Shields of Strength

I think alot of you are recognize this shield. I give them out quite frequently.




Well..I'm working with one of the owners of the company and he is willing to do a special Body for LIFE shield. My question is..how many of you would order one??? There is a pretty hefty set up fee and he said he would cover the cost...I would like to get enough orders to make it worth his trouble.So please PM me if you would be interested. I think they are going to be super neat.

Birthday party and I have picked my show dates.

So yesterday was my sweet daughter Karli's 6th birthday....she was so excited.

She kept asking Tom and I for a dog. With all the trips we will be making to Seattle I just know it's not a good time to buy an animal. I tried to explain to her how much responsibility comes with a puppy, but she assured me she could take good care of him. After many talks back and forth she finally came to me and said "Okay mom I will have a computer puppy". I didn't have a clue what she was talking about, but I found one at Walmart yesterday. It's a virtual puppy that you feed, play with, take potty and so on. Lots of responsiblity for a six year old, but we will see how it goes. LOL

She insisted her dad make and decorate her cake. They went to the store together and came home with a chocolate cake, strawberry frosting with a jar of cherries for the top. Very creative. Tom did a great job.



Now onto my show dates. Yep, Maria and I have picked the dates.



#1 = Northern Classic - Tacoma Washington - 18 weeks out
#2 - Evergreen - Washington - 21 weeks out
#3 - Ironman - 23 weeks out

Isn't this EXCITING!!!



I am so HAPPY to put these dates on my calendar.

Oatmeal..BLAH

Can someone please tell me how to make oatmeal? Mine is either like water or glue and I have to gag it down every morning. Jen told me to buy the vanilla flavored splenda, but I have yet to find it.

HELP!!!!

AWESOME workout and now I'm on a mission.

I am going to town today to find two items.

#1 =



it comes in cinnamon or lemonade.

#2 =


Isn't this backpack cooler AWESOME?

Guess what ladies? I am in the ZONE spiritually, MENTALLY and physically. WOOHOO..I feel SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good.

xoxoxo

All or Nothing Attitude = Prison!

Tony is my guardian ANGEL!

Stacey and Beka if you read this I want to thank both of YOU. You both led me to this incredible trainer and I can't wait to give you a BIG hug some day.

Tony explained to me how unhealthy the all or nothing mentality can be and that it is PRISON.

I am ready to condition my mind. I am ready to build my DREAM BODY and keep it for LIFE. I have learned so much from Body for LIFE, my first figure competition training and now from Tony. It just keeps getting better and better.

The next two weeks are going to be INCREDIBLE. I will take new pics and I will see results.

My Dream is to Inspire and touch lives. To live this Dream I must take care of myself first..growing spiritually, mentally and physically.

As Monica Brant says....."Stay Fit and Love Life"

Your Friend and Tony Diva..Tracy

Chatting with Tony today...

I am so excited to speak with Tony today. I am ready to set some solid goals!

I'll check back later after we talk.

HAVE A MARVELOUS DAY TODAY EVERYONE!

Check out my HOT mom..

I just might get another modeling job with EAS. It runs in the family..LOL

Driving with Grandma

The other day I went up to a local Christian bookstore and saw a honk if you love Jesus bumper sticker.

I was feeling particularly sassy that day because I had just come from a thrilling choir performance, followed by a thunderous prayer meeting, so I bought the sticker and put in on my bumper.

I was stopped at a red light at a busy intersection, just lost in thought about the Lord and how good He is and I didn't notice that the light had changed.

It is a good thing someone else loves Jesus because if he hadn't honked, I'd never have noticed.

I found that LOTS of people love Jesus. Why, while I was sitting there, the guy behind started honking like crazy, and when he leaned out of his window and screamed, "for the love of God, GO! GO!" What an exuberant cheerleader he was for Jesus.

Everyone started honking! I just leaned out of my window and started waving and smiling at all these loving people.

I even honked my horn a few times to share in the love. There must have been a man from Florida back there because I heard him yelling something about a sunny beach...

I saw another guy waving in a funny way with only his middle finger stuck up in the air. When I asked my teenage grandson in the back seat what that meant, he said that it was probably a Hawaiian good luck sign or something.

Well, I've never met anyone from Hawaii, so I leaned out the window and gave him the good luck sign back.

My grandson burst out laughing, why even he was enjoying this religious experience.

A couple of the people were so caught up in the joy of the moment that they got out of their cars and started walking towards me.

I bet they wanted to pray or ask what church I attended, but this is when I noticed the light had changed.

So, I waved to all my sisters and brothers grinning, and drove on through the intersection.

I noticed I was the only car that got through the intersection before the light changed again and I felt kind of sad that I had to leave them after all the love we had shared, so I slowed the car down, leaned out of the window and gave them all the Hawaiian good luck sign one last time as I drove away.

Praise the Lord for such wonderful folks!

Christa, Hope and Luke

Had to force myself to eat today...

UGH poor Karli Jo has the flu. The little trooper kept telling me she was hungry..so we would think of something that sounded good to her, but every time she ate she puked. I feel so bad for her. It did a number on my appetite..I had to force myself to eat all day.

I feel exhausted...not sure what is going on with me. I feel like I need a good cry.

So..I think I'll go do some cardio.

xoxoxo

Just talked to Maria....

she visited Christa and I am so thankful for her friendship. She is an AMAZING friend.

xoxoxoxo Love ya Maria

Chest workout and golf today...

Tony really has some great workouts. WOW..talk about sore. :)

What a beautiful day today in Idaho. I went with my hubby Tom and watched him golf..it was so relaxing. I really need to learn how to play that game. All three of my kids love it..so I either join them or sit on the sidelines. It's not that I can't play the game I'm just such a baby. If I'm not super good right off the bat I cop this attitude. In fact last year I took a lesson and the instructor told me I was a natural, but if I didn't get the mental part of the game down then I might as well give it up. OUCH..that hurt.

So..I'm going to calm down, relax and just have fun playing with my family. ;)

Dede (Kana) sent my sister Christa a dozen chocolate strawberries. She will be getting them tomorrow. I just know she is going to have a HUGE smile on her face. THANK YOU so much Dede you are so thoughtful.

and

Maria has training in Seattle today so she called to see if she could go visit Christa. Am I blessed or what?? I have the GREATEST friends in the WORLD.

My son Austin has a state wrestling tournament in Mead, Washington next month. Does anyone live in Mead?? Any time I can hook up with my fitness friends it is nice. :)

Oh and I'll be back in Seattle in a couple of weeks. I'm trying to think of some things I can take to cheer Christa up. Has anyone heard of those sun lamps?? I would love to get her one of those for her room. It has to get depressing sitting in a bedroom all day..day after day.

Stef called me this morning. She is always such a positive, uplifting friend. THANK YOU so much for taking the time to think of me. I totally appreciate you.

Huge hug to all my fitness buds.

xoxoxoxo

ABS,ABS,ABS

I worked ABS yesterday....I LOVE ABS.

OH MY HECK!

I seriously would have posted earlier, BUT there are times when I just can't log into my blog. I don't know what I do wrong, but geez it is soooooooooo frustrating.

Anyway....I am BACK!

Just returned from Seattle (actually Des Moines) from visiting Christa. It was an emotional trip, but I am happy to say she is surrounded by so much love. God is good and Christa is one special, blessed gal. I sat there with Christa reading all the cards from everyone and we both cried. You are ALL amazing, amazing people and I don't know how I can thank you enough. The support you have all shown her has really helped to lift her spirits. I'll say it again GOD IS GOOD..he knows just the right people to put in your life at just the right time. Christa has a long road ahead of her..so please keep the prayers coming. She has a list of requirments she must meet before they will do the surgery...then after the surgery she will be face down for about six weeks to heal. She has two people with her at all times and I will be going back with my sister Katie in about two weeks.

Anyway even though I hired Tony...my fitness goals have been lacking. I have been working out, but when things get stressful I honestly can say I either don't eat at all or I do half of my plan and then eat whatever..nibbling. (depending on the stress level) BUT..I have decided to start fresh tomorrow..3 months out from my 37th birthday. I talked to Tony before I left to see her and he gave me an AWESOME pep talk. He said I am most likely failing because I don't have a solid goal. I now have a goal..first my birthday then depending on Christa I will pick a show. I must do this not only for myself, but for Christa.... I need my health and strength. I need all of you so much. Hope everyone else is doing okay...I know one thing for sure...if you are 100% honest with Tony he will help you get over ANY hump you may be encountering. He is the BEST!

I talked to Maria and her dad is doing okay. He has had some rough days, but Maria is being SO supportive.

Again, thanks to everyone who sent love to my sis. She has a VERY long road ahead of her..so if you want to send her a card please let me know and I'll get ya the address. She really can use all the support she can get.

Love ya,
Tracy

Off to Seattle..and Updates

I am finally going to see my sister in Seattle. I know it's going to be an emotional trip..she is going through ALOT right now. But, I get to wrap my arms around her and just love on her.

My other sister Katie is going to drive me, Austin and Karli then Tom & Dustin will join us on friday.

I had an awesome talk with Tony yesterday. That man is a true gift from God. I honestly don't know how he keeps us all straight. He goes Above and Beyond what he has to do for the little fee he charges per month. I have never in my life dreamed a trainer (especially online) would be this intune with what is going on with me. He speaks positive words and truly cares about my dreams and goals. I know, I know, I know I am going to be in the best shape of my life by July 11th..my 37th birthday. I also know I am going to be mentally strong and understand my body. I am not only going to look good on the outside, but I am going to look AWESOME on the inside. ;)

Maria's dad came out of surgery...praise God. He is having alot of pain and even though his foot is gone the pain is still there. I guess it's called phantom?? Poor Maria has been through alot and I hope to see her while I'm in Seattle. She needs a hug. :)

I'll be home on Sunday and will update you all.

Have a GREAT Easter sunday...remember the reason we are celebrating and be BLESSED!

Love ya,
Tracy

Email from Maria...

I'm asking for a favor. If you could please keep my father Alejandro in your prayers. He is having a high risk surgery today (Monday) to amputate his foot. It has been a long journey to get here, hoping things would get better and so far nothing has really changed. My dad is a diabetic and has an injury that never healed on his left foot. He has poor blood circulation which didn't help with healing. He is at high risk for surgery due to congestive heart failure and now the infection in his foot has ruined his kidneys. It's been a 3-step process all along. Bottom line is his foot has to go. Last week he suffered from a stroke... a pretty big one. Thanks to God it didn't do as much damage however it did delay the cath that was going to be done. So today (Sunday) we got word that the surgeon will do the surgery tomorrow. I'm scared to death as to what might happen on the surgery table. *tears* but believe in God and know it is up to him. My dad has been in pain for so long. I want what is best for him. May God work thru the doctors hands and that all comes out okay. I pray to God with all my faith that I get to see him smile again! He has the prettiest smile, I wish you could see it! Please keep him in your prayers. There's nothing else I want but to see him smile again. PLease, please, please pray for him! Thank you so so much!!!

Being a BuffMother!

I think that is the coolest part of working out and staying fit is having the title BUFFMOTHER!

It's the best feeling in the world to have three kids (16,9,6) at the age of 36 (37 in July) and still be lean n mean.

This is an old family pic, but it's a reminder of why I must stay fit n healthy.




My 20 year class reunion is coming up and I'm sure my classmates won't be surprised when I tell them all about Body for LIFE, my first figure competition and how I would love to open a training studio for women. Most of them will remember Tracy Loper as the girl who beat the boys in the bench press and dip contests. But the feeling of coming back a mom of three and more fit than ever will be a great feeling. :)

Yesterday Austin won 2nd place at his wrestling tournament. The coolest part is when we arrived he weighed in and then we found out there were no kids his age/weight to wrestle him... So we decided to bump him up in the next weight class, which is 10 lbs heavier. We didn't tell Austin cause we figured it would freak him out. He wrestled his little heart out with two wins, one loss. When it was all said and done we told him about wrestling up 10 lbs and his eyes grew real big then he just gave us a huge smile. It's amazing what we can accomplish if we go into it without knowing or we go into it really believing in ourselves. Have you ever had anyone change your weights for ya...the whole time going up in weight by 20 lbs instead of the 10lbs you asked for? Well I have and I was able to do it.

**update** Dustin golfed a 41 and the 1st place winner golfed a 40 so he did AWEsOME!

I LOVE watching my kids play sports and the sports THEY love are not necessarily the sports I would pick for them. As a kid I was forced to ride horses and I HATED it. No..I won't have self pity and bring up my childhood, but I will say pay attention to what your kids passion is, help them accomplish their dreams and goals. Maybe your 12 year old daughter is looking at fitness magazines and you think she is a little strange, but heck I was that little girl and now at 36 I'm fulfilling my childhood dream and it feels REALLY GOOD!

Have a Blessed Sunday everyone.

xoxo