SweetCapri

Goals for 2012 - Thinking Big While Being Realistic

2012-01-05T14:30:00.000-08:00

Last year was one I'll never forget. Love, divorce, custody battles, emotional toll it took on my children, losing income, living frugally, learning to fight for what I believe in, becoming self sufficient...I mean, the list goes on and on of the many things I learned and experienced last year. Through it all I even managed to step on stage and launch my consulting business full force.
But aside all the great things I learned and wanted to do and my thinking big, I had to really become realistic about my goals and expectations of myself. It was only fair. One example was the book idea. Although it would be fantastic to be able to put all that I've learned along with my background and life story into a book, it would be a fallacy on my part to think I could make it happen right now. Not that I couldn't...but writing a book would require 2 things I currently cannot sacrifice - steady income and for time to write. I have decided that the smart thing to do is to abandon the idea for now and let my writing and connection with you guys to come via my blog, facebook and website. If down the line someone wants to write it for me, I'll be sitting right here waiting.

Being realistic also means that I had to figure out what my priorities were - What is it I want to do? What's important for me right now? And where do I see myself with all this energy I have in me now?
This year means putting in a lot more hours into my consulting business, growing as a brand, and networking. Being a woman entrepreneur is by far one of the most satisfying, fulfilling and rewarding adventures any woman can embark on and I'm glad to be one of the many who have chosen this path.
Another goal is to EMPOWER women and men alike (but you know I'm a little biased leaning toward women...just a little though)! Just like I want my consulting business to grow, part of that is the coaching piece. I love working with individuals to help them get a better sense of themselves and the world around them!
Of course competing is going to be another goal. I have to say that in the past I had shown very little interest in becoming a Pro, but that interest started growing last year. I said last year I would compete with all my might and do better and I don't think all that things I had going on allowed me to do so. Not this year. Things are a bit more settled and I stand more firm than ever on my visions, which are now clear[er].
I have to say that throughout it all, I developed some great friendships while maintaining some old ones. I am very thankful for that and hold each and every single person I communicate with daily very close to my heart.
I will be updating you guys with progress from both my contest prep, which I've started already and what I've been up to on the business front. I will also be updating my schedule of appearances, competitions and makeup work for this year very soon!
I hope each and every single one of you readers have an amazing 2012. Don't wait for life to happen...take a leap in faith, most importantly faith in YOURSELF and make it happen!

Fams!

Light It, Brighten It and Lift My Mood!

2011-11-10T19:01:00.000-08:00

I am a member at Planet Fitness. Go ahead. Judge me. I've heard the stories about pizza night, bagel day, lack of good machines and heavy dumbbells and that nice "lunk" alarm. Yup, the stories are all true. To my defense, I had no choice but to join. It was the only gym nearby and all I really needed it for was to bust out my morning cardio sessions really. Oh, and I swear I never touched their pizza. Really.
The gym I am true die-hard member of is Gold's. The one I frequent has an amazing atmosphere and that's where I get my lifting done followed by my cardio session. When I lived closer, I did my morning cardio there as well. But the drive back and forth had become tedious so I had made my trips to Planet Fitness a bit more frequent. Here's what I noticed - I had a very difficult time getting 30, let alone 45 minute cardio sessions or any workout done without feeling drained and like I was...I don't know how to explain it, like my soul and my spirit were, for lack of better terms, dead. I tried going at different times of the day, well rested, with food, without food, yet it appeared to me that the results were the same. Then I noticed how even at my most fatigued, and despite the almost 30 minute drive whenever I lifted at Gold's I was able to get through a workout rather chipper, AND an hour cardio session without complaints. Was there something wrong with me? Was it the atmosphere? Then I decided to go with another theory. The lighting at Planet Fitness, at least the one I go to, sucks. I feel like I'm walking through pure darkness and the lighting used in there is very dreary and loathing. I also found that the purple was perhaps not the best choice of color to brand the gym with. At least not that hue of purple. The area where the cardio machines are is not well lit either. I can go on and on. At Gold's the bright yellow sends me a message of brightness and welcoming of daylight (even if it's a night). The lights are bright, very bright and I find that they are placed just in the right places. This observation got me thinking more and more about how light affects our mood. My kids constantly make fun of me for always turning on lights and wanting whatever space I walk into bright...very bright. Yes, 100W light bulbs. It makes me feel happy. There is some literature out there on lighting but the one sure thing you'll find that's related is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Light therapy is often used to treat this disorder and for good reason as I do believe that bright lights and sunlight can immediately affect your mood. As it's been clear in my case with my inability to even get a workout done at Planet Fitness without wanting to cry. And I kid you not, sometimes I just get on there and start thinking about my life and ...tears just roll. How pitiful is that?!
I have been studying and reading a lot about Chakras and it led me into learning about color therapy and how it can be used to heal. Similar to light therapy, color therapy can be used to balance the energy within your body and spirit and lift your mood, the same way light therapy can.
If you are feeling down or experiencing some depression, I highly encourage you to try incorporating some color and light therapy into your lives. It is a way of life for me as I often use certain colors to lift my mood as well as make sure I get out during the day to experience sunlight. I feel most energetic and accomplished when I'm out and about when the sun's out. If I'm not, my entire system is thrown off balance and out of whack. Use brighter colors in your clothing and living spaces. Use different lighting to give a nice welcoming and uplifting mood. If you are feeling romantic, you can always turn the lights off and use candles instead!
I hope sharing my experience was useful and shed some light (pun intended) into this topic. I am excited to learn more and if any of you have any useful information or links please share!

I Love My Body

2011-10-02T22:10:00.000-07:00

It was only recently that I finally decided to launch some merchandise items, some with some "sexy" photos of myself and others with what I thought were little things you'd find me saying in a serious and sometimes sarcastic but humorous kind of way. Those who know me know what I'm talking about.
The ability to finally feel the confidence and motivation to move forward, expand and share [sometimes in a profitable way and others not] comes with time and experience. That and also putting a close to a chapter (eheemm...read "divorce" post) that was putting a huge stall to my functioning brain cells adds to all of what I'm developing.
Anyway, I came up with the "I Love My Body" thing for one reason: Self affirmation. Do I, myself love my body? The answer is yes, most of the time. Did I at one point? Certainly not. See, my body is not perfect. As a woman, especially after having children, we get scarred, inside and out. Our hormones are never the same. Stretch marks, bulges here and there, and the draining of energy that comes with it is nothing to be happy about. But with age and experience I've learned to connect on a more spiritual level with all that my body has done, is doing and is capable of doing if and when needed. I know I can carry a human body inside me and nourish it and bring it to life. I know I can shape my body whenever I want to by modifying my diet and my exercise routine. I can feel when I am getting sick and when something is wrong and do not need a doctor to tell me so. My spiritual connection to my body allows me to be similarly connected to my children's bodies. I can tell when there is something not quite right with them, when they are bothered, in trouble, or struggling. I know when they are sick and just what they need. It's more than mother's intuition but a deep spiritual connection that allows me to heal whatever emotional or physical pain without resorting to any kind of medicine.
I don't think I can outright say that I "hated" my body because that would have led to abusing it (drugs, alcohol, etc.) but it is safe to say that there was a point in time when I looked in the mirror and said to myself "What the hell?". I wasn't happy with my weight. I noticed that when I wasn't happy with my body I lost a huge amount of confidence and lacked self-esteem. I felt inadequate, incompetent (despite my education) and like I didn't have much to offer the world. Despite my bubbly personality, I was struggling inside. Post-partum depression is a bitch and I'm sure it added to these feelings. I can't quite recall the moment I decided to hit the gym and get my body back the way I wanted it. But when it happened, I got it back with a vengeance! Those things I couldn't control in my life all of a sudden didn't really get to me because having control of my body allowed me to have a let out, a time to breathe, my "meditation" if you wanna call it that. It was also a time when everything else in my life seemed to be out of my control and reach. My body was the only thing I could change, control, modify, etc. Learning how to control my body allowed me to love it. Not saying you need to control things in order to love them (wouldn't that be cute? lol) but I'm saying taking control of the things I own, the things that are within me and my spiritual being...those are the things I love because I can control them. You can too!
Loving my body has allowed me to give off positive energy. Even when things are crappy, I try to keep a positive outlook and quite often I succeed at accomplishing my goals. Very little gets me down because I always say to myself, "Hey, at least I got my body and no one can take it away from me".
Even if you have imperfections, an illness, a disability, your body is STILL yours and the only one you got. Take care of it and LOVE IT!
So that's the story behind the I LOVE MY BODY merchandise. I am not going to shill it on here but if you are interested in purchasing it, contact me!

xoxo

Quick Update

2011-09-26T11:30:00.001-07:00

Hey guys! I hope you are enjoying the new website! I have been working ferociously at it. I was supposed to compete in November but between my shoulder injury, moving, and working very hard on promoting myself and giving more attention to developing my business, it looks like I will be hanging it up for the remainder of the year. But you know me...I have been known to surprise people, including myself, and pull through even in difficult times.
I have also been enjoying spending time with my children now that things are a bit more settled...and that includes cooking tons of delicious meals that are hard to go by. So yeah, dieting has been a little tedious. LOL.
Anyway, I will be posting within the next few weeks more updates and also what I am doing for diet and workouts.
Don't forget to add my FB page and twitter!

Love you guys!

Website Update - July 2011

2011-09-13T18:43:00.001-07:00

Hey guys! I just want to let you know that I am in the process of phasing out doing updates on here and will be doing them on my blog! Much more convenient and fun. Plus I get to update it easily and as frequent as I want. On that note, please keep an eye out for my new website! The link is still the same - www.sweetcapri.com. You will find all the latest info about my competitions, whereabouts, life, kids, on here from now on forward. Hope you enjoy reading it! Speaking of which, I just finished competing in my very first Master's division at the Steve Stone Metropolitan Championships (Mets) back in April. I am old! Pictures from the show are on my SweetCapri facebook page so please check them out!
I also wanted to let you guys know that my consulting and coaching business is up and running. Please read about me and my philosophy in the ABOUT ME link. And for a more detailed list of services and prices, you can go here.

Weight Loss Strategies At A Glance...

2011-07-27T09:55:00.000-07:00

Someone recently asked me in to write about my weigh-loss strategies and what I do to get in contest shape.
Before I talk about intricate details of what I eat, how I train and how I shift things in order to get to where I need to, I have to talk about one of my favorite tools to reach my goals - I use is visualization. It's perhaps the single most important factor that comes into play when I'm preparing for a contest or whenever I want to reach any goal in life. Visualization is a very powerful tool, and it's a learned skill, one that once you master it, you will definitely reap the benefits of it.

I can visualize while awake, or sitting quietly, I can even do it as I walk or when driving. It requires my mind to be completely focused on where it is that I see myself doing and creating this unexplainable energy flow to make it happen. It's a little freaky because I am usually able to envision what I am going to look like the day of my show, the way I'd walk on stage, the way I'll smile, the lights...and it usually turns out to be just the way I envisioned it. For those who struggle in meeting any type of goal, especially with weigh loss, I highly urge you to try visualization.

Now on to some of the more tangible steps I take in order to meet my goals.
1. I write out my diet and training. Having things on paper makes it easy for me to follow my daily routine. I do this also for things I want to accomplish at the end of a day or end of the week. There's something about writing things down that, as the pen flows on a piece of paper, helps the words tattoo themselves into my brain.
2. Food! - When I'm not in contest mode I buy whatever tickles my soul - brownie mix to make brownies for my kids, cereal, cake mix, chocolate galore, chex mix (ummm), etc. But once I'm determined to lose the weight and get ready for a competition, I fill my pantry and cabinets with my food essentials - chicken, tuna, greens, steak, fish, sweet potatoes, etc. When I get a craving or when one of my children are in a mood for something sweet I opt for going out. When my will-power and my hunger for winning is high and strong, I am usually able to bake a fresh batch of brownies without touching them.
3. I choose a good fat burner. I use it more for energy than fat burning effects, although the latter is also needed and a plus. It helps my workouts be more intense and effective.
4. I put my workouts and cardio pretty high up on the list, as well as getting all my necessary meals in as planned. If I had to choose between hanging out or going to the gym to get my cardio in and I'm in the middle of a goal, chances are you'll find me on the treadmill or arc trainer.
5. Surround yourself with people who will support your goal rather than hinder your progress.
I hope this was helpful. I am now in the process of yet meeting another goal and will be posting progress pictures next week. In the meantime, please let me know what strategies you use when you are trying to lose weight or when you are trying to meet any other goal. Oh and don't forget to follow me on Twitter!
Follow @SweetCapri1

xoxo

Letting Myself Go...NOT!

2011-07-07T07:50:00.001-07:00

Hey you! Yes, you! Have you let yourself go? Well if the answer is yes, then you can relate to my little story. If you say no...then I'm going to have a hard time believing you.
Just as I was entering another “weeks out” extravaganza leading me into another competition, the inevitable happened – LIFE!
I had just come off from doing well at the Mets, a 3^rd place finish in the open following by 2^nd place in the Master’s division, so I felt I had momentum going. I certainly didn’t want to lose it. I tried to stay on track…but then things began to happen and then fall apart. It was like watching a rainbow fade. Dramatic, I know.I was on a roll – my cardio was on point and I had managed to get in up to 1 hour and 45 minutes. My training was intense. Then, as LIFE started to take its course, the cardio sessions became shorter and shorter. I felt like I was on top of the world when I was doing my 1 hour cardio sessions….like a true heroine, but that last 30 minutes, then the hour, then all of it became tedious. Then the cheating my diet followed. A french fry here, an extra serving of that rice I wasn’t supposed to have there, and then there was the ice cream. Summer time and ice cream are a recipe for my well disciplined ass to turn into a rebel. I just can’t turn ice cream down in the summer time. So obviously I went a little OTT with it.
LIFE then decided to attack my emotional well-being. I started to feel aches and pains. My sleeping pattern was off and I was obviously dealing with a lot of other personal stresses. If you asked me I’d say I might had been hit with a little depression. I hate when my body goes into a depressive coma. It just takes me completely out of my element and out of being who I truly am and I feel like even doing little things becomes such a strenuous task.
The weeks leading up to the 4^th of July were kind of bad. I could barely even bring myself to go to the gym. I tried to at least do some cardio but with a diet and inconsistent training like what I had, what progress could I really expect to make? What was the point?
There was one day during that week where I spent most of it moping on the couch, just sad…very sad. I didn’t even have the energy to move or speak. Pitiful. Not even chocolate could have saved me that day (okay, I lie…maybe some chocolate did help).
I just completely let myself go. How could I? Why? I needed to regroup ASAP!
The first step I took was recognize the eating patterns and the behavior that led me to completely forgo my diet and training. I then acknowledged it and moving forward I figured it’d be best to look at it as a little time off and a break. And then I had a brilliant idea. But you know me…I think all my ideas are brilliant. I decided to document those couple of weeks up until tomorrow...maybe... to prove a point.
I wanted to show you guys, especially the women that read my blog, how diet and training, and stress, can all contribute to how you look. I also wanted to show you guys how dedication, discipline and the right mind set can help you achieve your goals. So below you can see pictures of me prior to me stopping my diet and probably when i stopped caring a little...but I still hadn't let myself go completely. Then the picture to follow is me the week after i just let myself go for sure. I hate that I'm posting it...but whatever.
You can see I’m bloated, holding water, and I personally felt like shit. I ate a lot of ice cream, chocolate, nuts, burgers, fries, dairy…all the things I typically don’t have on a daily basis when I’m dieting. I’m not saying these things are not good…of course they taste damn good, but clearly they are not good for you especially if you are trying to achieve a certain goal of getting on stage! It's like a cheat meal turning into a cheat week! LOL.
I took a couple of pictures today, Thursday, and I will add them to the blog post later. Wait till you guys see the difference...I can see it...and feel it, and I hope you guys can too!
This goes to show you that a woman’s body can change like New England weather! Our hormones alone can dictate so much, and let's not even talk about how those hormones can even affect your mental and emotional health (HELLO PMS!).
It certainly feels good to be back on track and to be eating a healthier diet. I will save the ice cream indulgence for my weekly cheat meal. I prefer it that way.If you guys want to know how I did it, write a comment and ask questions. I don't mind sharing...cuz sharing is caring, right? LOL.

When It's All Bad, Some Good Stuff Happens

2011-05-24T19:53:00.000-07:00

So it's been quite a while since I wrote my piece about the divorce. Remember that? Umm, yah. I haven't had the energy to write part deuce. Not only do I need the energy, but this whole thing has been a going one direction one day, and another the next.
But wait...there's more. There's nothing more that I dislike in this world than unwanted stuff...like unwanted hair, unwanted pints of ice cream, which will ruin my diet, or unwanted feedback and advice. A little angry human approached me about my blog writings and exposing way too much in order to gain "sympathy" from others. This person thought it was unfair as it could potentially put certain things and certain people in a bad light (eheemm...perhaps the actual person).
First of all...I love to write. Period. I've been writing for as long as I remembered how to put sentences together. I have written many stories and creative pieces. One of my most memorable creative writing essays made the recipient of a Gold Medal, 1st place win back in high school. It was a region-wide competition too. Yay me. LOL.
And second of all, it is indeed my intention to gain attention...but not attention for people to choose Team SweetCapri, or Team Amanda, or pick sides. I do it because when another woman can relate to my experience and write me a note saying how she was touched, encouraged, empowered, etc...then I feel like my job is done. I have reached out to someone or somebody who may know somebody who might want to share a different perspective. It just so happens that perspective is mine. But hey, if I can get sympathy in the form of dollar signs, I will be more than happy to get that kind as well.
Now let me be clear that not one single person I know is happy to be dealing with a divorce. It. Sucks. However, and that's a big HOWEVER, I have learned a whole lot about myself, others, and my family. Not all has been negative and bad. I'll even make a list to show you.

I have learned to be self-sufficient and independent. A lot of women like myself have had the advantage of a dual household income. When that is no longer an option, you learn to survive. You have to make ends meet on your own for yourself and your children. The same goes for the other spouse.
I have learned to value myself. This goes along with the above statement. Once I found myself thousands of dollars short every month, I had to put to use what I had worked so hard over the years. I did earn a Master's degree...that shit was a lot of hard work and sweat. I did it while taking care of a home (laundry, cooking, cleaning, looking over the kids, being a personal chauffeur, arranging play dates, doctor's appointments). I did it while working full time, part time, and at points I had to completely forgo working and earning an income so I can finish. But I did it. And no one can take that away from me. With that said, I have a hell of a lot of experiences to bring to the table to any, and I mean ANY employer. Learning what my strengths are have also given me the courage to launch my own consulting business. This is something I'd been talking about since 2006!!!
I have learned the value of a dollar. When things get tough, you learn to make a $20 stretch out to do 1,000 things you never thought you could do. This past year has taught me many priorities in life, including how to shop smarter, use coupons, and really really ask myself "do I really need this new moisturizer or new lipstick right now or can it wait?".
I have learned to save. Learning to value money and learning how to stretch it out has taught me how to save it. I especially enjoy saving for short term little things...like that MAC haul I have been wanting to do. I have also learned to put money back into things for my own career growth, like my consulting business. And most importantly, a "just in case" little stash.
I have learned to give my undivided and full attention to my children. It's ironic because I always thought that my kids were getting all my attention. Not really. The messes they left behind, their dirty laundry, the driving around...all those things were getting more attention than them! But now that I have them on a half time basis, I try to fully enjoy their company. My son and I have bonded like we never have. He has opened up to me about things that have brought me to tears...we have shared moments. My daughter's time is also just as precious to me, especially when I know she needs her mother around.
I have learned to value my family and reach out to them when in need. I cannot say enough about my family pulling together for me. I wouldn't have been able to do a lot of the things I'm able to do if it weren't for their encouraging words and at times, their financial contributions and support.
I have learned to let go. I can't change circumstances...I can only change myself. So I've had to let go a lot of times of a lot of things. Letting go is an ever evolving process of love and acceptance. I actually appreciate the art of letting go!
I have learned to live under someone else's rules. Since I had to stay with a friend I had to learn to live by their rules. The way they clean, cook, etc. This has humbled me beyond belief. It has also allowed me to give help and be a team player when I am needed.
I have learned to cook some good stuff man!!! Yup, I learned about my Sharon's Sweet Baby Ray's bbq sauce, along with some other recipes she makes that smell so darn good.
I've learned to love stronger and harder than ever.

So you see, it hasn't been all that bad. I would love to know what positive things you've learned from going through difficult times. I will now leave you with this song...

Little Hidden Costs About Competing

2011-05-05T10:50:00.001-07:00

It's no secret that the sport of bodybuilding can be considered "elite". Think about all it takes to be involved in it - all from a gym membership, to your daily food consumption, to supplements, transportation cost, to suits, etc. Some of us have learned to make ends meet and cut down on certain items. We have even become rather creative with our meals!

As I decided to focus more on my consulting business, I have received quite a few inquiries from men and women interested in competing. My first thought is to share how expensive it is to actually compete. I stress to them the impact it would make in their lives, both positive and negative, as well as the financial commitment needed to reach your goal.

But I'm not perfect, so I forget things.
As I began preparing one of my current clients for his first show in Men's Physique and I was running down the details of his last week, he was a bit taken aback by the amount he'd have to fork those last few days leading up to the show. I forgot to discuss this early on with him. I don't think many people, myself included, realize that aside the weekly expenses to maintain a competitive bodybuilder's lifestyle, there is the up to the show/last week expenses that would have you second guess your decision as to whether you want to compete or not.
There are various resources online that discuss the cost of committing to a bodybuilding show. I am only going to share my estimated guess of last week expenses, some of which are not often talked about. These are average prices.

Over the counter diuretics - $25.00
Tanning products if purchased online - $75 (2 bottles of pro tan + other accessories + shipping cost)
Spray tanning (if not using above option) - $150
Make-up artist - $150
Make-up if doing it yourself - $50
Mani + Pedicure - $60
Hair (color, extensions, styling, etc.) - $150 +
Hair products - $50
Accessories - $40
Miscellaneous products (pins, bikini bite, etc. ) - $20
NPC or other organization membership fee - $100.00
Average entry fee for competition - $50 (add $20 if you enter day of the show)
Tickets for your coach and/or family member - $20 for pre-jud, $40 for night show per person
Transportation to and from show (gas and tolls depending on distance) - $60
Hotel if needed - $150
Going out to eat food for after prejudging - $15
Going out to eat food for after night show - $30

I'm sure there are a lot of little details I forgot to mention. For example, one expense I add to my competitions is the purchase and use of those ever so great Crest Whitestrips. Those run me about $45.00. But there are other items I cut on. For example, I do my own pedicure and I purchase glue-on nails because I HATE...no, like really really hate, putting on tips. I find that they damage my actual nails so I opt for ones I can use for one day only.
Remember, you should have already included the cost of your suit into your competition prep cost, which for us girls can run us anywhere between $350 to $1,000+ depending on the amount of bling you want.
The men of course don't have to worry about some of these expenses. Lucky you.
I hope this helps some of you with the decisions and the reality of competing. And those who are shaking their heads thinking that it might be impossible...trust me, it's not!!! There's always a way!
If I forgot to list some expenses, please share them! Until next time.

xoxo

Do you have a Sharon?

2011-04-19T12:06:00.001-07:00

We have family. We have friends. And some of us have a Sharon.
What or Who is a Sharon? Well, she's a person who doesn't quite fit into your genealogy tree like your sister, mother or grandmother would. But she still serves those roles. She isn't quite a friend either. She didn't sit in your early morning Calculus class in college, didn't pledge you into the sisterhood of your sorority or didn't have to bear with you and console you on your latest boyfriend fail. But she still manages to fit those roles too.
I know a lot of you read my divorce blog and were shocked to discover what I was dealing with. Sharon is an extension of all my recent experiences, in a good way. So let me tell you about her.
I met Sharon several years ago, when my son was just a tiny little shrimp attending pre-school. Sharon's son attended the same pre-k. Our kids got along great and had several play-dates. They pretty much grew up together as they attended the same schools, camps, etc.
I also loved stopping by Sharon's house, especially after she moved out to a neighboring city. This is the home she was finally able to call her own, at almost 50 years old. There was never a shortage of delicious foods at Sharon's house. NEVER. Stopping by on Thanksgiving was my favorite. You know she had it all - the baked macaroni and cheese, collard greens, stuffing, turkey...the whole nine yards.
There was a time in my life when I was at my lowest. I felt ashamed of myself and had pretty much isolated myself from friends, and even family. That time period I felt like I had lost everything - my kids, my husband, my job, and, I also lost myself. I lost the sense of uniqueness that made me stand out in a crowd. I lost the drive and discipline I felt every morning I woke up to hit the gym and prepare to compete. I lost my intelligence and my strong attachment to my need and quest for knowledge. I felt inadequate, insufficient, lacking, lost, incompetent.
I was at the brink of finishing my Master's degree and had aspirations to continue on to my PhD but because of all the above, those dreams were pretty much flushed down the drain.
I walked around with my head down. I was in a fog.
I also had to do laundry. I was too embarrassed to go to the local laundromats and be seen in public so I asked Sharon if I could go over. It would also help me save some money. Walking into Sharon's home back then made me feel at peace. She never once requested any money from me for using her washer or dryer. She never once judged me. She listened. And I could sense she felt sorry for me.
That was the beginning of my strong bond with Sharon.
Over the years, when things started to pick up again, Sharon stuck around. I would invite her son over for sleep-overs, cooked her and my kids breakfast, and came by her house whenever I had laundry to do...it was my excuse to spend time and feel the bond of having an extended family. Sharon didn't know it then, but she was taking the role of a mother/aunt.
My mother/aunt Sharon...let me tell you more about her.
Sharon's complexion is like dark chocolate. Her skin sits with the elasticity and smoothness of a 20 year old. She takes good care of her curly locks and has worn the same hair style for as long as I've known her. I know I said before she didn't judge me. Not once. Not ever. I have never in my life met such a non-judgmental woman. Her ability to see good and maintain faith when most would lose it is incredible. I sense she might have had some experiences in her life that allow her to be who she is and what she is to so many people. I know for a fact Sharon is not a mother/aunt to just me. I just know it.
Sharon ain't afraid of hard labor. Nope, no sir. I've seen her outside shoveling snow like even my ass can't. I've seen her carry bags from here to there, to everywhere. I suspect she has done this type of stuff all of her life. She also isn't afraid to do what she gotta do in order to make ends meet. She would hold a job here, 2 jobs there...whatever it takes to bring home the bacon.
Why am I writing about Sharon now? Because I am grateful that I have one like her in my life.
Let me share some more.
At some point last year I had to make a decision. One that I knew would define the rest of my life and would affect me for months and months to come. When I had to move out of the residence I shared with my husband, I was left pretty much homeless. Sure I had the choice to pack it up and move to New York, but the thought of leaving my children behind made me feel sick to my stomach. I didn't have much since I had left everything I owned behind. I just wanted to leave with my dignity and my head up and not revisit the low point in my life I was at years ago.
I reached out to a couple of "close friends" to help and, typical situation, they couldn't even sympathize with me. It was cool. But I had nowhere to go.
At the very last minute...and when I say last, literally the 12th hour of me having to be OUT of the previous apartment, I contacted Sharon.
She said, sure, come on.
Sharon has not only offered me shelter when I needed the most but let me tell you what else she's done for me.
She's been like a grandmother to my own children. She's looked over my daughter like she was her own. She keeps a watchful eye on my son. And when she sees fit, she'd extend her non-judgmental advice the way a mother would to a daughter. She also feeds my children when she knows I'll be a little late or busy at the gym.
And you know what the cutest thing about Sharon is, the one thing she does that sends me laughing hysterically even when I'm feeling a little sad? She keeps a hawk-like watchful eye on me while I'm dieting! Oh yes, she would snatch food I'm not supposed to eat right off of my hands, or chase me around to house for it if she has to. She knows by now what I'm supposed to eat and what I'm not supposed to eat. She wants me to win. And she supports anything and everything I do. Like a mother would.
I write this because mother's day is coming up soon. Sometimes I feel like I don't do enough to show my gratitude to those in my life so I write. I think I get my point across pretty well through writing. I know she will read this...because I will send her the link to it. LOL.
And when you read this Sharon, just know that you have given me what no one else has. You are like a mother to me, and I am forever indebted to your generosity and gratitude.
If you someone that fits the role of a Sharon, like the one I have, I urge you to thank her. Be grateful you have someone like her in your life. If you don't have someone like her, I do hope you come across her/him in your lifetime.

Lastest Competition Recap and GREAT news!

2011-04-12T16:46:00.000-07:00

A few blogs ago I posted about the difficulties I'd been dealing with thus far this year. But, none of it stopped me from getting on stage. I have been blessed with a tremendous amount of support from family members, friends, fans and more recently, sponsors! If it wasn't for all of that love and support I wouldn't have been able to accomplish half of what I wanted to this year!
So without further due and before I go on to talk about this past weekend's events, let me share some great news.
First of all, I have recently signed on to SoLatina as their Professional Fitness Expert! I am so excited and proud to be affiliated with such a great and uplifting community geared toward Single Latina Mothers. I will be updating you guys regularly about the progress there. That leads me to my most exciting news yet! I will be launching my new business - SweetCapri Fitness, Wellness and Lifestyle Consulting Services (LLC pending)!!! Yup yup. Most people would say it's about damn time. But sometimes you have got to do things when it feels right and when you feel it in your heart. For me it was both! The time is NOW! I will be writing a whole blog post about the services I will be providing but I will share that they will extend beyond assisting competitors. I am an educator at heart and it would have been a shame to throw all my hard years in the academic environment I do love so much so rest assure that whatever it is, it will involve my educational background experiences in some way or another! (Insert girlish exciting scream from joy here).
I will also be relaunching my website as it is in need of a face lift so keep an eye out on that.
Let's now move on to my exciting weekend. Although the road to competing at the NY Metropolitan this year was not a smooth process, I have to say that the last week was unlike any other I've had. I usually experience a lot of stress and typically, something unexpected goes down that throws me completely off. My goal for this show was to eliminate any possible last minute stresses. I was very meticulous about how I did things. It sure did work because that last week I felt so stress free that it almost felt as if I wasn't even going to compete. At several points I felt like I was dreaming and it wasn't really happening! Weird, uh?!
I did feel confident and comfortable, which meant that my stage presentation had improved a tad bit. I do feel that I could have been in better shape and I know I wasn't at my best...but then again, I made it! I am extremely happy with the results as I am NEVER one to complain about placings or discredit the work the judges have done.

And oh dear Lord do I need a new suit or what? I did my best at pimping up my old suit and purchased several crystals and did add them myself. It did make a huge difference but it still doesn't beat getting a suit specifically made for you. I'm working on it!
Funny thing is that when I look at the photos I took of myself from just a couple of weeks prior to the show and I look so super tiny. But then when you put me on the stage against the other competitors I look HUGE!!! @_@.
The expediting team was, as usual, flawless. They really do a great job backstage. This year I found myself in a more competitive group of women than last year, where I didn't place in the top 5. Remember that whole thing about me being too muscular? Bah! But I'm glad to report that I placed 3rd in the Figure A class! Wooohoo! I believe there were 11 or 12 competitors so I am happy with that.
Now, the kicker for me was my debut as a Master's division competitor! Yup...you heard it right! I am in the "master's" division. I am officially old. LOL.
I was a little apprehensive about entering this division but it proved to be even a better addition to my experience as a competitor. The interesting thing about being in the master's division at these shows is that they are not separated by height. We are all one big class. I was also extremely impressed with the women in it! Holy crap talk about gorgeous tight bodies over the age of 35! It totally inspires me! I placed 2nd in that division and I am looking forward to continue participating in this class.
If you want to check out more photos from this past weekend, please check out my facebook page at SWEETCAPRI and "like" it. I am a nice person...so you should like me anyway! LOL.
For any other inquiries please feel free to email me at amanda@sweetcapri.com.
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That's all for now!

Brief update

2011-03-13T14:28:00.000-07:00

Hello to my wonderful readers and followers! I know that the last I wrote was about my life during my divorce and I contemplated on so many other things to address and follow up that it became overwhelming. Not only that, but other things developed in the process...so one day I'd feel like addressing one issue or take my writing in one direction and then something would happen that would throw whatever I had in mind in a completely different direction. I guess that's one of the things that happen during a divorce. But in any event, I decided to wait a bit before I wrote Part II on that particular blog subject. I also wanted to somewhat protect the contents of what I am experiencing and keep some level of confidentiality.
But yes, I'm alive and kicking. The past few months have been rather interesting as I am on a mission to fulfill my dream of being a support system and inspiration to other women by starting my own organization. I have been trying to find the right path and I've had a couple of people very close to me encourage me to put some of the skills I've picked up along the way in this lifetime to use. I think it's going to be an incredible journey to be able to advocate and encourage women to make a better lifestyle and choices for themselves. I want every woman on the planet to feel strong and beautiful, on the inside and out! What I like about the way I approach my strategies is that I use a lot of the educational foundations and theories I've learned in graduate school while studying for my Master's degree in Social Justice Education. This means taking into account race, gender roles, class, age, sexual orientation, and other different factors that affect us as individuals in our society. Doing the research, preparing documents, mission statements, vision, etc. and approaching possible sponsors is not an easy task! I will keep you guys updated on the events that are to follow this wonderful venture of mine.
So aside all the above, let's not forget that I am a mom. Oh yes, the joys of motherhood. And add to that...motherhood as a single parent. To two pre-teens. Yah. You can send prayers my way now. Thanks.
On a more serious note, ever since I left my job I've been dedicating more time to spending with both my growing children. It's ironic to find that they are still as needy, as they were when they were babies in diapers. I find myself having to monitor their every move because let's face it, the shit that's going on out there in the world and the influences those things have on our children is scary. I'm already experiencing some of those influences on my children but that's a totally different blog post.
And last but not least...guess what? Yup, I'm still finding the time to get my ass in the gym and even get ready to compete! I just want to show you guys that changing your body and getting in shape is attainable no matter what! Trust me, I'm dealing with enough crap to not make me get out of bed most days, but when I think about the feeling I get when I'm at the gym, and to see my body transform, I feel like the strongest woman on the planet! I love competing...with myself!

I am now just about 3 weeks shy from stepping on stage and let me just tell you that I've done this so many times that it feels so part of who I am. I don't get the jitters, I don't feel the panic...it all just feels so natural. Below you will see some progress photos leading up to last week. The rest will remain a super duper secret! LOL.

Keep an eye out on my next blog post where I will share my rants and raves of products I've been using up to date. Also, don't forget to "LIKE" my SweetCapri page on facebook!
Until then...much love, confidence and a kick ass self-esteem!

xoxo

SweetCapri

Life After [or During] a Divorce - Part I

2010-12-19T15:44:00.001-08:00

For those of you familiar with Massachusetts divorce laws you’d happen to know that you are required to take a parenting course in order to be granted a divorce. For those of you not so familiar with this law I welcome you to Massachusetts.

It was a freezing evening during the most exhausting and inconvenient of times for me. The class started at 6pm and went till 8:30pm. Eight fucking thirty. But I wasn’t upset. I was actually very hopeful and excited about it, not necessarily about the time and the freezing weather though. I walked into the classroom and was immediately hit with a force of negative energy. Damn, was I the only one hopeful idiot in this place? Was I the only one actually looking forward to having taken yet another step that would bring me closer to making my divorce final? I guess so.

The men in the class all sat with their arms crossed and had an angry demeanor. Maybe the fact that they had to pay child support wasn’t something to be cheerful about…or so I thought. But the truth is that child support had very little to do with their anger – something I learned as the class progressed. But learning that child support was not the source of anger triggered something in me that had me puzzled and made sit more attentive than ever.

Then there were the women who, by just sitting in the classroom, had either the saddest faces I’d ever seen, one even crying, or gave this vibe of emptiness and numbness. The one woman who stole my heart was the one who was in denial. The one who shared with a group of about 25 strangers that she had no clue as to what to do with herself in the case of a split custodial arrangement. Sad, I thought. And perhaps no life, a judgmental side of me said.

During the time of the workshop and the days to follow I was in deep thought. I was thinking a lot about my life and how I got here. Truth be told and to no one’s surprise is that I was in a very unhappy marriage. I felt my life wasting away trying to balance out all that I wanted in life for myself while being a supportive and loving wife and a good mother to my wonderful children. I had the worst case, and still do, of super woman syndrome.

Even though I am very tempted to go into excruciating details of what went on in my marriage, particularly those last few months, that would not be fair. I am a writer, it’s something I’m very passionate, and somewhat good at. I also have a following of people, who, for one reason or another, find entertainment to some of the things I write. Some people are enlightened, while others can totally relate and give or take advice. I appreciate that. Writing is a weapon, it’s MY weapon, and it can be a strong one. I have the power to write something about any particular individual for the world to read and hurt them. I know because during my divorce I have been that reader, the one who was hurt. But I want to be fair, even though this word has never produced good results for me during these difficult times.

So why now? Well, I am inspired. That woman I mentioned earlier, the one I was so quick to judge about not having a life inspired me to share my story about living through a divorce. I was her, I am her in some ways. I try NOT to be her. I have also been motivated by the words of a fellow blogger, Carolyn A. Edgar, who has exposed some intimate moments of her life and has captured audiences such as myself, someone who clearly identifies with her own personal experiences.

Wanna know what else? The Holidays. Nothing could have ever prepared me to deal with the nuisances of a divorce and custody arrangements during the holidays. Nothing. Ever. Not the gazillion blogs, books, youtube videos talking about divorce and spending the holidays alone or without your loved ones, or perhaps dividing the family. I was going through some experiences during the Thanksgiving Holiday and was asking myself “how did I get here”?

So here it goes.

When I made the conscious decision to walk away from my marriage and my relationship of almost 16 years, my main concern was NOT hurting my companion and spouse. I wanted him to be okay. I walked away with nothing – not even a bed to sleep on, furniture to sit on, let alone any type of money that would sustain myself and the somewhat comfortable lifestyle that WE had worked together to create.

I also did not think of child support, alimony or custody arrangements…you know, the little intricate details that take place during a divorce. I did love this man for nearly my entire adult life and hurting him, especially financially, was not something I wanted to be blamed for or be a part of. I wanted to be fair and nothing else. Ahhh, there is that word again - FAIR. As I sat in my oh so exciting required parenting course, I let my mind drift. I was always that woman that made noise, that fought injustices and that refused to be a statistic. As a Woman of Color I made it through college with 2 kids, who at the time were babies, and not only that, but I did go on to graduate school and earned a Master’s degree. Someone like me rarely gets a chance in life to accomplish what I have. I just did not want to give into the stereotypes and be another statistic.

Sadly, the days of me sitting in that classroom and, as I am now coming to terms with, I did become the complete and total opposite of who I truly am as an individual during my divorce. Those core qualities that make me who I am were not constants but rather variables. They would come in and out and I was a roller coaster of an emotional mess. I had become a statistic because I was that woman whose strength had been tucked away in a little chest somewhere under my bed and locked up, only to be pulled out when I felt ready for it.

Life during a divorce has been hard - losing an extended family, friends, and the cushion that we used to call “home” has been painful. But as painful as it has been, it has also brought many positive aspects to my life as I am living through it. The positive outweighs the negativity of a divorce in my case.

(more parts to follow...stay tuned....)

I am good at this...

2010-11-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

Yes, I know the things I'm good at and the ones I'm not so good at. One thing I seem to do pretty well is stopping what I love to do, disappear, leave everyone hanging, and then do what I NEED to do in order to survive. I have been in and out of the loop and in the midst of enough transitions that it'd make your head spin.
Transitions in relationships, friendships, motherhood, and career have been extremely challenging. I am one that welcomes challenges but hell...this time I was ready to throw in the towel and just walk away.
But I didn't. And I won't. I have enough people in my life that continue to support me and the things I am passionate about.
So whats next and what are all these transitions about? Well, for one I had to make a very difficult decision to leave my current job and move on. I posted several months ago about how thrilled and happy I was to be working for a great department with an amazing supervisor. My position was supposed be changed into something that would be more fitting to my experience and education. Key word "supposed to". Needless to say, it never happened. I have learned over the years that I am competent enough, old enough, and damit...sassy enough to not settle for less than what I am worth!
The next thing has been the structuring my time while attending to my obligations as a single mother. It's challenging as I'm sure those of you who are single parents or who have been raised by one would know. When being in the position I am in, it's very difficult to have a structured schedule because at any given day or any moment anything might happen or I might get a call that requires I drop what I am doing and attend to one of my children immediately.
Then there is the competition piece. Nothing helps my mind and soul than having the structured lifestyle of a figure/bodybuilding competitor. It re-energizes me and helps me remain focused on all the other aspects of my life. I can elaborate more and more about this but that'd require another post.
Oh and let's not even talk about my website. I think I might have killed my last computer where I store all the web files and this will explain the lack of updates, etc.
For those of you who visit my website and have been wondering what the heck's up with me...now you know.
And that little guy in my photos is the adoptive child I wish I could afford right now. I might start an "help me adopt this yorkie" fund.
In the meantime, please let me know what I should write about...I will soon have some time to research and write more! Anything goes!!!
Stay happy everyone!

Lesbianism?

2010-08-14T11:12:00.000-07:00

I was recently sent into tears, good tears, good laughing tears that is, when I read a recent blog posted on a friend's profile. The blog itself, from my perspective, is about failed and good relationships, about being a mother, a wife, a sister...and about trifflin' ass shit we gotta deal with, as women, from time to time. I love it. Whenever my friend posts it, I rush to read it. So when I read the newest one about titled "Los Lonely Lesbos" I quickly clicked on the link to read. It basically posted a letter from a somewhat disgruntled ex-follower who expressed her disappointment in the blogger's "pushed agenda". What agenda that is? Well, duh...she wants us all women to be LESBIANS! In the words of blogger Carolyn A. Edgar, she responded "Really though, the conflation of “woman self-empowerment” with “lesbian” is disturbing".
Now I cannot tell you how many times I've seen this myself. Heck, I've even been guilty of this type of stereotyping myself, especially in academia. Let's face it...whenever you see a woman, in my case, a woman of color, with short hair, a strong, demanding voice, and in no need of a partner/husband, automatically I'm thinking lesbian. What I didn't know was that I, despite my long hair, big fake boobs, have been a victim of the same type of stereotypes. Not that I mind though...as I do love women. We're able to endure a lot of shit...think periods and child birth.
In any case, why is it that when we see strong women we put them in an often isolated box? What is it about an independent, self-sufficient, educated and empowered woman that appears to be so threatening?
I got to thinking then, about how, when, where or why the concept of all that I named above automatically qualifies a woman into the lesbian? So I'm thinking more...who came up with these labels? Could it have been a man? That would be me speculating though.
But I will say this though - from experience, I know that it takes a very strong man to be with a woman who possesses those "lesbian" qualities. A man who is comfortable with his own manhood in my opinion can only demonstrate it by supporting the strong woman he's chosen to be with, and not only support, but learn from her, listen to her, and love her for what she's able to bring to the table. So I guess I've entered the qualms of lesbianism...but I'm also happy to share that I have in my life a man who's just fine with it. That says a lot about him and that's why for us, it works. Fellows and ladies alike...lesbianism might not be a bad thing - for your relationship or for society.

This, that and the other....

2010-06-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

Life is never dull for me. Never. After competing at the METs and not placing that well, I decided to challenge myself and see if I could give the judges what they wanted. Jeff stepped in this time around as I prepared for the Atlantic States to shift and change some things in both my diet and training. I did an enormous amount of cardio ate a way better balanced diet with higher fat intake, and lifted a lot less. The lifting part made me very very sad but in order to soften up and not get as muscular I had to do it. The tweak in the diet actually worked out very well for me. Not only was I feeling great and had lots of energy but I was eating stuff I actually LOVED eating, like steak, mixed nuts, and rice! I was also having a weekly cheat meal which consisted of cheeseburger and fries. Now, how wrong can you go with that? The cardio was also very exhilarating because it felt relaxing believe it or not. I didn't mind the extreme amount of cardio one bit and actually looked forward to it. I maxed out at something like 2 hours and 10 minutes daily toward the end. The end results is that the judges got what they wanted. They loved the "look" I presented and I placed 3rd right behind 2 current Pros. I received nothing but praises, especially on that stubborn back side of mine who finally appeared tighter on stage. Jeff helped me with everything from being my daily encouragement, to kicking my ass by keeping me on track, to helping me...no, better like making me practice my posing, which needed MUCH help. I had no idea how much I needed to update my posing since I was used to the more stiffed bodybuilding like posing. The time and energy we took in practicing my posing also made a big difference on stage. Now, what the future holds for me is yet to be unseen. I will say that I feel like I have this sort of "momentum" going on and I don't want to miss a beat. What this means for me is figuring out what to do next. I made a decision to compete again...in October and possibly do a national level show. This goes against my rule of only 1 to 2 competitions per year. I feel different this time around...can't quite put my finger on it, but I am not nearly as drained or feeling crappy as I have felt in the past. Maybe my body has become "seasoned" or "conditioned" to the lifestyle. I dunno. If I don't compete at Nationals this year, I might wait till next year to do a national "debut" show but, I will be in Master's division. MASTERS?!!! Can you believe it?! Yuppers...my ass is getting old and competing against the 20 and 25 year old ladies might be a thing of the past for me.
In any case...I am currently dieting and training for my next one. I had several discussions with both Garrett and Jeff and I know how I want to look. Although I loved giving the judges what they want in order to "play the game" and place well, I also know how I like to look. My goal is to "blend" both looks from the Mets and the Atlantic States and see how that goes. What that means is being able to attain both muscularity and conditioning but with softer lines. I am actually excited about how this will turn out!
I'd love to hear your feedback and thoughts SO PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW!
pS. Photos, updates, etc. will be posted on my website soon! As usual, I killed yet another piece of computer equipment which happens to be a yearly thing for me now.

Quick update!

2010-05-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

I know I'm due to update my website and I have tons of pics to share, from my last competition up to a few from a couple of shows I've attended. I've been so busy dieting, training, and working my regular job...not to mention spending time with my kids and loved one. In the midst of all that I am managing to be the founder of a non-profit organization that I've been thinking about for over 5 years now! I finally felt it was time! Sometimes you just surround yourself with the right people who drive you to be your best. I knew I was at that point when I met someone who saw so much potential in me that I just had to move forward with all that I wanted to do in life. Not only that, but I wanted to leave some sort of legacy behind...something that signified the work, the struggles, the emotional and mental suffering that I had to overcome over the years. But the legacy is not about the bad stuff, but that of a survivor...and the acknowledgment that I'm one of many women with similar stories to share. My organization is about creating a positive and fostering environment for women of all races, shapes and sizes...women who feel like they have to give their all to everyone else and forget themselves...like I once did.
Anyway, I digress. Keep an eye out via my blog or facebook fan page for updates (http://www.facebook.com/pages/SweetCapri/113549845341582). Thanks to all of you who continue to support me with your love. It means a lot to me!

Stage Makeup: The Must-Haves for Your Big Day

2010-04-24T21:46:00.001-07:00

The competitive season is upon us. And upon me, is the need to play with more make-up and more faces! I've known for a long while that I've always wanted to help out with assisting women put themselves together for their big day - not their weddings my friends, I'm talking about the day they step on stage! With my experience working for one of the best and most notorious make-up lines in the industry, MAC, I have been able to take all that I've learned to do what I love to do and share it with the world. I love giving back!
A lot of women train their asses off to get on stage and don't realize how important the beauty and presentation of your entire package can make you or break you. I've sat in the judges' pit many times to hear the comments when a girl's hair is not at its best, or when you can clearly see bad makeup...or even worst, lack thereof.
I will say that I am partial to MAC for obvious reasons but I want to be clear that I have used MAC for ages prior to my employment with them. I do also have a few drugstore cosmetics that I love and highly recommend for the big day. These are a great alternative and more budget-friendly if you want to save some cash.
One thing I highly recommend is that if you do not wear make-up regularly and have even the slightest hesitation on how to properly apply it yourself, it is best to hire someone to do it for you. Keep in mind that stage make-up is not the same as applying make-up every day. There are some extra steps you must take in order to make your time up on stage flawless.
Without further delay, here are some items that I think are essentials for a super pretty look on stage:

Preppin' the Skin

Use a primer- this will help your foundation look even more flawless and stay on longer. Some worth the money are made by Sephora brand, Make Up for Ever, Nars, and MAC. If money is an issue, try L'oreal who just came out with a fabulous line of primers and color correctors.
If you are oily, you might want to use an oil control product in addition to the primer and apply this first. My favorite is MAC's Oil Control Lotion.
If your skin is dry, you can get away with skipping suggestions 1 and 2 and just apply your foundation directly. But, I still suggest using a finishing powder.
Beware of - harsh skin treatments such as chemical peels, at least 2 weeks before the show! You never know how your skin is going to react and the last thing you need is to break out in a rash, or end up with irritated, flaky skin. You want to pamper and "normalize" your skin as much as possible.

Covering your bases

Cream foundation - preferably a shade slightly lighter than your tanned skintone. I've noticed a lot of women trying to go as dark as the shade of their pro-tanned or sprayed tanned bodies and it just makes their face look super muddy. Not a good look. A cream foundation will look the most natural and give you the most flawless coverage. I recommend MAC Studio Tech in NW45, NW50 if you have a deeper darker skintone.
If you are oily - I recommend an oil absorbing liquid foundation such as Make-Up For Ever Mat Velvet foundation. MAC's Studio Fix Fluid could also work but I worry about the high SPF in it (see below for reason why). You can also just top any of your foundation choices with a powder (more on powders below).
A less expensive alternative - L'oreal's True Match Foundation in the darkest shade in the
"C" range is a good one. Walmart or Target will usually cost way less than a pharmacy such as CVS or Walgreens.
Beware of...- high SPF amounts on your foundation. It will create a ghostly mask when being photographed and there will be lots of pictures taken that day!

Concealing/Contouring
One of an artists favorite tricks is creating shadows and the illusion of a fresher under-eye area, chiseled cheekbones, and fuller lips.

For undereye area I use MAC's Studio Finish cor Moisturecover concealer (if you need extra hydration). Some people go super light but I like to use either shades NW35, NW40 or NC45.
For Blemishes and dark spots - MAC's Studio Finish beats all others. It has excellent coverage and staying power.
For contouring - a darker shade of powder under cheekbones, temples and chin work best. A dark matte bronzer or blush may be used for this. Any brand would do.
Beware of... - contouring if you are extremely dehydrated and sucked in!!! You might not need it at all and might end up looking like a corpse! If you insist on it, do it lightly and apply a bright blush! (more about blush below).

Eye See You
For me, this is by far the most important aspect of all the makeup you'll wear that day. I've seen this make or break a competitor.

Eyeshadow Base - The most important job of an eyeshadow base is to prevent eyeshadows from creasing. It also helps it last longer. Depending on the skin type, I like to use either a concealer (budget efficient, since you would have already purchased or used one), or MAC's paintpots. A couple of other great products are Urban Decay's Primer Potion and Too Faced Shadow Insurance, both available at Sephora. The black greasepaint is excellent and a must have for me to create a smokey eye look. A less expensive alternative an another trick is to just use an eyeliner with both a semi-creamy texture and good staying power.
Bright/pigmented eyeshadows applied properly. I know there's a lot of controversy surrounding what colors work and which shades look completely horrible under those lights. The truth to this is that I do a lot of research and look at photos that are posted on popular bodybuilding websites to carefully watch the trends and look spotted on the top competitors. The most used shades and looks tend to lean toward the darker, smokey eye look. You can create a smokey eye with simply black eyeshadow and by blending it slightly with a dark brown shade. You can add a pinch of brightness by adding a light bright shade in the inner corner of the eye and moving it toward the center of the lid. A smokey eye can be done with just about any shade such as purples, blues, and greens. I would avoid yellows, reds and pinks. Browns and golds could work but you might have to use a very pigmented eyeshadow for it to show up under the bright stage lights. Unfortunately, this is a category where investing is worth the headache. Some of the drugstore options do not have the amount of pigment necessary for the colors to show up the way they should. You do not want to risk your shadow disappearing half-way through your morning during pre-judging! Some of my favorite go-to MAC eyeshadows are: Carbon, Black Tied, Greensmoke, Femme Noir, Flashtrack, Deep Truth, Naked Lunch, Brown Down, Satin Taupe, Sketch, Shadowy Lady...I could go on and on.
Browbone/Highlight - I like to keep it simple. I like to use either a concealer in a light shade or a light bright eyeshadow. It's best to keep the color for this neutral...a bright blue for a highlight will make you look clownish. I like MAC's Nylon, Retrospeck and Ricepaper.
Liner - An eyeliner to finish your look is a must. I also highly recommend that this be a long-lasting liner. Black is the way to go. MAC's Blacktrack gel liner is my favorite. To line the lower lashline I like MAC's Graphblack, Engraved or Urban Decay's 24/7 liner in Zero. These are all amazing and long-lasting and the deepest darkest of black shades which I love. For less expensive alternatives, both Maybelline, Wet 'n Wild make long lasting gel liners. Revlon has the best quality eyeliner pencil that would last long.
Lash Out - my absolutely favorite part is the finishing touch of adding lashes. False lashes complete your entire look and make you look completely polished, sexy, and just plain gorgeous! Lashes are tricky to apply so if you don't hire a makeup artist for this, I suggest practicing. What I recommend is applying a waterproof mascara first to your own lashes, then gently placing your falsies on top on your natural lashes. My favorite inexpensive lashes are Ardell, which come in various shapes, styles and sizes. But, I personally would invest in a pair of MAC lashes. They have way better quality and are not as "flimsy" as the Ardells.
Beware of - drag style lashes. I know a lot of girls want major lashes, thinking the bigger and more exaggerated they are, the better they will look from stage distance. No. Just no. You will look like a drag queen. The point is to enhance your lashes. I suggest MAC #7, 32 or 34 lashes.

Blush!

I like to apply the blush on apples of cheeks, right on top of your contouring powder. You want to look flushed and healthy. You can use just about any brand. I prefer bright corals and burgundies.

Lips

Lip Liner - If your lips are on the thinner side, it would work to your advantage to use a lipliner. You can give the illusion of bigger, fuller lips by simply applying it slightly outside of your natural lip line. This is another item you can save some cash on and opt for drugstore alternatives. My favorite lipliners are from Rimmel. You want to go for darker shades of burgundy or pink/magenta...depending on your lipstick shade.
Lipstick- choosing a shade is for me one of the most complicated things to tackle when doing makeup for stage. I have seen bright pinks work for some girls, but not for others. I try to refrain from bright reds as they look over the top with all the sparkles from the suit, not to mention the rest of your face. A safe option is deeper reds or burgundies, which look good on almost everyone. Again, for something you are going to wear once in a blue moon, you can go the alternative route and not invest too much money on a lipstick and opt to use a drugstore brand. Some of the best formulas are from Revlon and L'oreal.
Gloss - adding a dab of gloss enhances the look of your lipstick. Any brand name would do.

Finishing powder

If your skin is normal to dry, you can use just about any powder. My favorite is Laura Mercier's Translucent Finishing Powder, or MAC's Select Sheer.
For those who need to control oil, I would invest in MAC's Blot Powder in the Deep Dark (worth the investment beyond this day) or Make Up For Ever HD powder.

I think I've covered all bases. If I forgot to mention something, feel free to ask a question or leave a comment. Hope this was helpful!

April Favorites

2010-04-24T21:37:00.000-07:00

As the month of April approaches, it is quite typical for youtubers and other bloggers (at least in the makeup world) to post about their favorite products. I wondered if anyone in the fitness industry did the same. Perhaps we are too boring with our monotonous daily routines that call the same ol' chicken and protein shake with the oh so exciting weekly twist that we like to call a "cheat meal". But, thankfully, I exist to defy this rule and post some new and exciting items that could be useful to those of you who are fitness and bodybuilding enthusiast. Well, they are exciting for me and I can't be selfish and keep the goods all to myself.
In no particular order...I present to you my most loved and enjoyable things for the month of April.

Emerald Deluxe Mixed Nuts - Jeff and I were strolling through the supermarket aisle and as usual, I was craving mixed nuts. My body craves these types of essential fats in my diet...quite frequently actually. I came across Emerald Deluxe Mixed Nuts and I was in love. Not only where these on sale, but the word DELUXE along with the pretty pictures in the pretty packaging jumped at me immediately. Yes, I'm your marketing team dream come true as I'm a sucker for pretty presentation of just about anything. If it looks pretty, most likely I'll go uhhh-ahhh and buy it. So anyway, these are actually the freshest and best nuts I've ever tasted (GET YOUR MINDS OUT OF THE GUTTER...nasty people!). I also didn't know these are actually quite popular in the fitness industry. I saw a few girls backstage at my last show with the pretty green containers!
Uncle Ben's Whole Grain Fast & Natural Rice - the texture is not grainy but actually very very soft and rich. I could eat an entire box of this alone!
Steak - Can you believe that I hadn't had a piece of steak in over ten years? It's been so long that even the 10 years is probably not an accurate count. How come now STEAK made it to my favorites of the month list? Blame Jeff. He eats steak like there is no tomorrow. He makes his steak pretty raw...which to me was a huge no-no. But one of usual "I'm starving" days when I was at his house, there he was, joyously eating some steak. He looked so happy. I wanted to be happy to. Plus I was starving. So he let me have a small piece of steak, along with some rice, and I've been hooked ever since. I find it funny to even watch myself eating steak. It truly is very amusing to those around me also. Although I am in awe at how long I've gone without it, I'm not sure if this steak-red-meat-eating me will last much longer. You guys will have to check with me next month.
Crystal Light Iced Tea - PEACH! - I just don't understand what is happening to me? Early mid-life crisis perhaps? I used to HATE the peach flavored iced tea. But now, this is heaven in a little packet. Try it out, I promise you'd love it.
Aside food, there is something else that has become a favorite! Are you ready for it? IT'S CARDIO!!! I am now doing low to moderate intensity cardio for longer periods of time and I feel great! In the past I've stuck to high intensity interval training, which made me feel crappy, lethargic, and hungry most of the time. It was very difficult getting along with my day like this. But, doing cardio like this, I can go on forever. Just yesterday alone, despite a very long and emotionally draining day, I managed to get in an entire 75 minutes of cardio easily! I did break into a sweat but I wasn't dying.
So that's all I have for now. I am eager to see how things change this month and what things I will introduce into my life that will become favorites. In the meantime, please comment or share your favorites!

Songs SweetCapri is currenly loving...

2010-04-10T14:33:00.000-07:00

Reflections about the Mets

2010-04-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

As you may have heard or already know, I competed this past weekend at the Steve Stone Metropolitan show, otherwise known as "the Mets". Despite all the financial obstacles that I was faced with, I was blissfully calm this time around. But...the more I reflect on it, the more I am thinking this calm feeling might have been a careless feeling. I don't think I cared. I mean, I put in the work, I trained my ass off, but after hearing about my father's death, then all the other challenges that just seemed to pile up, I just couldn't keep up. I felt rather unmotivated but my mind was still on competition auto-drive, so finishing the goal at hand was what I had to do.
Some feedback from people that saw me during the process and up until the day before was that I looked good. Good as in competition/stage ready. I was doing everything I was guided to do. I felt ok. But again, I had that "whatever" mentality.
I guess it showed. It showed on stage. It showed on my prep. It showed in my smile. I was distracted. I was somewhere out there. I wasn't myself.
I didn't do well. And I'm not mad that I didn't. Some people take judging to the next level and complain and get frustrated. I am not one of them. I take it for what it is/was and move on.
I have some feedback for myself and from the judges. I spoke to 3 judges, 1 of which has been following my progress and my competitions for years. One judge was getting ready to leave after pre-judging and got a glimpse at me as I was talking to someone and said...girl, your "wings" are way too big. He was referring to my back. I looked at him weird because I never in a million years would have thought that my back being too big would be an issue. I mean, I'm like ...TINY! I brushed off his comment because I didn't think he was serious. Not until I finally got a chance to speak to that other judge who's seen me compete for years. She had always told me that I needed to bring down my glutes. Basically, my ass was too damn big for stage. LOL. So I immediately thought that's what she was going to tell me. I was wrong. She said she was actually pleased with my lower body. I wasn't quite ready to hear what she had to say next...she said my delts and back were too muscular for figure. Whaaaaaaat?! Never in a million years did I think that day would come. I wasn't upset...I couldn't be. I worked so hard for that little muscle so why would I be mad. Placings are relevance to your hard work in most sports, but for something that's as subjective as a beauty pageant, I just don't take it as that. Bottom line is I didn't do so well...and I am not mad about it at all.
Some of the things I would improve on for myself would be to brighten up my face and make-up a bit. I was so dehydrated that I looked like an 80 year old lady under those lights. At least that's what I thought. Then the spray tan. I love the color it gives...love it love it, however, on my skin type, it just doesn't work. It just darkens(not in a good way), burns and dries the crap out of my skin, especially around my tummy. I have to be very careful with pro tan too which is why I wouldn't do a spray tan again since it's like an overdose of protan all at once.
As far as hair...love my hair, love my hi-lights but...my hair doesn't like drying agents (just like my skin) and it reacts. So when I curl my hair and use hairspray and then use heating tools, it just makes it very brittle and frizzy and it ends up looking not so hot. Believe it or not, the best my hair did on the stage was when I left it at its almost most natural state. I think I will consider this next time.
And the suit, let's not talk about the suit. My man told me to wear the damn green suit. He said he didn't like that pink suit. I didn't listen to him cause I never do. LOL. I almost find it funny, in an ironic kind of way, how I'm inclined to not listen to him and do the complete opposite. Sorry Babe. He loved the green suit, and I actually loved it too. Love the way it looked against my skintone in all my photos but for some reason, I didn't feel confident in it. I felt like my ass was too exposed and you know what...IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. The pink suit had way too much material in the booty area and covered it all. I also wasn't crazy about the material...it was okay but not ideal. So now I do plan to make some big suit changes! I am going to bedazzle in this new suit. Besides, I've been competing for long enough to finally decide to invest in a good, top of the line, national level suit.
So yes, even though I say that I only compete a couple of times per year, this is one of those years where I'm starting to feel the fire burning. I will be hitting the stage again soon!

Interview!

2010-04-06T08:59:00.001-07:00

Check out this real nice interview by Jason Adam on his blog - Promoting Real Women.
Scroll down to read my interview.
http://promotingwomen.blogspot.com/2010/04/amanda-cumberbatch-interview.html

Always some $h!+

2010-03-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

Imagine training hard for a competition, for about 16 weeks. That's 4 months folks. Yes, 4 months of diligent training and cardio, disciplined eating, anticipated "cheat meals", and the wonderful anti-social life one becomes rather accustomed to.
This is my life about 2 times a year. I choose my competitions very carefully because I like to also give myself room to live a little. Training for these things is obviously very restricting.
But you know what...some shit always happens to me. Always. It's like the Gods (or Goddesses) put me through a test or something. Every time I'm close to a competition, a new challenge in my life appears. It usually involves finances.
This year, the car broke down. I took it for an oil change at a location that shall remain nameless until I decide what I want to do with them, and 5 minutes after I drove off, my car was smoking everywhere. It also wouldn't accelerate. The car is still all messed up and I am now forced to keep a rental car. The money that's supposed to go toward the very last details of my competition (hair, nails, tanning, food, travel, entry fees, etc.) are all being eaten up by the damn rental.
Why oh why is this happening to me?!!! I am so close to just saying f**k it and not doing the show on April 3rd. I am just so overwhelmed by the stress factor.
What do you guys think? Should I just find a way around this? Or just wait till next time?
By the way, I'm looking FIERCE! Pics coming soon!

What's in my competition day bag?

2010-03-18T11:35:00.003-07:00

Some of you who follow my facebook updates may have noticed the teeth/stomach aching posts with photo of my "goodie bag". This is my special bag filled with nothing but sweets and items that I love but can't have during my contest prep. Even though that's the first thing I make sure I pack, it is certainly not the only thing that I have to make sure I add to my bags for show time.
I'm huge on learning from mistakes and making sure I work with the knowledge I gained from them. Last year while I was getting ready to compete at the Atlantic States I made several boo-boos - one being leaving way too late the evening before the show, and waking up extremely tired and in a horrible mood.
This year I plan on leaving way earlier so this means I have to be extremely thorough with my needs for the next few days leading to stage time.
I hope this post gives those of you who are competing soon some ideas...and if you think there's something I need, feel free to comment and let me and my readers know!
So here are some things I bring with me:

Competition Suit- aside bringing my own, I also bring an extra one or two. You just never know who might be in need of one or what might happen. Helping others backstage, despite the competitive mentality, is always in my mind
Shoes - don't we all love those clear 6" heels? I also bring an extra pair or 2
Bottle of Pro Tan- for touch-ups in case it's needed
Bikini Bite- always always have this handy. The last thing you need is to have your ass or boob pop out of your suit and pull a Janet Jackson on everyone
Suit Fixer Uppers - I keep a kit with various size crystals, glue, safety pins, etc.
Resistance Bands - very helpful to warm up backstage. It also helps the nerves!
Jewelry - earrings, bracelets, and all your stage bling
Make up - most of us do our makeup or have it done prior to the show but please be sure to have the appropriate items for touch-ups. Also, DO NOT FORGET your false lashes. These are very very important to open up your eyes since the stage lighting is so harsh and bright.
Wipes - I always bring baby wipes with me because they are such a multi-purpose item (makeup removal, to clean up suit, when toilet paper runs out...lol)
Appropriate clothing - ladies, why oh why do you insist on trying to wear a cute outfit backstage to only have it ruined with pro tan? Bring loose fitting clothes, preferably black, and slippers!
Toiletries - bring your deodorant, toothpaste, razors (you never know when your hair might decide to make an appearance) and other toiletries just in case. Remember, most of us take our last shower the day prior to the show so by the time this is all over, we don't smell so nice and pretty.
Hair accessories and tools
Full length mirror
Tampons/Sanitary pads - Mother Nature has its way of showing up when uninvited
Snacks/Food
Ipod - helps you relax backstage!

*** Hair tip - get your hair done a few days prior to the show, especially if you are going to be coloring and adding highlights. You do not want to end up with something you will hate and then it being too late to get it fixed. You want to give yourself plenty of time to play around with styles and stuff. Also, I've learned that hair that is not crispy clean, that has been sitting around for a few days in its natural oils, styles and holds better!
*** Skincare tips - treat this as you would your wedding day or that one other special event. You do not want to mess around and get a facial or start a new skincare regime the week leading up to the show. It might turn into a disaster!

So what's in your competition bag? Did I miss anything?

Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

2010-03-18T11:35:00.001-07:00

My diet has changed drastically I'd say. Comparing from my first years as a competitor to now, I'd become accustomed to cooking! I used to rely on protein shakes, meal replacements and such to get my nutritional needs while dieting. Right now, I'm enjoying foods like it's my birthday!
My absolute favorite meal right now has got to me my baked chicken breasts, sweet potatoes and lettuce. I be tearing it up.
Since I'm not yet at the point that I have cut out my sodium intake, the way I make my chicken makes me look forward to another meal. Had I not been able to season my chicken, this post would not exist. LOL.
So here's what I do with my chicken. I like to buy the boneless chicken strips by the way. I am lazy and hate cutting meat. I don't know...just grosses me out.
I place my chicken in a container and sprinkle it with Meat Tenderizer. I season enough to last me a couple of days.
Once I'm ready to cook it, I add some McCormick's Lemon & Pepper seasoning (salt free). This gives my chicken such good flavor!
The baking itself doesn't take long...less than 30 minutes for about 8 - 10 strips.
While the chicken is baking, I take a sweet potato, run it under water, and then throw it in the microwave anywhere between 4 - 7 minutes, depending on the size.
When it's all ready, I smash it, add a sprinkle of salt, get my chicken, and enjoy!
Oh, I cut up some Iceberg lettuce, add vinegar and throw in the mix.
For someone who's dieting and hasn't tasted "real" food in a while, this is like the one thing I look forward to on a daily basis. I eat this about 3 times a day and I have not grown tired of it!
If you are starting out on a diet or simply want to lose some weight, I highly suggest this! I promise you will love it!

Random thoughts...

2010-03-15T18:48:00.001-07:00

I'm exhausted. I didn't sleep well last night...couldn't get my mind off of things. But they were all good thoughts. I was thinking about how incredible it feels to have someone in your life who elevates you and who sees more potential in you than you see in yourself. It just feels so great to have someone who gives you unconditional support, who listens, who appreciates being listened to, who absorbs, processes, and then recites the points you've tried to get across in his own words.
It's good to have someone who doesn't judge you for your mistakes but who rather sees them as stepping stones, something to learn from, something you can take with you and turn it into a more positive outcome.
It's also great to have someone who makes you laugh...someone who, despite taking life serious, knows how to humor it cuz let's face it, life is funny sometimes.
So do you know someone like this? Do you have someone or several someones who fit this profile?
I do!!! :)

Arnold pics and training updates.

2010-03-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

The 2010 Arnold Classic came and went and it was by far the most fun I've ever had. I've gone to the Arnold year after year, but for about 2 years in a row, I just wasn't into it, or into competing. Even though this year I had been going back and forth on going, at the very last minute I decided, along with my friend Tracy, that...what the hell, I've had a rough couple of weeks and needed to get away. So I did. And boy am I glad. I needed to take my mind off of this depressive state of mind after losing my father. I was feeling very alone and instead of sitting around moping, I decided to get out.
I arrived early Friday morning and went straight to the expo. I was immediately tied down at the rxmuscle booth and I was happy to assist! It was an interesting experience nonetheless to meet people you know by screen names and shake their hand in real life. I also had the opportunity to re-connect with so many competitors I hadn't seen in a while, as well as make new friends in the industry. One of those happens to be IFBB Figure Pro Ann Titone and her husband, Jack Titone, who run the Jacked Up Divas team. I absolutely love his training philosophy, not to mention his sense of humor. The ladies, including my lovely friends Tracy and Ali, all look absolutely fabulous! To check out my Arnold fun pics, click on the photo above.
When I got back home, I was supposed to resume Garrett's plan of cutting cardio down drastically. I have to say that I freaked out. I took some photos early that Monday and was really down because of some feedback I got. I know Garrett knows my body and how it responds so I had to really focus on what HE was telling me and shut everyone else out for a little bit. People who compete need to really rely on ONE person for guidance, otherwise, you will drive yourself crazy by hearing all sorts of feedback - do this, do that, try eating this, or that. But in any case, I'm so glad I followed Garrett's advice...slowed down on the cardio, cut calories a bit, dropped carbs, and just took last week to train hard.
Toward the end of the week I could totally see a HUGE difference in tightness and leanness. I would love to show photos but I think I'll wait and keep ya'll guessing. Hehehe.
So right now I'm feeling pretty comfortable and confident about things. I am also aware that I am not perfect and that there are some body parts I can't change - my booty (thanks again, mom) or my tiny genetically ungifted calves, for example - but I'm trying my best to modify them to be stage ready. Aside from that, there is nothing else I can do but hope that my hard work has paid off.
I will keep you guys posted as far as competition is concerned! And don't forget to check out my website - www.sweetcapri.com.

See ya'll soon!

Hello, my name is SweetCapri and...

2010-03-01T10:14:00.000-08:00

I just got an INTERVENTION! It wasn't much after I sent out my website updates - www.sweetcapri.com/updates.htm, and some photos to my trainer that I got an email from him. I freak out when I get emails from Garrett that are rather lengthy and detailed. This was one of those. That means he notices something is not on track. But I'm thinking...I'm doing all this damn cardio so I KNOW I'm lean ...what could be wrong? How about TOO much cardio? Yup, I have been doing so much cardio, that I am burning way too much muscle and I am starting to look skimpy and not as tight. Uggh. I keep hearing about the massive amounts of cardio other women do when they are training for a competition so I'm thinking I need to do the same. I never did that much in the past. I tried it last year, and it was ok, but I had to cut it down tremendously towards the last few weeks. I have a feeling the same is going to happen this year. Doing that much cardio does nothing for me, especially if my calories are very low.
I was told by my friend Stephanie Villers, who looked at some of my photos on facebook, that I didn't look as muscular as I did in the past. She was right. I think I have burned way too much muscle and I'm praying this week I can slow it down a bit. I was doing so much that I'm actually embarrassed to disclose the amount. :(
Thankfully Garrett caught it on time...and has made some significant adjustments to my diet and training, including a rest day. Yup, a mandatory day OFF. I wasn't resting at all!
But I agree...doing that much cardio on an empty stomach first thing in the morning was killing me. I would leave the gym feeling weak and shitty, and starving! I was hungry all day long...which led me to crave crap that I wasn't supposed to eat...especially at night. When I trained for the 05 New England's, the year I won the overall title, I was actually pretty happy and cheerful all throughout my diet. I mean, yeah those low carb days came but they went real fast, meaning I wasn't a cranky mess all day long. I also did at the most, 45 min. of cardio if I recall. It seemed to work well for my body.
I will update you guys with some pics hopefully by the middle of the week and make note of any progress and/or changes in my body.
Questions and comments always welcomed!

Diet and Training Update!

2010-02-28T10:06:00.000-08:00

So for those of you who want to know how I'm feeling and how my diet is going, here it is!
Truth be told, last week I felt like complete a$$. And that, my friends, I have no lack of. LOL. It was really really hard to stick to my diet. The first few days after I learned about my father's passing, I could hardly get myself to eat. Imagine having hardly any food and doing a crapload of cardio? Not good. But then toward the end of the week I wanted to eat everything in sight! That was hard...but I'm glad it all passed. Now I'm hoping to make it to the end of this journey by making yet another appearance on stage and just look decent. Remember my friends, I always come in with the expectation to beat myself and bring my body to surpass whatever I had done in previous years. This year I have learned so much from the people I've had around, particularly my boy Jeff, who's been crucial to my understanding of foods, my diet. I am glad he's around! And I can't forget Garrett, who puts it all together for me in the end and who's around to answer my endless questions, especially when I start to panic. No matter how silly they are, I always get a response.
So right now I'm doing a LOT of cardio. I learned over the past couple of years that my body responds well to a lot of cardio. In the past, I would do 45 minutes at most along with a low calorie diet. That worked well, but I was also way more active and had more energy. I'm getting old man! Last year when I trained for the Atlantic States, I decided to crank up the cardio and see what would happen. I liked the results, so this year I'm sticking to finding a happy medium between the ginormous amounts of cardio from last year, and the lower amounts I'd done in the past, along with whatever caloric intake Garrett thinks I should follow. Oh, another thing I'm learning more about is fats in my diet, which I realized I was lacking.
My training has remained pretty much the same except I throw in calves every other day or so, and double cardio sessions on non-lifting days. I know my lower legs are genetically un-gifted, but I'll see what powers I can have over them.
Something else that has changed is the foods I'm consuming. I used to be all about shakes, and adding protein to my oats, etc. Don't get me wrong, that still is one of my favorite meals, however, now that I'm constantly on the move, I find myself that when I eat like that I get hungry faster. There are times that I'd have my oats with protein and within 15 minutes I'd be starving. So now I'm eating heartier and more filling meals such as sweet potatoes and chicken (yum). It's been working okay for me mainly because I'm not starving myself! LOL. I will be sure to keep you guys updated and post some progress pictures when I get a chance.
If you have any questions or comments feel free to post below. Also don't forget to check out my website - www.sweetcapri.com in the SPOTLIGHT section for an upcoming interview with competitor Ben Corjay!

About my dad

2010-02-28T09:01:00.000-08:00

Hello my friends. I have not been in the best of moods lately to write about anything. I've had quite the 2 weeks but now I'm ready to share. As I was dealing with many obstacles in my life while in the midst of my contest prep, I was told by someone on facebook that I should write about things as it will help me heal. I think she might be on to something!
Some of you who follow my updates via facebook might have learned that my father passed away last Sunday. I haven't seen him since I was 13 years old. I honestly did not know how to react - was I supposed to cry, be angry, not care, care a little, call someone...what was I supposed to do? I was told by one of his sons, one of my brothers, about this in an email. He did not have my contact info. I read it, and sat with the news for about an hour or so until I told someone. Needless to say, the person I shared the news with, his reaction was a bit more shocking than mine...perhaps I was still numb.
I called my mother, texted my sister...and went on about my business still trying to figure out how to feel. I mean, again, I hadn't seen him since I was 13, right?!
But then things slowly sank in. All my childhood memories of him started to slowly trickle into my mind, like little drops of water falling from leaves. As the hours went by, I started to feel this little aching pain right about my heart. Damn, maybe the diet and training is making feel weak. Nope, it was the news starting to settle in.
Since I was in Brooklyn when I received the news, the drive back to MA was quick...quicker than usual. But that's because my mind was preoccupied. I started to remember way too much too fast. I was feeling like crap by the time I had arrived home.
I remembered being held by him and what his touch felt like. I remembered touching his bald spot whenever he picked me up. I remembered his office number that I would constantly call when I was a little girl. And I remembered the last day I saw him - I was looking out the car window at his sad face, as we drove away to the airport. I knew he loved me. He would tell me so. I also felt it...felt it whenever he held me or whenever he called me by my childhood name "Amandita" (as in little Amanda).
The next day I finally received a phone call from one of his sons. His words, the message he related to me from my father is what cracked me in half. I felt my heart shatter to pieces. All the memories and the feelings I had deep down in my heart about his love, all were confirmed. It also killed me to learn that during his last days while in the hospital he called me by my childhood name, what he always used to call me, and asked for MY forgiveness. He never had to ask for my forgiveness...I forgave him a long time ago.
I went about my usual self, but I wasn't feeling 100%. Those who I'm in contact with would tell you this. I was really down, but I still couldn't justify it. Again, even though I kept in touch with him, I had not seen him since I was 13. And then by Wednesday I started to feel really really exhausted. Mentally drained. Physically unmotivated. My diet and training were taking over...but so was my father's death. On Thursday is when it all sank in. I was pissed. I was cursing my dad out. I was crying hard...and yelling. I hadn't cried like that in a loooong time. My eyes were swollen. Why did he wait so long to tell me what I already felt deep down in my heart? Why did he leave me like that? Why did he abandon me? I'm mad at you daddy. You should have given me a little more time to come see you...you should have hung in there for a little longer so I could have at least said good bye. I didn't get to say good bye. I'm mad. You left me with the warmth of your touch, your shiny bald spot, and the raspy voice calling me Amandita. I'm mad at you. I'm mad because you gave up on your fight with mom and allowed her to keep us apart. I'm pissed at you daddy. I knew you loved me...I was your little princess...and you left me. He left me without a good bye.
I am crying as I type this. I never thought that I would feel like this about a man who I hadn't seen in so long. But I can now justify it. You see, I had a relationship with him. I remember him. Clearly. I knew him, of him, and about him. He did exist. He was my father. And he loved me. I miss him...I've honestly missed him for years. Nothing, and I mean nothing, can break the bond between a parent and his/her child. I am living proof.
So daddy, even though I am pissed off at you, I want you to know I forgave you...I'm still mad though, so don't be slick and try to charm your way out of that one (he was a very charming man by the way). I am finding the energy within me to cope but I find myself every now and then thinking about you and I get weak. So next time I'm up on stage, just remember I'm thinking of you. Next time you see me hit the books to try and outdo myself one more time with my academic stuff, I'm thinking of you. Next time you see me give my own children unconditional love...it's all because of you. One thing I learned though...I will make sure I tell those I love that I love them...don't wanna procrastinate on that!

I loved you then and love you now dad. Rest in peace.

Favorite drugstore skin and makeup finds!

2010-01-25T11:39:00.000-08:00

Ever heard the term "high end ho"? Well, that was me. Actually, it still sorta is me. I like buying the "good" stuff. I like walking into a Nordstrom or Macy's and be able to point at something and say, I like it, and not give a crap about the price. All I wanted to hear next was "How will you be paying for that Miss Gorgeous?" (I know I know, I had to make myself seem super important and pretty). But when my financial situation changed due to loss of employment and a drop in my household income, I found myself having to cut corners. This taught me an invaluable lesson about the cosmetics and skincare industry - more money doesn't necessarily mean better. If anyone knows me well, they'd know that I'm the queen of returns. If I'm not pleased with something, I'd bring that s**t right back to where I bought it from. Needless to say, I did find some gems at reasonable drugstore prices that I adore! Read on for my favorite items and why I like them. I've also added a rough estimate of how much they cost. Keep in mind that drugstore products often go on sale so you will always catch a bargain if you do your homework!

MAKEUP
Eyeshadows

L'oreal HIP (High Intensity Pigment) - $7.99 These are my alternative to MAC eyeshadows. The colors are gorgeous and very intense. Their quality is really amazing for the price. Check out your local CVS because these often go on sale for as high as 50% off!
NYX - $4.29
These get very high ratings and just like the HIP shadows, there's such a wonderful color selection. I have a hard time finding these in my area though.

Mascaras

L'oreal Voluminous Carbon Black - $7.29
I admit it, I spend more money on mascaras than I do on tampons. I buy one ...well, I'm not going to say how often. But whenever I do, this is the one I always come back to. Keep in mind that L'oreal owns Lancome, so if you like Lancome mascaras, you will most likely like L'oreals' as well, along with the cheaper price tag.
Maybelline Volume Express Waterproof - $5.99
I am not a fan of waterproof mascaras as I find most of the time they irritate my lids. But, from time to time, I am required to have something that will last long and not smudge. This is it. I also makes my lashes super long and makes them very curly.

Eyeliner

Almay Intense i-Color Liner - $6.99
Not many beauty websites rave about these, but I just adore the intensity of the colors. I usually purchase their Amethyst shade, which is a very vivid color, and their Black Pearl shade is probably the darkest black liner I've ever used (and believe me, I've tried many)

Bronzer

Physician's Formula - $10.99 - $14.99
These prices of these are considerable higher than any other drugstore brand, but their bronzing powders are considered amongst the best. I love several of them, particularly their multi-toned ones and the booster ones.
NYC Bronzer - $2.99
A way cheaper alternative to the above with gorgeous shades that never look muddy.

Blush

Milani - $6.50
Sometimes these are hard to find, but, these also go on sale quite frequently at CVS. These blushes are great quality and long-lasting.

Lipgloss

L'oreal Color Juice - $8.49
Another product I've always had in my purse and have repurchased throughout the years! I love the shine these give, and the fruity scent.

Lipstick

Revlon - $7.99
These lipsticks are a staple in the beauty industry. These are the cheaper alternative to NARS, Chanel and MAC lipsticks, which are often used backstage at fashion shows, etc. I know about Revlon lipsticks because these were the only ones my own mother would use. She would even use them as a cream blush, a trick that I've known for years! They come in several different formulas and finishes, not to mention an impressive array of shades that no one at the drugstore level can beat.

SKINCARE

Cleansers

Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash - $5.50
I have been using this for years and years and it's a household staple. I've spent so much money on other cleansers, but this is the only one that removes all my makeup and keeps my skin clear. It contains 2% Salicylic Acid which is great to clean pores, and acts as an antibacterial as well as a skin exfoliant.
Dove Beauty Bar - $2.99 for a 2-pack
Yup, good ol' plain soap. It works for me when my skin is dry and/or irritated and it's such a great bargain at about $1.00 per bar.
Cetaphil Cleanser for Normal/Oily skin - $7.00 for an 8 fl. oz. bottle
A no frills cleanser that gets the job done. I actually enjoy the fragrance of this one!

Exfoliators

St. Ives Apricot Scrub - $3.00
Who doesn't own this? I occasionally use the one with 2% Salicylic but be careful, over-exfoliating can be irritating to your skin if you are sensitive!

Moisturizers

Olay Complete w/spf 15 - $7.99
I like the one for oily/combination skin and so does my son.
Cetaphil Lotion w/spf 15 - $8.99
Can be a little greasy but when my skin leans toward the dry side, this is a savior. Caution: DO NOT GET INTO YOUR EYES. It burns like a b&$#*

Body Moisturizer

Palmer's Cocoa Butter - $5.99 for 13.5 fl. oz.
Household staple! Smells delicious, keeps my skin super soft and ...did I mention it smells delicious?

All purpose products

Johnson & Johnson's Baby Oil - $4.00 for 20fl. oz.
This is one of the best things you could do for your skin! Use this while you are still damp from your shower and let it sink it. I promise you will have baby soft skin! I also use this as an eye makeup remover. I also like to get the smaller bottles to carry with me when I travel.
Vaseline - $4.00 for 13 0z. jar
Come on now. Did you think I'd forget vaseline? It's not only good for when you are getting ready to whoop someone's ass, but it's great at soothing dry, irritated skin. It's also great for your lips too.

***Note: At the time I wrote this I hadn't realized that Dr. Oz would be bashing petroleum jelly on the lips. The reason why I don't know...all I know is that it's worked for my ancestors and me for years!

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND/OR QUESTIONS! ALSO LET ME KNOW WHAT YOUR FAVORITE DRUGSTORE ITEMS ARE! I'm always on the lookout for new stuff to try out!

What do you want me to write about?

2010-01-18T16:58:00.000-08:00

So I'm putting this out there for those of you who happen to read my blog. What do you want me to write about? It could be anything ranging from education, to life, to training, dieting, make-up, etc. I do plan on writing something about what make-up to do and wear on stage, tips and tricks that I've learned and used on clients, what things to stay away from, etc. It should be interesting and worth reading.
But in the meantime, let me know what would be something cool to write about! I'm game!

The SweetCapri Booty

2010-01-05T13:48:00.001-08:00

Gravity is a bitch. Yup, I said it. Chances are, if I didn't work out the way I did, my booty would be down to the back of my knees by now. I've been told by judges over and over to "bring my glutes down". That's the politically correct way of saying - "girl, your ass is big and you need to tone it down, firm it up or something!". Over the years that was one of my main concerns. I stressed about it a lot. But then when I did lose the booty, I would feel all depressed and like I wasn't myself. I am happy with the way it is now. I can live with the fact that if I'm on a stage and stand next to a woman with no ass, mine will look 100x bigger. That's cool. I've accepted that. Thanks to JLo and the likes, booties have become fashionable again. I've had women at my gym commenting on my "perky big booty" and how can they can get one. I've heard other women in the industry wanting to have a booty like mine. I've even had random people asking me if they could touch it...ironically, all women! So ummm, yeah, I'm ok with my booty. But I'm thankful for all that I've learned to keep my glutes nice and tight and I'm happy to share that with you all! First of all, regardless of whether I am training for a competition or not, there are 3 things that have been crucial to maintaining nice and firm glutes: a good, clean diet, some type of lunge exercise, and squats. You can't have an ass without legs...you need to build those up too! Besides, how is the booty going to stay up and perky? Below are the particular exercises that I find extremely helpful and important and what my GLUTE training day looks like more or less:

Walking lunges - 3-4 x 15-20
Smith Machine Squats (or use the squat rack) 3 x 8-10
Front squats (I go down real low as if I were about to sit down) 3-4 x 15-20
Leg presses 3 x 15 - 20
Side Lunges 3 x 15
Sumo Squats 1 x failure

Simple right? Yeah...umm, NO! I guarantee your booty will hurt for a bit, but it will be nice and tight in the long run. There are certain things we can't fight against when it comes to gravity, but I believe the booty ain't one of them. If you work at it, it will win!

I hope this was helpful! And don't forget to keep a clean diet and add a bit of cardio!

xoxo

SweetCapri

Website Updates

2010-01-04T07:29:00.000-08:00

Right now I'm in the process of updating my website. I've added a section called SPOTLIGHT to share inspirational stories from people I've come across, seen or met. The first story I'm going to share is from this one lady who I've seen working out at the gym. Her before and after photos speak for themselves. I will be interviewing her, picking her brain and learning more about what motivated her to her magnificent journey to weight loss and hoping to share it all with you guys!

Oh and for those who compete, I will be sharing some of my expert makeup tips! Stay tuned!

Finally!!!

2010-01-03T13:35:00.000-08:00

So it finally occurred to me that my life is so full of activities, people, places, etc. that I want to share with ya'll that I just had to make an account with one of these blog thingies. Besides, this is way easier than keeping up with the website and stuff. I can just write my random silly thoughts, post pictures of the day, etc. I hope ya'll are ready to keep up with my silly ass!!! I'll be sure to keep you entertained, or at least distracted for a few minutes.
In any case, I am trying to stay on top of things as I prepare to compete again, wrap up some things with graduate school, and these crazy job searches in New York City. I can't wait to move. It's been way over due. I will post how this job search turns out. It's been a PITA so far just so ya'll know.