Off Season is out of season...and 10 weeks out is the new Black!!!

Hello Everyone!

The 2011 competition year is now over! I am so happy with the outcome from my first competition year and for the past 4 months I have been training hard to bring a better package to the stage in 2012. I am so excited to say that I have signed up for the 2012 Arnold Amateur Bikini Event that is held at the Annual Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio! The Event takes place March 1st, 2012, so last Sunday marked my 10 week out mark...yikes!!!

This seaon I will be training with IFBB Pro Lyris Cappelle of Team Cappelle for my training, diet, supplementation and everything contest related. She will travel with me to the stage in March. Because Lyris is not located in Regina, everything is online and up to me to follow through on. :) To make every training session count, I have also signed on to train with Kris Currie of Currie Fitness Consulting Inc (CFCI) who, if you've trained with Kris you know, will not let me leave the gym without a butt blasting, core wrenching, shoulders falling off kind of workout. Training properly and efficiently will help tremendously this season. I can't wait!

Unfortunately, my 10 weeks out started a bit rough. I woke up Sunday so excited to start my new plan, but my body had a different plan in mind. I had the worst cold I've had for years! Sometimes rest is the best thing you can do and come Tuesday morning I was ready to begin this new journey!

Following the Arnold's in March, I will also be competing at the 2012 Super Sabba Weekend that takes place in Regina, April 5th!

So folks, there will be no eggnog for me this Holiday Season, but did I mention that I can have ice cream?...well it's a super delicious, high protein ice cream! (check Recipe below)

Have a Very Mocha Mintmas!
*Yields 5 Servings

Ingredients:
-1 500ml carton of pasterized egg whites
-1 tsp vanilla
-1 tbsp instant espresso
-2 scoops of chocolate whey protein powder
-2 packets of stevia
-1/4 tsp of pure peppermint extract

Preparation:
-Beat the egg whites in mixture until firm peaks. Start slow to incorporate air into the liquid and then beat on high for 2-3 minutes.
-Fold in vanilla, instant espresso, whey protein powder and stevia
-Mix peppermint extract slowly and adjust to desired mintiness!
-Separate into freezer proof containers and freeze on flat surface for 3-4 hours
ENJOY :)

Nutritional Info per serving:
Calories: 120
Fat: 1.5g
Carbs: 2.5g
Protein: 24g

So I will leave you tonight with a picture of me 10 weeks out from my first ever competition - SABBA Novice Classic that took place earlier this year and a picture of me now - 10 weeks out from my first ever International competition - 2012 Arnold Sports Festival.

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I must add that I have let myself go on the tanning side of things... :(

I have also just recently been honored with an article in my hometown paper - The Whitewood Herald! You can read the full article at: http://www.whitewoodherald.com/Whitewood_Herald/Whitewood_Herald,_Newspaper._News_in_Whitewood,_Saskatchewan._Sports,_Obituaries,_Advertising./Entries/2011/12/5_Local_woman_bursting_into_bodybuilding.html


So...here we go again!

See you at the gym!
Holly Barker