Irons In The Fire

Dear Friends and Fans,

Weeks seem to be just flying by. I feel like I have so much going on.... I have been working a lot more to pay for this NY trip. Oh My!!! I have my guest posing coming up in 3 weeks, April 25th, http://www.npcmidwest.com/ . Jack, the promoter, is meeting with the club owner today to finalize the details of the after party we are hosting after the show. It should be alot of fun. http://www.lurenightclub.com/ . I'm hoping to get my friend in from NY to spin at the club. DJKC.... www.myspace.com/djkcnyc . Gary my photographer will be taking pictures of the booth, guest posing and the after party, so we should have some fun galleries coming up.

My training is going well. I'm really just training my legs and hitting my upper body once a week, but I do push ups, pull ups and the hand bike everyday so that is keeping My upper body hard too. I'm looking forward to seeing what I look like at the guest posing. I will be 2 weeks out of the NY show. I'm weighing 150 right now. I have to start trying to get my weight down a bit. I don't want to be lighter... but I need to be a bit more crisp... I'm gonna have to figure that one out...LOL..

I thought my legs looked pretty good in this shot. Dan Ray took this photo. He shoots me really well. When standing alone my legs look great... LOL... you know how the rest of that story goes..

I hope you are all are enjoying the change of seasons. I love it. We have these white Pear Blossoms blooming all over. It's so pretty.

Thank you for your support.

Your Pro,

Dr. Dena

Springing Into Bloom!!!

Dear Friends and Fans,

Well it's back to the full routine of training, posing and working. My friends had a CONGRATULATIONS party for me yesterday at friends Alex and Chris restaurant "El Agave" in Pacific, MO. oh my the food was GREAT and PLENTIFULLY!..LOL.. and a big chocolate cake. I almost over ate. Gosh, made that mistake one year... YUCK!! I really have some great friends, and want each of you to know that you really touched me.... I feel so fortunate to have so many people that love and appreciate me as a person. It's amazing how complete I'm beginning to feel. It honors me to share with you a poem that one for my friends wrote for me and read aloud at the party:

Ode To Dena

Please join us for a celebration

Not only tops in this great nation

She's also winner #9

In a world of muscles fine

Almost bare,she prances and dances

flexing while in muscular stances

On the stage she has such poise

while her fan club makes loud noise

This fine young woman we all know

Has great depth, she's not all show

Her friends are tops upon her list

And Maryjane gets hugged & kissed

The qualities that you posess

Makes all other seem a mess

You cook, you party yet motivation

Is the crux of your dedication

So dear Dena, we salute you

For the many things that you do

You heal us with your loving hands

You make no judgements no demands

How can one girl be so fun

Smart, accomplished next to none

Inside and out your beauty shines

You just get better like fine wines.

Thank you Connie

Okay so here it is, I have 7 weeks to pull my physique just a bit tighter. It's the damn glute/ ham area of course. I'm training my legs 4 days a week. I'm not killing them though, but they feel it the next day. I do the incline treadmill for 30 mins and then the rest of my cardio I try to do on the hand bike, so I don't burn up the size of my legs. A typical day of leg training would be 2 sets walking lunges, 2 sets box jumps, 3 sets stiff leg deads. I'm still doing 2 sets of pulls, push ups, and leg magic. My abs are INSANELY thick.. I'm gonna let them rest a bit... they get a work out while posing. everything seems to be right on so far. It's back to business... My posse wants to go to Vegas....LOL... Top 3 @ the NY Pro Show May 16th will Qualify me for the Ms. Olympia and a trip to Vegas with my friends and fans.

I have a guest posing Apr 25th here in St. Louis... Robert's Orpheum Theatre 7pm. It's a new NPC novice show called 2009NPC MIDWEST. I will be hosting the after party with the promoters Jack and Ann Titone. Ann is a top national figure competitor if you want to check her out. Show info WWW.NPCMIDWEST.COM . I will be back stage helping athletes during the prejudging and selling photo shoot outfits and photos at my booth. Come by and say hi. I'll keep you updated on the guest posing and the after party for all you local fans. Keep pushing me to be champion..... if only in my wourld...LOL.!!

Your Pro,

Dr. Dena

9th In The World!!

Dear Friends and Fans,

Well, here I am... finally home. I need to get some rest but it's difficult to get off the rush. I worked the Species Nutrition booth Sunday 12-230 and then rushed over to do a photo shoot with Annie ( muscle angles ) 3-4. My plane left at 615. My entire weekend went that way. It's is a lot of running around.

I am VERY happy with the results of my placing. I was wanting a top 10 finish and I placed 9Th. It seemed like everything was right on schedule. I learned a lot about my body this show, or it's the accumulation of experiencing the way my body feels to peak. I still feel like I didn't nail it right on the head though. For once, I FELT a difference b/w being full and not. I did sweat on stage, not much, but the top girls weren't sweating. I have to check out the pictures closely and see if I had any water under my skin.

I had a huge St. Louis posse come to support me. I competed on Friday night and had planned a dinner party of 20 at Marchella's. I wanted spaghetti and meat balls and meat sauce, bread and oil and a couple glasses of a nice red wine. I wanted nothing that tasted like Pasta House. The meatballs were their speciality... YUMMY... ooooh and the meat sauce was right out of grandma Guzzi's kitchen!!! LOL. I'm a twirler..love to spin long noodles with a fork and spoon. There is just something about it... and I was craving that action. You can see that most of my post show food pictures have a huge bowl of pasta in front of me. There were 2 people in my party that had a birthday over the weekend, so I thought of what ,of course, I would want and it was a dairy queen ice cream cake. I special ordered a dairy queen ice cream cake in Columbus. On Thursday, Beth ventured out in her car to get my cake and drop it off at the restaurant for the next evening. She dropped me off for a photo shoot with Dan Ray... and off she went. Beth dropped the cake off with the chief supposedly!!!! So, Friday I was riding in the shuttle over to prejudging and the restaurant called. The manager was calling to ask where I got the cake from... My ice cream cake was left out over night!!!! Now keep in mind.. I'm on my way to get on stage and this happens!! Not something that needs to be on my mind at that time. They told me they saved the decorations..lol... Thanks!! Well, everything worked out. The food was outstanding and the service excellent. I had an ice cream cake... everything went as planned. Saturday morning, I had a photo shoot with Tom 9 from 10-1130 and worked the species nutrition booth from 12-2. I had just enough time to grab something to eat before starting a video shot with awefilms. Watch Out!! Steve just pulls something out of me. Our chemistry together is so free. He takes excellent video of my physique. I think this was our hottest video yet. We shot til like 7pm. I had to primp up a bit more and head out the door to the Party With The Pros. After that, we ventured over to Boma. We all danced the night. I'll have some pictures up soon on the site of the evenings. Now to make matters worse, we lost an hour in the time change.... I had to pack ,check out and work the species booth 12-2. I went to sleep at 530am... so, OUCH!!! I was feeling that 1030am wake up and rush around deal. Beth helped me out so much. She had her car there and was getting me around. She really got to know the area , so we were able to be somewhat efficient. I say somewhat because I had 1 more photo shoot with Annie 3-4 and my plane left at 615. Beth and I went to the wrong hotel for my shoot with Annie. Room 1407..... it was open, so we thought she was shooting in the lobby and would be up. I undressed and laid around on the couch under the covers and waited. After 15 mins goes by I check my phone to call her and I saw a text from her asking where I was...LOL.. I said waiting in your room. "MY ROOM?"...LOL we had no idea who's room we were in but Annie's hotel was 1407 across the street. We pack up and laughed all the way over to Annie's!!! OOOO, very packed flight on the way home, but made it safely....I was asked what my biggest threat was for the show and my response was " to not make it home safe and sound". I am a home body, and totally enjoy the security of my home. I don't like to leave it long.

AHHHHHHH, so many decisions to make. I know I should take a couple of days to think things out, but I have done a lot of thinking and had been sketching out my next move even before the Arnold. I, of course need, to wait and see what happened here. I've decided to do the NY Pro Show. It will be my 2ND consecutive year at this show. It's a great show and who can turn down a trip to New York. I have a game plan in mind... I have 9 weeks... I'm going to just train my legs. Do everything I hate to do or haven't been doing much of...walking lunges, lunges, step ups, stair sprints, box jumps....oh gag me with a spoon... must I go on..LOL. I plan to make minor, but noticeable improvements, We'll just see how I pull it together... I really think I'm starting to get everything down.

I totally enjoyed interacting with all my fans in the expo and around the lobby. I'm there for all of you. I get motivated by people appreciating and enjoying my physique. Thank you all for your support. " Strength is Beautiful".

PS. Check out my article on http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/dena_westerfield_interview.htm

Your Pro,

Dr. Dena

2 more days to prep!!

Dear Friends and Fans,

Well here it is... Monday! I've been waiting for this day for some reason. I'm right where I need to be with everything. Most of my bags are packed and food is organized for the trip. I have today and Tuesday to workout and finish up cardio.

I'm very pleased with where I am with my physique. I've made noticeable changes to my muscle bellies... I think it's just maturity. I'm blossoming...LOL. I'm leaner than I have ever been, yet heavier too. Here are a couple things I have been thinking about for the show:

We usually are put in order by our last names... that is why I'm always stuck at the freaking end by the podium or falling off the front of the stage...too close for the judges to get a good look at. I then get moved around... but it sucks to be dangling on the end all the time....LOL I'm use to it though... I've had this name for 38 years..

I'm not sure if this a blessing or not, but being the last competitor gives me no rest between my free pose and comparisons. I have to free pose then come right around and start to battle it out... My physique looks best once I pose it for at least 2-3 rounds instead of grabbing weights and pumping up that way, so although fatigued, my muscles will be full and ready for action. I think I'm fatigued, but I'm amazed at where this rush of energy comes from when your on stage. It's kinda like when I use to run... the finish line would be just in site and I would wonder how to make it... my legs would start to go so fast... the fastest the whole race.. it

s called the "kick". So, on stage, I'll be feeling the kick.

Another thing I've been thinking about is this... the top girls... in the top 5 get called out 1st.. right. So, the judges look at them and place them... then they get off the stage and on there merry way...meanwhile the " 2ND string, second call out, women" have to stand poised, in the background on stage, for all the judges to catch a glimpse of them letting their belly hang for some good inspiration....lol so the " not top girls" have to be in much better conditioning because they have to be on stage and perform longer. It's hard standing out there for all that time. Good thing the "best girls" are back with their feet up and not out battling it out for stamina too... LOL

OMG.. and 6Th and 7Th have a real hard time... they have to pose in the 1st round, then stay so the judges can judge the rest of the women against them. So, 6 and 7 really get beat up!!! It's nerve racking because you know you are on the cusp with the other person that got called out next to you..plus you have to hold it tight and not lose your placing by being tired and then drop from 6-7 to 9-10.. Confusing??? Long story short.. I've been really working on my posing because most likely I'll be hammered on stage with no rest and definitely no matter where my placing is .. I'll have to fight for it with my posing and condition with a boost of stamina.

ok.. one other thing that has been weighing on my mind.. my changes and weight. Here is the scenario:

As an amature, I was competing as a lightheavy weight (LHW)which was under 140. I had issues making this weight at times. I won my Pro card in 2005 (my hardest showing physique wise)as a LHW. 2006( my fulliest showing) I competed as a pro in an open class ( no weight class) and qualified for the Ms. Olympia. 2007 and 2008, the weight classes came back and intimated my the term heavy weight(HW) 0ver 135.1/4 lbs, I sucked it down to the light weight ( LW) class ( under 135) and missed the boat by 1 placing both years. I looked ripped, but small and long... for some reason. So... for 2 years I've been restricting my body from it's potential by trying to stay at a particular weight class. I haven't had the chance really ever in my career to just go with my look and not worry weight. I have made alot of changes and have not blossomed in 2 years.. so it's time! I'm my leanest and waking at 145-146 lbs. I've actually been gaining weight as I've been losing fat. I no didn't think it was possible.... I've talked to others... they say this is what happens when your "ON". I think my body is just really liking being able to just hang out like it wants. I just want it all to come together at the right time.. that's the trick.. holding it and not doing anything to change it. It's hard to hold a look and not over think. I'm not going to stress about weigh because it is not an issue, and hopefully this showing will give me the justification in my own mind what weight my body shows best at. Hope all that makes sense... LOl it is early here and I'm babbling...lol.. Realistically, I was upset in the off season because I just didn't pack on this huge weight like the other off season girls could. I'm a small person... I kept using that excuse.. but now I see it's not how heavy you get off season... its the quality!!! I'm 7-10 lbs from my off season weight which means through all of this I've only lost 7-10 lbs.. Most lose 20-25. No wonder I didn't blow up in the off season.... I grew and matured.... It's NOT about the scale...LOL.. I have to keep telling myself that too so don't think I'm being ms. bad ass here.

Wash up suits, clean house, business work, nails/feet make up food and out the door on Wednesday. I have a really busy week-weekend planned. It is work when I get there. I have to move from photo shoots to meetings to tanning and back.

I have a HUGE hometown posse coming to see me and experience the weekend. I'm so excited. I've had friends and people helping me in the past, but not a group of 20 people, some who are driving 10 hours, to come be with me and show there love and support for what I do.. I appreciate you all. We'll all have a great time and takes lots of pix. All of you who are in the STL waiting for me to come home.. I haven't forgotten you either!!! My NUcks!!! I'm looking forward to all the goodies my friends and patients will be making over the weekend for me to pig out in. They all love to come see how big I get from their homemade food.

I have a guest posing April 25th her in the STL, so I have to keep some look...LOL Not the Pillsbury one!!! LOL The pix here is from the shoot 3 weeks ago. I maybe able to get another recent one up.. but if not I brought my camera stuff to load on Beth's computer so I can send pixs to blog while there. Look for me on cam.

Still keep your fingers crossed and keep healthy thoughts in your soul for me. It is a critical time coming up. I've done my best... could I be better.... LOL ALWAYS.. after the show I'll have to figure out just what BETTER is.

Again, over and over, I appreciate you all... thank you for caring about who I am and what I'm about.

PS>>> I will be on muscle radio talk show Tuesday March 3,2006. Here is the link... there is an archive if you missed it.. http://www.musclesportmag.com/2009/03/02/dena-westerfield-this-weeks-guest-on-musclesport-radio/

Your Pro,

Dr.Dena