I'm Back...

Hello bloggers I am back from Holland and ready to go... sort of. Who knew an inbox could get so full and the fridge could seem so empty! I spent most of today trying to dig my way out of mail, fill the fridge, and talk to my kids, all while experiencing serious jet lag. You know all those lovely responsibilities that come with being a mom, wife, and working girl. So before I start keeping you posted on my competition prep again (remember, I have another one coming up at the end of November in Vegas) I have some photos to share with you from my trip. Enjoy!





Here I am with my girl. We had our first meeting at the Bruine Boon – which is like the Starbucks of Holland. In the little town of Leiden there are mostly students so everyone is out and about laughing and talking and consuming massive quantities of coffee. The absolute dessert to have with your coffee is not a muffin but Dutch appeltaart – that is Dutch apple tart. Yes I had some and is absolutely delish!


Here are my mom, Tina, and my hubby, Bob, standing my the canal after dinner. Kiersten enjoyed a wonderful dessert made with strained yogurt (that’s yogurt cheese folks) and a fig jam. It was so good it apparently won an award in a recent foodie competition. I did not have it, I had a bowl of strawberries. This little restaurant is called Zout en Peper – that is Dutch for Salt and Pepper. This were also the first Dutch words I taught my girls.



Here's a shot of the typical Dutch windmill. We saw tons of these on train ride to visit my family members in their respective parts of Holland, including Delft, home of the beautiful blue and white pottery.



Here's my hubby, Bob, trying out the bike and doing pretty well. This is Holland's primary form of transportation and one we used almost everyday, aside from walking and the train. I think we have it all wrong here in North America.

In the Land of the Dutch

I am writing to you today from Amsterdam, Nederlands. It has been a whirlwind week here visiting my family, including my 20-year-old daughter, Kiersten. The camera crews joined us for a couple of days as we toured around Leiden, the city where my daughter is going to school. It's been wonderful to speak Dutch again and walk and bike everywhere. Bob and I have found a place to weight train, but eating clean is difficult over here. Cheese and beer abound in the Dutchland. Hopefully all the walking will make up for it! My mother, Tina, is also accompanying us so we've spent a lot of time visiting her cousins, sisters, and brothers in Delft. It's been a great escape, and one I haven't taken in years. I'll be home on Tuesday to prepare for my next competition. Stay tuned!

Good Morning and Good Feeling

Hello Ladies.

Can I start by saying how much I appreciate each of you? When I was on stage I kept reminding myself that I was doing this for you - for the women who want to but think they can't. I feel this responsibility tremendously and encourage you all to dig deep. Take a chance and discover something new about yourselves. For the next round I can help by posting more details about my preparation. So let's plan a date for that. I will start preparations on October 1st.

Why am I starting contest prep one week from now? That is why I am blogging now. Today I Have a photo shoot with the coolest girls from the pages of Oxygen. Ohmmiigggod! I am totally pumped to be with these beauties. When that is finished I toss my suitcases in the car and head for the airport. Robert, my mom and I are off to Holland to visit my girl - Kiersten. The TV crew is in tow for a few days only. I planned to go this week because I will be able to relax my eating a little and then begin again the strict contest prep for Round 2.

That being said, I will leave a few blogs for you and am off now to get ready. (It's 5:30 am by the way!)

Okay gotta go eat some oatmeal with hemp and fix my hair.

Love and kisses to you all!

This is going to be a fabulous day for each and every one of us.

Cheers and keep it tight!

Tosca

Tosca competed! She did it again!

Well here they are! The pictures to show that I got up there and did it again! I placed third in the Masters category. Now I want you to remember something. I had only 6 weeks to get ready. This is not really enough time to prepare adequately for a contest. So going forward for the next contest which is November 22nd, I will be focussing on developing more cuts in my physique and building my shoulders so I can create a wider V-taper. I have a blocky waist so any extra width I can get up there is beneficial to my overall look. Also, just so you know, I was the oldest competitor in my category by ten years.

The day was long and exciting. There were highs and lows. The high was placing third and the next best high was the mouthful of red wine I shared with my fellow competitors back stage. My gal pal and makeup artist Franca was a gem because she took care of me all day. My face and hair looked great thanks to her. Berns did a wonderful job of my suits - all blinged out I was!!!

Can't wait to do it again in eight weeks. I promise to work hard and come in tighter next time.

All my thanks to you for supporting me through this contest.

Stick with me for round 2.

Love and hugs,

Tosca

One day before contest!!!!!!!

It is finally here! The day before contest and I am still standing. Who knew?

This has been a challenging week, no doubt about it. Today is a day all about the final contest prep I need to do for tomorrow.

Here is what those details are:

1. Sodium deplete
2. Pro-Tan the body at least 3 times
3. Final approval of sports outfit which I have not seen.
4. One hour practice session - how to walk on stage.
5. Pack contest suitcase.
6. Pack contest day food.
7. Register for contest.
8. Attend athlete's meeting.
9. Approve makeup look for tomorrow.
10. Other miscellaneous details I can't think of now.


I will try to post pics as I go along today and tomorrw.

Wish me luck!
Tosca

Three Days to Contest! Still here!

Hi Everyone!

Finally got some photos for your inspection. Remember some important details about these shots:

1. I am not "dried out" yet but will be by Saturday.

2. I have no color yet. I will start the painting process Thursday night. Color makes a BIG difference!

3. I am not wearing my contest suit - that is going to be a surprise.

Okay now that we have those things out of the way I can talk to you about how I am doing. I ate carbs for the first time at 1:00pm today. They were the first carbs I have eaten since 2:00 pm Monday. I feel 1000x better. This morning I did my cardio and I honestly felt as if my legs were made of concrete. No matter what I did I could not drum up enough energy to really sprint out.

Okay, no more complaining. We are on the way. Something really exciting is happening. People are sending me notes of encouragement. Thank you everyone! Please send as many notes of encouragement as you want! I accept love at any time.

Enough talk, here come the pictures......

This is my side shot. Color is still to come.

Front shot with a camera man behind me. He looks great!

And finally, my abs. I may actually have some decent definition by contest date. Yippeee!!

Got to go now. I have a date with a sweet potato!

Love and kisses,

Tosca

all done!

Five days to contest and hanging in there!

Good Morning All!

This is day 5. I am still here. I can even work my computer and cell phone still. All that on zero carbs. I keep reminding myself that lions and tigers only eat meat and they are fierce and powerful. Me too then!

I am not sure it is worth the trouble to post my eating. Basically carb depletion means eating no fruits, veggies or whole grains. I am down to eating 7 meals per day of tilapia. That is it. Wheat grass shots help keep the nutrients coming and my energy sticks around for a while but not long. Then I begin to feel like the world is spinning. At that point I down a spoonful or two of bee pollen.

The lower energy levels are why I do my cardio super early in the morning. I have already done my run and it will be legs shortly. By the way when I run my iPod is my pal. The music helps me push past just about anything. I love the tune, Hard Sun by Declan O'Rourke and Short Skirt Long Jacket by - well I don't actually know but it makes me run fast. And I love anything Santana. OOOOHHH the groove. Then there's Sexual Healing, uh-huh! And I love Prince. Purple Rain makes me feel fabulous. Melissa Etheridges' version of Janis Joplin's Little Piece of My Heart is unreal - the last 8 minutes of cardio are an all out sprint by now. I could go on ...

I will try to load up some pics today too.

PS. got my suit yesterday. It is unbelievably beautiful! Wow! Can't wait to wear it.

PS. Weighed in today ... I am currently at 140 pounds and 5"8". The good news is that I seem to be hanging on to muscle. I promise pics will come today.

See ya!
tos