J-M.B Open 2015

J-M.B Open winners

What an ahhh-mazing weekend it was at the International Championship Luxembourg & J-M.B Open in Luxembourg. 

It was so practical and comfortable that the competition took place in Luxembourg, because I didn't have to get up THAT early to get ready and I made it to the hairdresser's to get my hair done. Before that, I put on my makeup and got the last layer of the cream tan done. 

When I arrived at the competition-facility in Oberkorn , I was one of the first athletes, so I could easily arrange my camp backstage. I still had to wait for the registration tough as it didn't open until 10am.

The first part of the competition was the International NAC Championships of Luxembourg , where the first five could qualify for the International NAC World Championships in Warsaw (Polen). 

When the price-giving ceremony started, I was so nervous but still optimistic since I was called-out with two very great athletes. And then it happened, I placed 2nd in the NAC Championship Luxembourg. So not only did I qualify for the NAC International World Championships in Warsaw, I also became Vice Master of Luxembourg in my category. Isn't that awesome? 

In the evening was the J-M.B Open ,where 4 more athletes joined our category and raised the level a little higher.

In the first round there wasn't any call-out, but in the bikini-round there were two call-outs and I was chosen twice. For the second call-out we were only 3 , and this cleared the podium position up.

I made a 3rd place and I am more than happy and proud about this as the winner and the 2nd placed athlete have an awesome physique and really deserve their rankings. So hats off for them!

But let's not forget my other team mates, who did a very very good job, especially my good friend Alix who participated for the very first time in such a competition. I am so proud of her and I am happy that she joined our team.

It's indescribable how grateful I am to be part of this team. I have NEVER experienced such a great respect, support and honesty among each other.It was already a marvelous start for our team and there are still some competitions left to rock. I am already looking forward to the times we'll spend together on our journeys, backstage and on stage. That's what a real fit-fam is all about. 

And thank you, my family, friends, readers and followers for your support and motivation. And a special thanks to those who came to support us at the championships this weekend. You are truly awesome. 

I still can't believe that we made it... 

Team Powerfood's J-M.B goes to Warsaw

(Click here for further pictures and impressions)

J-M.B Open , round 1: evening dress

2nd call-out

NAC International Championship Luxembourg, placed 2nd

Team Luxembourg goes to Warsaw

Spring Season 2015

So today I had another checkup at our coach's along with Alix, another team-mate and good friend,who will start her very first season next weekend with the J-M.B Open as a Bikini-Shape athlete. 

The last week prior a competition I always have a checkup almost every two days because over the last days, your body can make huge changes, it's really amazing... You wake up, look in the mirror and recognize another transformation. 

All in one, my coach was very satisfied with my form as we are focusing more on the J-M.B Open competition and the Miss FIBO Power Beauty contest which take place the weeks to follow. The 'Top de Colmar' is, as far as I'm concerned, just a great opportunity to do a first water depletion, so I can reach a better physique for the upcoming shows to qualify for the World Championships in Warsaw (Polen). 

Just like the last season, I am not making big expectations because this will only lead to disappointments, and that's totally NOT what I want. I know that I did my best so far and that ,at that point, will step on stage with my best possible physique. Even though I am a little excited as I heard that it's one of the biggest contests in Europe with A LOT of awesome athletes... Last year they counted almost over 300 athletes, female and male. 

Beside from that, I thought it would be a cool idea to give you an insight on how such a contest preparation works. I am not talking about the training or diet... But more about all the things you have to think of, what you have to pack for your stay and how everything works backstage. Therefor I decided to create a 'follow me around' movie which will be published on my YouTube Channel either on Sunday, when I am not too tired as we will return home early in the morning, or on Monday. 

Enjoy the rest of the week. 

How my daily menu looks like

Get your tickets at the Powerfood's J-M.B Shop in Kahler. 25A Rue Principale L-8376 Kahler (Koler) Luxembourg

Gymselfies: Fitspo or Shitspo?

some weeks ago

Ever since social media became even more popular, there has been an explosion in the use of taking selfies, and, in my world, especially gym-selfies. 

On Instagram you get an infinity of results once you enter the specific hashtags that lead to #gymselfies. You get to see muscular, healthy and defined people of all ages who are proudly sharing their amazing body with you.

Personally, I am happy to post such selfies to share my excitement about another transformation of mine, which is basically standing for the work I put into myself at the gym over the last weeks. So the main idea behind gym selfies should be to inspire and motivate other people by showing that if you can reach that physique, everyone can reach the shape you desire.

I also love to scroll though my Instagram or Facebook news feed and have a look at all the amazing bodies from people that trained like hell in the gym and stuck to their diet, which I know can be very tough at some point. I think it's very inspirational if you look at 'normal' people that have reached an amazing physique, people like you and me. The only thing that differs them from everybody else is their dedication and motivation that keeps them going to get what they want. 

But can such gym selfies also harm us? Or even discourage us? 

As several psychologists showed in a research, fitness selfies can lower our self-esteem and we can easily become obsessed with our own appearance as we are constantly striving for perfection instead of progress. Although, this also depends on your character... if you get intimidated easily, well, then I would advise not to look at fitness selfies, because there's a risk that they might lead to a loss of your self-image and get you to go the unhealthy way in order to reach the physique of your role model. 

Actually fitness, or progress, photos exist for as long as personal trainers exists since they also take pictures of their clients from the first week, the 4th week and so on... but with another aim. They take these snaps to make their clients see the progress and to keep them motivated.

So while you are logging your progress, remember also to take before&after pictures. I do it myself and every time I see another transformation it simply motivates me to keep pushing. 

What are your thoughts about fitness selfies? Do they motivate you or discourage you sometimes? Or do you think that it's nonsense and annoying?

Back On Track

The view from the 22nd floor of our building, simply fantastic. The other side is even better, more natural

Here I am , filled with energy and motivation.

Maybe you've noticed that I was absent the entire past week as I caught a very bad virus, which deprived me from working out and from being overall active.

I was lying on the couch, wrapped up like a burrito in my bathrobe and a cozy fluffy blanket, watching my series all day long. The only time I moved was when I had to prepare and cook my breakfast, lunch or dinner... For the rest I remained the blanket-burrito. 

Some of you might think that it's not THAT bad to stay home, sleep longer and don't have to work. But for me it was a nightmare because I couldn't workout either and that made me quite grumpy since the first competition is in two weeks now.

But now my battery is fully charged ; and so I got back on track during today's lunch break as I lost an entire week of training. I put on my workout clothes, my nikes, power-beats, selected my bad-ass hardcore play list while walking down the stairs of the skyscraper (which has 24 floors) I am working in and hit a nice cardio session. 

I ran up and down all the floors from -2 to 22 four times , which counts up to 960 stairs up and 960 down. Although I was totally done when I arrived the 4th time at -2 , I still had to go upstairs to the 13th floor again to get out of the staircase without releasing the alarm. So this equals 1.090 stairs up and 960 down and a LOT of sweat. 

After a good hot shower I went back up again from -1 , but this time with the elevator. After all I didn't take the shower to sweat my office-clothes afterwards. 

And guess what, in the early evening I still have to train my legs and hit another cardio session . The next 4 weeks are going to be the toughest I will ever experience in my life I think. Last season I only did 3 competitions with a 'break' of 2-4 weeks each time. But this season I have 3 competitions within 3 weeks, followed by a 'break' of 3 weeks, then 1 competition and afterwards again a 'break' of 3 weeks and hopefully  finish my season with the world championships in Warsaw, Poland. 

Let's train for the best. 

Have a great week.

I definitely had to lay down for that one or another minute after this insane workout

#pumpingfairy

#TGIF... right?

Normally I am not a person who waits for the weekend from Monday on, because although I have to get up early on weekends in order to not mess with my body's rhythm, I love every day of the week because I am working out 6 times a week so that's not a problem for me.

But THIS week, I felt so sluggish and lazy and tired all the time that even after taking my super duper booster I still felt lethargic. I know that I have a little vitamin D deficiency, but I am not sure if that's the problem or not. I have to work it out with my coach this weekend, maybe he has some tips on how to fight this tiredness.

Fortunately (perish the thought!!), I didn't catch any flu or cold , because my whole surrounding is slowly ''fading away'' due to bacterial or viral infections. I just try to stay away from such people and avoid bigger crowds... Yep the time to become super antisocial starts again haha

I always tell people that when the competition season is coming closer that I am becoming very anti social. First of all I don't have the time nor the energy to go somewhere as I am busy working, training and meal prepping; Second wherever you go is delicious food, whether you go on a shopping spree (when your company wants to have a coffee at a super delicious cupcake bar) or at the cinema (oh gosh I want candies...) and of course in the restaurant. Yes I know you can also have a healthy meal in the restaurant, but I have to weigh out my food... and I can't start taking out my scale to weigh the meat, carbs and veggies... Even if the face of the waiter would be worth it ;) Seriously have to try this once the season is over,just for the sake of fun.

But until then, no social life for me... #athletescanrelate

 I am more than thankful that social media exists, so that I can still keep in touch with the world

This weekend we also have our annual team meeting at the Powerfood's J-M.B shop , where our president and coach , JMB, is going to introduce our new team members and we are talking about this year's competitions and who can pitch in for the J-M.B Open. If you know someone or if you maybe want to help us, just leave a note, we are happy about every helping hand for this event. 

Before I am starting my weekend , filled with a meeting, gym visits and meal prepping, here are my 9 favorite pumping fairies of the week.

1. t_veronique  is all happy about the new arrival. Awesome color!

2. carolegoerend , you can be so proud about your transformation! Keepup the good work. 

3. mary__b has fish for lunch

4. lauragetsfit.14 got herself a new pair of fancy running shoes by brooks.  

5. m.egan__ enjoying and making us so jealous with epic piece of heaven

6. xeniia_93 and her better bodies pants. Love them!

7. jimmy_nutella smiling for the camera hehe (#sorrynotsorry hrhr)

8. urbanvalyou after her JMB workouts. I know how you feel sweetheart! 

9. caro_rouge on her legday, go get'em 

There is no denying that the fitness competition industry is growing. More and more people are taking the plunge to go through a competition prep and step on stage for the very first time. New organizations are popping up to cater to the ever growing crowd and with the help of the internet we have access to some of the newest, latest and most up to date information in regards to, training, nutrition, and supplementation. Of course, on top of this it is now much easier to access coaches all around the world who have the formal education and experience to back up their coaching protocols. - See more at: http://www.trenchfitness.com/Blog/fitness-competitions-what-is-all-the-hype-about.html#sthash.xOdEfCFQ.dpuf