2013 BC Provincials are just around the corner.....

It’s been a while since I have written to share what’s been happening...

To be honest not much....

All in all things are plugging along nicely. Main focus right now is my hubby's show. Saturday will mark 3 weeks until we arrive in Winnipeg for 2013 IFBB World Qualifier (Canadian Natural Nationals)

This has been an exciting time to watch him prep for the show with such dedication and focus after taking a few months to bulk up...I must say loosing those shredded abs was harder for him than me...lol

I love food so I was enjoying every bit of this adventure with him but once the time came it was like a light switch for him….Eyes on the prize focused 100%.

Honestly I don’t know how he can switch like that…I can’t it took me a few weeks to get in the zone.

I am 8 weeks behind him…thank goodness. Phew!

We are doing our cardio together which is nice to be on the same schedule. It feels like our first prep which was last year for Kelowna Western Canadians. We still reminisce over our gym double dates. We really had a great time and its so much easier to prep together…At least it was for us.

For a while it was all three of us prepping as Veronica our daughter was prepping for Western Canadians this upcoming May but decided not to proceed and put her focus on school and getting a summer job.

The nice thing is she still actively trains with us and has received huge support from our local Popeye’s in Surrey for her vitamins and supplements to prepare her for possible future show.

Her physique has changed so much over the last 6 months and I am very proud of her especially knowing how much work goes into shaping your body without looking at yourself as if you have flaws. It’s hard for teenage girls in the first place to deal with their body image so to see a young woman not to be affected by it makes me feel proud. I can’t help it…

 Unedited Photo BAM Studio Photography

Unedited Photo by BAM Studio

As we continue to train together and monitor progress, she will decide what show she will make her first…

For now school, summer job and fun with friends is on the books as well as the anticipation of getting those braces off before her 15^th Birthday…Oh my I can’t believe my baby is going to be 15 in just over two months. Her Birthday is the day before my show so we decided to celebrate after…I can’t wait for a slice of the birthday cake…

This Saturday will mark 11 weeks until the 2013 BC Provincial Championships….

How exciting!!!!

I have worked very hard on developing my glutes of course not without a lot of support from more than one person…Honestly I feel so blessed to not only have one person helping and believing in me but I have a TEAM of supporters… So, feeling blessed is an understatement. I will share my thank you’s with my progress pictures…

My meal plan although tight has not been crazy. I feel fulfilled and mentally happy. I have not had any mood swings or down times…I know I am still 11+ weeks out but this being my 4^th show pressure gets to me week on week. That hasn’t happened for which I am grateful. My cardio is minimal compared to what it was for SWFC 2012 which I am thrilled with considering my BF% now is much lower than it was 12 weeks before that show….Its all about smart choices and balance.

Unfortunately I don’t have the time to spend 3 to 4 hours at the gym with half of that on some machine nor do I want to. That simply is not a realistic lifestyle for me and I will not starve myself. I want full muscles, beautiful curves and a healthy outlook on life all at the same time…Nothing less!!!

I work full time and have a business on the side and have to prioritize and not only that but just be more efficient, effective and SMART with the types of workouts I do and how much time I spend on them.

Don’t get me wrong…I feel the gym is my escape and a second home…but when it feels like you HAVE TO DO IT and a CHORE because you wont be ready…I don’t know how it would feel for others but for me I loose interest…I dislike doing anything because I have to…

Loving your lifestyle is the first step to keeping it….and i really want to keep it and be fit and healthy for life.

I am very excited for this show…To step on stage with some of BC’s best is going to be a proud moment but to bring my best package yet is another. Competing against others is challenging for sure, however competing against yourself is so much more at least for me…It's mental because I want to do better than I did last show…and I remind myself everyday that as long as I am better than I was  yesterday I am going in the right direction.

Well I think that wraps up my lil update and I hope I have time to write weekly until Show Time!

Thank you for reading…

Grace xo

Lean Turkey Burgers

Ingredients:

1kg Lean Ground Turkey -2 packages

(Costco sells 4 pack totaling 2 kgs) 

The other half (2 packages) I just cook off for lettuce wraps (fajita or taco style)

4 egg whites

30gr of nutra-cleanse or oatmeal or ground flax

3 sticks of celery

1 medium zucchini

4 medium mushrooms

1 small onion

4 garlic cloves

1 cup of chopped parsley

Note: Recently I got a meat grinder attachment for my Kitchen Aid so I have been buying whole organic turkey breasts and grinding the meat myself. I find it has way less fillers and salt

In a bowl place turkey, egg whites, nutra-cleanse or oatmeal (or flax) and finely chopped parsley do not mix (yet).

melt a little coconut oil in frying pan and place finely chopped celery, zucchini, mushrooms, onion and garlic and sear until moisture evaporates and the veggies slightly brown (caramelize) and cool down.

Add cooled veggies to the prepped raw turkey and season with your favourite low sodium spices. I like oregano lots of pepper and paprika or cayenne pepper for extra spice.

Use a ½ cup measuring cup to portion the burgers and shape them cook in frying pan until browned on each side. Preheat oven to 350F and bake for 15-20 minutes. Do not bake too long as they may dry out.

In the summer I just BBQ them. I love the smoky flavour.

Nutritional Info

(per burger) meatballs would be ¼ of each (so 4 meatballs)

150 calories

58mg sodium

Fat 7.0 gr

Saturated 1gr

Carbs 5.4gr

Fiber if nutra-cleanse is used is 4.0 gr

Sugar (from onion and zucchini) less than 1gr

*As a side note I use the same mixture and omit oregano and shape into small meatballs and coat with hot sauce once baked or cooked in tiny bit of coconut oil and put on a tooth pick for a wing substitute appetizer usually football Sunday.

South Delta Leader - It takes two to make a change

Source:
South Delta Leader - It takes two to make a change
By Robert Mangelsdorf - South Delta Leader
Published: January 11, 2013 11:00 AM 
Updated: January 11, 2013 11:22 AM

Committing to a healthy lifestyle can often mean drastic changes in every aspect of your life. But having a partner who is supporting you every step of the way can make all the difference in the world.

A year and a half ago, husband and wife Grace and Andrew Bukowsky, decided to make that change. And by holding each other accountable and relying on each other for support, the couple has transformed their lives.

Today, both Grace and Andrew compete in all-natural body building competitions, and this April, Andrew has a shot at the International Federation of Body Building’s world finals.

The couple’s journey to fitness began in 2011, when after years of being overweight and unsatisfied with their health, they vowed to turn their lives around.

“We weren’t happy with how we looked, we weren’t happy with our bodies at all,” says Grace, who is the general manager of Cove Links Golf Course in Ladner.

For Andrew, getting fit was very much a matter of lifeand death.

“My dad died at 39 of a heart attack, and here I was, almost the exact same age, and I was the heaviest I’d ever been,” he says.

The couple started with an intense home video workout routine, and began to see results. But it wasn’t until they started working with husband and wife personal trainers Dean and Leigh Brandt that the weight really started to come off and their bodies were transformed.

“When we started on our own, we weren’t really giving 100 per cent,” says Andrew. “There’s just so much information out there, it was hard to get focussed.”

Having a personal trainer design an exercise and diet plan for the couple helped them zero in on what exactly they needed to do to get the results they were after.

“It’s hard work,” says Andrew of the couple’s transformation. “But the more you do, the easier it becomes.”

And the results soon came.

After they each lost about 30 pounds, the couple started to focus on reshaping and redefining their bodies, instead of merely getting fit.

When the opportunity came to compete in body building competitions, the couple jumped at the chance to show off all their hard work.

Grace finished fourth at the Canadian Body Building Federation’s Sandra Wickham Fall Classic event this past November.

After finishing seventh at nationals last year, Andrew earned himself a spot at the IFBB world qualifier event in Winnipeg this April.

“It wasn’t a goal initially,” says Andrew of competing. “But when the opportunity came up, we thought why not?”

Having a goal to focus on also gave the couple added motivation.

“Having a goal gives you that extra fire,” he says.

The changes the couple has made have gone far beyond their physical appearance, however.

“This is the best thing that has ever happened to me,” says Grace. “My confidence is up, my energy is up, I don’t have any aches and pains.

“I feel better and look better than when I was 18,” says the 38-year-old.

But it’s not about looking a certain way, it’s about being healthy, she stresses.

In addition to turning their lives around, Grace says their focus on health has rubbed off on her 14-year-old daughter, who now works out regularly with the couple.

“We are a fit family,” says Grace.

And while regular exercise is important, nutrition is No. 1 in the Bukowsky household.

Grace says the couple eats as much fresh organic food they can, with no fillers or added sodium.

Breakfast typically consists of oatmeal with egg whites and cucumber. Then a  “super greens” smoothie before a snack of apple, almond butter, and a protein shake. Right before a workout, Grace and Andrew might have another protein shake, along with yams or oatmeal, and some rice cakes for after wards.

Instead of sports drinks, Grace says they prefer coconut water to rehydrate.

An afternoon snack might consist of salad with no dressing, except for a little bit of vinegar.

“We eat like babies,” she says. “Every two hours or so.”

Dinner is usually fish or meat, with rice and green veggies, then an egg white crepe with peanut butter before bed.

“We spend about $800 a month on groceries,” says Grace. “Our bodies are like machines, they need to be fueled.”

Giving up unhealthy food is like overcoming any addiction, says Andrew.

“You have to make it a priority in your life,” he says. “You have to make it a routine, and not just a habit.”

Andrew recently quit his job as a restaurant manager and began working a personal trainer and fitness manager full time.

“I still work out with a personal trainer, though,” he says. “Having a personal trainer gives you someone to be accountable to, and helps you focus your workout.”

As a personal trainer, he’s seen what happens when couples don’t support each other.

Often when one person in a relationship makes the commitment to get fit, and the other partner isn’t on board, that partner can often end up sabotaging the efforts of the other, he says.

“They may not even be aware they are doing it, but it happens.”

Andrew says the support the couple has for each other has helped make their transformation possible, and strengthened their relationship.

“It’s the key to being successful,” he says.

• You can follow Grace and Andrew’s progress on their blog, The Fit Life 24/7, at gracebukowsky.blogspot.ca

facebook.com/TheFitLife247

Twitter:
@gracebukowsky
@andrew_buk

A little colour therapy-Today's Inspiration

TYRER SHARPLES

Today's inspiration for me was a little colour therapy. I was simply inspired by an outfit one of my girlfriends was wearing during her workout session at the gym. When I looked at her she was beaming with confidence, happiness and overall  wellness…it made me think of how color impacts me everyday from what I wear to what I eat and the surroundings I am in and wondered what it does for others?

It made me think that Colour is light of life….Without light there is no life

Thinking a little deeper as I was training myself made me realize colour could very well be the most magnificent experience we take for granted. Look around, it's everywhere, surrounding and embracing us. We interpret life as much through colour as we do shape, texture, sound and for some even smell and taste.

For me colour is the very essence of life as it can influence our emotions, our actions and how we respond to various people, things and ideas. Even though much has been studied and written about color therapy and its impact on our daily lives for me its very simple I look at my surroundings and try to be inspired as colour touches every part of my daily activities from my meal prepping, my gym sessions and simply the things around me.

I haven’t studied the theories behind colour therapy but can share a little into what the basic meanings are so maybe others can relate their feelings and reactions to the colours that surround their life.

Here are some simple meanings of colours and the energies contained within. I am sure there are many versions with different definitions and meanings but this is what they mean to me most of the time…When I actually take the time to notice my surroundings.

Secondary Colours, Shades and Metals:

Pink symbolizes: love, beauty

Brown symbolizes: earth, order, convention

Orange symbolizes: vitality with endurance

Gold symbolizes: Wealth, prosperity, wisdom

  

White symbolizes: Purity, Cleanliness

Black symbolizes: Death, earth, stability

While white reveals, black conceals

Gray symbolizes: Sorrow, security, maturity

I guess the point I am trying to make is next time you put on your gym outfit take a little time and choose colour over the standard, whatever it may be. 

Be confident that colour will bring you happiness and further confidence and drive to reach your goals. It will not only make you feel better but inspire those around you as well.

This will be something I focus on as the New Year is just around the corner...Literally. Bring more colour to my life in 2013!!!

Thank you for reading and a big Thank you to Tyrer for inspiring me today xo

You may follow Tyrer on:

FACEBOOK: TYRER SHARPLES
FACEBOOK PAGE: IRON DOLLS FITNESS

" All forms of matter are really light waves in motion."

- Albert Einstein

Tosca Reno: My Journey to Wellness

TOSCA RENO WROTE: I am really excited to feature yet another of our fabulous male Eat-Clean Diet guest bloggers - Mr. Andrew Bukowsky. He has a great story to share about how he turned from drab to fab even in the midst of shift work. Share his story with the men in your life who need a little change of focus. 

Please read Andrew's Blog entry below:

Andrew's Before and After

                                      Have a read: Tosca Reno: My Journey to Wellness

Order Tosca's Books Here!

News!

It has been a busy couple of weeks in my world. It's Finally summertime in Vancouver and the weather has been amazing. I haven't posted a blog in a couple of weeks and there are a few things going on so I thought I would share.

I have been working on this project for sometime and am proud to announce that Fit Life 24/7 is the official Canadian Distributor of the famous nut butters. I launched my new company out of pure passion for fitness and healthy lifestyle and wanted to add a few key items to sell that are simply amazing and fit into my lifestyle. Here is a little info on Nuts 'N More

Nuts ‘N More was founded by fitness and nutrition experts who were looking for fortified peanut butters and other healthy sources of protein for themselves and their clients. All natural butters can be chunky and hard to spread. Nuts-’N-More created a unique recipe for our fortified butters, and a natural process that simply involves crushing the nuts and blending the ingredients in a way that achieves the finest texture of all natural butters.The result is the products being brought to market now – spreadable and incredibly delicious, all-natural peanut and almond butters that have 14 grams of protein per serving, without any extra calories or fat. Simple and all natural! Nuts-’N-More quickly expanded from fortified peanut and almond butters to other varieties such a Toffee Peanut Butter – all of which are all natural and fortified with whey isolate and flaxseed which will be soon available in Canada
If you would like to order some to try please visit my Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/TheFitLife247 and sent me a direct message or for orders outside of the Vancouver Lower Mainland http://ca.nuts-n-more.com/

On another note my hubby made it to the Nationals. The 2012 CBBF Championships are being held in BC this year which makes it easier on us...No Travel!!! Andrew has worked so hard this year with 3 shows back to back all six weeks apart his 5th placing has been well deserved. YES I am a Proud Wife!!!!

 

All in all this has been a great year for us so far. Lots of excitement with a lot of dedication and commitment to our new lifestyle. It has been almost a year since we have started training with Dean and Leigh of Body By Brandt and couldn't be happier with our transformations and new lease on life.

I start prepping for my next show 2012 Sandra Wickham Fall Classic in a matter of weeks....well kinda already started. Focused, Determined to bring my best to stage.

That's all I got this week...Till next time :)

Train~Eat~Sleep~Repeat

xo Grace

Recap since Kelowna Western Canadians and whats next!

It’s been a busy month. I can’t believe it has been over a month since my last blog….

Following Kelowna Western Canadians I trained really hard and ate a lot to prepare for my next show which was on June 9^th Northern Classic in Fort St. John as I came in way to lean for the Kelowna show I wanted to work on looking a little fuller for FSJ….It didn’t really work to be honest but I did enter Open Class in Bikini instead of Masters Class which is 35+. It’s been a few weeks and the results were finally posted on the BCABBA website and I placed 8^th in Open class compared to 6^th in Kelowna. I am thrilled with the placing as it was tough competition and to enter with girls in their 20’s is intimidating to start…

I drove to Fort St. John with three other BodybyBrandt teammates, all bikini competitors Amy, Cordelaine and Rina…It was the best girls trip of my life….I have never laughed this much. Even thinking about it makes my cheeks and abs hurt…Yes I am laughing at loud…What happened in that car stays in the car…haha…Lots of laughs, some tears and lots of post competition cheats.

Since both shows I have done two photo shoots which were a lot of fun. First one was the day before the Kelowna show with Gus Mctavish Lake Okanagan and the second one with Pink Elephant Indoor shoot just last week before the BC Championships where my hubby competed.  I was able to volunteer at the show, support the athletes and Andrew in his journey to the Nationals…as he placed TOP 5 at the BC’s he is prepping for the next show right away…back to morning cardio, meal planning and double dates at the gym…lol

Here are some photos from the Kelowna shoot with Gus Mctavish

Andrew and I train together, so this means we do doubles together…I am not in prep until August where I am switching classes from Bikini to Figure but this is how we support our success and progress.

Train together, eat the same and which includes 6 am cardio 7 days a week. There are days where I am up at 5am ready for the day and some days I just want to roll over to his side of the bed and just sleep….

Since the shows…I have enjoyed some treats, sushi dates with girlfriends and great home cooked meals and most of all my daughters baking…I love her creations…she’s so good at baking and those scones are kinda unforgettable….Just thinking about it makes me want one.

Well that’s all for now. Thank you for reading and if you get a chance visit my facebook fitness page https://www.facebook.com/FitLifeJourney for clean recipes,  fitness tips and supplement reviews.

“Listen to your Body, Train hard, Eat clean and Results will Follow”

Xo Grace

Kelowna Western Canadians 2012-Results!!!!

Wow what a weekend!!! Full of excitment, anxiousness and craziness....

Me and Andrew after the morning show.

I didn’t place Top 5. based on placing the judges were looking for a softer look.
I did get into 1st call outs in the pre-judging but didnt make it into Top 5 in the evening.

I feel I definitely brought my best to stage after 6 months of hard training and over 40lbs weight loss since August 2011. With that being said am I disappointed I didn’t place TOP 5? Of course to a certain degree I am but not discouraged that I won’t compete again.

I am in the Masters Class therefore I am less than 6 weeks out from my next show! I am hooked….I totally loved being on stage and can’t wait to get feedback from the judges so far I have been told I came in too lean for Bikini Class but I will work hard and try to tweak my look for the 2012 BC Championships held on June 30^th. I don't think much can be done in less than 6 weeks and its highly unlikely will I present a softer look.

I committed to train hard to look lean all year round so not sure if my abs will appear less visible on stage at the next show but I will try to work on making improvments based on feedback! I was at the gym the day after and that’s all you can do….carb up, refuel your body and get back to the gym to use it all up and the workout was amazing!!!! To say the least…I am still sore today!

Our dinner reward meal on Sunday after our workout

My husband Andrew placed 3rd in the show. I am so proud of him. We have worked so hard!

Left side 2nd Place....Middle 1st...my hubby on the Right 3rd

We came home last night and prepped food did cardio this morning and it felt good to get back to the gym.

and here we go again less than 6 weeks....

Anyhow here are some pictures from the show....All of my show pictures are by ProShotPhoto.com as I did a photoshoot with Gus Mctavish so he captured some great shots of me on stage.



And here are some before, along the way and 12 progress pictures prior to the show...

July 2011- Started working out a bit on my own.

September 24th, 2011 after training with Leigh for just over a month

12 weeks out

11 weeks out

9 weeks out (missed 10 weeks)

8 week out-Front

8 week out-Back

7 week out-Front

7 weeks out-Back

6 weeks out-Front

 

 

6 weeks out-Back

 

5 weeks out-Back

5 weeks out-Front 

4 weeks out- Front

4 weeks out- Back

3 weeks out- Front

3 weeks out- Back

2 weeks out-Front

2 weeks out-Back

2 weeks out-Back flexed