Stay Tuned

Just days away from WBFF LA Fitness and Fashion Weekend and I cannot wait to step on stage. My physique is coming in better than I expected and I am so excited to join the rest of the ladies on stage to celebrate our hard work over these past few months. It takes much dedication and sacrifice to get on stage and I cannot wait to celebrate all of the work that has been put in.

My goals for the day of competition is to enjoy every moment of it! I am really focused on have great stage presence so I can walk away with beautiful stage shots that will document yet another great moment in my fitness career. I look forward to sharing lots of pictures on social media, so don't forget to head over and like my Facebook Page and Instagram, @anna_lavonne.

I have been working on my post show goals so I have a plan stepping off stage. The day of competition is such a remarkable feeling and feeling of accomplishment. When I step off from stage I want to be able to use the momentum from competing to make significant progress in my career. I sat down and set goals for myself so I already have a plan when the lights go down on the WBFF stage.

I plan to expand my blogs in to a website and offer my followers more healthy recipes, information
on living a healthy lifestyle, and new tips and tools to help everyone accomplish their goals. I will be working on new, flavor filled recipes that are not only healthy, but nourish the body. I also plan to research more natural healing and natural food options. If you know of any helpful resources, I would love to hear from you.

in addition, I plan to research better options for purchasing whole and natural foods. I have found a couple local Farmer's Markets and I cannot wait to really dive in and see what they have to offers.

I am currently training locally at Xclusive's Fitness and I look forward to creating new workouts and routines for clients. I love giving back, sharing knowledge, and watching people change their lives. I look forward to working on the craft of fitness and lifestyle training.

Define Fitness

My physical goals are to gain more muscle and continue to build the body of my dreams. I plan on staying approximately 2 weeks out from being able to shoot in front of the camera. One of my goals this year is to become published. I feel like if I stay within 2 weeks out from out from being able to stand in front of camera, I will be reminding myself daily of my goal for publishing. Not to mention, I love setting the example and showing that a healthy, fit body is attainable while still enjoying treats and yummy food.

Health and wellness is my passion and I love to share that with everyone. My goal from here on out is to constantly learn and better my skills. I love sharing what I learn, my experiences, and helping people accomplish their health and wellness goals. I plan on putting in the work in the gym, the kitchen, and in my spiritual life so I can motivate others to become their best.

On several occasions I have asked if any one has any topics or questions they would like me to answer in blog posts or social. Please feel free to reach out to me, I love hearing from you all!

Wish me luck!!

Post Show Plan

It is no secret I am approaching my third WBFF Competition in just a couple days!

Leading up to a show my diet becomes more restrictive in order to obtain the stage body and leanness that is necessary. People have asked on a couple occassions what I will "cheat" on or what I look forward to following the show. I love this question mainly because it gives me the opportunity to share my love and passion for health and wellness.



Anna Lavonne Richardson WBFF Diva Bikini Model

I have never and will never condone a post-show binge... in other words... I personally don't believe in eating everything in sight (pop tarts, cupcakes, Oreos, etc.) immediately following a show. I think it is terrible for the body's metabolism and borh physical and mental health. Not to mention I have worked countless hours and months on my body, throwing a bunch of crap in my body hours following a show makes me feel like food has more control over me than I would like to allow. I know there are other competitors that believe differently and that is okay, however I want to set a good example for any woman following me on my fitness journey. Health, wellness, and being fit is a lifestyle to me, not just a special occasion. There is nothing that cannot be enjoyed through moderation and balance.

Besides, who really wants to feel stuffed full of sugar and bloated following any special event?

With that said, my plan is to enjoy certain splurges in moderation and (key word) over a period of a month or more post-show. Spacing out my splurges/cheats over time will allow for my body to come back from the restrictive diet that I had leading up to my show. Since stuffing my body full of a bunch of indulgent food post-show isn't in my plan, I have come up with a few things I look forward to and that I plan to enjoy over time.

First, I look forward to a steak. It can have a baked potato or just plain old veggies, but a great steak is the first thing I have my eye on. To most people this doesn't sound like much of a splurge, so I will continue.

Another thing I have my eyes on is a few pieces of french toast! I do enjoy carbohydrates, especially when they are sweet. So it is possible the week following my show I will enjoy a wonderful breakfast with my fiance. My breakfast to include eggs, turkey sausage, and french toast.


Temecula Valley Wine Country- Wilson Creek Manor

In June we have another vacation scheduled for Temecula Wine Country here in Southern California. I am excited to taste a few wines, enjoy a weekend of relaxation, and enjoy a glass of champagne. What I love most about living a consistent healthy lifestyle is that special occasions and vacations are enjoyable when it comes to enjoying tasty splurges. We might even be looking at wedding venues while we are on vacation. That's exciting!

I snagged a few pieces of clearance Easter candies the Monday following the show and since I am a sucker for chocolate, I will be enjoying a few pieces a week or two after show. I am also on the hunt for a dairy free, dark chocolate to enjoy post show.



Against All Grain

Finally, I am really looking forward to getting in to the kitchen and creating healthy alternative recipes to share with you all. I recently picked up Against all Grain by Danielle Walker. It is a cook book packed full with Paleo recipes. Over the last few months I discovered I have an intolerance to dairy and I am especially looking forward to getting in to the kitchen and finding a few healthy, dairy-free recipes to share. In particular, Danielle's book includes a recipe for mini-meatloaf muffins with cauliflower mashed "potatoes" on top. I love creating yummy meals for both my fiance and I to enjoy at home. A healthy home and healthy recipes make me feel empowered and excited. I cannot wait to share!

I am excited to step on stage and showcase all of the work I put in over the last few months. I also look forward to coming home and getting creative with healthy foods. Health and wellness will always be my passion. I look forward to sharing with you all recipes that are still healthy, but taste just like our favorite comfort foods.

Thank you all for your love and support. I have been very blessed to have great followers and such positive feedback. I have goals for these next few months and I can't wait to share my plans with you all. Stay tuned... in the next couple days I will share with you all what is on the horizon!

Your feedback is much appreciated and I would love to hear from you. Email me, message me, and/or follow me on Facebook and Instagram.

Utilizing the Tools I Gather

Hello!
The purpose of my blog today is to track my progress and share the various ways I plan to accomplish my goals this upcoming year. This past weekend was a very motivating weekend in Long Beach at Super Camp. I was surrounded and being taught by top Pro Athletes in the WBFF, experts in all industries from marketing, skin care, and self improvement. In addition, I shared the weekend with over 30 driven and motivated weekend.

WBFF Super Camp with Nathan Harewood and WBFF Pros Sharon Polsky,
Nadia Lopez, Lindsay Messina, and Teri Crenshaw
at Pole Position Fitness, Long Beach, CA

This was not my first camp. Over the last year I have attended 10 or more of these health and fitness camps here in California. Each and every time I come out of camp feeling motivated and encouraged to put the tools I gathered to use. Slowly I would lose that motivation and find myself back to my old habits. Going in to the camp I decided this time would be different.

Yesterday was the first day and the first Monday following camp. So far, so good! My first step was to admit to myself that I was going to have to face a few fears head on if I was going to create new habits. We all know this, right? Doing something new is always scary, but after you have done it a few times we overcome the fear. I sent texts to my closest friends and coaches making the commitment to change and improve myself. This first step seems to be what I may have been missing prior. It is an accountability factor. NOW, I cannot give up so easy and I cannot make excuses as to why I have not accomplished what I said I would.

I would challenge you to start there first. Make a commitment to someone other than yourself. Someone you trust, someone that knows and will appreciate the struggle you are about to have. I think this is something important to consider, SOMEONE THAT KNOWS AND APPRECIATES. Too often we tell someone our goals or dreams and they are someone that has no clue what it takes to get to where we want to go. Not only that, it is possible they are paralyzed by fears themselves and potentially could hold you back.

Another step I took yesterday is purchasing a journal and writing ALL of my year's goals on the inside cover. My plan is to each day write in my journal everything I am feeling, the things I have done or accomplished that day, and refer back constantly to the POWER GOALS on the inside cover. This way I can constantly check to see if my actions are in line with my goals. Also, I am able to track the smaller steps that I am taking toward accomplishing my goals. I think it will be a positive and motivating seeing that though it is small, I am making great progress!

Finally, each morning I am making a list of 3-4 things to accomplish for the day. Nothing extreme, just small actions listed that I can check off as I have completed them. Yesterday I felt accomplished when I went to bed. I had completed the 4 things that I had added to my list yesterday morning. They were smaller goal that I had accomplished, but I feel like it was a step in the right direction to create a new habit of committing and achieving.

Off to start a new day and tackle new goals!!!

Today-- Commit to someone that will hold you accountable in a positive way. Also, start by making a list of your POWER GOALS... the goals you will accomplish this year. Start with the big goals and then work your way backwards tackling smaller goals that are in line with your POWER GOALS.

What's Poppin'?!?

Need a fun Superbowl snacks, staying in for a movie on Netflix, or looking for a quick snack??
Air-popped popcorn is one my favorite, healthy snacks!!
I purchased an air-popper just recently. You can find them at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Target, and even Kohl's for around $20-$25.
BUT... you can also make this fun snack using a household item...

A Brown Paper Bag!!

All you will need is a 1/4 cup of unpopped corn kernels and one brown paper bag.
Pour the kernels in the bottom of a single brown paper bag. Keep the bag upright and fold the top of the bag down twice, making 1/2 inch folds.
Place the upright bag into the microwave for 2 minutes on high heat.
The kernels will begin to pop. If you notice the popping stops before the 2 minutes is up, remove the bag from the microwave.

CAREFULLY remove the bag, it can be hot!!

Empty the popcorn in to a bowl and add your favorite toppings. My favorite is coconut butter and nutritional yeast. You can also add your favorite hot sauce, herbs, spices, and a sprinkle of sea salt.
I am not responsible for any addictions that come sharing this quick, fun recipe!! :)

ENJOY!