Sesa’s weekly training update 23 February - 1 March 2009   The Fun and the Furious this week folks.Grant and I have had lots to laugh about this week; from watching America's Funniest Home Videos (children getting knocked over lol) to posing spontaneously around the flat. Oh yeah, as well as busting out the Michael Jackson moves; both of us going hard out. Then along comes my stepfather on Saturday night and blows us away with perfect 10 moonwalk. All he needed was a glitter glove and a high voice and I swear MJ was in our lounge!!   Training... ugh, let's just say excruciating pain! All my training sessions have been at home this week (thank goodness for that!) so I can drop to the floor like a spent bullet after going extra-hard out. Grant's really been drilling me (in more ways than one - lol), anyone would think I'm training for the army. My training is split with Wednesday and Sunday off. And by "off" I mean "light cardio days".   Cardio. What can I say... I love it! Hit the pool twice, treadmill, stationary bike, did a crazy walk with my mum on Sunday morning. My mum's a bit more of a runner than a walker, hence the fast walk. On a down side I never did have the time to go shopping for a stepper for the flat. Grrr. Maybe this week a magical delivery might come to my door in a stepper-shaped box - lol. Food, I love my food. I had planned to score me some Island-styles grub this week with mum bringing down some coconut buns and Rarotongan donuts from the Otara Flea Market. Alas, it was not to be. My heart went down but my hips and arse went Yay! Wow, if I had downed that lot I'd be cardio-ing from now 'til Xmas! So I opted for Chop Suey and Taro (Maori kai) this week. Island styles next week though, promise! Rubbish eating like this is still strictly one meal per week so I gotta plan for it!   I must say that Grant's buildup to the Australian Grand Prix has definitely taken up a lot of my time, but hey; I'm loving every minute of it. The pics on the right have been a long time coming I know, so here are a couple with a "base suit" on from my suit builder. OMG!!!! I thought as I first saw the suit; shit, will my butt fit in there?? LOL! Well, from the pics you can see I've been pretty much concentrating on my quads (gonna bring these puppies down). I've been getting a lot of emails saying I was born for Physique - lol you make a girl all shy and blushy. Thanks all the same. Pics taken 1 March.
Sesa’s weekly training update 16 - 22 February 2009   Well, this week has been like a circus act gone wrong! Many late nights, trips to Auckland and even a few tears. Yes, indeedy, if you want to get your tear on then go and see Seven Pounds starring Will Smith. Grant even clenched my hand all the way through and even had a tear running down his cheek. He reckoned that something got in his eye BUT I KNOW BETTER!! LOL. Houston, there is indeed a teddy bear underneath all that muscle!   Training has been awesome. A huge high-five to Grant for that; his knowledge, wisdom and support has been absolutely superb. He creates all my training regimes and at the end of the week we analyse everything to flesh out my weaker areas and refocus the training accordingly. It's great having someone to bounce ideas off for training, eating etc. Mind you, we are both right into the whole 'nutrition/training' scene anyway so we see it as more of a opportunity than a chore. Long may it continue!   Food... let's just say seafood, seafood and more seafood; oh yeah! I love my kai moana, especially kina (go the kina farts!). A lot of mussels, oysters and kinas were had this week, yum. Don't worry, I've been keeping to six meals a day; it's all good!   Loving cardio at the moment (so what's new - lol) thanks to my new iPod. I've gotta have my sounds when I cardio up in there. I'm into anything and everything, but nothing beats old skool! Ruby Turner, Nolan Sisters, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross... good old R&B for breaking down HARD! Cardio is still four to five 30-40 minute sessions per week. Mix of everything; treadmill, classes and the stepper. I love stepping at Papakura's Creo Gym (my old haunt). Sad my gym doesn't have them; if my extreme powers of persuasion don't work Grant and I will be on the lookout for a stepper for the flat.   More great news; Jo Rogers (the competition suit maker) has been keeping me in the loop with my bikinis. She's sending out a plain suit to me for sizing. Oh, will I, should I put these pics up??? Ok then why not (lol); next week then. Check out Grant's report (he couldn't resist) as well on his progress towards the Aussie Grand Prix March 14. What else... oh yes, the furry felines on the right are our babies Summer (the grey one with the pissed off look on her face) and Snowy. These cats are treated like Queens believe you me; hence their attitude to cameras. Sooo spoilt! See you next week.
Sesa’s weekly training update 9 - 15 February 2009   This week has been full of fun and laughter - hoorah! My training has not changed; still mixing it around by changing exercises on certain body parts. I trained my back on Monday, woohoo! Love training this part of my body - "baby got back" LOL. Started off on deadlifts, then bent over rows, single rows and finished on hypo's. Don't you just love it? In and out; no mucking around here! Cardio is still going hard and I'm loving it; treadmill, cross trainer and hip-hop classess (love 'em). It's like, "get on up, shake dat ass!!"  LOL   With my eating, well, smart nutrition has been the key to my success (but I still have one cheat meal!); oh yeah, I'm still having six meals a day. Grant thinks the concoctions I come up with are a crack up. I tell ya, it's all about being innovative, making your food enjoyable to eat. My supplements haven't changed and I am really enjoying the Bioplex product range. I can't wait until it's three months out from the show, when it's all game time and no play time - LOL.   On the family front, on Thursday we all headed off to the Warriors versus Storm game - Grant, myself, Shelley-Anne, my mum and stepfather - and got absolutely SOAKED TO THE ARSE from the tropical downpour during the match. Everyone except Grant (represent!) skulked off home at half time for a shower and a change of clothes. The picture on the right is me, mum and Shelley-Anne before the game, in a 70's psychedelic timewarp holding guns.   With Grant being so focused on training and dieting I didn't expect anything on Saturday (Valentines Day). Shame on me! Upon awakening that fine morn I was treated to a single red rose and breakfast in bed - legend! Straight after it was back to reality however, with Grant dragging me out for our morning cardio - LOL. Oh, one last thing before I go this week; gotta say a huge thank you to Tainui Sports Limited for helping support Grant's first Pro show at the Aussie Grand Prix in March; your support is gratefully received - thanks again.
Sesa’s weekly training update 2 - 8 February 2009   Training has been hectic this week, with Grant travelling to Aucks and back; I've had to squeeze in training wherever I can really. It's been seven days of ups and downs on the training front but for focus all I have to do is turn to my idols Cory Everson (below), the stunning Gina Aliotti (above right) and Lenda Murray (below right). Damn these gurls know how to work it! Can I buy a 'O' for Inspiration? Hell yeah.   I managed to hit the gym on Wednesday and did a wicked chest session. Hit the machines, free weights and finished on cables... hooo mama Pumpus To The Maximus! I wonder if I should get implants - lol maybe not. I'm still maintaining my cardio regime at four times a week and keeping my eating routine to a T. My body is reacting really well to the food and I'm still making reasonable drops.   At the mo I'm loving the maize meal (African porridge); being four months until show day I wanna make sure to bring my A game to the stage. You know you got to booyah what your mama gave ya! LOL. Well, it's been a fabulous week; enjoying the Sevens, walking around the lake and (whaddya know) more shoe shopping. In my defence, I can't buy clothes at the moment because I'm always changing sizes. Don't you just hate that? I'm a size 9-10 now and off season I'm around 12. Oh, nearly forgot; I've been catching up with the hilarious Raechelle Chase's diary at www.raechelle.co.nz - never a dull moment!!   See ya guys next week!
Sesa’s weekly training update 28 January - 4 February 2009   Training just gets better and better; with Grant six weeks out I don't know who's more excited! My intensity in training hasn't dropped at all; my drive and determination to improve is really starting to show.I'm really happy with my eating regime, I eat six to seven meals a day. Treat meals for me means hitting Nandos or Gengys; I love these places, I could eat there 24/7. Also got to recommend the African shop to purchase Biltong & Droewors... you simply have to try this; it is the shit.   Supplements I am taking right now: Bioplex Whey Revive - multivitamins Trim n Cleanse   My training is still split; legs I like to get them out of the way so I conquer those quads on Monday and walk like cowboy for the next three days. I find I really need to psych myself up on leg days and ensure I get all my meals in. Grants trains me on quads and I trained so hard I was outside vomitting (good times!). I finished my leg session with walking lunges in the car park. I swear, I never slept so well that night.Cardio's been pretty random as well. Two aerobics classes, a treadmill and yes, I managed to get a pool session in. Why the pool? Well, back in the day I was a competitive age-group swimmer (ex-Counties/Auckland/National champ). It's a great cardio vascular workout as well as a all over body workout.   Picture this week is our support crew; my mum and step-father; hamming it up at a recent family get-together. Mum just got a promotion to primary school principal in a small school in the Waikato so well done mum!
Sesa’s weekly training update 20 - 27 January 2009   Training has been crazy this week! I am starting to train morning and night with Grant, along with preparing the food, maintaining the household duties, giving added extra attention to our girls (cats lol) and overlooking all our business stuff. Phew! Somehow we have to fit training in there somewhere; luckily the gym is very close.   My cardio was full of aerobic classes this week. I managed to squeeze in four classes and thoroughly enjoyed them all. My favourite would have to be Body Combat and Body Jam. After doing the Body Jam it's good to know the old gurl has still got the "moves" and knows how to "work it" lol.   Next week I'll have to try the spin classes and maybe get a couple of pool sessions in; just the thing for this unbelievably hot weather. I'm still mixing up my weight training at home and at the gym. On Friday I had the meanest hammy and glutes session; I could hardly walk my ass out of the gym! I looked like someone had roughly inserted a large pineapple up there I was walking so bowlegged.   On the 'shout-out' front, I've been receiving loads of supportive emails from friends, family and even strangers. This has been really inspiring for me as there are times when you just don't want to know about training (lol) and the emails of support motivate me to get off my ass and get pumping! Thanks to everyone who mailed; you know who you are! One question from these emails stands out though: "What keeps you motivated?" Here are a few reasons:   1. I believe in the 'look good, feel good' theory. It really boosts ones confidence and self-esteem if you are looking healthy and fit.   2. The changes in my body as I train and diet. I'm always looking for improvements in shape, muscular tone and tackling the (very) few 'problem areas' we ladies seem to have developed over millenia of evolution.   3. Gurl's gotta look good for the man! Vacuous and vain? Probably, but it's the truth ladies. You can't have the bhuttos all up in your man's grill LOL! I've got to show that sure, there's plenty of mince on the street, but it's at home that the steak is at!   On that note, it's time to farewell you until next week. The pictures on the right were taken on Friday 23 January... getting there.
Sesa’s weekly training update 12 - 19 January 2009    Training has been great this week. The vast majority of it is done at home (bliss!) but if I get bored the gym is just two stone throws and a crow's fart away. Yeah, how convenient is that! I've been mixing up my cardio regime this week; dabbling in a few aerobics classes and pool training and found them a absolute blast to do. It also takes away the boredom of just getting on the bike watching E Channel anyway. Hah!   Sunday just gone I had my fat test and what do you know... I'm on track, yays. The devil inside me says "Yeah, into the choccys and treats gurl; you're on track, do it!", but the angel inside me slaps him on the head and keeps on telling me to stay strong! LOL. Just because the stats are great doesn't mean I can let myself go.   I've also confirmed my competition suit. Yes, the sensational Jo Rogers (7 x Ms Australia) from Style On Stage. Check out her site here: http://www.styleonstage.com.au/ Her designs have been described as "works of art" and are totally unique worldwide. Jo has been absolutely wonderful to work with; boy it was a tough decision choosing fabrics, bling etc. I wasn't sure what was more difficult; choosing the suit or telling Grant the price!   With all this happening I managed to squeeze in answering a questionnaire from the GoFigure website and lo and behold they have featured me on their Wonder Woman page! Oh, the humanity! Nah, it's a privilege to be on there and thanks to all involved. My feature can be found here: http://www.gofigure.co.nz/doc/content/blogcategory/7/9/   Pic this week on the right is a real blast from the past; my brother Darryl in 'competition mode' from a few years back. He's a former Mr NZ (both feds) and he currently resides in Perth. He's going to meet up with us at the Australia Grand Prix in March to support Grant's first pro show!
Sesa’s weekly training update 5 - 11 January 2009    This week was awesome because while we were sourcing product in Aucks Grant and I had a train at Papakura Creo Gym - my old hangout before shifting to Hamilton. Woo hoo the intensity was up because Kura's Creo has got the machines and atmosphere that rock!   Helping Grant train is a workout in itself putting all his weights away - great cardio. Then he pummels me with a shoulders and arms workout, damn. Still a long way off from competition day but I want to be on top of my game.   I've been away from the competing scene for 2-3 years now so I feel like a newby once again; which is all good because I feel there's always room for improvement. I had the pleasure of having my parents stay for the weekend. Believe me, there's nothing like getting up early for long hard walks with your mum! These ain't nana/gossip walks either... lol.   Then Saturday night off to Gengy's for some primo meats and salad. This of course meant the Resurrection of the Black Dress!!! DUN DUN DUNNNNN!! See you next week.
Sesa’s weekly training update 29 December 2008 - 4 January 2009    Thank goodness Xmas and New Years is over; talk about torture!! Arrgghhh! The food I have wept over, the puddings I have forsaken, the lollies I have turned my back on and the alcohol I have refused... lol.   Grant and I are still full steam ahead with training. The hours at the gym weren't as much as we wanted but we made the most of it when it was open. My cardio regime has left the gym environment and is now being held outdoors in the form of hill walking, bike rides and jogs. Loving it.   I have also been looking at bikinis and have already chosen my clobber so no pulling out or excuses now! I'm getting my gear off a well-known bodybuilder whose suits have been worn from one end of the country to another.   The extraordinarily bad picture on the right is me on New Years Eve staving off alcohol withdrawl by playing Guitar Hero World Tour. On the other gat is Grant's sister Shelly-anne. Needless to say it was awesome fun. Rock on 2009!
Sesa’s weekly training update 22 – 29 December 2008 Hey everyone, welcome to my own weekly training update! In these updates I will try and do it weekly (lol, we’ll see) and give you enough information to inform you but not enough to use against me in competition.   With Xmas coming up fast there's no break for the wicked, especially those wanting to keep trim for competition next year. Believe me, the temptation over this period is more than a girl can handle. That’s why my Sesa’s Thought for the Week is "don’t go fallin’ off the wagon". Discipline, discipline...no wine no whine.   My training has been going extremely well; there’s nothing like having your partner to push you through the pain barrier. Having come from Physique focussed training the different regime in Figure has really made going to the gym a new experience and has been more enjoyable. It’s extremely flexible and I love trying new things.   With Grant training for his first pro show next year as well, it looks like our holiday is shaping up as more of a training holiday. More updates next week. My updates will be short & sweet.