OCB Phoenix, Arizona – Saturday, September 09, 2006

Only made it to watch the pre-judging for the OCB bodybuilding and figure competition. It was held where most bodybuilding and figure shows are at in town, the Herberger Theater. Only it was in the smaller theater. The NPC can pack them in. But the OCB show did fairly well this time. A good level of natural competition with about 60 competitors. Men’s and Women’ bodybuilding were first and then after intermission the figure girls come on. About 30 or 40 with quite a few different classes. So many actually they had a Jr. Master’s class. Haven’t seen that in NPC yet.

Looks like Michael Simon was there on hand to take photos.

They do have a fitness model division but it hasn’t made its way to the west just yet. Hopefully in 2007.

Michael Simon Photography:
www.4simon.com

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fitness, figure, bodybuilding, contest, npc, competition, training, phoenix, arizona

Really Useful Fitness Blog: Avoid These: 7 Very Bad Food Choices

Really Useful Fitness Blog: Avoid These: 7 Very Bad Food Choices

Nike Plus Apple IPOD Update

I had to do an update on my earlier post as the Nike + is now out. If you are into running or cycling, this could be a fun piece of equipment to add to your training routine. If you look though the online component though, there really isn’t much use for other types of athletes, especially the weightlifter. They could have added a few other features to make it more useful for us. Also, the 7 “special” women’s shoes that have the compartment for the chip aren’t all that cute. And while they will be adding some additional styles in the future, Nike needs to re-look at their general shoe inventory and get that back to being styling. So I don’t have a lot of hope for the Nike + shoes.

nike nike+plus running ipod weightlifting nike+shoes fitness

Spices For The Fitness Diet

Lately people have been asking how I keep my foods intersting enough for me to eat them over and over. And if you use your imagination a bit, it is fairly easy. Here are a few of the items I keep on hand when you are eating clean.


Helpful and Tasty Spices and Sauces

Cinnamon
Mustards (Watch for added sugar in the Honey types and none with high fructose corn syrup)
Mrs. Dash seasonings
Molly McButter - Great on Broccoli (taper use close to shows as the sodium is a bit high)
The Spice Hunter Thai Seasoning - Great on grilled chicken and tuna
Salsa - The fresher the better.
Chili Powder
Herbs & Spices (cumin, ginger, basil, rosemary, dill, parsley, etc.)
Lemon and Lime
Vinegar - Balsamic and Red Wine
Ginger
Garlic

diet spices fitness seasoning food cooking nutrition

Quote of the Day

"Preparing for and taking a test, win or lose, you are shaped by it."

NCP MAX Muscle Arizona – July 8th

Tonight was the Max Muscle Fitness, Figure and Bodybuilding show, which was held at the Orpheum Theater in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. The theater itself was quite stunning, but the women on stage out-shined it all. It is quite evident that all of the contestants have put in a lot of effort in to their diet, exercise and contest preparation. With the wide range in ages and life stages (one woman is even a grandmother, although you would have never guessed from looking at her,) it goes to show that if you put your mind to it, you can achieve your training goals.

Setting your goals to compete in a Fitness, Figure or Bodybuilding competition can be just the ticket to take your training to the next level.

Take a look for a contest in your area:

NPC
http://www.npcnewsonline.com/new/contest.htm

FAME
http://www.fameworldevents.com/competitors/schedule/

INBA/ABA (turn your speakers off, you’ll understand when you get there)
http://www.naturalbodybuilding.com/

Fitness America
http://www.fitnessamerica.com/

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fitness, figure, bodybuilding, contest, npc, competition, training, phoenix, arizona

Traveling can be expensive, but your workouts don’t have to be.

Every six months or so, I visit one of the coasts to see family. And during that time I loosen up a bit on my diet and enjoy my meals a bit more. Who doesn’t, isn’t that what visiting the family and vacation are all about? This is the time when planning a good workout becomes that more important. But visiting the gym while on vacation can add up. Most charge about $10-15 dollars for daily use of the facilities.

Here are a few tips for getting a good workout without working out your wallet:

Get a list of any affiliate gyms from your gym before you leave. They may have a reciprocating membership travel program or your gym might have a location just a few steps from where you are staying. Find out if any of your family belongs to any of the nearby gyms because often times they can get you a free day or weeklong pass. If that doesn’t work…..
Look for the smaller, no name gyms. Sure they may not have the latest techno-spin class or the nicest Jacuzzi. But their daily fees are typically less then the big name gyms. And ask if they have a week special. One gym we went to had a daily fee of $10 or a weekly fee of $25, but we had to ask. And the smaller gyms are so much more personal, they might even let you slide in a couple of days extra.
If you can’t make it to the gym for one reason or the other, it might be time to change your workout up a bit. Focus on plyometrics, wind sprints and walking lunges. Or borrow the old dusky bike from the garage and take it to the local beach front or even through the neighborhood. This helps you to get outdoors and see the area you are visiting in a way you might not have seen.

Working out on vacation can help make a better vacation and ease the stress of traveling. And the only extra five lbs you want to be caring back on the plane are gifts for the kids/co-workers.

Happy workout.

workout+travel gym travel workout

Finally, A Great Protein Powder

So, I am just like everyone else who has gone through the typical routine of trying a several different brands of protein powders and staying with the one I think tastes best. So for years I have been using the Vanilla Ice Cream Optimum Nutrition protein, the largest selling protein on the market. But I recently tried the Fresh Raspberry Cream from John Scott’s Nitro line of supplements. I really wasn’t expecting it to be any different than the others but it is just like the Strawberry Quick I used to drink as a kid. (You know the one with the bunny.) Surprisingly easy to mix and tastes like I added milk when all I added was water. I know that sounds like a load of marketing but this one actually stands up to its claim. I am looking forward to trying the Spiced Vanilla Cream.

The only downs side to the Raspberry flavor is that I can’t seem to find anything other than the sampler pack of the single serving on the website.

protein+powder suppliments john+scott nitro great+tasting

Nike and Apple - A good mix?

http://www.apple.com/ipod/nike/gear.html

Take a look at the newly announced workout gear on with Nike and Apple. Basically you will be able to use a chipped shoe to transmit your workout info to your IPod Nano. This could be kind of cool, especially if it helps to select the right tempo music for your workout. Mind you, they (Nike and Apple) have just announced that is will be coming soon. But I am interested to see if it is cool as it looks.

ipod apple nike working+out

New Find - Great Workout Shorts

Nike has these new running shorts that I love for the gym. These shorts are the Nike Acceleration Knit Short and come in black, blue and red. I only have them in the black, but what other color of shorts do you ever need. They are the right length for just about anyone and are true-to-fit sizing. Nike can sometimes be all over the place with thier clothes sizing. They are selling for around $38 in the store but I have found them in different colors on ebay for much less. The great thing about them are that they do conform to your shape so you look good and they don't get in the way or move too much then you are doing your lifting. But the don't hug you too much like bike shorts, where no one looks good in those.

What are your must haves for the gym?

nike fitness+shorts workout workout+clothes

Don't Play it Again Sports

So you aren’t using the abinator you had to have or just have out grown your treadmill, what to do? You’re not going to throw them out. And then it comes to you, Play-It-Again Sports buys used sports equipment. How perfect. Well not so much!!!! Have you ever tried to sell any of your used equipment at one of their stores? I have tried to sell several items there, from martial arts equipment to gym equipment and it never been a pleasant experience. I have left the store most of the time with my items still in hand. I am not sure how much they really buy from the customers.

Has anyone else had better luck? Or is it just a marketing ploy to get you in the door.

Motivation for Walking Link

Just thought this might add to the blog:
http://walking.about.com/cs/fitnesswalking/tp/motivation.htm

Staying Motivated in Fitness

So what do you think about to stay motivated in fitness?? Does it help to read through the exercise magazines? Is it hearing about how others keep moving? Or is it just your own drive and determination. For me, it isn't that easy. In the beginning, there really wasn't much that could get me moving. It was logging the workouts in a calendar that helped. Then it was making sure that I didn't miss an "x" on the calender. 5 to 7 workouts a week sure sounded like alot. But once you do 3 to 4 a week it is a bit easier to add another day. Now it has become the norm to exercise ever day than not. And let me tell you, everyone at the office can tell the difference if I hit the gym or not that morning. It sure puts me in a better frame of mind. And I am a completely better person for it and can handle the day once I get through a workout. I just think of how I will feel after. That is what keeps me going.

How do you stay motivated???

Faremon vs. Otomix

Have you noticed how the "O" symbol for Faremon (Faremon.com) and the "O" for Otomix (Otomix.com) is very similar. I wonder why that might be. And does anyone actually know anyone who is wearing clothes from either????

Free Faremon Clothes

Ok, so I received the "free" faremon clothes via Fedex today. I was excited, free workout clothes, you have to love it. The only thing is, you have to pay 10 bucks for shipping. But you would think it is worth it. Well the capri pants that I received in an odd so called chocolate color leaves an intersting impression. I guess I would have named it more of a deep rose. The top is more of an light rose color that I might wear every once an while. But girls, I would pass on the "free" clothes. It really isn't like any of the clothes you see in the photo shoot in Oxygen.