Thursday, June 30, 2005

Hey Everyone.....

It's me....Heather...No longer M.I.A.~~~
You remember me, right??? The girl you signed up to see???? LOL!!!!!!!


My gosh, the last 10 days were just insane.....I am in need of a vacation from vacations...

Okay, the last time I stopped in was right before I was leaving for Florida....Only 4 days before that I was in Maine on vacation for 5 days. The reason for the trip to Florida was to go down to help some family unpack who had just moved down there. I was supposed to be gone from Sunday morning and fly home on Wednesday night.....

So I left on Sunday, at about 4 in the morning since I had a 6 a.m. flight out of JFK airport in NYC...that is about an hour or so from where I live(with no traffic). Marta was going with me, and we got off without a hitch. We cut it close, but nothing too crazy!

We ended up having a really great time....got to go to the beach, spend lots of time in the sun, swim in the pool, sit in the Jacuzzi....It was awesome!!!! We did a bit of shopping.....just really relaxed. My family members really wanted to take a break from all the unpacking they had been doing for the 2 weeks prior to us coming down, so it gave them the perfect excuse to kick back and relax!!! So our working trip turned into another vacation!!!!

Coming home, we were supposed to catch a flight at 8 p.m. Wednesday night. Apparently it had been pouring rain and hailing in NY with bad wind, so about 10 minutes before we were scheduled to take off, they told us our plane had not even left NYC yet....and it wasn't scheduled to take off anytime soon...There were no delayed announcements anywhere, so there we were thinking we were going home, to no avail. I still don't understand why they didn't announce it sooner~after spending 2 hours at the airport thinking our flight was on time, we were now left to decide to fly home that night or the next day....So we did the math and figured 3 hours for our plane to get there, 3 hours for us to get home, plus an hour car ride...We wouldn't be home 'till at least 3 or 4 in the morning....And that was if the plane left at that moment. UGH. It didn't look good. We opted to fly out the next day, Thursday... By the time we got home the next day we were pooped, so we just sort of relaxed.

Friday, I was a woman with a mission....I had 2 of my friends(JD & Allyson) wedding on Saturday, so I needed to get a dress, shoes, jewelry, my manicure and pedicure. Well, that took up most of the day. Try being a muscular woman and finding a dress that looks good on you!!! Let's just say that it is NOT an easy thing to do.

And the wedding....Well it was in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Which happens to be 5 1/2 hours away from where I live. So, 6 a.m. Saturday morning, we were out the door. Now Bianca was going to drive with us, so I call her at about 5:30...She had just got in from a date in NYC, and was coming home at about 3 a.m. that morning, thru the Holland Tunnel, when she was sitting in totally stopped traffic....and BAM.... She was rear-ended by an SUV that didn't even stop~it was a hit and run~her car is banged up really bad too. So she was all sore and stiff in her neck and back and was exhausted from no sleep~the time it took to file the police report and everything, she had just gotten home about an hour before we had to leave.....

But anyway, we got to the hotel in Johnstown about 12ish, and had to get ready for the 2:30 ceremony..... Allyson, the bride, was absolutely beautiful...I mean really stunning!!!! And of course I got all teary-eyed watching her walk up the aisle!!!! Now we had to run back to the hotel, get into our dresses, and I had to do Marta and Bianca's makeup plus fix my own. The cocktail hour started at 5 so there was a lot to do in an hour and a half. But everyone looked so nice!!! We got there on time~and we had a lot of fun! We all have this amazing ability to totally amuse ourselves anywhere we go, LOL!!! We actually stole a bottle of wine and hid it under our table!!! How bad are we!!! :~)

So now the wedding is over around 10:30, and everyone is going to the hotel bar afterwards... They had a huge bus going to the bar from the reception since so many people were from out of town....so the guys all jumped on the bus and the girls....Me, Andrea, Marta, and Bianca all took my car....

We get back to the hotel, park in the parking garage....and as I go to get my camera and purse out of the trunk...I LOCKED MY KEYS IN MY TRUNK!!!! 5 1/2 hours away from home with no spare. Unbelievable. Now mind you, this is in a BMW.... So AAA, and all the local locksmiths won't touch it. Talk about a buzz kill. Everyone went home on Sunday since they had to all work on Monday, and I got stuck driving home after they were finally able to get into my car around Monday at 11. Now that was in the pouring rain on and off the whole way home....It took me over 7 hours to drive home....I was exhausted.

Tuesday I spent catching up on laundry, grocery shopping, cleaning, etc....Yesterday I had to go to NYC with Bianca to visit a doctor~for her post-op checkup for her BOOBIES!!!! LOL!!!

And today, I can finally relax a bit....ahhhh, sounds sooooooo nice!!!

So....I know that the pics from Florida and the wedding went up with last nights updates, but I wanted to put some here to narrate them for you!!!

So all, I leave you with the pics of the day! Enjoy!
And I am happy to be back!!!

'Till next time,
Keep pumpin' hard!!!
XOXO
Heather Lee

The blushing bride!!!!!!

Bianca, Marta and Me, outside the church!

The makeup artist at work!!! Damn, I am good!

Andrea, Me, Bianca and Marta!

Me and B-Lo!

Andrea was my first training partner and a

good friend of mine from highschool!

Cutting up the dance floor!

Dancing the night away!

Some muscles for you guys!!!

B-Lo and Ann!!!!!

Saturday, June 18, 2005

Hey Everyone!!!!!!

Well, the pre-judging for the Junior Nationals in now over, and only a few more hours till we know who wins!!!

My best friend, Elena Seiple, is out in Chicago~her husband is competing and she has another girl she has been helping, Jess Roham...apparently, they are both kicking some ass so expect good things from them tonight!!!

This is direct from Elena.....
"Well, prejudging is over for the women for the Jr Nats. Jess Rohm did awesome. JUST AWESOME!!! She was moved into the middle for the two piece and her routine was awesomee awesome awesome. This is the BEST she has looked!!! She almost made me cry she looked so good....LOL Now Chris.......is just getting harder and harder as the time goes by. I want the show to get here ASAP...lol for fear we will lose this. Regardeless of how he places as he has a phenomal class he is in, this will be his best ever and that is all you can ask. This class is going to be TOUGH. Layman Smith is looking on the money...and 10 times better than he did 4 weeks ago at the Lehigh Valley! Darrin Dudash is bigger than last year and really looking his best to. Justin Harris....the brain...the boss....just rocks!I have gotten to see so many comrades....Colette Nelson....sweet woman as always...looked great! Malea Jensen did the LHW and this is by far the BEST she has ever looked. I met Sherri Snith and she is looking good this close to the USA. Tonia Williams and Andrea Trent...both looking phenomenal. Sara Dunlap too looked really good. There are so many more that i have seen.Melissa Detwiller, a favorite of so many, made the second call of the LHW class. Alecia ( not sure of her last name) made the first call out. I will try to get a m ore detailed list of names."

So it looks to be interesting!!!!!

Anyway, I am off to Florida tomorrow morning~on a 6am flight...I still have to pack....& lots to do!!

So, I just wanted to drop in & say BYE!!! I will try to check in from Florida if possible, but if not, i will be back for next Thursday!!!

Have a great week!!!!!
I leave you with the pic of the day! Enjoy!

'Till next time,
Keep pumpin' hard!!!!
XOXO
Heather Lee

Friday, June 17, 2005

Hey Everyone!
TGIF!!
And only 1 more day 'till I leave for Florida...

I wanted to see what you all think about something....In case you all haven't already heard, the promoters of the Ms. Olympia have decided to move it into the expo for the finals instead of having it in the main venue with the Mens, Fitness, and Figure...This is upsetting to those of us one day aspiring to step on that stage as well as those who already compete on it...


Bill Dobbins has written up a critique of the move too. Check it out and see what you think....Just click on that white writing to see it.....


Here is my take on it....For those of us who compete, and who strive to turn pro and compete at the pinnacle of our "sport", it leaves a lot to think about....If we are being alienated and ousted to the sideline at the biggest show we have, well where are we supposed to aim to compete??? On a stage at an expo? The number 1 female bodybuilding show in the world is a sidelined event. Amazing. I compete in Strongwoman and am also a Pro Powerlifter, and in no other sport are females sidelined.It kind of makes you take a step back and ask if its all worth it....If we aren't even wanted in our sport, then where can we show what we work so hard for...

Now mind you, I love working out...I love being strong, but the only reason I maintain the level of muscularity I have is because I love competing. Would I rather be 125 pounds and shredded, be able to fit into normal clothes, be in awesome shape and have a body most women would kill for??? YES! I am not ashamed to say that. I have friends who compete along side of me and guess what??? A lot of them feel the same way....But my love for being onstage is what drives me to build my muscle. I believe it does for them too! I realize what I am is not socially acceptible, but I accept that to do what I want to do....

5 years ago I could have done really well at any figure show~just go back to my transitions area, scroll down the page, and follow the link to the yearly transitions...see for yourself....But there was no figure division then. I worked with a gymnastics instructor for 3 days a week, private lessons, for almost a year, and I still couldn't do what the fitness girls did. So, in order to compete, I went into bodybuilding. Now look where that competitive outlet is going....

Now, take a look at my situation...how would you feel? This is very upsetting to me....Some say take a step in another direction and go into figure...but come on now....I have worked so hard to get where I am....could you imagine starting all over after being at my level????


Phew...I had to vent. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, but it makes you think.

Well all, enough venting...I am going to run...I leave you all with the pics of the day!

Enjoy!

'Till next time,
Keep pumpin' hard!!!
XOXO
Heather Lee

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Hey Everyone~

HAPPY THURSDAY....

It has been one of those days!!

First off, something came up last night for legs, so the crew couldn't meet to train...No Elena, no Claudia, I had a situation arise, and Bianca wasn't feeling big legs...And in my absent-minded-ness, I forgot to call Rebecca...I suck! :~( I apologize for the lack of training entries here the last week or 2, but things will be back to normal soon! When it rains it pours!! LOL!

And, sometimes I truely amaze myself with how clumsey I can be...I know I have said before I have 2 left feet and hurt myself more often then not....Well another prime example this morning. I was hanging a bunch of picture collages in my dining room...I have this thing for pictures...

Anyway, I am almost done, only 2 more small pics to go...As I am hanging one of them, it didn't quite catch on the nail, so it starts to slide...and you know I try to do the save!!! Well, I palm it with the bottom of my hand, & it falls away from the wall on an angle and smashes me in the upper lip, at which time, I immediately hit the ground from the pain on my teeth and gums, plus my eyes are tearing something horrible....Then I feel something running down my chin, and look down at my white tank top~and its blood, not from the inside of my mouth from my teeth hitting, but from my actual skin.... Now mind you, I do not deal with blood well AT ALL, especially in the early part of the day when I haven't eaten much....So I start to get woozy, try to head to the fridge to get some OJ and a wet rag for my head, and down I go!!!! I passed out cold....I couldn't even make it one room over! I wake up all sweaty and clammy and my 2 dogs are standing over me staring at me like What the hell just happened....I proceed to crawl over to the fridge and get a drink, and get my whits about me. Noone is home, and I called Bianca and she wasn't answering...LOL! Thats my luck... I was fine after a few minutes but I had a horrible tooth & gum ache from where it smashed me and a wicked headache from passing out! UGH!! What a way to start the day!!! :~0 I could only imagine if someone walked in and found me unconscious on the floor with blood all over my shirt....That would have made quite a funny photo!!!

Anyway, I just finished the deadly wall hanging project and decided to drop in and say HI!!!
So HI!!!!!!

I also just found out I will be heading to Florida on Sunday 'till Wednesday with Marta~family stuff!! So I just got back from Maine, and now I am going to Florida! Lucky me!

For all of my members, hope you got to check out last nights updates! they are such awesome shots!!! Busy Bee and Star Struck were shot on Tuesday of last week, right after Memorial Day, and the Bar Harbor Vacation was from my trip to Maine this past week!!! :~) On the motorcycle!!! And if you didn't get to read about it just scroll down the page a bit!

Well all, I have to run, but I hope you all have a great day!
I leave you with the pics of the day...ENJOY! These are from my latest shoot last week~the other blonde is my friend MARTA!!! Lots of pics of her on my site, in Heather's Angels section and also in my Girlfriends section!

'Till next time,
Keep pumpin' hard!!!
XOXO
Heather Lee

Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Hey Everyone!!!

I'M BAAACCCK!!!!!!! Happy, Well-rested, and glad to be home!!!I had an awesome, awesome time!!!!

We left on Thursday morning for Bar Harbor, Maine, on the motorcycle, and got back late Monday night....after a very long and hot ride!!
Thursday morning I packed up(and like I said before, packing a vacations worth of clothes on a motorcycle is one hell of a challenge for a habitual overpacker like me!!!), and we took off about 11ish....it was soooo hot on 95 all the way up~we are talking close to 100 degrees...and then try getting stuck in traffic?!? We were seriously overheating. We ended up making it to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for the night, and headed out again the next morning. That town is right on the border of Maine, so within 15 minutes, we were over the state line....another 4 hours and we were in Bar Harbor. And the weather was beautiful!!! Only about 70 degrees and partly cloudy~some fog occasionally, but great riding weather!!! We stayed at this really nice place overlooking the ocean... :~) ...but after 2 days of riding in the heat we were pretty exhausted, so we just walked around downtown for a bit, had some dinner, and called it an evening. The next day after a tiny mechanical glitch that we managed to get ironed out, we were off to tour!!! I never get sick of the scenery there~Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park are some of my favorite places!!! It is just sooo beautiful~and to drive around on the motorcycle~well it just lets you experience it more then if you were in a car! We did a lot of driving, sightseeing, and went on a sunset cruise....it was just awesome! I miss it already!!! The pics speak for themselves...you can see how gorgeous it is....even in the fog, which does roll in pretty thick from time to time....If you haven't ever been there, I suggest you take a trip there one day!!! I give it 20 thumbs up!!! (But I need more hands!!! LOL!)


So now I am back, well rested, and happy!!! Oh, and my 2 dogs won't let me out of their site(they are practically living on top of my head!!!)....and now to get my house and everything back in order...Marta took care of everything while I was gone!!! And I think I am not going to train 'till tonight...legs with da' girls~back to the grind!!! :~) And then this weekend Elena's husband will be competing in the Junior Nationals!!! I am sure he is going to do awesome after taking the overall at his last show a few weeks ago! And Elena is now only about 7 weeks out and looking amazing~~~ I think this years USA's can be her show!!! And in another 2 weeks, 2 of my friends, Allyson and JD are getting married...so it is going to be a busy few weeks!!! Oh, and Elena got her new dog, Diesel!!! She has been waiting for him since her other dog died suddenly....I am sure she is thrilled!!! I actually have to call her and let her know I am home...I got in late, slept in this morning, and just got back from breakfast a little while ago...I am milking this vacation for all I can, LOL!


Well all, I have to run...time to get back to reality!!
I leave you with some shots from my vacation!!!

'Till next time,
Keep pumpin' hard!!!
XOXO
Heather Lee

Goofy Faces on the top of Cadillac Mountain!

A shot for my members!!! And the scenery was sooo pretty!


Happy girl on vacation!


Jordan Pond in Acadia National Park!

Wednesday, June 8, 2005

Hey Everyone!!!

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!!! And happy update night!!! Be sure you check back later for this week's updates...

I just got in from the gym~and it is my last workout for a week....cause I am on VACATION tomorrow!!!! I cannot wait. I am going to finish packing and doing some last minute running around then its adios for me!!!

I won't be training legs with the regular crew~I don't want to sit on a motorcycle for 15 hours with sore legs and back, so it will have to wait 'till next week...Thats ok, one workout won't kill me!!! LOL!

I had a really great weekend~it was so hot here~it seemed to come from nowhere. 60 one day and 90 the next....summer has officially started! Bianca had a little get together on Sunday night~some margaritas and a whole lot of fun!!! You can see some pics from it below! And yesterday I had a photoshoot~I should have the pics back for next weeks updates....we shot some really cool stuff~all indoors~studio stuff, although it would have been a great beach day. My next shoot should be really....different. Something I haven't ever done before. Wait and see....

And before I leave you, here are the details on my recent workouts....


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Back and Traps
~~~~~~~~~~

Rack Deads
135x12x2 sets
225x12x2 sets

Barbell Shrugs
135x12x3sets

Bent Over Rows
135x12
185x8
105x15

Superset
Close Grip Pulldowns/Pullups
100x3 sets of 12/12 reps per set of pullups

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chest and Shoulders
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chest

Incline Bench
85x15
135x10
185x6
195x4

Flat Bench Dumbells
60x10
80x8
90x4
35x15

Pec Deck
3 sets of 55/drop/3sets of partials 12 reps per set

Wide Dips
2 sets of 10

Shoulders

Standing Dumbell Presses
50x3 sets of 12

Giant Set
Front/Side/Rear Dumbell Raises
with 15 pounds 10-15 reps per set

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arms
~~~~~~

Standing Dumbell Alternating Curls
One giant set no rest
15x12/20x10/25x10/30x8/35x6/40x4/35x5/30x5/25x6/20x8/15x8/10x10

Dip Machine
One giant set no rest
50x12/60x12/70x12/80x10/90x10/100x10/110x8/120x8/130x6/140x5/150x4

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well all, I have to run....
I will try to stop by before my vacation, but if I can't, have a great week!!!!
I sure will!!!!!!!

I leave you with the pics of the day...
'Till next time,
Keep pumpin' hard!!!
XOXO
Heather Lee

Me & Marta!


Me & Bianca, the hostess with the mostess!


Da' girls!


Marta, Me and Bianca!


Shannon, Me, and Bianca!

Friday, June 3, 2005

Hey Everyone!
TGIF!!!!! And what a nasty Friday it is....being the first weekend after Memorial Day, you would expect it to be nice~no suck luck...it'a bout 50 degrees and raining~but you know what??? I don't care! Only 5 days left 'till I am on vacation~and the forcast for where I am going is great~so I am a happy girl!

Anyway, I just wanted to stop by and post some shots from Wednesday nights leg workout as promised!

Enjoy!! I will be back tomorrow morning with tonights workout!

'Till next time,
Keep pumpin' hard!!!
XOXO
Heather Lee


Taking 365 down....


Rebecca getting ready for her big set!


Me getting my knees wrapped for 405...


Going in for the kill....


Step-ups....

Bianca gives legs thumbs up!

Rebecca on Step-ups!



Bianca on Butt-blaster!



Three amigos!

Thursday, June 2, 2005

Hey Everyone~

HAPPY THURSDAY!!!
Only one week 'till I am on vacation~and boy, I cannot wait!!!!!! I am really looking forward to it~ROAD TRIP!!!!! I love road trips~they are always so exciting~especially on the motorcycle!!!

And I had a killer workout last night, legs, with Bianca & Rebecca. Elena was out sick~poor girl~and Claudia had to train earlier because she had to be up at the crack of dawn today, and our leg workouts always run 'till at least 10. But we all managed to destroy ourselves! I honestly cannot remember the last time I sweated like that. Last night was the first time I have taken out 405 on the squat in over a year, and it was the first time I ever did it without a squat suit. I felt pretty good with it, though I think I am going to dig out my squat suit for next week...who knows, maybe I will go up to 430 or so next week!!!

Anway, here's the scoop on legs.....

Squats~
135x12
185x6
225x3
275x1
315x1
365x1
405x2
135x15

Then onto...
Step Ups
50x15/15
75x12/12
120x8/8

Superset
Hacksquats to the stoppers/standing leg curls/buttblaster
3 sets of 10 reps per set non-stop.

We were smoked!!!

Tonight I have to train back~I missed it because the holiday weekend messed me up! I will be in tomorrow with the details. I also had my camera last night but I haven't gotten to download the pics off of them from last night, so I will put those up tomorrow too!

Well all, I have to run! Hope you all have a great day. And for all you members, the updates are a day late, they will be done tonight! Sorry for the hold-up!!! And for all you non-members, I am giving you a glimpse into the members section~these are some of the girls who are in my GIRLFRIENDS SECTION!!!!!!! Another reason to join!!!!

'Till next time,
Keep pumpin' hard!!!
XOXO
Heather Lee

Bianca~future figure competitor!!!


Deb Ames...Powerlifter!
445 sq , 175 bench press raw, 260 bench press with a shirt, 355 deadlift raw, and 440 deadlift with gear. She holds records in the IPA (World)~ on11/16/02~181 Open and 230 bench and IPA (World)~on 04/19/03~198 Submaster and 235 bench.



Elena Seiple...National Level Bodybuilder, and Pro-powerlifter!


Erica Davidson, Fitness Competitor!


Jennifer Lynn Abrahams, Bodybuilder!



Julie Havelka, Powerlifter, Strongwoman, and Wrestler!
Coming soon to the GF section!


Marta K!!! Future Figure competitor!


Rebecca Phelps, Pro-powerlifter, 3 time USAPL collegiate and junior (20-23) champion, 2nd place in 2001 and 2003 Women's nationals open division, national record holder in squat, deadlift, and total in collegiate and junior divisions, plus 600 pound squat, 330 bench, and 530 deadlift at the Senior Nationals!!!


Stephanie Collins, Figure competitor!


Shelly Yamichuk, Canadian Bodybuilder turned Figure competitor!


Stephanie Luther, Strongwoman, coming soon!