T Minus...

Ok gang, In 12 hours I'll be headed to the big show. I'm feeling pretty good right now. I've gotten my final tan, so I'll be nice and dark, my suits are ready to go. I just have to show up and bring it.

Cheer me on!

Before and Awesome!

Yea, yea this does look exactly like a friggin' Dexatrim commercial or something, but like those ads, I wasn't happy to take the before picture either. I was tickled as hell to take the after one, though.

.For the record, I think I looked good before I started this whole thing. But I look pretty great now too. (Except for the whole boob thing).

I see people who are amazed by how different I look. It's hard for me to see the changes as drastic, but when I think about the numbers, there is a lot of me that's disappeared (including the boobs).

Today I made my goal weight, 112 pounds! I started at 129 so, I've lost 17 pounds and at least 7.5 percentage points of body fat. Not too shabby for a curvy girl with the big booty. (Boobs weren't bad either).

Brick House Y'all!

First competition is three days away. After three hard months of training and dieting here are my comparison stats (in inches):

1/28/10 ~ 4/27/10
chest: 34.5 ~ 31.5
neck: 12.25 ~ 11.5
arm: 9.5 ~ 9.5
waist: 26.5 ~ 24
hip: 37.5 ~ 34.5
thigh: 21 ~18
calf: 14.5 ~ 13.5

We had an issue at the gym yesterday with taking my body fat, but I'll let ya'll know when I find out. Also stay tuned for the real deal before and after pics!

Now I'm Official

Got a package today: My Bikini Bite arrived.

Bikini Bite is this glue-type stuff that you stick on your butt so your suit doesn't ride up during the competition. Fun, huh?

Next to arrive? The fab jelly inserts that go into my bikini top.

On the Dark Side

I'm now about two shades darker than I was this morning and I'm getting darker as you read.

I hung out au natural with Evie, who runs Mist Tan , while she sprayed me dark.
The tan lets your muscles show up better and look bigger because it creates shadows. (I asked her if she could make my boobs look bigger, but no luck.)

The agent is supposed to keep darkening for the next eight hours, then I have to rinse it off. (Yes, that means I have to wake up at 3 a.m. to take a shower).

Right now I have an August complexion in April. Pretty cool!

I'm going back Friday to get one last shellacking.

Countdown!

My first competition is in six days!!!

I have a million things to get done between now and Saturday and I'm kinda losing my ish already.

• tanning
• beauty maintenance (nails, waxing, eyelashes, etc.)
• pick music for the show (any suggestions)
• train
• practice walking and posing
• meet with Alex, posing coach extraordinaire
• whatever things I'm forgetting now that I'll flip about on Friday night when I remember

Oh yea, and I have a JOB!

Carb night, bitches!

It's on, yo!

I met with my trainer today and thank all that is good, he didn't take away my carb night.

And guess what I'm having tonight, folks? Pancakes!

You heard me right. Fluffly, delicious, made with flour pancakes. Yum!

Walk the Walk

Sooo nervous. I'm going to a posing practice tomorrow with some local competitors.

I've been practicing on my own, wearing my shoes and working on my poses, but it all feels so awkward.

I'm supposed to be poised and graceful like this girl.

I'm not. Uh oh.

What Momma Says Goes

I put my folks on my donors list because they've supported me in every way, forever. (They assure me that a monetary contribution to Mac on a Mission is soon to come -- check's in the mail kinda thing I guess.)

But Momma Mac was not pleased to be placed below Daddy Mac on the list. No, this isn't a how-could-you-place-me-under-my-EX thing. My folks have been married for 30 years now, so it's much bigger than that. This is a how-could-you-place-me-under-my-HUSBAND-thing. (Read: "You know I run this.")

So she says:

"Excuse me, why is my name under Daddy's?"

And the only answer to a question like that from Mom is:

"I'll change it right now."

She's now at the top of the list where she belongs.

An All-Time Low

I'm sure I've mentioned how sick I am of the like five different things I'm allowed to eat at this point.

Cheese is a distant memory. Potato chips only float around in my dreams. And dark chocolate? Sigh. (Let's not even talk about booze. I may begin to weep.)

So in an effort to branch out a bit but not blow the work I've done in the final weeks, I purchased soy cheese.

What is soy cheese, you ask? Yea, I'm not sure either. All I know is that it's low in fat and carbs and I put a pinch of it in my eggs this morning.

Delicious? No. But it did melt like cheese and have the same consistency. That's gotta be worth something.

Uprising in the making

There are rumblings of something that could cause a revolt in the Mac on a Mission crew.

The elimination of carb night.

Yes, you heard it right. My trainer is considering bumping off my carb night!

He's still "thinking about it" 'cause he knows the wrath that eliminating it will bring.

I'm meeting with him on Friday. Let's hope the man brings good news.

Time to Rally!

I've lifted. I've dieted. I've practiced. I've cardioed.
Now all you have to do is sit on your butts for a while and watch me do my thing. In less than two weeks, I'll compete in my first of two shows!

Trust me, it'll be an occasion. This is the first time I've been on stage in front of a crowd since my elementary school play. (Well there was that time in East St. Louis, but we'll say that doesn't count.)

It'll cost you 25 bones to see the action.

Silver and Black Muscle Classic, May 1.
Fremont Federation of High Schools, 4610 Foothill Blvd. Oakland
Main show starts at 6 p.m. and the tickets are $25.
Come support your girl!

Losing Lbs.

So at this point I'm supposed to be losing two pounds a week with a final goal of 112-114 pounds. I started in January at 129 pounds. Here's my progress for the last couple of weeks:

4/2 -- 122.8
4/5 -- 121.8
4/8 -- 121.4
4/9 -- 120.6
4/12 -- 119.8
4/13 -- 118.6
4/14 - 118.4
4/15 -- 118.6
4/16 -- 116.4
4/19 -- 116.2

Suit Situation Part 2 (Broke Edition)

I just spent more money on a bathing suit than my cable, power and phone bill combined!! Sigh.

I chose this one called Purple Rain. She put a hurtin' on my wallet, but this suit is cold as ice.

They say you gotta pay to play. Let's hope this Beach Bunny suit helps me cash in on a win.

Carbtastic

You know the deal guys. Carb night! This week I'm changing it up though.

Instead of the burger and fries I usually scarf down, I'm gonna have sushi. So not only do I get delicious cuts of fish, but also beautiful, fluffy rice! So good food wrapped in carbs. A dream come true.

This has been a good week dietwise, actually. My energy is higher than other weeks and I'm just trying to buckle down for the last couple of weeks to May 1.

Farewell to the Girls

Tis better to have boob and lost then never have boob at all? The jury is still out.

Yea, I'm going there again. Because the post shower talks I have with myself in front of the mirror are getting old.

Right now, I'm clocking in at 118 and less than 15% body fat. When I started this journey I was almost 21% fat and just under 130 lbs. Apparently, the majority of that was in my bra.

Was.

If this weren't a family friendly blog, I'd consider posting some before and after shots, so you all can join in my grief.

Daddy No Likey

Just got off the phone with Daddy Mac.

"I understand what you're doing, but I'm not crazy about it. I read your little page today and Chris Rock came into the picture."

Huh, Dad?

He's talking about the shoes I bought for the show. Yea, those. Comedian Chris Rock explains what a father's sole purpose in life is and my dad thought of that when he saw the stilettos.

"So I'm thinking, 'where did I go wrong?'"

Awww, Dad.

So for the record people, my dad is the best damn dad in the world. He gave me plenty of hugs and raised me to be a respectable young lady.

Well, at least until this.

Walk This Way

Since blogger is having some serious technical issues with uploading video, I've captured some stills from my first stab at walking like a bikini competitor.

Yeahhhh, I need a lot of practice. For the May 1 competition, there are a lot of required moves. Not only is there a line up of all the contestants, but during the individual showing in front of the judges, you have to do a "T" walk. Here's me following Alex on the "T" walk. Yikes!

It's going to be hard not only getting the moves right and remembering the angles that make your body look the best, but to get it all done and not look like I'm thinking "turn and tilt and smile." Don't wanna be like those folks on dancing with the stars who are mouthing "1 and 2 and..."

Lean and Mean!

Lean 'cause I'm down to like 1400 calories per day.
Mean 'cause I'm down to like 1400 calories per day.
And it's Monday.
And it's raining.

I Gotta Do What?

I just had an 80 minute sports massage because my body is beat up! My muscles have had it and need some serious therapy. I got worked over. I'm supposed to feel like a million bucks like 48 hours from now.

Actually, a lot of body maintenance appointments are going to start cropping up. I'm going to have to take care of some serious waxing if I wanna pull off any of those bathing suits, and I've gotta pay someone to paint me about five shades darker.

Not exaggerating either. The bright stage lights wash you out making your definition not show up as well. Also, apparently, a dark tan covers a lot a flaws.

Another inside tip I've just learned -- you can't use deodorant with some of these super dark fake tans because it makes your arm pits green. So all of the beautiful, toned women you see up on stage, stink.

It's So Hard to Say Goodbye

Yes, it is carb night, so I should be in a great mood. But alas, I'm mourning the loss of a great companion through my journey thus far -- my almond butter.

I have to cut calories and my beloved almond butter clocks in at 200+ a day for a couple of tablespoons.

It was the one thing that I looked forward to eating during the week and was a great addition to my nightly protein shake.

You will be missed, dear friend.

Suit Situation

Need your opinion on something of the utmost importance -- my bathing suit.

I just realized that for the May 1 competition, I need two suits. One solid and one with a print. I have the solid one, but the print one will be used for the evening finals and I wanna hit 'em with the hotness.

I figure lots of girls will come with the cheetah or snake patterns, so I'm not doing animal print.

Check out these suits and let me know which you like best. My fav is the first one.

PURPLE RAIN HALTER

SWEET LOVE TRI SET

BLACK MAGIC WOMAN TOP

BIG LOVE RUFFLE TRI TOP

Walk the Walk

Hey y'all. My achy, 'ole knee is acting up on me again, so I had to take it a bit easy. Keep your fingers crossed it'll feel better soon.

Last night, I met with the stage coach for the first time. (My dad thinks that title is hilarious --"like with horses?")

Over the next few weeks, she will help me with my overall stage presence. So how to pose, walk and conduct myself in front of the judges.

I was nervous to meet with her, but Alex Navarro is not only quite accomplished but really helpful and super nice.

You Can See Through My Shoes

I ordered my shoes this week. To adhere to the rules of the competition I got them from this suggested site. And yes, it is a uniform store for exotic dancers.

I don't make the rules, folks. I just follow them. I opted for the 4 1/2 inch fitness model shoe a.k.a. 421-Brooke.

For the contest you must wear clear heels. It doesn't matter the size of the heel, but I can rock some high heels and the higher the heel the better you look. I'm hoping my heel expertise will work for me. In San Diego I saw some girls who obviously never wear them and shuffled awkwardly around the stage.

I'll test them out when they arrive. Hopefully the plastic doesn't chafe my feet.

Hottest Night O' the Week

Who needs date night when you have carb night? I'm kidding. They've actually become one in the same. It's the one night a week when I'm not saying "I can't eat that." Means carb night and date night officially merged.

I had a juicy burger and crisp sweet potato fries. And all was well in the world.

Almost Time...

For carbs! I've continued to the six-day no carb, one carb heavy "cheat" meal diet. It's tough, but seems to be working. I'm down the my lowest weight and I'm looking lean.

The way my week is set up, Friday is my cheat night, which gives a whole new meaning to TGIF! There's a bag of pretzel chips on my counter calling my name.