Recipe: Almond/Peanut Butter Cups

With my new found love for peanut butter, I knew I wanted to try Reese's peanut butter cups and see if I would like them; but you know me, if I can make it at home, I would. So these were on my list to make after the show. These are super delish, super easy to make and waaay healthier and better than Reese's and without all the other crap.

Enjoy!

200g of organic dark chocolate chips

200g of all natural pure peanut butter or almond butter

2 tbsp of organic coconut oil

12 Cupcake liners

Melt chocolate with 1 tbsp of coconut oil in double boiler

Pour a tbsp of melted chocolate in each cup

Put in fridge for about 3 minutes for chocolate to set

 

Mix remaining coconut oil and almond butter

Spoon a little bit in set chocolate, put in the fridge for another 3 minutes to set

 

Spoon another layer of chocolate on top and put in the fridge to set until ready to be eaten! Try to be patient and not eat all of them in once seating! 

 

To the Most Wonderful Husband in the World

I was going to write this little post about thanking and gushing about my husband for all that he does for me, especially during my training, a few weeks ago but I thought that I would wait until the day before the show. Well little did I know how busy those days leading to the show would be. Anyhow, so here I am a week later, finally getting around to it.

I honestly wouldn't know how I would have survived and enjoyed and had the experience that I had with prepping/training for the show without Vince's support. I wouldn't call him a saint haha (why do people use that term anyway?) but he's been the most supportive, encouraging and loving husband that anyone could ask for.

When I first mentioned that I would like to do a fitness competition to him, the first thing he said was "If that's what you really want to do my love, go for it, I will support you." Not once he doubted me or asked if that's what I really wanted to do or if I was sure. But instead he supported me and more.

Prepping for a show is definitely not the most "convenient" thing for the athlete training for it, let alone for those around them. Everything was affected. Places we could go, things we could do, food we could and couldn't eat, things we didn't have time for, etc. But Vince took it in strides. During our travels to Kansas City, Indiana and Ohio, he made sure that I was on top of my workouts and nutrition. Not that I didn't have the discipline to do it myself but he got out there and worked out with me, even when it was -15 degrees outside, or in the middle of the America and nothing but farms surrounding us or in a hotel gym where they only had 5 lbs dumbbells and two treadmills. He made sure that I never felt alone.

One of the reasons why we moved to Denver was because of the mountains and all the great snowboarding within our reach. Vince and I met snowboarding so it's only fitting that we end up in a place where we can do that pretty much anytime we want. Since I have to eat every 3 hours, we had to bring my food with us on the slopes. Since I'm not as good of a boarder as he is and can't (I wonder if I can since I never really tried it) board and wear a back pack at the same time, he did. He wore a huge backpack all day with all my food in it. We stopped in the middle of the run so I can eat. He also pushed me to be better at snowboarding. He always challenges me and encourages me to be better than what I was.

During his time off from work, instead of enjoying his time off and traveling, sleeping in or doing nothing or whatever it is that he wanted to do, he woke up early in the morning with me and attend my workout and posing sessions with my coach so he can hear the comments and know what to look for, so when I practice at home, he can tell me what I need to correct with my posing. There were times that he ended his workouts early on Saturday mornings so that he can meet me at the gym for group posing. He video every posing class I had and took pictures so I can look back and see what I need to improve on. Heck, he even video my teammates posing when she asked him to (not a bad job to have if you ask me. Taking a video of fit girls in their bikinis strutting their stuff? yeah not at all.)

There were times that I had to work late and didn't have time to prep my food since I have to go to the gym, he would cook all my food so all I have to do was to measure and put it all together. The times when I didn't feel like working out after a very long day at work, he encourage me to go then surprises me at the gym, to spot me and lift my spirits up, no matter how late it is or how tired he is.

With all the time I spent working and working out and food prepping, I had little to no time for any house work and he took care of everything without any complaints. Laundry, cleaning, dog duties, you name it, he did it. There were even times when I came home to a clean house and a surprise gifts!

Come on! Really? What more can a girl ask for? Well..

A shoulder to cry on during a meltdown, warm hugs and kisses on the forehead when every one around me is enjoying food I couldn't have and I cry about it (yes, that happened, a few times), standing up for me when people makes fun or teases me about food, pushes and challenges me to do better, to be better. Someone that finds a way to make/do something funny about a situation that I don't necessarily find amusing. Someone that listens (or at least a good job pretending to listen) to all of my workout stories, soreness bitching, conversations with my coach, griping about work and all of my "non sense" I'm not ready whining. The constant reminder of how proud he was of me and what I've accomplished so far, not just for training but with everything that I've done. 

The day of the show, as I walked on that stage and saw the look on his face, I almost wanted to cry. I saw a husband who was so proud of his wife. He was snapping away and making sure that he was capturing every moment of that day. Screaming and cheering for me as they call my number. The sense of pride and words of encouragement was indescribable. 

Baby, I know I've said it a million times but I still feel like it's not enough but Thank You. Thank you for being so wonderful and being such a good sport and supportive of this choice that I've made and thank you for embracing the lifestyle change as well. Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for all the sacrifices you've made for me. Thank you for all that you do for me and for my friends and family and most of all, thank you for loving me, unconditionally. I wake up every day thanking God for giving me you. I can't imagine living my life without you now that I know what it's like being with you. I love you so much!

How could one girl be so lucky and finds a man that does all this and says that he's the lucky one that found someone that makes him wants to be a better man and husband to her? I don't know what I did to deserve such a blessing in my life but I'm definitely not taking it for granted. Vince and I have been blessed to have each other and to challenge and push each other to be better and better and better. Together we make a great team, an amazing team. I can't wait to see what the future holds for us but together, we are unstoppable. The Leone's are going to rock the Rocky's. (Oh did I mention that Vince have decided to start training as well and compete in Men's Physique?, now talk about power couple.

Fitness Shoot

When I started training a little over 18 weeks ago, Yoko and I sat down and wrote down 3 goals that I wanted to accomplish in 18 weeks and one of them was to have a photo shoot to document the progress I've made. Once I saw Brett Seeley's work, I just couldn't imagine having the shoot with another photographer. I did not deplete or diet for this shoot (sometimes I wish I had) but this is truly my post competition body. What I also loved about Brett and the shoot is that he makes sure that everything is real as in, we didn't pretend that I can do all of these exercises, if we shot a pull up, it's because I can do a pullup. We shot a lot of the exercises that I normally do. Of course, he had to add some "sexy fit" in there as well. I also love that Vince got in the action too! I can't wait until Vince and I have our session with Brett after The Rocky in November.  These photographs are just amazing and looking forward for more shoots with Brett soon.

Show Day and Weekend Recap

Well I can't believe it's almost been a week since my very first NPC show. It was such an incredible, happy day! I have been meaning to blog about it but I was really trying to enjoy my few "days off".

Well let's back up and start the day before the competition. Yoko and I met for last minute coaching and posing the morning of. I went back home and enjoyed a (somewhat) quiet breakfast. Then I picked my mom up from the airport and we went straight to Whole Foods to buy some stuff for the day of the show. You know, the essentials, water with electrolytes, rice cakes, nutella, pb and ab for as pump food, more tilapia and steak.

 Got home, packed my bag and just hung out with my mom while Vince picked up the rest of our friends and family from the airport. My mother in law, best friend Ak, my friend Mike and Megan all flew in to support me. I couldn't have felt more loved. I went to the hotel to check in, get measured and get my number. Later on that night, Megan and I walked to the Gym and got my spray tan there (Megan was there for moral support and play 20 questions with the tanning lady while I was drying). That's the very first tan I've ever had. It was definitely an experience. Luckily, she didn't have to tan me so much since I was already dark to begin with but the tan definitely made my muscles more defined, no she did not contour my muscles, that's not allowed nor right.

Got home, had my last meal for the day and chatted and hung out with every one for a bit but went to bed earlier. I had a long day ahead of me that started at 4:45 AM.

I woke up at 4:45 AM (thirsty as shit and couldn't have a drop of water, you know the whole depletion thing that started at 6 PM the night before). I went to the kitchen quietly and enjoyed my steak and egg white breakfast with a side of jasmine rice and 4 oz of strong coffee. THAT was glorious after eating nothing but tilapia and asparagus for two days for every meal.

Went back to the room and read the card my amazing husband has given me. It totally made me cry and pretty much ruined the light spray tan on my face, didn't care. It was beautiful. The card came with a beautiful necklace. :) My husband is just the best!

My husband is amazing!

Around 6:30 AM, I walked back to the Gym to get my tan touched up, just to make sure it was perfect before I get on stage. Went back home and had meal #2 and had my make up done. It was a hectic morning. We were running a bit late, my stylist's car was towed so Vince and the guys had to stay behind to get it out of the pound and what not while I sped to get to the venue by 9AM for a competitors meeting. Got there just in time! After the meeting, Yoko and I met briefly so she could take a look at me one last time before the stage, Yoko being Yoko, she gave me more directions (add a bit more blush and touch up your lipstick, make sure your bikini is in the right place, don't mess up your tan) and she gave me a big hug and sent me off backstage.

The Gym Miss Fits with Coach Chris

Yellow and Pink Power Ranger, goofing off. We were bored at one point.

Morgan and I

Pump Food!!! Rice cake and Nutella

Backstage was a bit chaotic. Guys and girls pumping, posing, eating, chatting, fixing their hair and make up, getting glazed. There was a lot going on. Luckily, Marguerite had a room backstage and we were able to keep our bags in there. We were backstage waiting for A LONG TIME. we got there at 9AM and I didn't get on stage til about 12:45 PM. The girls and I took lots of pictures, made sure that we practice our posing a few times, snacked on some rice cakes and almond butter/nutella. Met some new people and just tried to relaxed and not focused on the anticipation.

My awesome training buddies, Lauren and Morgan

I entered in 2 classes; Bikini Open Class and Bikini Novice. This was the largest northern yet. There were so many (and great) competitors. When they told us that our class should start getting ready, I ate my pump food, did a few exercises with the bands to get blood going on my upper body and then off to the stage we go.

I was perfectly fine until I came out from behind the curtain and stepped on stage. The nerves hit me out of nowhere and I was so nervous that I was shaking bad! It felt like I was convulsing on stage(I wasn't alone on this come to find out later on). I was so worried about not shaking so much that everything I practiced and made mental notes on about my posing just went out the window (so I thought, definitely felt like it anyway). The way they lined up the girls was different from what we've been practicing in class (apparently this is a surprise to all the other girls as well). After we did out individual presentation, I was so upset with myself. I didn't get first call out or second call out, but third call out. I was upset because I lost control. I was upset because I knew I could've done better with my presentation and I just felt like crying. We went back downstairs and grabbed my phone and texted Vince and yoko and told them how upset I was. They of course comforted me and told me that I was so poised on stage and they didn't even notice that I was shaking. They gave me pointers and told me to refocus and I did. Yoko reassured me that I did everything right, I just need to relax and that my class was a very tough class. While we were waiting on get back on stage for my next class, I kept to myself and just repeated all the mental notes that I've practiced a million times. I was preparing myself mentally and it was redemption time.

 

I came back out for the Open Class and I was nowhere near as nervous as the first time out. I had more confidence and I just owned it. I got first call out! I was so happy that I was screaming and jumping up and down inside. We got off the stage and loved the feeling of being on the stage. A huge difference from my first time out. I couldn't wait to get to my phone and see if my coach or family had texted me anything. Grabbed my phone and got "YES GIRL!!!!!" from my coach and "GREAT JOB MY LOVE, THAT WAS AWESOME!!" from my husband. Followed by facebook posts of pride from my mom, mother in law and best friend. I knew then that I did it. I made them proud and made myself proud on that stage. I came out from backstage since we were done with prejudging. Took a million pictures and off to lunch we went. Yoko said that I could have half a cheat meal and a dessert for lunch. And I did. I enjoyed some steak tacos with some fries with a side of romaine lettuce. I ordered a creme brulee for dessert but took one bite of it and I was done, all I wanted was peanut butter. Haha. At lunch, I looked at pictures, watched videos and talked about my performance and I wasn't as bad as I thought. I was happy with it and had to remind myself that it wasn't about placing, it was about the journey to the stage and with that I was already a winner but you know me, I'm very competitive. But after seeing all that and talking to the family, I was very happy with my performance. There's always room for improvement but it was great for my first time, I thought.

My amazing (most diverse) cheer squad! I couldn't have asked for a better group of people to share this incredible day with.

First "cheat meal" after prejudging!

We went back to venue at 4:00 to check back in and get our tan touched up and get glazed for the night show. The night show went by MUCH faster. Since Bikini Division is the biggest draw for the crowd, we were last. I got to watch a little bit of the Men's Physique and Men's body building. Unfortunately we needed to be backstage while Women's Figure was presenting so I didn't get to see that. We first went out for Novice Class. I didn't get called out. Back to stage I went until the Open Class. They had us out one by one and reintroduced to the crowd then asked to step to the side so they can call out the top five. They started calling out the numbers but no one was getting on stage, oopps...they realized that it was the wrong sheet..so it's not like the anticipation isn't killing us or anything, we had to wait there until they sorted it out. Finally!

I was listening intently for my number. I wasn't sure if I was going to place or not but getting first call out during prejudging is a good indication. After calling out two numbers, they called 186 and my name! I was soooo happy. I walked out on stage and my eyes went to the judges then immediately to where my family was sitting. They were all standing and anticipating in what order my number and name will be called again. They called out 5th place and it wasn't my number and then 4th place, 186 and my name! I walked over to where the trophy is and looked at my family again and all I saw was Yoko standing on the chair jumping up and down and then the rest of the group clapping and yelling and I was looking for my husband and I couldn't find him! All of the sudden as I look back at the judges I see Vince running towards the stage with camera on hand just snapping away. I was sooo happy and grateful that I even placed on my first show, in Open Class at that! I couldn't wait to get off stage and grab my stuff and hug every body and I did exactly just that!

We took a million more pictures and hugged everyone and then off to celebrate we go! We ended up gong to the closest bar/restaurant in town and I ordered a steak sandwich with a side of sweet potato fries. The sandwich was massive! As usual, I took the top bread off (that's just too much bread) and took a bite of this amazing steak sandwich with cheese, spicy mayo, tomatoes and onion haystack. It was a good bite, then I didn't care for the cheese so I took that out. Took another bite and didn't care for the tomatoes and the mayo so I took that out. Took another bite and didn't really want anymore bread so I ended up eating just the steak and half of the onion haystack. haha. but I did finish my sweet potato fries. I even had a sip of Vince's beer. After I ate the sandwich, I didn't even want to look at a dessert menu. I wanted to get home and have some peanut butter. When we got home, I did exactly that but I didn't go too crazy, my stomach was already a bit upset from the cheat meal.

My AWESOME coach Yoko

My rock, my heart, my everything. Couldn't have done this successfully without him.

Our wonderful Filipino Cheerleaders. Yup, they were chanting "Filipino! Filipino!" during my individual presentation.

My cheer squad for the night show. Mom, Ak, Mom Elvie, Vince, Megan, Kim, Aaron and Mike

In November, we will both be wearing jackets that says COMPETITOR. Cannot wait! My love will rock the Men's Physique!

Megan and I. Can't wait for her show first show in September! Then the Rocky with Vince and I in November!

We were all exhausted from the long day and decided to just crash. My mom and MIL left early in the morning. The rest of us slept in and went to Snooze for brunch. I had a cheat meal yet again but this time I didn't feel guilty about it. I knew I didn't want to go overboard since I needed to ween myself back into the sodium and sugar and I also had a photoshoot scheduled that Monday. I've already filled out a bit since I was drinking so much water right after the show. We dropped off the rest of the people that night and Vince and I went home and enjoyed the rest of our Sunday together and just reflect on an incredible journey so far.

I tried really hard to enjoy that entire sandwich.

This was definitely what I was after!

The past 18 weeks has definitely been one of the most challenging and life changing experience I've had. I learned a lot about myself and my limits and people that I've inspired, inspired and supported me. I've also learn that I love training as well as being on stage and I foresee this as something that I will keep doing. So I'm taking this week to spoil and reward myself A LITTLE before training for the next show! Yoko and I will sit down next week and talk about next steps. Although I qualify for a junior nationals, I would like to do a few more local national qualifiers to get more experience and give me time to make some improvements and hopefully be competitive at national level next year. :)

Official photo from the event photographer.