diet, hitting it hard every workout, every cardio session. What could it possibly be? I mean it can’t be just water weight it was 4 pounds not a couple! I started stressing out thinking of all the possibilities, running through every single one of meals down to the ounces, over and over and over again. You can forget me being amped up in the gym; my motivation is well I have none at this point. It’s all I can think about, I was totally letting it take over.

After a day or so of beating myself up, literally obsessing over the number, jumping on the scale after every restroom break, and annoying my poor trainer and boyfriend about how I don’t understand! I was mixing my carbs that I drink during my workout, when I realized I put in a whole scoop. “Whoops, I do half a scoop… OOOOO crap!!!” I had added an additional 25 grams of carbs to the 25 grams I was already supposed to use, so over the course of the week I had almost 300 extra carbs! We changed my diet for a couple of days, and I got after it in the gym and on my cardio. I got back on the scale 2 days later and my weight was lower than it was before the added weight.

OK, so I had a blonde/dieting moment. The moral of the story for me and anyone else who has had the same “catastrophe”, is don’t freak out when the scale sends you a wild card! There are SO many variables that can cause your weight to fluctuate and the only thing you can count on is the fact that it WILL fluctuate. I do have to say though that the scale is a powerful tool when used correctly. Had I not monitored my weight I never would have seen the increase and I never would have figured out the extra carbohydrates I was using in my workout. Use the scale to you advantage and know that it is a “guide” not the end-all-be-all to your success and your progress!

Taking it one day at time,

Tawna Eubanks
Follow Tawna on twitter at @TawnaEubanks and like her Facebook page. Check out her competition photos on Bodybuilding.com.

For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.

Editor’s Note: This is from Tawna directly and she shared what works for her. It may or may not work for you.

 

Filed Under: Road to The Arnold

Siliana Gaspard Photo Gallery: Women of The NPC

January 25, 2013 by

If you’ve visited this site before, you’re familiar with hardbody Texan Siliana Gaspard. Sil currently calls Texas home but 

was born in Bulgaria. She describes herself as freaklishly strong and having witnessed her hitting the weights, she’s on point. Siliana has two Texas State Overall Bikini titles to her competitive resume and has positioned herself as a top contender in the NPC bikini division.

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We’ve teamed up with NPCNEWSonline.com to showcase women of the NPC/IFBB. In this installment, Siliana is the featured Hardbody and you can see from the photos why she’s one to watch.

NPC COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS:
2012 NPC Texas State Championships – 1st
2012 NPC Team Universe Championships – 4th
2011 NPC Texas State Championships – 1st
2011 IFBB North American Championships – 3rd
2011 NPC Europa Super Show, Dallas – 1st
2011 NPC Branch Warren Classic – 2nd

Read our interview with Siliana and check out some of her competition photos.

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Siliana Gaspard – Hardbody

Filed Under: I'M A HARDBODY Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Celebrate National Peanut Butter Day

January 24, 2013 by

National Peanut Butter Day is celebrated on January 24, in the United States. Peanut butter is a staple in most American homes and the average person consumes several pounds per year. The reports of how many pounds vary but it’s safe to assume that many hardbody readers eat more than the average person each year.

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Check out the peanut butter info graphic courtesy of www.culinaryschools.org. Join our conversation on Facebook and share your favorite brand of peanut butter.

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Filed Under: News & Features Tagged With: , , ,

Frenchy’s Protein Crepes Recipe

January 24, 2013 by

One of our favorite hard body women, Swann Cardot aka Frenchy, has put together her favorite protein crepes recipe. Crepes originated in France and who better to share how to perfect a protein version than a fit female from France? That’s why we asked Swann to put on her chef hat and whip us up a batch of these bad boys.

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A crepe is basically a very thing pancake. They’re often filled with a variety of fillings but it’s not necessary. Give this recipe a shot and let us know how they turn out for you.


Frenchy’s Protein Crepes Recipe
– 6 egg whites*
– 1 scoop of protein of your choice, I usually use a basic flavor like vanilla or peanut butter, but you can play around with different flavors or even mix them together.
– 1 cup of water
– Splenda (about 2 Tsp, depending on your taste for sweetness)
– Salt (just a dash)
– Cinnamon, nutmeg (optional)

Blend all the ingredients very well in a mixer.

Cook in a flat pan using PAM cooking spray, butter flavor.

As for topping, I suggest Walden Farms syrups, it’s 0 calories and tastes banging! For those who have less of a sweet taste like me, you can use Butter Spray.
*You can do the exact same thing replacing the egg whites with 1 cup of Muscle Egg.

Enjoy!

You can follow Swann on Twitter, like her Facebook page and visit her new website,www.swanncardot.com.

Filed Under: News & Features, Recipes Tagged With: , , , , , ,

2013 LA Fit Expo Photos

January 24, 2013 by

Another Los Angeles Fit Expo is in the books and it was a packed house on Saturday and Sunday. Check out all the photos from the weekend on and offstage from the LA Fit Expo.

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Filed Under: Behind the Scenes, News & Features Tagged With: , , ,

Five Simple Tips To Stick with Your New Year’s Resolutions

January 23, 2013 by

Back to basics. That’s a theme we all need to revisit and remind ourselves of from time to time. Below you will find five simple tips. Take a minute to read and apply them to your 2013 goals. You’ll have a better chance of following through and achieving them if you follow these five simple tips.

 

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Follow Team Challenge Head Coach Dave McGovern’s Easy Advice
New York, NY (January 23, 2013)  –  Even with the best intentions to get in shape or  drop some weight, statistics show very few new year’s resolutions actually work.  According to Time Magazine, 60% of gym memberships go unused and attendance is usually back to normal by mid-February which indicates resolutions are not being kept.

“I see it every year,” says Team Challenge National Coach Dave McGovern. “People really do want to keep their new year’s resolutions, but they just don’t know how.”

This year, let the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s Team Challenge provide the support and accountability that you need to reach your fitness goals in 2013.  Below are Coach Dave’s top five tips for sticking with your new year’s resolution:

• Create one, specific goal.  Whether it’s to lose a certain amount of weight, to walk or run 5-6 days per week, or to complete a 10k or half-marathon, having a specific goal is a great way to stay focused. Make sure your goals are ambitious, but attainable for you with a bit of hard work and persistence.

• Make small changes and don’t overdo it. The human body is very adaptable, and it’s designed to move. The key to starting a running or walking program is to make gradual changes to your current situation. Start by walking 15-20 minutes 3-4 days per week. Gradually increase the time you walk, and if you want to run, start adding a few minutes of running at a time, interspersed with 2-3 minute walk breaks. Over time increase the duration of the running segments and decrease the time of the recovery walks.

• Track your progress in a training log. It’s a new year. Get a calendar, special book or use an online workout tracker like endomondo.com or mapmyrun.com Record your workouts every day, even if you take the day off.  Track your mileage, how you feel, what you eat, how much you sleep, and anything else that has an effect on your training. Then—and this is important!—go back and read your diary from time to time! If things are going well, continue with the same plan. If you’re going through a bad patch, try to sort out what might be the cause, such as increasing your mileage too quickly, insufficient rest, poor diet, etc.

• Tell others about your goal. When family, friends and co-workers take an interest in your goal and ask how your weekend long run went; do you want to tell them you ran farther than you’ve ever gone before, or that you finished off a bag of donuts while watching the Real Housewives Marathon? Accountability keeps you honest. Social media is a great way to update friends and family of your progress.

• Make it fun! Training with others, varying your training routes, and rewarding yourself after milestone workouts are great ways to make your training more enjoyable.  Finding creative ways to make your workouts fun is the key to sticking to your goal into February and beyond!

“I ran six days a week and followed the Team Challenge training schedule to the letter,” says Regina Orelli.  “I was certainly not a runner when I started, but I stuck with the program and got encouragement from my teammates.  Two summers ago, I completed my first Half Marathon in Kona, Hawaii!  It was a miracle!  Not only that I was able to run 13.1 miles, but that I was in Hawaii and I was 65 pounds lighter!”

About Team Challenge
Team Challenge is the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation’s endurance training and fundraising program. Through Team Challenge, you can run or walk 13.1 miles or train for a triathlon while helping to find a cure for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, two chronic and often debilitating digestive diseases that impact 1.4 million Americans.  In 2013, Choose Your Challenge!  We currently have 10 events scheduled for 2013.  6 domestic half marathons, 2 international half marathons and 2 triathlon events.  From the vineyards of wine country to the beautiful urban backdrop of Chicago, what will your Challenge be?  For more information on Team Challenge, please visit www.ccteamchallenge.org to register today!

Filed Under: TIPS

2013 BodySpace Spokesmodel Results & Photos

January 22, 2013 by

Congratulations to Samantha Leete and Brian Casad on becoming the 2013 Bodybuilding.com BodySpace Spokesmodels. The top five finalists were flown to LA for a chance to represent the Bodyspace community. Samantha and Brian will be on the cover of Iron Man Magazine and appear in a feature spread. They’ll receive global exposure through Bodybuilding.com‘s ad campaigns and featured videos. The duo will also be at the 2013 Arnold Expo in Columbus, Ohio and the 2013 Olympia Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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2013 BodySpace Spokesmodel Results
Women
1. Samantha Leete
2. Karina Baymiller
3. Jesse Hilgenberg
4. Rachelle DeJean
5. Tabitha Klausen-Leandri

Men
1. Brian Casad
2. Christian Talactac
3. Lawrence Ballenger
4. Zane Hadzick
5. Abel Albonetti

View All Pics from this Contest Here!

Previous Bodyspace Spokesmodel Winners:
2012 – Craig Capurso & Laura Bailey
2011 – Steve Cook & Jennifer Rankin
2010 – Ben Booker & Jaquelyn Roberts
2009 – Sean Harley & Allison Ethier

Photo via Bodybuilding.com

Filed Under: News & Features Tagged With: , , ,

2013 NPC Iron Man Naturally Photos

January 22, 2013 by

The 2013 NPC season has officially started. The 2013 NPC Iron Man Naturally took place in Los Angeles, California over the weekend. The competition was held in conjunction with the LA Fit Expo and an opportunity to be seen by thousands in attendance.

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Ron Avidan was in attendance and captured all the action for bodybuilding.com. View all the photos here.

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Big trophies and Big smiles on stage at the IM Naturally.

 

Filed Under: IFBB & NPC Tagged With: , , , , ,

ESPN Secures Global Sponsors X Games

January 21, 2013 by

As X Games Aspen kicks off this week, ESPN announces it has secured four global sponsors who will participate in the property’s global expansion, which includes a six-event schedule in 2013.

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ESPN’s X Games Announces First Global Sponsors, Local Activations for X Games Aspen

As X Games Aspen kicks off this week, ESPN announces it has secured four global sponsors who will participate in the property’s global expansion, which includes a six-event schedule in 2013. GoPro, Red Bull, Jeep and Ford will have a presence across X Games events in Aspen, Colorado; Tignes, France; Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil; Munich, Germany; Barcelona, Spain and Los Angeles, California.  Jeep and Ford will share the automotive category, with Jeep having a presence in the winter events and Ford participating in summer events. America’s Navy is also an official X Games partner and will have a presence in Aspen and Los Angeles as well as within the Global X Games telecasts in the US.

In addition to the Global sponsors, X Games Aspen has secured several sponsors who will participate on a local level.  Those include: Office Depot, The North Face, Repreve, Loctite, OtterBox, Yoplait and Monster Cable.

Robust sponsor activations accompany global sponsor commitments including but not limited to: rights to all official X Games marks and logos, entitlements, and prominent positions across all X Games cultural elements.  Global partners will have a presence across all events, including generous on course and event signage as well as tickets and VIP hospitality experiences on site.  Additionally, global sponsors will be incorporated into comprehensive X Games media plans that will run across ESPN’s TV, Digital, Print and radio entities.

At X Games Aspen, Jeep will be the entitlement sponsor of the Slopestyle course, which will incorporate two Jeep vehicles.  Red Bull will execute several brand integrations on site including unique course branding, photo booths and athlete autograph signings.  In addition to entitling the GoPro Snowmobile Best Trick event, GoPro cameras will provide “Course Preview” features that take viewers through many of the courses via GoPro cameras.  America’s Navy will feature fan pull-up challenges, with the winners walking away with a new snowboard, and will activate via social media tied to the America’s Navy Snowboard Big Air event.  Additionally, Repreve, a registered trademark of Unifi, Inc.and proud recycling sponsor of the games, will provide recycling stations throughout the venue and Office Depot will host a branded interactive lounge for spectators.

The X Games Aspen telecast will feature athlete vignettes tied to Red Bull and The North Face athletes. Athlete produced GoPro segments will be integrated into the coverage.

In May, ESPN announced it would be expanding the X Games to Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil; Munich, Germany and Barcelona, Spain – joining X Games Aspen, Los Angeles and Tignes taking the premier action sports event global.

ESPN will present X Games Aspen 2013 from January 24 – 27 bringing all the action back to Buttermilk Mountain for a 12th consecutive year.  Celebrating 17 years of the winter version of X Games, this year’s competition will feature more than 200 athletes competing for medals and prize money in the sports of Ski, Snowboard and Snowmobile.  ESPN and ABC will combine to televise 20 hours of live X Games Aspen competition in high definition. In addition, the Worldwide Leader in Action Sports will present all the X Games action on ESPN 3D.

The full list of first wave athletes invited to compete at X Games Aspen 2013 is available at www.xgames.com.

News Release via: ESPN.com

Filed Under: News & Features

X Games Aspen 2013 Coverage on ABC

January 21, 2013 by

The Aspen X Games kick off this week and we’re stoked to be watching some of the events live and in person. If you’re not able to attend this awesome event, don’t worry you can catch it online and on TV. ESPN will be producing hours of content online and on ABC.

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All Live Content Distributed on ESPN 3D and WatchESPN
A wide offering of X Games Aspen 2013 content will be simultaneously distributed across multiple broadcast and digital platforms January 24-27 live from Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen. X Games content will be available via television, smartphones, tablets and online through digital and social network platforms. By enhancing and adding dimension to the X Games viewing experience, fans will have the opportunity to watch all the action, get an inside look at the event, and establish a two-way conversation with ESPN, athletes and other viewers.

“With X Games Aspen officially kicking off the global expansion, ESPN will provide fans around the world with a chance to experience the X Games – with both enhanced broadcast and digital options,” said Scott Guglielmino, senior vice president, programming and X Games. “In 2013, ESPN will produce and distribute more than 150 total hours of coverage of these 6 X Games events, supplemented with rich digital content, and Aspen is the perfect way to kick it off.”

Television
X Games Aspen 2013 will feature the return of live coverage on ABC, as well as 20 hours of live X Games Aspen content in high-definition on ESPN, January 24 – 27, 2013 from Aspen, Colo. WatchESPN will stream all 20 hours of coverage as well as three hours of original content and ESPN 3D will telecast all 21.5 hours of live X Games coverage.

New host, Ramona Bruland, will host all 20 hours of the X Games coverage on ESPN and ABC. With more than 10 years of experience in the television industry and two Heartland Emmy nominations, Ramona has been seen on TV screens across Australia, Europe and the USA covering action sports, lifestyle, arts and culture, luxury and travel on multiple networks.

A prominent collection of action sports legends will join Bruland on the air. The full ESPN telecast team is listed here:

• Kevin Pearce – Snowboard Analyst
• Chris Burandt – Snowmobile Analyst
• Keir Dillon – Snowboard Play-by-Play
• Mike Douglas – Ski Analyst
• Chris Ernst – Ski Play-by-Play
• Tes Sewell – Snowmobile Play-by-Play
• Alyssa Roenigk – Reporter
• Jamie Little – Reporter
• Jordan Whitley – Reporter

*For the full telecast schedule please check your local listings, or visit www.xgames.com.

International
In addition to all of the content on ESPN’s U.S.-based media platforms, X Games Aspen will be televised in 184 countries and territories to more than 430.6 million homes, including live coverage in Africa, Brazil, Canada, Central America, Europe, Middle East and South America. 21.5 live hours of the event will also be simulcast on ESPN’s international broadband platforms in 16 countries across Australia, Europe and Latin America.

ESPN will produce 10 one-hour syndication shows for networks to air following the event.

Digital

XGames.com – The newly redesigned XGames.com will provide comprehensive onsite coverage from Aspen including an all new, enhanced second screen experience, X Cast. With live results, near-real-time “leader board” video of competition runs, game-cast elements like TrickTrack (which graphically captures trick data in real time) and Hypemeter (a worldwide applause meter that measures, scores and displays the collective excitement around X Games at any time), X Cast in 2013 will be the most interactive second screen web experience X Games has seen to date. Additionally, the new site will feature personalized and “Pop-Up”-style video (around daily and event highlights, medal runs and features) and the Scene, the all-new lifestyle section of XGames.com, covering the films, music and style elements happening on the ground in Aspen. ESPN.com’s Wayne Drehs will also be onsite writing enterprise features around marquee events and athletes of the event, and full-bleed photo galleries will be shot by the best creative talent in the action sports industry.

The new and improved X Games app – The app, which it compatible with iPhone, iPad and Android, puts the world’s premier action sports event right at your fingertips, making it easier than ever to watch highlights, view schedules, track scores and keep up with the top names and hottest news coming out of Aspen. Use the app while watching the TV broadcast to take full advantage of TrickTrack, then fire up the interactive HypeMeter and virtually “cheer” for your favorite moments using your device and quick hands. With streaming music content and deep links to every live competition on WatchESPN, this free app is a must-have for X Games fans everywhere.

XGames.com/realsnow – Eight invited snowboarders will submit a one-minute video with a maximum of eight tricks to be judged by a committee of well-respected snowboarding industry professionals.  A first place prize of $50,000 will be awarded to the winner, as well as gold, silver and bronze medals for the top 3 finishers. Fans will also have a chance to view and vote on their favorite video in a tournament-style bracket with the fan favorite winning $10,000. Visit XGames.com/realsnow to view videos and vote for your favorite athlete.

Inside X – As increasing numbers of fans now watch live sporting events on television, while concurrently connected to the internet, Inside X will offer viewers a look at everything happening on and off-site during X Games Aspen. Through on-demand clips, Inside X  will feature a variety of event highlights and expert analysis, behind-the-scenes access, athlete and fan interviews, and an inside look at X Games Music, Film and Style cultural elements from Aspen, Colorado.

Inside X will be available in the scene section of Xgames.com, Xgames.com/Scene, throughout the duration of the event.

Live Music Webcasts – X Games Music Presents will feature a variety of on-site and off-site concerts throughout X Games Aspen featuring two live webcasts from the X Fest Stage on Buttermilk Mountain. Calvin Harris and Major Lazer will be performing on Saturday and Sunday, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. MT and 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. MT, respectively. The live music webcast will be distributed on XGames.com, the X Game Facebook page, and the X Games Livestream Channel.

Facebook – X Games on Facebook will feature exclusive video, photo galleries, X Games Aspen Moment of the Day and behind the scenes content posted daily along with telecast and event information. The X Games Facebook page currently has more than 3.9MM fans. Join X Games on Facebook at Facebook.com/XGames

Twitter – ESPN X Games’ Twitter feed will featureinstant event updates, results, tweet to vote for the Big Air competitions and a behind-the-scenes look at X Games Aspen. Have something to say? Join the conversation using #XGAMES or @XGames in your tweet and follow us on the official X Games Twitter page at Twitter.com/XGames

Google + — X Games on Google+ includes exclusive athlete Hangouts, video, photo galleries and behind the scenes look at X Games Aspen along with telecast and event information. For all info visit: Google.com/+xgames

ESPN3 – ESPN3 will stream three hours of exclusive live coverage from X Games Aspen 2013.

WatchESPN – Fans will also be able to watch live coverage of every event on ESPN through their computers, smartphones or tablets via WatchESPN.  WatchESPN delivers live access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN3 and ESPN Buzzer Beater/Goal Line on PCs, smartphones and tablets to fans who receive ESPN’s linear networks as part of their video subscription from Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Verizon FiOS TV or Comcast Xfinity TV.

ESPN MobileTV – will provide 18 hours of live event coverage. Daily highlights and discipline highlights will be offered On Demand.

Music

The X Games Aspen telecast will feature music from Calvin Harris, Major Lazer and Green Day and many more.

iTunes will be promoting a splash page available at www.itunes.com/xgames for everything X Games past and present. The splash page will feature video content, podcasts, apps, films and music. Sony, Microsoft, and Amazon will also have all daily highlights and discipline highlights from X Games Aspen available for purchase.

News Release & logo via Espn.com

 

Filed Under: News & Features, Snow Tagged With: , , , ,

No Excuses: Trish Warren’s Baby Weighted Workouts

January 21, 2013 by

Hardbody Mom, Trish Warren checks in with an update on her Fitness International preparation at the half-way mark. Trish has an active 11 month old daughter, Faith, that keeps her busy along with running a business, being a wife and preparing for her return to the stage. The Texas Fitness Star also shares some fun photos of how she includes her daughter in her workouts. Check out Trish’s Hardbody Road to The Arnold.

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Trish Warren – 2013 Fitness International Contender

The half-way mark is here! With only 6 weeks to go, I am feeling good about my progression to date. I am a little nervous to see where I end up placing after sitting last year out. I am fully aware of my competition, and I know that I have to bring my “A” game to keep up with their awesomeness! This is a challenge that I have accepted, and am working way harder than normal to be fully prepared. I take every second of my training seriously and have really thought outside the box as far as routine to bring a unique performance that fits my personality. I am working with my good friends Audrey Steinle and Amanda Morris to help me step out of my comfort zone and try something new. I am also working with Sheilahe Brown who helps me take what Audrey, Amanda and I have come up with to a whole new level. Let’s just say we make the steps, and Sheilahe puts the pep in the steps! I am also a little, scared of Sheilahe who brings her beating stick to every practice! I don’t dare tell her I can’t do something! I know my body doesn’t move like hers, but I sure try to make it look like it does LOL!

 friendsTrish & her friends working out together.

Now that I feel like my routine is shaping up to be the best one I have done, I can focus more on refining my physique. My training is definitely different than in the past. I have decided to bring Faith (my daughter) along with me to the gym. I love the aspect that Faith gets to enjoy her training time too! She get’s so excited when we pull up to the gym. Instead of picking up a 20lb dumbbell to do ball squats or walking lunges, I just pick up Faith! I know most women would have a hard time getting in a good workout with their baby hanging around, but I am lucky that Faith enjoys our training time and makes herself part of the group. Let’s face it, when you are a mom, wife, business owner, and getting ready to compete, sometimes I have to improvise and train at home utilizing Faith as my weight, all the while keeping her entertained. I have learned to become very creative when it comes to training and keeping a curious baby content.

My husband, Branch and I have both learned that a happy baby is a happy home.

Fun workout photos with Trish & Faith.


Now that I have somewhat of a normal routine, and training schedule, I have to figure out a time to fit in my cardio. This has not been an easy thing to do with a very active 11 month old! I have had to resort to late night cardio sessions. I am not thrilled about this but have no other options. Faith usually goes to sleep between 8:30 and 9:00pm, and then I mosey into the garage to finish out my day. If we put her to bed any earlier she will be up at 4:00am, and I am not a morning person! I like to use my cardio time to peruse through my routine sessions and envision how I can make it better!

I end my day with a hot soaking Epson bath, prayer time, and a good night of sleep! I am very thankful for the many blessings the good Lord has given me!

Until Next Time… Love Life and God Bless,

Trish Warren

Check out Trish’s contest photos and competition history. Follow her on twitter @trishwarren and on facebook. For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.

Photos courtesy of Trish Warren for HardbodyNews.

Filed Under: Arnold Classic, Road to The Arnold Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Seven Ways to Find Balance in Your Week with Candice Keene

January 21, 2013 by

Candice Keene is juggling college classes and preparing for the 2013 Figure International. She checks in this week to share her top seven ways to find balance. She shares what works for her and how you can implement them into your daily routine.

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BALANCE
This week demanded extra thought, preparation, and being sure to sticking to my planned schedule. This is where to-do lists are extremely handy! This is the second week of classes so everything is on the up and up. Last week was course overview, add/drop etc. This gave me a little room to run those extra errands that I’ve been meaning to do, or write up a few more game plans to conquer over the next 5/6 weeks, and hustle some ProCakez. I am taking two on-campus classes and two online classes. As much as the online classes seem convenient, they can actually bite the dust if you’re not on top of it! Previous semesters I have crashed and burned with the online courses… thinking, “Oh I’ll do it tomorrow,” or “I’ll catch up the past few weeks this weekend.” Ummmm… NO! Lol ..talk about pulling your hair out! And the closer a show approaches, forget about it!

I started going back to school the same time I started competing, so I’ve been able to juggle and balance it all pretty well..but man, it can be a biotch! Lol 
So, by creating a weekly schedule that you HAVE to be disciplined enough to follow, creating detailed to-do lists (detailed because when you are taking 4 classes, the brain tends to forget a lot especially when the carbs drop lol), and creating a repetitive habitual daily practice, this just makes life a hell of a lot easier. By not stressing as much, you are able to keep your cortisol levels in check, which we all know how detrimental high cortisol levels can be to fat loss!

Also, just as important as external balance is, internal balance is just as important if not more so. If there is internal chaos mentally, spiritually, emotionally… you can never perform optimally in what you are trying to do in your external life. It’s all about BALANCE. 
So to sum up my balance mechanisms and then some, here are my top seven ways to achieve all over homeostasis:

1. Prepare -  Have one day in the week (preferably Sunday) to prepare bulk quantities of food to last through the week.

2. Set aside a quiet hour for you to brainstorm and reflect on what you need to do for the week ahead (school, job, training, misc errands etc). Then create a daily schedule with daily to-do’s within them.

3. Listen to positive audio or read self-help books at least one hour a day to keep your mind in check.

4. Visualize your end goal everyday as a constant reminder to yourself to not slack with your schedule and your to-do’s. Remember, consistency is key.

5. Have a little girl time with the gals. Even if it’s a weekly track workout, you still have that communication and support from your besties.

6. Find time for weekly yoga and massage. These will ensure a calm state of mind.

7. And finally, practice Gratitude.

Have a great booty kicking week everyone!! 
 Until next time!

Xoxo
CK

Follow Candice on twitter at @candicekeene, Instagram @candicekeene and like her facebook page. Check out her competition photos on Bodybuilding.com. For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.

Lead image courtesy of Candice Keene.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Arnold Classic, Road to The Arnold, TIPS

Fiona Harris “No Regrets” – Hardbody Road to The Arnold

January 21, 2013 by

Last year this time, Canadian Fitness Competitor Fiona Harris was preparing for the Arnold Amateur competition. This year, she’ll be heading to Columbus once again however it will be as an IFBB Pro. Fiona made an immediate impact in the top spots in 2012 and went from amateur to Olympia competitor all in her rookie year. She joins us in her journey to the Fitness International. Check out what Fiona has to say in what was a whirlwind rookie year and why she lives by the motto, “no regrets”.

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Fiona Harris, 2013 Fitness International Contender

NO REGRETS
Wow, what a difference a year can make. This time last year I was prepping to compete as an amateur at the Arnold Classic and this year I will step on stage as an IFBB Pro. To say these past 12 months have been a whirlwind would be an understatement. I’ve been extremely blessed and provided with opportunities many competitive fitness/figure athletes would only dream of. Since earning my IFBB pro card at the IFBB World Championship Qualifier in April 2012, it has been an amazing ride of back to back shows taking me to new and amazing places.

One week after earning my pro card, I stepped on stage for my debut at the Pittsburgh Pro Show.  There was definitely some fear and trepidation in joining the pro circuit so quickly, but my coaches had all the confidence in the world in me. And thank goodness they did! I walked away from my first pro show with a 3rd place finish and a bucket full of confidence. Following another 3rd place finish at the Toronto Pro Show in June, I solidified enough points to compete at prestigious Olympia. This had only been a distant dream six months earlier and now I would be having the opportunity to stand on stage with the top fitness competitors in the world.  And what an amazing experience it was.  It truly lived up to my every expectation!

Two weeks following the Olympia, I once again boarded the plane, this time to compete at the Arnold Europe in Madrid, Spain. Having the opportunity to travel to such a beautiful country and compete in the sport I love so much was another fantastic opportunity. As if four shows in six months weren’t enough, I decided to stay the course and compete in two more shows, the Fort Lauderdale Cup and Miami Pro, in order to try and earn points for the 2013 Olympia.  With the new qualifying system, each fitness competitor is anxious to solidify their spot for the coveted event. My approach is to do everything I can possibly do to make that happen, so that if the chips don’t fall in my favor, I can honestly look myself in the eye and know I had no regrets! That is and will continue to always be my philosophy in life – “No Regrets”.  Train as hard as I can, give 110% effort in and out of the gym, show my passion and love for my sport and be proud of what I accomplish each time I step on stage.

Everyone always comments on how hard I train, how much I compete, how dedicated I am to the sport. And they ask me why I put myself through it? My answer is simple – I love it!  It is a privilege to compete with the best in the world in a sport that requires such self-discipline, focus, hard work and athleticism. I am as focused and determined as ever for the upcoming Fitness International.  To be 1 of 10 fitness competitors provided with the opportunity to step onto the Fitness International stage is a privilege in itself.  I plan to continue training as hard as possible to bring the best physique and routine I possibly can, so that I know I can step off that stage at the end of the day and say I had “No Regrets”.

Fiona Harris

Follow Fiona on twitter at @fionaharrisfit, like her Facebook page and visit her website www.fionaharrisfitness.com. Check out Fiona’s competition photos here. For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.

Lead image courtesy of fionaharrisfitness.com

Filed Under: Arnold Classic, Road to The Arnold Tagged With: , , , , ,

Nicole Duncan “Keeping It Real” – Hardbody Road to The Arnold

January 21, 2013 by

Nicole Duncan is a veteran to the Fitness scene and will be making her fourth appearance at the Arnold Sports Festival. She has some of the best gymnastic moves in the IFBB Pro League and is know for her high flying routines. You can always count on Nicole to mix in some dance moves and get the crowd excited with her routines. The former NFL cheerleader joins us en route to the Fitness International. She chats about the Fitness sisterhood, what it’s like to prepare for a show during the winter months and more.

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Nicole Duncan, 2013 Fitness International Contender

Keeping It Real
Nicole Duncan here, checking in from Oxford, GA. I actually grew up here and my neighbors have horses in their yard. There are cows, guard llamas, goats and even chickens at various yards in either direction with in a 5 mile radius. This is home where I was born and raised. Everyone here knows me as the “Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader” but most have no idea what a fitness competitor is. They think Olympics when I say Olympia. I got my pro card in 2006 and have been competing in competitions since 2002.  This will be my 4th appearance at the Arnold and I am truly honored to be representing such a unique and exhilarating division. The fitness girls share a bond like no other. It’s a true sisterhood of hardcore, hardbody women both amateur and pro. You have to be a bad ass to do fitness – I’m just saying.

Prepping for the Arnold is never easy.  My body and health does all sorts of wacky things during the winter months. I can’t recall ever getting ready for this show and not being sick. Oddly enough, embracing that and accepting the challenge has made prep just a little more bearable. I’ve somewhat changed my mindset as well. Six years ago when I started prepping for my first pro show, my only focus was winning. Now, I have quite a few goals in mind that keep me motivated.

1.  Focusing on Being the Best Me – This industry ain’t no joke (pardon my grammar).  If you get so focused on winning it will chew you up and spit you out. There are politics in everything but who cares! When I finish my career as a fitness competitor, no one will remember exactly where I placed and when, but they will remember my routines, how much fun I was back stage & that I hung in there and improved year after year. I started competing because it was fun and allowed me to express myself in a unique and rewarding way. Fitness is the fountain of youth. Competing keeps me young & healthy. And if I look like I’m having a blast during my routines, it’s because I AM!

2. Maintaining My Professional Career – Competing can be a full time job. In the past I’ve put everything on the back burner during competition time. I’ve recently been hired to work at a new fitness club in my area plus I continue to coach gymnastics & choreograph routines for fitness competitors. This time I’m working around the clock to keep my business and finances in check, working smarter so that my foundation is set.  It’s right back to work when the show is over. I’m getting older and realizing that I want other things in life too! It’s time to put my big girl panties on and set a foundation for my future.

3. Keeping IFBB Fitness Alive! – I got into this because of competitors like Nicole Rollolazo, Jenn Hendershot and Carol Semple. They had the skill and the personality and totally put on show for the crowd. I hope to encourage other women to go for their dreams and compete in fitness regardless of where the trend may go. I coach young gymnasts, dancers & cheerleaders. I hope that one day they will have this avenue to continue their skills as healthy adults. Fitness has totally shaped my life. I’d be sad if that option wasn’t available for others.

So, there you have it.  It’s been quite a tough week but God is good and I will manage.

Fitfully Yours,
Nicole Duncan

Follow Nicole on twitter at @fitnicinc, like her Facebook page and visit her website www.fitnicole.com. Check out Nicole’s competition photos here. For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.

Filed Under: Arnold Classic, Road to The Arnold Tagged With: , , , ,

Candice Lewis’ Hardbody Road to The Arnold

January 19, 2013 by

Candice Lewis is coming off one of the best years of any IFBB Pro. She made history by winning five shows in 2012, a record that she now shares with Erin Stern and Nicole Wilkins. Candice has her sights set on the Figure International title and working hard in Arizona to reach the top spot. Candice opens up about being a little freaked out and what she’s working on en route to her first trip to the Arnold stage.

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Candice Lewis -  2013 Figure International Contender
My name is Candice Lewis and I am a proud native of Chandler, Arizona. The last few years have been exciting times since the 2011 Jr. Nationals, where I won overall Figure Title. This will be my first trip to The Arnold Classic. It is such an honor and dream come true of mine to be invited to such a prestigious event. The excitement is driving me crazy!

I have been working my butt off from the start of my pro debut in October 2011 to December 2012. I have competed in a total of 10 shows so I’ve been a busy lady. If someone would’ve said “you’re going to diet all year long and like it”, I probably would have complained and confessed that I needed to have my daily fix of froyo and cupcakes to survive. With hard work and having a BIG dream, I’ve  manage to win five pro shows, making history along with Erin Stern and Nicole Wilkins. Wow, freaking amazing!!!! Not many people have the opportunity in their life to achieve their goals and to inspire others. That’s what motivates and drives me.

My Arnold prep is completely different from any other show I’ve done which makes me a little uneasy. Ok-ok, I’m freaking out but in a good way only because I trust my trainer Damian Segovia 120%! He is proven and knows his stuff. The only person that needs work is me. I call this chapter in my show prep, me vs me. The first me is the physical me and she is on point. The second me is my state of mind. She is a work in progress but we’re getting there, slowly but surely, baby steps. I’m looking forward to this prep and being the best I can possibly be. I have to know and believe with all my heart that I will be a contender on the Arnold stage as long as I put in the work! Even after five pro wins, finding my confidence is my biggest challenge but deep down I know that confidence come from hard work, sacrifice and dedication. If I can incorporate this in my prep, I know I will step on stage and look my best and that’s what it’s all about!

Thanks for reading. In my Arnold voice “I’ll be back!”… Next week

Candice Lewis

Follow Candice on twitter @icandylewis and become a fan on Facebook. Check out some of her contest photos here. For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.

 

Filed Under: Arnold Classic, Road to The Arnold Tagged With: , , , , ,

Meal Preparation Tips from Fit Mom Yeshaira Robles

January 19, 2013 by

Yeshaira Robles shares her tips to preparing meals and making sure she stays on track with her busy schedule. Check out what her day is like with work, working out, being a mom and preparing for the Bikini International. Yeshaira also shares some fun photos of herself with Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler. You can’t help but cheer for her every time you see her smile.

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Yeshaira Robles, 2013 Bikini International Contender

Wow what a week!! My body is starting to feel back to normal, I love all the sore muscles. I trained every day last week Sun-Thurs Holllaaa. I did my cardio and kept my food semi-clean. It usually takes me a week to get back in action, so by the 2nd week its on. I’m starting to have the crazy competition dreams: no tanner on, my hair a mess, missing my shoes etc Ha.

I like to prepare all my meals for the week on my day off, that way I don’t have to worry about getting a meal in when I have a busy schedule. My suggestions to you guys is to cook everything in one shot: chicken, fish, sweet potatoes, rice etc.

• Weigh them out and put them in small baggies
• Take your meals for each day and put them in a large freezer bag and freeze them
• The night before take out one bag and put in the refrigerator, that way it thaws out over-night

I always cook my breakfast in the morning :)  (can’t eat frozen eggs and oatmeal lol)

This is how I start my day when I’m not working:
* morning cardio on an empty stomach.
* breakfast and get my daughter ready for school.
* back home to sleep for 2 hours
* eat my 2nd meal
* gym time weights and 2nd cardio
* house duties and answer emails
* pick my daughter up from school. We always go for ice cream or a cupcake. (if I’m dieting I don’t have any, If I’m not dieting I do)
* homework, playtime, dinner and movie of choice then bed time for her
* my alone time, I like to watch TV

Every day it changes around because I also work full-time.

yeshaira2Yeshaira with Mr. Olympia, Jay Cutler while pregnant & after getting her abs back.

 

Last week I wrote about how I gained 67 pounds during my pregnancy. I was huge.  I was determined to go back to my normal weight it didn’t happen as fast as I thought it would, but I made sure that I was consistent each day. Some moms out there find it difficult to drop weight and it all comes from within. You have to want it. People called it baby weight, no it wasn’t baby weight because the baby came out and I was still heavy!

If there are any new moms out there reading this never give up! Trust me, anything is possible, and I’ve made so many of my dreams come true. I’m sure you can too..Always remember that it’s not going to happen overnight, in a week or in a month. But it will Happen!

Ladies feel free to email me if you have any questions 🙂 yeshaira@gmail.com.

Until Next Time,

Train hard and Rock on!

Follow Yeshaira on twitter at @yeshaira and like her Facebook page. For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.

 

Filed Under: Arnold Classic, Road to The Arnold, TIPS Tagged With: , , , , ,

Candice “Trini” John’s Road To The Arnold

January 19, 2013 by

Candice John joins us in her journey to the 2013 Figure International. Candice has steadily risen in the pro league ranks and has positioned herself to be a contender in her first Arnold appearance. She’s the first IFBB Figure Pro from the Caribbean and had to make her own path to the top. Candice hasn’t always been in the top spots though. She shares how she found her inner confidence and writing down goals has helped her take things to another level

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Candice John – 2013 Fitgure International Contender

Hi Hardbody readers, my name is Candice John, better known on the competitive circuit as “Trini”. I’m from the Caribbean island of Trinidad and I’ve been competing as an IFBB pro figure athlete for 7 years. This will be my very first time competing at the Arnold, so it seems fitting that my topic of discussion is ‘Allow Yourself to Dream’. It sounds cliche, right?? Well, I am living proof that one must dream big and set goals, even if they might sound crazy to others. I got my IFBB pro card from the Caribbean and Central-American Championship. As the first IFBB figure pro from the Caribbean, there was no road map for me to follow.

Let’s just say I had a very challenging start to my pro career. It was only within the last couple years that I began to understand what it really took to compete on this level.

Believe
Last year was a great competitive season for me. Three years ago, I wrote down two goals. One was to win a pro show and the other was to get a placing at the Olympia. Do you know what was extra special about my first pro win? Two years earlier I competed at the same show, the Pittsburgh Pro, and did not place. Yup, those two letters (NP), short for “not placed”, were placed next to my name at the bottom of the list of competitors who actually got a numerical placing. I felt like I got a one way ticket to an emotional abyss. I felt extremely disappointed. I was so confused. My biggest question was, “why should I continue if I’m not good enough to even get a placing at a pro show?” But, there is one thing I can truly say about myself… I have a CRAZY fighter spirit. Seemingly unreachable goals serve as great motivation for me.

Act
In 2012, I knew I wanted an opportunity to compete in the Figure International, so what did I do? I acted as if I was already invited. I had not even sent in my request, but I started prepping as though I had already been selected. Faith and belief in myself were always followed by action. But, to be honest, there is often a time lag before I actually get the ball rolling. I once heard that courage is not the absence of fear, but the management of fear. I had to first get the inner confidence, so I consulted with my coach and she told me “Hell yeah, go for it!”

I have to act on my beliefs in order for my dreams to materialize. In 2010, after my result in Pittsburgh, I re-calibrated my emotions and got crazier. I actually booked a ticket to Las Vegas to compete at the Olympia which I had not even qualified for. It so happened that I failed to qualify for Olympia that year. But, delays are not denials! I eventually qualified in 2011 by placing second at the Toronto Pro Show.

Stay on the grind
I cannot allow myself to be distracted by the noise from naysayers. I know where I’m at, and I’m still not close to where I want to be, but I know I must be the one working while others sleep. It has always been like that for me, at least. A true story is that at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Day, my parents called me to wish me Happy New Year and I was on my stepper training. I knew I wanted to bring in the New Year exactly how I wanted the rest of the year to continue… productive and on my grind. Now mind you, let’s be honest, all this doesn’t guarantee a top placing, but it set a work ethic and spirit inside me that brings me closer to realizing my dreams.

Till next week. See you guys.

Candice “Trini” John

For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.

Filed Under: Arnold Classic, Road to The Arnold Tagged With: , , , ,

Inaugural Arnold Classic Champion Rich Gaspari To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

January 19, 2013 by

Inaugural Champion Rich Gaspari To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
The Arnold Classic will celebrate its 25th Anniversary during the 2013 Arnold Sports Festival by honoring all former past winners of the men’s professional bodybuilding championships named in honor of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the sport’s greatest champion.

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Four-time winner Flex Wheeler, three-time champion Jay Cutler and 2001 champ Ronnie Coleman will headline the former Arnold Classic champions who will return to the Veterans Memorial stage on Saturday, March 2. Also returning will be two-time winners Kevin Levrone, Kai Greene and Branch Warren, inaugural champion Rich Gaspari, and Mike Ashley, Shawn Ray, Vince Taylor, Michael Francois, Nasser El Sonbaty and Victor Martinez.

Rich Gaspari, who won the inaugural Arnold Classic in 1989, will be honored with the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award during the 25th Anniversary Celebration.

Dexter Jackson, who won the Arnold Classic, in 2005, 2006 and 2008, will try to tie Wheeler’s record of four wins at the 2013 Arnold Classic. He is the only former champion in the 2013 field and will be making his 14th appearance in the Arnold Classic.

“We look forward to welcoming all of our great Arnold Classic champions back to Columbus for our 25th Anniversary,” said Jim Lorimer, who co-founded the Arnold Classic with Schwarzenegger in 1989. “The Arnold Classic has grown over the years into one of our sport’s most prestigious events, and was the catalyst for the Arnold Sports Festival – the nation’s largest multi-sport festival.”

Fourteen men have combined to win the previous 24 Arnold Classic titles. Wheeler (four), Cutler (three), Jackson (three), Levrone, Greene and Warren (two each) have accounted for 16 of the 24 titles.

In addition to appearing at the Arnold Classic on Saturday night, all previous Arnold champs will also attend the Arnold Champions & Legends Sunday Morning Showcase on Sunday, March 3 at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. Gov. Schwarzenegger and Arnold Classic, Ms. International, Fitness International, Figure International and Bikini International champions crowned on the weekend will also attend. Bob Cicherello will moderate the program.

The Arnold Classic has grown over the years to include five IFBB Professional League Divisions. In addition the Arnold Classic (professional men’s bodybuilding) and the Ms. International (women’s professional bodybuilding), which also debuted in 1989, the Arnold Classic Weekend also features the Fitness International (founded in 1994), Figure International (2003) and the Bikini International (2011).

The 2013 Arnold Classic and Bikini International Prejudging and Finals will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013 at Veterans Memorial. Ms. International, Fitness International and Bikini International Prejudging and Finals will be held on Friday, March 1, 2013.

The Arnold Classic is the premier event of the Arnold Sports Festival, held annually the first weekend in March in Columbus, Ohio. The Arnold Sports Festival features 18,000 athletes from 80 nations compete in 45 sports and events. Gov. Schwarzenegger attends each year and appears at each event.

2013 Lifetime Achievement Award
Rich Gaspari, who won the inaugural Arnold Classic in 1989, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at Arnold Classic on Saturday, March 2 at Veterans Memorial.

In addition to winning the first Arnold Classic, Gaspari’s past titles also include Mr. America (now known as the NPC Nationals), Mr. Universe, Professional Mr. World and three-time runner-up at the Mr. Olympia.

Over the past 15 years, Gaspari has developed a brand of supplements under the Gaspari Nutrition brand into one of the most formidable and popular lines in the world. Gaspari’s determination and love for the sport of bodybuilding has helped his successfully transition from a competitive bodybuilder into an active CEO who tours the globe teaching fitness to others and supporting the sports of professional and amateur bodybuilding.

The Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2000 to honor the industry’s legends for their contributions to the world of health and fitness. Previous winners include: Joe Weider (2000), Reg Park (2001), Jim Lorimer (2002), Frank Zane (2003), Bill Pearl (2004), Jack LaLanne (2005), Lee Haney (2006), Cory Everson (2007), Ben Weider (2008), Franco Columbu (2009), Sylvester Stallone (2010), Lou Ferrigno (2011) and Robert Kennedy (2012)

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com/arnold or 800-745-3000.

Media Contacts:
Brent LaLonde
Arnold Sports Festival
brent@arnoldexpo.com

614-562-0940

Matt Lorz
Lorz Commnications
mattlorz@rrcol.com
614-443-1877

 

 

Filed Under: Arnold Classic Tagged With: , , ,

2013 Rockstar Bikini Contest

January 19, 2013 by

The 2013 Rockstar Bikini Contest is being held once again and the deadline is quickly approaching. The winner of this competition will receive quite the prize package. See the details below on how to enter and get a chance at being on the cover of a magazine. The event is held in conjunction with the 2013 Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio.

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DETAILS:
The Official World’s Leading Online Bikini Contest of the Arnold Sports Festival, Rock Star Bikini℠ presented by Muscular Development and FitnessRX is looking for the next generation of fitness superstars. This contest has drawn hundreds of competitors from across the world. Each competitor will enter the online contest and submit their photos in a bikini front and back shoot. (Deadline 1/31/2013) Rock Star Bikini Contest℠ will choose 12 finalists, as chosen by its celebrity panel of judges representing entertainment, bodybuilding, and the fan. The winner will be announced at 2013 Arnold Amateur Bikini Championships.

Our team creates winners and provides our superstars with an awesome experience and maximum exposure to over 50,000 media outlets, interviews, magazine covers, press releases, modeling agencies, red carpet events and much more to advance their career.

PRIZES:


Grand Prize – $16,000 Prize Package
Cover of Muscular Development or FitnessRX
Multiple page spread in either magazine
Photo & Lunch w/Arnold Schwarzenegger
Professional Photo Shoot
RSB Swimwear Bikini
Trophy
Keepsake Flowers
Gift Bags
Two VIP Passes to Arnold Party with The Pros
Arnold classic tickets and recognition on stage Saturday night
Limo Access to Private events, Kick off and after parties

Betancourt Nutrition 6 month sponsorship deal for the winner that includes:
• 6 months of free promotions, through pictures & videos provided by athlete, then edited and promoted by us
• $200 wholesale monthly allowance of supplements
• Paid IFBB dues for 1 year- estimated $200
• Advertising Campaign (online & possibly print)
• Free Betancourt gear
• *Possible Booth/Event work (promo work is subject to area)

RIO2LA Clothing Co.
Official $1,000.00 Clothing Sponsor to the Overall Winner!

Runner -Ups
Two VIP Passes to Arnold Party with The Pros
Arnold classic tickets and recognition on stage Saturday night
Limo Access to Private events, Kick off and after parties
RSB Swimwear Tees
Keepsake Flowers
Gift Bags
Opportunity to work as a booth girl at the 2013 Arnold Fitness EXPO

Click here to enter.

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Nicole Nagrani’s 10 Fit Tips For Students

January 18, 2013 by

Champion Bikini Pro, Nicole Nagrani shares a few tips on how she stays in top shape while attending college. Anyone who has attended college knows it’s not easy to eat healthy but it can be done. How does Nicole juggle prepping for a show while attending class, finishing home work, eating all her meals and working out? Find out she avoided the “Freshman 15” and more in her top ten fit tips for students.

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10 FIT TIPS FOR STUDENTS
By Nicole Nagrani

When attending school, things can get really busy when you have to go to class, finish homework, make time for studying, workout, find (healthy) food to eat, and attempt to have a social life. Yes, they say college days are your best days, but the way you treat your body in your adult-forming years can have a huge impact on your future health. Also, by forming good habits early on, you are more likely to continue taking care of yourself as you get older.

I began competing in the NPC as a teen figure competitor when I began college. Initially, my plan wasn’t to compete, but I was just attempting to avoid the “freshman 15” by eating healthy and working out. A lot of students are going out on their own for the first time and don’t really know how to acclimate to the new freedom they are given so they go buck wild with the partying, junk food, and staying up all night. Well, I have a few tips that worked for me that helped me stick to being healthy when I began college.

1. SET GOALS – Before you embark on your fitness journey, make goals for yourself and write them down. You are more likely to achieve what you set out for if you know exactly what you want to accomplish.

2. PRIORITIZE – If you are student, whether you are in high school, college, masters program or any type of educational institution, obviously your studies are most important. Then from there, you need to determine what is most important to you. If working out is really important to you to improve your overall well-being once you lay out all of your tasks on the table, then make sure it actually become a priority!

3. MAKE A SCHEDULE – When planning out your week ahead of time, include your classes, when you would want to workout, what body part you plan on training, when you’d have time to study, and when you’d have time to rest. This way if you follow your schedule you will get everything accomplished that you need.

4. EAT RIGHT – It is definitely not easy to make healthy choices at college, especially if you are on a meal plan. BUT… it is possible! You just have to be conscious about the choices you are making and really attempt to stay away from the garbage. Also, you can always stock up on healthy foods that are easy to grab on the go like tuna, rice cakes, carrots, and so on.

5. GET A WORKOUT PARTNER – It’s easy to let your busy day wear you out and prevent you from hitting the gym. If you have a scheduled workout with a friend you are less likely to stand them up.

6. WORKOUT WITH MUSIC – I can’t even tell you how many times I go into the gym at my University and feel like its social hour. People go there to see friends, talk in between sets, and really just create more distractions for themselves. If you wear headphones, you are less likely to pay attention to the dude trying to interrupt your workout and get your number!

7. DRESS NICE – I am a firm believer in the idea that if you look good, you feel good. Even if I have class at 8 am, I make sure I get up ahead of time to make sure I look cute because it really reflects on my mood. When I look cute it gives me a better attitude to approach my day, and I can better apply myself to whatever I am doing. This also goes for the gym. If you wear sloppy clothes and look like hell, once you start seeing people you know you are going to want to get out of that gym ASAP. Get some cute outfits so you feel comfortable in the gym and want to sport your new attire when you’re working on your fitness!

8. STUDY – When you apply your mind, you actually burn calories. Your brain utilizes a lot of nutrients that you put in your body. So maybe if you think of studying as a second workout, it wont be such a pain to actually get done!

9. GET YOUR FRIENDS INVOLVED – When you are at school and away from home, you really rely on your friends that you make to comfort you. If you’re friends are also interested in working out and eating healthy, then if you all are doing it, it will be much easier. Believe me, I know what its like to be sitting around all of your friends eating pizza and drinking beers while they repeatedly try and get you to join them against your own will. So maybe if they were all on the same page as you, you wouldn’t have such a hard time resisting them.

10. LEARN BALANCE – Nobody said that if you want to eat healthy and workout, that you can’t enjoy some of the indulgences that come with being a student. Every once in a while it’s a good thing to go out and enjoy yourself and maybe have a drink or so. It won’t kill you. Don’t deprive yourself of the experience, but learn how to balance yourself between your fitness goals and college fun.

 

Follow Nicole on twitter at @NicoleNagrani and like her Facebook page. You can watch Nicole compete at the  Arnold Sports Festival where she will attempt to reclaim her title of Bikini International Champion. Cisit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com for more information.

Filed Under: TIPS Tagged With: , , , , ,

Training Video: Erin Stern Bench Dips

January 18, 2013 by

Erin Stern hits the bench weights hard with some added weight. She’s looking on point headed into the 2013 Figure International. Follow her on Facebook en route to her return to the Arnold Stage.

Filed Under: TRAINING, Videos Tagged With: , , ,

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Disclaimer: Reader discretion advised, please consult your physician before beginning any exercise or diet program.