Jennifer's Journals: 01/01/2005

Just what I needed after a LONG Weekend of work! I hope this makes your day a bit brighter as well!!

Quote For The Day...

"You simply will not be the same person two months from now

after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance

that exists in your life.

And you will have set in motion an ancient spiritual law:

The more you have and are grateful for,

the more will be given you."



~~ Sarah Ban Breathnach

I Broke The Threshhold...Below 10% B.F.
I ended up dropping 2 lbs this week with the changes I implemented with hitting my 10 week out marker. 156.5 at 9 weeks out...I am taking "Journey To The Stage" progress pics tonight for my members section so as soon as my computer has everything re-installed they will be posted to my members section.
I am pretty drained today! My back is very sore from Tuesday's workout and my chest as well from Wednesday's workout. My hamstrings are definitely feeling my straight-leg dead lifts from yesterday as well.
Tomorrow is my "Fast Friday" spin class at 5 am that just kicks my A**!!
So today I took the internal approach to contest prep. amd took a much needed yoga class after training my client this morning.
I think my training and contest prep. is unique in that aspect to other bodybuilders I know. Some of my internal approach to training comes from my dance background and some from the example of my mom:)
I am very good at tuning in to what my body needs and when...I find that taking this approach allows me to excell and progress through my contest prep. and off season training with much more ease and enjoyment!
Yoga was just what I needed today! I felt refreshed, relaxed and it eased some of my aches and pains that the type of high intensity training I do produces.
I feel it's important to take time for my inner self and I make time for this when I need it. An hour of yoga or 10 minutes in a hot tub can go a LONG way!
My "Team Abrams" girls seem to be doing well..they are 14 weeks out!
They all lead very busy lives and competing again for all of them has individual importance and meaning:)
Kelly works full-time and is the amazing woman who gets up almost every morning at 3:30 am. To go to the gym before work...not just when she gets ready for a show..all the time! I don't know how she does it!!
Karen also works full time and trains after work almost every night...she's always been more of an evening girl..:))
Nicole is a busy mommy with 2 girls and has recently decided to go back to school for her realestate license...so she has school on top of her daily training as well.
She needs a yoga class more than I do!!
And last but DEFINITELY not least is Maryjo the very busy full time working single mother of two girls! She has conquered a lot of odds in her life and has the survival skills of all of us put together! My job is to help her direct all her experience and strength in the right direction:))
To read more on these incredible woman and see their progress check out my "Steps To Success" section in my members area!
Well, time to call a client...have a great day everyone!
By the time you read this it will be...FRIDAY! Which for most of you means more rest;)) Not for me though...I have bills to pay and trophys to bring home;)
Jen:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...To My Brother- In-Law Lucas!!!
I hope you have a great day!!!
Hugs-
Your Big Sis,
Jen:)

Quote For Today...
"To succeed is nothing, it's an accident.
But to feel no doubts about yourself is something very different:
It is character."

— Marie Lenéru

The Little Engine That Could....
Yep...that's what I'm saying to myself every day:) It's been a while since I've given you an update on me so here goes;
I am now 10 weeks out from competition. My training is going well and I am progressing nicely.
My schedule these days with working at the Fitness Center, Apt's with my In-home clients and working at Outback along with the snow balls life has tossed my way, have made things quite challenging... but "The little engine that Could" continues to play in my head!
Where to begin...my car tuckered out on me last week as did my computer. The repairs on my car are more than our winter income will allow so my WONDERFUL mom and sister came out last Tuesday night to bring me my dad's spare vehicle ( my dad is ready for ANYTHING:))
Then over last weekend my computer shut down on me and I was certain I had lost everything...I have 2 years of photos of my 2 babies on their so I was praying there was some way to save it! Amazingly..my friend Nicole's husband, Mike, was able to save everything for me and told me the news that I need a new hard drive...Thank you soo much Mike- you made my day by saving all those memories for me;) A new hard drive isn't the end of the world.
Alyssa was home sick from school one day last week and Wade and I have our lingering cough and lung congestion. Never the less...my training goes on...
I still made my two 5 am cardio sessions last week and got my 5 days of lifting and 3 days of afternoon cardio in:)
As I have reached my 10 week mark my training gets bumped up another knotch...to get me into the single digets with my body comp. (I'm at 10% - 158 lbs. now)
I will now be doing 3- 5 am cardio sessions along with my 5 days of lifting and 5 days of afternoon cardio. I will continue lifting heavy and begin supersetting- lower body only- this week. My wonderful doctor who delivered our big healthy boy gave me a prescription for this lingering lung cold of mine so hopefully I can finally shake it:) My lungs are clear though so nothing major..just annoying:)
Well, I have to go back and pick Alyssa up from gymnastics...
One last thing...I recieved all the tickets for my April 2nd show in Ottawa for all my family, friends and clients coming to cheer me on:) www.flexgymonline.com
We have the entire 5th row center section and a few in the 6th row center section as well!
THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD...AND WILL!!!
God Bless You All,,,
Jen;)

Quote For Today....
"The universe is change;
our life is what our thoughts make it."
— Marcus Aurelius

What I've been up to...posted to my members journal!
Jen;)

"All Gave Some...
Some Gave All.."
This was boldly written across a man's shirt in the gym this morning. I noticed the shirt and what it said as I was training legs. I had to go over and shake the man's hand and ask him where he bought the shirt...from a military shop some time ago he replied...he had lost several friends in Vietnam..he had that distant "look" in his eyes..you know the one that tells you more than words...I have the greatest respect for our military.
They have and do sacrifice for all of us to live in this great, free country!
God Bless Each of You!
I hope you all have a great weekend...I have two parties to go to today. One with the kids and one alone with my husband..nice to go out alone!
Tomorrow I have 5 clients to train and then workout with my hubby and celebrate my dad's birthday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!
Looking forward to my plans this weekend is what got me through my 5 am. cardio on Wed. and Fri. :)))
Jen;)

Soo sleepy...photos from sledding with the kids
posted to my members journal tonight!
5 am. spin class in the morning- I'd better sleep fast!!
Night-nite:)

Never Enough Hours To Sleep!

Quote For today...
"It isn't the great big pleasures that count the most;
It's making a great deal out of the little ones."
— Jean Webster
The blessing of a healthy spine....
This topic has been on my mind a lot in the past few days! After watching the movie "Million Dollar Baby" on Sunday and then recieving an e-mail from a long time fan this morning..I am feeling quite blessed and thankful for all I take for granted each day!!
I would ask all of you to keep Charles in your thoughts over the next few days...he was in a serious car accident that damaged his C6 and thankfully, he will recover fully!!!
He will spend 8-12 weeks in a neck brace and his competition plans for this year will have to wait. My how lucky you are Charles...like I wrote to you- there is a REASON for you to be here!!
As for me..I am the busy, busy mommy, working woman and athlete!
I didn't fully recover from working all weekend at Outback and training clients on Sunday until Monday, after a great 2 hour nap with the baby. I had a great workout Monday afternoon with 20 minutes of interval cardio before getting dinner ready and Alyssa back and forth to gymnastics:) She's soo awesome!!
Tuesday, I had clients in the morning/afternoon, went to lift in the late afternoon and then got dinner ready and had an evening in-home client as well. My WONDERFUL mother came out to watch the kids for me since my babysitter couldn't come and my hubby started his next class for the fire dept.- which he is doing an amazing job with..I am soo very proud of him-
I truely believe this is the next calling in his life! He's teaching me a thing or two as well:)
Today, I had 4:45 am. spin class and then came home and crawled into bed with Alyssa for an hour before getting her ready for school- I was beat! After playing with Wade a bit and spending time visiting with my hubby- (rain day) I took a two hour nap with the baby so I could get through my workout and working at Outback tonight until after 11 pm.
I trained chest this afternoon and then went grocery shopping before picking Alyssa up from her "Daisy" meeting and then time for me to go to work.
Michael got to be Mr. Mom tonight- making dinner and doing the crazy drive back and forth with the baby for Alyssa's 2 hour gymnastics class.
He is an incredible father...he gives to our children all the things I don't...I am blessed and so are our kids- they have a little of everything between the two of us:)
One of the highlights I must share with you is something small, but precious.
Each day I go to workout and my son goes to play with the babies in the nursery for about an hour..II must tell you, one of the high points of every day is when I have finished my training and I have his beautiful smile waiting for me...his giggle and bright face that seem so much like Alyss'a when I used to bring her as a baby. The greatest joys in life are in the simplest of things.
The way he looks at a little tree and allows it to tickle his face, laughing uncontrolably...the way he laughs when I jog through the parking lot with him to the car...and the way I feel when I look back in my rear view mirror and know, without a doubt, that someday, sooner than I realize, there will be a man before me where my baby boy once sat;)
I try to take it all in as much as I can...but we can never take in enough- oh how I love being a mother and how I treasure the joy of fullfilling my dreams and theirs', while their hands' are holding mine.
None of it would have as much power or meaning without them.
Speaking of meaning- let me tell you...I have 18 of my closest family, friends' and clients coming to my April show...that's what it's all about- the people who are there for you, no matter what!
I leave you with a photo of one of my energetic clients that will be added to the Steps To Success area of my members area this week. Sandra has inspired me by her hard work and renewed belief in herself!
You go girl!!
Jen:)

My energetic client- Sandra..
Who will be added to my "Steps To Success- Client Progress"
area of my members section this week:)

Wade's beautiful laugh!

11 Weeks out- Side chest pose

11 Weeks out...158 lbs.
All of "Team Abrams" - 16 weeks out, will be added to my members area this week along with my energetic, super fun client Sandra!
My 11 Week out gallery will be included as well-
Great update week for all of my members;)
Take a look at one of my 11 week out pics below:))
Jen;)

11 Weeks out...updated this week in my members area!

Team Abrams 2005!

May 7th 2005...
Just 4 weeks after I compete April 2nd in Ottawa, IL www.flexgymonline.com
My Steps To Success Personal Training business will be going after the Team Trophy in Rockford, IL at the Rockford Natural- www.kevinnoble.com
"Team Abrams" 2005 will include;
Karen, Kelly, Nicole, MaryJo and Myself!
Combined, we will be competing in 8 divisions of the competition;)
I met with all the girls today to go over manditories and give them a little motivating pep:) as they begin dieting 16 weeks out.
I have also taken starting manditory photos of each of them for my "Steps To Success" section of my members area..Members-you will all enjoy watching their progress!!
Here is a picture from today!
Jen:)

Steps To Success- Team Abrams 2005!
MaryJo- Kelly- Me- Karen- Nicole

Just Rolling In From My 5 am. Spin Class...
I had to share with you all a story I heard on the radio- driving home this early winter morning.
This story is about a couple, the Munch's I think the name was, married 30 years- 7 children together. They decided to take a trip around the world that would take them almost 2 years. While at sea not long ago, they stood out on the bow of the boat looking at the horizon when the husband noticed a white "wall" of sorts stretched across the horizon that seemed to be increasing in size...extending from one side of the horizon to the other. As the wall came closer a boat in it's path exploded! They both rushed to a life boat but quickly realized there was no way they could get out and to safety in time...so the husband looked at his wife and said, "Whatever happens Don't Let Go!"...And that she did...the couple was literally thrown from one side of the island to the other, the wife losing consciousness 2 or 3 times. The husband thinking at one point how sad he was for their 7 children! He continued to yell to his wife to "wake up"..."Hold on- I'm not ready to loose you). At the conclusion of this hellish ordeal remnants of a boat were nearby, as bodies were thrown from one end of the waters to the other. The two were able to come aboard for air and safety from the water. As the wife finally came to consciousness the husband wept...and wept!! After going through all they had in their lives together, 30 years of marriage, 7 children...and all that goes with that!! Then this...an amazing story of survival and love!
I hope you all have a great day today-
I hope this gives you a bit of perspective!
Jen;)

Quote For Today...
"Miracles sometimes happen,
but more often they're made of faith and will and hope and imagination,
to say nothing of sweat."
— Tom Waldman

* My Members Journal has my week's training agenda
and pictures from today in the snow:)
Jen;)

12 Weeks out!

12 Weeks out 159 lbs, 10.5% b.f.

12 Weeks Out- 159 lbs. 10.5% BodyFat!

12 Weeks out- 159 lbs 10.5% B.F....
Pics posted to my Member Journal Tonight:)

12 Week out preview pics...posted to my members journal tonight!

NPC Mid-Illinois 15th Anniversary Championships
Saturday, April 2nd 2005
Ottawa High School Auditorium
211 East Main Street
Ottawa, IL 61350
Pre-Judging - 11am.
Finals- 7 pm.

* I will be competing in the Women's Open Heavy Weight Class!
Anyone interrested in coming to the evening show (finals), please let me know by:
Sunday, Janurary 9th.
I will be ordering all the tickets at once, so you can all sit together to cheer me on- yahhh:)
E-mail me at jenniferlynnabrams@yahoo.com
and then you can send me a check for the tickets you will be ordering.
Finals tickets are $30 each.
If you would rather order on your own, or would like more information about this competition, visit www.flexgymonline.com
and click on Mid-Illinois Classic 2005 Info.
Jen:)