IFBB Figure Pro Kathleen checks in before heading out on vacation. WHAT?! A vacation during a contest prep? Most women would never do it but read how Kathleen plans to tackle her vacation plans and keys to staying balanced.

Healthy Foundation
My first NPC show was last October.  Before deciding to compete I was really good at eating my veggies and taking my mutli-vitamins and taking fish oil. But before competing I was not on such a strict schedule. When I started my first prep I slowly started to get so focused on the prep I forgot about the basics. Well forgetting about basic nutrition went on for quite some time even into my prep for the Phoenix show. It all caught up with me and after the Arnold Classic. I got really sick and my body hit a low like never before.  This was not my trainers fault but all mine as a client. You must always remember to keep up with the basics. I bring this up because I feel so much better this prep.

I realize now with my busy schedule I need to be extra careful about remembering the basics.  This may sound funny but to stay on track I keep my supplements in strange places…. For example in the door of my fridge I keep my fish oil and enzymes so when I am cleaning up after breakfast and dinner I remember to take them.  I also place my multi-vitamin and Vitamin C in my underwear drawer.

Working a full time job and two part time jobs creates a time crunch so every creative idea helps.

Vacation
I am headed out for almost a two week vacation!!!  Headed to Phoenix Arizona to train and hang out with Felicia Romero and Damian and then headed to Lake Havasu, Arizona for a family vacation.

I have access to gym every day, my food is made and my supplements are packed!

This vacation is really going to help me get through this last round of competition prep because…
• I get to sleep in a little everyday.
• Wake up do cardio, eat breakfast and then take a nap.
• Wake up train and take another nap if I want.
• Hang out in the water and then do my second round of cardio.

STRESS FREE!!!

Right now I wake up just before 4 am every morning. I work until 4:30 pm and then do my training and second round of cardio. I enjoy the fitness industry and I am motivated to live a healthy fit lifestyle and really want to do well at the Jacksonville Pro.  This motivation, drive and desire are what get me through each day.

I am going to be posting pictures with my Cover along the way – I have some creative ideas in mind. Hope some of you HardBody readers participate too.

Hunger
I am starting to get sooooooo hungry an hour before my next meal – the metabolism is up and running.

Here are some things helping me get through these hard times.
• Hot tea is helping (green tea, black tea and Numi – Indian Night Decaf Black Vanilla are my favorites)
• Setting a timer with a 30 minute countdown
• Shopping
• Making each meal as tasty as possible!  No reason to be plain until absolutely necessary.

Favorites this Week
• Chocolate protein powder with oats and a small amount of water.  (tastes like a no bake cookie)
• Broccoli with a small sprinkle of sugar substitute.
• I am still on my big chunks of cabbage kick – I have never ever eaten cabbage until now.
• Sea Salt and Apple Cider Vinegar as a topping – yummy!

Lady Gag’s “Teeth” is a good tune to put on for cardio. The video is a little strange but I’d expect nothing less from her.

Bianca Binno is one of the newest IFBB Bikini Pros. She was the runner-up in the Bikini C class, losing out by only one point. I caught up with Bianca on Sunday for a shoot in New Jersey. Keep your eye on her as she has a great look. Many people asked what her ethnic background is… it’s Italian.

Bianca Binno the day after turning pro.

Jack Johnson and Donavon Frankenreiter team up for “Free”. Nice mellow tunes for your day.

Girlicious – Sexy Chick (ft. David Guetta & B.o.B).

“Every girl here wanna be me. Ya, I’m a diva”.

Rock on with “Tears Don’t Fall” from Bullet For My Valentine.

A little country to kick off your day. Jerrod Niemann’s “Lover, Lover” ain’t too shabby.

I think I like Sonia Dada‘s version a bit better though.

What’s getting your fist pump’n? Tweet what has your fist pump’n this Friday and you’ll win a FREE OhYeah! Messenger Bag. Send your tweet to @hardbodynews and/or @OhYeahNutr and include the hashtag #FPF.

Example: Hey @hardbodynews Competing at #teamU this weekend & can’t wait to kick ass. #FPF

Here’s an exercise I hadn’t seen before. Anyone tried the “Open Palm Kettlebell Clean”? Check out the demonstration below and for more exercise guides visit videos.bodybuilding.com.

I’ll do it better than her… Matisse’s song “Better than Her” is the mindset of many women competing this weekend.

This song is getting quite a bit of airplay… Chris Brown with Lil Wayne “Gimme That”.

It will be a busy weekend in the NPC. While many competitors will be headed to the Team Universe event, others will be making the trip to Fort Lauderdale for the 30th NPC Southern States. This show has a history or being one of the biggest shows of the year. It’s one of the only NPC shows that has Men’s Fitness, yes it does exist. IFBB Pros Kristal Richardson and Tanji Johnson will be making an appearance at the event.

The Miami Hearald wrote about the event and you can check out the details here. For more information on the show visit npcsouthernstates.com.