Well, my awesome clients from South Africa are gone. I was bummed last night while training as I felt a bit lonely. They added a nice change of pace and a lot of energy for the 2 weeks they were here. Plus, we did have a surplus of calories so ... it is possible that this played into our energy, as well. 🙂
Shannon took home a 1st and 2nd place class win at the Supplement Giant Colorado NPC Open and she really enjoyed competing here in the states. The condition and requirements for the bikini class here in the states is quite different than in South Africa so I was concerned her muscularity and condition were going to be held against her but it wasn't.
Starting after PJing and quite possibly lasting the entire next week, Shannon's selfish prep guy was taunting her with US classics including the best burgers, breakfasts and Bistros in the area. I used my influence (and guilt) to have her off of her diet for most of the following week. Ian was in complete support so she had no real chance. At roughly 100 pounds she ate more pop tarts in a week than I have seen powerlifters eat in a year.
Oh, and If you have not had malva pudding, you are missing out. I could have eaten the entire dish of South African dessert. Let's just say that the pump I had in the gym yesterday was skin splitting. Clearly, malva pudding is anabolic.
There are other stresses here at the Skip household but ... who doesn't deal with stress? I remind myself that we have had a good run of about 10 years without much stress so apparently this year we get all of it. lol Nothing that won't end up coming out even better on the other end but ... in the meantime while you are working through it, it seems insurmountable sometimes. However, for the record, this is certainly not insurmountable so ... perspective is everything. We have a 25 year marriage of support and it will remain that way. And, no, we are not separating or getting divorced or anything like that before I start getting messages asking if my sexy, brown body will be back on the market soon.
With clients gone from The Hill's Mountain Chateau Retreat - otherwise known as "Home" (you can check in FB if you visit), I am back on schedule this week tying up some loose ends and missing my house guests. Hopefully they come back and visit soon. In the meantime, I am finishing up the new TEAM SKIP website, working on more chapters of the TRTbodybuilding DVD, ironing out details for a new business that will launch in a couple months that is not related to bodybuilding and ... getting ready to go to New York next week for a show.
Oh, and every time I walk into the garage and see my ATV with my new snow plow on it I am crossing my fingers and wishing for 3 feet of snow.
I'll be back on Friday - back on schedule - with an update for this week.