May 2012

As I write this blog I am actually moving upward to 30,000 feet. I am actually flying back to Florida this morning. My hair is in desperate need of being done, and I am too spoiled by Peter at Petermark Salon, in Delray Beach,www.petermarksalon.com. I have set aside a few days to get the essentials done. Hair, facial, nails and of course to meet up with my much missed friends. I have all of my food checked in, and after I get my hair finished today, I'll go grab enough to cook for Monday and Tuesday. I return to New York late Tuesday night.

Traveling and dieting is challenging, but I have it down, and have plans to train in Florida as well. James Davis and I are going to hit up legs Tuesday.

I have been in Queens, NY for several weeks now and it is really going to take some time for me to become comfortable with the speed of that place. So far I have two bent rims caused by the damaged roads and yesterday while parked on the side of the road. Oh yes, my new car no doubt.  It all has to be one big test of acceptance and letting go of the things I cannot control is my best solution.

Also, I apparently don't know the horn honking protocol as I got screamed at right after my accident while pulling into my parking garage by a neighbor. Apparently I  needed to honk at him to signal I was driving by him. The guy was just parked out in the middle and i pulled around him. At this point my head is spinning! Thoughts at this point fantasized about being mildly sedated.  I can dream I suppose.... I have anxiety as it is so my whole body was just numb from shock. The thought I hold onto is that I just know God placed me smack dab in the middle of my worst nightmare. And there HAS to be a reason why.  Pain is not my enemy, it is very familiar to me and an asset I have used to propel myself to walk through my fears. Contest prep, new relationship, a move to New York, uncertain of the end result is overwhelming. The best I can do is to remember to take deep breaths, focus on just an hour at a time, and pray.

The one thing I do look forward to is going to the East Coast Mecca. I am meeting new people and I really feel like its home for me already. The equipment is amazing, hitting areas of my body in completely new ways.

To keep a sense of security, I measure and bring my food for the whole day.  Anything can happen at this point, and to be honest, I simply like being there. So i don't rush, and that helps me a lot. Hey, you never know, the whole freeway could shut down.  At least I have my food! By the way, that has happened to me two weeks out from a show before. Dead stopped...but I ate! Lol

At this point, I have no idea what is next other than I am less than a month away from the 2012 NY Pro.  Being only 3 lbs over contest weight has been comforting, and I know a few days of pulling hard at the end will tighten up the lose ends.  So that helps keep my sanity as well. :)

This may sound crazy, but I finally have a mirror in my house. I haven't had a full length mirror in my house for years I hated torturing myself by looking everyday, so I just didn't. This show, I put a full length mirror up and have been practicing my posing daily.  I also have a really great piece of cardio equipment that I have been experimenting with to hit every single part of my legs, most notably my quads.  For this prep, that has been my chief focus. I forever want to be better than the last show.

Still need to get my suit lined up for the NY Pro. CJ made my suit for the Arnold, maybe I'll drop by here shop while in Pompano. Www.cynthia-James.com

Check www.bevfrancis.com for the May 19, 2012 show info.

Mini Update: Just back from my trip to Florida, and yes all went smoothly, but much more came out of that trip than working on the outside. Mark of PeterMark salon ended up doing my hair, and I just love it! I came back with some incredible gifts for the heart that I greatly needed. I prayed for guidance, and people were placed right in front of me to help heal my heart. It was indeed  a spiritual experience for sure, which I needed more than any facial or hair cut. For that I am grateful, and reminded that I am never alone.