Amber McCourtney 4

"LEAN"

I was on the treadmill today trudging away at my daily uphill journey left alone with my thoughts in an empty Sunday gym. I got that déjà vu ish feeling when you suddenly remember a dream you had the night before. I remembered being at the gym and knocking out some reps. People stopped to turn and look, to watch me. For a fleeting moment I had my pat on the back. It was the silent nod of approval; the three seconds too long glance. It was a Saturday during bootcamp at Powerhouse. I had just busted out some dips and was finishing out the day. Lenn was pushing me through my push-ups and added a chain. I was nearly finished my arms were shaking and body dripped with sweat.

I thought back on my dream and step after step I began to smile I was beginning to better place the memory. It wasn’t a dream at all, it was real. It was showing… I had a long way to go yet but all my effort was finally beginning to be seen.

 Since I began this journey I’ve already had so many people take the time to stop and criticize. People look on in disapproval. My diet, my exercise, my skimpy attire… I say: my fuel, my strength, my suit. I eat too much or I eat too little, I’m too muscular or already too thin. I say yes. I do eat a lot and I do eat a little. I eat a lot of all the right things and I eat very little of the rest. I am muscular. And I am “lean”. Isn’t that what every workout DVD, diet pill, fad diet, home gym, “health food”, miracle method, promotes??

This is it; the real deal. This is the effort that goes into it. See these chains? They aren’t just for looks. This isn’t a show for your enjoyment. This is for me. This is not for my mother. This is not for my father. This is not for the boy in school who made fun of me. It’s not for my first love or my first heart break. It’s not for my X. It’s not for the envy, the pats on the back or second glances. This is all to be the best me I can be. The strongest individual I can create. If this is for anything else it would be to encourage, inspire, and uplift. To prove to MYSELF that I can and I will. It would be to set an example for my son. To lead by example and teach him dedication, to reach further, dream bigger, work harder.

I have an entire team of girls that do this same thing day in and day out; each for their own reasons. But I would be willing to bet that every single one of them can now stand independently and say “This is me. This is who I am.” They are strong and confident and every week they remind me why I do this. It’s FOR ME; to be confident in my will, my strength, and my abilities. I’m so thankful to have that support of these women. And I feel like I have the entire Powerhouse crew at my back to remind me every time my knees get weak or my will is breaking that I have it in me. And 12 weeks from now you will know it’s not about showing what I look like it’s about showing what I’ve done. “Look at all my hard work. Look at what I have created.” Can you say that??

Diana Pitts 4

Team Powerhouse

After entering a couple of figure competitions and receiving judges comments,

 I was aware of areas I needed to improve on to better my chances for success at the next show.  

I sought out Debbie last year to help me with my weak points and prepare me for my show in March 2012.  Little did I know all the benefits that would come with becoming a part of Team Powerhouse.  As I stated in a previous blog entry, my orientation by Debbie was key to correcting my posture.  Improper posture was the primary root of many of my problems.  I routinely do stretching, foam rolling and corrective exercises every day. 

In early February, Debbie began weekly posing sessions on Saturday afternoons.  At first, there were just a few of us, but soon the class grew to be a nice core group.  Competitors ranged in all levels of experience and stages of competition preparation - both amateurs and pros.  We all had a common goal, and appreciated each others struggles and success.  There was a definite sense of support among the team members. 

Posing Class

Whenever we meet, the class starts with a lineup leading into quarter turns.  Each competitor is individually evaluated by Debbie.  Debbie then takes progress pictures of us to help us keep track of all the changes we have from week to week.  This is so valuable, especially with the back posing.  I was reluctant to having my picture taken at first, but as time when by, I was pleased to see the changes from week to week as my show date approached.  

After completing our quarter turns, we would then line up on one side of the room, creating somewhat of an audience for each competitor to perform their T-walk practice in front of.  All the competitors are invited to have open discussions about each competitor's T-walk.  This was a great way to point out areas that needed improvement, but at the same time, acknowledging areas that have already improved.  There is a understanding that any comments made during and after each competitor's T-walk practice are ultimately made to help promote each person's best possible stage

performance.  It's very rewarding to see the more 

experienced competitors mentor the first time competitors.  

I wish I had the opportunity to have a team like this for support when I was first starting out.  

Having attended posing classes in the past, I can truly appreciate how this group takes it to another level with the team atmosphere and I am proud to be a part of it. 

Amber McCourtney 3

Gruel and Drool

So, remember that "process" I was talking about? 

Well yeah...its grueling! Oh how I dream of chocolate and sweet sugary confections. Seriously, I literally dream of chocolate cake! I'm officially 13 weeks out from my first show and beginning to get a taste of what competition prep is all about. Its like constantly being high on caffeine. There is so much excitement that comes with this. Last weekend I was able to go to St. Louis Naturals with the girls and had a blast! You could just feel the energy. A buzzing all around you; every guy and girl making any last adjustments to hair, makeup and TAN! Just the icing on the cake if you ask me.

I got to be a helper for one of the more experienced girls on the team Brooke. 

Talk about class! Being able to be backstage was an experience in itself but being able to help was the tops. I was lucky enough to watch as she marked each step off her mental checklist: tan, bikini bite, hair, makeup, shoes, pump, pose, gloss. And even with all the chaos and stress she stayed so cool and collected, no figure-zilla here. That's one thing I've come to learn about this team of Debs. To describe it in one word I'd say humble. The terms polite and lady like come to mind but then I'm reminded by my lack of both on occasion, when my silly tomboy persona takes over or the sugar cravings sneak up on me. Surely I'm not the only one with these feelings. But every girl is so understanding, respectful, gracious.. I can only conclude that humble is the word that fits them best. It makes me proud to wear that tank top. 

Needless to say the girls did fantastic!! Every one of them from our "little sweety bean" Ali to our pros with Brooke as our newest addition to that list! There is no doubt in my mind that these ladies have what it takes.

This brings me back to the grueling part. Last week was my new back day completely and totally revamped. Debbie is in shred mode. It's time to hit all the little places that make the difference. AND BOY CAN I TELL THE DIFFERENCE. I had stopped getting sore from my normal back workouts but after my first day at the gym on my own I was definitely aware that these new adjustments were working.  Note to self cables rock!!

Amber McCourtney 2

TRUST THE PROCESS:

 WHAT A WEEK!!  So, last week I talked about how I get started with my trainer Debbie Portell and the Powerhouse crew. I knew as soon as I got together with the team that i was in for a fantastic experience. But, being so green in the competition world, I'm never quite sure what to expect. I'm beginning to learn to just have faith in the process. Once you find a good trainer and nutritionist it's best to just let them do most of the analyzing lol!

I finally got to lift with Deb. I'm used to having heavier weight and doing fewer variations of an exercise; paying less attention to the teeny tiny details. I do my best to maintain form but i never realized how such a slight repositioning can make such a great amount of difference. We adjusted my hands on my chin-ups, and broke my rows into three different exercises, each with a different grip. I did everything at a lighter weight just to focus on my form and even at only 60lbs I was beginning to struggle by the end of the session.  

One of my goals at the moment is trying to keep the focus away form my traps. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind having well formed traps lol BUT, I've been carrying the load with them for so long I'm hindering the growth in my back. Just one more thing I wouldn't have known on my own.

I had that " Ah Ha" moment when something as simple as the positioning of your pelvis during your back workout is adjusted and suddenly your body makes sense of it all.. 

That mental "click" is a fabulous feeling! 

On the diet end of things I met with Roger for the first time. I stepped into his office slightly intimidated and left slightly puzzled. He has put me on a carbohydrate baseline in order to determine how my body handles carbs since everyone is different. I'll be honest though when he told me to have a lean meat SANDWICH (you know the kind with bread) for lunch, I thought he had lost it. But even knowing little about Roger, I know that he is very; and I do mean VERY; good at what he does. Matter of fact he's been at it for 22 years or so. 

For the first 3 days I felt huge. I loved my oats but I was feeling large and in charge! I was loosing confidence. I was up 4lbs and and getting nervous when all of a sudden it just fell into place. I dropped back down and am now at a loss of 5 for a total of -1. I'm still learning how this makes sense. Just goes back to the idea of having faith. 

You may not understand it but you have just got to keep trucking and trust in the process because as I was able to see over the weekend it pays off!

I'll tell you more about the 2012 NANBF St. Louis Natural Bodybuilding Classic in the next blog. 

IT WAS AWESOME!

Check out the videos of our session on Debbie's Facebook! 

Amber McCourtney

“Where are you going when you leave here!?”

“Powerhouse”

“Who are you going to ask for.”

“Debbie.”

“You better.. I’m serious”

“Okay, Okay.”

My friend had been drilling me all morning about needing to stop in. “Just go meet her; you need to be around other girls in the sport.” He was right but I was nervous. I had never been to Powerhouse. I didn’t know who Debbie was. I hadn’t even had time to Google her! I was only told that she was good and her girls were awesome. What does that even mean? I thought to myself. 

I had never been to a trainer before and only recently had I become firm in my decision to train with the goal of competing. 

I had no idea that before the day was over my entire life would slowly begin to change. After getting a good workout in and finally meeting Debbie for the first time I decided to sit in on a posing class. All of the girls Debbie included were SO nice . She has a way of setting you at ease and fueling your fire all at once.  

A few days and a few emails later and it was all set up; my first session. I wasn’t sure what to expect. My entire regimen to this point had been heavy lifting on a 4 day split and cardio on my off days. My diet wasn’t too terrible but I had / have so much to learn. We didn’t even touch a weight for my first two sessions. I was surprised. We started with my nutrition. I hadn’t realized where I was making mistakes; common misconceptions and lack of education had led me to a common impersonalized copy and paste kind of diet. Once that was adjusted the bloat literally fell off. 

Within the first week I started seeing results so when we covered stretching and foam rolling during session two I didn't even question it.

I’m already a changed woman and this journey is just beginning. The results are visible and I feel better than I ever have not just physically but mentally as well. I like lifting with the guys but having a team of women who all understand where I am and what I’m going through is a huge relief and Debbie is so uplifting. 

I feel now that with all my hard work and dedication I can achieve any goal no matter how great. October’s Gateway Naturals seems to be a fantastic place to start and with the help of Debbie, Roger and the Powerhouse team I have full confidence in myself. I WILL be the best me I can be!