I asked Christine to write an article for the Blog! Christine has a great future in our sport, and is well loved by the team! In a discussion we were having, she made a couple of REALLY great points, and wanted to share them with you all. Enjoy


The Figure Athlete’s Weight Watchers

This is a shout out to all you SG2Victory and Fitness Factory girls. The other day Shannon and I were talking about the importance of posing. I had brought a perspective to the act of attending posing practice and Shannon asked me to share a little bit about what I said. So here is my food for thought….

 I know as strong iron-pushing women with powerful physiques and the aspiration to be the best we can be; sometimes we may feel like we can take on the world. That we can handle whatever situations play out in our individual daily lives. But sometimes this just isn’t the case and like Shannon would say to me, “Suck up your ego and do not be ashamed to reach out for help when you need it!”
 
I know as a competitor, the stresses to be perfect are high, and the expectations you hold yourself to are high as well. I will be the first to admit that sometimes I need an extra push, no matter how much I love what I do, no matter how much I love to step on stage and present my best package, we are human too, and we cannot be perfect all the time.  Life happens, good AND bad, and it all affects our daily decisions. But it’s how we handle those decisions that make the difference.
 
Being a figure athlete is a world of its own, we are unique to any other athlete, we are meticulous, driven and selfish at times, but we are also in a sport that requires A LOT of energy, A LOT of dedication, and A LOT of time,  all of those things not many of our population can handle. And so that brings me to my point…

When you start to get tired or start to stray and think that it’s ok to skip out on posing practice just because you are not prepping for a competition, please think again!

I’m going to blast myself and say yes this was me. After my last competition I busted ass, placed second, entered off season and as Shannon told me, “(I) fell of the face of the earth for a minute.” I still trained, and tried to stick to my diet for the most part, but by this I mean I underestimated the importance of actually attending posing. And it’s not what you think it is.
 
Yes, posing helps keep our muscles sharp, helps with conditioning and our presentation, to really set us apart from other teams and athletes; it definitely is all of these things. But what I really like to compare it to is a figure athlete’s Weight Watchers meeting!

Think about it! Attending posing helps hold us accountable, to check in once a week and make connections with our peers and teammates. To have support in a sport that a lot of people do not understand, to keep us motivated and on track with our goals, but most importantly having a band of sisters that all know the exact sweat and sacrifice we all go through to make it onto that stage and push our mind, bodies and souls past its limits.
 
I know after a long week of busting ass on the stepmill there’s no one I’d rather gripe about #18 to than Shannon and my other SG2Victory teammates.
 

So before you start to stray, Shannon had a great suggestion to use the 48 hour rule, if after two days of bullshit you are still struggling to get it together, call, email, text, twitter….whatever your choice of communication may be.

You are not alone, we all deal with it, so reach out and ask for help no matter what the situation, because this is just as much of a mental sport as it is physical, and you know what….we aren’t perfect and we all need a little help sometimes!

~Christine Moore

LADIES!

Please put your orders for your JAN TANA Hi-DEFINITION Formula thru Bodybuilding.com.

Their bulk buying program makes them unbeatable in price!

 

You will save some serious CACH by purchasing it thru them!

(I Always recommend purchasing 2 bottles per show! )...  

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/jt/colorandskinprep.html

 

and you must order the additional puffs! (the bottles do NOT automatically come with them!)

 

http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/jt/tanningpuffs.html

 

(these are essential & mandatory)

 

 The only thing, is that they do NOT carry the Jan Tana Tatoo cover or the Make up!

 

See below for self tanner to use instead.

 

Merry Christine had first told me about this fantastic product back in the 90's, and we've been using it ever since!

It's by Sun Labratories and I purchase mine at a discount thru Tanforless.com

 

I like to purchase the big mack daddy bottle, only because then you can use it year around for photoshoots, or anytime you need a tan fix!

http://tanforless.com/SUN-Labs-Ultra-Dark-Instant-Self-Tanning-Lotion-32-oz-p-1895.html

small bottle for faces:

http://tanforless.com/SUN-Labs-Strictly-Faces-Dark-Instant-Self-Tanning-Lotion-2-p-1854.html

 

YOU NEED TO PUT YOUR ORDERS! SHIPPING Can be limited or delayed due to winter weather!!

 

If you still want to get the Make-up foundation:

http://www.jantana.com/index.php/competition-color/hi-definition-make-up-foundation-and-concealer.html

 

or the Tatoo Cover-up:

http://www.jantana.com/index.php/competition-color/new-tattoo-cover-creme-and-corrector-palette.html

(comes with multiple shades)

 

 

AND YES, IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO PURCHASE YOUR TANNING NOW IF YOU PLAN ON COMPETING AT A LATER DATE, REMEMBER....S...P...R...E..A..D.. OUT YOUR COMPETITION EXPENSES!

* A great Big thank you to our very own, Christine Moore, for giving us the heads up on what SHE has done in the past! This is what she does:  

"You can probably throw in there that if any of us wants to save a little money, and cannot purchase the sun laboratories face tanner, that you can use a dime size amount of face lotion and a half pump of the hi-def jan tana, mix it together and smooth on. It really works just as well, I even use it in the off season for a little sun kissed look to the face. You can also head into any sephora and ask to sample facial tints, I know clinique has a great facial tint that is a gel, I used it for the Ironman. They will give you a sample size to take home that is just enough for the comp and a little more!

 Also, if would rather buy your makeup rather than have it shipped. MAC has a great foundation that matches perfectly to Jan Tana. Ask for studio tech in NC44 (fairer skin) or NC45 (warm skin or a little on the tanner side, like me!). They both match wonderfully depending on your skin complexion and is great at staying put under the stage lights!

You may already know all of this, but I thought I would throw that in there since I am the queen of trying to get the maximum out of the minimum! lol ~C"

THANKS!

~TRAINER SHANNON

PLEASE COME BY AND
SUPPORT THE SG2VICTORY ATHLETES!

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 20TH, 2010

I Was Forwarded this Email from one of our Fitness Friends, Lindsay on Behalf of her friend Heather:

Dear Friends and Family,

Cancer sucks.  It’s okay to say that, to scream it.  I don’t think anyone will get mad at you for it.  My three year old, Caleb, says it and even has a shirt that says it.   CANCER SUCKS!!!  I learned that the hard way this last year and now I am going to do something about that cancer.  I’m going to run a marathon.  Crazy, I know and go ahead and tell me that all you want.  You can say “how are you, little miss prancing ballerina, going to run a mile?”  A mile, ha!  Try 26 miles!  Okay, I’m not even going to try 26 miles quite yet but I will try 13!  I have decided to run in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Rock N Roll Seattle Marathon in June 2010. 

In April of 2009, my 3 year old son Baily was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  The tumor in his chest was 11cm, the size of a small soccer ball.  Baily had to give up going to preschool, the zoo, petting zoos, playing with his friends, going to church or anywhere that there were large crowds of people indoor.  This 3 year old boy was poked and prodded, spent weeks in the hospital, had an outrageous amount of scans, took medicines that made him throw up, lost all of his hair, and kept on smiling.  Baily turned 4 years old during his fight with cancer and I swear he was more like 34; he was forced to grow up very fast.  Baily endured 5 different chemo treatments and radiation, and had started testing at Fred Hutchinson for his life-saving, last chance option, Stem cell Transplant at the end of October of 2009.  Two days into testing we found out that not only was the tumor still active and growing but the cancer had spread into his lungs.  Back to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital we went on October 30^th.  Baily never made it out of the hospital.  He died there on November 17^th, 2009, from cancer.  Four years old.

So I’m mad.  I’m mad at that cancer and I am going to do everything in my power to help find a cure.  Running a marathon is nothing compared to what Baily and all of the other fighters have to go through.  I’m sure now it is obvious why this cause is so important to me.   I am going to honor my sweet Baily and make him proud, running is such a small thing but it makes a big difference. 

Team-in-Training is the largest endurance training program in the country and since 1988 has raised more than $750 million for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  As a member of Team-in-Training I have coaches, a mentor, and more than 70 teammates to run with.  We are all supporting each other and committing ourselves to raising money for a cure.  I have set a goal to raise $2500 as a donation to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Will you help me meet my goal? It’s so simple to donate online, just go to my team in training page, http://pages.teamintraining.org/wa/rnrseatl10/bennetth. You can check back often to see how I am doing too.  You can also learn about Baily, www.bailybennett.com.

This is the year of change.  I am changing my mind about being mad and doing nothing, now I’m mad and doing something about it.  I’m running…. not away from the hurt, anger and sadness associated with cancer…. but running with purpose, running toward a cure.

With my sincere thanks, 

Heather (Marshbank) Bennett

PS: Please feel free to forward this to others that you know who would like to be involved.  This is a great way to start your year off right.  We can all work together to find a cure; one penny at a time, one mile at a time.  Help me run for Baily!

2010 NPC Vancouver USA Natural
Bodybuilding Championships &
Tanji Johnson Fitness, Figure & Bikini Classic

SATURDAY MARCH 27TH, 2010

NATIONAL QUALIFIER: The Vancouver Natural is a National Qualifying event. The top two Open Men and Open Women in each weight class qualify for any NPC National Level contest. Top 5 Fitness and Bikini winners in each open class will qualify for ANY national level event. The top 5 Figure are eligible for the JUNIOR USA, TEEN COLLEGIATE, MASTERS NATIONALS and TEAM UNIVERSE FIGURE CHAMPIKONSHIPS and the top 3 are eligible for the JUNIOR NATIONAL, USA and NATIONAL FIGURE CHAMPIONSHIPS. Eligibility is good for 1 year .For more information on qualifications, see www.npcnewsonline.com

ELIGIBILITY: All entrants must be registered with the NPC. Competitors may register the day of the show ($90.00). Teen competitors must be no older than 19 years of age the day of the show. Masters Women must be over 35 years of age; Masters Men must be over 40 or over 50 years of age. Proof of age (i.e. Birth Certificate copy) must accompany any Junior, Teen or Masters entries. There are no residency restrictions. Entrant may not enter more than one class with the exception of Mixed Pairs, Fitness or Figure.

TESTING: There will be a random selection of competitors for polygraph testing the morning of the show. Testing will be for steroid use 24 months prior to and including the date of this contest. All competitors must agree to taking the test, those registering a positive result will be disqualified from further competition.

ENTRY FEE: $60.00 Mixed Pairs are free if entered in another division, otherwise $60.00. Contestants may enter only one division (with the exception of Mixed Pairs, Fitness or Figure). If entering both Fitness and Figure, separate entry fees are required. Cashier check or money order preferred, made payable to Bohm Productions, PMB 124, 8002 NE Hwy 99, Vancouver, WA 98665.

DEADLINE: For entry forms and fee – March 20, 2010. Late Entries $100 NO EXCEPTIONS.

AWARDS: Trophies or medals will be awarded to the top five place winners in each class. Overall Open Men, Open Women and Masters Men will be awarded decorative swords. Overall Figure, Fitness, and Bikini and Novice Men/Women will be awarded Neils Anderson Statues. A team Award will be given to the team with the most competitors from one club or organization.

MUSIC: Must be recorded on a CD, free of static and other distortions. Music must have only your allotted time for music on it – all bodybuilding competitors have 60 seconds, fitness competitors have up to 2 min (90 sec for Junior Fitness). Music must start at the beginning of the CD. We reserve the right to refuse CD’S not meeting these standards. Obscene lyrics in the music will result in disqualification.

CHECK-IN / WEIGH-IN: Competitors check-in / weigh-in Friday March 26th from 5:30PM to 7:00PM at Skyview High School, late check-in / weigh-in March 27th, 7:30AM SHARP at Skyview High School. Competitors meeting at 8:30AM. Prejudging 9:00AM. Evening show, all competitors 6:00PM, be prepared and on time. Late contestants for the preliminary lineup will not be allowed to compete. NO REFUNDS. Due to insurance requirements, limited space, and for the competitors’ safety, no assistants or trainers will be permitted in the pump up room, locker room or backstage.
*** IFBB Fitness Pro LAURA MAK will be at check in Friday night selling her famous MAK ATTACK clothing!***
 
There will be a FREE posing rehearsal for all Fitness/Figure/Bikini competitors
 at 7:00PM Friday March 26th on stage at Skyview following Check-in.
 IFBB Pro Tanji Johnson  will conduct this rehearsal.
IFBB PRO and National Judge, Sandy Williamson will be in attendance.

PREJUDGING: Starts at 9:00AM in the following order – Women’s Junior Fitness, Women’s Fitness (Fitness Round), Teen Men, Over 35 Women, Over 40 Men, and Over 50 Men, Women’s Figure (2pc Swimsuit), Over 35 and over 40Figure (2pc. Swimsuit), Women’s Fitness (2pc. Swimsuit), Novice Women (Light, Heavy), Novice Men (Light, Middle, Heavy), Mixed Pairs, Women’s Bikini, Open Women (Light, Middle, Heavy), Open Men (Bantam, Light, Middle, Light Heavy & Heavy).

TICKETS: Finals, ON SALE 1/2/10, $35 VIP (limited seats, first 7 rows front/center) $25, (reserved seating). Prejudging - $15, General Admission.

Includes service charge. Finals tickets available thru Bohm Productions and Tickets West 1-800-992-TIXX, Prejudging tickets available only at the door the day of event.

SCORES: Copies of competitors score sheets will be available to each competitor at the night show, after their class is finished.

FOR YOUR ENTRY FORMS, CLICK HERE: http://www.northwestbodybuilding.net/entry2010.pdf

Thanks to Jim Wallingford for forwarding this to me....

Is this ever an eye opener.

Directly opposite of what we've been taught over the years. 

I can remember in school being told to, "duck and cover" or stand in a doorway during an earthquake.

This guy's findings are absolutely amazing. 

I hope we all remember his survival method if we are ever in an earthquake.

EXTRACT FROM DOUG COPP'S ARTICLE ON THE: "TRIANGLE OF LIFE" 

My name is Doug Copp.

I am the Rescue Chief and Disaster Manager of the American Rescue Team International (ARTI), the world's most experienced rescue team.

The information in this article will save lives in an earthquake. 
I have crawled inside 875 collapsed buildings, worked with rescue teams from 60 countries, founded rescue teams in several countries, and I am a member of many rescue teams from many countries... 
I was the United Nations expert in Disaster Mitigation for two years.

I have worked at every major disaster in the world since 1985, except for simultaneous disasters. 
The first building I ever crawled inside of was a school in Mexico City during the 1985 earthquake.

Every child was under its desk.

Every child was crushed to the thickness of their bones.

They could have survived by lying down next to their desks in the aisles.

It was obscene, unnecessary and I wondered why the children were not in the aisles.

I didn't at the time know that the children were told to hide under something. 
Simply stated, when buildings collapse, the weight of the ceilings falling upon the objects or furniture inside crushes these objects, leaving a space or void next to them.

This space is what I call the "triangle of life". 
The larger the object, the stronger, the less it will compact.

The less the object compacts, the larger the void, the greater the probability that the person who is using this void for safety will not be injured.

The next time you watch collapsed buildings, on television, count the "triangles" you see formed. They are everywhere.

It is the most common shape, you will see, in a collapsed building. 

 TIPS FOR EARTHQUAKE SAFETY 

1) Most everyone who simply "ducks and covers" WHEN BUILDINGS COLLAPSE are crushed to death.

People who get under objects, like desks or cars, are crushed. 

2) Cats, dogs and babies often naturally curl up in the fetal position.

You should too in an earthquake...

It is a natural safety/survival instinct.

You can survive in a smaller void.

Get next to an object, next to a sofa, next to a large bulky object that will compress slightly but leave a void next to it. 

3) Wooden buildings are the safest type of construction to be in during an earthquake. Wood is flexible and moves with the force of the earthquake. 

If the wooden building does collapse, large survival voids are created.

Also, the wooden building has less concentrated, crushing weight.

Brick buildings will break into individual bricks. Bricks will cause many injuries but less squashed bodies than concrete slabs. 

4) If you are in bed during the night and an earthquake occurs, simply roll off the bed.

A safe void will exist around the bed. Hotels can achieve a much greater survival rate in earthquakes, simply by posting a sign on The back of the door of every room telling occupants to lie down on the floor, next to the bottom of the bed during an earthquake. 

5) If an earthquake happens and you cannot easily escape by getting out the door or window, then lie down and curl up in the fetal position next to a sofa, or large chair. 

6) Most everyone who gets under a doorway when buildings collapse is killed.

How ?

If you stand under a doorway and the doorjamb falls forward or backward you will be crushed by the ceiling above.

If the door jam falls sideways you will be cut in half by the doorway.

In either case, you will be killed.

7) Never go to the stairs.

The stairs have a different "moment of frequency" (they swing separately from the main part of the building). 

The stairs and remainder of the building continuously bump into each other until structural failure of the stairs takes place.

The people who get on stairs before they fail are chopped up by the stair treads - horribly mutilated.

Even if the building doesn't collapse, stay away from the stairs.

The stairs are a likely part of the building to be damaged.

Even if the stairs are not collapsed by the earthquake, they may collapse later when overloaded by fleeing people.

They should always be checked for safety, even when the rest of the building is not damaged. 

8) Get Near the Outer Walls Of Buildings Or Outside Of Them If Possible -

It is much better to be near the outside of the building rather than the interior.

The farther inside you are from the outside perimeter of the building the greater the probability that your escape route will be blocked. 

9) People inside of their vehicles are crushed when the road above falls in an earthquake and crushes their vehicles; which is exactly what happened with the slabs between the decks of the Nimitz Freeway...

The victims of the San Francisco earthquake all stayed inside of their vehicles.

They were all killed.

They could have easily survived by getting out and sitting or lying next to their vehicles. Everyone killed would have survived if they had been able to get out of their cars and sit or lie next to them.

All the crushed cars had voids 3 feet high next to them, except for the cars that had columns fall directly across them. 

10) I discovered, while crawling inside of collapsed newspaper offices and other offices with a lot of paper, that paper does not compact. 

Large voids are found surrounding stacks of paper. 

 Spread the word and save someone's life...

The Entire world is experiencing natural calamities so be prepared.
"We are but angels with one wing, it takes two to fly".
 
In 1996 we made a film, which proved my survival methodology to be correct.

The Turkish Federal Government, City of Istanbul, University of Istanbul Case Productions and ARTI cooperated to film this practical, scientific test.

We collapsed a school and a home with 20 mannequins inside.

Ten mannequins did "duck and cover," and ten mannequins I used in my "triangle of life" survival method.

After the simulated earthquake collapse we crawled through the rubble and entered the building to film and document the results.

The film, in which I practiced my survival techniques under directly observable, scientific conditions, relevant to building collapse, showed there would have been zero percent survival for those doing duck and cover. 
There would likely have been 100 percent survivability for people using my method of the "triangle of life."

This film has been seen by millions  of viewers on television in Turkey and the rest of Europe, and it was seen in the USA, Canada and Latin America on the TV program Real TV.

Having a pet is a great way to get exercise, decrease stress, and give you endless Joy!

Welcome to our newest member of the family, MUFFIN, owner: Kathy Dreiblatt!

Here is a great article:

Dogs Are A Wonderful Addition To The Family.

Credit: jerry Tidwell "Associated Content"

Owning a dog is one of my greatest pleasures. If you don't own a dog maybe there will be at least one reason listed here to convince you why you should. If you own a dog you already have a million reasons.

1.Dogs Are Good Listeners.

There is nothing better than a really sympathetic listener. A dog will snuggle right up to you and hang on every word you say. Even though you know they can't understand a word you say, it's nice to have a warm body to snuggle with while you cry. They don't ask questions, don't say the wrong thing, they just listen and snuggle. They are probably trying to recall what great thing they did to deserve some much wanted attention like this. Somehow it just really makes you feel better.

2. They Are Always Glad To See You.
It doesn't matter if you left hours ago or five minutes ago, a dog's reaction is always the same. They act like they haven't seen you in forever. You could never get a reaction like that out of anyone else in your family, especially not your cat. Secretly they are probably hoping that you remembered to take them along.

3.Dogs Make You Feel Safe.
This is especially true of females. When some strange person knocks on the door and your dog raises his hackles and growls, it makes you feel much safer. You'd like to think they would protect you if they had to or at least make a person think twice about coming in. I know my dogs will see and hear anything that comes in the house well before I do. I also really feel like when my husband is gone my dogs are in a more protective mindset. At least they seem to be and that makes me feel safer.

4.Dogs Will Make You Get Exercise.
This alone should be a good motivator. If you live in town your dog is going to need to be walked every day, normally a couple of times. It's not like you can just open the door and let them out. You have to take them and this means you are getting exercise you would normally not get. It makes you feel so much better just to get out. If you live in the country and you can just turn your dog loose you will still get plenty of exercise. There is mud to clean off, burrs to pick out, skunk smells to eliminate, cat's to rescue and many more things that involve some form of exercise.

5.Dogs Teach You Responsibility.

You can not own a dog without being responsible. If you do you will have a messy yard or house. You have to learn to clean up after them. It isn't their fault they are trapped in a tiny yard or in the house. You have to learn to pay attention to their body language. They will tell you when they need out, when they want a walk, when they need water or food. But , you have to be responsible enough to notice these things. Dogs have this little alarm clock inside for dinner time. If you are late they will let you know. One of our dogs brings his bowl to you if he thinks you don't get it.

6. Dogs Love A Good Adventure.
The great thing about a dog is that they think everything is an adventure as long as they are with you. If you have to do a particularly dirty job they are right there. They are willing to slop through mud, help with goats, swim in that dirty tank, go fishing, go for a walk, slop in the rain to feed the horses. As long as they are going they think it's great fun. Later when you are tired and want to hang on the couch, they think there isn't anything better. Hanging with their person on the couch is a perfect day in a dogs eyes. Actually I think dogs think every day is a good day, except maybe trip to the vet day.

7.Prepare You For Children.
In a lot of ways this is true. If you can not handle a dog do not have children. Dogs are a lot of work. Sometimes they are naughty and tear things up. They have to be exercised, fed, watered, disciplined, and loved. If you cannot do these things for a dog you should know that a child is twice the work. A child has even more energy. Unlike dogs they do not spend most of their days sleeping(except when they are really young) so if a dog wears you out a child will even more so.

8.Dogs Teach Your Children How To Love A Pet.
My son is 19 months old now and has been around our two dogs the entire time. Our dogs are wonderful with him. They let him do anything with them. But, this is a great chance to teach your child that animals have feelings too. They have to learn to be gentle, they learn that dogs hurt too, that dogs need care. It is a great way to model the way we should take care of God's creation. Then when they get old enough they can take of one of their own dogs.

9.Dogs Are Good Little Cleaners.
I never have to worry about cleaning up any food that is dropped on the floor. It is almost gone before it hits the floor. Dogs really have a way of making you feel like you are the best cook in the world too. No matter what you are making they hover around usually much more excited than anyone else in the family would. Any food, crumbs, spills, are all taken care of usually before I even have to ask. So they save you a lot of time as well.

 

 

10.Dogs Have Huge Hearts.

For some reason God knew we needed an animal like a dog. The emotion they exhibit is not reflected by any other animal or person except maybe a toddler. No matter whether you yell at them, forget about them,or neglect them they some how find it in their heart to not just forgive but love. They don't even just love they love just as huge as they did before. Have you never yelled at your dog and seen how crushed he is? Yet two minutes later it is just as if it never happened. My favorite thing about a dog is their ability to love with their whole heart no matter what.

As always, check out http://MuscularDevelopment.com
and search for Julie Palmer

~Trainer Shannon

As we go into the New Year, and all the 'festivities' occur, may I please bring this to the table point blank.

I received this email and it stopped me in my tracks.

For all of you SG2Victory Girls, this is a mandatory clip to watch.

"This is a very powerful anti-drinking and driving TV Ad from Australia .  In California , this hits home for all of us and why the Office of Traffic Safety (OTS), California Law Enforcement, Avoid the 100 DUI Team, South Bay DUI Team and our Department are so aggressive in locating, arresting and removing DUI drivers off our roadways.  Please take time to watch this TV Ad.   Thanks  "  

Please visit his site if you haven't yet. It's really one of the very best places to get NEW, BREAKING INDUSTRY News!

I would recommend signing up to be on his mailing list, so you can get his updates right in your Inbox - DAILY!

Thanks Issac for being so fantasic! We just love you, your work, and your insight. Keep it up!

~Trainer Shannon