This blog will cover all city and statewide bodybuilding competitions and the out-of-state guest posers. Weight-loss success stories from local people, features/bios on bodybuilding, fitness and figure competitors, coverage of fad diets. Nutritious recipes and reviews on local gyms and health food stores. I would also like to cover Adult/Childhood Obesity in America and specifically,Alaska. Weight-lifting techniques/safety as well as the benefits for women. This is just a general idea, as the blog will be constantly evolving.
I competed in my first bodybuilding competition as a senior at East High in 2000 and after winning the overall title, bodybuilding and fitness became my passion. I've been a NASM certified personal trainer since 2004 and I love helping people achieve their goals with fitness and proper nutrition. My overall bodybuilding titles include: Ms. Anchorage 2006 and The Anchorage Crystal Cup 2007. I have lived in Anchorage since 1988.
Music for your muscles - 10/15/2008 5:12 pm
Condition your body for the slopes - 10/14/2008 3:33 pm
Stretch your calves! - 10/7/2008 9:14 pm
Lose fat NOT muscle - 10/2/2008 5:47 pm
Have you checked your flexibility lately? - 10/2/2008 5:02 pm
October 4th 20th Annual Pro-Am Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Competition! - 9/29/2008 3:22 pm
Getting to know a local Figure competitor. - 9/17/2008 5:01 pm
Need some help? - 9/10/2008 4:47 pm
Why I bought a heart rate monitor and you should too... - 9/10/2008 4:26 pm
Jagged little pills - 9/10/2008 3:58 pm
The healthy glow in a bottle - 9/9/2008 12:47 pm
Setting goals to maintain the new you! - 9/5/2008 11:16 am
The Mind Muscle Connection is key - 8/27/2008 3:22 pm
The price of Obesity - 8/27/2008 11:11 am
Hiking Mt. Marathon - 8/25/2008 6:10 pm
Why most people will never see their abs.... - 8/18/2008 11:02 am
12 weeks of Perseverance and life changing results - 8/15/2008 3:49 pm
When you booze, you lose more than snooze - 8/4/2008 5:25 pm
Don't skip meals, grab a shake. - 8/4/2008 12:44 pm
P.E. Phone Home - 8/1/2008 9:25 pm
SCUBA Diving - 7/22/2008 7:14 pm
Body Mind Mastery - 7/22/2008 6:27 pm
Posted: April 18, 2008 - 1:15 pm
Jessica Parra has been training with me since August of 2007 and recently competed in two local Figure competitions. Her first show was March 8th, 2008 at the PAC promoted by ABFF. She placed second in the 5'4 and over class. Her second show was April 5th, 2008 at the Egan Center where she again placed second in her class.
Jessica March 8th, 2008
Jessica March 8th 2008: On-stage at the PAC
.preview.JPG "Back pose")
Back pose
Jessica wasn't always involved in fitness and when we began training together last August, she weighed in at 149 lbs. with 23% body fat. Not overweight by any means, but she was interested in losing body fat while gaining some muscle and improving her overall health.
Jessica August 2008: Before: 149 lbs.
Our first day training together consisted of me testing her upper-body strength with some good old fashioned pushups. She did one. Fueled by determination and a bit of frustration, she stuck with the basics and can now perform multiple sets of 30 pushups in all kinds of varieties. She has also lost 28 lbs. since August and plans to pursue Figure competition even further.
Jessica's husband Brandan was serving in Iraq for 15 months while she took care of their kids and continued to train diligently over the past 8 months. Brandan returned safely from Iraq in November. Through all of the stress of having Brandan away at war, taking care of the kids and trying to lose weight- Jessica pushed on and made no excuses. She got up at 5:30am each morning to perform cardio on her treadmill and watched her diet like a hawk. She even began reading fitness magazines and I was eventually able to talk her into competing in the Figure competitions.
Workin' Hard in the gym!
Like many people who set out to lose weight, Jessica knew she had a tough road ahead of her. But she satyed motivated along the way each time she dropped another pound, or discovered a knew muscle she had never seen on her body before. By staying disciplined and consistent, she was able to achieve her goals.
I think success stories like Jessica's deserve to be acknowledged as they are inspirational to everyone who reads them. Feel free to share stories of your own fitness journey.
Alaska State Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure competition March 8th, 2008
.preview.JPG "2008 NPC Last Frontier Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Competition")
2008 NPC Last Frontier Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure Competition
4 April 24, 2008 - 6:53pm | pumpiron
Jess you look awesome! I am so proud of you and your dedication to your new found passion with pumping iron! You are an inspiration to everyone.
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3 April 21, 2008 - 3:45pm | christalrose
What an amazing transformation in such a small amount of time, and just things it's only getting better!
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2 April 21, 2008 - 10:49am | kfeece
I got a chance to meet Jess when I was training with Steph, Good Job! I think this blog is great to let people see how hard it is to train but that the rewards are great. Steph good job, and thanks for all the knowledge you are sharing with people you do a great job and can't wait to come back and get going again.
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1 April 18, 2008 - 4:11pm | MehlerAK
I'm sure when people think of bodybuilders, they don't see the personal side of it. It takes time, determination, and discipline to do something like this, not just a gym membership. Congrats to Jess, her hard work has paid off! What a great influence on her kids too!
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5 May 12, 2008 - 8:05pm | teri_what
You look amazing!
I'm glad I was there to watch you rock it onstage at both shows, you did so great and looked like a pro in both! Can't wait to see you on the cover of a fitness mag one day!
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