I have been really bad about this, haven't I??? Well, now you have the right to get onto the message board and reprimand me for not keeping up with the journal.

Seriously, guys! I'd like to hear from you. Okay, okay, I'll stop ranting and raving about that, but don't be surprised if I start talking to myself on that board! Being an only child, I can keep up a pretty good one-woman conversation, you know!

But enough about that. Let's talk about this week's training. I did squats with the bar for the first time in over a year! You laugh, but I've stayed away from heavy squats in order to keep my legs from growing too big. But I need to keep my glutes firm and round, so I decided to get back under the bar and push out some reps. I wasn't sure of what I could do. When you lay off of heavy weights, it's a belief that you become weaker. Not true in my case! I did 135 pounds for 15 very slow reps with nooooo problem! I could have done 200 pounds for two or three reps if my mental attitude was in the right place. I really think that's the true key to lifting heavy weights. Get your mind focused and ready to push the weight up, and it will happen. I learned that during my years of powerlifting.

I've been lifting heavy with my back. I did lat pulldowns with 110 pounds this week, and it felt good!!! I've been attacking my shoulders as well. I think that will help me in next year's shows...wider lats, thicker back, and bigger shoulders. I have to work on my front delts very badly. And I know I get lots of e-mails commending me on my abs, but I really think they are a lagging bodypart, so I've begun to work abs three to four times a week and utilizing light weight with them. I'm doing tons of hanging leg raises.

I get a cheat meal tomorrow night...what, oh what should I eat??? Last week, I went to my best friend's and ate her homemade enchiladas. I made peanut butter cookies with extra peanut butter and chopped up Reese's miniature cups. Yummy! I looked like I could have given birth to twins after that meal! Just kidding!

Oh...great news! I was asked by Optimum Nutrition to write an article for their magazine, and I just turned that in this week. I'll keep y'all updated on when it'll be out. This is a wonderful opportunity for me.

And I just turned in my resume for a copy editor job. We'll see what response I get from that.

Well, I'm off to train arms. Those bicep peaks are needing a bit of work. And then it's on to a cardio session; possibly, I'll run today for a bit.

Take care, and happy Friday!

Jodi