Do These Weights Make My Muscles Look Big? PART II

I begin with a conversation I had with my sweet grandma this past weekend at my sister's baby shower...

Grammy: "Brandi! Your arms are so big! So are your shoulders! Please tell me that you are not still trying to lose weight, are you?"

Me: "Yes, I am. I'm trying to change my body composition and focus on fat loss while still building muscle."

Grammy: "Well, for goodness sakes! Try to lose some muscle in those arms. They are much too muscular!"

Hmmm...


"Mass" Appeal? Nope. I suppose not. What some find sexy and appealing in the bodybuilding world, others (my 78 year-old grammy included) find uncomely and abnormal. Is it the culture of competing and the value we place upon a well-formed V-taper or is it an age thing? Could be. Ya know those high waisted, god-awful jeans the older generations are so fond of? No mass appeal there. Makes your ass look like that of a frog standing up on its hind legs. No. Thank you. I will keep my big ol' arms and my low-rise, boot cut jeans just the way they are.

So, with the looks of shock I got from flexing for my family, I think I am on the right path. I was a good girl. I carried around my fish and spinach everywhere I went and bypassed the queso and chips at my favorite Houston restaurant, Cyclone Anaya's. (I am still crying inside.) I got up and did my fasted cardio and even took my mom's fluffy fruit of a dog with me to run along beside.

NOTE TO SELF: Running with a Pomeranian is NEVER a good idea. The little pooch kept up for about 1/4 mile and then decides to cut right in front of my legs with the leash. Needless to say, I ate country road gravel and threw his fuzzy fanny back in the house. The boyfriend and parents found this hilarious. I, however, was not amused.

In summation, the look of a figure gal might not be for everyone. Truthfully, I am only worried about those judges sitting there with their impassive faces and pencils and hope they find my mass appealing.

So, Grandma thinks my arms and delts are too big. I am okay with that. I am sure she will be right there whooping her little heart out for me onstage and telling my parents (too loudly, of course!) that my competition looks like a bunch of tramps.

"Energy and persistence conquer all things."

Benjamin Franklin

If You Want Me To Do Something, THEN TELL ME I CAN'T...

Ever see a photo and feel motivated? A quote? A movie? I am not gonna lie. William and I watched the "Raising the Bar" DVD series this last weekend and not only was my diet PERFECTION but I hopped my happy butt out of bed every morning and did my fasted cardio like a pro and killed my delts to distraction on Sunday night. I type with pain still.

So...


I have compiled a few funny and not-so-funny motivational photos and quotes in the hopes that my favorites will inspire you as well.

"And each man stand with his face in the light of his own drawn sword. Ready to do what a hero can."
~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Everything You Need to Know in Life Plus How to Cook Asparagus.

Hello, readers. Once again, my apologies. Duty in the workplace and in the gym has called time and time again. It is a shame that I cannot perfect the art of blogging while jump-squatting.


Believe me. I have tried.


Since my life currently revolves around competing, I have compiled a list of things one should know if they are competing or find themselves in the destructive path of a figure competitor.


Everything You Need To Know...


1. Rice cakes are your friends. Little, crispy, delicious friends. People standing in between you and your friends MUST be immediately taken out back and horse-whipped.


2. You can NEVER have too many Tupperware containers. Boyfriends receive huge brownie points for keeping these washed at all times. My boyfriend is currently -722 on his brownie points.

3. I recommend having a DVR. Fast-forwarding thru commercials will become mandatory. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups commercials come on at 7:14pm on the Bravo channel and at 9:26pm on NBC. You have been warned.


4. Have someone hide all-natural peanut butter from you.




5. Be able to bribe the aforementioned person in #4 into telling you where the hidden peanut butter is located.




6. Get used to screaming. Get used to calling objects by the wrong names. Get used to talking to yourself. Get used to forgetfulness. Get used to...crap. I forgot the next one...shit!!! Oh, yes. Get used to cursing.




7. I hope you like cooking. No? You don't? Really? Okay...here is my solution to that:



    I HOPE YOU LEARN TO LIKE COOKING!!!

8. The two C's of the morning are COFFEE and CARDIO. They go together like peanut butter and jelly used to go together. You cannot have one without the other. To do so might lead to treadmills thrown through large glass windows. Again, you have been warned.

9. Flipping a tire dispels anger almost as well as flipping someone the finger. It also burns more calories.

and what you have all been waiting for...

10. HOW TO COOK ASPARAGUS

Does it really matter? It is on the diet. It will always be on the diet. So steam it. Boil it. Pan sear it. A little pepper. A squirt of lemon. JUST EAT IT. Because I said so.

...or I will just eat it and kick your butt on stage, kay?

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing."
~ Helen Keller