1.5 weeks to The Arnold Classic

Dear Friends and Fans,

It's coming down to the last couple of days.... this is the last week for me to really concentrate on losing as much fat as possible. My physique is coming in very good. I'm still working on the glute/ham area... but that is to be expected with everyone... it just happens to an area I've been working on, so I want that to be evident. Dave has me up to 2hours and 15 minutes of cardio in addition to 1.5 hours of posing and a workout.. my day is jammed packed. I have to try to pull myself together to then see my patients. It never fails that when you're trying to leave Town...everyone calls and needs to get in. I finally had to just close my books. I'm seeing patients this week, but just the ones that were lucky enough to schedule last week. I realize how physical my work really is. It gets difficult to stand after doing all the cardio and I often worry about straining my shoulder. I'm starting to pack and pre plan for next week. I still have so much stuff going on that it hasn't yet really hit me what I'm about to do. I get so busy just making it through the long list of things everyday. I'm sure Monday will be another story...LOL.

I appreciate all the supportive emails. I want to say thank you to all my friends here locally that have been calling and offering their help. If I had it their way... I would be laying around and they would be catering to me...LOL. Yeah sounds nice, it just seem easier to do it all myself. I guess that's just what I'm use to. But I do appreciate your understanding at least and your desire to help me.

So, just a couple more days of this. I'm still hanging in the low 140's. Dave says he's going to torture me this week.. he's almost there. I do feel like I'm in a cloud. I always feel like the bionic man... remember how he moved slow and made that noise.. I feel like that. It takes seconds to react. I feel like a stick solider... you know how there legs are stiff and they swing them forward...LOL. I keep getting shocked from dragging my feet.. I hate that.. and getting tangled in my rugs at home. AUGH!!!!

I can't complain though.. for the most part I'm doing great. I'll be my heaviest, fullest, and improved... I hope the judges notice that. I hope to blog again before I leave, but if not... I'll try from the hotel. Beth will have her laptop there, I hope to do some cam... so look out for me. I will be at the http://www.speciesnutrition.com/ booth Sat/Sun 12:30-3:00 come by and say hi.

The picture was taken @ 3 weeks out.. last weekend.

Hope you like the look of the new site. Colette has been working hard, and we have good stuff to come. Thank you for your support. XO

Your Pro,

Dr. Dena

4 weeks from the 2009 Arnold Classic!!

Dear Friends and Fans,

Yes.. OMG.. I'm here. I kwno it's been a long time. I'm sorry. I could give you all these excuses, but lets skip it and get to the present.. Except to say I hope you all had a GREAT Holiday Season. My web site is up and running with new content. If you happen to be getting a warning when on the site, use your browser instead of google for a bit. I've been told it's because of google... The site IS safe.

I've been training hard and staying focused for the Arnold. I was so excited to get invited. I was preparing well before I knew I would be doing the show which has left in a very good position. I think my muscle maturity is really starting to show. I didn't get HEAVIER off season. I stayed about 152-155. I was discouraged because I wanted to hang at 160 consistently... I guess I'm just stuck on that number...lol anywhoo I stayed leaner than ever too.. It just happened.. I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. I concentrated on my areas.. legs/ hams/ lateral quad/ calfs/ triceps.

A typical day for me is as follows:

4/4:30 am 1 hour on the treadmill

then 4 (5:10) mandatory rounds 20 minutes 40 secs

office work/ house work/ cooking/web cam

10:30/11 - 30 minutes on the hand bike at gym

practice routine 45 minutes

tan

home to eat

nap from 12-1:30

back to the gym to train (1hour)and do another 30 minutes on the step mill

4pm-8/9pm- see patients do last 30 minutes of cardio if I didn't get it after training.

So... a busy day full of things that take an enormous amount of energy.

I'm living off 2 Isolyze protein shakes and 3 chicken and veg whole meals/day. It's all good though. I feel decent.. highs and lows... but have had it worse. I'm enjoying not having to make a weight class. I can keep myself as full as possible.... I've been sitting around 142-144 and it's not dropping off quick. I'm really lean now though. I don't want to get all strung out looking. I have some big girls to stand next to. I think I'll show @ 140 or so. Which will be my biggest since 2004 Nationals although I was close at the 2006 Europa where I qualified for the Ms. Olympia.

I hope to place in the top 10. The last time I competed at this level I place 14th out of 15.. so I hope to pull out of the bottom.. but in my opinion.. even last is NOT bottom at this show. I will be at the Species Nutrition booth on Saturday.. so come by and say HI.

I'm going to try to keep you up till I leave for the show. I hope to do a little shoot this weekend, so I'll have a decent picture for you. the one here is what I call a mug shot. It is one I sent to Dave for a progress picture.... I had to grab a neighbor real quick to snap a shot of me... It's not easy to do pix when you have no one around.. lol./ anyway I look like hell but my side chest looks good.

Thank you for keeping up with me and showing your support.

Your Pro,

Dr. Dena