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Dina Al Sabah Healthy & Fit Pregnancy Update


Checking in from the 3rd Trimester at 28 weeks !!

Lots to catch up on since I last touched base. I visited DC, celebrated my 40th birthday, took the gestational diabetes screening test (gag!), had my maternity shoot and started working on the baby room.

dina al sabah fitness

At the start of February, I decided that I needed to make more of an effort to walk more. Even with cardio, I felt that I could be more active, so I bought a Fitbit Flex. It was surprising to find out that on an average day, I did not meet the 10,000 steps that are recommended. Most of us have jobs where we sit all day, and unless we make conscious decisions to move, we end up not doing much. I have been incorporating a daily walk along with my gym workouts which has helped keep my step count above 10,000. My husband thinks I have lost my mind as I have started marching about during TV commercials, but I think it is a great way of adding additional activity to your day. I truly believe that staying active is one of the factors in allowing me to have an easier pregnancy with minimal swelling up till now.

My trip to DC was wonderful as I got to catch up with my best friends, eat Baked & Wired cupcakes (hands down the best cupcakes ever!) and walk all over to burn off the calories! I managed to log 22,000 steps one of the days we walked to the Capitol. I thought that my DC cupcake escapade would be the last time I ate cupcakes as I usually do not eat that sort of thing. However, my dear friends decided to surprise me for my birthday, and I ended up with cupcakes, mini cupcakes and cake pops. Of course, I had to sample a little bit of  all the treats which extended my sugar coma for a few more days. Once the sugar coma wore off it was time to take the dreaded glucose screening test for gestational diabetes. The glucose solution was one of the most disgusting things I have had to drink. The sweetness was so cloying that I felt nauseated. Now if only they could give you cupcakes instead!  The little munchkin, on the other hand, loved the sugar and proceeded to dance about for the next few hours. Thankfully I passed!

As far as working out, I have tried to maintain my original schedule, but I have been feeling more tired these last few weeks. I am making it to the gym about 3 to 4 times a week instead of my usual 5. When I am down to 3 days, I usually have a leg day, and then split arms, back and shoulders into 2 separate days. The days that I do treadmill cardio, I set the incline to around 5% so that the booty and hamstrings are activated. I  am listening to my body and am doing only what I feel I am up to. I have to admit that it has been a bit hard to get over the guilt of not making it to the gym, but I know that this is not the time to have a competitor’s outlook on things.I have also been a lot hungrier than usual. The 3rd trimester is when you require the most calories, so I am sure that the hunger is from the drain of growing another human albeit a rather small one (2.5lb at the last check up).  To manage the increase in hunger, I have gone from  4 meals a day to 5 so that I have a mid morning snack and a mid afternoon snack.

I have attached a collage of what I looked like prior to getting pregnancy, and what I look like now. It is pretty amazing how the human body can adapt to growing and expanding to accommodate a baby! I marvel at it daily.

dina preggo

New Finds:
Storq http://storq.com/  – non fussy maternity basics that fit for the entire pregnancy

Isabella Oliver http://www.isabellaoliver.com/us – stylish higher end maternity wear that can also be worn after pregnancy

Tieks http://tieks.com/ – hands down the best and cutest  ballet flats I own.  I wear them to walk around everywhere and they keep my feet happy

Keep up with Dina on her Facebook fan page.



Dina’s Diary – Staying Fit & Healthy During A Pregnancy


Dina shares the latest in her journal of staying healthy and fit during her first pregnancy. If you’re a Hardbody mom you’ll likely related to some of what Dina has to share. If you’re a mom-to-be like Dina is you’ll get an idea of what Dina is going through with her first pregnancy. She discuses how she’s feeling and what types of workouts she’s able to do. Dina also shares some of the beauty products she’s using and what her nutrition is like.

21 weeks pregnant

Dina’s Diary – Week 22

Yes, I have leaky boobs and am doing squats in the Smith Machine with 10lb plates! Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let me re-cap the week.

Ever since my anatomy scan, I have been feeling “movement”. As a primigravida (woman who is pregnant for the first time), I knew that it would take a while for me to feel anything. I have to say that it is the most incredible feeling, knowing that you have another life within you, that is moving about outside your control. I will admit though that I have gotten jabs at rather inopportune moments. I’m pretty sure you’ve all read about how pregnancy makes your hormones go crazy which can be a bonanza for all in the bedroom, but let me tell you that having my baby to be make his presence known at the very same time put a kibosh on everything. I’m sure I will get over it soon enough, but it’s taking some processing. Now as far as the leaky boobs…it happens. Usually this happens in the 3rd trimester but all bodies are different, and mine started at around 21 weeks. I gleefully wanted to share this new development with my husband, but he ran away shrieking. Now I know how to torment him! I also have a more pronounced Linea Nigra (the line that some pregnant women get that travels down the belly).

Body-wise I have been feeling pretty good. I feel stronger at the gym and a little less hesitant than I had been. I have gone back to squatting baby weights (yes, I use the Smith Machine now!). I find the leg press a bit uncomfortable, so I am no longer doing that. Here is what my arm day looked like:

WORKOUT

Machine preacher curls 3 x 12
Flat curls 3 x 12
Push-ups using upside down Bosu ball 3 x 12
Rope Pulldowns 3 x 12

And here is leg day part one..I usually train legs twice a week:

Leg extensions 3 x 12
Hamstring Curls on Cable Machine 3 x 12
Plie Squats 3 x 12
Smith Machine Squats 3 x 12
Deads with a wider stance to accommodate the baby bump 3 x 13
Side Step Ups 3 x 12

This week I added yoga and Pilates into my workout rotation. I find that yoga allows me to stretch and get in tune with my body. Pilates, on the other hand, kicked my butt. You have to love an instructor who tells you that pregnancy is not a disability and that she expects you to work! My tushie will thank her later.

For nutrition, as I progress into my pregnancy, coach Layne advised that we should be slowly increasing my calories weekly. This week I get a few more carbs and a smidgen more of fat. Don’t get me wrong, I am not being completely obsessive with my diet, and I am indeed having fun. My husband made me buttermilk pancakes on Monday, and I was in a food coma for the rest of the day. My philosophy is to enjoy what I eat, but that pregnancy does not mean eating for two. It is my job to ensure that what I eat is nutritious for both myself and my son to be and that I maintain good health and weight gain. My OB advises a range of 25 – 35lb for me, and so far I have gained 11 lb. I haven’t had any real cravings, and my meat aversions are still there though they are diminishing slowly.

I thought I would touch on my beauty regiment.I have had to change some of my go to products during pregnancy. Having darker skin, I am predisposed to get melasma (dark patches). My aesthetician advised that I could use some vitamin c and kojic acid to keep it from getting worse. Below are some of the things I am now using with the approval of my OB.

Turbo Booster C Powder
Clé de Peau foam cleanser
Clé de Peau protective lotion
Image Ageless Total Skin Lightening Serum
Tatcha Rice Enzyme Powder

As far as on my body, I am a firm believer that stretch marks are genetic and no matter how many lotions and potions you apply, you will not avoid getting them should you be predisposed to them. My go to body products are:

Ultra Moisture In-Shower Body Lotion
Olay Quench Body Lotion Shimmer

Those two are the only products that have stopped me from getting scaly skin on my legs, and trust me I have tried everything.

For an extra treat, I love using
REN Moroccan Rose Otto Ultra-Moisture Body Oil

That’s all for now!



Dina Al Sabah – Staying Healthy & Fit While Pregnant


Dina Al Sabah let the world know the news yesterday… She’s expecting! Dina posted a photo on Facebook and shared the news with everyone. She’s been kind enough to document her journey and share it here. Dina was one of the pioneers in the IFBB Women’s division. As an amateur, she competed in women’s bodybuilding, fitness and figure. After successfully petitioning for her pro card (since she wasn’t able to through her country at the time) she had a solid run as a Pro Figure competitor. She made the transition into the Bikini division and found herself in the top spots once again. Dina graced the cover of Oxygen, IRONMAN and other magazines along the way. If you think she’s just another attractive competitor/model, think again. She has a degree in Electrical Engineering and has probably forgotten more about computers than most people ever know. Dina decided to hang up her competition suit after a successful career.

dina-al-sabah

Dina Al Sabah’s Pregnancy – The First 20 Weeks
Prior to pregnancy, I had very clear thoughts about how mine would be. Of course, I would stay on the same diet and only add the necessary calories; I would workout up till the very end, and I would not have to switch to maternity clothing until I was at least half way through. Needless to say, all those lofty thoughts went out the window pretty much the minute I saw that positive sign on a home pregnancy test. Clearly every pregnancy journey is unique and is dependent on each individual’s circumstances. In my case, in order to optimize my body for pregnancy I had to be mindful of not exercising too much or eating too little. As a former competitor, I would always be anxious if I could not see my abs in the morning; however, having low body fat was not going to be conducive to getting pregnant. The months prior to getting pregnant I ate more and did less cardio allowing my body to settle in at about 132 lbs.

The first few months of pregnancy were miserable. I had low grade nausea throughout the day that peaked at night. Most foods I used to enjoy like chicken and steak ended up making me gag. I couldn’t even stand to watch my husband eat meat. My go to foods were noodle and vegetable soup, eggs, crackers…and more crackers. The nausea was always worse if I let myself get hungry, so I put myself on a 3 hr. eating schedule. Most of the reading I did stated that protein would help keep the nausea at bay, but the only things that I could tolerate were starches. Other than feeling crabby, I was also not allowed to work out until I was about 12 weeks along. My OB was extra cautious due to my “advanced maternal age” and preferred that when I started back up in the gym that I keep my heart rate under 135 and that I avoid overheating. He recommended swimming as the best form of cardio while pregnant.

I invested in a Mio Alpha watch to keep track of my heart rate as the Polar chest strap was just not working for me. At my first gym session, I noticed that my heart rate was much higher than it was usually. Just walking on the treadmill was giving me a heart rate in the 120’s, so I literally had to stroll very leisurely. Upon further investigation, I found out that this increase is very normal, and it is, in fact, one of the first signs that some women pick up on when they are pregnant. At about 13 weeks, I resumed my weight training activities. I cut back on all my weights by 50% and started off with a lower body/upper body split. Once I felt better, I returned to my regular workouts albeit at a much lower intensity. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to have a healthy baby, enjoy my pregnancy and not overdo it in the gym. I applaud women who are pregnant and box jumping, crossfitting, running etc.; I am assuming they are doing it with the blessing of their OB. I, on the other hand, feel that I can go back to those activities once I give birth.

Weeks 9-13
I started taking weekly “belly” shots to see how things were changing. To the average person, I most likely look a little bloated, but I do notice a difference. I also notice that I am starting to have some water retention and that my jeans are very snug especially towards the end of the day. Nausea still rears its ugly head every so often, but I have only thrown up twice. At 13 weeks, after my NT scan and first trimester screening, I felt well enough to start some activity. I have been very anxious since the beginning as I have had the unfortunate experiences of miscarriage and thoughts of doom and gloom are always lurking.

Weeks 14-17
Thankfully the nausea has abated, but I still cannot stomach eating much protein. My coach, Layne Norton, suggested using pasteurized egg whites in smoothies which I actually enjoy. I moved to a 5 day split (back/chest, legs part 1, bi/tri, shoulders, legs part 2) and about 15-20 minutes of steady state cardio at week 16. My usual cardio is incline treadmill, elliptical and sometimes the stepmill. My goal has been to keep my heart rate in the 120s. When I lift, my heart rate does go into the high 130s, but I make sure to give myself enough rest for it to go back down. If I lived in a walking city I would choose to walk everywhere, but Los Angeles makes that a little difficult so indoor cardio will have to do.

Week 18
This week I got some lower back pain which can be one of the unfortunate symptoms of pregnancy, so I have taken it easy and skipped the gym. I have implemented a nightly stretching and rolling routine. I do a series of neck stretches and some sun salutations. I also use a Rumble Roller and Beasties on my back, shoulders and neck. I look forward to my bi-weekly pre-natal massages.

I haven’t had any cravings; however, my aversions are still there. I am able to eat ground meat, but anything else does not sound appealing at all. I usually start off the day with a Muscle Egg shake. I throw in either a half banana or berries depending on my mood, and about 1/4c of Fage 2%. I have also been addicted to Fitness Bread; something about its chewiness just makes me salivate. I usually have a slice with breakfast, and sometimes as a snack. The great news is that I am still not interested in sweets!

Week 19
My back feels better, so I’m back in the gym yay!

For my workouts I did:

Back (10 -12 reps, 3 sets): seated row, high pull, dumbbell row plus 15 minutes on treadmill

Shoulders (10 -12 reps, 3 sets): lateral raises with hold at top, upright rows, front raises plus 15 minutes on stepmill

Arms and mini legs (10 -12 reps, 3 sets): preacher curls, flat curls, rope pull downs, pushups, standing lunges, glute bridges using the stability ball, Bosu body weight squats plus 20 minutes on elliptical.

I really wanted to get to the gym one more day, but my husband was feeling a bit under the weather, so I stayed home since he would feel bad that I snuck in an extra workout without him… yes men are silly!

I am forcing myself to drink lots and lots of water. I found a wonderful water pitcher with an infuser so I am making all sorts of flavored water. My current favorite is cucumber mint. Last week I experimented with lavender and lemon which was very tasty.

Week 20
Happy New Year Everyone!

We are off to Germany tomorrow for a few days. I have already been instructed by my OB to walk every hour, drink plenty of water and wear some over the counter compression stockings. Last night I tried out the very sexy compression stockings. While they were surprisingly comfy, the stockings are hideous. Thankfully I am flying in a cabin with a flat bed seat so at the very least I can get some sleep, but my goal is to drink enough water so that I HAVE to get up every hour, that way there is no slacking off. I had a decent leg workout today but kept it super light as I do not want to be sore tomorrow!

Leg extensions, box squats, cable kick backs, straight leg deads, plié squats.

I will check in with you next week when I return.

If you have questions related to Dina’s pregnancy and what her journey has been like post them in the comments below or email her.



Dina Al-Sabah: Cranky…Tired…Hungry


IFBB Bikini Pro Dina Al-Sabah shares her final guest blog before trekking to Columbus. Dina has competed in Columbus before but on the Figure International stage. Read what Dina is feeling/thinking with less than one week to go.

 

 

Cranky, tired, hungry…hungry, tired, cranky… tick tock… hurry up food clock… that is how I have been feeling for the last two days. It is as if I have a furnace burning and I am STARVING by the time I finish my meal. I cannot make it past 2pm without wanting to fall asleep. I don’t want to talk to anyone. I don’t want to look at anyone… GRRRRRRR Last week I was dealing with a huge lack of self-confidence and general unhappiness with the way I looked. This week though I have overcome the self-confidence issues, I am faced with a general restlessness and a sense of wanting to cry every 5 minutes.

Due to my crazy  schedule, I leave to DC on Saturday and from there head out to Ohio on Thursday March 3rd. The good news is that I wont have to deal with jet lag in Ohio, the bad news is that I have to deal with making sure all my stuff is packed and ready to go right away.

First, my care box… this is the box I ship to the hotel for my show. In it I have sheets, towels, back up shoes, supplements, sweat pants, tanning pajamas and whatever else won’t fit in my carry-on bag as I refuse to check my luggage.

Next, I pack the essentials into my carry-on… these are the things I absolutely cannot replace… like my PassionFruit Design suits (I take a back-up just in case). I also have meetings to attend in DC so I have to make sure that I have clothing packed for those as well… and have my meals planned. I pack my Yammit dried sweet potato along with my nuts as I have found that it is fairly easy to find a clean protein source, but harder to find carb and fat sources that my body can tolerate since I have food allergies and intolerances. I know that many of you wonder how I manage to travel so much and yet stay focused for my shows, and my answer is meticulous planning and always having a back-up plan should anything go awry.

I am already thinking of my post contest meal. Steak and wine is really all I want, and just thinking about it makes me salivate.

See you in Columbus!

 

Follow Dina on Twitter @dalsabah and on Facebook.



Dina Al-Sabah Checks in from the Road


Dina is traveling non-stop it seems but that doesn’t prevent her from getting in her workouts. She updates us from the 5 week point. Check it out.

Since my return from Singapore I have been home and able to focus on getting enough sleep, eating and spending quality time at the gym. This is the period where self doubt starts to creep in. I come from a Figure background so I freak out sometimes as I feel I am not doing enough cardio. In Bikini, my tendency has been to be on the leaner/harder side which is not desirable so I cannot do as much cardio as I used to…which in turn makes me freak out…sometimes I find myself trying to rationalize hitting the treadmill just a little bit more and it is a constant struggle not to do it…as is the struggle to get the booty and hams tight but not be too hard everywhere else.


Cardio at home.

On the more entertaining front, I had a great conversation with Berns of Passion Fruit Designs and cannot wait to see what she comes up with for my suit. Though I am being judged on my physique the whole package must look impeccable. I also have my hair and make-up artist booked for the day – this may be overkill but I prefer not sharing and not stressing over when I need to get my make-up done etc. I already have my tanning appointment booked as well… So all that is left is to pack what I call my “care box” – more on that later.

I am now headed to DC, where I get to spend a week at my favorite gym Vida Fitness… I just love it there. I am then sneaking in a trip to BombShell HQ so that my fitness Momma can make sure I am on track.

Note for anyone flying on United… if you forgot your food, the Lite snack pack has 3oz tuna and unsweetened apple sauce. Just chuck out the chocolate pretzel.

Follow Dina on Twitter @dalsabah and on Facebook.



Arnold Blog: Dina Al-Sabah’s Singapore Trip


IFBB Bikini Pro Dina Al-Sabah reports in after her trip to Singapore. She shares how she manages traveling and prepping for the Bikini International.

Thinking Outside the Box!
Next stop Singapore…and since I am a world traveler and have always had to make do with scrounging for food at various destinations I am used to coming up with solutions. My flight to Singapore was fantastic as I flew the new A380 and even had my own bed. The crew were very upset that I was not going to indulge in all the goodies they had on board, but they dealt with it gracefully.

Bed on flight to Sinapore. NICE!

Once in Singapore, I was itching to try the local fare. I knew I could still enjoy myself and stay on my plan. I had to eyeball my portions but after having weighed my food daily, I know what 3/4oz of chicken looks like..I know what my portion of carbs looks like. Armed with information about the various glycemic index of different fruits and carb sources (along with my blackberry) it was a breeze. For meal 1, where I normally ate a carb and a protein plus some fat, I indulged in congee with chicken. Congee is a rice porridge cooked with rice, water and ginger..nothing bad there. The chicken was steamed plain and I made sure it had no skin. I also ate a whole egg Singapore style (soft boiled) so that I got my bit of fat and some extra protein. I absolutely LOVED my morning meal. The rest of the day I focused on sashimi (I ate some of the most amazing tuna), and green veggies (think lettuce, seaweed, spinach).

The gym had the basic cardio equipment and a Technogym Kenesis unit which catered to all my needs. I did my plyos outside overlooking the water which made them all the more fun to perform.

One of several amazing views on trip.

My favorite part of Singapore other than the shopping, is the availability of some amazing foot massages. My poor feet were quite tired after all the cardio I was doing and all the heels I was wearing (A glam girl has got to have her heels). I got the most amazing foot massage in a tiny hole in the wall. It hurt like all heck, but after I felt like I was walking on clouds!

– Dina

Dinworth chil’n in style on his way to Singapore.

Follow Dina on Twitter @dalsabah and on Facebook.



Arnold Blog: Dina & Dinworth Check In


IFBB Bikini Pro Dina Al-Sabah checks in as she travels the globe. Dina is currently in London and she’s making her mom eat the same food she is. Check out what else she’s up to as she balances travel with her Arnold prep.

As luck would have it, I am right next to Itsu (itsu.com) their tag line is Health and Happiness… lots of sushi/sashimi with the nutritional content available so I have my food planned out.
On the gym front… the hotel gym is being renovated (Grrr), so I only have access to cardio machines and dumbells. I can definitely do my shoulder/tricep workouts here as well as my cardio but for my glutes I will have to go the the LA Fitness a few blocks away which (free to hotel guests).

So far an excellent time and it included laughing at mom’s expression when I made her eat the same food I ate.

I have noticed that there are quite a few options here to be smart foodwise. At the Boots (like an upsacle CVS) snacks are packaged in small bags of 100 calories each, there are healthy and low calorie options like sanwiches etc all part of a weight management plan. Tomorrow I shall go to the proper gym and will be sure to give you all an update!

Follow Dina’s adventures on her Twitter account @dalsabah. Here’s a few photos from the week…


Dinworth travels with Dina every where she goes. He makes sure she puts everything away when flying.



Dina must hide the candy at the hotel.



A look at Dina’s healthy lunch choice while traveling.



After eating sushi, yet again, Dina’s mom is on a sushi strike.


Check back for more adventures with Dina and her road to the Bikini International.



2011 Arnold Guest Blogs: IFBB Bikini Pro Dina Al-Sabah


The 2011 Arnold Sports Festival is quickly approaching and we’re kicking off our Hardbody coverage with one of many pro guest blogs. Over the next few weeks you’ll gain insight as to what some of the IFBB female competitors are up to and how their prep is going. IFBB Bikini Pro Dina Al-Sabah kicks things off with her blog. She has some great tips for traveling competitors.

I am less than 9 weeks out to my first show of the year, the inaugural Bikini International. I am very excited to have been invited and know that while I do have a career outside the fitness industry that requires a lot of travel,  I have to ensure that I bring my best to the stage. The last time I competed at the Arnold Sports Festival was in the Figure division in 2004. It was not my best physique due to various personal issues, so it really means a lot to me to nail it this time.

Traveling while going through contest prep can be hard, but with a little planning it is not impossible. I am going to London and then Singapore so it is a little tricker in that I have to adapt to new time zones, and I cannot pack my food due to international rules of not bringing in food items etc.

I started planning my trip by looking for a hotel with a good 24hr gym. This may sound silly, but outside the USA, not all hotels have decent gyms, and they are not always 24hrs. I prefer to have that option. Once I picked the hotel, I used yelp to locate a few spots where I could find clean food. I usually look for sushi bars or Japanese restaurants as I know I can get clean food there. I also located the closest grocery store so that I can pick up some supplies once I arrive.

I also moved around my workouts so that I could do the body parts that require more specific equipment while I was at home and save the easier body parts (upper body in my case) for the road.

As far as food on the plane, surprisingly enough depending on the airline, you can have some decent options. On United, I can get a plain grilled chicken salad, the dressing is always on the side, so I eat the greens and the chicken. On Singapore Air I have the option of picking the meal that I want, and sushi was one of the choices..easy enough. I will take a few snacks with me, but I have to make sure to eat them before landing or to leave them on board.

Dinworth and I are both packed, and ready to set off.

Follow Dina’s adventures on twitter @dalsabah and check out her web site FitDina.com. Email or tweet her if you have a question you’d like her to answer in her next blog.



Dina Al Sabah Signs with FMG


Fitness Management Group (FMG) has signed IFBB Pro Dina Al Sabah to their roster. Dina recently returned to the IFBB stage after a four year hiatus. When she returned she decided to compete in the new bikini division and has steadily improved with each show. Dina was one of the original IFBB Pro Figure competitors and before that she competed in fitness AND bodybuilding. That makes her the first and (so far) only woman to compete in every division.

Dina shared, “I am thrilled to be a part of FMG. This was something that J.M. and I discussed in ’03 when I was in the IFBB Figure division, but due to various reasons did not happen. As you know, both J.M. and you, Isaac, were instrumental in getting me to come back and compete in the new IFBB Bikini division. I think the timing is perfect as I feel I can be quite competitive and be of the same caliber as the other FMG athletes.

Dina will be competing at the 2010 Tournament of Champions, next weekend in Culver City.

Stay updated with FMG on Facebook and visit Dina’s site at FitDina.com.



Davana Medina Postpones Return to IFBB Stage


Davana Medina was slated make her return to the IFBB stage this weekend but fans will have to wait. I’m told that due to personal circumstances Davana Medina has withdrawn from Hartford show. She will be making a decision as to where her IFBB Pro Bikini debut will take place. Check back to see where she’ll end up next.

I had her pegged as a top three contender. Who will move into that spot? We’ll see when prejudging takes place on Friday.



Hardbody Hot Seat: Dina Al-Sabah Returns


We caught up with IFBB Pro Dina Al-Sabah two weeks out from her return to the competitive stage. In part one, she discusses her background on and off the stage. Find out how many degrees she has to her credit and how many different languages she speaks. Dina is one of the only competitors to compete in bodybuilding, fitness, figure and now bikini.

Stay tuned for part two and three from this interview.



The Champ is BACK! Davana Medina Returns


Earlier in the month, I speculated that 3x Figure Olympia Champion Davana Medina was eyeing a return to the competitive stage. There’s no need to speculate any longer as her management, FMG, confirmed with me today that she is coming back. I had a chance to speak with Davana at the Team Universe contest and she hasn’t changed a bit since her days on stage, except a little less muscular. She’s teamed up with fellow Olympia Champion, Adela Garcia for her new bikini training.

jm-davana-medina
3x Figure Olympia Champ Davana Medina and her manager, J.M. Manion.

The following press release was issued today.

FMG PRESS RELEASE
July 14, 2010 – Anybody who was at the 2010 NPC Team Universe Championships this past weekend in N.J. had an opportunity to see Figure pioneer & the only 3-time IFBB Figure Olympia champion Davana Medina enjoying the competition. Those that saw her realized she wasn’t just here as a spectator, she was hear to do some research. Everybody was asking her about those rumors of her comeback to competition. Davana didn’t let on then but we are here to confirm the rumors that Davana Medina is returning to the IFBB & will be making her return competing in the 2010 IFBB Europa Show Of Champions Pro Bikini in Hartford on July 23rd & 24th. And she has re-signed with FMG who had the great pleasure of managing Davana Medina’s entire NPC & IFBB career starting in 2001 until her retirement. Davana is also the first former FMG athlete that we have re-signed to work with.

Former FMG athlete & another IFBB Figure pioneer Jaime Franklin reconnected Davana with us at the 2009 Arnold Fitness Weekend. Initially we thought she might return in Figure but after lengthy discussions with Davana the new IFBB Bikini division seemed to be the perfect fit of what she was looking to accomplish.

Next was getting Davana a trainer to help her get on stage in 2010 to qualify for the inaugural 2010 IFBB Bikini Olympia. That trainer turned out to be her old friend, FMG athlete & 4-time IFBB Fitness Olympia champion Adela Garcia.

Adela stated, “I am honored and excited to be working with Davana as we go way back. Davana is an extremely hard working athlete & when she puts her mind into a goal, she goes after it all the way. When I was told about Davana returning to compete I reached out to her & ever since Davana & I have been talking about her returning into competition. I knew she wanted to compete again & once I knew she was game, I told her “Girl, I am your girl & we are in it to Win it”. You have 2 Olympia Champions mentality & all you create is fire to Win. Davana will step on that Bikini Olympia stage ready and O.F.F. Challenge is ecstatic to have her on board. Thank you so much for the great opportunity to be part of your new journey Davana. Thank you FMG for trusting me to bring her ready to do some damage.”

Look out because Davana Medina is back to rock IFBB Bikini the way she did IFBB Figure in the last decade!

To contact Davana Medina for appearances, endorsements, interviews & modeling, contact FMG at fitnessdivasproductions@verizon.net or via Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fitness-Management-Group.



Davana Medina Returns?


A couple little birdies are chirp’n that the first Figure Olympia champ, Davana Medina is returning to the IFBB stage but this time in the bikini division. Davana won the Figure Olympia in 2003, 2004 and 2005. She stepped away from the stage and has since become a proud mother.

Stay tuned for more info on Davana’s return to competition and if/when it might be…

**Update: I checked with the IFBB office and Davana is NOT registered for 2010. Hmmm. She could still send in her IFBB dues but will she and decided to compete?

dav1
Davana Medina – photo by Brian Moss.



Dina Al-Sabah Returns to The IFBB Stage


It’s official… Dina Al-Sabah will return to the IFBB stage however this time it will be in the bikini division. She’s one of five competitors currently on the IFBB Pro Bodybuilding Weekly Championship competitor list for the Bikini division. Dina is the 2003 Jan Tana Figure Champion and placed 5th at the 2003 Figure Olympia. Her last time on stage was the 2006 Sacramento Pro but she’s been staying in shape.

How will she fare in the new bikini division? Only time will tell but if she looks anything like this IRONMAN magazine cover, she’ll more than hold her own in Tampa.

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Stay tuned as we bring you more with Dina as she prepares for the Tampa competition.



Happy Birthday Dina Al-Sabah


A big shout out to Dina Al-Sabah who will is celebrating her birthday today. Dina hasn’t been on the competitive stage in couple years but can still be seen in many of the fitness magazines. Most recently she was on the cover of IRONMAN magazine. Happy Birthday Dina!

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The beautiful Dina Al-Sabah.


Pauline Nordin’s Fighter Diet E-Book


Click here to check out the behind-the-scenes video from Pauline Nordin’s new e-book. You can read more about the book and purchase it on her web site.

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Sample from Pauline’s new e-book.


HardBody Photo of the Day: Dina Rocks


Now that there is a little down time in the competitive season, I’m getting a chance to sort through thousands of photos from the year. One of my favorite shoots of the year was with Dina Al-Sabah at Red Rocks. Dina is a top model and a natural in front of the camera. Dina is today’s photo of the day.

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Dina Al-Sabah at Red Rocks.


Photo of the Day: Dina Al-Sabah


Dina Al-Sabah has long been a fan favorite in the fitness industry. She’s graced multiple magazine covers and has a striking look that will stop you in your tracks. I caught up with Dina while I was in Las Vegas for a shoot at Red Rocks. We managed to make it up there at the buttcrack of dawn and get a few shots. If you haven’t made the trip out to Red Rocks, I’d encourage you to do so. Go early in the morning or you may melt away.

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Dina Al-Sabah heats it up at Red Rocks.


Happy Birthday to IFBB Pro & Fitness Model Dina Al-Sabah


A big shout out to Dina on her birthday. Dina tells me she is chill’n in Vegas for her special day. I tried to convince her to come to Columbus for the Arnold Classic, but after she saw the weather report no chance of that happening. Will we see Dina on the figure stage again? Perhaps but on this day the only thing on her meal plan is a piece of chocolate cake.

Happy Birthday Dina and many more to come!

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A recent photo of Dina from IRONMAN Magazine.


Bedroom Banter with Dina Al-Sabah


Seeing as this is my first entry on hardbody.com, I thought I would start off by introducing myself. For all of you who are familiar with the Fitness/Figure and BodyBuilding industry, I’m sure you already know a little about me, so you can go ahead and skip to the juicer sections! For those of you who want to find out more, you can always visit my site, fitdina.com. Anyhow, you might be wondering what this column is about, and why you should bother reading what I have to say (well technically you don’t, but I promise to entertain you!)

This column is for all you women, couples (and men) who want to embrace their sexuality, become more intimate with their significant other and learn more about the products available to us to enhance our sexual experiences, whether with a partner or alone. We all work so hard at getting in shape, in part to be more attractive to the opposite (or same) sex, so why not get the skills and knowledge to truly wow them once you hook up.

Read HARDBODY’s newest section: Bedroom Banter with Dina Al-Sabah.



Dina’s photoshoot video heats up hardbody


Click on over to IRON MAN Magazine’s web site for the behind the scene’s look at Dina’s photo shoot. Caution when opening this link at work, your boss may wonder what you’re doing.

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Dina’s recent photo shoot for IRON MAN Magazine.


IFBB Figure Pro Dina Al-Sabah joins HARDBODY.com Team & Featured as IRONMAN Cover Model


Dina is a long time friend of the crew here at hardbody and we’re happy to welcome her to the team. Dina is a welcome addition and will have a featured column, “Bedroom Banter”. She’ll answer your questions and address some of the hot topics competitors are afraid to discuss. This column will be an extension of her podcast with the same name that will begin in the new year. Look for Dina’s first contribution in the next couple days.

I’m happy to give the first look to the January 2008 issue of IRONMAN magazine, featuring none other than Dina! The newest issue should be hitting the shelves in the next few days. This is cover number four for Dina. The shoot came about when Ron Avidan, Lonnie Teper (LT), Sherry Goggins and myself were tooling around Las Vegas looking for Sherry’s hotel. What should have been a 10 minute drive turned into a couple hour tour. Ron’s directions (or lack there-of led to our confusion) but that’s what I get for listening to him. While we were all going bonkers, LT asked Dina if she’d shot with Michael Neuvex with IRONMAN and to his surprise she hadn’t. LT put the wheels in motion and Dina rolled out to LA for the shoot. The cover speaks for itself and Ray Charles could see why we’re fans of the Dino.

Congrats and welcome aboard D!

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Dina Al-Sabah on the newest IRONMAN Cover. Thanks to IM for the image.


Dina Al-Sabah Signs on with Hardbody.com


A note from from one of the World’s Hottest Fitness Models:
As some of you know, I used to co-host Living Beautiful Radio where I covered nutrition, excercise and female sexuality as well as the latest in adult toys and products. I’ve decide to create my own show which will be available via podcast as well as in blog format. This show will focus on female sexuality and cover products/toys and any other things you may want to know. You can also visit this very site, where I will have my own column that coincides with the show.

I would love to have your feedback and participation… Maybe even have some of you on the show to share tips and ideas… Email your ideas to dina@fitdina.com and tell her Hardbody sent ya.



Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Acquires LG Sciences


Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals Acquires LG Sciences Adding to its Premium Line Up of Sports Nutrition Brands
NORCROSS, Ga., Aug. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals (“Hi-Tech”), a leading global provider of Sports Nutrition, Weight loss products, and Contract Manufacturing services, and LG Sciences (“LG”), one of the premier Sports Nutrition and Bodybuilding brands in the United States, today announced that Hi-Tech has acquired LG Sciences brand of Sports Nutrition products and Bodybuilding products. The transaction will continue to bolster Hi-Tech’s leading Sports Nutrition and Weight Loss arsenal and expand its position as the leader in Diet & Energy products and continues to add to its family of top tiered Sports Nutrition brands.

When LG Sciences (Legal Gear) was established about a decade ago, and over the years, LG Sciences has led the Sports Supplement industry in bodybuilding products, quality and innovation. LG Sciences is committed to introducing new, effective, and “Hardcore supplements backed by scienceâ„¢. Supplements that are backed by science and based on the concept of enhancing lean muscle mass and physical performance. LG Sciences was born out of the need for a quality, no-nonsense line of hardcore bodybuilding supplements designed for elite athletes. Unable to find products that met their standards in the mid 2000’s, the company’s founders created LG Sciences, with the goal of developing unsurpassed nutritional formulas to meet the demands of hardcore, competitive athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

LG Sciences employs a team consisting of a biochemist, chemical engineer, chemists, and many supplement experts to formulate all of our products. Innovation: LG Sciences continues to release a host of new compounds, many with patents pending, to take your training to the next level. All of our bodybuilding products are based on extensive research by well-respected experts. At LG Sciences, we have positioned ourselves for the future. We have developed a solid base of loyal customers who value the results of our products. Many of LG Sciences upcoming products were developed based on the feedback of our customers and retailers. Thanks to you, our customers. The future of LG Sciences is looking even brighter, with more great products and innovation now that we are joining the Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals team.

LG Sciences has been providing high-quality sports nutrition products to professional bodybuilders, elite athletes and fitness enthusiasts for a decade. LG Sciences has helped pioneer a sports-specific approach to athletes’ and bodybuilders nutrition. The acquisition of the LG Sciences brand of Bodybuilding and Sports Nutrition products accelerates Hi-Tech’s growth strategy, substantially boosts our Bodybuilding and Sports Nutrition portfolio and diversifies our business stream,” stated Hi-Tech, President and CEO Jared Wheat. “We believe this strategic transaction will enhance our industry-leading innovative Bodybuilding and Sports Nutrition position by expanding market opportunities. We manufacture products for many of the leading Sports nutrition brands, as well as our own family of brands, and believe we can add a lot of innovation to an already hardcore bodybuilding line.” Wheat continued, “Our strong operational structure and aggressive acquisition strategies have enabled the continued growth of our Sports Nutrition and Weight Loss business and will increase profit margins due to ability to bring the production of Innovative products to our industry-leading manufacturing facilities.”

As a leading provider of premium Bodybuilding products in the sports nutrition category, LG Sciences brands align with the company’s continued focus on Sports Supplements, while further diversifying the Hi-Tech portfolio. Innovative products such as 1-Androstenoloneâ„¢, 6-MASSâ„¢, 17-ProAndro, EpiAndroâ„¢, M-1D Androâ„¢, FORM-XTâ„¢, Natadrolâ„¢, Whey Pro , and EPICâ„¢- some of the top Bodybuilding and Sports Nutrition Aids in the industry, which will continue to bolster our Sports Nutrition and Bodybuilding portfolio such as: Anavar®, Dianabol®, Bulasterone®, Testosterone Depot®, Estrogenex®, Jack’D UPâ„¢, NitroPro®, and Phosphagen®.

Over the years, LG Sciences has led the nutritional supplement industry in new to market ingredients, quality and is amongst the leaders with product innovation. LG Sciences has also built lasting and profitable relationships with their private label customers, which is something LG Sciences began offering a few years ago. “This will tie in nicely with Hi-Tech’s goals and growth and offer LG Sciences private label customers many more option due to our massive manufacturing platform,” said Wheat.

Brandon Schopp, Vice-President of Contract manufacturing with Hi-Tech, commented, “Hi-Tech’s impeccable reputation for pharmaceutical-grade quality, strong innovation and manufacturing expertise make it a perfect complement to LG Sciences brand of Sports Nutrition products. Additionally, having access to our extensive production capabilities across a variety of product formats such as Liposomal Technology, Cyclosomeâ„¢ Technology that combines cyclodextrin and liposomal delivery systems; and Time-Released Monolithic Osmotic Pump (TMOP) delivery systems. We will also be able to offer energy shots and ready-to-drink beverages, and being able to offer our customers access to manufacturing and distribution facilities in Atlanta, Georgia and Reedsville, Pennsylvania is a significant competitive advantage.” The acquisition, in combination with an expansive capital investment program, will create world-class formulation, product development and production capabilities across in excess of 400,000 square feet of manufacturing space. “Compliance and enforcement have raised the bar for manufacturers, and this merger creates a top-tiered company with an incredible manufacturing scale and capabilities in an otherwise fragmented segment of the market. Hi-Tech and its Sports Nutrition brands will be a one-stop shop for Sports Nutrition stores,” said Schopp.

“LG Sciences products will serve as a growth catalyst for our Sports Supplement segment, providing this division with another leading brand in the high-growth sports nutrition category,” said Steve Smith, Executive Vice President at Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals. “The acquisition of LG Sciences expands our offerings of hardcore sports supplements, and broadens our appeal with younger consumers.” said Smith.

“Hi-Tech remains true to the principals that the company was built on – innovation, quality and consistency, and will always be dedicated to ensuring that these principals remain uncompromised. Hi-Tech will continue to provide the finest-quality, innovative, science-based Sports Nutritional supplements and Diet & Energy Aids,” says Wheat.

Other nutrition companies looking to increase scale, revenue, market share, and competitive advantage have also been active with mergers and acquisitions. Hi-Tech has been able to increase its market share in the United States through the acquisition of Florida-based Synergy Nutritional Industries in 2005, and gained a larger market share when it acquired Advanced Performance Supplements (“APS”) in 2011. Hi-Tech gained further industry dominance when it acquired Nittany Pharmaceuticals in Pennsylvania and ALR Industries in California in 2012. Hi-Tech’s recent strategy has been, and according to its leaders will continue to be, growth through M&A activity. In 2015, Hi-Tech has acquired Advanced Pharmaceuticals and Nutritionals, FormuTech Nutrition, Sports One®, Innovative Laboratories and with the most recent acquisition by Hi-Tech of LG Sciences it is the fifth acquisition for Hi-Tech and will not be the last of the year.

About Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals
Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals (https://www.hitechpharma.com/index.htm) is a leading Sports Nutrition manufacturer. Since 1979, Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and its sister company, Hi-Tech Nutraceuticals, LLC. have been providing quality custom manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical, dietary supplement and beverage industries. Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals is a cGMP certified company that operates out of Four (4) US Production facilities and (2) Warehouses, totally over 400,000 sq. ft. The two Georgia based production facilities are both located outside Atlanta in the Norcross and Suwanee Advanced Technology areas. Hi-Tech also has Two (2) facilities located outside State College, Pennsylvania. Hi-Tech holds a Drug Manufacturing License issued by the State of Pennsylvania Food and Drug Branch and is registered as a Food and Drug Establishment with the FDA in Pennsylvania.

Hi-Tech’s acquisition of Nittany immediately doubled Hi-Tech’s solid dose and powder square footage. The former Nittany facility is a 130,000 sq. ft. modern facility and was a full-service contract manufacturer that enjoyed continuous growth over the past 36 years in the nutrition and pharmaceutical industry. Another advantage of buying Nittany Pharmaceuticals was their intimate knowledge of liquid products. In 2008 Nittany purchased a 70,000-square-foot facility, which was a former Dean Foods facility in Bellville, Pennsylvania to add to their already growing liquid dietary supplements and beverages. As industry’s leading energy drink manufacturers for nearly over a decade, Nittany had the knowledge, experience and resources necessary to create Hot & Cold fill liquid drinks from 8 ounce to 32 ounces. “Hi-Tech had never been a beverage contract manufacturing company or handled many liquid products until the acquisition of Nittany. Now with the acquisition of Nittany – Hi-Tech is able to provide a full service of beverage co-packing services, including research and development, raw material procurement, product development, bottle filling, finished packaging, warehousing, and much more,” said Wheat.

Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals is a leading global healthcare supplier that develops, manufactures and distributes over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pharmaceuticals, nutritional products, and consumer products. Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals is one of the world’s leading generics and branded pharmaceutical companies, providing products to customers throughout the world. The company maintains one of the industry’s broadest and highest quality product portfolios, which is regularly bolstered by an innovative and robust product pipeline. Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals has attained leading positions in key international markets through its wide array of dosage forms and delivery systems, significant manufacturing capacity, global commercial scale and a committed focus on quality and customer service. The company ranks among the top generics companies in several markets around the world and has among the largest capacity of U.S.-based manufacturers.

Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals is an enormously successful company that creates, manufactures and sells high-quality products sold by the large, major retailers across the United States. These retailers include: GNC, Rite Aid, Albertson’s, CVS, Duane Reade, Hannaford, Cardinal Health, McKesson, Mclain, Winn-Dixie, Harmon Stores, Fred Meyer, Osco Drugs, Supervalu, Roundy’s, Sav-On Drugs, Meijer, Fruth Pharmacy, Kinney Drug, Kinray, A&P, Kmart, Amazon.com, Drugstore.com, and over 5,000 independent drug stores, as well as in more than 80,000 convenience stores throughout the United States.



Jen Welter – NFL’s First Female Coach


TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals have hired Jen Welter to coach inside linebackers through their upcoming training camp and preseason.

The Cardinals say Welter is believed to be the first woman to hold a coaching position of any kind in the NFL. Welter played running back and special teams in 2014 for the Texas Revolution of the Indoor Football League, becoming the first woman to hold a non-kicking position for a men’s professional sports league.

“I am honored to be a part of this amazing team,” Welter said on Twitter on Monday night.

Welter coached linebackers and special teams for the Revolution last season, becoming the first woman to coach in a men’s pro football league. Her general manager with the Revolution was 2015 NFL Hall of Fame inductee Tim Brown.

Welter played linebacker for more than 14 seasons in the Women’s Football Alliance, mostly with the Dallas Diamonds, where she helped the team win four championships. Welter holds a master’s degree in sports psychology. A rugby player at Boston College, she also earned two gold medals on Team USA at the International Federation of Football Women’s World Championships in 2009 and 2013.

A news conference was scheduled for Tuesday to introduce Welter and Levon Kirkland, a former Pro Bowl linebacker who is the inaugural participant in the Bill Bidwill Coaching Fellowship established to give recently retired NFL players a chance to coach in the league. He will work with outside linebackers for the next two seasons.

Four months ago at the NFL meetings, Arizona coach Bruce Arians was asked about the possibility of a woman coaching in the NFL.

“The minute they can prove they can make a player better, they’ll be hired,” Arians said.

Speaking to azcardinals.com on Monday, Arians said: “Coaching is nothing more than teaching. One thing I have learned from players is ‘How are you going to make me better? If you can make me better, I don’t care if you’re the Green Hornet, I’ll listen.'”

“I really believe she’ll have a great opportunity with this internship through training camp to open some doors for her,” Arians said.

It’s the second such barrier to be broken in the NFL this year. The league announced in April that Sarah Thomas would be the first woman to be a full-time NFL official.

In the NBA, Becky Hammon is an assistant coach with San Antonio and served as the head coach for the Spurs’ team that won the Las Vegas Summer League championship.

Via AP



Emblems of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games


2020 Olympic Emblems

Tokyo 2020 Unveils the Emblems of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Symbolising the Power of the World Coming Together as One

24 Jul. 2015 – Tokyo 2020 Unveils the Emblems of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games Symbolising the Power of the World Coming Together as One

The Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee today held an event to unveil the official emblems of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Tokyo 2020’s Games Vision was further manifested as the emblems capture its core essence.

When the world comes together for Tokyo 2020, we will experience the joy of uniting as one team. By accepting everyone in the world as equals, we will learn the full meaning of coming together as one.

The Tokyo 2020 emblems were created to symbolise the power of this unity.

The black colour of the central column represents diversity, the combination of all colours. The shape of the circle represents an inclusive world in which everyone accepts each other. The red of the circle represents the power of every beating heart.

These elements combine to create the emblems of both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic emblem is inspired by the T in
TOKYO
TOMORROW
TEAM

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic emblem is inspired by = the universal sign of equality.

2020 is almost here.

Tokyo 2020 Olympic - Paralympic

Let’s unite in the spirit of these emblems to stage an Olympic and Paralympic Games for a better world and a brighter future.

Tokyo 2020 President Mori remarked, “The moment we have all been waiting for has finally arrived. The Tokyo 2020 Games emblems are a wonderful work of art that represent the aspirations and the ultimate goal that athletes around the world aim to achieve – taking part in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The emblems are also symbols behind which the whole of Japan can unite as a single integrated body and join the collective endeavours of the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the national government, the Japanese Olympic Committee, the Japanese Paralympic Committee, the Japanese business community, as well as the Games volunteers and everyone who is assisting with the preparations for the 2020 Games. Let us all unite our efforts under the new Games emblems and work together as one to ensure the realisation of a truly inspirational Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.”

IOC Coordination Commission Chair John Coates said, “The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games emblem is a powerful symbol of Tokyo’s Games vision. By embracing the concept of unity in diversity, it shows the unique ability of the Olympic Games to bring together people from all over the world in peace and harmony. Its inclusiveness and its representation of the power of the human heart is testament to the spirit in which the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are being prepared. They will be a global celebration that we can all be a part of and enjoy.” He continued, “Most importantly, this emblem represents Tokyo and its people. It reflects the vibrant nature of the city and the welcoming spirit of its citizens – two elements that the Olympic athletes in 2020 will fully appreciate. I congratulate the Tokyo 2020 team on their work and believe that this emblem will have an important influence on the future of Olympic design.”

Andrew Parsons, Vice President of the International Paralympic Committee said: “I would like to thank and congratulate the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee for developing this wonderful emblem. When the Paralympic Games return here for the second time they will do so with a growing reputation for being the world’s number one sporting spectacle for driving societal change. The performances of the para-athletes will not just inspire and excite the world, but act as a catalyst for a more inclusive society, here in Japan, across Asia and the whole world. The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will create a brighter tomorrow for millions of people around the world. This emblem, whilst paying testament to Japan’s rich heritage, will represent that brighter future and will become globally synonymous with sporting excellence and the incredible achievements of Paralympians.”

The designer of the emblems is Kenjiro Sano. Born in Tokyo in 1972, Sano is an art designer, who graduated from the Department of Graphic Design at Tama Art University. He is the founder of MR_DESIGN Inc., and is active in the fields of logo mark design, character design, graphic design, package design and advertising art direction. Sano has won numerous awards including the Yusaku Kamekura Design Award, the Mainichi Design Prize, the New York ADC Gold Award, the Cannes Lions Gold, the London D&AD Black Pencil, the One Show Design Gold Pencil, the Tokyo Art Directors Club Members’ Award, the Japan Package Association Gold Prize, and the Traffic Advertisement Grand Prize. Sano’s works are also featured in the permanent collection at the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris.



2015 ESPN Magazine’s BODY ISSUE Roster Announced


2015 ESPN BODY ISSUE
The 2015 ESPN BODY ISSUE will be released online on July 6 and hit newsstands on July 10th. This year’s issue features a variety of men and women in the issue. One of the fittest couples in the world, Gabby Reece and Laird Hamilton will appear in the issue along with a number of other top athletes. Gymnast Aly Raisman, Skateboarder Leticia Bufani, WNBA star Brittney Griner and Olympic Swimmer Natalia Coughlin are just a few females featured in the issue.

2015 ESPN Magazine’s BODY ISSUE Roster Announced
Odell Beckham Jr
Leticia Bufoni
Amanda Bingson
Anthony Castonzo
Todd Clever
Natali Coughlin
Dallas Friday
Brittney Griner
Laird Hamilton
Bryce Harper
Todd Herremans
Jermaine Jones
DeAndre Jordon
Ali Krieger
Khutana Lorig
Kevin Love Chantae McMillan
Jack Mewhort
Sadena Parks
Aly Raisman
Gabby Reece
Tyler Seguin
Paige Selenski
Stan Wawrinka

Bryce Harper‘s on-field body of work this season includes a .345 batting average and 24 home runs.

The star Washington Nationals outfielder’s off-field body of work includes a wish fulfilled: Harper is one of 24 athletes in the ESPN The Magazine Body Issue, online on July 6 and on newsstands July 10.

“I’ve always wanted to do the Body Issue,” Harper said. “I want to put baseball out there.”

Harper is joined by NBA stars Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers andDeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers, New York Giants wide receiverOdell Beckham Jr., two-time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner, USA women’s soccer star Ali Krieger, Olympians Aly Raisman and Natalie Coughlin, and newly crowned French Open champion Stan Wawrinka.

“I’m proud of my body, I’m proud of my sport, I’m proud of being a professional athlete,” said Krieger, whose team is currently in the knockout rounds of the Women’s World Cup. “Being naked is just another aspect of that.”

This is the seventh annual edition of the Body Issue. It will include photos, personal interviews and videos of the athletes, including NHL star Tyler Seguin and three members of the Indianapolis Colts offensive line: Anthony Castonzo, Todd Herremans and Jack Mewhort.

“I’ve always been a big kid,” said the 23-year-old Mewhort, who is listed at 6-foot-6, 308 pounds. “That’s why when I got this call I was like ‘they want to see me naked?’ I thought I was getting Punk’d.”

Others in the issue include professional wakeboarder Dallas Friday, rugby player Todd Clever, skateboarder Leticia Bufoni, golfer Sadena Parks, archer Khatuna Lorig, soccer player Jermaine Jones, U.S. Olympians Paige Selenski (field hockey), Amanda Bingson (hammer) and Chantae McMillan (heptathlon), along with the husband-wife team of surfer Laird Hamilton and former beach volleyball player Gabby Reece.

“Our goal is to continue to evolve the issue year after year,” ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com editor in chief Chad Millman said. “The ability to capture both the strength and vulnerability of these extraordinary athletes through such powerful images and introspective interviews is incredibly moving.”

“One of the things I love about the Body Issue so much is that it celebrates the bodies that allow us to be successful in our sport,” said Coughlin, who has won 12 Olympic swimming medals. “As a sports fan, I love seeing the differences in body types.”

Lead photo via ESPN.



2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Results – Genn Strobo & Stacey Alexander Win Big


Puerto Rico Pro Results

The inaugural IFBB Puerto Rico Pro is in the books and things played out largely how we thought they’d go. In the Figure competition it was Florida’s Genn Strobo and everyone else. She won the Puerto Rico Pro Figure competition in unanimous fashion. Stacey Alexander took the top spot in Bikini and will head back to the Olympia where she’ll look to give the champ a run for her money. Gloria Faulls left Puerto Rico with the win in Women’s Physique and an Olympia qualification. The show also featured the men’s competition. Marco Rivera took home $3,000 and the title of first-ever Puerto Rico Pro Men’s 212 Bodybuilding Champion. The Total Prize money for this show was $29,250 divided amongst all divisions.

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Results

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Figure Results
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
1. Genn Strobo $2500
2. Andrea Calhoun $1750
3. Bruna Miyagui $750
4. Karina Grau
5. Yolanda Alvardo
6. Jennifer Brown
7. Marcia Garcia
8. Kim Clark
9. Melanise Pettee
10. Brook Cook
11. Selena Pons
12. Tatum Bounds
13. Leah Berti
14. Vanessa Jacobs
15. Mavis Tozzi
16. Ann Bunge
16. Bernadett Matassa
16. Bernita Stuckey

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Masters Figure Results
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
1. Kim Clark $1250
2. Melanise Pettee $875
3. Holly Beck $375
4. Selena Pons
5. Tatum Bounds
6. Vanessa Jacobs
7. Mavis Tossi
8. Bernita Stuckey
9. Debbie Fowler
10. Ann Bunge

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Bikini Results
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
1. Stacey Alexander $2,000
2. Courtney King $1,000
3. Angeles Burke $500
4. Andreanna Calhoun
5. Romina Basualdo
6. Aly Garcia
7. Brittany Taylor
8. Catherine Radulic
9. Yarishna Ayala Otero
10. Vladimira Krasova
11. Gigi Amurao
12. Ashley Wade
13. Anna Kiseleva
14. Sarah James Brown
15. Beth Transue
16. Natalie Abrhiem
16. Michelle Brannan
16. Magdalena Coffman
16. Ana Rita Contreras
16. Vicki Counts
16. Mary Dent
16. Jana Dobos Majenikova
16. Amanda Marinelli
16. Samantha Maycock
16. Lisandra McGrath
16. Kristen Moffett
16. Cristina Ortiz

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Master’s Bikini Results
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
1. Vicki Counts $1,000
2. Janet Lynn West $500
3. Mary Dent $250
4. Kristen Moffett
5. Amanda Marinelli
6. Lisandra McGrath
7. Andrea Beam

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Women’s Physique Results
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
1. Gloria Faulls $2,000
2. Silvia Alves Fraga $1,000
3. Jennifer Hernandez $750
4. Antoinette Downie
5. Jessica Gaines
6. Rachel Baker
7. Frances Mendez
8. Tammy Patnode
9. Ana Paul Silva
10. Mikalia Soto
11. Paloma Parra
12. Evangeline Belton
13. Rose Brunner
14. Orlandina Balan
15. Rocio Guillen
16. Sara-Aude Salbot
16. Jill Dearmin
16. Lisa Lopez
16. Danielle Mastromatteo
16. Dona Pohl
16. Elizabeth Schneider
16. Nola Trimble
16. Tracy Weller

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Master Women’s Physique Results
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
1. Jennifer Hernandez $1,250
2. Rachel Baker $875
3. Frances Mendez $375
4. Tammy Patnode
5. Paloma Parra
6. Evangeline Belton
7. Rose Brunner
8. Rocio Guillen
9. Elizabeth Schneider
10. Lisa Lopez
11. Tracy Weller
12. Jill Dearmin
13. Dona Phl

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Men’s Physique Results
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
1. Chase Savoie $2,000
2. Arash Rahbar $1,000
3. Ryan Hinton $500
4. Denis Gusev
5. Lorenzo Orozco
6. Axel Alvarez, Jr
7. Travales Blount
8. Michael Anderson
9. Michael Bevins
10. Nicholas Dennard
11. Jim Holcomb
12. William Sullivan
13. Ramon Dodson
14. Tim Santiago
15. David Velazquez
16. A.J. Cannon
16. Victor James Clark
16. Michael Feeks
16. David Gonzalez
16. Mario Hervas
16. Aaron O’Connell

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Master Men’s Physique Results
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
1. Lorenzo Orozco $1,000
2. Michael Anderson $500
3. Jim Holcomb $250
4. Tim Santiago
5. David Velazquez
6. A.J. Cannon
7. Victor James Clark

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Men’s Bodybuilding 212 Results
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
1. Marco Rivera $3,000
2. Shaun Clarida $2,000
3. Manuel Manchado $1,000
4. Raul Carrasco
5. Milton Martinez
6. Leonardo Pacheco
7. Caleb Blanchard
8. Alison Maria
9. Carlos Rabiei
10. Mauricio Solis
11. Rafael Cabrera
12. Willie Vegas

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Prize Money:
Total Prize Money – $29,250

IFBB 212 Men Bodybuilding
1st $3000
2nd $2000
3rd $1000

IFBB Men’s Physique
1st $2000
2nd $1000
3rd $500

IFBB Masters 40+ Men’s Physique
1st $1000
2nd $500
3rd $250

IFBB Bikini
1st $2000
2nd $1000
3rd $500

IFBB Masters 40+ Bikini
1st $1000
2nd $500
3rd $250

IFBB Masters 40+ FIGURE
1st $1250
2nd $875
3rd $375

IFBB Women’s Physique
1st $2000
2nd $1000
3rd $500

IFBB Masters 40+ Women’s Physique
1st $1000
2nd $500
3rd $250



2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Competitor Lists


2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro
The first annual IFBB Puerto Rico Pro competition takes places this weekend in San Juan Puerto Rico. The event features IFBB Pro 212 Men’s Bodybuilding, Men & Women’s Physique, Figure and Bikini. It’s obvious from the competitor lists that the pros wanted to compete in sunny Puerto Rico and make it a vacation after the show is over. The show will kick off at 8:30am with the NPC competition on Sunday, May 31st with the finals scheduled to begin at 5pm. The Pros are slated to go on stage around noon for prejudging.

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Prize Money:
Total Prize Money – $29,250

IFBB 212 Men Bodybuilding
1st $3000
2nd $2000
3rd $1000

IFBB Men’s Physique
1st $2000
2nd $1000
3rd $500

IFBB Masters 40+ Men’s Physique
1st $1000
2nd $500
3rd $250

IFBB Bikini
1st $2000
2nd $1000
3rd $500

IFBB Masters 40+ Bikini
1st $1000
2nd $500
3rd $250

IFBB FIGURE
1st $2500
2nd $1750
3rd $750

IFBB Masters 40+ FIGURE
1st $1250
2nd $875
3rd $375

IFBB Women’s Physique
1st $2000
2nd $1000
3rd $500

IFBB Masters 40+ Women’s Physique
1st $1000
2nd $500
3rd $250

UPDATED WEDNESDAY – MAY 27th

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Figure Competitors
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
Yolanda Alvarado
Leah Berti
Tatum Bounds
Jennifer Brown
Ann Bunge
Andrea Calhoun
Kim Clark
Brook Cook
Maria Garcia
Karina Grau
Vanessa Jacobs
Bernadett Matassa
Bruna Miyagui
Melanise Pettee
Selena Pons
Genn Strobo
Bernita Stuckey
Mavis Tozzi

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Masters Figure Competitors
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
Holly Beck
Tatum Bounds
Ann Bunge
Debbie Fowler
Vanessa Jacobs
Melanise Pettee
Selena Pons
Bernita Stuckey
Mavis Tozzi

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Bikini Competitors
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
Natalie Abrhiem
Stacey Alexander
Yarishna Ayala Otero
Romina Basualdo
Andrea Beam
Michelle Brannan
Sarah James Brown
Angeles Burke
Andreanna Calhoun
Magdalena Coffman
Ana Rita Contreras
Vikci Counts
Mary Dent
Aly Garcia
Courtney King
Anna Kiseleva
Jana Dobos Majernikova
Amanda Marinelli
Samantha Maycock
Lisandra McGrath
Kristen Moffett
Cristina Ortiz
Catherine Radulic
Brittany Taylor
Beth Transue
Ashley Wade

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Master Bikini Competitors
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
Andra Beam
Vicki Counts
Mart Dent
Vladimira Krasova
Amanda Marinelli
Lisandra McGrath
Kristen Moffett
Janet Lynn West

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Women’s Physique Competitors
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
Silvia Alves Fraga
Sarah-Aude Salbot
Rachel Baker
Orlandina Balan
Evangeline Belton
Rose Brunner
Jill Dearmin
Antoinette Downie
Roxanne Williams
Gloria Faulls
Jessica Gaines
Rocio Guillen
Jennifer Hernandez
Lisa Lopez
Danielle Mastromatteo
Frances Mendez
Paloma Parra
Tammy Patnode
Dona Pohl
Elizabeth Schneider
Ana Paul Silva
Mikalia Soto
Nola Trimble
Tracy Weller

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Master Women’s Physique Competitors
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
Rachel Baker
Evangeline Belton
Jill Dearmin
Roxanne Edwards
Rose Brunner
Rocio Guillen
Jennifer Hernandez
Lisa Lopez
Frances Mendez
Tammy Patnode
Dona Pohl
Elizabeth Schneider
Nola Trimble
Tracy Weller

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Men’s 212 Competitors
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
Khalid Almohsinawi
Caleb Blanchard
Rafael Cabrera
Raul Carrasco
Shaun Clarida
Manuel Manchado
Alison Maria
Milton Martinez
Leonardo Pacheco
Carlos Rabiei
Marco Rivera
Mauricio Solis
Willie Vegas

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Men’s Physique Competitors
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
Axel Alvarez, Jr
Michael Anderson
Michael Bevins
Travales Blount
A.J. Cannon
Victor James Clark
Nicholas Dennard
Ramon Dodson
Michael Feeks
David Gonzalez
Denis Gusev
Mario Hervas
Ryan Hinton
Jim Holcomb
Aaron O’Connell
Lorenzo Orozco
Arash Rahbar
Tim santiago
Chase Savoie
William Sullivan
David Velazquez

2015 IFBB Puerto Rico Pro Masters Men’s Physique Competitors
San Juan, Puerto Rico – May 31, 2015
Michael Anderson
A.J. Cannon
Victor James Clark
Jim Holcomb
Lorenzo Orozco
Tim Santiago
William Sullivan
David Velazquez

IFBB Prejudging Puerto Rico Convention Center – 12:00pm

IFBB & NPC Finals Puerto Rico Convention Center 5:00pm

Tickes & More Information online www.timgardnerproductions.com



Lauren Fisher’s New Nike Metcon Shoes


lauren fisher Nike Metcon
LAUREN FISHER LIFTS, SPRINTS AND CLIMBS IN HER NEW NIKE METCON SHOES
FISHER IS STRONG, AND GROWING STRONGER
At this time of year, most college students are busy studying for finals, hanging out with friends and looking forward to their long summer break. That’s all true for Lauren Fisher, though she has a few other things on her agenda as well. On May 22, she will compete in the Southern California Regionals, hoping to get one step closer to her dream of one day winning the World Championships in Carson, Ca. This year, she will debut the new fall 2015 Nike MetCon training shoe in her own exclusive colorway – a shoe specifically tailored for high-intensity competitive training.

The 21-year-old athlete, known for her 250-pound clean-and-jerks and her signature loose ponytail, is training hard for the upcoming competition just as she finishes her semester at San Diego State University. As she prepares to go up against some of the strongest and most explosive athletes in the region, she maintains her process and the importance of life balance. Her formula is simple: stay dedicated and work a little harder than everyone else.

“My dad instilled a work ethic in me since I was kid,” she says. “I learned that if you want something, you have to work at it. It can be tough to manage it all – eating well, training, homework, classes. My goal for each day is to stay relaxed, have fun, and just get it all done.”

GROWN STRONG
Fisher grew up with three older brothers who always played rough and picked on her. In her younger years she would run inside to cry to her mother who would tell her to be tough and send her back out with the boys. In later years, her brothers would play sports with her – and ultimately introduce her to the world of high intensity training when she was just 14.

“That’s what grown strong means,” says Fisher, referring to a tagline and hashtag the athlete uses on everything from T-shirts to her social media posts.

CrossFit Nike

“To me, strength is not only being strong in weight lifting and training, but also having that special willpower in your daily life. Pushing through obstacles and not listening to what others say.”

At 18 years old, Fisher finished 9th in the world championships and also represented the United States in the Junior World Weightlifting Championships. After graduating from high school, she moved to San Diego for college and joined the Invictus gym under coach C.J. Martin. Since her move, she has finished ninth overall at the 2014 Nationals and represented the United States in the Junior World Weightlifting Championships.

EMBRACING THE CULTURE
Although she grew up focused on playing basketball, Fisher found her passion when she discovered professional strength training. She uncovered a community that shared her interests of fun, fast-paced and challenging workouts that changed every day. She also found a group of people that embraced working hard and living a fit lifestyle outside of the gym.

“I love being a part of the high intensity training culture,” she says. “Whether you are the last person to finish the workout or the first, we are all there cheering on one another. We are all friends in the gym and we all want to live a healthy lifestyle. People think it’s very intimidating. But anyone can do it. It’s totally scalable.”

Nike Lauren Fisher

“I want people to know that they can work out without treadmills and machines. You can work out at home. In professional training, our bodies are the machines.”

STRENGTH & BEAUTY
Fisher is active on social media, where she shares her workouts, her daily challenges, and her drive to be better at what she does. In return, Fisher gets inspiration online, too. “There’s a big community out there with girls who are following each other and inspiring each other with workouts,” she explains. “It impacts my training because I have a huge support system behind me. It makes me put my best self out there and be who I am. I just try to be Lauren Fisher.”

“I want to show that being strong is beautiful,” she says. “That having toned arms and legs looks good on a girl.”

THE NIKE METCON: A SHOE TO FIT THE SPORT AND THE ATHLETE
Fisher will debut her exclusive colorway of the popular Nike MetCon training shoe at the Southern California Regionals. Rendered in a turquoise and black palette designed for Fisher herself, the shoe was developed with high intensity training specifically in mind.

The shoe is durable, versatile, and unlike any other in the Nike catalogue. Designed with the extensive demands of cross-training in mind, the shoe pairs a stable heel that can withstand weightlifting with a flexible, sticky forefoot that is ideal for movements like push-ups and burpees. The tough, sturdy outsole protects the shoe during intense activities like rope climbing, while abrasion-resistant mesh and Flywire cable technology on the upper offer lockdown and long-term resilience.

The exlusive Lauren Fisher colorway of the Nike MetCon will launch on Nike.com on July 9. The broader Fa15 Nike MetCon collection in three colorways will launch at select Nike retail destinations in mid July.

“What’s great about the MetCon is that it’s super comfortable as well as versatile,” says Fisher. I can wear it when I lift, rope climb, and even during running, all without having to switch out my shoes. It’s lightweight but stable enough that I can lift heavier weights too.”

Fisher helped test the shoe and chose the turquoise color scheme. “I love how it looks,” she says. “It’s sleek and clean and looks good with everything. I have routine going into competition to make sure my hair looks good and that my outfit and nails are coordinated.”

“If you feel good about how you look, you perform better.”

SOCAL REGIONALS – AND BEYOND
Fisher’s immediate goal is to place well enough at Regionals to make the cut for the 2015 World Championships. But looking ahead, she is aiming to win her sport’s biggest prize, participate in the World Weightlifting Championships, and ultimately qualify for the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo. “There are some people who get nervous under pressure, But I love competing,” Fisher says. “When I’m on the competition floor, I’m going to bring it.”

via Nike



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