Home » Archives for February 2013

Archives for February 2013

Hardbody Momma Yeshaira Robles Road To The Arnold

February 15, 2013 by

Yeshaira Robles stops by after being knocked down by the flu. She’s back and ready to rock on with her Arnold prep. Yeshaira fills us in on what she’s been doing and what she was awarded when she made the trip to Daytona to visit her team.

yeshair-arnold

Yeshaira Robles, 2013 Bikini International Contender

Hello Hardbody Nation!!!

Wow So I’m officially 2 weeks out to the Bikini International… I’m really excited and nervous. I’m feeling good though and can’t wait.

Did any of you get sick with the flu?? I did it was horrible 1 whole week of sickness. :/

I’m back to normal now. This past weekend was a great one. I went out to Daytona Beach to teach Super Camp for Team Bombshell. It was a great weekend, all the girls are AMAZING and very Inspiring to each other and me as well. Sometimes I get lazy and I’m so glad I made it to camp because it was definitely something I needed. The girls gave me an extra boost.

I was awarded the 2012 Team Bombshell of the Year by my team. It was a honor to receive this award. Let me share a little something with you guys… in the beginning of 2011 when I joined this amazing team I remember that there was a poll for us to vote for bombshell of the year and I told myself; “I would love my name to be up there one da.” Ladies, it’s never too late to pursue your dreams, remember it’s not coming to you YOU have to go get it.

I received few emails from some lovely ladies asking me how can we loose that lower belly fat after pregnancy I answered them individually but I wanted to share for those who might be curious.

After my pregnancy, I started eating small clean portions every 2-3 hours (grilled chicken, fish, sweet potatoes, egg whites, oatmeal, greens, fruits, brown rice) and incorporating 60 minutes cardio sessions. Eventually when the weight was dropping I still noticed that belly pouch. I started wrapping myself with a neoprene belt and putting albolene (you can purchase it at duane reade) around my stomach during my cardio sessions. I started to see a big difference. I also added 4×50 crunches and 4×50 leg raises. Now they have some great products in the market that you can use like Sweet Sweat, Beauty Bum, and Fat Fader. Some really good stuff.

If you eat bad foods and no cardio etc it will store right in the belly I know cause it happens to me. LOL!

Until next time Stay Fit 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 Tagged With: , ,

Reeva Steenkamp Allegedly Shot Dead By Olympic Star

February 14, 2013 by

Reeva Steenkamp, a 29-year old model was found dead in the home of double-amputee Olympian runner Oscar Pistorius. Pistorius, known as “Blade Runner” for racing with carbon fiber prosthetic blades, was arrested early Thursday morning and charged with murder.  Allegedly, Steenkamp was mistaken as an intruder and shot by Pistorious.

reevasteenkamp

Steenkamp appeared in FMM, numerous advertisements and was the face of AVON cosmetics in South Africa. On Wednesday she tweeted, “What do you have up your sleeve for your love tomorrow??? #getexcited #ValentinesDay”.

Steenkamp was an active user of twitter and recently used her account (@reevasteenkamp) to encourage her thousands of followers to fight sexual abuse.

reeva

“Before you lift a pen or raise your voice to criticise, acknowledge people’s circumstances. You don’t know their struggles. Their journey.”

She re-tweeted a message from singer/songwriter Lindiwe Suttle hours before her death. The message reads, “WEAR BLACK THIS FRIDAY IN SUPPORT AGAINST #RAPE AND WOMAN ABUSE #BLACKFRIDAY”

abuse-tweet

Around the same time frame, she shared an illustration on her instagram account with the message, “I woke up in a happy safe home this morning. Not everyone did. Speak out against the rape of individuals in SA. RIP Anene Booysen. #rape #crime #sayNO”.

violence
Steenkamp often shared her love for healthy living and working out on twitter and instragram. She recently shared a photo of a shake in a popular SmartShake Cup with the tweet, “It’s a beautiful day!Make things happen. Starting my day off with a yummy healthy shake from my boo 🙂 #healthyliving.” Last month she posted an image on instagram of “DROP IT LIKE A SQUAT” with the caption,  “Time to get physical and burn some leftover Xmas ass before my event later. #CosmoSexyMen.”

Follow ESPN.com for ongoing reports related to this story.

Filed Under: News & Features

Jaime Baird Named Fitness RX Women Online Editor-in-Chief

February 14, 2013 by

Congratulations to hardbody Jaime Baird on being named the new online editor-in-chief of FitnessRXwomen.com. Jaime found success on stage in the early stages of the IFBB Bikini division and has shown time and time again she’s more than just a bikini competitor. Jaime’s an inspiration to women whether they compete or not because of what she brings to the table and it has nothing to do with how fit her physique is.

jaime-baird

Jaime has an extensive background in marketing and research and will take those talents to Advanced Research Media, publisher of Fitness RX Women.

NEWS RELEASE:
Jaime is a Top-5 Olympia competitor who’s already demonstrated her talent for writing in the pages of FitnessRx for Women magazine. For the last year, Jaime has worked as a valuable staff writer on our print edition, as she’s conducted interviews with fitness experts and pros, and contributed articles on training secrets, the best supplements and workout programs, tips for sticking to fitness goals, and much more. As part of the FitnessRx team, Jaime has contributed not only her talent for journalism, but also her incredible work ethic, passion, and top-notch organizational skills that will be a valuable asset in her new role as Editor-in-Chief of the website.

Jaime’s vast knowledge of fitness and nutrition is also evidenced by her popular web column, “YOUR BEST,” and FitnessRx training videos. ARM is excited that Jaime will now use her expertise to manage and direct all web content at FitnessRxwomen.com, which is quickly becoming one of the industry’s top sources for fitness content.

FitnessRx for Women Publisher Elyse Blechman says, “The entire team at FitnessRx for Women would like to welcome Fitness champion Jaime Baird as the new Editor-in-Chief of FitnessRxwomen.com. We look forward to her energetic leadership and the creation of even more fantastic content, which you’ve come to expect. We know Jaime will bring FitnessRxwomen.com to the next level. Welcome aboard, Jaime!”

“I’m absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to help take FitnessRx For Women online to the next level,” Jaime says. “It’s an honor to be a part of the industry-leading Advanced Research Media team and a dream come true to have my career reflect my life’s mission: to empower women through fitness. I’m very grateful to the Steve and Elyse Blechman for believing in me and look forward to helping our readers look, feel and live their best.”

A little more on Jaime:
Jaime’s education and career has been in marketing and consumer research with a focus on motivation and emotions. Jaime has a Master’s in Communications and has served such brands as House of Blues, Universal and Nike. She started competing in 2007 as a “fun” outlet and because she says she needed balance. Jaime was working crazy hours, traveling weekly and not taking care of herself, she says. She found that fitness made her a lot more effective in everything that she did. “When I was eating right and training, I felt happier, stronger, more capable and more confident. That is when my passion for fitness grew, and I knew I wanted to help others, especially women, experience the power of fitness,” Jaime says.

News via FitnessRXwomen.com

jaimehb

Filed Under: News & Features Tagged With:

Live Twitter Chat with Nathalia Melo

February 14, 2013 by

Join us in our first LIVE Hardbody News twitter chats. The reigning Bikini Olympia champion, Nathalia Melo will be joining us tonight at 9pm EST live on twitter and answering all of your questions. Nathalia has appeared in numerous fitness magazines like Muscle & Fitness HERS, Fitness RX for Women, FLEX, Muscle & Fitness, Muscular Development and more.

live-twitter-chat
Nathalia is two weeks out from the Arnold Sports’ Bikini International where she will look to add Bikini International Champion to her already impressive competitions resume. The Brazilian bombshell has become one of the most popular competitors and fitness models in the industry. She not only has the looks but her witty sense of humor will leave you laughing for days.

The Hardbody 411:

LIVE Hardbody News Twitter CHAT
Our first Twitter guest is cover model and reigning biknii olympia champion, Nathalia Melo. Nathalia will answer your questions live on twitter.

Nathalia will show her fans some Valentine’s Day love. One lucky person will receive a free autographed photo.

DAY: Thursday, February 14, 2013
TIME: 9pm EST
HASHTAG: #asknat
FOLLOW ON TWITTER: @hardbodynews and @nathaliamelofit

NEW TO TWITTER CHAT?
Do a search for #asknat on Twitter at 9pm EST to view the twitter conversation. ADD #asknat to your tweets so everyone can joi in the conversation and we can see your questions.

Filed Under: News & Features Tagged With: , ,

Valentine’s Day Protein Chocolate Treat Recipes

February 14, 2013 by

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a healthier, protein version of chocolate treats. Try these homemade protein chocolates featured on Bodybuilding.com.  Recipes for Strawberry Protein-Filled Dark Chocolate Bites, Chocolate Protein-Filled Dark Chocolate Cups and Dark Chocolate and Oat Protein Truffles are available for you to try this lovey day.

valentines-treats

 

Check out the recipes from Anna Sward and let us know how they turn out for you.

Ingredients
• 1/4 cup dried mulberries or dates
• 1/4 cup whey protein powder (vanilla or chocolate)
•  1/4 cup water
• 1/8 cup oats (or casein)
• 1 tbsp coconut flour
• 3 squares (30 grams) 100% cocoa dark chocolate.

Directions
• Mix together mulberries, protein powder, water, oats, and coconut flour and roll into 8 balls.
• Melt chocolate.
• Dip each ball into melted chocolate until completely covered.
• Top each truffle with cocoa or coconut and put them in the freezer for 30 minutes.

When the chocolate hardens, you’re done! Share with your sweetheart.

Dark Chocolate and Oat Protein Truffles PDF (439 KB)

Nutrition Facts Serving Size (1) recipe makes 8
Amount per serving
Calories 45
Total Fat 1.3g
Total Carb 2.9g
Protein 4g

Filed Under: News & Features, Recipes

SELF Magazines Redesign & Refocus

February 14, 2013 by

SELF Magazine is one of the most popular women’s fitness magazines today. SELF typically won’t show many hardcore hardbodies inside or on the cover but that’s not what sells the most magazines. All magazines are looking for more subscribers and more readers. The more magazines that are sold, the more advertisers they gain and in turn the more money they make.

self-redesign

SELF magazine’s biggest competitors are SHAPE and Women’s Health. The magazine has shifted it’s focus from exercise and wellness to a more general lifestyle magazine. Readers will see more fashion and beauty features along with a new design to the magazine.

According to Laura McEwen, vice president and publisher of SELF, the magazine’s current reader is a woman in her mid-30’s with a median income of $75,000. The shift in focus is aimed at targeting more of the 18-30 year old demographic. McEwen told the NYtimes, “The magazine is being edited for the women who think in 140 characters.” Referring to the number of characters (140) allowed in a single tweet. Like many other magazines, readers can use their smartphone to scan the pages and shop or view workout videos.

Will the magazine succeed in its attempt to be cool to a younger female reader? Only time will tell but it’s banking on catchier headlines and trendy topics. The magazine and website, which has also been redesigned, focuses on three sections… body, look and life. The web site also features FLASH which focuses on what’s happening now.

SELF, like many other fitness brands, is broadening itself beyond just a print magazine and website. Readers can download their app, interact with a social media game and look for the name to appear on fitness gear and equipment.

selfmagredoNew look to SELF magazine.

Julianne Alexandra Hough is featured on the newest cover of SELF. She’s appeared on the cover before and also featured in a number of other magazines. She’s a professional ballroom dancer, singer and actress. Julianne is a two-time champion of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

Fitness is become a lifestyle for millions of women and that’s hardbody! Read more on the redesign and it’s future on NYtimes.com.

Filed Under: News & Features

Alea Suarez – 7 Tips To ‘Fitting It All In’

February 13, 2013 by

Alea Suarez stops by with two weeks left in her Arnold prep. She shares the challenges of traveling, sick children, managing a business and more. How does she do it all? Check out her tips on fitting it all in and why she says “forget balance”.

alea-arnol


Fitting It All In
By Alea Suarez

Hey Hardbodies! Wow! Prepping for the Arnold has definitely had its challenges for me this past month. I traveled to San Francisco to see family for a birthday party, my youngest son got the H2N3 God awful flu and somehow the rest of the family managed to avoid it, thank God! My business is picking up, which I am grateful for, but a little hard to manage while Hubby had to travel for work for a week and in the height of our oldest son’s basketball season.

People tell me, “I don’t know how you do it all.” Honestly, some days I don’t know either but I do have some competition survival guidelines I try to stick to in order to get it done. Mind you, this HAS to be flexible which is sometimes difficult for me, but here it is:

• Make a L.O.P. (List of Priorities) I write down what HAS to get done that day in order of importance & try my best to knock them out in that order when I have any time.

• Make a POA. (Plan of Action) My schedule is different every day so I go through everyday of the week & make an hour by hour schedule “booking appointments” for my “To Do tasks” where I don’t have a client scheduled. I try to time everything out from cardio & returning e-mails to an hour of laundry & returning text messages. I often fine there are not enough hours in the day & that’s where the LOP comes into play & can shift & change as clients schedule or cancel. That drives me a little crazy because once I get set, I don’t like to have to adjust. But I’ve learned it just goes with having your own business. Whioch leads me to #3…

• Forget balance. Balance is BS, especially for business owners who work from home part-time & homeschool part-time. When you’re trying to meet deadlines with children around, it’s laughable to think that you can somehow neatly schedule your life into “work” “family” and “me” time. Instead, I TRY to embrace the idea that sometimes your life is going to be crazy and hectic, and at other times, the pace will be a little slower.

My rule? Whatever your focus is at the moment, be present. When work is crazy, work hard to keep up. (This includes final couple of months of competition prep ;-)) Those are the weeks you’ll make a weekly meal plan for the family too so you can shop ahead & know what you’re going to make for the family. When work is slow, catch up on your LOP & enjoy your family time whenever you can, even if you have to schedule “Family time” in. Take time for your partner. Don’t worry about creating “balance” every single day; instead, look for a sense of accomplishment over the long haul.

• Do it when you can. I mean this literally “Whenever Possible.” This for me, includes: When a client cancels, waiting in line, during my warm-up or cool down on the treadmill, on the stairmill, at my son’s basketball practice, at my daughter’s gymnastics class, etc.

• Be brutally honest with yourself about time-wasters. 
I’ve talked to so many people who swear they “don’t have time” for something they really want to do, but then I watch them chatting instead of working out; partying instead of prepping their meals or working on their career goals. Of course we all need downtime, but since most people have to be on the computer anyway, it’s easy to fool ourselves that we’re “working” or “networking” when really, we’re spending about five minutes of every hour working and the rest, Tweeting our Instagram self-portrait (BSP) in the bathroom mirror and then engaging in long discussions about others’ BSP. Some multi-tasking makes my day more interesting, and it’s always possible that I’ll stumble across an amazing business idea & get inspired by someone’s quote or update pic while reading my Facebook feed…but at some point it just becomes time wasted. If you constantly feel behind, ask yourself if you really don’t have enough time – or if you’re filling the time you do have with activities that aren’t moving you toward your goals.

• Let work and life blend.
I assume you’re competing (or aspire to) for a reason: you want to compete, but you also don’t know how it would be possible. Am I close? We all want to make sure our loved ones (not just kids, friends, family, partners) aren’t getting shorted because of our competition, but in my 4 years of being self-employed & competing, I’ve found that the advice to completely separate work and home is just unrealistic. Instead, I’ve learned to embrace the fact that my work and home lives do blend for much of the day. 
That might mean I’m scheduling clients while taking my kids to run errands or checking my email from the playground bench while my eight-year-old plays. It also means that I’m careful to set aside at least 2 hours every night of focused, “totally available” time to devote to home and family. I also get up before the kids get up to do my cardio and/or train clients most days. That way, I feel like my family is getting both “quantity” and “quality” time…and I feel a lot better about the time I spend in the gym and the multi-tasking I sometimes must do.

• Do it your way.
 While I have my ways, everyone & family situation is unique. Reading about how other competing parents manage their time and energy can be inspiring, encouraging, and also gives you lots of helpful ideas you might be able to modify for your own life. The key word is modify. We all have different circumstances, goals, and work styles that can affect everything from whether you’re the get-up-at-the-crack-of-dawn-before-kids-or-work, or the burn-the-midnight-oil type, to whether you do best leaving the office or house on a much needed lunch break. 
Be flexible, and realize that what works during one season of your life might not work during another. But most of all, get to know yourself: there are lots of ways to be a successful competitor, working (or whatever your juggling) parent, so create the life and career that works for you.

That’s Hardbody!

Alea Suarez

Follow Alea on twitter at @AleaTigress and like her facebook page. 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.
Filed Under: Arnold Classic, Road to The Arnold, TIPS

Bodybuilding.com to Air Free 2013 Arnold Classic Webcast

February 12, 2013 by

Bodybuilding.com will provide free, live coverage of the 2013 Arnold Classic online. Webcast includes stage events, commentary, backstage interviews and more.

freewebcast

Bodybuilding.com To Air Free, Exclusive 2013 Arnold Classic Webcast
Boise, ID – February 7, 2013 – It’s already being called one of the most anticipated events in the history of bodybuilding and fitness. Arnold Schwarzenegger, star of the new film “The Last Stand,” is bringing his annual Arnold Sports Festival back to Columbus, Ohio, the weekend of February 28-March 3, 2013. Under the direction of promoter Jim Lorimer, about 175,000 visitors are expected to see 18,000 athletes compete in more than 45 different sports and events!

For those who can’t make the trip to Columbus, Bodybuilding.com will once again present a series of exclusive LIVE webcasts on Friday and Saturday, covering the Arnold Classic Bodybuilding Championship, along with the Ms. International, Fitness International, Figure International & Bikini International events.

Bodybuilding.com 2013 Arnold Classic Webcast
Don’t miss the FREE 2013 Arnold Classic Webcast, brought to you exclusively by Bodybuilding.com, Cellucor, MusclePharm & Optimum Nutrition!

Returning to call the action are veteran hosts Dan Solomon, IFBB Pro Bodybuilder Bob Cicherillo, and Physique Coach Dr. Layne Norton. Providing insights and commentary for the women’s events will be Fitness Coach & IFBB Fitness Pro Carla Sanchez and the 2011 Ms. Figure Olympia & 2012 Figure International Champion Nicole Wilkins.

All eyes will be on Dexter Jackson as he looks to tie Flex Wheeler’s record of four Arnold Classic Titles. Iris Kyle, Erin Stern and Nicole Nagrani will also return, attempting to re-claim their spot in Arnold’s coveted winner’s circle.

Event Schedule
Presented by Cellucor, Optimum Nutrition and MusclePharm, the webcast coverage begins, exclusively at Bodybuilding.com, on Friday at 7 p.m. ET with the Ms. International, Fitness International and Figure International Finals, preceded 10 minutes prior by commentary on the women’s prejudging rounds from earlier that day. (Video-On-Demand footage from the Friday women’s prejudging events will also be available as soon as feasible.)

On Saturday at 2 p.m. ET, be sure to return to Bodybuilding.com for the exclusive LIVE coverage of the Arnold Classic and Bikini International Prejudging rounds.

Finally, the main event consisting of the Arnold Classic & Bikini International Finals, plus special coverage of the Arnold Strongman Finals, goes live Saturday at 7 p.m. ET, preceded 30 minutes earlier by a special backstage Pre-Show Exclusive. The Post-Show Report from backstage at Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium follows the main event, featuring unique interviews and the presentation of the Arnold Classic Webcast Fan’s Choice Award.

Webcast Start Times
Friday, March 1, 2013, 6:50 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Time)
Women’s Pre-Show and Ms. Int’l, Fitness Int’l & Figure Int’l Finals

Saturday, March 2, 2013, 2:00 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Time)
Arnold Classic & Bikini Int’l Prejudging

Saturday, March 2, 2013, 6:30 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Time)
Men’s Pre-Show and Arnold Classic & Bikini Int’l Finals

To learn more about Bodybuilding.com‘s expanded coverage of this year’s Arnold Sports Festival, visit: http://www.bodybuilding.com/arnold

Bodybuilding.com offers more than 13,000+ health & fitness supplements and accessories to help more than 10 million people every month achieve their health, fitness and appearance goals, as well as more than 35,000 pages of FREE information, including more than 20,000 articles and videos, expert online trainers, and new content added daily!

For more information: http://www.bodybuilding.com.

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

Second Women’s UFC Bout Booked

February 12, 2013 by

Liz Carmouche will face Ronda Rousey this month for the first women’s UFC bout. It’s been wildly publicized and the fight will be not only the first in the UFC but also the headline event for UFC 157. Monday, the second women’s UFC bout was announced between Miesha Tate and Cat Zingano. The two will face off as part of The Ultimate Fighter Finale on April 13, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Miesha Tate was the Strikeforce bantamweight champion, that was until she met up with the arm-barring Rousey last year. Tate is 13-3 and coming off a win over Julie Kedzie. Cat Zingano is undefeated in her pro career and currently stands at 7-0. Cat is as friendly as the come outside of the cage but you don’t want to meet up with her inside of it. She may not have the big name fights that Tate has but rest assured she will put the former champ to the test.

Cat shared on her facebook fan page, “Time to step it up and achieve my highest good! UFC Zingano vs Tate, April 13 Las Vegas NV.” Follow Cat via twitter @catzingano.

Follow Miesha Tate on twitter @MieshaTate or like her official facebook fan page.

Filed Under: News & Features

Wrestling Dropped from the Olympic Games

February 12, 2013 by

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) opted to keep the pentathlon and remove wrestling from it’s list of Olympic events. It’s a surprising move, considering wrestling is one of the oldest Olympic sports. The board reviewed 26 sports currently on the Olympic program and by eliminating one it allows for a new sport to be added to the program.

Wrestling joins baseball, softball, karate, roller sports, sport climbing, squash, wakeboarding and wushu for a single spot in the 2020 Olympics. Considering the removal it’s highly unlikely that wrestling would be voted into the mix. In 2005, the IOC removed baseball and softball. Rugby and Golf will be part of the 2016 Olympics games.

AP Sports writer, Stephen Wilson writes…

The IOC program commission report analyzed more than three dozen criteria, including television ratings, ticket sales, anti-doping policy and global participation and popularity. With no official rankings or recommendations contained in the report, the final decision by the 15-member board was also subject to political, emotional and sentimental factors.

Previously considered under the closest scrutiny was modern pentathlon, which has been on the Olympic program since the 1912 Stockholm Games. It was created by French baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic movement.

Modern pentathlon combines fencing, horse riding, swimming, running and shooting—the five skills required of a 19th century cavalry officer. The sport’s governing body, the UIPM, has been lobbying hard to protect its Olympic status, and the efforts apparently paid off.

Women’s Wrestling was added to the Olympics at the 2004 Athens Games.

NEWS RELEASE
LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) – IOC leaders have dropped wrestling for the 2020 Games in a surprise decision to scrap one of the oldest sports on the Olympic program.

The IOC executive board decided Tuesday to retain modern pentathlon – the event considered most at risk – and remove wrestling instead from its list of core sports.

The decision, announced by the IOC, was first reported by The Associated Press.

The IOC board acted after reviewing the 26 sports on the current Olympic program. Eliminating one sport allows the International Olympic Committee to add a new sport to the program later this year.

Wrestling, which combines freestyle and Greco-Roman events, goes back to the inaugural modern Olympics in Athens in 1896.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Read more on the story on Denverpost.com.

Filed Under: News & Features, Olympics

Aleisha Hart’s Vision To Success

February 11, 2013 by

Canadian IFBB Figure Pro Aleisha Hart will be competing in her first Figure International. She’s coming off a trip to the Olympia and has her sights set on making her presence known in Columbus. Aleisha shares her top four tips to staying focused and creating her vision to success.

aleisha-hart

 

CREATING MY VISION TO SUCCESS!!
Well here I am a few weeks away from my first Arnold Classic IFBB Pro Figure. WOW~ what an honour to be 1 of 15 pros selected to be a part of this event.  What a great way to kick start another pro season! After having a phenomenal 2012 season and getting to finish on that Olympia stage ~ I couldn’t ask for more!!

It has definitely been a quick turnaround time after only 8 weeks into my off season, but getting this invite has truly set the pace for my journey to the Arnold. Creating the vision and being in that right mind set has always been priority for me, especially to be able to push myself to that next level and to keep myself in the zone. To be honest, it was a struggle starting out after the holidays with such a short down time, but my passion for this sport, wanting it so badly and the pure excitement of this invite has me determined beyond belief. Once in a lifetime opportunity at hand again~ FEELING BLESSED! Here I am weeks away from another amazing experience and feeling energized as things are coming together nicely. Big thanks to coach Jack Titone for his guidance, his belief in me, and for his no sugar tolerance and cracking the whip!!! Thx moose!!! My friends, family and hubby Sean are my biggest supporters, it is truly the best feeling in the world having the ones you love the most behind you every step of the way. xo

I have realized that be a successful athlete you truly “NEED” to create that tunnel vision focus and having a strong belief when aiming for any goal. The mind becomes the most powerful tool when wanting to achieve and succeed at anything.  Being able to compete at this caliber has been an honor and is my biggest accomplishment to date~ but at the end of the day the real competition comes from within yourself. Learning to mind the mind, pushing passed your limits and making anything possible is the true test of self-determination. Feeling your best, looking your best, training your hardest, sticking to the plan 100%, not giving into those weak moments and not allowing any hiccups to get in the way… these are some key points that keep me at the top of my game and always coming in a true winner!

Here are 4 tools I like to use to help me stay focused and not lose site on my goal: Try adding them to your goal plan whether it is a smaller goal or something over the top…plan of action is a must!!!

• CREATING MY VISION BOARD – Creating a vision board helps me to visualize my end goals more clearly, which inevitably inspires me to take consistent action and keeping pushing for top success. It also serves to remind me of my goals every day and why I do what I do!!

• CREATE MILESTONES – If you just set one huge goal, sometimes it can be discouraging – especially when you don’t achieve it after a short while. Some people may give up or even procrastinate on their goals altogether. I think it is important and helpful to break one big goal into smaller goals, this allows you to be consistent with reaching and always working towards something. It truly helps me to achieve anything I put my mind to!!

• TRACK YOUR RESULTS – It’s important for me to track the results of what I do which allows me to continue aiming for something more~ achieving higher results. Tracking is my connection to my end goal, this will let me know whether I’m on track or off track, ahead of the game or behind ~ which in turn lets me know whether to tweak my actions or to step it up a notch.

•  KNOW YOUR “WHY” – Be passionate about your “WHY” when you have a goal!! If you keep giving up on your goals halfway, perhaps you were never serious about them to begin with. For me, if I’m really serious about a goal, I will never give up on it – I keep hammering away, regardless of the obstacles and struggles. Nothing comes easy, but in the end it is always worth it. Allow yourself to be in the uncomfortable zone and learn to enjoy it. Have your “why” close to heart and why your goal is important to you. Have a strong belief in everything you do!!! Be passionate about this and have it mean something big ~ this way you will never give up on yourself and the reason why you are on this journey in the first place.

Train hard ~ stay focused & dream big! Wish me luck at the Arnold.
XO

 Aleisha

Follow Aleisha on twitter at @aleishafitness and like her facebook page. Check out her competition photos and history on Bodybuilding.com. For more information on the Arnold Sports Festival visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com and use #ASF2013 in all your tweets.
Filed Under: Road to The Arnold Tagged With: , ,

2013 NPC Gold Coast Muscle Classic Photos & Results

February 11, 2013 by

The National Physique Committee’s (NPC) season is underway and from the looks of things it should be another stellar year. Ron Avidan was in attendance covering the NPC event for Bodybuilding.com and shares complete coverage on and off the stage. Visit Bodybuilding.com for photos from the weekend’s show in Culver City, California.

gold-coast-classic
Congratulations to the 2013 NPC Gold Coast Muscle Classic overall Bikini winner RaeAnn Vega-Camacho. RaeAnn is a Personal Trainer in California. You can keep up with her on twitter at @onerae2fit, instagram at @oneraeoranother, and on her website onerae2fit.com. Visit Bodybuilding.com for complete photo coverage and results

gold-coast-bikini

RaeAnn Vega-Camacho with her sword. Photo by Ron Avidan – Bodybuilding.com

 

Filed Under: Contest Results, Event Photos Tagged With: , ,

Dallas Woman Sues L.A. Fitness

February 11, 2013 by

A Dallas woman alleges two employees of LA Fitness sexually harassed her during personal training sessions. Jamie Johnson claims her person trainer made inappropriate comments towards her.

la-fitness-lawsuit

ABCNEWS.com
At one point, the trainer had Johnson perform certain exercises so he “could ‘watch her boobs,’” according to the lawsuit filed in Dallas County Court last month. He told Johnson that he could tell when she’d had a “good workout” because “her nipples would get hard,” according to the court filing.

Read full story on abcnews.com.

Filed Under: News & Features

What Hardbody Female Would Make a Good Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover Model?

February 11, 2013 by

It’s that time of year again. The annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue is out and once again it features Kate Upton. While we’re not hating on Kate, we’re left wondering why her again and why such a lackluster cover. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue has turned into a brand of its own. It’s one of the few issues of any magazine that has millions of people talking.

SI-COVER

Last year we posted a poll and over 2,400 of you voted. Brittany Tacy, Dianna Dahlgren & Amanda Laton lead the way. So we figured let’s do it again and see who might be the favorite this year or will we yield the same results? There are hundreds of hardbody women who we feel would make a better cover model and again it’s no knock on Kate. She’s a beautiful woman and all the props to her for the continued success.

kate-upton-siPhoto via Sports Illustrated. Kate Upton cover model.

We want to know who would YOU like to see on the cover. It can be any female athlete or competitor who you think has the kind of body that not only men but also women would appreciate. Let’s be honest we’ll probably never see a hardbody on the cover of the SI Swimsuit issue but hey we can dream right? Cast your vote for who you think would make a good cover model. If you don’t see your favorite already listed feel free to add them below.

{democracy:248}
Filed Under: News & Features Tagged With: , , ,

Candice Keene’s Hardbody Road to the Arnold: Life is a Journey – Learn from It

February 11, 2013 by

Figure International contender, Candice Keene checks in just a couple weeks out from the big show in Columbus. The IFBB Figure Pro shares what her state of mind is like and what her mantra is for 2013. Read what’s happening in Candice’s world as she prepares for her first show of the year.

candice-keene-a

Hey Guys!

I know I’m a little late updating you all on my Road to the Arnold. (Sorry!!!)  These last two weeks have went by so fast and have been so busy that it kind of felt only a week went by! It’s craziness I tell you!  I have to look at my calendar to remind myself what day it is frequently. Three weeks to go till I hit the stage! I am sooo excited for this show too! Everything seems to be falling into place: Right frame of mind, already on point physically, my determination to be my best is on fire, and there is just something about the year 2013 that gets me full of excitement just thinking about it. Maybe because I AM READY!  I am ready to take on whatever comes my way.  I am ready to finally come into my own.  Each year I think I have finally figured myself out, but each following year I continue to prove myself wrong.  I am constantly discovering new things about myself.. Love it!

Life is a journey; a journey to enjoy, but also to learn from.  Every day is a learning experience. Every day I find something new about myself.  As of right now, my inner-self is telling me to listen to those tiny thoughts in the back of my head, and to listen and trust my gut. Also to not be afraid to look blindly ahead, to jump, and to trust that whatever lies ahead will be nothing short of amazing.  You never know what ‘could be’ unless you take that first step into whatever it is you want to do or become.

Anyhoo, I hope everyone is enjoying their week!  I have tons of studying to do the next week. Had my first exam the other day, one tomorrow, and one next week…so focused I must be!  Sometimes people ask how I manage to do school, compete, and my business… Well, don’t think about everything on your plate…you just DO IT!!

My words of wisdom for the week: “Pay attention to your heart, your mind, and your gut…they usually never lie!”

xoxo
Until Next Time!! ~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

Finish Strong Hardbody Nation

February 8, 2013 by

We’ve added a new photo series here on HardbodyNews.com to help inspire and motivate you. “Finish Strong” is simple. We want you to Finish Strong in whatever you do, whether it’s your workout, your work day or maybe a school project. Check back often as we add more Finish Strong photos to this gallery. If you have a photo you’d like to share tweet it using #finishstrong and tag us at @hardbodynews and we’ll share the love.

FINISH STRONG!

finishstrongdd575

Filed Under: Finish Strong Tagged With: , ,

Five Tips & Tricks for a Flawless Valentine’s Day

February 8, 2013 by

Looking forward to that PERFECT Valentine’s Day night with someone special? Have you been prepping to make sure everything goes according to plan? This Valentine’s Day, make sure to prep with these essential tips to make the night (and yourself!) flawless – from start to goodnight-kiss finish!

valetines-tips


Tip #1: All About the Fragrance: Looking your best is just part of it – you also have to feel your best, and SMELL your best! Research shows that a large part of attraction is based on smell, so make sure you grab the perfect perfume for the big day! For Valentine’s Day, a floral fragrance is ideal. If you don’t normally wear perfume, consider a scented body lotion or oil for just a touch of scent that he won’t forget.

Tip #2: Look great, no matter what “time of the month” it may be: We girls know that “that time” comes around RIGHT when you don’t want it – unnecessary bloating, horrible cramps can leave you feeling terrible. To combat PMS symptoms, try Girl Uninterrupted®, a fresh, new and all-natural approach to PMS relief. It’s composed of an all-natural blend of essential amino acids and herbs that have been specifically formulated to directly address those common symptoms of PMS. With Girl Uninterrupted, you’ll be able to curb bloating to fit into that gorgeous red dress and keep those PMS side effects at bay!

Tip #3: Get Your Beauty Sleep. More than just a pretty-making mechanism, sleep is an essential component to staying slim. During those coveted 8hrs of shut-eye, your digestive system is pumping hard to process your food, metabolizing carbohydrates and breaking down fats – so make sure you don’t skimp out on sleep before the big day so you can look (and feel!) your best!

Tip #4: Moisturize! Valentine’s Day can leave you stressed, but your skin should be the last of your worries before the big day! Moisturizing keeps your skin hydrated, smooth and unaffected by changes in air and temperature that usually dry out skin.

Tip #5: Pre-Dinner Workout: Whether you’ve been working out every day before Valentine’s Day or you barely managed to hit the gym, a quick workout before you go out with your guy can help bring color to your cheeks, achieve that natural glow and can help settle nerves while you tone! Try a small circuit of pushups, squats, crunches and high knees to get your heart rate up and tone specific areas before your night out.

Tips via Mayling Kajiya

Filed Under: TIPS Tagged With: ,

UFC 157 Primetime: Rousey vs. Carmouche Episode One Recap & Full Video

February 8, 2013 by

UFC’s cameras follow Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche as they head into UFC 157. UFC Primetime is a documentary style approach to give fans a raw and real look inside their headline fighters. They don’t produce a prime time show for every title fight but when they do it’s very professional and carefully edited.

ufc-primetime-rousey

UFC 157 is a historic event that will feature women’s MMA for the first time inside the octagon. President of the UFC, Dana White told the fans and reporters they’d never see women fight in the UFC. That changed when a trash talking Ronda Rousey did more than talk, she delivered and finished fights. All of them. She has yet to allow an opponent to make it to a second round.

The first first of the UFC’s three part series aired last night and focused largely on Rousey. Those who follow the UFC and Rousey’s meteoric rise would expect nothing less. She has the looks, she provides the sound bites worthy of headlines and she can fight. Some would argue that she’s only getting the attention she is because of her looks but those are the same people who don’t know her story and her struggles from day birth.

In episode one, we learn Ronda was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. It caused her to struggle with her speech and it was nearly three years before she could talk. Ronda shared, “My sisters would translate my gibberish.” Near the end of the show, we see a side of Ronda that often goes unseen with the MMA bad ass. She breaks down into tears. It one of the few times you’ll see a vulnerable Rousey, she shares the story of how her father committed suicide after a sledding accident. Ronda was a young girl when the tragedy happened but you get a sense the memory lives with her every day.

Ronda was the first American woman to win an Olympia medal in Judo. “After the Olympics they pretty much gave me gave me 10 grand & a handshake,” said Rousey. Ronda worked as a waitress and bartender while trying to get her MMA career on track. Those days are long gone and you get the feeling she’s doing whatever it takes to never go back to those jobs.

Rousey’s opponent, Liz Carmouche gets about a third of the airtime in the first episode. UFC Primetime chose to highlight Liz’s sexual orientation right out of the gate. She served five years in the US Marine Corp but we learn little about that instead we hear about her being a lesbian. Carmouche openly talks about it and her relationship with her girlfriend. She doesn’t live a glamorous life but you don’t hear her complain about it.

Liz is the underdog in the fight. Unlike Rousey she has yet to reach super-star status. Liz opens the doors to her gym, the San Diego Combat academy, and helps close them at the end of the night. She answers phones, teaches classes and often runs the front desk. In one of the few moments we hear from Liz in episode one she says, “I was brought in to be the underdog ’cause they think that she’s going to win and I’m okay with that. I like having people think that. I absolutely think I’m gonna spoil the UFC plans.”

Watch as UFC Primetime cameras follow women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and challenger Liz Carmouche in the weeks leading up to their historic bout at UFC 157.

Wondering what the song was that played during Ronda’s drive to the gym? It’s ZZ Ward’s “Move Like U Stole it”. Listen to it on Spotify.


Props UFC.

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

UFC Primetime: Rousey vs. Carmouche

February 7, 2013 by

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Primetime returns on Thursday night and it features the first two women to fight in the octagon. Ronda Rousey (6-0) has quickly become the face of women’s MMA and dominated in every fight. Her opponent, Liz Carmouche (7-2) will try to do the unimaginable by defeating the highly favored Rousey.

ufc-primetime

UFC Primetime: Rousey vs. Carmouche, premiers at midnight ET on FUEL TV. The three part series takes you inside their training camps for the historic championship bout.

PRESS RELEASE:
Las Vegas – UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and challenger Liz Carmouche are set to make history on Saturday, Feb. 23 when they become the first women to compete in the UFC’s hallowed Octagon®. Tonight, fans get an all-access pass inside their training camps before the historic championship bout, as episode one of UFC PRIMETIME®: ROUSEY vs. CARMOUCHE premieres on FSN. To see when the show airs in your region, check your local listings or visit http://msn.foxsports.com/tv/schedule or http://www.ufc.com/news/157-primetime-listings-news

UFC PRIMETIME®: ROUSEY vs. CARMOUCHE will also be available on www.ufc.com beginning tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 8. Air dates and times for the remaining two episodes will be announced shortly.

UFC®157: ROUSEY vs. CARMOUCHE, which takes place Saturday, Feb. 23 from Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for Standard Definition and $54.99 US/$59.99 CAN for High Definition.

For more information or current fight news, visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

About the Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Universally recognized for its action-packed, can’t-miss events that have sold out some of the biggest arenas and stadiums across the globe, the UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, headquartered in Las Vegas and with offices in London, Toronto and Beijing, UFC produces more than 30 live events annually and is the largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. In 2012, the UFC burst into the mainstream with a landmark seven-year broadcast agreement with FOX Sports Media Group. The agreement includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network annually, with additional fight cards and thousands of hours of programming broadcast on FOX properties FX and FUEL TV. This also includes the longest-running sports reality show on television, The Ultimate Fighter®, which airs on FX.

In addition to its reach on FOX, UFC programming is broadcast in over 169 countries and territories, to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide, in 28 different languages. UFC content is also distributed commercially in the United States to bars and restaurants through Joe Hand Promotions, in English throughout Canada via Premium Sports Broadcasting Inc. and Australia via Main Event and in French throughout Quebec via Interbox. The UFC also connects with tens of millions of fans through its website, UFC.com, as well as social media sites Facebook and Twitter. UFC President Dana White is considered one of the most accessible and followed executives in sports, with nearly 2.4 million followers on Twitter. Ancillary UFC businesses include best-selling DVDs and video games, an internationally distributed magazine, UFC.TV offering live event broadcasts and video on demand around the world, a new franchise in development with EA, UFC GYM®, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expo® festivals, branded apparel and trading cards.

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

Pinterest Savvy eBook

February 7, 2013 by

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely heard of the popular social media website Pinterest. If you’ve used it you know it can end up being a time suck but a place for incredible inspiration. We’ve experimented with it a bit but admittedly not much. It can be a bit overwhelming and confusing on how to use it effectively. Thankfully our hardbody friend, Melissa Taylor has put together an ebook on that explains how it all works.

pinterest-savvy

Melissa is a teacher, mom and now author who has figured out how to use Pinterest to its fullest and it’s earned her over a million followers. When you have that type of following you become an “influencer” and with that opens you up to a number of opportunities. We’ve downloaded her ebook (it’s free today 02.7.13) and would encourage you to do the same if you’re interested in using Pinterest to help you in your social media efforts. Let us know what you think and comment below if you’re on Pinterest.

You can follow us at pinterest.com/hardbodynews. Follow Melissa on Pinterest.

Download this easy-to-follow guide about Pinterest.

Download this easy-to-follow guide about Pinterest.

Filed Under: News & Features Tagged With: ,

Sacramento Demo Rep Wanted

February 7, 2013 by

A leading supplement company is looking for a demo rep in the Sacramento, California area.  A few things you should note before going any further. The company is looking for outgoing, knowledgeable (teachable), responsible, and self motivated, fitness minded individual. This is a paid demo position and NOT a modeling gig, nor does it lead to that. This is NOT a chance to get a sponsorship with the company, it’s simply doing demos of the products. If you are looking to become a sponsored athlete with the company, well sorry but that’s not what they are looking for.

demo-rep

Position is available immediately. If you are selected you would receive a three day crash course/training and start immediately after that. The times are mostly for Mondays 4-7pm and Saturdays 11am to 2pm. That’s the range but not exact. The demos are for three hours and do pay. The company will provide all the product and embroider shirts. You could potentially do up to 8-10 demos a month.

PLEASE only respond if you are in the Sacramento area, available and qualified. Please provide a resume and 2-3 photos. All other emails will be deleted with no response. Thanks!

Email Editor @ HardbodyNews.com with “Sacramento Demo Rep” in the subject line.

 

 

Filed Under: News & Features Tagged With: ,

‘The Ugly Truth’ – Nicole Duncan’s Hardbody Road to the Arnold

February 7, 2013 by

Nicole Duncan checks en route to the Arnold stage. She’s a bit hard on herself, which we can all be at times especially when prepping for a competition. Give Nicole a shout out and let her know you don’t think she sucks (her words not ours).

nicole-duncan

The Ugly Truth

Nicole Duncan, 2013 Fitness International Contender
It’s just 23 days from the Arnold and I can hardly breathe. I have been going through the motions hit or miss and it’s really bad. I’ve let stress and emotion derail my training so much that I’m barely holding on by a thread. When these off course paths occur, I’m left wondering where the time went. It’s not like I’m binging on food or sweets. I’m just at a standstill… literally.

Where did the time go? I get home drained mentally and physically with a ton of things still left to do including laundry, grocery shopping, food prepping, work, routine choreography & practice. I am up to my ears in tasks but they are just not getting done. Skipping meals, lacking water, missing supplements, choosing work & clients over my training, not getting up on time for myself and not making time for myself, the cycle has steadily taken a nose dive. I have no one to blame but myself.

I just would like to apologize to the readers of HardbodyNews.com for my lack of posts and encouragement. I suck. It’s just that simple. I know that I will rise from this at some point. God & cardio are about the only things that make me feel better (usually as a combo). Much love and respect to all competitors who hold down jobs and families and so much more. You are the true champions.

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: , ,

A Place at The Table: One Nation. Under Fed.

February 7, 2013 by

“A Place at the Table” is a documentary film that examines the issue of hunger in America. The movie shows us how hunger poses serious economic, social and cultural implications on the United States. The goal? Show that making healthy food available and affordable is in the best interest of us all. The movie is brought to you by the same team as FOOD, INC. and asks why 50 million Americans live on the brink of hunger. The movie is available in theaters, iTunes and On Demand everywhere on March 1, 2013.

under-fed-movie
Familiar names like Jeff Bridges and Tom Colicchio appear in the movie. Jeff Bridges, Academy Award–winning actor, cofounder of the End Hunger Network, and spokesperson for the No Kid Hungry Campaign, on raising awareness about hunger. Tom Colicchio, chef and executive producer of television’s Top Chef, presents his down-to-earth case to Washington for increases in child nutrition programs.

“There’s a lot of education that needs to happen around what is healthy food.”
– Tom Colicchio

Description
Fifty million people in the U.S.—one in five children—don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush examine the issue of hunger in America through the lens of three people struggling with food insecurity: Barbie, a single Philadelphia mother who grew up in poverty and is trying to provide a better life for her two kids; Rosie, a Colorado fifth-grader who often has to depend on friends and neighbors to feed her and has trouble concentrating in school; and Tremonica, a Mississippi second-grader whose asthma and health issues are exacerbated by the largely empty calories her hardworking mother can afford.


Ultimately, A Place at the Table shows us how hunger poses serious economic, social and cultural implications for our nation, and that it could be solved once and for all, if the American public decides – as they have in the past – that making healthy food available and affordable is in the best interest of us all.

Genre: Documentary
Official Site: http://www.facebook.com/aPlaceAtTheTableMovie
http://takepart.com/table
http://twitter.com/PlaceAtTheTable
Director: Kristi Jacobson, Lori Silverbush
Cast: Jeff Bridges, Tom Colicchio
Run Time: 84 minutes

poster-xlarge

Info from for this story from A Place At the Table.

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

BSN SYNTHA-6â„¢ ISOLATE Giveaway!

February 6, 2013 by

The folks at BSN are hooking you up with a chance to win some of their products. No purchase is necessary but you must be a US resident. Enter your info and good luck!

bsn-giveaway

 

Enter the contest here.

SYNTHA-6â„¢ ISOLATE Giveaway!

Prize Description:
2 Prospective Grand Prize Winners who meet all eligibility requirements will receive: two (2) 48-Serving SYNTHA-6â„¢ ISOLATE – Chocolate Flavor, one (1) 90-Count HYPER SHREDâ„¢ & one (1) BSN® Strong T-Shirt.

10 Prospective Secondary Winners who meet all eligibility requirements will receive one (1) 24-Serving SYNTHA-6â„¢ ISOLATE – Chocolate Flavor.

BSN’s 2013 Syntha-6™ Isolate Chocolate Giveaway brought to you by BSN®
OFFICIAL RULES
US RESIDENTS ONLY
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
1. ELIGIBILITY: BSN®’s 2013 Syntha-6™ Isolate Chocolate Giveaway (“Giveaway”) is open to legal residents physically residing in the United States and the District of Columbia (excluding Puerto Rico, Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands and any other U.S. territories and protectorates), who are 18 years of age or older at time of entry, and members of Facebook. Employees of BSN®, Inc. and their subsidiaries, affiliates, and advertising, promotion and Internet agencies contracted by BSN®, Inc. and their immediate family members (including spouses, parents, siblings, children and their respective spouses) and/or those living in the same household of each are not eligible. In order to be eligible, entrant must follow these Rules and meet all of BSN®, Inc.’s participation and fulfillment requirements. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited by law.
2. SPONSOR: Bio-Engineered Supplements & Nutrition, Inc. d/b/a BSN®
This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook.
3. TO ENTER: Beginning at 4pm ET Tuesday February 5th 2013 through 11:59 p.m. ET, February 21st, 2013, visit https://www.facebook.com/BSNsupplements and follow the on-screen entry instructions. Entrants must click ‘Like’ on BSN®’s Facebook page to be eligible. Entries will automatically be included in the random prize drawing described below, subject to eligibility requirements. Limit one entry per person. If entrant submits multiple entries, the earliest entry will be accepted and all others will be discarded. Sponsor, in their sole discretion, reserves the right to disqualify any entrant. False, deceptive or incomplete entries shall render an entrant ineligible. Registration is free and there is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY to participate. Normal time rates, if any, charged by Internet Service Providers apply.
4. WINNER SELECTION: Entrants will be chosen at random from all eligible entries and drawings will be held on February 22nd, 2013 to determine the winners (the “Prospective Winners”). Prospective Winners must have clicked ‘Like’ BSN®’s Facebook page prior to selection in order to be eligible. The drawings will be conducted by Sponsor, whose decisions are final on all matters relating to this Giveaway. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.
The Prospective Winners will be notified via email and/or telephone. Failure to respond to the notification within 72 hours may result in disqualification and an alternate winner being selected. Prospective Winners must provide proof of age and eligibility, as required by Sponsor. As a condition of receiving a prize, Prospective Winners may be required to complete and sign an Affidavit of Eligibility/Release of Liability/Prize Acceptance Form and, where permitted by law, a publicity release. If any document is returned to Sponsor as undeliverable or if Prospective Winner fails to complete and return documents within 14 days of notification or the Prospective Winner declines the prize or fails to meet eligibility requirements, such Prospective Winner may be disqualified and the prize will either be forfeited or awarded to an alternate Prospective Winner. For names of Winners, please visit https://www.facebook.com/BSNsupplements <http://www.facebook.com/BSNsupplements> at the conclusion of the Giveaway.
5. PRIZES: Each Prospective Grand Prize Winner who meets all eligibility requirements will receive: two (2) 48-Serving SYNTHA-6â„¢ ISOLATE – Chocolate Flavor (retail value $199.98 USD), one (1) 90-Count Hyper Shredâ„¢ (retail value $59.99 USD) & one (1) BSN® Strong Shirt (retail value $16.99 USD). Each Prospective Additional Winner who meets all eligibility requirements will receive: one (1) 24-Serving SYNTHA-6â„¢ ISOLATE – Chocolate Flavor (retail value $58.99 USD). Sponsor reserves the exclusive right to substitute any prize with another prize of equal or greater value. All federal, state and local taxes are the sole responsibility of the Winner. LIMIT ONE PRIZE PER PERSON.
6. DISCLAIMER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY: By entering the Giveaway, entrant agrees to (a) release Sponsor and Facebook, their respective directors, officers, employees and assigns and their agents from all liability, loss or damage arising out of or relating to the Giveaway, including with respect to the Giveaway, interpretation of these Rules, decisions by Sponsor, their acceptance and use/misuse of the prize; (b) to be bound by these Rules and comply with all Sponsor’s requirements; and (c) that Sponsor may use the entrant or Prospective Winner’s name, likeness, personal information and statements made by entrant or Prospective Winner to Sponsor and information on the entry form for advertising and promotional purposes in all media worldwide without additional compensation. Sponsor does not make any warranty, representation or guarantee, express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to the use of any prize, including without limitation quality, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Prospective Winner agrees that Sponsor has the right to substitute any prize at Sponsor’s sole discretion.
7. GENERAL CONDITIONS: Sponsor is not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the Giveaway or in the announcement of the prize. Sponsor is not responsible for incomplete, lost, late, damaged, illegible or misdirected e-mail or for any technical problems, malfunctions of any telephone lines, computer systems, servers, providers, hardware/software, lost or unavailable network connections or failed, incomplete, garbled or delayed computer transmissions or any combination thereof. Sponsor is not liable for damage to any computer system resulting from participation in or accessing or downloading information in connection with this Giveaway. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE SPONSOR’S WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THIS GIVEAWAY IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH INDIVIDUAL TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
The Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process. In the event of a dispute regarding any entry, the entry will be deemed made by the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at the time of entry (i.e., the person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, on-line service provider or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address). Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel or suspend this Giveaway should a virus, bug, or other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor corrupt the administration, security or proper operation of the Giveaway. In the event of termination, a notice will be posted on-line and a random drawing to award all prizes will be held from among all eligible entries received prior to the time of termination. Sponsor reserves the right to modify the Giveaway or disqualify entrant if fraud, misconduct or technical failures destroy the integrity of the Giveaway, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
8. GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION: THIS SWEEPSTAKES IS GOVERNED BY, AND WILL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND THE FORUM AND VENUE FOR ANY DISPUTE SHALL BE IN THE COUNTY OF PALM BEACH AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA. IF THE CONTROVERSY OR CLAIM IS NOT OTHERWISE RESOLVED THROUGH DIRECT DISCUSSIONS OR MEDIATION, IT SHALL THEN BE RESOLVED BY FINAL AND BINDING ARBITRATION ADMINISTERED BY JUDICIAL ARBITRATION AND MEDIATION SERVICES, INC., IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITS STREAMLINED ARBITRATION RULES AND PROCEDURES OR SUBSEQUENT VERSIONS THEREOF (“JAMS RULES”). THE JAMS RULES FOR SELECTION OF AN ARBITRATOR SHALL BE FOLLOWED, EXCEPT THAT THE ARBITRATOR SHALL BE EXPERIENCED AND LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN FLORIDA. ALL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT PURSUANT TO THIS PARAGRAPH WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE COUNTY OF PALM BEACH THE REMEDY FOR ANY CLAIM SHALL BE LIMITED TO ACTUAL DAMAGES, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL ANY PARTY BE ENTITLED TO RECOVER PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING ATTORNEY’S FEES OR OTHER SUCH RELATED COSTS OF BRINGING A CLAIM, OR TO RESCIND THIS AGREEMENT OR SEEK INJUNCTIVE OR ANY OTHER EQUITABLE RELIEF.
Filed Under: News & Features

Behind-The-Scenes Photos from David LaChapelle Smirnoff Vodka Commercial

February 6, 2013 by

IFBB Pros Jill Rudison, Branden Ray and Tonia Moore were recently cast for a Smirnoff Vodka commercial. Jill shared that the muscle-bound trio is on set with world-renown photographer David LaChapelle for a photo shoot. As you can see from the outfits, it’s sure to be an over-the-top campaign, which LaChapelle is known for.

gone-lucha
Prop to Jill for sharing the images and for the trio on landing the gig. We look forward to seeing the end result.

ifbb-luchaJill Rudison, Branden Ray and Tonia Moore gone Lucha!

muscle-shoot
Jill Rudison with Chris Masters.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About A low-carb Diet

February 6, 2013 by

Dr. John Salerno says, “Hidden sugar, preservatives and highly processed white starch are what are really causing our health epidemic in the United States.” He shares some frequently asked questions about a low-carb diet. The author of “the Silver Cloud Diet” also shares,  “Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease are killing this country, and it’s not because people are eating too much organic natural fats.”
lowcarb-diet

Colleague of Celebrity Dietician Shares FAQ on Low-Carb Diets
When Dr. John Salerno – a protégé of “Atkins Diet” creator Dr. Robert Atkins – testified before the U.S.D.A. about plans for its most recent Food Pyramid revision, he spoke his mind: The food industry is corrupt and has supported recommendations that do not support the population’s health.

“Hidden sugar, preservatives and highly processed white starch are what are really causing our health epidemic in the United States,” says Salerno, author of “The Silver Cloud Diet,” (www.thesilverclouddiet.com). “Obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease are killing this country, and it’s not because people are eating too much organic natural fats.”

Since the initial popularity of the Atkins food plan some years ago, however, there have been critics of the low-carbohydrate diet. The science was and is sound, says Dr. Salerno, who worked closely with Atkins on research. The problem was that the diet itself was not sustainable.

“The basic principles needed revision both to make the diet sustainable and to take into account the foods available today,” he says.

How does a low-carb diet work? Salerno answers the most frequently asked questions:

• How is a low-carb diet today different from the Dr. Atkins plan? Thirty years ago, the food supply was less degraded. Now, low-carb dieters have to be more proactive about selecting chemical-free foods that are not highly processed. There are many more farming techniques today that introduce unnatural elements into our meats and vegetables, and there are many, many more highly processed foods on store shelves. We need to be vigilant about preservatives and additives; hormone-infused meat can wreak havoc on a body.

• What’s the first step? The Fat Fast Detox quickly puts one’s body into fat-burning mode. Adhering to the carb-free diet for two weeks will have participants losing five to 15 pounds and two inches from the waistline. Breakfast, for example, could include two large organic eggs and a side of bacon, sausage or ham, which can be washed down with coffee or tea with cream and sweetener.

• What about eating out? Sustaining a low-carb diet is pretty simple when eating at restaurants. Take the burger out of the bread and skip the French fries. You’re good to go with grilled fish, roast chicken, pot roast, pork tenderloin, shrimp, scallops and pates.

• How can you eat on the run? A small amount of planning goes a long way. Boil eggs and keep them on hand for long car trips and office snacking. Add to that list jerky salmon, nuts and string cheese. These foods are dense with nutrients.

• Where can you find “clean” foods? Buy as “close to the ground” as possible, meaning choose organic produce, eggs and dairy. Inquire at farmer’s markets where they grow crops. Find a local provider for meats and fish if possible.

• Can you eat cake on a low-carb diet? As your health and vitality improves with lost weight and increased activity, you can introduce more carbohydrates into your diet.

• Are low-carb meals safe for family members who do not need to lose weight? What’s good for you – a broad and varied diet of unprocessed foods – is good for your family!

• When is the diet over? Eating foods that are healthy, unprocessed and natural is something you should never stop doing. However, if you feel you’re starting to gain excess weight, go on a detox regimen by cutting out carbs completely for one week.

• So, fat is good for you? Natural fat is the most nutrient-dense food there is. It lubricates your joints and helps your brain function at its best. It also keeps your hair shiny and helps prevent wrinkles. When you cut out processed carbs from your diet, you don’t need to worry about natural fat, which is an appetite suppressant.

About Dr. John Salerno
A board-certified family physician, Dr. John Salerno has been pioneering complementary medicine for more than 20 years. Best known for his Silver Cloud Diet nutrition program, anti-aging supplements, and natural therapies, Dr. Salerno has crafted original treatment plans to restore human health. His publications and professional studies have made him a popular expert on the physiology and assessment of many complex medical conditions. Dr. Salerno was a protégé and colleague of prestigious Dr. Robert Atkins and has worked with Hollywood actress/author Suzanne Somers (bioidentical hormone replacement therapy pioneer); actor Steven Cannell; and president of the International Congress of Integrative Medicine, Dr. Hiroyuki Abe M.D.

 

 

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

Bethany Cisternino’s Hardbody Gym Jams

February 6, 2013 by

Bethany Cisternino shares what’s currently on her iPod when she’s blasting her guns in the gym. She has quite the mix ranging from Swedish House Mafia to Miranda Lambert. Check out her Hardbody Gym Jams!

bethany-hbj

I like all kinds of music, but truth is I could listen to country ALL DAY!  Love it!  The great thing about an iPod is being able to make playlists.  Some days I put on old school music if I’m tired of the new stuff and when I’m doing cardio I replay my routine music over and over and do my routine in my head and think about the muscles I use to do the moves.  Sometimes I forget other people are there and use my arms lol!

BETHANY CISTERNINO’S HARDBODY GYM JAMS: (click for iTunes)

•    I Cry – Florida
•    Mama’s Broken Heart – Miranda Lambert
•    Levels – Avicii
•    Catch My Breath – Kelly Clarkson
•    Kick it in the Sticks – Brantley Gilbert
•    Girl on Fire – Alicia Keys
•    How Country Feels – Randy Houser
•    Bangarang – Skrillex ft. Sirah
•    Don’t You Worry Child – Swedish House Mafia
•    Locked Out of Heaven – Bruno Mars


Listen to Bethany’s Hardbody Gym Jams on Spotify:

Message me on twitter @Bfitness80 and let me know how you liked this workout!

Filed Under: Hardbody Gym Jams Tagged With: , ,

Oksana Grishina – Stay Positive & Avoid Distractions

February 6, 2013 by

Oksana Grishina stops by to give us an update on her Road to The Arnold. She talks about the types of food on her nutrition plan, avoiding distractions and staying positive.

oksana-arnold

Hi Hardbody Fans!

Time is passing so fast… it’s hard to believe I’ll be leaving for the Arnold Classic in just 3 weeks! I’m excited and getting ready to go. My shape gets better every day, but I get more tired every day, as well, lol. My performance and costume are ready, and I’m now working to build and maintain my stamina. Of course, at this point, it’s so important to avoid injury, so I’m focused on being smart and safe in all my workouts. I can’t afford any distractions.

No matter what class you compete in, these last few weeks of dieting are very hard. Individual competition, by its nature, is a very selfish pursuit, and this is most clear as you get close to a contest. Body, mind and emotion are all so sensitive, and that focus on self, and the specific work of prepping for a contest, is the way to stay safe and strong in these final weeks before the show. I’m trying hard to stay positive, and I will bring that positive energy with me to the Arnold stage.

People often ask me about my diet and how it changes as my prep goes along. The foods I eat stay pretty much the same. I eat mostly vegetables and protein–fish, chicken, and egg whites. I get fat from avocado and nuts. My carb intake is way down, but what carbs I do get come from potatoes, rice and oatmeal. I’ve found food that works for me. It’s boring but, this close to the contest I don’t care about taste, only about what gets results, so boring doesn’t bother me. Of course, I am so thankful to my sponsor, SAN Nutrition, for supporting me with their nutritional supplements. Without supplements, it would be very hard to maintain the energy and focus I need to stay strong and safe through hard workouts while on a strict diet.

I’m going to take a break from my acting classes until after the Arnold. I love my classes, but they take up a lot of time, which is so valuable to my contest prep right now. Acting also demands so much of me, emotionally. I love how it gives me a chance to exercise very different aspects of myself but, for now, my focus has to be on fitness. Thankfully, with my passion for fitness and acting, I will continue to have great opportunities to explore and develop my physical, mental and emotional potential…and I will always be a work in progress, lol. See you in Columbus!!

Love ya!
Oksana
IFBB Fitness Pro
www.oksanagrishina.com

Follow Oksana on twitter at @OksanaGrishina 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 Tagged With: , ,

Bethany Cisternino’s Arm Blastin Workout

February 6, 2013 by

Gynmastics coach and fitness pro, Bethany Cisternino isn’t a big fan of training her arms. That doesn’t stop her from training hard though. She’s developed a workout that will help you blast your guns in the gym.

arm-training

Blastin Arms
Arm Day! My least favorite day of the week. I just find it boring. Don’t get me wrong I train ‘em hard but I just don’t find it as fun and challenging as the other body parts. Today I’m going to do a bi, tri, calf circuit because I dislike calves equally as much. Not only will this help me blow through the workout, but will keep my heart rate up for a great fat burning workout!

Did you know: both heads of the bicep and one of the heads of the tricep originate on the scapula? And they all insert onto the bones of the forearm (radius/ulna)? Therefore it is important to warm up the shoulder joint as well as the elbow joint! I will do 2 sets of light bicep curls and tricep kick backs. I also warm up by rotator cuff in the shoulder by doing some adduction, abduction, lateral, and medial rotation movements.

Check out what I listen to while blasting my arms.

Ok now that you’re anatomy lesson is over let’s get down to business.

3 rounds 12-15 reps (medium to heavy weight)
No Rest

Circuit 1
• Barbell Bicep Curls
• Straight Bar Tricep Cable Push Down
• Horizontal Calf Raise

Circuit 2
• Overhead Tricep Extenstion (machine preferred)
• Dumbbell Bicep Curl (twist at the top- slightly turn palm out)
• Weighted Standing Toe Raise (machine preferred)

Circuit 3
• Straight Bar Cable Bicep curl
• Rope Tricep Pushdown
• No Weight Standing Calf Raise (20 reps each leg)

Have a great week and remember you are only yourself when no one is watching – or at least think no one is watching. Ha! Message me on twitter @Bfitness80 and let me know how you liked this workout!

Filed Under: Workouts Tagged With: , , ,

Jessica Paxson Fitness Confessions – Hardbody Road to The Arnold

February 6, 2013 by

Jessica Paxson checks in to give us the latest on her road to the Arnold. Jessica talks about ditching excuses and instead of just looking like she’s in shape, she really is in shape. Jessica is just a few weeks out from the Bikini International in Columbus, Ohio.

jessica-road


Jessica Paxson – 2013 Bikini International Contender
“Don’t just look like you’re in shape, BE in shape!!!!”. Ah, I can still hear the words of my trainer Mike Davies being yelled at me as he would put a going through one of his brutal boot camp workouts. I have to confess, it’s been a long time since I have trained with that motto in mind. I started out in this industry as a fresh faced 21 year old. I came from a competitive dance, cheerleading, and gymnastics background. I was up for and ready for the challenge of training hard and busting my butt to get in shape for shows and challenging myself with new and different training styles. I think somewhere along the way I got lazy.

Of course you cannot be that lazy to get your body in shape for a show, but I stopped really challenging myself with my training, and kind of lost that excitement and passion I had when I trained in the gym. Don’t get me wrong, I pushed myself and had great workouts, but it just wasn’t the same. I would attempt a few boot camp style workouts and my joints would hurt, I would be winded and pissed off I wasn’t at the top of my game anymore. So, I never stayed consistent with it.

After getting tired of making excuses, I am happy to say… I don’t just look like I’m in shape, I AM in shape! I have added one boot camp class a week (starting with two this week) and my training has changed to more giant sets, plyos, and circuit style workouts. I pushed through the aches and pains, and I feel GREAT! I am loving the challenge and I have that fire and passion back! I love the group of women (and sometimes men) that take my fiance and I’s boot camp class. We all have a love hate relationship with the class and push and encourage each other. It’s a total rush! If you are a competitor, you know that show prep can get draining and repetitive. So, challenge yourself! Do something different with your training and enjoy the process! Nobody is making you do this and what is the point of getting stage ready if you are miserable while doing it?!

Happy training to y’all! Stay fit and God bless!

Jess

*If you live in or around the Centerville Ohio area, join Blair Mone and I for a boot camp class Thursdays at 7pm and Saturdays at 11:30 am at Club 51 Fitness (51 E. Spring Valley Pike Centerville Ohio 45458). Email me at jessicapaxson77@hotmail.com for details!

Follow Jessica on twitter at @JessFit.

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: , , ,

« Previous Page
Next Page »
Disclaimer: Reader discretion advised, please consult your physician before beginning any exercise or diet program.