Training with Taryn

Your host for the 2011 UltraFlex Ms Fitness USA...

What a thrill! I'm back from a week in Reno, hosting Ms Fitness USA and World as well as representing UltraFlex. It was strange to be on stage and not be competing, but I had a wonderful time.

The competition itself was AWESOME! Congratulations to the 2011 Ms Fitness USA, Nikki Crawford! She looked gorgeous, as always, and had a killer routine. Vanda Hadarean won Ms Fitness World, for the 4th time! First competitor in history to win 4 times in a row! She was breathtaking and her routine was unforgettable. There were about 10 new women who came and rocked their first time on the USA stage. I can't wait to see what they bring next year! The veteran competitors didn't let any of their fans down... they looked stunning and had action packed routines. 

I thought I had it easy as host... but it's a tougher gig than I thought! Well, tough to get used to, but a blast once I had the breathing down. The audience must have thought I was going to fall right off my stand after the first 20 minutes of reading the teleprompter, but it was second nature after I found my rhythm. The audience was great and I felt right at home. Thanks for all the sweet feedback everybody! I am both flattered and honored.

Bridal World in Denver sponsored my dress for USA's (pictured at right- sort of fuzzy- more pics soon!). It fit perfectly! They have so many gorgeous dresses to choose from that are perfect for gracing the stage. One of my favorite parts of the show is seeing what dress everyone chose.

Another favorite part of the competition is catching up with good friends! I'm so proud of how well they all did. It was an honor to announce each and every one of their names.

Kim, Taryn, Heidi 

Thank you to the Boyko family and crew for taking such good care of me! I was lucky enough to have a quiet place to get ready before the show to collect my thoughts. It was a good time to remind myself to be in the present and take in the moment. We don't do this enough. Slowing down backstage to enjoy listening to the music playing from the theater, smelling the spray tans, feeling the butterflies in our stomachs... appreciating our loved ones who came to support us. What a feeling to be part of a show like this.

In conclusion... congratulations to all the athletes who competed. It really was one of the strongest shows yet! Stay tuned for more pictures and information on when the competitions will air. And to those who have asked... no there will not be a host blooper reel ; )

With Love,

Taryn

 

Traveling Right

I'm back in town after a quick trip to LA and then a week on the beach with family. I'm proud to say that I was able to keep it together the entire time (almost the whole time... I did enjoy a few low-cal cocktails!) I'll be filming my fitness DVD's in just a few weeks, so I can't slip up and cheat or get lazy on the road. How do I do it? Here's the whole process... from beginning to end:

Day before trip:

• Pack protein bars (Think Thin Bars are my favorite), raw nuts (packed in single serving baggies), protein shake mix (Click protein/energy mix), vitamins, supplements.
• -Pack different tea bags (caffeinated green tea for am flights and tea with chamomile or other soothing herbs for pm flights). My sister Nikki turned me on to Yogi teas... they even have a special message for every tea bag you open!
• -Pack my UltraFlex so there's no excuse not to workout (it travels sooo well!!)
• -Prepare a couple buffalo burgers and a batch of protein muffins for the road (I freeze half of the protein muffins and stick them in my luggage so they'll keep on longer flights)
• -Call hotel and see if I have a fridge in my room. If so, I'll make some extra meals to bring with me (eggs, chicken breast, veggies...)

Day of Travel:

-Wake up early to try to get cardio and burn off some energy since I'll be sitting all day. I like to get in a good yoga class before if I have time!

-Eat my buffalo burger with some celery or my protein muffins for meals (these meals will keep outside a cooler while flying... about 6 hrs for the burgers and all day for the muffins). I have a single serving baggie of nuts ready to go in my carry on if I need a snack.

-While waiting for my flight, I'll do laps around the terminal. No, not running... but keeping a good pace while people watching and catching up on all the gossip at the newsstands. I tell myself that I'll sit on the plane ; )

-Drink water at any chance I get! I'll grab a water the minute I get past security. When the flight attendants ask, I usually get hot water with lemon for my own tea bags.

-Stretch before getting onto plane

-Sit in aisle seat so I can make sure to get up and walk around a couple of times through the flight (if it's a longer flight)

During Travel:

-Water, water and more water...

-Try to stop at grocery store to pick up a few grapefruits for breakfast. I like grapefruit because of the vitamins and it also serves as a light diuretic. They don't need refrigeration! I get a little bloated when I travel, so this helps!

-Set my alarm to get workout in before meetings, photo shoot or beach time 

After Travel:

-Sometimes I'm lucky and my husband will have the fridge stocked with good food when I get back! If not, I'll make sure to stock up before I go so there's no excuse not to get a home cooked meal in. 

-I like to eat the cleanest possible mealsthe day after I get home. No dairy, no salt and not a lot of carbs. I drink as much water as possible and stick to basic veggies. It helps me ro recover... inside and out.

-If I'm exhausted after travel, I make sure to get in a long walk instead of hard cardio the day after. This way, I'm still active but not overdoing it (which can lead to a weak immune system)

**Once again, preparation is key! It's so tough to get back with a program if you fall off over a trip. Enjoy your vacation, but try to stick with your good habits.

Tonights Menu... Fresh and Easy!

I'm back from Washington DC! I took in the sites, spent time with my husband and of course... went to a lot of fabulous restaurants. Now that we're home, nothing sounds better now than a light, fresh meal for dinner. A meal that's light in fare, low in sodium and maybe even something that will help push this extra water out of my system (always have water retention when I've been flying a lot... ugh). This is what's on my menu:

Fresh Shrimp Ceviche

• 1 lb small cooked and peeled shrimp
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 diced cucumber
• 1 small diced red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 serrano chile (chopped with seeds removed)
• 1 ripe avocado (peeled with seed removed and cut into chunks)
• 1/2 tsp sea salt (optional)

Place shrimp in glass bowl and mix in lemon and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate for about 1/2 hr. Mix in chopped red onion, serrano chile, cucumber and avocado. Serve as appetizer using endive lettuce instead of crackers.

 

Simple Scallops:

• 2 T Olive Oil
• 1 T garlic powder
• 1/2 t salt
• 8 large scallops

Add olive oil, garlic powder and salt to frying pan over medium heat. Saute scallops in pan until done. About 3 minutes on each side or until opaque in color.
(I start with partially frozen scallops and that helps add more moisture to the pan). 8 scallops serves two people.

Steamed Asparagus with Vinaigrette

 

• 1 big bundle of young asparagus with ends chopped off
• Paul Newman's Light Vinaigrette
• Optional** shredded parmesan cheese

Put the asparagus spears into a colander over a large pan of fast-boiling water, place some tinfoil or a lid on top and allow them to steam until tender but still holding their shape. This should take 5 to 6 minutes but will depend on the size of your asparagus. Try them as you go.

Divide the asparagus between two plates, drizzle lightly with vinaigrette and sprinkle with a little parmesan cheese.

Serve with the scallops and enjoy!

 

Back From Barbados!

What a whirlwind! Ten days ago, I received a call from my friend Dave, in Barbados, asking if I'd be able to come out to help with pre-judging and the Ms Fitness Island Workshop. It was super last minute (Else's flight was canceled from the volcanic ash), but since I've been out there to teach before, I had some experience to work off of. Only 24 hours after receiving the call, I was on a plane out to the Caribbean! I feel so blessed to not only receive an opportunity like this, but to have understanding clients and a supportive husband to allow me to take off so last minute.

It all started with pre-judging... the girls looked beautiful! The competition was extremely professional; Dave takes a lot of pride in these competitions and it shows.

The Island Fitness Competitors

The island itself was as beautiful as I remember! The beaches in Barbados are second to none and the people couldn't be more hospitable.  The view from my room was stunning! It was a perfect break from reality to be able to sleep in (to 7am) and then workout on the beach before going in to teach the workshop. I took full advantage! There's nothing like waking up to the sound of the ocean...

 My view for the week. 

The beach outside my hotel.

The top 12 girls from pre-judging attended my 3 day workshop. The classes would start with an active Pilates warm up which consisted of cardio, core training and flexibility. We would then work on strength moves and technique- covering everything from pike drills to leaps and gymnastics. I taught the girls combinations which included all the skills we had worked on. It was awesome to see their improvement and excitement grow throughout the training. I can't wait to hear how the Ms Island Fitness Pageant in June goes! The winner of the competition will move on to Ms Fitness World in Reno. Maybe I'll see them there ; )

Dave just opened up a new gym, Island Fitness Center, in the heart of Bridgetown. It's fabulous! The group ex. room has a view of the ocean. I taught a master class to a few of his trainers and could hardly concentrate... I kept looking out at the water!

Me, Dave and a few Island Fitness Center trainers after my class. 

  The view from the gym window!

 

 

 

 

 

Being Ms Fitness USA has granted me so many opportunities and this is no exception. It's been a dream come true to travel, perform and teach! The best part has been all the amazing people that I've met. The Barbados team is full of wonderful personalities and talent. I was also able to meet and spend time with IFBB Fitness Pro, Ryall Graber- a beauty inside and out. It's been interesting to see how people on the other side of the world train and prepare for fitness competitions. I've learned so much from my friends and hope that I've been able to help them along the way as well. 

Now that I'm back in Denver, it's time to re-focus on my own program! I'm getting started on a new routine... just trying to find the right music. After a rewarding yet relaxing trip to Barbados, I feel re-energized to get back to work!

Thanks again to Dave and his competitors of the Ms Island Fitness Pageant. Congratulations and love to you all!

xo

Ms Fitness Island... Barbados!!

What a trip! Just came back from a week in paradise with Dave Waldron and his team of Island Fitness women. I met Dave while competing in in the Ms Fitness World this year; he was there to support the lovely Kerri, a competitor that he coaches. The world of competitive fitness is growing and Dave is running the show out in the Caribbean. I was lucky enough to be flown out to Barbados to see how they train and prepare for their contests as well as share my own skill set and training expertise. Over the course of a week, we trained on the beach, worked on gymnastic skills and I introduced them to my Power Pilates training.

Here are a few of the exercises we covered:

Pike Drills- Performed sitting in the pike position. Hands on floor next to you and lift legs up! This helps with the mandatory pike hold that is in a competitors routine.

Straddle Drills- Same as above, but perform with legs in straddle. Hands on floor in front of you, between legs. This move will ensure higher straddle holds and toe touches- another mandatory competition move!

Roll Ups- Rolling up half way for 15, rolling down half way for 15 and then finish with 15 V ups (roll upper body and lift legs off floor)

Standing Back Extensions- Lift right arm forward and right leg back behind you at the same time to work the lower back. Try not to touch that straight, working back leg to the floor so you can improve your balance!

I'll be posting video from our sessions soon...

Now it's back to reality. Fall is a great time to re-establish goals! Time to focus on getting back to my own fall program and maybe even talking a few of you into jump starting yours ; )

-Taryn